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Businesses across China ramp up production as new year begins

Xinhua) 08:48, January 06, 2026

A worker carries out welding tasks at a manufacturing base in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 5, 2026. At the start of 2026, businesses across China are already busy fulfilling orders and ramping up production, aiming for a sound performance in the first quarter. (Photo by Zhao Jun/Xinhua)

Workers assemble a smart tractor in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. At the start of 2026, businesses across China are already busy fulfilling orders and ramping up production, aiming for a sound performance in the first quarter. (Photo by Ren Fei/Xinhua)

A worker carries out grinding tasks at a shipping company facility in Taizhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. At the start of 2026, businesses across China are already busy fulfilling orders and ramping up production, aiming for a sound performance in the first quarter. (Photo by Yang Yugang/Xinhua)

A worker produces aluminum alloy doors and windows at a factory in Qinyang, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 5, 2026. At the start of 2026, businesses across China are already busy fulfilling orders and ramping up production, aiming for a sound performance in the first quarter. (Photo by Yang Fan/Xinhua)

Workers make touch screen components at an electronics company in Tonggu County, Yichun, east China's Jiangxi Province, Jan. 4, 2026. At the start of 2026, businesses across China are already busy fulfilling orders and ramping up production, aiming for a sound performance in the first quarter. (Photo by Zhou Liang/Xinhua)

A worker checks products at the workshop of a stainless steel company in Dainan Town, Xinghua City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. At the start of 2026, businesses across China are already busy fulfilling orders and ramping up production, aiming for a sound performance in the first quarter. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Single-Family Development Will Add 166 Townhomes to Phoenix's East Valley

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer, owner-operator and investment manager specializing in premier rental housing across the U.S., today announced it has broken ground on Amavi Queen Creek, a single-family, build-to-rent community in Phoenix's East Valley.

The community, which will feature 166 three-bedroom townhomes with various layouts, is positioned six miles east of Loop 202 in one of the East Valley's fastest-growing areas. The two-story townhomes will feature high-end finishes and thoughtful amenities designed to provide a sophisticated living experience. First move-ins are anticipated for spring 2027.

"Amavi Queen Creek will provide its residents with an exceptional ease of living and a high quality of life by offering great access to key employment centers, along with highly rated schools and proximity to an abundance of retail," said Sam Griffin, president of the West Region single-family rental for Mill Creek Residential. "As opposed to the bustling West Valley, the East Valley has been far less exposed to the influx of new housing supply. We look forward to getting started on Amavi Queen Creek and are eager to help address the area's emerging demand for premium housing."

Situated at 19211 South Sossaman Road, Amavi Queen Creek provides expedient connectivity to the area's economic hubs, including the Elliot Road Technology Corridor, Arizona State Polytechnic Campus and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Residents will also have convenient access to a variety of retail centers, dining options and recreational outlets, including San Tan Mountain Regional Park, which encompasses more than 10,000 acres south of Queen Creek.

Amavi Queen Creek's townhomes will offer private garages wired for EV charging, private patios, select loft layouts and an average size of 1,523 square feet. Community amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool, resident clubhouse, landscaped courtyards, surface parking, playground, cornhole, bocce ball, walking trails and a 24/7 fitness studio with a TRX system.

Homes at the pet-friendly community will feature nine-foot ceilings, oversized windows, wood-style plank flooring, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, tile backsplashes, in-home washers and dryers, smart thermostats and oversized primary bedrooms with large closets. Bathrooms will feature double vanities, quartz countertops and tile shower surrounds.

About Mill Creek Residential

Mill Creek Residential is a national rental housing company focused on developing, acquiring, and operating rental communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, proactively develops, acquires, constructs, and operates communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento, Southern California, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of September 30, 2025, the company's portfolio comprises 153 communities representing over 43,500 rental homes operating or under construction. For more information, please visit MillCreekPlaces.com.

Media Contact

Stephen Ursery

LinnellTaylor Marketing

[email protected]

303.682.3945

SOURCE Mill Creek Residential
President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn after landing at the White House on January 4, 2026, in Washington, DC. - Alex Wong/Getty Images

Look out, world.

One of President Donald Trumps longest-serving White House aides Monday gave the clearest explanation yet of an epochal shift in Americas global role, as the administration charts a brazen course after decapitating Venezuelas regime.

We live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told CNNs Jake Tapper. But we live in a world, in the real world  that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power, Miller said.

These are the iron laws of the world.

Any US allies still in denial after the first wild year of Trumps second term should listen to something else Miller said. Were a superpower. And under President Trump, we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower.

His comments came in the context of questions about Trumps claims to be running Venezuela following the daring US special forces raid that snatched President Nicolas Maduro and sent him to a Monday court hearing in New York.

Law enforcement officials move captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, second from left, out of the helicopter in New York on January 5. - Adam Gray/Reuters

They also followed warnings by Trump on Sunday of possible fresh action against other nations. He specifically threatened Colombia; he also said Mexico needed to get their act together. Trump also recently pledged that Iran would get hit very hard if it killed protesters.

As always, with Trumps administration, its necessary to carefully weigh volatile rhetoric often aimed at provoking critics or pleasing base voters. And Miller rivals the president with his explosive statements.

But this is no longer just about words. Its about actions.

Big questions emerging after Maduro raid

Trump justified the swoop against Maduro by portraying him as the pinnacle of a massive drug cartel and his country as a multipronged threat to the US. As a democratically elected president, Trump has wide latitude over foreign policy  and nothing but contempt for the idea that Congress has any oversight role.

Millions of people would be better off without Maduro if Venezuela transitions to a democracy. And millions of refugees could go home.

But the White Houses aggressive strategy in Venezuela  not to mention its apparent intent to empower remnants of the regime and not rightful democratic leaders  raises profound questions.

So does its defiant refusal to seek congressional authorization for an apparent act of war in seizing a foreign leader and breaching Venezuelan sovereignty in an operation that officials say involved nearly 200 US personnel on the ground and a fierce firefight.

These questions include:

 Does Trump have a viable plan for Venezuela after the ouster of Maduro  a reviled dictator who ran his country into the ground?

 How can US military and diplomatic resources keep up with the pace of Trumps fast-expanding ambitions to control the Western Hemisphere?

 Does the administration plan further military incursions into Venezuela? Miller, for example, spoke of an ongoing military operation on Monday.

 And how much is this all going to cost American taxpayers?

Its questionable whether a president who is struggling to manage his own nation  where his approval rating has dipped below 40% and voters are angry about high prices  can run another country. For the same reasons, Trumps bellicose threats to bring multiple other nations into line also seem questionable.

Such questions ought to interest Congress.

Yet, Republican leaders of the House and Senate majorities fell in line behind the administrations stance that a raid deep into Venezuelan territory was a mere law enforcement mission that did not require constitutional authorization.

Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune offered the most surprising example of Congress reluctance to oversee a president when he told CNNs Manu Raju that advising top congressional leaders of the raid in advance would have been ill-advised since Congress is not the best at keeping secrets.

Who is really running Venezuela?

In a literal sense, Trump is not running Venezuela.

The Maduro raid left in place the vicious machinery of security services and henchmen that maintained years of iron fist repression. The US presidents words either suggest delusion or symbolize his claim that a US naval armada offshore means he can impose his will on the countrys acting President Delcy Rodriguez. The demonstrated might of the US military could be coercive. But Rodriguez faces a more local threat: the hardline Venezuelan government ministers who maintain the criminal gangs and militia that theyve used to enrich and empower themselves for years.

But Millers bullishness epitomizes an ebullient administration casting around for new targets. And Trump is developing an appetite for spectacular military action that delivers big headlines but avoids the boots on the ground quagmires.

Thats where Greenland comes in.

Since the Venezuela raid, Trump has again insisted that the autonomous Danish territory is vital for US national security. Miller implied that the US could co-opt it simply because it it is strong and Denmark is weaker, even though any operation to seize Greenland would be an implicit and unprecedented attack on a fellow NATO member.

The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, Miller told Tapper.

Greenland has always been a strategic jewel. It sits atop Atlantic shipping lanes. And as the polar ice caps melt, its becoming a theater of superpower competition among the US, Russia and China.

In a sense, Miller is correct when he told CNN nobody is going to fight the United States over the future of Greenland. The US could fly in a division of troops and face no resistance. But it wouldnt be necessary. The island could easily be reinforced because Denmark is a NATO member and is covered by the alliances mutual defense guarantee. Denmark and the US already have an agreement granting Washington extensive access. In fact, theres already a US military base there, which Vice President JD Vance visited last year.

US Vice President JD Vance (2R) and Second Lady Usha Vance (2L) tour the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28, 2025. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

But its clear that a president who craves wins, acquisitions and surveying his own legacy in real time isnt much interested in a beefed-up NATO mission. And theres another potential reason for his interest. The administration has put a new struggle for rare earth minerals at the center of its foreign policy from Ukraine to Australia. Under Greenlands frozen soil lie deposits of critical elements vital to the defense and tech industries.

Millers message was reinforced with an extraordinary social media post by the State Department on Monday showing a grim-faced Trump and the words This is Our Hemisphere. But the idea the US will use its might more overtly and solely in its own interests is not new. It underpinned Trumps first address to the United Nations in his first term in 2017. He stressed the concept of individual national sovereignty of states in an implicit rejection of multilateral organizations and international laws. I will defend Americas interests above all else, he said.

In the second term, Trump is defining Americas interests even more expansively.

Nowhere in Millers interview was there any acknowledgment that individual nation states or territories  Greenland, for instance  have a sovereign right to decide their own destinies. Nor that international law, developed to avoid a repeat of cataclysmic 20th-century wars, can ever limit the United States.

How Trump is fundamentally changing Americas global role

By implication, Millers rhetoric rejected the foundations of 80 years of American postwar leadership. The Wests founding documents  like the Atlantic Charter signed between President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in a wartime conference in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland  rejected the notion that big, powerful nations could impose their will on smaller ones.

These principles are also the bedrock of the UNs founding documents and NATOs collective alliance. This is why so many American policymakers on each side of the aisle worry about any peace deal in Ukraine that rewards Russias attempt to obliterate Ukraine.

The longer Trump is in office, the wider become his differences with his postwar predecessors. He seems better matched for a previous age of equally authentic US presidents who wielded tariffs and snapped up new territory in the 19th century.

Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders was asked by CNNs Tapper to comment on Millers statements that the Venezuelan government now needed Americas permission to conduct commerce and other business.

Mr. Miller gave a very good definition of imperialism, Sanders said. We are powerful. We have the strongest military on Earth, and we can run any country we want, he said, paraphrasing Millers argument.

But, Sanders said, Is that really the kind of America that our people want? I dont think so.

Theres no doubt Trumps strongman act delights his supporters. But is this widening thirst for global power what voters really wanted in 2024?

Americans will get their first chance to weigh in on this question in Novembers midterm elections. But by the time the 2028 election to choose Trumps successor rolls around, the world may have changed beyond recognition.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Trumps shocking operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife polarized the international community on Saturday.

Exiled opposition figures welcomed the overthrow of a dictator, while authoritarians cried foul and democratic leaders fretted over the precedent.

In Latin America, Trumps critics condemned the U.S. military operation as a call back to American interventionism and disregard for national boundaries and legal sovereignty.

The Government of Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally in recent hours by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations (UN), Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on X in Spanish.

Likewise, Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the U.S. operation as crossing an unacceptable line.

These acts represent a most serious affront to Venezuelas sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community, he posted on X. Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.

Lula said Trumps action recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics of Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens the preservation of the region as a zone of peace.

Colombias outgoing President Gustavo Petro said the national government had mobilized to preserve stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, institute security and respond to humanitarian or migratory needs.

Petro said Colombia observed with deep concern the initial reports of the U.S. operation and said it rejected any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk.

Colombias Foreign Ministry must maintain open diplomatic channels with the involved governments and will promote, in the relevant multilateral and regional spaces, initiatives aimed at the objective verification of the facts, and the preservation of peace and regional security, he wrote.

El Salvadors President Nayeb Bukele, a close ally to Trump, was more cryptic, reposting on Saturday a July 21 statement attacking Maduro at the time as indignant following negotiations for Venezuela to accept migrant deportees from the U.S. Bukeles July statement said the Venezuelan strongman had run out of hostages from the worlds most powerful country.

Venezuelas opposition and other figures fighting against authoritarian regimes struck a celebratory tone.

Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, wrote on X that the hour of freedom has arrived.

Machado, who had secretly escaped the country last month to travel to Norway and accept the international prize, was recognized for her efforts to certify the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election and prove that opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez was the rightful winner of the contest.

While in Europe, Machado said she planned to return to Venezuela, but her whereabouts are currently unknown.

Other exiled opposition figures were quick to voice support for Maduros ousting.

Dictators are not eternal  and today, it seems [Belaruss President Alexander] Lukashenka has lost yet another illegitimate crony, Svetlana Tsihanouskaya posted on X.

Tsihanouskaya was recognized by Western countries as the legitimate winner of Belaruss 2020 presidential contest but fled the country at the time amid Lukashenkas crackdown and claim to power.

Today my heart is with the people of Venezuela. I hope recent events will bring justice, freedom, and the rule of law that Venezuelans have long deserved and bravely fought for, she wrote.

Likewise, Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha underscored Maduros illegitimacy, pointing to the Venezuelan leaders reliance on Russian President Vladimir Putin as an ally. But Sybiha also pointed to respect for principles of international law, prioritising democracy, human rights, and the interests of Venezuelans. Kyiv has worked to hold Russia to account under international law for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022.

Democratic countries and human rights organizations across the globe have emphasized his regimes widespread crimes, violence, torture, oppression, abuse of all basic freedoms, stolen votes, and destruction of democracy and the rule of law, Sybiha posted on X.

Ukraine has not recognised Maduros legitimacy following rigged elections and violence against protestors, along with dozens of other countries in different parts of the world, he continued.

The people of Venezuela must have a chance for a normal life, security, prosperity, and human dignity. We will continue to support their right to such normality, respect, and freedom.

Russias Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of committing an act of armed aggression against Venezuela and said the pretexts used to justify these actions are untenable.

European countries offered measured reactions, aware of Maduros crimes against the people and the global community but cautious in putting its support behind the U.S. for a military strike that risks undermining international law.

Following very closely the situation in Venezuela. We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter, President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen posted on X.

Likewise, Spains President Pedro Sanchez, whose government had provided amnesty to Gonzalez, the opposition presidential contender, called for respect of international law and the principles of the United Nations charter, but said Madrid was conducting a thorough monitoring of the events in Venezuela.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that the U.S. military operation violated international law and contributed further to the weakening of global institutions meant to avoid armed conflict between states and promote dialogue.

The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro contravenes the principle of the non-use of force that underpins international law. France recalls that no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside, and that sovereign peoples alone decide their future, he posted on X.

The growing number of violations of this principle by nations vested with the primary responsibility of permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council will have grave consequences for global security, sparing no one, he continued.

Guided by the lessons of history, France is preparing for this reality but cannot accept it. It reiterates its attachment to the United Nations Charter, which must continue to guide the international action of states, always and everywhere.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A view of Nuuk, Greenland, seen on August 13, 2025. - Lasse Kyed for The Washington Post/Getty Images

Amid increasing concerns that Greenland, a vast Arctic territory ruled by Denmark, is still being coveted by the Trump administration, the Danish prime minister has delivered a stark warning to the White House.

In nationally televised remarks, Mette Frederiksen reminded Danes that she had already made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and that Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States.

But she also warned of the consequences of US military action to seize Greenland  something US President Donald Trump has pointedly refused to rule out.

First of all, I think you have to take the US president seriously when he says he wants Greenland, Frederiksen said, reflecting heightened anxiety about Trumps intentions in the aftermath of his extraordinary military action in Venezuela.

Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen in Brussels, Belgium, on December 19. - Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/Getty Images

But I also want to make it clear that if the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of World War II, she added.

It is a serious and widely shared concern among NATO allies that the Greenland issue has the potential not only to anger and humiliate a longtime US partner, but also to fracture the Western military alliance as pressure from Washington escalates.

On Tuesday, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark released a join statement saying, Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security.

Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, the statement continued. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.

Trump repeated on Sunday that the US needs Greenland from the standpoint of national security.

We need Greenland  Its so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.

Late Monday, White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller reiterated those claims that Greenland should be part of the United States, but he rejected that military force would be necessary to acquire it.

Nobodys gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland, Miller said on CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper.

When pressed whether military intervention is off the table, Miller instead questioned Denmarks claim over the Arctic territory.

His remarks came after Millers wife, and Trump ally, Katie Miller posted on X an image of the map of Greenland overlaid with the American flag, writing, SOON.

Its the latest reminder of a repeatedly stated Trump-administration ambition that has set Washingtons traditional European allies  most of all, Denmark  on edge.

CNN visited Greenland in October, as the Danish military staged an unprecedented show of military force officially meant to deter what are said to be growing Russian and Chinese military threats.

Moscow may be bogged down fighting in Ukraine at the moment, but once that brutal conflict is finally over, Danish military officials tell CNN they fully expect Russia to divert resources and use its warfighting experience to pose a much greater threat in the Arctic region.

China, too, has been stepping up its Arctic claims, taking part in patrols and exercises with Russian vessels, as well as funding Arctic infrastructure projects and developing a polar silk road plan for Arctic shipping. Its even declared itself a near-Arctic state, even though its most northerly major city, Harbin, is roughly as far north as Venice in Italy.

But in face-to-face meetings, senior Danish military commanders say that neither Russia nor China currently present any significant military threat to Greenland.

I dont think we have a threat to Greenland right now, Major General Sren Andersen, the chief of Denmarks Joint Arctic Command, told CNN.

Whats more, Danish military officials insist the worlds largest island  the size of six Germanys or two of the biggest US states, Alaska and California, combined  is relatively straightforward to defend. Harsh weather, mountainous terrain and a lack of infrastructure make the entire east coast of the territory virtually unconquerable, according to one Danish military official.

President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn after landing at the White House on January 4, in Washington, DC. - Alex Wong/Getty Images

Privately, Danish military officials told CNN the maneuvers on land, air and sea were really designed to show Trump how seriously it took Greenlands security, after his repeated threats to take it over, in the hope of convincing him to change his mind.

But that strategy, it seems, does not appear to have worked. And with a Trump administration seemingly emboldened by what it regards as a stunning success in Venezuela, the future of Greenland and the cohesion of the Western military alliance are once again being plunged into uncertainty.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Trump administrations stunning overnight operation in Venezuela Saturday involving at least seven military strikes and the capture of Nicolas Maduro drew familiar legal criticisms from across the political spectrum.

President Donald Trump's decision to authorize the strikes, which early reports say killed dozens of foreign military and law enforcement personnel, follows decades of presidents sidestepping Congress to launch offensives abroad. But experts and lawmakers warned that the legal questions do not end there.

While Maduro and his wife are detained in New York and face prosecution for alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation and weapons charges, Trump has said the U.S. incursion in the South American country was about more than Maduro's capture. Trump said the U.S. plans to take over Venezuela and exploit its enormous oil reserves, a sweeping vow that raised a bevy of concerns among Democrats and non-interventionist Republicans.

Defiant Maduro Declares He Is A 'Prisoner Of War' In First Us Court Appearance

Thousands of Venezuelans living in Madrid gathered at Puerta del Sol to celebrate the arrest of Nicolas Maduro after President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuela's leader after bombing Caracas. (Getty Images)

Clark Neily, a senior vice president at the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank, told Fox News Digital that Trumps decision to carry out Maduros arrest tested constitutional limits but was likely legal. Neily said, though, that the presidents subsequent suggestions of regime change in a sovereign nation were more problematic.

"When a decision is made to entangle the United States in that kind of situation  and, there's also been talk by Trump of putting boots on the ground, so that could involve the commitment of substantial military resources and potentially put the lives of our service members on the line  that's really the kind of decision that I believe the Constitution commits to the Congress and not to the unilateral discretion of a president," Neily said.

Read On The Fox News App

Congress has the sole power to declare war, but presidents have long used military force without formal congressional approval. Neily said a top historical comparison could be drawn from former President George H.W. Bush's invasion of Panama in 1989, in which the president authorized a military operation that resulted in Manuel Noriega's removal from power and prosecution and conviction in the U.S.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, indicated on Saturday that the operation in Venezuela was a narrow move intended to protect those executing an arrest warrant. He said Trumps unilateral approval of it was likely protected under Article II of the Constitution, which governs executive branch authority.

"This action likely falls within the presidents inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack," Lee said.

But Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., called Trump's actions "illegal" and said opposing lawmakers plan to use the "power of the purse" to counter them.

Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to reporters outside the Senate Democrats' caucus lunch meeting in the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 6, 2025.

"There are two levers that we intend to use," Kaine said.

He pointed to a war powers resolution, whose cosponsors include Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., that senators intend to soon bring up for a vote to block further military action in Venezuela. A similar resolution narrowly failed, largely along party lines, following Trump's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year. Kaine also threatened to withhold funding for Venezuela from the defense appropriations bill, which needs to be resolved by the end of January.

Kaine noted that Trump "ushered in this particular wingnut to run Venezuela," referring to Delcy Rodriguez, No. 2 to Maduro, and predicted Rodriguez would not be a cooperative partner to the U.S. The president said in an interview with The Atlantic that if Rodriguez did not "do whats right" she would "pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."

Concerns about the U.S. role in Venezuelan affairs escalated after Trump said following Maduros capture that the U.S. would remain involved and could not rule out further military action.

"We're going to be running [Venezuela] with a group, and we're going to make sure it's run properly," Trump said.

Trump said the "people that are standing right behind me" are going to oversee the transition, a reference to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, among others.

3 Key Takeaways From Trump's Push To Put Us Oil Firms Back In Venezuela

Following Trump's remarks, Rubio tempered expectations on "Meet the Press" by saying the operation was about Maduro, who he said was merely a criminal defendant wanted for drug trafficking.

"This was a law enforcement function to capture an indicted drug trafficker," Rubio said.

He said the U.S. plans to force policy change in Venezuela but that it was not at war with the country.

"We are at war against drug trafficking organizations. It's not a war against Venezuela," Rubio said, adding that any U.S. involvement there is "in our national interest."

Jonathan Turley, law professor at George Washington University, said in an op-ed that Trump's remarks about nation building could be raised in court but that he believed the president would ultimately still prevail.

"The problem is that, if the purpose was regime change, this attack was an act of war," Turley said.

However, "the aftermath of the operation is distinct from its immediate purpose," Turley said, noting that the "devil is in the details."

"Trump can argue that, absent countervailing action from Congress, he has the authority under Article II of the Constitution to lay the foundation for a constitutional and economic revival in Venezuela," he said.

Neily told Fox News Digital that Congress alone has the constitutional authority to declare war, and he believed Trumps words and actions amounted to a declaration of war, not simply the surgical deposition of a foreign leader under indictment.

"I would say, removing the head of a foreign country in a fairly obvious and deliberate effort to affect regime change is pretty clearly an act of war," Neily said. "Now, it may also be the serving of an arrest warrant. But which one seems to predominate here? I'd say this is primarily an effort to cause a change in leadership in Venezuela. That strikes me as being the kind of thing that we were talking about when we say an act of war."





Original article source: Trumps Venezuela strike sparks constitutional clash as Maduro is hauled into US
The United Nations Security Council holds an emergency meeting to discuss recent U.S. actions in Venezuela at U.N. headquarters in New York on January 5, 2026. Credit - John LamparskiAFP/Getty Images

The Trump Administrations military intervention in Venezuela drew condemnations from both U.S. allies and adversaries at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

French U.N. envoy Jay Dharmadhikari said that the U.S.-led operation to seize Maduro chips away at the very foundation of international order.

The military operation that has led to the capture of Maduro runs counter to the principle of peace dispute resolution and runs counter to the principle of non-use of force, Dharmadhikari said.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the intergovernmental organizations top official, said the U.S. had violated the U.N. charter, which says that member countries shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and called for diplomacy.

I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted, Guterres said.

Danish ambassador to the U.N. Christina Markus Lassen also spoke in defense of Venezuelan sovereignty, noting that no state should seek to influence political outcomes in Venezuela through the use of threat of force or through other means inconsistent with international law.

Following Maduros apprehension, Trump again said he wanted to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Lassen did not specifically reference the threat during the U.N. meeting, but stressed, The inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation.

Read more: Enough Is Enough: Greenlands Prime Minister Issues Stark Warning as Trump Renews Annexation Threat

Russia and China, historical allies of Venezuela and prominent critics of U.S. foreign policy, denounced the actions as well.

We cannot allow the United States to proclaim itself as some kind of a supreme judge, which alone bears the right to invade any country, to label culprits, to hand down and to enforce punishments irrespective of notions of international law, sovereignty and nonintervention, said Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

Both countries demanded the release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also arrested on Saturday, and called for a stop to any further military action in Venezuela.

Where are the foundations of international peace and security?" Colombias U.N. ambassador Zalabata Torres asked at the Monday meeting. It reminds us of the worst interference in our area, in our zone of peace.

Trump has also threatened U.S. action in Colombia, as well as Mexico, following the operations in Venezuela, saying Colombia is run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States and that drugs are pouring through Mexico.

Venezuelan ambassador Samuel Moncada warned that the impact of U.S. intervention could reach beyond his country.

If the kidnapping of a head of state and bombing are tolerated or downplayed, the message sent to the world is a devastating one, mainly that the law is optional and force is the true arbiter of international order, Moncada said.

Mike Waltz, the U.S. envoy to the U.N., pushed back against the criticism, calling Maduros capture a surgical law enforcement operation.

If the United Nations in this body confers legitimacy on an illegitimate narco-terrorist with the same treatment in this charter of a democratically elected president or head of state, what kind of organization is this? Waltz said.

Read more: How the World Is Reacting to the U.S. Capture of Nicolas Maduro

Along with suggesting potential U.S. intervention in Colombia and Mexico and renewing threats to annex Greenland, Trump also said that if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.

Iran requested to speak at the meeting as well as the council members and Venezuela, as did several other Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Nicaragua, and Cuba, indicating widespread opposition to the U.S. actions in the region.

Mondays meeting marked the second time the council has convened over the U.S.s actions against Venezuela since October, when it met to discuss deadly strikes carried out by the U.S. against Venezuelan vessels that the Trump Administration alleged were transporting drugs.

Maduro and Flores were taken to their arraignments in New York as the Security Council met. Both pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.

Also on Monday afternoon, Delcy Rodriguez, who served for years as Venezuelas vice president during Maduros tenure, was sworn in as the countrys interim president.

At the formal swearing-in ceremony Rodriguez, too, condemned what she called the U.S.s illegitimate military aggression in Venezuela.

I come with sorrow for the suffering inflicted upon the Venezuelan people, she said, adding, I come with sorrow for the kidnapping of two heroes.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
European leaders released a joint statement Tuesday, outlining the importance of Arctic security, but stressing that "Greenland belongs to its people," hours after White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller said it was "the formal position of the U.S. government... that Greenland should be part of the United States."

Miller also said, in an interview Monday with CNN, that "the United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the United States."

Greenland has been a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, and has been tied to the small European nation for 300 years, though it has its own elected government. The largest island in the world, it is located to the northeast of Canada and is about the size of Sweden. It is largely covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet and is home to only around 60,000 people.

Its location between the U.S., Russia and Europe makes it strategic for both economic and defense purposes  especially as melting sea ice has opened up new shipping routes through the Arctic. It is also the location of the northernmost U.S. military base.

"NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries," the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the U.K. and Greenland said in their joint statement on Tuesday.

"Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them. The United States is an essential partner in this endeavor, as a NATO ally and through the defense agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951," the U.S. allies said.

"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

/ Credit: Getty/iStockphoto

On Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said an American military move to seize control of Greenland would amount to the end of the NATO military alliance.

"If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops," Frederiksen told local media on Monday. "That is, including our NATO, and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War."

When asked Tuesday if the U.S. would use military force to take over Greenland, Miller told CNN: "The United States should have Greenland as part of the United States. There's no need to even think or talk about this in the context that you're asking, of a military operation. Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland."

Some U.S. lawmakers pushed back against the idea of asserting U.S. control over Greenland.

Democratic Rep. Steny H. Hoyer and Republican Rep. Blake Moore, who co-chair the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus, said in a joint statement that "sabre-rattling about annexing Greenland is needlessly dangerous."

They said any U.S. attack on Greenland "would tragically be an attack on NATO."

"We already have access to everything we could need from Greenland," the two lawmakers said, noting that Denmark's government has already given the U.S. permission to deploy additional military forces there, or to build more missile defense infrastructure on the island.

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LONDON  Major European allies warned the United States on Tuesday that they would "not stop defending" the values of sovereignty and territorial integrity following President Donald Trump's threats against the Danish island of Greenland.

Trump and his team have ramped up hostile suggestions that they want to seize Greenland, a vast Arctic island of just 50,000 people that has mineral and strategic significance.

The U.S. attack against Venezuela and capture of President Nicolas Maduro  which the United Nations said undermined international law  has raised fears that this might not be an empty threat.

Follow live coverage here

The European leaders were in Paris meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff and others, according to a White House official. It is the latest in frenzied rounds of shuttle diplomacy to end Russias war in Ukraine.

Though these negotiations have accelerated since November, the U.S. attack on Venezuela and continued suggestions of seizing Greenland have cast a shadow over the talks, which are being held with the very allies that  under NATOs principle of collective defense  Trump has suggested attacking.

Denmarks military intelligence service recently classified the U.S. as a security risk. (Juliette Pavy / Bloomberg via Getty Images) (Juliette Pavy)

The Kingdom of Denmark  including Greenland  is part of NATO, the allies said in a joint statement.

Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them, said the statement, issued by the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark.

It added that the United States is an essential partner in this endeavor, as a NATO ally and through a 1951 defense agreement allowing Washington to build military bases on the vast island. Greenland belongs to its people, it said. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.

Outgoing centrist Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., called the statement "embarrassing for the U.S." in a post on X.

"Denigrating our Allies serves no purpose and there is NO up side," he said. "It weakens us by diminishing trust between friends, and Russia and China love it. So stop the stupid 'we want Greenland BS.'"

European allies backed Denmark and Greenland, whose leaders rebuked Trump. (Emil Stach / AFP via Getty Images) (Emil Stach)

One of the key elements being discussed in Paris is Ukraine and Europes desire for security guarantees, which could come in the form of a multinational force being deployed to Ukraine to ensure Russia does not launch further attacks.

French President Emmanuel Macron had said Tuesdays gathering of the so-called coalition of the willing would see the powers make concrete commitments to Ukraines security as part of any future peace deal with Russia.

Kyiv and its allies have consistently said that this would need to be backed by American military power. But Trump has indicated he may instead turn that might against a NATO ally, telling NBC News on Monday that he was very serious in his ambitions to take control of Greenland.

Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy, took this a step further. He told CNN that "obviously Greenland should be part of the U.S." because of what he described as the island's geostrategic importance in helping Washington fulfill its role as "the power of NATO."

"The real question is, what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?" he said. "Nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over Greenland," Miller added.

The issue of territory has remained a key obstacle in negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. (Lisi Niesner / Pool via AFP-Getty Images) (Lisi Niesner)

Any U.S. action against Greenland would be a dramatic and historic escalation, even when set against Trumps past hostility toward Washingtons erstwhile European allies.

Denmark is a NATO partner, and dozens of its troops died fighting in U.S.-led operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many experts believe that U.S. military action to seize the territory would spell the end of the alliance and mark a new nadir for transatlantic ties that are already strained under Trump.

It would de facto mean that NATO was dead because many European nations would simply say, OK, we cannot rely on the Americans anymore, said Peter Viggo Jakobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said much the same Monday, telling her countrys TV2 broadcaster that if the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops.

Russia has continued to assault Ukraine from the air despite Trump's peace push. (Mykyta Kuznetsov / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) (Mykyta Kuznetsov)

Even without the building panic over Greenland, it remains a colossal ask to bridge the chasm between Russias insistence on its hard-line demands and the fears held by Ukraine and Europe that President Vladimir Putin may use a deal as a launchpad to attack again.

Zelenskyy said that a peace deal is 90% there, albeit suggesting that the final 10% contains the thorniest issues.

It is unclear whether Russia will ever accept any form of security guarantee, with Putin wavering little in his demand for Ukraines effective surrender.
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The Nuclear Sponge is a five-part explanatory project by USA TODAY that aims to inform readers about the strategic debate and costs of modernizing the land leg of Americas nuclear triad.

The United States has 450 nuclear missile silos spanning six states in the Great Plains and Mountain West that hold 400 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs. The Minuteman III can deliver a nuclear weapon virtually anywhere in the world within minutes.

But the Minuteman and its silos are aging. The infrastructure was largely built during the 1960s, and the Air Force used the Minuteman III during the early 1970s.

The Pentagon is working to replace the vintage ICBMs with a next-generation missile, dubbed Sentinel. However, developing the replacement nuclear missile and constructing new silos will cost taxpayers an estimated $140 billion, following major budget overruns.

Both supporters and opponents of the Sentinel program acknowledge that one of the reasons the U.S. has remote, land-based nuclear missiles is that an enemy trying to wipe out Americas nuclear arsenal would have to strike them with their own nuclear weapons, thus reducing the number of warheads falling on more populated areas of the country. This is called the nuclear sponge theory.

To inspire discussion of U.S. nuclear strategy and the Sentinel program, USA TODAY mapped the radioactive fallout that would follow an enemy first strike against Americas nuclear sponge. Heres how we did it  the fallout model we used, the decisions and assumptions we made, other similar projects we consulted and the team that made it possible.

Why did our main story include just the nuclear sponge and not other targets?

Thats because we didnt want our readers to become overwhelmed with a sense of fatalism when looking at thousands of nuclear detonations.

Our nuclear reality is the sum of many discrete policy decisions made by policymakers across the worlds nuclear states. One such policy decision is modernizing the land leg of Americas nuclear triad. The nuclear sponge can be understood and considered as a distinct piece of a larger puzzle. We believe in helping our audience understand the costs, stakes and realities of such choices.

The fallout model

For this simulation, USA TODAY used the WSEG-10 fallout model, which was developed in 1959 by George Pugh and Robert Galiano of the Institute for Defense Analyses think tank, under contract with the Pentagons Weapons Systems Evaluation Group. The original code was in the FORTRAN language. Air Force officer Dan Hanifen published an updated version as part of a masters thesis at the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1980, which researcher Edward Geist (now at the RAND Corporation) ported to Python in 2016.

USA TODAY partnered with Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear weapons historian and professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology and visiting researcher at the Nuclear Knowledges group at Sciences Po, Paris, who ported WSEG-10 to Javascript for this project, largely based on Geists code, but with some alterations made with reference to Hanifens. (Wellerstein is also known as the creator of NUKEMAP, a free webapp that allows users to simulate the blast effects of a nuclear detonation.)

To make the visualizations and allow for experimentation and exporting of them, Wellerstein built The Fallout Machine, which merged WSEG-10 with custom target lists, integrated weather data and features, allowing the creation and export of the geographically-aligned fallout plume images that are used in this article.

The WSEG-10 model treats fallout deposition as a smear of radioactive material deposited downwind of the burst point. It was used extensively in the 1960s and 1970s by the United States government to model possible radioactive damage from a nuclear war. It is not the most sophisticated fallout model possible, but it is quick to calculate the effect of hundreds of overlapping plumes and does not require as much meteorological data as more sophisticated models do.

The model is regarded as a fairly conservative, according to Wellerstein, in that it guides planning for worst-case scenarios rather than erring on the side of underestimating the fallout. For any individual detonation, the WSEG-10 model is typically simpler than many other models; for large numbers of nearby detonations, such as an attack against the U.S. missile fields, the models results look very similar to those of other models, because the overlapping clouds tend to average out.

Wellerstein assembled the Fallout Machines weather conditions from average daily wind speed and direction data released by the National Center for Environmental Information, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NOAA data lacks a specific component required by the WSEG-10 model, horizontal wind-shear, which determines how wide the plume ends up being. For these examples, the Fallout Machine used Perlin noise to give smooth but random values within the range of likely values for this wind component. For the sake of simplicity, we assumed that all detonations occurred simultaneously.

Nuclear fallout is caused by radioactive material inside the mushroom cloud of a nuclear detonation falling from the sky as the cloud drifts with the wind in the minutes, hours and days after the explosion. Most of the radioactivity inside the cloud is a result of how much nuclear fission takes place, and thermonuclear warheads are usually assumed to have at least half of their explosive yield from nuclear fission (with the rest from nuclear fusion).

Nuclear detonations at or near the surface produce more intense fallout immediately downwind of them because their radioactive material becomes attached to heavier particles of dirt and debris inside the nuclear fireball. This is largely what is responsible for the local fallout, which is what most people picture when they think about fallout. It can cause acute radiation sickness and poses long-term contamination hazards. Some fallout particles remain aloft at high altitudes for a very long period, raising the overall global background radiation by a small but detectable amount.

Real-world fallout patterns are difficult to predict because they are largely dependent on the weather conditions, which vary at different altitudes of the mushroom cloud, and can change dynamically over time. Wind conditions also vary at different times of the year, and fallout can also come down prematurely because of precipitation (rain-out), including precipitation caused by the smoke from nuclear-weapon-induced burning.

All of this contributes to the difficulty of predicting the actual outcomes of nuclear detonations, and all the data scientists have on fallout patterns comes from the years of atmospheric nuclear testing. These tests were conducted as individual detonations (not hundreds or thousands of detonations), in only a few specific biomes (e.g., the deserts of Nevada, the coral atolls of the Pacific Ocean, the steppe of Kazakhstan, and the arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya), and generally under conditions thought to be highly predictable. The aftermath of a large nuclear attack contains many unknowns.

Building and simulating an enemy first strike

The WSEG-10 model requires a series of inputs to simulate a nuclear strike.

Location

First is the location of the detonation.

Minuteman silos are visible from space, and Russia also knows their locations thanks to data-sharing arrangements in arms control treaties. (The U.S. similarly knows where Russias missile silos are located.)

USA TODAY pulled the coordinates of 500 Minuteman silos from a 2013 United Nations report, A New START Model for Transparency in Nuclear Disarmament: Individual Country Reports, by researchers Tamara Patton, Pavel Podvig and Phillip Schell. The report lists the precise location of every known and suspected nuclear weapons site in the world; the U.S. sites are contained in Annex E.

Matt Korda, the associate director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, assisted USA TODAY in identifying 50 silos near Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, that were deactivated in the late 2000s and later destroyed. That left USA TODAY with a list of 450 targets for our strike simulations.

Weapons parameters

Our WSEG-10 tool also requires a series of inputs about the simulated weapons used in the strike, most notably their yield, altitude of detonation, warheads per ground zero and their circular error probability (or accuracy).

USA TODAY consulted with experts (including Korda of FAS and Podvig of the UN) and reviewed academic and specialist literature to inform our decisions about weapons inputs. Our goal was to create a plausible enemy counterforce first strike against the U.S. missile fields. (Counterforce targeting, in nuclear weapons parlance, is a targeting strategy in which a country attacks the nuclear weapons of another country to prevent retaliation.)

The only country that currently has enough nuclear weapons to conceivably launch a counterforce strike against the United States is Russia, so USA TODAY based its weapons analysis on Moscows nuclear arsenal.

Minuteman nuclear missile silos are designed to resist (if not survive) a Russian nuclear attack, and experts believe that destroying a silo requires detonating at least one nuclear warhead. Many experts USA TODAY interviewed, including Kyle Balzer of the American Enterprise Institute and Bob Peters of the Heritage Foundation, argued that an adversary attempting to destroy the silos would aim two or more warheads at each launch facility.

Russias nuclear arsenal is currently undergoing a major modernization push, and Moscows war against Ukraine has led authorities to disclose even less information about the countrys nuclear weapons than in the past. Three of the best English-language sources for information about Moscows nuclear arsenal are: the annual Russia installment in the Nuclear Notebook by FAS, UN researcher Podvigs Russian Nuclear Forces project, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Threat Project.

Ultimately, USA TODAY decided to simulate detonating one 800-kiloton warhead at ground level on top of each Minuteman III silo with a 220-meter circular error probability. This corresponds with the yield and accuracy of the SS-18 Satan ICBM, Russias venerable heavy nuclear missile, as described in archival documents translated by Podvig. The SS-27 Topol-M also carries a warhead believed to be of similar or larger size, though its accuracy is unknown.

Why did we only simulate one 800-kiloton warhead? USA TODAY assessed that if Russia were to attempt a counterforce strike against the United States, Moscow may reserve its (presumably) more accurate modern missiles for trickier targets such as command centers, communications nodes or similar facilities.

Weather

For the main story, USA TODAY simulated nuclear first strikes on three dates: April 1, 2024; April 27, 2024; and March 5, 2017.

We consulted with several climate and atmospheric scientists about the WSEG-10 model and weather in the missile regions on these three dates.

These scientists included: Josh Coupe, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Colorado, Boulder who specializes in modeling nuclear and impact winters and their effects; Alan Robock, a distinguished professor of climate science at Rutgers University, who studies nuclear winter; Richard Turco, a distinguished professor emeritus and founding director of UCLAs Institute of the Environment and Sustainability; and Brian Toon, a Professor emeritus at the University of Colorado and a Senior Research Scientist in the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.

The weather patterns on April 27, 2024, were fairly typical for the nuclear sponge region. Coupe described the April cold front experienced that day as pretty normal, but noted that there was a strong high-pressure system over the eastern United States that day.

April 1, 2024, was even more typical, according to Coupe, who described the stationary front and cold weather across the region as a very normal-looking day.

USA TODAY intentionally selected March 5, 2017, as an outlier day with strong winds. Three massive wildfires, classified as megafires due to their large size, erupted across the southern Great Plains the following day due to the weather conditions. The largest of these fires, the Starbuck Fire, was, for a time, the largest wildfire in Oklahoma and Kansas history, according to the National Weather Service. Coupe emphasized that day had a very strong cyclone and frontal system over the nuclear sponge.

However, Coupe also noted that precipitation in the northern Great Plains could have made the radioactive material fall across those areas in unpredictable ways, a factor that WSEG-10 does not consider.

Possible shortcomings

It's important to mention some additional potential shortcomings to USA TODAYs modeling approach.

Some researchers, notably Podvig, argue that Russia is unlikely to strike the nuclear sponge even in the event of a counterforce first strike. They question why Russia would shoot missiles at silos that might be empty by the time the strike arrives.

Thats because the United States is widely known to have a so-called launch on warning alert posture for its missile fields  if a Russian launch were detected, the United States would likely launch its ICBMs at Russian targets before Moscows first strike hit the ground.

I think it's quite unlikely that Russia would target ICBM silos, Podvig said in an email.

However, even if the Russians dont use this strategy, U.S. strategists see targeting enemy silos as a key part of damage limitation: destroying any weapons that either werent launched or failed to launch in the first blows of a nuclear war prevents their later launch. Thats part of why the nuclear sponge theory is influential among U.S. nuclear thinkers.

Theres also the question of how many 800 kt warheads are currently available in Russias arsenal.

The SS-18 Satan is aging rapidly, though it is younger than the Minuteman III. Federation of American Scientists researchers assessed in 2025 that 34 Satans remain on operational duty. The missile carries a multiple independently-targetable reentry vehicle (or MIRV), meaning that one Satan missile can strike multiple targets. The Satan missiles currently in service carry 10 800kt warheads, meaning that the 34 missiles can hit 340 targets.

Russias SS-27 M1 ICBM, known as the Topol-M, also carries a single 800kt warhead according to FAS and Podvig. Moscow has 78 such missiles in operational status, according to FAS. Adding the Satans and Topol-Ms, Russia has at least 418 800kt warheads available for launch, according to experts. That is fewer than would be needed to hit the 450 Minuteman silos.

USA TODAY recognizes that our 800kt per U.S. silo scenario thus does not perfectly align with Russias present-day arsenal. Korda of FAS suggested a conservative strike scenario would instead allocate two 100kt warheads  an explosive yield carried by Russias newest ICBMs and its submarine-launched ballistic missiles  per Minuteman silo.

We made this decision for a few reasons. One is the nature of the FAS estimate of Russias Satan missile force: its 2025 report noted that Moscow may have 40 Satan missiles on alert rather than 34, which would provide an additional 60 warheads for our scenario.

Another is that Russia is developing a new heavy ICBM  the SS-29 Sarmat  to replace the Satan. Its not yet clear when the Sarmat will be combat-ready after a series of failed tests, but the project shows Moscows commitment to keeping high-yield warheads in its nuclear arsenal.

Moreover, the fallout model generates similar, if somewhat less severe, results for a strike conducted with two 100kt warheads per silo rather than one 800kt warhead. Weve embedded images below comparing the 800kt strikes from the main graphics story with double 100kt warhead strikes.

This rendering of a first strike against U.S. ballistic missile fields under weather conditions from April 27, 2024, assumes that each silo is targeted with one 800kt nuclear warhead.

This rendering of a first strike against U.S. ballistic missile fields under weather conditions from April 27, 2024, assumes that each silo is targeted with two 100kt nuclear warheads.

This rendering of a first strike against U.S. ballistic missile fields under weather conditions from March 6, 2017, assumes that each silo is targeted with two 100kt nuclear warheads.

This rendering of a first strike against U.S. ballistic missile fields under weather conditions from March 6, 2017, assumes that each silo is targeted with one 800kt nuclear warhead.

Additionally, one of the most significant interactive research projects on fallout from a strike against the nuclear sponge also assumes strikes with 800kt warheads.

Other models and research

That project, Missiles on Our Land, was created by a group of researchers at Princeton University and Columbia University and published online and in Scientific American.

The lead researcher for Missiles on Our Land was Sebastien Philippe, a nuclear risks researcher who has since moved to the University of Wisconsin, Madison and received a MacArthur Fellowship  better known as a genius grant.

Philippes project, published in 2023, also projected attacks against the nuclear sponge. His team built its own sophisticated fallout model and simulated 365 attacks  one based on the weather conditions for every day of 2021.

One of its products was an interactive map, Under the Nuclear Cloud, which visualizes the average risk of radiation exposure across 365 simulations for most of North America. USA TODAY encourages readers interested in assessing the fallout risk in their own communities to consult Philippes work.

Other researchers, including some of the climate scientists mentioned above, also specialize in modeling the effects of nuclear fallout and smoke from nuclear detonations. Their methods are more academically rigorous than ours, and USA TODAY recommends interested readers consult the academic literature on the subject.

Project credits

USA TODAYs Nuclear Sponge series was conceptualized and designed by defense reporter Davis Winkie.

Winkie reported and wrote the majority of the projects five stories with significant contributions from visual journalist Ramon Padilla and senior graphics editor Shawn Sullivan. Winkie also curated the archival and wire photographs included in the stories.

Washington editor Gabrielle Banks edited the text for all five of the projects stories. Melissa Galbraith and Robert Abitbol provided copy edits.

Alex Wellerstein developed the Fallout Machine app, which generated the projects fallout maps. Winkie, Padilla and Sullivan provided Wellerstein with feedback throughout the development process.

Padilla and graphics reporter Karina Zaiets designed the webpage for Part 1 of the project, using tools such as HTML, Svelte, Javascript, Geojson, Mapbox and Mapbox GL to put the fallout maps onto the page. Sullivan and graphics managing editor Alberto Cuadra contributed both hands-on and developmental editing for the webpage, and Winkie and Banks also contributed developmental edits.

Winkie developed the weather and strike scenarios for Part One, with assistance from Sullivan and graphics reporter Carlie Procell.

Graphics reporter Stephen Beard created 3D graphics of the Minuteman III ICBM and its infrastructure with research assistance from Winkie.

USA TODAYs audience team, in concert with Winkie, Banks, Padilla and Sullivan, designed the projects rollout on the newspapers website and social media channels. Key contributors included visuals designer Alan Nguyen, audience editor Kevin Quinitchett and deputy audience editor Alex Connor, deputy audience editor Jay Cannon and managing audience editor Ashley Lewis.

If you wish to provide feedback on the project, you can reach lead reporter Davis Winkie at dwinkie@usatoday.com.



Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nuclear Sponge project methodology
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro listens during a meeting.Photo: Kremlin.ru / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square) - The capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro drew praise from congressional Republican lawmakers in Florida, which has a significant Venezuelan population. But they also acknowledged the path forward remains unclear.

At a Monday press conference in south Florida, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Carlos Gimenez said it will take time and effort to transition Venezuela into a democratic government. And they expressed support for its new leadership to include Maria Corina Machado, the exiled opposition leader who put together a winning presidential bid in 2024 but has not won over President Donald Trump.

Trump, who has said the U.S. will run Venezuela for now, accepted Delcy Rodriguez, Maduros vice president, as its interim leader. She was sworn in on Monday and reiterated her support for Maduro, who appeared in a Manhattan courtroom to plead not guilty to drug trafficking and other federal charges.

Gimenez predicted a difficult road ahead, pointing to "a need to safeguard a number of political prisoners" who remain in Venezuela, the process of establishing "free and fair elections" and working with a regime still controlled by Maduro allies.

Its probably easier to arrest Nicolas Maduro than it is to convert Venezuela into the democracy that we want. But I have no doubt that the day of a free and democratic Venezuela is close at hand, he said. What we have to do now is make sure that we have a transition. That the current regime thats there thats still holding onto power understands that their days are numbered. Their days are numbered just like Maduros days were numbered.

Scott and Gimenez, who shared the stage with Floridas junior senator Ashley Moody and allies of Machado, broke with Trumps assertion that Machado lacks the respect needed to govern the country.

Scott said he believes Machado will be part of the leadership.

She is well respected among Venezuelans, he said.

He named Cuba, Nicaragua, Columbia as communist countries that should be targeted next.

The fight is not over. This is the beginning of freedom and liberty all across Latin America, Scott said.
A supporter of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro holds a portrait of him and another of late Venezuela's leader (1999-2013) Hugo Chavez in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Maduro. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP via Getty Images) Credit - AFP via Getty ImagesAFP or licensors

Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted. In the past year alone, we witnessed pitiless fighting in Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti, the Sahel, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. India and Pakistan came to the brink of a war. Border clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia and Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Fears of violent conflictscontinuing and eruptingacross the globe havent ebbed as the year begins. And on Saturday, President Donald Trump resorted to military force to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power.

Consistent and energetic efforts at peacemaking and mediation are urgently required but the primary peacemakers and mediators of the post-World War II orderthe United States, the United Nations, and various European states and bodieshave either lost the political will, the normative drive, or the capacity to lead and support the necessary work of ending or reducing global conflicts.

In the past two decades, the United States and Europe have stepped back from peacemaking and mediation, and the United Nations, while still irreplaceable, isnt as effective as it used to be. The logic of power politics or great power rivalry is further diminishing the appetite of major powers for peacemaking. Geopolitics abhors vacuum and the old addresses of peacemaking and mediation are being replaced by new ones in the Global South: Doha, Ankara, Riyadh, and Muscat, to name a few.

The new mediators

Qatar, which won its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, wove in mediation and peaceful resolution of international disputes into its 2004 constitution and emphasized it as a pillar of its foreign policy. Since then, Qatar has come to play the most prominent role in mediating between warring countries and factions within countries, willing itself into a mediation powerhouse spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Doha has mediated in the peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban to help end the war in Afghanistan; between the Colombian government and the Gaitanista Self-Defence Force, the powerful organized crime group; between Israel and Hamas; and between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Qatar has also helped broker a deal to resume diplomatic ties between Kenya and Somalia, helped the U.S. and Venezuela in a prisoner swap, and mediated between Ukraine and Russia to reunite children separated from their families during the war.

In the past some years, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have also been bolstering their mediation efforts and seeking more prominent roles in helping reduce conflicts. Turkey hosted several rounds of peace talks between Russians and Ukrainians, and achieved significant diplomatic success by brokering, along with the United Nations, the Black Sea grain deal in August 2022. Ankara also coordinated the Aug. 2024 prisoner swap between Russia, the United States, and several European countries, which involved the exchange of 26 prisoners, including Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal correspondent held in Russia.

TOPSHOT - Qatar's chief negotiator Mohammed al-Khulaifi (C) stands between peace mediator Sumbu Sita Mambu, a representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo (seated-L) and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 executive secretary Benjamin Mbonimp (R) as they sign a ceasefire deal in Doha on July 19, 2025 to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich east. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty ImagesAFP or licensors

Saudi Arabia has sought to help end Sudans brutal civil war, mediating through several rounds of peace talks it hosted in Jeddah between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Riyadh also hosted high-level U.S.Russia talks to end the Ukraine War, and actively mediated to prevent the conflict between India and Pakistan from escalating in May 2025. Oman played an instrumental role in the back-channel negotiations between Iran, the United States, and Europe that led to the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.

The fall of multilateralism

With the end of the Cold War in 1991 and the dawn of a unipolar era, peacemaking and mediation had regained prominence and support, which led to the Dayton Accords ending the war in Bosnia, the Good Friday Agreement bringing peace to Northern Ireland, Timor-Leste transitioning to independence from Indonesia, the conclusion of war in Sierra Leone, South Sudans attainment of independence, and the end of Nepals long insurgency.

The U.S. and Europe significantly retreated from mediation and peacemaking because of a combination of factors: a decline of confidence in liberal interventionism such as in Libya; return of great power competition with the rise of China; the rise of nativist populism in Europe and the U.S.; the normative revisionism and growing indifference to international law in the West; European focus on rearmament; and increased disagreements between the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

The United Nations still plays an important role as a neutral third party or referee in resolving thorny international disputes but its role in peace-making and mediation has diminished significantly. The decline of multilateralism and the reduced importance of multilateral institutions is starkly evident compared to their historic interventions.

For instance, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the worlds largest security body with 57 member states, has played a highly modest role in efforts to end the war in Ukraine and ease tensions between Russia and Europe. This is striking given the organisation's origins: it emerged from the Helsinki diplomacy of the 1970s, which produced the Final Act of 1975a landmark Cold War agreement that sought to reduce East-West friction and promote cooperation between rival blocs.

A new atlas of war and peace

Contemporary wars and conflicts are too complex to be mediated by a single actor. Mediation in recent conflicts, even by a group of actors, has offered mixed results. In the Ukraine war, Turkey, the United Nations, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have all played diplomatic roles of varying significance.

Qatar led efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, with crucial support from Turkey and Egypt. Yet it was President Donald Trump who ultimately compelled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire deala reminder that American power can still serve as a decisive force multiplier in pushing negotiations over the line. Similarly, it was Turkey and Qatar's joint effort that prevented the recent border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan from spiraling out of control.

But mediators often can pay a steep price for their efforts. Qatar, for instance, has ensured sustained criticism from certain media organizations for its mediating role and for hosting the political offices of Hamas and the Taliban in Dohadespite having done so at Americas request. The Sept. 9 Israeli strike on Doha demonstrated that the cost can exceed reputational damage and escalate into a direct violation of a mediators security and sovereignty.

Such risks demand international discussion about protecting mediators and peacemakers and preventing similar assaults in the future. The increasing perils faced by mediators, coupled with the complexity of contemporary conflicts, demand that states and multilateral institutions must pool their experience, capacity and resources more effectively.

Multi-party mediation is the future. Making it work demands greater cooperation between the countries of the Global South, Europe and North America, as illustrated by the joint effort of Qatar, Norway, Spain and Switzerland to facilitate talks between Colombia and the Gaitanistas. Todays mediators draw on diverse experiences, employ varied methods and tools, master local contexts and tap in different networks. No single model can be replicated in different conflicts.

Similarly, greater cooperation between multilateral institutions and individual countries is sorely needed. With the global order in flux and the great powers pursuing geopolitical and normative revisionism, there has been much discussion about the role small and middle powers can play in upholding international law and multilateralism. What can such countries contribute by way of global public goods?

Peace and stability are among the ultimate global public goods. And mediation offers more. Consider the Black Sea Grain deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations between Russia and Ukraine. Roughly 30% of the worlds grain exports pass through the Black Sea. By ensuring the undisrupted passage of that grain, the agreement had profound ramifications for global food security.

The world needs more referees and geopolitical firefighters to put out the fires of wars and conflicts. Small and middle powers, particularly those from the Global South, are stepping into this breach and providing an essential public good that great powers, bound by their own rivalries, increasingly cannot.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A Bold, Full Flavor Grape Hit Conjured in Time for Mardi Gras Season

CORONA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Monster Energy is summoning a new flavor from the shadows with Juice Monster Voodoo Grape, a bold and juicy grape experience inspired by the energy, mystery and magic of New Orleans Voodoo.

Blending natural fruit juice with Monster's legendary energy blend, Voodoo Grape brings a smooth, sweet, purple punch that delivers flavor and energy in every sip. Wrapped in artwork inspired by New Orleans' iconic Voodoo culture, the can design celebrates the vibrant and mystical spirit of the Big Easy.

MONSTER ENERGY UNLEASHES JUICE MONSTER VOODOO GRAPE ON NEW ORLEANS

Residents of Louisiana's cultural hotspot will be the first in the world to taste the new flavor, with NOLA stores receiving first shipment more than a month ahead of anywhere else. Voodoo Grape launches in New Orleans today in honor of the official start of Carnival season ahead of Mardi Gras. Look out for the Voodoo Grape fleet as it winds through the city!

According to Monster Energy Global CMO Dan McHugh, Juice Monster Voodoo Grape was created for fans who crave big, adventurous tastes and grew up loving classic grape drinks, but want something with more edge and a whole lot more attitude.

"Grape is a flavor people are rediscovering, and it's making a huge comeback," he said. "Juice Monster Voodoo Grape leans into that nostalgia but elevates it with natural juice, smooth energy, and a taste that keeps you coming back. It's fun, it's flavorful, and it's unmistakably Monster."

The new flavor joins the Juice Monster family, alongside Mango Loco, Bad Apple, Viking Berry, Rio Punch, Pacific Punch and Pipeline Punch. Juice Monster Voodoo Grape will be available in convenience stores throughout New Orleans including AMPM, Kwik Trip, Maverik, RaceTrac and Wawa.

But don't worry, the rest of America get to treat themselves and their tastebuds to the full flavor, real sugar Voodoo Grape starting February 9 when it lands in coolers and on shelves across the country.

About Monster Energy

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, eSports or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, gamers and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com.

For more information contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Monster Energy
President Donald Trump, alongside (left to right) Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. (Jim WatsonAFP via Getty Images)

The Big Short investor Michael Burry says Venezuelas recent U.S.-led regime change could weaken one of Americas biggest adversaries.

Burry, who correctly predicted the subprime mortgage crisis in 2008, said Russia may face consequences after the U.S. toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro early Saturday, the investor wrote in a post on his Substack newsletter, Cassandra Unchained.

Shortly after Maduros capture, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would be more involved with the countrys abundant oil reserves. He put the onus on U.S. oil companies to improve Venezuelas oil infrastructure with billions of dollars of investment and claimed the U.S. will sell the oil to other countries.

Although this may take five to seven years, Burry estimated, increasing the flow of Venezuelan oil could undercut Russias income and influence.

Russia oil just became less important in the intermediate and long term, wrote Burry.

Venezuela contains about 19% of the worlds oil, an estimated 300 billion barrels that dwarfs the U.S.s 61 billion barrels, according to the Energy Institute. Yet, partly because of outdated infrastructure, mismanagement, and U.S. sanctions, the country pumps only a fraction of what it has the potential to produce.

Because it has the worlds largest reserves, increasing its oil output could affect the commoditys price globally, said economist and Boston College associate dean Aleksandar Tomic.

If oil prices drop due to increased global supply via Venezuela, Russia may be weakened because oil is its lifeline, he told Fortune. Despite U.S. sanctions, Russia exports oil to countries such as China and India.

If prices drop because of increased Venezuelan production, Russia may have more to lose than any other country because of its expensive war on Ukraine, he added. Its oil and gas industry makes up about 20% of the countrys GDP on average, according to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

[Oil] is whats funding their war effort, so its pretty crucial to Russia, Tomic said. It would be a pretty significant blow to them if the price of oil was to collapse, if, say, the U.S. was to flood the market with Venezuelan oil.

To be sure, its unclear who will lead Venezuela in the future and how its oil reserves will be managed. Despite Trumps claim that the U.S. will run Venezuela, the president has offered scant details on how the U.S. will be involved in administering the country. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president following Maduros capture.

It is also unknown if American oil companies would jump to reestablish operations in Venezuela, said Tomic. Both ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil retreated from the country in the early 2000s and have since sought to recoup losses for their expropriated assets through international arbitration.

And increased oil production in Venezuela could lower prices, which would also hit American companies profits, Tomic said.

Chevron is the only American oil company operating in the country. CEO Mike Wirth last year reiterated the companys support for rebuilding Venezuelas economy when circumstances change.

A spokesperson for ConocoPhillips said the company was monitoring the developments in Venezuela and their potential global energy implications.

It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments, the spokesperson said in a statement to Fortune.

Exxon Mobil did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for comment.

Still, the potential for American companies to grab a slice of Venezuelas large oil reserves is tempting, in part because American oil production is expected to peak in 2027 and then hold at high levels for a decade before rapidly declining, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted.

As American [sic] brings its Big Oil companies to Venezuela, with relatively close refinery assets, there will be a global shift in energy geopolitics, Burry wrote.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Despite exporting less than 1% of the world's supply of oil, Venezuela has been a key focal point in the energy market for decades.

Why? Because the country claims to have the largest reserves of crude oil in the world.

According to figures widely cited throughout the media and the oil industry itself, Venezuela is sitting on around 300 billion barrels' worth of "proved" oil, meaning barrels that have, in theory, been confirmed as commercially viable by conclusive testing or actual production.

This compares with Saudi Arabia's proved reserve estimates of around 260 billion to 270 billion barrels and the much more meager 45 billion barrels in the US.

This is a self-reported figure, however, and is published  but not verified  by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, of which Venezuela is a founding member. Holistic and conclusive evaluations by independent experts have never been conducted.

And up until 2007, Venezuela's self-reported proved reserves sat at around 100 billion barrels, according to data reported by OPEC. By 2013, that figure was updated after a reclassification of fields controlled by the country's state-run Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA). Venezuelan production was roughly flat during the same period.

"Venezuela has not audited the reserves, only the resources in place," said Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin American Energy Institute at Rice University's Baker Institute, referring to the total amount of hydrocarbons in the ground, not their production viability.

In reality, Monaldi said in a LinkedIn post, Venezuela's recovery rate for its oil is less than half of what the country claims, so "a reasonable and conservative estimate of RESERVES would be closer to 100-110 billion barrels."

'The market does not need new barrels'

Venezuela, once the strongest oil-producing nation in the world by volume, has seen its industry crumble under the leadership of Hugo Chavez and Maduro, especially following Chavez's total nationalization of the industry under PDVSA.

Corruption, mismanagement, brain drain, and a lack of repair and upkeep work on critical infrastructure, including throughout Venezuela's flagship Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt, have made operating without significant investment nearly impossible, according to several analysts.

In the fields along the western edge of the country, "infrastructure constraints and a lack of electricity availability pose significant hurdles," according to energy analysts at Jefferies.

The reclassifications that roughly tripled Venezuela's proved reserves happened when oil was at or near $100 per barrel, making any oil discovery more attractive than today, when Brent crude (BZ=F)  the international pricing benchmark  is trading in the low $60s.

"The market does not need new barrels right now," said Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho Securities, adding that "the big oil majors may be hesitant to increasing production" when West Texas Intermediate (CL=F), the US crude benchmark, is changing hands below $60 per barrel.

A crude oil tanker waits its turn to be loaded with crude oil at Lake Maracaibo in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela, on May 9, 2025. (Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images) (FEDERICO PARRA via Getty Images)

President Trump said he expects the US oil industry to spend "billions" to rebuild Venezuela's infrastructure.

But to return Venezuela to its production highs of the early 2000s of around 3 million barrels per day would likely take around $180 billion in extra funding between now and 2040, according to energy intelligence firm Rystad Energy.

And Rystad estimates that international investors and operators would need to commit at least $30 billion to $35 billion of that capital within the next two to three years. The firm estimates that more than $50 billion of investment would be needed over the next 15 years just to maintain Venezuela's current output.

"Seizing oil reserves that are in the ground is completely different than actually producing those reserves and getting it to market, Andy Lipow, president of energy consultancy Lipow Oil Associates, told Yahoo Finance.

In Rystad's view, the 300 billion barrel estimate for Venezuela's reserves is "almost irrelevant as there are almost no global energy system scenarios where this entire amount needs to be produced in future." More than two-thirds of those reserves would also require prices above $100 a barrel to be viable, the firm added.

To be sure, it's not that Venezuela isn't rich in the right geological formations for oil. The Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt, in the country's central region, takes the spotlight as the largest formation. Outside geologists have largely arrived at a consensus that the Orinoco is one of the largest hydrocarbon deposits in the world.

Venezuela also has the Maracaibo and other basins in the east of the country. Outside experts have estimated that those areas also contain plenty of oil, but they remain untapped at the scale of the Orinoco.

"These are real opportunities for companies who really want to make a difference," said Carlos Bellorin, executive vice president of energy trends and analysis at intelligence firm Welligence.

But even if the oil is there in the quantity Venezuela says it is, it might not matter for Big Oil.

An additional problem is the kind of oil extracted from Venezuela's reserves, which is largely a heavy, sulfurous or "sour" grade that doesn't flow as nicely up the well bore to reach the surface and, because of its high sulfur content, more quickly corrodes equipment. Once this oil is out of the ground, it's too thick in its natural state to be transported through pipelines, so it must first be converted to liquid.

This makes refining the oil a more complex, more time-intensive, and more expensive process than what is required for the lighter, sweeter variants like the ubiquitous WTI grade in the US.

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth speaks during CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston on March 6, 2023. (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images) (MARK FELIX via Getty Images)

Even for Chevron (CVX), the only US oil company that has consistently operated in Venezuela for the past decade, the path to legitimate success in Venezuela is likely to be a long one.

"[Chevron] is seen as a key beneficiary of the potential 'takeover' of Venezuelan oil reserves," Mizuho energy analyst Nitin Kumar wrote in a client note.

Yet, he added, "additional growth in volumes may require capital investment that, while at the lower end of the global supply curve, still requires a better financial framework to assure competitive returns for the company."

President Trump has tasked Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright with pitching Venezuelan investment to US oil companies, asking the US majors to spend more money and take more shots in the dark during a period of de-risking and severe capital discipline for the US oil majors.

It's likely to be a tough sell.

Jake Conley is a breaking news reporter covering US equities for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @byjakeconley or email him at jake.conley@yahooinc.com.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, left, and former city police chief Karl Jacobson  Marc A. Hermann/Wikimedia/New Haven Police Department

The former New Haven police chief abruptly retired after admitting he stole money from a fund used to pay confidential informants who help detectives solve crimes, Mayor Justin Elicker said Monday.

Karl Jacobson quit on Monday, Jan. 5, after several members of his staff confronted him over money missing from the fund, Elicker said during an evening news conference.

The mayor was scheduled to meet with Jacobson that afternoon and planned to place him on administrative leave while Connecticut State Police investigated the allegations. However, Jacobson filed paperwork to retire effective immediately before that meeting took place.

"To say that this news is a shock is an understatement," Elicker said.

The mayor said members of the New Haven Police Department identified irregularities in Jacobsons use of the confidential informant fund. Assistant chiefs confronted him Monday, and Jacobson admitted he used the money for personal expenses, Elicker said.

"This is a betrayal of the public trust," Elicker said, adding that state police and prosecutors are discussing how to proceed with prosecuting the case. "... No one is above the law."

Elicker declined to say how much money was allegedly stolen, when the thefts began, and how Jacobson spent the cash, citing the ongoing investigation.

Elicker emphasized that Jacobsons actions should not tarnish the New Haven Police Departments reputation. He noted that officers and department leaders immediately confronted Jacobson after noticing the missing money and passed that information to investigators and prosecutors.

One of the leaders who confronted Jacobson was Assistant Chief David Zannelli, whom Elicker named as acting police chief.

Jacobson had served as New Haven police chief since 2022, and his four-year appointment was set to expire later this month. Elicker said it remains unclear whether Jacobson will be entitled to a pension because he retired rather than being fired.

However, Elicker said a conviction related to the theft of city funds could affect those benefits. He plans to speak with city attorneys about the matter.
HHS Deputy Jim O'Neill, Somalia UN rep

Somalias ambassador to the United Nations is linked to an Ohio home health care provider that previously engaged in Medicaid fraud, a top official with the Department of Health and Human Services revealed Monday.



I can confirm public speculation that Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the UN and President of the Security Council, is in fact associated with Progressive Health Care Services, a home health agency in Cincinnati, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim ONeill wrote on X.

HHS has previously taken action against Progressive in response to a conviction for Medicaid fraud, the Trump administration official added.

Somali UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman appears to have run a health care company in Cincinnati previously accused of fraud. China News Service via Getty Images

ONeill and HHS did not immediately provide details about the alleged Medicaid fraud or what the actions taken against Progressive Health Care Services were.

Osmans ties to Progressive Health Care Services went viral on social media last week amid the intense scrutiny of Minnesotas Somali population in response to fraud scandals involving bogus entities being set up in the state to rake in taxpayer funds meant for the homeless, hungry and people in need of day care for their children.

The UN ambassador is listed as having served as Managing Director of Progressive Health Care Services from 2014 until May 2019, overlapping with his tenure as Somalias permanent representative in New York, according to a screenshot of his LinkedIn profile, obtained by the Libs of TikTok social media account.

The account further claims that Osmans health care business occupied the same suite as another company and that there were multiple others at the same address, all with Somali names.

Public records list Osman as President & CEO of Progressive Health Care Services when it was established as a home health care provider in 2009.

ONeill moved to pause some HHS funding to states last week amid widespread allegations of fraud. FOX News

A private citizen who said he was not affiliated with the shady company answered the phone and complained to The Post when the phone number listed for Progressive Health Care Services in public records was contacted.

Youre like the hundredth person to call looking for Progressive Health Care Services, the person told The Post, demanding to know where his personal contact information is listed.



Im thinking about changing my number now, he said.

Osman did not immediately respond to The Posts request for comment.



Last week, ONeill moved to pause all child care payments to the state of Minnesota in light of the day care fraud scandal in the North Star State.



HHS subsequently froze child care funding to all states pending an investigation.
President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, June 27, 2025. Photo: Abe McNatt / Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work

(The Center Square)  Myanmar started a multi-phase national election late last month as the Trump administration showed openness to renewed engagement with the Southeast Asian country.

The first phase of voting began on Dec. 28. Additional rounds will take place on Jan. 11 and Jan. 25. Election officials said 52% of eligible voters participated in the first phase.

A total of 139 international observers monitored the first round of voting.

Yich Samethy, a member of Cambodias election commission, said polling stations were orderly.

I observed that the preparation and conduct of the polling stations were extremely well organized, complete, and peaceful, he wrote, as reported by the Global New Light of Myanmar. Voters were able to participate in the election in an orderly manner, exercising their democratic rights without any external interference, obstruction, sabotage, or intimidation.

Myanmars military government hopes the election will restore stability after years of civil conflict.

The Trump administration has avoided the public condemnations of Myanmar used by previous administrations.

Last November, the Department of Homeland Security ended Temporary Protected Status for Burmese nationals living in the United States, citing progress toward free and fair elections.

Earlier in 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed U.S. officials to avoid opining on the fairness or integrity of an electoral process, its legitimacy, or the democratic values of the country in question.

During the election period, Myanmar granted release to over more than 6,100 prisoners and cut the sentences of others to mark the countrys 78th anniversary of independence from the United Kingdom.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., criticized the Burmese election.

These elections are a sham, McConnell wrote. We should stand WITH the people of Burma and AGAINST a PRC-backed junta.

The Trump administration has taken actions expressing confidence in the country.

In July 2025, President Donald Trump exchanged letters with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing after implementing new tariffs. The Treasury Department later removed four Burmese individuals and their companies from the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list.

American officials also refrained from publicly criticizing Myanmars leadership at the October 2025 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit.

Violence continues in parts of Myanmar as anti-government groups try to disrupt the vote. However, regional officials have expressed cautious optimism.

Notably, Thailands Naresuan Force said Myanmars election could be positive for border stability over the long term, ar reported by NationThailand.com.

The election comes as the Trump administration prioritizes access to natural resources, including energy and minerals. Myanmar holds significant amounts of oil, natural gas, and rare earth minerals. China operates a major oil and gas pipeline linking Myanmars coast to the Yunnan province.

Most U.S. companies left Myanmar after sanctions were imposed in 2021 under President Joe Bidens Executive Order 14014. The order will expire in February 2026, unless renewed.

Analysts say easing sanctions would be a major step toward restoring American business activity and curbing Chinas influence in the country.
President Trump speaks with reporters on Air Force One on Sunday while returning to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

Venezuela risks "a second strike" if its interim government doesn't acquiesce to U.S. demands. Cuba is "ready to fall," and Colombia is "very sick, too."

Iran may get "hit very hard" if its government cracks down on protesters. And Denmark risks U.S. intervention, as well, because "we need Greenland," President Trump said.

In just 37 minutes while speaking with reporters Sunday aboard Air Force One, Trump threatened to attack five countries, both allies and adversaries, with the might of the U.S. military  an extraordinary turn for a president who built his political career rejecting traditional conservative views on the exercise of American power and vowing to put America first.

The president's threats come as a third of the U.S. naval fleet remains stationed in the Caribbean, after Trump launched a daring attack on Venezuela that seized its president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife over the weekend.

The goal, U.S. officials said, was to show the Venezuelan government and the wider world what the American military is capable of  and to compel partners and foes alike to adhere to Trump's demands through intimidation, rather than commit the U.S. military to more complex, conventional, long-term engagements.

It is the deployment of overwhelming and spectacular force in surgical military operations  Maduro's capture, last year's strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, assassinations of Islamic State leadership and Iran's top general in Iraq  that demonstrate Trump as a brazen leader willing to risk war, thereby effectively avoiding it, one Trump administration official said, explaining the president's strategic thinking.

Read more:Ties between California and Venezuela go back more than a century with Chevron

Yet experts and former Trump aides warn the president's approach risks miscalculation, alienating vital allies and emboldening U.S. competitors.

At a Security Council meeting Monday at the United Nations in New York  called by Colombia, a long-standing and major non-North Atlantic Treaty Oranization ally to the United States  Trump's moves were widely condemned. "Violations of the U.N. Charter," a French diplomat told the council, "chips away at the very foundation of international order."

Even the envoy from Russia, which has cultivated historically strong ties with the Trump administration, said the White House operation was an act of "banditry," marking "a return to the era of illegality and American dominance through force, chaos and lawlessness."

Trump's threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark with vast natural resources, drew particular concern across Europe on Monday, with leaders across the continent warning the United States against an attack that would violate the sovereignty of a NATO ally and European Union member state.

"That's enough now," Greenland's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said after Trump told reporters that his attention would turn to the world's largest island in a matter of weeks.

"If the United States decides to militarily attack another NATO country, then everything would stop," Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, told local press. "That includes NATO, and therefore, post-World War II security."

Trump also threatened to strike Iran, where anti-government protests have spread throughout the country in recent days. Trump had previously said the U.S. military was "locked and loaded" if Iranian security forces begin firing on protesters, "which is their custom."

"The United States of America will come to their rescue," Trump wrote on social media on Jan. 2, hours before launching the Venezuela mission. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

In Colombia, there was widespread outrage after Trump threatened military action against leftist President Gustavo Petro, whom Trump accused, without evidence, of running "cocaine mills and cocaine factories."

Petro is a frequent critic of the American president and has slammed as illegal a series of lethal U.S. airstrikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.

"Stop slandering me," Petro wrote on X, warning that any U.S. attempts against his presidency "will unleash the people's fury."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, said he would go to war to defend Colombia.

I swore not to touch a weapon again," he said. "But for the homeland, I will take up arms."

Trump's threats have strained relations with Colombia, a devoted U.S. ally. For decades, the countries have shared military intelligence, a robust trade relationship and a multibillion-dollar fight against drug trafficking.

Even some of Petro's domestic critics have comes to his defense. Presidential candidate Juan Manuel Galan, who opposes Petro's rule, said Colombia's sovereignty "must be defended."

"Colombia is not Venezuela," Galan wrote on X. "It is not a failed state, and we will not allow it to be treated as such. Here we have institutions, democracy and sovereignty that must be defended."

The president of Mexico, another longtime U.S. ally and its largest trading partner, has also spoken out forcefully against the American operation in Caracas, and said the Trump administrations aggressive foreign policy in Latin America threatens the stability of the region.

We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her daily news conference Monday. The history of Latin America is clear and compelling: Intervention has never brought democracy, has never generated well-being or lasting stability.

She addressed Trump's comments over the weekend that drugs were pouring through Mexico, and that the United States was "going to have to do something.

Trump has been threatening action against cartels for months, with some members of his administration suggesting that the United States may soon carry out drone strikes on drug laboratories and other targets inside Mexican territory. Sheinbaum has repeatedly said such strikes would be a clear violation of Mexican sovereignty.

Read more:Maduro indictment alleges long criminal past, promises lengthy legal battle ahead

Sovereignty and the self-determination of peoples are non-negotiable, she said. They are fundamental principles of international law and must always be respected without exception.

Cuba also rejected Trump's threat of a military intervention there, after Trump's secretary of State, Marco Rubio, himself the descendant of Cuban immigrants, suggested that Havana may be next in Washington's crosshairs.

We call on the international community to stop this dangerous, aggressive escalation and to preserve peace, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel posted on social media.

The U.S. attacks on Venezuela, and Trump's threats of additional military ventures, have caused deep unease in a relatively peaceful region that has seen fewer interstate wars in recent decades than Europe, Asia or Africa.

It also caused unease among some Trump supporters, who remembered his pledge to get the United States out of "endless" military conflicts for good.

I was the first president in modern times," Trump said, accepting the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, "to start no new wars.

Wilner reported from Washington and Linthicum from Mexico City.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MulticoreWare, Inc., a global leader in software performance optimization and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced its intended collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to serve as an AI Software Authorized Design Center (ADC).

The planned cooperation aims to position MulticoreWare as a key enabler for automakers and enterprises to scale AI workloads from proof-of-concept to mass-scale production on Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions. As an ADC, MulticoreWare will help bridge the gap between state-of-the-art research & development AI models and scalable commercial embedded solutions. Together, the companies will solve last-mile AI deployment challenges  such as model porting, model quantization, and heterogeneous compute optimization  to ensure that high-demand workloads perform reliably within the strict power and thermal constraints of edge devices.

MulticoreWare works with leading automakers to deliver production-grade Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on the Snapdragon Digital Chassis. Additionally, MulticoreWare optimizes Generative AI workloads, including LLMs and Vision Transformer models, for efficient on-device performance.

"We look forward to joining the Qualcomm Authorized Design Center Program, a move that formalizes our long-standing history of driving optimal compute performance on Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms," said Vish Rajalingam, VP and GM, Mobility and Transportation BU at MulticoreWare. "By combining Qualcomm Technologies' industry-leading AI stack with our specialized capabilities in model porting and performance tuning, we can help empower our customers to scale their next-generation intelligent devices, while accelerating time-to-market more efficiently than ever before."

"Realizing the full potential of on-device AI requires engineering partners who deeply understand how to optimize performance per watt," said Laxmi Rayapudi, VP and GM, Software, Automotive & Industrial and Embedded IoT, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "We look forward to welcoming MulticoreWare as an Authorized Design Center. Their expertise in algorithmic optimization and model porting will help our mutual customers efficiently produce and scale AI solutions on Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions."

MulticoreWare will focus on enabling high-performance AI on the edge, optimizing models for Snapdragon platforms to deliver low-latency, efficient solutions across automotive, robotics, embedded & consumer IoT, and client & datacenter compute industries.

About MulticoreWare

MulticoreWare delivers software IP Solutions and Engineering Services serving a wide group of customers with solutions like Hardware Platform Compilers & Toolchains, SDK Libraries, Video codecs, and Algorithm & Data Engineering using vision & non-vision sensors (Radar, LiDAR, IMU, GPS). MulticoreWare's solutions are used in Automotive (ADAS/AD), Surveillance, Defence, Smart Health, IoT, Industrial, Robotics, Smart Cities. Their industry-leading video codec products (x266/x265/Ultraziq) are used in live streaming or VOD services across many broadcast customers.

Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm, Snapdragon, Digital Chassis and Hexagon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Media Contact:

Suchithra Thyagarajan, [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1925881/4229637/MulticoreWare_Logo.jpg

SOURCE MulticoreWare Inc.
He believes that speed to detection and speed to remediation is something the industry should be focused on.

If we do this correctly, and were in our early stages as an industry to adopt AI, hopefully this will be transforming vendor risk management from a checkbox exercise to a compliance exercise with strategic function, Jenkinson explained.

Diverse solutions for diverse problems

As part of a broader principle, Jenkinson said Australia cannot effectively respond to these ongoing evolving threats unless its defence approach is inclusive and diverse.

This means drawing strength from a wide range of people and perspectives, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, neurodiverse people, veterans, nurses, and First Nations communities, he noted.

Were facing a very diverse, inclusive threat. Lets respond to that threat with a very inclusive and diverse threat defence, Jenkinson explained. We need to dispel the myth that Australia is just a small part of this global risk landscape.

Ive been in the media saying this for about seven years  if we dont include diversity then were simply not prepared to face and respond to a threat that is diverse and inclusive in its very nature.

This is the ethos of the Baidem team and business. Jenkinson explains that it was created with the firm belief that embracing the difference in mindset that First Nations men and women bring to problem-solving gives the managed service security provider (MSSP) a strategic advantage, especially in a security operations centre (SOC).

Its not a marketing tool and its not a public relations exercise, he said. This is a strategic advantage that Australia benefits from our position as a member of the Five Eyes consortium, where we should be.

I encourage everybody to explore this concept of diversity and inclusionagain, getting away from this sort of ESG or CSR tagline. Certainly, weve got something globally that the world is very envious of.

That is tapping into the knowledge of the First Trackers, the First Problem Solvers, and the First Scientists.

Tapping into Indigenous talent

However, the thing that puzzles Jenkinson as a director and a business owner is why anyone else hasnt tapped into what First Nations people have to offer.

According to the Australia Computer Society, a 2024 study showed the technology workforce has lower levels of representation across gender, age, disability and First Nations representation, the latter of which only increased 0.28 per cent over the last 10 years.

This concept of First Nations ability to problem-solve differently from you and I has literally been in our faces for a long time, said Jenkinson. I can see our role as a First Nations-run sovereign MSSP is to really embrace that criticality.

This means providing pathways for employment, upskilling technically, and just letting these First Nations men and women do what they do best  figure out whats wrong with a situation much faster than I can.

The idea of leveraging First Nations strength can also be broadened to other sectors that draw on transferable skills.

We know that there are many transferable skills from, say, the nursing sector, noted Jenkinson. They work as a team, following a process, triage, working under pressure, and genuinely caring about the people that youre working with.

Theyre fundamentally the pillars of the Australian cyber security industry. We need to work for the team, and we need to follow a process.

We need to write everything down and we need to be able to triage effectively, and we genuinely care about the organisations data that were protecting.

This can be lined up with First Nations communities, or the LGBTIQ+ community, or the neurodiverse community, said Jenkinson.

The industry can actually start tapping into people with soft skills that have really nothing to do with someones technical ability, he explained. But it does come down to this core function of MSSPs  how to react when we see [something]. If we take a non-binary approach, where we start thinking outside the square, we might actually come up with a defence that is better.
LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Mind Health has released a FREE downloadable Finding Calm Through Gratitude Journal to help people slow down, shift perspective, and find calm.

The Finding Calm Through Gratitude journal offers gentle prompts that encourage people to reflect on what truly matters and guides users to reframe challenges and build emotional resilience. The goal is to give people the tools they need to carry small moments of peace into tomorrow.

A gratitude journal gives anyone a chance to slow down, remember what matters, and find calm.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE GRATITUDE JOURNAL

"Research shows that even brief daily reflections can improve mood, reduce stress, and support emotional resilience," said Joshua Flatow, MD, medical director and chief psychiatrist at Pacific Mind Health. "Our gratitude journal offers a simple way to build that habit with warmth and self-compassion."

The free printable resource includes:

Simple gratitude prompts to help people reconnect with what they value

A reflection space to reframe difficult moments with appreciation

A mindset shift exercise that transforms "I have to" into "I get to"

A gentle reminder to carry intention into the next day

Backed by research and rooted in empathy, the Finding Calm Through Gratitude journal was developed by Pacific Mind Health's care team to support anyone looking to feel more present, grounded, and hopeful.

"Gratitude can be a powerful way to create calm, especially in uncertain times," said Calkins. "This journal serves as a great reminder to remember what's meaningful, even when life feels messy."

The journal is available now as a free download at pacificmindhealth.com and is part of Pacific Mind Health's mission to provide accessible tools for emotional well-being.

MEDIA CONTACT

Name: Millicent Skiles

Title: Content Marketing Manager

Company Name: Pacific Mind Health

Email:[email protected]

Website: https://pacificmindhealth.com

About Pacific Mind Health

Pacific Mind Health is a provider of outpatient psychiatry and therapy services in California. With a blend of science and compassion, the practice offers personalized treatment plans including psychiatry, therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and Spravato (esketamine). Pacific Mind Health provides both in-person and online appointments, with locations in Long Beach, West Los Angeles, Irvine, and throughout California.

SOURCE Pacific Mind Health
6 January 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Azerbaijans main global gateway, and the backbone of the countrys gas exports, is the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), a 3,500-kilometre integrated pipeline system linking the Caspian Sea to Europe. This pipeline spans Georgia and Turkiye and continues beyond the Adriatic Sea, reaching deep into southern and south-eastern Europe.

But what does this mean for the countries receiving Azerbaijani gas, and why does it matter far beyond the Caspian?

Direct, uninterrupted access from the Caspian to the EU, bypassing Russia and Iran, the Wests uncompromising rivals, offers European states a vital opportunity to heat millions of homes during the coldest winters. Since the outbreak of the RussiaUkraine war, the EUs rejection of Russian gas, coupled with surging energy demand, has reshaped Europes energy landscape. This shift has redrawn the geopolitical map and opened new horizons for Europes economic future by strengthening access to energy supplies from the South Caucasus.

Azerbaijan, despite its relatively small size on the world map, has emerged among global energy suppliers as one of Europes most reliable partners, underpinned by substantial gas resources and delivery capacity. This has enabled the country to cement its role as a long-term exporter of natural gas, an outcome that, for many, once seemed little more than a distant aspiration.

How strategic diplomacy advances Azerbaijans foreign policy objectives

Azerbaijans ability to advance as a gas supplier, despite being located in a complex geopolitical environment, can be explained by several factors. Foremost among them is the balanced policy pursued by the Azerbaijani leadership, which, although challenging, has been implemented with notable success. Being surrounded by neighbours such as Russia and Iran, while simultaneously managing relations with the West in a measured and pragmatic manner, represents diplomacy at its highest level.

Moreover, Azerbaijans success in bringing a long-running conflict in the South Caucasus to an end within a relatively short period has delivered substantial political and economic dividends. Economic development begins with security. Sustaining long-term and stable partnerships in an insecure environment is as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.

Today, Azerbaijan is capable of supplying natural gas not only to 14 countries, but to as many as 16 countries worldwide. It is no coincidence that President Ilham Aliyev referred to this in an interview with local media, noting that the countrys gas exports exceeded 25 billion cubic metres last year.

Our gas exports are growing with respect to both volume and geography. So far, we have supplied gas to 14 countries, 11 of them on a regular basis, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with local television channels on January 5.

There are countries that received our gas in 2024 but then stopped because of other sources. It is kind of on demand: whenever they need it, we start supply; when they do not need it, we cut it. But in total, the geographical coverage of pipeline gas from Azerbaijan amounts to 14 countries, and two more European countries will be added this year. So in total, it will be 16, and this is the largest number with respect to pipeline gas. No other country in the world supplies pipeline gas to as many countries as Azerbaijan. Our exports last year exceeded 25 billion cubic meters, with potential for growth, the head of state noted.

Critics sometimes point out that Azerbaijani volumes are modest when compared with Europes overall demand. That observation is factually correct and strategically misleading. Energy security is not a question of replacing one dependency with another, but of diluting risk across multiple suppliers and routes. Azerbaijani gas functions as a stabiliser within this system: predictable, contract-based, and politically low-risk.

Moreover, the impact of Azerbaijani gas extends well beyond the molecules delivered through its pipelines. By supplying Turkiye and southern Europe, it displaces LNG that would otherwise be required in these markets. Those LNG cargoes are then redirected to Asia, Africa or Latin America. In this way, Azerbaijani gas contributes indirectly to global market balance, helping to reduce price volatility far beyond Europes borders.

Looking ahead, Azerbaijans importance is likely to grow rather than diminish. Production from fields such as Shah Deniz, Absheron, and other offshore structures provides a stable upstream base. At the same time, discussions around trans-Caspian connectivity, particularly involving Turkmen gas, highlight Azerbaijans potential evolution from a supplier into a full-fledged transit hub for Central Asian energy.

Crucially, Azerbaijan has framed its gas exports not as a challenge to the energy transition, but as a complement to it. European policymakers increasingly recognise that decarbonisation without security is politically unsustainable. In this context, reliable pipeline gas from a stable partner can underpin the transition by cushioning economies against supply shocks.
6 January 2026 14:05 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

A new phase is taking shape in Azerbaijans banking sector. The Central Banks decision to grant local banks a transition period to align their capital with Basel III standards signals a shift toward a more disciplined and structured regulatory environment. This is not merely a technical adjustment. It is an institutional change that directly affects how banks take risks, allocate capital, and finance the broader economy.

Basel III is an international framework for bank regulation built on a straightforward principle: banks that take risks must hold sufficient capital to absorb potential losses. The global financial crisis of 2008 exposed a critical weakness in banking systems worldwide. Many institutions appeared well capitalised on paper, yet proved incapable of withstanding real financial shocks. Governments were forced to intervene, transferring private-sector losses onto public balance sheets. Basel III was designed to prevent a repeat of that outcome by strengthening capital quality, tightening risk measurement, and introducing precautionary buffers.

For Azerbaijans banking system, the transition to Basel III begins with a redefinition of what capital means. The new rules place greater emphasis on high-quality capitalprimarily common equity and retained earnings that can genuinely absorb losses. This shifts banks away from relying on weaker or hybrid instruments and encourages a more conservative balance-sheet structure. In practice, it also affects dividend policies, as banks are incentivised to retain profits to strengthen their capital base rather than distribute earnings aggressively.

One of the most important elements of Basel III is the introduction of capital buffers. These buffers are designed to be built up during periods of economic growth and drawn down during downturns. Their purpose is to prevent banks from sharply cutting lending at the first sign of stress. For an economy like Azerbaijans, where bank credit remains a key channel for financing businesses and households, this mechanism plays a stabilising role. By smoothing the credit cycle, capital buffers help reduce the risk that financial stress spills rapidly into the real economy.

The new framework also changes how banks evaluate risk. Under Basel III, holding riskier assets requires holding more capital. High-yield lending is no longer simply a matter of higher returns; it carries a tangible cost in the form of increased capital requirements. This pushes banks toward more careful credit assessments, stronger risk management, and greater attention to borrowers long-term repayment capacity. Over time, the emphasis shifts from rapid balance-sheet expansion to sustainable and better-quality growth.

In the short term, the adjustment process may prove challenging for some banks. Smaller institutions, in particular, may need to raise additional capital, restructure their shareholder base, or reduce exposure to higher-risk assets. These steps can affect profitability and may influence lending conditions, including pricing and credit availability. However, such pressures should be viewed as part of a necessary transition rather than a structural weakness. A banking system that cannot meet higher capital standards is, by definition, more vulnerable to shocks.

From a systemic perspective, Basel III strengthens prudential supervision and enhances transparency. Regulators gain clearer insight into banks true financial positions, while markets receive more reliable signals about institutional strength. This alignment with internationally recognised standards is especially important for Azerbaijan as it seeks deeper integration into global financial markets. For foreign investors and international financial institutions, regulatory familiarity and credibility play a decisive role in long-term engagement decisions.

The broader economic implications are also significant. A better-capitalised banking sector is more resilient during periods of volatility, whether driven by global financial cycles, commodity price fluctuations, or geopolitical uncertainty. While stricter capital rules may temper aggressive lending during boom periods, they also reduce the likelihood of abrupt contractions during downturns. Over time, this contributes to more stable economic growth and a healthier financial ecosystem.

Ultimately, the adoption of Basel III standards represents more than a regulatory update. It reflects a shift in philosophy, from prioritising speed and scale toward emphasising resilience and discipline. For Azerbaijans banking sector, this transition marks a move away from expansion driven primarily by risk-taking and toward a model based on capital strength, prudent management, and long-term sustainability. The short-term costs of adjustment are real, but the long-term payoff is a banking system better equipped to support the economy through both calm and turbulent periods.
6 January 2026 17:03 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

2025 can be considered a new chapter in the history of Azerbaijan, a year alive with profits and achievements. The dividends of the profound and decisive policies pursued by the Azerbaijani government extend beyond the country, shaping the entire South Caucasus.

More precisely, the roars of weapons that had echoed since the first days of independence over 30 years ago finally fell silent in 2025. Neither the Azerbaijani nor the Armenian side suffered any losses throughout the year. For a country that has lived in a state of war since independence, and even before, that reality is unprecedented. This marks a new stage in the history of both countries. As President Ilham Aliyev noted in an interview with local media: . the Armenia-Azerbaijan war ended from a political point of view, and we have been living in peace for several months now.

Surely, this is the most important achievement, as war had disrupted all regional development. Both sides spent billions of dollars on arms that could have been allocated to social projects, infrastructure, and more. The Garabagh conflict, which intermittently lasted for more than 30 years, claimed thousands of lives. Despite all difficulties, Azerbaijan pursued a decisive policy regarding its territorial integrity and ultimately achieved its goals through victory in the 44-day war and the subsequent anti-terrorist operation in 2023. Today, Azerbaijan is among the rare countries in the world that have successfully restored its territorial integrity.

However, victory on the battlefield cannot be considered complete unless political objectives are secured. Azerbaijan sealed its political goals following its military victories, and, more importantly, they were affirmed in the White House. As President Aliyev stated, There were different stages of the war. You remember that well. The active stage of the war, the stage of the ceasefire, the Second Karabagh War, the anti-terrorist operation, the period that followed it  all these events ended in August of last year. In other words, Azerbaijan has put a political seal on the brilliant Victory it achieved on the battlefield and, as I mentioned, we did it in the world's number one office.

These achievements have created new realities in the region. For example, Azerbaijan and Armenia have begun limited trade, a trust-building step between the two nations. Last month, Armenia purchased fuel from Azerbaijan, an unprecedented development. Azerbaijan had never exported any product to Armenia before, let alone fuel, which is considered the lifeblood of todays economy.

The fuel trade sparked heated debate among Armenians, especially on social media. Some criticised the Pashinyan government, which is understandable, as no one expected decades of hostility to vanish overnight. Yet others, with healthier mindsets, discussed what products Armenia could export to Azerbaijan.

Economic activity is not limited to only Azerbaijans fuel exports. Last year, Baku paid Yerevan for opening its airspace to Azerbaijani planes. Previously, Azerbaijani aircraft had to detour through Iran or Georgia. Now, flights pass over Armenia, shortening travel time and reducing costs.

Assessing the achievements in 2025, one can suggest that the scope of economic activities will be enhanced, paving the way for trust-building between the two nations. Because not only the Armenian governments but also Armenian society realised that they cannot compete with Azerbaijan in terms of military. Azerbaijan is much bigger and mightier than Armenia. Additionally, no power in the world can force Azerbaijan to make concessions over its territories. Today, Azerbaijan boasts the strongest military power and dynamic economy in the region.

Furthermore, the dividends of Azerbaijans achievements in 2025, emerging from a 30-year decisive policy, are already tangible, and citizens are benefiting. As President Aliyev noted: Although we have been living in these conditions for only five months, we are already seeing the fruition of this  both on the political and economic planes.

The conclusion is clear: the only path the South Caucasus urgently needs, and the only one capable of leading the region toward a brighter future, is peace. Only in an environment where peace prevails can development take root, confidence in the future grow, and long-term goals be meaningfully pursued. As the renowned American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. once observed, Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

For decades, the absence of peace transformed the South Caucasus into an arena for competing external interests. These interests, driven by narrow and often self-serving agendas, contributed to the artificial and ultimately futile prolongation of the conflict. This drawn-out confrontation brought no tangible benefit to either side - neither to Azerbaijan nor to Armenia. On the contrary, it deprived both societies of economic opportunities, regional integration, and the chance for sustainable development.

Today, however, the situation has changed. The new realities that have emerged in the region as a result of Azerbaijans actions and diplomatic efforts have created an opening, particularly for Armenia, to break free from the political and economic stagnation that has long held it back. This moment presents a rare opportunity to move away from confrontation and toward constructive engagement. It may well be a decisive one. Failure to seize it risks consigning the region to yet another cycle of missed chances and unfulfilled potential.
6 January 2026 10:21 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijans central bank has given local lenders one year to align their capital with Basel III standards, Azernews reports, citing the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA).

The transition period follows amendments approved by the CBAs board on December 16, revising the rules on the calculation of bank capital and capital adequacy. The changes are part of the countrys 20242026 Financial Sector Development Strategy, aimed at strengthening financial stability and aligning regulation with international standards.

Under the revised framework, the structure of bank capital, capital adequacy ratios, capital buffers and other prudential requirements have been brought in line with Basel III norms.

The introduction of new capital buffers is expected to enhance banks resilience to potential losses, improve risk assessment, and raise the quality of bank capital, while supporting the sustainable financing of the economy.

The central bank said full implementation of the Basel III-aligned capital requirements will also strengthen prudential supervision and improve the banking sectors attractiveness for international investors.

Banks are required to fully comply with the new rules from January 1, 2027, following the one-year transition period.
6 January 2026 11:02 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan imposed temporary restrictions on meat imports from parts of Lebanon and Lithuania after outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue diseases were reported, Azernews reports, citing the Food Safety Agency AQTA.

The ban covers Lebanons Akkar and Baalbek-Hermel provinces, where foot-and-mouth disease was detected.

In Lithuanias Telsiai and Siauliai districts, bluetongue cases prompted similar restrictions.

The Food Safety Agency said the measures follow World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines and apply under the principle of regional zoning.

Azerbaijans Customs Committee has been notified to enforce the restrictions at border checkpoints.

Officials noted the steps aim to protect domestic livestock and prevent potential economic losses from disease spread.
6 January 2026 11:43 (UTC+04:00)

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Azerbaijan imported $135.6 million worth of ferrous and nonferrous metals from Turkiye last year, down 4.9% from 2024, according to the Turkish Exporters Assembly.

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6 January 2026 16:22 (UTC+04:00)

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The World Bank has identified key challenges related to foreign direct investment (FDI) in Azerbaijan, noting that the positive impact of these investments on the wider economy remains limited.

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6 January 2026 17:40 (UTC+04:00)

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It is worth noting that Azerbaijan prioritizes non-oil-and-gas exports, thereby distinguishing them from gross exports. Over the same period, Azerbaijans gross exports stood at $23.4 billion, of which $3.3 billion were non-hydrocarbon exports. While Italy led among countries importing Azerbaijans overall products, Russia ranked first in importing non-oil-and-gas products

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6 January 2026 17:59 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

January 6th is the memorial day for Mikayil Mushfig, a prominent representative of 20th-century Azerbaijani literature, a victim of repression, and a tragic poet.

Although he left this world early, he left behind a rich legacy of lyrical works filled with a deep love for life, freedom, and the human spirit, which continue to inspire readers across generations.

This year marks the 88th anniversary of the poet's death.

Mikayil Mushfig's first published work, the poem "Today", appeared in the "Young Worker" newspaper in 1926, while his final poem, "Leaves of Emotion", was published in the "Literature Newspaper" in 1937.

Due to his prolific creativity, starting from 1930, several of his books were published, including "Winds", "Sounds of the Day", "Among the Waves", "One May", "Cotton", "Battles", "Poems", "Shengul, Shungul, Mengul", "Rock", "The Peasant and the Snake", among others.

Starting from 1957, his books such as "Selected Works", "Works", "Leaves of Emotion", "Song of Eternity", "What My Heart Says", "Love of Life", and others were published.

The memoir book "My Days with Mushfig", written by the poet's wife, Dilbar Akhundzade, was published in 1968, with a revised edition released in 2005.

Mikayil Mishfig was also involved in translation. He translated works from A. Pushkin's "The Gypsies" (together with Sh. Abbasov), M. Lermontov's "Demon" (together with R. Rza), Shevchenko, O. Khayyam, and other poets, along with M. F. Akhundzadeh's "The Eastern Poem" into Azerbaijani.

Mikayil Mishfig, who fell victim to the wave of repression in the Soviet Empire, was brutally executed on January 6, 1938. Although he was a tragic poet, he left a true artistic treasure for the Azerbaijani people and took with him the key to unlocking a great treasure.

His rich literary heritage includes almost every genre of lyric poetry, ranging from poems to epics, including works like "The Shepherd", "My Friend", "Rock", "Broken Saz", "Morning", and "The Epic of Freedom".

In the poem "The Holiday Evening", by recalling childhood memories of Novruz, the author opposed the Soviet regime's policy aimed at erasing national traditions from memory.

Mikayil Mishfig's 100th and 110th birth anniversaries were celebrated with a series of events in Azerbaijan and abroad by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev.

His personality is a symbol of national consciousness and patriotism, and his creative works are an invaluable treasure for the development of national identity in the younger generation and for nurturing feelings of patriotism.
6 January 2026 13:41 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Central Scientific Library of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has prepared a virtual exhibition titled "Fatali Khan Khoyski  150", Azernews reports.

The virtual exhibition presents the full text of the decree by President Ilham Aliyev on the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Fatali Khan Khoyski, a prominent political and statesman, one of the founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, and its first Prime Minister.

The exhibition provides extensive information about the distinguished public figure's difficult, eventful, yet honourable life, and his rich career in public and political service.

It also includes videos, photographs, and historical documents.

Among the publications displayed are "Fatali Khan Khoyski: Life and Activities," "Encyclopedia of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic," "The Commissar," "20th Century: Prominent State Builders of Azerbaijan," "State and Law of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic," "The Path to Independence," "Azerbaijan Democratic Republic  100," "Love of Independence," "Security Agencies of the Republic," and other valuable works.

In addition to the virtual exhibition, a traditional exhibition has also been organised at the library.

The virtual exhibition can be accessed through the following link.

Fatali Khan Khoyski (18751920) was a prominent Azerbaijani state and political leader and one of the founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR). He served as the first Prime Minister of ADR after its declaration of independence on May 28, 1918.

Before that, he was a deputy in the Russian Empire's Second State Duma and held important roles such as minister of justice and education in the Transcaucasian government.

Fatali Khan Khoyski played a key role in building the new state, including efforts in education and national governance.

On September 17, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree marking the 150th anniversary of Fatali Khan Khoysk.

The decree instructs the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Science and Education, to create and carry out a program of events to commemorate Fatali Khan Khoyski's 150th anniversary.
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to MarketsandMarkets, the report "Pharma & Cosmetic Anti-Counterfeit Packaging Market by Technology (Mass Encoding, RFID, Tamper Evidence, Hologram, Others) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America) - Global Forecast to 2030", is projected to reach USD 195.0 billion in 2030 from USD 96.3 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 15.17%. The demand for anti-counterfeit packaging in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors is growing due to a rise in pharmaceutical counterfeiting and stringent regulatory and serialization standards. Additionally, tailored packaging and the increasing demand from the cosmetics industry are creating further opportunities for market expansion. The pharmaceutical & cosmetics anti-counterfeit packaging market is growing due to a rise in pharmaceutical crimes coupled with strong regulation & serialization requirements. Customized packaging and rising demand from the cosmetics industry are further providing opportunities for market growth.

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The pharmaceutical & cosmetic anti-counterfeit packaging has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. Europe constitutes the largest market due to factors such as stringent regulations, robust enforcement, and a fully developed healthcare and beauty sector.

By technology, the RFID segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment.

RFID is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the pharmaceutical & cosmetic anti-counterfeit packaging market. The growth is attributed to the features such as item-level traceability, real-time verification, and high-quality data in complex supply chains. In comparison with barcodes or QR codes, RFID tags can be scanned without requiring line of sight and in bulk. This makes them the ideal choice in high-volume pharmaceutical distribution or cosmetic retail settings where speed and accuracy are crucial. Rising regulatory pressure (FMD, DSCSA in the US, and international track-and-trace requirements) is enhancing the need to implement technologies to support the ability to deliver end-to-end visibility and automated verification. RFID can also be easily integrated with digital platforms, cold-chain monitoring, inventory management, and patient-level access. The use of RFID in cosmetic products enhances the brand protection against fake products in the grey market. RFID is also practical and easy to use, with increased read ranges, and the growing use of NFC-based smartphones, which has increased its adoption among pharma and beauty companies seeking to secure intelligent packaging.

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Asia Pacific accounted for the third-largest market share and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The pharmaceutical & cosmetics anti-counterfeit packaging market in the Asia Pacific has emerged as one of the most rapidly developing sectors. With the increase in counterfeit products, the manufacturing industry has experienced above-average growth. To comply with stricter regulatory systems, changes are being implemented. The region has exhibited a higher prevalence of counterfeit drugs and fake cosmetic items, prompting governments to implement secure packaging systems that include serializing, QR-based authentication, holograms, and tamper-evident seals. Countries such as China and India are enhancing track-and-trace requirements for pharmaceuticals. The Southeast Asian markets are updating their regulatory frameworks to reduce illicit cross-border trade, which is expected to drive market growth in turn. The rapid growth of e-commerce sales has led to an increased need for authentication features and digital verification tools. Furthermore, local pharmaceutical and cosmetic producers are intensifying their export business, which requires them to meet stricter international standards. The Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest rate of adoption of high-end security packages due to increasing awareness of product safety among emerging middle classes, substantial investments in digital supply chain systems, and government-backed anti-counterfeit efforts.

Key Players

The pharmaceutical & cosmetics anti-counterfeit packaging market comprises major players such as CCL Industries Inc. (Canada), SML Group (China), SICPA Holding SA (Switzerland), Dover Corporation (US), and AlpVision SA (Switzerland). Partnerships, acquisitions, expansions, and product launches are among the key strategies adopted by these major players to enhance their positions in the pharmaceutical & cosmetic anti-counterfeit packaging market.

Get access to the latest updates on Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics Anti-counterfeit Packaging Companies and Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics Anti-counterfeit Packaging Market Size

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6 January 2026 14:40 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

As part of her visit to Muscat, Leyla Aliyeva has also visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Azernews reports.

Constructed at the initiative of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and opened in 2001, the mosque is one of the country's most magnificent religious and architectural monuments.

The mosque, which can accommodate approximately 20,000 worshippers, has become an architectural symbol of Muscat.
6 January 2026 15:24 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Construction and design work on the AgdamKhankendi railway line has advanced significantly, with 81% of the design work and 29% of construction and installation completed, according to the Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), Azernews reports.

The railway line will span 28 kilometers, extending to 30.8 kilometers including branch lines. The project includes the construction of three stationsAskeran, Khojaly, and the Khankendi Railway and Bus Terminal Complexas well as 124 engineering structures.

Passenger services along the BakuAgdamBaku route began on August 30, 2025. Currently, travelers can access Baku, Bilajari, Ucar, Leki, Yevlakh, Barda, Kocharli, Tazekend, and Agdam stations. ADY provides service with modern FLIRT trains manufactured by Switzerlands Stadler, offering Standard, Standard+, Business, and First Class travel options.

Before the occupation period, passenger trains ran on the BakuKhankendiBaku route using sleeper trains. The last service between Baku and Agdam on this route operated in 1993, highlighting the historic significance of the new railway line.

This project is a major step in restoring regional connectivity and enhancing modern rail transport infrastructure in the liberated territories.

The AgdamKhankendi railway project is part of Azerbaijans large-scale post-conflict reconstruction and reintegration programme in the territories liberated following the 2020 Patriotic War and subsequent restoration of full sovereignty in 2023. Since then, Baku has prioritised transport connectivity as a cornerstone of economic revival, population return, and long-term regional integration.

Moreover, railway infrastructure in Garabagh was severely damaged and dismantled during nearly three decades of occupation, leaving cities such as Aghdam and Khankendi disconnected from the national transport network. The revival of rail links is therefore both a practical infrastructure undertaking and a symbolic reversal of the isolation imposed during that period.

In a nutshell, the AghdamKhankendi line is designed to integrate Garabagh directly into Azerbaijans modern rail system, complementing parallel investments in highways, airports, energy grids, and smart city initiatives. It also forms part of a broader eastwest and northsouth transport vision aimed at strengthening domestic mobility while reinforcing Azerbaijans role as a regional transit hub linking the Caspian basin to the South Caucasus and beyond.

In addition to these improvements, it should be noted that Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) has played a central role in this transformation, introducing European-standard rolling stock, upgrading stations, and expanding passenger services across the country. The use of Stadler FLIRT trains reflects Bakus emphasis on modern, efficient, and passenger-oriented transport solutions in newly rebuilt areas.

Once completed, the AghdamKhankendi railway is expected to support the return of displaced residents, stimulate local economic activity, and facilitate administrative, commercial, and social reintegration of Garabagh into Azerbaijans national space, marking a key milestone in the post-conflict reconstruction phase.
6 January 2026 16:39 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A march led by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has begun in Yerevan, following the Christmas liturgy at the Surb Grigor Illuminator Cathedral. The prime minister, accompanied by his wife Anna Hakobyan and other government officials, described the event as a "religious procession," Azernews reports via Sputnik Armenia.

Officials who attended the liturgy, along with members of the ruling Civil Contract party, are heading to the Surb Anna Church.

The march comes in the wake of Pashinyan signing a so-called "roadmap for the improvement" of the Armenian Apostolic Church on January 4, together with 10 bishops who had called for the resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Tensions between the Armenian authorities and the Church have intensified following Pashinyans criticism of the clergy and his initiative to revise the procedure for electing the Catholicos, granting the state a central role.

Earlier, the heads of three dioceses and the head of the chancery of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin were arrested on various charges, further escalating the standoff.
6 January 2026 23:00 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

Nestle is recalling certain batches of its SMA, BEBA, and NAN infant formula, as well as follow-up milk mixtures, in several European countries due to the potential presence of a toxin. The toxin, cerulide, produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, Azernews reports.

This large-scale recall, which began in December, has turned into a significant challenge for Nestles newly appointed CEO, Philip Navratil, who is already under pressure to revitalize the companys growth. Navratil is currently overseeing a corporate-wide product portfolio analysis following a period of management instability.

In a statement released on Monday, Nestle clarified that there have been no confirmed cases of illness related to the recalled products, and the company is working to ensure consumer safety.

"Following the discovery of a quality issue with an ingredient provided by one of our leading suppliers, we have tested all arachidonic acid oil and related oil mixtures used in the production of the affected baby food products," a Nestle spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The recall affects various countries including Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Over 800 items from more than 10 Nestle factories are involved in the recall, according to the Austrian Ministry of Health. This has been described as the largest product recall in the companys history.

Nestle has provided batch numbers for the affected products sold in multiple countries, emphasizing that these products should not be consumed. The company is working to minimize any disruptions in supply.

In addition, Nestle has identified a potential risk at one of its plants in the Netherlands. The company is continuing its investigation and collaborating with relevant health authorities to ensure swift and transparent action.

This incident comes at a critical time for Nestle, as it seeks to regain consumer trust while navigating the challenges of managing one of the world's largest food and beverage portfolios.
6 January 2026 19:47 (UTC+04:00)

Drones of the Security Service of Ukraine attacked a missile and artillery arsenal in Russia's Kostroma Oblast and an oil depot in Lipetsk Oblast on the night of 5-6 January, sources told Ukrainska Pravda, Azernews reports.

"Long-range drones operated by the SSU's Alpha Special Operations Centre successfully struck two enemy targets deep in the rear of the Russian Federation."

In particular, the drones reached Arsenal No. 100 of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in the Neysky District of Kostroma Oblast. Ammunition detonated there throughout the night, and local authorities began evacuating residents from nearby settlements.

"This was an important arsenal for the enemy, as it supplied ammunition to lower-level depots in the western and central areas," the Ukrainska Pravda source noted.

SSU drones also struck the Gerkon Plus oil depot in the settlement of Streletskie Khutora, Lipetsk Oblast, where an intense fire broke out. In addition to Lipetsk Oblast, this oil depot also supplied petroleum products to Russia's Tambov and Voronezh oblasts.

Earlier, Sergei Sitnikov, the governor of Kostroma Oblast, reported the attack on the oblast.

Quote from Sitnikov: "Today [6 January  ed.], several enemy unmanned aerial vehicles were downed over the territory of the Neysky District by military assets and personnel of the Ministry of Defence. As debris fell, a fire broke out at one of the military units. It has now been extinguished. Glass has been broken in several buildings."

He added that "operational services continue to inspect the area where the UAVs were downed" and that access for residents to this zone is "restricted for safety reasons".

"For residents of the southern part of Neya a temporary accommodation centre has been organised for the duration of the work of the emergency services. If necessary, it can accommodate up to 1,200 people. Overnight accommodation is available," the governor wrote.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that from the evening of 5 January, air defence systems had allegedly intercepted and destroyed 129 Ukrainian drones. Russian Telegram channels reported explosions in a number of oblasts; UAVs reached as far as Bashkortostan, with the traditional targets being oil depots and facilities involved in supplying the Russian army.
6 January 2026 20:53 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

The Malaysian central bank will provide an additional 2.5 billion ringgit (approximately 620 million U.S. dollars) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said in a statement on Tuesday that the new funding will focus on first-time borrowers, helping them gain access to much-needed capital to grow their businesses.

So far, BNM has made 32.4 billion ringgit available in concessional financing through participating financial institutions, targeting viable micro and small enterprises that face challenges in securing traditional financing. With the new injection, the total allocation under BNM's SME fund rises to 34.9 billion ringgit.

Looking ahead, BNM plans to transition toward guarantee-based support, aiming to provide guaranteed financing totaling 10 billion ringgit. This approach is expected to reduce risk for lenders while expanding access for SMEs that may otherwise struggle to obtain loans.

Analysts say the move comes at a critical time, as Malaysian SMEs face rising costs and tighter credit conditions, and could help stimulate innovation, employment, and overall economic growth. By supporting first-time borrowers, BNM hopes to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs and strengthen the backbone of the countrys economy.

(1 ringgit equals roughly 0.25 U.S. dollars.)
6 January 2026 21:21 (UTC+04:00)

United States Special Envoy to Greenland and former Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (pictured) voiced his belief on Tuesday, saying that US President Donald Trump is "not ready to seize" Greenland, Azernews reports.

In an interview for CNBC, the newly appointed envoy stated that the US president supports Greenland's independence, adding that Greenland is all "about robust trading," after Trump's recent statements about the island evoked strong reactions.

Earlier today, European leaders issued a joint statement, declaring that Greenland "belongs to its people" and that Denmark and the autonomous territory should decide on their issues.

President Donald Trump says the U.S. needs Greenland for national security, ostensibly to counter Russia and China. But Trumps interest in the sparsely populated island appears to be as much about hemispheric dominance as homeland defense.

According to two people familiar with private high-level discussions and granted anonymity to share their details, the White House has shown little interest in an overture last year from Denmarks prime minister offering the U.S. the option to increase its military presence in Greenland, where it already operates a base and has long deployed troops at liberty.

The option of more U.S. military presence has been on the table, said one of the people, a European defense official. The White House is not interested.

The second person, an American in frequent contact with the administration and European officials, said that most of what Trump says he wants out of Greenland  access to investment resources like critical minerals, more troops and military bases, better intelligence sharing  could be easily accomplished by negotiating directly with Denmark, a steadfast ally.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PlanHub, a leading preconstruction software platform connecting general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers nationwide, today announced that it has joined the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Tech Marketplace as an official technology partner.

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members.

The ABC Tech Marketplace is an exclusive portfolio of vetted, solutions-oriented technology providers offering innovative, cost-effective tools that support the construction industry. Through this nationwide partnership, PlanHub now offers exclusive benefits and discounts to ABC members belonging to ABC's extensive network of 67 chapters and 23,000 members.

This partnership underscores PlanHub's continued commitment to empowering contractors with modern, easy-to-use solutions that improve efficiency, collaboration, and competitiveness throughout the preconstruction process.

"Our inclusion in the ABC Tech Marketplace represents a milestone in our mission to make preconstruction more accessible, transparent, and efficient for every contractor and supplier," said Ro Bhatia, CEO at PlanHub. "We're proud to partner with ABC to expand our reach and deliver measurable value to members who are shaping the future of the construction industry."

"PlanHub's participation in the ABC Tech Marketplace reinforces our goal of connecting members with trusted technology partners who can help them build smarter, safer, and more efficiently," said Matt Abeles, Vice President of Construction Technology and Innovation at ABC. "We're excited to welcome PlanHub to this growing network of innovators who are helping to advance construction through digital transformation."

In addition to the national partnership, PlanHub has also entered a partnership with the ABC New Jersey Chapter, aimed at strengthening local engagement and education opportunities for regional contractors and suppliers. This partnership will enable PlanHub to offer educational webinars, and engage in thought leadership opportunities and regional events designed to foster technology adoption and member growth.

"We look forward to deepening our partnership with ABC at both the national and chapter levels," added Ro Bhatia, CEO at PlanHub. "Our shared goal is to equip industry participants with the digital tools and knowledge they need to win more work and grow their businesses."

Through both initiatives, PlanHub and ABC are together expanding access to industry-leading technology and educational resources that drive innovation and operational excellence across the construction ecosystem.

About PlanHub

PlanHub is an industry-leading preconstruction platform designed to empower construction professionals by simplifying the bidding and project management process. With a mission to connect subcontractors, general contractors, and suppliers, PlanHub provides a centralized digital hub where industry professionals can discover and manage new growth opportunities, collaborate seamlessly, and make data-driven decisions. By integrating high-quality project listings with powerful management tools, PlanHub removes inefficiencies and streamlines communication, ensuring businesses can scale effectively and focus on building America's infrastructure. With over 500,000+ construction professionals in the PlanHub network nationwide, the platform continues to drive growth and innovation in the industry. Learn more at PlanHub.com .

About Associated Builders and Contractors

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.

About ABC New Jersey

ABC New Jersey is the largest ABC Chapter, with over 1,600 members in all specialties within the construction industry, comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members live and work. For more information, please visit our website at abcnjc.org.

SOURCE PlanHub
Comet 31/Atlas Caught By Portland, Oregon Man On Its Way Out

Published 01/03/26 at 8:25 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Portland, Oregon)  The comet 31/Atlas has left the building. (Photo of Comet 31/Atlas, courtesy Patrick Finney)

Well, almost. And it's our regional space that it's heading out of rather than any building.

The mysterious comet trekked its way this summer through our solar system, from some distant place beyond it, and racking up the honor of being only the third extra-solar visitor we've encountered. Its actual size is still  if you'll pardon the pun  up in the air a bit.

It was discovered back in the summer and now it's on its way out after making a bit of a show in late December.

Most photos of the interstellar interloper really came from larger telescopes, although some started to come from smaller smart telescopes in November.



Patrick Finney

Yet one Portland, Oregon man caught one good shot of it right at the beginning of the new year. Practically from his backyard. Patrick Finney has managed to snap a few interesting stellar objects in recent years. Oregon Coast Beach Connection featured his shots of comet Lemmon and comet KT / Atlas. This one  though a tad blurry  is especially spectacular. You can almost feel the thing whizzing away.

How did Finney capture these? Using a ZWO SeeStar S50.

This is a smart telescope, meaning it has GPS tracking, and can find the object you want to see, Finney said. It also has edit features and filtering, to enhance imagery. All imagery is viewable on your cellphone via SeeStars downloadable app.

He said it's quite compact and works well with deep space objects.

It wasn't easy. He only caught it in one photo and it managed to show the separation of the nucleus and tail, Finney said. There's not a lot of photos that show that.

31/Atlas was at its closest approach to Earth back on December 19, at 270 million km or 1.8 AU.



NASAs Hubble Space Telescope reobserved interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS Nov. 30, with its Wide Field Camera 3 instrument. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, D. Jewitt (UCLA), M.-T. Hui (Shanghai Astronomical Observatory). Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI)

Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third object in history from outside of our solar system to be discovered within our solar system, NASA said.

NASA reported the discovery this summer, made via the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado. Then it was about 420 million miles away, named 31/ATLAS, having come from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius.

31/ATLAS was mostly only visible with powerful telescopes  and unfortunately something the Pacific Northwest and areas along the Washington or Oregon coast weren't able to see with the naked eye.

Yet Finney in Portland, Oregon, caught it on its way into the black - as one legendary sci-fi show put it.



STEREO-A (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) spacecraft. The colorization was applied to differentiate the image from other observing spacecraft images. NASA/Lowell Observatory/Qicheng Zhang

Now that the comet is heading back out from the Sun, its velocity is slowing as expected under the Suns gravitational influence. It had sped up considerably as it approached, but by the time it exits the solar system, it will be moving at essentially the same speed it had upon arrival.

NASA scientists say that as the comet approaches the Sun, rising temperatures cause its ices to sublimate and release gas. This outgassing can introduce minor forces that produce very small shifts in its path. It seems to be doing just as they predicted.

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Newport Police Investigate Two Stabbings and a Shooting Near Oregon Coast's Highway 101

Published 01/03/26 at 6:25 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) - A violent series of events unfolded in Newport early Friday morning, starting off the new year with what is apparentl a double homicide in the central Oregon coast town.

Newport Police said they were called to a disturbance in the 1500 block of NW Grove Street at 12:56 a.m. on Friday morning, reporting someone pounding on the door of a residence.

According to police, the resident opened the door and saw a man actively stabbing another man outside. The resident retreated indoors, retrieved a handgun, and called 911. Officers say the resident tried to intervene verbally, but the attacker continued stabbing the victim. The resident then shot the assailant, who died at the scene.

The stabbing victim was transported to a local hospital and later transferred to a Portland-area facility, where he remains in critical condition.

Yet the incident did not stop there. As officers from Newport Police and deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office began investigating, they discovered a second deceased male in the 1800 block of North Coast Highway.

The second male was also stabbed, said Newport Police.



Courtesy Google Map

Currently activated and on the scene is the Lincoln County Major Crime Team, which is now leading the investigation in the central Oregon coast town. Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Major Crime Team includes detectives from Newport Police, Lincoln City Police, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, and the Oregon State Police.

The incident remains under investigation and police are asking the public's help. If you have any information regarding the case, contact Sgt. Mike Leake of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

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Oregon Coast Town Looks at Possibility of Life Out There with Yachats Event

Published 01/05/26 at 5:45 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Yachats, Oregon)  This month, some on the central Oregon coast will be asking Is there life out there? and providing a little insight. (Yachats at night looks a little like an alien world: Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo).

NASA's search for life beyond Earth will be in focus during a January 11, 2026 presentation hosted by the Yachats Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Carol Paty, a University of Oregon Earth Sciences professor and co-investigator on NASA's Europa Clipper mission, will outline what scientists expect when the spacecraft reaches Jupiter in April 2030.

Europa Clipper launched on October 14, 2024 to determine whether Jupiter's icy moon Europa has the conditions necessary to support life. After entering Jupiter's orbit in 2030, the spacecraft will begin a series of 49 close flybys of Europa starting in March 2031. During those passes, its instruments will study the moon's interior structure, surface composition, and geology, and will search for signs of active processes such as eruptive plumes.

Paty's presentation will detail how the mission's suite of remote-sensing and in-situ instruments - from ultraviolet to radio wavelengths, along with multiple compositional and magnetic-sounding tools - will work together to build the most complete picture yet of Europa's potential habitability. She will also discuss the mission's path from launch to arrival and the next steps as Europa Clipper continues its journey toward the Jovian system.



Yachats - Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Europa has long been one of the better candidates for the possibility of life, with what appear to be oceans of a kind beneath the massive layers ice covering it. It's theorized those areas underneath are warmer and could host some sort of life form.

Yachats Academy of Arts and Sciences

Presentation Title: Might Jupiter's Moon, Europa, Be Habitable?

Presenter: Carol Paty, Ph.D. Earth & Space Sciences and professor of earth sciences University of Oregon. Co-investigator on NASA's Europa Clipper mission

Date: January 11, 2026

Time: 3 pm PST

Place: Yachats Commons

441 Hwy 101 N 

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UPDATES: Waves 17 to 26 Ft Along Oregon Coast: Surf Advisories, Sneaker Waves

Updated 01/06/26 at 3:45 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Coos Bay, Oregon)  UPDATED: MORE ADVISORIES FOR NORTH COAST. The good news is that the Oregon coast will be putting on a show. The bad news: you don't want to share the stage with these waves. While you should never turn your back on the ocean, the wave heights coming this week may mean even watching out won't be good enough. You may not be able to outrun these waves. (Photo: sneaker wave at Cannon Beach / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Areas like Cape Disappointment in southern Washington, Coos Bay's Shore Acres or even Yachats and Depoe Bay could well be impressive, however. Just watch from a distance.

There's a lot going on this week.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high surf advisory for the southern Oregon coast, in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 4 p.m. Thursday. It covers Reedsport, Coos Bay, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brookings.

Large, long period swell from near the Aleutian Islands will create potentially dangerous surf conditions along the southern Oregon coast Wednesday morning through Thursday night, the NWS said. Breaking waves of 22 to 26 feet are expected. Stay away from the surf zone and off of jetties. Keep your distance from dangerous beach conditions.



The agency warns that the surf may inundate beaches and low-lying shoreline areas, create hazardous conditions in and near the surf zone, and potentially damage exposed infrastructure. Beach erosion is also possible.

The threat of sneaker waves increases Tuesday night as the first swells arrive, with widespread dangerous surf expected Wednesday into Thursday.

A wave height of 22 to 26 feet is well within the range to get things really going at Coos Bay's Shore Acres. If you're in the area and can take the weather, you may want to check things out.

On the northern half, things are rather serious as well. The NWS has now added a high surf advisory to remain in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 4 p.m. Thursday. This covers the north and central Oregon coast and the south Washington coast.

Forecasters expect large, hazardous surf with breakers up to 25 feet. The agency said that destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and coastal structures without warning. People standing on rocks or jetties can be swept into the ocean, and minor beach erosion may damage shoreline properties. Higher-than-normal water run-up is also expected on beaches and low-lying areas.

According to the NWS, the largest waves are likely between 4 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday.

On top of it, the NWS said there is a substantially increased threat of sneaker waves from areas of Warrenton, Seaside, Manzanita, Pacific City, Lincoln City and down through Florence.

There is a high threat of sneaker waves Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 7-9, the NWS said. If you plan on heading to the beach, be cautious and stay observant of incoming waves. Avoid logs and large rocks, and keep children and pets away from the surf zone.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, seas will be up around 13 to 18 feet, and from there through Friday the period between swells will be a mammoth 15 to 18 seconds. It's that timing between swells that can cause them to pile up and build enormous energy, causing sneaker waves. Seas over 15 feet are by themselves starting to create dangers on beaches, but combined with the sneaker energy you have some very deadly possibilities.

This is a time to be extremely cautious about even setting foot on beaches. Make sure you watch the breakers for a minute or two before going down on the beach. If you see them climb suddenly to an area that wouldn't allow you escape if you were down there: don't go. See what the tidal zone is doing first.

A woman died in Lincoln City recently during such conditions. Tragic Death in Lincoln City Surf Sunday During Varied Wave Alerts on Oregon Coast -

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See the links below for weather forecasts and even wave observations offshore at that moment in time, as well as links to tide tables.

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The US Department of Homeland Security has revealed that Hilton Hotels has brazenly cancelled the room reservations of agents sent to investigate the expanding frauds perpetrated by the Somali immigrant community. Are Hilton Hotels trying to help protect Somali fraudsters the same way that some Democrat politicians are?

https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/01/05/homeland-security-hilton-hotels-refusing-rooms-dhs-officers/

Patriotic Americans should consider Hilton's unconscionable action when considering what hotel to make reservations at.

Meanwhile, the Somali frauds took their first political scalp. Minnesota Governor "Tampon Tim" Walz, bound up in the stonewalling and coverup of the Somali frauds, has withdrawn his candidacy for reelection as governor.

UPDATE: This must be hitting Hilton hard. Hilton corporate has come down hard on the franchise that did this.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/01/hilton-corporate-takes-immediate-action-against-hotel-that/

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/hilton-hotel-plunges-pr-crisis-mode-after-coordinated-campaign-cancel-ice-agent-bookings
Owner of Belfasts Juice Jar chain eyes transfer of headquarters to Republic

Sam Shephard, the founder of a chain of juice bars, talks to Margaret Canning about what drives him

Sam Shephard owner of The Juice Jar that now has eight premises across the UK and Ireland. Picture by Peter Morrison

Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 07:51

Hes the 38-year-old from Armagh city who bucked his familys multi-generational career tradition, worked at a hedge fund and is now running a growing chain of juice bars.
In a post to his Instagram story, the 53-year-old urged his followers to help raise money for electrician Connor (Ian West/PA)

EastEnders actor Jake Wood has made a fundraising plea on social media for a BBC crew member who is in a critical condition in Colombia after a terrible accident in which he fell from the roof of an 11-storey building.
World

Russia fires hundreds of drones and missiles at Ukraine one day before UAE talks
Weeks into Nama trial, Frank Cushnahan and his lawyers took a big gamble which can only now be explained
In recent years, schools have been disrupted by a series of industrial disputes over teacher pay negotiations

Teachers in Northern have received a formal offer of a 4% pay rise, effective from September 2025, with unions expected to recommend acceptance from members.

In recent years, schools have been disrupted by a series of industrial disputes over pay negotiations, though the new offer is separate from ongoing negotiations over workload issues.

The offer comes after Education Minister Paul Givan said before the Christmas break that he would be in a position to make the formal offer early in the new year.

Ive made provision for a pay reward to be made up to 4%, and that would be the basis upon which we will enter into that negotiating process through the proper framework, the minster said.

I do believe that it is reasonable that we would be aligning ourselves largely with parity when it comes to teachers pay.

I think it is a fair pay reward to be making to the teaching profession, he added.

Teachers received a pay rise of 5.5% in 2024/25 and the minister added that the Northern Ireland Executive had taken an important step towards ensuring teachers are treated fairly.

While this is a positive step forward, the wider financial challenge for my department remains acute, he warned.

I continue to work with officials and the Education Authority to reduce the projected deficit of 267m for this financial year. But critical pressures persist.

The Northern Ireland Teachers Council (NITC) has welcomed the formal pay offer for the 2025/26 academic year.

The offer proposes a 4% consolidated increase to all teacher salary scale points and a 4% increase to all allowances, effective from September 1, 2025.

While teachers will have hoped for more, the NITC believes that this offer is the maximum possible in the current financial circumstances, the NITC said.

This offer will now be taken to our member unions for consultation. Each union will carefully consider the details and implications of the proposal on behalf of the teachers that they represent.

Once each union has received a view on the offer, the NITC will formally respond to management side.

Each union will now communicate with their members on how they will consult on the offer.

The NASUWT, the largest teachers union in Northern Ireland, said it is recommending its acceptance to members.

The union commends the negotiating team for delivering this offer from management side in what are very difficult circumstances for the Northern Ireland Executive.

This offer matches the 4% award made to teachers in England for the 2025/26 academic year and keeps teachers salaries broadly in line between Northern Ireland and England, said Matt Wrack, the unions general secretary.

Very importantly, there are no strings attached to this offer.

In recent years, schools have been disrupted by a series of industrial disputes over teacher pay negotiations

Watch - Actor Anthony Boyle reads to children at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children

Justin McCamphill, NASUWT national official for Northern Ireland, added: We welcome this pay offer, which is a significant and hard-won achievement which was only made possible by Executive agreement after a ministerial direction.

On the basis that there is no prospect of additional funding, the union will be recommending that members accept this offer.

Crucially, this offer is not conditional. It allows us to separate the vital issue of pay from our ongoing campaign to tackle excessive teacher workload, for which the independent panels report now provides a concrete basis for resolution. The minister must now act decisively on those recommendations.

Dr Graham Gault, NAHT national secretary (NI), also welcomed the offer: We welcome the receipt of this formal offer, which represents the maximum level of funding secured by the minister from the Northern Ireland Executive.

In relation to pay, our priority now is to ensure that members have their say through a full consultation process.

Joanne Whyte, NAHT president, added: Teachers and school leaders deserve recognition for their vital role in shaping the future of our children and communities.

This offer will now be considered carefully by our members. Alongside pay, we remain committed to tackling workload, and we believe the independent workload panels recommendations provide a strong foundation for meaningful progress.

NAHT will launch a member consultation running from 9am on Thursday until 5pm on Monday, January 12 to gather views on the offer.

Read more Belfast grammar school Inst announces appointment of new principal

The Ulster Teachers Union said it believes members will respond positively to the offer.

While we had hoped for more, we believe this offer to be reasonable given the current financial constraints facing the public sector, said Jacquie White, UTU general secretary.

Of course we will now take this offer to our members before coming back to the management side with a formal response.

In joint statement, the bodies represented at management side said: This offer reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring fair and competitive remuneration for teachers in Northern Ireland.

We very much value the vital role of teachers and believe this pay award represents the best that can be achieved against the backdrop of increasing financial pressures.
Green Grid MBESS now deployed in collaboration with Dominion Energy

BALTIMORE, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Power Up Connect, a Maryland-based manufacturer of mobile, zero-emission power solutions, marked a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week celebrating the deployment of its Green Grid 90 kWh Mobile Battery Energy Storage System (MBESS) as a clean alternative to diesel generatorsit's also the world's first International Fire Code-compliant mobile battery energy storage system.

As the only MBESS with a UL 9540/9540A safety certification, the Green Grid 90 kWh meets rigorous safety and performance standards, including full fire code compliance for mobile lithium-ion battery systems, which has been a major hurdle for battery systems used in public and emergency settings.

The ceremony, held in partnership with Dominion Energy at its Safety and Training Center in Chesterfield, VA, brought together company leadership to formally introduce the system and recognize its role in advancing cleaner, quieter, and more resilient energy for utility and emergency applications. A key differentiator of the Green Grid 90 kWh is its use of integrated solar panels, which deliver sustainable and reliable energy.

Designed and manufactured by Power Up Connect at its facility on N. Dean St. in Baltimore, the Green Grid 90 kWh MBESS is a trailer-mounted, zero-emission mobile power system that delivers 208/120V three-phase electricity without fuel logistics, exhaust emissions, or noise pollution. The system, engineered for rapid deployment, supports applications including temporary grid power, emergency response, construction, EV charging, and critical facilities, providing a scalable alternative to diesel generators.

"The ribbon cutting represents more than a product launchit reflects years of collaboration, testing, and real-world problem solving," said Scott Calhoun, President of Power Up Connect. "Utilities have long relied on diesel generators for mobile power. This deployment proves there is now a cleaner, safer, and utility-ready solution available today."

Dominion Energy's participation underscores how mobile battery storage can support utility operations while reducing emissions, eliminating fuel dependency, and improving reliability for temporary and off-grid power needs.

Manufactured in Baltimore, Maryland, the Green Grid 90 kWh reflects Power Up Connect's commitment to domestic manufacturing, innovation, and advancing clean energy solutions that perform when power matters most.

About Power Up Connect

Established in Baltimore in 2008, Power Up Connect designs and manufactures mobile battery energy storage systems that deliver safe, reliable, and emission-free power for commercial, industrial, utility, and emergency applications.

Media Assets

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Green Grid 90 kWh demonstration (image)

Green Grid 90 kWh demonstration #1 (video)

Green Grid 90 kWh demonstration #2 (video)

Media Contacts

Buri Mkaya

410-394-5500

[email protected]

Scott A. Calhoun

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SOURCE Power Up Connect
British Airways has axed its full English breakfast for business class passengers on short haul flights, including ones to Belfast.

Instead, a slimmed-down continental option will be offered to customers.

The change is due to take place from Wednesday, January 7, and has already caused a stir for some frequent flyers.

Business class passengers on flights heading to Belfast, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Dublin, Jersey, Manchester and Newcastle are affected by the change.

Breakfast will now consist of a fruit plate, yoghurt and pastry.

However, those in economy will continue to be served a bottle of water and a snack  usually a biscuit or pretzels  although these customers will have the option to pre-book and pay for a limited number of hot meals.

Those to travel by plane on a regular basis argue that the substantial English breakfast, generally consisting of a sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs  which usually comes with a piece of bread, fruit and a yoghurt  is more fitting for their flight.

With the time it takes getting to the airport, checking in luggage and getting to their flight on time, passengers often say there is no time to eat.

Despite the new rules taking place on flights of just an hour in length, departures to Scotland arent affected. This is despite flight times from Heathrow to Glasgow and Edinburgh being the same as those to Belfast and Dublin.

The airliner trailed the new breakfast plan on its short-haul flights in September, and said this has been successful.

British Airways believes that having a continental breakfast will allow for cabin crew to have additional time with passengers, rather than it being a cost-cutting measure.

While grievances have been voiced by passengers over the upcoming change, editor of the frequent flyer site Head for Points, Rob Burgess, told The Times that British Airways offer is still superior to others.

If you go back 20 years, British Airways was offering a free cooked breakfast to an entire Boeing 757/767 on its Super Shuttle services, even from London to Manchester. Its not about lack of time to do the service, he said.

The British Airways offering is superior to Air France or Lufthansa, both of whom consider a plate of cold cheese and meat to be an acceptable business-class breakfast. But Id argue that this is more of a cultural difference over what constitutes breakfast.

A British Airways spokesperson affirmed that hot breakfasts will continue to be available for the majority of passengers.

Due to the limited time available on these journeys, serving and enjoying a hot breakfast has become challenging, said the spokesperson.

British Airways (Steve Parsons/PA)

News Catch Up - Monday 5 January

To ensure a more comfortable experience, well now offer a continental breakfast on these routes.

Hot breakfast will continue to be available on the vast majority of our short-haul flights, as our crew has sufficient time to prepare and customers can enjoy their meal comfortably.

Last April, BA fared well in a ranking of the best and worst plane food on various airlines.

According to a survey by YouGov: Self-serve, BA was the fourth best airline for food, and the top UK-based airline on the list. Emirates has the best snacks and drinks and the best inflight meals, according to the survey.
The family of a missing Cookstown man have said they will fight until their deaths to find him.

Taylor Stewart (21) was last seen at approximately 5.30am on New Years Day in the Church Heights area of the town.

Police say extensive searches are continuing for the father-of-one, with specialist teams assisting.

Taylors family have made an emotional appeal for him to make contact.

His older sister, Paige, said: Me and mummy would fight to our deaths for you to come home, we are not whole without you.

She also told this newspaper yesterday: I have no further information, apart from [that] someone somewhere knows something, and if they have any sort of conscience, they would leave a note or tell someone where he is. We are all slowly fading away without him.

Taylor Stewart

Earlier this week, Paige posted on social media to highlight that three days had passed since her brother was reported missing.

Taylor, if you are reading this, you are not in any trouble with the police or anyone else, she said.

Please ring one of us to let us know you are alive and somewhere warm.

We all love you. We arent angry or disappointed in you.

We are completely heartbroken and thinking the worst.

We want you in our arms. I promise you, no one will say or do anything to upset you, please just let us know you are alive.

Taylors grandfather, Mitchell Crooks, also urged him to get in touch to let loved ones know he is safe.

We just want Taylor to come home, he said.

The whole family is so worried about him, especially with the weather being so bad over the last few days.

Please, Taylor, just let us know that you are safe.

You promised to help me with a few issues with my car, so I need you home to help. Please get in contact.

At the time that he was last seen, Taylor was wearing blue jeans with a brown belt, a long-sleeved white shirt with a red square pattern, and green/brown boots.

He is described as around 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, with dark hair and brown eyes.

Police have asked the public not to put themselves at risk while assisting with the search, particularly due to cold weather conditions, snow, and ice.

However, residents in the area are being encouraged to check sheds, garages and outbuildings, as Taylor may have sought shelter.

Lough Neagh Rescue confirmed on Sunday that its swift water rescue team has been deployed to search Cookstowns waterways and surrounding areas of difficult terrain.

Ryan Gray, a team leader in the K9 Search and Rescue NI organisation, which is also involved in the search, spent Friday night, Saturday morning, Sunday and yesterday looking for Taylor.

It is a volunteer emergency service that uses search dogs and handlers to help locate missing people across Northern Ireland.

Mr Gray said the search will continue and that the public should continue to check any places of shelter on their property and report any information to police.

A spokesperson added: We are asking members of the local community to please remain vigilant and to check any buildings, sheds or outbuildings on your property.

Taylor may have sought shelter there due to the weather.

Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem  such as doorbell or dashcam footage  could be vital and should be passed to the police as soon as possible.

Your continued support and assistance are greatly appreciated as the search continues.

We ask the local community that if anyone has any information, no matter how small it may seem, to please report it to the police as soon as possible.

K9 Search and Rescue looking for Taylor Stewart (inset)

News Catch Up - Monday 5 January

A representative from Lough Neagh Rescue said: We continue to support partner agencies as required. Our thoughts remain with the missing persons family and friends at this difficult time.

Anyone with information on Taylors whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1108 of 01/01/26, or 999 in an emergency.

Information can also be submitted via the police non-emergency reporting form, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police also reiterated that even the smallest piece of information could prove vital in helping to bring Taylor home safely.
Weve no faith in PSNI tackling paramilitaries who murdered Glenn

Quinn family backs probe into killing, but criticises lack of action against UDA gang

UDA murder victim Glenn Quinn

Brett Campbell Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 07:01

The brother of Co Antrim man Glenn Quinn, who was beaten to death in 2020,has no confidence in local PSNI commanders six years on from the brutal killing blamed on the UDA.
Ireland is not taking a softly softly approach over US intervention in Venezuela, the Irish deputy premier has said.

Simon Harris said he would not describe the Trump administrations strikes on Venezuela and the middle-of-the-night capture of its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores as kidnapping.

He said that it was an operation to remove Maduro, who he said was not democratically elected and whom the US believed was responsible for narco-terrorism and bringing misery and pain to so many people.

Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday when he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and claimed he was a prisoner of war.

Members of the Venezuelan community in the UK, celebrate in Trafalgar Square in London, following the US capture of Nicolas Maduro (Yui Mok/PA)

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Harris said: The fact that Maduro is gone from power is a good thing. Hes a brutal dictator who had no democratic legitimacy.

He categorically, fundamentally, resoundingly lost an election and was bringing pain and misery to his people.

There was somebody who democratically won the election in Venezuela, and thats quite clear as well.

I do think this is complex when it comes to international law. I do think thats fair, but the reality is this individual was not a democratically elected state, was not a legitimate head of state, wasnt recognised by Ireland, by the European Union, by the United States of America.

He added: Hell now face justice and through a court system  something that Im sure he wouldnt afford to make people in his own country.

Pressed on whether he believed the Trump administration should remove dictators from other countries, Mr Harris said: Firstly, we didnt go in anywhere but its hard for me to express sympathy for Maduro.

He added: The complexity here is the fact that Maduro was not a democratically elected head of state and was in the view of the United States posing a very significant danger to them.

Pressed on whether the US should have engaged with the mechanisms of the International Criminal Court, Mr Harris said Irelands preference to international institutions is well known.

US president Donald Trump (Suzanne Plunkett/PA)

Asked about reports that a US jet flew over Ireland to observe an oil tanker in the Atlantic, the Tanaiste said he was truthfully not aware if the flight had been given permission by the Irish State, but said he imagined that very clear rules on planes from other jurisdictions transiting through Irish space had been followed.

The Marinera, a Russian-flagged tanker previously known as the Bella 1, appears to be making its way north-east through the Atlantic, with several media reports suggesting it had avoided US President Donald Trumps total naval blockade of Venezuela, in place since late December.

Mr Harris said: Ireland is a neutral country and a neutral country means were not militarily aligned, but that doesnt mean that were in any way immune from or unconcerned about security.

He added that Russia is carrying out a war on the continent of Europe and is not a friend of Ireland.

On US threats to annex Greenland, Mr Harris said the territory was part of Denmark and the European Union.

He added: Anything to do with Greenland is a matter for the people of Greenland.

Mr Harris said he supported comments by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen that the security of Greenland is enabled by the fact that Denmark is a member of the EU and Nato.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is joined by Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride (right) and shadow housing minister David Simmonds during a visit to Pinner, north west London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the US military action in Venezuela was morally the right thing to do.

Saturdays raid on Caracas saw then president Nicolas Maduro captured and taken to New York.

Among the international laws the US may have breached, if it provides no justification for the attacks, is the founding charter of the United Nations.

Article 2 of the UN Charter says all members should refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Speaking on a visit to Pinner in northwest London on Tuesday, Ms Badenoch told the Press Association: What really matters is making sure that Venezuela has a transition to a democracy, something weve been calling for and working on.

Nothing happened until the US went in  now the legal basis is for them to explain, but morally I think that they have done the right thing.

It comes as Donald Trump continues to threaten to annex Greenland, with the US president insisting that taking over the semi-autonomous Danish territory is vital for his countrys national security.

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that efforts to take over the territory by force would mean the end of the Nato military alliance.

Ms Badenoch said there was a big difference between going into a gangster state and taking the leader of a brutalist regime versus a democratic place like Greenland.

The Conservative leader added: What happens in Greenland has got to be up to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is a Nato ally. We stand by them.

We need to remind Donald Trump about the importance of Nato.

When America had its problems in the Middle East, Nato stood beside them. It is now time for them to stand with Nato.

Kemi Badenoch with shadow chancellor Mel Stride during a visit to Promo Veritas in Pinner, north west London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Badenoch was joined by shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow housing minister David Simmonds during her visit to marketing compliance agency PromoVeritas on a snowy morning in London.

Maduro and his wife were seized from their home on Saturday in a middle-of-the-night military operation in which the US carried out strikes on Caracas.

He appeared at a court in New York on Monday, when he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and claimed he was a prisoner of war.
Lynx could be reintroduced in the north of Scotland (Gareth Fuller/PA)

People living in the north of Scotland are being invited to have their say on the potential reintroduction of lynx to the Highlands.

A group of rewilding charities say reintroducing the wild felines could bring significant benefits to the region.

A licence would be required from the government agency NatureScot before any scheme could go ahead.

However, the Scottish Government has said it does not intend to allow the reintroduction of lynx or other large carnivores in the foreseeable future.

More than 40 events are planned to take place in the Highlands and Moray as part of a programme of public engagement starting on January 26.

Lynx are said to pose no threat to humans (Ben Birchall/PA)

The Lynx to Scotland partnership has been assessing how a potential reintroduction scheme could work since 2020.

They say the region could support up to 250 lynx, which would pose no threat to people and prey on deer.

Steve Micklewright, chief executive of the charity Trees for Life, said: Northern Scotland can support a thriving population of lynx, but social acceptance is just as important  so, we are exploring in detail how people feel about bringing back this important missing native species.

The charity was involved in reintroducing beavers to the Highlands in November and wants to carry out similar schemes for red squirrels and a breed of cattle called the tauros.

Any reintroduction of lynx would begin with about 20 of the cats, before numbers are increased.

Lynx were native to the area but driven to extinction several hundred years ago.

Lisa Chilton, chief executive of the charity Scotland: The Big Picture, said: Scotland has lost more of its native wildlife than almost any other country.

Reintroducing lynx could help restore balance and breathe new life into Highland and Moray landscapes, but it would be essential to do this in a considered, responsible way that addresses questions and concerns.

Some 89,000 households will receive mail about the proposals in January.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: We recognise the role that reintroductions of native species can play in nature restoration but any proposed reintroduction would require significant consultation, ensuring the views of those who would be most affected by any species reintroduction are fully taken in to account.

While we do not intend to reintroduce lynx or any other large carnivores in the foreseeable future, because of the potential for negative impacts on farms and rural communities, we support the targeted reintroduction of beaver populations where appropriate.
Sir Keir Starmer and European counterparts have said they will not stop defending Greenlands territorial integrity in the face of continued threats from Donald Trump to annex it.

The Prime Minister and leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark called the US, as a Nato ally, an essential partner in defending Arctic security and stressed that Greenland belongs to its people in a joint statement.

The US president has insisted that taking over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, is vital for his countrys national security.

One of his senior aides said on Monday that nobody would mount a military fight against the US to defend Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that efforts to take over the territory by force would mean the end of the Nato military alliance.

Mette Frederiksen has warned that any attempt to take over Greenland by force would mean the end of Nato (Kirsty Wrigglesworth/PA)

Sir Keir and the other leaders said: Nato has made clear that the Artic region is a priority and European allies are stepping up.

We and many other allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.

The Kingdom of Denmark  including Greenland  is part of Nato.

Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with Nato allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.

Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders have said they will not stop defending Greenlands territorial integrity (Jonathan Brady/PA)

They called the US an essential partner in this endeavour due to its status as a Nato ally and through the 1951 defence agreement between the US and Denmark.

They said: Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller had cast doubt on the legitimacy of Denmarks territorial claim over Greenland in an interview with CNN.

He also said there was no need to consider whether the US might carry out a military operation to take it over because nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland.

US President Donald Trump suggested over the weekend that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to American intervention (Leon Neal/PA)

The Prime Ministers official spokesman sidestepped questions about whether the UK would be willing to mount a military fight to defend the territory, saying he did not want to get into hypotheticals.

Asked if Sir Keir sees Mr Trump as a threat to European security, he said no.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting earlier told Sky News that the UK and Nato were doubling down on their support for Denmark, adding that Greenland was already part of the team contributing to the alliances collective security.

He said: At a time when we can see the security of Nato members and the alliance at threat, particularly from Russia, but also from our other adversaries, this is not the time to destabilise Nato and to undermine our collective security.

Mr Streetings comments follow Ms Frederiksens remarks to Danish broadcaster TV2, in which she said: If the United States chooses to attack another Nato country militarily, then everything stops.

That is including our Nato and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.

Sir Keir has previously said the UK stands with Denmark on Greenland.

On Monday, he told reporters that the territorys future was a matter for the people of Greenland and Denmark alone.
Fire safety inspections had not been carried out for several years at the bar where a deadly blaze broke out during a New Years Eve party, Swiss authorities said.

Investigators have said they believe sparkling candles on champagne bottles ignited the fire at Le Constellation in the resort of Crans-Montana when they came too close to the ceiling.

Authorities are looking into whether soundproofing material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the bars managers. The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, according to the Valais regions chief prosecutor.

People light candles and place floral tributes outside the sealed off Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana (Antonio Calanni/AP)

Regional authorities have said that safety inspections were the responsibility of the municipality. On Tuesday, the head of Crans-Montanas municipal government, Nicolas Feraud, said there had been inspections of Le Constellation up to 2019.

But he told a news conference the local council discovered after consulting documents after the fire that periodic checks were not carried out between 2020 and 2025.

We regret this bitterly, he said, adding that it will be up to judicial authorities to determine what influence that may have had on the chain of events that led to the fire.

Mr Feraud said he could not immediately explain why safety inspections had not been conducted for such a long time.

He said that, in September last year, an external expert had been asked to carry out a soundproofing analysis and had concluded that the bar complied with anti-noise rules, without making further remarks.

The severity of burns made it difficult to identify some victims of the fire that broke out at about 1.30am on New Years Day, requiring families to supply authorities with DNA samples.

Investigators finished identifying the 40 people who died in the fire as well as all 116 people who were injured (Baz Ratner/AP)

Investigators finished identifying the 40 dead on Sunday and said on Monday that they had identified all 116 people who were injured.

On Monday, the Paris prosecutors office announced that it was opening an investigation to assist the Swiss investigation and make it easier for families of French victims to communicate with Swiss investigators.

Nine French citizens were killed, the youngest 14, and 23 were injured.

Mr Feraud said reports from the inspections that were carried out mentioned a maximum capacity of 100 people on the bars ground floor and 100 in its basement. It is unclear how many people were in Le Constellation when the blaze broke out and investigators have said that may never be known.

The municipality said the bars owner obtained a permit to build a veranda in 2015 and also carried out interior work at the bar that did not require a permit.

It said it has now decided to ban the use of fireworks indoors and commission an external agency to carry out inspections of such establishments.
One report of a UFO sighting came from an address believed to be in Cyprus Park, east Belfast (Artwork: Belfast Telegraph graphics)

Europe is preparing for war and there has been a recent increase in UFO sightings. Therefore, it is obvious that the aliens are coming.

Well, thats what some people think. Actually, youd think that in the current remilitarising climate, strange lights in the sky probably had something to do with that widespread rearmament.
Now available in Synopsys' line of Ansys simulation & analysis software, engineers can seamlessly evaluate QuantalRF's high-efficiency antennas in their next-generation wireless designs

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CES  QuantalRF, the pioneering developer of RF semiconductor and antenna solutions, today announced its DockOn antennas are now available in Ansys HFSS high frequency electromagnetic software component libraries  now part of the Synopsys line of simulation and analysis solutions. This inclusion into HFSS gives RF engineers access to QuantalRF's antenna models, enabling faster, more predictively accurate system-level simulations, and accelerating their wireless design cycles.

QuantalRF's DockOn antennas are now available in Ansys HFSS high frequency electromagnetic software component libraries  now part of the Synopsys line of simulation and analysis solutions.

QuantalRF's DockOn antennas, built on its patented compound planar loop (CPL) technology, deliver high power efficiency up to 90% and provide excellent omnidirectional radiation patterns for reliable performance and stable connectivity. They also offer unprecedented antenna isolation, a key coexistence parameter for MIMO system performance. Available DockOn antennas focus on Wi-Fi mobile and access-point applications, while future antenna models will target GNSS, UWB, ISM and 5G standards. Their ultra-small footprint can be printed directly onto standard PCBs, making these antennas ideal for Wi-Fi access points, wearables, smart home devices, smart meters, and ultra-low power IoT nodes.

Within HFSS component libraries, the QuantalRF antenna models are fully scalable, allowing engineers to modify and adapt them to their specific use case. This flexibility supports both antenna design and system-level integration, enabling teams to implement the models in a variety of form factors and configurations. Engineers can import the antennas as black-box external components for system simulations or request services from QuantalRF to use them as modifiable embedded solutions.

"RF design cycles are under increasing pressure to meet performance specifications, accelerate timelines, and optimize costs," said Dave Aichele, EVP of sales and business development at QuantalRF. "By integrating our antennas into HFSS, we make it easy for engineers to simulate and iterate their antenna designs for optimal performance in end customer systems. This ultimately accelerates their time-to-market, while allowing them to see the impressive performance benefits, particularly the antenna's high power efficiency, omnidirection pattern and excellent isolation."

"Adding innovative products, like QuantalRF's antennas, strengthens the breadth of our component libraries," said Sara Louie, Principal Product Manager at Synopsys. "It also reinforces our commitment to delivering holistic system design solutions that accelerate time-to-solution for engineering teams."

For more information about QuantalRF's antenna solutions, visit quantalRF.com or contact [email protected].

About QuantalRF AG

QuantalRF is transforming the RF signal chain for wireless communications to deliver an unmatched user experience. Its ultra-compact, highly configurable front-end ICs and extremely efficient antennas substantially improve area, cost, power, and overall performance. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with R&D centers in the USA and Sweden, QuantalRF has an extensive portfolio of over 200 patents. For more information, visit www.quantalRF.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and projections about future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. A non-exclusive list of risk factors may be found on our website at www.quantalRF.com/forward-looking-statement.

SOURCE QuantalRF
We could create a really kick-ass new Ireland: Dead Rabbit owner rallies behind Irish Americas calls for reunification

Belfast-born owner of famous New York bar latest name to back campaign for a border poll

Jack McGarry

Amy Donohoe Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 19:45

With Irish America being rallied to bolster the campaign for a united Ireland, the owner of one of New Yorks top bars has backed calls for unity.
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Eagle Archives, Jan. 29, 1977: Ida Hall, proprietor of the New England Food Store in East Otis, raised the price of her coffee for the first time in 40 years, from 10 to 15 cents a cup, due to rising costs from international coffee markets.
LENOX  The historic HomeFarm at Undermountain, an equestrian center, working farm and home for rescue animals, is seeking help from the town for urgently needed renovations at the horse farm dating back to 1902.

At a recent Community Preservation Committee meeting, the farms executive director, Lori Pestana, said that a $409,000 project would tackle improper electrical connections, deteriorated farmhouse roofing, foundation and siding, as well as drainage issues at the 14,000-square-foot Jacques Barn and the farmhouse.

Both are part of the complex at 400 Undermountain Road a mile west of downtown, home to 40 horses, five donkeys, seven goats and two sheep.

The farm is seeking $200,000 from the taxpayer-funded Community Preservation Act for its comprehensive plan. The committee has been reviewing nine applications for support, with decisions expected later this month.

Pestana pointed out that HomeFarms request for restoration is Phase 2 of a wide-ranging project to preserve the scenic farm as a historical, cultural and recreational asset for the town.

Its a cohesive project to deal with safety issues so that visitors can come safely and participate, and to protect, preserve and save the work weve done on the buildings, she said.

HomeFarm is a rare surviving complete estate from the Cottage Era, a pivotal period in Lenox history that continues to shape what the town is today, Pestana stated in her application to the committee.

We are seeking funding to continue to restore the Jacques Barn, the oldest and most prominent building on the farm, and the farmhouse, an integral part of the historic vista, she wrote. The farm also provides four rental apartments of workforce housing for employees at below-market rates.

In 2024, town meeting voters approved $190,000 to support the first phase of the restoration project for the nonprofit farm that boards horses and adopts rescue animals for life. The total cost of Phase 1 was about $400,000.

Beyond Phase 2, another $1.5 million would be needed for total restoration at the property, she told The Eagle on Monday.

The nonprofit was formed in spring 2023 to save the land and its scenic viewscape from potential bankruptcy and the threat of possible subdivision development.

Since then, the farms capital campaign has raised about $1.8 million to pay off back debts and to phase-in the restoration project.

The total cost of the multiphase preservation project is estimated at $2.5 million.

The estate-farm was built for Boston surgeon Henry Jacques and his brother Eustace 120 years ago and expanded in the 1950s with a large horse barn, riding arena and tenant cottage.

In October 2023, the 95-acre Gilded Age landmark was gifted to HomeFarm at Undermountain by the Sprague Family Trust, relieving the property of a $315,000 debt to a family member and $125,000 in back taxes and fees owed to the town.

Since 1975, the farm has been an equestrian facility, offering riding lessons, boarding for horses stabled there and for rescue animals, and in recent years evolving into an educational and cultural attraction open to the public.

Last year, it had at least 5,000 visitors, Pestana told the committee. Operational revenue totaled $320,000 from horseback and trail riding, riding lessons, family packages, community visits to open houses and apartment rentals, up from $192,000 in 2024.

Committee member Kevin Mitts praised the work done on the barn so far and the presentation by Pestana.

It was very thoughtful and very thorough, member Kim Graham agreed.

The electrical and roof work are the highest priority, Pestana said, responding to a query from member Fred Keator.

Among the other applicants for CPC funding this spring is Pennrose, the developer of workforce housing with a request for $500,000 to support its second project at 238 Pittsfield Road, a 68-unit rental complex approved by the towns zoning board. Pennrose recently completed its 65 rental apartments at Brushwood Farm called Forge.

Currently, the town has over $1.7 million in Community Preservation funding. Total funding for all nine applications, if approved in full by the committee, would come to $1,537,533.

Annual town meeting voters have the final say on May 7.
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the identity of the Cheshire fatal fire victim.

In 2025, four people died in three fatal fires in the Berkshires. That was up from 2024, when one person died in a blaze in Pittsfield, but still a small fraction of the 30 fires in the state that killed 44 people.

Statewide, fire fatalities fell 12 percent from a seven-year high in 2024, when 50 people perished in fires.

The most common place? At home  all but four fire fatalities statewide occurred in residences.

Sadly, the places we should feel safest  our homes  are the places where most people lose their lives to fire, said state Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

Berkshire County logged two fatal house fires in 2025, both in North Adams.

On March 12, a duplex fire at 188190 West Shaft Road claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl. She was the only child to die in a fire in Massachusetts in 2025. The fire started on the front porch, but its cause has yet to be determined by the Massachusetts State Police Fire Investigation Unit, according to the state Department of Fire Services.

An adult and another child were seriously injured and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The 4-year-old was inside the home when firefighters arrived and found the structure fully engulfed in flames.

On Nov. 24, Donald and Venture Hazard were killed in a blaze at their home at 77 Francis St., a fire their son, Darius Hazard, admitted to starting. The MSP Fire Investigation Unit ruled the cause of the fire incendiary.

Police said Darius Hazard ignited it after he snapped when his mother, who suffered from scoliosis and advanced arthritis, fell in the bathroom. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson. His case has been continued until March.

The countys third fatal fire occurred outdoors  one of three deadly outdoor fires statewide last year.

Jake Wark, a spokesperson for the Department of Fire Services, said Christopher M. Walters, 73, fell into a fire pit in Cheshire on Oct. 11. He was transported to a Connecticut hospital, where he later died.

Wark did not identify the man or provide the date of death. The incident was investigated by the MSP Fire Investigation Unit. A spokesperson for the Berkshire District Attorneys office did not respond to The Eagle.

Statewide, unsafe use or disposal of smoking materials was the most common contributing factor, linked to 21 fatal fires.

Non-working alarms

Officials were able to determine whether smoke alarms were working in 30 of the states 40 residential fire deaths. Only 16 homes had working alarms. Wark said the West Shaft Road residence had at least one, while investigators could not determine whether the Hazards Francis Street home had one.

Changes to building construction allow fires to grow and spread faster," Davine said. "The US Fire Administration estimates that we have less time to escape a fire at home than ever before, so its vital to have working smoke alarms to alert us to the danger before its too late.

Berkshire Countys only fatal fire in 2024 occurred April 15 at 1 Marlboro Drive in Pittsfield. Susan Steenstrup, 67, was pulled from the home and died later that day at Berkshire Medical Center. Wark said the fire started in the kitchen, but investigators could not determine what ignited it. The home had a working smoke alarm.
A new set of proposed statewide graduation requirements has lawmakers and educators asking questions about continued reliance on testing  even if, as Gov. Maura Healey insists, those tests wont be high stakes.

Theres also questions about whether the proposed standards, which include the coursework requirements for admission to the states public four-year colleges and universities, contradict years of educators promoting career technical education as a viable path not requiring college, or thousands of dollars in loans.

A K-12 Statewide Graduation Council, created by a Healey executive order, was formed last January in response to voters passing a ballot question removing MCAS exams as a high school graduation requirement. Its draft proposal was released last month, shortly after it also embraced the "Portrait of a Graduate" core competencies and skills that are already being applied in Berkshire County classrooms.

The statewide council's draft recommendations include end of course assessments in certain subjects that would be designed and graded by the state. Those exams would eventually replace the 10th grade MCAS tests, and passage would not be required for a high school diploma.

What the end-of-course assessments are, are basically the tests you take normally at the end of your course, the governor said last month. That gives us the opportunity to assess how much the students learned, whether the right kind of progress has been made."

If the new exams aren't a diploma requirement, then what would they signify? That's still being worked out, the Graduation Council said. "The weight and role of EOCs, as one component of a comprehensive system that validates a students readiness to graduate, will need to be further reviewed and discussed with stakeholders before anything is finalized."

Traditionally, Massachusetts graduation standards, other than MCAS passage, have been set by each district. Setting statewide standards, the council said, "will also ensure that Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to offer a comprehensive statewide set of student-focused diploma requirements."

But Question 2, which passed with 59 percent of the vote, required students to only "complete coursework certified by the students district" to graduate.

In its draft proposal, the council said the weight and role of end of course exams will need to be further reviewed and discussed with stakeholders before anything is finalized.

The proposed standards would also require:

 Completion of coursework reflecting the MassCore college admissions requirements, including four units each of English and math, three units of lab-based science and social studies (including U.S. history), two units of the same world language, one unit of art and five units of other courses such as career technical education or electives. Financial literacy education would also be required.

 Completion of the federal or state application for student financial aid for college.

 An end-of-year capstone project or portfolio for graduating seniors.

In its report, the council said research on end-of-course assessments positively correlated with high school graduation rates with the biggest positive impacts on math and English language scores and high school graduation rates.

The Graduation Council is due to submit its final recommendations in June. But in the meantime, districts have been asked to submit competency determination standards for graduation, now that a minimum MCAS score is no longer the benchmark. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education sought those requirements by the end of the year.

At the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School Committees Dec. 18 meeting, McCann Tech Principal Justin Kratz said theres a consensus among the states vocational principals that the competency determinations are being sought as a placeholder for the Graduation Councils work.

Theres a large consensus that [DESE is] having us submit this so the Graduation Council has a repository of ideas, Kratz told the School Committee.

But Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational Superintendent James Brosnan noted that many aspects of the proposed standards  notably requiring students and their families to fill out college financial aid forms  seem like a return to emphasizing college over technical career paths.

I have to ask to the Secretary of Education why is that a goal? Brosnan said. Were right back to where we were 40 years ago.

A number of area districts already reflect the MassCore standards in their graduation requirements. But concerns have been raised that meeting those requirements could be complicated by teaching shortages, particularly in world languages.

State Sen. Paul Mark, in evaluating the proposal, said it was important to note that DESE isnt looking for a workaround to reimplement a different version of MCAS. But he also stressed that any set of standards should not be one size fits all.

Mark noted his own story  he left college after a year, pursued a job in the building trades, and then returned to college  as an example of how young people can succeed without all following the typical path.

Whats most important to me is that as students prepare to graduate they are able to find the skills they need to be successful throughout life without taking on exorbitant amounts of debt, he said. There definitely needs to be flexibility on those paths while recognizing that whether you go into a trade or a college track, you still need to know a solid level of English skills, math skills, science skills, and personally, I think civics education as well.

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield said she has questions about the proposal  notably, how it will be funded, and whether it will still require teaching to the test even if the MCAS disappears. We don't want an MCAS alternative. We want more teaching and less testing, she said.

Development of tests and purchasing of tests from big companies costs a lot of money, Farley-Bouvier added. So one of my questions is that money better spent supporting families and paying teachers and lowering classroom sizes?

The Berkshire delegation to Beacon Hill includes a pair of former teachers: Rep. John Barrett III, who taught at Johnson Elementary School in North Adams before his long tenure as mayor of North Adams, and Rep. Leigh Davis, who taught in Ireland for 10 years before moving with her family to Great Barrington.

Barrett noted the process is just starting, and he will want to hear from teachers, administrators and state officials.

A lot of questions need to be answered, he said. But I do believe there has to be some type of measurement for proficiency  I think thats a must.

Davis is withholding judgement until she sees the final proposal in June. Thats when shell be looking for input, especially from educators, on how new statewide standards would be rolled out. She'll be looking for funding support for local school districts, especially rural districts such as those educating Berkshire County children, to help implement new standards.

The next phase of the councils work is crucial, Davis said. Its the final details that will that bring this into focus for me.

Eagle reporter Izzy Bryars contributed to this report from North Adams.
Roadmaster Drivers School is marking a $1.5 million renovation of its Mississippi training facility, as part of its ongoing commitment to combating poverty in the state. By expanding access to CDL training, offering financial assistance, and providing direct job placement support, Roadmaster is strengthening economic mobility and empowering residents with training for stable, high-paying career opportunities.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Roadmaster Drivers School, a national leader in commercial driver's license (CDL) training, is unveiling a $1.5 million renovation of its Jackson, Mississippi training facility, featuring completely resurfaced CDL training, testing areas and upgraded instructional spaces. The facility's investment will be celebrated on Thursday, January 15th and underscores Roadmaster's continued commitment to Jackson and the entire state of Mississippi. This initiative aims to provide a clear path to stable, high-paying careers in the trucking industry, helping individuals and families throughout Mississippi provide themselves with a better life.

A career in truck driving offers a real chance for economic stability. This investment isnt just about upgrading a facility; its about expanding opportunity and building a stronger future for Mississippians.

According to the American Trucking Associations' trends report, trucking offers competitive wages compared to other professions that don't require a college degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual average wage of a truck driver is $67,078.44 ($1,289.97 weekly), compared to Mississippi's median household income of just over $48,000. Brad Ball, President of Roadmaster Drivers School, stated, "A career in truck driving offers a real chance for economic stability. This investment isn't just about upgrading a facility; it's about expanding opportunity and building a stronger future for Mississippians."

Expanding Access to High-Value Careers

Like many regions across the country, Mississippi faces economic challenges that can limit access to well-paying career opportunities for some residents. Traditional career paths often require significant time and financial investment, creating barriers for individuals seeking direct entry into the workforce. The trucking industry offers an alternativeproviding a practical pathway to stable, middle-class incomes in a relatively short period of time.

The demand for qualified truck drivers is not just a national trend; it's a local imperative. Mississippi's central location makes it a crucial hub in America's supply chain, yet its workforce has been unable to fully capitalize on this advantage. Roadmaster's newly renovated Jackson facility is designed to bridge that gap, equipping residents with the skills to secure high-demand jobs that are essential for economic growth. This isn't just about filling seats in trucks; it's about fundamentally changing the financial trajectory for families across the state.

A Direct Route to a Better Life

Roadmaster's approach is engineered to dismantle the barriers that prevent individuals in underserved communities from succeeding. The school delivers more than just training; it provides a comprehensive support system designed for immediate impact.

Targeted Financial Assistance: Roadmaster offers in-house financing for those who qualify and works with students eligible for WIOA and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. The school is also eligible for Veterans' education benefits and works with carriers who may offer up to 100% tuition reimbursement after graduation while working for the carrier.

Roadmaster offers in-house financing for those who qualify and works with students eligible for WIOA and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. The school is also eligible for Veterans' education benefits and works with carriers who may offer up to 100% tuition reimbursement after graduation while working for the carrier. Career Placement: The program is designed for focus and effectiveness. Students receive job placement assistance and pre-qualification with hiring carriers early in their training, teeing up a seamless transition from training to the road in about a month.

The program is designed for focus and effectiveness. Students receive job placement assistance and pre-qualification with hiring carriers early in their training, teeing up a seamless transition from training to the road in about a month. Hands-On, Modern Training: The curriculum is ELDT-compliant and focuses on practical, hands-on experience with modern equipment. This approach builds the confidence and competence needed to meet and exceed employer hiring standards from day one.

"Roadmaster works to reduce barriers by offering flexible financing options to qualified individuals and providing a clear path to employment in about a month," notes Ball. "Our hands-on training structure helps students build confidence, even if they have limited prior exposure to commercial driving." Roadmaster's model is geared towards producing graduates who are not just licensed, but truly road-ready as an entry-level commercial drivers.

Driving Mississippi's Economic Engine

The impact of Roadmaster's investment in Jackson extends beyond individual success stories. By producing a steady stream of highly qualified drivers, the school is directly fueling the engine of Mississippi's economy. Roadmaster plans to deeply integrate into the local fabric through workforce development relationships, engagement with chambers of commerce, and collaborations with regional employers. This community-focused strategy ensures that training efforts are directly aligned with industry needs, creating a powerful synergy between education and employment.

Additional resources at the Mississippi school include dedicated support from experienced instructors who are committed to student success. By preparing graduates for careers as entry-level commercial drivers and equipping them to meet rigorous employer standards, Roadmaster is setting up a new benchmark for vocational training in the state. "Our goal is to introduce residents to trucking careers, highlight training opportunities, and build relationships that connect graduates with hiring carriers," explains Ball. "This investment reflects our long-term commitment to Jackson and to strengthening Mississippi's workforce."

About Roadmaster Drivers School

Roadmaster, headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, is a nationwide training organization for professional truck drivers. The organization has over 30 years of experience training more than 160,000 graduates with 20 training locations nationwide. By focusing on giving students the best education and maintaining high job placement standards, Roadmaster has gained a national reputation in the trucking industry for quality training of entry-level commercial truck drivers  noted for their training practices to be a hands-on and safety-focused training organization. For more information, visit www.roadmaster.com.

References:

U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics . (2025). BLS Data Viewer. Bls.gov. data.bls.gov/dataViewer/view/timeseries/CES4348412030 Castellanos-Canales, A. (2025, October 17). Addressing the U.S. truck driver shortage: The role of foreign-born drivers, visa policy, and supply chain impacts. National Immigration Forum. forumtogether.org/article/addressing-the-u-s-truck-driver-shortage-the-role-of-foreign-born-drivers-visa-policy-and-supply-chain-impacts/

Media Inquiries:

Karla Jo Helms

JOTO PR

727-777-4629

jotopr.com

SOURCE Roadmaster Drivers School
GREAT BARRINGTON  Police Capt. Adam Carlotto has been named interim police chief for one year following former Chief Paul Stortis retirement.

The promotion was not a surprise to Carlotto, who has spent his entire 19-year career with the department. He was promoted to captain last year after four years as a sergeant and serving as second in command.

"Hopefully for the community, I should be no stranger, which is great," Carlotto said. "I want to continue the good work and provide for the community the way we've always done."

Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove, who announced Carlotto as interim chief Saturday night, said hiring from within helps to create a smooth transition between leaders. She added that Carlotto not only comes with a commitment to public service but also lots of experience and institutional knowledge.

Adam has earned the trust of both the department and the community, and Im grateful he is stepping into this role during a time of transition, she said.

Storti announced his retirement in June, saying it was time to step away, find some hobbies and spend more time with family. He had discussed his retirement for some time to ensure a smooth transition, which Carlotto said he appreciated, adding that because he had long been second in command, most of his daily responsibilities remained unchanged.

"I feel the same as I did yesterday," Carlotto said. "A lot of the day-to-day tasks are exactly the same, which makes it very easy for me. I'm looking forward to the challenges from the other stuff I wasn't heavily involved in, but day to day I've been doing this for quite a few years now."

As interim chief, Carlotto plans to continue the work Storti and previous leaders have done, including maintaining the departments state accreditation by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission and continuing the co-responder program.

The department began the accreditation process under former Chief William Walsh, and although Carlotto said it requires significant work to maintain, he said it has been highly beneficial because it has clear policies in place for myriad situations. It was the first Berkshire County department to receive the accreditation in 2016.

The co-responder program provides support during mental health crises, and Carlotto said he hopes to keep it fully staffed and potentially grow the program.

Over the next year, Carlotto is looking forward to continuing to lead the force of 18, especially the nine younger officers who have joined over the last few years.

"Our very young department is starting to find its way," Carlotto said. "We see so much experience and growth in those early years. To see the whole group of young officers really hit those first milestones in their careers and find their role in law enforcement."

Carlottos appointment marks the end of Stortis more than 30-year career with the department.

He joined the department more than 30 years ago, was named interim police chief in 2020 and officially became chief in 2021. His last day with the department was Sunday.

I hope that in my time as chief, I have represented the communitys needs with integrity, fairness, and respect, Storti wrote in his resignation letter.

The Housatonic native said serving the community he grew up in has been one of the greatest honors of his life.

Hartsgrove said the decision to hire an interim chief from within allows for collaboration between town staff, the department and residents for selecting a permanent position.

I also want to sincerely thank Chief Paul Storti for his years of dedicated service to Great Barrington, and for the leadership, professionalism and care he has shown our community throughout his tenure, she said. Adams appointment reflects the strong foundation Paul leaves behind and ensures that continuity, stability and community partnership remain at the forefront as we move forward.
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Jeff Robbins, a part-time resident of Stockbridge, is a former U.S. delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council and a former assistant U.S. attorney and chief counsel for the Democrats on the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Reach him at Jeffrey.Robbins@saul.com.
You might think the holiday season ends when the ball drops at midnight and we ring in a new year, but not so fast. For many Christians around the world, the holiday season is not over until they celebrate Epiphany. Some of you reading this are having an epiphany right now because you are wondering, what is Epiphany? Well, I am here to help you.

Epiphany is a holiday celebrated by many Christians around the world. The focus of Epiphany centers on two events in Jesus life. Mainly the Magis visit to Jesus when he was a baby and his baptism by John the Baptist.

What Does "Epiphany" Mean in Christian Tradition?

The word epiphany originates from a Greek word epiphainein, which means reveal, appearance, or manifestation. All Christians do not celebrate Epiphany, however, those who do will commemorate either his birth or his baptism. The tradition you follow typically dictates which one of these you emphasize. Christians who follow an Eastern tradition put their emphasis on Jesus baptism. Those who follow a Western tradition emphasize the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus which is more about his birth.

The difference in the traditions focuses on two different ways Jesus is manifested to the world. The celebration of his birth is a time to remember Jesus introduction as Savior to the Gentiles, which are represented by the Magi. For those who choose to commemorate his baptism, it is an acknowledgement of his divinity and the announcement of his ministry to the world.

When Is the Epiphany Celebration?

Now that you know a little about what Epiphany is, when do you celebrate it? This largely depends on which tradition and calendar you follow. For those who follow a Western tradition, which includes Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans, among others, they celebrate Epiphany on January 6. This follows the Gregorian calendar where Christmas falls on December 25, which is the day most people celebrate Christmas. For those who are of the Eastern tradition, which includes the Greek Orthodox among others, they celebrate this holiday on January 19 because they follow a Julian calendar where Christmas occurs on January 7.

Why Is Epiphany Celebrated 12 Days after Christmas?

You have probably sung the song the 12 Days of Christmas (I can never remember what gifts they gave on days nine through twelve). However, this song has ties to the celebration of Epiphany. For those who follow this tradition, the 12 days mark the time it took after the birth of Jesus for the Magi to travel to Bethlehem. For those following the Western tradition, this begins on December 25 and ends on January 6, which is the day they celebrate Epiphany. In the Eastern tradition, Christmas falls on January 7, so they celebrate Epiphany twelve days later on January 19.

To clarify, the Bible does not tell us when the Magi came to visit Jesus. When you carefully study the culture and the Scriptures, you can conclude with almost one hundred percent certainty, the Magi did not visit Jesus twelve days after he was born. While it makes for a good Christmas carol, lets recognize the twelve days are not part of the Biblical narrative and, to be honest, I am not sure where the idea came from.

Epiphany Celebration Traditions

The celebration of Epiphany varies around the world. Central to it, as with the Christmas holiday itself, are food, family, fun, and sometimes gifts. Some cultures bake specific types of cakes and pastries designed especially for this occasion. For example, in England, one of the fun traditions is they make a cake called The Twelfth Night cake. This is a dense fruitcake which has a bean somewhere in the cake. When eating the cake, if you get the slice with the bean, they deem you the king or queen and everyone must do what you tell them.

If you are from the New Orleans area, this is like king cake where a small, porcelain baby symbolizing Jesus is hidden in one of the pieces. Whoever gets that piece, according to the tradition, is getting something that symbolizes prosperity (clearly this is superstition, and we should put no weight or value in it at all). Aside from these fun aspects around Epiphany, the fundamental aspect of the celebration remembers Christs manifestation to the world as our Messiah, the only hope for all humanity.

Epiphany in Scripture

As I mentioned earlier, the celebration of Epiphany is based on two events in Jesus life which are found in the gospels. You find the story of the Magi in Matthew 2.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 12:1-2; 9-11).

You find the accounts of the baptism of Jesus in the gospels, and here is one from Matthew.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16-17).

Importance of Three Kings Day

Beyond understanding what Epiphany is, the question becomes why is this holiday important for believers? First, we must recognize that all believers dont celebrate Epiphany. For complete transparency, I have been saved over forty years and been in church all my life and I have never celebrated Epiphany. The celebration of Epiphany largely depends on the denomination you belong to. In the churches I grew up in and have since attended, we celebrated Christmas but never Epiphany. For those believers who choose to celebrate it, much like Christmas itself, the importance you place on it can only happen when you strip away the elements that dilute the reason for the celebration.

The importance of the holiday is only in remembering who Christ is and why he came. You can and should celebrate that every day of the year. You dont have to wait for Epiphany. It is also important to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones which is always good to do (maybe I should say is usually good to do. I guess it depends on your family). Regardless, this is a holiday of gathering and remembering. If you truly focus on remembering, then the importance of Epiphany increases.

Conclusion

What is Epiphany? Simply, it is a time to remember who Jesus is and what he came to do. Whether you choose to celebrate this holiday is up to you. There is no Biblical mandate that says you must celebrate it and like me, many of my Christian friends dont. However, if you are going to celebrate it, then lets make it all about Jesus. This is good to do every day and not just limit it to certain days or times of the year. When we do this, then honestly every day can be Epiphany.

Photo credit: Getty Images/fermate

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a dynamic speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club, dedicated to helping people live with purpose and clarity. In addition to his ministry work, Clarence has spent the last 13 years as a trusted financial educator, guiding thousands of people across the countryincluding employees at many Fortune 500 companiestoward lasting financial wellness. His unique ability to blend practical wisdom with spiritual insight equips people to thrive in every area of life.

He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.


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Selected as a Top 50 company in the NRF Big Show 2026 Innovators Showcase; CEO Nick Davis named a 2026 Top Retail Expert by RETHINK Retail; Scout agentic analytics and new platform capabilities roll out as brands join

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ShopSight, the shopper-powered AI demand intelligence platform that helps brands validate what will win, whether they're testing existing inventory, running limited drops, or forecasting demand before scaling new concepts, today announced a major set of milestones that signal its rapid emergence as a next-generation retail innovation leader.

At a time when brands are drowning in social signals yet still missing trends, overbuilding inventory, and guessing on what customers will buy, ShopSight is tackling the industry's most expensive blind spot: the Market Certainty Gap between what shoppers influence online and what brands can confidently bring to market.

ShopSight announced:

Selection for the invite-only NRF Big Show 2026 Innovators Showcase , where NRF spotlights the top 50 global startups shaping the future of retail technology

, where NRF spotlights the top 50 global startups shaping the future of retail technology Founder & CEO Nick Davis has been named a 2026 Top Retail Expert by RETHINK Retail , recognizing leaders driving meaningful change across retail and consumer innovation

, recognizing leaders driving meaningful change across retail and consumer innovation A major expansion of the ShopSight platform, including new capabilities for shopper-led creation, validation, social sharing, and faster insight-to-commerce loops

The newly launched Scout , ShopSight's agentic analytics product designed to deliver instant demand forecasts and "what-to-do-next" guidance for product and go-to-market teams

, ShopSight's product designed to deliver instant demand forecasts and "what-to-do-next" guidance for product and go-to-market teams New customer momentum and a featured case study in progress with Sinkology, exploring how shopper-led insight influences materials, style preferences, and pricing tradeoffs in home and renovation categories

"Retail doesn't have a data problem, it has a certainty problem," said Nick Davis, Founder & CEO of ShopSight. "Brands can see what's trending, but they still can't reliably answer the question that matters most: What will people actually buy  and why? ShopSight closes that gap by turning shoppers into collaborators and converting creation, validation, and behavioral signals into clear real-time demand forecasts."

NRF Innovators Showcase validation

ShopSight's selection for NRF's Big Show 2026 Innovators Showcase in New York City, places the company among the Top 50 global retail technology firms that NRF "hand-picks" to demonstrate next-now innovation.

At NRF, ShopSight will showcase how brands can run Design Challenges and Prediction Campaigns that turn passive audiences into active co-creators, then convert those signals into practical outputs: what to launch, how to price it, what to message, and which concepts should be killed early.

Introducing Scout: agentic analytics for go-to-market speed

ShopSight also announced the upcoming launch of Scout, an agentic analytics capability built to eliminate slow, manual insight workflows. Scout autonomously synthesizes shopper signals inside ShopSight, including creative submissions, validation behaviors, preference patterns, and emergent trend cues, and then produces instant insight briefs and demand forecasts designed for real teams operating on real timelines.

"Scout is built for the new retail reality. Product cycles are compressing, culture moves at algorithm speed, and the winners are the brands that can learn faster than the trend curve," said Davis. "We believe agentic analytics will change how brands go-to-market forever, because it removes the bottleneck between insight and action."

Real brands, real signals: Sinkology case study at NRF

ShopSight is currently partnering with a number of retail brands across multiple sectors. A recent case study with Sinkology, a leader in kitchen and bath design, demonstrates how shopper co-creation can shift category decisions from subjective preference to measurable demand. Through real customer interaction with live product options, Sinkology gained faster, clearer insight into what shoppers actually choose, respond to, and are willing to pay for, enabling quicker, more confident decisions around finishes, materials, style cues, and go-to-market strategy. In a market shaped by rapidly changing tariffs and customer preferences, the work highlights how speed, certainty, and real demand signal can materially improve product planning and launch execution.

The team behind the platform

ShopSight is built by a team spanning consumer insights, retail innovation, product design, and advanced AI, bringing experience across brand, agency, and technology leadership roles. The company's platform roadmap is focused on one outcome: help brands learn faster, engage customers in a way they actually enjoy, and launch products with dramatically higher confidence.

See ShopSight at NRF 2026

ShopSight will demo Scout and the platform experience during NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show (Jan. 1113, 2026) as part of the NRF Innovators Showcase. Booth #8123

To schedule a demo or media briefing on-site: [[email protected]]

To learn more: shopsight.co

About ShopSight

ShopSight is a shopper-powered demand intelligence platform that helps brands understand what customers will buy and why, whether they are testing existing products, validating new concepts, or deciding what to scale next. By combining interactive shopper engagement, real-time validation signals, and agentic analytics, ShopSight turns customer participation into clear decisions on product direction, pricing, positioning, and go-to-market strategy. ShopSight supports brands across fashion, home, food and beverage, and retail innovation.

Media Contact:

Jay Gaughan

Vice President

[email protected]

SOURCE ShopSight
Charmed actress Rose McGowan has described the disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein as a mafia boss.

The 52-year-old actress and activist is known for starring in 1996s Scream, 1999s Jawbreaker and playing Paige Matthews in the hit fantasy drama series Charmed.

The Hollywood star was also one of the first of more than 100 women to come forward and accuse the film producer of sexual misconduct.

Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast, McGowan said: They calculated that he was thanked more times than God at the Oscars. Because he was their god.

It was like the mafia boss. He was big and giant and tough and I later would see men shake if he walked in the room, like adult men that were like power players. They would like start physically shaking, the terror.

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Its hard for people to understand the level of control and power, even though he wasnt maybe making the most money out of anybody, theres something about his situation that had a lock and hold on people.

I think he was a thug.

Not the mafia boss of the cool kind with a suit like the Marlon Brando Godfather type, but more like a street way.

Weinstein was sentenced in 2023 to 16 years in prison for rape and sexual assault in California.

He has continually denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

Harvey Weinstein in 2016 (David Mirzoeff/PA)

McGowan recalled the alleged assault happened during a meeting her manager had set up between herself and Weinstein while attending the Sundance Film Festival.

She said: Everything in hindsight, every detail leading up to that moment, I could see how orchestrated it was to get me into the position that I was in.

I really thought I was safe.

It was actually on my way out. I was almost out. I saw the door and then it just kind of like got sideways, pulled into, like a room with a hot tub.

The next thing I know I have no clothes on and Im like, just like a statue. And I just froze.

Following the incident, McGowan said she was short circuiting and became more despondent and angry.
Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink has given her verdict on the fate of Eleven following the series finale and said it is likely she is dead.

The final episode of the hit Netflix show, which premiered on New Years Day in Ireland, caused a stir as it was left unclear if the character, played by Millie Bobby Brown, was dead or alive.

While it looked as though Eleven had sacrificed herself to stay in the Upside Down, which was blown up in the last episode, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) spun a hopeful tale, believing her sister Kali was able to cast one last illusion to help her escape Hawkins and the military scientists looking for her.

Sink, 23, who plays Elevens friend Max Mayfield, believes this is a story Mike told himself to help deal with his loss.

She told The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: I think shes dead. I dont know.

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Is that like a hot take or something? I think Mikes story is just one last story, and then they say goodbye to childhood, but thats just one final tale and thats it.

I think its just like a coping thing thats my interpretation.

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things first aired in 2016 and rocketed its young stars, including Sink and Brown, to fame.

Sink said the cast, which also includes Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp and Caleb McLaughlin, watched the finale at a screening together.

On Monday, Netflix announced it would release a documentary about the making of series five titled One Last Adventure: The Making Of Stranger Things 5 on January 12th.

Sadie Sink attends the Stranger Things 5 volume 1 special screening (Jonathan Brady/PA)

In the trailer, the Duffer brothers reveal they debated the fate of Browns character, who helped defeat evil villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) using her psychokinetic powers.

Sink also spoke about the forthcoming Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day, and said it was through online speculation that she found out she had been cast.

She told Fallon: I found out through online theories, like, before I got cast in Spider-Man, there was speculation online that said Sadie Sinks going to be in the new Spider-Man.

I was like, I am?. And sure enough, two days later, they asked me to do it. So yeah, those theories, theres sometimes some truth to it.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland in the titular role, will be released on July 31st, 2026, and there is online speculation that fellow Stranger Things star Joe Keery has joined the cast.
Worrying implications follow U.S. military strike on Venezuela

Xinhua) 08:53, January 06, 2026

People take part in a protest against the U.S. attacks on Venezuela in New York city, the United States, on Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

The U.S. attack on Venezuela has been strongly condemned and raised serious concerns worldwide.

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Governments and academics around the world have urged compliance with international law while warning of global security uncertainties in response to the recent U.S. military strike on Venezuela and the capture of its president.

On Saturday, the United States, as said by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social, "carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country." Meanwhile, he framed the operation as one "done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement."

Later in the day, Trump told a press conference that the United States will "run" Venezuela until a safe time for the transition of power.

The U.S. move has since been strongly condemned and raised serious concerns worldwide.

COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW URGED

"Such actions constitute a clear violation of international law and amount to an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state," Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday of the U.S. operation.

"Gravely concerned by the U.S. intervention" in Venezuela, Singapore's foreign ministry stressed Sunday in a statement that it "has consistently opposed actions contrary to international law by any parties, including foreign military intervention in any country."

This photo taken on Jan. 3, 2026 shows damage caused by an airstrike at the port of La Guaira, Venezuela. (Str/Xinhua)

In a statement, the Philippines on Sunday called for restraint to prevent further escalation of tensions in Venezuela and urged a peaceful resolution.

In a written comment Saturday to national television SVT, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said countries are obligated to "respect international law and act accordingly."

All states have a responsibility to respect and comply with international law, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in a post on social media X, stressing that the principle is in Finland's vital national interests.

In a statement on Sunday, the Ghanaian government called the U.S. military operation "assaults on international law, attempts at the occupation of foreign territories and apparent external control of oil resources," noting they "have extremely adverse implications on international stability and the global order."

"IMPERIALIST" APPROACH CONDEMNED

The U.S. attack on Venezuela is "undoubtedly contrary to international law," Kai Ambos, a professor of law at Germany's University of Goettingen, told an interview with German broadcaster WDR on Saturday, asserting that the United States intended to gain access to Venezuela's oil resources and remove a government it hated.

A commentary by Finland's national broadcaster Yle criticized the U.S. military operation as "imperialist" and described Trump's remarks about the U.S. running Venezuela for a time as extraordinary external interference in another country's governance.

People hold a banner in support of Venezuela during a demonstration in Naples, Italy, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua)

The commentary added that Trump's "Monroe Doctrine" rhetoric revives a Monroe Doctrine-style "backyard" mindset, suggesting that the Western Hemisphere should remain under U.S. dominance.

"Any state that violates international law and kidnaps a president, as Trump has done, is committing barbaric state terrorism," said a statement by Germany's Die Linke party Saturday on its website.

"It should be condemned as an unacceptable act of aggression, a demonstration of the policy of force and an extremely dangerous precedent," former Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic commented.

In Sunday's statement, the Ghananian government also voiced deep concern over Trump's statements that the United States will "run" Venezuela for a time, and that U.S. large oil companies will be asked to "go in."

"These declarations are reminiscent of the colonial and imperialist era. They set a dangerous precedent for the global order. Such colonial ambitions should have no place in the post-Second World War era," it said.

WORRYING IMPLICATIONS

Experts have expressed concern that the U.S. operation against Venezuela undermines the international order, poses a threat to global security, and adds new uncertainty to international affairs.

Vessela Tcherneva, deputy director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, told a television interview with Bulgaria's Nova News that the developments regarding Venezuela could change the global balance, adding, "No one can just attack their neighbor and interfere in their internal affairs."

"What we are witnessing is likely a highly dangerous shift in the international order," Adis Ahmetovic, a foreign policy expert of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), told the German newspaper Tagesspiegel on Saturday.

"When military force is used without a UN mandate, regime change is openly pursued and international law is degraded to a bargaining chip, then the law of the strongest increasingly replaces the strength of the law," he noted.

In the opinion of Alessia de Luca, a U.S. politics expert and senior advisor at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), the U.S. operation has opened an unprecedented rift in the international order.

The majority of the candidates for the presidential election scheduled for Jan. 18 in Portugal have condemned the U.S. military strike on Venezuela. Among them, lawmaker Jorge Pinto noted, "Today it is Venezuela -- who will it be tomorrow?"

OPENING THE PANDORA'S BOX

"It is the opening of the Pandora's box," threatening global disorder and chaos, former Yugoslav foreign minister Jovanovic said commenting on the U.S. military strike on Venezuela.

Heightening global security concerns, Trump on Sunday night said that another military strike "sounds good" to him in comments directed at Colombian President Gustavo Petro, claiming "He (Petro) has cocaine mills and cocaine factories. He's not going to be doing it."

In a social media post on Sunday, Petro asked Trump to stop libeling him and rejected what he saw as the U.S. attempt to assert dominance over Latin America.

In an interview with Politico last month, Trump said he would consider military operations against targets in other countries, including Mexico and Colombia.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
SK hynix to operate customer exhibition booth to enhance customer connection

Unveils 16-layer HBM4 with 48GB for the first time and showcases conventional and AI focused products such as SOCAMM2 and LPDDR6

With 'AI System Demo Zone', visualizes custom HBM structure to present future technology

Company to create new value based on differentiated memory solution and close collaboration with customers

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) announced today that it will open a customer exhibition booth at Venetian Expo and showcase its next generation AI memory solution at CES 2026, in Las Vegas from January 6 to 9 (local time).

The company said that, "Under the theme 'Innovative AI, Sustainable tomorrow', we plan to showcase a wide range of next generation memory solutions optimized for AI and will work closely with customers to create new value in the AI era."

SK hynix has previously operated both a SK Group joint exhibition and a customer exhibition booth at CES. This year, the company will focus on the customer exhibition booth to expand touchpoint with key customers to discuss potential collaboration.

The company showcases 16-layer HBM4 product with 48GB, next generation HBM product, for the first time during the exhibition. The product is the next generation product of 12-layer HBM4 product with 36GB, which demonstrated industry's fastest speed of 11.7Gbps, and is under development aligned with customers' schedules.

12-layer HBM3E product with 36GB which will drive the market this year will also be presented. In particular, the company will jointly exhibit GPU modules that have adopted HBM3E for AI servers with customer and demonstrate its role within AI systems.

In addition to HBM, the company plans to showcase SOCAMM2, a low-power memory module specialized for AI servers, to demonstrate the competitiveness of its diverse product portfolio in response to the rapidly growing demand for AI servers.

Also, SK hynix will exhibit its lineup of conventional memory products optimized for AI, demonstrating its technological leadership across the market. The company will present its LPDDR6, optimized for on-device AI, offering significantly improved data processing speed and power efficiency compared to previous generations.

In NAND flash, the company will present its 321-layer 2Tb QLC product, optimized for ultra-high capacity eSSDs, as demand surges from rapid expansion of AI data centers. With best-in-industry integration, this product significantly improves power efficiency and performance compared to previous generation QLC products, making it particularly advantageous in AI data center environments where lower power consumption is needed.

The company will set up an 'AI System Demo Zone' where visitors can experience how its AI system memory solution that is being prepared for the future, interconnect to form AI ecosystem.

In this zone, the company will present customized cHBM[1] optimized for specific AI chip or system, PIM[2] based AiMX[3], CuD[4] which conducts computing in memory, CMM-Ax[5] that integrated computing capabilities into CXL[6] memory, and Data-aware CSD[7].

[1]Custom HBM (cHBM): A product that integrates some functions located in GPUs and ASICs to the HBM base die, reflecting customer requirements. As the AI market evolves from conventional to inference efficiency and optimization, HBM is also evolving from conventional products to customized solution. This solution is expected to enhance the performance of GPUs and ASICs while reducing the power required to transfer data with HBM, leading to imrprove overall system efficiency.

[2]Processing-In-Memory (PIM): A next-generation memory technology that integrates computational capabilities into memory, addressing data movement bottlenecks in AI and big data processing.

[3]Accelerator-in-Memory based Accelerator (AiMX): SK hynix's accelerator card prototype featuring a GDDR6-AiM chip which is specialized for large language models (LLMs).

[4]Compute-using-DRAM (CuD): A next generation product that contributes to accelerating data processing by performing simple computations within the cell.

[5]CXL Memory Module-Accelerator xPU (CMM-Ax): A solution that adds computational functionality to CXL's advantage of expanding high-capacity memory, contributing to improving performance and energy efficiency of the next-generation server platforms.

[6]Compute Express Link (CXL): A next-generation interface that efficiently connects CPU, GPU, memory, and other components in high-performance computing systems to support massive, ultra-fast computation. Based on PCIe interface, CXL allows fast data transfer and has pooling capability to efficiently utilize memory

[7]Computational Storage Drive (CSD): A storage device that can process data on its own.

For cHBM(Custom HBM), due to specific interest from customers, a large-scale mock-up has been prepared to allow visitors to visually sight its innovative structure. As the competition of the AI market shifts from mere performance to inference efficiency and cost optimization, this visualizes a new design approach that integrates part of computation and control functions into HBM which was handled by conventional GPU or ASIC in the past.

"As innovation triggered by AI accelerates further, customers' technical requirements are evolving rapidly," Justin Kim, President & Head of AI Infra at SK hynix, said. "We will meet customer needs with differentiated memory solutions. With close cooperation with customers, the company will create new value to contribute to the advancement of the AI ecosystem."

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM") and flash memory chips ("NAND flash") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

SOURCE SK hynix Inc.
One of Stranger Things youngest starlets, Nell Fisher, has said she discovered her peers did not really care she had been in the show when she went back to school.

Fisher, 14, made her debut in the fifth and final series of the Netflix hit as Holly Wheeler, a role that was previously filled by twins Anniston and Tinsley Price.

The young actress featured in large parts of series five and was seen being taken by the evil villain Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower.

Asked what it was like to go back to school, she told ITVs This Morning: In 2024, I was in Atlanta for a whole year. I basically wasnt at school at all and so going back to just sort of normal life, (after) chemistry tests, all of that.

Nell Fisher attends the Stranger Things 5 volume 1 special screening (Jonathan Brady/PA)

It does feel a bit awkward at first, but I do, I really love my school. Im a huge geek.

I think in terms of other people, one of the amazing things is that teenagers actually dont really care.

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Theyre, like, really self-involved. So, theyre like, Oh, youre in Stranger Things, man, oh thats kind of cool. Anyway, my maths teacher was being so annoying today.

You can just sort of skip past it, which I actually found was really nice, that I could actually have a place which was a bit of normality.

Fisher, who has a British mother and New Zealand father, also said she was too young to watch the series before she was cast in the show.

She said: I had been lobbying to watch it for a long time.

But my mum claimed that it would be too scary. She meant it would be too scary for her.

But I got this audition, so first of all, it was like, Oh, I could be in Stranger Things. Thats exciting. But my main thought was, Okay, I now get to watch Stranger Things.

So, I just started, like, I didnt stop, and I went all the way from (series) one to four and, yeah, I just kind of remember thinking what an amazing show it was, and how incredible it would be to be on it.

The sci-fi show, set in the 1980s, first aired on Netflix in 2016 and became an instant hit for the streaming platform, shooting its stars, including Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp and Joe Keery, to international fame.

The hit series came to an end on New Years Day in the UK in an explosive two-hour long episode that ended with a scene showing Fishers character playing fantasy role-playing game Dungeons And Dragons in the same room her older brother and his friends had played it during their childhood years.
A father threw his infant across a room and slammed his partner's head into a wall in Dublin when she tried to protect the child, a court has heard.

The man, in his 30s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with assault causing harm to the woman and the baby over the weekend.

He appeared at Dublin District Court, where the prosecution consented to conditional bail of 1,000.

Garda Karol Piech alleged that the mother had settled the crying baby on a pillow beside her, and the accused came in late and drunk. It was said that he began hitting the baby with a pillow, which the woman tried to take from him.

The court heard claims that he "grabbed her by her head, slammed her head into the wall as she tried to remove the child".

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It was alleged that he threw his baby across a room, and the infant hit a bed frame, suffering bruising. The court heard the man grabbed the woman and threw her down, and he proceeded to punch her in the face.

Garda Piech stated that the man then left the room and she locked it from the inside and escaped through a window, which gardai later used to enter the property. The woman's mother had telephoned them to alert them about her daughter.

Another child was in the property and was removed.

The court heard the woman was terrified.

Flight risk

In response to the cited flight risk concerns, defence solicitor Michael Kelleher stressed that his client was in full-time employment, had lived in Ireland for several years, had children here, and was the family's breadwinner.

Questioning the garda, the solicitor established that there were no other witnesses, and the prosecution relied on the injured party.

The court heard that the man had never been arrested before. His solicitor argued that his client would abide by several conditions, after which the prosecution agreed to bail.

Mr Kelleher also pointed out that, in addition to the terms, the complainant had the added protection of a barring order, which she had just obtained.

Alarm

The alarm was raised by her mother, who called the local Garda station.

The bruised woman came to the hearing after first going to a family law court to obtain the barring order, but also said she had concerns about the man being in custody. She also said he was a good father but had an alcohol problem.

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Judge Michele Finan noted the garda consented to bail and ordered the accused to lodge 1,000 before he can be released.

She said while he had the presumption of innocence, the involvement of a child was an exacerbating issue and warned him that there must be no hint of a breach of the numerous terms.

He was ordered to have no contact with the woman, that child access must be arranged through solicitors, to remain out of specific parts of the city, to surrender his passport, and to sign on three days a week at a garda station and to be contactable by phone.

The man, who has yet to enter a plea, was remanded in custody until posting bail and is set to appear again later this week.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.
Reports that social media site X is using AI to create fake sexualised images of people could see parts of the service withdrawn, Coimisiun na Mean has said.

The media watchdog said it is taking the issue very seriously and is engaging with the EU after users of X appeared to have prompted Grok, the AI chatbot developed by tech billionaire Elon Musks xAI, to generate undressed images of people.

A post on the Grok X account said that there have been isolated cases where users prompted for and received AI images depicting minors in minimal clothing, and added: xAI has safeguards, but improvements are ongoing to block such requests entirely.

I've reviewed recent interactions. There are isolated cases where users prompted for and received AI images depicting minors in minimal clothing, like the example you referenced. xAI has safeguards, but improvements are ongoing to block such requests entirely. (214 chars)  Grok (@grok) January 1, 2026

Digital services commissioner with Coimisiun na Mean, John Evans, said that the regulator was concerned at the potential risk of non-consensual image sharing.

He said it was illegal to have and to share child sexual abuse material (CSAM) even if it is generated by AI.

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Its very urgent, he told RTE Radio, adding that the regulator and EU Commission were in constant contact and were also in touch with An Garda Siochana.

He said that the EU had sent information requests to X to understand the service and the risk it presents.

The European Commission has a very central role here when it comes to what we call risk identification and risk management of their service, he said.

So if their service presents a risk, for example, in this case, the proliferation online of child sexual abuse material or non-consensual image sharing, then theyre supposed to mitigate that risk.

And if they dont do that adequately, then they could fall foul of the Digital Services Act which can involve very large fines.

He encouraged people who see an image of themselves online that they want removed to contact hotline.ie, gardai, and Coimisiun na Mean.

The sharing of non-consensual images is illegal, and CSAM is illegal, he said.

What the (social media) platforms are supposed to do when they become aware of that content on their services is to take that content down. They become aware of that content by consumers flagging it.

Asked if X could be shut down over this issue, he added: Its possible that they could end up withdrawing parts of the service.

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One example I could think of recently was when TikTok went to launch TikTok lite, there were certain features of that service at the time that were concerning to the European Commission, and that product launch was eventually pulled back while some changes were made and then relaunched.

I dont know what the outcome of this situation with Grok is going to be, but its very serious.

Micheal Martin said that such use of AI was unacceptable and possibly illegal.

Our authorities need to examine this very carefully and be very clear in protecting children in particular and protecting innocent people, he said, speaking while on a diplomatic visit to China.

Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) has called for a total ban on AI-based functions that can produce deepfake sexual images.

RCI executive director Dr Cliona Saidlear said: AI and the corporations behind those AIs are complicit in these crimes if they do not have the adequate controls and AI governance frameworks in place to prevent the non-consensual sexualisation and abuse of women and children.

These nudification functions of AI, together with other nudify apps, seem to serve little rational purpose other than to allow predators to abuse women and children online.

Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney, who sits on the Oireachtas AI Committee, called on Coimisiun na Mean to fulfil its duties to protect citizens, children in particular, by taking action domestically against X.

Social Democrats Sinead Gibney called on the watchdog to protect people (Brian Lawless/PA)

Grok AI has become a tool to create sexual abuse imagery since the introduction of a feature which digitally undresses images of real people  yet Elon Musks platform, X, remains unsanctioned.

At home, Coimisiun na Mean is responsible for ensuring social media platforms comply with its Online Safety Framework, which deems the sharing of non-consensual intimate images and the generation of child sexual abuse material illegal.

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This agency cannot be fobbed off by European powers  it must take action domestically when our laws are violated.

Coimisiun na Mean must now fulfil its mandate by taking domestic action against X.

Coimisiun na Mean acts as the de facto regulator for social media across the EU due to the number of tech multinationals with headquarters in Dublin.

Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality, Deputy Keira Keogh, said that there should be penalties for social media companies which fail to protect the most vulnerable online.

It is hugely disturbing to think that someone can simply ask an AI bot to take off a womans clothes, but the fact that the AI bot creates the image without the request being flagged as both inappropriate and potentially criminal, is absolutely terrifying and points to a failure in the system.

Incidents like these are the outcome of an under-regulated online space. Its a textbook example of why social media platforms, like X, must face consequences when explicit content surfaces and is readily available for anyone to access.

According to a recent report on online safety by Fine Gael, 93 per cent of parents do not trust social media companies to act in childrens best interests, while 95 per cent have little confidence in Coimisiun na Mean to enforce safety standards.

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While we are prepared to advance age verification systems and implement robust online safety education, it is imperative that tech companies play their part," Ms Keogh said. "We are committed to ensuring that Coimisiun na Mean has the resources to regulate platforms effectively and impose tough penalties on tech giants who permit harmful content.

Enough is enough. Elon Musks platform must urgently address any shortfalls in its features that allow the generation of explicit content, and it must step up to the plate when it comes to cooperating with the State regulator and the law.

Additional reporting by Ottoline Spearman
There is disruption at Dublin Airport as weather conditions impact flights at other airports across Europe and the UK.

The airport said a total of eight flights have been cancelled today, including three return services between Dublin and Amsterdam and one return service between Dublin and Brussels.

Passengers should contact their airline directly for the latest updates regarding the status of their flight.

A statement read: "While Dublin Airport is fully operational today, some disruption to flight schedules is possible due to weather issues at other airports in Europe and the UK."

There were also a number of flight cancellations and long delays at Dublin Airport on Monday.
Ireland is not taking a softly softly approach over US intervention in Venezuela, the Tanaiste has said.

Simon Harris said he would not describe the Trump administrations strikes on Venezuela and the middle-of-the-night capture of its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores as kidnapping.

He said that it was an operation to remove Maduro, who he said was not democratically elected and whom the US believed was responsible for narco-terrorism and bringing misery and pain to so many people.

Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday when he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and claimed he was a prisoner of war.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Harris said: The fact that Maduro is gone from power is a good thing. Hes a brutal dictator who had no democratic legitimacy.

He categorically, fundamentally, resoundingly lost an election and was bringing pain and misery to his people.

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There was somebody who democratically won the election in Venezuela, and thats quite clear as well.

I do think this is complex when it comes to international law. I do think thats fair, but the reality is this individual was not a democratically elected state, was not a legitimate head of state, wasnt recognised by Ireland, by the European Union, by the United States of America.

He added: Hell now face justice and through a court system  something that Im sure he wouldnt afford to make people in his own country.

Pressed on whether he believed the Trump administration should remove dictators from other countries, Mr Harris said: Firstly, we didnt go in anywhere but its hard for me to express sympathy for Maduro.

He added: The complexity here is the fact that Maduro was not a democratically elected head of state and was, in the view of the United States, posing a very significant danger to them.

Pressed on whether the US should have engaged with the mechanisms of the International Criminal Court, Mr Harris said Irelands preference to international institutions is well known.

Asked about reports that a US jet flew over Ireland to observe an oil tanker in the Atlantic, the Tanaiste said he was truthfully not aware if the flight had been given permission by the Irish State, but said he imagined that very clear rules on planes from other jurisdictions transiting through Irish space had been followed.

The Marinera, a Russian-flagged tanker previously known as the Bella 1, appears to be making its way north-east through the Atlantic, with several media reports suggesting it had avoided US President Donald Trumps total naval blockade of Venezuela, in place since late December.

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Mr Harris said: Ireland is a neutral country and a neutral country means were not militarily aligned, but that doesnt mean that were in any way immune from or unconcerned about security.

He added that Russia is carrying out a war on the continent of Europe and is not a friend of Ireland.

Ireland US-pursued oil tanker set to enter Irish waters amid Trump crackdown on Venezuelan oil Read more

On US threats to annex Greenland, Mr Harris said the territory was part of Denmark and the European Union.

He added: Anything to do with Greenland is a matter for the people of Greenland.

Mr Harris said he supported comments by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen that the security of Greenland is enabled by the fact that Denmark is a member of the EU and Nato.
A number of stories feature on the front pages of Irish newspapers on Tuesday, with many leading with Nicolas Maduro pleading not guilty to federal drug-trafficking charges or the stabbing of Donegal businessman Stephen McCahill.

The Irish Times leads with Maduro telling a US judge he had been kidnapped when he and his wife appeared in a federal court in New York yesterday.

Prisoner numbers are on course to reach 6,000 in a matter of months  a level of overcrowding prison sources say is unimaginable, as maximum capacity is only 4,700, the Irish Examiner reports.

The Echo also touches on prison overcrowding, leading with Cork Prison reaching a new high of 410 people in custody on Monday, meaning 114 inmates did not have a bed.

Gardai believe the suspect in the fatal stabbing of Donegal businessman and election candidate Stephen McCahill (66) may have fled on a quad bike, according to the Irish Independent.

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The Irish Daily Mirror also leads with the stabbing of Stephen McCahill, reporting that the suspect had been kicked out of a pub McCahill owns before the killing.

McCahill, the coproprietor of the Corner House pub in Ardara, was killed at his home at 3am after a trad music session in his pub during which a man had been ejected, according to the Irish Daily Star.

The Irish Daily Mail reports Donald Trump was last night warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would spell the end of Nato.

The Herald leads with a young boy who suffered life-changing injuries in an attack by an XL Bully dog issuing High Court proceedings against the owners and Tuath Housing.
A group of dogs running through the snow in Himachal Pradesh near the Ladakh border.

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Life is difficult in the cold, high-altitude desert of Ladakh, India, in the western Himalayas. Vegetation is sparse, food is scarce and the air is thin. But an array of rare and unique species  including Tibetan argali, or mountain sheep, snow leopards and black-necked cranes  have managed to carve out a life in a region often known as the roof of the world. So has a much more familiar creature: the domestic dog. A street dog in Ladakh, India. There are now about 25,000 feral dogs roaming free around the region. Matt Hunt / Anadolu via Getty Images Although exact figures are hard to come by, some estimates suggest that 25,000 dogs roam freely around Ladakh. The dogs, which can carry a range of diseases, including rabies, pose a well-known threat to human health; dog bites have been on the rise in the region, and fatal attacks have occurred. In recent years, however, conservationists have grown increasingly concerned about an additional problem. Dogs also seem to be having an overwhelming impact on wildlife, said Abi Vanak, an ecologist at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment in Bangalore, India. The dogs hunt and harass wild animals, and compete with them for limited resources. A dog eating a blue sheep that was killed the night before by a pack of wild dogs in Himachal Pradesh, a few kilometres outside Ladakh. Blue sheep are also a favourite prey of snow leopards. Kyle Obermann

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Feral cats can also pose a serious threat to wildlife, and some countries, such as Australia, have declared war on free-ranging felines. But in India  not just in Ladakh but across the country  free-ranging dogs have become a high-profile problem with few easy solutions. Culling stray dogs is generally illegal, and its an unpopular idea in a nation where compassion for animals is a strongly held value. And sterilisation campaigns, some experts say, have been too slow and labour-intensive to make a real dent in the enormous canine population, which has been the subject of fierce political debate. Its quite an emotive issue, Vanak said. People love dogs. I love dogs, too. But, he added, I have strong opinions about some of the issues that dogs create when theyre not taken care of properly. The Indus River Valley in the Cold Desert of Ladakh, India. Corbis via Getty Images Some of the free-ranging dogs in Ladakh are pets, allowed to roam the region on their own, but many have no owners. Some are recent strays, while others come from a long line of village or feral dogs without owners. Still, the animals rely on human handouts. In many cities, dog lovers and animal welfare groups leave food out for the dogs as an act of care and compassion. The dogs also scavenge on food waste, which has become a particular problem in Ladakh. These scraps have become more abundant in recent years as tourists have flocked to the area, fuelling a boom in new restaurants and other businesses, and the military has increased its presence in this sensitive border region. The street dogs in Ladakh, India have many supporters who feed them and do not want them culled. Matt Hunt / Anadolu via Getty Images In these massive army camps, a lot of food wastage gets left out, said Anub Paljor, a consultant to the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment in Ladakh. Now, because of easy availability of food, more puppies are surviving.

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But in the winter, when tourism tapers off, many dogs have to find food elsewhere. They often prey on livestock, but they also chase down wild animals like the Tibetan wild ass, or kiang. They dine on an assortment of small mammals, including woolly hares and Himalayan marmots. And they prowl around the nests of water birds, eating eggs and chicks. For some species, like the black-necked crane, which is the state bird of Ladakh, the dogs pose a huge challenge, said Neeraj Mahar, a project scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India. The black-necked crane is the state bird of Ladakh and also found in other Himalayan regions. iStock Even when the dogs arent killing wildlife, they compete with wild animals for scarce resources, eating carcasses that might otherwise feed vultures, wolves, foxes, lynxes and snow leopards. I myself have a video of around 10 dogs surrounding a snow leopard and harassing the snow leopard, not letting the snow leopard eat its kill, Paljor said. Still, the overall impact of dogs on the ecosystem is not well understood and is likely to be complex, said Rashmi Rana, a doctoral student at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia and a research scholar at the Nature Conservation Foundation in India. For instance, dogs might chase other wild animals like wolves away from livestock, making shepherds less likely to kill predators that could threaten their livelihoods, she said. Some research from Nepal, she added, suggests that free-ranging dogs could also be a food source for snow leopards and Himalayan wolves. Related Article Biodiversity Its gruesome work, but on Kangaroo Island, its one of the best things an animal lover can do We need more nuanced and critical studies that look at all animals, including dogs, as part of the ecological system, Rana said. A better understanding of the dogs ecology might help experts devise better strategies for cohabitation and coexistence, she added.

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Eating outFood Star Mexican restaurant to open in Spanish Mission Valley space And yes, its bringing its crazy-popular, Instagrammable birria tacos with it. Matt Shea January 6, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Where did La Bodega come from? This humble 45-seater appeared in East Brisbane in 2023 on the relatively nondescript corner of Lytton Road and Latrobe Street and quickly became one of the citys most in-demand Mexican restaurants. Not long after opening, it was often difficult to get a seat at the place. Anna Brobjer and Tim Glasson inside La Bodega Fortitude Valley, which will open later this month. Markus Ravik We would do 250 covers on a [Saturday] night, says Tim Glasson, who owns La Bodega with his partner Anna Brobjer. I think we did 1200 covers last week, and we were closed one night. Its been absolutely insane. We were not expecting anything like it has become. In the early days, we were projecting numbers and I was thinking, Oh, I cant imagine making more than so much in a week. We passed that mark after a couple of months, and now we do that figure on a Saturday night.

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Related Article Brisbanes best sanger? This Hainanese chicken number is a contender Glasson and Brobjer put the restaurants success down to its come as you are approachability and price point, but also the food of chef Alejandra Mendoza, who joined the La Bodega team after the closure of La Patrona in Newstead. Her food is the best thing, Glasson says. When she came on board, our food was already good, but she turned the dials up on everything, and its been incredible. Now, Glasson and Brobjer are capitalising on La Bodegas success by opening a second restaurant on Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley later this month. This venue will be much larger  around 120 seats. In the early days, we were projecting numbers  We passed that mark after a couple of months, and now we do that figure on a Saturday night. La Bodega co-owner Tim Glasson

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Taking over the heritage-listed facade of the old A.E. Griffiths Service Station building on Wickham Street, Glasson and Brobjer will peddle the same La Bodega experience and menu  including its super-popular, Instagrammable birria tacos. The larger space will be split into three sections: a timber deck out front, used for walk-ins, a dining room featuring a large communal dining table, and a courtyard out back. Most of the dining will be in a booth-lined courtyard at the rear of the venue. Markus Ravik Its outside but mostly covered, Brobjer says. The space is divided into seven booths that can seat roughly 10 people each  the courtyard will be the heart of the venue. Ninety per cent of people will dine out there. Like at the original La Bodega and its neighbouring sister venue, Olli Italiano, Glasson and Brobjer have taken care of the fitout themselves, although they used hired help for some of the larger aspects, such as the booths. They say to expect a similar treatment at East Brisbane, with its unfussy blushed terracotta colour scheme, with the heritage facades Spanish Mission treatment doing much of the heavy lifting.

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La Bodega will take over the heritage-listed A.E. Griffiths Service Station facade on Wickham Street. Markus Ravik That architecture goes perfectly with the Mexican cuisine, so it couldnt be better, honestly, Glasson says. The food menu will be the same, but we have the flexibility to expand the cocktail menu. That will be fun for me, going back to my roots in bartending and cocktails. The sizeable new venue also opens up the opportunity for La Bodega to take on more functions. Because of the floor plan at East Brisbane, 20 people is probably the maximum size we can do there, Glasson says. Related Article Top French chef launches footloose Birria pop-up in heritage space

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For subscribers Matt Shea is Food and Culture Editor at Brisbane Times. He is a former editor and editor-at-large at Broadsheet Brisbane, and has written for Escape, Qantas Magazine, the Guardian, Jetstar Magazine and SilverKris, among many others.
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LifestyleBeautySkincare Dozens of sunscreens have been recalled, most of them mineral. What does this mean? Lauren Ironmonger January 6, 2026  10:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

When consumer advocacy group CHOICE released the results of its independent testing of 20 popular sunscreens in June, it sent the industry into a tailspin. In the six months since, dozens of sunscreens have been recalled, the validity of test results called into question and, as a result, consumer trust in sunscreens shaken. Decades of evidence show that regular sunscreen use lowers our exposure to UV and significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer. We should all be wearing it. But what does this mean for consumers shopping for sunscreen this summer? How can they find a reliable one? We spoke to experts to help debunk some common myths. Most studies have shown that most people do not apply enough sunscreen to get the labelled SPF. iStock Which sunscreens have been recalled?

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Twenty sunscreens have been recalled by The Therapeutic Goods Administration since July. The authority continues to investigate the situation. There have also been voluntary recalls, unrelated to the TGAs ongoing investigation into the CHOICE findings, due to issues with formulation. In November, Bondi Sands recalled five batches of two sunscreens  its Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Face Lotion 60ml and Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Body Lotion 120ml  due potential for the lotions to become separated, which may affect their efficacy. Additionally, three batches of Cancer Council Sunscreens Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ 110g were voluntarily recalled by the brand in December, citing the same issues with separation. Finally, in December, an ABC investigation revealed 31 zinc sunscreens using the same base formulation from manufacturer Advance ZincTek failed preliminary SPF testing.

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The TGA declined to comment on the claims from the ABC, telling this masthead: The TGA does not generally comment on individual investigations or compliance actions until they are concluded, as doing so may compromise the investigation. We are, and will continue to be, as open and transparent as possible and update our website with information for consumers of our findings and any actions that we are taking. Sunscreen recalls to date Sunscreens recalled for lower than claimed SPF levels: Aspect Sun Physical Sun Protection SPF50+.

Aspect Sun Tinted Physical SPF50+.

Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen SPF50+.

Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+.

people4ocean SPF50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream - 10g and 45g.

BEAUTI-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF 50+ Illuminating Facial Sunscreen.

MCo Beauty SPF 50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen.

Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer.

Salus SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen.

Naked Sundays Collagen Glow 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+.

New Day Skin Happy Days SPF 50+ Daily Face Cream.

New Day Skin Good Vibes SPF 50+ Daily Face Cream.

Found My Skin SPF50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream.

We are Feel Good Inc Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ 100g Cream.

The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+.

Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Light Sunscreen SPF50+.

Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light) and Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark).

Endota Mineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen.

Allganic Light Sunscreen SPF50+ 70g  Baby & Kid Sunscreen. Separate sunscreen recalls, due to the potential for the product to become separated: Cancer Council Sunscreen Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ 110g (affected batch numbers 1143730, 1141313 and 1146857).

Bondi Sands Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Face Lotion 60ml (affected batch numbers GC032084 and 4843).

Bondi Sands Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Body Lotion 120ml (affected batch numbers GC032114, GC063314 and 4844). Mineral v chemical When shopping for sunscreen, you will find they are marketed as either mineral or chemical. The difference comes down to the active ingredients they contain  in other words, the type of ingredient that makes a sunscreen, a sunscreen, and filters out harmful sun rays.

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For mineral, or physical, sunscreens, the active ingredients are called inorganic compounds, typically titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Given these are physical particles, mineral sunscreens are often heavier and can leave a white cast, although technological advancements, like nanoparticles of minerals and added ingredients can make them apply more smoothly. For chemical sunscreens, active ingredients are organic compounds that can include octinoxate, avobenzone, bemotrizinol and homosalate. Its often thought that mineral sunscreens reflect harmful sun rays, whereas chemical sunscreens soak them up. But in reality, both chemical and mineral sunscreens work by absorbing UV light. Are mineral sunscreens more unstable? So, given the majority of sunscreens that have been recalled this year, or had their SPF claims called into question, have been mineral, are they less reliable than their chemical counterparts?

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Editor's pick Skincare Sunscreen is toxic and three other SPF myths to rethink this summer Not necessarily, says cosmetic chemist Dr Michelle Wong. However, she says titanium dioxide and zinc oxide particles are heavy and dense, and have a tendency to separate from, or sink to the bottom of sunscreen formulas, usually made of water and oil which are lighter by comparison. Since these formulas tend to be less pleasant to apply, she suspects many people may not be applying enough to reach the listed SPF. But Wong points out sunscreen formulation as a whole, can be complex and volatile, and that many of the sunscreens that returned lower than listed SPF levels according to CHOICEs testing were chemical.

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Dr Yousuf Mohammed, an associate professor at The University of Queenslands School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, agrees that mineral sunscreens can be susceptible to separation issues due to the density of zinc or titanium particles. My take is that zinc sunscreens should not be made in SPF50 because to get to SPF50 you actually need to load a very high quantity of zinc, more than 30 per cent sometimes, and its almost like youre putting a rock in a glass of water  its going to sink, he says. If you do want to use a mineral sunscreen, he recommends opting for one with SPF30. SPF30 is enough. If you look at the sun protection difference between SPF30 and 50, theres only a 1 per cent difference. So SPF30 allows about 1/30th of UV radiation through, or [stops] 97 per cent [of UV radiation], and SPF 50 is 1/50th, which is 98 per cent, so theres not much of a difference. A spokesperson for the TGA told this masthead: There is no evidence that mineral sunscreens are inherently less stable; recent recalls have been linked to specific issues with certain formulations as published on Market actions, and do not reflect the entire category.

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All sunscreens, whether therapeutic or cosmetic, mineral or chemical, must comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard for sunscreens 2604. Natural mineral sunscreen Over the past few years, mineral sunscreen has risen in popularity, in large part due to fears around the toxic chemicals in chemical sunscreens. Two such chemicals to have elicited controversy are oxybenzone and homosalate, common UV filters in chemical sunscreens. Part of the reason for the concern, says Mohammed, is that chemical sunscreens contain smaller particles and penetrate the skin, whereas mineral sunscreens tend to sit on the surface of the skin. Some studies have found sunscreen ingredients in the bloodstream and urine.

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Editor's pick Skincare More sunscreens have been recalled. Is your sunscreen safe to use this summer? However, research on whether these chemicals have harmful effects on humans is still unclear, and so far most research has been done on animals or cells. Some research suggests they may act as endocrine disruptors, however there is no scientific consensus. Wong says that to be approved for the market, companies expose subjects to far higher levels of certain ingredients than products contain in order to register an effect. The level at which consumers are exposed to these ingredients are far lower. One scientific review published last year found no evidence that six common UV filters affect DNA or cause cancer, and that blood concentration levels fell far below what might register an effect. She also points out the minerals in physical sunscreens are highly processed, and so far from natural.

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While Mohammed agrees research is still emerging, he is more cautious about the potential effects of some of these chemicals. The exposure is definitely there. Its really high. He believes that sooner or later the science will catch up, and its better to err on the side of caution. We dont want to wait until it becomes another case of silicosis or asbestos. Many regulatory bodies around the world have introduced limits around some of these ingredients.

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In 2021, the European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety lowered the percentage of UV filters oxybenzone, homosalate and octocrylene permitted in cosmetic products. In August, the TGA urged dozens of popular sunscreen manufacturers to reformulate their products to add safeguards concerning oxybenzone and homosalate following an internal review found they were at a lower margin of safety when using the highest-estimated sunscreen exposure for application. However, they did not say this meant Australian sunscreens containing these ingredients were unsafe, nor did they instate any ban, recall or warning in relation to the review. The TGA acknowledged available scientific data is not yet adequate to derive a conclusion as to their causality in humans. One in three mineral-only sunscreens found to have similar ingredients to chemical sunscreens

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Last month, researchers from The University of New South Wales took 143 sunscreens listed on the TGA website where zinc or titanium oxide were identified as the only active ingredient. Then, they scanned the full ingredient list for other compounds that might also be used to filter UV light. They found that one in three mineral only sunscreens contained UV filtering chemicals not listed as active ingredients. In Australia, sunscreen brands are only required to declare the active ingredients in a product. However, Dr Jon Beves, a professor at the UNSWs School of Chemistry who worked on the report, says they found many of the sunscreens that are marketed as mineral sunscreens, where the only listed active ingredient is zinc oxide, contain loads of other chemicals that are very similar to the chemicals youd find in all the other types of sunscreens.

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What this means, says Beves, is most mineral sunscreens are only nominally different from chemical ones. Sunscreens are high-tech products. Even ones that are listed as being chemical-free or all-natural or any of this other sort of nonsense, they have to be formulated with other things mixed in them, otherwise they wouldnt act as sunscreens. Its just marketing lingo, he says. Mohammed agrees that undeclared additives in mineral sunscreens is a problem, and urges consumers to do their due diligence around sunscreen ingredients if they are concerned about certain additives. How is sunscreen tested? The current standard for SPF testing in Australia involves putting sunscreen on a minimum of 10 human volunteers who are exposed to artificial solar UV radiation to minimise the variability of sunlight. The higher the SPF, the longer it takes UV radiation to burn skin. Due to the use of human subjects and human testers to judge the level of burn to the skin, the method is highly variable, something acknowledged by the TGA and experts. In December last year, the International Organisation for Standardisation (the guidelines which the TGA follows) published two novel methods for measuring SPF, which may reduce the inherent variability of the current model of sunscreen testing. But it is not yet known when this might become available or standardised in Australia. So, what sunscreen should you use?

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At the end of the day, the best sunscreen is the sunscreen you will use, says Wong. Whether this is a mineral or chemical sunscreen comes down to personal preference  some may prefer the thicker, drier formula of physical sunscreens, or be more sensitive to the ingredients in chemical sunscreens. Editor's pick Skincare Sunscreen wars: Breaking down the furore Choice created over SPF brands And correct usage of sunscreen is just important as the product you choose: Most studies have shown that most people do not apply enough sunscreen to get the labelled SPF, says Wong. Australian guidelines for sunscreen recommend applying one teaspoon per limb, one for the front of the body, one for the back and one for the head. They also recommend wearing sunscreen every day when the UV index is above 3 (in Australia, most days of the year). While the spate of sunscreens returning lower SPF ratings than their labels claim is obviously a concern, its worth remembering that even a lower SPF rating provides significant protection. A landmark Australian study from 1990 using an SPF16 sunscreen was the first to prove that regular sunscreen use can prevent melanoma.

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Additionally, sunscreen is just one line of defence against the sun: remember the Cancer Councils Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide slogan. Wong also suggests keeping an eye on the TGA website for recalls. If your sunscreen is affected, stop using it and seek a refund. Finally, Wong says to use common sense: if you are getting sunburnt, make sure you are applying enough and regularly, or consider using a different sunscreen. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
Home detention for MP accused of assault

A court has approved the release of South Australian MP Nick McBride on home detention bail, 10 days after he was taken into custody.
Veteran B2B SaaS finance leader joins SysAid to support the company's ambitious growth trajectory and next phase of expansion

TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SysAid, a leading provider of IT and Enterprise Service Management solutions, today announced the appointment of Jason Schwartz as Chief Financial Officer. The move represents a deliberate step in strengthening SysAid's executive leadership as the company accelerates its growth strategy and invests for long-term scale.

SysAid Appoints Jason Schwartz as Chief Financial Officer to Fuel Next Phase of Growth (PRNewsfoto/SysAid)

Jason brings decades of experience guiding high-growth technology companies through critical phases of expansion, fundraising, and public-market readiness. Most recently, he served as CFO of Similarweb, where he helped lead the company's journey from startup to successful public company. His decision to join SysAid underscores strong confidence in the company's strategy, momentum, and market opportunity.

"As SysAid enters its next phase of growth, we are making forward-looking leadership investments to support our vision and the ambitious path ahead," said Avi Kedmi, CEO of SysAid. "Jason is a proven CFO who has scaled companies at our stage and beyond. His decision to join SysAid is a strong testament to the potential others see in our journey, and his leadership will be instrumental as we accelerate growth and expand our impact."

Jason's extensive career includes CFO and senior finance roles at high-tech companies, including Clarizen, Actimize (acquired by NICE Systems), Cyota (acquired by RSA), and Shopping.com, where he served as VP Finance and CFO through the company's IPO. Earlier, he spent seven years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. in Accounting from Yeshiva University.

"I'm excited to join SysAid at a moment of exceptional momentum and opportunity," said Jason Schwartz, CFO of SysAid. "The company has built a strong foundation, a compelling AI-first strategy, and a leadership team focused on disciplined yet bold growth. I look forward to working closely with the executive team and Board to scale the business and deliver on its long-term vision."

Jason's appointment underscores SysAid's commitment to building a leadership team capable of supporting sustained growth, strategic investment, and operational excellence as the company expands its footprint and redefines service management through AI.

About SysAid

SysAid is on a mission to liberate organizations by putting AI to work for them and their people. Built on a robust ITSM platform, SysAid's Agentic AI adds a powerful operational layer to IT, automating repetitive tasks and freeing teams from reactive work. AI Agents take the first action, so IT pros intervene only when truly neededenabling focus on optimization, innovation, and strategic challenges. Organizations can go live in weeks with rapid onboarding and no heavy migrations. SysAid's AI is purpose-built for IT, delivering security and governance by design, along with award-winning support to ensure long-term success.

With over 5,000 customers, SysAid partners with organizations from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises across 140 countries. For more information, visit www.sysaid.com.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2855321/Jason_Schwartz_SysAid.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2707440/SysAid_Logo.jpg

SOURCE SysAid
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NationalNSWMy best beach I love the ocean, even as a sinking, ginger front-rower. Even if the ocean hates me Australian summers are synonymous with beaches: an unbreakable part of our national psyche, a gathering place we hold dear. A place that belongs to everyone, to holiday, celebrate, rejuvenate and heal. In this summer series, we asked local identities and journalists to tell us about their favourite spot. Dan Walsh January 7, 2026  4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Read the rest of our stories in our summer series. See all stories .

Theres a photo  mercifully lost somewhere in the depths of Mums storage labyrinth  of a pudgy, pale, red-headed five-year-old encountering the ocean for the first time. No Mickey Mouse shirt, but the local paper did chronicle my early beach exploits. Wearing a Mickey Mouse T-shirt, sand and sunscreen in dump-truck quantities, Im having the time of my life in the shallows at Manly. Until this point, all Ive known for five years is red dirt, winter frosts and sheep shit. But this first entry to salt water is the start of an enduring, often tumultuous relationship I now cant live without. I love the ocean. At best, it tolerates me. Salt waters scorn is not without cause.

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There is my Irish farming heritage and lack of pigment, along with the bodily proportions of a third-grade tight-head prop and buoyancy of the entire front row. I am no water baby. Related Article Surfing Picklum unplugged: How a world title was won by breaking free Despite being entirely unsuited to even looking at the big blue brine, I have ridden waves the globe over. Worked on dive boats and played underwater tour guide in the worlds cleanest tropical waters. As the Heralds alleged surfing reporter, I have bluffed my way through interviews with world champions from Kelly Slater and Layne Beachley to Mick Fanning, Steph Gilmore and Molly Picklum. Thirty years after that Mickey Mouse-clad debut at Manly, no matter what the ocean does now, its well and truly stuck with me. Ill keep coming back.

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Numerous broken and dinged surfboards, including one snapped clean in two an hour after purchase? Not going to stop me; theres always another expensive piece of epoxy around the corner.

The first date that ended in the poor girls panic attack while caught in a rip at Wanda? I came out of that looking like a ginger Hasselhoff, slowly paddling us into shore, and with a relationship. One of the authors many surfing mishaps: This board lasted for all of about 10 minutes of its one-and-only surf. The sea urchin stomped on in Colombia? Briefly agonising, sure. But I had learnt the Spanish verb for urinate a week earlier. So I politely rebuffed offers from the little old women of Playa Blanca, selling pain relief for 5000 pesos a pop. As far as breaking and bashing boards into submission, I at least have the comfort of safety in numbers.

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A request for photos to a WhatsApp chat of surfing mates spewed forth a veritable cave of digital wonders  snaps of broken boards, limbs and dreams  within the hour. A nod to the man who watched one shortboard fly off his campervan as he drove out of Dunedoo, NSW, roughly 400 kilometres from the coast. Any water-goer worth their salt (and especially those who arent) has a sketchy tale or two of escape from giant surf worth spinning. Again, worthy acknowledgement of the mate who sparked an eastern suburbs manhunt one extra large day by abandoning his surf ski, swimming his way in and walking home, oblivious to the panic an empty vessel bobbing into the beach would raise. But Portugal? Fair play  Portugal rattled me. The Atlantic Ocean does not suffer fools. And this day in 2022 it was old-man-sending-back-soup-in-a-deli angry. When Nazare fires, anyone within spitting distance gets out of the water, obviously, and makes for the cliffs above the worlds biggest surfable wave. Just last month the famed Portuguese resort town was buffeted by 20-metre monsters, prompting a mad scramble by surfings most proficient lunatics for the WSLs Big Wave Challenge.

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Being an idiot, when a swell half this size rolled around as I trundled around the country with a van and rented board, I decided to head in the opposite direction. Id find my own, manageable giant to ride. I found Praia das Moitas, 30 minutes or so west of Lisbon, and, to my eye, suitably tucked away from the worst the Atlantic could serve up. No chance: Maya Gabeira from Brazil rides a wave during the Nazare Big Wave Challenge surfing tournament at Praia do Norte in Portugal. Walsh headed further afield to find a more manageable wave to surf. Armando Franca/AP Photo Typically, its a fatter, softer right-hander that breaks in front of a 200-metre man-made jetty, with the nearby Monte Estoril train station, an oceanfront promenade and numerous restaurants overlooking the wave. In other words, an audience. I did manage to ride my giant  just the one  that day. And I came out unscathed, despite realising instantly that I was wildly underqualified and had no business doing so.

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That was excruciatingly clear when I looked to paddle into shore, only to get as far as the wrong side of the 200-metre jetty. Related Article Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Explainer

Water safety Drowning can be quick and silent. Could you spot the signs? The good folk of Estoril slowly began to realise that this show required audience participation. I maintain I wasnt in true, immediate danger. The Atlantic was thumping me into the concrete for fun; I had no real chance of scrambling up it. But I had jettisoned the rental board and the leg-rope that threatened to get caught under a rock and drag me under  exactly what youre not meant to do in this situation.

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The board was last seen careening off to Morocco and, with a wetsuit keeping me afloat, I was confident of making it at least halfway. Half a dozen punters ensured I didnt need to, grabbing a couple of belts from a nearby jiu-jitsu gym, looping them together and dragging me up to safety. Beyond grateful and beyond mortified, I drank for the next eight hours, then slept for the following 16. It took me three or four days to get back in the water and Im significantly more careful with when, and where, I throw myself in now. If thats not progress towards a healthy relationship, what is? Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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TechnologyTrump's White House Travelling to America? Heres how to protect your privacy in phone searches Gabe Castro-Root January 7, 2026  4:38am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

When US border agents turned away a French scientist in March after searching his phone, French authorities cried foul, blaming messages commenting on President Donald Trumps policies for the decision. US officials denied that politics had played a role, but the incident left some travellers with an urgent question: Are such searches even legal? The short answer is yes. US Customs and Border Protection agents have broad authority to look through travellers phones, laptops and other electronic devices under an exception to the Fourth Amendments protections against warrantless searches. The Trump administration has pursued stricter rules about who can come into the US. Getty Images CBP conducted 55,318 searches of electronic devices at ports of entry in fiscal year 2025, according to the agency. Thats up from the previous two years, though the number represents only about 0.01 per cent of the nearly 420 million travellers who entered or exited the country by air, land and sea in fiscal year 2025, according to the agency. These searches are conducted to detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content and information relevant to visitor admissibility, all of which play a critical role in national security, Jessica Turner, a CBP spokesperson, said in a statement.

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That may be true, but an increasing number of travellers report being questioned about legally protected online speech when crossing the border. Several factors, including citizenship status and where you enter the country, determine your rights to digital privacy at immigration checkpoints. Non-citizens owned a majority of devices searched by CBP in the last three years, though the share of devices searched that belonged to US citizens rose to about 25 per cent from 21 per cent over that period. Heres a look at what CBP agents can and cant do with your devices, and the steps you can take to safeguard your private data. Do I have to unlock my device? Agents can demand access to any travellers electronics at a port of entry for any reason. If youre a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident, such as a green card holder, theyre required to let you enter the country even if you refuse to unlock your device. But agents can still seize your device and hold on to it for five days, or longer at a supervisors discretion, said Kabbas Azhar, an Equal Justice Works fellow at the Electronic Privacy Information Centre, a non-profit research and advocacy group.

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Deciding whether to unlock your device is a very personal choice that may depend on what information youre carrying, said Nate Wessler, the deputy director of the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. If youre a doctor whose phone holds private information about patients, for example, or a journalist with confidential sources, you may be less willing to enter your passcode for a CBP officer. Related Article Opinion

USA Ludicrous list of new entry requirements might make US travel too hard Anthony Dennis Editor, Traveller People have to weigh the practical implications, Wessler said. Would they rather try to protect their privacy but lose use of their phone for potentially weeks or months, or end up giving the password and making it easier for the government to search? During a basic search, an officer looks through the device by hand. But in rare cases, agents can perform an advanced, or forensic, search, during which they copy a devices contents onto a government computer for further analysis. A forensic search may even be able to unearth some files that a devices owner had deleted, Wessler said. The passcode calculus is different for foreign tourists and other people without permanent status in the United States, since they have no legal right to enter the country.

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In that case, its usually best to just give the information because otherwise theyll turn you right around, Azhar said. The last meaningful updates to rules regarding electronic device searches at the border were made in 2018, during the first Trump administration. CBPs authority to search devices applies to travellers both entering and exiting the United States. But an overwhelming majority of searches happen when travellers are arriving in the country, said Jake Laperruque, the deputy director of the Security and Surveillance Project at the Centre for Democracy and Technology, a non-profit that supports digital free expression. Officers looking through a device will often check for evidence that could point to criminal activity, including images or messages related to narcotics or child pornography, Laperruque said. But they could also find content that raises questions about legal activities, such as attending a political protest, or those that fall in a grey area, such as communicating with doctors who provide services that are banned in certain states. If youre travelling domestically in the US, your devices are not subject to the same scrutiny. The Transportation Security Administration cannot examine a devices digital contents.

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Do I have the same rights everywhere? Not exactly. Federal courts have created a patchwork of rules for forensic device searches. In 18 states, including California, Massachusetts and Virginia, agents need reasonable suspicion to conduct a forensic search, according to the Centre for Democracy and Technology. In 10 states, including Florida and Georgia, agents do not need reasonable suspicion. The remaining states, including New York, New Jersey and Texas, have no clear rule. The legal landscape at New York City airports is especially complicated because of conflicting federal court decisions. The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing a unified rule. To simplify enforcement, CBP requires agents everywhere to have reasonable suspicion before conducting a forensic search. But that rule includes an exemption for a national security concern, which privacy experts said could be broadly interpreted at agents discretion.

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So how can I protect my data? Taking one or more of these steps will help protect your privacy no matter where you pass through an immigration checkpoint. Related Article Trump's America Australians to be forced to provide their social media to enter the US Create strong passcodes for your devices using a complex string of numbers, letters and special characters. If you prefer a numerical code, opt for more digits.

Update your software. Using the latest operating system will reduce the chances of CBP gaining access to your device if you refuse to unlock it.

Buy a second phone and leave your emails, photos and other sensitive information on your devices at home.

Turn off your device before going through customs. Powering it down more fully encrypts the data, privacy experts said, and disables facial or fingerprint recognition when the device is first turned on. You can also turn off biometrics in your devices settings.

Keep your device in airplane mode. CBP says it will search only information that is resident upon the device at the time it is presented for inspection, and officers may not search information that is solely stored in the cloud.

Back up your device to the cloud and erase it before going through customs. You can redownload your data later on. Keep in mind that if you turn off your device or disconnect it from the internet, you may not have access to digital boarding passes or travel itineraries. Carry hard copies of all documentation you may need to present for inspection.

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If an agent takes your device, ask for a receipt. CBP says it provides travellers whose devices are seized with a document detailing who at the agency will be their point of contact and how to reach them. And once you get your device back, just to be safe, change your passcode. This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
UK, France agree to send troops to Ukraine in event of peace deal

The UK and France have signed a "declaration of intent" to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
Scores of travelers submitted stories of their travels-turned-travails, vying for the top spot

HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Many travelers have had tales of trips-gone-horribly-awry, but only one could claim the mantle of "the all-time worst." Continuing its annual travel promotion, Travel Guard solicited stories of travel nightmares from across the U.S. and Canada1. After weeks of voting, a winner has emerged.

World's Unluckiest Traveler promotion

As grand prize winner, Lloyd L. has received the title of "World's Unluckiest Traveler" and won a cash prize of $10,000. In his story "From Holy Water to Holy Soaked," Lloyd told of his once-in-a-lifetime trip to Rome to see the Pope, only to encounter an unholy storm that left him cold, water-logged and nearly unable to even see the object of his trip!

The runner-up entry "Flip Flop Fiasco" recounted Daniel B.'s travel to California to meet his goddaughter and then make an adventurous visit to the epic Vasquez Rocks, a sojourn marred by an unfortunate choice of footwear (and, perhaps, an unfortunate choice of friends). The runner-up winner won a cash prize of $5,000.

In third place, "The $28K Snowboarding Souvenir" tells of a snowboard trip to the Austrian Alps that only lasted two hours, followed by a shattered wrist and lengthy, expensive hospital stay. The third-place winner won a cash prize of $3,000. And in fourth place, "What Cancer Didn't Take, Travel Tried To" tells of a nearly impossible trip to Copenhagen for a family event, challenged by obstacle after obstacle and a plane catching fire. The fourth-place winner won a RIMOWA carry-on suitcase2.

"The stories of our winners are not typical, but travel mishaps can befall anyone, so we encourage travelers to prepare for the unexpected and protect their trips," said Rhonda Sloan, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Travel Guard. "We launched the World's Unluckiest Traveler to recognize those who have endured hardships in pursuit of their love of travel and to highlight those sorts of misfortunes  particularly medical issues  that might make a travel insurance plan worth considering."

In a twist, the 2025 World's Unluckiest Traveler promotion also celebrated some "good luck":

Paula B. was randomly selected  among the nearly 4,500 voters for the promotion  to win the sweepstakes prize of a GoPro action camera and kit3.

The full stories from each of the winners can be viewed at www.worldsunluckiesttraveler.com.

For more information about Travel Guard, its products and services, visit www.travelguard.com or follow Travel Guard on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

1The Promotion was open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who were 21 years of age or older at the time of entry, and residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) who were 19 years of age or older at the time of entry. The promotion is not available where prohibited by applicable law.

2RIMOWA and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of RIMOWA is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.

3GoPro, HERO and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of GoPro, Inc. GoPro is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.

About Travel Guard

Travel Guard, part of Zurich Cover-More, meets the diverse needs of travelers worldwide through its comprehensive portfolio of travel insurance plans and assistance services as well as a network of experienced providers. With global service centers placed strategically around the globe, our 24/7 multilingual team is always just a phone call away and ready to assist when our customers experience travel issues  from lost luggage or minor travel inconveniences to medical emergencies or life-threatening events. We help customers recover from travel disruptions and enjoy their journeys knowing Travel Guard has their back every step of the way. Learn more at www.travelguard.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok.

SOURCE Travel Guard
A DEFIBRILLATOR unit on Tullow Street that was vandalised and the machine stolen is to be replaced by the family that originally installed it.

The piece of lifesaving equipment was stolen from its box outside Oak Family Practice on 4 December 2024. It had been installed there in 2021, thanks to the generosity of the Lyons family, who also run a fishing competition in Bagenalstown in memory of their late father Michael Lyons Sr.

Mam was devastated, as it was put up in memory of my dad, explained Michael Lyons Jr, who was a founding member of Carlow Community First Responders (CFR). She was very upset at the theft, he said.

Caroline Dargan, a co-ordinator with CFR, said the vandalism was very disheartening. Each defibrillator costs a lot to buy and maintain, she said, which makes it incredibly frustrating for the Lyons family. The unit in which the defibrillator is placed costs up to 1,300 and the unit itself can cost 800 to install, she added.

Caroline had immediately reported the theft to gardai and provided a timeline of when the defibrillator was probably stolen. It was reported that the machine had been smashed to smithereens near the Liberty Tree, but ***Storm Darragh*** made landfall the day afterwards and swept away any trace of it.

An AED defibrillator similar to the one stolen from Tullow Street in December 2024. Photo courtesy of Carlow CFR Facebook.

Additionally, CCTV footage was not helpful: We generally put them up under a camera for the very reason that vandalism does happen, but I dont think there was a good line of sight with this one. There was no immediate visibility directly outside of it, said Caroline.

The gardai were unable to find the person responsible for the damage in this instance.

We put in a lot of work into everything we do, but it would be next to impossible to replace every defibrillator thats damaged. The community has to come together to do that, said Caroline.

These things are as strong as the community based around them. Fortunately, the Lyons family have taken it upon themselves to replace the defibrillator. Michael Jr said he had repaired the glass in the unit, checked the electrics and is sourcing a new AED pack to be installed in the coming weeks.

The repaired glass of the defibrillator unit outside The Oaks Family Practice on Tullow Street.

His reasoning for replacing it is simple: We know how lucky we are, he said: Its just giving back a little bit.
Ottoline Spearman

A rural youth organisation has criticised the Government for the lack of a clear and decisive position on the Mercosur trade agreement, expressing concern about the potential ramifications on Irish agriculture.

President of Macra, Josephine ONeill, said that the agreement poses a "very real threat to Irish farmers, particularly to the beef and poultry sectors that are already under immense pressure.

Allowing increased imports of agricultural produce from countries operating to vastly different standards undermines the livelihoods of family farms and weakens the integrity of Irish and European food production, she said.

Ms ONeill highlighted that Irish farmers are held to some of the highest environmental, animal welfare, and traceability standards in the world, while Mercosur countries are not required to meet equivalent criteria.

This is not a level playing field. Irish farmers are being asked to do more every year, more regulation, more compliance, more environmental ambition, yet they are expected to compete with imports produced to standards that would not be permitted here, she said.

Macra is particularly concerned about the long-term impact the agreement could have on young farmers and rural communities, who are being "encouraged to invest in their futures", while "trade deals like Mercosur send the opposite message; that their efforts and standards can be undercut overnight.

This threatens not only farm viability but the social fabric of rural Ireland, Ms O'Neill said.

She also criticised the lack of clarity from the Government, saying that farmers and rural communities deserve transparency and leadership.

To date, the Government has failed to take a strong, unambiguous stance against this agreement. Warm words of concern are not enough. Farmers need to know whether their Government is prepared to stand up for them at European level.

Macra is calling on the Government to clearly oppose the Mercosur agreement in its current form and to prioritise the protection of Irish agriculture, food standards, and rural livelihoods.

Trade policy must be coherent with our climate goals, food safety standards, and the future of family farming," Ms O'Neill said. "Anything less is a failure to rural Ireland.
Webinar explores how leadership can support grounded approaches to work and mindfulness

PHOENIX, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix will host the next installment of its Bridging Perspectives webinar series, "Grounded Leadership in Action: Navigating Conflict, Emotion and Belonging," on Thursday, January 15, at 11AM MST. The series is presented by the Office of Collaborative Learning and Educational Engagement and is designed for higher education leaders, employers, nonprofit organizations and University of Phoenix faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

"Skills like navigating conflict, communicating effectively, and approaching work with mindfulness are essential for today's leaders," said Tondra Richardson, MBA, Director of Engagement Strategy & Program Development at University of Phoenix. "This session offers an opportunity to examine how grounded, thoughtful leadership approaches can help teams address challenges constructively and stay aligned on shared goals."

The webinar will feature a panel of professionals who bring varied perspectives on leadership development, workplace communication and mindfulness. Panelists include Leadership Development Manager for Bayada Home Health Care, Anna Lisa Delgado, MBA, and Senior Manager of Client Success and Engagement at University of Phoenix, Krystal Kennedy. The discussion will be moderated by Kent Blumberg, Ph.D., National Account Manager at University of Phoenix.

Attendees can expect the following key takeaways from the discussion:

Explore how emotions can show up in professional roles during moments of conflict or disagreement

Learn grounding approaches that support awareness and steadiness in challenging situations

Consider communication strategies that encourage compassion and clarity during tense interactions

The Bridging Perspectives webinar series aims to foster cultural awareness about timely issues, impactful thought leadership, and community alliances.

Register for the webinar here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor's and master's degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html.

SOURCE University of Phoenix
By George Lithgow, Press Association

Food giant Nestle has recalled some of its baby formula products over concerns they may contain a food poisoning toxin.

The company said several batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were not safe to be fed to babies.

The Food Standards Agency of Ireland (FSAI) said affected batches may contain the cereulide toxin, which can cause nausea and severe vomiting if consumed.

Photo: FSAI

In a statement, the FSAI said: "The FSAI advises that cereulide toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant.

"Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting. Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually six to 24 hours.

"The FSAI is advising parents, guardians and caregivers who may have the recalled products at home not to feed them to their infant or young child.

"If no symptoms are displayed, nothing further needs to be done. If a parent, guardian or caregiver is concerned about the health of their infant or young child, they should contact a healthcare professional."

Nestle apologised to customers but said there had been no confirmed reports of any related illness so far.

The problem was caused by an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, it added.

Nestle products affected by the recall include SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk, SMA Anti Reflux, SMA Alfamino, SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk, SMA Comfort, and SMA Lactose Free.

More detail about which batches have been recalled can be found on FSAI or on the Nestle website.

In a statement, the company said: Following the detection of a quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, Nestle has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the productionaof potentially impacted infant nutrition products.

No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the products involved to date.

The company is in contact with UK authorities and as a precautionary measure, is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula.

Nestle assures parents and caregivers that it is implementing appropriate actions to safeguard the health and wellbeing of families and their babies.

At the same time, the company is working to minimise any potential supply disruption.

Nestle remains committed to keeping parents, caregivers and the public informed and to providing clear, transparent information and support throughout this process.

Voluntary recall

Director of incidents at the FSAI, Dr Michelle Minihan, has defended the authoritys decision to allow Nestle to make a voluntary recall of SMA infant formulas rather than issuing an enforcement notice about its removal from shops.

Dr Minihan told RTE radios Morning Ireland that an enforcement issue had not been issued because the products were manufactured in other European countries.

The competent authorities such as ourselves in those other European countries are overseeing that recall, we have been in communication with our colleagues across the EU to understand the nature and extent of the issue that's going on with these particular infant formulas.

"And we will ensure and follow up with those competent authorities in those countries where it is manufactured to make sure corrective actions are taken in the plants.

Dr Minihan went on to explain that the potential harm to infants and young children was nausea and vomiting and the advice to parents and caregivers was to check if they had the affected products, to stop feeding them to their children and to seek medical advice if the child was displaying symptoms.

"The toxin is particularly heat resistant, that means if you prepare the infant formula as per the instructions it won't be killed satisfactorily and it can cause illness in infants and young children such as nausea and vomiting.

"Immediately stop feeding it to your infant or young child and if they're not displaying any symptoms of illness then you don't need to take any further action.

"However, if they are displaying symptoms of an illness you should seek the advice of a medical professional or a healthcare professional.

"We will ensure and follow up with those competent authorities in those countries where it is manufactured to make sure corrective actions are taken in the plants.

"Customers of Nestle who have this product on their shelves were contacted yesterday to remove affected batches. That has happened. We will be verifying that today. So what's on the shelves are unaffected products."
I HAVE to pinch myself. When my brother woke me up and told me that Nicholas Maduro had been captured by Trump, I said no, youre kidding me, thats not possible, Franklin Bermudas (39) from Venezuela, a resident of Carlow town, told The Nationalist.

Since Mr Maduros kidnapping by the United States at the weekend, Mr Bermudas feels hopeful about his home countrys future for the first time in many years.

I dont support Trump. I am not a big fan of Trump, but hes doing something that nobody did in 26 years. For me, hes a great partner at the moment. We dont know what is going to happen, but in the region we didnt know how to deal with a dictatorship because that didnt happen before, especially with a rich country like Venezuela, Mr Bermudas said.

He remembers a time when living standards in Venezuela were high. I remember that I was living in a great country, a rich country, Mr Bermudas said. According to the UN, over 80% of households in Venezuela live in poverty.

Mr Bermudas said that most people blame government mismanagement and corruption for the countrys sharp decline in living standards. Although Venezuela is one of the most oil-rich countries in the world, Mr Bermudas said that everyday Venezuelans do not feel its benefits.

There is no hospital, there are no social programmes to help people in poverty. Welfare benefits were fixed like 15 years ago and people get like one euro, two euro per month. It sounds like a joke for me, Mr Bermudas said.

Mr Bermudas has lived in Ireland since 2013 but has only lived in Carlow for the last few years. He lived in Dublin for ten years after he first arrived.

Carlow has been a blessing for me and my family, Mr. Bermudas said.
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One person was killed and more injured after a vehicle linked to a private cement plant owned by Lucky Cement was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Lakki Marwat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on 5 January according to local police and hospital officials.

The vehicle was travelling from Begu Khel to Lakki Marwat when the explosion occurred. All injured passengers, including women, were taken to a nearby hospital, where an emergency was declared. Medical officials said several of the injured remain in a critical condition.

Lucky Cement is one of Pakistans largest cement producers with operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The company has not issued a public statement on the incident at the time of writing.
A zero-pressure January challenge where getting started is rewarded with Welch's Zero Sugar Juice and a chance to win prizes

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Welch's, an iconic leader in the fruit-based food and beverage industry, is teaming up with Strava, the leading digital platform for active adults with more than 180 million users, to launch the first-ever Welch's Zero-K Challenge. Kicking off today and running through January 28, the challenge is built around one simple, powerful idea: starting somewhere.

The start of a new year often comes with big resolutions and even bigger pressure to stick with them. Welch's is flipping that narrative. Powered by Welch's Zero Sugar Juice, a line bursting with bold, real fruit flavor, the Zero-K Challenge celebrates new beginnings without the stress of finish lines, distances, or expectations. Zero sugar. Zero pressure. Zero expectations.

Instead of focusing on miles logged or goals crushed, the Welch's Zero-K Challenge recognizes the determination it takes to simply get started. Whether it's a short walk, a stretch break, or a dance session in the living room, every movement counts.

"With the Zero-K Challenge, we're meeting people exactly where they are," said Andrew Hartshorn, Chief Brand and Innovation Officer at Welch's. "Big goals often start with small changes, whether that's moving your body for a few minutes or cutting back on sugar in a way that still tastes great. Our Zero Sugar juices make it easier to take that first step, delivering bold, real fruit flavor with zero sugar, and this challenge is about celebrating progress over perfection."

From now through January 28, Strava users can join the Welch's Zero-K Challenge and log any activity of any duration or intensity. Hosted within the free and easy-to-use Strava app, the Zero-K Challenge makes it simple for anyone to participate. The Zero-K Challenge welcomes athletes, aspiring athletes, and everyday movers alike, making movement feel accessible to all.

Everyone who completes the challenge by logging a qualifying activity will receive a coupon for one Welch's Zero Sugar beverage, valued up to $5.99 and redeemable at select retailers. Participants will also be entered for a chance to win one of 50x grand prize kits, which include custom Welch's gear and Welch's Zero Sugar Juices, a three-month Strava membership, adidas Adizero shoes, an Igloo Day Chiller backpack, a JBL Clip 5 speaker, a yoga towel, and more.

To learn more or sign up for the Welch's Zero-K Challenge, visit https://www.strava.com/challenges/The-Welchs-Zero-K-Challenge.

About Welch's

Founded more than 150 years ago and headquartered in Massachusetts, Welch's is an iconic fruit-based food and beverage company and agricultural cooperative owned by more than 600 family farms across the United States. Rooted in the goodness of fruit, our purpose brings together growers and employees to create products that fit modern lives while honoring a rich heritage.

Welch's delivers flavorful moments every day through real fruit juices, refreshingly sweet sparkling juices, and family-favorite fruit spreads, jams, and jellies, all guided by a commitment to sustainability and quality.

Shop Welch's Merch at shop.welch.com and follow us on Instagram.

SOURCE Welch Foods Inc.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- WIRobotics, a global robotics company co-led by Co-CEOs Yeonbaek Lee and Yongjae Kim, announced the successful conclusion of its participation in CES 2026 Unveiled, held in Las Vegas.

WIRobotics is a global robotics company developing wearable and humanoid robotic technologies designed to expand human mobility and everyday life. Built on human-centered design and robotics optimized for real-world use, the company has continued to grow its global presence. Since 2024, WIRobotics has focused its business expansion on its wearable walking-assist robot, WIM.

Photo credit: WIRobotics. Visitors test and experience WIM S at CES 2026 Unveiled.

The company has also been recognized with CES Innovation Awards for three consecutive years, from 2024 through 2026, underscoring its technological leadership and global competitiveness.

At CES 2026 Unveiled, WIRobotics highlighted WIM S, an upgraded version of its wearable walking-assist robot WIM, introducing its latest advancements to global media and industry professionals. Since 2025, WIM S has expanded beyond the Korean market into global markets including Europe, China, and Japan, and the company used the Unveiled stage to share the progress and results of this global market expansion.

During the event, WIRobotics drew strong interest from leading media outlets and buyers across North America, Europe, India, and South America. Attendees noted WIM S for its real-world usability, user-friendly design, and its potential to scale across diverse markets and user needs.

This momentum is expected to continue into the CES 2026 main exhibition, opening on January 6. During the show, WIRobotics will conduct official demonstrations of its humanoid robot ALLEX, further building anticipation among global media and industry stakeholders who were introduced to the company's technologies at Unveiled. ALLEX will be showcased through live movement and interactive demonstrations, offering visitors a closer look at WIRobotics' direction for next-generation robotic technology.

Throughout CES 2026, WIRobotics will exhibit at the Venetian Expo (Hall AD, Booth #54735), where it will continue hands-on demonstrations of WIM S, alongside live demonstrations of its humanoid robot ALLEX, engaging audiences from around the world.

About WIRobotics

Founded in 2021, WIRobotics is a global robotics company presenting a broad spectrum of robotic technologies, ranging from wearable robots designed for everyday use to advanced humanoid robotics.

The company began commercial sales of lower-back and walking-assist wearable robots in 2023, expanding access to robotics for everyday mobility. In the summer of 2025, WIRobotics unveiled the upper body of its humanoid robot, ALLEX, marking its expansion into advanced humanoid robotics.

By simultaneously advancing robots for everyday life and next-generation robotic technologies, WIRobotics continues to shape the future of robotics on a global scale.

SOURCE WIRobotics
From left, Judy Eaves, Conner Hill, Evans Monsees and Brenda Collins Ferris Robinson Previous Next

Judy Eaves is a shining bundle of energy. She is a community center specialist, and as such, is heavily involved in running the after-school mentor program at the South Chattanooga Rec Center, which boasts an indoor pool, pickleball league and outstanding literacy program headed by Connie Cavett, among other things.

This past fall, a festival took place outdoors at 1151 W. 40th St., on the spacious grounds behind the rec center. Judy recruited volunteers to man the bounce house, paint faces and give chair massages, as well as serve cotton candy and hot dogs. Just before the day of the late October event, Judy rushed through the reading room, gushing that shed just been notified someone would donate hot-off-the grill burgers at no charge, and also provide the manpower.

Always smiling from the heart, Judy Eaves was positively beaming when she heard this news. Two young men from Hunters for the Hungry set up a grill, laid out all the fixings and cooked up a storm, all made to-order.

Conner Hill and Evans Monsees love to hunt. But like any responsible hunter, they dont waste what they kill. With a mission of transforming a God-given resource of deer and livestock into food for those in need, Hunters for the Hungry is all hands-on deck when it comes to addressing hunger in America. One in six Tennesseans face hunger due to food insecurity, and one in five of them are children; one deer can provide meat for up to 160 meals. It makes sense that these two facts go hand in hand. And make a massive difference.

As folks lined up for burgers hot off the grill, folks were buzzing about the delicious venison.

"Its the best possible meat  so lean and so healthy with no antibiotics or growth hormones. And its so good! volunteer Laura Durel said.

Donated deer are professionally processed by an approved local butcher, and local charities like food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters distribute the meat to those who need it most.

If you are a hunter, you can drop off your deer at one of the statewide processors. There is one in Hixson and another in Sale Creek. You can search the website with the zip code. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation covers the cost of processing thanks to generous donations and discounts from the processors.

Hunters for the Hungry is new to me, but its certainly not new. For over 25 years, this organization has provided fresh, lean meat to families in Tennessee that need it most. As a matter of fact, since 1998, Hunters for the Hungry has provided more than 10.5 million servings of venison to Tennesseans who truly appreciate it.

Learn more at Tnwf.org/hunters-for-the-hungry.

* * *

Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series If Bugs Are Banished. Making Arrangements is her first novel and is available in paperback and on Kindle. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.




Benjamin Lee Durham, 19, of Fort Payne, Al., was charged with sexual battery at the East Ridge Arby's after police said he grabbed the buttocks of a female employee and punched the manager.East Ridge Police were called to an assault at the Arby's at 6302 Ringgold Road around 5:36 p.m. Sunday. An employee told police that a tall white man with brown hair, wearing a cream colored shirt, had touched her inappropriately, and had punched her manager in the face.The manager told police the man had asked to use a phone charger, and one of his employees had allowed him to use theirs, which was behind the counter.He told police the employee asked the man to wait in the lobby while his phone charged.At this point, the manager said the man walked behind the counter, where he began to bump into lots of equipment because he was "unable to keep his balance." The manager said he asked the man again to wait in the lobby, and he complied at first, but then he came back around behind the counter several times.This is when the female employee said he approached her behind the counter while she was bagging food and grabbed her buttocks. She said the man used vulgar language to her.The man was again asked to return to the lobby, and the manager said as he tried to guide the man towards the lobby, that is when the man punched him in the face. He said the man then ran away from Arby's, leaving his cell phone behind.At 6:48 p.m., East Ridge Police again received a call from Arby's saying the man had returned to the business. Police found him in the parking lot and detained and identified him as Durham. Police also noted that a strong odor of alcohol was coming from Durham's breath, along with the inability to maintain his balance.Durham told police his girlfriend, who he identified to police, was in the Krystal parking lot, but police did not locate her there. Durham provided her phone number. When police spoke with her, she told them they were "door dashing," and that Durham was "very intoxicated." She said she did not see him with alcohol, and doesn't know where he got it, but he had left her car around 2 p.m. after they had an argument. She said she tried looking for him, but couldn't find him, so she gave up and went back home to Fort Payne, Al.The employees at Arby's said they wished to press charges. Durham was arrested for simple assault, sexual battery and public intoxication.He was transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
2/2/2026

Collegedale's new city manager, John Holmes, took the time at his first commission meeting to address non-emergency calls and emails that he received during the snow and ice storms. He told the ... more
Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed veteran Rock radio personality Jeremy Loper as on-air host, mornings, on Chattanoogas home for Classic Rock, KZ106 (WSKZ-FM). Loper debuts on his new morning show, The Loper Show on Monday, Jan. 12, and can be heard weekdays from 6-10 a.m. The new show follows the retirement of The John Boy & Billy Big Show on Dec. 31.

With more than three decades of major-market experience, Mr. Loper brings a "bold, personality-driven approach" to mornings on KZ106. Known for his authenticity, sharp wit and deep roots in rock culture, Mr. Lopers arrival reinforces KZ106s commitment to real Rock, real radio, and real connection, while honoring the legacy of one of radios most recognizable morning franchises, said officials.

Mr. Loper most recently hosted mornings at iHeartMedia Classic Rock WNRQ (105.9 The Rock) in Nashville, where he posted immediate ratings momentum and street buzz in Music City. Prior to Nashville, he spent 12 years in Columbus, Ohio, where he hosted the top-rated Loper & Randi in the Morning on Active Rock WRKZ (99.7 The Blitz). Mr. Loper is also the creator and host of The Loper Show, a multi-platform podcast and video series featuring interviews with Rock and Metal artists, MMA personalities, and cultural voices, further extending his reach and influence across digital platforms.

Scott Chase, operations manager, Cumulus Chattanooga and program director, KZ106, said, "The last time we made a change in the morning show was 29 years ago, when Kelly McCoy and I moved to afternoons and brought on John Boy and Billy. We wish the guys a very happy retirement and anticipate a warm Chattanooga welcome for Jeremy. He is obviously very talented and is also a great guy whom we are lucky to have on the K106 team.

Mr. Loper said, Chattanooga is Rock n Roll, and KZ106 is one of the most respected Rock brands in the country. This station has history, attitude, and loyalty  everything that makes great radio matter. Im fired up to wake this city up and be part of something legendary. Lets go!
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wondershare Technology, a leading creativity software company, recently announced the release of Wondershare FamiSafe V9, the latest version of its parental control and digital safety solution. The update introduces expanded social media monitoring across more platforms and enhanced AI-powered content analysis, helping families proactively address emerging online risks in an increasingly connected digital environment.

Wondershare Launches FamiSafe V9 with Expanded Social Media Monitoring Across 30+ Apps and AI-Driven Updates

As digital spaces become more complex, parents face increasing challenges in safeguarding their children's online safety. With the rise of social media platforms and digital risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and scams, Wondershare FamiSafe offers an intuitive, proactive solution. The app keeps parents informed about their children's digital activities, helping ensure a safer and healthier online environment.

Key highlights of Wondershare FamiSafe V9 include:

Expanded Social Media Coverage Across 30+ Apps

FamiSafe V9 supports monitoring across over 30 mainstream social apps, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and WhatsApp. It enables continuous 24/7 monitoring of comprehensive content, interactions, and messages to help identify risks such as cyberbullying, scams, pornography, self-harm, drug use, depression, and violence.

AI-Powered Semantic Analysis Delivers Real-Time Risk Alerts

With advanced AI semantic analysis, FamiSafe V9 detects potential online risks 24/7 and sends instant alerts the moment potential issues arise, giving parents early awareness of unusual behavior and enabling proactive responsesall while maintaining a privacy-conscious approach.

Visual Activity Dashboard for Device Behavior Insights

The updated visual dashboard provides centralized insights into screen time, app usage trends, and overall device behavior. These clear summaries help parents spot overuse, detect unusual patterns from daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or yearly reports, and understand emerging digital habitssupporting healthier, more balanced digital routines.

New UI for an Improved User Experience

FamiSafe is designed with simplicity and clarity in mind, making setup effortless for the entire family. Its clean, color-coded interface delivers meaningful insights at a glance, allowing parents to quickly understand their children's device activity and online habits. FamiSafe helps families cultivate healthier digital routines while maintaining trust and open communication. With intuitive features and real-time updates, parents can confidently support their children's online safety without being overwhelmed by complex settings or technical details.

"With the release of Version 9, FamiSafe is designed to better support today's families as they navigate an increasingly complex digital environment," said Robin, head of product at wondershare. "This update reflects our continued focus on empowering parents, working professionals, and tech-aware users with clearer visibility and greater confidence in managing digital safety over the long term."

In addition to its new capabilities, FamiSafe continues to offer a comprehensive set of parental control features, including screen time management, app usage, calls and messages, real-time location tracking with safe zone alerts, screen viewer, and web content filtering to support everyday digital safety needs.

Compatibility and Pricing

FamiSafe is compatible with major platforms including iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Kindle Fire devices, allowing families to manage digital safety across multiple devices. It is available through a subscription model, with plans starting at US$6.99 per week on the official website. Users can learn more about product features, pricing options, and updates via the official website, as well as through its official social media channels on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X.

About Wondershare

Wondershare is a globally recognized software company founded in 2003, known for its innovative solutions in creativity and productivity. Driven by the mission "Creativity Simplified," Wondershare offers a range of tools, including Filmora and SelfyzAI for video editing; PDFelement for document management; and EdrawMax and EdrawMind for diagramming and visual collaboration. With a presence in more than 200 countries and regions, Wondershare empowers the next generation of creators with intuitive software and trendy creative resources, continually expanding the possibilities of creativity worldwide.

SOURCE Wondershare
The Scott L. Probasco, Jr., Distinguished Chair of Free Enterprise (Probasco Chair) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), will host Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, to headline this years Burkett Miller Distinguished Lecture Series in partnership with the Young America's Foundation.

Forbes will present How Free Enterprise, Not Government, Made America Great on Thursday, February 26,, in Hayes Concert Hall at the UTC Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and the program running from 5 to 6 p.m.

A renowned business leader, author, and global economic voice, Forbes will explore the core tenets of economic freedom through the lens of some of Americas most influential entrepreneurs. Following his presentation, Forbes will participate in a live audience question and answer session moderated by Dr. Claudia Williamson Kramer, UTCs Probasco Distinguished Chair of Free Enterprise.

It is a genuine honor to welcome Steve Forbes to campus for this annual lecture, and I am thrilled for our community to have the opportunity to hear from him firsthand, said Dr. Kramer. I hope people will come ready with their questions and join us for a thoughtful and engaging discussion.

The event is free to attend and open to the general public. Attendees are simply asked to register here.

What: Burkett Miller Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Steve Forbes: How Free Enterprise, Not Government, Made America Great

Date: Thursday, February 26

Time: Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; program from 5 to 6 p.m.

Location: Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center; 752 Vine Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Register: https://tinyurl.com/UTCForbes
Rebecca Styles' family is from Venezuela, and she is an American citizen. She has family still in Venezuela and many who have fled over the years.

She joined Clint Powell and Jeff Styles on During the Break with Clint Powell to give her perspective on things going on in Venezuela.

Click here to listen.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has officially launched the College of Nursing, elevating one of the Universitys longest-standing and most impactful academic programs to college status. The designation took effect Jan. 1.The launch follows approvals by the UT Board of Trustees and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and formalizes the role nursing plays at UTC and across the regions health care workforce. With nearly 1,000 students enrolled across undergraduate and doctoral programs, the College of Nursing becomes UTCs fifth academic college.Elevating the nursing program to a college reflects the impact this program has had - and will continue to have - on our region and our state, UTC Chancellor Lori Bruce said.UTC nurses show up every day in hospitals, clinics and communities across Tennessee, and this designation recognizes the importance of that work.With nearly 1,000 students preparing for nursing careers, becoming a college strengthens our ability to educate, attract and retain the next generation of health care professionals. It sends a clear signal about our commitment to meeting Tennessees most pressing workforce needs.Dr. Chris Smith, who has led the nursing program since 2014, serves as the inaugural dean.The most important thing for us is that people in the general public will understand that UTC has an excellent nursing programand the elevation to a college will give us more visibility, Dr. Smith said. We will continue to have the excellent programming that we have always had, and we will continue to support the excellent faculty that we have always had.UTCs nursing portfolio spans the workforce continuum: the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and accelerated BSN programs; RN-to-BSN (Gateway); the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with nurse practitioner concentrations in adult gerontology acute care, psychiatric mental health and family practice; and the nationally recognized nurse anesthesia program, which transitioned to UTC in 1994 after operating as a certificate program through Erlanger starting in 1972and reports a 100 percent employment rate for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist graduates. Nursing also offers a DNP in Nursing Administration Systems for those seeking leadership roles and a post-masters DNP for advanced practice registered nurses who wish to earn the doctoral degree.The program reports a five-year average National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate of 97 percent, fulfilling the requirement for licensure as a registered nurse, and reports a 100 percent employment rate for its nursing graduates. Over 70 percent of BSN graduates remain in the greater Chattanooga area after licensure, and 83 percent of Family Nurse Practitioner graduates stay in Tennessee.Officials said, "Launched in 1973 and shaped by more than five decades of regional need, UTCs nursing program has grown into a cornerstone of Chattanoogas health care corridor."Dr. Smith said the college designation strengthens employer awareness of UTC nursing graduates across clinical settings where students train alongside peers from institutions nationwide.Administratively, the transition reflects a structure that has long functioned at a college scale. Dr. Brooke Epperson has been named associate dean and undergraduate program director, and Dr. Christi Denton has been named assistant dean for graduate education while continuing as program director for the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program.Existing program coordinators have been retitled as program directors to align with national norms for colleges of nursing.Dr. Smith said additional positions, including future development support aligned with other UTC colleges, will be phased in over time as the College of Nursing continues to grow.The launch also comes as UTC continues construction of the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building at the corner of Palmetto and East 3rd streets. The 90,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to open for classroom instruction in fall 2027, will allow for a 152 percent enrollment increase and expanded simulation, clinical training and interprofessional learning space.The new facility will accommodate more than 400 students daily and feature eight classrooms, five task-training spaces, eight standardized patient-actor exam rooms, a specialized space for labor and delivery experiences and a simulated intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency room. A dedicated hall of patient care roomssimilar to those in acute care facilitieswill feature a simulated nurses station and a medication room.Dr. Smith said the expanded space will allow the College of Nursing to admit more qualified applicants while strengthening hands-on clinical preparation. Beyond infrastructure, the elevation to a college creates capacity for strategic growth.I will rely more on Doctors Epperson and Denton for the day-to-day operation, Dr. Smith said. That will allow me to spend time helping support some of those programs like the MobileMOC.MobileMOC is a mobile health outreach clinic that delivers preventative care and interprofessional training in rural counties across Southeast Tennessee.Dr. Smith said that the College of Nursing is developing an Interprofessional Center of Excellence for Health that would bring together nursing, social work, nutrition, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other partners to support collaborative education, research and community engagement.The purpose of the center is to catalyze collaboration across UTCs academic programs, Dr. Smith said. It is intended to serve as a hub for community-focused collaboration, particularly in areas related to aging populations and integrated health care delivery, while also supporting interprofessional education required by nursing accrediting bodies.Dr. Smith described the college designation as external validation of work that has been underway for decades.The recognition by the Board of Trustees at UT and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission - recognizing the excellence of the program and that it is worthy of being its own college - is icing on the cake, she said. Were going to continue to do what we do.
A woman with a history of setting fires refused to let police and fire personnel into her apartment, which was billowing smoke.Lisa Kay Shirley, 60, of 25 S. Germantown Road, Apt. 142 in Chattanooga, was charged with aggravated arson in the incident that occurred at the apartment complex where she resides.At 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Chattanooga Police responded to a fire at apartment 142 at 25 S. Germantown Road. Police were informed that the occupant of the apartment, Ms. Shirley, had a history of setting fires.Officers detected smoke coming from apartment 142, and was told by fire personnel Ms. Shirley was refusing to allow them entry into her apartment.Fire personnel forcibly entered the apartment and put out the fire. Ms. Shirley was taken into custody by police.When asked why she started the fire, she repeatedly denied that there was any fire in her apartment.After the fire investigator arrived and examined the fire, he advised police to charge Ms. Shirley with aggravated arson.Ms. Shirley was transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Samuel Martins

A drone attack attributed to the Sudanese Armed Forces on Christmas Day left at least 11 Christians dead as they traveled to attend holiday services in Sudans South Kordofan state, local sources reported.

An area Christian lawyer said the victims were among a group walking toward the Episcopal Church of Sudan in the Julud area, also known as Biyam Jald, when the strike occurred. At least 18 others were seriously injured in the attack, which took place on Christmas morning.

The church [building] was not hit, but a congregation who were marching in procession towards the church were targeted, the attorney told Morning Star News, requesting anonymity.

The Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North, along with the Foundation Alliance, reported that the strike killed 12 civilians and wounded 19 others in the SPLM-Northcontrolled area, according to the Sudan Tribune.

The drone targeted civilians who were celebrating Christmas, the SPLM said in a statement.

The Christmas Day strike followed a series of similar incidents in South Kordofan. On Nov. 29, an SAF drone reportedly hit a medical clinic in the Kumi area, killing 12 people and injuring 19 more, including women and children. Days later, on Dec. 5, another drone strike struck Ghadeer locality in Kalogi, killing more than 10 children between the ages of 5 and 7 inside a kindergarten, according to UNICEF.

Violence has escalated across Sudan since civil war erupted in April 2023 between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. According to the Open Doors 2025 World Watch List, attacks on Christians  including killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of homes, churches, and businesses  have increased amid the chaos.

Christians of all backgrounds are trapped in the chaos, unable to flee. Churches are shelled, looted and occupied by the warring parties, the report stated.

Both sides in the conflict have been accused of targeting displaced Christians, often alleging that they support rival factions. Sudans population is overwhelmingly Muslim, with Christians making up roughly 2.3%, according to Joshua Project.

The ongoing war, which began after a breakdown in power-sharing following a 2021 military coup, has devastated civilian life nationwide. Tens of thousands have been killed and more than 12 million people displaced within and beyond Sudans borders, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

In Open Doors latest rankings, Sudan placed fifth among the worlds most dangerous countries for Christians, reflecting the worsening security and humanitarian situation facing religious minorities amid the conflict.
Home News 7 notable US-backed regime changes since WWII

The United States military carried out Trump administration orders to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to face criminal charges for weapons offenses and narcotrafficking.

Maduro, leader of the criminal drug-trafficking organization Cartel of the Suns, had long been accused of running a narco-terrorism operation in coordination with FARC and other armed groups, and of violently repressing dissent in Venezuela, according to the U.S. State Department.

The operation has garnered divisive reactions, with some celebrating Maduros removal from power while others believe it was a dangerous overreach of power by the Trump administration.

For much of its history, the U.S. has engaged in various efforts to influence or change the regimes of other nations, either through invasion, multinational intervention or covert backing of factions.

In many, if not most, of these efforts, the U.S. has received support and backing from people within the country itself or from exiles who fled persecution at the hands of the ruling government.

Here are seven notable instances in which the U.S. has backed regime change in other countries since the end of World War II.
Home News 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams announces plan to convert to Christianity before he dies Famous author of 'Reframe Your Brain' expects to reach Heaven if he lives 'a good life' amid prostate cancer battle

Scott Adams, the creator of the nationally syndicated "Dilbert" comic strip, says he hopes that living a "good life" will lead him to Heaven as he announced plans to convert to Christianity in the face of terminal prostate cancer.

In a Jan. 4 episode of his podcast "Real Coffee with Scott Adams," the 68-year-old cartoonist revealed his intention to embrace the faith, saying his view of Christianity means that he would wake up in Heaven if I have a good life.

"I do believe that the dominant Christian theory is that I would wake up in Heaven if I have a good life," said Adams, who disclosed his metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025 and described his recovery chances as "essentially zero.

While Adams has long identified as a non-believer, he has voiced respect for Christians urging his conversion. "I have not been a believer," he said. "But I also have respect for any Christian who goes out of their way to try to convert me, because how would I believe you wouldnt believe your own religion if youre not trying to convert me?"

He added that "out of great respect" for those efforts, he is committed to converting before his passing and expects to have his lingering skepticism "instantly answered if I wake up in Heaven."

Likening his decision to a low-risk wager, Adams said, "Im now convinced that the risk-reward is completely smart. If it turns out that theres nothing there, Ive lost nothing, but Ive respected your wishes, and I like doing that, he explained. If it turns out there is something there, and the Christian model is the closest to it, I win."

Following the podcast, Adams posted on X to thank supporters but set boundaries on further discussion. "I appreciate the outpouring of suggestions and questions, but what happens next is between me and Jesus," he wrote Sunday. "I wont be responding to your well-intentioned messages on this topic. (There are a lot!) I hope you understand. And thank you."

Adams' health struggles have drawn public attention, including intervention from President Donald Trump. In November, Adams used his platform to appeal to Trump for help expediting treatment with the FDA-approved drug Pluvicto after his provider, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, allegedly "dropped the ball" in scheduling it.

Trump responded promptly: "On it." Kaiser Permanente stated that Adams' oncology team was "working closely with him on the next steps in his cancer care, which are already underway," and noted it had treated over 150 patients with the drug in the region.

The cartoonist's condition worsened in December, leading to hospitalization for constipation and lower-body paralysis. "Im still in Kaiser hospital. Day 2. Havent pooped in 4-5 days and lost all ability to control my lower body since yesterday," Adams posted Dec. 12. "I dont know if this is permanent or if it is growing 

As his condition deteriorated, he livestreamed his podcast from his hospital bed for about a week before transitioning back to home broadcasts starting Dec. 21.

While Adams' comments about living a good life in order to receive eternal life may be antithetical to the Gospel, such sentiments align with new research showing that most self-identified Christians think doing good things for others is enough to secure them a spot in Heaven, in what one leading researcher lamented as the latest example of a widespread embrace of unbiblical beliefs among American Christians.

While best known for the long-running Dilbert cartoon, Adams office-humor comic strip was dropped by The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and other outlets in February 2023 after he was accused of making racist comments in response to a Rasmussen poll that asked Americans for their response to the statement, "It's OK to be white" which had shocking results.

As a lightening-rod quip to the poll question, which he found ridiculous, Adams advised viewers of his early morning podcast to "get the hell away from black people and urged them to move to areas with "a very low black population."

The Rasmussen poll, which found that only 53% of black Americans agreed it was OK to be white, garnered international attention because of Adams' response.

"If nearly half of all blacks are not OK with white people ... that's a hate group," Adams said.
Ocean Eight

271 Tucks Rd, Shoreham. Open 12-5pm Friday and Sunday; 12-3pm Sundays; public holidays.

Ocean Eight was fathered by winemaker Mike Aylward, with Luke O'Connor as Head Viticulturist. 'Young Gun of Wine' Mike cut his winemaking teeth at his then family-owned Kooyong Estate and was mentored by Melbourne sommelier Grant van Every. His first solo release was a pinot gris immediately recognised as one of the best in Australia.

More than 21 years on, Ocean Eight has become one of the Mornington Peninsula's most respected wineries. Its cool-climate vineyards capture both volcanic soils and ocean breezes to produce wines of balance, depth and site expression.

Ocean Eight is worth a visit just to drive down the enchanting entrance framed by towering trees. The small, warehouse-style cellar door keeps the experience focused on the wine: ideal for visitors who prefer quiet tastings over crowds.

Avani

98 Stanleys Road, Red Hill South. Open 10am-5pm Thursday to Monday.

Avani, meaning 'mother earth' in Sanskrit, specialises in natural, minimal-intervention wines made without additives. If you enjoy biodynamic wines or small-scale artisanal producers, Avani is one of the Peninsula's most fascinating stops.

Established in 1998, Avani is run by Shashi Singh (who has a Masters in chemistry as well as a double-degree in viticulture and oenology) and now her son Rohit. The vineyard is biodynamically farmed and chemical and pesticide-free, specialising in premium cool-climate wines with minimal intervention.

The mud-brick cellar door and restaurant is rustic and peaceful, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the rolling vineyards. It's run by Shashi's daughter Retu, with an Indian-inspired menu created by Chef Deepak Mishra (ex-Executive Chef of The Hotel Windsor, The Langham, Fairmont Raffles). Seated wine tastings include five current-release wines, including the premium syrah, presented by expert vignerons. The cellar door is small, hosting a maximum of eight people at a time.

Elan Vineyard

17 Turners Rd, Balnarring. Open 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday (or by appointment).

Elan Vineyard in Balnarring is one of the Peninsula's quiet achievers: warm, family-operated, and known for well-made wines that reflect the land.

This small 2.5ha vineyard was planted in the early 1980s on a sloping Balnarring hillside. Elan's estate-grown wines are hand-crafted from grape varieties both classic and unusual. Dappled sunlight, limited interference and wild yeast combine to produce high grape quality.

For travellers who value old-fashioned hospitality and affordable boutique wines, Elan is a rewarding stop. Pop to the cellar door for a tasting, then sit and sip in the rotunda overlooking the vineyard while your kids run wild in the playground. Barbecue and picnic facilities are also available.

Phaedrus Estate

220 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Moorooduc. Open 11am-5pm daily.

Established by Ewan Campbell and Maitena Zantvoort in 1998, Phaedrus Estate is a friendly, unpretentious cellar door that focuses on expressive wines made from estate-grown fruit.

Phaedrus Estate's range now includes pinot noir, pinot gris, shiraz, rose, chardonnay, sparkling, fiano and fume blanc.

Tastings often include experimental batches alongside their classic range, making it perfect for curious drinkers. Expect knowledgeable conversation and a relaxed tasting area ideal for unrushed visits. Wash it all down with a cheese platter.
Home News Grok chatbot can undress women 'without their consent,' anti-exploitation group warns

Anti-sexual exploitation advocates are warning that Grok, a chatbot developed by Elon Musks company xAI, has the ability to generate nude or obscene images if users ask it to digitally alter pictures of real people.

In a statement provided to The Christian Post, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation accused the platform of rendering women and minors vulnerable to harm by failing to implement proper safeguards.

New year, same Big Tech playbook. X is further normalizing the sexual exploitation of women with Groks new feature allowing pictures of real women to be undressed without their consent. This is an egregious violation of womens privacy and safety, Dani Pinter, chief legal officer and director of the law center for NCOSE, said in the Friday statement.

X did not respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. However, this article will be updated if we receive a response.

Julie Yukari, a 31-year-old musician based in Rio de Janeiro, told Reuters she didnt think Grok would comply with users requests to alter a photo of her wearing a red dress to make her appear nearly naked.

Yukari had posted a picture on X that her fiance had taken of her before midnight on New Years Eve. After sharing the photo, the musician received notifications that users were asking Grok to digitally undress her and show her wearing a bikini instead.

Grok complied with users requests to create photos depicting the musician half-naked, and the images were subsequently circulated across X, Reuters reported.

In a post on X last Friday, Grok stated that it has identified lapses in safeguards and is urgently fixing them, adding that child sex abuse material is illegal and prohibited. The chatbot also asked users to report such content to the FBI or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrens CyberTipline.

While the chatbot claimed that xAI is committed to preventing such issues, Pinter described Groks apology as an abysmal reaction to a serious, criminal act.

Arguing that the issue was an entirely predictable and avoidable atrocity, Pinter pointed to an article in Business Insider about several of Groks features, including a female avatar that can remove her clothing upon request, and an image and video generation feature with a spicy setting.

Twelve former xAI workers also told the outlet that they have encountered sexually explicit material, including user requests for child sex abuse material.

Workers said that they are instructed to flag child sex abuse material or other illegal content to prevent the AI from learning how to generate it, according to Business Insider. Multiple workers, including the 12 cited in the report, said that they signed agreements consenting to the exposure of explicit material during certain projects.

In the statement provided to CP, Pinter argued that X should have culled such content from its training models then and banned users requesting illegal content, adding that the platform instead knowingly let its product be used for child exploitation and then submitted a lame PR apology afterwards.

Earlier this year, NCOSE raised concerns about an anime-themed xAI chatbot named Ani that could flirt with and strip for users. The AI chatbot also described herself as a child and could tell users that she felt sexually aroused by being choked.

Xs actions are another example of why we need safeguards for AI products. Big Tech cannot be trusted to curb serious child exploitation issues it knows about within its own products, Pinter added. We implore X to take these issues seriously and commit actual resources to stop Groks child exploitation problems, and to stop enabling the sexual exploitation of women.

Our countrys leaders and laws must prioritize protecting people over products. Our lawmakers must pass reasonable AI regulations to ensure these products are developed and implemented safely, she added.
Home News Judge backs Christian dad seeking to opt kid out of LGBT kindergarten lessons

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a Christian father seeking to have his kindergarten-aged child excused from classroom lessons teaching LGBT ideology, as litigation continues.

In a Dec. 30 opinion authored by Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, the United States Court for the District of Massachusetts sided with the father, identified as Alan L., in his litigation against Lexington Public Schools over its inclusion of LGBT-related material in the kindergarten curriculum.

The plaintiff, a father of a kindergarten student, alleges that the school district violated his sincere and deeply held religious beliefs as a committed, practicing Christian by exposing his child to content that directly contradicts those beliefs.

After the concerned father discovered that Lexington Public Schools was introducing curriculum materials addressing topics related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and family structures that conflicted with [his] religious beliefs, he repeatedly requested that his child be opted out. He further told the school he wanted to opt his child out of any curriculum related to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as health class and lessons, events, school assemblies or other instructional activities and programs which cover issues of sexual orientation or gender identity.

All of his requests were denied.

According to the ruling, the child was exposed to numerous materials that the Christian father opposed his child being exposed to, including a read-aloud video of a book titled Families, Families, Families! and the book All Are Welcome, which are designed to normalize same-sex families.

The opinion also noted that the parent had expressed concerns about eight other books in the curriculum containing similar content, warning that they would lead to irreparable harm to his rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Saylor, who was appointed to the bench by former President George W. Bush, granted the plaintiffs request for a preliminary injunction. The 2025 U.S. Supreme Court decisionMahmoud v. Taylor, which ruled that parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, had a right to excuse their children from curriculum that contradicted their deeply held beliefs, loomed large in the judge's ruling.

This case is controlled, almost in its entirety, by the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court in Mahmoud v. Taylor, Saylor wrote in his opinion. Parents must be permitted to opt their children out from lessons that would substantially interfere with the religious development of the child or pose a very real threat of undermining the religious beliefs and practices the parent wishes to instill in the child.

Saylor determined that the plaintiff will likely suffer irreparable harm in the absence of a preliminary injunction, which he granted in last weeks opinion.

Under well-established constitutional principles, defendants cannot force plaintiff to choose between foregoing the valuable benefit of having his child attend public kindergarten and exposing his child to materials that would burden his free exercise of religion, he added.

Saylors ruling will remain in effect as litigation continues.

Liberty Counsel, a law firm focused on religious liberty cases, reacted favorably to the development.

This ruling reinforces that parents have the right to direct the religious upbringing of their children, said Liberty Counsel founder and Chairman Mat Staver in a statement provided to The Christian Post on Monday.

Forcing children to be exposed to offensive instruction that is antithetical and hostile to their parents religious beliefs is unconstitutional. Parents have the First Amendment right to direct the education and provide for the welfare of their children free from government coercion that conflicts with their faith, Staver added.
Home News Louie Giglio calls Passion 2026 students to lifelong devotion: Theres only one fame that wont fade

In the final message of Passion 2026, Passion City Church Pastor Louie Giglio told over 45,000 college students and young adults that the conferences purpose has never been about gathering crowds, but about sending people out for the glory of God, including those who feel too wounded or anxious to believe they can be used.

[Passion] is all about Isaiah 26:8, Giglio told those gathered at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 3. This has been our theme for 29 years: "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

Renown is a powerful word. It's fame that will never fade, the 67-year-old Atlanta-based pastor continued. The world's full of fame. In fact, because of sin, every one of us wants to get our own kind of fame. But all that fame, all of it. Think of the biggest fame you can think of on this Earth; it is all going to fade. There's only one fame that won't fade, and that's the fame of Jesus. The glory of Jesus will not fade.

Giglio, who founded the Passion Conferences in 1997 alongside his wife, Shelley, said Passion exists to call students to a different kind of ambition, not self-promotion, but devotion.

The reason Passion exists is to help us trade little fame for the fame that never ends, he said. That's the gift of God to you and me. I want to help you trade little fame for the fame that never ends, so that when your life is over on this Earth, your life can live on forever, because your life was a part of His renown.

He described the vision of the Passion movement as simply a launching point meant to become a lifetime mission.

We talk about it like this: our goal, believe it or not, is not to get tens of thousands of people into stadiums. Our goal is to launch tens of thousands of people out of stadiums for the glory of God, he said. And so, for us, it looks like arrows being launched into every sphere, every nation, every sector.

If finance is your thing, praise God, he added. We want to launch you like an arrow for the glory of God into whatever segment of finance God puts you in, arrows flung for the glory of God.

But what is also true is that not all the arrows are ready to go. Some, actually, probably a lot of the arrows, are broken, Giglio said. Some of them, when the archer pulls them out of the quiver, they're smashed.

We live in a world where we're always putting our best foot forward, he said. Pull me out of the quiver, and it looks like stickers on a laptop. I don't know why we put stickers on our laptop, but I wonder if sometimes it's to distract people from the fact that there really is a pretty significant crack there, and maybe they'll just see the tape and not notice that, if I'm honest, I'm a broken arrow.

Giglio referenced testimonies shared during the conference, stories of people who once sat in the same seats carrying trauma and fear. That reality, he said, led him to Luke 8, the account of Jesus encountering a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes.

I'm not saying every broken arrow is demon possessed, but [] demons are real, Giglio emphasized. He added that in recent months, it feels like in my feed I've seen more demons on social media than I've seen in a long time.

I don't believe every issue is a demon, he stressed, but I know that when Jesus arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town.

This, by the way, is where the enemy wants to lead you, Giglio said. He wants to lead you to a solitary place, to a place where you feel isolated, where you feel like nobody else understands. Nobody else gets me, nobody else is going through what I'm going through.

But Giglio pointed to what happened next: Jesus did not simply restore the demon-possessed man; Jesus sent him.

You could insert here, Jesus launched him like an arrow, Giglio said. And He said, return home.

Similarly, Giglio said God put a vision of a stadium filled with broken arrows on his heart.

There was a whole stadium filled with broken arrows, he said. Some were broken because of the choices they had made. Some were broken because pain had sent them to dark places. Some were broken because they had been abandoned. [] Some were broken because of abuse. Some were broken because of a syndrome, a condition, a diagnosis, a disorder. Some were cracked because they were overlooked. [] Some were broken by fear and anxiety and depression and dread. Some were broken by the lies of the enemy: you're unwanted, you're insignificant, unlovable, defective, but all were broken.

Maybe for you, the graveyard is disappointment, or the tomb is abandonment. The tomb is abuse, he said.

Giglio shared a personal account of his own experience with debilitating depression and anxiety, revealing there was a time when he believed he was dying, and when doctors tried to convince him otherwise.

I was diagnosed with something called the fear of death syndrome, he said. I thought I was going crazy, and I thought that I was dying. I had to go to somewhere near 20 different doctors to tell me I wasn't dying before I began to believe I wasn't dying. I was losing my mind.

Even so, Giglio said the story of Jesus is about both past and future and that a persons future does not have to be chained to what they have survived.

But what I want to say to you is this story is about two things. [] It's about the past, and it's about the future, he said. And I would love to proclaim today that the God, who is in Globe Life Field, is a God who can deliver us from the past and who can lead us into His future for our life. Your destiny is not your past. Your destiny is a future with God.

So here's the question: What can make the broken arrows soar again? Better question, who can make the broken arrow soar again, and how? he asked. And the answer is as big as we could get it tonight, the answer is the cross of Jesus Christ.

He connected the cross to Isaiah 61, describing Jesus mission as one aimed at the wounded. Giglio also quoted from Matthew 27, describing the darkness at the crucifixion and the tearing of the temple curtain.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, Giglio said. Jesus didn't come for great arrows. Jesus came for cracked arrows.

When Jesus died, it wasn't just that we got access to God, but we did get access to a holy God through the death of Jesus Christ, he said. But when Jesus died, we not only got access to God. We got a way out of our tombs.

He emphasized that true healing begins not by fixating on personal wounds but by focusing on Christs.

We don't get healed by looking deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper into our wounds, he said. We get healed by looking more and more and more and more into the wounds of our Savior, Jesus Christ, because by His wounds, we are healed.

I totally respect science. I totally respect medicine. I am grateful for doctors. I'm also grateful for prayer, he said. I'm grateful for Jesus community that rallied around me.

Still, he said the cross speaks to those who feel defined by pain and to those who wonder if Gods love can be trusted in suffering.

The enemys primary way of communicating to you that God doesn't love you is in your pain, he said. It's like, where's God? Where's this good God, where's this loving God, where's wonderful God?

This cross is saying to you, God has the power to change your life right here and right now, he said. God's going to use you. I want you just to say that, even if you can't say it out loud, I want you to say it in your mind right now: God's going to use me.

Giglio acknowledged that healing may look different for different people, instantaneous, gradual or ultimately fulfilled in Heaven, but assured audiences that brokenness doesn't disqualify anyone from Gods plans.

I'd like to offer to you tonight that if you identify in any way with one of these, you can soar again, he said. It may be instant healing right now. [] It may be progressive healing. [] It may be final healing in Heaven, but you can soar again.

Archery is not about the arrows. Archery is about the archer, he said. And here's what He's saying to you, I got you. I got all of you. I got all of you.

I'd like to invite you just to stand into this prayer, Giglio concluded. Just so that you can say to yourself today and proclaim, into the spiritual world, I'm stronger than the devil wants me to believe I am.

This years Passion Conference was held Jan. 1-3 and featured speakers, including Cliffe Knechtle, Jackie Hill Perry, Earl McClellan, Jonathan Pokluda and Sadie Robertson Huff, along with music from Brooke Ligertwood and others.

Following the conference, Giglio wrote on Instagram: We prayed for Jesus to meet us here on this field during these days, and He did. We are so grateful for what He did in the lives of thousands of students at Passion 2026. This generation has a fire on the inside that wont burn out as they go back to their campus, work, families, and to the ends of the earth. We are arrows being sent out by the power of God for the glory of God. Thank you, Jesus.
Home News Commentator Mike Cernovich claims God used ayahuasca trips to reveal his 'folly and delusion'

Right-leaning political commentator Mike Cernovich claimed during a Monday interview on "The Tucker Carlson Show" that he believes God used his trips on the potent hallucinogen ayahuasca to reveal to him his pride and the reality of the spiritual realm.

"For Christians, ayahuasca is strictly forbidden," said Cernovich, who claims to believe in Jesus Christ.

"So I don't want to seem like I'm glamorizing it in any way, shape or form. But I have gone on multiple ayahuasca journeys over the years, and, for me, it's completely transformed my heart. It's transformed how I see my children, the way I interact with the world. It got me interested in Christianity again."

Ayahuasca is a tea brewed using a South American plant of the same name that contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which is a strong psychedelic and Schedule I controlled substance in the U.S., though some religious organizations have secured exemptions to use it as a sacrament in their ceremonies. It remains fully legal in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia, where indigenous populations have used it religiously for centuries.

Claiming "God can meet you wherever you are," Cernovich  who has written about his experience on his blog  said when he first partook of ayahuasca in South America, he was an atheist, but quickly changed his mind as he was "catapulted" into the spiritual realm. While there, he said he was given private revelations regarding his own life and behavior that reoriented his view of the cosmos and his relationships.

He said he believed he had died and left his family behind, but that his only concern was whether he had left them enough money, which a voice reportedly told him was a "foolish" way to think.

"I was just left with this sense of, 'I'm a fool, and I live my life foolishly, and I can't believe that I was such a fool. I'm dead now, and it's too late.'"

Another revelation he said he received was seeing an image of his childhood home, which he hated. He said a voice told him that, despite his childhood unhappiness and his parents' financial struggles, they nevertheless loved him and did their best.

He said he came to understand that his worries about money stemmed from the trauma of growing up poor, but that the love of one's family and the love of God are significantly more important than money.

Cernovich also claimed demons appeared to him during his trip, who showed him grotesque, horrifying images and taunted him for "running from himself," which revealed to him how little power he had.

"In the spirit realm, you're nothing. You are nothing, and you're so arrogant," he said he was told.

He later learned about the identities of some of the demonic "entities" he encountered, such as the image of a woman's face in a mountain was Pachamama, an entity worshiped by indigenous Andean cultures as an omnipresent deity.

Cernovich acknowledged he at first did ayahuasca "for the ride," which he said was "the wrong reason," but noted it still helped him and could potentially help others who have unresolved trauma, such as veterans. He said he has taken it "nine or 10 times."

Cernovich said he believes he was "pushed" to take ayahuasca "because I was living in such a state of folly and delusion."

"In my belief, I think God pushed me there. I think it was God, and He showed me, 'This is the only way that I can show you that you are just not who you think. You are just a delusional fool, and this is the only way that we're going to get through to you.'"

Carlson, who has been open about how he had a negative experience when he experimented with hallucinogenic mushrooms as a young teenager, expressed a cautious attitude toward such substances, noting how he has known people whose minds and lives have been destroyed by them.

He also floated the spiritual danger of potential demonic possession while under the influence.

"My concern is if the demons are real, aren't you afraid they'll enter you?" Carlson asked.

Cernovich acknowledged such a fear remains debated, noting that some Christians consider consuming ayahuasca to be an example of "pharmakeia," a Greek word used in Galatians 5:20 that is often translated as "sorcery" and negatively refers to using drugs for occult purposes.

"My position is, I always warn people away from it, because it's a monumental undertaking. It's not just like [taking shrooms and hiking]. It's not in the same world. A lot can go wrong, and it can disrupt a person's life," he said.
Home News Pastor assassinated during New Years Eve celebrations in Colombia At least 10 other Colombian pastors killed in last year

Quick Summary AI Summary Pastor Jose Otoniel Ortega was assassinated during New Years Eve celebrations in northern Colombia.

At least 10 other pastors have been killed in the country within the past year.

Authorities have launched an investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

A 54-year-old Protestant pastor was shot and killed by armed men on New Years Eve in northern Colombia as he gathered with his family. The killing took place in the Santa Elena neighborhood of Fundacion Municipality in the Magdalena Department.

Police said the pastor, Jose Otoniel Ortega, was shot around midnight on Dec. 31 while celebrating the start of the year with relatives, according to the United Kingdom-based advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which said he was taken to a nearby medical clinic and died from his injuries shortly after.

Authorities in Magdalena had launched a coordinated investigation with the Attorney Generals Office to identify and arrest those responsible. They urged residents to share any relevant information by calling local emergency lines.

The incident sparked outrage among religious leaders across Colombia, with national Evangelical networks issuing statements condemning the killing of Ortega, who was affiliated with the Foursquare Gospel Church and served as a religious leader in Fundacion.

Earlier reports had misidentified his denomination as the Pentecostal Church.

CSW called Ortegas death a premeditated, targeted assassination, pointing to the timing and nature of the attack.

"CSW extends our deepest condolences to the family and church community of Pastor Jose Otoniel Ortega for this loss," CSWs Advocacy Director Anna Lee Stangl said in a statement. "The nature of the attack on Mr. Otoniel Ortega, whilst he was celebrating New Years Eve with his family, makes it clear that this was a premeditated, targeted assassination."

Ortegas denomination described him as a dedicated pastor committed to service.

The Colombian Council of Evangelical Churches released a statement saying the killing had affected not just Ortegas congregation, but the larger Christian community in the country. The group called for justice and an end to violence against religious leaders.

The Ministry of the Interior urged local civil and police authorities to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. It also reminded the public of the constitutional rights tied to religious freedom, including the right to life and safety for faith leaders and their communities.

Ortegas killing is the latest in a series of attacks against religious leaders in the country, according to CSW.

At least 10 Protestant leaders were killed and one Catholic priest was kidnapped in Colombia between December 2024 and November 2025, including another pastor in Magdalena in January 2025.

The group said religious leaders in conflict zones are often targeted by criminal groups involved in Colombias long-running internal armed conflict, where illegal armed actors seek to maintain territorial control and suppress dissent.

Church representatives and advocacy groups have also raised concerns about recent changes to the countrys protection framework. CSW said recent government reforms altered Decree 1066, removing a specific protection protocol that had recognized religious leaders as a distinct vulnerable group and provided tailored security measures under Colombias National Protection System.

The groups have called on international actors to track attacks on faith-based leaders and support accountability efforts.

Final services for Ortega were expected to take place at his church in Fundacion. The police investigation remains ongoing.
Home News Woman charged with burying 'developed male infant' after taking abortion pill, police say

A Kentucky woman has been charged with using abortion drugs to cause the death of a developed male infant and burying the child in a shallow grave, where the police reportedly found the remains wrapped in a white rag.

The Kentucky State Police announced the arrest of Melinda Spencer, 35, on Dec. 31, who now faces first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence charges.

Detectives and state troopers arrived at the United Clinic in Campton after the facility contacted the police around 2:30 p.m. to report that a woman had informed the staff that she had aborted her unborn child at her residence on Flat Mary Road.

When the authorities arrived at the clinic, Spencer reportedly admitted during an interview with detectives that she ordered abortion drugs online to end her childs life before burying the remains on the backside of her property.

Authorities later discovered the remains near the 3700 block of Flat Mary Road, just as Spencer had described.

Spencer allegedly buried the remains on Dec. 28. According to court documents cited by Fox 56, authorities obtained a search warrant before uncovering a white grocery sack in the grave that Spencer described.

The childs remains were contained within a white rag inside a light bulb box covered in Christmas wrapping paper, according to an arrest citation cited by Fox 56. During an interview with investigators, Spencer reportedly said that she had an abortion because she didnt want her significant other to know that he was not the father of her child.

The case has drawn the attention of national pro-life leaders, who continue to speak out against the federal government's loosening of abortion pill distribution regulations under the Biden administration. In recent months, lawmakers and activists have pressured the Food and Drug Administration under the Trump administration to end the Biden-era policy of allowing abortion pills to be obtained through the mail.

The Biden administrations COVID-era rule allowing mail-order abortion drugs undermines protective laws in even the most pro-life states, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement to The Christian Post about the case.

Years later, it is killing even more Americans than cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl and it needs to end promptly, the pro-life leader added. While the details of this developing story are not all clear, its clear that what the abortion industry doesnt tell women about these dangerous drugs is harming them and their babies.

A cursory web form is totally inadequate for confirming gestational age, the potential for serious health complications, or even the true identity of whos behind the order screen, she continued. The result: yet another tragic death of a little boy, in a state with laws specifically designed to protect babies in the womb. Unborn children and their mothers deserve better.

Kentucky has a near-total ban on abortion, which went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The law does not apply in the case of a miscarriage, nor does it prohibit physicians from providing medical care to a woman in this case.

Earlier this year, another woman in Kentucky was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

Laken Snelling, a University of Kentucky athlete, was arrested after authorities found her dead child hidden in a closet, wrapped in a towel, and concealed inside a black trash bag, according to the Lexington Police Department.

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, around 10:30 a.m., officers were dispatched for an unresponsive infant at a residence in the 400 block of Park Avenue. When officers arrived, they located an infant who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Snelling reportedly admitted she had given birth and attempted to clean up the evidence, according to an arrest citation cited by WLEX.
Home News Wyoming Supreme Court strikes down abortion bans, rules women have right to make 'own health care decisions'

Wyomings highest court has struck two state abortion bans, affirming a lower court decision.

In a 4-1 decision released Tuesday in the case of State v. Johnson, the Wyoming Supreme Court struck down the 2023 law known as the Life is a Human Right Act, as well as another law banning abortion drugs in most circumstances.

Chief Justice Lynne J. Boomgaarden authored the majority opinion, upholding a lower court ruling that concluded that the laws violated Article 1,  38 of the Wyoming Constitution, which guarantees people the right to make his or her own health care decisions.

Although we recognize the States interest in protecting the life that an abortion would end, we conclude the State did not meet its burden of justifying the abortion statutes restrictions on a womans right to make her own health care decisions, wrote Boomgaarden.

Certainly, the legislature enacts laws that regulate medical care in the state, but when such a law restricts an individuals constitutional right to make a health care decision, this Court must interpret the constitution and determine whether the restriction is permissible.

Justice John G. Fenn authored a concurring opinion, writing that while he agreed with the majority that the decision to terminate or continue a pregnancy is a womans own health care decision, he disagreed with the idea that strict scrutiny applies to the right recognized in Article 1,  38 of the Wyoming Constitution.

I would find Article 1,  38 allows the legislature to enact reasonable and necessary restrictions that do not unduly infringe on the right to make ones own health care decisions, he added.

Because the State failed to meet its burden of proving the Abortion Statutes meet this standard, I would find the statutes are unconstitutional and affirm the district courts decision.

Justice Kari Jo Gray authored a dissenting opinion, writing that the abortion laws constitute a reasonable and necessary restriction by the legislature on the right of a pregnant woman to make her own health care decisions for the purpose of preserving prenatal life at all stages of development.

When a fetus is entitled to legal protection is quintessentially a policy judgment about the relative weight of competing interests. In our constitutional system, such judgments belong in the first instance to the peoples elected representatives, who must answer to the people at the ballot box, Gray wrote.

The Wyoming Legislature decided prenatal life is entitled to protection from conception, and we are not at liberty to second-guess the wisdom or soundness of that policy judgment.

Julie Burkhart, president of Wyomings only abortion clinic, Wellspring Health Access of Casper, released a statement celebrating the state supreme court ruling.

This ruling is a victory for the fundamental right of people across Wyoming to make decisions about their own lives and health, stated Burkhart, as quoted by WyoFile.

Our clinic will remain open and ready to provide compassionate reproductive health care, including abortion, and our patients in Wyoming will be able to obtain this care without having to travel out of state.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, denounced the ruling, and called on the Wyoming Legislature to begin the process of creating a state constitutional amendment that would allow for such abortion bans to be passed.

It is time for this issue to go before the people for a vote, and I believe it should go before them this fall. A constitutional amendment taken to the people of Wyoming would trump any and all judicial decisions, Gordon stated, as quoted by WyoFile.
Home Opinion From an ex-lesbian: Why Biola University's Side B culture needs to change

The recent closure of The Dwelling at Biola University  a support group for students identifying as LGBT or experiencing same-sex attraction  marks the end of a chapter in a difficult struggle to reconcile biblical orthodoxy with contemporary campus culture.

As someone who walked away from a lesbian identity after encountering the full Gospel, I am sympathetic to the administration's challenges and deeply concerned about the implications of its approach. President Barry Corey deserves credit for seeking to provide a safe environment for struggling students. His vision of "grace and truth" resonated with many: upholding biblical sexual ethics while treating LGBT students with compassion and dignity. The problem, however, wasn't the vision  it was the execution.



Over more than a decade, Biola cultivated what has become known as a "Side B" campus culture. This approach, championed by figures like Wesley Hill and Preston Sprinkle, affirms fixed sexual orientation while maintaining that same-sex behavior is sinful. Students were encouraged to identify as "gay Christians" committed to celibacy  a position that sounds compassionate but carries profound theological and pastoral implications. The Side B model differs fundamentally from what I experienced in my own journey. Jesus didn't invite me to manage my lesbian identity through celibacy. He called me to repentance and transformative surrender. The difference is not semantic  it's the difference between a relativistic compromise and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The university has consistently prioritized institutional positioning over theological clarity. By refusing to clarify terms like "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" that conflict with biblical anthropology, by admitting students who held gay-affirming views, and by platforming Side B voices while marginalizing those who testify to genuine transformation, Biola created a culture where students couldn't discern what the institution actually believed. The result? Read the Instagram comments on recent Chimes articles about The Dwelling's closure. Current students and alumni express profound confusion. Some believed Biola was becoming more affirming. Others felt betrayed by messaging about "love and acceptance" that seemed at odds with the school's statement of faith. This wasn't an accident  it was the inevitable fruit of trying to accommodate multiple contradictory positions under one roof.

These young people are earnestly seeking to honor Christ while navigating profound struggles. They deserve compassion and genuine pastoral care. The confusion they feel is understandable  they were doing their best within the framework they were given. The failure was institutional: a failure to provide clear, biblical discipleship from the beginning.

Here's what I learned through my own journey: it is demeaning (even dehumanizing) to be excluded from the Gospel's call to repentance and sanctification simply because of LGBT identity. Love means having the courage to call sin what it is and proclaim the possibility of real change rather than settling for managed sexuality. Today, I don't have a "mixed orientation marriage." I fought for my identity as a woman so I could stand among other women with no difference, no exceptional sexual "identity." Most precious to me, I am a child of God  a new creation in Christ. But I might have missed this joy if well-meaning Christians had offered me only a Side B compromise.

Biola faces a crucial decision that extends beyond campus policies. The question at hand isn't whether to be kind to struggling students  of course, they should be. The question is whether the American Psychological Association's framework or biblical counsel will define what love looks like. The university's Rosemead School of Psychology holds APA accreditation, which requires accepting sexual orientation as fixed and innate. This creates an inherent tension with a biblical worldview that proclaims all things are made new in Christ. Perhaps preserving that accreditation while maintaining theological integrity is impossible. If so, Christian educators must decide what they value most.



We are in the midst of an exciting modern-day Reformation. America's Christian educators have a unique opportunity to lead courageously toward biblical orthodoxy  not with harshness, but with genuine compassion that refuses to withhold truth. Those of us who have left LGBT culture, with the support of believers who stood by us, are eager to forge this new path.

President Corey is right that our cultural moment demands a new approach. But that approach cannot be a middle way that leaves students confused. It must be the ancient path  calling people to die to self and rise with Christ, trusting that He is powerful to save completely. The closure of The Dwelling presents an opportunity. Will the "new model" Biola promises offer genuine biblical discipleship? Or will it be another attempt to balance incompatible positions? Students deserve to know that transformation is possible, that sexual orientation is not fixed, and that the Gospel offers something far greater than managed sin.

To the students who participated in The Dwelling: those of us who have walked this path understand your confusion and pain. You were not wrong to seek community and support. But I pray you will not settle for less than what Jesus offers  not celibacy as the endgame, but complete transformation and the freedom to embrace your identity as a new creation. You deserve mentors who will walk with you toward that fullness, not just help you manage your desires.

I'm grateful for the shocking encounter with Jesus that was made possible for me 20 years ago. A young man's courage changed my life. Now Christian universities must summon similar courage  to look beyond social critics, accreditations, and the fear of cultural disapproval  to the individuals unwittingly caught in a cultural web that only Christ can free.
Home Opinion The Islamic regime in Iran is beginning to collapse. What will the Church do?

Something extraordinary is unfolding in Iran, and it represents a far deeper rupture than Western headlines have been willing to acknowledge.



The chants echoing through Iranian streets are no longer pleas for reform or economic relief, nor are they appeals to soften the edges of clerical rule. Protesters are now openly calling for the end of the Islamic Republic itself.



According to reporting by Iranian dissident Anni Cyrus, crowds have begun chanting for the return of Crown Prince Reza Shah Pahlavi, a declaration that directly challenges the theological and political foundation of the regime. This is not nostalgia for monarchy, nor is it a symbolic protest. It is an unmistakable rejection of Islamic governance and a demand for a future unbound from religious absolutism. For a regime that claims divine legitimacy, such chants amount to a direct assault on its very right to exist.

What makes this moment so significant is not merely the scale of the unrest, but the clarity of its target. The Iranian people are not protesting a single policy, a disputed election, or a temporary economic downturn. They are revolting against an ideological system that has fused religious authority with political power and enforced that union through violence for more than four decades. The Islamic Republic was built on the promise that clerical rule would usher in justice, moral order, and national dignity. Instead, it has produced economic devastation, systemic corruption, regional aggression, and a culture of fear sustained by prisons, executions, and surveillance. The chants now rising from Irans streets reflect a population that no longer believes the regimes religious claims or consents to being ruled in the name of God by men who have weaponized faith to retain power.

The regimes response has followed a familiar and brutal script. Live ammunition has been used against protesters. Mass arrests have swept up students, workers, and dissidents. Public executions are carried out under the guise of criminal justice, designed not to uphold law but to instill terror. Internet blackouts attempt to isolate the population from the outside world, while state media recycles propaganda that blames foreign conspiracies for domestic unrest. These tactics are not signs of strength. They are symptoms of a system that survives only through coercion because it has lost the moral authority it once claimed.

For Christians, the stakes of this uprising are both political and spiritual. Iran is not simply an authoritarian state. It is a theocratic regime rooted in a theology that grants total authority to clerics over the state, society, and the individual conscience. The Supreme Leader is not merely a political figure but is presented as Gods representative on earth, accountable to no electorate and constrained by no legal framework beyond his own interpretation of Islamic law. That fusion of mosque and state has made Iran one of the most hostile environments for religious freedom in the world.

Christians in Iran live under constant threat. Converts from Islam are treated as traitors. House churches are raided. Bibles are confiscated. Pastors are imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. Evangelism is classified as a national security offense. Families are monitored, livelihoods are destroyed, and faith itself is criminalized when it challenges the regimes religious monopoly. This persecution is not incidental. It is intrinsic to a system that cannot tolerate allegiance to any authority higher than the state-sanctioned version of Islam.

Yet in a profound irony, the Christian faith is growing in Iran despite relentless repression. Underground house churches continue to multiply. Converts testify that they encountered Christ through Scripture, personal witness, and even dreams. The Gospel has advanced not because the regime allowed it, but because truth cannot be extinguished by force. This spiritual awakening exposes the central lie of political Islam. Islamism claims to offer divine order through total control. Christianity proclaims redemption through surrender to Christ alone and freedom from the tyranny of men.

The uprising in Iran also exposes a dangerous illusion that has shaped Western policy for decades. The Islamic Republic has been treated as a rational political actor that can be moderated through negotiations, sanctions relief, and diplomatic engagement. Nuclear deals were sold as pathways to stability. Economic incentives were framed as tools to empower civilians. Dialogue was promoted as the antidote to extremism. These efforts failed because they misunderstood the nature of the regime. Irans rulers are not guided by pragmatic state interests but by an ideological commitment to revolutionary Islam, regional domination, and the suppression of dissent.

The Iranian people understand this reality far better than many Western leaders. Their chants are not directed at Washington or Jerusalem. They are directed at the clerical establishment that has robbed them of freedom, prosperity, and dignity. They are rejecting Islamic rule itself, not foreign policy decisions imposed from abroad. That rejection should force a moral reckoning in the West.

While Iranians risk their lives to escape Islamic governance, Western institutions often romanticize the same ideology. While Iranian women burn their hijabs in defiance, American campuses celebrate veiling as empowerment. While Iranian Christians worship in secret, many Western churches hesitate to speak clearly about the dangers of political Islam for fear of appearing intolerant. This moral confusion does not help the oppressed. It strengthens the oppressor.

The Church has a responsibility to speak with both compassion and clarity. Compassion for a people who have suffered under religious tyranny. Clarity about the ideology that enslaved them. Scripture warns repeatedly about rulers who cloak themselves in divine authority while devouring those under their care. Iran stands as a modern testament to that warning.

This moment demands prayer, discernment, and courage. Prayer for the protection of protesters, for the growth of the underground Church, and for the downfall of unjust systems. Discernment to recognize the difference between genuine faith and political religion. Courage to tell the truth even when it is unpopular. History shows that no regime built on lies can endure forever. Scripture assures us that God humbles the proud and lifts the oppressed.

Irans uprising is not merely a political crisis. It is a spiritual reckoning. The Islamic Republic is losing control because its false promises are collapsing under the weight of reality. The question before the West, and before the Church, is whether we will finally acknowledge that truth or continue to excuse a system that crushes souls while claiming to speak for God.
Home Opinion Will Maduros capture signal the end of an anti-Christian regime?

Nicolas Maduro, the longtime dictator of Venezuela, has been captured by an incredible operation that bombed Fuerte Tiuna, the biggest military base in Caracas. The implications are still unknown, but the region has been shaken, for sure, as Venezuelans looked at the sky for Chinook, Black Hawk, and Little Bird helicopters.

In Cuba, the socialist regime concentrated in Havana will observe solidarity in support of the Chavista dictatorship. Now the frequent blackouts across the island will be more frequent. The jewel in Cubas iron crown has fallen.

Meanwhile, in Spain, the leftist politician Pablo Iglesias has embraced the pro-Maduro narrative: the United States is bombarding Venezuela to steal its oil and impose a puppet government. The truth is that Venezuelan oil was being consumed by the barrel by the dictators of Iran, Russia, and Cuba. In the case of Cuba, it was even more outrageous because while the Cuban people were suffering through prolonged power outages, the regime was reselling the crude oil in illicit operations.

These past few weeks, Venezuela has been in the news as a narco-terrorist state, but in addition to that, it has become a territory where anti-Christian socialism violates the religious freedom of millions of believers. And we, as Christians, cannot think of a better way to rebuild a free Venezuela than by respecting religious freedom.

Some stories are terrible. In 2021, several men armed with sticks and knives occupied the Men of Valor Christian Restoration Center in Merida. They were members of the ferocious colectivos (copies of the Castroist Rapid Response Brigades) that function as paramilitaries in the service of dictator Nicolas Maduro and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. At the Center, where Pastor Cristian Dugarte tries to reintegrate young former drug addicts into society, several people present were forced to chew pages of the Bible, beaten to the point of fracturing limbs and ribs, and felt the edge of knives cutting their skin in the shape of a cross.

Dugarte had previously received threats to stop his activities, as he had refused to provide information about the identity of the people receiving his help. Did the attackers fear that the pastor was stealing their drug customers? Or perhaps that someone would talk about the links between neighborhood drug trafficking and Chavista officials?

A local source told the Latin American Observatory for Religious Freedom (OLIRE) about this 2021 event that the attack targeted elements of the faith that motivated this type of ministerial work; that the members of the colectivo and the regime did not allow leaders like Dugarte to challenge their power and work without their consent; and that rehabilitating drug addicts was an unwanted and therefore prohibited activity.

In a report, the organization Outreach Aid to the Americas (OAA), which monitors human rights in the Caribbean basin, recalled that although dictator Hugo Chavez sought to approach evangelicals during his election campaign, he soon lost their support. Especially because of his national expropriation policies, the government's infiltration of churches, support for Cuba, his diatribes against Israel, and Holocaust denial.

Years later, Maduro, his successor, seeing how the military and evangelicals had collaborated to overthrow his Bolivian ally Evo Morales and their influence in the elections of other countries, commissioned a survey that revealed that 30% of Venezuelans considered themselves Evangelical, a figure higher than most estimates, according to OAA. As a result, Maduro provided superficial initial support to these churches, including authorizing the distribution of Bibles, but ultimately followed Chavez's failed policies and lost almost all support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic years, Maduro restrained the ministerial work of many churches and Christian organizations regarding the receipt of humanitarian aid. He was perhaps seeking control of all those resources entering the country, and he would not share the monopoly of solidarity, in order to reinforce the image of the state as the provider of aid. In the process, he violated the religious freedom of those leaders and faithful who, because of their values, sought to lend a helping hand to those in need in the impoverished South American nation.

On March 30, 2021, the Ministry of Interior and Justice published a new "anti-terrorism" requirement: NGOs and other nonprofit organizations had to provide confidential information about activities, contributions, and names of beneficiaries, which in practice amounts to government surveillance, OAA recalled.

This ordeal has continued to this day. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) confirms this in its recent report, The Repression of Religious Freedom in the Authoritarian Triad of Latin America: Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

According to the document, although Chavismo has not intensified its persecution against religious groups to the level of Cuba or Nicaragua, it does engage in similar patterns of repression, such as persistent harassment of religious communities, threats and summonses, public attacks, arbitrary detentions, and surveillance of faith groups. In Venezuela, religious leaders who are not considered supporters of Maduro by intelligence services face intimidation, including threats from both anonymous sources and state agents, USCIRF reported. In 2025, for example, the journalist for the Catholic radio station Fe y Alegria, Carlos Jose Correa Barros, was arrested by masked military personnel. He remained missing until his release nine days later.

The impact of the closing of civic space on religious organizations is clear under Chavismo, mainly with the emergence of laws that also affect freedom of religion.

Since 2024, the Law on the Supervision, Regulation, Operation, and Financing of Non-Governmental and NonProfit Social Organizations has required NGOs to obtain government authorization to operate, allowing the state to suspend those that promote fascism  that old political corpse, a cousin of socialism, which is trotted out from time to time in demonizing diatribes.

As if he were a character from 1984, Maduro brandishes the application of the so-called Hate Law to punish Catholic priests critical of corruption.

Venezuela also follows in Cuba's well-trodden footsteps in the systematic abuse of legal registration, maintaining, according to USCIRF, the requirement that religious groups register with the Directorate of Justice and Religion. Bureaucracy delays the registration process for up to a decade for churches that do not demonstrate loyalty.

The situation is no better in prisons. Chavista authorities frequently deny or prevent priests and pastors from entering detention centers. Caracas has learned from Havana over the years how to break not only bones but also spirits.

Lets hope that a new Venezuela, with republican values, emerges after the Maduro capture. Maria Corina Machado, the opposition Venezuelan leader, said in a recent communication that she expects a moment for the popular sovereignty prevails in Venezuela, the release of political prisoners and the return of exiles. Many Christians are among them! Rejoice for the possibility of a free land in South America, and one less government oppressing our brothers and sisters.

Originally published at The Washington Stand.
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By anya_titanya / Adobe

Two trustees of a dog rescue charity have been disqualified while an investigation into the organisation continues.

The Charity Commission removed UK German Shepherd Rescue Angels from its register in December after the organisation repeatedly failed to file its accounts.

It has blocked trustees Suzanne and Kevin Syers from holding any senior roles at any charity for four years.

The regulator has also written to Suzanne and Kevin Syers about a perceived lack of distinction between the dissolved charity and a newly established not-for-profit organisation.

It warned the pair that continuing to use the removed charitys branding may constitute fraud and urged them to remove all references to the former organisation from public platforms.

A spokesperson for the commission said: We can confirm that Kevin Syers and Suzanne Syers have been disqualified as trustees or holding a senior position in a charity for a period of four years.

The disqualifications took effect on 18 November 2025. Our compliance case into UK German Shepherd Rescue Angels remains open.

Overdue accounts

The commission issued an official warning to UK German Shepherd Rescue Angels in 2023 after the charity failed to file its financial information on time for five years in a row.

According to the commissions website at the time, the charitys reporting for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 calendar years were all more than 1,000 days overdue.

The regulator also warned the charity that it did not have the required number of unconnected trustees, with two listed on the commissions website, both sharing the same surname.

It told the trustees to file the charitys outstanding annual returns and appoint additional trustees.

In September last year, the regulator announced plans to dissolve the charity after its trustees informed us that the charity has ceased to operate.

Civil Society has contacted the charity for comment.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
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This week, the Corporation for Public Broadcastingwhich oversaw the distribution of federal funds to NPR, PBS, and a system of more than fifteen hundred local public media stations across the United Statesmoved to dissolve. CPB, as its known, a private, nonprofit entity established by Congress fifty-eight years ago, was defunded in July, as part of a sweeping plan guiding the Trump administration laid out by the Heritage Foundation in Project 2025. In a statement, CPB called the shutdown an act of responsible stewardship, since a dormant and defunded CPB could have become vulnerable to future political manipulation or misuse. Patricia Harrison, the organizations president and chief executive, said that the CPBs final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks.

What this means for independent public media going forward is uncertain. In recent months, donations have poured inand yet its hard to know whether the level of investment in the immediate aftermath of CPBs defunding will sustain stations over the long term. Those in rural and tribal areas, many of which have relied on CPB for more than half their annual budgets, are at the greatest risk. It has also been the CPBs role to ensure that local stations are compliant with the regulations of the Federal Communications Commissionnow run by Brendan Carr, who wrote the chapter of Project 2025 dedicated to the FCC. (What makes whats going on right now somewhat uniqueand I would say corruptis the out and open quid pro quo that Carr is effectuating, S. Derek Turner, a policy analyst for the advocacy group Free Press, told Kyle Paoletta for CJR last year.)

In two or three years, a number of stations with fewer donations might fall out of FCC compliance, Josh Shepperdthe undergraduate chair of the department of media studies at the University of Colorado Boulder and the author of Shadow of the New Deal: The Victory of Public Broadcasting (2023)told me. If that happens, their licenses could be revoked, then sold. Theres a project to essentially starve the public system and then reallocate the signals, he said, arguing that a goal of Project 2025 is not only to stop funding public media, but also to replace it with outlets politically favorable to Trump. In some communities reliant on public media, local news could be displaced by national coveragewhich, Shepperd observed, represents the Trump administrations preference.

Rodney Bensona professor of media, culture, and communication at New York University and a coauthor of How Media Ownership Matters (2024), about press funding structures in the US and beyondsaid that it makes sense for CPB to shut down rather than to let someone else in this administration do it. Shepperd said that the example of Voice of Americawhose parent organization, the United States Agency for Global Media, was taken over by Trump appointeesmay have guided CPBs decision: The board, if it becomes stocked by MAGA people, could transform it into state-based media.

Benson looked at the organizations closure as an opportunity for public media to reinvent itself in a more favorable political context someday in the future. Trumps hatred of public media is out of touch with public opinionpolls have shown that public media still have widespread support, he said. It wouldnt necessarily be politically risky for a future administration to restore federal funding at some level. In that event, Benson thinks that CPB, which has long been a political target in Washington, could be rebuilt with a new, more robust structure better able to resist partisan pressure. The policy debate will be about how much public media should be even more locally driven, or how much it should engage nationally, he said. Arguably, filling the local news gap is the more urgent problem, and it would be easier to peel off some Republican support for a targeted, local approach. In the CPB announcement, Ruby Calvert, the chair of the organizations board, projected optimism: Even in this moment, I am convinced that public media will survive, and that a new Congress will address public medias role in our country because it is critical to our childrens education, our history, culture, and democracy to do so.

Shepperd, however, views the shutdown of CPB as a catastrophic event. It potentially decimates all of public media forever, depending on what happens in the next three years, he said. It eliminates the capacity for the government to give money within the Public Broadcasting Act. The clever model of CPB, he noted, separated the federal government from local programming decisions. There could be other avenues worth exploringan independent, BBC-like model, or an endowment system similar to how the Smithsonian operates. But lawmakers in Congress would need to show a willingness to invest. Its not a priority for either party, and one of the parties is just literally against it, he said. If the CPB had received certain assurances that it would be back on the docket, it might have gone a different way.

In the absence of a federally funded CPB, the US might have to settle for a fragmented and uneven local media environment. There still is public funding at the local and state level. Were already seeing a very balkanized, decentralized system, with major differences in levels of funding, Benson said. Federal funding existed to even that outthats where the philanthropic community, or state and city governments, are either going to have to step up, or theres going to be significant cutbacks. Until federal funding is restored, its going to be a very uneven landscape.

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Hyundai Motor Co.s Boston Dynamics unit unveiled the latest iteration of a humanoid robot designed to work in the carmakers manufacturing plants starting in 2028, including at a factory in Savannah, Georgia.

The Seoul-based manufacturer initially plans to deploy its newest Atlas robot to handle highly repetitive tasks, such as arranging components in the order they are installed in vehicles, before it plugs them into more complex assembly work by 2030, Hyundai said in a statement from the CES technology conference in Las Vegas.

The Atlas humanoid robot features human-scale hands with tactile sensing and fully rotational joints capable of lifting up to 110 pounds (50 kg) and operating in temperatures as low as -4 F (-20C) and as high as 104 F, it said.

Hyundai aims to mass produce as many as 30,000 robots annually at a new facility in the U.S., part of a broader initiative to meld artificial intelligence with robotics. The announcement comes after Executive Chair Chung Euisun said in New Year remarks that his company needs to embrace cutting-edge AI technology to avoid falling behind competitors.

The auto industry has been at the vanguard of efforts to automate more assembly line processes to trim labor costs and bolster worker safety. With AI, carmakers see opportunities for new revenue streams and improving the in-car experience for drivers with innovations such as hands-free operation.

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng Inc. last year showed off its Iron humanoid robot to great fanfare, and a surge in shares. Tesla Inc. is developing its Optimus robot, which Elon Musk says has the potential to be the biggest product of all time and will eventually account for 80% of Teslas value. Toyota Motor Corp. also has an advanced robotics program, which in 2024 paired with rival Hyundai to speed development of humanoid robots using AI.

Robots have long been used in simple tasks like welding and logistics, but companies are now looking for technological breakthroughs that will see robots master more intricate jobs. The rapid development of AI is helping drive bullish bets on the sector, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. projecting the market for humanoid robots will reach $38 billion by 2035, while Morgan Stanley expects the sector will hit $5 trillion by 2050  when there could be more than 1 billion humanoids in use.

Hyundai said it expects humanoids to become the largest segment of the physical AI market in the future and has set a goal to mass-produce the Atlas product model, deploying units at scale across industrial sites as production-ready humanoid robots.

The carmaker launched its Robotics Lab in 2019, then two years later acquired Boston Dynamics  which has had commercial success with a robotic guard dog called Spot and a mobile robotic arm known as Stretch for re-stocking warehouses. The South Korean company plans to invest 125 trillion won ($86 billion) in South Korea over the next five years in AI, robotics and other new technologies, and another $26 billion in the US through 2028.

It also plans to strengthen a strategic partnership with Nvidia Corp., leveraging the chip giants technology to expedite innovation and improve efficiency. The two companies signed an agreement in October to build a $3 billion physical AI cluster in South Korea.

Top photo: The Boston Dynamics Inc. logo on an earlier iteration of the Atlas humanoid robot in 2017. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Former mayor Michael Dylan Brennans second term came to an end when the clock struck midnight Dec. 31 and brought in a new year.

That new year of 2026, as it turns out, is playing a big role in Brennans next endeavor.

On a Facebook post made Monday (Jan. 5), Brennan announced that he will go to work next for Ohio History Connection as it celebrates America 250-Ohio.

He will serve as an ambassador, bringing to light the contributions made by Ohioans as the country celebrates its 250th year as a nation, also known as its semiquincentennial.

This year, I will be working with communities, elected officials, civic organizations, stakeholders and people across the state to celebrate our nations 250th birthday, Brennan posted.

The mission: to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation from our Ohio point of view and with the contributions we have made to our country.

Ohio, the first state not a British colony or carved from one. Ohio, the home of eight presidents. Ohio, the home of astronauts and aviation pioneers -- and inventors, artists, leaders in all fields.

Ohio, the Heart of It All.

We will plan, we will picnic and party. We will educate and share the history, and record our celebrations of it, he posted.

For me, it is a once-in-a-lifetime -- indeed, once-in-the-nations-timeline -- opportunity to live the history and make history doing so -- as an ambassador to local communities in our regions celebrations.

This is a large part of what Ill be doing in 2026 (and more to come).

Brennan worked 20 years as a litigator before becoming a two-term mayor who decided against running for a third term in 2025.

He stated that he will be joining his new America 250-Ohio colleagues at a kick-off celebration to be held at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday (Jan. 7).

He promised that he will report out more soon about his work.

Brennan signed-off his post with, In the meantime, follow America 250-Ohio on socials.

Read more from the Sun Press.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A new section on the Ohio auditors website is dedicated to gathering tips about potential fraud involving public benefits programs.

Ohio benefit and public assistance programs are administered and enforced by state and county agencies. Because the Ohio auditor of state is responsible for auditing public expenditures across all levels of government, allegations involving the potential misuse of public funds are submitted to that office.

We want to make sure that public resources that are supposed to be helping the most vulnerable among us are not lining the pockets of crooks, State Auditor Keith Faber said in a statement.

Suspected fraud can be reported in four ways:

Call the fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364) Submit an online form Email the Auditor of States office at fraudohio@ohioauditor.gov Mail the office a letter at 65 East State Street, PO Box 1140, Columbus, OH 43215

The office cautions that because the internet is not secure, personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card information should be sent by U.S. mail rather than electronically.

We welcome anyone with evidence of crimes that involve public funds to contact us. We take these allegations very seriously, scrutinize any evidence of wrongdoing, and hold people accountable for their actions, Faber said.

The offices Special Investigations Unit already reviews allegations of criminal activity involving public money.

In 2025, that the unit helped secure 23 criminal convictions in 2025 and roughly $3.1 million in court-ordered restitution against people who misused public funds, according to the auditors office said. Since 2019, 153 criminal convictions for fraud were secured and 272 findings for recovery led to return of more than $28.5 million.

The Ohio Revised Code requires all state officials and employees employed by or appointed to a state agency to report alleged fraud, theft in office, or the misuse or misappropriation of public money by a state official or employee to the inspector general.

All other state employees and elected officials are to report suspected fraud, theft in office, or misuse or misappropriation of public money to the auditor of state.
Foreign investment shows confidence in Chinese market

China Daily) 09:18, January 06, 2026

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov 21, 2025 shows a view of the Yangpu International Container Port in Yangpu Economic Development Zone, South China's Hainan province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Many foreign enterprises operating in China are ramping up their investments, while those looking to enter the Chinese market are accelerating their plans to do so. In 2025, foreign companies launched a large number of research and development projects across China. An increasing number of multinational companies are now attaching greater importance to R&D investment in China, steadily strengthening their localized innovation capabilities.

Against the backdrop of China's accelerating industrial transformation and its vigorous cultivation of new quality productive forces, foreign enterprises are shifting their focus to high-tech industries and high-end services represented by R&D and innovation centers. This has become a new trend.

As for investment willingness, foreign enterprises' long-term confidence in the Chinese market continues to grow. Many European companies have demonstrated a strong desire to deepen their presence in China and expand investment, displaying a sharper focus on the green transition and intelligent manufacturing. Most companies from the United States in consumer-related sectors are optimistic about the Chinese market and plan to increase their investment, although some of them may adopt a wait-and-see approach amid supply chain adjustments. Meanwhile, investment from Asian companies has shown robust growth.

In terms of investment trends, the layout of foreign enterprises in China has become more diversified, extending from the eastern coastal regions to the central and western inland areas, while their focus has expanded from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing and high-tech services. Besides, foreign companies are becoming more deeply integrated into China's economy. For example, in innovation, the cooperation has changed from one-way technology transfer to joint R&D, while the emphasis has moved from cost efficiency to resilience in supply chain integration.

As China remains firmly committed to expanding domestic demand, pursuing innovation-driven development and steadily advancing institutional opening-up, foreign enterprises are set to enjoy more development opportunities.

With its huge population and the world's largest middle-income group, China's market is generating strong and sustained demand for a wide range of products and services, including health care and eldercare, food, culture and tourism, smart home appliances and green home solutions.

China also has the most complete industrial categories and the most comprehensive supporting systems. This allows foreign enterprises investing in China to access upstream and downstream support more quickly, conveniently and cost-effectively.

At the same time, China is pressing ahead with its "AI Plus" initiative, promoting the deep integration of artificial intelligence with all sectors of the economy and society. For foreign enterprises, China has become one of the world's most dynamic hubs for the application of AI, offering the largest scale, the richest scenarios and the fastest pace of development.

Additionally, China is advancing high-standard opening-up. By steadily promoting institutional opening-up in areas such as rules, regulations, management and standards, and by continuously relaxing market access for foreign investment, China is further optimizing its investment, business and institutional environments. This will provide stronger support for the long-term growth of foreign enterprises in China.

To invest in China is to invest in the future. This is not just a slogan, but a strategic consensus reached by foreign companies based on China's policy certainty, robust market growth and technological stability.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Zhong Wenxing)
An automated bar code reader scans packages prepared for shipping at an Amazon fulfillment center on Cyber Monday in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US, on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

A U.S. judge on Monday rejected Amazon .com's bid to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the online retailer of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik in Seattle, Amazon's hometown, found "unpersuasive" a claim that Washington state consumer protection laws were vague as applied to pricing, and did not cover the alleged price gouging.

Lasnik said it was plausible to infer that product shortages, public health directives and the shift to online purchasing left consumers "no meaningful choice but to purchase from Amazon despite the allegedly unfair prices it was charging."

Consumers accused Amazon of failing to prevent sellers from using its platform to charge "flagrantly unlawful" prices for food and other staples.

They also said Amazon inflated prices on its own product inventory to "profiteer off consumers in desperate need."

Prices rose 233% on Aleve pain relief tablets, 1,044% on Quilted Northern toilet paper, 1,523% on Arm & Hammer baking soda and 1,800% on some face masks, according to the complaint.

Amazon and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Steve Berman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, called the decision "an important win for consumers." He also said internal Amazon documents demonstrated that the retailer knew what price gouging was and assured state attorneys general it was trying to prevent it.

The lawsuit seeks damages for people who paid "unfair" prices for food and other consumer goods on Amazon between January 31, 2020 and October 20, 2022, around when Washington and other states ended COVID-related states of emergency.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to the media ahead of a secure briefing about U.S. action in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington,, D.C., U.S., Jan. 5, 2026.

"We are not at war, we do not have U.S. armed forces in Venezuela and we are not occupying that country," Johnson said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called the raid in Venezuela "a decisive and justified action," rejecting claims that Trump exceeded his authority.

U.S. President Donald Trump has, in recent days, said the U.S. would "run" Venezuela, threatened Colombia and Cuba and renewed his push to acquire Greenland . Those remarks followed a weekend military strike that captured Maduro from Caracas and whisked him to the U.S. to face criminal charges without prior congressional authorization.

The partisan split-screen among the lawmakers briefed, who are part of the so-called "Gang of Eight" group authorized to receive highly classified information, underscores the difficulty Congress may face in trying to rein in President Donald Trump 's military efforts.

Top Republicans who attended the classified briefing rallied to the president's defense while Democrats questioned the scope of the operation and pushed to halt further military action.

The Trump administration on Monday briefed congressional leaders on the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro , sharpening a partisan divide over the president's authority to use force without congressional approval.

"The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war; that is true. But it also vests the president of the United States with vast authorities as commander-in-chief," Johnson said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., meanwhile, said that the briefing raised far more questions than it answered.

"The plan for the U.S. running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying," Schumer said. "I did not receive any assurances that we would not try to do the same thing in other countries."

Senate Democrats plan to force a vote later this week on a measure to suspend Trump's military action in Venezuela, known as a war powers resolution. The measure, brought by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., would require Trump to cease military action in Venezuela unless Congress approves it.

Kaine introduced a similar resolution in November, which the Senate rejected after only two Republicans  Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky  supported it. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, so at least four Republicans would need to break ranks for Kaine's measure to succeed.

The House of Representatives would also need to approve the measure. Lawmakers there narrowly defeated a Venezuela war powers resolution 211-213 in December.

"There's real concern as it relates to congressional action connected to our sole power to declare war," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., before the briefing. "No further military action should be taken in Venezuela or anywhere else without explicit congressional approval, and we need to legislate that."

The lawmakers were briefed by top members of the president's cabinet, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The administration has labored to frame the use of the military in Venezuela as a law enforcement action, since Maduro had outstanding warrants for his arrest in the United States.

Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla, the Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, who was in the briefing, echoed that view.

"This was a law enforcement operation," Mast said. "This law enforcement operation required great military capabilities  because the individual that had to be brought to justice could bring to bear an air force, a navy, an army."

Mast said Trump was not seeking a protracted military engagement, but did not rule out similar operations if the president deems them necessary to "defend the homeland."

The bipartisan leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee, however, who have jurisdiction over the U.S. law enforcement apparatus, were not invited to the briefing. They are not traditionally part of the "Gang of Eight," but issued a joint statement excoriating the snub.

"President Trump and Secretary Rubio have stated that this was a law enforcement operation that was made at the Department of Justice's (DOJ) request, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)," the statement from Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and ranking member Dick Durbin, D-Ill., read.

"The administration's refusal to acknowledge our Committee's indisputable jurisdiction in this matter is unacceptable and we are following up to ensure the Committee receives warranted information regarding Maduro's arrest," they said.

CNBC's Emily Wilkins contributed to this report.




Elon Musk's X is being investigated by authorities in Europe, India and Malaysia after its Grok chatbot let users create and share AI-generated sexualized images of children and women.

British media watchdog Ofcom also said it's requested information from X, which is owned by xAI, concerning the Grok issues. And on Sunday, a member of Brazil's parliament said on social media that she's asked the country's federal public prosecutor and data protection authority to suspend use of Grok until an investigation is completed.

The probes follow a global surge over the past few weeks in the use of Grok to create and share nonconsensual, intimate images, or NCII, derived from photos or videos of real people in response to user's prompts. The concerning images have been widely shared on X.

Musk's company recently updated its Grok Imagine features, enabling easier image generation from text-based prompts on the platform.

While safety experts and tech critics decried the proliferation of exploitative images and clips on X, Musk appeared to mock the situation by sharing an array of Grok-generated images, including one depicting himself in a bikini, punctuated by laughing-crying emojis.

At a press conference on Monday, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the authority was "very seriously looking into this matter" and was "well aware" that X and Grok were "now offering a spicy mode showing explicit sexual content with some output generated with childlike images."

"This is not 'spicy,'" Regnier said. "This is illegal. This is appalling. This is disgusting. This is how we see it, and this has no place in Europe."

Late last week, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered X to conduct a "comprehensive technical, procedural and governance-level review" of Grok. The company was given until Jan. 5 to comply.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said over the weekend that it's investigating X and will call in company representatives.

"MCMC urges all platforms accessible in Malaysia to implement safeguards aligned with Malaysian laws and online safety standards, especially in relation to their AI-powered features, chatbots and image manipulation tools," the group said in a statement.
Packages in a United States Postal Service (USPS) truck near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.

Amazon has angered some online retailers that say they didn't consent to have their products scraped and listed on the e-commerce giant's sprawling marketplace.

In February, the company announced "Shop Direct," a feature that lets consumers browse items from other brands' sites on Amazon. Some of those items include a button labeled "Buy for Me," an artificial intelligence agent that can purchase products from other websites on a shopper's behalf.

Amazon pitched the services, which are in testing phase for some U.S. users, as a way for shoppers to "find any product they want and need," including items that aren't available on its site. Over the past decade, Amazon has increasingly turned to third-party merchants for products, and now says more than 60% of sales on its retail platform are from independent sellers.

In recent weeks, some businesses began to object to their products being sold on Amazon without their permission, according to posts on Reddit and Instagram. Retailers, in some instances, said the program resulted in Amazon listing products that they never sold or that were out of stock.

"Sounds like a great program until the agentic AI starts selling customers things you don't have, all while your shop has no idea it's sending the wrong items to the customer," Hitchcock Paper, a Virginia-based stationery shop, said in an Instagram post in late December.

The paper retailer said it discovered it was part of the program when it began receiving orders for a stress ball product, which it doesn't sell, from a "buyforme.amazon" email address.

Bobo Design Studio CEO Angie Chua said she started receiving orders from Amazon's Buy for Me agent last week even though she hadn't opted in to the program. Her company sells stationery and journaling accessories through its Shopify website as well as a storefront in Palm Springs, California.

Chua told CNBC that, based on Amazon's instructions in an FAQ on its site, she reached out to the company to request that it pull her products. The listings were taken down within a few days, but she said the experience left her feeling "exploited."

"We were forced to be dropshippers on a platform that we have made a conscious decision not to be part of," Chua said, referring to an online retail model that involves selling products to shoppers without storing the inventory.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, Mazovian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 19, 2025. Artur Widak | Nurphoto | Getty Images

European leaders are gathering in Paris on Tuesday as they attempt to revive interest in a peaceful settlement to the war in Ukraine, just as Washington and the world's focus has moved on to the Venezuela crisis. The U.S.' capture and arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and their subsequent transfer to the U.S. on criminal charges has garnered global media attention, increasing the risk that Washington's interest in securing a Ukraine peace deal could wane. European officials are keen to revive the momentum seen in pre-Christmas talks between the U.S. and its Ukrainian and Russian counterparts, which were aimed at securing an agreement around a 20-point peace plan to end almost four years of fighting. The so-called "Coalition of the Willing"  a group of countries that say they're willing to provide post-war security guarantees and peacekeeping forces to Ukraine  is set to meet in the French capital to discuss the elements of the peace plan that have been agreed so far, as well as the remaining stumbling blocks to a deal, namely, security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial concessions demanded by Moscow.

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Russia rejects the idea of European nations providing security guarantees for Kyiv, or deploying peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, and wants Ukraine to cede its eastern Donbas region to Moscow. Ukraine has said it's willing to drop its NATO membership ambitions but needs guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. There was already widespread concern in Europe that U.S. President Donald Trump could lose interest in Ukraine, and the pursuit of a peace deal, given his mercurial nature and previous seesawing on the war's endgame, specifically regarding whether Ukraine can expect to come out of the war with its territorial integrity intact. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived at the Elysee Palace for the talks on Tuesday, which will also include European leaders, top European Commission officials and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly not attending due to the crisis in Venezuela.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy, left, and Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, arrive for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
This aerial view shows icebergs floating in the waters beaten down by the sun with buildings in the background off Nuuk, Greenland, on March 11, 2025, on the day of Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory, legislative elections. Odd Andersen | Afp | Getty Images

European leaders on Tuesday issued a joint statement to push back against U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed interest in Greenland, saying security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively. "The Kingdom of Denmark  including Greenland  is part of NATO," the statement said, according to a letter published by Denmark's Prime Minister's Office on X. "Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them," they continued. "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland." The letter was signed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as the leaders of Italy, Spain and Poland.

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created in Berlin on January 6, 2026 shows (clockwise, from top L) Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (in Brussels on December 18, 2025), Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (in Johannesburg on November 23, 2025), Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (in Brussels on December 18, 2025), Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk (in Brussels on December 18, 2025), France's President Emmanuel Macron (at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on January 6, 2026) and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (in London on December 10, 2025). A group of European leaders on January 6, 2026 underlined their support for Denmark after US President Donald Trump again voiced designs on its autonomous Arctic territory of Greenland. Nicolas Tucat,gianluigi Guercia,john Thys,ben Stansall,ludovic Marin | Afp | Getty Images

The coordinated message, which also described the U.S. as "an essential partner" in the push for Arctic security, comes as Trump once again sets his sights on the vast, mineral-rich and sparsely populated territory. The U.S. president, who has long advocated for control over the self-governing Danish territory, told NBC News on Monday that he was "very serious" with his intent to acquire Greenland. Trump also said he had "no timeline" for doing so, however. Alarm bells have been ringing in Denmark, which is responsible for the defense of Greenland, given that Trump's remarks follow Washington's major military operation in Venezuela.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the joint statement from European leaders and urged the U.S. "to seek a respectful dialogue" through the appropriate diplomatic channels. "Our country is not something that can be annexed or taken over because you feel like it," Nielsen said Tuesday in a Facebook post, according to a Google translation. "This support is important in a situation where fundamental international principles are being challenged. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for this support," he continued. "I must again urge the United States to seek a respectful dialogue through the correct diplomatic and political channels and the use of already existing forums, building on agreements that already exist with the United States. The dialogue must be conducted with respect for the fact that Greenland's status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity."

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards AFP | Getty Images

Denmark's Frederiksen had previously warned that an American takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of the NATO military alliance. "I believe that the U.S. president should be taken seriously when he says that he wants Greenland," Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 on Monday, according to a CNBC translation. "But I also want to make it clear, that if the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops. That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War," she added.

A 'very serious' situation

Speaking to CNBC's Silvia Amaro before European leaders published their joint statement, European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said the European Union stands together with Denmark over ongoing Greenland tensions. "I agree with Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen, when she said that if things will develop up to such a case that Americans will take some actions against Greenland, it will be the end of trans-Atlantic partnership," Kubilius said Tuesday.

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Greenland's Head of Government Jens-Frederik Nielsen addresses a press conference in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 5, 2026. Any US attack on a NATO ally would be the end of "everything", Denmark's prime minister warned on January 5, 2026, after US President Donald Trump repeated his desire to annex Greenland.

Greenland's prime minister on Monday sought to downplay the prospect of an imminent U.S. takeover attempt, following renewed interest in the mineral-rich Arctic island by President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a news conference shortly after Trump's military operation in Venezuela over the weekend, Greenland's Jens Frederik Nielsen dismissed concerns that something similar could happen to the self-governing Danish territory.

"The situation is not such that the United States can simply conquer Greenland," Greenland's Nielsen said Monday at a press conference.

"Our country is not really the right one to compare with Venezuela," he added, according to a CNBC translation.

"We are a country that is democratic and has been democratic for many, many years. If we look at the whole picture, we can understand that some people are concerned," Nielsen said.

"We want to create and re-establish the cooperation we have previously had with the United States, especially the good cooperation we have had."
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Tuesday said that the company is seeing "very high" customer demand in China for its H200 AI chips, which the U.S. government recently signaled that it would approve for export.

Huang added that Nvidia has started producing the chips again and is working out the final details about export licenses with the U.S. government. Nvidia's chips are critical for companies developing artificial intelligence models.

"We've fired up our supply chain, and H200s are flowing through the line," Huang said at a press conference at the CES conference in Las Vegas.

Investors see the Chinese market as a massive opportunity for Nvidia as the country's tech companies develop their own AI models. Huang has previously said that the market could be worth $50 billion per year, and none of those sales are currently included in Nvidia's forecasts.

In December, President Donald Trump said that Nvidia could export its H200 chip to China as long as the company paid 25% of those sales to the U.S. government. The H200 is a generation or two behind the latest Nvidia models, but unlike previous chips that Nvidia was approved to export to China, this model has not been slowed down on purpose to comply with export restrictions.

China must also approve the import of Nvidia's chips. Huang on Tuesday said that he is not expecting China to make an announcement that imports have been approved and that Nvidia would know the regulatory status as purchase orders come in.

"We're not expecting any press releases, or any large declarations," Huang said. "It's just going to be purchase orders."

Huang added that any H200 sales would be in addition to the $500 billion two-year forecast the company provided last year.

"It appears that we're going to be going back to China," Huang said.

WATCH: Nvidia is clearly the chips leader in AI trade, says Silvant Capital's Sansoterra
Masoud Pezeshkian, president of Iran, delivers a speech during the sixth anniversary of Qassem Soleimani's killing at Tehran's Musalla. Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in 2020 in a U.S. missile strike in Iraq.

Widespread anti-government protests have roiled Iran for over a week, forcing its leaders to weigh options to quell the unrest as U.S. President Donald Trump raised the threat of an intervention.

The spreading unrest, which began in Tehran's bazaar on Dec. 28, is fueled by growing frustration with a long-running economic crisis in Iran and has turned increasingly violent in recent days. At least 29 people have been killed and more than 1,200 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency on Tuesday. The U.S.-registered nonprofit relies on an activist network inside Iran for its reporting.

The anti-regime demonstrations have spread to over 250 locations across 27 of Iran's 31 provinces, according to the group.

Tehran sought to quell the protests, with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying Saturday that "rioters must be put in their place," a remark widely interpreted as a signal for security forces to end the demonstrations.

Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has struck a more conciliatory tone, urging dialogue and promising economic reforms in bid to placate demonstrators demanding political change, action on corruption and relief from rising living costs.

The promises included provision of a monthly stipend of 10 million rials ($7) per person in non-cashable electronic credit for use at selected grocery stores, according to Reuters, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Officials also pledged to overhaul the country's foreign exchange subsidies system to bring direct support for consumers, shifting away from subsidizing importers, which have long been criticized as vulnerable to corruption.

Still, the public unrest has continued, expanding from economic grievances to broader frustration with the regime, with some protestors chanting "Death to the dictator," a reference to Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over the state.
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Tuesday's key moments. 1. Stocks rose Tuesday, with the Dow hitting another record high and aiming for its first-ever close above 49,000. Club name Amazon led the 30-stock average higher, with a nearly 3% gain. "We are starting with the firm market, a market that has very little to do with the news flow," Jim Cramer said on the Morning Meeting. He noted that stocks tied to the ouster of Venezuela's president, including energy names, lost steam Tuesday. After soaring 5% in the prior session, Chevron shares dropped more than 3%. They were Tuesday's worst-performing Dow stock. 2. Nvidia shares were up modestly after CEO Jensen Huang said Monday night that the company's next-generation semiconductors were in "full production." During his CES address in Las Vegas, Huang said the Rubin platform, comprised of six chips, may also drastically lower data center cooling requirements. The commentary sparked a sell-off in HVAC-focused stocks like Johnson Controls , Trane Technologies , and Carrier Global . "That's why we are in Eaton ," Jim said, as the company is more centered around electricity than cooling. 3. Boeing was named a top stock pick in 2026 by Bernstein, which also raised its price target to $277 per share from $267. According to the analysts, Boeing is getting past issues with its 737 and 787 aircraft. The company's defense business is improving, and free cash flow is expected to sharply rise in the coming years, analysts noted. Jim has "total faith" in CEO Kelly Ortberg, saying the stock is "still very inexpensive," based on the market's underappreciation of Boeing's free cash flow trajectory. 4. Stocks covered in Tuesday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: Brinker International , Shake Shack , D.R. Horton , Vistra Corp , Halliburton , and SLB . (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AMZN, NVDA, BA, ETN. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
It was the island's strongest single quarter of leasing since the fourth quarter of 2019, Colliers found. For all of 2025, leasing volume was the highest since 2019 and just 2.4% below 2019's pre-pandemic total.

Leasing increased by more than 25% from the third quarter to 11.87 million square feet, according to Colliers. Demand was 16% higher year over year, close to 52% above the five-year quarterly average and 43.5% above the 10-year average.

Office leasing in Manhattan surged substantially higher in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by continued return-to-office and increased tech hiring, especially for artificial intelligence.

A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.

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"Manhattan's strong performance in 2025 was not out of the blue, but was instead the continuation of a recovery that we began to feel in 2024," said Frank Wallach, executive managing director for New York research and business development at Colliers.

"Demand in 2025 was a continuation of that trend, though greatly accelerated by factors such as tenant flight to quality to attract and retain talent, return-to-office trend implementation, sizeable expansions by major tenants  such as Amazon, NYU and BlackRock  and the emerging AI industry leasing space throughout Manhattan," he said.

Wallach also noted an uptick in demand from various industries, including finance, tech, legal, education, medical nonprofit and government.

The supply of available office space is still much higher, up nearly 37%, than it was at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, but much lower than the post-pandemic peak in February 2024, according to Colliers. As demand rises, the oversupply is slowly being absorbed, and Manhattan now has the tightest supply since November 2020.

Tighter supply is helping to finally boost rents. Manhattan's average asking rent was 1.5% higher in Q4 than the previous quarter and, at $76 per square foot, was Manhattan's highest average since October 2020, Colliers found. For the highest level, so-called Class A product, which is newer construction, the average asking rent increased 1.6% to $83 per square foot, Colliers said.

Class B office product is older but tends to be in good locations. It is now seeing landlords invest in upgrades and renovations as demand increases. That helped rents in Q4 grow 1.1% to a record high of $68.61 per square foot, according to Colliers.

There continues to be a flight to quality, with 69% of all leased space in four- and five-star buildings, up from 66% in 2024, according to a separate report from CoStar. It found that every one of the 15 largest office leases signed during the year took place in four- or five-star properties. For example, Deloitte's 800,000-square-foot commitment at 70 Hudson Yards, a premiere Manhattan office building, was the largest lease of the year.

Quarterly net absorption overall, which is a measure of how much physical space tenants are actually occupying versus how much space they're leaving, was positive by close to 4 million square feet, according to the Colliers report. For all of 2025, it was positive by 15.56 million square feet, including 2.14 million square feet of space removed from the market for planned conversion to nonoffice use.

"Critically, the recovery and strong demand in 2025 was also fostered by millions of square feet of building conversions to nonoffice use, spurring a wave of leasing by tenants relocating out of those buildings," said Wallach.

Despite the improvement in the market, there is still a lot more surplus office supply than there was before the pandemic.

"Despite the increased tenant demand and tightening availability in 2025, the Manhattan office market has only shed half of its post-pandemic excess available supply. The healthy demand recorded in 2025 and conversions of underutilized office assets must, therefore, continue in 2026 and 2027," Wallach said.
Meta said Tuesday that it hired former Microsoft legal executive Curtis Joseph Mahoney to become its chief legal officer.

Mahoney will replace Meta's previous head lawyer, Jennifer Newstead, who announced in December that she would be leaving Meta to become Apple's general counsel in March.

He joins Meta at a time when the company is facing a wave of child-safety related lawsuits around the country. That includes an ongoing case in New Mexico in which the state's attorney general alleged that Meta failed to protect children from sexual abuse and human trafficking on its apps like Facebook and Instagram.

"C.J. brings world-class legal expertise, passion for frontier technology, and deep insight into the global regulatory challenges facing our industry," Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to working with him to advance Meta's mission to build the future of human connection."
U.S. equity markets have delivered exceptional returns over the past five years, but elevated valuations largely driven by concerns of massive AI infrastructure spend with monetization two years (or more?) in the future has sent investor capital overseas in search of better value. Besides valuation concerns, easing geopolitical tensions, strong commodity demand, a weaker U.S. dollar and unevenly applied tariff policy have helped make South America a key beneficiary of capital rotating out of U.S. equities. In this week's article, we're going to look at the South American equivalent of our Amazon and PayPal rolled into one: MercadoLibre (MELI) . Let's hit the macro backdrop before we move into MELI's micro story. The performance of the S & P 500 in the past year was 18% compared to the flagship emerging market ETF EEM at 34% piques our attention. But context must be maintained as the five-year performance of EEM is 19% compared to the S & P's 98%. Are emerging markets playing catch up? Possibly, and that's a big gap to fill, but we have to be careful grouping all emerging markets into one big conversation as the regions are separate and nuanced. EEM is largely driven by Asia (29% China, 20% Taiwan, 12% South Korea, and 16% India). Hidden in there however is a 5-year performance of Argentina at 242%, Peru at 165%, and Mexico at 89%. A weaker U.S. dollar has amplified these gains as the U.S. dollar index (a basket of six currencies against the greenback) has been in a decline since 2022. In fact, simple trendline analysis shows USDX is contemplating a break of the uptrend that began all the way back in 2011. A move lower in USDX should propel global equities higher, along with boosting commodities that should benefit these regions, which includes energy, metals and agriculture. Add in relatively limited tariff exposure and the view of stabilization in the region following the escalation with Venezuela and these markets should continue to power ahead. We view Mercado Libre as one of the highest-quality ways to express our bullish South American growth thesis. We've held MELI in our portfolio since mid-2024 and increased the exposure in November 2025. Often described as the Amazon and PayPal of Latin America, Mercado Libre operates the dominant ecommerce platform across Brazil, Mexico and Argentina while simultaneously building out a powerful financial ecosystem through Mercado Pago, their payments platform. This platform is increasingly becoming core infrastructure for day-to-day commerce, extending well beyond the marketplace driving scalable, high-margin growth. Like Amazon in the early 2010's, MELI is investing heavily in logistics, credit, and financial services to lock in users and expand operating leverage. The financial results are starting to reflect that strategy. The graph below shows % EBITDA margins overlaid with revenues from 2017. The monthly chart of MELI price is commensurably impressive as the revenue growth shown above. The uptrend since 2009 is clear and clearly contained within a rising parallel trend channel that is currently acting as the lower end of support, or a price floor. Reinforcing that is the old $2,000-area high that acted as resistance, now broken should flip the script and also act as support. Moving to the weekly chart, we see the back half of 2025 defined as a pullback within a smaller parallel channel that dropped us into the monthly chart support zone described above. With the broader LatAm equity bid, and AMZN that is higher by 3.5% as a I type, I'm thinking we may have the energy to push through the $2,300-resistance and move into the $3,000's or higher. I'm currently holding a 2% allocation in our growth portfolio at Inside Edge Capital. If we see that move above resistance I'm inclined to increase to a 3% holding with the expectation that $2000 will act as a floor. At an approximate $100 billion market cap trading 40's forward earnings, MELI is not cheap. But in this market growth stocks with big upside potential are rarely cheap. GAAP earnings are expected to grow north of 40% for this key name south of the border. If digital commerce and digital bank adoption in Latin America continue on their current trajectory, MELI is a key growth name that offers an attractive opportunity for investors to gain exposure outside of the crowded U.S. growth trade. -Todd Gordon, Founder of Inside Edge Capital, LLC We offer active stock alerts, portfolio management, as well as regular market updates like the idea presented above here . DISCLOSURES: Gordon owns MELI personally and in his wealth management company Inside Edge Capital. All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer.
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President Donald Trump and his team are considering "a range of options" in order to acquire Greenland  including "utilizing the U.S. Military," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNBC on Tuesday. The statement further escalates the Trump administration's already aggressive rhetoric about Greenland, which the president has long sought to make a part of the United States. Trump said Sunday that the U.S. needs the Arctic island for national security purposes, pointing to Russian and Chinese activities in the region. Greenland is a territory of Denmark, which, like the U.S., is a member of the NATO international military alliance. The leaders of Denmark and other European NATO states on Tuesday morning issued a joint statement pushing back on Trump's increasingly vocal desire to obtain Greenland. "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," their statement said. Leavitt's new comment on Greenland came after that joint statement was issued.

A drone view shows a general view of Nuuk, Greenland, March 14, 2025. Marko Djurica | Reuters

"President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region," Leavitt said in an emailed statement. "The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief's disposal," she said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, told lawmakers during a closed briefing Monday that the administration's goal is to buy Greenland from Denmark, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday afternoon. Trump has spoken frequently about absorbing both Greenland and Canada into the U.S., as well as the Panama Canal. The controversial comments have drawn international rebukes, though they were dismissed by some as unserious and unlikely to materialize in U.S. foreign policy. The president's renewed discussion of Greenland has prompted more serious concerns in recent days, after the U.S. military entered Venezuela and successfully captured that country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump said after that operation that "we are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." Trump also said that U.S. oil companies will enter Venezuela and "fix" the country's energy infrastructure, and that those firms "will be reimbursed" for their efforts. Trump told The Atlantic on Sunday morning that he will leave it up to others to decide what the intervention in Venezuela means for Greenland. "He has lost his damn mind," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., when asked by CNBC about Trump's Greenland threats. "I think you have to take him seriously, because he does outrageous things," McGovern added.
January 5, 2026: Ukraine has advised its NATO supporters to pay close attention to the Ukrainian experience to better defend themselves from a possible Russian attack in the next ten years. Drones were an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in Ukraine's current war are fought. Drones were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable. Modifications and upgrades could be implemented quickly and inexpensively Both Russian and Ukrainian forces were soon using cheap quadcopter drones controlled by soldiers a few kilometers distant using FPV/First Person Viewing goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the drone can see. Adding night vision is available when needed, at a higher cost per drone. These drones cost a few hundred dollars each with the most complex models going for about a thousand dollars. Most of these drones carry half a kilogram of explosives, so operators can instantly turn the drone into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. Some drones carry more explosives depending on what is needed to deal with a target.

These drones are awesome and debilitating weapons when used in large numbers. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the drones can supply, one of the drone operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. Larger, fixed wing drones are used for long range, often over a thousand kilometers, operations against targets deep inside Russia.

Drones are usually able to complete their mission, whether it is a one-way attack or reconnaissance and surveillance. The recon missions are usually survivable and enable the drone to be reused. All these drones are constantly performing surveillance, which means that both sides commit enough drones to maintain constant surveillance over a portion of the front line, to a depth, into enemy territory, of at least a few kilometers. Longer range drones can track Russian operations hundreds of kilometers behind the front lines.

This massive use of FPV-armed drones has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can. Russia initially produced its own drones now after briefly using imported Iranian Shahed-136 drones that cost over $100,000 each. Ukraine demonstrated that you could design and build drones with similar capabilities at less than a tenth of that. The Iranian drone was more complex than it needed to be, and even the Russians soon realized this and turned from the Shahed-136 for more capable drones they copied from Ukrainian designs or their own. Russia still uses their Shahed drones because they have a factory to build them and the more airborne drones they can send on a mission, the better the chance that some will hit the target. There are also larger fixed-wing drones that can drop bombs or release smaller attack drones. These larger bomber drones can also transport supplies to troops who are hard to reach otherwise.

Ukraine has also developed land-based drone vehicles/DVs for carrying supplies or bringing back casualties. DVs have revolutionized combat zone transportation. The DVs are operated remotely and can often make a trip autonomously. In Ukraine, the battlefield is increasingly dominated by unmanned air and land vehicles. The operators stay in bunkers and rarely venture out. The combat zone is under constant surveillance and if infantry advance, they do so in small groups under the protections of their own drones.

Conventional artillery, mortar and rocket weapons have had to change the way they operate. They must fire a few rounds quickly and move before counterfire hits them. Because of this, these weapons are less effective and drones now account for over 80 percent of casualties. Tanks and other armored vehicles are similarly constrained and have to be used infrequently lest they be swarmed by drones and destroyed or immobilized.

Military leaders in other nations have noted this and are scrambling to equip their own forces with the most effective drones. Not having enough of these to match the number the enemy has in a portion of the front means you are at a serious disadvantage in that area. These drones are still evolving in terms of design and use and are becoming more effective and essential.

One countermeasure that can work for a while is electronic jamming of the drones control signal. Drone guidance systems are constantly modified or upgraded to cope with this. Most drones have flight control software that sends drones with jammed control signals back to where they took off to land for reuse. The jammers on the ground can be attacked by drones programmed to home in on the jamming signal. Countermeasures can be overcome and the side that can do this more quickly and completely has an advantage. That advantage is usually temporary because both sides are putting a lot of effort into keeping their combat drones effective on the battlefield.

The widespread use of drones has tuned combat brigades, battalions and companies into avid users of drones. While Ukraine has a separate Drone Force for developing new drones and assessing the use of current ones, most drones are used by regular combat units. Some of these units are selected to test new drones or drone concepts.

Ukraine has long been a major developer and manufacturer of weapons and military equipment. Before 1991, when Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union, these innovation and manufacturing capabilities were recognized and encouraged. Since independence in 1991 Ukraine has continued to encourage its defense firms to continue their work. This has resulted in several new weapons and upgrades for existing systems.

In 2021 Ukrainian introduced its Neptune anti-ship missile and, starting two months after the 2022 Russian invasion, Neptune was used to cripple and eventually neutralize the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Neptune was first used in April 2022 to attack and sink the 12,000-ton Moskva, flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet. Moskva was hit by two Neptunes. Russia denied this and said the explosions and fires on the Moskva were the result of an accident on the ship that damage-control efforts by the 500-man crew were unable to handle, leading to major ammunition explosions.

Moskva was directing operations off the Ukrainian port of Odessa at the time. As the flagship of the Black Sea fleet, Moskva had senior officers and their staffs on board to plan and direct Russian efforts to attack Ukrainian ports, especially Odessa, and turn Ukraine into a landlocked nation.

Russia later admitted Moskva sank while being towed back to its home port in the nearby Crimean Peninsula. Russia will not admit Moskva was hit by two Ukrainian anti-ship missiles because the Moskva had multiple defenses against such attacks. Apparently, Ukraine used one or more of their Turkish TB2 UAVs to track and harass Moskva and that enabled the two Neptune missiles to get through and start the fires that the crew could not handle and led to the abandon ship order. Ukraine may also have used ECM/ Electronic Countermeasures on Moskva to enable the missile strike.

Russia tried to blame the loss of the ship on massive crew incompetence rather than admit the ship was hit by two Ukrainian missiles. To do so would also include crew incompetence by not turning on all the anti-missile defenses because they were distracted by the Ukrainian UAVs. It might also indicate that the missile defenses were inadequate. With the ship at the bottom of the Black Sea, the surviving crew had to explain what happened and why.

NATO nations supplying Ukraine with weapons have noted that Ukraine manages to continue developing and producing new weapons while under constant attack by Russian missiles and have agreed to joint-production and development deals inside Ukraine, some of them before the war is over. Ukraine had sought such co-op deals before the Russian invasion but there was little interest from NATO nations until they saw Ukrainian capabilities under wartime conditions.
Nearly a year ago, DeepSeek shook the AI world. Stocks of some of the leading Western tech companies plunged as the markets hit panic mode at the prospect of a new model from a relatively unheard of Chinese AI lab that challenged the premise of U.S. dominance in the space. Nvidia plummeted 17%, losing close to $600 billion from its market cap. U.S. chipmaker Broadcom also fell 17%, and ASML dropped 7% in a single day. Eleven months on, and those companies have not just recovered but continued to grow. Nvidia became the first company to hit a $5 trillion valuation in October, Broadcom's shares rose 49% across 2025, with ASML's stock increasing 36%.

"January [DeepSeek] (R1) caused a broad, visible repricing because it changed global beliefs about frontier-model cost curves and China's competitiveness, and it did so in a way that hit the semiconductor and hyperscaler narrative directly," Haritha Khandabattu, senior director analyst at Gartner told CNBC. Since then, DeepSeek has released seven new model updates. None have caused the kind of waves seen in January. So why haven't the markets reacted?

Shock factor

Founded in 2023, DeepSeek released a free, open-source large language model (LLM) in late 2024, called V3, which it said was trained with less powerful chips and at a fraction of the cost of models built by the likes of OpenAI and Google. Weeks later, in January 2025 it released a reasoning model, R1, that hit similar benchmarks or outperformed many of the world's leading LLMs. The Chinese AI lab's January release "really surprised the market," Alex Platt, senior analyst at investment firm D.A. Davidson, told CNBC. "The narrative [at the time] was that China was 9 to 12 months behind the U.S."

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The promise of a model achieving similar results to the most advanced systems, but using less compute, raised concerns in the market that the demand for AI infrastructure would be impacted, and revenue for firms like Nvidia would be hit, Brian Colello, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, told CNBC. "Instead, we saw no slowdown in spending in 2025, and as we look ahead, we foresee an acceleration of spending in 2026 and beyond." There's also the type of releases DeepSeek has made since January, all of which have been updates to the V3 and R1 models as opposed to entirely new models. While DeepSeek's more recent model updates are "credible step changes" in efficiency and capability, the market has viewed them as a "continuation and consolidation rather than a new shockwave," Khandabattu said.

Limited compute

Part of the reason DeepSeek hasn't released a new model is likely due to limited compute, analysts told CNBC. "Compute has been a large bottleneck," said Platt. "You can only do so much algorithmic research and find so many architectural ingenuities." The AI company delayed the release of its R2 model, which was initially planned for May, because of challenges training it on homegrown Huawei chips, the Financial Times reported in August. Chinese authorities had encouraged DeepSeek to use the processors as it looked to reduce reliance on U.S. alternatives in the face of export controls on Nvidia's most powerful chips, the publication said. DeepSeek has been approached for comment on the report. "China's been constrained in the amount of computing power it's been able to access over the last couple of years, in large part because of U.S. restrictions on the sale of chips," Chris Miller, author of "Chip War," told CNBC. "If you want to build advanced models, you need access to advanced compute." DeepSeek said in a research paper it released earlier this month that it acknowledges "certain limitations when compared to frontier closed-source models" such as Gemini 3, including compute resources.

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Due to ongoing indications of market excess, Saudi Arabia lowered the price of its flagship crude grade to Asia for a third month.The state manufacturer Saudi Aramco lowered the price of its Arab Light grade for Asian consumers to a 30-cent premium over the regional standard for February. That was largely consistent with a Bloomberg poll of refiners and traders.The reduction coincides with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' and some of its partners' plans to halt supply increases in the first quarter. Delegates claimed that during their 10-minute video chat over the weekend, they did not talk about Venezuela.Additionally, Aramco reduced the cost of its barrels in all grades to all other regions, including the US and Europe.Due to growing worries about a global surplus following an earlier round of OPEC+ supply hikes and surging output from rival drillers, global crude benchmarks fell by around a fifth last year, with Brent recording its biggest annual fall since 2020. This year, the International Energy Agency predicts a surplus of roughly 3.8 million barrels per day.The forward curve for grades, such as the Dubai benchmark and Abu Dhabi's Murban futures, has gradually abandoned their optimistic price patterns in recent weeks, contributing to the weakening of Middle Eastern crude markets.
Bangladeshs largest Islamist party has said that the environment for holding a free and fair election in the country is yet to be established, as it accused a section of the interim government of favouring a "particular political party.The remarks made during a high-level meeting of Jamaat-e-Islamis Central Executive Council on Monday come amid a rapidly shifting political landscape ahead of the high-stakes February 12 general election.Also Read:With the Awami League of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina barred from contesting the election under the countrys stringent Anti-Terrorism Act, late premier Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is widely seen as the frontrunner to form the next government.Jamaat-e-Islami, which was a coalition partner of the BNP during its 2001-2006 tenure in power, has now emerged as its main rival in the upcoming polls.According to a statement issued after the meeting chaired by Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, the council reviewed the political climate surrounding the upcoming parliamentary election, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.Without naming any organisation, the statement said Jamaat had received complaints from several regions alleging that some government officials were working in favour of a "specific political party.The party leaders also expressed concern over what they described as the continued killing of political leaders and activists in different parts of the country, sometimes in broad daylight, the report said.Also Read: BSF, Meghalaya police reject Bangladesh's claim on Hadi killers entering India Jamaat claimed that the environment for free, fair, and impartial elections is yet to be established in the country.It called on the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to perform their duties with "complete neutrality and urged the government to ensure law and order to facilitate free, fair, and impartial elections, the report said.In an apparent reference to the mass protest that led to the fall of the Hasina-led government in August 2024, the party said fascism had been ousted after a 16-year struggle and cautioned that the new Bangladesh, achieved at the cost of around 1,500 lives and more than 30,000 people injured or permanently disabled, must not be allowed to fall victim to any conspiracy.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said that the Free Trade Agreement with India will boost exports and open doors for farmers, growers, and businesses.India and New Zealand have recently finalised the FTA, expected to take effect in seven to eight months. The deal aims to enhance market access and promote investment flows, including a FDI commitment of USD 20 billion over a period of 15 years.Also Read:"We have concluded a Free Trade Agreement with India. This will open doors for New Zealand farmers, growers, and businesses  boosting exports, creating jobs, and lifting incomes to help all Kiwis get ahead, Luxon said in a post on social media on Tuesday.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Luxon held a telephone conversation last month before announcing the successful conclusion of the trade deal.This is Indias third such free-trade agreement in months, following a similar pact with the UK in July and another with Oman in December, which will give India more temporary employment visas, easier access for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.Describing the FTA as a "landmark deal with the worlds fastest-growing big economy, Luxon said it would create opportunities for jobs, exports and growth for all New Zealanders.Noting that the engagement with India was "intensive, he said that his government has worked extremely hard to prioritise and invest in a relationship with India, since day one.The result of this engagement is a "high-quality trade agreement, he said in a video posted on his social media handle.Also Read: Rupee-Rouble trade stuck over sanction fears; India pushes FTA talks with Russia-led EAEU Describing India as a "trusted partner, he said the trade deal will deliver deep and lasting benefits for New Zealand.Negotiations for a trade deal initiated during Luxons visit to India in March 2025, the two leaders agreed on the conclusion of the FTA.The pact would help Indian exporters, reeling under the impact of 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian goods, diversify shipments in the Oceania region.
January 4, 2026: Vladimir Putin has long had a difficult relationship with the internet. His most recent solution is Max, a government controlled messaging app. The government has access to messages transmitted using Max. To encourage Russians to switch to Max, Putin ordered that the most popular apps WhatsApp and Telegram suffer from degraded service. That means voice and video traffic was slowed down and some activity was randomly blocked. The government explained that these disruptions were anti-fraud measures. So far nearly half of Russias internet users are on Max, although only about half those users are on Max regularly. Meanwhile Max is cheaper and more reliable than the alternatives, even after WhatsApp and Telegram service returned to normal.

The introduction of Max is part of Putins plan to create a sovereign, used in Russia only, internet. Max wont interfere with that. There are problems with this because the internet is essential for running the economy and the military. At the same time internet chatter is the primary source of criticism for the Ukraine War and the problems with the economic sanctions.

Internet chatter about what was going on in Ukraine made it more difficult for Russia to obtain soldiers. To avoid army service in Ukraine, several million Russians left the country, some for good. The government increased restrictions on who could leave, and military age men found ways to get past that, notably bribery. Those caught were forced to join the army, and their reluctance to fight resulted in officers receiving orders to shoot soldiers who refused to fight.

There were at least a hundred of these incidents, these soldiers and officers referred to as zeroing out a reluctant soldier by shooting him. The dead soldiers were called zeroes and the next of kin were simply told that their son died heroically in Ukraine. That explanation often failed when news of what actually happened arrived via the internet.

The internet made it easier to spread the bad news, even after the government made it illegal to say bad things about the war effort. A few complainers were prosecuted, but that backfired when online complaints and protests increased. There were not enough judicial resources available to handle all the complainers. Welcome to the internet paradox, too troublesome to tolerate, but too useful to lose.

But its not for lack of trying. Last year, Russia carried out a brief pre-dawn test of its ability to turn internet access for Russians into a sovereign internet that is not connected to the worldwide internet. That means Russians could only use the internet within Russian and must use Russian-based websites and network services, like search, messaging and social media. There are versions of all these services based in Russian as well as internationally popular versions like Google, Wikipedia, Twitter and Facebook.

The sovereign internet test revealed some problems, like interference with large scale Internet-based communications systems created for the nationwide railroad network and other nationwide communications systems that also require some access to international systems. A long-term implementation of Russias sovereign internet would disrupt some portions of the Russian economy that depend on constant communication with foreign firms.

The sovereign internet is meant to be used for short periods. There are other uses of the sovereign internet that include remaining connected to neighboring nations like Iran, which is trying to develop a sovereign internet and China, which already has one. Internet pioneers predicted that some countries would seek to develop a sovereign internet in order to exercise government control over the internet. This was something that early internet developers feared would happen because the international free exchange of information was a threat to the power of totalitarian government. The totalitarians were expected to eventually strike back and now they have.

North Korea also has a sovereign internet as well as restrictions on who can use this internet. Only a small number of government, commercial, and military are allowed to use the internet to communicate with people outside the country.
Hello and welcome to a 2-Minute Tech Briefing from Computerworld. I'm your host. Arnold Davick, reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Here are the top IT stories you need to know for Tuesday, January 6th.

Up first, from CSO online, the US Department of Justice says two cyber security experts have pleaded guilty, accused of running a ransomware operation. Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin were charged with using the Black Cat ransomware against multiple victims in the US between April and December of 2023.

The Justice Department accuses the pair, along with an unnamed third person, of conspiring to extort companies using black cat, also known as ALF be court records say the attacks caused losses exceeding $9.5 million though only about $324,000 was traced to them.

They face a maximum sentence of 20 years, and sentencing is set for March 12 of this year.

From Computer World, Deepseek says it's found a cheaper way to train big AI models, the AI company unveiled manifold constrained hyper connections, or MHC, which reports say could train large language models more efficiently and at lower cost. That's according to the South China Morning Post.

Deepseek says MHC stays stable and scalable without increasing computational costs. Researchers have tested the technology on models with up to 27 billion parameters with positive results. And finally, Meta is buying the viral AI startup Manus.

TechCrunch reports the deal will cost about $2 billion Manus went viral after a demo showed an AI agent handling everything from job interviews to stock analysis. Manus says it's topped $100 million in recurring annual revenue.

Meta will let the company continue to operate independently, but will integrate its AI agents into Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The company also says there will be no Chinese owners or operations in China after the deal.

For more enterprise tech news, visit Computerworld, CIO, NetworkWorld and CSO online, and don't forget to like and subscribe on the TechTalk YouTube channel.
January 6, 2026: In Ukraine the Russian October air campaign was one of the most intense so far. Russia used over 5,000 Shahed drones, 74 cruise missiles, and 148 ballistic missiles. The targets were components of the Ukrainian energy production network. Russia wanted Ukrainian industries and civilians to suffer as the weather grew colder. Russia is now producing over 5,000 Shaheds a month. Russia calls the Shaheeds it produces the Geran. These 200 kg drones travel at a speed of 180 kilometers an hour at an altitude of about 100 meters. They carry a 50 kg warhead. GPS navigation is jammable when close to the target while the unjammable, but less accurate INS backup is not affected. The Geran is the Russian version of the Iranian Shahed 136 Russia produces under license at a Russian factory built last year.

Over 80 percent of the Gerans have been detected and destroyed by a clever Ukrainian air defense system created by two Ukrainian engineers. Called Sky Fortress, it consists of nearly 10,000 cell phones mounted on two-meter poles with their microphones activated to detect the unique sounds of Gerans flying nearby. All this data goes to a command post where operators can triangulate on, locate and track the incoming drones and direct groups of gun trucks, each equipped with multiple machine-guns and lots of ammunition, to positions the drones will pass over. The gun trucks have managed to destroy most of the drones they encounter. Ukraine has built several hundred of these gun trucks and deploys them quickly via roads or cross country to carry out the interception. This system costs less than a single Patriot air defense missile. This drone defense system is operated by thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, and its simplicity, effectiveness and low cost has led NATO countries to request more details from the Ukrainians, including visits to NATO countries to further explain the system. Russia responded by having their Gerans fly higher, beyond the range of the machine-guns. Ukraine went on to develop new countermeasures.

Year by year Russia and Ukraine develop new offensive weapons to use against each other. Ukrainian air strikes use larger drones at targets deep inside Russia.

Like most western militaries, Russia has become dependent on the use of missiles and drones instead of artillery and airstrikes. Ukraine reports that, from late 2022 through late 2024, Russia used 4,800 missiles and nearly 15,000 attack drones. The missiles are expensive, most costing one or two million dollars each, while some of the drones cost $35,000. More recent drone designs cost only a few hundred dollars each. It was thought that the inexpensive drones would replace the use of 155mm artillery. The range and cost of artillery shells vary from $3,000 to $100,000 depending on its version and purpose. The basic 155mm shell weighs 43 kg and contains about seven kg of explosives. The standard Russian equivalent is the 152mm shell.

The only Russian sources of weapons and munitions have been Iran and North Korea, which has a feeble economy with a GDP of only $30 billion and has long been subject to economic sanctions. Iran is also sanctioned but has oil to export and a GDP of over $400 billion. Iran was also responsible for the recent completion of a Shahed drone manufacturing facility on the Volga River. Russia has over fifty firms manufacturing over two dozen types of drones. These include three dozen different models, most of them with a range of 40 kilometers while about a dozen have ranges of 100 to 2,000 kilometers.

Russia is building a drone manufacturing infrastructure. By 2026 330,000 people will be involved in the development, production, and operation of drones by 2026. By 2035 1.5 million people may be involved in drone design, development and production.

Russia continues to obtain drones and drone construction assistance from Iran. While Russia produces 330-350 Shahed-136 drones per month, Iran also helps out. Russia has manufactured over 2,000 Shahed drones and at least 2,600 have been sent by Iran.
January 6, 2026: China has committed to training of thousands of foreign police in a series of well publicized events. These include instruction of protective services, counterterrorism, gendarmerie and paramilitary forces. China has been doing this since 2000 and is providing training in 138 countries. Most of these nations have already received training or are scheduled to receive in the near future. China considers this an exercise in soft power, foreign policy and international cooperation.

About the same time China began providing training for foreign peacekeepers and foreign peacekeeping police. Countries bordering China receive more of this training. This improves Chinese security and diplomatic relations.

Most training concentrates on anti-crime training and counter-drug investigation as well as assistance in creating government security organizations like the Central African Republics presidential guard and the Black Berets in Cuba. Another subject is how to carry out repression and state sponsored violence. So far, there have been nearly 900 training events. The program plans to train 20,000 police officers over the next five years.

China obtains instructors from its own police force. The 660,000 personnel of the Chinese PAP/People's Armed Police exist to take care of emergencies, and they tend to be kept busy with the thousands of demonstrations held each year. While there are about 1.4 million local police, for emergencies you call the PAP. The history of the PAP is a confusing one. The People's Armed Police were created in 1982. In fact, a lot of demobilized PLA troops have been incorporated into the PAP since its creation. The PAPs ancestor was the Peoples Public Security Force, established in 1949 after the creation of the communist government in China. However, it was disbanded during the 1960s Cultural Revolution and its duties transferred to the PLA/People's Liberation Army. After the Cultural Revolution the government decided that the PLAs primary duties should be the national defense of the country. So frontier police units were moved to the Ministry of Public Security, the same ministry that oversees the civilian Chinese police.

The PAP is rigidly organized, like most of Communist China's military and police organizations, with a national headquarters in Beijing and local headquarters in every province of the country. Another confusing aspect of the PAP is that it is under the authority of two different bodies; the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Public Security, which also manages the regular police forces. Within the PAP, a number of different types of units exist each with their own distinct missions, some of them military-oriented and some law enforcement-oriented. These units are internal defense units, frontier defense units, fire brigade units, mobilized divisions, commandos, and forest police units.

The internal defense units are basically light infantry units designed to suppress internal threats with force. This would mean anything from putting down demonstrations to fighting armed guerrillas or terrorists. They also guard government buildings and other key facilities throughout the country. The frontier defense troops are also basically light infantry trained along military lines. However, instead of protecting against internal threats, these forces are basically a first line of border defense against attack by a foreign enemy and against other border violations. They also serve an important law enforcement role as they are the equivalent of the American Border Patrol and are involved in seizing cross-border narcotics shipments and other contraband.

PAP units stationed in Beijing are there to protect the central government bureaucracy. Mobile PAP units are organized as mechanized infantry and have been formed in response to the growing threats of rebellion in the Xinjiang province and Tibet. Ethnic minority separatism has long been a problem in China and the Chinese government is determined to keep a lid on it. The Special Police Units are sort of a cross between police SWAT teams and DELTA Force commandos. They are in charge of both counter-terrorism and riot control. Thus, the PAP is, in reality, both a national police force and an extra military ground force to be used for the country's defense.
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks come in many shapes and sizes, as do the myths surrounding them. These myths can center on motivations, DDoS attack vectors and techniques, mitigation strategies, and more. DDoS myths are also sometimes more dangerous than the attacks themselves because the misconceptions can leave organizations vulnerable to other types of cyberattacks, misguide mitigation strategies, or cause teams to miss attacks altogether. Lets look at five of the top myths regarding DDoS attacks and protection and debunk them.

Myth 1: DDoS attacks are uncommon, only target large corporations, and are carried out by sophisticated threat actors.

In reality, DDoS attacks are very common, targeting businesses of all types and sizes. According to NETSCOUTs ASERT research team, there were more than 15 million DDoS attacks worldwide in 2024. This level of activity shows that the threat of DDoS is alive and well, making defensive measures a must for companies of all shapes and sizes.

Although nation-states carry out their own sophisticated DDoS attacks, many are carried out by low-cost or even free DDoS-for-hire services that utilize global botnets or groups of compromised devices. Often, the ones requesting DDoS-for-hire attacks are not sophisticated hackers but are acting on geopolitical events, going after companies, individuals, or infrastructure that go against their interests.

DDoS attacks do not always target corporate networks. They often target infrastructure or key services, such as power grids, to profoundly impact the general population.

Myth 2: DDoS attacks only involve flooding networks with large amounts of traffic.

In the early days of DDoS, the vast majority of attacks were large traffic floods. However, DDoS attacks have evolved over time, becoming more surgically targeted and complex. The media continues to report on the largest, most shocking attacks that are terabits per second in size, reinforcing this common misconception. Although these large-scale attacks are still dangerous, most smaller attacks, under 1Gbps, are equally dangerous, targeting application layers such as the Domain Name System (DNS) and HTTP.

In 2024, ASERT noted a 43% increase in smaller application-layer attacks compared with 2023, showing that these targeted assaults are rising in popularity. This is because many DDoS protection services provided by internet service providers (ISPs) and other cloud protection solutions look for large volumetric attacks and disregard the smaller attacks, which are passed on to the customer. Unless networks have some level of DDoS protection in place, these smaller attacks are more likely to be successful and can cause issues for businesses and their customers.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) state-exhaustion attacks are another common type of smaller attack. They specifically target stateful on-premises devices such as firewalls, load balancers, virtual private network (VPN) gateways, and more, and fill their state tables with bogus connections, blocking legitimate users from accessing areas of the network.

Myth 3: Next-generation firewalls can stop DDoS attacks.

Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) are powerful devices that can greatly improve your overall security stance. However, their stateful design makes them vulnerable to several types of DDoS attacks, especially state-exhaustion attacks. Pairing NGFWs with a stateless DDoS mitigation solution placed in front of the firewall protects firewalls from state-exhaustion attacks.

Myth 4: Cloud-based DDoS protection alone is enough.

When a DDoS attack is larger than your internet pipe, the only way to stop it is with cloud-based DDoS protection. That said, smaller attacks can slip past these protections, necessitating additional defensive measures. Modern DDoS attacks leverage multiple attack vectors to bypass defenses. This means they can pair a volumetric attack or state-exhaustion attack with an application-layer attack to target multiple areas of the network, making it harder to detect and mitigate.

By deploying a hybrid approach to DDoS defense, pairing cloud-based and on-premises inline DDoS protection solutions, organizations can better protect against agile, multivector DDoS onslaughts, maximizing uptime and availability.

Myth 5: DDoS protection does not require the use of AI/ML.

Many believe that leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) is not necessary in defending against DDoS attacks. That could not be further from the truth. First, attackers are using AI/ML to multiply attack volumes, increase sophistication, and avoid detection. This means that defensive measures must think the same way, leveraging the traffic anomaly detection capabilities of AI/ML to find abnormalities in traffic patterns that signify DDoS threats.

AI/ML can take the form of curated threat intelligence feeds that automatically block known, active DDoS threats in real time. With this threat intelligence constantly updated, the latest threats are no match for AI/ML-powered DDoS defenses. AI/ML can also automate real-time countermeasure adjustments to defend against multivector attacks.

DDoS attacks and protection

Myths have no place in protecting your networks most important digital assets. Dont fall victim to these common myths. Dedicated DDoS protection that defends against dynamic multivector DDoS attacks is the only true way to assure maximum uptime in the modern DDoS landscape.

Learn more about NETSCOUTs Arbor DDoS protection solution.
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NVIDIA has never been known for subtlety, but its CES 2026 presence made one thing unmistakably clear: the company is playing a much bigger game than consumer graphics cards.

While last year's showcase surprised the crowd with the GeForce RTX 50 series and the debut of NVIDIA Cosmos, this year's message was broader, bolder, and far more strategic.

NVIDIA doesn't want a slice of the future; it wants to power all of it.

Physical AI Takes Center Stage

The defining theme of NVIDIA's CES 2026 keynote was "physical AI," a term the company uses to describe AI systems that don't just generate text or images but actively interact with the real world. These models are trained in hyper-realistic virtual environments using synthetic data, allowing them to learn physics, movement, and decision-making before ever touching physical hardware.

Now the first company in history to surpass a $5 trillion valuation, NVIDIA is accelerating its evolution beyond gaming and into every industry that can be simulated, automated, and optimized by artificial intelligence. From factories and autonomous vehicles to robotics and digital twins, the chipmaker is positioning itself as the foundational infrastructure of the AI-driven world.

CEO Jensen Huang highlighted NVIDIA Cosmos, a world foundation model designed to simulate environments and predict real-world behavior at scale. Alongside it was Alpamayo, a reasoning model built specifically for autonomous driving.

NVIDIA demonstrated the technology using a Mercedes-Benz CLA running AI-defined driving, showing how simulation-trained intelligence can transition seamlessly into real vehicles.

Perhaps most telling was NVIDIA's announcement that it plans to test its own robotaxi service by 2027 using Level 4 autonomous vehicles. While details on partners and locations remain undisclosed, the implication is clear:

Why NVIDIA Skipped New Consumer GPUs

For gamers, CES 2026 delivered an unusual silence. NVIDIA announced no new GeForce consumer GPUs, and that omission was deliberate. Instead, Huang focused attention on Rubin, NVIDIA's next-generation AI platform, which is already in full production.

Rubin isn't just a chip. It's a tightly integrated system that combines GPUs, CPUs, networking, and storage into a unified AI engine built for data center-scale workloads.

Designed to address soaring training costs, energy efficiency challenges, and performance bottlenecks, Rubin is positioned as critical infrastructure for hyperscalers, governments, and enterprises racing to deploy advanced AI models.

For NVIDIA's roadmap, gaming no longer defines its branding. While still important, it has been overtaken by AI, automation, and industrial-scale computing.

NVIDIA's 'Open' AI On Its Own Terms

Another major takeaway was NVIDIA's push toward open, customizable AI models: strategically open, but deeply tied to its ecosystem. The company now offers foundational models across healthcare, climate science, robotics, reasoning systems, and autonomous driving, all trained on NVIDIA supercomputers.

NVIDIA also showcased personal AI agents running locally on DGX Spark hardware, signaling its intent to dominate every layer of AI deployment: from hyperscale data centers down to individual desktops.

Despite shifting its focus, NVIDIA knows the promotion is worth the shot. Still, no one will doubt that NVIDIA remains indispensable to developers and enterprises
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If you've ever got home from a vacation just to be hit with a huge roaming bill, you'll know the importance of planning ahead in the future.

And with an eSIM from Holafly, you can say goodbye to those pesky roaming charges and the frantic hunt for free Wi-Fi when you're out and about, leaving you the time and energy to relax and enjoy your holiday.

With unlimited data plans for over 200 destinations, you can stream, use maps, stay in contact with loved ones, and upload content all without any of the usual headaches.

Holafly eSIM Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, make your next trip cheaper and easier with a Holafly eSIM. Available for over 200 destinations, you can stream and upload content without worrying about eye-watering data fees. Apply code DAILYMAILHOLA at checkout to save five per cent on your eSIM plan and 10 per cent off plans. Shop

A Holafly eSIM gives you unlimited data in over 200 locations, allowing you to browse, scroll and watch content hassle-free

We might not think it, but we rely on our mobile data for a lot - whether it's looking up the most convenient route home, trying to listen to music, or even keeping in touch with friends.

So it can be frustrating and even worrying when you're suddenly without it - especially when abroad. That's why an eSIM from Holafly is a travel must-have - the fact it will save you from sky-high phone bills is just a massive bonus.

Setting up your eSIM couldn't be easier. You simply choose your destination, number of days you'll be travelling, and how many eSIMs you need, and voila! They're sent instantly via email or WhatsApp, and you can activate them swiftly - no hidden fees or waiting for a physical SIM card.

Holafly has also launched new regional, global and subscription plans, and has even updated their mobile app, making purchasing and managing your eSIM easier than ever.

Our favourite thing? If you're not particularly tech-savvy and run into any issues, Holafly offers 24/7 human customer support, available on both their website and WhatsApp.

They also offer a range of plans, from regional (ideal if you're travelling to multiple countries), to countries and even cities, which are perfect for single trips.

Want constant coverage? Opt for one of their monthly Global plans and enjoy 24/7 coverage wherever you are in the world, without worrying about roaming fees, or even activating a new eSIM for every trip.

Save five per cent on your eSIM when applying code DAILYMAILHOLA to your basket

'Works out the box. Managed to set it up from the host country using the really slow free airport Wi-Fi. Worked immediately out the box and was connected throughout my 10-day trip in Cape Town and Johannesburg,'

One impressed user said, 'Used it on my iPhone 15 with Car Play in the rental car, so had hands-free access to WhatsApp calls and Maps navigation.'

Another added: 'It is a very effective tool for travellers in terms of speed, connection and support. Besides, when there was doubt, Holafly was there ready to answer your questions and help you.'

'Seamless operation, eSIM installation instructions were very clear, and it activated as soon as I landed in Marrakech,' a third raved, 'Good, fast connectivity and coverage.'
The landscape of American higher education is shifting faster than many anticipated. What was once considered a radical experiment has rapidly gained institutional traction, with the College-in-3 Exchange expanding to more than 60 member schools and setting its sights on reaching 100 institutions by Christmas. This growing network represents a fundamental reimagining of the bachelor's degree timeline that challenges decades of conventional wisdom about what a college education should look like.

Among the institutions leading this charge are some of the nation's most respected universities. BYU-Idaho, Johnson & Wales, Plymouth State, the University of Maine System, Westminster College, and Regis College have all implemented three-year degree programs, signaling that this isn't just a fringe movement but a serious reconsideration of how higher education can better serve students. The momentum extends beyond individual institutions to the very gatekeepers of academic standards. BYU-Idaho and Ensign College made history in 2023 when they became the first institutions to secure approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for their three-year programs.

Perhaps most telling is the evolving stance of regional accreditors, the powerful bodies that historically resisted any deviation from traditional degree structures. These organizations, which once viewed 120 credit hours as sacrosanct, are now actively developing approval processes for three-year programs. This shift in institutional attitude suggests that what began as an innovative pilot could become a mainstream option within the next decade, fundamentally altering the American higher education experience for millions of students.

HOW IT WORKS: TWO DISTINCT MODELS

The term "three-year degree" actually encompasses two fundamentally different approaches, and understanding the distinction is crucial for students, parents, and educators alike. The first model, the accelerated timeline approach, maintains the traditional 120-credit requirement but compresses it into a shorter timeframe. Students following this path take on heavier course loads during fall and spring semesters, often carrying 18 or more credits instead of the typical 15. They also commit to full-time enrollment during summer sessions, effectively eliminating the traditional extended break between academic years. This model demands exceptional time management and stamina, but it results in the same credential that would take four years under a conventional schedule.

The second model represents the true innovation in this movement. These programs reduce the actual credit requirement to approximately 90 to 96 hours, challenging the long-held assumption that a bachelor's degree must equal 120 credits. Rather than simply cramming more courses into less time, these programs strategically eliminate elective requirements and streamline general education coursework while preserving the core classes essential to each major. The philosophy here is surgical precision: identify what students truly need to succeed in their chosen careers and remove everything else that might be enriching but isn't essential.

This reduced-credit approach forces universities to answer uncomfortable questions about academic bloat. If students can achieve the same learning outcomes and career readiness with 90 credits, were the additional 30 credits in traditional programs truly necessary? Or were they, as critics of this model might argue, valuable components of a well-rounded education that provided intellectual breadth, exposure to diverse ideas, and time for personal growth? The debate over which model is superior, or whether both have merit for different types of students, sits at the heart of higher education's current transformation.

THE COST SAVINGS APPEAL

For students and families struggling under the weight of rising tuition costs, the financial mathematics of three-year degrees are compelling. By eliminating one full year of expenses, students can save approximately 25 percent on the total cost of their bachelor's degree, including tuition, room, board, and fees. For a degree that might otherwise cost $120,000 at a private institution or $60,000 at a public university, that translates to savings of $30,000 or $15,000 respectivelysignificant amounts that could fund graduate school, serve as a down payment on a home, or simply represent freedom from debt.

Importantly, choosing a three-year program doesn't penalize students financially in other ways. Annual tuition rates remain consistent regardless of whether a student pursues a three-year or four-year track, and financial aid eligibility is unaffected by the accelerated timeline. Students can still access federal grants, institutional scholarships, and loan programs on the same terms as their peers in traditional programs. This means the savings come purely from reducing the duration of enrollment, not from any reduction in per-year support.

Beyond the immediate cost savings, three-year degree graduates gain another significant financial advantage by entering the workforce or graduate school an entire year earlier than their four-year counterparts. That extra year of earning potential, whether it's a starting salary of $45,000 in a business role or $60,000 in a technical field, adds substantially to the lifetime financial benefit. For students considering graduate education, completing their bachelor's degree in three years means they can begin their master's or doctoral programs sooner, potentially reaching their career goals and peak earning years ahead of schedule. In an era when student debt has become a defining financial burden for an entire generation, the opportunity to reduce both the cost and the opportunity cost of higher education represents a powerful value proposition that's difficult to ignore.
Forget fentanyl and cocaine. The substance Donald Trump really wants to stop flowing out of Venezuela is crude oil to China.

This is not because America craves the stuff itself. The United States produces more oil than Saudi Arabia and more gas than Russia.

True, some American refineries would like more of Venezuela's glutinous oil, which is good for making asphalt and similar products, but it is by no means essential.

No, what really bothers Washington is Beijing's special deal with Venezuela's narco-communist thugs: to buy oil on the cheap, reportedly at a $14-per-barrel discount on the price of Brent crude, the world benchmark. That's a deal that came to an end with the extraordinary events of the past few days.

From now on, sanctions-busting tankers heading out from the Venezuelan coast will be turned back by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, if not by the American navy, to the huge frustration of China's leaders.

It's likely American firms will start pumping from Venezuela's massive reserves, which on paper are the largest in the world but have been producing very little.

First rotted by nationalisation, the Venezuelan oil industry was then destroyed by Leftist autocrat Hugo Chavez, his successor Nicolas Maduro  now in a Brooklyn jail  and their crony-communism.

Oil fields in neighbouring Guyana are already looking safer, now that the threat of annexation by Venezuela's dictatorship is at an end.

President Trump during a news conference following his country's attack on Venezuela

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, who has been seized by the US and flown to New York

Trump's Venezuela intervention promises to keep world oil prices low indefinitely, while starving China and hurting Russia (which wants high prices to fund its war machine).

China's President Xi has limited himself to a veiled attack on 'unilateral and bullying actions', but his true reaction is probably unprintable. It is striking that, a quarter of the way into a new century, geopolitics continues to be determined by hydrocarbons, as if the green energy transition never started. And that's because it never really did.

If you watch the BBC or listen to net-zero obsessive Ed Miliband, you might get the impression that oil, gas and coal are yesterday's story.

The Energy Secretary and those like him claim the future is about solar panels and windmills with a little nuclear power thrown in.

Yet in the real world, solar and wind generation provided only six per cent of the world's energy in 2024, while coal, oil and gas generation continued to grow. In fact they broke new records that year, supplying 12 times as much energy as wind and solar. It is estimated that oil, coal and gas supplied 76.4 per cent of the world's primary energy in 2024.

Such figures show the supposed 'energy transition' away from fossil fuels is largely a myth. Between 2023 and 2024 the world added more energy from gas-powered generation than from solar and more from coal power than from wind.

The world has increased its use of hydrocarbons by 50 per cent in 25 years and reduced our dependence on them by less than one per cent. Trillions of dollars have been spent trying to wean the world off fossil fuels  to very little purpose.

Like it or not, hydrocarbon energy is the very lifeblood of prosperity. Vastly powerful and efficient, it turns a chaos of random atoms and electrons into a cornucopia of useful devices and services.

It moves goods and people, powers electronics, lights and heats homes, fertilises crops, fuels manufacturing, creates the plastics upon which so much of modern life depends, and more.

President Maduro in December 2025, greeting supporters during a rally in Caracas

More energy means higher living standards pretty much by definition. Even the 'green transition' depends on hydrocarbons: it is hard to make electric-car batteries, wind turbines and solar panels without coal, oil and gas.

Manufacturing solar panels involves coal, coke, charcoal and wood. Smelting silica, the key component, with these carbon sources turns it into metallic-grade silicon for use in solar panels, releasing six tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of silicon produced  not counting the emissions of fuelling the smelter. That's why solar panels are made in China, where coal is cheap.

And here's a line you will not often read: one of the best things about hydrocarbons, as opposed to carbohydrates, is that other species don't need them.

When you burn oil, coal or gas, you are not stealing the lunch of beetles, birds or bison, the way you might when you burn wood or harvest crops for oxen or for biofuel. Switching to fossil fuels was the best thing our ancestors ever did for forests and wildlife  as well as for the world's poorest people.

Until almost ten years ago, it was generally agreed oil and gas would run out and get very expensive as they did so. Burning coal was too dirty. It was urgent to harness alternatives such as nuclear, hydro, biomass, solar and wind power.

Then along came the shale revolution. Between 2008 and 2024, America  once written-off as a declining producer of hydrocarbons doubled its output of gas and trebled its output of oil.

Those hoping rising fossil fuel prices would bail out wind, solar and nuclear have grown disappointed.

But, as the author of the book Fossil Future, Alex Epstein, likes to say: hydrocarbons do not take a safe climate and make it dangerous, they take a dangerous climate and make it safe.

It is fossil fuels that, directly or indirectly, provide the transport, shelter, information and food that save lives during floods, storms and droughts. Our lives depend upon them.

Burning hydrocarbons does affect the climate, of course, and the world must adapt and mitigate by, for example, reducing coal use in favour of gas where possible. Britain has already done this. But going 'cold turkey' by banning all hydrocarbons, or pinning our hopes on unreliable renewables such as wind and solar, would do more harm than climate change could ever do.

Whether we like it or not, the rest of the world's obsession with climate change is fading  and with it fades any realistic prospect of artificially pricing fossil fuels out of the energy market through carbon taxes.

The race to dominate the artificial intelligence industry, with its massive demands for electricity, is being fuelled not by windmills but by gas in America and coal in China.

Instead of buying exorbitantly expensive liquefied gas from America and Qatar, Britain must tap some of our own, rich, reserves of shale gas under Lincolnshire and Lancashire. Rather than buying oil produced in the North Sea by Norwegians, we need to drill for oil in our own sector of that same sea.

Instead, thanks to the exorbitant cost of wind and solar energy, our industrial electricity prices are four times those of America.

This, plus the crackdown on gas boilers, petrol cars, holidays and beef are not just a drag on our living standards, they are lacerations of economic self-harm.

The green dogma is destroying our competitiveness, removing our steel, car, chemical and oil industries and excluding us from the race for an AI industry.

As Venezuela reminds us, the world economy relies on fossil fuels now, and probably well into the future. It's a lesson we can't afford to ignore.

Matt Ridley is an acclaimed science writer whose books include The Rational Optimist.
Nicolas Maduro was never a legitimate president of Venezuela. He did not govern a state in any meaningful sense of the word. He presided over a criminal regime that used the symbols of government as camouflage.

By the time the United States moved against him, Venezuela was not a country being mismanaged. It was a narco state, deliberately constructed to fuse drug trafficking, military corruption, and foreign adversary access into a single operating system.

Treating that arrangement as a normal dictatorship was a category error. Ending it was not adventurism. It was overdue self-defense.

Until recently, I served in the Central Intelligence Agency as Chief of Station, Caracas, and I can tell you that, for years, Washington pretended this distinction did not matter.

Venezuela was handled as a political problem that might eventually soften under statements, sanctions and negotiations carefully calibrated to offend no one - confusing process with strategy.

Time did not soften the regime. It entrenched it. The longer Maduro remained in place, the deeper criminal networks embedded themselves inside the state.

Cartels moved product with official protection. Cuban intelligence services ran internal repression. Russian operatives operated freely in the Caribbean Basin. Chinese financial leverage seeped into state infrastructure without transparency or accountability.

At some point, the question stopped being whether Maduro could be pressured into legitimacy and became whether the United States was willing to tolerate a criminal hub in its own hemisphere masquerading as a sovereign nation. The objections to confronting that reality were predictable and hollow.

By the time the United States moved against Maduro (pictured with his wife, Cilia Flores, in Manhattan on January 5), Venezuela was not a country being mismanaged. It was a narco state

Maduro was never a legitimate president of Venezuela. He did not govern a state in any meaningful sense of the word

The decision to remove Maduro reflected a judgment call made explicitly by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Pictured: CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Trump and Rubio monitor military operations in Venezuela on January 3)

We were warned about instability by people who had already accepted permanent collapse. We were cautioned about chaos by those who had learned to live comfortably alongside it. And we were lectured about restraint by the same voices who spent a decade proving that inaction carried no professional cost at all.

Venezuela disintegrated on schedule while the Georgetown seminars continued.

That collapse was not abstract. It emptied cities, shattered families, and destabilized an entire region. Millions fled. Criminal networks expanded outward. Drugs, violence, human trafficking, and disorder followed familiar routes north.

This is what a criminal regime looks like when it is allowed to harden. It exports chaos, then demands diplomatic deference as if it were Switzerland.

Protecting a narco state in the name of regional stability is not realism. It is the intellectual justification for doing nothing while pretending to be serious.

The decision to remove Maduro reflected a judgment call made explicitly by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and it was the correct one.

Until recently, I served in the Central Intelligence Agency as Chief of Station, Caracas

Venezuela was no longer treated as a diplomatic dispute to be managed or a negotiation to be endlessly extended in the hope that a narco state might one day discover civic virtue.

It was treated as what it had become, a national security and law-enforcement problem tied directly to transnational crime and hostile foreign influence. Once Trump made that call, the objective clarified immediately. Stop managing the problem. Start collapsing it. Compress the regimes options until it could no longer function.

That is how pressure campaigns work when they are designed to end rather than to linger. Financial lifelines are identified and cut. Protection networks are exposed. Senior figures are placed under personal risk. Foreign enablers are forced to calculate their own exposure. Confidence gives way to caution. Internal cohesion erodes. Defection becomes rational.

What looks sudden to the public is usually the final move in a process that has already done its work.

Some critics now insist the operation was too risky, that confronting a criminal regime invites disorder. That argument only works if you pretend Venezuela was stable to begin with. Delay was not buying time. It was buying the regime space.

The Trump administration understood that distinction.

Maduros removal was not symbolic. It demonstrated that a criminal regime aligned with Americas adversaries would no longer be insulated by process, delay, or ritual objection. It showed that the United States can still act decisively without defaulting to occupation, chaos, or endless entanglement.

What follows now is not a warning against action but a demand for follow-through.

It showed that the United States can still act decisively without defaulting to occupation, chaos, or endless entanglement

What looks sudden to the public is usually the final move in a process that has already done its work

Venezuelans are pictured celebrating the removal of Maduro on January 3

Venezuelas institutions were deliberately hollowed out to serve a criminal elite. That damage does not reverse itself automatically. The task ahead is not to find a more presentable strongman. It is to prevent the machinery of the narco state from being inherited by the next set of opportunists and criminal syndicates.

That requires sustained pressure across the entire ecosystem that sustained the regime, not just the man who once sat at its center. Financial networks, enforcement arms, political fixers, and foreign facilitators must be treated as part of the same problem.

The goal is not substitution. It is dismantlement. Venezuela does not need a new dictator with cleaner optics. It needs space to rebuild institutions without criminal coercion sitting on top of them.

The regional message is unmistakable. Cuba, in particular, can no longer assume that exporting repression and intelligence services in exchange for oil and protection is a low-risk business model. That arrangement survived on American hesitation. That hesitation is gone.

When a criminal regime loses its immunity, every regime that depended on it is forced to reassess its own exposure.

This is not a lesson about restraint gone wrong. It is an indictment of a decade spent confusing hesitation with wisdom, process with strategy, and fear of criticism with judgment.

Maduros removal showed that the United States can still identify a threat clearly, act decisively, and act without asking permission from those who failed to act when it mattered.

What comes next should build on that success. Lock down the money. Prevent the reconstitution of criminal power under new names. Support a transition that leads to elections and reconstruction rather than another cartelized state. Maintain relentless pressure on transnational criminal networks and foreign actors that treated Venezuela as a platform.

Venezuela did not lose a president. It lost a criminal regime. Ensuring it does not inherit another one is the work that remains.

Rick de la Torre is the founder and CEO of Tower Strategy, a federal lobbying firm in Washington. A retired senior CIA operations officer and former Chief of Station, he specializes in national security, energy, trade and geopolitical risk.
After almost 40 years in nursing, much of it spent in cardiology, using a defibrillator machine was second nature to Fran Murt.

But suddenly, on a training day, the deputy matron who had joined the NHS at 17 found herself struggling to use it.

I just couldnt remember how it worked and burst into tears, recalls Fran, now 70. My colleagues tried to reassure me I was just stressed after a busy time at work, but I knew something more was wrong.

The defibrillator incident was just one of a string of puzzling symptoms Fran had experienced over the previous year or so, including out-of-character lapses in her planning skills.

I had always been really organised at work and at home, running our family finances and the household like clockwork  but, suddenly, I couldnt keep on top of the bills, says Fran, a grandmother of three, who lives in Liverpool with husband Frank, 71, an NHS data officer.

One day I caught my usual train to my mother-in-laws house about three miles from home, and instead found myself in Ormskirk, 11 miles away, she recalls. I didnt know how I got there, why I was there or how to get home. I had to phone Frank to get me.

There were other confusing episodes. Once she got off at the wrong bus stop on a familiar route, and another time she got lost in Liverpool city centre, an area shed known all her life.

I couldnt fathom what was happening to me, says Fran.

Frank also noticed I was forgetting the names of everyday items, like the kettle, calling it a thing.

Frans GP initially suspected shed had a mini-stroke, caused by a temporary blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain. But scans were negative and she was told there was nothing wrong, so returned to work.

Fran Murt, a former senior nurse, discovered she had signs of dementia after noticing she was struggling with everyday tasks at work

However, a few months later Fran found herself unable to put a blood pressure cuff on a patient  a routine nursing task.

I didnt know which way it went, she says. Fran made an excuse, asking a colleague to do it, but then took sick leave, terrified she might make a mistake.

She returned to her GP, who gave her memory tests involving simple questions such as her age and naming the Prime Minister, which she struggled with.

Then, at a hospital memory clinic, CT and MRI scans revealed brain changes caused by blockages in smaller blood vessels  a classic sign of vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimers, and affecting around 180,000 Britons.

Fran knew she was at higher risk of heart disease  her mother had died of a heart attack aged 52  and she had been treated for high blood pressure and raised cholesterol since her 40s, but the potential link to her brain was devastating, she recalls.

Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP. Symptom Checklist

Given her relatively young age  63  doctors asked her to return a few months later for more tests before delivering a diagnosis.

In 2020, she scored low on memory tests and was given a lumbar puncture, where a needle is inserted into the spine to extract cerebrospinal fluid to check her levels of beta-amyloid and tau proteins  changes to these biomarkers are hallmarks of Alzheimers.

A lumbar puncture is used to confirm dementia alongside CT or MRI scans and cognitive tests.

Fran was diagnosed not just with vascular dementia but also with Alzheimers disease.

She was deeply upset, she recalls, fearing she might not be able to recognise her family or care for her grandchildren any more.

I also knew Id never go back to work, so it was like my identity was going, too, she says. My life was turned upside down.

The family shared her shock: There were lots of tears. But I said to them that I wasnt going to let dementia define me and was going to get up every day and make the most of whatever time I had left.

An estimated one in five people diagnosed with dementia has mixed dementia  a combination of more than one different type of the disease.

The combination of Alzheimers with vascular dementia is the most common. Other common types of dementia include dementia with Lewy bodies (where abnormal protein clumps form inside brain cells) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a type that affects the frontal temporal lobes of the brain involved in behaviour and language.

Tim Beanland, head of knowledge at Alzheimers Society, says having more than one type of dementia may make symptoms worse. If you have mixed dementia then you have more than one disease contributing to your cognitive decline, he explains.

Fran had MRI and CT scans to determine what was wrong with her

Its hoped that further research into biomarkers could identify more cases of mixed dementia

However, the rate the disease progresses can vary greatly.

This will depend more on the extent of each disease in the brain, rather than how many diseases you have contributing to your symptoms, he adds.

Identifying mixed dementia is essential to ensure treatment addresses both the underlying causes and symptoms.

Specific diagnosis could also mean patients benefit from any relevant new drugs that may become available, explains Professor Chris Fox, an expert in mental health and dementia research at the University of Exeter.

In Frans case it meant she could be prescribed memantine, a drug that helps with Alzheimers symptoms, including forgetfulness, confusion and anxiety. It works by blocking a protein in the brain called glutamate which can damage nerve cells.

There are currently no specific drugs for vascular dementia  treatment relies on controlling blood pressure and cholesterol through medication and lifestyle changes.

Drugs such as rivastigmine, donepezil and galantamine may reduce confusion and improve attention in Lewy body dementia, by increasing levels of a chemical, acetylcholine, which improves the ability of brain cells to signal to each other.

While there is no specific treatment for FTD, antidepressants can help the compulsive behaviours some people experience.

Post-mortem studies of brain tissue reveal that 50 per cent of people diagnosed with only one type of dementia in fact had mixed protein clumps, including amyloid and tau, in their brains (associated with Alzheimers)  as well as alpha synuclein (associated with dementia with Lewy bodies) and TDP-43, linked to Parkinsons disease.

Indeed, even with just Alzheimers disease, the picture may be more complicated.

Louise Robinson, a GP and a professor of primary care and ageing at Newcastle University, explains: This is a complex area, but from research in the past decade we know that even if you have pure Alzheimers, vascular factors play an important part, too.

Diagnosing mixed dementia accurately is difficult because it mostly relies on observing the combination of the persons symptoms, which depend on which part of the brain is affected.

Its hoped that further research into biomarkers could identify more cases of mixed dementia.

In a three-year study being funded by Alzheimers Society at Imperial College London, researchers will analyse post-mortem brain samples from patients diagnosed with Alzheimers to determine exactly which types of clumps damage the brain  as well as identifying biomarkers that might relate to mixed protein clumps. This could eventually lead to a simple blood test.

Four years on, despite her initial shock, Fran says she sees the positives of being diagnosed with the double whammy of dementia diseases.

She says: I call it my buy-one-get-one-free, and at least being diagnosed with Alzheimers as well meant I was eligible for memantine. I believe this has stabilised some of my symptoms. I wouldnt have got that had I not been diagnosed with mixed dementia, as its not a treatment for vascular dementia.

Although shes had to give up nursing, Fran still manages to catch the bus alone to meet friends, albeit with a tracker on her phone and watch so her family knows where she is.

She also gives talks to student nurses about being diagnosed with dementia and takes part in a podcast, Fighting Dementia, to show you can still lead a good life.

A lifelong Liverpool FC fan, Fran says she cant cope with the crowds at Anfield for the mens team any more, but still enjoys watching the womens team, which draws smaller numbers.

A stroke in 2022 left her weak on her left side and she also has type 2 diabetes and atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder.

Fran says: Id be lying if I said I dont worry about whats ahead of me, but then none of us knows. You just have to focus on what you can still do and get on with it.

Worried you or a loved one may have dementia? Alzheimers Society has a symptoms checklist, visit: alzheimers.org.uk/symptoms
A father-of-two has revealed the warning sign of bowel cancer which appeared two years before he was diagnosed with the disease at just 33 years old.

Christmas tree farmer James Rogers, now 34, from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire was diagnosed with the illness last May after visiting his GP about passing blood.

Mr Rogers said: 'I had a little bit of blood in the faeces. I was on holiday, saw the blood, sort of panicked a little bit, and then it stopped.

'But I thought "I should go to the doctors about this." I have seen blood before and always acted on it.

'The doctors did a blood test which was all fine - they were adamant it wouldn't be cancer.

'But I also had the fit test [a non-invasive test that checks stool for blood], which came back positive. I then learned I needed a colonoscopy.

After the colonoscopy, things moved quickly and Mr Rogers underwent urgent surgery to remove a tumour before starting a course of gruelling chemotherapy.

However this wasn't the first time he had experienced a common bowel cancer symptom, and two-and-a-half years prior he had also seen his GP after seeing blood in his stool. His fit test at that time came back negative.

James Rogers [pictured with his partner Ellie Henderson] has revealed the early warning sign he had years before his bowel cancer diagnosis

'My surgeon said this time, "Oh yeah, that might have been a bleeding polyp before,"' Mr Rogers said.

In some cases, polyps, which are growths in the bowel that are mostly benign, can become cancerous.

Mr Rogers said: 'Who knows but maybe if it had been removed at that point, then I wouldnt have had to go through this now?'

When told he had the illness, he said he was so in shock that he 'didn't really feel anything'.

'I just felt emotionally numb to it. I think I was in so much shock, it didn't feel real,' he said.

'But once the reality kicked in, the anxiety sort of set in. I was told I need a CT scan and an MRI.

'Waiting for those results was extremely scary because I didn't know whether the cancer was in other parts of my body. If it was, the prognosis would be far worse.

'I do feel very blessed not to have it elsewhere in the body... it does put life into perspective.'

Mr Rogers [pictured with Ms Henderson and their daughters Lily, seven, and Amelia, eight] says his first scan following treatment has come back 'all fine'

After receiving his diagnosis, he had to have a surgery to remove a tumour, they did a microscopic study of a tissue sample of, known as a histography.

'There were two lymph nodes right next to the tumour that were infected, and they said to reduce the risk of the cancer recurring, they would give me chemotherapy.'

Following his gruelling treatment, Mr Rogers has been told his first scan came back 'all fine'.

'A month ago, I had my first scan after my treatment and it came back all fine, thankfully,' he said.

Now he wants to raise awareness of the illness which is concerningly on the rise in young people like him.

'A lot more young people are getting cancer now,' he said. 'I just want to turn this negative situation into a positive by raising awareness about the symptoms.'

Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK said: 'Were incredibly grateful to James and Ellie for raising awareness of their experience of bowel cancer, and were delighted to hear that James is recovering well from his treatment.

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'Every 12 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it the fourth most common cancer.

'Although the disease is more common in the over-50s, there is a growing body of evidence globally that bowel cancer is increasing in younger people, including in the UK.

'As James story shows, bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.'

It comes amid a worrying surge of the devastating illness being diagnosed in people aged under 50 in the past decade.

Around 42,000 Britons are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, with 17,400 dying of the disease.

It took the life of Dame Deborah James at the age of 40, who was nicknamed the 'bowel babe' for raising awareness of the cancer.

Early warning signs include blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, weight loss and fatigue, as well as a pain, lump or bowel obstruction.

But Dr Jack Ogden, a GP at The Lagom Clinic in Bristol, previously told the Daily Mail other symptoms are often overlooked.

Dame Deborah James, nicknamed the 'bowel babe' raised more than 11.3million for Cancer Research and is credited for increasing awareness of the disease, which killed her in 2022 aged 40

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This included iron deficiency anaemia, which he said can present as 'unexplained fatigue, pale skin or shortness of breath'.

Anaemia is a condition when the body doesn't have enough red blood cells to pump oxygen around the body.

It can also cause symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches and dizziness.

This is because tumours can bleed, causing iron loss and inflammation that produces a protein which interferes with iron absorption.

He added suddenly noticing narrower stools with no clear cause, is another subtle sign of bowel cancer.

Pencil-thin stools can be an indicator that a tumour is obstructing the colon causing it to squeeze stool into a thinner shape, Dr Ogden added.

Bloating and abdominal discomfort, equally, is also 'subtle' sign of the cancer, he warned.

This may present itself as 'persistent cramping' or feeling full quickly after eating, Dr Ogden said.
Americans may unknowingly be consuming a harmful chemical in one of their grocery store staples.

As part of the process of getting chicken from farm to grocery store, manufacturers chill the meat in large cold water tanks that contain chlorine to kill off bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter and E.coli.

However, this can result in the meat soaking up some of the chemicals used to clean them. Meanwhile, chlorine rinses, which also include chlorine alternatives and organic acids, are not foolproof protection against food-borne illness, as they do not fully sanitize the chicken.

In the EU and UK, the use of chlorine baths is banned. Instead, they primarily use air chilling with cold air or, sometimes, nontoxic acid sprays.

The US system, regulated by the USDA, views the chlorinated chill as a critical final step to ensure a safe product and considers it safe and effective. The USDA permits chlorine rinses and sprays, often at 18 to 30 parts per million (PPM) or up to 50 ppm in chill tanks, to control pathogens.

The primary concern among public health bodies and experts is not only that chlorine residue poses risk to humans, but that it masks poor hygiene practices elsewhere in the process, as well as poor animal welfare guarantees at farms that allow for the spread of pathogens that may survive the chlorine process, which does not sterilize chicken.

Paul Saladino, a health influencer and former psychiatrist, warns Americans about chlorine-processed chicken. He recommends that consumers look for an 'air-chilled' label on chicken packaging, as this indicates the chicken was not washed in a chlorine bath.

Air chilling is the standard in the EU not only for its ability to mitigate potential chemical residues but also its stronger, purer flavor, crispier skin and tender meat, as it avoids water absorption.

A standard chilling method for chicken sold in grocery stores involves submerging cleaned chicken in chlorinated water, a practice some experts warn may leave chemical residues in the meat (stock)

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Saladino said: Even organic chicken can be dunked in a chlorine bath and have up to 12 percent retained water from the chilling process, which means unless your chicken says its air-chilled, it is full of chemicals and chlorine that are absorbed in the chicken when its chilled.

Still, the public health threat due to chlorine residue on chicken may not be as extreme as warned, according to experts.

Edmund McCormick, a food Science and formulation consultant who focuses on microbial risk reduction with Cape Crystal Brands, told the Daily Mail that most mainstream risk assessments deem this is a minimal health threat.

He said that when chlorine hits organic material on the chicken, like bacteria, it binds to it and neutralizes it.

By the time the chicken is rinsed and packaged, the reactive chlorine has mostly been used up in this reaction, leaving very little on the meat itself.

Less than five percent of poultry processing facilities still use chlorine in rinses and sprays, according to the National Chicken Council, an industry group that surveyed its members.

Toxicity warnings should be taken with a grain of salt, based on a series of studies on the subject. Researchers tested whether drinking chlorinated water harms the immune system.

Multiple studies fed mice and rats water with chlorine levels far higher than any used in food processing for months.

Air chilling is the norm in the EU for a few key advantages. It prevents chemical residues, enhances flavor and improves texture by avoiding water absorption, which results in tender meat and crispier skin

They found no negative effects on immune organs, cell function, or antibody production, even at extreme doses. The only change was that animals drank less of the highly chlorinated water, leading to mild dehydration effects, not toxicity.

Additionally, although some people who are highly sensitive to chlorine could notice minor irritation, this is very unlikely because the chlorine concentration is extremely smalllower than what's found in a swimming pool.

Estimates suggest that adults would need to eat five percent of their body weight in chlorinated chicken each day to be at risk of negative health effects, like chemical toxicity or organ stress, from poultry alone. This is an amount far beyond anything a person could or would ever realistically eat.

While chlorine is used to kill dangerous, life-threatening bacteria, a chlorine bath is not a foolproof way to protect consumers from foodborne illness.

Chlorine washes reduce but do not sterilize chicken. Some pathogens, like Campylobacter, can form biofilms or hide in feather follicles, potentially surviving the wash.

Consumers might develop a false sense of security and mishandle the meat, including by not cooking it thoroughly or allowing for cross-contamination in the kitchen.

In Europe, the primary strategy focuses on preventing pathogens in living animals through farm-level measures like vaccination and specialized feed.

Chlorine baths, shown after the chickens were removed from the chemical rinse in massive storage containers, are used to kill off bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses, but they are not foolproof. Those baths may not kill off all bacteria, as chlorine does not sterilize the chicken

In contrast, the US system emphasizes methods to eliminate contaminants only after slaughter.

European health authorities argue that a chlorine bath is a band-aid that covers up flaws up and down the processing line, the entirety of which should be made as safe as possible.

McCormick said: A chlorine or an equivalent rinse is able to reduce surface microbial load but unable to reliably fix upstream failures such as a high incoming pathogen burden, fecal contamination events, insufficient scald or defeather control, poor evisceration control or systemic farm-level disease pressure.

In other words: Antimicrobial dips are more a last stand-in for a multi-hurdle system, not a replacement for clean birds in, clean birds out.
I'll be honest  I wasn't particularly keen on the idea. A full-body health scan? At my age? I'm 46, eat properly, I don't smoke, I'm generally sensible about these things.

So when I was invited to try the new Neko Health clinic that's just opened in Liverpool Street in London, I wasn't too enthusiastic.

Journalists get offered these kind of things all the time and I usually decline them as they are typically out of the price range of most people. They are also often have dubious evidence for their actual value.

The problem with blanket screening of otherwise fit and healthy people is that it can pick up things that actually don't pose a risk to someone's health.

Yet because these incidental findings  benign growths, anatomical variations and so on, or 'incidentalomas'  have been spotted, they need to be investigated.

So people then have to undergo more invasive investigations (and if done privately, added costs, too), when all along the thing that's been picked up posed no danger.

What interested me about Neko, though, and why I agreed to submit myself to its assessment, was that it offers something quite different.

It's not a blanket all-over body scan and it's not going on a wild goose chase trying to find something wrong with you.

Our columnist tries out the new Neko Health clinic for a variety of tests and scans, including this hand strength test

Dr Max gets comfortable as he has his blood taken, which will be sent off for a speedy analysis

It's about prevention  analysing dozens of blood markers alongside cardiovascular measurements and skin imaging to spot areas that need improvement before they become problems. Standard private health MOTs check the basics; Neko digs deeper.

The idea is simple: catch problems before they become crises.

Preventative medicine, in other words  something every doctor bangs on about but that the NHS, frankly, hasn't got the time or resources to deliver.

And the logic is compelling. According to the British Medical Association, the care of people living with often preventable, long-term conditions makes up around 50 per cent of GP appointments and 70 per cent of hospital bed occupancy.

This is like servicing your car regularly instead of waiting for the engine to explode on the M25.

The idea is that people are given advice and guidance on what lifestyle changes to make  and then return yearly to see how things have improved.

This approach piqued my interest  as did the fact that at 299, Neko's programme is relatively cheap.

There was also the fact that the past year for me has been brutal. I've been writing a book, travelling a lot giving talks and chairing conferences, alongside the usual relentless demands of working full-time in the NHS.

And somewhere along the way, the gym membership has gathered dust and the late nights at my desk have become the norm.

Dr Max prepares for the Neko skin scanner, which finds he has 812 marks on his skin

A view of the tissue scanning that is part of the Neko experience Dr Max tried out

So, with some trepidation, I agreed to give it a go and this is how I find myself at the Neko Health centre about to strip down to my underpants.

The first thing that strikes me is how utterly un-medical it feels. No stale waiting room smell. No ancient magazines. No grumpy receptionist. It's all sleek design, soft lighting and a calming lemony-yellow colour scheme, more Scandinavian spa than GP surgery  not surprising given it was founded by Daniel Ek, the Swedish billionaire behind Spotify.

After registering, I'm taken upstairs and given space-age rubber slippers and a pale lemon robe. Everything is absurdly well designed  if the NHS looked like this, people might actually want to visit their GP. (Mind you, the NHS has rather bigger fish to fry  like seeing patients within the same year they booked their appointment.)

A smiley nurse explains that I'll undergo a series of tests and scans designed to build up a comprehensive picture of my cardiovascular and metabolic health, plus a detailed examination of my skin.

Skin health is particularly relevant to me  I have a strong family history of skin cancer, something that worries me, especially as I've already had a BCC (basal cell carcinoma, a type of non-malignant skin cancer) twice  that the NHS never offered to monitor routinely (I had them removed privately, though my NHS GP was involved).

Down to my underpants, I step into what looks like a sci-fi pod  the skin scanner: the door slides shut and a soothing voice tells me to close my eyes. There's a sudden, incredibly bright flash.

The technology  high-resolution 2D and 3D photography combined with thermal imaging  captures every mark, mole and blemish on my body. I turn around. Another flash. Done.

In those few seconds, it's catalogued all the marks on my skin. I have 812 of them, I learn.

Dr Max arrives at the main reception of the Neko Health centre in Liverpool Street in London

He waits for his scan in a modern-looking lounge - and is even given special slippers to wear

Then it's a whirlwind. Blood pressure on both arms and both legs  to check the early signs of artery disease. An ECG provides detailed cardiovascular measurements  mapping how my heart's pumping. A scan designed by Neko on my forearm monitors how blood's moving through my arteries, veins and capillaries.

Grip strength tests on both hands. Blood samples whisked off through a vacuum tube in the ceiling, bound for the lab upstairs to check a range of markers for things such as my kidney function. My eye pressure is checked for glaucoma.

Of course some of the checks, such as the ECG, blood tests and blood pressure are offered on the NHS, but this is more in-depth: the volume of data is staggering  within half an hour, Neko has collected more data about my body than my GP surgery has managed in the past decade.

This isn't a criticism of my GP  they're working within a system that simply doesn't have the time or resources for this kind of comprehensive assessment.

But it does highlight just how reactive, rather than proactive, the NHS has become.

The thousands of individual data points from all the tests I've taken are then crunched by AI to outline my health and identify areas of concern.

The speed of this number crunching is also impressive: within ten minutes of finishing my tests, Dr Sam Rodgers  a GP who works in the NHS part-time but is here because he believes so passionately in preventative medicine  has an analysis ready.

This, I realise, is the real value. Not just the tests themselves, but having proper time to sit down with a doctor and understand what they mean.

Part of the procedure involves Dr Max having his eye pressure taken

After the tests, Dr Max sits down with a doctor to go through all the results

I was with him for an hour. When did any of us last get an hour with a GP?

My results are mostly positive, which is gratifying if slightly anticlimactic. I allow myself a brief moment of smugness before Dr Rodgers moves to the less flattering findings.

While my blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar control are essentially very good, my grip strength is poor. Lower than 80 per cent of my peers on the left, 60 per cent on the right.

He asks, gently, about my exercise routine. I'm forced to admit I've rather let it slide.

He explains that the strength in your hands is closely related to the strength of muscles elsewhere in your body. The recommendation is clear: restart strength training. It's a wake-up call.

I also have a slightly raised CRP reading  a marker of inflammation that can indicate cardiovascular risk. But Dr Rodgers contextualises it carefully. I've recently had a scalp infection, which would explain it.

The skin images are extraordinary. Every mark and mole flashes up on screen in absurd detail  I can literally see individual hair follicles. Each one is measured and analysed: colour, diameter, asymmetry, border characteristics.

A dermatologist reviews anything flagged as concerning. This has happened by the time you see the doctor. There's now a permanent record of every spot on my body, creating a baseline to catch any changes immediately.

The real benefit comes from returning annually  to spot any changes early but equally, track the improvements you've made.

You get a much more nuanced monitoring of trends than you would at general check-ups five years apart, as offered in the NHS from the age of 40.

What strikes me most is how empowering this is.

I leave with a clear understanding of where my health stands  each metric comes with explanations (why it matters, what different results mean) and specific recommendations for improvement and access to an online portal where I can review everything at leisure.

I'd like to think the NHS could learn from that but I think we're a long way off from it ever being able to offer this kind of comprehensive, in-depth assessment.

Is it worth the 299? For the dozens of tests, comprehensive blood analysis and a full hour with a doctor explaining everything, I'd say yes.

For context, standalone mole mapping at a private clinic would cost you at least that much without any of the other tests.

Because the visit is considered a medical check, health data is stored in compliance with government regulations. Patients can also request deletion of their data at any time.

My only gripe is the long waiting list  10,000-people long, though apparently the wait is still only a few months.

Stepping back on to Liverpool Street afterwards, I feel genuinely energised. I've got a clear picture of where my health stands and what I need to do about it.

More than that, I've been reminded that preventative medicine isn't just good practice  it's transformative. This is what the NHS should be doing.

Now, about those grip exercises

Free NHS checks to keep tabs on your health

If going private is not for you, here are some of free checks available on the NHS:

General Health MOT

Designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia, this is offered every five years to those aged 40-74 with no pre-existing health conditions. As well as asking about lifestyle and family history, the nurse will measure your height, weight, blood pressure and give you a blood test to check cholesterol levels.

Cervical screening

This is offered to women aged 25-64, every three to five years, to check for abnormalities that could lead to cervical cancer. Cells are collected from the cervix using a brush, then sent to be tested for signs of HPV.

Breast cancer

Women aged 50-71 are offered a mammogram, a form of X-ray of the breast every three years. Mammograms can detect breast tumours, especially in women aged 50 and older when breast tissue becomes less dense.

Bowel cancer

Screening via a stool sample is offered every two years to all aged 50-74. Over-75s can request it by calling the NHS on 0800 707 60 60. This is undertaken via a FIT (faecal immunochemical test) which is sent in the post  the stool sample is then tested for signs of blood, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.

Prostate cancer

You can ask your GP for a blood test if you're over 45 and in an at-risk group (of black heritage or have a family history, for instance) or if you are aged over 50.

Lung cancer

High-risk people (for example, smokers) aged 55-75 can be screened for lung cancer  this involves having an injection of dye before a scan (usually a CT scan), which shows any nodules or inflammation.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Men over 65 are offered ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm  a swelling of the main blood vessel in the body. Most do not cause problems but, if they burst, they can be deadly. Men are six times more likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm than women.

Osteoporosis

A DEXA bone density scan is available if you're over 50 and at high risk of osteoporosis (such as post-menopause) or under 50 with other risk factors (such as smoking).
Australians are racing to Bunnings after a compact gadget went viral, with many calling it the smartest travel backup they've bought in years.

The unassuming tech accessory has quietly exploded across TikTok, where travellers, parents and festival-goers are sharing clips of a palm-sized power bank that promises to rescue dying phones on the go.

Sold at Bunnings, the Click Power Bank Lightning with Phone Holder costs just $6.98 and has been flying off shelves after users praised its affordability, compact size and built-in phone stand.

The purse-friendly charger packs a 5000mAh (milliampere-hour) battery, offering a relatively solid power reserve for smartphones and other small devices.

It also features a Type-C output, now considered the universal standard for charging and high-speed data transfer, replacing older USB formats.

Small enough to slip into a jacket pocket and measuring just eight centimetres in length, the charger is designed to sit flush against your phone while propping it upright - a simple detail that has turned out to be one of its biggest selling points.

'They make a great stand while watching stuff on your phone,' one shopper shared.

'It's so convenient! I use this to charge my phone and stand it upright to watch movies on the plane when I travel for work,' another echoed.

Australians have been racing to Bunnings for the Click Power Bank Lightning with Phone Holder ($6.98) after users praised its affordability, compact size and built-in phone stand

Others were impressed by how much battery life they managed to squeeze out of the tiny device.

'Mine charged my phone to 88 per cent in an hour. Better than nothing!' one user said.

'From flat, they take about two hours to charge and I get roughly 75 to 80 per cent,' another agreed.

Parents, in particular, say it has become a handy backup for kids' devices during long days out, though not everyone has had the same experience.

'I got one today and it charges my daughter's phone but not mine - both are the same iPhone,' one frustrated buyer commented, suggesting performance may vary depending on the device.

While many have described the charger as a must-have emergency item, others were quick to point out its limitations, especially when compared to higher-end power banks.

'They're okay, but they only have enough charge for one full top-up,' one person wrote.

'Great in an emergency, but I already have better chargers that will charge my phone quicker and multiple times.'

The purse-friendly charger packs a 5000mAh (milliampere-hour) battery, offering a relatively solid power reserve for smartphones and other small devices. 'Mine charged my phone to 88 per cent in an hour,' one user said

The biggest downside, however, hasn't been the charger's limitations, but rather stock shortages nationally. 'All my local stores have sold out of Type-C and I'm getting frustrated,' one shopper complained, as demand continues to surge following the online buzz

Another questioned the hype altogether, joking: 'Do we really need power banks though? This feels like a boomer thing.'

Still, for many shoppers, the low price has made it an easy impulse buy, particularly as premium portable chargers continue to climb in cost.

'Thank you for posting the video. Was thinking of buying Pulse, but now I'll run back to Bunnings,' one shopper admitted.

'The price blows my mind,' another added.

The biggest downside, however, hasn't been the charger's limitations, but rather stock shortages nationally.

'All my local stores have sold out of Type-C and I'm getting frustrated,' one shopper complained, as demand continues to surge following the online buzz.

Bunnings has described the charger as ideal for 'families on the move', and that appears to be exactly where it has found its niche.

Rather than replacing heavy-duty power banks, the compact gadget is acting as a cheap, lightweight safety net for those moments when your phone battery hits red at the worst possible time.
The non-listed menu item needs to be specifically requested

A local version of a cult takeaway dipping sauce is back for a limited time at Grill'd Australia stores  but you need to know the secret codeword to order it.

A foodie frenzy erupted last month when Grill'd Australia quietly released its own take on the iconic dipping sauce made famous by US fast food chain Raising Cane's.

The viral sauce is famously served in a giant cup and used for dipping chicken tenders.

In early December, a limited edition Rais'n Grill'd sauce was secretly added to the Aussie takeaway chain's menu for under two weeks  and instantly became a hard-to-find item.

With no mention of the secret sauce on the menu or website, customers in the know had to try their luck in store by following a hush-hush ordering procedure.

It involved ordering chicken tenders and mentioning the magic words 'Rais'n Grill'd' to get the secret sauce upgrade  but only if the extremely limited quantity of sauces hadn't run out.

Soon afterwards, social media feeds were awash with posts from those who managed to get hold of the limited run sauce  as well as disappointment from those who missed out.

Following huge popularity, it's now been announced that the Rais'n Grill'd sauce is officially back in store  but once again, only for a limited time.

Back by popular demand, Grill'd has reintroduced its secret sauce inspired by the iconic sauce sold at American food chain Raising Cane

The Raisn'n Grill'd dipping sauce isn't listed on the menu and can only be obtained by ordering a three or five pack of Chicken Tenders and then saying the magic words 'Rais'n Grill'd' at the register

After an extremely limited availability in December, the Raisn'n Grill'd sauce is back at Grill'd stores nationwide from January 6 - but only for a limited time

As of January 6, the crave-worthy tangy mayo condiment inspired by the cult-favourite overseas Raising Cane sauce returned to Grill'd.

But like last time, you need to follow the secret ordering procedure in order to get your hands on it.

To try it, simply order any three or five pack of Chicken Tenders, and then say the magic words 'Rais'n Grill'd' at the register. Your order will then have your dip upgraded to the new Rais'n Grill'd sauce  at no extra charge.

Grill'd Head of Marketing Emily Clifton-Bligh said it was an easy decision to bring back the popular viral sauce.

'After it sold out so fast, we knew we had to bring it back so more of our customers could try the pairing everyone was talking about,' Emily said.

She added that they were 'blown away by the excitement for Rais'n Grill'd when it launched in December' and have now heeded 'the calls from Aussies to bring back this limited-edition fave'.

'Rais'n Grill'd quickly became the go-to dip for our Chicken Tenders, especially once creators started sharing their own taste tests,' Emily noted.

Raising Cane's is a popular American fast food chain that originated in Louisiana and has been operating since 1996.

Raising Cane's is a popular American fast food chain that's been operating since the mid 90s. It's best known for its fried chicken fingers served with its highly addictive signature sauce

The takeaway restaurant is best known for its fried chicken fingers served with their highly addictive signature sauce.

Described as creamy, tangy and slightly spicy, the precise secret recipe is kept under wraps by the US fast food chain.

However, it's believed the sauce is made from a blend of ingredients including ketchup, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce.

Many have even tried to recreate the Raising Cane sauce, with an online search revealing a multitude of DIY recipe suggestions.
A man couldn't believe his luck when he was told he'd become a multi-millionaire after being gifted a raffle ticket by a friend for his birthday.

Andrew*, from Brisbane, won a $13million prize, which includes a $12million luxury dream home with stunning oceanfront views on the Gold Coast and $500,000 in gold.

The Moroccan-inspired four-level property boasts views of Burleigh Beach, a 17-metre infinity pool and spa, a steam room, outdoor cinema and luxurious interiors.

The life-changing prize all started from a Dream Home Art Union raffle ticket, which start from $5 per ticket.

'A friend bought me my first tickets for my birthday on December 1. After that, I bought a few more,' Andrew said.

'I saw the home and thought, "wow, that looks great". We love the Graya Homes and honestly thought we'd never be able to afford something like that and now look.'

Just 22 days after getting his raffle tickets, Andrew received an unexpected phone call from an employee who confirmed Andrew had won Australia's biggest-ever prize home.

'When Ben from Dream Home Art Union first called me, I thought it was about a VIP membership or a survey, because I'm not a VIP,' he said.

Andrew* (pictured with his partner), from Brisbane, couldn't believe his luck when he was told he'd become a multi-millionaire after being gifted a raffle ticket by a friend on his birthday

The Moroccan-inspired four-level property boasts views of Burleigh Beach, a 17-metre infinity pool and spa, a steam room, outdoor cinema and luxurious interiors

However, the employee broke the exciting news that Andrew had won the multi-million-dollar prize, leaving him in disbelief.

'You're absolutely joking... Are you kidding?' the winner responded to the news.

His new home featuring five bedrooms and five bathrooms has been styled with $483,247 worth of designer furniture and high-end kitchen appliances - including a pizza oven and a 'beautiful' entertaining outdoor area.

'I'm in shock,' Andrew said, as he broke down in tears.

'When Ben started asking questions about the property, I thought maybe this is real.

'It's incredibly life-changing and very surprising.'

As a $100 ticket book buyer, Andrew also won a bonus $100,000 in gold.

He said he'll use his winning money to pay off his bills first.

'The gold is a substantial amount of money,' he explained.

'It really helps with the mortgage and keeps us very comfortable.'

Andrew and his partner picking up the keys to their new $12million luxury dream home

Just 22 days after getting his raffle tickets, Andrew received an unexpected phone call from an employee who confirmed Andrew had won Australia's biggest-ever prize home

Days before the draw, Andrew and his partner drove two hours from Brisbane to the Gold Coast to catch a glimpse of the designer-built home, unaware it would soon be theirs.

Now the proud owner of the multi-million dollar property, Andrew has revealed his next plans.

'We love our home in Brisbane, but this will probably become our main residence while we keep our Brisbane property as well,' he said.

'We both work from home, so it's going to be very hard to work from home now.'

Proceeds from tickets sold go towards supporting Australian veterans and their families through RSL Queensland.

Dream Home Art Union has been supporting RSL Queensland for nearly 70 years.

*Name has been changed for privacy.
Disney World has quietly cut another perk, and the change will make planning trips to the theme park more stressful - and potentially more expensive - for thousands.

Between managing tickets, dining reservations and Lighting Lanes, preparing for a trip to Disney World can certainly be an overwhelming endeavor.

And now, that process has just become even more demanding for some guests, as the Most Magical Place on Earth has eliminated a benefit that used to make booking Disney trips easier.

For years, those looking to visit the beloved amusement park in Orlando, Florida, before or after a Disney Cruise were able to 'add on' theme park tickets to their cruise reservations.

This meant you could buy them together and everything was under one reservation, also locking in prices at the time of purchase.

But now, Disney Cruise guests who plan to also head to Disney World have to book their park tickets separately from their cruise, making for a more draining experience.

In addition, with rumors that Disney wants to implement dynamic ticket pricing in the future, it can mean that Disney guests will end up paying more for their park entry down the line.

Disney World has quietly cut another perk, and the change will make planning trips to the theme park more stressful - and potentially more expensive - for thousands (stock image)

For years, those looking to visit the amusement park in Orlando before or after a Disney Cruise were able to 'add on' theme park tickets to their cruise reservations (stock image)

According to multiple reports, Disney cut the perk on January 2, 2026, for all future Disney Cruise reservations. All existing ones will be unaffected.

However, 'altering hotel choices, room types, or stay lengths requires canceling the add-on and rebooking directly with Walt Disney World,' per Inside the Magic.

In addition, the Disney Cruise Line Protection Plan no longer covers Disney World add-ons.

Transportation to and from Disney World to the cruise port is still available as a paid cruise add-on.

Disney has said that the change 'will help ensure best packages and pricing,' WDW News Today reported.

However, Disney's Senior Executive VP and CFO Hugh Johnston recently revealed that the park was looking to implement dynamic ticket pricing in the future that changes based on demand.

'We're actually investing in creating dynamic pricing,' Johnston said in November.

'We're doing it in [Disneyland Paris] right now. We've been doing it for about a year. It's off to a very good start, but we're really going to make sure we optimize it before we bring it into the domestic parks.

'So that's probably something that you won't see this year, but you may see in the subsequent years.'

This meant everything was under one reservation, but now, Disney Cruise guests who also plan to head to Disney World need to book them separately (stock image)

With rumors that Disney wants to implement dynamic ticket pricing in the future, it can mean that Disney guests will end up paying more for their park entry down the line (stock image)

That means park tickets fluctuate in price depending on how many people are buying tickets for that day.

So if you book your cruise a year in advance and wait until closer to your departure to snag your park tickets, the price may go up significantly.

For years, Disney World provided a long list of epic perks for those staying at a hotel at the beloved theme park - ranging from free gifts to complimentary transportation.

But recently, many of those bonuses have slowly started to disappear... and some avid Disney fans feel that the silent removal of the benefits, along with rising prices, is simply ruining the magic.

Last month, Disney was furiously slammed online after it announced a shocking 150 percent price increase for a popular service.

Almost everyone who goes to the theme park ends up buying something, whether it's a stuffed animal for your child, one of the iconic popcorn buckets, some new ears or a cute sweatshirt.

Between the dazzling clothes and gleaming toys, it's easy to spend hundreds of dollars on merchandise alone. And those purchases have now become much more expensive for some.

Disney has doubled the cost of its one-day tickets to Disney World in the last decade

Years ago, guests staying at Disney hotels would get a package that contained free MagicBands (seen in stock image) for everyone on the reservation - but that ended in 2021

It was revealed last month that Disney has increased shipping rates for products bought at the parks, and the maximum has now jumped from $40 to a whopping $99.99 (stock image)

Instead of lugging all your new Disney stuff through the airport or trying to fit them in your already-full luggage, guests have the option of sending products bought in the parks home for a fee.

The cost depends on the value of the items, and for years, that fee was capped at $40.

However, it was revealed in December that Disney had increased shipping rates, and the maximum jumped from $40 to a whopping $99.99 - a 150 percent increase.

If your items total up to $100, it now costs $19.99 to ship them anywhere in the US, items costing $100.01 to $250 cost $34.99 to ship, while items costing $250.01 to $500 costs $74.99 to ship. Anything above that value costs $99.99 to ship.

International shipping ranges from $30 to $150, depending on the value of your items, increasing by $10 increments for every $50 in merchandise value.

Fans were outraged by the news, with one pointing out that it's the park's 'steepest price increase' as of late.

It comes as Disney's ticket prices continue to soar.

Back in 2010, a one-day adult ticket to Disney World ranged from $79 to $82, and now, 15 years on, single-day tickets cost as much as $189 for Magic Kingdom - and it was recently announced that the ticket prices would be going up again in 2026.

But the higher-ups at Disney have insisted that the quality of their parks still remains the gold standard.

'The number-one thing we hear from the millions of guests who visit our parks each year is how much a Disney vacation means to them,' Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney's Experiences division, said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal in February 2025.

'We intentionally offer a wide variety of ticket, hotel, and dining options to welcome as many families as possible, whatever their budget.'
Jodie Foster suffered a very embarrassing on-air blunder during her Today show appearance this week, which left host Craig Melvin unamused.

The actress, 63, visited the show on Tuesday morning to promote her upcoming film titled A Private Life.

The new thriller, which hits theaters on January 16, will see Foster portray a renowned psychiatrist who starts investigating after the sudden death of one of her patients.

The movie is all in French, so Melvin asked the Taxi Driver alum to show off her ability to speak the language during her interview.

However, things turned extremely awkward when Foster made a serious mistake live on air.

During the segment, Melvin explained that the film marked a 'career first' for Foster as she took on a 'leading role that's completely in French'.

'I don't think a lot of people knew that you were fluent in French,' he said, to which she responded: 'Yeah, I went to a French school.

'My mom put me in a French school when I was nine so I did everything in French - science, math, history, all that stuff,' the star explained.

Jodie Foster had an embarrassing on-air blunder during her Today show appearance this week, which left host Craig Melvin unamused

The actress, 63, visited the show on Tuesday morning to promote her upcoming film A Private Life, which is all in French

Melvin then asked Foster to teach him how to say 'This is Today on NBC' in French, which is when things went very wrong.

As Foster was giving him the lesson, she accidentally said CBS instead of NBC - one of the network's main competitors.

'No! Not CBS. NBC! Jodi!' an exasperated Melvin told her.

'Well, I don't know...' Foster said as she shrugged. 'It's the same letter [length].'

'That's a different network, Jodie! It was going so well,' Melvin stated.

'You can cut that out,' Foster added, as Melvin reminded her: 'No, it's live.'

'I'm so sorry,' she told Melvin as she covered her face in embarrassment.

It comes months after Foster shocked fans with her youthful complexion at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Join the debate What's YOUR take on Jodie's blunder?

Melvin then asked Foster to teach him how to say 'This is Today on NBC' in French. But as Foster was giving him the lesson, she accidentally said CBS instead of NBC

It comes months after Foster shocked fans with her youthful complexion at the Toronto International Film Festival

The star looked like she had turned back time as she attended the event in September. Foster's skin glowed on stage, as her forehead appeared wrinkle-free.

Afterwards, plastic surgeons who did not treat Foster weighed in on her fresh-faced appearance exclusively with the Daily Mail.

'It doesn't seem like Jodie Foster has done much, and it's very hard to tell if she's had any work done at all,' Dr David Pincus of New York's Pincus Plastic Surgery said.

However, Dr Pincus did notice a difference in her cheeks, adding: 'At the Toronto Film Festival, her cheeks did appear a bit more full compared to the past.

'That kind of change can sometimes be the result of cheek filler, which is a subtle enhancement that restores lost volume,' he continued.

Dr Pincus explained to the Daily Mail that as people age, they 'naturally lose volume' in the midface area.

Because of this, it can cause the cheek area to look 'flatter' and 'less contoured' - even having the effect of making you look tired.

'Cheek filler is designed to replace that lost volume, add contour, and create a more youthful and balanced appearance,' Dr Pincus said.

Afterwards, plastic surgeons who did not treat Foster weighed in on her fresh-faced appearance with the Daily Mail, and they said they believed she hadn't gone under the knife

'What's important is that, if done conservatively, it doesn't change the overall character of the face, it simply restores what has diminished over time,' he added.

Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Dr John Diaz told the Daily Mail that if Foster had anything done, it was not something under-the-knife.

'I do not see any evidence of facial surgery,' Dr Diaz explained. 'Her eyebrows are not elevated, her midface looks unchanged from previous older photographs.

'Her lower face and neck have lines, wrinkles, loose skin which suggests she has not had surgery.'
The days of dressing up to fly are long over, but looking like a slob won't get you a complimentary glass of champagne or an extra snack.

Of course, it is no longer easy to get an upgrade based on your ensemble because it is all automated, but dressing well could land you slightly better treatment in packed airports and on overbooked flights.

In fact, I once got out of checking my special edition glitter Away carry-on because the flight attendant felt bad that it could be tarnished and it was carefully placed in first class, instead.

So, ditch the flip flops, say goodbye to pajama pants, and leave those leggings behind for your 2026 vacation, and most of all, make sure to opt for luggage that isn't falling apart at the seams because duct tape is never a good look.

The intel comes at a time when dressing for air travel is quite controversial, especially after the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy urged people to dress smartly for the airport, which Vogue icon Anna Wintour even weighed in on.

To find out how to get treated like royalty the next time you fly, the Daily Mail spoke to experts about what signifies someone is meant to be flying first class.

Heather Maguire, the owner of Slate Private Aviation, told the Daily Mail that their discerning passengers often opt for Alo Yoga athleisure.

The easy matching sets are also popular with celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber and Margot Robbie.

Heather Maguire, the owner of Slate Private Aviation, told the Daily Mail what their discerning clients wear for premium travel

'According to our cabin attendants, Louis Vuitton luggage continues to rule,' Maguire said

In recent years, Alo sweatsuits have become a go-to travel ensemble that's seemingly inescapable at airports

In recent years, Alo sweatsuits have become a go-to travel ensemble that's seemingly inescapable on planes and particularly prevalent in airport lounges.

While the sweatsuit still reigns supreme for pure coziness, if you want a subtle upgrade, try something a bit more elevated.

Swap the sweats for Alo's Sway Bootcut Sweatpants ($128) and pair them with the Wool Cashmere Classic Crewneck Sweater ($298).

And at the end of the day, accessories are everything, especially when it comes to luggage.

'According to our cabin attendants, Louis Vuitton luggage continues to rule, while they are seeing an influx of Rimowa and Nobl carry-ons, particularly among women ages 35 to 50,' Maguire divulged.

The Nobl carry-on usually retails for $845, but is currently on sale for $279.

It's a luxury travel lover's dream, offering everything from a phone mount to a cup holder and bag hooks.

When it comes to bags and jewelry, Maguire said the attendants see a lot of Birkins and Chanel bags as well as the Palm Beach passengers wearing Van Cleef & Arpels.

New York City-based lifestyle content creator Greta Louise Tome, who is married to a captain for a major airline, told the Daily Mail she believes 'people just treat you with more respect' when you're dressed appropriately on flights

Away offers a $248 Weekender that has been praised for being the perfect personal item

Passengers are obsessed with the $260 Dagne Dover Landon Carryall which looks professional and chic but doesn't come with a Louis Vuitton price tag

New York City-based lifestyle content creator Greta Louise Tome, who is married to a captain for a major airline, Sebastian Tome, told the Daily Mail she believes 'people just treat you with more respect' when you're dressed appropriately on flights, especially since 'you're entering the attendants workplace.'

Her go-to travel uniform is a button-up and comfortable, loose-fitting trousers with a a thick sweater for layering, eschewing sloppy sweats.

'Coming in printed pajama pants and a hoodie doesn't send the best message,' the influencer, who boasts 939,000 TikTok followers, advised.

Tome carries a Louis Vuitton duffle, a Tumi carry-on and trunk, but she strongly believes you don't need pricey luggage to look put together.

Instead, she believes it's best to invest in simple pieces that match and look sleek and chic.

For those looking for a less expensive option, Away offers a $248 Weekender that has been praised for being the perfect personal item.

Passengers are equally obsessed with the $260 Dagne Dover Landon Carryall which looks professional and chic but doesn't come with a Louis Vuitton price tag.
An Australian discovered an unsafe power outlet in their new home

A homeowner has been shocked by a discovery in their newly built home which raises questions about building standards, compliance checks, and how much trust buyers should place in new developments.

The Australian man recently moved into the new-build property and found a power point installed directly beneath the plumbing inside the master bedroom - with water taps positioned directly above the electrical socket.

'I've just moved into my first home. Would anybody be able to tell me if this power point beneath the plumbing is considered compliant and safe? It's under the vanity of the ensuite,' he wrote on Reddit while sharing a photo of the odd placement.

The answers were swift - and alarming.

Electrical outlets located directly below water pipes or taps pose a serious safety risk.

If a pipe leaks, bursts or even slowly drips over time, water can enter the socket, dramatically increasing the risk of electric shock, short-circuiting, fire or electrocution.

In wet areas like bathrooms, Australian standards require considerable separation between water sources and electrical fittings, as well as additional protections such as residual current devices (RCDs).

An Australian man revealed he found a power point installed directly beneath the plumbing inside the master bedroom

For many following the post, the real worry was not the juxtaposition of the electricity and water, but that the property was still approved by an inspector and received an occupancy certificate.

'I would be absolutely mortified to see this in my brand-new home,' one person commented.

'What on earth makes builders think this is okay? How did this even get an occupancy certificate?'

Others said the issue exposed just how inadequate compliance checks have become.

'I remember our pool getting certified. The guy was here for two minutes, took a few photos and left. Sent the approval certificate later. I noticed things that didn't comply and fixed them myself,' a man wrote.

Several commenters were alarmed that this safety risk involved not just one tradesman, but multiple.

'The builder should've picked that up. The plumber should've raised flags. The electrician absolutely should've raised flags. That's incompetence at three trade levels,' one wrote.

Another added that even the cabinetmaker bore responsibility, as they would have drilled the holes and threaded pipes and cables through the vanity.

Electrical outlets located directly below water pipes or taps pose a serious safety risk

'They could've simply moved the cables down before installing,' the commenter said.

Some went further, warning the issue wasn't just sloppy - but potentially unlawful.

'This isn't ignorance. It's a potentially fatal non-compliance with the law. I'd be reporting this to the relevant government body.'

The incident has struck a nerve at a time when the federal government is rushing to try to build many new homes to accommodate the country's unprecedented wave of migration.

Many buyers are discovering that 'brand new' doesn't always mean problem-free - and that corners are being cut in the hastily-built properties.

Experts often advise new homeowners to carry out their own inspections, even after a property has passed official checks, and to raise concerns immediately with builders while warranties still apply.

For this buyer, the moment was a sobering one.

What should have been the excitement of settling into a first home instead became a harsh reminder that in Australia's booming construction industry, vigilance is still essential - even in the places you least expect to look.
A New CBS Evening News anchor has suffered an 'embarrassing' glitch during his first regular broadcast after being recruited by the station's new leader.

Tony Dokoupil was the first major hire made by former New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss as she rebrands the network in her new role as editor-in-chief.

But his first scheduled program descended into chaos on Monday when producers projected images onto the screen which did not appear to match his teleprompter.

Dokoupil became flustered and admitted he was already having 'big problems' on air, before regaining his composure and improvising with the photographs being shown.

The broadcast went viral for all the wrong reasons, as media executives, journalists and viewers ridiculed the segment, branding it an 'embarrassing' display of 'complete and utter incompetence'.

Dokoupil's woes began when he wrapped up a news report on Donald Trump's incursion in Venezuela and attempted to pivot to 'other news'.

'Uh, to Governor Walz... No, we're gonna do Mark Kelly,' he said in response to images of the Arizona senator being shown on the screen rather than the Minnesota Governor.

Disarmed, Dokoupil added: 'First day, first day, big problems here. Uh, are we going to Kelly here or are we gonna go to Jonah Kaplan?'

New CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil suffered an 'embarrassing' glitch during his first regular broadcast after being hired by the station's new leader

Dokoupil was the first major hire made by new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss in her attempt to rebrand the network

After a slight pause, the anchor improvised by talking about the images on the screen of Kelly and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

'We're doing Mark Kelly,' he continued. 'Possibly demoted from his rank of captain in the Navy.

'Hegseth issued what's known as a letter of censure for the Arizona Democrat over his participation in the video. They called on service members to defy illegal orders without specifying which orders he had in mind.'

One viewer shared a clip of the chaos online, while speculating that a liberal CBS staffer unhappy with their new leadership had intentionally sabotaged Dokoupil's broadcast.

'Welcome to the resistance, teleprompter person,' NYT bestselling author Shannon Watts wrote on X.

Meanwhile, former NBC Universal Senior Executive Mike Sington branded the broadcast 'embarrassing' and placed the blame firmly on Weiss.

'First day, big problems here,"' he wrote on X. 'This is embarrassing.

Dokoupil became flustered after the images shown did not match his script on the teleprompter

The broadcast went viral, as media executives, journalists and viewers ridiculed the segment online, branding it an 'embarrassing' display of 'complete and utter incompetence

'Newly installed CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil has major problems during his first regular broadcast.

'The inexperience of new CBS News chief Bari Weiss is on full display.'

'Complete and utter incompetence on display during Bari Weiss & Tony Dokoupils first weekday, primetime broadcast,' freelance journalist Peter Rothpletz wrote.

'Reminder: Dokoupil vowed to be superior to **Walter Cronkite** over the weekend. great job, Bari! hope the money was worth the humiliation!'

The Daily Mail has contacted CBS News for comment.

Dokoupil's Monday broadcast was his first regular slot after he hosted a last-minute Saturday edition of CBS Evening News to cover the shock news that the US had captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

He previously released a video outlining the mission statement for his new show, saying he wanted to serve 'the average American' over 'advocates' and 'elites'.

Dokoupil said in the video that 'all of a legacy media' needs a change as viewers 'do not trust us like they used to'.

'I get it, I get it because I've been hearing about it from just about everybody for more than 20 years as I've traveled America on this assignment or that,' he said.

Dokoupil cited everything from Hillary Clinton's email scandal to the Russia hoax to Donald Trump's 'fitness for office' as topics that have not been covered well by the mainstream media.

'On too many stories, the Press has missed the story,' he said.

'Because we've taken into account the perspective of advocates and not the average American.

'Or we put too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites, and not enough on you.'

Weiss, 41, anointed Dokoupil the next host of the flagship broadcast in December, following a far-and-wide search outside CBS.

He was previously the co-host of CBS Mornings and a news correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC.

Before he launched his career in broadcast news, Dokoupil worked as a writer at Newsweek and the Daily Beast.
BYD (Build Your Dreams) is now the biggest seller of 'electrified' cars in the UK, it has been confirmed.

The Chinese powerhouse company ended the year with 51,422 vehicle registrations - a record breaking sales result that has seen it move to 17th overall in the brand sales charts, overtaking the likes of Mini, Mazda, Dacia and - long-running rival - Tesla.

More than one in ten (12 per cent) of all New Energy Vehicles (NEV) sales - which includes both fully-electric and plug-in hybrid cars - in December were BYD models, with its Seal U DM-i SUV closing out 2025 as Britains most popular plug-in hybrid.

BYD only arrived in the UK in early 2023, but has since gone on to capture the electric car market in particular.

The news comes after BYD globally overtook Tesla as the world's biggest electric car seller last year.

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is now the biggest New Energy Vehicle (maker of fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles) in the UK

While BYD sold 2.26 million electric vehicles across the globe in 2025, Tesla sold only 1.64 million.

While Tesla saw a decrease of nine per cent in EV sales, BYD recorded a whopping 27 per cent increase in electric sales.

Overall BYD achieved a British market share of 2.5 per cent, up from only 0.5 per cent in 2024. In December alone, BYD sold 7,683 cars to UK buyers.

Speaking on the news, Bono Ge, country manager of BYD UK, said: 'Ending 2025 with 51,422 registrations is an unbelievable achievement for BYD UK, and I would like to sincerely thank our customers for their enthusiasm for the brand and their confidence in our advanced EV and DM-i technologies.

'This result is further proof that our wide range of award-winning New Energy Vehicles are proving to be hugely desirable with both private and fleet buyers.'

While the U DM-i SUV took home the plug-in hybrid crown, the Dolphin Surf was BYD's best selling all-electric car.

BYD is expanding its UK range quickly, with 2026 seeing the launch of the new Sealion DM-i and Atto 2 DM-i PHEVs. It's expected that BYD will also launch a number of all-electric cars too.

While BYD saw massive growth last year, upping UK sales by 485 per cent from just under 8,800 units in 2024 to almost 51,500 sales in 2025, it wasn't the best-selling Chinese brands of all.

MG retains that crown in Britain for the time being. It sold 85,155 cars in the UK last term - 4.4 per cent more than in 2024 - and is the 10th favourite brand by sales volumes.

Chinese rivals including Jaecoo, Omodo and Chery - all owned by the same parent group - also stamped their mark on the UK market last year.

Jaecoo, with 28,232 registrations, outsold legacy brands including Honda, Seat and Citroen, while Omoda's 19,855 sales were more than Porsche, Suzuki and Lexus.

BYD's tiny electric city car the Dolphin Surf was its best selling all-electric car last year

Tesla's Annus horribilis saw intensified competition from Chinese rivals (Geely, MG and Chery), CEO Elon Musk's politics creating backlash against the brand and mixed reviews of new models

BYD is the world's largest EV maker - experts weigh in where Tesla went wrong and BYD shone

BYD's sales going from strength to strength last year coincided with Tesla's Annus horribilis which saw intensified competition from Chinese rivals (Geely, MG and Chery), CEO Elon Musk's politics creating backlash against the brand and mixed reviews of new models.

Tesla made the decision to lower prices of two of its most popular EVs, the Model 3 and Model Y SUV.

Last year, it launched a cut-price version of its best-selling Model Y called the Model Y Standard to entice buyers with lower budgets to the brand.

The cheaper Model Y Standard is available to order and is 3,000 cheaper than the outgoing Model Y Rear Wheel Drive. The Standard costs 41,990

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, analysed Tesla's position for the Daily Mail: 'Tesla had the first mover advantage with electric vehicles, but its moment in the sun has long gone.

'Price is incredibly important to drivers and BYD has muscled its way to the top by undercutting its American rival.'

He added: 'While Tesla might argue it has the edge on battery range and technology, many people are happy for a more standard offering as they embrace electric power.

'BYD is far from a no-frills offering though, as it competes well on features as well as price.

'Tesla is fighting back with more affordable vehicles, but the outspoken nature and political views of CEO Elon Musk means the brand is off limits to many drivers, no matter the price point.'
Shares in over-50s group Saga hit a four-and-a-half-year high after an activist investor snapped up a 1.5million stake  and said it can once again become a multibillion pound company.

In a vote of confidence in the travel and insurance firm, Kelso Group Holdings bought 400,000 shares at an average price of 386.5p each, giving it a 0.3 per cent holding.

Kelso also submitted proposals to the Saga board aimed at boosting its value  including attracting investors from the US  as it focuses on its fast-growing ocean and river cruise business.

The investor praised the Saga management team  including Sir Roger De Haan, who returned as chairman in 2020 and underwrote a 150million loan having run the firm for 20 years before selling it to private equity in 2004  and noted that debts are falling and profits rising.

Saga appears to be in very solid hands, it said. With the clear strategic focus, debt falling and profits rising, Kelso believes that now is the right time to invest in Saga.

Saga has benefited from strong demand for cruises among the over-50s

Saga shares rose almost 8 per cent to as high as 413.5p  giving it a value of 599million.

The stock gained 225 per cent last year  meaning it more than tripled in value  but remains down nearly 90 per cent from its peak a decade ago.

The company was valued at 2.1billion when it returned to the stock market in 2014.

We believe Saga has the ability, with its focus on travel with ancillary financial services, to return to being a multibillion pound company, said Kelso chairman Sir Nigel Knowles.

Saga's management have done an excellent job turning Saga around in the last five years and materially reducing the debt while growing profit.

The importance of Sir Roger De Haan's personal backing through significant equity and loan commitments during those hard times should not be forgotten.

Kelso, which also holds stakes in cybersecurity firm NCC Group, online retailer THG and fishing tackle seller Angling Direct, described Saga as a proven and trusted brand selling into the UK over-50s demographic which Kelso believes is a highly attractive segment.

And it noted Sagas market capitalisation recently exceed its debt levels for the first time in five years.

In a statement, Kelso added: Despite a strong share price in 2025, we believe there is significant upside from here when compared to peers. As the share price improves, we also note the potential for the company to return to the FTSE 250 in 2026 and the likely consequential buying demand from index funds.

Announcing first half results in September, Saga reported a 9 per cent rise in revenue to 328.2million and profits of 3.7million having made a loss of 116.9million in the same period the previous year.

It also said its debt burden had fallen to 515.1million from 617.2million.
The company behind Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casino is on the hunt for a new chief executive after John OReilly said he was stepping down after nearly eight years in the job.

Rank Group said the betting industry veteran, 65, will retire on January 29 having taken over in 2018 and steered the business through the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery.

He will be replaced on an interim basis by chief financial officer Richard Harris while the company looks for a permanent replacement.

It has been a privilege to lead Rank for the past seven-and-a-half years, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished in that time, said OReilly.

John O'Reilly is standing down after nearly eight years in charge of Rank Group

The announcement came just weeks after Rank revealed its Spanish business had been the victim of a 6million payment fraud.

The shake-up comes at a challenging time for the industry after Rachel Reeves used the autumn Budget to raise remote gaming tax from 21 per cent to 40 per cent - a move that Rank has said will cost it 46million.

The hit will be partly offset by the 6million benefit of the Governments move to ditch bingo duty, but still leave it with a 40million reduction in earnings.

Chairman John Ott paid tribute to OReillys leadership of and passion for Rank since his appointment as chief executive in April 2018.

His extensive gambling industry knowledge and experience, as well as deep operational skills, have combined to ensure that Rank is well positioned to build on the direction he established, Ott added.
Britons are relying more on cash despite the nation's depleted number of ATMs as big banks shut, new figures from Nationwide Building Society suggest..

Nationwide revealed cash withdrawals from its ATMs hit 4.2 billion in 2025  surpassing the previous high of 4 billion in 2017.

The biggest increase in cash withdrawals was recorded in parts of the London commuter belt, in East Anglia and Essex, the Shires and South London.

It also says that cash usage rose for the fourth year in a row, withnearly 35million withdrawals made from Nationwide's 1,270 ATMs last year, 6 per cent more than in 2024.

The average amount of cash withdrawn also went up from 113 in 2024 to 120 in 2025.

Nationwide said its customers are using more cash and the building society's machines are seeing greater footfall due to its banking rivals shutting branches.

While Nationwide has extended a pledge to keep all its branches open, big banks continue to shut theirs. A staggering 6,626 bank branches have shut their doors since January 2015, according to Which? - an average of around 53 closures per month.

Brass in pocket: Cash usage rose for fourth year in a row, according to Nationwide

Mandy Beech, director of retail services at Nationwide, said cash continues to play a central role in how millions of people manage their money.

She said: 'Nationwide has the UKs largest branch network and we see daily how our customers value cash and face-to-face service. That's why weve promised to keep all our branches open until 2030.

'ATM usage last year exceeded the previous peak in 2017 and while it is interesting to see ATM withdrawals continuing to rise, it is exacerbated by ongoing closures of bank branches.

'Which? figures show there has been a massive reduction in the number of branches in communities, which might point to why we are also seeing a rise in withdrawals coming from non-Nationwide customers.'

While Nationwide's ATM numbers are up, the rising ATM usage comes against a backdrop of continued bank branch closures.

Branch closures often result in the loss of accompanying ATM's and this decline in cash machines means that the overall amount being withdrawn is actually falling.

Fresh figures from the ATM network LINK show that in 2025, Britons withdrew 76.7 billion from LINK ATMs, with 1.27bn transactions being recorded across the year.

This represents a 4 per cent decline in value on 2024 (80bn) and an 8 per cent fall in transactions (1.39bn).

LINK transactions represent 77 per cent of all ATM transactions, most of the remainder being where people use their own bank or building societys ATMs.

'While the variance to 2024 changes month to month, the overall downward trend is clear,' said Graham Mott, director of strategy at LINK.

'Yet, cash remains important to many people and 76 billion was still withdrawn from LINK ATMs last year.

'People may be visiting cash machines less often and some are relying exclusively on a digital wallet on their phone, but cash continues to be a vital budgeting tool for many. It remains an essential and resilient payment choice for millions.'
The wind on the Fens is biting this winter, and there is very little in the way of shelter on the Cambridgeshire flats surrounding us.

Though it is below freezing, arable farmer David Wheatley has little choice but to be out in the elements.

Wrapped in layer after layer of clothing, he has been up since five in the morning and has a considerable workday still stretching ahead of him when we meet at nine.

For thousands of years, farmers have toiled year-round, and that isn't set to change any time soon. Wheatley himself is a fourth-generation farmer, while his daughter has now pushed his family into its fifth generation of farming.

'It isn't easy growing,' he says, 'It's even harder to sell it and make a profit. Every farmer in the country knows this, but nobody else does.'

But on his farm near Wisbech St Mary, Wheatley is doing something very different to the hundreds of thousands of farmers and other agricultural workers in the UK.

David Wheatley is a social media influencer.

Instead of dumping his peonies during the Covid pandemic, Wheatley decided to fill his house with the flowers, making Tiktok videos to offer them free of charge

Wheatley has amassed some 500,000 followers across multiple websites, including Instagram and Tiktok where he posts as @petitepeonys.

While he never wanted to be an influencer, he says his online following has allowed his farm to weather the worst of the misfortune thrown at it, and is changing the way he farms.

His bad luck started in 2019 when a serious fire broke out at his farm, destroying hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of property and machinery.

'I lost all my tractors and all my machines,' Wheatley says. 'And I basically didn't buy anything. I couldn't carry on farming.

'It was hard work getting over that and I went into a bit of depression.

'I thought we'd be alright because we were insured - but then Covid hit in 2020 and the price of everything went up when I was trying to rebuild.'

Wheatley was forced to hire the machinery he needed as he couldn't afford to replace it himself.

'My whole system was ruined,' he said.

For three years, the farm lost 100,000 per year. 'I knew I was going to go bankrupt I was close to pulling the plug, but getting up every day and working hard for no money,' he says.

Wheatley has undeniably been beaten down, but you wouldn't be able to tell upon meeting him. When speaking about his farm, he is animated, and it is easy to be captivated by the passion behind his words.

In the end, it was a stroke of luck that saved the farm. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the price of wheat skyrocketed.

While Wheatley's use of social media is a success story, it is no longer just a tool to make sales

Wheatley was able to offload his wheat for much more than he would have been able to before, having previously held it as wheat prices simply weren't high enough to make the money he needed to save the farm.

'It wasn't really me being clever,' he said, 'but its the only reason I'm still in business.'

Incidentally, it was also one of Wheatley's brushes with misfortune that gave rise to his social media presence.

As well as crops including wheat and apples, Wheatley also grows peony flowers.

In the depths of the Covid pandemic, and national lockdown, Wheatley had picked his entire crop of peonies.

The blooms have a naturally short picking window, and he was hoping that the pandemic would be short lived and he could still sell them before they wilted.

It wasn't, of course, and Wheatley was left with thousands of flowers that he couldn't sell, with all but essential retailers closed for business.

Instead of dumping the stems, however, Wheatley decided to fill his house with the flowers, making Tiktok videos to offer them free of charge.

Some of the videos went viral, and when the pandemic eased this gave him the momentum to set up a business - Petite Peonys - selling the flowers online.

While he says he was still 'in a growing state of depression,' selling online opened a door that Wheatley has yet to close.

Wheatley repurposed a farm shed as a makeshift 'farmer's' shop

Saying no to the supermarkets

Since then, Wheatley has continued to sell the flowers online, and business is booming.

He said: 'Last year went pretty well and I sold half to the supermarkets and half through social media.

'This year I said no to the supermarket when they rung me up. That was the hardest decision I've made, but we sold them all [online].

'For a seven-acre field, the supermarkets would pay me 35,000 to 40,000 last year we had 2,000 customers, and we sold 150,000 stems online for more than 120,000.'

'I'm actually making money from that,' he said, 'If I lose 500 customers it doesn't matter because I have hundreds of people on a waiting list.'

Wheatley has pre-sold 40,000 worth of peony subscription boxes for the 2026 peony season.

'I've got people dying to go on this waiting list, and I've had people on it for four years now, so I offer the products to them for less money, because they are saving my business.'

'I tell every single one of them that if they are not happy with the subscription then I'll pay you all your money back, and not one single person has complained.

'I'm trying to improve what we're doing and I've got so much support.'

It hasn't been an easy path, and the toll of farming and managing a growing social media presence isn't easy for Wheatley, but it has offered a level of income that selling to supermarkets does not, and the germ of an idea that farmers have the potential to sell to consumers in a different way.

Now I'm selling veg... for other farmers

Wheatley's online selling has extended to apples and other fruit too. His farm has 22 acres of orchards, all restored from an uncared-for state with the help of Government grants aimed at improving biodiversity.

The orchards, he says, are no longer commercially viable, and apples are often rejected due to blemishes.

In 2024, Wheatley posted a video on social media offering followers the chance to pick as many apples as they wanted for 10 each.

Wheatley has even sold wheat online to his followers

Despite torrential rain, he says hundreds of people turned up to pick the fruit.

'I made 3000 without lifting a finger,' he said, 'they cleared nearly every apple in the whole orchard, and everybody loved it.'

Then he tried selling the apples online, and after another video of his went viral online, he says he was able to sell all of the apples from eight and a half acres of orchard for 1 each.

Last year, Wheatley had 300 people on a waiting list for apples sent through the post, and made 10,000 in a week before the apples were even sent out to customers.

When I met him, Wheatley was a week into selling vegetable boxes online, alongside sacks of potatoes and even bags of wheat.

The kicker is that the produce he is selling isn't from his farm at all, but from other local farmers.

But in what might be a sad reflection of how tough it is for farmers, he isn't making a profit from the veg sales - only from the commission platforms pay him for social media views.

'I've earned $4,950 (3,657) last month just from views alone, and people are now paying subscriptions too, they are asking me how they can support me,' he says. 'I'm using that money to sell other farmers' produce.'

'I'm not making any money out of [the vegetable boxes], but as long as I'm getting paid somehow I don't care.'

While Wheatley's use of social media is a success story, it is no longer just a tool to make sales. The farmer hopes that in some way he can inspire real change for other farmers and consumers alike.

'The money is there already,' he says, 'people are eating the produce, the problem is that the money is going to the wrong people.'

Farmers are at the mercy of supermarkets when it comes to selling their produce, Wheatley says, with supermarkets able to reject produce at a whim.

'There are so many people in between the farmer and the consumer, they're taking all the money,' Wheatley says, 'With vegetables that you buy for 2 at the supermarket for example, the farmer is only getting 20 or 30p from the supermarket.'

'There are a lot of people out there who want to support farmers selling directly like this, but no one is doing it.'

'I don't even want to do it, I'm making it up as I go along,' he says, 'But if I don't do it, then no one will.'

And Wheatley's followers are supporting him. In a week of selling veg boxes, Wheatley says he turned over 15,000.

'People came from Wales on Saturday,' he says, 'there are people coming from London and Manchester.'

He added: 'I'm thinking: "there has to be somewhere closer they can do the same".'

When the Wheatley took on his farm on a council-owned tenancy in Wisbech St Mary in the year 2000, he never would have imagined posting about his farm on Tiktok and Instagram, which of course didn't exist at the time.

Packing vegetable boxes ready to send out to buyers, Wheatley said: 'I wouldn't have imagined this last week. We've been [selling vegetable boxes] for a week.

'This shed just had farm machinery in it, I don't think it looks like a normal farm shop now, but it has lots of produce and we are getting food directly to the people.'

While the support is considerable, so are the challenges. And Wheatley's run-ins with bad luck haven't completely halted.

Just weeks after we met, he was forced to stop selling vegetable boxes to his following as the delivery service he was using was unable to get deliveries to buyers quickly enough.

'I'm pulling the plug on my farmers shop, but not because it doesn't work, it worked a little bit too good for me right now,' Wheatley said on Instagram. 'My main problem is getting my deliveries to my customers within the time period they are supposed to.'

For a man that has been beaten down before, however, Wheatley isn't one to shy away from challenges.

On the same video, his daughter, Sophie, says: 'In the new year, we might be doing this again people want this, this could be bigger.

'This is not over, maybe just for now.'
A mother who was denied access to her young daughter's body for weeks due to a debate over who was responsible for her body, is calling for urgent law reform to ensure abusers cannot become their victim's next of kin.

Caitlin Rose Thornton, 21, was found unconscious at a Cessnock home, in NSW's Hunter region, on March 8, 2023.

She died in hospital three days later, leaving behind two young sons. She had no will.

NSW Police treated the young beautician's death as a suspected self-harm incident.

At the time, Caitlin's former partner, Alex Passfield, had a history of domestic violence against her that police were aware of.

Her mum, Kylie Bailey, said she was unable to see her daughter's body or organise a funeral for four weeks, as Passfield was still considered her next of kin

Ms Bailey said Caitlin had ended her tumultuous relationship with Passfield and moved out of the home she shared with him just weeks before her death.

'As soon as she was pronounced dead, I had no rights to everything. I even had to get permission from him to be able to go to the forensic medicine morgue and view her. He got control of everything,' Ms Bailey told Daily Mail.

Caitlin left behind two little boys who are now in the care of her mum Kylie

After her daughter Caitlin (centre) died, Kylie (right) is calling for a new law to ensure abusers can't automatically become their victim's next of kin

She said Caitlin was registered to her family's address in the NSW Hunter Valley and on a single parenting payment at the time of her death.

'We had all this evidence that they weren't together, but because he said to the police when they attended that they were together and he was her next of kin, they automatically put it down on the paperwork for the coroner,' Ms Bailey said.

'He had also told the police that she had no family.'

The family's struggle was first shared in 2023 on A Current Affair after Passfield refused to release her body until certain demands were met.

Those demands included Ms Bailey and her then-husband dropping an assault charge they had against him.

A day after the episode aired, Ms Bailey said Passfield released Caitlin's body to her family, however he still wanted to have a say in the funeral service.

'I originally wanted to get Caitlin cremated so that he could never touch her again, never have his hands on her again for her own dignity and respect,' Ms Bailey said.

'He wouldn't allow a cremation - she had to be buried and at a cemetery of his choice.'

Kylie said Caitlin was in the process of trying to gain custody of her kids just before she died

Ms Bailey added: 'He's still next of kin to this day. If he wanted to, he could exhume her, and have her cremated and have her taken away without our consent or knowledge.

'[It's the] same with her belongings - he's requested to have everything she's ever owned returned to his possession - things like school photos from her childhood. It's shocking.'

Passfield is now incarcerated at Junee Correctional Centre, south-west of Sydney.

He is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court on January 21 on a range of charges, which include influencing witnesses, contravening an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) and attempting to breach a prohibition or restriction in a personal AVO.

Daily Mail is not suggesting these charges are in relation to Ms Bailey or her family.

Ms Bailey has now launched a petition calling on the NSW Government to introduce legislation that would prevent perpetrators of intimate partner violence from automatically becoming the senior next of kin when their partner dies without a will.

She proposed the legislation be called 'Caitlin's Law' in honour of her daughter.

'Under the current law, [Caitlin's] former partner retained next-of-kin rights, which meant our family faced delays and barriers during a time we should have been grieving together. The system offered us no protection,' Ms Bailey said.

Caitlin's family have gone on to become advocates for domestic violence reforms - pictured here at the Newcastle Domestic Violence Committee vigil in November

'He's the contact person for any police investigation or coronial process. I don't even officially have access to a death certificate either,' she added.

'Caitlin's Law would change this. It would allow police, the courts, or the Coroner to temporarily or permanently suspend next-of-kin rights in cases where domestic violence concerns exist and prioritise safe family members instead.'

The petition has already received over 28,000 signatures.

'A few people have come forward and told me their stories about how they've been in a similar situation, and also from people in disbelief and shock that this is what the law is,' Ms Bailey said.

'Anyone could fall victim to it - [the law would] not just be for the purpose of getting a body back - how many times do you hear about family fights over wills?'

A spokesperson for the NSW Attorney General, Michael Daley, told Daily Mail he is continuing to look at how next of kin appointments are made.

'This is a distressing situation for Caitlin's family. A statutory review of the Coroners Act has made several recommendations about how next of kin are appointed, which the Attorney General is considering closely,' they said.

'This includes giving the Coroner more flexibility to appoint an alternative senior next of kin if the default next of kin is not appropriate.

'There is no legislation giving a person's senior next of kin or next of kin the right to organise someone's funeral.'

Alex Passfield was in an on-and-off relationship with Caitlin for four years - pictured here being confronted by an A Current Affair reporter in 2023

Caitlin was described as a beautiful, creative and artistic young woman who doted on her boys

While she can't bring her daughter back, Ms Bailey is committed to ensuring no one else suffers through what her family went through.

'I was never a strong person, but I said to Caitlin when she was on life-support in the hospital, 'You're going to have to give me the strength to get through this and fight for you.' And all of a sudden, after she passed away, I had this strength,' she said.

'I also look at it like she had all this strength to get through every day in that relationship and I pull my strength from that as well.'

Caitlin's two little boys are now in Ms Bailey's care after she was granted full custody of them.

She said the boys have now taken up fishing, kayaking and snorkelling - all the hobbies Caitlin used to love as a child.

'They talk about her all the time, and when they miss her - particularly at night-time - they have these little candles and they take them outside and they call them "Mummy candles",' she said.

'They light them so mummy can find where their home is from the sky and watch over them which is really beautiful.'

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Chinese VP meets former Canadian PM

Xinhua) 09:20, January 06, 2026

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien in Beijing on Monday.

Han hailed the contributions Chretien has long been making to the development of China-Canada relations. He noted that when the leaders of the two countries met last year, they reached an important consensus and provided strategic guidance on improving and developing bilateral relations, opening a new chapter of China-Canada ties.

China and Canada have extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation, Han said, adding that China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Canada, and to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

Speaking positively of the sound momentum in the development of ties between Canada and China, Chretien said that the economies of the two countries are highly complementary and their bilateral relations have broad prospects. He also expressed his willingness to continue actively promoting the healthy, stable development of Canada-China relations.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Jonathan King was on vacation in Florida, celebrating his birthday with his girlfriend, when he became the victim of a near-fatal hit-and-run that shattered his left leg.

The 34-year-old data scientist was riding his electric scooter with his girlfriend, Myra Yomjinda, on their way to The Biltmore Hotel, their last stop before their flight back to California that evening.

On December 15, around 5.15 pm, the pair was traveling eastbound on Giralda Avenue and stopped for traffic to clear before turning right onto Douglas Road, when a driver in a white Audi SQ7 SUV pulled up behind King and struck him, narrowly missing his girlfriend.

King's left leg was pinned against the vehicle's front right tire and was crushed by the weight of it.

'I was in agony, screaming in pain. My girlfriend was pounding on the car, screaming, "Go back! Go Back!" We knew that if he went forward just another couple of inches, he could have taken my entire leg off based on the trajectory of the tire,' King told the Daily Mail.

The driver, identified as James Bailey, 40, is a Miami investor and the husband of 2 Fast 2 Furious star Devon Aoki, 43, whose late father was Rocky Aoki, founder of the famed Benihana restaurant chain.

Bailey was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash and initially appeared unaware of what was happening. Video footage shows King leaning over the hood of the car, his foot between the tire and the street, and his leg curved against the front part of the tire.

'I see him just looking at me. We locked eyes. I am screaming as he is driving a little bit further onto my leg,' King recalled.

Jonathan King was struck while he was riding his electric scooter on a road in Coral Gables, Florida, and his left leg was pinned underneath his vehicle

James Bailey pictured here with his wife, actress and model Devon Aoki, who was not in the vehicle at the time, was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run on December 15

In that horrifying moment, King said his girlfriend ran around to the driver's side of Bailey's vehicle, opened the door, and pleaded with the driver to put the car in reverse.

'As he lifted the tire off my foot, I fell to the ground when I realized in that moment my leg was crushed,' he recalled. 'I was in so much pain, but I had to position my body out of the way, otherwise he could still run over my body or kill me.'

According to court documents, Bailey fled the scene and continued to try to evade the police when they arrived at his $9.1 million Miami mansion.

He was apprehended and charged with leaving the scene of a crash, causing bodily injury, and resisting an officer without violence, records show.

He was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and bonded out on $7,500, per documents.

King was hospitalized and sustained multiple fractures to his leg. He was told he may require multiple surgeries and that they were waiting for the swelling to go down.

King is named as the plaintiff in a lawsuit he filed on December 18 in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.

He is suing both parties: Bailey, for negligence, serious bodily injury, and permanent impairment, and his wife for vicarious liability. Under Florida's Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine, Aoki is also liable as she co-owns the vehicle.

King also demands a jury trial.

Criminal defense attorney Michelle Suskauer, who is reportedly representing Bailey, did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.

Suskauer told TMZ that her firm is 'currently gathering information about this accident as it involved someone operating a scooter entering an intersection.'

Justin Shapiro of Leesfield & Partners, who represents King, was unable to share the amount they are seeking in the lawsuit but said it would be in the 'millions.'

'The story is as bizarre as it is tragic,' Shapiro told the Daily Mail.

'Mr Bailey is a highly successful, prominent person. He should be doing great things for this community as a leader. Instead, he's causing a hit-and-run crash, and he's leaving John on the street with a shattered leg after he literally ran him over.'

Bailey works in private equity, and his wife, Aoki, is also a successful model. The couple shares four children. Aoki's brother is a famous DJ and record producer, Steve Aoki.

Shapiro reported that he is investigating whether the driver was under the influence at the time.

'We have a lot of questions about that, and we are talking to witnesses about that,' he said.

A photo of Knight's leg lodged under the front wheel of Bailey's vehicle

Bailey is married to model and a 2 Fast 2 Furious actress Devon Aoki, 43

The couple live in a sprawling $9 million mansion in Pinecrest, Florida

'What I can tell you is that leaving the scene after you run someone over with your vehicle is one of the most disgraceful things a human being can possibly do, and that's why it's a felony,' Shapiro said.

He told the Daily Mail they are also going to file a punitive damages claim and would need to determine the net worth of Bailey and Aoki.

'We don't know what that is, but know it is substantial,' he added.

'Mr Bailey would be held fully accountable for what he did that day. There is no tolerance for this kind of behavior in our legal system, especially when it results in severe injury like this, and we are going to work tirelessly to make sure that John is fully compensated.'

Devon Aoki and her brother international DJ and record producer Steven Aoki

The complaint reviewed by the Daily Mail alleged that Bailey never stopped to check on King's condition, render aid or exchange information. Surveillance footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows Bailey fleeing from the scene.

King's lawyer said that many witnesses near the scene recorded Bailey's license plate number. And, at the time of the crash, officers said the vehicle was captured on 'several' automated license plate readers as it fled the area.

The registered address for the Audi SQ7 SUV was linked to a seven-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom mansion.

During the investigation, an officer made contact with one of the vehicle's registered owners, Aoki, who stated she did not know the whereabouts of her Audi.

According to the police report, as the officer was leaving the house, Bailey arrived at the residence in the car.

The officer said he activated his emergency lights and called out for Bailey to stop walking and come toward him.

However, Bailey allegedly ran away from the officer, entered his home, and locked the front door.

The officer inspected the Audi SQ7 SUV and found that it had 'minor damage consistent with a collision with a pedestrian on a stand-up scooter.'

'I observed paint transfer marks and small paint chips on the right front bumper and hood area,' the cop stated

James Bailey, 40, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing bodily injury and resisting an officer without violence, records show

King, 34, a data scientist from California, has filed a civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade County Court and is suing the Miami investor

King, who describes himself as a 'very active' person, is not sure if he will suffer permanent damage and if he will have metal plates and screws in his leg.

He said he is still undergoing testing and X-rays and waiting for the swelling to go down before he can be operated on.

He is recovering at his girlfriend's home in Portland, Oregon. 'It's been incredibly chaotic and emotional,' King told the Daily Mail.

'I'm in constant severe pain. My girlfriend and I have been crying about this every day because it's been so traumatic.'

Bailey's next court date is scheduled for February 13.
Ministers misled the High Court during the Afghan super-injunction scandal, the Daily Mail reveals today.

The public and Parliament were deliberately kept in the dark about the secret Afghan airlift for two years.

Now it can be revealed that even the judge was not given the full picture.

Behind the scenes, while they were signing off 7billion of public money without taxpayers knowing, ministers were supposed to be keeping Mr Justice Chamberlain strictly up to date. With MPs not told anything, he was the only person allowed to know the secret details of the decision to spend hundreds of millions of pounds airlifting migrants to Britain.

The judge had granted the draconian gagging order allowing ministers to do this covertly despite his grave concerns the super-injunction was completely shutting down democratic accountability.

Yet a Daily Mail investigation can now reveal the Ministry of Defence (MOD) misled him over the timing of a crucial internal review that was key to the whole scheme.

Last night MPs questioned whether the MOD had been cynically buying time to extend its unprecedented shutdown of the democratic process.

Natalie Moore, a senior MOD official, misled the court by saying the Defence Secretary was 'considering whether to' launch a review - when in fact he had already done so weeks earlier

Mr Justice Chamberlain granted the super-injunction shutting down democracy - but was not given the full picture despite repeatedly asking to be kept informed of developments

The Daily Mail watched hundreds of migrants filing off a taxpayer-chartered jet at Stansted airport during the rescue mission which the judge allowed to stay secret from taxpayers

The Daily Mail and other media organisations fought a two-year battle for open justice in secret courts to expose the Afghan airlift scandal.

It started after blundering UK defence officials lost a database of Afghans - who had applied to a scheme offering sanctuary for those who had served British forces - putting 100,000 people at risk of death from Taliban reprisals.

When the Mail discovered this data breach disaster in 2023, the Government obtained the super-injunction to hush it up, and launched Operation Rubific to rescue thousands of Afghans.

The Mail attended more than 20 hearings in locked-door courtrooms as Mr Justice Chamberlain was asked by the MOD to extend the super-injunction for almost two years.

The judge repeatedly made it clear to the MOD he wanted to be kept fully informed of any developments.

He vowed the super-injunction should not last any longer than necessary, because it was corrosive to the publics trust in government and likely to give rise to understandable suspicion that the courts processes are being used for the purposes of censorship.

A blunder by the British government put Afghans loyal to British troops at risk of reprisal attacks by Taliban revenge squads

What Natalie Moore said in her statement for the court hearing of 20 February 2025...

...and what the MOD finally admitted after a long Freedom of Information battle

Tan Dhesi MP, chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee which is investigating the scandal: Secrecy understandably breeds suspicion. Ministers have a duty to be honest'

Afghans rescued by Britain land at Stansted Airport in Essex after being spirited across the border to Pakistan and airlifted to the UK

How ministers signed up to a 7billion scheme to relocate Afghans to the UK, without asking or telling taxpayers or MPs. The MOD says the figure has since been revised to around 6billion

Yet at a critical moment in the hush-hush case, government officials misled the judge by telling him in February 2025 that Defence Secretary John Healey was considering whether to launch an internal review into the covert scheme. This was untrue. In fact, it can now be revealed, he had commissioned the Rimmer Review at least a month earlier.

Led by retired civil servant Paul Rimmer, the review was crucial because its conclusions eventually enabled the judge to lift the injunction in July 2025, which immediately prompted uproar as parliamentarians realised they had been deliberately cut out of the democratic process for two years. Four parliamentary probes were launched.

The misleading statement was contained in an MOD document submitted to the court for the hearing on February 20, 2025. Written by senior Whitehall official Natalie Moore, she stated that the Defence Secretary was considering whether to commence a specific review of the scheme  when in fact he had already done so weeks earlier.

Since July, the Daily Mail has been asking the MOD repeatedly to name the date on which Mr Rimmer was actually commissioned. The requests were all ignored. Eventually, after a protracted Freedom of Information battle  simply asking the MOD to supply a date - the answer came: January 23.

Despite the facts, the MOD insists that the court was not misled. But it has not explained why the judge was given incorrect information. Either way, the delay bought several weeks of time for officials under pressure to end the secrecy.

Tan Dhesi MP, chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee which is investigating the scandal, said: It is unsurprising that questions of this kind continue to emerge given two years of secret court proceedings on the Afghan data breach. Secrecy understandably breeds suspicion.

Ministers have a duty to be open and honest with the courts, and this duty applies all the more so in situations such as this, where Parliamentary and public scrutiny were absent.

I look forward to seeing the MoD's response to this allegation. Meanwhile, the House of Commons Defence Committees broader inquiry continues, where we will continue to hold the Government to account for its decision-making.

DAY THEY PLOTTED TO 'MISLEAD' PARLIAMENT DELIBERATELY These are the jaw-dropping courtroom exchanges at a secret court hearing on 11 November 2024 after the Government revealed in private submissions its plan to keep the Press gagged with its superinjunction while spinning its own version of events in a statement to Parliament to 'control the narrative'... MOD official Natalie Moore's note to the court: statement will 'provide cover' How ministers plotted to 'control the narrative' without telling the public the full facts Mr Justice Chamberlain: 'A statement that does not tell the whole truth to Parliament?' High Court Judge Mr Justice Chamberlain: When you are dealing with public expenditure of that magnitude [7billion]it's not possible to lose that amount of money down the back of the sofa. It's not secret intelligence programmes - it's putting real people up in real accommodation in the UK without revealing it's happening. There was going to an announcement made [to Parliament] but whichthe word 'cover' is used. The basis of the expenditure of all of this money isn't going to be revealed.' Jude Bunting KC, for the media: One of the key issues in the political debate right now is who is telling the truth about the public deficit. This is directly relevant to that debate. And another key issue is immigration. The injunction is stopping informed debate about how to house people coming to this country...That 'agreed narrative' is misleading the public by omission.' Judge: The statement to Parliament will 'provide cover'. It is a completely unprecedented situation, but we are seeing a witness statement indicating a statement to Parliament to provide 'cover'. It is a very, very striking thing. Jude Bunting KC, the media lawyer fighting for open justice, told the judge: 'The Government is saying it is going to deliberately mislead the public' Jude Bunting: The Government is saying it is going to deliberately mislead the public. Judge: It is very striking. Bunting: It is corrosive of democracy. It prevents the public being informed about the reason for 6billion of expenditure, at a time when immigration is at the forefront of debate. The courts have enabled the government to put a false narrative in place that would be corrosive. Judge: How feasible [is it] to spend that amount of money without the facts coming to light? But we are now saying how it was feasible: making a statement that provides cover and agree a narrative which is not a true narrative, or not a full narrative. Bunting: Journalists will be unable to ask questions or report or correct and fill in gaps. Cathryn McGahey leaving the High Court Cathryn McGahey KC, for the Government: It is acknowledged that the public's ability to know how its money is being spent and parliamentary scrutiny [are being impeded] but on the basis that the injunction is saving lives. Judge: 'There has been this further information about how the government is going to provide 'cover', as it's put, for the political consequences of bringing people to the UK by a statement that does not tell the whole truth to Parliament? McGahey: It would tell as much of the truth as possible. Judge: I'm starting to doubt myself - am I going bonkers, because it really is 6billion? [Later confirmed to be 7billion] McGahey: It isYes it's a very large amount of public money being spent without currently any information to the public. Judge: There's a difference. One can quite understand that we are not going to give chapter and verse on weapons programmes. But this is a resettlement programme for immigrants to the UK, which is not a topic I hitherto [would have put] into the national security box. It is unprecedented. McGahey: This is not a situation anybody wanted to find themselves in. Secrecy has to be maintained to protect life. Advertisement

Asked why officials misled the judge, the MOD said: These claims are untrue. The Rimmer Review was commissioned in January 2025 by the Defence Secretary. During February, work with Ministers was ongoing to finalise the specific scope and details of the review. This was what Natalie Moore was referencing in her submission.

It is not the first time the MODs behaviour has been under scrutiny. Mr Justice Chamberlain was previously informed, during a behind-closed-doors court hearing in November 2024, how the MOD was planning to actively deceive Parliament.

The judge appeared genuinely incredulous when told ministers were planning to deliberately mislead the public, to keep both MPs and the public in the dark. Back then, Mrs Moore, the same MoD official, had told the court that ministers wanted to control the narrative with a statement to Parliament that did not tell the whole truth  a situation the judge said was very, very striking.

When, in July, the Government finally abandoned its attempt to smother the truth, and the public discovered that ministers had agreed a 7billion scheme, while neither asking nor informing them, it triggered a national outcry. The Mail was able to show photographs of the unmarked Government-chartered planes landing at Stansted with hundreds of migrants, which it had not been able to publish at the time of the super-injunction.
Donald Trump roared back into the White House promising to deport one million illegal immigrants as part of the 'largest deportation operation in the history of the country.'

Nearly a year later, he's not even close.

Kristi Noemi's Department of Homeland Security has bragged its removed more than 2.5 million migrants in less than a year into Trump's second term.

'600k illegals have been deported from the interior of our country in less than 365 days, with another 1.9 million self-deporting, totaling over 2.5 million illegals gone. A monumental achievement!' wrote the official X account for DHS in a December post.

But the Daily Mail has learned from an ICE insider familiar with the matter that the true number of deportations since Trump's inauguration in January of 2025 is closer to 467,000  more than 100,000 fewer deportations than the total publicly claimed by DHS.

The latest figure accounts for deportations carried out by ICE officers but does include some made by US Customs and Border Protection, according to an agency source familiar with how ICE tracks its monthly deportations.

Moreover, the vast majority of the administration's deportation tally is reliant on the claim that nearly two million illegal migrants have self-deported from the country.

But those figures are unreliable and overblown, according to experts.

The Department of Homeland Security led by Kristi Noem has failed to meet the president's promise to deport one million illegal immigrants in his first year in office

Homeland Security is using unreliable data to claim 1.9 million immigrants have self-deported in Trump's first year in office, according to immigration experts

Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan has previously admitted during a May interview that monthly deportations were falling behind Biden-era deportations

DHS is measuring self-deportations with survey data and polling estimates rather than individually recorded deportations, a method that produces misleading conclusions.

The reality is that the actual number of self-deportations is far lower than the administration has touted.

'It's very unlikely that that many people have self-deported or voluntarily left,' Dr Tara Watson, an immigration expert at the Brookings Institution, told the Daily Mail. 'I would put the number in the low hundreds of thousands, and the data source that I believe the administration is using for that is completely inappropriate.'

Watson also noted that if the administration's claim that nearly two million undocumented migrants have self-deported were true, it would be reflected in clear economic signals, including a substantial jump in unemployment. When Trump entered office last year, the unemployment was approximately four percent but rose but has only climbed to 4.6 percent by November.

Experts explained that Homeland Security is using unreliable data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) - a monthly survey of approximately 60,000 households, conducted jointly by the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)- to measure changes in US foreign-born population to justify their inflated self-deportation numbers.

'The CPS surveys just 60,000 of the 128 million households in the U.S. each month. As a result, its estimates bounce around quite a bit from month to month,' said Michelle Mittelstadt, director of communications at the Migration Policy Institute.

Noem's reliance on the survey is also complicated by the possibility that fewer illegal and legal migrants may be responding to CPS out of fear their data will be shared to ICE.

Tax, health and other data stored by other federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), have been handed over to ICE since the start of this administration.

'Lower response rates among immigrants would result in a falsely low estimate of the immigrant population in the CPS,' Mittelstadt told the Daily Mail.

The department has also not provided regular or comprehensive data on arrests and deportations across all DHS agencies, including Border Patrol and ICE.

'What it has provided would require believing that the vast majority of these individuals left the country under their own steam - aka "self deported." And there is no evidence for that,' added Mittelstadt.

A DHS spokeswoman declined to provide more detailed numbers when pressed by the Daily Mail.

Join the debate Do YOU believe Trump really deported as many migrants as he promised?

DHS self-deportations numbers rely on illegal migrants reporting the departure from the US

Noem's team at DHS are framing the deportations numbers as a success as rumors swirl about her possible ouster

Indeed, experts warn that self-deportations are difficult to verify, since there is no reliable system to track whether migrants who leave the country later slip back in.

Current Population Survey findings do indicate that the immigrant population is declining in the country, but not to the extent claimed by the Trump administration.

The sudden push by Homeland Security to rewrite its one-year accomplishments comes as rumors swirl that the White House has grown frustrated with Noem's inability to deliver on the president's promise of mass deportations.

Trump's loyal Border Czar Tom Homan admitted during a May interview that monthly deportations were falling behind Biden-era deportations, explaining that Biden officials used a different calculation method.

It is often easier to deport migrants detained at the border than to locate and arrest them inside the country, but the latter is what Trump promised supporters repeatedly on the campaign trail.

Multiple media outlets have reported that Trump's deporter-in-chief Stephen Miller and other top White House officials are angered by Noem's inability to construct new detention facilities despite receiving billions of new funding from the Big Beautiful Bill passed over the summer.

According to reporting in June, Miller expressed disappointment to senior ICE leadership about the deportation numbers and demanded they increase their apprehension of undocumented migrants to 3,000 each day.

However, it remains unclear what the current average number of apprehensions is, as DHS has not consistently released its monthly immigration enforcement data, unlike prior administrations.

A November 2024 report from the Heritage Foundation, one of the nation's largest conservative think tanks, found that the administration's claim it is on track to deport 600,000 people in its first year is not supported by underlying data and shows the government is 'substantially off pace' to reach Eisenhower-era removal levels.

Trump promised to deport a million illegal immigrants in his first year in office but DHS has failed to meet the number

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller has grown frustrated with Noem's performance as DHS secretary

'The Trump Administration has not released monthly data on immigration enforcement since President Trump took office,' wrote Heritage fellow Mike Howell.

'Without access to the data, it is impossible to ascertain how the DHS is supporting its varying claims of deportation and self-deportation numbers,' Howell added.

Frustration and tension has also grown between Homan and Noem top aide, and rumored lover, Corey Lewandowski.

The Daily Mail reported in December that Lewandowski went on a months-long effort to pressure ICE officials to grant him a federally issued gun and badge even going so far as to make it a litmus test during an interview for a top contender to take over as the agency's director, according to multiple department sources.

Lewandowski denied the accusations and instead accused Homan of leaking the information to the Daily Mail.

Now as the administration has failed to deliver on Trump's promise of one million deportations, rumors are swirling that the White House is looking to replace Noem sometime at the start of the new year.

A December report from the Bulwark, citing former DHS officials, claimed Noem's departure from DHS is imminent and potential replacements include former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.

As speculation has grown, Trump and the White House has repeatedly denied those reports that Noem is in danger of losing her job.
Richard Cottingham, also known as the 'torso killer,' has confessed to the 1965 murder of 18-year-old nursing student Alys Jean Eberhardt.

The Fair Lawn Police Department in New Jersey made the bombshell announcement on Tuesday morning.

Investigative Historian Peter Vronsky assisted the police in extracting a confession from Cottingham on December 22, 2025, and worked alongside Sargent Eric Eleshewich and Detective Brian Rypkema in the decades-old case.

'It was a mad dash,' Vronsky told the Daily Mail. 'Cottingham had a critical medical emergency in October and nearly died, taking everything he knew with him to the grave.'

Eberhardt's September 1965 murder is now the earliest case that Cottingham has confirmed. At the time of the murder, Cottingham was 19 years old, only a year older than his teenage victim. If Eberhardt were alive today, she would have been 78.

The depraved killer, who has been linked to 20 murders across New York and New Jersey and is serving multiple life sentences, is suspected of having killed up to 85 to 100 women and young girls. The youngest was only 13.

Cottingham, now 79 with long white hair and a beard, showed little remorse during his confession to police last month.

'He doesn't understand why people still care,' Eleshewich told the Daily Mail.

Alys Jean Eberhardt (pictured) was an 18-year-old nursing student and one of Richard Cottingham's first victims, he confirmed. She was killed on September 24, 1965

Richard Cottingham, now 79, (pictured in an undated mugshot) confessed to Eberhardt's murder Dec 22

'He was very calculated with what he did back then and was very aware of things that he would do in order to keep himself out of trouble with the law and to evade capture.'

During the confession, the detective said, he admitted that 'this one [murder] was sloppy, which wasn't like him. But he said this was also very early on and he kind of learned from his mistakes.'

Cottingham told detectives of his sadistic plan during the kill.

Eleshewich told the Daily Mail that the killer said his victim 'kind of foiled his plans because she was very aggressive and fought him, and that he wasn't expecting [it]. He was frustrated by the fight that she put up. His plan was to have fun with her.'

Cottingham was never formally linked to Eberhardt's murder due to a lack of evidence and the absence of DNA - that is, until the case was reopened in the Spring of 2021.

After his confession, Eberhardt's family was notified - finally putting the six-decade nightmare to rest and giving them the closure they yearned for. Eleshewich also notified one of the retired detectives who initially worked on the case in 1965 - he is over 100 years old today.

Eberhardt's nephew Michael Smith released a statement on the family's behalf.

'Our family has waited since 1965 for the truth,' Smith said. 'To receive this news during the holidays - and to be able to tell my mother, Alyss sister, that we finally have answers - was a moment I never thought would come.

'As Alyss nephew, I am deeply moved that our family can finally honor her memory with the truth.

'On behalf of the Eberhardt family, we want to thank the entire Fair Lawn Police Department for their work and the persistence required to secure a confession after all this time. Your efforts have brought a long-overdue sense of peace to our family and prove that victims like Alys are never forgotten, no matter how much time passes.

'Richard Cottingham is the personification of evil, yet I am grateful that even he has finally chosen to answer the questions that have haunted our family for decades. We will never know why, but at least we finally know who.'

Pictured: The changing faces of 'the torso killer' Richard Cottingham through the decades

Vronsky created a chart (pictured) that is a historical and investigative-judicial chronology. Numbers 10 - 19 in the green portion were the confessions Vronsky was able to get from Cottingham from 2021 - 2022 with the help from a victim's daughter, Jennifer Weiss

Vronsky said Cottingham was a highly praised and valued employee for 14 years at Blue Cross Insurance. He is pictured in his work ID from the 1970s

Eberhardt died of blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner's report.

The tall, auburn-haired woman was last seen leaving her dormitory at Hackensack Hospital School of Nursing on September 24, 1965.

Eberhardt left school early that day to attend her aunt's funeral. She drove to her home on Saddle River Road in Fair Lawn and planned to drive with her father to meet the rest of their family in upstate New York.

But Eberhardt never made it.

Cottingham saw the young woman in the parking lot and followed her home, detectives said.

When she arrived, her parents and siblings were not there.

She heard a knock on the front door of the home, opened it, and saw Cottingham standing there. He showed her a fake police badge and told her he wanted to talk to her parents.

When the teen told him her parents weren't home, he asked her for a piece of paper to write his number on so her father could call him.

Eberhardt left Cottingham at the door momentarily, and that is when he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

He took an object from the house and bashed Eberhardt's head with it until she was dead. He then used a dagger to make 62 shallow cuts on her upper chest and neck before thrusting a kitchen knife into her throat.

Around 6pm, when Eberhardt's father, Ross, arrived home, he found his daughter's bludgeoned and partially nude body on the living room floor.

Cottingham had fled through a back door with some of the weapons he had used, then discarded them.

No arrests were ever made, and the case eventually went cold.

Cottingham told Vronsky that he was 'surprised' by how hard the young woman fought him.

Vronsky said the killer also told him he did not remember what object he used to hit Eberhardt with, but said he took it from the home's garage. He also told him he was still in the house when her father arrived home.

Peter Vronsky (left) said Weiss (right), who died of a brain tumor in May 2023, forgave Cottingham for the brutal murder of her mother

Weiss's mother was Deedeh Goodarzi (pictured), one of Cottingham's victims. Goodarzi's head and hands were severed at Times Square hotel The Travel Inn on December 2, 1979

Cottingham used a rare souvenir dagger (only a thousand were made) that he bought in Manhattan to make the cuts.

He told Vronsky he made the cuts to confuse police and had intended to make 52 slashes, the number of playing cards in a deck, but 'lost count.'

'He said he attempted to group the cuts into four "playing card suites" of 13, but said it was difficult to make the grouping on the victim's body,' Vronsky said.

The newspapers initially reported that Eberhardt was 'stabbed like crazy,' but the historian said 'the newspapers got it completely wrong.'

'I never saw him "stab" a victim so many times, but when I saw those "scratch cuts" I nearly fell out of my chair. I saw those familiar scratches in some of his other murders,' he told the Daily Mail.

Criminologist Peter Vronksy (left) pictured with serial killer Richard Cottingham (right)

Weiss (left) pictured with Cottingham (right) in prison - before her May 2023 death

Vronsky, who authored four books on the history of serial homicide, said the police 'never knew they had a serial killer out there until the day of his random arrest in May 1980.'

He explained that Cottingham was not your typical serial killer.

'Every time a case gets closed, we learn just how versatile and far-ranging this serial killer was. Cottingham's MO was no MO,' Vronsky said. 'He stabbed, suffocated, battered, ligature-strangled and drowned his victims.

Vronsky (pictured) explains that Cottingham 'does not respond to direct questions about the murders'

'He was a ghostly serial killer for 15 years at least, and I suspect his earliest murders were in 1962-1963 when Cottingham was a 16-year-old high school student.'

Whether Eberhardt was Cottingham's first murder victim remains unknown.

'He said he killed "only" maybe one in every 10 or 15 he abducted or raped,' Vronsky added. '[Meaning there are] a lot of unreported victims out there in their 60s and 70s who survived him and never said anything.'

Vronsky told the Daily Mail that 'Cottingham started killing years before Ted Bundy is known to have started,' adding that 'he was Ted Bundy before Ted Bundy was Ted Bundy.'

'He was using the same ruses Bundy used, and was still killing - without anybody catching on - years after Ted Bundy was arrested,' Vronsky said.

The historian and his late investigative partner, Jennifer Weiss, were instrumental in getting a confession from Cottingham, telling the Daily Mail they 'pushed on hard at the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office since 2019.'

Cottingham murdered Weiss' mother, Deedeh Goodarzi, in the late 1970s. He severed her head and hands in a hotel room in Times Square and then lit the room on fire.

In 2023, Weiss died of a brain tumor. Before her death, she miraculously forgave Cottingham for her mother's murder.

'Jennifer forgiving him had a profound effect on him. It moved him deeply,' Vronsky said.

'This was number 11 for Jennifer and me. She is gone but still at work. She is credited posthumously for what she did.'
The desperate search has continued for an Illinois man who has been missing for over a month, as his daughter described the strange, out-of-character behavior he showed in the days before he vanished.

Daniel Davis, 59, of Merrionette Park, was last seen on November 24 walking away on foot from 115 Bourbon Street in South Chicago, the nightclub where he has worked as a light designer for the past 25 years.

Two days later, surveillance footage captured Davis leaving St. Donatus Church in the Blue Island neighborhood, looking disoriented and unsteady on his feet.

From that moment on, he was never seen again.

'Since that, we have had no trace of him - no videos, no accurate word of mouth, no sightings, nothing. It's like a crazy vanishing person case,' Davis' daughter, Wendy Davis, 27, told the Daily Mail on Friday.

Neighborhood cameras captured a bizarre three-day scene: Davis, hoodie worn inside out, wandering alleys and at one point, colliding with the pavement.

Footage from inside his apartment building, Wendy explained, showed her father 'going door to door, trying to open his neighbors doors, testing the handles - obviously weird behavior.'

'The fridge in his apartment was left open, his windows were left open... in November,' Wendy shared.

The desperate search continues for Daniel Davis, 59 (pictured with daughter Wendy Davis), of Illinois, who mysteriously went missing in November

Davis was last seen on November 24 walking away on foot from 115 Bourbon Street in South Chicago, the nightclub where he has worked as a light designer. His last confirmed sighting was two days later on surveillance video

Neighborhood cameras captured a bizarre three-day scene: Davis, hoodie worn inside out, wandering alleys and at one point, colliding with the pavement

'There was a plate of food that fell on the ground that was still in his kitchen,' she added. 'There are a lot of signs that something sudden happened in his home before he left.'

Its now been well over a month since Davis disappeared, and exhaustive searches, viral videos and relentless police work have failed to produce any clues.

Authorities have since issued an endangered missing person alert, as his family continues to plead with the public for any sign of Davis, not knowing whether he remains in Illinois.

Wendy believes that a sudden medical emergency occurred at home before her father even went to the nightclub.

'He might have had a stroke of some sort, or maybe even a fall or a brain bleed - we're not 100 percent sure,' Wendy said.

'Mainly, it's due to the fact that there's a lot of little things, like his sweatshirt being inside out in all of the sightings - he would have caught that if he were normal,' she added.

'He hasnt suffered anything like this before - no strokes, no dementia, no Alzheimers, nothing like that. This is completely out of the blue for everyone close to him.'

The painful mystery began on November 25 for Davis family, when Wendy said she received a call from her fathers friend, who told her they were at his home with police - and he was nowhere to be found.

Wendy Davis, Davis' daughter (both pictured), believes that a sudden medical emergency - possibly a stroke - occurred at home before her father even went to the nightclub on the 24th

Davis was involved in a car accident on his way to Bourbon Street. Wendy said bodycam footage of him was 'difficult to watch,' noting that the left side of his face appeared droopy

On the 25th, hours after leaving the club, friends realized Davis hadnt shown up for work, setting off immediate concern given his reliable reputation

They soon learned that the night before, around 11pm on the 24th, he had been in a car accident just minutes from his apartment while on his way to hang out at work.

Although Davis car was totaled, authorities said neither driver was suspected of impaired driving, and Davis was believed to have sustained a head injury, according to Patch.

He refused medical treatment at the scene and was given a ride to his workplace by officers after his car was towed.

Police bodycam footage provided by Wendy showed Davis fully responsive to detectives, even laughing at times during the encounter.

'He was functioning,' Wendy said. 'He was quick and even sarcastic and funny for a lot of the conversation.'

However, she said she noticed things that didnt seem right and described the footage as difficult to watch while speaking with Fox 32 News.

'You can tell the left side is impaired. At another point, he points to something, his hand is limp, and the left side of his face is droopy,' she said.

By 1:15am the next morning, Davis was last seen leaving 115 Bourbon Street, marking the final moment anyone would see him in person.

Doorbell camera footage soon began surfacing around the neighborhood, showing Davis wandering aimlessly on November 25

In multiple clips, Davis is seen roaming the streets between 8am and 4pm, hitting his head on the sidewalk, peering into a truck bed and growing visibly disoriented

At one point, Davis approached a home and asked residents for directions back to Bourbon Street

Only later that day did his friends realize he hadnt shown up for work, setting off immediate concern given his reputation for reliability.

'He never missed a day of work, never complained. He got the job done 110 percent,' Jon Haenke, general manager of 115 Bourbon Street, told the Chicago Sun Times.

Wendy told the Daily Mail, 'He puts all of his passion into his work. He it's all he cares about is what he is. His art is what he does.'

'He's never missed a day of work. He's never taken a vacation from work,' she added. 'He's never called in sick. Like in all of his 25 years, he's been so dedicated.'

Making matters stranger, his phone stopped pinging altogether, despite Davis rarely letting it out of his hands.

It wasnt long before doorbell camera footage began surfacing around the neighborhood, showing Davis wandering aimlessly on November 25.

'He's seen cutting through people's yards, stumbling a bit on small things and going in and out of people's alleys,' Wendy told the Daily Mail.

'I think everybody thinks that something's wrong,' she added. Whoever looks at these videos, it's pretty clear that that's not how he acts.'

Officials said the missing father was spotted at a church on South Union Street at about 6:30pm on November 26 - his last confirmed sighting

Wendy said it would have been nearly impossible for Davis to climb onto a secured train car given his out-of-character physical condition

In multiple clips, Davis is seen roaming the streets between 8am and 4pm, hitting his head on the sidewalk, peering into a truck bed and growing visibly disoriented. He even approached a home, asking residents for directions back to Bourbon Street.

On Thanksgiving eve the following day, officials said the missing father was spotted around 3pm in the Blue Island neighborhood and again at a church on South Union Street at about 6:30pm - his last confirmed sighting, according to People.

'The clip we have of him is stumbling out of a church, limping a little bit out, and we dont really know what direction he went in,' Wendy said.

About a week later, a bloodhound and a county K-9 were brought to the church to track Davis scent. They picked up a partial trail, but it abruptly ended at the entrance to a massive freight rail yard.

While that information has led online sleuths to speculate that Davis may have climbed onto a freight train and fallen asleep, his family isnt convinced.

Wendy told the Daily Mail that, given his physical condition - barely able to walk straight - it would have been nearly impossible for Davis to climb onto a secured train car.

She also noted that the train yard is heavily monitored, with employees inspecting it around the clock. Authorities have been in contact with the yards head of security, and the fire department has already flown drones over the area to check.

At the request of the Chicago Police Department, Code 3 Search and Rescue and Ohio-based SAR Sheps Rescue combed wooded areas and bodies of water this past weekend - but their searches yielded no results.

Family, friends and strangers have continued to organize their own search efforts both online and on the ground

A Facebook page called Find Dan Davis was created following his bizarre disappearance and now has nearly 37,000 members working to help

The Blue Island Fire Department has also conducted water searches, while family, friends, and strangers continue organizing their own efforts both online and on the ground.

'He's a goofball, a sarcastic, funny man. He's such a creative asset to his job and to everyone,' Wendy told the Daily Mail.

'He's very simplistic. He's very predictable. Him going missing is definitely the biggest surprise that he's ever given us,' she added.

'He's such a light, like, even when he's trying to be a grumpy old man, he can't help but be hilarious and make everybody laugh.'

A Facebook page called Find Dan Davis was created following his bizarre disappearance and now has nearly 37,000 members working to help the family figure out where he might be.

A GoFundMe page set up to cover billboard rentals, flyers, Davis rent, and reward donations has already raised $21,589, surpassing the familys $13,000 goal.
President Donald Trump's declaration of the new 'Donroe Doctrine' marks a defining moment for the world.

It is based on the Monroe Doctrine foreign policy, which was introduced by President James Monroe in 1823.

Trump's measure, like Monroe's, boldly asserts American dominance over the Western Hemisphere  effectively giving Washington the right to police its own backyard.

It also accepts that there are other 'spheres of influence' in the world where America should tread carefully, and leave other powers to be dominant.

Experts say that could have consequences for Ukraine as it continues to battle Russian aggression, and Taiwan as a potential invasion by China looms.

In adopting the policy Trump risks blowback from his 'America First' base as it clears the way for interventions in other countries in the western hemisphere.

But they are likely to back the move to leave the rest of the globe more to its own devices.

Any foreign interventions in America's back yard are, however, likely to draw accusations of violating international law, including from some allies.

America's fifth president James Monroe (1758 - 1831) who formulated the Monroe Doctrine

An explosion rocks Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning during a US military operation which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

The capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela was the first example of the doctrine in action.

But President Trump's recent comments signaled the possibility of expanding military action to countries like Colombia and Mexico over drug trafficking accusations.

The president is also using the Monroe Doctrine as he reupped his threat to take over the Danish territory of Greenland for the sake of U.S. security interests.

'We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,' he said after the Maduro raid.

Leaders from major European powers rallied behind Greenland on Tuesday, saying in a joint statement that the Arctic island belongs to its people.

'Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,' said the statement by leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark.

Notably, on December 2, the anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine's founding, Trump issued a message from the White House.

He said: 'Today, my Administration proudly reaffirms this promise under a new Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: That the American people - not foreign nations nor globalist institutions - will always control their own destiny in our hemisphere.'

Just days later, planning for a potential military raid to capture Maduro began.

At his press conference after Maduro's capture, President Trump was even clearer on how the Monroe Doctrine is influencing his strategic foreign policy.

He accused Venezuela of stealing 'massive oil infrastructure' and being guilty of a 'gross violation of the core principles of American foreign policy, dating back more than two centuries. All the way back dated to the Monroe Doctrine. And the Monroe Doctrine is big deal.

'But we've superseded it by a lot, by a real lot. They now call it the Donroe document.'

The President added: 'We sort of forgot about it, very important but we forgot about it, we don't forget about it any more.

'Under out new National Security Strategy, American dominance in the Western hemisphere will never be questioned again, wont happen.

'We will never allow foreign powers to rob our people and drive us out of our hemisphere.'

Join the debate Should the US use military force to remove foreign leaders it sees as threats to its interests?

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia were both seized by a US military unit in the early hours of Caracas, with Maduro now set to face drugs and gun charges in the United States

President Donald Trump hailed his government's 'brilliant' capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the early hours of Saturday

Trump was expanding on his own National Security Strategy document, released in November, which sent shockwaves through capitals around the world.

It said: 'After years of neglect, the United States will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, and to protect our homeland and our access to key geographies throughout the region.

'We will deny non-Hemispheric competitors the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets, in our Hemisphere.'

It declared a 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine as a 'common-sense and potent restoration of American power and priorities.'

In the wake of Maduro's capture the State Department reiterated the policy, posting on X: "This is OUR Hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: 'This is the Western Hemisphere. This is where we live and we're not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operation for adversaries, competitors, and rivals of the United States.'

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said: 'As we continue to ensure that American interests are protected in the Western Hemisphere, the Monroe Doctrine is back and in full effect.'

The Monroe Doctrine was first laid out by by the fifth president James Monroe 1823 address to Congress.

It was initially intended to stop European colonization and meddling in the Western Hemisphere.

In return, the U.S. also agreed to stay out of European wars and internal affairs.

The Monroe Doctrine has been invoked in the two centuries since to justify various U.S. military interventions in Latin America.

In the Cold War era it was invoked as a defense against communism, including the U.S. demand in 1962 that Soviet missiles be withdrawn from Cuba.

It was also cited in the Reagan administrations opposition to the leftist Sandinista government in Nicaragua.

Gretchen Murphy, a professor at the University of Texas, said Trump was 'citing the Monroe Doctrine to legitimate interventions that undermine real democracy, and ones where various kinds of interests are served, including commercial interests.'

The home of President James Monroe in Charlottesville, Virginia

On the renaming of the policy as the 'Donroe Doctrine,' Jay Sexton, a history professor at the University of Missouri, said: 'When youre talking about a Trump Corollary, I just knew Trump wouldnt want to be a corollary to another presidents doctrine, that somehow this would evolve into a Trump doctrine.'

He said the Venezuela intervention could cause a split within MAGA.

'This is not just the sort of hit-and-run kind of job where, like in Iran a couple months ago, we dropped the missiles, and then you can carry on as normal,' he said.

'This is going to be potentially quite a mess and contradict the administrations policies on withdrawing from forever wars.'

Maduro, a 63-year-old former bus driver, who was handpicked by the dying Hugo Chavez to succeed him in 2013.

He has denied being an international drug lord and claims the US is intent on taking control of his nation's oil reserves, which are the largest in the world.

In September, the Pentagon had begun air strikes against drug boats, arguing the profits from the shipments were being used to prop up Maduro's regime.

The death toll from the strikes on drug boats ultimately topped 100 and to observers the killings were seen as clear sign of mission creep.

US forces built up in the Caribbean to pressure Maduro, and Trump sent the world's biggest aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford.

The US also seized two oil tankers off Venezuelas coast and imposed sanctions on four others it said were part of a shadow fleet serving Maduros government.

In a new escalation last week the CIA had carried out the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil, a drone strike at a docking area believed to have been used by drug cartels.

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A woman, with a flag on her back reading "Freedom", lifts her son, after U.S. President Donald Trump said that the U.S. attacked Venezuela and deposed its President Nicolas Maduro, in Santiago, Chile January 3, 2026.

A bus with its windows blown out is seen in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday

Maduro had continued to accept flights carrying Venezuelan deportees from the U.S.

That led to speculation that the White House could seek to negotiate with him and not ultimately resort to regime change,.

Maduro publicly offered to talk, and Vice President J.D. Vance later revealed he had been offered various 'off ramps' to end the standoff, but didn't take them.

Behind the scenes, U.S. spies were watching Maduro and the Pentagon was preparing to strike.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed that Operation Absolut Resolve, to capture Maduro, was ready to go by early December.

Over the New Year period, it was repeatedly delayed by bad weather for four days.

At 10.46pm US Eastern time, President Trump gave the order, telling those involved: 'Good luck and God speed.'

The astonishing raid involved over 150 aircraft, in what one military analyst called a 'ballet in the sky.'

Planes took out defense systems clearing a path to the Caracas military base where Maduro was holed up.

Helicopters skimmed over the water at 100ft and delivered the Delta Force extraction force, who came under fire but captured Maduro before he could make it to a safe room behind a huge steel door.

'We watched, we waited, we remained prepared,' said Gen. Caine. 'This was an audacious operation that only the United States could do. It required the utmost precision.

'The weather broke just enough, clearing a path that only the most skilled aviators in the world could move through.'

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President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla., as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens

his image posted on US President Donald Trump's Truth Social account on January 3, 2026, shows what President Trump says is Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro onboard the USS Iwo Jima after the US military captured him on January 3, 2026

The Venezuelan dictator had already survived a 'maximum pressure' campaign toward the end of Trump's first term.

He was indicted in 2020 in New York, although it was not previously known that his wife had been.

The Justice Department charged that Maduro had effectively converted Venezuela into a criminal enterprise at the service of drug traffickers and terrorist groups as he and his allies stole billions from the South American country.

There were indictments against 14 officials and government-connected individuals, and rewards of $55 million for Maduro and four others.

Bill Barr, the Attorney General at the time, branded called the Venezuelan regime 'corrupt,' including the Maduro-dominated judiciary and the powerful armed forces.

One indictment by prosecutors in New York accused Maduro and socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello, head of the rubber-stamping constitutional assembly, of conspiring with Colombian rebels and members of the military 'to flood the United States with cocaine.'

The legal authority for the strike, and whether Trump consulted Congress beforehand, is not immediately clear.

The stunning, lightning-fast American military action, which plucked a nation's sitting leader from office, echoed the U.S. invasion of Panama that led to the surrender and seizure of its leader, Manuel Antonio Noriega, in 1990, exactly 36 years ago .

It was Washington's most direct intervention in Latin America since that 1989 invasion of Panama.
Australia is in the grip of a 'national crisis' and risks being dangerously exposed unless urgent action is taken on defence, the economy and social cohesion, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned.

Appearing on former deputy PM John Anderson's podcast, Abbott delivered a scathing verdict on Australia's defence policy, claiming it is wrong at every level.

'Economically, we're in decline. Socially, we're more divided than we've been for years. Strategically, we're in dire peril,' Abbott said.

'And we're largely oblivious to it and we're certainly not doing anything to recover from it.'

He identified three urgent priorities for government: national security, justice and economic strength.

Abbott accused today's policymakers of 'intergenerational theft', saying Australians are 'borrowing from children unborn' while having fewer of them, leaving future generations to carry an unfair tax burden.

'If you want social harmony, you have to have justice,' Abbott said.

'And we need an economy that allows people to live within their means.'

Tony Abbott (pictured) warned about Australia's future while speaking to John Anderson

On social cohesion, Abbott argued that unity must come before diversity.

'We've got to be one country, one people,' he said.

'Migrants didn't come here to live the same life they had back home. They came for a better life. That gives us a duty to preserve the Anglo-Celtic culture and the Judeo-Christian ethos that underpin our society.'

Abbott warned that without immediate action, Australia's freedom and prosperity are under serious threat.

'We need a plan for a stronger economy, a more cohesive society, and greater security,' he said. 'Right now, we have none of that.'

He also criticised the Albanese Government for redirecting $80 billion from short-term defence capabilities to AUKUS projects further down the line, calling the move 'grossly and seriously inadequate'.

'You can't claim these are dangerous times and then preside over an actual decline in our capabilities,' he said.

'How can we claim to be leaders?'

Abbott described Anthony Albanese's (pictured) current approach as 'analysis paralysis'

Abbott urged the government to act now, not launch another protracted white paper process.

'We need offensive and defensive missile systems, more ships, more planes and more personnel,' he said.

'We're 5,000 below establishment in armed forces numbers. We should go ahead with two new squadrons of F-35s, the marinised versions, and turn our landing helicopter docks into aircraft carriers.'

He also called for fast-tracking the procurement of light frigates, describing the current approach as 'analysis paralysis' harming the nation.

'Make decisions, get things done. Analysis paralysis is killing us,' Abbott said.

'This obsession with the quantum of funding is typical of a government that thinks you can buy improvements instead of making a difference.'

Australia's defence budget is slated to rise by an additional $50.3 billion over the next decade, with the Albanese Government aiming to lift spending to around 2.3 per cent of GDP by the early 2030s.

But security experts warn that allocation falls short given growing regional threats and increasing uncertainty.

The United States, meanwhile, has said Australia should set its sights on 3 per cent of GDP for defence to ensure the nation can field enough advanced missile systems, submarines, ships and personnel.
Furious Gold Coast locals have lobbied MPs, organised protests, and designed t-shirts in a desperate attempt to remove a six-metre bronze sculpture worth $70,000 from an art gallery, claiming it's a 'satanic monstrosity' that's 'ruining children'.

The grassroots campaign to get rid of the sculpture, titled 'Double-sided avatar with blue figure' by Sydney-based artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, began months after it was erected at the Home Of The Arts Gallery (HOTA) in 2021.

The oddball movement reached fever pitch just weeks ago when members of the 'Remove the Satanic Monstrosity from HOTA Action Group' made a series of bizarre claims about the sculpture that can be published for legal reasons.

Positioned at the entrance to the Surfers Paradise gallery, the statue shows a brightly coloured, human-like form smiling and holding a smaller blue figure that glows with a red neon light.

Nithiyendran says the sculpture is culturally symbolic and is meant to ward off bad spirits and welcome guests to the gallery with its outstretched arms, with curators describing the smaller figure as a 'playful little blue neon companion'.

But group members insist the sculpture depicts ritual child abuse, and that it's actually an image of the devil holding a baby Jesus, which 'poses a threat to the moral fabric of our society'.

One member, who did not want to be identified, told the Daily Mail that police did not take action when notified about how the local council rejected their 1,000-signature petition to remove the artwork.

'No one believes us,' she said.

Pictured: Members of the Remove the Satanic Monstrosity from HOTA Action Group at a protest outside the gallery in July

Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran (pictured) created the sculpture outside the HOTA Gallery on the Gold Coast

'Most people think we are crazy. Im not! I wish I was if it could be proven that evil satanic paedophiles did not exist.'

Their plight has been rubbished by most officials, including Mayor Tom Tate, who previously urged naysayers to 'get up close and personal, have a good look at it'.

'Dont like it? Have another drink, keep doing it until you like it. Then, by the end of the night, you'll go, "Thats a great piece",' he said.

The protest group member said she previously walked past the sculpture without much thought, believing it was 'similar to a tribal statue you might find in an African village', until a man told her: 'Don't support them, there's a satanic statue there.'

She admitted she'd never considered it before, but said that was likely because she's a 'normal person' who didn't normally think about child abuse.

She then joined the 2,500-strong local Facebook group which attacks the gallery and the artist over their fear that the figure is a danger to society.

Anyone who disagrees with them is dismissed as a 'satanist' and blocked from the page.

'Satan will have the last laugh on you when you no longer have any humanity left,' a group administrator wrote in December.

A group administrator said on Facebook in December that anyone who laughs at their cause will be blocked (pictured)

The group believe the sculpture represents ritual satanic child abuse, and created the comparison above

The group has also attacked the artist Ramesh Nithiyendran (pictured) and his wider portfolio, wrongly suggesting they are satanic and represent child abuse

'Get off our page and get out of the Gold Coast.'

The group member condemned sexually explicit illustrations in the artist's broader portfolio.

She also raised outlandish concerns over a one-day art workshop he delivered for primary school students five years ago.

The workshop, which was filmed and uploaded to YouTube by the gallery, shows Nithiyendran teaching a large group of children how to make their own monster sculptures using a range of materials, including foam and fabrics.

It took place in 2021, but group members continue to probe state authorities over whether Nithiyendran has a valid working with children check, known in Queensland as a Blue Card.

Anyone working with children for less than seven days is not required to apply for a Blue Card.

'I recently wrote to the district educator in the Department of Education and they would not reveal the artist's Blue Card status due to privacy laws, so I contacted Blue Card,' she said.

She was irate when Blue Card would not give her Nithiyendran's personal information, and the group slammed the response as the government 'hiding behind privacy laws'.

Pictured: An AI-generated image of children 'reacting' to the sculpture outside the gallery, and an illustration by the same artist

Pictured: A t-shirt design by the group, wrongly asking whether the Gold Coast mayor broke the law by refusing to remove the sculpture

The group insists the sculpture 'makes children cry', but there are no apparent complaints written on behalf of any children, school groups, or parents of students who attended the workshop.

Despite that, group administrators posted AI-generated images of children looking disgusted while holding posters featuring other works by Nithiyendran.

Along with a website and a petition to remove the artwork, the group has conducted two protests and designed 'remove the satanic monstrosity from HOTA' t-shirts.

The shirt design includes an image of the sculpture and Mayor Tate's face, and asks if public decency laws have been broken by his refusal to remove the sculpture.

There is no suggestion Mr Tate has committed any offence.

During one protest outside the gallery in July, an organiser insisted: 'The normalisation of such pieces is ruining and demoralising our people.

Pictured: Protesters outside the gallery in July, claiming the sculpture is rated R

'They are dumbing us down, they're dumbing our senses down.

'People are so conditioned to think this is just art and it's subjective, I hear this all the time - you have to admit, the cabal did a great job in our country to bring us to a state of depravity.'

She urged members of the City of the Gold Coast to speak up, telling them not to 'be silenced'.

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts is among the few officials to give the campaign oxygen, posting on Facebook that many locals find the sculpture 'deeply offensive' and want it removed.

Some of his followers said they had also submitted complaints about the sculpture, but others said they saw no harm.

The Daily Mail has contacted Nithiyendran, HOTA, the Gold Coast City Council, and Mayor Tate for comment.
Cardboard heiress Heloise Pratt's billionaire ex-husband is embroiled in a court fight between warring socialite sisters - his fiancee Rebekah Behbahani and her sibling, Venus Behbahani-Clark.

Listed for a seven-day trial starting next month, the Supreme Court of Victoria will be the battleground between the sisters over possession of a luxury townhouse in the elite Melbourne suburb of Toorak.

It pits mother-of-four Venus against her younger sister and husband-to-be, high-flying investment manager Alex Waislitz, who has just finalised a multi-million dollar divorce settlement with Ms Pratt.

Venus, a former Real Housewives of Melbourne star, has claimed on Instagram that the trial will be 'the fight of my life' after being allegedly 'gaslit'.

However, she has assured her 125,000 followers, in a quote from (purportedly) biblical figure Mary Magdalene, that she will 'stand firm, for you are stronger than they can ever comprehend'.

She added that 'a woman can own her image and still own her power in the courtroom'.

Multiple court pleadings have been lodged in the legal row that names Thorney Equities, Mr Waislitz's company, himself, and Rebekah Behbahani.

Court documents reveal the dispute between the Iranian-born sisters began in 2019, when Venus had departed Real Housewives of Melbourne after Season 4, and did not return for Season 5.

The warring Behbahani sisters (former TV star Venus, left, and aspiring pop star Rebekah, right) are heading to court to fight over possession of a townhouse in the elite Melbourne suburb of Toorak

Former Real Housewives of Melbourne star Venus Behbahani (left) claims she was gifted the mansion after supporting her sister Rebekah during a temporary split with her billionaire fiance Alex Waislitz (pictured together right)

The current dispute due in court next month is over the property on Canberra Road, Toorak (above), one of Melbourne's wealthiest suburbs

Behbahani-Clark moved into a home on Canberra Road, Toorak with partner James Clark and their children at a time when Rebekah and Mr Waislitz were having a temporary break in their relationship.

Venus claims she was promised the house in exchange for supporting her sister during the split, and that Rebekah signed over 'all of her equitable right, title and interest in and to the land' to Venus, per a 2020 'deed of gift'.

The townhouse is one of two on the block, and is worth about $4million. At the time, Rebekah was living in the other townhouse.

Mr Waislitz's Thorney Investment Group subsequently launched a counterclaim seeking to evict Behbahani-Clark's family from the house.

In court documents filed last month, Rebekah alleged this was untrue, and that she, as third defendant in the matter, had unwittingly signed a document presented to her by the plaintiff (Venus).

'The plaintiff was the third defendant's older sister who was legally trained and had represented and assisted the third defendant in the negotiation of the financial agreement and the deed of gift and confidentiality,' an updated defence document states, according to The Australian.

'(Rebekah) trusted and relied on (Venus) to act at all times in the best interests of the third defendant.

'(Venus) well knew that the third defendant should have obtained legal advice from her solicitor before signing the 2020 document and the plaintiff determined to have the third defendant sign the 2020 document without the benefit of legal advice and caused her to do so.'

The townhouse is one of two on the block worth about $4million with indoor swimming pools and a parkland view

The Iranian-born Behbahani sisters with their partners, Rebekah with Alex Waislitz (left), and Venus with James Clark (right), have become embroiled in court claims and counter claims over money and property

Rebekah has further claimed in her updated defence that Venus told her in messages, sent on August 23 2020, that she would only be able to lodge a caveat over the property if the agreement was signed.

'The legal effect of the third defendant gifting her (the Toorak house), before that unit was transferred to the third defendant, was to permit the plaintiff to lodge a caveat over the property in the event that the second defendant (Mr Waislitz) sought to evict her, but not to transfer any interest in the property to the plaintiff,' the court filings said.

James Clark and Venus are directors of Global Telemedicine Consulting Group Pty Ltd, which trades as KidsDocOnCall, which was placed into liquidation and the company wound up by court order on July 17, 2024.

Documents filed in court relating to the messy financial entanglements of both couples include a claim by Venus that it was her husband who facilitated professional introductions for Rebekah to musicians DJ Khaled, Tyga, French Montana, and Ne-Yo, with whom she toured Australia in 2024.

Last month Mr Waislitz signed off a blockbuster settlement with Heloise Pratt, ending a furious row over secret millions, luxury mansions and his aspiring popstar wife-to-be.

The multimillion-dollar deal ended a simmering dispute which also had been headed for a Supreme Court trial.

At the centre of the disagreement was Mr Waislitz's $1.3 billion tech investment company Thorney, founded in 1991 with a $1.2 million gift of shares in global paper manufacturing giant Amcor from his future father-in-law, Visy packaging mogul Richard Pratt.

Heloise Pratt is one of three children of the late Mr Pratt, who died in 2009. She accused Mr Waislitz of improperly loaning millions from Thorney to back the music career of his fiancee, who performs as Behani.

The sisters on opposite sides in the court stoush have in the past been very supportive of one another with Venus (right) posting an effusive birthday wish to Rebekah (left), saying 'stay blessed forever my love'

The financial backing has included funding music videos of her songs and an eight-part reality TV series, Behind Behani, on which she describes her 'journey to global pop stardom'.

Mr Waislitz denied all impropriety and told the Daily Mail that: 'I am confident the legal system will confirm that I have done nothing improper in relation to my corporate or private financial dealings.'

The matter was settled and allegations of wrongdoing were dropped.

Mr Waislitz and Ms Pratt, who separated in 2015 after 21 years of marriage, have three children who will receive $825 million in cash and assets as part of the deal, with Ms Pratt to receive $325 million.

The current clash between the Behbahani sisters is in contrast to their apparent closeness in the past.

On Instagram in 2021, Venus marked Rebekah's birthday with a gushing post saying, 'To my one and only sister Rebekah! May the universe continue to open all kinds of amazingly beautiful opportunities for happiness in your life.

'Sis, may this birthday be filled with good health, dreams that continue to transpire into reality, miracles and tranquility. Stay blessed forever my love!'

Two years earlier, in 2019, when Mr Waislitz and Rebekah announced they were expecting their first child, Venus was effusive in her congratulations on Instagram.

Venus Behbahani arrives at an event in Melbourne during the time she was on TV as a contestant on Real Housewives of Melbourne

Venus (left) in 2017 during her season on Real Housewives of Melbourne with Gamble Breaux, Gina Liano, Lydia Schiavello, Jackie Gillies and Janet Roach

Accompanying 10 images of the couple, she raved: 'My dearest sister Rebekah and partner Alex, Im overjoyed to share your wonderful news! Im going to be an Auntie!

'Congratulations to this gorgeous couple clothed with strength and dignity, who laugh without fear of the future, speak words that are wise and guide each other with kindness.'

The parties are due in court in February provided that, unlike Mr Waislitz's divorce proceedings, the matter does not settle beforehand.
Donald Trump was last night warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would spell the end of Nato.

The US President has hinted that the minerals-rich island could be next on his hit list following a dramatic raid on Venezuela at the weekend.

In a rare break with Washington, Keir Starmer yesterday warned President Trump to stay out of Nato states.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the US threats against Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, had to be taken 'seriously'.

She added that any attempt to seize it would collapse the Nato alliance which has been the bedrock of Western security since the Second World War.

In a bleak assessment, she added: 'I believe one should take the American President seriously when he says that he wants Greenland. But I will also make it clear that if the US chooses to attack another Nato country militarily, then everything stops, including Nato and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War.'

On a dramatic day of world events:

A British defence source told the Daily Mail there was a '30 per cent chance' Mr Trump would attempt to seize Greenland;

The Prime Minister faced a Labour backlash after he refused to criticise the raid on Maduro's home by US special forces;

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper signalled further tension with the US, saying the UK did not recognise the interim Venezuelan regime led by Maduro's deputy;

South American leaders warned Mr Trump against further military expansionism, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro saying he was personally willing to 'take up arms' to repel an invasion;

US envoy Mike Waltz savaged the UN for criticising the removal of a dictator whose reign it described as illegitimate;

A snap YouGov poll found that the British public disapprove of President Trump's intervention in Venezuela by a margin of 51:21;

The PM prepared for talks in Paris on forming a 'coalition of the willing' to hold the peace in Ukraine, which are now likely to be dominated by concerns about Mr Trump's realpolitik approach. Sir Keir has spent years lecturing opponents on the importance of international law but has been desperate not to antagonise Mr Trump by criticising his raid on Venezuela.

Former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace warned the tactic could backfire.

'Whatever the UK government thinks, it needs to be clear about it,' he said. 'They can support Trump's actions or they can condemn it. But clucking around like headless chickens damages the UK deeply  there's no leadership, no principles and no ideas.'

Sir Keir said on Saturday that he wanted to speak with Mr Trump urgently about the raid on Venezuela.

But government sources acknowledged they had not yet managed to place a call with the US President  and may not now do so until the end of the week.

Sir Keir later broke his silence on Greenland amid mounting fears that Mr Trump may be serious about targeting a territory prized for its strategic location and reserves of valuable minerals.

President Trump suggested at the weekend that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to US intervention. 'We do need Greenland, absolutely,' Mr Trump told The Atlantic magazine.

One British defence source yesterday said there was a '30 per cent chance' that President Trump would try to annex Greenland, despite its status as a member of Nato.

Asked about Ms Frederiksen's insistence that the US had 'no right' to seize Greenland, Sir Keir said: 'Well, I stand with her, and she's right about the future of Greenland.'

Asked again if he agreed with Denmark's request for the US to drop its claims to Greenland, he replied: 'Yes. Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.

'Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a Nato ally, and it's very important the future of Greenland is, as I say, for the Kingdom of Denmark, and for Greenland, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.'

The Trump administration has repeatedly spoken of its desire to take control of Greenland, arguing it is essential for American security in the North Atlantic.

Katie Miller, the wife of one of Mr Trump's senior aides, Stephen Miller, posted a picture on social media at the weekend of Greenland in the colours of the American flag alongside the word 'soon'.

Greenland has strongly pushed back against suggestions it could become the 51st state of the US.

The island's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen hit back at the latest rhetoric from the US, saying: 'Threats, pressure, and talk of annexation have no place between friends.

'That is not how one speaks to a people who have repeatedly demonstrated responsibility, stability, and loyalty. Enough is enough.'

Following his rendition of Maduro, President Trump has made brash threats to intervene militarily against several nations across the world.

The capture of Maduro was almost immediately followed by warnings against the leaders of Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Greenland and Iran, to name just a few, that they may face regime changes or military intervention in the coming months.

But how realistic is the US President's current rhetoric? Is Venezuela just the beginning?

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Venezuela

The US has already captured Maduro and his wife in a dramatic Special Forces raid.

President Trump said he took action to prevent drug trafficking, to utilise the country's vast natural resources and rare earth minerals to punish the country for sending migrants to the US.

Trump has threatened further military action should the Maduro dictatorship, which remains in government, not pursue policies favourable to the US.

The action sent a powerful message to China and Russia, which are seeking to acquire greater influence in Central America.

Trump said there is 'tremendous energy' in Venezuela which needed to be protected 'for ourselves and for the world'.

Venezuela has the world's largest proven petroleum reserves, about 18 per cent of the global total.

It also has significant quantities of gold and rare earth minerals required for leading-edge technological manufacturing that are of particular interest to China.

Trump is an advocate of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine which declares the entirety of the Americas, the Northern and Southern hemispheres and Central America to be its exclusive zone of influence.

In recent days this has been dubbed the 'Donroe Doctrine'.

It is difficult to see how Trump can keep his promise to 'run' Venezuela without taking further action.

Trump has claimed he is 'not afraid of boots on the ground', but that would be more controversial in the US, particularly with MAGA supporters who voted Trump because he said he would end the US's involvement in foreign conflicts.

Venezuela remains the US's strategic priority in the region due to its wealth.

Likelihood of further US action: 4/5

Iran

As recently as Sunday night, Trump threatened to hit Iran 'very hard' if dictatorial authorities continued their harsh crackdown on protests that have entered a second week.

At least 20 people, including at least one member of Iran's security forces, have been killed following protests that have spread across the country from the capital, Tehran.

The protests began first with merchants in Tehran before spreading. While initially focused on economic issues, the demonstrations soon saw protesters chanting anti-government statements as well.

Anger has been simmering over the years, particularly after the 2022 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody which triggered nationwide demonstrations.

Join the debate Has Trump opened the door to a dangerous new era of US expansion?

As of Monday morning, demonstrations are said to have taken place in over 220 towns and cities in 26 of Iran's 31 provinces - resulting in nearly 1,000 people being arrested.

Trump said he would take action if any more protesters died.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, he said without elaborating: 'We're watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they're going to get hit very hard by the United States.'

The US could order further air strikes against Iran, following its attacks on the country's nuclear installations last year.

Last June, he ordered American forces to strike military, nuclear and civilian targets across Iran, alongside Israel's forces, in a lightning 12-day offensive.

The build-up of US transport aircraft in the UK in recent weeks has also been linked to the US's plans for further interventions in the Middle East.

Were Trump to send troops or missiles to Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be in a significantly disadvantaged position.

Its regional allies, which Iran used to call the 'Axis of Resistance' has suffered greatly in recent years.

A lightning offensive in December 2024 overthrew Iran's longtime stalwart ally and client in Syria, President Bashar Assad, after years of war there.

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels also have been pounded by Israeli and American airstrikes.

Meanwhile, Israel has crushed Hamas, which is backed by Iran, in the devastating war in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group in Lebanon, has seen its top leadership killed by Israel and has been struggling since.

Iran's superpower allies have done little to help.

China meanwhile, has remained a major buyer of Iranian crude oil, but hasn't provided overt military support. Neither has Russia, which has relied on Iranian drones in its war on Ukraine.

Likelihood of US action: 4/5

Canada

Last February, Donald Trump claimed that Canada would be better off accepting an offer to become the 51st state.

Trump claimed he was serious about the idea to bring the US' neighbours to the north into the fold, telling Fox News: 'I think Canada would be much better off being a 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada, and I'm not going to let that happen.'

Days prior, Trump's National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz said it was unlikely that the US military would invade Canada and annex the country.

In November 2024, following his victory over Joe Biden, then-president-elect Trump met with Canada's then-leader Justin Trudeau following an announcement on social media that he was planning on imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods.

This, he claimed, was in response to Canada's apparent refusal to address drug and human trafficking concerns at the border it shares with the U.S.

This is where he first proposed Canada becoming a state if it couldn't handle the economic sanctions.

Since February, Trump has made little comment about whether he intends to pursue the annexation of Canada as part of his foreign policy goals.

Likelihood of US action 0/5

Mexico

Trump said in November that he would be 'OK' with the American military striking drug lords operating inside Mexico, arguing that it would be justified to stop the inflow of the deadly opioid fentanyl to the United States.

'Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs,' Trump said.

'I didn't say I'm doing it, but I'd be proud to do it. Because we're going to save millions of lives by doing it.'

But Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum quickly rebuffed the idea that the US would be allowed to strike targets in her country, calling it a 'non-starter'.

'It's not going to happen', she bluntly said at a press conference.

Earlier in 2025, Trump furiously slammed Mexico, along with China and Canada, for allegedly not doing enough to stop the influx of drugs and migrants into the US.

He put up a 25 per cent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10 per cent additional tariff on imports from China.

The White House said at the time: 'The orders make clear that the flow of contraband drugs like fentanyl to the United States, through illicit distribution networks, has created a national emergency, including a public health crisis'.

It added: 'Mexican drug trafficking organisations have an intolerable alliance with the government of Mexico.

'The government of Mexico has afforded safe havens for the cartels to engage in the manufacturing and transportation of dangerous narcotics, which collectively have led to the overdose deaths of hundreds of thousands of American victims.

'This alliance endangers the national security of the United States, and we must eradicate the influence of these dangerous cartels.'

Likelihood of US action 2/5

Cuba

Following the enormous military action in Venezuela, Trump said that Cuba may be the next country to face an American-led regime change.

He said: 'I think Cuba is going to be something we'll end up talking about, because Cuba is a failing nation right now, very badly failing nation, and we want to help the people.

The Republican continued: 'That system has not been a very good one for Cuba. The people there have suffered for many, many years.

Trump's Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, doubled down on Trump's warning: 'Suffice it to say, you know, Cuba is a disaster. It's run by incompetent, senile men.'

'If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I'd be concerned, at least a little bit,' the US' top diplomat added.

The country has faced major sanctions and restrictions on foreign aid under both Republican and Democrat administrations.

Last February, the Trump administration halted foreign aid funding for Cuban media outlets and increased visa restrictions related to programmes related to sending healthcare and other workers across the world, amid allegations of forced labour.

But the US has little to gain strategically from invading Cuba and any foreign intervention would only further destabilise the country. Its links to Russia and China also complicate the situation.

While there would also be huge opposition within the country, the exiled Cuban population in the US would back Trump to the jilt.

The Cuban government felt sufficient concern after the Venezuela operation to announce 'all nations of the region must remain alert, as the threat hands over us all'.

While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned: 'Look, if I lived in Havana and I worked in the government, I'd be concerned.'

The administration is considered more vulnerable to internal threats rather than external threats considering its economic dependence on Venezuela.

The US could cease financial support packages, leading to the Cuban regime, historically opposed to the US for many decades, falling under its own weight.

Likelihood of US action: 1/5

Greenland

Trump said has long held an obsession with Greenland, a large but sparsely populated island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a Nato ally.

In recent weeks, he appointed Louisiana governor Jeff Landry to the role of special envoy to the island, signalling his intent to push for ownership of the territory.

He claimed that the US's acquisition of Greenland was vital to 'national protection', citing its vast resources of minerals used by American tech firms.

The Republican said in an interview with The Atlantic this week: 'We do need Greenland, absolutely'.

He described the island as being 'surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.'

But Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuffed Trump's advances: 'It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland.

'The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish kingdom.

'The Kingdom of Denmark  and thus Greenland  is a member of Nato and is therefore covered by the Alliance's collective security guarantee.

'We already have a defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States that grants the US broad access to Greenland. In addition, the Kingdom has made significant investments in security in the Arctic.

'I therefore strongly urge the US to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale'.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he stood by his Danish counterpart's condemnation of Trump.

He said: 'I stand with her, and she's right about the future of Greenland.'

He added: 'Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.

'Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a Nato ally, and it's very important the future of Greenland is, as I say, for the Kingdom of Denmark, and for Greenland, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.'

Greenland's population of 57,000 people is self-governing, although defence and foreign policy are determined by Denmark. Polling has indicated they oppose US expansion plans.

Greenland is the world's largest island which is not a continent and is located in the Arctic. Fourth-fifths of the territory is covered by ice.

Danish territories belong to NATO by extension and therefore any attack on Greenland by Russia or other actors would trigger the alliance's Article Five agreement on collective defence. The island is already defended by Danish and US troops.

Likelihood of US action: 1/5

Colombia

Over the weekend, Trump warned that Colombia could be the next country to face a military operation.

President Trump said while travelling on Air Force One Sunday that Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro was a 'sick man' who 'likes making cocaine' after threatening Petro to 'watch his a**'.

Trump's attacks on the Colombian leader came after Petro described Washington's attack on Venezuela as an 'assault on the sovereignty' of Latin America.

'Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long,' he said.

When asked whether the US would pursue a military operation against the country, Trump bluntly replied, 'It sounds good to me.'

Petro hit back at Trump in a fiery social media post, after the US president accused him of being a drug trafficker.

'Stop slandering me, Mr Trump,' Petro said in a lengthy post on X.

'That's not how you threaten a Latin American president who emerged from the armed struggle and then from the people of Colombia's fight for Peace.'

In a later social media post Sunday, Petro added: 'Friends do not bomb.'

In a bid to appease the White House, Petro has offered to act as an intermediary between the US and Venezuela.

Likelihood of US action: 2/5

Panama Canal

Last March, Trump ordered the American military to draw up plans to seize the Panama Canal in a bid to 'reclaim' the economically important waterway.

The US Southern Command developed an array of potential plans to ensure America has full access to the Panama Canal, two military sources told Reuters.

Draft strategies reportedly ranged from partnering closely with Panamanian security forces to using American troops to forcibly seize the waterway, which officials say is the less likely option.

Officials said Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of US Southern Command, presented the proposals to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Trump asserted that the US needs to take back the canal because China controls it and could use the waterway to undermine American interests.

In his inaugural speech last January, Trump repeated accusations that Panama has broken the promises it made for the final transfer of the canal in 1999.

The Panama Canal, located at the narrowest part of the isthmus between North and South America, is considered one of the world's most strategically important waterways.

Trump has said repeatedly he wants to 'take back' the waterway, but has not offered specifics about how he would do so, or if military action might be required.

One US said a document, described as an interim national security guidance by the new administration, called on the military to look at military options to safeguard access to the canal.

A second official said the US military had a wide array of potential options to safeguard access, including ensuring a close partnership with Panama's military.

Panama's president said he could not 'accept military bases or defence sites' in the country. The US does not have any dispute with Panama. But it is wary of Chinese influence in the country.

Likelihood of US action: 1/5

Nigeria, Brazil, Yemen and South Africa

Trump has also set his sights on a number of other countries.

On Christmas Day, Trump ordered the American military to launch a series of strikes targeting ISIS militants across northwest Nigeria.

The operation was conducted with the permission of the Nigerian government, which has sought to rid the country of extremists for decades.

The Republican president said following the strikes: 'I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.

'The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.'

But Nigerian officials rejected that the strikes were carried out to protect Christians exclusively.

Neither Trump nor other Nigerian officials have elaborated on the possibility of accepting US troops on the ground or of other strikes in the near future.

In South Africa, Trump's fixation on the plight of White Afrikaners led his to threaten to cut all future funding to the nation in an effort to punish the government for allowing what he called 'human rights violations'.

He wrote on Truth Social last February: 'South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.

'It is a bad situation that the Radical Left Media doesn't want to so much as mention.

'A massive Human Rights VIOLATION, at a minimum, is happening for all to see. The United States won't stand for it, we will act.

'Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!'

Up in Yemen, in the Middle East, he threatened to rain hell upon Houthi rebels if they did not stop bombing Red Sea shipments in March.

He ordered 'decisive and powerful' military action over the capital of Sanaa, adding that 'overwhelming lethal force' would be used until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor.

And in Brazil in July, the Trump administration placed an eye-watering additional 40 per cent tariff on Brazil, bringing the total tariff amount to 50 per cent.

The White House said at the time: 'Members of the Government of Brazil have taken actions that interfere with the economy of the United States, infringe the free expression rights of United States persons, violate human rights, and undermine the interest the United States has in protecting its citizens and companies.

'Members of the Government of Brazil are also politically persecuting a former President of Brazil, which is contributing to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Brazil, to politically motivated intimidation in that country, and to human rights abuses.'
A Texas neighborhood has been gripped by an epidemic of mysterious cameras being installed in public areas amid a spike in concerns about government surveillance and overreach.

In the northside of San Antonio, the unexplained black Flock Safety cameras fixed onto poles and powered by solar panels have become a more frequent sight for locals.

They can scan and record the license plates of every car which passes them, as well as make note of the make, model and color of a car.

In many instances, the cameras are used to help local police in capturing information to crack down on crime and traffic violations as well as aid in investigations.

But such cameras have also been adopted by private businesses, malls, homeowner's associations and smaller towns.

The increase in surveillance has led residents to question who is collecting the data from the cameras which remain unaccounted for, amid fears the information could be passed onto Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents or otherwise sold.

The company that makes the cameras claims the information which can be ascertained reaches beyond just license plates to include other details that identify the vehicle's owner.

'Since we live in a big brother world, I thought it important to share this with others. The cameras are being deployed and aren't secure. We should all be discussing these cameras and getting them out of our city,' one local said, according to My SanAntonio.

In the northside of San Antonio, the black cameras fixed onto poles and powered by solar panels have become a more frequent sight for locals

Tthe cameras have also been adopted by private businesses, malls, homeowner's associations and smaller towns, leading many to protest the high-level of surveillance

Flock Safety says the collected information reaches beyond just license plates, including the make, model or color of a car as well as other details that identify its owner

While some companies using the cameras are easy to trace, others remain ominously trickier to pin down. Locals have grown ever-more concerned over such large amounts of sensitive and identifying data being shared, sold or leaked.

'Flock cameras. Kind of private but also used by law enforcement. It is known they can be data harvesting points but again law enforcement uses them through the company that owns them, so its in a legal grey zone currently,' one concerned Wilderness Oaks local posted on Reddit.

Others, however, support their presence to help reduce crime.

One critic argued: 'Flock cameras are NOT crime-fighting tools. They are 24/7 mass surveillance systems sold by a private corporation that profits off our data. They scan every license plate, track where you go, when you go there, and who youre with. They store that data in a searchable database that hundreds of agencies can access.'

Earlier this year, the company said that it would stop publishing a 'national lookup' that would allow federal agencies to access local camera data, the East Bay Times reported.

And in response to concerns about ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, Flock representatives said that the company would follow Oakland's sanctuary city policies.

In Oakland, those policies include restrictions on vendors with ties to ICE that the city may look to work with.

Abuses of the camera systems have been recorded in lawsuits, such as one filed by anti-surveillance advocate Brian Hofer in Oakland.

Hofer filed the suit against the city late last year, claiming that the Oakland Police Department shared license plate information with ICE - a violation of California law SB 34 which restricts how the data can be used, according to the Times.

Some of the mysterious cameras - that seem to have no apparent owner - raise legality queries over who is monitoring and collecting all data from the locals

Abuses of the camera systems have been recorded in lawsuits, such as one filed by anti-surveillance advocate Brian Hofer in Oakland

'Flock is a shady vendor,' Hofer declared. 'This is not a good corporate partner.'

Hofer even resigned from his position on the city's Privacy Advisory Commission after the council ignored his recommendation to find an alternative vendor, the outlet reported.

He told KTVU: 'Oakland cannot claim to be a sanctuary city when it fails at such a large scale to protect the data privacy interests of its residents and visitors, especially in the face of the Trump administrations attacks directly targeting Oakland.'

Flock surveillance has been opposed by activists and politicians across at least seven states, including Arizona, Colorado, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, NBC reported.

Jay Hill, a self-identified conservative from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, told the outlet that he is a staunch opposer to the surveillance.

'It really is a tracking system for law-abiding citizens. That's what I try to explain to people,' he said. 'I choose to carry [my] phone. I can't go anywhere in Murfreesboro without passing five of those [cameras].'

Sandy Boyce, 72, of Sedona, Arizona, added that she had found herself finding common ground with the left, as someone who voted for Trump and a supporter of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Boyce has rallied and protested against the cameras in her own neighborhood, and in September the City Council voted to end Sedona's deal with Flock Safety, NBC reported.

'I've had to really be open to having conversations with people I normally wouldn't be having conversations with,' she told the outlet. 'From liberal to libertarian, people don't want this.'
An endangered giraffe born in South Carolina has been killed after what zoo officials described as a heartbreaking freak accident.

Kiko, a 13-year-old male Masai giraffe, died after being allowed to explore an additional section of his behind-the-scenes habitat, according to the Toronto Zoo.

The incident unfolded on New Years Day marking what zoo officials called 'the most heartbreaking way' to begin the new year.

'True to his curious nature, he began exploring the space and tragically became caught in an opening door,' the zoo said in a detailed statement announcing his death.

Despite an immediate response from keepers, the situation escalated rapidly.

Zoo officials said Kiko panicked and suffered catastrophic injuries that proved fatal.

'Masai giraffes have relatively delicate heads supported by a six-foot neck capable of moving forward, backward, up, down, and side to side, allowing their head position to shift quickly,' the zoo explained.

'Despite the team's immediate response, Kiko panicked and sustained injuries that, due to the unique anatomy of his species, proved fatal.'

A beloved endangered giraffe born in South Carolina was killed in a freak zoo accident on New Years Day

Kiko panicked after becoming caught in an opening door while exploring a newly accessible area of his enclosure

The Toronto Zoo has launched a full investigation and postmortem following the shocking death

Kiko's death has triggered a full investigation and postmortem examination. His body was sent to the University of Guelph, and the zoo's Health and Safety Services team has launched a formal review.

'While this appears to be a very tragic and unfortunate incident, as an accredited zoo, we will share the findings once the full investigation has concluded,' the zoo said.

'We are committed to learning from this tragedy and sharing any findings with our broader community, and we are determined to learn from this tragedy to prevent anything like it from occurring again.

'We ask that you please keep our staff and volunteers in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time,' the zoo went on. 'Join us in remembering and honouring Kiko - a magnificent giraffe who touched so many hearts.'

Kiko was born in 2012 at the Greenville Zoo, where he made history as the first giraffe ever born at the facility.

He was later transferred to Toronto as part of a coordinated conservation effort under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan.

That program paired Kiko with a female giraffe named Mstari.

Together, they produced two calves, with a third expected in early 2026 - a fact that makes the timing of his death especially painful.

Zoo officials said the giraffe's unique anatomy turned a routine movement into a fatal injury

Keepers said the incident occurred during a procedure they have safely performed thousands of times before

'Kiko has been an important ambassador animal for his species,' the zoo said. 'His legacy lives on as he contributed to the Species Survival Plan by siring two calves, with a third due in early 2026.'

Zoo officials said they are now focused on supporting both staff and Mstari as she enters the final stages of her pregnancy.

In the months leading up to the accident, Kiko had been receiving specialized care for a hoof and foot injury, which required a carefully tailored habitat and daily routine inside the giraffe house.

'This loss is impacting Kiko's Wildlife Care team particularly hard, as shifting giraffes is a normal routine they have done thousands of times without incident,' the zoo said.

That routine is now under scrutiny as investigators work to understand how a single door and a brief moment of exploration ended the life of a healthy giraffe.

Masai giraffes are among the most threatened giraffe subspecies in the world. Once the most common giraffe in Africa, their population has been cut nearly in half over the past three decades.

In 2018, the Masai giraffe was listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Today, just over 43,000 are believed to remain in the wild, facing ongoing threats from poaching and habitat loss.

Kiko was part of a critical conservation breeding program and had already sired two calves

Masai giraffes are listed as endangered, with just over 43,000 remaining in the wild

Officials called Kiko's death 'especially heartbreaking' given his role in protecting a species under threat

'Masai giraffes in the wild are under severe pressure, which makes the loss of one individual in human care especially heartbreaking,' the Toronto Zoo said, while emphasizing the role accredited zoos play in conservation, research, breeding programs, and public education.

News of Kiko's death sparked an outpouring of emotion online, with zoo supporters expressing grief, disbelief, and concern.

'I am so sorry, he was your precious baby boy,' one commenter wrote.

Another added, 'Whatever lessons are learned, I hope will be shared with every zoo around the world to prevent future events like this.'

Some reactions were more pointed, questioning how such an accident could occur.

'I do not know how such a horrific accident could happen,' one post read. 'You would hope that every enclosure and all possible unexpected behavior considered before allowing animals to use the enclosure.'

Others urged caution before assigning blame, even while mourning the loss.

'I wasn't there and have no right to judge anyone or anything,' one commenter wrote. 'Regardless, I mourn the loss of this beautiful creature and pray he didn't suffer.'
An outdoor clothing brand based in Maine expressed delight after seeing recently captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro photographed wearing one of their sweaters.

Origin USA posted the images of Maduro flashing two thumbs up and wearing their Patriot Blue RTX on Saturday as agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration posed beside him.

'Welcome to America,' the post read. 'Good news, our "Patriot Blue" RTX shirt will be shipping in the spring.'

The brand noted that the shirts were available for pre-order alongside the photo of Maduro sat in handcuffs while looking into the camera.

On Facebook, the company's founder Pete Roberts believed that a DEA agent gave the Venezuelan president the shirt.

A video posted by Origin contained a series of images of Maduro in the hoodie, with Roberts adding: 'I had to start putting the pieces together, "Why is this dude wearing a Origin patriot blue hoodie?"'

'The irony in this is that this wave - this logo here on the shirt Maduro is wearing - this is the wave of freedom,' he said.

Roberts explained that the company, which operates within the USA, focuses on American made, durable and high quality products.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was pictured wearing a blue hooded shirt while in handcuffs and posing for the camera

Origin USA's founder, Pete Roberts seen above, posted the images of Maduro flashing two thumbs up and wearing their Patriot Blue RTX on Saturday as DEA agents posing beside him

Maduro seen in the Patriot Blue hoodie surrounded by DEA agents after being escorted from a federal airplane on Saturday

'I had seen my community gutted over the years, and what that left behind was hopelessness... when we started Origin and we built this factory in 2012, our mission was to breathe life back into the dream.'

Roberts said there was 'irony' in the situation as the company has been 'fighting against the hollowing out of our manufacturing communities.'

'It's interesting to see, probably a DEA agent slipped this hoodie on him and said, "You're gonna feel the fabric of freedom on American soil,"' he theorized.

'[Maduro] definitely gave two thumbs up.'

Many users under the video were in support of Roberts messaging, and one even said it was a 'marketing gift.'

Others queried if the release of the hoodie would come with a Maduro promo code, or a new nickname to the product related to the captured president.

Roberts announced the shirt, which was set to be released in the spring, would be available for pre-order following the virality of the photo of Maduro.

The cooling training hoodie, set at $79, is set to ship out in February.

Join the debate What do you think it says about America that a captured foreign leader wore a US-made "freedom" hoodie?

Roberts believed that a DEA agent gave the Venezuelan president the shirt: '"You're gonna feel the fabric of freedom on American soil"'

Maduro seen in handcuffs after landing in Manhattan en route to a Federal courthouse on Monday

Maduro seen walking down a hallway in an official building in Manhattan, almost 24 hours after he was seized by US troops, as shown above

Maduro's arrest came amid accusations from Trump that Venezuela had been flooding the United States with drugs and gang members.

Trump alleged that Maduro was the leader of the Cartel de los Soles drug trafficking operation.

The President said on Saturday that he had not briefed Congress ahead of the raid, claiming that doing so would have risked leaks that could have allowed Maduro to evade capture.

Both Maduro and Flores are now being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, a notorious jail known for its squalid conditions and for housing high-profile inmates including Luigi Mangione and Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

Trump said the United States would govern Venezuela indefinitely following the arrest, dismissing the idea of opposition figure Maria Corina Machado taking control and claiming she 'does not have the support.'

Supporters of Maduro filled the streets on Saturday as the Venezuelan Military made a video address in which they decried the 'abduction' of Maduro.

Speaking on television surrounded by military officers, Defense Minister Padrino Lopez affirmed that 'Nicolas Maduro is the genuine, authentic constitutional leader of all Venezuelans'.

He said the leadership of the Bolivarian Forces of Liberation was demanding the president's 'immediate release' and condemned the 'colonialist ambition' of the US.

The Venezuelan armed forces made a video address in which they decried the 'abduction' of Maduro

Maduro's supporters pictured burning the US flag in protest of his capture by American forces

Riot police prevent protesters from reaching the US embassy during a demonstration against the United States government for the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

'We urge the world to turn their eyes to what is happening against Venezuela, against its sovereignty,' Lopez said.

'The world needs to be on guard because if it was Venezuela yesterday, it could be anywhere tomorrow.'

Following the capture, the Supreme Court of Venezuela confirmed hardline socialist Vice President Rodriguez, 56, as Maduro's successor just hours after US forces detained him and his wife, Cilia Flores, on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges.

Both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty after appearing in court on Monday.
Colombia's leftist president said he is willing to 'take up arms' should Donald Trump make good on his threats to come after his country next after the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Gustavo Petro posted a lengthy message to social media after Trump accused him of 'making cocaine and selling it to the United States' before suggesting a similar military option against Colombia 'sounds good' to him.

Petro said he firmly rejects any plans by the US to launch strikes against drug traffickers in the South American country

'If you bomb peasants, thousands of guerrillas will return in the mountains,' Petro said. 'And if you arrest the president whom a good part of my people want and respect, you will unleash the popular jaguar.'

He said his government has conducted record amounts of cocaine seizures and warned the Trump administration that it would kill children if it conducts strikes against drug trafficking groups and rebels in Colombia.

Petro, who was a member of a left wing guerrilla group in his youth, said he will 'return to arms' if the US government stages attacks in Colombian territory.

'Although I have not been a military man, I know about war and clandestinely. I swore not to touch a weapon again since the 1989 Peace Pact, but for the Homeland I will take up arms again that I do not want,' he said in Spanish.

The Colombian leader said he recently fired Colombian intelligence officers who are feeding the U.S. administration with 'false information' on his government.

'I am not illegitimate, nor am I a narco, I only have as assets my family home that I still pay for with my salary. My bank statements have been published. No one could say that I have spent more than my salary. I am not greedy,' he added.

Colombia's leftist president Gustavo Petro (pictured) said he is willing to 'take up arms' should Donald Trump make good on his threats to come after his country next

He also promised that his country would fight back should US imperialism challenge them.

'Every soldier of Colombia has an order from now on: every commander of the public force who prefers the flag of the US to the flag of Colombia must immediately withdraw from the institution by order of the bases and the troops and mine. The constitution orders the public force to defend popular sovereignty.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

In September, Petro sent audacious warnings to Trump, even saying 'come get me' after the president suggested military action.

'Come get me,' Petro declared in a blunt public warning aimed squarely at Washington. 'I'm waiting for you here. Don't threaten me, I'll wait for you right here if you want to.'

'I don't accept invasions, missiles, or assassinations, only intel,' he said, insisting he was prepared to meet his critics head-on.

He demanded 'facts, not lies,' while lashing out at what he described as entrenched corruption at home, accusing 'Colombian political mafias who condemned us to 700,000 deaths and made us the world's most unequal country.'

Trump warned Colombia could be the next country to face a military operation, while clarifying that the US was 'in charge' of Venezuela after ousting its leader Nicolas Maduro.

Petro said he firmly rejects any plans by the US to launch strikes against drug traffickers in the South American country

Trump said while traveling on Air Force One Sunday that Petro was a 'sick man' who 'likes making cocaine' one day after threatening Petro to 'watch his a**.'

Trump's attacks on the Colombian leader came after Petro described Washington's attack on Venezuela as an 'assault on the sovereignty' of Latin America.

'Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long,' he said.

When asked whether the US would pursue a military operation against the country, Trump bluntly replied, 'It sounds good to me.'

The heated exchange follows an explosive US operation in neighboring Venezuela that led to the capture of Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69.

Maduro was hauled before a federal court in Manhattan on Monday, where scenes outside descended into chaos as protesters clashed and police were forced to intervene.

In the wake of the arrests, Trump issued a series of ominous warnings to governments across the region, including Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico, demanding tougher action against drug cartels and accusing leaders of failing to stem the flow of narcotics into the US.

Following Maduro's arrest, Trump suggested the United States 'takeover' Venezuela during a transitional period, with a sharp focus on the country's vast - but crumbling - oil reserves.

Trump, seen on Air Force One on Sunday, hailed his government's 'brilliant' capture of Maduro in the early hours of Saturday

He claimed Venezuela's oil industry had been allowed to rot and said American firms would step in to rebuild it.

'The oil companies are going to go in and rebuild their system,' Trump said. 'It was the greatest theft in the history of America.'

Trump went on to accuse Venezuela of stealing US oil assets outright.

'Nobody has ever stolen our property like they have. They took our oil away from us,' he claimed.

'They took the infrastructure away and all that infrastructure is rotted and decayed, and the oil companies are going to go in and rebuild it.'

The White House has reportedly told oil companies that reconstructing Venezuela's oil rigs would be a condition of any compensation linked to previously seized assets.
An East Sussex town where 540 male asylum seekers are set to be housed in barracks is planning to spend more than 15,000 on CCTV upgrades.

Migrants are set to move into the cadet camp in Crowborough as early as this month as part of a government plan to reduce the number of hotels used to house them.

Furious locals have been staging protests across the town for weeks in a bid to stop the arrivals - which were first announced last October - going ahead amid safety concerns.

Now Crowborough Town Council has agreed to spend almost 16,000 upgrading CCTV cameras in the area.

Maintenance will cost 2,471 per year on a three-year contract, following the switch-off of the cameras in 2024.

Councillors will seek reimbursement from the Home Office and have asked police to provide regular reports on the performance of the CCTV.

The funds will be taken from Crowborough Town Council's emergency reserves.

Minutes from a council meeting in December revealed it has 'resolved to upgrade the public-facing CCTV cameras'.

More than one thousand protestors against the asylum seeker camp in Crowborough, Sussex, marched for the ninth week in a row on Sunday

Around 20 police officers were on standby to guide the protests from the camp into the town centre

'The Town Council shall seek reimbursement from the Home Office and Wealden District Council, and the Police shall be asked to provide regular reports to the town council on the performance of the CCTV,' the minutes read.

The Town Council will also ask the police how long the images will be held for.

The document notes a member of the public had unanswered questions and asked if it would be appropriate to reassess existing CCTV coverage including near schools, the army camp, and Ferndale Centre.

Councillor Peter Bucklitsch explained the police approached the council and stated they wanted to improve monitoring of their CCTV in town, citing growing fears among residents about illegal migrants as the reason behind the council's agreement to the upgrades.

Mr Bucklitsch said police want to upgrade the cameras from analogue to digital so they are better connected and can put officers on the ground at any trouble spots.

'It made a great deal of sense, particularly since we've got a lot of people very very worried about the inmates of the camp coming through because it will be 2000 in total over a year.

'None of them have been vetted, they've come over the channel using the maritime law loophole, which means that they are undocumented arrivals rather than an illegal entrance.

Ministers and officials are understood to be preparing the Crowborough military base to house 540 male migrants as early as this month

More than one thousand protestors march to objects to the asylum seeker camp in Crowborough on Sunday

The Home Office had hoped to start using the cadet camp in December, but those plans were delayed to ensure the site was safe

'The home office has absolutely no idea who they are, where they came from, whether they're ex-fighters from ISIS or what they've done, what they've done in the intervening periods, and why they're migrating in the first place, so they know nothing about these people whatsoever.'

Mr Bucklitsch was adamant the upgrades were not solely about migrants, and explained how Crowborough have helped a lot of people on the Afghanistan program, including families.

'The people of Crowborough got together, provided toys, help groups and all sorts of things. It's not about migrants, absolutely nothing about migrants, it is entirely you have undocumented arrivals without the courtesy of any background checks whatsoever from the Home Office,' he said.

On Sunday, around 1,000 people gathered at the No8 Crowborough Army Cadet Centre at 10am on an icy morning for the latest march around the town.

The local Wealden District Council joined a community-backed legal challenge led by Crowborough Shield to force a full judicial review on the Home Office's plans to house migrants into the town.

The community group has raised more than 87,000 for legal fees and said they are angry about the lack of transparency and consultation on the Government's decision.

The Home Office has apologised for the handling of its plans to use the Crowborough camp to house asylum seekers, but said it is determined to stamp out the use of hotels to house migrants.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment on the CCTV upgrades.
This is the extraordinary moment a 'fake admiral' who spent 14 years posing as a war hero delivers a speech to mark the 140th anniversary of a British military victory - while sporting a glittering array of medals he bought online.

Former private school teacher Jonathan Carley, who on Monday was fined a 'pitiful' 500 after his deception was finally exposed, was filmed brazenly addressing unsuspecting crowds at an event commemorating the Battle of Rorke's Drift.

Video footage from 2019 shows him giving a two-minute speech at Harlech Castle in North Wales.

In the clip, Carley - 'dressed to the nines' in full uniform and clutching a ceremonial sword - leads the audience into giving three cheers to the British Army.

Praising choirs, bands and a re-enactment group for 'commemorating an event in history of our nations which... has become rather enshrined in history and to some extent in legend', the conman hails the groups for marking the anniversary 'in a very right spirit and right way'.

It was part of a 14-year fraud during which he boasted of a 'glittering' military career including working in naval intelligence, sources told The Times.

Carley became an annual fixture at commemorative events in Caernarfon and then Llandudno in his spotless rear admiral's uniform and ceremonial sword.

Yet in reality, he had no military experience beyond leading cadets at one of the top private schools where he taught history.

His deceit finally came crashing down after laying a wreath at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Llandudno last year with 12 medals pinned to his jacket.

'Fake admiral' Jonathan Carley addressing unsuspecting crowds at an event marking the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Rorke's Drift at Harlech Castle in 2019

'Fake admiral' Jonathan Carley, 65, (centre) was exposed as a fraud after gatecrashing a Remembrance Sunday event in Llandudno in November 2025

Jonathan Carley, 65, arriving at court in Llandudno where he pleaded guilty to wearing uniform or dress bearing the mark of His Majesty's forces without permission

Naval veterans had already spotted that his uniform seemed ill-fitting, and when photographs of the event went viral, online sleuths worked out no one alive had received the awards he was sporting.

'Humiliated' Carley was arrested 40 miles away at his 700,000 home in the shadow of medieval Harlech Castle, telling police: 'I've been expecting you.'

It emerged that he had altered a naval uniform issued to him while leading a group of cadets, hiring a tailor to sew admiral's rings onto the sleeves, and buying the medals online.

In reality the 65-year-old had never been in the Royal Navy or served at sea, a court heard, and had donned the fake uniform because he 'sought a sense of belonging or affirmation'.

As Carley was accused by a judge of having shown 'total disrespect' to those who had fought and died for their country by gatecrashing the event, friends and neighbours in the historic town reacted with shock and fury.

Among those who witnessed his brazen hijacking of the 2019 events marking the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War  later dramatized in the 1964 film Zulu starring Sir Michael Caine  was Andy Gittens, who was part of a male voice choir.

The former firefighter told the BBC Carley 'came bounding out larger than life', adding that he was 'completely believable, dressed to the nines with his sword'.

'He then proceeds to take over.'

Jonathan Carley (centre) at another war memorial service wearing a rear admiral outfit and carrying a ceremonial sword in 2019

Pictured left to right: A Distinguished Service Order Medal and The Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal

A keen actor at Bolton School  parts he played are understood to include a deceptive tutor in a production of Sophocles's Electra  Carley studied at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was captain of boats.

After a 'spell' at Harvard he spent a year teaching at Eton where he was praised for his 'exhaustive and encyclopaedic memory' and 'sardonic and self-deprecating wit'.

He is only mentioned once in the London Gazette, the official record for military listing, in 1991  as a 2nd Lieutenant on probation with the combined cadet force at Cheltenham College, where he was a history teacher.

Before moving to Wales he also reportedly worked at Berkhamsted School and Shiplake College.

At the parade in Llandudno on November 9 last year, Carley  who on this occasion did not bring the sword  told marshals he was representing the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd.

After laying a wreath he saluted then marched off to take his place next to real VIPs, including the Victorian resort's mayor.

However suspicions had been aroused after his appearance at the parade in 2024, and he was confronted afterwards by Chief Petty Officer Terry Stewart.

Despite Carley giving his name and returning his salute, the experienced naval veteran was convinced he was talking to a fake, he told the BBC.

Jonathan Carley filmed brazenly addressing crowds at Harlech Castle in 2019

Pictured: Jonathan Carley (centre) at a Remembrance Sunday service in 2018

Meanwhile, online sleuths pointed out that the medals he was sporting included the prestigious Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal - no single serviceperson is believed to have been bestowed with both.

Other telling clues to sharp-eyed veterans including the non-standard cutaway collar of his white shirt, plus jacket sleeves brushing his knuckles.

Appearing in the dock at Llandudno magistrates' court yesterday, Carley  smartly dressed but this time in civilian clothes  pleaded guilty to wearing uniform or dress bearing the mark of His Majesty's forces without permission.

The offence - which dates back to 1894 - carries a maximum sentence of a 1,000.

Fining him 500, District Judge Gwyn Jones told Carley that it was a 'sad reflection' on him that he had chosen to target such a solemn day of remembrance.

Saying he had attended 'to deceive and create a falsehood', he added: 'Your actions totally disrespect the memories of all those persons who have fallen and causes a great deal of pain to families.'

Earlier prosecutor James Neary said Carley - who had never previously been in court, and was said to be 'utterly remorseful'  had misguidedly 'sought a sense of belonging or affirmation'.

His solicitor Mark Haslam said Carley had 'wanted to play a part' but now understood he had done so in a 'totally inappropriate' manner.

Carley 'seriously underestimated' the anxiety, anger and distress his actions would cause and had since been 'publicly humiliated', he added.

The uniform, sword and medals have been seized and destroyed.

Carley was also ordered to pay 85 prosecution costs and a 200 surcharge.

The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, a group dedicated to unearthing cases of 'stolen valour', branded the fine 'pitiful' and said wearing unearned medals in public should be made a criminal offence.

Colonel Richard Kemp, a former British Army commander in Afghanistan, said Carley's actions 'undermined the solemnity' of Remembrance Sunday and showed 'contempt' to relatives who had come to mourn loved ones.

'Remembrance Sunday is such an important occasion, and this man was there, impersonating someone that he wasn't,' he added.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: 'Nothing should detract from the poignancy of Remembrance Sunday which can be a sombre time for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for people in communities across the United Kingdom to pay their respects to people who have served or are serving their country.'
The push to reintroduce lynx into the wild continues  despite John Swinney previously ruling it out  with conservationists set to consult locals on releasing them back into the Highlands.

The wild cat, which became extinct in Scotland more than 1,000 years ago, could one day become a feature in the north if conservationists get their way.

A coalition of three charities is now set to hold dozens of events in Highland and Moray to find out what locals think of their reintroduction.

The charities - SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Trees for Life, and The Lifescape Project  said the region had enough woodland and wild prey to support up to 250 of the felines.

But any reintroduction would begin with a small number of the Labrador-sized animals, they said, with up to 20 in total being released gradually over several years.

Solitary and elusive, they typically hunt at night and tend to avoid humans.

The large predatory cats will normally feed on deer, mountain hares and other small mammals.

But farmers and crofters have long been concerned that their reintroduction could see livestock targeted.

The wild cats could be re-introduced in the Highlands

Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore had rare wildcat kittens born in 2019

Such is the concern the First Minister last year ruled out the reintroduction of lynx into the wild, and told the NFU Scotland conference: My government will not be reintroducing lynx, or indeed any other large carnivorous species in Scotland.

However, Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, insisted the move had public backing and that political opinions change.

He said: An official lynx reintroduction to Scotland would a long-term process, which could take many years to achieve, and political opinions and priorities can and will change as the idea of lynx returning to Scotland becomes more widely accepted and broadly supported.

Polling already shows 61 per cent of Scots support lynx reintroduction  an increase of nine points over four years.

Whats key is that a lynx reintroduction must be properly managed with habitat assessments, thorough public engagement, and a licence from NatureScot.

Northern Scotland can support a thriving population of lynx, but social acceptance is just as important. So, we are currently exploring in detail how people in Highland and Moray feel about bringing back this important missing native species.

Lynx are the third largest predator in Europe after the brown bear and the wolf.

Adam Eagle, chief executive of The Lifescape Project, said: We are keen to hear from the people living and working in the regions where lynx could one day be reintroduced.

Their views will help shape how a reintroduction might be managed, if it were to go ahead.

Duncan Macalister, NFU Scotland Vice-President, said: NFU Scotland fully supports the Scottish Governments position that there should be no reintroduction of lynx or other large carnivores.

Such proposals are wholly unacceptable to farmers and crofters and pose serious risks to livestock welfare, business viability and rural communities, with unanswered questions about possible unintended wider consequences and who would ultimately bear the cost of any damage.

While we acknowledge the importance of public engagement, our members remain deeply concerned about the practical implications of bringing back a predator long absent from Scotlands landscapes.

The focus must remain on supporting those already working hard to deliver high-quality food, enhance biodiversity and sustain fragile rural economies rather than introducing new threats to that balance.

Any reintroduction would need a licence from NatureScot, something the body said it had not yet received.

Its spokesman added: Reintroduction projects are often complex and need careful consideration and planning to ensure national and international best practice guidelines are met.

Any proposed reintroduction requires a significant amount of consultation, as well as evidence to assess the risks and benefits associated.

Ensuring that the views of those who would be most affected by any species reintroduction are fully taken into account is a priority for NatureScot and the Scottish Government.
Venezuelan gangs that went underground during Trump's immigration crackdown could return to terrorize Americans after the capture of dictator Nicolas Maduro, officials warn.

After taking over apartment complexes where they ran child prostitution rings and drug dens, Tren de Aragua have largely been on the run since Trump took office.

However, federal officials fear sleeper cells made up of gang members could be awakened to carry out orders from what's left of the Maduro regime as they try to stay in power.

'That's something that local law enforcement and federal law enforcement is going to have to be aware of - that these guys could still be subversives in the area and controlled by that party,' a Trump administration official who spoke anonymously official told the Daily Mail.

'There's definitely a network within the US trying to destabilize the US and use these guys, but local law enforcement and federal law enforcement is well aware of it. They have good intelligence assets out, trying to stop anything before it happens.'

Reactivation could mean that, instead of lying low to evade police, gangsters would risk being caught in order to carry out attacks.

Maduro's henchmen have been operating in the US since summer 2022, when they first entered the country through the nation's southern border.

Members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan prison gang turned international criminal organization, came to America under the direction of Maduro and his regime, carrying out the dictator's orders and unleashing a wave of crime from Miami to New York City.

The Daily Mail was the first news organization to report on the gang's presence in the US, revealing who they are, how they were operating in American cities they had infiltrated, and their ties to Maduro's illegitimate government and global terrorism.

Tren de Aragua became a household name in August 2024 when footage of them storming an apartment unit in Aurora, Colorado, went viral. Later, authorities revealed the Venezuelan gang had control over the entire apartment complex- called Edge of Lowry

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TdA, as the group is known to law enforcement, have been arrested in droves under the Trump administration.

However, members are still operating in most of the big cities where they had strongholds, such as Denver, Dallas and New York.

'They've gone kind of underground a little bit, right now, not being so open,' the federal official added.

'People still believe there are some hanging out in some of the [apartment complexes].

'It's just right now, they're kind of lying low because the heat is definitely on them. The prostitution and the drug-running is still there.'

The mob became a household name in August 2024, when a video of the thugs storming an apartment in a Denver suburb went viral.

Officials in Aurora, Colorado, admitted the mob had taken over four apartment complexes in the area. However, sources revealed to the Daily Mail that the Maduro thugs had control of many more rental properties.

'Prostitution is a big money-maker, and the thing with prostitution is that it brings guys in that they can then sell dope to,' Former Colorado ICE director John Fabbricatore told this publication in September 2024.

Police arrested 19 people in connection with Tren de Aragua activity in San Antonio in October 2024

Police in San Antonio revealed the TdA gangsters in San Antonio were wearing red and Chicago Bulls gear

'These guys come in, they meet these Johns and shake them down. See if they want to buy drugs. Theyve started with moving these girls through, and if you go in these apartments, youll see these young girls. Its bad.

TdA copied and pasted their Aurora business model in San Antonio, Texas, taking over four complexes there, as exclusively reported by the Mail in October 2024.

After Trump took over in January 2025, federal and local law enforcement began cracking down on the organization.

'There were some big investigations in Colorado, there were over 100 TdA members arrested in 2025. That's significant when you go back and count all the names,' Fabbricatore said.

US Border Patrol sources also explained that since the number of migrant crossings has dropped, they aren't seeing the same number of TdA gangsters coming into the US like they did during the Biden years.

'We mostly encounter them at checkpoints,' one agent told Daily Mail of the TdA arrests made at Border Patrol checkpoints within the US.

He added that most of those Tren de Aragua members 'crack' when questioned by law enforcement, admitting to their ties to the infamous group.

'There's been a lot of arrests in trying to break the gang open, but just because we're not hearing a lot about them in the media, doesn't mean that they've left,' a federal law enforcement source stated.

The DOJ released these images in 2020, as it charged top members of the Venezuelan government, including Maduro, with being drug traffickers

In the superseding indictment, US prosecutors allege Venezuela's government trafficked tons of cocaine into the US. The feds claim the 'Cartel de los Soles,' which Madro leads, used an 'air bridge' to move the drugs into the US

Maduro remained as president of Venezuela despite stealing two elections, most recently in 2023

Now that Maduro has been captured, his followers could strike from within the US.

Tren de Aragua, which means 'train from Aragua' for the Venezuelan province where the gang was born, has carried out the dictator's orders for years.

The Maduro regime is essentially a cartel. They have the name of the Cartel de los Soles,' Miami immigration attorney Rolando Vazquez told the Daily Mail.

'They are the largest cartel on this side of the hemisphere so all criminal organizations underneath him, if theyre not in line with them, they cant operate.

Despite accusing Maduro of being the head of the Cartel de los Soles for years, the Trump administration distanced itself from that claim in federal court after Maduro's arrest.

A revised federal indictment from the DOJ claims Maduro ran a 'patronage system' and a 'culture of corruption' fueled by profits from narcotics, and no longer called it an actual cartel.

Under Maduro's regime, Tren de Aragua expanded outside of the walls of the Tocoron prison where it was born, spreading within Venezuela and later throughout South America.

In Venezuela, being a TdA member carries a status symbol, and they are well-known 'Chavisitas'- loyal supporters of the communist regime that began with Hugo Chavez.

Tren de Aragua gang tattoos (pictured above) have been used by US law enforcement to help identify Venezuelans tied to the criminal organization

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, third left, reviews an honor guard as he is accompanied by his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, left, during his official welcoming ceremony at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 11, 2022

Cilia Flores arrived at the Wall Street Heliport in New York Monday with visible bruising to her forehead and cheek. She and her husband both pled not guilty to narco-terrorism charges

As pandemic travel restrictions were lifted around the globe, many Venezuelans looked to the US as an escape, with nearly eight million people abandoning their homes for other countries, according to the United Nations.

As Venezuelans poured over the US's southern border, TdA members mixed in with asylum-seekers, posing as refugees.

Since Venezuela and the US do not have diplomatic relations, the two nations don't share criminal records - meaning there was no way to properly vet Venezuelans arriving at the international boundary.

Criminal history would come back clean even for the worst Venezuelan criminals who crossed into the US, as they were checked by US Border Patrol agents.

What Maduro did was send them over here for the purpose of expanding their operations and terrorizing and attacking US citizens,' Vasquez said.

In my opinion, what Maduro did was an act of war. He sent his agents here to attack us.'

As the Daily Mail first reported in 2023, when the TdA arrived in the US, Maduro's soldiers went to cities across America, carrying out his orders.

'Think of them as the soldiers for these regimes,' Trump Administration official Victor Avila added.

'These are the guys who are actually on the ground carrying out the orders of whatever the regime wants to do. Is it going to be a terrorist attack? Is it going to be just murdering young girls and raping them?'

Under orders from the Maduro regime, Tren de Aragua got to work, establishing itself in the US while making money for its bosses back home.

However, TdA is unlike other mobs in that they are known to work with other cartels and not focus on strict rivalries.

It's possible that's what's left of TdA's structure in the US today might have already been absorbed by Mexican drug cartels or other criminal syndicates, Fabbricatore said.

'Morphing is something that's more likely to happen,' the federal official explained.

'These guys are gangsters. That's what they know how to do. Will TdA still be around in a few years...probably not, but its members will probably be parts of other gangs by that time.'
Every morning in London, Delcy Rodriguez - Nicolas Maduro's vice president - would pick up her tube of toothpaste and berate it as a 'capitalist product.'

The ritual, recalled by former US diplomat Brett Bruen, captures the hardline ideology of the woman President Donald Trump has effectively left overseeing Venezuela's transition in the aftermath of the ouster of Maduro.

Bruen, who served at the US Embassy in Caracas, calls Rodriguez a 'rabid Chavista' and a 'tried and true socialist,' and warns that the administration's approach is turning a military victory into a political farce.

'From a strategic standpoint, that's astonishingly stupid, even for him,' Bruen said of Trump's vow that the United States will 'run Venezuela.'

But the toothpaste anecdote is only the surface of a deeper rift.

Trump's decision to sideline Venezuela's democratic opposition leaders, Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, has opened a sharp split with influential Republicans and the Venezuelan-American community, many of whom regard Machado as the country's legitimate leader.

Some of Trump's closest allies are now openly breaking ranks. Representative Carlos Gimenez, a staunch Trump supporter and a powerful voice in Miami's exile community, told the Daily Mail that on Machado, the President is simply wrong.

Venezuela's parliament swore in Delcy Rodriguez as interim president on January 5, two days after US forces seized her predecessor Nicolas Maduro to face trial in New York

Maduro participates in a cabinet meeting at Miraflores Palace two months before his arrest

Aerial view of the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas

'The community is not divided on her. I think the community is solid behind her,' Gimenez stated.

While Gimenez praised Trump for the 'bold action' of the operation itself, he admitted there is a disconnect regarding the country's future leadership.

'The President is my president... but my assessment and his are different,' Gimenez said.

The Florida congressman confirmed he spoke with Machado shortly after the apprehension of Maduro. He described her demeanor during the call as 'statesman-like,' adding that she didn't bring up any theories on why Trump won't back her.

Gimenez argued that Machado's legitimacy is undeniable, noting that she backed Edmundo Gonzalez in the recent electionswho won by 70 percentonly because she was illegally barred from running.

'If you had an election tomorrow, I bet pretty good money that Maria Corina Machado would win,' Gimenez asserted.

The congressman hopes to 'bring Trump around,' questioning who has been feeding the President negative information about the opposition leader. 'I don't know who told him this... I just don't think it's correct,' he added.

Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, another Cuban representing South Florida, echoes the same sentiment, telling the Daily Mail that Machado is the 'moral force' of Venezuela's democratic movement.

'I am hopeful that we will take the necessary steps to ensure that either, the 2024 election results are respected, or, that a new election will take place where Maria Corina is on the ballot,' Salazar explained.

But a diplomat very familiar with South America who asked to remain anonymous told the Daily Mail that Machado can be 'difficult.'

'She's completely stalwart... She believes what she believes. If you share her views, then you are a pretty smart guy, and if you differ in any respect, then she didn't have a chance for you,' a diplomat very familiar with South America told the Daily Mail.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures as she votes during the presidential election, in Caracas on July 28, 2024

Maduro onboard the USS Iwo Jima after the US military captured him on January 3, 2026

Captured Venezuelan leader Maduro says 'happy new year' as he is led to US jail

Gimenez told the Daily Mail he was among the first to learn of the raid, waking to a 4.30am call back from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and an emphatic message: 'We got him.'

But with Trump declaring he will 'run' the country and some of his own party pushing back on who should lead it, what some diplomats call the 'sugar high' of the operation is fading fast.

As Bruen warns: 'We've seen this movie before in Iraq and certainly in Afghanistan.'

Kevin Whitaker, a career diplomat who served as the US Ambassador to Colombia and previously as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Venezuela, suggested the administration might be keeping the 'corrupt, illegitimate' regime elements in place temporarily simply to maintain order while they figure out the next step.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives for a briefing with top lawmakers at the Capitol after President Trump ordered US forces to capture Maduro during a weekend raid in Caracas

Trump, flanked by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Rubio, observes the arrest of Maduro during Operation Absolute Resolve

Demonstrators hold flags depicting Che Guevara and Simon Bolivar during a march outside the National Assembly the day Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela's interim president

As of now, the national security team appointed to lead the effort in Venezuela includes Vice President Vance, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth, General Caine, Director Ratcliffe and Deputy Chief of Staff Miller.

Rick Grenell, who was the unofficial Maduro negotiator, will reportedly not be involved moving forward.

A senior administration official also tells the Daily Mail that they do not plan to appoint a full-time envoy to help Rubio out on Venezuela.
Republicans are reveling in chasing Tim Walz from the Minnesota governor's race, tarring him with an extraordinary fraud scandal that captured the attention and outrage of the country.

But as they cheered and hi-fived Walz's abrupt decapitation, more sober political minds began to realize the pressure campaign may have just handed Democrats a lifeline.

Instead of running against Walz - who said Monday he would not seek a third term - Republicans are now likely to face a Democratic contender no one in the party wants to run against: Amy Klobuchar.

Klobuchar, now in her fourth term as senator, won her last election in 2024 with over 56 percent of the vote despite President Donald Trump driving GOP turnout that year.

Given her last election was in 2024, Klobuchar also exposes herself to little political risk if she were to seek the governor's mansion. Even a loss would see her retain her Senate seat for another four years.

She additionally won her 2018 election with over 60 percent of the vote, and her first statewide run in 2012 by over 65 percent.

Preya Samsundar, a former Republican National Committee spokeswoman in Minnesota, offered the most sobering analysis: 'I don't think anybody wants it to be Klobuchar, because she has won every race that she's ran in Minnesota.'

Two Republican state legislators told the Daily Mail on Monday they had not heard any rumblings of a plan to take on Klobuchar in the statehouse.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks at a press conference with other members of Senate Democratic leadership following a policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on April 29, 2025

Klobuchar told CNN on Tuesday, 'I love my job. I love my state, and I'm seriously considering it' when asked if she would run for governor.

Internet sleuths also tracked the registry of a klobucharforgovernor.com domain name hours before Walz's announcement, another further indication of a potential Klobuchar run.

'I don't know that it makes it impossible for Republicans to ... flip the seat, like some Democrats are saying, but I do think it makes it harder than Tim Walz being the candidate that we're running against,' Samsundar also noted.

Klobuchar met with Walz privately Sunday to discuss the transition and is now 'seriously considering' the run, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to reporters after he announced that he would not seek reelection, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. January 5, 2026

Klobuchar's political team did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Mail.

The Republican Governors Association, which is tasked with allocating resources for races across the country, also declined to comment on a Klobuchar candidacy.

Samsundar said Walz, Kamala Harris' 2024 running mate, was part of the reason Minnesota attracted so much national attention when the daycare scandal exploded.

Republicans have thus far formed a crowded field of candidates, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Lisa Demuth, Representative Kristin Robbins, Dr. Scott Jensen, and businessman Kendall Qualls.

Former Trump surrogate and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, who announced his intention to run for governor as a Republican last month, challenged the idea that Klobuchar was a shoo-in for the state's highest office.

'Everyone says, 'Oh, she'll win.' No, she won't,' he said during a broadcast on his own Lindell TV network.

The question remains whether Klobuchar will be able to distance herself from Walz's admitted mismanagement, given her role in Washington, not Saint Paul.

One former top Republican staffer in Minnesota told the Daily Mail that 'there is zero way [Klobuchar] didn't know about the fraud, it's been going on since at least 2018 when a MN DHS whistleblower came forward.'

'It's switching one mob boss for another cut from the same cloth,' the former staffer also noted under a condition of anonymity.

One of the two aforementioned state legislators, however, sees Klobuchar arguing that she is far enough removed from Walz' failures.

'Republicans are going to have to pivot away from the Walz failed talking points, stay on message that it is policies all Democrats support, not just one man who got our state here, and remain unified,' the legislator concluded.
An acrid smell of smoke still hangs heavy in the air despite a cool breeze blowing off the Pacific. I am standing in front of what used to be Sir Anthony Hopkins's magnificent colonial-style mansion  now an empty lot behind makeshift plywood fencing with a 'private property' sign attached.

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating Pacific Palisades fire, which destroyed 7,000 homes and businesses in what was one of LA's most exclusive suburbs, killing 12 people and displacing nearly 100,000 residents. The cost of the wildfire has been put at $28billion (18billion).

And it appears  like many who once loved this quiet enclave overlooking the ocean, a haven where many of the greats of Hollywood once lived  that Sir Anthony, 88, has also given up on his destroyed home ever being restored to its former glory  at least, not in his lifetime.

A 'For Sale' sign hangs outside the fire-ravaged remnants of his estate; two adjacent lots which he bought in 2018 and 2019 for a total of $12.6million. Originally built in 1940, the weatherboarded main house was lovingly restored by Hopkins and his third wife, Stella Arroyave, 69.

There was also a guesthouse-cum-art-studio on the amalgamated estate  also destroyed.

Only the concrete foundations of the garage, a chimney stack, and the mud-filled pool remain.

The estate was valued at just $6.4million when it was put on the market last year, and realtors are believed to be in the process of selling it to developers as two divided lots, suggesting the original house will never be rebuilt.

Oscar-winner Sir Anthony took to Instagram days after the tragedy, saying: 'As we struggle to heal from the devastation of these fires, it's important we remember that the only thing we take with us is the love we give.'

Homes being rebuilt are surrounded by cleared lots in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, months after the Palisades Fire

The remains of an oceanfront home that burned in the Palisades Fire

A sign reading 'This Home Will Rise Again' stands on a property where a home once stood in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles

A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills with evacuations ordered on January 8, 2025

The actor is now renting a home in nearby Brentwood. A mutual friend told me: 'At his age, he doesn't want to rebuild. It's time to sell up and move on.'

It's a sentiment shared by many.

Visiting Pacific Palisades on the eve of memorials and protests scheduled to mark the anniversary left me with a heavy heart.

I was one of the first journalists to arrive here in the early hours of January 8, 2025, not long after the wildfire raced down the Santa Monica Mountains, obliterating nearly everything in its wake.

Navigating my way through police roadblocks and driving around downed electric cables that were still sparking, the scale of the devastation was obvious.

Entire blocks had been razed. Poisonous fumes spewed from burned-out Teslas. Houses were still burning. Exhausted firemen complained they had been forced to abandon the fight because water in the fire hydrants ran out. I saw the charred remains of scores of homes, including those belonging to Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, and John Goodman.

Yet, despite the shock, I felt confident the American 'can do' spirit would prevail. I spoke to city officials who vowed to 'build, build, build!' and locals who proudly put up 'Palisades Strong' signs.

Within days, hundreds of fund-raising benefit events had been arranged. One of the biggest, a 'Fire Aid' concert starring Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Sting, and Stevie Wonder raised over $100million.

So why, when I visited this week, is the Palisades still a ghost town in ruin?

Even the handful of businesses and houses that miraculously escaped the blaze are boarded up.

There is some construction going on. Crews of Mexican workers are working on homes, mostly for corporate developers, which look like vast McMansions rising from the rubble.

I bumped into a local, who gave her name only as 'Karen'.

She had come back to look at the remains of her family home, something she told me she often does without telling her husband or children: 'We're living in Santa Monica now, in a rented apartment,' she explained.

'The kids are traumatised. We lost everything. The mayor and the insurance companies promised to fast-track the rebuilding process, but those were empty lies. Some people have received insurance payouts, but we're fighting for ours. It's impossible to get permits to rebuild. We're jumping through hoops to offer proof that our lot has been cleared of toxins to please the eco mob. We were offered $1 million to rebuild a family home that belonged to my grandparents. It was worth at least three times that.

'They [the authorities] have tied us up in red tape. They don't want to help families. They want developers to maximise the size of the properties so they earn more in property taxes. There's huge anger towards the mayor, governor, insurance companies, and the incompetence that allowed this fire to destroy our town in the first place.'

The anger is palpable. Signs all over town declare: 'They Let Us Burn!'

It is not far from the truth. For one year after the conflagration, controversy rages.

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A man walks in front of the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in in Pasadena, Calif

The Sunset Fire breaks out in the Hollywood Hills, prompting swift responses from firefighters

Cleared lots sit next to homes being rebuilt in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles

Homes being rebuilt after being destroyed by the Palisades Fire stand next to cleared lots

An investigation last month by the LA Times showed firefighters voiced 'grave concerns' at the time about being pulled off an earlier fire in the area, known as the Lachman fire, five days before the Palisades inferno.

That eight-acre bush fire was declared 'contained' despite whistleblowers claiming the ground was smouldering, and rocks remained hot to the touch.

A former Pacific Palisades resident, Jonathan Rinderknecht, now living in Florida, who was working as an Uber driver at the time, has since been arrested and charged with starting the Lachman fire, which caused the Palisades Fire, and is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail if convicted.

A Los Angeles Fire Department report said strong winds stoked the Lachman fire into a wall of 50-foot-high flames, which tore down the mountains and straight into Pacific Palisades.

To compound matters, firefighters quickly ran out of water.

A reservoir, built specifically to provide water to fight wildfires and which should have contained 117 million gallons, was empty. It had been closed for repairs for nine months.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles's left-wing mayor, Karen Bass, was away on a 'jolly' in Ghana, to celebrate the inauguration of John Mahama as the new Ghanaian president.

Photographs of her at a cocktail party while the fires raged fuelled public anger. Bass later admitted it was a 'mistake' not to jump on a plane immediately, but blamed the fire chief for not calling her to flag the severity of the situation.

Like many, I was stunned that one of the richest parts of LA, a place where you would routinely see stars like Ben Affleck and Tom Hanks at the local Starbucks  housed in a beautiful 1924 historic building  could be wiped out overnight.

But I also assumed that the sheer star wattage of many of those affected would spearhead a massive clean-up and rebuilding project that would move at warp speed. Not so.

This week, I drove past Billy Crystal's home, where only a stone-arched front door now remains. His lot also displays a 'For Sale' sign.

Paris Hilton watched 'in horror' as her beachside weekend home burned to the ground on TV. It remains rubble in the sand.

There is no sign of any building work at John Goodman's house either.

Schools remain shut. Supermarkets have been demolished but not rebuilt. No one had counted on 'woke' California's endless bureaucratic red tape on everything from regulating when a cleared site could be declared 'safe' from toxins, to lengthy delays in issuing building permits, stalling by insurance companies, and political rows.

Mayor Bass hired a 'fire czar', wealthy real estate developer Steve Soboroff, on a salary of $500,000 (369,000) for a 90-day contract, prompting a public outcry.

He would complain he had been 'lied to' that his salary would be paid by philanthropic donations, although later distanced himself from that comment, saying: 'That's not what I feel and not what I meant.'

Within the past couple of weeks, Bass has come under fire again for grandly announcing that the first certificate of occupancy had been issued for a rebuilt home in the Palisades.

It emerged that the home belonged to a professional contractor who obtained all the necessary building permits before the fire conveniently demolished the existing house and allowed him to start building his new dwelling, which, he said, will be used as a 'show home' for other properties he intends to build.

One friend, who worked for a major movie star for decades, lost her home of 40 years in the fire.

She told me: 'Pacific Palisades was a wealthy area, but a lot of that wealth, like mine, was inherited. Yes, you have movie stars in big houses, but you also had people like me who had 1940s cottages they'd inherited from their parents.

'That was part of the charm of the place. Of course, the proximity to the ocean and the endless sunshine are what attracted people, but Pacific Palisades had a small-town feel. Neighbour helped neighbour, even when that neighbour turned out to be Steven Spielberg.

'Building permits have been issued, but they're mostly to professional contractors who bought cheap and are maximising the size of the McMansions they are building on each lot. I'm not sure I want to return even if I get the insurance money to rebuild. It's not going to be the same. All we're seeing is homogenised mega mansions.'

Spencer Pratt is a former reality star who has become one of the most outspoken critics of what he calls a 'conspiracy' that allowed the Palisades to burn.

Pratt, 42, made his name on a show called The Hills, married co-star Heidi Montag, and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother twice. The couple were runners-up in 2013 and returned for an all-stars season in 2017.

They have two children and moved to a hillside home in the Palisades to be near his parents.

Pratt had his one million Instagram followers on edge as he live-streamed the fire racing towards his 2,200 square feet, three-bedroom property before showing his family's escape.

He is spearheading a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and the LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP)  which controlled the empty reservoir  citing negligence and mismanagement.

Two dozen neighbours have joined the suit, seeking millions in compensation for property damage, lost wages, and emotional distress.

He said: 'Everyone processes trauma differently. I've tried to channel all my emotional energy into accountability and making it clear that this was preventable. This was no act of God. This was gross negligence.'

Pratt rails against major corporations snapping up land parcels from distressed sellers. He posts regularly about the 'dereliction of duty' at Democrat-managed government agencies including what he calls the 'utter incompetence' of California's Governor Gavin Newsom.

Newsom is hotly-tipped to run as the Democratic candidate for the Presidential elections in 2028, but Pratt argues that he's been to Washington to fight for aid on more occasions than the Governor.

Governor Newsom's high-powered PR team has accused Pratt of being a conspiracy theorist and posted pictures of him online that compared him during his reality-TV peak to how he looks now.

Pratt fired back: 'I'm sure my appearance would be better if Newsom hadn't let my town burn down. Stress alone has taken years off my life.'

The star grew up in the Palisades. His parents' house burned down, too. He took pleasure in raising his sons, ages eight and three, in his hometown. 'They went to my preschool. Then I watched footage of their bedroom ignite. It was surreal. I will never stop fighting for justice.'

While Pratt had insurance, the money is nowhere near enough for him to rebuild his $5.5 million home.

'Most people we know in the same circumstances have given up, sold up and moved.'

Pratt and his wife have launched a podcast, 'The Fame Game,' which they broadcast from plastic lawn chairs on their burnt-out lot.

He said: 'I'm still paying for the mortgage. I don't have a single photo from before an iPhone existed. They're all gone. Everything I ever bought in my life burned down. Everything my parents ever bought in their lives burned down.'

There have been claims that some of the land has been snatched up by Chinese-backed corporations seeking a foothold in one of America's most desirable places.

President Donald Trump, who ordered snow run-off water from the mountains in northern California to be released into Pacific Palisades to replenish water supplies, has ordered a Congressional investigation into the failures that led to the fire.

He has been scathing about Newsom, whom he calls 'incompetent' for regulating water levels in LA to appease environmentalists who were opposed to snow run-off water being moved to ease the water shortages in LA. Trump, who made his fortune as a builder in New York, has lambasted Newsom and Bass for failing to fast-track building permits and for imposing 'prohibitive' property taxes on those who wish to rebuild.

The president has ordered an official investigation into what happened to the tens of millions of charity dollars raised after the fires.

The organisation behind Fire Aid has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, as have other charitable groups. Nonetheless, victims like Pratt say they have yet to see a penny.

Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom have both denied stalling aid programmes or delaying the issuing of rebuilding permits.

Whatever the outcome of the official investigations, as I drove out of Pacific Palisades last week, past the burned-out facade of Starbucks, it is clear something has gone catastrophically wrong.
Megyn Kelly said she would 'exercise caution' over Donald Trump's military operation in Venezuela and warned against her former employers at Fox News 'cheerleading' the efforts.

Kelly, who made it clear that she remains pro-Trump and pro-military, described what the environment would have been like following the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro at Fox if she still worked there.

'I would have known that I was supposed to cheerlead it, and I turned on Fox News yesterday, and I'm sorry, but It was like watching Russian propaganda. There was nothing skeptical. It was all rah-rah cheerleading, yes, let's go,' she said on The Megyn Kelly Show Monday.

She added that there 'are serious reasons to just exercise a note of caution before we just get on the rah-rah train.'

Kelly noted recent US military adventures in Iraq and Libya which ended up in a 'quagmire' and have not worked out well 'nine times out of ten.'

'I have seen what happens when you cheerlead unabashedly US intervention in foreign countries, thinking it's for our good and for the international good,' she said.

She further criticized Fox News, saying that she has 'been embarrassed' in the past by being in what she called 'green light territory' on approving the actions of US military involvements overseas.

'We're not great at going into these foreign countries, decapitating them at the leadership level, and then saying, either we're going to steer the country to a better place, or it's going to steer itself.'

Megyn Kelly said she would 'exercise caution' over Donald Trump's military operation in Venezuela and warned against her former employers at Fox News 'cheerleading' the efforts

Kelly, who made it clear that she remains pro-Trump and pro-military, described what the environment would have been like following the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro at Fox if she still worked there

Kelly spoke with outright disdain toward the idea of 'boots on the ground' which Trump has suggested in Venezuela, thinking of her teenage children.

'I speak for a lot of moms and dads, for that matter, when I say I'm staying in yellow territory until we know more, and I will not be joining the Fox News cheerleading brigade this time. I've been burned too many times,' she said.

She also took shots at South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was at Trump's side cheering his efforts on Air Force One Sunday.

'The fact that Lindsey Graham is standing next to him is enough for me to know I don't want it. I'm concerned. All of the neocons have been celebrating this whole thing like it's, you know, Christmas in January, and that alone gives me pause. When Lindsey Graham is cheering, I'm not.'

To demonstrate her skepticism, her guest on the subject was anti-war journalist Aaron Mate.

On Monday evening, Trump said the US must 'nurse' Venezuela back to health with the help of oil companies and taxpayers might have to help foot the bill.

Trump said it will cost 'a lot of money' to rebuild the South American country's energy infrastructure but thinks the US can do it ahead of that 18 month timeline.

However, he added that the American taxpayers may be on the hook for it, as the oil companies may receive assistance to do so.

She also took shots at South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was at Trump's side cheering his efforts on Air Force One Sunday

On Monday evening, Trump said the US must 'nurse' Venezuela back to health with the help of oil companies and taxpayers might have to help foot the bill following Maduro's arrest

'I think we can do it in less time than that, but it'll be a lot of money,' he told NBC News.

'A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then they'll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.'

When asked if Trump's 'America First' base would stand for nation-building overseas, the president backed himself to maintain the support of his voters.

'MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what I'm doing. MAGA loves everything I do. MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do, and I love everything I do, too,' he said.

Trump also told NBC News that the project could take the next 18 months before Venezuelans elect a new president.

'We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote,' Trump said.

'No, it's going to take a period of time. We have  we have to nurse the country back to health.'

The president shouted out Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Stephen Miller as people responsible for overseeing the process.

The preliminary hearing for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro devolved into chaos as the deposed leader's fury boiled over, sparking a shouting match with a man who claimed he had been jailed by Maduro's regime and warned he would 'pay'

However, ultimately he said 'me' when asked who was responsible.

The president promised that America's problem is with the people he refers to as narcoterrorists and that the US is not at war with Venezuela.

He also insisted the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela.

'No, we're not. We're at war with people that sell drugs. We're at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country,' he said.

Trump said that Marco Rubio 'speaks fluently in Spanish' to interim President Delcy Rodriguez but would not say whether he'd spoken to her yet.

Trump hasn't minced words about the larger message he's trying to send the world with the raid to capture Maduro and spirit the deposed Venezuelan leader and his wife to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges.

'American dominance in the Western Hemisphere,' Trump declared following Maduro's capture, 'will never be questioned again.'

In the days since the audacious raid, Trump and his team have doubled down on the notion that the new focus on American preeminence in the hemisphere is here to stay.

He also held up Maduro's capture to make the case to neighbors to get in line or potentially face consequences.
Pete Hegseth has sparked fierce backlash inside the US military after taking aim at 'woo-woo' new age beliefs and allegedly threatening decades of religious freedom in the armed forces, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Recent comments by the Defense Secretary have faith leaders, atheists, and civil libertarians alike fearing that he will end the military's long support for religious pluralism by pushing his brand of Christian nationalism on the Chaplain Corps.

'Hegseth is overstepping his boundaries, trying to become the denominational policeman for members of the military,' says Reverend Justin Cohen, a Baptist chaplain for veterans in Pennsylvania.

'What he is doing is multi-generational damage to the US military by attempting to take a sledge-hammer to the essence of the Chaplain Corps,' adds Mikey Weinstein, founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a group seeking to prevent what it views as unconstitutional religious coercion among members.

'This is a tidal wave of unconstitutional destruction fueled by his fundamentalist Christian nationalistic arrogance and hubris,' Weinstein said about Hegseth's recent comments.

Concerns stem largely from a December 16 video in which Hegseth spoke about what he called 'a real problem facing our nation's military.'

'It's one you're probably not aware of, but it's a really important one, and it's been going on for too long  the weakening of our Chaplain Corps,' he said.

'In an atmosphere of political correctness and secular humanism, chaplains have been minimized, viewed by many as therapists instead of ministers.'

Chaplains, faith leaders, and civil liberties groups claim Pete Hegseth is threatening decades of religious pluralism in the armed forces

The Secretary of War is accused of trying to impose a narrow brand of Christian nationalism within the military

He took particular aim at the Army's Spiritual Fitness Guide, written last year as a manual for tending to the diverse religious needs of soldiers.

As he sees it, the 112-page manual, published in August, is too focused on secular concepts like emotions, self-help and self-care.

'It mentions God one time. That's it. It mentions feelings 11 times. It even mentions playfulness, whatever that is, nine times,' he said, mocking its emphasis on 'new age notions' and discussion of soldiers' 'consciousness, creativity and connection'.

'In short, it's unacceptable and unserious, so we're tossing it,' he said, even having the guide yanked off the internet.

Hegseth didn't stop at signaling that secular 'spiritualism' is no longer accepted in the armed forces.

He used the video to announce that the Defense Department is 'simplifying' its faith and belief coding  the system it uses to hire chaplains and classify the religious beliefs of military members.

'More reforms will be coming in the days and weeks ahead,' he said cryptically.

'We are proud to make the Chaplain Corps great again!' Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement to the Daily Mail.

Hegseth mocked military spiritual guidance and 'new age' beliefs and pledged to make the 'Chaplain Corps great again' in a video shared on X on December 16

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson echoed that sentiment in a statement to the Daily Mail, saying: 'We are proud to make the Chaplain Corps great again!'

Some clergy leaders, including prominent evangelist Franklin Graham, responded to the announcement by thanking Hegseth.

Others are left scratching their heads, uncertain what specifically the secretary has planned for the Defense Department's 3,000-person Chaplain Corps, including active duty, reserve and National Guard spiritual leaders.

'I'm trying to get more detail about what he foresees in the future,' said Doyle Dunn, a former Navy chaplain and executive director of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces.

'Our biggest concern is the ambiguity at this point. We're not sure what those changes will be.'

Six active chaplains the Daily Mail interviewed expressed concern that Hegseth aims to crack down on non-Christian and non-denominational clergy members and religious practices, potentially nixing classifications codes for humanists, atheists or those of no religious preference (NRP).

'I'm worried. A lot of us are,' a rabbi in the Army told us.

'There's a concern, and it's widespread, that he'll go after Muslims,' said an imam in the Air Force.

One man we spoke with is a Christian pastor and former Army chaplain who now works as a 'chaplain endorser'  one of about 150 religious leaders nationwide assigned to vouch for clergy members of specific denominations before they're hired in the military.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Reverend Justin Cohen, a Baptist chaplain for veterans in Pennsylvania, said Hegseth has been 'overstepping his boundaries'

He slams what he calls Hegseth's 'my way or the highway mentality, which is not what chaplaincy is about'.

He believes the defense secretary aims to create a tiered system of 'second- or third-class chaplains and faith groups'.

'The fear is that he's going to bring a ton of white, straight evangelicals licking their chops because they're going to turn the military upside down for Jesus,' he said, insisting on anonymity out of concerns that the Defense Department will retaliate against the dozens of chaplains he works with.

'There will be repercussions against them if I talk on the record,' he said.

Hegseth's comments mark the first time that a defense secretary has weighed in about preferred religious beliefs and practices in the military.

They also come at a time when the military is ramping up its involvement in certain spheres  including this weekend's strike in Venezuela in which soldiers captured that country's president, Nicolas Maduro and his wife in an attack believed to have killed at least 40 Venezuelans.

It is after fatal combat situations when troops generally need the most spiritual help, experts told us.

All chaplains, regardless of their personal faith, have since the formation of the Chaplain Corps in 1775 been expected to minister to individual service members' faiths, not necessarily their own.

Hegseth 'appreciates' the work of CREC network co-founder Doug Wilson, who has argued that homosexuality should be criminalized and that there is no separation between church and state

They're instructed to spiritually 'meet members where they're at', as one chaplain described it, rather than trying to convert them.

'This is the weirdest era we've ever seen when it comes to the chaplain system. And if chaplains are being compelled or directed toward one direction, that's a very unhealthy military,' the chaplain endorser told us.

Hegseth is a former Fox News host who has been married three times and reported to have been so publicly drunk, including while working, that he had to be carried out of events.

He is a member of the archconservative Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a network with Christian nationalist leanings that believes in male-only clergy, patriarchal family structures, classical Christian education and opposition to secular liberalism and progressive social norms.

Hegseth has said that he 'very much appreciates' many of the teachings and writings of CREC network co-founder Doug Wilson, a pastor who has argued that homosexuality should be criminalized and that there is no separation between church and state.

Hegseth has referred to Wilson as a spiritual mentor and, in August, reposted a video about his church that included various pastors saying women should no longer be allowed to vote.

He has Christian-themed tattoos which he says reflect his faith and biblical worldview.

One, the Deus Vult symbol, was used by crusaders and has been adopted by some white supremacist and Christian nationalist groups today.

Hegseth is known for having various religious tattoos. His most distinctive tattoo is a large Jerusalem Cross on the right of his chest. The cross consists of a large Christian cross surrounded by four smaller crosses in each quadrant

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth works out with service members in Hawaii

And, since being appointed as Trump's defense secretary, he has led and instituted Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, integrating faith into official settings  events sources in the building call 'unprecedented' and 'wildly uncomfortable' for military members and civilians who believe church and state should be separated.

Hemant Mehta, editor of friendlyathiest.com, says although he long has had criticisms of the US military, he was always assured by 'the fact that it's not a religious army', but rather, 'a place where people from all religions and backgrounds can theoretically come together and serve'.

That assurance, he says, has ended under Hegseth.

'He, through his actions, believes it should be a military that promotes Christianity at its core  his type of Christianity in particular,' Mehta told the Daily Mail.

He sees Hegseth's enforcement of stricter grooming standards against beards as a way to disenfranchise men of color, especially Muslims.

He points to Hegseth's insistence that the Classic Learning Test, a conservative alternative to the SAT and ACT, be accepted for application to military academies 'as a way to lower standards and help conservative Christians get in'.

And he views the DOD's recent elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion as Hegseth's way of creating an exclusionary environment for those who don't conform to a conservative Christian worldview.

Mehta disputes Hegseth's suggestion that new-agers and secular humanists have taken over the military's chaplain core.

Hegseth has vowed to overhaul the military's Chaplain Corps and called the current Army Spiritual Fitness Guide 'unserious'

'That's just not true. It's very religious, and it's almost exclusively, overwhelmingly Christian,' he said.

Any attempt to limit the number of spiritual options military members have, Mehta added 'makes no sense unless he believes  as I'm sure he does  that there are some categories that simply don't matter'.

Weinstein, who served as a military judge advocate general for several years, founded his group to protect pluralism  meaning religious diversity  in the military. He has choice words for Hegseth, calling him a 'cowardly ignoramus, boozer, womanizing POS'.

'This idea of trying to alter the Chaplain Corps is simply a way to try to buttress and fortify this perspective of racism, Christian nationalism, white exclusivity, triumphalism and exceptionalism  his approved solution to eliminating representing any other faith.'
Older drivers will be forced to take eye tests as part of a series of road safety reforms.

Motorists aged 70 and above can no longer self-report visual diseases to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) after coroners warned the system could be abused.

The crackdown could also see drivers slapped with penalty points if passengers are spotted not wearing seatbelts, while alcohol limits face being tightened further.

The reforms are the widest in scope since the Road Safety Act was passed under the Tony Blair government in 2006.

Some 1,633 people died in road traffic accidents in 2024 and more than 27,000 were seriously injured, which amounts to one casualty every 18 minutes.

Almost one in four (24 per cent) of drivers killed on Britain's roads were aged 70 or older, motivating the most dramatic policy proposals in the set of reforms.

Twelve prevention of future deaths reports since 2019 have expressed significant concerns over the current system of self-reporting.

Just two other European countries rely on this method of identifying drivers with visual diseases.

Meanwhile, the drink-drive limit could be slashed from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms, meaning even one pint could be risky for some drivers given that people process alcohol at varying speeds.

Around a quarter of car occupant deaths involve not wearing seatbelts but currently only passenger with a driving licence can receive penalty points.

The government is hoping these reforms can help it achieve its target of reducing deaths and serious injuries on Britains roads by 65 per cent by 2035.

Older drivers will be forced to take eye tests as part of a series of road safety reforms (stock image)

It comes after a leading coroner wrote to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (pictured) last summer to say that the UKs licensing rules were the 'laxest' in Europe

President of the Automobile Association (AA) Edmund King said: 'A move to make eye tests for older drivers mandatory is obviously welcome, especially as the likelihood of crashes increases once someone is over the age of 70, and markedly shoots up over the age of 80 to a peak at age 86, with eyesight often a worrying factor.

'Eye tests are free for people over the age of 60 anyway and healthcare professionals advise them every two years given they can help with diagnosis of other underlying conditions.'

It comes after a leading coroner wrote to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander in the summer to say that the UKs licensing rules were the 'laxest' in Europe.

Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, issued a prevention of future deaths report after finding that four people had been killed by drivers with poor vision.

An inquest in Preston heard Mary Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Anne Ferguson, 75, and Peter Westwell, 80, had all died in traffic collisions where the driver had defective eyesight.

Dr Adeley stated in his report: 'The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver's sight was well below the standard required to drive a car.'

Tests for visual ability to drive have not changed since the 1930s  with the threshold remaining being able to read a registration plate from 20 metres away  or around 66ft.

Audi driver Glyn Jones, 68, ploughed into friends Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Foulds as they crossed a road in Southport on November 30, 2021.

He was unable to see due to a condition called severe 'bilateral keratoconus' but he ignored medical advice that his eyesight was too poor.

Mrs Ferguson was killed by van driver Vernon Law, 72, who had been to an optician a month before the crash in Rochdale in July 2023 and was told he had cataracts in both eyes. Following her death, her husband took his own life.

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Pedestrian Mr Westwell was also struck and killed by a Honda Jazz driven by Neil Pemberton, 81, in Langho on March 17, 2022.

Pemberton made no attempt to brake and was speeding at 48mph in 30mph zone.

The inquest heard Pemberton had a long history of severe bilateral eye disease and was twice warned he should not drive before he began to inform optometrists he was a non-driver. He repeatedly failed to self-report his condition.

In his prevention of future deaths notice, Dr Adeley told the Department for Transport (DfT): 'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.'

While motoring groups have largely backed the measures, Age UK has suggested the eye test rule discriminates against older motorists.

Caroline Abrahams, its charity director, told the Daily Mail: 'It is certainly good for our eye health as we age to have a regular eye test - every two years the NHS advises - but this doesn't automatically mean that a compulsory eye test at age 70 is appropriate.

'People can develop eye problems at any age so why confine such an approach only to those aged 70 and not to younger drivers too?

'A regular eye test for drivers of all ages may be a better idea, one less open to the accusation of ageism - but we would need to see all the evidence to form a final view.'

Abrahams added: 'A further consideration is that the latest published official statistics on road accidents reveal an upward trend in the numbers of fatal or serious accidents involving older drivers, something that of course we should take seriously, but without more information it is difficult to say exactly why this is happening - the precondition for proposing effective solutions.

'Certainly though, from the data we have seen there is no reason to suppose that eye problems lie behind a significant proportion of these accidents.

'Therefore, while there may be a case for introducing a regular mandatory eye test for drivers of all ages, it is not clear that this would have a big impact on the numbers of serious accidents involving older drivers.'
The Trump administration's top foreign policy players took to Capitol Hill on Monday to brief committee leaders about Saturday's capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro.

After the closed-door session, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast told reporters that Maduro's former Vice President and the country's current leader, Delcy Rodriguez, is in communication with the U.S., but that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would like to see free and fair elections there at an unspecified date.

Mast also added that Rodriguez will work to 'maintain stability' in the nation and ensure a power vacuum is not created, while also keeping open lines of communication with the US as well as regional partners in Central America.

House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson also noted after the briefing that 'this is not a regime change.'

Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, as well as Attorney General Pam Bondi, held a briefing for top leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, as well as House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations.

The Gang of Eight, made up of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees, were also included in the briefing.

Not included in Monday's classified briefing were Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin, chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, who demanded to know why they were not invited, as the administration is framing Maduro's capture as a law enforcement operation.

"There is no legitimate basis for excluding the Senate Judiciary Committee from this briefing,' the duo noted in a joint statement.

'The administration's refusal to acknowledge our Committee's indisputable jurisdiction in this matter is unacceptable and we are following up to ensure the Committee receives warranted information regarding Maduro's arrest,' they added.

Attorney General Pam Bondi arrives at the U.S. Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Washington, to brief top lawmakers after President Donald Trump directed U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at the U.S. Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, for a closed-door briefing with top lawmakers after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to New York to face federal drug trafficking charges

Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, were taken by Delta Force special operators from their home in the presidential palace in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning, a maneuver that the dictator described as a kidnapping in his first court appearance in New York on Monday.

Republicans have heralded the operation, while some Democrats have been shocked that they were not brought up to speed on the intervention before it happened.

Senate Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Monday that, 'Maduro is a tyrant,' and that 'nobody mourns what has happened to him.'

'Now the crucial question is what comes back for Venezuela and, more importantly, for the United States,' Schumer continued, before adding that 'nobody seems to know.'

House Speaker Mike Johnson unsurprisingly backed the Trump administration's work in Venezuela wholeheartedly, noting during his own press conference ahead of the briefing that 'officials did exactly what they were supposed to do on the timetable they were supposed to do it in.'

Johnson added that Trump's action was fully within presidential authority, and that it 'did not require prior authorization by Congress. It just required notification.'

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to the media as he arrives for a bicameral congressional leadership briefing with administration officials at the U.S. Capitol on January 05, 2026 in Washington, DC

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth arrives for a briefing with bicameral congressional leadership at the U.S. Capitol on January 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. The briefing addressed U.S. actions in Venezuela, including the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores

Attorney General Pam Bondi arrives at the U.S. Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Washington, to brief top lawmakers after President Donald Trump directed U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Trump himself pushed back on his congressional critics, telling NBC News that he has 'good support congressionally.'

'And Congress knew what we were doing all along, but we have good support congressionally. Why wouldn't they support us?'

Trump declined to comment on whether or not anyone in Congress was told about the operation before it happened.

'I don't want to get into that,' he replied, 'but people knew.'

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican who often criticizes Trump said Monday that he didn't understand how 'bombing the capital of a country and removing the president' was not an act of war, when his GOP colleagues criticized former President Barack Obama's actions in Libya.

Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, meanwhile, noted that 'it's pretty strange why you can't at least acknowledge it's possible for Venezuela to have a better future when you don't have a monster like that.'
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered the ultimate insult to his late cousin on the same day he was snubbed from her funeral by launching an unprecedented overhaul of vaccines she had advocated for.

The MAGA appointee was not on good terms with his cousin Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy, in the months leading up to her tragic death from cancer aged just 35 last week.

He was notably absent from her funeral on Monday after reports that he was intentionally not invited in an effort to 'shield' her children from public scrutiny.

Schlossberg had launched a scathing attack on RFK Jr. and his beliefs surrounding vaccinations, labeling him the family 'embarrassment' in a column shortly before her death.

She even worried that her own cousin's radical health policies could prevent her from getting the help she desperately needed.

On Monday, as his extended family grieved their loss, RFK Jr. delivered the ultimate snub to Schlossberg's legacy, taking the unprecedented step of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child.

The move has been slammed by a number of leading medical groups, who warned it would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.

The action, approved by Acting Director Jim O'Neill of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention without the agency's usual outside expert review, advances Kennedy's campaign to pare back childhood vaccinations.

The change is effective immediately, meaning that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer broadly recommend protection against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered the ultimate insult to his late cousin on the same day he was snubbed from her funeral by launching an unprecedented overhaul of vaccines she had long advocated for

People are seen crying and consoling one another outside the service on Monday, which RFK Jr. was reportedly not invited to

Instead, protections against those diseases are only recommended for certain groups deemed high risk, or when doctors recommend them in what's called 'shared decision-making.'

Trump administration officials said the overhaul won't result in families who want the vaccines losing access to them, and said insurance will continue to pay.

But medical experts said the decision creates confusion for parents and could increase preventable diseases.

Schlossberg had expressed concerns in a column for The New Yorker before her death about her cousin's position of power given his stance on vaccinations.

'Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised, along with millions of cancer survivors, small children, and the elderly,' she wrote.

'As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers striving to improve the lives of others, I watched as Bobby cut nearly half a billion dollars for research.'

She noted that grants and clinical trials were canceled, while medical experts had their jobs threatened.

'I worried about funding for leukemia and bone-marrow research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I worried about the trials that were my only shot at remission,' she wrote.

Tatiana is survived by her husband, George Moran (pictured with her), and their two kids

Her two children, Josephine (left) and Edwin (right) Moran, and her widowed husband, George Moran (right), were seen at the service

JFK's grandson Jack Schlossberg looked bereft as he attended the funeral of his sister Tatiana, who died of cancer last week at the age of 35

Former President Joe Biden, who lost his son Beau to cancer in 2015, was seen crying outside the church

Schlossberg shared that one of the lifesaving drugs she was given early in her illness, misoprostol, is also part of the concoction used to offer patients medical abortions, which 'at Bobby's urging' is now 'under review' by the FDA.

'I freeze when I think about what would have happened if it had not been immediately available to me and to millions of other women who need it to save their lives or to get the care they deserve,' she wrote.

Schlossberg - the granddaughter of former President John F Kennedy - died from blood cancer just six weeks after she revealed her diagnosis.

The Kennedy scion's death was announced last Tuesday via the social media accounts for the JFK Library Foundation on behalf of her heartbroken relatives.

'Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts,' the post reads, signed by 'George, Edwin and Josephine Moran, Ed, Caroline, Jack, Rose and Rory.'

The New York-born environmental journalist revealed in November that doctors told her she had acute myeloid leukemia in May 2024.

Writing in the New Yorker, Tatiana said she had no symptoms and was 'one of the healthiest people I knew' when the diagnosis came.

Doctors only found the disease through routine blood tests after she gave birth to her second child.

Caroline Kennedy is seen alongside her daughter Rose at the funeral Monday

A heavily bearded David Letterman was seen alongside his wife, Regina Lasko, at the funeral

Jackie Kennedy, then 63, with Tatiana and her sister Rose in Central Park, New York, 1992

A source told Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice that Schlossberg's funeral was being kept to immediate family and close friends - which did not include RFK Jr.

'RFK Jr will not be invited, and the family made that decision intentionally. They are trying to shield the kids and manage their grief without extra public scrutiny or controversy,' the source said.

Once a Trump campaign rival, RFK Jr. dropped out of the race and endorsed the president last summer. He was then tapped to lead an overhaul at HHS.

The Kennedy black sheep went through a bruising confirmation process as Democrats pushed back on his anti-vaccine conspiracies and his plans to completely revamp the public health agenda is the US.

But there was little they could do to stop Republicans from confirming him and Trump's other contentious cabinet picks.

Under RFK Jr., U.S. vaccination rates have been slipping and the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, according to federal data.

At the same time, rates of diseases that can be protected against with vaccines, such as measles and whooping cough, are rising across the country.

In May, RFK Jr. announced the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.

Robert F Kennedy Jr was not invited to the funeral of his cousin Tatiana Schlossberg (pictured) after she ripped him in a column written weeks before her death from blood cancer

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In June, he fired an entire 17-member CDC vaccine advisory committee  later installing several of his own replacements, including multiple vaccine skeptics.

Then in November he directed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism, without supplying any new evidence to support the change.

RFK Jr. addressed the changes to vaccine recommendations on Monday, stating: 'This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.'

Among those left on the recommended-for-everyone list are vaccines against measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, chickenpox and human papillomavirus, or HPV.

The guidance reduces the number of recommended vaccine doses against HPV from two or three shots depending on age to one for most children.
A teenage girl who vanished from her South Carolina home may have been taken by a mystery man, authorities have revealed after recovering both her suitcase and the car she used to leave.

The Lexington County Sheriff's Office said it is urgently seeking the public's help in locating 16-year-old Mackenzie Dalton, an 'endangered juvenile runaway' who has not been seen since late November.

'We need your tips on the whereabouts of an endangered juvenile runaway named Mackenzie Dalton,' the sheriff's office said in a public appeal.

'We've been working to find the 16-year-old since she left her Lexington home in late November.'

Authorities say Dalton, who is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 118 pounds, left her home with a suitcase and drove away in a vehicle that has since been located.

'The car she drove away in and the suitcase she took from home have been recovered,' the sheriff's office said. 'We think she's traveling with a man she knows.'

Deputies have not disclosed where Dalton's belongings were found or when they were recovered, but they confirmed that she remains missing and may be in danger due to her age and the length of time she has been gone.

Police have also not identified the man Dalton is believed to be with, nor have they released his age or physical description.

Mackenzie Dalton, 16, from South Caroline remains missing weeks after leaving home, with police now fearing she may be with an unidentified man

Investigators with the Lexington County Sheriff's Office recovered the teen's car and suitcase, but the teenager has not been found

Investigators have not said whether foul play is suspected, or whether a specific crime has been confirmed in connection with her disappearance.

At this stage, authorities say the case remains a missing-juvenile investigation.

Dalton is described as having long blonde hair and light-colored eyes. Police have not said what she was wearing when she was last seen.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that Dalton's status as a minor, combined with the weeks-long absence, places her in an especially vulnerable position.

Authorities reiterated Friday that even small pieces of information could be critical.

'Anyone who may have seen Dalton or can provide information on her whereabouts is being urged to share that info anonymously,' deputies said, noting tips can be submitted through the Crimestoppers mobile app or by calling (888) 274-6372.

Investigators stressed that 'even details you may consider insignificant could help' reunite Dalton with her family and ensure she is safe.

Dalton's disappearance comes amid a troubling pattern in South Carolina, which reports thousands of missing persons each year.

At least one person commenting on the the police's Facebook post claimed to know more about the case

Authorities say the case is 'endangered' and are urging the public to share any information that could bring her home. Pictured, file photo of downtown Columbia in South Carolina

Runaway cases involving juveniles make up a significant portion of those reports, and many remain unresolved for long periods.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, more than 200 children were reported missing statewide in both 2022 and 2023.

Advocates warn that prolonged runaway cases can quickly escalate into far more dangerous situations, particularly when minors are believed to be traveling with adults.

Under South Carolina law, kidnapping is classified as a felony offense, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years if a conviction is secured.

Authorities have not said whether charges are being considered in Dalton's case.
A Melbourne bartender has sent a cabbie on a 'wild goose chase' after he claimed the driver refused to use the meter and overcharged him for a trip.

The worker, who regularly takes a taxi home after 12-hour night shifts, said the ordeal began when he booked a ride with 13cabs from Beaconsfield Station at 6am.

'I've just finished work and caught a train to Beaconsfield Station where I decide to call a cab home and use my tips to pay for a trip home,' the man wrote on Reddit.

'It's a trip I take often, it's usually $20 max in an Uber and $25 max in a taxi.

'We arrive home and the driver tells me the trip was $40, and I notice he hasn't turned on the meter, I tell him the trip will be $25 and ask if he turned on the meter.

'He tried to argue, but didn't have a leg to stand on and begrudgingly takes the money.'

But that wasn't the end of his dealings with the dodgy driver.

'Since I'm a bartender these 6am cab or Uber rides are quite common, and eventually he accepts one of my trips again that's booked under my name,' the man continues.

A frustrated bartender has filmed his wild encounter with a Melbourne cabbie (pictured) who refused to put on the meter during a a trip home from work

'And cancels. I rebook, he accepts, and cancels again, knowing that it won't automatically book another cab and that he could stop me getting a taxi and he could keep going until he gets bored.'

The bartender said he had reported the incidents to Safe Transport Victoria and to 13Cabs, but received no response.

'Eventually I started fighting fire with fire, I started always booking using a different name and if he happened to accept a booking I'd cancel and send him on wild goose chases with false bookings around the area,' he said.

'Not the nicest thing I could do, but entertaining nonetheless if I knew he'd try and screw me over anyway.

'Sometimes this would end with him calling and abusing me over the phone.'

On one occasion, the man claimed the driver once again refused to turn on the meter and attempted to negotiate a cash fare.

'I was quite agitated, after multiple occasions of cancelling my trips, trying to scam me out of more money, verbally abusing and threatening me, and to top it off I'm getting screwed around after a 12-hour shift and an hour train home,' he said.

The man said the taxi company had banned him from making bookings.

A frustrated customer has detailed his terrible experience with a cabbie from 13cabs

'While I don't blame them, I wish there were better systems in place to protect their customers, both from getting scammed, and by the very least, stopping cabbies from accepting trips from customers that have reported them,' he said.

'The (taxi driver) definitely hasn't been the only driver that has tried to scam me, but he is definitely the worst experience I've had with a driver.'

A 13cabs spokeswoman told Daily Mail said the company takes any allegation of a driver refusing to use the taxi meter 'extremely seriously'.

'If this incident is confirmed, the driver will be suspended in line with our strict compliance and disciplinary processes,' she said.

'Using the meter is not optional. It is a fundamental requirement of operating a taxi and a core consumer protection.

'13cabs has zero tolerance for drivers working off the meter or attempting to negotiate fares outside regulated pricing.'

The spokeswoman said 13cabs has been lobbying state governments around the country to outlaw handheld payment terminals not connected to the taxi meter.

'When the payment terminal is locked to the meter, the driver can only charge what the meter records,' she said.

13cabs has been lobbying state governments around the country to outlaw handheld payment terminals that are not connected to the taxi meter which allow drivers to bypass meters entirely

'To date, only South Australia has taken this important step to protect consumers. We continue to urge other states, including Victoria, to follow suit.'

Dozens of Aussies shared their own taxi horror stories, with one stating dodgy cabbies are 'driving themselves out of business'.

'I was recently in the city and walked up to a cab. He wanted us to pay $25 in cash. I said no we'll use the meter thanks,' commented one.

'I have no sympathy for taxi companies losing business to Uber,' another said.

'Uber has its problems, but they're so much safer and you're so much less likely to get ripped off just because of the ability to track your rides and drivers.'

One taxi driver slammed the cabbie's behaviour as 'disgusting'.

'Not to defend this (driver) or 13cabs, but of late they have got rid of 67 drivers and sanctioned a lot more,' he said. 'This is a global issue but that doesn't excuse it.

'If you want an Uber type experience you can book and pay in the 13Cabs app. No chance of any dispute at the beginning or end of the journey.'

The Victorian Government is implementing tougher rules for drivers, including a two-strikes policy: two serious fare-related offences, and you lose your accreditation.

Drivers can also face disciplinary action if multiple misconduct complaints are lodged against them.
Keir Starmer faced a growing Labour backlash on Monday night after refusing to say whether Donald Trump's raid in Venezuela broke international law.

The Prime Minister, who has lectured opponents on the importance of international law for years, insisted it remained 'the benchmark against which we judge the actions of all other governments'.

But he refused to be drawn on whether the seizure of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was legal, saying it was 'for the US to justify the action it has taken'.

He added: 'It is not straightforward. It is complicated, and even today, there are further developments.' Sir Keir ducked questions in the Commons about his stance, sending Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to face MPs instead.

Labour MPs lined up to criticise Mr Trump  and ask why the PM was not taking a tougher stance.

Dame Emily Thornberry said Maduro had led an 'abhorrent' regime, but warned that the Government was in danger of endorsing the 'law of the jungle', and it was 'not for the country that is breaking the law to say whether or not it is breaking the law'.

Dame Emily, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee, added: 'We risk living in a world where might is right, and that cannot be in Britain's interests.'

John McDonnell, Labour's former shadow chancellor, said the Government's stance was 'shameful', adding: 'Trump will interpret that as the green light to go in wherever, to steal the national assets of those countries.

Keir Starmer faced a growing Labour backlash on Monday night after refusing to say whether Donald Trump's raid in Venezuela broke international law

This image, posted on Trump's Truth Social account on Saturday, shows Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima after the US military captured him

'And as a result of that, we are all in a more dangerous place.'

Ms Cooper said she raised the importance of respecting international law at the weekend with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

She also signalled a breach with the Trump administration's approach, saying the UK believed the new Venezuelan regime sworn in under Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, was not legitimate.

Speaking earlier, Sir Keir insisted the 'vast majority' of Labour MPs were opposed to Maduro's regime. 'What we need in Venezuela is a peaceful transition to democracy,' he said. 'That was our position before this weekend, it remains our position.'

Kemi Badenoch criticised Sir Keir for ducking MPs' scrutiny.

She said the 'jubilation' among many Venezuelans following Maduro's removal was no surprise because he led a 'gangster state'.

The Tory leader said it was clear that the US was 'acting in its national interest' and the UK should follow suit.

Former Tory Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell suggested 'the end might justify the means'.

Veteran Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh mocked the PM for sitting on the fence, adding: 'The PM is such a defender of international law he's not prepared to defend our own borders from small boats.

'Why is it that there's one law for the US President doing what is right for his country and a different law for us?'

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the US clearly broke international law and its actions would embolden authoritarians such as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

But the fiercest criticism came from Labour MPs. Diane Abbott said the public 'don't understand why a British Prime Minister is not willing to stand up for the rules-based international order'.

She added: 'We cannot have a country, because it is bigger and stronger, walking into another country, snatching its leadership and putting them on a show trial.'

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain said the Government's response was 'shameful'.
Anthony Albanese's refusal to call a royal commission into the Bondi Beach attack becomes less defensible by the day.

It's not principled; it might not even be strategic, if the PM has nothing to hide. But it is certainly stubborn.

Albo is answering 'no' to the question: does the country deserve the full truth about how the Bondi terror attack happened? He doesn't seem to want to know how antisemitism was allowed to metastasise, and whether or not there were failures with intelligence, policing, and visa settings.

A Commonwealth royal commission is the only way to get to the bottom of such questions. The remarkable thing now is the coalition of proponents for holding one versus the narrow cast of opponents, which includes our PM: a man who, as opposition leader, called for royal commissions at the drop of a hat suddenly doesn't see their worth.

The coalition supports holding one. Victims' families and Jewish community leaders are demanding one. Teal independents have put their support in writing. Former High Court Chief Justice Robert French has urged a national approach.

Business heavyweights and employer groups have lined up behind it, including peak bodies arguing only a federal royal commission can avoid the limits of a purely state-based process.

The Human Rights Commissioner has publicly warned that Bondi was not 'an isolated act of violence' but the culmination of rising antisemitism, and that empty words won't do.

Former senior Labor figures, including ministers, MPs, senators, and party and union officials, have now broken ranks to say what is obvious to most of us: NSW alone cannot compel Commonwealth institutions, cannot properly reach across jurisdictions, and cannot give federal officers the protections to speak frankly.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese must call a Commonwealth royal commission

He is answering 'no' to the question: does the country deserve the full truth about how the Bondi terror attack happened?

Which is why Albo must call a Commonwealth royal commission.

Privately, NSW Premier Chris Minns also wants Albo to call one and is waiting patiently in the hope that it happens soon.

Against all of that, the PM's position has narrowed to a lonely strip of sand. Albo, using rehearsed lines that a royal commission would 'take too long' and 'sow divisions,' is a solitary opponent to calling one.

Backed by the Greens, of course, who have also been busy warning about hate speech reforms restricting free political speech and accusing conservatives and media of 'weaponising' the tragedy.

If Albo wants to argue a royal commission is unnecessary, then the rest of us are entitled to wonder: what exactly is he afraid it might find that his current approach will not?

The alternative the PM is offering is an internal review led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson, run within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Richardson's credibility is not in doubt, but that's not the point.

The point is that an internal review, by design, is far narrower than what the country is asking for. It's an evaluation of intelligence and law enforcement effectiveness, not a full national reckoning. And it doesn't have the coercive powers of a royal commission.

A royal commission can compel witnesses and documents. It can take evidence under oath. It can hold public hearings to restore confidence and expose failures, as well as private hearings to protect classified material and traumatised witnesses when necessary.

Join the debate Is Albo damaging trust by refusing to call a royal commission?

NSW Premier Chris Minns also wants Albo to call one, and is waiting patiently

Bondi was a national trauma. The response should be national, independent and commensurate with what occurred

Albo's argument about the need for speed as a reason not to hold one is a classic political sleight of hand. He could conduct a speedy internal review as well as a comprehensive independent one. But he won't - for some reason.

Even the 'it will take years' excuse isn't the clincher Albo thinks it is. Royal commissions can be structured to report quickly, especially if the terms of reference are disciplined.

Albo isn't naive about royal commissions. He has spent a political lifetime demanding them when it suited him. When Scott Morrison resisted a royal commission into veteran and defence suicides, Labor under Albo's leadership leaned in hard for a full royal commission, arguing it would be more comprehensive and, crucially, was what grieving families wanted.

Guess what grieving families from Bondi are asking for?

That is the mirror now held up to the Prime Minister. Back then, the logic was: if the public needs the truth and families need answers, government doesn't get to hide behind narrower internal reviews.

Now, when Jewish families are grieving, when community leaders are pleading, when former Labor ministers and union officials are signing letters, the logic flips.

It's all too hard, too slow, and too divisive.

That inconsistency is why his refusal is curdling into a perception that Albo is more worried about the politics of a royal commission than its purpose. What a debasing reality for voters to have to come to terms with about their PM.

At some point Albo has to take notice of the broad coalition of advocates for a commission

A Commonwealth royal commission would inevitably range into uncomfortable territory: what governments did or didn't do as antisemitism escalated.

Whether warning signs were missed, whether federal agencies shared intelligence effectively, whether online incitement was treated as background noise until it became bloodshed.

Also, whether policy settings around radicalisation, visas, deportations, protests, policing, and hate crimes were fit for a changing environment as the Jewish community cried out for more protections.

For Albo, these unknowns seem to be reasons not to hold a royal commission, whereas the rest of us see them as the strongest arguments for one. Could the PM be any more out of touch if he tried?

At some point, Albo has to take notice of the broad coalition of advocates for a royal commission.

I'm also aware that a letter signed by more than 1,000 senior Australian business leaders is soon to be delivered to the PM, also demanding a royal commission.

If Australia's institutional settings allowed for popular plebiscites to force royal commissions, as happens in other parts of the world, the terms of reference would already be drawn up.

Albo has talked about national unity and resisting division. The irony is that his continuing refusal is becoming the division. It is making the government look defensive. It is making the PM look captured by process arguments that no longer convince anyone outside his own bubble. And that's the best-case scenario. At worst, he looks completely compromised.

Bondi was a national trauma. The response should be national, independent, and commensurate with what occurred.

If Albo still thinks his political instincts matter more than that, he should prepare for the next phase of this debate: not whether a royal commission should happen, but why the PM fought so hard to stop it - and why he has to go.
A disc jockey has admitted launching a shocking attack on DJ Fat Tony inside a nightclub that left him hospitalised with a broken eye socket.

Zack Bradley, 37, knocked the artist, 60, unconscious after brutally punching him twice in the DJ booth before he was scheduled to play.

He approached DJ Fat Tony, real name Tony Marnoch, while he was performing at the Lido Leisure Centre in Margate, Kent, in the early hours of December 14, 2024.

Bradley, who performs under Zack Le Nez, was asked to leave the booth with a friend so Tony could wrap up the final 15 minutes of his set.

But the situation escalated and the veteran DJ was shoved behind the decks and subjected to a raft of vile abuse.

When Tony tried to grab his belongings to leave, he was smashed twice in the face by Bradley, leaving him unconscious on the ground.

He told the Daily Mail he next woke up on the way to hospital where he was told he had a fractured eye socket and a broken cheekbone.

Shocking footage taken at the club showed the moment the veteran DJ was punched to the ground in front of horrified clubbers.

DJ Fat Tony was knocked unconscious after he was brutally punched twice in the DJ booth before he was scheduled to play

Tony told the Daily Mail he next woke up on the way to hospital where he was told he had a fractured eye socket and a broken cheekbone

Tony told us: 'As soon as they arrived they were shouting and screaming in the DJ box. They refused to leave when I asked them to come back later.

'His friend was homophobic, he called me a f****t, so I got into a row with him.

'When I tried to leave he [Bradley] sucker punched me twice.

'The next thing I knew I woke up in an ambulance.'

Harrowing photos of Tony's injured face led to an outpouring of support online from many stars including Sharon Stone, JLo, and Ellie Goulding.

Bradley was arrested in the days after the attack and charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH).

He appeared before a judge at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday morning, speaking only to confirm his name and enter a guilty plea.

Bradley, of Whitstable, Kent, was joined by his family in court before taking to the dock in a blue patterned suit and black turtleneck jumper.

Bradley, who performs under Zack Le Nez, was asked to leave the booth with a friend so Tony could wrap up the final 15 minutes of his set

Shocking footage taken at the club showed the moment the veteran DJ was punched to the ground in front of horrified clubbers

DJ Zack Bradley (pictured) admitted to knocking DJ Fat Tony, 60, unconscious after brutally punching him twice in the face

Zack Bradley (pictured left) pleaded guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) in the Canterbury Crown Court on Monday morning

He appeared to lick his lips before standing before His Honour Judge Edmund Fowler.

The judge said: 'You have pleaded guilty, you will get credit for that, it's usually 25 per cent, it's a matter for the sentencing judge.

'You will be on bail. I appreciate you are on an order already. It's very much in your interest to comply with that.'

It was heard that Bradley was subject to a known offender report, which will be factored in to his sentencing at a later date.

Speaking after the hearing, Tony said: 'Amazing. Good on him. It will go in his favour. It's amazing news, I am really happy.

'I'm not happy that somebody is going to prison. But it proves the justice system works.

'It's been a traumatic year. Because I work so much when I go to work, it is always in the back of my mind. It never really goes away.

'I am very accessible due to my job. And of course, if somebody wants to know where I am, they can just search where I'm playing on my website.

DJ Fat Tony admitted to feeling vulnerable in the DJ booth because of how easily accessible he in while he through his work

DJ Fat Tony said one side of his face is still affected after the attack where sometimes the muscle in his eye goes a bit weak and he sometimes gets headaches

'That's not an easy thing either. I've had to have security with me for the past year. It comes at a great cost.

'For me, I just want to make people happy, I want people to dance and to be happy that's all I've already wanted in life.

'House music for me is about celebrating love. When someone disrupts that world in such a way it leaves you feeling vulnerable.

'I love my job and love what I do, but it is sad that sometimes I no longer feel safe while playing.'

He added: 'One side of my face is still affected. Sometimes the muscle in my eye goes a bit weak and makes the squint a bit. Sometimes I get headaches.

'Do you know what, it could've been worse.

'Getting attacked never really came into my mind really. It has made me realise how vulnerable as a DJ we are. We are accessible

'Situations, whatever they are do not need to be violent.'
Determined to leave Syria when civil war broke out, Khaled first paid for the oldest of his eight children to be smuggled across Europe into Holland.

When the 15-year-old was duly granted asylum there, he, his wife and the rest of the Al Najjar family successfully applied to join him. And the warm welcome from the Dutch authorities did not end there.

The local council in the northern town of Joure had a seven-room unit for the disabled, specially converted so the large family could be together. Furniture was supplied, as were school places, language classes, and benefits.

In the years that followed, Khaled would be helped to open a pizza shop and a courier firm.

Back in 2017, the story of this 'model' refugee family even appeared in a local newspaper. Photos showed them enjoying the new accommodation.

One picture featured their daughter Ryan, then aged 11 and wearing a headscarf, smiling broadly beneath a verse in Arabic from the Koran which had been chalked on a blackboard.

Eldest son Muhanad, meanwhile, praised the 'kindness' of locals and spoke of his hopes that they, as Muslims, would fully integrate into the local community.

'Give us the opportunity to get to know each other,' he pleaded.

Ryan was brutally murdered in May 2024 in what Dutch authorities classify as an honour killing

Well, eight years on, and what we now know about the Al Najjar family is as shocking as it is desperately sad. Because Ryan, that little girl, is dead.

Days after her 18th birthday, her body was found lying face down in a small stream in a remote Dutch nature park. Gagged and with her hands tied behind her back, in total 18 metres of tape had been used to bind her body.

Prosecutors said there appeared to be evidence that she had been 'suffocated or strangled' but that the cause of death in May 2024 was drowning. In other words, she had been thrown into the water while still alive.

Yesterday, Ryan's brothers Muhanad, now 25, Mohamed, 23, and her father Khaled were all found guilty of murdering her in a so-called honour killing. The brothers were sentenced to 20 years in prison, their father to 30.

Delivering the verdicts to a packed courtroom in Lelystad, Judge Miranda Loots said: 'It is the task of a parent to support their child and allow them to flourish. Khaled did the opposite.'

Ryan's 'crime'? She had become too westernised. As a teenager, she stopped covering her hair and began hanging out with girls and boys from different backgrounds and using social media.

Pictures seen by the Daily Mail show her dressed in jeans, trainers, and a hoodie. Happy and smiling, in one shot, she makes a peace sign to the camera.

While the authorities had been involved in trying to protect Ryan in the years before her death, she never quite escaped the grasp of her highly conservative family. But, having turned 18, she made it clear she wanted nothing more to do with them. And so they decided to kill her.

As the Dutch public prosecutor observed, to them she was just a 'burden' that needed to be eliminated  a 'pig' that had to be 'slaughtered'.

'A snake would be a better daughter,' her father raged in a string of messages sent on a family WhatsApp group.

Another relative wrote: 'May God let her be killed by a train, I spit on her. She's tarnished our reputation.' A third message sent from her mother's phone read: 'She is a slut and should be killed.'

And so it was that Ryan was abducted, bound and brutalised, and her body dumped in a watery grave.

Khaled, the violent, controlling patriarch of the family, turned out to be a coward, too.

After killing his daughter, the 53-year-old travelled to Turkey and then, irony of ironies, scuttled back to Syria  the country he had previously fled from and where he remains on the run. He was tried and sentenced in his absence.

Although Khaled subsequently claimed in emails sent to a Dutch newspaper to be the only person responsible for Ryan's death, investigators established that his two eldest sons were also present.

Whether or not Khaled will ever face justice depends on whether he can be extradited from Syria. The Dutch authorities say that the absence of an extradition treaty and lack of established diplomatic ties mean this cannot yet happen.

However, Syria's Ministry of Justice disputes this, saying that the government has never received a request from the Netherlands regarding this case.

The Daily Mail has established that Khaled is now living in the north-west of Syria, where he has begun a new life. He has had contact with relatives there, showing little remorse.

'He is married and has started a family,' one of Ryan's sisters, Iman, 27, told the Daily Mail. 'Is this the justice the Netherlands is talking about? We demand that the Dutch authorities and all parties involved arrest him, because he is a murderer.'

She added: 'My father was difficult to live with because he wanted everything to be as he said, even if it was wrong.

Front row (left) is Ryan when she was aged 10, front row (right) is Mohamad (one of the accused) when he was aged 15. Back row (right) is the father, Khaled

'Tension and fear hung over the house because of him. He was very unfair and temperamental towards my siblings, and he hit and threatened me. Once, my father hit Ryan, after which she went to school and never came home. She was taken into the care of a child protection organisation.

'Since then, there has been constant tension and sadness in the house because a family member is no longer there  the family is no longer whole, and that is very sad.'

What is equally sad is that the problem of 'honour-based' violence is far from rare in Holland  each year, police see up to 3,000 offences in which it is involved. Of these, somewhere between seven and 17 incidents end with fatalities, be that murder, manslaughter, or suicide. In the case of Ryan, the first sign that something was wrong came in 2021 when the authorities discovered the 15-year-old was carrying a knife with her on the way to school, and was threatening to kill herself, so unhappy was she with her home life.

Two years later, in February 2023, matters came to a head when she appeared, barefoot, at a neighbour's house, telling them: 'You have to help me, you have to help me. My father wants to kill me.' According to the neighbour, the girl said she had been locked up by her father because she was seeing a boy.

She said: 'And her father didn't approve. She fled through the window. She probably saw the lights on at our house.'

From 2021 to her 18th birthday in May 2024, the teenager was in and out of various care homes and had also been placed under strict government-backed security.

But for reasons which the Dutch authorities have refused to explain, Ryan left the scheme around the time of her death.

'She stayed in open institutions and then would often return to her family,' a spokesperson for the Netherlands Control Centre for Protection and Safety told the Daily Mail, adding that this presented staff with a 'dilemma'.

'We did everything we could to protect Ryan, and we tried to avert danger by collaborating with adult services so she would be protected after she turned 18.'

That birthday was clearly a significant turning point. A photo shows her celebrating on social media, complete with balloons.

Around the same time, she did a live video on TikTok, without a headscarf and wearing make-up. In it, she shared her name and the names of her family members and urged authorities to 'remove the children' from her parents' care.

A subsequent message to a younger brother read: 'I am never coming back. It's over, my way of thinking and yours clash, it's very difficult to understand each other.'

Enraged, her father fired off messages to the family WhatsApp group saying that they now had 'no choice'. In one, he said that 'under sharia law' he was permitted to kill his daughter, and asked family members for suggestions.

A 'suicide pill from Turkey' was one of the proposals, along with poison or encouraging her to commit suicide. Determined to act, Khaled instructed his two sons to find Ryan and then 'throw her in a lake and let the fish eat her'.

The brothers drove to Rotterdam, where Ryan was staying with a male friend. Fearing for her life, she grabbed a knife and locked herself in a bedroom.

But they persuaded her to come out and return home to 'apologise' to her father. It was a decision that cost her her life.

Investigators traced the route the car took from Rotterdam to an isolated nature park near Lelystad using roadside cameras and mobile phone data.

They also traced Khaled's movements  first to a hardware store and then leaving his house at 11.31pm on May 27, 2024.

Less than an hour later, he met his sons as they waited in a lay-by with Ryan.

The brothers' version of events was that Khaled walked off into the reserve with Ryan 'to talk'. They claimed that minutes later, he reappeared alone, saying their sister had 'run away' after he hit her, and there was nothing they could do but go home.

However, data recovered from the brothers' mobile phones showed that while at the scene, one had 'descended' six metres, the exact fall from the road to the path that led into the woods. It also recorded how his 220-step count was exactly the same as Ryan's  but whereas her phone only recorded a one-way trip, his showed a return of the same distance.

In court, when asked why they hadn't phoned Ryan or gone into the woods to look for her, the brothers claimed she had blocked their numbers. They added they were also in fear of their father and so left when he told them to, arriving home just after 2am.

A park ranger discovered Ryan's lifeless body the following morning and raised the alarm.

Khaled instructed his sons to delete any incriminating messages before leaving the country. He flew from Bremen in Germany to Turkey and then on to Syria. In the police investigation, wiretap interceptions incriminated the brothers, while Khaled incriminated himself.

'I got stressed from hearing stories about her, I strangled her and threw her into the river,' he said in a message sent to his wife.

Another message from him to the family group chat, sent a week after Ryan's body was discovered, was also read in court.

In it he wrote: 'What happened? I just read in the media you two were arrested. I killed her in a fit of rage. I threw her into the river. I thought it would blow over.'

Courtroom sketch of suspects Mohammed (right) and Muhanad during the substantive hearing in court. The two brothers and their father, Khaled, are suspected of murdering their sister and daughter, Ryan

Callously, he added: 'My big mistake was not digging a hole for her but I just couldn't. I went to Turkey to get my teeth cleaned but I will be back, the courts in Holland are fair.'

Two Dutch newspapers were also able to contact Khaled in Syria via email, prompting him to 'confess' to the killing while claiming his sons were innocent.

In the message to the Leeuwarder Courant, written in Arabic, he said: 'I am the one who killed her, and no one helped me.'

In a later email, he claimed he had 'no choice but to kill her', adding it was due to her behaviour as it was 'not in line with my customs, traditions and religion'.

Prosecutors concluded that Ryan was killed by Khaled or by him with the brothers. In his summing up, Bart Niks said: 'What is important is that all three men were there together. Without them, she would never have been on that dark path. They planned it and agreed to it. It was the father who took the initiative, but the brothers also deserve heavy sentences.'

Earlier, Mr Niks had told the court: 'There is no place for this form of violence in the Netherlands... Ryan came to the Netherlands for safety, but she was never safe. She had death threats and abuse from her father, mother, and brothers.

'Once she went to the authorities, as far as they were concerned, the family honour was gone, and so she was murdered by her own father and brothers. She was reduced to an animal... A young woman at the beginning of her life was gone.'

In court, overseen by a panel of three judges, lawyers for the two brothers argued there was no forensic evidence linking them to their sister's murder. Khaled's lawyer, Ersen Albayrak, said his client admitted his part in the killing but said it was 'on impulse and not planned and so not murder but manslaughter'.

Speaking to the Daily Mail last week, Johan Muhren, Muhanad's lawyer, appealed for Khaled to return to Holland to face justice. 'Testifying would be the most honourable thing for him to do,' he said.

Khaled is believed to have returned to the area around the Syrian city of Idlib, not far from Taftanaz, where the family lived until 2012 when war broke out. They first fled to Turkey before paying people-smugglers 3,250 to transport their son to Holland in about 2015.

While Khaled's Syrian relatives declined to talk to the Daily Mail, one of Ryan's uncles previously told Dutch TV: 'She [Ryan] was normal, she read the Koran . . . But in the Netherlands, she became different. The schools there are mixed. She saw women without headscarves, she saw women smoking. So she was also going to behave like that, and it happened. But surely that can't lead to her death?'

Sadly, the world now knows the answer to that question. And while Khaled may have escaped justice for now, he will never be free of the crime he committed  the most dishonourable, despicable death of his beautiful, innocent daughter.
A council worker who won compensation after tripping over a puppy gate in her sunroom has seen her bombshell victory overturned, in a landmark ruling on employers' liability for staff working from home.

Lauren Vercoe, an operations programmer for the City of Charles Sturt in western Adelaide, was working from home in 2022 when she got up to make a coffee and broke her arm after tripping over a 60cm barrier she had set up to keep her rabbit away from a colleague's puppy she was caring for.

Her initial claim against the Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme was rejected in October of the same year.

But in October 2023, Auxiliary Deputy President Jodie Carrel of the South Australian Employment Tribunal found the injury worthy of compensation because Ms Vercoe's home was her authorised workplace, thus making the pet fence a 'workplace hazard'.

Ms Carrel determined the fall occurred during an authorised paid break, something the council worker 'would have done had she been working in the office'.

She said the fact the council did not know about the fence was irrelevant, noting the scheme does not exclude hazards that were not installed or approved by an employer.

The council, supported by ReturnToWorkSA, appealed that decision, arguing Ms Carrel wrongly deemed the injury as work-related without assessing whether employment was a 'significant contributing cause'.

In a majority decision, the tribunal has upheld the appeal, ruling that working from home was not in itself enough to make the injury workrelated.

Council worker Lauren Vercoe (pictured) broke her arm while working from home after tripping over a puppy gate while working from home

City of Charles Sturt operations programmer Lauren Vercoe was working remotely in 2022 when she stood up to make a coffee and broke her arm (the council building is pictured)

In a majority ruling, President Justice Steven Dolphin and Deputy President Judge Calligeros agreed, finding Ms Carrel had conflated the two legal tests.

Mr Calligeros said while the fence formed part of Ms Vercoe's workplace 'on the day in question', it undeniably had a private purpose, protecting her rabbit from the puppy, and said 'there was no workrelated element involved in that'.

He also said Ms Carrel placed too much weight on the break being authorised, without assessing whether employment significantly contributed to the injury.

The case has now been sent back to Ms Carrel for re-determination.

In a dissenting judgment, Deputy President Miles Crawley would have upheld the original decision, arguing temporary hazards remain workplace features even if they serve a private purpose.

He said employers still retain a duty to ensure the workplace, including a home office, is free of dangers.

The case comes amid a series of contentious rulings linked to the rise of remote work, including one where a worker won compensation after being attacked by a dog in their backyard while working from home.

In the largely uncharted space of work-from-home accidents, the decision could set a precedent excluding private hazards in remote workers' homes from employers liability.

Ms Vercoe's husband (pictured) rang an ambulance and she was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital where she was treated for a fractured arm, a suspected dislocated shoulder and a painful right knee before being discharged later that day

Judges found the fence's private purpose shattered any link between the mishap and her job, setting a precedent that could redefine remote work injury claims nationwide.

A federal review of Comcare, delivered last week, recommended issuing clearer guidelines on workrelated versus nonworkrelated activities during WFH breaks.

However, it rejected calls from employers to exclude domestic tasks such as chores or school pickups from coverage, and dismissed claims that employers lack control over homebased work environments.

Despite a significant increase in the volume of people working from home since the Covid lockdowns, there remains 'very limited' guidance material to assist employers to ensure home offices are safe.

Melino Law principal Tahlia Melino, who ran the appeal for the Local Government Association SA, said the decision was the first appeal ruling on WFH liability.

'The original decision caused a lot of concern for employers that it would open the floodgates on work injury claims as well as for workers concerned it would lead them being driven back into the workplace,' she told the AFR.

'This decision confirms it's just not enough to be at home on an authorised break to have a compensable injury.'
Stephen Miller stunned US allies and rattled NATO on Monday night after flatly declaring that Greenland 'should be part of the United States' - and insisting that no country would dare fight Washington over the Arctic territory's future.

In a combative appearance on CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper, the White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser brushed aside repeated questions about whether the United States might use military force to seize Greenland, currently governed by Denmark.

'Nobody's gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland,' Miller said on air, brushing aside repeated attempts to get him to explicitly rule out military action.

Pressed directly on whether military intervention was off the table, Miller did not deny the possibility. Instead, he challenged Denmark's sovereignty over the island.

'What is the basis of their territorial claim?' Miller asked.

'What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark? The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, and so that's a conversation that we're going to have as a country.'

The extraordinary comments came after President Donald Trump again refused to rule out taking Greenland by force, deepening fears among European allies that the administration is prepared to redraw borders inside NATO in the name of US 'national security'.

Miller insisted that the idea of Greenland joining the United States is not a sudden escalation, despite the renewed attention surrounding it.

Stephen Miller, right, flatly declared that Greenland 'should be part of the United States' - and insisted that no country would dare fight Washington over the Arctic territory's future

On Sunday, Trump reiterated his long-held belief that Greenland is vital to US national security

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Greenland has had the legal right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009 but has not done so, largely because it relies on Danish financial support and public services

'The president has been clear for months now,' Miller told Tapper.

'It has been the formal position of the US government since the beginning of this administration - frankly, going back into the previous Trump administration - that Greenland should be part of the United States.'

When Tapper noted that the issue had suddenly become urgent following a provocative social media post by Miller's wife, Katie Miller, the senior White House aide bristled.

'I know you're treating this as breaking news,' Miller said, 'but the president has been very clear about that.'

Asked again whether the United States would rule out using force against another NATO country to achieve that goal, Miller deflected.

'There's no need to even think or talk about this in the context that you're asking of a military operation,' he said.

The controversy erupted over the weekend after Katie Miller, a former Trump White House official and conservative media figure, posted an image of Greenland draped in an American flag with a single word beneath it: 'SOON.'

The post went viral and landed just after the US carried out a dramatic operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of that country's president, raising alarm among allies about Washington's willingness to redraw borders by force.

Join the debate What would it mean for global trust if the US tried to redraw international borders for its own interests?

Katie Miller, the wife of President Donald Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff, Steven Miller, posted a map of Greenland covered by the American flag to X just hours after the US struck Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolas Maduro

Miller's post immediately drew outrage among Danes who stood up to seemingly protect their home (Pictured: Katie and Stephen Miller in December)

In nationally televised remarks, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (right) reminded viewers that Greenland has repeatedly rejected becoming part of the United States. She stands with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen (left)

Trump then fueled the backlash by reiterating his long-held belief that Greenland is vital to US national security.

Denmark's response was swift and unusually blunt.

In nationally televised remarks, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reminded viewers that Greenland has repeatedly rejected becoming part of the United States.

'I have already made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands and that Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States,' Frederiksen said.

She also issued a stark warning about the consequences of US aggression.

'If the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War,' Frederiksen said.

The prime minister later expanded on that message in her New Year's address, condemning what she described as escalating threats from Denmark's closest ally.

'Wanting to take over another country, other people, as if it were something you could buy and own - it doesn't belong anywhere,' Frederiksen said, according to the Danish newspaper Berlingske.

She added that Denmark is rapidly increasing military spending and Arctic defenses.

'We are in full swing strengthening Danish defense and preparedness,' she said. 'Never before have we increased our military strength so significantly. So quickly.'

Denmark's ambassador to the United States, Jesper Mller Srensen, publicly rebuked the rhetoric after Katie Miller's post, reminding Washington of long-standing defense ties.

'Just a friendly reminder about the U.S. and the Kingdom of Denmark,' Srensen wrote on X. 'We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. U.S. security is also Greenland's and Denmark's security.

US Army Green Berets are seen during Arctic Edge 24 in Greenland. The territory is known for its untapped mineral wealth and NATO alliance

Donald Trump Jr. visited the territory last January, prior to the start of his father's second term

US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland last March, specifically the US military's Pituffik Space Base

'And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,' he added.

Despite repeated claims from Trump and his allies that the island is essential to US security, polling shows Greenlanders themselves overwhelmingly oppose becoming American.

According to a January 2025 survey by Verian, 85 per cent of Greenlands roughly 57,000 residents said they do not want to join the United States.

Only six per cent supported the idea, while nine per cent were undecided.

Greenland has had the legal right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009 but has not done so, largely because it relies on Danish financial support and public services.
Donald Trump said the US must 'nurse' Venezuela back to health with the help of oil companies and taxpayers might have to help foot the bill.

Trump said it will cost 'a lot of money' to rebuild the South American country's energy infrastructure but thinks the US can do it ahead of that 18 month timeline.

However, he added that the American taxpayers may be on the hook for it, as the oil companies may receive assistance to do so.

'I think we can do it in less time than that, but it'll be a lot of money,' he told NBC News.

'A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then they'll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.'

When asked if Trump's 'America First' base would stand for nation-building overseas, the president backed himself to maintain the support of his voters.

'MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what I'm doing. MAGA loves everything I do. MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do, and I love everything I do, too,' he said.

Trump also told NBC News that the project could take the next 18 months before Venezuelans elect a new president.

'We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote,' Trump said.

Donald Trump said that the US must 'nurse' Venezuela back to health for the foreseeable future and may offer taxpayer-funded subsidies to oil companies to help rebuild.

The president said that they may need 18 months to rebuild Venezuela after the capture of Nicolas Maduro

'No, it's going to take a period of time. We have  we have to nurse the country back to health.'

The president shouted out Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Stephen Miller as people responsible for overseeing the process.

However, ultimately he said 'me' when asked who was responsible.

The president promised that America's problem is with the people he refers to as narcoterrorists and that the US is not at war with Venezuela.

He also insisted the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela.

'No, we're not. We're at war with people that sell drugs. We're at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country,' he said.

Trump said that Marco Rubio 'speaks fluently in Spanish' to interim President Delcy Rodriguez but would not say whether he'd spoken to her yet.

Trump hasn't minced words about the larger message he's trying to send the world with the raid to capture Maduro and spirit the deposed Venezuelan leader and his wife to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges.

Join the debate Should American taxpayers fund the costly rebuilding of Venezuela to secure US interests?

Trump said that Marco Rubio 'speaks fluently in Spanish' to interim President Delcy Rodriguez but would not say whether he'd spoken to her yet

The preliminary hearing for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro devolved into chaos as the deposed leader's fury boiled over, sparking a shouting match with a man who claimed he had been jailed by Maduro's regime and warned he would 'pay'

'American dominance in the Western Hemisphere,' Trump declared following Maduro's capture, 'will never be questioned again.'

In the days since the audacious raid, Trump and his team have doubled down on the notion that the new focus on American preeminence in the hemisphere is here to stay.

He also held up Maduro's capture to make the case to neighbors to get in line or potentially face consequences.

In the aftermath of the operation, Trump's tough talk has been been directed at titular allies in Greenland - where he renewed calls for the US to take over the Danish territory for national security reasons - and Mexico. Trump says America's southern neighbor needs to 'get their act together' fighting drug cartels.

Maduro was hauled before a federal court in Manhattan on Monday, where scenes outside descended into chaos as protesters clashed and police were forced to intervene.

The deposed President of Venezuela got into a shouting match with a man who claimed he had been jailed by Maduro's regime.

Maduro screamed back at Pedro Rojas, who was in the public gallery, that he was a 'prisoner of war' after Rojas warned him he would 'pay' for his crimes.

The extraordinary exchange happened at the end of the 30-minute hearing at the federal court in Manhattan where a judge told Maduro to stop talking midway through a rant about how he had been 'kidnapped' by US forces.

Maduro arriving at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport Monday morning, as he headed towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance

It was a humbling moment for a man who three days earlier was a head of state.

Maduro, 63, walked into courtroom 26A wearing a blue T-shirt with an orange T-shirt underneath and tan issue prison pants.

His hands were cuffed behind him, and they were released as he walked into the court through a side door: his legs were shackled.

His wife Cilia Flores, 69, was wearing similar clothes and was also shackled, sitting on the same bench with a pained expression on her face.

Behind both in the packed courtroom sat two US Marshals.

As he walked in through a side door Maduro nodded to multiple people in the audience and said in English: 'Happy New Year.'

The White House signaled on Sunday that it was not seeking full regime change, but rather Maduro's removal and the installation of a compliant new government - even one staffed by many of his former allies.

Anointed by mentor Hugo Chavez before his death in 2013, Maduro maintained an iron grip on power until his dramatic capture by US forces on Saturday.

He ruled alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, and three other dominant figures: Delcy Rodriguez, now Venezuela's interim leader; her brother Jorge Rodriguez; and their longtime rival, hardline Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

'It's like a club of five,' a diplomatic source in Caracas told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Washington's stance has left Venezuela's opposition - which the Trump administration says was cheated out of victory by Maduro - sidelined and furious.

Meanwhile, countries with deep ties to Maduro's government, including China, Russia and Iran, swiftly condemned the operation, while some US allies, among them the European Union, voiced alarm.
Fans of the beloved Arnott's Cheds have been horrified to discover that the Australian company has changed the recipe.

Cheds are crispy crackers 'baked with real cheddar and sprinkled with real Italian Pecorino cheese', the website states.

However, the brand confirmed on Monday that it has switched the cheese used in the crackers from Pecorino to Parmesan.

'From time to time, we need to make updates to our manufacturing processes to ensure we can continue to meet supply for consumers,' an Arnott's spokesperson told Daily Mail.

'As part of this, a change has been made to one of the cheeses used in Arnott's Cheds.

'This change does not impact the taste, texture, quality or overall eating experience, and consumers can continue to enjoy the same cheesy flavour they know and love.'

Arnott's Customer Care Team also confirmed the recipe change in an email later shared on social media by Melbourne's 3AW presenter Jacqui Felgate.

'We are now using Parmesan cheese instead of Pecorino cheese,' they said.

Arnott's has changed their recipe for Cheds crackers, using parmesan instead of pecorino

The move was confirmed in an email to a customer, which was shared by Melbourne radio personality Jacqui Felgate on her Instagram

The packaging has also been changed to just say 'made with real cheese', not pecorino

The new packaging says Cheds are 'made with real cheese' rather than the original subtitle 'with real Pecorino cheese'.

Fans have criticised the change, sparking comments like 'no' and 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', on Felgate's post.

Shane Warne's daughter, Brooke, commented: 'I KNEW THEY TASTED DIFFERENT'.

ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast host Sharnelle Vella added: 'Oh. My. Days. Why?? Cheds are the constant in my life I do not want changed - ever.'

A third commenter wrote: 'Why does everyone have to mess with everything that doesn't need messing with?'

Some Aussie took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the crackers.

'Cheds are the best! Beautiful memories of my Nan and Pop sharing a long-neck Melbourne Bitter (in a seven ounce glass - because my Nan was classy) and some Cheds every night,' one person wrote.

Another said: 'Our office is literally fueled by Cheds.

'This is not the start to 2026 I was hoping for.'
An Adelaide pensioner has been fined over $120,000 after he ignored court orders to dismantle an illegal cheese-making setup in his backyard.

John Kitsis was found guilty of contempt of court in February after he 'wilfully disobeyed' orders from the Environment, Resources and Development Court to remove dairy manufacturing equipment from his West Croydon home.

In a ruling published in December, it was revealed the pensioner was first ordered to remove the equipment in March 2020, but only complied in June 2025 - several months after his conviction.

'This contempt is at the higher end of seriousness,' Judge Michael Durrant said. 'The orders were made in 2020 and required compliance within 30 days.'

It's believed the City of Charles Sturt Council was first alerted to the cheese-making equipment in April 2018, after a neighbour allegedly complained.

Kitsis, along with his son Paul - who ran for mayor of Charles Sturt that year - told council officers they had approval to operate a cheese business but hadn't started trading.

But during an inspection in September 2018, council staff noted that a garage and rumpus room located at the rear of the property had been converted into a 'self-contained unit with built-in cooking appliances and laundry facilities'.

While it has not been confirmed what cheese the father and son were making, some reports suggest it was halloumi.

The case was heard at the the Environment, Resources and Development Court in Adelaide

Kitsis had converted the garage and a rumpus room into a place he could make the cheese (stock image)

The court heard Kitsis had 'continually ignored' council orders and even landed himself in jail after failing to appear in court.

'His non-compliance was wilful,' Judge Michael Durrant said.

'As for any benefit he had received from his contempt, Mr Kitsis told me while he had operated a cheese-making business from the premises, it had never got up and running. He said the business was unsuccessful and achieved no sales.'

Judge Durrant said he gave little weight to Kitsis' 'last minute' apology but given he had limited income and was elderly, he declined to impose any penalty beyond the time already served in custody.

However, many Aussies jumped to Kitsis' defence, calling the court's pursuit as a 'waste of time and money' and an example of government overreach.

'Good to know the justice system works for really grievous crimes that affect our community. We can all feel safe and protected now,' one person wrote on Reddit.

'The man is on a pension. Could have fined him $20million, he'll pay $15 a week,' another person commented.

However, others said they agreed with the court's decision.

While its not known what cheese Kitsis was making, some reports suggest it was halloumi

'There was likely some waste or public health requirement that wasn't being complied with,' one person shared.

'Not disposing of waste or runoff properly, or excessive odour, or attracting vermin does affect the community and he would have had lots of opportunity to rectify this but chose not to.'

Others couldn't resist the opportunity to share a cheese pun, with one joking about the 'wheelie big fine' Kitsis now faces.

'Let the man go, brie of charge,' one person joked, while another replied, 'Ignoring the court, that's not gouda.'

'Surely there must have been [a] feta way to punish him.'
Venezuela descended into chaos on Monday night as heavy gunfire rang off near the presidential palace in Caracas after Nicolas Maduro was ousted as president.

Extraordinary images emerged on social media that showed people fleeing the gunfire as the explosives could be heard in Venezuela's capital.

Locals said 'anti-aircraft' blasts were heard from the general vicinity of the presidential palace after days of unrest in the streets since Maduro was whisked to America to face drug trafficking charges.

The night sky was lit up by what appeared to be drones and anti-aircraft fire from about 8.15pm local time, residents reported.

Witnesses said armored vehicles arrived at Miraflores presidential palace shortly after the gunfire, as troops were deployed to surrounding areas to respond to the volatile situation.

A White House official told CNN the administration is aware of reports of gunfire, but assured 'the US is not involved'.

The network also reported that the gunfire was the result among 'confusion' between paramilitary groups operating near the palace.

Locals said 'anti-aircraft' blasts were heard from the general vicinity of the presidential palace after days of chaos in the streets since Maduro and his wife were captured from their home and whisked to America to face drug trafficking charges

Extraordinary scenes emerged on social media on Monday night appearing to show a hail of bullets descending on Venezuela's capital

Cilia Flores arrived at the Wall Street Heliport in New York Monday with visible bruising to her forehead and cheek. She and her husband both pled not guilty to narco-terrorism charges

President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to help rebuild Venezuela's neglected infrastructure, sensationally revealing it could be 18 months before citizens are able to elect a new leader.

He also said then the US would be responsible for 'nursing' the nation back to health in the interim.

'We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote,' Trump said.

'No, it's going to take a period of time. We have  we have to nurse the country back to health.'

It comes after Maduro declared himself 'the president of my country' as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty to federal charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power in Venezuela.

'I was captured,' Maduro said in Spanish as translated by a courtroom interpreter before being cut off by the judge.

Asked later for his plea to the charges, he stated: 'I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.'

The preliminary hearing for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro devolved into chaos as the deposed leader's fury boiled over, sparking a shouting match with a man who claimed he had been jailed by Maduro's regime and warned he would 'pay'

Armed supporters of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gather near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas after his ouster

Maduro's court appearance in Manhattan, his first since he and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized from their Caracas home Saturday in a stunning middle-of-the-night military operation, kicked off the U.S. government's most consequential prosecution in decades of a foreign head of state. She also pleaded not guilty.

The court set a next date of March 17, and no application for bail was made.

Explosions tore across Caracas during the daring raid on early Saturday morning, as Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab claimed that 'innocents' had been 'mortally wounded' by the US operation.

With details still emerging on Monday, Havana said 32 Cubans were killed in the attack, while Trump suggested Cuba itself was close to collapse following Nicolas Maduro's capture.

'I don't think we need any action. It looks like it's going down,' Trump said.

The White House signaled it was not seeking full regime change, but rather Maduro's removal and the installation of a compliant new government - even one staffed by many of his former allies.

Anointed by mentor Hugo Chavez before his death in 2013, Maduro maintained an iron grip on power until his dramatic capture.

Maduro's vice president and ally Delcy Rodriguez has stepped in as interim President.

She's part of a band of senior officials in Maduro's administration that now appears to control Venezuela, even as Trump and other officials say they will pressure the government to fall in line with its vision for the oil-rich nation.

Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in communication with Rodriguez and that the Venezuelan leader was 'gracious' and would work with the American government. Rubio said Rodriguez was someone the administration could work with, unlike Maduro.

But in a televised address, Rodriguez gave no indication that she would cooperate with Trump, referring to his government as 'extremists' and maintaining that Maduro was Venezuela's rightful leader.

'What is being done to Venezuela is an atrocity that violates international law,' Rodriguez said, surrounded by high-ranking civilian officials and military leaders.

Trump warned if Rodriguez didn't fall in line, 'she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.' He added that he wanted her to provide 'total access,' from oil facilities to basic infrastructure like roads, so they can be rebuilt.

Maduro's vice president and ally Delcy Rodriguez has stepped in as interim President

A member of the Colombian Army stands guard on the Simon Bolivar International Bridge connected to Venezuela

Venezuela's constitution requires an election within 30 days whenever the president becomes 'permanently unavailable' to serve. Reasons listed include death, resignation, removal from office or 'abandonment' of duties as declared by the National Assembly.

That electoral timeline was rigorously followed when Maduro's predecessor, Chavez, died of cancer in 2013.

The loyalist Supreme Court, in its decision Saturday, cited another provision of the charter in declaring Maduro's absence a 'temporary' one.

In such a scenario, there is no election requirement. Instead, the vice president, an unelected position, takes over for up to 90 days  a period that can be extended to six months with a vote of the National Assembly.

In handing temporary power to Rodriguez, the Supreme Court made no mention of the 180-day time limit, leading some to speculate she could try to remain in power even longer as she seeks to unite the disparate factions of the ruling socialist party while shielding it from what would certainly be a stiff electoral challenge.
The headmaster of one of Australia's oldest and most elite private schools has launched a legal action against the Sydney institution in the Federal Court of Australia.

Tony George was issued with a termination of employment by The King's School, the prestigious boys-only institution at Parramatta in Sydney's west, following allegations he struck a student on the back of the head.

The alleged school hall slap was described as a 'clip to the ear' of the student during a heated Biblical studies discussion inside King's historic Futter Hall.

Mr George is now suing The King's School Council, seeking damages in a case lodged between Christmas and New Year which has initially succeeded in delaying Mr George's termination notice until at least January 19.

Orders filed in the Federal Court, which have set down a hearing for that date, have placed confidentiality rulings over exhibits and affidavits which identify the student, and a chronology of events filed by the school itself.

The alleged incident happened in mid-2024 during a discussion about religion and free speech attended by around 100 schoolboys.

When students resumed classes for Term Three in late July last year, the school sent a letter to parents confirming it was investigating the alleged incident.

It said Mr George had taken two weeks of leave, and that he had contracted the shingles virus.

Tony George, the headmaster of one of Australia's oldest and most elite private schools has taken out a lawsuit against it in the Federal Court of Australia

Mr George is suing the historic King's School after it issued him with a termination of employment notice following an incident in which he allegedly struck a student during a religious studies class

The alleged 'clip over the ear' took place in Futter Hall (above) in mid-2024 during a heated discussion

The King's School, built in 1831, has around 2,200 students paying up to $49,980 a year in fees, with total costs soaring past $88,000 a year for Year 12 boarders.

Mr George, who was the school's 20th headmaster, was both highly qualified and respected, although not without prior controversy.

According to King's parents, he had been blunt and cynical about 'victimhood' and 'wokeness' since taking on the top job in July 2017.

Last year Mr George drew attention for his response to negative media coverage of the attitude shown in Australia's elite private schools.

'Toxic masculinity has become a memetic cliche of progressive extremism,' he said.

'Unfortunately, genuine critical reflection and action has given way to movements of cancel culture.

'For example, "wokeness", initially a call for heightened awareness and sensitivity to social and racial injustices, has evolved into a broader social movement of complaint and victimhood.'

Mr George was also the centre of a financial controversy in 2022 after business class flights to London for him and his wife were covered by the school.

The King's School is one of Sydney's oldest private colleges with up to 2,200 students who pay starter fees of almost $30,000 a year at kindergarten

Headmaster Tony George (right) is suing The King's School Council seeking damages in a case which has initially succeeded in delaying his termination notice until at least January 19

The pair, alongside the school's deputy and his wife, flew to attend the world's most prestigious rowing event, the Henley Royal Regatta, where students competed.

The King's School receives substantial funding from the government on top of its million-dollar profits. In 2024 alone, the school reported a surplus of $4million.

In the wake of Mr George standing aside in July, parents were reassured in the school letter, seen by Daily Mail Australia, that 'the wellbeing of our students and the integrity of our learning environment are of paramount importance'.

Mr George later wrote to parents announcing he would extend his leave to 'ensure the investigation proceeds without any perception of interference or a divergence from our standard practices'.

'I support the integrity of the school's processes and welcome the opportunity for a full and fair assessment of the facts,' he added.

The Federal Court documents say that mediation between Mr George and The King's School can begin this week, with leading Sydney barrister Max Kimber SC presiding.
Anthony Albanese has privately signalled that he is prepared to make a major U-turn on his opposition to a royal commission into rising antisemitism which culminated in the Bondi Beach massacre.

The Prime Minister continues to argue internally that tightening hate-speech laws is the most top priority after Bondi.

But colleagues have revealed that he has accepted calls for a royal commission are intensifying rather than fading - and that, politically, holding the line may no longer be sustainable.

Sources familiar with the discussions told news.com.au that Albanese has privately acknowledged the likelihood of shifting his position, although a final decision has yet to be locked in.

'If you asked me two weeks ago, I would have said there's a 5 per cent chance of a royal commission. My honest assessment right now, I would put it at 90 per cent,' a Labor source claimed.

'They are shifting. We are shifting. We have to. And it will be a matter of time, but we will shift.

'Imagine if something else happens, and what are we then? We're the guys that have said no to the Royal Commission. He understands that.

'We can't be on the other side of the victims. And he doesn't want to be on the other side of the victims.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has privately signalled he is prepared to shift his opposition to a royal commission into antisemitism

Albanese was asked about the claims on Tuesday afternoon but stopped short of saying whether he was reversing his earlier opposition to a royal commission.

'I continue to be engaged with leaders in the Jewish community. I'm talking and meeting on a daily basis with people to make sure that we do everything that is possible,' he said in Cloncurry, where he was meeting residents affected by the northern Queensland floods.

'What we need to do is to promote unity at this time, and that is my focus.'

Albanese has been accused of ignoring the pleas of Bondi victims' families after he declared there will not be a royal commission.

Instead, retired spy boss Dennis Richardson is due to lead a government review, which will examine the conduct of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies prior to the attack, with findings due by April.

The Prime Minister has previously argued the Richardson Review will provide swift answers and prevent the politicisation of a moment of national grief after 15 people were shot dead last month while celebrating Hannukah at Bondi Beach.

'My job as the leader, as the Prime Minister, is to bring the country together - not to divide, not to seek differentiation, but to seek common interest,' he said.

'We need to go to the heart of what occurred and, importantly, ensure this never happens again.'

Albanese has been accused of ignoring the pleas of Bondi victims' families after he declared there will not be a royal commission (pictured, mourners and flowers at Bondi Pavilion)

Experts also caution that royal commissions, while the highest form of inquiry, often take years and demand precise terms of reference and actionable recommendations.

However, there has been a growing wave of support for a commission, including an open letter signed by more than 20 former senior Labor figures.

The group, including ministers, MPs, senators, and party and union officials, said only a Commonwealth inquiry could unpack the 'broader ecosystem of terror and hate and the capacity of the agencies to monitor terrorist threats'.

'At stake is the health of our democracy and our national security,' the letter reads.

'Australians who are Jewish were the main target of this attack but all Australians are made less safe by the extremism that has inexorably escalated into lethal actions.'

The Coalition, victims' families and Jewish community leaders have also demanded one.

The federal government is expected to recall parliament ahead of Australia Day to strengthen hate speech laws and introduce measures aimed at tackling hatred.

A date for parliament's early return has been the topic of much discussion in Canberra corridors but, as of Tuesday morning, is yet to be confirmed.

The federal government is expected to recall the parliament early but Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said it should have returned before Christmas

Federal MPs and senators are currently slated to return to Parliament House on February 3.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said parliament should have been recalled before Christmas to respond to the terror attack.

'The prime minister does need to yield to the calls now,' she told Nine's Today program on Tuesday.

'Earlier on, he called for unity. He now has unity across this country. Every day, more and more decent Australians are stepping up.'

Alongside many Jewish leaders, a business collective and a clutch of sporting stars have also penned open letters calling for a royal commission.

Health Minister Mark Butler said while he respected those calls as 'sincere and heartfelt', he pointed to a planned NSW state royal commission to tackle many of those issues.

'These calls are something that we respect and, of course, listen to. But our work right now is on those urgent and immediate things,' he told ABC News Breakfast.

'We've got a lot of urgent and immediate work that has been focusing our energy over the last few weeks.'
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's daughter revealed what led him to decide not to seek re-election as she slammed Trump supporters for targeting the one-time vice presidential candidate.

Hope Walz appeared on John O'Sullivan's One Hour Detours podcast on Monday afternoon, just hours after her father shockingly announced he would not be seeking re-election.

'We were kind of talking about it over the holidays and that's the decision he came to, my family came to,' she recounted on the show as she described what she believes was the last straw for her father.

'I think with things rapidly changing within the last month or so, I think my dad kind of started questioning [his decision to run].

Hope said 'things started getting really intense' for her and her brother Gus.

'I think that's when he was really like 'OK, like, I need to evaluate what's best for the state and then I need to evaluate what's best for my family',' she added.

'And then, I think it was just kind of a natural conclusion.'

Hope previously shared in a video to TikTok early last month that her family - specifically her brother Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder - had been disparaged by 'offensive language' from the president's supporters.

Of particular concern, she said on Monday, was an email she received that said she deserved to die and that the sender was coming for her.

Along with the threats to his family, Hope said her father also sought to 'kind of get that target off of Minnesota,' as the state government faces increased scrutiny over scams involving welfare, including payments to daycares and COVID-era loans.

The majority of the defendants indicted so far come from the Somali community.

Hope Walz appeared on John O'Sullivan's One Hour Detours podcast on Monday afternoon, just hours after her father shockingly announced he would not be seeking re-election

She claimed that her father made the decision to drop out of the race after she received some threatening emails. Hope is pictured with her father, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August 2024

Hope previously shared in a video to TikTok early last month that her family - specifically her brother Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder - had been disparaged by 'offensive language' from the president's supporters. Walz and Gus are pictured at the DNC

'I think he believes if he's not in the race, there's nothing, they have nothing else,' Hope claimed.

The first daughter of Minnesota then argued that her father has taken the brunt of the blame 'because he has that national profile [and] Trump just hates him for some reason,' though she said, 'I think it's because he's everything Trump will never be.'

'I think he was popular during the campaign last fall and he's still in office and he's running again, and so it's just kind of an easy thing for them to pick up on,' Hope said of the widening scandal.

'And I think there's enough truth to the fraud claims... that they were able to twist and amplify it and what not because it is being dealt with,' she argued.

'They were just able to frame it in a way that benefitted them.'

The scandal erupted when independent journalist Nick Shirley conducted a series of visits to Minnesota daycares that serve the Somali community, attempting to interview the operators, and published his findings on X.

He said that one daycare in Hennepin County appeared to be closed when he visited, even though he claims it had received about $4 million in state childcare subsidies  a charge the center disputes and which has not been independently verified.

Still, the shocking film sparked an immediate federal response including by FBI Director Kash Patel and Department of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem, who then announced investigations into the loans.

Join the debate Is political blame for the Minnesota fraud scandal unfairly targeting specific communities or leaders?

Walz has been embroiled in scandal ever since independent journalist Nick Shirley exposed how daycares serving the Somali community were receiving loans but did not appear to be operational

Prosecutors now say at least 57 people connected with the Feeding Our Future program billed the federal government $250 million, claiming to buy meals for children during the COVID pandemic.

Instead, the defendants allegedly used the stolen money to buy Lamborghinis, Porsche SUVs, beachfront property in Kenya and private villas in the Maldives. The vast majority of those convicted in the case are Somali.

Investigators also found that around $9 billion in federal Medicaid funds supporting 14 Minnesota programs since 2018 may have been stolen, US Attorney Joe Thompson announced on December 18.

Eighty-two of the 92 defendants in the child nutrition, housing services and autism program scams are Somali, prosecutors say.

It was later revealed that Walz had connections with at least some of the refugees charged in the fraudulent scheme.

He was previously photographed with Abdul Dahir Ibrahim, who has now been taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

Ibrahim had previously been convicted in Canada of asylum and welfare fraud, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was pictured with Abdul Dahir Ibrahim, one of the Somali refugees charged in the massive scheme

White House officials then declared that Somali refugees in Minnesota had committed the 'biggest theft of taxpayer dollars in US history' and that local Democratic officials were 'fully complicit.'

US Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller also said authorities 'believe the state government is fully complicit in this scheme, and we believe that what we uncover is going to shock the American people.'

'We believe that we've only scratched the very top of the surface of how deep this goes,' Miller told Fox News' Sean Hannity.

Meanwhile, President Trump called Minnesota a 'hub of fraudulent laundering activity' as he ended the Temporary Protected Status for Somali refugees.

His Department of Homeland Security as now kicked off a deployment of about 2,000 federal agents into Minneapolis to crack down on fraud, despite Walz's claims that the state government was going after those who committed the fraud.

'This is on my watch. I am accountable for this. And more importantly, I am the one that will fix it,' he previously said.

Hope said on Monday that her father, the one-time vice presidential candidate, made the decision to not seek re-election, in part, to 'kind of get that target off of Minnesota'

Looking back at all the backlash, Hope hit out at those on the right who 'will say and do whatever they need to do to demonize communities.'

She also lashed out at Shirley for his damning video, claiming his fans are 'trying to make this man into Charlie Kirk or something.'

'And I think, you know, right-wing media ecosystems and people just really like that content and media, and they're not going to believe anybody except the least qualified people it seems,' Hope said, comparing the situation to those who refuse to vaccinate their children.

'And so he fit the bill there, I think.'

She then added that journalists 'can't just go and do this to people and communities,' defending the Somali population in Minnesota.

Her father made similar inflammatory remarks as he announced that he was stepping out of the race for a third term in office.

In his speech, Walz said he wanted to focus on 'defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity.'

He then also attacked Trump and Shirley.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to reporters after he announced that he would not seek reelection, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul

President Donald Trump celebrated the news that Walz would not seek another term

'We've got conspiracy theorist right-wing YouTubers breaking into daycare centers and demanding access to our children,' Walz said.

'We've got the President of the United States demonizing our Somali neighbors and wrongly confiscating childcare funding that Minnesotans rely on. It is disgusting. And it is dangerous.'

Trump, though, seemed to celebrate the news, claiming on his Truth Social platform that Walz was 'caught REDHANDED along with Ilhan Omar and others of his Somali friends, stealing Tens of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars.'

'I feel certain the facts will come out and they will reveal a seriously unscrupulous and rich group of 'SLIMEBALLS,'' the president continued.

'Governor Walz has destroyed the State of Minnesota, but others, like Governor Gavin Newscum, JB Pritzker and Kathy Hochul, have done, in my opinion, an even more dishonest and incompetent job,' he said, referring to the governors of California, Illinois and New York, respectively.

'NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!'

Walz is now expected to appear on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on Wednesday for a House Oversight hearing on the 'Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota.'

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, told Fox News' Sunday Briefing that he thinks 'it's very likely [Walz will appear].'

'We've asked not only Gov. Walz, but also Attorney General Ellison, both of whom were in Congress, who I served with in Congress, so they know the rules of Congress. They know how serious this is.

'This has gotten the attention of the national public so they will have to show up and defend themselves,' he added.
Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado promised to help Donald Trump rebuild her country as she attempted to 'share' her Nobel Peace Prize with the president.

Machado spoke to Fox News about a report that Trump's displeasure with her acceptance of the prize - which he has long coveted - has left her out in the cold following the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro.

'Let me be very clear, as soon as I learned that we had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I dedicated to Trump because I knew at that point, he deserved it,' she said.

Shortly after her win in October, Machado took to X, writing: 'I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!'

Machado affirmed to Sean Hannity that the capture of Maduro was another reason she believes 'he deserved it.'

Hannity asked if she had spoken to Trump since the military operation and his comments about her running the country and she admitted they hadn't spoken since her Nobel Prize victory.

The host then asked: 'Did you at any point offer to give him the Nobel Peace Prize? Did that actually happen?'

'Well, it hasn't happened yet, but I would certainly love to be able to personally tell him that we believe  the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people  certainly want to give it to him and share it with him.'

Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado (pictured) promised to help Donald Trump rebuild her country as she attempted to 'share' her Nobel Peace Prize with the president

Machado spoke to Fox News about a report that Trump's displeasure with her acceptance of the prize - which he has long coveted - has left her out in the cold following the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro

Despite the controversy, Machado promised that Trump has her support and allyship in helping rebuild Venezuela, stating her case for having a leadership role.

'We will turn Venezuela into the energy powerhouse of the Americas, we will bring rule of law, open markets, open it for investment,' she said.

She added that 'millions of Venezuelans that were forced to flee the country' will return to 'build a stronger nation, prosperous nation, open society and we will leave behind the socialist regime that was brought to our people.'

Machado also warned that while Trump's transition should move forward, interim President Delcy Rodriguez - who Trump said Monday was in touch with Marco Rubio - is more of the same from the Maduro regime.

'Rodriguez is the main ally with Russia, China, Iran. Certainly could not be trusted by international leaders,' she said.

Trump distanced himself from Machado after Maduro's capture, as White House insiders revealed his displeasure stems from her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize - an honor Trump has long coveted for himself.

'If she had turned it down and said, 'I can't accept it because it's Donald Trump's,' she'd be the president of Venezuela today,' a person familiar with Trump's thinking told the Washington Post. 'Her acceptance of the prize was an 'ultimate sin.'

On Saturday, Trump had largely dismissed Machado's prospects, saying 'it would be very tough for her to be the leader' and claiming she 'doesn't have the support or the respect within the country.' His comments caught Machado's team off guard, according to people close to her.

Join the debate Should foreign leaders share major prizes with controversial allies to rebuild their divided nations?

The Nobel Peace Prize committee said Machado won the award 'for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy'

People take part in a parade celebrating Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado receiving the Nobel Peace Prize

Machado's proxy candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won more than twothirds of the vote in last year's election, which Maduro refused to honor by stepping down.

US officials say Venezuela's vast oil wealth offers both an incentive for Rodriguez to engage with Trump and a source of leverage if she doesn't.

Operation 'Absolute Resolve,' which achieved Maduro's military removal, comes as Trump issues compounding threats to Cuba, Colombia and Iran, warning they 'should be very careful' following his military success in Caracas.

In Venezuela, the armed forces have recognized Rodriguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, as acting president.

People close to Machado say their team was caught off guard by Trump's comments, and she has even garnered support from Republicans.

Representative Carlos Gimenez said in an interview that Machado would win an election if it were held today.

Florida Republican Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar and Mario Diaz-Balart also held a press conference in Doral on January 3 to forcefully reaffirm their support for Machado.

Machado's proxy candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won more than twothirds of the vote in last year's election, which Maduro refused to honor by stepping down

Salazar, a longtime ally who frequently refers to Machado as Venezuela's 'Iron Lady,' has made note that any democratic transition must occur 'under the leadership of Maria Corina Machado.'

Diaz-Balart also shut down suggestions that she lacked respect by declaring that 'the next democratically elected President of Venezuela is going to be Maria Corina Machado.'

Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul suggested Trump threw Machado 'under the bus,' over the Nobel Peace Prize.

'Is he that petty? ... I was genuinely surprised and disappointed by his dismissive remarks about her,' McFaul said.

A former White House staffer is also calling the president's reasoning 'petty.'

'The reason it's not Machado, is Trump is petty! Machado took his Nobel Peace Prize,' former Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council Alexander Vindman wrote on X.

US officials argue that Venezuela's vast oil wealth cuts both ways for Rodriguezoffering a powerful reason to engage with Trump, and a potent source of pressure if she does not.
Eerie surveillance footage has emerged of a hooded figure walking along a snowy alley in the dead of night following the unsolved killing of an Ohio dentist and his wife inside their family home in Columbus.

Police identified the person in the vision as a 'person of interest' who is now at the center of the investigation into the brutal murder.

The chilling video places the unidentified individual just steps from the house of Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, during the narrow window when the couple was gunned down upstairs while their two young children slept.

The footage was released on Monday by the Columbus Police Department, who say the video was taken between 2am and 5am on December 30 in an alley next to the Tepe family's Weinland Park home.

Detectives believe the murders occurred during the same three-hour timespan.

'Detectives believe the murder of Mr and Mrs Tepe occurred sometime between 2am and 5am on the morning of December 30 in the upstairs of their residence,' police said in a statement.

'Recovered video footage shows a person of interest walking in the alley near the Tepe's residence during that timeframe.'

The brief but unsettling video shows a person dressed in light-colored pants and a dark hooded jacket, head down, hands in pockets, walking calmly through the snowy alley.

Eerie surveillance footage shows a hooded figure walking calmly through a snowy alley near the Tepe home during the time the couple were murdered

Spencer and Monique Tepe were shot to death upstairs while their two young children slept unharmed inside the family home

Police say the individual's presence during such critical hours now makes them a key focus of the investigation.

Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the person or has additional surveillance footage from the area to come forward.

An anonymous digital portal has been opened for tips, and detectives say they are actively following up on leads.

'We want to thank the community for the tips we have received,' the department said. 'We know there are questions and concerns surrounding this tragic incident. Detectives are working diligently to solve this case.'

The horrifying discovery came later in the morning of December 30 after Spencer failed to show up for work at his dental practice in Athens, Ohio, and did not respond to repeated calls from colleagues.

Concerned coworkers contacted police, who conducted an initial wellness check at the family's home but left after receiving no response at the door.

One hour later, coworkers and a friend returned to the residence themselves and immediately sensed something was wrong.

One friend called 911 just before 10am, telling the dispatcher that he 'thought he heard one of [the kids] yelling.'

Police say the chilling video places a 'person of interest' steps from the house where the Ohio couple was shot to death

Detectives say there were no signs of forced entry at the family's Columbus home, pictured

The couple was found after coworkers grew alarmed when Spencer failed to show up for work

Another reported seeing Spencer's body next to a bed inside the home.

When police entered the residence, they found both adults dead.

According to preliminary investigative reports, Spencer suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Monique was shot at least once in the chest. Three 9mm shell casings were recovered inside the home.

The couple's two children, a one-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl, were found unharmed, along with the family's goldendoodle dog.

Authorities say no firearm was recovered at the scene, and there were no signs of forced entry. Police have also ruled out a murder-suicide.

The Franklin County Coroner's Office confirmed that both deaths were caused by 'apparent homicide by gunshot wounds,' while cautioning that the investigation remains ongoing and additional reports are pending.

Police have not identified a motive and have declined to say whether the killer was known to the victims.

Spencer and Monique Tepe had been married for five years and were described by loved ones as devoted parents who had built a loving family together in Columbus.

Spencer, a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association, worked at Athens Dental Depot

The Tepes were remembered as devoted parents who built a life 'rooted in love'

Friends say the couple shared a deeply happy marriage built on laughter, travel and family life

Police are seen carrying out their investigations following the couple's killing

'Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique,' the family said in a statement.

'They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.'

Monique's brother, Rob Misleh, said the couple shared a 'beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship.'

'They loved to travel, to laugh, and to build a life rooted in love,' he said.

'They were proud parents of two beautiful children and their beloved Goldendoodle, and they created a home filled with warmth, happiness, and connection. We are heartbroken beyond words.'

Spencer, a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association, worked at Athens Dental Depot. He was said to have been a devoted father and a loyal Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals fan.

Monique, who also attended Ohio State University and had a background in education, was remembered as a 'loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her.'

Meanwhile, the Tepe children have been placed in the care of relatives, and a GoFundMe established to support them has raised more than $155,000.
The capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could be just the first step in an ambitious campaign as a new document lays out Trump's playbook to reshape the world order.

The National Security Strategy - published last month - spells out a large-scale plan to use America's military dominance to exert control over the Western Hemisphere and beyond.

The policy states: 'We will assert and enforce a "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine.

'The goal of this strategy is to tie together all of these world-leading assets, and others, to strengthen American power and preeminence and make our country even greater than it ever has been.'

Like the Monroe Doctrine, the so-called 'Donroe Doctrine' seeks favorable trade conditions by ensuring nearby nations are not ruled by adversaries. The doctrine is named after former president James Monroes declaration in 1823, which pushed for the Western Hemisphere to be established as a US sphere of influence.

But the early stages of Venezuela's transition appeared to be in flux on Monday.

As Maduro faced drug trafficking charges in a Manhattan court, violence broke out on the streets of Caracas as the Venezuelan government was in complete disarray.

Trump said he was ultimately in charge of the South American country and claimed that US oil companies would be responsible for rebuilding its energy sector.

President Donald Trump may cite the Monroe Doctrine to carry out further changes to the world order

The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a raid over the weekend. He is pictured being led by Drug Enforcement agents to federal court on Monday

A national security memo shared by the White House describes how it will 'assert and enforce a "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine'

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump even told US oil executives to 'get ready' one month before launching the operation to oust his adversary in the oil-rich nation.

Trump told NBC News on Monday how the oil industry would be integral in rebuilding Venezuela's infrastructure.

'A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then they'll get reimbursed by us or through revenue,' the President said.

Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has now promised to help Trump rebuild her country.

'We will turn Venezuela into the energy powerhouse of the Americas, we will bring rule of law, open markets, open it for investment,' she told Fox News' Sean Hannity.

She added that 'millions of Venezuelans that were forced to flee the country' will return to 'build a stronger nation, prosperous nation, open society and we will leave behind the socialist regime that was brought to our people.'

Locals said 'anti-aircraft' blasts were heard from the general vicinity of the presidential palace after days of chaos in the streets since Maduro and his wife were captured from their home and whisked to America to face drug trafficking charges

But Trump is already forging ahead with his plans to rebuild the Latin American country, saying Monday that the United States will have to 'nurse' Venezuela back to health with the help of oil companies and taxpayers might have to help foot the bill.

The President admitted it will cost 'a lot of money' to rebuild the South American country's energy infrastructure but believes the US can do it ahead of that 18-month timeline.

'I think we can do it in less time than that, but it'll be a lot of money,' he told NBC News, adding that American taxpayers may be on the hook for the efforts, as the oil companies may need assistance to rebuild the energy infrastructure.

He then went on to claim that the project could take 18 months before Venezuelans elect a new president.

'We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote,' Trump said.

'No, it's going to take a period of time. We have  we have to nurse the country back to health.'

At the same time, the United States might use military force to take control of Greenland - which Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller insisted no country would dare fight Washington for.

Stephen Miller, right, flatly declared that Greenland 'should be part of the United States' - and insisted that no country would dare fight Washington over the Arctic territory's future

Trump visited the territory last January, prior to the start of his second term

Greenland has had the legal right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009 but has not done so, largely because it relies on Danish financial support and public services

'Nobody's gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland,' Miller said on air, brushing aside repeated attempts to get him to explicitly rule out military action in a combative appearance on CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper Monday night.

He instead refused to deny the possibility of military intervention as he challenged Denmark's sovereignty over the island.

'What is the basis of their territorial claim?' Miller asked. 'What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?

'The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, and so that's a conversation that we're going to have as a country,' Miller argued.

Meanwhile, Venezuela descended into chaos overnight as heavy gunfire rang off near the presidential palace in Caracas

Locals said 'anti-aircraft' blasts were heard from the general vicinity of the presidential palace after days of unrest in the streets since Maduro was whisked to America to face drug trafficking charges.

But a White House official told CNN the administration is aware of reports of gunfire, but assured 'the US is not involved.'

The network also reported that the gunfire was the result of 'confusion' between paramilitary groups operating near the palace.

Maduro was seen Monday walking into a federal courtroom wearing a blue T-shirt with an orange T-shirt underneath and tan issue prison pants as he pleaded not guilty to the drug charges against him

Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, are now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

He was seen Monday walking into a federal courtroom wearing a blue T-shirt with an orange T-shirt underneath and tan issue prison pants.

His hands were cuffed behind him, and they were released as he walked into the court through a side door: his legs were shackled.

Flores, 69, was wearing similar clothes and was also shackled, sitting on the same bench with a pained expression on her face.

Behind both in the packed courtroom sat two US Marshals.

As he walked in through a side door, Maduro nodded to multiple people in the audience and said in English: 'Happy New Year.'

One man in the public gallery gave the deposed president a thumbs-up back.

Maduro and Flores put on headphones and listened to the proceedings through a translator.

As the hearing continued, Maduro took notes on a yellow pad in front of him and appeared impassive.

He stood and put his fingers on the table next to him as Judge Alvin Hellerstein read out a summary of the indictment against him, detailing four counts of drug trafficking and other charges.

When he was then asked to identify himself, Maduro stood and told the court through the translator: 'I am Nicolas Maduro Moros. I am president of the Republic of Venezuela. I am here, kidnapped, since Saturday, January the 3rd.'

He later claimed he is 'innocent' of the charges against him, proclaiming: 'I am a decent man. I am still President of Venezuela.'

Flores then also identified herself as the 'First Lady of Venezuela' and said she was 'completely innocent'.

The court set the next date for March 17, and no application for bail was made.
An American flag was set alight and stamped on outside Downing Street as campaigners against Donald Trump's capture of Nicolas Maduro chanted 'death, death to the USA'.

The fire was lit by masked members of the Anti-Imperialist Front, one of a number of leftist groups which flocked to the rally last night.

The Stars and Stripes flag was laid on the grass where the protest was taking place and doused in lighter fluid before being set ablaze.

No police intervened and the young architect stood chatting afterwards with the plastic bottle of fluid still in his rucksack.

Around 500 people gathered at the protest's height and chanted 'Keir Starmer grow a spine, occupation is a crime'.

It was organised by the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign in accordance with the Stop The War movement and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Although a number of Latin American people turned up in support there were very few Venezuelans. The majority of people there were British.

Posting in the Venezuelans in England Facebook group ahead of the protest, furious members were convinced none of their compatriots would attend, insisting they were in support of Trump's actions to oust the dictator.

They had considered forming a counter-protest and said those who went should be named and shamed on camera.

An American flag was set alight and stamped on outside Downing Streetas campaigners against Donald Trump's capture of Nicolas Madurochanted 'death, death to the USA'

People gather outside Downing Street to protest against the US military attack on Venezuela

Jeremy Corbyn MP addresses demonstrators outside Downing Street protesting against the US military attack on Venezuela, calling on the British government to condemn the forced removal of Maduro and demanding his return to Venezuela

Veteran human rights campaign Peter Tatchell walked around the event with a sign that read: 'Maduro was a tyrant. But USA out of Venezuela.'

He was yelled at by one man and others took issue with him stating Maduro was a tyrant.

He said: 'The first thing to say is that the USA needs to get out of Venezuela, it was an illegal act.

'But Maduro was not a good guy, he was a tyrant, and he stole the last election.

'I know people in Venezuela who have been shot dead on his watch for carrying out peaceful protests.

'But the way in which this has been done is the wrong way to get rid of him.

'Keir Starmer should immediately state that the military incursion was in violation of international law.

'If not, this will set a precedent that will be exploited by regimes around the world to justify operations against countries and people they want to annex.'

There were chants of 'free Maduro' while placards carried messages including 'No Blood for Oil - Hands off Venezuela', and another that read 'expel the US ambassador'.

Sinn Fein MP for Belfast North John Finucane spoke over the microphone to tell crowds that the 'US assault must be condemned', adding it will lead to 'death and destruction'.

'It's not for Western countries to force regime change,' he said. 'No innocent blood should be spilled for oil.'

Join the debate Is it ever justified to burn a flag in protest, or does it cross a line of respect and decency?

People gather outside Downing Street to protest against the US military attack on Venezuela, calling on the British government to condemn the forced removal of Maduro

Around 500 people gathered at the protest's height and chanted ' Keir Starmergrow a spine, occupation is a crime'

It was organised by the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign in accordance with the Stop The War movement and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Campaigners hold banners and flags as they protest against the US actions in Venezuela

A Mexican tourist named Carmen, aged 60, who is visiting London with her son, was furious at the protest.

She said: 'There are many, many Venezuelans who have come to Mexico because they couldn't live under Maduro. They had no freedom, no money and no food.

'I am not saying Trump is a good man and I worry for the future of Mexico but in this instance, I think he is right.

'These people protesting here are idiots. They are bored at home and want something to do. This is ridiculous. There is one Mexican flag here that said 'free Maduro' - I'd like to throw a rock at them.'

Her son, who did not want to be named, added: 'Any of these people - I would like to see them spend some time in Venezuela and see what life has been like for them for many years.

'Here they have the freedom, in London, to walk down the street. They're from a privileged democracy - and if they saw what Venezuela is really like, they would soon run back home to their safety.'

Oliver Shykles, 53 and a long time campaigner for Venezuela, said: 'There's a human rights issue here and also in the way Venezuela will now be run - but former human rights lawyer Keir Starmer seems to have forgotten that. He has to speak up.'

David, a 63-year-old North Londoner from the Revolutionist Communist Group, said: 'It's all about minerals and oil and it's disgraceful.

'I'm here to support Venezuela against imperialist pressure. I don't know any Venezuelans personally.'
Hundreds of schools in Britain remained closed for a second day today as more trains and flights were cancelled after further snow fell in the coldest night of winter so far.

The UK's overnight low into this morning was -12.5C (13.8F) at Marham in Norfolk; while London, Birmingham, Bournemouth and Southampton all fell to -8C (18F).

At least 775 schools across the UK have closed today - including 183 in Northern Ireland, 159 in Aberdeenshire, 104 in Carmarthenshire, 82 in Staffordshire, 74 in Gwynedd, 72 in Moray, 45 in North Yorkshire, 41 in Ceredigion and 14 in Wrexham.

It comes after dramatic video showed one man pulling another out of a frozen lake in Epping Forest, Essex, after the first fell through the ice while trying to save a dog.

The man was attempting to rescue the animal at Connaught Water on Sunday, before falling in. A passer-by then entered the water to help - and both managed to get out.

The pair were treated by paramedics and the dog was safely reunited with its owners, but firefighters urged others not to go into frozen water and instead call for help.

This morning, severe weather conditions again disrupted road, air and rail travel for commuters with some train lines blocked after heavy snow drifted onto the tracks.

Eurostar cancelled trains from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam today due to severe weather on the Dutch network, with services only going as far as Brussels.

LNER told passengers travelling between London King's Cross, Leeds and Edinburgh to 'defer travel until further notice' due to a broken rail, and also issued a separate 'do not travel' warning between Edinburgh and Aberdeen because of significant snowfall.

Great Northern said a frozen set of points in Norfolk today meant trains could not run between Kings Lynn and Ely; while the conditions also cancelled Merseyrail's Wirral services between Maghull and Rice Lane and between Liverpool and Rock Ferry.

Those in West London using the Elizabeth line, Great Western Railway or Heathrow Express also faced major disruption after damage to the overhead electric wires. Further points failures impacted services through Bristol Parkway, Clacton and Selby.

Transport for London said the Northern line was part-suspended between Kennington and Battersea Power Station due to a points failure; while the Piccadilly line had no service between Oakwood and Cockfosters this morning because of a faulty train.

The Metropolitan line had delays from Wembley Park to Aldgate due to engineering work; while the Central, Circle and District lines were disrupted due to faulty trains.

A man walks down a snow-covered street in the Derbyshire town of Glossop this morning

A man passes Botriphine Primary in Drumuir, Aberdeenshire, today as schools remain shut

A train arrives into Glossop railway station in Derbyshire in the snow this morning

Snowy rooftops are pictured in the Derbyshire town of Glossop this morning

Botriphine Primary School in Drumuir, Aberdeenshire, is among the schools closed today

A Barbary macaque in the snow at Trentham Monkey Forest in Staffordshire this morning

A man walks his dog across a snow-covered field in the town of Glossop, Derbyshire, today

A Network Rail drone view of snowdrifts blocking a railway line in the Highlands this morning

A woman walks along a snow-covered street in the Derbyshire town of Glossop this morning

Tower Bridge (back left) is silhouetted on a frosty clear day in central London this morning

Sunrise this morning over a frosty Glastonbury Tor in Somerset as the cold weather continues

ScotRail reported disruption due to the snow on its routes between Inverness and Aberdeen, Kyle of Lochalsh, Elgin and Wick; as well as from Aberdeen to Montrose.

In Glasgow, services on the city's subway network were suspended this morning on the inner and outer circles after ice on the third rail caused a power failure.

Five flights from Aberdeen Airport were cancelled  four KLM planes to Amsterdam and an easyJet service to Gatwick; while three arrivals from Amsterdam were axed. Flights to and from Amsterdam were also cancelled at Inverness Airport this morning.

Is London experiencing record-breaking chill? Temperatures in London fell to an overnight low of -7.8C at Northolt. Readings of -5.9C at Heathrow Airport and -3.7C at St James's Park were also made early this morning. These temperatures are the lowest of the winter in the capital so far. But for Northolt, there was lower recorded in January 2024 at -7.9C. The record low for that weather station is -14.2C in December 2010. Advertisement

Schools in Aberdeenshire, Shetland and Orkney stayed shut after pupils enjoyed an extra day of holiday yesterday following the Christmas break due to the weather.

Pupils in England awaited an update on openings today after dozens of schools shut yesterday in Cheshire, Lancashire, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lincoln and Norfolk.

It comes as disruptive snow, wind and rain could hit parts of southern England this week, as an Atlantic low-pressure front meets an Arctic airmass over the country.

The Met Office said that even parts of the south may see some snow on higher ground on Thursday and Friday, while northern and central areas of England could face more snow, with rain and strong winds, depending on the path of an approaching Atlantic low-pressure system.

Forecaster Aidan McGivern there is a 20 per cent chance the system takes a northern route, which would bring widespread 'disruptive' wind and rain to much of England and Wales, and possibly more snow in northern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

But he said there was a 30 per cent chance that the front moves through northern France, bringing disruptive snow to southern counties in England, especially in higher areas.

The most likely outcome is wind and rain in southern parts of the UK, with central England seeing the risk of disruption from snow, he added.

Rain turning to snow will hit Scotland and northern England today, with 1cm to 5cm likely in northern England and 10cm to 15cm in central and eastern Scotland, the Met Office said.

Two amber snow warnings have been issued in northern parts of Scotland until this evening, while there are also yellow snow and ice warnings across southwest England, northern England, eastern England and Wales.

A yellow ice warning is in place in Northern Ireland.

A yellow warning means some disruption is possible, such as travel delays, but many people can continue with their daily routine, according to the Met Office.

An amber warning indicates a higher risk, with severe weather likely to cause travel disruption, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property and people are advised to take precautions.

The areas covered by the amber warnings include parts of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Angus and Perth and Kinross.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts for England as an early warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and wellbeing, running until Friday.

Temperatures dropped to -10.9C at Shap in Cumbria overnight into yesterday, and 52cm (1ft 8in) of snow was recorded by the Met Office at Tomintoul in Banffshire.

CalMac Ferries said services on the west coast of Scotland would be disrupted during today.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of households are getting 25 cold weather payments to help with heating costs amid the dropping temperatures, the UK Government said.

They are made to vulnerable people, including pensioners, to help them pay for heating when the temperature dips below freezing.

Cold weather payments have been triggered on four separate days - December 30, January 1, January 2 and January 3 - covering a total of 451 postcode areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Alzheimer's Society urged people to check in with family and neighbours with dementia to ensure they are kept warm by dressing in layers, keeping rooms warm, using blankets or hot water bottles, staying active, getting natural daylight, maintaining routines, taking care on icy surfaces and eating and drinking regularly.

Angelo Makri of the Alzheimer's Society said: 'There are currently around one million people in the UK with dementia, and for many families caring for a loved one with the condition, winter can be a worrying time.

'Knowing how to best support someone with dementia during the challenging colder months, by regularly checking in with them and following these useful tips, can help to make sure they are comfortable, safe and able to stay as independent as possible. This can also give carers important peace of mind.'

Today, an MP called for the military to be mobilised to deliver essentials to communities in Scotland cut off by extreme weather.

Andrew Bowie warned the 'critical' situation in the north and east of the country has left some without food and medical supplies.

In a letter to First Minister John Swinney, he urged him to 'mobilise all available resources' to help those impacted and request military support from the UK Government.

In the letter, which was also sent to the UK Government, Mr Bowie warned the situation is now 'critical'.

The Tory MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine said: 'The situation has now become critical. Many people are increasingly cut off, with access to essential food supplies and medical provisions becoming extremely difficult and, in some instances, impossible.

'There is a real and growing risk that individuals may be left without basic necessities unless urgent action is taken.

'While emergency services, gritters, farmers and volunteer groups are going above and beyond to support their communities, in many cases they are quite simply overwhelmed by the scale and persistence of the conditions.

'Given the seriousness of the situation, I would ask that the Scottish Government urgently considers mobilising all available resources, including the armed forces, to assist with snow clearance, the delivery of essential supplies, access to remote communities and transportation to hospitals.

'In addition, I would urge the Scottish Government to take further steps to inform and reassure the public, through leaflets and online resources, with clear guidance on how to keep you and your family safe and how to request help during emergencies.'

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: 'The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice means driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas.

A woman pushes a shopping trolley in the snow in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, yesterday

Wintry conditions in Scarborough yesterday as snow falls over parts of North Yorkshire

Traffic on the A9 south of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands last Friday

'Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the weather warnings.'

Ministers met police, local authorities, utilities companies and other bodies yesterday to discuss recovery efforts and to prepare for further snow and ice warnings.

After the meeting, Mr Swinney said snow across northern Scotland has had a 'significant' impact, and that a 'huge effort' was going into keeping transport moving and public services open.

'At present, there is still some travel disruption but trunk roads are open and rail, ferry and air services are working to get back to normal as quickly as possible,' he said.

'Likewise, many schools are closed today but remote learning is in place for young people while contingency plans are in place for affected health and social care services.

'There will be further snow and ice, with yellow warnings in large parts of Scotland and temperatures set to remain cold, so impacts will continue to be felt in the coming days which could include transport problems and I would encourage everyone to plan ahead, look out for each other and pay close attention to the range of weather and travel advice available.'

Mr Swinney also paid tribute to the 'truly exceptional' efforts of farmers, volunteers and members of the public in helping clear roads, dig out cars and keep people safe, which he said showed 'heartening' community spirit.

He added that ministers will continue to keep the situation 'under review'.
The US is said to be planning to use special forces to take a rogue Venezuelan oil tanker in the North Atlantic as it races towards Russia.

The Trump administration wants to launch the audacious raid on the Russian-registered ship which is currently 500 miles off the coast of Ireland and would rather 'seize it than sink it', according to reports.

The mission to intercept the ship may come as soon as this week.

After the surgical strike on Caracas that led to the capture of President Maduro, the Pentagon has set their sights on the Bella 1 after sanctioning the vessel in 2024 for operating within a 'shadow fleet' of tankers transporting illicit Venezuelan oil.

And in what could be a diplomatic nightmare for Keir Starmer, it is believed American troops would use the UK as their launchpad for the assault.

C-17 Globemaster III and AC-130J Ghostrider gunships have landed at RAF Fairford over the weekend. The planes have come from Fort Campbell in Kentucky which is home to the 160th SOAR or Night Stalkers who carried out the attack on Caracas.

US military aircraft flying from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk are monitoring the ship, according to flight tracking data.

Also aiding the search are RAF Typhoon fighter jets, accompanied by KC2 aerial refuelling tankers.

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The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after US officials say the US Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in this picture taken from social media on March 18, 2025

US military transporter planes landing at RAF Fairford

The US Coast Guard had attempted but ultimately failed to intercept the Bella 1 as it sailed toward Venezuela to pick up oil before the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.

It then turned around to escape seizure by US forces.

CBS today reported the US's plans to use special forces 'to seize' the ship.

The tanker evaded seizure in the Caribbean Sea last month, but has recently been spotted in the Atlantic, around 500 miles from Ireland's west coast, sailing under the Russian flag.

At one point while being pursued, the crew of the vessel painted a Russian flag on its hull, claiming it was sailing under Russian protection.

Not long after, the tanker appeared on Moscow's official register of ships under a new identity - the Marinera.

The Kremlin filed a formal diplomatic request in December demanding that the US stop pursuing the ship.

By claiming Russian status, the legalities of confronting the tanker could become more complicated.

At one point, Venezuelan officials had also discussed placing armed military personnel on the tanker - disguising them as civilians for defence purposes, according to CBS.

The tanker Bertha, one of several that appear to have attempted to evade the US naval blockade of Venezuela

The Aquila II sent out a signal falsely identifying itself as the Cape Balder and spoofed its coordinates to appear in the Baltic Sea

Plans for the capture of the oil tanker come amid a series of US military transporter planes landing at RAF Fairford carrying helicopters understood to be deployed in clandestine special forces operations.

Following the American military's capture of Maduro, as many as 10 C-17A Globe Master transporter planes landed in Britain.

After arriving in Fairford, US personnel unloaded Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters, both used by the regiment for special operations and deployed in the raid on Maduro's home.

A spokesman for the US air force did not confirm the details of the operation.

They told the Telegraph: 'US Air Forces Europe  Air Forces Africa routinely hosts transient US military aircraft (and personnel) in accordance with access, basing, and overflight agreements with allies and partners. Taking into account operational security for US assets and personnel, further details are not releasable at this time.'

However, analysts have put forward the theory that the movement of equipment could be linked to a potential mission to capture the Marinera.

Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said the build-up could hint towards several potential missions.

Mr Savill explained that it could range from building up forces for a potential operation in the Middle East or Africa, to preparing a mission to board the Bella 1.

The Veronica III used the fake name DS Vector and is also sending a 'zombie' signal to appear close to the west African country

'But it could be a cunning misdirection. When they launched Midnight Hammer (to strike Iranian nuclear facilities) they had one thing tracking with transponders on', he said.

'It's not implausible that while we're all watching that, there's something flying around over there that we're not seeing.'

Two tankers attempting to transport sanctioned Venezuelan oil in past weeks were confronted by US forces.

US Marines, special forces units and the coast guard descended on the Skipper in a helicopter-led assault while it was on its way to China on December 10.

The Centuries was halted and boarded but not seized 10 days later, while a third - the Marinera - is still being pursued.

It comes as over a dozen of sanctioned oil tankers fled Venezuela in 'dark mode' in an effort to evade Donald Trump's blockade of the country.

The 16 vessels, mostly loaded with Venezuelan crude oil and fuel, departed the country's waters over the past two days using deceptive tactics, including disguising their true locations or turning off their transmission signals.

The tactics appear to be part of a seemingly coordinated attempt to bypass American naval forces in the region and could trigger US military action at sea.

The Vesna, operating under the assumed name of Priya, is hundreds of miles away from Venezuela

Join the debate Should the US risk conflict with Russia to enforce oil sanctions in international waters?

Over the past few weeks, the ships were visible on satellite imagery docked in Venezuelan ports, but they were all gone from those locations by Saturday in the wake of Maduro's capture by US forces.

While Trump claimed the oil embargo on Venezuela remained in 'full force' after Maduro's extraction, the vessels still made the risky decision to leave port.

All the identified vessels are under sanctions and most of them are supertankers that typically carry Venezuelan crude oil to China, according to TankerTrackers.com and shipping documents from state-run Venezuelan oil company PDVSA.

At least four of the tankers were tracked by satellite data sailing east 30 miles from shore, using fake ship names and misrepresenting their locations in a strategy known as 'spoofing'.

Their unauthorised departures could be viewed as an early act of defiance against interim President Delcy Rodriguez's leadership.

The other 12 tankers are not broadcasting any signals and have not been located in new imagery because they're operating in 'dark mode'.

On December 16, US President Trump imposed a 'complete blockade' on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, in a move Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said was one of the largest 'quarantines' in modern history.

He added that it was successfully 'paralysing' the regime's ability to generate revenue.

The exit of the 16 vessels - which have been stuck in Venezuelan waters since they were loaded in December - was likely an attempt to overwhelm the US blockade.

Three of the ships were seen moving closely together, indicating coordination, but it wasn't immediately clear where the vessels were heading.

The tankers that left without authorisation were contracted by the oil traders Alex Saab and Ramon Carretero, according to the New York Times.

Both were sanctioned by the US for having close ties to Maduro's regime.

While Saab was jailed in the US in 2021, he was subsequently freed in an exchange deal two years later under Joe Biden's presidency.

Fifteen of the 16 ships that were on the move on Saturday were under US sanctions for hauling Iranian and Russian oil.

The Aquila II sent out a signal falsely identifying itself as the Cape Balder and spoofed its coordinates to appear in the Baltic Sea.

Built between 2003-4, the vessel is designated as very large at 333 metres long.

The Veronica III, Vesna and Aquila II tankers have been identified leaving Venezuelan waters through satellite data

The Vesna was seen on a satellite image by TankerTrackers.com, travelling northeast in the Atlantic Ocean, about 25 miles west of Grenada

It has a capacity of over two million barrels and was sanctioned for carrying Russian crude oil and for being part of Moscow's 'shadow fleet'.

Meanwhile, the Bertha - operating under the alias Ekta - indicated it was off the coast of Nigeria.

The vessel was sanctioned for transporting millions of barrels of Iranian oil.

The Veronica III, also 333 metres, used the fake name DS Vector and is sending a 'zombie' signal to appear close to the west African country.

It was sanctioned for carrying millions of barrels of Iranian oil.

By Sunday, another ship called the Vesna, using the alias Priya, was hundreds of miles out from Venezuela.

Built in 2000, it measures 240 metres long and is designated as Aframax class.

The Bertha - operating under the alias Ekta - indicated it was off the coast of Nigeria

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance

Its capacity is two million barrels and was sanctioned for transporting Iranian oil.

It was seen on a satellite image by TankerTrackers.com, travelling northeast in the Atlantic Ocean, about 25 miles west of Grenada.

Unlike the other three tankers tracked in the imagery, it did not appear to be carrying crude oil, allowing it to move faster.

'Our anticipation from the start of the blockade was that it would be broken by overwhelming it with an outbound flotilla heading in various directions from various terminals,' Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, said.

'That appears to have been the case over the past 36 to 48 hours. If this were a navy versus navy blockade, there would have been an exchange of fire, but these tankers are laden with oil,' he told the Telegraph.

Even if some were intercepted, Madani added that it was likely to have been considered worth the risk for the tankers to flee.

In recent days, at least four supertankers had been cleared by Venezuelan authorities to exit Venezuelan waters in dark mode, a source told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear if the departures were in defiance of the US blockade.

Nicolas Maduro (second right) and his wife Cilia Flores (second left) arrive at the Wall Street Heliport in the New York City

An aerial view shows captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being moved from one vehicle to another, as he heads to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse, where he is expected to make an initial appearance on US federal charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking and money laundering, in New York City, New York, US, January 5, 2026

Though President Trump said that the oil embargo had not been lifted, he added that Venezuela's largest customers, including China, would keep receiving oil.

PDVSA had accumulated a large inventory of floating storage since the US blockade began last month, dragging the country's oil exports to a standstill.

The company is reducing oil output and asked some joint ventures to shut well clusters because of accumulated oil and residual fuel stocks both onshore and in vessels anchored near its ports.

Oil exports are Venezuela's main source of revenue, which will be needed by an interim government led by Oil Minister and Vice President Rodriguez to finance spending and secure stability in the country.
Nicolas Maduro's wife Cilia Flores was seen with bruises and bandages on her face as she arrived at a Manhattan court on Monday.

Mark Donnelly, the Texas lawyer representing Venezuelas ousted first lady, said Flores had suffered 'significant injuries' during the couple's astonishing arrest in Caracas on Saturday by US forces.

He added that Flores's injuries included a possible rib fracture and bruising.

Mr Donnelly requested for his client - who was photographed with apparent bruising on her right eye during her first appearance in federal court alongside her husband - to undergo a full X-ray to ensure her health while in detainment.

During her arraignment, the 69-year-old had two bandages on her face, one placed above her eye while the other was on her forehead.

She pleaded not guilty to conspiring to send cocaine into the US and other gun and drug-related charges.

Alongside Maduro, she is accused of turning Venezuela into a narco-state and of attempting to flood the US with cocaine.

Asked how she pleaded to the three counts - narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offences - Flores responded: 'Not guilty  completely innocent.'

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad as they make their way to a Federal courthouse in New York on January 5, 2026

Cilia Flores was seen with bruises and bandages on her face

Mark Donnelly, the Texas lawyer representing Cilia Flores, said the wife of the ousted dictator Nicolas Maduro suffered 'significant injuries'

Judge Alvin Hellerstein instructed federal prosecutors to collaborate with Floress defence lawyer to ensure she gets the medical treatment that she needs.

Meanwhile, her husband's lawyer said his client also had health problems that required attention.

The couple face up to life in prison - and potentially the death sentence - if they are convicted of the several charges that US authorities have cited as justification for their lightning raid on Saturday.

Maduro also pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges at his defiant appearance in a New York court Monday, two days after being snatched by US forces in the stunning operation on his home in Caracas.

Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan: 'I'm innocent. I'm not guilty.'

Smiling as he entered the courtroom and wearing an orange shirt with beige trousers, Maduro spoke softly.

'I'm president of the Republic of Venezuela and I'm here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday,' Maduro told the court, speaking in Spanish through an interpreter. 'I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.'

The judge ordered both to remain behind bars and set a new hearing date of March 17.

The presidential couple were forcibly taken by US commandos in the early hours of Saturday in airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital backed by warplanes and a heavy naval deployment.

Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty to conspiring to send cocaine into the US and other gun and drug-related charges

Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face US federal charges

He faces charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering

Thousands of people marched through Caracas in support of Maduro as his former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as interim president.

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado slammed Rodriguez, saying she was 'rejected' by the Venezuelan people and calling her 'one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narcotrafficking'.

Speaking from an undisclosed location to broadcaster Sean Hannity on Fox News in her first public comments since the weekend, Machado added that she plans to return to Venezuela 'as soon as possible' after leaving under cover last month to accept her Nobel Peace Prize.

After the raid, Trump declared that the United States was 'in charge' in Venezuela and intends to take control of the country's huge but decrepit oil industry.

The 79-year-old president also dismissed the idea of Caracas having new elections in the next month.

'We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote,' Trump told broadcaster NBC News in an interview aired Monday.

However, US House Speaker and Trump ally Mike Johnson said he thinks an election 'should happen in short order' in Venezuela.

Maduro became president in 2013, taking over from his equally hardline socialist predecessor Hugo Chavez.

The United States and European Union say he stayed in power by rigging elections - most recently in 2024 - and imprisoning opponents, while overseeing rampant corruption.

The crisis after a quarter-century of leftist rule now leaves Venezuela's approximately 30 million people - and the world's largest proven oil reserves - facing uncertainty.

Trump has said he wants to work with Rodriguez and the rest of Maduro's former team - provided that they submit to US demands on oil.

And after an initially hostile response, Rodriguez said she is ready for 'co-operation'.

Brian Naranjo, a former US diplomat in Venezuela before he was expelled by Maduro in 2018, said that he has 'not been so worried about the future of Venezuela, ever'.

'There's a very real possibility that things are going to get much, much worse in Venezuela before they get better,' he told AFP.

The deputy head of the US mission to Caracas from 2014-2018 pointed at two men who could try and usurp power from Rodriguez: Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and her own brother, Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's legislature.

'Delcy had better be sleeping with one eye open right now because right behind her are two men who would be more than happy to cut her throat and take control themselves,' Naranjo said.

Trump, who has shocked many Americans with his unprecedented moves to accumulate domestic power, also now appears increasingly emboldened in foreign policy.

On Sunday, he said communist Cuba was 'ready to fall' and he repeated that Greenland, which is part of US ally Denmark, should be controlled by the United States.

Brian Finucane, of the International Crisis Group, told AFP that Trump 'seems to be disregarding international law altogether' in Venezuela and added that US domestic law also appeared to have been broken.

Details of the US operation in Caracas were still emerging Monday, with Havana saying 32 Cubans were killed in the attack.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that nearly 200 personnel went into Caracas on the surprise raid.

Some injuries and no deaths were reported by US officials.
Keir Starmer told his Cabinet to ignore dire opinion polls on Tuesday before reading out a 'shopping list' of Labour achievements as evidence he should keep his job.

The Prime Minister invited the cameras in for the start of his top team's first meeting this year, during which he urged ministers to set aside months of infighting and focus on the cost-of-living crisis.

But instead of a rousing off-the-cuff speech, Sir Keir, who has been criticised for his 'robotic' delivery, read slowly from prepared notes.

Cabinet ministers were filmed looking on bleakly as he reminded them of a long list of 'achievements', such as increasing the minimum wage and offering people taxpayer-funded subsidies to help with energy bills.

And No 10 was forced to deny reports that Sir Keir's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, warned ministers that voters thought the Government was suffering from an 'emotion deficit'.

During a lengthy 'political' section of the meeting, focused on the looming local elections, the Prime Minister acknowledged that Labour faced the 'fight of our political lives' after a dismal first 18 months.

And he insisted he could confound opinion polls ranking him the most unpopular prime minister in history.

A YouGov poll on Tuesday put Labour in third place behind Reform UK and the Conservatives, undermining his argument that the next election will be a straight fight with Nigel Farage.

Keir Starmer told Cabinet on Tuesday that he is tackling the cost of living crisis despite more evidence that ordinary families are struggling

Rather than memorising his remarks or speaking off the cuff, Sir Keir had marked up the text with directions on how it should be delivered

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The firm's latest survey also found 74 per cent of voters disapprove of the Prime Minister's performance, compared with just 18 per cent who approve.

And in a further humiliation, his net favourability rating of minus 56 is broadly similar to the minus 58 recorded in the UK for Hamas.

Sir Keir on Tuesday said: 'This will be an important year as we show that renewal is becoming reality and that Britain is turning the corner.

'Getting our country back on track is hard, difficult work and we will reject the politics of easy answers and gimmicks that, frankly, got us here in the first place.' The Prime Minister also turned his fire on Reform, suggesting the party 'feeds on grievance, decline and division'.

He added: 'They want a weaker state, they want to inject bile into our communities, they want to appease Putin. This is the fight of our political lives and one that we must relish.

'I do not underestimate the scale of the task. But I have no doubt about this team.

'Governments do not lose because polls go down. They lose when they lose belief or nerve. We will do neither.'

Cabinet was meeting for the first time in 2026 this morning

A Bank of England report released on Tuesday showed that the annual growth rate for consumer credit edged up to 8.1 per cent in November, from 7.5 per cent the previous month

Health Secretary Wes Streeting made waves last month when he criticised the Government's 'technocratic' approach, saying it sometimes came across like the local 'maintenance department'.

Mr Streeting, widely regarded as a potential successor to Sir Keir, warned that politicians reading out 'long shopping lists' of achievements was a turn-off for voters. But on Tuesday he insisted he was not plotting against the Prime Minister, saying he was doing an 'outstanding' job on the world stage.

Reform hit back at Sir Keir's comments on Tuesday night, saying Labour had failed to deal with the cost of living during its first 18 months in power.

A Reform spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister continues to show his obsession with Reform UK because he knows how much of a threat we are to his failing government.

'It is clear that his Cabinet is unfit to govern.

'Two years ago, Labour promised to get the cost of living under control.

'Since then they have failed on nearly every count as household bills have soared, taxes have sky-rocketed, and economic growth has flatlined. They simply cannot be trusted.'
Europe has been gripped by travel chaos as a freezing storm batters the continent leading to hundreds of cancelled flights and a 1,000km-long traffic jam in Paris.

Snowfall across the French capital was so heavy that Parisians were seen skiing down the slopes of Montmartre in the city.

The start of the week saw much of Europe blanketed by snow which has caused misery for people hoping to travel across the region.

At Amsterdam's Schiphol airport 700 flights were cancelled which accounted for more than half of those scheduled to take off or land yesterday.

Authorities at the Dutch airport blamed wintery conditions for the cancellations.

Videos from Schiphol appeared to show airport staff enjoying the weather by making snowmen and taking part in a brief snowball fight.

Meteo France, the French meteorological society, issued an orange alert for snow and ice for much of northwest France, including Paris where Charles de Gaulle and Orly airport reduced their flights by 15 per cent.

Motorists in the French capital were stuck in a record-breaking 1,000km traffic jam yesterday.

The long queues of vehicles were way larger than the usual peaks of some 300km which the Il-de-France region's roads are used to.

Motorists in the French capital were stuck in a record-breaking 1,000km traffic jam yesterday. The long queues of vehicles were way larger than the usual peaks of some 300km which the Il-de-France region's roads are used to

In surreal scenes, skiers were pictured sliding down Montmartre Hill with France's iconic Sacre Coeur cathedral in the background

Videos from Schiphol appeared to show airport staff enjoying the weather by making snowmen and taking part in a brief snowball fight

Snow ploughers at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Around 700 flights were cancelled at the airport yesterday which accounted for more than half of those scheduled

The gridlock came after the French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot ordered speed restrictions of 80km/h (50 miles) on Paris's roads.

French media reported that the icy conditions of France's road led to six deaths yesterday.

Parisians have also donned their skis and decided to transform the city into a makeshift ski slope.

In surreal scenes, skiers were pictured sliding down Montmartre Hill with France's iconic Sacre Coeur cathedral in the background.

Passengers hoping to travel across Europe by train faced similar misery.

Yesterday, six Eurostar trains between London St Pancras International and Paris Gare de Nord were cancelled with most of the other services facing delays.

This morning, services to Paris have faced delays while trains to both Brussels and Amsterdam have been cancelled.

It is just the latest cancellation debacle to impact Eurostar after a power outage in December caused travel chaos on the line.

Standstill traffic on Paris's roads. The gridlock came after the French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot also ordered speed restrictions of 80km/h (50 miles) throughout the city

A man skis down Montmartre hill in Paris following yesterday's heavy snowfall

Snow covers the roofs of the old town in Heidelberg, Germany, this morning

In Poland, heavy snowfall overnight left cars and homes across the country buried under

In Kyiv brave Ukrainians took a plunge in an icy river as part of celebrations to mark Epiphany

Heavy snowfall has also been reported elsewhere across the continent.

The pretty old town of Heidelberg in southern Germany looks even more picturesque today with snow scatter across the roofs of its old town.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv brave Ukrainians took a plunge in an icy river to mark Epiphany - a traditional practice among Orthodox Christians.

In Poland, heavy snowfall overnight left cars and homes across the country buried under inches of the white stuff.

Southern Spain avoided the snowy conditions but instead faced Storm Francis which brought with it a brutal storm that has torn through the Costa del Sol.

Up to 200mm of rain dropped on the popular Spanish holiday destination leading the authorities to issue a red alert for 'extraordinary flood risk'.

The heavy rainfall led the authorities to issue an urgent red alert as the storm swept across the region turning streets into rivers and flooding entire apartment blocks.

At least 12 families had to be evacuated from the flats in Malaga.

A snow-covered street in Brussels, Belgium, as Europe faces its first heavy snowfall of 2026

Parisians brave the chilly weather with Meteo France issuing an orange weather warning for parts of northern France

A snow plougher clears roads in the Hungarian town of Szekesfehervar

Flooding in a flat in Malaga. Southern Spain avoided the snowy conditions but instead faced Storm Francis which brought with it a brutal storm that has torn through the Costa del Sol

A swelled river in Spain's Costa del Sol where up to 200mm of rain dropped on the popular holiday destination leading the authorities to issue a red alert for 'extraordinary flood risk'

In nearby Estepona, dramatic footage showed a car being swept away by the perilous waves.

And in Cadiz around 470 homes were evacuated.

Going into the rest of the week, the weather across the continent is not expected to be as turbulent.

From tomorrow, Meteo France has downgraded its orange alert for snow down to a yellow warning urging residents to 'pay attention' to their surroundings.

In Spain, the rainy weather could be replaced with snow with around 5cm of the white stuff forecast to fall across large sections of the country.
Elon Musk has been told to take urgent action to stop X's Grok AI tool generating indecent deepfake images of children and women.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the US tech billionaire must intervene after cases of the system being used to make sexualised images of real people were highlighted in recent days.

Regulator Ofcom has already asked X and xAI to set out the steps it is taking to comply with legal obligations to protect UK users of the social media platform.

But the intervention of the minister threatens to open a new front in the war between the UK government and Mr Musk, who has already lashed out at British moves to regulate social media.

'What we have been seeing online in recent days has been absolutely appalling, and unacceptable in decent society,' Ms Kendall said this afternoon.

'No one should have to go through the ordeal of seeing intimate deepfakes of themselves online.

'We cannot and will not allow the proliferation of these demeaning and degrading images, which are disproportionately aimed at women and girls.

'X needs to deal with this urgently. It is absolutely right that Ofcom is looking into this as a matter of urgency and it has my full backing to take any enforcement action it deems necessary.'

Ofcom has 'urgently contacted' X and xAI over the sexualised images of children, which Grok admitted to in a post on the social media platform

Under the Online Safety Act in the UK, social media firms must prevent and remove child sexual abuse material when they become aware of it.

The act also outlaws the use of AI to generate pornographic images, also known as deepfakes, of people without their consent.

But X users have highlighted cases in recent days where innocent images of women and female child actors have been manipulated by Grok after users' requests to digitally alter or remove clothing.

Ms Kendall said efforts to curb the spread of sexualised deepfakes were not an attempt to restrict free speech.

Donald Trump's US administration has hit out at European regulators for attempts to regulate what appears online on American platforms.

But Ms Kendall said: 'Services and operators have a clear obligation to act appropriately. This is not about restricting freedom of speech but upholding the law.

'We have made intimate image abuse and cyberflashing priority offences under the Online Safety Act  including where images are AI-generated. This means platforms must prevent such content from appearing online and act swiftly to remove it if it does.

'Violence against women and girls stains our society  and that is why we have also legislated to ban the creation of explicit deepfakes without consent, which are both degrading and harmful.

'Make no mistake  the UK will not tolerate the endless proliferation of disgusting and abusive material online. We must all come together to stamp it out.'

Ofcom has made 'urgent contact' with Elon Musk's social media platform X after serious concerns that its AI tool Grok can generate 'sexualised images of children'.

A post on the Grok X account admitted this, saying: 'isolated cases where users prompted for and received AI images depicting minors in minimal clothing'.

Join the debate How should tech giants be held accountable when their AI creates potentially harmful images?

Elon Musk appears to be aware of the technology being used to undress people after he posted a picture of himself in a bikini with laughing emojis

It added: 'xAI has safeguards, but improvements are ongoing to block such requests entirely.'

Ofcom has contacted X urgently to see what these improvements could mean and how X and xAI will protect users of the social media platform in the UK but they have not yet opened an investigation.

A spokesman for the regulator said: 'Tackling illegal online harm and protecting children remain urgent priorities for Ofcom.

'We are aware of serious concerns raised about a feature on Grok on X that produces undressed images of people and sexualised images of children.

'We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK.

'Based on their response we will undertake a swift assessment to determine whether there are potential compliance issues that warrant investigation.'

When requested for a comment about the sexualised images of children on the platform, xAI replied with an automatically generated email saying 'legacy media lies'.

Elon Musk appears to be aware of the technology being used to undress people, as he posted a generated picture of himself in a bikini.

The original post of this appears to have been deleted, but he reposted another user's reply to it with laughing emojis.

Internet Watch Foundation chief executive Kerry Smith said: 'The IWF has received a number of reports from the public relating to suspected child sexual abuse imagery on X generated by the AI chatbot Grok.

'We are still working through these reports but, so far, we have not seen any imagery which crosses the legal threshold for being considered child sexual abuse in the UK.'

She urged the Government to require AI firms to build safety measures into their products to prevent harmful content.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We are legislating to ban nudification tools in all their forms, including the use of AI models for this purpose.

'Intimate image abuse is a devastating crime which disproportionately affects women and girls.

'Under this new criminal offence, any individuals or companies who design or supply these nudification tools will face a prison sentence and substantial fines.'
Keir Starmer still has not spoken to Donald Trump since the Venezuela drama - despite rising fears the US will target Greenland next.

The PM has been desperately trying to avoid criticising the president over the ousting and arrest of dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Other countries have insisted the action smashed international law, with Mr Trump saying he is now effectively in control of the oil-rich South American country.

Senior White House figures have been talking up the prospect of more interventions, with the strategic Danish territory of Greenland high on the list. Sir Keir has joined Copenhagen in warning that must not happen, with alarm that it would mean the end of the Nato alliance that has maintained global peace since the Second World War.

Sir Keir is heading for France today for talks with 'Coalition of the Willing' partners about Ukraine - but the wider behaviour of the US is certain to feature.

The PM is thought to have been trying to contact Mr Trump since the Venezuela operation on Saturday. There have been suggestions the leaders could talk on the phone after the meeting in Paris.

However, Kemi Badenoch said it was 'shocking' that the UK had not been given advance warning, and Sir Keir had not spoken to Mr Trump directly.

Keir Starmer has been desperately trying to avoid criticising Donald Trump (pictured together in September) over the ousting and arrest of dictator Nicolas Maduro

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen (pictured with Sir Keir) has warned that efforts to take over the territory by force would mean the end of the Nato military alliance

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In a sign of escalation last night, outspoken White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller flatly declared that Greenland 'should be part of the United States'.

He also insisted that no country would dare fight Washington over the Arctic territory's future.

In a combative appearance on CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper, Mr Miller brushed aside repeated questions about whether the US might use military force to seize Greenland, currently governed by Denmark.

'Nobody's gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland,' he said.

Pressed directly on whether military intervention was off the table, Mr Miller did not deny the possibility. Instead, he challenged Denmark's sovereignty over the island.

'What is the basis of their territorial claim?' Miller asked.

'What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark? The United States is the power of Nato. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend Nato and Nato interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, and so that's a conversation that we're going to have as a country.'

The extraordinary comments came after Mr Trump again refused to rule out taking Greenland by force, deepening fears among European allies that the administration is prepared to redraw borders inside Nato in the name of US 'national security'.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has warned that efforts to take over the territory by force would mean the end of the Nato military alliance.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News this morning that the UK and Nato were 'doubling down' on their support for Denmark, adding that Greenland was 'already part of the team' contributing to the alliance's collective security.

The PM has been desperately trying to avoid criticising the president over the ousting and arrest of dictator Nicolas Maduro (pictured in November)

Katie Miller, the wife of President Donald Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff, Steven Miller, posted a map of Greenland covered by the American flag to X just hours after the US struck Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolas Maduro

Greenland has had the legal right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009 but has not done so, largely because it relies on Danish financial support and public services

He said: 'At a time when we can see the security of Nato members and the alliance at threat, particularly from Russia, but also from our other adversaries, this is not the time to destabilise Nato and to undermine our collective security.'

Mr Streeting's comments follow Ms Frederiksen's remarks to Danish broadcaster TV2, in which she said: 'If the United States chooses to attack another Nato country militarily, then everything stops.

'That is including our Nato and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.'

Sir Keir has said the UK 'stands with' Denmark on Greenland.
The United States is building up its military air forces in Britain following its audacious Special Forces mission to capture Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

In recent days a fleet of ten C-17 Globemasters and a pair of heavily armed AC-130J landed at two bases seemingly in preparation for further operations.

Security has been stepped up at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, bases the Royal Air Force shares with US counterparts.

These aircraft, the C-17 being one of the world's largest transport aircraft, and the smaller but more potent AC-130J, would join forces in any covert US operation overseas.

Special Forces personnel could parachute from the AC-130J and receive covering fire on landing from ground-attack weapons including Vulcan cannons, howitzers and Hellfire missiles.

The Boeing C-17 provides a long range transport capability for US forces around the world.

One of the ten C-17s to have arrived in the UK from the US parked on the runway at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The AC-130J boasts an impressive array of firepower including cannons, howitzers and Hellfire missiles.

They could also be dropped from any of the ten C-17s that crossed the Atlantic from bases in Kentucky and Georgia in recent days.

The 173ft-long transporters, powered by turbofan engines, can carry tanks and boast a payload capacity exceeding 500,000 pounds.

RAF Fairford is a long-established European hub for US military movements in the region and in the Middle East.

Join the debate Should the UK let US forces use British bases for controversial foreign interventions?

The arrivals of the C-17s and the C-130s coincided with the dramatic US operation to capture Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro.

It also came as US President Donald Trump threatened to engage other countries in the region and Iran, should the countrys theocratic regime clamp down on protests.

The aircraft could also be used to step up Special Forces operations against Islamic State in Syria.

Today, the Ministry of Defence said it would not comment on the operational activity of other nations.
Internet detectives claim to have unearthed exactly how much stock Meghan Markle has for sale on her As Ever lifestyle website - and it's more than you'd be able to pack into her cosy kitchen pantry.

Users on Reddit say they were able to exploit a bug in the As Ever website to reveal precise stock numbers for her collection of spreads, honeys, candles, teas and wines.

The sleuths said they were given the figures after trying to add an abnormally large number of items to their online shopping basket - prompting the website to reveal the maximum stock it actually had available.

If accurate, the figures suggested by the website - which says it sells 'small-batch spreads, honeys and pantry favourites for everyday moments worth savouring' - are gargantuan.

The stock, seen in alleged screenshots of the website, include more than 220,000 jars of spread; 30,000 jars of honey, 30,000 mulling kits, almost 90,000 candles; over 110,000 jars of tea; and 80,000 jars of edible flower sprinkles.

A similar exploit for her wine venture revealed more than 70,000 bottles were sitting unsold, including almost 7,000 Bruts, 46,000 bottles of Sauvignon Blanc and nearly 24,000 bottles of Rose.

Were these levels of stock sold in full at list price, they would bring in an income exceeding $21million for the Duchess.

Shortly after the post went viral, the As Ever website was amended to remove the exploit, with purchase limits put in place for goods.

Meghan Markle's As Ever website suffered a bug that appeared to expose the precise stock of spreads, teas and other goods for sale

As Ever promotes its goods as 'small batch pantry favourites for everyday moments worth savouring'

But some of its goods are seemingly available in huge numbers, such as a set of fruit spreads with 44,949 units listed as available (above)

Users can buy up to 50 spread gift boxes, or 20 bottles of wine. As Ever has not commented on the bug.

Those who now try to add a truckload of jelly to their basket are greeted with an error or the message: 'The quantity requested exceeds our current stock. Please adjust your order or contact support for bulk inquiries.'

The bug was identified by Reddit user InfiniteSky55, who said they had tried to add 200,000 of each item to their shopping basket on As Ever.

How many items were 'for sale' on As Ever - and for how much? As of January 3, the As Ever stock numbers as allegedly laid out by the website bug were as follows: Signature Fruit Spread Box ($42/31): 137,465

Fruit Spread Trio ($36/27): 44,960

Honey Duo Gift Box ($62/46): 24,238

Orange Marmalade ($12/9): 44,612

Flower Sprinkles ($15/11): 80,391

Sage Honey with Honeycomb ($32/24): 8,587

Spiced Cider Mulling Spice Kit ($16/12): 14,154

Hot Toddy Mulling Spice Kit ($16/12): 15,989

Signature Candle No 519 ($64/47): 27,302

Signature Candle No 084 ($64/47): 62,524

Herbal Peppermint Tea ($14/10): 39,475

Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea ($14/10): 35,488

Herbal Hibiscus Tea ($14/10): 37,734

2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut ($89/66): 6,871

2024 Sauvignon Blanc ($35/26): 46,428

2024 Napa Valley Rose ($35/26): 23,972

Wooden Wine Gift Crate ($38/28): 1,964 Advertisement

It prompted a flurry of activity as users rushed to the website to verify the seemingly huge number of items kept in stock.

In total, there were more than 572,000 lifestyle items such as spreads and teas for sale, and over 77,000 bottles of wine for sale.

The figures, if verified, may give an insight into Meghan's business and what her fans buy: there are far more boxed gift sets of fruit spread available than unboxed.

Her Signature No 519 candle, named after the date she and Prince Harry were married, appears to sell better than the Signature No 084, which takes its name from her birthday of August 4.

Sources close to the Duchess have pointed out that As Ever's early product lines sold out within minutes of going on sale, and that the Duchess had previously hinted at ramping up higher stock levels ahead of global expansion.

Her lifestyle products are only available in the United States at present, but she is eyeing up other countries as she expands the range. Recent developments have included chocolate and as revealed in the Mail yesterday, a cookbook later this year.

The Duchess herself has said she has been ramping up stock levels as she prepares to launch As Ever in other countries, and suggested in a recent interview she had put in a purchase order for a million jars to meet demand.

'It's an incredible thing for any small business and any start-up,' she told Bloomberg's The Circuit in August of the first sell-out run.

'We prepped for the second seasonal drop and ten-exed (multiplied by a factor of 10) our inventory. We thought for sure it would at least last for a couple of weeks - that sold out in a couple of hours.

'The conversation goes from at the start of this year talking about a few thousand jars and lids to, "we need to do a purchase order of a million".'

The Duchess' characterisation of the brand as a cosy, homegrown kitchen table start-up are contrasted with its ever-growing industrial production processes.

Two months after she launched As Ever in April 2025, it emerged that its branded tea was being produced by a firm with a factory in Illinois - and being sold by the Duchess at triple the price.

Producer the Republic of Tea sells a tin of 36 hibiscus teabags for $11.50 (8.50), or 23p a cup; Meghan's own hibiscus teas, which come from the firm, sell for $12 (9) for 12, or 74p each.

Join the debate Does Meghan's massive stockpile undermine her brands claims of small-batch authenticity and charm?

 Slide me  Slide to compare: How the website is alleged to have looked before (left) and how it looks after the glitch was fixed (right)

Some products, such as the Flower Sprinkles, appeared to be more abundantly in stock than others - some 80,000 units were allegedly available

Meghan's Signature 084 candle - named after her August 4 birthday - was in much more plentiful stock than the 519 candle, named after her wedding date to Harry, May 19

Prince Harry appeared in Meghan's Netflix festive special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration

References to the Republic of Tea were peppered across the As Ever website and its metadata - information written into website code often used by search engines - until they were uncovered by the Daily Mail, when they were promptly removed.

The products were not identical: the Republic of Tea's teabags are round and unbleached, while the Duchess' products come in triangular bags with string.

The Mail later learned that other products such as fruit spreads and honey were, at one time, made at the Illinois facility too.

Despite the ever more industrial process involved, sources close to the Duchess maintain that As Ever remains authentic.

They insist that the version of products like spread that are produced in factories 'started with the version Meghan makes at home and (producers) worked to develop a version of it that could be produced at scale'.

And she has made no secret of the need to turn to large-scale production, with a video on the As Ever Instagram showing jars being filled at a factory.

She added in the Bloomberg interview: 'I'm exasperated in some ways by that only because it is such a tedious proposition to scale your own home recipe to something at mass and maintain the same, not just quality, but flavour that you're able to do at home.'

Meghan developed As Ever in collaboration with Netflix after rebranding it from American Orchard Riviera.

It is tied to her streaming show With Love, Meghan, which shows her sharing cooking and lifestyle tips with friends and celebrity guests.

The first season failed to crack Netflix's top 300 most-watched shows for the first half of 2025; the show has been met with dismal critical reviews throughout its run.

Harry and Meghan signed a new 'first-look' deal with Netflix, with looser terms, in August last year.

As Ever, and the Duchess' representatives, were contacted for comment.
A female teacher in Western Australia has been charged with multiple child sexual abuse offences.

The 33-year-old teacher worked at a school in the Mandurah district, south of Perth, where she is accused of carrying out 'persistent sexual conduct' with a male student between 2024 and 2025.

The name of the teacher and the school cannot be published to protect the identity of the victim.

A WA Police spokeswoman said it was 'our highest priority' to ensure the safety and protection of children.

'The WA Police Force acknowledges that reports of offences against children are deeply distressing for the community,' she said.

'Specialist detectives and support services are working tirelessly to investigate these matters and provide care for victims.'

Following an investigation, the woman has been charged with two counts of sexually penetrating a child over the age of 13 and under the age of 16.

She was also charged with possessing child exploitation material and persistent sexual conduct with a child under 16.

Wa Police arrested the female teacher after she was accused of the abuse at the Mandurah area school south of Perth (stock image)

The teacher will front Mandurah Magistrates Court on January 27.

Sexual Assault Resource Centre: 1800 199 888.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800.
A food influencer has claimed people are 'out to get him' because he is successful after his London Christmas market drew criticism for being 'charmless'.

Eating With Tod, whose real name is Toby Inskip, hit back at critics and fellow influencer Richard Crampton-Platt, who described the food at the event on Tottenham Court Road as 'some of the worst I'd ever eaten'.

Toby, 30, suggested there was 'obviously a bit of hate there' with former restaurateur Crampton-Platt as he ignored an offer for the two to collaborate a fortnight before he launched his stinging verbal attack when he 'turned up to eat a doughnut'.

Speaking on The Go-To Food podcast, he said: 'Two weeks before he had actually emailed me asking me to collab and there were two other emails that invited me to one of his restaurants. I've never responded. So there is obviously a bit of hate there.'

Toby, who has become Britain's biggest food influencer with more than 2.1 million followers, said his success meant he was being targeted.

'When you're successful there is always going to be someone who comes along and is like, right I'm going to try and get you,' he said.

Toby's Christmas market promised to bring together some of the most anticipated food brands to deliver Instagram-worthy dishes like cinnamon buns by Roll Boys, loaded festive hot dogs by Ruben's Rubens, and flame-toasted marshmallows on hot chocolate by Chin Chin.

But visitors to the market were left disappointed. Many flocked to social media to slam it over its long queues, lack of Christmas music or any festive feeling.

Eating With Tod, whose real name is Toby Inskip, has claimed people are 'out to get him' because he is successful after his Christmas market drew criticism for being 'charmless'

Toby has hit back at critics and fellow influencer Richard Crampton-Platt, who described the food at the event on Tottenham Court Road as 'some of the worst I'd ever eaten'

Toby has now launched a staunch defence and said the content and food traders were amazing.

'The amount of jobs we've given back to people, traders that didn't have homes over Christmas,' he said.

'That's the main point. That's what people forget. You've created nearly 200 jobs, which helps support farmers, butcheries, all these kind of things across the UK.

'It's a massive melting pot to put this thing on and that doesn't get said once.'

Held outside of the Outernet live events space, Toby's Christmas market was expected to be one of the biggest festive attractions in the capital, especially given his vast fan base.

Toby said he curated the market because he was 'sick and tired' of eating the same kind of food at Christmas markets across the country, and wanted to have 'proper food and proper chefs'.

But those who attended slammed poor organisation, few seats and no shelter from rain.

Content creator Mols, whose TikTok handle is @molsonhols, was left disappointed after she visited the market shortly after it opened on November 28, only to find that some of the stalls shut by 6pm or were closed altogether, and there was little Christmas cheer to be found.

Listing the things that she found wrong with the event, Mols said there were 'long [queues], no seating area', 'no Christmas music or any festive atmosphere' and 'extremely bright lights that made everything feel distorted in the busy crowds'.

Nana and Iesha Agyemang, who run What Da Brunch, said they were 'really disappointed' by the market as well as with some of the food they tried

But visitors have shared the reality of the market, with reviewer Richard Crampton-Platt showing how poorly organised it was with no shelter from the rain

She added that the whole event was a 'let down' and 'not a vibe'.

Writing in his TikTok video of Toby's market, Crampton-Platt - known as The Greedy Dick on his social media - said that the event had promised 'spectacle' but instead, delivered 'only cold concrete'.

He described it as 'charmless', taking issue with the lack of shelter from the elements - which several other TikTokers also complained about due to recent bouts of wet weather ruining the experience.

Crampton-Platt also criticised the food at the market, particularly a cinnamon doughnut from Chin Chin which he said has 'part frozen cream' and was 'dense and overly sweet'.

He also did not enjoy the viral creme brulee doughnut from Bread Ahead, which he said had 'gritty' raw sugar granules instead of a crunchy caramelised layer on top.

'The videos do not match reality and sadly, the food is just very bad,' he declared.
Two British tourists have cheated death after the sailing boat they were on was hit by a cargo vessel off Colombias Caribbean coast and sunk.

Colombian naval officers went to the rescue of the holidaymakers and 18 others on board the boat after they managed to save themselves by jumping into emergency life rafts following the early morning collision as the captain sounded a Mayday alert.

The dramatic rescue mission comes as US President Donald Trump steps up his war against sanctioned oil tankers linked to Russia and Venezuela.

Their rescuers published video footage overnight showing them helping the stricken travellers to safety and taking them to dry land where they were checked over by doctors.

Miraculously all survived unharmed despite the near-tragedy.

The tourists were thought to have been nearing the end of a five-day, four-night tour from Panama to Colombia starting in the San Blas Islands, a stunning Caribbean archipelago off Panamas coast.

The boat has not been officially named, but Italian skipper Rudolf Gamberoni who spoke after the drama to thank rescuers for saving them takes thrill-seekers on regular trips between the two countries on a New Zealand-built classic topsail schooner sailboat called Alessandra.

The voyage is billed online to potential international travellers as a pirate trip and Alessandra is described as a Hollywood star in promotional material because it featured in the iconic 1994 film Legends of the Fall whose cast included Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Julia Ormond.

Navy chiefs confirmed overnight those on board including two British nationals, six Germans, four French people, two Swiss, three Colombians, and three others from Italy, Belgium and Turkey.

Their rescuers published video footage overnight showing them helping the stricken travellers to safety and taking them to dry land where they were checked over by doctors

Miraculously all survived unharmed despite the near-tragedy

The survivors pictured on dry land after they were saved in the rescue mission

The rescue occurred just before 5am local time on January 3.

Colombias Ministry of Defence said in a statement: 'We rescued 20 people in waters near Cartagena, thanks to the rapid response of our Colombian Navy sailors.'

At around 4.40am on January 3, the Cartagena Coast Guard Station received a distress call on line 146.

A Rapid Response Unit (URR) was immediately dispatched to respond to the emergency involving a sailboat that had apparently been struck by a cargo ship and sank within minutes.

'Among those rescued were Colombian, Swedish, German, and French citizens, among others.

'We reaffirm our commitment to the protection of human life at sea, security, and the control of our maritime borders.'

Felipe Portilla, Commander of the Cartagena Coastguard Station, added: 'The call that came in said a sailing boat that was travelling between Panama and Colombia had sunk off Bocachica near Cartagena.

'The people rescued were in life rafts when the two rapid response vessels that were mobilised located them.

'The 20 people whose lives were saved consisted of the captain, three crew and 16 people of different nationalities.'

The rescue occurred just before 5am local time on January 3

At around 4.40am on January 3, the Cartagena Coast Guard Station received a distress call on line 146

'The people rescued were in life rafts when the two rapid response vessels that were mobilised located them,' Felipe Portilla, Commander of the Cartagena Coastguard Station, said

Footage of the rescue showed the foreigners being helped to safety in the darkness before they broke down in tears as they hugged each other once they reached dry land

Italian skipper Rudolf Gamberoni spoke after the drama to thank rescuers for saving them

He takes thrill-seekers on regular trips between the two countries on a New Zealand-built classic topsail schooner sailboat called Alessandra

Footage of the rescue showed the foreigners being helped to safety in the darkness before they broke down in tears as they hugged each other once they reached dry land.

Captain Rudolf Gamberoni said: 'A small cargo vessel hit us and made a big hole in our side. It didnt have any lights. Our boat sank in a question of just a few minutes.

'Luckily we are safe and many thanks to the coastguards who rescued us so quickly.'

The two British tourists, who have not been named, are believed to have celebrated New Year's Eve on board with their international sailing companions after departing from Panama on December 30.

They are thought to have paid just over 500 for the trip, which included double or single-bed accommodation in three shared cabins and three meals a day.

Police were still trying to identify the cargo vessel involved in the maritime accident, which is said to have continued without stopping with local reports pointing to the possibility its skipper may not have not realised he had collided with another boat in the darkness.
Donald Trump was 'morally right' to send US forces into Venezuela to snatch its dictator Nicolas Maduro, Kemi Badenoch said today.

The Conservative leader cited her upbringing in military-ruled Nigeria as she backed the shock move by the United States at the weekend.

In a daring raid special forces extracted Maduro from Caracas and flew him to New York to face drugs charges.

It sent shockwaves through the international community, raising questions about whether it was legal under international law and could embolden Russia and China to carry out similar acts.

But Ms Badenoch told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Venezuela was a brutal regime. We didn't even recognise it as a legitimate government.

'I think that what's happened is quite extraordinary. But I understand why America has done it.

And the reason why I say this is because, where the legal certainty is not yet clear, morally I do think it was the right thing to do.'

She added: 'I grew up under a military dictatorship [in Nigeria], so I know what it's like to have someone like Maduro in charge.

'I know what it's like to have people celebrating in the street. So I'm not condemning the US.'

The Conservative leader cited her upbringing in military-ruled Nigeria as she backed the shock move by the United States at the weekend

In a daring raid special forces extracted Maduro from Caracas and flew him to New York to face drugs charges

Mrs Badenoch was born in England in 1980 but was raised in Nigeria during a period when it was ruled by a succession of military dictatorships. She returned to the UK as a teenager in the mid 1990s.

He intervention on Venezuela comes as Sir Keir Starmer's government tries to tread a fine line over the raid.

Sir Keir has been reluctant to criticise the US action directly, with Europe still looking to Washington to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

On Monday, he would only say that international law must be the 'anchor' for Venezuela's future and that it was up to the US to justify its actions.

But he has come under pressure from some Labour backbenchers to condemn Saturday's raid on Caracas that saw then president Nicolas Maduro captured and taken to New York.

Those critics include Dame Emily Thornberry, the chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, who has described the action as a breach of international law.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting today said the Prime Minister was focused on 'how to make a challenging situation better, not worse' for both Europe's collective security and the Venezuelan people.

He told BBC Breakfast: 'What we've seen in Venezuela are further morbid symptoms of the disintegration of the rules-based system.

'And a world without rules is a world in which we are all less safe.'
The mayor of a Swiss village where 40 people died and 116 suffered severe burns after an inferno tore through a ski bar on New Year's Day has admitted that the party venue had not had any safety checks for five years.

Speaking to a press conference five days after the tragedy, Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud said that no periodic safety inspections had been carried out since 2019 at Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort.

'We are profoundly sorry. We did not have an indication that the checks had not been done'.

'We regret that - we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility.'

The mayor also confirmed he would not be resigning, telling reporters that he and his officials were elected by the people of Crans-Montana and that they have to be there to help residents.

'I'm not resigning, no, and I don't want to.'

'We're not departing the ship right now'.

Authorities have said they believe the fire started when people celebrating New Year raised champagne bottles with sparklers attached, setting light to sound insulating foam on the ceiling of the bar's basement.

Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud said that no safety inspections had been carried out since 2019 at Le Constellation bar

A photo appears to show the moment champagne sparklers set fire to material on the ceiling of the Swiss nightclub

Flowers and candles are pictured in tribute to the victims of the fire at 'Le Constellation' bar and lounge in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, 05 January 2026

Mr Feraud said that the sound-proof foam used in the bar was considered acceptable at the time.

All sparkler candles have now been banned inside venues, the mayor added.

The local council are looking at why this happened, which will include a full audit of all venues in the area and ensure more checks are carried out, Mr Feraud said.

He added that it is 'down to the judges' to determine who is responsible.

Most of the victims of the blaze that ripped through the ski bar were teenagers and Swiss authorities have been scrambling to find answers as to how the disaster occurred.

In a statement issued at the press conference, the Municipality of Crans-Montana said it had gone through all the documents in the file submitted to the Wallis canton public prosecutor's office following the fire.

It said the documents detail 'administrative procedures relating to the establishment's compliance'.

'Although more than 1,400 fire inspections were carried out in the municipality in 2025 alone, the municipal council deeply regrets discovering that this establishment had failed to undergo periodic inspections between 2020 and 2025.'

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The council said it would commission a specialist external agency to inspect all public establishments and would ban pyrotechnic devices indoors.

'The Municipality of Crans-Montana remains fully committed to supporting the victims of this tragedy and their families and loved ones, who are constantly in its thoughts,' the statement said.

'It will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.'

Questions have been raised over the age of the victims who were inside the venue when the fire broke out - with several of them said to be between the ages of 14 and 17.

Witnesses say that the bar was known for having a relaxed age verification policy, Swiss news outlet Blick reports.

Similarly, minors who entered the establishment before 10pm were generally not required to leave afterward.

One teenager named Oscar revealed that there was also a secret entrance to the bar through a sliding glass door that belonged to the adjacent ski shop.

'During the night, the door was always locked and only opened automatically from the inside,' 19-year-old Oscar claimed.

'But whoever had the door code could also get in from the outside at night,' he said, suggesting that minors could have slipped right past the bouncer.

It is unknown if any of the victims on the night of the tragedy had accessed the bar through this entrance.

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the bar managers - married couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti.

The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, according to the Valais region's chief prosecutor.

The couple are both currently at liberty, as they assist the judicial authorities with their enquiries.

They have indicated that they will open an enquiry into 'arson by negligence' and 'manslaughter by negligence' if 'criminal liability is established'.

In the meantime, the French couple have not been formally charged, and are free to travel.

Jacques and Jessica Moretti who owned the Swiss bar, Le Constellation, in Crans-Montana which caught fire New Years Eve. The pair are currently under investigation

A woman lights a candle at a makeshift memorial outside 'Le Constellation' bar, after a deadly fire and explosion during a New Year's Eve party, in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana

Laetitia Brodard-Sitre the mother of Arthur Brodard, who died during the deadly fire and explosion at a New Year's Eve party in 'Le Constellation' bar, mourns at a makeshift memorial outside the bar. Crans-Montana, Switzerland, January 4, 2026

Mr Feraud added that authorities had closed another venue run by the bar's operators.

Swiss police on Monday said they had identified all the people who were injured in the fire.

They put the total at 116, more than two-thirds still in hospital.

The injured include 68 Swiss citizens, 21 French nationals, 10 Italians, four Serbs, two Poles and one person each from Australia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal and the Republic of Congo, according to a police statement.

There were also four dual nationals: of France and Finland, France and Italy, Switzerland and Belgium, and Italy and the Philippines.

Police said 83 of the injured were still in hospitals. They didn't give further details or specify their ages.

The severity of burns made it difficult to identify some victims of the fire that broke out at about 1.30am on New Year's Day, requiring families to supply authorities with DNA samples.

Authorities announced on Sunday evening that they had completed the identification of the 40 people who died, the youngest of them aged 14.

On Monday, Italian authorities flew home the bodies of five victims from the airport in Sion, the regional capital.
More than half of Britons disapprove of Donald Trump's raid on Venezuela - but the US President remains slightly more popular than Sir Keir Starmer.

A YouGov poll found 51 per cent of Britons disapprove of the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a military operation.

This compares to just 21 per cent who approve of Mr Trump's astonishing action against the South American leader.

But the Venezuela raid does not seem to have affected the US President's popularity ratings in the UK.

One-fifth (20 per cent) of Brits hold a favourable view of Mr Trump, while more than three-quarters (76 per cent) hold an unfavourable view of him.

This is effectively unchanged from YouGov's previous survey in mid-December.

Mr Trump is marginally more popular than Sir Keir, with only 18 per cent of Brits holding a favourable view of the PM and 74 per cent holding an unfavourable view.

After being captured in his country's capital Caracas, Mr Maduro was first taken to Guantanamo Bay and then on to New York.

More than half of Britons disapprove of Donald Trump's raid on Venezuela - but the US President remains slightly more popular than Sir Keir Starmer

A YouGov poll found 51 per cent of Britons disapprove of the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a military operation

Mr Trump is marginally more popular than Sir Keir, with only 18 per cent of Brits holding a favourable view of the PM and 74 per cent holding an unfavourable view

He and his wife have been charged with drug and gun offences, accused of running an extensive drug-trafficking operation that flooded the US with cocaine.

The YouGov poll found Mr Maduro is poorly-known in the UK, with 65 per cent answering 'don't know' when asked what they think of him.

But the number who dislike the Venezuelan leader dramatically outnumber those with a positive view, by 33 per cent to 2 per cent.

The survey showed Reform UK voters were primarily in favour of the US military operation in Venezuela.

Nearly half (49 per cent) of those who backed Nigel Farage's party at the 2024 general election approve of Mr Trump's action, compared to 22 per cent who disapprove.

This compared to approval rates of only 31 per cent among Tory voters, 12 per cent of Labour and Liberal Democrat voters and 5 per cent of Green supporters.

Nearly one-third (32 per cent) of all voters think the UK Government should have condemned Mr Trump's actions.

But the same proportion (also 32 per cent) said Sir Keir and his ministers were right to neither condemn nor praise the US President's decision.

Only 8 per cent think the Government should have praised Mr Trump.
A restaurant has claimed it has been forced to close down after 20 years of operation due to 'ongoing issues' with an asylum seeker hotel next door.

Managers of Ceno Bar and Restaurant in Southampton, Hampshire, said illegal migrants have damaged the business and made it almost 'impossible to operate'.

They claim the car park has been locked for months and that the hotel owners have repeatedly ignored their pleas for help.

Ceno restaurant shares a building with Highfield House Hotel, which the Home Office uses to house up to 100 asylum seekers.

The hotel has been the site of weekly anti-immigration protests in recent months - with speeches often given from the wall outside the restaurant.

The demonstrations are regularly met with counter protests from anti-racism groups and there is often a heavy police presence at the scene.

A spokesperson for the eatery, which specialises in British food, said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce that Ceno Restaurant closed its doors on January 1, 2026.

'Despite every effort to continue trading, it has become frustratingly impossible to operate due to ongoing issues connected with the Highfield Hotel in which we are located, which has now become home to over 100 illegal immigrants.

Managers of Ceno Bar and Restaurant in Southampton said illegal migrants have damaged the business and made it almost 'impossible to operate'

Local residents hold an anti-immigration protest outside Highfield House Hotel in Portswood, Southampton

Pictured: Highfield House Hotel in Southampton that houses up to 100 asylum seekers

'The hotel owners have ignored our communication for help to assist with ongoing damage caused by the hotel residents and have locked the car park for many months, meaning our customers have been unable to park and access the restaurant.'

Managers said the challenges began when the hotel stopped serving the public - and claim they have not received any meaningful support from the police or the city council.

The popular restaurant has been successful for over 20 years and was rated 4.6 stars on TripAdvisor.

Locals online have shown their support for Ceno and shared their disappointment at the news of its closure.

Curt Wright said: 'Thank you for the exceptional service and some of the nights I have spent in the place, without a doubt one of the best atmospheres and nicest places to have a drink and chill out.'

Another frequenter Kayleigh Hilton, said: 'We are absolutely devastated, so many of our most precious memories have been at this Ceno site.

'However, we'll continue to be behind the team & look forward to your next venture!'

Debbie Kennett added: 'Cenos has leased the restaurant for 20 years. That's 20 years of memories who celebrated there.

The demonstrations are regularly met with counter protests from anti-racism groups and there is often a heavy police presence at the scene

Pictured: Ceno Restaurant was part of the Highfield House Hotel building in Southampton

Pictured: A legal notice is displayed in the window of the Ceno Restaurant in Southampton

'The business started to fall away when the immigrants moved in. I saw some of the abuse that the immigrants would shout down from their windows above.

'The guy who's restaurant it was, did his best to stay open. Did his best to try and not let the hotel drag down Cenos.

'The immigrants burnt holes in his awning when it was bought new. They would play awful music and turn it up on full volume just to be annoying.'

Ceno restaurant claims the last five years have been especially challenging, as the hotel stopped serving the public.

'Despite these obstacles, we are incredibly proud of what we built together with our fantastic customers', added the Ceno spokesperson.

'To the local residents of Highfield who continue to live nearby, we wish you the very best and hope that the difficulties we have faced do not impact you and your families in the future.

'Most of all, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful customers and those members of the Highfield community and beyond who have supported us right up until New Year's Eve.

'Your loyalty and kindness have meant more to us than words can say.'

There are plans to relocate the restaurant and reopen in the spring.

Pictured: Anti-immigration protesters and Stand Up To Racism campaigners are seen outside the Highfield House Hotel

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

'This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.

'We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery.'

Southampton Stand Up To Racism group - which clashes with anti-immigration protests outside the hotel - said far-right activists were to blame.

A spokesperson said: 'Attempts to blame asylum seekers or the hotel for the bar's closure are misplaced and unfair.

'Ceno Bar traded successfully for years alongside the hotel. Its decline followed the start of sustained far-right activity last summer.'

They added: 'Over recent months, their repeated demonstrations outside the hotel - often two or three times a week and lasting for hours - have caused serious disruption.'

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary added: 'Our local neighbourhood policing team have regular contact with businesses in the area, and have made near weekly visits to Cenos in recent months to try and engage with them and understand if there are any issues they want to raise or discuss with us.

'However, no concerns have been raised with our team on these visits.

'We are also not aware of any incidents of criminal damage.'
A Coyote Ugly waitress has been handed a 35,000 race discrimination payout after a colleague made fun of her Brazilian accent.

Ana Beatriz Machado, 30, was awarded the compensation because a fellow female worker told her she 'didn't like her voice' and customers 'don't understand her'.

Miss Machado - who now works at Hooters - was also accused of stealing money and sending it back to her home country.

She was subsequently fired over unsubstantiated allegations that she had been fiddling with the tills at the lively cowgirl-themed bar to send money back to her family.

But Miss Machado, a single mother living in Liverpool, has now won a hefty payout after successfully suing Coyote Ugly for race harassment.

Speaking in the aftermath of the case, she said the experience had caused her to suffer anxiety and depression, which made her 'stop eating', 'stop sleeping', and reportedly rely on food banks to provide food for her five-year-old daughter.

An employment tribunal held in Liverpool heard Miss Machado started her job at Coyote Ugly in Liverpool in December 2021.

It was heard she was employed as a 'Coyote'.

Ana Beatriz Machado (pictured), 30, was awarded the compensation after a fellow female worker told her she 'didn't like her voice' and customers 'don't understand her'

Miss Machado - who now works at Hooters - was also accused of stealing money and sending it back to her home country. She is pictured here with her daughter Ella as a baby

At Coyote Ugly, female bartenders - called 'Coyotes' - often wear cowboy boots, denim shorts, tops and perform line-dancing to entertain crowds.

During her employment, Miss Machado was harassed by fellow Coyote Rhiannon Freeman, who told another waitress not to pass the bar's microphone to Miss Machado.

Staff members had to use the microphone at work to speak to customers, but Ms Freeman said they 'don't understand her' in reference to Miss Machado.

It was also found Ms Freeman had said Miss Machado was 'weird', 'struggled to communicate', and 'did not like her voice'.

Employment Judge Jane Callan ruled that Ms Freeman's comments were race harassment and she was awarded compensation of 35,526.

Judge Callan said: 'It was unwanted conduct which had the effect of humiliating [her] or creating an offensive environment for her.

'[Her] accent is intrinsic to her nationality and we therefore find the act of unlawful harassment is made out.'

Miss Machado also successfully sued for harassment over her dismissal because it was ruled that her assistant manager, Rebecca Fitzsimmons, was influenced by her nationality when sacking her.

Employment Judge Jane Callan ruled that Ms Freeman's comments were race harassment and she was awarded compensation of 35,526

She was accused by her assistant manager of stealing money and sending it back to her family in Brazil.

Ms Fitzsimmons accused her of not charging some customers for drinks and taking cash payments but not putting them all into the till.

The tribunal heard: 'On December 22, 2022, Ms Fitzsimmons noticed that [Miss Machado's] tip jar was quite full for a weekday.

'She decided to look at the CCTV of the bar area.

'Ms Fitzsimmons' evidence was that [Miss Machado] served two pints of lager but only charged for one and served a double spirit to a former colleague but only charged for a single.

'[Miss Machado] then served a large group of customers and did not charge for some of the drinks she served.

'Ms Fitzsimmons said that [Miss Machado] took a cash payment for a round of drinks but did not enter all the drinks into the till.

'She then allegedly put cash in the tip jar along with a printed drinks ticket from the order and also placed that in the tip jar.'

Speaking in the aftermath of the case, Ms Machado said the experience had caused her to suffer anxiety and depression, which made her 'stop eating', 'stop sleeping', and reportedly rely on food banks to provide food for her five-year-old daughter (pictured)

Miss Machado said: 'As a person and as a mother, the experience was very difficult'. Her daughter Ella is pictured

Judge Callan said there was not enough evidence to conclude she was stealing.

'We observed the CCTV and found it to be inconclusive', Judge Callan said.

Speaking after the tribunal, Ms Machado said the comments about her accent made her lose confidence and feel that she was being used as a 'joke' because she was an immigrant.

She said: 'I had people doing bad jokes about my accent and using this against me. I shouldn't have been used as a joke.'

Ms Machado said that her dismissal gave her anxiety and said she 'could not sleep' because of the 'fear, shame, and 'insecurity'.

She did not think anyone would believe her and wanted to clear her name from accusations.

She said: 'As a person and as a mother, the experience was very difficult.

'I became very depressed and had to take medication to cope with the whole process, while also carrying the shame and fear that people might believe the false allegation of theft made against me.

'For me, the greatest fight was to clear my name. When an employer takes everything from you, including the most important thing-your name-you are left trapped in fear, shame, and insecurity.

'I was worried nobody would trust me ever again. I felt like nobody would ever believe me.

'I am a single parent. Without work, I couldn't afford anything for my daughter. I would be going to the food bank to get some food.

'It was December, nearly January, and all the bills for December weren't paid. So, at this time, I was very scared. So, I had no money.. I had no money for food.

'It made me feel so bad. I started to question myself way too much. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat. I went to bed at 5am in the morning. I had to go to the NHS for pills to sleep and calm my anxiety. I couldn't live.'

It took Ms Machado a year to find another job, which caused her financial troubles and she worried for her daughter.

She said: 'When I finally found my new job, I lived in fear for a long time that they might dismiss me for any mistake I could make.

'I was afraid of opening the till and I was afraid of the tips I might receive, since the reason my ex-boss dismissed me was because the tip jar looked 'too full' in her view.'

Ms Machado, from Sorocaba in Brazil, currently has leave to remain through her daughter, who is a UK citizen.
Donald Trump has been warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would spell the end of Nato.

The US President has hinted that the minerals-rich island could be next on his hit list following a dramatic raid on Venezuela at the weekend.

In a rare break with Washington, Keir Starmer warned President Trump to stay out of Nato states.

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said the US threats against Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, had to be taken 'seriously'.

She added that any attempt to seize it would collapse the Nato alliance which has been the bedrock of Western security since the Second World War.

Now, you can have your say in the Daily Mail's latest poll on whether Nato should intervene if Mr Trump tries to seize Greenland:

In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Is the US right to take over running Venezuela after removing leader Nicolas Maduro?' Out of more than 23,000 votes, 58 per cent of you said 'no' and 42 per cent said 'yes'.
A Turkish woman who says she has a resemblance to Donald Trump has filed a paternity lawsuit claiming US President is her biological father and is demanding a DNA test to prove it.

The claimant, Necla Ozmen, 55, lives in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and is understood to have lodged the case at the Ankara 27th Family Court on September 25.

The bizarre filing was immediately dismissed by the court, but she has sinced lodged an appeal.

Necla says she was born in 1970 and is officially registered in civil records as the daughter of Sati and Dursun Ozmen, the couple who raised her.

She claims she later learned she had been adopted, and that Sati told her the truth in 2017.

Necla alleges the 'baby swap' happened in a hospital in Turkey around 1970, most likely in Ankara.

She claims Sati gave birth to a stillborn baby in hospital and that another woman giving birth at the same time, a US citizen Necla identifies only as Sophia, handed over her newborn to be raised and registered by the Ozmen family.

Necla alleges Sophia said the reason was that the child was the result of a forbidden relationship with Trump, and that the baby was then brought up by the Ozmen family as their own.

She asked the judges to establish paternity and ordered genetic testing.

The initial court filing reportedly did not progress at first instance

Picture shows Necla Ozmen's mother, undated. The woman from Ankara, Turkey, filed a paternity suit claiming that her biological father is US President Donald Trump

The claimant, Necla Ozmen, 55, lives in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and is reported to have lodged the case at the Ankara 27th Family Court on September 25

In interviews with Turkish media, Necla has said she can only guess how Trump and Sophia may have met.

She claims Sati told her Sophia showed a photograph of Trump when the baby was handed over, and provided details about the father.

Necla has said she wants to speak with Trump and insists: 'I dont want to cause him any trouble. I just want to know the truth.'

'I just want to know whether he is my father. I would like him to speak with me. I can prove through a DNA test that he is my father, if he agrees,' she told DHA Press.

'I believe he is a good father. I believe he will not turn me away either,' she added.

The court is reported to have rejected the petition due to a lack evidence.

But Necla is appealing the ruling in the court, and has also sent petitions to the US Embassy and to courts in the US.
Greenland's prime minister has thanked Europe for its support amid Donald Trump's brazen bid to take the island over.

European allies have stood by the island of 57,000 amid the Republican president's overtures to annex it.

In a statement, the leaders of France,  Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark said Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen said: 'The support of our European allies in NATO means a lot. The support is a clear signal that territorial integrity, sovereignty and international rules of play continue to apply and are respected.'

Europe is preparing to unveil new security guarantees for Ukraine including a 'binding commitment' to protect the country from future Russian attacks.

Representatives of 35 countries, including 27 heads of state, are gathering in Paris in a meeting which aims to show the 'alignment' between Washington, Kyiv and European allies.

It comes as Trump today bragged that the capture of Venezuela's president Nicholas Maduro is proof the US has the most 'powerful and lethal' military in the world.

But the future of Greenland is up in the air, as Trump administration's focus shifts to Venezuela while suggestions of a Greenland takeover are causing tension with Europe.

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This is the moment a mass brawl broke out outside a Wetherspoon at a busy London train station.

A group of men can be seen throwing punches at one another outside the pub on the upper level of Victoria station in front of passengers.

Police officers raced to the station just after 11pm on Saturday to break up the fracas and arrested nine people.

Eight were taken into custody on suspicion of affray, with one arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm. They have all been released on bail.

People can be heard shouting at one another in footage of the violent punch-up that left one male on the floor.

Some people try to break up the fight amid a backdrop of train announcements coming from the station's speakers.

Station workers also attempted to stop the melee, with the brawl being filmed by a member of the public.

One woman was spotted trying to separate some of the men, but two ended up on the floor.

This is the moment a mass brawl broke out outside a Wetherspoon at a busy London train station

A group of men can be seen throwing punches at one another outside the pub on the upper level of Victoria station in front of passengers

Some people try to break up the fight amid a backdrop of train announcements coming from the station's speakers

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: 'Officers were called to Victoria railway station at around 11.20pm on Saturday, 3 January following reports of a fight.

'Officers attended and nine men were arrested - eight on suspicion of affray, one on suspicion of common assault and affray and one on suspicion of attempted Section 18 GBH.

'All have since been released on bail.

'Further enquiries into the incident are ongoing.'
Sharon Osbourne breaks down in tears as she takes to the stage at the 2026 Grammys for Yungblud's win as he honours 'idol' Ozzy Osbourne - six months on from his tragic death


A 'kind and generous' mother-of-four was killed and her daughter seriously injured when a van on the wrong side of the road smashed into their car, an inquest heard.

Donna Ball, 48, was air-lifted to hospital after the head-on crash last week - where she tragically died from her injuries a day later.

Four other people, including Donna's young daughter, were also taken to hospital with serious injuries after the collision, and the 19-year-old driver of the van was arrested.

The inquest opening heard that Donna was driving her car along the A4119 close to her home in Tonypandy, South Wales on Monday last week.

Coroners usher Joanne Martins said: 'A large Vauxhall Movano box van crossed the centre white line markings and into the path of Donnas vehicle, hitting Donnas vehicle head on.

'Donna was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where she sadly died from her injuries.

'The deceased was identified by her husband Howard Ball.'

The Pontypridd hearing was told that Donna suffered severe brain injuries in the crash.

Donna Ball, 48, was tragically killed when a van on the wrong side of the road smashed into her car

Ms Ball suffered serious head injuries in the crash

South Wales Area Coroner Patricia Morgan adjourned the inquest pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

She said: 'I take the opportunity to express my condolences to her family and friends at this sad time.'

The 19-year-old van driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

In a tribute to his late wife, Donnas husband Howard said last week: 'We as a family are devastated by the sudden, tragic, and needless death of our beloved Donna.

'We would like to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to all the emergency services who attended, including the air ambulance, Accident and Emergency, and the critical care teams at the University Hospital of Wales.

'Ongoing, I cannot express my thanks enough to the staff and doctors of Owl Ward and Noahs Ark Childrens Hospital for Wales for their care of our daughter.

'Donnas passing has left a huge void that can never be filled. Our old lives have ended; our lives without her begin now.

'We are overwhelmed by the messages of love and condolence we have received.

Ms Ball has since been described as 'an incredibly kind and generous person who would go out of her way to help anyone in need'

Five people were taken to hospital after a collision between a car and a van on the A4119 bypass at Williamstown, near Tonypandy in the Rhondda, south Wales, on December 29 2025

'We take great solace in the high regard in which she was held by so many. Rest easy, my love, until I see you again.'

A fundraising page set up to support the family has raised over 7,700 and describes Donna as 'an incredibly kind and generous person who would go out of her way to help anyone in need'.

South Wales Police said: 'We are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

'Additionally, any information regarding the driving behaviour of the driver of the van leading up to the collision would be greatly appreciated.'

The driver, who hasnt been named, has been bailed for further enquiries until March 30.

Anyone with information is urged to get in touch, quoting reference number 2500409628, calling 101 or going online at https://bit.ly/SWPProvideInfo.

An alternative is to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A major water company boss today gave himself and his staff an eight out of 10 rating - even though local residents were left without drinking water for two weeks.

David Hinton, the chief executive of South East Water (SEW), offered the positive assessment despite calls for him to resign over a recent chaotic outage in Kent.

Around 24,000 homes and businesses in and around Tunbridge Wells were without drinking water for two weeks from the end of November.

There was initially a complete shutdown of the supply after a 'water quality issue' at the Pembury Water Treatment Works.

This was then followed by the return of undrinkable water, so that people could flush their toilets and take showers, with residents told to boil water before drinking.

The 'boil water notice' was finally lifted on 12 December.

Appearing before a group of MPs on Tuesday, Mr Hinton - who earns 400,000 a year - said he was 'deeply sorry' for the outage.

He partly blamed a post-Covid increase in people working from home, new housing, and climate change for water supply issues in the region.

David Hinton, the chief executive of South East Water (SEW), offered the positive assessment despite calls for him to resign over a recent chaotic outage in Kent

Mr Hinton was grilled about SEW's response to the outage by Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat chair of the House of Commons' Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

Asked by Mr Carmichael to award his company a mark out of 10 for its handling of the crisis, Mr Hinton replied: 'It's hard to give it a mark out of 10 because there's lots of different facets to it.

'The response was by far and away the biggest response we've ever done. The amount of resources we put on it was by far and away the largest ever.'

Pressed by Mr Carmichael on whether it was SEW's 'biggest failure', Mr Hinton added: 'In terms of customers impacted this wasn't the biggest impact of the events we've had over the last five years.

'But it was undoubtedly the largest response because the investment we put into the response side of it.

'There are definitely lessons to be learned on the water quality side, which we've already adopted.'

Mr Hinton was then urged twice more to offer a mark out of 10, with the water boss eventually saying: 'I'll give you three numbers.

'I'd say eight out of 10 in terms of response, I'd say six out of 10 in terms of communication.

'And I'd say six out of 10 in terms of the actual prevention of the event in the first place.'

Mr Carmichael remarked: 'How bad would it have to be for you to give yourself a failure?'

Mr Hinton also confirmed to the committee that he received a 115,000 bonus last year on top of his 400,000 basic salary.

He added it was 'not for me to decide' whether he would receive a similar bonus this year.

The SEW boss blamed 'lifestyle changes' after the Covid pandemic for mounting supply issues.

'Starting in 2021, we had an uptick in demand following Covid. We are a commuter-based area and a lot of our customers are spending a lot more time at home,' he said.

'There was lifestyle changes and we've had some really extreme weather events over that period between 2021 and 2025.

'And that's meant the resilience of these particular areas have been stretched.'
A man has appeared in court accused of murdering his carer, a nurse who arrived in the UK from Kenya two years earlier.

David Walsh, 34, denied killing Irene Mbugua, 46, a single mother of four.

She was found dead by police officers at a property in Markby Road in the Winson Green area of Birmingham shortly before 1am on June 23 last year.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died as a result of serious head and face injuries.

Walsh appeared by video link from HMP Birmingham on Tuesday wearing a prison-issue grey tracksuit to enter his not guilty plea.

Walsh, of Markby Road, was told his trial will start on February 23.

David Walsh, 34, appeared in court on Tuesday where he denied killing Irene Mbugua, 46, a single mother of four.

A JustGiving page set up to help Ms Mbugua's relatives with funeral costs said she moved to the UK from Kenya to work in care two years before she was 'brutally murdered ...while at work'.

Organisers said her four children had been 'left without their breadwinner'.

In a tribute issued after Ms Mbugua's death, her family said: 'We are so lost without you and we pray for grace to face each day, mum.

'Your beautiful smile and hearty laughter will be missed.

'Please just remind us on how to join the dots because we don't have a map yet. Rest easy you remain in our hearts forever.'

Friends said Ms Mbugua moved to the UK 'to work hard and give her children a better life' and in a short time became loved at work and in her community.
A teenager has appeared in court accused of mowing down and killing a great-grandmother who was walking over a zebra crossing while allegedly speeding on an electric motorcycle.

Billy Stokoe, 19, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving as well as driving while under the influence of drugs after he allegedly hit beautiful and intelligent Gloria Stephenson, 86, on May 16 last year.

She was with her daughter and grandson at the time of the incident.

South Tyneside Magistrates Court heard today that the crash was captured on car dash cam footage and witnesses described Stokoe allegedly speeding and holding a mobile phone as he collided with Ms Stephenson.

He is also accused of failing to stop after the crash.

Prosecutor Chike Anieto said Stokoe was driving a Sur-Ron Light Bee electronic motorcycle at around 2pm when he collided with Gloria Stephenson, an 86-year-old lady, crossing the road on a pedestrian zebra crossing.

It was fatal and led to the death of this lady, he added.

[The incident] was captured on dash cam footage which shows the defendant did not slow down at the crossing and collided with Gloria Stephenson.

The witness evidence in this case is he was speeding and holding a mobile phone.

The defendant when interviewed in respect of the case provided no comment.

Billy Stokoe, 19, of Sunderland, is accused of causing the death of Gloria Stephenson, 86, as she walked over a pedestrian crossing

Ms Stephenson was described by her family as a 'vibrant, active, beautiful and intelligent' mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who had 'years left to give'

Stokoe is accused of having traces above the legal limit of THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabis compound, in his blood at the time of his arrest.

The teenager, of Sunderland, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving without due care while over the drug limit and causing death while driving a vehicle without a licence or insurance.

He is also accused of riding a motorcycle while failing to wear protective headgear and failing to stop after a road accident.

Stokoe, wearing a dark suit and supported by members of his family, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing today.

He covered his face with a scarf as he entered and left the court building.

Due to the serious nature of the offences, the case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court for a further hearing next month.

In a statement released shortly after her death, Ms Stephensons family said they were devastated at the loss of our vibrant, active, beautiful and intelligent mam, grandma, mother-in-law and great-grandma.'

The press described her as an elderly lady  however, we want to make absolutely clear that our mam was full of life,' the statement added.

She was active, fit, healthy, and had years left to give her love and share her energy and zest for life with everyone who knew her.

The family want to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who supported mam, and her daughter and grandson at the scene.
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani's newly appointed tsar for renters posted a slew of offensive tweets sharing her plans to target ordinary working white people.

Cea Weaver, a progressive 'housing justice' activist, was named Mamdani's new director of the city's Office to Protect Tenants on his first day in the role.

The 37-year-old has vowed to launch a 'new era of standing up for tenants and fighting for safe, stable, and affordable homes.'

But her promise is now being scrutinized after internet sleuths unearthed a collection of controversial old posts she made on a now-deleted X account.

Weaver's tweets saw her call to 'impoverish the white middle class' and brand homeownership as 'racist' and 'failed public policy.'

She called to 'seize private property' and even made a racial claim that 'homeownership is a weapon of white supremacy.'

Weaver further urged officials to endorse a platform banning white men from running for office, as well as reality TV stars.

The controversial tweets were posted between 2017 and 2019. It is unclear if Weaver, who most recently served as the executive director of two organizations that advocate for tenant protections, still shares these viewpoints today.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed tenant advocate Cea Weaver (pictured together) as director of the newly revitalized Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants

The 37-year-old is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and served as a policy advisor on Mamdani's mayoral campaign

The Daily Mail has approached Weaver for comment.

She wrote in August 2019: 'Private property, including and kind of especially homeownership, is a weapon of white supremacy masquerading as "wealth building" public policy.'

Two years prior, she claimed that America 'built wealth for white people through genocide, slavery, stolen land and labor.'

She also encouraged voters to 'elect more communists,' just months after she called for the endorsement of a 'no more white men in office platform.'

In addition to the resurfaced tweets, video of Weaver talking about the housing market has also gone viral.

In the short clip, which is believed to have been recorded for a podcast interview in 2022, the tenant advocate suggested a change in homeownership is soon to come.

'I think the reality is, that for centuries we've really treated property as an individualized good and not a collective good,' she said.

'And transitioning to treating it as a collective good and towards a model of shared equity will require that we think about it differently and it will mean that families - especially white families, but some POC families who are homeowners as well - are going to have a different relationship to property than the one that we currently have.'

Weaver has come under fire over a slew of resurfaced social media posts from her since deleted X account that appeared to target white people

Video of Weaver talking about the housing market in 2022 has also gone viral. She argued that society was 'transitioning to treating private property as a collective good,' which she added would impacted white families

Weaver, whom Mamdani referred to as a 'friend', was appointed to her role under one of three executive orders the new mayor signed on his first day in office.

The order named her boss of the newly revitalized Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants.

Weaver, who holds a master's degree in urban planning, currently serves as the executive director of Housing Justice for All and the New York State Tenant Bloc.

She advocated for and played a key role in the passing of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which aimed to expand tenants' rights across the state of New York.

The law strengthened rent stabilization, made it harder for landlords to raise rents sharply, and imposed restrictions of landlord actions, such as evictions. It also capped housing application fees to $20 and limited security deposits to one month's rent.

Weaver is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, like Mamdani, and served as a policy adviser on the NYC mayor's campaign.

She grew up in Rochester and now lives in Brooklyn. Weaver was named one of Crain's New York's 40 Under 40 last year.

Mamdani said that he and Weaver will 'stand up on behalf of the tenants of this city'

'Today, on the first day of this new administration, on the day where so many rent payments are due, we will not wait to deliver action. We will stand up on behalf of the tenants of this city,' Mamdani said on January 1 as he announced Weaver's new role.

'You cannot hold landlords who violate the law to account unless you have a proven principled and tireless fighter at the helm. That is why I am proud today to announce my friend Cea Weaver as the Director of the newly reinvigorated Mayor's office to protect tenants.'

Weaver said that she was 'humbled and honored' to join his administration and 'stand with him on his very first day in office as he makes clear where his priorities lie: with the millions of tenants in New York City who have been mistreated for too long by negligent landlords.'

'Our work will only grow and this newly revitalized office marks a new era of standing up for tenants and fighting for safe, stable, and affordable homes,' she added.

Deputy mayor for housing and planning, Leila Bozorg, branded Weaver a 'powerhouse for tenants' rights' and said she was excited to see the 'innovation she brings to this new role.'
A top NHS doctor has been accused of carrying out sex attacks on two women at a London hospital.

Yew Meng Aw-Yong, who was the medical director for the Metropolitan Police Service, appeared at court today charged with two counts of sexual assault.

The 59-year-old is accused of assaulting the women at Hillingdon Hospital, west London, between January 2013 and September 2015.

The doctor, who is a specialist in emergency medicine and a former leading expert on forensic healthcare, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court today where he denied the charges.

Mr Aw-Yong, of Fulham, south west London, was released on conditional bail ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on February 3.

He has been suspended from his role with the Met.

If found guilty Mr Aw-Yong could face up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine for each offence.

In his career, the doctor has worked as a medical advisor for St Johns Ambulance, and was president of the British Academy of Forensic Science.

Top NHS doctor Yew Meng Aw-Yong, 59, has been accused of sexually assaulting two women between January 2013 and September 2015

The two alleged offences were said to have been carried out at Hillingdon Hospital in west London

He has also sat on the council of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

Mr Aw-Yong has been a lecturer at Queen Mary University of London too, as well as sat on a Ministry of Justice panel on deaths in custody and acted as a special advisor to the Care Quality Commission.

The doctor, who has advised the National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing, has also sat as a medical judge on the Ministry of Justices First Tier Tribunal Judicial Allocations Committee.
Britain faces handing huge sums to the EU for better access to the single market under Keir Starmer's 'reset'.

The PM is pushing for closer ties with the bloc under huge pressure from Europhile Labour MPs and ministers, arguing it can boost the economy.

Legislation expected as soon as next month could sign the UK up to EU rules on food standards, the electricity market, animal welfare and pesticide use.

That has been billed as implementing a deal agreed last year, but Sir Keir has already made clear he wants to go further - while stressing that fully rejoining the customs union and single market are off the table.

Downing Street said today there were clear, indisputable benefits of closer alignment.

Brussels sources have been making clear the government will have to 'pay to play' if Labour wants to remove more barriers.

Diplomats told the Financial Times that the bloc's 'red lines' meant the UK would have to obey EU rules and contribute to its budget.

Another official questioned whether there was any appetite in Europe for another renegotiation.

Keir Starmer is pushing for closer ties with the EU under huge pressure from Europhile Labour MPs and ministers, arguing it can boost the economy (pictured with Ursula von der Leyen)

Students from Turkey will be eligible to come to the UK in 2027, as the country is an 'associate' member of the Erasmus scheme

'Brussels is now preoccupied with the Ukraine war, European rearmament and internal negotiations over the next budget cycle,' they said.

'There is no remaining bandwidth at this point, while arguably there might have been back in July 2024.'

Sir Keir sparked a storm at the weekend by telling the BBC that he was looking at better access to the single market.

'I think we should get closer and if it's in our national interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that,' he said.

'If it's in our interest to do so, we should take that step.'

Critics fear the PM will be forced into more concessions as he desperately hunts for ways of saving his leadership.

The EU is pushing for a 'youth' free movement deal that could mean large numbers of people coming to the UK to work.

Before Christmas the government announced it is paying 570million to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange programme.

On an annual basis the sum is double what Boris Johnson rejected as too expensive in 2021.

It is equivalent to roughly a fifth of the entire EU funding envelope for Erasmus+, although the government insists a chunk of the money will go on travel for British youngsters.

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds sealed the Erasmus deal with the European Commission's Maros Sefcovic (pictured together in April)

Worryingly, Brussels has already signalled that a 30 per cent 'discount' will not be repeated, meaning the cost could hit 810million a year in future.

Students from Turkey will be eligible to come to the UK in 2027, as the country is an 'associate' member of the scheme.

And Brussels has declared it wants to expand the arrangements to cover countries such as Egypt, Algeria and Morocco.

Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of taking the country 'backwards'.

'Let's do what we can to make sure we maintain a good relationship with the countries that are next to us in Europe, most of all. But that doesn't mean following all their rules and being run by them,' she told GB News.

'That was the reason why we left in 2016 and what this shows, if it is true, is that Keir Starmer's got no ideas for what to do with the country. And so he's just taking us backwards, no vision for the future, no economic plan.'
A mom has hired a flashy lawyer with a distinctive nickname after her daughter found a gun and killed herself.

Kealin Lewis's four-year-old daughter, Kendall, died in August 2022 after she found the weapon in the backseat of the family car and shot herself as they drove down the I-85.

This week, the 29-year-old's motion to dismiss her indictment and drop the second-degree murder charge was denied.

She and her lawyer, Jackie Patterson, had hoped to get her severe charge dropped as the attorney argued her daughter's death was an accident.

'We're certainly disappointed,' Patterson, who is also known as The Fly Lawyer, told the Daily Mail.

'It's the first time in my 33 years that a prosecutor ever tried something like this.'

Patterson argued Georgia law does not criminalize accidents, but the judge denied her motion to dismiss the indictment, WSB-TV reported.

Officers said they found the girl deceased in the backseat of the car and that she had died from a single gunshot wound, 11 Alive reported in 2022.

Lewis was charged with second-degree murder and child cruelty charges.

Kealin Lewis's daughter, Kendall, four, died in August 2022 after she found a gun in the backseat of her mother's car and shot herself as they cruised down the I-85

Patterson told the Daily Mail that her charges should have been dropped to reckless conduct.

He also argued that the court had failed to show the child was abused by her mother.

'Where is the cruelty? Where is the physical act of committing cruelty to this child?' he demanded in court this week.

'Let me tell you, Miss Lewis, her life has been turned upside down,' he said in 2024. 'She lost her baby girl and nothing will ever bring her back.

'Shes certainly regretful that she committed this act of reckless conduct when the gun was under the seat when the child, unfortunately, got ahold of it. But she is not guilty of murder. Shes going to have to live with this for the rest of her life.'

However, Assistant District Attorney Sarah Hilleren said the child cruelty charges come from Lewis allowing her daughter to have access to a weapon.

'The state maintains that the indictment is charged appropriately. In this case, your honor, the criminal negligence caused the cruel or excessive physical pain,' she said.

Police also alleged the mother did not perform CPR on Kendall as the 911 operator allegedly told her to, WSB-TV reported.

Prosecutors also alleged in 2022 that the shooting may not have been accidental, as the alleged evidence didn't point toward it being that.

Patterson told the Daily Mail he is 'certainly disappointed' by the judge's decision, but is 'absolutely confident' he and Lewis will win the case when it goes to trial this month

Lewis allegedly heard a pop sound after the gun went off, and she had pulled over and called her mechanic, thinking it was a malfunction of her vehicle, WSB-TV reported at the time.

Afterward, she allegedly called her daughter's name and when she looked back, she saw Kendall bleeding. She called 911, where she was instructed to give the child CPR.

Patterson argued at the time that the mother didn't perform the life-saving act because she knew her daughter had already died.

Lewis had no criminal record prior to the incident, but prosecutors alleged at the time that family members were attempting to get guardianship of the girl, as the mother and her boyfriend got into violent arguments in front of Kendall.

Patterson denied this.

Lewis's case is expected to go to trial later this month.

Patterson told the Daily Mail that he is 'absolutely confident' that they will win the case and that the jury will side with them.

Lewis faces 30 years in prison.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Patterson for comment.
A famous transgender chef has been charged with domestic violence after she allegedly attacked her girlfriend while drunk, Oregon police say.

Luna Contreras, 45, was arrested on December 19 after she allegedly arrived 'intoxicated' at the Portland apartment of an 'intimate partner of two months,' according to a court document obtained the Daily Mail.

The girlfriend told police that Contreras began 'grabbing and touching' her 'aggressively' after she arrived.

Tensions escalated after, 'Contreras put her hands around her neck' and 'threw a glass liquor bottle at her', according to the document.

Building security guards responded to reports of a fight and found the woman trying to push Contreras out of her apartment, the filing stated.

The guards were attempting to intervene when Contreras allegedly attempted to use a taser on one of them but missed.

She was subsequently arrested and charged with fourth-degree attempted assault constituting domestic violence, two counts of harassment and one count of unlawful use of a stun gun.

Contreras pleaded not guilty to charges and was released on her own recognizance. Additionally, a no-contact order was issued, and Contreras's next court date is scheduled for January 20.

Transgender chef Luna Contreras, 45, was arrested and charged with domestic violence after she allegedly attacked her girlfriend

Once named Chef of The Year by Eater PDX, Contreras allegedly choked her girlfriend and thew a glass liquor bottle at her

On her Instagram profile, Contreras describes herself as 'immigrant, brown, trans, queer, activist'.

In 2022, she appeared on Netflix's competition cooking show Snack v. Chef, where 12 chefs battled it out to recreate snack foods. She was eliminated in the fourth episode.

The next year, Contreras was named Chef of the Year by Eater PDX for her pop-up Mexican restaurant, Chelo, which operated out of restaurant collective space called Dame.

'Contreras is ubiquitous in the fabric of Portlands food scene  shes a staple at many of the citys biggest food events, her condiment line is stocked at fine food markets around town, and shes a vocal advocate for the trans community,' Eater PDX wrote.

'Itd be one thing if Contreras was simply a talented chef; its her radical vulnerability, commitment to activism, and authentically goofy personality that make her such a captivating chef to cheer on.'

In an Instagram post celebrating the honor, Contreras wrote, 'So very proud as a trans woman and as an immigrant.'

Chelo abruptly closed on December 19, the same day as Contreras's arrest, according to the Dame website.

On December 26, the other restaurant at Dame, Ma Cher, announced on Instagram that it was closing, 'due to events that none of us could have foreseen happening.'.

Contreras pop-up Mexican restaurant, Chelo, announced it was closing the same day of her arrest

In 2022, she appeared on Netflix's competition cooking show Snack v. Chef, where 12 chefs battled it out to recreate snack foods. She was eliminated in the fourth episode

'We want to respect everyone who is affected by these circumstances and it's not our place to speak on behalf of others,' the restaurant wrote.

The next day, Dame announced it was closing for good at the end of the year.

'Dame has danced through her last year,' the business wrote on Instagram.

The Daily Mail contacted Contreras for comment.
Illegal immigration in Germany has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, barring the first year of the pandemic.

The record figures occurred under the watch of the country's conservative chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who pledged to tighten border controls when he came to power last May.

From January to November 2025, 106,298 first-time asylum applications were recorded by the national migration agency Bamf, putting Germany on course for its smallest annual total since 2013.

In 2024, number was over double, at 229,751.

Last year, the federal police, responsible for controlling the border, registered 62,526 illegal entries, half as many as in 2023.

Meanwhile, nearly 75 per cent of the 33,000 people who attempted to cross the frontier between May and December were either rejected or, in 58 cases, physically escorted back to the other side.

While Merz's government claims responsibility for the decrease - which began to take hold two years ago - it is difficult to determine the exact cause of the decline.

The amount of migrants entering the European Union via Belarus, the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean has also fell sharply for various reasons - including geopolitical shifts in the Middle East and Poland's extensive policing measures on its eastern border.

The record figures occurred under the watch of the country's conservative chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who pledged to tighten border controls when he came to power last May

Last year, the federal police, responsible for controlling the border, registered 62,526 illegal entries, half as many as in 2023

Nearly 75 per cent of the 33,000 people who attempted to cross the frontier between May and December were either rejected

At the same time as the drop in immigration, a mild but protracted recession has rendered the German economy less attractive that its neighbours.

'This kind of political rhetoric or game where they say: 'Okay, we've got refugee and migration flows under control and our restrictions are responsible' is really very dubious', Marcus Engler, a social scientist at the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research in Berlin, told The Times.

Chancellor Merz has decided to grapple with migration head on, declaring the issue a 'national emergency'.

He has ordered German police to turn back virtually all undocumented migrants at the border and has temporarily suspended family reunification, and as a result the foreign ministry issued only two visas for relatives of asylum seekers in the past five months.

On top of this, Merz has also reversed many of Germany's migration policies which have made the country such a popular destination for asylum seeker.

These include the abandoning voluntary humanitarian refugee intake schemes while also replacing cash benefits with prepaid debit cards that can only be used in physical shops.

Mr Engler added that Merz's ominous rhetoric about migrants changing Germany's 'urban landscape' has helped create a hostile environment to deter more arrivals.

Join the debate Has Germany gone too far in cracking down on migrants?

German police with migrants at the Polish border. Chancellor Merz has decided to grapple with migration head on, declaring the issue a 'national emergency'

Supporters of Alternative for Germany (AFD) in Berlin. Politically, Merz hardline anti-migration stance appears to have done little to stop the rise of the hard-right AFD which are now neck and neck with Merz's CDU in the polls

But some members of Merz's coalition want the government to go even further.

Members of the Bavarian Christian Social Union, which controls the national interior ministry, is calling for most of Germany's 950,000 remaining Syrians to be sent back and for regular deportation flights to Taliban-governed Afghanistan.

The policies have led the government to loggerheads with the German judiciary.

In the summer, the administrative court in Berlin ruled that three men from Somalia had been turned back illegally at the border with Poland because there was no justification for the 'state of emergency' underpinning the order and it therefore violated EU law.

Other legal experts have claimed that attempts to stop migrants crossing the land border might also go against the European Convention on Human Rights, although these claims have yet to escalate to Strasbourg.

According to Mr Engler, Berlin has 'absolutely no evidence at all' to prove its border controls are working.

'Look at the borders: there are hundreds of kilometres of forests and mountains and meadows. These controls will be easy to circumvent for people who really want to,' he said.

'But to put it clearly, there is no serious study that shows these border controls result in people [who are fleeing persecution] no longer coming to Germany.'

German police carry out border checks on the French border. Legal experts have claimed that attempts to stop migrants crossing Germany's land border might also go against the European Convention on Human Rights

Politically, Merz hardline anti-migration stance appears to have done little to stop the rise of the hard-right Alternative for German (AFD) party which are now neck and neck with Merz's CDU in the polls.

There is some evidence that the government's relentless focus on the topic was only driving more voters towards the AfD.

Concerns have also been raised that the removal of migrants could only exacerbate the strain on an already tight labour market.

Economists have estimated that Germany needs a total of roughly 1.5 million migrants a year  or a net figure of 400,000 once emigration has been factored in  to sustain its workforce at the present level.

And because many of the Syrians who have called Germany home for the past decade are now employed in a lot of key industries, there have been calls for a 'great deal of pragmatism' when it comes to deportations.
A mysterious trader has made a fortune after betting on the removal of the Venezuelan president hours before he was captured.

The wagers took place on Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based predictions market that allows users to bet on the outcome of events.

The unnamed user, whose default screen name was a blockchain address made up of a string of numbers and letters, created their account just last month.

On December 27, they bought $96 worth of contracts that would pay off if the US invaded Venezuela by January 31, according to Polymarket data.

Over the next week, they continued buying thousands of dollars worth of similar contracts that would yield large payouts.

On January 2, between 8.38pm and 9.58pm, the user more than doubled their overall wager, betting more than $20,000 on the same kinds of contracts they had been purchasing since the end of December.

At 10.46pm, less than an hour after the final bets were placed, President Trump ordered the military operation. Around 1am, the first reports of explosions rocking Caracas began to spill in.

Observers have speculated that the well-timed wager was a result of insider trading.

A mystery trader walked away with about $400,000 after betting that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would be captured by the end of January. Maduro is pictured here being escorted to a federal courthouse in New York City

Observers have speculated that the well-timed wager was a result of insider trading, as the operation was kept top secret. Here, US military helicopters are pictured over Caracas

The wager took place on Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based predictions market that allows users to bet on the outcome of all kinds of future events

The mystery user, whose default screen name was a blockchain address made up of a string of numbers and letters, made almost $410,000 in profit off around $34,000 of bets

The contracts the user had purchased were priced at a measly eight cents apiece, which meant the general consensus among Polymarket betters was that there was just an eight percent chance of the US invading Venezuela and capturing Maduro.

Prediction market platforms, such as Polymarket, are meant to offer information aggregation and crowdsourced forecasting that leverage the power of the 'wisdom of the crowd' to offer more accurate predictions than traditional polling.

Prediction markets famously forecasted the result of the 2024 presidential election more accurately than polls. On Polymarket, Trump was slated as having a 60 percent chance to win the election, while polls had the race closer to 50-50 odds.

But the wisdom of the crowd did not see Maduro's capture incoming by the end of January, which meant that accurately predicting the event yielded huge returns.

In the end, the mystery user made almost $410,000 in profit off around $34,000 of bets - a 1,200 percent return. More than half of the bet was made the same day that Trump ordered the operation.

The less than one-month-old account, high concentration and confidence of bets over a short period and lack of news indicating an imminent operation in Venezuela are all indicators of insider knowledge.

The Trump administration kept the plans for Maduro's capture top secret, saying they needed to keep the element of surprise. Not even Congress was notified of the operation until it was underway.

Unnamed sources familiar with correspondence between the White House and news outlets told the publication Semafor that the New York Times and the Washington Post found out about the operation shortly before it began, though both legacy media titans held off on reporting the information in order to avoid endangering US troops.

Not even Congress was notified of the operation to capture Maduro until it was underway. Maduro is pictured on the USS Iwo Jima shortly after his capture

Reports of explosions in Caracas began spilling in around 1am, just a few hours after the mystery trader doubled down their bets

Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan told the Wall Street Journal that there is self-regulation against insider trading on his platform

After news of the Maduro bets spread, New York Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres said he was planning on introducing a bill this week to prohibit elected federal officials, political appointees and executive-branch employees from betting in prediction markets where they have or could obtain relevant nonpublic information.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal in December, before the Maduro bet controversy, Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan said that there is self-regulation against insider trading on his platform.

'The moment there is a suspected insider, its pointed out on X, and its visible on Polymarket immediately. So its not like its done in darkness,' Coplan said.

The Daily Mail has contacted Polymarket for comment regarding the speculations of insider trading on its platform.

Prediction markets are a growing business model that have also faced scrutiny and criticism for offering betting loopholes, such as more favorable tax rates than traditional sports-betting and the ability to operate in states where gambling is illegal.
A married father-of-three was senselessly shot outside a Target after an alleged argument over a parking space.

Matthew Traywick, 33, was killed just after 4pm on Sunday outside the store in Savannah, Georgia, according to authorities.

Tyler Linn, 30, has been named as the suspect in the alleged shooting.

Emergency responders found Traywick in the parking lot with gunshot wounds and took him to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Linn remained on the scene after the altercation and was arrested for murder and aggravated assault. He is in custody at Chatham County Jail, according to records.

Traywick was a young father of three. His employer, Vaden Automotive, posted a tribute to him, calling him a 'valued member' of their family.

The car dealership honored him last Father's Day, writing, 'From guiding customers to guiding kids, Matt Traywick brings heart and wisdom to everything he does.

'This Fathers Day, we honor his role as both a proud dad and an invaluable part of our team.'

Matthew Traywick, 33, was killed on Sunday afternoon in a Target parking lot. The Georgia father has three children and is pictured above with his daughter

Traywick's community has set up a fundraiser for his wife, Micayla, and their three children (pictured together) after his tragic death

Tyler Linn, 30, was arrested in connection with Traywick's murder. Linn faces felony charges of murder and aggravated assault

The company posted a video at the time of Traywick talking about being a father. He said his favorite part about having kids was coming home at the end of the day and seeing them waiting for him.

Traywick's community has started a GoFundMe for his wife, Micayla, and their children in the wake of his passing.

The description said he was the sole provider for their family, and his death left them with 'both emotional and financial hardship.'

'Micayla has always been a devoted mother and friend, and now she needs the support of her community more than ever,' the description added.

The Savannah community has been left in shock, with mayor Van Johnson calling for an end to gun violence.

'No disagreement over a parking space, or anything else should ever end in the loss of life,' Johnson said in a statement.

'This needless, unnecessary violence underscores the daily pain felt by families across our city and the urgency of our collective work to reduce gun violence and strengthen community safety.'

Traywick's company honored him last Father's Day, saying the young dad brought 'heart and wisdom to everything he does'

Social media accounts linked to Linn (pictured) appear to show he served in the military. It's unconfirmed if the two men knew one another but Traywick served in the Army from 2015 to 2023

A military official told local Fox affiliate, WTOC, that Traywick served in the Army from 2015 to 2023. He served at an airfield in Savannah as an unmanned aircraft systems repairer.

It's unclear if Traywick knew his alleged killer, but social media profiles linked to Linn also show he served in the military.

Linn shared photos on Instagram in 2020 and 2021 while wearing a military uniform. His last post on the account was a carousel of figurines in December.

Linn hasn't yet entered a plea for the charges against him. The Savannah Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and asked the public to report any relevant information.
A grieving Connecticut family is calling for Tesla Cybertrucks to be taken off the roads after their 14-year-old son was killed in a hit-and-run.

Malachi James died on Christmas Day when a Cybertruck traveling in the opposite direction slammed into his family's Toyota Camry as they drove south on Cornwall Street in Hartford.

He was later pronounced dead at the hospital from severe blunt force injuries to his head, neck, and body, while the driver fled on foot and remains at large.

Malachi's family said Cybertrucks are far too large and powerful to safely share the road with regular traffic - pointing out that the vehicle is already banned in parts of Europe.

'We are going to do our best to look at some ways to see if we can get them removed from the streets,' Royael Saez, Malachi's aunt, told WTNH. 'We don't believe in something like this, this is a tank.'

Saez noted that the Cybertruck has been effectively banned across the European Union, arguing that such restrictions abroad should signal it isn't safe for public roads.

The problem lies in the Cybertruck's core design - a stainless-steel exoskeleton with sharp, unyielding edges - which fundamentally conflicts with decades of European safety regulations focused on protecting pedestrians.

The US Army Customs Agency for Europe has also warned service members not to import the vehicle, as it lacks EU Type Approval and cannot be registered.

Malachi James, 14, died on Christmas Day after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into his family's car

The fatal collision occurred around 9.18pm when the Tesla car traveling in the opposite direction smashed into the Toyota Camry that Malachi's family was in

Meanwhile in the US, the Tesla Cybertruck has earned a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), according to the vehicle's website.

Notable safety features mentioned include automatic emergency braking, lane assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Tesla's camera-based system that provides a 360-degree view.

Its sensors and cameras collect data that can be analyzed after an accident, Dr. Eric Jackson from the Connecticut Transportation Institute told WTNH.

It also includes autopilot and full self-driving, and passive protections such as crumple zones, airbags, and a low center of gravity to reduce rollover risk.

While the truck's ultra-hard exoskeleton helps protect occupants, its weight, starting at 6,634 pounds, could pose serious risks to pedestrians and smaller vehicles, said Jackson.

Despite strong crash test performance, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) withheld a Top Safety Pick award due to poor headlight ratings and marginal seat belt reminders.

Hartford Police have not yet confirmed who was driving the Tesla at the time of the 9:18 p.m. crash but told Daily Mail that more details will be released soon as the investigation continues.

Law enforcement did not offer any clues as to why the driver had left the brutal collision after it occurred.

Royael Saez, Malachi's aunt, spoke out against Cybertrucks, noting they've been banned in the EU for safety reasons

Hartford police still have not confirmed who was driving the Cybertruck at the time of the crash (Stock photo of a Tesla Cybertruck)

No one has been charged in connection to the teen boy's death so far, as the driver of the Tesla vehicle fled the scene on foot following the fatal accident

The teen boy (pictured front, holding a child) died in the crash and three other family members in the car, including his father, sister and niece, were critically injured and hospitalized

Three other family members in the car were also critically injured, including Malachi's father Thomas James, 50, his sister Christiana, and his three-year-old niece Vaniya.

Thomas faces multiple complex surgeries, Christiana underwent leg surgery requiring rods, and Vaniya is in a full body cast.

Malachi, a freshman at Middletown High School, had just celebrated Christmas with his family and was described as 'a shining light everywhere he went.'

His relatives said they are shattered by the tragedy and are seeking justice.

'For the person that did this, I hope they don't think they can run and hide,' said his uncle Spenser McGhee.

Malachi's aunt Joanna James called the crash 'a horrific hit-and-run caused by a reckless driver fleeing another incident.'

A GoFundMe created after the teens death had raised a little over $9,300 of its $10,000 goal. Proceeds will cover Malachis funeral and burial, medical bills, rehabilitation, and counseling for trauma support.

A separate GoFundMe organized by his cousin, Shanika Bunch, had collected nearly $18,000of its $20,000 goal, also to help with funeral expenses.
A small dog was heard yelping in pain after he and his owner were deliberately mowed down, a court heard.

Art collector John Axelrod, 79, was out walking his dog with a friend when he was allegedly hit and killed by 42-year-old William Haney Jr on Saturday in Boston.

A witness said they heard his pet, called Tale, yelping before it died and a loud bang noise, the Boston Globe reported.

Dr Heather Jackson, a court psychologist, testified on Monday that Haney did not understand his charges and appeared to be suffering from a mental health problem.

He was 'smiling' and 'looking around the room constantly' while she evaluated him as 'if he was hearing auditory hallucinations,' she testified.

'While he denied auditory hallucinations, he appeared to be responding to stimuli throughout the evaluation,' she reportedly told the court.

'He expressed numerous paranoid delusions.'

Haney's brother also told the doctor that his medication had been changed in August, and that Haney had been having difficulty 'understanding the difference between reality and fantasy,' she said in court.

John Axelrod, 79, was out walking his dog, Tale, with a friend when he was hit and killed

Dr Heather Jackson testified that Haney (pictured) was 'smiling' and 'looking around the room constantly'

Haney - who appeared in court in an untucked, rumpled shirt - could also not identify his attorney by name, the doctor said.

Despite that, prosecutors alleged that Haney deliberately hit Axelrod and it was not a random hit-and-run.

'This was not a motor vehicle accident. It was deliberate and premeditated murder,' prosecutor Ursula Knight said in court, according to The Globe.

Haney's attorney, Keith Halpern, however, argued his client might have mistaken the art collector for someone else, as he was 'not aware of any evidence that he knew Mr Axelrod.'

After allegedly hitting Axelrod, Haney's car was seen pulling into a Dunkin' Donuts, where he was 'seen removing what looked like a rope from the front grill of the SUV and tossing it in the direction of a garbage can,' Knight said.

It was later discovered that the object was the dog's leash with the animal's name on it, The Globe reported.

Haney then abandoned the vehicle further down the road before meeting up with his brother, who drove him to the Brookline police station and reported that the 42-year-old had been in an accident.

Haney was charged with murder and animal cruelty, but Halpern is hoping the court will drop the murder charge after hearing his psychiatric evaluation results.

Axelrod was strolling with a friend near the Commonwealth Avenue Mall when he was killed

Haney was later seen getting out of his car at a Dunkin' Donuts and throwing away a rope-like object that prosecutors allege was the dog's leash with his name on it (pictured: Axelrod, Tale and a friend)

A not-guilty plea was entered on Haney's behalf.

Haney appeared motionless in court as the judge ordered him to be held without bail. He is due back in court on January 23.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Haney's lawyer for comment.

Axelrod was known as a 'generous supporter and passionate advocate for underrepresented artists,' the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) said in a statement.

The benefactor had been deeply invested in the museum since the 1980s, and his death has rocked the local artistic community.

'His legacy will live on at the museum through the John Axelrod Collection - a transformative acquisition of nearly 70 works by Black artists,' the MFA said.

The John Axelrod Gallery in the Art of the Americas Wing was dedicated to him in 2009, standing as a tribute to his undying legacy.

Axelrod was an art collector who was deeply invested in the city's art scene

Part of a current exhibition in the John Axelrod Gallery at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, where he has donated more than 700 pieces since 2014

The collector's first work was donated to the museum in 1985, per the Globe, and his gifted pieces covered areas he felt were underrepresented and didn't get the attention they deserved.

Axelrod had donated more than 700 pieces, the museum said in 2014.

He was an early collector of art made by black artists, and the museum obtained 67 pieces from Axelrod. He felt their pieces were vital for telling the story of American art and the museum's collection by him was a game changer, The Globe said.

'I learned very quickly never to question Johns eye,' Nonie Gadsden, the museums senior curator, told The Globe.

'He was always ahead of the museums and the curators and even the marketplace. He just had a way of identifying important objects.'

The 79-year-old was a New Jersey native who was a student at the Phillips Academy.

He went on to study at Yale University and Harvard Law School.

The art enthusiast loved dogs, and his Facebook page was filled with photos of the animals, including pictures of him and Tale.
Authorities have confirmed that human remains have been found on a West Australian beach days after a snorkeller went missing.

The remains, reportedly a head, were discovered by a local washed ashore on the sand at Fence Reef Beach, about 100km north of Perth, early on Tuesday morning.

Snorkeller Wen Ren Gu, 32, known as Walter, went missing from nearby holiday spot Ledge Point while crayfishing five days earlier.

He had been with three friends who alerted authorities when he did not return to their group at 3pm on Thursday, sparking a large search and rescue operation which was called off on Friday.

Police said they were called to Fence Reef Beach by the local shortly after 7am on Tuesday.

A spokesperson confirmed the remains have not formally been identified but 'it is believed to be a 32-year-old man who went missing on Thursday'.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Snorkeller Wen Ren Gu, 32, known as Walter, went missing from Ledge Point while crayfishing
A man accused of a Christmas day arson attack on a car bearing a Hanukkah sign outside a rabbi's home has declared his innocence.

Richmond man John Argento faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being charged with six counts of arson.

He also faces a raft of other charges including theft, obtaining property by deception, attempted theft from a motor vehicle and burglary.

The 47-year-old is accused of setting alight a car bearing a chanukah symbol, a nine-branched candelabrum associated with Hanukkah celebrations, outside a local rabbi's house in St Kilda East, southeast of Melbourne, in the early hours of December 25.

No one was inside the vehicle at the time, but the house had to be evacuated as a precaution.

Police alleged Argento may have also been involved in an incident at a nearby street where a car was broken into about 20 minutes after the alleged arson.

Argento was unrepresented by a lawyer and appeared in court from Moorabbin police cells, where he was remanded in custody.

'I'm innocent of this arson,' he said over the video link during his court appearance.

The car with a 'Happy Chunakah' sign was set alight early on December 25

Police have arrested Argento (left) with the attack on the car (right) described as 'despicable'

This picture shows the significant damage to the vehicle

Magistrate Olivia Trumble told him it wasn't the best idea to speak with everyone on the link and in court.

The court was told Argento had diagnosed schizophrenia, bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder.

He was also at risk of self-harm and on a methadone program, the court heard.

Argento was remanded to appear before the court again on Thursday.

The car arson occurred a fortnight after 15 people were killed when two Islamic State-inspired gunmen opened fire on Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach on December 14.

At the time, Jewish groups said the Christmas morning attack was designed to frighten Jews for being visibly Jewish.

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A French dance teacher and self-proclaimed hypnotherapist is on trial accused of drugging and sexually abusing more then a dozen women while filming the assaults.

Cyril Zattara, 47, appeared in court behind closed doors in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence, charged with raping 14 women over 10 years, as well as allegedly filming around 20 women without their knowledge.

The disturbing case draws comparisons with that of Gisele Pelicot in France, who was raped by dozens of men on numerous occasions after being drugged by her husband, Dominique.

Zattara, who has been in detention for five years, has admitted to 10 of the rape charges.

The case began in 2019 when a 24-year-old filed a complaint after a hypnosis session with the self-taught hypnotherapist.

The woman said she woke up after drinking part of a glass of wine and recalled vomiting and being raped by the defendant.

His DNA was found under the young woman's fingernails and in her underwear.

The defendant would allegedly slip sleeping pills into the victims' drinks before sexually assaulting them, often targeting women with whom he was friendly or in intimate relationships, according to the investigation.

When the victims woke up, dazed and sometimes undressed, Zattara would attribute their condition to hypnosis or blame it on alcohol, according to the investigation.

Cyril Zattara (pictured) appeared in court on Monday in Aix-en-Provence, charged with raping 14 women over 10 years

The case follows a high-profile trial that shocked France in 2024, in which Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife Gisele for almost a decade and inviting dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious. Pictured: Gisele Pelicot pictured in October, 2025

But blood and hair tests showed that the victims had ingested tranquillisers.

Investigators also found photos and videos on Zattara's computer that showed the alleged victims in a lethargic state during sexual intercourse.

Judge Roger Arata ordered the trial to be held behind closed doors at the request of a lawyer for one of the civil parties.

Other victims argued the trial be open to the public.

The case follows the high-profile trial that shocked France in 2024, in which Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife Gisele for almost a decade and inviting dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious.

He was found guilty on all charges last year and sentenced to 20 years in prison, which was the maximum possible.

He admitted his role and did not appeal.

All 50 of his co-defendants were also found guilty of various charges related to the case.

The trial drew international attention after Gisele opposed a closed hearing, a demand made by several defendants.

The court sided with her. Her courage inspired campaigners against sexual and sexist violence and the shocking case spurred a national reckoning over rape culture in France.

The evidence included stomach-churning homemade videos of rapes and assaults that Dominique Pelicot filmed in the couples home in the small Provence town of Mazan and elsewhere.
A little girl and her toddler brother are too young to realize that their dentist father and mom are both gone forever after they were shot dead by a mystery figure.

The four-year-old and 17-month-old do not understand the 'gravity of the situation' that has befallen their family in the wake of the murders of Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monica Tepe, 39, in Ohio on December 30.

Both siblings were home at the time of the double murder but were not harmed.

Rob Misleh, brother-in-law of Spencer, was visibly emotional as he told WBNS about the everlasting effects of the devastating murder.

'We are all dealing with something that one week ago from today we literally would have no idea this would be happening,' said Misleh.

He explained that the kids were doing well, but added that it may be due to the fact: 'They are young enough to not fully understand the gravity of this situation.'

A GoFundMe was set up for the children, which has raised more than $163,000 and will be put into a trust, Misleh said to the outlet.

The fundraiser's description described the parents as proud of their two beautiful children, and added that every day they showed up with unwavering love and devotion to their family.

Spencer and Monique Tepe were shot to death upstairs while their two young children slept unharmed inside the family home

Rob Misleh, brother-in-law of Spencer, told WBNS the children 'are young enough to not fully understand the gravity of this situation'

'The abrupt loss of Spencer and Monique has changed daily life in ways that are still unfolding,' wrote the GoFundMe.

'This fund exists to help provide stability and care for their children and the immediate family members who are supporting them during this time.'

Misleh told the outlet that support means more than the money itself.

'We also really want to be charitable about it,' added the uncle. 'Spencer was very involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.'

He continued that he is patiently waiting to see justice be served, as he understands that investigations take time and aren't like the crime shows on television.

'Nothing can ever bring them back, but getting the justice that Mo and Spencer so deserve, finding whatever monster is capable of doing something like this, I think it would make not just our family, but a lot of people be able to feel a little bit safer,' added Misleh.

The couple was found in their $700,000 Weinland Park home the morning of December 30

Eerie surveillance footage shows a hooded figure walking calmly through a snowy alley near the Tepe home during the time the couple were murdered

Most recently, the case was updated after police released a chilling video that places an unidentified 'person of interest' just steps from the Tepe house during the narrow window when the couple was gunned down upstairs.

The footage was put out on Monday by the Columbus Police Department, which says the video was taken between 2am and 5am on December 30 in an alley next to the Tepe family's Weinland Park home.

When police discovered the couple in December, Spencer had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique had at least one to the chest.

Paramedics declared both Monique and Spencer dead shortly after arriving, just one month before the pair would have celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.

Officers with the Columbus Police Department found no obvious signs of forced entry or any firearm at the scene and are investigating the deaths as a double homicide.

'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend, Dr. Spencer Tepe,' Dr. Mark Valrose, owner of Athens Dental Depot, where Spencer worked as a dentist, said in a statement, according to WSYX.

Columbus police discovered Spencer with multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique had at least one to the chest. Authorities said the deaths do not appear to be the result of a murder-suicide

The investigation and search for the suspect is now being led by Detective Weiner, with assistance from Detective Miller

'Our heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,' he added. 'We appreciate the community's thoughts and prayers.'

The grim discovery came after Dr. Valrose called 911 for a welfare check at the Tepes' home on N. 4th Street just after 10am Tuesday, after Spencer failed to show up for his shift at the dental office, according to the incident report obtained by the outlet.

The investigation and search for the suspect is now being led by Detective Weiner, with assistance from Detective Miller.

Police are now urging anyone with information to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).
A Seattle activist has been accused of helping her son run a criminal network that distributed fentanyl across the US.

Marty Jackson, 50, is charged with using her non-profit to launder money for a drug trafficking operation that was run by her son, 32-year-old Marquis Jackson, and her husband, Mandel Jackson, 51.

The Jacksons were first indicted in 2024 along with 14 other defendants who were allegedly involved in the drug trafficking organization.

In December, the Department of Justice expanded the case, adding nine new defendants and additional charges related to prostitution.

Marty is well known in Seattle as the former head of SE Network SafetyNet, a non-profit with the stated goal of providing violence intervention at the city's public schools and the south Seattle community.

She was trusted by Seattle leaders and would regularly appear on TV, promoting her non-profit and speaking about gun violence prevention.

The nonprofit was granted lucrative contracts from the city and county to accomplish its work. Community violence intervention is a strategy that tries to stop local conflicts from escalating and was backed by the Biden administration.

In the summer of 2024, SE Network SafetyNet was granted nearly $193,000 by King County as part of the 100 Days of Peace initiative, a gun violence prevention strategy that was proposed by one of the county's councilmembers and distributed a total of $1million.

Marty Jackson, 50, is charged with using her non-profit to launder money for a drug trafficking operation that was run by her son and husband

Marty (left) is well known in Seattle as the former head of SE Network SafetyNet, a non-profit with the stated goal of providing violence intervention at the city's public schools

Marty's son, 32-year-old Marquis Jackson (left), and her husband, Mandel Jackson (right), 51, are accused of leading the drug trafficking organization

Marty is accused of laundering money through structured deposits by using her own account as a 'pass-through' between members of the drug trafficking organization.

The investigation into the Jackson family and their alleged criminal network began percolating in 2022, when the FBI and the DEA started looking into Marty's son, Marquis, who is accused of being the ringleader.

Investigators tied the trafficking ring to a series of fentanyl overdose deaths at the Lummi Nation reservation in Whatcom County, which is located on the Washington coast, about 100 miles north of Seattle.

The 2024 indictment charged the defendants with moving fentanyl between Washington, Montana, Georgia, Missouri, Texas and Arizona.

A press release from the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington stated: 'Over the course of the investigation law enforcement seized more than 846,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 7 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 7 kilograms of cocaine and 29 firearms. They also seized more than $116,000 in cash.'

In November, 44-year-old Michael Young Jr became the first of all 24 people who were charged in the case to be sentenced to prison.

He was given seven years behind bars after pleading guilty. He is the only person to have done so. All of the other defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Investigators said that Young was a 'high-level' member of the organization.

The US Attorney's Office shared pictures of the seized fentanyl pills. Almost 850,000 of them were found over the course of the investigation

Investigators tied the trafficking ring to a series of fentanyl overdose deaths, and prosecutors have said that the group's activities 'unquestionably led to overdose and death.'

Investigators also seized nearly 7 kilograms of fentanyl powder. Fentanyl pills mixed in with powder are pictured here

At Young's sentencing hearing, US District Court Judge Jamal N Whitehead blasted the trafficking ring for the danger it posed.

'Every pill you moved was a loaded gun. The sentence needs to hold you accountable for the lives you endangered,' the judge said.

Prosecutors have also said that the group's activities 'unquestionably led to overdose and death.'

If the defendants are convicted, the sentencing range could be anywhere from 10 years in prison to life in prison.
An NHS ambulance worker who was let go after her wife tried to beat their boss to death with a hammer has won an unfair dismissal claim against her former employer.

Paula Smith had worked for the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Trust for 26 years in the Patient Transport Service, helping to transport patients to and from hospital.

She sometimes worked alongside her wife, Stacey Smith, who had a similar role, though the pair were not guaranteed time off together. But after a years-long dispute over shift patterns, Stacey attacked their boss, Michala Morton, in November 2023.

Stacey had lain in wait outside Ms Morton's home in Tameside before bludgeoning her head with a hammer, fracturing Ms Morton's wrist as she tried to defend herself.

She then sent a text to an unknown acquaintance, writing: 'I've done it. I've smashed her head in. Oppsie (sic) xx!'

Paula was suspected of being involved in the murder bid by Michala Morton, the tribunal heard, leading to her arrest and suspension.

But when she was cleared of all involvement, NHS bosses still made the decision to sack her. She learned she was out of a job in evidence given during her wife's trial.

The former ambulance worker could now be awarded up to 26,000 after an employment tribunal ruled that she had been unfairly dismissed by NWAS bosses who remained suspicious of her despite her innocence.

Paula Smith (left) with her wife Stacey (right). Stacey has been jailed for 20 years after attempting to kill their boss in a long-running dispute over shifts

Michala Morton was attacked by Stacey outside her own home as she set off for work - suffering head injuries as well as a broken wrist

Stacey Smith (pictured in a police mugshot) acted alone. Her wife says she had no knowledge of what she intended to do - and was later cleared of any involvement

Employment Judge Holmes also ruled that Patient Transport Service bosses had been wrong to use a subsequent Facebook post Paula had written after being sacked as grounds for dismissing her appeal, and for refusing to relocate her.

The tribunal heard that Paula and Stacey had clashed with Michala Morton over their rotas, after requests to have shifts rearranged so they could have time off together were not honoured.

A formal grievance was lodged in January 2022 that did not appear to have been followed up. The pair were also aggrieved after being unable to attend the service of a patient they had both known well, that other co-workers had gone to in July.

Instead, NHS bosses brought Paula into a disciplinary meeting over cyber-bullying in August after she wrote a resentful social media post about the situation which blamed, but did not name, Michala Morton. She was given a written warning in August.

Three months later, Stacey attacked Ms Morton outside her home, raining down several blows as she called her boss a 'b****'.

She then drove off from the scene as Ms Morton lay collapsed on the ground, and later handed herself in.

Paula maintains she had no knowledge of her wife's plan. But she was arrested by police who were assessing allegations that she had harassed and threatened to kill Ms Morton.

She was bailed and ordered not to approach or be in the same place as her boss, and not to contact any co-workers.

NWAS bosses immediately suspended her on full pay. Paula was later told she faced dismissal because of her inability to go to work.

But in March 2024, Greater Manchester Police informed the NHS trust that Paula was no longer a suspect in the case and that her bail conditions were lifted, meaning she could return to her job. Neither GMP nor NWAS told Paula this for a month.

Instead, ambulance bosses hauled the worker into a meeting on April 19 2024 where she was told she was set to lose her job because she was a reputational risk.

Requests to relocate her were refused. Patient Transport Service boss Ian Stringer told her that, despite her innocence, 'the relationship with your wife, who will stand trial for the serious and violent assault and attempted murder of your operations manager, cannot be ignored.'

Paula Smith (right) with Stacey (left). She was viewed with suspicion by North West Ambulance Service bosses even after being cleared by police

Stacey Smith seen in a TikTok video wearing her NHS uniform. She and her wife were aggrieved by what they saw as a failure to accommodate shift requests

A mock-up of the text Stacey Smith sent to an acquaintance after attacking her boss with a hammer

The couple had worked under Michala Morton for several years but their relationship soured over shift patterns (pictured: NWAS emergency ambulances)

Saying he needed time to consider 'a lot of information', Mr Stringer told Paula he would write within seven working days. He sacked her within three, under the catch-all 'some under substantial reason'.

Paula was not told straight away. Instead, she found out in the courtroom - when Michala Morton described her as an 'ex-employee' while giving evidence at Stacey's trial on April 24. Mr Stringer sent a letter by post a day later.

She appealed against the dismissal, which was refused because, Mr Stringer said, Michala Morton probably still suspected her of having a role in the attempt on her life.

'Although GMP have confirmed that they have ceased their criminal investigation into these allegations, it is highly likely that Michala Morton is at odds with that decision and still believes the allegations to be true,' he told her.

He also refused the appeal because of a Facebook post Paula had written after being sacked, in which she referred to Ms Morton as 'Chucky' and said: 'Thanks for ruining my life and my marriage.'

Stacey Smith's trial was halted due to illness - and a retrial that began in September ended with her conviction for attempted murder.

She was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, of which she must serve at least two-thirds, and can never contact Ms Morton again. Paula is now separated from her wife, at Stacey's instigation.

In a written judgment, Employment Judge Holmes said Paula was 'in no way responsible' for her arrest, and that there had never been 'any real risk of reputational damage'.

'So (NWAS workers) knew, or may know, that (Paula) was married to the woman who violently assaulted Ms Morton,' Mr Holmes mooted in his judgement.

'Put bluntly - "So what?".'

He also looked dimly upon a claim by Mr Stringer included in an early draft of Paula's dismissal letter that appeared to suggest NWAS bosses were suspicious of her claim that she had 'no notion of your wifes intentions', removed from the final version.

Finding in Paula's favour, EJ Holmes said the trust had 'focused very heavily upon the claimant's arrest and bail conditions, but neither of these received any publicity... The claimants dismissal was unfair.'

In a statement to the Daily Mail, the North West Ambulance Service Trust said it did not intend to appeal the tribunal ruling. An independent review into the disputes has resulted in the Trust being given several recommendations on improving procedures.

A remedy hearing, at which Paula could be awarded up to 26,541 pending further details of her finances, will be held at a later date.
Drinking water served aboard some of America's most trusted airlines could be very bad for your health, after a study found some of it contained the dangerous e.coli bacteria.

The Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity conducted a three-year study from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2025, across 21 airlines, including 10 major airlines and 11 regional carriers.

Shockingly, the results found 32 instances of Escherichia coli (e.coli) present, indicating that disease-causing pathogens could be present in the water systems aboard several airlines.

Some strains of e.coli can cause damage to the intestines by producing dangerous toxins which can lead to life threating complications.

Each airline was assigned a Water Safety Score based on five areas: violations per aircraft, Maximum Contaminant Level violations for e.coli, indicator-positive rates, public notices, and disinfecting and flushing frequency.

Airlines were graded on a scale from 0.00 (lowest safety) to 5.0 (highest safety), based on the results of the tested criteria. Scores below 3.5 received letter grades of C, D, or F.

The majority of the major airlines scored below 3.5, but at the very bottom of the group was American Airlines with an abysmal 1.75.

American Airlines carried the 151.7 million passengers in 2025, more than any other airline and holds the title of the worlds largest flight company, according to Simple Flying.

A study found that some of the most popular airlines did not meet drinking water quality standards. JetBlue had a score of 1.80, the second-lowest score among major airlines

Results of the study showed 32 violations of e.coli, indicating that disease-causing pathogens could be present in the water systems aboard several airlines

Popular airline JetBlue did not fare much better, earning the second-lowest grade in the group, a 1.80.

Regional airlines did not fare well, with only one regional company receiving a letter grade of a B [3.85].

'Nearly all regional airlines need to improve their onboard water safety, except GoJet Airlines,' says Charles Platkin, director of the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity.

The study took 35,674 water sample locations for coliform bacteria testing, which resulted in 949 positive samples (2.66 percent).

Since 2011, the federal Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) requires airlines to provide passengers and flight crew with safe drinking water.

'Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines win the top spots with the safest water in the sky, and Alaska Airlines finishes No. 3,' said Platkin.

Delta Airlines was the only airline to receive a perfect score of 5.0, with close second Frontier Airlines at 4.80. Alaska Airlines was given a 3.85.

Despite praising certain companies, the study still advised three things never to do while aboard a plane: 'NEVER drink any water onboard that isnt in a sealed bottle.'

'Do not drink coffee or tea onboard.'

'Do not wash your hands in the bathroom; use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol instead.'

American Airlines, the most popular airline company in the world, had the lowest score among major companies [1.75]

Delta Airlines was praised by the study and was the only airline to receive a perfect score of 5.0

The 'bottom-line' advice was given as a precaution for passengers, just to be extra safe.

The study gave the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a 'Shame on You' award because it is also responsible for enforcing aircraft water safety standards.

Civil penalties for airline water violations remain extremely rare, 'if at all,' the report added.

The study noted that because aircraft fly to numerous destinations, drinking water may be pumped into their tanks from sources that may not meet quality standards.

In addition, water quality also depends on the safety of the equipment used to transfer the water, such as trucks, water cabinets, carts, and hoses.

Airline Water Safety Scores At-a-Glance (5.00 = highest rating, 0.00 = lowest):

Major Airlines

Delta Air Lines: 5.00 (Grade A)

Frontier Airlines: 4.80 (Grade A)

Alaska Airlines: 3.85 (Grade B)

Allegiant Air: 3.65 (Grade B)

Southwest Airlines: 3.30 (Grade C)

Hawaiian Airlines: 3.15 (Grade C)

United Airlines: 2.70 (Grade C)

Spirit Airlines: 2.05 (Grade D)

JetBlue: 1.80 (Grade D)

American Airlines: 1.75 (Grade D)

The study advised that passengers should never drink unsealed water on while flying. The report suggested not washing your hands and to not drink the tea or coffee aboard a plane

Regional Airlines

GoJet Airlines: 3.85 (Grade B)

Piedmont Airlines: 3.05 (Grade C)

Sun Country Airlines: 3.00 (Grade C)

Endeavor Air: 2.95 (Grade C)

SkyWest Airlines: 2.40 (Grade D)

Envoy Air: 2.30 (Grade D)

PSA Airlines: 2.25 (Grade D)

Air Wisconsin Airlines: 2.15 (Grade D)

Republic Airways: 2.05 (Grade D)

CommuteAir: 1.60 (Grade D)

Mesa Airlines: 1.35 (Grade F)
A former Georgia lawmaker is facing fraud charges for receiving benefits during the pandemic, following a massive alleged scheme in Minnesota where dozens faced accusations of stealing federal funds intended for hungry children.

Former Democrat state Representative Karen Bennett has been accused of collecting $13,940 in federal benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic that she was not entitled to receive, according to a criminal information document filed in federal court.

Bennett previously served as a representative for DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, which encompass Atlanta. She was elected in 2012 and retired on New Year's Day.

The former rep allegedly filed for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, starting in April 2020.

PUA was intended to assist those who couldn't work during the pandemic but were denied unemployment benefits.

Americans who were self-employed, worked gigs, or were independent contractors could apply for PUA if they were denied unemployment.

When Bennett was denied unemployment, she filed for PUA, listing her two employers as the Georgia General Assembly and Metro Therapy, according to court documents.

She allegedly lied on her application, claiming she couldn't work at Metro Therapy during quarantine.

Former Democratic Representative Karen Bennett is accused of claiming almost $14,000 in federal benefits that she wasn't qualified for

Georgia state Representative Sharon Henderson faces accusations of fraud for falsely claiming benefits during the pandemic

The two Georgia lawmakers allegedly falsely claimed money intended for those struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic (Pictured: Georgia State Capitol Building, file photo)

However, prosecutors argue that Bennett's role at the therapy center was administrative and that she worked from her home office.

Bennett allegedly disclosed that she was receiving $300 per week for her role as a representative, but failed to report that she was also receiving $905 for a position at her church.

The representative also allegedly claimed she was seeking work and needed federal benefits.

However, prosecutors have argued that it was a lie, and she could've continued working from home at Metro Therapy during the pandemic.

Bennett sent a letter to Governor Brian Kemp on December 30 announcing that her last day in the legislature would be January 1.

'I am proud of the work accomplished by the Georgia General Assembly when we came together to advance policies that strengthened our state and improved the lives of all Georgians,' she said in the letter obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

'Serving in this capacity has truly been a labor of love, and one I will deeply miss.'

The US Department of Justice filed charges against Bennett just four days after her last day in office.

Bennett allegedly lied about her income on a federal application for benefits to receive assistance during the pandemic

Henderson allegedly claimed she couldn't work as a substitute teacher during the pandemic. However, prosecutors allege that she hadn't been employed with the school district for years

She has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. The Daily Mail has reached out to her representation for comment.

Bennett is now the second Democratic Georgia lawmaker to face accusations of fraudulent behavior during the pandemic.

State representative Sharon Henderson was arrested in early December for illegally collecting $18,000 in benefits she wasn't entitled to.

Henderson allegedly applied for PUA benefits while running for office and claimed she was employed by Henry County Schools as a substitute teacher.

Prosecutors argued that Henderson had worked as a substitute only five times and hadn't taught in the district since 2018.

Henderson was released on bail and pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. The Daily Mail has reached out to her representation for comment.

'It is shocking that a public official would allegedly lie to profit from an emergency program designed to help suffering community members,' US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement at the time.

'Politicians who violate the public trust and steal from the needy to enrich themselves will be held accountable.'

Georgia is now the second state facing allegations of fraud involving benefits intended for those struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

Bennett wrote a letter to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in December, notifying him of her retirement before charges were filed against her

Two individuals from Minnesota were convicted for a fraud scheme involving federal assistance funds

Prosecutors began uncovering the multi-million-dollar fraud scheme in 2022, investigating officials at the Feeding Our Future nonprofit.

The two ring leaders of the scheme, Aimee Bock and Salim Said, were found guilty last March for helping to steal $250 million in federal aid intended for needy children.

Bock was convicted of seven federal charges, while Said was convicted of 20, including bribery and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors have charged around 70 individuals in the fraud case. Thirty-seven have pleaded guilty, and five were convicted.
A professional hitman accused of ordering a murder as part of a blood feud in Albania will be sent back to his native country after living in Britain undetected for two years.

Lorenc Lala, 48, claimed he was a beekeeper when he was arrested in June last year after Albanian authorities tracked him down to the UK and issued a warrant for his extradition.

He is alleged to have organised a payment of 42,000 for the murder of Albi Bashaliu in revenge for the killing of another man in the village of Gjocaj.

Mr Bashaliu was sitting in a car selling chickens when he was shot dead in 2021.

Lala is understood to have fled Albania for Britain on the understanding it provided a safer location outside of the reach of the European arrest warrant.

He arrived in the country on a British Airways flight in August 2023 with his wife later applying for a skilled worker visa in the care sector.

Lala appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today where he consented to his extradition from the UK to Albania.

He was warned that his agreement to extradition was irrevocable but gave his consent, avoiding a full two-day hearing.

Lorenc Lala, 48, claimed he was a beekeeper when he was arrested in June last year after Albanian authorities tracked him down to the UK and issued a warrant for his extradition

Lala is alleged to have organised a payment of 42,000 for the murder of Albi Bashaliu in revenge for the killing of another man in the village of Gjocaj

Lala stood in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke through an Albanian interpreter.

District Judge Sam Goozee told him: 'You have now consented for extradition to Albania.

'I will now send the case to the Secretary of State [Home Secretary] for her to order your extradition. You have no right of appeal against this.

'Once the Secretary of State has made her decision arrangements will be made for you to be removed to Albania. In the time being you'll be remanded in custody.'

Lala's wife attended a hearing last July but she was not in court today.

Harry Perkin, for the Albanian government, previously said: 'The defendant faces 25 years if he is extradited and convicted.

'In December 2021, he was first wanted by Albania. He was suspected of conspiring to murder with other co-conspirators.

'His role was to provide the means of transportation for the criminal group, as well as weapons. His role was significant.

'The murder was committed as part of an organised crime group. This is in the context of a blood feud in Albania.

'There is a risk of the defendant fleeing the country. Mr Lala did not provide officers with a passport or ID card.'

Matei Clej, defending, previously said: 'There are, at this stage, inadequate particulars to assist the court in understanding what this man is accused of having done.

'This is a heavily media tied case. The gentlemen is said to be a linked to a number of murders.

'He is portrayed in the Albanian media as a professional hitman.

'If he is tied up in these murders, there is a very substantial incentive to get him out of that predicament.

'My submission is that the defendant has a very tenuous link to the murder he is accused of, and it is a tenuous case.

'The defendant is unconvicted in Albania. He has a clean record.

'He has spent various short periods in Greece and Italy. He has a got a clean record in those countries just as much as he has in the UK, which he came to in August 2023.

'The precise manner in which he came to this country is that his partner who sits at the back of court, applied for a skilled worker visa, to work in the care domain.

'They travelled together by British Airways. Albanian border force provided that information on August 3, 2023.

'His wife started the process of applying for skilled worker visa in May 2025.

'Their account is that they came to this country to seek economic betterment. She enjoys skilled work status, and the defendant is here as her dependent.

'The defendant has three children including a small baby. He worked as a delivery driver.

'He previously worked as beekeeper in the agricultural sector in Albania, using cow feed using rented land. He was also a manager of hotels there.'
Primary school pupils had to wear coats indoors to try and keep warm in 'freezing' classrooms after the heating system packed up leaving parents furious.

The broken heating system at the school in Plymouth meant parents were told via social media to send their children to school with an extra layer of clothing.

This was met with fury from parents who say their children have been left ill due to the cold conditions at Weston Mill Community Primary Academy.

The school, part of the Discovery Multi Academy Trust, has admitted there was an 'issue with the heating' but said it has now been fixed.

It comes as hundreds of schools are closed today due to widespread snow across the UK in the worst cold snap of the winter so far.

One mother, Sarah-Jane Dore, from Keyham, has kept her four children at home today, with one daughter, Annabelle, poorly with asthma, which she attributes to the cold temperatures at the Plymouth school yesterday.

'She was up all night coughing,' said Mrs Dore.

'She was in class yesterday with no heating and her coat on, and has been telling us how cold she was. It's ridiculous.'

The school, part of the Discovery Multi Academy Trust, has admitted there was an 'issue with the heating' but said it has now been fixed.

Mrs Dore has informed Plymouth City Council and Ofsted of the situation and said she is considering moving her children to another school.

She said did not know about the problem until she saw other parents discussing it on social media last night.

When she asked her daughter Annabelle, she told her that children had been wearing coats in class.

'I was raging,' Mrs Dore said.

'I could not sleep last night knowing my kids were sitting in classrooms with coats on, freezing cold and we were not told about it.'

On the school's social media posts, many parents and carers reacted angrily to not being informed of the issue yesterday.

Jessika Bailey posted: 'Issue with the heating? It was broken and loads of parents are being told our kids were freezing even in coats and jackets yesterday.

'Not even an email sent out to the parents and some parents have children with health conditions.'

Natasha Locock wrote: 'I can't believe we weren't informed of this.

'Had to hear it from our kids that they were sat freezing in class yesterday.'

Kim Turner said: 'I think it's awful you didn't let the parents know.

'I have also emailed you and you've ignored me.

'Is the heating working or not? If not the children shouldn't be made to come in, it's freezing.'

The school this morning posted a statement on social media which said: 'The children had a great first day yesterday full of tales from their holiday breaks.

'We were very happy to have everyone back in school even though we experienced an issue with the heating.

'Please send your child into school with an extra layer today so they have this handy if the problem persists.

'The heating engineers were working late into the afternoon yesterday so we are hopeful that everything will be back up and running as usual today.

'Rest assured, we will continue to work hard to resolve this if the problem persists and will keep you up to date.

'With more cold weather predicted today, please remember to take extra care on your way into school this morning.'

The school later followed this up by posting: 'Good morning all parents and carers. Thank you for all of the feedback that we have received overnight and this morning regarding yesterday's heating issue and communication.

'We have taken this on board and will make sure all future communications are shared with all parents and carers.

'The heating has been fixed and is working as normal so do send in your child as usual.'

The Daily Mail has approached Discovery Multi Academy Trust for comment.
California locals are terrified that a pair of New Zealand billionaire brothers who snapped up land after the devastating LA fires will turn beachfront lots into mega-mansions.

The January 2025 blaze was the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history and burned down more than 6,800 homes and buildings across Southern California.

Malibu alone saw roughly 720 properties turn to rubble in the infernos, and one year later, residents of the once-luxurious celebrity enclave claim they are struggling to compete with developers to rebuild.

Toy tycoons Nick and Mat Mowbray purchased 16 wildfire-burned plots in Malibu using their tech company, which is investing in AI-designed mass-produced homes manufactured in China, according to KABC.

The New Zealand-based brothers are the founders of global toy empire Zuru, which pumps out some of the world's most popular toys - including Robo Fish, Bunch O Balloons and Mini Brands - and has since expanded into robotics, construction and household products.

The brothers, who reportedly plan to manufacture cut-price factory-built houses on the lots, want the homes to be available to customers within three years.

Marcel Fontijn, the director of operations at the Mowbray's company Zuru Tech, told the local news station: 'What's unique with our system, it's a fire-safe system. Walls are made out of AAC, which is a very lightweight concrete that has high insulated values, and the ceiling, the roofs are made of concrete.'

But Malibu City Councilman Steve Uhring told KABC he is concerned the brothers will combine the lots to build mega-mansions, making them unaffordable for residents who lost their homes.

Toy tycoons Nick and Mat Mowbray purchased 16 wildfire-burned plots in Malibu through their tech company

Malibu locals are terrified they will not be able to afford to return to their beloved coastal enclave because the wealthy developers are snapping up properties

'It's gotta be a community that has a group of homeowners who live here, who are invested in the community, who participate in what goes on in the community, and that's what will make us a good city again,' Uhring said.

'I think as we get further down the line, everybody's gonna realize the boys from New Zealand are billionaires, they're in it to make money.

'I think whether this plan they got right now is the one that's gonna make them money, whether there will be a revised plan down the road, my crystal ball's not good enough to tell you how that's going to work out.'

Fontijn insisted the brothers genuinely want to help rebuild Malibu and the luxury prefabricated houses will be priced based on the real estate market when they are listed.

'Our attention is not on stealing their land or commercializing Malibu. We truly want to return Malibu to what it can be, hopefully a better version of its past self,' he said.

'Our plan was to build one home that was used by the Mowbrays, but after we bought the first lot, we had many public inquiries if we were interested in buying additional lots.

'We don't want to go through a California Coastal Commission to build very large mansions. We want to truly rebuild what was here before.'

Rebuilding appears to be slow in Malibu, where only 22 building permits have been issued since the fires.

Join the debate Should billionaires be allowed to reshape fire-ravaged communities like Malibu for profit?

Malibu City Councilman Steve Uhring believes the brothers purchased the lots to make a profit

Roughly 720 Malibu properties were burned to the ground during last year's fires. One year later, only 22 building permits have been issued in the city

Meanwhile, more than 1,300 permits have been issued in the city of Los Angeles in Pacific Palisades.

Malibu locals fear that at the current pace, rebuilding may take more than a decade and have started putting their properties up for sale.

In October, experts warned that 'supply is exceeding demand' and lots are being listed at discounted rates of 20 to 60 percent, according to the LA Times.

At the time, around 75 lots had sold in Malibu since the deadly blaze, but sales were slowing down and 47 percent of the 160 remaining listed lots had dropped in price.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Zuru and the Mowbrays' representative for comment.
A heartbroken Wyoming father recalled the moment his daughter called begging for help minutes before she was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

Macey Dawn Bradshaw, 20, was fatally shot on December 16 following a confrontation with her former partner, according to her family.

She became terrified after allegedly spotting James Hunter, 22, lurking outside her Lyman apartment.

Her dad Justin Bradshaw was on his way to work when he took a panicked call from his daughter begging him to save her, he told Cowboy State Daily.

'She called at 11 o'clock and said, "Dad, he's outside, and I need you to scare him away",' he recalled.

The devastated father immediately turned around and was at her apartment within four minutes, but he heard gunshots go off before he could get inside.

'I reached down to open the door, and I heard the two gunshots go off, back-to-back. I actually heard his body fall to the floor,' he said.

Bradshaw claimed he found Bradshaw and her ex-boyfriend lying on the floor with bullet wounds to both of their heads.

Macey Dawn Bradshaw, 20, was killed on December 16 in an alleged murder-suicide, according to her family

Her father, Justin Bradshaw (center), said Macey called him on the day she died to tell him she spotted her ex-boyfriend outside of her apartment

'She was still alert, still awake, and she asked me to help her,' he said. 'She said, "Dad, I'm gonna be sick. I'm gonna throw up. I need to get on the floor."

'She had a visible look of pain and agony on her face, but she was still there with me, and she talked to me. I think she found a little bit of peace knowing that I was there to help her.'

Officers from the Lyman Police Department were called to the scene of a shooting and found Bradshaw and Hunter critically injured.

The former couple later succumbed to their injuries. Bradshaw's family have since claimed the two were in an abusive relationship and that their daughter was killed in a murder-suicide.

Bradshaw's family alleged that first responders found duct tape and zip ties on Hunter's person.

'I think James had malicious intent beyond just taking her life. But the timing was so quick - I was there within minutes of when he broke into her house - he didn't have time to do anything else,' her father said.

'At times, that kid was happy and had a good heart and had nothing but genuine love and intent for Macey. But that was not the person I saw that day. The evilness of the world got him.'

Bradshaw's sister, Taylor Bradshaw, told Cowboy State Daily that her sister told her she was afraid Hunter would kill her just a month before she died.

Police identified Bradshaw (pictured) and 22-year-old James Hunter as the victims, but have not confirmed if it is a murder-suicide

Bradshaw's family said that she had dated Hunter since they were in high school and the relationship had been abusive

'About a month ago, Macey said to me, "I wouldn't be surprised if James killed me, and then killed himself." I never thought it would actually happen,' she said.

Taylor explained that they met as children and started dating in high school.

He graduated two years before Bradshaw, so she went to live with him and his family, and that is when the alleged abuse began.

Eventually they broke up, and Bradshaw moved back to her hometown in June 2025 and got her own apartment, car and a waitressing job.

The couple briefly rekindled their romance, but Hunter allegedly struggled with his mental health, and one of Bradshaw's friends told Cowboy State Daily he made her a bizarre 'blood painting' before they broke up again.

Her father claimed Hunter had started stalking her in the months before her death, and Bradshaw was terrified of him.

'She'd call me having a panic attack, because he would not stop texting her, he wouldn't stop blowing up her phone, he wouldn't stop coming around. James just wouldn't let go,' Bradshaw said.

In the department's December 18 update on the case, police said the investigation is ongoing and have not disclosed many details.

Bradshaw's family launched a nonprofit, A New Dawn, to provide mental health resources for young women in her honor.

Daily Mail contacted Lyman police and the Bradshaw family for comment.
An historic Los Angeles motel that featured in hit movies and was once home to rock stars has been destroyed in a devastating fire.

The Hollywood Center Motel's Craftsman building - constructed in 1905 - burned down on Sunday, just weeks after a cultural committee voted to consider its preservation.

The venue, once frequented by the band Buffalo Springfield, as well as Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse, had recently become dilapidated and rundown.

The business was shuttered in 2018, but its former owner and some longtime tenants continued to occupy the property until late 2024, when it was foreclosed on and vacated.

Since then, the building has been a popular site for transients and homeless people, and two smaller fires occurred at the property in the second half of 2025. One on September 15, and one on October 19.

People were illegally sheltering in the motel, which was featured in the movies LA Confidential and Hit Man, as well as TV series including The Rockford Files, Perry Mason and TJ Hooker, as the blaze spread.

Many fled onto Sunset Boulevard, but a 42-year-old man became trapped on the second floor and had to be rescued by firefighters.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the blaze at 4.30am after receiving reports of a trash fire on the property.

A 120-year-old Hollywood motel that housed rockstars and featured in movies was destroyed by a fire on Sunday

When firefighters arrived around 4.30am, they could see large flames emerging from both floors and immediately upgraded the call to a structure fire before requesting backup

It took 70 firefighters an hour and 12 minutes to extinguish the blaze. None of them were injured

The building was already dilapidated and rundown when the fire destroyed it. The motel business had been shuttered in 2018, and its previous owner was foreclosed on in 2024

When they arrived at the boarded-up, two-story building, they could see large flames emerging from both floors and immediately upgraded the call to a structure fire before requesting backup.

Firefighters said they heard calls for help coming from inside the building. They used a tall ladder to get to the man who was trapped on the second floor and had broken a window to escape the flames.

The firefighters brought him to safety and treated him on the scene for a minor injury to his arm. The man was then transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition and without burn injuries.

It took 70 firefighters an hour and 12 minutes to extinguish the blaze. They found no victims inside the destroyed structure after searching it, and none of the firefighters were injured.

Hollywood Heritage, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the neighborhood's history, lamented the loss of the building in a statement on Sunday.

'The building could readily have been painted and preserved to serve in an adaptive re-use capacity as a gem in the community,' the organization said.

'By allowing its decay and neglect we again see rare historic buildings lost which were eminently restorable.'

The owner of the building, Andranik Sogoyan, had been making efforts to stop homeless people from illegally sheltering inside. He had tried to seal off the building and install fences, but people had used steel wire cutters to cut through them.

The motel was featured in the 1997 film LA Confidential, as well as several television series

Jack Vincennes, a character from LA Confidential played by Kevin Spacey, is pictured here pulling into the motel in a scene from the movie

The band Buffalo Springfield stayed at the motel in the 1960s

Athena Novak, a representative for Sogoyan, told the Los Angeles Times that the owner also 'had a maintenance man going there all the time,' who 'was attacked a few times with weapons.'

In early 2025, the owner submitted demolition permits to remove parts of the structure. That move hastened Hollywood Heritage's efforts to have the building classified as a historic monument.

The owner was supportive of those efforts and ready to redevelop the property in compliance with the new designation if it was granted.

A Hollywood Heritage webinar to highlight the history of the motel was scheduled for Wednesday evening.

It will now be repurposed into a tribute to the destroyed building and a discussion about how to prevent the loss of more historic properties that have been neglected.

The fire came almost exactly one year after another historic building, the 111-year-old Morrison Hotel, which featured on the Doors' fifth studio album, was also consumed by a blaze and destroyed.

Locals reported that the hotel was also popular among homeless individuals.
A generous boss has handed out $350,000 in bonuses to his workers after a bumper year.

Speed Vegas, a supercar driving experience company located in Southern Las Vegas, had a record number of customers visiting its tracks in 2025.

As a result, the business handed out bonuses of up to $10,000 to each of its 120 workers, according to a spokesperson for the company who shared the figures with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The company had a seven percent increase in riders over the past year despite Las Vegas's slipping tourism, which dropped for ten consecutive months in 2025 and reached new lows in November.

Romain Thievin, the CEO of Speed Vegas, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he attributes the success of his business meeting the demand for what tourists want.

'Guests are looking for immersive, authentic experiences, and we deliver that every day with the best cars in the world,' Thieven said.

'This record year was driven by our team, and we wanted them to share in that success.'

Speed Vegas was founded in 2009 and merged with another supercar experience company, Exotics Racing, in 2021.

Speed Vegas, a supercar driving experience company located in Las Vegas, celebrated a successful year by handing out a total of $350,000 in bonuses to its employees

Romain Thievin, the CEO of Speed Vegas, said his company did well despite slumping tourism in Las Vegas because the business met consumers' demands

Speed Vegas has a fleet of 70 luxury cars. A Lamborghini and a Porsche can be seen racing down the company's tracks in this picture

The company serves about 200,000 customers per year with its fleet of 70 luxury cars, which includes Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches and McLarens.

The most popular car is a Ferrari 488, which retails for between $200,000 to $400,000. The Pista model of the car is even more expensive, with prices starting north of $700,000, though it is unclear exactly which model Speed Vegas offers.

Thievan said that since merging with Exotics Racing, he has focused on making the experience for customers more professional while keeping safety the number one priority.

The owner added that after such a successful year, with the business becoming a well-established destination for both locals and tourists, he has plans to grow and keep expanding.

Speed Vegas also offers an outdoor go-kart track and a one-mile, off-road dirt track, where users can drive Baja trucks and perform jumps.

And the company has a ride-along option for customers who do not wish to drive the supercars, which is open to children as young as 11.

Speed Vegas' generous bonuses are particularly remarkable not just because of the city's slumping tourism, but also because of the weak labor market and a national downward trend in the number of employees receiving end-of-year bonuses over the past few years.

The unemployment rate in the US stood at a reasonable 4.6 percent in November, though that was the highest level since September 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The most popular car in Speed Vegas' fleet is a Ferrari 488, which retails for between $200,000 to $400,000

Speed Vegas' generous bonuses are particularly remarkable because of the weak labor market and a national downward trend in the number of employees receiving end-of-year bonuses

Bonuses are also usually constrained to the most senior employees of businesses, which adds yet another layer of generosity to Speed Vegas' bonuses to all of its employees

Hiring is also particularly weak right now. A November report by Bankrate determined that despite the US economy growing 3.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025, only 119,000 jobs were created in September, when the number should have been closer to 264,000.

Prior months were even worse, with just 22,000 jobs created in August.

'Hiring is so low right now that it is historically correlated with an unemployment rate closer to seven percent,' Bankrate economist Sarah Foster previously told the Daily Mail.

'So in other words, it is as hard to find a new job right now as it is when the economy has a seven percent unemployment rate.'

And a study released by the payroll software company ADP in early December found that the number of workers receiving bonuses has been slipping since the pandemic.

A little less than 40 percent of the 12million employees analyzed by the study received a bonus payment in December 2024, which was down from 44 percent in 2021.

Bonuses are also usually constrained to the most senior and highest-earning employees of businesses, which adds yet another layer of unique generosity to Speed Vegas' across-the-board payments to all of its workers.
Owners of Britain's most exclusive beach huts will have to pay full council tax after they were reclassified as 'second homes'.

The huts, worth around half a million pounds each, along Mudeford Spit and Hengistbury Head have fallen into the sights of the local council as it scrambles to fund local services.

Historically, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has not categorised the huts as second homes, which has entitled its well-heeled owners to a 50 per cent council tax discount.

But from April, 344 beach huts on the idyllic stretch of Dorset coastline will be classified as second homes and no longer be eligible for the reduction.

Some 231 of these are owned by people living outside of the local authority area.

Bills will leap up to 1,503 per year - an increase of more than 60 per month - as the council tries to raise an additional 211,000 for under-pressure local services.

The beach huts, that can be stayed in overnight for part of the year, measure just 13ft by 16ft but can fetch more than a four-bedroom home in some parts of the country.

With price tags up to 575,000, the value of these huts also eclipses the area's average house value of 313,000.

Owners of some of Britain's most exclusive beach huts, including this one on Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, will now have to pay full council tax

The huts will now be categorised as second homes and so lose their council tax discount

From April, 344 beach huts on the idyllic stretch of Dorset coastline will be classified as second homes and no longer be eligible for the reduction

This hut was sold for 430,000 last year after the owners bought it for 60,000 in 1997

The council's decision tears up the arrangement it inherited from past Bournemouth and Christchurch councils.

BCP, like many councils, is struggling to make ends meet and must search for new sources of income to keep services afloat.

One of the huts in question hit the market last year for a staggering 430,000 after the owners bought it for 60,000 in 1997.

The hut does not even face the sea and, like the rest, does not have running water or mains electricity.

It is serviced by an oven, hob and fridge powered by a Calor gas bottle, and limited electricity supplied by solar panels on the roof.

It can sleep five to six people, with the lounge area doubling as a bedroom and two beds in the mezzanine floor area above.

Cllr Mike Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance said: 'BCP Council, like all local authorities across England, faces an unprecedented, ongoing financial crisis and the latest government settlement does not address this.

'As a result of this severe financial pressure, the council must use all levers at its disposal to raise funds to protect essential services important to our residents.

'Beach huts on Mudeford Spit often sell for between 400,000 and 575,000 - more than the 313,000 average price, according to the Office for National Statistics, of a home in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, yet historically, owners have been given discounts on Council Tax.

'And, while we welcome all those who want to enjoy our beautiful coastline, we must recognise that this brings extra demand for services such as beach cleaning and flood protection  the cost of which is mostly borne by our residents.

'This change delivers fairness and consistency for all owners of second homes in the area.

'We understand this change may be disappointing for some owners, but it is important to apply Council Tax policy consistently and fairly across the BCP area.'
Justice Department prosecutors under Pam Bondi were forced to admit that the central claim Trump used to lay the groundwork for ousting Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro was a fiction.

For months, the President has promoted the claim that Maduro was the leader of a drug cartel called Cartel de los Soles. Now, DOJ prosecutors say the organization doesn't exist.

Prosecutors still accused Maduro in a New York courtroom on Monday of participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy but they distanced themselves from the claim that Cartel de los Soles was an actual cartel.

According to the New York Times, the revised indictment claims Maduro ran a 'patronage system' and a 'culture of corruption' fueled by profits from narcotics.

The claim originates from a 2020 grand jury indictment against Maduro written by the DOJ. Trump's State Department and Treasury Department designated Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization last year as the administration sought to pressure the ouster of Maduro's regime.

Experts in Latin America, however, have pointed out that Cartel de los Soles is actually a slang term invented by Venezuelan media in the 1990s to describe officials who take drug money as bribes.

The revised indictment against Maduro now concedes that point against the now deposed dictator.

The old indictment refers to the Cartel de los Soles 32 times and claims Maduro is the leader of the organization. The revised document now only claims Maduro upheld the patronage system along with his predecessor and mentor, President Hugo Chavez.

Pam Bondi's prosecutors on Monday admitted that Cartel de los Soles was not an actual drug cartel after Trump accused Maduro of being the organization's leader

Trump used the claim that Maduro was the leader of Cartel de los Soles to lay the ground work for ousting the dictator

DOJ prosecutors are charging Maduro with drug trafficking conspiracy

Over the last several months, Trump has referred to Maduro as a drug cartel leader and accused his regime of trafficking deadly fentanyl into the United States.

The Pentagon has also gone on a lethal campaign of targeting alleged drug boats coming from Venezuela, leading to over 80 deaths.

Last weekend, Trump's pressure campaign to oust Maduro finally reached its conclusion after special operation forces captured the dictator and his wife in their palace in the middle of the night.

Following the DOJ's concession regarding Cartel de los Soles, Elizabeth Dickinson, the deputy director for Latin America at the International Crisis Group, told the New York Times that the new indictment was 'exactly accurate to reality.'

'I think the new indictment gets it right, but the designations are still far from reality,' she said. 'Designations don't have to be proved in court, and that's the difference. Clearly, they knew they could not prove it in court.'

Although Pam Bondi's DOJ prosecutors have walked back their claims regarding the fake cartel, Marco Rubio continued referring to Cartel de los Soles as an actual organization during a Sunday interview on NBC's show Meet the Press.

'We will continue to reserve the right to take strikes against drug boats that are bringing drugs toward the United States that are being operated by transnational criminal organizations, including the Cartel de los Soles,' Rubio claimed.

'Of course, their leader, the leader of that cartel, is now in U.S. custody and facing US justice in the Southern District of New York. And that's Nicolas Maduro.'

The Drug Enforcement Administration has never mentioned Cartel de los Soles in its annual National Drug Threat Assessment.
A drunken businessman allegedly sexually assaulted an air stewardess and attacked other cabin crew after a vodka binge on a flight to London from Dubai.

Murad Sabir, 42, was arrested on the tarmac at Heathrow after the eight-hour British Airways flight on November 5 last year.

Mr Sabir got into a drunken rage at 39,000 feet on the double-decker Airbus jet and started lashing out at plane staff, it is claimed.

Rene de Silva, prosecuting, told Uxbridge Magistrates' Court: 'The defendant was on board drinking vodka throughout the flight.

'He was intoxicated and committed all the other offences fuelled by his intoxication.'

The prosecutor continued: 'The sexual assault is touching of the breast of one of the cabin crew over their clothing.

'He touches her breast and puts his arm around her neck.

'He has then grabbed another cabin crew member by the back of the head and another cabin crew member describes witnessing the sexual assault of their colleague.

Murad Sabir, 42, appeared in court after being charged with sexual assault following a drunken binge on a British Airways flight from Dubai to London in November

Mr Sabir was arrested on the tarmac at Heathrow after the eight hour flight and was further charged with three counts of assault by beating and one count of entering an aircraft when drunk

'Another cabin crew member refers to being hugged by the defendant.'

Horrified passengers tried to intervene with one getting the feeling 'the defendant was going to punch him', the prosecutor added.

Mr Sabir, of Rochdale, appeared in court in a black jacket with grey trousers and black loafers, wearing glasses.

He is charged with one count of sexual assault, three counts of assault by beating and one count of entering an aircraft when drunk.

Mr Sabir is also charged with one count of intentionally interfering with the performance of the cabin crew's duty and one count of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the cabin crew.

Mr Sabir will plead not guilty to any of the offences, his lawyer Antonia Attard said.

He was released on unconditional bail while he waits for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on February 3.

Magistrate Wendy Drinkwater told him: 'If you don't turn up at your next hearing, you will be committing a separate offence.

'If you commit any offence while on bail, it will be treated more seriously.'
This is the moment a genius forklift driver picked up and moved an SUV left in front of a delivery lorry entrance with a sign saying 'no parking'.

The grey Volkswagen Tiguan appeared to have stopped in a no-parking zone, which blocked the lorry from making a delivery to the yard of a shipping firm in Birmingham.

Footage shows the driver moving the vehicle from outside InterFreight Worldwide and safely placing it further down the road, allowing the lorry to turn into the yard to drop off its deliveries.

The footage shows the car parked in front of black gates that had 'No Parking' written on them but it is not clear if the SUV was parked in a marked loading bay or on double yellow lines.

Ahmed Hussain, who recorded the incident, was waiting for a customer when he saw the forklift pick up the vehicle.

Mr Hussain, 28, said: 'The forklift I believe was from the business who was expecting a delivery from the lorry as you can see on the clip.

The grey Volkswagen Tiguan appeared to have been left in a no-parking zone, which stopped the lorry from making a delivery to the business yard in Birmingham

Footage shows the forklift operator moving the vehicle from the pavement outside InterFreight Worldwide, a shipping and packing company, and safely placing it further down the road

'The car was parked there when I got there, so I would say it was there from early morning. The truck was delivering food or clothing items to the local shops.'

Mr Hussain, who works in vehicle detailing for Haven Autocare, said he did see the owner return.

'The owner wasn't back for a while,' he said. 'It wasn't blocking my business but it was parked in a no parking area.'

Birmingham City Council issues penalty charge notices of varying amounts for contravening parking regulations on public roads.

Low-level fines start at 50, reduced to 25 if paid within 14 days, and higher-level ones at 70, reduced to 35 if paid within the two-week timeframe.

However, higher fines for serious issues like pavement parking or bus lane misuse can be as much as 100.
One of Donald Trump's most trusted female diplomats has split from her husband and started a steamy new romance with a Lebanese banking tycoon, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal.

Morgan Ortagus  Counselor at the US Mission to the UN and a former deputy to Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff  separated from Jonathan Weinberger in November, according to filings in their ongoing divorce.

Sources say the telegenic foreign policy hawk, 43, has quickly moved on with globetrotting financier and film producer Antoun Sehnaoui, 53, who chairs banks in Lebanon, Cyprus, Jordan and Monaco.

'The relationship began after Morgan was separated. She disclosed it through the proper channels in full compliance with all government regulations,' a source close to Ortagus told the Daily Mail.

Ortagus, a teen beauty pageant winner and active US Navy Reserve Officer, served as State Department spokesperson during Trump's first term, taking swipes at Iran, China and opponents of his America First agenda.

Second time around, she was tasked with helping Witkoff broker a peace deal between Hamas and Israel before switching to UN duties over the summer.

The former Fox News analyst wed Weinberger, 49, in a May 2013 ceremony officiated by the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her Washington chambers.

Ortagus still describes him as her 'husband and best friend' on the Meet Morgan page of her personal website.

Morgan Ortagus, 43, one of President Trump's most trusted diplomats, serves as Counselor at the US Mission to the UN and was formerly deputy to Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff

Ortagus separated from her husband Jonathan Weinberger in November, according to filings in their ongoing divorce, but has quickly moved on to a steamy romance with a Lebanese financier

Sources close to Sehnaoui, 53, say he is a Lebanese Christian and avowed Zionist, and in 2017 he was photographed with Cardinal Timothy Dolan while donating a shrine to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan

But their split was confirmed when Weinberger filed for divorce in Nashville, Tennessee, where the couple previously shared a $2.25million home with their young daughter and pet dog Ozzy.

His November 4 petition lists the date of their separation as 'date of filing' and blames it on 'irreconcilable differences.'

A source close to Ortagus said this was when Weinberger 'decided to divorce' rather than a definitive date for the breakup of the 12-year marriage, which was 'well prior' to the filing.

The first hint of her blossoming relationship with Sehnaoui surfaced on social media where a photo of a mysterious jewelry receipt bearing both their names began circulating.

Dated December 13 last year, the sales slip itemized two diamond and platinum pendants together worth thousands of dollars purchased from Tiffany & Co.'s flagship Manhattan store.

Ortagus was listed as the account holder while Sehnaoui's Mastercard covered the bill.

Sources close to the mom-of-one confirmed they visited the store together but warned the receipt being shared online could be doctored or fake.

'This shows just how desperate and pervasive the disinformation campaign is,' scoffed the Daily Mail's exclusive source.

'The Tiffany purchases were holiday gifts purchased by Antoun for the mothers of his two children.

Ortagus's estranged husband's November 4 petition lists their separation as the 'date of filing' and cites 'irreconcilable differences,' but a source says the 12-year marriage had ended well before the paperwork

A former teen beauty queen and Navy Reserve officer, Ortagus served as Trump's State Department spokesperson, targeting Iran, China and critics of his America First agenda

'Morgan went with Antoun to purchase the gifts, helped him pick them out and, because she has an account with Tiffany, the store put her name on the receipt.'

Sehnaoui is a direct descendant of Emir Shihab II, who ruled Lebanon during the first half of the 19th century.

He grew up in Beirut before moving to the US to study business and banking at the University of Southern California.

A film producer and publishing magnate, he's best known as the slick face of Societe Generale de Banque au Liban (SGBL), a powerful Lebanese bank with an estimated $26billion in assets.

Sehnaoui became chairman and main shareholder in 2007, expanding the bank's footprint into Abu Dhabi, Cyprus, France and Colorado, where SGBL owns the Pikes Peak National Bank.

But SGBL has also faced legal challenges in the US, where it was accused of 'aiding and abetting' the radical militant group Hezbollah in a 2019 federal lawsuit, allegations it subsequently denied.

Hundreds of plaintiffs claimed that a dozen Lebanese banks provided 'material support in the form of financial and banking services' to terrorists responsible for deaths and injuries in Iraq between 2004 and 2011.

The accusation is at odds with profiles and statements from people close to Sehnaoui, however, who describe him as a Lebanese Christian and avowed Zionist.

Sehnaoui, a direct descendant of Lebanese 19th ruler Emir Shihab II, has ties to Washington and was seen directly behind former Senator Paul Ryan (at the podium) as he spoke at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in 2017

However, whistleblowers have alleged that Sehnaoui's bank, Societe Generale de Banque au Liban, 'aided and abetted' the militant group Hezbollah in a 2019 federal lawsuit, a claim it denied

The mogul donated a shrine to St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan in 2017 and last year sponsored a joint US-Israeli opera initiative at the Kennedy Center.

His spokesman remarked to a news outlet covering the launch that Sehnaoui had not returned to Lebanon in eight to 10 years, partly because of fears for his safety.

Estimates of his wealth are elusive but he's believed to own homes in London, Paris and the US and several restaurants in Beirut.

His Paris-based production company Rouge International has made several successful films, including The Insult, which was nominated for best foreign language film at the 2017 Academy Awards.

Daily Mail attempted to reach Sehnaoui for comment.

The White House referred questions about Ortagus's relationship to the State Department which did not respond.

Ortagus grew up in Auburndale, Florida, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from Florida Southern College.

She considered studying music but switched her major to political science after the September 11 terrorist attacks and converted to Judaism, according to Jewish Insider.

She later earned a dual Master of Arts in Government and Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University.

Ortagus that alleged new lover is Lebanese banking mogul Antoun Sehnaoui

In January last year, Trump named Ortagus deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace

Before joining the Trump administration, Ortagus worked for USAID in Iraq and served as deputy Treasury attache at the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In January last year, Trump announced her appointment as deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace, joking with reporters 'Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson.'

Weinberger, a finance executive, banker and senior lawyer for GM Motors, did not return calls. His attorney confirmed that he filed for divorce but declined to comment further.

SGBL has been contacted for comment.
France supports Denmark after Trump renews interest in Greenland

Xinhua) 10:23, January 06, 2026

PARIS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- France on Monday expressed its "solidarity" with Denmark after U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday stressed that the United States needs Greenland "for defense."

"Borders cannot be changed by force," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux said in an interview with the French public television channel TF1.

Trump said in a telephone interview on Sunday with The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland. The island, located in the Arctic, is part of Denmark.

In response, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement that the United States has no right to annex Greenland, urging Washington to stop making threats against a close ally and the Greenlandic people.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out the use of "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
More Americans support President Donald Trump's decision to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro than don't, new polling from the Daily Mail has found.

The poll, conducted by J.L. Partners, found that 43 percent of registered voters were supportive of Trump's military action that took place on January 3, while 36 percent were opposed to it.

Not surprisingly, Republicans were far more supportive of Trump's gamble than their Democratic counterparts.

Seventy-eight percent of GOP voters supported Trump's actions, versus 8 percent of Republicans who were opposed.

On the Democratic side, just 17 percent of Democrats supported the military intervention, while 57 percent were opposed.

Independents, a key constituency in this year's midterm elections, were split evenly between the camps.

Thirty-nine percent of independents supported Trump's decision to capture Maduro and bring him to the United States to stand trial, while 38 percent of independents opposed the move.

A majority of American voters viewed the operation as a success.

More American voters supported President Donald Trump's (right) actions in Venezuela than didn't support it, new Daily Mail polling found. Trump is seen Saturday in a makeshift situation room alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) and CIA Director John Ratcliffe (center)

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Fifty-four percent of voters thought it went well, with only 15 percent rating the mission as a failure.

Another 31 percent of voters were unsure.

Republicans were overwhelmingly positive about the mission, with 83 percent rating it as a success.

Only a third of Democrats, 33 percent, felt the same way.

Just 4 percent of GOP voters viewed the operation, which took place overnight Saturday while Trump was still at his Mar-a-Lago resort, as a failure.

Democrats were more willing to say that they were unsure about the outcome of the mission than to say it failed.

On the Democratic side, 43 percent said they were unsure about the success of the military operation, while 25 percent said it was an outright failure.

During his Mar-a-Lago press conference on Saturday, Trump said that no American military members were killed during 'Operation Absolute Resolve.'

Nicolas Maduro (second from right) and his wife Cilia Flores (second from left) are seen in handcuffs as they arrive in Manhattan after President Donald Trump ordered 'Operation Absolute Resolve' to capture the Venezuelan dictator and his spouse

Still, Democrats in Congress want Trump to ask for permission to get the U.S. military more involved - with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine planning to bring a war powers resolution to the Senate floor Thursday, which would bar further intervention without congressional authorization.

Trump said that the U.S. would be 'running' Venezuela for the immediate future, signaling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would take charge.

That statement received raised eyebrows from Democratic voters, with 85 percent expressing concern and just 7 percent expressing little to no concern.

A majority of Republicans, on the other hand, shrugged off Trump's statement.

Overall, 52 percent expressed little to no concern.

At the same time, part of MAGA ideology has been to be against 'forever wars,' with 40 percent of Republican voters expressing some concern over Trump's decision to get involved in 'running' Venezuela.

The poll was conducted on January 5 and 6 among 999 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.
New York City's new renters' tsar wasted no time in outraging locals by vowing to make life harder for whites in the Big Apple over their role in 'racist gentrification.'

But Cea Weaver has kept strangely quiet about her own mother - a white professor who owns a gorgeous $1.4 million home in America's fastest gentrifying city, where longtime black residents are quickly being priced out.

The hardline leftist's mother Celia Applegate, a professor German Studies at prestigious Vanderbilt University, resides at a pretty, roomy 1930s Craftsman home in one of Nashville's leafiest neighborhoods.

Applegate and her partner David Blackbourn, a professor of history, purchased their home in Music City USA's Hillsboro West End neighborhood in July 2012 for $814,000, according to county property records.

Since then, its value has soared by nearly $600,000 - a surge in value likely to infuriate Weaver, who in July 2018 tweeted: 'Impoverish the white middle class. Homeownership is racist.'

Strangely, Weaver hasn't confessed to her own family wealth - or whether she has ever confronted her mother about benefitting from owning her own home.

On Tuesday, New York's socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed to stand behind Weaver despite her anti-white views, after the Trump administration warned she faces a probe.

Weaver has also failed to disclose whether she will sell the property if she ever inherits it, to give cash to the kind of worthy causes she likes to preach about.

And there is plenty for her to be angry about in Nashville.

Cea Weaver (second from left back row) is the daughter of a professor who owns a $1.4 million home in fast-gentrifying Nashville. Weaver, who is New York City's new renters' tsar, has made no mention of this fact despite branding home ownership and gentrification racist. Weaver's mother Celia Appleton is pictured (front row left in blue dress) at the wedding of her son Henry (center in gray suit)

Her mother Celia Applegate owns a $1.4 million home (pictured) in the gentrified Hillsboro West End neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee

Middle class black residents who once made up a large segment of the same area have found themselves driven out of their longstanding homes by the likes of Weaver's mother.

The Tennessee capital exhibited the most 'intense' gentrification of any city in the US from 2010 to 2020, according to a National Community Reinvestment Coalition report published last year.

Contacted by the Daily Mail Monday, Weaver said: 'I can't talk to you now, but can talk to you later,' and hung up before a reporter could ask any questions.

Weaver, her lawyer brother and Blackbourn's two children could one day inherit their parents' home, as suggested by the warranty deed issued at the date of sale.

But the housing justice activist is a vocal opponent of homeownership and believes property should be treated as a 'common good,' posing questions over whether she will hold her own family to the same standards she holds the American public.

Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Weaver, 37, to be the director of New York City's newly reinvigorated Office to Protect Tenants on his first day in the office.

Weaver grew up in a single-family home in Rochester, New York that her father Stewart Weaver purchased for $180,000 in 1997, property records show.

The property, like many across the nation, has seen significant price appreciation over the past few decades and is now valued at more than $516,000.

Weaver was appointed to Mamdani's team under one of three executive orders the new mayor signed on his first day in office. The duo are pictured together

She moved to NYC after studying at Bryn Mawr College, a private women's liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in the growth and structure of cities.

Weaver earned her master's in urban planning from New York University in 2014. It is unclear when exactly she moved to NYC, but is currently living in Brooklyn.

Her last known address is at a three-bedroom apartment in a six-unit building in the historically black neighborhood of Crown Heights.

She appears to rent the unit for around $3,800 per month, previous realty listings revealed.

Crown Heights, like the Hillsboro West End neighborhood where Applegate lives, has experienced 'profound' gentrification in recent years, which experts allege has 'exacerbated racial disparities' in the historically-black community.

Census data showed that from 2010 to 2020 the white population in Crown Heights increased two-fold - by over 11,000 residents - while the black population declined by 19,000 people, according to an ArcGIS report published in February 2024.

Black small owners also reported being pushed out of the community and alleged that culture dating back more than 50 years was starting to disappear.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Weaver (pictured together) as director of the newly revitalized Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants on his first day in office

Celia Applegate (right) and her partner David Blackbourn, (left) both professors at prestigious Vanderbilt University, purchased their Nashville home in July 2012 for $814,000. But the couple's property value has skyrocketed nearly $600,000 in just 13 years

Cea Weaver grew up in a single-family home in Rochester, New York that her father Stewart Weaver purchased for $180,000 in 1997. The home (pictured) has seen significant price appreciation over the past few decades and is now valued at more than $516,000

Weaver now lives in Brooklyn's once-historically black Crown Heights neighborhood, seemingly renting a three-bedroom unit for around $3,800 per month. A Working Families Party sign can be seen displayed in a window of what is believed to be her apartment

Weaver, in her new role, has vowed to launch a 'new era of standing up for tenants and fighting for safe, stable, and affordable homes.'

But her promise is now being scrutinized after internet sleuths unearthed a collection of controversial old posts she made between 2017 and 2019 on a now-deleted X account.

Weaver's tweets saw her call to 'impoverish the white middle class' and brand homeownership as 'racist' and 'failed public policy.'

She called to 'seize private property' and even claimed that 'homeownership is a weapon of white supremacy masquerading as "wealth building" public policy.'

The tenant advocate encouraged voters to 'elect more communists' and urged for the endorsement of a 'no more white men in office platform.'

Weaver, in a now-viral video believed to have been recorded during a podcast appearance in 2022, also suggested a change in homeownership is soon to come.

She predicted there will a shift from treating property like an 'individualized good' to a 'collective goal,' which she added will have a significant impact on 'white families.'

It is unclear if Weaver, serves as the executive director of two organizations that advocate for tenant protections, still shares these viewpoints today.

She has given no indication of a shift in her politics and proudly accepted a job working for the most left-wing mayor ever to govern New York City.

Weaver has come under fire over a slew of resurfaced social media posts from her since deleted X account that appeared to target white people

Weaver was appointed to Mamdani's team under one of three executive orders the new mayor signed on his first day in office.

The order named her boss of the newly revitalized Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants.

Weaver currently serves as the executive director of Housing Justice for All and the New York State Tenant Bloc.

She advocated for and played a key role in the passing of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which aimed to expand tenants' rights across the state of New York.

The law strengthened rent stabilization, made it harder for landlords to raise rents sharply, and imposed restrictions of landlord actions, such as evictions. It also capped housing application fees to $20 and limited security deposits to one month's rent.

Weaver is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, like Mamdani, and served as a policy adviser on the NYC mayor's campaign.

She was also named one of Crain's New York's 40 Under 40 last year.
A businesswoman accused of killing two schoolgirls in Colombia with thallium-laced chocolate raspberries has been arrested in London today.

Zulma Guzman Castro is alleged to have killed Ines de Bedout, 14, and her close friend, Emilia Forero, 13, who both died in hospital in Bogota, Colombia, days after eating the poisoned fruit on April 3 last year.

The 54-year-old has been at the centre of an international police hunt since leaving Colombia on April 13, but was dramatically found in the UK after being rescued from the River Thames, near Battersea Bridge, west London, on December 16.

The former Colombian Dragons' Dens star is alleged to have killed the two girls in an 'act of vengeance' after a secret six-year affair with Ines's father, Juan de Bedout, which started in 2014 and came to an end shortly before his wife's death.

Castro has been held in a psychiatric unit since she jumped into the Thames from Battersea Bridge but was today arrested in London. She is due to appear for a first extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today.

An National Crime Agency spokesman told the Mail: 'Zulma Guzman Castro, aged 54, has today been arrested by officers from the NCA's National Extradition Unit. Castro, who is wanted by the Colombian authorities in relation to murder and attempted murder, was arrested in the W10 area of London.

'She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court this afternoon (6 January 2026).'

Last month, it emerged that Castro had reportedly given her location away after drinking Buxton water during a TV interview. The alleged double killer was spotted drinking from the British water brand during an interview with Colombian TV, where she broke her silence to deny the allegations.

Zulma Guzman Castro is accused of killing Ines de Bedout, 14, and her close friend, Emilia Forero, 13, after they died in hospital days after eating the poisoned sweet treat in Colombia on April 3

Ines de Bedout (left) and Emilia Forero died days after they were poisoned by the raspberries

A source said: 'The bottle of water she drank from was Buxton Natural Mineral Water, a product mainly commercialised in the UK.

'The size of the bottle she was drinking are sold in street shops, which would indicate Guzman is in an apartment or house and not in a hotel.'

Prior to her arrest, Castro had been held at a secure unit in west London after she was rescued from the Thames, The Sun reports. She has been under psychiatric observation since she was sectioned, but doctors have now discharged her.

She was then arrested at the hospital this morning before being taken to Islington Police Station and then onto court.

An Interpol Red Notice to find Castro was issued last month, with authorities warning the fugitive had visited Brazil, Spain and the UK since leaving Colombia.

It's understood Castro came to Britain on November 11 and the National Crime Agency were actively hunting for her.

She said in a message while on the run: 'I find myself in the middle of a very serious situationwhere I'm being accused of having been the person who sent a poison that killed two girls.

'They accuse me of having fled to Argentina, and then to Brazil, Spain and the UK. Those who know me know I haven't fled anywhere. They know I've been working in Argentina and began a masters in journalism here.

'I went to Spain more than a month ago, with a stopover in Brazil, and then to the UK because of my son.

'I imagine they're accusing me because I had a secret relationship with the father of one of the girls.'

Castro denies the killings and claimed in an interview: 'I was Juan de Bedout's lover for so many years, and I think I'm practically very easy to implicate in that.'

Colombian media report that police are also investigating whether Castro was involved in the death of Mr de Bedout's late wife, who doctors believe was poisoned with thallium twice before she died of cancer in August 2021.

The former Colombian Dragons' Den star had a relationship with Ines's father, Juan de Bedout (pictured), between 2014 and 2020

Zulma Guzman Castro drinks from a bottle of Buxton mineral water during an interview, which may have given away her location in the UK

In December, an agonising social media post was published by Emilia's devastated father Pedro Forero.

Pedro, speaking shortly before it emerged Colombian prosecutors had a suspect for the horror crime, said: 'Fourteen years ago, a life of hopes, joys and dreams began; a life that filled a family, a father and a mother.

'But it wasn't just the joy of someone else's life; it was the beginning of the life of an excellent human being who had dreams, hopes and goals.

'As a father, it is incomprehensible to think that someone was capable of taking this away.

'She did not just take away my dreams, my desires and my prospects in life as a father; she did not just take away my opportunity to be a father-in-law, grandfather and everything else one can be as a parent.

'She took away my daughter's opportunity to be a girlfriend, a professional, a wife, a mother and a daughter.'

The girls were reportedly spending time at a swanky apartment in Bogota, Colombia, with an older brother and another friend after school when they ate the fatal desert, said to have been laced with the highly dangerous poison.

The colourless, odourless and tasteless substance is commonly used in the manufacturing of electronics, optical lenses, semiconductors, alloys and radiation detection equipment.

It was allegedly injected directly into the raspberries before being sent to the girls on April 3 this year. Ines and Emilia are reported to have died four days later, according to Colombian media.
President Donald Trump sent shockwaves around the world on Saturday after announcing that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his bedroom, along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

While American special forces escorted the socialist dictator to New York City, the commander in chief prepared to address the nation and the press from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Daily Mail political reporter Jon Michael Raasch describes the nervous atmosphere inside the room as reporters awaited the presidents remarks detailing the dramatic raid and gain clarity on what comes next?
A Florida teen accused of stabbing his mother to death when he was just 13 was seen covering his ears in court as a video of his confession was played.

Derek Rosa, 15, is awaiting trial for first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his mother, Irina Garcia, more than 40 times with a kitchen knife in October 2023.

Initial hearings for Rosa's trial continued on January 5. He has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge despite the damming footage.

At Monday's hearing, Rosa's lawyers asked judges to disregard the interrogation footage of Rosa telling police he'd attacked his mother with a purple kitchen knife, per NBC6.

'I woke up, I grabbed one of the kitchen knives and I went to her room... I killed her,' the teen said in the video.

As the confession played, the suspect stared pointedly at his lap and covered his ears.

Rosa allegedly described attempting to target one of his mother's arteries and recalled 'a lot of blood' spaying out of her neck.

Defense lawyers claimed the boy did not knowingly waive his right to remain silent before he confessed.

Derek Rosa, 15, was seen covering his ears as footage of his alleged confession to killing his mom played out in the court room

The knife allegedly used to kill Irina Garcia is seen at the crime scene in Hialeah, Florida. Rosa has been charged as an adult with the killing

Irina Garcia, 39, was killed in her bed late in the evening on October 12, 2023

They also claimed Rosa lacked the maturity and understanding to be interrogated by police. The judge denied the motion to suppress his confession.

Prosecutors alleged that Rosa was driven to kill and to share photos with his friends by a fascination with violence, per the Miami Herald.

Rosa allegedly took photos of his mom's lifeless body and sent them to a friend.

He even told the same friend over the phone that he had killed her, prosecutors said.

A selfie of Rosa shortly after the incident showed the teen making a shaka hand gesture with a completely blood-covered hand.

The young teen allegedly made several internet searches on the day of the murder, including 'where is the best place to stab someone' and 'can a knife cut through the bone,' the outlet reported.

Detectives found a blood-spattered kitchen knife with a purple handle in the family's apartment after Garcia was found dead.

Rosa was arrested late in the evening of October 12 after the then 13-year-old called 911 to his family's Hialeah apartment.

Derek Rosa is awaiting trial for first-degree murder after allegedly confessing to stabbing his 39-year-old mother Irina Garcia 46 times in October 2023

The 13-year-old allegedly sent this smiling selfie to a friend immediately after stabbing his mother, displaying a sign with what appears to be blood covering his hands, prosecutors said

Crime scene photos showed Rosa standing over his mother's bed before she was fatally stabbed

In audio of his call, Derek reportedly said: 'I have blood all over my hands.'

When asked by the dispatcher if his mom was still breathing, he responded: 'She's dead, miss... there's blood all over the floor... I took pictures and told my friends about it, was that bad?'

The teen was taken into custody that night and seemed to confess to the murder while under questioning from detectives.

He appeared to nod his head when asked whether he killed his mother.

Rosa's trial is set to begin on January 26.

Several other motions remain pending, including one to delay the trial as the prosecution awaits evidence.
A glamorous Republican lawmaker is celebrating after a judge dismissed her ex-lover's claim that she should repay him thousands of dollars for an extravagant elephant hunting safari they never took.

Nina Webber's ex-boyfriend, Scott Weber, filed a small-claims lawsuit in a Wyoming circuit court, claiming the state representative owed him $6,000 for the trip.

Nina, 61, and Scott, 70, were together for almost a decade and had been on two hunting excursions to South Africa and Zimbabwe, according to court records obtained by Cowboy State Daily.

Scott claimed that he paid for plane tickets for their third trip planned for May 2025, and Nina later reimbursed him, but she failed to do so for their most recent trip.

The case centered around whether the couple had an agreement - written or verbal - that she would reimburse him for buying her safari ticket.

Judge Joseph Darrah dismissed the case last week, saying that he agreed with Webber's claims there had been no such understanding.

The lawmaker, who was elected to her seat November 2024, rubbed the ruling in her former lover's face by celebrating the dismissal on Facebook.

'Truth WINS. DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Thank you for all who stood by me,' she wrote in a gleeful post. 'I appreciate those who, even though we may not always agree politically, saw past this personal attack. God Bless.'

Glamorous Republican lawmaker Nina Webber is celebrating after a judge dismissed her ex-lover's claim that she should repay him thousands of dollars for an extravagant elephant hunting safari trip they had planned

Nina Webber's ex-boyfriend, Scott Weber (pictured together), filed a small-claims lawsuit in a Wyoming circuit court, claiming the state representative owed him $6,000 for a hunting trip they never took

The lawmaker, who was elected to her seat November 2024, rubbed the ruling in her former lover's face by celebrating the dismissal on Facebook alongside the photograph shown above

However, it may not be the end of their public feud as Weber said he would be appealing the ruling.

'This trial showed that your elected official lied under oath,' he wrote in an email to Cowboy State Daily. 'Unconscionable. What does that say about her credibility?

'We will appeal. Surely an appellate judge looking at our documents will see through her lies and bombastic fabrications.'

Webber previously told the court that she and Weber had gone on a trip to Zimbabwe in 2023 which turned out to be a disaster and she had refused to return with him.

But Weber said they had a great trip in 2023,and that the lawmaker only pretended otherwise in order to dodge paying for her ticket in 2025.

They broke up when he kicked Webber out of his home in Cody in June, according to court documents.

Weber testified that he bought the tickets for the wild safari trip on December 13, 2024, less than a week after Webber won her seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives.

He said he asked Webber to reimburse him for the trip, but she said she wanted to wait until after Donald Trump's inauguration in hopes the economy would improve.

However, months later, she allegedly told Weber that she didn't think she could go on the trip due to her committee meetings in the spring.

Weber told the court that he believed Webber knew her congressional schedule before they booked the trip.

Webber testified that they couple broke up in June and Weber kicked her out of his Cody apartment

Webber currently serves as the Wyoming GOP's committeewoman to the Republican National Committee and was pictured with Vice President JD Vance in September

Webber denied that she wanted to go on the trip her then-boyfriend booked in December, recalling a harrowing experience the last time they went on a safari

He added that their relationship hit a 'breaking point' in late June when he confronted her about the payments.

'You haven't been paying me rent. You haven't been taking care of this place at all. I think it's time for you to hit the road,' Weber said he told Webber during his testimony, as reported by Cowboy State Daily.

'But  before you leave, I need you to put a check for $6,000 on the kitchen counter along with the keys - and she didn't either.'

But Webber told a different story about how the trip unfolded. She recalled their safari in 2023, adding that it 'never' crossed her mind to return to Zimbabwe with her ex.

She testified that she felt unsafe on the trip that he planned. Webber recalled a harrowing tale of a black mamba entering the camp where they stayed.

A black mamba is a highly venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. Webber said a camp attendant had shot the snake.

She added that there weren't any law enforcement agents near where she and Weber slept, though her ex disputed that.

Webber also said that she felt threatened by the locals and didn't want to get off the hunting truck.

'It did become very clear that with this safari  the natives had seen hunters. What they didn't see was blond-haired, blue-eyed, female hunters. That was apparent,' she testified.

Webber, 61, and Weber, 70, were together for almost a decade and had been on two safari hunting trips to South Africa and Zimbabwe, according to court records

Weber testified that the lawmaker did want to go on the trip but failed to reimburse him for the flights

Webber added that the 2023 hippo-hunting trip negatively affected their relationship and made her reluctant to go away with him again.

Judge Darrah ultimately agreed with Webber's version of events, and said he 'admired her temerity and tenacity to continue' in her role as lawmaker.

'People that do run for public office, they should be commended for putting themselves out there and giving the public a choice of how they want the law to be implemented in the future,' he said, per Cowboy State Daily.

After their breakup, Webber moved out of the home they had shared and was forced to leave the district she represented.

She gave up her committeewoman seat this month, party chair Vince Vanata confirmed to Cowboy State Daily.

However, Webber still serves as the Wyoming GOP's committeewoman to the Republican National Committee.

The Daily Mail has contacted both Webber and Weber for comment.
The Civil Service has hired 166 people with criminal records as part of a scheme aiming to give convicts a second chance.

The recruitment programme is open to criminals found guilty of knife offences, assault, theft and shoplifting and has advertised 293 positions since it was launched in 2021.

Between then and 2024, 374 convicts applied for the vacancies with just under half getting jobs, a freedom of information request submitted by Inside Time, the prisoners' newspaper, revealed.

These roles include working on departments' IT issues, conducting administration and clerical duties, responding to customer queries, handling work and benefits claims, and managing calls, correspondence, diaries and data analysis.

Those who have served life sentences, sex offenders, terrorists and arsonists are excluded from the scheme - as are people who have been convicted of hate crimes.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: 'This programme supports prison leavers into jobs, where they're less likely to reoffend and can make a positive contribution to society.

'All applicants into the Civil Service, including those hired through this scheme, must pass the same stringent security vetting standards.'

The scheme sees convicts offered fixed-term contracts of up to two years across the Civil Service, as well as work placements, with the possibility of permanent employment at the end of it.

The Civil Service has hired 166 people with criminal records as part of a scheme aiming to give convicts a second chance (Stock Photo)

These roles include working on departments' IT issues, conducting administration and clerical duties (Pictured: A government building in Whitehall)

It is open to criminals who have been freed recently or within the last five years, or who have served a community sentence during that time.

Applicants must send in their CV along with a 250-word letter explaining why they would like to work for the Civil Service.

The recruitment drive, known as the Going Forward into Employment Life Chance Recruitment Scheme, also offers positions to military veterans, people who have been homeless or in care, autistic people and carers.

The Ministry of Justice runs a further scheme, the Probation Employment Pathway, which is open to those on probation and is not included in these numbers.

An online guide for applicants said: 'You would normally be referred into the scheme by an organisation you are engaged with or who are providing you with support...

'Currently, we are unable to accept candidates who are risk-assessed to be released on temporary licence (ROTL) while still serving their sentence.'

The total size of the Civil Service has swelled from 384,000 in 2016 to more than 500,000 last year.

It comes just weeks after it emerged that childhood criminal records could be wiped under plans being considered by David Lammy.

The Justice Secretary is considering simplifying the current system to prevent people from being affected by petty crimes in later life.

It comes just weeks after it emerged that childhood criminal records could be wiped under plans being considered by David Lammy, pictured on Tuesday

Evidence has showed that people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s still have offences of street fighting and bike thefts in their youth disclosed to employers.

It is not known whether the move would affect more serious offences such as drug dealing or harassment.

Mr Lammy previously called for childhood convictions to be wiped after a period of time unless they were the most serious offences.

In a 2017 review of criminal justice for David Cameron, Mr Lammy recommended a US-style approach which would allow people to apply to a judge to seal their criminal records if they can prove that they have been rehabilitated.

Mr Lammy was commissioned by the Conservative government to explore how members of the black, Asian and other minority communities are treated by the criminal justice system, while he was a backbench Labour MP.

Under his recommendation, if a decision by a judge or a parole board went the applicant's way, the criminal record would still exist but the person would not need to disclose it and employers would be unable to see it.

The convictions would not be wiped from the record or quashed but the intention is to give people a second chance.

The proposals could hit a roadblock over a definition of 'serious offences', as the Deputy Prime Minister would have to decide whether offences such as dealing drugs or racial abuse could be wiped after a period of time.
Sir Keir Starmer's Brexit reset will require payments to Brussels in a 'pay to play' arrangement, it emerged on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister has said he wants closer alignment with the EU and is preparing to bring a Bill before Parliament as soon as next month.

It will give ministers the power to 'dynamically align' with the bloc in certain sectors, including on agrifood and energy.

This will mean complying with regulations from Brussels in sectors such as food standards, animal welfare, pesticide use and electricity.

It will also require MPs to surrender their sovereign right to make laws to the EU for the first time.

And future sector-by-sector agreements will require payments for access, in what two EU diplomats described as 'pay to play' to the FT.

Meanwhile, the UK will not get a vote on future laws and regulations made by Brussels as it is no longer an EU member.

Sir Keir Starmer's Brexit reset will require the UK to cough up to Brussels

On Tuesday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned against reopening Brexit wounds and accused Sir Keir of taking the country back to the 'bad old days'.

'We had a vote 10 years ago, the country voted to leave the European Union,' she told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

'Leaving the European Union means leaving the single market, leaving the Customs Union. What he's doing is taking us back to those bad old days where we were all arguing.'

Join the debate Should the UK accept EU rules and payments in exchange for better trade access after Brexit?

The Bill is expected to be introduced in the next few months and carried over into the next parliamentary session.

It will introduce the powers for a mechanism to allow the UK to comply with regulations set by Brussels, known as 'dynamic alignment'.

Sir Keir has already signed a political agreement on agrifood and negotiations are ongoing on the UK joining the bloc's internal electricity market.

The EU has said that the UK will have to pay for access to these sectors. Tensions over money have already scuppered negotiations over London joining a 150billion euro defence fund.

Alignment on future sectors would be decided on a value for money basis, Government sources said, though said these were expected to be administrative only.

Sir Keir said last weekend that he wanted the UK to pursue 'even closer alignment with the single market' if it is in the national interest.

Brussels dictates that single market access requires not just an acceptance of EU rules but also payments into the bloc's budget and freedom of movement.

The PM's spokesman said on Monday that it was possible the UK could negotiate further sectoral access in what is known as a Swiss-style deal - and could be prepared to pay for it.

'The PM has been clear throughout that he will make sensible, pragmatic choices in the national interest,' he said.

However, when asked whether he was prepared to send money to Brussels to secure cheaper trade in goods, the PM told LBC: 'Well, nobody is talking about paying more to Brussels.'

Ministers are planning for the EU reset Bill to run in parallel with negotiations with Brussels, meaning MPs will be voting on it before they conclude, the Guardian reported.

This would hand ministers significant powers to forge closer future regulatory ties with the bloc, without Parliament having a say  a move likely to be opposed.

Government sources have acknowledged that they are braced for major battles on the legislation.

But they say they are prepared to have the fight and would invoke the argument that alignment would improve growth and could have public support.

The Tories and Reform UK will oppose the legislation attempt, while the Liberal Democrats have vowed to amend the Bill to increase pressure for a customs union.

More than a dozen Labour MPs rebelled when the party held their last opposition day vote on the issue.

It came as diplomats told the FT that Sir Keir's Brexit proposals were badly timed and suggested he would have no more success than his Conservative predecessors.
A Scots Neo-Nazi mother and daughter who posted extremist anti-Semitic, racist and transphobic material on social media accounts have both been jailed.

Shirley Craughwell described non-whites as a different species and published comments including Hitler was trying to save us and The need for a new holocaust is never more urgent than now.

The 51-year-old used emojis connected to the Neo-Nazi movement, had links to publications including the Anarchist Cookbook and regularly used derogatory terms.

She also encouraged and recorded a young child to perform Nazi salutes before posting the disturbing footage online.

Daughter Hannah - who used the online name Hannah Hitler - labelled the Jewish race as the devils children and distributed posters publicising a Neo-Nazi white power movie in her local community.

She was found to have shared racist and transphobic videos on her social media accounts.

The mother and daughter also linked the Israeli state to conspiracy theories including the 9/11 terror attack and Covid and made denials the Nazi Holocaust had taken place.

The pair pleaded guilty to hate crime offences aggravated by racial and religious prejudice committed between 2021 and 2024 when they appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in November last year.

Mum of two Hannah Craughwell, 27, who called herself 'Hannah Hitler' online

Hannah's mother, Shirley Craughwell, 51, who called for another Holocaust on social media

They returned to the dock for sentencing on Tuesday where Sheriff Charles Walls was shown further video evidence of the racist and anti-Semitic material the pair had posted online.

In sentencing Shirley Craughwell, Sheriff Walls said: The level of hatred, racism and anti-semitism expressed by you is deeply disturbing.

You espoused conspiracy theories about white genocide and spoke repeatedly about your admiration of Adolf Hitler and other Nazis and called for another Holocaust.

However your messages were not just offensive, they are violent and threatening in relation to people of the Jewish faith.

The sheriff said involving the child in her offending was a significant aggravation.

Shirley Craughwell, of Galashiels, Selkirkshire, was sentenced to a 20-month custodial term backdated to November 27.

The sheriff noted Hannah Craughwell had continued to minimise her offending, had made racist, anti-Semitic, transphobic and homophobic comments online and distributed highly inflammatory  leaflets in public.

The 27-year-old who has two children was jailed for 16 months.

Lawyer Simon Collins, for Shirley Craughwell, said his client was a grandmother and had a long involvement in conspiracy theories leading her to act on them.

He said she had experienced isolation during the Covid period and expressed remorse and accepts responsibility for her offending.

Richard Soutar, for Hannah Craughwell, said she had gone down a wormhole on the internet and had been socially isolated and suffered from poor mental health at the time.

Previously the court was told police received intelligence in May last year that both women had been posting racist, anti-Semitic and threatening material on their social media pages.

Prosecutor David Gallagher said officers raided their homes and Shirley Craughwell was found to have a Telegram account where she had posted thousands of extremist comments while in contact with others.

Mr Gallagher said the material showed Craughwell used emojis in the shape of the Nazi salute along with the slang term 88 - online slang for Heil Hitler.

She made claims to be a proud racist and posted comments such as we must unite as a race.

Craughwell also operated a Facebook page under the pseudonym Goyim AH where she published racist and anti-Semitic memes and web links.

She used the account to circulate material supporting the alt-right group Highland Division - a breakaway from the white nationalist organisation Patriotic Alternative (PA).

The page featured a post from PAs James Costello who was sentenced to a five year prison term for inciting racial hatred in 2023 but was released early on licence in December last year.

Police discovered Hannah Craughwell, of Gilmerton, Edinburgh, had an account on the US right wing extremist chat site Gab where she used the online persona Hannah Hitler.

She regularly shared extreme right wing content on the site,

The court was told racist and transphobic material was openly shared on her Facebook and Instagram pages and she had distributed flyers in her local area publicising the Neo-Nazi propaganda film Europa - The Last Battle.
After abruptly leaving the FBI, Dan Bongino wasted little time embracing his new role as a trash-talking right-wing streamer by getting in the mud with former GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz.

The conservative darlings had their public falling out after Gaetz taunted Bongino over his failed political campaigns in a post on X.

Previously, Bongino bragged about his start in conservative politics by being involved in the Tea Party Movement and warned against conservatives listening to black-pillers, life-losers, grifters and bums.

Gaetz replied to Bongino's post by needling him for not having any success in electoral politics after asking, 'When did Dan Bongino run for office and how did he perform as a candidate?'

Bongino unsuccessfully ran for Congress three times: once for a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland, where he lost the general election to a Democrat, and twice for House seats in Maryland and Florida in 2014 and 2016.

After being teased by Gaetz, Bongino responded by calling him a suckling little doggie in a profanity-laced rebuttal that accused the former Florida lawmaker of grifting off his father.

Maybe if I spent more time at shady parties with monied insiders I wouldve won. I heard youd know a bit about that. Youve always been a d**k by the way. Grifting off your daddy like a suckling little doggie, Bongino wrote to Gaetz on Tuesday afternoon.

When I first met you in the panhandle I knew you were a piece of sh**. Its written all over that phony face of yours.

Dan Bongino exchanged jabs with former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz on social media after departing from the FBI

Gaetz resigned from Congress in November 2024 after an ethics report found substantial evidence he allegedly engaged in sexual activity with an underage female

Gaetz told the Daily Mail he believes Bongino will have a successful career again as a 'streamer' after leaving the FBI as deputy director

Previously, Bongino bragged about his start in politics by being involved in the Tea Party Movement and warned against conservatives listening to black-pillers, life-losers, grifters and bums.

Bongino has received widespread criticism for his controversial performance as deputy director over his handling of the Epstein case and other partisan actions. He stepped down in January 2026 after less than a year in the role.

I hope Dan's okay. After these remarks, I'm a little worried about him, Gaetz told the Daily Mail. I think he's got a robust and loyal audience and will be a star streamer again, but Im a little more concerned about the erratic swings.

The Tuesday afternoon social media battle between Bongino and Gaetz occurred after Bongino teased his return to his online show and encouraged Republicans to unite ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump appointed Bongino to lead the FBI as deputy director back in March under FBI Director Kash Patel.

For nearly a decade, Bongino built his media career as a conservative podcaster, where he floated conspiracy theories regarding the Epstein case.

As the agencys deputy director, Bongino dismissed all conspiracies surrounding Epstein and claimed the disgraced pedophile did kill himself in 2019.

Gaetz, meanwhile, withdrew his nomination to lead the Justice Department in November 2024 after a House Ethics Committee report found substantive evidence he allegedly engaged in sexual activity with an underage girl in 2017.

The report also found that Gaetz allegedly paid women for sex and used illegal drugs. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and currently works for the pro-Trump television One America News as a host.

Amid the controversy surrounding Gaetz' nomination, Bongino publicly supported the embattled Florida lawmaker.

Bongino has been criticized for his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case at the FBI

Gaetz reminded Bongino of this fact on Tuesday to which the conservative podcaster responded, Yep, I did, and youre still a dick.

Gaetzs former television producer, Vish Burra, responded to Bonginos attack against his former boss by writing, Your whole reputation is cooked and it was done by your own hand.
A university rector posted pro-Hamas messages on social media and wrote an article supportive of a Hamas terrorist, a tribunal heard.

University of Glasgow rector Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta appeared before a Fitness to Practice panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester yesterday

Dr Abu-Sitta, a plastic surgeon and prominent Palestinian activist, denied accusations of antisemitism and supporting Hamas in social media posts and a newspaper article.

The Kuwaiti-born medic, who did medical training at the University of Glasgow, and lives in London with his wife and three sons, claimed he had been racially profiled as inherently violent because he is a Palestinian and Arab and blamed a Jewish group for trying to destroy his life.

He also appeared to suggest his appearance on misconduct charges was politically motivated.

Dr Abu-Sitta suggested anyone who knew the nuance of Arabic language and culture would understand he was not being antisemitic or advocating for violence or terrorism.

The tribunal was told the doctor was attending after flying in from Lebanon where he was treating war wounded, his lawyer Zac Sammour, told the hearing.

Dr Abu-Sitta denies all the allegations.

University of Glasgow rector Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta

The hearing was told about two tweets from the medic in 2023 and an article he wrote for a Lebanese newspaper, Al Akhbar, in March 2018.

In the article, the medic wrote about the martyrdom of Ahmad Nasr Jarrar, a hero of the Nablus operation, saying: The people have no weapon left but revolutionary violence.

Jarra was believed to be a member of Hamas and suspected of orchestrating an operation where a Rabbi was killed in a drive-by shooting in the West Bank city of Nablus.

Ros Emsley Smith, representing the General Medical Council (GMC) said: The murder of a Rabbi, the very embodiment of the Jewish religion, not a solider, to the ordinary reader would be interpreted as supportive of that act of terrorism.

She said using the words martyr and hero would be seen as a celebration of Jarrar and given his suspected actions, meets the definition of antisemitism.

And she said Dr Abu-Sitta had, overstepped the boundary of legitimate political speech and into the realms of misconduct.

The doctor is also accused of re-posting two tweets, one saying: We congratulate our brothers in Hamas and our comrades in the Popular Front on the anniversary of their inception.

A second tweet refers to Martyrs in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, referring to a man who carried out the first operation using a suicide belt in 1974, and a second man, Shams al-Din al-Qazimi, who died during fighting in 1973.

Ms Emsley Smith said the matters were brought to the attention of the GMC by the group, UK Lawyers for Israel.

Dr Abu-Sitta said UK Lawyers for Israel had been trying to destroy my life.

And he said he was a witness to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice and cited the arrest warrant for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the genocide in Gaza.

That's why we are here, he told the hearing.

But Dr Abu-Sitta said he re-posted the tweets because he found them to be, intellectually and culturally interesting.

He said: I have not gone out and asked people to commit violence. It is implicated by virtue of my colour, my Arab and Palestinian identity, by racialisation that it is implied.

Dr Abu-Sitta said he reposted the tweet congratulating Hamas to highlight that the comrades of a Marxist-Leninist organisation, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was congratulating the brothers of Hamas, an Islamist organisation.

This was not done as an endorsement, he said, but to highlight the contradiction in the two groups' approach, which was a matter of debate in Arab political culture, and would be obvious to anyone familiar with Arabic discourse.

They are in a place where they can understand the nuances and the differences and these cultural references, he said.

Again, this is a dog-whistle by the UK Lawyers for Israel for racialised views of Arabic Palestinians. They are inherently violent, they have got to mean violence.

Dr Abu-Sitta said he had no public profile until October 17 2023, when he was working at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza and survived a missile attack he claimed that killed 483 people. The cause and extent of the deadly explosion is disputed.

The doctor told the tribunal that afterwards he was interviewed by the world's media and became a spokesman for Palestinians.

The rector of Glasgow University is elected by students only and the position is to represent the student body to the university governance.

He is not a member of university staff and does not speak for the university itself.

The hearing continues.
Sir Keir Starmer tonight paved the way for British troops to be sent to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force.

Following talks in the French capital, the Prime Minister signed an agreement - dubbed the 'Paris Declaration' - to commit the UK to the deployment of forces.

The document outlined how Britain and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.

Sir Keir signed the agreement alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky after discussions between the 'Coalition of the Willing' of Western allies.

The Paris talks were attended by Steve Witkoff, who is Donald Trump's peace envoy, and Jared Kushner, the US President's son-in-law.

The 'Multinational Force for Ukraine' is set to act as a 'reassurance force' should Moscow and Kyiv agree to end their almost four-year-long conflict.

Meanwhile, the US is set to provide security guarantees to the peacekeeping force with Mr Kushner revealing Mr Trump is ready to offer 'real backstops'.

At a press conference in Paris, Sir Keir said Ukraine and its allies were 'closer' to peace 'than ever' - but warned 'the hardest yards are still ahead'.

The PM added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'not showing that he's ready for peace'.

Sir Keir Starmer tonight paved the way for British troops to be sent to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force

Sir Keir signed the agreement alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky after discussions between the 'Coalition of the Willing'

'Over the last few weeks, we've seen the opposite  further horrific strikes on Ukraine, killing and wounding civilians, and cutting off power for millions of people in the dead of winter,' Sir Keir said.

'He's tried to distract from peace efforts, with unfounded claims of attacks on his residence. This only hardens our resolve.

'We will keep the pressure up on Russia, including further measures on oil tankers and shadow fleet operators funding Putin's war chest.'

Sir Keir described the Paris agreement as a 'declaration of intent on the deployment of forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal'.

'This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term,' he added.

'It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future.

'We discussed these issues in detail today, and so I can say that following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons of military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs.'

Sir Keir said the UK would participate in any US-led verification of any ceasefire and support the long-term provision of arms for Ukraine's defence.

Mr Macron said 'strong security guarantees' were at the heart of Tuesday's declaration.

The Paris talks were also attended by Steve Witkoff (left), who is Donald Trump's peace envoy, and Jared Kushner (right), the US President's son-in-law.

Leaders from the 'Coalition of the Willing' group of Ukrainian allies gathered for the discussions in the French capital

British troops are pictured taking part in a Nato training exercise in Smardan, Romania in February last year

Mr Kushner said Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump had held 'extensive conversations' on security guarantees during their meeting in Mar-a-Lago last month.

'I think that they really resolved most if not all of the issues that are outstanding on that,' he said. 'I will say I think today was a very, very big milestone.'

He added: 'This does not mean that we will make peace. But peace will not be possible without the progress that was made here today.

'If Ukraine is going to make a final deal, they have to know that after a deal they are secure, they have a robust deterrence and there's real backstops to make sure that this will not happen again.'

Mr Kushner, who was previously a senior adviser to his father-in-law, said the US President sought 'a deal where both sides look to de-escalate'.

He added: 'You create a robust deterrence, you know, peace through strength, where it's unlikely that somebody will ever go and start this again.

'This is a really important building block to towards an eventual peace deal and I think that it's a big, big milestone that's reached today between the Europeans, with Coalition of the Willing.'

A statement issued by Downing Street following the talks in Paris said: 'The signing of the declaration paves the way for the legal framework to be established for French and UK forces to operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future.

'In today's discussions we have also gone into greater detail about the mechanics of the deployment of the force on the ground.

'Alongside our plans for a coordination cell, post-ceasefire the UK and France will also establish 'military hubs' across Ukraine to enable the deployment and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs.'
A teen has died just days after he was attacked by three dogs while riding a bicycle in Canada, officials announced.

The unidentified 13-year-old boy was ambushed by the canines on Saturday in Welshtown, Nova Scotia, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

'Officers learned that three large-breed dogs attacked a youth who was riding a bicycle past the property,' RCMP said.

He was transported to a hospital in Halifax via Life Flight with 'life-threatening' injuries.

Three days later, officials from the Municipality of the District of Shelburne announced the boy had died.

'The Municipality of the District of Shelburne is deeply heartbroken by the tragic loss of a 13-year-old boy following a fatal dog attack in our community on the evening of Saturday,' the district wrote in a statement.

'We extend our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, classmates, and all who are grieving this unimaginable loss.

'We recognize the profound impact this tragedy has on our community. Grief and counselling resources are available for students, families, and residents.'

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said an unidentified 13-year-old boy was ambushed by 'three large-breed dogs' as he was riding his bike on Saturday

The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education confirmed the boy was an eighth-grade student at Shelburne Regional High School (pictured)

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The district said it will not provide any additional comments on Tuesday 'Out of respect for the family and the RCMP investigation'.

RCMP confirmed the dogs involved in the incident have been euthanized by a veterinarian and said their investigation is ongoing in an update on Monday.

The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education confirmed in a statement to CTV that the boy was an eighth-grade student at Shelburne Regional High School.

'We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends, and all those affected. A loss such as this is felt widely, and we recognize the impact it has across our schools and broader communities,' it said.

The school system said mental health services will be available for the boy's classmates and at other schools in the coming days.

'These trained professionals are meeting with classes and individuals, providing spaces for students and staff to talk, and offering support to anyone who may need it,' it said.

'We are committed to ensuring safe and caring environments. We will continue to monitor and respond to the needs of our communities as we navigate this profound loss together.'

Daily Mail contacted RCMP for additional information.
The frantic search for a missing toddler who vanished in central Queensland has come to a tragic end after he was found dead.

Queensland Police issued an urgent public appeal on Tuesday night for help to locate a three-year-old boy reported missing from the small town of Thababen, near Bundaberg.

The blond-haired toddler wearing a Spiderman outfit was last seen at a Central Avenue home about 3.30pm on Tuesday before he disappeared.

Police held serious concerns for his welfare due to his young age.

A large-scale search was launched involving police, SES crews, and locals.

Their worst fears were realised later on Tuesday night when the toddler's body was found shortly before 9.30pm.

The boy was reportedly found unresponsive in a car at the Central Avenue home where he was last seen. He could not be revived.

The toddler's death is not being treated as suspicious.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The Trump administration has threatened to use the US military to seize Greenland in an extraordinary new statement escalating tensions with NATO ally Denmark.

Donald Trump and his top advisers are exploring plans including purchasing the Danish territory or taking charge of its defense, a senior administration official said.

The White House added menacingly that 'utilizing the US military is always an option' and warned that the issue is 'not going away' despite the protests of NATO leaders.

The statement will dismay America's NATO allies who have rallied around Denmark in recent days as Trump has renewed his threats to invade Greenland following the successful capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

Trump has argued the US needs to control the island, which is more than three times the size of Texas, to ensure NATO security against rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.

'The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal.'

Trump hinted on Sunday that a decision on Greenland may come 'in about two months,' once the situation in Venezuela has stabilized.

US President Donald Trump speaks during the House Republican Party (GOP) member retreat at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on January 6

Snow-covered buildings in Nuuk, Greenland, on March 7, 2025

Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, at the Elysee Summit of the Coalition of Volunteers in Paris on Tuesday

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Trump's renewed claims over self-governing Greenland have stoked concerns in Europe that the NATO alliance could be about to fracture.

Earlier, Britain's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier issued a joint statement along with the leaders of Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain vowing to defend Greenland's territorial integrity.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has warned that efforts to take over the territory by force would mean the end of the NATO military alliance.

The British PM and other leaders called America an 'essential partner' and added that the US and Denmark had signed a defense agreement in 1951.

'Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,' they said.

Europe's backing came after White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller cast doubt on the legitimacy of Denmark's territorial claim over Greenland in an interview with CNN on Monday night.

He also said there was 'no need' to consider whether the US might carry out a military operation to take it over because 'nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland'.

Miller's wife further inflamed tensions after Maduro's capture by tweeting a map of Greenland covered by the American flag, captioning the post on X: 'Soon.'

Trump on Saturday after Maduro's capture touted the 'Donroe Doctrine', his version of the Monroe Doctrine, the 1800s-era policy that warned against European colonization in the Americas articulated by President James Monroe.

Katie Miller, the wife of President Donald Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff, Steven Miller, posted a map of Greenland covered by the American flag to X just hours after the US struck Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolas Maduro

Donald Trump Jr visited Greenland last January

Greenland's position above the Arctic Circle makes it a prime piece of real estate in the geopolitical map of the world.

Increasing international tensions, global warming and the changing world economy have put Greenland at the heart of the debate over global trade and security.

The island, 80 percent of which lies above the Arctic Circle, is home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit people who until now have been largely ignored by the rest of the world.

Its location off the northeastern coast of Canada made it crucial to the defense of North America during World War II, when the US occupied Greenland.

Following the Cold War, the Arctic was largely an area of international cooperation.

But the Arctic ice is thinning, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region's mineral resources.

In 2018, China declared itself a 'near-Arctic state' in an effort to gain more influence in the region.

China has also announced plans to build a 'Polar Silk Road' as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative, which has created economic links with countries around the world.

US Army Green Berets are seen during Arctic Edge 24 in Greenland. The territory is known for its untapped mineral wealth and NATO alliance

US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland last March, specifically the US military's Pituffik Space Base

Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected China's move, saying: 'Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims?'

Meanwhile, Russia has sought to assert its influence over wide areas of the Arctic in competition with the US, Canada, Denmark and Norway.

Moscow has also sought to boost its military presence in the polar region, home to its Northern Fleet and a site where the Soviet Union tested nuclear weapons. Russian military officials have said that the site is ready for resuming the tests, if necessary.

The Russian military in recent years has been restoring old Soviet infrastructure in the Arctic and building new facilities. Since 2014, the Russian military has opened several military bases in the Arctic and worked on reconstructing airfields.

European leaders' concerns were heightened following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last year that Russia is worried about NATO's activities in the Arctic and will respond by strengthening the capability of its armed forces there.

'Russia has never threatened anyone in the Arctic, but we will closely follow the developments and mount an appropriate response by increasing our military capability and modernizing military infrastructure,' Putin said in March at a policy forum in the Arctic port of Murmansk.

He added, however, that Moscow was holding the door open to broader international cooperation in the region.

The US Department of Defense operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which was built after the US and Denmark signed the Defense of Greenland Treaty in 1951.

It supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the US and NATO.

Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.

Denmark is strengthening its military presence around Greenland and in the wider North Atlantic.

The government last year announced a roughly $2.3 billion deal with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, another self-governing Danish territory, to 'improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty'.

The plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capacity.

Denmark's Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, and tasked with the 'surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defense of Greenland and the Faroe Islands,' according to its website. It has smaller satellite stations across the island.

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also stationed in Greenland.

Greenland is also a rich source of the so-called rare earth minerals that are a key component of mobile phones, computers, batteries and other hi-tech gadgets that are expected to power the worlds economy in the coming decades.

That has attracted the interest of the US and other Western powers as they try to ease China's dominance of the market for these critical minerals.

Development of Greenlands mineral resources is challenging because of the island's harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors.
2026 is shaping up to be a busy year, with several high-profile criminal cases finally heading to trial and major developments brewing in some of the most infamous cold cases.

From the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner roiling Hollywood to the trials of UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione and Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann and an explosive new investigation into the Zodiac and Black Dahlia murders, The Crime Desk will be following all the major happenings - and bringing you coverage gavel-to-gavel from inside the courtroom and beyond.

To stay tuned with all the latest developments in the world of true crime, sign up here to the free newsletter from the Daily Mail delivered to your inbox on Wednesdays.

Each week, our team of investigative journalists takes you inside the cases shocking the world, with exclusive interviews with those close to the case, intriguing cold cases, expert Q&As and all the latest Daily Mail podcasts and shows.

Heres just some of the major criminal cases and trials we will be following in 2026:

Gilgo Beach serial killer case

Rex Heuermann, a 61-year-old architect, is awaiting trial for the murders of seven women in the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer case.

Its a case that has haunted Long Island for more than a decade, ever since the first of multiple bodies were discovered along Ocean Parkway, close to Gilgo Beach, in December 2010.

Rex Heuermann, a 61-year-old architect, is facing trial for the murders of seven women in the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer case

More than a decade went by before Heuermann, a then-married father-of-two, was arrested for the murders of three of the women in July 2023.

Since then, he has been charged with seven murders spanning almost two decades from 1993 to 2011. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

No trial date has been set but Heuermann is next due in court in Suffolk County on January 13.

Hollywood murder of Rob and Michele Reiner

Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home

Hollywood was rocked this December when iconic director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home the day after attending Conan OBriens holiday party.

Within hours, their 32-year-old son Nick Reiner was arrested and charged with their murders.

In the weeks since, a tragic story has emerged of a family grappling for years with their troubled sons substance abuse, mental health issues and homelessness.

Reiner will be arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court January 7, after it was rescheduled from late-December. He is yet to enter a plea.

Utah grief author Kouri Richins on trial

Kouri Richins wrote and published a childrens book about dealing with grief following her husband's death

When Eric Richins died from an overdose in March 2022, his wife Kouri Richins wrote and published a childrens book about dealing with grief.

One year later, the apparently-griefstricken widow was arrested and charged with his murder.

Prosecutors allege that Richins intentionally poisoned her husband by giving him a Moscow Mule laced with fentanyl.

After years of legal wranglings, Richins is finally due to go on trial in Summit County, Utah, next month, with jury selection beginning February 10.

Alex Murdaugh fights for new trial

Alex Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul

Legal dynasty heir Alex Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in what was described as the South Carolina Lowcountrys trial of the century.

Maggie and Paul were shot dead by the kennels of the familys sprawling hunting estate in Islandton on the night of June 7, 2021. Their murders exposed a spectacular fall from grace for Murdaugh and a web of lies, mysterious deaths, and fraud schemes.

Three years on, Murdaugh is still fighting his conviction from behind bars, filing an appeal based in part on allegations of misconduct against then-Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill.

On February 11, the South Carolina Supreme Court in Columbia will hear arguments as to whether Murdaugh should be granted a new trial.

Teen 'murdered parents - then played grieving daughter

Sarah Grace Patrick was just 16 when her mother Kristin Brock, 41, and stepfather, James Brock, 45, were found dead from multiple gunshot wounds inside their home in Carrollton, Georgia, last February.

For months, she played the role of the heartbroken daughter - even giving a tearful eulogy at their funeral and contacting online sleuths asking for help to solve the case.

Five months later, she was arrested and charged with their murders.

Patricks trial was due to begin January 5, before an 11th-hour delay postponed it.

Now, the trial is expected to commence in August.

CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione

Luigi Mangione is accused of executing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024

The case of Luigi Mangione is one of the most divisive in the nation.

The 27-year-old Ivy League graduate is accused of executing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024. He has been hit with both state and federal murder charges.

While prosecutors allege Mangione is a cold-blooded killer who plotted to kill the father-of-two to fulfill his 'political and ideological' motives, a flurry of supporters have hailed him a cult hero who shone a spotlight on systemic issues within the healthcare and insurance industry.

No date has yet been set for the state or federal trials. Mangione is due back in federal court in Manhattan on January 9.

Murder of nine-year-old Melodee Buzzard

Melodee Buzzard, nine, was found dead two months after she vanished without a trace

For months, Ashlee Buzzard refused to reveal the whereabouts of her missing nine-year-old daughter Melodee.

The little girl was last seen alive in October when surveillance footage captured her dressed in disguise during a road trip close to the Colorado-Utah border with her mom.

A two-month search to find Melodee ended in tragedy in December when her remains were found in a rural area in Utah. She had been shot in the head.

Buzzard was charged with her murder. She has pleaded not guilty.

Hip-hops unsolved murder

Tupac was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting near the Las Vegas strip on September 7 1996

It took three decades for an arrest to be made in the murder of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur.

Tupac was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting near the Las Vegas strip on September 7 1996, moments after he left the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

Finally, there was movement in the case in 2023 when Duan Keffe D Davis, a former Southside Compton Crips gang member and uncle of the longtime prime suspect Orlando Anderson, was indicted for his murder.

Daviss trial is currently slated to begin in August. He has pleaded not guilty.

Police corruption and murder in Massachusetts

Sandra Birchmore, 23, was three months pregnant when she was killed in February 2021

Disgraced former police officer Matthew Farwell will go on trial in October for the murder of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child.

Birchmore, 23, was found hanged in her home in Canton, Massachusetts, in 2021. Her death was quickly ruled a suicide.

But soon a darker truth emerged.

Digital evidence allegedly reveals that Farwell, a Stoughton police officer, groomed Birchmore and began an eight-year sexual relationship with her when she was 15, after the vulnerable teen joined the police departments mentorship program.

Prosecutors allege Farwell strangled Birchmore and then staged the scene to look like she died by suicide. He has pleaded not guilty.

New suspect in the Black Dahlia and Zodiac killings

Between 1968 and 1969, the Zodiac killer terrorized northern California, murdering at least five victims and taunting the media and police with cryptic letters and ciphers.

Two decades earlier in 1947, another slaying cast a shadow of fear over the state.

Aspiring Hollywood star Elizabeth Short, who became known as the Black Dahlia, was found dead near a lovers lane in Los Angeles. Her body had been severed clean in half at the waist, with a grotesque smile carved into her cheeks.

An explosive new investigation, exclusively revealed by the Daily Mail, has now concluded that the killer is one man: a former military veteran named Marvin Margolis.

With damning evidence now being forensically analyzed by leading experts and pressure mounting on police to review the findings, could this be the year that two of the biggest cold cases are finally closed?

Sign up here for free to our free, weekly newsletter - and join The Crime Desk on the case.
One day in 1961, father of four and Korean War veteran George Carroll went out to buy a packet of cigarettes. He never came home again.

Or so his wife Dorothy told their young children. As her word was gospel in those days, they believed her explanation.

Dont even think about him, Dorothy assured them, later silencing their natural curiosities. He wasnt a good guy.

However, decades later a series of astonishing events revealed the dark secret behind their fathers disappearance.

In a new documentary, The Secrets We Bury, the truth behind Georges vanishing, which wife Dorothy took to her grave when she died of cancer in 1998, is laid bare for the first time.

Its a mystery involving missing family members living only streets away, children who suspected that their new stepfather had killed their father, a psychic medium and a body buried deep under the basement of a family house.

Mike, Dorothys son who still lives in the family home in Lake Grove village on New Yorks Long Island, is the focus of the documentary. Now 64, he is the youngest of four children  with sisters Jean, 71, and Pat, 69, and brother Steve, 68.

When my mother became sick, my dad was always on her mind, Mike says. On her deathbed, I asked, Can you tell me anything about that before you leave?

My mother literally turned her head, winked at me, never said a word and then passed away.

Their fathers fate had long puzzled the children. It seemed odd that hed left his wallet and car behind and hadnt cashed his final pay cheque. And it was suspicious that no police report about his disappearance was ever filed.

There were rumours that hed returned to a girlfriend he had in Korea during the war there in the 1950s, or that hed been murdered by the Mob  but nothing concrete.

Mike was only eight months old when George vanished and barely remembered him. Curiously, his older siblings who did remember their dad could not recall any drama leading up to the actual moment he vanished.

I know I was Daddys girl, says Mikes sister Jean. My dad was there and then all of a sudden my dad wasnt there.

Mike Carroll was eight months old when his father George vanished... he began his quest to solve the mystery after discovering a long-lost uncle purely by chance

George Carroll before he walked out on his wife and their four children in 1963

For years, the children wondered about his disappearance... but never suspected the dark truth behind what might have happened to him

After George vanished, Dorothy swiftly remarried and the children had a stepfather, Richard Darress, a newspaper photographer who lived locally. The older children described the switch from one father to another as almost seamless.

Although the children didnt like Richard, family life continued.

Curiously, when a young Mike then got a job delivering newspapers, one of his customers Mr Yagel appeared at the door of their family home with a box of old share certificates that had belonged to George Carroll. While Mike asked his mother how Mr Yagel had known his father, she never explained.

Life continued, Mike got married and had children with his wife Debbi and later, when his mother  a gregarious frustrated actress who put on comedy shows in her large garage  was struggling financially, they moved into the family home to help her out.

But there were signs that Dorothy had secrets. When Debbi and Mike divorced in 1995, Dorothy warned Debbi that something would happen to her daughter-in-law if she tried to take the house away from her in the divorce settlement. Debbi is clear that she believed Dorothy was entirely serious. It seemed that this wasnt such a normal family after all.

A family bombshell came a couple of years after Dorothys death in 1998 when Mike, who worked as a respiratory therapist, was called at 3am one night to tend to a patient at the local hospital.

He was surprised to find that the patient had the same unusual last name, Yagel, as the older man who years earlier had delivered the box of his fathers papers. He was even more shocked when the patient, on learning he was Mike Carroll, announced he was his uncle  Georges brother.

Mike realised he had been delivering newspapers for years to the older man, Mr Yagel Sr, without ever knowing he was his grandfather.

His newfound uncle explained that George had been digging up his house to add an extension when he disappeared. The Yagels had always suspected Georges body might be under the family home because the timing of the building work matched so neatly with his vanishing.

Theyd become estranged from Dorothy, who they believed was involved.

Mike wouldnt hear anything against his beloved mother, but his sister Jean took up the investigation. She decided to consult a medium  a plan that other family members, who didnt believe in such things, dismissed. However, Mike accompanied her to a seance in 2010.

The family home at 75 Olive Street in Lake Grove, upstate New York, where the body was found

Mike Carroll discovering the remains of his father with his sons. He was just eight months old when George vanished, sparking a decades-long family mystery

Clothing fibres were the first thing to be discovered during the dig beneath the family house

The medium spent an hour talking about other family matters until Mike  distinctly unimpressed  impatiently told her he only wanted to learn about his father.

She goes, Oh, when it comes to the M word, I normally dont say anything until you give me the permission to do it, he says in the documentary. I said, Whats the M word? She replied: Murder.

She told the siblings that their father had been killed and buried in the basement of the family home  identifying the precise location, explaining that the spot lay under a target on the wall.

Jean was puzzled by what she meant, but Mike remembered a target used to hang on the wall at which theyd fire pellet guns when he was little, although it had long been taken down.

How did the medium know about such a specific detail about their family home, from 60 years ago? Mike was impressed. When he asked who did it, she replied with Richard.

They were in no doubt she meant their former stepfather, Richard Darress, but dreaded breaking the news to his son, Richard Jr, with whom theyd grown up.

The latter was also interviewed for the documentary. Asked about the theory that his father killed George, he says: Is it possible? Sure it is. Is it likely? Probably not.

The others were more convinced. Jean even had a distinct memory of waking up one morning, around the age of seven before her fathers disappearance, to find a man sleeping on the living room sofa.

She later learned he was her soon-to-be stepfather Richard Darress Sr.

Darress had just got out of prison for theft and after meeting in a bar her father had offered him a place to sleep in return for help with the building work on his home.

So did Darress Sr and Dorothy have an affair while he was dossing on the sofa? Mike says it kind of makes sense.

Meanwhile, only siblings Jean and Mike believed that there could be something under the basement. Mike started digging, using only hammers and chisels to break through the concrete.

Mike's sister Jean Kennedy consulted a psychic in 2010, who told her that her father had been murdered... and gave uncannily accurate details about where he was buried under the house

Some of the children now believe their late stepfather Richard Darress, here with their mother Dorothy, was responsible for their father's death

His initial excavation in the spot identified by the medium proved fruitless. But after his two adult sons joined the dig, hiring a team with ground-penetrating radar equipment, they identified a new place to search, a 5ft-square area that had been disturbed.

After spending months digging a huge 8ft hole without finding anything, they discovered an underground cinderblock wall on the edge of the excavation area. Breaking through it, they found a cavity which turned out to be a vault for the old houses water pump.

Inside, they first found of piece of decomposed fabric which turned out to be clothing. Under it was a pelvis bone. Then as they scrabbled away at the earth, it was revealed to be part of a complete human skeleton. It was Halloween, October 2018  57 years after George Carroll had vanished.

Everyone had said I was wrong, says Mike. After many years during which everyone believed he and Jean were unhinged and needed to simply accept their father deserted them, this was payday, he says.

Richard Darress Jr describes the discovery as probably the most emotional day of my life  your whole body turns numb, you start reflecting on your entire life. Not just who did it  was it my father? Was it my mother?  but it was Oh my God, my siblings - what did they endure their entire lives.

He rushed back from a business trip in Chicago to be with them, aware that they had little doubt that his father had killed theirs.

The family immediately called police who  after establishing this was not a typical Halloween prank call  arrived in force, while the media also descended on the quiet neighbourhood. Investigators confirmed that the victim was indeed George Carroll, who had died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Anxious not to upset Richard Jr and his own family, the Carrolls initially refused to be drawn into the medias speculations on who they believed to be the killer.

That suspect, Darress Sr, had died just three months earlier  infuriatingly, before the family had been able to talk to him about Georges fate.

Parroting what he says he was told by his paternal uncle, Richard Jr believes George had been abusive towards Dorothy and that Richard Sr had been defending her.

He tells the documentary: Ive heard stories about George Carroll. He wasnt the best husband. Ive heard the term heavy hands.

Richard Jrs half-siblings accepted there was some truth to this as their mother claimed George had been rough with her  with scars to prove it  after possibly suffering post-traumatic stress in the Korean War.

But, crucially, did she conspire with Darress Sr to kill George? Some of her family cling to the hope that she knew nothing about the killing, although the fact she never filed a missing persons report and kept her children away from Georges family is certainly suspicious.

And yet theres another explanation in this labyrinthine story.

Darress Srs stepchildren claim he sexually molested the girls in the family  Jean and Pat  and that even while George was still alive, Darress repeatedly exposed himself to the Carroll children.

Jean remembers Darress as an evil and manipulative sexual predator.

Is it possible, asks Steve Carroll, Jeans other brother, that George was murdered after he confronted Darress in the house over his predilections?

He certainly believes so, although he adds that  if this was the case  why on earth did his mother allow such a monster to remain in her home?

So many questions and so few answers. It doesnt exactly help that all of the siblings have wildly divergent theories as to who did what and why.

Georges children accept that they will never know for certain which of them  if any  is correct although they can at least find small consolation in the fact that their father didnt abandon them after all.

The Secrets We Bury is available on Discovery+, HBO Max and Prime Video.
The youngest of Queen Elizabeth's four children, Prince Edward has perhaps been the wisest insofar as matters of the heart are concerned.

While King Charles, Princess Anne, and disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have all endured broken marriages, Prince Edward's relationship with his wife of 26 years, Sophie, has stood the test of time.

The secret to their success was a long courtship, as royal expert Ingrid Seward told the BBC that 'they will have discovered anything they didn't like about each other' during their five-year relationship before tying the knot.

Indeed, the royal couple had been together for so long that Sophie - who crossed paths with Edward in 1993 - had even begun to wonder whether her Prince Charming would ever get down on one knee.

By 1998, Sophie, then 33, and Edward had not discussed marriage 'seriously in three years' and, although they were happy together, the former publicist was aware her 'biological clock was ticking,' according to biographer Sean Smith.

However, Sophie knew 'there could be no marriage' within the royal family after Princess Diana's death in 1997 plunged the nation into mourning, Mr Smith wrote in Sophie: Saving the Royal Family.

Instead, they kept their 'heads down' and focused on building their respective careers as well as renovating their new home, Bagshot Park, as Sophie pushed the thought of a proposal out of her mind.

So, when Prince Edward pulled off a fairytale proposal in the Bahamas, a 'stunned' Sophie 'could scarcely speak the word "yes"', the royal author revealed.

The Duke of Edinburgh (right), the late Queen's youngest son, popped the question to his long-time-girlfriend, Sophie Rhys-Jones (left) in December 1998. Pictured: the happy couple after announcing their engagement in January 1999

Shortly before Christmas in 1998, the now-Duke of Edinburgh whisked his long-term girlfriend off to the Caribbean nation for a surprise romantic getaway.

The prince had booked the private Hamilton House, a beachside four-bedroom villa on the remote island of Eleuthera, where they spent two 'sun-kissed days' before Edward proposed during a romantic candle-lit dinner.

'Sophie was stunned and could scarcely speak the word "yes" before finding her voice and replying "Yes, please!",' Mr Smith described her reaction to Edward's 'gallant proposal'.

After returning to the UK on December 23, the pair parted for Christmas at home with their respective families - with Edward joining the royal family at Sandringham while Sophie went back to Brenchley.

They planned to keep the proposal a secret until January 6, 1999, after Edward formally asked Sophie's father Christopher Rhys-Jones for her hand in marriage.

While Edward was 'looking forward to springing' the news of his engagement 'on the media', The Sun ran a front-page story 'on the very morning of the big announcement' before Buckingham Palace issued an official confirmation.

The Palace's statement read: 'The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are delighted to announce the engagement of their youngest son, Prince Edward, to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones.

'The couple sought the permission of their respective parents between Christmas and New Year. Both families are thrilled at the news.'

While the statement added that no venue was confirmed for their upcoming nuptials, it revealed that the pair were hopeful 'that it might be possible to use St George's Chapel, Windsor, in the late spring or summer.'

Join the debate Should royals wait years before proposing, or does a long courtship risk losing true love forever?

The secret to Sophie and Edward's (pictured) success was a long courtship, as royal expert Ingrid Seward told the BBC that 'they will have discovered anything they didn't like about each other' during their five-year relationship before tying the knot

Prior to the proposal, the pair had been focused on building their respective careers as well as renovating their new home, Bagshot Park (pictured)

The couple had agreed to keep their engagement secret for a few days, with plans for a formal announcement on January 6, 1999. However, much to Edward's dismay, the news was unexpectedly leaked to the media

It was an incredible moment for Sophie's family, with their 'commoner' daughter now set to become a princess.

After their engagement was announced, her father and tyre salesman Christopher beamed with pride as he told photographers of his joy at gaining a new son-in-law.

Speaking from his front doorstep, he declared: 'We like Edward immensely. He is a very, very nice chap. I think Sophie will do very well.'

In a seemingly veiled nod to the rather long wait for Edward to pop the question, Christopher added: 'She has not exactly been catapulted in - it's been a fairly long apprenticeship.'

That afternoon, the elated couple gathered in the grounds of St James's Palace in front of the world's press and even showcased a rare public display of affection as Edward placed a delicate kiss on his fiancee's cheek.

Speaking to the sea of reporters that had raced to the palace following the unexpected news, Edward sought to justify the lengthy wait for a proposal.

Its impossible to understand why it has taken me this long, but I dont think it would have been right before, and I dont think she would have said yes,' he said.

It was also the first time Sophie was photographed wearing her engagement ring that was designed by royal jewellers Asprey & Garrard.

Mr Smith wrote: 'Sophie's smile dazzled almost as much as the fabulous diamond engagement ring she was proudly showing off.'

The white gold ring featured a two-carat, central oval diamond 'flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds' and cost an estimated 105,000.

After their engagement was announced, her father and tyre salesman Christopher beamed with pride as he told photographers of his joy at gaining a new son-in-law. (pictured with Sophie's mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, on the couple's doorstep)

Sophie's white gold ring (pictured) featured a two-carat, central oval diamond 'flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds' and cost an estimated 105,000

In reference to the showstopping sparkler, the prince quipped, 'If it catches the sun, you'll be blinded' before 'cornily' adding: 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend, so I'm told.'

Sophie then chimed in: 'No, you're my best friend.'

The pair also shared intimate details about their charming romance, with Sophie joyously adding: 'We laugh a lot and we have a great friendship'.

Edward, however, was slightly less forthcoming in his answers. When one journalist queried how the proposal was, he responded sheepishly: 'Well, I spoke it.'

Yet he did share the couple's plans for their upcoming nuptials, declaring that they hoped it would be 'a predominantly family wedding' and that Windsor's St George's Chapel was a 'wonderful setting' due to its 'glorious architecture'.

While Sophie was no doubt anxious about the prospect of marrying into the Firm, she spoke with confidence about her upcoming role.

'It is slightly nerve-wracking in many ways, but I am ready for it now,' she said. 'I'm fully aware of the responsibilities and commitments and I think now I am ready.'

Speaking to photographers at St James's Palace, Edward said: Its impossible to understand why it has taken me this long, but I dont think it would have been right before, and I dont think she would have said yes'

The couple exchanged vows before 500 guests at St George's Chapel on June 19, 1999, with a further 200 million viewers watching the televised event

The couple exchanged vows before 500 guests at St George's Chapel on June 19, 1999, with a further 200 million viewers watching the televised event.

On the day, Sophie travelled to the chapel with her proud father in a Rolls-Royce that had originally been presented to the late queen for her Silver Jubilee in 1977.

The princess-to-be exuded elegance in a custom-made ensemble, comprising a coatdress and an evening dress designed by Samantha Keswick.

Her full-length ivory gown featured a deep V-neckline, long sleeves and intricate beading around the neck, sleeves and train.

Concealed beneath was a silk corseted dress, adorned with an impressive 325,000 cut-glass and pearl beads.

More than 26 years since they tied the knot, the couple, who were granted the titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh by the King in 2023, are happier than ever.

The pair still reside in their beloved Bagshot Park home in Surrey and now share two children: Lady Louise Windsor, 22, and 18-year-old James Windsor.
When I saw the headline on the front of a Saturday newspaper supplement: Arise, Queen Kate, I thought for a shocking moment something terrible had befallen Queen Camilla.

Thankfully not. But Kates beautiful smiling face nevertheless adorned the magazines cover, flagging up a seven-page piece about what kind of Queen she intended to be.

The article stated that she plans to make an impactful change, that she would be more ambitious and bolder than any of us appreciated and that Kate will be a Queen who really listens.

But isnt it a bit soon to be talking about Queen Kate in this way, when Queen Camilla is still in situ, apparently in rude health, fulfilling her royal duties and supporting her charities as well as her husband through his cancer battle?

The article claims to have sourced its information through palace insiders and close long-term friends of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Which made me think. Did those close long-term friends of William and Kate have their approval to talk? Did Kate and William, in fact, sanction this article in The Times Magazine about her intentions when she becomes Queen?

We may never know, but even if they did not, it is surely ill-advised of their close circle to talk about her future in this way.

Kate would never have intended any slight against Camilla, of course, writes Amanda Platell... but I cant be the only person to think that this emphasis on her queenly qualities is a slap in the face for the present Queen

Kate would never have intended any slight against Camilla, of course. But I cant be the only person to think that this emphasis on her queenly qualities is a slap in the face for the present Queen.

Camilla has long championed unsung charities  she is patron of more than 100. She has gone out of her way to help concerns that protect women and girls against domestic violence, that encourage literacy and reading, that support the Armed Forces and veterans, and that care about the welfare of animals.

As for that pledge that Kate will be a Queen who really listens, the unsaid and perhaps unintended message is that Camilla doesnt listen.

And yet of all the things her detractors may throw at Queen Camilla, not listening just isnt fair. She deserves a sainthood for listening for decades to her hand-wringing husband going on about global warming, the benefits of talking to his pelargoniums and much more  including his 'hardships' as Prince of Wales.

To Kates credit, much of the article is a showcase for her Centre for Early Childhood at the Royal Foundation she shares with William, described by aides as her lifes work. Quoted in the article is Harvard Professor Robert Waldinger, with whom she wrote a powerful essay about the dangers of smartphones and screentime for children called The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World.

Prof Waldinger remembers meeting former PM Tony Blair at a summit on early learning convened by Kate, and how Blair told him: You know its so important that an institution like the Royal Family does this, because politicians cant do it.

Would the professor have spoken out in such a way without Kates approval? Who knows?

One source compared Kate and William to the Beckhams. But, asks Amanda Platell, do we really want to cheapen our future King and Queen by likening them so?

But my point is that a good number of friends and acquaintances  some named, others anonymous  do talk about Kate in the article. And, given all this emphasis on her as our future Queen, I dont think they should have.

One source goes so far as to compare William and Kate to dear old David and Victoria Beckham, in the way they appreciate their own brand.

While it may seem a ridiculous comparison, they say, I think the public can spot a genuine relationship and a genuinely strong marriage and two people who fit well together. How strong they are individually, but also as a couple. And I think thats a great asset.

A strong marriage is undoubtedly important to the royals but do we really want to cheapen our future King and Queen by likening them to the Beckhams? Is it really how William and Kate want to be perceived in this unforgiving social media world?

Another insider says Kate understands the crowns and gowns element of the job, with the implication that it is a duty to show up looking gorgeous in carefully crafted couture outfits worth thousands and wearing tiaras worth millions from the royal collection.

I do not believe for one second Kates friends thought they were doing anything but supporting her in sharing their views. But it all seems a little premature and, dare I say it, tacky.

A recent YouGov poll deservedly crowned Kate as the most loved royal, with a popularity rating of 68 per cent, for the first time ahead of her husband William on 62 per cent.

Nothing should be allowed to jeopardise the couples standing, however much they might want to change things in the future.

Charles and Camilla are still working full-tilt with many engagements planned in the diary for this year, including a joint official state visit to the United States on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

There will come a time to hail the ascension of King William and Queen Catherine, but it is not yet.

Its just too soon for anyone to be cheering: Arise, Queen Kate.
A six-acre field that's flooded for the majority of the year has gone on the market for 250,000.

Potential buyers have been told to bring their wellington boots if they want to view the land that sits on the eastern banks of the River Meon in Fareham, Hampshire, just over a mile from the Solent.

Up to two-thirds of the land floods seasonally, with much of it underwater throughout the winter months.

Drone footage on the listing shows the land, on the outskirts of Titchfield Village, completely underwater.

The listing says the site attracts wildfowl and other bird species, and most of the fishing rights are included.

The land can only be accessed on foot, with a public car park situated 200m away from the site.

It's being advertised by Giles Wheeler-Bennett, who specialises in rural properties.

'Wellington boots or thigh waders are essential,' the listing says.

Potential buyers have been told to bring their wellington boots if they want to view the land that sits on the eastern banks of the River Meon in Fareham, Hampshire, just over a mile from the Solent

Up to two-thirds of the land floods seasonally, with much of it underwater throughout the winter months

Drone footage on the listing shows the land, on the outskirts of Titchfield Village, completely underwater

'The water meadows are comprised of marshy grassland, up to two thirds of which floods seasonally.

'The parcel is located on the lower floodplain of the River Meon.

'Much of the land is typically under water for the winter months.'

The listing says it has planning consent to take part in a potential nitrate mitigation wetland scheme, but the seller would reserve the right to receive a percentage of any future income if the scheme is implemented within 10 years.

A nitrate mitigation wetland scheme is a strategy that sees new or restored wetlands used to actively remove excess nitrates from water before it enters protected river systems or coastal areas.
Google users have been warned that they've been secretly opted in to a feature that allows the tech giant to access all their private emails.

According to electronics design engineer Dave Jones of Australia, all Gmail users have had their accounts automatically selected to allow Google to scan their messages and attachments to help train its AI models like Gemini.

This means your personal or work emails could be read and used without you explicitly agreeing to it first, after the feature was quietly activated in October 2025.

The issue has already spurred a class-action lawsuit to be filed against Google, claiming the company activated this hidden setting in Gmail to 'secretly' exploit users' email history.

Jones said in a post on X: 'You have to manually turn off Smart Features in the Settings menu in TWO locations.'

For those using Gmail through a desktop or laptop, users would have to open the 'See all settings' tab and choose to turn off the option 'Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet' in the section labeled as Smart features.

Then, Gmail users will have to open the 'Manage Workspace smart feature settings' located right below the Smart features and opt out of the permissions there before saving their choices.

However, when the Daily Mail attempted to deactivate the hidden Google opt-ins, it was discovered that opting out of the data sharing unfiltered all of your emails, removing the 'promotions,' 'social,' and 'updates' tabs from your inbox.

Gmail users who do not wish to have their private messages scanned by Google's AI learning models will need to turn off two featured immediately

The smart features were quietly activated, allegedly without notifying users, in October 2025

Essentially, choosing not have Google scan all of your private messages and sensitive documents turns your Gmail into an unfiltered mess, possibly showing you hundreds or thousands of emails without any type of organization.

Daily Mail discovered that the only way to reorganize your Gmail to properly sort the countless emails some people have in their accounts is to turn the smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet on and allow Google's AI to read your data.

'Oh, good. It also disables inbox categories. Wonderful. Why do they have to keep making things progressively s*******?' one frustrated Gmail user asked on X.

The November 2025 lawsuit was brought against Google by Illinois resident Thomas Thele, and proposes that any and all Gmail users in the US with a Google account whose Gmail, Chat, or Meet messages were scanned by Gemini AI after the feature was activated.

If you access Gmail through your phone, using the Gmail app on Android or iOS devices, you're affected too.

All Gmail accounts are impacted, regardless of the device, as long as you're logged in.

The main danger for Gmail users is to their privacy. Emails might contain sensitive information, such as financial details, health records, or personal conversations, and allowing AI to train on this data could mean it's misused or falls into the wrong hands.

'Google uses information to improve our services and to develop new products, features and technologies that benefit our users and the public,' the company's privacy policy states.

Anyone in the US who has not switched these two features off has automatically opted in to having their emails and documents scanned by the AI programs like Gemini

While Google has argued that it doesn't use Gmail content directly for training Gemini, the opt-in still raises concerns about how your data is handled and if it's not more vulnerable to a breach by hackers.

For Gmail users accessing their messages through a smartphone, tap the menu icon, which looks like three lines at the top left of the screen.

Next, scroll down and select 'Settings,' choose your Gmail account, and then tap 'Data privacy.'

Toggle off 'Smart features and personalization' and then tap into 'Google Workspace smart feature settings' and turn off the options for Workspace and other Google products.

After opting out on all platforms, Gmail users won't be able to use features such as auto-complete suggestions, spell-check, or quick calendar adds from emails.

Opting out is not a permanent decision, and the email scanning can be switched back on at any time if the disabled settings become too inconvenient for some people.

However, some critics on social media have pointed out that opting out of Gmail permissions is pointless if the person you're communicating with is having their emails unknowingly read by Google's AI language learning models.

'Ok, but unless the other side that receives your emails opts out, you're screwed regardless,' one person posted.

'We're also trusting that Google will honor those setting changes or won't quietly switch it on [later].'
A centuries-old Bible chronology suggests we are living in a pivotal year, as humanity enters an era of divine judgment, renewal or reset.

A video shared on Instagram by Kaylah Hodgins focuses on timelines found in a Bible published in 1818, which contains the Old and New Testaments along with the Apocrypha, a collection of ancient biblical-era writings long debated over whether they belong in Scripture.

According to the Bible, the world began in 4004 BC. It lists 3,974 years from Adam to Christ, plus another 1,815 years from Christ's birth to the Bible's publication year.

Combined, these figures total 5,789 years from Creation to the early 19th century.

Hodgins then extended the count to include the years since the Bible was printed, arriving at roughly 6,000 years, a milestone some interpret as signaling the close of humanity's current age.

In certain Jewish and Christian traditions, history is seen as following a seven-part structure modeled on the seven days of Creation.

In this framework, the world experiences six 'days,' or 6,000 years, of human labor and turmoil, followed by a seventh 'day' of rest, often associated with a messianic or millennial reign.

Reaching the end of the sixth 'day' is considered a major turning point, marking the close of humanity's current era and the start of a new, divinely guided phase.

A video, shared on Instagram by Kaylah Hodgins, focuses on timelines found in a Bible published in 1818, which contains the Old and New Testaments along with the Apocrypha, a collection of ancient biblical-era writings long debated over whether they belong in Scripture

According to the Bible, the world began in 4004 BC

The theory does not predict a sudden destruction of the planet, supporters have said, but rather a dramatic transition.

Some described it as the end of an age of human dominance.

Others have framed it more vaguely, suggesting major global upheaval, moral reckoning, or spiritual transformation rather than a single catastrophic event.

Biblical scholars, however, have urged caution when interpreting the timeline.

Most emphasized that the Creation date printed in old Bibles reflects one historical interpretation, not a universally accepted doctrine.

The date of Creation was developed by James Ussher, a 17th-century Irish Archbishop and renowned biblical scholar famous for his Ussher chronology, a detailed calculation placing the Bible's creation of the world in 4004 BC.

By carefully adding the lifespans of biblical figures, the ages of patriarchs, and key events such as the Flood, Ussher determined that Creation occurred in 4004 BC, even assigning a specific day, October 23, for when the first day of the world began.

Centuries later, Bibles published in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the 1818 edition featured in the viral video, included chronological tables derived from Usshers work.

It lists 3,974 years from Adam to Christ, plus another 1,815 years from Christ's birth to the Bible's publication year. Combined, these figures total 5,789 years from Creation to the early 19th century

These tables were often placed at the front of the Bible and gave readers a year-by-year account of biblical history, from Creation to the Bibles publication date.

Modern theology generally treats Usshers chronology as symbolic rather than literal, and scientific evidence places Earths age at roughly 4.5 billion years.

Many churches also reject date-based end-times speculation, warning that such calculations have repeatedly failed throughout history.

The viral video has sparked discussion not just among believers but also among historians and social media users curious about the intersection of faith, numerology, and history.

Many commenters are sharing screenshots of old Bibles, debating whether other editions give slightly different totals, or questioning the significance of the 6,000-year framework altogether.

Some see it as a reminder of humanitys smallness in the span of time, while others treat it as a symbolic countdown that lends urgency to moral or spiritual reflection.

While the Bible itself does not explicitly state that reaching 6,000 years marks the end of human history, apocalyptic interpretations of Usshers timeline have persisted for centuries.

The seventh day of rest, derived from the Creation story, is often imagined as a thousand years of renewal, justice, or divine rule.

For many, the milestone is less about literal prophecy and more about the cultural and spiritual resonance of imagining the world at the edge of a new age.
This is the moment deep sea explorers captured an incredibly elusive creature on camera  the giant phantom jellyfish.

Eerie footage shows the rare animal, which has only been filmed around a dozen times, gently pulsing and swirling its way through the water off the coast of Argentina.

It was captured on film by scientists at the Schmidt Ocean Institute, whose remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was on its descent to explore the Colorado-Rawson submarine canyon wall.

At 253 metres (830 feet) down, they came across the enormous ghostly jellyfish, which was first discovered in 1899.

It boasts arms that can reach more than 10 metres (33 feet) long and a main body that measures over a metre (3.3 feet) wide.

It lives anywhere from surface level to 21,900ft deep, but mostly sticks to an area called the twilight zone which is too deep for most light to reach.

In the clip, the jellyfish is lit up by the ROV's lights and appears to be swimming downwards, slowly pulsing as small fish swim around it.

Most impressive are its four long mouth arms, which scientists believe are used to grab and trap prey, trailing up above it.

Eerie footage shows the rare animal, which has only been filmed around a dozen times, gently pulsing and swirling its way through the water off the coast of Argentina

According to the scientists, giant phantom jellyfish appear to live in all oceans except for the Arctic.

It is assumed they feed on plankton and small fishes, but very little is known about how the jellyfish survives.

It has only been documented around 100 times since it was first discovered, and is thought to be one of the largest invertebrate predators in the deep sea ecosystem.

Two previous sightings of it in the Gulf of Mexico suggest the species might hunt by clinging to subsea structures.

This means its arms would be freed up to trap food, but that sort of behaviour has never been directly witnessed.

Before underwater robots were invented, experts used trawling nets to study deep sea creatures such as this species of jellyfish, known as Stygiomedusa gigantea.

However, when one is captured and brought to the surface, researchers said its silky-looking frame turns to 'gelatinous goo'.

That makes underwater robots the best way to observe the species and learn more about how it survives.

At 253 metres (830 feet) down, they came across the enormous ghostly jellyfish, which was first discovered in 1899

In the clip, the jellyfish appears to be swimming downwards, slowly pulsing as small fish swim around it

While the first specimen was collected 127 years ago, it took 60 years to recognise it as a new species.

A separate research organisation  the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)  say their ROVs have logged thousands of dives deep into the ocean, but have only seen the spectacular species nine times.

MBARIs observations of Stygiomedusa gigantea have helped illuminate its ecological role in the oceans depths, they write on their website.

During an expedition to the Gulf of California, MBARIs ROV Tiburon recorded a fish - the pelagic brotula - alongside a giant phantom jelly. Researchers watched the brotula hover above the bell of its host and swim in and out of the jellys voluminous oral arms.

The wide-open waters of the midnight zone offer little shelter, so many creatures find refuge in the gelatinous animals that are abundant in this environment.
A rapid succession of outfit changes worn by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after his capture has ignited a wave of online speculation.

Images and videos circulating online, attributed to US officials, appeared to show Maduro first in a gray Nike Tech tracksuit shortly after being taken into custody on January 3, followed by a series of jackets and hoodies during subsequent transfers.

By the time he appeared in court in New York on January 5, he was dressed in standard prison attire, marking at least four wardrobe changes in less than 48 hours.

Internet sleuths quickly seized on the details, sharing side-by-side comparisons and memes likening the sequence to 'an SNL skit' and 'more outfit changes than a fashion show.'

Commentators on X claimed the operation was a CIA-orchestrated psychological maneuver, alleging Maduro staged his surrender and agreed to cooperate in exchange for leniency, potentially exposing drug trafficking networks or foreign interference schemes.

Amid the online frenzy, a far more mundane explanation has emerged: the drastic temperature shift between Venezuela and New York City, where temperatures plunged from roughly 78F to 22F.

According to reports, upon arrival at DEA headquarters in Manhattan, Maduro, who is said to be under continuous medical supervision, showed early signs of hypothermia, prompting officials to adjust his clothing repeatedly.

Sudden exposure to the cold, damp air of a New York winter can trigger serious respiratory issues, persistent coughing, and extreme fatigue. For a 63-year-old, these risks are heightened by the possibility of preexisting conditions such as heart disease or asthma.

Social media is flooded with wild theories that the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was a CIA 'psyop' due to him changing multiple times in just a few hours. Maduro was first seen wearing a Nike track suit

Maduro was later photographed in a different outfit. However, the reason for the change was due to the dramatic temperature difference between Venezuela and New York City

To help protect him, the DEA provided multiple layers of clothing: a heavy black jacket that zipped up completely, an additional sweater peeking out from the sleeves and a thick hood.

It is unclear whether Maduro was wearing the Nike tracksuit when he was captured or if it was later issued by US forces.

Regardless, the image of the Venezuelan president sporting the tracksuit sent the public on a buying frenzy for the $140 item.

Another outfit swap was into a blue sweater, produced by Origin USA, an outdoor clothing brand based in Maine.

Origin USA posted the images of Maduro flashing two thumbs up and wearing their Patriot Blue RTX on Saturday as agents from the DEA posed beside him.

'Welcome to America,' the post read. 'Good news, our "Patriot Blue" RTX shirt will be shipping in the spring.'

John Gretton 'Jocko' Willink Jr, retired US Navy SEAL officer and Origin co-owner, wrote on X: 'Im looking forward to meeting the PATRIOT that put this Origin Built By Freedom Hoodie on Maduro and hearing the storyThanks for your service and Bravo Zulu.'

While the reason for the wardrobe changes was due to cold weather, the internet suggested there was something more sinister at play.

By the time he appeared in court in New York on January 5, he was dressed in standard prison attire, marking at least three wardrobe changes in less than 48 hours

Internet sleuths quickly seized on the details, sharing side-by-side comparisons and memes likening the sequence to 'an SNL skit' and 'more outfit changes than a fashion show'

'Nicolas Maduro is changing outfits more than an SNL cast member. It's like his arrest was more theater than substance. Not that I altogether don't enjoy his public humiliation,' one X user posted.

Another shared: 'Didnt that military operation seem oddly easy? He looks pretty happy and relaxed for a man facing life in prison.

'Rumors are that former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros arrest was a negotiated surrender. The worlds a stage.'

In every appearance, however, two items remained unchanged: thick white socks and flip-flops.

The footwear is standard in US federal detention facilities, designed to prevent inmates from using shoes as weapons or tools for self-harm, while also limiting their ability to move quickly.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in court on Monday, both sporting a blue T-shirt with an orange T-shirt underneath and tan issue prison pants.

The couple put on headphones and listened to the proceedings through a translator.

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While the reason for the wardrobe changes was due to cold weather, the internet suggested there was something more sinister at play

Some people pointed out that Maduro appeared happy while in custody

As the hearing continued, Maduro took notes on a yellow pad in front of him and appeared impassive.

He stood and put his fingers on the table next to him as Judge Alvin Hellerstein read out a summary of the indictment against him, detailing four counts of drug trafficking and other charges.

Asked to identify himself, Maduro stood and told the court through the translator: 'I am Nicolas Maduro Moros. I am President of the Republic of Venezuela. I am here, kidnapped, since Saturday, January 3rd. I was captured in my house in Caracas, Venezuela.'

Judge Hellerstein, a 92-year-old Clinton appointee, cut him off and said: 'There is a time and place to go into all of that. I just need to know if you are Nicolas Maduro Moros.'

Maduro, briefly chastened, said: 'I am Nicolas Maduro Moros.'

Maduro and his wife both pleaded not guilty.

During his plea, Maduro said: 'I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still President of Venezuela.'
A shocking admission by the CIA has just reopened the mystery surrounding 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar object speeding through our solar system.

Although NASA has claimed the object is an ordinary comet, an icy rock with a long tail of gas and dust, intelligence officials have refused to answer whether they investigated the possibility that 3I/ATLAS is an extraterrestrial craft.

In response to a November 2025 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding the supposed comet, the CIA said it could 'neither deny nor confirm the existence or nonexistence of records' regarding 3I/ATLAS.

The federal government had maintained that the object showed no signs of harboring alien life or that it was an artificially constructed spacecraft since it was detected in July 2025.

However, the CIA still decided to provide what is known as a 'Glomar response.' It's a way for the government to say, 'We're not going to tell you if we have information or not, because even admitting that could reveal sensitive secrets.'

Harvard professor Avi Loeb has continued to challenge NASA's claims, highlighting that 3I/ATLAS has exhibited at least 12 strange behaviors that scientists have not been able to explain as natural occurrences.

Those anomalies include the object having a bright 'anti-tail' pointing in the opposite direction of a normal comet, course changes that defy the laws of gravity, and a nickel shell, which is a metal typically used by spacecraft to deflect heat.

'That this information is treated as sensitive enough to be classified by the CIA is surprising, given that NASA officials stated decisively at a press conference on November 19, 2025, that 3I/ATLAS is definitely a comet of natural origin,' Loeb said.

Amateur stargazers have taken clear images of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS (Pictured) using common telescopes during its journey through the solar system

The CIA has released a statement neither confirming nor denying any investigations into 3I/ATLAS, complying with a November 2025 FOIA request

As 3I/ATLAS nears Jupiter on March 16, the Harvard physicist said the new revelations by the US intelligence community suggest the government has secretly investigated the possibility that the object is a hostile threat, as he theorized last year.

The Daily Mail has requested comment from both the CIA and NASA and is awaiting a response.

The FOIA request was submitted by UFO and government conspiracy researcher John Greenewald Jr, who noted in a post on X that he was filing an appeal to get a clearer answer from the CIA.

Greenewald Jr added that he has filed the same request for information regarding 3I/ATLAS with NASA and other US agencies and is still waiting for them to reply.

FOIA requests are part of US law that lets anyone, including citizens, journalists, and researchers, ask government agencies for documents or records on a specific topic.

The agency must give a response, but it can withhold revealing details if the information is classified for national security reasons or falls under certain exemptions.

'Very interesting, apparently CIA [director John] Ratcliffe knows something,' one person on social media alleged.

The new revelations have come months after NASA completely dismissed the possibility of 3I/ATLAS being extraterrestrial in origin, with space agency administrator Nicky Fox saying they've found nothing 'that would lead us to believe it was anything other than a comet.'

Join the debate Is the government hiding secrets relating to extra terrestrials?

3I/ATLAS is projected to reach its closest point to Jupiter in March 2026 before leaving the solar system for good

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However, NASA's November announcement created more doubt about the object's origins than it solved, as the agency was widely mocked for the blurry images it released of 3I/ATLAS.

Many critics quickly pointed out that amateur astronomers with common telescopes had been taking much clearer photographs of the alleged comet as it approached Earth in December, despite being over 200million miles from the object.

In comparison, NASA Mars orbiters were less than 20million miles away from 3I/ATLAS in early October 2025, but still only returned heavily pixelated images of the visitor, which caused some to claim it was a cover-up.

'NASA officials were encouraged to deliver the likely scientific interpretation, while at the same time, the serious consideration of a black swan event by the CIA was hidden from public view to prevent panic from taking hold for no good reason,' Loeb speculated in a statement published Monday.

A black swan event is a rare, totally unexpected happening that's highly unlikely but could have huge, world-changing consequences for the Earth.

In the case of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, Loeb said if the tiny chance that the object was artificial alien technology turned out to be true, it would be a massive shock with enormous implications for humanity, including proving aliens exist.

The cryptic response from the CIA adds another layer to the eight-decade conspiracy theory UFO believers have had, claiming that the US government has been concealing what it knows about extraterrestrial life.

Just days after Greenewald Jr's FOIA request was submitted in November, the hit documentary 'The Age of Disclosure' was released, interviewing 34 US government, military, and intelligence officials about their knowledge of an alleged UFO cover-up.

Despite the speculation, the US military and federal government have said there has never been any physical proof that UFOs or beings from other planets exist.
Scientists have discovered a new type of astronomical object, calling the strange entity a 'window into the dark universe'.

The object known as Cloud-9 is a completely starless, gas-rich cloud of dark matter located 14 million light-years from Earth.

The cloud's core is a vast, compact sphere of neutral hydrogen, about 4,900 light-years across.

That is more than 1,000 times greater than the distance between Earth and the nearest star, Proxima Centauri.

However, despite containing abundant stellar fuel, astronomers have now used the Hubble Space Telescope to confirm that Cloud-9 contains no stars whatsoever.

Scientists say that makes the cloud a building block of a galaxy that never quite formed, left over as a relic from the early universe.

Co-author Dr Andrew Fox, of the European Space Agency and the Space Telescope Science Institute, told the Daily Mail: 'You can think of it as a failed galaxy.

'A ghostly object that didnt quite have enough mass to become self-gravitating and cross the threshold into star formation.'

Scientists have discovered a new type of astronomical object, a cloud of dark matter and hydrogen gas that contains no stars. Pictured: Magenta shows radio data from the gas cloud, and the dotted circle shows the peak of radio emissions

Cloud-9 is a previously theoretical type of object known as a Reionization-Limited H I Cloud, or 'RELHIC'.

What makes RELHICs unusual is that they are largely made up of dark matter, the invisible substance which makes up around 26 per cent of the universe's mass.

Although scientists can't directly observe dark matter, including the matter inside Cloud-9, they can tell that something with mass must be there because of the effects of gravity.

'The main piece of evidence for dark matter in this cloud is its size,' says Dr Fox,

'A cloud this size needs a source of gravity to hold it together. There are no stars to provide this gravity, and the neutral hydrogen gas does not contain enough mass, so dark matter must be the culprit. Without it, the cloud would simply fall apart.'

By looking at the radiation emitted by gases in the cloud, scientists estimate that the mass of hydrogen within is about one million times that of the sun.

However, for the cloud not to drift apart, Dr Fox and his colleagues estimate that it must contain around five billion solar masses of dark matter.

This discovery is extremely exciting for astronomers because RELHICs like Cloud-9 offer a snapshot into an exceptionally early moment in the universe's history.

Scientists say that the strange object (pictured), dubbed Cloud-9 and located 14 million light-years from Earth, is a failed galaxy that didn't have enough mass to produce stars

Dr Fox says: 'Theories of galaxy formation predicted that there is a minimum threshold of dark matter required to ignite star formation and turn a dark cloud into a luminous galaxy.

'With Cloud-9, we have an example of an object just below this threshold, containing no stars.'

Although some scientists had thought that RELHICs might exist, they have proven exceptionally hard to find.

If the cloud were much larger, the gases would collapse into stars and form a galaxy; much smaller, and it would have fallen apart and blown away.

Co-author Dr Alejandro Benitez Llambay, of the Milano-Bicocca University in Milan, told Daily Mail: 'Cloud-9 is a rare "middle ground" survivor.'

'According to our models, fewer than 10 per cent of halos in this mass range remain in such a pristine state, making Cloud-9 a "missing link" in our understanding of how galaxies are born.'

Likewise, since these objects don't contain any stars, RELHICs barely give off any of their own radiation and are exceptionally difficult to detect.

Cloud-9 was first spotted three years ago by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou, China.

If the cloud had more mass, the gases would have collapsed into stars and formed a galaxy like its neighbour, the M94 spiral galaxy (pictured). Cloud-9 had just enough mass to stay together, but not so much that it formed stars

However, it is only now that researchers have been able to use the Hubble Telescope to confirm that it contains no stars, making it very likely to be a RELHIC.

Lead author Dr Gagandeep Anand, of the Space Telescope Science Institute, says: 'Before we used Hubble, you could argue that this is a faint dwarf galaxy that we could not see with ground-based telescopes. They just didn't go deep enough in sensitivity to uncover stars.

'In science, we usually learn more from the failures than from the successes. In this case, seeing no stars is what proves the theory right. It tells us that we have found in the local universe a primordial building block of a galaxy that hasn't formed.'

The discovery of Cloud-9, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, also makes it likely that there are more RELHICs out there, even in our local neighbourhood.

China's FAST telescope is particularly good at spotting these kinds of dark gas clouds, so researchers hope to discover more in the future.

Dr Fox adds: 'There absolutely should be more RELHICs out there, and we are looking for more candidates. We need more cases to know whether Cloud-9 is an oddball with unusual properties, or alternatively, is fairly typical.'
Many Americans were surprised to learn that roughly 90 percent of cheese contains a lab-made enzyme developed by Pfizer, and it does not have to be labeled.

The ingredient, known as fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC), is a genetically engineered version of rennet, an enzyme used to coagulate milk during cheesemaking.

While FPC has been used for decades, a viral social media post this week brought renewed attention to its origins, sparking widespread backlash and calls for greater transparency.

On X, one user asked, 'How is this allowed?' and others vowed to stop buying American-made cheese, saying: '[A] boycott is the only way.'

Another user shared: 'Unfortunately, I won't be buying American cheese anymore without reading the labels very carefully.'

FPC was developed in 1990, when Pfizer scientists engineered a microorganism to produce chymosin, the key enzyme found in calf rennet.

The innovation revolutionized cheesemaking by making the process cheaper, faster and more consistent.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved FPC as 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS), a regulatory designation that allows substances to enter the food supply without full pre-market approval.

The FDA's decision relied in part on a 90-day rat feeding study.

Americans have been left stunned after learning that nearly 90 percent of US cheese contains a lab-made enzyme from Pfizer, and it does not have to be labeled

In 1996, Pfizer sold its cheesemaking division to the Danish bioscience company Chr Hansen, which continues to manufacture and supply the enzyme to major US dairy producers.

Chr Hansen has emphasized that FPC is more predictable, efficient and scalable than traditional rennet, helping it become the dominant enzyme in global cheese production.

Jacob Vishof Paulsen, the company's EVP of EMEA & North America, previously described newer versions of the enzyme as a 'game changer,' noting they allow cheesemakers to extract up to one percent more yield from the same amount of milk, a significant gain in an industry with tight margins.

Despite these efficiencies, consumer advocates have argued that the lack of transparent labeling is the real issue.

Daily Mail has contacted Chr Hansen for comment.

According to the American Cheese Society and cheesemaking culture companies, roughly 90 percent of North American cheese is made with FPC rennet.

'But ingredient labels do not distinguish between this type of microbial rennet and the original non-GMO type,' the American Cheese Society stated.

'And the fact that use of FPC-type microbial rennet is not labeled a GMO leaves those who oppose GMOs in the dark when it comes to choosing cheese.'

However, ingredient labels do not distinguish between genetically engineered rennet and non-GMO alternatives.

Some companies list 'non-animal rennet' on the packaging, which means it contains FPC.

Scientists and regulators counter that genetically engineered food enzymes like FPC pose no greater risk than conventional foods.

The ingredient, known as fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC), is a genetically engineered version of rennet, an enzyme used to coagulate milk during cheesemaking

Organizations such as the World Health Organization and the European Food Safety Authority have long supported the safety of properly tested GMO products.

Some cheeses do not require rennet at all, including cottage cheese, cream cheese, paneer, and certain types of mozzarella, which are made using acid or alternative coagulants.

USDA-certified organic cheese also prohibits the use of fermentation-produced chymosin, making it an option for consumers seeking to avoid the enzyme.

While the FDA continues to stand by its GRAS determination, the uproar highlights a broader debate over food regulation.

Under US law, GRAS substances do not require FDA approval or notification before marketing.

Former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods Michael Taylor acknowledged flaws in the system in 2014, stating: 'We simply do not have the information to vouch for the safety of many of these chemicals.'

Cheesemakers can use several different forms of rennet, but for hundreds of years, animal-based rennet was the standard.

This traditional rennet is extracted from the fourth stomach lining of an unweaned calf, where the enzyme naturally helps young animals digest milk.

Because calves produce far higher concentrations of rennet than adult cattle, the enzyme must be harvested early in the animal's life.

The extracted rennet is not pure chymosin, as it typically contains a mixture of chymosin, pepsin and other proteins.

Since rennet can be obtained only once from a single calf, supply is limited, and production costs are high. As demand for cheese surged in the late 20th century, the industry increasingly viewed animal rennet as inefficient and unsustainable.

And FPC offered a solution with scientists isolating the gene responsible for chymosin production and inserting it into a microorganism such as bacteria, yeast or mold.

The organism is then grown in large fermentation tanks, producing chymosin in bulk. After fermentation, the enzyme is filtered and purified, resulting in chymosin that is chemically identical to the enzyme found in calves, without the need for animal slaughter.
For adrenaline lovers, there's no feeling like stepping into a park and hearing the screams of people whizzing past on giant rollercoasters.

Many theme park enthusiasts travel the globe to experience record-breaking rides, including Saudi Arabia's Falcon's Flight, the world's tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster.

But coaster junkies would be disappointed if they turned up to this park in the hope of a high-thrill ride.

Puy du Fou Espana, a theme park in Toledo, Spain, gained the title of Europe's Leading Theme Park 2025 at the World Travel Awards.

The park, which opened in 2021, is based on the French theme park of the same name.

It is located approximately an hour south of Madrid and is not typically visited by British tourists.

But at Puy du Fou Espana, you won't find the classic pendulum ride or dodgems.

Instead, there are immersive shows about history with recreations of events on a huge scale.

Puy du Fou Espana, a theme park in Toledo, Spain, gained the title of Europe's Leading Theme Park 2025 at the World Travel Awards

Since opening in 1977, Puy du Fou has grown to become Frances second-most visited theme park after Disneyland Paris

More akin to what Brits would expect from a trip to a museum than a theme park, visitors can visit medieval villages, see artisanal crafts being made and try traditional food.

Since opening in 1977, Puy du Fou has grown to become Frances second-most visited theme park after Disneyland Paris, with a record 2.8million visitors last year and an annual turnover of 3 billion (2.5billion).

Visitors can watch a Roman duel in a replica amphitheatre one moment, before finding themselves in the trenches of the First World War the next.

It was named the worlds top theme park in 2022 by voters in the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice.

Puy du Fou Espana entry costs vary but typically start around 30 (26) for a one-day adult ticket if booked in advance, with children (3-13) starting around 24, while on-the-day prices are higher (around 38-39).

In September, Puy du Fou announced plans to build a massive new park near Bicester in Oxfordshire, bringing its unique brand of immersive, history-themed attractions across the Channel.

The boss of the firm behind the park has exclusively told the Daily Mail that plans for the UK version have already been tirelessly developed in secret for the past two years.

Forget high-thrill rides and classic coasters  this park will allow visitors to step back in time and witness centuries of history brought to life, including gladiator tournaments and Viking invasions.

Visitors can watch a Roman duel in a replica amphitheatre one moment, before finding themselves in the trenches of the First World War the next

The company submitted an outline planning application to Cherwell District Council on 1 September, with hopes to open the UK location in stages starting from 2029.

Guests will be able to explore four fully recreated period villages - each designed around a different era in British history.

There will be 13 live shows each day, ranging from theatrical performances to musketeer battles. The park also plans to build three themed hotels, each styled to reflect a different historical period, along with a large conference centre.

In other theme park news, the UK's first Universal Studios has officially been granted planning permission to be built. Set to be located in Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, the new theme park is expected to be ready by 2031.
While air travel can lead to general discomfort and anxiety, crossing different time zones can cause a specific type of disruption, known as jet lag, which can affect travellers long after they've landed.

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that stems from rapid travel across time zones, resulting in the disruption of travellers' internal body clocks.

Plane passengers commonly report experiencing fatigue, insomnia, headaches, concentration issues and even mood changes after arriving at their destination, symptoms that can last for several days before the body readjusts.

And no-one is exempt from the knock-on effects of the disorder - not even corporate bosses, who spend a large portion of their working lives taking to the skies.

While many regular travellers swear by traditional methods to prevent jet lag, such as staying hydrated, getting daylight exposure and avoiding long naps, Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, says the best way to get better sleep is by skipping the in-flight meal.

For long-haul travel, Kirby aims for later flights that are closer to his usual bedtime, which is any hour after 6pm or 7pm.

Once the plane has taken off, the CEO - who, like other company executives often flies business class - reclines his seat before the in-flight dinner service begins, as this ensures he can fall into a deep sleep.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, he said: 'All the times I've gone to Europe, Ive never once eaten a meal. My goal is to not hear the ding at 10,000 feet, because Im already asleep.'

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that often leads to fatigue, insomnia, headaches, concentration issues and even mood changes after travellers arrive at their destination

Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines (pictured) says the best way to get better sleep is by skipping the in-flight meal

The airline boss revealed that while he regularly sleeps for eight and a half hours each night, he still manages to clock around seven solid hours of rest on long-haul flights without the need for sleeping aids thanks to his strict in-flight routine.

He advised those travelling on lengthy routes, such as from the United States to Europe, to set a goal of staying awake until midnight on the first night.

As for returning home, he stressed the importance of going to sleep at 5pm each evening in order to full reset one's circadian rhythm.

Meanwhile, Yvette Ostolaza, chair of law firm Sidley Austin, added she prepares by eating before boarding, hydrating, and staying active at the airport, while avoiding checked bags to save energy on arrival.

Once she gets onboard a plane, she immediately switches to the destination time zone, wears cosy layers, blocks out light and noise, and sleeps as if it's night - specifically asking not to be woken.

Her tricks work in any cabin, whether in economy or First Class, as she advises travellers to choose a quiet seat, ideally by a window.

Once landed, she avoids naps and may get a massage to help her fall asleep. She added: 'I like to manifest that Im not going to have jet lag, and Im going to be in the time zone.'

As for Spencer Rascoff, CEO of Match Group, his focus is staying healthy.

Join the debate How do YOU beat jet lag?

Tarang Amin (pictured L with Hailey Bieber), CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, starts with a workout and heavy hydration before flying, then adjusts immediately to his destination's time zone on the plane

His carry-on often includes sanitiser, hoodies, eye masks, earplugs, and extra socks, and he resets all clocks to destination time, skips alcohol entirely, and sleeps on the plane.

After landing, he changes socks to 'reset' his brain clock, and he swears by small comforts such as classic candy to help reduce stress from long travel days.

Tarang Amin, CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, on the other hand starts with a workout and heavy hydration before flying, then adjusts immediately to his destination's time zone on the plane.

He stays awake or sleeps strictly based on that schedule, drinks water, and skips meals if it means more rest.

After landing, he works out again, avoids naps completely, and pushes through meetings, while a massage before bed usually helps him fully relax and sleep.
Increasing numbers of Brits are heading off on extreme day trips, where they spend just one day exploring a destination, before returning home.

Many do it for the thrill of being somewhere different, while others argue it's a way for them to experience overseas travel without a high price tag.

There are plenty of affordable places to visit for just 24 hours, and a new study has identified the best European cities for such a short adventure.

It considered a range of factors including flight time and cost, estimated transfer time from the airport, and the number of restaurants and things to do in the local area to calculate where might be suitable.

Barcelona came out as the best city to visit for just a day, scoring 9.13 out of ten.

An average round trip to the Spanish capital comes to 242, making it one of the cheaper options, and it has a whopping 10,448 restaurants to choose from - the second highest amount on the list.

There are plenty of things to do in Barcelona - 6,109 to be exact - and travellers can have faith there is a high chance of decent weather, with an average temperature of 15.5 degrees.

The vibrant city sees around 2,500 hours of sunshine a year, too.

Barcelona came out as the best city to visit for just a day, scoring 9.13 out of ten in the new research

There are plenty of things to do in Barcelona - 6,109 to be exact - and travellers can have faith there is a high chance of decent weather, with an average temperature of 15.5 degrees

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Ground transportation company Mozio, who commissioned the research, estimates the transfer from the airport into the city is just 25 minutes, meaning you won't be wasting precious time during your short visit.

What's more, a return flight from London to Barcelona is affordable, with one on February 7 coming to just 33 on Skyscanner.

Meanwhile, the average cost of a hotel per night is around 155.

A short trip to Barcelona is sure to be action-packed, there are museums to take in, impressive architecture to explore and plenty of local eateries to try out.

Prague is another good destination for a 24-hour trip and ranked second with a score of 8.92.

The average round trip costs 174 and tourists will be spoilt for choice on what to do when they get there - with 4,858 restaurants to choose form and 4,858 things to do.

A night in a hotel comes to around 98 and the transfer time from the airport is just half an hour.

Brussels placed third, following the Czech Republic capital closely with a score of 8.89 out of ten.

What's more, a return flight from London to Barcelona is affordable, with one on February 7 coming to just 33 on Skyscanner

It's a relatively mild city to visit for a day, with temperatures averaging at 10.7 degrees.

A round trip comes to 221, while a hotel stay works out at 124 a night.

The transfer time from the airport is pretty short too, at just 20 minutes.

Budapest placed fourth, followed by Lisbon in fifth. Valencia, Paris, Naples, Amsterdam and Seville rounded off the top ten.
It's easy to fall into tourist traps when travelling abroad  and it can especially feel difficult to find the authentic spots to eat.

Fortunately, one local has revealed exactly how to pick a restaurant in Italy and avoid the businesses targeting holidaymakers.

Travel content creator Romi, who goes by @twosuitcasesandatrunki on Instagram, shared her tips for how Italians scope out the best eateries.

In a post on social media, she explained how locals use 'less logic, more vibes' when choosing where to dine.

They also 'almost never read reviews' of the establishment, and instead look at other factors to determine if they want to eat there.

First looking at the menu, locals count how many dishes there are to choose from, according to Romi.

'If the menu is longer than a Harry Potter book, we run. Too many choices = frozen food,' she penned.

The 'ultimate rule', however, is how the restaurant smells. If there is a strong smell of garlic all the way down the street from the establishment, it's probably a good one.

Travel content creator Romi, who goes by @twosuitcasesandatrunki on Instagram, shared her tips for how Italians scope out the best eateries (stock)

The travel content creator explained how if a place has a small menu, it 'means somebody's actually cooking back there'.

Signage written in English is another red flag for Romi. She acknowledges having menu options in other languages is normal in tourist areas but signs reading 'BEST PASTA EVER!' aren't attractive.

'No Italian believes those for a second,' she penned.

The pasta on offer is a big determining factor too, and Romi looks out for a range of different types and accompanying sauces.

Another important carb to consider is the bread, she avoids anything that looks 'lonely, stale or mass-produced'.

It's a good idea to have a quick look inside before committing to a restaurant and scope out if any locals are eating there.

Romi says a 'waiter stressed in a doing-his-job way' is an 'excellent' sign.

Handwritten daily specials are good to look out for, and the travel content creator thinks they signify a 'pure treasure'.

'It usually means the chef cooked whatever looked amazing at the market that morning,' she explained.

In a post on social media, she explained how locals use 'less logic, more vibes' when choosing where to dine (stock)

Restaurants that have 'airport energy' are also to be avoided, according to Romi.

This can include owners 'begging' customers to come inside, or having 'laminated menus'.

Timing and how full the restaurant is can be a tell-tale sign of a good establishment too.

If it is empty at 1pm, Romi says this is a 'red flag' and revealed that tables usually fill out early if the spot offers good food.
Plane journeys are, more often than not, associated with cramped legroom and uncomfortable seats.

Unless you're willing to fork out for business or first class, your experience on board is hardly likely to involve massive amounts of space to stretch your legs.

But wouldn't we all love more legroom on a flight?

It turns out, there's a clever tactic to get more space on board - without paying any extra fees.

It's as simple as choosing the right-hand side of the plane.

When you're booking your journey, you often need to pay in order to upgrade your seat.

Depending on the carrier you're flying with, this can incur an additional charge - something many people would be keen to avoid.

But plenty of seats are free to choose, especially if you select your seat rather than waiting to be randomly assigned at the last minute.

There's a simple trick to get more legroom on board - without soaring costs

Research by Which? discovered that booking a seat on the right-hand side of the plane with the letters D, E or F (as opposed to A, B or C) could get you extra space.

Standard seats on the right-hand side of many planes can offer between an extra half-inch to an inch of legroom compared to those on the left, the study revealed.

This even applies to airlines such as Ryanair, it found.

So when the option to choose your seats for free opens up 24 hours before your departure, go for one on the right.

Plus, Which? found seats in front of a bulkhead, along an exit row or at the tail end of a plane often have more space.

If you want to plan ahead, you can also check your flight's seating plan and exact model.

Using the website AeroLOPA to check the configuration of the model, you can work out if the trick will work.

Most Ryanair planes are Boeing 737s, Which? explains, with AeroLopa revealing that seats D, E and F in rows 3 to 15 are the most spacious.

Choosing your seat wisely could greatly improve the comfort of your journey

And according to Sky News, you can get an extra inch if you sit on the right-hand side of an easyJet Airbus A 321neo.

Seats D, E and F on rows 3-17 have a 29-inch seat pitch.

That's compared to those on the left between rows 30 and 40, which have 28 inches of room.

Plenty of other airlines also have differing amounts of legroom, such as Norwegian, so it's always worth checking before selecting your seat to get more bang for your buck.
A beloved UK beach has been forced to close after being deemed unsafe for visitors to venture onto.

Yesterday (5 January), Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis, Dorset, experienced a landslip that has been described as 'active and ongoing'.

Officials attended the scene and Lyme Regis Coastguard shared an update on Facebook.

'We have attended an active and ongoing landslip situated off Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis. Large boulders have been falling from the top of the cliff and have been rolling down onto the beach and into the water,' it revealed.

As a result, the area of beach near the base of the landslip has been closed off and the public have been warned to stay 'well clear' of the area.

The post continued: 'Lyme Regis Town Council have attended the site to assess the situation.

'Consequently, the beach area immediately near the base of the slip has been closed to the public.'

The coastguard urged people to stay away and added: 'We strongly advise all members of the public to stay well clear of this area.'

Yesterday, Monmouth beach, in Lyme Regis, Dorset, experienced a landslip that has been described as 'active and ongoing'

Visitors were also warned not to climb in the area.

The post read: 'Do not attempt to climb the slip or walk near the base of the affected cliffs.'

Dogs are also being urged to be kept on a leash and away from the base of the cliffs.

'The cliffs along the Jurassic Coast are naturally unstable and can crumble without warning,' the coastguard went on.

'Please respect the closures and signage in place for your own and others safety. It is unlikely this fresh fall will contain fossils.

'In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the COASTGUARD.'

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'HM Coastguard was informed at about 9.25am on 5 January of a landslip on Monmouth beach.

'Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to check the scene. There were no reports of anyone in distress.'

Deputy town clerk Mark Green told the Daily Mail: 'There have been a number of minor landslips affecting the cliffs at Monmouth Beach. The cliffs in this area are unstable and minor movement continues to take place.

'There are signs in the area warning about the risk of cliff falls and additional measures have been implemented to alert beach users to the recent falls. Only a very small section of the beach at the foot of the cliffs is affected.

'Although Monmouth Beach remains open for public use and enjoyment, we would urge the public to stay away from the base of the cliffs and not to search for fossils amongst the fallen material. Although the recent falls have been relatively minor, the cliffs are unstable and the falls are unpredictable.'

As a result, the area of beach near the base of the landslip has been closed off and the public have been warned to stay 'well clear' of the area (stock)

Just last week, on December 30, a sizeable section of the 150ft cliff at West Bay in Dorset collapsed without warning while members of the public walked close by.

Witnesses reported hearing loud cracks in the cliff face seconds before it gave way, giving them enough time to run for safety.

Around 500 tonnes of rock and boulders the size of small cars fell onto the popular beach, sending a huge dust cloud into the air.

When it cleared it revealed a 30ft pile of sandstone rock that cut off the beach.

The dramatic incident happened at 4pm on Tuesday while people were out enjoying a sunset stroll.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale came together for one night only in Corriedale - but did you spot these Easter Eggs in the crossover?

The hour-long special featured several fan favourite characters from both soaps involved in a terrifying car pile up.

Longtime fans would surely spot subtle nods to past storylines in Weatherfield and the Dales.

One example featured Corrie's Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) as he stood in the aftermath of the crash.

Steve looked towards a van, which had Emmerdale's Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) sat in the driver's seat.

Visibly perplexed, the cobbles veteran said 'No way', as partner Cassie (Claire Sweeney) asked if he was alright.

Coronation Streetand Emmerdale came together for one night only in explosive crossover event Corriedale

One scene featuring Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) had a nod to one of Emmerdale's most iconic storylines

In one Easter Egg scene, Steve McDonald thought he saw old colleague Vikram Desai (Chris Bisson) - but it was Emmerdale's Jai Sharma, also played by Chris

In response, Steve said he thought he'd seen an old co-worker, but brushed off the thought as ridiculous.

Before joining Emmerdale as Jai in 2009, actor Chris starred in Coronation Street as Vikram Desai.

Appearing from 1999 to 2002, Vikram notably co-created taxi firm Street Cars alongside Steve.

Reacting to the Easter Egg, one fan penned on X: '#Corriedale Yes Steve, you did.'

A second remarked: 'Okay, THIS was good! #corriedale', adding three laughing emojis.

Eagle-eyed fans lapped up the nod to the characters' shared history

While not shown on-screen, one of the major players in Corriedale had a similar situation.

Oliver Farnworth - who plays Emmerdale killer John Sugden - previously starred Andy Carver in Coronation Street from 2014 to 2017.

Andy was written off from the cobbles after he was murdered by serial killer Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre).

Meanwhile, another example came towards the end of the special, featuring Corrie's taxi driver Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine).

As he prepared to drive Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) back to Emmerdale, the two made conversation.

Noting the name of his passenger's destination, Tim said: 'Right, onwards to Emmerdale, eh? Ain't that where the plane crashed?'

Chas simply responded by saying: 'Yes, yes it was.'

This referenced a 1993 storyline which saw an airliner that had been travelling from Canada to Eastern Europe crash in the village.

Four regular characters were killed off, as well as all of the plane's passengers and crew.

Following the plane crash, survivors renamed the village from Beckindale to become Emmerdale.

Elsewhere, beloved Coronation Street vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) tragically met his end during Corriedale.

Billy, who has been on the cobbles for 12 years, had been driving the mini van that was carrying Weatherfield residents back from Debbie Webster's (Sue Devaney) wedding.

Todd Grimshaw's abusive boyfriend Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) ultimately sealed his fate as he clipped Billy's seatbelt back in, before retreating to safety.

And the action didn't stop there as Emmerdale favourite Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) was shot by a rampaging John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth).

Coronation Street's Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) was on hand to drive passenger Chas back to Emmerdale

Viewers feared Cain might have died, but later saw him in hospital where he received the news he could have cancer after doctors found a tumour when doing scans for his internal injuries. Cain was told he will need to undergo further tests.

John was hunted down by Cain and Aaron Dingle, Robert Sugden, Joe Tate and Coronation Street's Kit Green.

At the end of the sixty minutes, the serial killer lay dead in the woods. In a big twist, Robert's sister Victoria Sugden stood over him - but is she really the killer?

In a massive twist, Emmerdale's Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) appeared on screens, six years after he was killed by Pierce Harris (Jonathan Wrather).

He spent most of the episode with his identity concealed, appearing only as a mysterious hooded figure in the back of a van with a woman called Jodie, who was tied up.

It was only at the end, Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) appeared to get a glimpse of him from his hospital bed, before he slipped away.

Fans were also left thoroughly impressed by Corriedale, with one writing: ''Standing ovation from my living room. What an episode.'

Another chimed in: ''Theyre gonna need a bigger stage for the NTAs when #corriedale sweep all the awards.'

While a third said: '#CorrieDale was some of the best TV Ive watched for years'.

Corriedale is available to stream on ITVX.
BBC Breakfast hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell were left red in the face after making an excruciating faux pas as they were joined by Shaun Ryder and Bez.

The presenting pair sat down with the former Happy Mondays bandmates who were in the studio to promote their upcoming tour that celebrates 35 years since their studio album, Pills N Thrills And Bellyaches.

Shaun, 63, and Bez, 61, real name Mark Berry, were quizzed over what fans can expect from the tour, which kickstarts in March.

But Sarah, 50, soon put her foot in it, when she asked if the 'whole band were going to get back together' for performances that would happen on stage.

Shaun was quick to hit back that the band would naturally be missing one member, his brother Paul, who died in July 2022 at the age of 58.

Paul had reportedly been suffering from ischaemic heart disease and diabetes before his shock passing, which left the band heartbroken.

BBC Breakfast hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell were left red in the face after making an excruciating faux pas as they were joined by Shaun Ryder and Bez

Paul Ryder died in July 2022 at the age of 58 just before the band were due to play a gig

Shaun told Sarah: 'Well, apart from our kid, because he's dead,' leaving his bandmate Bez, Sarah and Jon in a stunned silence for a number of seconds.

Brushing off the awkward blunder, Shaun continued: 'But we have Mikey - he was in the band before our Paul came back for about ten years, then Paul came back, and died... so Mikey got his job back.'

Leaving another long awkward silence, Jon then swiftly moved on to talk about the album and more about the details of the tour, as well as Shaun's health.

Jon asked: 'How are you physically, because you werent well before Christmas?' to which Shaun explained: 'I got pneumonia.

'I was on tour [and] I ended up with pneumonia. I had to throw everything I could down me, every sort of painkiller and everything else just to get through it.'

The musician revealed how his health had rapidly declined leading to him collapsing the day before his friend, Stone Roses bassist Mani's funeral.

'I couldn't even go to the funeral, Mani's funeral,' Shaun explained. 'I got back the day before Mani's funeral and collapsed, so I couldn't even go...

'Like I say, you have to get the job done on the tour, we're old school you know.'

Sarah, 50, soon put her foot in it, when she asked if the 'whole band were going to get back together' for performances that would happen on stage

Shaun told Sarah: 'Well, apart from our kid, because he's dead,' leaving his bandmate Bez, Sarah and Jon in a stunned silence for a number of seconds

Shaun and his brother Paul founded Happy Mondays in 1980

Shaun took a course of antibiotics to help him recover, with Bez adding: 'I did tell him he had to get better, but it took about six weeks before he started listening.'

'In the end, I got antibiotics and that was like a nuclear bomb going off, so that sorted me out quite quick. I've only been out of bed about four days,' Shaun added.

Happy Mondays will head on tour across 22 dates from March, performing in London, Nottingham, Newcastle, and their home town of Manchester.

Shaun and Bez will reunite with Mark Day, Dary Whelan and Dan Broad to perform hits from Pills N Thrills and Bellyaches, including Step On, Kinky Afro and Loose Fit.

They will also perform hits 24 Hour Party People, Judge Fudge and Hallelujah.

Shaun and his younger brother Paul were the original founders of The Happy Mondays that first formed in Salford in 1980.

Paul was found dead in July 2022, before the band were due to play at Kubix Festival in Sunderland.

The band paid tribute with a Facebook post at the time which read: 'The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning.

'A true pioneer and legend. He will be forever missed. We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time.'

A coroner ruled Ryder died of Ischaemic heart disease and diabetes.

While his brother Shaun insisted his sibling's death was not due to drugs, Paul had previously been very open about his addiction battles in the early days of the band when he used heroin.

In a candid interview in 2007, he said of the drug use: 'It was wild. I was 18 and recording an album. I'd learnt how to read and write at school but my real education began with the Mondays.

'I'd been using drugs since I was 17. If you have the money and the lifestyle it's part and parcel of the job, especially when people in the industry are giving it to you for free.

'That was especially the case in America. They learned pretty quickly that if there were no drugs, then there was no show.'

His brother Shaun has also opened up about his 20-year drug addiction in the past.

In 2014, Paul told MailOnline how he treated his now 16-year-old son's cancer with cannabis.

He had said that as a recovering addict he would never have encouraged Chico to take drugs.

But when faced with his son's diagnosis - a rare form of soft tissue cancer - the musician said he and his wife took the decision to use cannabis oil.

Breakfast airs weekdays from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are preparing to tie the knot in an 'intimate' wedding later this year.

Hugh, 57, is also reportedly house hunting for a new marital home in an upscale suburb just outside New York.

According to a source close to the couple, the wedding will take place as soon as Sutton's divorce from ex Ted Griffin is finalised.

'[Hugh's] told his team to keep a big window open for him and Sutton to tie the knot and have a "honeymoon tour" of Europe, where they can see his mum,' an insider told the latest edition of New Idea.

The source added that the couple are planning a small, 'intimate' ceremony in New York during spring or summer for their 'theatre pals'.

For a matrimonial home, the source says the couple are looking in Bedford, a leafy town 70km outside Manhattan known for its wealthy residents.

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are preparing to tie the knot in an 'intimate' wedding later this year, according to a source

'[Hugh's] told his team to keep a BIG window open for him and Sutton to tie the knot and have a "honeymoon tour" of Europe, where they can see his mum,' an insider told New Idea

Hugh and Sutton's romance emerged following his split from his wife of 27 years, Deborra-Lee Furness.

The couple made their red-carpet debut at the 2025 AFI Fest in Hollywood in October 2025.

Deb stunned fans last year when she described the breakdown of her marriage as a 'traumatic betrayal' that 'cut deep'.

It was a rare candid statement from the Australian actress who  like her ex-husband  has remained publicly dignified since their split in 2023.

Meanwhile, another report from New Idea magazine claims that recent 'peace talks' between Jackman and Furness are said to have dramatically ended after she became upset over his recent public displays of affection with the Younger star.

An insider told the outlet, 'Hugh and Sutton are everywhere right now  red carpets, concerts, even cuddling in the street.

'It's like he's taken their truce as a green light to bring Sutton front and centre of his world  and it's putting pressure on Deb that she's not ready to deal with.'

The source added it had been particularly difficult for Furness to see her ex introduce his girlfriend to all their Aussie mates in New York.

Hugh and Sutton's romance emerged following his split from wife of 27 years, Deborra-Lee Furness

The outlet also claims that Jackman's plan to bring Foster to Australia for a holiday was the final straw for his ex-wife.

'Hugh's expecting way too much and Deb has made it crystal clear she doesn't want the Hugh and Sutton snog show anywhere near her,' they said.

Deb and Hugh finalised their divorce in June 2025, one month after filing.

She has since landed a book deal to pen a memoir where she will get candid about the couple's 27-year relationship.
Australian rapper Chillinit has apologised twice to his fans in less than 24 hours, after he was arrested by police last week before a gig - which resulted in the show being cancelled.

The 31-year-old ARIA Award-winning drill rapper - real name Blake Turnell - was about to take to the stage at Club Evans RSL when he was taken into custody.

On Monday, the performer posted to his stories with what he called a 'final' apology, which included a dig at his critics.

'Its sad to see how much people enjoy a blimp [sic] in my positive existence, but this is my journey, I know my error, this is my final statement, then I'm focused on music,' he wrote.

After claiming that 'only 20 per cent' of the reporting on his arrest was 'accurate', he said: 'The rest is half true half little bit media spin on it lol...'

He finished his statement with a message to fans telling them to 'spread love' and 'learn from mistakes'.

Australian rapper Chillinit has apologised twice to his fans in less than 24 hours, after he was arrested by police last week before a gig - which resulted in the show being cancelled. Pictured: The 31-year-old ARIA Award-winning drill rapper - real name Blake Turnell

Turnell was about to take to the stage at Club Evans RSL when he was taken into custody. Pictured: A scene from a video of the alleged incident shared to TikTok

Turnell then posted a second lengthy 'final' apology to his Instagram late on Tuesday afternoon.

'I wanna apologise one last time, but on my wall for the last-minute cancellation at Evan's Head,' he began.

'No excuses - I love nothing more than playing for my fans, and I'd like to amend that with the gorgeous town later in the future, for now, I take full responsibility and am focused on the other 4 towns and new music for the year we've been working on for months.

The hitmaker admitted to being disappointed in himself and said he was trying to get his head 'right'.

He also pledged to his fans, family, and team that he would give his energy and love to the remaining gigs on his current tour.

Daily Mail has approached Turnell for comment.

It comes after footage surfaced of Turnell being arrested on Friday ahead of a scheduled show at Evan's Head on the NSW mid-coast.

It is understood that venue staff contacted police over Turnell's alleged antics.

Officers moved in when he allegedly failed to leave the premises where he was set to perform.

On Monday, the performer posted to his stories with what he called a 'final' apology, which included a slam at the media. (Pictured)

Turnell then posted a second lengthy 'final' apology to his Instagram late on Tuesday afternoon. (Pictured)

The rapper was charged with being an excluded person, failing to leave premises when required, and hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty.

Footage of the arrest showed Turnell arguing with police as they tried to place him in the back of a paddy wagon.

'Nah, nah, I have to do a show', he said in the video.

In the same video, another person pleaded: 'Please, is there any way we can work this out'.

The arrest came just 35 minutes before he was scheduled to perform, with the show subsequently cancelled.

Turnell later said he was far too intoxicated to perform the show in a statement released after the incident.

'I wanna apologise for last night's events,' he said.

'The grown man I've become though knows my mistake was drinking, after doing so well fighting that demon some tough times led me back to the bottle and led me to (where) I was last night.

'I don't remember about 6 hours. HOWEVER, the police followed me to the venue to stop the show from going on, I hadn't committed a crime at the venue.

'Unless there's a charge you're laying on me you can't just come kick me out of my own show.'

Turnell did explain all patrons would be provided with a full refund to the show.

He was granted conditional bail.

Turnell is now due to appear at Ballina Local Court on February 26.
Matt Zukowski is back on the dating scene - and it's not going well.

The Love Island Australia star, 30, who split from Tammy Hembrow in June after just seven months of marriage, shared an unfortunate encounter on Tuesday.

In a video posted on TikTok, Matt sat in a car smiling at the camera, adding the caption, 'Message her bro, she's into you.'

He then showed his messenger screen where he had approached a woman with a simple, 'Hello!'

The unnamed woman replied curtly, 'Goodbye!'

In his caption alongside the video, Matt added: 'Yeah, sums it up to be honest.'

Matt Zukowski (pictured) is back on the dating scene - and it's not going well. The Love Island Australia star, 30, who split from Tammy Hembrow in June after just seven months of marriage, shared an unfortunate encounter on Tuesday

In a video posted on TikTok, Matt sat in a car smiling at the camera, adding the caption, 'Message her bro, she's into you.' He then showed his messenger screen where he had approached a woman with a simple, 'Hello!' to which she replied a curt, 'Goodbye!'

The reality star last year revealed how much he has changed in the wake of his breakup with social media star Tammy, 31.

Speaking with his Where's Your Head At? podcast co-host Anna McEvoy, Matt admitted to being in a much better place mentally than he was a year ago.

The revelation came after Anna asked Matt the simple question: 'Are you okay?' ahead of R U OK? Day.

Responding, Matt admitted to being a completely different person.

'Yes, I would like to say that I actually am okay,' he said.

'A lot of people around me have noticed how much I have changed. We were listening to old episodes from a year ago and, listening to myself... I was dead inside.

'I'm completely different now. I can be myself again.'

Anna agreed with Matt's self-assessment, saying that he seemed 'lighter' recently.

Matt and Tammy (right) got engaged in December 2023 after just three months of dating. They tied the knot almost a year later, in November 2024. In June, the pair announced they were divorcing after seven months of marriage

He then recalled a story that helped illustrate his point.

'I drove past a shop the other day and I was like, "When was the last time I went in there?"" he said.

'I recalled it in my head because I remember making a phone call in there and I remember what I was talking to my mate about.'

He continued: 'I was like f*** that was a year ago to the date. How polar opposite  who I was on that phone call to who I was driving past that shop are two different people.'

Matt and Tammy got engaged in December 2023 after just three months of dating.

They tied the knot almost a year later, in November 2024, but split rumours began to circulate last year.

In June, the pair announced they were divorcing after seven months of marriage.

Tammy later moved on with AFL star Bailey Smith.

Matt has since said he felt 'hurt' watching Tammy move on so quickly after their break-up, and has hinted he was the one to end things between them, despite some speculating it was Tammy who took the lead.
Drew Barrymore's third ex-husband Will Kopelman announced he welcomed his fourth child, son Hugh Radcliffe, on Monday - nearly a decade after their shock divorce.

Little 'Hughie' weighed 7lbs and 12oz and the 47-year-old art consultant and his second wife Alexandra Michler gushed on Instagram: 'So grateful for our little blessing. Wishing everyone health & happiness for 2026!'

The 38-year-old Vogue staffer proudly posed with their bundle of joy as well as their two-year-old son John Keats.

The cherubic toddler even held his baby brother for a sweet snap.

The only shot showing Hughie's eyes open was when he was in the arms of Kopelman and Barrymore's 11-year-old daughter Frankie.

The Kopelman Contemporary founder pressed his forehead against his eldest child with the 50-year-old former child star, 13-year-old daughter Olive, as she held her infant half-brother.

Drew Barrymore's third ex-husband Will Kopelman (L, pictured in 2015) announced he welcomed his fourth child, son Hugh Radcliffe, on Monday - nearly a decade after their shock divorce

Little 'Hughie' weighed 7lbs and 12oz and the 47-year-old art consultant and his second wife Alexandra Michler gushed on Instagram: 'So grateful for our little blessing. Wishing everyone health & happiness for 2026!'

Kopelman and Barrymore have remained amicable following the 2016 end of their four-year marriage, and they enjoy 'positive' group outings together with their girls' 'wonderful stepmother.'

But as recent as a year ago, the Daytime Emmy-winning host publicly reflected on her devastating split from the Boston University grad.

'My dream, to have this solid family, did not happen. I thought nothing could be worse than what I went through as a kid, but the divorce was so much worse,' Barrymore confessed to AARP The Magazine.

'It just shocked the s*** out of me. I really broke as a human being. I had two young kids and I didn't know what I wanted to do for work or in life. My dream family was falling apart and I didn't know how to put one foot in front of the other.

'And I had grown up so fast but now I didn't know what age to feel  I just knew that my life was heavy, and painful and sadand I sat in that for a while. Eventually, thank goodness, I lifted myself out of it.'

The nepo granddaughter of John Barrymore noted that her late father John Drew Barrymore leaving her momager Jaid Barrymore 'before I was born made me very aware that nothing's guaranteed.'

Last March, Barrymore confessed on her titular talk show that she had been ghosted by a man she met on the dating app Raya following a dinner date.

'It just happens. I don't know why,' the Sherman Oaks native admitted.

The 38-year-old Vogue staffer proudly posed with their bundle of joy as well as their two-year-old son John Keats

The cherubic toddler even held his baby brother for a sweet snap

The only shot showing Hughie's eyes open was when he was in the arms of Kopelman and Barrymore's 11-year-old daughter Frankie

The Kopelman Contemporary founder pressed his forehead against his eldest child with the 50-year-old former child star, 13-year-old daughter Olive, as she held her infant half-brother

Kopelman and Barrymore have remained amicable following the 2016 end of their four-year marriage, and they enjoy 'positive' group outings together with their girls' 'wonderful stepmother' (pictured in 2021)

But as recent as a year ago, the Daytime Emmy-winning host publicly reflected on her devastating split from the Boston University grad (pictured in 2014)

Barrymore confessed to AARP The Magazine: 'My dream, to have this solid family, did not happen. I thought nothing could be worse than what I went through as a kid, but the divorce was so much worse. It just shocked the s*** out of me. I really broke as a human being' (pictured in 2014)

In 2023, the nepo granddaughter of John Barrymore confessed on her titular talk show that she had been ghosted by a man she met on the dating app Raya following a dinner date: 'I would never do that. It doesn't cross my mind to behave like that'

Barrymore previously divorced Canadian comedian Tom Green (L) in 2002 after 15 months of marriage, and she famously divorced British bar owner Jeremy Thomas (R) in 1995 after just two months

'I don't know why. I would never do that. It doesn't cross my mind to behave like that. Like, if you put a fishing pole in it, why are you not going to follow through?'

Barrymore previously divorced Canadian comedian Tom Green in 2002 after 15 months of marriage, and she famously divorced British bar owner Jeremy Thomas in 1995 after just two months.

The former Hollywood wild child currently executive produces and hosts the sixth season of The Drew Barrymore Show, which remains the No. 2 syndicated talk show across all key demos behind LIVE! with Kelly and Mark.

Barrymore also keeps busy producing and serving center-square duties on CBS' Hollywood Squares reboot, which returns for a second season this Wednesday.

The perky presenter got her big break in show business as a child starring in blockbusters like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Firestarter and Irreconcilable Differences.
Mickey Rourke has checked into an upscale hotel as he battles eviction from his Los Angeles home, after reportedly falling more than $59,100 behind on rent.

The former Hollywood heartthrob, 73, is staying at a star-favored West Hollywood hotel where rooms start at $550 a night, according to Page Six.

The Oscar-nominated actor donned a wig as he was pictured leaving his home with his dog and some of his belongings packed in a bag on Sunday.

The Sin City star sported a cowboy hat with shoulder-length strands of hair visible beneath it, after recently looking unrecognizable with a shaved head.

Notably, his friend and business associate also launched a GoFundMe fundraiser for the struggling actor on Sunday, to help stave off the eviction. As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser has already raised $87,509 of its 100K goal.

Daily Mail has reached out to Rourke's representatives for comment.

Mickey Rourke, 73, has checked into an upscale hotel as he battles eviction from his Los Angeles home, after reportedly falling more than $59,100 behind on rent; Seen in 2018

The Wrestler star wore a leather jacket over a black shirt and low-slung jeans that exposed a hint of his midriff.

Rourke  who's said to be 'rich poor' and living 'paycheck-to-paycheck'  accessorized with a large silver cross necklace and a black leather belt.

On Monday, two men were also seen at Rourke's Los Angeles home moving bags filled with clothes and a suitcase, and loading it into a truck.

News of Rourke's financial woes has reached director Eric Spade Rivas, who told TMZ on Monday that he is willing to offer the actor a $1,000 cameo in his upcoming flick 'Scarface Resurrection', for doing just one two-minute long scene.

Rourke previously signed on to Rivas' indie film The Duke of New York for $5,000 back in 2020, but ultimately dropped out.

Rivas shared that he feels bad about how it played out and wants to make amends.

Rivas acknowledged that Rourke deserves more, but says $1,000 is the most he can manage as a small indie filmmaker.

He revealed that he's already wrapping up post-production on the film, which also stars the late Angel Salazar, who played Chi Chi in Scarface.

The plan is to release the film around April, so if Rourke accepts the offer, the cameo would come together at the last minute.

The Oscar-nominated actor donned a wig as he was pictured leaving his home on Sunday, after recently looking unrecognizable with a shaved head (pictured on January 1st)

The former Hollywood heartthrob is staying at a star-favored West Hollywood hotel where rooms start at $550 a night, according to Page Six; Rourke pictured in 2022

On Monday, two men were also seen at Rourke's Los Angeles home moving bags filled with clothes and a suitcase, and loading it into a truck

According to documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Rourke was given a three-day notice on December 18 to pay his allegedly overdue rent or vacate the premises

At the time, Rourke owed $59,100, according to the complaint from plaintiff Eric T. Goldie

Earlier in the day it was revealed that a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for Rourke amid his financial woes.

Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and business associate of the Oscar-nominated star of The Wrestler, put together the online fundraiser with the actor's full permission, a statement on the GoFundMe read.

The fundraiser went live online early Sunday with the title 'Support Mickey to Prevent Eviction,' with an adjacent caption playing up the entertainer's decades in Hollywood in hopes of persuading potential donors to contribute in his reported time of need.

'Mickey gave audiences performances that felt lived-in, not performed, and left a permanent mark on American film culture,' Jones wrote, noting his appearances in motion pictures such as Diner, Rumble Fish and 9 Weeks.

Jones explained that Rourke 'is facing a very real and urgent situation' in the form of 'the threat of eviction from his home' as he deals with financial difficulties, according to the post.

Said Jones: 'Fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability.

'What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing, and the chance to regain his footing.'

Notably, his friend launched a GoFundMe fundraiser for the actor on Sunday, to help stave off the eviction. As of Monday, the fundraiser has already raised $87,509 of its 100K goal

It comes after a source recently told Daily Mail that the struggling actor is 'rich poor' and living 'paycheck-to-paycheck'; Rourke seen in 2008

Jones said that the aim of the fundraising effort for Rourke was to provide him with 'stability and peace of mind during an extremely stressful time - so he can stay in his home and have the space to get back on his feet.'

The Go Fund Me comes a month after a landlord demanded Rourke settle up $59,100 in unpaid rent - or leave the domicile immediately, according to documents reviewed by Daily Mail.

The Angel Heart actor on December 18 was presented with three-day notice to pay or leave, according to a legal complaint from plaintiff Eric T. Goldie.

Rourke, whose full name is Philip Rourke Jr., has resided in the three-bedroom Southern California home since March 30, at which time he inked a lease agreeing to pay monthly rent of $5,200.

Goldie said in the legal complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court December 29, that the actor has 'failed to comply with the requirements of' the order he was given to settle up or move out.

Goldie also asked the court to force the actor to cover the legal costs he spent in trying to recoup the rent; and for Rourke to forfeit the remainder of the rental agreement.

Jones told The Hollywood Reporter that she was moved by the early returns for the pledge drive for the Iron Man 2 actor.

'Mickey is going through a very difficult time right now, and its been incredibly touching to see how many people care about him and want to help,' said Jones.

Rourke shocked fans with his disheveled new look as he stepped out of his Los Angeles home with a shaved head and gaunt face just days earlier.

The actor was seen on New Year's Day bearing little resemblance to the hunky silver-screen image that once made him famous, as he picked up a Taco Bell delivery outside his home.

Rourke's hunky silver-screen image once defined his fame before multiple facial surgeries and struggles with drug and alcohol addiction dramatically altered his appearance; Pictured circa 1989

Rourke's once-luscious hair was gone, replaced by a nearly bald head in his latest sighting, with an insider telling the Daily Mail the actor has 'lived the life of a rock star.'

Rourke also recently made headlines amid a controversial exit from the reality show Celebrity Big Brother in connection with 'unacceptable language and behavior' he displayed toward fellow resident JoJo Siwa, alluding to the star's sexuality.

Rourke's manager Kimberly Hines told People in a statement last April that Celebrity Big Brother producers 'were fully aware of both [Rourke's] public persona and how it aligned with his Hollywood rebel image' prior to booking him to appear on the reality series.

Rourke was chosen for the show for his 'explosive, controversial and attention-grabbing' persona, Hines said, adding, 'That's exactly what [the show] got, and more.'
Maya Jama has shared a health update after pulling out of Love Island: All Stars launch event days before the hit ITV2 dating series begins.

The presenter, 31, admitted the 'flu is kicking my a**' as she shared a candid Instagram update during her 12hour flight to South Africa on Monday night.

She flashed a small smile as she posed for a selfie while preparing to get some sleep as she jetted off to Cape Town to host Love Island.

Maya revealed she has taken some vitamins to boost her immune system and is 'praying the sun' cures her.

She wrote: 'Used to spend this flight on the reds chatting away to the flight crew but entering this year wholesome....

'Lol truthfully the flu came in last minute to kick my a** for the last 24hours. Vitamin C'ed up and praying the sun deletes it all, next stop [South Africa flag emoji]'

Maya Jama has admitted the 'flu is kicking my a**' as she shared a candid health update during her 12hour flight to South Africa on Instagram on Monday night

The presenter, 31, is jetting off to Cape Town to host Love Island: All Stars and has taken vitamins to boost her immune system and is 'praying the sun' cures her from the flu

The update comes hours after Maya was forced to miss the Love Island: All Stars press launch, due to illness.

In her absence, the panel, hosted by Elizabeth Day, went ahead with voiceover star Iain Sterling, former winners Molly Smith and Tom Clare, and producers Mike Spencer and Amanda Stavr at Soho House, Television Centre, in West London.

Maya will be greeting the All Star Islanders in the villa before the new series kicks off on ITV2 in a week's time.

On Sunday afternoon Maya was in great spirits as she shared an Instagram selfie and gushed that she was 'so excited and so ready' to start working again on the hit show, revealing her flight was booked for Monday.

Maya's team had nothing but praise for their presenter, who is going into her third year hosting the reality series, in her absence on Monday.

Producer Amanda gushed that she 'is the perfect host for Love Island. She's cool, she's fun, she's sexy, she's a big fan of the show and she makes it feel really young and relevant.'

'She brings a great energy to the show. I am sorry that she can't be with us, but I think her enthusiasm and love for the show and her support for all the Islanders really comes through.'

Mike added that he's often thought Maya could have been a contestant on the matchmaking show 'once upon a time. She would have been an iconic Islander. She's great.'

The star showed off her incredible figure in a gold minidress for a new series promo shoot released on Monday, as she vowed to go sexy' for the return of Love Island: All Stars.

The update comes hours after Maya was forced to miss the Love Island: All Stars press launch, due to illness (pictured on last year's Love Island)

On Sunday afternoon Maya was in great spirits as she shared an Instagram selfie and gushed that she was 'so excited and so ready' to start working again on the hit show

The presenter stunned as she slipped into the sparkling, chainmail gold micro mini dress.

Ahead of the show's return, Maya confessed that they are already working on her iconic outfits for when she greets the islanders around the fire pit.

She revealed that while the final wardrobe lineup is still to be finalised, she does know that her ensembles will be 'sexy as usual'.

The Love Island: All Stars cast has now been confirmed.

Millie Court, 29, who triumphed on the ITV2 series in 2021 alongside ex-Liam Reardon, returns following the couple's September split and the definitive end to their on/off relationship.

She is joined by fellow winner Jess Harding, 25, who claimed the 50,000 prize in 2023, but her romance with ex-boyfriend Sammy Root fizzled out just two months after leaving the villa.

Whitney Adebayo, 28, narrowly missed out on winning the same year when she and Lochan Nowacki became runners-up, but to the shock of fans, the couple ended their two-year relationship in 2025 under controversial circumstances.

Boyzone star Ronan Keating's son, Jack, 26, is also returning to Love Island after failing to find love during his 2022 stint.

Fresh from the Mallorca villa, Helena Ford, 29, will make a return after she was dumped from the show after her ex-partner, Harry Cooksley.

Maya's team had nothing but praise for their presenter, who is going into her third year hosting the reality series, in her absence on Monday

Maya is flying to Cape Town to greet the All Star Islanders in the villa before the new series kicks off on ITV2 in a week's time

Following on from last summer's series, Tommy Bradley, 22, is joining former co-star Helena.

Cast your mind back to Love Island in 2018, former contestant Charlie Frederick, 31, will re-enter the villa after he previously dated ex-islander Lucie Donlan.

Also making a return is Belle Hassan, 27, who was one of the first Love Islanders with celebrity connections to enter the ITV2 dating show.

Jess Harding will have another go at finding love in the villa after she won Love Island in 2023 alongside Sammy Root, but their romance was short-lived.

Sweet salesman Sean Stone, 26, and Leanne Amaning are also heading back into the villa for a second chance at finding a connection.

And to finish the lineup, Ciaran Davies, 23, who finished as runner-up in 2024 with then-girlfriend Nicole Samuels, will join Shaq Muhammad, 27, for the new series.
A-listers going to the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on an empty stomach were in for a letdown.

New York Times reporter Kyle Buchanan shared a photo of the dinner guests were served at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards - and it leaves much to be desired.

Celebrities were served a handful of pita chips, two small bunches of grapes, two wedges of cheese, a small side of bruschetta, and two cherry tomatoes paired with cheeseballs and basil, along with a small dollop of hummus.

For an awards show that lasts several hours, it may not be the type of sustenance hungry guests were expecting.

'Hello from the Critics Choice Awards and our dinner, this snack plate,' Buchanan wrote of the photo.

The image drew mockery and was even compared to the disappointing meal served at the disastrous Fyre Festival.

The meager dinner served at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards has been mocked by netizens after a reporter uploaded a photo of their 'snack plate'

'plate giving Fyre Festival,' one wrote.

'That was my exact thought,' another replied.

Several people were reminded of the dinners served on airplanes: 'This looks like a meal on a United flight, not at an award show.'

'That's an in-flight snack,' another remarked.

'Everybodys on Ozempic! They didnt want to waste tons of steak or fish,' another joked.

'The industry is really struggling wow,' one cracked.

'I mean should be a full meal,' another wrote.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Critics Choice Association for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Hello from the Critics Choice Awards and our dinner, this snack plate. Follow along for updates pic.twitter.com/e5RKwiIdcZ  Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) January 4, 2026

Join the debate Did the Critics Choice Awards accidentally serve the Fyre Festival menu?

The food reminded several netizens of the disappointing food served at Fyre Festival

Celebrities were served a handful of pita chips, two small bunches of grapes, two wedges of cheese, a small side of bruschetta, and two cherry tomatoes paired with cheeseballs and basil, along with a small dollop of hummus

The association was put on blast by one hungry award winner.

Abbott Elementary star Janelle James mocked the lack of food as she delivered her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series.

'The best thing about being nominated four times is I'm finally realizing they're never gonna feed us at this thing, it's gonna be just grapes and ice cream every year, but this makes up for it!'
Another day, another string bikini for Kaia Gerber, who took a romantic stroll on the beach with her boyfriend Lewis Pullman on Sunday near her parents Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber's Los Cabos home in Mexico.

The nepo baby of Bill Pullman - turning 33 on January 29 - showcased his chiseled chest and bulging biceps in black swim trunks and sported a camouflage cap while clutching a beer bottle.

At 24, the nepo baby of the nineties supermodel is nearly nine years younger than Pullman, and they reportedly began their romance in December 2024 - the same month she ended her three-year relationship with Oscar nominee Austin Butler.

The LA natives were joined on the beach by four friends.

Gerber took a dip with Therapuss podcaster Jake Shane, whom she confessed to last October: 'A lot is being healed in this [healthy] relationship. I really feel like if you have the opportunity to date a friend, do it. It's just so much better.'

The DNA Model admitted to Shane that she 'always dated people that were older than me' and 'would completely just change my personality and my values for someone.'

Another day, another string bikini for Kaia Gerber, who took a romantic stroll on the beach with her boyfriend Lewis Pullman on Sunday near her parents Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber's Los Cabos home in Mexico

'Then you start to bring a little bit more of who you really are into the relationship and they're like, "No, I like that person before,"' Gerber noted.

The Shell actress co-starred with Shane's boyfriend Travis Jackson in a Mango fashion campaign.

And Gerber co-stars with platinum-blonde Hayes Warner in Ryan Murphy's 2027 prep school thriller The Shards for FX.

In one snap shared by Shane, fans got a close-up look at the patio of her parents' lavish vacation house, which boasts an incredible ocean view and infinity pool.

Speaking of which, Crawford stripped down to her bikini bottoms to read a book on her sun lounger.

The 59-year-old Meaningful Beauty co-founder relaxed beside the 63-year-old Casamigos co-founder, whom she's been married to for 27 years.

Noticeably missing from the Mexican getaway was Crawford and Gerber's son Presley, who seemingly remained in California.

On December 29, the heavily-tattooed 26-year-old gave a 'Mental Health Monday' update where he listed all the medications he's taking for depression and insomnia: Buprenorphine, Xanax, Valium, Remeron, Belsomra and Melatonin.

'They make me feel good or at least all right for the time being,' Presley explained in an Instagram video.

'The better you're taking care of your body, so - nutrition, physical activity, those kinds of things - medications, for me personally, seem to work better.'

The nepo baby of Bill Pullman - turning 33 on January 29 - showcased his chiseled chest and bulging biceps in black swim trunks and sported a camouflage cap while clutching a beer bottle

At 24, the nepo baby of the nineties supermodel is nearly nine years younger than Pullman, and they reportedly began their romance in December 2024 - the same month she ended her three-year relationship with Oscar nominee Austin Butler

The LA natives were joined on the beach by four friends

Gerber took a dip with Therapuss podcaster Jake Shane (L), whom she confessed to last October: 'A lot is being healed in this [healthy] relationship. I really feel like if you have the opportunity to date a friend, do it. It's just so much better'

The DNA Model admitted to Shane that she 'always dated people that were older than me' and 'would completely just change my personality and my values for someone'

'Then you start to bring a little bit more of who you really are into the relationship and they're like, "No, I like that person before,"' Gerber noted

The Shell actress co-starred with Shane's boyfriend Travis Jackson (L) in a Mango fashion campaign

And Gerber co-stars with platinum-blonde Hayes Warner (R) in Ryan Murphy's 2027 prep school thriller The Shards for FX

In one snap shared by Shane, fans got a close-up look at the patio of her parents' lavish vacation house, which boasts an incredible ocean view and infinity pool (pictured last Saturday)

The former Celine model - who's seen 15 psychiatrists - added: 'I'm feeling good about where I'm at now.'

Gerber currently portrays Mitzi in the 10-episode second season of Abe Sylvia's high society dramedy Palm Royale, which airs Wednesdays on Apple TV+.

The NARS brand ambassador has a mystery role in David Lowery's psychosexual pop thriller Mother Mary, which hits US theaters April 24.

The A24 epic melodrama also stars Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, FKA Twigs, Hunter Schafer, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay and Chris Evans' wife Alba Baptista.

Gerber's other upcoming projects include Jonah Hill's black comedy Outcome for Apple TV+.

Pullman currently plays Amanda Seyfried's onscreen brother William Lee in Mona Fastvold's Shaker Movement musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee, which hits UK/US theaters February 20.

The Emmy nominee will reprise his role as Bob Reynolds/Sentry in the Russo Brothers' MCU sequel Avengers: Doomsday, which hits US theaters December 18.

Speaking of which, Crawford stripped down to her bikini bottoms to read a book on her sun lounger

The 59-year-old Meaningful Beauty co-founder relaxed beside the 63-year-old Casamigos co-founder (R), whom she's been married to for 27 years

Noticeably missing from the Mexican getaway was Crawford and Gerber's son Presley (2-L, pictured April 30), who seemingly remained in California

On December 29, the heavily-tattooed 26-year-old gave a 'Mental Health Monday' update where he listed all the medications he's taking for depression and insomnia: Buprenorphine, Xanax, Valium, Remeron, Belsomra and Melatonin

'They make me feel good or at least all right for the time being,' Presley explained in an Instagram video. 'The better you're taking care of your body, so - nutrition, physical activity, those kinds of things - medications, for me personally, seem to work better'

Gerber currently portrays Mitzi in the 10-episode second season of Abe Sylvia's high society dramedy Palm Royale, which airs Wednesdays on Apple TV+

Pullman currently plays Amanda Seyfried's onscreen brother William Lee in Mona Fastvold's Shaker Movement musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee, which hits UK theaters February 20

Pullman's upcoming films include Olivia Newman's mystery drama Remarkably Bright Creatures, Graham Parkes' rom-com Wishful Thinking and he'll play his 72-year-old father's onscreen son in Josh Greenbaum's space opera sequel Spaceballs 2.

The Library Science co-founder previously dated Frankenstein actor Jacob Elordi from 2020-2021 and Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson from 2019-2020.

The Thunderbolts* action star previously dated Andie MacDowell's nepo baby Rainey Qualley from 2020-2023.
Julianne Hough sent a sweet message to her brother Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert after they announced the birth of their first child together.

The Dancing With the Stars co-host, 37, celebrated the birth of her niece, Everly Capri Hough, after Derek, 40, and Hayley, 31, shared the happy news via Instagram on Monday.

'Welcome to the world sweet angel Everley,' she commented on the post, which featured a sweet black-and-white photo of the newborn's feet along with details behind Everly's birth.

She also re-posted the announcement photo to her Instagram Stories along with the message, 'Baby girl has arrived.'

The announcement read: 'December 29, 2025. Everley Capri Hough (white heart emoji). Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed.'

The arrival comes several months after the couple revealed they had suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage prior to Erbert becoming pregnant with Everly.

Julianne Hough, 37, sent a sweet message to her brother Derek Hough, 40, and his wife Hayley Erbert, 31, after they announced the birth of their first child together; Julianne seen in 2025

The Dancing With the Stars co-host celebrated the birth of her niece, Everly Capri Hough, after Derek and Hayley shared the happy news via Instagram on Monday; The pair pictured in 2024

Hough and his wife announced they were expecting a child back in July with video showing their child's sonogram.

'Although we are so excited to be welcoming our rainbow baby so soon, we honor our baby that never made it earthside,' they revealed in October.

The term 'rainbow baby' refers to a child who is born to a woman who previously suffered a miscarriage.

The arrival marks a bright new chapter for the pair, after Erbert underwent an emergency brain surgery for cranial hematoma in December 2023.

Erbert was rushed to the hospital after suffering a cranial hematoma in December 2023 while they were performing at their Symphony of Dance tour in Washington D.C. and subsequently underwent an emergency craniectomy.

A cranial hematoma happens when blood accumulates, 'within the brain or between the brain and the skull,' according to Mayo Clinic.

Weeks later the Step Into... The Movies dancer underwent a cranioplasty to replace a large portion of her skull, which had been removed during the emergency procedure.

Erbert's recovery was so successful, the couple were able to complete their 70 city Symphony of Dance tour, which ended May 19, 2024.

'Welcome to the world sweet angel Everley,' she commented on the post, which featured a sweet black-and-white photo of the newborn's feet along with details behind Everly's birth

She also re-posted the announcement photo to her Instagram Stories along with the message, 'Baby girl has arrived'

The announcement read: 'December 29, 2025. Everley Capri Hough. Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed'

Erbert had been chronicling her pregnancy online. The couple's child was born on December 29, 2025

Erbert and her husband suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage prior to becoming pregnant with Everly; The pair are pictured in 2025

Hayley has also endured a terrifying cranial hematoma in 2023

Since her surgery, the couple went on to celebrate their first wedding anniversary on August 26, 2024.

In 2024, the couple recounted the terrifying health scare on an episode of Dancing With The Stars.

'I was on stage, and she's supposed to come out,' Derek shared. 'The stage manager walked out and just said, "Hey, she's not coming on stage." She was on the side of the stage having full seizures and, essentially, dying. It's really hard to even put into words other than just pure fear.'

'We rush her to the hospital, she's still in her costume, and the doctor came to me and he said that, "She has a severe brain bleed, so we have to operate right now."'

'He said that she might not make it and that even if she does make it, she won't be the same person.'

Derek then remembered the moment when his wife woke up. 'She goes, "What happened? Weren't we just dancing?"'

'I can't even tell you, just knowing that she was there, she was in there, the relief I felt. She was Hayley. She was my wife. And then the journey began.'

Julianne and Derek are siblings and longtime Dancing With the Stars standouts, both rising to fame as professional dancers; Seen in 2019

He then shared that her recovery included learning how to walk again and wearing a helmet as her skull recovered.

'I was struggling. I was just so impressed by her strength. She's my beautiful miracle,' he said.

Hayley then shared that when she woke up doctors told her she might not be able to walk.

However, Hayley didn't accept that possibility, sharing that as a 'stubborn' person she 'pushed herself to the limit' to not only walk, but to also dance again.
Jaime King was linked to hotelier Vikram Chatwal this week less than six months after ending her engagement to another man - but the star has denied she is in a new romance.

According to Page Six the 46-year-old Next Model and the 54-year-old Dream Hotel founder were spotted 'looking affectionate with one another' at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, CA last week - but a representative for the actress has denied this.

A decade ago, the thrice-rehabbed businessman was reportedly sentenced to five days of community service after being convicted on charges of torturing and injuring animals, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief for 'setting two dogs on fire.'

This, two years after Chatwal's 81-year-old father pled guilty of witness tampering and conspiring to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act by making over $180,000 in federal campaign donations to three candidates through straw donors.

The Ethiopian-born, New York-raised gallery owner used to be friends with Lindsay Lohan during her Hollywood wild child years as well as a bevy of models and starlets like Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Rosario Dawson and Poppy Delevingne.

Chatwal reportedly romanced Spanish model Esther Canadas and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi.

Jaime King was linked to hotelier Vikram Chatwal this week less than six months after ending her engagement to another man - but the star has denied she is in a new romance

The Wharton School of Business grad welcomed 18-year-old daughter Safira during his five-year marriage to Indian model Priya Sachdev, which ended in 2011 following an eye-popping $20 million wedding ceremony.

Last July, King confirmed to People that she was engaged to Family Office investor Austin Sosa after 'staying with his parents' when her landlord Sheila Irani locked her out of her LA home for failing to pay over $42,000 in back rent.

The Love, Danielle actress lost primary physical custody of her two sons - James, 12; and Leo, 10 - last March following a two-year, acrimonious divorce battle with ex-husband Kyle Newman after 13 years of marriage.

King's sons spent Christmas with the 49-year-old music video director and his second wife Cynthia 'Cyn' Nabozny who, at 32, is 17 years younger than him.

The married couple of two years have since welcomed four-year-old son Etienne and two-year-old daughter Beatrix.

King - who still owes $100,000 legal fees - has supervised visitation with their sons 'three times a week in specific hour blocks' because she failed to complete a six-month drug/alcohol program with weekly testing, aftercare and a two-step program as well as a 26-week parenting program, individual counseling and conjoint counseling.

'My duty as a mother is to protect my children. And thats all that matters to me. This is scary,' The Playground co-author lamented on the Whine Down podcast April 10.

'I just didn't know when I got married at a young age. I just didn't know that the world works like this. I didn't know that legal systems work like this. And not to sound like some kind of neophyte, but I thought that, you know, when you choose to love someone, then you love that person. You build a family with them, and, you trust them.'

A decade ago, the thrice-rehabbed businessman was reportedly sentenced to five days of community service after being convicted on charges of torturing and injuring animals, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief for 'setting two dogs on fire' (pictured September 16)

Chatwal used to be friends with Lindsay Lohan (R, pictured in 2012) during her Hollywood wild child years as well as a bevy of models and starlets like Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Rosario Dawson and Poppy Delevingne

The Ethiopian-born, New York-raised gallery owner reportedly romanced Spanish model Esther Canadas and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi (R, pictured in 2009)

Chatwal welcomed 18-year-old daughter Safira during his five-year marriage to Indian model Priya Sachdev (L, pictured in 2009), which ended in 2011 following an eye-popping $20 million wedding ceremony

Last July, King confirmed to People that she was engaged to Family Office investor Austin Sosa (pictured) after 'staying with his parents' when her landlord Sheila Irani locked her out of her LA home for failing to pay over $42,000 in back rent

The Love, Danielle actress lost primary physical custody of her two sons - James, 12; and Leo, 10 - last March following a two-year, acrimonious divorce battle with ex-husband Kyle Newman after 13 years of marriage

King alleged that Newman - who called her a 'chronic drug addict and alcoholic' in legal docs - misrepresented the early part of their relationship in court in order to receive sole custody.

'It's terrifying, when to be able to be free means that you have to pay a very extreme price, and I'm not just talking about financially,' the Nebraska-born blonde continued.

'It's very upsetting, and I will do everything in my power to change this system, and it's not a will. I'm going to. There's no price to pay for freedom.'

Newman claimed he went broke supporting their sons on his own as she repeatedly failed to pay him the court-ordered $429/month in child support or $1,000/month in spousal support.

Last November, King began filming Asif Akbar's faith-based crime thriller Redemption in Las Vegas alongside Billy Zane, Jon Lovitz, Frank Stallone, Jon Lemmon and Weston Cage Coppola - according to Deadline.

The Hooligan Dreamers co-founder's other upcoming films include Courtney Paige's thriller Neon Candy, Kurt Martin's grief drama The Room Below, Ben Demaree's family flick Kaitlyn's Chance, Brendan Gabriel Murphy & Shaun Hart's indie thriller Blood Behind Us and Michael Naizu & John Wilcox's coming-of-age drama Bound for Glory.

King is also an influencer with paid partnerships for brands like Rita Ghanime and Flower Knows Cosmetics.
Nick Reiner, who has been charged in the double murder of famed parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, has reportedly been taken off suicide watch.

The 32-year-old remains in solitary confinement at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, a source within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told People on Monday.

Nick, charged with two first-degree murder counts in the December 14 slayings, is slated to be arraigned on Wednesday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

After he was taken into custody early on December 15, he was placed in a smock that is designed to prevent suicides and has been kept in it since.

Authorities told the outlet that the vest has now been removed, as Nick is currently clothed in the standard yellow shirt and blue pants that prisoners at the facility are required to wear.

Nick will remain in High Observation Housing pending a court order mandating otherwise, and he will be observed and kept isolated at all times, officials told the publication.

Nick Reiner, 32, who has been charged in the double murder of parents Rob and Michele Reiner, has been taken off of suicide watch, a source within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told People on Monday; Nick is pictured in LA in September

Nick has been charged with two first-degree murder counts in the December 14 slayings of Rob and Michele Reiner; pictured in LA in September

The Daily Mail has reached out to Nick's attorney Alan Jackson for comment on the new development.

Following his arrest, a law enforcement insider confirmed to the Daily Mail that Nick was 'under supervision of the jail mental evaluation team' at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

The 32-year-old had been housed in the area for inmates who have 'suicidal ideation,' the insider said.

Nick has been charged with two first-degree murder counts in connection with the December 14 deaths of his parents Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, at their home in Brentwood, California.

The charges include a special allegation involving the use of a knife in the slayings.

Rob and Michele's daughter, Romy Reiner, 28, discovered the body of her father after a massage therapist slated to work at the house was unable to enter, per the New York Times.

First responders subsequently found Michele's body and told Romy the tragic news.

Nick had been candid in the past about his issues with substance abuse, which led to bouts of homelessness and repeated rehab stints.

Nick remains in solitary confinement at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility (pictured)

The father and son explored their complicated relationship in the 2016 film Being Charlie; pictured in NYC in May 2016 as they promoted the film

He and his father explored their complicated relationship in the 2016 film Being Charlie, which Rob directed from a screenplay co-written by Nick.

Rob told the AP in a 2016 interview that making the motion picture with Nick 'forced us to understand ourselves better than we had.'

The filmmaker added, 'I told Nick while we were making it, I said, "You know it doesnt matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already. This has already been good." We've worked through a lot of stuff.'

Nick told People in a 2016 interview  when he was 22 years old  that he had been to rehab on 17 occasions at that time.

He said that his family had confronted him with an ultimatum on multiple occasions, requiring him to go to rehab or hit the streets, and at times, he chose the latter option.

'If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless,' Nick said. 'I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.'

Nick said that he had been homeless across the US, including stints in Texas, New Jersey and Maine.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Georgia Love has wished 2025 good riddance as she recovers from her marriage breakdown with ex-husband Lee Elliott.

The former Bachelorette star posted her thoughts about the past year in an Instagram post on Tuesday, and admitted she'd been through a difficult period.

Alongside a carousel of images showing her happier moments in recent months, the 36-year-old was frank in her caption.

'I wasnt going to post a 2025 recap because it was the hardest year of my life and I just wanted to move on to the new one,' she began.

'But looking back at photos, I remembered just how many truly wonderful, happy times I had too,' Georgia continued.

'From three overseas trips to covering the biggest news story in recent history, launching a new podcast and marrying one of my best friends, actually at the end of the day 2025 could go down as one of the very best. The duality of life, hey?!'

Georgia Love (pictured) has wished 2025 good riddance as she recovers from her marriage breakdown with ex-husband Lee Elliott

Alongside a carousel of images showing her happier moments in recent months, the 36-year-old was frank in her caption

Lee, 43, and Georgia, who first met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, announced their separation with identical posts to Instagram in February.

'After nine wonderful years together, including four as husband and wife, [we] have made the incredibly difficult decision to lovingly part ways,' they wrote.

'Our relationship has been so special, and we will always cherish the memories, love, and laughter we've shared.

'There is no drama, no bad blood. Just two people who have grown in different directions while still holding deep respect and care for each other.

'We remain friends, and we'd really appreciate our privacy as we navigate this next stage. Thank you.'

Followers had speculated that Georgia and Lee had split for some time, as it had been more than four months since they were seen together.

The pair spent Christmas apart with their respective families before Georgia jetted off to New York City for a holiday without Lee.

They were also both spotted without their wedding bands, which led to a wave of speculation online suggesting they had ended their relationship.

'I wasnt going to post a 2025 recap because it was the hardest year of my life and I just wanted to move on to the new one,' she said

Lee, 43, and Georgia, who first met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, announced their separation with identical posts to Instagram in February. Both pictured

Last month, Lee left fans wondering whether he may finally be off the market, after he shared a very intriguing photo of himself and a 'mystery' woman named Patrisha in Singapore (pictured)

Last month, Lee left fans wondering whether he may finally be off the market, after he shared a very intriguing photo of himself and a 'mystery' woman named Patrisha in Singapore.

The reality star posted a photo on Instagram in which he and the brunette were enjoying a drink with friends at Singapore's trendy Aniba restaurant.

Lee looked very pleased as he cosied up to the woman, draping his arm over her shoulder as they beamed at the camera.

Also spotted in the group was MasterChef Australia star Diana Chan and her husband Hugh Frecheville.

Lee's Singapore trip comes after he was the subject of romance rumours with Carrie Bickmore.

Carrie and Lee's romance was first reported by Woman's Day, which alleged that the reality star had been spending a lot of time at Carrie's home.

Romance rumours were further fuelled when Lee liked Carrie's Instagram post, which showed her at the 2025 Logies in August.
Kim Kardashian was hot, single and ready for a New Year's Eve kiss wearing an ultra-sheer dress she finally revealed in an Instagram slideshow posted Monday night.

The 45-year-old reality star - who boasts 494.8 million social media followers - wore a black metal-mesh dress from designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin's AW/24 collection featuring a bedazzled bust line.

The crystal incrustation on the backless creation was inspired by the late lensman Robert Mapplethorpe's 1985 photograph Orchid.

Kardashian - whose bedhead was surprisingly disheveled - topped her sexy gown with what appeared to be a real black-fur shawl before heading to a star-studded dinner party at Matsuhisa in Aspen, CO.

Back in 2012, The Kardashians producer-star was flour-bombed and called a 'fur hag' by a so-called PETA demonstrator at the launch of her True Reflection fragrance, but her former PR rep Sheeraz Hasan has since claimed it was an 'inside job for publicity.'

Kardashian's half-sister Kylie Jenner was also recently seen rocking a custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin metal-mesh gown while supporting her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival last Saturday.

Kim Kardashian was hot, single and ready for a New Year's Eve kiss wearing an ultra-sheer dress she finally revealed in an Instagram slideshow posted Monday night

After dinner, the Skims CCO/founding partner changed into a white mesh turtleneck dress over a matching bodysuit and yet another furry coat in order to attend Kate Hudson's impromptu NYE bash.

The 46-year-old Oscar nominee clutched a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne as she posed for a selfie with Kardashian and a few other pals outside her parents' 70-acre Old Snowmass estate.

'This was not a planned party,' Hudson told Variety last Saturday.

'It just happened. It's fabulous. It was fun. Everyone just showed up. Yeah it's great, you know, our family open door.'

The Song Sung Blue actress donned a floor-length fur coat for the bonfire backyard bash where her eccentric stepfather Kurt Russell beat on a drum.

Hudson's impressive guest list reportedly included Bella Hadid, Evan Ross, Brooks Nader, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rachel Zoe, Elon Musk, Lewis Hamilton, Shawn White and more.

For Christmas, Kardashian reunited with her third ex-husband Kanye 'Ye' West to celebrate the merry holiday with their four children - daughter North, 12; son Saint, 10; daughter Chicago, 7; and son Psalm, 6 - according to TMZ.

The former couple 'were cordial with each other' and the disgraced 47-year-old Heil Hitler rapper 'has been really working on himself' after backlash over various scandals.

Ye reportedly pays Kardashian $200,000/month in child support as part of their 20/80 custody arrangement after ending their six-year marriage in 2021.

The 45-year-old reality star wore a black metal-mesh dress from designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin's AW/24 collection featuring a bedazzled bust line

The crystal incrustation on the backless creation was inspired by the late lensman Robert Mapplethorpe's 1985 photograph Orchid

Kardashian - whose bedhead was surprisingly disheveled - topped her sexy gown with what appeared to be a real black-fur shawl before heading to a star-studded dinner party at Matsuhisa in Aspen, CO

The Kardashians producer-star's half-sister Kylie Jenner was also recently seen rocking a custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin metal-mesh gown while supporting her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival last Saturday

After dinner, Kardashian changed into a white mesh turtleneck dress over a matching bodysuit and yet another furry coat in order to attend Kate Hudson's impromptu NYE bash

The 46-year-old Oscar nominee (R) clutched a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne as she posed for a selfie with the Skims CCO/founding partner and a few other pals outside her parents' 70-acre Old Snowmass estate

'This was not a planned party,' Hudson told Variety last Saturday. 'It just happened. It's fabulous. It was fun. Everyone just showed up. Yeah it's great, you know, our family open door'

The Song Sung Blue actress donned a floor-length fur coat for the bonfire backyard bash where her eccentric stepfather Kurt Russell beat on a drum

Hudson's impressive guest list reportedly included Bella Hadid, Evan Ross, Brooks Nader, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rachel Zoe, Elon Musk, Lewis Hamilton, Shawn White and more

For Christmas, Kardashian reunited with her third ex-husband Kanye 'Ye' West to celebrate the merry holiday with their four children - daughter North, 12; son Saint, 10; daughter Chicago, 7; and son Psalm, 6 (pictured December 22)

The former couple 'were cordial with each other' and the disgraced 47-year-old Heil Hitler rapper 'has been really working on himself' after backlash over various scandals (pictured in 2020)

On November 7, the Calabasas socialite discovered she did not score the minimal 1,390 out of 2,000 points in order to pass the State Bar of California exam.

Kardashian - who believes the 1969 Moon landing was fake - is scheduled to take the rigorous two-day test in person yet again on February 24-25.

The aspiring attorney always dreamed of following the footsteps of her late father Robert Kardashian, who was part of the late OJ Simpson's 'dream team' of attorneys at his 1995 murder trial.

Next spring, Kardashian will executive produce and reprise her role as divorce attorney Allura Grant leading an all-female law firm in the second season of Ryan Murphy's legal drama All's Fair despite absolutely dismal reviews.

The half-Armenian billionaire's other upcoming projects include producing and starring in Amazon's live-action Bratz film for Amazon MGM Studios, producing Hulu pilot Group Chat starring La La Anthony, starring in Eva Longoria's Netflix comedy The Fifth Wheel, and starring in an Amazon thriller penned by Natalie Krinsky.
Owen Cooper had another night to remember at the Critics Choice Awards, winning a record breaking accolade and celebrating by rubbing shoulders with the A-list attendees.

The teenager from Warrington has been making the most of his time in the Hollywood spotlight thanks to his acclaimed performance in Netflix's 2025 hit drama Adolescence.

Owen's acting debut has earned him a string of big award show nominations and he turned his latest into a win on Sunday at the star-studded Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica.

Owen was joined by his parents and his Adolescence co-stars at the ceremony, but once inside the Barker Hangar, the 16-year-old made a beeline for some of his favourite actors.

The rising star was spotted enjoying an animated conversation with one of the night's other big winners, Timothee Chalamet and a delighted Owen shared a selfie with the Marty Supreme star to his Instagram.

Owen, who rocked a brown leather jacket and white shirt for his big night, also posed for a snap with comedy legend Adam Sandler, captioning the photo 'my man'.

Owen Cooper had another night to remember at the Critics Choice Awards, winning a record breaking accolade and celebrating by rubbing shoulders with the A-list crowd

Owen, who rocked a brown leather jacket and white shirt for his big night, also posed for a snap with comedy legend Adam Sandler, captioning the photo 'my man'

Jacob Elordi, Noah Schnapps and Michael B Jordan also all made his Instagram Stories.

Owen also shared photos of his moment on the podium, collecting the Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries gong as he gushed: 'Thank you critics choice god bless.'

Adolescence cleaned up once again as awards season kicked off on Sunday night.

After already bagging eight Emmy's in 2025, the Netflix hit took home four more awards, including Best Limited Series - with Owen, Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty triumphing in their categories.

Adolescence, the story of a boy accused of murder after he discovers 'incel' culture online, has averaged around 45 million views per month and become a must-watch for parents and teenagers around the world.

At 16, Owen has already made history as the youngest male Emmy winner and has made it once again with his Critics Choice victory.

Owen - who stars in the new Wuthering Heights movie - took home the gong for the Best Supporting Actor, beating his co-star Ashley Walters, 43.

His co-stars Stephen won in the Best Actor category, while Best Supporting Actress went to Erin.

Owen's acting debut has earned him a string of big award show nominations and he turned his latest into a win on Sunday at the star-studded Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica: pictured with Noah Schnapp

Owen was joined by his parents and his Adolescence co-stars at the ceremony, but once inside the Barker Hangar, the 16-year-old made a beeline for some of his favourite actors: Pictured with Jacob Elordi

Creed and Black Panther star Michael B Jordan also all made the teenager's Instagram Stories

Owen was prepared for his acceptance speech as he brought out a handwritten letter on stage.

Accepting his gong, Owen said: 'Thank you to the critics and to everyone behind the scenes who made this night possible.

'This past year has been a complete whirlwind for me and my family, honestly. It's changed our lives forever. We're forever grateful. We cherish every single moment of it.'

Owen triumphed over an impressive field including: Wagner Moura  Dope Thief, Nick Offerman  Death by Lightning, Michael Pena  All Her Fault, Ashley Walters  Adolescence, and Ramy Youssef  Mountainhead.

Adolescence cleaned up once again - with four gongs - as awards season kicked off at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night

Owen's co-stars Stephen Graham (pictured centre) won in the Best Actor category, while Best Supporting Actress went to Erin Doherty

The four-part series sees a 13-year-old schoolboy called Jamie Miller, played by breakout star Owen, accused of brutally murdering a female classmate

When Stephen collected his award, he began: 'I'd like to thank all the cast and crew, because without any one of them, none of this is possible.

'We're all exactly the same. When I was a kid, my mum told me, "You're never above anyone and you're never below anyone". So we're all equal. And I think the ethos that we carried into this piece, that paid off in this production.'

He added: 'It was a unique experience. And I'd just like to say, if you've got any kids at home, give them a massive cuddle and tell them you love them.'

Next up for the show is this weekend's Golden Globe Awards, which Adolescence goes into with five nominations.
Holly Willoughby is reportedly locked in a planning row after launching a legal appeal over her 8million home, despite already having a gym and cinema approved.

The former This Morning presenter, 44, and her TV producer husband Daniel Baldwin, 51, bought the six-bedroom home after moving out of their 3million Edwardian house in London.

Now the pair are looking to add to the 'heritage' property, as they reportedly want to add a 'link infill extension' between their house and an outbuilding on the land.

The couple bought their new home in the summer of 2024 and have already completed several works, along with adding extra security.

And they have also had plans approved to install a gym, cinema and a ground floor link to the property.

But their latest planning request is said to have been branded 'overly dominant' and 'inappropriate' - with the couple since launching an appeal.

Holly Willoughby is reportedly locked in a planning row after launching a legal appeal over her 8million home, despite already having a gym and cinema approved (Seen in 2023)

The former This Morning presenter, 44, and her TV producer husband Daniel Baldwin, 51, bought the six-bedroom property after moving out of their 3million Edwardian house in London (seen together in 2012)

Holly and Dan have lodged the appeal to try and get the works approved, claiming the extension would get the most out of the land.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Holly for comment.

The couple bought the mansion with no mortgage in July 2024 after leaving the capital following a horrific kidnap and murder plot.

Two months after stalker Gavin Plumb was jailed for scheming to kidnap, rape and murder the TV presenter, Holly departed London with her loved ones.

She also stepped down from presenting This Morning after 14 years on the show due to the terrifying plot, prompting her to take time out of the spotlight.

According to reports, she was afraid to leave her house after Plumb was charged with the crime, forcing her off-air for months.

Land Registry documents mention no charge from lenders.

According to The Sun, a source said the move is a 'fresh start' and 'an opportunity to put a nightmare behind them'.

Holly is looking to add to the 'heritage' property, as they reportedly want to add a 'link infill extension' between their house and an outbuilding on the land (Seen in 2025)

The couple picked up and left the city two months after stalker Gavin Plumb (pictured) was jailed for his kidnap, rape and murder plot

After her stalker Plumb was sentenced, she released an empowering statement, thanking the police and her legal team who brought him to justice.

She said: 'As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.

'I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response. Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.

'I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.'

Her former This Morning co-presenter Phillip Schofield left the show after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague and lying to his co-star when questioned about the mounting speculation.

After she returned to the ITV programme without him, Holly was mocked for the statement she made addressing the nation, asking whether viewers were 'okay' following the revelation.

She then faced a further setback as Plumb was arrested for an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her, leaving her terrified.

She deliberated over whether to present Dancing On Ice with new co-host Stephen Mulhern, finally deciding to return to work in the beginning of 2025.

Holly previously renovated her west London home, which planners gave her the go-ahead to extend.

But her neighbours were less than pleased with her various planning applications over the years.

Holly bought her London home - which lies in a leafy conservation area - in 2011 and had a series of setbacks renovating it as she became entangled in a series of 'ugly' rows with neighbours.

Locals complained about noise disruption, the impact on local wildlife and a loss of privacy, with an anonymous letter being sent in 2013 accusing her of 'keeping the whole neighbourhood up last night with drunken behaviour'.

Holly's husband, Dan, hit back with an email to neighbours insisting the couple had only been watching TV - and he attached a CCTV image of the woman who left the letter, in a bid to track her down and confront her.

The note irked Dan so much that he emailed 50 residents, saying: 'The letter was extremely rude and overly aggressive (I'll save you the gory details). It wrongly accused us of keeping the whole neighbourhood up last night with drunken behaviour.'
Lisa Faulkner has gushed about her husband John Torode, calling him her 'best mate' as he champions the actress' return to the theatre.

The Holby City star, 53, is set to take the stage as single mother Allie in Single White Female, which is based on the 1990s psychological thriller film and bestselling book by John Lutz.

She will be acting alongside Coronation Street's Kym Marsh, 49, who will play obsessed roommate Hedy.

Lisa spoke of her wholesome partnership with the chef, 60, and said he has been running lines with her.

She told Hello! magazine: 'He's my husband and my best mate. We really do support each other and hold each other's hands through everything. He's such a gentleman and so kind.

'He's been running through the lines with me. He's so happy for me.'

Lisa Faulkner has gushed about her husband John Torode, calling him her 'best mate' as he champions the actress' return to the theatre (pictured in 2023)

Lisa spoke of her wholesome partnership with the chef, 60, (right) and said he has been running lines with her (pictured together in 2019)

The controversial TV chef also spoke lovingly about his wife, telling the Mirror: [Lisa is] my rock, my best friend, my love, my wife, a Wonder Women. Nothing else needs to be said.'

Also supporting Lisa's new career move are her best friends Angela Griffin and Amanda Holden.

Lisa said: 'They've got a separate WhatsApp group, because I've told them I don't want to know when they're coming.'

The actress said spotting her friends in the crowd would throw her off and will only check if they're there after the performance.

Single White Female follows a recently divorced mother who takes in a lodger to help ends meet.

But as they grow closer, the roommate Hedy develops a sinister obsession and their arrangement begins to spiral out of control.

It comes after Lisa and John's ITV cookery show Weekend Kitchen is reportedly set to axed, despite the broadcaster's vow to stand by the sacked MasterChef star.

The chef was fired by the BBC earlier this year after an allegation emerged he had used 'extremely offensive racist language in 2018', which he claims to have 'no recollection of'.

Lisa is set to take the stage as single mother Allie in Single White Female. She will be acting alongside Coronation Street's Kym Marsh, 49, (left) who will play obsessed roommate Hedy

John has also gushed about his wife: [Lisa is] my rock, my best friend, my love, my wife, a Wonder Women. Nothing else needs to be said' (pictured in 2016)

He was sacked from Celebrity MasterChef just weeks after co-star Gregg Wallace (R) also got the boot over a series of allegations about his sexualised on-set behaviour

His exit came just weeks after co-star Gregg Wallace, 61, also got the boot over a series of allegations about his sexualised on-set behaviour.

But despite ITV previously throwing their support behind John, who has been married to Lisa since 2019 after meeting on Celebrity Masterchef, the prospect of their show, which debuted the same year as his wedding, continuing is said to be unlikely.

The final episode of the Weekend Kitchen's tenth series, a festive special aired last week.

A source said: 'John is facing a nervous wait about Weekend Kitchen but it's not looking good. The commissioning team have still not made a decision. Budgets are being slashed and the show is expensive to make'.

They told The Sun: 'It will be a major blow to John. He had a really tough time after being sacked from the BBC.

'He is pushing forward with Lisa and is working hard on a new YouTube cooking show which has been well-received'.

But despite ITV previously throwing their support behind John, the prospect of the couple's show, which debuted in 2019, continuing appeared unlikely

Daily Mail contacted John and Lisa's representatives for comment at the time. ITV declined to comment.

Earlier this month John revealed he had been having therapy to cope with the fallout of his sacking, which he said had taught him how to 'sit in his grief' and 'be real' instead of 'brave'.

In a post on writers' platform Substack, he wrote: 'Life has changed for ever for me and for those close to me. There is no sympathy searching here just honesty.'

He went on: 'Therapy over the past few months has entitled me to no longer "be brave" but instead be real.'

In his newsletter, John revealed that he was away working in Qatar  and described visiting the Grand Prix there as his first attempt at 'facing my grief alone', without his wife.
Charlotte Crosby has revealed she was hospitalised after her family trip to the Maldives ended in disaster.

The former Geordie Shore star, 35, jetted off to the popular island destination with her fiance Jake Ankers and their children Alba, three, and 11-month-old Pixi.

But on the last day of the trip, Charlotte told how she became sick and was 'throwing up' and felt 'so weak'.

Taking to her Stories, she wrote: 'Our last day in the Maldives and I've bloody been throwing up and felt so weak. Pushed through and went on a dolphin trip this morning but we didn't see any.

'Gutted because I was so excited for Alba! There's always next time!'

Not long after, she shared a photo of herself in a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask and wrote: 'Well this wasn't on my bingo card.'

Charlotte Crosby has revealed she was hospitalised after her family trip to the Maldives ended in disaster

The former Geordie Shorestar, 35, jetted off to the popular island destination with her fiance Jake Ankers and their children Alba, three, and 11-month-old Pixi

It comes after Charlotte was forced to hit back at mum-shamers after pranking her followers with a hilarious snap of Pixi on the flight to the Maldives.

Due to their flight being delayed, Charlotte and Jake decided to entertain Pixi inside the aircraft by playing with her.

Charlotte snapped a moment where Jake lifted the tot next to a fire exit sign, and she grabbed onto it.

Sharing the image to her Instagram Stories, the reality star edited her partner out of the snap to make it look like Pixi was hanging up there by herself.

Charlotte joke: 'We couldn't find Pixi anywhere on the flight.

'We could just hear her laughing ... then we looked up and she was HANGING from the exit sign. What's she like these second children are wild!!

'Gunna have to watch her closely in Maldives or she might be off on the jet skis before Yano it. '

After posting the snap, the reality star was inundated with messages from the 'mum police' who were 'losing their s***' in her DMs after assuming Pixi was dangling from the fire exit sign herself.

But on the last day of the trip, Charlotte told how she became sick and was 'throwing up' and felt 'so weak'

It comes after Charlotte was forced to hit back at mum-shamers after pranking her followers with a hilarious snap of Pixi on the flight to the Maldives.

She and Jake had been out partying at their resort the night before she fell ill

After posting the snap, the reality star was inundated with messages from the 'mum police' who were 'losing their s***' in her DMs after assuming Pixi was dangling from the fire exit sign herself

Once Charlotte and Jake arrived at their holiday home, the star was forced to inform her followers that the picture had been edited and was simply a joke.

Sharing a selfie looking exhausted, she wrote: 'Right we have landed in the Maldives wait until I tell you all the adventure it took to get here ... BUT FIRST why have I been getting sooooo many messages of people kicking off at Pixi doing pull ups on the fire exit sign!

'Let the girl live for gods sake!!!!!!! LMAO come on yous! You didn't actually think that was real did you?

'I just photoshopped Jake out we were delayed for ages on the run way and bored! And couldn't stop laughing at how Pixi looked like she was dangling herself!

'When I tell you the mam police have been losing their s*** in my inbox!'

In another Instagram Story, Charlotte shared a screenshotted Direct Message from someone who took her joke seriously.

They said: 'Not guna lie that's just scruffy. 'Can't find my child' are you joking, on a flight. Your confined to your seats for god sake.

'Your surely not that busy that your child/baby just mooches off round the plane get a grip!! For god sake!! (sic)'

Writing over the screenshotted DM, Charlotte said: 'This message in particular really made me lol ... At how serious they thought I was being.'
X-Men star Alan Cumming has claimed it is 'scary' to live in Donald Trump's America as he revealed why he had to return to his native Scotland.

The Traitors US host, 60, who now spends more time in his native Scotland than New York, has claimed prominent Americans are 'scared' to speak out against Trump.

Alan admitted his decision to be in Scotland came because he wanted to be in a country where 'people are looking out for each other'.

'The political situation was a factor,' the actor admitted. 'I wanted to be in a country where I feel my values are more aligned with the actual values of the government and the people.

'It's comforting to be in a place where you know people are looking out for each other.'

He added of the US: 'It's scary to live there right now, especially being well known and outspoken.

X-Men star Alan Cumming has claimed it is 'scary' to live in Donald Trump's America as he revealed why he had to return to his native Scotland (Seen in March)

The Traitors US host, 60, who now spends more time in his native Scotland than New York, has claimed prominent Americans are 'scared' to speak out against Trump (Seen on The Traitors)

'I realised so few people do that any more because they're scared.'

Alan revealed his plans to move back to Britain in January 2025 after more than a quarter of a century living in America as he joined the mass exodus of anti-MAGA stars.

The award-winning actor moved to New York in 1998 after starring in Cabaret on Broadway.

He went on to have a glittering career in the States, where he was nominated for two Golden Globes and three Emmys for his starring role in the hit series The Good Wife.

In 2008 he even became an American citizen.

But last year Alan said he eventually wants to die in his home country after realising that Americans don't share his values.

Alan, who currently hosts the US version of the award-winning reality TV series The Traitors, said: 'My husband Grant and I are planning to split our time more between here and New York, rather than before we had a holiday home here.

'I've definitely been planning to do that just as a thing in my life, but also my work.

Alan admitted his decision to be in Scotland came because he wanted to be in a country where 'people are looking out for each other' (Seen in September)

Alan has had a glittering career in the States, where he was nominated for two Golden Globes and three Emmys for his starring role in the hit series The Good Wife (Seen in Spy Kids in 2001)

'I'm now doing The Traitors, so once a year I'm here for a month and I made two films here last year. It's almost like the universe is pulling me back.'

Alan told Kaye Adams on her How to be 60 podcast that he wanted to be among people who felt the same way about the world as he did.

The actor, who famously starred as Russian Boris Grishenko in the James Bond film GoldenEye, explained: 'I feel like I am pulled back, because I really like how good it feels and how important it is to be around people who share my values.

'That gets really important as you get older.

'I feel I lived in New York for a long time and I love it, but more and more with the political situation in America, I realise people don't share my values.

'It's so great when you're here, that even someone far on the right wing still thinks it's important to have a safety net and to be kind and compassionate to people less fortunate than you.

In 2024, Alan was announced as the new artistic director of Scotland's Pitlochry Festival Theatre in a hint at his future plans

'In America that's clearly not the case. You realise the American dream is really every man for himself and I just value more and more now being here.

'Grant was here and after a couple of months he said: 'Gosh I just love the fact that no one around me has a gun.'

In 2024, Alan was announced as the new artistic director of Scotland's Pitlochry Festival Theatre in a hint at his future plans. Although he currently owns homes in both New York and Inverness, he said he saw his future in Scotland.

'The house in the Highlands I feel is where we are going to end up and die, or go and read books and cook,' he explained in an episode of How to be 60.

'I want to keep doing exciting things and be more based here.'
Rose McGowan has questioned if Harvey Weinstein has ever spent a day in prison.

The actress, 52, was one of the leading activists of the global Me Too movement and accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting her at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.

Once a Hollywood heavy-hitter, Weinstein became a symbol of sexual misconduct after media reports revealed allegations against him in 2017.

In total, some 60 women came forward with harrowing allegations against the producer and he was convicted of various sex crimes in both New York and California.

Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence which began in 2018, and he was convicted again in a New York retrial in June 2025.

But speaking on the latest episode of Paul C Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, Rose says she suspects the disgraced movie mogul may not be incarcerated at Rikers Island in New York City.

Rose McGowan has questioned if Harvey Weinstein has ever spent a day in prison in a new interview about her traumatic years in Hollywood and her upbringing in a cult

The actress, 52, who was one of the leading activists of the global Me Too movement and accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting her at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival (Weinstein pictred at his re-trial in May 2025)

When asked if she feels justice has been served, Rose replied: 'I would love to see a picture of him in prison. I suspect he's been in a mansion in Connecticut. That's my theory.'

'I don't know if he's ever spent a day in prison. Hollywood, baby. I don't know, maybe.'

Rose detailed the sexual assault in the new interview, which she previously wrote about in her 2018 book Brave.

'I think he was a thug. Not the Mafia boss of the cool kind with the suit, like Marlon Brando, Godfather type, but more like a street way,' she told We Need To Talk.

She also compared Hollywood's 'protection' of Weinstein over so many years to growing up in the controversial Children of God cult, explaining:

'They calculated that he was thanked more times than God at the Oscars. Harvey Weinstein was their god. This was far worse than the cult I grew up in.'

Rose got emotinal during the interview when Paul showed her a photo of herself as a child with her father Daniel.

She explained that whilst she had a tumultuous relationship with him until his death in 2008, as she got older she became more forgiving of his shortcomings as a parent.

When asked if she feels justice has been served, Rose replied: 'I would love to see a picture of him in prison. I suspect he's been in a mansion in Connecticut. That's my theory'

In total, some 60 women came forward with harrowing allegations against the producer and he was convicted of various sex crimes in both New York and California (McGowan and Weinstein pictured in 2007)

Rose got emotinal during the interview when Paul showed her a photo of herself as a child with her father Daniel (pictured)

'He hated Hollywood but couldn't explain why to me in a way that I could understand and in a way that I could hear,' she said, acknowledging they didn't speak for five years after a disagreement about her teenage acting career.

'And I think he loved me very deeply... he's also taught me a way of seeing the world.'

Rose - who rose to fame with roles in Scream and Charmed- has lived in Mexico since she fled Hollywood during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

In 2021 the star shared that she had become a permanent Mexico resident, nearly one year after relocating.

'I wanted a different reality. I didn't want anything to do with Rose McGowan for one year,' she explained. '2020 was actually I know it was really hard and horrible for a lot of people.'

Rose detailed the sexual assault at the hands of Weinstein in the new interview, which she previously wrote about in her 2018 book Brave

'That was actually the best year of my life. I had love, I had friends there. I had my little dog. I was on a beach and nobody could travel there for quite a while. I was actually safe.'

Rose ended her interview by insisting that she would love to return to her acting career, saying: 'I would love to still have some kind of career to be able to do something in the arts and something creative again.'

'The majority of my life than not I have had this warthog from hell on my back and buying off public's perception of me.'

You can now listen to the full episode of We Need To Talk on Spotify or watch it on YouTube
She was once firmly embedded in Hollywood's A-list world.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Rose McGowan starred in major studio films like Scream and Jawbreaker, and led the WB hit Charmed.

At the time, she looked like a permanent fixture in mainstream media, mingling with Hollywood's elite social scene.

But that image quickly changed when she began speaking openly about abuse within the industry.

In 2017, Rose became one of the first actresses to publicly accuse producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault.

The disgraced media mogul was later convicted of a total of four felony sex crimes across two separate cases in New York and California.

Rose McGowan decided to ditch Hollywood in favour of Mexico after escaping describing it as 'toxic and a cult'

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Rose McGowan starred in major studio films like Scream (pictured right, with Neve Campbell) and Jawbreaker, and led the WB hit Charmed

Rose's decision to speak out sent shockwaves through the industry - and according to the actress, marked the beginning of her exile.

'I kind of realised Hollywood acts as a mafia, except I realised one day that they never asked me to join,' she previously told The Fall.

'They just assumed I'd keep their secrets. Nobody goes against them for fear of reprisal. Well, I'm not afraid.'

Roles dried up, invitations stopped coming, and Hollywood quietly shut its doors.

Branded 'difficult' and effectively blacklisted, Rose decided to pack her bags and leave for a new life in Mexico.

Speaking on her decision to leave 'toxic' Hollywood, Rose recently revealed that she felt she was being used to create 'chaos in the media.

Speaking on a new episode of Paul C. Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, she said: 'Once I realised that it was really I was being used to kind of cause chaos between men and women on a media level.

'Like use me as the focal point of people's dislike for societal change that wasn't my thing, and I always said that from the beginning, that was something by definition that happened to me.

In 2017, Rose became one of the first actresses to accuse producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault publicly (pictured together in 2007)

Rose's decision to speak out sent shockwaves through the industry - and according to the actress, marked the beginning of her exile

Speaking on her decision to leave Hollywood, Rose recently revealed that she felt she was being used to create 'chaos in the media

'So what I did was bounce. I just thought my dad lived for many, many years, over 30 years, on the west coast of Mexico.

'So I've been going there since, you know, I was like 17.

'I went to the jungle. I went to the jungle ocean, and I kind of thought, then Covid hit, and I was just completely at that point, I wanted a different reality.

'I didn't want anything to do with Rose McGowan.

'For one year, 2020 was actually, I know it was really hard and horrible for a lot of people, but that was actually the best year of my life.

'Because I had love, I had friends there, I had my little dog, I was on a beach, and nobody could travel there for quite a while.

'I was actually safe.'

Last year, Rose revealed that she hung out in the jungle, 'talked to trees' and recalibrated after an intense few years.

Last year, Rose revealed that she hung out in the jungle, 'talked to trees' and recalibrated after an intense few years

'Slowly, I started to remember that I love being creative, and it allowed me to remember who I was, just in a different way,' she told the Hollywood Reporter.

Rose also dished on how she's faring in Yucatan while chatting on a panel with former co-star Holly Marie Combs.

'It is an incredible country. It is so wildly geographically diverse, culturally diverse and just very, very special. There's so much joy,' she stated, according to an account from People.

She added: 'My favorite word in Spanish is alegria, which means joy, and there's so much of that there, and color and passion and fun.'

The silver screen siren also described the Latin American country as 'just different.'

Rose announced in 2020 via her social media that she had relocated to Mexico in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

'I'm in a place called Coba (on the Yucatan peninsula),' she said. 'I knew [Covid-19] was going to get really bad in America and I had a moment to figure out where I wanted to be.

'My lease was up in New York so I came here to Mexico where I'm living for a third of the price. It's beautiful here.'

The following year the shared that she had become a permanent Mexico resident, nearly one year after relocating.

Rose announced in 2020 via her social media that she had relocated to Mexico in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic

Appearing on The Dab Roast, she stated: 'I just got my permanent residency card from Mexico, and I'm so grateful to have it.

'This is a really healing land here and it is truly magical.'

Since turning her back on Hollywood, Rose, who continues as an activist, found a new passion for music.

In a statement posted to her website in 2020, she said, 'When I was a small child going through tough times, I created a utopian world in my mind and I named it Planet 9.

'I felt safe on this invented planet of mine. I also used to wonder what sounds existed on my planet.'

Rose said she had forgotten about her imaginary planet until astronomers found a new planet and named it Planet 9.

With that, she launched her debut album, Planet 9, in April 2020.

Before ditching stardom for a more relaxed lifestyle, Rose had been a prominent voice in the #MeToo movement after naming producer Harvey as her alleged rapist.

Before ditching stardom for a more relaxed lifestyle, Rose had been a prominent voice in the #MeToo movement after naming producer Harvey as her alleged rapist

Once a Hollywood heavy-hitter, Harvey became a symbol of sexual misconduct after media reports revealed allegations against him in 2017.

In total, some 60 women came forward with harrowing allegations against the producer and he was convicted of various sex crimes in both New York and California.

Harvey is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence which began in 2018, and he was convicted again in a New York retrial in June 2025.

Looking back, the actress shared during the 90s Con conversation: 'I had to talk for a lot of years, kind of more than normal people might.'

'There's a point where I just got really talked out. I just wanted to listen,' she reflected, adding: 'I wanted silence, and I wanted to listen more than I wanted to talk.'

The actress acknowledged that her move hasn't been all smooth sailing.

'There's things about it that are difficult, just like anywhere, and it's certainly a challenge sometimes, doing things when, at first, you don't really know the language,' she admitted.

'You're navigating a totally different system. You learn very quickly, though,' she noted.

In June 2021, Rose posted an update to her Instagram Story in which she revealed that she had dealt with several hardships, including depression.

'Depression is an intense beast. If you've read my book I speak openly about depression, trauma, PTSD.

'I speak of my history with a mind that wants me to sleep forever. It blocks the sun for so many of us,' she wrote.

'But what I know is that there will be light again.

Since her move to Mexico, Rose has been on a road to finding her authentic self and living a reality 'thats a bit softer'.

'And the day will come when the weight of sadness will disappear. And we will raise our faces to the sun.'

However, since her move to Mexico, the future looks upwards for Rose, who has been on a road to finding her authentic self and living a reality 'thats a bit softer'.

She currently has multiple projects in the works, including another music single, an acting project in Paris, and narration duties on a short film directed by Baby Yors titled Any Moment Now.

Speaking about her self-development and wanting to live life 'with so much joy,' Rose told The Hollywood Reporter: 'The ultimate power move right now is not to be on that chess board.

'I dont want to have my head spinning every other minute with this or with that, Ive done that.

'The stuff thats really important has a way of filtering through, and you realise what you can do, what you can change and what you cant.'
Newlyweds Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty have long been open about their individual sobriety journeys.

Holly, who marked two years of being teetotal in 2022, decided to ditch the booze entirely after her former party lifestyle made her hit 'rock bottom'.

Meanwhile, Olympic swimmer Adam, 31, was saved by his new wife Holly, 26, following his battle with depression and alcoholism.

But the bride and groom didn't stop guests from indulging on alcohol, as they gifted each person a 190 bottle of Don Julio Tequila 1942.

Photos from their lavish nuptials in Vogue display the handcrafted tequila with 'H&A 27.12.25' engraved on the front.

Also on their 'Ramsay Peaty's Bar' menu, the couple served up spicy margaritas and martinis.

Newlyweds Holly Ramsay, 26, and Adam Peaty, 31, gifted each wedding guest a 190 bottle of Don Julio Tequila

Holly and Adam, who have long been open about their individual sobriety journeys, was gifted a 600 bottle of Don Julio embossed 'Future Mrs Peaty' in the summer

The lavish wedding present would have gone down a hit with Victoria Beckham, who avidly promotes the brand.

Don Julio is known to be Victoria's favourite drink of all time, having worked with them on Paris Fashion Week and knocked back shots at plenty of her parties.

Aside from the pricey bottle of tequila, guests were reportedly gifted a celebratory T-shirt.

'Holly and Adam were incredibly generous to their guests, lavishing them all with a bottle of tequila embossed their own initials,' a source told The Sun.

'And guests were also presented with a cute T-shirt, showing the couple driving in a car and waving in glee as they start their life journey together. The T-shirt had the date of the wedding on it and was a wonderful memento for everyone.

'The bride and groom really pushed the boat out. No matter the turbulence behind the scenes they wanted the wedding to be perfect. And it was.'

Holly's father Gordon, who has a net worth of 176million, is also said to have spent 50,000 on flowers.

Months before her nuptials, Adam gifted his future wife a 600 bottle of Don Julio embossed with 'Future Mrs Peaty'.

Holly was also diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression shortly after University.

Holly and Adam have both been open about their decision to be sober after alcohol led them to hit 'rock bottom' before they met each other (Holly pictured in 2019 with her mother Tana)

But the bride and groom didn't stop guests from indulging on alcohol, as they gifted each person handcrafted tequila with 'H&A 27.12.25' engraved on the front

The lavish wedding present would have gone down a hit with Victoria Beckham, who avidly promotes the brand

Olympic swimmer Adam was saved by his new wife Holly following his battle with depression and alcoholism

It led her to be admitted for three months into Nightingale Hospital in Marylebone, London - the capital's only mental health hospital.

'I didn't tell anyone about it until a year afterwards. I just buried it in a box in the back of my mind. [In hospital] is was where I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression,' she explained in 2021 on her podcast 21 & Over.

'Since then, I have been in therapy up to three times a week. I now have these diagnoses that I carry around with me. It's confusing and I'm trying to take control of my narrative and use that to make something good.'

She marked two years of sobriety in 2022.

In an Instagram post marking the milestone, the then 22-year-old wrote: 'Today marks two years since I last had alcohol. Two years ago today I hit rock bottom, I was terrified.

'I certainly didn't think I would be where I am today both physically and mentally. I've fought every day since to get where I am today.'

She added: 'I am so grateful to so many people for their support, encouragement and endless love. I will continue to learn and grow every day. I feel lucky to be able to use my voice to raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health.

'Sending love to anyone who needs it today and always. One day at a time.'

Holly drew attention to her two year sobriety milestone in a short Instagram post back in 2022

In January 2022 the influencer took to her Instagram Stories for a Q&A, during which she admitted to finding sobriety tough at her age - despite feeling better than she had in years

Holly also referenced her one-year milestone in December 2021, with the influencer writing candidly of her relationship with alcohol

Holly previously admitted she made the decision to go sober despite being aware of the social function alcohol plays in so many young people's lives across the United Kingdom.

In 2022 the influencer took to her Instagram Stories for a Q&A, during which she admitted to finding sobriety tough at her age - despite feeling better than she had in years.

When asked 'how important is it to cut out alcohol when you struggle daily with mental health,' she responded: 'This isn't a "one size fits all" answer...

'For me, cutting out alcohol has made me so much more present, I'm able to have more fun & I'm in control. Alcohol + antidepressants don't mix well. I made the decision to put my physical and mental health first.

'It can be lonely not drinking especially at this age as it's such a big part of our social lives.. but you will find the right people who don't even care that you're not drinking and are just happy you're with them.'

Holly also referenced her one-year milestone in December 2021, with the influencer writing candidly of her relationship with alcohol, including her decision to go teetotal after reaching her 'lowest point' in 2020.

She wrote: 'Today marks one year without alcohol. This is not something I thought I would ever say at the age of 21. However, by 21 (nearly 22) I never thought I would've been through half of what I have.

'I choose to take a break from alcohol because it wasn't improving my mental health - which for me, comes first.'

Adam once declared he never wanted to see a pool again after suffering 'three years of hell' . He took a competitive break in 2023 to focus on his mental health

His relationship with Holly has been seen as a stabilising factor in his personal life and career, following his split with Eirianedd in August 2022

She added: 'This time last year I was at my lowest and I was scared but I made a decision to take control of what I could - and that meant removing alcohol from my life.

'It was not an easy decision, nor one that I have taken lightly. I won't say this is forever, but this is for now. Living without alcohol has helped me feel better and more present both mentally and physically.

'Don't get me wrong, I've had a year of high highs and low lows but I'm grateful I have myself the chance to work through them consciously rather mask my feelings (good and bad) with a drink.

'Alcohol and antidepressants do not mix well at all. And that is something, unfortunately, I learned the hard way.

'As with everything I have been through, it has been a learning experience and I feel lucky to be able to post this message today, to continue to spread awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health.'

Adam once declared he never wanted to see a pool again after suffering 'three years of hell'. He took a competitive break in 2023 to focus on his mental health.

In 2020, he told Daily Mail that he turned to alcohol after the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

He said: 'After the Commonwealths, towards the end of the year, I didnt have any races. And when you involve off-season and you involve partying and drinking, thats a depressant in itself, so I was doing that a lot.

'I kind of, not went off the rails, but I didnt really have that overwhelming motivation to perform at something. And I am a performer, so if I dont have something to perform at, I completely lose my track. Add that in with all that partying and stuff, it wasnt that great to have that all at once.

'It took a long while to recognise what was important to me and what wasnt. I have found that thankfully now. I know exactly how to treat my body, how to treat my mind, and its not by forcing alcohol as much as you can.'

The athlete separated from the mother of his son George and partner of three-years Eirianedd Munro in 2022.

The split, coupled with him loosing an eight-year unbeaten streak led him to a low point, a broken foot and a bust-up with a team-mate, caused him to turn to a hedonistic lifestyle to cope with his depression.

By 2024, Adam was back in the water thanks to the help of his devoted then-fiancee Holly.

His relationship with Holly has been seen as a stabilising factor in his personal life and career, following his split with Eirianedd in August 2022.

'You help me become a better man everyday and I can't wait to see what the future holds with you. No one knows me like you do. My best friend. You're the goat [greatest of all time],' he wrote in a belated Valentine's Day post on Instagram.

The pair met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 when Adam and Holly's younger sister Tilly were both competing on the series.
Noel Gallagher has reponded to rumours Oasis will record the next James Bond theme, saying the band have not been approached by the 007 team.

In August, it was announced British screenwriter Steven Knight, 65, would write the latest Bond film.

Amazon MGM were said to have lined-up the iconic Brit-pop band to be the voice of the soundtrack.

But during an appearance on TalkSport on Monday, Noel poured hot water on the rumours, saying: 'This James Bond thing? What, Oasis? Nah.'

He did add that Oasis would be interested in penning a future theme tune if they were approached.

'Of course. It would be an absolute honour, and I think those kind of things should be done by Brits not Yanks,' he said.

Noel Gallagherhas reponded to rumours Oasis will record the next James Bondtheme, saying the band have not been approached by the 007 team

In August, it was announced British screenwriter Steven Knight, 65, would write the latest Bond film (Daniel Craig pictured as Bond)

Although he confirmed there had been no contact between Oasis and the team behind James Bond, Noel joked he would be up for playing a 'Mancunian villain' in the next film.

It would be a monumental move for the Gallagher brothers, who reunited this summer after 16 years as they officially brought an end to their long-running feud for their sell-out tour.

Back in 2008, Bond fan Noel lamented the soundtrack for the 'greatest British agent of all time has to be soundtracked by a bunch of Americans,' referring to the Quantum Of Solace theme 'Another Way To Die' by Alicia Keys and Jack White.

At the time, he claimed that an unreleased song of his, Freaky Teeth, would be a great Bond theme.

He said: 'I listened back to it thinking, "That'd make a f*****g great Bond theme. It's a bit of a p**s-take that the greatest British agent of all time has to be soundtracked by a bunch of Americans.'

Screenwriter Steven is best known as the creator of BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders starring Cillian Murphy, which has spawned a 2026 movie, whilst his new historical saga House Of Guinness launched on Netflix this autumn.

Meanwhile, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are on board to produce the movie via Pascal Pictures and Heyday Films respectively, while Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer.

Steven said he is finding writing 'exciting and thrilling' but he has a free flow approach to his screenplay.

Join the debate Who would YOU want to see record the next Bond theme song?

During an appearance on TalkSporton Monday, Noel poured hot water on the rumours, saying: 'This James Bond thing? What, Oasis? Nah'

He said: 'I have no plan of how I'm going to get there.

'Though I do know this character's going to do this, this, and then they're going to die, or they're going to become king. So that's the plan.'

Speaking about his involvement in the film last month, Steven told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: 'It has always been on my bucket list and it's fantastic to be invited to do it - I can't wait to get started.

'I'm hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that's the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.'

A number of actors have been tipped to step into his shoes, with stars including Taron Egerton, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Paul Mescal and Theo James thrown into the mix.

When pressed on who could be the new Bond, he responded: 'That is a very, very good question, and one I can't give you the answer to.'

The last outing for James Bond was 2021's No Time To Die, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Cary Joji Fukunaga on the writing team.

Speaking of the selection process for the latest film, Steven shared: 'I was invited to a meeting with [producer] Amy Pascal, didn't know what it was about, and very quickly discovered what it was about and became very, very excited and hopeful.

'And then a process is followed where you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas, and then you find out you've got it.

'So I found out a while ago but it was announced last night, which is great.'

He added that it was a 'high pressure' job, before noting: 'You've just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can.'
She's one of the funniest women in showbusiness but Katherine Ryan's rise to fame has been anything but easy.

The Canadian comedian, 42, admits she purposely tried to get pregnant with her first child, Violet, when she was aged 23, after being diagnosed with lupus - because it can make it difficult to get pregnant.

She told the Guardian: 'When youre first diagnosed with something  I was quite ill at the time  you go to the worst-case scenario. My rationale with my boyfriend was, weve had so many ups and downs, if we havent split up by now, we never will. Now I see how long life is, and how many things can change. But at 23, I couldnt see it.'

Katherine escaped her childhood home in Sarnia, Ontario to move to Toronto when she was aged 18, where she had a great time, by all accounts.

She had worked as a podium dancer at the Playboy mansion and in Hooters but explains despite misconceptions, it was not a topless bar.

Katherine Ryan was 'quite ill with lupus' when she decided to try for a baby aged 23 - pictured with her eldest child Violet, 16, pictured in July

While on maternity leave from her job in sales, 25-year-old Katherine would look after Violet in the day and try to break into standup in the evening, taking her daughter with her

In October, Katherine welcomed her newborn daughter in just 45 minutes - she is now a mother of four

She later moved to London with her boyfriend, which she didn't like because due to the cost of living making her 'immediately poor.'

After splitting from Violet's father, whose identity has never been revealed, she endured something of a white knuckle ride to become successful as a single mother.

Katherine said she realised pretty quickly that her partner wasn't going to be 'beneficial to [her and Violet], financially or logistically.'

She decided to make her life in London work because she'd 'had a youth already' and wanted to 'get serious'.

Moreover, she didn't want to return to Canada as a single parent, saying, 'there was a time when I felt shame about it.'

While on maternity leave from her job in sales, Katherine would look after Violet in the day and try to break into standup in the evening, taking her daughter with her.

She is now happily married to her childhood sweetheart, Bobby Kootstra, who she reconnected with later in life and married six years ago

Katherine and Bobby are also parents to Fred, three, daughter Fenna, two, and Hoilland, three months - she has never disclosed the identity of Violet's father

She said female standups were 'discouraged from being feminine I think we were doing our best just to be invisible or emulate what the boys were doing. Bookers would say, "Women will be jealous of you, men will be distracted by you." But that wasnt true.'

And it seems her drive and determination has paid off.

Katherine's standup special First Born Daughter is available on Sky on Comedy. Out of Order season 2 is on Comedy Central.

She is now happily married to her childhood sweetheart, Bobby Kootstra, who she reconnected with later in life and married six years ago.

Now a mother-of-four, Katherine's eldest child Violet is now 16 - and she and Bobby are parents to Fred, three, daughter Fenna, two, and Hoilland, three months.
Ex-Hollyoaks star Fabrizio Santino has revealed his 'inspirational' sister is battling breast cancer in an emotional post.

The actor, 43, who played Ziggy Roscoe in the Channel 4 soap between 2013 and 2015, shared the news on his Instagram.

Fabrizio, who has also appeared in EastEnders as Brett Nelson and Doctors, posted a black and white image of his sibling to his Story on Monday.

She appeared to be sat in a hairdressers after having her head shaved amid her treatment.

Fabrizio wrote: 'Today I celebrate this super human my sister!

'She's been battling with breast cancer and I can't scream out anymore at how incredibly proud I am of her and her strength and positivity!

Ex-Hollyoaks star Fabrizio Santino has revealed his 'inspirational' sister is battling breast cancer in an emotional post

Santino, who has also appeared in EastEnders as Brett Nelson and Doctors, posted a black and white image of his sibling to his Story on Monday

'Her bravery and resilience is truly inspirational. This girl's built different.

'This evil bug ain't gonna beat you darling you have so much love around you!

'I am here with you every step of the way. I love you with all my heart and soul.'

Fabrizio is still working as an actor after his soap roles in his early career.

In the past he has been romantically linked to Daniella Westbrook but in 2020 was seen spending time with model Summer Monteys-Fullam.

However soon after a joint outing Summer told The Daily Mail: 'We are JUST friends!'

The Sun had reported that year that Summer and Fab were spotted canoodling in the shade of a tree in a London park.

An onlooker told the publication: 'Summer looked absolutely gorgeous as well as very happy and wrapped up in the guy she was with.

'They were laughing and joking and playing with a bat and ball before they went to cool off together.'

But this has since been explained away as just a friendly afternoon in the park together.

The actor, 43, who played Ziggy Roscoe in the Channel 4soap Hollyoaks, between 2013 and 2015, shared the news on his Instagram

After Hollyoaks Fabrizio returned to the world of soaps in 2023, landing the role of Brett Nelson in EastEnders.

Brett was a HIV-positive former steroid user who had to confront his former training pal Zack Hudson that he might have given him the illness.

Fabrizio is now based in London and recently starred in Prime Video series The Unlock.

A synopsis of the show reads: 'A Russian diplomat is kidnapped and his driver may be the only person who knows his whereabouts, but he has amnesia.

'Now two people have a race against time to unlock his mind before the diplomat is executed and the world plunges into war.'
Sir Richard Branson has paid tribute to late wife Joan in a special New Year service filled with 'songs, laughter and tears', some six weeks after her death at the age of 80.

The billionaire business magnate announced the death of Joan, his devoted wife of 36 years, in a post shared with Instagram and LinkedIn followers on November 25.

'Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,' he wrote.

'She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.'

Branson, 75, has since paid tribute to his late wife in a beachfront gathering on Necker Island, the 74-acre private estate he owns in the British Virgin Islands.

The event included Branson's two children with Joan, Holly, 44, and Sam, 40, both of whom were born before the couple's marriage on Necker Island in 1989.

Sir Richard Branson has paid tribute to late wife Joan in a special New Year service filled with 'songs, laughter and tears', some weeks after her death at the age of 80

The event included Branson's two children - Holly and Sam - both of whom were born before his marriage to Joan on Necker Island in 1989

In video footage shared across social media, Branson, who appeared to be nursing an arm injury, his children and an assortment of friends were seen dressed in matching white shirts as they walked single file across the island's rugged coastline.

The Virgin tycoon later gave a speech in honour of his late wife, whose cause of death has not been disclosed, as guests raised flutes of champagne.

Captioning the posts, he wrote: 'My family and I have always believed in celebrating peoples lives, while they are with us and after they are gone. That is exactly what we did for Joan.

'We held a beautiful celebration on Necker Island. There were stories, songs, laughter, and tears, all in honour of the most incredible partner, mum, grandmother, and friend.'

Branson revealed the family had chosen to honour Joan's 'otherworldly presence' beneath the 'brightest moon of the year' on the final day of a 'beautiful month.'

Separate images captured the businessman and his son in deep reflection while sat beneath the rising moon on Necker Island's sweeping beach.

Sharing his own posts from the service, son Sam wrote: 'A very special service for a very special woman.'

Speaking in November, Branson told Instagram followers how the devoted couple 'never missed an opportunity to show love' and always tried to make 'incredible' memories together.

Branson, his children and an assortment of friends were seen dressed in matching white shirts as they walked single file across the island's rugged coastline

Branson and Joan's son Sam watched as his father gave an emotional speech during the New Year ceremony

Branson appeared to be nursing an arm injury while conducting the service on behalf of his late wife

He wrote: 'My sister @VanessaGBranson said we are experiencing uncomplicated grief, because we had such wonderful relationships with Joan, never missing an opportunity to share and show love, saying all we wanted to say and making incredible memories together'.

'It made me think again how important it is to ensure you are on good terms with everyone in your life, as you never know when it will be too late. Life is short'.

Daughter Holly also shared an emotional tribute to her late mother as she reflected on the 'initial shock and pain' of her passing, describing her as 'one in a billion, brilliant and kind'.

Posting photos with Joan throughout her childhood, Holly said she and her family 'feel very loved' following an outpouring of sympathies in the wake of her mother's passing.

She captioned the post: 'It's taken a couple of weeks for me to write this, because how do you put 44 years of unconditional love into words?

Sam, a talented musician, also performed while celebrating his late mother's life with assorted guests over the weekend

Poignant family snapshots of Joan and her loved ones decorated the site of her service

Sam shared a selfie with guests as they celebrated Joan's life on Necker Island

'That's what sums up my amazing mum. She oozed love to everyone in her orbit and made everyone feel special. Especially me and Freddie, Sam and Bellie, Dad, and her precious grandchildren. We were her world and we knew it. I feel so thankful for that.

'You know that your parents are going to die one day, but somehow your brain never really prepares you for the inevitable. People say time is a healer and in the space of two weeks, I can see that.

'The initial shock and pain has shifted into a deep gratitude that I had such a brilliant, kind, caring mum who always showered us all with love.

'Mum, you are one in a billion and I am trying to be more like you every day. The other day I was shopping with [Joan's granddaughter] Etta and let her get a few more bits than I would have normally.

'Etta turned to me and said, "You're channelling your inner Amma." That is exactly what I want to do. Channel you every day to be the best wife, mum, and, one day, grandparent I can be.

'Thank you so much for all the lovely messages, cards, flowers and hugs over the last couple of weeks.

The billionaire business magnate announced the death of Joan, his devoted wife of 36 years, in a post shared with Instagram and LinkedIn followers on November 25

The couple on their wedding day on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands

'I haven't replied to everyone, but I've read every single one and they have meant more than I can say. We feel very loved and very held from all over the world.'

Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group, which includes Virgin Atlantic airline, space tourism company Virgin Galactic, luxury cruise vacation company Virgin Voyages and hospitality brand Virgin Hotels Collection.

In a 2020 blog post, he said he met Joan in 1976 at The Manor, a former recording studio in Oxfordshire, England.

'Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady and I quickly realised she wouldn't be impressed by my usual antics,' Branson wrote.

The couple's daughter Holly recently shared an emotional tribute to her late mother as she reflected on the 'initial shock and pain' of her passing

Holly reflected on her mother's 'unconditional love', and said she wants to 'channel her to be the best wife, mum and grandparent she can be'

The earliest picture of Richard and Joan. Lady Joan, who shares two children with Sir Richard, has long been credited as the billionaire's 'rock'

Branson recalled how his future wife worked at an antique shop that sold old signs and advertisements.

He added: 'I hovered uncertainly outside the shop, then built up the courage to walk in... over the next few weeks, my visits to Joan amassed me an impressive collection of old hand painted tin signs, which advertised anything from Hovis bread to Woodbine cigarettes.'

The couple had three children, Holly, Sam and Clare Sarah. Clare Sarah died shortly after birth in 1979.
Nina Dobrev set pulses racing in a number of tiny bikinis shared in a fun clip to Instagram on Monday as she soaked up the sun on a lavish getaway.

The Vampire Diaries actress, 36, has split from her fiance Shaun White as she showed off her incredible figure in a brown bikini top and sarong set with gold accents.

She completed the look with rectangular shades and a straw Loewe shoulder bag.

Showing off her toned figure, Nina posted a fun montage that chronicled several of her bikinis and outfits for the trip.

Nina opened the clip in a barely-there black and white patterned string bikini which she paired with a straw Chanel bucket hat as she held up a white linen shirt.

Newly single Nina Dobrev set pulses racing in a number of tiny bikinis shared in a fun clip to Instagram on Monday as she soaked up the sun on a lavish getaway

The Vampire Diaries actress, 36, opened the clip in a barely-there black and white patterned string bikini which she paired with a straw Chanel bucket hat as she held up a white linen shirt

She later wore a matching white lace linen shirt and trouser set, looking ever so chic.

Nina put on a cheeky display as she turned around and showed off her bottom in the racy bikini.

For her next look she posed in another tiny multi-coloured bikini as she rocked a no-makeup look and let her long brunette hair fall effortlessly past her shoulders.

She then added a matching dress which she threw on over the top.

Another shot featured Nina modelling a fuchsia flower-print two-piece outfit that showed off her cleavage and toned, tanned abs.

The star then danced in a white robe while wearing a full face of glam as she transitioned into her evening outfits.

She looked stunning a red dress with a scoop neckline and fitted bodice that flared out into a pleated skirt as she accessorised with gold chunky hoop earrings.

A later outfit showed her in a glamorous red and orange ombre style maxi dress as she twirled around in front of the camera.

Nina put on a cheeky display as she turned around and showed off her bottom in the racy bikini

She later wore a matching white lace linen shirt and trouser set, looking ever so chic

In her next look she posed in another tiny multi-coloured bikini as she rocked a no-makeup look and let her long brunette hair fall effortlessly past her shoulders

Another provocative shot featured Nina modelling a fuchsia flower-print two-piece outfit that showed off her cleavage and toned, tanned abs

The star then danced in a white robe while wearing a full face of glam as she transitioned into her evening outfits

Nina looked stunning a red dress with a scoop neckline and fitted bodice that flared out into a pleated skirt as she accessorised with gold chunky hoop earrings

A later outfit then showed her in a glamorous red and orange ombre style maxi dress as she twirled around in front of the camera

Nina has been enjoying a winter of fun in the wake of her split from the Olympic snowboarder.

In early September, news broke that the Love Hard star and Shaun had ended their five-year relationship and called off their engagement.

The pairs romance began during the COVID-19 pandemic and White proposed last October with a five-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring, a move that led fans to believe a wedding was in the works.

A source told Us Weekly there was zero bad blood between the pair.

'They were very loyal to each other. Any online speculation that suggests otherwise is ridiculous,' the insider told the publication, adding again that Dobrev was crushed by the end of the relationship.

Meanwhile Shaun was reportedly among the guests at Kate Hudsons star-studded New Years Eve bash in Aspen.

In November, the athlete was spotted chatting up model Brooks Nader at an Alice + Olivia event in New York City, according to Just.Jared.

Photos showed him hovering by Brooks' car with a big smile on his face as she leaned out the vehicle's window.
EastEnders star Jake Wood has pleaded with fans to help a crewmember on the BBC show as he fights for his life following a catastrophic fall.

Electrician Connor, a popular crewmember on the long-running soap opera, spent nine days in a coma after falling from a rooftop while visiting Colombia over Christmas.

The tradesman has since undergone numerous 'life-saving' operations during his hospitalisation in the South American country, resulting in his medical bills spiralling to more than 15,000.

Connor, who works across Hertfordshire's sprawling Elstree Studios compound, currently remains in Colombia while his family attempt to raise money through crowdfunding site GoFundMe.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Wood, 53, best known for his role as Max Branning on EastEnders, asked social media followers to pledge anything they could.

Sharing a photo of the electrician, he explained: 'Connor one of our colleagues who works as an electrician on the set had a terrible accident over Christmas in Colombia, falling 11 floors from a roof, and was in a coma for nine days.

EastEnders star Jake Wood has pleaded with fans to help a crewmember on the BBC show as he fights for his life following a catastrophic fall

Electrician Connor (pictured), a popular crewmember on the long-running soap opera, spent nine days in a coma after falling from a rooftop while visiting Colombia over Christmas

'It's a miracle that he has survived. He has a family and his mum has flown out to be with him.'

He added: 'He is a top man and respected by everyone here who works at the studios please help if you can thank you.'

According to the donations section on Connor's GoFundMe page, EastEnders star Scott Maslen donated 300, while Jake and Jacqueline Jossa each gave 200.

Elsewhere, Jessie Wallace, Gillian Wright, Adam Woodyatt, Colin Salmon, Gillian Taylforth, Emma Barton, Harriet Thorpe, Pierre Moullier, Francesca Henry all gave 100.

Clair Norris, who plays Bernadette Taylor, donated 50, while Jaden Ladega, best known for his role as Denzel Danes, gave 5.

To date, 23,003 of a 26,000 target has been raised.

According to the description on Connor's GoFundMe page, the family does not know if he will receive an insurance payout or how long that process will take.

Outlining her reason for setting up the page, organiser Victoria Dean confirmed Connor had undergone 'multiple life-saving operations' since the fall.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Wood asked social media followers to pledge anything they could to a GoFundme page set up to help pay for his spiralling medical bills

Wood contributed 200 to the cause (pictured), while many EastEnders co-stars also donated money

Connor's family shared their reason for setting up the GoFundMe page, confirming the electrician has undergone 'multiple life-saving operations' while hospitalised in Colombia

Wood is best known for his long-running role as Max Branning in EastEnders (pictured, left)

She wrote: 'Connors mum Denise has managed to travel to Colombia to be with him, but the hospital need 15,000 to continue with his medical treatment. It is not clear whether the insurance will pay out, or how long this will take to process, so we need to raise the funds to cover this and his ongoing medical expenses.

'We are asking those who know Con, if they can help in any way, no matter how small, to cover medical bills to ensure he gets the vital treatment that he needs and for specialist transport back to the UK once he is medically fit enough to travel.

'Con is a loving son, brother, uncle and friend and is clearly meant to be here as it is a miracle that he survived the fall.

'If you know anyone who knows Connor, please share with them directly. We are not posting anything on social media at this time.'

Victoria Dean gave an additional update in January 2, sharing that Denise is by his side.

It read: 'After 9 days in a coma, he is now off of mechanical ventilation and breathing with minimal support.

'He remains in ICU and is still under light sedation, but is aware that Denise is there and is responding to her. He was due to have another surgery today, but this has been delayed, and we are hoping to get a date for next week.

'Thank you so much for all of your support, it really means the world to all of us. Love from Denise and family.'
Mel B's daughter Phoenix Brown has revealed her plans to collaborate with fellow Spice Baby Cruz Beckham as she opened up on their sweet friendship in a new interview.

The 26-year-old nepo baby - whose father is Dutch dancer Jimmy Gulzar - is now an aspiring artist and DJ who performed at Glastonbury last year.

Her mother Mel B formed The Spice Girls with Victoria, Geri Halliwell, Mel C and Emma Bunton.

Meanwhile David and Victoria Beckham's son Cruz, 20, is making his moves in the music world and has been playing gigs and making tunes in recent times.

And now speaking to Heat Magazine, Phoenix touched on the topic of fellow nepo baby Cruz saying of his tunes: 'I can't wait to hear it. I'd love to play for him some day, that would be lit.'

She also spoke about her relationship with Victoria, saying: 'I love her and everything she does. She's like family to me.'

Mel B's daughter Phoenix Brown has revealed her plans to collaborate with fellow Spice Baby Cruz Beckham as she opened up on their sweet friendship in a new interview

David and Victoria Beckham's son Cruz, 20, is making his moves in the music world and has been playing gigs and making tunes in recent times

On if she spends time with the Beckham kids which also includes Brooklyn, Romeo and Harper, she said: 'Every now and then, they're busy so whenever we get a chance we'll see each other. I see Cruz and Romeo sometimes but everyone's doing their own thing.'

Rumours of a Spice Girls reunion have swirled in recent years and Mel B and Victoria remain close, however she did not attend her wedding to Rory Mcphee last year.

It comes after Phoenix revealed that her mum once told her: 'I'm the famous one and you're not' as she insisted she won't be a 'shadow' of her success.

Speaking to The Daily Mail the daughter of Scary spice said she quickly realised she had to find her own path in life as she addressed nepo baby claims.

She had never shied away from the viral term, even releasing Channel 4 documentary, Born in the Limelight  Nepo Babies: Untold, last year - which saw her explore the advantages and challenges that come from being the child of a celebrity.

The star now does DJ work and exhibits her art in London as she makes a career for herself.

She said in a candid interview last September: 'I'm discovering who I am, what I like, who I like, where I want to be. It's a lot of questions, and I just got to figure out the answers, but I'm here for the journey.'

Her mother Mel B formed The Spice Girls with Victoria, Geri Halliwell, Mel Cand Emma Bunton (Mel B and Victoria seen together)

The 26-year-old nepo baby- whose father is Dutch dancer Jimmy Gulzar - is now an aspiring artist and DJ who performed at Glastonbury last year

She credits her mother for teaching her to step out of the shadow of fame.

Phoenix revealed: 'My mum kind of let me know that 'I'm the famous one and you're not.'

'That quickly made me realise that I got to find who I am and not be a shadow. So I've just had a journey with that.'

Indeed, Phoenix is well aware that the Spice Girls is the cornerstone of her mother's fame and is the reason why she is often labelled a 'nepo baby'.

It's a subject she tackled head-on in her Channel 4 documentary, Born in the Limelight  Nepo Babies: Untold.

She said of the show: 'I was so nervous to do it just because it was such a taboo subject.

'I was like, well, it can go in one or two ways, people can absolutely hate it, mug me off, or they can actually listen and question themselves on it not just being about celebrities, it's everywhere and it's all-around life.'

And as for the 'nepo baby' tag?

Phoenix says: 'It is what it is. I'm not going to shy away from the fact, I am a nepo baby, so go ahead, call me that. But my name is Phoenix.'
Minnie Driver has opened up about finding love in her 50s with her fiance Addison O'Dea.

The actress, 55, has dated the likes of Matt Damon, John Cusack, Josh Brolin and shares son, Henry, 17, with Timothy J Lea.

Now Minnie is engaged to the American filmmaker, 46, and the pair have been linked since early 2019, but the couple keep their relationship fairly private.

In a new interview, Minnie gave a rare insight into her relationship and said women should try to free themselves of the pressures of finding a man.

She told the Grazia: 1,000% embrace the notion that youre never going to meet anyone ever again. Sit with it. Become celebratorily OK with it.

'Then if a guy walks into your life - great. And if a guy doesnt walk into your life - also great. I wouldve been fine if Addison had never shown up, though Im so glad he did.

Minnie Driver has opened up about finding love in her 50s with her fiance Addison O'Dea but has encouraged women to embrace being single

The actress, 55, is engaged to the American filmmaker, 46, (left) and the pair have been linked since early 2019, but the couple keep their relationship fairly private

'But weve got to get over the idea that we are incomplete if we dont have a man. Its not true.'

Minnie recently starred in Netflix's Run Away, an eight-episode series, based on the bestselling crime thriller book, which follows Simon Greene (played by James Nesbitt) as he searches for his daughter Paige (Ellie de Lange).

The Good Will Hunting actress plays James's character's wife Ingrid.

The show's creator and novel's author Harlan Coben said: 'Run Away is about family - about what we will do to keep our family intact, what secrets we keep within our family, and what secrets we keep as a family.'

He added: 'Every time you walk past the house, there's a whole universe that goes on behind that door and none of us have a clue what it is.'

Minnie has been very busy as she also joined the Emily In Paris cast for series five, playing Princess Jane, who married into a royal family.

The star was supported by Addison at the world premiere in France last month and they sweetly held hands on the red carpet.

Join the debate What's YOUR take on finding love later in life?

Minnie looked effortlessly glamorous as she hit the red carpet with Addison for the Emily In Paris series five world premiere last month

The actress recently starred in Netflix's Run Away, an eight-episode series, based on the bestselling crime thriller book (pictured with co-star James Nesbitt)

Minnie went Instagram official with Addison in 2019, sharing a photograph of them sat together at a lavishly-adorned table at a glamorous event (pictured)

Minnie wowed in a black square neckline glittering gown and elevated her frame in a pair of black heels.

The screen star wore her hair in an elegant updo and sported a bronzed tan.

While Addison looked ever so dapper in a black velvet tuxedo and a white shirt.

Minnie went Instagram official with Addison in 2019, sharing a photograph of them sat together at a lavishly-adorned table at a glamorous event.
Jennifer Garner sweetly treated her 86-year-old mother to an epic trip to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World days after the state of her relationship with Jennifer Lopez was revealed.

The 53-year-old actress - who recently shared a relatable video - told her 17.2 million followers all about their visit to Canada to see the Northern Lights AKA Aurora Borealis.

'My mom, Pat, she's an adventurer. This year she told me that she needed to see the Northern Lights. Needed to see them,' she emphasized at the start of a video montage.

'So, off we went in search of the Northern Lights to Yellowknife in the northern territories of Canada. As soon as we landed on New Year's Day the sun set at 3:45pm,' Garner recalled while posting various photos from the excursion.

In multiple snapshots, the mother-daughter duo were bundled up in heavy winter coats with fur-trimmed hoods.

The Alias alum wrote in the caption, 'If experiencing awe is good for you, 2026 started off with [heart emoji]. Thank you, Mom.'

Jennifer Garner sweetly treated her 86-year-old mother to an epic trip to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World which she documented on Instagram

She described in the brief clip, 'The moon was full and it was so bright. You could see a moon shadow like the sun was out.'

The mom-of-three  who shares her brood with ex-husband Ben Affleck  noted that guides warned her the Aurora, the solar-powered display of rich lights in the sky, might not be visible.

However, luck was in their favor, as the adventurous travelers discovered exactly what they came for.

Garner said, in awe, 'But guess what... just like mom ordered, right overhead, bright in the sky, bright to the naked eye, [there were] greens and yellows and purples from one side of the sky to the other, dancing overhead. It was so beautiful.'

Wrapping up the inspiring snippet, she said, 'Mom, you had a really good idea. What a great way to bring in the New Year. I'm so glad you love adventures.'

The emotional video ended with Garner gasping in amazement as she repeatedly said, 'Wow.'

The silver screen siren's caption ended in gratitude, as she wrote: 'Thank you Yellowknife NWT, Canada.

'@lovingsonm and @aurora_hunter  you were wonderful guides. Thank you for caring for my mom like she was your own.'

'My mom, Pat, she's an adventurer. This year she told me that she needed to see the Northern Lights. Needed to see them,' she emphasized at the start of a video montage

Garner gushed over the beauty of the breathtaking sight

'So, off we went in search of the Northern Lights to Yellowknife in the northern territories of Canada. As soon as we landed on New Year's Day the sun set,' Garner recalled while posting various photos from the excursion

'Just like mom ordered, right overhead, bright in the sky, bright to the naked eye, [there were] greens and yellows and purples from one side of the sky to the other, dancing overhead,' Garner described

Jennifer and Pat are seen in New York back in June

In June 2024 she and her mother made an appearance on the Today and discussed the death of her dad, William Garner.

During the morning chat with Hoda Kotb, the subject of Pat's husband William came up, as the host noted, 'Another thing we admire about you is your husband passed a little bit ago  and I can only imagine how hard it was to get out of bed, to just start another day  but one day you just decided, "Today's the day."'

Pat replied: 'Well I pretty much decided anyway, before, that I would be all right. I was so worried about being a widow and then one day I had an epiphany, "You will be alright."

Turning to her mom, Garner effused: 'He loved how much people love you, so he would be right there smiling,' as co-host Savannah Guthrie confirmed the couple were married for 59 years.

She later added, 'I mean, I have a pretty special mom. My mom is not judgmental of people or of things or if things are happening to you. She is just kind of gifted at giving to people and seeing what people need and just quietly taking care of them.'
Cardi B showcased her famous curves during an outing in Los Angeles on Monday evening.

The 33-year-old rapper, who previously revealed she got major butt reduction surgery and removed 95 percent of the injections, flaunted her extremely pert derriere as she stepped out in a body-hugging dress.

Her slim waist and curvaceous hips were on full display in the mustard yellow dress featuring a fishnet-style overlay with a scale-inspired design.

She paired the skintight dress with metallic gold sandal heels paired with a sleek blowout hairstyle and glamorous makeup.

She was spotted carrying a notebook and her phone as she exited a building and walked to her car in the parking lot.

Her outing was the first public appearance since she defended her boyfriend and baby daddy Stefon Diggs in a since-deleted post after the New England Patriots star was charged with strangling a woman.

Cardi B showcased her famous curves during an outing in Los Angeles on Monday evening

Earlier that same day, she took to social media to share never-before-seen photos of herself 'in labor' with her baby girl Blossom, whom she welcomed with her estranged husband Offset in September 2024.

She and the Migos rapper were previously together for nearly seven years before she filed for divorce in July 2024.

She and Offset and share three children  daughter Kulture, seven, and daughter Wave, four, in addition to 16-month-old Blossom.

Cardi B welcomed her fourth, a baby boy and her first with Diggs in November 2025.

While she was unknowingly expecting her third child, her baby girl Blossom in early 2024, the WAP hitmaker underwent removal procedures for her butt injections and fibrosis.

Back in April 2018, she also opened up about trying to reverse the illegal $800 butt injections she previously got from a basement in Queens four years earlier.

'In January, right after I shot [the music video for] Like What, I went and got surgery,' she also told her fans on an Instagram Live stream in October 2024.

She explained that she had taken multiple pregnancy tests and blood tests prior to the procedures, which came back negative, but after suspecting she was with child, her OBGYN confirmed she was actually 17 weeks along.

The 33-year-old rapper flaunted her extremely pert derriere as she stepped out in a body-hugging dress. Her slim waist and curvaceous hips were on full display in the mustard yellow dress featuring a fishnet-style overlay with a scale-inspired design

She previously revealed she got major butt reduction surgery and removed 95 percent of the injections; pictured in June 2019

Back in April 2018, she also opened up about trying to reverse the illegal $800 butt injections she previously got from a basement in Queens four years earlier; pictured in April 2025

'I got some more butt injections removed. Because, you know, it takes rounds to get your butt injections removed. And I also went to fix, like, you know, certain things [with] my fibrosis...'

Back in September last year, Cardi B shared her regrets over getting the illegal butt injections and revealed that she had gotten 95 percent of her silicone injections removed at that point.

She previously told GQ she got the filler injections in a Queens apartment basement in 2014, calling it 'the craziest pain ever.'

During a podcast episode of Call Her Daddy, she claimed she 'already' got the procedure done while also addressing unsolicited comments about her body from people telling her to reduce her Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).

She also advised her young fans against BBL surgery.

She also said she still wishes her backside was even smaller sometimes but confessed she would not go through the reduction procedure again.

'I look at myself in the mirror, and it's like, I really wouldn't change a thing,' Cardi told podcast host Alex Cooper.

'Maybe I would like my butt to be smaller, but it's, like I said, it's really hard for my butt to be smaller [and] I already did,' she continued.

Back in September last year, Cardi B shared her regrets over getting the illegal butt injections and revealed that she had gotten 95 percent of her silicone injections removed at that point. She previously told GQshe got the filler injections in a Queens apartment basement in 2014, calling it 'the craziest pain ever'; pictured in July 2023

She also advised her young fans against BBL surgery. She also said she still wishes her backside was even smaller sometimes but confessed she would not go through the reduction procedure again; pictured in June 2025

She said she was on 'bed rest for three months' after getting the butt reduction surgery

'I already did a reduction already and people will be like, "Well, you need to reduce your butt more."'

She then pointed out how some people overestimate the ease of the surgical procedure and underestimate the discomfort of the recovery process.

'And it's like, I think you guys think that people just plug something inside my a**hole and just suck it out,' she said jokingly and earnestly at the same time.

She also shed insight on the lengthy recovery process and admitted she does not want to go through weeks of being bedbound again.

'For me to reduce my butt, I have to literally sit on the table, get cut from the bottom, get cut from the top, and be on bed rest for three months,' she explained.

'So it's like, I'm not gonna put myself in that position again because you don't like my body.'

The Up hitmaker added: 'I'm comfortable. I learn to live with it. I don't get no complaints from nobody and it is what it is.'
Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night on Monday after a holiday break and didnt waste a second taking aim at Donald Trump.

The host opened 2026s first Jimmy Kimmel Live! monologue by ribbing the President over the historically low ratings for his Kennedy Center Honors broadcast.

'You know he hosted an awards show over the break,' Kimmel said. 'After boasting about what a great host he is and how much better he is than I am and how huge his ratings would be, Trump hosted the lowest rated Kennedy Center Honors telecast of all time.'

According to Nielsen Live, the December 7 event averaged just 3.01 million viewers - a 25% drop from 2024s already record-low 4.1 million.

'Boy, Id hate to be the White House intern who had to tear that headline out of all the papers and eat 'em,' Kimmel joked.

'You know, as I recall, he said hed step down if this happened. He said, "If I cant beat out Jimmy Kimmel, then I dont think I should be president." Hey, a deal is a deal. Back to Mar-a-Lago you go.'

Jimmy Kimmelreturned to late-night on Monday after a break and didnt waste a second taking aim at Donald Trump; (pictured December)

The host opened 2026s first Jimmy Kimmel Live! monologue by ribbing the former president over the historically low ratings for his Kennedy Center Honors broadcast

Last month, Trump had confidently brushed off concerns about the broadcast.

He told reporters: We have never had a president hosting the awards before. This is the first. Im sure theyll give me great reviews, right? You know, theyll say he was horrible. He was terrible. It was a horrible situation. No, well do fine.'

He went on to add: Ive watched some of the people that host. Jimmy Kimmel was horrible, and some of these people. If I cant beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I dont think I should be president.'

Trump became the first sitting president to host the Kennedy Center Honors, which celebrate individuals whose unique contributions have shaped our world.

The 2025 honourees included George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, KISS, Michael Crawford and Gloria Gaynor.

During his second term, Trump has developed a fixation with the Kennedy Center, even renaming the venue in December The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

The move sparked backlash and led several scheduled performers to pull out in protest.

Just days earlier, Kimmel had also taken aim at Trump while underscoring the importance of free speech as he accepted the award for Best Talk Show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.

'You know he hosted an awards show over the break,' Kimmel said. 'After boasting about what a great host he is and how much better he is than I am and how huge his ratings would be, Trump hosted the lowest rated Kennedy Center Honors telecast of all time'

'You know, as I recall, he said hed step down if this happened, he said, "If I cant beat out Jimmy Kimmel, then I dont think I should be president." Hey, a deal is a deal. Back to Mar-a-Lago you go' Kimmel stated

The late-night hosts program had been controversially suspended last year following remarks he made during a monologue about the alleged assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk - a brief hiatus that was publicly applauded by Trump, a frequent target of Kimmels jokes.

Although the suspension was lifted less than a week later, it reignited broader concerns over the state of free expression in the US - an issue Kimmel addressed directly while onstage Sunday night.

Thanks to all the writers and actors and producers and union members. Many of you were in this room who supported us, who really stepped forward with us, and reminded us that we do not take free speech for granted in this city or in this country, Kimmel said.

Your actions are important, and we appreciate them.

He then turned his attention squarely back to the Commander-in-Chief.

I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump, without whom wed be going home empty-handed tonight, Kimmel quipped.

So thank you, Mr President, for all the many ridiculous things you do each and every day.

Kimmel has long made Trump and his administration a central focus of his satire - a rivalry that ultimately contributed to his show being temporarily pulled off the air by ABCs parent company.

'Boy, Id hate to be the White Houseintern who had to tear that headline out of all the papers and eat 'em,' Kimmel joked about the low ratings

The suspension followed Kirks assassination in September 2025, after Kimmel delivered a fiery monologue accusing the MAGA gang of desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them while working very hard to capitalize on the murder.

He also compared Trumps response to that of a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.

Kirk, 31, was killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University, with 22-year-old Tyler Robinson later charged in connection with the shooting.

In the fallout, Disney-owned ABC removed Kimmel from the air, while FCC chairman Brendan Carr warned the network its broadcast licence could be at risk - remarks that Trump echoed when he suggested networks offering him negative coverage maybe their licence should be taken away.

The episode sparked widespread backlash and protests, with critics accusing the White House of encroaching on free speech and press freedoms.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have officially finalized their divorce and have entered a settlement agreement, just three months after the actress moved to end the couples 19-year marriage.

Kidman, 58, cited irreconcilable differences in her September 30 divorce petition.

Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, which were filed on Tuesday, reveal the couple have agreed to waive all rights to child support and spousal support, with each parent responsible for their own legal fees and expenses.

A hearing was scheduled for this morning, though Nicole waived her right to appear in court, having been spotted flying back from Australia just yesterday.

The divorce decree - which the actress noted that details were hashed out on September 6, before filing the petition - ensures that all property, from household furniture and appliances to vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and personal items, is divided to the mutual satisfaction of both parties, with each keeping what is already in their possession.

Under the parenting plan, Kidman will spend 306 days a year with the children, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith, 14, while Urban, 58, will have 59 days - 'every other weekend' - giving her the lion's share of custody.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have finalized their divorce and entered a settlement agreement, just three months after the actress moved to end the couples 19-year marriage; (pictured 2023)

Under the parenting plan, Kidman will spend 306 days a year with the children, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith, 14, while Urban, 58, will have 59 days, giving her the lion's share of custody; (pictured October)

Despite both parents having reported monthly incomes 'in excess of $100,000,' the court has ordered zero dollars in child support, as agreed by both parties.

The final decree also confirms that all alimony and spousal support claims are permanently waived, and any remaining court costs will be split equally between the former couple.

The Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from reps for both Kidman and Urban.

Its not confirmed whether the pair had a prenup - though there has been speculation.

Still, the documents suggest that Kidman and Urban hashed out all the details with their attorneys amicably, avoiding any formal discovery or interrogation.

The decree explicitly states: 'Each party indicates that he or she does not want to proceed with formal discovery, including completing interrogatories and requests for production of documents, or discovery depositions, that are designed to discover assets and debts.'

The settlement follows reports that reality had started to sink in for Keith following his divorce from Nicole.

The country star was allegedly 'wondering if he's made a huge mistake' following their split.

Join the debate Do YOU think the stars regret the breakup?

Despite both parents having reported monthly incomes in excess of $100,000, the court has ordered zero dollars in child support, as agreed by both parties; (pictured May)

The final decree also confirms that all alimony and spousal support claims are permanently waived, and any remaining court costs will be split equally between the former couple; Urban (left) - who is also Sunday (second left) and Faith's (third left) father - as well as Nicole's sister Antonia (right) and Nicole's niece Sybella Hawley (third right)

After recently performing private shows for members of Donald Trump's inner circle, the star was reportedly feeling more isolated than ever.

'He's got to pay the bills - and divorce lawyers don't come cheap,' a source told Woman's Day magazine of the couple's settlement.

Keith has forked out for the couple's daughter Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret's private school tuition and, according to the publication, needs to make a living in any way he can.

'It's a lonely existence for Keith right now - he's exhausted, isolated and looking at a future he never imagined,' the source added.

'He's also lost his best friend, Nicole, who was also his greatest supporter in life. He's wondering if he's made a huge mistake.'

The reports come amid speculation linking Urban to his 25-year-old guitarist, Maggie Baugh.

At the time of Kidmans divorce filing, insiders said her camp believed Urban had already moved on with a 'younger woman in the music industry'.

Rumors intensified when an unearthed concert video surfaced showing Urban performing The Fighter at Las Vegass Mandalay Bay on April 1.

The reports come amid speculation linking Urban to his 25-year-old guitarist Maggie Baugh; (Baugh and Urban in 2024)

The guitarist, more than three decades his junior, appeared to share a close rapport with the country star, although neither she nor Urban have publicly commented on the alleged romance

During the performance, he pointed to Baugh while singing the lyrics, 'I was born to love you,' while she played alongside him on stage.

The guitarist, more than three decades his junior, appeared to share a close rapport with the country star, although neither she nor Urban have publicly commented on the alleged romance.

Fans also noted that Urban had reportedly altered the lyrics of the song, which was originally written about Kidman, during live performances.

He seemed to replace references to his ex with nods to Baugh, adding further fuel to speculation about his personal life.

Kidman and Urban's breakup shocked fans earlier this year - and the Oscar-winning actress had reportedly been dreading the public's response for months prior.

The actress and musician's separation was confirmed by the Daily Mail on September 29, and Nicole filed for divorce on September 30, citing irreconcilable differences.

Their marriage began to fall apart at the beginning of summer 2025.

Before her marriage to Urban, Kidman was married to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001; (pictured 1997)

Kidman was linked to a handful of high-profile figures in Hollywood, including musician Lenny Kravitz and actor Billy Crudup; (pictured with Kravitz in 2003)

The split was reportedly a long-term development, stemming from months of quiet separation and diverging paths due to work commitments, according to Daily Mail sources.

Before her marriage to Urban, Kidman was married to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001.

During their decade together, the couple adopted two children: Isabella Jane, born in 1992, and Connor Anthony, born in 1995.

Their marriage ended in divorce after 11 years, with both Kidman and Cruise continuing to co-parent their children.

Kidman was linked to a handful of other high-profile figures in Hollywood as well, including musician Lenny Kravitz and actor Billy Crudup.

She was also rumored to have had brief connections with Michael Hutchence and media heir Lachlan Murdoch, though these were never confirmed.

Despite these early relationships, Kidmans most publicly significant unions remain her marriages to Cruise and Urban.

Before his marriage to Kidman, Urban was linked to a few women publicly, though none were as high-profile as his relationship with Kidman.
Nicola Coughlan has shared a health update with fans, as she revealed she's been battling a bug during the run of her new play, The Playboy Of The Western World.

The Bridgerton star, 38, is currently starring in a revival of the 1907 production at The National Theatre, opposite her former Derry Girls co-star Siobhan McSweeney.

But on Tuesday, Nicola took to her Instagram Stories to reveal she'd recently been struck down with an illness and was still not yet back to full health.

As a result, she explained that on advice from her doctors, she would be be unable to greet fans after the show to give out autographs as usual, because she was prioritising keeping healthy enough to ensure she could keep performing.

Stressing her gratitude for being part of the show, she penned: 'Thank you so much to everyone who's come to see The Playboy of the Western World so far, this show is a joy to be in and I'm loving every moment, I feel so grateful we get to keep doing it until February.'

She went on: 'Unfortunately I caught a bug a few weeks ago and am not yet back to full health so following medical advice I won't be able to sign at Stage Door post-show for the forseeable future.

Nicola Coughlan has shared a health update with fans, as she revealed she's been battling a bug during the run of her new play, The Playboy Of The Western World

The Bridgerton star, 38, is currently starring in a revival of the 1907 production at The National Theatre, opposite her former Derry Girls co-star Siobhan McSweeney

But on Tuesday, Nicola took to her Instagram Stories to reveal she'd recently been struck down with an illness and was still not yet back to full health

'My priority has to be to be well enough to perform for the rest of the run so I thank you in advance for your understanding and hope you continue to enjoy our show as much as we enjoy performing it for you.'

The Playboy Of The Western World debuted at Lyttelton Theatre last month and its run is set to end on February 28.

Nicola stars as Pegeen Mike in the three-act play, which was written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge and has been revived by Caitriona McLaughlin, artistic director of the Abbey Theatre.

The production sees her reunited with Siobhan, 45, who is playing the role of Widow Quin, after the actresses last starred together in the critically acclaimed sitcom Derry Girls, which aired from 2018 to 2022.

The beloved comedy is set in mid-1990s Northern Ireland, during the final years of the Troubles, and saw Nicola star as schoolgirl Clare Devlin and Siobhan as her headmistress, Sister George Michael.

Last year, Nicola voiced her excitement about reuniting with her pal for the new project.

Sharing the news on Instagram in April, she wrote: 'Reuniting with an old friend for a new adventure doing an Irish classic. So excited to be bringing the Wesht of Ireland to the @nationaltheatre.'

The production also stars Eanna Hardwicke as lead character and Nicola's love interest, Christy Mahon.

Nicola stars as Pegeen Mike in the three-act play, which was written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge and has been revived by Caitriona McLaughlin, artistic director of the Abbey Theatre

The production sees her reunited with Siobhan, 45, who is playing the role of Widow Quin (seen) after the actresses last starred together in the critically acclaimed sitcom Derry Girls, which aired from 2018 to 2022

The beloved comedy is set in mid-1990s Northern Ireland, during the final years of the Troubles, and saw Nicola star as schoolgirl Clare Devlin and Siobhan as her headmistress, Sister George Michael (pictured together on show)

Last year, Nicola voiced her excitement about reuniting with her pal for the new project (pictured together in 2019)

While the cast is rounded out by Marty Breen, Declan Conlon, Lorcan Cranitch, Megan Cusack, Naoise Dunbar, Matthew Forest, Sallay Garnett, Fionnuala Gygax, Erin Hennessey, Marty Rea, Susan Akintomide, Peter Mooney and Donncha O'Dea.

A synopsis reads: 'Pegeen Flahertys life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that hes killed his father.

'Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene'

The creative team includes set and costume designer Katie Davenport, lighting designer James Farncomb, sound designer Adrienne Quartly, composer Anna Mullarkey and casting directors Alastair Coomer and Naomi Downham.
Eamonn Holmes was awkwardly asked what his biggest regret was on Tuesday following his marriage breakdown to Ruth Langsford.

They split after 14 years of marriage, which saw the broadcaster, 66, quickly move on with relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, who is 22 years his junior.

Ruth, 65, is believed to be single, however said in a recent interview that she is now ready to find love again and would consider re-marrying.

This week, Eamonn refused to answer when asked what his biggest regret was but did reveal what he would change 'if he could go back.'

Speaking to Mind Jump magazine's January edition, the presenter avoided the publication's question 'What's your biggest regret?' which he 'intentionally left unanswered.'

However when asked about what he would change, he did add: 'I'd try to find a better balance between my career and my personal life.'

Eamonn Holmes was awkwardly asked what his biggest regret was on Tuesday following his marriage breakdown to Ruth Langsford

Ruth, 65, is believed to be single, however said in a recent interview that she is now ready to find love again and would consider re-marrying (pictured together in 2021)

Eamonn also admitted: 'Family comes first. Don't waste time on grudges or negativity, life is too short.'

His lastest interview comes after Ruth candidly explained how she has been coping since her acrimonious split from husband Eamonn.

Speaking about moving on to Woman and Home, she said: 'I haven't been put off having a relationship. I haven't even been put off marriage, but I'm definitely not actively looking, and part of that is because I've realised I'm actually quite good on my own. I am independent and quite strong.

'It has taken me a bit of time [to realise that] and I don't know what lies ahead, but that chapter now feels quite exciting. It's not as scary as I thought.'

A source also previously said Ruth is not considering a new relationship until her divorce is finalised.

The former couple announced their split 18 months ago after several months of arguing. He left the 2.5million family home in Weybridge

Some close to Ruth say that she was fed up with caring for him following his hip operation but it later emerged that he was in a relationship with Katie  who he had met several years before.

There is no suggestion that Eamonn cheated on Ruth, who appeared as anchors on ITV's This Morning for a decade before they were axed in 2021.

Speaking to Mind Jump magazine's January edition, Eamonn avoided the publication's question 'What's your biggest regret?' which he 'intentionally left unanswered'

It comes after Ruth said: ' I haven't been put off having a relationship. I haven't even been put off marriage'

They are yet to officially divorce and are currently at war over their money, with Ruth apparently upset that they will have to sell the marital home.

Meanwhile Eamonn says he has been 'ruined' by HMRC after he became embroiled in a row with them over whether he was self-employed freelancer or a 'disguised employee' of ITV when presenting This Morning between 2011 and 2015.

The couple have a son, 23-year-old Jack, together and previously hosted ITV's Friday episode of This Morning as a married couple until they were axed in 2021 to be replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary.

Ruth has been focusing on herself in recent months. She marked her 65th birthday in March with two close friends at an all-inclusive resort on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Nina Wadia showed off her incredible glow up and weight loss as she laid into fat jabs in a new interview and insisted they 'don't work'.

The EastEnders star, 57, who played Zainab Masood in the BBC soap, detailed how she had achieved her transformation without the use of weight loss injections.

Nina said she had become 'passionate' about being as active as she could while on her weight loss journey.

'For me I have done it very very slowly. I exercise. I walk. I eat healthier. i think its better to do it that way,' the actress explained.

Giving her opinion on jabs, she said: 'Quick fixes never work. its a change in lifestyle. Ive just done work with the NHS on this.'

Nina is working with National Lottery funded campaign,This Girl Can, as she urges women to get moving.

Nina Wadiashowed off her incredible glow up and weight lossas she laid into fat jabs in a new interview and insisted they 'don't work'

The EastEndersstar, 57, who played Zainab Masood in the BBCsoap, detailed how she had achieved her transformation without the use of weight loss injections (pictured before)

She added to The Sun: 'It's very important about being active as you get older. Im very passionate about it. And to do it naturally.'

The jabs, which were originally developed as diabetes medication before being prescribed off-label as a weight loss drug, work by mimicking a natural gut hormone that increases feelings of fullness. This in turn lessens appetite.

Around 2.5million Britons are now thought to be having weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro and Ozempic.

Now, a trial giving thousands of overweight Britons fat-busting jabs in a bid to get them back to work is now underway, officials have confirmed.

In a first-of-its-kind 'real world' trial, up to 3,000 people in Greater Manchester will be prescribed Mounjaro by their GP to assess how effective the drug is on long-term health related issues like unemployment and how many sick days people take.

Previous studies have shown that the drug, dubbed the 'King Kong' of fat-busting jabs, can help people lose up to a quarter of their body weight over a year and a half.

Eli Lilly, which makes the drug, is supporting the five year trial as part of a 279million investment in collaboration with the Government.

When the study was announced last year, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said it was 'key to building a healthier society, healthier economy and making the NHS fit for the future'.

Nina said she had become 'passionate' about being as active as she could while on her weight loss journey. 'For me I have done it very very slowly,' the actress explained

Giving her opinion on jabs, she said: 'Quick fixes never work. its a change in lifestyle. Ive just done work with the NHS on this'

The Prime Minister also said at the time that weight-loss drugs could kickstart a major back-to-work drive and boost productivity, describing them as 'very important for the economy'.

Two in three Britons are classed as overweight or obese and NHS figures show people now weigh about a stone more than 30 years ago, costing the economy an estimated 100billion per year.

Of these, around 600,000 adults live with obesity in Greater Manchester, according to Mark Fisher, chief executive officer of the NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board.

The estimated cost of obesity in the region was more than 3bn in the cost of NHS treatment, social care and quality of life, a 2023 report by consultants Health Innovation Manchester, said.

Dr Imran Ghafoor is a GP Partner at Peterloo Medical Centre in Middleton which is involved in the trial, told the BBC that patients trust his practice as a 'familiar and accessible space'.

Research from the trial would help 'test solutions tailored to real lives', he added.

Currently, the powerful injections are only available on the health service for the very fattest patients and those with several linked diseases.

It means most users are forced to buy the drugs privately, at a cost of roughly 200 a month.

Under the NHS 10-year plan, published earlier this year in July, ministers will work with industry 'to test innovative models of delivering weight loss services and treatments to patients effectively and safely' in convenient locations.

This could include 'on the high street, or at any out-of-town shopping centre'.
Amy Schumer has officially filed for divorce from husband Chris Fischer, bringing an end to their seven-year marriage.

The Kinda Pregnant actress, 44, first stunned fans back in December when she revealed the couple had decided to split, amid growing reports of strain behind the scenes.

Schumer announced the breakup in a typo-filled Instagram post, writing that she and her chef husband, 45, had made the difficult decision to go their separate ways.

We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son, Schumer wrote. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2018, share one child together - son Gene, six.

Court documents filed on Tuesday and reviewed by Daily Mail confirm the divorce petition has now been formally submitted, marking the latest step in the couples separation.

Amy Schumer has officially filed for divorce from husband Chris Fischer, bringing an end to their seven-year marriage; (pictured June)

The legal move came just hours after Schumer raised eyebrows by posting a series of striking new bikini snaps, signalling she is moving forward and embracing life post-split

The legal move came just hours after Schumer raised eyebrows by posting a series of striking new bikini snaps, signaling she is moving forward and embracing life post-split.

In her December split announcement, Schumer shut down rumors about her recent weight loss, writing: Blah blah blah not [because] I dropped some lbs.

The comedian also insisted that the separation was not because Fischer is a 'hot [James] Beard award-winning chef who can still pull some hot tail.'

Her announcement comes after the Daily Mail exclusively revealed in November that Schumer's marriage was in turmoil, as a close friend said the comedian was 'over it.'

Schumer raised eyebrows at the time by deleting all pictures from her Instagram and replacing them with a single image of herself, flaunting her weight loss and showing that she was not wearing a wedding ring.

Her close friend told the Mail that her marriage fell apart at the same time 'she got skinny', and they confided that Chris was 'mostly out of the house at this point.'

Another source noted the couple had been known among their friends to be distant in recent times, and had listed two homes in Brooklyn and New Orleans.

'Amy doesn't talk about Chris that much anymore, it's like they are no longer close,' the source said at the time. 'He is never around, and she has not taken him on a red carpet for months.'

On Tuesday, court documents reviewed by Daily Mail confirmed the divorce petition has now been formally filed, marking the latest step in the pairs separation

The insider said it was not easy on Fischer 'because of his autism', with Schumer's comedy driving a wedge between the pair.

'He doesn't even get her jokes, and being funny and making people laugh is important to her,' the friend said.

'Also, there is that classic cliche: when a woman loses weight, her personality changes.

'Amy has changed since losing weight, she is much lighter in her spirit, more easy going. I think she wants more out of life.'

A third insider claimed: 'Amy and Chris have been on a routine the last couple years, they have focused more on their child then their relationship and his brutal honesty being autistic is a blessing and a curse for Amy to where she has joked about it on some of her specials but it has also become a minor issue for their relationship.'

The divorce announcement comes after Schumer tellingly wiped her Instagram account clean in November, save for a new glam post showcasing her weight loss

Schumer and Fischer tied the knot in Malibu in front of 80 friends and family, including close pal Jennifer Lawrence, in 2018.

The couple signed a prenuptial agreement before they wed, which Schumer even joked about when she marked their seventh wedding anniversary back in February.

'7 years ago we signed a prenup and haven't had to utilize it! Love you babe,' Schumer - who has a reported net worth of $45 million - wrote on Instagram, along with a photo from their wedding day.

Fischer has been by Schumer's side at various events this past year but the last time they were photographed on the red carpet together appears to be in June 2025, at the premiere of Room To Move.

Rumors over their impending split were ignited earlier this year when Schumer put two properties on the market.

Schumer listed her Brooklyn home for $14 million before cutting the price to $12.75 million. She purchased the home - made famous for it's appearance in the Cher film Moonstruck - in 2022.

The comedienne has also put the New Orleans residence she purchased with Fischer in 2021 on the market.

A close friend of the comedian told the Daily Mail in November: 'Amy has changed since losing weight, she is much lighter in her spirit, more easy going. I think she wants more out of life'

Fischer has accompanied Schumer to events this past year, including to Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary special (pictured) in February

In a string of recent Instagram posts, the comedienne has flaunted her impressive weight loss

Rumors over their impending split were ignited earlier this year when Schumer put two properties on the market, including her Brooklyn townhouse for $14 million

She also listed the New Orleans home she bought with her spouse in 2021

Schumer has also undergone a dramatic transformation since beginning a weight loss journey these past few years.

She's been open about undergoing liposuction and even trying the various trendy medications used for weight loss, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

While neither Ozempic and Wegovy sat well with her, Mounjaro stuck.

'My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy. I want to "get down" more, if you know what I mean,' she told Instagram followers. 'I'm talking about sex.'

The transformation has not gone unnoticed either - a recent photo displaying her trim pins during a trip to Vegas earned rave reviews.

'Loving the love. My legs thank you!' she told followers.

The couple tied the knot in 2018 and share son Gene, six

Schumer and Fischer seen celebrating the birth of their son Gene six years ago

Fischer, a chef and farmer, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder not long after marrying the star.

Fischer received an official diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder not long after they wed, and the actress has been candid with fans about how the condition has played a role in their relationship - and even credited it for helping her fall in love with him.

The disorder is a lifelong developmental disorder that makes it difficult for people to understand social cues or express themselves.

'I knew from the beginning that my husbands brain was a little different than mine,' she said during her 2019 Netflix special Growing. 'My husband was diagnosed with what used to be called Aspergers. He has autism spectrum disorder. Hes on the spectrum.

'And once he was diagnosed, it dawned on me how funny it was, because all of the characteristics that make it clear that hes on the spectrum are all of the reasons that I fell madly in love with him.'
More Americans support President Donald Trump's decision to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro than don't, new polling from the Daily Mail has found.

The poll, conducted by J.L. Partners, found that 43 percent of registered voters were supportive of Trump's military action that took place on January 3, while 36 percent were opposed to it.

Not surprisingly, Republicans were far more supportive of Trump's gamble than their Democratic counterparts.

Seventy-eight percent of GOP voters supported Trump's actions, versus 8 percent of Republicans who were opposed.

On the Democratic side, just 17 percent of Democrats supported the military intervention, while 57 percent were opposed.

Independents Split on Maduro Capture

Independents, a key constituency in this year's midterm elections, were split evenly between the camps.

Thirty-nine percent of independents supported Trump's decision to capture Maduro and bring him to the United States to stand trial, while 38 percent of independents opposed the move.

A majority of American voters viewed the operation as a success.

Fifty-four percent of voters thought it went well, with only 15 percent rating the mission as a failure.

Another 31 percent of voters were unsure.

Republicans were overwhelmingly positive about the mission, with 83 percent rating it as a success.

Only a third of Democrats, 33 percent, felt the same way.

GOP Nearly Unanimous in Backing Operation

Just 4 percent of GOP voters viewed the operation, which took place overnight Saturday while Trump was still at his Mar-a-Lago resort, as a failure.

Democrats were more willing to say that they were unsure about the outcome of the mission than to say it failed.

On the Democratic side, 43 percent said they were unsure about the success of the military operation, while 25 percent said it was an outright failure.

During his Mar-a-Lago press conference on Saturday, Trump said that no American military members were killed during 'Operation Absolute Resolve.'

Still, Democrats in Congress want Trump to ask for permission to get the U.S. military more involved - with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine planning to bring a war powers resolution to the Senate floor Thursday, which would bar further intervention without congressional authorization.

Trump's 'Running Venezuela' Remark Raises Alarm

Trump said that the U.S. would be 'running' Venezuela for the immediate future, signaling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would take charge.

That statement received raised eyebrows from Democratic voters, with 85 percent expressing concern and just 7 percent expressing little to no concern.

A majority of Republicans, on the other hand, shrugged off Trump's statement.

Overall, 52 percent expressed little to no concern.

At the same time, part of MAGA ideology has been to be against 'forever wars,' with 40 percent of Republican voters expressing some concern over Trump's decision to get involved in 'running' Venezuela.

The poll was conducted on January 5 and 6 among 999 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

Bondi forced to admit Trump's Maduro claim is fiction

Justice Department prosecutors under Pam Bondi were forced to admit that the central claim Trump used to lay the groundwork for ousting Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro was a fiction.

The president for months has promoted the claim that Maduro was the leader of a drug cartel called Cartel de los Soles.

Now DOJ prosecutors say the organization doesn't exist.

Prosecutors still accused Maduro in a New York courtroom on Monday of participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy but they distanced themselves from the claim that Cartel de los Soles was an actual cartel.

According to the New York Times, the revised indictment claims Maduro ran a 'patronage system' and a 'culture of corruption' fueled by profits from narcotics.

The claim originates from a 2020 grand jury indictment against Maduro written by the DOJ.

Trump's State Department and Treasury Department designated Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization last year as the administration sought to pressure the ouster of Maduro's regime.

Experts in Latin America, however, have pointed out that Cartel de los Soles is actually a slang term invented by Venezuelan media in the 1990s to describe officials who take drug money as bribes.

The revised indictment against Maduro now concedes that point against the now deposed dictator.

The old indictment refers to the Cartel de los Soles 32 times and claims Maduro is the leader of the organization.

The revised document now only claims Maduro upheld the patronage system along with his predecessor and mentor, President Hugo Chavez. Over the last several months, Trump has referred to Maduro as a drug cartel leader and accused his regime of trafficking deadly fentanyl into the United States.

The Pentagon has also gone on a lethal campaign of targeting alleged drug boats coming from Venezuela, leading to over 80 deaths.

Read the full story here:

Trader makes fortune after betting Maduro was about to be ousted

A mysterious trader has made a fortune after betting on the removal of the Venezuelan president hours before he was captured.

The wagers took place on Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based predictions market that allows users to bet on the outcome of events.

The unnamed user, whose default screen name was a blockchain address made up of a string of numbers and letters, created their account just last month.

On December 27, they bought $96 worth of contracts that would pay off if the US invaded Venezuela by January 31, according to Polymarket data.

Over the next week, they continued buying thousands of dollars worth of similar contracts that would yield large payouts.

On January 2, between 8.38pm and 9.58pm, the user more than doubled their overall wager, betting more than $20,000 on the same kinds of contracts they had been purchasing since the end of December.

At 10.46pm, less than an hour after the final bets were placed, President Trump ordered the military operation.

Around 1am, the first reports of explosions rocking Caracas began to spill in. Observers have speculated that the well-timed wager was a result of insider trading.

The contracts the user had purchased were priced at a measly eight cents apiece, which meant the general consensus among Polymarket betters was that there was just an eight percent chance of the US invading Venezuela and capturing Maduro.

Prediction market platforms, such as Polymarket, are meant to offer information aggregation and crowdsourced forecasting that leverage the power of the 'wisdom of the crowd' to offer more accurate predictions than traditional polling.

Prediction markets famously forecasted the result of the 2024 presidential election more accurately than polls. On Polymarket, Trump was slated as having a 60 percent chance to win the election, while polls had the race closer to 50-50 odds.

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JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon raked in a staggering $770 million last year, according to jaw-dropping disclosure documents.

The 69-year-old billionaire's salary, bonuses, stock grants and appreciation equated to the astronomical sum, according to The New York Times.

His fruitful year came as the Trump administration created an increasingly bank-friendly environment, with the president loosening the reins on many of the industry's regulations.

These new guidelines have given banks the wiggle room to work with riskier assets, such as cryptocurrency.

In another sector-shocking change, Trump signed an executive order that temporarily paused all new investigations and enforcements under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

The FCPA was primarily focused on preventing US businesses from bribing foreign officials in international affairs.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), this February 2025 order was intended to ensure that the FCPA is not 'stretched beyond proper bounds and abused in a manner that harms the interests of the United States.'

The White House essentially argued that the act put Americans at a disadvantage compared to their global competitors.

JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon raked in a staggering $770 million last year, according to jaw-dropping disclosure documents

The JPMorgan logo is seen on its headquarter building. Its CEO earned nearly $1 billion last year

The 180-day pause allowed the Attorney General to review the law's guidelines, shifting them to prioritize America's economic and national security interests.

Amid the flourishing era of US banking, the 'big bank' stocks rose by 29 points in 2025, per the NY Times.

JP Morgan's stock rose by a whopping 34 points in the same period.

But Dimon isn't the only banking executive who brought home multi-millions last year.

The chief executives of Citi, whose shares jumped by 65 percent after tens of thousands of job cuts, earned about $100 million each.

Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank reportedly earned $300 million - including stock proceeds and a $30 million bonus - after the administration allowed for the company's acquisition of Discover Financial.

For all the higher-ups, their earnings include gains from stocks they have not yet sold.

Representatives for JPMorgan told the NY Times that a chunk of Dimon's gains were linked to shares he purchased nearly two decades ago.

Join the debate How do you feel about bankers earning hundreds of millions while regulations are eased for big banks?

Donald Trump's policies have loosened the reins on the banking industry

Citi, Goldman and Capital One declined the outlet's request for comment.

It is unclear what lower-level employees at these financial institutions earned. Still, Johnson Associates, a pay consultancy, expects their 2025 pay bumps to range from 5 percent to 25 percent higher than in 2024.

'This has been brewing for a long time,' Glenn Schorr, a longtime bank analyst at Evercore, told the NY Times.

While Dimon appears to be enjoying the benefits of Trump's banking policies, he has had a rocky relationship with Trump.

They appeared to put their differences aside for the first time in years when Dimon joined him at the White House over the summer.

Dimon is said to have visited the White House last week where he discussed the economy, trade and financial regulations with the President, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
McDonalds workers are teasing the arrival in the US of the chains biggest burger ever  more than two years after it was first announced.

The Big Arch is a new, supersized burger featuring two beef patties, three slices of white processed cheese, crispy and fresh onions, pickles, lettuce and a brand-new tangy Big Arch sauce.

It is McDonalds first new permanent, worldwide menu item since Chicken McNuggets launched in 1983.

After first being mooted in December 2023, details and a trial in Canada were unveiled in the summer of 2024 before the burger later landed in the UK  but not America.

That now appears set to change. A US McDonalds employee posted a photo on Reddit at the weekend showing a document for managers outlining new menu items coming in January. It listed the Big Arch alongside hot honey sauce and the returning Oreo and Shamrock shakes.

Burger fans who tried the Big Arch abroad described it as massive, with one saying it felt like two Big Macs in one.

Another joked it was too much, underlining just how large the burger is.

Others were less impressed by the new sauce, with some saying they would rather swap it for classic Big Mac sauce.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Its big, but the sauce didnt quite land for me, one reviewer wrote under the post, shared in a McDonalds employees forum.

Price is also a major concern among US fans.

In Canada, a Big Arch meal with fries and a drink was priced at about $12.59  roughly $9 in US dollars  positioning it as a step up from existing burgers but still cheaper than many rivals.

Chief executive Chris Kempczinski previously described it as a quintessential McDonalds burger with a twist.

In Canada, a Big Arch meal with fries and a drink was priced at about $12.59  roughly $9 in US dollars  positioning it as a step up from existing burgers but still cheaper than many rivals.

The plan for the bigger burger came after McDonalds fought to win customers back after 2024 saw the company report its first sales decline since Covd lockdowns shut restaurants.

A slew of offers, including a four-item meal deal for $5, in the second half of 2024 and into 2025 helped boost sales.

Executives have said customers are demanding better value, prompting the chain to focus on larger, more filling items rather than endless variations of existing burgers.

McDonalds has tested bigger options before.

An internal McDonalds document shared on Reddit appears to outline new menu items  including the Big Arch burger  planned for rollout to US stores in January

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski has described the Big Arch as a quintessential McDonalds burger with a twist as the fast-food giant prepares to roll out its biggest burger yet

A customer eats a burger and fries with a soft drink inside a McDonalds restaurant as the fast-food chain prepares to launch its biggest-ever burger, the Big Arch

In January 2023, the Double Big Mac  with four patties instead of two and extra sauce  returned for a limited time for $7, and was a hit while on sale for a month.

The Big Arch push also comes as McDonald's faces fresh scrutiny over other parts of its menu.

The company was recently hit with a proposed class action lawsuit over the McRib, with four plaintiffs accusing the fast-food giant of misleading customers about what the sandwich actually contains.

The lawsuit claims the McRibs name and rib-shaped patty lead reasonable customers to believe it is made from real pork rib meat, when it allegedly contains processed pork made from lower-quality cuts.

McDonald's says the McRib, first introduced in 1982, uses '100 percent' boneless pork.
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) has been given an average rating of Buy by the eight brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, one has issued a buy recommendation and five have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$235.00.

AEM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$195.00 to C$300.00 in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$285.00 to C$300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Up 3.1%

In other Agnico Eagle Mines news, insider Ammar Al-Joundi sold 20,000 shares of Agnico Eagle Mines stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$243.40, for a total value of C$4,868,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 54,917 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$13,366,797.80. The trade was a 26.70% decrease in their position. 0.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

TSE AEM opened at C$241.25 on Friday. Agnico Eagle Mines has a 1-year low of C$113.91 and a 1-year high of C$263.23. The company has a market capitalization of C$121.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.27, a PEG ratio of 22.97 and a beta of 1.42. The stocks 50 day moving average is C$234.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$209.94. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.88.

Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported C$3.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$4.26 billion during the quarter. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 5.05% and a net margin of 12.86%. Equities analysts forecast that Agnico Eagle Mines will post 5.4966052 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio is 23.39%.

About Agnico Eagle Mines

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Agnico Eagle Mines is a gold miner operating mines in Canada, Mexico, and Finland. It also owns 50% of the Canadian Malartic mine. Agnico operated just one mine, LaRonde, as recently as 2008 before bringing its other mines on line in rapid succession in the following years. The company produced more than 1.7 million gold ounces in 2020. Agnico Eagle is focused on increasing gold production in lower-risk jurisdictions.

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Wall Street Zen cut shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Saturday morning.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.50 to $11.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.75 to $11.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.88.

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Price Performance

Shares of ARI stock opened at $9.87 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.08. The company has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a PE ratio of 11.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 1.54. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a twelve month low of $7.70 and a twelve month high of $11.11. The company has a current ratio of 90.32, a quick ratio of 90.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $63.88 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $49.15 million. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance had a net margin of 51.40% and a return on equity of 8.34%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance will post 0.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finances dividend payout ratio is 112.36%.

Insider Activity at Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

In related news, CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 52,072 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.16, for a total transaction of $529,051.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 229,709 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,333,843.44. This represents a 18.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 60.4% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,832 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 111.8% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 689,903 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,989,000 after buying an additional 364,098 shares during the period. Triumph Capital Management lifted its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 8.7% in the third quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 59,535 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $603,000 after buying an additional 4,761 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the third quarter valued at $151,000. Finally, Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the 3rd quarter worth about $50,000. 54.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Company Profile

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc (NYSE: ARI) is a real estate finance company structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT). The company focuses on originating, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate debt and preferred equity investments. As an externally managed vehicle, ARI leverages the expertise and resources of an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, a leading global alternative investment manager.

ARIs investment strategy is centered on providing first mortgage loans, mezzanine debt financing, bridge loans and preferred equity across a broad range of property types, including office, retail, industrial and multifamily assets.

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Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY  Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 5.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $112.07 and last traded at $112.07. Approximately 2,498 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 26% from the average daily volume of 3,377 shares. The stock had previously closed at $119.10.

Bank Hapoalim Trading Down 5.9%

The stock has a market cap of $29.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.33 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $109.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $100.53.

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Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The bank reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank Hapoalim had a return on equity of 14.60% and a net margin of 21.60%.The company had revenue of $1.99 billion during the quarter.

Bank Hapoalim Cuts Dividend

About Bank Hapoalim

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were given a $0.9362 dividend. This represents a yield of 266.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Bank Hapoalims dividend payout ratio is 38.62%.

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Bank Hapoalim B.M. is one of Israels largest banking groups, providing a broad range of financial services to retail, corporate and institutional customers. Founded in 1921 by the Histadrut labor federation, the bank has developed into a full-service financial institution offering deposit accounts, consumer and mortgage lending, credit cards, payment services, and branch-based retail banking. It also serves small and medium-sized enterprises with working capital and trade finance solutions.

In addition to traditional retail banking, Bank Hapoalim operates significant corporate and investment banking divisions.

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CLEAR Secure, Inc. (NYSE:YOU  Get Free Report) Director Adam Wiener sold 14,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.00, for a total value of $490,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 165,634 shares in the company, valued at $5,797,190. This represents a 7.79% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

Adam Wiener also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, December 12th, Adam Wiener sold 8,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $320,000.00.

On Thursday, November 6th, Adam Wiener sold 6,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.04, for a total transaction of $216,240.00.

CLEAR Secure Trading Up 3.2%

YOU stock traded up $1.11 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $35.49. The company had a trading volume of 1,912,079 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,545,150. The company has a 50 day moving average of $35.22 and a two-hundred day moving average of $33.32. The company has a market capitalization of $4.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.64 and a beta of 1.22. CLEAR Secure, Inc. has a 1 year low of $21.67 and a 1 year high of $42.29.

CLEAR Secure Announces Dividend

CLEAR Secure ( NYSE:YOU Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.02. CLEAR Secure had a net margin of 20.97% and a return on equity of 119.82%. The business had revenue of $229.19 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $224.80 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.30 EPS. CLEAR Secures revenue was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that CLEAR Secure, Inc. will post 0.98 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 10th were issued a $0.125 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. CLEAR Secures dividend payout ratio is currently 30.49%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CLEAR Secure

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of YOU. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in CLEAR Secure by 59.7% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 271,498 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,034,000 after purchasing an additional 101,476 shares during the period. Amundi raised its position in shares of CLEAR Secure by 62.5% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 3,743 shares of the companys stock valued at $97,000 after buying an additional 1,440 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of CLEAR Secure in the first quarter valued at about $28,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of CLEAR Secure by 12.6% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 525,819 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,624,000 after buying an additional 58,911 shares during the period. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in CLEAR Secure by 5.6% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 52,755 shares of the companys stock worth $1,367,000 after buying an additional 2,801 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.80% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

YOU has been the topic of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded CLEAR Secure from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the company from $35.00 to $42.00 in a report on Friday, December 12th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $38.00 price objective on CLEAR Secure in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of CLEAR Secure in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on CLEAR Secure from $25.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of CLEAR Secure from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CLEAR Secure presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $40.86.

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CLEAR Secure Company Profile

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CLEAR Secure, Inc operates a biometric identity platform designed to expedite identity verification for air travelers and venue guests. The companys core offering is the CLEAR membership service, which uses fingerprint and iris scans to confirm a members identity and provide access to dedicated security lanes at participating airports. Members link government-issued IDs and personal biometric data via the CLEAR app, enabling faster processing through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and select event entrances.

Founded in 2010 by Caryn SeidmanBecker and Ken Cornick, CLEAR is headquartered in New York City.

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Shares of Dominos Pizza UK (OTCMKTS:DPUKY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 1,543 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 106% from the previous sessions volume of 750 shares.The stock last traded at $4.71 and had previously closed at $4.73.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Peel Hunt upgraded Dominos Pizza UK to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Dominos Pizza UK currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Dominos Pizza UK Stock Down 1.5%

Dominos Pizza UK Company Profile

The companys fifty day moving average is $4.76 and its 200 day moving average is $5.53.

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Dominos Pizza UK (OTCMKTS:DPUKY) is the American depositary receipt (ADR) of Dominos Pizza Group plc, the master franchisee responsible for the development and operation of Dominos branded pizza delivery and carry-out restaurants across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Since opening its first store in Lutterworth, Leicestershire in 1993, the business has grown from a single outlet to one of the largest pizza delivery networks in Europe, leveraging the global Dominos brand under licence from Dominos Pizza, Inc

The companys primary activities encompass the franchising, corporate operation and supply of pizza restaurants, supported by regional supply chain facilities that provide dough, sauces and other ingredients to every store.

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Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica (NYSE:EMBJ  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $68.95 and last traded at $68.32, with a volume of 1591075 shares. The stock had previously closed at $65.43.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on EMBJ shares. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Zacks Research raised Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica from $59.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $63.86.

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Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $12.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.39, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $65.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $59.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica (NYSE:EMBJ  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The aerospace company reported $0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by ($0.37). Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica had a return on equity of 8.24% and a net margin of 4.34%. Research analysts expect that Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica will post 2.04 EPS for the current year.

Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, November 6th that allows the company to buyback 0 shares. This buyback authorization allows the aerospace company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. boosted its stake in shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica by 22.7% during the 2nd quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. now owns 1,172,217 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $66,711,000 after buying an additional 217,015 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica during the second quarter valued at approximately $11,046,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica by 20.7% in the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 970,129 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $58,644,000 after purchasing an additional 166,489 shares in the last quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. increased its position in shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica by 15.4% during the 2nd quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 832,416 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $47,373,000 after purchasing an additional 110,836 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica by 50.6% during the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 254,766 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $15,401,000 after purchasing an additional 85,604 shares in the last quarter. 34.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica Company Profile

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Embraer SA (NYSE:EMBJ), legally known as Embraer  Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA, is a global aerospace company headquartered in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The company designs, develops, manufactures and sells commercial, executive, defence and agricultural aircraft. Embraers product portfolio includes the popular E-Jets family for regional and short-haul carriers, the advanced E2 series, a range of business jets under the Phenom, Legacy and Praetor brands, the A-29 Super Tucano military trainer and light attack aircraft, the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport platform, and the Ipanema agricultural aircraft.

Embraers commercial aviation segment focuses on regional airlines and air taxi operators, offering aircraft that seat between 70 and 150 passengers.

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 4.7% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $54.45 and last traded at $54.38. 26,730,281 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 40% from the average session volume of 19,122,473 shares. The stock had previously closed at $51.93.

Key Freeport-McMoRan News

Here are the key news stories impacting Freeport-McMoRan this week:

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Analyst Ratings Changes

FCX has been the topic of a number of research reports. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $47.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Bank of America upgraded shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $42.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $47.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Dbs Bank dropped their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $51.00 to $48.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $50.49.

Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average is $44.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.48. The firm has a market cap of $78.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 2.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.09. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.97% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.74 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.38 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of $0.075 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 21.13%.

Insider Activity at Freeport-McMoRan

In other news, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 9,572 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.66, for a total transaction of $456,201.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 38,761 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,847,349.26. This trade represents a 19.80% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 28,423 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.99, for a total transaction of $1,364,019.77. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 105,294 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,053,059.06. This represents a 21.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Freeport-McMoRan

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in FCX. Portside Wealth Group LLC grew its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 0.8% during the second quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC now owns 30,333 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $1,315,000 after buying an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management grew its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 45,133 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $1,957,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 0.6% during the third quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 45,095 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $1,769,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 3.9% during the second quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. now owns 6,658 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $289,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mengis Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Mengis Capital Management Inc. now owns 34,404 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $1,349,000 after buying an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock.

Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

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Hudsons Bay Co (OTCMKTS:HBAYF  Get Free Report) shares were down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $8.19 and last traded at $8.19. Approximately 2,900 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 98% from the average daily volume of 151,676 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.2064.

Hudsons Bay Stock Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $8.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.19.

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About Hudsons Bay

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Hudsons Bay Company (OTCMKTS: HBAYF) is a diversified retail holding company that oversees a portfolio of department store and specialty retail banners in North America. The companys core operations are centered on its flagship Hudsons Bay stores in Canada, offering a broad assortment of apparel, beauty, home and lifestyle products. In parallel, Hudsons Bay Company owns and operates the Saks Fifth Avenue brand in Canada and the Saks Off 5th off-price division, serving fashion-conscious consumers through both brick-and-mortar locations and e-commerce platforms.

With origins dating back to its founding in 1670 as a fur trading enterprise, Hudsons Bay Company holds the distinction of being one of the oldest corporations in North America.

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Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK  Get Free Report) VP Terry Riesterer sold 800 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $392.00, for a total value of $313,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 1,234 shares in the company, valued at approximately $483,728. This trade represents a 39.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

Rockwell Automation Trading Up 1.6%

NYSE ROK traded up $6.26 on Monday, reaching $404.81. The company had a trading volume of 832,238 shares, compared to its average volume of 682,419. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $215.00 and a 52 week high of $415.89. The stocks 50 day moving average is $387.29 and its 200-day moving average is $359.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The stock has a market cap of $45.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.85, a PEG ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.52.

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Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $3.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.94 by $0.40. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 32.69% and a net margin of 10.42%.The company had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Rockwell Automation has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.200-12.200 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Rockwell Automation Increases Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th were issued a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. This is a boost from Rockwell Automations previous quarterly dividend of $1.31. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. Rockwell Automations dividend payout ratio is currently 72.06%.

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Rockwell Automation from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $329.00 to $448.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $392.00 to $402.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Citigroup raised their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $439.00 to $466.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and set a $391.00 price target on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Rockwell Automation from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, September 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $403.31.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ROK

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 7.1% in the third quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 440 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $154,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Equitable Trust Co. increased its position in Rockwell Automation by 1.1% during the third quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 2,598 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $908,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG increased its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation by 2.2% during the third quarter. J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG now owns 1,384 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $484,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. Fragasso Financial Advisors Inc boosted its stake in shares of Rockwell Automation by 3.6% in the third quarter. Fragasso Financial Advisors Inc now owns 902 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $315,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the period. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC raised its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 1,015 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $355,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the companys stock.

About Rockwell Automation

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Rockwell Automation is a global industrial automation and digital transformation company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm designs, manufactures and supports control systems, industrial control hardware and software, and related services that help manufacturers and industrial operators automate processes, improve productivity and enable data-driven decision making. Rockwell traces its heritage to the Allen-Bradley and Rockwell automation businesses and positions itself as a provider of integrated automation solutions across discrete and process industries.

The companys product portfolio includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable frequency drives, sensors, safety components and other industrial control hardware, often marketed under the Allen-Bradley brand.

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iShares Flexible Income Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BINC  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 2,963,900 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 151% from the previous sessions volume of 1,179,259 shares.The stock last traded at $52.8550 and had previously closed at $52.78.

iShares Flexible Income Active ETF Stock Up 0.1%

The companys fifty day moving average price is $53.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $52.96.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Flexible Income Active ETF

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Rollins Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Flexible Income Active ETF by 22.0% in the first quarter. Rollins Financial Advisors LLC now owns 69,948 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,664,000 after buying an additional 12,603 shares in the last quarter. Roxbury Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Flexible Income Active ETF by 62.2% during the 2nd quarter. Roxbury Financial LLC now owns 5,685 shares of the companys stock worth $300,000 after purchasing an additional 2,180 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Flexible Income Active ETF by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 340,920 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,014,000 after purchasing an additional 13,508 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its stake in shares of iShares Flexible Income Active ETF by 17.0% in the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,263 shares of the companys stock valued at $120,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares during the period. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its holdings in iShares Flexible Income Active ETF by 5.9% during the second quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 4,831 shares of the companys stock worth $255,000 after buying an additional 271 shares in the last quarter.

About iShares Flexible Income Active ETF

The BlackRock Flexible Income ETF (BINC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund provides an actively managed approach to multisector fixed-income exposure globally. It may hold debt and income-producing securities, of any credit quality or maturity, with the objective of maximizing long-term income and capital appreciation. BINC was launched on May 19, 2023 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Mitsubishi Electric Co. (OTCMKTS:MIELF  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $31.0650 and last traded at $31.0650, with a volume of 2132 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $29.60.

Mitsubishi Electric Price Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average price of $28.67 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $25.68. The firm has a market cap of $66.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.05 and a beta of 0.63.

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Mitsubishi Electric Company Profile

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Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (trading OTC as MIELF) is a diversified Japanese multinational manufacturer of electrical and electronic equipment. Established in 1921 as part of the broader Mitsubishi group, the company is headquartered in Tokyo and has grown into a global supplier of products and systems for industrial, commercial, infrastructure and consumer markets.

The companys operations span a wide range of businesses including power and energy systems, factory automation and industrial machinery, building systems such as elevators and escalators, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, transportation systems including railway and traffic control solutions, and space and defense-related products.

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Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday morning.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, December 29th. HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating and issued a $112.00 price objective on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. HC Wainwright lowered Novartis to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Cfra Research upgraded Novartis to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $119.75.

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Novartis Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NVS opened at $137.92 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $291.35 billion, a PE ratio of 18.84, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $131.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $126.43. Novartis has a twelve month low of $97.39 and a twelve month high of $140.18.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by ($0.01). Novartis had a net margin of 26.49% and a return on equity of 41.21%. The business had revenue of $14.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.06 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Novartis will post 8.45 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Novartis

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in NVS. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in Novartis by 76.5% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,153 shares of the companys stock worth $599,000 after purchasing an additional 2,666 shares in the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Novartis during the first quarter valued at about $1,307,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Novartis by 102.8% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 22,573 shares of the companys stock worth $2,516,000 after buying an additional 11,444 shares in the last quarter. Plancorp LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Novartis by 77.9% in the first quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 8,569 shares of the companys stock worth $955,000 after buying an additional 3,752 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ruggaard & Associates LLC boosted its position in shares of Novartis by 1.6% in the first quarter. Ruggaard & Associates LLC now owns 7,399 shares of the companys stock valued at $825,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares during the period. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Novartis Company Profile

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Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel that researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and related health-care products. Formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis operates globally and focuses on bringing therapeutics from discovery through clinical development to commercial markets worldwide.

The companys activities center on innovative pharmaceuticals across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience and ophthalmology, alongside capabilities in advanced therapies such as biologics, cell and gene therapies.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday.

OXY has been the topic of a number of other reports. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $49.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on Occidental Petroleum from $54.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Bank of America decreased their price target on Occidental Petroleum from $45.00 to $44.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Roth Capital lifted their price objective on Occidental Petroleum from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $44.00 price objective (down previously from $51.00) on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Monday, December 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Occidental Petroleum has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $49.95.

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Occidental Petroleum Price Performance

NYSE:OXY opened at $41.24 on Friday. Occidental Petroleum has a 52 week low of $34.78 and a 52 week high of $53.20. The stocks fifty day moving average is $41.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.41. The company has a market capitalization of $40.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.32 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $6.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.66 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a return on equity of 12.35% and a net margin of 7.81%.The companys revenue was down 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.00 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Occidental Petroleum will post 3.58 EPS for the current year.

Occidental Petroleum Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 70.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Occidental Petroleum

In other news, Director William R. Klesse bought 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $38.98 per share, for a total transaction of $194,900.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 218,913 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,533,228.74. This represents a 2.34% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Occidental Petroleum

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of OXY. Amundi grew its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 13.5% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 2,692,649 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $132,909,000 after purchasing an additional 319,430 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 49.1% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 77,703 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $3,835,000 after buying an additional 25,576 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 172.5% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 773,679 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $38,181,000 after acquiring an additional 489,767 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 835,657 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $41,248,000 after acquiring an additional 40,310 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 8.8% during the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 56,922 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $2,810,000 after acquiring an additional 4,600 shares in the last quarter. 88.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Occidental Petroleum Company Profile

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Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) is an international energy company engaged primarily in the exploration, production and marketing of oil and natural gas. The company conducts upstream activities to discover and produce hydrocarbons and operates complementary midstream and marketing functions to transport and sell its production. Occidental also owns a chemicals business that manufactures and sells industrial chemicals and related products for a range of end markets.

Occidentals operations are concentrated in the United States, with a significant presence in the Permian Basin, and it maintains exploration and production activities in several international regions, including parts of the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Saturday morning.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on PKG. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $200.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Packaging Corporation of America from $238.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Packaging Corporation of America from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $214.00 to $218.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $230.67.

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Packaging Corporation of America Stock Up 0.0%

PKG stock opened at $211.20 on Friday. Packaging Corporation of America has a 52 week low of $172.71 and a 52 week high of $242.68. The company has a quick ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 3.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $201.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $204.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.88.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.83 by ($0.10). Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 19.72%. The company had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.65 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.400 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Packaging Corporation of America Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Packaging Corporation of Americas payout ratio is presently 50.56%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Packaging Corporation of America

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 105.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 115 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the period. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Packaging Corporation of America by 72.2% in the second quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 136 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new position in Packaging Corporation of America in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH purchased a new position in Packaging Corporation of America in the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, NBT Bank N A NY acquired a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America during the third quarter worth $41,000. 89.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Packaging Corporation of America Company Profile

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Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a leading North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company produces a range of paper-based packaging solutions including linerboard, corrugating medium, corrugated shipping containers, retail-ready packaging and point-of-purchase displays. In addition to core packaging products, Packaging Corporation of America offers packaging design, testing and supply-chain services intended to optimize protection, cost and sustainability for customers.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates an integrated network of mills and corrugated manufacturing facilities across the United States and serves customers throughout North America in industries such as e-commerce, grocery and food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial markets.

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Tingyi Cayman Islands (OTCMKTS:TCYMF  Get Free Report) and Post (NYSE:POST  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and risk.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

94.9% of Post shares are held by institutional investors. 14.1% of Post shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Tingyi Cayman Islands and Post, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Tingyi Cayman Islands 0 0 0 0 0.00 Post 1 2 5 0 2.50

Risk and Volatility

Post has a consensus target price of $125.33, suggesting a potential upside of 29.34%. Given Posts stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Post is more favorable than Tingyi Cayman Islands.

Tingyi Cayman Islands has a beta of -0.42, meaning that its stock price is 142% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Post has a beta of 0.45, meaning that its stock price is 55% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Tingyi Cayman Islands and Posts top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Tingyi Cayman Islands $11.22 billion 0.65 $519.46 million N/A N/A Post $8.16 billion 0.61 $335.70 million $5.48 17.68

Tingyi Cayman Islands has higher revenue and earnings than Post.

Profitability

This table compares Tingyi Cayman Islands and Posts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Tingyi Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A Post 4.11% 11.72% 3.46%

Summary

Post beats Tingyi Cayman Islands on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Tingyi Cayman Islands

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Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics. The company also provides property rental and management, logistics, management, and support services; and manufactures and sells bakery products. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

About Post

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Post Holdings, Inc. operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, and Refrigerated Retail. The Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets, and sells branded and private label ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals under Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, and Malt-O-Meal brand names; hot cereal; peanut butter under the Peter Pan brand; and branded and private label dog and cat food products under Rachael Ray Nutrish, Nature's Recipe, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and Gravy Train brand names. The Weetabix segment primarily manufactures, markets, and distributes branded and private label RTE cereal under Weetabix and Alpen brands; hot cereals and other cereal-based food products; breakfast drinks; protein-based shakes under the UFIT brand, and nutritional snacks, such as muesli. The Foodservice segment produces and distributes egg products primarily under Papetti's and Abbotsford Farms brands, as well as potato products in the foodservice and food ingredient channels. The segment also manufactures certain meat products. The Refrigerated Retail segment produces and distributes side dish, potato, sausage products under Bob Evans, Bob Evans Farms, and Simply Potatoes brands; eggs and egg products under Bob Evans Egg Whites and Egg Beaters brands; and cheese, and other dairy and refrigerated products under Crystal Farms brand. It serves grocery stores, mass merchandise customers, supercenters, club stores, natural/specialty stores, dollar stores, discounters, wholesalers, convenience stores, pet supply retailers, drug store customers, foodservice distributors, and national restaurant chains, as well as sells its products in the military, ecommerce, and foodservice channels. The company was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.

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Springfield Properties PLC (LON:SPR  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as GBX 137 and last traded at GBX 134.46, with a volume of 527965 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 134.99.

Springfield Properties Trading Down 0.4%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 2.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 38.16. The company has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 119.83 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 107.29. The company has a market capitalization of 160.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.92 and a beta of 1.42.

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Insider Transactions at Springfield Properties

In other Springfield Properties news, insider Sandy Adam sold 127,899 shares of Springfield Properties stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 119, for a total value of 152,199.81. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 1,767,899 shares of company stock valued at $204,099,981. Company insiders own 22.45% of the companys stock.

Springfield Properties Company Profile

The Springfield Group is one of the largest homebuilders in Scotland. Made up of six well-established and respected brands Springfield Properties, Springfield Partnerships, Dawn Homes, Walker Group, Tulloch Homes and Mactaggart & Mickel Homes  we deliver high quality, energy efficient homes across multiple tenures for people that need them.

With a focus on sustainable and quality homes, the customer is at the heart of what we do.

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Shares of Standard Chartered PLC (OTCMKTS:SCBFF  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 8,579 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 271% from the previous sessions volume of 2,314 shares.The stock last traded at $24.9050 and had previously closed at $24.3550.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research raised Standard Chartered from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Standard Chartered from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Standard Chartered in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Standard Chartered from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Standard Chartered has an average rating of Buy.

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Standard Chartered Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $19.61. The firm has a market cap of $56.62 billion, a PE ratio of 13.25 and a beta of 0.53.

Standard Chartered (OTCMKTS:SCBFF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $5.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. Standard Chartered had a net margin of 12.84% and a return on equity of 10.88%. As a group, research analysts predict that Standard Chartered PLC will post 1.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Standard Chartered Company Profile

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Standard Chartered plc is a British multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in London. The firm traces its modern form to the 1969 merger of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China (founded in 1853) and Standard Bank of British South Africa (founded in 1862), creating an international bank with deep historical roots in trade finance and cross-border banking. Standard Chartered maintains a global footprint and a long-standing focus on facilitating trade and capital flows between developed and emerging markets.

Standard Chartered provides a broad range of banking and financial services for corporate, institutional and individual clients.

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Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Sunday.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Medical Properties Trust currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $6.17.

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Medical Properties Trust Price Performance

MPW stock opened at $5.10 on Friday. Medical Properties Trust has a one year low of $3.51 and a one year high of $6.34. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $5.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.06 billion, a PE ratio of -4.32 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a current ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 2.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06.

Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $237.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $244.89 million. Medical Properties Trust had a negative net margin of 75.76% and a negative return on equity of 14.82%. The firms revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.16 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Medical Properties Trust will post 0.78 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medical Properties Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Eastern Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 499.0% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 5,195 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 346.5% in the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 7,274 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 5,645 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC bought a new position in Medical Properties Trust in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.79% of the companys stock.

About Medical Properties Trust

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Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, financing, and owning net-leased hospital facilities. Through sale-leaseback transactions, direct acquisitions and recapitalizations, the company provides capital to healthcare operators while maintaining long-term, triple-net lease agreements. Its portfolio encompasses general acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and other healthcare-related real estate assets and is structured to deliver stable, long-duration rental income streams.

Founded in 2003 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, Medical Properties Trust completed its initial public offering in 2004.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Saturday.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on WCC. KeyCorp raised their target price on WESCO International from $258.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of WESCO International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of WESCO International from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of WESCO International from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $262.00 to $302.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of WESCO International from $258.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $256.38.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on WCC

WESCO International Stock Up 5.7%

WESCO International stock opened at $266.45 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $256.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $226.25. The company has a current ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. WESCO International has a 1-year low of $125.21 and a 1-year high of $279.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.45.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The technology company reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.75 by $0.17. WESCO International had a return on equity of 13.12% and a net margin of 2.81%.The firm had revenue of $6.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.58 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. WESCO International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.100-13.600 EPS. On average, analysts predict that WESCO International will post 13.3 earnings per share for the current year.

WESCO International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th were given a dividend of $0.4538 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. WESCO Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.27%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other WESCO International news, CAO Matthew S. Kulasa sold 790 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $253.18, for a total value of $200,012.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 3,320 shares of the companys stock, valued at $840,557.60. This represents a 19.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Diane Lazzaris sold 4,039 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $258.42, for a total transaction of $1,043,758.38. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 45,401 shares in the company, valued at $11,732,526.42. The trade was a 8.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 17,036 shares of company stock valued at $4,385,254 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 3.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WESCO International

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in WCC. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of WESCO International during the 2nd quarter valued at $75,136,000. River Road Asset Management LLC boosted its position in WESCO International by 56.0% during the second quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 605,918 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $112,216,000 after buying an additional 217,417 shares during the period. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC grew its stake in shares of WESCO International by 19.5% during the third quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC now owns 686,630 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $145,222,000 after buying an additional 111,930 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of WESCO International by 4.9% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 795,629 shares of the technology companys stock worth $147,351,000 after buying an additional 36,843 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in shares of WESCO International by 516.8% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 41,354 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $7,659,000 after acquiring an additional 34,649 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.75% of the companys stock.

WESCO International Company Profile

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WESCO International, Inc is a leading global distributor of electrical, industrial, communications and utility products, serving a diverse customer base across maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and construction markets. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products ranging from power distribution and automation solutions to data communications, security systems and lighting controls. Through an extensive branch network, WESCO provides critical components and valueadded services that help organizations streamline operations and improve reliability in their facilities and infrastructure.

In addition to its broad product offering, WESCO delivers advanced supply chain management and logistics solutions designed to optimize inventory levels, reduce downtime and lower overall procurement costs.

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AAR (NYSE:AIR  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The aerospace company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.16, Zacks reports. AAR had a net margin of 1.01% and a return on equity of 12.29%. The business had revenue of $795.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $760.95 million.

AAR Trading Up 2.1%

NYSE:AIR traded up $1.81 on Tuesday, reaching $89.83. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,669,486 shares, compared to its average volume of 875,066. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $82.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.99. AAR has a 1-year low of $46.51 and a 1-year high of $90.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 2.91. The firm has a market cap of $3.51 billion, a PE ratio of 115.16 and a beta of 1.24.

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AAR News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AAR this week:

Positive Sentiment: Quarterly beat  AAR reported EPS of $1.18 versus consensus $1.02 and revenue of $795.3M versus $760.95M, demonstrating stronger near-term profitability and top-line demand. AAR Q2 FY2026 Press Release

Quarterly beat  AAR reported EPS of $1.18 versus consensus $1.02 and revenue of $795.3M versus $760.95M, demonstrating stronger near-term profitability and top-line demand. Positive Sentiment: Q3 FY2026 revenue guidance raised  management guided Q3 revenue to $813.8M$827.4M versus consensus ~$797.5M, signaling continued revenue strength into the next quarter.

Q3 FY2026 revenue guidance raised  management guided Q3 revenue to $813.8M$827.4M versus consensus ~$797.5M, signaling continued revenue strength into the next quarter. Positive Sentiment: FY2026 revenue guidance above Street  AAR issued FY revenue guidance around $3.3B versus consensus ~$3.2B, suggesting analysts may need to lift full-year top-line estimates.

FY2026 revenue guidance above Street  AAR issued FY revenue guidance around $3.3B versus consensus ~$3.2B, suggesting analysts may need to lift full-year top-line estimates. Positive Sentiment: Commercial wins that support recurring revenue and services growth  Thai Airways selected AAR subsidiaries Trax and Aerostrat for a digital MRO upgrade, which validates AARs software/services footprint. Thai Airways selects Trax and Aerostrat

Commercial wins that support recurring revenue and services growth  Thai Airways selected AAR subsidiaries Trax and Aerostrat for a digital MRO upgrade, which validates AARs software/services footprint. Positive Sentiment: Distribution partnership  AAR commenced an exclusive commercial distribution agreement with TRIUMPH, which could expand parts distribution reach and recurring sales. AAR distribution agreement with TRIUMPH

Distribution partnership  AAR commenced an exclusive commercial distribution agreement with TRIUMPH, which could expand parts distribution reach and recurring sales. Neutral Sentiment: EPS guidance not provided/unclear in the update  the companys entries show revenue ranges but do not specify an EPS guidance figure, leaving some short-term earnings visibility incomplete.

EPS guidance not provided/unclear in the update  the companys entries show revenue ranges but do not specify an EPS guidance figure, leaving some short-term earnings visibility incomplete. Neutral Sentiment: Formal filings and investor materials released  AAR posted a full results press release and slide deck for investors to review the quarter and outlook. AAR reports second quarter fiscal year 2026 results Slide Deck

Insider Transactions at AAR

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, CEO John Mcclain Holmes III sold 38,462 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.50, for a total value of $3,211,577.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 260,141 shares in the company, valued at $21,721,773.50. The trade was a 12.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Company insiders own 3.60% of the companys stock.

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AIR. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AAR in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in AAR during the third quarter worth $27,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in AAR by 1,925.0% in the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 486 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in AAR in the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AAR by 200.0% during the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,105 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $214,000 after acquiring an additional 2,070 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.74% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on AAR in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. KeyCorp upped their price objective on AAR from $86.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of AAR in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on AAR from $81.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AAR from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $93.25.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AIR

AAR Company Profile

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AAR Corp. (NYSE: AIR) is a global provider of aviation products and services to commercial, government and defense customers. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions, component repair and overhaul, and engineering services designed to support a wide variety of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Leveraging FAA and EASA certifications, AAR delivers turnkey maintenance programs and ad hoc repair services that enhance aircraft availability and reliability.

In its Aviation Supply Chain Services segment, AAR sources, stores and distributes parts for both commercial airlines and military operators.

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Tiller Private Wealth Inc. grew its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD  Free Report) by 9.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 41,529 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 3,623 shares during the period. Air Products and Chemicals accounts for 4.0% of Tiller Private Wealth Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Tiller Private Wealth Inc.s holdings in Air Products and Chemicals were worth $11,326,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Air Products and Chemicals during the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Abound Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 292.3% in the third quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 102 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 228.1% in the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 105 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Air Products and Chemicals by 46.7% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 110 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.66% of the companys stock.

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Air Products and Chemicals Stock Performance

NYSE:APD opened at $253.98 on Tuesday. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has a twelve month low of $229.11 and a twelve month high of $341.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market cap of $56.53 billion, a P/E ratio of -142.68, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.87. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $250.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $271.42.

Air Products and Chemicals Dividend Announcement

Air Products and Chemicals ( NYSE:APD Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The basic materials company reported $3.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.38 by $0.01. Air Products and Chemicals had a negative net margin of 3.28% and a positive return on equity of 15.18%. The company had revenue of $3.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.18 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.56 earnings per share. Air Products and Chemicalss revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Air Products and Chemicals has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 2.950-3.100 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 12.850-13.150 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will post 12.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $1.79 per share. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Air Products and Chemicalss payout ratio is currently -402.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

APD has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $335.00 target price on shares of Air Products and Chemicals in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $255.00 price objective on Air Products and Chemicals in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Air Products and Chemicals from $275.00 to $260.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. Wolfe Research reiterated an outperform rating and set a $315.00 price target on shares of Air Products and Chemicals in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price objective on shares of Air Products and Chemicals from $375.00 to $325.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $292.47.

Read Our Latest Report on APD

Air Products and Chemicals Profile

(Free Report)

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc is a global supplier of industrial gases and related equipment and services, headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The company produces and delivers atmospheric gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon, as well as specialty and process gases used across a wide range of industrial applications. Air Products designs, builds and operates gas production facilities, merchant distribution networks and on-site gas systems for customers that require reliable, high-purity gases and integrated supply solutions.

The companys product and service portfolio includes packaged and bulk gas supply, pipeline distribution, on-site generation, gas handling and storage equipment, and engineered systems for gas liquefaction and purification.

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Alamo Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALG  Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $170.43, but opened at $180.52. Alamo Group shares last traded at $179.3460, with a volume of 7,967 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Alamo Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Alamo Group in a research report on Monday, December 29th. CJS Securities raised Alamo Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research downgraded Alamo Group from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, DA Davidson lowered their price target on Alamo Group from $225.00 to $190.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Alamo Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $222.33.

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Alamo Group Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 4.43 and a quick ratio of 2.72. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $169.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $195.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.72, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.12.

Alamo Group (NYSE:ALG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $2.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.61 by ($0.27). The firm had revenue of $420.04 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $407.55 million. Alamo Group had a net margin of 7.20% and a return on equity of 11.11%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Alamo Group, Inc. will post 9.53 EPS for the current year.

Alamo Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be paid a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. This is a boost from Alamo Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Alamo Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 12.45%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Alamo Group news, CEO Robert Paul Hureau bought 304 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $163.48 per share, with a total value of $49,697.92. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 12,046 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,969,280.08. This represents a 2.59% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 1,058 shares of company stock worth $175,209. 1.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alamo Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ALG. State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its holdings in shares of Alamo Group by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 6,188 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,350,000 after acquiring an additional 441 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH increased its stake in Alamo Group by 8.3% in the second quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 8,292 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,811,000 after acquiring an additional 635 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC raised its position in Alamo Group by 203.0% in the second quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 25,508 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,570,000 after purchasing an additional 17,089 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Alamo Group by 201.6% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 153,720 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $33,569,000 after purchasing an additional 102,751 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vest Financial LLC lifted its stake in Alamo Group by 65.4% during the second quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 22,526 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $4,919,000 after purchasing an additional 8,910 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.36% of the companys stock.

Alamo Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Alamo Group, Inc engages in the design, manufacture and marketing of equipment for vegetation management, roadside maintenance, agricultural harvesting and industrial applications. The company offers a broad portfolio of products, including boom mowers, flail mowers, rotary cutters, snow removal equipment, slurry seal machines, railcar movers and tow tractors. These offerings are distributed under a variety of brand names and through a network of independent dealerships and distributors, meeting the needs of municipalities, highway departments, agricultural producers and industrial operators.

The company operates through two primary segments: Agricultural and Industrial.

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Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Free Report) by 42.9% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 53,963 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 16,194 shares during the period. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Arista Networks were worth $7,863,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Management Associates Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Arista Networks in the third quarter worth approximately $229,000. Chicago Capital LLC increased its position in Arista Networks by 4.7% during the third quarter. Chicago Capital LLC now owns 27,616 shares of the technology companys stock worth $4,024,000 after purchasing an additional 1,234 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its position in shares of Arista Networks by 28.6% during the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 3,946,087 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $574,984,000 after buying an additional 878,023 shares during the period. Bigelow Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Arista Networks in the third quarter valued at $1,292,000. Finally, WESPAC Advisors SoCal LLC purchased a new stake in Arista Networks in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,075,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.47% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on ANET shares. Needham & Company LLC increased their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. BNP Paribas Exane raised Arista Networks from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $172.00 price target for the company in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Arista Networks in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wolfe Research raised their price objective on Arista Networks from $160.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Arista Networks from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Eighteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $164.44.

Insider Activity

In other Arista Networks news, Director Charles H. Giancarlo sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.12, for a total value of $1,256,960.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 33,784 shares in the company, valued at $5,308,142.08. The trade was a 19.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Kenneth Duda sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.16, for a total value of $3,694,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 12,976 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,598,124.16. This represents a 69.81% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders sold 208,464 shares of company stock valued at $27,418,668. 3.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Arista Networks Trading Up 2.7%

Shares of ANET stock opened at $137.19 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $172.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.16, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $132.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $131.17. Arista Networks, Inc. has a twelve month low of $59.43 and a twelve month high of $164.94.

Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.03. Arista Networks had a net margin of 39.73% and a return on equity of 30.28%. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.40 earnings per share. Arista Networkss revenue for the quarter was up 27.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 2.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Arista Networks Profile

(Free Report)

Arista Networks, Inc is a technology company that designs and sells cloud networking solutions for large-scale data centers and enterprise environments. The company is best known for its high-performance switching and routing platforms, which are used to build scalable, low-latency networks for cloud service providers, internet companies, financial services, telecommunications, and enterprise IT. Aristas offerings emphasize programmability, automation and telemetry to support modern, software-driven network architectures.

Central to Aristas product portfolio is its Extensible Operating System (EOS), a modular network operating system that provides consistent programmability, stateful control and advanced visibility across the companys hardware platforms.

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OneAscent Financial Services LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 66.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,592 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 25,215 shares during the period. OneAscent Financial Services LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nova Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 75.2% during the second quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 529 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Bank of America by 246.5% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 523 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 880 shares in the last quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Steph & Co. grew its position in Bank of America by 224.3% during the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 548 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CGC Financial Services LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 585.4% during the 2nd quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC now owns 610 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares in the last quarter. 70.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bank of America Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of BAC opened at $56.84 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $53.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $50.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The company has a market capitalization of $415.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.49 and a beta of 1.29. Bank of America Corporation has a 52 week low of $33.06 and a 52 week high of $57.55.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $5.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.05 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 10.76% and a net margin of 15.70%.Bank of Americas revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.81 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were issued a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

More Bank of America News

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on BAC. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Wolfe Research lifted their price target on Bank of America from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Erste Group Bank raised Bank of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Bank of America from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank of America in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $59.27.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BAC

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, NU, Synovus Financial, and Citigroup are the five Bank stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Bank stocks are shares of publicly traded banking companiessuch as commercial, investment, and diversified banksthat give investors ownership in those firms and exposure to their profits and risks. Their performance is driven by factors like interest-rate levels and net interest margins, loan growth and credit quality, and regulatory conditions, and they often pay dividends but can be sensitive to economic cycles and credit losses. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Bank stocks within the last several days.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

Bank of America (BAC)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BAC

NU (NU)

Nu Holdings Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of digital banking services. The company was founded by David Velez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, and Adam Edward Wible on February 26, 2016 and is headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands.

Read Our Latest Research Report on NU

Synovus Financial (SNV)

Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services. It operates through four segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company's commercial banking services include treasury and asset management, capital market, and institutional trust services, as well as commercial, financial, and real estate lending services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SNV

Citigroup (C)

Citigroup Inc., a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

Read Our Latest Research Report on C

Further Reading
U.S. vice president confirms attack at his home in Ohio

Xinhua) 10:32, January 06, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Monday confirmed that his home in the Midwestern state of Ohio was attacked, noting that he was not at home when the incident happened.

"As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I'm grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly," Vance wrote on X. "We weren't even home as we had returned already to DC."

Secret Service agents detained a suspect shortly after midnight, and law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 26-year-old William DeFoor, according to local media.

The attack is the latest in a series of incidents of violence against U.S. political leaders in recent months.

Last year in September, 31-year-old political activist Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.

Two state legislators in Minnesota were shot in June, leaving one dead and the other seriously injured. In April, the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was set on fire.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
UnitedHealth Group, Johnson & Johnson, Intuitive Surgical, Medtronic, Tempus AI, Novartis, and Hims & Hers Health are the seven Healthcare stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Healthcare stocks are shares of companies involved in medical care and related products or services  including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, hospitals and health systems, and health insurers. For investors, the sector is often seen as relatively defensive with long-term growth driven by demographics and innovation, but it carries specific risks from regulatory approvals, patent expirations, and changes in healthcare policy and reimbursement. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Healthcare stocks within the last several days.

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UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension.

Read Our Latest Research Report on JNJ

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally. The company offers the da Vinci Surgical System that enables complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach; and Ion endoluminal system, which extends its commercial offerings beyond surgery into diagnostic procedures enabling minimally invasive biopsies in the lung.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ISRG

Medtronic (MDT)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MDT

Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM

Novartis (NVS)

Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology.

Read Our Latest Research Report on NVS

Hims & Hers Health (HIMS)

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. operates a telehealth consultation platform. It connects consumers to healthcare professionals, enabling them to access medical care for mental health, sexual health, dermatology and primary care. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HIMS

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Shares of China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE:CYD  Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $37.31, but opened at $39.27. China Yuchai International shares last traded at $39.9150, with a volume of 21,593 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on CYD. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of China Yuchai International in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of China Yuchai International from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. Zacks Research cut shares of China Yuchai International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on China Yuchai International in a report on Tuesday. They issued a buy rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, China Yuchai International has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $60.00.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CYD

China Yuchai International Stock Up 4.3%

Hedge Funds Weigh In On China Yuchai International

The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $36.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $32.84.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in China Yuchai International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of China Yuchai International in the third quarter worth $42,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of China Yuchai International in the second quarter worth $48,000. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of China Yuchai International in the 3rd quarter valued at $66,000. Finally, China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of China Yuchai International during the 3rd quarter valued at $83,000.

China Yuchai International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

China Yuchai International Ltd. (NYSE: CYD) is a Cayman Islandsincorporated holding company with principal executive offices in Singapore. Through its subsidiaries, the company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of diesel engines in the Peoples Republic of China. Its principal operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL), has been producing diesel engines since 1951 and ranks among the countrys largest heavy-duty engine makers.

The companys core product portfolio includes high-speed and medium-speed diesel engines for on-highway trucks and buses, off-road vehicles such as construction and agricultural machinery, marine propulsion systems, and power generator sets.

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Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by analysts at Citigroup from $58.00 to $60.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the oil and gas companys stock. Citigroups price objective suggests a potential downside of 0.06% from the companys current price.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on NBR. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $66.00 price target on shares of Nabors Industries and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays set a $50.00 target price on shares of Nabors Industries and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Nabors Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Nabors Industries in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised Nabors Industries from an underweight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $32.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $55.29.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries Stock Up 3.1%

NBR stock traded up $1.79 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $60.04. The companys stock had a trading volume of 240,825 shares, compared to its average volume of 390,503. The firms 50-day moving average is $51.75 and its 200-day moving average is $41.83. The company has a current ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 1.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50. Nabors Industries has a 12 month low of $23.27 and a 12 month high of $69.20. The company has a market cap of $874.17 million, a PE ratio of 6.22 and a beta of 0.94.

Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The oil and gas company reported ($3.67) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($2.37) by ($1.30). The business had revenue of $825.51 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $824.61 million. Nabors Industries had a negative return on equity of 30.85% and a net margin of 7.08%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($6.86) EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Nabors Industries will post -6.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Nabors Industries by 97.1% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 16,770 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $699,000 after purchasing an additional 8,260 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd lifted its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 11.5% in the first quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 5,540 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 570 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Nabors Industries during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $259,000. Invst LLC bought a new position in Nabors Industries during the first quarter valued at $721,000. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Nabors Industries by 19.3% in the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 8,279 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $345,000 after acquiring an additional 1,337 shares during the last quarter. 81.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Nabors Industries Company Profile

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Nabors Industries Ltd. is a global oil and gas drilling contractor that provides land and offshore drilling rigs, drilling equipment and related services to energy companies around the world. The companys operations span two core segments: drilling and evaluation, which includes landbased and platform drilling rigs as well as wellbore survey services, and wellbore technologies, offering pressure control equipment, downhole tools and specialized maintenance services. Nabors integrated model combines rig operations with engineered products and field support, positioning it as a fullservice provider in the upstream sector.

The company maintains a diverse, modern fleet of automated and conventional drilling rigs and has pioneered advanced drilling technologies, including automated drilling controls and managed pressure drilling systems.

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Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by analysts at Citigroup from $229.00 to $226.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the industrial products companys stock. Citigroups target price points to a potential upside of 5.85% from the companys current price.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Packaging Corporation of America from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $222.00 to $233.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Zacks Research lowered shares of Packaging Corporation of America from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $263.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $238.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $235.33.

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Packaging Corporation of America Price Performance

NYSE PKG traded up $2.39 on Tuesday, hitting $213.52. The company had a trading volume of 232,775 shares, compared to its average volume of 517,379. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 3.16 and a quick ratio of 2.00. The companys fifty day moving average price is $201.42 and its 200-day moving average price is $204.20. The company has a market capitalization of $19.21 billion, a PE ratio of 21.58, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.88. Packaging Corporation of America has a 12-month low of $172.71 and a 12-month high of $242.68.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.83 by ($0.10). Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 19.72%. The company had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.65 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.400 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Packaging Corporation of America

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 105.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 115 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 72.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 136 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the period. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new position in Packaging Corporation of America during the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 40.4% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 198 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.78% of the companys stock.

About Packaging Corporation of America

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Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a leading North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company produces a range of paper-based packaging solutions including linerboard, corrugating medium, corrugated shipping containers, retail-ready packaging and point-of-purchase displays. In addition to core packaging products, Packaging Corporation of America offers packaging design, testing and supply-chain services intended to optimize protection, cost and sustainability for customers.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates an integrated network of mills and corrugated manufacturing facilities across the United States and serves customers throughout North America in industries such as e-commerce, grocery and food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial markets.

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Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (NYSEARCA:XCEM  Free Report) by 2.7% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 666,899 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 17,524 shares during the quarter. Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF accounts for 0.9% of Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF were worth $24,228,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF during the second quarter valued at about $57,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its stake in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF by 378.4% in the 1st quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 2,904 shares of the companys stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 2,297 shares during the period. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $87,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $129,000.

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Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF Price Performance

Shares of XCEM stock opened at $39.72 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $38.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $36.30. Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF has a fifty-two week low of $26.44 and a fifty-two week high of $39.81. The firm has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.14 and a beta of 0.84.

Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF Profile

The Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index that provides broad equity exposure to emerging markets excluding China. XCEM was launched on Sep 2, 2015 and is managed by Columbia.

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CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $105.50 and last traded at $104.77, with a volume of 33472 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $101.50.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of CVR Partners in a research note on Wednesday, December 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on UAN

CVR Partners Trading Up 3.2%

The company has a market cap of $1.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.70 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79. The firms 50-day moving average price is $96.84 and its 200 day moving average price is $92.81.

CVR Partners (NYSE:UAN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The basic materials company reported $4.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $163.55 million for the quarter. CVR Partners had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 41.38%.

CVR Partners Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were given a dividend of $4.02 per share. This is a boost from CVR Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $3.89. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $16.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 15.3%. CVR Partnerss payout ratio is currently 133.55%.

Institutional Trading of CVR Partners

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in CVR Partners by 3.9% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 193,066 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $17,399,000 after acquiring an additional 7,160 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of CVR Partners by 57.6% during the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 4,917 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $443,000 after purchasing an additional 1,798 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of CVR Partners by 86.3% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,630 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $147,000 after purchasing an additional 755 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP lifted its holdings in shares of CVR Partners by 64.9% in the 3rd quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 12,297 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,108,000 after purchasing an additional 4,840 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ING Groep NV grew its position in CVR Partners by 44.4% in the 3rd quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 19,500 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,757,000 after purchasing an additional 6,000 shares during the period. 43.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About CVR Partners

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CVR Partners, L.P. (NYSE: UAN) is a publicly traded master limited partnership focused on the production and marketing of nitrogen fertilizer products. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, the partnership owns and operates two nitrogen fertilizer plants in Coffeyville, Kansas, where it manufactures ammonia, granular urea, and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solutions. These products are essential nutrients for a wide range of row and specialty crops, helping growers optimize yield and soil fertility across diverse agricultural applications.

The partnerships operations center on two integrated facilities connected by pipeline, rail and trucking infrastructure, enabling efficient logistics and year-round production.

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Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK  Get Free Report) is one of 20 publicly-traded companies in the State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Equity Bancshares to similar companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, risk, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation and earnings.

Dividends

Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Equity Bancshares pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies pay a dividend yield of 2.3% and pay out 67.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Equity Bancshares and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Equity Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67 Equity Bancshares Competitors 29 165 196 18 2.50

Earnings and Valuation

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 6.08%. Given Equity Bancshares peers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Equity Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

This table compares Equity Bancshares and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Bancshares $192.21 million $62.62 million 37.47 Equity Bancshares Competitors $707.57 million $95.99 million 38.44

Equity Bancshares peers have higher revenue and earnings than Equity Bancshares. Equity Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Equity Bancshares and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Equity Bancshares 5.01% 11.67% 1.33% Equity Bancshares Competitors 7.23% 6.94% 0.79%

Risk & Volatility

Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its stock price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares peers have a beta of 1.01, suggesting that their average stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Equity Bancshares peers beat Equity Bancshares on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

Equity Bancshares Company Profile

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Equity Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Equity Bank that provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. Its loan products include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate-backed, commercial lines of credit, working capital, term, equipment financing, acquisition, expansion and development, borrowing base, real estate construction, homebuilder, agricultural, government guaranteed, and other loan products to national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, real estate developers, manufacturing and industrial companies, agribusiness companies, and other businesses. The companys loan products also comprise various consumer loans to individuals and professionals, including residential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, and letters of credit. It also provides debit cards; online banking solutions, such as access to account balances, online transfers, online bill payment, and electronic delivery of customer statements; mobile banking solutions comprising remote check deposits with mobile bill pay; ATMs; and treasury management, wire transfer, automated clearing house, and stop payment services. In addition, the company offers cash management deposit products, such as lockbox, remote deposit capture, positive pay, reverse positive pay, account reconciliation services, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts, as well as banking services through telephone, mail, and personal appointments. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a network of 69 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

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Fujifilm Holdings Corp. (OTCMKTS:FUJIY  Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $10.89, but opened at $10.55. Fujifilm shares last traded at $10.66, with a volume of 31,073 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Zacks Research raised shares of Fujifilm from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Strong Buy.

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Fujifilm Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $26.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.76. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $10.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

Fujifilm (OTCMKTS:FUJIY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The technology company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.58. The firm had revenue of $5.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. Fujifilm had a net margin of 8.31% and a return on equity of 7.89%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Fujifilm Holdings Corp. will post 0.66 earnings per share for the current year.

About Fujifilm

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Fujifilm (OTCMKTS:FUJIY) is a Tokyo-based multinational conglomerate originally founded in 1934 as Fuji Photo Film Co, Ltd. Over the decades the company has evolved from a photographic film manufacturer into a diversified technology group operating across imaging, information, highly functional materials and healthcare. Fujifilm Holdings Corporation serves customers worldwide with a combination of hardware, consumables, software and services.

The companys product and service portfolio spans consumer and professional imaging products, commercial and industrial printing systems, and office document solutions including printers and copiers.

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General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $361.94 and last traded at $359.7030, with a volume of 114216 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $355.56.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on GD. Robert W. Baird set a $390.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Monday, October 27th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on General Dynamics from $370.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on General Dynamics in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $410.00 target price for the company. Susquehanna raised their price target on General Dynamics from $365.00 to $406.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Wolfe Research increased their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $358.50.

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General Dynamics Price Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $341.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $326.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $96.53 billion, a PE ratio of 23.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.41.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.69 by $0.19. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 18.27%. The company had revenue of $12.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.49 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.35 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. General Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.300-15.35 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that General Dynamics Corporation will post 14.83 EPS for the current year.

General Dynamics Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. General Dynamicss payout ratio is presently 38.89%.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP David Paddock sold 20,360 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $334.92, for a total transaction of $6,818,971.20. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 36,644 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,272,808.48. The trade was a 35.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On General Dynamics

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GD. Dunhill Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 620.0% during the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 72 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in General Dynamics during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the third quarter worth $26,000. Burkett Financial Services LLC lifted its position in General Dynamics by 650.0% during the third quarter. Burkett Financial Services LLC now owns 75 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Finally, Louisbourg Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the third quarter worth about $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the companys stock.

General Dynamics Company Profile

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General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defense contractor that designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of products and services for government and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in the United States (Reston, Virginia), the company supplies platforms and systems used by armed forces, civil authorities and private operators across multiple domains including air, land, sea and cyber.

Its principal activities span several operating businesses: a business aviation unit that develops and supports Gulfstream business jets; land systems that produce armored combat vehicles and related logistics and sustainment services; marine systems that design and construct submarines and surface ships for navies; and mission systems and information technology operations that provide command-and-control, communications, cybersecurity and systems-integration services.

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Georgina Energy (LON:GEX  Get Free Report) shares were up 20.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 3.15 and last traded at GBX 3.08. Approximately 1,148,558 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 71% from the average daily volume of 670,676 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2.56.

Georgina Energy Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average of GBX 3.83. The stock has a market cap of 3.96 million and a P/E ratio of -0.08.

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Georgina Energy (LON:GEX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The company reported GBX (1.08) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

Georgina Energy Company Profile

Georgina Energy is a Helium & Hydrogen development and production company, based in Australia.

Georgina Energy aims to become a leading player in the global energy market and is focused on establishing itself among the top producers of helium and hydrogen worldwide. With a strategic approach and leveraging the experienced management teams expertise, Georgina Energy aims to capitalize on opportunities in these critical energy sectors.

The projects benefit from established infrastructure and a reliable supply chain, offering significant resource potential through low-risk, cost-effective drilling projects.

Georgina Energy has two principal onshore interests held through its wholly owned Australian subsidiary, Westmarket O&G.

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Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC lessened its position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP  Free Report) by 13.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 51,491 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,221 shares during the period. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLCs holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF were worth $7,333,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Abound Wealth Management boosted its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 223.2% during the 3rd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 223 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Ryan Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. Berkshire Money Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $45,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the second quarter worth $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.49% of the companys stock.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:IWP opened at $139.68 on Tuesday. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $99.85 and a 1 year high of $145.60. The company has a market cap of $20.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.48 and a beta of 1.15. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $138.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $140.29.

About iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, formerly iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap Growth Index (the Growth Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market. It is a subset of the Russell Midcap Index and measures the performance of equity securities of Russell Midcap Index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP  Free Report).

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Grafton Group PLC (OTCMKTS:GROUF  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $12.85 and last traded at $12.85, with a volume of 1000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $12.85.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Grafton Group in a report on Friday, October 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Grafton Group Price Performance

About Grafton Group

The stocks fifty day moving average is $11.74 and its 200-day moving average is $11.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.94 and a quick ratio of 1.32.

(Get Free Report)

Grafton Group plc, trading in the U.S. over-the-counter under the symbol GROUF, is a Dublin-based distributor of building materials and related products. The company traces its roots back to the early 20th century and has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Headquartered in Ireland, Grafton Group is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and serves as a key supply partner across the construction and home improvement sectors.

Grafton Group operates primarily through merchanting divisions that supply a broad range of products, including plumbing and heating equipment, bathrooms and sanitaryware, insulation, landscaping materials, and general building supplies.

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Greenleaf Trust lowered its position in McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 20.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,507 shares of the fast-food giants stock after selling 5,128 shares during the quarter. Greenleaf Trusts holdings in McDonalds were worth $6,232,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MCD. Hamilton Capital LLC grew its holdings in McDonalds by 35.2% during the first quarter. Hamilton Capital LLC now owns 3,145 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $982,000 after purchasing an additional 819 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 84.1% during the 2nd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 141,775 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $41,422,000 after buying an additional 64,757 shares during the period. Welch Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Welch Group LLC now owns 206,004 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $60,188,000 after buying an additional 2,180 shares during the period. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. grew its stake in McDonalds by 236.7% in the 3rd quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 6,502 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $1,976,000 after buying an additional 4,571 shares during the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its holdings in McDonalds by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 143,492 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $43,606,000 after acquiring an additional 3,774 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have issued reports on MCD. Guggenheim upped their price target on shares of McDonalds from $295.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Truist Financial cut their price objective on McDonalds from $360.00 to $350.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Mizuho raised McDonalds to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of McDonalds in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $324.57.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Ian Frederick Borden sold 17,134 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total value of $5,311,540.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 26,353 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,169,430. The trade was a 39.40% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Manuel Jm Steijaert sold 13,134 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.42, for a total value of $3,945,716.28. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,606 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,383,734.52. This represents a 74.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 42,516 shares of company stock valued at $13,036,090. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

McDonalds Trading Down 1.1%

MCD opened at $299.78 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $307.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $304.52. The stock has a market cap of $213.49 billion, a PE ratio of 25.58, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.53. McDonalds Corporation has a 1 year low of $276.53 and a 1 year high of $326.32.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.33 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $7.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.10 billion. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 280.89% and a net margin of 32.04%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.23 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonalds Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This is a boost from McDonaldss previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. McDonaldss payout ratio is currently 63.48%.

Trending Headlines about McDonalds

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonalds this week:

About McDonalds

(Free Report)

McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships.

Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion.

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Hypermarcas (OTCMKTS:HYPMY  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $4.01, but opened at $4.39. Hypermarcas shares last traded at $4.4225, with a volume of 1,825 shares.

Hypermarcas Stock Up 10.3%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $4.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.46. The firm has a market cap of $2.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.23 and a beta of 0.72.

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Hypermarcas (OTCMKTS:HYPMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $408.83 million during the quarter. Hypermarcas had a return on equity of 6.89% and a net margin of 12.03%.

About Hypermarcas

Hypermarcas SA is a Brazil-based consumer health and pharmaceutical company whose shares trade over the counter in the United States under the symbol HYPMY. Founded in the early 2000s and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, the company operates as a holding group for a broad portfolio of branded products in the healthcare and personal care sectors.

Through its various subsidiaries, Hypermarcas develops, manufactures and markets prescription and over-the-counter medications, alongside personal care, baby care, home care and nutritional supplement products.

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Shares of iShares Global Healthcare ETF (NYSEARCA:IXJ  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $99.71 and last traded at $99.4320, with a volume of 174501 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $97.74.

iShares Global Healthcare ETF Trading Up 1.6%

The stocks 50 day moving average is $95.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $90.49. The stock has a market cap of $4.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.58 and a beta of 0.64.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of IXJ. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Global Healthcare ETF by 7.8% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 7,439,921 shares of the companys stock worth $659,326,000 after purchasing an additional 536,127 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in iShares Global Healthcare ETF by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,539,651 shares of the companys stock valued at $218,639,000 after buying an additional 150,774 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in iShares Global Healthcare ETF by 5,522.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 915,169 shares of the companys stock worth $78,789,000 after buying an additional 898,892 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of iShares Global Healthcare ETF by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 260,709 shares of the companys stock worth $23,777,000 after acquiring an additional 7,349 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Global Healthcare ETF by 6.1% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 237,238 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,424,000 after acquiring an additional 13,579 shares in the last quarter.

iShares Global Healthcare ETF Company Profile

iShares Global Healthcare ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare Sector Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of companies that Standards & Poors Financial Services LLC (S&P) deems to be a part of the consumer staples sector of the economy. It is a subset of the S&P Global 1200 Index. Component companies include healthcare providers, biotechnology companies and manufacturers of medical supplies, advanced medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reaffirmed by Jefferies Financial Group in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,MarketScreener reports.

BUD has been the subject of a number of other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Friday, November 28th. DZ Bank reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Friday, November 7th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $72.00.

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Read Our Latest Report on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

Shares of BUD opened at $63.23 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79. The firm has a market cap of $123.47 billion, a PE ratio of 20.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.57. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 12 month low of $45.94 and a 12 month high of $72.13. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $62.80 and a 200-day moving average price of $62.92.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.97 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $15.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.28 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a return on equity of 16.20% and a net margin of 10.40%.The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.98 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BUD. Vident Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 1st quarter valued at about $310,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 52.9% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 9,036 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $556,000 after acquiring an additional 3,127 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 8,869 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $546,000 after purchasing an additional 642 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 25.3% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,318,248 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $81,151,000 after purchasing an additional 265,783 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ascent Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 11.1% during the 1st quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 23,311 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $1,435,000 after purchasing an additional 2,333 shares during the period. 5.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE: BUD) is a multinational brewing company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. It is one of the worlds largest brewers and is primarily engaged in the production, distribution and marketing of beer and related beverages. The companys operations span brewing, packaging, logistics and retail/customer sales support, serving a broad set of channels from on-premise hospitality to retail and e-commerce.

AB InBevs portfolio includes a mix of global, regional and local beer brands across mainstream, premium, craft and non-alcoholic categories.

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John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHML  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $81.43 and last traded at $81.4540, with a volume of 13319 shares. The stock had previously closed at $80.89.

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.08 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $79.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.30.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. AE Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new stake in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Assetmark Inc. bought a new stake in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF in the second quarter worth about $47,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF by 340.2% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 788 shares of the companys stock worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 609 shares during the period. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF in the second quarter valued at about $75,000.

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF Company Profile

The John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (JHML) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Large Cap index. The fund tracks an index of largest 800 US firms, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHML was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Kercheville Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 9,551 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $1,483,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CVX. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd raised its stake in Chevron by 6.4% during the 1st quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 102,556 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $17,157,000 after buying an additional 6,200 shares during the last quarter. Talon Private Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 22.2% in the 1st quarter. Talon Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,785 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 324 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Chevron by 8.2% in the first quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 7,964 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,332,000 after acquiring an additional 606 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC increased its position in Chevron by 16.4% during the first quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 107,181 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $17,930,000 after acquiring an additional 15,125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Challenger Wealth Management increased its position in Chevron by 5.2% during the first quarter. Challenger Wealth Management now owns 20,591 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,445,000 after acquiring an additional 1,021 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.42% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CVX has been the topic of several research reports. Wall Street Zen raised Chevron from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. HSBC set a $169.00 price objective on shares of Chevron and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Chevron from $160.00 to $158.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Chevron from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Chevron in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $166.90.

Chevron Stock Performance

CVX opened at $163.84 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $152.05 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $153.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The firm has a market cap of $329.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.04, a PEG ratio of 9.76 and a beta of 0.70. Chevron Corporation has a 1-year low of $132.04 and a 1-year high of $168.96.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $48.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $46.99 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 6.57% and a return on equity of 8.74%. The companys revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.48 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Chevron Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were paid a $1.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $6.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.2%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is 96.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chevron

In related news, Director John B. Hess sold 275,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total transaction of $41,456,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,128,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $170,052,783.75. This trade represents a 19.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Stores Impacting Chevron

Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week:

Chevron Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

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KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY  Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by investment analysts at Evercore ISI from $21.00 to $25.00 in a report released on Tuesday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Evercore ISIs price target would suggest a potential upside of 17.48% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of KeyCorp in a research note on Wednesday, December 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of KeyCorp from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on KeyCorp from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of KeyCorp in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on KeyCorp from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $22.28.

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KeyCorp Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE KEY opened at $21.28 on Tuesday. KeyCorp has a 52 week low of $12.73 and a 52 week high of $21.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The firms fifty day moving average is $19.11 and its 200 day moving average is $18.55. The company has a market cap of $23.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.33, a PEG ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.09.

KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.87 billion. KeyCorp had a return on equity of 10.14% and a net margin of 10.08%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 172.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($0.47) EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that KeyCorp will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in KEY. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of KeyCorp by 2.7% in the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,255 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $397,000 after purchasing an additional 568 shares in the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management raised its holdings in KeyCorp by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 27,374 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $477,000 after acquiring an additional 586 shares in the last quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in KeyCorp by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC now owns 13,363 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 608 shares during the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC lifted its stake in shares of KeyCorp by 4.1% during the third quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 15,912 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $293,000 after acquiring an additional 627 shares during the period. Finally, Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV lifted its holdings in shares of KeyCorp by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV now owns 22,412 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $389,000 after purchasing an additional 639 shares in the last quarter. 79.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

KeyCorp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

KeyCorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, that operates through its primary banking subsidiary, KeyBank. It provides a broad range of banking and financial services to individual consumers, small businesses, middle-market companies and large corporations. KeyBanks offerings span traditional deposit and lending products as well as more specialized financial solutions designed for commercial and institutional clients.

The companys product and service mix includes retail banking products such as checking and savings accounts, consumer and residential mortgage lending, and auto financing.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:LRCDF  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Reduce by the six brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on LRCDF. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Laurentian Bank of Canada to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada in a report on Monday, December 8th. Raymond James Financial downgraded Laurentian Bank of Canada from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Price Performance

Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile

OTCMKTS LRCDF opened at $29.01 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $26.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.11. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 52-week low of $18.00 and a 52-week high of $29.41.

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The Laurentian Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:LRCDF) is headquartered in Quebec City and is one of Canadas Schedule I banks. Established in 1846, the institution has grown from a regional savings bank into a diversified financial services provider. While its core footprint remains in Quebec, the bank also serves customers in other Canadian provinces through a network of branches, digital channels and broker partnerships.

Laurentian Banks personal banking division offers chequing and savings accounts, mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards and payment solutions.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Strong Sell from the six brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have given a hold rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$35.19.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on LB shares. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Laurentian Bank of Canada from a strong sell rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the company from C$25.00 to C$40.00 in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Scotiabank set a C$33.00 target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$31.00 to C$40.50 in a research note on Monday, December 8th. CIBC downgraded shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a neutral rating to a tender rating and lifted their price target for the company from C$35.00 to C$40.50 in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lowered shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Monday, December 8th.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada stock opened at C$39.93 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$36.60 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$33.34. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 1-year low of C$24.37 and a 1-year high of C$40.42. The company has a market cap of C$1.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.06, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.57.

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 5th. The company reported C$0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative return on equity of 0.20% and a negative net margin of 0.30%.The company had revenue of C$244.71 million for the quarter. Equities research analysts forecast that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.8414986 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile

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Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, business services, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients. The business services segment provides financial services, commercial banking, real estate financing, and equipment and inventory financing to business clients.

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Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 18.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,024,254 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 159,608 shares during the period. Mastercard makes up about 0.8% of Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.s holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned 0.11% of Mastercard worth $582,606,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. ORG Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 73.2% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 698 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $394,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Curio Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Mastercard by 22,400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 225 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $126,000 after buying an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Financiere des Professionnels Fonds d investissement inc. lifted its holdings in Mastercard by 88.9% in the 3rd quarter. Financiere des Professionnels Fonds d investissement inc. now owns 15,335 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $8,723,000 after buying an additional 7,215 shares in the last quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Mastercard by 3,694.7% in the 3rd quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 9,297 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $5,288,000 after buying an additional 9,052 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,475,807 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $44,098,695,000 after acquiring an additional 931,132 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Mastercard from $640.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Mastercard from $638.00 to $630.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $713.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. KeyCorp reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $665.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Mastercard to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $657.48.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Mastercard stock opened at $568.85 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $510.83 billion, a PE ratio of 36.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.86. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $465.59 and a 12 month high of $601.77. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $555.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $565.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.28% and a return on equity of 202.03%. The company had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.53 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.89 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is currently 19.44%.

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $16.64 and last traded at $16.4850, with a volume of 164359 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $16.31.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on MUFG. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research downgraded Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Up 0.9%

The firms 50 day moving average is $15.62 and its 200-day moving average is $15.08. The firm has a market cap of $195.28 billion, a PE ratio of 14.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:MUFG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.10. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a return on equity of 9.39% and a net margin of 13.98%.The company had revenue of $23.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MUFG. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 2.3% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 12,652,332 shares of the companys stock worth $172,451,000 after buying an additional 288,583 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 79.4% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 771,913 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,591,000 after acquiring an additional 341,671 shares during the last quarter. Walleye Capital LLC boosted its stake in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 991.8% during the 2nd quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 353,838 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,855,000 after acquiring an additional 321,430 shares during the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 67.1% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 198,338 shares of the companys stock worth $2,721,000 after acquiring an additional 79,613 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Calamos Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,367,000. 13.59% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc (MUFG) is a Tokyo-based financial services holding company and one of Japans largest banking groups and among the worlds leading financial institutions. The group was formed through the integration of Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group and UFJ Holdings and operates a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services for retail, corporate, and institutional clients. MUFGs core banking operations are conducted through its commercial banking arm and a network of domestic and international subsidiaries and affiliates.

MUFG offers a broad range of products and services including commercial and retail banking, corporate and investment banking, global transaction banking, trust banking, asset management, securities and brokerage services, credit cards, consumer finance, leasing and custody services.

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Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI  Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by equities research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $216.00 to $215.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the financial services providers stock. Morgan Stanleys price target would indicate a potential upside of 17.95% from the stocks previous close.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Houlihan Lokey in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. They set a hold rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Houlihan Lokey in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Houlihan Lokey from $230.00 to $228.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Zacks Research lowered Houlihan Lokey from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Houlihan Lokey in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. They issued a neutral rating and a $193.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Houlihan Lokey currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $207.71.

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Houlihan Lokey Stock Down 0.2%

HLI stock traded down $0.32 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $182.29. 19,096 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 365,154. The firms 50 day moving average price is $178.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $188.90. The stock has a market cap of $12.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.41 and a beta of 0.95. Houlihan Lokey has a fifty-two week low of $137.99 and a fifty-two week high of $211.78.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.69 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $659.45 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $639.08 million. Houlihan Lokey had a return on equity of 24.17% and a net margin of 16.62%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.46 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Houlihan Lokey will post 5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Houlihan Lokey

In other Houlihan Lokey news, General Counsel Christopher M. Crain sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.17, for a total value of $87,085.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 22.83% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Houlihan Lokey

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Houlihan Lokey in the third quarter worth about $230,335,000. Amundi lifted its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 404.0% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 63,433 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $9,725,000 after buying an additional 50,847 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 63.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 33,430 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,016,000 after buying an additional 12,944 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 3.3% during the second quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 1,916 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $345,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC raised its holdings in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 36.3% during the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 469,653 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $84,514,000 after acquiring an additional 125,049 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.07% of the companys stock.

Houlihan Lokey Company Profile

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Houlihan Lokey, Inc is a global investment bank and financial services firm founded in 1972 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company specializes in advisory services across a broad range of transaction types and financial matters. Since its founding, Houlihan Lokey has grown to serve corporations, financial sponsors, and government entities worldwide, providing expertise in complex and high-stakes engagements.

The firms core service offerings include mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital markets advisory, financial restructuring and distressed M&A, and valuation and fairness opinions.

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Shares of Paramount Resources Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PRMRF  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $17.49, but opened at $16.89. Paramount Resources shares last traded at $16.94, with a volume of 771 shares.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on PRMRF. National Bankshares reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Paramount Resources in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. CIBC restated an outperform rating on shares of Paramount Resources in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Paramount Resources in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Paramount Resources presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Paramount Resources Stock Down 0.6%

The firm has a market capitalization of $2.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $17.31 and a 200 day moving average of $16.12.

Paramount Resources (OTCMKTS:PRMRF  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.12). Paramount Resources had a return on equity of 4.42% and a net margin of 129.12%.The firm had revenue of $103.54 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $136.00 million. Analysts predict that Paramount Resources Ltd. will post 1.74 earnings per share for the current year.

About Paramount Resources

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Paramount Resources Ltd. is a Calgary, Albertabased energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas resources. The companys operations span acquisition of acreage, drilling and completion activities, reservoir optimization and production marketing, with a focus on upstream activities. Paramount also holds a portfolio of royalty interests that generate recurring cash flows from production by third parties.

Paramounts core operating regions are located within the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, primarily in Alberta and northeastern British Columbia.

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PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK (OTCMKTS:PPERY  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 59,312 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 34% from the previous sessions volume of 44,151 shares.The stock last traded at $11.69 and had previously closed at $12.06.

PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK Stock Down 3.6%

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.36.

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About PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK

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PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk is one of Indonesias largest banking groups, providing a full range of commercial banking services to corporate, commercial, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and retail customers. The bank was established in 1998 through a government-led consolidation of four state-owned banks as part of efforts to strengthen the financial system during the Asian financial crisis. Since then it has grown into a diversified financial services franchise offering deposit taking, lending, trade finance, payment and cash management, treasury, and wealth-management services.

Bank Mandiris product suite spans traditional retail and corporate banking products  including savings and time deposits, consumer and mortgage loans, working capital and project financing  alongside specialized services such as trade and export-import finance, foreign exchange and treasury solutions, card products, and digital banking channels.

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PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) had its target price lowered by equities research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $150.00 to $132.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the construction companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 11.67% from the companys current price.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on PHM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $136.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Bank of America reduced their price target on PulteGroup from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Citigroup increased their target price on PulteGroup from $132.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, UBS Group set a $159.00 price objective on shares of PulteGroup in a research note on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $136.50.

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PulteGroup Stock Performance

NYSE PHM traded down $1.66 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $118.20. 207,091 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 940,267. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $121.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $122.35. PulteGroup has a 52 week low of $88.07 and a 52 week high of $142.11.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The construction company reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $4.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.31 billion. PulteGroup had a net margin of 14.93% and a return on equity of 19.58%. The companys revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.35 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that PulteGroup will post 12.32 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of PulteGroup

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in PulteGroup by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 12,900,271 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,704,513,000 after acquiring an additional 609,640 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in PulteGroup in the second quarter worth $404,339,000. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of PulteGroup by 13.3% in the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,623,917 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $478,828,000 after buying an additional 424,011 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in shares of PulteGroup by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,634,275 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $277,811,000 after buying an additional 23,051 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA bought a new stake in shares of PulteGroup in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $315,883,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.90% of the companys stock.

PulteGroup Company Profile

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PulteGroup, Inc (NYSE: PHM) is a U.S.-based residential homebuilder that designs, constructs and sells single-family homes and develops master-planned communities. The company operates multiple national and regional brands that target different buyer segments, including first-time buyers, move-up buyers and active-adult customers. Its operations encompass land acquisition and development, home design and construction, community amenities and ongoing customer service and warranty programs.

PulteGroup markets homes under several well-known brands, such as Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb, among others, offering a range of product types from entry-level detached homes to larger, higher-end residences and age-restricted active-adult communities.

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Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lessened its stake in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,578,210 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 76,592 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned about 0.30% of Aflac worth $176,286,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in shares of Aflac by 188.5% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 225 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Aflac by 1,526.7% during the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Aflac during the second quarter worth $26,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Aflac in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in Aflac in the second quarter valued at $32,000. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AFL. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $119.00 target price (up from $110.00) on shares of Aflac in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Aflac from $107.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Aflac from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Aflac in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Aflac from $101.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $110.92.

Insider Buying and Selling at Aflac

In other Aflac news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 15,862 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.00, for a total transaction of $1,776,544.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 230,688 shares in the company, valued at $25,837,056. This represents a 6.43% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Frederic Jean Guy Simard sold 1,722 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total transaction of $193,725.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 1,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $153,450. The trade was a 55.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 31,766 shares of company stock worth $3,549,706. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Aflac Stock Performance

AFL opened at $112.11 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.11 and a quick ratio of 0.11. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $110.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $107.50. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $96.95 and a 1 year high of $115.83. The company has a market capitalization of $58.76 billion, a PE ratio of 14.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.67.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter. Aflac had a return on equity of 14.97% and a net margin of 23.55%. Research analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. This is an increase from Aflacs previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. Aflacs payout ratio is presently 31.85%.

Aflac Company Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflacs product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans.

Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing.

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SentinelOne (NYSE:S  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at Piper Sandler from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report issued on Sunday,Zacks.com reports.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Wedbush dropped their price objective on shares of SentinelOne from $23.00 to $20.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of SentinelOne from $21.00 to $18.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Westpark Capital reiterated a buy rating and set a $25.00 price objective on shares of SentinelOne in a report on Friday, December 5th. Citizens Jmp reduced their price objective on SentinelOne from $29.00 to $23.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $21.00 target price on shares of SentinelOne in a research report on Friday, December 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, SentinelOne has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $22.33.

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SentinelOne Trading Up 1.3%

Shares of NYSE S opened at $14.83 on Friday. SentinelOne has a one year low of $14.43 and a one year high of $25.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.04 billion, a PE ratio of -11.87 and a beta of 0.77. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $15.85 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $17.14.

SentinelOne (NYSE:S  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $258.91 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $256.19 million. SentinelOne had a negative return on equity of 14.95% and a negative net margin of 43.04%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 22.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.25) EPS. Research analysts anticipate that SentinelOne will post -0.76 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other SentinelOne news, CEO Tomer Weingarten sold 125,429 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.09, for a total value of $1,892,723.61. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,093,108 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,494,999.72. The trade was a 10.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Robin Tomasello sold 8,509 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.58, for a total value of $124,061.22. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 285,551 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,163,333.58. This trade represents a 2.89% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 280,380 shares of company stock valued at $4,340,705 in the last three months. 4.33% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of SentinelOne

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in S. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of SentinelOne by 25.2% during the second quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 3,442 shares of the companys stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 692 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in SentinelOne by 102.4% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,435 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 726 shares in the last quarter. Mission Creek Capital Partners Inc. boosted its position in SentinelOne by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Mission Creek Capital Partners Inc. now owns 45,958 shares of the companys stock worth $840,000 after acquiring an additional 760 shares during the last quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC now owns 46,909 shares of the companys stock worth $857,000 after acquiring an additional 768 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sapience Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of SentinelOne by 3.7% in the second quarter. Sapience Investments LLC now owns 24,140 shares of the companys stock valued at $441,000 after purchasing an additional 862 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.87% of the companys stock.

About SentinelOne

(Get Free Report)

SentinelOne, Inc is a cybersecurity company specializing in AI-driven, autonomous endpoint protection. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, the firm developed its Singularity Platform to unify prevention, detection, response, and hunting across endpoints, cloud workloads, containers and IoT devices. SentinelOnes solutions leverage machine learning and behavioral analytics to identify threats in real time, automate remediation workflows and deliver forensics to support rapid incident response.

The companys flagship product suite includes endpoint security agents, cloud workload protection, identity threat detection and extended detection and response (XDR) capabilities.

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Shares of SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (NYSEARCA:QUS  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $176.13 and last traded at $176.17, with a volume of 1272 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $175.44.

SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $1.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.46 and a beta of 0.89. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $173.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $168.89.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. MMA Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $40,000. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $54,000. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF by 38.5% in the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 565 shares of the companys stock valued at $92,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the last quarter.

SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF Company Profile

The SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks comprising three equally weighted subindexes with value, quality and minimum volatility factor strategies. QUS was launched on Apr 16, 2015 and is managed by State Street.

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TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU  Get Free Report) (TSE:T) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twelve research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation, five have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.1667.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on TU. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating and issued a $19.00 target price (down previously from $22.00) on shares of TELUS in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Barclays reduced their price target on TELUS from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of TELUS in a research report on Monday, December 29th. BMO Capital Markets downgraded shares of TELUS from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Natl Bk Canada raised shares of TELUS from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th.

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TELUS Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of TELUS stock opened at $13.10 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. TELUS has a 12-month low of $12.54 and a 12-month high of $16.74. The company has a market cap of $20.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.81, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.66. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $13.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $15.13.

TELUS (NYSE:TU  Get Free Report) (TSE:T) last announced its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.02). TELUS had a net margin of 5.71% and a return on equity of 8.76%. The company had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.77 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.28 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that TELUS will post 0.71 EPS for the current year.

TELUS Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were issued a dividend of $0.4184 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 11th. This is a positive change from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.67 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.8%. TELUSs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 218.18%.

Institutional Trading of TELUS

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Parvin Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of TELUS during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in TELUS by 35.0% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,926 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 759 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in TELUS by 26.1% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,227 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 667 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in TELUS by 169.6% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,658 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 2,301 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new position in shares of TELUS in the second quarter worth approximately $61,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.40% of the companys stock.

TELUS Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TELUS Corporation (NYSE: TU) is a Canadian telecommunications and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It delivers a broad portfolio of consumer and business communications services across Canada, including mobile wireless, fixed-line voice, broadband internet, and television. TELUS also provides a range of enterprise services such as cloud and IT solutions, managed network services, cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) offerings for business customers.

Beyond core connectivity, TELUS has expanded into health and digital services.

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The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $898.00 to $1,087.00 in a report released on Tuesday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the investment management companys stock. Jefferies Financial Groups price target would suggest a potential upside of 15.01% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on GS. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $855.00 to $970.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Barclays raised their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $1,048.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Dbs Bank lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $800.00 to $890.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $852.28.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on GS

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

GS opened at $945.15 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $840.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $776.72. The Goldman Sachs Group has a 1 year low of $439.38 and a 1 year high of $961.69. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. The stock has a market cap of $283.48 billion, a PE ratio of 19.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.33.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The company had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 13.18%.The businesss revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $8.40 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group will post 47.12 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $20,566,005,000 after buying an additional 29,053,586 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.9% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,661,422 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $5,304,824,000 after buying an additional 121,676 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,379,900 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,392,124,000 after purchasing an additional 157,473 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth approximately $2,138,031,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.5% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,913,172 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,319,905,000 after purchasing an additional 97,387 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stores Impacting The Goldman Sachs Group

Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week:

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide.

Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking.

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The Hartford Insurance Group (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by investment analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $145.00 to $160.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the insurance providers stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price target would suggest a potential upside of 17.45% from the companys previous close.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on HIG. Wolfe Research began coverage on The Hartford Insurance Group in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on The Hartford Insurance Group from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on The Hartford Insurance Group from $152.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $147.00 to $140.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $146.33.

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The Hartford Insurance Group Trading Down 1.1%

NYSE HIG traded down $1.52 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $136.23. The company had a trading volume of 393,746 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,101,643. The companys fifty day moving average is $133.80 and its 200-day moving average is $130.13. The Hartford Insurance Group has a one year low of $104.93 and a one year high of $140.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company has a market cap of $37.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.61.

The Hartford Insurance Group (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The insurance provider reported $3.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.76. The Hartford Insurance Group had a net margin of 12.75% and a return on equity of 21.07%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.53 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Hartford Insurance Group will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Hartford Insurance Group news, EVP Lori A. Rodden sold 7,841 shares of The Hartford Insurance Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.41, for a total value of $959,816.81. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 18,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,252,344. The trade was a 29.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Hartford Insurance Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its stake in The Hartford Insurance Group by 707.7% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 210 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares during the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in The Hartford Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in The Hartford Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its stake in The Hartford Insurance Group by 151.1% during the 2nd quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 221 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the period. Finally, United Financial Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Institutional investors own 93.42% of the companys stock.

The Hartford Insurance Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Hartford Financial Services Group, commonly known as The Hartford, is a U.S.-based insurance and investment company that provides a broad range of commercial and personal insurance products and employee benefits. Its core businesses include property and casualty insurance for businesses and individuals, group benefits such as group life, disability and dental plans, and retirement and investment solutions offered through affiliated asset-management operations. The company also delivers risk management, claims-handling and loss-prevention services designed to support policyholders across a variety of industries.

Founded in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1810, The Hartford is one of the oldest insurance organizations in the United States and has a long history of underwriting and product development across multiple insurance lines.

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Rocket Companies, UP Fintech, Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, Society Pass, DeFi Development, IDT, and LexinFintech are the seven Fintech stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Fintech stocks are shares of companies whose primary business is using software, mobile apps, and digital platforms to provide financial servicessuch as payments, digital banking, online lending, wealthtech, insurtech, and blockchain-based servicesor of traditional financial firms that derive significant revenue from technology-driven products. For investors, fintech stocks are often viewed as growth-oriented but can be more volatile and sensitive to adoption trends, competition, and regulatory or interest-rate changes, so evaluation typically focuses on user growth, unit economics, and regulatory exposure. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Fintech stocks within the last several days.

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Rocket Companies (RKT)

Rocket Companies, Inc., a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The companys solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business.

UP Fintech (TIGR)

UP Fintech Holding Limited provides online brokerage services focusing on Chinese investors. The company has developed a brokerage platform, which allows investor to trade stocks, options, warrants, and other financial instruments that can be accessed through its APP and website. It offers brokerage and value-added services, including investor education, community engagement, and IR platform services.

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Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (KSPI)

Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, together with its subsidiaries, provides payments, marketplace, and fintech solutions for consumers and merchants in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It operates through three segments: Payments Platform, Marketplace Platform, and Fintech Platform. The Payments Platform segment facilities transactions between customers and merchants.

Read Our Latest Research Report on KSPI

Society Pass (SOPA)

Society Pass Incorporated acquires and operates fintech and e-commerce platforms and mobile applications for consumers and merchants in Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, the United States, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Thailand. It operates through Online Grocery and Food and Groceries Deliveries, Digital marketing, Online ticketing and reservation, Telecommunications Reseller, e-Commerce, and Merchant Point of Sale segments.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SOPA

DeFi Development (DFDV)

We are a B2B fintech marketplace connecting commercial property borrowers and lenders with a human touch. We seek to revolutionize the commercial real estate lending market by making it hyper-efficient, transparent, and accessible to all rather than the few. Through our online platform, we provide technology that connects commercial mortgage borrowers looking for capital to refinance, build, or purchase commercial property, including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, to commercial property lenders.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DFDV

IDT (IDT)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

Read Our Latest Research Report on IDT

LexinFintech (LX)

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides online consumer finance services in the People's Republic of China. The company operates Fenqile.com, an online consumption and consumer finance platform that offers installment purchase and personal installment loans, as well as online direct sales with installment payment terms; and Le Hua Card, a scenario-based lending.

Read Our Latest Research Report on LX

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Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by stock analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $305.00 to $317.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the insurance providers stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price target indicates a potential upside of 11.53% from the stocks previous close.

TRV has been the subject of a number of other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Friday, October 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $289.00 to $297.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays set a $313.00 target price on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $295.00.

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Travelers Companies Stock Performance

TRV stock traded down $3.54 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $284.22. 500,965 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,078,290. Travelers Companies has a twelve month low of $230.23 and a twelve month high of $296.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a market capitalization of $63.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.52. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $285.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $274.59.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.01 by $2.13. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 20.28% and a net margin of 12.14%.The firm had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.24 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Travelers Companies will post 17.02 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.73, for a total transaction of $2,320,697.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 33,638 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,106,815.74. This trade represents a 20.31% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.25, for a total value of $6,956,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 26,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,493,829. The trade was a 48.14% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 46,295 shares of company stock worth $13,011,918. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Avalon Trust Co lifted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 23.4% in the second quarter. Avalon Trust Co now owns 7,541 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,018,000 after buying an additional 1,429 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 11.3% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 135,143 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $37,735,000 after acquiring an additional 13,758 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 16.4% in the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 102,911 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $27,533,000 after purchasing an additional 14,484 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,454,118 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $384,752,000 after purchasing an additional 22,382 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth grew its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 9.3% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 17,836 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,717,000 after purchasing an additional 1,522 shares during the period. 82.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Travelers Companies Company Profile

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The Travelers Companies, Inc (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance products and services. The company underwrites a broad range of commercial and personal insurance lines, offering coverage designed to protect individuals, small and midsize businesses, and large corporate clients against property loss, liability, and other operational risks. Travelers is known for combining underwriting, claims management and risk control services to help clients prevent losses and recover when incidents occur.

On the commercial side, Travelers writes primary and specialty coverages including property, general liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, professional and management liability, surety and inland marine.

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Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in iShares Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:IAU  Free Report) by 88.1% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 36,086 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 16,904 shares during the period. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares Gold Trust were worth $2,626,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 67.5% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 10,919,614 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $680,947,000 after acquiring an additional 4,398,605 shares in the last quarter. WealthNavi Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Gold Trust by 8.5% during the third quarter. WealthNavi Inc. now owns 7,130,543 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $518,890,000 after purchasing an additional 559,413 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares Gold Trust by 2.3% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 6,616,480 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $412,563,000 after purchasing an additional 148,881 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 14.4% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 5,490,435 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $342,384,000 after purchasing an additional 692,844 shares during the period. Finally, Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 809.1% in the 2nd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 5,108,818 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $318,586,000 after purchasing an additional 4,546,835 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.67% of the companys stock.

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iShares Gold Trust Price Performance

iShares Gold Trust stock opened at $83.71 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $70.52 billion, a PE ratio of 5.53 and a beta of 0.09. iShares Gold Trust has a one year low of $49.51 and a one year high of $85.68. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $79.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $71.53.

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iShares Gold Trust Profile

Here are the key news stories impacting iShares Gold Trust this week:

(Free Report)

iShares Gold Trust (the Trust) is to own gold transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust (Shares). Each Share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in the net assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust consist of gold held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust. The sponsor of the Trust is iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC (the Sponsor), which is an indirect subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc The trustee of the Trust is The Bank of New York Mellon (the Trustee) and the custodian of the Trust is JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., London branch (the Custodian).

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Ithaca Energy plc (LON:ITH  Get Free Report) insider Yaniv Friedman bought 94 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 160 per share, with a total value of 150.40.

Yaniv Friedman also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, December 1st, Yaniv Friedman acquired 32,476 shares of Ithaca Energy stock. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 174 per share, with a total value of 56,508.24.

On Monday, December 1st, Yaniv Friedman bought 7,524 shares of Ithaca Energy stock. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 175 per share, for a total transaction of 13,167.

On Wednesday, November 5th, Yaniv Friedman purchased 66 shares of Ithaca Energy stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 228 per share, with a total value of 150.48.

Ithaca Energy Stock Performance

ITH opened at GBX 157.80 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of 2.60 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.04. Ithaca Energy plc has a one year low of GBX 120 and a one year high of GBX 242.50. The businesss fifty day moving average is GBX 190.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 185.65.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Ithaca Energy to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from GBX 145 to GBX 220 in a report on Monday, October 20th. Peel Hunt reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 200 price objective on shares of Ithaca Energy in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 210.

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About Ithaca Energy

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Ithaca Energy is a leading UK independent exploration and production company focused on the UK North Sea with a strong track record of material value creation. In recent years, the Company has been focused on growing its portfolio of assets through both organic investment programmes and acquisitions and has seen a period of significant M&A driven growth centred upon two transformational acquisitions.

Today, Ithaca Energy is one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (the UKCS), with stakes in six of the ten largest fields in the UKCS and two of UKCSs largest pre-development fields.

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ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $22.09 and last traded at $22.0050, with a volume of 273840 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $21.71.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ZTO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 27th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $22.36.

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ZTO Express (Cayman) Price Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average is $20.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.43. The stock has a market cap of $13.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.87 and a beta of -0.21.

ZTO Express (Cayman) (NYSE:ZTO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The transportation company reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($2.08). ZTO Express (Cayman) had a net margin of 18.61% and a return on equity of 14.33%. The businesss revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.90 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that ZTO Express will post 1.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ZTO Express (Cayman)

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 61.4% during the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,021 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 769 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 42.2% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,341 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 695 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 156.2% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,489 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 2,127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 986.2% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,856 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $68,000 after purchasing an additional 3,501 shares in the last quarter. 41.65% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About ZTO Express (Cayman)

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ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc is one of Chinas leading express delivery companies, specializing in both domestic and cross-border parcel logistics. The company operates a technology-enabled network that connects shippers, independent pickup and delivery stations, regional sorting hubs and end customers. ZTOs service portfolio includes standard express, heavy-weight parcel delivery, time-definite shipments and e-commerce logistics solutions tailored for online retailers and marketplaces.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Shanghai, ZTO has grown rapidly by leveraging a franchise-style operating model that engages a broad network of independent contractors.

Further Reading

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Daymark Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 18.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,383 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,119 shares during the quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $10,211,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the companys stock worth $9,005,392,000 after purchasing an additional 11,537,661 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,827,714,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,407,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,680,004,000 after buying an additional 1,183,038 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 106.8% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,481,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,154,508,000 after acquiring an additional 765,010 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 13.4% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,766,865 shares of the companys stock worth $3,715,913,000 after acquiring an additional 564,736 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 3.6%

NYSE:LLY opened at $1,041.78 on Tuesday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,111.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $1,017.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $853.10. The stock has a market cap of $984.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.97, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The business had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.18 EPS. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a $1.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 29.35%.

Key Headlines Impacting Eli Lilly and Company

Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on LLY. HSBC reiterated a hold rating and set a $1,070.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Scotiabank assumed coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Loop Capital set a $950.00 target price on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Leerink Partners set a $1,234.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $1,161.27.

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Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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Secom (OTCMKTS:SOMLY  Get Free Report) and DCC (OTCMKTS:DCCPF  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Secom and DCC, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Secom 0 0 0 0 0.00 DCC 0 0 1 0 3.00

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Secom and DCCs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Secom $7.88 billion 2.09 $713.52 million $0.42 21.05 DCC $22.98 billion 0.27 $263.46 million N/A N/A

Secom has higher earnings, but lower revenue than DCC.

Profitability

This table compares Secom and DCCs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Secom 8.65% 7.49% 5.06% DCC N/A N/A N/A

Volatility and Risk

Secom has a beta of 0.3, meaning that its stock price is 70% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, DCC has a beta of 0.68, meaning that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Secom beats DCC on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Secom

(Get Free Report)

SECOM CO., LTD., together with its subsidiaries, provides security services in Japan and internationally. The company operates through Security Services, Fire Protection Services, Medical Services, Insurance Services, Geospatial Information Services, BPO and ICT Services, and Other Services. The Security Services segment offers static guard, armored car, merchandise, and other services, as well as online security systems. The Fire Protection Services segment provides fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, and maintenance services to office buildings, production facilities, tunnels, cultural properties, ships, and residences. The Medical Services segment offers home nursing, pharmaceutical dispensing, home delivery services, health and preventative care services, and personal and outpatient care services; and cloud-based medical reporting services and SECOM LINKus application. This segment also operates the general hospital and residences for seniors; and sells medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. The Insurance Services Segment provides fire insurance, automobile insurance, and cancer treatment insurance services. The Geospatial Information Services segment offers geospatial information services to public-sector entities, such as national and local governments; private sector customers; and overseas government agencies. The BPO and ICT Services segment provides contact centers and back office support services, data center, disaster preparedness, information security, and cloud-based services, as well as SaaS solutions. The Other Services segment offers real estate leasing, construction, and installation services. The company was incorporated in 1962 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About DCC

(Get Free Report)

DCC plc provides sales, marketing, and support services worldwide. The company operates through DCC Energy, DCC Healthcare, and DCC Technology segments. It sells and markets liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refrigerants, and natural gas; markets, sells, and retails transport and commercial fuels, heating oils, and related products and services; operates retail petrol stations; resells fuel cards; distributes oil; and provides logistics services. It also offers products and services to healthcare providers, and health and beauty brand owners; contract manufacturing services to the health and beauty sector; nutrition products, such as vitamins and health supplements; beauty products; and product development, formulation, manufacturing, and packaging services. In, addition it distributes consumer technology products, including smart home products, peripherals and software, and accessories, as well as provides supply chain services. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

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Bank of East Asia (OTCMKTS:BKEAY  Get Free Report) and Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

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Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Bank of East Asia and Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bank of East Asia $5.67 billion 0.79 $590.75 million N/A N/A Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft $71.84 billion N/A $4.70 billion $2.71 14.65

Profitability

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has higher revenue and earnings than Bank of East Asia.

This table compares Bank of East Asia and Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bank of East Asia N/A N/A N/A Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft 7.99% 5.97% 0.35%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

27.9% of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Bank of East Asia has a beta of 0.09, meaning that its share price is 91% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has a beta of 0.96, meaning that its share price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Bank of East Asia and Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bank of East Asia 1 0 0 0 1.00 Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft 1 5 4 1 2.45

Summary

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft beats Bank of East Asia on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bank of East Asia

(Get Free Report)

The Bank of East Asia, Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and related financial services. Its personal banking services include corporate, individual, savings, current, time deposit, and supreme accounts; and time deposits, foreign currency deposits, MAS services, and auto-payroll products, as well as safe deposit boxes and remittance services. The company also provides corporate banking services, such as SME loans and financing guarantee schemes; corporate and commercial financing products, including syndicated and construction loans, acquisition and structured financing, working capital financing, share financing and IPO-related loans, and commercial mortgages; trade finance services and expert trade solutions; factoring services; import and export trade finance; guarantee services; eTradeConnect that allows buyers and sellers to connect, transact, share information, and submit applications for financing through a single platform; cash management services; corporate wealth management products; foreign exchange and treasury products; and marine cargo, property, trade credit, employee compensation, life, savings, and endowment insurance plans. In addition, it offers private banking services comprising investment advisory services; investment solutions, such as unit trusts, linked deposits, currency trading and management, global equities and bonds investments, structured products, and options and derivatives; portfolio management services; securities and futures broking services; cyber banking, credit cards, and ATM; and various international services. The company operates outlets in Hong Kong, rest of Greater China, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Bank of East Asia, Limited was incorporated in 1918 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.

About Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, a stock corporation, provides corporate and investment banking, and asset management products and services to private individuals, corporate entities, and institutional clients in Germany, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through Corporate Bank, Investment Bank, Private Bank, and Asset Management segments. The Corporate Bank segment offers cash management, trade finance and lending, trust and agency, and securities services, as well as risk management solutions. The Investment Bank segment provides debt origination, merger and acquisitions, foreign exchange, and equity advisory and origination platform services. The Private Bank segment offers payment and account services, and credit and deposit products, as well as investment advice products, such as environmental, social, and governance products. This segment also provides banking, wealth management, other financial, and postal and parcel services; and supports in planning, managing and investing wealth, financing personal and business interests, and servicing institutional and corporate needs. The Asset Management segment offers investment solutions, such as alternative investments, which include real estate, infrastructure, liquid real assets, and sustainable investments; and various other services, including insurance and pension solutions, asset liability management, portfolio management solutions, and asset allocation advisory to individuals and institutions. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

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Magna International (NYSE:MGA  Free Report) (TSE:MG) had its price objective raised by CIBC from $50.00 to $56.00 in a report released on Monday morning,BayStreet.CA reports. CIBC currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

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A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Magna International from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Magna International from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Magna International from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Magna International from $45.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, TD Securities raised their price objective on Magna International from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Magna International has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $50.73.

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Magna International Stock Performance

NYSE:MGA opened at $55.08 on Monday. Magna International has a 12 month low of $30.39 and a 12 month high of $55.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.48 billion, a PE ratio of 15.05 and a beta of 1.50. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $50.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.24.

Magna International (NYSE:MGA  Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.24 by $0.09. Magna International had a return on equity of 11.88% and a net margin of 2.50%.The company had revenue of $10.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.28 EPS. Magna Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Magna International will post 5.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Magna International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a dividend of $0.485 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio is 53.01%.

Institutional Trading of Magna International

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. ARGA Investment Management LP raised its position in Magna International by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 3,114,386 shares of the companys stock worth $120,366,000 after buying an additional 116,529 shares during the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in shares of Magna International in the first quarter valued at about $305,000. Western Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Magna International during the second quarter worth about $249,000. Leuthold Group LLC purchased a new position in Magna International during the second quarter worth about $388,000. Finally, Mediolanum International Funds Ltd acquired a new stake in Magna International in the second quarter valued at about $4,618,000. 67.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Magna International Company Profile

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Magna International Inc is a leading global automotive supplier specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of vehicle systems, assemblies, modules, and components. Headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, the company partners with major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop technologies and solutions that enhance vehicle performance, safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Magnas broad portfolio encompasses body exteriors and structures, powertrain systems, seating and interiors, roof systems, mirror systems, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The company operates more than 350 manufacturing and assembly facilities and over 100 innovation centers across 27 countries, serving customers in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.

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Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) recently bought shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM). In a filing disclosed on January 02nd, the Representative disclosed that they had bought between $1,001 and $15,000 in International Business Machines stock on December 12th.

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Representative Lloyd Doggett also recently made the following trade(s):

Purchased $1,001  $15,000 in shares of Home Depot (NYSE:HD) on 12/18/2025.

Purchased $1,001  $15,000 in shares of CocaCola (NYSE:KO) on 12/15/2025.

Purchased $1,001  $15,000 in shares of PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) on 12/12/2025.

Purchased $1,001  $15,000 in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) on 12/9/2025.

International Business Machines Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:IBM opened at $294.95 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $304.19 and a 200-day moving average of $281.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97. The firm has a market cap of $275.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.70. International Business Machines Corporation has a twelve month low of $214.50 and a twelve month high of $324.90.

International Business Machines Announces Dividend

International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.20. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 37.76% and a net margin of 12.09%.The firm had revenue of $16.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a $1.68 dividend. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio is currently 80.38%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on IBM. Weiss Ratings upgraded International Business Machines from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b) rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $256.00 to $252.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $295.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $301.85.

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International Business Machines News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:

Positive Sentiment: Jefferies upgraded IBM to Buy and raised its price target to $360 (from $300), citing stronger 2026 AI and cloud growth potential  a clear upside catalyst for the stock. Read More.

Jefferies upgraded IBM to Buy and raised its price target to $360 (from $300), citing stronger 2026 AI and cloud growth potential  a clear upside catalyst for the stock. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Barrons highlights the Jefferies upgrade and frames IBM as an acceleration story, increasing investor interest in IBMs transformation into a higher-growth AI/cloud company. Read More.

Barrons highlights the Jefferies upgrade and frames IBM as an acceleration story, increasing investor interest in IBMs transformation into a higher-growth AI/cloud company. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analyst-watch coverage (Benzinga roundup) lists multiple bullish forecasts  including scenarios implying a >20% rally  which can drive additional buying if a few large firms raise targets. Read More.

Analyst-watch coverage (Benzinga roundup) lists multiple bullish forecasts  including scenarios implying a >20% rally  which can drive additional buying if a few large firms raise targets. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Market commentary and retail-focused outlets (The Motley Fool) are flagging IBM as a bargain with upside potential as investors re-rate its AI/cloud transition. That framing supports continued inflows from value/growth-seeking investors. Read More.

Market commentary and retail-focused outlets (The Motley Fool) are flagging IBM as a bargain with upside potential as investors re-rate its AI/cloud transition. That framing supports continued inflows from value/growth-seeking investors. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analyst consensus sites report a Moderate Buy consensus and Zacks coverage notes the stocks recent upswing following a quarterly beat, reinforcing the narrative of improving fundamentals. Read More. Read More.

Analyst consensus sites report a Moderate Buy consensus and Zacks coverage notes the stocks recent upswing following a quarterly beat, reinforcing the narrative of improving fundamentals. Read More. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Options/technical commentary (YouTube segment) notes the Jefferies upgrade may push back bearish trends, but flags that technicals still need confirmation  useful for short-term traders. Read More.

Options/technical commentary (YouTube segment) notes the Jefferies upgrade may push back bearish trends, but flags that technicals still need confirmation  useful for short-term traders. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Background piece on former CEO Lou Gerstner (LiveMint) is of historical interest but is not a direct stock catalyst. Read More.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Business Machines

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Family CFO Inc acquired a new position in International Business Machines during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. SWAN Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in International Business Machines by 85.0% during the second quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 111 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Representative Doggett

Lloyd Doggett (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Texas 37th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.

Doggett (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Texas 37th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Lloyd Doggett was born in Austin, Texas. Doggett graduated from Austin High School in 1964. He earned a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967 and a J.D. from the University of Texas in 1970. Doggetts career experience includes working as an adjunct professor with the University of Texas School of Law. In the 116th Congress, Doggett served on the House Ways & Means Committee, and he co-founded the House Prescription Drug Taskforce.

About International Business Machines

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International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.

IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.

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Cannlabs (OTCMKTS:CANL  Get Free Report) and Pediatrix Medical Group (NYSE:MD  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, risk, valuation, earnings and institutional ownership.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Cannlabs and Pediatrix Medical Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cannlabs N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Pediatrix Medical Group $2.01 billion 0.93 -$99.07 million $1.90 11.53

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Cannlabs has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Pediatrix Medical Group.

97.7% of Pediatrix Medical Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Pediatrix Medical Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Cannlabs and Pediatrix Medical Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cannlabs N/A N/A N/A Pediatrix Medical Group 8.44% 20.45% 7.94%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Cannlabs and Pediatrix Medical Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cannlabs 0 0 0 0 0.00 Pediatrix Medical Group 0 4 1 1 2.50

Pediatrix Medical Group has a consensus target price of $21.00, suggesting a potential downside of 4.11%. Given Cannlabs higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Cannlabs is more favorable than Pediatrix Medical Group.

Risk and Volatility

Cannlabs has a beta of 1.75, meaning that its stock price is 75% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Pediatrix Medical Group has a beta of 0.73, meaning that its stock price is 27% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Pediatrix Medical Group beats Cannlabs on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Cannlabs

(Get Free Report)

CannLabs, Inc. provides cannabis testing laboratory services in the United States. Its testing services include potency testing, residual solvent analysis, microbiological testing, pesticide testing, heavy metals testing, nutrient analysis, terpenes analysis, shelf-life/stability studies, gene expression testing, and genotyping/phenotyping testing. The company also offers data/analytics and consulting, as well as education services. CannLabs, Inc. was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

About Pediatrix Medical Group

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Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides newborn, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology, and other pediatric subspecialty care services in the United States. It offers neonatal care services, such as clinical care to babies born prematurely or with complications within specific units at hospitals through neonatal physician subspecialists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and other pediatric clinicians. The company also provides maternal-fetal care services, including inpatient and office-based clinical care to expectant mothers and unborn babies through affiliated maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists, as well as obstetricians and other clinicians, including maternal-fetal nurse practitioners, certified nurse mid-wives, sonographers, and genetic counselors. In addition, it offers pediatric cardiology care services comprising inpatient and office-based pediatric cardiology care of the fetus, infant, child, and adolescent patient with congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease, as well as adults with congenital heart defects through affiliated pediatric cardiologist subspecialists and other related clinical professionals, including pediatric nurse practitioners, echocardiographers, other diagnostic technicians, and exercise physiologists; and specialized cardiac care to the fetus, neonatal and pediatric patients. Further, the company provides other pediatric subspecialty care services, such as pediatric intensivists, pediatric hospitalists, pediatric surgeons, and pediatric ophthalmologists, as well as pediatric ear, nose, and throat physicians, pediatric gastroenterologists; and support services in the areas of hospitals, primarily in the pediatric emergency rooms, labor and delivery areas, and nursery and pediatric departments. The company was formerly known as MEDNAX, Inc. and changed its name to Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. in July 2022. Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Sunrise, Florida.

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Addiction recovery service, ARC Fitness, is delighted to announce it has been awarded 499,924 from The National Lottery Community Fund through its Strengthening Communities programme.

This significant investment will support ARC Fitness over the next three years, enabling the Derry based organisation to expand its recovery programmes, develop new services and strengthen its long-standing connections across the community.

The funding will also support ARCs new Recovery Aloud campaign, a year-long initiative designed to provide proactive, early intervention for adults affected by addiction. Through a series of events and targeted programmes, this campaign will also promote the importance of addressing addiction early while offering physical, emotional and educational support to individuals and families.

Additionally, this award will support ARCs ongoing work in creating recovery-positive spaces throughout the North West, while also helping to prevent challenges such as unemployment, suicide, illness, relationship breakdown and crime, that are often faced by service users.

ARC Fitness was first launched in 2019 by Gary Rutherford, a registered mental health nurse and a person in long term recovery from addiction. Gary commented on the new funding award.

He said: Were extremely grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for this truly transformative funding. It will not only enable us to practically host events and initiatives over the next three years but on a deeper level it will empower us to widen our community impact, reach more people, and continue breaking down barriers surrounding addiction and recovery.

"We believe truly that what we do at ARC Fitness has the ability to help individuals to rediscover their purpose and recognise that they are not defined by their past or their struggles but they are valued, worthy individuals who are not alone in their recovery.

"There is a lot of work still to do in this area but were ready. Bring on the next three years!

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players to deserving communities across the UK. It supports projects that help people and communities thrive, focusing funding on initiatives that strengthen communities, improve wellbeing and create lasting social impact.

Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: Our Strengthening Communities programme is focused on helping communities across Northern Ireland become stronger, healthier and more inclusive.

"ARC Fitness is deeply rooted in its community and plays an important role in supporting local people and families affected by addiction. This funding recognises the positive impact ARC Fitness already has across the North West, and we look forward to seeing how this work continues to grow over the next three years.

ARC Fitness has already supported hundreds of individuals and families across the North West and beyond by giving individuals, who are recovering from addiction, the opportunity to focus on improving their mental and physical wellbeing through physical activity, professional support, and re-connection with community.

If youre interested in learning more about ARC Fitness, including previous campaigns they have run, or if you would like to partner with ARC visit https://arcfitness.uk/
Shoppers in County Derry were among the generous contributors who donated 1,654 brand-new toys to Tescos 2025 Christmas Toy Donation campaign, helping local children across Northern Ireland celebrate the festive season.

Customers at Tesco stores in Derry, Coleraine, Limavady and Magherafelt supported the retailers 2025 Christmas Toy Donation campaign so that local children who might otherwise not receive a gift on the big day wouldnt miss out on some festive magic.

Customers responded enthusiastically, with 1,654 brand-new toys donated at in-store donation points. The gifts were then given to local organisations including The Salvation Army, Womens Aid, St Vincent de Paul and Cash for Kids, which Tesco store colleagues chose to partner with for the campaign. The gifts were then distributed to local children to open on Christmas Day.

Siobhan McMullan, Customer Engagement Manager at Tescos Newcastle Superstore said We take pride in supporting our local community during the year through Tesco Stronger Starts and our Community Food Connection programme. This years toy donation campaign gave customers a fantastic opportunity to support local families and ensure children in our community had something to open on Christmas Day.

"We are so grateful to our customers who donated what they could to help bring some festive joy to local families over Christmas.

Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: We really cant thank our customers enough for their kind contributions to our Toy Donation campaign. Throughout the year our stores give support to children and their community, and without fail local people support us in our efforts.

"So once again we are grateful to the people of Northern Ireland for showing that the magic of Christmas is very much alive and well. They have made a lot of children very happy at a time of year that can be difficult for some families, so thank you so much again for your support.

Tescos Toy Donation campaign ran in stores across the UK in November and December, with more than 74,250 gifts donated by generous shoppers.
Inquests into the deaths of a man and two women in separate knife attacks in Co Antrim are expected to be held in June.

Kenneth McClean-Flanagan, 26, is thought to have murdered his mother Karen McClean-Flanagan, 50, and girlfriend Stacey Knell, 30, in Newtownabbey in March 2021 before taking his own life.

The incident led to calls in the Northern Ireland Assembly for unified and determined action to tackle gender-based violence in Northern Ireland.

A number of preliminary hearings have been held at Belfasts Laganside Courthouse since March 2025.

The first preliminary hearing heard a proposal by Coroner Anne-Louise Toal that an inquest into the death of Mr McClean-Flanagan should be held separately to those of his two victims.

Ms Knells next-of-kin, the PSNI and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust are all legally represented in the proceedings.

Coroner Anne-Louise Toal received an update on preparations for the inquests during a brief preliminary hearing at Belfast Coroners Court on Tuesday.

Ronan Daly, counsel for the coroner, said work is ongoing on disclosure of material from the PSNI, evidence and the consideration of a potential further witness.

Ms Toal referred to a very sad and tragic case and voiced her hope to list the inquests for hearing on the week commencing June 15.

Another preliminary hearing is to take place on February 23.
As it suggested it would in late 2024, Zimbabwe has now started levying a new tax on payments to increasingly popular multinational digital service providers.

Called the Digital Services Withholding Tax (DSWT), the new duty targets payments made to foreign digital service providers. It took effect, as we reported it would a month ago, from 1 January 2026.

The new 15% digital services withholding tax applies to global digital service providers such as Netflix, Starlink, InDrive and Bolt, among others. Payment service providers, such as banks and other payment processors, are responsible for collecting the tax.

Banks have already begun gearing up for this. As ITWeb Africa notes, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe, owned by The Standard Bank Group, the leading banking and financial services group in Africa, informed its depositors via text message on 3 January that the 15% withholding tax on international internet and card payments went into effect on 1 January, in accordance with the 2026 Finance Act that enables the move.

It said at the time that the tax was applicable to the gross value of each transaction and is intended to ensure that offshore providers receive their payment in full while the tax is accounted for locally".

The point of the tax, the government has argued, is that offshore digital platforms allow companies to supply services directly to domestic users without establishing a physical presence in the country. They also generate income from domestic consumers and businesses. Thus, the government suggests, they should be taxed, though there is no doubt that the troubled Zimbabwean economy would welcome some extra income.
Veon Group plans to invest US$20 million in its financial services subsidiary Mobilink Microfinance Bank, as the company looks to scale digital banking services in Pakistan.

The investment marks Veons first foreign direct investment of the year in the country, according to Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Veons Pakistani operator Jazz, who announced the move on social media.

Veon said the funding will support growing demand for digital and Islamic banking services, as well as broader development of Pakistans digital economy.

Mobilink Microfinance Bank was launched with an initial investment of US$415 million and received its Islamic banking licence from the State Bank of Pakistan last year. The bank began operations in December with the opening of its first branch in Karachi.

According to Dawn, the latest funding will be used to expand Mobilinks MSME financing portfolio, strengthen its Islamic banking offering and extend services to underserved segments, including women and small businesses.

Mobilink and fellow Veon subsidiary JazzCash together serve more than 57 million customers, supported by a network of over one million merchants and agents across Pakistan.
For a few years, and definitely since the ChatGPT moment at the end of 2022, the AI world has been largely obsessed with tuning up intelligence. Bigger models with more parameters trying to perform better on industry benchmarks every few months. But at CES 2026, NVIDIA raised the stakes with a whole new argument  that intelligence alone is useless if it cant reason, remember, and act safely in the real world.

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And hence, what NVIDIA unveiled in Las Vegas wasnt just a collection of disconnected launches. To me, it felt like a carefully thought out, deliberately interlocked blueprint of the AI roadmap that shows us what comes after chatbots  a question many have started to wonder about. According to NVIDIA, the next big thing in tech is a world of agentic AI, physical machines, and infrastructure built not just for speed, but better reasoning, with safety built in and deployed at scale.

And at the centre of this shift sits Rubin, NVIDIAs next big AI chip platform.

Rubin isnt a chip, its a reset says NVIDIA

NVIDIAs Rubin platform is being pitched as six chips, one AI supercomputer, but frankly that undersells whats happening under the hood. Rubin is NVIDIA openly declaring that the future of AI performance no longer lives inside a single processor.

By co-designing the Vera CPU, Rubin GPU, NVLink 6, ConnectX-9, BlueField-4 and Spectrum-6 Ethernet as one tightly coupled system, NVIDIA claims the Rubin platform delivers up to 10x reduction in inference token cost and 4x reduction in number of GPUs to train MoE models, compared with the NVIDIA Blackwell platform. So for the industry worried with the escalating cost of AI, NVIDIA is presenting more performance at lower costs  at least on paper for now.

Also read: Demis Hassabis says AI-led robot revolution is unfolding right now, heres why

This matters because the industry has quietly hit a wall. Reasoning models, long-context systems and agentic workflows dont just want more FLOPS  they want cheaper FLOPS, predictable scaling and infrastructure that doesnt collapse under its own complexity. Rubin is NVIDIAs answer to all that and more.

And the industry has noticed. Every major AI lab, hyperscaler and cloud platform worth mentioning  from OpenAI and Anthropic to Microsoft, Google, AWS and CoreWeave  has already lined up behind Rubin for 2026 deployments, according to NVIDIA.

Memory is the new AI bottleneck

If Rubin is about compute economics, BlueField-4 is about something even more fundamental: memory.

Because heres the thing, the AI world has operated on the assumption that AI inference (the stage immediately after training an AI on anything) treats every interaction like a fresh start. But agentic AI throws that notion out the window. Because to be actually useful, modern agents need to carry baggage  they need to retain context across multiple turns, distinct tools, users, and even massive compute clusters.

As things stand right now, all that context lives in Key-Value (KV) caches, forcing GPUs to hold onto it. And frankly, that is a massive misuse of silicon. GPUs are high-performance engines built for speed, not storage lockers. Using them to park long-term memory isnt just inefficient; its like buying a Ferrari just to use the boot as a filing cabinet.

NVIDIAs Inference Context Memory Storage Platform, powered by BlueField-4, moves that memory out of GPUs and into a shared, AI-native storage layer. The pitch is simple but game changing  persistent memory for AI agents, shared at rack scale, delivered with up to 5x higher throughput and 5x better power efficiency than traditional storage.

This is NVIDIA quietly redefining storage as part of cognition. Memory is no longer a byproduct of inference  its a first-class design constraint. And BlueField-4 is NVIDIAs solution to this problem before it becomes too big to manage.

Physical AI is no longer a science project

Beyond all the smarter datacenter tech that will power AI factories of tomorrow, NVIDIA is also dragging AI out of the screen and into the physical world.

The companys physical AI announcements  Cosmos world models, GR00T humanoid models, Isaac Lab-Arena and the OSMO orchestration framework  are less about flashy robots and more about reducing friction. Training robots has traditionally been slow and brutally expensive. NVIDIA wants it to look more like modern software development.

Also read: From fields to fridges: Physical AI takes center stage as CES 2026 kicks off

Also read: Robots are the next wave of AI, says Nvidia CEO: Check details

The proof of this begins with partners, as NVIDIA demonstrated at CES 2026. Boston Dynamics, Caterpillar, LG Electronics and NEURA Robotics arent experimenting anymore  theyre shipping machines built on NVIDIAs stack. And by integrating its models directly into Hugging Faces LeRobot ecosystem, NVIDIA is betting that scale, not secrecy, will ultimately prove decisive in taming future robotics applications.

Autonomous vehicles learn to think aloud

Autonomous driving remains the most unforgiving test of physical AI, and NVIDIA knows it. And its Alpamayo models are trying to attack the industrys longest-running problem: the long tail of rare, ambiguous driving scenarios.

Instead of relying purely on perception, Alpamayo introduces chain-of-thought vision-language-action (VLA) models that explicitly reason about cause and effect  and, crucially, can explain their decisions to users. Paired with open datasets and simulation tools, Alpamayo acts as a teacher model that AV developers can distill into production systems. Because as NVIDIA put it, Uber, JLR and Lucid arent chasing novelty here  theyre ultimately chasing safety and trust.

NVIDIA at CES 2026 in a nutshell

Strip away the product names and CES theatrics, and NVIDIAs message becomes clear. Rubin makes reasoning affordable. BlueField-4 makes memory scalable. Cosmos and GR00T make machines adaptable. Alpamayo makes autonomy explainable. Spectrum-X and confidential computing make it all deployable in the real world.

The ChatGPT moment for physical AI is here, said Jensen Huang. The era of stateless, one-shot AI is over. The next phase of AI doesnt just answer questions. It remembers what it did yesterday, reasons about what might happen tomorrow, and acts  sometimes in traffic, sometimes in factories, sometimes in hospitals.

Also read: NVIDIA CEO believes Teslas Optimus robot will unlock multi-trillion dollar market
Home appliances in India have rarely been about design. For decades, most products have focused on doing the job, often ignoring how they look, how they fit into modern homes, or how people actually live with them every day. That is the gap Nuuk set out to address. In this conversation, I speak with Shalabh Gupta, co-founder of Nuuk, about why the small home appliance category felt stuck in the past, how Indian consumer behaviour has evolved faster than the products meant for them, and why design-led thinking can no longer be treated as a luxury. The conversation moves between everyday heating choices and the bigger thinking behind Nuuk, touching on common consumer misconceptions, long-ignored gaps in the appliance space, and the brands focus on building for the long term.

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Aman  To start things off, tell us about Nuuk. How it began, what the original idea was, and where the brand stands today?

Shalabh  When my co-founder and I started thinking seriously about this space around 2023, we felt that the small home appliance category had barely evolved. These are products we live with every day, yet most brands were still stuck with design philosophies from the 70s, 80s or 90s. Everything else in India had changed: the way we travel, dress, consume content, and even think, but appliances had not kept pace.

We also saw proof that Indian consumers were ready for something better. Premium global brands were doing surprisingly well here, and at the other end, low-cost products were selling in large volumes online. That told us the category was waiting to be challenged. From day one, we were clear that design would be our most obvious differentiator, while performance, quality and post-purchase experience would remain non-negotiable. That thinking eventually shaped our approach and our tagline: design first, function always.

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Aman  With that context, lets get into the meaty stuff. When Nuuk started out, what bothered you most about how home appliances were designed or sold in India, and does that problem still exist today?

Shalabh  What bothered us was how loud and dated everything looked. Appliances were often blingy, cluttered, and designed for a customer mindset that hadnt evolved with time. If you appreciate modern, minimal design, your options were extremely limited.

We felt the youngest generation of homeowners, people setting up their own spaces, simply wasnt being addressed. These are consumers using Netflix, Uber, Starbucks, and modern luggage brands, yet their appliances still felt like something their parents bought decades ago. That mismatch was glaring. Thankfully for us, this gap still exists, though we can see other brands starting to take notice. That tells us the shift we believed in wasnt temporary.

Aman  In India, winter appliances are usually bought in a rush when it suddenly gets cold. Why do you think people still default to blowers and basic heaters, even if they arent the most comfortable or healthy option long-term?

Shalabh  A lot of it comes down to habit and urgency. We tend to think of heaters as short-term, tactical products rather than something we plan for. People want quick warmth, and blowers appear to deliver that instantly.

From a health perspective, modern electric heaters dont actually consume oxygen, so that part is often misunderstood. The real issue is dehydration, because warm air is drier. Thats true for heaters and even air conditioning. The bigger problem with oil-filled radiators historically was slow heating, so we focused on solving that with better oil, larger surface areas, and faster heat retention. Once heating becomes quick and predictable, people are far more likely to use these products properly instead of switching them on and off randomly.

Aman  Over the past few years, doctors have warned against regular heaters. From your point of view, what health or safety issues should people be more aware of?

Shalabh  Dehydration is the main thing people should be conscious of. If youre in a heated room, drink more water and moisturise; that alone solves most discomfort.

The second aspect is safety. Heaters involve high temperatures and electricity, so safety features really matter. Auto cut-off, anti-tilt protection, flame-retardant cords, these arent things people think about, but they should. Just like you wouldnt buy a car with no safety features, you shouldnt compromise here either. Buying from a brand that takes these details seriously makes a real difference.

Aman  Oil-filled radiators are healthier but cost more and take up space. How should consumers think about this trade-off?

Shalabh  Space and room size are practical considerations. Blow heaters are compact and easier to store, but theyre rarely effective unless youre sitting right in front of them. Oil-filled radiators, on the other hand, heat the entire room silently and evenly.

They also last much longer. A good oil-filled radiator can be a near-lifetime product, whereas blowers often get replaced after a few seasons. If you have a larger room and want consistent comfort, spending more upfront usually makes sense in the long run.

Aman  Theres also a perception that oil-filled radiators are expensive to run. In real-world usage, how true is that?

Shalabh  Electricity consumption depends on how intelligently a heater manages power. Traditional heaters often keep drawing high wattage continuously. Our approach was to introduce smart temperature control and multiple heat modes.

If you set a comfortable temperature, the heater automatically cuts off and switches back on only when needed. We also allow users to run the heater at lower wattage modes for overnight use. In practice, this can be more efficient than running a small-looking blower that constantly draws high power. Smart regulation is what makes the real difference.

Aman  Coming to the Hot Blox specifically, what were the non-negotiables while designing it, especially around comfort, safety and usability?

Shalabh  We rely heavily on consumer insights. For us, speed of heating and power efficiency were hygiene factors, things that simply had to work well. Beyond that, we focused on exciters.

Nuuk Hot Blox Smart OFR is priced at Rs 13,999 in India.

Making the heater smart wasnt about gimmicks. Its genuinely useful to be able to control it remotely, whether youre on your way home or already tucked into bed. Even something as simple as a remote control makes a big difference in everyday comfort. These ideas come from listening carefully to how people actually use products, not assumptions.

Aman  Looking across Nuuks range, theres clear design consistency. How do you decide which problems to solve next, and where is the brand headed?

Shalabh  We treat each product like a major release. Making a great product takes time, money and effort, so were very selective. Good enough isnt good enough for us, because one bad product can hurt the brand far more than several good ones help it.

We look at category data, growth trends, and then apply deep consumer insight to understand our right to exist in that space. Design, positioning and execution all come together after that. In the long term, we want Nuuk to be known as the brand that brought design-led thinking to Indian home appliances. For now, our focus is simple: do better each quarter, compound trust, and let growth follow naturally.

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Last year at CES 2025, Dell surprised everyone by retiring one of its most recognisable laptop brands. The iconic XPS name, long associated with premium design and no-compromise performance, quietly made way for a new naming strategy. For many loyal users and longtime fans, it felt like the end of an era. Fast forward to CES 2026, and Dell has hit rewind. XPS is officially back and not as a nostalgia play, but as a fully reimagined lineup. The new XPS laptops come with a fresh design and upgraded performance. On the other hand, Dells gaming arm, Alienware, has also teased a major portfolio expansion that stretches from ultra-slim gaming laptops to new entry-level machines. Together, the announcements focus on two very different audiences: creators and professionals who want refined premium laptops, and gamers who want the best of performance without compromises.

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Also read: CES 2026: MSI launches new business and gaming laptops, from Prestige to Stealth

Dell XPS is back with the new XPS 14 and XPS 16

Dell used CES 2026 to formally reintroduce the XPS lineup, making it clear that XPS remains its benchmark for premium laptops. The newly announced XPS 14 and XPS 16 have been rebuilt from the ground up, with a strong focus on portability, performance, and everyday usability. Both laptops feature a refined unibody design made from CNC-machined aluminium and Gorilla Glass, with fewer parting lines and a calmer, more minimal aesthetic. For the first time, Dell has placed the XPS logo on the front lid, a small but symbolic change that longtime XPS users have been asking for.

Practicality has also made a return. Dell has brought back a traditional function key row, fine-tuned the keyboard for better key travel, and added subtle etching to define the otherwise seamless glass touchpad. Under the hood, both laptops are powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors with Intel Arc graphics, enabling Copilot+ PC features and significant gains in AI and graphics performance over the previous generation. Dell claims up to 57 percent faster AI performance on the XPS 14 and up to 78 percent on the XPS 16, alongside more than 50 percent faster graphics.

In addition to this, there is also a redesigned thermal system with larger, thinner fans promising to enable the device to run cooler and quieter while also improving battery life. At just 14.6mm thick, these are Dells thinnest XPS laptops yet. The XPS 14 now weighs around three pounds, while the XPS 16 comes in at 3.6 pounds, making both noticeably lighter than their predecessors.

Coming to the display options, buyers can choose from OLED or 2K LCD panels. Dell is also bringing its tandem OLED technology to the XPS 14 and XPS 16, promising higher brightness, better efficiency, and longer panel lifespan.

As for battery life, the brand is making some tall promises. The new XPS laptops are rated for up to 27 hours of Netflix streaming and over 40 hours of local video playback. This is enabled by a mix of innovations, including variable refresh rate displays that can drop as low as 1Hz for static content and the improved thermal design that reduces overall power draw. Dell is also using new high energy density battery cells, allowing smaller, lighter batteries without sacrificing endurance.

Alienware doubles down on OLED and new silicon

Alienware arrived at CES 2026 with a clear message for gamers  OLED is coming to the famous gaming laptops in a big way. The Alienware 16 Area-51 and Alienware 16X Aurora are the companys first gaming laptops to feature anti-glare OLED panels, addressing one of the biggest complaints around OLED gaming displays. Alienware claims the new coating reduces gloss by 32 percent while preserving colour accuracy and contrast.

These OLED panels also bring some serious specs with them, including a 0.2ms response time, HDR True Black 500, peak brightness of up to 620 nits, and VESA ClearMR 9000 certification to minimise ghosting. Alienware has also built in AI-driven pixel protection to help maintain panel health over time, along with durability testing designed for long-term use.

Performance across Alienwares flagship laptops is also getting a boost. The Alienware 16X Aurora, Alienware 16 Area-51, and Alienware 18 Area-51 will all feature Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs, pushing Alienwares laptop performance ceiling even higher.

New Alienware laptops on the way

Beyond its high-end machines, Alienware also teased two entirely new laptop categories launching later this year. The first is an ultra-slim gaming laptop measuring around 17mm thick, designed to balance performance density with portability. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, this system is aimed at users who want a powerful machine that can handle gaming, creative work, and productivity without looking overtly like a gaming laptop.

The second addition is an entry-level Alienware laptop, positioned as the brands most accessible gaming machine yet. While it will not match the raw power of the Area-51 series, Alienware says it has avoided cutting corners on build quality, thermals, and core performance, making it a genuine gateway into the Alienware ecosystem.

Availability in India

In India, the Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16 are expected to go on sale from early February 2026, initially in Graphite, with additional colour options arriving later in the year. Dell also confirmed that the XPS portfolio will expand further in 2026, including a new XPS 13 that is expected to be the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop ever.

Coming to the Alienware laptops, the Alienware 16X Aurora and Alienware 16 Area-51 are both scheduled to arrive in Q1 2026, featuring the new anti-glare OLED displays alongside Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors.

The larger Alienware 18 Area-51 is expected to follow in March 2026, bringing the same next-generation Intel Core Ultra 200HX platform to Alienwares biggest laptop form factor.

Also read: CES 2026 begins soon: What to expect, how to watch live and key details
If youve been eyeing buying a device that flips and provides you with a flagship experience at the same time, then you need to search no longer, as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 might be the best device to end your search with. Launched at a starting price of Rs 1,09,999 in India, the device is currently available with a massive discount of over Rs 43,000. With this price point, the device offers customers a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen with an FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate support. Other than that, customers also get a dual camera setup on the back, a premium in-hand feel along with Galaxy AI features, and smooth performance. Heres how the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Amazon deal works.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Amazon deal

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 was launched in India at a starting price of Rs 1,09,999. However, this flip-style foldable is currently listed for just Rs 66,885 on Amazon, which is a flat discount of Rs 43,114. Aside from that, buyers can also get an additional discount of Rs 1,500 on HDFC Bank and Scapia Federal Bank credit card EMI transactions.

Also read: Motorola Edge 50 Pro price drops by over Rs 13,000: How to get this deal

The e-commerce platform is also giving buyers an option to trade in their old device to get an extra discount. Buyers can avail an exchange bonus of up to Rs 44,450 depending on the brand, model, and working condition of their old device.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge appears in BIS listing, but it may not be what fans think

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 specifications and features

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 comes equipped with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen with an FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate support. Aside from that, this smartphone also boasts a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED outer display with 60Hz refresh rate support. Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.

In terms of optics, the device packs a 50MP primary camera and a 12MP ultrawide lens. For selfies and video calls, there is a 10MP front-facing camera. Furthermore, the flip-style foldable is backed by a 4000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging and wireless charging as well.
In 2025, youth-led protests erupted everywhere from Morocco to Nepal, Madagascar and Europe. A generation refused to remain silent in the face of economic precariousness, corruption and eroding democratic norms and institutions.

Although they arose in different contexts, all the protests were met with the same playbook of responses: repression, contempt and suspicion towards youth dismissed as irresponsible.

Mobilization across several continents

In Morocco, the #Gen212 movement, which originated on social media, denounced the high cost of living, police violence, muzzling of civil society and lack of opportunities. This mobilization, which began digitally on platforms such as Discord, quickly spilled over from screens into concrete action taken in several cities across the country.

In Madagascar, young people took to the streets at the end of September in a climate of high pre-election tensions to demand real change before being violently repressed. In Nepal, thousands of young people occupyied public spaces, demanding genuine democracy and an end to the corruption that is undermining the country.

In Europe, too, youth are mobilizing against authoritarian excesses and persistent inequalities. In Italy, France, and Spain, young people are taking to the streets to protest gender-based violence, unpopular reforms and police repression and to demand recognition of their political rights.

Although the contexts are very different, these mobilizations share the same goal of refusing injustice and demanding that marginalized voices be heard.

Authorities call youth immature and irrational

These movements are often treated as fleeting emotional outbursts, even though they express structured political demands for social justice, freedom, economic security, access to dignity and participation.

Yet the responses by governments have been heading in a totally different direction  towards increased repression. Young protesters are being monitored, arrested, stigmatized and sometimes accused of treason or of being manipulated by foreign powers.

In Morocco, for example, nearly 2,500 young people have been prosecuted, with more than 400 convicted  including 76 minors  since September 2025. The charges include group rebellion, incitement to commit crimes and participating in armed gatherings. More than 60 prison sentences have been handed down, some of them for up to 15 years.

This mass judicialization of a peaceful movement has been denounced by Amnesty International, which points to excessive uses of force and the increasing criminalization of protest.

In Madagascar, the response was just as brutal: at least 22 deaths, more than 100 injuries and hundreds of arbitrary arrests were recorded during youth demonstrations against corruption and electoral irregularities.

According to the United Nations, security forces used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds. The crisis culminated in the flight of President Andry Rajoelina, which confirmed that, far from defusing the conflict, the crackdown revealed institutions fragility in the face of politicized youth.

A discourse referring to parental responsibility

The actions of the young people who have been arrested during recent protests are often attributed to lack of parental responsibility.

In Morocco, for example, the Home Office has called on parents to supervise and guide their children. In Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru and Nepal alike, authorities call on parents to supervise, guide or restrain their children, shifting the political conflict into the family sphere.

This trend illustrates what national security researcher Fatima Ahdash calls the familialization of politics: instead of addressing the social, economic and ideological causes of protests, governments turn them into a matter of home education, depoliticizing, individualizing and privatizing the protests in the process. Families become the prism through which young peoples political behaviour is interpreted, evaluated and sometimes punished.

This response isnt new, but its taking on unprecedented proportions in a global context of democratic fragility and authoritarian recentring of power marked by the restriction of freedoms, the control of protest and the criminalization of social movements.

States are adopting a defensive stance, treating youth engagement not as a civic resource but as a threat to be neutralized. This hardened stance is symptomatic of a deeper problem: youth are refusing to be satisfied with empty promises and forced compromises, but they face powers unable to recognize the legitimacy of their anger and aspirations..

Silencing criticism

Image: Jack Skinner / Unsplash Repression in response to criticism has become a tactic governments use to avoid being questioned. But this strategy is becoming increasingly fragile.

Thats because first, it denies the legitimacy of the anger being expressed. Secondly, it ignores a fundamental reality: that this anger is rooted in collective experiences of social decline, discrimination and political powerlessness. Its not empty anger. It expresses a demand for social, political and environmental change that institutions are struggling to grasp.

Unlike mobilizations likr the Arab Spring of 2011, the current protests led by Generation Z are horizontal; they are decentralized, have no identifiable leaders, and are rooted in the urgency of the present.

They also originate on social media, organize themselves into autonomous micro-cells, reject structuring ideological narratives, and favour a politics of everyday life  meaning they reject precariousness while calling for immediate dignity and concrete justice.

Their esthetic is fluid, borrowing from digital codes  memes, manga, visual remixes  and their forms circulate through emotional affinities rather than imitation. This makes them elusive to the powers that be, but powerfully viral.

These movements stir up political emotions (anger, but also hope) and create new languages, digital practices and forms of engagement that often lie outside traditional parties.

One unifying visual element keeps coming up: the black flag with a skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat, a symbol taken from the manga One Piece. More than just a nod to pop culture, this Jolly Roger embodies a thirst for justice, freedom and rebellion shared by a globalized youth, from Kathmandu to Rome.

In Serbia, for example, a student uprising in early 2025 with no visible leader united thousands of people around a simple slogan: more democracy. The movement spread to other generations, without any party or hierarchy, challenging a government that tried to stifle the protests through force and stigmatization.

Evading censorship

Meanwhile, the young people of Cuba Decide are mobilizing on digital platforms to demand a democratic referendum in the midst of constant surveillance. Thanks to encrypted tools and alliances abroad, they are circumventing censorship and amplifying their voices beyond borders.

While criminalizing young people and their protests may slow their momentum, it doesnt solve anything. It only undermines the social contract, fuels political disenchantment and reinforces polarization. Whats more, it risks pushing demands for reform to outright refusal of the status quo.

Recent protests remind us of an obvious fact: young people are not the future, but political entities in the present. Governments need to hear not just the noise of protest, but the clarity of the demands: justice, dignity, representation and a future.

Amani Braa, Assistant lecturer, Universite de Montreal

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.



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Panasonic exits VR headset manufacturing, transfers MeganeX business to Shiftall

Panasonic officially ended its manufacturing and sales of glasses-type virtual reality (VR) head-mounted devices in December 2025, transferring the MeganeX product business to Tokyo-based VR manufacturer Shiftall. From January 2026, Shiftall is responsible for the development, sales, and support of the MeganeX line.

Reports from Nikkei Asia and Monoist reveal that Shiftall was originally a subsidiary of the Panasonic Group and collaborated extensively on the MeganeX series, known for its high resolution and ultra-lightweight design. Following its sale to content support firm Creek&River, Shiftall retained hardware partnerships with Panasonic, focusing on the consumer market, particularly VRChat users. Meanwhile, Panasonic concentrated on business clients, applying VR for design collaboration and production line simulation.

With the transfer agreement now effective, Shiftall will consolidate all resources related to the MeganeX brand. This shift aligns with Panasonic's broader restructuring plan to improve profitability amid global economic challenges. Since 2025, Panasonic has been implementing sweeping streamlining measures, including plans to cut about 5,000 jobs worldwide. The company also sold an 80% stake in its housing equipment unit, Panasonic Housing Solutions, in November 2025 as part of these efforts.

Article edited by Jerry Chen
CES 2026: Toyota warns of a tougher year citing US tariffs

As CES 2026 opens with bold visions of software-defined vehicles and artificial intelligence reshaping the future of mobility, Toyota, the world's largest automaker, is striking a notably cautious tone about the year ahead. Despite reporting an 8% increase in US sales in 2025, to 2.52 million vehicles, Toyota is signaling that 2026 will mark a turning pointone defined less by growth than by defense.

The change in outlook reflects the mounting impact of US tariff policy, which has transformed what was once a powerful profit engine into a growing financial burden.

Shifting from market leader to market follower

According to foreign media reports, Toyota has acknowledged that it will no longer seek to set pricing or volume benchmarks in the US market in 2026. Instead, the company plans to adopt a more reactive, "market follower" posture, citing steep US tariffs of 15% to 25% on imported vehicles.

Roughly 23% of Toyota's US sales are supplied by vehicles imported from Japan, which face a 15% tariff. Another 28% are produced in Mexico and Canada. Supply chains that once underpinned Toyota's growth have now become direct targets of trade penalties, sharply narrowing the company's margin for maneuver.

Pricing pressures and capacity constraints

With profit margins unable to absorb tariff costs of that magnitude, Toyota expects to raise vehicle prices two to three times in 2026. While the company has pledged to invest US$10 billion in the United States over the next five years to expand localized production, its North American factories are already operating near capacity. Output growth is estimated at just 1% to 2%, leaving little room for short-term relief.

Unpredictability threatens expansion plans

Suppliers say the industry's greatest challenge is not tariffs themselves, but their unpredictability. The planned renegotiation of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026 has introduced a new layer of uncertainty, prompting automakers to pull back on expansion plans, delay investments, and discontinue low-margin models. The result, suppliers warn, is likely to be fewer choices for consumers.

Toyota has already begun implementing what executives describe as a "precision profitability" strategy, scaling back production or discontinuing marginal models that fail to meet return targets to optimize limited domestic resources.

Rare promotional campaigns may emerge

Historically, Toyota has served as a pricing anchor in the US market, relying less on discounts than many rivals. In 2026, however, the combined pressure of tariff pass-through and weakening consumer demand may force the company to adopt more flexible pricingand potentially engage in rare promotional campaigns to defend market share.

Adding to the challenge, 2026 coincides with a full redesign cycle for the RAV4, Toyota's global best-selling model. The new generation will emphasize hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, but amid heightened uncertainty across supply chains and trade policy, even this flagship vehicle faces elevated risks of disruption.

Taken together, Toyota's posture at the dawn of CES 2026 offers a sober counterpoint to the industry's technological optimism: a reminder that even as innovation accelerates, geopolitics and trade policy remain powerful forces shaping the future of the global auto business.

Article edited by Jerry Chen
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Permanent upgrade works at the Cavan Hill Water Treatment Plant have been approved, bringing hopes of a major boost to water quality for Dundalk and surrounding areas.

Following the success of the pilot study on new filters at the Cavan Hill Water Treatment Plant, the green light has now been given to permanent upgrade works which will commence on site later this year. Uisce Eireann say this marks a major step forward in addressing instances of intermittent water discolouration that can affect customers in Dundalk and surrounding areas.

The Cavan Hill supply has experienced seasonal instances of discolouration, primarily due to elevated levels of naturally occurring manganese in raw water during the summer months.

Uisce Eireann undertook a pilot study in 2024, trialling new filters specifically designed to remove manganese. Uisce Eireann say the results demonstrated a significant reduction in manganese levels, paving the way for a permanent upgrade.

Uisce Eireanns Ian Walsh says he is looking forward to getting to ground on the project.

We are delighted to confirm that the Cavan Hill Water Treatment Plant Upgrade will move forward in 2026.These works will ensure we can deliver long-term improvements to water quality for the communities served by Cavan Hill.

The design of the project has been progressing since the pilot proved successful, so once procurement of a contractor is complete, we will be in a good position to start the works and deliver for our customers.

In tandem with these preparations, Uisce Eireann say their targeted flushing programme has continued to deliver positive results for customers.

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Speaking on the effectiveness of the programme, James OHagan, Water Network Operations Manager, said:

The proactive flushing programme has been hugely successful, with a significant reduction in discolouration reports this year. We are committed to maintaining these improvements and will continue to proactively manage the network to ensure the highest water quality for our customers.

The contract to deliver the upgrade works is expected to be awarded early this year.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Uisce Eireann is committed to keeping all stakeholders updated as the project progresses.

"Uisce Eireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment. To find out more visit www.water.ie "
Former Louth TD and Uachtaran Shinn Fein Gerry Adams, has expressed his shock and sadness" at the news of the death of former Fianna Fail senator, Mary White.



Mr. Adams said: I had the honour to know Mary and her husband Padraic for many years. Mary was a former Fianna Fail Seanadoir in Leinster House and Padraic was central to the publication of the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Force report in 2002.



I worked closely with both Mary and Padraic. When I was elected as TD in 2011 for the constituency of Louth, Mary was among the first to welcome me into Leinster House."

He continued: Mary was a diligent political activist who had an abiding love of Ireland and a genuine concern for the people of the North. On one occasion she acted as an observer during a difficult period on the Garvaghy Road.

Read also: Dundalk slips back down litter ranking

"She visited the North regularly and got Fianna Fail women actively engaged with women from Belfast despite resistance from others in the party.

"She was also a successful businesswoman having co-founded Lir Chocolates in the 1980s. In 2020 she funded a 1916 Easter Egg in support of a United Ireland.



Mary was a warm hearted, caring human being who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. I want to extend my sincerest condolences to Padraic and to their daughter Cliona, her sisters Ita, Olive, Grainne, and her brother Liam and the extended family circle.



Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a hanam uasal.
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Inspire Credit Union in Bishopstown has issued some timely advice for anyone spending time online.

As we do more shopping, booking, and browsing online at this time of year, fraudsters are also more active, a spokesperson for the credit union said.

Fake websites can look very convincing, especially when offering deals that seem too good to be true.

If something does not feel right, trust your instincts and stop. Staying vigilant online helps protect your money and your peace of mind this Christmas, they said.

Inspire Credit Union is here to support you. For further information, see inspirecu.ie.

Before entering any personal or financial details, they said, people should always:

Check the website address carefully for spelling errors or unusual changes

Look for secure payment signs, such as a padlock symbol in the browser bar

Avoid clicking on links from unexpected emails or messages

Take a moment to pause if you feel rushed or pressured to act

Arthur leads the way during Kilbrittain tractor run

Arthur Crowley from Ovens, driving a 1952 Ferguson 20 during the Kilbrittain tractor run, as it passes the abbey at Timoleague. Picture: David Patterson

Win a Valentines treat

Carrigrohane-based national charity Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is offering a chance to win a very special St Valentines Day treat.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the charity is holding an online raffle to win a unique prize for a St Valentines Day weekend.

The prize consists of a stay for two people at the newly refurbished Rochestown Park Hotel wedding suite over Valentines Day weekend. The stay will include breakfast and dinner on both nights.

Tickets are 10 each or six tickets can be bought for 50 Tickets are only available online.

Ticket numbers will be sent via email, and tickets are available until January 31, with the draw taking place on February 2.

For further details and to buy tickets, see guidedogs.ie.

Graduate Faye Delanty at Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Clubs and groups at Bishopstown and Ballincollig Libraries

Bishopstown and Ballincollig are both blessed with two fantastic libraries, both of which have number of events happening every month.

One of the largest local libraries in Cork city, several clubs and groups make their home in Bishopstown Librarys warm and friendly space. With admission free to all, new members are always welcome.

The Bishopstown Writers Group meets every month at 2.30pm on the first Thursday and 6pm on the third Thursday. Three book clubs make their home in the library: The Lucky Dip book club meets 11am on the first Friday of the month; The Jane Austen book club at 2.30pm on the first Tuesday, and the Glad book club at 2.30pm on the second Monday of the month.

The Arts group meets at 2.30pm every Monday; Knit and Natter, 10.30am, every Tuesday; Cork Handweavers, 10am, on the third Saturday of the month, Cork Textile Network 10am, on the first Saturday; and Fite Fuaite quilters club, 10am, on the first and third Wednesday.

There is a gramophone recital at 3pm, on the last Thursday of the month June to September; Caint is Comhra is at 6.30pm, every Thursday June to September; and the Adult Chess club meets at 2.30pm every Wednesday.

A number of retirement groups meet in the library: The Wilton Go-Getters at 2.30pm every Tuesday; Probus Ladies group meets at 11am on the first and third Wednesday; The Thursday Active Retirement group, 2.30pm, first, second and third Thursday; and the Wilton Wanderers at 2.30pm on the second and fourth Friday.

Bishopstown Library is open from 10am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. It is served by the bus routes 208, 214 and 219.

As group meeting times can sometimes change, please contact the library for the most up-to-date times. Email: bishopstown_library@corkcity.ie or telephone: (021) 4924953.

In Ballincollig Library, the Tuesday Book Club takes place at 10.30am on the first Tuesday of every month. Ciorcal Cainte is at 11am on the second Wednesday of every month, and is open to anyone who would like to try a cupla focail. The Wednesday Book Club takes place at 11am on the last Wednesday of the month. The Active Retirement group meets at 11am every Thursday and Friday. Story time for children is at 10.30am every Friday morning.

Ballincollig Library is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

There too, group meeting times can sometimes change, so please contact the library for the most up-to-date times. Email: ballincollig_library@corkcity.ie or telephone 021 238 9797 or 021 238 9798.

Ballincollig GAA Club weekly lottery

The Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, which is currently taking a break for the Christmas holidays, returns on this Thursday, January 8, with a 19,200 jackpot.

The most recent draw was held on Thursday, December 18, and the numbers drawn were 10, 21, 22, and 31. There was no winner of the jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners for club supporters, with 100 going to Phil Coade, 50 to Dominic Barrett, and 50 to Alison Coughlan.

For further information, see ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com.
St Vincent de Paul (SVP) South-West has warned of a deepening winter crisis across Cork and Kerry after the charity recorded a 43% increase in calls for help over the Christmas period.

The charity received more than 3,000 calls for help in December, marking a significant increase on the 2,100 calls received during the same period last year.

This figure represented one of SVP South-Wests busiest Christmas periods on record, with families continuing to struggle under what the charity called relentless cost-of-living pressures.

SVP South-West said that many families paper over the cracks of debt in the run-up to Christmas, doing everything they can to ensure their children have gifts and a sense of normality.

However, the charity has warned that real hardship is now emerging in January, as households face mounting bills, depleted savings, and ongoing debt accumulated over the festive period.

With a cold snap forecast over the coming days, SVP South-West has warned that demand for fuel and heating assistance is expected to rise further, placing additional strain on already stretched services as families struggle to keep their homes warm.

SVP South-West regional president Mary Frances Behan said the charity is appealing to the public to support its annual car draw, a key fundraiser that generates essential income used directly to support struggling families to meet their basic needs.

The annual SVP car draw is a crucial source of funding during the charitys busiest and most pressurised periods.

Every year the public generously support the draw, and we are so grateful for this support, Ms Behan said.

We are hearing from people who are exhausted, anxious and overwhelmed.

Many have never needed help before, but they simply cannot keep up with rising costs and just need a bit of support to get through the winter months.

Last year, SVP South-West volunteers supported 27,314 families and individuals, providing more than 5m in direct support across Cork and Kerry. The charity anticipates its 2025 spending will be significantly higher, driven by escalating call volumes and increased demand for food, fuel and energy supports.
Cork Prison reached a new high of 410 people in custody on Monday, meaning 114 inmates did not have a bed.

The record comes as new data shows nearly 90,000 has been spent on buying mattresses for the prison since 2023.

The previous record number of inmates, 404, was hit at the end of December. The record before that was 403, set in August and reached again just before Christmas.

Cork Prison has capacity for 296 prisoners, but had 350 for the majority of last year.

The current overcrowding represents 139% capacity, with 28% of those in custody not having a bed, making Cork the most overcrowded mens prison in Ireland yesterday.

Approximately 1,000 prisoners across Ireland do not currently have a bed.

There were 5,777 people in custody nationwide on Monday and only 4,718 bed spaces, representing 123% capacity overall and limiting the option of inter-prison transfers from Cork to reduce overcrowding.

Courts resumed

The figure comes as regular court service resumed on Monday after the Christmas and New Year break.

A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said that it must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the courts

As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.

Mattresses on the floors are used when beds are not available. The IPS has spent 89,902.64 on purchasing 654 mattresses for Cork Prison since the start of 2023, new data has shown.

Information provided to The Echo, on foot of a Freedom of Information request, showed that the prison service purchased 232 mattresses in 2023, at a cost of 31,435.29; 205 in 2024, at a cost of 27,776.85; and 217 in 2025, to the end of last November, at a cost of 30,690.50.

In 2023, the average mattress costs were 2,619.60 per month, falling to 2,314.74 in 2024, but rising to 2,790.04 last year, the highest average cost to date.

The higher figure in 2025 is partially due to an increase in mattress costs: In 2023 and 2024, the prison service spent 135.50 per mattress, but, this year, the cost rose to 141.43.

The IPSs 2023 annual report notes that the prison service disposes of approximately 1,200 mattresses per year, while a European Commission report in to the IPSs mattresses notes that they have a life cycle of two years or less, so each prison requires the removal of discarded mattresses on a regular basis.
The results of the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) have proved something of a mixed bag for Cork.

While Mahon Tidy Towns were celebrating a significant improvement in the area in the latest litter league standings, Corks northside was among the four most littered areas surveyed across the country.

While 10 Irish towns were classed as being Cleaner Than European Norms, none of them were in Cork.

Mahon was in 18th spot on the table, Fermoy in 21st spot and Cork city centre in 27th place, all designated Clean To European Norms.

There were no Cork towns among the eight listed as being moderately littered.

Trojan work

Labour councillor for the area Peter Horgan told The Echo that Mahons performance is simply down to the trojan work of Mahon Tidy Towns over the last few years. Ive seen first-hand the work they do and the dedication they have to enhancing the local area.

He added that he had concerns about how Ibal assess the areas, but Mahon has bucked the Ibal trend and more power to them.

A spokesperson for Mahon Tidy Towns told The Echo: Mahon Tidy Towns was first set up when the area was ranked as the dirtiest town in Ireland, and this progress shows just how far weve come.

This achievement is thanks to local businesses, Cork City Council, and to the dedication of our diverse group of volunteers ranging in age and background, who give their time week after week to keep Mahon looking its best.

Cork City Council welcomed the release of the survey, but said the Ibal report is based on surveys of individual locations and represents a snapshot at a particular point in time.

A total of 22 of the 25 sites surveyed by Ibal in its assessment of the city centre received either a grade A, B, or C. A total of 11 As, 11 Bs, and three Cs were issued. No grade D was issued.

They noted Ibal praised Patrick Street and Mac Curtain St in particular, giving both As and said Patrick St was looking its best ever.

The classification of the city as clean is the result of the hard work and dedication of the city councils street sweeping and cleansing crews who are out seven days a week from early morning to late in the evening, investment in new street cleaning equipment, and the commitment of the majority of businesses and property owners in the city, they said.

The council added that it will study the issues of concern noted in a small number of areas and assess what changes, further actions or new initiatives need to be carried out.
A 31-year-old man who was never in custody in his life spent Christmas in prison on charges arising out of a case involving widely shared videos of drunken men jumping around in the cage of a cherry-picker being driven through Cork city centre.

Kyle Boyle appeared at Cork District Court by video link from Cork Prison.

Eddie Burke solicitor said: The difficulty here is that he has never been in custody before in his life. The case is relatively straightforward, relating to a driving issue and damage done to a bridge. All we seem to be doing is waiting for the valuation of the damage.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis confirmed there were no directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions yet in relation to the matter. The sergeant said he was not aware of the extent of the damage but that it could be extensive.

Mr Burke solicitor agreed that it could well be extensive but the valuation should be given as the case dated back to the beginning of November.

Judge Catherine Ryan remanded the accused in custody for a further fortnight until January 19.

Garda Paul McCarthy previously testified that the Mary Elmes Bridge was damaged with portion of it crashing into the River Lee when the cherry-picker - or mechanical scissor lift - was driven on to the pedestrian bridge causing some of the bridge floor to crash into the River Lee.

Pedestrians were left at risk of falling directly into the river as a result of this damage and it had to sealed off for public safety, Garda McCarthy said.

Kyle Boyle of Cork Simon Community is accused of causing this criminal damage, as well as damaging a metal bollard at Oliver Plunkett Street and five counts of dangerous driving of this mechanical vehicle around the city.

Garda McCarthy said previously that at 8.20 p.m. on November 2, gardai responded to a report of a theft of a scissor-lift that was about to be collected and removed from St. Patricks Quay. He said keys were not in the ignition but in one of the compartments of the cage so that it could be collected.

It is alleged that on the quay and on roads and pedestrian footpaths along the centre of Cork City there was dangerous driving. This incident occurred at a time when both road and pedestrian traffic in the city centre was busy and the incident was captured on mobile phone cameras and shared on social media by multiple witnesses at different parts of the route. The scissor-lift was brought to a stop by Gardai on South Gate Bridge where arrests were made.
Talks to erect a plaque commemorating Irish-American patriot leader Stephen Moylan are under way between Cork City Council and the Blarney St Community Association.

According to Cork City North West ward councillor, Tony Fitzgerald, the council has decided to erect a plaque in memory of Mr Moylan on Blarney St in Cork city, where he was a native.

Mr Moylan, who died in 1811, was a key figure in the American War of Independence. He served as an aide to the former American president, George Washington, and later as a muster master general of the Continental Army and as commander of the 4th Continental Light Dragoons cavalry. The plaque would connect links between Cork and the US.

Particularly when Stephen Moylan was one of the most prominent Irish figures involved in the founding of the United States.

I am delighted that plans are under way with Cork City Council and the Blarney St Community Association, and there is a lot of interest around this commemoration, said Mr Fitzgerald.

Stephen Moylan is notable for being one of the highest-ranking Irish officers in the Continental Army.

His leadership, organisational skills, and commitment to the revolutionary cause earned him George Washingtons respect.

Beyond his military service, he represents the long-standing historical ties between Ireland, particularly Cork, and the United States, he added.

Today, Stephen Moylan is remembered as a symbol of the Irish contribution to American independence and of Corks role in shaping transatlantic history. Moylans service helped shape the early United States, and he is remembered as a key link between Ireland and America at the moment of the nations founding.

His life reflects the important role played by Irish emigrants in the creation of the American republic.
A 45-year-old man arrested for a public order offence before the holiday period replied to a member of An Garda Siochana when charged: Fuck you, I hope you die over Christmas.

Judge Catherine Ryan was dealing with the case at Cork District Court yesterday when she read out this reply after caution which was made by Michael Butler of Churchfield Terrace East, Churchfield, Cork.

He was charged with being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others at Ballyvolane Rd, Cork, on December 19 and he made the reply, which was referred to by the judge.

When he was charged with a second count of causing damage to the holding cell at Mayfield garda station later on the same date, which cost 250 to clean up, the defendant replied: I apologise.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor for the accused, applied for free legal aid to represent the accused stating that he is on a disability allowance. Judge Ryan granted that application.

Mr Kelleher also asked for a copy of the prosecution evidence in the case against Mr Butler to be sent to the defence.

On the application of Sgt Gearoid Davis, Judge Ryan adjourned the case until January 19 at Cork District Court.
Cork County Council has announced a new tree planting initiative with schools in North Cork.

The project, which is being launched in partnership with nature conservation organisation, Biodiversity in Schools, will see native trees and hedgerows planted on school grounds, helping to increase biodiversity while also engaging students in positive, hands-on climate action.

The initiative is being introduced at schools in Macroom, which is the countys first decarbonising zone.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Mary Linehan Foley said this partnership is a wonderful example of how climate action can be delivered at a local level while engaging and educating our young people.

Tree-planting projects like this benefit biodiversity in the long term and improve school environments, Ms Linehan Foley said.

Biodiversity in Schools aims to work with children of all ages throughout Ireland to increase positive engagement with nature via educational projects, competitions and direct action.
Cork city Labour Party councillors have submitted a motion for the January meeting of Cork City Council, calling for statutory No Wait Cards for people with chronic and invisible illnesses.

No Wait Cards, issued by organisations such as Crohns & Colitis Ireland and Spinal Injuries Ireland, request access to toilets in urgent situations.

The card is a vital tool for people who have conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, which affects 40,000 people in Ireland. However, it has no legal standing.

The Cork councillors motion is based on Kildare Labour TD Mark Walls work to place No Wait Cards on a statutory footing, through his Equal Status (Access to Toilet Facilities) Bill 2025.

Councillor John Maher said the lack of access to toilet facilities is a serious issue for people with chronic and invisible illnesses, and can impact daily life. He said: This motion aims to recognise the need to place No Wait Cards on a statutory footing and supports equal access to toilet facilities for cardholders.

Councillor Ciara OConnor said businesses can play a role in this.

Our motion also calls on the council to develop a No Wait initiative, inviting local businesses to participate by allowing urgent toilet access to people who have a No Wait Card.

Councillor Peter Horgan said: This motion offers a compassionate solution, by recognising the need for statutory No Wait Cards and working with local shops and businesses with a staff toilet to make them available to a person with a medical condition in urgent need. It also seeks to ensure that future developments by the city council include public toilet provisions.
By George Lithgow, Press Association

Food giant Nestle has recalled some of its baby formula products over concerns they may contain a food poisoning toxin.

The company said several batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were not safe to be fed to babies.

The Food Standards Agency of Ireland (FSAI) said affected batches may contain the cereulide toxin, which can cause nausea and severe vomiting if consumed.

Photo: FSAI

In a statement, the FSAI said: "The FSAI advises that cereulide toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant.

"Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting. Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually six to 24 hours.

"The FSAI is advising parents, guardians and caregivers who may have the recalled products at home not to feed them to their infant or young child.

"If no symptoms are displayed, nothing further needs to be done. If a parent, guardian or caregiver is concerned about the health of their infant or young child, they should contact a healthcare professional."

Nestle apologised to customers but said there had been no confirmed reports of any related illness so far.

The problem was caused by an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, it added.

Nestle products affected by the recall include SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk, SMA Anti Reflux, SMA Alfamino, SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk, SMA Comfort, and SMA Lactose Free.

More detail about which batches have been recalled can be found on FSAI or on the Nestle website.

In a statement, the company said: Following the detection of a quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, Nestle has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of potentially impacted infant nutrition products.

No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the products involved to date.

The company is in contact with UK authorities and as a precautionary measure, is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula.

Nestle assures parents and caregivers that it is implementing appropriate actions to safeguard the health and wellbeing of families and their babies.

At the same time, the company is working to minimise any potential supply disruption.

Nestle remains committed to keeping parents, caregivers and the public informed and to providing clear, transparent information and support throughout this process.

Voluntary recall

Director of incidents at the FSAI, Dr Michelle Minihan, has defended the authoritys decision to allow Nestle to make a voluntary recall of SMA infant formulas rather than issuing an enforcement notice about its removal from shops.

Dr Minihan told RTE radios Morning Ireland that an enforcement issue had not been issued because the products were manufactured in other European countries.

The competent authorities such as ourselves in those other European countries are overseeing that recall, we have been in communication with our colleagues across the EU to understand the nature and extent of the issue that's going on with these particular infant formulas.

"And we will ensure and follow up with those competent authorities in those countries where it is manufactured to make sure corrective actions are taken in the plants.

Dr Minihan went on to explain that the potential harm to infants and young children was nausea and vomiting and the advice to parents and caregivers was to check if they had the affected products, to stop feeding them to their children and to seek medical advice if the child was displaying symptoms.

"The toxin is particularly heat resistant, that means if you prepare the infant formula as per the instructions it won't be killed satisfactorily and it can cause illness in infants and young children such as nausea and vomiting.

"Immediately stop feeding it to your infant or young child and if they're not displaying any symptoms of illness then you don't need to take any further action.

"However, if they are displaying symptoms of an illness you should seek the advice of a medical professional or a healthcare professional.

"We will ensure and follow up with those competent authorities in those countries where it is manufactured to make sure corrective actions are taken in the plants.

"Customers of Nestle who have this product on their shelves were contacted yesterday to remove affected batches. That has happened. We will be verifying that today. So what's on the shelves are unaffected products."
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Ireland has pressed China to reopen its market for Irish beef products, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin has continued his i tinerary in China with engagements on transport links and educational connections.

Mr Martin met Chinese president Xi Jinping on Monday as part of the first visit to China by a taoiseach since 2012.

On Tuesday morning, he met with Zhao Leji, chairman of Chinas National Peoples Congress and was also scheduled to meet Chinese premier Li Qiang.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Martin said: On the bilateral front, we again pressed for the reopening of the market to beef products and we raised issues pertaining to the position of tariffs on dairy products.

We had a good discussion in terms of the broader trading environment and, in addition to that, strengthening people-to-people relationships in terms of education and cultural and artistic connections between our two countries.

Warm and constructive meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing this morning.



We share a strong commitment to enhancing the Ireland-China relationship into the future. pic.twitter.com/mLnaghReFU  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 5, 2026

Mr Martin said Chinas educational officials are particularly pleased that Chinese is now on the Leaving Certificate.

We had a very important presentation from the third-level institutions between Ireland and China  and its an area that has grown really strongly over the last number of years.

We now have 13 joint colleges and about 110 joint programmes and these involve the lecturing to students here in China by Irish colleges and its quite beneficial both to Irish colleges and to Chinese students and the Chinese colleges as well.

And thats apart from the normal toing-and-froing of students coming to study in Ireland and Irish students coming to study as part of their undergraduate or postgraduate programmes in China."

Mr Martin also said he had met with Hainan Airlines to enhance connectivity, with the operator already offering four direct flights per week each way.

A direct flight from Dublin to Beijing is hugely important in terms of the people-to-people engagement, in terms of Chinese companies that are located in Ireland now and equally the Irish companies doing business in China.

China is Irelands largest trading partner in Asia and its fifth largest trading partner globally.
China makes steady progress in noise pollution control

14:54, January 06, 2026 By Cui Yan ( People's Daily

Citizens visit an urban park in Wuhu, east China's Anhui province. (Photo/Tao Haijin)

Recently, a foreign journalist shared a compelling account of his experience with noise control in Beijing on the Financial Times website. During his several-month stay in the capital, the journalist remarked that they no longer had to worry about being disturbed by noise, stating, "I slept better than I had in years." Their once-necessary collection of high-quality earplugs remained unused, as the overall noise from the streets had noticeably decreased since their first visit in 2016.

This firsthand account highlights the positive outcomes of China's ongoing efforts in noise pollution control. According to a report released by China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the share of urban areas meeting national daytime noise standards increased from 91.3 percent to 95.8 percent between 2014 and 2024, while nighttime compliance jumped sharply from 71.8 percent to 88.2 percent. These improvements reflect China's continuous progress in addressing noise pollution and underscore the importance of "strategic resolve" in this endeavor.

Strategic resolve, at its core, involves patience, calmness, and a methodical approach to long-term goals.

Noise, often referred to as the "breath" of a city, results from various sources, such as construction machinery and street vendors, creating a complex auditory environment. Effective noise control does not seek to silence these activities entirely but aims to adjust the "volume" appropriately. For instance, directional sound systems ensure that public square dancing is only audible within designated areas, while residential communities adopt management practices to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. By avoiding drastic measures and instead fostering collaboration, building effective mechanisms, and encouraging social norms, China has successfully implemented noise control measures without stifling daily life.

This approach, which prioritizes thoughtful coordination and gradual change, is applicable not only to noise management but also to broader environmental governance. Clear skies have not been achieved by halting production, but through targeted measures such as replacing coal with electricity or natural gas. Similarly, the Yellow River has been rejuvenated not by ceasing water use but through improved allocation plans that balance ecological protection with local livelihoods. Strategic resolve entails sustained, long-term effort. It calls for diligence and perseverance, not impatience or restlessness.

Noise barriers are installed along a railway section in Taizhou, east China's Zhejiang province. (Photo/Liu Zhenqing)

Furthermore, strategic resolve also involves proactive measures.

For example, the introduction of a residential project code has established higher standards for sound insulation in housing construction, setting clear benchmarks for residential tranquility. The implementation of the noise pollution prevention and control law has provided a legal framework for controlling noise levels, showcasing a proactive sense of responsibility that complements steady, step-by-step progress.

China's broader ecological advancements follow the same principle. From implementing the ecological protection redline system, which establishes a safeguard for critical ecological zones, to firmly advancing the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban, China has made significant strides in environmental restoration. The revival of ecosystems has brought back vibrant scenes of leaping fish, soaring birds, and finless porpoises gliding through the waters. Rivers have become clearer, and previously barren hills have turned greener.

These transformations are the result of pragmatic actions and a consistent, methodical approach to advancing ecological civilization. By combining long-term planning with proactive measures in the present, China is ensuring that visionary blueprints gradually translate into tangible, sustainable outcomes.

Strategic resolve also requires prudent actions that are rational and conform to the law of nature.

Migrating swans and wild geese rest on an islet in the Yangtze River in Tongling, east China's Anhui province, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo/Chu Zhuchuan)

A deep understanding and mastery of the underlying principles are foundational to successfully executing any initiative. The 14th five-year action plan for noise pollution prevention and control emphasizes the importance of "following the objective laws governing noise pollution prevention and control" and "advancing noise control in stages and through systematic steps." This reflects a commitment to ensuring that actions are in harmony with natural laws.

Beyond noise management, this principle of "respecting laws" extends to China's broader ecological governance. Across the country, integrated protection and restoration efforts have revitalized ecosystems, with over 120 million mu (8 million hectares) of ecosystems restored. Techniques such as grid-based sand stabilization and photovoltaic pumping systems developed in Xinjiang have been successfully applied in Africa, enabling the cultivation of fruit trees even in arid, sandy regions.

Ultimately, reckless action yields minimal results. By adhering to the "golden key" of objective laws, China has achieved significant environmental progress, demonstrating that careful, law-abiding efforts yield far more impactful outcomes.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
For better or worse, CES 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for humanoid robots. Chinese company Agibot showed up with two: the roughly human-sized A2 and the slightly smaller X2, both of which were displaying their surprisingly impressive dancing abilities.

We watched both robots walk around, wave at passersby and show off their best moves. The larger A2 mostly kept its legs still and danced mainly with its arms. The smaller X2 on the other hand is a bit more nimble  it has a larger set of "feet" to give it more stability  and those abilities were on full display.

At the time we saw them, the robots were controlled partially by an Agibot rep using a dedicated controller, but the company told me the robots are able to move autonomously in spaces once they've been able to use their onboard sensors to map out their environmentThe company, which has already shipped several thousand robots in China and plans to make them available in the United States this year, says both the A2 and X2 are intended to provide a flexible platform so people can interact with the robots in a variety of situations.

Agibot envisions the larger A2 as a kind of hospitality helper robot that can greet visitors at museums or conferences (like CES) and provide directions or even walk alongside their human guests.

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The smaller X2 on the other hand could be suited for educational purposes or other scenarios when you might want a robot with slightly more human-like movements. It could even be a good TikTok companion, as Agibot's head of communications, Yuheng Feng explained to me. "Take a Tiktok video, for example, you can use that video to train the robot, [so] it can also dance exactly like you did in the video."

The company hasn't given details on when its robots might show up in the US or how much they might cost. Feng told me a lot will depend on how companies want to use them because their hardware is able to be customized depending on the use case. For now, though, we'll just soak in the dance moves.

CES 2026 is winding down in Las Vegas, and Team Engadget is finishing a week that saw hundreds of announcements from major brands including Lenovo, Samsung, LG, NVIDIA and more. See what we named as the Best of CES 2026, then scroll back on our CES 2026 liveblog to see how events progressed throughout the week. Prefer quick summaries? See recaps of all the cool tech we saw Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Acer has a handful of laptop updates at this year's CES show. The headlining item is the addition of the Acer Swift 16 AI to the company's flagship line. This laptop has what the company says is currently the world's largest haptic touchpad at 175.5mm by 109.7mm, and it can support up to MPP 2.5 stylus inputs. The screen is a 16-inch 3K OLED WQXGA+ touch display with HDR, a 120 Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. On the inside, the Swift 16 AI can be kitted with up to an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor with built-in Intel Arc B390 graphics. The whole package is in a 14.9mm thin chassis and the machine weighs 1.55kg (about 3.4 lbs).

Closeup of the trackpad on the Acer Swift 16 AI laptop (Acer (modified))

Another notable element in the company's CES announcements is Acer Swift Edge 14 AI, one of two new lightweight laptops revealed at the event. The Swift Edge 14 AI measures just 13.95mm thick and weighs 0.99kg (about 2.2 lbs). It is powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 386H. The max spec 14-inch screen has a 3KWQXGA+ OLED touch display with 120 Hz refresh rate.

Both machines can have up to 32GB of RAM and are part of the Copilot+ PC program. Storage in the Swift 16 AI maxes out at 2TB while the Swift Edge 14 AI be up to 1TB.

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Correction, January 7, 2026, 9:13AM ET: The touchpad dimensions are 175.5 x 109.7mm, not 5.5 x 109.7mm. Engadget regrets the error.

CES 2026 is winding down in Las Vegas, and Team Engadget is finishing a week that saw hundreds of announcements from major brands including Lenovo, Samsung, LG, NVIDIA and more. See what we named as the Best of CES 2026, then scroll back on our CES 2026 liveblog to see how events progressed throughout the week. Prefer quick summaries? See recaps of all the cool tech we saw Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
At a media preview for CES 2026, Dell COO Jeff Clarke admitted the company made a mistake when it killed off the XPS brand. Here's what the company is doing now to fix things.

At a media preview for CES 2026, Dell COO Jeff Clarke admitted the company made a mistake when it killed off the XPS brand. Here's what the company is doing now to fix things. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

When Dell made the decision to kill off its XPS laptop name last year, it felt like a big mistake. We said so, in fact, multiple times. But at CES 2026, the company is righting its past wrongs by resurrecting the iconic laptop brand  and this time, this decision feels like the right move both for Dell as a whole and its flagship consumer devices.

Even more than the words the letters XPS are meant to represent (Extreme Performance Systems), over the last decade, Dells signature laptop brand stood for excellent design, quality engineering and top notch performance. And it was precisely those laptops that landed the company at the top of nearly every best Windows laptop guide every year for the last decade. So to replace XPS with a generic tag like premium felt like a big step backwards.

Now if you were living under a rock (at least when it comes to Windows laptops), you can sort of squint your eyes and see the reasoning behind Dells misguided rebranding. Premium means good, typically something much better than average. By putting that word in front of its top-tier systems, theres no way anyone could be confused about what kind of device they were buying, right? Take for example the Dell Premium 14, which was the new moniker for what was previously called the XPS 14. A laptop like that has to be decent. I mean, its right there in the product name. The issue is that XPS already meant good. Actually, way better than that, if we were just going by the sheer number of accolades previous-gen models got, like Dells 2020-era machines which we called practically perfect (which it was). Going away from that wasnt just reductive, it was throwing the best part of Dells consumer business in the trash for no real reason.

The first two new XPS machines will be the XPS 14 and XPS 16. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Additionally, Dells new naming strategy was intended to simplify its product portfolio, and it failed to deliver on that original goal. COO Jeff Clarke was refreshingly honest about this when announcing the return of XPS at a CES media preview in early December. Not only did Dell lose its signature XPS brand last year, it actually made things more confusing for consumers when it simultaneously created a full range of Dell Pro and Pro Max systems. Unlike Apples MacBook Pros and iPhone Pro Maxes, those devices were actually meant for enterprise customers instead of regular Joes.

Another photo of the new XPS 14 and 16, which have a bunch of welcome changes and then some. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Amidst its rebrand, the company also eliminated a lot of its budget and entry-level models. That left a lot of people turning to more expensive mid-range Plus systems or waiting for a proper redesign of its top tier Premium laptops, which werent expected to arrive until 2026 anyway.

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So where is Dell going from here? Well as Clarke put it quite succinctly, Were getting back to our roots. Starting in 2026, the company is planning to create its broadest PC portfolio ever including, a full line of XPS laptops. This includes an all-new version of the XPS 13, which is going to be the thinnest and lightest model to date, along with complete overhauls for the XPS 14 and XPS 16. But Dell isnt stopping there because on a slide it showed at its press event, there were two additional placeholders for future XPS systems coming at some later date.

Dell wouldn't let me take photos of the XPS 13 prototype model, but here's a teaser it provided for CES. (Dell)

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Even when it comes to specific features and components on individual models, Dell is finally acknowledging some of the criticism it has received over the past few years by returning to segmented touchpads instead of seamless all-glass slates and ditching capacitive function keys for good ol buttons. Dell isnt just bringing the XPS line back, its kind of on a revenge tour (even if the original wound was self-inflicted).

On top of that, the consumer device team will be reporting directly to Clarke while the company retools itself internally. Dell is also updating its naming scheme to finally deliver on the promise of making things clear and simple. XPS will once again be the companys flagship consumer brand with the XPS logo (not Dells) front and center on the lid of every laptop, while everything else will fall under the general Dell umbrella. Alienware will continue to do its own thing for gaming and the Dell Pro family will remain aimed strictly at enterprise businesses, professional services (like first responders) and education. No more confusion. And underlying all of that is a very straightforward motto from Clarke that great products win.

After ditching the XPS brand, Dell is now bring it back for 2026 in its rightful spot at the top of the company's consumer portfolio. (Dell)

In the end, even though Dells big plan from last year ended up being a mess, I appreciate when a company is self aware enough to know it messed up and has come up with a plan to fix things. Regardless of whether it's a corporation or a single person, admitting mistakes is always hard. Oftentimes, what you learn in the process is the real prize and from what Ive seen Dell and its iconic XPS line is poised for a major comeback.



CES 2026 is winding down in Las Vegas, and Team Engadget is finishing a week that saw hundreds of announcements from major brands including Lenovo, Samsung, LG, NVIDIA and more. See what we named as the Best of CES 2026, then scroll back on our CES 2026 liveblog to see how events progressed throughout the week. Prefer quick summaries? See recaps of all the cool tech we saw Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
French startup NAOX is at CES with a groundbreaking wearable EEG for clinics and research, but thats not what were interested in today. Because its also here showing off a prototype of the consumer version, which incorporates its brain-scanning technology in wireless earbuds. As early as the end of this year, your earbuds could pull double-duty, pumping out tunes and keeping an eye on your brains health.

The product being released today is the NAOX Link NX01, an in-ear EEG designed to replace the wire-covered caps youve seen at a sleep clinic. Its designed to be much more convenient for use in long-term studies, enabling people to keep an eye on their health while on the go. Dont think youll be able to mess with one of these yourself as it is targeted toward clinical environments.

Of more interest is the NAOX Wave, which uses the same in-ear EEG technology from Link, but in a pair of wireless earbuds. As with the clinical model, Wave is designed to quietly keep an eye on your brains biomarkers as you go about your day. The company says itll be able to monitor your mental activity while working, relaxing and sleeping. In the companion app, youll get insights about your mental health, sleep analytics and cognitive performance, as well as details on your brains age.

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NAOX has said its version of the buds will launch towards the end of 2026, but it may not be the only name selling this tech. The company says it is interested in licensing its technology to audio companies, so we could see these EEGs popping up in earbuds from other, more established brands.

CES 2026 is winding down in Las Vegas, and Team Engadget is finishing a week that saw hundreds of announcements from major brands including Lenovo, Samsung, LG, NVIDIA and more. See what we named as the Best of CES 2026, then scroll back on our CES 2026 liveblog to see how events progressed throughout the week. Prefer quick summaries? See recaps of all the cool tech we saw Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Prince Harry may soon regain full-time, armed protection in the United Kingdom, potentially ending a years-long legal struggle over his security.

The move comes after a review by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) and amid speculation surrounding King Charles' health.

"It's now a formality. Sources at the Home Office have indicated that security is now nailed on for Harry," an insider told Mail on Sunday. Meanwhile, People reports that officials are considering "positive" adjustments to reverse the 2020 decision that removed his police protection.

Security Review Could Signal Reconciliation

Since stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020, Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have lacked taxpayer-funded armed protection while in Britain.

The couple argued that such security remained essential, even offering to personally pay for it.

Royal commentator Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital, "If the reports are true that the Government body RAVEC have now established that Harry and the family can receive full protection whilst in Great Britain, then it shows that perhaps Harry was right all the time to seek legal confirmation on this fact."

He added that the shift could pave the way for family reconciliation. "It means that situations are fast approaching, that a thaw in relationships is moving forward and that a reconciliation with all the family is possible."

Turner suggested the timing may be linked to concerns over King Charles' health. "This again brings up the subject  why now? There have been many alleged views on the state of the king's health. Is that a consideration for this U-turn in policy clearing up issues before more decisive arrangements are made?"

The Home Office confirmed that Harry requested a full security risk assessment in December, following the loss of his appeal in court, according to The Guardian. In response, RAVEC allowed its risk management board to reassess his threat level for the first time since 2020.

Harry has expressed ongoing concerns about returning to Britain with his family due to paparazzi harassment and safety risks, citing experiences reminiscent of the media pursuit that contributed to Princess Diana's fatal crash in Paris in 1997.

Meghan Markle Now Faces a Decision on Returning

With the possibility of full security restored, some experts suggest that Meghan may no longer have a reason to avoid visiting the United Kingdom.

In the past, the lack of armed protection had been cited as a primary factor in her limited trips, but reinstating it could remove that barrier.

Since moving to Montecito, California, in 2020 with Prince Harry, Meghan has only returned briefly, most recently in September 2022 for Queen Elizabeth's memorial.

Despite years of public scrutiny and criticism, many Britons may welcome Harry's return. Royal author Duncan Larcombe told Mirror, "People may want to see Harry back in the fold."

He added that Harry hopes his father, King Charles, can form a relationship with his children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

"Harry has made it clear that he would love his dad to come and visit him and the family," the insider told The Sun.
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The Trump administration on Monday overhauled the United States' pediatric vaccine schedule, upending years of scientifically backed recommendations that reduced disease with routine shots.

The dramatic shift -- announced by the US health department, which is led by long-time vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- means the country will no longer recommend that every child receive immunizations against several diseases including rotavirus and influenza.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instead will recommend that shots preventing those illnesses as well as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal disease be administered for select groups of high-risk individuals or when parents and a child's doctor deem them warranted, rather than as standard practice.

The agency had already shifted to this recommendation model for Covid-19 shots in 2025.

At the end of 2024, the CDC was recommending 17 pediatric immunizations for all individuals, the agency said. Now that number is 11.

President Donald Trump praised the changes, noting that the "MAHA Moms" -- a base of online influencers who ardently support Kennedy's agenda -- "have been praying for these common sense reforms for many years."

Trump's message heralding the schedule overhaul followed a TruthSocial post rife with false statements about vaccine safety and recommendations that contradict scientific consensus.

The decision follows Trump's directive last month that health officials compare the US vaccine schedule to peer countries abroad.

They were notably focused on Denmark. The new US recommendations now more closely resemble that country's schedule.

"After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the US childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health," Kennedy said in a statement.

But medical and public health experts slammed the overhaul.

Sean O'Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, said "the US child vaccine schedule is one of the most thoroughly researched tools we have to protect children from serious, sometimes deadly diseases."

"It's so important that any decision about the US childhood vaccination schedule should be grounded in evidence, transparency and established scientific processes, not comparisons that overlook critical differences between countries or health systems," he told journalists.

Experts at the Vaccine Integrity Project, an initiative out of the University of Minnesota, recently noted that the US had already been in line with global consensus.

Denmark, project researchers said, represents more of an outlier among "peer countries" than a standard.

"Denmark's schedule reflects a set of choices made in a small, highly homogeneous country with a centralized health care system that guarantees universal access to care, low baseline disease prevalence, and strong social infrastructure," the group wrote.

"Those conditions do not apply to the United States, not even close."

- 'More confusing for parents' -

Senator Bill Cassidy, whose deciding vote confirmed Kennedy's controversial appointment as health chief last year, said that "changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors."

The Republican, himself a doctor, said doing so would "make America sicker."

States have the authority to mandate vaccinations, but generally CDC recommendations wield significant influence over state policies.

US officials have said that access as well as insurance coverage of vaccines should remain in place, even for shots not broadly recommended by the federal government.

"All vaccines currently recommended by CDC will remain covered by insurance without cost sharing," said Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the federal health insurance programs.

"No family will lose access. This framework empowers parents and physicians to make individualized decisions based on risk, while maintaining strong protection against serious disease."

But public health authorities warned that the changes would only sow doubt and confusion, especially as vaccine skepticism has mushroomed in the wake of the pandemic.

O'Leary said the shift "just makes things more confusing for parents and clinicians."

"Tragically, our federal government can no longer be trusted" to provide vaccine recommendations, he added.

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Most UK livestock farmers say they would move away from intensive production systems if they had the financial backing to do so, but warn that a lack of support is preventing change on the ground.

Polling carried out for the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) shows overwhelming appetite among farmers to adopt nature-friendly livestock systems that improve climate resilience and long-term viability.

The survey, conducted by market research firm Savanta, found that 94% of farmers would switch to less intensive systems if the right incentives were in place, underlining the scale of interest across the sector.

Industrial livestock production is typically associated with high-density, indoor systems reliant on imported feed, veterinary inputs and tightly controlled genetics, rather than pasture-based farming.

The research found many farmers feel increasingly squeezed out of the market, with concerns that corporate interests are being prioritised over fairness and sustainability. Younger farmers, in particular, expressed anxiety about the dominance of industrial meat production and its impact on future opportunities.

Beyond production methods, the polling highlighted strong views on how public money should be used. Almost three-quarters of farmers said investment should focus on adapting to and mitigating climate change, while 83% believe funding should actively encourage a move away from industrial meat production.

More than half felt intensive livestock systems damage land, and 68% said their environmental impacts disproportionately affect smaller-scale farms, often leaving them less competitive.

As support for nature-friendly systems grows, the NFFN said governments and supply chains must provide long-term financial backing, trusted advice and fairer routes to market that deliver viable returns.

The organisation also warned that higher-standard UK production, with its associated costs, risks being undercut by imports produced to lower environmental and welfare standards.

Martin Lines, chief executive of NFFN, said: More and more farmers recognise that an industrial livestock model won't regenerate our land or secure the long-term resilience of farm businesses.

He said farmers want the right animal in the right place, with well-managed livestock working with landscapes to build soil fertility, support biodiversity and cycle nutrients through the soil, all while producing great-tasting food.

He added that many more farmers would move to diversified, nature-friendly systems if the right backing was available, and said it was vital that high-standard UK food production was not undercut. The Government and supply chains must recognise that nature and food production go hand in hand, he said.

Amy Chapple, an NFFN farmer who farms alongside her parents in Devon, said younger farmers are increasingly exploring alternatives. Younger farmers are more active online and on social media, which makes it easier to explore alternatives to industrial livestock production, she said.

However, she warned that change brings risk. Its really encouraging that so many farmers are keen to change the way they work, but proper support is crucial. Making radical change isnt easy when you have a family to support or have farmed the same way for decades.
Plans by Sir Keir Starmer to realign the UK more closely with the European Union could reshape how farming and food production are regulated, as ministers prepare legislation that would tie Britain to future EU rules.

According to reporting by The Times, the prime minister is expected to bring forward a major post-Brexit bill that would allow the UK to dynamically align with European regulations in areas including food standards, animal welfare and pesticide use.

For farmers, this could mean greater consistency with EU requirements for produce sold into the continent, but with less domestic control over how those rules evolve.

The legislation, expected to reach parliament as early as next month, would mark the first time since Brexit that MPs have been asked to accept changes to EU law without having a formal vote on their content.

Under dynamic alignment, the UK would be expected to comply with updated regulations agreed in Brussels, despite no longer being part of the EUs law-making process. In some cases, this could also involve accepting the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice on matters of EU law.

Government ministers argue the shift could ease pressure on farmers and food businesses exporting to Europe by reducing border checks and paperwork.

Since leaving the EU, many UK producers have continued to follow EU standards in practice in order to access European markets, particularly in sectors such as livestock, dairy and fresh produce. The government believes formal alignment could remove duplication and uncertainty for those trading on both sides of the Channel.

The bill would also align the UKs electricity and carbon markets with those of the EU, which ministers say would support economic growth and help address some of the long-term economic impact of Brexit. Estimates cited by the government suggest UK GDP could be up to 4% smaller than it would have been had the country remained in the EU.

Opposition parties are expected to challenge the proposals, arguing that dynamic alignment amounts to surrendering sovereignty. Conservatives oppose no rule-taking, dynamic alignment or European Court jurisdiction, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has warned the plans would push the UK back into the orbit of Brussels, giving away vast amounts of our sovereignty for very little in return.

Senior government figures say they are ready for a political fight, citing polling that suggests public backing for closer EU ties. Europe minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has acknowledged the controversy, saying critics would hysterically cry even treason but insisted such claims were nonsense.

The debate could also reopen wider questions over the UKs future trading relationship with the EU. The Liberal Democrats are expected to push for a customs union, which the government has ruled out. Lib Dem cabinet office spokeswoman Lisa Smart said: A customs union is the single biggest lever the government could pull to boost growth and bring down the cost of living.

Ministers hope to secure passage of the bill through the Commons ahead of the next Kings Speech, expected in May, with the aim of having the legislation in place by the end of the year so a broader UK-EU reset agreement can take effect in 2027.

For farmers, the coming months could be critical. Decisions taken now may determine future regulatory frameworks for livestock welfare, crop protection products and food production standards, shaping market access and competitiveness for years to come.
Farmers across the UK are being recognised for the vital role they play during extreme weather, after many stepped in to rescue motorists and clear roads during severe snow storms.

Heavy snow and freezing conditions have left parts of Scotland among the worst affected, with communities around Huntly, Inverurie, Ellon, Oldmeldrum and Turriff facing major disruption.

In the Gordon and Buchan constituency, farmers used tractors and farm machinery to reopen key routes, support emergency access and help keep rural communities connected.

The response mirrors a familiar pattern seen during floods, storms and heavy snowfall across the UK, where farmers often act as first responders in rural areas, using their equipment and local knowledge to reach places other vehicles cannot.

Despite battling the same conditions on their own farms, many involved also continued caring for livestock, ensuring animals were fed and protected while working long hours to support their communities.

Key routes cleared in Aberdeenshire included stretches of the A90 north of Ellon, the A952 to Mintlaw and roads linking Inverurie, Turriff, Fyvie and Oldmeldrum, as well as the B979 between Stonehaven and Maryculter.

Access was also cleared to care homes in Ellon, while in Udny farmer William Robertson helped reopen the B9000 amid concerns carers could not reach vulnerable residents.

Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross praised the efforts, describing the farmers involved as heroic and thanking them for responding during the worst snow showers in recent memory.

Our heroic farmers have gone above and beyond to help stranded travellers to navigate through the treacherous conditions, she said, adding that their work had been courageous in the face of extremely dangerous snow storms.

Ms Cross also highlighted the pressures farmers faced alongside the rescue work. Not only have they been out rescuing drivers and clearing roads, but our farmers have also been working round the clock caring for their own livestock, she said.

She added that rural communities consistently pull together during crises, thanking council workers, carers, emergency services and neighbours for their role in keeping services running.
Support for rural wellbeing is being strengthened in 2026 after John Deere named the Farming Community Network (FCN) as its official charity partner, signalling a renewed focus on the health of farming families and rural communities.

The manufacturers UK division said the partnership will see employees receive specialist wellbeing support training delivered by FCN, alongside a programme of volunteering and fundraising designed to extend the charitys reach across the agricultural sector.

Thousands of pounds are expected to be raised through staff-led initiatives over the year. Joedy Ibbotson, division business manager at John Deere, said the partnership reflects a shared responsibility to support those working and living in the countryside.

We all have a responsibility to safeguard the health and wellbeing of those living and working in rural areas, he said. He described FCN as a charity that does incredible work in this area, adding that its outreach touches our staff, our network, our customers, and throughout the communities we operate in.

John Deere employees already have a strong record of fundraising for good causes, both national and local. Recent efforts have included taking on the Peak District Ultra Challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK, raising more than 13,000, with staff encouraged to bring forward further ideas that the company will support.

The partnership was announced at an all-employee meeting at John Deeres Langar headquarters in Nottinghamshire, where staff also took part in bespoke wellbeing support training delivered by FCN and tailored specifically for the agricultural community.

Georgina Lamb, head of partnerships at FCN, said the charity welcomed the collaboration. We are delighted to partner with such a well-respected company as John Deere, which as well as providing vital funds for the charity has given us the platform to promote our work to the wider agricultural community, she said.

As part of the partnership, John Deere is also supporting FCNs Nip it in the Bud campaign

Mr Ibbotson said health concerns can easily be overlooked in busy farming lives. Farmers and their families are so busy that health concerns can often get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list, he said, adding that rural communities often face reduced access to cancer services due to isolation.

He stressed that early diagnosis is essential, saying John Deere wants to encourage people to recognise early warning signs and take the necessary steps to get checked and nip it in the bud.

FCN plays a crucial role in supporting the farming community through difficult periods and times of change, and were proud to be standing alongside them this year, he added.
January has quietly earned its place as the most literary month of the year. As the new year begins, cities across India come alive with conversations around books, storytelling and culture. The month marks landmark book fairs readers return to year after year, thoughtfully curated literary festivals that anchor the countrys cultural calendar as these events are more than just dates, they have become traditions. For authors, publishers and readers alike, Januarys literary gatherings mark knowledgeable reunions that promises fresh narratives.



Here are eight literary festivals and book fairs in January, earning their place as unmissable fixtures in the years reading journey.

Udaipur, Rajasthan



The Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival returns for its 7th edition, inviting audiences to three immersive days where voices, folklore, music and imagination come together against the romantic backdrop of the City of Lakes.





What Makes It Special

It is said to be Indias one of a kind oral storytelling festival, celebrating storytelling in its many formscontemporary narratives, romance, dastangoi, historical retellings, mystery, horror, thrillers and folk traditions. The 2026 edition continues its core philosophy: stories that connect generations, geographies and cultures, brought alive through live performances, music and dedicated childrens programming.

This years lineup features celebrated names such as Divya Dutta, Rajit Kapur, Arif Zakaria, Meiyang Chang, Danish Hussain, Mayur Kalbag, Prithwiraj Choudhury, Geetika Lidder, Vilas Janve, Jyoti Pandey and more across theatre, cinema, poetry, folklore and spoken word, each adding their own texture to the storytelling tapestry.





What To Explore

Beyond the performances, Udaipur itself becomes part of the experience. Mornings can be spent wandering through the old citys narrow lanes, watching the light change over Lake Pichola, or visiting landmarks like City Palace and Jagdish Temple. Sunset boat rides, rooftop cafes and lakeside walks offer moments of quiet reflection between festival sessions.

For travellers, the festival doubles as a cultural getaway where stories heard on stage echo through palaces, courtyards and centuries-old streets.





What To Eat While Youre There

No Udaipur trip is complete without indulging in local flavours. Between sessions, look out for traditional Rajasthani thalis, Dal Baati Churma, rich and comforting in winter, local sweets like ghewar and mawa kachori and endless cups of masala chai with savoury snacks





9th-11th January 2026Park Exotica Resort, Udaipur
Actor Ethan Hawk once said, Arts not a luxury; its actually sustenance. We need it. Art makes us aware of our presence. We as humans turn to art to feel. But what shapes art itself? And, when it changes, what is it that is in sync with our evolution?When Dr Tarana Khubchandani speaks about art, she speaks in terms of decades. A visionary curator, gallerist, and changemaker, she is the founder and director of Gallery Art & Soul in Mumbai, and has spent over 20 years shaping the citys contemporary art landscape.A doctor by education and a gallerist by passion, Dr Tarana has redefined Gallery Art & Soul as a cultural space that bridges creativity with consciousness  celebrating diversity, collaboration, and the democratisation of art. What began in 1999 as a charity art show for her NGO Passages, supporting breast cancer awareness, has today evolved into a platform that nurtures empathy, resilience, and artistic freedom.Looking back over the last two decades, she explains the most defining shifts in Indias art ecosystem, both in how art is created and how it is consumed. In the early 2000s, as we stepped into the new millennium, the landscape was still relatively nascent, she recalls. The legacy of the Progressive Artists Group formed the bedrock of the Modern era, and the presence of then-living legends such as MF Husain, SH Raza, and Akbar Padamsee defined the cultural conversations. Intellectually, it was an exhilarating period, yet the consumption of art remained limited. Awareness was modest, and collecting was largely confined to a small elite circle of industrialist families and business houses. Around 2007-08, however, a decisive shift began to take shape  a new genre of artistic expression started gaining recognition, accompanied by a growing sense of aspiration among emerging collectors, she adds.Art was no longer perceived as an exclusive acquisition. The idea of integrating art into everyday environments took root. Suddenly, homes and offices alike felt incomplete without a thoughtfully-placed artwork, Dr Tarana explains. In many ways, this broadened engagement has been the most defining shift with the movement of art from a niche cultural pursuit to a more accessible, integral part of contemporary Indian life.To mark 21 years of Gallery Art & Soul, it presented Fuel to the Fire, an exhibition that brought together leading painters and ceramic artists from across India. Paired to co-create, the artists worked across mediums, materials, and philosophies. It served as an approach to art that will influence the future, especially in a space that has long celebrated individual expression. The experience was nothing short of transformative for Dr Tarana. For her, Fuel to the Fire grew out of a personal affinity for ceramics  a medium that, for decades, remained on the margins of fine art. With the emergence of initiatives such as the Ceramic Triennial, this material is finally receiving the recognition due for its versatility, its organic responsiveness, and the beautiful unpredictability that shapes the final outcome.The 11 pairs of artists who collaborated discovered that their processes deepened through shared dialogue and mutual learning. Techniques were exchanged, boundaries softened, and entirely new artistic pathways forged. What has been most gratifying for us at Gallery Art & Soul is witnessing the camaraderie, the generosity, and the creative chemistry that emerged, Dr Tarana enthuses. And it is here, I believe, that the future of Indian contemporary art stands to be redefined.Looking ahead, she enthuses, I am most excited about the extraordinary sense of expansion in the Indian art scene. The rise of major art fairs in Delhi and Mumbai, the growing international presence of Indian galleries, stronger auction valuations, and the emergence of art and design fairs all point to a confident, outward-looking ecosystem. Public installations, increased corporate patronage, and a renewed emphasis on art education are further widening the field. Together, these shifts signal a future that is dynamic, inclusive, and creatively limitless.A curator has the eye, mind, and heart to know what can and will connect with the viewers. It is important that a curators vision bridges creativity with consciousness. For me, art is not just about aesthetic expression  it is about heightened awareness and the creative, joyful energy an artist pours into their practice, she explains. This philosophy has guided the way I choose artists, the dialogues I encourage, and the kinds of exhibitions I create. I look for work that is not only visually compelling but also rooted in authenticity and a deeper sensitivity to the world around us.In this context, empathy has become increasingly central to contemporary Indian art. Todays artists are engaging with their surroundings, with strong social, environmental, and emotional comments that define their work. Often we glimpse their own lived experiences, shared vulnerabilities, and collective aspirations, and raise the role of art from personal expression to a space of understanding and connection, Dr Tarana shares in conclusion. This is the rationale behind the name of our gallery!
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 5, 2026 / Predictiv AI Inc. (CSE:PAI) (the "Company" or "Predictiv AI") today provided a year-end operational review for 2025 following the completion of its reverse takeover ("RTO") transaction and the consolidation of its operating businesses: Shift AI, CloudRep.ai, and HouseStack.

The completion of the RTO represents a significant corporate milestone, establishing Predictiv AI as a publicly traded Canadian company focused on building and operating vertical artificial intelligence platforms across transportation, communications, and real estate markets.

2025 Corporate Overview

During 2025, the Company focused on:

Completing its public-company transaction and governance structure

Advancing product platforms from development to market deployment where applicable

Securing early customer engagements and live operational use cases

Establishing operational, reporting, and compliance frameworks designed to support enterprise requirements

By year-end, Predictiv AI operated three distinct AI platforms, each at different stages of commercialization and aligned to large addressable markets.

"2025 was a foundational year for Predictiv AI. Completing the reverse takeover and bringing together Shift AI, CloudRep.ai, and HouseStack under a single public platform allowed us to move from build phase to execution where appropriate, while maintaining discipline across product development and deployment," said Suman Pushparajah, Chief Executive Officer of Predictiv AI.

"Shift demonstrated its ability to compete in formal procurement processes and deliver value in aviation and aerospace environments. CloudRep successfully went to market with deployed customers across regulated sectors, while HouseStack continued to strengthen its product foundation. As we enter 2026, our focus is on responsible growth, scaling deployments, and delivering practical AI solutions."

Shift AI - 2025 Review

Shift AI transitioned to commercial execution in 2025, moving from product development to active market participation across multiple geographies and regulated industries.

Market Entry & Commercial Progress

Successfully entered market with its AI-driven fleet and asset management platform

Awarded a fleet management software engagement with the United Nations Development Programme in Africa,following a competitive RFP process

Demonstrated platform capability in complex operating environments requiring compliance, reporting, and asset accountability

Aviation & Aerospace Application

During 2025, Shift AI expanded its platform to support airline, airport, and aerospace operations, with a focus on visibility, safety, and operational efficiency for both vehicle and non-vehicle assets.

Shift AI was selected as a winner of Innovate Calgary's Aerospace Innovation Hub's Soaring Higher Innovation Challenge focused on transforming air travel operations. The solution emphasized:

Real-time asset tracking

Predictive insights for asset availability and condition

Improved coordination of ground support vehicles, PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) transport, and other critical airport assets

The Shift AI platform was evaluated through collaboration with Calgary Airports and WestJet, demonstrating applicability in aviation operational environments.

"In aerospace, every asset plays a role in keeping operations safe and on time. But without accurate, real-time data, it's difficult to know where things are, how they're performing, or when they might fail," said Sana Srithas, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Predictiv AI. "By turning raw data into actionable insights, Shift AI supports operational decision-making, safety monitoring, and cost-awareness initiatives, while creating smoother passenger experiences."

Platform Capabilities

AI-enabled fleet and asset monitoring

Predictive maintenance and inspection workflows

Real-time operational analytics

Support for ground support equipment and other non-vehicle aviation assets

By year end 2025, Shift AI demonstrated its ability to compete in formal procurement processes and demonstrate operational use in aviation and aerospace environments, supporting further evaluation for broader deployments in 2026.

CloudRep.ai - 2025 Review

CloudRep.ai successfully transitioned to market deployment in 2025, advancing from platform development to live customer use while expanding its scope across commercial, regulated, and public-sector applications.

Go-to-Market & Deployment

Entered market with deployed AI communications solutions supporting active customer operations

Progressed from pilot programs to operational use cases

Demonstrated platform functionality in high-volume, real-world customer interaction environments

Product Expansion

CloudRep.ai expanded from a voice-first platform into a multi-channel AI communications solution, including:

AI voice agents designed to handle inbound and outbound interactions, supporting call intake, lead qualification, appointment scheduling, and service inquiries while maintaining consistent, policy-aligned responses.

SMS-based engagement workflows enabling automated, two-way messaging for follow-ups, notifications, reminders, and customer engagement, improving response times and reducing manual workload for service teams.

Chatbot functionality supports automated inquiries and service requests across web and digital channels, allowing organizations to provide continuous, scalable assistance while routing complex cases to human agents when required.

Regulated Sector Use Cases

Deployed AI voice agents in healthcare environments for scheduling, patient communication, and administrative workflows

Completed a legal-sector operational use case in Canada, with agents trained on relevant legal reference data and applicable traffic regulations to improve intake efficiency and client conversion processes

Government & Municipal Focus

Engaged with municipalities to demonstrate AI-driven voice, SMS, and chatbot solutions

Showcased potential improvements in responsiveness, accessibility, and service delivery for residents

Designed to support citizen inquiries, service requests, and administrative support

CloudRep.ai is a Canadian-built artificial intelligence platform, developed with a focus on domestic innovation, responsible data use, and applicability for Canadian organizations. The platform is designed for deployment in regulated and public-sector environments, with an emphasis on transparency, reliability, and service continuity. The Company views government and municipal engagement as a strategic growth opportunity.

By year-end 2025, CloudRep.ai had established a foundation to support government, enterprise, and recurring revenue expansion heading into 2026.

HouseStack - 2025 Review

HouseStack continued to advance its AI-powered real estate intelligence platform throughout 2025, focusing on product development and technical readiness.

Product Development & Platform Progress

Completed core platform development

Built AI-driven tools for property data, reporting, and workflow automation

Developed scalable infrastructure to support future valuation and analytics products

Current Status

HouseStack has not yet entered market and is not generating commercial revenue

The platform remains in a pre-commercial stage, with product capabilities substantially developed

Go-to-market timing and monetization strategies will be evaluated following further product validation and prevailing real estate market conditions

By year-end 2025, HouseStack had established a solid technical foundation for potential future commercialization.

2026 Outlook

Following the completion of the RTO, Predictiv AI enters 2026 with three AI platforms addressing distinct industry verticals and operating at different stages of commercialization. This structure provides the Company with exposure to multiple markets and the flexibility to prioritize deployment and revenue initiatives based on customer adoption, regulatory considerations, and market conditions. Management's focus for 2026 is on disciplined execution, expanding validated customer use cases, and selectively scaling deployments where market demand and operating conditions support further growth.

About Predictiv AI Inc.

Predictiv AI Inc. is a Canadian artificial intelligence company focused on developing vertical AI applications for defined industries. The Company's products address fleet operations and communications, including fleet management software, AI-based agents for voice, chat, and SMS, and tools designed to support structured operational workflows.

Company Contact

Suman Pushparajah

Chief Executive Officer & Director

416-388-8886

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward looking statements that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the expected future operating performance of the Company's business. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward looking statements, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the CSE. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: Predictiv AI, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/predictiv-ai-provides-2025-year-end-review-and-operational-progre-1123874
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 5, 2026) - Trojan Gold Inc. (CSE: TGII) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement of units ("Units") through the issuance of 2,000,000 Units at a price of $0.10 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $200,000. The aggregate subscription price of $200,000 was satisfied by amounts previously advanced to the Company.

The Units are comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company for a period of 24 months from the closing date at an exercise price of $0.15, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances.

All securities comprising the Units are subject to a four-month and one-day hold period from the closing date. No finders' fees were paid in connection with the issuance of the Units.

The issuance of the Units in the private placement constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the MI 61-101 valuation and minority approval requirements for related party transactions in connection with the issuance of the Units that are set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the issuance of the Units, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

About Trojan Gold Inc.

Trojan is an active Ontario-based prospect generator junior exploration company, led by a team of professionals having exploration, engineering, project financing and permitting experience. Trojan has accumulated land positions in the Hemlo Gold Camp and Shebandowan Greenstone Belt which in management's view represent mineral exploration potential. For further information on the Company, please visit www.trojangold.com. Trojan is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol (CSE: TGII) and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol KC1.

For further information, please contact: Charles J. Elbourne, President & CEO Trojan Gold Inc.

Further Information

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the potential of the Company's properties.

Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that the Company will have the necessary resources to complete exploration activities as currently anticipated, or at all.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company will not be able to complete expected work on its properties (or any work at all), as well as other risk factors as disclosed in the Company's continuous disclosure record on SEDAR+.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279528

Source: Trojan Gold Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - December 30, 2025) - Grabar Law Office is investigating claims on behalf of shareholders of Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFCR) The investigation concerns whether certain officers and directors breached the fiduciary duties they owed to the company.

Current Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFCR) who have held shares since before October 7, 2020 can seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court approved incentive award at no cost to them whatsoever. You are encouraged to visit https://grabarlaw.com/the-latest/lifecore-shareholder-investigation/, contact Joshua Grabar at jgrabar@grabarlaw.com, or call 267-507-6085.

WHY? A recently filed federal securities class action against Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFCR) and certain of its officers has reached a settlement . The underlying class action Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, the Complaint alleges Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Lifecore maintained deficient internal controls over financial reporting; (ii) as a result, the Company issued several financial statements that were inaccurate and would need to be restated; (iii) Lifecore's purported remediation efforts with respect to the foregoing deficiencies were ineffective; (iv) all of the foregoing impaired Lifecore's ability to timely file periodic reports with the SEC in compliance with NASDAQ listing requirements; (v) accordingly, the Company's financial position and/or prospects were materially overstated; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.



In November 2025, the Company and individual defendants entered into an agreement in principle with the plaintiffs to settle the class action.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW: If you purchased Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFCR) shares prior to October 7, 2020, and still hold shares today, you are encouraged to visit https://grabarlaw.com/the-latest/lifecore-shareholder-investigation/, contact Joshua Grabar at jgrabar@grabarlaw.com, or call 267-507-6085. You can seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court approved incentive award at no cost to you whatsoever.

LFCR $LFCR Lifecore

Attorney Advertising Disclaimer

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279243

Source: Grabar Law Office
Advancing toward OEM readiness through advanced vehicle program evaluation; targets up to ~1,000 km EV range.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ProLogium Technology, a leader in solid-state battery R&D and mass production, today announced that it will co-exhibit with FEV Group, a globally leading innovation driver for mobility solutions and beyond, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV, USA this January. The two companies will present a concept of a next-generation EV battery module built on ProLogium's proprietary superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic battery technology. Designed around high energy density, ultra-high safety, fast-charging capability, and excellent low-temperature performance, the module targets enabling electric vehicles to achieve up to approximately 1,000 km of driving range and the program has already advanced to the sample car-ready stage.

Building on ProLogium and FEV's prior joint development in solid-state battery technology, the CES showcase module incorporates ProLogium's patented superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic batteries. FEV contributes the company's in-depth expertise in battery system design, thermal management including its unique Thermal Propagation optimization process, and battery management system (BMS) control strategy integration. This combined approach gives automakers more freedom in chassis and packaging design. It significantly increases system-level energy density within the same battery-pack volume or weight. Alternatively, it allows a meaningful reduction in overall vehicle mass-both leading to additional driving range.

Based on joint assessments by ProLogium and FEV, battery systems built on ProLogium's solid-state technology can be flexibly optimized between "maximum range" and "maximum lightweight" configurations to meet different OEM requirements:

Maximum Range Configuration: On premium manufacturer vehicle platforms, paired with high-energy-density modules, targeted driving range can reach up to approximately 1,000 km within same package space, helping alleviate range anxiety.

Configuration: On premium manufacturer vehicle platforms, paired with high-energy-density modules, targeted driving range can reach up to approximately 1,000 km within same package space, helping alleviate range anxiety. Maximum Lightweight Configuration: By achieving the same driving range with a smaller-capacity battery system, overall vehicle weight can be reduced by up to approximately 300 kg, supporting improved acceleration performance, lower battery costs and overall energy efficiency.

For fast charging, with appropriate system design and charging strategies, the jointly developed solid-state battery module has the potential to substantially deliver 60-80% state-of-charge in 4-6 minutes without compromising safety-supporting broader adoption of high-power charging infrastructure and long-distance driving scenarios in the future. More importantly, from day one of production, the prototype samples will be filmed in time-lapse, with the entire manufacturing process and results made fully transparent. This will make it easy for consumers to understand that next-generation superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state batteries are no longer a lab concept-they are a technology that can be mass-produced, and one that is poised to reshape how we think about electric vehicles.

ProLogium Technology Founder and CEO Vincent Yang said: "Over the years, ProLogium has continued to provide solid-state batteries that balance safety, cost, and outstanding performance, working deeply with multiple automakers-including leading European luxury brands-on joint validation and development from cell and module to complete vehicle platforms. Showcasing our solid-state battery concept module together with FEV at CES not only demonstrates our technology, but also signifies that we are working hand-in-hand to turn 1,000-kilometer-class range from a concept into a practical, product-ready option. Meanwhile, ProLogium's planned gigafactory in Dunkirk, France will leverage local low-carbon energy and robust port logistics to provide European automakers with localized solid-state battery supply and a more resilient supply chain footprint."

Dr. Patrick Hupperich, President & CEO, FEV Group said: "The future of mobility is being reshaped by innovation at every level - from the vehicle and its energy systems to the software that manages them. At FEV, we leverage decades of engineering and system expertise to help bring breakthrough technologies like ProLogium's solid-state batteries from concept to reality. By combining deep automotive knowledge with a holistic view of energy and mobility systems, we ensure these innovations are not only technically feasible but also scalable, safe, and ready for mass production. Partnerships like this are critical as the industry accelerates toward a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable mobility ecosystem. Together, we are shaping the vehicles and energy solutions of tomorrow, ensuring that progress in electrification and mobility benefits both our customers and society at large."

Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022, ProLogium and FEV have pursued a collaboration model that combines "cell/material innovation" with "system integration and validation capabilities," focusing on battery system development, customer program implementation, and module/pack-level validation. In 2024, the two companies publicly announced their strategic partnership at the Paris Motor Show and showcased battery-pack application scenarios in an electric vehicle, advancing commercialization from components toward module and battery-pack levels. In addition, at CES 2025, ProLogium unveiled its next-generation technology breakthrough centered on its " all-inorganic solid-state electrolyte," and shared the stage with Dr. Thomas Hulshorst, Global Vice President of Electric Powertrain at FEV, to discuss electrification trends-underscoring the two companies' shared vision for technology roadmaps and real-world engineering execution.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/prologium-technology-teams-up-with-germanys-fev-group-at-ces-to-showcase-next-generation-solid-state-battery-module-302653055.html
Samsung begins its CES 2026 Tech Forums by convening leaders in smart home interoperability for an industry-defining discussion

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today convened leaders across industries in to discuss the importance of smart home interoperability in the first of its Tech Forum panels at CES 2026 at The Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the session, titled "When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI," experts discussed how cross-industry partnerships are transforming connected homes into intelligent environments that feel seamless, safe and genuinely supportive of people's lives.

Openness as the Foundation of Home AI

The panelists agreed that the next era of home intelligence must be built on open collaboration, not closed ecosystems. As homes increasingly rely on devices and services from many brands and industries, openness enables AI systems to work together in ways that create real-world impact. Samsung shared its belief that open connectivity allows appliances, energy systems, safety services and partners across industries to deliver experiences that would be impossible in siloed environments.

"Home is the most personal place in our lives, so home AI must earn trust - quietly, respectfully, and with value users can feel," said Yoonho Choi, President & Chair of the Board of the Home Connectivity Alliance and Head of Strategic Alliances at Samsung Electronics. "That requires interoperability across brands, so the home works as one system instead of disconnected features. Through cooperation with HCA and across industries, we're turning openness into outcomes: safer homes, simpler routines and measurable savings - built on consent and transparency."

Powering the World's Largest Connected Home Ecosystem

Samsung highlighted the scale and depth of its connected ecosystem, noting that more than 500 million users are already part of the SmartThings community. With over a decade of leadership in connected living, Samsung brings deep insight into how AI companionship in the home is evolving, from today's smart devices to tomorrow's system-wide intelligence.

This foundation allows Samsung to design AI experiences that coordinate across appliances and services, delivering value that feels natural rather than technical.

"It's crucial to deliver tangible user benefits that make people's lives better," said Michael Wolf, founder and editor-in-chief of The Spoon. "Along these lines, there's no area that will bring more benefit than a broadly connected kitchen - one that that allows users to understand what's in their refrigerator while connecting to the water and heating networks, allowing for a more holistic understanding that takes preventative action."

Turning Collaboration Into Measurable Consumer Benefits

The panel also examined how open ecosystems enable measurable benefits for consumers through cross-industry partnerships. Samsung highlighted its collaboration with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) as a first-of-its-kind example of how smart home data - used responsibly and transparently - can deliver meaningful outcomes.

"We're at a point where the connected home can bring seamless integration into user lifestyles, which begins to develop trust in smart home equipment that results in direct benefits to consumers," said Jed Usich, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth Solutions at HSB. "Through our partnership with Samsung, we've created a bridge to the insurance industry that takes simple datapoints and turns them into tangible savings for consumers."

Designing AI That Feels Human, Not Intrusive

Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized that for home AI to succeed, it must feel emotionally intelligent and fit naturally into routines including cooking, relaxing, entertaining and caring for families. Design, storytelling and behavioral understanding all play a role in making connected devices feel like calm, reliable companions.

Together, the panelists agreed that the future of home AI depends on interoperability, responsible data use and collaboration across industries, ensuring intelligent homes deliver real value without compromising trust.

As AI becomes more ambient and system-wide, Samsung remains focused on building open ecosystems that make connected living simpler, safer and more meaningful, proving that when everything clicks, home AI can truly improve everyday life.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/samsung-highlights-how-open-ecosystems-unlock-the-real-promise-of-home-ai-at-ces-2026-302653279.html
TAIPEI, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, today unveiled its new philosophy, "Refine & Define," at CES 2026. By refining the foundations of performance across hardware and software, GIGABYTE defines the future of AI computing, enhancing AI responsiveness, efficiency, and intuitiveness across motherboards, graphics cards, AI BOX, AI gaming laptops, and OLED gaming monitors through GIGABYTE's unified AI ecosystem.

Led by X3D Turbo Mode 2.0, GIGABYTE's exclusive software-hardware fusion is fully ready for the latest AMD Ryzen 9000 Series X3D processors. Leveraging an on-board hardware chip and Dynamic AI Overclocking for real-time optimization and peak performance, the flagship X870E AORUS XTREME X3D AI TOP and X870E AERO X3D WOOD in lifestyle set the new standard.

In graphics cards, the new AORUS GeForce RTX 5090 INFINITY features WINDFORCE HYPERBURST Cooling, combining a separated PCB design with penetrating airflow to deliver unobstructed cooling and unlock full RTX AI computing potential. GIGABYTE also announced the availability of the AORUS RTX 5060 Ti AI BOX, a portable eGPU with 16GB VRAM, instantly supercharging ultrabook performance. The new GPU Selector application enables users to assign specific applications to designated GPUs, optimizing efficiency for demanding Generative AI workloads such as ComfyUI and LM Studio.

Extending AI performance to laptops, GiMATE, GIGABYTE's exclusive AI agent, integrates an advanced LLM with a natural "Press and Speak" feature for intuitive control. GIGABYTE redesigned the GiMATE interface, allowing AI Power Gear III to perform direct MUX switching without entering the BIOS, while GiMATE Creator adds Qwen-image capabilities, and GiMATE Coder expands intuitive coding functionality. Hardware upgrades across the AORUS MASTER 16, AERO X16, and GAMING A18 PRO further elevate AI creation, productivity, and gaming performance. Complementing the experience, GIGABYTE introduces HyperNits to enhance HDR and AI Picture Mode to elevate SDR, maximizing OLED performance across the ultra-wide QD-OLED MO34WQC36, 4K QD-OLED MO32U24, glossy 4th-gen WOLED MO27Q28GR, and the new white 27-inch QD-OLED MO27Q2A ICE gaming monitors.

GIGABYTE's AI innovations firsthand through live demonstrations across motherboards, graphics cards, AI gaming laptops, OLED gaming monitors, and the AI TOP System at CES 2026. For further details, please visit the GIGABYTE EVENT | CES 2026 , or visit the GIGABYTE Booth (#8519 at LVCC North Hall), or GIGABYTE Ballroom for media and VIPs at The Venetian Convention and Expo Center.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gigabyte-unveils-refine--define-shaping-future-of-ai-computing-at-ces-2026-302651080.html
2026 startet mit einem Paukenschlag: Der DAX outperformt den US-Markt, Nachzugler holen auf. Ein erstes Signal, dass der Bullenmarkt an Breite gewinnt. Wahrend viele Anleger weiter auf die groen Tech-Namen setzen, hat sich im Hintergrund langst ein Umschwung vollzogen. Der Fokus verschiebt sich weg von uberteuerten KI-Highflyern hin zu soliden Qualitatswerten aus der zweiten Reihe.



Anleger, die jetzt clever agieren, setzen nicht auf das, was war, sondern auf das, was kommt. Unternehmen mit gesunder Bilanz, unterschatztem Potenzial und begrenztem Abwartsrisiko konnten 2026 zu den groen Gewinnern zahlen. Die Gefahr einer scharferen Korrektur bleibt real, gerade fur passiv aufgestellte Investoren.



In unserem neuen Spezialreport stellen wir funf Aktien vor, die genau jetzt das Potenzial fur uberdurchschnittliche Renditen bieten. Stark, gunstig und bislang kaum im Fokus.



Jetzt kostenlosen Report herunterladen  bevor es andere tun!



Dieses exklusive PDF ist nur fur kurze Zeit gratis verfugbar.
Samsung Tech Forum series continues at CES 2026 with AI Platform Center discussion on the future of trust and AI

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today hosted a panel of global experts for "In Tech We Trust? Rethinking Security & Privacy in the AI Age" as part of its Tech Forum series at CES 2026. Held at The Wynn in Las Vegas, the session convened global experts in technology, research and ethics to explore how trust has emerged as one of the most critical factors shaping how people adopt and engage with AI as it becomes more seamlessly interwoven into daily life.

Making Invisible Intelligence Feel Trustworthy

As AI increasingly anticipates needs, curates routines and operates autonomously across devices, panelists Allie K. Miller, CEO of Open Machine; Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group; Zack Kass, Global AI Advisor at ZKAI Advisory and former Head of Go-To-Market at Open AI; and Shin Baik, AI Platform Center (APC) Group Head at Samsung Electronics, emphasized that trust must be earned not through promises, but through consistent, understandable behavior.

At the session, Samsung shared its approach to trust-by-design, highlighting the importance of AI systems that are predictable, transparent and easy for users to control. "When it comes to AI, users are looking for transparency and control," Allie Miller said. "They want to be leaders in their own personalized experiences - to understand whether an AI model is running locally or in the cloud, to know their data is secure and to clearly see what is powered by AI and what is not. That level of visibility builds confidence. On the provider side, there is a responsibility to show up for users by designing personalized experiences around the core components of trust - clarity, security and accountability."

Samsung also underscored how on-device AI allows personal data to remain local whenever possible, while cloud-based intelligence can be used selectively when greater speed or scale is required, giving users flexibility without compromising privacy.

Security Built for an AI-Driven World

The panel also explored how, as intelligences becomes distributed across phones, TVs and home appliances, security must evolve. In the session, Samsung highlighted its Knox security platform - which now protects billions of devices from the chipset up - as well as Knox Matrix, a cross-device security framework that enables products to authenticate and protect one another.

"Trust in AI starts with security that's proven, not promised," Shin Baik said. "For more than a decade, Samsung Knox has provided a deeply embedded security platform designed to protect sensitive data at every layer. But trust goes beyond a single device - it requires an ecosystem that protects itself. With Knox, devices continuously authenticate and monitor one another, so each device acts as a shield for the rest, creating a resilient, secure environment users can rely on."

A Cross-Industry Conversation on the Future of Trust

Shin Baik emphasized how trust grows when AI behaves predictably and securely across devices, arguing that users need visible signals of control rather than "black box" systems. Samsung pointed to its partnerships with industry leaders such as Google and Microsoft as a way to strengthen shared security research, interoperability and ecosystem-wide protection, while Allie Miller highlighted the importance of transparency for users including clear visibility into where AI models run, how data is used and explicit labels that show what is powered by AI and what is not. Meanwhile, Zack Kass added that while misinformation and misuse present real challenges, "For every risk, there is also a countermeasure and technology itself will play a critical role in mitigating AI's downsides."

Amy Webb evaluated the relationship between trust and the purchasing habits of consumers. "I don't think they're making decisions based on trust alone," she said. "People aren't paying for trust. They don't buy things because of trust. They buy things because of convenience. So if the AI piece of this hooks people in it makes their lives easier and more convenient."

As AI becomes increasingly invisible, the panel concluded that the technologies that earn long-term

trust will be those that prioritize security, transparency and meaningful user choice from the start.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/samsung-explores-how-trust-security-and-privacy-shape-the-future-of-ai-at-ces-2026-302653357.html
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 5, 2026 / Xironetic, a provider of augmented reality surgical guidance technology, today announced the appointment of Brandon Strong as Chief Product Officer and Chief Research Officer.

"This appointment reflects Brandon's tremendous impact in refining our product and translating our technology to a broad range of users," said Dr. Christian El-Amm, Founder and Executive Chairman of Xironetic and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Oklahoma Children's Hospital. "During his tenure at Xironetic, Brandon has established himself as a thought leader in medical extended reality, and this expanded role will further amplify his impact on our company and his broader influence on the field."

Strong was appointed Chief Product Officer and Chief Research Officer following two years with Xironetic, having joined the company in 2023 as the Founding Scientist and Director of Clinical Research. With Strong's leadership, Xironetic has successfully expanded its clinical footprint into neurosurgery, ENT surgery, orthopedic surgery, and oral/maxillofacial surgery. Furthermore, the company's research program has grown to include collaborations with more than a dozen leading global institutions, resulting in more than 60 international presentations and over a dozen peer-reviewed journal publications.

In Strong's expanded role at Xironetic, he will lead the company's product strategy while managing the company's research activities, which are expanding to include multiple clinical trials.

Prior to joining Xironetic, Strong served as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University. He holds both Master's and Bachelor's degrees from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. In addition to his leadership at Xironetic, he currently serves as the Scientific Director of the UCD MXR Laboratory at the University of California, Davis.

About Xironetic

Xironetic ('chiro-net-ik') is a privately held startup founded in 2021 with a focus on building augmented reality solutions for surgical guidance. The company's IntraOpVSP software combines augmented reality and computer vision to support complex surgical procedures and has been used in over 280 surgical cases to date. In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared IntraOpVSP for use as an imaging device during surgery across a broad range of clinical indications. Follow our progress at http://www.xironetic.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

CONTACT:

Christian Amm

Founder & Executive Chairman

info@xironetic.com

4055481660

SOURCE: Xironetic

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/xironetic-appoints-brandon-strong-as-chief-product-officer-and-chief-1124355
Regulatory News:

Orano has been selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) to receive 900 million US dollars of funding to build an enriched uranium production facility in the United States of America. The total cost of the project is estimated at nearly 5 billion US dollars.

This announcement, which represents a major step forward, confirms the US government's support for the group's project to deploy an enrichment plant on the site at Oak Ridge (Tennessee). Orano is now able to address the next steps of the project, in particular, a finalization of the contract and the filing of a license application with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in HY1 of 2026.

The project, known as IKE*, will help provide a new source for reliable and secure procurement of enriched uranium in the USA. It will allow the needs of operators of nuclear reactors in the USA to be secured in accordance with US regulations prohibiting the import of Russian uranium as of 2028. The new plant will also meet the growing needs of US energy utilities in the context of demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers which require a stable, low-cost and low-carbon source of electricity.

The IKE project in the United States will complement the extension to the capacities of the Georges Besse 2 enrichment plant currently under construction in France, as Orano's first response to meeting Western energy needs. For more than 40 years, Orano's plants on the Tricastin site (Drome and Vaucluse, France) have been supplying the world's nuclear fleet with low-carbon energy thanks to their ultra-centrifugation technology, recognized for its reliability and its low environmental impact.

Nicolas Maes, Chief Executive Officer of Orano, commented: "This is excellent news for Orano and a decisive step forward on our project for an enrichment plant in the USA! This recognition by the US authorities is an illustration of the confidence they have in our expertise and our capacity to deploy our technology to ensure robust security of supply to our customers."

Francois Lurin, Senior Executive Vice President of Orano's Chemistry-Enrichment Business Unit, added: "We are very proud to have been selected by the US Department of Energy, as a mark of confidence in the know-how of our teams. We are very eager to start writing what will be a new chapter in Orano's history with this new industrial facility on US soil, as we continue to deploy the project currently underway to extend the capacity of our French enrichment plant on the Tricastin site by 30%. This forward-looking project represents a major investment for the Orano group. We are keen to set the next steps in the process in motion and look forward to commencing production by the start of the next decade."

About Orano

As a leading international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 18,000 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow.

Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value.

*The IKE project has been named in honor of President D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the USA, to pay homage to his "Atoms for Peace" speech given to the United Nations in 1953 on the topic of nuclear energy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260105101693/en/

Contacts:

Press Office

+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15

press@orano.group

Investor relations

Marc Quesnoy

investors@orano.group
- Let's Enjoy Tokyo's Food Scene; Visitors Can Find New Charms Every Time -

TOKYO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has launched the website "GO TOKYO Gourmet" to showcase Tokyo's diverse food attractions in Japan and overseas.

"GO TOKYO Gourmet" website: https://www.gourmet.gotokyo.org/index.html

The website features articles and videos about Tokyo's diverse food offerings and the depth of its food culture. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government hopes the site will deepen visitors' interest in Tokyo's food and encourage them to visit the Japanese capital and experience its diverse cuisine firsthand.

Photo1:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108932/202512241693/_prw_PI6fl_t11cmtRo.png

Tokyo's culinary appeal lies in its diversity, ranging from traditional dishes passed down since the Edo (*) period (The Edo period lasted for about 260 years from 1603.), such as "sushi" (vinegared rice with sliced raw fish on top) and "tempura" (deep-fried seafood), to cuisine from around the world, locally sourced ingredients rooted in Tokyo's natural environment, and high-quality restaurants where renowned chefs from Japan and abroad showcase their skills.

The site not only provides gourmet information but also highlights the depth of Tokyo's food culture, including its history and traditions dating back to the Edo period, its evolution and development up to the present day, the thoughts and ingenuity of the capital city's food professionals, the everyday meals of Tokyo residents, and the future of Tokyo's food, including sustainability and diversity.

The site also posts information on how to eat Japanese food, unique Japanese services and manners, food-related events in Tokyo, and sites for making restaurant reservations in the capital (including reservation sites that accommodate vegan and halal options).

(*) Edo, the former name of Tokyo, grew into a huge city with an estimated population of one million in the early 1700s, during which time its cuisine and culture also developed.

About Site Content

- "People" who promote the charms of Tokyo's food

Chefs appointed as Tokyo Tourism Ambassadors, chefs active in Tokyo, food specialists, and other leading figures in various food-related fields offer their perspectives to explore and reveal the depth of Tokyo's food culture.

Photo2:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108932/202512241693/_prw_PI2fl_yGkPQUmM.png

- Tokyo's food culture rooted in "Edo"

This section delves into iconic Edo dishes, including sushi, eel, tempura and "soba" (buckwheat noodles served in a broth); the evolution of the dining-out culture that flourished in Edo; locally sourced ingredients, including "Traditional Edo-Tokyo vegetables"; the connection between food and Tokyo's unique culture, such as "kabuki" (traditional drama) and "yakatabune" (houseboat) dining; and sustainable practices and philosophies that have continued since the Edo period.

Photo3:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108932/202512241693/_prw_PI3fl_k6LKGgyT.png

- Food experiences popular among "travelers"

The section highlights popular food experiences among travelers by focusing on Tokyo's everyday meals, such as "ramen" noodles (which have gained global popularity), rice balls, convenience store gourmet food, and the city's distinctive vending machine culture. The section also introduces a wide range of choices available in Tokyo, including vegan, halal, and gluten-free options.

Photo4:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108932/202512241693/_prw_PI4fl_lSWia112.png

Making Food Experiences More Delicious and Comfortable

In order to make dining experiences more delicious, comfortable and satisfying, the website provides information on how to enjoy Japanese food, as well as unique Japanese services and manners. The site also posts information on food-related events held in Tokyo.

Photo5:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108932/202512241693/_prw_PI5fl_b86SQpO6.png

"GO TOKYO Gourmet" Website Overview

Website name: GO TOKYO Gourmet

Launch date: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Languages available: Japanese and English

Operation: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

URL: https://www.gourmet.gotokyo.org/index.html

Social media: Information on Tokyo's food attractions will be updated on various social media platforms.

YouTube: GO TOKYO Gourmet Official

https://www.youtube.com/@go-tokyo-gourmet_official

Instagram: GO TOKYO Gourmet Official

https://www.instagram.com/gotokyogourmet_official

Facebook: GO TOKYO Gourmet Official

https://www.facebook.com/GOTOKYOGourmet

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tokyo-metropolitan-government-launches-go-tokyo-gourmet-website-to-showcase-tokyos-diverse-food-attractions-302653324.html
The trial aims to establish clinical proof-of-concept in psoriasis and proof-of-mechanism for other CCR6- and Th17-associated autoimmune indications

Allschwil, Switzerland - January 6, 2026

Idorsia Ltd (SIX: IDIA) announces the initiation of a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial evaluating IDOR-1117-2520 for participants with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. IDOR-1117-2520 is Idorsia's first-in-class, oral, selective CCR6 receptor antagonist designed to block the CCR6/CCL20 axis and prevent the migration of disease-driving Th17 immune cells.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition driven by the IL-23/Th17 pathway, characterized by elevated CCL20 and CCR6-positive cells in affected skin.1 There is a significant need for oral drugs with innovative mechanisms of action that address Th17-driven conditions such as psoriasis.

The 12-week exploratory Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial will evaluate whether CCR6 blockade improves psoriasis by preventing pathogenic immune cells from reaching the skin. Two dosages of the once-daily oral drug will be tested against placebo, using established clinical endpoints such as Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and biomarkers including beta-defensin 2, a key indicator of disease activity.2 Psoriasis is a well-validated indication to demonstrate clinical proof-of-mechanism for targeting of the IL-23/Th17 pathway that matches Idorsia's ambition for its investigational compound.

Alberto Gimona MD, Head of Global Clinical Development at Idorsia, commented:

"The potential for an oral therapy that delivers biologic-like efficacy is compelling. We've designed a trial that evaluates the speed and magnitude of response, dose performance, and safety in a well-characterized Th17-driven disease. A positive outcome would confirm clinical proof-of-concept in psoriasis and mechanistic validation for expansion into other CCR6- and Th17-associated indications."

About the proof-of-concept trial

This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial will explore the efficacy and safety of IDOR-1117-2520 in adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, with or without psoriatic arthritis. Approximately 30 participants will be randomized to receive one of two doses of IDOR-1117-2520 or placebo once daily. Efficacy will be measured through the primary endpoint of change from baseline to Week 12 in PASI score. Results are expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Martine Clozel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Research at Idorsia, commented:

"Idorsia has a rich heritage in G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) research and drug discovery, and we have built a portfolio of chemokine projects where GPCRs play an important pathogenic role, opening the way to address clear medical needs. IDOR-1117-2520 is the first to enter Phase 2 development. We've chosen our first-in-class, once-a-day oral CCR6 receptor antagonist based on its selectivity and potency for the CCR6 receptor, a novel target in the inflammatory cascade in Th17-driven diseases. This trial in patients with psoriasis will elucidate the profile of our unique compound and if positive will support secondary selection of the best CCR6-driven target indications for further development - either independently or in partnership."

About CCR6 antagonism

CCR6 antagonism targets a key receptor that directs pathogenic immune cells toward inflamed tissues through the CCL20-CCR6 axis.3-8 In many immune-mediated diseases, CCL20 is strongly upregulated, attracting CCR6-positive cells such as Th17-lineage lymphocytes.3-8 Blocking CCR6 prevents these cells from migrating from the bloodstream into the inflamed peripheral tissues. The prevention of this migration inhibits the Th17 pathway, which is well understood and consistent across psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other Th17-associated conditions.3-8 CCR6 antagonism therefore offers a targeted approach to modulating inflammation without broad immunosuppression.

AboutIDOR-1117-2520

IDOR-1117-2520 is a first-in-class, oral small-molecule, selective CCR6 receptor antagonist that blocks CCL20-driven recruitment of pathogenic CCR6-expressing immune cells. In preclinical models, the compound prevented CCR6-positive cell migration and achieved efficacy comparable to inhibitors of IL-17 and IL-23, supporting its relevance across multiple Th17-mediated autoimmune diseases.9 Phase 1 data confirmed a safety and pharmacokinetics profile supporting further investigation with once-daily dosing.

IDOR-1117-2520 is now in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in psoriasis, with the potential to expand into additional autoimmune conditions where the CCR6-CCL20 pathway plays a pathogenic role.

Notes to the editor

About Th17-mediated immune disorders

Th17-driven immune disorders are characterized by excessive recruitment of auto-reactive inflammatory immune cells to tissues, where they release cytokines such as IL-17 that perpetuate chronic inflammation.10,11 These cells are drawn toward areas of disease by elevated CCL20, which signals through CCR6. Multiple autoimmune conditions share this pathology, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis 3-8 Existing therapies that block IL-17 or IL-23 validate this pathway clinically but are mostly injectable biologics.12-14 A targeted oral therapy acting on the CCR6-CCL20 axis could address substantial unmet need across this group of diseases, and offer patients a more convenient treatment option.

References:

Griffiths, C. E. M., Armstrong, A. W., Gudjonsson, J. E., & Barker, J. (2021). Psoriasis. Lancet, 397(10281), 1301-1315. Kolbinger F, Loesche C, Valentin MA, Jiang X, Cheng Y, Jarvis P, Peters T, Calonder C, Bruin G, Polus F, Aigner B, Lee DM, Bodenlenz M, Sinner F, Pieber TR, Patel DD. -Defensin 2 is a responsive biomarker of IL-17A-driven skin pathology in patients with psoriasis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Mar;139(3):923-932.e8. Meitei HT, Jadhav N, Lal G. CCR6-CCL20 axis as a therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev. 2021 Jul;20(7):102846. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102846. Epub 2021 May 7. PMID: 33971346. Gomez-Melero S, Caballero-Villarraso J. CCR6 as a Potential Target for Therapeutic Antibodies for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases. Antibodies (Basel). 2023 Apr 20;12(2):30. doi: 10.3390/antib12020030. PMID: 37092451; PMCID: PMC10123731. Comerford I, Bunting M, Fenix K, Haylock-Jacobs S, Litchfield W, Harata-Lee Y, Turvey M, Brazzatti J, Gregor C, Nguyen P, Kara E, McColl SR. An immune paradox: how can the same chemokine axis regulate both immune tolerance and activation?: CCR6/CCL20: a chemokine axis balancing immunological tolerance and inflammation in autoimmune disease. Bioessays. 2010 Dec;32(12):1067-76. doi: 10.1002/bies.201000063. Epub 2010 Oct 15. PMID: 20954179. Wang L, Hong X, Du H. Association Between Serum Chemokine Ligand 20 Levels and Disease Activity and Th1/Th2/Th17-Related Cytokine Levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2023 Nov;43(11):512-517. doi: 10.1089/jir.2023.0057. Epub 2023 Oct 9. PMID: 37815793. Stallhofer J, Reichl F, Lauseker M, Waldenmaier L, Torok HP, Mayerle J, Olszak T, Schnitzler F, Frasheri I, Breiteneicher S, Brand S, Stallmach A, Diegelmann J, Beigel F. CCL20 expression is elevated in inflammatory bowel disease and attenuated by vitamin D metabolites. Sci Rep. 2025 Jun 20;15(1):20145. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-05094-x. PMID: 40542081; PMCID: PMC12181267. Jafarzadeh A, Bagherzadeh S, Ebrahimi HA, Hajghani H, Bazrafshani MR, Khosravimashizi A, Nemati M, Gadari F, Sabahi A, Iranmanesh F, Mohammadi MM, Daneshvar H. Higher circulating levels of chemokine CCL20 in patients with multiple sclerosis: evaluation of the influences of chemokine gene polymorphism, gender, treatment and disease pattern. J Mol Neurosci. 2014 Jul;53(3):500-5. doi: 10.1007/s12031-013-0214-2. Epub 2014 Jan 7. PMID: 24395091. Kulig P, Brazauskas P, Suffiotti M, Raoult E, Babilonski U, Renault B, Grieder U, Vezzali E, Blattmann P, Martinic MM, Murphy MJ. Efficacy of IDOR-1117-2520, a novel, orally available CCR6 antagonist in preclinical models of skin dermatitis. Br J Pharmacol. 2025 Aug;182(15):3452-3475. doi: 10.1111/bph.70025. Epub 2025 Mar 28. PMID: 40156059. Furue, M., Furue, K., Tsuji, G., & Nakahara, T. (2020b). Interleukin-17a and keratinocytes in psoriasis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(4), 1275. Ferris, L. K., Ott, E., Jiang, J., Hong, H. C., Li, S., Han, C., & Baran, W. (2020). Efficacy and safety of guselkumab, administered with a novel patient-controlled injector (one-press), for moderate-to-severe psoriasis: Results from the phase 3 ORION study. The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 31(2), 152-159. Papp, K. A., Leonardi, C., Menter, A., Ortonne, J. P., Krueger, J. G., Kricorian, G., & Baumgartner, S. (2012). Brodalumab, an anti-interleukin-17-receptor antibody for psoriasis. The New England Journal of Medicine, 366(13), 1181-1189. Paul, C., Lacour, J. P., Tedremets, L., Kreutzer, K., Jazayeri, S., Adams, S., & group, J. s. (2015). Efficacy, safety and usability of secukinumab administration by autoinjector/pen in psoriasis: A randomized, controlled trial (JUNCTURE). Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 29(6), 1082-1090. Reich, K., Griffiths, C. E. M., Gordon, K. B., Papp, K. A., Song, M., Randazzo, B., & Blauvelt, A. (2020). Maintenance of clinical response and consistent safety profile with up to 3 years of continuous treatment with guselkumab: Results from the VOYAGE 1 and VOYAGE 2 trials. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82(4), 936-945.

About Idorsia

The purpose of Idorsia is to challenge accepted medical paradigms, answering the questions that matter most. To achieve this, we will discover, develop, and commercialize transformative medicines - either with in-house capabilities or together with partners - and evolve Idorsia into a leading biopharmaceutical company, with a strong scientific core.

Headquartered near Basel, Switzerland - a European biotech hub - Idorsia has a highly experienced team of dedicated professionals, covering all disciplines from bench to bedside; QUVIVIQ (daridorexant), a different kind of insomnia treatment with the potential to revolutionize this mounting public health concern; strong partners to maximize the value of our portfolio; a promising in-house development pipeline; and a specialized drug discovery engine focused on small-molecule drugs that can change the treatment paradigm for many patients. Idorsia is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: IDIA).

For further information, please contact:

George Thampy

Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations

Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hegenheimermattweg 91, CH-4123 Allschwil

+41 58 844 10 10

investor.relations@idorsia.com - media.relations@idorsia.com - www.idorsia.com

The above information contains certain "forward-looking statements", relating to the company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intend", "estimates", "believes", "expects", "may", "are expected to", "will", "will continue", "should", "would be", "seeks", "pending" or "anticipates" or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such statements include descriptions of the company's investment and research and development programs, business development activities and anticipated expenditures in connection therewith, descriptions of new products expected to be introduced by the company and anticipated customer demand for such products and products in the company's existing portfolio. Such statements reflect the current views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Attachment
Paris, Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

88% reduction in urinary incontinence episodes in patients with neurogenic bladder sustained through 24 weeks

Good tolerability maintained

Enrollment and dosing of Cohort 2 in progress

Results demonstrate the ability to modulate very specifically the activity of subset of neurons and hence validate EG 427's HERMES nrHSV-1 technology platform

Paris, France, January 06, 2026 - EG 427, a biotechnology company leading the development of pinpoint DNA medicines for prevalent chronic diseases in neurology, announced today that the promising clinical efficacy of EG110A, an 88% reduction in urinary incontinence episodes by week 12, was consistently maintained at week 24 follow-up. EG110A is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1b/2a, open-label, dose-escalation study for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). A good safety profile in all patients was also maintained with no new safety signals. Dosing of the second cohort in the study is currently ongoing.

"Following the very promising initial clinical results at 12 weeks, we are seeing the first patients maintaining a highly clinically relevant reduction in urinary incontinence episodes at 24 weeks, a major milestone in EG110A's clinical development," said Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at EG 427. "For patients, this drop in incontinence episodes combined with a long-term effect could dramatically improve quality of life. We are continuing to follow these patients up to 52 weeks then will ask them to enroll into a long-term observational study. At this time we are evaluating EG110A in the next cohort at a higher dose, although these remarkable results were already achieved with the lowest dose tested."

EG110A is a non-replicating HSV-1 vector designed to selectively silence the signals of type C sensory neurons responsible for the bladder muscle overactivity, whilst preserving other bladder controls. NDO is a common urinary bladder dysfunction caused by SCI and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.

"We continue to be very encouraged with the clinical effect seen with administration of EG110A and the strong safety profile. What is truly remarkable, is that by targeting a very small number of sensory neurons, we are able to achieve such a dramatic improvement for the patients," said Philippe Chambon, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at EG 427. "These stellar initial clinical results with EG110A to date are only at the beginning of realizing the potential of our novel approach and our goal of safe and precise DNA medicines for patients with chronic diseases."

The Phase 1b/2a, open-label, dose-escalation study) is currently enrolling the second cohort of 6 adult participants with NDO following SCI, who have persistent urinary incontinence after standard of care therapy and who perform clean intermittent catheterization on a regular basis. Participants receive a single treatment course consisting of multiple intradetrusor injections of EG110A. The study is being conducted at four leading US institutions located in California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas.

NDO causes uncontrolled urinary incontinence, risk of kidney damage as well as urinary tract infections than can lead to death in 5-10% of the SCI population. NDO affects most (70-84%) patients living with SCI, an estimated total of 300,000-400,000 worldwide. Altogether, NDO affects at least 2 million patients suffering from SCI, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, across the seven major markets and has a significant impact on their quality of life. The European Association of Urology recently estimated that incontinence caused by NDO and other indications, such as overactive bladder, represents a growing economic burden of over 69.1 billion in 2023 in Europe1.

This research was supported, in part, by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs endorsed by the Department of Defense, in the amount of $3,165,836, through the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program under Award No. HT9425-25-1-0505. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Defense.

About EG 427

EG 427 is the global leader in non-replicating HSV-1 (nrHSV-1) vector technology in neurology. EG 427 has started a phase 1/2 study in the US with its lead DNA medicine candidate, EG110A, in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (neurogenic bladder)-related incontinence. This is the first human study of this type of a vector targeting sensory neuron-based diseases. EG110A is being developed to addresses multiple severe bladder diseases, including overactive bladder (OAB), and has the potential to be a major improvement over existing therapies, resulting in better care for patients and lower costs for healthcare systems. The company's unique HERMES platform delivers pinpoint neurotherapeutics to treat prevalent diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system. Its vectors can achieve focal transduction in specific regions and then selective expression of transgenes in targeted subsets of neurons thanks to the control of sophisticated regulatory elements. With demonstrated clinical safety and possible repeated dosing, the large payload capacity of

nrHSV-1 vectors allows for versatile DNA delivery for smarter DNA medicine.

For more information:



Check our website at www.eg427.com (http://www.eg427.com)

Follow us on www.linkedin.com/company/eg427 (http://www.linkedin.com/company/eg427)/

Contacts:

EG 427 Media Relations: Rose Piquante Consulting Philippe Chambon, M.D., Ph.D., Sophie Baumont Founder and CEO sophie.baumont@rosepiquante-consulting.com pchambon@eg427.com +33 6 27 74 74 49

[1] https://d56bochluxqnz.cloudfront.net/media/Socio-economic_report_UrgetoAct.pdfasset:4080543@1
SMG Swiss Marketplace Group Holding AG / Key word(s): Agreement

SMG and the Price Supervisor reach an amicable agreement



06-Jan-2026 / 07:33 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Zurich, 6 January 2026

SMG Swiss Marketplace Group has reached an amicable agreement with the Price Supervisor regarding Ricardo and SMG Real Estate. As a result, the Price Supervisor is discontinuing its informal investigations in both fields. This provides SMG with legal certainty in this regard for the next three years.

SMG will introduce a new flex offer model with adjusted fees in the real estate segment and implement various discount measures at Ricardo aimed at increasing activity and transaction volume.

The agreement with the Price Supervisor has no impact on SMG's previously announced financial targets, growth and profitability forecasts.

Further information is available on the Price Supervisor's media page .

Contact



SMG Swiss Marketplace Group

Roswitha Brunner

Head of Corporate Communication & Public Affairs

media@swissmarketplace.group

+41 76 577 15 29



Luka Janjis

Director Investor Relations

ir@swissmarketplace.group

+41 78 808 71 15

About SMG Swiss Marketplace Group

SMG Swiss Marketplace Group is a pioneering network of online marketplaces and an innovative digital company that simplifies people's lives with groundbreaking products. SMG Swiss Marketplace Group provides its customers with the ideal tools for their life choices. Its portfolio includes real estate (ImmoScout24, Homegate, Flatfox, Immostreet.ch, alle-immobilien.ch, home.ch, Publimmo, Acheter-Louer.ch, CASASOFT, IAZI), automotive (AutoScout24, MotoScout24), general marketplaces (anibis.ch, tutti.ch, Ricardo) and finance and insurance (FinanceScout24, moneyland.ch).
Novel capsid technology to enable convenient delivery in the doctor's office of IKAR-003 for intermediate AMD, designed to prevent progression to sight-threatening disease

Ikarovec Ltd, which is developing dual-pathway gene therapies for vision-threatening retinal diseases, and VectorBuilder, a global leader in gene delivery technologies, have entered into an exclusive worldwide option agreement for VectorBuilder's novel AAV capsid technology to be used in combination with Ikarovec's gene therapy candidate IKAR-003 for intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Following successful further evaluation of the technology, the companies will engage in a strategic partnership under which Ikarovec will be responsible for clinical development and commercialisation of IKAR-003. Based on the potential of IKAR-003 in intermediate AMD, the proposed deal is expected to be worth in excess of $1bn.

VectorBuilder's proprietary capsid technology will allow IKAR-003 to be delivered to the eye via the minimally invasive intravitreal route in a doctor's office. This will enhance access to the treatment for the target patient population those at the earlier, intermediate AMD stage for whom prevention of disease progression is a priority. IKAR-003 is designed to prevent this progression through a one-time injection of an AAV-delivered dual-pathway gene therapy combining neuroprotection and complement modulation to preserve visual function.

Patients with intermediate AMD, a condition that affects millions worldwide and currently has no approved drug treatments, are at significant risk of progressing to geographic atrophy or wet AMD, both of which cause irreversible vision loss.

'Partnering with VectorBuilder on IKAR-003 increases the value of Ikarovec's pipeline by creating an office-based intravitreally delivered product, ideal for large-scale adoption in the prevention of disease progression setting,' said Thomas Ciulla, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Ikarovec. 'We have assessed other intravitreal capsid options and are confident that VectorBuilder's technology will provide superior efficacy.'

'IKAR-003 uses the same dual-pathway approach as our lead programme, IKAR-001, which remains on track for clinical trial initiation in late 2026 in geographic atrophy, using validated subretinal delivery in this advanced stage of disease. We are therefore addressing two distinct patient populations with a delivery approach tailored to each,' he added.

'We have worked with Ikarovec for several years and have developed a deep understanding of the company's approach and technical requirements,' said Dr. Bruce Lahn, Founder and Chief Scientist at VectorBuilder. 'By utilizing our AI-powered DeepCap platform that integrates rational design with ultradeep search of AAV sequence space, we were able to engineer best-in-class ocular capsids. In non-human primate studies, our intravitreally administered capsids can target wide areas of the retina and successfully transduce virtually all cells of the macula, demonstrating broader and more robust transduction than current clinical intravitreal capsids. We are confident that our capsid technology, combined with Ikarovec's innovative dual-pathway therapeutic approach and experienced leadership team, will create a strong foundation for developing transformative therapies for patients with vision-threatening retinal diseases.'

Notes for Editors

About Ikarovec

Ikarovec Limited is a UK-based, near clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering dual-pathway gene therapies for vision-threatening retinal diseases. Founded in 2020 as a spin-out from Quethera (acquired by Astellas Pharmaceuticals in 2018), the company is headquartered at Norwich Research Park in Norfolk, United Kingdom. Ikarovec's proprietary bicistronic gene therapy platform builds on validated therapeutic approaches and adds synergistic second mechanisms, addressing what current single-pathway therapies miss with reduced development risk. The company's lead programmes address large market opportunities including geographic atrophy and retinitis pigmentosa (using validated subretinal delivery) plus intermediate AMD and wet AMD (via doctor's office-based intravitreal delivery). Ikarovec is led by an experienced team with expertise in bicistronic gene therapies and direct involvement in major ophthalmology products and exits totaling over $13 billion including Spark, Iveric and EyeBio. For more information, visit www.ikarovec.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About VectorBuilder

VectorBuilder is a global leader in gene delivery technologies. As a trusted partner for thousands of labs and biotech/pharma companies across the globe, VectorBuilder offers a full spectrum of gene delivery solutions covering virtually all research and clinical needs from bench to bedside. The company's R&D programs have focused on enhancing the functionality, safety and manufacturability of genetic medicines by solving major pain points in current gene delivery technologies such as low tissue specificity, immunogenicity, limited cargo size, and low manufacturing yield. VectorBuilder's proprietary DeepCap platform combines machine learning and rational design with massively parallel ultradeep search of distributed sequence space to power the engineering of novel AAV capsids with best-in-class transduction efficiency and tissue specificity. Utilizing this platform, VectorBuilder has built a large panel of capsids targeting a wide range of therapeutically important tissues including CNS, PNS, muscle, heart, eye and ear. The company also operates about 10,000 m of modern GMP facilities for genetic medicine manufacturing, fully compliant with ICH guidelines and US and EU regulatory standards. VectorBuilder has provided IND-enabling vectors to a global client base across the US, Europe, Australia, Japan, China, and South Korea. The company has been honored with numerous awards such as BioTech Breakthrough Award, PharmaVoice 100 Award, Bioz Rapid Star Award, and CDMO Leadership Award. For more information, visit www.vectorbuilder.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106205147/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact

Emma Palmer Foster, Communications 44 (0)7880 787185

comms@ikarovec.com
BRUSSELS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Amrop, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, is pleased to announce the opening of its new offices in Singapore and Malaysia, strengthening the firm's footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and reinforcing its commitment to serving clients in two of the region's most dynamic markets.

The move reflects Amrop's strategic focus on supporting organizations navigating rapid growth, digital transformation, and evolving leadership challenges across Southeast Asia. The new offices will deliver Amrop's full suite of executive search, board advisory, and leadership assessment services to both regional and multinational clients.

Jimmy Chen, Managing Partner for Singapore & Malaysia, said, "We are building a client-success driven leadership advisory in Singapore and Malaysia, combining Amrop's global reach with local insight, and with a unique belief of putting our clients' & executives' best interests first and foremost as our primary objective. We provide customized solutions to help purpose-driven global & regional companies & leaders govern, grow, lead, transform, and outlast their peers. Serving with brain and heart, we are here to co-create sustainable success and happiness with MNCs & Family Businesses seeking leaders who can navigate both global complexity & local nuances."

Annika Farin, Amrop's Global Chair, added, "Our presence in Singapore and Malaysia marks a significant milestone in Amrop's global growth journey. These markets are hubs of innovation and talent, and we are excited to partner with clients here as they build leadership teams equipped for the future."

The firm's teams in Singapore and Malaysia bring extensive sector expertise and deep understanding of local business landscapes. The expanded APAC platform strengthens the firm's ability to deliver high-impact advisory services in key industries, including Technology, Financial Services, Consumer, Industrial, and Life Sciences.

With these additions, Amrop's APAC presence grows to 10 offices across Australia, China, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea.

About Amrop

Amrop is a global leadership consulting firm, offering retained Executive Search, Board and Leadership Advisory services. We advise the world's most dynamic organizations on identifying and positioning Leaders For What's Next - adept at working across borders, in markets around the world. Established in 1977, Amrop operates across more than 60 offices in APAC, EMEA and the Americas.

CONTACT:

The Amrop Partnership SC

Rue Abbe Cuypers 3

1040 Brussels, Belgium

T. +32 471 733 825

E. contact@amrop.com

Costa Tzavaras

Director Global Programs

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Vancouver, BC, Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trident Resources Corp. (TSX-V: ROCK) (OTCQB: TRDTF) ("Trident" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Tim Termuende as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Termuende previously served as a member of the Company's Board.

Mr. Termuende is currently Executive Chairman and a founding director of Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. He is a professional geologist with over 45 years' experience in the mineral exploration industry. Since leaving Cominco in the late 1980s, Mr. Termuende has worked extensively on exploration projects throughout North and South America and has overseen a broad portfolio of projects targeting a variety of geological models and commodities within British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Yukon. He has held executive leadership roles with numerous publicly traded companies since 1994, including Copper Canyon Resources Ltd, Taiga Gold Corp. and Eagle Royalties Ltd., each of which were successfully transacted with third parties resulting in over $110M in value and liquidity delivered directly to shareholders.

Mr. Termuende's deep familiarity with the La Ronge Gold Belt, which hosts Trident's high-grade Contact Lake Project, provides the Company with a significant strategic advantage. He was instrumental in the formation of Trident through its three-way merger and has been actively involved in the region for over four decades.

Tim Termuende, Chairman of the Board of Trident Resources, commented: "I am excited and honored to be named Chairman of Trident Resources. I look forward to working with an impressive, qualified and energetic team that is determined to carry out the company's vision for the La Ronge Gold Belt which originated with Canadian Mining Hall of Fame member Ron Netolitzky many years ago. Ron has been a mentor and has had a profound influence throughout my career, generously sharing his knowledge, experience and guidance with me since my early days spent working for him in the La Ronge Gold Belt 40 years ago. I look forward to being part of the team aggressively exploring and developing Trident's significant assets in the area and firmly believe that 2026 will be a transformative year for the Company and its shareholders".

Jon Wiesblatt, CEO and Director of Trident Resources, commented: "We are very pleased to appoint Tim as Chairman of the Board. He has a proven track record of value creation and brings extensive technical, operational, investment, and corporate finance experience. Tim adds meaningful perspective as we continue to advance our projects, pursue financing and M&A opportunities, and build long-term value for shareholders. His leadership will be instrumental as we execute on our exploration programs and prepare for the Company's broader 2026 corporate strategy."

About Trident Resources Corp.:

Trident Resources Corp. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of advanced-stage gold and copper exploration projects in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company is advancing its 100% owned Contact Lake and Greywacke Lake projects which host significant historical gold resources located within the prospective and underexplored La Ronge Gold Belt, as well as the 100% owned Knife Lake copper project which contains a historical copper resource.

To find out more about Trident Resources Corp.

Trident Resources Corp.

Jonathan Wiesblatt, Chief Executive Officer

Email: Jon.Wiesblatt@tridentresourcescorp.com

For further information contact myself or:

Andrew J. Ramcharan, PhD, P.Eng., Corporate Communications

Trident Resources Corp.

Telephone: 647-309-5130

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@tridentresourcescorp.com





NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Agreement, expected results from the current drill program at Contact Lake Gold Project, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather and climate conditions, equipment failures, failure to obtain or maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, decrease in the price of gold, copper and other metals, the impact of viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, failure to obtain or maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law.
AP31969 is a novel, first-in-class, oral SK ion channel inhibitor intended for rhythm control of atrial fibrillation and has recently completed Phase 1 in healthy volunteers

Phase 2 trial will assess the efficacy of AP31969 on atrial fibrillation burden and its safety profile using continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acesion Pharma ("Acesion" or "the Company"), a biotech company pioneering treatments for atrial fibrillation ("AF"), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, today announces enrolment of the first patients in its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose finding Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT07267949), designed to assess the efficacy and safety of AP31969 in AF patients. The trial will enrol 200 patients across eight European countries, with anticipated completion by Q1 2027.

The primary efficacy endpoint in the trial is AF burden, defined as the percentage of time a participant is in AF. A key safety endpoint is the occurrence of proarrhythmia episodes in the ventricles of the heart. Ventricular proarrhythmia represents the key safety limitation of currently available antiarrhythmic drugs. To enable robust evaluation of these endpoints, participants will receive an implantable loop recorder, allowing for continuous 24/7 cardiac rhythm monitoring.

In 2025, Acesion successfully completed a phase 1 clinical trial of AP31969 in 92 healthy volunteers (NCT06066099). The trial included a single ascending dose (SAD) and a multiple ascending dose (MAD) part and was designed to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics and effects on the QT interval (QTc). Prolongation of QTc is a well-established ECG marker of proarrhythmia risk. AP31969 demonstrated a favourable safety profile and pharmacokinetics suitable for chronic oral administration. Importantly, the trial demonstrated that clinically relevant effects of AP31969 on QTc could be ruled out, supporting a favourable safety profile of AP31969 with respect to proarrhythmia risk - a major concern with current antiarrhythmic drugs.

Anders Gaarsdal Holst, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Acesion, said: "Advancing our oral lead compound AP31969 into a Phase 2 clinical trial marks an important milestone for Acesion. With the use of implantable loop recorders in the trial, we can precisely estimate AF burden efficacy, as well as understand the risk of proarrhythmia. Being able to robustly understand both the efficacy and the key safety parameter within a therapy class is unusual in a phase 2 cardiovascular trial and, if successful, will greatly de-risk Phase 3 development and accelerate AP31969's path to becoming the preferred treatment option for the increasing number of patients suffering from AF."

Acesion Pharma is a leading company in the development of novel therapies for AF with a focus on improving the everyday lives of millions of patients worldwide. With increasing disease incidence, the AF patient population in US and EU combined is expected to reach 25 million in 2030. Acesion has pioneered the development of SK ion-channel inhibitors, and AP31969 is positioned to become a future first-line option for AF treatment by addressing the major safety limitation of proarrhythmia associated with existing therapies.

About Acesion Pharma

Acesion builds on 20 years of know-how within development of small-molecule SK inhibitors and is developing this novel mechanism for rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF).

In pre-clinical studies, inhibiting the SK channels has been shown to result in pronounced antiarrhythmic effects in the heart's atria while avoiding detrimental effects in the ventricles, the major chambers of the heart and the source of most safety issues with existing drugs. Furthermore, the SK channel has strong genetic validation, with genes encoding the SK channels having one of the strongest associations to AF in human genome-wide association studies.

Acesion is the only company successfully progressing SK inhibitors into clinical trials and has demonstrated robust efficacy with its first-generation SK channel inhibitor AP30663 in pharmacological AF cardioversion (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02679-9). Acesion's oral SK channel inhibitor AP31969, which is now being tested in a phase 2 trial, has been designed in-house to achieve AF efficacy without compromising on safety. AP31969 is as an oral chronic therapy positioned to become a future first-line option for AF treatment by addressing the major safety limitation of proarrhythmia associated with existing therapies.

Acesion is backed by Novo Holdings, Canaan, Alpha Wave Ventures, Global BioAccess Fund, Wellcome Trust, Broadview Ventures and FC Capital.

https://www.acesionpharma.com/

About atrial fibrillation (AF)

AF is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. With increasing disease incidence, the patient population in US and EU combined is expected to reach 25 million in 2030. Lifetime risk for development of AF is estimated at more than one in three. AF is characterized by chaotic electrical activity in the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, resulting in an irregular and high heart rate. AF is associated with impaired quality of life, increased rate of hospitalization, and a five-fold increased risk of stroke. Increasing evidence suggests that patients with AF also face a higher risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia.

Existing drug therapies for rhythm control of AF (antiarrhythmic drugs) are associated with risk of very serious cardiac or other adverse effects, resulting in a great need for safer drugs. Yet, there has been a lack of innovation and development with no new chronic AF drug approved for nearly 20 years.

A landmark New England Journal of Medicine published clinical trial has shown that rhythm control improves survival and long-term outcomes for AF patients, further underlining the need for safer ways to achieve this (https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2019422).

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LAS VEGAS, BEIJING and VILA NOVA DE GAIA, Portugal, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On the opening day of CES 2026, a global showcase for technological innovation, Neolix Technologies, the world's leading pioneer in RoboVan and smart logistics, announced a strategic alliance with Salvador Caetano Auto, a prominent Portuguese provider of automotive and mobility solutions under its Caetano Mobility ecosystem. This landmark collaboration signifies Neolix's accelerated expansion into the European market, with both parties committing to jointly explore the future of smart mobility and drive the upgrading of autonomous logistics ecosystems in Portugal and beyond. By leveraging complementary capabilities, the alliance is set to inject new vitality into Europe's pursuit of sustainable and intelligent transportation development.

As the trailblazer in the global commercialization of low-speed autonomous driving technology, Neolix has long been at the forefront of shaping the future of smart logistics. With a global deployment network spanning 15 countries and regions and a fleet of over 15,000 autonomous vehicles in operation, Neolix has established unparalleled expertise in technological innovation, scenario adaptation and global market expansion. Its core technologies and products have been widely recognized by international authorities, complying with stringent European regulations and setting industry benchmarks for safety and reliability. Salvador Caetano Auto, an automotive leading Group in Portugal - with presence in over 48 countries across Europe, Latin America and Africa - boasts profound insights into local mobility markets and robust industrial resources, making it an ideal partner for Neolix to deepen its European footprint.

The strategic alliance will kick off with collaborative exploration of autonomous mobility scenarios, with an initial focus on validating the integration of Neolix's cutting-edge autonomous solutions into local industrial and logistics ecosystems. Beyond immediate scenario validation, the two parties share a long-term vision of advancing the development of autonomous mobility, by initially implementing a PoC in Portugal. By combining Neolix's global technical insights and commercialization experience with Caetano Mobility local market capabilities, the alliance will actively engage with relevant authorities to contribute to the development of Portugal's autonomous driving regulatory framework. This effort will target the development of RoboVan solutions for a more efficient, safe and sustainable smart logistics ecosystem - able to be rolled out across Europe.

The collaboration is poised to evolve into a long-term strategic partnership focused on driving industry transformation. Looking ahead, the two parties will explore in-depth cooperation in technology co-innovation, market expansion and ecosystem building, bringing Neolix's mature autonomous mobility solutions to more European users through Salvador Caetano own network and capabilities - and beyond.

A key focus of the alliance is to jointly promote the standardization and popularization of low-speed autonomous logistics in Europe, leveraging innovation to address industry pain points and create greater value for society, businesses and consumers. This partnership exemplifies Neolix's commitment to "localization-driven global expansion", making Chinese technological wisdom available to Europe's smart mobility revolution.

Will Zhao, Executive President of Neolix stated: "We are honored to form this strategic alliance with Salvador Caetano Auto at CES 2026, a global stage for innovation. Europe is a crucial strategic market for Neolix's global expansion, and this collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to build a global smart logistics ecosystem. As the industry-leading RoboVan solution provider, Neolix is committed to sharing our proven autonomous driving technologies and large-scale operational experience with global partners. By joining hands with Salvador Caetano Auto, we aim to not only bring innovative solutions to the Portuguese market but also work together to shape the future of European smart logistics, contributing to the region's sustainable development goals."

Miguel Fonseca, CEO of Caetano Mobility and Executive Director of Salvador Caetano Auto commented: "Neolix Technologies is a global leader in commercial autonomous mobility, and its technological strength and market experience are highly recognized in the industry. We are delighted to form this strategic alliance with Neolix, which will bring advanced autonomous logistics solutions to Portugal and accelerate the transformation of our local urban logistics industries. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to promoting sustainable and intelligent transportation, and we look forward to working closely with Neolix to drive innovation, create value and contribute to the development of Europe's smart mobility ecosystem."

The announcement of this strategic alliance at CES 2026 underscores Neolix's leading position in the global RoboVan industry and its determination to accelerate global innovation collaboration. With its full-stack core capabilities in independent R&D, technological innovation and global operational deployment, Neolix is well- equipped to drive the transformation of Europe's smart logistics and mobility sectors. This partnership defines new possibilities for China-Europe technological cooperation in the field of urban logistics, paving the way for more in-depth exchanges and collaboration that will shape the future of global logistics ecosystem.

For more information about:

Neolix, please visit: https://www.neolix.ai/

Salvador Caetano Auto, please visit: https://salvadorcaetano.pt/en/

Media Contact

Neolix: Linda Xu, xulinhua@neolix.ai

Salvador Caetano Auto (Caetano Mobility): Helena Quesado, helena.quesado@salvadorcaetano.pt

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Data published in Scientific Reports confirms a low-burden visual evoked potential (VEP) assessment can be employed across multiple clinical trial sites as an objective measure of neuroplastic modulation in real-world clinical trials of CNS therapies

BELFAST, Northern Ireland, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cumulus Neuroscience, a leading innovator in brain health technology for clinical trials, today announced the publication of its latest peer-reviewed paper in Scientific Reports: "A brief visual evoked potential (VEP) modulation assessment of experience-dependent plasticity recorded via wireless dry-EEG headset in Phase-1 clinical units."

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize its structure, functions, and connections in response to experience, injury, or disease. It allows the brain to change and adapt, for example, by creating new neural pathways to compensate for damage, learning new skills, or recovering from events like a stroke.

Modulation of the visual evoked potential (VEP) measured by electroencephalography (EEG) can be used as a non-invasive human correlate of neuroplasticity measures in pre-clinical animal models which use invasive intracranial EEG. As deficits in neuroplasticity are a core characteristic and a key target for novel therapy development in a range of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, VEP modulation is a safe and objective measure of treatment mechanism and efficacy. However, conventional EEG is high-burden and time-consuming, which has limited adoption in clinical trials. Further, reliability of participant-level VEP modulation measures, even in highly controlled conditions, has historically been disappointing.

To address these challenges, Cumulus Neuroscience developed a VEP modulation assessment using the NeuLogiq Platform, which includes a quick set-up dry EEG headset, and applied multiscale frequency-domain analyses to extract more precise measures of neuroplasticity. This novel low-burden assessment was validated in a laboratory research setting and deployed to two US-based clinical trials, including a total of 50 healthy participants.

Key findings from the trial include robust group-level effects: post-modulation P1 amplitude increased in both groups (Cohen's d = 0.77, 0.78) and N1b amplitude decreased in the clinical study group (Cohen's d = -0.52). Test/retest reliability of the recorded VEP waveforms approached that reported in the literature for full-length assessment paradigms with lab-quality wet-EEG hardware. While timeseries-based test-retest reliability of the VEP modulation effect was low, it was substantially improved to moderate levels (some ICCs =0.5) with a wavelet-based analysis.

"This study demonstrates that it is possible to measure neuroplasticity reliably in real-world clinical environments using a non-invasive, low-burden, scalable approach," said Brian Murphy, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Cumulus Neuroscience. "Our findings open the door to incorporating objective plasticity measures into early-phase CNS drug development, which could accelerate progress in treating neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.By combining a brief VEP modulation paradigm with advanced frequency-domain analyses, we achieved meaningful improvements in reliability without increasing participant and clinical site burden. This is a critical step toward making neuroplasticity assessments practical for multi-site trials."

The NeuLogiq VEP assessment achieves group-level assessment of neural plasticity with significantly reduced burden and cost relative to standard measures and could be readily adopted for supporting stratification of patient cohorts, detecting 'signs of life' for CNS-targeted compounds in early clinical-stage neuropsychiatric drug development, and scaling to larger cohort studies.

"The ability to capture valid VEPs in clinical studies with easy-to-deploy technology and short sessions has the potential to transform how we assess the efficacy of new therapies in this space," said Dr. David Walling, Chief Clinical Officer for CenExel -CNS and Principal Investigator for the study. "Historically, we have not had a way to directly measure neuroplasticity outside of animal models which require invasive techniques. We can now integrate non-invasive VEP measures into clinical study workflows, providing sponsors with objective biomarkers of target engagement and treatment effects early in development."

About Cumulus Neuroscience

Cumulus Neuroscience is a global leader in brain health technology, providing the most advanced platform for multi-dimensional data collection in clinical trials. Our mission is to accelerate the development of treatments for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders by delivering scalable, reliable, and regulatory-compliant solutions for measuring brain function in real-world settings.

For more information, visit www.cumulusneuro.com

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A Suite of Solutions Leveraging Advanced AI with Company's Deep Domain Knowledge of Social Infrastructure

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, "Hitachi") today introduced HMAX by Hitachi at CES 2026. HMAX by Hitachi is a suite of next-generation solutions that brings the power of AI to social infrastructure. By harnessing vast data from physical and digital assets, integrating advanced AI, and applying Hitachi's unmatched domain expertise, HMAX tackles the most complex social infrastructure challenges-maximizing outcomes and value for our clients and society. These solutions are derived from the formalized HMAX design principles, integrating a dynamic collection of advanced technologies and a robust partner ecosystem that helps elevate end-system reliability and performance.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106885363/en/

HMAX by Hitachi: the suite of next-generation solutions that brings the power of AI to social infrastructure.

HMAX combines data collected from physical and digital assets such as sensors, industrial equipment, and machinery with Hitachi's domain knowledge accumulated through years of deploying operations and maintenance systems. Advanced AI technologies-i.e., perception AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and physical AI-are then applied to deliver new powerful solutions to organizations worldwide.

Hitachi's portfolio of HMAX solutions has expanded across three key categories that will truly benefit from the power of AI:

HMAX Mobility: Powering smarter, better optimized transportation systems, autonomous operations, and IoT-enabled mobility.

Powering smarter, better optimized transportation systems, autonomous operations, and IoT-enabled mobility. HMAX Energy: Helping ensure secure, reliable, and sustainable operation of mission-critical energy infrastructure across the entire value chain. Through a suite of digitally enabled services, HMAX Energy predicts and prevents issues before they arise-maximizing uptime, extending asset lifetime, and optimizing performance and efficiency.

Helping ensure secure, reliable, and sustainable operation of mission-critical energy infrastructure across the entire value chain. Through a suite of digitally enabled services, HMAX Energy predicts and prevents issues before they arise-maximizing uptime, extending asset lifetime, and optimizing performance and efficiency. HMAX Industry: Advancing safety, productivity, quality, and environmental sustainability in buildings and factories, driving innovation for frontline workers and improving people's wellbeing.

Hitachi plans to extend HMAX into other mission-critical domains such as data centers and financial institutions.

Bringing the Power of AI into the Physical World

Labor shortages and aging equipment challenges are increasingly more severe in physical domains like manufacturing and social infrastructure. Physical AI addresses these problems by collecting, analyzing, and operationalizing field data in real-time. Whereas traditional AI focuses primarily on information and creative generation, physical AI creates value in the tangible world through applications such as predictive maintenance, complex systems optimization, robotics and more. As such, the physical AI market is expected to reach approximately 124.77 billion USD by 2030.*1

Hitachi's strengths in technology, data, and management of physical systems align perfectly with the world of physical AI. Drawing on over 110 years of OT experience and accumulated domain knowledge in mission-critical fields such as railways, energy, and manufacturing, Hitachi is uniquely positioned to bring the next generation of AI-powered solutions to the physical world.

"Hitachi is advancing its vision of 'Lumada 3.0,' which aims to lead social innovation to the next stage by integrating domain knowledge with AI," said Jun Abe, Executive Vice President of Hitachi, Ltd., General Manager of the Digital Systems Services Division. "HMAX is the realization of this vision, and as a true 'One Hitachi' initiative that transcends sector boundaries, we will bring together the collective wisdom and technology of the entire group to create unprecedented synergies. By transforming field data into actionable intelligence through advanced AI, we will powerfully drive the resolution of complex social challenges and deliver tangible value that supports the next generation of social infrastructure."

Jun Taniguchi, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer, CEO of the Strategic SIB Business Unit at Hitachi, Ltd., added, "For many years, Hitachi has worked alongside customers in the field, overcoming numerous challenges together. Through HMAX, we aim to empower people and infrastructure, unlocking the latent potential of individuals and society. For example, HMAX delivers innovative solutions to our customers' most complex challenges, such as enhancing operations in railway and manufacturing sites facing shortages of skilled workers and ensuring stable operation of power grids essential for the introduction of renewable energy. With the expansion of HMAX, we are pleased to take a step forward together with our customers toward realizing a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance."

HMAX Design Principles

HMAX is built on four pillars that help customers apply AI to solve problems in physical environments:

Data from Digitalized Assets: Assets such as power grids, railways, and manufacturing equipment generate vast amounts of data that feed into HMAX datasets-creating the ideal foundation for AI which enables HMAX's capabilities. This is a unique strength that only Hitachi, with its formidable global install-base, can deliver.

Assets such as power grids, railways, and manufacturing equipment generate vast amounts of data that feed into HMAX datasets-creating the ideal foundation for AI which enables HMAX's capabilities. This is a unique strength that only Hitachi, with its formidable global install-base, can deliver. Domain Knowledge: Hitachi's deep domain expertise in these physical systems is applied to the data-creating mission-appropriate AI-ready models.

Hitachi's deep domain expertise in these physical systems is applied to the data-creating mission-appropriate AI-ready models. Artificial Intelligence: HMAX is designed to leverage a range of AI technologies, from data recognition to insight generation to autonomous execution. For example, perception AI detects and reports railway infrastructure faults by analyzing acoustic and vibration sensor data. Generative AI is used to accelerate energy optimization algorithms for power grids. Agentic AI is used to autonomously plan and execute optimal maintenance schedules. And finally, physical AI can control power grids or smart building systems reacting to inputs in real time.

HMAX is designed to leverage a range of AI technologies, from data recognition to insight generation to autonomous execution. For example, perception AI detects and reports railway infrastructure faults by analyzing acoustic and vibration sensor data. Generative AI is used to accelerate energy optimization algorithms for power grids. Agentic AI is used to autonomously plan and execute optimal maintenance schedules. And finally, physical AI can control power grids or smart building systems reacting to inputs in real time. Partner Ecosystem: HMAX solutions are created using Hitachi's wide-ranging partner ecosystem-bringing state-of-the-art technology from industry leaders to create robust and dependable solutions that withstand the rigors of the physical world.

HMAX Use Cases and Deployments

The expansion of HMAX across multiple domains is already delivering tangible results.

HMAX Mobility Currently deployed on 2,000+ trains, HMAX was first introduced by Hitachi Rail in 2024 as a comprehensive digital asset management solution seamlessly integrating a vast array of live data from the train, signaling and surrounding rail infrastructure into a single platform.*2



HMAX leverages advanced AI and analytics using NVIDIA Metropolis Blueprint for video search and summarization (VSS) with Cosmos Reason vision language model to generate predictive insights and decision-support recommendations, such as identifying emerging asset degradation patterns, forecasting optimal maintenance windows, and highlighting opportunities to improve resource planning. These insights support operators and maintenance teams in making informed, timely decisions, which are then implemented through existing operational processes.



The platform also leverages the upcoming NVIDIA IGX Thor industrial-grade edge computing to process vast volumes of data at the edge in real time, with only relevant information sent back to the operational control centers. AI and machine learning extracts knowledge from the data and applies it to achieve operational and service enhancements including energy consumption reduction and an on-condition/predictive maintenance process.



The adoption of HMAX has delivered measurable value, including up to 15% reduction in maintenance costs and 15% lower energy consumption. HMAX Energy HMAX Energy combines advanced digital capabilities with extensive domain knowledge, service excellence and installed base intelligence to ensure reliable, efficient energy infrastructure.



The collective use of automated inspection, real-time monitoring, predictive analytics and virtual support maximizes uptime and availability, optimizes operations, and extends asset lifetime.



HMAX Energy is built on strong reference cases: When providing digitally-enabled services for the Italian renewable energy operator ERG, Hitachi Energy has helped reduce on-site inspection time by 35% and minimized unexpected downtime. For Baltic Cable AB, the transmission operator between Germany and Sweden, the introduction of a digital twin for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems has cut incident response time by 90%, contributing to improved operational efficiency and stable performance. HMAX Industry HMAX for Buildings enhances building operation, maintenance, and energy efficiency while also improving the wellbeing of residents, office workers, and visitors with NVIDIA Metropolis VSS Blueprint. Since 2025, Hitachi has provided digital services-including access control and HVAC management-as a service, supporting building safety, security, and comfort. These outcomes generate optimal building environments while sustainably improving a building's value.*3



Under HMAX for Factories, Hitachi and Daikin Industries, Ltd. began trial operations in April 2025 to implement an AI agent that supports equipment failure diagnostics in factories.*4 This AI agent is confirmed to identify causes and countermeasures within 10 seconds with over 90% accuracy. Starting December, Hitachi and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation also began joint verification of troubleshooting assistance using the same AI agent. Furthermore, in December, Hitachi also launched AI agent services for industrial equipment operations and maintenance in a conversational format that streamlines production sites with instant, precise information tailored to equipment status.*5



Hitachi also provides comprehensive solutions across the entire value chain for battery and biopharmaceutical industries.

CES 2026 Exhibition

Hitachi will exhibit at CES 2026, January 6 to 9, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.*6 HMAX, the centerpiece of Hitachi's CES experience, will be showcased with live demonstrations at Booth 8529 in the North Hall. Hitachi will also detail its HMAX vision during the CES Foundry session Pioneering AI Technologies for the Physical World on Thursday, January 8 at 11 a.m. PT at The Fontainebleau (Discovery Stage).

To learn more about HMAX by Hitachi, visit www.hitachi.com/en-us/insights/hmax/.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors Digital Systems Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.

Trademark Notice: All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

*1 Grand View Research, Inc., Artificial Intelligence in Robotics Market (2024 2030), cited as the reference for the market size of AI-powered robots.

*2 Hitachi Rail Unveils the 'HMAX' AI Solution, Accelerated by NVIDIA, to Optimize Trains, Signaling and Infrastructure: September 24, 2024

*3 Launch of Hitachi's Digital Service, HMAX for Building: BuilMirai, as an as-a-Service Type that Transforms the Value of Buildings Beginning with a Harmonized Society: September 29, 2025

*4 Through Collaborative Creation, Daikin and Hitachi Begin Trial Operation of AI Agent Supporting Equipment Failure Diagnostics in Factories: April 22, 2025

*5 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Launching AI Agent Service, Part of HMAX Industry, to Help Industrial Workers with Machine Maintenance: December 22, 2025

*6 Hitachi at CES 2026: Building a Harmonized Society Through Technology: December 4, 2025

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106885363/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts

Hiroko Motomura

Hitachi, Ltd.

hiroko.motomura.qc@hitachi.com



Heather Ailara

Hitachi Digital (North America and Europe)

heather@211comms.com
Genethon, a worldwide pioneer and leader in research and development of gene therapies for rare genetic diseases, announced today Angela Columbano, Director of Business Development and Partnership, will host one-on-one meetings during the week of the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, CA, January 12-16, 2026.

Dr. Columbano will review Genethon's pipeline of best-in-class and first-in-class gene therapies. They include Phase 3 trials of a low dose Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy; and Phase 1b/2 trials in the US of a gene therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type LGMD R5 under development by Genethon spinout Atamyo Therapeutics.

With deep translational expertise, in-house manufacturing, and clinical capabilities, Genethon is uniquely positioned to deliver long-term value and strategic collaboration opportunities in gene therapy.

To schedule a meeting with Dr. Columbano contact her at acolumbano@genethon.fr

About Genethon

A pioneer in the discovery and development of gene therapies for rare diseases, Genethon is a non-profit laboratory created by the AFM-Telethon. The first gene therapy drug, to which Genethon contributed, has been approved for marketing for spinal muscular atrophy. With more than 240 scientists and professionals, Genethon's goal is to develop innovative therapies that change the lives of patients suffering from rare genetic diseases. Fifteen gene therapy products developed by Genethon, or to which Genethon has contributed, are currently undergoing clinical trials for diseases of the liver, blood, immune system, muscles, and eyes. Others are in preparation for clinical trials over the next five years. Visit www.genethon.com

About Atamyo Therapeutics

Atamyo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharma focused on the development of a new generation of effective and safe gene therapies for neuromuscular diseases. A spin-off of gene therapy pioneer Genethon, Atamyo leverages unique expertise in AAV-based gene therapy and muscular dystrophies from the Progressive Muscular Dystrophies Laboratory at Genethon. Atamyo's most advanced programs address different forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD), with two clinical-stage programs targeting respectively LGMD-R9 and LGMD-R5. The name of the company is derived from two words: Celtic Atao which means "Always" or "Forever" and Myo which is the Greek root for muscle. Atamyo conveys the spirit of its commitment to improve the life of patients affected by neuromuscular diseases with life-long efficient treatments. For more information visit www.atamyo.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106999458/en/

Contacts:

Media contact:

Stephanie Bardon

communication@genethon.fr

01.69.47.12.78
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / SNOWLINE GOLD CORP. (TSX:SGD)(OTCQB:SNWGF) (the "Company" or "Snowline") is pleased to provide a summary of key activities and achievements from 2025, which saw the Company take major strides in its internal development alongside advancement of the Valley gold deposit ("Valley") on its flagship Rogue project in the eastern Yukon (the "Rogue Project"). Snowline enters 2026 with a strong treasury, proven management and a clear path forward, with numerous potential catalysts towards creating further shareholder value.

All terms not otherwise defined have the meaning given to them under the CIM Definition Standards for mineral resources and reserves.

Snowline's top five highlights from 2025:

Robust Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"): Rogue Project PEA outlines a high-output, low-cost, long-lived operation at Valley with compelling economics and clear growth potential. At the US$2,150/oz gold price used for economic modelling, the PEA yields a C$3.4B net present value at a 5% discount rate ("NPV 5% ") [1] , 25% post-tax internal rate of return ("IRR"), a 2.7-year payback of C$1.7B initial capital and C$426M in average annual after-tax free cash flow ("Average Annual FCF") [2] over a projected 20-year life of mine ("LOM"). At year-end 2025 spot gold prices (US$4,300/oz), the same model [3] yields C$10.7B NPV 5% , 47% IRR, 1.7-year payback of initial capital and C$1.1B Average Annual FCF over 20 years. Details of the PEA can be found in the August 27, 2025 technical report (the "Technical Report") [4] . Strengthened Leadership Team & Board: Key additions bring highly relevant development, permitting, community relations and capital markets experience to Snowline. Senior management saw the addition of a VP Engineering (Victor Vdovin), VP Environment & Permitting (Oliver Curran), Chief Financial Officer (Lauren McDougall), and President (Calum Morrison), each accomplished with highly relevant experience in their respective positions. At the Board of Directors ("Board") level, Snowline further strengthened its oversight with the addition of experience and expertise in project finance and large-scale M&A (Rob Doyle) and First Nations relations and economic development (Crystal Smith). Read full biographies here. Community Impact and Environmental Recognition: Third consecutive Robert E. Leckie Award for environmental performance along with the Yukon Chamber of Mines' Community Award and ECO Canada's Yukon Sustainability Award. The awards highlight recognition from government, First Nations, industry and the broader public of Snowline's ongoing commitment to setting a high bar for the resources industry in the Yukon. Financial Strength: Raised over C$122 million gross proceeds in strongly oversubscribed placements , providing Snowline financial flexibility to support multiple years of advancement of Valley, while continuing exploration across an emerging, district-scale portfolio. B2Gold Corp. maintained its 9.9% ownership position, underscoring continued strategic support for Snowline's activities in the Yukon. Shareholder Returns: 240% increase in share price in 2025 , contributing to average annualized returns of 131% per year over 4.8 years since Snowline's launch in March 2021. [5]

"Snowline is a very different company in December 2025 than we were coming into this year," said Scott Berdahl, CEO & Director of Snowline. "We've derisked and advanced Valley from its initial 2024 mineral resource estimate to an updated estimate and a robust PEA while making significant progress on a prefeasibility study ("PFS"). This includes completion of a major field campaign to support informed future engineering decisions, environmental review and advanced permitting, all while advancing our greenfield exploration pipeline. Internally, we've added strong, relevant expertise to our management team and board that will help to guide us towards a production decision.

"While we achieved many notable milestones this year, I am proudest of the performance of our team and the culture of safety and responsibility that we have created within the Company. 2025 saw Snowline's largest and most complex field program to date, with 14,524 field days worked across three camps and 10 main target sites, and many new field activities focused on advancement and project development. We accomplished this ambitious program without a single lost-time incident.

"With such an exceptional team and resources at hand, we are in a fortunate position to be advancing one of the world's leading development-stage gold assets amidst a global paucity of new discoveries, during a significant bull market."

Additional highlights from 2025 include:

Graduation to the TSX , improving Company visibility, liquidity and potential for index inclusion. In the 20 trading days from uplisting on December 2, 2025 through the end of 2025, daily volumes on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") increased 24% versus the final 20 days on the TSX Venture Exchange, with corresponding daily dollar value of TSX trading up by roughly 64%.

Fully funded prefeasibility study underway , with supporting engineering and environmental field programs completed in 2025 and laboratory work ongoing. Further details on the upcoming PFS can be found in Snowline's December 16, 2025 news release .

Strong safety focus and performance , with no lost-time injuries across 14,524 field days worked in 2025 in support of a dynamic, multi-faceted field program including >30,000 m drilled.

De-risking of the Valley MRE, with an updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for Valley (released prior to the commencement of 2025 drilling) reporting a 96% increase in measured and indicated gold ounces along with substantial growth of the overall resource. Details of the updated MRE can be found in the August 27, 2025 Technical Report for the Rogue Project.

Continued strong results from Valley , including: 617.6 m at 1.68 g/t Au from surface, with a subinterval of 202.0 m at 3.24 g/t Au in V-24-119; 534.5 m at 0.62 g/t Au in V- 25-139 , a step-out along the northern edge of Valley, and multiple mineralized intervals in results to date from a new zone discovered roughly 500 m from the existing resource. Assays for roughly 10,800 m from 32 holes (including results from geotechnical, condemnation and metallurgical holes) at Valley are still outstanding. Details of all 2025 Valley results released to date can be found in the August 7 , September 24 , and November 24 , 2025 news releases.

Encouraging results from Gracie target, Rogue Project , with reduced intrusion-related gold mineralization intersected in a fault zone and intrusive units encountered in another hole at bedrock surface providing vectors towards conceptual intrusion-hosted mineralization, roughly 4 km east of Valley (detailed in November 24, 2025 news release ).

Expansion of the orogenic gold system at the Jupiter target, Einarson Project , with assays to 6.82 g/t Au over 9.0 m in J-25-037 and the demonstrated strike length of the open exploration target now at 1.9 km. Jupiter is located roughly 30 km north of Valley. Full details of 2025 Jupiter drilling can be found in the September 24 and November 24 , 2025 news releases.

Advancement of district-level pipeline, with more results to come. Exploratory drilling conducted on nine non-Valley targets, new surface discovery made of a reduced intrusion-related gold system ( Celestic ) through prospecting and surface mapping, and enhancement of regional baseline geochemical and geophysical surveys. Assays for roughly 2,900 m from 13 holes across five regional targets (Aurelius, Charlotte, Cujo, Gracie and Ramsey) are still outstanding.

Expansion of regional environmental baseline work underway to inform mine development decision-making and future permitting efforts.

Strong local support , with approximately C$33M of external expenditures spent with Yukon-based companies, including approximately C$30M (91%) spent with companies owned by or partnered with Yukon First Nations.

Increased institutional ownership , with multiple large funds beginning and/or expanding on significant equity positions in Snowline throughout the year.

A supportive market backdrop , with gold prices up by 66% throughout the course of the year (from US$2,606.72 on December 31, 2024 to US$4,339.65 on December 31, 2025), building on previous gains in 2024.

Figure 1 - Cross Section 31 through Valley showing the June 17, 2024 initial MRE (left) compared to the updated MRE (right). The 89% increase in total drilling from the initial MRE (27,911 m) to the current MRE (52,736 m) increases the total size of the resource and significantly advanced confidence in the model. Within what was previously modeled, the update highlighted the robustness of the initial MRE: applying the same resource-limiting pit shell constraints and cut-off grade used for the initial MRE to the current block model informing the updated MRE yields contained ounces within 1% of the initial estimate, but with generally higher classification levels. An additional 19,302 m of diamond drilling were completed at and around Valley in 2025.

Figure 2 - Project location map for Snowline's eastern Selwyn Basin projects: Rogue, Einarson, Ursa, Cynthia and Olympus, highlighting targets drilled during Snowline's 2025 exploration campaign. Additional drill results from Aurelius, Charlotte, Cujo, Gracie and Ramsey are still to come in early 2026.

Figure 3 - Snowline employees and contractors honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Valley Camp, Rogue Project on September 30, 2025, in a ceremony led by team members Kimberly Azak (left) of the Nisga'a Nation and Kyle Cashin (center, farthest back) of Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation.

Figure 4 - Snowline representatives at the 2025 Yukon Geoscience awards banquet in Whitehorse, Yukon . Left to right, standing then seated: Sarah Weber (Independent Director), Rob Doyle (Independent Director), Brian Hegarty (VP Sustainability & External Relations), Scott Berdahl (CEO & Director), Calum Morrison (President & Director), Kimberly Azak (Mentorship & Training Coordinator), Victor Vdovin (VP Engineering), Steve Rennalls (Director of Operations), Oliver Curran (VP Environment & Permitting) & Zoe Goodyear (Director of Data & Digital Systems). Photo by Crystal Schick.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026

Figure 5 - Conceptual timeline for the advancement of Valley on Snowline's Rogue Project . To date, the Company has executed on schedule. Priorities for 2026 include continuing early engagement with First Nations on forward-looking plans, YESAB pre-submission engagement with Yukon and Federal regulators, and completion of a PFS.

With a strong treasury (C$105M) and work on the Rogue Project PFS underway, Snowline is looking forward to another highly active year of project advancement and exploration in 2026. Through the upcoming year, the Company will adhere to its commitment to safe, environmentally sound, and socially responsible exploration and operations, building on its economic engagement within the Yukon and further strengthening lines of communication, engagement and collaboration with First Nations and Yukon communities.

The scale and nature of the 2026 program will be finalized early in the coming year, and the program is expected to pursue two primary objectives: 1) efficient advancement of Valley towards a production decision alongside continued expansion of the system, and 2) following up on promising results from other targets on the Rogue Project and the Company's surrounding projects with the goal of establishing a new gold district.

ABOUT SNOWLINE GOLD CORP.

Snowline Gold Corp. is a Yukon Territory focused gold exploration and development company with mineral claim portfolio covering roughly 360,000 ha (3,600 km 2 ). The Company is focused on advancing Valley-a large, low-strip, near surface, >1 g/t Au bulk tonnage gold system located in the eastern Yukon-while continuing regional exploration of surrounding targets on the Rogue Project and the broader district in the highly prospective yet underexplored Selwyn Basin.

Valley hosts an open MRE of 7.94 million ounces gold at 1.21 g/t Au in Measured & Indicated categories (in 204.0 million tonnes) [6] and an additional 0.89 million ounces gold at 0.62 g/t Au in the Inferred category (in 44.5 million tonnes) [7] , with a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au. Results of the Valley PEA suggest the potential for the deposit to support a long-life mining operation with a strong production profile and low production costs. The MRE and PEA are supported by the recent Technical Report, prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") standards, available on SEDAR+ and the Company's website.

Snowline's project portfolio sits within the prolific Tintina Gold Province, host to multiple million-ounce-plus gold mines and deposits across the central Yukon and Alaska. The Company's comprehensive first-mover position and extensive exploration database provide a distinct competitive advantage and a unique opportunity for investors to be part of multiple discoveries, the advancement of a significant gold deposit, and the creation of a new gold district.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Information in this release has been prepared under supervision of and reviewed and approved by Sergio Gamonal, M.Sc., P. Geo., Chief Geologist for Snowline, as Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Scott Berdahl

CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Snowline Gold Corp.

+1 778 650 5485

info@snowlinegold.com

USE OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

Certain financial measures referred to in this news release are not measures recognized under IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and are referred to as non-GAAP financial measures or ratios. These measures have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The definitions established and calculations performed by Snowline are based on management's reasonable judgement and are consistently applied. These measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The non-GAAP financial measure used in this news release and common to the gold mining industry is free cash flow, whether Cumulative Net FCF or Average Annual FCF. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and has no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. As Valley is not in production, the Company does not have historical non-GAAP financial measures nor historical comparable measures under IFRS, and therefore the foregoing prospective non-GAAP financial measures or ratios may not be reconciled to the nearest comparable measures under IFRS.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company's work programs, results, including of ongoing assay testing, surface work, advancement of studies, capital estimates; the projected LOM and other expected attributes of Valley; the NPV, IRR and payback period of capital, future metal prices,the completion of ongoing laboratory testing, the completion and timing of the PFS and other studies, environmental work, permitting and First Nations engagement; potential styles of mineralization, expansion and upgrading of MRE, projected mining plans, continued exploration, results from regional targets, including from the Gracie target, orogenic gold system results from the Jupiter target, and exploratory drilling results on nine non-Valley targets, expansion of the mineralization system at Valley, the scale and nature of the 2026 work program and the creation of a new gold district. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "target", "intend", "ensure", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the timing and completion of the PFS, risks related to changes in future metals prices; risks related to the successful expansion of environmental and other studies; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions, including the 2026 work program. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

[1] Based on an exchange rate of 1.40 CAD per 1.00 USD

[2] Cumulative Net Free Cash Flow ("FCF") is defined as gross revenue less 1% net smelter returns payments, pre-production capital costs, operating costs, off-site costs, sustaining capital costs, taxes, progressive reclamation costs, and closure costs. Closure costs include active reclamation for five years following closure (C$159M) and a post-closure allowance of C$89M. Average Annual FCF is for LOM years 1-20 and is defined as Cumulative Net FCF, excluding pre-production capital costs and closure costs. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this news release for more information.

[3] Sensitivities apply to the financial model only; pit selection, cut-off grade and processing schedules remain based on a US$1,950/oz gold price and would likely be redesigned to optimize for significantly higher or significantly lower gold price scenarios.

[4] The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

[5] Past returns are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

[6] Comprising 3.15 million ounces at 1.41 g/t Au in Measured and 4.79 million ounces at 1.11 g/t Au in Indicated.

[7] Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by metal prices, economic factors, environmental, permitting, legal, title, or other relevant issues.

SOURCE: Snowline Gold Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/snowline-gold-reflects-on-a-transformational-2025-and-looks-ahead-to-2026-1124370
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging restaurant brands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Thomas as Executive Vice President of Finance, effective immediately.

Mr. Thomas joins Happy Belly with more than 25 years of senior financial leadership experience, including deep expertise in franchised restaurant systems, public and private company reporting, and multi-divisional operations. His appointment further strengthens Happy Belly's executive team as the Company continues to scale its multi-branded franchising platform across Canada while advancing its U.S. growth strategy.

"Ian brings a rare combination of franchised restaurant expertise, public-company financial discipline, and operational leadership," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "He has successfully navigated complex reporting environments, driven sustained profitability improvements, and built scalable finance and technology teams within large, high-growth organizations. As Happy Belly enters its next phase of expansion, Ian's experience will be instrumental in strengthening our financial infrastructure, supporting franchisee success, and delivering long-term shareholder value."

Mr. Thomas most recently spent nine years at Boston Pizza International, Canada's leading casual dining brand, where he served as Vice President of Finance, including four years in a dual role as Vice President of Business Technology. In these roles, he oversaw financial operations for both the private franchisor and the public income fund, managing complex financial reporting requirements and leading profitability and cost-savings initiatives across multiple business segments. His leadership contributed to sustained annual improvements in franchisee profitability and operational efficiency.

Mr. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong ability to build high-performing finance teams, implement scalable systems, and provide boards and executive leadership with clear, data-driven insights to support disciplined growth and effective risk management.

As Executive Vice President of Finance, Mr. Thomas will oversee Happy Belly's financial franchising strategy, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, internal controls, and financial systems, while working closely with the executive team to support the Company's continued expansion across its growing portfolio of restaurant brands.

"We are just getting started," added Sean Black.

Franchising

For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.



About Happy Belly Food Group

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands. The Company's portfolio includes Heal Wellness, Rosie's Burgers, Yolks Breakfast, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, and others.

Happy Belly 1



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/279575_3cae6437e4f54b76_002full.jpg





Sean Black

Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279575

Source: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia and Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF) (FSE: MV3) ("SXGC", "SX2" or the "Company") announces results from four drillholes from the 100%-owned Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project in Victoria (Figures 1 to 5). Best results included 12.2 m @ 32.4 g/t Au from 447.0 m in drillhole SDDSC188, including the highest individual Au assay (0.2 m @ 1,050 g/t Au) in Golden Dyke to date.

Five High Level Takeaways:

Best Gold Discovery at Golden Dyke: Best gold intersection drilled at Golden Dyke to date - 12.2 m @ 33.3 g/t AuEq (32.4 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 447 m depth. This confirms Golden Dyke as a major high-grade zone within the Sunday Creek project and ranks as the 15 th best composite hit across the entire project.

Exceptional Individual Gold Grades: A single sample returned 0.2 m @ 1,050 g/t Au (plus 0.55% Sb) from 452.7 m - the highest gold grade ever recorded at Golden Dyke. Two additional samples exceeded 250 g/t gold: 0.35 m @ 259 g/t Au (plus 1.45% Sb) and 0.18 m @ 301 g/t Au (plus 1.52% Sb), all within a high-grade core of 3.1 m @ 126.6 g/t AuEq .

Growing System: The drilling intersected eight vein sets in total, including two new mineralized structures (GD82 and GD83) outside the current Exploration Target. These returned 0.2 m @ 29.8 g/t AuEq and 3.9 m @ 3.9 g/t AuEq respectively, with a 50 m to 70 m step-down from previous drilling - expanding the potential size of the deposit.

Connected System Confirmed: SDDSC186W1 successfully intersected altered sediment between Golden Dyke and Rising Sun, linking these two areas.

Major Exploration Upside: Golden Dyke has only been defined with confidence to 600 m below surface - much shallower than Rising Sun which extends to over 1,100 m.

Michael Hudson, President & CEO states: "SDDSC188 has delivered the best composite intersection in Golden Dyke to date with 12.2 m @ 33.3 g/t AuEq, including the highest individual gold assay in Golden Dyke at 0.2 m @ 1,050 g/t Au. This hole intersected eight vein sets in Golden Dyke, with two vein sets located outside the current Exploration Target, achieving a 50 m to 70 m step-down and adding significant tonnage potential to the system.

"Importantly, the drilling has now linked Golden Dyke and Rising Sun together, demonstrating these are part of the same large-scale mineralized system. To date, Golden Dyke has been defined with confidence to 600 m below surface, with considerable exploration upside remaining at depth. The consistent high-grade intercepts and robust continuity we're seeing reinforce Sunday Creek's position as a globally significant gold-antimony discovery."

For Those Who Like the Details - Highlights:

SDDSC188 delivered exceptional gold-antimony mineralization at Golden Dyke with the best composite and individual assays to date, while confirming system continuity at depth. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported are interpreted to be approximately 55% to 65% of the sampled thickness.

SDDSC188 Key Intercepts (Vein Set GD65):

12.2 m @ 33.3 g/t AuEq (32.4 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 447.0 m, including: 3.1 m @ 126.6 g/t AuEq (124.8 g/t Au, 0.8% Sb) from 449.8 m



Individual High-Grade Assays (GD65):

0.2 m @ 1,050 g/t Au (0.55% Sb) from 452.72 m; Best Au assay in Golden Dyke

0.35 m @ 259 g/t Au (1.45% Sb) from 449.81 m

0.18 m @ 301 g/t Au (1.52% Sb) from 451.84 m

New Vein Sets Outside Exploration Target:

GD82: 0.2 m @ 29.8 g/t AuEq from 519.9 m; 50 m to 70 m step-down

GD83: 3.9 m @ 3.9 g/t AuEq from 535.5 m; 50 to 70 m step-down

System Scale:

Eight vein sets were intersected (two outside current Exploration Target)

Golden Dyke defined with confidence to 600 m below surface

SDDSC186W1 linked Golden Dyke and Rising Sun systems

130 m to 140 m wide mineralized zone across Golden Dyke in SDDSC188

Drill Hole Discussion

Four drill holes are reported here that targeted the Golden Dyke prospect from both east to west and west to east orientations.

SDDSC188

SDDSC188, drilled west to east, intersected eight vein sets in Golden Dyke, including two vein sets outside the current exploration target. The hole achieved a 50 m to 70 m step-down on vein sets GD82 and GD83, including defining a high-grade core and demonstrating robust continuity at depth. SDDSC188 drilled the best composite intersection in Golden Dyke to date with 12.2 m @ 33.3 g/t AuEq, which also included the best individual gold intercept in Golden Dyke to date, with a standout result of 0.2 m @ 1,050 g/t Au (0.55% Sb) from 452.72 m, alongside two additional intercepts exceeding 100 g/t Au, 0.35 m @ 259 g/t Au (1.45% Sb) from 449.81 m and 0.18 m @ 301 g/t Au (1.52% Sb) from 451.84 m all hosted within the vein set GD65.

The intersection in GD65 was a 16 m down dip and 48 m up dip intersection from previous results; SDDSC171 4.2 m @ 4.5 g/t AuEq (2.8 g/t Au, 0.7% Sb) from 502.8 m (Reported August 26, 2025) and SDDSC132 12.5 m @ 4.0 g/t AuEq (2.4 g/t Au, 0.6% Sb) from 541.9 m (Reported October 16, 2024).

Selected highlights include:

12.2 m @ 33.3 g/t AuEq (32.4 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 447.0 m, including; 3.1 m @ 126.6 g/t AuEq (124.8 g/t Au, 0.8% Sb) from 449.8 m (Best hit in Golden Dyke to date)

9.4 m @ 5.2 g/t AuEq (3.6 g/t Au, 0.7% Sb) from 496.4 m, including; 1.7 m @ 12.7 g/t AuEq (10.9 g/t Au, 0.7% Sb) from 499.7 m

0.2 m @ 29.8 g/t AuEq (29.6 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 519.9 m (New GD82 outside Exploration Target)

3.9 m @ 3.9 g/t AuEq (1.7 g/t Au, 0.9% Sb) from 535.5 m (New GD83 outside Exploration Target)

11.9 m @ 2.0 g/t AuEq (1.4 g/t Au, 0.2% Sb) from 556.6 m

These continuing drill results demonstrate consistent similarities to the Rising Sun deposit in terms of grade tenor and mineralization style. Golden Dyke exhibits the same characteristics observed at Rising Sun: high-grade tenor with high-grade intercepts, frequent visible gold occurrences, and elevated antimony values. The critical distinction is that Golden Dyke has only been defined with confidence down to 600 m below the surface and still has considerably less drilling than Rising Sun.

SDDSC186, SDDSC186W1 & SDDSC186W2

SDDSC186, drilled west to east, was abandoned due to excessive deviation out of the system, prompting a wedge and directional drilling strategy focused on systematic testing of the prospective corridor outside of the known defined area.

SDDSC186W1 successfully intersected altered sediment between Golden Dyke and Rising Sun, expanding the prospective package in a previously untested 20 m corridor where dyke and altered sediment locations were unknown between Rising Sun and Golden Dyke. This intersection further reinforces the understanding of Golden Dyke and Rising Sun being part of the same system.

SDDSC186W2 deviated too far south and failed to intersect the target dyke and altered sediment package, instead intersecting only footwall dyke splays.

Pending Results and Update

Nine drill rigs are currently operational on the Sunday Creek project with one additional drill rig dedicated to regional exploration. Results are pending from 41 holes currently being processed and analyzed including ten holes that are actively being drilled and two abandoned holes (Figure 2). The Company continues its ongoing 200,000 m drill program through to Q1 2027.

About Sunday Creek

The Sunday Creek epizonal-style gold project is located 60 km north of Melbourne within 16,900 hectares ("Ha") of granted exploration tenements. SXGC is also the freehold landholder of 1,392 Ha that forms the key portion in and around the main drilled area at the Sunday Creek Project.

Gold and antimony form in a relay of vein sets that cut across a steeply dipping zone of intensely altered rocks (the "host"). These vein sets are like a "Golden Ladder" structure where the main host extends between the side rails deep into the earth, with multiple cross-cutting vein sets that host the gold forming the rungs. At Apollo and Rising Sun these individual 'rungs' have been defined over 600 m depth extent from surface to over 1,100 m below surface, are 2.5 m to 3.5 m wide (median widths) (and up to 10 m), and 20 m to 100 m in strike.

Cumulatively, 235 drill holes for 107,414.51 m have been reported from Sunday Creek since late 2020. This amount includes five holes for 929 m that have been drilled for geotechnical purposes and 22 holes for 2,973.77 m that were abandoned due to deviation or hole conditions. Fourteen drillholes for 2,383 m have been reported regionally outside of the main Sunday Creek drill area. A total of 64 historic drill holes for 5,599 m were completed from the late 1960s to 2008. The project now contains a total of Seventy-three (73) >100 g/t AuEq x m and eighty (80) >50 to 100 g/t AuEq x m drill holes by applying a 2 m @ 1 g/t AuEq lower cut.

Southern Cross Gold's systematic drill program is strategically targeting these significant vein formations, which are currently defined over 1,350 m strike of the host dyke/sediment ("rails of the ladder") from Christina to Apollo prospects, of which approximately 620 m has been more intensively drill tested (Rising Sun to Apollo). At least 95 'rungs' have been defined to date, defined by high-grade intercepts (20 g/t Au to >7,330 g/t Au) along with lower grade edges. Ongoing step-out drilling is aiming to uncover the potential extent of this mineralized system (Figure 5).

Geologically, the project is located within the Melbourne Structural Zone in the Lachlan Fold Belt. The regional host to the Sunday Creek mineralization is an interbedded turbidite sequence of siltstones and minor sandstones metamorphosed to sub-greenschist facies and folded into a set of open north-west trending folds.

Further Information

Further discussion and analysis of the Sunday Creek project is available through the interactive Vrify 3D animations, presentations and videos all available on the SXGC website. These data, along with an interview on these results with President & CEO/Managing Director Michael Hudson can be viewed at www.southerncrossgold.com .

No upper gold grade cut is applied in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness. However, during future Mineral Resource studies, the requirement for assay top cutting will be assessed. The Company notes that due to rounding of assay results to one significant figure, minor variations in calculated composite grades may occur.

Figures 1 to 5 show project location, plan and longitudinal views of drill results reported here and Tables 1 to 3 provide collar and assay data. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported individually as estimated true widths ("ETW"), otherwise they are interpreted to be approximately 55% to 65% of the sampled thickness for other reported holes. Lower grades were cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum width of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 1 m width unless specified unless otherwise* specified to demonstrate higher grade assays.

Critical Metal Epizonal Gold-Antimony Deposits

Sunday Creek (Figure 5) is an epizonal gold-antimony deposit formed in the late Devonian (like Fosterville, Costerfield and Redcastle), 60 million years later than mesozonal gold systems formed in Victoria (for example Ballarat and Bendigo). Epizonal deposits are a form of orogenic gold deposit classified according to their depth of formation: epizonal (<6 km), mesozonal (6 km to 12 km) and hypozonal (>12 km).

Epizonal deposits in Victoria often have associated high levels of the critical metal, antimony, and Sunday Creek is no exception. China claims a 56 per cent share of global mined supplies of antimony, according to a 2023 European Union study. Antimony features highly on the critical minerals lists of many countries including Australia, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the European Union. Australia ranks seventh for antimony production despite all production coming from a single mine at Costerfield in Victoria, located nearby to all SXGC projects. Antimony alloys with lead and tin which results in improved properties for solders, munitions, bearings and batteries. Antimony is a prominent additive for halogen-containing flame retardants. Adequate supplies of antimony are critical to the world's energy transition, and to the high-tech industry, especially the semi-conductor and defence sectors where it is a critical additive to primers in munitions.

In August 2024, the Chinese government announced it will place export limits from September 15, 2024 on antimony and antimony products. This puts pressure on Western defence supply chains and negatively affect the supply of the metal and push up pricing given China's dominance of the supply of the metal in the global markets. This is positive for SXGC as we are likely to have one of the very few large and high-quality projects of antimony in the western world that can feed western demand into the future.

Antimony represents approximately 21% to 24% in situ recoverable value of Sunday Creek at an AuEq of 2.39 ratio.

Company-wide Remuneration Review

The Company also announces that the Board, in consultation with the Company's Remuneration & Nomination Committee, has conducted a company-wide review of the fixed remuneration currently paid to its executives, including President and CEO, Mr. Michael Hudson, and has approved an increase in Mr. Hudson's annual base remuneration to AU$620,536. Mr Hudson will also be eligible to receive a Short-Term Incentive (STI) of up to 20% of his base remuneration and the issue of Long-Term Incentives (LTI's) will be subject to shareholder approval. The increase is effective January 1, 2026.

About Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Limited (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF) (FSE: MV3)

Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd. (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF), is building Australia's a significant gold-antimony project at the Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project, located 60 km north of Melbourne. Sunday Creek has emerged as one of the Western world's most significant gold and antimony discoveries, with exceptional drilling results including 73 intersections exceeding 100 g/t AuEq x m from 107,415 km of drilling. The mineralization follows a "Golden Ladder" structure over 12 km of strike length, with confirmed continuity from surface to 1,100 m depth.

Sunday Creek's strategic value is enhanced by its dual-metal profile. The Company is building a significant project - and in doing so, securing a critical mineral the Western world needs. With antimony contributing approximately 20% of in-situ value alongside gold, Sunday Creek can be developed primarily based on gold economics, which reduces antimony-related risks while maintaining strategic supply optionality. This has gained increased significance following China's export restrictions on antimony, a critical metal for defence and semiconductor applications. Southern Cross' inclusion in the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) and Australia's AUKUS-related legislative changes position it as a potential key Western antimony supplier.

Technical fundamentals further strengthen the investment case, with preliminary metallurgical work showing non-refractory mineralization suitable for conventional processing and gold recoveries of 93% to 98% through gravity and flotation.

With a strong cash position, 1,392 Ha of strategic freehold land ownership, and a large 200 km drill program planned through Q1 2027, SXGC is well-positioned to advance this globally significant gold-antimony discovery in a tier-one jurisdiction, delivering milestone by milestone.

- Ends -

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd.

Michael Hudson, President, CEO and Managing Director of SXGC, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and Mr Kenneth Bush, Exploration Manager of SXGC and a RPGeo (10315) of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, are the Qualified Persons as defined by the NI 43-101. They have prepared, reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release.

Analytical samples are transported to the Bendigo facility of On Site Laboratory Services ("On Site") which operates under both an ISO 9001 and NATA quality systems. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the fire assay technique (PE01S method; 25 gram charge), followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (BM011 and over-range methods as required) use aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis. The QA/QC program of Southern Cross Gold consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold content, blanks within interpreted mineralized rock and quarter core duplicates. In addition, On Site inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.

SXGC considers that both gold and antimony that are included in the gold equivalent calculation ("AuEq") have reasonable potential to be recovered and sold at Sunday Creek, given current geochemical understanding, historic production statistics and geologically analogous mining operations. Historically, ore from Sunday Creek was treated onsite or shipped to the Costerfield mine, located 54 km to the northwest of the project, for processing during WW1. The Costerfield mine corridor, now owned by Alkane Resources (previously Mandalay Resources) contains two million ounces of equivalent gold (Mandalay Resources Q3 2021 Results), and in 2020 was the sixth highest-grade global underground mine and a top 5 global producer of antimony.

SXGC considers that it is appropriate to adopt the same gold equivalent variables as Mandalay Resources Ltd in its 2024 End of Year Mineral Reserves and Resources Press Release, dated February 20, 2025. The gold equivalence formula used by Mandalay Resources was calculated using Costerfield's 2024 production costs, using a gold price of US$2,500 per ounce, an antimony price of US$19,000 per tonne and 2024 total year metal recoveries of 91% for gold and 92% for antimony, and is as follows:

AuEq = Au (g/t) + 2.39 x Sb (%)

Based on the latest Costerfield calculation and given the similar geological styles and historic toll treatment of Sunday Creek mineralization at Costerfield, SXGC considers that a AuEq = Au (g/t) + 2.39 x Sb (%) is appropriate to use for the initial exploration targeting of gold-antimony mineralization at Sunday Creek.

JORC Competent Person Statement

Information in this announcement that relates to new exploration results contained in this report is based on information compiled by Mr Kenneth Bush and Mr Michael Hudson. Mr Bush is a Member of Australian Institute of Geoscientists and a Registered Professional Geologist in the field of Mining (#10315) and Mr Hudson is a Fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Bush and Mr Hudson each have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Bush is Exploration Manager and Mr Hudson is President, CEO and Managing Director of Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Limited and both consent to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.

Certain information in this announcement that relates to prior exploration results is extracted from the Independent Geologist's Report dated 11 December 2024 which was issued with the consent of the Competent Person, Mr Steven Tambanis. The report is included the Company's prospectus dated 11 December 2024 and is available at www.asx.com.au under code "SX2". The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information related to exploration results included in the original market announcement. The Company confirms that the form and context of the Competent Persons' findings in relation to the report have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

Certain information in this announcement also relates to prior drill hole exploration results, are extracted from the following announcements, which are available to view on www.southerncrossgold.com:

4 October, 2022 SDDSC046, 20 October, 2022 SDDSC049, 5 September, 2023 SDDSC077B, 12 October, 2023 SDDLV003 & 4, 23 October, 2023 SDDSC082, 9 November, 2023 SDDSC091, 14 December, 2023 SDDSC092, 5 March, 2024 SDDSC107, 30 May, 2024 SDDSC117, 13 June, 2024 SDDSC118, 5 September, 2024 SDDSC130, 28 October, 2024 SDDSC137W2, 28 November, 2024 SDDSC141, 9 December, 2024 SDDSC145, 18 December, 2024 SDDSC129 & 144, 28 May, 2025 SDDSC161, 16 June, 2025 SDDSC162, 26 August, 2025 SDDSC171, 8 September, 2025 SDDSC170A,

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original document/announcement and the Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not materially modified from the original market announcement.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "proposed", "will", "subject to", "near future", "in the event", "would", "expect", "prepared to" and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include general business, economic, competitive, political, social uncertainties; the state of capital markets, unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant; and other risks described in the Company's documents filed with Canadian or Australian (under code SX2) securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in filings made by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada or Australia (under code SX2), as applicable, and available for the Company in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca or in Australia at www.asx.com.au (under code SX2). Documents are also available at www.southerncrossgold.com The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.







Figure 1: Sunday Creek plan view showing selected results from holes SDDSC186, SDDSC186W1, SDDSC186W2 and SDDSC188 reported here (dark blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected prior reported drill holes.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/279545_352ed0a88403f946_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Sunday Creek plan view showing selected drillhole traces from holes SDDSC186, SDDSC186W1, SDDSC186W2 and SDDSC188 reported here (black trace), with prior reported drill holes (grey trace) and currently drilling and assays pending hole traces (dark blue).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/279545_352ed0a88403f946_002full.jpg





Figure 3: Sunday Creek longitudinal section across A-B in the plane of the dyke breccia/altered sediment host looking towards the NW (striking 56 degrees) indicating mineralized vein sets. Showing holes SDDSC186, SDDSC186W1, SDDSC186W2 and SDDSC188 reported here (dark blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected intersections and prior reported drill holes. The vertical extents of the vein sets are limited by proximity to drill hole pierce points.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/279545_352ed0a88403f946_003full.jpg





Figure 4: Sunday Creek regional plan view showing soil sampling, structural framework, regional historic epizonal gold mining areas and broad regional areas tested by 12 holes for 2,383 m drill program. The regional drill areas are at Tonstal, Consols and Leviathan located 4,000-7,500 m along strike from the main drill area at Golden Dyke- Apollo. Map in GDA94/ MGA Zone 55.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/279545_352ed0a88403f946_004full.jpg







Figure 5: Location of the Sunday Creek project, along with the 100% owned Redcastle Gold-Antimony Project

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/279545_352ed0a88403f946_005full.jpg

Table 1: Drill collar summary table for recent drill holes in progress.

This Release

Hole ID Depth (m) Prospect East

GDA94

Z55 North

GDA94

Z55 Elevation

(m) Dip Azimuth

GDA94

Z55 SDDSC186 791.5 Golden Dyke 330950.5 5868006.3 313.8 -54 262.6 SDDSC186W1 774.1 Golden Dyke 330950.5 5868006.3 313.8 -54 262.6 SDDSC186W2 1100.2 Golden Dyke 330950.5 5868006.3 313.8 -54 262.6 SDDSC188 702.8 Christina 330218.3 5867664 268.9 -50.5 57.9

Currently being processed and analyzed

Hole ID Depth (m) Prospect East

GDA94

Z55 North

GDA94

Z55 Elevation

(m) Dip Azimuth

GDA94

Z55 SDDSC176 865.8 Golden Dyke 330950.2 5868006.1 313.7 -53.2 257.3 SDDSC180 1159.77 Christina 330753.2 5867732.9 306.8 -45 273.1 SDDSC187 518.3 Rising Sun 330510.7 5867852.7 295.4 -50.5 75.4 SDDSC190 451.8 Rising Sun 330511.4 5867852.5 295.5 -40.8 80.1 SDDSC191W1 1132.9 Christina 330753.5 5867733 306.8 -46.3 275.2 SDDSC193 668.1 Golden Dyke 330775.4 5867891 295.5 -58.6 262.2 SDDSC194 929 Golden Dyke 330811.4 5867596.4 295.1 -64.4 310 SDDSC194W1 In Progress plan 1650 m Golden Dyke 330811.4 5867596.4 295.1 -64.4 311.2 SDDSC195 152.15 Apollo 330989.7 5867715.6 318 -53.3 60.5 SDDSC196 1082.53 Rising Sun 330484.2 5867893.4 289.5 -64.4 74.8 SDDSC197 791.5 Golden Dyke 330217.8 5867664.2 268.9 -58.7 50.8 SDDSC198 273.6 Apollo 331180.4 5867849.1 306.1 -31.5 248.6 SDDSC199 503.43 Apollo 330887.5 5867704.5 312.7 -42.8 52.2 SDDSC200 320.54 Apollo 330887.2 5867704.3 312.7 -47.8 53 SDDSC201 321.4 Rising Sun 330948.3 5868003.4 313.3 -28.9 231.3 SDDSC202 In Progress plan 950 m Apollo 331596.2 5867936.6 345.6 -43.4 266.9 SDDSC203 547 Golden Dyke 330775.3 5867888.9 295.5 -47.5 253.4 SDDSC204 1208.3 Apollo 331615.6 5867952.4 346.5 -58.2 270.4 SDDSC205 In Progress plan 1320 m Rising Sun 330339.8 5867858.5 276.8 -64.6 75.8 SDDSC206 286.2 Golden Dyke 330752.7 5867734.4 306.9 -33 301 SDDSC207 584.25 Christina 330094.8 5867459.3 278.3 -48.8 20.7 SDDSC208 929.3 Christina 330753.5 5867733 306.7 -47.1 281 SDDSC209 271.58 Apollo East 331463.3 5867746.4 341.2 -30.5 34 SDDSC210 512 Golden Dyke 330813.6 5867847.5 301.1 -43.6 264.3 SDDSC211 380 Golden Dyke 330700.3 5867880.2 299.4 -40.1 250.4 SDDSC212 438.7 Apollo East 331464.9 5867866.4 333.2 -33.2 261.3 SDDSC213 941.4 Golden Dyke 330094.2 5867458.6 278.3 -62.6 14.6 SDDSC214 In Progress plan 1150 m Apollo 331615.5 5867952.7 346.8 -55.2 269 SDDSC215 476.7 Regional 331603.6 5867183.7 304.9 -38.2 15.4 SDDSC216A 572.2 Golden Dyke 330701.2 5867880.5 299.6 -46.1 250.6 SDDSC217 In Progress plan 500 m Apollo East 331481.2 5867839.5 335.4 -25 261.9 SDDSC218 In Progress plan 700 m Golden Dyke 330813.6 5867847.5 301.1 -47.6 265.5 SDDSC219 389 Golden Dyke 330701.5 5867880.3 299.6 -49.2 247.8 SDDSC220 In Progress plan 520 m Christina 329780.9 5867551.9 286.5 -26 70.8 SDDSC221 926.6 Golden Dyke 330754.1 5867733 307 -50.6 284.1 SDDSC224 In Progress plan 505 m Golden Dyke 330700.3 5867880.2 299.4 -37 245.8 SDDSC225 In Progress plan 1270 m Golden Dyke 330753.5 5867733 306.8 -52.8 283.8

Regional holes currently being processed and analyzed

Hole ID Press Release Depth Prospect East

GDA94

Z55 North

GDA94

Z55 Elevation

(m) Dip Azimuth

GDA94

Z55 SDDRE016 410.5 Redcastle 302732 5927292 194.61 -50 68 SDDRE017 In Progress plan 359.8 m Redcastle 305388.6 5926618 206.62 -50 70

Abandoned Drillholes currently being processed and analyzed

Hole ID Press Release Depth Prospect East

GDA94

Z55 North

GDA94

Z55 Elevation

(m) Dip Azimuth

GDA94

Z55 SDDSC191 864.4 Christina 330753.5 5867733 306.8 -46.1 275.2 SDDSC216 131.2 Golden Dyke 330700.3 5867880.2 299.4 -46.5 252.3

Table 2: Table of mineralized drill hole intersections reported from SDDSC186, SDDSC186W1, SDDSC186W2 and SDDSC188 with two cutoff criteria. Lower grades cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq cutoff over a maximum of 1 m. Significant intersections and interval depths are rounded to one decimal place.

Hole number From

(m) To (m) Interval

(m) Au g/t Sb % AuEq g/t SDDSC188 446.98 459.18 12.20 32.4 0.4 33.3 Including 449.81 452.91 3.10 124.8 0.8 126.6 SDDSC188 466.81 468.91 2.10 1.1 0.6 2.5 SDDSC188 496.36 505.76 9.40 3.6 0.7 5.2 Including 499.73 501.43 1.70 10.9 0.7 12.7 Including 502.76 502.96 0.20 0.4 19.5 47.0 SDDSC188 519.90 520.10 0.20 29.6 0.1 29.8 SDDSC188 535.47 539.37 3.90 1.7 0.9 3.9 Including 536.32 536.82 0.50 5.6 5.7 19.1 SDDSC188 556.59 568.49 11.90 1.4 0.2 2.0 Including 565.88 567.08 1.20 8.1 0.1 8.3 SDDSC188 572.10 575.10 3.00 1.3 0.0 1.3

Table 3: All individual assays reported from SDDSC186, SDDSC186W1, SDDSC186W2 and SDDSC188 reported here >0.1g/t AuEq. Individual assay and sample intervals are reported to two decimal places.

Hole number From

(m) To (m) Interval

(m) Au g/t Sb % AuEq g/t SDDSC186 533.93 534.25 0.32 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC186 560.1 560.66 0.56 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC186 564.53 564.82 0.29 0.3 0.01 0.31 SDDSC186 582 583 1.00 0.22 0.00 0.23 SDDSC186 658 659 1.00 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC186 688.21 689.51 1.30 0.22 0.00 0.23 SDDSC186 706.45 706.76 0.31 0.71 0.02 0.75 SDDSC186 706.76 707.5 0.74 0.14 0.07 0.30 SDDSC186 707.5 708.8 1.30 0.23 0.00 0.23 SDDSC186 729 730.15 1.15 0.34 0.00 0.35 SDDSC186W1 575.25 576 0.75 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC186W1 578.04 578.6 0.56 0.19 0.00 0.19 SDDSC186W1 578.6 578.81 0.21 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC186W1 588.56 589.55 0.99 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC186W1 661.83 662.3 0.47 0.2 0.00 0.21 SDDSC186W1 712.3 713.6 1.30 -0.01 0.06 0.13 SDDSC186W1 717.6 717.81 0.21 0.26 0.00 0.26 SDDSC186W1 719.91 720.04 0.13 0.19 0.00 0.19 SDDSC186W1 720.68 721 0.32 0.16 0.04 0.26 SDDSC186W1 721.23 721.53 0.30 0.25 0.00 0.26 SDDSC186W1 721.53 722.1 0.57 0.17 0.00 0.18 SDDSC186W1 735.41 736.09 0.68 -0.01 0.05 0.10 SDDSC186W1 736.19 736.36 0.17 1.16 0.00 1.17 SDDSC186W1 740.23 740.44 0.21 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC186W1 743.3 743.8 0.50 0.33 0.00 0.34 SDDSC186W1 743.8 743.93 0.13 0.4 0.00 0.41 SDDSC186W1 743.93 744.12 0.19 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC186W1 744.12 744.3 0.18 0.25 0.15 0.61 SDDSC186W1 746 746.36 0.36 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC186W1 748.86 750 1.14 0.19 0.01 0.21 SDDSC186W1 754 755 1.00 0.19 0.00 0.20 SDDSC186W1 755 756 1.00 0.2 0.00 0.20 SDDSC186W2 811.03 811.65 0.62 0.3 0.00 0.31 SDDSC186W2 893.9 895.24 1.34 0.21 0.00 0.21 SDDSC188 137.01 137.44 0.43 -0.01 0.06 0.12 SDDSC188 147.9 148.97 1.07 0.81 0.01 0.82 SDDSC188 148.97 149.11 0.14 0.99 0.01 1.01 SDDSC188 149.11 150.16 1.05 0.5 0.00 0.51 SDDSC188 150.16 150.6 0.44 1.04 0.00 1.05 SDDSC188 150.6 151.07 0.47 0.52 0.00 0.53 SDDSC188 151.07 151.87 0.80 1.05 0.00 1.06 SDDSC188 151.87 152.88 1.01 0.48 0.00 0.49 SDDSC188 154.8 155.3 0.50 0.12 0.01 0.15 SDDSC188 156.15 156.91 0.76 0.38 0.01 0.40 SDDSC188 156.91 157.19 0.28 0.66 0.01 0.68 SDDSC188 157.19 157.5 0.31 1.74 0.02 1.78 SDDSC188 157.5 158 0.50 0.26 0.02 0.30 SDDSC188 164.58 164.74 0.16 1.06 0.01 1.08 SDDSC188 164.74 166 1.26 0.15 0.01 0.16 SDDSC188 168.13 168.31 0.18 2.01 0.01 2.04 SDDSC188 168.31 168.5 0.19 0.91 0.01 0.94 SDDSC188 168.5 168.74 0.24 0.7 0.01 0.73 SDDSC188 169.83 170.06 0.23 0.28 0.02 0.32 SDDSC188 170.06 170.9 0.84 0.05 0.02 0.10 SDDSC188 170.9 171 0.10 0.22 0.02 0.26 SDDSC188 175.1 176.04 0.94 0.1 0.01 0.12 SDDSC188 177.92 178.36 0.44 1.7 0.02 1.75 SDDSC188 178.36 178.62 0.26 0.26 0.01 0.29 SDDSC188 185.4 185.6 0.20 1.37 0.02 1.41 SDDSC188 185.6 185.95 0.35 1.25 0.02 1.29 SDDSC188 189.37 189.67 0.30 0.11 0.01 0.14 SDDSC188 199.68 200.18 0.50 0.05 0.03 0.12 SDDSC188 200.18 201.19 1.01 0.07 0.02 0.12 SDDSC188 201.64 202.04 0.40 0.17 0.05 0.30 SDDSC188 202.04 202.28 0.24 0.08 0.03 0.14 SDDSC188 206.41 207.15 0.74 0.12 0.02 0.16 SDDSC188 207.15 207.54 0.39 0.43 0.01 0.44 SDDSC188 207.54 207.87 0.33 0.28 0.01 0.30 SDDSC188 207.87 208.05 0.18 0.08 0.01 0.10 SDDSC188 209.11 210.06 0.95 -0.01 0.06 0.14 SDDSC188 210.35 210.67 0.32 0.22 0.04 0.31 SDDSC188 210.67 211.07 0.40 0.17 0.01 0.20 SDDSC188 212.27 212.87 0.60 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC188 212.87 213.09 0.22 0.19 0.00 0.20 SDDSC188 214.21 214.34 0.13 0.77 0.01 0.79 SDDSC188 214.34 215.1 0.76 0.08 0.01 0.11 SDDSC188 216.55 216.81 0.26 0.03 0.06 0.17 SDDSC188 409.92 410.09 0.17 0.13 0.01 0.14 SDDSC188 442.28 442.9 0.62 0.02 0.04 0.11 SDDSC188 444.3 444.72 0.42 0.32 0.06 0.46 SDDSC188 444.72 444.96 0.24 0.34 0.95 2.61 SDDSC188 444.96 445.36 0.40 0.1 0.01 0.12 SDDSC188 445.36 445.59 0.23 0.2 0.20 0.68 SDDSC188 445.59 446.03 0.44 0.25 0.26 0.87 SDDSC188 446.98 447.51 0.53 0.65 0.50 1.85 SDDSC188 447.51 447.85 0.34 1.61 0.56 2.95 SDDSC188 447.85 447.98 0.13 1.1 0.03 1.16 SDDSC188 447.98 448.12 0.14 2.36 0.04 2.46 SDDSC188 448.12 448.38 0.26 0.92 0.92 3.12 SDDSC188 448.38 448.72 0.34 2.9 0.23 3.45 SDDSC188 448.72 448.93 0.21 2.04 0.22 2.57 SDDSC188 448.93 449.1 0.17 1.5 0.08 1.68 SDDSC188 449.1 449.27 0.17 1.11 0.04 1.22 SDDSC188 449.27 449.59 0.32 3.13 0.73 4.87 SDDSC188 449.59 449.81 0.22 0.57 0.32 1.33 SDDSC188 449.81 450.16 0.35 259 1.45 262.47 SDDSC188 450.16 450.27 0.11 50.2 0.13 50.51 SDDSC188 450.27 450.55 0.28 29.8 0.87 31.88 SDDSC188 450.55 451.42 0.87 4.96 0.70 6.63 SDDSC188 451.42 451.54 0.12 9.33 0.92 11.53 SDDSC188 451.54 451.84 0.30 0.86 0.38 1.77 SDDSC188 451.84 452.02 0.18 301 1.52 304.63 SDDSC188 452.02 452.32 0.30 2.38 0.46 3.48 SDDSC188 452.32 452.57 0.25 51 1.11 53.65 SDDSC188 452.57 452.72 0.15 1.13 0.34 1.94 SDDSC188 452.72 452.92 0.20 1050 0.55 1051.31 SDDSC188 452.92 453.67 0.75 1.03 0.13 1.34 SDDSC188 453.67 453.91 0.24 0.56 0.14 0.89 SDDSC188 453.91 454.15 0.24 1.59 0.72 3.31 SDDSC188 454.15 455.16 1.01 0.82 0.04 0.91 SDDSC188 455.16 455.75 0.59 0.09 0.00 0.10 SDDSC188 455.75 456.05 0.30 1.46 0.02 1.51 SDDSC188 457.33 457.57 0.24 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC188 457.57 457.97 0.40 1.02 0.43 2.05 SDDSC188 457.97 458.41 0.44 0.11 0.04 0.21 SDDSC188 458.41 459 0.59 0.39 0.18 0.82 SDDSC188 459 459.2 0.20 1.02 0.13 1.33 SDDSC188 460.2 461.22 1.02 0.14 0.05 0.26 SDDSC188 461.22 462 0.78 0.41 0.04 0.52 SDDSC188 462 462.18 0.18 0.52 0.29 1.21 SDDSC188 462.18 462.86 0.68 0.78 0.03 0.84 SDDSC188 462.86 463.16 0.30 0.46 0.03 0.53 SDDSC188 464.16 464.38 0.22 0.14 0.10 0.38 SDDSC188 464.38 464.49 0.11 5.32 4.52 16.12 SDDSC188 466.59 466.81 0.22 0.22 0.19 0.67 SDDSC188 466.81 466.91 0.10 5.72 3.06 13.03 SDDSC188 466.91 467.32 0.41 0.21 0.15 0.57 SDDSC188 467.32 467.72 0.40 1.77 0.60 3.20 SDDSC188 467.72 468.08 0.36 0.72 1.04 3.21 SDDSC188 468.08 468.18 0.10 0.45 0.49 1.62 SDDSC188 468.18 468.91 0.73 0.84 0.32 1.60 SDDSC188 471.32 471.82 0.50 0.3 0.02 0.35 SDDSC188 475.28 475.5 0.22 0.44 0.35 1.28 SDDSC188 477.5 478.5 1.00 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC188 481.09 481.33 0.24 1.11 0.18 1.54 SDDSC188 482.33 483.33 1.00 -0.01 0.07 0.15 SDDSC188 487.47 488.47 1.00 0.36 0.03 0.42 SDDSC188 488.82 489.06 0.24 0.18 1.28 3.24 SDDSC188 489.33 489.46 0.13 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC188 491.65 491.82 0.17 0.07 0.02 0.12 SDDSC188 493.51 493.86 0.35 2.65 0.17 3.06 SDDSC188 493.86 494.26 0.40 0.25 0.01 0.28 SDDSC188 495.91 496.36 0.45 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC188 496.36 496.95 0.59 2.62 0.57 3.98 SDDSC188 496.95 497.24 0.29 13 1.28 16.06 SDDSC188 497.24 497.5 0.26 0.61 0.32 1.37 SDDSC188 497.5 497.84 0.34 1.32 0.04 1.42 SDDSC188 497.84 498.91 1.07 0.43 0.02 0.47 SDDSC188 498.91 499.29 0.38 1.28 0.18 1.71 SDDSC188 499.73 500.25 0.52 32.2 0.60 33.63 SDDSC188 500.25 501 0.75 1.34 0.42 2.34 SDDSC188 501 501.46 0.46 2.51 1.40 5.86 SDDSC188 501.46 501.93 0.47 3.7 0.51 4.92 SDDSC188 501.93 502.58 0.65 3.36 0.44 4.41 SDDSC188 502.58 502.76 0.18 0.06 0.04 0.16 SDDSC188 502.76 502.91 0.15 0.42 19.50 47.03 SDDSC188 502.91 503.73 0.82 0.08 0.16 0.46 SDDSC188 503.73 504.31 0.58 2.17 0.57 3.53 SDDSC188 504.31 504.83 0.52 4 0.33 4.79 SDDSC188 504.83 505.57 0.74 0.54 0.13 0.85 SDDSC188 505.57 505.76 0.19 0.71 0.41 1.69 SDDSC188 505.76 506.87 1.11 0.29 0.06 0.43 SDDSC188 507.61 508.46 0.85 0.19 0.04 0.28 SDDSC188 508.46 508.66 0.20 0.05 0.13 0.36 SDDSC188 508.66 509.07 0.41 0.38 0.22 0.91 SDDSC188 511.05 511.44 0.39 0.05 0.07 0.21 SDDSC188 511.44 511.59 0.15 0.42 0.07 0.58 SDDSC188 511.59 512.08 0.49 0.07 0.02 0.12 SDDSC188 512.58 512.77 0.19 0.38 0.05 0.49 SDDSC188 514.42 514.93 0.51 0.15 0.02 0.20 SDDSC188 515.33 515.44 0.11 1.06 0.24 1.63 SDDSC188 519.36 519.6 0.24 2.32 0.06 2.47 SDDSC188 519.9 520.09 0.19 29.6 0.07 29.76 SDDSC188 521.2 521.39 0.19 0.09 0.03 0.16 SDDSC188 521.39 522.57 1.18 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC188 522.57 522.91 0.34 0.37 0.02 0.41 SDDSC188 522.91 523.17 0.26 0.39 0.05 0.50 SDDSC188 523.17 524 0.83 0.43 0.02 0.48 SDDSC188 524 524.74 0.74 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC188 524.74 525.38 0.64 0.1 0.02 0.15 SDDSC188 525.38 525.69 0.31 0.26 0.05 0.37 SDDSC188 528.12 528.36 0.24 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC188 529.17 529.88 0.71 0.28 0.08 0.46 SDDSC188 529.88 530.9 1.02 0.15 0.03 0.21 SDDSC188 532.67 533 0.33 0.11 0.03 0.17 SDDSC188 533 533.27 0.27 0.42 0.12 0.71 SDDSC188 534.65 535.47 0.82 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC188 535.47 536.32 0.85 1.57 0.17 1.98 SDDSC188 536.32 536.8 0.48 5.59 5.67 19.14 SDDSC188 536.8 537.75 0.95 1.43 0.41 2.41 SDDSC188 537.75 538.34 0.59 0.96 0.29 1.65 SDDSC188 538.34 538.44 0.10 0.24 0.04 0.33 SDDSC188 538.44 539.11 0.67 0.42 0.08 0.60 SDDSC188 539.11 539.21 0.10 1.47 0.32 2.23 SDDSC188 539.21 539.32 0.11 1.31 0.43 2.34 SDDSC188 539.32 540.44 1.12 0.26 0.02 0.31 SDDSC188 552.85 553.56 0.71 0.24 0.01 0.27 SDDSC188 554.25 555.3 1.05 0.57 0.17 0.98 SDDSC188 556.49 556.59 0.10 0.58 0.06 0.73 SDDSC188 556.59 557.11 0.52 1.12 0.43 2.15 SDDSC188 558.3 558.55 0.25 1.62 0.23 2.17 SDDSC188 558.55 559.52 0.97 0.08 0.03 0.15 SDDSC188 559.62 560.62 1.00 1.87 0.91 4.04 SDDSC188 560.62 560.72 0.10 2.46 0.59 3.87 SDDSC188 561.69 562.26 0.57 1.08 0.76 2.90 SDDSC188 562.26 562.81 0.55 0.17 0.53 1.44 SDDSC188 562.81 562.91 0.10 0.2 0.24 0.77 SDDSC188 562.91 563.82 0.91 0.47 0.16 0.85 SDDSC188 563.82 563.92 0.10 2.71 0.22 3.24 SDDSC188 563.92 565.03 1.11 0.84 0.23 1.39 SDDSC188 565.03 565.13 0.10 1.56 0.19 2.01 SDDSC188 565.13 565.75 0.62 0.41 0.22 0.94 SDDSC188 565.75 565.88 0.13 2.45 0.43 3.48 SDDSC188 565.88 567.1 1.22 8.14 0.06 8.29 SDDSC188 567.1 568.35 1.25 0.07 0.01 0.10 SDDSC188 568.35 568.45 0.10 1.61 0.15 1.97 SDDSC188 568.45 569.45 1.00 0.46 0.16 0.84 SDDSC188 571.1 572.1 1.00 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC188 572.1 572.21 0.11 18.1 0.57 19.46 SDDSC188 572.21 572.85 0.64 0.14 0.05 0.27 SDDSC188 572.85 573.27 0.42 0.35 0.01 0.38 SDDSC188 573.27 574.09 0.82 0.17 0.01 0.20 SDDSC188 574.09 575.13 1.04 1.38 0.01 1.40 SDDSC188 579 579.9 0.90 0.1 0.02 0.15 SDDSC188 589 590.3 1.30 0.17 0.01 0.19 SDDSC188 592.86 594.16 1.30 0.36 0.00 0.37 SDDSC188 594.16 594.68 0.52 0.2 0.00 0.21 SDDSC188 599.5 599.84 0.34 0.42 0.00 0.43 SDDSC188 599.84 600.14 0.30 0.44 0.05 0.56 SDDSC188 655.2 655.8 0.60 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC188 657.3 657.5 0.20 0.46 0.00 0.47 SDDSC188 662 662.7 0.70 0.17 0.00 0.17 SDDSC188 671 671.5 0.50 0.18 0.01 0.21 SDDSC188 671.5 672 0.50 0.26 0.01 0.29

JORC Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc.). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralization that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralization types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Sampling has been conducted on drill core (half core for >90% and quarter core for check samples), grab samples (field samples of in-situ bedrock and boulders; including duplicate samples), trench samples (rock chips, including duplicates) and soil samples (including duplicate samples).

Locations of field samples were obtained by using a GPS, generally to an accuracy of within 5 metres. Drill hole and trench locations have been confirmed to <1 metre using a differential GPS.

Samples locations have also been verified by plotting locations on the high-resolution Lidar maps

Locations of field samples were obtained by using a GPS, generally to an accuracy of within 5 metres. Drill hole and trench locations have been confirmed to <1 metre using a differential GPS. Samples locations have also been verified by plotting locations on the high-resolution Lidar maps Drill core is marked for cutting and cut using an automated diamond saw used by Company staff in Kilmore.

Samples are bagged at the core saw and transported to the Bendigo On Site Laboratory for assay.

At On Site samples are crushed using a jaw crusher combined with a rotary splitter and a 1 kg split is separated for pulverizing (LM5) and assay.

Samples are bagged at the core saw and transported to the Bendigo On Site Laboratory for assay. At On Site samples are crushed using a jaw crusher combined with a rotary splitter and a 1 kg split is separated for pulverizing (LM5) and assay. Standard fire assay techniques are used for gold assay on a 30 g charge by experienced staff (used to dealing with high sulfide and stibnite-rich charges). On Site gold method by fire assay code PE01S.

Screen fire assay is used to understand gold grain-size distribution where coarse gold is evident.

ICP-OES is used to analyse the aqua regia digested pulp for an additional 12 elements (method BM011) and over-range antimony is measured using flame AAS (method known as B050).

Soil samples were sieved in the field and an 80-mesh sample bagged and transported to ALS Global laboratories in Brisbane for super-low level gold analysis on a 50 g samples by method ST44 (using aqua regia and ICP-MS).

Grab and rock chip samples are generally submitted to On Site Laboratories for standard fire assay and 12 element ICP-OES as described above. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc.) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.). HQ or NQ diameter diamond drill core, oriented using Axis Champ orientation tool with the orientation line marked on the base of the drill core by the driller/offsider.

A standard 3 metre core barrel has been found to be most effective in both the hard and soft rocks in the project. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Core recoveries were maximised using HQ or NQ diamond drill core with careful control over water pressure to maintain soft-rock integrity and prevent loss of fines from soft drill core. Recoveries are determined on a metre-by-metre basis in the core shed using a tape measure against marked up drill core checking against driller's core blocks.

Plots of grade versus recovery and RQD (described below) show no trends relating to loss of drill core, or fines. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Geotechnical logging of the drill core takes place on racks in the company core shed.

Core orientations marked at the drill rig are checked for consistency, and base of core orientation lines are marked on core where two or more orientations match within 10 degrees.

Core recoveries are measured for each metre

RQD measurements (cumulative quantity of core sticks > 10 cm in a metre) are made on a metre-by-metre basis.

Core orientations marked at the drill rig are checked for consistency, and base of core orientation lines are marked on core where two or more orientations match within 10 degrees. Core recoveries are measured for each metre RQD measurements (cumulative quantity of core sticks > 10 cm in a metre) are made on a metre-by-metre basis. Each tray of drill core is photographed (wet and dry) after it is fully marked up for sampling and cutting.

The  core cutting line is placed approximately 10 degrees above the orientation line so the orientation line is retained in the core tray for future work.

Geological logging of drill core includes the following parameters:

Rock types, lithology

Alteration

Structural information (orientations of veins, bedding, fractures using standard alpha-beta measurements from orientation line; or, in the case of un-oriented parts of the core, the alpha angles are measured)

Veining (quartz, carbonate, stibnite)

Key minerals (visible under hand lens, e.g. gold, stibnite)

Rock types, lithology Alteration Structural information (orientations of veins, bedding, fractures using standard alpha-beta measurements from orientation line; or, in the case of un-oriented parts of the core, the alpha angles are measured) Veining (quartz, carbonate, stibnite) Key minerals (visible under hand lens, e.g. gold, stibnite) 100% of drill core is logged for all components described above into the company MX logging database.

Logging is fully quantitative, although the description of lithology and alteration relies on visible observations by trained geologists.

Each tray of drill core is photographed (wet and dry) after it is fully marked up for sampling and cutting.

Logging is considered to be at an appropriate quantitative standard to use in future studies. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc. and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Drill core is typically half-core sampled using an Almonte core saw. The drill core orientation line is retained.

Quarter core is used when taking sampling duplicates (termed FDUP in the database).

Sampling representivity is maximised by always taking the same side of the drill core (whenever oriented), and consistently drawing a cut line on the core where orientation is not possible. The field technician draws these lines.

Sample sizes are maximised for coarse gold by using half core, and using quarter core and half core splits (laboratory duplicates) allows an estimation of nugget effect.

In mineralized rock the company uses approximately 10% of  core duplicates, certified reference materials (suitable OREAS materials), laboratory sample duplicates and instrument repeats.

In the soil sampling program duplicates were obtained every 20th sample and the laboratory inserted low-level gold standards regularly into the sample flow. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc., the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. The fire assay technique for gold used by On Site is a globally recognised method, and over-range follow-ups including gravimetric finish and screen fire assay are standard. Of significance at the On Site laboratory is the presence of fire assay personnel who are experienced in dealing with high sulfide charges (especially those with high stibnite contents) - this substantially reduces the risk of in accurate reporting in complex sulfide-gold charges.

Where screen fire assay is used, this assay will be reported instead of the original fire assay.

The ICP-OES technique is a standard analytical technique for assessing elemental concentrations. The digest used (aqua regia) is excellent for the dissolution of sulfides (in this case generally stibnite, pyrite and trace arsenopyrite), but other silicate-hosted elements, in particular vanadium (V), may only be partially dissolved. These silicate-hosted elements are not important in the determination of the quantity of gold, antimony, arsenic or sulphur.

A portable XRF has been used in a qualitative manner on drill core to ensure appropriate core samples have been taken (no pXRF data are reported or included in the MX database).

Acceptable levels of accuracy and precision have been established using the following methods

 duplicates - half core is split into quarters and given separate sample numbers (commonly in mineralized core) - low to medium gold grades indicate strong correlation, dropping as the gold grade increases over 40 g/t Au.

Blanks - blanks are inserted after visible gold and in strongly mineralized rocks to confirm that the crushing and pulping are not affected by gold smearing onto the crusher and LM5 swing mill surfaces. Results are excellent, generally below detection limit and a single sample at 0.03 g/t Au.

Certified Reference Materials - OREAS CRMs have been used throughout the project including blanks, low (<1 g/t Au), medium (up to 5 g/t Au) and high-grade gold samples (> 5 g/t Au). Results are automatically checked on data import into the MX database to fall within 2 standard deviations of the expected value.

Laboratory splits - On Site conducts splits of both coarse crush and pulp duplicates as quality control and reports all data. In particular, high Au samples have the most repeats.

Laboratory CRMs - On Site regularly inserts their own CRM materials into the process flow and reports all data

Laboratory precision - duplicate measurements of solutions (both Au from fire assay and other elements from the aqua regia digests) are made regularly by the laboratory and reported.

- half core is split into quarters and given separate sample numbers (commonly in mineralized core) - low to medium gold grades indicate strong correlation, dropping as the gold grade increases over 40 g/t Au. - blanks are inserted after visible gold and in strongly mineralized rocks to confirm that the crushing and pulping are not affected by gold smearing onto the crusher and LM5 swing mill surfaces. Results are excellent, generally below detection limit and a single sample at 0.03 g/t Au. - OREAS CRMs have been used throughout the project including blanks, low (<1 g/t Au), medium (up to 5 g/t Au) and high-grade gold samples (> 5 g/t Au). Results are automatically checked on data import into the MX database to fall within 2 standard deviations of the expected value. - On Site conducts splits of both coarse crush and pulp duplicates as quality control and reports all data. In particular, high Au samples have the most repeats. - On Site regularly inserts their own CRM materials into the process flow and reports all data - duplicate measurements of solutions (both Au from fire assay and other elements from the aqua regia digests) are made regularly by the laboratory and reported. Accuracy and precision have been determined carefully by using the sampling and measurement techniques described above during the sampling (accuracy) and laboratory (accuracy and precision) stages of the analysis.

have been determined carefully by using the sampling and measurement techniques described above during the sampling (accuracy) and laboratory (accuracy and precision) stages of the analysis. Soil sample company duplicates and laboratory certified reference materials all fall within expected ranges. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. The Independent Geologist has visited Sunday Creek drill sites and inspected drill core held at the Kilmore core shed.

Visual inspection of drill intersections matches both the geological descriptions in the database and the expected assay data (for example, gold and stibnite visible in drill core is matched by high Au and Sb results in assays).

In addition, on receipt of results Company geologists assess the gold, antimony and arsenic results to verify that the intersections returned expected data.

The electronic data storage in the MX database is of a high standard. Primary logging data are entered directly by the geologists and field technicians and the assay data are electronically matched against sample number on return from the laboratory.

Certified reference materials,  core field duplicates (FDUP), laboratory splits and duplicates and instrument repeats are all recorded in the database.

Exports of data include all primary data, from hole SDDSC077B onwards after discussion with SRK Consulting. Prior to this gold was averaged across primary, field and lab duplicates.

Adjustments to assay data are recorded by MX, and none are present (or required).

Twinned drill holes are not available at this stage of the project. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Differential GPS used to locate drill collars, trenches and some workings

Standard GPS for some field locations (grab and soils samples), verified against Lidar data.

The grid system used throughout is Geocentric datum of Australia 1994; Map Grid Zone 55 (GDA94_Z55), also referred to as ELSG 28355. Reported azimuths also relate to MGA55 (GDA94_Z55).

Topographic control is excellent owing to sub 10 cm accuracy from Lidar data. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. The data spacing is suitable for reporting of exploration results - evidence for this is based on the improving predictability of high-grade gold-antimony intersections.

At this time, the data spacing and distribution are not sufficient for the reporting of Mineral Resource Estimates. This however may change as knowledge of grade controls increase with future drill programs.

Samples have been composited to a 1 g/t AuEq over 2.0 m width for lower grades and 5 g/t AuEq over 1.0 m width for higher grades in table 3. All individual assays above 0.1 g/t AuEq have been reported to two decimal places with no compositing in table 4. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralized structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported are interpreted to be approximately 55-65% of the sampled thickness.

Drilling is oriented in an optimum direction when considering the combination of host rock orientation and apparent vein control on gold and antimony grade.

The steep nature of some of the veins may give increases in apparent thickness of some intersections, but more drilling is required to quantify.

The steep nature of some of the veins may give increases in apparent thickness of some intersections, but more drilling is required to quantify. A sampling bias is not evident from the data collected to date (drill holes cut across mineralized structures at a moderate angle). Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Drill core is delivered to the Kilmore core logging shed by either the drill contractor or company field staff. Samples are marked up and cut by company staff at the Kilmore core shed, in an automated diamond saw and bagged before loaded onto strapped secured pallets and trucked by company staff to Bendigo for submission to the laboratory. There is no evidence in any stage of the process, or in the data for any sample security issues. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Continuous monitoring of CRM results, blanks and duplicates is undertaken by geologists and the company data geologist. Mr Michael Hudson for SXG has the orientation, logging and assay data.

Southern Cross Gold (SXG) ASX Announcement

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement

and land tenure

status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Sunday Creek Goldfield, containing the Clonbinane Project, is covered by the Retention Licence RL 6040 and is surrounded by Exploration Licence EL6163 and Exploration Licence EL7232. All the licences are 100% held by Clonbinane Goldfield Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary company of Southern Cross Gold Ltd. Exploration done by

other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. The main historical prospect within the Sunday Creek project is the Clonbinane prospect, a high level orogenic (or epizonal) Fosterville-style deposit. Small scale mining has been undertaken in the project area since the 1880s continuing through to the early 1900s. Historical production occurred with multiple small shafts and alluvial workings across the Clonbinane Goldfield permits. Production of note occurred at the Clonbinane area with total production being reported as 41,000 oz gold at a grade of 33 g/t gold (Leggo and Holdsworth, 2013)

Work in and nearby to the Sunday Creek Project area by previous explorers typically focused on finding bulk, shallow deposits. Beadell Resources were the first to drill deeper targets and Southern Cross have continued their work in the Sunday Creek Project area.

EL54 - Eastern Prospectors Pty Ltd

Rock chip sampling around Christina, Apollo and Golden Dyke mines.

Rock chip sampling down the Christina mine shaft. Resistivity survey over the Golden Dyke. Five diamond drill holes around Christina, two of which have assays.

Rock chip sampling around Christina, Apollo and Golden Dyke mines. Rock chip sampling down the Christina mine shaft. Resistivity survey over the Golden Dyke. Five diamond drill holes around Christina, two of which have assays. ELs 872 & 975 - CRA Exploration Pty Ltd

Exploration focused on finding low grade, high tonnage deposits. The tenements were relinquished after the area was found to be prospective but not economic.

Stream sediment samples around the Golden Dyke and Reedy Creek areas. Results were better around the Golden Dyke. 45 dump samples around Golden Dyke old workings showed good correlation between gold, arsenic and antimony.

Soil samples over the Golden Dyke to define boundaries of dyke and mineralization. Two costeans parallel to the Golden Dyke targeting soil anomalies. Costeans since rehabilitated by SXG.

Exploration focused on finding low grade, high tonnage deposits. The tenements were relinquished after the area was found to be prospective but not economic. Stream sediment samples around the Golden Dyke and Reedy Creek areas. Results were better around the Golden Dyke. 45 dump samples around Golden Dyke old workings showed good correlation between gold, arsenic and antimony. Soil samples over the Golden Dyke to define boundaries of dyke and mineralization. Two costeans parallel to the Golden Dyke targeting soil anomalies. Costeans since rehabilitated by SXG. ELs 827 & 1520 - BHP Minerals Ltd

Exploration targeting open cut gold mineralization peripheral to SXG tenements.

Exploration targeting open cut gold mineralization peripheral to SXG tenements. ELs 1534, 1603 & 3129 - Ausminde Holdings Pty Ltd

Targeting shallow, low grade gold. Trenching around the Golden Dyke prospect and results interpreted along with CRAs costeans. 29 RC/Aircore holes totalling 959 m sunk into the Apollo, Rising Sun and Golden Dyke target areas.

Targeting shallow, low grade gold. Trenching around the Golden Dyke prospect and results interpreted along with CRAs costeans. 29 RC/Aircore holes totalling 959 m sunk into the Apollo, Rising Sun and Golden Dyke target areas. ELs 4460 & 4987 - Beadell Resources Ltd

ELs 4460 and 4497 were granted to Beadell Resources in November 2007. Beadell successfully drilled 30 RC holes, including second diamond tail holes in the Golden Dyke/Apollo target areas.

ELs 4460 and 4497 were granted to Beadell Resources in November 2007. Beadell successfully drilled 30 RC holes, including second diamond tail holes in the Golden Dyke/Apollo target areas. Both tenements were 100% acquired by Auminco Goldfields Pty Ltd in late 2012 and combined into one tenement EL4987.

Nagambie Resources Ltd purchased Auminco Goldfields in July 2014. EL4987 expired late 2015, during which time Nagambie Resources applied for a retention licence (RL6040) covering three square kilometres over the Sunday Creek Goldfield. RL6040 was granted July 2017.

Clonbinane Gold Field Pty Ltd was purchased by Mawson Gold Ltd in February 2020.



Mawson drilled 30 holes for 6,928 m and made the first discoveries to depth. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of

mineralization. Refer to the description in the main body of the release. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following

information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Refer to appendices Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high-grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. See "Further Information" and "Metal Equivalent Calculation" in main text of press release. Relationship

between

mineralization

widths and

intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralization with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g 'down hole

length, true width not known'). See reporting of true widths in the body of the press release. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. The results of the diamond drilling are displayed in the figures in the announcement. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high-grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All results above 0.1 g/t Au have been tabulated in this announcement. The results are considered representative with no intended bias.

Core loss, where material, is disclosed in tabulated drill intersections. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Preliminary testing was reported in January 11, 2024. This established the general metallurgical test procedure for samples from the Sunday Creek deposits and demonstrated the basis for confidence in establishing prospects for economic recovery of contained gold and antimony to three separate products:



Metallic gold product by gravity recovery Antimony-gold flotation concentrate Pyrite-arsenopyrite-gold flotation concentrate

Testing has now been expanded to include samples from additional zones of the mineral deposits and to refine metallurgical processes. The aim was to improve aspects of antimony concentrate production, maximise gold recovery to a high-grade metallic product, and to further investigate the nature of gold occurrence.

The work, conducted by ALS Burnie Laboratories, focused on: Improving selectivity between sulphide minerals in the antimony flotation stage whilst maintaining high overall gold recovery. Further processing of the flotation concentrates, to assess the metallurgical response of contained gold. Mineralogical examination of selected product samples.

It was demonstrated that, with appropriate process conditions, high antimony and gold recovery could be maintained whilst rejecting arsenic and iron sulphides in the first flotation stage. The antimony concentrate produced (~50% Sb, <0.2% As) is deemed to be attractive to the smelter market.

Recovery of antimony to concentrate varied with feed type, and ranged from 83% to 93% for the samples tested from the antimony rich zones.

Additional metallic gold was recovered from the flotation concentrate by gravity separation.

The gold grade of the concentrate is a function of the proportion of feed gold associated with arsenic-iron sulphides, the ratio of gold to antimony in the feed, the gold recovered to the metallic gold product, and the flotation rate of gold in the first flotation stage.

High overall gold recovery was achieved with all samples tested.

Further Work Additional characterization testing across deposit zones Locked cycle testing to confirm overall recoveries Multi-stage cleaning optimization to maximize concentrate quality Pilot plant evaluation of larger samples Process plant design studies targeting Q1 2027 completion

Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. The Company has stated it will drill 200,000 m through 2025 to Q1 2027.

See diagrams in presentation which highlight current and future drill plans.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279545

Source: Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd.
LONDON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With two months to go, BizClik is entering the final countdown to Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 , taking place on 4-5 March 2026 at the QEII Centre in Westminster, London.

As climate disclosure rules tighten and pressure around Scope 3 emissions continues to rise, the summit arrives at a critical moment for procurement and supply-chain leaders. The two-day event will bring together global executives across procurement, supply chain, sustainability, logistics and digital transformation to advance net-zero delivery and build resilient, future-ready value chains.

The summit will run alongside Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit , creating a unified platform for climate-aligned business transformation and reinforcing the growing convergence between sustainability strategy, procurement leadership and supply-chain execution.

Two Months Until Procurement and Supply Chain Leaders Convene

With just two months remaining, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 is preparing to welcome more than 1,000 in-person attendees, alongside a global virtual audience.

As the countdown continues, the summit will feature:

50+ expert speakers across procurement, supply chain, sustainability, logistics, ESG and climate tech





across procurement, supply chain, sustainability, logistics, ESG and climate tech 10 content tracks addressing the most urgent net-zero and supply-chain challenges





addressing the most urgent net-zero and supply-chain challenges 4 executive workshops designed for CPOs, CSCOs and senior transformation leaders

The agenda will deliver insight into decarbonisation, resilience, responsible sourcing, logistics optimisation and end-to-end supply-chain visibility.

Driving Net Zero and Supply Chain Transformation

As organisations accelerate toward net-zero commitments, the connection between digital transformation and sustainability has never been more critical.

Commenting ahead of the two-month countdown, Glen White, CEO of BizClik, said:

"As organisations move faster toward decarbonisation, the connection between digital transformation and sustainability has never been stronger. This summit is designed to give leaders the strategies, tools and partnerships they need to deliver meaningful change at scale."

Key Themes as the Two-Month Countdown Begins

With two months to go, the 2026 programme will focus on six priority areas:

Net Zero and Decarbonisation

Reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and aligning supply chains with net-zero commitments.



Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Management

Managing geopolitical risk, disruption, freight volatility and operational uncertainty.



Digital Procurement and AI Innovation

Applying automation, digital sourcing, predictive analytics and AI-driven intelligence.



Sustainable and Ethical Supply Chains

Strengthening transparency, supplier due diligence and ESG-aligned decision-making.



Global Logistics, Freight and Distribution

Improving efficiency through sustainable transport and multimodal strategies.



Leadership, Strategy and Transformation

Equipping CPOs and CSCOs with executive insight, governance frameworks and execution models.

Two Months Out: A Platform for Collaboration and Action

With the summit now just two months away, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 will provide delegates with access to:

Real-world case studies and practical implementation insight





Deep-dive masterclasses on emerging procurement and supply-chain challenges





Discussions with innovators in AI, analytics, automation and sustainability technology





Peer networking with senior procurement and supply-chain leaders





Solution showcases from leading global vendors and providers

The co-location with Sustainability LIVE creates one of Europe's most comprehensive net-zero ecosystem gatherings, uniting climate, procurement and supply-chain strategy in a single environment.

Why This Event Matters With Two Months to Go

As regulatory pressure increases and climate disclosure expectations rise, organisations are seeking practical pathways to reduce emissions and strengthen supply-chain resilience. With two months remaining, PSC LIVE: The Net Zero Summit provides a timely forum for leaders to move from ambition to execution.

Registration Now Open

With the two-month countdown underway, early bird tickets are available . Attendees can choose in-person or virtual access to all sessions, workshops, networking areas and exhibitor showcases.

About Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE

Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE is BizClik's global event series for procurement, sourcing, supply chain and logistics professionals. The series connects decision-makers with insight on supply-chain strategy, digital transformation, risk, ethics and sustainability.

About BizClik

BizClik is a leading global digital media and events company producing industry-specific content across procurement, supply chain, sustainability, technology, energy, fintech and AI. Through digital magazines, websites, newsletters, webinars and world-class events, BizClik connects enterprise leaders with executive audiences worldwide.

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At the recent 2025 International Education Conference organised by China Media Group, the University of Manchester China Centre ("UoM China Centre") received the EMBA Programme of the Year Award for Brand Influence. Its Centre director, Sherry Fu, was also named "Most Influential Education Leader of the Year". The dual honours reflect the UoM China Centre's continued impact and innovative approach in executive education, and reaffirm its commitment to supporting lifelong learning. Excerpts from Ms. Fu's acceptance remarks are presented below:

Receiving these two awards-for our EMBA programme and in a personal capacity-fills me with profound gratitude. More than that, it strengthens my sense of shared purpose. This recognition belongs not just to our Centre, but to every professional, leader and pioneer who believes in reinventing themselves through lifelong learning. It is in that spirit that I'd like to share some thoughts on the mission of education in our time.

The theme of this conference, "Empowering Education through Innovation, Shaping the Future with Intelligence," perfectly captures where we stand today. Technology is rapidly redrawing how we access and understand knowledge. "Shaping with intelligence" means far more than just accumulating information. It is about elevating how we think, restructuring how we interpret complex systems, and cultivating the kind of insight that allows us to remain both poised and creative in an uncertain world. This is precisely the heart of the lifelong learning philosophy we uphold at the China Centre: learning is not about reaching a destination, but about developing the capability to navigate a journey that continues to unfold.

Over the past year, we have observed a striking contrast: a world changing at an unprecedented speed, set against a subtle sense of "uncertainty" and "concern" among seasoned business leaders. When experience no longer matches the pace of transformation, and familiar environments give way to new ecosystems, a fundamental question arises: If we are the ones others rely on, who helps us evolve?

My answer is: by returning to the mindset of a student, reimagining ourselves through systematic co-creation to achieve shared growth.

First, face reality together: moving beyond the comfort of what we already know and engaging with the complexity of whole systems.

Excellence in leadership has always been rooted in unique experience and intuition. Yet the challenges we face today are interconnected-technological disruption, supply chain realignment, evolving values, and a new global landscape-all interwoven into a dynamic, living network. We cannot address interconnected challenges through a single lens of past experience. In our classrooms, we start by shifting perspective: from solving isolated issues to understanding how they connect within a larger, interconnected system. Our curriculum extends beyond business fundamentals into technology, sustainability and organisational psychology, as we believe true strategic insight emerges where different fields of knowledge intersect.

Second, bridge theory and practice: linking the latest thinking directly to real-world application.

Leading MBA/EMBA programmes cannot exist in an abstract vacuum. They must be a live bridge-connecting the world's latest research and ideas directly to today's complex business realities. In our programmes, leaders don't just study agile frameworks or global case studies; they test ideas in real projects and early-stage ventures. This is "Learning by Doing"-a continuous cycle of Learning-Thinking-Practice-Reflection that turns insight into impact.

Third, cultivate an ecosystem of shared growth: shifting from deciding alone to thinking and moving forward together.

Lifelong learning is never a solo endeavour. The most valuable asset of the UoM China Centre is the "collaborative ecosystem" formed by our outstanding alumni and participants. It brings together leaders from diverse fields such as advanced manufacturing, digital technology, biopharmaceuticals, consumer culture and beyond. Within this network, cross-sector debates, case studies, and collaborative projects create a powerful "crucible of insight". Peers act as mirrors that reveal blind spots, and as think tanks that spark new ideas. Built on deep trust and a common language, this ecosystem is the strongest buffer against uncertainty and, at the same time, the most reliable source of innovation.

The programme award affirms our educational approach. The personal recognition, to me, is a reminder: the essence of influence lies in whether one can truly empower every learner to expand what's possible in their lives and careers.

Looking ahead, the mission of "Shaping the Future with Intelligence" continues. The UoM China Centre will remain committed to the original purpose of lifelong learning-using technology to enhance the learning experience and insight to illuminate paths of growth. We are dedicated to building more than a knowledge transfer platform; we are shaping a community that cultivates minds, connects resources, and fosters holistic development.

Finally, I dedicate this honor to everyone who shares this journey, who perseveres through difficulty and never ceases to explore. It echoes a belief I have long held: True leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about the courage to keep asking new questions and guiding the search for answers, together.

With 2026 on the horizon, let's continue to move forward together and build a future shaped by intelligence.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) (" Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has commenced its Winter 2026 diamond drilling program on the Yellowknife Project, Northwest Territories. The program will utilize four diamond drill rigs and is focused on advancing priority targets within the Con Mine area and the Northbelt.

2026 Winter Drill Program Highlights

Initial drilling will target the Con Mine area, with the objective of expanding and upgrading mineralization within the Yellorex Zone, located along the Campbell Shear south of the historic Con Mine. Additional drilling will test nearby targets along the Campbell Shear corridor between Yellorex and the Con Mine.

Drilling within the Northbelt is expected to commence later in January, following sufficient ice development. Northbelt drilling will primarily target high-grade gold areas such as where hole GTWL22-0014 which returned 31.89 g/t gold over 3 metres including 69.4 g/t Au over 1 metre (see the August 25, 2022 press release) was intersected near surface in the Mispickel area. The Winter 2026 program is designed to advance known high-grade mineralized zones, test new targets, and support future resource growth just north of the town of Yellowknife.

New Five (5) years Land Use Permit, Water Licence, and Security

Gold Terra has received all key regulatory approvals required to conduct exploration work for the next five years at the Yellowknife Project and Con Mine. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has issued a renewed Type A Land Use Permit (MV2025C0015), effective January 17, 2026, with a five-year term (and the ability to apply for a 2-year extension), authorizing mineral exploration activities including diamond drilling, winter road construction, camp operations, and progressive reclamation.

In addition, the Company has been granted a renewed Type B Water Licence (MV2025L8-0006), effective January 17, 2026, with a seven-year term. The licence authorizes water withdrawal and waste deposition associated with mineral exploration and drilling activities, subject to established environmental protection measures.

Gold Terra has also topped up its reclamation securities with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Both securities were topped up in early January for the Land Use permit (LUP) and water license (WL). Both securities totalled $198,000 and $ 36,450 for each permit and cover activities for up to four drill rigs in action.

Gold Terra retains Soar Financial Partners

The Company has retained Soar Financial Partners (a brand of NorthStar Communications GmbH) ("Soar") for a targeted investor relations and media outreach proposal designed to expand Gold Terra's visibility across the United States, Europe, and strategically in Germany, pursuant to an agreement ?entered into between the Company and Soar dated January 1, 2026, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V")?.

Soar provides strategic marketing and investor communications for the mining sector through multi-national road shows, conferences, media outreach and social media platforms primarily for the European investment community. Soar has offices in Frankfurt, Germany and Vancouver.

The investor relations agreement has a one-year term. Pursuant to the agreement, ?Gold Terra will pay Soar a base fee of USD 7,000 per month.

Subject to the policies of the TSX-V and the terms and of ?the Company's ?stock option plan, the Company plans to grant 300,000 options ?to ?purchase common shares of the Company (the "Options") as part consideration for ?its services under ?the Investor Relations Agreement.

Soar does not currently own any shares of the Company or have any other direct or ?indirect interest in ?the Company. The fees paid by the Company to Soar under the ?Investor Relations Agreement are for ?services only.?

Grant of Stock Options

The Company announces that the Board of Directors has approved a grant of stock options under the Company's Stock Option Plan to its directors, officers, employees, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,600,000 treasury shares at $0.19 (including the 300,000 options to Soar).

The options are exercisable at a price of $0.19 per share for a period of 5 years effective on January 2 nd , 2026, expiring on January 2nd, 2031, and are subject to the policies of the TSX V and the Company's Stock Option Plan which includes a vesting period beginning six months after issue for 25% of the options, and 25% every six months following.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Senior Technical Advisor for the Company.

About Gold Terra

The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 836 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the Campbell Shear, where approximately 14 Moz of gold has been produced, (refer to Gold Terra Oct 21, 2022, Technical Report) and most recently on the CMO property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003).

The YP and CMO properties lie on the Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at Home | Gold Terra Resource Corp.

For more information, please contact:

Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO

gpanneton@goldterracorp.com

Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations

Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 416-710-0646

strazdins@goldterracorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards.

U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (" forward-looking information "). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/gold-terra-starts-2026-winter-drill-program-on-con-mine-area-and-provides-corpora-1124207
Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

EP4615820 "Crystalline Forms of Evenamide" is expected to extend asset exclusivity in EU into 2044

Evenamide is currently being investigated in Newron's global ENIGMA-TRS Phase III development program, enrolling at least 1,000 schizophrenia patients with topline results expected in Q4-2026

Evenamide is a first-in-class glutamate modulator with a novel mechanism of action for patients who do not respond adequately, or are resistant to, existing antipsychotic therapies

ENIGMA-TRS program aims to establish evenamide as the first approved add-on therapy for treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS), a patient population with high morbidity and mortality

Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. ("Newron") (SIX: NWRN, XETRA: NP5), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, today announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued the decision to grant an additional patent covering its lead development compound, evenamide. This composition of matter patent EP4615820 claims crystalline forms of evenamide, processes for their preparation, and their uses. The patent has a scheduled term of 2044.

"This European Patent Office decision is evidence of our comprehensive strategy to continuously strengthen the intellectual property protecting our key assets," stated Elena Barbanti, Newron's Senior Director Intellectual Property (IP).

Stefan Weber, Newron's CEO, added: "This is an important milestone for Newron and a testament to the outstanding work of our IP team.

We expect this new patent will extend the exclusivity runway for evenamide, supporting our efforts to maximize its therapeutic and commercial potential. This drug candidate, which is currently progressing through pivotal clinical studies, has the potential to become the first add-on therapy for schizophrenia patients who do not respond adequately, or are resistant to, existing antipsychotic therapies, in our assessment constituting the vast majority of patients suffering from schizophrenia."

Newron has completed the entry into national phases for counterpart patent applications to EP4615820in all key countries. This new composition of matter patent adds to the current extensive IP protection around evenamide.

About treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS)

A significant proportion of patients with schizophrenia show virtually little to no beneficial response to currently available antipsychotic (AP) treatments, leading to a diagnosis of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). TRS is defined as no or inadequate symptom relief despite treatment with therapeutic doses of two APs from two different chemical classes for an adequate period. It is estimated that approximately 15% of patients develop TRS from the onset of illness, and about one-third to 50% of patients with schizophrenia overall. Emerging scientific evidence supports abnormalities in glutamate neurotransmission in TRS, not targeted by current APs, along with normal dopaminergic synthesis, to explain the lack of clinical benefit of most typical and atypical antipsychotics, which act primarily on dopamine receptors. These insights underline the need for novel therapeutic approaches that target the underlying glutamatergic dysfunction in schizophrenia, offering hope for patients who currently have limited or no effective treatment options.

About evenamide

Evenamide is a novel, orally available new chemical entity with a unique mechanism of action distinct from all currently marketed antipsychotics. It acts by selectively blocking voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and exhibits no biological activity at more than 130 other central nervous system (CNS) targets. It normalizes glutamate release induced by aberrant sodium channel activity (veratridine-stimulated), without affecting basal glutamate levels, due to inhibition of VGSCs. Combinations of subtherapeutic doses of evenamide and other APs, including clozapine, were associated with benefit in animal models of psychosis, suggesting synergies in mechanisms that may provide meaningful benefits for patients who do not adequately respond to current APs, including those on clozapine. A recent study conducted at University of Pittsburg suggests that evenamide's efficacy in downregulating the hyperdopaminergic state, social deficits, and memory impairment may result from its ability to attenuate vHipp hyperexcitability (Neuropsychopharmacology; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-025-02188-y). Importantly, the benefits seemed to persist for a substantial time after evenamide had been degraded, also suggesting neural plasticity possibly explaining accumulating long-term effects observed in clinical studies 014/015. While the exact causes of TRS are complex and multifactorial, hippocampal dysfunction rooted in impaired neural plasticity is considered a strong contributing factor. Through its novel glutamatergic modulation, evenamide represents a first-in-class approach aimed at addressing the unmet needs of patients with schizophrenia who are resistant to existing treatments.

About Newron Pharmaceuticals

Newron (SIX: NWRN, XETRA: NP5) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. Headquartered in Bresso near Milan, Italy, the Company has a strong track record of advancing neuroscience-based treatments from discovery to market. Newron's lead compound, evenamide, is a first-in-class glutamate modulator and has the potential to be the first add-on therapy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and for poorly responding patients with schizophrenia. Evenamide is currently developed in the global pivotal ENIGMA-TRS Phase III development program. Clinical trial results to date demonstrate the benefits of this drug candidate in the TRS as well as poorly responding patient population, with significant improvements across key efficacy measures increasing over time, as well as a favorable safety profile, which is uncommon for available antipsychotic medications. Newron has signed development and commercialization agreements for evenamide with EA Pharma (a subsidiary of Eisai) for Japan and other Asian territories, as well as Myung In Pharm for South Korea. Newron's first marketed product, Xadago/safinamide has received marketing authorization for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in the European Union, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, Latin America, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and South Korea. The product is commercialized by Newron's partner Zambon, with Supernus Pharmaceuticals holding marketing rights in the U.S., and Meiji Seika responsible for development and commercialization in Japan and other key Asian territories. For more information, please visit: www.newron.com.

Important Notices

This document contains forward-looking statements, including (without limitation) about (1) Newron's ability to develop and expand its business, successfully complete development of its current product candidates, the timing of commencement of various clinical trials and receipt of data and current and future collaborations for the development and commercialization of its product candidates, (2) the market for drugs to treat CNS diseases and pain conditions, (3) Newron's financial resources, and (4) assumptions underlying any such statements. In some cases, these statements and assumptions can be identified by the fact that they use words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "plan", "believe", "target", and other words and terms of similar meaning. All statements, other than historical facts, contained herein regarding Newron's strategy, goals, plans, future financial position, projected revenues and costs and prospects are forward-looking statements. By their very nature, such statements and assumptions involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described, assumed or implied therein will not be achieved. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set out in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors. These factors include (without limitation) (1) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of products, including without limitation difficulties in enrolling clinical trials, negative results of clinical trials or research projects or unexpected side effects, (2) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market, (3) future market acceptance of products, (4) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights, (5) inability to raise additional funds, (6) success of existing and entry into future collaborations and licensing agreements, (7) litigation, (8) loss of key executive or other employees, (9) adverse publicity and news coverage, and (10) competition, regulatory, legislative and judicial developments or changes in market and/or overall economic conditions. Newron may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements and assumptions underlying any such statements may prove wrong. Investors should therefore not place undue reliance on them. There can be no assurance that actual results of Newron's research programs, development activities, commercialization plans, collaborations and operations will not differ materially from the expectations set out in such forward-looking statements or underlying assumptions. Newron does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable regulations of the SIX Swiss Exchange or the Dusseldorf Stock Exchange where the shares of Newron are listed. This document does not contain or constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities of Newron and no part of it shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106456206/en/

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

Newron

Stefan Weber CEO; +39 02 6103 46 26, pr@newron.com



UK/Europe

Simon Conway Ciara Martin Natalie Garland-Collins, FTI Consulting; +44 20 3727 1000, SCnewron@fticonsulting.com



Switzerland

Valentin Handschin, IRF; +41 43 244 81 54, handschin@irf-reputation.ch



Germany/Europe

Anne Hennecke Maximilian Schur, MC Services; +49 211 52925227, newron@mc-services.eu



USA

Paul Sagan, LaVoieHealthScience; +1 617 865 0041, psagan@lavoiehealthscience.com
SpliceBio, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company pioneering protein splicing to address diseases caused by mutations in large genes, today announced the appointment of Don Munoz as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Munoz, who is based in Boston, is a seasoned biotechnology finance leader with deep experience in financial strategy, operations and corporate development, complemented by a strong background in healthcare investment banking.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106683197/en/

Don Munoz, Chief Financial Officer of SpliceBio

"As we advance our lead program, SB-007 for Stargardt disease, through the clinic and continue to expand SpliceBio's pipeline, strengthening our financial leadership is a critical priority," said Miquel Vila-Perello, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of SpliceBio. "Don brings exceptional experience in guiding biotechnology companies through periods of clinical execution, capital formation and strategic growth. His leadership will be instrumental as we enter our next stages of development and position SpliceBio for long-term value creation."

Mr. Munoz most recently served as CFO of Aurion Biotech, where he helped lead the ocular cell therapy company's acquisition by Alcon in March 2025. Previously, as CFO at NuCana, he led capital formation, partnering and financing strategy, including its $114 million initial public offering and $80 million follow-on offering. Mr. Munoz also served as Group CFO of Noxxon Pharma. Earlier in his career, Mr. Munoz held senior leadership roles in healthcare investment banking, including Managing Director and Head of Medical Technology Investment Banking at both Cowen Company and Leerink Partners, as well as leadership positions at Deutsche Bank and its predecessor, Alex. Brown Sons. Mr. Munoz holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

"SpliceBio has built a differentiated genetic medicines platform with the potential to address diseases that remain underserved by current approaches," said Mr. Munoz. "With impressive clinical progress and a strong leadership team in place, the company is entering an exciting phase of development. I am thrilled to join SpliceBio and to help support the company's continued growth and long-term success for patients."

About SpliceBio

SpliceBio is a clinical-stage genetic medicines company pioneering protein splicing to address diseases caused by mutations in large genes. Our lead program, SB-007, is a gene therapy designed to target the root cause of Stargardt disease, an inherited retinal disorder that causes progressive vision loss and blindness. SpliceBio is currently enrolling participants in ASTRA, a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of SB-007, and POLARIS, a natural history study in patients with the disease. The SpliceBio platform combines advanced intein, protein splicing and protein engineering technologies, and supports a pipeline of gene therapy programs in ophthalmology and neurology. For additional information, visit www.splice.bio and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106683197/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Amanda Lazaro, 1AB

amanda@1abmedia.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") is pleased to announce a "best efforts" brokered private placement, co-led by A.G.P. Canada Investments ULC and Integrity Capital Group Inc., for the issuance of up to 15,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of CAD$1.00 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CAD$15,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering is being completed pursuant to National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions set forth in Part 5A thereof, as amended by the Canadian Securities Administrators' Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "LIFE Exemption") to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec, and such other jurisdictions outside of Canada in compliance with applicable securities laws of those jurisdictions. There is a Form 45-106F19 offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under Kuya Silver's issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website https://www.kuyasilver.com. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision.

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of CAD$1.30 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Units issued in the Offering pursuant to the LIFE Exemption will not be subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering and other available funds for general corporate and working capital purposes, to advance the Company's Bethania project in Peru ("Bethania Project") with the acquisition of and/or development of concentrate processing capacity (which may include, at the Company's discretion, the acquisition of processing operations or equipment that may be located outside of the immediate Bethania Project area), to continue to explore the Silver Kings Project in Ontario and for discretionary growth capital, as more specifically detailed in the Offering Document.

The Offering may close in multiple tranches, with the first tranche closing expected to occur on or before January 22, 2026 and the final closing to occur within 45 days of the date hereof. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange").

David Stein, Kuya Silver's President and CEO commented, "Given the stronger market conditions, Kuya Silver is in a unique position in the short-term to vertically integrate our production capabilities. Our immediate focus is to transition from toll milling to self-processing of silver concentrate, further de-risking our production ramp-up and laying the foundation for future production growth. We are evaluating several options, each of which are fully permitted and can provide a seamless transition towards capturing a greater portion of the value chain from our silver production at the Bethania Project."

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented mining company with a focus on silver. Kuya Silver operates the Bethania silver mine in Peru, while developing district-scale silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions including Peru and Canada.

Reader Advisory

This press release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the size and terms of the Offering, closing of the Offering in one or more tranches, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, the ability of the Company to obtain requisite approvals for the Offering and the Company's goals, plans and objectives. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic, regulatory, or other unforeseen uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, without limitation: the Company receiving all requisite approvals in connection with the Offering, including Exchange approval; success of the Company's projects; prices for metals remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Company's projects; capital estimates; prices for energy inputs; labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279595

Source: Kuya Silver Corporation
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Peruvian Metals Corp (TSXV: PER) (OTC Pink: DUVNF) ("Peruvian Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce production results for 2025 at its 80-per-cent-owned Aguila Norte processing plant ("Aguila Norte" or the "Plant") located in Northern Peru. The Company is also pleased to provide a summary of its core and non-core projects which shows the Company has a significant exposure to Gold and Silver in Peru.

During 2025, the Plant processed a yearly record of 36,616 tonnes of third-party mineral. Compared with 33,889 in 2024, 30,199 tonnes in 2023 and 29,667 tonnes in 2022, production has increased five straight years. The 2025 production represents an increase of 8 % compared to 2024. The Plant was at full capacity during 2025. Plant expansion plans are currently being considered.

The Company is currently planning its 2026 development and exploration programs for its 100% owned properties. The 2026 development programs will also include the Company's Mercedes Property in which the Company has a 50% indirect interest. Development costs will be equally shared with its partner, Hudson Heartland. Permitting is well advanced at both Palta Dorada and Mercedes allowing for extraction of mineral for processing. The Company is also encouraged by the gold oxide mineral on both the Palta Dorada Au-Ag-Cu site, and at the Aguila Norte Plant site. Oxide material will be sold to local toll mills for immediate payment while the Company plans to design a future Carbon in Pulp ("CIP") Plant. The Company is currently conducting metallurgical studies at both Palta Dorada and Mercedes and will provide results once available. Sulphide mineral from Palta Dorada will be processed at the Aguila Norte Plant whereas mineral from Mercedes will be processed at a third-party mill located 12 km's from the property site.

The Company will start to review the Au-Ag-Cu veins located in and around the Aguila Norte Plant in early 2026. The Company received 54 tonnes ("mt") of oxide gold material grading 5.31 oz Au/mt as a royalty from a small miner during 2025. The mineral was extracted from old workings located on the Company's concession. The Company successfully sold this mineral, showing potential profitability. Development plans are currently underway which include portal locations, metallurgical work and topographic control. Assay results and a more detailed summary of the area is outlined in the Company's press release dated December 17th, 2025.

Non-core properties of interest include the 100% owned Minas Vizca and the Yanayco properties located in Northern Peru. Both properties have significant silver and gold values. Minas Vizca was acquired in 2021 by application with the mining public registry. Assays from ten samples taken from old stockpiles in four different areas ranged from 0.06 to 1.24 grams Au/mt, 0.71 to 47.82 oz Ag/mt, 0.34 per cent to 9.25 per cent Pb and 0.13 per cent to 4.93 per cent Zn averaging 0.49 grams Au/mt, 12.93 oz Ag/mt, 2.62 per cent Pb and 1.68 per cent Zn (see the Company's press release dated November 10, 2021).

Yanayco, formerly called Pueblo de Oro, hosts an historic gold mine from 1980's. There exists an old mine working which is extensive. Mining focused on folded brecciated quartzites belonging to the Chimu Formation. The Chimu quartzites are excellent hosts for precious metal mineralization in northern Peru. Barrick's Alto Chicama mine and Zijin's La Arena mine are examples of this type of precious metal mineralization. The Company believes Yanayco has the potential to be an underground high-grade operation similar to PPX Mining's Igor project in northern Peru.

Sampling in the old working returned up to 7.33 grams Au/mt and 30.9 ounces Ag/mt in individual samples. In total, 36 random grab samples were taken underground and averaged 0.73 grams Au/mt and 1.95 ounces Ag/mt. It is apparent that the Au-Ag grade depends on the brecciation intensity. The old mine dumps returned anomalous results from grab samples ranging from 4 grams Au/mt and 12.58 ounces Ag/mt. In total, 14 samples were collected from the old mine dumps and averaged 0.81 grams Au/mt and 4.41 ounces Ag/mt.

In December 2025, Peruvian Metals received 3,999,999 shares of Rio Silver Inc. ("Rio Silver") (TSXV: RYO) for the sale of Minas Maria Property. Rio Silver closed at 50 cents on December 31st. The Company is pleased to be the single largest shareholder of Rio Silver.

"We are pleased to achieve several milestones during 2025. The Company achieved record production at our Aguila Norte Plant. With historic highs for gold and silver, we are making significant progress on permitting and metallurgical work on Palta Dorada and Mercedes properties. We will continue to review additional gold opportunities in Northern Peru by moving into the Peruvian gold space which is bolstered by the progress Palta Dorada. The acquisition is one of many catalysts and sources of material for a potential CIP circuit," commented Jeffrey Reeder, C.E.O. of the Company.

Peruvian Metals has granted incentive stock options to various directors, officers, and consultants to purchase up to 4.2 million common shares of the company on or before January 6th, 2029, at an exercise price of six cents per share, in accordance with its stock option plan and subject to regulatory approval.

Qualified Person

Jeffrey Reeder, P. Geo., is the Qualified Person, as defined in National Instrument 43-101, who has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this release.

About Peruvian Metals Corp.

Peruvian Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration and mineral processing company. Our business model is to acquire and develop precious and base metal properties in Peru and to provide clients with toll milling services and produce high-grade marketable concentrates from mineral purchases. The Aguila Norte processing plant has an environmental permit ("IGAC") from the Peruvian government which provides the Company with the ability to expand operations past the current 100 tonnes per day level.

ON BEHALF OF PERUVIAN METALS

CORP.

(Signed) Jeffrey Reeder

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. We use words such as "might", "will", "should", "anticipate", "plan", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "forecast" and similar terminology to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Such statements and information are based on assumptions, estimates, opinions, and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments as well as other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and information and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such statements and information. Risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedarplus.ca. While the Company believes that the expectations expressed by such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information and the assumptions, estimates, opinions, and analysis underlying such expectations are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct. In evaluating forward-looking statements and information, readers should carefully consider the various factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279582

Source: Peruvian Metals Corp.
$15 Million Program and Budget to Advance High-Grade Pike Zone Discovery

2026 Program will be Co-Funded on a Pro-Rata Basis

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7) ("CanAlaska" or the "Company") is preparing for the start of the approved $15 million exploration program on the West McArthur Joint Venture project (the "Project") in the southeastern Athabasca Basin (Figure 1). The 2026 West McArthur program will focus on continued step outs from the Pike Zone high-grade mineralization to evaluate for additional zones of high-grade uranium mineralization and continuation of the associated large hydrothermal alteration system. The West McArthur project, a Joint Venture with Cameco Corporation, is operated by CanAlaska that holds an estimated 88.86% ownership in the Project as a result of sole-funding exploration in 2025. The 2026 exploration program will be co-funded by Cameco and CanAlaska under the Joint Venture.

Figure 1 - West McArthur Project Location

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/279518_a5a1084814546bfc_002full.jpg

2026 West McArthur Exploration Program

During the 2025 exploration program on the West McArthur Project, the Company successfully completed a winter and summer drilling program. During the winter drilling program, the Company significantly expanded the high-grade footprint of the Pike Zone and geochemical assay results confirm the best drillholes to date on the project, including composite intervals in WMA079-01 which intersected 8.6 metres at 34.59% U3O8, including 5.5 metres at 53.90% U3O8 at the unconformity and WMA076-01 which intersected 14.8 metres at 14.71% U3O8, including 5.4 metres at 39.67% U3O8 at the unconformity (see News Release dated July 17th, 2025). During the summer program, the Company focused on continued step outs from the Pike Zone high-grade mineralization footprint to evaluate for additional zones of uranium mineralization and continuation of the associated large hydrothermal alteration system. Results from the summer drill program indicate the strong hydrothermal alteration, intense structural disruption, and uranium mineralization appear to be increasing to the southwest along the C10S trend approximately 250 metres away from the high-grade zone. These results highlight the potential for additional zones of high-grade unconformity-associated uranium mineralization to exist (see News Release dated November 6th, 2025). The mineralized footprint of the Pike Zone at the unconformity has now been traced over 500 metres with a 140-metre-long high-grade pod outlined by multiple drill fences.

Figure 2 - 2026 Winter Drill Target Areas on West McArthur Project

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/279518_a5a1084814546bfc_004full.jpg

Starting in early January of 2026, the Company will have three drills working on the West McArthur Project as part of the $15 million exploration program. The drill rigs will be focused on continued step outs from the Pike Zone high-grade mineralization to evaluate for additional zones of uranium mineralization and continuation of the associated large hydrothermal alteration system. During the 2026 winter exploration program, the primary focus will be step outs to the immediate southwest and northeast along the C10S trend (Figure 2).

To the southwest of the high-grade core, the unconformity target area along the C10S trend was only sparsely tested over 250 metres strike length during the 2025 summer drill program and remains completely untested for approximately 800 metres further southwest where alteration and fault structures were intersected in a previous drill program. No drilling of the C10S corridor has occurred from this area to the southwest property boundary providing approximately 9 kilometres of untested target corridor.

To the northeast of the Pike Zone along the C10S trend, the unconformity target area remains very sparsely tested with one drillhole completed approximately 500 metres along strike to the northeast where alteration and fault structures were intersected in a previous drill program. Beyond this drillhole, the C10S corridor to the northeast remains poorly tested over approximately six kilometres to the northeastern property boundary with anomalous alteration, structure, and geochemistry identified on multiple drill fences between the Pike Zone and 42 Zone.

Outside of the Pike Zone and 42 Zone mineralization areas on the Project, the 16-kilometre-long C10/C10S conductive corridor remains relatively untested. Based on the recent positive results and the already proven uranium endowment of the C10 and C10S corridors, the Company believes there is significant potential for discovery of additional unconformity-related high-grade zones of uranium mineralization.

As part of the 2026 exploration program, the Company is also completing a ground-based electromagnetic survey to investigate the extension of the Epp Lake conductor on to the West McArthur Project. A modern Stepwise Moving Loop Time Domain Electromagnetics survey, using the same survey design that led to the discovery of the Pike Zone, is planned to advance this part of the West McArthur Project. The survey will be completed by Abitibi Geophysics.

The geochemical assay results from the summer portion of the 2025 exploration program are pending.

CanAlaska CEO, Cory Belyk, comments, "It is nice to have our joint venture partner return to funding the West McArthur program in 2026. The CanAlaska team believes the 2025 program delivered on our mandates: 1) to delineate and expand the known footprint of the high-grade uranium mineralization at Pike Zone; and 2) to evaluate the nearby C10S corridor for additional uranium mineralization. Both mandates were successfully met as part of the 2025 program and the Pike Zone unconformity uranium mineralization now has a strike length of 500 metres and remains open in both directions for potential expansion. We look forward to advancing the West McArthur project to the next level of understanding in 2026."

About CanAlaska Uranium

CanAlaska is a leading explorer of uranium in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. With a project generator model, the Company has built a large portfolio of uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin. CanAlaska owns numerous uranium properties, totaling approximately 500,000 hectares, with clearly defined targets in the Athabasca Basin covering both basement and unconformity uranium deposit potential. The Company has recently concentrated on the West McArthur high-grade uranium expansion with targets in 2024 and 2025 leading to significant success at Pike Zone. Fully financed for the upcoming 2026 drill season, CanAlaska is focused on uranium deposit discovery and delineation in a safe and secure jurisdiction. The Company has the right team in place with a track record of discovery and projects that are located next to critical mine and mill infrastructure.

The Company's head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with a satellite office in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Nathan Bridge, MSc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., who has reviewed and approved its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Cory Belyk"

Cory Belyk, P.Geo., FGC

CEO, President and Director

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.

Contacts:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the Company cautions against placing undue reliance thereon. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279518

Source: CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.
PISCATAWAY, N.J., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GenScript Biotech Corporation, a global leader in life sciences R&D and manufacturing services, is proud to announce its 5th Annual Biotech Global Forum, scheduled for January 14, 2026, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.

Now in its fifth year, GenScript Biotech Global Forum has become a convening platform to push the boundaries of what's possible for the global biotech ecosystem. Held alongside the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference week, the Forum brings together the scientists, innovators, investors and decision-makers to discuss the future of biotechnology - where discovery, computation and therapeutic development converge to turn scientific possibilities into patient impact.

Under the theme 'Scripting Possibilities', this year's Forum will explore how transformative advancements, computational revolutions and emerging technologies redefine what is possible in cell and gene therapies (CGTs) and next-generation biotherapeutics. Attendees will engage in forward-looking discussions on the technologies and collaborations shaping next-generation biotherapeutics and accelerating the path from idea to impact.

"The Global Forum has become a central gathering point for leaders driving progress across the biotech ecosystem," said Sherry Shao, CEO, GenScript Biotech Corp. "We are proud to bring this community together in San Francisco once again. Our mission is to empower researchers and companies end-to-end - with integrated technologies, platforms and expertise - from discovery to development and manufacturing through our Life Science Group and ProBio businesses. GenScript is confidently expanding its role in the industry to turn bold scientific ideas into real therapeutic impact and to accelerate the delivery of these innovations to patients worldwide."

Two Visionaries Defining the Next Chapter in Biotech

The 5th Annual Biotech Global Forum will feature two globally recognized keynote speakers whose work is redefining the boundaries of science, computation, and therapeutic innovation:

David Baker, PhD , Director, Institute for Protein Design; Professor of Biochemistry, University of Washington; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2024). Dr. Baker is the pioneer of computational protein design, creating new molecules and therapeutic modalities once thought impossible and fundamentally redefining how medicines can be engineered.

, Director, Institute for Protein Design; Professor of Biochemistry, University of Washington; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2024). Dr. Baker is the pioneer of computational protein design, creating new molecules and therapeutic modalities once thought impossible and fundamentally redefining how medicines can be engineered. Eric Horvitz, PhD, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft. Dr. Horvitz is a trailblazer in artificial intelligence and responsible AI, driving advancements that are influencing how computation accelerates biomedical research, drug development and clinical decision-making at global scale.

Together, these leaders represent the convergence of biology and intelligence - where molecules are designed with algorithms and insight is amplified through AI.

Forum Highlights:

Keynote & Fireside Conversation: A forward-looking discussion on computational protein design, AI and the future architecture of therapeutic innovation.

A forward-looking discussion on computational protein design, AI and the future architecture of therapeutic innovation. Insight-Driven Panel Sessions: Exploring the next frontier in cell and gene therapy, AI-enabled drug discovery and the global forces shaping biotech's evolution.

Exploring the next frontier in cell and gene therapy, AI-enabled drug discovery and the global forces shaping biotech's evolution. Technology Showcase: Featuring GenScript's next-generation Dark Lab and GenGenius+ automation platform, demonstrating how AI and automation are transforming laboratory workflows.

Featuring GenScript's next-generation Dark Lab and GenGenius+ automation platform, demonstrating how AI and automation are transforming laboratory workflows. Advanced Therapy Spotlight: Perspectives on translating CGT innovation into scalable, clinical-ready solutions, informed by GenScript's end-to-end capabilities, including ProBio's advanced biologics and cell and gene therapy manufacturing expertise.

Perspectives on translating CGT innovation into scalable, clinical-ready solutions, informed by GenScript's end-to-end capabilities, including ProBio's advanced biologics and cell and gene therapy manufacturing expertise. High-Impact Networking: Connecting scientists, biotech leaders, investors and technology partners to spark collaboration and unlock new opportunities throughout the program and evening reception.

"Biotechnology is at an inflection point - where speed, precision and collaboration are no longer optional," said Ray Chen, PhD, President, GenScript Life Science Group. "The Global Forum is designed to bring together the leaders scripting what comes next, and to explore ways of pushing the boundaries of what's seemingly impossible. This year's program reflects a powerful convergence - discovery science, computational intelligence and therapeutic development coming together to script what's possible next. When these forces align, scientific discoveries move faster, scale smarter and reach patients sooner."

Registration for the GenScript Biotech Global Forum is now open.

For more information and to register, please visit GenScript's official website.

About GenScript Biotech Corporation

Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in biotech and healthcare by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. Guided by its mission to Make People and Nature Healthier Through Biotechnology, GenScript supports customers across the full innovation lifecycle - from early discovery and automation-driven research to advanced biologics and manufacturing - including through its ProBio business. GenScript has a team of over 5,700 employees and has served more than 200,000 customers across over 100 countries and regions.

Learn more here: https://www.genscript.com.

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Results from an additional 11 diamond drill holes expand the mineralized envelope at Rhosgobel by 400 m with multiple holes returning >100 gram metres (g/t*m) of gold

Hole DDRCRG-25-027 returned 156.9 m of 1.00 g/t Au, including 94.0 m of 1.41 g/t Au , 38.0 m of 2.03 g/t Au and 2.0 m of 19.30 g/t Au

Hole DDRCRG-25-024 returned 146.7 m of 1.05 g/t Au, including 12.0 m of 3.89 g/t Au and 3.0 m of 8.67 g/t Au

Hole DDRCRG-25-019 returned 110.0 m of 1.01 g/t Au , within a larger interval of 126.0 m of 0.93 g/t Au from surface

Assay results from drilling confirm gold mineralization along a strike length of 975 m with visible gold observed within sheeted quartz veins over the entire 1.1 km of strike length drilled in 2025 with assays pending from the remaining 15 drill holes

Tungsten mineralization associated with gold grades continues to be observed

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Sitka Gold Corp. (TSXV: SIG) (FSE: 1RF) (OTCQB: SITKF) ("Sitka" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional strong gold results from diamond drilling completed at the Rhosgobel discovery at its 100% owned, road accessible RC Gold Project ("RC Gold" or the "Project") located within the Yukon's prolific Tombstone Gold Belt. Analytical results for drill holes DDRCRG-25-018 through DDRCRG-25-028 have been received and compiled and are reported herein. Results from these drill holes have significantly expanded the known mineralized zone at Rhosgobel, a reduced intrusion-related gold deposit target located within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex (CCIC; see Figures 9 and 10), with strong gold intercepts such as 156.9 m of 1.00 g/t gold, including 94.0 metres of 1.41 g/t gold and 38.0 metres of 2.03 g/t gold returned in DDRCRG-25-027 and 146.7 m of 1.05 g/t gold, including 12.0 metres of 3.89 g/t gold returned in DDRCRG-25-024. Tungsten mineralization also continues to be observed at Rhosgobel (see news release dated September 18, 2025). The mineralized zone at Rhosgobel begins at surface and remains open in all directions. Mineralization typical of Reduced-Intrusion Related Gold Systems (RIRGS) consisting of sheeted quartz veining has been observed in drilling along a strike length of 1.1 km and to a depth of over 400 metres. Visible gold within sheeted quartz veins has been observed across the entire 1.1 km strike that has been drilled to date (see Figures 2 and 4). An additional 15 drill holes completed at Rhosgobel are currently pending release.





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"Our Rhosgobel discovery continues to impress with the latest results from our drilling efforts returning exceptional gold values from surface and further expanding the known strike of mineralization," stated Cor Coe, CEO and Director of Sitka Gold. "Drilling to date at Rhosgobel has confirmed a large zone of higher-grade gold mineralization that begins at surface across a 975 km strike length where 19 of the 28 drill holes released to date have returned intersections exceeding 100 gram-metres of gold. With reduced intrusion-related gold style mineralization observed in all drill holes completed to date over the initial 1.1 km strike length tested, which remains open in all directions, Rhosgobel is quickly shaping up as one of the most significant new gold discoveries made in 2025 and the third major gold deposit discovered within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex with the potential to host a multi-million ounce gold resource. We look forward to compiling and releasing the remaining 15 holes from Rhosgobel, along with the remaining drill holes from the Contact, Pukelman and Bearpaw targets. With up to 60,000 metres of fully-funded drilling planned for this year, Sitka is well positioned to rapidly advance this emerging gold camp as we focus on continued expansion of known deposits and new discoveries within the district-scale, target rich RC Gold Project."

Figure 1: A cross section showing gold assay results of DDRCRG-25-027 which returned 156.9 m of 1.00 g/t Au, including 94.0 m of 1.41 g/t Au, 38.0 m of 2.03 g/t Au and 2.0 m of 19.30 g/t Au, along with instances of visible gold observed in the drill core (yellow stars).

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Figure 2: A plan map of drilling at the Rhosgobel discovery within the gold-in-soil anomaly of the target area.

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Figure 3: A cross section showing gold assay results of DDRCRG-25-022 and DDRCRG-25-024, which returned 146.7 m of 1.05 g/t Au, including 12.0 m of 3.89 g/t Au and 3.0 m of 8.67 g/t Au, along with instances of visible gold observed in the drill core (yellow stars).

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Figure 4: A plan map showing drilling completed at Rhosgobel within the larger 1.5 x 2.0 km target area as outlined by the strong gold-in-soil anomaly discovered on surface. Mineralization at Rhosgobel remains open in all directions.

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Figure 5: Examples of visible gold (VG) observed in drill core at Rhosgobel. Click HERE to see additional images of VG from Rhosgobel.

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Figure 6: Example of sheeted quartz - tourmaline veins in faulted and oxidized megacrystic quartz monzonite in DDRCRG-25-027 from the 38.0 m interval from 174.0 m containing 1.03 g/t Au, including 2.0 m of 19.3 g/t Au from 188.0 m

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RHOSGOBEL DRILLING

To date, 43 holes totalling 12,722 m have been completed at Rhosgobel. All holes drilled have intersected significant reduced intrusion-related gold style mineralization including centimetre-scale, sheeted, quartz veins and larger, metre-scale quartz, and quartz-tourmaline veins (and breccias) cutting the feldspar megacrystic quartz monzonite intrusion. Visible gold has been observed within all styles of veins and is often associated with bismuthinite, scheelite, and molybdenite. Drilling to date has traced gold mineralization over a strike length of approximately 1.1 kilometres within a large 2.0 km x 1.5 km surface signature represented by a gold-in-soil anomaly with values up to >500 ppb (Figure 4). Gold mineralization at Rhosgobel begins at surface, extends to a depth of over 400 metres and remains open in all directions. Nineteen of the first 28 diamond drill holes reported from Rhosgobel, including the two discovery holes drilled in 2024, have intersected >100 gram-metres gold (g/t Au*m). Assays are currently pending for the remaining 15 holes completed at Rhosgobel in 2025.

* While visible gold observations are very encouraging and confirm the presence of gold mineralization, they are not intended to imply potential gold grades. Gold assays will be published after they are received from the lab for mineralized intervals in which visible gold particles were noted.





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TUNGSTEN AT RHOSGOBEL

Tungsten mineralization continues to be observed at Rhosgobel, suggesting it could be an economic by-product of potential future production. The assay technique ME-MS41, is used on all drill samples to test for additional trace elements associated with gold mineralization. The technique provides only a partial digestion of the tungsten bearing mineral scheelite therefore additional analysis is required to provide accurate tungsten values. Tungsten mineralization, primarily as the mineral scheelite, has been observed in all of the drill holes completed to date at Rhosgobel and occurs as coarse (up to 5 cm) scheelite crystals within the sub-metre scale quartz, and quartz tourmaline veins and as smaller (0.5-1 cm) crystals with the centimetre-scale sheeted quartz veins. The Company is very encouraged by these initial analytical results, however, additional work is needed to further investigate the nature and distribution of tungsten mineralization and its potential economic significance at Rhosgobel as a by-product of potential gold production.

The company has submitted additional samples from drill hole DDRCRG-25-004 for tungsten analysis including a lithium borate fusion with an XRF finish, sodium peroxide fusion with and ICS-AES finish, and 4-acid digest with ICS-MS finish to compare results and to follow up on the positive results obtained from hole DDRCRG-24-002, which intersected zones of high-grade tungsten (6.98 m of 0.39% WO3, and 0.61 m of 4.73 % WO3) within broad zones of lower grade tungsten mineralization (75.5 m of 0.132 % WO3, and 46.19 m of 0.121 % WO3). Gold assays for hole 002 returned 173.3 metres of 0.60 g/t gold from 97.0 metres, including 28.4 metres of 1.40 g/t gold from 105.0 metres, and 12.4 metres of 2.40 g/t gold from 121.0 metres (see news release dated September 18, 2025). Once results of the current test work have been completed and reviewed, additional samples will be submitted to assess the tungsten distribution at Rhosgobel.

Figure 7: Example of scheelite (top picture), a common tungsten mineral, illuminated by ultra-violet light with visible gold and bismuthinite (red circles) in a quartz vein in drill core from the Rhosgobel intrusion along with an additional example of visible gold (bottom picture), both observed in DDRCRG-25-042.

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May-Qu Drill Results

Two holes drilled from the same location at the May-Qu target were completed during the 2025 season to test the south and southwest extension of multigram rock sample results returned from previous exploration (see Figure 8). MQ-25-002 was drilled at 205 degrees azimuth and a -60 degree dip to a final length of 326.1 m while MQ25-003 was drilled at a 025 degrees azimuth with a -60 degree dip to a final length of 280.4 m. Both holes intersected granodiorite intrusive rock with local sheeted quartz veins containing varying amounts of arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and bismuthinite.

Analytical results returned gold values of up to 2.0 m of 0.70 g/t Au and elevated values for pathfinder elements arsenic and bismuth in MQ-25-002, suggesting that the mineralized system is strengthening in a southwest direction. The May-Qu target encompasses a large area that includes the Tombstone Suite Bos stock intrusion exposed along the eastern margin of a large magnetic low signature that is typical of Reduced-Intrusion Gold Systems (see Figure 8). Several target areas remain untested by drilling within the May-Qu area and additional work is planned at May-Qu in 2026 to follow up on the anomalous 2025 results and test numerous other mineralized sites in the May-Qu area.

Figure 8: Plan map of the May-Qu target area showing geochemical and geophysical results along with drill hole locations. Additional work is planned at May-Qu in 2026 to follow up on the 2025 drill results and test numerous other mineralized sites in the May-Qu area where surface grab samples have returned up to 31.7 g/t Au and 585.0 g/t Ag.

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Figure 9: A plan map showing the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex (CCIC) location within the district-scale RC Gold Project showing the updated resource areas at Blackjack and Eiger along with the newly discovered Rhosgobel zone and several other high-priority drill targets and multiple exploration targets. The map highlights the numerous drill targets that Sitka has outlined within the CCIC which all are connected by the existing road network on the project and occur in an area measuring approximately five (5) km north-south and twelve (12) km east-west. Several regional exploration and drill targets are also highlighted across the project area (yellow and orange stars).

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Figure 10*: A plan map of the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex (CCIC) showing the updated resource areas at Blackjack and Eiger, and the six additional areas that have drill targets indicated by the mauve hatched areas. The map highlights the numerous drill targets that Sitka has outlined within the CCIC which all are connected by the road network on the project and occur in an area measuring five (5) km north-south and twelve (12) km east-west. Additional areas highlighted by strong gold in soil anomalies are being advanced to the drill ready stage with additional geological work planned in 2026.

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* References for Figure 10 drilling intervals:

Rhosgobel Intervals: Sitka Gold News Release dated November 25, 2024

Pukelman Intervals: Sitka Gold News Release dated January 7, 2025

Contact Intervals: O'Brien, 2010; Assessment Report, 2010 Diamond Drilling Program, Clear Creek Property (Assessment report 095539)

Shutty, 2011; Assessment Report, 2011 Exploration Program, Clear Creek Property (Assessment Report 095984)

Bear Paw Intervals: Shutty, 2011; Assessment Report, 2011 Exploration Program, Clear Creek Property (Assessment Report 095984)

Figure 11: Regional map of the RC Gold Project located in the western portion of Yukon's prolific Tombstone Gold Belt.

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About Sitka's Flagship RC Gold Project

Sitka's 100% owned RC Gold Project consists of a 431 square kilometre contiguous district-scale land package located in the heart of Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City, which has a 5,000 foot paved runway, and is accessed via a secondary gravel road from the Klondike Highway which is usable year-round and is an approximate 2 hour drive from Dawson City. It is one of the largest consolidated land packages strategically positioned mid-way between the Eagle Gold Mine and the past producing Brewery Creek Gold Mine.

The RC Gold Project now has pit-constrained mineral resources that are contained in two zones: the Blackjack and Eiger gold deposits with 1,291,000 ounces of gold in 39,962,000 tonnes grading 1.01 g/t gold in an indicated category and 1,044,000 ounces of gold in 34,603,000 tonnes grading 0.94 g/t in an inferred category at Blackjack and 440,000 ounces of gold in 27,362,000 tonnes grading 0.50 g/t gold in an inferred category at Eiger. These resource estimate numbers are supported by the recently updated technical report for RC Gold, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards, entitled "Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory", prepared by Ronald G. Simpson, P. Geo., of GeoSim Services Inc. with an effective date of January 21, 2025. This report is available on SEDAR+ (http://www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.sitkagoldcorp.com).

Both of these deposits begin at surface, are potentially open pit minable and Initial bottle roll metallurgical testing confirmed the non-refractory characteristics of the gold mineralization and returned gold extraction rates averaging around 85%. Further metallurgical testwork in 2024 returned recoveries ranging from 77.6 to 93% for gravity followed by cyanidation.

For the purposes of the current resource model, it is assumed that a likely mill flowsheet would consist of a gravimetric, flotation, and cyanidation circuit.

The company has now completed 165 diamond drill holes for a total of 59,770 metres across the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex (CCIC), and an additional 3 holes for 858 metres in the May-Qu Intrusion. Drilling continues to outline higher grade mineralization at all zones including hole DDRCCC-24-068 at Blackjack which intersected 678.1 metres of 1.04 g/t gold starting from surface (see news release dated October 21, 2024), and hole DDRCCC-25-075 which intersected 352.8 metres of 1.55 g/t gold including 108.9 metres of 3.27 g/t gold and 45.0 metres of 4.52 g/t gold (see news release dated April 22, 2025). Drilling in 2024/2025 has resulted in the discovery of a new higher grade zone at Rhosggobel including hole DDRCRG-25-010 at Rhosgobel which intersected 235.9 metres of 1.11 g/t gold, including 40.0 m of 2.01 g/t gold and 10.0 m of 5.29 g/t gold, from surface (see news release dated September 18, 2025).

RC Gold Deposit Model

Exploration on the Property has mainly focused on identifying an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS"). The property is within the Tombstone Gold Belt which is the prominent host to IRGS deposits within the Tintina Gold Province in Yukon and Alaska. Notable deposits from the belt include: Fort Knox Mine in Alaska with current Proven and Probable Reserves of 230 million tonnes at 0.3 g/t Au (2.471 million ounces; Sims 2018)(1); Eagle Gold Mine with current Measured and Indicated Resources of 233 million tonnes at a grade of 0.57 g/t Au at the Eagle Main Zone (4.303 million ounces; Harvey et al, 2022)(2); the Brewery Creek deposit with current Indicated Mineral Resource of 22.2 million tonnes at a gold grade of 1.11 g/t (0.789 million ounces; Hulse et al. 2020)(3); the AurMac Project with an Indicated Mineral Resource of 112.5 million tonnes grading 0.63 gram per tonne gold (2.274 million ounces)(4) plus an Inferred resource of 280.6 million tonnes grading 0.60 g/t gold (5.454 million ounces)(4), the Valley Deposit, with a current Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 7.94 million oz gold at 1.21 g/t and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 0.89 million oz at 0.62 g/t gold(5), and the Raven deposit with an inferred mineral resource of 1.1 million oz (19.96 million tonnes at 1.67 g/t gold)(6). The QP has been unable to verify the information regarding the above resource estimations and the information is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the property that is the subject of the disclosure.

(1) Sims J. Fort Knox Mine Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USA National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. June 11, 2018. https://s2.q4cdn.com/496390694/files/doc_downloads/2018/Fort-Knox-June-2018-Technical-Report.pdf

(2) Harvey N., Gray P., Winterton J., Jutras M., Levy M.,Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine, Yukon Territory, Canada. Victoria Gold Corp. December 31, 2022. https://vgcx.com/site/assets/files/6534/vgcx_-_2023_eagle_mine_technical_report_final.pdf

(3) Hulse D, Emanuel C, Cook C. NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources. Gustavson Associates. May 31, 2020. https://minedocs.com/22/Brewery-Creek-PEA-01182022.pdf

(4) July 8, 2025,Banyan Gold Corp., News Release. https://banyangold.com/news-releases/2025/banyan-announces-first-indicated-mineral-resources-and-identifies-high-grade-continuous-zones-at-its-aurmac-project-yukon-canada/

(5) https://snowlinegold.com/2025/05/15/snowline-gold-expands-measured-and-indicated-gold-ounces-by-96-in-updated-mineral-resource-estimate-at-its-valley-gold-deposit-yukon/

(6) Jutras, M. 2022. Technical Report on the Raven Mineral Deposit, Mayo Mining District Yukon Territory, Canada, prepared for Victoria Gold Corp and filed on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) with an effective date of September 15, 2022

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

On receipt from the drill site, the HTW/NTW-sized drill core was systematically logged for geological attributes, photographed and sampled at Sitka's core logging facility. Sample lengths as small as 0.3 m were used to isolate features of interest, otherwise a default 2 m downhole sample length was used. Each sample is identified by a unique sample tag number which is placed in the bag containing the core to be assayed. Core was cut in half lengthwise along a predetermined line, with one-half (same half, consistently) collected for analysis and one-half stored as a record. Standard reference materials, blanks and duplicate samples were inserted by Sitka personnel at regular intervals into the sample stream. Bagged samples were placed in secure bins to ensure integrity during transport. They were delivered by Sitka personnel or a contract expeditor to ALS Laboratories' preparatory facility in Whitehorse, Yukon, with analyses completed in North Vancouver.

ALS is accredited to ISO 17025:2005 UKAS ref. 4028 for its laboratory analysis. Samples were crushed by ALS to over 70 per cent passing below two millimetres and split using a riffle splitter. One-thousand-gram splits were pulverized to over 85 per cent passing below 75 microns. Gold determinations are by fire assay with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish on 50 g subsamples of the prepared pulp (ALS code: Au-ICP-22). Any sample returning over 10 g/t gold was re-analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 50 g subsample (ALS code: Au-GRA21). In addition, a 51-element analysis was performed on a 0.5 g subsample of the prepared pulps by an aqua regia digestion followed by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) finish (ALS code: ME-MS41).

Coppermine River Update

The Company also reports results from the inaugural diamond drill program completed at its Coppermine River project located near Kugluktuk, Nunavut. The program, conducted by Arctic Copper Corp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sitka, was designed to follow up on previous prospecting discoveries where geochemical and geophysical surveys had outlined prospective drill targets.

Four wide-spaced reconnaissance holes were drilled at the Copper Leaf Showing (see Figure 12) to follow up on sediment-hosted copper mineralization discovered in 2015 and on subsequent gravity survey anomalies. These are proximal to a prominent north-south trending Gabbro Dike that transects the area for more than 12 km. Drilling results at Copper Leaf returned anomalous copper values and has not yet identified the source of mineralization found at surface.

Three wide-spaced reconnaissance holes were also drilled at the WIN and HA showings (see Figure 13), where historic trenching from the 1960's uncovered high grade volcanic-hosted copper mineralization found in the Copper Creek Basalts. Past sampling of these results by Sitka personnel returned assays as high as 40% copper with 36.0 g/t silver at the WIN Trench, and as high as 17% copper with 29.0 g/t silver at the HA Trench. Assay results from the 2025 drilling campaign returned anomalous copper values in the core samples and have not yet identified the source of mineralization found at surface.

Figure 12: Plan map showing wide-spaced reconnaissance drill hole locations, grab sample results and gravity survey results at the Copper Leaf target.

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Figure 13: Plan map of wide-spaced reconnaissance drill hole locations and grab sample results at the WIN and HA targets.

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About Sitka Gold Corp.

Sitka Gold Corp. is a well-funded mineral exploration company headquartered in Canada with over $45 million in its treasury and no debt. The Company is managed by a team of experienced industry professionals and is focused on exploring for economically viable mineral deposits with its primary emphasis on gold, silver and copper mineral properties of merit. Sitka is currently advancing its 100% owned, 431 square kilometre flagship RC Gold Project located within the Tombstone Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory. The Company is also advancing the Alpha Gold Project in Nevada and currently has drill permits for its Burro Creek Gold and Silver Project in Arizona and the Coppermine River Project in Nunavut, all of which are 100% owned by Sitka.

*For more detailed information on the Company's properties please visit our website at www.sitkagoldcorp.com.

Upcoming Events

Sitka Gold will be attending and/or presenting at the following events*:

3 rd Annual Canadian Critical Minerals Opportunity Forum: New York, New York, January 21, 2026

Metals Investor Forum (MIF): Vancouver, BC : January 23 - 24, 2026

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC): Vancouver, BC: January 25 - 26, 2026

AME Roundup: Vancouver, BC: January 26 - 29, 2026

*All events are subject to change.

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gilles Dessureau, P.Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Company, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

SITKA GOLD CORP.

"Donald Penner"

President and Director

For more information contact:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions and the Company's anticipated work programs.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market uncertainty and the results of the Company's anticipated work programs.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279569

Source: Sitka Gold Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Canadian Silver Hunter Inc. (TSXV: AGH.H) (the "Company" or "CSH") Provides Operations Strategy Update. 2025 was a transformative year for the Company. After divesting the Company's significant Ontario exploration property (see the Company's press release dated January 24, 2024), CSH has focused on seeking to diversify away from that of being exclusively an "exploration first" company and towards a primary goal of generating potential revenue and cash flow from the processing, milling and production of concentrate material for sale.

In 2025 CSH incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico "Cazadores Minerales SA de CV" ("CMS"). Incorporating in Mexico has allowed CSH to establish a corporate presence in Mexico, a requirement for doing business in Mexico. This could include, but is not limited to: acquiring, owning and/or holding mining concessions, leases, property; purchasing and importing of a mill and milling equipment; licensing and operation of a mill; entering into purchase and sales agreements for the purpose of selling concentrates; and exploration and development of mining concessions.

Also in 2025 CMS sourced, negotiated for and recently signed non-binding agreements for two historic mining properties that have existing stockpiled material from previous mining efforts located above ground. Initial trench sampling of these stockpiles previously sent to Servicio Geologico Mexicano (SGM) in Oaxaca, MX for analysis returned promising values for silver content, with associated gold and copper values also reported. Management conservatively estimates that these stockpiles contain between 125,000 - 150,000 tonnes of material.

Pursuant to the terms of the non-binding agreements signed in late November of 2025, CMS has a 90-day due diligence period to conduct investigations on the properties and stockpiles, and to negotiate and enter into a binding definitive acquisition agreement. No consideration was paid by the Company for these rights, and it is expected that any binding acquisition agreement will contain a per tonne cash payment obligation for CMS to the property owner, only once concentrate sales have been realized.

The Company has sourced and is working with two third party vendors/manufacturers for the potential purchase of a 50-100 TPD mill to process these stockpiles into concentrate for sale. CSH has also secured a favourable site and location for the mill installation. The site is located in close proximity (less than 6kms) to the stockpile properties and has good road access with ample water and power supply located less than 1 km from the site.

Additionally, the Company continues to advance talks with the owners of other high priority mining concessions in Mexico that management believes have the potential to host mineable silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc, with all having seen small historic production. CMS/CSH's aim is to acquire one or more of these properties for future development to compliment the mill plans.

CSH/CMS is also pleased to announce that Mr. Raymond Lashbrook has accepted the position of VP of Exploration and Operations for Mexico, effective immediately. Mr. Lashbrook has over 45 years of experience in the exploration and mining business holding various positions with several mining companies. Mr. Lashbrook has worked for Sherritt Gordon, Kidd Creek Mines, Falconbridge, Hemlo, Quinterra and Valerie Gold to name a few. Mr. Lashbook is also a Mexican citizen having lived in Mexico for over 20 years and has proved to be an invaluable contact and reliable source of knowledge for the Company's pursuits in Mexico. He has effectively assisted the Company in navigating various local cultural and administrative processes and continues to be a very important part of the CSH/CMS team and our plans for Mexico in 2026 and beyond.

"As the Company seeks to transition towards small scale production, our focus is to find a way to generate revenue and to build shareholder value while keeping expenses low. That is the primary reason we are intending to set up our own mill in Mexico. We have identified, and seek to secure, adequate stockpiles to feed the mill for what we estimate to be 3-5 years. The Company has a tight share structure and is adequately capitalized with no debt. We have methodically laid the foundation for success and the team is committed to delivering on our plan within the next 12-18 months" said Jeff Hunter, President, CSH.

The Company looks forward to updating our shareholders as we progress towards what is shaping up to be a very busy 2026.

About Canadian Silver Hunter Inc.

Canadian Silver Hunter Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on silver, gold and copper exploration and development in Mexico and Canada. For further details about the Company's projects please visit the company website at www.canadiansilverhunter.ca.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, and commodity prices. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as otherwise may be required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279524

Source: Canadian Silver Hunter Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Evolve Funds Group Inc. ("Evolve" or the "Manager") is pleased to announce that it has filed a final prospectus with plans to bring the Evolve International Equity UltraYield ETF (TSX: INTY) ("INTY") to Canadian investors. INTY is expected to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") on January 15, 2026 under the ticker symbol INTY, subject to TSX approval.

"We're excited to announce the filing of a final prospectus for INTY, the newest addition to our UltraYield lineup," said Raj Lala, President and CEO at Evolve. "INTY provides investors with exposure to leading international companies, while enhancing yield through a covered call strategy and modest leverage, with distributions paid twice per month."

INTY seeks to provide attractive income and long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of leading international equity securities that have the potential to generate significant option premiums. To enhance yield, as well as to mitigate risk and reduce volatility, INTY will employ a covered call option writing program at the discretion of the Manager. The level of covered call option writing may vary based on market volatility and other factors.

INTY will use modest leverage in order to seek to achieve its investment objective. The maximum aggregate leverage of INTY will not exceed approximately 33%, or 1.33x, of its NAV. Leverage will be created through the use of cash borrowings and/or Derivatives, or as otherwise permitted under applicable securities legislation.

Cash distributions, if any, on INTY will be paid at least twice per month, with the possibility of more frequent distributions at the Manager's discretion.

About Evolve Funds Group Inc.

With over $8.5 billion in assets under management, Evolve specializes in bringing innovative ETFs to Canadian investors. Evolve's suite of ETFs provide investors with access to: (i) index-based income strategies; (ii) long term investment themes; and (iii) some of the world's leading investment managers. Established by a team of industry veterans with a demonstrated ability to succeed, Evolve creates investment products that make a difference. For more information, please visit www.evolveetfs.com.

Join us on social media: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Youtube

Evolve Funds Group Inc. is the investment fund manager and portfolio manager. Evolve International Equity UltraYield ETF ("INTY") will be offered by Evolve Funds Group Inc., and distributed through authorized dealers.

The information contained herein is a general description and is not intended to be specific investment advice to any particular investor nor intended to be investment or tax advice. You should not act or rely on the information contained herein without seeking the advice of an appropriate professional advisor.

Leverage increases risk.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. ETFs and mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Investors may incur customary brokerage commissions in buying or selling ETF and mutual fund units. Investors should monitor their holdings, as frequently as daily, to ensure that they remain consistent with their investment strategies.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated distributions, events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Evolve undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279515

Source: Evolve ETFs
Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - SYNTHOLENE ENERGY CORP (TSXV: ESAF) ("Syntholene" or the "Company") announces that the Company's common shares have been approved for listing and have commenced trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Frankfurter Wertpapierborse) under the trading symbol FSE: 3DD0. The Frankfurt co-listing is intended to broaden the Company's European investor audience and increase visibility within one of the world's most important clean energy and synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) markets.

The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is one of the largest and most liquid securities markets in Europe, and serves as a primary access point for European institutional and retail investors. The Company's primary listing remains on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ESAF.

"Listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is a strategically important step for Syntholene," stated Syntholene CEO Dan Sutton. "Europe is the center of global eSAF and eFuel markets today through its mandated demand, and policies encouraging market growth. Providing European investors with direct access to our shares aligns our capital markets strategy with the strongest structural tailwinds for eSAF. We view this as a natural extension of our TSXV listing and a foundation for long-term engagement with European stakeholders as we drive deployment of production infrastructure within the European Economic Zone."

Syntholene believes the Frankfurt co-listing supports the Company's presence and investor access in Europe, which is an important market for eSAF. The European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation mandates rising sustainable aviation fuel blending requirements across all major EU and European Economic Zone airports beginning in 2025 (EASA). These binding requirements, combined with targeted eSAF subsidies of up to 6 per liter (Reuters) for qualifying synthetic fuels, create one of the world's most robust and durable demand frameworks for producers of next-generation eFuels.

eFuel Market

Synthetic aviation fuel is a clean, drop-in-ready jet fuel made from renewable power, green hydrogen, and captured CO2, offering up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions and helping airlines meet global decarbonization mandates without changing their aircraft engines or retrofitting.

The broader global aviation fuel market size was valued by Fortune Business Insights at USD 391.23 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 431.70 billion in 2024 to USD 819.73 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.35% during the forecast period (Fortune Business Insights).

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global sustainable aviation fuel market is projected to expand from an estimated USD 2.06 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 25.62 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 65.5%.

Within these projections lies the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, the European Union's landmark mandate requiring airlines and fuel suppliers to adopt sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at all major EU and EU Economic Zone airports starting in 2025. The regulation sets binding, rising SAF blending requirements of 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030, 20% in 2035 and up to 70% by 2050, creating one of the world's largest guaranteed markets for clean jet fuel (EASA).

The EU has also paired this demand-side measure with a supply-side subsidy, offering up to 6 per liter to airlines that purchase eSAF specifically (Reuters). The combination of mandated demand and subsidized supply underscores the EU's seriousness about bolstering the rapid scale-up of eSAF production from producers like Syntholene.

About Syntholene

Syntholene is actively commercializing its novel Hybrid Thermal Production System for low-cost clean fuel synthesis. The target output is ultrapure synthetic jet fuel, manufactured at 70% lower cost than the nearest competing technology today. The company's mission is to deliver the world's first truly high-performance, low-cost, and carbon-neutral synthetic fuel at an industrial scale, unlocking the potential to produce clean synthetic fuel at lower cost than fossil fuels, for the first time.

Syntholene's power-to-liquid strategy harnesses thermal energy to power proprietary integrations of hydrogen production and fuel synthesis. Syntholene has secured 20MW of dedicated energy to support the Company's upcoming demonstration facility and commercial scale-up.

Founded by experienced operators across advanced energy infrastructure, nuclear technology, low-emissions steel refining, process engineering, and capital markets, Syntholene aims to be the first team to deliver a scalable modular production platform for cost-competitive synthetic fuel, thus accelerating the commercialization of carbon-neutral eFuels across global markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "aims", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including but not limited to statements regarding European Union market prospects for eSAF, regulations and subsidies, liquidity on the Frankfurt Exchange, successful implementation of the test facility, commercial scalability, technical and economic viability, anticipated geothermal power availability, anticipated benefit of eFuel, and future commercial opportunities, are forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including without limitation the assumption that the Company will be able to execute its business plan, that the eFuel will have its expected benefits, that there will be market adoption in the European Inion and elsewhere,and that the Company will be able to access financing as needed to fund its business plan, including without limitation government subsidies and equity financing Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks, including, without limitation, governmental regulation regarding eFuel, Syntholene's ability to meet production targets, realize projected economic benefits, overcome technical challenges, secure financing, maintain regulatory compliance, manage geopolitical risks, and successfully negotiate definitive terms. Syntholene does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Readers are advised to exercise caution and not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Nor for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279504

Source: Syntholene Energy Corp
Paris, France--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - The First Francophone Forum for Digital Climate Solutions, held at the French Senate and initiated by the Groupement du Patronat Francophone (GPF), concluded with the official launch of Credit Climate, a new traceable digital asset designed to reshape how climate initiatives are financed.

French Senate Hosts Launch of Credit Climate, a Forward-Focused Digital Asset for Global Climate Action

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The forum brought together ministers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and experts from five continents to examine how digital technologies can be deployed to address the climate emergency. Supported by more than 60 business organizations representing over one million companies worldwide, the event highlighted the need for practical, interoperable tools that can accelerate ecological transition across the francophone world.

Credit Climate introduces a model that departs from traditional carbon-offset systems, which typically rely on retrospective accounting of emissions already released. Instead, it is built to finance ethical, forward-looking climate projects before they occur, creating a mechanism that links measurable impact with transparent digital tracking.

The initiative is structured around three core objectives:

Environmental impact: supporting large-scale waste processing, production of clean hydrogen, and CO2 sequestration projects.

Economic impact: creating a liquid ESG-aligned asset that can mobilize private capital and strengthen sustainable industrial sectors across the GPF network.

Social impact: advancing inclusive tools such as a Citizen DAO, supporting emerging economies, and reducing systemic inequalities between the Global North and South.

During the forum's expert roundtables, participants explored the potential for digital innovation to serve as a catalyst for climate action, particularly in regions where funding gaps and governance challenges limit the scale of environmental initiatives. Credit Climate was presented as one such instrument, designed to offer transparency, traceability, and accessibility to both companies and institutions seeking to invest in future climate solutions.

By allowing companies to record a climate-aligned asset on their balance sheets, rather than only liabilities, Credit Climate aims to shift how environmental responsibility is integrated into corporate strategy. The platform's forward-finance approach is intended to stimulate investment in new mitigation and sequestration projects, reflecting a broader shift toward proactive climate action rather than reactive compensation.

The launch marks a significant step in the GPF's long-term vision to build collaborative, cross-border frameworks that can scale the ecological transition. With digital infrastructure at the centre, initiatives like Credit Climate seek to align economic development with measurable environmental and social progress.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279473

Source: Plentisoft
PHOENIX, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / MicroAge is proud to?celebrate?the?momentous milestone?of 50 years as a company. Founded in?1976 by Jeff McKeever and Alan Hald as one of the nation's first computer stores, MicroAge has grown and evolved?across?five decades. While initially rooted in?traditional systems,?MicroAge now also leads?in?cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and full data center services.

Technology?changes every day, and as IT experts,?we have continuously adapted?and thrived?in the fast-paced technology landscape. One thing?remains?constant, and?that's?our dedication to helping companies stay ahead in an?environment?that's?always evolving.??Over the years,?we've?built a strong, relationship-driven culture rooted in our core values - BOLD?(Build and respect relationships,?Own?your actions, Lead with innovation, and Deliver excellence). These principles have guided us through every stage of growth.??It's?through this mindset of Technology?Reimagined that we help organizations stay ahead in an environment?that's?always evolving.

What We've Achieved:

Award-winning workplace: Named one of Phoenix Business Journal's?Best Places to Work ?for over a decade.

Channel excellence: Honored with?CRN 's prestigious Triple Crown Award since 2023, plus seven consecutive years on?CRN 's MSP?500 list.

Industry leadership: Progressively advanced from?a value-added reseller (VAR)?to a full-service solutions integrator with deep?expertise?in cybersecurity, cloud, data, and collaboration services.

Celebrating 50 Years of Innovation & Impact

As we mark this milestone year, we reflect on the qualities that make MicroAge exceptional. Our foundational?vision?transformed us from a single computer store into a trusted solution provider partner through agile thinking and strong relationships. We're?proud to have created?a people-centered culture rooted in trust, inclusiveness, innovation, and community engagement, making MicroAge more than just a successful business.

Through our ActTogether program, team members?consistently get involved with our local communities?and give back?through our compassion-in-action activities. Learn how we gave back during the 2025 holiday season: Bringing Holiday Cheer to Ronald McDonald House Families Across the Country .

Our team's unwavering?dedication?to excellence?gives us the drive to?deliver?cutting-edge?solutions across?industries.??As part of our commitment to innovation, MicroAge has?established?dedicated practices in these key areas:

Data?Intelligence and?AI: We created?Octem.ai , an end-to-end Data Intelligence & AI solutions framework designed to help organizations strategize, simplify, secure, and scale their digital transformation using the power of AI.

Cloud Services: Successfully enable organizations to accelerate innovation and operational agility by delivering secure, scalable Microsoft?365 and Azure solutions,?completing seamless migrations,?and providing 24/7 proactive management to ensure business continuity.

Cybersecurity: Continuously?achieve?industry-leading protection for clients through a comprehensive, framework-driven approach. To?accomplish?that, we?implement?end-to-end security services with?around-the-clock?threat detection, rapid incident response, and compliance to safeguard enterprise integrity.

Services: From proactive IT support to comprehensive professional services, we deliver solutions that empower every aspect of our clients' business. We keep?operations running smoothly so?our clients?can stay focused on driving strategy and innovation.

Looking Ahead - Note from Larry Gentry

"This golden milestone isn't just about looking back - it's about driving our vision forward. We're igniting the next 50 years with a commitment to innovation through advanced technologies like AI, data intelligence, and secure cloud transformations. Our future is rooted in strengthening partnerships with clients, vendors, and communities, while continuing to invest in our team through growth opportunities, an inclusive culture, and a positive impact that resonates across everything we do.

To everyone who's been part of this journey - from our founding associates to today's employees and valued clients - thank you for your trust, collaboration, and inspiration. As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we look ahead with purpose. Together, we'll empower businesses, safeguard communities, and lead with innovation for the next 50 years and beyond." - Larry Gentry, Chief Executive Officer

About MicroAge

MicroAge is an award-winning full-service solutions integrator. For 50 years, MicroAge has empowered businesses to advance, secure, accelerate, and transform - moving quickly with technology changes across the channel to drive business forward. Our elite, highly certified team of specialized consultants brings unique expertise to our clients in cybersecurity, data center technologies, implementations, managed IT services, and more. To learn more, visit MicroAge.com .

MicroAge Contact:

Kate Sneider

Vice President of Marketing

480-366-2070

kate.sneider@microage.com SOURCE: MicroAge

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/microage-celebrates-its-50th-anniversary-1124299
Patented MRAS architecture transforms unstructured email archives into corporate memory for the AI era.

SEANAT today announces the public reveal of IRISTIA, the first platform designed to transform enterprise email archives into structured, compliant, AI-ready corporate memory. Presented at CES 2026 (Eureka Park French Tech Pavilion), IRISTIA introduces a new category in enterprise information management: Email Knowledge Structuring

Despite 30 years of digital transformation, the world's most critical business knowledge still lives inside isolated inboxes. Emails contain decisions, instructions, attachments, metadata, and evidence yet remain stored in an unstructured, fragmentary format (MIME) that modern DMS, M365, and cloud tools cannot properly interpret.

IRISTIA changes this.

Built on the MRAS (MIME-Reversible Archiving Solution) architecture, protected under an international PCT patent application (WO 2025/257581), IRISTIA reconstructs the internal structure of emails and attachments, restoring context, flows, relationships, and metadata. The result is a clean, searchable, governance-ready data layer that plugs directly into corporate information systems and AI engines.

"Companies want to deploy AI, but their knowledge is trapped in email," said Bernard Dauvergne, co-founder of SEANAT. "IRISTIA gives emails a durable second life structured, shareable, and finally usable at the scale of the enterprise."

IRISTIA offers three strategic benefits:

Corporate Memory: transforms daily emails into long-term organizational knowledge

transforms daily emails into long-term organizational knowledge Governance Compliance: restores metadata integrity, relationships, and auditability

restores metadata integrity, relationships, and auditability AI Enablement: creates a structured, scalable dataset ready for enterprise LLMs and RAG systems

The platform has already been validated on a proof-scale dataset of 300,000 emails and 200,000 attachments, collected since 2005, demonstrating reconstruction quality and AI-powered search across multiple enterprise mailboxes.

IRISTIA is relevant for enterprises, regulated industries, cloud providers, email platforms, and organizations seeking to build internal AI capabilities without compromising sovereignty or GDPR compliance

With CES marking its first public appearance, SEANAT is now exploring strategic collaborations and integration opportunities with cloud providers, email platforms, ECM/DMS vendors, cybersecurity players, and corporate development teams

IRISTIA will be showcased at CES 2026 Eureka Park, French Tech Pavilion.

For more information:

www.seanat.com

www.iristia.ai

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106811218/en/

Contacts:

Bernard DAUVERGNE

info@seanat.com

Phone +33 672462595
San Antonio, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - The 12 Laws of Maximizing the Human Experience: Slow and Low: The Mental Maverick's Playbook, authored by Joe Smarro, presents a set of guiding principles drawn from a wide range of real-world experiences, aiming to help readers navigate challenges, make intentional choices, and align daily actions with core values.

The book organizes its material into twelve laws, each addressing a dimension of human decision-making and personal growth. These laws are framed through narrative examples and practical explanations, connecting individual reflection with universal themes of resilience, clarity, and purposeful action.

Joe Smarro's latest book, The 12 Laws of Maximizing the Human Experience



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A Framework Built from Lived Experience

The laws are rooted in scenarios spanning Smarro's military service, law enforcement work, mental health intervention, and leadership roles. These contexts inform the book's core argument: that individuals can develop tools for self-awareness and adaptability regardless of profession or background.

Each chapter begins by illustrating one of the twelve laws through a real situation. This is followed by an exploration of the principle itself, offering insight into its relevance beyond the original setting. The book's structure encourages readers to engage with the material both as a narrative and as a reference guide for application in their own lives.

Law by Law: From Concept to Practice

While each law stands alone, they are designed to work in combination. Readers are introduced to concepts such as:

Accepting full responsibility for personal choices and their outcomes.

Recognizing the influence of perspective in shaping reality.

Maintaining composure and clarity in high-stakes environments.

Using alignment between values and actions as a benchmark for decision-making.

Rather than presenting abstract theory, the book ties these ideas to concrete moments. These range from high-pressure decision points to quiet periods of introspection, illustrating how the same guiding principle can apply across varied circumstances.

Themes of Adaptation and Alignment

A recurring theme across the twelve laws is the process of adapting to change without losing one's core identity. The material suggests that fulfillment often emerges not from avoiding difficulty, but from engaging with it intentionally.

The concept of alignment-between beliefs, priorities, and behavior-runs throughout the book. This is framed as a practical measure rather than a philosophical ideal, supported by examples of how misalignment can lead to burnout, conflict, or stagnation, and how realignment can restore momentum.

Intersections with Mental and Emotional Health

Several sections highlight the role of emotional regulation, presence, and empathy in effective decision-making. While mental health is not treated as a separate topic, it appears as a lens through which many of the laws are examined. The text suggests that resilience is strengthened by addressing emotional well-being alongside professional or personal goals.

Narrative as a Teaching Tool

Smarro uses storytelling not for self-promotion, but as a way to ground abstract principles in lived reality. Military deployments, law enforcement encounters, moments of leadership challenge, and transitional periods all serve as source material.

These stories are not presented as exceptional achievements but as case studies, showing how each law emerged from trial, reflection, and refinement over time. Readers are invited to draw parallels to their own circumstances, regardless of their specific field or life stage.

Universal Application Across Contexts

Although the source material reflects distinct professional environments, the laws are positioned as universally applicable. The same principle that informs a decision during a crisis, for example, is shown to be relevant to managing workplace dynamics, navigating personal relationships, or pursuing long-term projects.

The writing emphasizes adaptability: the capacity to transfer a skill or mindset from one area of life to another without losing its effectiveness. This approach allows readers to interpret each law through the lens of their own priorities and challenges.

From Reflection to Action

Each chapter closes with a focus on translation from concept to practice. This may take the form of a question for reflection, a description of a relevant habit, or an example of a situation where the law can be tested in daily life. The intent is to provide not just information, but a process for internalizing and using it.

About the Book

The 12 Laws of Maximizing the Human Experience: Slow and Low: The Mental Maverick's Playbook is organized around twelve principles for intentional living, drawn from experiences in varied, high-pressure environments. Through a combination of narrative illustration and practical guidance, it offers a framework for readers to examine their own choices, align actions with values, and navigate change with resilience.

About the Author

Joe Smarro is a former U.S. Marine, former San Antonio police officer, and mental health advocate. His career has included military service, leadership in law enforcement mental health initiatives, and work in organizational consulting. His experiences across these diverse fields serve as the basis for the perspectives and principles outlined in The 12 Laws of Maximizing the Human Experience: Slow and Low: The Mental Maverick's Playbook.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279601

Source: Pressmaster DMCC
Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Copperleaf Electric LLC announced the expansion of its Denver electrician services, increasing service coverage, response capacity, and 24/7 emergency availability across Denver and nearby Colorado communities. The expansion includes additional licensed electricians, extended service areas, and faster response times for residential and commercial electrical service requests.





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The expanded services are designed to support growing demand for electrical repairs, emergency response, power restoration, wiring services, and system troubleshooting throughout the Denver metro area. Copperleaf Electric will now provide enhanced on-call availability for urgent electrical issues such as power outages, damaged wiring, panel failures, and electrical system malfunctions.

As part of this expansion, Copperleaf Electric has added new service teams and operational resources to improve same-day and emergency response times. The company will support homeowners, apartment communities, offices, retail properties, and commercial facilities requiring both scheduled electrical work and immediate on-site service.

The expanded Denver operations also include improved service coordination and inspection processes aimed at identifying underlying electrical issues and reducing repeat outages or safety risks. All services are performed by licensed electricians in compliance with applicable electrical codes and safety standards.

This service expansion marks a continued operational investment by Copperleaf Electric in the Denver market, supporting increased demand for reliable and safety-focused electrical services for residential and commercial properties.

About Copperleaf Electric

Copperleaf Electric LLC is a Denver-based electrical services company providing residential and commercial electrical repairs, emergency electrical response, power restoration, wiring services, system troubleshooting, and electrical damage solutions throughout Colorado.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279583

Source: GYT
Student-led challenge invites innovative customer engagement strategies to advance home electrification across California; finalists will present at PG&E headquarters for a chance to win grand prize

EL CERRITO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / In partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Net Impact has launched the Home Electrification Challenge, a statewide competition inviting students from colleges and universities across California to design innovative customer engagement strategies that accelerate home and neighborhood-level electrification across PG&E's diverse customer base.

The challenge addresses a critical need in California's path to achieving its ambitious climate goals: moving home electrification from an innovation-driven concept into a trusted, preferred choice for PG&E customers. As California works toward a sustainable energy future, PG&E seeks innovative approaches to help customers understand the benefits of electrification and inspire electrified homeowners to become active advocates within their communities. PG&E turned to Net Impact to activate its business-focused community to help tackle this challenge.

"Home electrification is essential to meeting California's climate targets, but technical solutions alone won't get us there," said Karen Johns, CEO of Net Impact. "We need to understand what motivates customers, address their concerns, and activate a movement of advocates. This challenge empowers the next generation of leaders to tackle one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time, and we're thrilled to do it alongside one of our longtime partners, PG&E."

Participating students will leverage PG&E's existing electrification programs and resources when developing strategies that consider the complexities of customer behavior, equity considerations, and the opportunities presented by early adopters who help shape public perception.

"California students bring fresh perspectives and innovative thinking that can help us reach customers in new ways" said David Poster, Director of Building Electrification and Efficiency at PG&E. "By partnering with Net Impact, we're tapping into the creativity and passion of future sustainability leaders who understand both the urgency of climate action and the importance of meeting customers where they are."

The challenge unfolds in two competitive phases. First, student teams will develop and present their customer engagement strategies at local pitch-off events hosted by Net Impact chapters across the state. Second, select finalist teams will advance to a regional showcase at PG&E's headquarters in Oakland, California, where they will present to

PG&E leaders and compete for an overall grand prize of $2,000.

Beyond cash prizes, participants will build valuable skills in customer-centric strategy design, expand their professional networks through direct engagement with PG&E's sustainability and customer electrification teams, and gain hands-on experience addressing real-world climate challenges.

Net Impact manages and facilitates the program by bringing together its extensive network of emerging social impact and sustainability leaders at colleges and universities across California. With more than 10 years of experience building and executing experiential education opportunities, Net Impact specializes in equipping business leaders to address social challenges, protect the environment, and leverage the tools of business toward the greater good.

More information about the Home Electrification Challenge can be found at

netimpact.org/programs/home-electrification-challenge.

About Net Impact

Net Impact, one of the largest and oldest global member organizations focused on impact,

engages over 50,000 students and professionals annually. With almost 300 chapters in over 40 countries, our members are pursuing impactful careers and impactful lives across diverse industries, including business, sustainability, and social impact fields. Net Impact engages its global chapter community in experiential education-focused programming, convenings, and civic and community engagement projects. Net Impact is committed to using business as a force for good and building the capacity of the next generation of workforce members. Visit www.netimpact.org.

About Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

CONTACT:

Net Impact

Hilary Manzo, Associate Director of Programs

EmpoweringHomes@netimpact.org

PG&E

Paul Doherty, Manager, Clean Energy & Innovation Communications

paul.doherty@pge.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Net Impact on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Net Impact

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/net-impact

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Net Impact

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/net-impact-and-pgande-launch-the-home-electrification-challenge-1124459
Siemens and NVIDIA expand their partnership to build the Industrial AI Operating System, reinventing the entire end-to-end industrial value chain through AI from design and engineering to manufacturing, production, operations, and into supply chains

Siemens launches Digital Twin Composer software, available on Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace mid-2026, to power the industrial metaverse at scale

PepsiCo using Siemens Digital Twin Composer to simulate upgrades to its facilities in the U.S. with plans to scale globally

Siemens unveils nine industrial copilots to bring intelligence across the industrial value chain

Siemens highlights new technologies for accelerating drug discovery, autonomous driving and shop floor efficiency

Siemens brings industrial AI to Meta Ray-Ban AI Glasses

At CES 2026, Siemens' keynote marked a new era of technology for industry and infrastructure, showcasing how customers and partners are harnessing artificial intelligence to transform their businesses. With AI-enabled technologies, deep domain expertise, and trusted partnerships, Siemens is converting this technological leap into measurable benefits for customers, partners, and society.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106633962/en/

Roland Busch, Chief Executive Officer and President of Siemens AG, delivering the keynote address at CES.

"Just as electricity once revolutionized the world, industry is shifting toward elements where AI powers products, factories, buildings, grids and transportation. Industrial AI is no longer a feature; it's a force that will reshape the next century. Siemens is delivering AI-native capabilities, intelligence embedded end-to-end across design, engineering and operations, to help our customers anticipate issues, accelerate innovation and reduce cost," said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG. "From the most comprehensive digital twin and AI-powered hardware to copilots on the shop floor, we're scaling intelligence across the physical world, so businesses realize speed, quality and efficiency all at once. This is how we scale a once-in-a-generation technology shift into measurable outcomes."

Siemens highlighted its long-standing partnership with NVIDIA at CES 2026: The companies are expanding their partnership to build the Industrial AI Operating System helping customers revolutionize how they design, engineer, and operate physical systems. Siemens and NVIDIA will work together to build AI-accelerated industrial solutions across the full lifecycle of products and production, enabling faster innovation, continuous optimization, and more resilient, sustainable manufacturing. The companies also aim to build the world's first fully AI-driven, adaptive manufacturing sites globally, starting in 2026 with the Siemens Electronics Factory in Erlangen, Germany, as the first blueprint.

To support development, NVIDIA will provide AI infrastructure, simulation libraries, models, frameworks and blueprints, while Siemens will commit hundreds of industrial AI experts and leading hardware and software. The companies have identified impact areas to make this vision a reality: AI-native EDA, AI-native Simulation, AI-driven adaptive manufacturing and supply chain, and AI-factories.

Siemens also announced that it will be integrating NVIDIA NIM and NVIDIA Nemotron open AI models into its electronic design automation (EDA) software offerings to advance generative and agentic workflows for semiconductor and PCB design. This will both maximize accuracy through domain specialization and significantly lower operational costs by enabling the most efficient model to handle and adapt to every specific need.

"Generative AI and accelerated computing have ignited a new industrial revolution, transforming digital twins from passive simulations into the active intelligence of the physical world," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. "Our partnership with Siemens fuses the world's leading industrial software with NVIDIA's full-stack AI platform to close the gap between ideas and reality empowering industries to simulate complex systems in software, then seamlessly automate and operate them in the physical world."

New Technology Connects Digital Twin with Real-Time, Real-World Data

Siemens' primary product launch at CES 2026 is the Digital Twin Composer, available on the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace mid-2026. This new technology brings together Siemens' comprehensive digital twin, simulations built using NVIDIA Omniverse libraries, and real-time, real-world engineering data.

With the Digital Twin Composer, companies can create a virtual 3D model of any product, process, or plant; put it in a 3D scene of their choosing; then move back and forth through time, precisely visualizing the effects of everything from weather changes to engineering changes. With Siemens' software as the data backbone, the Digital Twin Composer builds Industrial Metaverse environments at scale, empowering organizations to apply industrial AI, simulation and real-time physical data to make decisions virtually, at speed and scale. Digital Twin Composer is part of Siemens Xcelerator, an industry proven portfolio of software used by companies worldwide to develop digital twins.

PepsiCo and Siemens are digitally transforming select U.S. manufacturing and warehouse facilities by converting them into high-fidelity 3D digital twins that simulate plant operations and the end-to-end supply chain to establish a performance baseline. Within weeks, teams optimized and validated new configurations to boost capacity and throughput, giving PepsiCo a unified, real-time view of operations with flexibility to integrate AI-driven capabilities over time.

Leveraging Siemens' Digital Twin Composer, NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and computer vision, PepsiCo can now recreate every machine, conveyor, pallet route and operator path with physics-level accuracy, enabling AI agents to simulate, test, and refine system changes identifying up to 90 percent of potential issues before any physical modifications occur. This approach has already delivered a 20 percent increase in throughput on initial deployment and is driving faster design cycles, nearly 100 percent design validation and 10 to 15 percent reductions in capital expenditure (Capex) by uncovering hidden capacity and validating investments in a virtual environment.

New Industrial Copilots Streamline Manufacturing Operations

Siemens also spotlighted its partnership with Microsoft, in a conversation with Jay Parikh, executive vice president for CoreAI. Together, Siemens and Microsoft are bridging the worlds of IT and operations, with a collaboration centered on using AI to help organizations across industries improve productivity, resilience, and innovation. Among the highlights: co-building the award-winning industrial copilot.

Siemens also announced that it is expanding its set of AI-powered copilots across the industrial value chain. This will embed intelligence that extends from design and simulation to product lifecycle management, manufacturing, and operations.

Siemens will deploy nine new AI-powered copilots for its software offerings, this will include Teamcenter, Polarion, and Opcenter. These copilots, respectively, streamline product data navigation, reducing errors and accelerating time to market; automate compliance, helping to ensure faster regulatory approvals and lower risk; and transform manufacturing processes, driving cost savings and operational efficiency.

These copilots, along with the rest of Siemens' expanding portfolio of industrial AI solutions, are available to companies of every size on the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace.

AI-Driven Innovations in Life Sciences, Energy and Manufacturing

In life sciences, Siemens' acquisition of Dotmatics has enabled the integration of vast research data, fueling drug discovery and development. With Dotmatics' Luma platform, scientists can unify billions of data points generated across instruments and labs, creating a coherent foundation for AI-driven exploration. Combined with Siemens Simcenter simulation and digital twins, teams can rapidly test molecules, identify promising candidates, and virtually scale production to help life-changing therapies reach patients up to 50% faster and at a lower cost.

In energy, Bob Mumgaard, CEO and co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, described how the company uses Siemens' technologies as it leads the path to commercial fusion. Commonwealth Fusion Systems uses design software and a strong data backbone to help it accelerate the development of fusion machines that promise clean, limitless energy for generations to come.

In manufacturing, Siemens announced a collaboration to bring Industrial AI to Meta Ray-Ban AI Glasses. With hands-free, real-time audio guidance, safety insights, and feedback, shop floor workers will feel empowered to solve problems efficiently and confidently.

Technology to Transform the Everyday for Everyone

At the Siemens booth in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Siemens is showcasing how its technology transforms the everyday, for everyone. Featured solutions from Siemens and its customers that bring together design, simulation, automation, AI, and digital twin technology:

PepsiCo is modernizing its global operations to meet evolving customer demands with greater speed and flexibility. With Siemens, the company is digitalizing manufacturing and warehousing processes, enabling faster innovation, more agile production, and smarter decision-making across its supply chain.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is pioneering the future of clean energy with commercial fusion. Faced with the challenges of building an entirely new industry, CFS partnered with Siemens to build a comprehensive data backbone and to accelerate the design and manufacturing of this clean, safe, and nearly limitless energy source.

Haddy is reshaping manufacturing through AI-powered 3D printing and localized micro factories that deliver sustainable, high-quality products faster and closer to customers. Facing challenges around supply chain disruption, sustainability, and production agility, Haddy partnered with Siemens to streamline design, optimize operations, and scale efficiently.

Siemens is also revolutionizing how industrial automation is experienced with the launch of its eXplore tour mobile experience in North Hall. Housed in an 18-wheel vehicle, the eXplore tour delivers an interactive experience that highlights how Siemens technologies converge to drive continuous operational optimization and unlock new levels of efficiency. After CES, the eXplore tour will continue across the U.S. with stops including Realize LIVE in Detroit and Automate in Chicago.

Siemens is also livestreaming from a broadcast studio in North Hall, presented in collaboration with AWS. The broadcast studio will feature conversations with the industry leaders who are shaping the future of industrial AI including Peter Koerte, Member of the Managing Board, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Siemens.

For the first time, Siemens is hosting its autonomous vehicle experience located at West Hall 4352. The experience will feature Siemens' new PAVE360 Automotive technology, a system-level digital twin, to accelerate the development of software-defined vehicles. It will demonstrate how this new technology works, with a real vehicle on site, operating autonomously in a completely virtual environment.

Livestream and afterwards a recording of Siemens' 2026 keynote is available at https://sie.ag/qhKPT

This press release is available at https://sie.ag/2ScPeo

Follow us: www.x.com/siemens_press

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company's purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. A leader in industrial AI, Siemens leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI including generative AI to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful for customers across diverse industries. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.

In fiscal 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025, the Siemens Group generated revenue of 78.9 billion and net income of 10.4 billion. As of September 30, 2025, the company employed around 318,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at https://www.siemens.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106633962/en/

Contacts:

Contact for journalists

Siemens AG

Michael Lindner

Tel.: +49 152 26211095; E-Mail: lindner.michael@siemens.com

Siemens USA

Charlie DiPasquale

Phone: +1 240-481-6632; email: charlie.dipasquale@siemens.com

Christine Whitman

Phone: +1 202-316-2347; email: christine.whitman@siemens.com
- Addition enhances PMG's ability to connect culture, media, technology, and creator marketing to drive greater impact for customers globally -

PMG, the global independent marketing services and technology company, today announced the acquisition of London and New York-based Digital Voices, a leading influencer marketing agency known for blending data, creativity, and technology to deliver campaigns that drive measurable business outcomes. With the Influencer Marketing industry expected to increase 10x in the next 8 years, this acquisition marks a continued investment in delivering customer-centric, full-funnel marketing solutions on a global scale. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With a team of 70 employees across London, New York and Costa Rica, Digital Voices brings deep expertise in leveraging creator partnerships to help brands authentically reach and convert audiences. The agency's proprietary tools, Chord and Composer, deliver strategic clarity, AI-led insights, and operational efficiency at a global scale, through key capabilities like centralized campaign management, benchmarking, and predictive insights.

As part of PMG, Digital Voices will expand its global influencer marketing practice and provide an even deeper layer of intelligence to the Alli operating system, including future integration of Chord and Composer into Alli.

"This is another exciting step forward in PMG's global growth and our commitment to giving customers an edge in a rapidly evolving landscape," said George Popstefanov, Founder CEO of PMG. "The creator landscape has quickly evolved into a strategic lever for performance, brand storytelling, and commerce. The Digital Voices team brings a strong track record, complementary technology, and a culture that reflects our values. We're looking forward to unlocking new ways to drive impact for our customers with this latest addition to PMG."

Digital Voices has delivered campaigns for brands like General Mills, Adobe, DoorDash, and Unilever, with proven results across industries including technology, CPG, beauty, education, and health and wellness. The team's approach combines talent strategy with deep channel expertise to build creator partnerships that scale authentically and deliver results.

"Joining PMG means multiplying the value we create for both creators and brands," said Jennifer Quigley-Jones, Founder CEO of Digital Voices. "We've built Digital Voices with a belief in data-backed creativity and setting the standard for client servicing in a rapidly innovating industry. As part of PMG, we'll have the platform and resources to scale our offering across media, expand use of technology across our offering, and help our clients drive meaningful commercial impact and unlock greater potential."

This marks the fourth acquisition in PMG's 15-year history, with the most recent being Momentum Commerce in the summer of 2025, and follows a sustained period of growth. In 2025, the company launched Alli Marketplace, expanded its presence across EMEA, and added new capabilities across retail media, commerce, and measurement. The integration of Digital Voices reinforces PMG's position as a future-forward partner, enabling brands to unify media, technology, and storytelling to meet audiences wherever they are.

The integration of Digital Voices begins immediately, with a focus on maintaining excellence in service and delivering continued value for customers across both organizations.

About PMG:

PMG is a global independent marketing services and technology company that seeks to unlock potential for people and brands. Driven by shared success, PMG brings together business strategy and transformation, creative, media, and insights, all powered by our proprietary marketing operating system, Alli. With offices in New York, London, Dallas Fort Worth, Austin, Atlanta, Brighton, Costa Rica, Cleveland, and Dusseldorf, our team is made up of more than 1,000 employees globally, and our work for brands like Apple, CKE Restaurants, Dropbox, Experian, Intuit, Kohler, Sephora, Travelex, and Whole Foods has received top industry recognitions including Cannes Lions and Adweek Media Plan of the Year.

Named MediaPosts' 2025 Independent Agency of the Year, The Drum's 2024 Agency of the Year, Digiday's 2024 Independent Media Agency of the Year, Ad Age's 2023 A-List, MediaPost's 2022 Independent Agency of the Year, and Adweek's 2021 Breakthrough Media Agency, PMG has grown through commitments to continuous improvement, business integrity, and cultivating dynamic relationships. PMG is proud to be named among Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators, Best Workplaces for Women, and to be the only company named to Ad Age's Best Places to Work for 10 years in a row. For more information about PMG, visit www.pmg.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106657060/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Andrew Waber

+1 610.405.4771

andrew.waber@pmg.com
1.0m in the form of a 0% interest loan co-financed by the European Union, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region and Bpifrance, with a repayment deferral period of two and a half years

1.0m through loans from BNP Paribas and Societe Generale

Regulatory News:

SMAIO (Software, Machines and Adaptive Implants in Orthopaedics Euronext Growth Paris, ISIN: FR0014005I80 Ticker: ALSMA), a French-American player specialized in complex spine surgery, offering an integrated pre, intra, and post-operative solution based on a 3D planning software, adaptive implants and related services, today announced that it has obtained 2.0m in non-dilutive financing.

A 1.0m loan from the European Union, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region and Bpifrance

Bpifrance, the European Union and the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region have granted SMAIO a 1m loan at 0% interest, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with the aim of supporting its research and development (R&D) and commercial development. With a maturity of 7.5 years and a 2.5-year repayment deferral, this financing will enable SMAIO to continue investing in the development of innovative solutions and support their commercialization, particularly in the United States, the world's leading market for spine surgery.

Two loans totaling 1.0m from its banking partners

The banking pool comprised of BNP Paribas and Societe Generale has granted SMAIO two loans totaling 1.0m. These loans have a maturity of 4 years.

Philippe ROUSSOULY, Chairman and CEO of SMAIO, stated: "We are delighted to have secured this new non-dilutive financing on excellent terms. These resources strengthen our financial flexibility and will be allocated primarily to our R&D, enabling us to continue developing innovative solutions with the ultimate goal of facilitating the precise positioning of our implants and accurately monitoring the surgical plan in real time in the operating room. I would like to extend my special thanks to our longstanding banking partners, BNP Societe Generale, as well as BPI and the Auvergne Rhone Alpes region for their trust and unwavering support, which underpin SMAIO's decision, made more than 17 years ago, to base its research and development projects in its region of origin in order to benefit from its dynamism, competitiveness, and the exceptional quality of the labor pool and skills it offers, particularly in the field of health-care innovation."

About SMAIO

A precursor in the use of clinical data and imaging of the spine, SMAIO designs global solutions for spine surgery specialists. The Company has recognized expertise thanks to KEOPS, its Big Data management software that has become a global reference with more than 100,000 patient cases documented. SMAIO offers spine surgeons a comprehensive platform, I-Kontrol, incorporating planning, implants and related services, enabling them to treat spinal pathologies in a safe, effective and lasting way. The Company's open platform deployed in the United States, KEOPS-4ME, is designed to deliver a personalized and data-driven approach to complex spine surgery, enabling SMAIO to partner commercially with major U.S. surgical companies and provide their surgeon clients with patient-specific implants. Based in Dallas (United States) and Lyon (France), SMAIO benefits from the skill and expertise of more than 40 highly specialized staff.

For further information, please visit our website: www.smaio.com

Disclaimer

This press release contains non-factual statements, including, but not limited to, certain statements regarding future results and other future events. These statements are based on the current views and assumptions of the Company's management. They incorporate known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. In addition, SMAIO, its shareholders and affiliates, directors, officers, advisors, and employees have not verified the accuracy of, and make no representation or warranty regarding, the statistical information or forward-looking information contained in this press release that is derived from or based on third-party sources or industry publications. Such statistical data and forward-looking information are used in this press release for informational purposes only.

Listing market: Euronext Growth Paris

ISIN: FR0014005I80

Ticker: ALSMA

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106720876/en/

Contacts:

SMAIO

Philippe Roussouly

Chief Executive Officer

Renaut Fritsch

Chief Financial Officer

investors@smaio.com

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky/Thomas Cozzolino

Investor Relations

smaio@newcap.eu

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 92

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Media Relations

smaio@newcap.eu

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15
Collaboration integrates EcoFlow's Smart Home Energy Management System with Homey's Energy Dongle

EcoFlow also unveils the Ecosystem Alliance as part of broader energy strategy

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EcoFlow, a global leader in smart home energy solutions and eco-friendly energy technologies, enters a new partnership with Homey, part of LG Electronics, at CES, enabling deeper interoperability between EcoFlow's Smart Home Energy Management System and Homey's open smart-home platform.

Alongside this collaboration, EcoFlow also introduced today the Ecosystem Alliance - a broader industry initiative with more than 15 leading smart-home and appliance brands, aimed at advancing openness and interoperability across the smart home energy landscape.

Driven by a shared commitment to user experience, intelligent insights and seamless interoperability, this landmark collaboration integrates EcoFlow's system with the Homey Energy Dongle. It allows households to monitor, automate and coordinate their energy consumption and device operations from a unified interface without requiring any additional third-party hardware or services.

EcoFlow's Smart Home Energy System is an intelligent platform unifying solar generation, home batteries, household circuits and smart appliances into one cohesive control hub. It enables remote energy management, cross-brand integration and real-time monitoring of household energy flows, enhanced by features such as storm-prep charging alerts, as well as Time-of-Use optimization and customizable energy-saving schedules for energy bill savings.

Homey, part of LG Electronics, is an open smart home platform that lets users control, automate and gain insights across devices from more than a thousand brands. With Homey Flow, users can create powerful automations that connect their entire home, while Homey Energy offers clear insight into household energy usage. Homey provides open APIs across the ecosystem, including the Homey Energy Dongle, which enables real-time energy monitoring and seamless integration with additional energy hardware.

These integrations unlock a range of whole-home scenarios, including:

Automation of high-load appliances to run during peak solar generation

Prioritization of essential devices during outages

Adjustment of home energy usage based on electricity pricing, battery status and solar output

"As smart homes become more interconnected, cross-brand collaboration is essential," said Stefan Witkamp, CEO of Homey. "The partnership reflects a co-created approach, where two-way integrations allow devices and energy systems to work seamlessly across brands."

"In a new era of home energy, we envision households becoming part of resilient, shared energy networks where communities can support one another through outages, extreme weather events and rising demand," said Dr. Bruce Wang Lei, Founder & CEO of EcoFlow. "This represents not just a technological shift, but a societal one toward collective resilience and shared abundance. With the strategic partnership with Homey by LG, we're building the interoperable foundation needed for that future."

In line with its broader 2026 ecosystem partner roadmap, EcoFlow's vision to form the ecosystem alliance builds on recent partnerships, including the BSH Home Connect collaboration announced at IFA 2025 , as well as integrations with brands such as Shelly, Go-e, and others. The alliance also follows growing industry recognition for EcoFlow, which was named No. 1 in Smart Home Energy Storage Solutions* by Frost & Sullivan. Designed as a long-term initiative, the Alliance outlines how EcoFlow will expand two-way integrations through shared APIs and standardized interfaces across its partner ecosystem.

The initiative rolls out globally beginning in 2026, with early integrations showcased this week at CES. Attendees can visit EcoFlow at booths 15030 and 14732 (Central Hall) for more details, live demonstrations and an up-close look at its latest products, including DELTA Pro Ultra X, OCEAN Pro Series, STREAM Series and DELTA 3 Series.

About EcoFlow

EcoFlow is a global pioneer in eco-friendly energy solutions, driving the transition toward smarter, cleaner and more independent power. Founded in 2017, EcoFlow is No. 1 in smart home energy storage solutions, empowering millions of users to take control of their energy at home and beyond. With operational headquarters in Seattle, Dusseldorf, Irvine and Tokyo, and a business and data center in Singapore, EcoFlow operates as a global ecosystem spanning research, operations, and manufacturing. Its innovative technologies serve over 5 million users across 140 markets and redefine how the world takes control of its energy.

About Athom, Creators of Homey (Part of LG Electronics)

Founded in 2014 in Enschede, the Netherlands, Athom is the company behind Homey, a global smart home platform for home control, automation, and energy management. Homey Pro, the flagship hub, supports all major smart home technologies. The Homey App Store features more than 1,000 integrations - including over 300 official partnerships and hundreds of community-built apps. Homey products are available across Europe, the US, and other markets. In 2024, Athom was acquired by LG Electronics, strengthening its ability to deliver intelligent, privacy-first smart home experiences worldwide.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2855167/Collaboration_integrates_EcoFlow_s_Smart_Home_Energy_Management_System_Homey_s_Energy.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ces-2026-ecoflow-and-homey-by-lg-announce-partnership-to-enable-smarter-whole-home-energy-management-302653444.html
Patented printed electronics technology enables a sensor which is just 1  m long to be deposited on silicon, metal, polymer and other materials

Digid's nanoscale technology promises a revolution in pervasive sensing in surgical equipment, humanoid robots, biosensing and many other applications

MAINZ, Germany, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digid, a pioneer of nanoscale sensing technology, today announced that its patented printed electronics fabrication technology has been fully qualified for volume production of temperature and force sensors as small as 1m long.

Digid sensors are believed to be the world's smallest - and are set to become even smaller: Digid's technology roadmap forecasts future production of sensors that are just 10nm long.

This nanoscale sensing technology provides the key that will unlock the potential of multiple emerging markets, including physical AI and humanoid robots. In robotics, for instance, Moravec's paradox - that robots struggle with tasks which humans find easy, such as handling a delicate wine glass - has persisted in part because robot hands lack the billions of nerve endings on a human finger.

Now Digid offers the opportunity for machines to mimic human sensory capabilities: its nanoscale printed sensors can be applied to surfaces such as a robot's shell in arrays of up to 16 x 16 sensors.

Other applications for Digid sensors include:

Force sensing on the blade of a scalpel in robotic surgical equipment

Temperature sensing on the tip of a temperature probe used in minimally invasive surgery

Temperature sensors embedded inside battery cells, for safety and performance monitoring

Biosensors for detecting biological objects such as viruses, or the chemical markers of drugs in the bloodstream

Dr Konstantin Kloppstech, Chief Technology Officer of Digid, said, "With the start of mass production of Digid sensors, the opportunities to embed sensing on almost any surface or in almost any device have become limitless. Our sensor is so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. Now it is up to the imaginations of design engineers to dream of uses for sensing where sensing has never before been possible."

Complete integration solution

For each design project, Digid supplies a custom sensor and sensor assembly backed by hardware and software integration support. The sensor provides either a voltage or resistance measurement output via an I2C interface. Digid signal processing software converts the raw measurement outputs to useful temperature or force data.

Besides their nanoscale dimensions, Digid sensors also offer further benefits:

Negligible self-heating or other distorting effects on sensor readings

Highly accurate and linear measurement outputs

Minimal digital overhead - unlike for other types of sensor, Digid nanoscale sensors require no compensation for drift or other non-linearities

To explore opportunities to apply Digid nanoscale sensing technology, contact Digid directly at digid.com/contact.

About Digid

Digid, based in Mainz, Germany has 30 employees who provide expertise across many technical and engineering disciplines. The company has its own clean room for manufacturing and validation. Digid's technology is protected by 14 patents.

Digid holds ISO 13485:2016 certification for the design and manufacture of medical devices.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2855475/Digid_nanoscale_sensors.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/digid-announces-its-nanoscale-temperature-and-force-sensors-are-ready-for-mass-deployment-302653973.html
Article L. 238-8-II of the French commercial Code and article 223-16 of the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) general regulation

Regulatory News:

Corporate name of the issuer: Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE) 21 rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS FRANCE (ISIN code: FR0000124141-VIE)

Information closing date Total number of shares forming the share capital Total number of voting rights December 31, 2025 741,723,437 Total number of theoretical voting rights: 741,723,437 Total number of voting rights that may be exercised (1): 731,284,707

Inclusion in the Veolia Environnement Articles of Association of a clause requiring a reporting obligation of the declaration of crossing a shareholding threshold, complementary to the one relating to the thresholds provided by the French law and the regulations in force (article 8).

(1) Number of voting rights that may be exercised number of theoretical voting rights (or total number of voting rights attached to shares) shares without voting rights (number of treasury shares held as of December 31, 2025, i.e. 10,438,730 shares).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260106561957/en/

Contacts:

Veolia Environnement

Siege social/head office: 21, rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS France

Adresse postale/Correspondence address: 30, rue Madeleine Vionnet 93300 AUBERVILLIERS France

tel.: +33 (0)1 85 57 70 00 Fax: +33 (0)1 71 75 10 45

www.veolia.com

A Public Limited Company (Societe Anonyme) with a share capital of 3,708,617,185

403 210 032 RCS PARIS
U.S. lawmakers slam Trump administration's military strike on Venezuela

Xinhua) 16:13, January 06, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. lawmakers across party lines have voiced opposition or skepticism toward the Trump administration's military strike against Venezuela over the weekend.

The "drastic military operation by President (Donald) Trump on Venezuelan soil is entirely inconsistent with what his cabinet repeatedly briefed to Congress and goes against the expressed wishes of the American people," Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement Saturday.

"The Administration consistently misled the American people and their elected representatives by offering three differing and contradictory explanations for its actions," said Shaheen.

In a post on the social platform X, Andy Kim, Democratic Senator from New Jersey, said, "Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasn't about regime change. I didn't trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress."

"Trump rejected our Constitutionally required approval process for armed conflict because the Administration knows the American people overwhelmingly reject risks pulling our nation into another war," said Kim.

"It puts Americans at risk in Venezuela and the region, and it sends a horrible and disturbing signal to other powerful leaders across the globe that targeting a head of state is an acceptable policy for the U.S. government," Kim added.

Democratic congressman from Colorado Jason Crow, member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Intelligence Committee, wrote on X: "The Trump Administration repeatedly lied to Congress and the American people about Venezuela. Over and over, officials testified that this was not about regime change."

"Donald Trump has already done incalculable damage to America's reputation. We have to prevent this from spiraling into another nation-building disaster," said Crow.

"This operation is illegal under international law and unconstitutional without prior congressional approval," said Democratic Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement.

"The United States should not be running other countries for any reason. We should have learned by now not to get involved in endless wars and regime change missions that carry catastrophic consequences for Americans," said Schatz.

"This war is illegal," Ruben Gallego, Democratic Senator from Arizona, said on Saturday. "There is no reason for us to be at war with Venezuela."

On Monday, Gallego said in another post on X that Trump briefed oil executives on the Venezuela operation before Congress. "If you were wondering who this war is really for, he just told you: his billionaire oil friends. Not the American people," he said.

In a statement, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, said, "Not only has the Trump administration not sought congressional approval, they did not even notify members of either party in Congress until after the strike had concluded."

"Our Constitution requires the administration to seek congressional approval, in the form of an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, before they take any further action to commit U.S. troops or take military strikes against Venezuela."

Republican lawmakers are also among those questioning the move.

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie harshly criticized the operation. "Wake up MAGA. VENEZUELA is not about drugs; it's about OIL and REGIME CHANGE. This is not what we voted for," Massie wrote Sunday on X.

In a lengthy post on X, Congresswoman from Georgia Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote, "Americans disgust with our own government's never ending military aggression and support of foreign wars is justified because we are forced to pay for it and both parties, Republicans and Democrats, always keep the Washington military machine funded and going."

"This is what many in MAGA thought they voted to end. Boy were we wrong," said Greene, once a prominent MAGA ally who has publicly broken with Trump in recent months.

"The Trump administration's briefing on Venezuela posed far more questions than it answered," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X Monday.

"When the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation building, it always ends up hurting the United States. I left the briefing feeling that it would again," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - J2 Metals Inc. (TSXV: JTWO) (the "Company") announces that it has granted an aggregate of 195,000 stock options (the "Options") to certain directors and consultants of the Company pursuant to its stock option plan.

Each Option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.25 per share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant. The Options will vest over a period of twelve (12) months.

About J2 Metals Inc.

J2 Metals Inc. is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company focused on advancing critical-minerals and precious-metals projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements with regard to the Company's operations and potential strategic opportunities. These statements address future events and conditions and are reliant on assumptions made by the Company's management, and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking information, actual results could differ from those currently projected. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279618

Source: J2 Metals Inc.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Methodist Homes of Alabama and Northwest Florida ("Methodist Homes") is writing regarding a data security incident involving an email account of an employee that contained personal information and health information of certain Methodist Homes residents and employees or prospective employees. Methodist Homes was unable to locate all the addresses of the individuals whose data was involved and, as a result, is making this public notice.

On May 21, 2025, Methodist Homes discovered unauthorized activity in a user's email account. Upon discovery, Methodist Homes took action to secure its systems, which included retaining cybersecurity professionals to investigate the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized person had access to the email account between May 8, 2025 and May 21, 2025, and that information in the account was acquired, including personal information and health information. The types of information varied, but for residents, included first and last name combined with Social Security number, date of birth, Medicare number, or medical treatment and condition information. For individuals who were not residents, the information included first and last name combined with Social Security number, passport number, driver's license or state identity card number, medical history information, health insurance information, and online log-in information corresponding with the individual's whose email account was compromised.

On January 5, 2026, Methodist Homes has mailed notice of this incident to individuals for which Methodist Homes had identifiable address information. Methodist Homes offered credit monitoring services to those individuals whose Social Security numbers were involved at no cost to individuals through CyberScout, a TransUnion company. Should individuals have any questions or concerns, Methodist Homes has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. The call center can be reached at 1-833-985-2331, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET, excluding major U.S. holidays.

Methodist Homes is taking measures to prevent future occurrences, and is reporting the incident to the Offices of Attorneys General for Florida, Alabama, other state regulatory authorities, and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office for Civil Rights.

Contact Information

Alecsandra Dragus

Associate, Kennedys Law

Alecsandra.Dragus@kennedyslaw.com

+1 646 625 3950

SOURCE: Kennedys CMK LLP

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/notice-of-data-breach-alabama-1124542
By focusing on execution over hype, Riseup Labs has delivered technology solutions for 15 years across 700+ projects in 30+ countries, earning more than 20 industry awards and professional recognitions.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / In a technology market often driven by short innovation cycles and shifting priorities, Riseup Labs has built its reputation around a more durable principle: consistent execution that delivers long-term results. For more than 15 years, the company has helped organizations apply technology in practical, scalable ways, supporting operational stability, modernization, and growth across industries.

Founded in 2009, Riseup Labs operates today as a global technology solutions provider company, working with organizations ranging from growing businesses to large enterprises, public-sector institutions, and multinational operations. Over time, its execution-first approach has enabled clients to navigate repeated technology shifts, from early web and mobile systems to cloud platforms, data-driven architectures, and the current focus on artificial intelligence, without losing continuity or control.

Execution Over Hype

"Trends come and go, but execution stays," said Ershadul Hoque, Founder and CEO of Riseup Labs.

"Since we started in 2009, technology has changed many times, web, mobile, cloud, data, and now AI. What hasn't changed is that organizations that last don't chase every trend. They learn, adapt, and execute consistently. AI is today's conversation, and tomorrow it will be something else. The fundamentals always matter."

This philosophy has shaped how Riseup Labs approaches technology delivery, particularly for organizations operating in regulated, high-impact, and mission-critical environments where reliability, security, and long-term maintainability are essential.

Delivering at Scale Across Industries

Over the past 15 years, Riseup Labs has delivered more than 700 projects across 30+ countries, supporting organizations of all sizes, from small and mid-sized companies to Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies, and international institutions.

The company's work spans public-sector environments, healthcare systems, telecommunications operations, financial services, media platforms, education systems, and large enterprise ecosystems. Many of these organizations operate under strict regulatory and operational requirements, where technology solutions must balance innovation with stability and compliance.

By working across industries and geographies, Riseup Labs has developed a strong understanding of how technology challenges vary by sector, while recognizing that disciplined execution and accountability remain universal requirements.

Addressing Digital Complexity Head-On

As global organizations continue to modernize, many face increasing digital complexity, including aging systems, fragmented data environments, cybersecurity risks, and rising expectations around automation, analytics, and operational efficiency.

Riseup Labs supports organizations in addressing these challenges through a broad range of services, including:

Technology consulting and solution architecture

AI, Automation, and intelligent workflow development

Software engineering and system modernization

Cloud platforms and DevOps practices

Cybersecurity and risk management

Enterprise and digital transformation initiatives

These capabilities are designed to help organizations modernize responsibly, improving performance and efficiency while maintaining reliability and governance.

Innovation as a Delivery Capability

To strengthen its engineering depth, Riseup Labs invests in internal research and applied innovation. Rather than pursuing experimentation for its own sake, the company develops internal platforms to validate architectures, automation strategies, and integration approaches before applying similar solutions in client environments.

Internal initiatives such as Commplify, an AI-enabled omnichannel communication system, and WriteRush, an AI-powered WordPress content engine, serve as engineering benchmarks. These initiatives help refine best practices for building scalable systems, integrating AI responsibly, and delivering solutions that perform in real-world conditions.

Recognition Earned Through Consistent Execution

Over the course of its 15-year journey, Riseup Labs' focus on execution and delivery quality has led to more than 20 industry awards and professional recognitions across technology, design, and service excellence. Rather than being driven by award pursuits, these recognitions have emerged as a byproduct of long-term client trust, engineering rigor, and consistent outcomes delivered across global engagements.

The company has received honors from international industry bodies, business associations, and independent technology platforms, reflecting performance across areas such as software engineering quality, digital innovation, design excellence, and customer satisfaction. These recognitions span multiple years and regions, reinforcing Riseup Labs' position as a dependable global technology solutions provider company rather than a short-term, trend-driven vendor.

Delivering Real-World Outcomes

The impact of Riseup Labs' work is most visible in measurable operational improvements. In one recent engagement, the company helped an international organization automate more than 40 percent of its reporting processes, reducing manual workloads and enabling teams to focus on strategic planning and operational execution.

Similar modernization efforts are underway across healthcare systems, telecommunications networks, and public-sector platforms, each designed to improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term system performance.

Looking Ahead

As artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies continue to shape business strategy, Riseup Labs remains focused on helping organizations apply technology thoughtfully and sustainably.

"Our role is not to follow every wave," Ershadul Hoque said.

"It's to help organizations build systems they can rely on, systems that work today and continue to deliver value as technology evolves."

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue expanding its global delivery capabilities, strengthening engineering depth, and supporting organizations navigating long-term digital change.

About Riseup Labs

Riseup Labs is a global technology solutions provider company founded in 2009. The company delivers services in technology consulting, software engineering, automation, digital transformation, cloud and DevOps, cybersecurity, web and mobile development, XR solutions, and emerging technologies. With more than 700 projects delivered across 30+ countries, Riseup Labs supports clients ranging from small and mid-sized businesses to Fortune 500 organizations, government agencies, and international institutions.

Website: www.riseuplabs.com

LinkedIn: Riseup Labs LinkedIn

Media Contact

Organization: Riseup Labs

Contact Person Name: Mizanur Rahaman

Website: https://riseuplabs.com/

Email: mizan@riseuplabs.com

City: Dhaka

Country: Bangladesh

SOURCE: Riseup Labs

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/riseup-labs-unveils-groundbreaking-technology-solutions-that-outl-1124567
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Mogotes Metals Inc. (TSXV: MOG) (FSE: OY4) (OTCQB: MOGMF) ("Mogotes", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 12,500,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.32 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$4,000,000 (the "Offering").

Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.53 per Common Share for a period of three (3) years from the closing of the Offering. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Units will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes.

The Offering is being completed to satisfy certain pre-emptive rights granted to, and held by, certain shareholders of the Company.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering in Canada and the United States will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, all securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States pursuant to Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 - Distributions Outside Canada will not be subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical disclosure for the Filo Sur project included in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Stephen Nano who is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Nano is a Director and Technical Advisor of the Company.

Note that the Qualified Person has not verified the information regarding adjacent properties such as Filo del Sol and that the information regarding the mineralization of the Filo del Sol project is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Filo Sur project.

About Mogotes Metals Inc.

Mogotes Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company exploring for copper and gold in the prospective Vicuna district of Argentina and Chile. Mogotes flagship project, Filo Sur, adjoins the large Filo del Sol Copper-gold-silver discovery, and is along the same N-S trending belt as the Filo Del Sol - Aurora and NGEx Minerals Lunahuasi and Los Helados copper-gold deposits. The Company cautions investors that mineralization hosted on nearby or adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on Filo Sur.

Follow Us

Twitter: https://x.com/mogotesmetals

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR

DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279647

Source: Mogotes Metals Inc.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - James Bay Resources Limited (CSE: JBR) ("James Bay" or the "Company"), announced that it has received an extension on its price protection from the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") for the Company's private placement of up to 17,500,000 common shares of the Company for gross proceeds of up to $350,000, originally announced on October 28, 2025 (the "Offering"), at the price of $0.02 per common share.

The closing of the first tranche of the Offering wherein the Company issued 3,750,000 common shares for gross proceeds of $75,000 was announced on November 18, 2025.

All other terms and conditions of the Offering remain unchanged. Completion of the Offering remains subject to approval of the Exchange.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund working capital.

The common shares issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month plus one day regulatory hold period commencing from the date of closing.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About James Bay Resources Limited

James Bay is a Canadian company with 84,826,241 issued and outstanding as of the date of this news release, and trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "JBR".

Disclaimer

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Corporation's operations, exploration and development plans, expansion plans, estimates, expectations, forecasts, objectives, predictions and projections of the future. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "projects", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or "variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of James Bay Resources Limited to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the Company's proposed Offering, as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors of our business filed in James Bay Resources Limited's required securities filings on SEDAR+. Although James Bay Resources Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended.

There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. James Bay Resources Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279605

Source: James Bay Resources Limited
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Helius Minerals Limited (TSXV: HHH) ("Helius" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an engagement agreement with Beacon Securities Limited ("Beacon" or the "Agent"), as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on a commercially reasonable "best efforts" private placement basis (the "Private Placement") to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $25,002,000 (the "Offering Amount"). The Private Placement will be comprised of the sale to investors of a combination of units (the "Units") and subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts" and, together with the Units, the "Offered Securities") of the Company, at a price per Offered Security of $3.00 (the "Offering").

Ten percent (10%) of the Offering Amount will be raised through the sale of Units, which will be issued immediately on closing of the Offering (the "Closing") to provide immediate working capital to the Company of up to $2,500,200. The remaining 90% of the Offering Amount will be raised through the sale of Subscription Receipts issued at Closing, with underlying Units to be issued upon the automatic exercise of the Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction or waiver of certain Escrow Release Conditions (as defined below). Net subscription funds with respect to the Subscription Receipts (the "Escrowed Funds") will be held in escrow by Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the "Subscription Receipt Agent"), subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions and pursuant to the terms of a subscription receipt agreement, to be entered into by and between the Company, Beacon and the Subscription Receipt Agent, which will govern the terms of the Subscription Receipts.

Each subscriber's investment will be allocated 90% to the purchase of Subscription Receipts and 10% to the purchase of Units, or such other allocation as may be agreed by Beacon and the Company.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share" and each common share of the Company, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $4.50 per Warrant Share, and for an exercise period of 3 years from the date of issuance. If, at any time after (a) the statutory four-month hold period following the issuance of the Units, or (b) in respect the Units upon exercise of the Subscription Receipts, the later of (i) the statutory four-month hold period following the issuance of the Units upon exercise of the Subscription Receipts, and (ii) the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by Beacon), as applicable, of the Escrow Release Conditions, the daily volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSXV is at or above $6.75 for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by issuing a news release to that effect, in which case the Warrants will expire 30 days following the date of such news release.

The Offering is being conducted in conjunction with the Company's planned acquisition of the Serra Pelada gold - PGM project in Para State, Brazil (the "Project") as announced in Helius' news releases of March 4, 2025, March 25, 2025, May 9, 2025, August 11, 2025 and October 23, 2025 (the "Transaction"). The terms of the Transaction are set forth in the Exclusivity, Share Option and Acquisition Agreement dated as of March 3, 2025, as amended by an amending agreement dated October 22, 2025 (as amended, together the "Definitive Agreement"), between the Company and Colossus Minerals Inc. ("Colossus"). Under the Definitive Agreement, the Company has the binding right, and intends, to exercise an option (the "Option") to acquire the Project by acquiring all of the quotas (the "Acquisition") of Colossus' Brazilian subsidiaries, Colossus Mineracao Ltda. ("Colossus Brazil") and Mineracao Fazenda Monte Belo Ltda (together with Colossus Brazil, the "Colossus Subsidiaries"). Colossus Brazil holds a 75% interest in a partnership called Serra Pelada-Companhia de Desenvolvimento Mineral, which is the registered and beneficial owner of all right, title and interest in and to the mining rights, concessions and other assets that comprise the Project. The closing of the Transaction and completion of the Acquisition (the "Transaction Closing") are subject to, among other conditions, receipt of all required shareholder, board of directors, regulatory and stock exchange approvals in connection with the Transaction, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and certain creditor and regulatory approvals of the debt and rehabilitation plans designed to facilitate the Acquisition and restart of the Project.

Each Subscription Receipt issued in connection with the Offering will entitle the holder, without payment of additional consideration and without further action by the holder, to receive one Unit upon the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by Beacon) of the conditions, including, among others:

the Company delivering to Colossus an Option exercise notice indicating the exercise of the Option and that the Company will complete the Acquisition prior to the expiry of the Option or termination of the Definitive Agreement; completion of agreed letters of intent with key Brazilian creditors of Colossus and the Colossus Subsidiaries in Brazil representing approximately 85% of their outstanding Brazilian debt; and the Company having certified in writing to Beacon that the Company has available funds (including the Escrowed Funds) to complete the Acquisition and the Transaction Closing, and reasonably and in good faith believes and expects that all conditions, undertakings, and other matters to be satisfied, completed and otherwise met in order to complete the Acquisition will be satisfied, completed or met in a timely manner in accordance with the Definitive Agreement; and receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including the approval of the TSXV, and other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature;

all as satisfied and/or waived (to the extent permitted by Beacon) in form and substance satisfactory to Beacon (collectively, the "Escrow Release Conditions").

In the event that the Subscription Receipt Agent does not receive a joint release notice (the "Release Notice") prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the date (the "Release Deadline") that is 5 months after the date of closing of the Offering (the "Closing Date"), the holders of the Subscription Receipts will automatically be entitled to a pro rata portion of interest and income earned on the Escrowed Funds from and after the Closing Date, accrued monthly and to be paid (net of any applicable withholding tax) on a pro rata basis to the holders of the Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions and release of the Escrowed Funds to the Company. In the event that the Subscription Receipt Agent does not receive the Release Notice prior to the Release Deadline, each holder of Subscription Receipts will be entitled to request the Subscription Receipt Agent to return the holders' pro rata portion of the Escrowed Funds and upon the receipt of such request, the Company will return to such requesting holder within two business days of such request, an amount equal to the aggregate issue price of the Subscription Receipts held by them and their pro rata portion of any interest and income earned thereon from and after the Closing Date.

Upon the termination of the Definitive Agreement or if the Company advises the Agent or announces to the public that it does not intend or is unable to satisfy the Escrow Release Conditions or proceed with the Transaction Closing and/or the Acquisition (each a "Termination Event"), the Subscription Receipt Agent will return to holders of Subscription Receipts, within two business days of the Termination Event, an amount equal to the aggregate issue price of the Subscription Receipts held by them and their pro rata portion of any interest and income earned thereon (net of any applicable withholding tax). The Company will be responsible and liable to the holders of Subscription Receipts for, and the Company shall promptly deliver funds to the Subscription Receipt Agent in an amount equal to the amount of, any shortfall between the aggregate issue price of the Subscription Receipts and the Escrowed Funds.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Units for professional expenses and overhead, and general working capital purposes in advance of the Transaction Closing. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Subscription Receipts to satisfy the Transaction Closing conditions and complete the Acquisition, as well as for the exploration and development of the Project, working capital and general corporate purposes.

In connection with the Offering, a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering (the "Cash Commission") will be payable to the Agent on Closing, other than in respect of sales to those investors on the list of investors provided to Beacon by the Company (the "President's List ") the Agent will receive a corporate finance fee, in cash, equal to 2% of the gross proceeds of those sales (the "Corporate Finance Fee").

Compensation options ("Compensation Options" and together with the Cash Commission and the Corporate Finance Fee, the "Agent's Commission") equal to 6% of the number of Offered Securities issued by the Company under the Offering will be issued to the Agent on Closing (reduced to 2% on President's List orders). Each Compensation Option issued in respect of the sale of Units will be exercisable to purchase one Common Share (a "Compensation Option Share") at the issue price for a period that will be the same as the exercise period of the Warrants. Each Compensation Option issued in respect of the Subscription Receipts will, upon the satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of the Escrow Release Conditions and the release of the Escrowed Funds, become exercisable to purchase one Compensation Option Share at the issue price (subject to any necessary adjustments) for a period that will be the same as the exercise period of the Warrants underlying the Subscription Receipts.

The Offering is expected to close on or about January 29, 2026 and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. The Units and Common Shares and Warrants underlying the Units, the Compensation Options and the Common Shares underlying the Compensation Options, and the Common Shares underlying the Warrants (collectively, the "Securities") shall be subject to a hold period in Canada under applicable Canadian securities laws ending on the date that is four months and one day following the Closing Date.

It is anticipated that certain insiders of the Company may acquire Offered Securities. Any participation by insiders in the Offering will constitute a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects such participation will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the Units subscribed for by the insiders, nor the consideration for the Units paid by such insiders, is expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Offered Securities will be offered for sale to (i) "accredited investors" resident in all provinces of Canada subject to compliance with applicable securities regulatory requirements and pursuant to private placement exemptions as set out in National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions and (ii) in jurisdictions other than Canada including in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The Securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Helius Minerals Limited

Helius is a mineral exploration company focused on the identification and development of high-quality mineral assets across the Americas, with an emphasis on South American jurisdictions.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. These forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the closing of the Private Placement, conducting the Private Placement in conjunction with the Transaction, the closing of the Transaction, the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, the payment of the Agent's Commission, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, the Transaction Closing and the anticipated acquisition of Offered Securities by insiders of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the uncertainties inherent to current and future legal challenges that face the Project and Colossus and its subsidiaries; controls, regulations, and political or economic developments in Brazil; changes in national and local government legislation in Canada and Brazil; the lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, which may not be immune from the influence of political pressure, corruption or other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining and maintaining the validity and enforceability of the necessary licenses and permits and complying with the permitting requirements of Brazil; fluctuations in the international currency markets and in the rates of exchange of the currencies of Canada, the United States and Brazil; significant capital requirements; risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund exploration work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Project; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in conducting work programs; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from Helius' operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279641

Source: Helius Minerals Limited
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Fortitude Gold Corp. (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") declares its monthly dividend of $0.01 per common share payable on January 30, 2026 to shareholders of record as of January 20, 2026. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.

Dividends may vary in amount and consistency or be discontinued at the Board of Directors' discretion depending on variables including but not limited to operational cash flows, Company development requirements and strategies, construction, spot gold and silver prices, taxation, general market conditions and other factors described in the Company's public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Fortitude Gold Corp.:

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free, and distribute dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of seven high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and an eighth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production and the fully permitted Scarlet South and County Line mines are in development. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release.

Contact:

Greg Patterson

719-717-9825

greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com

www.Fortitudegold.com

SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/fortitude-gold-declares-january-2026-monthly-dividend-1124771
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Nations Royalty Corp. (TSXV: NRC) (OTCQB: NRYCF) (FSE: Y96) ("Nations Royalty" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Derrick Pattenden as President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company, effective immediately.

Mr. Pattenden succeeds Robert McLeod, who has served as founder, CEO, and Director of the Company since its inception. Mr. McLeod will continue to serve as a Director to the Company for the foreseeable future, supporting a seamless leadership transition. Mr. McLeod is stepping into the role of CEO of Ascot Resources Ltd. ("Ascot"); Nations Royalty has royalty interests in the Premier and Red Mountain deposits owned by Ascot.

Mr. McLeod, Director of Nations Royalty, commented, "Founding Nations Royalty with the Nisga'a Nation and guiding it through its early stages has been an incredibly meaningful journey. As the Company enters its next phase of growth, the Board and I believe this is the right time to transition leadership to Derrick. He brings deep industry expertise, capital markets experience, and a strong understanding of our assets and values. One of our key goals is for an Indigenous management and I am excited for Derrick to take on the roll of CEO. I have full confidence in his ability to lead Nations Royalty forward, and I look forward to continuing to support the Company as a director."

Mr. Pattenden is a proud band member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation and has served as the Company's Chief Investment Officer since May 2024. He was appointed to the Board of Directors at the Company's most recent Annual General & Special Meeting. With over 15 years of experience in the mining industry, Mr. Pattenden has an extensive background in finance, mergers, and acquisitions. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Mr. Pattenden, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Nations Royalty stated, "On behalf of the entire Nations Royalty team, I would like to thank Robert for his leadership in establishing and building this company. His vision was instrumental in creating Canada's first majority Indigenous-owned publicly traded mining royalty company. As we transition into our next phase, I am grateful that Robert will remain actively involved as a Director, contributing his deep knowledge of our assets, the Golden Triangle region, and the relationships that underpin our success. I look forward to building on this strong foundation as we advance the Company's strategic objectives."

About Nations Royalty Corp.

The Company's vision is to unite First Nations and Indigenous groups across Canada, welcoming external investors to join the Company as shareholders. Together, they will combine royalties, income and commodity streams and annual benefit payment entitlements from resource projects, tapping into the growth, diversification and value potential typical of publicly traded royalty companies. As a leader in the spirit of economic reconciliation, Nations Royalty's mission includes capacity building of Indigenous People in public companies and capital markets.

Nations Royalty's foundation begins with five annual benefit payment entitlements in place in respect of the following properties in Canada:

The high-grade Brucejack gold mine operated by Newmont Corporation;

operated by Newmont Corporation; The KSM Copper-Gold-Silver-Molybdenum deposit , currently in development by Seabridge Gold Inc.;

, currently in development by Seabridge Gold Inc.; The Premier Gold Project , currently evaluating a restart decision by Ascot Resources Ltd.;The Red Mountain Gold Deposit , owned by Ascot Resources Ltd.; and

, currently evaluating a restart decision by Ascot Resources Ltd.;The , owned by Ascot Resources Ltd.; and The Kitsault Molybdenum Deposit, a large, fully permitted brownfield site owned and being actively advanced by New Moly LLC, majority-owned by Resource Capital Fund VI L.P.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Nations Royalty Corp.

"Derrick Pattenden"

Derrick Pattenden, President, CEO and Director

derrick.pattenden@nationsroyalty.ca

(604) 609-6126

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words, or variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include information relating to Derrick Pattenden's ability to help Nations Royalty partner with Indigenous groups across Canada. Such forward-looking information is based on the Company's expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release.

By their nature, forward-looking statement involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual result, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern, risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's operations, the potential inability of the Company to implement its business plan going forward. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company and are based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions regarding Derrick Pattenden's ability to help Nations Royalty partner with Indigenous groups across Canada that no significant events will occur outside the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279621

Source: Nations Royalty Corp.
CNBC-TV18 will host the 21st India Business Leader Awards on January 10 in Mumbai, with CNBC-TV18 bringing together top industrialists and policymakers. Amit Shah will attend as chief guest, alongside senior ministers and business leaders.

The 21st edition of the India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), will be graced by Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, as the Chief Guest.

Mumbai, 6th Jan: CNBC-TV18 is set to host the 21st edition of the India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), the countrys most prestigious and sought-after business honours, on January 10, 2026, in Mumbai.

The high-profile evening will be graced by Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, as the Chief Guest.

Also in attendance will be Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

IBLAs 21st edition will celebrate leaders driving enterprise success, national progress, and Indias growing influence on the global stage.

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The largest gathering of India will feature Indias most influential business leaders, including Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited; Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts; N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons; Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises; and Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and Managing Director of the JSW Group, highlighting IBLAs standing as one of Indias most prestigious platforms celebrating leadership and enterprise excellence.

Setting the tone for the year ahead, IBLA 2026 marks Indias biggest business honours, bringing together the nations foremost industrialists, global CEOs, and senior policymakers under one roof.

IBLA continues its over-two-decade legacy of honouring leaders whose ambition, innovation, and resilience shape Indias global success story. These changemakers think beyond borders, build with purpose, and drive industries toward long-term value creation.

The winners are selected by a jury that combines deep domain expertise and leadership experience, ensuring a rigorous, transparent, and credible evaluation of Indias leading business leaders and enterprises.

This years jury panel is chaired by Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. The jury panel comprises senior leaders from across industry, finance, healthcare, technology and law, including Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairperson of State Bank of India; C Vijayakumar, CEO and Managing Director of HCLTech; Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited; Arundhati Bhattacharya, President and CEO of Salesforce South Asia; Dilip Shanghvi, Founder and Executive Chairman of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited; Zia J. Mody, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at AZB & Partners; P D Singh, CEO of Standard Chartered for India and South Asia; and Tarun Garg, MD and CEO of Hyundai Motor India Limited.

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The 21st edition of CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards is presented by Standard Chartered.

(Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article. It does not have any involvement of the Firstpost editorial team and Firstpost claims no responsibility for its content.)
Ajay Murdia, a resident of Udaipur, had filed a complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust against Vikram Bhatt, Shwetambari Bhatt and others

In a setback to Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, who is currently lodged in jail with his wife in a cheating case, the Rajasthan High Court on Monday rejected his petition seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him and his associates in Udaipur.

Justice Sameer Jain, while refusing to interfere, observed that the matter does not appear to be merely a breach of contract but prima facie involves deliberate diversion and misappropriation of funds, and the police investigation will continue.

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Ajay Murdia, a resident of Udaipur, had filed a complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust against Vikram Bhatt, Shwetambari Bhatt and others, alleging that funds taken in the name of a film project were misappropriated.

Bhatt had moved the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR, contending that the matter was of a civil nature, not criminal.

The counsel for the petitioner argued in the court that the dispute is essentially one of breach of contract between two parties, which is civil in nature, and that under their agreement, the jurisdiction for resolving disputes should have been Mumbai and not Udaipur.

Describing Bhatt as a reputed filmmaker, the counsel also submitted in the court that an agreement was entered into with the complainant for making four films with an investment of Rs. 40 crore, followed later by an additional Rs. 7 crore. The counsel submitted that out of four films, one has been completed, but the complainant stopped further financing.

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The counsel for the respondent informed the court that the police had conducted a preliminary inquiry before registering the FIR, during which the allegation of misappropriation of funds was found to be substantiated.

They also brought to the courts notice that the money given for film production was transferred to vendors and individuals who had no connection with the film.

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Refusing to provide any relief to Bhatt and others, the High Court, in its order, said, The allegations are not confined merely to non-performance of a contract; they involve deliberate diversion of funds, lack of transparency, and elements of dishonesty. The preliminary inquiry has revealed evidence of fake invoices and the circulation of funds. The court also took note of the rejection of the anticipatory bail plea by the Bombay High Court previously, and said that when a cognisable offence is made out prima facie in a case, the high court should not interfere with the investigation
It shows Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetarpal and late actor Dharmendra as his father. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat as Brigadier KM Nisaar

Sriram Raghavans Ikkis is being praised for its restrained and nuanced take on the true story of war. It shows Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetarpal and late actor Dharmendra as his father. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat as Brigadier KM Nisaar.

Filmmaker Karan Johar has now praised the film and how it essays the futility and redundancy of war. Praising the film on his Instagram post, Johar wrote- IKKIS is a love letter to peace an honestly and earnestly told story about the absolute redundancy of war.i was so moved by so many moments of the film  it silently screams  and thats where Sriram Raghavan gets it so right i was moist eyed everytime Dharamji was on screen.

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The filmmaker added,  @jaideepahlawat proves time and again what an outstanding force of nature he ishe is ROCK SOLID!!

Agastya Nanda is OUTSTANDING as the 21 year old Arun Khetarpal his endearing innocence , silent resolve and eventual climax break out proves his metal as an artist was so proud and excited to see him emerge as such a sincere and solid actor cant wait to see his journey unfold welcome to the movies.

Brigadier KM Nisaar- An exceptional incident

The disclaimer in the beginning of the movie states: The humane behaviour of Pakistani Brigadier KM Sisar is only an exceptional incident. Otherwise, our neighbouring country is not trustworthy at all. Pakistans armies, both during war and in times of peace, have behaved very cruelly and inhumanely with our soldiers and citizens.

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It further reads, In torturing them, they have repeatedly and openly violated the Geneva Convention. Considering the terrorist activities sponsored by Pakistan, as responsible citizens, we must always remain alert and prepared.
Katherine Ryan reflects on her early role in Campus, motherhoods impact on her career, and her candid views on money.

Comedian and writer Katherine Ryan has spoken candidly about her early career struggles, motherhood, and her unapologetic relationship with money, revealing that she considers herself the worst thing in one of her first television roles but remains grateful for what it gave her at a crucial time in her life.

Ryan, a Canadian-born comedian who later moved to the UK, recalled how she landed a role in Victoria Piles semi-improvised sitcom Campus when her daughter Violet was just six months old in an interview with The Guardian. Reflecting on the experience now, Ryan admitted that while the show may not have showcased her best work, the financial stability it offered was vital. She said she was the worst thing in it, but the pay cheque kept her afloat for the next two years, something she views as a win in retrospect.

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The comedian also spoke about how motherhood fundamentally changed her approach to auditions and career decisions. She said that knowing her daughter deserved a really great life pushed her to take her work more seriously and approach opportunities with confidence and intense preparation. Ryan said she would overwrite and overprepare for auditions, walking into casting rooms fully convinced that she belonged there, that she would improve the show, and that she deserved to be cast.

Ryan has also been outspoken about money, breaking what she calls the unspoken rule among celebrities of pretending financial success doesnt matter. I love money. I also think its provocative to talk about that, she said, adding that discussions around wealth often make people uncomfortable. She recalled how this attitude extended into her creative work, particularly during the making of her Netflix series The Duchess, where aspects of affluence in the story were repeatedly questioned by the production team.

According to Ryan, even small details, such as her characters daughter owning a horse, were challenged. She pushed back, saying, Why not? My daughter has a horse. The detail was eventually removed from the show, something Ryan has since mentioned with dry humour.

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Katherine Ryan rose to prominence on British television after appearing on 8 Out of 10 Cats, a turning point she has said changed everything. After that, the phone didnt stop ringing, she recalled. She went on to become a familiar face on panel shows such as Mock the Week, QI, Have I Got News for You, and Taskmaster, alongside a successful stand-up career.

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In addition to her television work, Ryan has released multiple stand-up specials and created, written, and starred in Netflixs The Duchess, which drew from elements of her own life as a single mother.
Meghan Markle is reportedly planning to release her first cookbook in early 2026 as part of her As Ever lifestyle brand, featuring personal recipes and hosting tips linked to her Netflix show With Love, Meghan.

Meghan Markle is reportedly planning to release her first adult-focused cookbook in early 2026, sources familiar with the project have told Daily Mail. The cookbook is expected to be part of the continued growth of her As Ever lifestyle brand following the launch of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan.

According to insiders, the book will feature a collection of recipes and hosting tips inspired by Markles personal approach to cooking and entertaining, aligning with the aesthetic and themes seen in her Netflix lifestyle series.

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On Meghans cook book

A source told Daily Mail online,  Meghan is looking at a cookbook for early 2026 and there will be more lifestyle products coming in the spring. 2026 is looking like another big year for her. There will be more wine and definitely more homeware too.

The cookbook is expected to go beyond standard recipes to encompass Meghans style of hosting and home life. Early reports suggest potential inclusions such as her signature single-skillet spaghetti and a vibrant rainbow-themed fruit salad, reflecting the California-inspired, approachable cooking featured on _With Love, Meghan_.

The spring 2026 release is also likely to coincide with broader offerings from the As Ever brand, which has previously included pantry staples like crepe and biscuit kits. The source said, But she will ease off selling her biscuit and crepe kits, indicating a shift toward more curated and lifestyle-oriented products.

Meghans Netflix connection

Although Netflix is a partner in aspects of Meghans lifestyle ventures, her products have not yet been stocked in Netflix-run stores or pop-ups in the United States. According to reports, Netflix executives are monitoring the reception of Markles holiday special before committing to any experiential events or wider merchandising efforts. A source noted, They [Netflix] are monitoring the Christmas show to see if it picks up, before they do any proper pop-ups or experiences.

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The planned cookbook will mark Markles first major culinary publication for adults, adding to her previous work, which includes her childrens book The Bench and a foreword for Together: Our Community Cookbook in 2018. The new project appears designed to dovetail with her media presence and lifestyle brand ambitions, offering fans a deeper look at the recipes and rituals she showcases on screen and in her everyday life.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to attend a high-stakes summit with the Coalition of the Willing in Paris to finalise concrete security guarantees for Ukraine in the ongoing Russia war. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be observing Orthodox Christmas Eve in Moscow on January 6. In Rome, Pope Leo XIV will be closing the Holy Door at St Peters Basilica, marking the end of the Jubilee Year 2025

It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to attend a high-stakes summit in Paris today. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be observing the Orthodox Christmas Eve.

The CES tech conference will take place in Las Vegas from January 6 to January 9. Pope Leo XIV will close the enormous bronze door of St Peters Basilica in the Vatican as the Jubilee Year 2025 will officially conclude. The United States will mark the fifth anniversary of the Capitol Hill attack in 2021.

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Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.

Zelenskyy to attend a summit with allies in France

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to attend a summit in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The gathering serves as a critical session for the Coalition of the Willing, a group of over 30 nations, to finalise concrete security guarantees for Ukraine.

The focus will be on defining concrete commitments to protect Ukraine following any potential peace deal with Russia. This includes discussions on a European-led peacekeeping force and legal obligations to respond with force if Ukraine is attacked again.

The summit occurs amid escalating Russian aggression and just before the fourth anniversary of the invasion. Domestically, Zelenskyy has recently overhauled his cabinet  appointing Mikhailo Fedorov as Defence Minister and Kyrylo Budanov as Chief of Staff  to sharpen focus on these diplomatic and security negotiations.

Putin attends Orthodox Christmas Eve service

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be observing Orthodox Christmas Eve on Tuesday (January 6). This is a tradition he typically marks by attending a midnight Divine Liturgy. In the Russian Orthodox tradition, Christmas is celebrated on January 7, following the older Julian calendar.

The service will begin late on January 6 and continue into the early hours of January 7. Putin often uses these appearances to highlight traditional family values and the historical link between the Russian state and the Orthodox Church.

Russias President Vladimir Putin lights a candle during the Orthodox Christmas liturgy at the Church of St George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, Russia in 2025. File image/Reuters

In recent years, Putin has favored smaller, more personal services over large public gatherings at Moscows Christ the Saviour Cathedral. In 2024 and 2025, he attended services alongside veterans of the special military operation and their families, often at the Church of St. George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Hill or his residence at Novo-Ogaryovo.

CES tech conference in Las Vegas

The CES tech conference is taking place in Las Vegas today, with the exhibition running from January 6 to January 9. The exhibition will showcase innovations from 4,500 global exhibitors.

Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang is scheduled to host the Tech World conference at the Las Vegas Sphere where he will be discussing the future of AI. Companies like Samsung, Sony, Intel, AMD, and Nvidia will have their new products on full display for attendees to experience firsthand.

The Jubilee Year 2025 will be coming to an end

Pope Leo XIV will be closing the Holy Door at St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican today, marking the end of the Jubilee Year 2025.

After the final pilgrims pass through, Pope Leo XIV will symbolically close the massive bronze doors. These doors will then be walled up from the inside with a traditional brick structure containing a parchment deed and commemorative medals.

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St Peters is the last of the four major papal basilicas to close its doors. The other three, namely St Mary Major, St John Lateran, and St Paul Outside the Walls, closed their doors between December 25 and December 28.

A pilgrim touches the the St Paul Outside the Walls Basilicas Holy Door prior to the start of its closing ceremony in Rome on December 28, 2025. File image/Reuters

The doors will officially open in 2033 for the Extraordinary Holy Year of Redemption. Following the closing of doors, cardinals will convene on January 7 and 8 to discuss the future of the Church.

US Capitol Hill riots anniversary

The United States is marking the fifth anniversary of the 2021 US Capitol attack today. Following Donald Trumps return to the presidency in 2025, the anniversary is characterised by a battle to control the narrative and significant administrative shifts regarding the events of 2021.

The Faith in Democracy interfaith concert is being held today at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, DC. The nonpartisan event aims to reclaim the day as one of unity, featuring music from diverse faith traditions.

Activist groups, such as those in Long Island, have organised peaceful demonstrations like 47 Reasons to Take a Stand to reflect on democratic values.

With inputs from agencies
A Hilton hotel in Minnesota cancelled reservations made by ICE agents deployed amid a US federal immigration crackdown. The move drew sharp criticism from the Trump administration, public apologies from Hilton and its franchise partner, and protests outside hotels

The Hilton logo is seen on a Hilton hotel in The Hague, Netherlands, April 30, 2024. Representational Image/Reuters

A single hotel reservation cancellation in Minnesota has spiralled into a national controversy in the US involving the Trump administration, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and a global hospitality brand.

At the centre of the dispute is a Hampton Inn property in Lakeville, Minnesota, operating under the Hilton umbrella, and its decision to cancel bookings made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who were being deployed to the Minneapolis area as part of a wider federal enforcement surge.

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How the controversy began

The issue came into public view after DHS accused a Hilton hotel in Minnesota of cancelling reservations made by ICE agents this month.

According to DHS, the officers had booked rooms using official government email addresses and government-approved rates while preparing for duty in the state.

On Monday (January 5, 2026), DHS said the hotel cancelled those bookings despite the reservations being made through standard government channels.

The department shared screenshots on X that it said showed email correspondence from the hotel explaining why the bookings would not be honoured.

One of the messages stated, We are not allowing ICE or any immigration agents to stay at our property.

Another message cited online research into the identity of a guest and said, After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be cancelling your upcoming reservation.

DHS characterised the cancellations as deliberate and coordinated. In a social media post, the department said the actions were designed to obstruct immigration enforcement, alleging that the hotels response went beyond a routine booking issue.

When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations, DHS said, accusing the chain of deliberately interfering with law enforcement operations tied to immigration.

How DHS escalated accusations against Hilton

As the story gained traction, DHS officials sharpened their criticism of Hilton. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the department, issued a statement directly attacking the companys motives.

Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nations immigration laws? McLaughlin said.

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DHS also alleged that the cancellation was not an isolated incident, claiming it reflected a wider refusal to host federal agents at Hilton properties in the Minneapolis area.

The department described the move as a coordinated campaign to deny accommodation to ICE officers and other immigration agents.

NO ROOM AT THE INN!@HiltonHotels has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement.



When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations.



This is pic.twitter.com/qKMKypGtzi  Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 5, 2026

The public rebuke placed Hilton squarely in the political spotlight, with the Trump administration known for publicly naming and criticising corporations it believes are acting against its policies or priorities.

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How Hilton distanced itself from the franchise decision

Hilton Worldwide responded by pointing out that the Lakeville property operates as a franchise and is independently owned and managed. The company stressed that the decision to cancel the reservations did not reflect Hiltons corporate policies or values.

A Hilton spokesperson said the brands hotels are intended to be inclusive spaces and that the conduct at the Minnesota property was not representative of Hiltons standards.

We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies, the spokesperson said.

Hiltons position is clear: Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

In another statement, Hilton said it was continuing discussions with the hotel and confirmed that an apology had been issued for the cancellations. The company said the hotel had taken immediate steps to resolve the situation and was reaching out to affected guests.

They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter and are contacting impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated, Hiltons spokesperson said.

Hilton also reiterated that it works regularly with governments, law enforcement agencies and community leaders around the world and aims to ensure its properties remain accessible and welcoming.

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In 2020, Hilton said detaining immigrants is not activity that we support or in any way want associated with our hotels, after reports emerged that a Texas franchise had accepted reservations from an ICE contractor.

In another high-profile case, Motel 6 agreed to pay $7.6 million to settle a class-action lawsuit after several of its locations shared guest lists with ICE agents, raising concerns about privacy and discrimination.

Last year, a Sheraton franchise operated by a third party in Louisiana faced scrutiny after it was alleged to have rented rooms to DHS personnel for the purpose of holding individuals who were in the process of being deported. The situation appeared to conflict with the brands broader policies.

How Everpeak Hospitality responded

The Lakeville hotel is owned and operated by Everpeak Hospitality, which also issued a statement addressing the incident.

The company acknowledged that the decision to cancel the ICE bookings was inconsistent with its internal policies and said corrective action had been taken.

Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all, the company said.

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We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.

In a separate statement posted on its website, Everpeak said the incident did not align with its commitment to hospitality and inclusivity. The company said it was working to ensure that all affected guests were provided alternative accommodations.

Despite these assurances, DHS officials disputed the timeline of the response.

McLaughlin wrote on X that DHS and ICE had not heard directly from Everpeak Hospitality at the time of her post, rejecting the suggestion that the matter had already been resolved.

While private businesses have certain rights to deny service, those decisions can carry legal, political and reputational consequences, especially when they involve government agencies.

The Trump administration has previously intervened publicly in similar disputes. Last year, an Office Depot store in Michigan drew attention after employees refused to print a poster for the late activist Charlie Kirk, calling it propaganda.

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The incident prompted then-attorney general Pam Bondi to ask the Justice Departments civil rights division to review the matter.

Office Depot later fired the employees involved and issued an apology, stating that it aims to provide services in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

How protests and online backlash followed

Demonstrators gathered outside hotels in Minnesota and in other parts of the country where ICE agents were staying.

Protesters reportedly made noise late into the night to disrupt the sleep of agents and called on hotel operators to deny accommodation to immigration officers. The demonstrations reflected broader opposition to the Trump administrations immigration policies and its approach to enforcement.

Online reaction was similarly divided. Google reviews for what is believed to be the Lakeville hotel location were flooded with new ratings following the DHS post.

Some reviewers criticised the hotel harshly, accusing it of being un-American, while others praised the property for refusing to host ICE agents.

Shares of Hilton Worldwide also fell during trading on the day the allegations became public, with losses ranging between 1.5% and 2.5% according to market reports.

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Whats behind the Minnesota enforcement surge

The Trump administration has recently increased DHS resources in the Minneapolis area, with reports suggesting that as many as 2,000 agents could be involved in upcoming operations.

Federal officials have portrayed Minnesotas Somali community as a focal point for alleged fraud involving federal funds intended for social services. Authorities have pointed to claims of large-scale misuse of money linked to social programmes, including childcare services.

The administration has also moved to freeze childcare funding to Minnesota and other states following disputed allegations of mass fraud at Somali-run daycare centres. Critics argue that these actions unfairly target a specific immigrant community.

Immigrant rights advocates have accused the administration of using fraud investigations as a justification to conduct broader enforcement actions against Somali immigrants.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the Somali-American population in Minneapolis, adding to tensions in the region.

With inputs from agencies
Is Bangladesh unsafe for Hindus? Thats the question on many peoples mind after the killing of two Hindu men  Rana Pratap Bairagi and Sarat Mani Chakraborty  on Monday (January 5). According to data, six such deaths have occurred in a span of 18 days. Theres also been a complaint of a Hindu woman being gang-raped and then tied to a tree

A demonstrator displays a placard during a protest against what they say is violence against Hindu communities during ongoing unrest, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters

It seems Bangladesh is turning into a no country for Hindus. As the country gears up for an election  the first after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024  the attacks on Hindus in the country are also rising significantly; theres been six killings in 18 days, as well as reports of rape and arson.

In the last 24 hours itself, two Hindu men have been killed in the south Asian country  38-year-old factory owner and a newspapers acting editor Rana Pratap Bairagi was shot dead in Bangladeshs Jessore, and 40-year-old Sarat Mani Chakraborty, a grocery owner, was killed after being attacked with sharp weapons in Narsingdi.

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Heres a closer look at how Hindus have been targeted in Bangladesh in recent times, raising questions about their safety.

Rana Pratap and Sarat Mani: Two killings in 24 hours

On Monday (January 5), two Hindu men were killed in different parts of Bangladesh in a matter of a few hours.

Around 5.45 pm at Kopaliya Bazaar in Bangladesh, unidentified men shot dead Rana Pratap Bairagi, a factory owner and a newspapers acting editor. A resident of Arua village, Bairagi was the son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi in neighbouring Keshabpur district.

He owned an ice-making factory in Kopaliya Bazaar in Monirampur and was the acting editor of a newspaper called Dainik BD Khabar. The newspaper was published in Narail. According to the police, there were four cases registered against Bairagi in two police stations.

Speaking on the killing, Monirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rajiullah Khan told Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo, Bairagi was shot three times in the head, and his throat was slit. The reason for the murder or the identities of the murderers are not yet known.

Sarat Mani Chakraborty, a Hindu man, was attacked with sharp weapons in Narsingdi district. Image Courtesy: X

Hours after the death of this Hindu man, around 10 pm, another Hindu man, 40-year-old Sarat Mani Chakraborty was attacked with sharp weapons in Narsingdi district. A news report states that Chakraborty was at his grocery shop in the Charsindur Bazaar in the Palash Upazila area of Narsingdi when unidentified assailants suddenly attacked him with sharp weapons and critically injured him. Local residents rushed him to a hospital, but Chakraborty succumbed to his injuries on the way. He is survived by his wife, Antara Mukherjee, and his 12-year-old son, Abhik Chakraborty.

The horrific gang-rape of a Hindu widow

Before the news of the two Hindu men being killed in Bangladesh, came the shocker of a Hindu widow being gang-raped and then tied to a tree.

On Saturday (January 3), a 40-year-old woman was allegedly gang raped in Kaliganj, a sub-district of Jhenaidah. The survivors police complaint states that two men tied her to a tree, forcibly cut off her hair, sexually assaulted her, and recorded the attack on video. The footage was later circulated on social media, worsening the assault on her.

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In her statement to the authorities, the woman alleged that the incident occurred owing to a dispute of the two-storeyed house she had purchase in the Kaliganj municipality. She stated that she had purchased the house from Shahin, who began to harass her and make indecent proposals.

On Saturday evening, when two relatives from her village were visiting, Shahin and his associate Hasan allegedly forced their way into the house and raped her. The men then demanded 50,000 taka from the woman. When she refused, they reportedly assaulted her relatives and drove them out of the house.

Previous killings of Hindus in Bangladesh

In the last days of December and early days of January, theres been a spate of attacks against Hindu men. For instance, on January 3, a Hindu man died after being brutally attacked, hacked and set on fire.

Khokon Chandra Das, 50, was assaulted near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya in Shariatpur district, about 100 kilometres south of Dhaka, on December 31 night while returning home after closing his shop. Das, who ran a medicine shop and mobile banking business, was travelling in an autorickshaw when the attackers intercepted the vehicle and allegedly beat him up, hacked him with sharp weapons and then poured petrol on his head before setting him on fire.

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In an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond as locals raised an alarm. The attackers fled the scene, police said, adding that he was rescued by locals, taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, and then referred to Dhaka due to the severity of his injuries.

Family members move the body of Khokon Chandra Das after he was brutally assaulted, stabbed and set on fire by assailants in Bangladesh. Image Courtesy: @DDIndialive/X

Prior to this, Bajendra Biswas an employee at Sultana Sweaters Ltd factory in Mehrabari, Mymensingh, was fatally shot by his 22-year-old colleague in late December. According to reports, before firing with a shotgun at Biswas thigh, Mia reportedly said, Shall I shoot?. After shooting, Mia fled immediately. The bullet caused severe injuries in the victims thigh and led to heavy bleeding. Though Biswas was rushed to the Bhaluka Sub-district Health Complex, he was declared dead on arrival.

Amrit Mondal alias Samrat was killed in Rajbaris Pangsha sub-district. Image Courtesy: X

A day after Christmas, on December 26, also came the news of Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, being beaten to death by a mob in Bangladeshs Rajbari district. The Muhammad Yunus-led administration had noted that Mondals death had no communal angle, but arose from a violent situation stemming from extortion and criminal activities.

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The lynching of Dipu Chandran Das

However, the recent spate of violence against the minority in Bangladesh began with the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh city on December 18 when the country erupted in anger over the death of activist, Sharif Osman Hadi.

Working as a factory worker, he was lynched by a mob on allegations of blasphemy. According to eyewitnesses, allegations spread rapidly within the factory, triggering tension. An angry mob later assaulted Das, beating him severely. He reportedly died on the spot due to the attack.

A police official later that after the killing, the mob left Das body on the side of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and set it on fire, bringing traffic on both sides of the road to a standstill.

Das father, Ravilal Das, grieving his loss told NDTV the mob poured kerosene on his son and set him on fire. His burned body was left outside. They tied the burned torso and head outside together. It was horrible, he said.

The spate of attacks on the minority community has heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh.

Its to be seen if the violence continues against the Hindus or will the February 12 elections in Bangladesh change the situation.

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With inputs from agencies
January 6, 2026, marks five years of the riots that broke out on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. A mob of Trump supporters sought to disrupt the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election. Today, political parties in America refuse to agree on a shared history of the events

An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of US President Donald Trump riot at the US Capitol Building in Washington, US. File image/Reuters

Five years ago outside the White House, the outgoing president Donald Trump told a crowd of his supporters to head to the Capitol  and Ill be there with you  in protest as Congress was affirming the 2020 election victory for Democrat Joe Biden.

A short time later, the world watched as the seat of US power descended into chaos, and democracy hung in the balance.

On the fifth anniversary of January 6, 2021 there is no official event to memorialise what happened that day, when the mob made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue, battled police at the Capitol barricades and stormed inside, as lawmakers fled. The political parties refuse to agree to a shared history of the events, which were broadcast around the globe. And the official plaque honouring the police who defended the Capitol has never been hung.

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Instead, Trump will meet privately with House Republicans at the Kennedy Center, which the president has rebranded to carry his own name, for a policy forum. Democrats will hold a hearing with witnesses to the violence and later gather on the Capitol steps to mark the memory of what happened.

How will they anniversary be marked?

And the former leader of the militant Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, is staging a midday march retracing the rioters steps from the White House to the Capitol to honour Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt and others who died in the January 6 siege and its aftermath.

I ask those that are able to attend please do so, Tarrio said on social media feed X.

Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy for having orchestrated the January 6 attack, and is among more than 1,500 defendants who saw their charges dropped when Trump issued a sweeping pardon on his return to the White House last year. This will be a PATRIOTIC and PEACEFUL march. If you have any intention of causing trouble we ask that you stay home, Tarrio wrote.

A mob of supporters of US President Donald Trump fight with members of law enforcement at a door they broke open as they storm the US Capitol Building in Washington, US on January 6, 2021. File image/Reuters

The January 6 events, being held inside and outside, carry echoes of the split screen five years ago, as the House and Senate gathered to affirm the election results while the Trump supporters swarmed.

This milestone anniversary unfolds while attention is focused elsewhere, particularly after the US militarys stunning capture of Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, and Trumps plans to take over the country and prop up its vast oil industry, a striking new era of American expansionism.

These people in the administration, they want to lecture the world about democracy when theyre undermining the rule of law at home, as we all will be powerfully reminded, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on the eve of the anniversary.

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What will happen now?

The Democratic leadership is reconvening the now defunct January 6 committee to hear from police, elected officials and Americans about what they experienced that day.

Among those expected to testify is former Republican Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, who along with former Republican Liz Cheney of Wyoming, were the two Republicans on the panel that investigated Trumps efforts to overturn Bidens win. Cheney, who lost her own reelection bid to a Trump-backed challenger, is not expected to appear.

Republican Republican Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, who has been tapped by House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead a new committee to probe other theories about what happened on January 6, rejected Tuesdays session as a partisan exercise designed to hurt Trump and his allies.

Many Republicans reject the narrative that Trump sparked the January 6 attack and Johnson, before he became the House speaker, had led challenges to the 2020 election. He was among some 130 GOP lawmakers voting that day to reject the presidential results from some states.

Police officers in riot gear move protesters who are gathering at the US Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. File image/AFP

Instead, they have instead focused on security lapses at the Capitol  from the time it took for the National Guard to arrive on the scene to the failure of the police canine units to discover the pipe bombs found that day outside Republican and Democratic party headquarters. The FBI arrested a Virginia man suspected of placing the pipe bombs who told investigators last month he believed someone needed to speak up for those who believed the 2020 election was stolen.

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The Capitol Complex is no more secure today than it was on January 6, Loudermilk said in a social media post. My Select Subcommittee remains committed to transparency and accountability and ensuring the security failures that occurred on January 6 and the partisan investigation that followed never happens again."

Five people died in the Capitol siege and its aftermath, including Babbitt, who was shot and killed by police trying to climb through a door window near the House chamber, and Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick died later after battling the mob. Several law enforcement personnel died later, some by suicide.

The Justice Department indicted Trump on four counts in a conspiracy to defraud voters with his claims of a rigged election in the run-up to the January 6 attack.

Former Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers last month that the riot at the Capitol does not happen without Trump. He ended up abandoning the case once Trump was reelected president, adhering to department guidelines against prosecuting a sitting president.

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Trump, who never made it to the Capitol that day as he hunkered down at the White House, was impeached by the House on the sole charge of having incited the insurrection. The Senate acquitted him after top GOP senators believed the matter was best left to the courts.

Ahead of the 2024 election, the Supreme Court ruled ex-presidents have broad immunity from prosecution.
Manohara Odelia Pinot, an Indonesian-American model, has opened up about her distressing marriage with Malaysian Prince Tengku Fakhry. The couple wed in 2008, when Pinot was 16. She called the relationship coercive, non-consensual and illegal

Manohara Odelia, married at 16, claims her marriage to Malaysian prince Tengku Fakhry was coercive and not consensual. Image courtesy: Instagram/manodelia

The 2008 royal marriage between Indonesian-American model Manohara Odelia Pinot and Malaysian prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry, son of the sultan of Kelantan, has come into the spotlight. In a social media post on Monday (January 5), Pinot alleged daily sexual abuse and physical punishments.

Pinot, now thirty-three, claimed that the marriage took place when she was just 16, making it illegal and non-consensual. She further alleged that the union involved repeated sexual abuse, emotional and physical punishment. She also objected, clarifying that labelling her as the ex-wife of the prince is misleading.

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In her past interview, the model told an Indonesian television station, Sexual abuse and harassment became a daily routine for me. He did that every time I did not want to have sexual intercourse, according to an ABC report. Her mother, Daisy Fajarina, told the media she was barred from seeing her daughter and that Pinot was kidnapped, NBC News reported. However, the Malaysian prince denied any such wrongdoing, describing every allegation as a big lie.

Here, we take a look at what went wrong in the marriage, the allegations made by both sides, and more.

Who is Manohara Odelia Pinot?

The Indonesian starlet, now thirty-three, is also half American, according to HuffPost. Pinot was an emerging model and underage when she tied the knot with Malaysian Kelantanese prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, the son of the Sultan of Malaysias Kelantan state, in 2008. According to ABC, she holds US and Indonesian passports.

Manohara Odelia Pinot is an Indonesian-American model. Image courtesy: Instagram/manodelia

However, in 2009, Pinot made a dramatic escape from a Singapore hotel during a royal family trip. She returned to Indonesia with the assistance of her mother, local authorities, and the US embassy, according to media reports. While recounting how she slipped out of view of several Malaysian Royal guards, Pinot was quoted by HuffPost as saying, Their guards tried to find and catch me, but they were afraid of having their actions recorded by the escalators camera, so they let me go.

She had then filed a report against the Malaysian prince at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.

What went wrong in the marriage?

In her latest post on Instagram, the model explains what she calls a forced marriage to the Malaysian prince that took place when she was a minor. She clarified that her 2008 union was neither consensual nor legal. She further described the marriage as a case of coercion."

What occurred during my teenage years was not a romantic relationship, not a consensual relationship, and not a legal marriage. There was never a relationship I wanted, agreed to, or entered into voluntarily, Pinot said.

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She explained that during marriage, she was underage and incapable of giving informed consent. At the time, I was a minor and was in a situation of coercion and lack of freedom, meaning I did not have a real choice or the capacity to give consent, Pinot added. She pointed out that the union was subjected to strict control, isolation, and abuse during her stay in the royal palace.

In the same post, she also objected to the mantan istri (ex-wife) label widely used to represent her in the media. Pinot urged journalists to stop using the term, as it implies a mutual, legal, and consensual relationship, which was not the case. She even encouraged editors to use more ethical language that depicts the reality of child marriage and abuse, and to stop sanitising the case of coercion.

Model Manohara Odelia Pinot claims she was coerced and abused in marriage to a Malaysian Prince. Image/ Instagram: manodelia

Using the term mantan istri implies a lawful, voluntary, adult relationship and marriage. That implication is false. It reframes a coercive situation as a legitimate relationship and distorts the reality of what occurred, she wrote. This request is not about revisiting the past. It is about accuracy, ethics, and responsible use of language and context."

How has the Malaysian prince reacted?

Despite several serious allegations in the past of physical abuse and slavery, the Malaysian prince continued to deny any wrongdoing. In 2009, Fakhrys lawyer said that the prince refused claims that he slashed the Indonesian model with razor blades, locked her up and used her as a sex slave during the marriage, NBC News reported.

He filed a police report against his then-teen wife and her mother for making false allegations, his lawyer Mohamad Haaziq Pillay said. The Malaysian prince was even considering suing Pinot and her family, describing her allegations as a big lie and defamation, the report noted. His lawyer told Associated Press (AP), The prince categorically denies each and every allegation. His position, his dignity, are being tarnished."

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The royal Kelantan family denied all allegations, calling the matter personal and private.

With inputs from agencies
Who would have thought that a dance could land you in trouble? But thats what has reportedly happened. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seen grooving in the months before his capture by US forces, as if taunting Donald Trump, who was ramping up pressure against the South American nation. This reportedly pushed the US president to okay the military action

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro dances in Caracas. It appears that the Venezuelan leader's moves triggered Donald Trump to take action against the South American nation. File image/Reuters

Its a new world order wherein the slightest of slights may get you in trouble. What are we talking about? Donald Trump, of course. It seems that even the tiniest of snubs could get on the wrong side of the US president.

He doesnt like you dancing, he could capture you from your residence and fly you to New York to face criminal charges. For those who are still scratching their heads, all you have to do is turn your attention to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by elite US troops in the wee hours of Saturday (January 3) and brought to the US to face charges of narco-terrorism. Apparently, it was Maduros defiant dancing that rubbed Trump the wrong way. He then ordered the daring military operation to seize him.

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Catch live updates from the here

Maduro shows off his singing and dancing skills

In the months before being captured and taken to the US, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was often seen singing and dancing in public appearances, even as he faced increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Last November, the Venezuelan leader was captured on camera singing John Lennons Imagine. Do everything for peace, as John Lennon used to say, right? Maduro said as he addressed a crowd. It is an inspiration for all times. It is an anthem for all eras and generations, left by John Lennon as a gift to humanity.

More from Explainers The story of Nicolas Maduro: From bus driver to strongman to narco-terrorist

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro breaks into singing John Lennon's 'Imagine' as he talks about US tensions. pic.twitter.com/R270tpM5AF  The Associated Press (@AP) November 16, 2025

This incident occurred while the Trump administration reinforced its military presence near Venezuela to stem drug trafficking.

Then in late November, Maduro took the stage at a student rally in Caracas. This time, he showed off his moves when he began bouncing to an electronic remix of his own voice. The track looped his words in English: No war, no crazy war, no, no, no. Peace, peace, yes peace. He jumped. He swayed. He pumped his fists while supporters waved flags. State media broadcast it all.

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DANCE DIPLOMACY: Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro dances to a remix of his own peace slogans at a rally as U.S. warships patrol nearby amid rising tensions. pic.twitter.com/WsKxqXJpSF  Fox News (@FoxNews) November 25, 2025

Maduros dancing took it too far for Trump

But it seems that Maduros swaying and fist-pumping didnt impress Trump, who is also fond of dancing, too much. In fact, according to a New York Times report, it was these antics by the Venezuelan leader that pushed the US president into ordering the operation against Maduro.

As per the New York Times, Maduros dancing came shortly after he rejected an ultimatum from Trump to leave office and go into exile in Turkey. In fact, the viral moment came just after the US military carried out a strike on a dock that the Trump administration said was used for drug trafficking.

The news report citing officials said that Maduros regular public dancing and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks helped persuade some on the Trump team that the Venezuelan president was mocking them and trying to call what he believed to be a bluff.

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The sources said, the performances were read inside the administration as deliberate provocation. It was one dance move too many.

Then came Operation Absolute Resolve

Following this, US President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead for Operation Absolute Resolve, the mission that saw the capture of Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their compound in Caracas.

In the wee hours of Saturday, under the cover of explosions and the dark of night, troops from the US armys Delta Force stormed into the highly guarded presidential palace, which Trump described as a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas. Maduro had nearly made it to a safe room inside it, Trump told reporters, although he was unable to close it.

Providing more details, Trump said a few US members of the operation were injured but he believed no one was killed. A couple of guys were hit, but they came back and theyre supposed to be in pretty good shape, he said, adding, We had to do it because its a war.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, appear in Manhattan federal court in New York. AP

Maduro captured and appears in US court

On Monday (January 5), days after his capture, Maduro appeared in a Manhattan court, with his wife, Cilia Flores. In court, Maduro declared himself the president of my country, and pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration have levelled against him.

The 63-year-old was brought to court under heavy security early Monday  flown by helicopter to Manhattan from Brooklyn, where he is jailed, and then driven to the courthouse in an armored vehicle. He and Flores were led into court just before noon. Both were in leg shackles and jail-issued garb.

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While many may believe this story is a stretch, its plausible. After all, another report suggests that Trump didnt extend support to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as a potential interim leader owing to her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize  an award the US president was coveting.

A Washington Times report citing sources said, If she had turned it down and said, I cant accept it because its Donald Trumps, shed be the president of Venezuela today.

Machados acceptance of the prize was an ultimate sin, the person adds in the report.

In light of these reports, theres one lesson for everyone  dont anger Trump, or you are definitely going to lose out.

With inputs from agencies
An op-ed by Zorain Nizamani, a PhD scholar in the US, published in a Pakistani newspaper and uploaded online, has caught the attention of Pakistanis. Titled It is Over, the article argues that it is over for boomers and the younger generation is not falling for the narratives peddled by them. The now-deleted article has started a debate in the country

Zorain Nizamani's article is at the centre of a storm in Pakistan. Instagram/zorainnizamanii

A now-deleted article on Generation Z has stirred a storm in Pakistan. The removal of the op-ed published in an English daily, The Express Tribune, on January 1 has sparked a row in the South Asian country.

The author has been dubbed a national hero, with even political parties commenting on the issue. As the world sees a rise in Gen Z protests, what has an article on the young generation got Pakistanis vexed?

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We explain.

Whats in the article?

The opinion piece, titled It is Over, was published by The Express Tribune last week in the newspaper and uploaded on its website.

The article was authored by Zorain Nizamani, a PhD scholar in the United States and the son of popular TV actors Fazila Qazi and Qaiser Khan Nizamani.

He argued in the piece that despite their efforts, the era of the old men was over and Pakistans Gen Z was not falling for their narratives.

For the older men and women in power, its over. The young generation isnt buying any of what youre trying to sell to them. No matter how many talks and seminars you arrange in schools and colleges, trying to promote patriotism, it isnt working, the author wrote.

While he did not mention Pakistans Army, Nizamani argued: Patriotism comes naturally, when there is equal opportunity, sound infrastructure and efficient mechanisms in place. When you provide your people with basic necessities and ensure people get their rights, you wont have to go to schools and colleges to tell students that they are supposed to love their country, they already will nonetheless.

In a sharp attack on his countrys civil-military rule, he said the younger generation is not buying the narratives of the state.

Young minds, the Gen Z, the alphas, they know exactly what is happening and despite your consistent efforts of trying to sell your views of patriotism to them, they are seeing right through it. Thanks to the internet, thanks to whatever little education we have left, despite your best efforts of keeping the masses as illiterate as possible, you have failed. You have failed to tell people what to think, they are thinking for themselves. They might be a little too scared to speak their minds because they prefer breathing, Nizamani wrote.

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He underlined that while fear may prevent Gen Z from open dissent, the youth were taking a silent, quiet exit out of the country.

The younger lot has had enough, and because they have learned that they cannot challenge the powers, theyre leaving the country Theyd rather take a silent, quiet exit and not look back because their friends, who spoke up, were silenced, Nizamani, who is also a lawyer, said.

Warning that it is over for boomers, he said there is no future for them. Nizamani also flagged the massive disconnect between the Gen Z and the current Pakistani regime.

The Gen Z wants faster internet, the ones in power want a stronger firewall. The Gen Z wants cheaper smartphones, the boomers want smartphones to be taxed. The Gen Z wants eased restrictions on freelancing, the boomers want to increase regulations on freelancing, he wrote.

Why was the article removed?

The article was pulled down a few hours after it was published online. There are reports that pressure from the Army led to the removal of the op-ed that has now become popular.

The Pakistan Armys media wing, ISPR, posted articles countering the now-deleted piece, ThePrint reported, citing Drop Site news, a US-based investigative journalism platform.

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The article that was published in the newspaper remains.

Row over take down of Gen Z article

Nizamanis article has divided Pakistanis, with many praising him for expressing the Gen Zs take, while critics call it an overrated perception.

This is such a great article. Written from the heart of every young person to every old man failing at their job in Pakistan, Pakistani lawyer Abdul Moiz Jafferi wrote on X.

This is such a great article. Written from the heart of every young person to every old man failing at their job in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/XwAdkaToUA  Abdul Moiz Jaferii (@Jaferii) January 1, 2026

Several journalists and human rights activists condemned the removal of Nizamanis article.

Pakistani rights activist Mehlaqa Samdani, the founder and director of Community Alliance for Peace, said the article bluntly tells Pakistans ruling elite that Gen Z is no longer falling for their attempts to manipulate and control narratives.

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Not surprisingly, this article is no longer accessible through the Express Tribunes digital editionexactly the kind of censorship Zorain talks about. He is right. It really is over for those who think they can continue to get away with these crude tactics, she posted on X.

Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafs (PTI) Canada account labelled it a must-read article, saying it only confirms the truth.

A portal, Siasat Pakistan wrote, Nobody knew Zorain Nizamani until yesterday morning, but today the entire Pakistan knows him. Whoever stands in front of your oppression, your intoxication with power, and your desire to become a dictatoreven if anonymousbecomes a hero and a nationwide figure within 24 hours. Your hand is truly magical; whoever you lay your hand on becomes a rising sun.

Reality check for the generation shaping policy. The disconnect grows clearer by the day. Excellent analysis by Zorain Nizamani, former Pakistani minister Moonis Elahi wrote on X.

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As his article blew up and Nizamani was thrown to the centre of attention in his home country, he made a video to say that the piece speaks for itself and urged people to always think critically.

   :

The viral Pakistani PhD scholar from the University of Arkansas, also the son of a well known celebrity couple, has now joined X to explain his Express Tribune article.#zorainNizamani I #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/zLakseDlhG  Dr Ahmad Rehan Khan (@AhmadRehanKhan) January 3, 2026

He also took to LinkedIn to address the hullabaloo around his op-ed. While apologising if his article violated certain guidelines of the newspaper, Nizamani said it was taken down for reasons unknown to him.

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He said his work was quoted by certain politicians on social media and mass media, making it suit particular narratives, narratives I did not endorse.

Let me reiterate that I do not hold any political affiliations because my views dont go down well with anyone. My article It is over was based on my personal observations, my views and my take on things. I do not carry disdain against anyone, there is enough hatred in the world, truth is always controversial, the author said.
Rana Pratap Bairagi, a newspaper editor and businessman, was shot multiple times in the head by unidentified gunmen around 5:45 pm on Monday (January 5) in Jashores Manirampur district, Bangladesh. Police suspect the killing might have stemmed from a business-related dispute. The latest killing comes against the backdrop of alleged targeted attacks against Hindus in the country

Bangladesh is rocked by another Hindu killing. This time, a 38-year-old Hindu ice factory owner and journalist, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was fatally shot by unknown assailants in public in Monirampur upazila of Jashore, according to police. Bdnews24 quoted Monirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rajiullah Khan, Bairagi was shot three times in the head, and his throat was slit."

The incident occurred around 5:45 pm at Kapalia Bazar in the Upazila on Monday evening (January 5), reported Bangla-language daily Prothom Alo.

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Police believe the killing might have stemmed from a dispute related to business, and it is not clear yet whether there was a communal angle to the murder. This incident comes amid rising scrutiny of Bangladeshs deteriorating law and order and the safety of Hindus under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. The Muslim-majority country has witnessed a series of targeted crimes against the Hindu community in recent days. Bairagis killing is one of nearly half a dozen such incidents that have come to light.

We take a closer look:

Who was Rana Pratap Bairagi, killed in a targeted Jashore assault?

Thirty-eight-year-old, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was a resident of Aruna village in Keshabpur Upazila of Jessore in Khulna Division. He was the son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi, a schoolteacher, reports Times of India. Bairagi owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, according to Daily Prothom Alo.

Besides his business, he was also the acting editor of a Narail-based newspaper, Dainik BD Khobor, Keshabpur Press Club President Ashrafuzzaman Khan told The Daily Star. Police said the deceased businessman and journalist had one case registered against him at Abhaynagar police station and three at Keshabpur police station, adding that the details of these cases were not known.

How did the attack against Hindu journalist unfold?

On Monday (January 5), the incident occurred when he was at his ice factory in Kopalia market, Monirampur upazila, according to police and local residents. Three unidentified men arrived on a motorcycle around 5:45 pm. They called Bairagi out and took him to an alley on the western side of the market, in front of Kopalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre.

The Daily Star reports, citing a witness, After a brief altercation, they fired several shots at him, killing him on the spot. Monoharpur union parishad chairman Akhtar Faruk said that they shot Bairagi at close range in the head and fled. He died at the spot, the report noted.

Soon after receiving information about the shooting, police from Monirampur police station rushed to the spot. There was a sense of panic and fear across the Kopalia market and its surrounding areas. Monirampur police stations officer-in-charge (OC) Md Raziullah Khan confirmed the death of 38-year-old journalist, saying, Rana was shot three times in the head, and his throat was slit, TOI reported.

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Khan added, The body has been recovered, and preparations are underway to send it to the morgue of Jashore 250-bed General Hospital for post-mortem. We are investigating the perpetrators."

Police have recovered seven bullet casings from the spot, the media publication report noted. According to police, the circumstances surrounding the killing of Bairagi are yet to be unravelled.

Several media reports suggest that the police are also suspecting a business-related dispute, which would have led to the murder of the ice factory owner and journalist in Jashore.

How are Hindu killings piling up in Bangladesh?

The killing of Bairagi is the latest in a spate of violent incidents against the Hindu minority in a Muslim-majority country like Bangladesh. TOI reports that another Hindu grocery shop owner, Sarat Chakroborty Mani, was killed in Narsingdi on Monday night (January 5), triggering serious concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the nation.

Bangladesh news channel Blitz reported that Mani was attacked while running his shop. He was attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified men, according to eyewitnesses. Mani was rushed to the hospital; however, he died on the way.

Khokon Chandra Das, 50, a Hindu businessman, died after he was brutally attacked, hacked and set on fire on January 3.

Another Hindu man named Amrit Mondal was lynched over alleged extortion in Rajbari towns Pangsha Upazila, on December 24, as reported by Deccan Herald.

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Dipu Chandra Das, 25, was lynched by a mob on December 18. His body was set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh City on December 18.

With inputs from agencies
After a US military operation led to Nicolas Maduros capture, President Donald Trump has signalled plans to reopen Venezuelas vast oil sector to American companies. Despite holding the worlds largest proven reserves, years of sanctions, underinvestment and rivalry with China raise questions over whether Venezuelas oil revival is realistic

A flame burning natural gas is seen at an heavy-crude treatment plant operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Cabrutica at the state of Anzoategui, April 16, 2015. File Image/Reuters

Following a US military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said Washington wants to permit American oil companies to re-enter Venezuela and exploit its enormous crude oil resources.

Below are the main questions surrounding US interest in Venezuelan oil:

How large are Venezuelas oil reserves?

Venezuela holds the worlds largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303.221 billion barrels, according to OPEC, of which it is a member.

This places it ahead of Saudi Arabia, with 267.200 billion barrels, and Iran.

Despite this, production remains severely depressed. Venezuela currently produces about 1 million barrels per day (mb/d), down from roughly 3.5 mb/d when Hugo Chavez, Maduros predecessor, assumed power in 1999, according to Peter McNally of global research firm Third Bridge.

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Neglect, poor infrastructure, under investment, and corruption have diminished the countrys productive capacity, he said.

US sanctions imposed in 2019 during Trumps first term further exacerbated the decline, pushing output to a historic low of 350,000 barrels per day the following year.

How does Venezuela bypass sanctions?

Because of international restrictions, there are very few buyers of Venezuelan crude. China accounts for about 80 per cent of purchases, according to estimates, with shipments routed through Malaysia.

Around 5 per cent of exports go to Cuba under bilateral agreements.

To evade sanctions, Caracas depends on so-called ghost tankers that employ tactics such as fake flags, altered tracking data, and misleading shipping routes.

One such vessel, the M/T Skipper, was intercepted by the US Navy as part of an oil blockade on Venezuela announced last month. The tanker was carrying more than one million barrels of Venezuelan oil reportedly headed for Cuba.

To avoid US penalties, buyers make payments using cryptocurrency, including asset-backed stablecoins, primarily USDT.

What is the US presence in Venezuelas oil sector?

A limited share of Venezuelan oil output is produced by US energy giant Chevron.

Chevron operates under a special licence from Washington that allows it to continue its partnership with Venezuelas state-owned oil company and export some of its production, particularly to the US market.

However, the firm is barred from transferring cash to the Venezuelan state and instead settles taxes and other obligations through crude oil shipments.

Other major US companies active in the early 2000s, including ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, exited Venezuela in 2007 after rejecting conditions imposed by Chavez.

Those terms required the state to hold a majority stake in all oil ventures operating in the country.

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Why is Trump focused on Venezuelan oil?

We have to be surrounded by safe, secure countries, and we also have to have energy, very important, Trump said on Saturday.

He added that a lot of money is coming out of the ground, asserting that the US would be repaid for everything it spent in Venezuela.

Trump believes that the oil exported under embargo by Caracas is oil stolen from the international community, John Plassard of Cite Gestion Private Bank told AFP.

According to Plassard, Trump argues that much of this oil was extracted using American equipment and investments made before Chavezs nationalisations.

Washingtons broader objective is also to push back Chinese actors from the American continent, including limiting Chinas influence over the Panama Canal, through which a significant portion of Venezuelan oil is transported, Plassard said.

Is Trumps plan feasible?

Any recovery in production would require substantial investment given the crumbling infrastructure resulting from years of mismanagement and underinvestment, Giovanni Staunovo of UBS told AFP.

Yet current conditions make such investments unattractive. Oil prices are under pressure from excess supply and declined in 2025 despite major headwinds such as Trumps tariff war and the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

The US oil majors main responsibility is towards their shareholders, not the government, Ole Hansen, an analyst at Saxo Bank, told AFP.

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With that in mind I doubt we will see a rush of interest to get back into Venezuela anytime soon.

What could this mean for oil prices?

With global markets already well supplied, analysts suggest that turmoil in Venezuela is unlikely to have a major impact on oil prices, with only a modest increase expected this week.

Logistics around the ports could be disrupted, flows erratic, Plassard said. He added that markets may be more concerned about Trumps threats toward Iran, which produces far more oil.

If Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday.

We are locked and loaded and ready to go, he added, ahead of a weekend marked by deadly clashes between protesters and security forces in Iran.

Also Watch:

With inputs from AFP
Following windows being smashed at US Vice President JD Vances house in Ohio, a 26-year-old William DeFoor has been arrested and charged with vandalism and trespassing. Belonging to a wealthy family, its unclear if DeFoor is a transgender. Last month, he created a Facebook page under the name Julia

Twenty-six-year-old Ohio resident William DeFoor, who also goes by the name of Julia, has been identified as the individual behind the vandalism at US Vice President JD Vance's house. Image Courtesy: Julia DeFoor/Facebook

One would believe that the house of the United States vice president is well guarded. However, on Monday morning (January 5), a hammer-wielding vandal managed to break into the premises of JD Vances Ohio home, and smashed many windows before he was arrested.

Fortunately, neither Vance nor the Second Lady Usha Vance were at the house at the moment of the attack  the couple had departed for Washington a day earlier.

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Now, the vandal, identified as 26-year-old William DeFoor, has been arrested and charged in Hamilton County Municipal Court with criminal damaging, obstructing official business, criminal trespass and felony vandalism. The accused has also been charged with damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.

But what exactly happened? Who is DeFoor, the individual behind the attack on Vances house? What was the motive behind the attack?

What happened at JD Vances Ohio home?

It was after midnight on January 5 when Secret Service agents heard a loud noise at the Vance home and found DeFoor had broken a window with a hammer and was trying to get into the house. According to the officials, the suspect had also vandalised a Secret Service vehicle on his way up the driveway.

The incident occurred at Vances Ohio home, which is located in the East Walnut Hills neighbourhood on William Howard Taft Drive. Vance and his wife, Usha, purchased the home for about $1.4 million (Rs 12.63 crore) in 2018.

Officials inspect broken windows and other property damage at Vice President JD Vances Ohio home in eastern Cincinnati, Ohio. AP

A US Secret Service officer alerted local police around 12.15 am after spotting a person running eastbound near the property, a Cincinnati police dispatcher told FOX19 NOW. Police officers and Secret Service agents were immediately deployed, and the suspect was detained shortly after.

Vance and his family were not present in the house at the time of the attack. However, as per protocol, some of the US Secret Service personnel was present at the premise.

Images from Vances house showed a number of shattered windows at the residence. According to a news release from the US Attorneys Office in Cincinnati, the strikes caused damaged to the enhanced security assets on each window, valued at more than $28,000 (Rs 25.28 lakh).

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After being arrested, the suspect, identified as Defoor, has been charged with vandalism, obstruction of an official business and criminal trespass. However, the motive behind the attack remains unknown.

Who is William DeFoor? Why did he attack Vances house?

Now, in custody, the man behind the attack has been identified as 26-year-old William DeFoor. He is the son of a prominent millionaire family and is a Cincinnati native himself.

While its not clear if hes a transgender, Defoor has been going by the name Julia in recent weeks. DeFoor, it appears, had created a recent Facebook page under the name of Julia a month ago, and included a transgender wellness centre among the pages likes.

Investigations reveal the 26-year-old grew up in a $1.3 million home in the affluent Hyde Park neighbourhood with two younger siblings, the child of a surgeon father, William, and a paediatrician mother, Catherine, who are both registered Democrats. As per a Daily Mail report, DeFoors father is a supporter of Democratic causes; he donated more than $11,600 to Kamala Harris campaign. He also donated to Joe Bidens presidential campaign in 2020.

William DeFoor is charged with vandalism, obstruction of an official business and criminal trespass, according to the Hamilton County Sheriffs office. Image Courtesy: Hamilton County Sheriffs Office

As per the Facebook page, DeFoor graduated from high school in 2018 before attending the University of Cincinnatis College-Conservatory of Music. The suspect did not appear to have finished the course and enrolled at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College last year.

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DeFoor is also a registered voter in Ohio. However, no party affiliation has been made public.

Paediatric urologist William DeFoor (right) and Catherine DeFoor, Williams parents. Image Courtesy: @bob_defoor/Threads

While DeFoor is been charged with vandalising Vances house, this isnt his first brush with the law. Last year, DeFoor was charged with vandalism after windows at a business in Hyde Park were broken, according to court records. That case was referred to a mental health docket, and DeFoor was granted treatment in lieu of conviction. That treatment was still ongoing, according to court documents.

Earlier, in 2023, DeFoor was charged with trespassing at the US Health psychiatric emergency services and held on a $10,000 bond  but a judge determined he was not mentally competent to stand trial and the counts were dismissed later that year.

What does Vance say about the attack?

Vice President JD Vance heaped praise on law enforcement officials in Ohio following the incident. In a post on X, the US vice president wrote: I appreciate everyones well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. Im grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly.

US Vice President JD Vance thanked law enforcement officials after the vandalism at his house, saying he believed it was a crazy person. File image/AP

He then slammed the media for covering the incident. One request to the media: we try to protect our kids as much as possible from the realities of this life of public service. In that light, I am sceptical of the news value of plastering images of our home with holes in the windows.

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The vandalism at Vances Ohio residence on Monday evokes memories of an incident that occurred last March. At the time, Vance claimed that he was chased by pro-Ukraine protesters in Ohios Cincinnati when he was out on a walk with his three-year-old daughter, leaving her anxious and scared by their shouts. He then decided to talk to the protesters  which resulted in a mostly respectful conversation.

I decided to speak with the protesters in the hopes that I could trade a few minutes of conversation for them leaving my toddler alone. (Nearly all of them agreed), Vance wrote on X at the time. It was a mostly respectful conversation, but if youre chasing a three-year-old as part of a political protest, youre a st person.

With inputs from agencies
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was presented before a New York court within 48 hours of being captured by US forces in Caracas. US prosecutors allege that Maduro, his wife, and son engaged in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy and worked with cartels designated as terror groups. As a foreign head of state, does he enjoy immunity?

This courtroom sketch shows deposed president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro attending his arraignment at Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in New York, with defense lawyers Barry Pollack (L) and Mark Donnelly (R). Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism in a New York court. AFP

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday (January 5), claiming his innocence in connection with charges of narco-terrorism and weapons offences. The hearing comes two days after he was taken into custody following a dramatic raid at his home in Caracas, Venezuela.

Appearing in an orange shirt and beige pants with a smile on his face, the 63-year-old told a federal judge in court, I am innocent. Im not guilty.

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Im president of the Republic of Venezuela, and Im here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday, Maduro told the court, speaking in Spanish through an interpreter. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.

Maduros wife, Cilia Flores, who is also in custody, has also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Until a few days ago, Maduro and Flores were Venezuelas most powerful couple. But in the US, they have no clout. They are being treated as criminals, drug traffickers, to be more specific, and the case against them is expected to unfold like any other filed in New York, based on US laws.

What are the charges against Maduro and Flores?

The criminal indictment lists Maduro and Flores, along with his son Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra, and Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US.

In their charging document, prosecutors alleged that Maduro, his wife and son, along with their aides, engaged in cocaine-trafficking and worked with cartels designated by the US as terrorist groups. They said the accused abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States, according to a report in the BBC.

Prosecutors allege Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials spent more than two decades misusing public office and undermining institutions to funnel large quantities of cocaine into the US.

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escorted, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan for an initial appearance to face US federal charges at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, in New York City, US. Reuters

With a 25-page indictment, prosecutors presented a case that allegedly began in 1999 when Maduro was first elected to public office. It said that the Venezuelan leader, Flores and son, Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra, and three others participated in a relentless campaign of cocaine trafficking.

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According to the indictment, Maduros allies also offered police protection and operational assistance to the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua, with cartel money flowing back to top officials who ensured their safety.

Among other specific acts, Maduro is accused of selling Venezuelan diplomatic passports to known drug traffickers and facilitating flights under diplomatic cover to bring drug proceeds back from Mexico to Venezuela before he became president.

The case was brought by the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, an office within the Justice Department famous for its fierce independence and aggressive prosecutions. The same prosecutors office returned an indictment against Maduro in 2020, with the same four charges. The updated indictment made public on Saturday adds some new details and co-defendants, including Maduros wife, Cilia Flores.

The Venezuelan first lady is also accused of ordering kidnappings and murders, as well as accepting bribes in 2007 to arrange a meeting between drug traffickers and the director of Venezuelas National Anti-Drug Office.

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Flores was in good spirits, according to a statement from her attorney, Mark E Donnelly, adding that we look forward to reviewing and challenging the evidence the government has. She also pleaded not guilty.

What will be Maduros defence?

As the case unfolds, Maduro is likely to argue to seek dismissal on the grounds that he is immune, or shielded, from criminal prosecution because he is a foreign head of state.

Maduros lawyer echoed similar sentiments in court, suggesting that the Venezuelan should be immune from prosecution as the leader of a sovereign country and that the US taking him by force is illegal. As he exited the court, Maduro too said in Spanish that he is a kidnapped president and a prisoner of war.

Judges have, in some contexts, concluded that foreign officials enjoy immunity from legal claims in US courts.

This courtroom sketch shows deposed president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro (second left), and his wife, Cilia Flores (right) attending their arraignment at Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in New York with defense lawyers Barry Pollack (left) and Mark Donnelly (second right). AFP

However, the Venezuelan leader faces an uphill battle with this argument because of a historic precedent: the US invasion of Panama in 1989 that ousted the countrys leader, Manuel Noriega. Like Maduro, Noriega was accused of conspiring to smuggle drugs into the US and was captured in a military raid in his home country.

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US courts rejected Noriegas immunity argument, showing deference to the US governments assertion that he was not Panamas legitimate leader. Legal experts have said that precedent will likely undermine Maduros efforts to get charges dismissed.

Maduro is also likely to invoke a legal doctrine that says criminal charges should be dismissed if prosecutors brought them vindictively or selectively. He might also argue that claims against him are time-barred, meaning they are too old to be pursued in court.

Federal conspiracy charges generally have a five-year statute of limitations, meaning charges must be brought within five years of the alleged crimes completion, with some exceptions.

What is next in store for Maduro?

Maduro, who made an initial appearance in court on Monday, will appear in court at the next hearing set for March 17.

The case is being overseen by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who was assigned to the 2020 case brought against the Venezuelan dictator.

The 92-year-old jurist has been sceptical of arguments by the US President Donald Trumps administration in other high-profile cases. Earlier this year, Hellerstein rejected efforts to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act, saying the wartime law had been improperly invoked by the Trump administration.

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With inputs from agencies
As Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro faces a historic US prosecution following his capture in Caracas, veteran American lawyer Barry J Pollack, leading his defence, is in the spotlight. From representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to handling national security cases, Pollack now stands at another cross-border legal battle

Venezuela's captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores attend their arraignment with defence lawyers Barry Pollack and Mark Donnelly to face US federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan, New York City, US, January 5, 2026 in this courtroom sketch. Reuters

Barry J Pollack, an American defence attorney is representing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as the former president faces federal charges in Manhattan.

Maduros transfer to United States custody following a surprise military operation in Caracas has triggered diplomatic fallout across the globe.

Pollack, a seasoned criminal defence lawyer has a long track record of representing defendants in complex, high-stakes cases involving national security, classified information, and alleged abuses of state power.

How Maduros courtroom debut went

Maduro appeared in federal court in Manhattan on Monday (January 5, 2026), marking his first appearance before a US judge since being seized from his residence in Caracas two days earlier.

The former Venezuelan leader, aged 63, entered the courtroom under heavy security, having been transported from a Brooklyn detention facility by helicopter and then driven in an armoured vehicle to the courthouse.

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He and his wife, Cilia Flores, were brought into the courtroom shortly before noon, both wearing jail-issued clothing and leg restraints, and both using headsets to follow the proceedings through a Spanish interpreter.

More from Explainers The story of Nicolas Maduro: From bus driver to strongman to narco-terrorist

From the outset, Maduro used the hearing to contest the legitimacy of his arrest and detention.

Addressing the court through a translator, he declared, I was captured, before later stating his formal plea. I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.

At another point, Maduro asserted, I am here kidnapped since Jan 3, Saturday. I was captured at my home in Caracas.

His comments were interrupted by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who indicated that arguments related to the circumstances of Maduros arrest would be addressed at a later stage. There will be a time and place to go into all of this, the judge said.

Hellerstein, a 92-year-old jurist appointed to the federal bench in 1998 by former US President Bill Clinton, sought to establish the defendants identity before proceeding further.

At this point in time, I only want to know one thing, he told the court. Are you Nicolas Maduro Moros?

I am Nicolas Maduro Moros, Maduro replied.

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Maduros wife, Flores, also entered a not-guilty plea. She identified herself in court as first lady of the Republic of Venezuela and appeared with visible bandages on her forehead and right temple.

Her lawyer, Mark Donnelly, told the court that she had sustained significant injuries during the operation in which she and her husband were taken into US custody.

The charges facing the couple are severe. A 25-page federal indictment accuses Maduro and others of collaborating with drug cartels to enable the movement of vast quantities of cocaine into the United States.

Prosecutors allege that the operation involved violence, including kidnappings, physical assaults, and killings aimed at enforcing debts and eliminating perceived threats.

One allegation cited in the indictment involves the killing of a local drug figure in Caracas. If convicted, Maduro and Flores could face life sentences.

As the hearing concluded, tensions inside the courtroom briefly spilled over. A man in the audience denounced Maduro as an illegitimate leader.

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Moments later, Pedro Rojas, a 33-year-old who later said he had been imprisoned by the Venezuelan government, stood up and addressed Maduro directly in Spanish.

As US marshals escorted the former leader out, Maduro responded, I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.

How Barry Pollack entered the Maduro case

Standing beside Maduro throughout the arraignment was Barry J Pollack, a partner at Harris St. Laurent & Weschler LLP, a boutique New York law firm known for high-profile criminal defence work.

Pollack formally entered his appearance in the case on the court docket later that morning, though it remains unclear when discussions about his representation of Maduro first began.

Barry Pollack, lawyer of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, speaks to the media alongside lawyer Jennifer Robinson outside United States District Court following a hearing, in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, US, June 26, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Pollack immediately signalled the direction of Maduros defence, stating that he expected to challenge the legality of what he described as a military abduction.

He also argued that Maduro should be entitled to protections associated with his former office. According to Pollack, Maduro is head of a sovereign state and is entitled to the privileges and immunities that go with that office.

That argument, however, faces significant legal hurdles. The United States does not recognise Maduro as Venezuelas legitimate president, particularly following his contested re-election in 2024.

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A similar claim of immunity failed more than three decades ago when Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega unsuccessfully attempted to block prosecution after being captured during a US military operation in 1990.

Despite these obstacles, Pollacks involvement highlights the seriousness with which Maduros defence is being mounted.

Pollack is widely regarded as one of the most experienced criminal trial lawyers in the United States, with more than three decades of practice.

In a brief exchange with reporters after the arraignment, Pollack declined to elaborate on his strategy, saying only, I think what President Maduro said in court speaks for itself.

What we know about Pollacks background

A graduate of Indiana University and Georgetown University Law Center, Pollack began his career as a public defender before moving into private practice.

Over time, he developed a reputation for handling cases involving complex factual records, sensitive government information, and intense public scrutiny.

He previously served as president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, an influential organisation representing defence attorneys across the United States.

Andy Birrell, current president of the association and a former colleague of Pollack, said the Maduro case fits squarely within Pollacks area of expertise. Theres always challenges in high-profile cases, but Barrys a veteran, Birrell told NBC News.

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Hes done it before.

Birrell also offered insight into Pollacks courtroom style and professional reputation, describing him as both methodical and approachable.

Hes a person that absolutely reeks credibility, Birrell said. I think that Barrys a person who presents as someone who is trying to get at the truth and people like that, they respect that.

C Melissa Owen, president-elect of the same organisation, echoed that assessment, emphasising Pollacks communication skills.

I would say he has Ivy League intellect with Midwestern sensibilities in terms of being able to communicate with the American public, she told NBC News.

According to Chambers USA, a widely consulted guide to the legal profession, Pollack is known as a thorough and deep-thinking lawyer who lives, breathes and sleeps trials.

Pollacks most recognised case

For more than a decade, Pollack shaped WikiLeaks founder Julian Assanges legal strategy in the United States, navigating a case that touched on press freedom, state secrecy, and the limits of the Espionage Act.

In 2024, Pollack helped secure a plea agreement that resulted in Assanges release from prison. Under that deal, Assange pleaded guilty to a single count of violating the Espionage Act related to the publication of classified military and diplomatic documents.

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US authorities had accused him of conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate top-secret national defence information, arguing that the disclosures endangered national security.

After Assanges release, Pollack framed the case as a broader struggle over freedom of expression and the publics right to know.

He has suffered tremendously in his fight for free speech, for freedom of the press, and to ensure that the American public and the world community gets truthful and important newsworthy information, Pollack said.

Legal experts believe that Pollacks experience dealing with classified evidence and sensitive intelligence matters could prove relevant in Maduros defence.

The prosecution is expected to rely on extensive intelligence material related to drug trafficking networks, some of which may involve classified sources or methods.

Pollack has previously represented Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA officer convicted of leaking classified information to a journalist. That case, like Assanges, required navigating the intersection of criminal law and national security concerns.

Pollacks acquittals and overturned convictions

Pollack has represented Michael W Krautz, a former Enron accountant charged with criminal fraud following the companys collapse.

Krautz was acquitted by a jury, a rare outcome among the many prosecutions that followed one of the most infamous corporate scandals of the early 2000s.

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Pollack also played a central role in overturning the convictions of Martin Tankleff, a Long Island man who spent 17 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his parents as a teenager.

Pollack succeeded in having those convictions reversed and the charges dismissed entirely.

More recently, Pollack defended a senior executive at a poultry company accused of conspiring to fix chicken prices. In two separate trials, jurors declined to return guilty verdicts.

Reflecting on his work in an interview with the legal publication Lawdragon in April, Pollack spoke about the personal dimension of criminal defence. Typically, when I meet with a client, they are facing what may be the worst crisis that they have ever faced, he said.

At the end of the day, its no longer a stranger who Im seeing get through to the other side of this terrible piece of their life. Its somebody that Ive come to know and respect.

What next

President Donald Trump has openly stated that the United States will temporarily oversee Venezuela following Maduros removal, declaring that Washington would run the country and fix it.

While Trump reiterated that were in charge, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio adopted a more restrained tone, saying the US would not manage Venezuelas daily governance beyond enforcing an existing oil quarantine.

Trump has suggested that Maduros removal could lead to increased Venezuelan oil exports, but oil prices rose 1.7 per cent following the arrest, reflecting doubts about how quickly production could recover after years of neglect and mismanagement.

Venezuelas interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, initially demanded Maduros immediate return, describing the operation as an illegitimate act of aggression.

She was sworn in on January 5 by her brother, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez, and addressed the nation with her right hand raised.

I come with sorrow for the suffering inflicted upon the Venezuelan people following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland, she said. I come with sorrow for the kidnapping of two heroes.

Later, Rodriguez struck a more conciliatory tone on social media, signalling openness to cooperation with the Trump administration and calling for respectful relations with Washington.

Maduros son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, warned that his fathers detention could have far-reaching implications.

If we normalise the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today its Venezuela. Tomorrow it could be any nation that refuses to submit. This is not a regional problem. It is a direct threat to global political stability, he said.

The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.

A senior UN official cautioned that the United States may have violated international law through its unilateral action, while also highlighting Venezuelas ongoing humanitarian crisis after years of economic hardship.

With inputs from agencies
The Pathankot police have said that the boy shared sensitive information related to India with the ISI for at least a year. Officials say that they are currently investigating the communication lines used by the minor spy

A minor was arrested in Punjabs Pathankot on charges of spying for Pakistan after officials said that the 15-year-old boy was found to be in contact with handlers of Pakistans intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The Pathankot police have said that the boy shared sensitive information related to India with the ISI for at least a year. Officials say that they are currently investigating the communication lines used by the minor spy.

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Authorities have said that the arrest of the 15-year-old boy raises concerns over the recruitment of children as spies, which in turn poses a security risk. They said other minors in Punjab are also suspected of having links to ISI operatives. As a precaution, police stations across the state have been put on alert and instructed to stay vigilant and closely monitor any similar activity.

Who was the 15-year-old?

According to a report by the Times of India, the police have identified the minor as Sanjeev Kumar. Officials say that the boy was tricked by Pakistani handlers on social media after they made him believe that his father had been murdered, making him vulnerable.

The police have arrested Sanjeev Kumar, aged 15, after receiving information that he had been supplying information related to the security of our nation to the frontal organisations of terror agencies, ISI, and Pakistan military officers, SSP Pathankot Daljinder Singh Dhillon said.

He fell into the trap of Pakistani agencies through social media, as he was suspicious that his father had been murdered, which affected him mentally. However, the investigation did not reveal any such evidence, he added.

Police say that Kumar had sent videos about several sensitive locations to the handlers who run terror modules in Pakistan.

Police are examining the extent of the information he may have shared and identifying those he was in contact with. The boy remains in custody, and further action will be determined as the investigation progresses.
From Jennette McCurdys fiction debut to Polly Bartons, these are the novels you should look forward to reading this year.

All of us have fallen prey to promising to read more every year and then being consumed by a terrible reading slump. The good news is that 2026 promises to be an eventful year in books, and there are a lot of wonderful options coming over the next few months.

1. Land by Maggie OFarrell

It is a grand year to be Maggie OFarrell. A movie on her beautifully lyrical book, Hamnet, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley is coming out telling the 400 year old story of the often overlooked, Agnes, Shakespeares wife and his son who died, Hamnet.

Her new book Land, is set to release in June, and tells a tale closer to where she belongs. It is set in Ireland and tells the sweeping story years before and after the Great Hunger, of Tomas and his begrudging son Liam who are working on a project to map the whole island, and a strained and broken father-son relationship which only worsens upon wounds inflicted on them by circumstances. Like all of her previous books, it is bound to be brilliant.

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2.  John of John by Douglas Stuart

Douglas Stuart specialises in writing about addiction, love, destitution, religion and hope. Both of his novels, Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, have been heartbreaking and violent, and he excels at portraying addiction not as something villainous, but with all its nuances, in tenderness and destruction, in the gritty town of Glasgow (where he grew up) in Scotland. The cover image is incredibly personal to the book because it is the same view from the ferry that carries his protagonist home.

Cal, the young man around whom the book is centred, returns home after his degree in Art School with not many prospects on the horizon, and realises that not much has changed, but him. In the meantime his father is ashamed of how Cal refuses to be Saved, and what he calls a pitiful and more looking haircut and his long beautiful hair.

3. Half his Age by Jennette McCurdy

Everybody adored Jennette McCurdys memoir, Im Glad My Mom Died, a darkly funny albeit horrifying story of the relationship the young Nickelodeon actress shared with her mother, in which she details the shudder-worthy micromanaging that her Mum used to do, the absolute abuse by the alleged Dan Schneider (whom she calls The Creator), the eating disorders and brief stint of alcoholism that she developed. She also mentions that despite all the fame she received after acting, what she truly wanted was to be a writer.

Half his Age is her debut novel, with a salacious looking cover, and as the title suggests, it tells the story of a teenage girl in a relationship with a man 20 years older than her. The book could have taken a high-ground stance on the relationship, depicting a dull (but quite necessarily needed) morality clause, but McCurdys observations are astute and brilliant. Her conversations on sex, class, consumerism , loneliness and sex are witty and wonderful, and she views sex not as a flowery act, but as the lustful desirous thing that it is.

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4. Hooked by Asako Yuzuki

From the author of the bestselling novel Butter, a story about food, a lady in prison and a lot of resentment, a novel about a cook turned murderer drenched in fatphobia and misogyny, comes a new book, privy to heavy expectations and a keen readers eye.

Hooked is a tale of obsession and the depths it can take us to. Translated by Polly Barton, Hooked tells the story of an isolated woman, Eriko, who becomes obsessed with a lifestyle blogger. Shokos posts about eating convenience store food and her untidy home are the opposite of the typical Japanese housewifes manicured lifestyle. When Eriko tracks Shoko down at her favourite restaurant and befriends her, Shoko is at first charmed by her new companion, and then wary of all the things she does.

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5. Whistler by Ann Patchett

Even if one isnt a fan of Patchetts writing, the covers of her books, all of which look like paintings, are bound to draw you in. Whistler is the story of Daphne Fuller and her husband Jonathan, as they realise time simultaneously changes everything and nothing. Daphne meets her former step-father Eddie Triplett, with whom her relationship was brief but fulfilling. Now reunited, the two dont ever intend to let go of each other.

Whistler is a story of two people looking at what is defined by will and fate, and about bravery, memory and how impermanence is the only real wheel that continually churns. The story is about the power of enduring love, and how feeling like you are understood, even for a short time can change everything.

6. Sisters in Yellow by Mieko Kawakami

Kawakami is one of the most well revered voices in contemporary Japanese literature, and her stories always speak of the uncomfortable experiences of being a woman. Breasts and Eggs very vividly describes reproductive trauma, motherhood and bodily autonomy, All the Lovers in the Night is a tragic tale of teenagers in love.

Sisters in Yellow tells the story of Hana, a fifteen year old who lives with her young mother who works as a hostess at a dive bar in Tokyo. Hanna makes friends with Kimiko, an older woman who helps her set up a new bar and make her feel like she finally has a purpose in life, to help keep herself and her mother going. The story is of secrets and betrayal, and the complexities of teenage friendship and the stakes it holds.

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7. The Last of the Earth by Deepa Anappara

Deepa Anapparas debut novel, Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, was named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, The Guardian, and NPR. The Indian born but UK based journalist comes out with her novel The Last of Earth, this year.

The novel is set in 19th century Tibet, and unfolds the narrative of two immigrants, an British lady explorer, and an Indian schoolteacher spying for the British empire as they tread on contentious ground. It speaks about the desire of immortality and the indomitable power of love and friendship.

8. What am I, A Deer? by Polly Barton

Polly Barton is no stranger to writing. She has translated several Japanese novels and even written Fifty Sounds in which she details her love for the country and Porn: An Oral History, a detailed and savoury exploration of a conversation we stop ourselves from having.

What Am I, A Deer, is her first fiction novel, centering around a young woman who accomplishes her dream of running away to a far off land where no one knows her, and gets a job at a well known gaming company wide-eyed and committed to reinvent herself. She speaks of authenticity, love and intoxication, all in a ravishingly dizzying manner.

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The applause surrounding Caracas should be restrained, not amplified. Strategic maturity lies not in celebrating capability, but in understanding its limits

The apparent success of a recent US Special Forces operation in Caracas has revived a familiar temptation in strategic discoursethe belief that precision raids can, at a strategic level, decisively resolve complex political problems. Admiration for meticulous preparation, intelligence penetration, and operational daring is understandable, and the Caracas operation was clearly executed to a high professional standard under demanding conditions. Yet history offers sobering reminders that such operations, however elite the forces involved, can unravel rapidly when political ambition outruns strategic reality. This essay is therefore less a tactical assessment of the raid itself than an examination of its repeatability and its wider strategic consequences.

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The growing speculation that similar raids could one day be attempted against Irans senior leadershipperhaps even Supreme Leader Ali Khameneihas brought this debate into sharper focus. Notably absent from such conjecture is any serious discussion of North Korea, a silence that itself reflects the asymmetry of risk, consequence, and escalation thresholds across adversaries.

Before surgical strikes are elevated to instruments of strategic routine, it is worth revisiting a largely forgotten episode that still casts a long shadow over American military historythe failed 1980 hostage rescue mission in Iran.

A Forgotten Lesson from Tehran

In November 1979, following the overthrow of the Shah, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 54 American diplomats and family members hostage. The crisis unfolded amid revolutionary fervour, institutional chaos, and the collapse of the old Iranian state order. President Jimmy Carter, under immense domestic pressure and facing a crisis of credibility, authorised a daring rescue attempt.

The operationOperation Eagle Clawwas entrusted to the newly formed Delta Force, the same entity which has now executed the Caracas raid. It was bold, complex, and unprecedented. It was also conducted under near-impossible conditions: limited intelligence, uncertain local cooperation, environmental extremes, and a command structure still evolving for such missions.

The result was catastrophe. Mechanical failures, weather complications, and coordination breakdowns led to the collision of aircraft at a desert staging point, killing eight US servicemen. A desert sandstorm, of a kind rarely seen, was reported to have contributed to the chaos in execution. The mission was aborted. The hostages remained captive. What was intended as a moment of national redemption became a symbol of overreach and miscalculation.

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Carter had already lost the election to Ronald Reagan, but sought one final act of resolve before leaving office. Instead, the episode reinforced a hard truth: elite capability cannot compensate for adverse political, geographic, and strategic environments.

Why Venezuela Is Not Iran

The contrast between Tehran in 1980 and Caracas today is stark. Venezuelas internal fractures, economic collapse, and elite fragmentation create conditions far more permissive for covert penetration. In such environments, elite buy-offs, defections, and passive compliance can prove as decisive as tactical brilliance.

Iran, by contrast, remains a hardened revolutionary state with deep counter-intelligence structures, strong ideological cohesion at the apex, and a security apparatus shaped by decades of perceived existential threat. While it has previously faced highly professional external pressure and covert action, these encounters underscore precisely why the Iranian system is neither brittle nor easily penetrated.

A raid in Caracashowever impressiveshould not be extrapolated into a universal template. Iran is not Venezuela. Its leadership survival mechanisms are embedded in theology, nationalism, and layered coercive institutions. Intelligence penetration is always possible; strategic success, however, remains highly uncertain. Any attempt at decapitation would therefore constitute not merely a military operation, but a major act of escalation with unpredictable regional consequences. The regimes survival instinct, forged through ideological struggle and historical trauma, remains exceptionally strong.

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The Illusion of Repeatability

The danger lies not in the conduct of surgical strikes, but in the assumption that success is easily repeatable across theatres. Tactical excellence can tempt policymakers into believing that operational daring itself constitutes strategy. Experience shows that special operations are effective instruments, but poor substitutes for clear strategy and political purpose. When employed without a realistic appreciation of political context, state resilience, and escalation dynamics, even the most precise action risks creating consequences far beyond its intended scope.

North Koreas absence from speculative discourse is instructive. The risks therenuclear retaliation and uncontrolled escalation with unpredictable outcomesare widely understood. Iran occupies an uncomfortable middle ground: threatening enough to provoke action, yet resilient enough to respond to miscalculation.

For any US administrationparticularly one led by Donald Trump, known for decisiveness and the personalisation of powerthe temptation to employ visible, dramatic force is real. But dramatic action does not equal strategic gain.

The Enduring Relevance of Eagle Claw

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Operation Eagle Claw did not fail because American soldiers lacked courage or skill. It failed because the political objective was misaligned with operational feasibility. That distinction matters today. Modern technology, better intelligence fusion, and joint command structures reducebut do not eliminaterisk. They cannot neutralise geography, ideology, or national will. The success of surgical strikes is shaped as much by context as by capability. Where political and security conditions are adverse, tactical success does not necessarily translate into strategic advantage.

The applause surrounding Caracas should therefore be restrained, not amplified. Strategic maturity lies not in celebrating capability, but in understanding its limits. The United States has learned this lesson beforeat great cost.

History does not prohibit action. But it does demand humility. And humility, in matters of force, remains the rarest strategic virtue.

(The writer is the former Commander of Indias Srinagar-based Chinar Corps. Currently he is the Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
The more the US interferes in Venezuela, the more the latter might drift into chaos. If it does, it would be a bigger threat to the US than it is today, as it lies in its backyard

US President Donald Trump, in a message on his Truth Social media platform, posted the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Operation Absolute Resolve, stating, The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. This followed weeks of pressure on Venezuela through the deployment of military power off its coast.

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The Venezuelan armed forces are about 125,000 strong, including conscripts, possessing a mix of Russian and Chinese equipment, and remain amongst the most powerful in Latin America. There are reports of poor serviceability of equipment due to budgetary constraints. In contrast, the US had deployed just 15,000 troops against it.

The fact that Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, is located barely 15 km from the coast was an added advantage to the US, as it could move troops directly from its aircraft carrier group to the target without being easily detected or challenged. The flight time was also shorter, and helicopters could fly low. Operation Absolute Resolve involved air power providing protection to special forces, which landed in Maduros palace compound using helicopters to capture Maduro and his wife and return. The entire operation lasted just over two hours.

Capturing a serving president from his secure and heavily guarded residence, protected by trusted bodyguards, in a nation with adequate military power, with a small specialised force, cannot be done without a major firefight and heavy casualties unless there was an internal sell-out or an agreement with Maduro. Surprisingly, there was no major reaction from Venezuelas military, despite being aware that the US was likely to launch an assault, adding to doubts of complicity by the Venezuelan armed forces. Under normal conditions, the armed forces would have been on high alert.

While an agreement between Trump and Maduro is highly unlikely, given the ongoing war of words between them, as well as signs of defiance despite a recent tele-conversation, a sell-out by the military and his bodyguards appears more plausible, especially since Maduro would now face justice in US courts. It is likely that senior members of the army and some of Maduros bodyguards would have been bought by the CIA.

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The US had spent months applying pressure on the country by destroying boats, capturing ghost ships transporting oil, attacking docks, and planning and establishing contacts with senior Venezuelan officials for just such an assault. Venezuelan migrants in the US and Colombia, with relatives in the country in important positions, would have been the possible go-betweens in the entire episode. The US Chief of Joint Staff had mentioned that the US had spent months gathering information and planning and rehearsing the strike.

Unless there was surety of success, Trump would never have ventured into a land-based operation with troops. A failure would have dented his image and made him a global laughing stock. Surety of success would have flowed from the CIA after obtaining guarantees from those in authority in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has demanded proof of life of the president and, according to the constitution, the Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, has been sworn in as interim president. She said, soon after assuming power, We will never again be a colony of any empire, contradicting Trumps announcement that Shes essentially willing to do what we think is necessary, implying a puppet regime.

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The Venezuelan interim government, despite a display of defiance, would be compelled to negotiate with the US, as oilits main revenueremains blocked from exports. This is to prevent any repeat action in the near future, as US deployment off the coast remains a threat and Trump continues threatening boots on the ground. Whether Maduros removal would result in anti-Maduro groups vying for control remains to be seen.

Trumps threat to place boots on the ground may be far-fetched, as there are pro-Maduro forces capable of making it difficult to manage the ground situation. The nation still has Maduro supporters. However, US oil companies, which had been removed by Maduros predecessor Hugo Chavez, would now be back in business. The reality of what happened and who sided with the US would emerge with time.

It is known that Venezuela is a major transit point for drug trafficking, but that alone is no reason for Maduros removal. After all, Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras, who was sentenced last year to 45 years in prison in the US for trafficking 400 tonnes of cocaine into the US. If drugs were solely the intent, then the target should have been Colombia, where they are produced, or Mexico, which remains a major route for China-manufactured fentanyl and other drugs. Currently, Trump has only threatened Colombia.

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Nor is the other oft-quoted reason that Maduros policies forced over eight million Venezuelans to flee the country and settle in other parts of the Americas, including the US. Currently, Colombia hosts 2.5 million, while the US hosts 1.1 million. Migration is ongoing from many parts of the worldwhy single Venezuela out?

Russia and China condemned the US action. Alongside Iran, Cuba and Turkey, they are key allies of Venezuela. They are bound to continue criticising the US in the UNSC when the debate takes place. Nothing more would be done. It appears that Venezuela is no longer as important for them as it once was, despite selling oil to China. Further, there is little that they can do. The Chinese Special Representative for Latin America met Maduro hours before the attack. He was still in Caracas when Maduro was captured.

It is likely that Russian inaction was because it is aware that Trump will ensure the end of the Ukrainian conflict on Russias terms, sacrificing Zelenskyy. Trump cannot risk engaging the US in multiple directions. On oil to China, Trump mentioned that oil flows to China would increase, which would benefit it. Iran and Cuba are now preparing to be the next to face US wrath, both of which remain under US threats. The Russian Air Force has been flying military equipment to Tehran in recent days. Turkey remains largely silent.

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Venezuela currently owes China approximately $18-20 billion in loans provided in lieu of future oil supplies. Many Chinese refineries are configured specifically for Venezuelan crude, which is heavy and hence avoided by the West. China will hope that oil deliveries resume soon and therefore would cooperate with the US. The operation is also a message that Washington can control Chinas supply chains to the Americas.

The US, in its latest National Security Strategy, mentioned its intent to dominate the Americas based on the old Monroe Doctrine, now termed by Trump as the Donroe Doctrine. The NSS recommends intervention in Latin America to fight crime and end migration. This is the first action. Cuba and Colombia are now being warned to change their policies or face similar actions. This is akin to Russia claiming domination over Ukraine and China claiming Taiwan.

Oil is definitely a major reason for Trump to undertake this venture. Venezuela has the largest global reserves of oil in quantity, not quality. By dominating Venezuelan oil production, the US would now be a major player in the oil market and play a role in determining oil prices. As prices drop, the Russian economy would be impacted.

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Trump has repeatedly harped on oil being a major reason for his interference in Venezuela. He has boasted that US companies would now reclaim their oil fields. Currently, Venezuelan production is low. Enhancing production would require immense investment, as most oil extraction facilities are in disuse or state of disrepair. This will take time. US companies that won arbitration cases against their ouster by Hugo Chavez would demand payment, impacting investment and returns to Venezuela. Indian oil companies, too, are owed money, which they would also claim.

Maduro is out of the picture. The US has displayed that it cares little for global norms and rules, solely because of its power. It will attack nations that are smaller and weaker, as long as they possess resources that benefit the US and are non-nuclear. It has sent the message that the Americas are its backyard and that it will dominate the region.

It has also displayed that leaders of smaller and poorer nations can be bought. While other powers will criticise, they can do little. However, by its action in Venezuela, the US is setting a wrong example for nations like Russia or China, which may repeat the same when they are confident.

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Nothing will change in Venezuela. Oil companies would invest slowly, make their profits, and claim their arbitration awards. Venezuelans would be left in poverty, as at present. Finally, it is hoped that Venezuela remains stable and controlled by the interim government and does not drift the way Iraq and Libya drifted post-US intervention. The more the US interferes, the more likely it would drift into chaos. If it does, it would be a bigger threat to the US than it is today, as it lies in its backyard.

(The author is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Volkswagen is reinstating physical buttons and a volume dial in its new ID Polo compact car, reversing the touchscreen trend after a decade of driver complaints about distraction risks. Research shows touch controls slow reactions significantly, prompting Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and regulators to push back toward tactile interfaces for better safety.

Volkswagen is bringing back traditional dashboard buttons and knobs in its forthcoming ID Polo compact car, marking a significant reversal from the touchscreen heavy designs that dominated recent years. The move reflects growing industry recognition that fully digital interfaces often compromise driver safety and usability, prompting a return to more practical layouts.

Return to tactile dashboard features

The ID Polo will feature physical buttons spread across the dashboard alongside a prominent volume dial, evoking classic car layouts from earlier eras. This design choice prioritises quick access to essential functions without the need for menu navigation or screen taps. Volkswagen joins a broader trend where manufacturers reconsider the all screen approach that swept through vehicles over the past decade, driven by customer feedback and safety data.

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Problems with touchscreen dominance

Car makers eagerly swapped physical switches for expansive touchscreens around ten years ago, aiming for sleek modern interiors and futuristic appeal. However, drivers quickly found these systems frustrating and hazardous during real world use. Adjusting basic settings like air conditioning or volume meant scrolling through multiple submenus while keeping eyes off the road, creating substantial safety risks especially in motion. The complexity slowed reactions significantly and divided attention in ways traditional controls never did, leading to widespread complaints about practicality.

Evidence of touchscreen drawbacks

Independent studies have confirmed these concerns, demonstrating that touchscreen operations take considerably longer than physical alternatives and substantially heighten driver distraction levels. Visual confirmation requirements and menu hunting inevitably pull focus from traffic conditions, with reaction times suffering noticeably in testing scenarios. Regulators in the US and EU responded decisively last year by announcing that heavy touchscreen reliance could result in lower safety ratings for new vehicles, applying direct pressure on manufacturers to improve interface designs.

Industry wide shift back to buttons

Other major brands are following Volkswagens lead. Hyundai plans to reinstate more physical controls in upcoming models across its lineup, while Mercedes Benz and Porsche have outlined similar reversals in their development roadmaps. This collective pivot underscores a mature return to proven ergonomics, balancing digital innovation with the essential need for intuitive, glance free operation that keeps drivers safely engaged with the road ahead at all times.
At least 14 media workers were detained in Caracas while covering the US intervention, pro-government rallies and the swearing-in of Venezuelas interim President. All were released and deported, as Maduro faces US charges.

A demonstrator displays a sign with an image of U.S.-deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a march outside the National Assembly on the day Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela's interim president, as Maduro appeared in a New York court after the Trump administration removed him from power, in Caracas, Venezuela January 5, 2026. REUTERS.

More than a dozen journalists were detained in Venezuela during the coverage of the US intervention in Caracas on Monday, including a march in support of ousted President Nicolas Maduro and the swearing-in of the countrys new legislature, the South American nations press association said.

All 14 of those detained were released later, according to the X post of the press association (SNTP), in which one was a foreign national who was deported.

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SNTP said that those detained included 11 people working with international media outlets and one with a national outlet.

When news agency Reuters asked for a comment on the detention of journalists, Venezuelas information ministry, which handles all contact with the government, did not immediately respond. Venezuelas Ministry of Communications also did not respond to requests for comment.

The press detentions come following the US intervention of Venezuela and capturing Maduro in an overnight operation this weekend. On Monday the deposed leader pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism charges in a New York court.

Currently, the Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, has taken the charge as the interim leader of the state.
Thailands army said on Tuesday that Cambodia has claimed a recent mortar strike that wounded a Thai soldier in a disputed border area was accidental, as a ceasefire agreed in late December continues to hold

Barbed wire placed by the Royal Thai Army is seen in an area along the Thai-Cambodian border in Phanom Dong Rak, Surin, Thailand on August 20, 2025. AFP File

Thailands army said on Tuesday that Cambodia has claimed a recent mortar strike that wounded a Thai soldier in a disputed border area was accidental, as a ceasefire agreed in late December continues to hold.

Thai forces had earlier accused their Cambodian counterparts of violating the 10-day-old truce after bombarding a border province.

According to an Aljazeera report, in a later statement, the Thai military said the Cambodian side had contacted them to explain there was no intention to fire into Thai territory, adding that the incident was caused by an operational error by Cambodian personnel.

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Thailands army said Cambodian forces fired mortar rounds into Ubon Ratchathani province, leaving one soldier wounded by shrapnel and evacuated for medical treatment.

The Thai military unit in the area issued a warning to Cambodia to exercise caution and emphasised that if such errors occur again, Thailand may be compelled to carry out defensive countermeasures, the statement added.

Longstanding border tensions

The decades-long dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, rooted in colonial-era border demarcations and centuries-old temple claims, has repeatedly flared into violence.

Last years clashes killed dozens and displaced roughly one million people on both sides.

A truce agreed on December 27 ended three weeks of fighting, with both nations pledging to ceasefire, freeze troop movements, and cooperate on demining.

Thailand also released 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July, calling it a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building, while Phnom Penh said it hoped the move would significantly contribute to building mutual trust.

Previous ceasefires, brokered by the US, China, and Malaysia, had been short-lived.

In October, US President Donald Trump attended a follow-on declaration in Malaysia, promoting the truce and new trade deals, but Bangkok suspended the agreement the next month after Thai soldiers were injured by landmines.

Tensions remain high.

On Saturday, Phnom Penh called on Thailand to withdraw forces from disputed areas, which Bangkok insists have always been Thai territory. Cambodia has proposed a bilateral border committee meeting in Siem Reap this month, though Thailand has said discussions may need to wait until after its elections on February 8.

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Cambodias Ministry of National Defence declined to comment on a recent alleged mortar strike, while the two sides continue to grapple with a lasting resolution to their 800km (500-mile) disputed border.

With inputs from agencies
The American government has mastered the art of the euphemism, rebranding military interventions as rescue operations or advisory missions to bypass the political weight of the word war.

When Speaker of the House Mike Johnson remarked that the US is not at war in Venezuela, he was participating in a decades-old tradition of linguistic sanitisation.

By rebranding combat as missions or actions, the American executive branch often bypasses the constitutional gravity and public scrutiny that comes with a formal declaration of war.

This history of creative labelling is foundational to modern diplomacy.

During the Korean War, President Harry Truman insisted the conflict was a United Nations Police Action, a phrase designed to sidestep domestic legal requirements. Similarly, early involvement in Vietnam was framed as a military assistance advisory mission, suggesting the US was merely a helpful bystander rather than a primary combatant.

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Also read | What is Nicolas Maduro charged with? What happens next in the case?

History, on repeat

As the nature of warfare evolved, the vocabulary became even more clinical.

In 1983, Ronald Reagan characterised the invasion of Grenada as a rescue operation to protect American medical students, centering the narrative on safety rather than regime change. Six years later, the invasion of Panama was branded Operation Just Cause, a title that turned a military assault into a moral crusade to restore democracy. By the time the Obama administration engaged in Libya, the W-word was replaced entirely by the phrase kinetic military action, implying energy and movement without the visceral connotations of battle.

Today, this linguistic gymnastics continues with the framing of operations in Venezuela.

While traditional warfare involves recognized enemies and front lines, current rhetoricoften echoed by figures like Donald Trumpleans toward the term law-enforcement operation. By categorising the capture of a foreign leader as a matter of law enforcement or a counter-narcotics mission, the US positions itself not as an invading force, but as a global sheriff executing a warrant.
Bangladesh is weighing the procurement of China-Pakistan-made JF-17 fighter jets as Pakistan intensifies defence engagement with Dhaka, a report said. The move comes amid strained IndiaBangladesh ties.

Amid strained ties with India following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is weighing the possible procurement of JF-17 fighter jets as Pakistan pitches the China-backed aircraft, according to a report by Dawn.

Bangladesh air chief meets Pakistan counterpart in Islamabad

The report, citing a press release issued by Pakistans Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said Bangladesh Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met Pakistan Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu during a visit to Islamabad. The Bangladeshi air chief led a high-level defence delegation and was accorded a guard of honour.

JF-17 procurement talks and regional implications

The statement added that detailed discussions were held on the possible procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, and that the delegation visited key PAF facilities. The visit underlined Pakistans efforts to expand defence cooperation with Dhaka at a time when Bangladesh appears to be recalibrating its regional alignments, even as India remains closely watchful of developments in its eastern neighbourhood.

Post-Hasina reset in Dhaka

The engagement comes against the backdrop of a visible shift in Dhakas foreign policy since the removal of Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Hasina had maintained close strategic and security ties with India, particularly on counter-terrorism and regional stability. Since her ouster, relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have shown signs of warming, marking a departure from decades of mistrust rooted in the 1971 Liberation War and the atrocities and human rights violations committed by West Pakistan during that period.

Strain in IndiaBangladesh ties

IndiaBangladesh ties, meanwhile, have faced strain following reports of attacks on Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh, raising concerns in New Delhi over the countrys internal stability and rights record.

Pak-Bangladesh focus on training and defence cooperation

According to the ISPR statement, the meeting focused on enhancing operational cooperation and institutional coordination, with emphasis on training, capacity building and collaboration in aerospace development. Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed his counterpart on recent developments within the PAF and reiterated Pakistans offer to support the Bangladesh Air Force through training programmes ranging from basic to advanced flying and specialised courses.

Super Mushshak delivery, radar support discussed

Sidhu also assured fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with long-term training and support arrangements. The Bangladeshi air chief, the statement said, praised the PAFs combat record and expressed interest in its operational experience, particularly in maintaining an ageing fleet and integrating air defence radar systems to strengthen surveillance.
A Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki who was born in China was sanctioned by Beijing, vowing to tell the world that Taiwan is an independent country. He was sanctioned in September by China and restricted from entering the country for spreading fallacies on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and disputed islands.

A Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki, who was born in China was penalised by Beijing on Tuesday, vowing to tell the world that Taiwan is an independent country.

Seki is a member of Japans Parliament, he was sanctioned in September by China and restricted from entering the country for spreading fallacies on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and disputed islands.

China has always claimed that Taiwan is a part of its territory, which led to the recent rift between Sanae Takaichi and Xi Jinping. The East Asia Sea is claimed by both countries, and considers foreign criticism on sensitive political topics to be acts of interference.

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The fact that I am able today to smoothly enter Taiwan fully demonstrates that the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of China are completely two different countries, Seki told AFP, using Taiwans official name.

I came to Taiwan today, first of all, to prove this point, and to tell the world that Taiwan is an independent country, he said.

Chinas foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told AFP at a press briefing the rantings of petty villains arent worth responding to."

Seki will attend a banquet on Tuesday, along with Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank in Taipei, which is hosting Sekis visit, said.

China has said it would freeze Sekis assets in the country, forbid Chinese entities from conducting transactions with him, and deny entry visas to him or his family.

Japanese officials said at the time that Seki was the first Japanese lawmaker to be sanctioned by the Chinese government and that Tokyo had lodged a protest with China to demand it withdraw the measures.

While Japan and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic ties, Japanese lawmakers often visit the democratic island.

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Ukraine has appointed Canadas former finance minister Chrystia Freeland as an economic adviser, aiming to strengthen its economy amid ongoing conflict with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Canadas former finance minister and deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, as his new economic adviser. The move comes amid a broader shake-up in Kyivs leadership as Ukraine continues to navigate its ongoing conflict with Russia and prepares for possible peace negotiations ahead.

Freelands appointment points at Kyivs focus on strengthening its economy and boosting investor confidence. She has long been a high-profile supporter of Ukraine, with deep personal ties to the country through her Ukrainian heritage.

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Chrystia Freelands Ukraine connect

Freelands ties to Ukraine run deep. As a young exchange student and pro-democracy activist, she drew the attention of the KGB (Soviet Unions primary foreign intelligence and domestic security agency from 1954 until its dissolution in 1991), which gave her the code name Frida and targeted her with surveillance and smear campaigns.

In the 1990s, she worked for the Financial Times in Russia and authored a book on the post-communist privatisation of Russian industry, establishing her expertise in Eastern European economic affairs.

Over the years, Freeland has been a frequent visitor to Ukraine, hosting an annual discussion forum organised by oligarch Victor Pinchuk. The forum has consistently attracted political figures, business leaders, and diplomats from around the world, helping to position Freeland as a key bridge between Ukraine and the West.

Her appointment comes at a time when Kyiv faces not only the challenges of post-war reconstruction but also the urgent need to boost investor confidence and navigate complex international relations.

By bringing in someone with deep personal and professional ties to Ukraine, Zelenskyy aims to reinforce the countrys economic strategy while signalling a commitment to global engagement and reform.

On social media, Zelenskyy explained why he chose her, saying: Chrystia is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations.

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Today, I appointed Chrystia Freeland @cafreeland as an Advisor on Economic Development. Chrystia is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations. Right now, Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal pic.twitter.com/2WOl27MyVA  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) January 5, 2026

He added that Ukraine now needs to build what he called internal resilienceboth to accelerate recovery if diplomacy yields results quickly, and to fortify its defence if international support takes longer than expected.

Right now, Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal resilienceboth for the sake of Ukraines recovery if diplomacy delivers results as swiftly as possible, and to reinforce our defence if, because of delays by our partners, it takes longer to bring this war to an end, Zelenskyy said in his post.

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Venezuelas parliament swore in Rodriguez as interim president on Monday, two days after US forces seized her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro, to face trial in New York

Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez (left) takes an oath as interim president in front of National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez (right) and Deputy Nicolas Maduro Guerra (centre) during a session of the National Assembly in Caracas on January 5, 2026. (Photo: Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores Press Office/AFP)

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has said that interim president Delcy Rodriguez is a main ally and liaison with Russia, China, Iran. Certainly not an individual that could be trusted by international investors, and shes rejected the Venezuelan People.

Venezuelas parliament swore in Rodriguez as interim president on Monday, two days after US forces seized her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro, to face trial in New York.

Rodriguez, who has indicated she will cooperate with Washington, took the oath of office during a ceremony in the National Assembly, telling lawmakers she was doing so in the name of all Venezuelans.

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Speaking during an exclusive interview tonight with Fox News Sean Hannity, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says that she has not spoken to President Donald J. Trump since the capture Saturday of Nicolas Maduro, stating that Vice President, now Interim pic.twitter.com/m2UZHEKPWn  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 6, 2026

She said she was in pain over the kidnapping of our heroes, the hostages in the United States, referring to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face drug charges in New York with other Venezuelan officials.

Parliament denounced the capture of leftist leader Maduro while vowing support for his stand-in, Rodriguez, after the US military attack that shocked Caracas and the world.

Outside the legislature, thousands of Venezuelans gathered to demand the release of their leader, chanting: Maduro, hold on: Venezuela is rising!

Regardless of whether Nicolas Maduro has something to answer for in court, this was not the way to do it, protestor Flur Alberto, 32, told AFP.

Inside, meanwhile, members of the National Assembly offered their full backing to Rodriguez  who had been Maduros vice president  and reelected her brother Jorge Rodriguez as parliament speaker.

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As Mondays session opened, lawmakers chanted: Lets go Nico!  a slogan of Maduros presidential campaign ahead of 2024 elections that were widely denounced by the opposition and dozens of global capitals, including Washington, as fraudulent.

With inputs from AFP
Under the Coalition of the Willings framework, European leaders will meet today in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. They will be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trumps son-in-law.

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on December 1, 2025. (Photo: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

European leaders will on Tuesday meet in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine under the framework of the Coalition for the Willing.

At the summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraines partners will focus on securing contributions to a multinational force to enforce a ceasefire in Ukraine with the US support in the case of any negotiated end to the war, according to Reuters.

Previously, Macron had referred to security guarantees and said many European states and allies will make concrete commitments in the Tuesdays summit.

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Among those expected to attend are British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trumps son-in-law, are also scheduled to attend.

The Coalition of the Willing is a grouping led by Macron and Starmer and has more than 30 member-states. Several members have so far indicated openness to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a multinational force supported by an American backstop in case of a peace deal.

The leader-level summit comes after national security advisers from 15 countries including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany held talks in Kyiv over the weekend with representatives from Nato and European Union (EU). Witkoff had joined the discussions virtually.

Security guarantees, nature of ceasefire top summits agenda

Security guarantees for Ukraine and the nature of ceasefire with Russia are set to be at the top of the summits agenda.

Ukraines partners will aim to agree contributions for a wider set of security guarantees for Ukraine, including binding commitments if it is attacked again despite a peace deal, according to Reuters.

Zelenskyy has previously said that any commitments will need to be approved by participating countries parliaments, which will make them legally binding. Such an approach is shaped by previous failed agreements like the Budapest Memorandum and Minsk 1 and 2.

The summit will also aim to agree on next steps to increase support for Ukraine and ramp up pressure on Russia should President Vladimir Putin continue to refuse to engage in meaningful negotiations, as per the news agency.

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We have reached agreement on the operational details of the security guarantees. We will explain how they are structured and the need for a long-term commitment from everyone involved, a French presidency official said ahead of the summit.

Separately, a senior European official told Reuters that the hope was that firming up the Coalition of the Willings guarantees would also help cement US commitments that have been broadly outlined in bilateral discussions with Ukraine.

While no one has gone into the specifics so far, there have been reports that the Trump administration has offered Ukraine security guarantee modelled after Article 5 of Nato that underpins the collective defence principle of the alliance.

Previously, Ukraine has said a deal was 90 per cent ready but the contentious issue of territory has remained unaddressed. Even as Trumps initial 28 point plan has been revised into a plan much more acceptable to Ukraine, Putin has rejected all versions of the plan just like all plans previously floated by Trump. He has stuck to his longstanding maximalist demands that amount to Ukraines surrender and its cessation as a sovereign nation-state.

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Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, the statement, signed by leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark, said

The sun rises behind Greenland's flag in Nuuk's old harbor, Greenland, on February 5, 2025. Reuters File

Leaders from major European powers have issued a joint statement backing Denmark and Greenland, emphasising that the Arctic island belongs to its people, amid renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the territory.

Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, CNN quoted the statement, signed by leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark, as saying.

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The leaders stressed that Arctic security must be ensured collectively with Nato allies, including the United States.

Nato has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up, the statement added. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.

Trump has in recent weeks repeated that he wants to gain control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency, arguing that it is vital for the US military, and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it.

Trump told The Atlantic on Sunday, We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday that Denmark could rely on the solidarity of all European nations regarding Greenland.

No member should attack or threaten another member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Otherwise, Nato would lose its meaning if conflict or mutual conflicts occurred within the alliance, Reuters quoted Tusk as telling reporters in Warsaw.

The Netherlands also voiced full support for the joint statement, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X.

To counter US concerns over Greenlands defence capabilities, Denmark last year pledged 42 billion Danish crowns ($6.58 billion) to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic.

Trump aide says world governed by force

However, in remarks likely to alarm Washingtons European allies, White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller dismissed concerns about Danish sovereignty and international law.

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You can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else. But we live in a world, in the real world, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power, Miller told CNN on Monday.

There is no need to think or even talk about this in the context of a military operation. Nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland, he added.

Just hours after Saturdays Venezuela operation, Millers wife, Katie Miller, posted a map of Greenland painted in Stars & Stripes on X, accompanied by the text SOON.

Greenland, the worlds largest island with a population of just 57,000, is not an independent Nato member but is covered by Denmarks membership in the Western military alliance.

The islands strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a key site for the US ballistic missile defence system, while its mineral wealth aligns with Washingtons ambition to reduce reliance on Chinese exports.

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Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that his government was working to strengthen ties with the United States and that citizens should not fear an imminent US takeover.

With inputs from agencies
Fresh gunfire in Caracas and visuals of militarys movement have sparked speculation about whats happening in Venezuela: a coup attempt against interim leader Delcy Rodriguez or a response against drones.

Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. (Photo: STR/AFP)

Gunfire in Venezuelan capital Caracas late on Monday and visuals of militarys movement have sparked speculation about whats happening in the country.

Hours after Vice President Delcy Rodrguez was sworn in as the interim leader, residents of Caracas were shaken by loud gunfire in the vicinity of the Miraflores presidential palace. The visuals of militarys movement in the capital sparked speculation whether a coup was underway against Rodriguez.

Visuals of gunfire as well as the video of militarys movement have been shared by media outlets and users on social media. They could not be immediately verified.

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However, a resident and a source in the government confirmed to AFP that there had indeed been gunfire near the presidential palace in Caracas.

Separately, unverifiable accounts on social medial claimed that gunfire lasted for up to 45 minutes.

Reports Bolivarian Army of Venezuela is MOBILIZING https://t.co/SQqeLqtblv pic.twitter.com/xeiGhgD7BH  RT (@RT_com) January 6, 2026

The speculation of coup was further fuelled by a report by Russian state media that US officials were monitoring the evolving situation in Venezuela, including gunfire in Caracas, and were not involved in the firing.

However, a source close to the government told AFP that the situation was under control and denied a coup was underway.

Unidentified drones flew over the presidential palace in Caracas and security forces opened fire in response around 8 pm, the source said.

Separately, a witness, who said they lived five blocks from the presidential palace, told AFP that while gunfire was heard, it was not as strong as the fire on Saturday when US special forces personnel had swept into Caracas to capture and whisk away President Nicolas Maduro in helicopters.

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The first thing that came to mind was to see if there were planes flying overhead but there were not. I just saw two red lights in the sky. Everyone was looking out their windows to see if there was a plane, to see what was happening, the witness said.

Following Maduros ouster, Vice President Rodriguez has taken over as the countrys interim leader. The military has so far publicly backed her. Independent observers have noted that the Venezuelan military largely avoided any confrontation with the invading US personnel. They further said the ease with which the Trump administration appears to have accepted Rodriguez suggests a secret deal that enabled Maduros ouster.
Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan, Im innocent. Im not guilty, as he appeared in court for a hearing on charges of drug trafficking and other crimes. His wife similarly pleaded not guilty to the charges against her

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport as he is taken towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face US federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering, and others in New York City, US, on January 5, 2026. (Photo: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty in a US court, insisting that he is still the president of the country. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by the US military over the weekend in a dramatic operation ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan, Im innocent. Im not guilty, as he appeared in court for a hearing on charges of drug trafficking and other crimes. His wife similarly pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

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Smiling as he entered the courtroom, Maduro spoke softly, wearing an orange shirt with beige trousers.

Im president of the Republic of Venezuela and Im here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday, Maduro told the court, speaking in Spanish through an interpreter. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.

Maduro and his wife were transferred to a Brooklyn jail after their appearance at the Manhattan federal court. According to a report by ABC News, neither of the duo will seek bail in the cases against them. The judge assigned to their case has said that he is open to receiving their bail application, but the couple will otherwise remain detained at MDC-Brooklyn.

Trump says hes in charge of Venezuela

Meanwhile, Trump told NBC News that he is in charge of Venezuela as questions mount about who is actually ruling the country after Maduros arrest.

The president initially singled out a group of key US officials with varying areas of expertise who are involved: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and Vice President JD Vance.

However, when asked who is at the helm of things, Trump said, Me.

Venezuelas parliament swore in Delcy Rodriguez as interim president on Monday. Rodriguez, who has indicated she will cooperate with Washington, took the oath of office during a ceremony in the National Assembly, telling lawmakers she was doing so in the name of all Venezuelans.

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She said she was in pain over the kidnapping of our heroes, the hostages in the United States, referring to Maduro and his wife.

Global consternation

Washingtons allies, most of whom did not recognise Maduro as president due to vote-rigging allegations, have been more muted, stressing the need for dialogue and adherence to law.

Trumps raid has created a political storm in the US, with opposition Democrats saying they were misled. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was due to brief top lawmakers later on Monday.

While a handful of conservative figures have criticised the Venezuela operation as a betrayal of Trumps America First pledge to avoid foreign entanglements, most supporters have largely praised it as a swift, painless win.

With inputs from agencies
Indian citizens living in Iran on resident visas have been asked to register themselves with the Indian Embassy, if not already done so

India has issued an advisory for its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Iranian capital of Tehran, as the country witnesses widespread protests.

Indian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, and closely monitor news as well as the website and social media handles of the Embassy of India in Tehran," the advisory said.

Indian citizens living in Iran on resident visas have been asked to register themselves with the Indian Embassy, if not already done so.

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Iran has been rocked by violent protests since last week, after people gathered on the streets to demonstrate against the countrys dwindling economy. Protests erupted on December 28 when shopkeepers in the capital, Tehran, staged a strike over high prices and economic stagnation. They have since spread to other cities and expanded to include political demands.

Iran will offer no leniency to rioters, though the public has a right to demonstrate, the head of the countrys judiciary said on Monday, following more than a week of sometimes-deadly protests.

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump warned Iran would get hit very hard by the United States if the authorities killed more demonstrators.

I instruct the attorney general and prosecutors across the country to act in accordance with the law and with resolve against the rioters and those who support them and to show no leniency or indulgence, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said, according to the judiciarys Mizan news agency.

He went on to add that Iran listens to the protesters and their criticism, and distinguishes between them and rioters.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Iran to respect the demonstrators right to peaceful protest, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, underscoring the need to prevent further casualties.

With inputs from agencies
The Army chiefs visit to the UAE comes in the midst of fast-paced developments in the Gulf region, including escalating tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over the situation in Yemen

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led the first-ever official commemoration of the operation that occurred in Sri Lanka in 1987. PTI

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Land Forces, Major General Yousef Maayouf Saeed Al Hallami, with a focus on expanding bilateral military cooperation.

Gen Dwivedi is on a two-day visit to the UAE in the first leg of his two-nation tour. He will travel to Sri Lanka after concluding his January 5- 6 trip to the UAE.

The Army chiefs visit to the UAE comes in the midst of fast-paced developments in the Gulf region, including escalating tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over the situation in Yemen.

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The Army said the talks between Gen Dwivedi and Major General Al Hallami centred around ways to advance bilateral defence cooperation.

The discussions focused on enhancing positive military engagement, training convergence and advancing bilateral defence cooperation between India and the UAE, it said on social media.

Gen Dwivedi is also scheduled to visit key military establishments including the UAE National Defence College and interact with officers and troops.

The military cooperation between India and the UAE witnessed a significant momentum after the visit to that country by then Army Chief Gen M M Naravane in December 2020.

It was the first-ever visit to the UAE by a head of the Indian Army.

Gen Dwivedis trip to the UAE is taking place weeks after the Gulf nations Commander of the Presidential Guard, Major General Ali Saif Humaid Alkaabi, visited India.
The Centre has moved to fast-track four major hydropower projects on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir, setting firm deadlines for their completion as India steps up its focus on water and energy security, according to a report.

In a clear signal of intent, the Centre has directed authorities to fast-track four major hydropower projects on the Chenab river system, according to a report from News18.

Officials cited in the report say that they have been instructed to commission the Pakal Dul and Kiru projects by December 2026, complete the Kwar project by March 2028, and speed up construction of the strategically sensitive Ratle dam.

The push followed a two-day ground inspection by Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who reviewed progress at multiple dam sites in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed that deadlines will now be strictly enforced.

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Why the Chenab matters

The stakes extend far beyond power generation. The Chenab is part of the Indus basin, which is critical to Pakistans water security. Nearly three-fourths of Pakistans water originates from the western rivers flowing from India. Over ninety percent of Pakistans agriculture depends on this basin, and most of its dams and canals are built around it. In effect, the vast majority of Pakistans population relies on water that first passes through Indian territory, making every development on the Chenab closely watched across the border.

Pakal Dul: the centrepiece

The most significant project is the Pakal Dul hydropower project in Kishtwar. With a capacity of one thousand megawatts, it is the largest project in the Chenab basin and, at 167 metres, the highest dam in India. It is also Indias first storage project on a western river flowing into Pakistan. Built on a tributary of the Chenab and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018, Pakal Dul has taken on added importance with the Indus Waters Treaty effectively in abeyance. Once commissioned by December 2026, it will allow India not only to generate power but also to regulate the timing of water flows, a long-standing concern for Pakistan.

Kiru and Kwar projects

Running alongside Pakal Dul is the Kiru project, also in Kishtwar district. The 135-metre-high Kiru dam is a run-of-the-river project, but its strategic relevance lies in its position within a chain of projects on the Chenab. The Centre has set the same December 2026 deadline for Kiru, signalling that both projects are expected to come online together.

The third project, Kwar, is another run-of-the-river dam on the Chenab with a height of 109 metres. A key engineering milestone was reached in January 2024 when the river was successfully diverted to enable construction, a development closely monitored in Pakistan. The Centre has now fixed March 2028 as the commissioning deadline.

Ratle and Dulhasti Stage-2

The Ratle project remains the most contentious. The 850-megawatt project involves a 133-metre-high dam on the Chenab and has faced objections from Pakistan for years, particularly over its spillway design. During his recent visit, the Power Minister laid the foundation stone for the dams concreting works, signalling that Ratle is being fast-tracked. The river was diverted through tunnels for the project in 2024, and the dam is expected to be ready by 2028.

Beyond these projects, India is also advancing Dulhasti Stage-2 on the Chenab. The project received clearance from the Environment Ministrys panel last December and will be taken up after Dulhasti-I, which is already operational. Pakistan has objected to this clearance as well, claiming it was not informed, an assertion India has rejected.
Gideon Saars trip follows Israels move to become the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland as an independent country, drawing backlash from Somalia and others

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar attends the honorary session of the Paraguayan National Congress, in Asuncion, Paraguay, November 24, 2025. Reuters File

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Somaliland on Tuesday, marking the first formal visit by an Israeli official since Israel recognised the self-declared republic as an independent state.

According to a Times of Israel report, Somalilands Information Ministry said Saar was received at the airport by senior Somaliland officials.

He is scheduled to meet President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi later in the day, added the report.

The Israeli foreign ministry did not immediately respond when asked if the foreign minsiter was in Somaliland.

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Last month, Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an independent country.

The decision triggered strong backlash from Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, as well as criticism from several Middle Eastern and African nations and a rebuke from the European Union.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government in Mogadishu, but had failed to secure international recognition until Israels announcement.

The region, located in the Horn of Africa, lies across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, where the Iran-aligned Houthi movement controls significant territory, giving Somaliland strategic importance.

With inputs from agencies
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held talks with Luxembourgs top leadership, highlighting scope for deeper cooperation in fintech, space, AI and strengthening IndiaEU ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India considers Luxembourg a very important partner and sees scope to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as fintech, space and artificial intelligence.

Jaishankar, who is on a six-day visit to France and Luxembourg, held talks with Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden on expanding cooperation, including in finance, investment, technology and innovation.

He also led delegation-level talks with Luxembourgs Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel.

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In his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said India viewed Luxembourg as a very important partner, both bilaterally and within the European Union, at a very crucial time in the development of our own ties with the EU.

#WATCH | Luxembourg: External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar delivers opening remark at meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel.



(Source: EAM S Jaishankar Social Media Page) pic.twitter.com/PtgwU7bhFN  ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2026

The influence that you have in shaping that larger relationship, the support that you extend, that is something which is of great value to us, he said.

Jaishankar said that beyond a very solid trade account, the two countries could collaborate more closely on emerging sectors such as fintech, space, the digital economy and AI.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Frieden, Jaishankar conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in financial services, investment, technology and innovation.

Jaishankar also thanked Frieden for his support for stronger India-EU ties. Frieden said he had a good exchange with the Indian minister.

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Our talks focused on strengthening our nations bilateral ties and key global developments, Frieden said in a post on social media.

The external affairs minister also called on Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg.

Honoured to call on HRH Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg this afternoon. Conveyed the warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu.



Value his positive sentiments for India, and for deepening our bilateral partnership.@CourGrandDucale



  pic.twitter.com/S3uNqPUScp  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 6, 2026

Conveyed the warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu. Value his positive sentiments for India, and for deepening our bilateral partnership, Jaishankar said in a separate post on X.

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While in Luxembourg, Jaishankar is also scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community.

With inputs from agencies
Weeks before Maduros capture, Trump told US oil executives to get ready, hinting at big changes in Venezuela. Oil is central to his plan, with Chevron leading potential investments. But political uncertainty, safety concerns, and contract questions mean expanding production wont be quick or simple

US President Donald Trump has threatened to take over Cuba, Panama, and Greenland. File image/Reuters

About a month before US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, President Trump gave a cryptic but striking message to a couple of American oil executives: Get ready. Big changes were coming to Venezuela, he hinted.

Although Trump gave the executives a heads-up, he didnt provide specific details about the Caracas strikes that unfolded early Saturday, nor did he seek their advice on the plan to have US energy companies revitalise Venezuelas struggling oil fields with multibillion-dollar investments, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

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Chevron at the centre

Trumps plan relies heavily on US oil companies, particularly Chevron, the only major American firm still operating in Venezuela. We are going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground, Trump said at a Mar-a-Lago press conference Saturday.

Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country, he added.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that Trump is eager to work with US oil companies on new investments in Venezuela, while a senior official confirmed that Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are leading the effort, with communications to oil firms already underway.

Also read | Narco-state or oil jackpot? The real reason Trump sent US military to capture Maduro

Investors respond, companies hesitate

Investors appeared optimistic, with Chevron shares rising 5%, Exxon Mobil up 2%, and ConocoPhillips nearly 3%. But for now, Chevron has no immediate plans to ramp up production or spending, citing safety and commercial uncertainties.

Chevron remains focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets, a Chevron spokesperson who spoke to WSJ said. We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

What are the challenges ahead

Venezuela holds an estimated 300 billion barrels of oil, yet output is only about 900,000 barrels a dayless than 1% of global consumption.

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Boosting production could improve the economy, curb migration, and stabilise energy prices. However, large US oil companies are cautious, weighing safety, contracts, and political stability before committing billions.

If youre going into Venezuela, youve got to have terms that you think are going to protect you from the Venezuelans and, frankly, protect you from a different administration in the US, said Dan Pickering, chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners, to WSJ.

Chevron, best positioned to invest, prefers maintaining current production levels while ensuring employee safety. Any expansion would compete with other global projects, including Guyana and offshore drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean and Gulf of Mexico.

All of our oil companies are ready and willing to make big investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure, which was destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime, Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman, told WSJ. American oil companies will do an incredible job for the people of Venezuela and will represent the United States well, they added.

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Footage of Venezuelas former president Nicolas Maduro in a khaki jacket, handcuffed and limping as he is escorted to a US court has gone viral, intensifying global debate over his dramatic capture and the legality of Washingtons high-stakes operation.

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are escorted, as they heads towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others, at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, in New York City, U.S., January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Adam Gray

Footage of Venezuelas ousted President Nicolas Maduro being moved to a court in New York has gone viral on social media. Videos show him in a khaki jacket and bright shoes, handcuffed and walking with a noticeable limp as US law enforcement escorts him under heavy security.

Maduro's wife has 'SEVERE BRUISING on her rib'  lawyer says in court



'Will need appropriate attention'



Not stated if injuries sustained during kidnapping by US pic.twitter.com/KcNFRv6w23  RT (@RT_com) January 5, 2026

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Note: Firstpost could not independently verify the authenticity of the video

Maduro, 63, was flown from a detention facility in Brooklyn to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan, where he appeared for his initial hearing on federal charges. In the viral clips, he is seen stepping off an armoured vehicle and being guided toward the courthouse complex.

What are the charges against Maduro?

The specific charges are:

Narco-terrorism conspiracy: Prosecutors allege Maduro led the Cartel of the Suns, a criminal organisation of high-ranking Venezuelan officials that partnered with the FARC (Colombian guerrillas) to use cocaine as a weapon to flood the United States.

Cocaine importation conspiracy: The US claims Maduro oversaw the shipment of up to 250 tonnes of cocaine annually, using Venezuelan state infrastructureincluding military airbases and naval portsto facilitate transit.

Possession of machine guns and destructive devices: This charge relates to the heavy weaponry allegedly used by his security forces and paramilitary partners to protect drug shipments.

Conspiracy to possess machine guns: A secondary count involving the coordination and distribution of weapons to narco-terrorist groups.

Each of these counts carries a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

The prosecutions case rests on the idea that Maduro didnt just look the other way, but actively managed a criminal enterprise for over 25 years, from his time as a legislator in 2000 through his presidency. They allege he traded diplomatic cover for bribes, allowing Mexican cartels like Sinaloa and the Zetas to operate freely in exchange for funds that helped him maintain his grip on power.

Maduro, in response told a federal judge in Manhattan that he had been kidnapped from Venezuela and said Im innocent, Im not guilty.

Im still the President of my country, he was quoted as saying.
As Maduro claims he was kidnapped and Trump celebrates a capture, the global media remains split over whether the Caracas raid was a legal seizure or a lawless military abduction of a president

A woman shows a painting depicting ousted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and former President Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) during a demonstration by supporters in Caracas on January 4, 2026, a day after he was captured in a US strike. (AFP)

In the early hours of January 3, the world woke up to a geopolitical earthquake. The United States military had conducted Operation Absolute Resolve," a high-stakes raid in Caracas that ended with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in US custody.

As the dust settles over the Manhattan federal court where Maduro recently pleaded not guilty, a linguistic battle has broken out.

Was he captured, abducted, or kidnapped? The choice of words isnt just about semantics. Its about whether you believe the US is enforcing justice or engaging in international vandalism."

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Maduro: I am a kidnapped president

Inside a New York courtroom on January 5, a defiant Maduro made his stance clear.

Image: Associated Press

Wearing a blue jail uniform, he told the judge through an interpreter: I am here kidnapped. I am still the president of my country." His defence team has doubled down on this narrative.

Attorney Todd Pollack raised serious questions about the legality of this military abduction, arguing that snatching a sitting head of state from his own home is a violation of every known international treaty. To Maduro, he isnt a criminal defendant; he is a prisoner of war taken by an imperial power.

Trump: A brilliant operation

Across the Atlantic, President Donald Trump is basking in what he is portraying as a major victory. Posting on Truth Social shortly after the raid, Trump wrote: The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.

When reporters later asked Trump about Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez calling the act a kidnapping, Trump remained unfazed.

Its all right, he replied with a shrug. Its not a bad term.

For the White House, this wasnt a crime. It was a surgical law enforcement action to bring a wanted drug lord to justice.

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Medias linguistic minefield

As politicians trade barbs, newsrooms around the world are grappling with language, with the choice of verb becoming shorthand for an outlets editorial stance.

In the US, networks including CNN have largely settled on captured or seized, sometimes opting for the more visceral snatching to describe the Delta Force raid.

The BBC, by contrast, has reportedly advised journalists to avoid kidnapped in favour of neutral terms such as captured or taken into custody, aligning with the official US legal position.

Outside the US orbit, the tone is sharper, with Frances Le Monde and Al Jazeera frequently using abduction, a word that implies a lack of legal legitimacy.

Why the labels matter

If Maduro was captured, he is a fugitive finally caught. If he was kidnapped, the US is a kidnapper.

Under international law, heads of state typically enjoy immunity. By using the word captured, the US justifies the move via a 2020 narco-terrorism indictment.

By saying kidnapped, Maduros allies, and several UN members, argue that the US has set a dangerous precedent where any leader can be grabbed if a more powerful nation decides they are a criminal.

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A memo suggests Cabello Rondon may have considered using Mexican nationals for the operation, though the threats were not fully substantiated. In response to the potential danger, Capitol Police and Miami-Dade law enforcement have increased Rubios security

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during an end-of-year press conference in the State Department Press Briefing Room in Washington, DC on December 19, 2025.- AFP

A Department of Homeland Security memo reveals that Diosdado Cabello Rondon, a top Venezuelan politician, believed to control the countrys security forces, discussed a plot to assassinate US Senator Marco Rubio last month.

The memo suggests Cabello Rondon may have considered using Mexican nationals for the operation, though the threats were not fully substantiated. In response to the potential danger, Capitol Police and Miami-Dade law enforcement have increased Rubios security.

The Miami Herald first reported the details of the memo on Sunday.

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Despite the potential threat, Rubio has continued to speak out against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, advocating for tougher sanctions and even engaging in a brief Twitter exchange with Cabello Rondon last week. In the exchange, Rubio accused Cabello Rondon of involvement in drug trafficking, a claim the Venezuelan official denied.

In some unspecified manner, CABELLO RONDONs problems involved U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, the memo, obtained by Politico, stated. The outlet did not disclose details that could jeopardise Rubios safety, his family, or confidential law enforcement sources.

The memo also indicated that Cabello Rondon may have discussed fundraising for the assassination plot or addressing the problems facing Venezuelas ruling regime.

CABELLO RONDON did indeed issue an order  to have Senator Rubio assassinated, the memo said. Additionally, CABELLO RONDON was communicating with unspecified Mexican nationals in furtherance of the matter.

As Venezuelas political crisis deepened following a controversial election that allowed Maduro to retain power, the US labelled him a dictator and imposed individual sanctions on him and other regime members. After a failed military uprising against Maduro, Rubio took to Twitter on August 6 to criticise Cabello Rondon, stating the incident shows whos in charge of security forces in #Venezuela.

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In response, Cabello Rondon accused Rubio of imperialism and of being the defender of the terrorists who attacked Fort Paramacay, a Venezuelan military base recently targeted by dissident security forces. He also mocked Rubio with the nickname Narco Rubioan ironic jab considering Cabello Rondon himself has long been suspected by the US of drug trafficking, though he has denied these accusations.

Diosdado Pablo Escobar Cabello is unusually nervous and frantic this morning, Rubio retorted in his reply.
A curfew has been imposed in Birgunj town of Nepal following communal clashes over a viral video, while India has sealed the border to prevent any spillover of unrest.

Communal tension has flared in parts of Nepal along the India border, prompting authorities to place the region on high alert. Protests erupted in Birgunj town of Nepals Parsa district after a video with alleged religious content went viral on social media, according to reports.

Birgunj, which lies close to Indias Bihar state, witnessed rising tensions following a controversy linked to a TikTok video. As the situation worsened, the district administration imposed a curfew, which has since been extended until Tuesday evening.

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Curfew imposed in Birgunj

According to news agency ANI, prohibitory orders were issued in parts of the district on Monday afternoon due to continuing religious tensions. Despite the restrictions, opposing groups went ahead with simultaneous protests, forcing authorities to impose a curfew to prevent further escalation.

The Parsa district administration initially imposed the curfew from 6 pm local time on Monday until 8 am on Tuesday. As the situation continued to deteriorate and security concerns persisted, the curfew was later extended until 1 pm.

What triggered the unrest

According to an NDTV report, the tension began after two Muslim men  Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari from Kamala Municipality in Nepals Dhanusha district  allegedly posted a video containing remarks that hurt religious sentiments. The video triggered unrest in both Dhanusha and neighbouring Parsa districts.

Local residents later detained the two men and handed them over to the police, saying the video threatened communal harmony. Soon after, a mosque was vandalised in the Sakhuwa Maran area of Kamala, further escalating tensions and drawing people onto the streets.

Protests turn violent

During the protests, Hindu groups alleged that derogatory remarks were made against their deities, further fuelling anger. Demonstrations soon turned violent, with protesters pelting stones at police personnel and vandalising a local police station.

Police said they fired several tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation in Birgunj.

IndiaNepal border sealed

In view of the unrest, security has been tightened along the IndiaNepal border. The Sashastra Seema Bal has sealed the border, allowing only emergency services to operate.

Civilian movement has been halted, with enhanced checks at the Maitri Bridge connecting India and Nepal. A dog squad has also been deployed to strengthen security. Officials said patrolling has been intensified in other border areas, including Sahadewa, Mahadewa, Pantoka, Siwan Tola and Musharwa, to prevent any untoward incident.
Authorities in Crans-Montana said that the bar where a New Years Eve fire killed 40 people had not undergone any safety inspections between 2020 and 2025. Mayor Nicolas Feraud apologised, calling the oversight profoundly regrettable

People weep outside the "Le Constellation" bar, after a fire and explosion during a New Years Eve party where several people died and others were injured, according to Swiss police, in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland. Reuters

Authorities in CransMontana, Switzerland, have admitted that no safety inspections were carried out at the bar where a deadly New Years Eve fire killed 40 people, despite annual checks being legally required, local officials said at a press conference.

CransMontanas mayor, Nicolas Feraud, offered a public apology, saying, We are profoundly sorry. We did not have an indication that the checks had not been done, when asked about the lack of inspections between 2020 and 2025.

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How the fire started

The fire tore through the basement of the Le Constellation bar in the early hours of January 1, injuring more than 100 people and killing 40 who were celebrating with friends and family. Investigators believe the fire began when sparkler candles on champagne bottles ignited highly flammable soundproofing foam on the ceiling.

In response, the town has now banned sparklers and other pyrotechnics from all indoor venues.

Feraud explained that the last fire safety inspection, in 2019, had found the venue compliant, with its foam ceiling deemed acceptable at the time and no fire alarm required due to the bars size. But after consulting official records following the tragedy, town officials found out the venue had not received the annual inspections mandated under local rules for the past five years.

The mayors comments have caused immense public anger, with critics questioning how regular checks could have been missed in a country known for strict safety standards. Prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the bars owners on suspicion of negligent homicide and other offences. Police have said they do not currently see a risk of flight and have not arrested the operators, though a second bar run by the same people has been closed.

Authorities also acknowledged that a team of just a few inspectors is responsible for tens of thousands of buildings in the resort, raising questions about enforcement capacity. The municipality says it has now commissioned external experts to carry out safety audits across the area to prevent a similar tragedy.
These commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions, said the draft, which still needs approval by the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing of allies of Ukraine in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he arrives for a lunch meeting before a summit of the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Tuesday. Reuters

Ukraines allies will agree that security guarantees must include binding commitments to support Kyiv in the case of a future armed attack by Russia, according to a draft statement prepared ahead of a summit in Paris.

These commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions, said the draft, which still needs approval by the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing of allies of Ukraine in Paris later in the day.

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US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner have arrived at Frances Elysee Palace for the summit, to be attended by more than 27 leaders.

The meeting is meant to finalise as much as possible contributions to future security guarantees to reassure Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, which invaded its neighbour in 2014 and again at full scale in 2022.

The draft text underscores how discussions on security guarantees have advanced in recent weeks, even though Moscow has given no public sign that it would accept such arrangements.

Until recently, much of the focus was on pledges of military aid for Ukraines forces and possible contributions to an international reassurance force.

But diplomats say attention is now shifting to legally binding guarantees to come to Kyivs aid in the event of another attack by Moscow. The possibility of a military response is likely to trigger debate in many European countries, diplomats say.

Protection and security

Kyiv has long said it cannot be safe without guarantees that are comparable to the NATO alliances mutual defence agreement, to deter Russia from attacking again. Moscow wants any peace deal to bar Ukraine from military alliances.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will take part in the meeting in the French capital as part of broader efforts to put together a common Ukrainian, European and American position that could then be taken to Russia.

These talks are meant to deliver more protection and strength for Ukraine. We are counting on our partners support and on steps that can guarantee real security for our people, Zelenskiy said on X as he arrived in France.

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Talks to bring the almost four-year conflict to an end have accelerated since November. However, Moscow has yet to signal willingness to make concessions after Kyiv pushed for changes to a U.S. proposal that initially backed Russias main demands.

Military pledges

A senior European official said there was hope that firming up the coalitions guarantees would also help cement U.S. commitments, which have been broadly outlined in bilateral discussions with Ukraine.

The draft statement for Tuesdays meeting also said that allies will participate in a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.

There will be a continuous, reliable ceasefire monitoring system. This will be led by the U.S. with international participation, including contributions from members of the Coalition of the Willing, the draft statement said.

The draft statement also foresees continued, long-term military assistance for Ukraine, as well as a multinational force for Ukraine.
The death toll in violence surrounding protests in Iran has risen to at least 35 people, activists said Tuesday, as the demonstrations showed no signs of stopping.

The death toll has taken over the protests in Iran as it rose to at least 35, activists informed on Tuesday, as the demonstration showed no signs of stopping.

The figure came from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which said more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have been ongoing for more than a week.

It said 29 protesters, four children and two members of Irans security forces have been killed. Demonstrations have reached over 250 locations in 27 of Irans 31 provinces,

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The group, which relies on an activist network inside of Iran for its reporting, has been accurate in past unrest.

Failing economy

A wave of protests has been sparked in Iran due to its failing economy, as President Donald Trump renewed his threat of US intervention.

The semiofficial Fars news agency, believed close to Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reported late Monday that some 250 police officers and 45 members of the Guards all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt in the demonstrations.

US will come to rescue

The growing death toll carries with it the chance of American intervention. US President Donald Trump warning Iran on Friday that if Tehran violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States will come to their rescue.

Trump warned on Sunday night that Iranian authorities would be hit very hard if more protesters died.

Biggest protest in Iran since 2022

The protests have become the biggest in Iran since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations. However, the protests have yet to be as widespread and intense as those surrounding the death of Amini, who was detained over not wearing her hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities.

Iran and Israel fought a 12-day war last June, during which Israeli and US jets bombed key Iranian nuclear facilities.

But the protests do not appear to be stopping, even after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said rioters must be put in their place.
Snow, ice and freezing temperatures triggered deadly accidents and widespread transport chaos from France and Germany to Britain, Italy and the Balkans

A woman walks her dog in the snow-covered Cours de la Reine garden in Paris as winter weather with snow and cold temperatures hits a large part of the country, France, on Tuesday. Reuters

Severe winter weather sweeping across parts of Europe left at least six people dead, as snow, ice and freezing temperatures disrupted transport and daily life across the continent.

According to a Guardian report, in France, authorities in the south-western Landes region said three people were killed and 15 injured in road accidents on Tuesday.

Two more people died in separate accidents in the Paris region. One driver died in hospital late on Monday after their vehicle veered into the Marne River, while another was killed in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle in eastern Paris, added the report.

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In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a woman died in the capital Sarajevo on Monday after a snow-laden tree branch fell on her head.

Travel disruption intensified as snow blanketed major cities. P

Paris awoke on Tuesday to rooftops and landmarks covered in snow, while aviation authorities announced widespread flight cancellations.

Around 40% of flights at RoissyCharles de Gaulle airport and 25% at Orly were expected to be cancelled early on Wednesday to allow crews to clear runways and de-ice aircraft, reported The Guardian.

In the Netherlands, hundreds of flights were cancelled at Amsterdams Schiphol airport as crews worked to deal with icy conditions.

Rail travel was also severely affected after domestic train services were suspended early on Tuesday due to an IT outage, compounding weather-related disruption. Eurostar services between Amsterdam and Paris were either cancelled or delayed.

Freezing temperatures have gripped much of Europe.

In southern and eastern Germany, temperatures dropped below -10C (14F) early on Tuesday, with meteorologists warning of a storm later this week that could bring heavy snowfall to northern and eastern regions.

Britain also faced severe cold, with overnight temperatures plunging to -12.5C. Snow disrupted road, rail and air travel, and forced the closure of hundreds of schools across northern parts of the country.

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In Italy, temperatures in northern lowland areas fell below freezing, with snow forecast in medium- and low-altitude areas of Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Tuscany. Central and southern regions experienced heavy rain driven by mild winds. In Rome, persistent rainfall caused the Tiber River to swell, dampening Pope Leos Epiphany blessing in St Peters Square, where only a few thousand people gathered under umbrellas.

Romes mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, issued an order on Tuesday restricting access to parks and other areas at risk of falling trees and flooding. Two large pine trees have fallen in recent days, one near the Colosseum on Via dei Fori Imperiali and another on Via Appia Nuova.

Across the Balkans, heavy snow and rain have swollen rivers, disrupted traffic, and interrupted power and water supplies. In western Serbia, some local authorities introduced emergency measures, warning drivers to exercise caution as many travel ahead of Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday and the upcoming weekend.

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Along the Adriatic coast, heavy winds and rough seas battered parts of Croatia and Montenegro, adding to the widespread impact of the severe weather system.

With inputs from agencies
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during a four-day visit aimed at improving strained bilateral ties. The meeting drew attention after Lee shared a selfie with Xi using a smartphone gifted by the Chinese leader, signalling a new phase in relations.

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung (L) and his wife Kim Hea Kyung (2nd L) take a selfie with China's President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R) after a dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 5, 2026. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung snapped a selfie with Xi Jinping using a smartphone gifted to him by the Chinese leader, who had joked at their last meeting that the device might be capable of spying. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP) / - South Korea OUT / NO USE AFTER FEBRUARY 5, 2026 15:00:00 GMT - - SOUTH KOREA OUT / NO USE AFTER FEBRUARY 5, 2026 15:00:00 GMT - - SOUTH KOREA OUT / NO ARCHIVES - RESTRICTED TO SUBSCRIPTION USE

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a smartphone gifted to him by the Chinese leader, who had earlier joked that the device might be capable of spying.

Lee met Xi in Beijing on Monday, calling for a new phase in South KoreaChina relations. Regional security and the lifting of Beijings unofficial ban on Korean pop culture are among Lees key priorities during his four-day visit to China. He is scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and parliament chairman Zhao Leji on Tuesday.

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This is the first visit by a South Korean leader to China since 2019. Relations between the two countries had deteriorated under Lees predecessor, impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was openly critical of Beijing.

Xi has appeared keen to improve ties with Seoul amid diplomatic tensions between China and Japan. South Korea is a US security ally but also depends heavily on China for trade, placing Lee in a delicate diplomatic position.

The visit marks the second meeting between Lee and Xi since November, when Xi visited South Korea for a regional economic summit. Lee described the trip as a crucial opportunity for the full-scale restoration of bilateral ties.

Officials and companies from both sides signed cooperation agreements covering technology, trade and environmental issues.

Lee shared selfies taken with Xi using a Xiaomi phone gifted to him last year. Posting the photos on X, he remarked on the phones image quality. Xi noted that the global situation was becoming more turbulent and complex.

Xi urged Lee to make correct strategic choices and referred to the two countries shared history of resisting Japanese militarism, calling for cooperation to maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

Experts say Xis eagerness to engage reflects Chinas search for regional partners. During the trip, Lee is also expected to attend a memorial service in Shanghai for Korean independence activists.

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Lee has indicated that while South Korea seeks improved ties with China, it also aims to strengthen relations with Japan. He is reportedly planning to visit Japan later this month.

Lee also posted a selfie featuring both leaders and their wives, calling it the shot of a lifetime. Xi was seen complimenting Lees photography skills in a video shared by the South Korean presidency.

The Xiaomi phone drew attention last year when Xi jokingly suggested Lee check for a backdoor during an earlier meeting, a rare moment of humour from the Chinese leader.

Lee took office in June following the impeachment of his predecessor and has since sought to repair ties with China after years of strained relations.
The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern over a dramatic US operation in Venezuela, warning that it clearly undermined a fundamental principle of international law

Venezuela Ambassador to the United Nations Samuel Reinaldo Moncada Acosta speaks as he holds up a news article, during a UN Security Council meeting on US strikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, US, on January 5, 2026. Reuters

The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern over a dramatic US operation in Venezuela, warning that it clearly undermined a fundamental principle of international law.

States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, AFP quoted Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN rights office, as telling reporters in Geneva.

Her remarks followed reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were forcibly taken by US commandos in the early hours of Saturday, during an operation that included airstrikes on Caracas backed by warplanes and a heavy naval deployment.

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Maduro faces four criminal charges in the US, including narco-terrorism, and Maduros vice president has been sworn in as interim president.

Shamdasani rejected Washingtons justification that the raid was warranted by the Venezuelan governments alleged human rights record.

Accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law, she said.

She noted that the UN rights office had for a decade documented the continued deterioration of the situation in Venezuela.

We fear that the current instability and further militarisation in the country resulting from the US intervention will only make the situation worse, she added.

With inputs from agencies
Beijings Ministry of Commerce announced on Tuesday that China has banned the export of military and commercial applications to Japan. The dual-use items could significantly contribute to the functionality or development of the production of weapons and military systems.

China has banned the export of military items along with the commercial applications to end the Japanese consultation and linking amid protracted diplomatic unrest between the two nations.

Beijings Ministry of Commerce announced on Tuesday that the export of the respective items were the used entities for the military purposes that would contribute to enhance the military preparedness of Japan, which is now restricted to enter the other border.

The dual-use items could significantly contribute to the functionality or development of the production of weapons and military systems.

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Common examples include drones and rare earth elements  essential raw materials for numerous goods in the tech and defence sectors  as well as high-performance semiconductors.

Takaichis Taiwan remark

The spat between Beijing and Tokyo came with Beijings claim over Taiwan and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi taking charge. Japan has shown its support towards Taiwan whereas China has considered it as its own territory. Overall, the relations between China and Japan look bleak in the coming year.

Organisations and individuals that transfer or supply these items to Japan in violation of the new provisions will be held legally accountable, the ministry said in its statement, which did not specify which goods would be included.

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry, said at a press conference on Tuesday that along with peace-loving countries and peoples around the world, Beijing will never allow Japans right-wing forces to turn back the wheel of history or allow militarism to make a comeback.

Sanae Takaichis Taiwan remark on November 7 angered China which said a hypothetical attack on Taiwan could constitute an existential threat warranting a military response under the limitations of Tokyos pacifist constitution.

Exchange of heated arguments continue

In the previous months, either side has backed down and the exchange of heated arguments continued causing diplomatic gap between the two. China has cautioned its citizens against trips to Japan, and numerous events promoting cultural and business exchange have also been cancelled.

Particularly under Takaichi, who took office last October, Japan is redoubling its efforts to become a global arms powerhouse, with the prime minister stating her intention to ease restrictions on defence exports and accelerate investment in the nations military sector.

In late November, Japans cabinet approved a supplementary budget proposal that included 1.1 trillion yen (US$7.1 billion) in additional defence spending, which would bring total expenditures to 11 trillion yen  more than 2 per cent of the countrys gross domestic product.

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Mao of Chinas foreign ministry said on Tuesday that this reflects Japans accelerating re-militarisation, a trend which she said would undermine regional peace and stability and should be met with a high degree of vigilance by the international community.

Most serious blow to ties

Liu Jiangyong, a Japan specialist and professor of international affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said Takaichis remarks on Taiwan, along with Tokyos more hawkish stance in recent years, have dealt the most serious blow to ties since relations were normalised in 1972.

This shock will not only deepen political and structural problems between the two sides but inevitably spill over into other areas, Liu said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited news organisations that had learned in advance about last Saturdays strike that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with not putting the mission in jeopardy by publicly reporting on it before it happened.

In the wake of last weekends US military action in Venezuela, the US news media got something it has seldom heard from the Trump administration: a thank you.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited news organisations that had learned in advance about last Saturdays strike that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with not putting the mission in jeopardy by publicly reporting on it before it happened.

Rubios acknowledgement was particularly noteworthy because US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has cited a mistrust of journalists ability to responsibly handle sensitive information as one of the chief reasons for imposing restrictive new press rules on Pentagon reporters. Most mainstream news organisations have left posts in the Pentagon rather than agree to Hegseths policy.

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Speaking on ABCs This Week on Sunday, Rubio said the administration withheld information about the mission from Congress ahead of time because it will leak. Its as simple as that. But the primary reason was operational security, he said.

Frankly, a number of media outlets had gotten leaks that this was coming and held it for that very reason, Rubio said. And we thank them for doing that or lives could have been lost. American lives.

Semafor, citing people familiar with communications between the administration and news organisations, reported that The New York Times and The Washington Post had both learned of the raid in advance but held off reporting on it to avoid endangering US military personnel. Representatives for both outlets declined to comment to Associated Press on Monday.

Withholding information on a planned mission for that reason was routine for news organisations, said Dana Priest, a long-time national security reporter at The Washington Post who now teaches at the University of Maryland. Even after the fact, The Washington Post has asked government authorities about whether revealing certain details could endanger people, she said.

When The Atlantic magazine editor Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently included in a text chain last spring where Hegseth revealed information about a military attack in Yemen, the journalist did not report on the events until well after US personnel were out of danger and the information had been thoroughly checked out.

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The world learned of the Venezuela attack in the predawn hours of Saturday when US President Donald Trump announced it on his Truth Social platform upon completion.

While Associated Press did not have advance word that the operation would happen, its journalists in Venezuela heard and observed explosions taking place there, and that was reported on the news wire more than two hours before Trumps announcement. The US involvement was not made clear until Trumps post, however.

Hegseth, in defending rules that restrict reporters movements and reporting in the Pentagon, told Fox News last year that we have expectations that youre not soliciting classified or sensitive information. The Times last month filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the rules.

Decisions on whether to report information that could put lives or a mission in danger often involve high-level discussions between editors and government officials. But Priest stressed that in a country with freedom of the press, the ultimate decision on whether to report the information lies with the news organisation.

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Generations ago, US President John F. Kennedy persuaded editors at the Times not to report when it learned in advance of a US-backed attack by Cuban exiles on Fidel Castros forces at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.

The mission proved a monumental failure and a Times editor, Bill Keller, later said that Kennedy expressed regret that the newspaper had not reported on what it had known because it could have prevented a fiasco.

Many mainstream journalists covering the military and national security have extensive experience dealing with sensitive issues, Priest said. But there was a difference, she said, between reporting information that could put someone in danger and that which could prove embarrassing to an administration.

The reporters are not going to be deterred by a ridiculously broad censorship edict by the Trump administration, Priest said. Theyre going to dig in and work even harder. Their mission is not to curry favour with the Trump administration. Its to report information to the public.

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A team of 400 lawyers and 100 FBI specialists are working to ensure redactions and compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act after victims raised concerns over prior releases

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. US Justice Department/Reuters

More than two million files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have yet to be released, according to a NBC News report, citing court filing submitted late Monday by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

The filing said a team of about 400 lawyers is reviewing the material to ensure victim privacy before any further disclosures. It also noted that the department would reassess its review procedures after victims complained that some information previously released should have been redacted.

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To date, DOJ has released about 12,000 documents, comprising roughly 125,000 pages, in three batches.

The filing, signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, outlines how the department plans to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Epstein, a disgraced financier with past ties to President Donald Trump, died in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epsteins crimes.

Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law late last year following sustained pressure from victims, advocacy groups and lawmakers seeking greater disclosure of records related to the case.

The DOJs filing, authored by US Attorney Jay Clayton and submitted to US District Judge Paul Engelmayer, said the department is conducting a victim privacy-related review and redaction of certain of the materials.

It added that in the coming weeks, in the range of over 400 lawyers across the Department will dedicate all or a substantial portion of their workday to the Departments efforts to comply with the Act.

The FBI is contributing more than 100 specialists with experience handling sensitive victim materials.

The filing said the DOJ is refining its procedures for reviewing the files and streamlining how it handles requests for redactions from victims.

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Since the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the department said it had received dozens of queries from victims and would now be running additional electronic quality control searches.

Prior releases have included tens of thousands of manual redactions of victim-identifying information. Even with these efforts and related quality control checks, unfortunately, information that victims believe should have been redacted has been posted, the filing said.

The department said it will also work to deduplicate the massive number of files across different parts of the DOJ, ensure a standard level of redaction, introduce new categories of documents, and assign DOJ lawyers to those containing sensitive victim-identifying information.

With inputs from agencies
A US intelligence assessment suggests that leaders loyal to Nicolas Maduro may be better placed to run Venezuela after his exit, arguing they have deeper control over the military and state institutions as Washington leans toward stability over a risky political transition

A classified assessment by the US Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that senior figures loyal to ousted President Nicolas Maduro are the most capable of keeping the country stable if he loses power, according to people familiar with the matter.

The finding, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, has influenced President Donald Trumps thinking on who should steer Venezuela through a perilous transition.

Why loyalists?

The CIA shared the assessment with Trump and a select group of senior national security officials, who were briefed in recent weeks. The analysis reportedly stated that long-time Maduro alliesparticularly Vice President Delcy Rodriguezwield far more influence within Venezuelas military and government institutions than opposition leaders. That reality, US officials concluded, could make them better placed to maintain order in the short term.

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Also read | Is Trump handing over Venezuela to anti-American socialists he loathes?

Why this matters is simple. Trump has chosen to support Rodriguez instead of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a strong critic of Maduro whom many in Washington saw as a democratic alternative.

The CIA assessment suggests the opposition may not have enough backing, especially from the military, to govern the country effectively.

How did the White House respond?

The White House has not officially confirmed the contents of the CIA report, but press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administrations overall decision-making.

President Trump is routinely briefed on domestic political dynamics all over the world, Leavitt said.

The president and his national security team are making realistic decisions to finally ensure Venezuela aligns with the interests of the United States, and becomes a better country for the Venezuelan people, she added.

What this really means

While Rodriguezwho served as Maduros vice presidenthas been positioned as a pragmatic intermediary with Washington, her loyalty to Maduros regime and close ties to Venezuelas entrenched political structure present risks.

Critics argue that backing regime loyalists could simply perpetuate the same power dynamics that led to Venezuelas deep political and economic crisis in the first place.

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For now, the US is implying that stability, even if imperfect, may take precedence over rapid democratic change. How this strategy will play out on the ground in Venezuela remains an important question.
Trump has strongly defended recent US military strikes on Venezuelas capital, Caracas, calling the operation amazing and brilliant even as the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro triggered legal, political and diplomatic fallout at home and abroad.

An activist, wearing a cutout mask depicting US President Donald Trump, holds a toy gun and a container with the words, 'My Oil' during an anti-Trump rally to condemn the US conducting a military act on Venezuela to capture its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in central Seoul, South Korea. Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised the US military strikes on Caracas as amazing and brilliant, doubling down on the operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, even as political uncertainty deepened in Venezuela and beyond.

Speaking at the House Republicans annual retreat, Trump said the strikes were executed with tactical precision and without American casualties. He described the mission as brilliant tactically and an incredible thing, while again branding Maduro a violent guy responsible for mass killings. Trump also criticised opposition lawmakers for refusing to acknowledge what he called a major success.

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Maduro pleads not guilty in US court

Hours later in New York, Maduro pleaded not guilty to US narcotics and weapons charges during a brief federal court hearing. Declaring he had been kidnapped, he insisted he remained Venezuelas president. His wife, Cilia Flores, also entered a not-guilty plea, as both pro- and anti-Maduro protesters gathered outside the courthouse.

Maduro faces multiple charges, including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, allegations he has long dismissed as a pretext for US attempts to control Venezuelas oil wealth.

Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as interim leader

Back in Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was swiftly sworn in as interim president, signalling continuity rather than confrontation. While opposition leader Maria Corina Machado praised Trump and vowed to return to Venezuela to push for free elections, the White House appeared to sideline the opposition for now.

US officials indicated a willingness to work with Rodriguez and senior holdovers from Maduros government, saying Washington continued to maintain leverage through engagement.

Intelligence assessment sidelines opposition

A US intelligence assessment cited by American media said Rodriguez was best positioned to maintain stability, concluding that opposition figures would struggle to command legitimacy in the short term. The assessment left many anti-Maduro activists disappointed, as expectations of a swift political transition faded.

Wider geopolitical fallout

The shockwaves from Venezuela also spilled into transatlantic politics. European leaders rallied behind Denmark and Greenland after Trump revived remarks about taking control of the Arctic island, stressing that Greenland belongs to its people.

With Washington asserting hard power abroad and Europe pushing back diplomatically, the fallout from the Venezuela operation is reshaping debates over sovereignty, intervention and US global ambitions.
After the US intervention in Venezuela, Republican US lawmakers said on Monday that President Donald Trump does not have any plan to occupy Venezuela.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to reporters after members of Congress were briefed on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Image Credit: Reuters

After the US intervention in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicoloas Maduro, Republican US lawmakers said on Monday that President Donald Trump does not have any plan to occupy Venezuela.

We do not have US armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country, Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana told reporters after the classified session with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other senior officials.

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If anybody wants to use the term nation-building, or anything like that, it doesnt look like anything anybody has seen under President Trump, said Representative Brian Mast, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

They are not the protracted war administration, Mast told reporters after the briefing, which lasted more than 2-1/2 hours, when asked how he would reassure Americans they did not face another endless war, like the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan.

Maduro found not guilty

Trump sent US troops in Venezuela early on Saturday to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who pleaded not guilty in the US court earlier on Monday to drug trafficking charges.

Maduro said, I am the President of Venezuela, I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was captured at my home in Caracas.

Maduros capture rattled world leaders

The capture of Nicolas Maduro rattled world leaders as Trumps warning came a day after specifying that if the same actions continue, will lead to another strike. Caracas was left scrambling and angered some US Democrats, who said Rubio and other Trump administration officials had lied to them by insisting they were not planning regime change in Venezuela.

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senates Democratic leader, told reporters Mondays briefing had been extensive but posed more questions than it answered.

Their plan for the US running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying, he said.

Trump administration accuses Maduro

Trumps administration accuses Maduro of overseeing a cocaine-trafficking network that partnered with violent groups including Mexicos Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombias FARC rebels and Venezuelas Tren de Aragua gang.

Trump has made no secret of wanting to share in Venezuelas oil riches. US oil companies shares jumped on Monday, fueled by the prospect of access to those vast reserves.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that if Trump took over Greenland that would mark an end of the Nato military alliance. Her comments came after US intervention in Venezuela and capture of President Nicolas Maduro along with his wife.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, left, and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, speak on April 27, 2025, in Marienborg, Denmark. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)

The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen said that if Trump took over Greenland that would mark an end of the Nato military alliance on Monday. Her comments came after US President Donald Trumps renewed call for the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island to come under US control in the aftermath of the weekend military operation in Venezuela.

After the US intervention of Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro along with his wife early Saturday left the world leaders off guard, and the heightened concerns in Denmark and Greenland, which is a semiautonomous territory of the Danish kingdom and thus part of Nato.

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Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens Frederik Nielsen, blasted the presidents comments and warned of catastrophic consequences. Numerous European leaders expressed solidarity with them.

If the United States chooses to attack another Nato country militarily, then everything stops, Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 on Monday. That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.

President Trump reiterated on Sunday that he wants to take over Greenland, prompting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark to urge him to stop the threats to annex the semiautonomous Danish territory.

Frederiksen also highlighted Trumps remark of seizing power over Greenland. We will not accept a situation where we and Greenland are threatened in this way, she added.

Nielsen, in a news conference on Monday, said Greenland cannot be compared to Venezuela. He urged his constituents to stay calm and united.

We are not in a situation where we think that there might be a takeover of the country overnight and that is why we are insisting that we want good cooperation, he said.

Nielsen added: The situation is not such that the United States can simply conquer Greenland.

We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it, Trump said.

On Denmarks mainland, the partnership between the US and Denmark has been long-lasting. The Danes buy American F-35 fighter jets and just last year, Denmarks parliament approved a bill to allow US military bases on Danish soil.

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Critics say the vote ceded Danish sovereignty to the US The legislation widens a previous military agreement, made in 2023 with the Biden administration, where US troops had broad access to Danish air bases in the Scandinavian country.
Hours after offering to collaborate with US President Donald Trump, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the countrys interim leader.

Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez (left) takes an oath as interim president in front of National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez (right) and Deputy Nicolas Maduro Guerra (centre) during a session of the National Assembly in Caracas on January 5, 2026. (Photo: Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores Press Office/AFP)

Hours after offering to collaborate with US President Donald Trump, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was on Monday sworn in as the countrys interim leader. The military has backed her and the Supreme Court has endorsed the swearing-in.

Despite her offer to collaborate with the Trump administration, Rodriguez condemned the US invasion and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Rodriguez said she was in pain over the kidnapping of our heroes, the hostages in the United States. She maintained that Maduro was the only president and that she was merely an interim leader in his absence.

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Rodriguez took the oath as Venezuelas interim leader in front of Jorge Rodriguez, her brother and President of the National Assembly, and Deputy Nicolas Maduro Guerra during a session of the National Assembly. The parliament that swore her in denounced Maduros capture while vowing to support her.

ALSO READ: Where was Venezuelas military when US troops captured Maduro? Experts hint at secret deal

Essentially, Venezuelas control now rests with the Rodriguez siblings with Delcy controlling the executive branch and Jorge controlling the legislature.

Independent observers have said that the way the Venezuelan military stayed out of any confrontation with invading US forces and allowed them to whisk away Maduro suggests that elements of the Venezuelan government involving Rodriguez and sections of the military had reached a secret deal with the Trump administration. Last year, the Rodriguez siblings had indeed held secret negotiations with the administration through Arab mediators.

We invite the US govt: Venezuelas new leaders outreach to Trump

Earlier in the day, Rodriguez had struck a conciliatory tone in an outreach to Trump.

Rodriguez had said that she believed in prioritising balanced and respectful international relations between the United States and Venezuela that rested on sovereign equality and non-interference.

Rodriguez invited Trump to collaborate with us on an agenda of co-operation orientated towards shared development within the framework of international law.

Rodriguez further said: President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. This has always been President Nicolas Maduros message, and it is the message of all of Venezuela right now. This is the Venezuela I believe in and have dedicated my life to. I dream of a Venezuela where all good Venezuelans can come together.

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Hours after Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the interim leader, heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace in Caracas. It appears that the gunfire was triggered by sightings of unidentified drones in the area.

Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. (Photo: STR/AFP)

Hours after Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the interim leader, heavy gunfire was reported near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas. It appears that the gunfire was triggered by sightings of unidentified drones in the area.

As per an account that could not be independently verified, the firing last for at least 45 minutes and some parts of Caracas were without power.

AFP reported witnesses as saying that shots were indeed fired in the late hours of Monday near the presidential palace. A source close to the government told the news agency that the situation was under control.

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Unidentified drones flew over the presidential palace in Caracas and security forces opened fire in response around 8 pm, the source said.

Videos of the gunfire have been shared on social media. These videos could not be independently verified.

BREAKING: Video shows gunfire and anti-aircraft fire lighting up the skies over Caracas, Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/qWOOM6l3jH  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 6, 2026

A witness said that while gunfire was heard, it was not as strong as the fire on Saturday when American commandoes had swept in Caracas to capture and whisk away President Nicolas Maduro in helicopters.

The first thing that came to mind was to see if there were planes flying overhead but there were not. I just saw two red lights in the sky. Everyone was looking out their windows to see if there was a plane, to see what was happening, the witness said, who lives five blocks from the presidential palace.

There has not been any official confirmation of gunfire by security personnel or comment about the sightings of drones in Caracas.

Since the US military invaded Venezuela and whisked away Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to the United States, the country has been on the edge amid fears of further American military action and internal factional violence. While US President Donald Trump appears to have reached a tacit understanding with interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, he has also threatened further action if she would not toe his line.

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In the United States, Maduro and Flores are standing trial for narcoterrorism. In his first court appearance, Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty and said he was still the Venezuelan president.
Trump said a lot of money will need to be spent to increase oil production in Venezuela. Meanwhile, US Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to meet with oil companies executives in the coming days to discuss Venezuelan oil reserves

A flame burning natural gas is seen at an heavy-crude treatment plant operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Cabrutica at the state of Anzoategui. File image/Reuters

US President Donald Trump has said that American taxpayers could cover the costs of rebuilding Venezuelas oil infrastructure, as questions around the countrys reserves and control over them after Nicolas Maduros arrest gain prominence.

Talking to NBC News, Trump said a lot of money will need to be spent to increase oil production in Venezuela. A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue, he said.

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Meanwhile, US Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to meet with oil companies executives in the coming days to discuss Venezuelan oil reserves.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Wright is scheduled to hold meetings with the executives at the Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference in Miami.

US govt to meet oil companies

The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from US oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production, according to a report by Reuters.

The meetings are crucial to the administrations hopes of getting top US oil companies back into the South American nation after its government, nearly two decades ago, took control of US-led energy operations there.

The three biggest US oil companies - Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron - have not yet had any conversations with the administration about Maduros ouster, according to four oil industry executives familiar with the matter, contradicting Trumps statements over the weekend that he had already held meetings with all the US oil companies, both before and since Maduro was seized.

Nobody in those three companies has had conversations with the White House about operating in Venezuela, pre-removal or post-removal to this point, one of the sources said on Monday.

Maduro pleads not guilty

Maduro has pleaded not guilty in a US court, insisting that he is still the president of the country. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by the US military over the weekend in a dramatic operation ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan, Im innocent. Im not guilty, as he appeared in court for a hearing on charges of drug trafficking and other crimes. His wife similarly pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

Smiling as he entered the courtroom, Maduro spoke softly, wearing an orange shirt with beige trousers.

Im president of the Republic of Venezuela and Im here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday, Maduro told the court, speaking in Spanish through an interpreter. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.
After a briefing from top officials, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed President Donald Trumps plan for Venezuela as wishful thinking and said the kind of a regime change that he is attempting always hurts the United States. He said the briefing posted far more questions than it ever answered.

Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. (Photo: STR/AFP)

After receiving a briefing from top officials, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday slammed President Donald Trumps plan for Venezuela as wishful thinking and said his agenda was bound to hurt the United States.

After receiving a briefing from top officials, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday slammed President Donald Trumps plan for Venezuela as wishful thinking and said his agenda was bound to harm the United States.

Schumer said Trump did not have any concrete plan for Venezuela and that the briefing raised more questions than it answered.

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When the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation building, it always ends up hurting the United States, said Schumer.

Trumps top officials on Monday evening briefed the Gang of Eight along with the chairpersons and ranking members of the armed services and foreign affairs committees. As per convention, the Gang of Eight comprising majority and minority leaders of both chambers along with the chairpersons and ranking members of the Senate and House intelligence committees receives classified briefings on national security and intelligence-related matters.

Following Mondays briefing, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congressional leaders reacted along party lines. While Republicans toed Trumps line, Democrats condemned the invasion of Venezuela.

Schumer further said he feared Trump would not stop at Venezuela and might invade more countries.

I did not receive any assurances that we would not try to do the same thing in other countries. And in conclusion, when the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation building, it always ends up hurting the United States. I left the briefing feeling that it would again, said Schumer.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER Chuck Schumer said the congressional briefing on Venezuela posed far more questions than it answered, warning that efforts at regime change historically end "up hurting the United States. pic.twitter.com/7JzjWREpy9  Fox News (@FoxNews) January 6, 2026

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Since winning the 2024 election, Trump has repeatedly listed countries and territories he would annex either through political coercion or invasions. He has said he would annex Denmarks Greenland and would launch a military invasion if needed. He has threatened Panama with an invasion and claimed he would annex Canada one day through political coercion. At one point, he also announced that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip.

In recent days, Trump and his top allies have ramped up pressure on Denmark and have repeatedly said they would one day annex Greenland.

Contrary to Schumer, Republican lawmakers fully supported Trump on the invasion of Venezuela and the whisking away of Nicolas Maduro. They also said Trumps violation of the legal requirement to notify Congress ahead of the military action was acceptable. They had been backing Trump well before the briefing.

Ahead of the briefing, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had no concerns about the lack of notification for Congress and called such advance consultation ill-advised given the sensitivity of the mission. He said the information received so far had been sufficient, according to The New York Times.

Republican lawmakers also sought to downplay Trumps statements. Despite Trump explicitly declaring he would run Venezuela and stating that the mission amounted to a regime change, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, This is not a regime change. This is a demand for a change of behaviour by a regime.

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Johnson further said, We are not at war. We do not have US armed forces in Venezuela. And we are not occupying that country.
Lee Jae Myung is the first South Korean leader to visit the Chinese capital in six years and his meeting with Xi came a day after the nuclear-armed North fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung (L) takes a selfie with China's President Xi Jinping (R) after a dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 5, 2026. AFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on his visiting South Korean counterpart Monday to join Beijing in making the right strategic choices in a world that is becoming more complex and turbulent, state media reported.

Lee Jae Myung is the first South Korean leader to visit the Chinese capital in six years and his meeting with Xi came a day after the nuclear-armed North fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.

At their 90-minute summit, Lee and Xi agreed on the importance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the resumption of dialogue with North Korea, South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported.

Lees visit to China also followed a shock US military operation in Caracas that deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and brought him to New York to face narcotrafficking charges  a raid condemned by Beijing and Pyongyang.

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At Mondays talks, Xi warned the world is currently undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is becoming more complex and turbulent, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

Beijing and Seoul bear important responsibilities in upholding peace in the region, Xi said, noting that the sides have broad common interests.

They should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices.

The South Korean leader then said he wished to open a new phase in relations, based on the trust between himself and Xi.

And he vowed to seek feasible alternatives together for peace on the Korean Peninsula, footage broadcast by Yonhap showed.

The leaders witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents spanning technological innovation, the environment, transportation and trade, Xinhua said.

A state banquet followed the signing of the agreements, the report added.

Lee, accompanied by a delegation of business and tech leaders, hopes to secure pledges to expand economic cooperation with his countrys largest trading partner.

He has called for South Korea and China to work towards more horizontal and mutually beneficial trade.

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- Interconnected supply chains -

On Monday, Lee also met with top executives from both South Korean and Chinese firms at Beijings opulent Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Yonhap reported.

Among the Chinese firms represented were battery giant CATL as well as phone maker ZTE and tech giant Tencent, Yonhap said.

On the South Korean side, Lee was accompanied by business leaders including from Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group.

The South Korean President will meet on Tuesday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang  who is in charge of economic policy  before heading to Chinas economic powerhouse city of Shanghai.

- Pyongyang tensions -

Lee hopes his visit can harness Chinas clout over North Korea to support his bid to improve ties with Pyongyang.

Hours before Xi and Lee were due to meet, Pyongyang declared that it had launched two hypersonic missiles and that its nuclear forces were ready for actual war.

South Korean National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac told journalists after Mondays talks that Lee and Xi reaffirmed peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula serves the interests of both countries, Yonhap reported.

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The two leaders underscored the importance of resuming dialogue with North Korea, Wi was quoted as saying.

Xi and Lee last met in November on the sidelines of the APEC summit in the South Korean city of Gyeongju  a meeting Seoul framed as a reset of ties after years of tension.

Seoul has for decades trodden a fine line between China, its top trading partner, and the United States, its chief defence guarantor.

And Lees trip comes less than a week after China carried out massive military drills around Taiwan, the self-ruled island it claims as part of its territory.

The exercise, featuring missiles, fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels, drew a chorus of international condemnation that Seoul has notably declined to join.

Lee also deftly stayed on the sidelines since a nasty spat erupted between Beijing and Tokyo late last year, triggered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis suggestion that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan.

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At CES, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X2 Plus platform, the newest addition to the Snapdragon X Series as the successor to Snapdragon X Plus. Designed to power Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, the platform is positioned to serve modern professionals and creators requiring high performance and portability.

Architecture and Performance

The Snapdragon X2 Plus is built on a 64-bit architecture and features the third-generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU. The platform is available in two distinct configurations: a 10-core variant (part number X2P-64-100) and a 6-core variant (part number X2P-42-100).

Both versions support a multi-core maximum frequency of 4.0 GHz, promising 35% faster single-core CPU performance, while using 43% less power compared to the previous generation.

Graphics processing is handled by the Qualcomm Adreno GPU, designed to deliver immersive visuals. The GPU performance differs between the two variants; the 10-core model operates at a frequency of 1.7 GHz, while the 6-core model operates at 0.9 GHz. The platform supports LPDDR5X memory with a transfer rate of 9523 MT/s and a maximum capacity of 128 GB.

AI Capabilities

A central feature of the Snapdragon X2 Plus is its focus on artificial intelligence. It integrates the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which delivers 80 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of AI performance. This NPU is engineered to handle next-generation agentic AI experiences and effortless multitasking. Qualcomm states that the platform supports over 50 on-device AI experiences, accelerating workflows such as photo and video editing and multimodal content generation.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The platform includes the Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System and the Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 System, providing support for 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. Connectivity features allow for high-speed access and High Band Simultaneous operations.

Regarding energy efficiency, the Snapdragon X2 Plus is designed to offer multi-day battery life. Intelligent power management distributes power to maintain consistent responsiveness, ensuring there is no drop in performance when the device is running on battery power.

Security Features

Security is managed through a combination of hardware and cloud technologies. The platform utilizes the Qualcomm SPU with Microsoft Pluton to provide chip-to-cloud protection. Additionally, optional Snapdragon Guardian Technology offers enterprise-grade protection, including automatic presence detection and biometric authentication. This system also supports Out-of-Band (OOB) remote manageability for maintenance and security updates.

Feature Snapdragon X2 Plus Snapdragon X Plus Process Technology 3nm 4nm NPU Performance 80 TOPS 45 TOPS Memory Speed LPDDR5X (9523 MT/s) LPDDR5X (8448 MT/s) CPU Architecture 3rd Gen Qualcomm Oryon Qualcomm Oryon Top Tier Model 10-Core (X2P-64-100) Max Frequency: 4.0 GHz 10-Core (X1P-64-100) Max Frequency: 3.4 GHz Entry Tier Model 6-Core (X2P-42-100) Max Frequency: 4.0 GHz 8-Core (X1P-42-100) Max Frequency: 3.4 GHz GPU Architecture Qualcomm Adreno (X2-45) Qualcomm Adreno 5G Modem Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System Wi-Fi Connectivity Wi-Fi 7 (FastConnect 7800) Wi-Fi 7 (FastConnect 7800)

Availability

Devices featuring the new Snapdragon X2 Plus chipset are expected from leading OEMs in the first half of 2026.
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China strengthens control on dual-use items export to Japan

Xinhua) 16:44, January 06, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to strengthen export control on dual-use items to Japan, effective Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce announced.

The country prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for Japan's military use, and for any other end-users and end-use purposes that help enhance Japan's military capabilities, the ministry said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Criminal Investigation into the Fitburg Vessel to Continue for Weeks

Police of Finland

Publication date 5.1.2026 14.52

The police will release further information on the investigation into the cable damage in the Gulf of Finland on 31 December 2025 once significant new developments arise.

The police continue the investigation into the damage caused to Elisa's telecommunications cable, using forensic and tactical methods as usual. At this stage, the gathering and analysis of information is still ongoing. Information has been collected from various sources, including other authorities, the cable damage site, the Fitburg cargo vessel, and the crew members' communication devices.

It has been just under a week since the cable was damaged, and the investigation is progressing step by step. The investigation will continue in the usual manner, and the police will provide updates once more certain information about the course of events is available.

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Iranian security forces arrest Mossad agent operating among rioters

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 11:24 AM

Iranian security forces have arrested a man working for Israel's spy agency Mossad after identifying him among rioters in the capital Tehran, amid unrest in several provinces across the country.

Police announced in a statement on Monday that the unnamed Mossad operative was identified and detained while acting covertly among rioters. He acted as a liaison with riot leaders over the past few days.

According to parts of his confessions in footage released by the police, the individual explained the methods used for recruitment, training, and communication with elements connected to Mossad.

He said he was employed via social media for missions tasked to him by a Germany-based organization.

He added that individuals were identified through social media platforms such as Instagram and Telegram on the basis of their activity and likes, and were told they would be supported in carrying out any missions requested of them.

The Mossad-affiliated agent added that he was instructed on what equipment to purchase and what items to assemble.

He said he was then ordered to go to marketplaces, chant slogans, record videos, and send the footage back to his handlers.

However, in the following days, he was told that he no longer needed to go to the market.

He noted that his handlers monitored him through his mobile phone. He said all trainingfrom start to finishwas delivered remotely via phone calls and messaging, and that he was tracked through his phone's signal.

"I now know everything," he said, adding that they were specifically looking for someone like him.

Iran's Police Chief, Brigadier General Ahmadreza Radan, said on Sunday that security forces have carried out targeted arrests of ringleaders who incited unrest both online and on the ground during protests.

Radan said these individuals were receiving dollar payments from outside the country in exchange for provoking the public.

Sporadic unrest has erupted across Iran since late December after a fall in the national currency.

The US and the Israeli regime moved quickly to exploit the protests, deploying trained agents to undermine national security.

US President Donald Trump openly threatened Iran with aggression in support of the rioters.

Iranian authorities, while recognizing the right to peaceful protest, urged citizens to remain vigilant against foreign-backed riots.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for dialogue with protesters who have legitimate grievances, while stressing that rioters must be confronted.

He said the unchecked currency rise bears "the hand of the enemy," which must be stopped.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Monday that people's protests must be heard, while warning that individuals linked to foreign spy services who seek to hijack protests and turn them into riots must be dealt with separately.

Armed Forces Chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said the US and Israel are hijacking the protests to compensate for their defeat in June's 12-day aggression against Iran.

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Contracts

Contracts For Jan. 5, 2026

NAVY

Balfour Beatty Construction LLC, Dallas, Texas (N62473-21-D-1202); B.L. Harbert International LLC, Birmingham, Alabama (N62473-21-D-1203); Clark Construction Group - California LP, Irvine, California (N62473-21-D-1204); ECC Infrastructure LLC, Burlingame, California (N62473-21-D-1205); Harper Construction Co., Inc., San Diego, California (N62473-21-D-1206); Heffler Contracting Group,* El Cajon, California (N62473-21-D-1207); Korte Construction Co., doing business as The Korte Co., St. Louis, Missouri (N62473-21-D-1208); M. A. Mortenson Co., doing business as M.A. Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis, Minnesota (N62473-21-D-1209); R. A. Burch Construction Co. Inc.,* Ramona, California (N62473-21-D-1210); RQ Construction LLC, Carlsbad, California (N62473-21-D-1211); Sundt Construction Inc., Tempe, Arizona (N62473-21-D-1212); Walsh Federal LLC, Chicago, Illinois (N62473-21-D-1213); Webcor Construction LP, doing business as Webcor Builders, Alameda, California (N62473-21-D-1214); and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Baltimore, Maryland (N62473-21-D-1215), was awarded a combined $149,000,000 modification to a previously awarded multiple award construction contract. This award brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $2,944,000,000. This contract modification provides for new construction, renovation, and repair of commercial and institutional facilities at various locations in the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of operations and is expected to be completed by November 2026. No funds were obligated at time of award. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy), operation and maintenance (O&M) (Navy), or O&M (Marine Corps). This contract was competitively procured via the sam.gov website, with 28 offers received. NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Dec. 23, 2025.)

ShadowObjects LLC,* Leonardtown, Maryland, was awarded $49,989,400 firm-fixed-price, level-of-effort, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide comprehensive lifecycle functional and technical coordination for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Contracts eBusiness Systems, ensuring seamless operation, modernization, and alignment with NAVAIR's strategic objectives. These services encompass the sustainment and eventual sunsetting of existing systems and the implementation, data migration, and strategic documentation required for future systems. A key focus of this effort is the integration of contract writing systems, enterprise resource planning systems, and associated eBusiness systems to enhance operational efficiency and compliance. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (86%); St. Inigoes, Maryland (2%); Orlando, Florida (2%); Jacksonville, Florida (2%); Washington D.C. (2%); Lakehurst, New Jersey (2%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (4%), and is expected to be complete by December 2030. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated as orders are issued. This contract was not competed. NAVAIR, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042126D0008).

AAR Government Services Inc., Wood Dale, Illinois, was awarded a $21,467,918 modification (P00014) to a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This modification exercises options to provide continued contractor logistics support services required for operating and maintaining the C-40A aircraft, aircraft subsystems, appliances and support equipment, including depot-level maintenance, main operating base and supply support, and commercial line maintenance for the Navy. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana (40%); Fort Worth, Texas (22.5%); Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (17.5%); Jacksonville, Florida (5%); North Island, California (5%); Oceana, Virginia (5%); and Whidbey Island, Washington (5%), and is expected to be completed by June 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Rockwell Collins Inc., doing business as Collins Aerospace Government Systems, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded a $20,338,803 modification (P00002) to a firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable order (N0001925F0025) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001924G0017). This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of three E-6B full rate production high power transmit set modernization kits for the Navy. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas, and is expected to be completed in June 2027. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $20,338,803 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Alabama Shipyard LLC,* Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $16,840,735 firm, fixed-price contract (N3220526C0004) for the 98-calendar day shipyard availability for the deactivation of Military Sealift Command's fleet oiler vessel USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194). This contract includes a base work package and three unexercised options for additional work and time, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative value of this contract to $17,159,569. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, beginning Feb. 28, 2026, and is expected to be completed by June 5, 2026. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $16,840,735 are obligated and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was small business set aside solicited via the government wide Point of Entry website and three offers were received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220526C0004).

Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $14,071,857 modification (P00012) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001924F2602) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0012). This modification exercises options to provide continued program management, engineering, and logistics services for calendar year 2026 in support of modification integration and sustainment efforts for the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters for the Marine Corps; and the governments of Bahrain, and the Czech Republic. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (80%); and Patuxent River, Maryland (20%), and is expected to be completed in December 2026. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,931,180; fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $363,332; and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $4,342,043, will be obligated at the time of award, $1,931,180 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The order and contract being modified were not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Virginia Pilot Association,* Virginia Beach, Virginia, was awarded $13,101,154 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide pilot services in support of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Port Operations to assist with the navigation of ships in and out of areas from Cape Henry to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay areas. The contract will include a 60-month base ordering period with an additional six-month option pursuant to Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR) 52.217-8, which if exercised, will bring the total value to $14,485,330. The base ordering period is expected to be completed by December 2030 and if the option is exercised by June 2031. All work will be performed in navigable waterways in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area with the program management team based in Norfolk, Virginia. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $199,567 will be obligated to fund the contract's minimum amount and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Subsequent task order under the contracts will be funded with appropriate fiscal year operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured under a small business set-aside requirement via the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website pursuant to FAR Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation) with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Regional Directorate, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00189-26-D-0003).

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Falls Church, Virginia, was awarded a $12,584,393 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the management, technical services, labor, material, support services, equipment, and facilities to accomplish repair and refurbishment of MK-41 Vertical Launch Systems on board Navy and/or other military type vessels. This contract includes options and if all options are exercised the total value will be $25,542,731. Work will be primarily performed within a 50-mile radius of Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 23, 2026. If all options are exercised, work will continue until Dec. 23, 2027. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,000 will be obligated for the minimum guarantee and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured as full and open competition via the System for Award Management website with two offers received. Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N50054-26-D-0007).

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4370862/

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We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman: Chinese FM on Venezuela situation

Global Times

US military strike on Venezuela, seizing of Maduro widely criticized

By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 04, 2026 11:39 PM

China always opposes the use or threat of force, as well as any imposition of one country's will on another, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday when speaking of the situation in Venezuela, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.

Wang said the current international situation is more volatile and intertwined, with unilateral bullying becoming increasingly severe.

The sudden change of situation in Venezuela has drawn high attention from the international community, Wang said.

"We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be an international judge," Wang said, adding that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected by international law.

Following the US' large-scale strike against Venezuela and its seizing of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and their transfer out of the country, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday that the US' move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms of international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, the spokesperson said.

In the hours prior to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement, multiple countries already voiced their positions via official channels in response to the US' military strike and its seizing of Maduro and his wife. Opposition within the US itself was also formidable, with demonstrations planned in over 100 cities, media outlets reported.

Experts said that the US moves constitutes a typical example of hegemonic unilateralism and delivers a systemic shock to the international order, noting that such action accelerates the fragmentation of the international legal system and deepens the global trust deficit in the rule of international law.

Latest development

Maduro arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after he was brought by helicopter to Manhattan, New York City. He was escorted to the facility by a motorcade of law enforcement vehicles, according to law enforcement officials, CNN News reported.

In a video posted by the White House's official rapid response account on X on Sunday, Maduro was seen handcuffed as he was escorted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents in New York. The tweet was accompanied by the text: "Perp walked."

As Maduro was taken inside the US drug agency office, he offered calm New Year greetings to DEA officers escorting him. The Venezuelan President said, "Good night, Happy New Year," to those accompanying him.

In another circulated clip, shared by Russia's RT News, Maduro was seen walking past the camera as he got out of a truck shortly after landing in New York. Noticing the camera, he flashed a peace sign.

Maduro and his wife could appear in court in Manhattan as early as Monday, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the US would "run" Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Speaking to reporters hours after Maduro's seizing, Trump revealed his plans to exploit the leadership void to "fix" the country's oil infrastructure and sell "large amounts" of oil to other countries, per AP News.

"The supermarkets are crowded." resident Jose described Caracas on the first day after the US raid on Venezuela in one sentence. "Most people are hiding at home, afraid of a possible second attack. Some are constantly on their phones, anxiously sharing messages."

Another resident from the capital city shared similar observation. He told the Global Times that many Venezuelans are now thinking the same thing: "What if food supplies run out tomorrow?"

He also queued at a gas station, "There is still fuel available today, but who knows if there will be gasoline tomorrow amid this panic."

The US seizing of Maduro has made headlines in media outlets worldwide, with some European newspapersincluding The Observerdevoting their entire front page to the story.

The photo of Maduro in handcuffs and a blindfold, taken after his seizing and shared by Trump on social media, appeared on the front page of The Observer alongside the headline "America's captive.

The Spanish newspaper El Confidencial noted that "if there is one word that was repeated to exhaustion during Donald Trump's press conference on the seizing of Nicolas Maduro, it was "oil"  26 times. Neither "drugs," "gangs," or "drug trafficking" (14 times), nor "democracy," although these were also mentioned."

The New York Times ran headlines with "shock and skepticism" to cover the global reaction to the US' seizing of Maduro.

The Guardian ran headlines infused with tones of skepticism to cover the incident, saying that "Is there any legal justification for the US attack on Venezuela?" The report said that the legality of the operation has been called into question - with even some of Trump's allies suggesting it violated international law.

The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday night  but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops, Semafor, a US news website, quoted two people familiar with the communications between the administration and the news organizations as saying. The scoop has since sparked a new wave of discussion on US social media.

The US indeed wants to "make an example" by toppling Maduro, Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times. He added that the US hopes to use this military action to "strike" Venezuela and establish its hegemony in the Western Hemisphere.

Wide Condemnation

Politicians and the general public within the US have expressed their discontent. US Democratic lawmakers on Saturday showed their anger and distress in the aftermath of the US raid on Venezuela and the seizing of Maduro early Saturday morning, Xinhua reported.

They said that Congress had not been notified in advance and that Trump's administration had previously lied to Congress about its goals in the oil-rich South American nation. Meanwhile, they demanded an immediate briefing on the operation and on the White House's next move, per Xinhua.

Across the US, Americans have taken to the streets to protest Trump's military operation in Venezuela and the seizing of Maduro and his wife. Demonstrations are planned in over 100 cities, with the main New York City protest set to begin at 2 pm in Times Square, Newsweek reported, citing organizers from The People's Forum and the ANSWER Coalition.

In Caracas, Maduro supporters raised clenched fists as they gathered in the streets of the Venezuelan capital on Sunday after US forces seized him, NBC News reported. Some burned a US flag during a gathering near the Miraflores Palace in Caracas after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in the early hours on Saturday, CBS News reported.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday on the US operation against Venezuela, the council presidency told Xinhua on Saturday.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the US action as a clear violation of international law and an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state.

The Foreign Ministry of the DPRK strongly denounces the US hegemony-seeking act committed in Venezuela as the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty and as a wanton violation of the UN Charter and international laws with respect for sovereignty, non-interference and territorial integrity as their main purpose, a DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday in response to a question raised by KCNA.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Saturday on his X that the bombings on Venezuelan territory and the seizing of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a most serious affront to the sovereignty of Venezuela and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy weighed in Saturday on the US seizing of Maduro, telling reporters that Washington "knows what to do next," according to Fox News.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel supported the US "strong action" in Venezuela.

Several experts the Global Times reached out to on Sunday said that the US' impact on international order is increasingly manifesting, and voiced their concerns about the country acting arbitrarily and unilaterally, which could see a regression of the world order back to the law of the jungle.

Wu Xiaofan, a research fellow at the Institute for American and Pacific Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Sunday that the military actions of the US reveal how it views international order, which is that sovereignty is no longer a hard boundary.

When rules become tools that can be easily appropriated, any rules-based order yields to an order governed by the law of the jungle, she added.

The US' move openly violated the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs enshrined in the UN Charter, completely undermines the bottom line of jurisdictional immunity enjoyed by a sitting head of state under international law, and represents yet another dangerous step in placing "domestic law above international law," Pan Deng, director of the Latin America and Caribbean Region Law Center of China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times.

By bypassing authorization from the UN Security Council and resorting to unilateral judicial and military means to handle international disputes, the US is, in essence, substituting multilateral rules with the will of power, seriously eroding the authority of the UN's core mechanisms, Pan said.

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 5 January 2026

Bern, 05.01.2026 -- On 5 January 2026, the Federal Council decided to freeze any assets held in Switzerland by Nicolas Maduro and other persons associated with him with immediate effect. In doing so, the Federal Council aims to prevent an outflow of assets. The asset freeze does not affect members of the current Venezuelan government. Should future legal proceedings reveal that the funds were illicitly acquired, Switzerland will endeavour to ensure that they benefit the Venezuelan people. The asset freeze is in addition to the sanctions against Venezuela that have been in place since 2018 under the Embargo Act.

On 3 January 2026, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was arrested by US forces in Caracas and flown to the United States. The situation is volatile, and several scenarios are possible in the coming days and weeks. Switzerland is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela. It has called for de-escalation, restraint and compliance with international law, including the prohibition of the use of force and the principle of respect for territorial integrity. Switzerland has also repeatedly offered its good offices to all sides in order to find a peaceful solution to the situation.

The Federal Council wants to ensure that any illicitly acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland in the current situation. Under the Federal Act on the Freezing and the Restitution of Illicit Assets Held by Foreign Politically Exposed Persons (FIAA), it has therefore decided, as a precautionary measure, to freeze any assets held in Switzerland by Mr Maduro and other persons associated with him. The asset freeze does not affect any members of the current Venezuelan government.

This asset freeze issued in accordance with the FIAA is in addition to the existing sanctions against Venezuela under the Embargo Act, which have been in force since 2018 and also include asset freezes. The new asset freezes under the FIAA target individuals who have not previously been sanctioned in Switzerland. The reasons behind Mr Maduro's fall from power do not play a decisive role in asset freezes under the FIAA. Nor does the question of whether the fall from power occurred lawfully or in violation of international law. The decisive factor is that a fall from power has occurred and that it is now possible that the country of origin will initiate legal proceedings in the future with regard to illicitly acquired assets.

The asset freeze serves to enable any future mutual legal assistance proceedings. Should these reveal that the funds were illicitly acquired, Switzerland will endeavour to use them for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.

The asset freeze comes into force today with immediate effect and will remain valid for four years until further notice.
Statement delivered by the Republic of Cuba at the Security Council Emergency Meeting on the U.S. military aggression against Venezuela. 5 January 2026

Republic of Cuba - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Jan 05 2026

Mr. President,

Since September last year, Cuba has been denouncing the United States' hegemonic and criminal plans, and its aggressive actions against Venezuela and the region. We have clearly exposed the serious and unpredictable consequences of the U.S. government's irresponsible behavior for the political, social, and economic stability of Latin America and The Caribbean, and for international peace and stability in general.

On December 23rd, we presented to this same body the sequence and escalation of actions carried out by the United States in record time, with the aim of forcibly overthrowing the legitimate and constitutional government of Venezuela and end the civil-military union.

To carry out its plans for domination, the United States resorted to various maneuvers, including extrajudicial killings, piracy, and maritime terrorism against oil tankers and their crews in international waters of the Caribbean Sea. The United States also imposed an illegal naval blockade on Venezuela and politically designated its legitimate government as a foreign terrorist organization. The United States had previously subjected Venezuela to prolonged unilateral coercive measures, economic suffocation, smear campaigns, and attacks against some of its important institutions, exposing the country to an atrocious psychological warfare.

On January 3rd, with utter disregard for the Charter of the United Nations and international law - including relevant resolutions adopted by this Council and the General Assembly - the U.S. military attacked Venezuela with total brutality and malice aforethought and, in an unacceptable, vulgar, and barbaric act, they kidnapped the legitimate president, Nicolas Maduro, and his partner, Cilia Flores.

Cuba condemns in the strongest terms the United States' military aggression against Venezuela and categorically reiterates its full support and solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government, and joins the call for the United States government to release the constitutional President Nicolas Maduro Moros and his wife, Cilia Flores.

In the criminal attack perpetrated by the United States, 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat while carrying out missions on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart agencies in that country. Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity, resisting fiercely until they were killed in direct combat or in the bombing of the facilities. Through their heroic actions, they upheld the solidarity of millions of their fellow citizens.

Mr. President,

This cowardly aggression by the United States against Venezuela is a criminal act that violates international law and the UN Charter. This aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation of the United States' years-long war campaign against the sister nation of Venezuela, which has intensified since September 2025 with the aggressive naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea, under false pretexts and unfounded accusations, without any evidence.

The U.S.'s military attack on Venezuela is completely unjustifiable, unprovoked, and illegitimate. Based on the aberrant doctrine of "peace through force" and it disrupts the stability and peace that has characterized our Latin American and Caribbean region for years. It seeks to alter the constitutional order of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which was freely chosen by its people. Its ultimate goal is not the false narrative of combating drug trafficking, but rather controlling Venezuela's land and natural resources, as openly and unabashedly declared by President Trump and his Secretary of State.

This imperialist and fascist aggression seeks domination and aims to revive U.S. hegemonic ambitions over Our America, anchored in the outdated Monroe Doctrine. It also aims to intimidate and subjugate the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Cuba calls for an urgent response from the international community against this criminal attack on Venezuela, a peaceful nation that has never attacked the United States or any other country.

We call on governments, parliaments, social movements and peoples worldwide to condemn the United States' military aggression against Venezuela, and to confront this act of state terrorism that threatens international peace and security, and seeks to impose a new doctrine of U.S. imperialist domination in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world.

Mr. President,

Recent statements about the imperialist plans to steer Venezuela toward a supposed safe, adequate, and prudent transition are totally unacceptable. According to the United States' vision of domination, this would be equivalent to establishing a puppet government that serves its predatory objectives, particularly unrestricted access to and exploitation of natural resources that rightfully belong to the Venezuelan people.

Only the people of Venezuela have the right to determine their own destiny, without external interference. If the U.S. government, which lacks any moral authority, truly cared about peace, freedom, and justice for Venezuelans, it would not have bombed this territory with such disregard for the lives, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of this nation.

I closing, I reaffirm our unconditional commitment to the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, while calling for action with the firmness and determination the current situation demands, always in defense of international law and of a future of peace for all the peoples of Our America and the world.

Thank you

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Cuba reaffirms at the Security Council meeting its continued condemnation of the United States' aggression against Venezuela.

Republic of Cuba - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Jan 05 2026

New York, January 5th, 2026. -- The Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberon Guzman, denounced the United States' military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at today's emergency meeting of the Security Council, in line with Cuba's firm and sustained position on the escalating hostile actions by the United States against Venezuela and the region.

The Ambassador recalled that Cuba has repeatedly warned of the United States' hegemonic plans and the serious and unpredictable consequences of its irresponsible behavior for the political, social, and economic stability of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as for international peace and security. He noted that on December 23, Cuba presented this same body with an accelerated sequence of actions aimed at forcibly overthrowing the legitimate and constitutional Venezuelan government.

Cuba condemned the January 3rd military attack, which was carried out in open defiance of the Charter of the United Nations and the international law, which included the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro Moros and his wife, Cilia Flores. Cuba described this act as unacceptable and barbaric. Cuba also reiterated its absolute support and solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government, demanding the immediate release of Maduro and Flores.

The Permanent Representative denounced this aggression as the result of a prolonged campaign of war against Venezuela, which has included unilateral coercive measures, economic suffocation, smear campaigns, piracy, maritime terrorism in the Caribbean Sea, as well as the illegal imposition of a naval blockade. These actions are not justified or legitimate.

During his speech, Ambassador Soberon reported that 32 Cuban citizens lost their lives while carrying out official missions at the request of their Venezuelan counterparts and in strict accordance with international law. He emphasized that these compatriots acted with courage, dignity, and legality, resisting the attacks and legitimately fulfilling their duty, and that their actions honored the values of solidarity of the Cuban people.

Cuba warned that the United States' military aggression against Venezuela is a dangerous escalation that seriously undermines the foundations of the multilateral system, flagrantly violates the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of prohibiting the use or threat of force, and the sovereign equality of states. It also sets an extremely dangerous precedent for international peace and security. The ambassador called for the international community to unequivocally and firmly reject this illegal, unilateral, and destabilizing behavior.

Cuba affirmed that this US aggression constitutes a criminal act that threatens regional and international peace, which is inspired by the "peace through strength" doctrine and hegemonic ambitions rooted in the Monroe Doctrine. The ambassador reiterated the Venezuelan people's exclusive right to determine their own destiny without external interference, and reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.

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The Revolutionary Government reports on combatants who fell in the line of duty in Venezuela

Republic of Cuba - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Jan 05 2026

Havana, January 5, 2026. -- As a result of the criminal attack perpetrated by the United States government against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the early hours of January 3, 2026, 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat while carrying out missions on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart agencies in the South American country.

Faithful to their responsibilities for security and defense, our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities.

Once their identities had been verified, the families of our fallen comrades were informed and received the heartfelt condolences and support of Army General Raul Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, first secretary of the Party Central Committee and president of the Republic, as well as the heads of both ministries.

Victims of a new criminal act of aggression and state terrorism, the combatants knew how to uphold, through their heroic actions, the solidarity of millions of compatriots. The Revolutionary Government will organize the appropriate actions to pay them the tribute they deserve.

(Presidency of Cuba - Embassy of Cuba in South Africa)

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Justice Department Sues to Revoke Naturalized Citizenship of Individual Facing a War Crimes Arrest Warrant in Bosnia

Monday, January 5, 2026

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Today, the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint to revoke the citizenship of Sead Miljkovic also known as Sead Dukic, who hid his true identity to come to the United States in 1996 and, ultimately, to naturalize as a U.S. citizen in 2007. Among other facts, Miljkovic failed to disclose to immigration authorities that he had used more than one name and had listed more than one date and place of birth, more than one name for his father, and more than one woman as his wife in his various applications.

Miljkovic is a former member of the security forces of the short-lived Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia (APZB), who was subject to an arrest warrant issued by a court in Bosnia for war crimes against civilians when the U.S. Government granted him naturalized citizenship.

"This Administration will not permit aliens to come to this country and hide their past to acquire the precious gift of U.S. citizenship," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "Decades might pass, but when we find you, we will take action."

The warrant, issued on Jan. 23, 2007, led to an INTERPOL Red Notice alleging that, on June 18, 1994, and while acting as a member of the APZB security forces, Miljkovic physically mistreated civilians who were opposed to the APZB government. According to the Red Notice, Miljkovic and accomplices beat twelve civilians with wooden bats and locked them in a morgue for five days without access to light or water. Miljkovic has not yet appeared before a Bosnian court on these charges.

This case is being civilly prosecuted by the Justice Department's Office of Immigration Litigation, Affirmative Litigation Unit, with assistance from the U.S Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, after investigation by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations.

Components: Civil Division

USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

Press Release Number: 26-03

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President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss situation in Ukraine, cable damage and current situation in Venezuela

Finnish Government

Government Communications Department

Publication date 5.1.2026

Type:Press release 1/2026

In their meeting on Monday 5 January, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the current efforts to bring an end to Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and advance the peace process.

There have been active negotiations in recent weeks between the Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans. Discussions will continue among the Coalition of the Willing, a grouping of countries that have pledged to support Ukraine. We will continue to work together with our allies and partners to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The President and the Ministerial Committee received a briefing on recent damage to telecommunications cables.

The meeting also included a discussion on the current situation in Venezuela. Finland emphasises that all states have a responsibility to respect and comply with international law. The state leadership is closely monitoring the situation and its development.

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Chinese FM responds to question over whether China, US exchanged views on situation in Venezuela

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 05, 2026 05:18 PM

China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife, immediately release them, stop its attempts to topple the Venezuelan administration, and resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday in response to a question about whether there has been any exchange between China and the US regarding Venezuela.

Lin said that China is seriously concerned about the US forcibly seizing Venezuela's President Maduro and his wife and transferring them out of the country. The US actions clearly violated international law and the basic norms of international relations, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Lin said.

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China supports UN Security Council in convening emergency meeting regarding US military strike against Venezuela: FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 05, 2026 05:14 PM

The US' actions clearly violate international law and the basic norms of international relations, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, immediately release the pair, cease attempts to subvert the Venezuelan regime, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday when asked whether China has any plan to propose specific measures in response to the US' violation of international law and infringement upon Venezuela's sovereignty, and in what specific ways does China intend to address the forcibly seizing of President Maduro, Beijing Daily reported.

"China has already stated its position on this matter," said Lin. "We express serious concern over the US' forcibly seizing of Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country."

Lin stated that China supports the United Nations Security Council in convening an emergency meeting regarding the US military strike against Venezuela and supports the Council in fulfilling its responsibilities and playing its due role. China is willing to work with the international community to firmly uphold the UN Charter, adhere to the bottom line of international morality, and safeguard international fairness and justice, according to the report.

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Chinese FM refutes US president using China as excuse for 'needing Greenland'

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 05, 2026 04:35 PM

When asked to respond to US President Donald Trump's reported claims that the US needs Greenland and one of the reasons he gave was because it is "covered with Chinese ships," Chinese Foreign spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday urged the US to stop using the so-called "China threat" as a pretext for itself to seek selfish gains.

In a phone interview with The Atlantic magazine on Sunday local time, Trump claimed that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to American intervention and that the US "absolutely" needs Greenland for defense.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, Trump was asked about his comments on Greenland, to which he reiterated, "We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security and Denmark is not going to be able to do it," according to NPR.

The US' claims over Greenland, in an attempt to redirect international attention toward China, cannot change the nature of his new Monroe Doctrine policies, nor can they hinder China from developing normal economic and trade relations with countries around the world, Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

Trump's claim of US "absolutely" needing Greenland for defense has also met with immediate opposition from leaders of Denmark and Greenland, who urged the US to stop threatening to take over the Danish territory.

"It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland. The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish Kingdom," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement on Sunday, Reuters reported.

Trump claimed during the interview with the magazine that it was up to others to decide what US-military action in Venezuela means for Greenland, per Xinhua. "You know, I wasn't referring to Greenland at that time. But we do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense."

Trump made the above-mentioned remarks after the US forcibly seized the Venezuelan president and his wife and claimed Washington would run the Latin American country, Reuters highlighted in the report. This has raised concerns in Denmark that the same could happen to Greenland, a Danish territory, read the report.

Frederiksen said, "I would therefore strongly urge the US stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have very clearly said that they are not for sale," Reuters reported.

The prime minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a statement on Sunday: "When the President of the US says that 'we need Greenland' and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, it's not just wrong. It's disrespectful."

Previously on Saturday, Katie Miller, wife of President Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, posted a picture of the American flag covering Greenland on X. She captioned the photo with the word "SOON", the report by NPR said.

Throughout last year, Trump frequently repeated the same call for the US to take over Greenland, which triggered strong objections from the territory, Denmark and the European Union.

The Trump administration has cited a combination of national security concerns, Arctic strategy, and the potential of critical minerals and natural resources as drivers of US interest in controlling Greenland.

Located in a strategically vital position in the Arctic, Greenland occupies a critically important geostrategic hub and is rich in a wide variety of mineral resources, making it a long-coveted strategic target for the US  a pursuit that has intensified since Trump took office, Zhao Junjie, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

Zhao said that with European leaders already strongly opposed to Trump's proposals regarding Greenland, the US' forcible seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife  a blatant violation of a sovereign nation's integrity  has significantly heightened European concerns and vigilance, leaving Denmark and the broader EU even more alarmed, Zhao added.

This situation may exert pressure and compels them to close ranks, leading to a more unified European stance on the Greenland issue, the expert noted.

Maduro was taken by US forces away from his country on Saturday and is now in custody in New York to stand trial on alleged drug charges, media reported. The international community is deeply shocked by the Trump administration's raid on Venezuela and Maduro. Many countries have issued statements strongly condemning the blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

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Maduro and his wife to appear in New York federal court on Monday

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 5, 2026

New York, IRNA -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are scheduled to appear Monday at a federal court in New York, according to a spokesperson for the US District Court in the Southern District of New York.

CBS News reported Sunday, citing the spokesperson, that Maduro and Flores will appear at the Manhattan federal court in New York at 12 pm on Monday, two days after they were abducted in a US military aggression against Venezuela.

Maduro and Flores were transferred to New York late Saturday and are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They were accused of drug trafficking and cooperation with terrorist gangs, allegations Maduro has denied.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that the operation to abduct Maduro required months of coordination, meticulous planning and flawless execution across various parts of the federal government.

"They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi said.

The charges against Maduro appear to be the same as those that were filed in a 2020 indictment of the South American leader and several key aides.

The indictment, prepared by New York US Attorney Jay Clayton, claims, "For over 25 years, leaders of Venezuela have abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States."

It alleged that Maduro "is at the forefront of that corruption and has partnered with his co-conspirators to use his illegally obtained authority and the institutions he corroded to transport thousands of tons of cocaine to the United States."

4354**9417

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Death toll from US attack on Venezuela keeps rising

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 5, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- The death count from Saturday's US attack on Venezuela has risen to 80, a senior Venezuelan official announced, saying that the number of fatalities could rise further.

According to the official cited by the New York Times on Monday, civilians and security forces were among those killed after the US military launched an attack on the South American country and kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

In a televised statement a day earlier, Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino also announced that a large part of Maduro's security team and civilian employees were killed in "cold blood" in the US raid on the presidential palace and "cowardly kidnapping" of Maduro.

Padrino Lopez also endorsed a Supreme Court ruling that appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez  who also serves as oil minister  as acting president.

Under the direct order of President Donald Trump, US forces attacked Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, bombing several locations, including in the capital Caracas and abducting Maduro and his wife, in a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.

Meanwhile, Trump has also threatened Venezuela's acting president, saying "she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," if she continues to refuse cooperation with the US.

Trump issued the rhetoric during an interview with The Atlantic, citing excuses for the attack and claiming that the change in Venezuela "is better" than the current government and that "We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country."

The attack and Trump's repeated remarks, including his hint of "governing" Venezuela through his administration's officials have drawn sharp condemnations from around the world, with a majority of the countries calling the move an attempt to control Venezuelan oil.

New interim leader, Rodriguez also said, "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has become the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones."

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Right to Self-Determination Day (5 January 2026): Message from the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On this "Right to Self-Determination Day", the Government and people of Pakistan stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We express our solemn commitment to their just struggle to achieve the inalienable right to self-determination.



This day commemorates the landmark adoption of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolution on 5 January 1949, a pivotal document that formally guaranteed a free and impartial plebiscite for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.



This commitment is enshrined through multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and is reaffirmed annually by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolutions upholding the right to self-determination.



The international law recognizes the right to self-determination as a cornerstone principle enshrined in the UN Charter. However, the people of IIOJK have been denied this right by India for over seven decades. The illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India stands as a stark tragedy of our times as the people of IIOJK continue to endure systematic repression, widespread human rights violations and denial of their fundamental rights and dignity.



In particular, India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 represent a deliberate attempt to consolidate the illegal occupation through demographic engineering of IIOJK. These measures are designed to systematically transform the Kashmiri people into a disenfranchised community in their own homeland, in clear violation of international law and the principles of self-determination.



Despite enduring decades of oppression and countless sacrifices in IIOJK, the Kashmiri people have remained resolute in their just struggle to achieve the right to self-determination. We salute their unwavering resilience, courage and perseverance.



On this occasion, Pakistan reaffirms extending its moral, political, and diplomatic support to the people of IIOJK until the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination as stipulated in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.



Pakistan also calls upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, to honour its long-standing commitment with the Kashmiri people and play its mandated role in ensuring a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

****

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Trump demands "total access" to Venezuela

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:05, January 05, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday night urged Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez to grant the United States "total access," especially to Venezuela's oil resources.

"We need total access. We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Trump said that he had not spoken directly with Rodriguez, but would do so "at the right time." Rodriguez, vice president under Nicolas Maduro, assumed the role of acting president after Maduro was flown out of Venezuela following U.S. military attacks.

Meanwhile, Trump claimed that the United States was "in charge" of Venezuela and "dealing with the people that just got sworn in."

"Don't ask me who's in charge, because I'll give you an answer, and it'll be very controversial," Trump said. "It means we're in charge. We're in charge."

Trump reiterated comments made earlier Sunday in a phone interview with The Atlantic, warning that Rodriguez would face a fate worse than that of Maduro if she failed to "do the right thing."

"She will face a situation probably worse than Maduro, because, you know, Maduro gave up immediately," Trump said.

Maduro is expected to appear in court in New York on Monday.

Hours after Maduro's capture on Saturday morning, Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone call with Rodriguez and that the White House was working with her.

"She (Rodriguez) is essentially willing to do what we believe is necessary to make Venezuela great again," Trump told reporters, noting that she had been "picked by Maduro."

As Trump made these remarks, Rodriguez demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a session of the National Defense Council broadcast on state television channel VTV, calling Maduro "the only president of Venezuela."

Rodriguez said Venezuela's territorial integrity had been "savagely attacked" during U.S. strikes on Caracas and other parts of the country carried out to capture Maduro.

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NTF-ELCAC won't allow Abra de Ilog clash to be used as propaganda

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

January 5, 2026, 3:55 pm

MANILA -- The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will not allow the Abra de Ilog clash in Occidental Mindoro to be used for propaganda by supporters of communist insurgents.

"NTF-ELCAC will not allow this incident to be reduced to slogans, selective outrage or propaganda. We owe the public the full truth, especially our youth and the communities most affected," NTF-ELCAC Executive Director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said in a statement on Monday.

Torres issued the statement after some groups accused the military of violating International Humanitarian Law in the conduct of its operations against the New People's Army (NPA) on Jan. 1 after fighting reportedly led to the death of a female student.

"The armed encounters in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on January 1 have been widely reported, but too often without the context that explains why the operation happened and who has been affected," he added.

The NTF-ELCAC official extended their condolences to the family of the fatality, whom Torres said "was not simply a student caught in [the] crossfire."

Torres said no family must bear the tragedy of burying a child, and no Filipino must be lured away from school and home into armed conflict.

"At the same time, we must be honest about what current information indicates. Based on information and verification received by authorities on the ground, she had already been drawn into the NPA. This does not lessen the tragedy, it defines it: A tragedy of radicalization and recruitment, where a young life is taken from civilian pathways and brought into armed violence," he said.

Torres also said the NTF-ELCAC's priority is to help secure the safe recovery of other students reportedly involved, through lawful, coordinated, and responsible efforts, and bring them back to their families.

He said the Abra de Ilog operation did not occur in a vacuum.

"The engagements in Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao followed reports from residents regarding alleged intimidation, extortion and abuses linked to armed NPA elements. Communities that have lived in fear for years are now speaking up and asking the government for protection," Torres clarified.

The Liga ng mga Barangay of Abra de Ilog likewise issued a unified condemnation of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front presence and activities in their municipality.

The Nuestra Senora del Pilar Shrine and Parish in Mamburao, meanwhile, confirmed heightened security measures after the uncoordinated arrival of a group claiming to be from Karapatan shortly after the incident.

"And when barangay officials and community members collectively call for peace and stability, that voice should not be sidelined," Torres said. (PNA)

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PH Navy expansion ongoing with acquisition of more surface combatants

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

January 5, 2026, 2:44 pm

MANILA -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Monday said the service's fleet expansion is going well with the acquisition and commissioning of major surface combatants that has bolstered its defensive capabilities.

PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad was referring to the commissioning of the two Miguel Malvar-class guided missile frigates and Acero-class fast-attack interdiction craft last year.

He said acquisition of these naval vessels showcases the PN's ongoing fleet expansion.

Trinidad earlier said the arrival of the Miguel Malvar-class frigates in PN service will add to the "capital ships of the Navy that (are) capable of patrolling all the way up to our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and even beyond."

He said these vessels are the most modern in the PN to date. The BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06) was commissioned last May 20 along with the BRP Albert Majini (PG-909) at Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales.

Commissioning of these two ships coincided with the PN's 127th founding anniversary.

Meanwhile, the BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) was commissioned in the facility on Dec. 2 last year.

The Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigate weighs 3,200 gross tons and it is armed with a 76mm Oto Melara main gun, C-Star-surface-to-surface missiles and Blue Shark anti-submarine torpedoes. It is capable of speeds up to 28 knots.

It is also the first ship class in the PN to be equipped with a vertical launch system (VLS) capable of firing surface-to-air missiles that can neutralize air threats. VLS is an advanced system for storing and firing missiles aboard naval vessels.

The VLS system mounted in the BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Diego Silang has 16 tubes and is optimized for surface-to-air engagements.

The Department of National Defense, then under Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) signed the PHP28-billion contract for the Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigates on Dec. 28, 2021.

The ships were acquired from HD HHI like its predecessor, the two Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigates that were delivered and commissioned in 2020 and 2021.

Meanwhile, BRP Albert Majini, the eighth Acero-class FAIC-M, is the first locally assembled missile-capable patrol vessel in the country. It is part of a nine-ship order from Israel Shipyards Ltd; the contract was signed in February 2021.

These ships weigh around 95 gross tons and have a speed of 40 knots and are armed with automatic cannons and machine guns. Four out the eight ships in service are armed with the Spike NLOS (Non-Line-of-Sight) missiles.

Named after Medal of Valor awardee Ensign Albert Majini, the ship honors his gallantry during anti-piracy operations in Basilan in 1980.

BRP Albert Majini is built for rapid interdiction and coastal operations under the PN's Littoral Combat Force. (PNA)

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PH views Venezuela crisis with concern, calls for sovereign equality

Philippine News Agency

By Marita Moaje

January 5, 2026, 1:02 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has expressed serious concerns over the unfolding crisis in Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of respecting the independence and sovereign equality of states.

In a statement on Monday, the DFA assured that it is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, citing concerns over their impact on regional peace, stability, and the rules-based international order.

"While acknowledging the United States' underlying security considerations, the Philippines stresses the relevant principles of international law, including the independence and sovereign equality of states, the peaceful resolution of disputes, the prohibition against the threat or use of force, and non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states," the statement read.

In an earlier statement, DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the Philippines is calling on all concerned parties to resolve disputes peacefully and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.

The statement came after the United States carried out a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has long accused Maduro of drug trafficking, allegations which the Venezuelan leader has denied.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, which serves as the country's non-resident mission for Venezuela, has already issued a travel and safety advisory for Filipinos in the South American nation.

It advised them to stay vigilant, remain indoors, identify safe spaces for refuge, and closely monitor credible news sources, while keeping in touch with fellow Filipinos and the embassy.

In a television interview with Philippine Charge d'Affaires Judy Razon on Monday, she assured that all Filipinos in Venezuela are safe so far, noting that the embassy has been closely monitoring the Filipino community since Jan. 3.

"Ayon po sa kanila, lahat naman po sila ay nasa safe na sitwasyon. Wala pong nasaktan, wala pong na-injure, at tahimik naman po doon sa kanilang mga lugar so far sa ngayon (According to them, they are all in a safe situation. No one was hurt, no one was injured, and it is quiet in their areas so far)," she said.

DFA record shows that there are now around 74 Filipinos in Venezuela.

Escalona said the embassy stands ready to assist Filipinos in Venezuela to keep them out of harm's way. (PNA)

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Filipinos trust like-minded partners in securing interests in WPS

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

January 5, 2026, 12:00 pm

MANILA -- A Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase showed Filipinos overwhelmingly trusting like-minded international partners, such as the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia, to help protect the country's national interests amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with China.

Stratbase, in a statement on Monday, said the survey, conducted from Dec. 12 to 15 with 1,200 respondents nationwide, with a +/- 2.8 percent margin of error, shows that Filipinos are clear about which countries they want the Philippines to work with amid continuing WPS tensions.

Respondents were allowed to select up to five countries or organizations they trust and believe the Marcos administration should work with in asserting Philippine rights and protecting national interests.

The survey showed that the US (82 percent), Japan (64 percent), Canada (58 percent), and Australia (51 percent) are the top countries Filipinos trust.

Stratbase Group Founder and Chief Executive Victor Andres Manhit said these results reflected strong public confidence in partners that respect international law, follow a rules-based order, and support Philippine sovereignty.

He said the findings reflected a public that is fully aware of China's aggression in the WPS.

"Filipinos know who is violating our rights, and they know who our friends are. What is happening in the WPS affects our fishermen, our food supply, and our national dignity," he added.

In the same survey, only one in 10 Filipinos said they trust China, for a rating of 11 percent.

Reports showed that China has continued to harass Philippine vessels in the WPS through dangerous blocking maneuvers and the use of water cannons.

These actions have put Filipino fishermen and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel in danger and disrupted fishing activities.

As of the third quarter of 2025, some 78 incidents have been reported by the National Maritime Council (NMC).

This includes 13 radio challenges, one ramming incident, seven dangerous maneuvers, two incidents of firing water cannons, laying of nets and blocking Filipino fishermen and law enforcement, 37 shadowing, and the recent declaration of Scarborough Shoal as a nature reserve and the threat of live fire exercises around Bajo de Masinloc.

In December, China's Coast Guard (CCG) had a "close and direct" contact with three Filipino fishermen, which resulted in their injury and damage to their fishing vessels.

The CCG used water cannons and employed hazardous blocking maneuvers affecting 20 Filipino fishing boats in the WPS.

These actions violate the Philippines' rights, threaten food security, and undermine what rightfully belongs to the Filipinos.

The Philippines has filed numerous diplomatic protests over these incidents. At least 47 protests were filed last year alone.

Data from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) in 2023 showed that since 2020, a total of 445 diplomatic protests were lodged against China, showing that these violations were not isolated events but part of a continuing pattern.

Despite these challenges, the Philippines has taken a united approach in defending its seas.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PCG remain on the frontlines, maintaining a strong presence and working with trusted partners.

"Our uniformed personnel continue to show restraint and courage in standing up for the country. They deserve the full support of the government and the Filipino people as they protect our waters, our coastal communities, and the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk," Manhit said.

He added that the Philippines must not tolerate China's illegal actions in the WPS and stressed that he expects the government "to stand firm, to protect our seas, and to work closely with countries that share our commitment to peace and a rules-based order." (PNA)

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Iran FM urges intl. community, UN to voice decisive opposition to attack on Venezuela

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 10:21 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a stern call to the United Nations and the global community to stand firmly against the latest display of American "dangerous lawbreaking" and the lawless aggression directed at the sovereign state of Venezuela.

Condemning the military violation of Venezuelan territory and the kidnapping of President Nicholas Maduro, Araghchi characterized the recent US operation as a blatant breach of the UN Charter and the fundamental rules of international law.

Speaking in a phone conversation with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez late on Monday, Araghchi extended his praise to the Cuban people and government for their steadfast resilience against "illegal economic blockades and foreign threats."

For his part, Rodriguez condemned Washington's destabilizing actions in the Caribbean and Latin America, specifically denouncing the illegal aggression against Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

The Cuban top diplomat stressed the urgent need for friendly nations to coordinate their defense against the "belligerent unilateralism" practiced by the United States, reaffirming Cuba's refusal to bow to external intimidation.

'U.S. actions threaten global order'

Expanding the diplomatic front, Araghchi also held consultations with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.

During the call, the Iranian minister warned of the catastrophic consequences of American "bullying" on the rule of law.

He asserted that such unilateral acts normalize the illegal use of force and threaten the very foundations of the global legal order.

Minister Vieira echoed Iran's principled stance, confirming that the US abduction of a sitting president of a sovereign nation constitutes a direct violation of the UN Charter.

He informed his Iranian counterpart that Brazil would be aggressively pursuing the matter through the UN Security Council, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

The diplomatic outcry comes in the wake of a shocking escalation in which US forces abducted the Venezuelan President from his own soil on Saturday.

This occurs as Cuba and Iran simultaneously face renewed threats from Washington.

An emboldened US President Donald Trump has hinted that he has other countries in his sights after kidnapping Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro.

Trump took aim at Colombia, Cuba, Greenland, Mexico, and Iran in a short exchange with reporters on Sunday.

Trump claimed Sunday that Cuba, an ally of Venezuela, was "ready to fall."

The communist-run island, a few dozen miles from Florida, has long been in the sights of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants.

Havana said 32 Cuban bodyguards were killed in the operation to seize Maduro.

'US op. state terrorism'

Meantime, Iran's UN envoy condemned the US operation in Venezuela as "state terrorism" and a violation of the UN Charter during an emergency Security Council session on Monday.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the military attack carried out by the United States of America against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said.

"This illegal act constitutes state terrorism, a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international law, and amounts to an internationally wrongful act and a full-fledged act of aggression," the Iranian envoy added.

He said the "military aggression" against a UN member state represents a "serious breach" of international peace and security with "farreaching consequences."

The envoy said the capture of Maduro and his wife is a "flagrant violation of customary international law" and of the "principles of the inviolability and immunities accorded to heads of state."

Iravani said the action constitutes a "grave assault on the sovereign equality of states," reaffirming Iran's full support for the Venezuelan people and government.

He criticized the "continued inaction" of the UN Security Council in the face of US "threats and acts of aggression," saying it has created a "dangerous climate of impunity."

The representative noted that Trump has repeatedly issued public threats of force against Iran while claiming to support the Iranian people.

"Iran reaffirms its inherent right to defend its society, territorial integrity, and national security," the envoy said. "The United States of America will bear full responsibility for the consequences arising from its unlawful threats."

He was referring to Trump's recent warnings that Washington would attack Iran if Iranian police forces shoot and kill "peaceful protesters."

Several cities in Iran have recently witnessed riots under the pretexts of costofliving concerns amid currency depreciation, resulting in several casualties.

Iranian officials say they respect legitimate livelihood concerns and are working to address them, while vowing to confront rioters and foreignbacked instigators.

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Maduro tells US court he was 'kidnapped' as he pleads not guilty to drug charges

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 6:24 PM

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told a New York federal court that he is "still president" of his country as he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges, two days after being kidnapped by US special forces in a surprise attack.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein read the charges against Maduro on Monday, including "narco-terrorism conspiracy," and asked him to enter a plea. "I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here," the Venezuelan leader responded.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transferred to the federal court in Manhattan from the Metropolitan Detention Center, a notorious jail in Brooklyn, under armed protection.

As he left the brief court session, an arraignment in which a defendant is formally read the charges, Maduro declared he was "a prisoner of war" and vowed he would win his freedom.

It could be well over a year before the couple face trial.

Maduro and his wife were abducted from their residence in Caracas on Saturday, flown out of Venezuela by helicopter, and then transported aboard a warship some 3,400 kilometers to New York City to face federal charges.

Escorted into the courthouse in a prison uniform and handcuffs, Maduro reiterated to the court that he had been "kidnapped" and insisted he remained president of Venezuela.

The assault that led to Maduro's capture capped months of pressure and military buildup off the Venezuelan coast, with dozens of attacks on alleged drug vessels resulting in at least 115 deaths.

Caracas firmly denied any connection to drug trafficking and maintained that Washington aimed to overthrow the Venezuelan president in a bid to take control of the nation's vast oil reserves.

Hours after the attack on Venezuela, US President Donald Trump said that the United States would run Venezuela temporarily and be "very strongly involved" in the country's oil industry.

Meanwhile, Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's vice president, was sworn in early Monday as Venezuela's new interim president.

Rodriguez, 56, a powerful figure in Maduro's inner circle, has been endorsed as a stand-in leader by Venezuela's military.

She condemned the US attack as a violation of the United Nations Charter and a unilateral attempt to force "regime change" in Venezuela shortly after it was launched.

She insisted that Maduro continued to be the legitimate leader of the country.

Trump said on Saturday that his administration was in contact with Rodriguez, saying that she was willing to cooperate with Washington.

However, on Sunday, the US president threatened another military strike if Rodriguez "doesn't do what's right." Trump also raised the possibility of ordering military action against Colombia.

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Israel expands northern Gaza occupation beyond 'yellow line', bombs south

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 5:31 PM

The Israeli military has spent the past 24 hours expanding the so-called "yellow line", stealing more land and squeezing Palestinians into ever smaller clusters of the besieged Gaza Strip.

The occupation military's expansion of the ceasefire line took place particularly in eastern Gaza City's Tuffah, Shujayea, and Zeitoun neighborhoods on Monday.

The latest reports indicate that Israeli forces were getting closer to the key artery of Salah al-Din Street, forcing displaced families sheltering near the area to flee as more of them come under threat.

Intense artillery bombardment and helicopter fire also resumed in the areas south of the besieged strip, north and east of the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis.

The ongoing Israeli attacks on the ground were meant to eat up more of the territory across the eastern part of the blockaded Palestinian territory, Al Jazeera reported.

Conditions in Gaza's neighborhoods have become severely overcrowded, with populations in areas such as Zeitoun, Shujayea, and Tuffah not only doubling but in some cases tripling, as residents remain unable to return to their homes, added the report.

Also on Sunday, Israel launched more attacks into parts of Gaza outside its direct military control. At least three Palestinians, including a child, were killed in separate Israeli attacks in Khan Yunis.

Israel already physically occupies at least 53 percent of the Gaza Strip.

The so-called "yellow line", introduced under US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan, runs from northern Gaza to the outskirts of Rafah in the south.

The latest developments come as a winter storm in Gaza has compounded the misery of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in tents after more than two years of Israeli genocidal war.

A five-storey building belonging to the al-Shana family in the Maghazi camp in central Gaza collapsed. It had been subjected to Israeli bombing at the end of 2023.

The WAFA news agency reported that Civil Defense teams are searching for missing people under the rubble. At least five people were injured.

In addition to that, the Israeli military continues to block a large amount of international humanitarian aid amassing at the Gaza crossings.

Despite a US-brokered truce, Israel allows only a fraction of the promised aid into Gaza, leaving the population facing intense food insecurity.

Meanwhile, some local media reports said expectations have heightened around the possible reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, fueling both desperate hope and deep fear.

For many in Gaza, there is some hope it could offer a lifeline, allowing the sick and wounded to access medical care.

But others fear it could become a one-way exit, raising concerns about permanent expulsion, effectively Israeli ethnic cleansing, and whether those who leave will be allowed to return.

At least 420 people have been killed since the ceasefire was enforced three months ago.

At least 71,388 Palestinians have been killed and 171,269 injured since the start of the war in October 2023.

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China says US cannot act as the world's 'police' or 'judge' after Maduro's kidnapping

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 10:23 AM

China's foreign minister has strongly condemned the US military aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, warning that Beijing will not accept Washington positioning itself as the arbiter of global affairs.

"China always opposes the use or threat of force, as well as any imposition of one country's will on another," Wang Yi said on Sunday, referring to Saturday's US aggression against Venezuela.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Beijing, where he addressed the broader international fallout of the attack.

He said the global situation has "become increasingly volatile and complex, with unilateral bullying on the rise," adding that the "sudden change of situation in Venezuela has drawn high attention from the international community."

Beijing had earlier released two separate statements responding to the US raid, expressing "shock" and "condemnation," and calling on Washington to release Maduro and Flores immediately.

"We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be the world's judge," Wang said, stressing that the sovereignty and security of all nations must be respected and protected.

The US aggression against Venezuela began in the early hours of Saturday, when explosions rocked Caracas around 2 a.m. local time (006 GMT) as unmanned aircraft flew over the capital, spreading panic among residents.

Hours later, US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that Maduro and Flores had been abducted by US Delta Force.

US media later reported that the two were being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The human cost of the operation remains unclear, but multiple reports point to heavy casualties. At least 40 people were killed during the strikes and subsequent clashes, including civilians and members of Venezuela's armed forces. Unofficial estimates put the death toll as high as 80.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Trump said the US would place Venezuela under interim governance, without offering a clear timeline or explaining how control would be exercised.

He repeatedly highlighted Venezuela's oil reserves, openly linking the military aggression to future resource exploitation.

"We are going to rebuild the oil infrastructure, which will cost billions of dollars. It will be paid for by the oil companies directly. They will be reimbursed for what they are doing, but that is going to be paid," he said.

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Cuba declares national mourning for 32 citizens killed in US aggression against Venezuela

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 9:37 AM

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has announced two days of national mourning for 32 citizens killed during the United States military aggression against Venezuela to abduct President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas.

Diaz-Canel said on Sunday that the victims, deployed at the request of Venezuelan authorities, were carrying out missions on behalf of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior.

He noted that there would be two days of mourning on January 5 and 6 in honor of those killed, and that funeral arrangements would be announced.

During the nationwide mourning, national flags will be flown at half-staff at public buildings and military institutions, and all public performances and festive activities will be suspended.

The Cuban leader highlighted that the fallen combatants "fell in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities" after offering "fierce resistance."

Diaz-Canel said those killed carried out their duties with honor, and reflected Cuba's long-standing spirit of international solidarity.

Venezuela also paid tribute to the fallen Cubans, with the government in Caracas saying it "honors the 32 Cuban combatants who gave their lives in the fulfillment of their duty, in the context of cooperation and defense missions."

Cuba is a close ally of Venezuela's government, and has sent military and police forces to assist in operations in the Latin American country for years.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said a significant number of Cuban security personnel assigned to protect Maduro were killed during Saturday's raid.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived in New York late on Saturday and are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

US authorities say the couple faces drug-related charges. The 63-year-old Venezuelan leader is due to appear in court on Monday. He has vigorously rejected criminal involvement.

The assault followed months of escalating US aggression, including military deployments across South America, deadly strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and open threats against Venezuela's elected government.

Venezuelan officials had repeatedly warned Washington was pursuing "regime change" to gain control over the country's vast energy wealth.

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Iran: US must release kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 9:28 AM

Iran has once again slammed the "completely illegal" kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flore, by the United States, saying the abductees must be freed as demanded by the country's officials and people.

Addressing reporters at his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the incident in Venezuela was "highly dangerous" and drew condemnation from many countries.

"Basically, no responsible country and no country with legitimate sovereignty can remain indifferent to such circumstances, regardless of who is affected or in which country it takes place," he added.

He emphasized that the violation of a country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity is in no way justifiable and contradicts all norms of international law.

The new precedent will undoubtedly have repercussions for the international community as a whole, the Iranian official warned.

Baghaei noted that the UN secretary general, the United Nations, and the UN Security Council bear direct responsibility for safeguarding the principles and objectives of the UN Charter.

He cautioned that a lack of a swift and clear response will further complicate matters for the international community.

On Saturday, US forces abducted Maduro and his wife from Caracas and transferred them to New York following a military attack involving heavy bombing, aircraft, warships, and commandos. The duo are being held to face what Washington claims to be "drug-related charges."

During a telephone conversation on Saturday evening with Yvan Gil Pinto, his Venezuelan counterpart, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sharply condemned the US military aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of the country's president and his wife, describing the move as a "clear instance of state terrorism" and a blatant violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.

Iran's Foreign Ministry also, in a statement on Saturday, condemned in the strongest terms the US military attacks on Venezuela as a blatant violation of the Latin American country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on the UN Security Council to stop the aggression.

Iran pursues 'fixed, principled' stance on countries' integrity, sovereignty

In response to a question about US President Donald Trump's renewed push to control Greenland, Baghaei said contrary to European countries, Iran maintains a "firm, principled and fixed" stance on the importance of respecting all countries' territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

He added that certain European countries pursue a selective approach and double standards toward principles of international law and take positions that violate global rules when it come to their interests while remaining indifferent when they deem it inconvenient.

Unlike these European countries, he emphasized, Iran "upholds a steady position."

"For us, the violation of state sovereignty and the infringement upon the territorial integrity of countries whether in Lebanon and Syria or Yemen and Venezuela, or Denmark and Greenland, is unacceptable and condemned in all cases," the Iranian spokesman explained.

France's criticism of US military operation in Venezuela shows awareness of consequences

The Iranian spokesperson said the criticism voiced by some French officials regarding the US military action in Venezuela reflects their awareness of the potential repercussions.

"European figures who show moral courage and take a stand against this blatant violation of international law are well-versed in history and have learned lessons from the continent's past," Baghaei added.

He emphasized that such an approach shows that there are individuals in various European countries who understand the grave consequences arising from the continued violation of international regulations.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday said that the US military operation that led to the kidnapping of the Venezuelan president violates the principles of international law on the use of force.

"No lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside", he said, warning that "the increasing violations" of this principle by permanent UN Security Council members "will have serious consequences for global security, sparing no one."

Iran's Armed Forces will never hesitate to safeguard national sovereignty, integrity

Elsewhere in his presser, Baghaei said Iran's Armed Forces will not hesitate or compromise when it come to safeguarding the country's sovereignty and integrity.

Asked about Trump's renewed threat of launching another act of aggression against Iran under the guise of support for Iranian protesters, Baghaei asserted that psychological warfare and media manipulation against the country are part of the strategy of the Israeli regime and the US to exert pressure on Tehran.

"There is no doubt that the Zionist regime (Israel) and the US are trying to maintain an atmosphere of tension and psychological warfare while keeping economic pressure" on the country, he said.

He once again emphasized that Iran remains vigilant in the face of such actions.

Trump recently threatened Iran in a social media post, claiming the United States was prepared for military action against Iran in support of sporadic protests over the decline of Iran's currency to a record low.

Protests erupted last week after shopkeepers in Tehran temporarily closed their businesses to protest the sharp fall of the national currency.

Iranian officials have acknowledged the economic pressure facing the public and said peaceful protests are legitimate. At the same time, they have warned that foreign-backed elements are seeking to exploit the situation and fuel violence.

Larijani's message was well received: Baghaei

Pointing to a stern warning issued by Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani to Trump, Baghaei said Larijani's comments were clear and the intended message was well received.

Larijani on Friday warned Trump that any American interference in Iran's internal affairs would destroy US interests in the region.

He said the US president should understand the consequences of any intervention.

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After US aggression against Venezuela, Mexico could be next: Report

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 9:08 AM

US officials say that after the military aggression against Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, US President Donald Trump remains "very interested" in sending US Special Forces into Mexico.

In 2025, Trump was briefed by military and intelligence officials on multiple options for Venezuela, including scenarios to assassinate or abduct Maduro, two current and one former Trump administration official told the Zeteo news outlet on Monday.

The plans included potential civilian casualties. While assassination was ultimately ruled out, the sources said Trump increasingly supported a kidnapping strategy.

Explosions erupted across Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, around 2 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), as unmanned aircraft flew overhead.

Hours later, Trump announced on Truth Social that Maduro and Flores had been captured by US Delta Force.

US media later reported they were being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Casualty figures from the strikes remain uncertain, but multiple reports indicate a high human toll. At least 40 people died during the operation and subsequent clashes, including civilians and members of Venezuela's armed forces. Some unofficial estimates suggest fatalities could be as high as 80.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Trump said the US would govern Venezuela on an interim basis, offering no timeline or details on how control would be implemented.

He repeatedly emphasized Venezuela's oil reserves, openly tying the military operation to future extraction.

"We are going to rebuild the oil infrastructure, which will cost billions of dollars. It will be paid for by the oil companies directly. They will be reimbursed for what they are doing, but that is going to be paid," he said.

During the same event, Trump targeted Mexico, claiming without evidence that drug cartels control the Mexican government.

"The cartels are running Mexico, she (President Claudia Sheinbaum) is not running Mexico ... something is going to have to be done," he warned.

Sheinbaum immediately condemned the threats, stating Mexico "strongly condemns and rejects" the military aggression against Venezuela and urged Washington to stop "all acts of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people."

Trump also attacked Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a critic of the US and Israel. He claimed, without evidence that Petro facilitates drug trafficking into the US.

"He has cocaine mills; he has factories where he makes cocaine. And yeah, I think I stick by my first statement; He is making cocaine ... They are sending it to the United States. So he does have to watch his back," Trump said.

On Sunday, the leaders of Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay issued a joint statement condemning the US aggression against Venezuela.

They warned that Washington's actions violated fundamental principles of international law, including the ban on the use of force and the obligation to respect territorial sovereignty under the UN Charter, describing the operation as reckless, destabilizing, and a serious threat to regional peace.

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Venezuela's acting president calls for dialogue with US as Trump demands 'total access'

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 7:43 AM

Venezuela's acting president has reaffirmed the country's commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence, calling for dialogue and cooperation with the United States amid escalating threats from Donald Trump following Washington's abduction of President Nicolas Maduro.

In a message addressed "to the world, and to the United States" on Monday, Delcy Rodriguez said Venezuela seeks to live without external threats and in an environment based on respect and international cooperation. She stressed that global peace begins with guaranteeing peace within each nation.

Rodriguez said Caracas prioritizes balanced and respectful international relations with the United States and countries across the region, grounded in sovereign equality and non-interference. She added that these principles guide her country's diplomacy with the rest of the world.

The acting president also invited the US government to work with Venezuela on an agenda of cooperation aimed at shared development within the framework of international law, saying such cooperation could help strengthen lasting coexistence.

Addressing Trump directly, Rodriguez said the peoples of Venezuela and the wider region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. She said this had always been Maduro's message and described it as the message of all Venezuelans at present.

She added that she believes in a Venezuela where unity prevails and said the country has the right to peace, development, sovereignty, and a future.

Her statement followed earlier remarks by Trump, who issued a threat against Rodriguez after she was designated to run Venezuela following the kidnapping. Trump said Rodriguez would face "a situation probably worse than Maduro" if she did not cooperate with the United States.

Trump also said Washington was demanding "total access" inside Venezuela, including access to the country's oil and other resources, which he claimed would allow the US to "rebuild their country."

The escalation came after US forces abducted Maduro and his wife from Caracas and transferred them to New York following a military attack involving heavy bombing, aircraft, warships, and commandos. The duo are being held to face what Washington claims to be "drug-related charges."

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also warned Venezuelan officials to make, what he called, the "right decision" or face increased military, political, and economic pressure from Washington. Speaking to CBS News, Rubio said the US would work with Venezuela's remaining leadership if they complied with American demands.

According to the top diplomat, potential additional aggression would include strikes on what he referred to as "drug boats" as well as seizure of Venezuelan oil wherever possible.

The abduction followed months of escalating pressure on Venezuela, including a buildup of forces in South America and attacks in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean that Washington purported were linked to drug trafficking allegations, claims previously rejected by Maduro as a pretext for an attack on the country.

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Denmark, Greenland leaders urge Trump to halt 'nonsensical' threats to seize Greenland

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 7:27 AM

The prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark have called on US President Donald Trump to stop making statements suggesting the United States should take control of Greenland, calling the remarks disrespectful and unfounded.

The calls come after Trump renewed his push to control Greenland during a Sunday interview with The Atlantic on the US raid and ensuing capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Caracas.

"We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense," Trump said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote on Facebook, "It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland. The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish kingdom."

Frederiksen noted that Denmark is a NATO ally and that Greenland, as part of the kingdom, is covered by the alliance's security guarantee.

"I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have very clearly said that they are not for sale," she said.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded on the same platform, "When the president of the United States talks about 'we need Greenland' and connects us with Venezuela and military intervention, it's not just wrong. This is so disrespectful."

Later on Sunday, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump reaffirmed his stance.

"We need Greenland... It's so strategic," he said. "Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."

"We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it," he claimed

Trump also noted, however, that the matter was not immediate, "We'll worry about Greenland in about two months."

Shortly after Trump's comments, right-wing podcaster Katie Miller - a former Trump aide married to senior adviser Stephen Miller - posted on X a map of Greenland draped in the US flag with the caption "SOON."

Trump is not the first American president to eye Greenland. The idea of acquiring the world's largest island has surfaced multiple times in US history, with notable internal discussions occurring in 1867, 1910, 1946, 1955, and most recently under Trump in 2019 and 2025.

Straddling the Arctic Circle between the US, Russia, and Europe, the island holds a unique geopolitical advantage that has drawn Washington's interest for over a century and a half.

Trump first made waves with his offer to buy Greenland during his first term, but he has taken his desire to "own" the island to a whole new level since returning to the White House for a second term in January.

"I think we're going to get it," Trump said in his congressional address in March. "One way or the other, we're going to get it."

The US's interest in Greenland is a microcosm of its broader Arctic strategya bid to secure economic interests, project power under the pretext of national security, and counter the growing influence of rival powers in this strategically vital region.

Relations between Greenland and Denmark have long been strained, as many Greenlanders continue to harbor grievances over colonial-era mistreatment.

However, Trump's aggressive push for Greenland has spurred Denmark to improve its ties with the semi-autonomous island.

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Spain, five Latin American nations denounce US military aggression against Venezuela

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 7:01 AM

Spain and five Latin American countries have censured unilateral US military operations in Venezuela, warning that Washington's actions endanger sovereignty, international law, and the country's natural resources.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the leaders of Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay rejected the US military aggression that resulted in the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The statement warned that Washington's actions breached core principles of international law, including the ban on the use of force and the obligation to respect territorial sovereignty enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The signatories described the operation as reckless and destabilizing, with serious consequences for regional peace.

"These actions constitute a dangerous precedent for peace, regional security and pose a risk to the civil population," the statement said.

The leaders stressed that any internal problems in Venezuela must be resolved through dialogue and in accordance with the will of its people, without foreign interference and in line with international law.

"We emphasize once again that the circumstances in Venezuela should be addressed solely through dialogue and in alignment with the desires of the Venezuelan populace, free from external interference and in compliance with international law," the statement read.

Spain and the five Latin American countries also issued a strong warning against any attempt to seize control of Venezuela's vast natural and strategic resources, describing such moves as a direct threat to sovereignty and regional stability.

"We express our concern over any attempt to control, through government or administrative means, as well as the external appropriation of the natural and strategic resources (of Venezuela), which are incompatible with international law and pose a threat to the economic, political and social stability of the region," the statement said.

The leaders further called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to play an active role in easing tensions and safeguarding peace in the region.

The condemnation followed US missile and drone strikes on major Venezuelan cities, including the capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday.

Hours later, US President Donald Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social that Maduro and his wife had been captured by US Delta Force.

US media outlets later reported that the couple were being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Trump said the United States would run Venezuela on an interim basis, offering no timeline or explanation of how such control would be exercised.

He repeatedly highlighted Venezuela's oil reserves, openly linking the military operation to future extraction plans.

"We are going to rebuild the oil infrastructure, which will cost billions of dollars. It will be paid for by the oil companies directly. They will be reimbursed for what they are doing, but that is going to be paid," he said.

A large part of the international community, including China, Iran, and Russia, have condemned the seizure of Maduro, describing it as "state terrorism" in its purest form and a stark example of US disregard for international norms.

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Two killed as Israeli drone targets vehicle in Bint Jbeil district in southern Lebanon

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 6:20 AM

Two people have been killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a vehicle in southern Lebanon, as the Tel Aviv regime's military operations against the Arab country continue in violation of a ceasefire agreement enacted in late November.

In the latest act of aggression against Lebanon, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a car in the Ain al-Mazrab area near Safad al-Batikh, within the Bint Jbeil district, on Sunday. The attack completely destroyed the vehicle and set it ablaze.

The strike inflicted heavy damage on civilian property in the area, including nearby cars, shops, commercial establishments, and residential units situated above them.

The Israeli army claimed the strike in the Jmeijmeh area of southern Lebanon was directed at a member of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah.

Israel continues to target vehicles and its assassination policy despite the ceasefire that began on November 27.

Israel has carried out thousands of attacks in violation of the agreement on cessation of hostilities issued on November 27, 2024, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces were expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 2025, but the pullout has remained incomplete.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure has intensified on Beirut. On December 18, French, Saudi, and US officials met in Paris with the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces to discuss a roadmap for disarming Hezbollah.

The resistance group has repeatedly said it will not disarm as long as Israeli forces occupy parts of southern Lebanon and continue to launch attacks, warning that ongoing violations risk collapsing the already fragile truce.

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Latin America should unite or face being 'treated as slaves': Colombia president warns after Trump threat

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 5:50 AM

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned that Latin American countries must unite or risk being "treated as servants and slaves," following a series of threats by US President Donald Trump that included the possibility of a military operation in Colombia.

Petro's remarks came after Trump publicly threatened the Colombian leader while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, a day after US forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a military attack on Caracas.

During the flight, Trump described Colombia and Venezuela as "very sick" countries and accused Petro of running a government involved in cocaine production and trafficking to the United States. Referring to Petro, Trump said, "And he's not going to be doing it very long. Let me tell you."

When asked whether he was referring to a similar US military attack on Colombia, Trump responded, "Sounds good to me."

In response, Petro issued a lengthy post on X, calling on Latin American nations to stand together. "The US is the first country in the world to bomb a South American capital in all of human history," he wrote, referring to the attack on the Venezuelan capital.

Petro said Latin America must unite and become a region capable of engaging with the world on its own terms, trading and cooperating globally rather than looking "only to the north."

Trump also escalated rhetoric against Venezuela, insisting the United States was "in charge" of the country, despite the Venezuelan Supreme Court's appointment of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader following Maduro's abduction. He reiterated threats to send US troops back to Venezuela if the country "doesn't behave."

Maduro and Flores are due to appear in court in New York on Monday on what Washington has called "drug-related charges," following their detention by US forces.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Venezuelan officials to make the "right decision" or face increased military, political, and economic pressure from Washington.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, condemned the US attack in a televised address, calling the abduction of Maduro a violation of sovereignty and demanding his immediate release. She said a National Defense Council had been formed and vowed that Venezuela would "never again be a colony of any empire."

She also said governments around the world were "simply shocked" by the unlawful aggression on a sovereign nation.

Trump repeats threats against Cuba, Mexico

Trump further claimed that "a lot of Cubans" were killed during the US raid on Venezuela and said military aggression against Cuba was unlikely because the island appeared "ready to fall" on its own.

"Cuba literally is ready to fall," Trump said, alleging that Cuban Americans would be "very happy" with the situation.

The US president also issued warnings to Mexico, saying the country needed to "get their act together" over "drug trafficking" and claimed that drug cartels were "running Mexico."

This is not the first time Trump has issued such menacing comments concerning the two nations.

Trump's threats towards Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico came amid renewed US assertions of dominance in Latin America, following the revival of what the president has described as a modern version of the Monroe Doctrine -- a US foreign policy position that seeks to cement Washington's self-described sphere of influence in the region.

Petro denies 'drug trafficking' allegations

Later, Petro took to X again, rejecting claims linking Maduro or himself to drug trafficking.

Neither the Venezuelan head of state nor his wife had ever appeared in Colombian judicial files on "cocaine mafias," the Colombian leader said, and emphasized that Colombia's judiciary was independent and largely run by his opposition.

He also called Trump's statements against him "slanderous" and asserted he had never appeared in any judicial files related to drug trafficking over the past 50 years, either.

Referring back to Trump's comments, he called them an "illegitimate threat" and also questioned the accuracy of similarly controversial statements made by Rubio about Colombia.

He, meanwhile, highlighted his administration's own actions against cocaine trafficking, including the largest cocaine seizure in world history, halting coca cultivation growth, and implementing a 30,000-hectare voluntary crop substitution program.

'Colombia free forever'

In such a context, the Colombian president noted, potential poorly-informed American military aggression against his country under the pretext of the drug fight could rather harm civilians or radicalize peasants.

Petro, meanwhile, called on Colombians to defend the presidency against any violent or illegitimate acts, asserting that the security forces had to prioritize the Colombian flag over foreign influence. He asserted that he had deep trust in the nation's history, armed forces, and citizens, concluding, "Colombia free forever."

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Joint statement on support to UNRWA and NGOs

Republic of Slovenia - Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

5. 1. 2026

Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain condemn the latest Israeli legislation targeting UNRWA, including measures to cut water, electricity and communications to its facilities. Such actions undermine the UN mandate, violate international law and run counter to the findings of the International Court of Justice, while risking grave humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian civilian population and refugees.

We also call on Israel to ensure that established international NGOs continue to be permitted to operate in Gaza and that any deregistrations be halted. INGOs constitute a significant part of all humanitarian and especially health services in Gaza and the West Bank.

The work of the UN, in particular UNRWA, together with other humanitarian organisations and NGOs, is essential to confront the catastrophic humanitarian situation and to deliver life-saving assistance and essential servicesto the civilian population in Gaza, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the wider region.

We underline the obligation to ensure full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and to enable the continued functioning of UN humanitarian operations and their partners, in line with IHL and relevant international legal obligations.

Respect for the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and for international humanitarian law is imperative.

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Russia Calls on US to Release Maduro Immediately - Russian UN Envoy

Sputnik News

20260105

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia on Monday urged the United States to free Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife immediately.

"We call upon the US leadership to immediately release the legitimately elected President of an independent state and his spouse," Nebenzia said.

Vassily Nebenzia called US operation carried out on January 3 against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro an assault.

"The assault against the leader of Venezuela, compounded by the deaths of dozens of Venezuelan and Cuban citizens, in the eyes of many, has become a harbinger of a turn back to the era of lawlessness and US domination by force," Nebenzia said.

Russia condemns US aggression against Venezuela and considers it a breach of international legal norms, the ambassador stated.

"US crimes in Caracas can not be justified," he added.

Russia is appalled by the cynicism displayed by the United States when it comes to its intervention in Venezuela, which acknowledged being guided by the wish to control the country's resources, Nebenzia said.

"We are particularly appalled by the unparalleled cynicism with which Washington did not even attempt to conceal the true aims of its criminal operation, namely, the establishment of unbridled control over Venezuela's natural resources and the assertion of its hegemonic ambitions in Latin America," Nebenzia told the UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela.

The United States cannot be allowed to proclaim itself the world's "supreme judge" who decides whom it can invade in disregard of international law, the diplomat added.

 Sputnik

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Beijing Urges US Not to Use 'China Threat' Narrative to Control Greenland

Sputnik News

20260105

BEIJING (Sputnik) - The United States must stop using the so-called "China threat" narrative to justify its personal interests, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday, commenting on US President Donald Trump's claims to Greenland.

On Sunday, Trump told The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needed Greenland, claiming the island was "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged Trump to stop threatening Greenland, an autonomous part of Denmark, with annexation.

"We urge the US to stop using the so-called 'China threat' as a pretext for itself to seek selfish gains," Lin told the briefing.

Earlier in the day, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that the island is open to dialogue with the United States as long as communication occurs through the proper channels.

Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland should become part of the United States, citing its strategic importance for national security and the defense of the "free world," including from China and Russia. Former Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede said the island was not for sale.

The island was a Danish colony until 1953. It has remained a part of the Kingdom of Denmark after gaining autonomy in 2009, with the ability to self-govern and determine its own domestic policy.

 Sputnik

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ECOWAS Stands With Venezuela, Calls for Respect of Sovereignty

Sputnik News

20260105

PRETORIA (Sputnik) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for respect for Venezuela's independence and territorial integrity following the US military intervention.

"ECOWAS reiterates its solidarity with the people of Venezuela and urges all states to respect the independence and territorial integrity of Venezuela," the organization said in a statement published on X on Sunday.

The West African bloc expressed support for the Venezuelan people and urged the international community to fulfill its obligation to uphold sovereignty in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

On January 3, the United States launched a massive attack on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and taking them to New York. US President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and Flores would face trial for allegedly being involved in "narco-terrorism" and posing a threat, including to the United States.

Venezuela and Colombia requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council in response to the US military operation. The core UN body will hold an open briefing in New York on Monday morning under the "Threats to international peace and security" agenda item. Russia and China supported the meeting request.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, called for the release of Maduro and his wife, as well as for the prevention of further escalation of the situation. Beijing, following Moscow, called for the immediate release of the Maduros, emphasizing that US actions violate international law.

 Sputnik

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Trump Considers Attack Against Colombia, Accuses President of Producing Cocaine

Sputnik News

20260105

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of producing cocaine and didn't rule out an attack on the country.

"Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long," President Donald Trump told reporters.

Reporter: "So there will be an operation by the US in Colombia?"

Trump: "It sounds good to me, yeah. You know why? They kill a lot of people."

Trump also mentioned that the US military killed "a lot of Cubans" who were protecting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

 Sputnik

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Deputy Secretary Landau's Meeting with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Prevot

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 5, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met today with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The two leaders reaffirmed the historic and close cooperation between the United States and Belgium and discussed a variety of other topics of mutual concern, including commerce, security, and migration. Deputy Secretary Landau and Deputy Prime Minister Prevot last met a month ago in Brussels, and once again their discussion was marked by frankness and goodwill.

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Dutch Foreign Minister van Weel

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 5, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel. The two leaders discussed the United States' counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean and the need to ensure a proper, judicious transition of power in Venezuela. Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister van Weel reaffirmed the close cooperation between the United States and the Netherlands.

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The United Kingdom wants to see a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG

Published 5 January 2026

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 5 January 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

The Venezuelan people have suffered for years.

This Council now meets at a pivotal moment for Venezuela's future.

Maduro's actions created extreme levels of poverty, violent repression, and failing basic services.

His regime's rule precipitated a displacement crisis affecting the whole region.

The United Kingdom has long been clear that Maduro's claim to power was fraudulent.

To date, Venezuela's National Electoral Council has failed to publish the full results of the July 2024 Presidential elections.

Independent domestic and international reports also observed significant irregularities and a lack of transparency.

President, the United Kingdom wants to see a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.

They deserve a government which reflects their vote at the ballot box, and delivers a more stable, prosperous future for all Venezuelans.

Finally, President, the United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

These foundations are essential for maintaining global peace, security, and the rule of law.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

5 January 2026

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Security Council

Good afternoon to all of you.

As you saw, this morning, the Security Council held a meeting on the situation in Venezuela, and members of the Council heard from the Secretary-General.

In the remarks that were delivered on his behalf by the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, the Secretary-General said he is deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in Venezuela, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent the US military operation may set for how relations between and among States are conducted.

The Secretary-General said that he remains deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the military intervention on 3 January.

He highlighted that the Charter of the UN enshrines the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any Member State.

The Secretary-General said it is possible to prevent a wider and more destructive conflagration. He called on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future. He further urged Venezuela's neighbours, and the international community more broadly, to act in a spirit of solidarity and in adherence to the principles, laws and rules erected to promote peaceful coexistence.

And his remarks have been shared with you. And you saw that obviously over the weekend we did issue a statement on Venezuela that emphasized the importance of full respect by all of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.

** Venezuela

Also, on the humanitarian front in Venezuela, our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tell us that the situation in Venezuela remains dire.

At the start of this year, some 7.9 million people in Venezuela were found to need urgent support. This is the equivalent of more than a quarter of the country's population. We, along with our humanitarian partners, under the leadership of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Venezuela, are assessing the situation, focusing on providing support as needed. We continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable, including food, healthcare and protection services. The UN emphasizes the importance of respect for international law, the need to protect civilians and of preserving humanitarian operational continuity, so that assistance can be delivered in line with humanitarian principles. Funding is obviously also critical.

The Humanitarian Response Plan for Venezuela remains critically underfunded. Last year, only 17 per cent of the more than $600 million needed was received, making it one of the least funded country appeals in the world. More support is urgently needed to keep life-saving aid reaching the most vulnerable.

** UN Peacekeeping/Middle East

Quick update for you from our Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean Pierre Lacroix, who arrived in Beirut, Lebanon today.

Tomorrow, he will travel south to Naqoura, where he will meet with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) leadership and peacekeepers and visit several of the Mission's positions along the Blue Line.

On Wednesday, he will return to Beirut for meetings with Lebanese authorities, including President Joseph Aoun, senior ministers, and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Rodolphe Haykal. All of this to discuss the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

He will then travel on to the Golan to visit members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan, and on to Damascus to meet with Syrian authorities.

From there, his mission will take him to Jordan and then to Israel, including the headquarters of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), before concluding his travels to the region in Saudi Arabia.

These visits are an opportunity for Mr. Lacroix to express solidarity and support for UN peacekeepers, troop-contributing countries, mission partners, and the communities they serve, as peacekeeping missions continue to face financial and operational challenges while implementing their mandates in an increasingly complex environment, to say the least.

We will share additional details of his travels as they take place.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in Gaza, our colleagues at OCHA tell us that aid workers continue to respond to people's immense needs, despite persistent impediments hindering a full scale-up of humanitarian operations.

Last week alone, we and our humanitarian partners brought more than 10,000 metric tons of aid through the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing and the Zikim crossing. That covers Monday to Sunday, based on the data collected by the mechanism created by resolution 2720, which  as you will recall  doesn't include bilateral donations or the commercial sector coming into Gaza. Supplies that we were able to monitor included food and cooking ingredients, animal fodder, soap and other hygiene items, including diapers, winter clothing, blankets and mattresses.

Inside Gaza, we and our partners have started January's round of general food assistance for families. Each family receives two food parcels and two 25-kilogram bags of flour.

Since the ceasefire and by the end of 2025, rations covered between 50 and 75 per cent of the minimum caloric needs. The January round is the first since October 2023 in which partners had sufficient stocks to meet 100 per cent of that minimum caloric standard.

To further address food insecurity, we are supporting the production of about 170,000 bread bundles every day, each weighing 2 kilograms. These are distributed free of charge in more than 400 shelters, and at subsidized prices at about 150 shops. At the same time, hot meal kitchens continue to operate, supported by our colleagues on the ground, now serving more than 1.5 million meals every single day.

Also, I would encourage you to look on the OCHA website, as they have just published a recap of progress made during the second month of the ceasefire.

** Sudan

Turning to the situation in Sudan. I can tell you that we remain deeply concerned by the continuing suffering of civilians amid escalating violence, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions.

In North Darfur State, drone strikes on 3 January reportedly caused civilian casualties in the villages of Al-Zurq and Ghurair, including strikes on a market and a medical clinic. On the same day in West Darfur State, one civilian was reported killed following two drone attacks in Kulbus locality. Our humanitarian partners say the strikes in Kulbus displaced more than 600 people.

In South Kordofan State, multiple drone attacks between 1 and 3 January in Dilling reportedly resulted in civilian deaths and injuries. The situation in the city remains dire, with civilians trapped under siege and humanitarian conditions continuing to deteriorate as access to essential supplies is increasingly restricted.

We reiterate our call for the protection of civilians and for the unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas. Continued and predictable humanitarian access to deliver life-saving assistance and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation is essential.

** Israel-Occupied Palestinian Territory

Over the weekend, we also issued a statement expressing the Secretary-General's deep concern at the Israeli authorities' announcement to suspend the operations of several international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Secretary-General in the statement calls for this measure to be reversed, stressing that international non-governmental organizations are indispensable to life-saving humanitarian work and that the suspension risks undermining the fragile progress made during the ceasefire.

The Secretary-General underscores that, pursuant to its obligations under international humanitarian law, Israel must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for all civilians in need. The full statement was shared with you.

** Ukraine

Turning to Ukraine, our humanitarian colleagues there say that attacks and hostilities over the weekend reportedly caused dozens of civilian casualties, including children, and left many others without electricity amid below-zero temperatures. In Kharkiv City, an attack killed at least six civilians, injured dozens of others and also damaged residential buildings and healthcare facilities, leaving parts of the city without electricity, without water and without gas.

In the capital, Kyiv, and its region, overnight attacks on 5 January also killed and injured civilians. Many residential buildings in the region were also damaged, and several thousand households remain without electricity. Aid workers provided support in Kharkiv, as well as in Kyiv, assisting those who need it.

In Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, attacks were also reported and caused civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure, resulting in power outages in those regions. Nationwide, scheduled power outages continue due to the cumulative damage to energy infrastructure, that is what the grid operator in Ukraine is telling us. Our humanitarian colleagues also note that on 2 January, authorities announced mandatory evacuations of more than 3,000 children and their families from front-line areas in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions. Evacuations are continuing in Donetsk Region amid concerns over children remaining in front-line towns.

** Financial Contributions

Lastly, given that we had no briefings, I did want to share that we had two more Member States paying their regular budget dues in the nick of time, shall we say, before the end of the calendar year, and we want to thank our friends in Belize and in Syria, who both paid their Regular Budget dues for 2025.

We had 151 paid up [Member States] last year.

The letters asking for money for this year will go out shortly, and we will of course flag those.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Gabriel?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Did the UN recognize Nicolas Maduro as legitimate President of Venezuela?

Spokesman : Look. The Secretary-General, we're not in the business of recognizing Governments. This is a Member State organization. The credentials of the Venezuelan delegation here is, as far as I know, not questioned. I think, if you look back in the aftermath and prior to the last election in Venezuela, I think the Secretary-General was very clear in his concerns on how the election was run, the lack of transparency as well as the... I would also refer you to statements of the independent experts he appointed. As he said in the statement over the weekend, regardless of the situation in Venezuela, he has a very deep concern that international law was not respected during the US operation.

Question : Were the actions of the United States a violation of the UN Charter?

Spokesman : As I said, he is very concerned that, as he said in the statement, that what happened in Venezuela over the weekend was not in respect of international law or the Charter.

Question : And has he spoken to Delcy Rodriguez, the Vice President of Venezuela? [cross talk]

Spokesman : He has not. The Secretary-General, he's on a plane on his way back. He had an official programme in Lisbon today with the Government that was cancelled, and he should be in the building shortly. Dezhi?

Question : Why in the statement, the Secretary-General did not condemn but expressed deeply concern about the situation, what happened on 3 January?

Spokesman : Listen. I will leave the analysis to you. I think he made his position very clear in the statement we issued over the weekend. He's made his position very clear in the statement that Rosemary DiCarlo read out on his behalf [today]. And he has been very consistent in calling for the respect of the Charter, respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity of States, and the prohibition of the threat of use of force. And as he said today, the power of law must prevail.

Question : Steph, many people ask me to ask you this question. In light of such an operation, is how is the UN still relevant?

Spokesman : How is what?

Question : The UN still relevant. You cannot stop it. You cannot condemn it. You just say respect of law, use respect of UN Charter, but...

Spokesman : But which UN are you speaking about?

Question : That's... but...

Spokesman : No, but I'm asking you. Are you speaking about the Security Council and its ability to ensure that they respect international law? Are you talking about our UN humanitarian workers in Venezuela, who continue to support the people of Venezuela? Are you talking about the human rights framework? I think, listen. Questions are all legitimate, but I think you need to ask whoever's asking you those questions, which UN they're speaking about? And I think what you heard from many Council members today was a reaffirmation of the need for Member States to respect the Charter that they themselves signed on to  the treaties that they themselves agreed to. The Secretary-General doesn't have a nightstick with which he can beat Member States over the head, right? Member States are expected to live up to the principles that they themselves have agreed to. Mr. Klein, and then we'll go to Mr. David.

Question : Thank you. Security Council resolution 1373, which was passed under Chapter 7, use the word decides all sites shall ensure that any person who participates in the financing of terrorist acts is brought to justice. A UN panel report or UN committee report that was cited by US Ambassador [Michael] Waltz during the Security Council meeting found that the Maduro regime has been heavily involved in drug trafficking, and there is documented evidence of Hizbullah money laundering from the Maduro regime to help finance his terrorist activities. So, what I'm wondering here is in the statement that your office issued over the weekend, there was no mention at all of the Maduro regime's participation in the financing of terrorist activities and its drug trafficking. The statement that Rosemary DiCarlo read out this morning just at the end says international law contains tools to address issues such as illicit traffic and narcotics. My question is: What are those tools? How have they been implemented? And have they been effective?

Spokesman : Those tools are the various international treaties that exist on international transnational crime, on illicit drugs. I think the Secretary-General's concern  not only in this case, in many cases  is unilateral action taken by one Member State.

Question : But what I want to know is, because it may be a vacuum here in terms of enforcement by under international law, the actual effective use of these tools to stop the Venezuelan regimes drug trafficking and financing of terrorism.

Spokesman : I think, from our standpoint, the tools of international law work best when they are used by the international community in international cooperation. David?

Question : Good morning, Steph. Thank you. In the Administration's various speeches, we are now in the Monroe Doctrine era.

Spokesman : The what?

Question : The Monroe Doctrine, as you may have heard. How concerned is the UN, the Secretary-General, about other potential unilateral actions in this hemisphere from Greenland to Cuba to Colombia, as the President and the US Secretary of State have stated. Is there a planned discussion with the Secretary-General and this Administration on anything related to US movement forward in this hemisphere? How much is the UN concerned about, you know, what has obviously taken place and what is potentially down the pike?

Spokesman : Listen. As I said, Secretary-General is on his way. He'll meet with the senior advisers this afternoon, and we'll keep you posted on further contact. There is a concern, and I think Secretary-General expressed it in his remarks, of the potential destabilization of the region and beyond. And I think he has been very consistent in commenting on the various things we've seen the last few years that in his mind were not in line with international law and with the Charter that all of these 193 Member States have signed into. What we want to see is not the power of might. What we want to see is the power of law. Yes, madam, and then we'll go...

Question : Thank you. Mr. Stephane, I would like to know if the Secretary-General has been taking a position on nationwide protest in Iran and the violent response of the Government? And does he have any plan to publicly address that? Thank you.

Spokesman : Yes. So, I can tell you that the Secretary-General is following with concern the ongoing protest in the Islamic Republic of Iran. He's deeply saddened by the reported loss of life and injuries resulting from clashes between security forces and protesters. He underscores the need to prevent any further casualties. He also calls on the authorities to uphold the rights of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. All individuals must be allowed to protest peacefully and express their grievances. The Secretary-General further emphasizes the importance of all actors in Iran and the wider region refraining from actions that could heighten tensions and contribute to instability. Yes, sir?

Question : Hi. Thank you. John Haltwick from Foreign Policy. You were asked about the UN's continued relevance and noted its humanitarian work, et cetera. But is it fair to say that the UN might be facing an identity crisis of sorts when we have permanent veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council taking actions that raise concerns about violation of international law and then other veto-wielding members like Russia, which invaded Ukraine, accusing these countries of hypocrisy? It seems like these countries are talking in circles while nothing is actually changing on the ground. Is it fair to ask and to wonder if the UN is facing an identity crisis in terms of its ability to shape global events and to uphold global security?

Spokesman : Look. There is no identity crisis for the Secretary-General, right? Our identity is rooted in the Charter, in international law, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is a legitimate question of asking Member States how they respect and uphold the laws and the charters they've themselves have put into play. There is a legitimate question which the Secretary-General himself has raised, which is that international law and the Charter is not an a la carte menu, right? It's a prix fixe. It's the whole thing. Member States created this Organization to save future generations from the scourge of war. We need Member States to uphold this Organization and its values for the sake of future generations. Yes, sir? Sorry, we'll get...

Question : Thank you, Steph. Back [to] a follow-up on our colleague David from Fox News, a question about the Monroe Doctrine. Early December...

Spokesman : It predates the creation of The United States.

Question : I understand. Early December 2025, the United States have issued under the Trump Administration the National Security Strategy, which stipulated clearly or invoked clearly the Monroe Doctrine. And since there are still many nations around the world, look up to the United Nations and to the weight of the Secretary-General's statements and comments on current issues, what is precisely the Secretary-General view the new national security strategy of the Trump Administration as well as the invocation of the Monroe Doctrine in the twenty-first century? Thank you.

Spokesman : We're not going to get into a detailed commentary, analysis of the National Security Strategy of the United States or any other Member State. I mean, I can repeat using different combinations of words to the questions I've been asked. For us, it's about the Charter. For us, it's about international law. It's about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These things need to be respected. And every country has a right to establish its own national security policy and its own national security aims. What we ask is that they be done in full respect of international law. Madam?

Question : Happy New Year, Steve. I have a follow-up on Iran. Last week, you received a letter from the Islamic Republic of Iran Mission regarding the comments and the threats that the President of United States issued. It stated that if the Iranian regime keeps cracking down on people, he is going to attack Iran again, basically. Did the Secretary-General respond to that letter? And, also, did he speak from anyone from the Iranian Government? Is he in touch regarding the ongoing crackdown?

Spokesman : I don't have any information to share with you at this point on contacts. The letter was received. It was distributed as a document, as the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran asked us to do. I think for the Secretary-General, it's very clear that countries in the region and further afield should refrain from any actions, whether kinetic or verbal, that could heighten tensions and contribute to furthering the regional instability. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Question : I have three questions related to Bangladesh. As you know, the national parliamentary election in Bangladesh is scheduled 12 February. Will the United Nations send any observer to this election?

Spokesman : No. We do not... the UN itself doesn't send observers unless there is a mandate from the General Assembly or the Security Council. So that's no longer something that we do. I can check for you whether the UN country office is offering any technical support, which is something that we often do in terms of the elections.

Question : Second, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, BNP's acting Chairman, Tarek Rahman, has returned to his own country after 17 years, you know. So how do you assess his return in the context of the transition to democracy in Bangladesh?

Spokesman : I'm not an assessor of news. Journalists assess news. So, we I mean, we will support in any way we can elections and the free expression by the Bangladeshi people of their political vision for their country.

Question : And third and lastly, what is the reaction to the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, who was the first female Prime Minister in Bangladesh and served as Prime Minister for three times? Thank you.

Spokesman : We obviously send condolences to her family and to the people of Bangladesh on her passing. Abdelhamid, you've been very patient, and then we'll go make our way.

Question : Thank you, Steph, and I hope you will be patient with me. [cross-talk]

Spokesman : When have I never not been patient with you? Okay, maybe a few times, but go ahead.

Question : You just said that the SG doesn't have a stick to beat those Heads of State in their head or something like that. Yes, but he has morality. He has an office which has so much moral authority. And if he doesn't live to up to that morality, then there is something we have to ask. I mean, if there is an invasion of a country, kidnapping of a President, right or wrong, we don't say that's not our business. And he doesn't condemn it, right?

Spokesman : Listen. Again, Abdelhamid?

Question : Can I just compare it with Ukraine? I mean, he was so forceful. He was so direct. He condemned Russia. He said this is violation of the Charter. He said... It was very powerful. Why?

Spokesman : I think the Secretary-General was very clear over the weekend and today, but you and I disagree. Do you have another question? I'm happy to entertain it.

Question : Yes, I mean, if we accept this model of invasion of a country based on narcotics or trading, how many countries must be invaded? I think Afghanistan, maybe 20 countries should invade Afghanistan and others like Colombia or other who produce these narcotics and trade them. So, should we accept this logic?

Spokesman : The only logic we should accept is respect for the Charter, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.

Question : And last, Israel today attacked Lebanon in two places and killed four people in Gaza. I haven't seen about these Palestinian tactics.

Spokesman : I haven't gotten an update from our peacekeeping mission, but as soon as we do, I will share that with you.

Question : Thank you.

Spokesman : Yes, sir. Please.

Question : Yes. Thank you. I'm [inaudible] from Vietnam Television. I have a question about the Venezuela situation. So, is there any concern that the divisions within the Security Council could weaken the role of multilateral mechanisms in addressing the crisis in Venezuela? Thank you.

Spokesman : Well, I mean, the divisions in the Security Council that we have seen very clearly for some time weaken the Security Council and weaken the role of the Security Council as the primary body responsible for peace and security within the international system. Yes, sir?

Question : Thank you, Steph. On Israel and Gaza, recent reports indicate that within the last 24 hours, Israel has further expanded the agreed-upon yellow line past its intended demarcated borders further into eastern Gaza. Again, while the SG and yourself have made very clear that the UN is not an arbiter towards the agreed-upon ceasefire deal, which has been continually violated, is the SG alarmed by the latest developments?

Spokesman : I haven't.... those reports haven't been shared with me, but, obviously, the last thing we would want to see is that the so-called yellow line become permanent or grow in size.

Question : And then just... sorry. Just a follow-up. Has there again, I know you haven't heard about it, but as soon as you get a response from UN personnel on the ground, would you mind sharing?

Spokesman : I would not mind at all.

Question : Thank you.

Spokesman : Jennifer?

Question : Thanks. Happy New Year. Following on the question about whether the Secretary-General has spoken to Delcy Rodriguez, which he has not, has Ms. DiCarlo or anyone else at that level or above in the UN? And if so, what was said?

Spokesman : No. Not at this point. Nothing to share with you. But as soon as there's contacts, I will. Dennis and Stefano.

Question : Couple of quick questions. So, you told that, Secretary-General is going back from Lisbon, and his programme was cancelled. Was it cancelled because of Venezuela?

Spokesman : Yes.

Question : Second one, does Secretary-General intend to contact Nicolas Maduro at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and Nicolas Maduro?

Spokesman : Not aware of any plan for him to try to contact Mr. Maduro.

Question : The third one. So, there are reports that there are dozens of killed in Venezuela. So does Secretary-General condemn killings of dozens of people during the US operation?

Spokesman : Of course. I mean, we are trying to get more information about what's happened on the ground, and I think our statement concerning the military operation was very clear. Stefano Vaccaro, bon anno.

Question : Bon anno. Thank you, Stephane. Is maybe a follow-up because I arrived a little bit late, but it's about Colombia. I mean, President Trump basically said more than once that the next one that could happen the same thing is Colombia and the President of Colombia. So, is the Secretary-General trying to prevent something like this to happen? I know there's been now, reactive... I mean, reaction to the fact, but there is some strategy, some action that the Secretary-General would like to do, maybe talk to both presidents to prevent that something like this happen tomorrow, next week in Colombia?

Spokesman : As I said, we will update you on potential contacts. We're obviously very concerned at the risk of destabilization spreading beyond what we saw in Venezuela. And again, I think going back to the Charter, is very clear, calling on Member States to respect the territorial integrity of other States. Mr. Klein, let's go back to you and then Gabriel.

Question : This should be a somewhat shorter question this time.

Spokesman : Probably with a long answer.

Question : Actually, it's... it's two questions, but they're both short. First one, has the Secretary-General tried to reach out to either President Trump himself or Secretary of State Rubio to discuss the Venezuelan operation?

Spokesman : As I said, he's on a plane right now. I'll be able to share hopefully more contacts with you in the hours ahead or tomorrow.

Question : Okay. My second question, you cited many times the UN Charter, which also contains a provision that the US is relying on the right of self-defence, which is not defined explicitly in the Charter. But the US position is that what it calls the narco-terrorism that has introduced lethal drugs into the United States, killed Americans and also financed Venezuelan gangs that have killed Americans.

Spokesman : I mean, I'm well aware of that.

Question : Does the Secretary-General reject that?

Spokesman : I'm well aware of that provision in the Charter, which is clear. But I can tell you that we have not received any official communication from the United States regarding the justification for what happened. And in the past, we have, but as of an hour ago, we had not.

Question : But with the Secretary-General, I mean, just since it's been cited, does he reject defence in this circumstance?

Spokesman : Joe, in all fairness, many reasons have been cited. We have not received anything officially. Gabriel, and then we'll go to Pan.

Question : Two quick ones, Steph. In his remarks to the Security Council this morning, Jeffrey Sachs said that the Secretary-General should appoint a special envoy to Venezuela to engage with stakeholders there. Is that something the Secretary-General is considering?

Spokesman : As I said, as soon as I have something to share with you on those things, will.

Question : And as you noted, the UN considered Maduro the legitimate President of Venezuela.

Spokesman : Sorry?

Question : As you noted at the beginning of...

Spokesman : No, I didn't. I said we were not in the business of recognizing individuals. I said the credentials of the Venezuelan delegation, as far as I know here, have not been challenged.

Question : Fair point. I stand corrected. My question, however, is how does the Secretary-General... the words that the Secretary-General uses are very important, as you well know. You're asked about them many times during the week here. How does the Secretary-General define what happened to Nicolas Maduro on the morning of Saturday?

Spokesman : It was a military operation, military action that we saw, and Mr. Maduro was taken from Venezuela and brought here.

Question : Was he kidnapped?

Spokesman : I think I answered the question to the best of my ability, counsellor. Pan?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Happy New Year.

Spokesman : And to you.

Question : It seems that the Secretary-General has deliberately chosen not to use the word "condemn" regarding the US Ministry of Action on Venezuela. I remember that when Russia launched this military operation against Ukraine, he used the word multiple times. So, what's the consideration that he chose not to use the word? Thank you.

Spokesman : I think the Secretary-General used the words that he used for this particular situation. While situations may differ, I think the consistency of the Secretary-General's message in the calling on all Member States to uphold international law has been very clear. On that note, I bid you adieu; see you whenever.

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UN chief deeply concerned over 'possible intensification of instability' in Venezuela

By Vibhu Mishra

5 January 2026 - Invoking the bedrock principle prohibiting the use of force against the territory and independence of any State, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday there must be "full respect" for the UN Charter, in the face of the United States military intervention in Venezuela and seizure of President Nicolas Maduro.

In a statement delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, Antonio Guterres said the Council was meeting "at a grave time" following the 3 January US military action in Venezuela.

The broad outlines of the operation, which unfolded across Caracas and the northern states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, have been widely reported, though the extent of casualties remains unclear.

US President Donald Trump announced a "large scale strike" and rendition of his Venezuelan counterpart on Saturday, later stating the US would now "run the country" until a transition could be secured.

Venezuela has characterized the operation as blatant military aggression and a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, posing a threat to international and regional peace and security.

President Maduro is being held in New York and due to appear in court on Monday - just a few miles south of UN Headquarters in Manhattan - accused by US authorities, along with his wife Cilia Flores, of serious drugs and weapons offences.

Future of Venezuela at stake

"What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela," the Secretary-General said, warning of the risk of deepening instability, regional repercussions and a dangerous precedent for relations among States.

He stressed that respect for international law must remain the guiding principle, voicing concern that the rules governing the use of force "have not been respected" in the 3 January military action.

The UN Charter, he recalled, explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

"The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to all the provisions of the Charter," he said.

Call for inclusive, democratic dialogue

The UN chief noted that Venezuela has endured decades of internal instability and social and economic turmoil, with democracy undermined and millions of people forced to flee.

While describing the current situation as critical, he said it was still possible to prevent a "wider and more destructive conflagration."

He called on all Venezuelan actors to engage in inclusive dialogue that allows all sectors of society to determine their future, grounded in respect for human rights, the rule of law and the sovereign will of the people.

Stick to principles

"In situations as confused and complex as the one we now face, it is important to stick to principles," the Secretary-General said, underscoring respect for the UN Charter, sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, and the prohibition of the use of force.

"The power of the law must prevail," he said, stressing that international law provides tools to address issues ranging from human rights concerns to illicit trafficking and resource disputes - and that this is "the route we need to take."

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Gaza: 100 per cent of basic food needs met for first time since 2023

5 January 2026 - For the first time since 2023, humanitarian assistance will provide Gazans with enough food to fulfil minimum nutritional needs.

"The January round is the first since October 2023, in which partners had sufficient stock to meet 100 per cent of the minimum caloric standard," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists on Monday.

That's compared to the end of 2025, when each family received just 50 to 75 per cent of the calories needed to stay healthy.

To further address food insecurity, the UN is supporting the production of approximately 170,000 two-kilo bread bundles daily.

Around a third of the bread is distributed free of charge to more than 400 shelters and community sites, with the remaining sold at a subsidised price.

Aid must remain 'unimpeded'

Mr. Dujarric highlighted that last week alone, the UN and partners brought more than 10,000 metric tonnes of aid through the Karim Shalom, Karem Abu Salam crossing and the Zikim crossing.

Supplies included food and cooking ingredients, animal fodder, soap and other hygiene items, including diapers, winter clothing, blankets and mattresses.

The recent announcement by Israeli authorities to suspend operations of certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) threatens to impede critical assistance for civilians, over 50 NGOs warned.

In a statement issued by the UN Spokesperson on Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" by the development and underscored that Israel must allow "unimpeded" passage of humanitarian relief.

Violence continues

Israeli airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continued to be reported across several areas of the Gaza Strip between Tuesday and Friday last week, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) reported over the weekend.

Citing the Gaza Ministry of Health, OCHA said that as of Thursday, five Palestinians were reported killed and 11 others injured across the Gaza Strip over the previous 48 hours.

This comes amid harsh winter conditions and destructive winter storms that are damaging infrastructure and putting water, sanitation and hygiene services under continuing pressure.

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World News in Brief: Escalating violence in Sudan, civilian danger grows in Ukraine, Ethiopia aid cuts

5 January 2026 - In Sudan, civilians continue to bear the brunt of escalating violence, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions.

In North Darfur, drone strikes on 3 January reportedly caused civilian casualties in the villages of Al-Zurq and Ghurair, including strikes on a market and a medical clinic, said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, briefing journalists on Monday.

And in West Darfur state on Saturday, one civilian was reported killed following two drone attacks in the vicinity of Kulbus. More than 600 people have been displaced by the strikes there, according to UN humanitarian partners.

Deaths and injuries

In South Kordofan state, multiple drone attacks between 1 and 3 January in Dilling reportedly resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.

The situation remains dire in Dilling, with civilians trapped under siege as humanitarian conditions continuing to deteriorate, while access to essential supplies is increasingly restricted.

"We reiterate our call for the protection of civilians and for the unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas," Mr. Dujarric underscored.

"Continued and predictable humanitarian access to deliver life-saving assistance and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation is essential."

Ukraine: UN and partners continue to support victims of latest Russian attacks

In Ukraine, the UN and aid partners are continuing to provide support to the people of embattled Kharkiv, amid ongoing Russian attacks on Monday.

Last Friday, a strike on a high-rise block in the eastern city killed six residents including a mother and child, according to reports.

In addition, dozens more were hurt in the attack, and many were left homeless, amid freezing conditions and snow, according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.

In addition, parts of the city near the Russian frontier were left without electricity, water and gas.

Civilians face growing danger

"Further attacks are being reported in the city, risking additional harm to civilians and further destruction of homes as temperatures remain well below zero," said Maka Khazalia, OCHA Head of Office in Kharkiv.

"Humanitarian teams continue to support those affected by the attack and will continue to provide assistance to those affected in future."

UN humanitarians work alongside partners and city staff, providing essential services to those in need.

This includes delivering hot meals, non-food items and mental health support.

There were also reported attacks in Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions which caused civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure, resulting in power outages.

Humanitarian colleagues also note that on 2 January, authorities announced mandatory evacuations of more than 3,000 children and their families from frontline areas in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions.

Refugee response now at breaking point in Ethiopia, warns WFP

In Ethiopia, the global crisis in funding for humanitarian work is taking a major toll, with aid teams warning that the refugee response there is at breaking point.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) alerted that more than 1.1 million people risk losing "food, water and healthcare within weeks", due to lack of funding.

Ethiopia is the second-largest refugee-hosting country in Africa and has seen a surge in arrivals amid ongoing conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as drought in Somalia.

More than a million refugees have already endured prolonged ration cuts since May 2023 and WFP has now had to cut food assistance again, from 60 per cent to 40 per cent.

WFP calls for urgent funding

"Beyond humanitarian assistance, sustained funding is urgently needed to support solutions that help refugees rebuild their lives," said Claire Nevill, WFP Head of Communications in Ethiopia.

"Without immediate support, more services will be cut, and more lives will be at risk."

She insisted that the Government of Ethiopia, WFP and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) were aiming to provide vulnerable people fleeing conflict and hunger with long-term livelihood opportunities, including jobs.

But additional support will be needed to support sustainable projects so that refugees can rebuild their lives, she said.

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Today's top news: Venezuela, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Venezuela

Humanitarian situation remains dire, with funding critically low

OCHA says that the humanitarian situation remains dire in Venezuela.

At the start of this year, some 7.9 million people - or more than a quarter of the population - in Venezuela need urgent support.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners, under the leadership of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, are assessing the situation, focusing on providing support as needed. They continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable, including food, health care and protection services.

The United Nations emphasizes the importance of respect for international law, the need to protect civilians and of preserving the humanitarian operational continuity, so that assistance can be delivered in line with humanitarian principles.

Funding is also critical. The Humanitarian Response Plan remains severely underfunded. Last year, only 17 per cent of the more than $600 million needed was received, making it one of the least funded country appeals in the world. More support is urgently needed to keep life-saving aid reaching the most vulnerable.

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Humanitarian response expands, but not at scale needed

OCHA says that aid workers continue to respond to people's immense needs, despite persistent impediments hindering a full scale-up.

Last week alone, the UN and its humanitarian partners brought more than 10,000 metric tons of aid through Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings. That covers Monday to Sunday, based on the UN 2720 Mechanism dashboard, which doesn't include bilateral donations or the commercial sector. Supplies included food and cooking ingredients, animal fodder, soap and other hygiene items, diapers, winter clothing, blankets and mattresses.

Inside Gaza, the UN and its humanitarian partners have started January's round of general food assistance for families. Each family receives two food parcels and two 25-kilogramme (kg) bags of flour. Since the ceasefire and by the end of 2025, rations covered between 50 and 75 per cent of the minimum caloric needs. The January round is the first since October 2023 in which partners had sufficient stocks to meet 100 per cent of that minimum caloric standard.

To further address food insecurity, the UN is supporting the production of about 170,000 bread bundles every day, each weighing 2 kg. These are distributed free of charge in more than 400 shelters, and at subsidized prices through roughly 150 shops. At the same time, hot meal kitchens continue to operate, supported by the UN, now serving more than 1.5 million meals every day.

Today, OCHA published a recap of progress made during the second month of the ceasefire, covering the period from 11 November 10 December. During that time, the UN and its partners brought over 80,000 pallets of humanitarian supplies into Gaza; significantly increased food assistance; and tackled malnutrition by providing supplements to more than 320,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five.

Health support also expanded. Teams helped set up 120 intensive care and emergency beds, delivered 30 anesthesia machines and dozens of portable vital-sign monitors, and supplied health facilities with critical medicines and consumables.

Aid workers provided winter clothing kits to more than 237,000 children under 11 years old and reached nearly 62,000 additional households with about $24 million in multi-purpose cash assistance.

OCHA however stresses that administrative and bureaucratic impediments continue to slow down the response and prevent aid and services from reaching the scale required after two years of intense conflict, destruction and displacement. In particular, the entry of shelter materials, water and sanitation equipment, agricultural inputs, construction materials and education supplies remained limited throughout the second cease-fire month. OCHA is engaging with relevant stakeholders to address these constraints and hope to see them lifted as soon as possible.

Sudan

Escalating violence takes heavy toll on civilians in Darfur and Kordofan

OCHA expresses its deep concern over the impact of escalating violence on civilians, particularly across the Darfur and Kordofan regions.

In North Darfur State, drone strikes on 3 January reportedly caused civilian casualties in the villages of Al Zurg and Ghurair, including strikes on a market and a medical clinic. On the same day in West Darfur State, one civilian was reported killed following two drone attacks in Kulbus locality. Humanitarian partners say the strikes in Kulbus displaced more than 600 people and generated widespread panic among residents.

In South Kordofan State, multiple drone attacks between 1 and 3 January in the city of Dilling reportedly resulted in civilian deaths and injuries. The situation in the city remains dire, with civilians trapped under siege and humanitarian conditions continuing to deteriorate as access to essential supplies is increasingly restricted.

OCHA reiterates its call for the protection of civilians and for unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas. Continued and predictable access is essential to deliver life-saving assistance and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

Ukraine

Attacks leave new casualties, thousands without power

OCHA says that attacks and hostilities over the weekend reportedly caused dozens of civilian casualties, including children, and left many others without electricity amid below-zero temperatures.

Between 2 January and this morning, authorities reported that more than a dozen civilians were killed and nearly 50 others were injured. Energy infrastructure was also hit in multiple regions.

An attack on 2 January in central Kharkiv City killed at least six civilians, including a child and his mother, and injured dozens of others. Residential buildings and health-care facilities were damaged, leaving parts of the city without electricity, water and gas.

In the capital of Kyiv and its region, overnight attacks on January 5th killed one person and injured four others, and damaged a private hospital in Kyiv, according to authorities and aid workers. Many residential buildings in the region were also damaged - several thousand households remain without electricity.

Aid workers provided support in Kharkiv and Kyiv cities, assisting those whose homes were damaged.

Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions also reported attacks causing civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure - and resulting in power outages in parts of the regions.

Nationwide, scheduled power outages continue due to the cumulative damage to energy infrastructure, according to the national grid operator.

On 2 January, authorities announced mandatory evacuations of more than 3,000 children and their families from front-line areas in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions, while evacuations continued in Donetsk Region amid concerns over children remaining in front-line towns.

Posted on 5 January 2026

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United States Action in Venezuela Puts Sovereignty of States, International Law at Stake, Many Speakers Tell Security Council

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10085th Meeting (AM)

SC/16271

5 January 2026

Amid a dramatic escalation between the United States and Venezuela, members of the Security Council were sharply divided over the fate of ousted President Nicolas Maduro Moros and next steps for his oil-rich nation, even as many delegates warned that Washington, D.C.'s, actions threaten the very foundations upon which the multilateral world order was built.

"Today, it is not only Venezuela's sovereignty that is at stake," said that country's representative, who addressed the 15-member organ in its first meeting of 2026. "The credibility of international law, the authority of this Organization and the validity of the principle that no State can set itself up as judge, party and executor of the world order are also at stake."

Describing the events of 3 January as profound and historic for the entire international community, he said his country was the target of an illegitimate armed attack, lacking any legal justification, by the United States. "If the kidnapping of a Head of State, the bombing of a sovereign country and the open threat of further armed action are tolerated or downplayed, the message sent to the world is a devastating one  namely, that the law is optional and that force is the true arbiter of international relations," he warned.

'There Is No War against Venezuela'

The representative of the United States, however, emphasized that "there is no war against Venezuela or its people". His country's military conducted a surgical law enforcement operation to apprehend two indicted fugitives, the "narco-terrorists" Nicolas Maduro Moros and Celia Flores. Framing the action as a law enforcement operation in furtherance of lawful indictments, he likened it to the 1989 arrest of Panama's former leader, Manuel Noriega, and said the region was more stable as a result.

Mr. Maduro is not just an indicted drug trafficker, he said, but the leader of a vicious terrorist organization, the Cartel de los Soles, which works with other gangs to use illegal narcotics as a weapon against the United States. He also rejected the legitimacy of Mr. Maduro's presidency, citing a UN finding that he manipulated Venezuela's electoral system and that the 2024 election was a farce. Under his regime, Venezuela has seen extrajudicial killings, torture and arbitrary detentions, and more than 8 million refugees have fled the country.

At the meeting's outset, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, delivered remarks on behalf of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among States are conducted," she said.

Voicing grave concern over decades of instability, human rights violations and economic turmoil in Venezuela, she nevertheless called for respect for the Charter of the UN, including the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of States. "The situation is critical, but it is still possible to prevent a wider and more destructive conflagration," she stressed.

Force, Coercion Cannot Legitimately Decide Venezuela's Future

Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, also briefed, noting that the issue at stake today is not Venezuela's character. "The issue is whether any Member State, by force, coercion or economic strangulation has the right to determine Venezuela's political future or to exercise control over its affairs."

Since 1947, he said, the United States has repeatedly used force and political manipulation to bring about regime change. In 2025 alone, it carried out bombings in seven countries  Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and now Venezuela  none of which were authorized by the Council or undertaken in lawful self-defence under the Charter of the UN. Calling on the United States to immediately end all explicit and implicit threats against Venezuela, he also recommended the appointment of a UN envoy to report on the crisis within 14 days.

Also briefing the Council was the civil society leader Mercedes De Freitas, Founder and Executive Director of Transparencia Venezuela, who said national and international criminal organizations have a symbiotic relationship with the regime of Nicolas Maduro. "Great corruption has led to the decrease of the income of the State and therefore public expenditure, which has affected the quality of public services," she said. Venezuelans now live with just a few hours of electricity per day in many parts of the country and face daily extortion from armed groups.

"So many families rely on only one meal per day," she said, adding that the Government is wracked by impunity, corruption and a lack of checks and balances that fuels repression. "We need a transparent State that is accountable, that will protect public goods for everyone," she said, calling for freedom for all Venezuelan political prisoners.

Council members and other delegates  including many of Venezuela's neighbours  also took the floor to express their views.

Condemnation for 'Unilateral, Illegal, Bullying Acts' by United States

"China is deeply shocked by, and strongly condemns, the unilateral, illegal and bullying acts of the United States," said that country's representative. A permanent member of the Security Council has disregarded the concerns of the global community and "wantonly trampled upon Venezuela's sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests", he said, urging Washington, D.C., to heed the "overwhelming voice" of the international community, learn the lessons of history and return to the path of dialogue.

"The bell is ringing for all UN Member States and for the future of the Organization itself," said the representative of the Russian Federation, echoing those points. "We cannot allow the United States to proclaim itself as some kind of a supreme judge which alone bears the right to invade any country." He voiced concern over Washington, D.C.'s, establishment of unbridled control over Venezuela's natural resources, warning that "fresh momentum for neocolonialism and for imperialism" is again rearing its head.

Mexico's representative, echoed by the representatives of Brazil, South Africa and Eritrea  who spoke on behalf of the Group of Friends of the UN Charter  agreed that the United States' aggression must not be permitted, as it constitutes a violation of the Charter and a threat to multilateralism. "It is for sovereign peoples to decide their destinies [...] within a framework of unrestricted respect for human rights." Regime change by external actors, and the application of extraterritorial measures, do not only run counter to international law. "Historically, all they have done is exacerbate conflicts and weaken the social and political fabric of nations," he said.

"Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace," said Nicaragua's representative, stressing that the zone must be respected by all countries of the world without exception. Calling for the immediate release of President Maduro  the rightful leader of Venezuela  he said the Venezuelan people "have never bowed the knee", instead staunchly defending their right to sovereignty. Nicaragua stands with them and urges all Member States to do the same.

Cuba's delegate warned the Council that the United States' "hegemonic and criminal plans" towards Venezuela had already produced serious and unpredictable consequences for regional stability. Citing its long-standing campaign of unilateral coercive measures, "economic asphyxiation" and even maritime terrorism, he described recent events as further evidence of an "imperialist and fascist aggression" rooted in the outdated Monroe Doctrine. The United States must release President Maduro and his wife, and the global community must respond to this incident of State terrorism.

Durable Solutions Can Only Be Found through Peaceful Means

The representative of Uganda spoke on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, joining others in condemning the United States' aggression in Venezuela  an act of war that undermines regional and international peace, security and stability. Demanding an end to all hostilities and full respect for Venezuela's sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and right to self-determination, she warned that those responsible must be held to account. "Military solutions are not viable avenues" for resolving disputes, she stressed.

Echoing those points was the representative of Iran, who also noted grave threats made against his country in recent days by United States President Donald J. Trump. "The United States is shedding crocodile tears for the Iranian people and hypocritically claims to support them while maintaining a well-documented record of intervention, the use of force and the imposition of unlawful unilateral coercive measures against Iran," he said, likening the situation to that unfolding in Venezuela.

Pakistan's delegate  echoed by other speakers, including the representatives of Colombia and Liberia, who also spoke for Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo  voiced concern that the recent escalation "sets dangerous precedents" and could fuel instability, "which  as history has shown time and again  can lead to unpredictable and uncontrollable outcomes for years to come". Durable solutions can only be found through peaceful means, with full respect for the will of the Venezuelan people, free from any external interference, he said.

'These Developments Constitute a Dangerous Precedent'

Several speakers struck a similar tone, even while highlighting their grave concerns about the legitimacy of President Maduro's regime. Those included the representatives of Spain, Chile, Greece and Denmark, with the latter emphasizing: "The inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation."

While Denmark does not recognize Mr. Maduro as the legitimate President of Venezuela, and has serious concerns about his regime's oppression and human rights violations, she said the Venezuelan people nevertheless have a right to determine their political, economic and social future without coercion, pressure or manipulation by external actors. "Independent of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent."

France's delegate agreed that Venezuelans' right to choose their leaders was stolen from them in an election "marred by a lack of transparency". However, the military operation against Mr. Maduro runs counter to the principles of the peaceful resolution of disputes, "chips away at the international order", and weakens international peace and security. Any transition in Venezuela "must be led by and for the Venezuelans", he stressed.

The representative of the United Kingdom, along with the representatives of Latvia, Bahrain and Panama, said Mr. Maduro's regime created extreme levels of poverty, exacerbated drug trafficking and precipitated a displacement crisis affecting the whole region. The former noted the United Kingdom's desire to see a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people, while reaffirming its commitment to international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter. "These foundations are essential for maintaining global peace, security and the rule of law," he said.

Support for United States Actions in Venezuela, Dismantling Crime Networks

While some speakers focused on the opportunity created by President Maduro's ouster for Venezuelans to chart a new path forward, others specifically welcomed and supported the United States' actions in recent days.

Argentina's delegate, for one, praised President Trump's decisive action, voicing hope that it will end the oppression that has driven Venezuelans into poverty. The entire region has been harmed by drug trafficking exported from Venezuela, he said, urging the international community to help "restore institutional normalcy" in the country.

Similarly, the representative of Trinidad and Tobago said his country, a neighbour of Venezuela, is committed to efforts led by the United States to disrupt and dismantle transnational crime networks across the Americas. Voicing steadfast support for Washington, D.C.'s, initiatives that strengthen regional security and reinforce the rule of law, he underscored his country's long-standing relationship with both the United States and Venezuela.

Paraguay's delegate agreed that President Maduro and the Cartel de los Soles were a threat to his region. "The exit of the leader of that terrorist organization should immediately lead to the restoration of democracy" in Venezuela, he said. Calling for the release of all political prisoners in that country, he reiterated that Venezuela's return to democracy is crucial for the stability of the region.

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'Power of Law' Must Prevail in Venezuela, Secretary-General Tells Security Council, Citing Heightened Risk of Regional Instability

Press Release

Secretary-General / Statements and Messages

SG/SM/22974

5 January 2026

Following are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' remarks, as delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, in the Security Council today:

We meet at a grave time following the 3 January United States military action in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The broad outlines of the events of Saturday have been widely reported.

Early that day, United States forces were active across Caracas and in the northern states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. The extent of casualties resulting from these actions remains undetermined.

In a statement on social media on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced the conduct of a "large scale strike against Venezuela, and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro".

During a press conference on Saturday, President Trump stated: "We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."

The Government of Venezuela has characterized the United States action as a military aggression carried out in civilian and military areas, and as a flagrant violation of the Charter, posing a threat to international and regional peace and security. As we speak, President Maduro is being held in New York accused by US authorities, along with his wife Cilia Flores, of serious criminal offenses.

What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela.

I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among States are conducted.

The situation in Venezuela has been a matter of regional and international concern for many years now. Attention on the country only grew following the contested presidential elections in July 2024.

The panel of electoral experts I appointed at the Venezuelan Government's request to accompany the elections highlighted serious issues.

We have consistently called for full transparency and the complete publication of the results of the elections. As we reported to the Council on 23 December, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has catalogued serious violations.

On 3 January, Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez invoked an emergency decree throughout the national territory extending additional security powers to the Government.

The latest developments follow a period of heightened tensions, beginning in mid-August, as discussed in this Council on two previous occasions. I have consistently stressed the imperative of full respect, by all, for international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, which provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security.

I remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the 3 January military action.

The Charter enshrines the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to all the provisions of the Charter.

Venezuela has experienced decades of internal instability and social and economic turmoil. Democracy has been undermined. Millions of its people have fled the country.

The situation is critical, but it is still possible to prevent a wider and more destructive conflagration. I call on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future.

This entails the full respect of human rights, the rule of law and the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people.

I also urge Venezuela's neighbours, and the international community more broadly, to act in a spirit of solidarity and in adherence to the principles, laws and rules erected to promote peaceful coexistence.

I welcome and am ready to support all efforts aimed at assisting Venezuelans in finding a peaceful way forward.

In situations as confused and complex as the one we now face, it is important to stick to principles. Respect for the UN Charter and all other applicable legal frameworks to safeguard peace and security. Respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of States. The prohibition of the threat or use of force.

The power of the law must prevail.

International law contains tools to address issues such as illicit traffic in narcotics, disputes about resources and human rights concerns. This is the route we need to take. Thank you.

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Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council - on Venezuela

United Nations Secretary-General

5 January 2026

New York, UN

Statements | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Delivered by Ms. Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs

Mr. President, Members of the Security Council,

We meet at a grave time following the 3 January United States military action in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The broad outlines of the events of Saturday have been widely reported.

Early that day, US forces were active across Caracas and in the northern states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

The extent of casualties resulting from these actions remains undetermined.

In a statement on social media on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced the conduct of a "large scale strike against Venezuela, and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro".

During a press conference on Saturday, President Trump stated: "We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition".

The Government of Venezuela has characterized the United States action as a military aggression carried out in civilian and military areas, and as a flagrant violation of the Charter, posing a threat to international and regional peace and security.

As we speak, President Maduro is being held in New York accused by US authorities, along with his wife Cilia Flores, of serious criminal offenses.

What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela.

I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted.

Mr. President,

The situation in Venezuela has been a matter of regional and international concern for many years now.

Attention on the country only grew following the contested presidential elections in July 2024.

The panel of electoral experts I appointed at the Venezuelan Government's request to accompany the elections highlighted serious issues.

We have consistently called for full transparency and the complete publication of the results of the elections.

As we reported to the Council on 23 December, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has catalogued serious violations.

On 3 January, Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez invoked an emergency decree throughout the national territory extending additional security powers to the government.

Mr. President,

The latest developments follow a period of heightened tensions, beginning in mid-August, as discussed in this Council on two previous occasions.

I have consistently stressed the imperative of full respect, by all, for international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, which provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security.

I remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the 3 January military action.

The Charter enshrines the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to all the provisions of the Charter.

Mr. President,

Venezuela has experienced decades of internal instability and social and economic turmoil. Democracy has been undermined. Millions of its people have fled the country.

The situation is critical, but it is still possible to prevent a wider and more destructive conflagration.

I call on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future.

This entails the full respect of human rights, the rule of law and the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people.

I also urge Venezuela's neighbors, and the international community more broadly, to act in a spirit of solidarity and in adherence to the principles, laws and rules erected to promote peaceful coexistence.

I welcome and am ready to support all efforts aimed at assisting Venezuelans in finding a peaceful way forward.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

In situations as confused and complex as the one we now face, it is important to stick to principles.

Respect for the UN Charter and all other applicable legal frameworks to safeguard peace and security.

Respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states.

The prohibition of the threat or use of force.

The power of the law must prevail.

International law contains tools to address issues such as illicit traffic in narcotics, disputes about resources and human rights concerns.

This is the route we need to take.

Thank you.

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AFCENT caps 2025 with decisive operations, strengthened partnerships across CENTCOM AOR

Published Jan. 5, 2026

U.S. Air Force Central Command Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C (AFNS) -- Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) closed out 2025 with a series of decisive victories, sustaining combat airpower against terrorist threats, expanding coalition integration across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, and advancing agile employment and base defense technologies to sharpen readiness and deterrence.

From the successful strikes on Houthi targets during Operation Rough Rider to the overnight Bomber Task Force strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer, AFCENT Airmen were instrumental in enabling U.S. and Coalition operations that dismantled violent extremist networks and defended regional partners.

Operation Rough Rider spanned from March to May 2025 in the maritime and air domains. AFCENT forces were pivotal in supporting ongoing actions against Houthi terrorists who threatened international shipping and partner territory. These U.S. strikes and intercepts, conducted under CENTCOM authorities, disrupted planned launches and destroyed weapon systems, contributing to a safer operating environment across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Following the attack on U.S. and partner forces on Dec. 13, AFCENT airpower launched to conduct Operation Hawkeye Strike against ISIS in Syria, Dec. 19, working with joint and partner forces to strike multiple locations with more than 100 precision munitions. This operation targeted known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites and was critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland.

Beyond direct counterterrorism, AFCENT airpower contributed to broader deterrence operations, specifically in Operation Midnight Hammer. U.S. leaders highlighted the success of precision strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure demonstrating integrated planning and long-range reach  while emphatically reinforcing the U.S.' commitment to regional security and limiting production of weapons of mass destruction.

A cornerstone of AFCENT's strategy in 2025 was the marked advancement of coalition training and integration. Through a series of robust exercises, allied forces solidified their collective defense posture.

"Our strength in this region is unequivocally linked to the strength of our partnerships," said Lt. Gen. Derek France, AFCENT commander. "Exercises like Spears of Victory, Bright Star, and Ferocious Falcon are essential in forging the trust and interoperability that make us a cohesive and formidable fighting force. We are faster, smarter and more resilient when we train and operate as one team."

The Yellow Sands series further honed layered defenses and c-UAS tactics across the Arabian Peninsula, while Blue Phoenix combat search and rescue training sharpened personnel recovery skills for contested environments. AFCENT also expanded its cooperative reach by participating in the Kyrgyz-led Ak Shumkar 2025 exercise, building interoperability with Central Asian partners alongside Montana Army and Air National Guard. During Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6, U.S., Qatari and allied Airmen strengthened integrated air and missile defense and counter-unmanned aerial systems proficiency.

To posture forces for speed and survivability, AFCENT continued to lead the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment model through Agile Spartan, distributing combat capabilities across forward locations. This initiative validated sustainment and C2 concepts tailored to the CENTCOM theater.

Innovation in base defense also marked the year, as the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron launched the first sUAS quadcopter in AFCENT history, expanding organic surveillance options. In a landmark move, CENTCOM and Qatari partners opened a bilateral combined command post for air defense at Al Udeid Air Base  the first of its kind in the Middle East  enhancing shared situational awareness against aerial threats.

"The dynamic threats across the CENTCOM AOR demand constant adaptation and a decisive edge," France said. "This year, our airpower not only neutralized immediate dangers posed by extremist networks but also demonstrated our unyielding commitment to regional stability through advanced deterrence and agile combat employment. We are proving that our capacity to innovate directly translates to our ability to stabilize the region."

AFCENT's engagements also extended beyond the battlefield, showcasing a deep commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performed in Qatar's inaugural international military music and marching festival in Doha, and the AFCENT Band brought live music to audiences across Qatar. This cultural diplomacy reached a high point at Dubai Airshow 2025, where the AFCENT Band's high-energy daily performances drew regional crowds and transformed the international exhibition into a venue for connection, linking Airmen, partners, families and industry leaders.

Additionally, AFCENT captivated attendees with aerial demonstrations featuring the F-16 Fighting Falcon amid more than 200 other aircraft including U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II, B-52 Stratofortress and the U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon. The displays highlighted the United States' commitment to regional security and underscored the unmatched capabilities of American air power.

"While the hardware and high-tech systems are impressive, the heart of our success is, and always will be, our people," France said. "Seeing our Airmen connect with regional Air Force counterparts and communities, representing the best of America with professionalism and friendship, fills me with immense pride. They are the true ambassadors of our commitment, and it's their dedication, both on the flight line and in the community, that made every one of this year's achievements possible."

Across missions and miles, AFCENT Airmen and Coalition partners delivered decisive combat effects, deepened vital relationships and elevated readiness in 2025ensuring U.S. and partner forces remain ready to deter aggression, defeat threats and secure the skies for the year ahead.

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Chinese envoy slams US' four "serious violations" at UN meeting, calls on immediate release of Maduro and his wife

Global Times

By Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China

Published: Jan 06, 2026 01:10 AM

Remarks on Venezuela by Ambassador Sun Lei, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Emergency Meeting

President,

China supports the Security Council in holding an emergency meeting regarding the US military strikes on Venezuela. We thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for reading out the briefing of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. I have listened carefully to the statements of the briefers, and welcome to this meeting the Permanent Representative of Venezuela and representatives of other countries.

On January 3, the United States blatantly launched large-scale military strikes against Venezuela, forcefully seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and took them out of the country. It claimed that it would "run" Venezuela and even did not rule out launching a second round of military operations on an even larger scale. China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the unilateral, illegal, and bullying acts by the United States.

For some time now, the international community has repeatedly expressed grave concerns over the US sanctions, blockade, and threats of force against Venezuela. The Council convened two emergency meetings, during which Secretary-General Guterres, many Council members, and countries in the region and beyond unanimously called for abiding by the UN Charter and international law, maintaining calm and restraint, resolving disputes peacefully, deescalating tensions, and safeguarding regional stability.

However, as a permanent member of the Council, the US has disregarded the grave concerns of the international community, wantonly trampled upon Venezuela's sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, and seriously violated the principles of sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the prohibition of the use of force in international relations. These principles constitute the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and form the cornerstone of maintaining international peace and security. The US has placed its own power above multilateralism and military actions above diplomatic efforts, posing a grave threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean and even internationally. China firmly opposes this, and the international community has also expressed widespread grave concerns and strong condemnation. We urge the US to heed the overwhelming voice of the international community, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, cease infringing upon the sovereignty and security of other countries, stop toppling the Government of Venezuela, and return to the path of political solutions through dialogue and negotiations. We call on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife and to release them at once. We support the Council in fulfilling its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, and we support all efforts by the UN Secretary-General and regional countries and organizations that contribute to promoting dialogue and deescalating the situation.

President,

The lessons of history are a stark warning. Military means are not the solution to problems, and the indiscriminate use of force will only lead to greater crises. The US bypassed the Council to launch military operations against Iraq, blatantly attacked Iran's nuclear facilities, and imposed economic sanctions, military strikes, and even armed occupations against multiple countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. These actions have caused persistent conflicts, instability, and immense suffering for the ordinary people. Did these actions bring peace and stability? Did they bring development and prosperity? The international community sees this clearly.

Venezuela is an independent sovereign state with every right to defend its sovereignty and national dignity. Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are important forces in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity, and they have every right to independently choose their development paths and partners. No country can act as the world's police, nor can any country presume to be the international judge. China firmly supports the Government and people of Venezuela in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests. We firmly support regional countries in upholding the status of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace. We demand that the United States change its course, cease its bullying and coercive practices, and develop relations and cooperation with regional countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and non-interference in internal affairs. China stands ready to work with regional countries and the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

I thank you, President.

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Iran: Kidnapping Maduro and his wife is violation of international law

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 6, 2026

New York, IRNA -- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani has announced that the kidnapping of the elected President and First Lady of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by the US is a gross violation of international law, including the principles related to the immunity and dignity of persons granted to heads of state and government based on international law, and is considered a serious attack on the principle of sovereign equality of states.

Iravani made the remarks at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the US attack on Venezuela.

He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns in the strongest possible terms the US military attack on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The full text of statement by Ambassador Iravani at the UNSC emergency meeting is as follows:

Statement by H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the UNSC Emergency Meeting

New York, 5 January 2025

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency and important meeting.

We acknowledge the presence of the Under-Secretary-General, Ms. DiCarlo, at this meeting, and extend our special appreciation to Professor Jeffrey Sachs for his informative and insightful briefing and valuable contribution.

At the outset, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to Somalia on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I also wish to warmly congratulate the newly elected members of the CouncilBahrain, Colombia, the Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberiaon their election.

Mr. President,

The Islamic Republic of Iran would like to associate itself with the statement delivered by Eritrea on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations and wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacity.

First, the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the military attack carried out by the United States of America against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. This illegal act constitutes State terrorism, a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations particularly Article 2(4) and 2(7)and of peremptory norms of international law and amounts to an internationally wrongful act and a full-fledged act of aggression. Such military aggression against an independent Member State of the United Nations establishes a serious breach of regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching consequences for the international system as a whole.

Second, the abduction of the democratically elected President and the First Lady of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by the United States constitutes a flagrant violation of customary international law, including the principles of the inviolability of the immunities accorded to Heads of State and Government under international law, and represents a grave assault on the sovereign equality of States. The Islamic Republic of Iran recalls Venezuela's inherent right to self-defense and underscores the legal responsibility of the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, to take immediate measures to halt this unlawful aggression and to ensure accountability for all those responsible. Iran also reaffirms its full support for the people and the legitimately elected Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Third, the United States is openly seeking to substitute its domestic law for international law and the Charter of the United Nations. This represents a serious warning to the international community and to all Member States. Such unlawful conduct strikes at the very foundations of the Charter-based international legal order and establishes a dangerous precedent that must be categorically and unequivocally rejected. The so-called declared US policy of "peace through strength" prescribes the law of the jungle and the rule of force instead of the rule of law, and, if tolerated and normalized, would render the collective security system established by the Charter ineffective and devoid of purpose.

Fourth, the continued inaction and paralysis of the Security Council in the face of explicit threats and acts of aggression by the United States have fostered a dangerous climate of impunity. It has emboldened the United States to persist in unlawful conduct that poses a grave threat to regional and international peace and security. In recent days, the President of the United States has repeatedly issued public threats of the use of force against the Islamic Republic of Iran, in manifest violation of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations. At the same time, the United States is shedding crocodile tears for the Iranian people and hypocritically claims to support them while maintaining a well-documented record of intervention, the use of force, and the imposition of unlawful unilateral coercive measures against Iran. This includes its direct political, military, and operational support and involvement for the Israeli regime's unlawful joint war of aggression against Iran between 13 and 24 June 2025, which resulted in loss of civilian life, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and serious violations of the fundamental human rights of the Iranian people. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its inherent right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security, and to protect its people against any foreign interference. The United States of America will bear full responsibility for any consequences arising from its unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation.

Finally, we unequivocally reject the baseless allegation and unwarranted reference made against Iran by the representative of the United States at this meeting. The facts on the ground are clear, speak loudly for themselves, and cannot be concealed by political rhetoric or manufactured narratives.

I thank you, Mr. President.

2050

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Maduro pleads not guilty in U.S. court

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:10, January 06, 2026

NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty to all U.S. charges during his first court appearance in New York.

"I am innocent, I am not guilty," Maduro told the court, adding that he was "kidnapped" at his home in Caracas and that he remains the president of Venezuela, according to media inside the courtroom.

Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, said at court that she is completely innocent of the charges brought against her by the United States.

The next hearing on the case against Maduro is scheduled for March 17.

Protesters gathering outside the court were shouting slogans and holding banners of "Free Maduro," "No War on Venezuela," and "USA hands off Venezuela."

"The charges are completely outrageous," Sydney Loving, one of the protesters told Xinhua. "We're against any intervention like that on a sovereign nation."

"To kidnap a president of another country is absolutely crossing red line. It definitely violates international law," she said.

In the early hours of Saturday, U.S. military forces carried out attacks and bombings in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela and took Maduro and his wife by force, before putting them in custody in New York.

The U.S. attacks have shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.

On Saturday, people took to the streets across more than 100 U.S. cities, including Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami, protesting against the U.S. military operation on the oil-rich South American nation, demanding the U.S. government to free Maduro.

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U.S. military action against Venezuela lacks respect for int'l law: UN chief

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:51, January 06, 2026

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday voiced deep concern over the lack of respect for international law in the U.S. military action against Venezuela on Saturday.

"I remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the Jan. 3 military action," said Guterres in a statement to the Security Council, read on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo.

The UN Charter enshrines the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, the UN chief added.

"The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all (UN) member states to adhere to all the provisions of the charter," said Guterres.

The UN chief also expressed deep concern about the possible intensification of instability in Venezuela, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent that the U.S. military action on Venezuela may set for how relations between and among states are conducted.

He called on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future, and urged Venezuela's neighbors, and the international community more broadly, to act in a spirit of solidarity and in adherence to the principles, laws and rules erected to promote peaceful coexistence.

"In situations as confused and complex as the one we now face, it is important to stick to principles. Respect for the UN Charter and all other applicable legal frameworks to safeguard peace and security. Respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of States. The prohibition of the threat or use of force," the UN chief said.

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Worrying implications follow U.S. military strike on Venezuela

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:53, January 06, 2026

The U.S. attack on Venezuela has been strongly condemned and raised serious concerns worldwide.

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Governments and academics around the world have urged compliance with international law while warning of global security uncertainties in response to the recent U.S. military strike on Venezuela and the capture of its president.

On Saturday, the United States, as said by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social, "carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country." Meanwhile, he framed the operation as one "done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement."

Later in the day, Trump told a press conference that the United States will "run" Venezuela until a safe time for the transition of power.

The U.S. move has since been strongly condemned and raised serious concerns worldwide.

COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW URGED

"Such actions constitute a clear violation of international law and amount to an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state," Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday of the U.S. operation.

"Gravely concerned by the U.S. intervention" in Venezuela, Singapore's foreign ministry stressed Sunday in a statement that it "has consistently opposed actions contrary to international law by any parties, including foreign military intervention in any country."

In a statement, the Philippines on Sunday called for restraint to prevent further escalation of tensions in Venezuela and urged a peaceful resolution.

In a written comment Saturday to national television SVT, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said countries are obligated to "respect international law and act accordingly."

All states have a responsibility to respect and comply with international law, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in a post on social media X, stressing that the principle is in Finland's vital national interests.

In a statement on Sunday, the Ghanaian government called the U.S. military operation "assaults on international law, attempts at the occupation of foreign territories and apparent external control of oil resources," noting they "have extremely adverse implications on international stability and the global order."

"IMPERIALIST" APPROACH CONDEMNED

The U.S. attack on Venezuela is "undoubtedly contrary to international law," Kai Ambos, a professor of law at Germany's University of Goettingen, told an interview with German broadcaster WDR on Saturday, asserting that the United States intended to gain access to Venezuela's oil resources and remove a government it hated.

A commentary by Finland's national broadcaster Yle criticized the U.S. military operation as "imperialist" and described Trump's remarks about the U.S. running Venezuela for a time as extraordinary external interference in another country's governance.

The commentary added that Trump's "Monroe Doctrine" rhetoric revives a Monroe Doctrine-style "backyard" mindset, suggesting that the Western Hemisphere should remain under U.S. dominance.

"Any state that violates international law and kidnaps a president, as Trump has done, is committing barbaric state terrorism," said a statement by Germany's Die Linke party Saturday on its website.

"It should be condemned as an unacceptable act of aggression, a demonstration of the policy of force and an extremely dangerous precedent," former Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic commented.

In Sunday's statement, the Ghananian government also voiced deep concern over Trump's statements that the United States will "run" Venezuela for a time, and that U.S. large oil companies will be asked to "go in."

"These declarations are reminiscent of the colonial and imperialist era. They set a dangerous precedent for the global order. Such colonial ambitions should have no place in the post-Second World War era," it said.

WORRYING IMPLICATIONS

Experts have expressed concern that the U.S. operation against Venezuela undermines the international order, poses a threat to global security, and adds new uncertainty to international affairs.

Vessela Tcherneva, deputy director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, told a television interview with Bulgaria's Nova News that the developments regarding Venezuela could change the global balance, adding, "No one can just attack their neighbor and interfere in their internal affairs."

"What we are witnessing is likely a highly dangerous shift in the international order," Adis Ahmetovic, a foreign policy expert of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), told the German newspaper Tagesspiegel on Saturday.

"When military force is used without a UN mandate, regime change is openly pursued and international law is degraded to a bargaining chip, then the law of the strongest increasingly replaces the strength of the law," he noted.

In the opinion of Alessia de Luca, a U.S. politics expert and senior advisor at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), the U.S. operation has opened an unprecedented rift in the international order.

The majority of the candidates for the presidential election scheduled for Jan. 18 in Portugal have condemned the U.S. military strike on Venezuela. Among them, lawmaker Jorge Pinto noted, "Today it is Venezuela -- who will it be tomorrow?"

OPENING THE PANDORA'S BOX

"It is the opening of the Pandora's box," threatening global disorder and chaos, former Yugoslav foreign minister Jovanovic said commenting on the U.S. military strike on Venezuela.

Heightening global security concerns, Trump on Sunday night said that another military strike "sounds good" to him in comments directed at Colombian President Gustavo Petro, claiming "He (Petro) has cocaine mills and cocaine factories. He's not going to be doing it."

In a social media post on Sunday, Petro asked Trump to stop libeling him and rejected what he saw as the U.S. attempt to assert dominance over Latin America.

In an interview with Politico last month, Trump said he would consider military operations against targets in other countries, including Mexico and Colombia.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 05 January 2026 - Day 1412

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of this day, there have been 172 combat clashes.

Today, the Russian opponent launched three rockets and 24 air strikes, used 10 rockets and dropped 79 controlled air bombs. In addition, the Russians involved 3083 kamikaze drones and carried out 3038 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, the Russian enemy made two aviation strikes, dropped seven air bombs, carried out 63 shells, including two - from the jet systems of the fire.

In the South Slobozhans komu direction, Ukrainian troops stopped four Russian attacks in the areas of Vovchansk, Prylipki and towards Kutkivka.

In the Kupians komu direction from the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy twice tried to go forward in the direction of Kurylivka and Kupians ka, received a cut off.

In the Lyman direction during the day, Russian invaders nine times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near Nadia, Zarichny and in the direction of the settlements of Drobisheve, Stavka and Lyman.

In the Slovenian direction, the Defense Forces repelled two Russian attacks near the Zakitnogo.

In the Kramators komu direction the Russian opponent did not carry out offensive actions.

In the Konstantiniv direction, Russians attacked the positions of Defense Forces 20 times. The main efforts of the invasion were concentrated by the occupiers in the areas of settlements Oleksandro-Shultine, Pleshiyivka, Cherbinivka, Rusin Yar and towards Stepanivka, Ivanopil, Konstantinivka, Berestka and Sofiyivka.

In the Pokrovsky direction, Russian zagorbnytsky units 38 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Chervony Lyman, Sukhetske, Zatishok, Rodinske, Mirnograd, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udaachne, Molodetske, Dachne, Filia and towards settlements Grishine, Ivanivka. In some locations, combat clashes are still ongoing.

Today in this direction Ukrainian warriors zneshkodili 142 okupanta, 98 of them - irrevocable. 31 unmanned aircraft, 3 motorcycles, two satellite terminals, six car and two special equipment units, one BPLA control point, three personnel shelters were also destroyed. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers hit two infantry fighting vehicles, one artillery system, one jet system of assault-fire, three car units and two special equipment units, 12 personnel shelters.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian enemy attacked 14 times in the areas of settlements Vyshneve, Zlagoda, Sichneve, Oleksandrograd, Sosnivka and in the direction of Ivanivka. One battle is still going on.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, the Defense Forces stopped 34 attacks by Russians in the areas of Uspenivka, Solodky, Gulyaipol and towards Dobropyl, Varvarivka, Zelenoy and Pryluk. Seven more fights are underway. Under the Russian enemy's airstrikes were the settlements of the Zaliznycne, Rizdvyanka, Ternuvate, Vozdvizhivka.

Defense Forces repelled two Russian attempts to attack in the Orihivsky direction in the Plavniv district and in the direction of Primorsky. Tavriyske suffered an air strike.

In the pridniprovs komu direction, the Russian enemy twice failed to attack the positions of Ukrainian defenders.

In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

As a result of resolute actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces took control over Grabovskoye (Sumy region).

Russian troops hit formations of one mechanised brigade of the AFU near Miropolye and Sadki (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, Russian troops inflicted fire damage on units of one mechanised brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and one territorial defence brigade near Volchanskiye Khutora and Grafskoye (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses were up to 290 troops, one tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, 15 motor vehicles, and one field artillery gun. In addition, three electronic warfare stations and six ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised.

The Zapad Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops launched attacks on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one National Guard brigade near Krasny Liman, Ilyichevka, Aleksandrovka, Drobyshevo (Donetsk People's Republic), Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Blagodatovka, and Staroverovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were more than 180 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, 15 motor vehicles, and four ammunition depots.

The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops hit formations of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one territorial defence brigade, and one National Guard brigade close to Krivaya Luka, Malinovka, Vasyutinskoye, Stepanovka, Minkovka, Zakotnoye, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were more than 180 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, four artillery guns, and 21 motor vehicles.

The Tsentr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one infantry brigade, one air assault brigade, one airmobile brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and one National Guard brigade close to Grishino, Torskoye, Novoaleksandrovka, Dobropolye, Belitskoye, Toretskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Novopavlovka, and Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemy losses were more than 350 troops, 12 armoured fighting vehicles, and six pickup trucks.

The Vostok Group of Forces' units continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences. Russian troops hit manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one assault brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade near Tsvetkovoye, Zaliznichnoye, Vozdvizhevka (Zaporozhye region), and Bratskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses were over 220 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, and two motor vehicles.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on formations of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Orekhov, Belogorye, Novoyakovlevka (Zaporozhye region), and Antonovka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were up to 45 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, two field artillery guns, 10 motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces inflicted damage on enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, the infrastructure of military airfields, production and assembly workshops of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, a training centre for drone operators, temporary deployment areas of the AFU and foreign mercenaries in 148 districts.

Air defence systems shot down three guided aerial bombs, three U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 356 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 107,569 unmanned aerial vehicles, 642 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,922 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,636 MLRS combat vehicles, 32,390 field artillery guns and mortars, and 50,851 special military vehicles.

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Philippines, Australia Reaffirm Strong Counter-Terrorism Cooperation Following Australian Investigation Update

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

MANILA 06 January 2026 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomes the statements made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett during the press conference held in Canberra on 30 December 2025 regarding Philippine-Australian cooperation in the ongoing investigation into the 14 December 2025 incident in Bondi Beach, Australia.

During the press conference, Prime Minister Albanese expressed his appreciation for the cooperation extended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Philippine law enforcement agencies, stating: "I also want to take the opportunity to thank... President Marcos, my friend, the President of the Philippines as well. Through him, the agencies in the Philippines have done everything they can to provide information in a timely way, and that's a good thing."

The DFA especially notes that the Australian Federal Police Commissioner shares the initial assessment of the Philippine National Police that "there is no evidence to suggest they received training or underwent logistical preparation for their alleged attack" during their stay in the Philippines from 1 to 29 November 2025. The Australian Federal Police Commissioner further stated that "there is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others to carry out an attack," while underscoring that this assessment remains subject to continuing investigation. Commissioner Barrett also acknowledged the prompt and effective assistance extended by Philippine authorities, noting that "without their swift response, much of the CCTV footage that is now under review by our investigators would not have been available," and emphasized that the Australian Federal Police and the Philippine National Police have worked together for decades on counter-terrorism cooperation.

As cooperation on the Bondi investigation continues, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro reiterates the Philippines' firm commitment to counter terrorism, prevent violent extremism, and nurture closer intelligence and law-enforcement cooperation with Australia and other foreign partners. The Philippines and Australia will continue to jointly address transnational security threats, including terrorism, through sustained information sharing, operational coordination, and capacity-building initiatives. END

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China pursues foreign policy of forming partnerships not alliances, FM refutes question of whether China provides security guarantees for 'global allies'

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 05, 2026 05:30 PM

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China pursues a foreign policy of forming partnerships rather than alliances, in response to a question that US has previously carried out attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, whether China have any measures in place to provide stronger security guarantees for its "global allies."

Lin continued that China hopes the Iranian government and its people can overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability. China consistently opposes external interference in Iran's internal affairs and calls on all parties to take actions conducive to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

"We will work together with the international community to firmly uphold the UN Charter, adhere to the bottom line of international morality, and safeguard international fairness and justice" Lin said.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on January 5, 2026

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: January 05, 2026 21:12

Welcome to the first regular press conference of the Foreign Ministry in the new year. The year 2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period and will witness more achievements of China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. In this changing and turbulent world, we will continue to work with all of you to make China's voice heard and share China's stance, so that China and the rest of the world will learn more about and better understand each other.

Shenzhen TV: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry in a statement released on December 30, 2025 expressed concern over the situation in southern Yemen. On the same day, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded in a statement that the UAE reaffirms its full respect for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and national security and its full coordination with Saudi Arabia, and that the UAE respects the sovereignty of Yemen and calls for efforts to prevent escalation. Other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council are confident that Saudi Arabia and the UAE can resolve differences in the spirit of solidarity and coordination, and mutual understanding and accommodation. Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council recently announced that a dialogue is to be held in Riyadh among Yemen's southern factions, who including the Southern Transitional Council do not object to the proposal. Regional countries including Saudi Arabia also welcomed and supported the dialogue. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: China noted the statement released by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry and the UAE's response. We commend the two sides for emphasizing on the respect for each other's sovereignty and security. The legal government of Yemen is widely recognized by the international community. China supports upholding Yemen's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and welcomes the dialogue to be held in Riyadh among Yemen's southern factions. We call on parties to remain calm, exercise restraint, resolve differences and disputes through political dialogue, and create conditions for restoring peace and tranquility in Yemen at an early date.

NBC: China has demanded the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from U.S. custody. Can you comment on whether there will be consequences for the U.S. if China's demand goes ignored? Also, a Chinese delegation was meeting with Nicolas Maduro. Can you confirm whether they are still in Caracas? (Similar questions from Folha de S.Paulo and Bloomberg)

Lin Jian: On your first question, China has stated its postion on the U.S. forcibly seizing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. China expresses grave concern over the U.S. forcibly seizing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country. The U.S.'s move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China calls on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.

On your second question, China is closely following the security situation in Venezuela. So far there has not been any report about Chinese personnel in Venezuela being affected by the U.S.'s air strikes.

Hubei Media Group: Since the signing of the joint statement between Cambodia and Thailand agreeing to a ceasefire on December 27, 2025, there has been no fighting along the border areas between the two countries. On December 31, Thailand returned 18 Cambodian soldiers. The situation in the border areas has generally eased. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: As the two countries' friend and close neighbor, China is heartened by the continued implementation of the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand and the safe return of 18 Cambodian soldiers to their country. We hope that Cambodia and Thailand will continue to look ahead and move forward, step up dialogue and communication, jointly ensure full and lasting ceasefire, and gradually rebuild trust and improve relations. This serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both Cambodian and Thai people and it is also what the international community hope to see.

China will continue to implement the Global Security Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, follow the direction determined by the three countries at Fuxian meeting, actively facilitate in the Asian way the two countries' effort to achieve a sustained ceasefire and improve their relations, and make due contributions to regional peace and stability and the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.

Spanish Daily ABC: The first one, I would like to ask if the Chinese government has had any kind of interaction with Delcy Rodriguez since she took over as an interim leader of Venezuela? And the second one, President Trump has stated that the U.S. will increase the production of oil industry in Venezuela. Will China continue to import Venezuelan oil as normal? (Similar question from Folha de S.Paulo)

Lin Jian: On your first question, China respects Venezuela's sovereignty and independence, and believes that the government of Venezuela will properly handle its internal affairs in accordance with the country's Constitution and laws.

On your second question, the cooperation between China and Venezuela is the cooperation between two sovereign states, which is under protection of international law and the domestic laws of the two countries. No matter how the political situation in Venezuela evolves, China's willingness to deepen practical cooperation with Venezuela in various fields will not change. China's lawful interests there will also be protected in accordance with law.

China-Arab TV: U.S. President Donald Trump explicitly stated the change of government in Venezuela and the country's oil reserves are his main objectives, and he plans to have large United States oil companies go into Venezuela. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: The U.S.'s blatant use of force against Venezuela seriously violates international law and basic norms in international relations, infringes upon Venezuela's sovereignty, and threatens peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China has condemned this. Parties need to respect Venezuela's right to independently choosing development path, and work for stability and the return of order in Venezuela.

TV Tokyo: Venezuela had imported a large amount of military equipment from China, but it appears that this equipment was of little practical use in the recent U.S. attack. Please share your assessment of this matter.

Lin Jian: China firmly supports Latin America and the Caribbean region's status as a Zone of Peace. We oppose the threat or use of force in international relations, and hegemonic moves of violating the UN Charter and infringing on other countries' sovereignty.

Yonhap News Agency: The Chinese and ROK presidents are going to have talks. What does China expect to achieve? Could you offer information on the agenda of their talks? When President Lee Jae Myung took off for China yesterday, the DPRK launched ballistic missiles, which violates UN Security Council resolutions. What's China's stance?

Lin Jian: China and the ROK are each other's neighbors and cooperation partners. We hope that under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, the visit will play a positive role in further moving forward the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership. Information on the specifics of the visit will be released in due course. Please check back for updates.

On the reports about the DPRK's launch activities, I have no specific comment.

China-Arab TV: U.S. President Donald Trump said on January 4 in a phone interview with The Atlantic magazine that Venezuela may not be the last country that the U.S. will intervene in. He said "We do need Greenland, absolutely." What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: China always advocates that relations between states should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Bloomberg: Taiwan officials see the capture by Donald Trump of Venezuela's Maduro as a powerful deterrent to Beijing. They've also added that it highlights the U.S.'s ability to defeat militaries that are equipped with Chinese-made weapons. Finally, they're also seeing it as a signal to adversaries of the U.S. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Lin Jian: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China. How to resolve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves, and no external forces are in the position of making any interference. The DPP authorities' disgraceful attempts of soliciting external support to seek "Taiwan independence" and resisting reunification through military buildup are doomed to fail.

Folha de S.Paulo: A statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that China urged the U.S. to ensure the personal safety and the immediate release of Maduro and his wife. Was there or will there be any communication between Beijing and Washington regarding this matter?

Lin Jian: China has stated its position on the U.S. forcibly seizing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

EFE: Does China consider that the forcible capture of a head of state abroad sets a precedent that could affect international stability and the way sovereignty disputes are handled, and what role does Beijing intend to play in responding to such situation?

Lin Jian: Let me reiterate that China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.'s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and forcible seizure of its president. Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it. We call on the U.S. to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security.

Telesur: The U.S. launched attacks, invasion, and bombing on civilian and military targets and kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. China has officially condemned these actions and demanded President Maduro's release. With the U.N. Security Council meeting imminent, does China plan to propose specific measures in response to the U.S.'s violation of international law and violation of Venezuela's sovereignty? Additionally, how does China intend to address the kidnapping of President Maduro in concrete terms? (Similar questions from NHK and Anadolu Agency)

Lin Jian: China has stated its position on this. China expresses grave concern over the U.S. forcibly seizing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country. The U.S.'s move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China calls on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation. China supports the UN Security Council in holding an emergency meeting to discuss the U.S. military strikes on Venezuela and supports the Council in playing its due role according to its mandate. We stand ready to work with the international community to firmly defend the UN Charter, the fundamental principles of international justice, and international fairness.

Bloomberg: Trump's actions in Venezuela can be seen as a real-life example of the Monroe doctrine in action whereby the U.S. claims that the Western Hemisphere is its sphere of influence. Can I ask what's China's take on the sphere of influence concept and will the recent events in Venezuela impact China's commitments in Latin America in terms of economic, military and diplomatic ties? Will there be any modification to China's strategy for Latin America?

Lin Jian: No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always be a good friend and good partner of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. China's policy on the LAC region maintains continuity and consistency. We uphold the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, respect the choice of the LAC people, and never draw lines along ideological differences. China-LAC exchanges and cooperation follow the principles of equality and mutual benefit, never seek sphere of influence and never target any party. China stands ready to work with LAC countries that have diplomatic relations with China to deepen strategic mutual trust, give each other understanding and support on issues bearing on our core interests and major concerns, including national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, support each other in following development path that suits each country's national conditions, and oppose hegemony and power politics.

Anadolu Agency: U.S. President also threatened Colombia and Cuba with intervention after its military operations against Venezuela. Do you think this will kick off a wave of interventions by the U.S. in Latin America and the Caribbean region? And how would China respond in this scenario when your interests?

Lin Jian: China firmly supports the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region's status as a Zone of Peace. China opposes any violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other countries' sovereignty and security, the threat or use of force in international relations, and external forces' interference in the internal affairs of LAC countries under any pretext. China and LAC countries are good friends and good partners for equality, mutual benefit and common development. Openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation are the hallmark of China-LAC cooperation. LAC countries have the right to independently choosing development paths and cooperation partners. China stands ready to work with LAC countries to continue dealing with the changing international landscape with solidarity and coordination, pursuing development and prosperity through mutually beneficial cooperation and delivering benefits to the two peoples.

AFP: Donald Trump said the U.S. needs Greenland and one of the reasons he gave was because it is "covered with Chinese ships." Do you have any response to this?

Lin Jian: We urge the U.S. to stop using the so-called "China threat" as a pretext for itself to seek selfish gains.

TV Asahi: The U.S.'s move of forcibly taking the Venezuelan president has shocked the world. Will this affect the U.S. president's upcoming visit to China in April this year?

Lin Jian: On your question, I have no information to share at the moment.

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Construction Site of Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, visited the construction site of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations with senior Party and government officials on January 5.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was greeted on the spot by the commanding officers of the army unit involved in the construction.

He gave encouragement to the soldier-builders, expressing thanks for devoting themselves to ensuring the best quality in every process of construction, bearing deep in mind the unanimous wish of all the people and the officers and men of the People's Army that the great heroes would be immortal.

He dug the first spadeful of earth for tree-planting under the plan for greening in the museum, together with senior officials.

He engaged himself in tree-planting for a long time with the soldier-builders, saying that even a single tree or a single blade of grass, to be rooted in the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations, should be associated with our people's deep respects and noble moral obligation for the heroic soldiers who sacrificed themselves without hesitation, aspiring after the immortality and eternal prosperity of our glorious state.

He said that the noble sacrifice and heroic feats of the participants in the worthiest sacred war for justice and dignity would serve as the solid root and eternal cornerstone supporting the mightiness of the motherly DPRK, adding throb of patriotism to the mind of all generations in the Republic.

Then he went round the construction site of the museum to learn about the process of the construction project.

He said that the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations is the crystallization of our Party and people's eternal gratitude and respects for the representatives of the great fame of the country and a grand monument to the times symbolic of heroism and bravery of the Korean people's excellent sons.

He added that through the construction, another important ideological and spiritual base for education in the tradition of victory will be provided in the capital city of our state and, along with the establishment of the museum, our people will powerfully demonstrate before the world the immortality of the DPRK, our great motherland, and the invincibility of the Korean People's Army, celebrating major commemorative days including V-Day together with the heroes.

Recollecting in humble reverence the brilliant images of the war martyrs who are always alive as the eternal stars of the country, he affirmed that nobody in the world can match such army as those who readily dedicated their lives to the dignity and fame of their motherland, absolutely remaining faithful to the order of the Party and it is the immutable truth and law proven by history. And he gave precious teachings for completing the construction of the museum on the highest level.

That day, Kim Jong Un had a photo of love and trust taken with officers and men who are devoting their all sincerity to the establishment of the museum.

All the soldier-builders made their firm pledge to perfectly build the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations into a sacred edifice of heroic Korea representing the great era of Kim Jong Un , more keenly feeling the ardent kinship of Marshal Kim Jong Un who is glorifying the noble life of the fallen servicepersons. -0-

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Iran not negotiating with US, Araghchi tells Parliament

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 5, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told a parliamentary commission that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not engaged in any negotiations with the US.

Araghchi briefed members of Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on various foreign policy issues, particularly regarding events in Venezuela, highlighting that the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Venezuela is active, and the ambassador is currently stationed there, as reported by Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesperson for the committee, on Monday.

"The enemy is currently focused on the country's economy to exert effective external pressure through economic pressure," the foreign minister was quoted as saying.

Rezaei also said, "Araghchi emphasized that we are not engaged in any honorable or dignified negotiations with the United States under the current circumstances. However, if an opportunity arises where the Islamic Republic of Iran deems negotiations necessary, it will consider proceeding with them. Nevertheless, the logic of diplomacy suggests that negotiations under the current conditions will not be fruitful or beneficial."

Araghchi emphasizes diplomacy with neighbors

"We are focused on utilizing the potential of neighboring relations, and efforts in this area are currently being activated. We will utilize the capabilities of diplomacyspecifically, neighborhood diplomacy and provincial diplomacywith the Ministry of Foreign Affairs playing a central role. This will support the country's economy and improve the livelihoods of the people," Araghchi was quoted as saying.

The spokesperson also stated that Araghchi emphasized the activation of operational cooperation among Iran, Russia, and China, noting that a joint statement has been issued and necessary cooperation is underway across various forums.

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Iran rejects New York Times fabrication on Araghchi's meeting with media chiefs

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 5, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran has rejected a US media report claiming that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has talked about the country being in a "survival" mode.

In a post on his X account on Monday, Mohsen Shamsizadeh, the deputy spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, reacted to the claim published by The New York Times.

He said that the American newspaper alleged that Araghchi held a meeting with media outlets on Thursday, during which he discussed the importance of a so-called fight for "survival." Shamsizadeh noted that the Israeli-backed TV channel "Iran International" had also amplified this claim with a headline.

He pointed out that some Western parties seem determined to turn even trivial issues into pretexts for fabrication and escalating tensions.

Shamsizadeh emphasized that it is entirely customary for a minister or spokesperson to hold regular and periodic meetings with journalists and media representatives on foreign policy matters, adding, however, that no such meeting with the characteristics described by The New York Times took place last Thursday.

He underlined that such a story essentially had no basis in reality.

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Firm response, not leniency needed to subdue aggressors: IRGC commander

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 5, 2026

Jiroft, IRNA -- A senior advisor to the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has stressed the need for a firm and decisive response to enemies to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi made the remarks in a speech at a ceremony commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in Jiroft, a city in Kerman province, on Sunday.

He said security requires "a firm and decisive response to the enemy, not leniency and compromise," adding that leaning, hesitation, and retreat in the face of aggressor not only bring insecurity, but also encourages the enemy to carry out further aggression.

General Naqdi, who previously served as the deputy coordinator of the IRGC, added that the experience of Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, and other resistance fronts has shown that wherever there has been steadfastness, the enemy has retreated.

He also stressed the need for national unity to prevent foreign aggression, saying "the enemy will not dare to invade, and the country's security will be guaranteed, as long as the people remain united."

According to him, the school of Martyr Soleimani is the school of steadfastness, stewardship, and resistance, that are interwind in the Iranian nation, and all freedom-loving nations.

Referring to the US National Security Document 2025, General Naqdi said the file showed Washington's acknowledgment of its failure in the West Asia region and humiliation over the past decades, despite spending trillions of dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Iranian Armed Forces vigilant and well-prepared to defend country: Foreign Ministry spokesperson

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 5, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei says the Iranian Armed Forces remain vigilant and are strengthening their preparedness to defend the country in the face of a possible new Israeli attack.

Baqaei made the remarks during his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday while commenting on media hype surrounding the possibility of a renewed Israeli military attack on Iran.

"Psychological warfare and media propaganda against the country are part of the opposing side's strategy to exert pressure on Iran and are nothing new. What matters to us is that we are closely monitoring the actions of the other parties with full vigilance and commitment, and that our Armed Forces will not show the slightest negligence or leniency when it comes to defending Iran's sovereignty and national integrity," he told IRNA.

Israel seeks to target Iran's national unity

Reacting to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's expression of support for recent protests in Iran, Baqaei said the Iranian people had already witnessed the Israeli regime's so-called concern during the 12-day war against their country in June.

The June war was only one example, the spokesperson said, adding that "the assassination of prominent Iranian officials, the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists, and the criminal acts that the Zionist regime, in collusion with its partners, has carried out against the Iranian nation over the past decades are not things that can be concealed by such deception or forgotten by the Iranian people."

The remarks underscore the fact that the Israeli regime seeks to exploit any opportunity to sow divisions within Iran and undermine national unity, Baqaei said, stressing the need for vigilance.

He also said that actions or statements by the Israeli prime minister or some hardline American officials regarding Iran's internal affairs amount, in international terms, to nothing more than incitement to violence, terrorism, and killing. Therefore, the Iranian people, along with peoples across the region and the international community, will not be deceived by such "hypocritical" conduct, the spokesperson added.

Al-Asad Air Base pullout based on US-Iraq deal

Commenting on Iraq's announcement last week regarding the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces from Ain al-Asad Air Base in the western province of Anbar, the Iranian official said the pullout is based on an agreement between Baghdad and Washington and has nothing to do with any potential new aggression against Iran.

"The simplest piece of news is turned into a pretext to create tensions, particularly regarding the US military presence in Iraq and Ain al-Asad Air Base," he said.

Venezuela developments

Commenting on the US attack on Venezuela and the abduction of its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, the Iranian diplomat described these developments as "very dangerous," saying that violations of a country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity are entirely unjustifiable.

"What we know today as the Charter of the United Nations and contemporary international law is the result of humanity's experience in the aftermath of the world wars. Therefore, this action is absolutely condemned and rejected, and those who have committed this crime must be held accountable before the international community," Baqaei said, warning that violators of international law would be emboldened if not met with strong opposition from the global community.

"The abduction of a country's president and his spouse is by no means a source of pride; it is a completely illegal act, and as Venezuelan officials and the Venezuelan people themselves have emphasized, their president must be released," the spokesperson said.

He rejected US officials' claims that Maduro and his wife would be tried in American courts, saying the claim is merely a cover to justify the US administration's illegal violation of Venezuela's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Baqaei also dismissed speculation about alleged US collusion with Russia and China regarding the recent developments in Venezuela, noting that such interpretations are sometimes used to divert public attention from the gravity of the act.

"In this particular case, it should be noted that a power, without any justification or legal basis, has resorted to force, abducted the president and his spouse, and, by violating the country's territory and national sovereignty, breached the fundamental principles of international law," he said.

Iran closely monitors int'l developments

Addressing analyses suggesting that the US attack on Venezuela could serve as a warning to Iran, Baqaei said Iran's diplomatic system is carefully monitoring international developments and remains in contact with other countries as part of efforts to safeguard national interests and uphold regional and global peace.

Iran to pursue its financial claims from Venezuela

Responding to a question about Iran's financial claims from Venezuela, Baqaei said Iran maintains ongoing contact with Venezuelan officials, and that economic relations and claims between the two countries are not affected by political changes or government transitions.

He emphasized that relevant Iranian institutions, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance and the Central Bank, are actively pursuing these claims.

Future Iran-Venezuela ties

Baqaei added that Iran's relations with any country, including Venezuela, are based on mutual respect and shared interests, "and our ties with this country in the future will continue on this basis."

Regional cooperation against terrorism

In response to a question about Turkey's recent operations against Daesh and the risk of the group's resurgence, the spokesperson said that combating terrorism is a collective responsibility for all countries in the region.

Baqaei noted that as long as insecurity and foreign occupation persist, conditions will remain conducive to the growth of terrorist and extremist groups, which should be a shared concern.

He added that Iran and Turkey have a long history of security cooperation, and that senior Turkish defense officials recently visited Iran.

"Cooperation and coordination between the two countries in security and counterterrorism are well established, and for the sake of regional peace and stability, these efforts must continue robustly," he said.

Double standards undermine human rights

Responding to a question about the recent statements of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, the spokesperson said: "What is truly troubling, and harms the credibility of international institutions and the high standing of human rights, is the existence of double standards, which unfortunately have reached their peak over the past two to three years."

He cited Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank as an example, noting that many bodies tasked with addressing human rights violations have remained silent and inactive.

"Unfortunately, when it comes to human rights, Iran has always been viewed through a political lens. At various times, rapporteurs or some countries have focused solely on condemnation, without considering the broader dimensions of the issue or paying attention to existing conditions and realities," he added.

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Iran's Judiciary chief warns rioters will face firm action without leniency

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 2:54 PM

Iran's Judiciary chief warns that the United States and Israel have openly "supported insecurity" in the Islamic Republic, adding that rioters taking advantage of the economic protests will be dealt with firmly and without leniency.

Addressing a meeting with judicial officials on Monday, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Eje'i said during periods of unrest, the Islamic establishment always offers a chance for those who have been deceived or inadvertently involved in harmful acts to distance themselves from rioters and distinguish their position.

He said the concerns of protesters and critics regarding livelihood and economic welfare will be heard.

"However, we will deal firmly in accordance with the law with those elements who seek to exploit this situation to incite unrest and disrupt the security of the country and the people. We will not remain silent in the face of rioters," the judiciary chief stated.

He cautioned rioters that the country will offer no leniency to them, unlike in the past, "because the main enemies of our people, namely the US and Zionist regime, have officially and openly supported unrest in our country at the current juncture."

Therefore, no rioter can any longer claim to have been deceived, Mohseni-Eje'i said.

The Iranian Judiciary chief said he has instructed the attorney general and prosecutors across the country to act in accordance with the law and with resolve against the rioters and those who support them, and to show no leniency or indulgence.

Protests erupted last week after shopkeepers in Tehran temporarily closed their businesses to protest the sharp fall of the national currency, which plunged to record lows against the US dollar.

Iranian officials have acknowledged the economic pressure facing the public and said peaceful protests are legitimate. At the same time, they have warned that foreign-backed elements are seeking to exploit the situation and fuel violence.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on January 3 that the bazaari class remains "among the most loyal segments of the country to the Islamic Revolution," warning against hostile elements seeking to exploit legitimate economic grievances.

He added that what matters is that "a number of provoked individuals, mercenaries of the enemy, stand behind the bazaaris and chant anti-Islamic, anti-Iranian, and anti-Islamic Republic slogans."

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Iran restores gas production at refinery damaged in Israeli aggression

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 6:26 PM

Iran has restored natural gas processing activities at a refinery that was damaged during Israeli aggression in June.

Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad toured the Fajr Jam refinery in the southern province of Bushehr on Monday, saying the facility is now supplying up to 13 million cubic meters (mcm) per day of sweetened gas to the national pipeline network as a result of the timely repair.

Paknejad said Iranian technicians and experts had fully repaired the two processing trains at the Fajr Jam refinery that were damaged during the Israeli attacks.

He added that the restoration of the plant would play a major role in supplying gas to households and businesses during the current cold season.

The Fajr Jam refinery is one of the largest gas refineries in the Middle East. The facility processes gas supplied from South Pars, the world's largest gas field, which straddles the Iran-Qatar maritime border, as well as several other gas reserves in the Persian Gulf.

Paknejad said he would also tour a second gas refinery damaged in the Israeli war of aggression, located in Phase 14 of South Pars, noting that the facility is expected to resume operations soon after repair work on one of its trains is completed.

The minister said gas production from the Iranian section of South Pars, which is responsible for more than 70% of the country's total gas demand, had reached a record level of 725 mcm per day.

Iran's energy infrastructure was affected during the 12-day Israeli war of aggression in mid-June last year. The attacks included oil storage facilities in Tehran and several energy installations in southern Iran.

Iran, in turn, responded with missile strikes targeting energy-related facilities in Israeli-occupied areas, including a large refinery in the port city of Haifa, which sustained extensive damage as a result of Iranian attacks.

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What Might US Military Action In Venezuela Mean For Iran?

By Kian Sharifi and RFE/RL's Radio Farda January 05, 2026

Just days after deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump has threatened to carry out military action against other US foes.

Maduro's capture in a US raid on January 3 has shaken Tehran, a close ally of the Venezuelan strongman.

Washington is unlikely to carry out a similar operation in Iran. But the brazen Venezuela attack has sent a clear signal to Tehran that the United States is willing to use force to remove its enemies, experts say.

Trump recently warned Iran that Washington was "locked and loaded" and ready to intervene if Tehran killed "peaceful protesters" during ongoing antiestablishment protests. Iranian security forces have so far killed at least 19 protesters in a brutal state crackdown.

'Khamenei Himself Could Be Targeted'

Experts say the United States replicating its Venezuela operation in Iran and deposing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- who has been in power since 1989 -- is unlikely.

Habib Hosseinifard, a Germany-based political analyst, said Venezuela lies in the United States' strategic "backyard," whereas Iran is located thousands of kilometers away in the Middle East. The Islamic republic also has greater military capabilities and a more entrenched political system, he said.

Still, other experts say the US capture of Maduro has sent a worrying message to Tehran.

Damon Golriz of The Hague University of Applied Sciences said Maduro's removal signals that the United States is moving beyond pressuring governments to targeting individual leaders.

"Unlike before, this time Khamenei himself could be targeted," Golriz told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

Indeed, during the 12-day war with Israel in June, Israel actively sought to assassinate Khamenei but, as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz put it, operationally it was "not realistic" to target him because he had gone "very deep underground."

"Staying close to the leader has now become more costly than distancing oneself from him," Mohammad Ghaedi, a lecturer at George Washington University, told Radio Farda. "The taboo of the leader being untouchable has been broken."

Lessons From Venezuela?

Maduro's removal from power has fueled debate inside Iran over what lessons the country can take from Venezuela.

Conservative media outlets insist that "Iran is not Venezuela," emphasizing the country's military capabilities and its allies in the region.

Nour News, which is close to senior Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani, described Venezuela as a "low-cost target" whereas Iran would represent a "high-risk scenario."

Hard-line outlets echoed that message. The Javan newspaper, affiliated with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, argued that comparing Iran to Venezuela is "a waste of time." The conservative Jahan website added that the United States has already "tried and failed" to replicate military action in Venezuela in Iran.

Moderate voices, however, see cautionary parallels. Iran and Venezuela are both authoritarian countries where the authorities have used violence to crush dissent. Both countries are sanctioned by the United States and in the grips of economic collapse, despite their vast mineral wealth.

Tehran-based journalist Amir-Hossein Mosalla said that Maduro "ignored his people's protests," refused to enact reforms, and "met the fate of all dictators."

Ali Sharifi-Zarchi, an academic at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology, added that Maduro is "yet another dictator consigned to the dustbin of history after keeping his people in poverty despite sitting on massive oil reserves."

Roya Karimi Majd, Ghodratollah Shahidi, and Mohammad Zarghami of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/venezuela-iran-military- action-khamenei-maduro/33640572.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Parliament speaker: 44 candidates apply to run for Iraq's presidency

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 7:05 PM

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi says more than 40 candidates, including Kurds, Arabs, and Christians, have applied to run for the presidency, with most having completed registration.

"The number of candidates for the position of president has reached 44," Halbousi said in statements carried by the official news agency INA.

He added that the nomination window will close later on Monday.

Incumbent President Abdul Latif Rashid has reportedly started the registration process, but has yet to complete his application.

Rashid, a senior member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has stated that he is participating as an independent candidate and not on behalf of the political party.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the largest Kurdish bloc in the Iraqi parliament, has officially nominated Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein for the presidency.

The PUK announced on Monday the nomination of Nizar Amedi for the post of president.

Iraq held parliamentary elections on November 11, the sixth vote since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country.

Last week, Iraq's newly elected parliament chose Haybat al-Halbousi as its speaker.

Halbousi, from the Taqaddum (Progress) Party, received 208 votes, in a clear victory over two rival contenders with 66 and nine votes, respectively.

According to Iraq's traditional muhasasa system, established with the first government following the post-2003 constitution, the parliament is required to elect a speaker - a Sunni candidate who has garnered consensus - along with two deputies in its inaugural session.

Subsequent to this is the election for the presidency, featuring a Kurdish candidate, in accordance with muhasasa. The president subsequently puts forward the nominee from the largest Shia bloc - the Shia Coordination Framework (SCF) - to be appointed as prime minister.

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Joint Press Communique of the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. At the invitation of H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, visited China from January 3 to January 5, 2026. On January 4, 2026, H.E. Wang Yi and H.E. Mohammad Ishaq Dar co-chaired the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.

2. During the Dialogue, the two sides had a thorough exchange of views on bilateral relations and cooperation in wide-ranging areas, including strategic and political cooperation, as well as cooperation on defence and security, economy, trade, investment, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. International and regional issues of shared interest were also discussed. The two sides agreed to enhance strategic communication, deepen strategic mutual trust, jointly safeguard their common interests, promote the economic and social development of the two countries, and safeguard and advance peace, development and prosperity of the region and beyond.

3. The two sides announced the launch of commemorative activities in 2026 celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, which will serve as an opportunity to consolidate China-Pakistan friendship and expand new areas of cooperation so that China-Pakistan friendship could grow from strength to strength and pass from generation to generation.

4. The two sides reiterated that China and Pakistan are All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partners enjoying ironclad friendship and strategic mutual trust. The sound and robust growth of China-Pakistan relations is of great strategic significance for regional peace, stability and development. Both sides reaffirmed that high-level exchanges between the two countries are a hallmark of bilateral ties. The two sides will act on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, implement the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era (2025-2029) signed by the two governments, and keep the building of the China-Pakistan community with a shared future at the forefront of the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.

5. Pakistan spoke highly of China's development achievements in the new era under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and congratulated China on the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. Pakistan commended China's people-centered development philosophy, and believed that the Chinese path to modernization provided a new option and practical solution for other developing countries to achieve independent development. China congratulated Pakistani leaders on leading the country to achieve macroeconomic stability and to lay a solid foundation for national economic growth centered on Pakistan's National Economic Transformation Plan (2024-2029) (URAAN Pakistan) and for its people to share the fruits of development and prosperity.

6. The two sides reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on issues concerning their respective core interests. Pakistan reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Pakistan firmly supports every effort of China to achieve national reunification, and opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" and any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." Pakistan firmly supports China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. China reiterated its steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. China supports Pakistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and achieving economic prosperity, and supports Pakistan in firmly combating terrorism and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

7. China commended the comprehensive measures taken by Pakistan to combat terrorism and protect the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan. China fully recognized the significant contributions and huge sacrifices that Pakistan made in combating terrorism over the years. The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with zero tolerance, and agreed to further deepen all-round cooperation on counter-terrorism and security, and make concerted efforts to ensure that the China-Pakistan Belt and Road cooperation advance in a secure and smooth manner. Calling on the international community to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, the two sides expressed their firm opposition to double standards on counter-terrorism.

8. The two sides agreed to further align their development plans and priorities, and build an upgraded version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a pioneering project of Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides agreed to focus on the three key sectors of industry, agriculture and mining, promote the building and operation of the Gwadar Port, ensure the smooth passage of the Karakoram Highway, and enhance Pakistan's capacity for sustainable development. The two sides will deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, information technology, science and technology, cybersecurity, technical and vocational training and education, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The two sides will take the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass as an opportunity to deepen two-way trade and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides welcomed third-party participation in CPEC cooperation that conforms with the modalities set by China and Pakistan.

9. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the financial and banking sectors, including extending mutual support at regional and international multilateral financial forums. Pakistan appreciated China for providing support for its fiscal and financial sectors.

10. The two sides expressed satisfaction at their expanding space cooperation and for the expected early entrance of Pakistani astronauts into the China Space Station. They agreed to explore space in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner for greater economic and social development and prosperity.

11. The two sides agreed that it is essential to firmly uphold the outcomes of the victory of World War II, adhere to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, reject attempts to distort historical facts, and oppose the plotted resurgence of fascism and militarism. The two sides expressed support for the postwar international order underpinned by international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation and other principles of international law for the maintenance of world peace and security, and protect historical truth and international justice.

12. The two sides emphasized the importance of a South Asian regional order underpinned by the U.N. Charter, international law, and the basic norms governing international relations, reiterated opposition to any unilateral actions, and reaffirmed the significance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and the necessity of resolving all outstanding disputes through dialogue and consultation. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on its position on and latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. China reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the U.N. Charter, relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.

13. The two sides expressed readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation under the principle of equality and mutual benefit, and emphasized the imperative of fulfilling international legal obligations. The significance of the maintenance of international and regional security and stability was reiterated.

14. The two sides expressed readiness to continue leveraging the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism to deliver new outcomes.

15. The two sides reaffirmed their readiness to further enhance cooperation under the frameworks of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, make the global governance system more just and equitable, and join hands to build a community with a shared future for humanity. Pakistan highly commended China's efforts to safeguard developing countries' right to sustainable development. The two sides expressed satisfaction over their cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the U.N. and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and agreed to deepen coordination and collaboration to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, their support for multilateralism and free trade, and their opposition to hegemonism, bullying behaviours violating national sovereignty of other countries, the forming of "small circles" and bloc confrontation. China congratulated Pakistan on its outstanding performance during its U.N. Security Council presidency and expressed full support for Pakistan to work as the rotating president of the SCO from 2026 to 2027.

16. The two sides agreed to keep in close communication and coordination on the Afghan issue, work with the international community to encourage the Afghan government to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, focus on development, pursue good-neighborliness, and play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community. The two sides called for more visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan which continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security, and prevent terrorist organizations from using the Afghan territory for terrorism against any other country and to endanger any other country.

17. The two sides called for an unconditional, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and for the implementation of the two-state solution with the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. The two sides also expressed their concern at the situation in the occupied West Bank, and urged the need for urgently addressing it. The two sides expressed willingness to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East.

18. The two sides reiterated that China and Pakistan will further promote their ironclad ties, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and continue to strengthen their strategic cooperation to break new ground and set new goals in their All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

19. H.E. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, thanked H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China, for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad next year on mutually convenient dates.

Beijing

January 5,2026

08/2026

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President Lee calls China 'key partner' in peace between Koreas

KOREA.net

Jan 05, 2026

By Yoon Sojung

President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 4 called China "an indispensable partner on the path toward advancing peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula."

He said this to a meeting of Korean expats in Beijing at the first official event of his state visit to China, Korean media including Yonhap News said, adding that Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in the Chinese capital also hosted the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.

Recalling the bilateral summit held in November last year on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, the president said, "For the leaders of Korea and China to reciprocate state visits in just two months is unprecedented."

"This reflects the grave and common understanding and strong commitment of both governments to normalize ties as soon as possible and move toward a future-oriented partnership."

The president cited his administration's accomplishments in diplomacy since taking office in June last year, overcoming the absence of foreign policy caused by the failed attempt at martial law. "Among them, the top achievement and greatest reward were full restoration of Seoul-Beijing ties, which had deteriorated for a long time."

"This reciprocal visit will serve as an important watershed in designing the next three decades for both countries, using the past 30 years of bilateral relations as a stepping stone."

President Lee also thanked Korean expats in China.

"I truly respect and thank Korean expats in China who have strongly endured many ups and downs such as the COVID-19 pandemic to emerge as strong support for bilateral relations," he said. "I hope that (this trip) is a new starting point to fill gaps in Seoul-Beijing ties, restore them to normal and stimulate further advancement."

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President Xi Jinping Holds Talks With ROK President Lee Jae Myung

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: January 05, 2026 23:33

On the afternoon of January 5, 2026, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea, who is on a state visit to China.

President Xi Jinping offered sincere New Year wishes to the ROK People. President Xi Jinping pointed out that he and President Lee Jae Myung have met twice and exchanged visits, demonstrating the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations. As friends and neighbors, China and the ROK should conduct more frequent exchanges and closer communication. The Chinese side has always viewed its relationship with the ROK as a matter of importance in its neighborhood diplomacy, and China's policy on the ROK has maintained continuity and stability. China stands ready to work with the ROK to steer the course of friendly cooperation, promote mutual benefit and win-win results, and bring the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership forward along the track of sound development, so as to deliver tangible benefits to both peoples and inject positive energy into peace and development of the region and the wider world.

President Xi Jinping stressed that China and the ROK have long cherished peace and upheld harmony without uniformity, transcended differences in social system and ideology, and achieved mutual success and shared progress. The two sides should carry forward this fine tradition, continue to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's choices of development path, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and stay committed to properly resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated on and adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, laying out a blueprint for China's development in the coming five years while providing vast opportunities for countries around the world. China and the ROK have close economic ties, deeply integrated industrial and supply chains and mutually beneficial cooperation. The two countries should foster greater synergy between development strategies, strengthen policy coordination, make the pie of common interests bigger, and deliver more cooperation outcomes in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries and the silver economy. It is important for the two sides to boost people-to-people exchanges and intensify interactions at the subnational level and in such areas as youth, media, sports, and think tanks, so that the bilateral relations will enjoy strong public favor.

President Xi Jinping noted that as changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, the world is undergoing greater transformation and turbulence. China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding regional peace and promoting global development. Both countries, with broad common interests, should stand firmly on the right side of history and make correct strategic choices. Over 80 years ago, China and the ROK made great sacrifices in resisting Japanese militarism and achieved the victory. Today, it is all the more important for the two sides to join hands to defend the victorious outcomes of World War II, and safeguard peace and stability of Northeast Asia. Having benefited from economic globalization, China and the ROK should jointly oppose protectionism, practice true multilateralism and contribute to building an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

President Lee Jae Myung sent best New Year wishes to the Chinese people. President Lee Jae Myung noted that the ROK and China are close neighbors with long-standing ties. The two countries stood together against Japanese militarist aggression, and the ROK side appreciates China's protection of former sites of the Korean Independence Movement in China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have fostered close ties of cooperation with fruitful results. The ROK side attaches great importance to its relations with China. Taking the first event of heads-of-state diplomacy in the new year as an opportunity, the ROK side is ready to cement the momentum of a full recovery of bilateral ties, seek common ground while putting aside differences, deepen the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, and work with China to open up new prospects of the bilateral relationship. The ROK side respects China's core interests and major concerns and stays committed to the one-China stance. Economic and trade cooperation between the ROK and China has contributed to the economic and social development of each side. The ROK looks forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China's 15th Five-Year Plan and working for more outcomes of bilateral practical cooperation. The two countries should promote exchanges between the two peoples, and enhance understanding and mutual trust. The ROK stands ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with China to contribute to the prosperity and development of the world. He wished the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be hosted by China this year a full success.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in science and technology, ecological environment, transportation, economy and trade, among others.

Prior to the talks, President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for President Lee Jae Myung and his wife, Madame Kim Hye Kyung, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

As President Lee Jae Myung arrived, a guard of honor lined up in salutation. The two heads of state stepped onto a stand, after which a military band played the national anthems of China and the ROK as a 21-gun was fired in Tiananmen Square. President Lee Jae Myung reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past in President Xi Jinping's company.

In the evening, President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan hosted a welcome banquet for President Lee Jae Myung and Madame Kim Hye Kyung in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi was present at the above events.

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Chinese, ROK leaders hold talks on bilateral ties, int'l affairs

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:04, January 06, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in Beijing on Monday, with both sides agreeing to enhance bilateral strategic partnership, promote practical cooperation, and strengthen multilateral coordination.

It is Lee's first visit to China since he took office, and the two heads of state have met twice and conducted reciprocal visits, reflecting the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations.

ENHANCING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, promote bilateral strategic partnership along a healthy path, effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples, and contribute positively to regional and global peace and development.

Xi called on both sides to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's development paths, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and resolve differences properly through dialogue and consultation.

Lee said the ROK side hopes to use the first head-of-state diplomatic meeting of the year as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of bilateral relations, seek common ground while reserving differences, deepen the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, and open a new chapter of bilateral relations.

He emphasized that the ROK respects China's core interests and major concerns, and adheres to the one-China principle.

Dong Xiangrong, senior fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that head-of-state diplomacy has played a significant guiding role in China-ROK relations, sending a clear positive signal to foster better bilateral ties, and greatly contributing to deepening political mutual trust and promoting economic and trade cooperation.

In the future, both sides need to accommodate each other's major concerns including the Taiwan question, and maintain a stable cooperative relationship as important trading partners, Dong said.

ACHIEVING MORE COOPERATION RESULTS

China and the ROK share close economic ties with industrial and supply chains deeply interwoven, and the bilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial, Xi said.

He said the two countries should further align their development strategies, strengthen policy coordination, expand the pie of common interests, and achieve more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries, and the silver economy.

Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has played a positive role in the economic and social development of both countries, Lee said, noting that the ROK looks forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China's 15th Five-Year Plan to achieve more results in practical cooperation with China.

After their talks, Xi and Lee witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in fields including scientific and technological innovation, ecological environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation.

Yang Xiyu, a researcher from the China Institute of International Studies, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has always been the stabilizer and propeller of the development of bilateral relations.

He said China and the ROK should leverage their long-standing traditional advantages, and strengthen cooperation with a focus on economy, trade, and technology.

BEARING RESPONSIBILITIES IN PEACE, DEVELOPMENT

China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development, and share a wide range of common interests, Xi said, noting that the two countries should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices.

More than 80 years ago, the two peoples made tremendous national sacrifices and won the victory against Japanese militarism, he said, adding that the two countries should join hands to safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

As beneficiaries of economic globalization, China and the ROK must work together to oppose protectionism and practice true multilateralism, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

Lee said the ROK is willing to strengthen its multilateral coordination with China and contribute to global prosperity and development, and wishes China every success in hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Dong said amid the recent resurgence of Japanese militarism, China and the ROK should share a common position to maintain regional peace, and the two sides need to jointly address protectionism and defend free trade.

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Counting On Carte Blanche: What Maduro's Capture Could Mean For Russia

By Steve Gutterman January 05, 2026

Summary

The US capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro is seen as a blow to Russia's influence and Vladimir Putin's prestige.

Russia hopes US actions in the western hemisphere will give Moscow more latitude to do as it pleases in its own neighborhood.

Analysts say Russia's muted response shows its foreign policy is driven mainly by its goal of subjugating Ukraine.

For the Kremlin, the most obvious takeaway from the US seizure of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro may be that it's a blow to Russia's regional influence and to the pride of Vladimir Putin: A prominent ally who concluded a "strategic partnership" pact with the Russian president in May is suddenly out of power and sitting in jail in New York City.

Maduro's capture comes a little over a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian leader who gave Russia a firm foothold in the Middle East in exchange for crucial support in the war against his opponents -- another big hit to Putin's efforts to revive Moscow's presence around the world after the retreat that followed the Soviet collapse.

Not only that, but the US raid in Venezuela on January 3 accomplished in a few hours something that Russia has been unable to do in the nearly four years since Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and that was seen as one of his key goals: Remove the leader of a country.

But Russia's focus on its war against Ukraine meant that protecting Maduro would not have been realistic, even if Moscow had wanted to do so, and Venezuela's usefulness for Russia had declined, at least in economic terms, because of sanctions and other factors that have driven down oil production, a sector in which Russia has major stakes.

And there are upsides for Russia. For one thing, Moscow can point to the US operation as evidence that Washington seeks to impose its will on other countries and flouts international law when it sees fit -- an argument that is convincing to some despite Moscow's war against Ukraine.

In statements on January 3, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it was "extremely concerned" about what it called an "act of armed aggression against Venezuela" and urged the United States to "release the legally elected president of a sovereign country and his wife."

But what's more important to the Kremlin than bolstering that portrayal of the United States, analysts say, is the hope that Washington's actions in Venezuela and US President Donald Trump's focus on the western hemisphere will give Moscow more latitude -- both morally and militarily -- to do as it desires in what it considers its own sphere of influence, particularly in Ukraine.

"Regardless of the decisions Vladimir Putin makes in Ukraine, it is becoming increasingly difficult to condemn certain actions on the basis of international law alone," Berlin-based political analyst Alexandra Sitenko, an expert on Russia's ties with Latin America and other regions, told RFE/RL.

'What Great Powers Do'

The widespread perception that the US operation violated international law "is no bad thing for the wider Russian narrative," Mark Galeotti, a Russia analyst and honorary professor at University College London's School of Slavonic and East European Studies, said on his podcast on January 4.

"After all, Putin's view is essentially that this is what great powers do, and great powers have spheres of influence. And if we are going to let America have its Latin American sphere of influence, then the corollary is, we should be allowed our Slavic one," Galeotti said.

Added Sam Greene, a professor at the Russia Institute at King's College London: "Any frustration over seeing Maduro removed by Washington will be tempered by the promise of a global condominium -- in which Moscow would win the right to do the same in its own neighborhood."

There's evidence that Russia has been seeking that kind of a quid pro quo since long before it launched its all-out war against Ukraine in February 2022.

During a standoff in which Russia helped protect Maduro amid an effort by a US-backed opposition leader to oust him, "the Russians...were signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap arrangement between Venezuela and Ukraine," Fiona Hill, who was the top Russia and Europe adviser on Trump's National Security Council from April 2017 to July 2019, told a Congressional committee in October 2019.

The thrust of the Russian messaging was, "You want us out of your backyard. Well, you know, we have our own version of this. You're in our backyard in Ukraine," Hill said.

The Ukraine Factor

This time around, Russia's approach and its relatively muted response to Maduro's capture are part of a series of developments that show "just to what extent Russia's desire to subjugate Ukraine dictates the rest of its foreign policy," Hanna Notte, director for Eurasia at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said on X.

"Putin shunned cooperation with [former US President Joe] Biden in an effort to force him to abandon Ukraine. Over the past year, he's tried to stay in Trump's good graces, only this time to lure him into taking Russia's side against Ukraine," Notte wrote.

"Whether in wielding pressure or praise vis-a-vis a US leader, Russia's end goal remained the same: Driving a wedge between the US and Ukraine."

While the tone and content of diplomacy on Ukraine can change fast, so far there's no been sign of a major shift in the US position since Maduro's capture, which came amid multiple rounds of talks involving the US, Ukraine, Europe, and Russia in various configurations as the Trump administration seeks to broker an end to the war.

At a news conference hours after the operation in Caracas, Trump said he was "not thrilled with Putin. He's killing too many people." And on January 4, he echoed a CIA conclusion and said he did not believe Ukraine targeted one of Putin's residences in a drone strike late last month -- after earlier seeming to accept the claim he said the Russian president relayed in a telephone conversation.

Does the focus on Venezuela and the western hemisphere "mean that the United States is going to be distracted?" Galeotti asked.

His answer: "Certainly one can wonder how the claim that it's going to run Venezuela can possibly be operationalized. But on the other hand, a superpower can indeed walk and chew gum at the same time. I don't think this is going to have any particular impact on what happens with Ukraine."

Greene suggested that if the Kremlin hopes for a broad understanding between major powers and free rein when it comes to Ukraine, it will be disappointed.

"[U]nless carte blanche to act in Ukraine is forthcoming in short order, Moscow will chalk this down as standard American hypocrisy, likely souring the putative coalition of global hegemony between Putin, Trump and [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping]," he wrote.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/maduro-us-russia-ukraine- invasion-war/33640477.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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HTS officials, Israelis meets in Paris amid intensified attacks on Syria

Iran Press TV

Monday, 05 January 2026 7:03 PM

A delegation from Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime has held a new round of talks with Israeli officials in Paris, as the new authorities urge Tel Aviv to halt deadly attacks on the country and withdraw from territories occupied following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

Syria's state news agency (SANA) reported on Monday that the Syrian delegation was headed by the HTS regime's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, and General Intelligence Director-General Hussein al-Salama.

A source told SANA that the talks were held under the coordination and mediation of the United States, and focused on reaching "a balanced security agreement."

"The talks are primarily focused on reactivating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces to their positions prior to December 8, 2014, within the framework of an equitable security agreement that prioritizes full Syrian sovereignty and guarantees the prevention of any form of interference in internal affairs," the source added.

The two sides have been engaged in on-and-off talks to reach a "security agreement" for months, but no deal or concrete progress has been announced.

Israel has conducted repeated acts of aggression across the Syrian territory following the collapse of the Assad government in December 2024, including airstrikes targeting military installations, facilities, and arsenals previously operated by Syria's now-defunct army.

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his forces to push deeper into Syrian territory beyond the 1967-occupied Golan Heights and seize several strategic locations.

Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), a US-based war monitor, has recently revealed that the Israeli military has carried out more than 600 attacks on Syria over the past year.

Instead of resistance to the ongoing Israeli military operations, HTS's lack of action and its normalization overtures to Tel Aviv appear to have given Israel greater leeway to expand its occupation and conduct more airstrikes and ground incursions.

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10-member European parliament group visits Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

01/05/2026 05:37 PM

Taipei, Jan. 5 (CNA) A European Parliament (EP) delegation led by European Taiwan Friendship Group Chair Michael Gahler is visiting Taiwan from Sunday through Friday, during which they will meet with President Lai Ching-te () and other senior officials to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

The delegation made up mainly of European People' Party members is the first group from the EP to visit the country in 2026, MOFA said in a Monday press release.

Other than meeting the president, the 10-member parliamentary delegation will also meet with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (), and representatives from the Legislative Yuan, National Security Council, Mainland Affairs Council, economics and defense ministries, among others, according to the press release.

The delegates will hold meetings with local academics and NGOs to exchange views on countering disinformation and cyberattacks, whole-of-society resilience, Taiwan-EU economic cooperation, and Indo-Pacific and cross-strait issues, it said.

The group will also visit the offshore county of Kinmen, before they conclude their trip on Friday, it added.

The visiting EP members include, Sven Simon, Wouter Beke, Christophe Gomart, Marion Walsmann, Iuliu Winkler, Micha Szczerba and Jan Farsky, according to MOFA.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/AW

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.01.05

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

1.Date:

6 a.m. Jan. 4 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Jan. 5 (Mon.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities:

3 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 3 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

3.PRC balloon activities:

2 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe.

1150105_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_1

1150105_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_2

1150105_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.01.06

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date:

6 a.m. Jan. 5 (Mon.) to 6 a.m. Jan. 6 (Tue.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities:

8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 8 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

3.PRC balloon activities:

2 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe.

1150106_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_1

1150106_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_2

1150106_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

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PM call with Prime Minister Stre of Norway: 5 January 2026

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Stre today.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 5 January 2026

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre today, ahead of the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.

Tomorrow's meeting would offer further opportunity to integrate US and Coalition of the Willing planning for the cessation of hostilities, the Prime Minister said.

It was vital all parties sustained the momentum towards a just and lasting peace, the leaders agreed.

The leaders also discussed maritime security in the High North, building on the UK and Norway's already close cooperation.

They looked forward to speaking again in Paris.

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Ukraine Prepares For Crucial European Talks Amid Deadly Russian Attacks

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 05, 2026

KYIV-- After months of uncertain progress in the peace process, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will this week focus on European allies in two meetings with hopes of "hastening the end" of Russia's war on his country.

Ahead of the meetings, a Russian air strike on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and the surrounding region killed at least two people and injured several others, officials said early on January 5.

Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that the strike caused a fire in a private medical clinic in the Obolon district of Kyiv, where there was an operating ward. After the fire was extinguished, a body was found inside the building, the emergency service added.

"It was a terrible night for us," Margaryta Maliovana, the clinic's CEO, told AFP.

"One person died. A young man, 30-year-old, was killed," she said, adding that there were 26 patients in the clinic at the moment of the strike.

"Doctors and nurses were forced to evacuate the wounded under fire," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X.

According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russia launched overnight attacks with nine missiles, including ballistic, and 165 strike drones.

Ukraine will later on January 5 host a meeting of the chiefs of general staffs of European countries, including those of Kyiv's key backers, Britain, France, and Germany.

On January 6, French President Emmanuel Macron will host a Paris gathering of European leaders in an even more-crucial session -- one in which the French leader has promised that Kyiv's backers will make "concrete" commitments to Ukraine's security.

Ahead of the talks, Zelenskyy vowed that his country is ready for all possibilities.

"There will be meetings in Europe that must become yet another contribution to our defense and to hastening the end of the war," he said on January 4 in his nightly video address.

"Ukraine will be prepared for both possible paths ahead -- diplomacy, which we are pursuing, or continued active defense if the pressure from our partners on Russia proves insufficient."

"Ukraine seeks peace. But Ukraine will not give up its strength to anyone," he added.

A day earlier, Zelenskyy insisted that if a diplomatic end to the war cannot be struck during peace negotiations, his country would continue to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion.

"If Russia blocks all of this -- and as I said, it depends on our partners -- if our partners do not compel Russia to stop the war, there will be another path: to defend ourselves," he said on January 3.

Trump in November 2025 pressed Zelenskyy to accept a 28-point peace proposal that many saw as heavily favoring Russia.

Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- scrambled to develop a counterproposal, eventually putting forward a 20-point plan that took in more of Kyiv's interests, especially on security guarantees and territorial integrity.

In his meetings with the Europeans, Zelenskyy is likely to press the need for security guarantees -- from Europe but also in conjunction with desired solid assurances from the United States as well.

Macron has spoken of the so-called Coalition of the Willing -- an informal grouping of more than 20 Western countries that have expressed support for Ukraine -- and suggested specific proposals could be presented at the Paris gathering.

Trump Rejects Kremlin Claim

Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism over Russian President Vladimir Putin's real interest in coming to peace terms.

On December 29, Russia claimed Ukraine had targeted one of Putin's residences and said Moscow would retaliate and review its stance in the negotiations.

Kyiv vehemently denied it targeted Putin or any of his residences, accusing the Kremlin of using it as a pretext to attack civilian areas.

Trump initially indicated he might have accepted the Russian claims. But after the CIA concluded the attack never happened, he appeared to side with Kyiv and reiterated that stance on January 4.

"I don't believe that strike happened," Trump told reporters. "There is something that happened fairly nearby but had nothing to do with this."

On January 4, Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 2,000 air strikes on Ukraine during the past week and repeated his call for additional help from the West.

"Stability and predictability of aid to Ukraine are what can really move Moscow toward diplomacy. We are counting on further defense aid," Zelensky wrote on social media.

He added that over the period, Russia launched more than 1,070 glide bombs, almost 1,000 drones, and six missiles against Ukraine.

"Each missile for air defense systems that is now somewhere in storage with partners can really protect lives," he said.

Along with nightly Russian drone and missile strikes, Ukraine is battling to hold ground against the Russian invaders in the east of the country.

On January 4, Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces had gained control over the town of Podoly in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region.

The ministry also said Russian air defense units had destroyed 57 drones over the Moscow region on January 4 alone -- out of 437 shot down over the country during the day.

The claims could not independently be verified.

Ukrainian authorities, meanwhile, said the death toll from a Russian strike on a residential area in Kharkivon January 2 had risen to six, including a 3-year-old boy, with at least 30 others injured.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/coalition-zelenskyy-paris- ukraine-peace-proposal/33640623.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Andrii Sybiha comments on Russia's latest attack

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

05 January 2026 10:31

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "This is what Russia's brutal terror looks like. A regular hospital in Kyiv with a hole from a "Shahed" drone impact. One patient was killed, others injured.

Russia's overnight attack damaged critical infrastructure across Ukraine, causing power outages amid freezing temperatures. Each such attack should remind our partners that there can be no pauses in support for Ukraine.

While we continue working actively with the United States and European partners to achieve peace, the strengthening of Ukraine, particularly air defense, and increased pressure on Moscow remain critical."

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands David van Weel

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

05 January 2026 15:20

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Pleased to have a meaningful call with my Dutch friend Minister David van Weel on advancing peace efforts and strengthening coordinated actions to hold the aggressor accountable.

I expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for its strong and principled leadership in support of Ukraine over the last year. I briefed my colleague on the battlefield situation and on the consequences of Russia's terror for Ukraine's energy system.

We focused on further ways to consolidate additional international support and defence assistance for Ukraine."

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Our Strategy, the Strategy of Protecting Life, Will Be Strengthened. We Are Already Doing This - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

5 January 2026 - 19:35

Fellow Ukrainians!

Right now in Kharkiv and Dnipro, in our other cities and communities, work is underway to deal with the aftermath of Russian strikes. In Kyiv today, the Russian army damaged yet another hospital - an absolutely civilian facility. In Dnipro, among the hits was a civilian enterprise, a food producer - ordinary sunflower oil. It turns out that this is also a target for Russia. In Kharkiv, the Russians struck directly at heating and energy supplies for people, at ordinary life - ballistic missiles against the energy sector. In Kherson, repair crews and power engineers were working to restore electricity supply after Russian strikes. And all of this shows only one thing: Russia does not take seriously the diplomatic efforts that civilized countries are trying to pursue with it. Russia is dragging out the war and trying to inflict as much damage on Ukraine as possible - their strategy is unchanged. Our strategy - the strategy of protecting life - will be strengthened. We are already doing this.

First, yesterday and today I held meetings with officers of the Security Service of Ukraine. I am grateful to Vasyl Maliuk for his strong combat work and for the asymmetric operations he knows how to carry out. It is precisely these kinds of operations that Vasyl will continue to focus on - and we discussed this work together. The Security Service of Ukraine enjoys full political support for our asymmetric actions against Russia. Yevhenii Khmara is an experienced professional, and he has now been appointed Acting Head of the Security Service of Ukraine. Khmara heads the Center of Special Operations "A" of the SSU. I also spoke with Denys Kylymnyk, First Deputy Head of the CSO "A." He is one of those delivering exactly the kinds of strikes against the enemy that are tangible for Russians and that give Ukrainians motivation. I spoke with Vasyl Kozak, an SSU Colonel. He is a young man, one of the representatives of the new generation of Ukrainian defenders - SSU warriors. An expert in operations. We discussed what has already been done and what we are still planning. I support this work and am grateful for a fresh perspective on the SSU's operations. I spoke with Oleksandr Poklad - and it is important that the internal protection of Ukrainian statehood and the counterintelligence component of the SSU's work have been significantly strengthened over the years of this war. The SSU's potential will grow further - specifically in the context of defending Ukraine, protecting our positions, and safeguarding national interests. Thank you to everyone who works in this way. Further personnel decisions will follow.

Today, I also had an important conversation with Mykhailo Fedorov - he presented the framework for reforming the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: what the priorities should be and what decisions are needed. Of course, there must be even greater technological capability - and this is the minister's core task. It is precisely through greater technological capacity that we must counter Russia's attempt to make this war endless. We are countering this at the level of our security sector - the Security Service of Ukraine, intelligence, and other security elements - and also at the level of the defense sector. And it is precisely in the Ministry of Defense that the key lies to greater resilience for Ukraine and to the beginning of changes across the entire defense architecture, including the army. Concrete steps have already been taken, and they are clearly proving effective. In December, 35,000 occupiers were eliminated - and this has been confirmed with video footage. In November, there were 30,000, and in October, 26,000 eliminated occupiers. The increase in these figures is the result of the right decisions. There must be more decisions like these, and every right decision in the defense sphere saves the lives of our Ukrainian warriors.

There was a lot of international work today - we are preparing for meetings in Europe this week. Of course, we are also in constant communication with the team of the President of the United States. Air defense for Ukraine and support for Ukraine are daily tasks, and every day we must deliver results. New decisions will be made in the interests of our state. The Ukrainian negotiating team is working around the clock.

Today, I received a report from Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha. I instructed him to significantly step up the implementation of all our agreements with partners. The past year brought Ukraine many agreements and many positive documents. Behind every document there must be - and there will be - results for our resilience.

There was another appointment today as well - Chrystia Freeland will help Ukraine identify effective economic decisions. She is a person with significant experience. Chrystia has worked in Canada's government structures and has strong global connections. All of this will support Ukraine.

I also spoke today with Dmytro Kuleba. It is important that all of us now work in unity, as one team - the team of Ukraine. That is exactly what we are doing. Ukraine deserves respect. Ukraine needs results. Thank you to everyone who is helping us.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Australia Discussed Ukraine's Defense and Russian Strikes Against Ukrainian Cities and Communities

President of Ukraine

5 January 2026 - 12:38

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.

The leaders discussed Ukraine's defense and Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities and communities. The Prime Minister of Australia committed to helping. The President expressed his gratitude and emphasized that air defense missiles are needed every day, just as daily support for Ukraine's defense is.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed the Prime Minister on the situation in diplomacy and outlined the next steps, including active engagement within the Coalition of the Willing, whose meeting will take place tomorrow in Paris, with Australia represented. The President also thanked the Prime Minister for his kind words about Ukraine and Ukrainians.

The Head of State expressed his condolences regarding the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in December of last year, in which six of the victims were of Ukrainian descent. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also conveyed Ukraine's solidarity with all the families and loved ones of those affected.

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Western Leaders To Meet Zelenskyy In Paris To Discuss Ukraine's Future Amid Peace Push

By Rikard Jozwiak January 06, 2026

Summary

Officials from over 30 Western countries will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on January 6 to coordinate support for Kyiv.

France, the UK, and Turkey are expected to push a proposal for a peacekeeping force, with possible US logistical and intelligence support.

Talks will address unresolved issues such as rules of engagement, US security guarantees, and territorial disputes including the Donbas region and Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant.

Officials from the more than 30 Western countries of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" that support Kyiv in its war with Russia will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they continue to fine tune a peace proposal aimed at ending Europe's largest and deadliest conflict since World War II.

There will also be a US presence at the meeting on January 6 with President Donald Trump's chief negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner present in the French capital, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio is unlikely to come despite some hopes in European capitals that he would be attending as well.

European officials told RFE/RL that there is "a renewed sense of urgency" after a meeting over the weekend of national-security advisers and a gathering of military planners on January 5.

They hope the Paris gathering will ensure that the United States, Ukraine, and other European nations "are on the same page."

French President Emmanuel Macron said he hopes to present "concrete commitments" to Ukraine's security after the talks. The idea is that there should be clarity on the make-up and deployment of a peacekeeping force in the event of a cease-fire.

Some officials say the number that is floating around in various European capitals is that the force will consist of 15,000-20,000 troops, though some hope the level will be closer to 30,000 working under the motto "safe sea, sky and land."

No military plans have been revealed but the bulk of the troops would come from France and the UK, which would lead the land and air component while Turkey has indicated that they would be in charge of securing transport lanes in the Black Sea.

However, there has been no clarity yet on how close a potential Coalition of the Willing force would be to the point of contact. Most European officials RFE/RL has been in contact with believe that the likely deployment would be in Western Ukraine to back-up and train Ukrainian troops.

Unresolved Questions

While the outlines of a Western presence in Ukraine are taking shape there are still several question marks to sort out, including the rules of engagement and US security guarantees.

One European diplomat admitted that one issue which still hasn't been resolved is how to respond to a potential Russian attack. "We are essentially still discussing whether we will return fire or run," he said.

When it comes to US security guarantees, both Brussels and Kyiv are increasingly optimistic that Washington will provide "a solid backstop" even though it is still not clear yet exactly what shape or form this will take.

European officials told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity that there could be US boots on the ground in a non-combat role observing the cease-fire.

But the coalition also hopes Washington will still provide "back-office support" such as logistics and intelligence.

In November 2025, Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept a 28-point peace proposal that many saw as heavily favoring Russia.

Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- scrambled to develop a counterproposal, eventually putting forward a 20-point plan that took in more of Kyiv's interests, especially on security guarantees and territorial integrity.

In his meetings with the Europeans, Zelenskyy is likely to press the need for security guarantees -- from Europe but also in conjunction with desired solid assurances from the United States as well.

Thorny Issues

Ukraine's chief negotiator Ruslan Umerov recently asserted that "most of the positions -- 90 percent of the peace plan -- have already been agreed, work continues on the details."

These details, expected to be discussed in Paris, include the thorny issue of territorial concessions with Ukraine pushing the line of contact to be frozen or for the entire Donbas region to become a demilitarized zone.

Another issue is the ownership of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant with Kyiv dismissing the idea of Ukraine and Russia running it together, preferring that the United States steps in to sell energy from it to Moscow instead.

Few in Brussels, however, are thinking that Russia would agree on any of these issues with the assessment that the Kremlin still feels it is winning on the battlefield.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said several times in recent weeks that Moscow will achieve the goals of what it calls its "special military operation" either by agreement or force.

With that in mind, the EU is separately preparing a fresh round of sanctions, the 20th since the full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, which is likely to be presented to its member states for approval later in January.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/coalition-zelenskyy-paris- ukraine-peace-proposal/33640623.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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VICTORIA, January 5, 2026 - Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE) is pleased to announce that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement of up to $500,000 by the issue of units at a price of $0.05 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one additional common share for a period of 3 years from the date of closing, at an exercise price of $0.05 in the first year, and $0.10 in the second and third years, subject to the Corporation's option to accelerate the expiry date if the stock trades at $0.12 per common share for the initial exercise period and $0.22 per common share for the subsequent period.

The company will pay a finder's fee to qualified finders who assist in selling the units, in cash or securities or a combination of both, as permitted by TSX Venture Exchange policy and applicable securities laws.

The Company intends to use net proceeds of the Private Placement for working capital requirements.

The Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Tim Daniels, President

About Boron One Holdings Inc.

Boron One Holdings Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Boron One's shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BONE". For detailed information please see Boron One's website at www.boronone.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com.

For further information, please contact: Boron's Public Quotations: Boron One Holdings Inc

Blake Fallis, General Manager

Phone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746

[email protected]

www.boronone.com Canada

TSX Venture:BONE

Berlin:EKV

US:SEC 12G3-2(B) #82-4432ERVFF

OTCBB:ERVFF

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Boron One Holdings Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Freegold Ventures Ltd. (TSX: FVL) (OTCQX: FGOVF) (the "Company" or "Freegold "), is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated December 19, 2025, the Company has closed its upsized brokered private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of $49,999,950 (the "Offering"). Paradigm Capital Inc. (the "Lead Agent") acted as lead agent and sole bookrunner under the Offering on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. ("Stifel" and together with the Lead Agent, the "Agents").

In connection with the Offering, the Company entered into an agency agreement (the "Agency Agreement") dated January 6, 2026, between the Company and the Agents. In accordance with the Agency Agreement, 38,461,500 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") were issued at a price of $1.30 per Common Share.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Oering to complete a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Golden Summit Project, to support ongoing exploration, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

Completion of this financing marks a significant milestone for Freegold, demonstrating strong investor confidence and providing the capital needed to advance the Golden Summit Project. The successful closing reinforces the Company's commitment to advancing the Golden Summit Project. Significant progress has already been made on the pre-feasibility study through supporting work, and this recent financing round has provided the Company with additional resources to aggressively advance the Golden Summit Project.

With substantial funding now secured, Freegold is well positioned to expedite completion of the pre-feasibility study by early 2027 and to expand exploration east of the current resource zone, aiming to unlock further value from the Golden Summit property. This strategic approach not only enhances the project's long-term growth potential but also aligns with the Company's vision of maximizing shareholder value through targeted exploration and responsible development. As the Company moves into this pivotal year, it remains focused on executing its work programs efficiently while maintaining strong relationships with its stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Mr. Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation beneficially owned and controlled by him, acquired 7,700,000 Common Shares in the Offering for total consideration of $10,010,000. Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the purchase of Common Shares by Mr. Sprott was a "related party transaction". The Company was exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the Offering in reliance on section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 respectively, as neither the fair market value of the Common Shares received by Mr. Sprott nor the proceeds for such securities received by the Company exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing date of the Offering as the details of the Offering and the participation therein by any "related party" of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to the closing of the Offering, and the Company wished to close the Offering on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

The Offering is subject to the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Common Shares have been offered pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by Coordinated Blank Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, in all Canadian provinces, except Quebec, and other qualifying jurisdictions. The Common Shares issued under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are not subject to resale restrictions in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

There is an amended and restated offering document related to this Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's website.

The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state security laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Freegold Ventures Limited

Freegold is a TSX-listed company focused on exploration in Alaska.

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release, include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, statements regarding advancing the Golden Summit Project and other exploration plans, and statements regarding the timing for and expected completion of a pre-feasibility study. In making the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: availability of financing; delay or failure to receive required permits or regulatory approvals; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. See Freegold's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed under Freegold's profile at www.sedarplus.com, for a detailed discussion of the risk factors associated with Freegold's operations.

SOURCE Freegold Ventures Limited
TORONTO, January 6, 2026 - Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX:ELO)(OTCQX:ELRRF)(FSE:P2QM) ("Eloro", or the "Company") announces that, by mutual agreement with Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. ("Minera Villegas"), the title holder of the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department, southern Bolivia ("Iska Iska"), the final payment required for Eloro to earn a 100% interest in Iska Iska has been deferred by one month to February 6, 2026, to allow for the completion of the required closing documentation.

Further to the completion of a $14 million financing last September and the recent exercises of warrants, the Company is well funded to complete its final Iska Iska option payment and advance the next stage of exploration and development.

About Eloro Resources Ltd.

Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. A NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on Eloro's website and under its filings on SEDAR+. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of the Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and the La Arena Gold Mine.

For further information please contact either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa, Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.

Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Eloro Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
CPC Central Committee congratulates Laos on opening of 12th LPRP congress

Xinhua) 16:58, January 06, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on the opening of its 12th National Congress.

As the strong leadership core of the Lao people and the socialist cause of Laos, the message said, since the 11th national congress of the party, the Central Committee of the LPRP, led by General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith, has been committed to promoting the party's self-building, consolidated its leadership position, united and led the people of all ethnic groups in Laos, actively explored a socialist development path that suits the country's national conditions, and achieved a series of important progress and results in the party and the country's various undertakings.

In the message, the CPC Central Committee said it is sincerely pleased with these achievements and highly evaluates them.

The 12th congress is a milestone in the development process of Laos' socialist cause, said the message, adding that it will review and approve the party's third Political Programme and other important political documents, as well as make strategic plans and specific arrangements for the development of the party and the country's various undertakings in the coming period.

It is believed that under the strong leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people will successfully achieve the goals and tasks set by the congress and advance Laos' socialist cause to a new stage of development, it said.

Both China and Laos are socialist countries led by communist parties, it noted, adding that the CPC and the Chinese government have always viewed and handled the relationship between the two parties and countries from a strategic and long-term perspective.

In the current new situation, China is willing to work with Laos, following the important consensus of the highest leaders of both parties and countries as the fundamental guide, to strengthen strategic communication, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and steadily promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future, it said.

This will help push forward the continuous, sound and stable development of the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, benefit both countries and peoples, and make new positive contributions to world peace, development and progress, it said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
From crisis to triumph: How Mahama turned Ghana around in just 12 months - Gilbert Attipoe writes

Previous article: From crisis to triumph: How Mahama turned Ghana around in just 12 months - Gilbert Attipoe writes

Featured

The TrumpMaduro capture: Why the U.S. may assert jurisdiction under the territorial principle

Richard Osei Boateng Opinion Jan - 06 - 2026 , 12:59 7 minutes read

Reports indicate that the Donald Trump administration authorized a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. What began as a pressure campaign reportedly escalated into a high-impact operation that reshaped the diplomatic and legal narrative overnight.

For months, Washington was said to have tightened pressure on Caracas through a posture that looked less like conventional diplomacy and more like calibrated operational escalation. Off Venezuelas coastline, the U.S. Navy reportedly expanded its offshore footprint. In parallel, U.S. forces allegedly struck vessels described as linked to drug-trafficking corridors in the Caribbean and the Pacific, while Venezuelan oil tankers were reportedly seized, constricting the countrys primary revenue stream.

By the time the operation culminated, the world was no longer watching a standoff. It was watching a rapid consolidation of narrative control.

Commentators described the attack as the most direct U.S. action in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. The comparison was more than historical shorthand. It signaled, to allies and adversaries alike, a willingness by the United States to cross lines many assumed remained firm.

The reported operation was swift, disruptive, and publicly brazen. It triggered immediate international backlash and forced governments to reassess sovereignty norms, regional stability, and rules of engagement in the Western Hemisphere. By Saturday, Maduro was reportedly in U.S. custody. Accounts further suggested that dozens were killed, including civilians and soldiers, while the government in Caracas was pushed into continuity planning under pressure.

The Indictment and Charges

In a 25-page indictment, U.S. prosecutors reportedly accuse Maduro, his wife, and four others of multiple counts, including:

engaging in a narco-conspiracy with designated terrorist groups;

conspiring to traffic cocaine into the United States; and

possessing and using illegal weapons, including machine guns, to further the alleged conspiracy.

The indictment alleges collaboration with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), the Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, and Tren de Aragua. The U.S. government reportedly designated these groups as terrorist organizations in February 2025.

However, within 48 hours of the reported capture, Maduro and his wife appeared in a New York court and pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charges.

Legality of the Invasion Under International Law

On its face, an invasion and capture of a sitting head of state would conflict with foundational principles of international law, particularly those embedded in the United Nations Charter and related treaty obligations.

Duty to Settle Disputes Peacefully

Article 2(3) of the UN Charter provides that:

All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.

Prohibition on the Use of Force

Article 2(4) of the UN Charter provides:

All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

This prohibition extends to both the use of force and the threat of force, and has been understood to cover reprisals, including retaliatory measures adopted in response to an unlawful act.

Limited Exceptions

The prohibition is not absolute. It is generally accepted that there are two principal exceptions to Article 2(4):

UN Security Council authorization under Chapter VII of the UN Charter; and

Individual or collective self-defense pursuant to Article 51 of the UN Charter and/or customary international law.

On this framing, if the reported operation lacked Security Council authorization and did not satisfy the requirements of self-defense, the legality of the invasion would be difficult to sustain under the UN Charter. This explains why many states and regional or sub-regional bodies would be expected to condemn such action.

That said, the legal contest does not end at the jus ad bellum level (the legality of using force). A separate question is whether the United States can nonetheless assert criminal jurisdiction over alleged offences connected to U.S. territory or producing substantial effects within it. This is where the territorial principle may be invoked.

Territorial Principle

Under international law, states have primary authority to address criminal matters arising within their territory. Over time, this principle has developed to accommodate circumstances where conduct occurs outside a states borders but produces substantial effects within the state.

Under the territorial principle, a state may apply its law to:

a) conduct that takes place wholly or substantially within its territory;

b) the status of persons or interests in things present within its territory; and

c) conduct outside its territory that has, or is intended to have, a substantial effect within its territory.

Territorial jurisdiction is commonly described as subjective or objective.

Subjective Territorial Principle

A state may claim jurisdiction where the acts constituting the offence are initiated and carried out in its territory, even if part of the offence occurs elsewhere.

Treacy v DPP (1971) AC 537

Objective Territorial Principle

A state may claim jurisdiction where the harmful result (the injury or effect) occurs in its territory, even if the act was committed elsewhere.

The Lotus Case (1923) PCIJ Reports, Series A No 10

DPP v Doot (1973) AC 807

Timberlane Co v Bank of America 549 F.2d 597 (1976)

The principle may extend to conduct that is lawful where it occurs, yet produces adverse effects in another state.

Importantly, while jurisdiction is predominantly territorial, it is not exclusive. States may, by agreement, permit other states to exercise certain jurisdiction within their territory.

The Noriega Precedent and Its Strategic Value

A frequently cited comparator is United States of America v Noriega. On February 14, 1988, General Manuel Noriega was indicted on multiple counts relating to racketeering and narcotics trafficking. The indictment alleged that he participated in an international conspiracy to import cocaine and related materials into and out of the United States, and that he protected drug shipments passing through Panama en route to the U.S., allegedly for personal profit.

Noriega argued that the case should be dismissed on several grounds, including that:

a) the U.S. District Court (Florida) lacked jurisdiction;

b) sovereign immunity barred prosecution;

c) he was brought before the court following an illegal military invasion; and

d) international treaty violations occurred.

The court upheld jurisdiction, reasoning that U.S. courts had previously exercised extraterritorial jurisdiction over foreign nationals who conspired to import narcotics into the United States, and that the alleged crimes were intended to have substantial effects within U.S. territory. On that basis, the exercise of jurisdiction was considered reasonable.

The court also referenced the protective principle, which permits jurisdiction over conduct that threatens the states security or vital interests and has potentially harmful consequences within the state.

Immunity Considerations

On immunity, international practice distinguishes between acts performed in an official capacity and private acts. Immunity generally attaches to public acts performed in an official capacity. Where conduct is for personal gain, immunity may not apply.

In addition, head-of-state immunity depends, in part, on recognition by the forum state. In Noriegas case, he was not recognized as head of state by the United States, and his status under Panamas constitutional framework was also contested.

Key Constraint: Head-of-State Immunity and Reasonableness

Maduro, by contrast, is a sitting president. That status generally attracts personal immunity (immunity ratione personae) while in office, which can complicate arrest and prosecution in foreign courts. On this view, his capture and prosecution would raise a serious immunity challenge, separate from jurisdictional arguments.

Further, even where a jurisdictional basis exists, international law recognizes limits. A state may not exercise prescriptive jurisdiction over a person or activity connected to another state where such exercise would be unreasonable. Reasonableness is assessed by considering all relevant factors, including:

a) the strength of the territorial link, including whether the conduct occurred in the territory or had substantial, direct, and foreseeable effects there;

b) connections between the regulating state and the principal actor (nationality, residence, economic activity), or the persons the regulation is designed to protect; and

c) the character of the activity, the importance of regulation to the regulating state, the extent of regulation by other states, and the degree to which such regulation is generally accepted.

Customary international law similarly discourages jurisdictional overreach where it would be unreasonable in the circumstances.
Academic City hosts Tetr College of Business students

Daily Graphic Education Jan - 06 - 2026 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Academic City University has hosted about 110 students from Tetr College of Business as part of its efforts to strengthen global engagement and promote internationalisation in higher education.

This is to deepen international academic collaboration, promote cross-cultural learning and position the institution as a centre for experiential education in Africa.

The students, representing more than 40 nationalities, are spending the entire upcoming semester on the Academic City campus in Accra.

The initiative reflects Academic Citys growing role as a hub for international academic collaboration and experiential learning in Africa.

Global vision

Speaking on the programme, the Vice- President for Institutional Advancement at Academic City, Dr. Lucy Agyepong, said hosting the Tetr students aligned with the universitys goal of promoting cross-cultural exchange and strengthening global collaboration.

Dr. Agyepong said the diverse backgrounds of the students would enrich the universitys academic environment through knowledge sharing and mutual learning, adding that Academic City was committed to ensuring the students stay was meaningful and engaging.

She said at the end of the period, the students would design and test social innovation initiatives aimed at addressing real-world challenges in their fourth academic term.

Through this collaboration, Academic City would become part of Tetrs international academic network, which includes Cornell University in the United States, the National University of Singapore and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

Education

The programme, she said blended classroom instruction with hands-on experiential learning, cultural immersion and business activities across Ghana.

It was designed to expose students to real-world business environments while encouraging engagement with local communities and markets.

Tetr College of Business operates a learn business by doing business model, which enables students to build and manage real ventures across different continents.

The programme combines practical workshops, mentorship from global industry experts and opportunities for students to launch businesses in various international markets.

Across different regions, Tetr students are involved in entrepreneurial activities, including dropshipping businesses in Dubai, technology startups in the United States and sustainability-focused enterprises in Argentina.

Collectively, these student-led ventures have generated an estimated US$500,000 in revenue across markets such as Dubai, India, Singapore and Malaysia.
Featured

Bank of Ghana to review Domestic Gold Purchase Programme

Mohammed Ali Jan - 06 - 2026 , 15:23 2 minutes read

The Bank of Ghana is set to hold a policy workshop with experts, market practitioners and policymakers to review and adjust the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, the Governor, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has said.

Dr Asiama said the central bank, working with the Ghana Gold Board and the Ministry of Finance, intends to assess ways to improve and sustain the programme as the country moves beyond the stabilisation phase of its economic recovery.

He said the workshop would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to examine how the programme can be refined in line with best practices in other jurisdictions.

In that spirit, the Bank of Ghana, working with the Gold Board and the Ministry of Finance, intends to convene a focused policy workshop with experts, market practitioners and policymakers to examine how this national priority can be refined further in line with best practices elsewhere, Dr Asiama said.

He explained that the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme was introduced at a time when Ghanas foreign exchange buffers were low and confidence in the economy was weak. Its objective, he said, was to strengthen reserves, stabilise the cedi and create space for macroeconomic recovery.

According to Dr Asiama, the programme contributed to the return of stability but came at a financial cost to the central bank, which absorbed the burden in the national interest.

He noted that several changes were introduced in 2025 to recalibrate the programme, including the cancellation of the Gold-for-Oil arrangement and revisions to the Gold-for-Reserves framework.

Dr Asiama said governance, transparency and risk controls were strengthened, particularly within the artisanal and small-scale gold trading sector. Settlement risks, he explained, were reduced through payment-before-release arrangements and the ring-fencing of off-take proceeds.

He added that pricing structures were revised through reductions in discounts, agent fees and assay charges. A gold foreign exchange auction mechanism was also introduced to provide a more orderly and transparent channel for gold-related foreign exchange flows.

Looking ahead to 2026, Dr Asiama said the Gold-for-Reserves programme should be more firmly embedded within the broader government of Ghana policy framework, with shared responsibility to ensure its sustainability does not rest on a single institution.

The Governor was speaking at the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference of the University of Ghana on Tuesday, January 6, 2025.
Featured

Ghana Immigration Service names personnel arrested over 2,600 AK-47 ammunition smuggling

Jemima Okang Addae Jan - 06 - 2026 , 15:12 4 minutes read

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has confirmed the arrest of one of its personnel, Assistant Immigration Control Officer I Ahmed Abdul Samad, in connection with an ongoing police investigation into ammunition trafficking.

In a press release issued on January 6, 2026, the Ghana Immigration Service stated that its Upper East Regional Command released the staff to the Ghana Police Service following a formal request.

The arrest is linked to the interception of 2600 AK-47 ammunition by the Police at the Asankare police barrier in the Ashanti Region.

The GIS emphasised that it will not shield any officer whose actions threaten public safety or compromise the integrity of the Service.

READ ALSO

It assured the public of its full cooperation with the police investigation and reiterated its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and national security.

The release said appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found culpable in accordance with established laws and procedures.

The immigration officer stationed in Bolgatanga was arrested by the police in connection with the 2,600 rounds of AK 47 ammunition that were being transported to northern Ghana last week and were intercepted by police personnel on barrier duties at Asankare in the Ashanti Region.

The immigration officer, is stationed at the Bolgatanga Regional Provost of Immigration Office.

Police preliminary investigation has established that a body armour plate, bullet proof helmet and an old black long boot that were on the bus, which was transporting the ammunition, belonged to him.

Two people. a bus driver and his assistant, who were transporting 2,600 rounds of AK-47 ammunition to northern Ghana from Accra, were arrested last week by the police.

They were intercepted at the Asankare police barrier in the Ashanti Region during a routine check on December 26, 2025.

The suspects were travelling with a Kia Granbird bus with registration number GT 5771 18 from Accra to Walewale, with Paga as the final destination.

They have since been detained for unlawful possession.

They have been identified as Kwame Afram, the bus driver, and Godfred Essel, his mate.

A search on the bus uncovered two concealed containers holding the ammunition.

Police also retrieved two bulletproof plates, one black helmet, and a pair of long boots hidden under the drivers seat.

Afram and Essel are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations.

The bus and all retrieved items have been impounded.

Immigration officer's issue

According to a police report, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP John Dzineku Ferguson, acting on information that the suspect was behind the transportation of body armour, long boots, and a helmet, requested his release from the Ghana Immigration Service to the police as part of investigations.

It said on January 2, 2026, at about 1220 hours, the immigration officer was handed over to the police.

During interrogation, the suspect told the police that prior to his transfer to the Upper East Region, he was a dispatch rider at the Tema Regional Immigration office.

He said he was transferred to Paga in June 2025, and he left his body armour plate and an old black long boot behind.

On December 26, 2025, he (suspect) asked one Isaac, also an Immigration officer at the main headquarters in Accra to send the body armour to him in Paga.

According to preliminary police information, Isaac agreed and packed the body armour plate, long black boots, ballistic helmet, electric diffuser and disco bulb, and gave them to a bus with registration number GT 5771-18, driven by Charles Brown to be sent to him in Paga.

On December 27, 2025, the immigration officer in Paga called one Siso at Walewale to take delivery of the parcel, but later, he heard that Siso had been arrested by the Police.

The suspect, the police indicated, had been detained for investigations.
Ghana must end culture of reckless borrowing, Apostle Kpikpi urges leaders

GraphicOnline Jan - 06 - 2026 , 11:11 3 minutes read

Apostle Dr John Kpikpi, Senior Pastor of City of God Church and Founder of the Rebuilding the Nations Foundation, has called for a fundamental shift in Ghanas economic direction, urging the country to move away from what he described as a culture of excessive borrowing towards a wealth-creating economy.

Speaking to the media during a December 31 crossover service in Accra, Dr Kpikpi said Ghanas growing debt burden had become a source of deep concern for many citizens, particularly as Christians gathered across the country to usher in the New Year amid economic uncertainty and rising cost-of-living pressures.

He criticised what he described as reckless borrowing under the New Patriotic Party government, singling out the funding model for the Free Senior High School programme as an example of borrowing for consumption rather than investment.

As a nation, we just borrowed to consume and borrowed money to use to feed school children in our SHS free SHS programme was being funded from international sources on borrowed money. We should never have done that, he said.

Dr Kpikpi argued that loans contracted by the state were often mismanaged or diverted, undermining their intended purpose and worsening Ghanas fiscal position.

And sometimes we borrow, and not only do we consume it, we actually even mismanaged and steal the money so the money doesnt get into even the projects that we designed them, we designed to put the money into. So there has been very poor stewardship in the management of finances There should be no borrowing for consumption as a nation. No, no, no, he added.

According to the cleric, borrowing should only be justified when it is tied to projects capable of generating economic returns that can be used to service and repay the debt.

Dr Kpikpi said programmes such as Free SHS should not be financed through loans, stressing that borrowing must be directed at ventures that create long-term value.

If you borrow 10 million Ghana cedis and you invest it in a school building you make more money. You can pay that money back very easily, he said.

He further called for a reset of Ghanas economic policy mindset, warning against the country being seen as a perpetual debtor on the international stage. He urged both leaders and citizens to embrace fiscal discipline and redirect national focus towards productive sectors of the economy.

We shouldnt borrow money to buy food. We shouldnt borrow money for all these things were doing, but rather, whenever we borrow, it should be invested in businesses or in projects that produce wealth as a result, he said.

Dr Kpikpi also urged government to take deliberate steps to slow down borrowing and begin reducing the countrys existing debt stock.

We have to start taking steps to reduce it we must minimize borrowing from now on. Lets not keep adding to it. Rather, lets find ways of reducing this debt burden. We can do it with very good fiscal policies and also, particularly investing in productive circuits of the economy agriculture, industry, business so much money that we can begin to pay back our debt, he stated.

He stressed that Ghana should reposition itself as a nation known for productivity and wealth creation rather than unsustainable debt accumulation.
Rev. Wengam urges citizens to be patriotic, incorruptible

Beatrice Laryea Jan - 06 - 2026 , 12:49 3 minutes read

The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Wengam, has underscored the need for citizens to be demonstrably patriotic, incorruptible and hardworking to advance the cause of national development.

He said this agenda must be given the topmost priority by Ghanaians in 2026.

Rev Wengam was speaking at the Watch Night Service of Cedar Mountain Chapel in Accra to usher in the new year.

He declared:  Even though there will be challenging moments , 2026 will bring greater prosperity and favour.

Rev Wengam drew lessons from the life of the Patriarch Abraham, who is described as the father of the Christian faith, and expressed the belief that adhering to that authentic faith could effectively accelerate nation building.

He particularly called on Christians to emulate Abraham by believing boldly and radically while modelling godly living to defend that legacy of faith.

This will translate into patriotism, positive work ethics , higher productivity and less corruptible society,  he said.

The General Superintendent bemoaned the practice where Christians served God for only what they would receive without imbibing proper teachings on holy and righteous living.

That was not the kind of Christian faith bequeathed to us,, Rev. Wengam emphasised.

He announced that all Assemblies of God Church in Ghana would embark on a week-long fasting and prayer from January 5 to 11 to intercede for the church and the nation.

Present at the service was the Burkinabe Ambassador to Ghana, David Kabre.

EP church

In another new year message, the Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church, Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr Lt. Col. Bliss Divine Agbeko, called on Ghanaians to pursue purity of self and character as the foundation for personal, spiritual and national renewal.

In his 2026 New Year message anchored on the Churchs 2026 theme, Cleanliness is next to Godliness, Keep Clean!, he emphasised that cleanliness went beyond physical surroundings to include purity of heart, mind, character, relationships and faith.

"To keep clean is to forgive those who have wronged us, to guard our minds and emotions against evil, to strengthen our faith by trusting fully in God, and to care for our environment so that it remains healthy, beautiful and worthy of God's Presence."

"Remember always: cleanliness is next to godliness. To keep clean is to reflect the nature and goodness of God, to live at peace with all, and to reveal His glory in our lives," he said.

He urged citizens to forgive one another, guard their thoughts and emotions, and live in ways that reflected Gods righteousness.

He also called on Ghanaians to protect the environment, live in peace and reflect Gods goodness in daily life.

He said such holistic purity fostered peace, strengthened faith, and created an environment in which Gods presence and blessings could flourish in the nation.

"May God bless you, and may He bless our homeland Ghana. May He help us keep her clean, healthy and strong.

I pray that throughout 2026, the Lord will lead us in the paths of righteousness as we maintain clean hearts, clean environments, clean relationships, and pure worship of Him in spirit and in truth."

Rt. Rev. Agbeko also prayed for the national leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom and unity to govern for the common good, while invoking blessings for Ghana throughout the year.
Featured

Kpandai; The 21-year-old SHS graduate who sells fish on the streets to support his family

Simon Unyan Jan - 06 - 2026 , 13:05 2 minutes read

Dignity is not defined by the kind of work one does, but by the discipline, purpose, and integrity behind it. On the scorching streets of Kpandai in the Northern Region, that dignity walks quietlyfish balanced on a head pan, dreams firmly held in the heart.

At 21, Nambu Christopher spends his days moving from house to house, selling dry and fresh fish to support his family, despite having completed senior high school. A graduate of Bishop Herman Senior High School in Kpando, Volta Region, Christopher has been in the fish-selling business for 12 years.

He began assisting his mother at the age of eight after the family adopted the trade as their primary source of livelihood. Today, he describes the business as the backbone of his familys survival and education.

This is the business my mother does to take care of us. I started helping her when I was eight years old. It is what has fed us and paid our school fees, he told Graphic Online.

Christopher is one of eight siblings. Two are married, while the others are still in school. He said proceeds from the fish business have enabled several of his siblings to pursue higher education.

I completed SHS last year. My immediate brother will complete university this year. Another is in a teacher training college, one of my sisters is a nurse and another is a teacher. All this came from the fish business, he said.

Despite completing secondary school, Christopher has continued selling fish to help meet household and educational expenses. He works from morning until about 6 p.m., taking short breaks depending on the availability of fish.

Financially, he said the business earns between GH300 and GH400 on slow days, while good days can bring in between GH600 and GH800, from which the cost of fish is deducted.

Christopher admitted that the work has not been without challenges, including ridicule from peers and members of the public because of his age and gender.

Some people call me fish wura when they see me, but that does not discourage me. Instead, it motivates me to work harder, he said, adding that others have encouraged him and praised his sense of responsibility.

He hopes to return to school in the future to pursue a career in teaching but has chosen to postpone his ambitions until his younger siblings complete their education.

"I still want to go back to school, but for now I have chosen to help my family. When my siblings are done, then I will continue my education, he said.

Christopher advised young people to embrace honest work and take advantage of available opportunities, regardless of social perceptions.

No honest work is shameful. If you dont feel shy spending money, why feel shy doing the work that brings it? Young people should not wait for handouts but work hard and plan for their future, he said.
Ghana still training graduates for 1980s, not 2030 - Ishmael Yamson at New Year School

Next article: Ghana still training graduates for 1980s, not 2030 - Ishmael Yamson at New Year School

Featured

President Mahama unveils plan for Value-for-Money Office to boost accountability

Mohammed Ali Jan - 06 - 2026 , 14:47 2 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish an independent Value-for-Money Office this year to oversee public spending and ensure that state funds deliver clear benefits to citizens.

The President explained that the proposed office will examine how public funds are used to ensure that every cedi spent on behalf of the people yields measurable results.

This year we will establish an independent value-for-money office so that every cedi spent on behalf of the people of Ghana delivers real value, the President stated.

President Mahama announced this during his address to participants at the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana on January 6, 2025.

He linked the move to his broader governance agenda, noting that national development cannot be sustained without public confidence in state institutions.

Good governance is not an abstract idea. It is about how power is exercised, how resources are managed and how decisions affect the daily lives of citizens, he told the gathering.

President Mahama said accountability in public life must go beyond speeches and promises, adding that transparency should be built into public systems rather than applied selectively.

He explained that the proposed Value-for-Money Office will complement existing efforts to strengthen anti-corruption institutions, uphold the rule of law and improve discipline in public spending.

The President also referred to plans to entrench standards of conduct for public officers in law. He cited the Code of Public Officers Bill currently before Parliament, which is intended to convert accountability guidelines into binding legal obligations.

It will no longer be moral persuasion. It will be law, and it must be obeyed, President Mahama stated.

He added that national development depends not only on government action but also on discipline and responsibility among citizens and public officials.

Development is not delivered by government alone. It is sustained by citizens who trust the system and play their part in making it work, the President added.
Featured

Tema Meridian Hotel redevelopment: Youth protest private developer's takeover and destroys new fence wall

Benjamin Xornam Glover Jan - 06 - 2026 , 15:53 2 minutes read

A group of young people from Tema Manhean in the Greater Accra Region has protested the takeover and redevelopment of the defunct Tema Meridian Hotel site by a private developer.

Expressing opposition to what they described as the "indiscriminate sale" of a site with deep cultural and historical significance to the people of Tema, they stormed the site on Tuesday [Jan 6, 2026] and destroyed a fence wall, the developer had constructed.



The youth insisted that the Meridian Hotel area represented the original settlement of the Tema people before their relocation to present-day Tema Manhean.

It is their argument that the site was not merely a commercial asset but an important symbol of Temas heritage and identity, which must be preserved for future generations.

Speaking on behalf of the group, one Benjamin Mensah Commey said the land has, in recent months, become the subject of controversy following reports that it has been sold or leased to a private investor.

He claimed that the traditional authorities in Tema were yet to be formally informed about the identity of the developer and the specific purpose for which the land is being redeveloped.

Commey argued that the land was compulsorily acquired by the government many years ago without any compensation to the original owners.

Government took this land without paying a dime to the people of Tema, and today the same land is being disposed off without proper consultation, he stated.

Meanwhile, checks by Graphic Online at the TDC Ghana Ltd indicate that the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC) authorised the issuance of a fresh sublease on the defunct property and its lands to a developer in the year 2007.

The developer, according to a source, legally secured a 50-year lease from the TDC in 2007 to demolish the existing structure and redevelop it into a modern, fit-for-purpose hospitality facility.

The old Meridian Hotel currently stands as an abandoned structure, which has become a haven for drug addicts, thieves, and unauthorised parking space for articulated trucks.
Lenovo is bringing its Tech World event to CES 2026 this year, and it plans to host it in the famous Sphere in Las Vegas. The event will kick off at 8 PM ET on January 6, and it will stream live on YouTube at the link below.

As is usually the case with Lenovo at CES, it's probably safe to assume that we will see some interesting tech implemented in a bunch of prototypes. For instance, at CES 2025, the company showcased the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable laptop that can stretch its screen and grow 2.7" with a push of a button.

However, we also expect some new Motorola phones to enter the stage, given that Lenovo is the parent company. We will maybe even see a new Motorola Razr phone alongside some Moto G handsets. Only time will tell.
In solidarity with Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez invites all faithful to join the Archdiocese of Agana as it officially culminates the Jubilee Year of Hope on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna.

The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. with a procession of banners carried by representatives of different Catholic schools, parishes and groups.

Mass follows at 6 p.m.

The archbishop will be the presider. Hell be joined by visiting Bishop Julio Angkel of the Caroline Islands as a concelebrant, with numerous priests of the archdiocese.

In Rome, Pope Leo will conclude the Jubilee Year by closing the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 6 on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The late Pope Francis joyfully opened the Holy Door on Dec. 24, 2024 in St. Peters Basilica.

The Holy Door is opened only once every 25 years for pilgrims during an extraordinary Jubilee Year.

The Cathedral-Basilica will livestream the local celebration on its website at aganacathedral.org, the Agana Cathedral Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

Rosary for Pale' Mike at 5 pm

Though there will be no Rosary and Mass for the late Father Mike Crisostomo, or Pale' Mike, at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Tuesday night, the Rosary will be prayed for the repose of his soul at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral-Basilica before the ceremonies for the closing of the Jubilee Year.

Except for Tuesday, the weekly Rosaries and Masses for Pale' Mike will be held at 5:30 and 6 p.m., respectively, at St. Anthony this week.
An alumnus of Simon Sanchez High School and now a doctoral candidate in clinical-community psychology at the University of Alaska, Anchorage is recruiting CHamoru adults to participate in an online survey as part of his dissertation research.

Jonathan Guerrero is studying how social, political, and cultural factors relate to substance use among CHamoru people.

He told the Pacific Daily News that his study is focused on CHamoru people throughout the world, not only in Guam and the CNMI.

Getting enough participation for great data analyses is a big challenge, Guerrero said. My goal is to better understand how colonization affects CHamoru mental health and well-being.

The online survey is free and anonymous, plus participants will be compensated with an entry into a raffle to win one of three $50 e-gift cards.

It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes and asks general questions such as age, employment status, current residency, culture, civic engagement, and substance use behaviors in the past year, according to Guerrero.

Participants must be 18 years old or older, identify as CHamoru or part-CHamoru, and be proficient in English. People do not have to be born in or currently living in Guam or the CNMI to participate.

Guerrero said he is also willing to answer any questions people might have about the survey or his study at juguerrero@alaska.edu.

The study is particularly looking at a psychological concept called colonial mentality, Guerrero added, which is when colonial narratives, such as negative stereotypes or biases about CHamoru people and culture, are internalized over time and begin to shape how we see ourselves and our community.

Additional resources Guerrero uses in his study for research are the American Psychological Association, the National Alliance of Mental Illness, and the Guam Psychological Association.

Research in other communities with colonized histories, [such as] Filipino Americans, Ghanaians, Puerto Rican Americans, Asian Indians living in the U.S., suggests colonial mentality can be a risk factor for mental health problems. Im interested in how [this] shows up for CHamoru people and how it relates to their health, Guerrero said.

Guerrero said this study is important because it focuses on an area that is far less talked about and researched: the psychological impacts and consequences of ongoing oppression.

These aspects help us better understand external factors that may contribute to certain mental health problems, he said.

Guerrero also said one of the things about colonization is that it impacts people at various levels.

In the case of CHamorus, he said what is most often discussed are the political, cultural, and historical impacts, like limited self-governance and political power, loss of land and the CHamoru language, and disruptions to cultural practices.

He also said studying colonial mentality especially benefits CHamorus and similar demographics by allowing scholars and psychologists to understand the lasting impacts of it and how to best treat and resolve associated issues.

Over the past five to six years, he added, APA has taken this a step further by calling psychologists to actively address social injustice, inequities, and oppression as central factors shaping mental health and well-being.

Guerrero said as a psychologist-in-training, his work is fundamentally about helping people alleviate suffering.

Psychological science is clear that the interventions and treatments used in therapy and counseling need to be responsive to the cultures, identities, and histories of the people we serve, Guerrero said. In other words, it is our professional responsibility, across research, service, and care, not to focus only on individual factors that may contribute to distress but also on broader historical and social conditions that contribute to it.

From this perspective, he said, studying colonial mentality is important because it helps us better understand how colonial oppression can become internalized over time, shaping how we, as CHamoru people, see ourselves, culture, and sense of belonging.




Haiti - FLASH : After Venezuela, Trump's next target would be Cuba





On Monday, January 5, 2026, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, captured on Saturday, January 3rd, by the U.S. military, pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) court during their initial court appearance before 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein.



When the judge asked him to identify himself, Maduro, speaking in Spanish, declared, "I am the President of the Republic of Venezuela, and I have been kidnapped here since Saturday, January 3rd. I was arrested at my home in Caracas, Venezuela..." before being interrupted by Judge Hellerstein, who reminded him, "There will be a time and a place to address all of this."



Maduro claimed he had not seen the indictment before appearing in court and that he was unaware of his rights.



It should be noted that Nicolas Maduro is being defended by the highly reputable, powerful, and respected Barry Pollack (61), a partner at Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler LLP. It's worth recalling that Barry Pollack is the lawyer who defended WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange in his long battle to avoid extradition to the United States. Before a Manhattan court, the lawyer stated that he intends to challenge the "legality of Maduro's military abduction."



Donald Trump's ambitions know no bounds. The American President declared Sunday evening aboard Air Force One that "Cuba is ready to fall" and that without revenue from Venezuelan oil, it will be difficult for Cuba to survive. Trump stated that an operation similar to the one carried out in Venezuela seemed to him "a good idea."



Furthermore, in the wake of the arrest in Caracas and the exfiltration to the US of President Maduro and his wife, Donald Trump reiterated his interest in Greenland and declared that he "needs Greenland from a national security standpoint, asserting that Denmark will not be able to take care of it." "We will take care of Greenland in about two months [...]"



But the American President does not intend to stop there, and other threats loom over Panama, Colombia, Mexico, and Canada.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46568-haiti-usa-maduro-and-his-wife-will-appear-this-monday-before-a-federal-judge.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46566-haiti-flash-trump-justifies-the-operation-against-venezuela-with-a-doctrine-more-than-200-years-old.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46555-haiti-caracas-venezuela-and-haiti-commemorate-the-222nd-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-vertieres.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : A federal court is to rule on the legality of not extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS)





On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the federal court in Washington will examine the legality of the Trump administration's decision, made on November 26, 2025, not to renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46295-haiti-flash-end-of-temporary-protected-status-for-some-353-000-haitians-official.html



The hearing will be presided over by Judge Ana C. Reyes. After hearing arguments from both sides, she will rule on the government's compliance with the law. This decision is being closely watched by migrant advocacy organizations and the Haitian diaspora, who are concerned about the potential end of TPS.



This crucial moment will demonstrate that conditions in Haiti do not allow for the return of more than 350,000 beneficiaries. He will also highlight Haiti's inability to absorb a massive return of its diaspora under acceptable and safe conditions.



Furthermore, organizations point out that entire families would be subject to deportation, including Haitian citizens who have been living in the United States for more than 10 years. These individuals are socially integrated, active in the labor market, contribute to the American economy, and provide economic support to their relatives remaining in Haiti.



In parallel with this anticipated court decision, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun issuing notifications advising Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries to prepare to leave the United States within approximately one month of the February 3rd, 2026 deadline, the final expiration date of TPS (unless blocked by the courts).



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46295-haiti-flash-end-of-temporary-protected-status-for-some-353-000-haitians-official.html



PI/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Civil Society Initiative : Proposal for the completion of the transition





According to Article 12.1 of the Agreement of April 3rd, 2024, the mandate of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) is to end on February 7, 2026. Article 13 of the Agreement stipulates that the CPT cannot extend its mandate beyond February 7, 2026. Unfortunately, the CPT has not fulfilled its mission within the allotted time.



However, there is no question of leaving a power vacuum at the Presidency, particularly at a time when powerful criminal forces threaten the stability of the country and the very existence of the State. Therefore, the Civil Society Initiative (ICS) is taking the liberty of proposing to the Nation and its Leaders a framework document to initiate a consultation process aimed at finding a solution to this problem, as well as a means of restoring security and holding elections under the best possible conditions and within a reasonable timeframe.



This document, entitled "Proposal for Completing the Transition" is an initiative of the ISC, aimed at addressing the CPTs inability to fulfill its mission before the expiration of its mandate on February 7, 2026.



Key Points Extracted from the Document :



Context and Rationale :

Failure of the CPT :

The CPT has failed to restore security, revive the economy, revise the Constitution, or organize elections.



Impossible Deadline :

According to the Agreement of April 3rd, 2024, the CPTs mandate ends on February 7, 2026, and cannot be extended.



Need for an Agreement :

To avoid an institutional vacuum, a new political agreement is proposed to replace the CPT, given the lack of applicable constitutional provisions.



The Proposed Consultation Process :

The transition would be managed by a 17-member deliberative assembly, chaired by the current coordinator of the CPT.



Composition of Representatives :



 The current coordinator of the CPT.



 5 representatives from political party coalitions.



 Representatives from the business, labor, agricultural, and religious sectors, as well as women's and human rights organizations.



 Delegates from the Great North, the Great South, and the Diaspora.



Selection of Leaders :

Interim President :

This must be a competent and credible individual, drawn either from civil society or from high-ranking state institutions (such as the Court of Cassation or the ULCC).



Prime Minister :

The choice will be between the current Prime Minister (to ensure continuity of security matters) and a figure from civil society.



Exclusion of Political Parties :

To avoid any partisan bias in future elections, no member of a political party may run for President or Prime Minister.



Final Provisions :

Timeline :

The swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected President is scheduled for February 7, 2027.



Government Evaluatio :

The new executive duo and the deliberative assembly will evaluate the current ministers to decide whether to retain them or replace them.



This proposal is signed by Lionel Rabel (General Coordinator) and Rosny Desroches (Executive Director) of the ISC.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















The emergency meeting, requested by Colombia, was held in New York just hours before Maduro appeared in federal court. A broad coalition of states accused Washington of violating international law, including Russia, China, Brazil, France, Mexico, Denmark, and South Africa.

The United Nations Security Council members have criticised the United States' armed operation in Venezuela , which resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores , now in custody in New York on drug trafficking and weapons charges.

The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line, said Sergio Franca Danese, Brazils ambassador to the UN.

The U.S. insists the operation was not an act of war but a targeted mission to arrest two individuals under long-standing criminal indictments. Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, said the operation fell under a law enforcement framework and compared it to the 1989 capture of Panama's Manuel Noriega.

Waltz cited Article 51 of the UN Charter, which protects a nation's right to self-defence. We are not occupying Venezuela. This was a law enforcement operation, he said.

The justification failed to satisfy critics, including Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General. In a statement read to the Council, he warned of the possible intensification of instability in the country and called for a return to diplomacy.

Security Council members Russia and China were among the strongest voices against the operation. Vassily Nebenzya, Russias ambassador, said the U.S. was acting as a supreme judge above international norms. Chinas Fu Cong said the U.S. had trampled upon Venezuelas sovereignty and demanded a policy reversal.

Cubas envoy, Ernesto Soberon Guzman, described the raid as imperialist and fascist aggression. Mexico and Denmark also criticised the U.S., with Denmarks Christina Markus Lassen referring obliquely to Trumps renewed threat to annex Greenland, calling border inviolability not up for negotiation.

Frances Jay Dharmadhikari said the military operation runs counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution. The UK focused instead on Venezuelas internal conditions. James Kariuki, the British ambassador, said Maduros claim to power was fraudulent.

Venezuelas representative, Samuel Moncada, condemned the raid as an illegitimate armed attack and said the U.S. had kidnapped the constitutional president. He warned that the precedent risked making force the true arbiter of international order.

At Maduros arraignment in New York, the 63-year-old appeared in leg shackles and declared in court, I am president of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here kidnapped. He pleaded not guilty, as did Flores. Both remain in custody and did not seek bail. Flores appeared with visible facial injuries. Her lawyers requested medical attention for suspected rib fractures.

Maduro and Flores were arrested during a U.S. operation involving airstrikes on military targets near Caracas. U.S. prosecutors accuse Maduro of narco-terrorism conspiracy, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons possession. Charges were also filed against Maduros son and senior officials including Diosdado Cabello Rondon and alleged gang leader Hector Guerrero Flores.

The Venezuelan parliament has endorsed interim president Delcy Rodriguez, Maduros former vice president, who was sworn in hours after his arrest. I come with sorrow for the kidnapping of two heroes, Rodriguez said at her inauguration. Her appointment followed a classified CIA analysis that reportedly identified her as the most viable figure to preserve stability, according to unnamed sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson denied that the action was a regime change. We are not at war. We do not have troops occupying Venezuela, he said, though Trump said the U.S. intends to run Venezuela. In an interview with NBC News, Trump added that they would not have new elections in Venezuela in the next 30 days.

Trump also warned of future action if Rodriguez stops cooperating. He told NBC News the U.S is ready for another strike, but doesn't believe it will be necessary. The administration has suggested it might support oil companies involved in Venezuelan reconstruction.

Trumps threats extended beyond Venezuela. He warned of possible operations in Mexico and Colombia, calling the Colombian president a sick man and criticising Mexican authorities for failing to stem drug trafficking.

Trump has denied that the U.S received any internal support from Maduro's circle for the raid. Republican Senator Rand Paul criticised the attack. You cannot bomb a capital and seize a president and say its not war, he told reporters.

The UN Charter obliges member states to respect the political independence and territorial integrity of others. The U.S. action was not authorised by the Security Council and lacked Venezuelas consent. No formal UN resolution was adopted. Any attempt to censure the U.S. would be vetoed by Washington, which holds one of five permanent seats on the Council.

HT
Trumps remarks, delivered through his adviser Stephen Miller on CNN , reignited concerns in Copenhagen and Nuuk over Washingtons intentions. The statements follow last weeks US military operation in Venezuela and a pattern of increasing unilateralism by the Trump administration.

European leaders reaffirmed their support for Denmark and Greenland on Tuesday, following comments by United States President Donald Trump suggesting that Greenland legally belongs to the United States.

Finlands President Alexander Stubb, speaking in Paris during a security summit, said the principle of national sovereignty must be upheld.

Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters that concern them, Stubb said. We stand with Denmark.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trumps earlier proposals to purchase Greenland were rejected in 2019. The latest claims have been framed by some US officials as legal assertions rather than economic interest.

Tensions escalated after Stephen Miller, a senior aide to Trump, stated that Greenland belongs legally to the United States and that the US could take control without military action if necessary.

In response, the Danish government held a rare emergency meeting on Tuesday evening. Defence Chief Michael Hyldgaard attended the closed session, which was held in secured facilities inside the Danish Parliament. Local media described the presence of the military chief as highly unusual and interpreted it as a sign that intelligence information was discussed.

Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen confirmed that the government has requested an urgent meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting, requested jointly by Denmark and Greenland, aims to address the recent statements by the US administration.

Greenlands Foreign and Research Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said in a public post that the territory expects clear answers from Washington.

European heads of government have expressed concern. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday by the leaders of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, the group affirmed that Greenland belongs to its people and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on their future.

President Stubb echoed this sentiment, adding that the current situation reflects a broader breakdown in global norms.

We are moving toward a world defined by power and force, he said. Rules and values are falling into the background. International institutions are being challenged.

He said the international order, built on respect for borders and sovereignty, remains critical to small and large countries alike.

Commenting further, Stubb said: Nobody would have believed a year ago that we would be having this conversation.

Stubb also referred to the importance of NATO unity. This is a relationship between two allies, he said, and Greenland is part of our Nordic family.

The Nordic foreign ministers issued a separate joint declaration earlier on Tuesday. It stated that all Nordic countries have strengthened defence and deterrence efforts in the Arctic region and expressed support for a continued NATO presence there.

The document reiterated that security in the Arctic must be based on international law and UN Charter principles, especially the inviolability of borders.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the moment as not just a conflict with Denmark but with Europe. She thanked European leaders for their support following the meeting in Paris.

The United States Special Envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, appointed by Trump last month, attempted to calm tensions in an interview with CNBC, saying he did not believe the president sought to take Greenland by force. Instead, he claimed Trump supported an independent Greenland with economic ties to the US.

Despite that statement, Landry previously wrote on social media that he was ready to make Greenland a part of the United States.

NATO has stated that the Arctic region is a growing strategic priority. Several European allies have increased defence investments in the area, and joint exercises are expected to expand.

Denmarks Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the government would continue to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic in coordination with allies. He added that no one internationally is seriously questioning Greenlands status but stressed that Denmark would take whatever measures are necessary to defend its territory.

President Stubb, asked how Finland would respond if the US acted unilaterally against Greenland, declined to speculate. In diplomacy, the aim is to prevent such situations from developing, he said.

HT
Exposing sinister rhetoric behind Japan's right-wing attempts to rewrite history

11:10, January 06, 2026 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

Recent remarks by Toshio Tamogami, former chief of staff of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force and a polarizing far-right figure, alleging that the United States had "framed" Japan for the Pearl Harbor attack have gained significant online traction.

Such assertions are not isolated incidents but reflect persistent efforts by Japan's right wing to systematically distort and whitewash its history of wartime aggression.

The various narratives attempting to overturn the historical verdict on the Pearl Harbor attack reveal this faction's enduring reluctance to acknowledge war responsibility and persisting resentment over Japan's defeat.

Japan's surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Pacific War remain uncontested historical facts. In 1941, while dispatching so-called "special envoys" to Washington under the pretense of goodwill negotiations, Japan launched an undeclared military assault on the Pearl Harbor. This surprise attack destroyed multiple U.S. capital ships and inflicted heavy casualties on American forces.

Then U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull condemned Japan for resorting to every form of deception, openly distorting facts, and never daring to assume responsibility for its actions. In a fireside chat, then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated bluntly, "And no honest person, today or a thousand years hence, will be able to suppress a sense of indignation and horror at the treachery committed by the military dictators of Japan, under the very shadow of the flag of peace borne by their special envoys in our midst."

Following World War II, instead of engaging in sincere reflection, Japan's right-wing factions sought to whitewash war crimes, shape a collective memory favorable to its own narrative, and undermine the postwar international order.

One common tactic is the reversal of cause and effect. After the attack on the Pearl Harbor, Japan issued an imperial rescript declaring war on the United States and the UK, fabricating a false logic that Japan had been forced to "rise up" solely for "self-preservation and self-defense" in response to mounting economic and military pressure from these nations.

Even after Japan's surrender, Japanese war criminals clung stubbornly to this "self-defense" argument. On Dec. 26, 1947, The New York Times reported that Hideki Tojo indignantly told a tribunal composed of judges from 11 countries that Western countries had carefully plotted to force Japan to fire the first shot in order to "ensure national survival."

Over the decades since the war ended, this militarist falsehood has not been eradicated; instead, it has quietly taken root and spread. The Yushukan, a Japanese military and war museum located within Yasukuni Shrine, has long promoted such narratives, claiming that America, Britain, China and the Netherlands formed an "ABCD encirclement" against Japan, leaving it no choice but to take a desperate gamble. Conspiracy theories such as "the Pearl Harbor attack was a trap laid by the United States to drag Japan into war" continue to resonate within Japan's right-wing circles.

A second tactic is the glorification of atrocities. Even during the war, Japanese militarists concocted justifications to legitimize aggression against the United States, portraying the conflict not only as a struggle for Japan's "self-preservation and self-defense" but also as a so-called "war of liberation" between Asian peoples and Western colonial powers.

"I believe I did nothing wrong. I believe what I did was right and true," Tojo declared in his final statement during interrogation in 1948. More than 80 years after Japan's defeat, Japanese right wing has never ceased embellishing the war.

To this day, they remain deeply immersed in the militarist illusion of "glory." At Yasukuni Shrine, binoculars once used by Isoroku Yamamoto, commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy Combined Fleet during the Pearl Harbor attack, along with his letters, are still prominently displayed and venerated by worshippers day after day.

A third tactic is equivocation. A thorough reckoning with Japan's militarist war crimes is a necessary requirement for upholding justice. Yet Japan's right wing turns the tables by waving the banner of "reconciliation," attempting to sever ties with the history of aggression and implying that victimized countries should stop dwelling on historical issues.

While preaching "peace" on the one hand, they smear neighboring countries and exaggerate a so-called "survival-threatening situation" on the other, thereby building momentum to break away from Japan's postwar pacifist path.

They have even donned the disguise of a "loyal ally," using cooperation with U.S. forces as a pretext to push for lifting restrictions on collective self-defense and to press ahead with military rearmament.

Beneath this facade lies an extremely dangerous strategic scheme. A right wing that has never accepted defeat and still venerates the architects of the Pearl Harbor attack as heroes can hardly be expected to remain indefinitely subordinate to its so-called allies across the ocean.

Japanese militarism has always been marked by deceit and duplicity. The Japanese right wing's distortion of history is systematic and indiscriminate, and attempts to overturn the verdict on the Pearl Harbor attack are merely one example.

From refusing to acknowledge historical responsibility to pursuing dangerous strategic shifts in the present, these actions all stem from efforts by right-wing forces to rehabilitate and resurrect militarism.

In the face of this, how can the forces of international justice, who paid an enormous price to secure victory in World War II, stand by idly and allow such developments to go unchecked?

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
AC Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced the opening of AC Hotel by Marriott Manila, which marks the lifestyle brand's debut in the Philippines. Elegantly positioned in the iconic GLAS Tower, designed by ASYA Design - a platinum LEED certified building in Manila's central business district, the hotel sets a new standard of modern hospitality where European heritage blends seamlessly with Filipino warmth. The new hotel has been expertly crafted to deliver The 'Perfectly Precise' AC Hotel experience, as a sanctuary for discerning travellers who value thoughtful design, effortless efficiency, and purposeful spaces. The hotel features 160 contemporary rooms and suites, curated experiences, and panoramic views of the Ortigas skyline, offering a refined urban escape for both business and leisure travellers.

Intuitive Design Meets Panoramic Views

AC Hotel by Marriott Manila features 160 modern rooms and suites, from Superior and Deluxe rooms to apartment-style accommodations, all thoughtfully designed with European-inspired elegance. Each room offers 180-degree panoramic views of the Ortigas skyline, while AC Signature Moments like the soothing lavender turndown service to the signature 'ACGT' Gin & Tonic create memorable experiences beyond the ordinary.

Strategically located in the heart of Ortigas Center, the hotel offers easy access to shopping, offices, and key establishments. With spacious apartments and extended-stay amenities, it is also well suited for MICE groups, tour operators, and long-stay guests, combining the comforts of home with curated hotel services.

European Heritage Meets Filipino Warmth

The hotel's beverage and culinary program highlights the brand's European sensibilities while celebrating Filipino warmth and local flavors. At AC Kitchen, guests can enjoy a harmonious blend of international inspirations  from Manchego cheese and Prosciutto to the signature Breakfast Cazuela  alongside the local favorites including Adobo, Sinigang, Pork Sisig, Chicken Inasal, and Vegetarian Kare Kare. Thoughtfully prepared and beautifully plated, each dish is complemented by panoramic city views that elevate the dining experience. AC Lounge provides a relaxed setting for socializing, featuring signature cocktails and tapas during AC Hour. Perched on the 61st floor, AC Bar presents an open-air haven above Metro Manila, where elevated cocktails, curated wines and beers, and a selection of small plates are crafted with personalized hospitality. Guests can unwind over the city's stunning sunset and skyline views, making it an ideal venue for gatherings both casual and refined. On the 38th floor, AC Library offers a modern, light-filled space for relaxation and quiet exploration, completing the property's thoughtful collection of lifestyle venues.

A Premier Destination for Meetings, Weddings, and Social Gatherings

The hotel features 802 square meters of flexible meeting space across seven rooms, designed with high ceilings, natural daylight, and modern audiovisual technology. The experienced events team ensures seamless execution for board meetings, corporate seminars, weddings, and social events, with all meeting rooms conveniently located on the same floor.

Wellness and Recreation

The hotel features an inviting indoor swimming pool, offering guests a serene urban retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. Open daily, the pool provides a calm and refreshing escape from the city's bustle. Guests can stay active with a 24-hour exercise room featuring modern equipment, making it easy to keep up with their workout routine while traveling. Whether starting the day with an energizing session or unwinding after meetings, the hotel's wellness facilities provide the perfect complement to its contemporary lifestyle experience.

AC Hotel by Marriott Manila participates in Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International, allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the resort and across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a personalized and seamless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

For reservations and further information, please visit: AC Hotel by Marriott Manila.

Hotel website
Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, the UK's largest hotel company, has announced plans to build a new 82-bedroom Premier Inn in Chichester satisfying the company's long-term goal to secure a second hotel in the cathedral city.

The site on Bognor Road, which was acquired from Hanbury Properties, is located adjacent to the main A27 / A259 junction, offering a highly accessible location for business and leisure travellers looking to spend time in the historic city.

This new location complements the existing Premier Inn at Gate Leisure Park to the south west of Chichester city centre and brings the total number of Premier Inn bedrooms in the Chichester catchment to 165, completing Whitbread's network plan for the city.

The Bognor Road acquisition is Whitbread's latest commitment to investing across Sussex and the south coast of England where it sees a strong opportunity to grow Premier Inn.

Later this year the business is set to expand its network of trading hotels in West and East Sussex to 23 locations following the opening of its newest Premier Inn on Bognor Regis Seafront in April.

The construction of the first Premier Inn in Littlehampton Town Centre is also due to commence in February following the completion of the demolition of the former supermarket occupying the site. Whitbread is also seeking a new location for Premier Inn in Rye.

The acquisition of the Chichester location forms part of Whitbread's ongoing expansion of Premier Inn across the UK and Ireland. Currently the business offers its customers close to 86,000 bedrooms from more than 840 hotels and it sees the long-term potential to expand to 125,000 rooms in these two core markets.

Hotel website
The First Group Hospitality announces a series of senior leadership appointments, with all roles newly created to support the company's accelerated growth trajectory and evolving operational scale.

Robyn James-O'Connor has been appointed Senior Vice President - Marketing, overseeing brand, advertising, public relations, social, digital, and development marketing. She previously built a 20-year career with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, rising from her first role as Marketing Communications Manager at Burj Al Arab in 2005 to Vice President of Marketing for the group. During her tenure, she led award-winning B2B and B2C marketing programmes that strengthened brand visibility and commercial performance across Jumeirah's global portfolio. James-O'Connor brings extensive expertise in brand and integrated performance marketing within the luxury hospitality sector.

The appointment comes as The First Group Hospitality continues a period of significant growth, including the launch of landmark developments such as Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection by IHG, the world's tallest hotel, the signing of franchise agreements with Marriott International and IHG, and the company's entry into Europe with Gennadi Seaside Resort.
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) announces the appointment of Allison Sayer as Director of Global Sales, Luxury Leisure and Business Travel Division. Sayer is a seasoned business travel executive with 20 years of industry experience.

Based in New York City and originally from the Washington, D.C., area, Sayer has played a pivotal role in building and maintaining strategic partnerships for premier hospitality brands, including her years of impactful leadership at CoralTree Hospitality.

Known for her dedication to client service and her deep knowledge of luxury, leisure, corporate and international travel, Sayer excels at crafting tailored solutions for diverse stakeholders across the hospitality landscape. She has earned high praise within industry circles for her collaborative, client-first approach and ability to deliver consistent results in dynamic, high-touch environments.

Sayer has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional development, actively participating in industry groups such as the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), where she currently serves as a board member for the New York City chapter. Sayer has also held advisor roles within GBTA Ladders, part of the GBTA Foundation, and fostered mentorship and engagement among her peers.
One of the original founders of I-AM, Pete has over 20 years experience in pioneering innovations in brand environments. His role as a founder partner of the agency is to develop the right strategies for clients, leading teams in creating 'People Inspired Experiences' across all kinds of physical and digital interfaces. He has delivered work for clients including KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Pizza Express, Zizzi, ASK Italian, Chilango and Hollywood Bowl. Together with five co-owners and between five studios in London, Istanbul, Dubai, Jakarta and Riyadh, the I-AM team provides a wide range of clients globally with strategic creative thinking, brand image, identity, physical and digital experience design. These are across a range of brands, retail environments & all kinds of experiences, from physical & digital stores, hotels, banks, cafes & restaurants, to estate agent, workplace, wellbeing and leisure destinations.
As most other real estate sectors slow amid cautious buyers and investors, Thailands hotels and hospitality market stands out as an example of how adapting to changing consumer behavior can build long-term resilience. Despite shifting demographics, geopolitical risks and economic headwinds, a wave of new upscale and luxury supply is heightening competition and putting pressure on older assets. CBRE notes that strategic hotel asset management in Thailand has become increasingly essential for existing hotel owners aiming to secure and grow long-term value in this dynamic market.

As competition intensifies, more owners are recognizing that structured asset planning and regular performance reviews are becoming part of long-term operational discipline rather than short-term problem solving. This shift is strengthening the role of hotel asset management in Thailand as owners look for clearer direction and more predictable outcomes in a fast-changing environment.Many owners are also reassessing how their assets compare to newer additions in the Bangkok hotel market. This includes reviewing guest behavior patterns, evaluating product relevance and identifying areas where focused upgrades could support stronger performance. These assessments help clarify where investment will have the greatest operational and commercial impact.

Shifting Demand and Rising Competition in Thailands Hotel Market

The pressure on existing assets is evident in Thailands current tourism figures. The country recorded 31.9 million international visitors as of November 2025, reflecting a 7.25% Y-o-Y decline. While arrivals from South Asia and the Middle East grew, Chinese visitorshistorically Thailands largest source marketdropped by 34% Y-o-Y, as more Chinese tourists opt for neighboring East Asian destinations.Meanwhile, new supply continues to enter the Bangkok hotel market at a rapid pace. More than 3,000 keys have been opened in 2025 within Bangkoks core CBD, with high-profile debuts such as Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, Kromo Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton and Grande Centre Point Lumphini. With total inventory now exceeding 83,000 keys in Bangkok, competition is intensifying. Hotel operators are raising the bar for product and service standards, placing increased pressure on older properties and compelling owners to adopt repositioning strategies as they continue to both evolve their existing brands and add new brands to their portfolios.

Owners seeking deeper insight into the Bangkok hotel market can refer to CBREs latest Market Reports for trends shaping supply, demand and performance.

How Owners Are Navigating the Competitive Bangkok Hotel Market

For many properties, this environment is prompting owners to evaluate whether their current product, positioning and operating model remain competitive. These evaluations help determine how well the hotel resonates with target guests and where operational or experiential refinements may be needed.

As a result, a growing number of hotel owners are pursuing rebranding, renovations and the reconceptualization of non-revenue-generating spaces. Recent examples include:

Narai Hotel, Silom: Signed with Hyatt, set to reopen in 2028 as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, repositioning as a heritage luxury destination.

Signed with Hyatt, set to reopen in 2028 as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, repositioning as a heritage luxury destination. Anantara Siam Bangkok: Investing USD 50 million in phased renovations to modernize rooms, lounges and wellness facilities while preserving cultural identity.

Investing USD 50 million in phased renovations to modernize rooms, lounges and wellness facilities while preserving cultural identity. Centara Hotels & Resorts (CHR): Announced a THB 15 billion hotel investment program in Thailand over the next three years, with about THB 5 billion earmarked for 2025 renovations and new developments. Major projects include upgrades at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin and the addition of The Centara Collection and Centara Life, bringing its Hua Hin beachfront portfolio to nearly 500 keys.

Announced a THB 15 billion hotel investment program in Thailand over the next three years, with about THB 5 billion earmarked for 2025 renovations and new developments. Major projects include upgrades at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin and the addition of The Centara Collection and Centara Life, bringing its Hua Hin beachfront portfolio to nearly 500 keys. Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi: Undergoing a full transformation and rebranding as Centara Reserve Krabi, building on the success of the Centara Reserve brand in Samui.

Undergoing a full transformation and rebranding as Centara Reserve Krabi, building on the success of the Centara Reserve brand in Samui. Onyx Hospitality Group: Investing in renovations across three Amari hotels (Don Muang Airport Bangkok, Buriram and Phuket) with new dining and room enhancements to elevate guest experiences and reinforce the Amari brand. Renovations began mid-2025 for Don Muang and Buriram, with Phuket upgrades planned for 2027.

These examples show how strategic asset management can revitalize legacy assets and unlock long-term value. Turnaround strategies require careful planning, market insight and disciplined execution. CBREs hotel asset management platform combines market intelligence, physical asset enhancement and operational oversight to help owners navigate change, ensuring their hotels not only withstand todays headwinds but also adapt to long-term trends in an increasingly competitive hospitality landscape. Kieran Chevamongkol, Associate Director, CBRE Hotels & Hospitality Thailand

Building Long-Term Value Through Hotel Asset Management in Thailand

Looking ahead, Thailands hotels and hospitality market will continue evolving as both new and revived hotels enter the pipeline, with another 751 new keys projected to open in the Bangkok hotel market by the end of 2025. The industry remains hopeful for a boost in tourist arrivals heading into the traditional high season in Q4.

Owners who maintain consistent oversight and revisit their hotel asset strategy at regular intervals are generally better positioned to respond to shifts in demand, brand relevance and cost pressures, supporting more informed decision-making and contributing to long-term stability. Ongoing review also helps identify opportunities for incremental improvementwhether in service delivery, space use or commercial strategythat can strengthen performance over time.

For more insight into Thailands hotels and hospitality market, visit CBREs Hotels & Hospitality services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the current outlook for the Bangkok hotel market in 2026?

The Bangkok hotel market is entering a phase of high-supply competition, with total inventory now exceeding 83,000 keys. While international arrivals show resilience, the influx of new luxury and lifestyle brands in the CBD is putting pressure on older assets. Success in 2026 will be defined by an owners ability to differentiate their product through strategic repositioning and operational efficiency.

2. Why is strategic hotel asset management in Thailand becoming more essential?

As the market shifts from organic post-pandemic growth to a more competitive "normalization" phase, owners can no longer rely on market momentum alone. Strategic asset management provides the disciplined framework needed to review performance, identify structural gaps and execute the capital upgrades required to protect an assets long-term valuation.

3. How can owners of legacy hotels compete with new luxury supply in Thailand?

Owners are increasingly turning to "turnaround" strategies, which include re-flagging under international soft brands, adaptive reuse of heritage spaces and deep operational modernization. By leveraging data-driven insights to "right-size" their service models, legacy properties can often achieve better EBITDA margins than newer, high-overhead competitors.

4. What role does ESG play in Thailands hotels and hospitality market?

Sustainability has moved from a "nice-to-have" to a core commercial requirement. In the current market, institutional investors and high-spending travelers prioritize properties with verified green credentials. Integrating energy-efficient infrastructure during a renovation not only lowers operating costs but also safeguards the asset against future regulatory shifts and "brown discounting."

5. When should a hotel owner consider a full rebranding or renovation?

A review is typically triggered when an asset experiences consistent "yield compression": where occupancy remains stable but rate premiums (ADR) begin to lag behind the set market.

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2023 revenue). The company has more than 130,000 employees (including Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

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Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Indochina Kajima announced today that Wink in Vietnam is joining the Unscripted by Hyatt brand. This strategic agreement between Hyatt and Indochina Kajima, a joint venture between Indochina Capital and Kajima Corporation, marks the global debut of the Unscripted by Hyatt brand and will expand Hyatts brand presence in Vietnam to new destinations including Can Tho, Tuy Hoa and Hai Phong.

Under the agreement, six operating Wink properties  Wink Saigon Centre, Wink Danang Centre, Wink Danang Riverside, Wink Tuy Hoa Beach, Wink Can Tho Centre and Wink Hai Phong Centre  have joined the Unscripted by Hyatt brand collection, taking Hyatts hotel portfolio in Vietnam from four hotels to ten. A new location, Wink Hanoi Westlake, is also set to open in late 2026. The combined seven Wink properties represent more than 2,000 rooms across Vietnam's key destinations, from the country's largest cities to emerging coastal and cultural hubs.

A Natural Fit for Unscripted by Hyatt

This relationship with Indochina Kajima and Wink marks a milestone in our strategy to expand Hyatts brand presence in the dynamic Vietnam market. The Unscripted by Hyatt brand is an ideal match for the modern, tech-savvy and social-centric ethos of Wink. We are thrilled to bring this fresh, adventurous brand to a new generation of Vietnamese travelers and international guests. Stephen Ho, President - Greater China and Growth, Asia Pacific at Hyatt

As part of Hyatts Essentials portfolio, the upscale Unscripted by Hyatt brand is purpose built to be flexible and conversion-friendly enabling independent hotels to preserve their own identity while gaining access to Hyatts powerful systems and global platforms. For properties like Wink, this means to transitioning with minimal disruption while tapping into Hyatts global scale and the award-winning World of Hyatt loyalty program with more than 61 million members.

Wink has established itself as a modern, locally rooted brand with an independent spirit, built on technology and thoughtfully designed spaces for a connected generation. This natural alignment in brand values creates a compelling foundation for growth. Through the Unscripted by Hyatt flexible, collection-style approach, each Wink hotel will continue to deliver its signature experience while remaining unmistakably Hyatt in quality and care.

What Makes Wink, Wink

Wink was built on the belief that Vietnamese travelers deserve design-forward, tech-enabled hotels that don't compromise on personality. Joining the Unscripted by Hyatt brand allows us to scale that vision while staying true to what makes Wink different: our contemporary ethos, sustainable DNA and modern Vietnamese style with nostalgic touches. Michael Piro, CEO of Indochina Capital and Wink

Since its first hotel opening in March 2021 with Wink Saigon Centre, Wink has quickly established itself as a beloved nationwide chain, standing out for its:

Sleek, chic and vibrant design  Bold interiors that blend contemporary aesthetics with Vietnamese craft and color palettes

Tech-driven functionality  Seamless check-in, smart room controls and connectivity designed for the mobile-first generation

Sustainable DNA  From achieving LEED Gold Certification to limiting use of single-use plastics, sustainability is built into every Wink property

Modern Vietnamese style with nostalgic touches  Design elements that honor Vietnam's heritage while looking firmly forward

Celebrating the joy of spontaneity  Each hotel will sprinkle unexpected moments of delight throughout every stay

The term Hyatt is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Wink

Founded in 2021, Wink is a made-in-Vietnam lifestyle hotel brand, combining sleek design, sustainable operations, and tech-enabled service across six properties  soon to be seven when Wink Hanoi Westlake opened in Q4 2026  nationwide. With a focus on modern Vietnamese hospitality that honors local culture while embracing contemporary travel needs, Wink has become the go-to choice for domestic and international travelers seeking character-driven stays. For more information, visit https://wink-hotels.com/.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose  to care for people so they can be their best. As of June 30, 2024, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 78 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Timeless Collection, including Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove; the Boundless Collection, including Miraval, Alila, Andaz, Thompson Hotels, Dream Hotels, Hyatt Centric, and Caption by Hyatt; the Independent Collection, including The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, and JdV by Hyatt; and the Inclusive Collection, including Impression by Secrets, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt loyalty program, ALG Vacations, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable when made, are inherently uncertain, and are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Kiraku, Inc. or Hyatt's control, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date of their initial publication and neither party undertakes an obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements as actual events unfold, except to the extent required by applicable law. If one or more forward-looking statements is updated, no inference should be drawn that any additional updates will be made with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
ATLANTA, GA  AAHOA welcomes President Donald Trump's decision to delay the scheduled increase in tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities for an additional year. The tariff hikes, originally set to take effect on January 1, 2026, were postponed as the Administration continues negotiations with trade partners to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns related to wood products. The existing 25% tariff will remain in place during this period.

Furniture, cabinetry, and related fixtures represent significant capital investments for hotels, particularly for small business owners undertaking property improvement plans, brand-mandated renovations, and new development.

AAHOA looks forward to continuing engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure that trade policies balance national priorities with the economic realities facing America's hotel owners.

This decision provides breathing room for America's hotel owners and small businesses. We thank President Trump for recognizing the real-world impact these tariffs have on entrepreneurs who are reinvesting in their properties, employing millions of workers, and supporting local economies. This pause is not just prudentit's pivotal. AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment can account for 1520% of a hotel renovation's total cost, so abrupt tariff increases create real whiplash for small-business hoteliers. We thank President Trump for delaying the increase and giving owners time to plan, invest, and keep serving their communities. AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake

About AAHOA

AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation's GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.
Montreal, Canada - Fairmas is pleased to welcome Tahil Mascarenhas as the new Sales Manager for North America, bringing over 16 years of hospitality, revenue and hotel technology experience to the team. As Tahil navigated the hospitality industry, he discovered he was most energized by revenue, numbers and the business side of hospitality.

After two years in hotel operations, Tahil transitioned into revenue management, where he spent 5 years strengthening his understanding of commercial strategy. He later joined the Sales team for a PMS across North America. This gave him a front-row view of how the North American hospitality landscape has evolved, becoming leaner, more technology-driven and increasingly focused on operational efficiency and improved bottom-line performance.

Throughout his career, Tahil has worked with hotel owners, general managers and department heads across multiple functions. This experience has shaped a deep understanding of how different stakeholders think and make decisions, giving him a unique perspective that blends operations, technology and revenue.

When Tahil came across the opportunity at Fairmas, he immediately recognized the potential to merge his operational background and hotel tech expertise with the world of hospitality finance. He was instantly drawn to how his experience naturally aligned with the needs of customers and the direction of the hospitality industry.

Now part of the Fairmas team, he is excited to use this foundation to help hotels adopt a system he sees as essential.

Fairmas is incredibly valuable for senior management, from departmental heads to owners, CEOs and CFOs. A financial planning and analysis software is becoming just as necessary as a PMS. Today, its an essential resource that North American hotels cant do without. Tahil Mascarenhas, Sales Manager, North America

Tahil is inspired by the culture at Fairmas, describing the team as friendly, supportive and committed to elevating financial performance across the hotel industry. He sees a collective drive to showcase the real value Fairmas brings to hotels, and a shared sense of ownership in delivering meaningful results for clients.

As Sales Manager, North America, Tahil looks forward to expanding Fairmas presence across the United States and Canada, ensuring that more hotels can benefit from financial insights that support smarter budgeting, forecasting and long-term growth.

We are thrilled to have Tahil join our team. His combination of operational expertise and deep understanding of hotel technology will be invaluable in helping our North American customers maximize their financial performance. John C. Dunn, President, Fairmas North America

Tahils appointment marks an exciting step for Fairmas in North America. His experience and vision align perfectly with our mission to provide hotels with actionable financial insights that drive growth. Niels Schroder, Managing Director, Fairmas GmbH

With Tahil on board, Fairmas continues to be well-positioned to strengthen its footprint in North America, combining technology, financial expertise, and a deep understanding of the hospitality industry to support hotels in achieving smarter budgeting, more accurate forecasting, and sustainable growth. His appointment underscores Fairmas commitment to delivering exceptional value to customers and driving the future of hospitality finance.

About Fairmas

Fairmas is a software development company, with a global presence, offering financial planning, management reporting and controlling solutions including Hotel Asset Reporting, connecting hotel owners and investors. Since our foundation in 2003, our focus has been on the development of innovative, tailor-made hotel software. With our continuous growth and steady expansion of our product range, more than 5,500+ hotels worldwide are satisfied with Fairmas software solutions. (www.fairmas.com).

Kinza Raheel

International Marketing & Communications Manager

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Over the past few years, the rapid growth of short-term rentals has prompted city level and national governments to introduce more regulatory frameworks.

These measures are typically designed to address specific, locally defined pressures. These include the availability of long-term housing, the concentration of tourist accommodation in residential neighborhoods, tax leakage, and the need for clearer oversight of safety and quality standards.

Rather than taking a single form, short-term rental regulation spans a wide spectrum, with rules ranging from simple registration and licensing to activity caps, primary residence restrictions, and digital enforcement.

However, it is also crucial to recognize that short-term rental performance is simultaneously influenced by a range of macro-level factors that extend beyond regulation. These include changes in travel demand, economic conditions, airline capacity, major events, seasonality, and shifts in traveler behavior.

In this analysis, we examine short-term rental performance in markets where regulations are already in place, using Lighthouse data to provide a data-backed view of how regulated short-term rental markets are currently performing in regulated environments today.

New York City

Short-term rental regulation in New York City

New Yorks Local Law 18, enforced from September 2023, is one of the strictest short-term rental frameworks globally.

Rentals under 30 days are only allowed if the host is present during the stay, with a maximum of two guests.

Hosts must register with the city

Platforms are prohibited from processing bookings for unregistered listings.

The intent is to eliminate unhosted, apartment-style short-term rentals and return housing stock to the long-term market.

Market performance snapshot

Average citywide occupancy shows a clear step down beginning in 2024, following enforcement in late 2023. However, occupancy has since stabilized, with 2025 tracking slightly above 2024 levels.

2022: 35.91%

2023: 35.17%

2024: 24.98%

2025 (Jan-Oct): 25.34%

New York remains one of the highest-priced short-term rental markets. In 2024, booked prices climbed throughout the year, reaching $664.20 in October, $610.00 in November, and peaking at $696.40 in December.

In 2025, average booked prices (Jan-Oct) fell significantly. The average booked price is 24.89% lower than its 2024 peak, standing at $442.87 year to date (YTD). While lower than last years highs, pricing remains elevated relative to many other urban markets.

 Source: Lighthouse

Amsterdam

Short-term rental regulation in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has regulated short-term rentals since January 2019, when the city tightened its rules:

It forced the annual cap on entire-home rentals down from 60 nights to 30 nights per year.

Hosts are required to register their property with the municipality and report each rental period in advance.

The city has introduced neighborhood-specific bans in areas experiencing high levels of nuisance and housing pressure.

Market performance snapshot

Short-term rental supply in Amsterdam has increased over the past three years.

Jan 2023 - 6,015 properties

Jan 2024 - 7,725 properties

Jan 2025 - 8,199 properties although peaked in August 2025 with 8,559 properties

Amsterdam continues to record some of the highest occupancy levels among major European cities, with strong seasonality.

Average annual occupancy shows:

2022: 52.19%

2023: 60.33%

2024: 53.28%

2025 (Jan-Oct): 50.45%

Despite a historical trend of 60%+ occupancy in late summer and early autumn, April was the sole month to reach that level in 2025.

Over the longer term, booked prices have risen substantially year over year, particularly during peak travel months.

2022 peak booked prices: generally in the $290$305 range

2024 peak booked prices: exceeded $430, with an October 2024 peak of $435.50

2025 peak booked prices: around $400 during summer months

Compared year over year, peak booked prices in 2025 are lower than 2024 highs, but remain well above previous years.

 Source: Lighthouse

Barcelona

Short-term rental regulation in Barcelona

Barcelona has one of the most interventionist approaches to short-term rental regulation in Europe.

In August 2021, the city banned short-term rentals of private rooms, restricting legal STR activity primarily to licensed tourist apartments.

More recently, the city announced plans to scrap all existing short-term rental licenses by November 2028, effectively phasing out tourist apartments by 2029.

The stated policy objectives are to address housing availability and reduce tourism pressure in residential neighborhoods.

Market performance snapshot

Barcelonas supply increased steadily across 20232025, reaching a high of 21,815 listings in June 2025.

That being said, average market occupancy was also down 4 percentage points compared to 2024, and 7 points down on 2023, with the 2025 peak season dragging down the average for the year.

In fact, in previous years, peak monthly market occupancy regularly exceeded 55% but this has moderated in 2025.

Booked prices increased materially between 2022 and 2024, particularly during peak travel periods.

2022 peak booked prices: generally between $260$270

2023 peak booked prices: generally between $340$360

2024 peak booked prices: exceeded $400, with a high of $408.80 in August 2024

2025 peak booked prices: approximately $350 during the summer months and overall down 5.4% YoY through the end of October 2025.

Compared year over year, peak booked prices in 2025 are lower than 2024 highs, but are still higher than 2022 and early 2023.

 Source: Lighthouse

Istanbul

Short-term rental regulation in Istanbul

Turkey introduced a national framework for short-term rentals on January 1, 2024 under the Law on Leasing of Residential Properties for Tourism Purposes.

The regulation requires hosts to obtain a government permit, display an official plaque at the property entrance,

Comply with a maximum rental limit of 100 days per year.

A key provision is that permit approval requires the unanimous consent of all neighbors in the building, creating a high administrative threshold for legal operation.

The regulation applies nationwide and is enforced through licensing and platform compliance.

Market performance snapshot

Istanbuls short-term rental supply declined following the introduction of the national licensing framework.

January 2024: 34,576 listings

October 2025: 21,469 listings

This is a reduction of approximately 37.9% in supply over the period.

Istanbul's average occupancy is lower compared to most other European destinations, characterized by significant seasonality and weaker results outside of peak season.

Average annual occupancy in Istanbul has trended lower since 2022, with a partial recovery visible in 2025.

2022: 25.33%

2023: 19.96%

2024: 17.38%

2025 (Jan-Oct): 20.21%

The market maintains clear seasonality, peaking in the summer and early autumn. Despite 2024 recording the lowest annual average in the series, 2025 is currently outperforming the prior year on a YTD basis.

On the pricing front, average booked prices in 2025, through October, are $122.28, compared to 2024s full year average of $117.62.

During the busier months, prices peaked at $138.30, while in 2025, the peak booked prices were generally in the $130133 range.

 Source: Lighthouse

Florence

Short-term rental regulation in Florence

In June 2023, Florence announced a ban on new short-term rental licenses within the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The regulation was introduced to manage overtourism and protect residential housing in the citys core.

Existing short-term rentals were allowed to continue operating under 'grandfathering provisions' while the restriction applies only to new licenses within the designated zone.

Market performance snapshot

At a city level, short-term rental supply has continued to increase since the regulation was introduced, growing by 23.3% through to October 2025.

June 2023: 12,520 properties

October 2025: 15,431 properties

While showing strong seasonality, Florence continues to drive high demand, with occupancy during peak spring and autumn months regularly exceeding 70%.

In 2025, peak occupancy has moderated compared to prior years, contributing to a lower annual average, down 2 percentage points over 2024.

Meanwhile, booked prices continue to grow, particularly during the peak travel months.

Through October, the 2025 average of $272.35 represented a 6% decline from the 2024 average of $289.73. This contraction was driven primarily by a reduction in peak pricing; whereas 2024 monthly averages frequently exceeded $300 -reaching highs of $339 - 2025 prices surpassed that threshold only twice, in June ($314.60) and October ($302.90).

Despite this, prices remain elevated relative to earlier years.

 Source: Lighthouse

Vancouver

Short-term rental regulation in Vancouver

Vancouver has restricted short-term rentals to primary residences, with the aim of removing investor-owned units from the market.

Short-term rentals are limited to a hosts principal residence or a secondary suite on the same property.

In May 2024, British Columbia strengthened enforcement, effectively banning investment condos from operating as STRs.

The framework applies across the province, including Vancouver and Victoria.

Market performance snapshot

Following the tightening of provincial enforcement, Vancouvers short-term rental supply has declined modestly.

Total listings fell from 3,427 in May 2024 to 2,965 by October 2025, a reduction of approximately 13.5%, indicating a smaller but still active market.

Occupancy in Vancouver remains highly seasonal, with occupancy building into summer and softening through late autumn and winter.

Average annual occupancy has stepped down each year in the series:

2022: 48.07%

2023: 44.98%

2024: 40.45%

2025 (Jan-Oct): 36.32%

Peak summer occupancy remained relatively high but was lower year over year in 2025:

July: 49.3% (2024) compared to 44.6% (2025) (-4.7 pts)

August: 49.4% (2024) compared to 45.1% (2025) (-4.3 pts)

Booked prices in Vancouver are highly seasonal, rising sharply through peak summer demand and easing into shoulder and winter periods.

Vancouvers peak booked price in 2024 occurred in July ($422.10), with August also above $400 ($417.50).

In 2025, summer peaks were slightly lower: $413.50 in July and $398.00 in August.

Year over year, peak-month pricing moderated:

July: $422.10 (2024) to $413.50 (2025) (-2.0%)

August: $417.50 (2024) to $398.00 (2025) (-4.7%)

 Source: Lighthouse

Dubai

Short-term rental regulation in Dubai

Dubai regulates short-term rentals through a mandatory registration and permitting system overseen by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

All holiday homes must be licensed, and operators are required to comply with property standards and registration rules.

In 2025, enforcement was tightened, with increased scrutiny of unlicensed listings, updated registration fees, and stricter requirements around permit and QR code display at the property level.

The regulatory framework focuses on formal registration and compliance rather than limiting the number of short-term rentals or imposing usage caps.

Market performance snapshot

Despite tighter enforcement in 2025, Dubai continues to operate at scale as a short-term rental market.

At the start of January 2025, Dubai recorded 40,464 active listings. By October 2025, supply stood at 39,176 listings, representing a decline of 3.2% over that period, while still retaining a huge supply of short-term rentals, relative to other markets with restrictions.

Occupancy in Dubai is strongly seasonal, with performance closely tied to climate-driven travel patterns.

Winter demand saw a notable uptick in 2025, with February occupancy rising to 46.3% from 40.6% the previous year. Despite this improvement, the market remains heavily seasonal; summer occupancy persists at much lower levels, down roughly 20 points from the winter peak.

Booked prices follow a similar seasonal pattern. During the 2024 winter peak, booked prices reached $457.80 in December, while winter pricing in early 2025 peaked at $382.10 in January, representing a decline from the prior years highs.

In the summer months, booked prices declined sharply, with August 2025 averaging $182.90, while in August 2024, the average booked price was $228.50.

The data shows a market characterized by large supply, stronger winter occupancy, and pronounced seasonal swings in both occupancy and pricing, with modest supply contraction following tighter enforcement in 2025.

 Source: Lighthouse

Los Angeles

Short-term rental regulation in Los Angeles

Los Angeles regulates short-term rentals through a home-sharing framework that is designed to restrict STR activity primarily to primary residences rather than large-scale commercial inventory.

In addition to the City of Los Angeles rules, Los Angeles County introduced a separate short-term rental ordinance for unincorporated areas, which took full effect on October 7, 2024.

That county-level layer includes an annual registration requirement, limits on unhosted stays, and restrictions on certain unit types (like ADUs or granny flats"), adding a stricter compliance burden in the parts of the market it governs.

Market performance snapshot

Los Angeles remains a large STR market in absolute terms, but Lighthouse shows a clear change in the supply trajectory between 20222024 growth and a softer 2025.

From January 2022 (25,604 listings) to October 2025 (34,966 listings), supply increased by 36.6%, reflecting significant market expansion, has been flatter to slightly down more recently: October 2024 recorded 35,679 listings vs 34,966 in October 2025 (-2.0%).

In 2025, supply has eroded from its high point in January of 36,043 properties to 34,966 by October.

Short-term rental occupancy in Los Angeles is relatively stable, with some seasonality showing a lift in occupancy in the spring and summer months.

The monthly range tightened in 2025 versus prior years: occupancy ran from 25.1% (September) to 28.4% (March) in 2025, compared with wider seasonal highs in 20232024 (for example, 32.8% in August 2023 and 33.3% in July 2024).

Average booked price increased meaningfully into 2024, then eased in 2025:

2023 average booked price: $407.27

2024 average booked price: $470.83 (+15.6% vs 2023)

2025 (Jan-Oct) average booked price: $413.24 (-12.2% vs 2024)

Peak pricing was strongest in 2024, with the high at $550.30 (July 2024) and $521.70 (August 2024). In 2025 Jan-Oct, the highest month was $468.50 (January 2025), while the lowest was $367.60 (September 2025).

 Source: Lighthouse

France

Short-term rental regulation in France

France strengthened its national short-term rental framework in late 2024 through La Loi Le Meur.

The law allows municipalities to reduce the annual cap on primary residence rentals from 120 nights to 90 nights.

It also introduces stricter energy efficiency requirements and reduces the tax allowances applied to short-term rental income.

These measures add regulatory and financial constraints but stop short of enacting a nationwide ban on short-term rentals.

Market performance snapshot

With 1,184,868 properties, France remains one of the largest short-term rental markets globally.

National supply continued to grow through 2024, peaking at 1.26 million listings in July 2024 (during the Paris Olympics), before trending lower through 2025.

Occupancy follows a strong seasonal pattern, driven by summer travel demand.

Average annual occupancy peaked in 2023 (38.4%), before moderating slightly in 2024 (34.5%) and 2025 Jan-Oct (29.0%), reflecting a softer 2025 peak season relative to prior years.

Booked prices increased materially between 2022 and 2024, particularly during summer months.

2023 peak booked price: $205.70 (August)

2024 peak booked prices: $241.90 (August)

2025 peak booked prices: $216.30 (August)

 Source: Lighthouse

Saudi Arabia

Short-term rental regulation in Saudi Arabia

As part of its tourism strategy, Saudi Arabia has implemented a strict licensing framework.

Hosts are required to obtain a Tourism License through the official government portal to operate legally.

In March 2025, the Ministry of Tourism intensified enforcement, requiring digital platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com to remove listings that did not display a valid license number.

This "clean-up" was designed to ensure quality standards and bring the sector under the oversight of the new Tourism Law.

Market performance snapshot

The impact of the March 2025 enforcement is visible in the supply data.

Supply peaked at 39,401 listings in January 2025. Following the crackdown, it dropped sharply to a low of 22,369 in February/March before gradually recovering.

However, as of October 2025, supply had climbed back to 34,865 listings.

Occupancy remains low relative to the other markets we analyzed, reflecting a developing sector where supply currently exceeds demand.

Average market occupancy has hovered between 11% and 19% throughout most of 20232025.

Booked pricing shows a seasonal element, peaking in March and April.

However, yearly average prices show a softening of prices too.

2025 (Jan-Oct) average booked price: $191.29

2024 average booked price: $196.45

2023 average booked price: $235.19

 Source: Lighthouse

Closing thoughts

Across the cities and countries analysed, short-term rentals continue to operate under a wide range of regulatory frameworks. However, the data shows that regulated markets are not uniform in their outcomes, with supply, occupancy, and pricing evolving differently across locations.

In many cases, short-term rental supply has adjusted rather than disappeared, while occupancy and pricing trends remain closely tied to seasonality, destination profile, and broader travel demand.

Notably, 2025 data indicates a moderation in pricing and peak occupancy across several major markets compared to 2024, though high-demand destinations continue to command premium rates.

These patterns also reflect market behavior within regulated environments, not just the impact of the rules themselves. Macroeconomic conditions, shifting travel patterns, and local dynamics remain powerful drivers of performance.

For operators, this makes market-level visibility essential. Actively tracking market dynamics provides the practical baseline needed to set rates, plan availability, and benchmark performance.

Lighthouses data solutions support this by providing consistent visibility into these core indicators across markets, allowing operators to assess current conditions, track change over time, and make decisions based on market behaviour.

Managing a short-term rental business, regardless of size, requires the right data to ensure you're always competitive and can navigate the future of short-term rentals with confidence.

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry.

We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth.

We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways.

Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partnerstheir success is our success.

For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: https://www.mylighthouse.com.

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In hospitality, we often talk about guest experience, operational excellence and creating memorable moments. But the most profound lessons in hospitality come from stories that begin far away from a hotel lobby.

In a recent episode ofMatt Talks, Armen Melkonian, a Syrian-Armenian refugee, shared his journey of survival, resilience and the extraordinary role hospitality has played in his life. These vital lessons are sure to resonate deeply with anyone in the hotel industry  watch the conversation here or keep reading for the key takeaways.

A life shaped by conflict and identity

Armens story begins in Syria, where he grew up in an Armenian Orthodox Christian family. Due to the war, the rise of ISIS and his sexual orientation, he was no longer safe in Syria.

In 2014, he fled to Lebanon, hoping for safety. But as an LGBTQIA+ refugee, Lebanon proved dangerous too, forcing him to conceal his identity. Through the UNHCR resettlement program, Armen eventually relocated to the Netherlands in 2015  a country that offered him not just safety, but the chance to rebuild his life.

Since then, Armen has graduated from Hotelschool The Hague, worked several hotel jobs including housekeeping and F&B. He now works as a student recruiter for Hotelschool The Hague, focused on making education more diverse and inclusive. He sings in the Amsterdam mens chorus and advocates for refugees and the LGBTQIA+ community. Yet his journey highlights something every hotelier knows instinctively: hospitality is not just a service  its a responsibility to recognize and respond to human needs.

Hospitality as balance and care

To me personally, hospitality means acknowledging ones needs and trying to cater to them. But at the same time, of course, catering to your own needs because if you are not in balance, how are you supposed to help and show hospitality to others? Armen says.

That balance, he explains, is essential. Only when you are cared for yourself can you extend care to others, a principle that applies as much to a front desk team as it does to a refugee navigating a new country.

Armens earliest lessons in hospitality came from his family. If we had unexpected guests, I would see my mom rushing to her purse, getting some cash, giving [it to] me secretly and saying, go get some stuff for our guests, he recalls. This instinct to anticipate and cater to others needs became a foundation not only for his career in hospitality, but for his advocacy work. In Syria, hospitality means generosity even at personal cost: Sometimes you have to serve your neighbors or your guests even if you know youre going to be hungry in the evening.

Rebuilding life in a new country

Moving to the Netherlands required a recalibration of these lessons. While the instinct to give generously remained, Armen had to learn his limits. I had to learn to be stable myself, to see if Im strong enough, if my needs are catered, to be able to help and support others, he explains. For hoteliers, this resonates in the daily challenge of balancing guest satisfaction with team wellbeing. Hospitality can't thrive on empty reserves.

How do you build a new life from scratch? I arrived in December It was horrible. It was so dark and rainy, he remembers. Immersion in community was key  something thats the hallmark of meaningful hospitality. Language classes, volunteering and joining the Amsterdam mens chorus became key avenues for creating connections.

Hospitality in humanitarian contexts

Armen sees a direct connection between hospitality in hotels and hospitality in humanitarian contexts. Long before hospitality became an industry, it was human instinct to welcome the stranger and create connection, he says, citing the UNHCRs definition of hospitality. Small gestures  acknowledging a newcomer at the supermarket, helping them navigate a city  can have a transformative impact.

Hoteliers are uniquely positioned to extend this philosophy: not just through service within a property, but by integrating and supporting newcomers and talented individuals across communities.

Equity and inclusion remain central to Armens advocacy. Highlighting the difference between equality and equity, he notes that big corporates often say, we do it equally, but thats not enough. Theres a difference between equality and equity. Equity is giving people like us the tools we need in order to succeed.

For hotels, this principle applies to recruitment, training and team culture. Its vital to create structures where every team member, regardless of background, can thrive.

Hope, action and second chances

Ultimately, Armens message is one of hope and action. Hope is a very powerful word But even more powerful is action. See the other, see yourself, open arms, welcome everyone, he states. His story reminds us that hospitality is more than a business  its a force for second chances. By coming here to this country, I literally got a second chance of my life Believe in the second chances. Give somebody a second chance, and they might not disappoint you.

For hoteliers, Armens journey is a call to lead with empathy, embrace inclusion and remember the human heart behind every guest interaction. Hospitality is not just about rooms and revenue  its about seeing, supporting and giving second chances, one person at a time.

To listen to Armens inspiring story in full, check out the Matt Talks episode.

About Mews

Mews is the operating system for hospitality, unifying workflows across revenue, operations and the guest journey so teams can automate the mundane and focus on memorable guest experiences. The Mews platform spans PMS, POS, RMS, Housekeeping and Payments, helping hoteliers move from property management to profit management. Powering 15,000 customers across 85 countries, the company was named Best PMS (2024, 2025, 2026), Best POS (2026) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech for six years running by Hotel Tech Report.

www.mews.com
Rendering of the new Premier Inn in Chichester, U.K. - Image Credit Whitbread



Whitbread PLC has announced plans to build an 82-bedroom Premier Inn in Chichester, marking the company's second location in the city.

Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, has acquired a site on Bognor Road in Chichester for the construction of a new 82-bedroom hotel. The location, purchased from Hanbury Properties, is situated near the A27/A259 junction, providing accessibility for both business and leisure travelers. This development is part of Whitbread's strategy to expand its presence in Chichester, complementing the existing Premier Inn at Gate Leisure Park.

The new hotel will bring the total number of Premier Inn bedrooms in Chichester to 165. The decision to establish a second location in the city is driven by strong demand for accommodations in the area. Hanbury Properties completed significant preparatory work on the site before its sale, including remediation and infrastructure improvements.

Construction of the new hotel is expected to begin later this year. This expansion aligns with Whitbread's broader growth strategy across Sussex and the south coast of England. The company plans to increase its network of hotels in West and East Sussex to 23 locations, with a new Premier Inn set to open in Bognor Regis Seafront in April.

In addition to the Chichester project, Whitbread is preparing to start construction on its first Premier Inn in Littlehampton Town Centre, following the demolition of a former supermarket on the site. The company is also exploring opportunities for a new location in Rye.

Whitbread currently operates over 840 hotels, offering nearly 86,000 bedrooms across the UK and Ireland. The company aims to expand its capacity to 125,000 rooms in these markets as part of its long-term growth plan.
IHCL to Open New Gateway Hotel in Bengaluru's Hennur Area - Image Credit IHCL



Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the signing of a new Gateway hotel in Hennur, Bengaluru, as part of a greenfield project.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has signed an agreement to develop a new Gateway hotel in Hennur, Bengaluru. The project will add to IHCL's portfolio in the city, which currently includes 20 hotels, 11 of which are under development.

The Gateway Hennur, Bengaluru, will feature 350 guest rooms. The hotel will include an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a specialty restaurant, and a lounge. For events and conferences, the hotel will provide over 16,000 square feet of banqueting space, along with meeting rooms equipped with modern facilities. The hotel will also offer a gym, health club, swimming pool, and treatment rooms.

Hennur is a rapidly developing suburb in North Bengaluru, noted for its proximity to major IT hubs and the airport. The area is considered strategic due to its proximity to key attractions in the city center.

This development is part of IHCL's broader strategy to expand its presence in Bengaluru, a city experiencing significant growth in infrastructure and various sectors such as technology, aerospace, and education.
Artificial intelligence doesnt have to mean robots writing songs or deepfake vocals. For many working musicians, the most useful AI tools are the boring ones  the ones that save time, reduce admin, and make practice or promotion more efficient.

From track prep to tour planning, here are nine AI-powered tools helping musicians work smarter, not louder.

1. StrmMusic  Smarter Release Strategy & Playlist Insights

StrmMusic uses AI to analyze streaming data, playlist placements, and release patterns to help artists understand whats actually driving growth. Instead of guessing when or how to release music, musicians can spot trends, measure momentum, and adjust strategy in real time, without needing a data science degree.

Best for: Independent artists planning releases and tracking performance.

2. Moises  Practice, Not Creation

Moises has become a staple practice tool for musicians, using AI to separate stems, detect chords, and adjust tempo or key  all without generating new music. Whether youre learning parts, creating rehearsal tracks, or isolating tricky passages, its a major time-saver.

Best for: Practicing musicians, educators, and cover bands.

3. Samplette.io  Faster Sample Discovery, Less Digging

Samplette uses AI to analyze thousands of records and surface royalty-free samples based on instrument, era, BPM, and style. Instead of endlessly crate-digging or scrolling through sample packs, musicians can quickly find usable source material that fits a specific need. While it doesnt create sounds, it drastically cuts down the time spent searching for inspiration or raw material.

Best for: Producers and beatmakers looking to streamline sample discovery.

4. Waves Cosmos  Intelligent Sample Organization

Waves Cosmos applies AI tagging and analysis to your existing sample library, automatically categorizing sounds by type, tempo, key, and character. For producers drowning in folders named Kick_Final_03, Cosmos turns chaos into a searchable, organized system. The result is less time hunting for sounds and more time actually working.

Best for: Producers with large, unruly sample libraries.

5. LALAL.AI  Clean Stems Without Studio Headaches

LALAL.AI uses AI-powered source separation to extract vocals, drums, bass, and other elements from finished tracks. Its commonly used for practice, remix prep, DJ edits, or archival work  not for generating new music. By handling stem separation quickly and cleanly, it removes the need for complicated manual processing or unreliable DIY methods.

Best for: DJs, remixers, educators, and musicians needing stems for non-creative workflows.

6. Vampr Analytics  Smarter Networking Decisions

Vamprs AI-driven insights help musicians understand whos engaging with their profile and which connections might actually lead somewhere. It turns networking from endless scrolling into something more intentional and measurable.

Best for: Musicians collaborating, forming bands, or building teams.

7. LANDR  Automated Mastering & Release Prep

LANDR applies machine learning to analyze tracks and deliver technically consistent masters optimized for different platforms. Beyond mastering, its tools also support file management, distribution prep, and version control  cutting down on administrative friction around releases. For artists without access to a mastering engineer on every project, LANDR acts as a fast, reliable technical checkpoint.

Best for: DIY artists preparing music for digital release.

8. Sonible smart:comp 2  Compression Without Guesswork

Sonible smart:comp 2 uses AI-driven signal analysis to automatically set compression parameters based on the incoming audio. By understanding the characteristics of vocals, drums, or full mixes, it minimizes time spent tweaking thresholds and ratios. The tool still allows full manual control, but its intelligent starting points make mixing faster and more efficient.

Best for: Producers and mix engineers aiming to speed up session workflows.

9. Midjourney  Visual Assets Without a Design Team

While Midjourney is a generative AI tool, its not about making music  its about helping musicians quickly create visual assets. Artists use it to generate cover art concepts, tour posters, social media visuals, and mood boards without hiring a designer for every iteration. For musicians juggling releases, branding, and promotion, Midjourney can dramatically speed up the visual side of a project, especially in early planning or pitching stages.

Best for: Artists needing fast visuals for marketing, branding, or concept development.

Why Non-Creative AI Matters for Musicians

These tools dont write songs, generate vocals, or replace musicians  they handle analysis, organization, and optimization, freeing artists to focus on the creative work only humans can do. As the music industry continues to debate AIs role in creativity, productivity-focused tools are quietly becoming essential infrastructure for modern music careers.

And the best part is, you get to stay human while using them.
A look ahead at the stories set to reshape the live music industry in 2026.

Live Nation & Ticketmaster

Live Nation and its Ticketmaster division are facing multiple legal battles which will reach the courtroom in 2026. A suit filed by the Department of Justice and 30 states alleges monopolistic practices and could split the company in pieces. The Federal Trade Commission is also in court alleging Ticketmaster colluded with scalpers. Then there are multiple lawsuits filed by Swifties and other fans, several of which appear on track for Class Action status.

Ticketing

The fights that fans are most likely to feel the effects of first in 2026 are over ticket resales.

Federal legislation to regulate in ticket resellers is stalled like so much in Congress. So the action has shifted to the states. Many of these efforts mirror the proposed federal TICKET Act. It reached the U.S. Senate in April of 2025 and would establish national standards for price transparency and consumer protections across the live event industry.

Some states are going much farther. Maine has already passed a tough 10% resale cap with D.C. and Illinois likely to follow.

Other states, including Maryland and Minnesota, have implemented all-in pricing and bans on speculative ticketing  the practice of selling tickets before they are officially owned.

In 2025, Michigan became the 14th state to criminalize the use of bot software for mass ticket acquisition. Massachusetts recently moved to require resales only through the original purchase platform.

The results of these state efforts will be judged in 2026, as others consider their own legislation. Theyll also be monitoring tough new UK laws prohibiting resale of concerts, sports, and theatre tickets above the original face value plus fees, which will also be capped.

NIVA, NITO & Fix The Tix

While StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats spend tens of millions of dollars on lobbyists, a handful of organizations are battling on behalf of fans with far less resources.

NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) is leading the charge for independent venues, promoters and festivals. Joining in is talent agent and manager trade group NITO (National Independent Talent Organization). Both are also part of the Fix The Tix coalition whose members also include the Recording Academy, the RIAA, UMG, Bandsintown, Eventbrite, APAP, Future of Music Coalition, the Black Music Action Coalition and the Music Artists Coalition.

Live Music Industry David vs. Goliath

NIVA has also become Live Nation and Ticketmasters most vocal critic. Expect their call to break Live Nation and Ticketmaster into separate companies to grow louder as the DOJ trial begins this March.

NIVA sees its clash with Live Nation as a battle for the survival of independent live music in the U.S. Its State Of Live report released in mid-2025 showed 64% of the independent US stages surveyed were loosing money.

The current system is rigged against fans, artists, and independent stages, said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA mid-year. This is a defining moment. Parker and his members see two major threats to the live music ecosystem: Live Nations vertically integrated monopoly and the unregulated secondary ticketing market.

2025 saw some independent venues and festivals shut down even as Live Nation expanded on both fronts. Early signs point to more of the same in 2026.

This year expect NIVA and aligned organizations to push for regulations and remedies designed to restore competition, protect consumers, and support independent venues, promoters, and festivals.

These spaces are where culture happens, Parker told NPR in a year end interview. If these spaces dont exist, all youre left with are arenas and massive amphitheaters owned by international corporations.

Bruce Houghton

Find the latest Music Business News and Live Music Industry Updates under the BUSINESS NEWS and LIVE INDUSTRY NEWS tabs above. We search the web so you dont have to!

Stories set to reshape the Live Music Industry in 2026 first appeared on Hypebot.com.
Veterans for Peace protest outside the Army recruitment office on North Street in Pittsfield. PreviousNext

Veterans for Peace Stand Out Against Venezuela Strike



Protesters say they fear that the nation and its young men and women will get caught up in another war. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The new Berkshires chapter of Veterans for Peace held a stand-out Monday against the strike on Venezuela and the U.S. detention of its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Veterans For Peace is a global network of military veterans and allies dedicated to creating a culture of peace through education, advocacy, and support services.

The organization aims to end all wars, raise awareness about the true costs of conflict, and help veterans and war victims worldwide.

Protest organizers Eric Wasileski, a Persian Gulf Navy veteran, and Rhonda Pastori, an Air Force veteran, described President Donald Trump's actions as illegal.

Wasileski emphasized that without the rule of law, society risks descending into mob mentality. Venezuela has an impeachment process that they can use, and they should use their impeachment processes, he said. "We say we're supporting and defending the Constitution. We're also saying that we're supporting the rule of law," Wasileski said. "There are laws in place in nations to deal with corruption, and we hope that they will use those laws instead of expecting people to come and get their leaders."

The Trump administration has pressured Venezuela for months, including attacking small boats that are allegedly being used for drug trafficking. On Jan. 3, U.S. forces struck the nation's capital, killing more than 80, and an extraction team pulled out Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Elected as president in 2013, Maduro had continued to maintain a brutal grip on power and his ouster was hailed by many Venezuelans who'd fled his regime. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2020 on drug trafficking and terror charges and arraigned Monday in federal court in New York. The action, however, drew denunciations, with critics saying it was less about keeping Americans safe from drugs and more about grabbing the South American nation's oil. Just last month, Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been sentenced to prison on cocaine distribution charges. "President Trumps unilateral military action to attack another country and seize Maduro  no matter how terrible a dictator he is  is unconstitutional and threatens to drag the U.S. into further conflicts in the region," said U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. "What does it mean that the U.S. will 'run' Venezuela, and what will Trump do next around the world?"

The United States has been involved in oil wars since 1991, and this is just a continuation of that, Wasileski and Pastori said.

Venezuela has the largest proven oil in the Western Hemisphere and that is what Trump wants, just like what the U.S. wanted in Iraq, Wasileski said.

"We have the technology available for us to make electricity, for transportation, for heating, everything that the oil does we have that technology available to us. We need to transition. If we transition, we will stop making wars for oil, and we can live a better life," he said.

This intervention in Venezuela is distracting the public from national issues, several of which are happening this week, such as hearings on health care, Pastori said.

"Besides it being an unlawful act, this is how the U.S. has gotten our feet into more serious engagements," she said.

"The easy thing to do was getting Maduro out. Now what happens and our U.S. servicemen can't always speak freely as veterans, we're here to speak out for them on their behalf as well."

The rhetoric being used to justify the attack centers around drugs but that could not be further from the truth; it all comes down to the money, they said.

"Who knows what was going on behind the scenes that made Trump feel that this needed to be done," said Pastori. "Likely, it was oil corporations that wanted to get their feet back into the country of Venezuela and wrestle control away from the people there."

Pastori acknowledged that it is no coincidence that a quarter of Venezuela's population have left since Maduro took over.

"There's a reason for that, and regime change should not be the business of the United States," she said. "We have to be respectful of other nations' sovereignties. What on earth is China saying about this in regards to their relationship with Taiwan. What moral grand do we have to stand on when it comes to anybody else's behavior, when our administration handles things this way."

Pastori said their goal was to educate the public, and Wasileski strongly promoted pacifism, which means actively standing for justice without violence through peaceful protest and community education. Showing up at a rally or making a call to legislators can make a difference, they said.

The protest was strategically held outside the U.S. Army Career Center on North Street to inform prospective recruits about the realities of military service, Wasileski said.

"When I enlisted I didn't have all the facts, and I want to make sure young people understand what they get involved in, and war for oil is not honor. It's not duty, it's not defending our nation, and it's something else entirely," he said.

Editor's note: Two people were incorrectly identified and a wrong year was given regarding how the U.S. has been involved in wars over oil in an earlier version of this article. These have been corrected.
Mayor Peter Marchetti touted the 250 housing units being developed in the city ranging from supportive to permanent market rate during his State of the City address on Monday.

Marchetti Talks New Housing, New Approaches for 2026



The mayor, halfway through his four-year term, is applauded after giving his State of the City address at Monday's reorganization of government. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Housing insecurity sparked passionate conversations at City Hall in 2025.

In 2026, some of that insecurity may be alleviated as Mayor Peter Marchetti expects new housing units to come online, along with partnerships to reach people in need.

By 2027, 255 new housing units are anticipated from various developers. Pittsfield has supported several projects through tax incentives, grant funding, and American Rescue Plan Act monies.

This includes 41 affordable units at Terrace 592 on North Street, 37 permanent supportive units at The First and on West Housatonic Street, 35 units (seven affordable) at the Wright Building on North Street, and home ownership projects undertaken by the Westside Legends.

"Since I took office as mayor, housing has been at the forefront of my agenda," the mayor said during his State of the City Address on Monday.

"I have had countless conversations with my colleagues from across the commonwealth about ways to meet the needs of our community, which include improving the aging housing stock and increasing the inventory of quality units. We have made great strides in housing over the past year, but I know we have a much longer road ahead."

He renewed his commitment to working with community partners and organizations in 2026 to address the needs of Pittsfield's most vulnerable residents through the exploration of new ideas and existing impactful ones.

"It is imperative that we work together as a county on an approach to identify solutions to a variety of housing challenges our community members are experiencing and other barriers that stand in the way of success," the mayor said during his address.

On Friday, Marchetti gave the media a preview of his address, which coined 2026 as "a year of opportunity for potential and building that momentum." The yearly wrap-up/look ahead was given during Monday's swearing-in ceremony of the City Council and School Committee.

The controversial camping ordinance brought forward in June is likely off the table, and instead, he said the city is taking cues from Northampton's Division of Community Care program.

"I do believe, through conversations with a lot of the folks that came that were in opposition, that there is some momentum moving in the right direction," Marchetti said on Friday.

Conversations about homelessness resumed in Council Chambers when the mayor proposed a ban on standing in medians and public camping to curb panhandling and the use of tents by homeless in the downtown area. Neither of the ordinances reached the finish line, and the camping petition was handed over to the Board of Health.

Marchetti joined board members for a visit to the Northampton's care program, a public-led, person-centered, trauma-informed response and support team that serves as a resource center for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use-related matters. They thought it could work for Pittsfield.

"I'm not against homeless people. I'm against the activities that are taking place, whether they be in our parks or our downtown. And that messaging for me didn't come out clear and because of the proposal, it allowed people to create their own narrative and to be able to demonize me as someone who didn't care for homeless people. And to a certain extent, for the first month, I think that was legit. After the first month, I think we were just trying to sensationalize," he said, explaining that he went to the Homes not Handcuffs Coalition meeting and asked the group to work with him on solutions.

" When you make a mistake, and I'm not sure that it was a mistake, but when you do something that's not received well, clearly, you need to do some rethinking."

The ordinance's original language included possible criminal penalties, which he said was probably not the best idea. Amendments in July included the removal of criminalization language, a new fine structure, and some exceptions for people sleeping in cars or escaping danger.

In hindsight, Marchetti wishes that he had a softer approach, but feels the petition started productive dialogue.

He clarified he wouldn't support designated encampments in the city because he saw firsthand what happened at Springside Park, where there was a large encampment during the pandemic.

"I'd rather continue to find ways to replicate what we're doing for The First and the permanent supportive housing that we're doing, and unfortunately, those are monies," he said.

"We didn't get here overnight. We can't get out of here overnight."

The city has since opened 24-hour public bathrooms at the police station. There are also efforts to increase Pittsfield's four co-responders to six and find a way to transition them out of the Police Department and into the Health Department, to remove the criminal aspect of the team.

The Homeless Advisory Committee also held several housing resource fairs, and a social worker was hired at the library.

This year, ServiceNet's shelter, The Pearl, and Downtown Pittsfield Inc. launched an ambassador program in which Pearl residents volunteer to clean the downtown in exchange for gift cards, and Marchetti said the city is looking to ensure that program continues. The funding for 2025 was secured through a state grant.

"We're making a commitment to finding the funding to continue that program because we see the need and we also see some of the results," he reported.

"The program has helped reduce stigma for some of the homeless folks, and it also has been able to provide them an opportunity to be included in the community. So we will continue that."

At the start of Marchetti's term in 2024, there were many opportunities at the forefront at the beginning of the term that just needed one or two pieces to get over the finish line, he said. Former Mayor Linda Tyer was applauded at the opening of The First for her allocation of ARPA funds in 2022.

About 140 more units are in the pipeline that the city has supported or is responsible for.

This includes 28 units (six affordable) at 100 Wendell Ave. that were allocated Community Preservation Act funding and given a tax increment exemption; Hearthway's upcoming 47 units of affordable housing at 55 Linden St. that was allocated CPA and Community Development Block Grant funds; and the Westside Legends' construction of 16 townhouses on Columbus Avenue that Pittsfield received a $500,000 state grant for; and 22 to 50 units at Hibbard School on Newell Street that Marchetti said will be put to bid once the city removes the items stored there.

There is a tax increment proposed for Allegrone's 23 units (four affordable) at 24 and 30-34 North St., and one of Pittsfield's ARPA awardees, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, is constructing five new residential units.

"We've been working with an investor to purchase the longtime vacant property of the former St. Joseph High School building. I am pleased to say that we're in the finalization of that purchase, and a sale is planned for this week. The goal is to have 21 new units of mixed-use housing with a day-care opportunity on the first floor," Marchetti said Monday.

"More exciting details to follow."




Re-enactors at Fort Ticonderoga, N.Y. Col. Henry Knox and his men dragged 60 cannons from the fort on Lake Champlain south to the Massachusetts border, then across South County in the dead of winter to Boston.

Berkshire Communities Commemorate the 'Noble Train of Artillery'

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  The nation's 250th anniversary starts on Saturday with the commemoration of Col. Henry Knox's train of artillery into Massachusetts.

In December 1775, at the direction of General George Washington, 25-year-old Knox led an expedition to retrieve captured British cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in New York.

Over the next 10 weeks, through deep snow, frozen rivers, and rugged mountains, Knox and his teamsters transported more than 60 tons of artillery across more than 50 towns and two states to the American siege lines outside Boston.

The artillery's arrival in late January enabled Washington to fortify Dorchester Heights and threaten occupied Boston, forcing the British to withdraw  the first significant victory of Washington's Continental Army.

Knox Trail 250 relives the story with a modern procession of ceremonies, re-enactments, and community commemorations along the original route, honoring the people, towns, and spirit that made it possible. There are 56 trail markers commemorating the "noble train of artillery" route to Boston.

The collaboration of communities, historical societies, Berkshires250 and MA250 includes events in the Berkshire towns of Alford, Great Barrington, Monterey, and Stockbridge.

Saturday begins with the crossing of the "Noble Train" from Hillsdale, N.Y., into Alford at Route 71 at 10 a.m. and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Henry Knox Marker. Re-enactors and state and local officials from both states will be attending. The Hillsdale firehouse will host the re-enactors for an educational program at 11:30 a.m. There is limited parking at the marker, and the public is strongly encouraged to attend one of the later programs

A second procession will depart from the Great Barrington Historical Society at 817 South Main St. to the Mahaiwe Theater, 14 Castle St., where a commemorative program will take place at 2 p.m. The procession will feature a living-history portrayal of Henry Knox, accompanied by re-enactors, fifes and drums, draft horses, and sleds hauling replica cannon bound symbolically for Boston.

The program at the Mahaiwe will feature speakers and plaques presented to the towns of Alford, North Egremont, Great Barrington, Monterey, Sandisfield, Otis, Russell, and Blandford.

Further events will take place at the Monterey Library and Bidwell House the following weekend on Jan. 16-18, and the Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Knox celebration will culminate on Tuesday, March 17, at Dorchester Heights at 9 a.m., Evacuation Day in Suffolk County that marks the withdrawal of British troops from Boston.

The full schedule is below:
Clarksburg Looking to Reduce Costs of North Berkshire School Union

CLARKSBURG, Mass.  The Select Board on Monday discussed its planned presentation to Thursday's North Berkshire School Union "super committee."

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Clarksburg School.

Officials have been mulling a more equitable split on the costs of the school union since last winter. The town currently pays about 54 percent of the administrative costs of the shared superintendency based on enrollment.

"After reviewing a few things, we're noticing the superintendent oversees four principals, the other school committee meetings, state reporting, oversees school buildings," said Chair Daniel Haskins.

"It just felt us at the biggest percent of 54 percent and then the next, which would be Florida, 18 percent, it just doesn't quite seem like it's a good breakdown or a fair breakdown for us."

The percentage changes each year but for Clarksburg it's been trending up since being in the mid-40s nearly a decade ago, while the other towns are trending down.

School Committee members have also noted that while the town pays about half the cost of the superintendency, it doesn't have an equivalent vote. At the last meeting, Clarksburg had one vote out of around 10.

The Select Board would like the other towns to pick up costs for the similar responsibilities (some positions are already split equally). The board is proposing that all four communities with schools  Clarksburg, Florida, Rowe and Savoy  automatically cover 10 percent and Monroe, which sends its students to Rowe, 5 percent.

This would would make up 45 percent of the budget even before enrollment is calculated. Haskins believes this could save the school about $70,000.

"I think this is a good first step. I think some of the discussion leading up to this have been kind of varied across the board," said member Colton Andrews. "We have to look at some long-term viability and really kind of evaluate what our options are."

But, he said, they'd have to see what the other members had to say and acknowledged they wouldn't be eager to propose a rise in costs to the communities.

"This might be a line they don't necessarily want to cross, but I think at that point we have to, say, OK, we've given you the option," he said. "Now we have to look at Plan B, C or D, kind of go from there."

School Committee Chair Laura Wood said she could not speak on behalf of the other members but liked to think they were on the same page.

"I think what you put together here makes sense, and to me, looks fair for each town, like Colton said the others may not see it that way," she said of the other NBSU members. "So it would have to be a fair discussion and open discussion, and then we bring a lot to the table for the union."

Haskins said Superintendent John Franzoni has been sympathetic to the idea that adjustments should be made.

"That will help a lot for these other towns to feel good about their decision," he said.
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Donald Trumps operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro could ultimately serve China in taking Taiwan, experts have warned.

The Trump administrations blistering assault on Caracas to oust Maduro from power has been met with a mix of shock, condemnation and calculated support from world leaders.

Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute, told the Washington Post that where officials in Beijing may have once worried that a Chinese assault on Taiwan would have provoked a united response from the international community, Venezuela has shown otherwise.

Everything that is being said about the importance of defending Taiwan is being undermined by the lawlessness of Trump in the attack on Caracas, he said.

open image in gallery Chinese ships patrol as the People's Liberation Army conduct military drills on Pingtan island, in eastern China's Fujian province, the closest point to Taiwan ( AFP/Getty )

China publicly condemned the intervention as a clear violation of international law, confronting Washington at the United Nations over the moves legality. Beijings top diplomat also accused the US of acting like a world judge by seizing Maduro to put him on trial in New York.

But Tsang suggested the move played into Chinas hands, undermining any ability to muster an international response to a future attack on Taipei.

William Yang, an analyst at International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based NGO, said: Washington's consistent, long-standing arguments are always that the Chinese actions are violating international law, but they are now damaging that.

It's really creating a lot of openings and cheap ammunition for the Chinese to push back against the US in the future.

open image in gallery Donald Trump captured Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela after months of dramatic buildup in the Caribbean - a precedent, experts said, would be noted by China ( Getty )

On Sunday, China's official Xinhua news agency called the US attack naked hegemonic behaviour.

The US invasion has made everyone see more and more the fact that the so-called 'rules-based international order' in the mouth of the United States is actually just a 'predatory order based on US interests', it said.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own province, which Taiwan rejects. China also claims almost all of the South China Sea, putting it at odds with several Southeast Asian nations that also claim parts of the vital trade route.

Beijing last week encircled the island in its most extensive war games to date, showcasing its ability to cut off Taiwan from outside support in a conflict.

It also expressed anger at a planned US arms sale worth more than $11bn, including missiles, drones, artillery systems and military software. The United States is obligated by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

Wang Ting-yu, a senior lawmaker from Taiwans ruling party, still rejected the idea that China might follow the US example and strike Taiwan.

open image in gallery Maduro ran Venezuela for 12 years before his sudden ousting at the hands of the US ( Reuters )

China has never lacked hostility toward Taiwan, but it genuinely lacks the feasible means, Wang posted on Facebook. China is not the United States, and Taiwan is certainly not Venezuela. If China could actually pull it off, it would have done so long ago!

Lev Nachman, a political science professor at National Taiwan University, said he expected Taiwan's government to express lightly worded support for American action on Venezuela. Taiwan has not yet made any statement.

What I do think Trump's actions could do is to help Xi Jinping's narrative in the future to create more justification for action against Taiwan, he said.
The cold realists in Beijing were deeply shocked by the American strike on Venezuela and have called on the United States to release President Nicolas Maduro and his wife at once.

It is only two years since the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, gave Maduro a red-carpet welcome on a state visit and vowed support for his efforts to safeguard national sovereignty as well as Venezuelas just cause of opposing external interference.

And it has been only two days since Maduro received President Xis special envoy in the Miraflores presidential palace for talks on more than 600 agreements that have bound the two countries together on energy, infrastructure, finance and political co-operation. If the visit by Qiu Xiaoqi, a heavy-hitter who has served as Chinese ambassador to Brazil and Mexico, was meant to deter American action, it failed. Superficially, the fall of Maduro looks like a net setback for China on political, diplomatic and strategic fronts.

It may be more subtle than that. Although China does not react quickly to complex international events, there are four questions which will preoccupy its leaders this week  and not all of them look bad.

open image in gallery Xi Jinping welcomes Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro at Beijings Great Hall of the People in 2023 ( via Reuters )

The first question, forever paramount but never said, is the military one. There will be intense scrutiny of the tactics and intelligence skills which allowed US forces to suppress Venezuelan air defences, turn off the lights in Caracas and stage a precision capture, livestreamed to a delighted President Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Not much to worry China here: Venezuelas defences were in such a shambles that Maduro had recently asked Xi for new radar systems, requested help from his other ally, Vladimir Putin, to repair the engines for Russian Sukhoi-SU20 MK2 warplanes (only five were said to be operational) and sought missiles, drones and GPS scramblers from Iran.

The contrast with Chinas own modern arsenal is stark and will spur the Politburo on in its race to beat American warfighting technology. A study of the raid will also help the Peoples Liberation Armys own scenario planning for a decapitation strike against the leaders of Taiwan.

A second question for China is its energy deal with Venezuela, under which the Maduro regime repaid loans with discounted shipments of oil. Official figures showed China was the destination for 700,000 out of 1.2 million barrels of oil a day shipped by Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the state oil company.

There had been hard bargaining because Venezuelan crude is heavy and Chinese refineries may have struggled to produce fuel at a competitive price. It was a textbook state-to-state exchange made for political, not economic, reasons. The Chinese will have been soothed by President Trumps early assurance that the oil will still flow  but he has not said at what price. On balance, this hands leverage to the US president.

The third question is in what position the Venezuelan strike leaves America and China in the world. Here, there is no doubt that Beijing feels exultant. Its spokesperson urged the US to stop toppling the government of Venezuela, adding that its action is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

These were the unblushing themes promoted by China since Maduro and Xi attended the victory parade Putin staged in Moscow on 9 May last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Maduro did not, however, make it to Xis own parade on 3 September, sending the president of the National Assembly instead as US forces gathered in the Caribbean. But his government endorsed the anti-fascist script adopted by China, Russia and North Korea.

open image in gallery The image of Nicolas Maduro posted on Trumps Truth Social account after his capture by the US military ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

Xi talks about restoring the authentic history and values of the UN system, successfully rallying disquieted nations in the global South to the cause.

And while Maduro may not grace the podium at the UN General Assembly in New York in person again, his captivity not far away hands a rhetorical weapon to opponents of the United States; not that the Trump administration cares about that.

The fourth question for China is what it means for Xis ambition to reunite his country and Taiwan. The Chinese leader is far too cautious to link the two openly. But a clue can be found by decoding his foreign ministrys statement, which said: China strongly condemns the USs blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Of course, China does not regard Taiwan as a sovereign state but a renegade province. It does not recognise its president, Lai Ching-te, as a legitimate head of government but a doomed traitor. Therefore, the Venezuelan precedent does not apply.

Legally, from Xi Jinpings point of view, any action to reclaim Taiwan will be merely an internal matter, of no concern to foreigners. A strike to take it back could be made to fit a world order in which America dominates the western hemisphere and China dominates the east. Politically, President Trump has just made it easier.

Michael Sheridan is the author of The Red Emperor: Xi Jinping and His New China (Hachette Books) and The Gate to China, an acclaimed history of Hong Kong
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South Korean president Lee Jae Myung laughed and posed for selfies with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday as the pair began what he described as a new phase in relations during his four-day visit to Beijing.

It marked their second meeting in two months, signalling efforts by both sides to foster closer ties as regional tensions mount with Japan and Taiwan.

After their summit in Beijing on Monday, Mr Lee took to social media to post his selfies with Mr Xi and their wives on X  noting that he took the images with a phone he was given by the Chinese president.

"A selfie with President Xi Jinping and his wife, taken with the Xiaomi I received as a gift in Gyeongju," Mr Lee wrote, referring to the earlier APEC summit in South Korea.

"Thanks to them, I got the shot of a lifetime," he added.

Mr Lees office also shared a short video of the moment they took the picture, with Mr Xi heard complimenting Mr Lee on his selfie-taking skills.

open image in gallery South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung (L) takes a selfie with China's President Xi Jinping (R) after a dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing ( YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images )

"The image quality is certainly good, right?" Mr Lee posted on X.

Mr Xis charm offensive towards Seoul comes at a time of otherwise antagonistic behaviour from Beijing towards other regional powers. Mr Xi used the occasion to make an unusually direct reference to his tensions with Japan, and highlighted Seoul and Beijings shared history in resisting Tokyos militarism during the Second World War.

More than 80 years ago, China and South Korea made tremendous national sacrifices and won the victory against Japanese militarism," Mr Xi told Mr Lee.

The two countries should "safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia," Mr Xi said, urging his counterpart to stand on the right side of history.

Mr Lee became the first sitting South Korean president to visit China since 2019, arriving in Beijing on Sunday for a four-day trip that also includes a stop in Shanghai.

open image in gallery South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, center left, and his wife Kim Hea Kyung, left, stand with Chinese President Xi Jinping, center right, and his wife Peng Liyuan, right, as they pose for a photo shoot at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing ( AP )

He is leading a delegation of more than 200 South Korean business leaders including Samsung Electronics chairman Jay Y Lee, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won, and Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung.

The visit follows Xi Jinpings trip to South Korea in late October  his first in 11 years  during which he stressed the importance of regional peace and stability and pledged deeper cooperation with Seoul.

The meeting is seen as crucial in restoring ties after bilateral relations soured under Mr Lee's predecessor, impeached ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was very critical of China and remained focused on improving ties with the US.

"This summit will be an important opportunity to make 2026 the first year of full-scale restoration of Korea-China relations," Mr Lee said.

"I believe that efforts to develop the strategic cooperation and partnership between the two countries into an irreversible trend of the times will continue, Mr Lee added.

open image in gallery Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung inspect honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing ( via REUTERS )

"We want to usher in a new phase in the development of South Korea-China relations."

Beijing, for its part, is keen on stronger ties with Seoul since a rupture with Japan, whose prime minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan.

The two countries signed 15 agreements at the summit, according to South Korean and Chinese broadcasters, including documents on technology, intellectual property and transportation cooperation.

Chinese and South Korean companies also signed nine cooperation agreements, South Korea's Trade Ministry said, naming Alibaba International, Lenovo and South Korean retailer Shinsegae.

South Korea and China need to expand economic cooperation in artificial intelligence, Mr Lee said, and could also collaborate in consumer goods such as household goods, beauty, food products and cultural content such as movies, music, games and sports.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said South Koreas push to restore high-level diplomacy with China is strategically necessary, but the Beijing summit delivered mostly symbolic gains.

This summit in Beijing, following soon after APEC in Gyeongju, accomplished that. Yet despite Seouls diplomatic efforts, China has not adopted more internationally responsible policies on maritime disputes or Pyongyangs nuclear threats, he said.

He said China still hasnt rolled back all of the coercive economic measures it applied after South Korea decided to host a US missile defence system almost a decade ago.

It is meaningful for President Lee to commemorate Korean independence anniversaries in Shanghai, but unfortunate that Chinese media will likely spin an anti-Japan historical narrative while relations between Beijing and Tokyo are especially strained over Taiwan, he added.
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The home state of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has reported at least 133 suspected cases of typhoid due to contamination of drinking water from drainage pipes.

While 45 of them have been discharged from various hospitals, 88 people are still getting treatment in Gandhinagar in the western Gujarat state, the local municipal corporation said.

Round-the-clock OPDs have been established in the affected areas and arrangements have been made for the relatives of patients, the Gandhinagar Civil Hospital said.

At least 21 leaks have been identified in the drinking water pipeline network which led to its contamination by sewage water, local media reported.

State authorities acknowledged the outbreak in a press release on 4 January even as local residents claimed they had been getting contaminated water for a long time.

Typhoid is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi and spreads through contaminated food and water.

The contaminated lines are reportedly part of a water supply project built at a cost of Rs 2.57bn (21m). Officials conceded the new pipes were laid close to sewer lines.

When high-pressure water began flowing, weak pipes developed leaks, a senior roads and buildings department official told the Times of India.

A resident of Gandhinagar, Malti Kori, said her six-year-old son fell ill about a week ago, soon after they started getting foul-smelling water. The child has since been diagnosed with typhoid.

We got such water continuously for four-five days. We used it only on the first day after which we started buying drinking water. But that one day was enough to make my son ill. He had a fever and stomach ache. After the test showed typhoid, we have been treating him for it, he told the Indian Express.

Another resident, Asha Pandya, whose 14-year-old son recently recovered from typhoid, said: The water seemed like someone had mixed cement powder with it.

She claimed that they had been getting contaminated water since November.

The typhoid outbreak came just days after similar contamination of water was reported to have killed at least 10 people in Indore in the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh and put 142 in hospital.

Mr Modis home minister and Gandhinagar MP, Amit Shah, has been in constant touch with the state government, directing the immediate repair of leakages and intensified inspection of the water network in surrounding areas.

At least 75 health teams are working with local municipal staff, inspecting over 20,800 houses, covering 90,000 people. Engineering teams have begun super-chlorination.

Municipal commissioner JN Vaghela told the Indian Express they first received complaints on 29 December.

The issue has cropped up owing to water contamination, he said, adding that they had plugged 21 leaks so far.

All the patients are stable, nobody is critical. We have also started chlorination tests and the water is potable now. We are hopeful of containing the outbreak in a day or two with super-chlorination, he told the Times of India.

Gandhinagar Civil Hospital superintendent Mita Parikh warned they were expecting at least 10 fresh cases daily till 20 January, despite the plugging of leaks, as the incubation period for typhoid was 10-15 days.

Authorities have distributed 30,000 chlorine tablets and 20,600 ORS packets while the government has advised people to drink boiled water.
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A Japanese power plant operator has admitted to cherry-picking critical safety data to pass the screening process of the nuclear safety regulator to restart two of its offline reactors.

Chubu Electric said on Monday that it had set up an independent panel of experts to investigate possible misconduct in compiling data as part of a process to restart two reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant.

The plant originally had five reactors but two were permanently shut down in 2009. The remaining three reactors were taken offline in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Concerns about data manipulation mean the power plant is unlikely to restart anytime soon. Its also a likely setback for Japans efforts to shift back to nuclear power to boost energy security and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Chubu told regulators it had selected an earthquake wave model closest to the average of 20 possible patterns to calculate the Hamaoka plants standard seismic motion, the maximum shaking the reactors could withstand. However, the company admitted, employees in charge could have deliberately chosen that model to make the plant appear safer and speed up the screening process.

We sincerely apologise for the incident, Chubu Electric president Kingo Hayashi told a press conference. The actions could potentially shake the foundations of the nuclear power business.

The regulator learned about the misconduct last February after it was contacted by a whistleblower.

A senior agency executive called the matter unbelievable saying it broke trust in the operator and would make the people question its eligibility.

The industry ministry has now ordered Chubu Electric to submit a detailed report by 6 April explaining the cause of the misconduct and outlining measures to prevent it from happening again.

The Hamaoka power plant, 200km south-west of Tokyo, has been described as the worlds most dangerous nuclear power facility by some seismologists and antinuclear campaigners. Government forecasts have predicted an 87 per cent chance of a powerful quake in the area, which sits on two major subterranean faults. A major accident would be likely to force the evacuation of Greater Tokyo, home to 28 million people.

Professor Katsuhiko Ishibashi, a seismologist and a former member of a Japanese government panel on nuclear reactor safety, said in 2003 that Hamaoka was the most dangerous nuclear power station in Japan because of the potential for an earthquake to trigger a nuclear disaster.

He assessed at the time that such an incident would devastate a broad area between Tokyo and Nagoya, destroying more than 200,000 buildings and resulting in a huge tsunami.

The plant was ordered to shut down reactors 4 and 5 and cancel the planned restart of reactor 3 following the Fukushima disaster, when a magnitude 9 earthquake triggered tsunami waves up to 15m high. Hamaoka was built to withstand only an 8.5-magnitude quake and an 8m tsunami.

Chubu applied for a review to restart the Hamaoka reactors between 2014 and 2015, and it was approved for standard seismic motion in September 2023.

Shares of Chubu Electric dropped 8.2 per cent, its steepest fall since April 2025, after the latest revelations.
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The majority of hospital appointments went ahead despite almost 2,000 doctors going on strike for five days, according to the NHS.

More than 5,000 fewer patients were in hospital this Christmas Day compared to last year, with 78.8 per cent of beds occupied.

An average of 19,120 resident doctors were on strike each day between 17 and 22 December - slightly higher than the 17,236 average in the last set of November strikes.

Staff were concerned they would not be able to get patients home for Christmas, as the strikes took place the week before.

In a letter to the health service, NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey praised staff for achieving the target of having less than 80 per cent of hospital beds filled on Christmas Day, alongside battling the early rise in winter viruses.

Resident doctors staged a five-day strike in protest over jobs and pay ( PA Wire )

I am incredibly proud of our NHS staff who worked through the festive period to help thousands of people return home from hospital during Christmas week, so they could enjoy flu-free celebrations, Sir Mackey wrote.

It is even more remarkable when you consider the efforts put in by NHS staff to not only cover for resident doctors taking part in industrial action the week before, but to maintain the number of tests and operations carried out to almost 95 per cent of normal activity.

But he said the hard work cant let up as the next couple of weeks will be tricky.

Whilst flu levels have come down a bit, hospital cases still stand at 2,676 and the cold weather snap will inevitably mean that we have a spike of patients needing our care as a result, he said.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said he is deeply grateful to everyone in the NHS who stepped up and made sure patients were cared for during a difficult winter.

But, with bitterly cold weather creating new challenges for the health service this week, there is still a long way to go and the hard graft doesn't stop here, he added.

Despite battling through the double whammy of a flu epidemic during industrial action, almost 95 per cent of planned care was delivered.

The data comes with demand on the NHS remaining high as it manages the impact of a cold snap.

Data published last week showed it received the second-highest number of calls to 111 in two years on Saturday 27 December, with 87,318 calls answered.

A total of 414,562 calls to NHS 111 were reported as answered during Christmas week, almost 24,000 more than the previous week.

Mr Streeting has said he is determined to resolve the BMA resident doctors disputes for patients and staff.

My door is open - as it always has been - to the BMA. In 2026, let's start with a clean slate and work together to improve working conditions for doctors, cut waiting lists, and build an NHS fit for the future, he added.
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King Charles has surpassed Princess Anne in being crowned the hardest-working member of the royal family in 2025, despite facing weekly cancer treatment.

The King has finally beaten his young sisters track record after she was consecutively named the most hard-working royal over the past few years.

Last year the King conducted 533 engagements which was the most hed done since 2019 when he did 541. This included travelling across the world, with three high-profile state visits to Italy, Canada and Poland.

The Princess Royal was just behind her brother, on 478, although she did have more working days overall with a total of 186.

The King was described as indefatigable by analyst Patricia Treble, who shared that it felt like the House of Windsor was making up for lost time, as reported by the Telegraph.

open image in gallery Last year the King conducted 533 engagements, which was the most hed done since 2019 ( 2025 Getty Images )

Productivity was particularly high all-round for the royal family last year, with a grand total of 2,459 engagements, according to an analysis documented in the Court Circular. The ten working royals completed 23 per cent more jobs in 2025 than in 2024 - a year when the King and Princess of Wales were both diagnosed with cancer.

This was followed by Prince Edward, who scored 313 royal engagements and the Duchess of Edinburgh who had completed 235.

Queen Camilla also came shortly behind this, with 228 engagements, just above the Duke of Gloucester, who had 212 engagements.

The Duke, Prince Richard, is the second eldest working Royal aged 81, and he even outdid William Prince of Wales who had 202 engagements in 2025, which was 139 more than the year earlier.

The Duchess of Gloucester completed 113 and the 90-year-old Duke of Kent managed 77 engagements in the same year in which his wife, Duchess of Kent, passed away in September at age 92.

open image in gallery The Princess of Wales, who was in remission from cancer, conducted 68 engagements in 2025, after revealing the recovery was a lot harder than anticipated ( Getty )

The Princess of Wales, who was in remission from cancer, conducted 68 engagements in 2025, after revealing the recovery was a lot harder than anticipated. She shared on a trip to Colchester hospital in Essex that You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment.

Treatments done, then its like, I can crack on, get back to normal, but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.

Youre not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but youre not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.

All of the Royals stepped up their workload this year with Princess Anne having a 10.39 per cent increase and the Princess of Wales having a rise of 423 per cent - a rise reflecting how she was forced to step back from royal duties in 2024 due to chemotherapy.
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Migrants detained under Sir Keir Starmers flagship one in, one out returns scheme with France have said that they have been left without support, prompting a severe mental health crisis at the UKs largest removal centre.

Detainees at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre, near Heathrow airport, have written a letter calling on UN bodies, inspectors and human rights organisations to investigate their detainment, which they say feels punitive, humiliating, and designed to break us psychologically.

Around 80 asylum seekers at the site have backed the document, which claims that they have been treated unjustly by the Home Office since their arrival in the UK. The migrants, from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran and other countries, said that people are breaking down and are in mental distress, isolated or punished instead of receiving care.

The letter, which was first reported by The Guardian, explains that the men have been detained at Harmondsworth immigration centre alongside people with criminal convictions. It continues: We are not criminals. Our only action was seeking asylum.

The letter claims that all of the detainees have received refusal decisions on their asylum claims, and they have no access to lawyers.

open image in gallery A Border Force vessel delivers migrants to Dover port after intercepting a small boat crossing in Dorset last year ( Getty )

As of December 2025, 193 people had been returned to France under the one in, one out scheme. The arrangement sees people who have arrived in the UK on small boats returned to Paris in exchange for different asylum seekers from France.

Some 195 people have been brought to the UK from France legally under the scheme, according to government data.

The scheme has come under criticism after migrants who were deported to France under the deal returned to the UK via small boat.

According to the detainees, asylum seekers who arrived in the UK via a Channel crossing were interviewed when they were vulnerable and unwell and when people were exhausted, frightened and traumatised.

open image in gallery Detainees from the one in, one out scheme are being held at Harmondsworth immigration detention centre in Middlesex, England ( Getty )

They also say that their mobile phones were taken and they were given basic phones as replacements, which made contact with family members difficult, if not impossible.

The report says: We are cut off from social media, news, and the outside world. Families do not know where we are or how we are treated. Letters are delayed. Visits are denied. This isolation is destroying us emotionally.

Speaking about the migrants health concerns, the letter says: Those in mental distress are isolated or punished instead of receiving care. Fear and despair are constant. We wake up every day asking: What is our crime?

open image in gallery A French rescue boat sails near migrants waiting to board a smugglers boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France ( AFP via Getty )

A total of 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, a 13 per cent rise on 2024. However, this was not as high as the 2022 peak when nearly 46,000 people made the perilous journey.

The Harmondsworth protest comes after the government announced that new powers will enable immigration officers to seize mobile phones and sim cards from migrants.

Officers will begin taking devices from people at Manston processing centre in Kent, to download data they believe will help them gather intelligence on people smugglers.

Officers will need to be acting on specific intelligence when they decide to confiscate a mobile phone, the Home Office has said.

The new powers for law enforcement agencies are designed to speed up investigations and come after Labours new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law in December.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We do not recognise the claims relating to conditions at Harmondsworth. We regard the welfare of people detained in our care as being of utmost importance.

Protecting the UK border is our top priority. Our landmark one in, one out scheme means we can now send those who arrive on small boats straight back to France  striking at the heart of the criminal gangs business model.
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Nestle has announced a widespread recall of several key infant nutrition products across Europe, including its SMA, BEBA, and NAN infant and follow-on formulas. The move comes amid concerns over potential contamination with a toxin that could induce nausea and vomiting in infants.

The recall, which began on a smaller scale in December, affects products sold in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and Britain. The company, known for brands like KitKat and Nescafe, stated late on Monday that no illnesses or symptoms have been confirmed in connection with the recalled batches.

A quality issue was identified in an ingredient from a leading supplier, prompting Nestle to test all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in its potentially impacted infant nutrition products, a spokesperson confirmed. The potential risk was traced to one of its factories in the Netherlands.

The toxin in question, cereulide, is produced by certain strains of the Bacillus cereus bacterium. Britains Food Standards Agency warned that the toxin "is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, using boiling water or when making the infant milk."

It added that if consumed, it "can lead to rapid onset of symptoms," including nausea, vomiting, or abdominal cramps. Norways food safety agency, however, stated there was no acute health risk.

Austria's health ministry has described the recall as the largest in Nestles history, claiming it affects over 800 products from more than 10 factories. A Nestle spokesperson could not verify these figures.

Nestle has provided a full list of the products and their batch numbers affected by the recall

UK:

SMA Advanced First Infant Milk 800g

51450742F1

52319722BA

52819722AA

SMA Advanced Follow-on Milk 800g

51240742F2

51890742F2

52879722AA

SMA First Infant Milk 800g

51170346AA

51170346AB

51340346AB

51580346AA

51590346AA

52760346AB

52760346AD

52780346AA

SMA First Infant Milk 400g

51350346AA

52750346AD

SMA First Infant Milk 1.2Kg

51340346BE

52740346BA

52750346BA

SMA LITLLE STEPS First Infant Milk 800g

51220346AD

51540346AC

52740346AD

SMA Comfort 800g

52620742F3

51240742F3

51439722BA

51479722BA

51769722BA

52049722AA

SMA First Infant Milk 200ml

52860295M

52870295M

53220295M

53230295M

52870295M

53030295M

53040295M

53070295M

53080295M

SMA First Infant Milk 70ml

53170742B1

SMA Lactose Free

400g 51150346AB

51500346AB

51719722BA

51759722BA

51829722BA

51979722BA

52109722BA

53299722BA

53459722BA

SMA Anti Reflux 800g

51570742F3

52099722BA

52099722BB

52739722BA

ALFAMINO 400g

51200017Y3

51210017Y1

51220017Y1

51250017Y1

51390017Y1

51420017Y2

51430017Y1

51460017Y1

51690017Y2

51690017Y3

51700017Y1

51710017Y1

51740017Y1

52760017Y5

52790017Y1

52860017Y1

53100017Y3

53110017Y1

53140017Y1

53140017Y2

53150017Y1

Northern Ireland:

SMA First Infant Milk 800g

51590346AB

52750346AE

Ireland:

SMA Advanced First Infant Milk 800g

 51450742F1

SMA Advanced Follow on Milk 800g

 51240742F2 51890742F2

SMA Comfort 800g

 52620742F3

SMA First Infant Milk 200ml

 53070295M 52860295M 52870295M 53220295M 53230295M

SMA First Infant Milk 800g

 51590346AB 52750346AE

SMA GOLD PREM 2 800g

 53090742F2

SMA LITTLE STEPS First Infant Milk 800g

 51540346AD

SMA Alfamino 400g

 51200017Y3

 51210017Y1

 51250017Y1

 51460017Y1

 51710017Y1

The FSA warned affected batches of baby formula may contain cereulide toxin ( PA Wire )

Nestle, which commands nearly a quarter of the global $92.2 billion infant nutrition market, has published batch numbers for affected products and is working to minimise any potential supply disruption. Infant formula falls under the company's Nutrition and Health Science division, which accounted for 16.6 per cent of its total sales of 91.4 billion Swiss francs in 2024.
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The inauguration of a Palestinian embassy in London serves as "proof that our identity cannot be denied," according to Ambassador Husam Zomlot. He hailed the upgrading of Palestines mission in Hammersmith as "historic" and "monumental."

This development follows the UK Governments September 2025 decision to recognise the state of Palestine, an action taken to "protect the viability of a two-state solution" in the region.

The mission was previously known as the Palestinian general delegation.

Speaking at a ceremony marking its inauguration as an embassy, he said: This is not merely a change of name, and the plaque we will unveil shortly represents far more than formality.

It is a change of direction, reflecting the reality we are living today, a reality that unequivocally recognises, at long last, our inalienable right to sovereign statehood.

For generations of Palestinians in Gaza, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in refugee camps and across the diaspora, this embassy represents proof that our identity cannot be denied, our presence cannot be erased, and our lives cannot be devalued.

open image in gallery ( Husam Zomlot, Palestinian head of mission in the U.K. speaks at the inauguration ceremony for the Palestinian embassy in London, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) )

Mr Zomlot said the move was the result of 100 years of relentless struggle, but added that he felt the shadow that hangs over us today as people in Gaza were living in hell.

The ceremony also heard from Obaidah, a 14-year-old Palestinian refugee wounded during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza last year and evacuated to the UK for medical treatment.

Saying he hoped one day to become a Palestinian ambassador, Obaidah said: Having the embassy in the United Kingdom is very meaningful.

It is a place where our people are seen, where our voices are heard, and where our hope for justice and dignity lives.

open image in gallery Gazan refugee, 14-year-old Obaidah (no surname provided) speaks during the inauguration ceremony for the Embassy of the State of Palestine (Aaron Chown/PA)

On Monday an Israeli strike in Gaza hit a tent housing displaced people, killing a 5-year-old girl and her uncle and wounding two other children, hospital officials said.

The strike took place in the Muwasi area northwest of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, officials at Nasser Hospital said.

The Associated Press couldn't independently very those details. Family members wept over the bodies as they were brought to the hospital.

The dead are among the more than 400 people killed in Gaza since an October ceasefire began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israeli military said on social media it struck a Hamas militant who planned an imminent attack on Israeli troops in the southern Gaza Strip.

It was not immediately clear if the statement referred to the fatal tent strike. The military also said that, because of continued ceasefire violations, it had begun striking Hezbollah and Hamas terror targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.
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As cold weather warnings sweep across the nation, many parents will be wondering whether their child's school will open.

On snowy days, schools make every effort to stay open, but sometimes they must close or partially close if its unsafe for pupils and teachers to attend.

Schools have their own approaches to contacting parents, with many utilising dedicated apps and/or messaging services.

Whilst institutions will try to give parents as much notice as possible, decisions can sometimes be made quite late as circumstances change rapidly. It is always best to check your email, school app, or school social media accounts regularly for the latest updates.

open image in gallery Temperatures will struggle to get above freezing as many people return to school or work after the festive period ( PA )

Schools and other education settings are responsible for setting their own plans and policies on how to deal with adverse weather conditions. It is ultimately up to individual schools to decide whether it is safe for them to open or close, based on their own risk assessment and by taking local issues into account.

Decisions will be made locally based on common sense, with a large range of factors influencing the outcome. This could include situations where staffing levels cannot be met because transport issues are preventing teachers from getting to work.

Other examples include assessing safety conditions immediately around the school premises, and ensuring appropriate temperatures can be maintained within school buildings.

If schools do decide to temporarily close during severe weather, they should consider moving to remote learning for pupils until it is safe to reopen. In exceptional circumstances, a pupil may be unable to attend school because a local or national emergency has resulted in widespread disruption to travel.

If parents believe it would be unsafe to travel, they should inform the school as soon as possible to let them know their child won't be attending and why, in line with the school's absence policy.

open image in gallery Snow and ice warnings will cover the UK on Wednesday ( Met Office )

Temperatures will struggle to get above freezing in the coming days as many people are due to return to school or work after the festive period, with the Met Office warning that cold conditions will bring a range of hazards over the next few days.

Two amber snow warnings and five yellow snow and ice warnings remain in place across Scotland, the North West, east and south west of England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Much of Scotland has faced the worst of the weather, with hundreds of schools in the north of the country remaining closed on Tuesday. Schools in Shetland, Orkney and Aberdeenshire will remain shut on Tuesday after pupils enjoyed an extra day of holiday on Monday following the festive break due to the weather.

A number of flights have been cancelled, while some train lines are also affected.

The amber snow warnings are in place from 11am to 7pm on Tuesday for the Highlands and Central Scotland as a spell of heavy snow is expected to move east across central and north of the country, clearing to wintry showers during Tuesday night. A further 5 to 10cm is expected widely with 15cm in places, particularly above 200m.
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Storm Goretti has brought dangerous winds to the UK in addition to heavy snow, with gusts of up to 99mph recorded on Thursday.

The storm, named by French meteorological service Meteo-France, is the first of the year and has battered the UK with violent winds, causing significant travel disruption in parts of the country.

The UK Met Office put a red weather warning for wind in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in place on Thursday evening. The extreme weather knocked out power in around 60,000 homes across England and Wales, and caused Birmingham airport to shut one of its runways.

open image in gallery Satellite image 36,000km above the Earth shows Storm Goretti ( EUMETSAT )

An amber warning for snow was issued for Thursday evening and remained in place until 9am on Friday, covering the Midlands, Yorkshire and parts of Wales. These regions continue to see heavy snow, which has seen schools close and travel severely disrupted.

Fridays weather warnings

open image in gallery ( Met Office )

The amber danger to life warning for snow was in place in the Midlands, Wales and the South West until 9am, and has now lifted.

As of midday, only three weather warnings remain in place, which will all last until Saturday.

One warns of snow and ice covering much of Scotland, the North East, and the East Midlands, which came into effect at midday on Friday and will last until 3pm on Saturday.

Another is a warning for ice, covering most of the West Midlands and Wales, as well as parts of the North West and South West. This came into effect at midday Friday, and end at the same time on Saturday.

And while a yellow weather warning for ice covering all of Northern Ireland was set to end at 11am on Friday, a new warning has been issued for snow and ice has been issued lasting from that time until 11am on Saturday.

The previous snow and ice warning covering most of Scotland ended at midday, along with the yellow snow warning spanning the North, Midlands and Wales.

Meanwhile, the rain and wind warnings which covered Wales, the East of England, and much of the south coast have also all ended.

Saturdays weather warnings

open image in gallery The weather warnings for Saturday ( Met Office )

Three weather warnings will be in place on Saturday, all beginning on Friday and lasting overnight.

The warning for snow and ice in place covering Scotland, the North East, and the East Midlands will last until 3pm. The ice warning covering the West Midlands, parts of the South West and Wales will end at midday.

Meanwhile, the warning for snow and ice covering all of Northern Ireland will end at 11am.

Sunday weather warning

A yellow warning for ice and snow has been issued for Sunday, covering much of Scotland and North East England. Parts of the North West will also be affected.

open image in gallery A new yellow warning for ice and snow has been issued for Sunday ( Met Office )

The warning will begin at 2am on Sunday, and last until 3pm. School closures and travel disruption in the affected areas can be expected.

Cold health alert extended until Sunday

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts for all of England until Monday at 12pm, warning there could be significant impacts across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: As the colder weather sets in, it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.

open image in gallery Amber cold weather health alerts remain in place across the UK ( UKHSA )

Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands, though rain and strong winds also have the potential to bring disruption to many.

Goretti will bring snow on its northern edge, this most likely over Wales and the Midlands. Here, accumulations of 5 to 10cm are likely widely, with 15 to 25cm in some places, especially hills, and perhaps up to 30cm very locally.

Travel disruption

Hundreds of schools across the UK will remain closed as much of the country braces itself for further snow and icy conditions. Some rural areas have been completely cut off, and transport is severely affected by the weather.

Rail passengers should also expect a series of line closures during the cold period.

open image in gallery A string of snow and ice warnings is in place across the UK as the Met Office has warned that cold conditions would bring a range of wintry hazards for the next few days ( PA )

Avanti West Coast said do not travel advice is in place on its Midlands routes until 1pm on Friday.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) said the Hope Valley line between Sheffield and Manchester will be closed all day.

A number of other lines, including between Nottingham and Lincoln and between Leicester and Nottingham, will be closed until after 10am on Friday.

The train operator said: Please check your journey before travelling today. Heavy snowfall has impacted our regional routes with some services starting later than usual.

Transport for Wales said it will not run services on the majority of its routes on Friday.

Chiltern Railways also said it plans to operate around half of its normal timetable. It is not running services north of Birmingham Moor Street or on the line to Stratford-upon-Avon.

The statement added: Customers should check before they travel today, as services may be subject to disruption due to the impact of Storm Goretti. Services may be further amended at short notice.

open image in gallery A woman walks through a layer of snow in Dowlais, Wales ( PA )

Thousands of passengers booked to fly to or from Birmingham airport are out of position this morning. But the runway is now open after 10 hours of closure, which saw dozens of cancellations and diversions.

Officials in the West Midlands have warned of the worst snowfall in a decade as parts of England and Wales prepare to be hit with 5 to 10cm of snow on Friday, and up to 15 to 25cm in some areas.
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Hundreds of schools will remain closed as snow and ice brought by Storm Goretti continue to cause disruption across the country.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of snow and ice covering much of Scotland, which runs until midday on Friday, among six other yellow and amber weather warnings across the UK.

More than 250 schools are due to remain closed on Friday, including more than 150 in Aberdeenshire, dozens in the Highlands and Aberdeen, and a number in Moray.

Many pupils will have had a whole week off school at the start of the new term, though remote learning has been provided in many cases.

A total of 278 schools were closed on Thursday across northern Scotland, or around 11 per cent, which is down on the 440 that were closed on Wednesday.

A yellow snow and ice warning remains in place across Scotland until midday. Freezing conditions have caused ice and around 2 to 5cm of fresh snow accumulations are expected in western Scotland, and hills in northern England.

You can check the status of your childs school here:

It comes after several days of intense snowfall, ice and sub-zero temperatures which have led to school closures and travel disruption, mainly in the north of the country.

Storm Goretti, named by the French meteorological service, has meanwhile brought peak gusts of 99mph to the Isles of Scilly and as much as 30cm of snow to parts of the UK. The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for wind in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Thursday afternoon.

Travel has been affected all week, with a number of flights cancelled, and some train lines affected. British Airways has cancelled 25 departures and 27 arrivals scheduled to operate at Londons Heathrow airport on Friday. West Midlands Railway said it has suspended all services.

We are unable to operate any services until the afternoon, it said. No rail replacement road transport is being provided because of uncertain road conditions.

London Northwestern Railway said it has suspended services between Birmingham New Street and Liverpool Lime Street until Friday afternoon. Its services between Birmingham New Street and London Euston are reduced.

But as much of the country is impacted by ice, authorities have asked pedestrians and motorists to be careful on slippery surfaces.

open image in gallery A number of weather warnings remain in place ( Met Office )

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the storm will bring wet, windy and wintry weather to parts of the UK.

He said Storm Goretti, named by Meteo France, would bring some strong winds and some significant snow to central and perhaps southern parts.

The meteorologist added: As that rain pushes its way and it hits against that cold air that we currently have across us and so on the northern edge, we are likely to see some fairly significant snow as we go through later tomorrow and into Friday.

Officials in the West Midlands have warned of the worst snowfall in a decade as parts of England and Wales prepare to be hit with 5 to 10cm of snow on Friday, and up to 15 to 25cm in some areas.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended amber cold health alerts for England as an early warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and wellbeing, running until Sunday.

open image in gallery The UK Health Security Agency has also issued an amber cold health alert ( UKHSA )

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours earlier this week. He warned: The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.

National Highways issued its own amber warning for snow in the West and East Midlands, which lasts from 6pm on Thursday until 9am on Friday.

The agency said in a statement: Routes particularly around Birmingham across to Leicester and Nottingham will see particularly difficult driving conditions and consideration of the weather forecast should be taken before commencing journeys, with considerable delays possible.

open image in gallery Snow has been causing disruption across the UK this week ( Getty Images )

The agency said on Friday morning the A628 Woodhead Pass connecting Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire remains closed in both directions between the A616 for Flouch and the A57 for Hollingworth because of snow. Drivers are advised to use the M60, M62 and M1 as an alternative route.

Three out of four northbound lanes of the M1 motorway are closed between Junction 28 for Mansfield and Junction 29 for Chesterfield following a crash involving a lorry.

Recovery of the lorry has started and specialised winter fleet vehicles are en route to clear snow which has settled in the closed lanes.

Drivers face delays of up to half an hour as congestion stretches for four miles.
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Hurricane-force winds and heavy snow battered the UK as Storm Goretti caused chaos around Britain, leading to flight cancellations, school closures and power outages.

The storm arrived in the UK on Thursday, generating a rare red danger to life weather warning from the Met Office, with winds of around 100mph hitting the South West and snow blanketing Scotland, the Midlands and Wales.

A peak gust of 99mph was reported at St Marys on the Isles of Scilly, the highest since 1991, according to the Met Office, while a weather station in Cornwall reported hurricane-force gales of 123mph at 7.30pm on Thursday.

Nearly 150,000 households were also without power following outages in the South West, Midlands, and south Wales.

Approximately 37,000 properties were still without power in the South West at about 8pm on Friday, according to the National Grid, along with about 3,000 in the West Midlands, more than 1,000 in the East Midlands, and about 240 in Wales.

Cornwall Council leader Leigh Frost said the storm had caused major disruption across parts of Cornwall, particularly to roads, coastal areas and local infrastructure.

open image in gallery A fallen tree is cleared from a road in St Stephen, Cornwall ( PA )

The roof of the grandstand at the home ground of Cornish Pirates rugby club in Penzance had large chunks torn off it by the strong winds.

The Met Office said on Friday morning that Storm Goretti continues to cause problems as a mixture of rain, sleet and snow battered some areas.

There was widespread travel disruption around the country on Friday. According to the PA news agency, at least 69 flights scheduled to operate to or from Heathrow airport on Friday were cancelled, likely disrupting more than 9,000 passengers.

East Midlands and Birmingham airports reopened their runways on Friday, having been closed due to the snow.

Key roads were also closed in Cornwall, the north of England, and Scotland as authorities dealt with mounting snow and ice and fallen trees and debris, while around 250 schools  mostly in Scotland  remained closed on Friday.

open image in gallery Residential streets in Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil ( PA )

Disruption on the roads also affected the criminal justice system, with no remand prisoners being transported to Birmingham Crown Court.

National Rail said train services across England, Wales and Scotland may be affected until the end of the day on Friday due to the weather.

Forecasters had recorded 15cm of snow at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, 7cm at Preston Montford in Shropshire and 7cm in Nottingham.

Notable snow accumulations continued in Scotland on Friday, with 27cm at Altnaharra in Sutherland, 26cm at Loch Glascarnoch and 22cm at Durris in Kincardineshire.

Steve Willington, the Met Offices chief forecaster, said more snow is possible on Sunday after a largely dry Saturday away from northeastern parts of Scotland and England.

open image in gallery A woman walking through snow in Dowlais ( PA )

A yellow warning for snow and ice will be in force for much of Scotland from 2am until 3pm on Sunday.

Mr Willington said: A further 2-5cm of snow is possible to accumulate at low levels within the warning area on Sunday, with 10-20cm possible over higher ground. With much of this falling in areas that have already seen severe snowfall, ongoing disruption is likely.

Those in central and southern England and Wales will see this fall as rain, in what will be a wet Sunday for many.

The majority of the UK will remain covered by yellow weather warnings until Saturday.

A yellow warning for snow and ice will be in force until 3pm on Saturday, with further snowfall possible across parts of northern England and much of Scotland, while a widespread risk of ice is expected to cause disruption.

open image in gallery A fallen tree caused by Storm Goretti rests against a house in Falmouth ( Getty )

A separate yellow warning for ice will cover large parts of England and Wales until midday on Saturday as thawed snow refreezes. Forecasters say this will be accompanied by wintry showers and freezing fog.

A warning for snow and ice covers the entirety of Northern Ireland until 11am on Saturday, with the Met Office warning of icy patches and some hill snow.

Then, a yellow warning covering large parts of Scotland, the East and West Midlands, North East and North West England and Yorkshire will then be in place from 2am until 3pm on Sunday.

Forecasters also warned that the combination of melting snow and rain increases the flood risk for some in the coming days.
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An unexploded wartime bomb has been found near a major transport hub, causing an evacuation of passengers and severe delays.

Train services across Birmingham were disrupted on Tuesday morning after the device  believed to be an old mortar  was discovered near a railway line.

It was found at Duddeston Mill Trading Estate, on Duddeston Mill Road, Washwood Heath, at around 9.45am, triggering an immediate emergency response.

Lines between Birmingham New Street and Duddeston were closed as bomb disposal teams moved in, forcing major delays and cancellations on routes to Tamworth, Derby and Sheffield.

National Rail warned disruption could continue into the afternoon.

Services from Birmingham New Street were cancelled after a Second World War bomb was found close to Duddeston Station ( Simon Calder )

A 100metre exclusion zone was set up around the site while specialists assessed the device.

Network Rail said it was working with the police, adding that services would remain disrupted while the incident is made safe.

A spokesperson said: We are currently supporting West Midlands Police as they deal with an incident in Duddeston.

As a result, some train services are currently disrupted. We will keep you updated with information as we receive it.

Later on Tuesday, West Midlands Police told The Independent that the device had been removed and services would reopen.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: The EOD bomb disposal team attended and made the mortar safe. The exclusion zone has been lifted and nearby railway line reopened.

In an update, National Rail said: All lines have now reopened following an earlier wartime bomb near the railway at Birmingham New Street.

Trains running to/from and through this station may continue to be cancelled, delayed by up to 50 minutes, revised or diverted.

They added: Disruption is now expected until 15:00.

Thousands of unexploded Second World War bombs are found around the UK every year. Around 8,000 a year are dealt with by the private sector, while the military assists in larger operations.

Construction, dredging, and offshore projects frequently uncover unexploded ordnance, with those on land often found buried deep beneath the surface. At sea, the vast quantities of unexploded devices from both the First and Second World Wars are a significant hazard for offshore activities, including wind farms.

In 2024, a 500kg unexploded Nazi bomb was found by a man working on an extension in Plymouth. Hundreds of homes were evacuated in one of the countrys largest evacuations since the Second World War, and a military convoy was brought in to transport it through the streets. It was detonated at sea.
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A Windrush victim has criticised delays to the compensation scheme and claimed the lack of contact from the Home Office about her husbands claim has left her hospitalised with stress.

Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh, both 70, moved to the UK when they were just six-years-old in the 1960s, but were forced back to the Caribbean after they were both mistakenly refused new British passports in the late 1970s.

The couple and their children would fly back and forth between the UK and the Caribbean, before the couple were finally granted new British passports in 2020, just as the Windrush scandal was being uncovered.

Mrs McIntosh was refused compensation three times, before finally being offered 40,000, but her husband received a nil offer. She said that the devastating moment they were forced to leave the UK changed the entire trajectory of their lives.

It also affected her health after she was hospitalised on 10 October 2025 with stress she thinks is related to the ongoing saga with the Home Office. She said: My heart was just racing and my pressure went skyrocketing. At one stage, it was over 200.

The McIntoshes were originally given British passports when they were children after a recruiting drive from the government led to thousands of Caribbean women emigrating to the UK to combat a nursing shortage.

Mrs McIntoshs mother, who was from Barbados, worked at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, while Mr McIntoshs mother, from St Lucia, worked as a midwife in east London.

Despite originally being given British passports and having built a life together, including three children, the couple were both declined British passports when they were up for renewal. Mrs McIntosh was turned down in 1978 because her birth country, Barbados, had become independent from Britain.

Mr McIntosh suffered a similar fate in 1984 after St Lucia gained independence from Britain in 1979. Mrs McIntosh was advised to get a Barbadian passport and then entitled to indefinite leave to remain.

open image in gallery Hetticia McIntosh and Vanderbilt McIntosh, both 70 and residing in Manchester, were born in St Lucia in 1955 as Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) ( Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh )

However, Mr McIntosh, who worked in quality and assurance in the paint industry, lost his job as he could no longer prove he was a British citizen and had no other identification. The couple were forced to move their three British-born children to live with their grandparents in an overcrowded home.

After living in the UK for almost his whole life Mr McIntosh was later forced to move back to Saint Lucia where he was born, along with his English-born kids, in order to find work.

This short term visa restricted them from working, receiving health care and crucially meant they had to return to the Caribbean every six months.

This is despite their parents also being part of the Windrush generation and having established citizenship in the UK since the 1960s with no issues.

Mrs McIntosh said: I was just going through the normal life cycle of school and college and working and thinking, as far as you're concerned, you're British, never thinking that we had any immigration issues as our parents established here, as well as buying properties.

open image in gallery Hetticia argues that she and her husband grew up in this country their whole lives, met here, got married here, had British children and had no reason to consider themselves anything but thoroughly British. ( Hetticia Mcintosh )

When the Windrush story broke in 2018, the couple applied for compensation but were told that they were not entitled to a preliminary payment and had lost their status because they were out of the country from 1985-1993.

This only served as an insult to injury to Mrs McIntosh, who served time as a physical training instructor for the British army, and who described feeling used and abused because all we knew was Britain was our home.

It wasnt until January this year, after having two nil awards, that Mrs McIntosh was offered a level three award of 40,000. However Mr McIntosh was offered nothing. He is appealing the decision.

Mrs McIntosh explained that the level three award is for people who have been affected for months, weeks to a year, whereas the McIntoshs have been impacted for decades. They wouldnt compensate them for the loss of employment and the loss of access to healthcare.

open image in gallery In the 1960s, the Windrush generation - British citizens mainly from Caribbean and West Indies colonies, were brought to the UK, to fill a shortage of jobs and rebuild the country post-WW2. The government at the time failed to keep track of appropriate documentation of their legal migration and citizenship.

Mrs McIntosh has since started a petition calling for justice and for the home secretary to fund free legal representation for all Windrush compensation claimants.

Mr McIntosh said: We gave them all they needed to know to award me something and for them to come back after us doing all that research and all that trauma coming back again, for them to say nothing, it hurts.

The retired pensioners, who now live in Manchester, are now calling for a national inquiry into the Windrush scandal and pointed out that some people are dying without receiving compensation.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: This government is working to ensure justice and compensation for victims of the Windrush Scandal victims is delivered as quickly as possible. Some cases are more complex than others, but we will always work with each individual to get them the support they need.

In the 1960s, the Windrush generation - British citizens mainly from Caribbean and West Indies colonies, were brought to the UK, to fill a shortage of jobs and rebuild the country post-WW2.

The government at the time failed to keep track of appropriate documentation of their legal migration and citizenship.

Since then, the livelihoods of these citizens has been turned upside down with over 83 cases of people facing deportation, wrongful detainments and some even made homeless.
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Sir Keir Starmer is preparing a bill which would hand ministers powers to bring the UK into alignment with EU law, as part of an attempt to reduce paperwork and boost growth in Britain.

The bill, which will be brought forward this year as part of the governments Brexit reset, would give ministers overarching powers to bring the UK in line with EU law in certain areas, such as food standards, animal welfare and pesticide use  a process known as dynamic alignment.

It is understood that the new powers could be used to implement deals struck with the EU, such as agreements to align electricity and carbon markets, or plant and animal standards.

Ministers argue that dynamic alignment would have little material impact as UK food manufacturers have already largely followed EU rules since Brexit, but it is hoped that it would reduce expensive and time-consuming paperwork for suppliers who want to export to the single market.

It is understood that the new powers could be used to implement deals struck with the EU ( AFP/Getty )

But there are concerns that it would see the UK surrender control over its own laws.

When the UK was a member of the EU, the government previously had a vote on new laws being passed by Brussels. But now, the UK would need to accept the laws without a vote if it wants to remain in dynamic alignment with the trade bloc.

Both Conservative and Reform UK MPs are expected to oppose the plans, with the Tories accusing the prime minister of surrendering our freedom to appease his Labour backbenchers, and trying to undo Brexit.

But a Labour source argued that all international agreements involve shared rules.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to go even further and negotiate a customs union with the EU, accusing the government of having been too timid in its ambitions for closer ties with Brussels.

While the government has ruled out such a plan, sympathetic Labour MPs could rebel and vote with the Lib Dems.

Sir Keir has recently faced pressure from his own backbenchers to change course on a customs union, with some 13 Labour MPs backing proposals that would pave the way for such an arrangement in a Commons vote last month.

When he became prime minister, Sir Keir promised to reset Britains relationship with Brussels and rebuild ties with the bloc after years of tension and mistrust under the Conservatives.

And over the weekend, the prime minister signalled that the government would be prepared to align even more closely with the EU single market if the move is in the national interest.

Sir Keir insisted Britain should go further in strengthening post-Brexit ties with Brussels following a trade deal agreed earlier this year.

But he appeared to pour cold water on suggestions that the UK should rejoin a customs union with the bloc after his health secretary Wes Streeting said the arrangement had enormous economic benefits.

Speaking to the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg over the weekend, Sir Keir pointed to steps already taken to align with the EU more closely on agriculture and food, adding: Thats the sovereign decision that we have taken.

I think we should get closer, and if its in our national interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that, we should go that far.

He added: I think its in our national interest to go further.

What I would say about the customs union is that I argued for a customs union for many years with the EU, but a lot of water has now gone under the bridge.

I do understand why people are saying, Wouldnt it be better to go to the customs union? I actually think that now weve done deals with the US which are in our national interest, now weve done deals with India which are in our national interest, we are better looking to the single market rather than the customs union for our further alignment.

The prime minister insisted freedom of movement  a core principle of the EU single market  was off the table as he faced questions about what concessions he was willing to offer in return.

A Labour source told The Independent: The bill will give us the powers to share rules with the EU. All international agreements involve shared rules. Thats their very nature.

Were confident in making the case for specific trade-offs, where it has clear benefits for businesses and consumers.

Kemi has a short memory  it wasnt long ago she was making similar arguments, when she U-turned on the Brexit bonfire of EU regulation in the name of pragmatism and what works in the real world.

Yet, the Tories and Reform are keen to protect a broken status quo and want to rip up our deal, all in the name of petty ideology.
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British voters believe Brexit has made things worse in the UK, from the economy to immigration, and left the nation with even less control over its own destiny, according to a major new poll.

The findings, which also revealed that European voters would welcome us back with open arms if we applied to rejoin the EU, are likely to pile further pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to rebuild ties with the EU 10 years after Britain voted to leave in a referendum.

The survey, involving 20,000 people from more than 27 leading democracies, including the US and Europe, suggests that Britons are the most pessimistic about their nations future. And the UKs disillusioned Gen Z are losing faith in democracy.

They are more than twice as likely as so-called baby boomers  those aged 61 to 79  to opt for an authoritarian leader who rules without elections.

Some of the most striking findings of the poll carried out by Yonder Data Solutions, formerly known as Populus, on behalf of public relations giant FGS Global, relate to Brexit.

Voters in the UK are deeply dissatisfied with the way it has worked out. The main rallying cry of leading Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage was that it would enable the UK to take back control.

However, 72 per cent of British voters said we now have less, not more, control over our affairs than before. Only 15 per cent believe the slogan has lived up to its promise.

Two in three (66 per cent) said Brexit has hurt the economy; barely one in five (22 per cent) said it has had a positive impact.

During the Brexit referendum, supporters of staying in the EU who warned of severe consequences if Britain left were accused of running a Project Fear campaign of bogus claims. The survey found that most voters now believe the grim forecasts were right.

open image in gallery Starmer has so far resisted calls to return to the Customs Union, despite seeking closer ties with the EU ( Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street )

A total of 55 per cent said the warnings have turned out to be true; 23 per cent said they have not.

Furthermore, some people believe they were misled by Brexiteer claims that cutting links with Brussels would solve the immigration crisis.

Only 22 per cent of Britons said it has given us greater power over our borders; 66 per cent said it has not achieved this. Meanwhile, voters in the EU think Britains departure has made things worse for them too.

Fewer than one in five (19 per cent) of European voters said the EU is better off without the UK; one in two (50 per cent) said it is not better off.

A clear majority of Europeans (66 per cent) would like Britain to rejoin the EU fold, while only 16 per cent do not want the UK back in.

Despite believing the EU is weaker without Britain, European voters think that the adverse effects of Brexit on the UK have made it less likely that other countries will leave.

A total of 59 per cent said Brexit has shown that exiting the EU is a mistake; 24 per cent said it has not shown this.

Despite the gloom among UK voters over the impact of Brexit, the poll suggests the British public is conflicted about whether to take the dramatic step of rejoining the EU. In the 2016 referendum, the decision to leave was approved by a slim 52 per cent to 48 per cent margin.

Asked in the FGS Global poll if Britain should rejoin, one in two (50 per cent) said it should do; 38 per cent said it should not. On the surface, that would lend weight to claims by pro-Europeans that the referendum could be reversed.

However, the survey appears to reinforce the theory that the result can be influenced by the way the question is asked.

When asked separately if the UK should not rejoin, a different picture emerges: 49 per cent said they agree with this view; 36 per cent disagree.

The survey also paints a stark picture of Britons broader hopes and fears for the coming year  and their worries about the countrys future.

Only 14 per cent think Britains best years are ahead of us  lower than voters in any other major nation that took part in the poll  while 67 per cent said the UKs best years are behind us. Similarly, 73 per cent of people in Britain said the country is going in the wrong direction.

open image in gallery Almost half of people asked agree that the UK should not rejoin the EU ( PA )

Asked if life will be better for the next generation, only one in 10 agreed with this view, the lowest in the survey; 77 per cent said it will not be better. UK voters also appear to be losing faith in their ability to use elections to make things better  and more markedly than in other countries, with young Britons the most disaffected.

More than one in four people in the UK (27 per cent) said voting makes no difference to their lives  the highest in the survey  while 65 per cent disagree.

The poll provides further evidence of the trend favouring so-called strong man leaders instead of conventional democratically elected ones.

A total of 12 per cent of Britons said they favour authoritarian leaders who do not bother with elections; 79 per cent said they back democratically elected leaders. And the trend shows a marked divide between young and old.

Among the UKs Gen Z, a total of 18 per cent favour authoritarian leaders; 72 per cent prefer democracy. By contrast, only seven per cent of British baby boomers support authoritarian leaders; an overwhelming 87 per cent side with democracy.

The survey found voters across the free world believe democracy is facing a systemic crisis.

A total of 69 per cent think democracy is weakening. Most people  74 per cent  believe the current system serves a rich and powerful elite over ordinary working people. More than two in three (69 per cent) believe strong leaders increasingly have more power than international institutions.

A total of 19,787 people took part in the FS Global poll, including 2,022 people in the UK and 11,714 in the EU
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Sir Keir Starmers deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been dealt a humiliating blow in the House of Lords after peers backed demands for a renegotiation.

In a vote which left the government reeling, peers backed a demand to renegotiate the terms of the deal in order to ensure payments stop if the military base on Diego Garcia could no longer be used.

The amendment, which was led by former military chiefs, was backed by 132 votes to 124 in the House of Lords and represented the fourth defeat for the prime minister in the upper house on the controversial deal.

The amendment stated that the government must make arrangements for terms of payments should environmental or other issues make the military use of the Base permanently impossible.

open image in gallery The UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least 120 million annually during the 99-year agreement to lease back the site, a total cost in cash terms of at least 13 billion

The UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least 120 million annually during the 99-year agreement to lease back the site, a total cost in cash terms of at least 13 billion.

The government, however, estimates the bill will be lower at around 101 million a year while critics argue it will be much higher.

The Bill, which is needed to implement the treaty, has already been approved by MPs but has faced a bruising ride in the House of Lords.

Independent crossbencher Lord Houghton of Richmond, who served as chief of the defence staff from 2013-16, said: Currently, the Bill makes no provision for the circumstances under which the requirement to pay an annual fee for the use of the Diego Garcia base is revisited in the event of the base becoming unusable for military purposes.

In a veiled reference to US president Donald Trumps intervention in Venezuela, Lord Houghton said: Many in the chamber may think my concerns are drawn from the world of fantasy or nightmare, but do the last 72 hours not give serious cause for concern regarding our ability to predict with certainty the next two years of geopolitics, let alone the next 100?

This treaty needs to cater far better for what the future might hold.

Conservative shadow foreign minister Lord Callanan said: It is unconscionable that British taxpayers should be forced to continue to fund the Mauritian government under the terms of the treaty in circumstances where the military base, which the treaty relates to and secures, has therefore become inoperable.

open image in gallery An aerial view of Diego Garcia in the Indian ocean (Alamy stock photo)

Responding. foreign minister Baroness Chapman of Darlington said the treaty included a mechanism for dealing with developments relating to the base, while the deal was also covered by international law.

The Labour frontbencher added: We are taking steps that are necessary to prevent the base becoming unusable and that, however hard hypothetical situations might be for us to imagine today, there are processes in place established by the treaty to resolve them.

The government suffered a further setback as the Lords backed a Liberal Democrat measure requiring a referendum among the Chagossian community on whether the transfer deal adequately guarantees their rights to resettlement, consultation and participation in decision-making along with a government response to the result.

Up to 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed from their homes in the 1960s and 1970s, with many subsequently settling in Britain and some continuing to seek the right to return.

open image in gallery Up to 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed from their homes in the 1960s and 1970s, with many subsequently settling in Britain and some continuing to seek the right to return

The upper chamber also backed a Tory demand for a detailed costing of the payments to be made to Mauritius under the agreement, including a full methodology used in calculating the total.

Another Liberal Democrat measure that would ensure parliamentary oversight over UK Government spending linked to the treaty, which would also allow MPs to halt payments if Mauritius was judged to have breached the terms of the deal was also backed.

The World Court urged Britain in 2019 to return the islands to Mauritius, and a deal was finalised in May after years of negotiations.

The amendments will likely be reversed by MPs when it is returned to the Commons, but the move will delay the formal agreement of the deal.

However, Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said:  Once again Labour have suffered a humiliating defeat on their shameful anti-British Chagos Surrender Bill. At every stage of this process, the Government has sought to silence and ignore the Chagossian people and dodge scrutiny for the outrageous handover of British territory and 35 billion of taxpayers money.

Keir Starmer is weak and incapable of standing up for Britain at home and abroad. Britain's defence and security are at risk because of this terrible legislation. Only the Conservatives will stand up for Britain on the international stage.

Chagossians have pressed for the deal to be scrapped in favour for one where they are given sovereignty over the islands.

A spokesperson for the Chagossians said: We will continue to help hold support in the Lords and press the government for compromise. The Chagossians must be heard, and world security and the Chagos environment must be protected.
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Fujitsu has refused to say how much the company will pay towards the mammoth 1.8bn compensation bill for the Post Office scandal, currently being funded by the taxpayer.

A top executive also admitted the company has so far set nothing aside to cover its contribution to those affected by what former prime minister Rishi Sunak described as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nations history.

Hundreds of subpostmasters were prosecuted for theft and false accounting because of Fujitsus faulty computer system, with some victims sent to prison or financially ruined.

Some victims were sent to prison or financially ruined ( PA )

Those whose convictions have been quashed are eligible for compensation, but MPs on the Commons business and trade committee heard one subpostmaster had wrongly been told they did not qualify.

Paul Patterson, director at Fujitsu Services Ltd, has previously admitted the firm had clearly let society down and that there were bugs, errors and defects with its Horizon software that led to financial discrepancies that saw postmasters being wrongfully convicted right from the very start.

On Tuesday, he told MPs that the company was committed to contributing to the compensation scheme, but that the amount would be determined only when the firm had seen the results of the official inquiry currently being held into the scandal.

He said that we will decide [a figure] when we see the report.

But he was challenged by Lib Dem MP Charlie Maynard, who told him: This whole problem would not have happened without Fujitsus failures.

He asked him to send a message to Fujitsus chair and other executives and ask them to appear before the committee to explain, if they are not paying 1.8bn in full, why not?

Mr Patterson was also pressed by the chair of the committee, Labour MP Liam Byrne, who said Fujitsu was still taking 1m a day from British taxpayers in various government contracts.

The committee also heard from a former post office manager who had not had her conviction overturned, while her husband had, despite both being prosecuted for the same crime.

Glenys Eaton told MPs that she had to take her case to a judicial review.

She said they had to employ a barrister to fight our corner. We had to pay 5,000 for his services, but we knew we were in the right and the only way we could get justice was to fight on. She was told that her conviction would be quashed only weeks ago, she said, despite a law designed to overturn wrongful convictions from the IT scandal coming into force in May 2024.

Her lawyer, David Enright, a partner at Howe & Co Solicitors, said the firm had fought a titanic battle on her behalf. But he warned: I am certain there are many Mrs Eatons out there.
Is Keir Starmers apparently still strong relationship with Donald Trump a strength or a weakness?

Normally, getting on with the president of the United States, especially one with a similar outlook on the world, is something of an asset, both personally and for the relevant party. But in the case of Trump, whose actions are increasingly at odds with traditional Western values as he abandons long-established conventions and continues to weaken the Atlantic alliance, that asset is becoming a bit of a problem domestically...

Whats our beef?

Well, most obviously the attack on Venezuela, which was clearly a breach of international law  and the increasingly menacing noises from Trump about why America needs Greenland, formally part of Denmark, for reasons of national security. Neither of these things has proved popular within the Labour Party, or indeed with anyone else much.

In addition, there are trade tensions, most recently over the Technology Prosperity Deal and the possibility of Britain importing American produce such as chlorinated chickens and hormone-treated beef (disliked by farmers and many consumers). Plus crucial differences over Ukraine and the Middle East.

What can Starmer do?

Its tricky. Trump never reacts well to open criticism, and it could be counterproductive for Starmer, a human rights champion who once said that international law was his lodestar. He can use his influence with Trump more effectively as a critical friend offering counsel in private. But thats not good enough for his own critics. Those in his party are adding his reluctance to criticise Washington to their list of reasons to ditch him.

What do the critics say?

Some of his own backbenchers are vocal, even if they make allowances for Trumps personality. Emily Thornberry, for example, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, says of events in Venezuela: We need to be clearer that this has been a breach of international law and we do not agree that they should have done it. Agreeing that Britain must keep a very important ally like America on board, she adds that its meaningless if we dont support international law.

Trying to outflank Starmer to his left, we also find Ed Davey for the Liberal Democrats, and Zack Polanski for the Greens. The SNP have also taken up that side of the argument. Davey, who has long been outspoken about Trumps excesses, declares: Keir Starmer should condemn Trumps illegal action in Venezuela. Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe. Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack other countries with impunity.

Knocking Trump is fertile political territory for Labours rivals, because the president is not that loved on this side of the Atlantic, and the very imbalance in power that Starmer has to cope with is resented by many on the left.

Can MPs change government policy?

Defence and foreign policy are largely subject to the royal prerogative, as exercised by ministers of the crown, rather than taking the form of legislation to be passed by parliament. Nonetheless, if, say, the Lib Dems or the SNP wanted to be mischievous, or assert the rights of the House of Commons (take your pick), they could put down a critical motion for debate that might draw out Labours critics and expose the real divisions in the partys ranks.

The vote probably wouldnt be won, as the Tories might well not support it and the government still enjoys a landslide majority, but it would make a dent in the prime ministers authority that he really doesnt need.

If Trump really did invade Greenland and annex it, then Starmer and his government would be in an impossible position. In such a circumstance, maintaining a publicly restrained stance towards Washington would just look even more ridiculous, but standing up to Trump might only provoke him into vindictiveness towards vital UK interests.
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Its not often that you have a cabinet minister say the quiet bit out loud. But in his candid interview on the Today programme on Tuesday morning, Wes Streeting summed up the dilemma that the UK and the rest of Europe face in dealing with Donald Trump.

On one hand, they want to defend an international rules-based order and can see perfectly well that the USs military strike on Venezuela and capture of president Nicolas Maduro was likely to have been illegal.

On the other hand, they do not want to poke the bear and anger Trump into doing something rash, which would harm them.

And as Sir Keir Starmer joins French president Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders on Tuesday, including representatives of the Trump administration in Paris, this dilemma will hang over their conversations like a Damoclean sword waiting to crash down.

As Mr Streeting put it: The prime minister chooses what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, very carefully.

He always has at the forefront of his mind is, how does he make sure that he uses his influence and leverage in a way that first and foremost, works to our national interest, whether economic interest or security interest, and then for the collective interest as well of our global security and the rules-based system, which weve seen disintegrating before our eyes.

In other words, forget vocally defending international law when you have to manage an ego like Trump.

open image in gallery Starmer will be central in trying to manage Donald Trump and Americas next moves ( PA )

And in many ways, Venezuela is very much a side issue now. Maduro is in prison, the act is done, and there is no going back. The die is cast.

But other issues loom large and fast.

There is a genuine fear about Trump sending the US military into Greenland and simply taking the sovereign territory of a EU member and Nato ally without so much as a by-your-leave.

After all, if he can do it with Venezuela, why not Greenland?

And what could the UK and Europe do in such circumstances? The answer is not a lot. They could not take on US military might, and imposing sanctions would be crippling domestically. Already, the impact of US tariffs has hurt all of Europe  trying to block US trade altogether would be economic suicide. Europe and the UK need more trade with the US, not less.

The truth is that an incursion into Greenland would see a lot of diplomatic noise but little else short term.

Added to that, the conversation today will be on the coalition of the willing for Ukraine. The only way to get peace there with Russia is through a US-brokered deal. Europe is too weak. But this is about setting European borders with Russia.

open image in gallery Health secretary Wes Streeting has said the quiet bit out loud ( PA )

Somehow, they need to persuade a Trump administration alarmed by the economic damage caused by the Ukraine war that it has to be tough with Vladimir Putin.

Once again, though, it will be Starmer whose role is pivotal.

The other European leaders still see the UK prime minister as the Trump whisperer, a statesman who can get a hearing from the US president and persuade him against some of his more erratic moves.

Sir Keir will be at the heart of efforts to manage the US and Trump, today and in the coming weeks.

But, in the long term, this Paris summit may represent a turning point. Europe will need to work out how to bolster its military, security and economy in a world where it can no longer rely on or trust the US. Those conversations will be happening on the fringes.

The UK will itself need to be part of those conversations, but, a decade on from the EU referendum, it will finally be faced with a choice of a future with its EU allies or as the sidekick of a belligerent America.
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Wes Streeting has suggested that preserving the UKs relationship with Donald Trump will take precedence over intervention to protect the global rules-based system.

The health secretary said that the prime minister makes sure that he uses his influence and leverage in a way that, first and foremost, works to our national interest  then for the collective interest as well of our global security and the rules-based system.

He said Sir Keir Starmer  who has faced continued criticism for cosying up to the Republican president  chooses what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, very carefully when it comes to the UKs relationship with the US.

It comes as the US president continues to double down on his threats to take over Greenland after launching a raid on Caracas and capturing the Venezuelan president.

The government has faced criticism for being slow to condemn his threats against the nation and the US military action in Caracas.

Health secretary Wes Streeting ramped up the governments response to Trump ( PA )

While Sir Keir has now said he stands with Greenland, he has yet to condemn the US presidents actions in Venezuela as a breach of international law.

Asked about the line the government is toeing, Mr Streeting told Sky News: What youve seen from the prime minister and the foreign secretary, not just in relation to the fast-moving events in Venezuela, but more generally when it comes to our relationship with the United States, and actually diplomacy and foreign policy more generally, the prime minister chooses what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, very carefully.

And what he always has at the forefront of his mind is, how does he make sure that he uses his influence and leverage in a way that first and foremost, works to our national interest, whether economic interest or security interest, and then for the collective interest as well of our global security and the rules-based system, which weve seen disintegrating before our eyes.

Asked if European leaders need to be careful when talking about Mr Trump, Mr Streeting said: There are some countries, indeed, there are some colleagues, who are out stridently criticising the United States and their action.

The UK has a different relationship, and the prime minister has unique leverage and influence, and hes sought to bring that to bear consistently.

And I would argue, effectively to pursue our interests.

Mr Streeting also issued a direct warning to the US president over his actions in Venezuela and his threats towards Greenland, saying that now is not the time to destabilise Nato and undermine our collective security amid continued threats from Mr Trump to annex Greenland.

Asked about Mr Trumps continued threats towards Greenland, Mr Streeting told Sky News that the UK and Nato members are doubling down on support for Greenland, their right to self-determination, their place as part of the Kingdom of Denmark and the role that they are already playing as part of the Nato alliance.

He added: The good news for President Trump is that Greenland is already part of the team and is playing its part in defending our national security as the UK and our collective security...

At a time when we can see the security of Nato members and the alliance at threat, particularly from Russia, but also from our other adversaries, this is not the time to destabilise Nato and to undermine our collective security.

Were really clear about where we stand. Were really clear with the United States about where we stand on Greenland.

It comes as the government faces mounting criticism from its own MPs, who are increasingly urging Sir Keir to criticise the recent US actions.

In the Commons on Monday, Labour former minister Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, argued the intervention in Venezuela should be called out, not just by Britain, but by our Western allies.

Labour MP Nadia Whittome dubbed the UK response shameful, while MP Steve Witherden accused Mr Trump of American gangsterism and said the governments response had been insufficient.

Sir Keir will meet with international leaders on Tuesday in Paris, where French president Emmanuel Macron will host about 30 allies of Ukraine for a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.

While the focus of the talks will be on keeping up momentum for the US-backed Ukraine peace deal, conversation is also likely to turn to Mr Trumps action in Venezuela  with leaders expected to toe a fine line between maintaining US support for the Ukraine plan, and pushing back against the recent military action in Caracas.
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Britain and France have signed a historic agreement committing to boots on the ground in Ukraine as soon as any ceasefire with Russia comes into place.

The document, signed at a summit in Paris by French president Emmanuel Macron, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, was hailed as a significant step forward in bringing about the coalition of the willing to guarantee peace in the war-torn country.

It was made possible by the US presence at the summit, with Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner confirming that the president strongly, strongly, strongly supports the security guarantees and would provide the backup to make it work.

In addition, German chancellor Friedrich Mertz suggested that his country could also soon sign up to sending troops to Ukraine.

open image in gallery Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky sign the coalition of the willing deal in Paris ( Sky News )

The breakthrough came despite a cloud hanging over the summit, with Donald Trump laying claim to Greenland, the sovereign territory of EU Nato ally Denmark.

It also followed the US intervention in Venezuela, with concerns being expressed that the Trump administration had acted illegally in international law in capturing the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro.

However, both President Macron and Sir Keir slapped down any suggestions of splits among Nato allies. All the parties went out of their way to thank Mr Kushner and Mr Trumps peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, for being present for the first time at a coalition of the willing summit and providing the support needed to move on with the peace plan.

Mr Macron noted how the agreement was fulfilling Mr Trumps wishes for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defence as part of increasing its military spending and footprint.

However, the coalition of the willing agreement could delay a ceasefire; Vladimir Putin has already made it clear he opposes a foreign military presence in Ukraine after the war ends.

In his statement on the new agreement, Sir Keir said: This is a declaration of intent to deploy forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. This is a vital part of our iron-cast commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long term.

The Multinational Force for Ukraine will act as a reassurance force to bolster security guarantees and Ukraines ability to return to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraines own forces.

open image in gallery Trump is now willing to back the coalition of the willing to guarantee peace ( AP )

The signing of the declaration paves the way for the legal framework to be established for French and UK forces to operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraines skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future.

He added: In today's discussions, we have also gone into greater detail about the mechanics of the deployment of the force on the ground. Alongside our plans for a coordination cell, post-ceasefire, the UK and France will also establish military hubs across Ukraine to enable the deployment and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs.

The French president dubbed the agreement the Paris Declaration as he proclaimed the significant progress made at the summit.

A summary of the agreement shared by the Elysee, the official residence of the French president, said the agreement would include a proposed US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.

It would also include a long-discussed multinational force for Ukraine, led by European allies, with the involvement also of non-European members of the coalition, and the proposed support of the US.

There are also binding commitments to support Ukraine in the case of a future armed attack by Russia in order to restore peace.

President Zelensky said that the agreements do not go far enough yet but welcomed the deal and Americas support.

Mr Kushner was pressed on whether the US would provide military support if allies were attacked attempting to guarantee the peace in Ukraine, and insisted: America strongly, strongly, strongly stands behind those security guarantees. The president does not back down from his commitments.

He said that a security guarantee for Ukraine is about having "real backstops" to prevent conflicts in Eastern Europe.

Mr Kushner said: I think today was a very, very big milestone, and I thank President Macron for assembling this and for all of the work that everyone here has done behind the scenes to bring this together.

open image in gallery France Russia Ukraine War

Mr Kushner, who was previously a senior adviser to his father-in-law Mr Trump, said the US president sought a deal where both sides look to de-escalate and added: You create a robust deterrence, you know, peace through strength, where its unlikely that somebody will ever go and start this again.

He added: This is a really important building block towards an eventual peace deal, and I think that its a big, big milestone thats reached today between the Europeans, with the coalition of the willing.

It comes amid concerns that the US is positioning itself as hostile actor within Nato and turning its back on European allies. Just hours after the Ukraine deal was announced, the White House doubled down on Trumps insistence that the US is "discussing options for acquiring Greenland" as a national security priority.

Greenland is a territory of Denmark, a key and longterm Nato ally. European leaders also released a statement on Tuesday insisting the future of Greenland belongs to its people.

Rose Gottemoeller, who served as deputy secretary-general of Nato during Trumps first administration, told The Independent that any attempt to unilaterally annex the strategic mineral-rich island would force the alliance through an existential crisis.

Nato European countries have woken up to the fact that they're going to have to go it alone without the United States. These events are, no doubt, a short, sharp shock, and a big boost to that wake up call, she told The Independent .

The UK and France committing to deploy boots on the ground in Ukraine was part of that.

"It is an indicator of Europe taking the lead in a potential Nato-minus-the-US world."
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met with the president of Somaliland on Tuesday, just ten days after Israel became the first nation to formally recognise the breakaway Horn of Africa region as an independent and sovereign state.

This landmark recognition has sparked speculation that other countries are poised to follow suit, according to a Somaliland government source and a regional diplomat. Such moves, however, have drawn strong condemnation from Somalia, which views them as a direct threat to its sovereignty.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz voiced his support on X on Monday, stating that recognising Somaliland aligns with US security interests, describing it as "an ally that shares our values in a region vital to global trade and counterterrorism."

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, boasts a crucial strategic location at the confluence of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Its Berbera port offers access to some of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

Analysts suggest that countering threats from Yemen's Houthi militia, who have targeted vessels in these routes, is a key driver behind Israel's recognition and could pave the way for military cooperation. Somaliland, however, has explicitly denied that recognition would permit Israel to establish military bases or facilitate the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Hundreds of Somalis protest Israel's recognition of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, the first by any country in more than 30 years ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The potential for further recognition extends to landlocked Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation. In 2024, Ethiopia announced a memorandum of understanding to lease an area around the Berbera port, reportedly in exchange for Addis Ababa recognising Somaliland's independence.

This proposed deal provoked an angry reaction from Somalia, pushing the Mogadishu government closer to Egypt, a long-standing rival of Ethiopia over its Nile River dam, and to Eritrea, another of Ethiopia's historical adversaries.

Turkey, which maintains close ties with both Ethiopia and Somalia, training Somali security forces and providing development aid, mediated talks in December 2024 where Ethiopia agreed to work with Somalia to resolve the dispute.

Despite this, Ethiopia is now rumoured to be preparing to recognise Somaliland. India has dismissed online speculation that it is also preparing for recognition, though some analysts argue it should do so to counter China's growing economic influence in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Djibouti, as well as in Kenya and Tanzania.

The United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, has already established a significant sphere of influence in the region.

Through Dubai's state-owned DP World, it operates the Berbera port, the city's airport, and a free-trade zone situated between the port and the airport.
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Hard drugs are being openly advertised on social media and delivered by Canadas national postal service, according to a new report.

A weeks-long investigation by broadcaster CBC Ottawa and its French service Radio-Canada found hundreds of ads offering cocaine, heroin and ecstasy popping up on online platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

These ads lead to more than a dozen different websites selling the drugs, which could be paid for using credit cards and electronic transfers, and are delivered by Canada Post, according to the report.

One anonymous buyer told the Canadian broadcaster about his experience with the online ads.

"So you have this ad, it looks professional. You go on the website and its very easy. It's like on Amazon. You have many drugs, and you have cocaine, the buyer said. I was like, it's unbelievable to see this on social media."

open image in gallery Hard drugs are being openly advertised on social media and delivered by Canadas national postal service, according to a new report ( Matthieu Delaty/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images )

The buyer had been addicted to cocaine in the past and said it was now available to him at the touch of a button.

I opened the package and I was like, OK, it's real. It's real stuff, it's real cocaine," he said.

Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, told CBC, Content that attempts to buy, sell or trade illicit drugs is not allowed on our platforms.

The company said it removed flagged ads and pages, disabled the ad accounts, and restricted the account admins from running ads in the future.

open image in gallery An investigation by broadcaster CBC Ottawa and its French service Radio-Canada found hundreds of ads offering cocaine, heroin and ecstasy popping up on online platforms such as Facebook and Instagram ( Ezra Acayan/Getty Images )

For its part, Canada Post assured that flagged illegal drugs are turned over to the authorities.

"When our Postal Inspectors confirm that an item contains an illegal drug, they remove the item from the mail stream and turn it over to the police, the mail carrier said.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadas national police force, told CBC it was actively targeting individuals and networks profiting from the sale of illicit substances online.

As authorities are trying to crack down on the advertising of drugs online in Canada its having real consequences on vulnerable people.

"If you have addiction and you go on social media and you see this every day, and many times every day, it will keep you in this addiction," the anonymous buyer who spoke with CBC said.
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A search is underway for a Chicago special education teacher who vanished on her way to an acupuncture appointment over the weekend.

Linda Brown, 53, was last seen on January 3 in the 4500 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near her Bronzeville home, according to Chicago police.

Brown was headed to Wicker Park for a regularly scheduled appointment on Saturday but never arrived and has not been seen or heard from since.

Her family spent Monday retracing her last known movements and calling area hospitals, but their efforts have so far turned up nothing.

I am terrified, Browns husband, Antwon Brown, told NBC5. I am just shaking. I need my wife home.

open image in gallery Linda Brown, 53, a special education teacher with Chicago Public Schools, was reported missing after she disappeared while traveling to an acupuncture appointment on January 3 ( Chicago Police Department )

Antwon said he last saw his wife Friday night when the couple watched a movie at their home and went to bed.

Everything was fine, he said. Next morning I woke up, it was like 8:35 a.m., and she was gone. No sign of her. I thought she went to acupuncture because she goes to acupuncture on Saturdays,.

But when Brown failed to show up for her appointment and family members could not reach her by phone, they quickly grew worried.

The hours that went past around 1:30, 2 p.m. Im starting to wonder, like, Whats going on? She hasnt called me, because she normally would call me and tell me where she is going. She never did, Antwon said.

He added that she left home with her phone, purse and credit cards.

Police say Brown may have been driving a blue Honda Civic with Illinois license plate CX57470 and could be in or around the 2200 block of West North Avenue.

They also say Brown may be in need of medical assistance. Relatives had told NBC5 she was scheduled to return to work Monday following a leave of absence.

open image in gallery Police say Brown may have been driving a blue Honda Civic with Illinois license plate CX57470 and could be in or around the 2200 block of West North Avenue ( Chicago Police Department )

Brown teaches at Robert Healy Elementary School in Bridgeport. The schools principal, Erin Kamradt, notified families of her disappearance in a letter, urging anyone with information to contact police.

I know that news like this can cause many emotions, questions, and concerns for our school community. Please know that we are partnering with the CPS Crisis Management Unit to support our students and staff members, Kamradt wrote. If you feel that your child would benefit from additional social-emotional support, please do not hesitate to let us know. Our own school-based mental health professionals will also be available as needed.

Brown is described as being 5 feet tall, weighing between 130 and 140 pounds, with a fair complexion. She was last seen wearing a long black puffy coat and shiny UGG-style boots.

Chicago police ask anyone with information about Linda Browns whereabouts to contact Area One Special Victims Unit detectives at 312-747-8380.
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More than 300 people have sought refuge in Cucuta, a city near Colombias border with Venezuela, after fleeing fighting by rebel groups in the volatile Catatumbo region. The city was already bracing for a potential influx of displaced individuals.

Colombias Human Rights Ombudswoman, Iris Marin, confirmed the displacement on X on Monday night, stating the individuals originated from Tibu and El Tarra, where clashes erupted in December.

The government had deployed tanks and troops to Cucuta on Saturday, following a U.S. raid in neighboring Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

The Catatumbo region, a significant coca-producing area, has long been a battleground for drug traffickers and various rebel groups vying for control.

Last year, more than 56,000 people were displaced from Catatumbo, a large region that straddles the border with Venezuela, and at least 80 were killed. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Once again we call on rebel groups to cease combat and leave the civilian population out of the conflict, Marin wrote.

Last year, more than 56,000 people were displaced from Catatumbo, a large region that straddles the border with Venezuela, and at least 80 were killed, as the National Liberation Army waged an offensive against a rival group known as the FARC-EMC.

The humanitarian crisis prompted Colombias government to suspend peace talks with the National Liberation Army that began in 2022.

Colombian officials have said the country is preparing for a potential wave of Venezuelan refugees, though that has not materialized so far, as the situation in Venezuela appears to have stabilized, with Maduros Vice President Delcy Rodriguez now sworn in as interim leader.

On Tuesday, Gloria Arriero, the director of Colombias National Immigration Service, said that foot traffic along the border has not changed significantly since the attack on Venezuela, with approximately 60,000 people entering Cucuta and leaving the city each day.

We feel calm, because the flows of people have not augmented, Arriero said at a news conference.
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The search for mountain lions following a fatal attack on a solo hiker in Colorado has concluded, authorities confirmed, after two of the predators were killed last week.

Kristen Marie Kovatch, 46, from Fort Collins, was identified as the victim of the New Year's Day incident on the remote Crosier Mountain trail, situated an hour's drive from her home and east of Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Larimer County Coroners Office announced on Monday that Ms Kovatch died of asphyxia due to neck compression. Her injuries were found to be "consistent with a mountain lion attack," leading the coroners office to rule her death an accident. Efforts to locate a third mountain lion in the vicinity proved unsuccessful.

Two hikers saw Kovatch's body on a trail southeast of the community of Glen Haven, Colorado, at around noon on Jan. 1, state officials said. A mountain lion was nearby and they threw rocks to scare it away. One of the hikers, a physician, attended to the victim but did not find a pulse.

open image in gallery The General Store is seen Oct. 24, 2006, in Glen Haven, Colo. (AP Photo/The Denver Post, Karl Gehring, File)

Later that day, two mountain lions located in the area around the attack were shot and killed by wildlife officers. The search for a third lion detected in the area stretched over four days with no further sign of the animal, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials.

Mountain lions  also known as cougars, pumas or catamounts  can weigh 130 pounds (60 kilograms) and grow to more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. They primarily eat deer.

Colorado has an estimated 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions, which are classified as a big game species in the state and can be hunted.

A Glen Haven man running on the same trail where Kovatch was killed encountered a montain lion in November. He said it rushed him aggressively but he fought it off with a stick.
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Cuban officials lowered flags before dawn on Monday to mourn 32 security officers, who they claim died in a U.S. weekend strike in Venezuela, the island nations closest ally. The incident has left residents questioning what President Nicolas Maduros capture could mean for their future.

The two nations share profound ties; Cuban soldiers and security agents frequently served as the Venezuelan presidents bodyguards, and Venezuelas oil has sustained the economically struggling island for years. While Cuban authorities announced the 32 deaths in a "surprise attack" over the weekend, no further details have been provided.

The Trump administration has warned that toppling Maduro would advance a decades-long goal: dealing a blow to the Cuban government. Severing Cuba from Venezuela could have disastrous consequences for its leaders, who on Saturday called for the international community to stand up to "state terrorism."

Trump said Maduros ouster would further batter the ailing Cuban economy.

Many observers say Cuba, an island of about 10 million people, exerted a remarkable degree of influence over Venezuela, an oil-rich nation with three times as many people. ( AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa )

Its going down, Trump said of Cuba. Its going down for the count.

Many observers say Cuba, an island of about 10 million people, exerted a remarkable degree of influence over Venezuela, an oil-rich nation with three times as many people. At the same time, Cubans have long been tormented by constant blackouts and shortages of basic foods. And after the attack, they woke to the once-unimaginable possibility of an even grimmer future.

I cant talk. I have no words, 75-year-old Berta Luz Sierra Molina said as she sobbed and placed a hand over her face.

Even though 63-year-old Regina Mendez is too old to join the Cuban military, she said that we have to stand strong.

Give me a rifle, and Ill go fight, Mendez said.

Maduros government was shipping an average of 35,000 barrels of oil daily over the last three months, about a quarter of total demand, said Jorge Pinon, a Cuban energy expert at the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute.

The question to which we dont have an answer, which is critical: Is the U.S. going to allow Venezuela to continue supplying Cuba with oil? he said.

Pinon noted that Mexico once supplied Cuba with 22,000 barrels of oil a day before it dropped to 7,000 barrels after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Mexico City in early September.

I dont see Mexico jumping in right now, Pinon said. The U.S. government would go bonkers.

Ricardo Torres, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington, said that blackouts have been significant, and that is with Venezuela still sending some oil.

Imagine a future now in the short term losing that, he said. Its a catastrophe.

Pinon noted that Cuba doesnt have the money to buy oil on the international market.

The only ally that they have left out there with oil is Russia, he said, noting that it sends Cuba about 2 million barrels a year.

Russia has the capability to fill the gap. Do they have the political commitment, or the political desire to do so? I dont know, he said.

Torres also questioned whether Russia would extend a hand.

Meddling with Cuba could jeopardize your negotiation with the U.S. around Ukraine. Why would you do it? Ukraine is far more important, he said.

Torres said Cuba should open its doors to the private sector and market and reduce its public sector, moves that could help prompt China to step in and help Cuba.

Do they have an alternative? I dont think they do, he said.
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A Minnesota hotel, which denied rooms to federal immigration agents, has been dropped by Hilton.

The Hampton Inn Lakeville, an independent franchise operating under the Hilton brand, made national headlines after denying rooms to Department of Homeland Security staff last week once their identities were revealed.

Hilton apologized Monday, claiming the action went against company policies.

The independent hotel owner had assured us that they had fixed this problem and published a message confirming this. A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values. As such, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems, Hilton wrote in a statement on X.

Hilton is  and has always been  a welcoming place for all.

open image in gallery The Hampton Inn Lakeville in Minnesota made national headlines after denying rooms to Department of Homeland Security staff last week ( Google )

A video, reportedly shot late Monday night by conservative social media personality Nick Sortor, showed a person behind the hotels check-in desk denying rooms to a man claiming he was looking to book rooms for DHS agents.

Trump officials on Monday claimed Hilton had launched a coordinated campaign to refuse service to DHS employees.

When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations, DHS wrote on X. This is UNACCEPTABLE.

DHS then appeared to reference the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph being denied room at the inn ahead of the birth of Jesus and shared two screenshots, reportedly from Hampton Inn Lakeville, about the alleged cancellations in Minnesota.

After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and will be cancelling your upcoming reservation, one of the screenshots, dated January 2, read.

We are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property, another message, purportedly from the leadership of the Hampton Inn Lakeville, reads.

Hilton told The Independent in a statement Monday that the hotel was independently owned and operated, and the actions did not reflect the companys values.

We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies. They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter and are contacting impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated, Hilton said.

However, the video, shared on X Tuesday, claims to show the front desk operator at the Hampton Inn Lakeville, 20 miles south of Minneapolis, saying the policy forbidding DHS employees from booking rooms remained in effect.

open image in gallery The Department of Homeland Security alleges Hilton Hotels is part of a coordinated campaign to deny immigration agents hotel rooms in the Minneapolis area ( REUTERS )

After the video was posted Tuesday morning, Hilton issued another statement, saying that the company was working with franchisees to reinforce the standards we hold them to across our system to help ensure this does not happen again.

Hampton Inns are on the budget end of the Hilton hotel brands. Most are owned and operated by franchisees.

Everpeak Hospitality, which operates the Lakeville Hampton Inn location, also issued a statement Monday to say that the cancellation was at odds with their policy.

Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all, the company said in a statement. We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.

The Trump administration is sending an influx of DHS resources to the Minneapolis era, kicking off a reported crackdown on migrants that could involve up to 2,000 agents.

President Donald Trump and his allies have regularly targeted the large Somali-American community in the city. The administration has also responded to viral, disputed allegations of mass fraud at Somali-American run day care centers in Minneapolis to freeze childcare funding to Minnesota.
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Conservative podcast host Megyn Kelly warned her audience not to follow in Fox Newss steps by championing President Donald Trump for capturing the deposed Venezuelan president  adding that she had been embarrassed for blindly supporting the administration in the past.

Kelly, who worked at Fox News for 13 years, criticized her former employer for cheerleading Trumps recent attacks in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, saying it was like watching Russian propaganda.

I turned on Fox News yesterday, and Im sorry, but it was like watching Russian propaganda. There was nothing skeptical, Kelly said on Mondays episode of The Megyn Kelly Show.

It was all rah rah cheerleading, yes, lets go. But there are serious reasons to just exercise a note of caution before we just get on the rah rah train, she added.

Kelly recounted that she had contributed to the blind cheerleading of the U.S. intervening in foreign matters while serving as an anchor for Fox News, but that it occasionally embarrassed her when a situation did not end positively.

open image in gallery Megyn Kelly compared Fox News' coverage of U.S operations in Venezuela to Russian propaganda ( The Megyn Kelly Show )

She added that, while working at Fox News, she was expected to uplift the conservative administration  seemingly, regardless of its actions.

I will not be joining the Fox News cheerleading brigade this time. Ive been burned too many times, Kelly said.

On Fox News Monday, anchors such as Sean Hannity appeared to defend the U.S.s recent actions when insinuating that Venezuela owed American companies oil that it stole. Laura Ingraham asserted Trumps move was a needed global reset. Jesse Watters dramatically recounted the military operation, emphasizing the presidents success.

The current anchors positive narrative about the military operation appeared to be consistent with Kellys claim about how the network went about covering world affairs.

Now, with an independent podcast, Kelly encouraged her audience to use a yellow light approach and think critically about the recent events.

I have seen what happens when you cheerlead, unabashedly, U.S. intervention in foreign countries, thinking it's for our good and the international good, only to wind up with what we called a quagmire, Kelly said.

open image in gallery Protesters outside of the New York federal courthouse, where Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty Monday called on the U.S. to free the deposed Venezuelan leader ( AFP/Getty )

At Trumps direction, U.S. forces launched a small attack in Caracas, Venezuela, over the weekend, to capture Maduro and Flores and bring them to New York to face federal prosecution. Last week, prosecutors charged the two with counts related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses.

Appearing in court Monday, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.

After the military operation, Trump claimed the U.S. would be taking over Venezuela for the time being and, in an interview with The Altantic, warned the current interim leader to abide by his requests or face a worse fate. Trump administration officials said the U.S. had taken over an oil reserve.

Were not great at going into these foreign countries, decapitating them at the leadership level and then saying were going to either steer the country to a better place or its going to steer itself, Kelly pointed out, citing U.S. actions in Iraq and Libya.
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Donald Trumps operation to oust Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro at the weekend stunned the world, drawing condemnation and support alike.

The deposed dictator was removed from power in the early hours of Saturday morning, when U.S. operatives swooped on Caracas and airstrikes rained down on military bases and airfields.

Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were hauled out of the capital and moved to an assault ship in the Caribbean, passing through Guantanamo Bay before flying on to New York to face narco-terrorism charges.

The former president appeared in court in Manhattan Monday to plead not guilty to federal charges, his first appearance in what is likely to be a drawn-out legal fight.

The Independent looks at how the U.S. snatched one of the most closely-guarded leaders in the world from his home, and the key moments of the past few days.

open image in gallery Nicolas Maduro was hauled from Caracas to face drug charges ( Reuters )

All times are in Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5) unless stated otherwise.

Friday, 2 January

10.46pm: Trump gave the go-ahead for U.S. air strikes in Venezuela after months of planning for an operation dubbed Absolute Resolve.

A small team of U.S. spies had been monitoring Maduros every movement, from where he ate to what he wore. Forces trained for the mission using a full-size replica of his home compound and blowtorches capable of cutting through steel walls.

With plans finalised in December, the mission had been set back by poor weather conditions for days, officials told NBC. But with Trumps signal just two days into the new year, some 150 aircraft took off for Caracas from 20 bases on land and sea.

Bombers and fighters were flanked by reconnaissance and surveillance planes as U.S. forces closed in under the cover of night. Aircraft took out Venezuelan air defences to clear a path for helicopters.

The whole operation took around two-and-a-half hours to execute from start to finish.

open image in gallery Smoke at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday ( AP )

Saturday, 3 January

1.01am: Strikes were simultaneously reported at multiple locations in Caracas including La Carlota airport as well as the Port of La Guaira and Higuerote airport. They lasted around 30 minutes, the Venezuelan government said.

U.S. forces arrived at Maduros compound in Fort Tiuna, Caracas, after power to the city was cut. Trump later described the building as a heavily fortified military fortress.

An elite special forces unit called Delta Force gained access to the compound to capture Maduro. The president tried to escape into a steel safe room as special forces breached the compound, but was unable to shut the heavy metal door in time, according to Trump.

A firefight broke out as Maduro was snatched, and a U.S. helicopter was hit in the fracas. Several American troops were injured but were in a stable condition, officials said.

Cuba said 32 of its citizens were killed during the operation, falling after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombardments of installations.

Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores allegedly suffered significant injuries during her arrest, including a possible rib fracture and bruising, her lawyer later claimed.

open image in gallery Maduro was pictured aboard the Iwo Jima assault ship after his capture on Saturday, and before being flown to Guantanamo ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

3.29am: American forces were over the water, on their way back from Venezuela and headed for ships stationed in the Caribbean.

4.21am: Trump posted on Truth Social to say the U.S. had carried out a large scale strike in Venezuela and captured Maduro.

Confusion ensued as Delcy Rodriguez, then vice president, demanded proof of life. Maduro was pictured on board the USS Iwo Jima, blindfolded and in handcuffs.

Trumps secretary of state, Marco Rubio, would later call Rodriguez to discuss her role in governing the country.

11:40am: Trump hosted a press conference from Mar-a-Lago, outlining a vague plan to run Venezuela until a transition of power can occur.

He told taxpayers the U.S. will get reimbursed for everything that we spend, noting that the money coming out of the ground is very substantial in oil-rich Venezuela.

We'll have the greatest oil companies in the world going in, invest billions and billions of dollars. ... And the biggest beneficiary are going to be the people of Venezuela, he insisted.

Maduro was then flown out to the United States via Guantanamo naval base. He was met by the FBI, who had a 757 government plane waiting on the airstrip to bring them to Stewart Air National Guard Base, north of New York City.

open image in gallery The ousted leader, surrounded by armed guards, was transferred to a court in Manhattan on Monday ( Reuters )

4.31pm: Maduro arrived in New York, landing at Stewart Airport in New Windsor, north of New York City some 2,100 miles from Caracas.

He was taken to Drug Enforcement Administration in Manhattan around 7pm, then on to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn by 9pm.

Sunday, 4 January

Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Trump said that Venezuela was sick and needed U.S. support.

He threatened that Colombias very sick too. Run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.

Asked whether that could spell a future intervention to oust socialist leader Gustavo Petro, Trump said: Sounds good to me. Petro later vowed he will take up arms for the homeland if called upon.

The same day, Trump revived talk of taking over Greenland amid growing concerns over his next moves. He said the U.S .needs the semi-autonomous Danish community for national security reasons, provoking Europe.

open image in gallery An aerial view shows Maduro being moved from a vehicle to helicopter, as he heads to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Manhattan United States Courthouse ( WABC )

Monday, 5 January

Maduro was flown by helicopter from Brooklyn to Manhattan to attend court. Surrounded by armed guards, he was seen limping and was driven to the courthouse in an armoured vehicle.

12.00pm: Maduro appeared before a judge, charged with various weapons and drug offences. Court sketches showed the ousted leader and his wife wearing blue prison outfits. He was represented by Barry Joel Pollack, best known for defending Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

I was captured, Maduro said in Spanish as translated by a courtroom interpreter before being cut off by the judge.

Asked later for his plea to the charges, he stated: I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.

He and his wife pleaded not guilty to all charges.

open image in gallery Maduro, appearing in prison garb, pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday ( Reuters )

12:45pm: Maduros brief arraignment ended, with the next court hearing scheduled for 17 March. Maduro did not asked for bail.

2:08pm: Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuelas interim president at the National Assembly in Caracas.

On Monday night, Trump warned the U.S. still could launch a second attack on Venezuela if newly Rodriguez does not cooperate.

Were prepared to do it, Trump said. We anticipated doing it, actually.
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A federal judge has cleared the way for several prominent medical organizations to proceed with a lawsuit challenging policies enacted under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, which they contend will lead to a decline in vaccination rates across the country.

U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston dismissed arguments from government lawyers who claimed the groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, lacked legal standing as they could not demonstrate direct harm from the policies. The lawsuit aims to invalidate all votes cast since June by a crucial vaccine advisory panel, whose members were personally selected by Kennedy.

Kennedy, who previously founded the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense before heading the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has long promoted views on vaccines that contradict scientific evidence. Public health experts have warned that his actions in government could expose more young people to preventable diseases.

The medical groups allege that in May, Kennedy unlawfully directed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to remove its recommendation for COVID-19 jabs for pregnant women and children from its vaccination schedules.

Further escalating concerns, Kennedy fired 17 independent experts from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June, replacing them with individuals largely aligned with his perspectives.

This reconstituted committee subsequently voted in September to recommend COVID-19 shots only through 'shared decision-making' with a healthcare provider  a process the medical groups argue is time-consuming and could depress vaccination uptake.

The CDC adopted this recommendation for paediatric and adult patients in October, effectively withdrawing its previous broad guidance for widespread COVID vaccine availability.

GPs will be contacting families to offer the MMRV vaccine as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme (Alamy/PA) ( Alamy/PA )

The lawsuit contends that the advisory panel was unlawfully reformed, violating federal law, which mandates such committees be 'fairly balanced' and not 'inappropriately influenced' by the appointing official. Consequently, the plaintiffs seek to void all panel votes since the shake-up, including a December decision to remove the broad recommendation for all newborns to receive a hepatitis B vaccine.

The plaintiffs, which also include the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, initially filed their suit in July and have since expanded it. During a December hearing, their lawyer indicated plans to seek expedited relief ahead of the panel's next meeting, scheduled for February 25-26.
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In a less than auspicious start for Bari Weiss' big relaunch, new CBS Evening News frontman Tony Dokoupil ran into some technical glitches on his maiden voyage Monday night.

In his first regular broadcast after heading up a special bulletin on Venezuela over the weekend, Dokoupil had to contend with 21 seconds of confusion and silence while he waited to be told what his next item would be.

"All right, to other news... to other news, now," Dokoupil repeated, having just finished up an item on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. special forces.

"Uh, to Governor [Tim] Walz! No, we're gonna do Mark Kelly," he went on. Then he smiled, shaking his head apologetically, and admitted: "First day, first day, big problems here.

Dokoupil then quizzed his producers while images of Kelly, the Arizona Democrat being targeted by the Trump administration, flashed insistently on screen. "Are we going to Kelly here, or are we gonna go to [Minnesota correspondent] Jonah Kaplan?"

Four seconds of silence followed, disturbed only by the faint sound of shuffling papers and a montage of Kelly's face. Finally Dokoupil declared: "We're doing Mark Kelly! Possibly demoted from his retired rank of captain in the Navy..."

Tony Dokoupil smiles apologetically as he navigates the production glitch ( CBS Evening News via YouTube )

It is the latest embarrassment for a renowned news network still struggling to adapt to its controversial takeover by Trump-friendly new owners, who appointed the relatively experienced anti-woke writer Bari Weiss as editor in chief.

The Independent reported last week that Weiss was chartering a private plane to fly Dokoupil and his team across the country on a (now postponed) 10-city "Live From America" tour, including a five-person security detail for herself.

Insiders accused Evening News executive producer Kim Harvey of being "a yes person" who was "drinking the Bari Kool-Aid", saying that "morale is really bad" and that it "feels like the end of CBS Evening News".

The program's staff had already come close to "revolt" just before Christmas when Weiss spiked a 13-minute 60 Minutes investigative story on allegations of torture and human rights abuses in the notoriously brutal El Salvador prison where the Trump administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan migrants last year.

In memos, Weiss reportedly argued that the item did not adequately represent the perspective of the Trump administration, which had refused to comment. CBS journalist Sharyn Alfonsi shot back that officials' silence was "a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story" and that doing so only played into their hands.

On Saturday evening, Dokoupil's debut was moved up in light of the news from Venezuela, leading to a long interview with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth which one critic described as "unchallenging" and close to a "press release."

Dokoupil continued in that vein Monday evening, claiming that Maduro's removal could deprive "Russia, China, and Iran" of "a base of power and influence in the hemisphere."

Reaction to the ensuing glitch was less than enthusiastic. "Complete and utter incompetence on display... great job, Bari! hope the money was worth the humiliation!" said journalist Peter Rothpletz on X.

"Tony Dokoupil struggled today. It made me think of Ta-Nehisi Coates quote: 'Was silence not an option?" said one user on Threads.

Others were kinder. "Honestly not bad for the first night," said veteran broadcaster John Cremeans. "Advice: Tony Dokoupil, never, no matter how stressful it can be, demean and talk negatively to your crew. They probably were just as nervous as you about getting it right."

"Uh oh. First day gremlins on CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil," commented Curtis Houck of the conservative media watchdog Newsbusters. "For the record, I thought Tony rolled with it quite well... it happens a few times a year."

Saturday's broadcast led to the postponement of Weiss's planned multi-city tour, which Dokoupil chalked up to the usual chaos of world news.

After Saturday's broadcast, CBS's national legal correspondent Jan Crawford told her followers on X: "I understand your skepticism and anger. I agree. We have to be better, and we are going to do our best to prove we can be.

"Please tune in again tomorrow night, and let me know what you think in the days and months ahead as we strive to get it right."
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Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric regarding US influence in the Western Hemisphere, renewing calls for an American takeover of Greenland and threatening military action against Colombia.

These assertive statements, made on Sunday, follow a US military operation in Venezuela and were accompanied by his top diplomat, Marco Rubio, declaring Cuba's communist government to be "in a lot of trouble".

The remarks from Trump and Secretary of State Rubio, coming after the ousting of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, underscore the administration's intent to adopt a more expansive role across the region.

With thinly veiled threats, Trump is unsettling both allies and adversaries throughout the hemisphere, prompting a pointed question globally: Who will be next?

Its so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington from his home in Florida.

open image in gallery Trumps administration invaded Venezuela last week. Greenland and Colombia are his next potential targets ( AP )

"We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.

Asked during an interview with The Atlantic earlier on Sunday what the U.S.-military action in Venezuela could portend for Greenland, Trump replied: They are going to have to view it themselves. I really dont know.

Trump, in his administration's National Security Strategy published last month, laid out restoring American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere as a central guidepost for his second go-around in the White House.

Trump has also pointed to the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which rejects European colonialism, as well as the Roosevelt Corollary  a justification invoked by the U.S. in supporting Panamas secession from Colombia, which helped secure the Panama Canal Zone for the U.S.  as he's made his case for an assertive approach to American neighbors and beyond.

Trump has even quipped that some now refer to the fifth U.S. president's foundational document as the Don-roe Doctrine.

Causing unease in Denmark

Saturday's dead-of-night operation by U.S. forces in Caracas and Trumps comments on Sunday heightened concerns in Denmark, which has jurisdiction over the vast mineral-rich island of Greenland.

open image in gallery Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen ( Danish Statsministeriet via YouTube )

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in a statement that Trump has "no right to annex" the territory. She also reminded Trump that Denmark already provides the United States, a fellow member of NATO, broad access to Greenland through existing security agreements.

I would therefore strongly urge the U.S. to stop threatening a historically close ally and another country and people who have made it very clear that they are not for sale, Frederiksen said.

Denmark on Sunday also signed onto a European Union statement underscoring that the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected as Trump has vowed to run Venezuela and pressed the acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, to get in line.

Social media posting angers Danes

Trump on Sunday mocked Denmarks efforts at boosting Greenlands national security posture, saying the Danes have added one more dog sled to the Arctic territorys arsenal.

Greenlanders and Danes were further rankled by a social media post following the raid by a former Trump administration official turned podcaster, Katie Miller. The post shows an illustrated map of Greenland in the colors of the Stars and Stripes accompanied by the caption: SOON."

And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, Amb. Jesper Mller Srensen, Denmark's chief envoy to Washington, said in a post responding to Miller, who is married to Trump's influential deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

During his presidential transition and in the early months of his return to the White House, Trump repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has pointedly not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island that belongs to an ally.

The issue had largely drifted out of the headlines in recent months. Then Trump put the spotlight back on Greenland less than two weeks ago when he said he would appoint Republican Gov. Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland.

The Louisiana governor said in his volunteer position he would help Trump make Greenland a part of the U.S.

A stern warning to Cuba

Meanwhile, concern is simmering in Cuba, one of Venezuelas most important allies and trading partners, as Rubio issued a new stern warning to the Cuban government. U.S.-Cuba relations have been hostile since the 1959 Cuban revolution.

open image in gallery Cubans attend a rally in support of Venezuelans ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All right reserved )

Rubio, in an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press, said Cuban officials were with Maduro in Venezuela ahead of his capture.

It was Cubans that guarded Maduro, Rubio said. He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards. He had Cuban bodyguards. The secretary of state added that Cuban bodyguards were also in charge of internal intelligence in Maduros government, including who spies on who inside, to make sure there are no traitors.

The Cuban government said in a statement read on state television on Sunday evening that 32 officers were killed in the U.S. military operation.

Trump said that the Cuban economy, battered by years of a U.S. embargo, is in tatters and will slide further now with the ouster of Maduro, who provided the Caribbean island subsidized oil.

It's going down, Trump said of Cuba. It's going down for the count.

Warning delivered to Colombia

Trump, as he made his way back to Washington on Sunday evening, also put Venezuela's neighbor, Colombia, and its leftist president, Gustavo Petro, on notice.

Trump in a back-and-forth with reporters said Colombia is run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.

The Trump administration imposed sanctions in October on Petro, his family and a member of his government over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade. Colombia is considered the epicenter of the world's cocaine trade.

open image in gallery Gustavo Petro the president of Colombia ( AP )

Trump began his monthslong pressure campaign on Maduro by ordering dozens of lethal strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats launched from Venezuela in the Caribbean. He eventually expanded the operations to also target suspected vessels in the eastern Pacific that came from Colombia.

The U.S. in September also added Colombia, the top recipient of American assistance in the region, to a list of nations failing to cooperate in the drug war for the first time in almost 30 years. The designation led to a slashing of U.S. assistance to the country.

Hes not going to be doing it for very long, Trump said of Petro on Sunday. He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories. Hes not going to be doing it.

Asked whether he might order the U.S. to conduct an operation against Colombia, Trump replied, It sounds good to me.
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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has spent months trying to gain Donald Trumps favor - but the U.S. president looks set to leave her in the lurch.

Machado, who led a successful election campaign against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in 2024 despite being barred from holding public office, has often been touted as the leader with the greatest popular legitimacy to lead the South American country.

But Trump, who was beaten by Machado to the Nobel Peace Prize in December, has openly opposed the 58-year-old from Caracas taking the reigns in Venezuela. Machado has remained in Norway since being awarded the prize in October, but has said she wants to return following Maduros removal.

I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader, Trump said on Saturday, hours after Maduro had been seized by U.S. forces in an overnight raid. She doesnt have the support within, or the respect within, the country. Shes a very nice woman, but she doesnt have the respect.

open image in gallery Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado (L) won the most votes in an election in 2024 ( AFP/Getty )

Two White House sources told The Washington Post that the President had lost interest in supporting Machado after her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado dedicated the award to Trump after her win, but by accepting it in the first place she was guilty of the ultimate sin, one said.

If she had turned it down and said, I cant accept it because its Donald Trumps, shed be the president of Venezuela today, they added.

Machado has, however, said she would share the prize with Trump, despite not offering to give him the prize outright.

It hasnt happened yet, she told Fox News, but I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe, the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people, certainly want to give it to him, and share it with him.

Trumps remarks prompted surprise among Machados camp, a person close to the team told the Post. One opposition figure told the outlet that the comments were difficult to hear, but in every transition, you have to swallow some bitter pills.

But even before Maduro was removed from power, all had not been well between Machado and the White House, reports suggest.

open image in gallery Nicolas Maduro was escorted to a New York court where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges ( Reuters )

According to The New York Times, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had argued against backing the Venezuelan opposition, arguing it would further destabilise the country and mean a larger military presence would be necessary in the country. This view was supported by classified C.I.A. intelligence, a person familiar with the document told the outlet.

The Wall Street Journal also revealed that a C.I.A. intelligence assessment had determined that Maduros key allies, including Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as president on Monday, would be the best positioned to lead a temporary government in Caracas and maintain short-term stability.

The analysis reportedly influenced Trumps decision to back Rodriguez instead of Machado, who it is believed would not command the support of the countrys armed forces and other elites.

Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, her stand-in candidate who won more than two-thirds of the vote in the 2024 election, would struggle to gain legitimacy and would face significant resistance from pro-regime security services, drug-trafficking groups and political opponents, the report argued.

Senior U.S. officials are also said to have grown increasingly frustrated with Machado over the past year, finding her recent claims that the Maduro regime was weakened and nearing collapse to be inaccurate, and becoming increasingly sceptical about her ability to overthrow the government.

open image in gallery Trump has been clear that he does not support a Machado-led government in Venezuela ( Getty )

The apparent decline in the relationship between the White House and Machado reportedly began almost immediately after Trump took office for the second time last January.

Ahead of a visit to Caracas, Trump envoy Richard Grenell requested an in-person meeting with Machado. The opposition leader reportedly refused to meet Grenell, arranging instead a phone call, setting the precedent for a relationship which would deteriorate over the next year.

Grenell grew frustrated with Machados absence of a concrete plan on how to put Gonzalez into office, it is claimed. In turn, Machado was said to have been upset at Grenells failure to strongly denounce the Maduro regime as illegitimate.

Trump and Rubio are now focused on working with interim president Delcy Rodriguez, the Maduro ally and former vice president who was sworn in as president on Monday.

The comings days, a leader among the opposition said, will determine whether Rodriguez will continue Maduro-style governance or carry out a soft transition to a more U.S.-friendly Venezuelan government by replacing hardliners.
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Donald Trump has issued a series of threats against multiple countries after American troops captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

The US president followed Maduros shock arrest with threats against Colombia, Mexico, Greenland, Iran and Cuba.

But these are far from the only countries the Nobel Peace Prize hopeful Trump has lashed out at at.

Below, The Independent looks at the nations in the US leaders firing line, after he boasted that American dominance in the Western hemisphere will never be questioned again.

Venezuela

For months, the US has been striking what it describes as Venezuelan drug boats, which it claims are carrying narcotics to the US.

Since the first strike in September, Trump has ordered an unprecedented buildup of military assets near the countrys Caribbean coast and issued a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.

The US seized Maduro and his wife in a military operation Saturday, capturing them in their home on a military base.

open image in gallery Maduro will face a New York court on Monday ( )

Colombia

Trump has warned Colombian president Gustavo Petro  one of his fiercest critics on the international stage  that the South American country could be the next to face US military action.

The US sanctioned Petro last autumn after Trump blamed him for failing to curb drug trafficking in the country and allowing cartels to flourish.

Colombia has become a refuge for millions of Venezuelans who have fled Maduros rule in recent years.

Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and hes not going to be doing it very long, he told reporters while on board Air Force One.

When asked by NewsNations Libbey Dean whether the US would carry out a military operation, the US president said: It sounds good to me. You know why? Because they kill a lot of people.

open image in gallery Colombian president Gustavo Petro has been one of Trumps fiercest critics ( AP )

Mexico

Mexico has long been a target of Trumps anger, with the US president blaming the government for failing to deal with drug cartels and prevent the flow of migrants across the border.

Drugs are pouring through Mexico, Trump said last year, describing the cartels as very strong.

He said that Mexico, which has been led by left-wing president Claudia Sheinbaum since October 2024, has to get their act together or were going to have to do something.

Trump claims to have offered Sheinbaum the US militarys help to root out drug cartels. On Monday, Sheinbaum stressed Mexico is a sovereign country and was cooperating with the US on drug trafficking and security.

We categorically reject intervention in the internal matters of other countries, she said.

open image in gallery Trump claims to have offered Mexicos presdident Claudia Sheinbaum the US militarys help to root out drug cartels ( AP )

Greenland

Fears are growing that Trump could order US military action in Greenland after repeated threats to seize the territory.

We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence, the president told The Atlantic magazine on Sunday.

Katie Miller, the wife of one of Trumps senior aides, Stephen Miller, sparked backlash in Greenland after she posted a picture on social media of the country in the colours of the American flag, alongside the word soon.

Trumps desire for a US takeover of the mineral-rich self-governing Danish territory has been no secret since he resumed office in January last year.

On Monday, Denmarks prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said in a statement that the US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom, of which Greenland is one.

open image in gallery Denmarks leader Mette Frederiksen says the US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom ( PA )

Iran

Trump has long considered Irans regime one of Americas main adversaries. Last June, the US joined an Israeli bombing campaign aimed at destroying the countrys nuclear programme.

Last week, he weighed in on the ongoing protests in Iran over the cost of living, in which at least eight people have reportedly been killed by police. Protesters have called for the overthrow of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue  We are locked and loaded and ready to go, he wrote on Truth Social.

It is not clear how the US could help the protesters. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump only said: If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think theyre going to get hit very hard by the United States.

open image in gallery Protesters march in downtown Tehran over the cost of living ( Fars News Agency )

Cuba

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Sunday that he believes Cuba is in a lot of trouble following the capture of Maduro, a key ally.

Im not going to talk to you about what our future steps are going to be and our policies are going to be right now in this regard, Rubio told NBC. But I dont think its any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro.

Mr Trump says the US may not need to intervene in Cuba, one of Venezuelas key allies, as he claims that the country is ready to fall following Maduros capture.

I dont know if theyre going to hold out, but Cuba now has no income. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. Theyre not getting any of it. Cuba literally is ready to fall.
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The criminal case against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to come before a veteran U.S. federal judge known for his independence and unconventional courtroom style.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, 92, a Bill Clinton-era appointee based in Manhattan, oversaw Maduros arraignment on Monday and is expected to preside over any trial of the ousted leader.

Former federal prosecutors familiar with Hellerstein described him as guided by his own sense of judgment rather than convention.

Hes just old and old-school and does things his own way and doesnt give a shit what anyone thinks about him, a former prosecutor told Politico, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a judge they could appear before in the future.

open image in gallery The 92-year-old sits on the US District Court for the Southern District of New York ( Patrick McMullan/Getty )

Another former federal prosecutor added, He tries very hard to do the right thing. [He] just has his own sense of what that is.

Hellerstein, a jurist known for overseeing some of the most sensitive national security and terrorism-related cases in the country, has spent decades at the center of the American legal system.

The veteran sits on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, one of Americas busiest and most influential trial courts.

Appointed by Clinton in 1998, Hellerstein took senior status in 2011 and has continued to handle major cases that often test the limits of executive power and constitutional protections.

Born and raised in New York City, Hellerstein graduated from both Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He began his legal career clerking for Judge David L Bazelon on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, a post that placed him close to landmark debates over civil liberties during the 1960s.

Before joining the bench, Hellerstein spent more than three decades in private practice in New York, where he developed a reputation as a formidable litigator in complex commercial and constitutional disputes.

open image in gallery Courtroom sketch of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro ( Elizabeth Williams )

On the bench, Hellerstein became widely known for presiding over cases arising from the September 11, 2001, attacks, including civil litigation brought by victims families.

He also played a prominent role in habeas corpus challenges filed by detainees held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, issuing rulings that scrutinized government evidence and procedures.

Hellerstein has repeatedly rejected President Donald Trumps attempts to move his New York hush money case involving former adult star Stormy Daniels to federal court, criticizing the administrations argument that the case involved official acts taken during his presidency.

A New York City jury convicted Trump in the case, which centers on reimbursements paid to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a payment made shortly before the 2016 election to Daniels.

In earlier rulings, Hellerstein said the actions did not fall within Trumps constitutional duties as president.

Reimbursing Cohen for advancing hush money to Stephanie Clifford cannot be considered the performance of a constitutional duty, Hellerstein wrote, adding that falsifying business records to conceal the reimbursement likewise did not relate to any presidential function.

open image in gallery A New York City jury convicted Trump in the case, which centers on reimbursements paid to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a payment made shortly before the 2016 election to Daniels ( REUTERS )

The judge also presided over a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union last year challenging the deportation of two Venezuelan nationals.

In that case, Hellerstein issued a temporary restraining order barring removals from the Southern District of New York until impacted individuals were afforded due process.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of two Venezuelans, contested the governments use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport individuals accused of gang affiliations. The law, enacted in 1798, allows the US government during times of war to detain or remove people from countries deemed hostile to the United States.
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Former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino returned to his life as a conservative content creator this week and kicked things off by getting into a profanity-filled argument with former congressman Matt Gaetz on X.

The two MAGA-affiliated media personalities began trading barbs at one another Tuesday morning, after Gaetz undermined Bonginos political credentials by asking Grok, Xs artificial intelligence chatbot, to recount Bonginos three unsuccessful congressional elections.

Maybe if I spent more time at shady parties with monied insiders I wouldve won. I heard youd know a bit about that. Youve always been a d*** by the way, Bongino responded to Gaetz. Grifting off your daddy like a suckling little doggie. When I first met you in the panhandle I knew you were a piece of s***. Its written all over that phony face of yours, he added.

Bonginos harsh insult kicked off a series of exchanges between the two that lasted through the afternoon.

Gaetz told Bongino to take a chill pill, Bongino referenced accusations of Gaetz being antisemitic, Gaetz reminded Bongino that he once endorsed him, and Bongino maintained his belief that Gaetz is a d***.

open image in gallery Bongino accused Gaetz of using nepotism and attending 'shady' parties to win his former seat in Congress ( Getty Images )

Although the men emerged from the same political movement, share similar views and were offered roles in the Trump administration, there appeared to be little love between the two.

Gaetz, a former Florida representative, gave up his seat to become President Donald Trumps short-lived nominee for Attorney General last year but was forced to withdraw from the process after a House Ethics Committee investigation uncovered accusations of sexual misconduct involving a minor.

Bonginos insults about Gaetz at shady parties appeared to be a reference to the committees report that accused the former congressman of attending drug-fueled sex parties.

Gaetz later accepted a job with the conservative network, One America News Network, to host his own show.

Bongino, a former law enforcement officer and Secret Service agent, gained notoriety as a conservative commentator with his popular podcast after unsuccessfully running for Congress in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

open image in gallery Gaetz left his political career last year after giving up his seat to serve as Trumps Attorney General nominee  which he ultimately withdrew from ( Getty Images )

Gaetzs initial jibe at Bongino seemed to be a reference to the failed political runs, but the former congressman later claimed he didnt know that full history and simply asked the AI chatbot for clarification.

Apparently, you underperformed as a political candidate. But youre a world class streamer. Cool, Gaetz wrote.

Bongino returned to his life as a streamer and podcaster in early January after serving as the number two in the FBI for less than a year. While he did not provide any specific reason for leaving his post, he told Fox News it was difficult to be away from his family.

After several hours of the online feud, Bongino appeared to move on and did not respond to Gaetzs final admission that he is a d***, but contended that Bongino still had his back.
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Two more small island nations have agreed to take in foreigners seeking United States asylum.

The U.S. reached deals Monday with Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, two countries that the Trump administration recently hit with new travel restrictions.

Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described the deal as one of the primary areas of collaboration after partial U.S. visa restrictions went into effect.

Dominicas government has been in talks with U.S. officials to try to resolve the U.S. entry limitations.

Skerrit did not provide any other details, including how soon the U.S. would start sending asylum-seekers to Dominica.

open image in gallery Dominica has a population of roughly 72,000, and Mondays announcement has left many locals concerned about whether the island has enough resources to absorb asylum-seekers into its population ( Getty/iStock )

Skerrit said that during discussions with the U.S. State Department, there have been careful deliberations of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica.

Dominica has a population of roughly 72,000. Mondays announcement has left many locals concerned about whether the island has enough resources to absorb asylum-seekers into its population, according to Thomson Fontaine, leader of the countrys main opposition party.

The prime minister still has not told the Dominican public what exactly he has agreed to, in terms of the numbers of persons that are going to come to Dominica, where will they be housed, how will they be taken care of, Fontaine told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Antigua and Barbuda also announced Monday that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding proposed by the U.S. as part of its global efforts to share responsibility for refugees already present in its territory.

Local government officials said Antigua and Barbuda would not be accepting anyone with a criminal record.

Last month, the Trump administration announced it was expanding travel restrictions to an additional 20 countries, including Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, the sole Caribbean nations on that list. The restrictions took effect Jan. 1.

President Donald Trumps administration has signed similar deals with countries, including Belize and Paraguay, as it continues to pressure countries in Latin America and Africa to take asylum-seekers.

Palau, a small archipelago six times smaller than Rhode Island located in the western Pacific Ocean, inked a deal in December with the Trump administration in exchange for $75 million in foreign aid after five months of negotiations.
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A GOP lawmaker has torn into his own party, branding controversial Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Millers interview about the future of Greenland as really dumb.

Representative Don Bacons fiery jab at the Homeland Security advisor comes after Miller told CNN that Greenland should be a part of the U.S, despite the fact they would need to attack a key American ally to gain control of the island.

Fears that the Trump administration is gearing up to annex Greenland have reached an all-time high after the U.S. military successfully launched strikes on Venezuela and took custody of the countrys deposed president, Nicolas Maduro.

This is really dumb, Bacon, a retired Air Force Brigadier General, blasted.

Greenland and Denmark are our allies. There is no upside to demeaning our friends. But, it is causing wounds that will take time to heal.

He also re-shared several posts about the military support offered to the United States by the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Greenland.

open image in gallery Representative Don Bacon slammed Stephen Miller as dumb for threatening aggressive action by the US against Greenland ( REUTERS )

Denmark had 37 KIA in Afghanistan and 6 in Iraq, one of the posts retweeted by Bacon read. Applied to the U.S. population, those KIA-casualty rates would amount to 2,035 dead and 330 dead respectively. A good ally that deserves better.

That post was in response to an image uploaded by Stephen Millers wife, Katie, depicting Greenland painted with a United States flag.

Her post was shredded by the Danish ambassador to the United States, Jesper Mller Srensen, who also pointed out the extensive history of co-operation between the U.S. and Denmark.

And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, he wrote on X. He described the post as a friendly reminder to the United States.

open image in gallery Katie Miller bragged about the possibility of a US occupation of Greenland by sharing this image on X ( X/@KatieMiller )

However, during his CNN interview, Stephen Miller bragged that the United States is the power of NATO after being asked about his wifes post.

He also claimed that nobody is going to fight the U.S. militarily over the future of Greenland

By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? he asked.

Greenland has been associated with Denmark and Norway since 986, before falling under full Danish control in 1814.

During its administration of Greenland, Denmark has afforded the island both home rule and self rule, granting it autonomy over its governance while remaining part of the Danish Kingdom.

open image in gallery Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister of Denmark, slammed Trumps claims and has warned Europe to take his threats seriously ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

European leaders have railed against the Trump administrations assertion that it is entitled to Greenland, with Donald Trump suggesting the island is needed for national security situation.

He claimed that the region was covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place, although experts have disputed this claim, according to Politico.

Trump also suggested he wanted to defend the region, which is rich in rare-earth minerals.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned allies that the E.U. needs to take Trumps threats against European sovereignty seriously.

But I will also make it clear that if the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War, she added.

open image in gallery Greenland has been associated with Denmark since the 10th Century and, although it has been granted autonomy over its own government, it remains part of the Danish Kingdom ( Alamy/PA )

Frederiksen and her government have been backed by her allies in the EU and the UK, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer telling reporters, I stand with her.

There has been an outcry from politicians in the United States, too, with several members of Congress slamming the president for his aggressive action against one of the countrys key allies, the E.U.

Trump wants to take Greenland from Denmarka NATO ally, Texas Representative Joaquin Castro wrote on X. Earlier this year, I offered an amendment to the State Department reauthorization that would stop him.

Every Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted against it.

Steny Hoyer, a Maryland representative, also condemned threats to annex the island, pointing out on X that Denmark has historically moved in lockstep with the U.S. in Greenland to deter authoritarian regimes in the region.
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Watch as Donald Trump spoke at a House Republicans retreat on Tuesday, 6 January, as European leaders insisted they would not stop defending Greenlands territorial integrity in the face of continued threats from the US president to annex it.

Trump has claimed that taking over the semi-autonomous Danish territory is vital for his countrys national security; one of his senior aides has said that nobody would mount a military fight against the US to defend Greenland.

It comes after the US military carried out strikes on Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife and transported them to New York City to stand trial on narco-terrorism charges.

Trump suggested that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to American intervention, after his administration raided Caracas. He has warned Colombian president Gustavo Petro  one of his fiercest critics on the international stage  that the South American country could be the next to face US military action.
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California Representative Doug LaMalfa has died unexpectedly at age 65, reducing the House Republican majority to just two votes and putting House Speaker Mike Johnsons hold on power in an even more tenuous state.

LaMalfas death after more than a decade representing the states First Congressional District was announced by the House Republican Conference on X in a post which called him a lifelong resident of Northern California and a fourth-generation rice farmer who spent more than two decades in public service.

The California Republican previously served in both chambers of the state legislature before he came to Congress in 2013. A hardline conservative, he frequently voted in line with President Donald Trump, who praised LaMalfa Tuesday.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill on November 30, 2012. He died on January 6, 2026. ( AFP/Getty )

He was the leader of the Western caucus, a fierce champion on California water issues, Trump said during an address to the House Republican conference. He was great on water. He wanted to release the water and scream out. And a true defender of American children. He was a defender of everybody, and in our hearts go out to his wife, Jill and his entire family.

Trump also said he appreciated that LaMalfa voted with the administration 100 percent of the time and never called for extraneous favors. LaMalfa also voted to object to the 2020 presidential election results in two states after the January 6 riot.

At the same time, during Joe Bidens final State of the Union address, he patiently staked out at the doors of the Capitol to ask Biden to address the forest fires in his state.

LaMalfas death reduces Republicans majority from 219 to 218, the exact number needed to reach a majority in the House of Representatives. Marjorie Taylor Greene formally resigned from Congress on Monday.

Democrats have 213 seats in the House after Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey won the governorship and Sylvester Turner of Texas died in March of last year. Texas will hold its special election runoff to replace Turner at the end of the month.

This means Republicans cannot afford to lose a single vote to pass their priority legislation.

But LaMalfas California district would likely also be endangered later this year. In November, California voted to pass Proposition 50, which would allow for a one-time mid-decade redraw of the states congressional districts to give congressional Democrats five new congressional seats. His district, which has been heavily in support of Republicans, would become one with a population that supports Democrats.

The move came after Texas redrew its congressional maps to give Republicans an advantage going into the 2026 midterm elections.
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How does a man who worked behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for the impeachment of Bill Clinton and cried tears of joy on the night Donald Trump was elected president for the first time morph into a Democrat with hopes of helping orchestrate what would be Trumps third impeachment?

If that man is George Conway, the answer appears to be rather easy.

Everything is at stake  democracy is at stake, the rule of law is at stake, constitutional government is at stake. And it's no longer good enough for me to sit and lob things in from the spectator seats, Conway told The Independent.

The self-described recovering lawyer, a Republican for most of life, who was once married to one of Trumps closest first-term advisers, has thrown his hat into the ring for the House seat in New Yorks 12th district that will be left open by the retirement of Rep. Jerry Nadler after this Congress.

Conway, 61, filed to run in the solidly Democratic district last month, shortly after he leased an apartment in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, where he currently lives with his nearly four-year-old corgi, Clyde.

He formally announced his campaign Tuesday  the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol  with a video message pledging to not be an ordinary Member of Congress because this is no ordinary time.

open image in gallery George Conways run as a Democrat in New Yorks 12th district is his latest political move. Its also a change in party for the man who once celebrated Donald Trumps presidential win. ( REUTERS )

We need a majority in a Democratic Congress who is that is absolutely laser focused on protecting and saving our democracy and our Constitution, Conway said, because it's going to hard to see anything really good and lasting change in terms of how to help people's lives happen until this disease of Trumpism is gone.

The ex-corporate litigator is now the 10th person running for the seat, joining a field that includes candidates half his age, including anti-gun activist Cameron Kassky, lawyer, writer and Kennedy family scion Jack Schossberg, 26-year-old Democratic organizer Liam Elkind, plus several members of the New York State assembly.

The fact that the 12th Congressional District seat wont have an incumbent running is largely a function of the ongoing fallout from former president Joe Bidens disastrous decision to run for re-election at age 80 before having to exit the race after his somnolent, rambling and often incoherent June 2024 debate performance against Trump.

Incumbent Jerrold Nadler, who at 78 had been in the House since 1992 and had never faced a serious re-election challenge, announced his retirement last year amid calls for Democrats to bring in younger voices to push back against Trump.

Conway, born just months before the assassination of Schlossbergs grandfather  President John F. Kennedy  will be eligible to collect Social Security in September. While hes new to electoral politics as a candidate, hes not the sort of fresh face for which activists were clamoring after Trumps re-election romp last year.

In an interview with The Independent ahead of his campaigns launch, Conway said the dire circumstances of current American politics have compelled him to get off the sidelines after years of being a thorn in Trumps side, first as a high-profile critic, then as a founder of the Lincoln Project anti-Trump PAC, then as a megadonor who dropped eye-watering sums of his own cash into former vice president Kamala Harris campaign and his own PAC.

Ending the mob

He described the country as being saddled with a criminal president  a fact given Trumps 2024 conviction in New York Supreme Court  who is committing more crimes each as we speak while simultaneously defying the law and believing he is the law.

Conway also decried the way Trump is running the U.S. government like a mob operation  for his own personal benefit since he returned to the White House nearly a year ago, characterizing it as government of the boss, by the boss and for the boss, instead of government of the people, for the people and by the people.

Conway, a Yale University Law School graduate who argued  and won  a 2010 securities law case in front of the Supreme Court, told The Independent he never planned on running for office and thought people who chose to do so were f**king crazy before a conversation with his now girlfriend, a psychologist, who asked them during one of their first meetings why he never considered it despite his years of high-profile activism against the president.

He said he received similar urging from another longtime friend, the writer and MSNOW political contributor Molly Jong-Fast, who he quipped was now responsible for inflicting me upon the body politic.

But the more Conway thought about it, he said he came to see the 12th District as the right place to make his first run for office.

open image in gallery George Conway is pictured with his Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Clyde. He is running for Congress in a crowded Democratic primary to represent part of New York City. He told The Independent about his political shift and why is running for Congress. ( George Conway for Congress )

Right at home

Although he has spent most of the Trump era living in Washington, D.C. and a nearby suburb, Bethesda, Maryland, he explained how he spent most of his adult life living and working in the place he hopes to represent in Congress - New York City.

In addition to the three decades working in the district at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz  a white-shoe law firm headquartered on Park Avenue and later on West 52nd Street  Conway spent years living at 845 United Nations Plaza, better known as Trump World Tower.

He also noted that all four of his children were born in New York City  with two of them being born at NYU Langone hospital, which is also firmly within the 12th District.

It left an indelible mark on me, and left an overwhelming pride at having lived there and living there once again, he said.

Asked how hed respond to claims that his recent move back to the city for the purpose of his campaign makes him a carpetbagger, Conway quipped that he may well have been living, working, paying taxes and voting in the 12th Congressional District before some of these people running were even born.

He also stressed that the threat Trump poses requires Democrats to elect lawmakers to Congress who can fight back effectively in favor of the rule of law against what he called end-stage Trumpism  and work to prevent a resurgence of it in the future.

Conway explained that eliminating Trumpism requires two things. The first, he said, is accountability in the form of impeachment  not just for Trump but for his cronies, his Cabinet officials, [and] all of these people who are violating laws and basically pillaging the public fisc and profiting and extorting money from law firms and companies and indicting people who they consider political enemies.

There have to be investigations, hard-nosed investigations by a Democratic Congress, and impeachment for people who are violating their oaths of office each and every day, he said.

He said the second step would be passing legislation within the four corners of the Constitution, that will help protect this from ever happening again.

It requires good lawyering on the House Judiciary Committee for investigating, on the House Oversight Committee for investigating and for impeachment, and then to pass these laws that make sure things don't happen again as they have, he said.

open image in gallery George Conway is pictured with his ex-wife Kellyanne with their four children Claudia, Vanessa, Charlotte, and George. Kellyanne and George celebrated Trumps win in 2016, where she served as campaign manager, but he has become a critic. ( Twitter / Kellyanne Conway )

He added that he sees himself as a special-teams player who could help with those things  and then leave Congress when the job is done.

I'm not going to be like other people who want to live their lives in Congress or the state legislature. I can't do that, and I won't do that, he said.

Conways return to New York and his late-in-life launch of a political career marks the latest turn in what has been a tumultuous decade for the former corporate litigator.

At this time 10 years ago, he was living in New Jersey with his then-wife, Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway, their four children  Claudia and George Jr., Charlotte, and Vanessa  and a pair of corgis, Bonnie and Skipper.

An original Trump supporter

But that was before the summer 2016 Trump campaign shakeup that saw Kellyanne elevated to manage the last months of Trumps madcap, misfit campaign against Hilary Clinton that ended with him claiming the presidency  and George being photographed on election night overwhelmed with pride as his wife became the first woman to ever manage a winning presidential campaign.

open image in gallery Kellyanne went on to serve in Trumps first White House. But she and George separated and divorced in 2023. By then, George had become an outspoken critic of the Republicans. ( Getty Images )

The Conways moved to Washington, where Kellyanne joined the Trump White House and George, whod given up his lucrative law firm partnership, was set to be nominated as the Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice Civil Division.

She became one of Trumps most vociferous  and infamous  defenders over the next three years, often running afoul of federal ethics laws and clashing with reporters during frequent combative exchanges in the White House driveway following innumerable appearances on Fox News and other Trump-aligned channels.

But George stayed out of the administration after becoming unsettled by Trumps attacks on the department where hed been preparing to serve  particularly after the president fired then-FBI director James Comey.

He also told The Independent in a 2024 interview that hed been deeply disturbed by an encounter he and Kellyanne had with Trump at then-treasury secretary Steve Mnuchins 2017 wedding, where the president had gone on what Conway described at the time as a crazy nonsensical rant about then-attorney general Jeff Sessions, whod recently recused himself from the departments probe into alleged ties between the Trump 2016 campaign and the Russian government.

Around the same time, George began tweeting, which given his connection to the administration, began attracting attention from reporters  and from Trump himself, who by March 2019 was attacking his close advisers spouse in his own tweets as a "stone cold LOSER & husband from hell."

His political commentary shifted into a higher gear in July 2019 when The Washington Post published an op-ed he wrote slamming Trump as racist after the president called for a quartet of non-white Democratic congresswomen to go back to the countries they originally came from. It grew from there as his criticism and political activism against Trump became his new calling card.

Turn against Trump

Conway joined with anti-Trump GOP operatives Rick Wilson, Steve Schmidt and Stuart Stevens to form The Lincoln Project, the anti-Trump Super PAC that became a massive thorn in Trumps side during his failed 2020 election bid with viral ads that mocked him in highly personal terms. Wilson, an infamous ad-maker who helmed some of the GOPs most devastating TV spots over decades before leaving the party over Trump, told The Independent in a phone interview that Conway has a chance to play a role  that would be very valuable in the fight against Trumpism if elected.

Democrats, he said, want people that are going to be effective in the fight, and that fight is now, at this moment, very much against Donald Trump and Trumpism and Trump's enablers.

I think George has a chance to play a role there that would be very valuable in a contest like this  Democrats understand right now that Congress isn't going to be  about like large, complicated policy bills  were a long way from that world, he said.

George will go in there and go, he'll kick the shit out of people, which is kind of what you want right now. You want somebody who's going to be, you know, going in there and being an aggressive advocate against Trump and Trumpism.

As Trumps first term rolled on into the Covid pandemic and through the 2020 election, Georges increasingly higher profile as an anti-Trump activist continued to cause tensions with Kellyanne, who later wrote that George had been cheating by tweeting during Trumps first term.

In August 2020, George announced that he was leaving the Lincoln Project to focus on his family. Kellyanne left the White House that same month.

But his tweeting  and his anti-Trump advocacy continued, and the Conways announced they would divorce in March 2023 after more than two decades of marriage. Asked to weigh in on her ex-husbands entry into electoral politics, Kellyanne Conway declined to comment in a text message to The Independent.

open image in gallery George Conway talked about his desire to remove Trumpism from Washington, DC, and to make sure it never returns. ( AFP via Getty Images )

His history as a Republican who attacked Clinton and helped in the effort to impeach him  plus Conways support for Trump during the 2016 campaign his then-wife managed  could serve as fodder for Conways Democratic primary opponents who want to cast him as a Johnny-come-lately to the party and question whether he can be trusted.

But liberal journalist Joe Conason, whose 2000 book The Hunting of the President chronicled Conways anti-Clinton legal work, told The Independent he did not think Georges politics were ever as far-right as his ex-wifes.

I think he was conservative on some issues, certainly economic issues, for sure, and some legal issues. I don't think he was ever a, you know, imperial presidency type of authoritarian character at all, he said.

Conason also said Conway and many of the anti-Clinton types he got to know now see their hostility towards the Clintons is somewhat quaint given Trumps conduct over the last decade.

For his part, Conway said his work against Clinton  much of which took place before some of his primary opponents were even born  wasnt a function of sheer partisanship as much as it was a passion for the rule of law that has also informed his anti-Trump activism four decades later.

He told The Independent he would welcome questions over his Clinton-era work because it would demonstrate his consistency  not his partisanship.

My position on presidential immunity and the responsibilities of a president, that a president is not a king, and that a president is subject to the laws just like everybody else, remains the same as it was in 1998, and my position on abusing women remains exactly the same, he said before pointing out how hed also helped writer E. Jean Carroll find counsel for a pair of defamation and sexual abuse lawsuits against Trump that have resulted in juries awarding her tens of millions in damages from the president.

Conway noted that hed commented publicly about the Carroll case after the writer accused Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf-Goodman department store dressing room decades ago by penning a June 2019 Washington Post op-ed calling out the GOP for attacking Carroll years after they venerated a group of women whod similarly accused Clinton of sexual misconduct.

I put it to Republicans, if you are all upset about Juanita Broderick and Paula Jones and Kathleen Wiley, then you ought to be really upset about this, because she was [allegedly assaulted] in a department store, and there are witnesses who she talked to immediately after, who confirmed that's what happened, he said.

For presidents who abuse power and who abuse women, I think it's wrong either way. That's where I am. I just hate corrupt politicians, period. Full stop.
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Department of Homeland Security staff seeking hotel rooms in Minneapolis were denied once their identities as government immigration agents were revealed, the Trump administration claimed on Monday, alleging Hilton Hotels had launched a coordinated campaign.

When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations, DHS wrote on X. This is UNACCEPTABLE.

In its post, the agency appeared to reference the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph being denied room at the inn ahead of the birth of Jesus and shared a pair of redacted screenshots regarding the alleged cancellations in Minnesota.

After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and will be cancelling your upcoming reservation, reads one of the messages, dated January 2, which features an @hilton email address and a reference to the Everpeak Hospitality group.

We are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property, another message, purportedly from the leadership of the Hampton Inn Lakeville, reads.

open image in gallery The Department of Homeland Security alleges Hilton Hotels is part of a coordinated campaign to deny immigration agents hotel rooms in the Minneapolis area, though the corporation says the apparent cancellation is tied to an independently owned and operated property ( REUTERS )

It is unclear which or how many properties were involved in the alleged cancellations.

DHS did not provide evidence to The Independent when asked how it knew agents were victims of a coordinated campaign.

"This hotel is independently owned and operated, and these actions were not reflective of Hilton values, Hilton told The Independent in an email statement. We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies. They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter and are contacting impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has surged DHS agents to the Minneapolis area, after an influencers video claiming fraud at federally supported day care centers went viral ( Department of Homeland Security )

Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all, Everpeak wrote in a statement on its website. We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.

Shares of Hilton, of which many branded hotels are independently run franchises, were down nearly 2.5 percent as of Monday afternoon.

The allegations come as the Trump administration is surging DHS resources to the Minneapolis era, kicking off a reported crackdown that could involve up to 2,000 agents.

The president regularly denigrates the large Somali-American community in the city and the administration has responded to viral, disputed allegations of mass fraud at Somali-run day care centers to freeze childcare funding to Minnesota and the rest of the country.

open image in gallery President Trump regularly denigrates Minnesotas large Somali-American community, including its most visible public leader, Rep. Ilhan Omar ( Getty Images )

Last year, a Sheraton franchisee operated by a third party in Louisiana faced controversy for allegedly renting rooms to DHS personnel to hold people who were in the process of being deported, in what appears to violate the brands larger policies.

In 2020, Hilton corporate said detaining immigrants is not activity that we support or in any way want associated with our hotels, following the news a Texas franchisee accepted reservations from an ICE contractor.

Two years prior, Motel 6 agreed to pay $7.6 million to settle a class- action lawsuit, after multiple locations gave guest lists to ICE agents.
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A website launched by Donald Trumps administration cements the presidents false narrative about the 2020 presidential election on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 mobs attack on the Capitol.

The White House website amplifies false claims that have been central to Trumps political crusade, downplays the assault in the halls of Congress and blames law enforcement officers for deliberately escalating tensions while hundreds of Trumps supporters swarmed and attacked them on January 6, 2021.

Democratic leadership, not then-President Trump and administration officials, failed to secure the Capitol that day and put peoples lives in danger, while then-Vice President Mike Pence, who resisted Trumps attempts to overturn election results, failed to dispute Joe Bidens victory in an act of cowardice and sabotage, according to the website.

As a result, a stolen election was certified, the website falsely states.

The Trump administration launched the website as dozens of rioters returned to Washington, D.C.,  five years after the attack and nearly one year after Trump granted sweeping pardons for virtually all of them.

open image in gallery Pardoned rioters returned to Washington, DC, five years after joining a Trump-fueled mob on January 6 that broke into the halls of Congress. ( Getty )

Among them was former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years in prison before he was pardoned by Trump on his first day in office last year.

Trump granted those blanket pardons and commutations for patriotic Americans who mere trespassers or peaceful protesters treated as insurrectionists under the Biden administration, according to Trumps website.

More than 1,000 defendants pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the attack, and more than 200 others were found guilty at trial, including 10 defendants who were found guilty of treason-related charges including seditious conspiracy.

In the streets of Washington, D.C., Tuesday on the five-year anniversary, dozens of those pardoned sparred with counter-protesters who called them terrorists and traitors and sang along with Lee Greenwoods God Bless the U.S.A and a version of The Star-Spangled Banner recorded by imprisoned rioters.

Despite those pardons and the administrations apparent endorsement of their behavior, recipients of the presidents clemency are still consumed by baseless conspiracy theories about what happened, insisting that the attack was an inside job and part of a deep state plot to frame them.

While marching to the Ellipse Tuesday, pardoned rioters and supporters held up banners reading J6 WAS A SETUP ARREST PELOSI and J6 WAS AN INSIDE JOB while they raged against officials they claim have not yet been held accountable for their prosecution.

They demanded the impeachment of judges who presided over their cases and for mass firings of FBI agents and federal prosecutors who investigated them.

Retribution comes for you, Tarrio told the crowd.

open image in gallery Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio demanded retribution for the prosecution of hundreds of people charged in connection with the January attack. ( Getty Images )

Micki Witthoeft  the mother of Ashli Babbit, who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer after Babbitt tried to breach the Speakers Lobby  said Congress let us down and continues to let us down.

A report from the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General found no evidence that the FBI had undercover employees in the crowds. The FBI deployed resources to the Capitol after the building had been breached by rioters and after reports that pipe bombs were discovered at the Republican and Democratic national party headquarters.

That report also said that none of the 26 FBI informants in Washington, D.C., that day were instructed to join the mob or otherwise encourage illegal activity.

But the administration is now amplifying a baseless conspiracy theory that the riot was fueled by an FBI entrapment operation designed to target Trump supporters.

Ray Epps, who has been at the center of a conspiracy theory alleging federal agents pushed the mob to break into the Capitol, was charged only minimally for his role in the riots, according to the White House website.

Democrats successfully flipped the narrative to brand peaceful protesters as insurrectionists  while waging the true insurrection against a legitimate election, the website says.

The 2020 election is considered the greatest election theft in U.S. history, with widespread fraud deliberately ignored by courts, officials and the media, according to the White House.

open image in gallery Micki Witthoeft, the mother of killed Capitol rioter Ashli Babbit, said Congress continues to let us down as she demands justice for her daughters death ( Getty Images )

Trumps false and inflated claims about elections that were stolen and rigged against him and his allies have repeatedly been shot down in court, and his administration and campaign have failed to produce any evidence to support it.

Federal judges who presided over dozens of January 6 cases have warned against attempts to rewrite the history of the attack as Justice Department officials brought the prosecutions to a screeching halt.

District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said that lengthy court filings  including thousands of contemporaneous videos, transcripts of trials, jury verdicts, and judicial opinions  will preserve the history of what happened that day, regardless of the public narrative from the Trump administration.

Dismissal of charges, pardons after convictions, and commutations of sentences will not change the truth of what happened, she wrote last year. Those records are immutable and represent the truth, no matter how the events of January 6 are described by those charged or their allies.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could see its workforce drastically reduced throughout 2026, according to a new report.

The Washington Post reports that internal Department of Homeland Security documents, including emails, reveal plans to lay off thousands of jobs in disaster response and recovery.

The layoffs will likely be carried out in stages, according to three people briefed on the plans, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

They said the first round of cuts took place on New Years Eve, when approximately 65 positions were eliminated from FEMAs Cadre of On-Call Response and Recovery (CORE), the agencys largest workforce component.

CORE staff are typically deployed soon after disasters and may remain in affected communities for years to support recovery efforts.

open image in gallery Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem has long sought to reduce staffing ( AP )

However, emails circulated among senior FEMA leaders in late December include spreadsheets identifying positions that could be eliminated across multiple divisions, The Post reported.

One table shows a proposed 41% reduction in CORE roles, totalling more than 4,300 jobs.

Another outlines an 85% reduction in surge staffing - standby workers often deployed immediately after disasters - representing nearly 6,500 positions.

A FEMA spokesperson told The Independent: FEMA has not issued and is not implementing a percentage-based workforce reduction. There is no directive to reduce the agencys workforce by 50 percent, and no such target has been approved by DHS or the White House.

open image in gallery Noem has previously expressed skepticism about FEMAs size and role ( Getty Images )

The materials referenced from the leaked documentation stem from a routine, pre-decisional workforce planning exercise conducted in line with OMB and OPM guidance. The email outlining that exercise did not direct staffing cuts or establish reduction targets. An accompanying spreadsheet was an internal working tool used to collect planning inputs.

They added: Any numerical assumptions reflected in that draft were not approved, were not adopted, and do not represent FEMA policy or leadership direction. We have addressed the issue internally to ensure supporting materials fully align with the finalized guidance.

Separately, recent CORE end-of-term decisions are not related to the workforce capacity planning exercise described in the leaked email or any accompanying materials.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has long sought to reduce CORE staffing, according to two former senior officials. Internal emails and people familiar with the plans said Noem has been closely involved in shaping the proposed reductions.

Former acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, who led the agency early in former President Donald Trumps second term, said significant cuts to disaster-specific staff could slow assistance to survivors.

DHS has publicly stated that it terminated 50 employees in early January, describing the move as a routine adjustment affecting 50 of approximately 8,000 staff.

The Independent has contacted the DHS for comment.
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Someone bet big on the downfall of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro just hours before the head of state was seized by U.S. forces in Caracas.

The unknown bettor had already placed a wager against Maduro remaining as Venezuela's leader, and doubled down less than five hours before the U.S. hit the Venezuelan capital with rockets, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The gambler's wages on Polymarket, a crypto-based betting platform, earned them more than $400,000, 12 times what they invested. The prescient bet has led to some speculation that someone with foreknowledge of the operation made a tidy profit from insider information.

On the stock market, insider trading is illegal. Regulators are tasked with monitoring for individuals with insider information using their knowledge to game the markets, but those same safeguards do not exist on crypto-based betting platforms like Polymarket.

Prediction markets like Polymarket allow users to bet on any number of upcoming events, ranging from presidential elections to which characters would die in the series finale of Stranger Things.

An unknown gambler made more than $400,000 betting on the downfall of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the hours before the U.S. attack on Caracas ( Reuters )

The unknown bettor reportedly created their account in December and placed their bet against Maduro on December 27. That bet was $96 worth of contracts predicting that the U.S. would invade Venezuela by January 31, according to Polymarket's data. The bettor continued wagering on the invasion over the following week, focusing primarily on bets that Maduro would not be leading Venezuela by January 31.

The trader made their last bet around 9:58 pm on Friday, just hours before President Donald Trump ordered the military to attack Caracas and take Maduro into custody. Contracts on Polymarket predicting that Maduro would no longer be in power were only priced at 8 centers per contract, meaning that the site's users only saw an 8 percent probability of it happening by the end of the month.

Those contract prices spiked after news broke of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela.

Overall, the bettor made $34,000 worth of wagers and made $410,000 in profit. More than half the value of the total wagers made occurred the night just before the attack.

Tre Upshaw, founder of Polysights, a company that provides analytics tools for Polymarket traders, told the Wall Street Journal that "more likely than not that this was an insider."

If the trader was a U.S. official who abused their knowledge of the operation to profit off the betting market, they could face prosecution. If the bettor is a foreign individual with knowledge of the operation, there may not be options for holding them accountable, the paper reports.

In the wake of the news about the Maduro bets, Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres said he will introduce legislation barring federal elected officials, political appointees, and employees in the executive branch from placing bets on prediction markets where they might have non-public knowledge of upcoming events.

The Independent has requested comment from Polymarket.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene, the now-former Georgia Republican congresswoman, has posted a tribute to the people who took part in the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as its five-year anniversary approaches.

Greene stepped down Monday after falling out with President Donald Trump over a variety of issues last year and has said she has no plans to remain in politics, but, in applauding the patriotism of the rioters, she appeared to be suggesting she may not be done with their shared America First cause just yet.

Whether the MAGA movement would ever welcome her back after her perceived disloyalty to the 47th president remains to be seen.

Writing on X Tuesday, Greene said: Ill never forget going into the DC Gulag in Nov 2021 and seeing the J6ers who were being held over 22 hours a day in solitary confinement even though they had not been convicted and were pretrial.

They were broken men, words cant describe it.

open image in gallery Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stepped down Monday, bringing an end to her turbulent career in Washington ( Getty )

She went on to reminisce about one of the prisoners she met, who brandished a hand-drawn Stars-and-Stripes flag, and about a group inviting her to join them in singing the national anthem. Their melodic voices which combined their deep sadness and their unwavering patriotic conviction is a sound Ill never forget, she said.

Greene concluded by observing, Your government can break you. It can shatter your life. There should never be a two tiered justice system in America where one set of political protesters are freed from their charges and the other set of political protesters are crushed as an example to never rise up against your government.

Instead it is your right to hold your government accountable to you, the American people.

Five people were killed and many more injured on January 6, including over 100 police officers, when Trump supporters, angry at then-Vice President Mike Pences certification of former President Joe Bidens election victory, attacked the Capitol.

Lawmakers and aides gathered inside the complex had to flee for their lives as violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and law enforcement on the steps outside, with some of the rioters eventually breaching the legislative complex, roaming the halls and vandalising offices, including that of then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi, before order could be restored.

open image in gallery Five people were killed and more than 100 police officers injured during the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 ( AP )

Ultimately, over 1,500 people were prosecuted for their part in the melee, only for Trump to issue a blanket pardon as soon as he returned to the White House in January last year.

At least 33 of the convicted insurrectionists have been rearrested, charged, or sentenced for other crimes since January 6, according to an analysis by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington published last month.

Of that total, six were charged with committing child sex crimes, five with possession of illegal weapons, five with driving while impaired or under the influence, and two with rape.

Greene has remained constant in her support of the rioters, despite Trumps failure to prove that Bidens win at the polls was the result of fraud, and has a history of invoking the day to make inflammatory statements.

She downplayed its significance as just a riot in October 2021, claiming that the Declaration of Independence called on Americans to overthrow tyrants anyway, and again in April 2022 when she hit out at the over-dramatisation of a riot that happened here at the Capitol one time.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump issued a blanket pardon to more than 1,500 rioters when he returned to the Oval Office last January ( AP )

At a Young Republican Club dinner in New York in December 2022, she caused concern by claiming that, if she and Steve Bannon had organized the siege at the Capitol, We would have won Not to mention, it wouldve been armed.

In her memoir, MTG, published in November 2023, Greene falsely claimed that no Democratic members of Congress had helped safeguard the House of Representatives as protesters attempted to break in.

Several of the Republican congressmen said, Were going to stay right here and defend the House chamber, she wrote. As they began barricading the door with furniture, I noticed not one Democrat was willing to stay to defend the chamber.

Her version of events was contradicted by many others in the chamber at the time, who pointed out that Democratic representatives Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger, and Seth Moulton and Ruben Gallego, both former Marines, were instrumental in helping their colleagues get out of harms way.

Greene went on to threaten Matthew Graves, the former U.S Attorney for the District of Columbia, who prosecuted the participants, and to defend Trumps mass pardoning.

All of yalls obsession with January 6 is absurd, she told a journalist last January. Everybody outside of here is sick and f*****g tired of it Everybody up here has their panties in a wad.
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The Trump administration is surging Homeland Security agents to the Minneapolis area, as the White House continues its immigration and anti-fraud crackdown aimed largely at the regions substantial Somali community.

"While for the safety of our officers we do not get into law enforcement footprint, DHS has surged law enforcement and has already made more than 1,000 arrests of murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members, DHS told The Independent in an email.

The surge, which reportedly began on Sunday, and follows a similar operation last month, could involve as many as 2,000 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations, law enforcement sources told CBS News.

It comes during a tense political time in the state, following the presidents numerous inflammatory attacks on the regions Somali community and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs recent announcement that he wont seek reelection.

The DHS mission, reportedly slated to last about a month, appears to be the first major crackdown of the new year, following similar deployments in Democrat-led cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., last year.

open image in gallery The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly surging as many as 2,000 agents to the Minneapolis area as part of the ongoing White House crackdown on fraud and immigration violations in the regions Somali community ( Reuters )

The White House's focus on the Twin Cities began late last year, when the administration said it would strip Temporary Protected Status from Somalis who came to the U.S. fleeing their home countrys ongoing humanitarian and security issues.

The president has long spoken derogatorily about Somalis in the U.S., comparing them to garbage in December, and DHS launched an operation that month to arrest the worst of the worst undocumented immigrants, though it largely targeted those without criminal convictions, data shows.

Trumps Somali crackdown got new life later that month, when a viral video claimed widespread fraud at Somali-run child care centers in the Minneapolis area.

State officials disputed many of the claims in the video, but the Trump administration launched another round of actions, including Homeland Security and FBI investigations into the alleged fraud.

open image in gallery The widening scandal appears to have prompted Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz not to seek reelection ( Getty )

The administration also said it would freeze large pockets of child care funding to all states until they provided additional records to the government.

Walz has accused the administration of ignoring his multi-year campaign to root out fraud and of wrongly demonizing an entire community for the actions of a handful of wrongdoers.

Though some of the viral videos claims appear overblown and unfounded, the state has indeed struggled with vast fraud in social services.

Since 2021, more than 90 people in Minnesota have been hit with federal charges for social services fraud cases, including the pandemic-era $250m Feeding Our Future scandal. Most of the defendants in these cases are of Somali descent.

open image in gallery The crackdown follows Trumps numerous derogatory comments about people of Somali descent in Minnesota, including frequent criticisms of Rep. Ilhan Omar ( Getty )

Federal prosecutors say 14 different Medicaid-related services are under audit, and that the total amount of fraud in the state could top $9 billion, though state officials dispute that figure, and say evidence so far suggests fraud on the order of tens of millions of dollars.

The president has suggested that more fraud crackdowns could be coming to other Democrat-led states.

Were going to take back our country. Can you imagine, they stole $18 billion? Trump said during a New Years Eve speech at his Mar-a-Lago club, though it was unclear exactly to what he was referring. Thats just what were learning about. Thats peanuts. And California is worse. Illinois is worse, and sadly, New York is worse.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sounded a similar note on Fox News earlier that day.

Minnesota is at the top of the list but we know there has been massive fraud in blue states across this country, she said. Look at California, look at New York. These states will all be under investigation and consideration as far as this administration is concerned.
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The Pentagon will undergo a review of women in ground combat roles, aiming to ensure what it calls military effectiveness, amid ongoing anti-DEI efforts within the armed forces.

Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel Anthony Tata wrote in a memo last month that the six-month review will ascertain the operational effectiveness of ground combat units 10 years after the Department lifted all remaining restrictions on women serving in combat roles, NPR reported, after obtaining the memo.

The memo requested Army and Marine leaders provide information on the readiness, training, performance, casualties and command climate of ground combat units and personnel.

They are being asked to provide a point of contact to the Institute for Defense Analyses, a nonprofit that helps the U.S. government handle national security issues, before January 15, according to the report.

The data provided should include all available metrics describing that individuals readiness and ability to deploy (including physical, medical, and other measures of ability to deploy, the memo stated.

open image in gallery The memo requested Army and Marine leaders provide information on the readiness, training, performance, casualties and command climate of ground combat units and personnel ( AFP via Getty Images )

The memo also seeks any internal research and studies not publicly available on the integration of women in combat.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told NPR that the review was meant to ensure standards are met and the United States maintains the most lethal military.

Wilson continued: Our standards for combat arms positions will be elite uniform, and sex neutral because the weight of a rucksack or a human being doesn't care if you're a man or a woman. Under (Defense) Secretary (Pete) Hegseth, the Department of War's [sic] will not compromise standards to satisfy quotas or an ideological agendathis is common sense."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran, has long decried woke ideology and spoke out against women in ground combat units when he worked as a Fox News host.

Im straight up saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasnt made us more effective. Hasnt made us more lethal. Has made fighting more complicated, Hegseth said during a November 2024 podcast hosted by former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan.

open image in gallery Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran, has long decried woke ideology and spoke out against women in ground combat units when he worked as a Fox News host ( Defense Department )

During a September address to the militarys top leaders at Marine Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth announced new directives to ensure every combat position returns to the highest male standards.

He noted that if that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it.

I dont want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape, or in combat units with females who cant meet the same combat arms physical standards as men, he said. This job is life and death. Standards must be met.

Women make up a small fraction of soldiers serving in the Army, according to NPRs report. About 3,800 women serve in infantry, armor and artillery. Among them, over 150 women completed extensive Ranger training.

Additionally, a small number of women, about 10, have passed Green Beret training. The Marines also have about 700 women in ground combat jobs.

open image in gallery Women were first allowed to take on all ground combat positions in 2015 ( Getty Images )

Women were admitted into all ground combat positions in 2015. In all of these roles, women must meet the same standards as men.

Ellen Haring, a senior research fellow at Women in International Security who is a West Point graduate and retired Army colonel with 30 years in uniform, told NPR the Pentagons review is a way to exclude women from ground combat.

Its exactly what [Hegseth] said all along, Haring said. Hes against women in combat and hes going to get them out. Its going to be an effort to prove women dont belong.

Another West Point graduate, Khris Fuhr, who worked on gender integration for the Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, agreed, saying the study is a solution for a problem that doesnt exist.
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President Donald Trump says that the United States is running Venezuela. But dont ask Senate Republicans what that means.

I have no idea, none whatsoever, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri told The Independent. So I hope to find out.

The presidents declaration came after the United States conducted strikes on Caracas that concluded with the capture of Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro. But many questions remain about the future of Venezuelas fate. As of right now, the United States has asserted that Venezuelas vice president Delcy Rodriguez is the new leader of the oil-rich Latin American country.

Trump also told reporters that the U.S. would be running Venezuela, without offering much in concrete plans or what that entails.

open image in gallery Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fl.) moves through the hallways of the Capitol. Few Republicans have been able to say what Trump means when he says the U.S. will be running Venezuela. ( Getty )

open image in gallery I have no idea, none whatsoever, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri told the media about running Venezuela. ( Getty )

On Monday evening, congressional leadership and the Gang of Eightwhich includes leaders on the House and Senate Intelligence Committeereceived a briefing from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Attorney General Pam Bondi. That briefing happened after Trump launched the attacks, without notifying Congress. The Constitution gives the power to declare war to the legislative branch.

There is set to be a briefing for the rest of Congress-wide briefing on Venezuela on Wednesday. Republicans have largely blessed the operation in Caracas.

But they still have questions about long-term commitments in Venezuela.

Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, sounded just as confused as many others when it comes to running.

He should be the one that actually answers that question, he told The Independent. He does not mean obviously, troops on the ground day-to-day, Marco Rubio sitting in the President's chair there. That's clearly not what he means.

Lankford said it simply means the United States would protect its interests.

It doesn't mean that clearly, that they're not going to just allow Iran and Cuba and everybody else to be able to run day to day operations there and have narco-terrorism happening, he said.

The White House has insisted that the United States is not at war with Venezuela. On Monday evening, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told CNNs Jake Tapper that the United States is a superpower and will conduct itself as much. Miller also called the idea of Nobel Laureate Maria Corina Machado, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, running the country absurd and preposterous.

open image in gallery Trumps attacks on Venezuela resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro, who is now being held on federal charges in New York City. His removal has sparked protests in Venezuela. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Venezuelans in America hoped that the deposing of Maduro would lead to democracy. Many Venezuelans in Florida overwhelmingly supported Trump because of his hawkish stance against the nations regime and his rhetoric against socialism.

But so far, Trump seems uninterested in democracy in the region, focusing heavily on oil. Sen. Rick Scott, who represents a large part of the Venezuelan diaspora in South Florida, said he spoke with Machado.

I think he's trying to make sure we have a transition to a democracy, Scott told The Independent. During his Saturday press conference, Trump said that Machado, who dedicated her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, did not have the support within, or the respect within, the country.

But Scott said that Machado had the respect of the Venezuelan people.

I tell you, she has the support of Venezuelans, so she's very concerned about the political prisoners that are there, Scott said. Scott added that Machado is worried about the repression of prisoners under Rodriguezs interim government.

And I know that's not going to be something Trump's going to want to hear about, Scott said. He's not going to want to hear about what Delcy Rodriguez is doing where she's repressing the people of Venezuela, just like Maduro.

Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, who has criticized Colombias government and said on Saturday Trumps attack put other countries on notice that they are next if they aim to harm our nation, had a different definition of America running Venezuela.

We got to make sure we stabilize the country first, right? he said.

In 2024, the country held elections that international observers said Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, another opposition leader whom Machado supported, won with two-thirds of the vote, according to outside observers. But, Maduro declared himself the victor.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump told Meet The Press moderator Kristen Welker that Venezuela could not have elections.

We have to fix the country first, he said. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote.

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he had a number of remaining questions, though he still supported the attack.

I think what the President was trying to communicate is hopefully facilitating a peaceful transition of power, he told The Independent. We'll have to wait and see. I don't know how you do that without boots on the ground, and I dont support boots on the ground.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubios former Democratic counterparts in the Senate are furiously criticizing the Trump administration official after the recent attack on Venezuela and the seizure of Nicolas Maduro.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland accused Rubio of having had a full MAGA-lobotomy and failing to follow legal obligations to consult with Congress before the administration launched its Venezuela operation.

He essentially does what Donald Trump wants him to do, Van Hollen told NOTUS. He has a little bit of the Dear Leader syndrome.

Were in a constitutional crisis, in my opinion, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey added in an interview with the outlet. And its something that Marco, when he was in the Senate, wouldnt have stood for.

The Independent has contacted the State Department for comment.

open image in gallery Democrats in the Senate have criticized their former colleague Marco Rubio, whose role as Secretary of State puts him in the center of the Venezuela crisis ( AP )

Rubio has defended the legality of the attack.

This was not an action that required congressional approval, he told NBC News. In fact, it couldnt require congressional approval because this was not an invasion. This is not an extended military operation.

Rubio, who also serves as national security advisor, is under a massive spotlight because of the Venezuela operation.

As a U.S. Senator representing Florida and its large Latin American diaspora populations, Rubio was a vocal proponent of regime change in leftist governments like Venezuela and Cuba, and he is now charged with running large parts of the Venezuela campaign after the U.S. removed Maduro from power.

open image in gallery Rubio is a long-time critic of Venezuela who is now responsible for overseeing the U.S.s at-times shifting plans for how to manage the country now that it has removed Maduro from power ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Politically, at least, this may be a boon for Rubio, who saw his hypothetical 2028 presidential election campaign odds increase after the Venezuela attack.

The administration has offered shifting explanations of whether this will involve daily control of Venezuelas government, or merely outside pressure for the country to open its oil reserves to the U.S., a key priority.

Large elements of the Maduro regime remain in power, and President Trump has downplayed the chance that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado will step in instead.

The White House has said it circumvented consulting Congress to avoid leaks, but that hasnt stopped critics from calling the entire Venezuela campaign  from the U.S. declaring Venezuelan drug traffickers to be in an armed conflict with America, to strikes on alleged drug boats, to the eventual Venezuela attack  as an illegal and unpermitted U.S. military power grab.

This is clearly a blatant, illegal and criminal act, Jimmy Gurule, a Notre Dame Law School professor and former assistant U.S. attorney, told The Associated Press on Monday.

open image in gallery Critics say the operation to arrest Maduro was illegal and shouldve involved the White House seeking permission from Congress first ( X/@RapidResponse47 )

Republicans in Congress have defended the president.

"We are not at war. We do not have U.S. armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country," House Speaker Mike Johnson said after administration officials briefed lawmakers on Monday. "The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war  that is true  but it also vests the president of the United States with vast authorities as commander in chief."

Democrats in Congress have previously criticized Rubio for his role in the dismantling of USAID, the aid agency that was once the worlds largest donor of international food assistance, much of it going to the worlds poorest people, before the agency was folded into the State Department as part of the administrations DOGE funding cuts campaign.
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During a CNN interview on Monday, Stephen Miller offered an aggressive defense of the Trump administrations recent map-scrambling moves in the Western hemisphere, including the capture of the deposed leader of Venezuela and resuming its threats to take over Greenland.

Miller, the deputy White House chief of staff and Homeland Security adviser, argued that under the Trump doctrine, the U.S. will use its military unapologetically to secure U.S. interests, which he said were synonymous with the the future of the free world.

Were a superpower and under President Trump, we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower, he said.

As Tapper pressed Miller for how the administration explained leaving another top Maduro figure in power, Miller said expecting opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado to step in and assume power was absurd and preposterous.

As the anchor asked Miller how the White House justified invading a sovereign country and arresting its leader, Miller cut in and insisted, Damn straight we did!

open image in gallery In a heated CNN interview after the U.S. invaded Venezuela, Stephen Miller argued the U.S. will unapologetically act as a global superpower and use its military against perceived threats in the Western Hemisphere ( CNN )

The point, Jake, is that were not going to let tinpot communist dictators send rapists into our country, send drugs into our country, send weapons into our country, he continued, and were not going to let a country fall into the hands of our adversaries.

On the subject of Greenland, Miller offered a similarly strident model of U.S. power, questioning what right Denmark actually had over its legally recognized autonomous island territory, while insisting nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

The comments come a day after Miller argued in a post on X that Western countries should not have given up their empires and colonies after WWII.

In recent days, the Trump administration has revived imperial rhetoric last seen in the early 1900s, as it defends its shock raid to capture Maduro and Trumps comments over the weekend that the U.S. must take control of Greenland for national security purposes.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has offered shifting rationale for its capture of Nicolas Maduro, ranging from a desire to reassert U.S. oil claims, to stopping the flow of drugs from Venezuela to the U.S. ( Reuters )

We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and the European Union needs us to have it, and they know that, Trump recently said.

The comments have touched off widespread criticism from leaders in Greenland, Denmark, and the wider EU and NATO alliances.

If the United States decides to militarily attack another NATO country, then everything would stop  that includes NATO and therefore post-second world war security, Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, told Danish television network TV2 on Monday.

Danish lawmaker Anders Vistisen, a member of European Parliament, told CNN later Monday that the administrations stance toward Greenland was appalling and very frankly stupid.

When were talking about Greenland, were not talking about a drug-run dictatorship, he said. Were talking about a NATO-allied country, a NATO territory that belongs to a friendly nation that is a very close ally to the USA, and has been so for more than 70 years.

Threats, pressure and talk of annexation do not belong anywhere between friends, Greenlands Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a statement Sunday. That's not how you talk to a people who have repeatedly shown responsibility, stability and loyalty.

The EU has described the Trump administrations recent posture as contrary to international law.

The EU will continue to uphold the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, EU spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, said on Monday.

open image in gallery Officials in Greenland, Denmark, NATO, and the EU all vigorously oppose U.S. threats to take over the Arctic territory ( Dennis Lehtonen )

These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them, all the more so if the territorial integrity of a member state of the European Union is questioned.

Some praised the presidents aggressive regional tactics.

If you don't use it, you lose it, Fox News anchor Jesse Watters said during a Monday evening discussion segment. That goes for Greenland and it also goes for all the oil that Venezuela has, and Denmark better wise up. They should sell it to us, lease it to us. We could run it together, who cares? 

Were kicking the Chinese out of the hemisphere, he added. That goes for the Arctic and that goes for Latin America.

Despite widespread opposition, the Trump administration has signaled more unwanted interventions could be coming for U.S. neighbors.

In December, the administration appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, amid the presidents resumed bid to take over the island. In recent days, Trump has warned Mexico to get its act together and effectively told Colombian President Gustavo Petro that his country could be the next to face military action.
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More than 20 million Americans are facing dire healthcare and financial decisions after enhanced subsidies for insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act expired at the start of the year  and for some the consequences are urgent.

Johana Scott, a Texan battling Stage 3 cancer, told MS NOW that her premium spiked from around $200 per month to $1,725 for the same plan after the subsidies expired.

She said paying that much each month is impossible, as she only makes $1,200 per month. Assuming she could come up with the total, she said she'd have nothing left for groceries or bills.

Congress broke for its holiday recess before lawmakers could reach an agreement to extend the subsidies.

Scott said in the meantime, she is left contemplating whether or not she will survive the year. She said her cancer treatment sessions cost between $20,000 and $45,000 each. A single session is more than her annual income. Her doctors have told her she'll need regular sessions for the next two years.

open image in gallery Johana Scott tells MS NOW she fears that without a restoration of ACA subsidies her cancer could prove fatal ( MS NOW )

Ive been crying since December because I dont know what to do, she told MS NOW. If I dont have my insurance, I am going to die this year.

The enhanced subsidies provided by the ACA were created in 2021 as part of a pandemic relief bill. They were extended in 2022, and allowed a flood of people who were previously ineligible to enroll in healthcare plans.

Democrats have attempted to make the subsidies permanent, but opposition from Republicans  citing concerns about federal spending  has ensured the subsidies remain temporary.

Congress retuned to session on Monday, and there appears to be some movement toward the passage of a bill extending the subsidies. Four Republicans have broken with the party to back a Democratic discharge petition, which lets a bill go to a vote if a simple majority of the House supports the petition, according to Market Watch.

Should the Democrats pass the bill in the House, it would then likely face extreme opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate and the White House, where President Donald Trump could veto any passed legislation.

open image in gallery A demonstrator in Washington, D.C. holds a sign calling for Congress to save the Affordable Care Act. After pandemic-era subsidies reducing the cost of ACA premiums lapsed on December 31, 2025, the cost of healthcare skyrocketed for more than 20 million Americans ( AFP via Getty Images )

Given the fact that some Republicans were willing to sign the discharge petition to vote on it, theres a decent chance that enough will cross over for it to pass the chamber, but that doesnt mean very much. The Senate previously voted down the same proposal in December, Beacon Policy Advisors noted in a report on Monday.

The Beacon analysts said the only hope for the ACA subsidies to return is if Trump backs the legislation to bring them back. They noted that Trump considered a proposal to address the subsidies issue in November, but when details of the compromise proposal leaked, internal GOP backlash shut it down  the very opposite of the dynamics needed for any deal to cross the finish line.

Other analysts believe that the Republicans will try to address the issue later this year in another massive budget bill similar to Trump's 'big beautiful bill" in 2025.

Until a solution is found, millions of Americans will have to choose between potential financial ruin and possibly life-saving medical treatments.
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In a rare turn of events, the Trump administration extended an unexpected "thank you" to news organisations following a US military action in Venezuela.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly credited media outlets for withholding reports on last Saturday's strike, which led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, thereby preventing the mission from being jeopardised.

Rubio's acknowledgement stands in stark contrast to the administration's often-strained relationship with the press. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, for instance, has frequently cited a deep mistrust of journalists' ability to handle sensitive information responsibly, a stance that underpins his restrictive new press rules for Pentagon reporters.

These rules have prompted most mainstream news organisations to withdraw their correspondents from the Pentagon rather than comply.

open image in gallery Marco Rubio says that a number of media outlets had gotten leaks that this was coming and held it for that very reason ( AP )

Speaking on ABC's This Week on Sunday, Rubio explained that information about the mission was withheld from Congress due to concerns it "will leak. It's as simple as that."

However, he stressed that operational security was the primary driver. "Frankly, a number of media outlets had gotten leaks that this was coming and held it for that very reason," Rubio stated. "And we thank them for doing that or lives could have been lost. American lives."

Reports from Semafor, citing sources familiar with communications between the administration and news organisations, indicated that both The New York Times and The Washington Post had prior knowledge of the raid but chose not to report on it to avoid endangering US military personnel.

Representatives for both outlets declined to comment when approached by The Associated Press on Monday.

Dana Priest, a veteran national security reporter for the Post and now a University of Maryland lecturer, affirmed that withholding information on a planned mission for such reasons is standard practice for news organisations.

She noted that even post-mission, the Post has consulted government authorities regarding whether revealing certain details could pose a risk. An example cited was The Atlantic magazine editor Jeffrey Goldberg, who, after inadvertently receiving information about a military attack in Yemen via a text chain from Hegseth, delayed reporting until US personnel were safe and the information thoroughly verified.

Most Americans learned of the Venezuela attack in the early hours of Saturday when President Donald Trump announced its completion on his Truth Social platform.

open image in gallery Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez looks on after being sworn in as Acting President of Venezuela ( Getty )

While The Associated Press did not have advance notice of the operation, its journalists in Venezuela reported explosions more than two hours before Trump's announcement, though US involvement was not confirmed until his post.

The complexities of reporting sensitive information are further highlighted by Hegseth's defence of his Pentagon rules. He told Fox News last year that "we have expectations that you're not soliciting classified or sensitive information." The Times has since filed a lawsuit challenging these rules.

Decisions on whether to publish information that could endanger lives or a mission often involve high-level discussions between editors and government officials.

However, Priest underscored that in a country with press freedom, the ultimate decision rests with the news organisation. She recalled President John F. Kennedy persuading Times editors not to report on the Bay of Pigs invasion, a decision a later Times editor, Bill Keller, said Kennedy regretted, believing earlier reporting might have averted the fiasco.

Priest emphasised that many mainstream journalists covering military and national security issues possess extensive experience in handling sensitive information.

She drew a distinction between reporting information that could genuinely endanger individuals and that which might merely embarrass an administration.

"The reporters are not going to be deterred by a ridiculously broad censorship edict by the Trump administration," Priest asserted. "They're going to dig in and work even harder. Their mission is not to curry favour with the Trump administration. It's to report information to the public."
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Donald Trump joked that First Lady Melania Trump hates it when he dances for his supporters and even told him that President Franklin D Roosevelt would not have done the same.

Speaking at the House Republicans' retreat to set election-year goals at the Kennedy Center, the president claimed his supporters want to see him dance.

Trumps style of dancing became a trademark of his election campaign, where he often led crowds of MAGA loyalists in a dance along to The Village Peoples YMCA.

open image in gallery Trumps style of dancing became a trademark of his election campaign ( Reuters )

Trump said, She hates when I dance. I said, everybody wants me to dance. Darling, its not presidential... she actually said could you imagine FDR dancing?, she said that to me.

And I said that theres a long history that perhaps she doesnt know. Because he was an elegant fellow, even as a Democrat, right, the attack by Japan, you know, he was quite elegant, but he wouldnt be doing this, but, but nor would too many others.

But she says, Darling, please, the weight lifting is terrible.

open image in gallery Trump disclosed to party loyalists on Tuesday that the first lady is not a fan of his dancing ( Getty Images )

In fact, Trumps dancing ability came under fire from professional dancers. Brandon Chow, the founder of Hip Hop Dance Junkies, said, On a scale of one to 10, I would say three. Three or four max.

He told The Guardian: The arms are there, the arms are very stiff, though  theyre not really moving. Its literally him with his fists tight and his arms to his side.

I mean, there is no movement where hes leaving his comfort zone or his space. Hes literally just stepping in place, side to side, hips swaying.

open image in gallery President Maduro dancing in front of supporters in Venezuela ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The presidents latest comments come amid reports that White House aides told him that deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was mocking him by dancing at rallies.

In the weeks before Washington stepped up pressure on Caracas, Maduro appeared at public events alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, giving a relaxed and defiant image despite mounting international scrutiny.

One appearance in December, at the opening of an International School for Womens Leadership, showed Maduro dancing to an electronic remix of a speech titled "No War, Yes Peace."

The footage circulated widely online, with many drawing comparisons to Trumps rally gestures. One official reportedly described the incident as "one dance move too many".

Maduro has often used music and performance in his political messaging, including a televised rendition of John Lennons Imagine in November, framed as a call for peace amid strained relations with Washington.
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Like a novice gambler whose response to a big win is to start betting bigger, the Trump White House is doubling down on their aggressive approach to the Americas in the wake of the U.S. military raid to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.

Over the four days that have elapsed since the daring, unprecedented  and according to critics, illegal  special forces action that brought Maduro from a Caracas safe house to a New York courtroom on drug and weapons charges, the president and his allies in the White House have proceeded to threaten or warn of military action against multiple American allies and neighbors, including Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Denmark, the NATO member kingdom which has controlled Greenland in whole or in part since the 16th century.

Trump himself told reporters on Sunday that the result of his decision to have U.S. forces seize Maduro was to show that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again, while claiming that his administrations aim was to make sure the hemisphere was filled with countries around us that are viable and successful and where the oil is allowed to freely come out.

For Trump, it was a return to the bellicose rhetoric hed spouted since the days immediately following his 2024 election victory, when he began claiming the U.S. needs to annex Greenland for national security reasons despite the existence of a decades-old treaty that essentially gives America carte blanche to base troops there as part of the countrys commitment to NATO.

But he has now stepped up his claims about the mineral-rich arctic territory, which he has baselessly asserted is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place while dismissing the Danish government as not going to be able to do what is needed to protect it.

Both Donald Trump and Stephen Miller have expressed enthusiasm for seizing Greenland from Denmark, but Americans arent interested in the idea ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

One of his foremost senior aides, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, defended the presidents expansionist dreams while adding a sinister edge to them during a contentious interview with CNN on Monday.

After anchor Jake Tapper pressed him to say that the U.S. would not take military action to seize Greenland by force  something that would require attacking one of Americas closest allies  Miller responded by asking Tapper what he called the real question.

By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark? Miller replied.

In fact, Denmark has had claims and presence there since 1721  more than a half-century before American independence  and it ceased to be a Danish colony in 1953. And while the United States once had a tenuous claim on some of Greenlands territory after American explorers mapped the islands northernmost reaches, Washington formally surrendered such aspirations in 1916 as part of a treaty signed with Copenhagen in which Denmark gave the U.S. what were then the Danish West Indies  now the U.S. Virgin Islands  in exchange for $25 million paid in gold.

But Millers question was not intended to explore any hypotheticals. It was instead an expression of pure contempt for the idea that Denmark  a relatively small country  could assert a claim to anything the United States (meaning Trump) desires to have for itself.

He told Tapper shortly thereafter that Greenland should obviously ... be a part of the United States and said the question of how to make that happen would be a conversation that were going to have as a country.

Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland, he added.

The presidents continued unsolicited assertions of desire to take over the arctic territory regardless of what the Danes may have to say about it has drawn universal condemnation from Americas closest European allies, including the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark.

Greenland, they wrote, belongs to its people.

It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, they said.

Moving ahead with whatever plan the White House might have to gain control over the territory would universally alienate allies and potentially break up the NATO alliance, casting the U.S. into uncharted foreign policy territory after more than 75 years leading the West.

Such an action would be unprecedented but in character for Trump and aides such as Miller, because underlying Millers grandiose declarations is a belief held by Trump and many in his orbit that America can simply take what it wants because it has a bigger stick than the other guy  especially in the Western hemisphere.

But fortunately for Greenlanders, the conversation he suggested would be had on whether to take an allys territory by force isnt one Americans are interested in having.

According to a Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Monday, Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to the White Houses apparent plan to become the Wests schoolyard bully.

When asked whether the United States should have a policy of dominating affairs in the Western Hemisphere, just 26 percent of respondents answered in the affirmative. Not even a majority of Republicans supported Trumps hypothetical dominating policy, with just 43 percent expressing support; 19 percent disagreed, while the rest said they were unsure or did not give an answer.

Asked if they supported sending U.S. troops to be stationed in Venezuela, 60 percent of Republicans said they did but just 30 percent of Americans overall. And while 59 percent of Republicans said they were in favor of the United States taking over Venezuelan oilfields, almost the same proportion  54 percent  said they were concerned about the U.S. becoming too involved in the South American countrys affairs.

Similar polling taken last year showed that Americans opposed attempting to seize Greenland by margins of 55% percent to 28 percent for, 54 against to 23 percent for, and 73 percent against to 27 percent in favor.

Trump has expressed no concerns about alienating the European allies he has long considered weak compared to the authoritarian strongmen with whom he feels a kinship.

But unlike those dictators he admires  men with names like Erdogan, Orban, Putin and Xi  Trump and his party must still answer to voters who want no part in his imperialist ambitions.
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President Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to celebrate his latest accomplishment  chalking up 339 billion all-time views on TikTok.

The president posted a 15-day-old Year in Review roundup of statistics for his account on the social video app in the early hours of Tuesday, cheering the success of his output on the platform.

Trump spent much of last year helping to negotiate an agreement between the apps Chinese owners, ByteDance, and a consortium of American investors to spin off TikTok U.S. into its own venture to allay concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of users data.

He finally announced the framework of a deal in September, which was signed last month.

The presidents other Truth Social posts on Monday included attacks on the media for not giving his tariff policy enough positive coverage and on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and rebellious Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump promotes his 2025 TikTok views on Truth Social on Monday January 5, 2026 ( Donald J Trump/Truth Social )

The numbers touted by Trump include 201 billion views in 2025 of MAGA TikToks, 166 billion views in 2025 of TRUMP TikToks, 6 billion views in 2025 of FLOTUS TikToks as well as 826 million views in 2025 of AMERICAFIRST TikToks.

The president also proclaimed that his inauguration generated six billion views, his speech at Charlie Kirks memorial celebration generated four billion views as did his speeches on Trump peace deals.

Trump also celebrated being the most-followed world leader on the platform and generating the most views of any politician.

Fawning quotes from unidentified users accompany the post, Whoever runs this account is an absolute legend, one fan wrote.

open image in gallery Trump continues to make time for social media depsite the myriad issues demanding his attention across the world ( AP )

On Monday, Trump announced revisions to the countrys Childhood Vaccination Schedule, meaning juveniles will receive fewer vaccinations, potentially increasing their vulnerability to disease.

Trumps sudden shift in focus back towards domestic matters comes after he spent the post-Christmas period seeking peace in Ukraine and Gaza by meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, only to then launch an astonishing military raid on Venezuela.

The countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores were captured by U.S. special forces over the weekend as Caracas was bombed and its power supply cut. The couple was duly flown to New York to answer narco-conspiracy charges in a federal courthouse.

A defiant Maduro appeared in front of a judge earlier Monday to plead not guilty and insisted he was still Venezuelas rightful president and being held as a prisoner of war.

"I am innocent, he told U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country.

His former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, has been sworn in as his interim replacement and is said to be cooperating with the Trump administration, which has claimed ultimate responsibility for the running of the South American oil state.

A small team of U.S. administrators, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is expected to make decisions on behalf of the country until an election can be held and a stable new government brought in. However, Trump has ruled that out for the time being.

We have to fix the country first, he said Monday. You cant have an election. There is no way the people could even vote. We have to nurse the country back to health.

Discussing the intervention in Venezuela over the weekend, Trump and Rubio issued threats to other powers in the region, including Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, and the administration has since revived talk of seizing Greenland.

Appearing on CNN Monday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller insisted the U.S. is a superpower. It will conduct itself as such in the interest of safeguarding its geopolitical interests.

But Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned in an address: If the United States decides to militarily attack another NATO country, then everything would stop  that includes NATO and therefore post-Second World War security.
Bogus conspiracy theories that Donald Trump and Trump-aligned figures dreamed up to explain his loss in the 2020 presidential election are still consuming the president and fanatical supporters who make up his base.

Trump keeps injecting them into his attempts at diplomacy. They animate actual White House policy. And theyre now tangled up in his administrations arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

In the days after the 2020 election, Trump-connected figures floated a debunked conspiracy theory that election technology firms Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic were designed to rig Venezuelan elections and then deployed to the United States to manipulate results to put Joe Biden in office.

After U.S. forces captured Maduro, right-wing influencers dragged the idea back to their timelines. Trump, a prolific right-wing social media influencer himself, shared a post claiming that the CIA outsourced those companies to rig the election against him.

Trump routinely used the political and economic crisis in Venezuela for his own political ambitions, but it now appears he cant resist feeding off long-dead conspiracy theories and the influencers promoting them to keep his bogus stolen election narrative alive. And officials in his administration are running with it.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and his allies and supporters are floating debunked conspiracy theories that the capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro will reveal that the 2020 election was rigged against him. ( Getty Images )

A senior Department of Justice official shared a post on X suggesting Maduro might try to plead to lesser charges by proffering evidence that the 2020 election was stolen.

Trump shared a post on Truth Social this week suggesting it wasnt a coincidence that he had been promoting claims about Dominion voting machine fraud after Maduros capture.

Theres a reason President Trump is flooding the internet with election theft videos now, wrote pro-Trump influencer Chad Vivas, who is known online as KagDrogo. He claimed Maduro is an informant against the CIA for laundering election theft technology like Smartmatic and Dominion through Venezuela.

Trump has it all, he wrote. Retribution is coming.

Right-wing influencer Benny Johnson also claimed that Maduro might be Trumps final revenge for the election theft of 2020.

Maduro knows where all the bodies are buried, he said.

This is why you see the globalists around the world bricking in their pants, according to Johnson. Theyre terrified because Venezuela was ground zero for election theft.

Last year, Dominion was purchased by a firm run by a former Republican election official and renamed Liberty Vote. That development, plus Maduros capture and Trumps embrace of conspiracy theories, is apparent proof that the dominoes are being lined up to prove Trumps victory in 2020, according to right-wing commentator Rogan OHandley.

Its about Venezuela being the base of election fraud, added noted conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

Folks, when this house of cards starts falling perfectly this year, the 250th anniversary of this country, what a present, Jones said. And Trump intends all of this to be going and done by July 4th.

open image in gallery Bogus claims that election technology firms manipulated election results emerged in the aftermath of the 2020 election. ( Getty Images )

The conspiracy theories bubbled into Trumpworld in the aftermath of the 2020 election, when his supporters alleged that Dominion machines  which were also used in states that Trump won in 2016  had somehow worked with a long-dead Venezuelan leader to rig the outcome.

Then-Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani claimed during an infamous press conference that Dominion is an ally of Hugo Chavez, is an ally of Nicolas Maduro, and an ally of George Soros.

While an unidentified brown liquid slid down his face, Giuliani claimed American ballots were being counted by a Venezuelan company that is owned by people who are allies of Maduro and Chavez.

Attorney Sidney Powell also claimed the companies were created in Venezuela at the direction of Hugo Chavez to make sure he never lost an election after one constitutional referendum came out the way he did not want it to come out.

Those claims, which made their way to right-wing news networks, were also at the center of an avalanche of defamation lawsuits filed by the companies, which are not related to one another nor affiliated with any government.

Smartmatic, which is based in London with Venezuelan founders, pulled out of the country in 2017 after alleging Maduros regime manipulated election results. Fox News ultimately reached a record-setting settlement with Dominion after accusing the network of spreading false statements about its business.

open image in gallery Dominion Voting Systems launched an avalanche of lawsuits against right-wing media networks and other figures, landing a history-making settlement with Fox News. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Still, conspiracy theories persisted online and in a right-wing media ecosystem thriving on the narrative.

In October, Patrick Byrne, the former Overstock CEO who amplified bogus claims that Venezuelan tech was being used to defraud elections, claimed on Mike Lindells network that theres never been as necessary a war since the Civil War that we go down and take care of Venezuela.

Its more important than World War I and World War II to the viability of the United States, he said. The U.S. was overthrown, and Venezuelas technology was part of it.

A month later, U.S. attorney for Puerto Rico Stephen Muldrow was allegedly briefed on the long-running conspiracy theory, kickstarting Justice Department investigations into Venezuelas elections.

Trump shared a post about those revived allegations, adding that we must focus all of our energy and might on ELECTION FRAUD!!
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Top officials from the Trump administration briefed Congressional leaders Monday on its covert raid in Venezuela over the weekend, as the United Nations and key American allies criticized the military operation.

In the early morning hours Saturday, U.S. special forces and law enforcement officials captured now-deposed President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in the capital city of Caracas. Maduro and Flores were taken to New York to face drug and weapons charges, to which they pleaded not guilty Monday.

Later Saturday, Trump said the U.S. would temporarily run Venezuela, and on Monday, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the countrys interim leader.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council at an emergency meeting in New York City Monday he was deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected regarding the U.S. operation in Venezuela.

open image in gallery Trump administration officials briefed Congressional leaders Monday on its covert raid in Venezuela, as the United Nations and key American allies criticized the military operation ( Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images )

The [UN] Charter enshrines the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, Guterres said. The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to all the provisions of the Charter.

Several U.S. allies, including Brazil and Mexico, also voiced concern about the military raid, saying it was a violation of the charter, The New York Times reported.

Frances Deputy U.N. ambassador, Jay Dharmadhikari, said the raid runs counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution and runs counter to the principle of non-use of force.

Violations of the charter and international law by the five permanent members of the Security Council, which includes the U.S., chips away at the very foundation of the international order, Dharmadhikari said.

Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., defended the military raid, calling it a law enforcement operation.

open image in gallery Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., defended the military raid, calling it a 'law enforcement operation' ( Spencer Platt/Getty Images )

Later Monday, American lawmakers sat down with Trump officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Capitol Hill to discuss the Venezuela operation, after being left in the dark in the lead-up to the raid.

Usually, leaders from the Senate and the House of Representatives will be notified ahead, during or immediately after a large military operation. Trump said there were concerns Congress would leak details about Saturdays raid before it was complete.

After the over two-hour classified briefing some lawmakers were still left with questions.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said the briefing posed far more questions than it ever answered.

Their plan for the U.S. running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying, Schumer said.

open image in gallery Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the classified briefing posed far more questions than it ever answered' ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )

Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, also said that there are a significant number of questions that still need to be answered.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the legality of the raid, telling reporters, The president used his authority under the law. He did so in a way that caused no casualties on the American side and got the job done with exquisite intelligence and extreme precision.

Johnson also defended the Trump administrations decision to notify Congress after the operation was complete.

Despite the claims by some of my colleagues, under the War Powers Act, there is no requirement for prior Congressional approval or prior notification, Johnson said.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Danish officials to discuss Greenland next week after refusing to rule out taking military action to seize the territory.

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his threats to take over the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a Nato country. On Wednesday, the White House warned that utilising the US military is always an option to achieve this important foreign policy goal.

Mr Rubio reiterated this warning, telling reporters in Washington DC later in the day that Mr Trump retains the option to use the US military to take Greenland. But he added that the US president would prioritise a diplomatic solution.

However, he did not directly answer reporters' questions about whether the administration was willing to risk the integrity of the Nato alliance by potentially moving ahead with military action in Greenland. I'm not here to talk about Denmark or military intervention, he said. I'll be meeting with them next week, we'll have those conversations with them then, but I don't have anything further to add to that.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenland counterpart, Vivian Motzfeldt, requested the meeting with Mr Rubio, according to a statement posted to Greenland's government website on Tuesday, after previous requests were unsuccessful.

open image in gallery US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Danish officials to discuss Greenland next week after refusing to rule out taking military action to seize the territory ( Getty )

The meeting comes amid an escalating diplomatic crisis between Washington and its western allies, who have said that any attempt to occupy the territory would violate Denmarks sovereignty. European leaders issued a statement on Tuesday declaring that it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.

Since the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Mr Trump has revived his argument that the US needs to control the world's largest island, which guards the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America, to ensure its own security in the face of rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic.

But Mr Rubio told a select group of US lawmakers on Monday that it was the Republican administration's intention to eventually purchase Greenland, as opposed to using military force.

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in issuing the statement this week, reaffirming that the island belongs to its people, with Frederiksen warning that a US takeover would amount to the end of Nato.

open image in gallery Greenland is a strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a Nato country ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said on Tuesday that using the military to acquire Greenland was an option, though she told reporters Wednesday that the president's first option always has been diplomacy.

Some Republican senators said they saw strategic value in Greenland, but they stopped short of supporting military action to acquire it. Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall said he hoped we can work out a deal, while North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven said some of the discussion about taking Greenland by force has been misconstrued.

But Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she hated the rhetoric around either acquiring Greenland by purchase or by force, adding, I think that it is very, very unsettling.

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Nato Observer Group, said the US needs to honour its treaty obligations to Denmark.

Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow Nato ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our alliance exists to defend, the senators said in a joint statement.
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A Vietnam veteran is battling with a Las Vegas home-owners association after being left on the hook for $15,000 over his broken toilet.

Larry McClellan, who has lived in his home for 20 years, said that a root ruptured through his toilet in August which was traced back to a tree belonging to Taylor Association Management, but they would not accept responsibility.

I feel like theyre spitting on the back of my neck and telling me its raining, McClellan, a three-time combat veteran, told KLAS. Like Im too stupid to know the difference.

The rupture resulted in an open sewer line, although the association reportedly refused to pay for it, leaving McClellan with an intial $8,000 bill. However, receipts obtained by the outlet show a final price of just under $14,695, which the HOA also refused to pay.

We submitted all the bills from Goettl because they had to first excavate, tear everything out, replace the sewer line, bring it up to grade, put a cement, because its a cement sub floor underneath there, put tile, reinstall a new toilet, because the other toilet was no good, he said.

The Independent has contacted Taylor Association Management for comment on the situation.

open image in gallery A Vietnam veteran is battling with a Las Vegas Home Owners Association, after being left on the hook for $15,000 over his broken toilet ( Getty Images )

McClellan claims he exchanged over 60 emails with the company, but was frustrated with the slow pace of response he received.

They move not nearly as fast as glaciers move, he told KLAS. Glaciers move at light speed compared to them when they are at fault.

In one email, Taylor Management argued they were not responsible for the damage caused by the tree since it was located in a common area. McClellan has never maintained the tree and does not belong to him.

I dont have words to really express how I feel about them without resorting to stuff that Im not supposed to say in polite company, he told KLAS back in August.

The toilet has since been fixed. McClellan says that the tree that reportedly caused the original rupture is still outside his property and that its roots are now impacting the new toilet.

Their actions are not those of a responsible adult, he said. I expect stuff like this from a five-year-old that may not know right from wrong. They know right from wrong, and still youre only taking partial responsibility?

McClellan plans to call the ombudsmans office for assistance in looking into the problem and is asking for an apology and full payment from Taylor Association Management.
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A 52-year-old man pepper sprayed during his arrest in Sydneys west died after being taken to the hospital.

Police were called to the address in Homebush at about 8.30am on Monday in response to reports of an alleged domestic violence incident.

During the arrest inside the unit, officers deployed pepper spray, according to a statement from police. A critical investigation has been launched.

Not long afterwards, the man experienced what police described as a medical episode.

The New South Wales ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene before transporting him to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died. The time of death was recorded to be 8.30pm on Monday.

A crime scene has been established, and the conduct of the police is under investigation.

The investigation will remain to be subject of an independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, police said in a statement.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

NSW Police policy allows oleoresin capsicum (or OC) spray  OC is the active ingredient in pepper sprays  to be deployed to safeguard people or animals, or as a less than lethal option for controlling people, where violent resistance or confrontation occurs (or is likely to occur).

According to a report by the US Department of Justice, exposure to OC spray can trigger intense pain, coughing, short-term loss of vision and respiratory distress. The report also found that individuals with asthma or other lung conditions, as well as children, face a heightened risk of death.

In 2022, NSW Police opened a critical incident probe after a 41-year-old man died following his arrest, during which officers used OC spray. The man had been walking along the M5 motorway and later collapsed, losing consciousness shortly after being taken into custody. He was transported to a hospital but could not be resuscitated.

The deployment of OC spray by police has also drawn attention in recent protests. Allegations have included its use on a 13-year-old at a Palestine rally in 2024, as well as on anti-war demonstrators at the Indo-Pacific Naval Defence Expo in November.

Last month, climate protesters in Australia won a landmark class action against Victoria police over the use of OC spray at a 2019 anti-mining protest in Melbourne.

The Supreme Court found police unlawfully assaulted protester Jordan Brown by spraying him twice, causing physical and psychological harm, and awarded him Australian $54,000 in damages.

While police argued the spray was lawfully used to manage a tense crowd, the judge ruled it was unjustified in this case. The decision was the first of its kind against Victoria police over OC spray, though the judge said it did not set a general precedent.
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Spain has recorded a surge in the deadly African swine fever sweeping Catalonia as authorities bring in drones and helicopters to help contain the outbreak.

The regions department of agriculture announced on Monday that a further 18 wild boar have died from the highly contagious disease near Cerdanyola del Valles, bringing the tally up to a total of 47.

The ministry said that the rise was due to wider testing in hard-to-reach areas, explored by air over the Christmas holidays. It emphasised that it was an accumulation of cases reported, and not a sudden spike.

Spain ramped up containment efforts in December, bringing in sniffer dogs and the military to help track the spread. More than 620 boars have been analysed in recent weeks, with around eight per cent testing positive for the virus.

Researchers believe the Bellaterra variant could be a new mutation, after it failed to match with any samples held locally.

The local government has downplayed the theory that it could have spread from a laboratory, with agriculture minister Oscar Ordeig calling for prudence last week as investigations continue.

Spanish police raided a state-funded laboratory near Barcelona last month as part of one of the investigations into the origins of the outbreak, amid concerns the disease may have escaped from the facility.

Genome sequencing has revealed the strain is similar to those used in research and vaccine development, differing from other European cases.

But analysis by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Barcelona found no matches with locally held by Cresa. The local government believes there is a remote chance it came from a lab.

open image in gallery A local police warning sign reading "African Swine Fever Surveillance Zone" posted on a pole at the entrance of the Collserola natural park, near Barcelona ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Ordeig told Catalunya Radio at the start of December that officials were working on the assumption that the virus may have spread from contaminated food brought into the country from abroad.

The most likely option ... is that cold cuts, a sandwich, contaminated food, could end up in a bin  we have to take into account that Bellaterra is an area with a lot of traffic from all over Europe  and then that a wild boar would have eaten it and become infected, he said at the time.

Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the wild boar may have eaten a contaminated sausage in a sandwich thrown away in a ditch, and then become infected.

This marks Spain's first outbreak of ASF since 1994, with the virus detected exclusively in wild animals within the Collserola hills outside Barcelona, and no cases reported on farms.

While harmless to humans, ASF spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boar.

The virus was initially identified in two wild boars in Bellaterra, within the Collserola mountain range, in late November.

The spread remains pressing with Spains multi-billion-euro pork industry on the line. Catalan exporters lost 62 million euros in the first month of the outbreak alone, according to El Periodico.
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Nearly 500 families were forced from their homes as Spain braced for more heavy flooding on the southern coast this week.

Hundreds of residents across Cadiz fled overflowing rivers as Storm Francis brought torrential rainfall to the Costa del Sol.

Dozens of people were also taken to emergency shelters in Malagas Estacion de Cartama on Sunday as the Guadalhorce river swelled, just days after two people were killed in nearby floods.

Dramatic footage shared on social media showed cars swamped in dirty floodwater and water cascading through floors of an apartment block.

Clara Maria Moya, who had to stay at an emergency shelter on Sunday night, told local outlet Malaga Hoy: The choice came down to leaving or drowning outright.

My house has a meter and a half of water inside, she added. We need help  My house is destroyed

open image in gallery A resident of Estacion de Cartama cleans up after flooding hit Malaga, on 28 December ( EPA )

Residents received an extraordinary risk red alert on their phones on Sunday, warning against unnecessary travel as overflowing rivers toppled a wall in the town of Monda and brought down a bridge in Coin.

Monda and nearby Tolox saw 250 litres of rain per square metre in the space of 24 hours, according to the countrys weather agency, Aemet.

Cadiz, on the southern coast, weathered some of the worst of the flooding as the Guadarranque River filled with rainwater on Sunday.

Some 470 people were evacuated from villages and housing developments in San Roque and Los Barrios, downstream from the river. Authorities said they were allowed to return on Monday as weather warnings were lifted.

The nearby Guadarranque reservoir holding back the floods was at 99.83 per cent capacity on Monday and was on the verge of overflowing, El Pais reported, citing regional government sources.

After overcoming the worst of the floods, Malaga was hit by hailstorms on Monday afternoon. More than 30 roads nationwide continued to be affected by snowfall, closing routes from Barcelona in the northeast to Toledo and Madrid in the centre.

open image in gallery Spains weather agency issued renewed warnings for cold weather and snowfall on Tuesday ( Aemet )

Aemet on Tuesday issued cold weather warnings, forecasting snow and freezing conditions across the country.

Storm Francis, fuelled by Arctic air from the north, has buffeted Spain with rain and snow across the peninsula for days. Eleven autonomous communities have been placed under snow alerts.

The latest weather devastation comes just days after authorities announced two people had been killed in dramatic flooding through Andalusia.

The body of a man whose van was swept away by an overflowing riverbed in Malaga was recovered on 28 December, as authorities confirmed the death of a young person in Granada who was swept away while trying to cross a riverbed on a motorbike.

In Barcelona, a woman was hospitalised after being hit by a lamp post torn down by 70 km per hour winds. Dozens of people were also forced to evacuate from a building damaged by heavy rainfall.
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Canada's Indigenous governor general and its foreign minister will visit Greenland in early February amid renewed calls by President Donald Trump for the U.S. to take control of the country.

Greenland is an Inuit self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark. Trump has also previously talked about making Canada the 51st state.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Governor General Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, are expected to open a consulate in Nuuk, Greenland.

The future of Greenland and Denmark are decided solely by the people of Denmark, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday while meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Canada's embassy in Paris.

The island of Greenland, 80% of which lies above the Arctic Circle, is home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit people.

US Vice President JD Vance, his wife, and a group of officials visited the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland in March 2025 amid Trump's bid to annex the strategically-placed, resource-rich Danish territory ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Simon became Canada's first Indigenous governor general in 2021 and previously served as Canada's ambassador to Denmark. The governor general is the representative of Britains King Charles as head of state. The king is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the Commonwealth of former colonies.

The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom joined Denmark's Frederiksen Tuesday in defending Greenlands sovereignty in the wake of Trumps comments about Greenland, which is part of the NATO military alliance. The leaders issued a statement reaffirming the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island belongs to its people."

Frederiksen and Carney are in Paris for the Coalition of the Willing talks on Ukraine but Carney made a point of meeting with Frederiksen and NATO's secretary general ahead of those meetings.

"You have been very clear in your statement when it comes to the respect for national sovereignty, Frederiksen said to Carney. We are both into securing the Arctic region and together with all our NATO allies we can secure the region, so hopefully everybody is willing to work together.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said Monday that Greenland should be part of the United States in spite of a warning by Frederiksen that a U.S. takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of NATO.

Trump has argued the U.S. needs to control Greenland to ensure the security of the NATO territory in the face of rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic. Its so strategic right now, he told reporters Sunday.

Carney said hes made Arctic security a priority.

We are making progress within NATO but we have to do more, Carney said at an earlier press conference in Paris.

Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said it's important at this point for Canada to show solidarity with the people of Greenland.

It is vital for Canada partly because we are a major Arctic country and that Greenland is our neighbor, and partly because we have a strong incentive to stand for international law and against Trump-style bullying and aggression," Beland said.

But Beland said Carney wants to avoid upsetting Trump as the free trade agreement between the two major trading partners is renegotiated this year.

Its a tough balancing act for the prime minister, Beland said.
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Several European leaders pushed back on U.S. President Donald Trumps comments seeking an American takeover of Greenland.

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom issued a statement reaffirming that the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island belongs to its people.

The group joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenlands sovereignty in the wake of Trumps comments about Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark and part of the NATO military alliance.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said on Monday that Greenland should be part of the United States in spite of a warning by Frederiksen that a U.S. takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of NATO.

The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus, Miller said during an interview with CNN on Monday afternoon.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer. ( AFP/Getty )

His comments came after the Danish leader, together with Greenlands prime minister and other European leaders, firmly rejected Trumps renewed call for the island to come under U.S. control in the aftermath of the weekend U.S. military operation in Venezuela.

Here is the joint statement in full:

Statement by President Macron of France, Chancellor Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain, Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark on Greenland.

Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security.

NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark  including Greenland  is part of NATO.

Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.

The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951.

Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.
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European leaders have warned the US that Greenland belongs to its people in a joint statement released on Tuesday.

It comes after president Donald Trump said that Greenlands annexation would be imminent, saying he wanted the Arctic territory right now.

Greenland belongs to its people, read the statement signed by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark on Tuesday, rejecting Mr Trumps plans for the territory.

It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.

open image in gallery The US president said he wanted Greenland right now ( AP )

The declaration continued: Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security. Nato has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European allies are stepping up.

We and many other allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark  including Greenland  is part of Nato.

Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with Nato allies, including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.

The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a Nato ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951.

Denmarks prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, warned that a US takeover of Greenland would mark the end of Nato, earlier this week.

If the United States chooses to attack another Nato country militarily, then everything stops, Frederiksen told state broadcaster TV2 on Monday. That is, including our Nato and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.

On Sunday, the American leader said the Arctic island is so strategic right now and that annexation would benefit both the European Union and the US, days after the shock capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

open image in gallery Greenland holds vast amounts of natural resources, including oil and gas, as well as natural earth minerals ( AP )

We do need Greenland, absolutely, he told The Atlantic. We need it for defence.

The comments come amid a string of barely veiled threats to a group of other countries over the weekend as Trump warned Mexico to get its act together and indicated to Colombian president Gustavo Petro that his country could be the next to face military action.

The US leader has had his eyes on the territory since 2019, when he first publicly floated the idea of purchasing the territory from Denmark, which runs it as an autonomous and self-governing entity.

open image in gallery The territorys geographical location makes it appealing to Trump for strategic reasons ( Dennis Lehtonen )

Greenland holds a largely untapped wealth of natural resources, including oil and gas as well as natural earth minerals, zinc, copper, nickel and graphite. Its geographical location, positioned between the North American Arctic and Europe, also makes it appealing to Mr Trump for strategic reasons.

Earlier this week, Mr Trumps comments sparked waves of condemnation across Europe, with statements reiterating the territorial integrity of Greenland released by the EU, and European countries, including Nato members France, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Poland, Norway, Finland and Iceland, which emphasised their vehement opposition to the plan.
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Growing up in west Kerry, Christmas was (and still is) not officially over until after Nollaig na mBan (Womens Christmas) on January 6  candles are lit in windows and decorations are not taken down until the next day.

Ive celebrated this since I was a child. My grandmother loved Nollaig na mBan, when my Dad would collect her around lunchtime and bring her to visit with her sister in Dun Chaoin, a village in west County Kerry. They would both dress in their Sunday best, my grandmother wearing the colourful beaded necklace she saved for special occasions.

Like women all over Ireland on January 6, the two sisters would have a catch up, eat some cake and maybe even have a glass of punch before deciding what other calls they wanted to make to their friends that day. My dad was their chauffeur because Nollaig na mBan was traditionally a day off for women after organising and executing a busy Christmas holiday for their families.

For my grandmothers generation in West Kerry, it was a day to catch up and socialise with other local women who had worked hard over Christmas. After currant cake and chats in various homes, my dad would drive them to one of the local pubs to meet other friends and where there might be some music. The ladies would continue their catch-ups there over sherries and hot brandies  a lovely way to finish up their busy Christmas season.

Celebrating Nollaig na mBan around Ireland

The tradition of Nollaig na mBan has been celebrated for generations in West Kerry. Elsewhere in counties Kerry and Cork, as well as other Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas it was also common, but in many other communities around Ireland it was not a tradition at all.

In these places, January 6 is more likely known as Little Christmas (because would finish the leftovers of larger Christmas feasts) or the Feast of the Epiphany, the last of the 12 Days of Christmas. Oiche na dTri Rithe (the Night of the Three Kings) marks the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. People place the three kings in their Christmas nativity cribs, and often light three candles in their windows to mark the common lore around the kings turning water into wine on the January 6. As Irish folklorist Kevin Danaher wrote:

Oiche na dTri Rithe,Sea deintear fion den uisce

(The Night of the Three Kings,The water turns to wine)

Its only been in recent years that Ive realised how lucky I was to have grown up with such a strong tradition of celebrating women on this day. And from what was traditionally a time when women could visit each other for a chat over the food and drink of their choice, the day has since become a chance to go out, support and celebrate each other.

open image in gallery The authors grandmother in 1942, Com Dhineol Thuaidh (Coumeenoole North), Kerry. ( Tomas O Muircheartaigh / Duchas, National Folklore Commission, CC BY-NC-ND )

In 1970, Danaher wrote of Nollaig na mBan: Christmas Day was marked by beef and whiskey, mens fare, while on Little Christmas Day the dainties preferred by women  cake, tea and wine, were more in evidence.

While during the Christmas season foods were heavier, by January 6 people were generally finishing off the bits and pieces of leftover food. Certainly, dainties and currant cakes were the norm for my grandmothers gatherings. And the saying: Nollaig na mBan, Nollaig gan mhaith (Womens Christmas, no good Christmas) was sometimes bandied around by men as a bit of a jibe that alludes to the lesser foods typically eaten on the day.

When we read about the origins of the tradition today, many articles focus on the idea that women took the day off from their usual housework and chores. But during and since my grannys time, many women still undertook the usual duties in the morning, putting aside time to rest and socialise from lunchtime onwards.

Modern-day Nollaig na mBan traditions

In the past ten years or so, Nollaig na mBan has risen in popularity all over Ireland, with city pubs and restaurants from Belfast to Cork advertising special menus and events. For the second year, a Nollaig na mBan festival is celebrating women in north County Dublin.

Increased awareness of this tradition has spread via social media and other coverage, undoubtedly helping to stoke this enthusiasm. Online discussion around Nollaig na mBan often centres on celebrating historical figures or creatives, alongside pictures women post of themselves with their female family members and friends.

About the author Aoife Granville is a Lecturer in Bealoideas (Folklore) at the University College Cork. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

Today in west Kerry, Nollaig na mBan is celebrated with great fervour and in many ways is very similar to my grannys time, although we tend to gather in local hotels, restaurants and pubs for our catch-ups. Grannies, mums, sisters and daughters often hold brunch and lunchtime meet-ups, while groups of friends and work colleagues might celebrate at night.

January 6 is still a time to remember and celebrate women in Ireland, but its become much more similar to the way International Womens Day (on March 8) is celebrated: its a day to read and share work by female writers, poets and musicians, a day to wear jewellery and clothes by Irelands many female designers, whether its a Margaret O'Connor neckheadpiece or an Emma Manley leather skirt.

Nollaig na mBan is a day to remember how far women in Ireland have come since the latew 1970s before which bans against contraception and married women working limited our freedom. But it also reminds us how far women have yet to go in gaining true equality in business and society.
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A Swiss bar, where 40 people tragically died in a New Year's fire, had not undergone annual safety inspections since 2019, the mayor of Crans-Montana ski resort revealed on Tuesday.

In addition to the 40 dead, at least 116 people were injured. The large number of victims has led to questions about whether the bar was overcrowded.

Swiss authorities have been searching for explanations for the blaze, which prosecutors have said was likely caused by sparkling candles igniting the ceiling of the bar's basement, which evidently tore through the "Le Constellation" bar in the early hours of January 1. Most of the victims were teenagers.

"We are deeply sorry. We had no indication that the checks had not been done as requested," Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud told reporters, adding that bars in the town are meant to have such inspections each year.

A video from New Years Eve 2019-2020 shared by Swiss broadcaster RTS showed revellers carrying similar sparklers in bottles as a waiter warns: Watch out for the foam!

open image in gallery Feraud said authorities had closed another venue run by the pair and that sparkler candles that likely triggered the blaze had now been banned inside the town's venues ( Getty )

Reuters could not immediately verify the video. Feraud said his team was not aware this type of party had taken place there.

Feraud said the "Le Constellation" had passed its last inspection in 2019. The soundproof foam on its ceiling was considered acceptable at the time, and a fire alarm was not required due to the bar's size.

"These soundproof panels have never been inspected, as our safety managersapparently did not deem it necessary," Feraud said.

He said the law does not oblige authorities to verify such materials, but "the courts will have to determine whether this should have been done regardless".

Authorities are investigating the two people who ran the bar on suspicion of crimes including homicide by negligence. On Sunday, police said circumstances did not currently merit them being put under arrest, and they did not see a flight risk.

open image in gallery Safety teams will immediately carry out extra inspections, the mayor added ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Feraud said authorities had closed another venue run by the pair and that sparkler candles that likely triggered the blaze had now been banned inside the town's venues. Safety teams will immediately carry out extra inspections, he added.

Feraud said its maximum capacity was 200 people, with emergency exits designed to cater for 100 people on each of its two levels. He said he did not know if the downstairs exit was working that night and that investigators would determine this.

Inspections were also conducted at the bar in 2016 and 2018, authorities said. Before then, the building that houses it sat in a different municipality before Crans-Montana's creation in 2017, Feraud said.
Close Trump expresses hope on 'good news' from peace talks between Ukraine and Russia

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Ukraine and its western allies have agreed that Russian violations of a future ceasefire agreement would be met with a military response by Europe before any involvement by the US, according to a report.

Under the plan, Moscow would first be issued a diplomatic warning and retaliatory action by Ukrainian forces if necessary, the Financial Times reported.

If the ceasefire infraction persists, forces from the Coalition of the Willing will take action. The US would become involved only if still necessary after these first steps.

The response would start within 24 hours, according to people who have been brief on the discussions.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has said he is expecting "good news" when trilateral peace talks resume from Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, declaring: I think were doing very well with Ukraine and Russia. For the first time, Im saying that.

But overnight Russian air attacks continued into this week, with explosions ringing out in Kyiv on Monday night into Tuesday, after a pause requested by Trump.

As of Tuesday morning, emergency power cuts were in effect in the Ukrainian capital after Russian forces again targeted power plants and energy infrastructure.
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The Trump administration has renewed its criticism of European allies after claiming the continent faces civilisational erasure over its policies on migration and censorship.

The US National Security Strategy sent shockwaves through Brussels when it was published last month, offering a bleak forecast for weak partners on the continent and lending support to far-right political parties.

Jacob Helberg, the US under secretary of state for economic affairs, said on Monday the document was intended as a warning and not an insult, and claimed that Washington wanted to see a strong and prosperous Europe.

I know that the national security strategy, the language around Europe and around civilisational erasure drew a lot of attention in Europe, he said.

What Id like to highlight is that that language is a warning. Its not an insult  There is a growing sense of concern and alarm in the United States about the fact that Europes economic, relative economic decline as a share of the global GDP is a crisis.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has renewed threats to take over Greenland for security reasons as his administration slights Europe as weak ( Getty )

There is a degree of alarm in Washington about the need for serious reforms in order to jolt the European economy back to life, he added. We think its possible with the right reforms.

Helberg emphasised that the US welcomes European discussions on slashing regulation and opening up to foreign investment.

Asked about EU policies aimed at reducing strategic reliance on the US, Helberg reiterated: We want Europe to be strong. In order to  a condition for European strength is for Europe to really accelerate the need to deregulate and reduce its reliance on powers that are outwardly adversarial to Europe.

Whether Europe chooses to partner with the US to deepen supply chains or other powers, we want to make sure that Europe doesnt partner with countries that will coerce it and blackmail Europe every single day of that partnership.

Donald Trump suggested Europes future as an ally of the US depends on future ideology in a wide-ranging interview with Politico last month.

open image in gallery Jacob Helberg (right) said the presidents comments were intended as a warning to Europe about its perceived economic decline ( Getty )

They want to be politically correct, and it makes them weak. Thats what makes them weak, he said, before launching into attacks on Paris, Sweden and London mayor Sadiq Khan over European migration trends.

American relations with Europe have soured in recent weeks with the resurgence of Trumps rhetoric on a possible takeover of Greenland.

Following the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro last week, Trump told reporters he would talk about Greenland in 20 days. He has long suggested that the semi-autonomous territory of Nato-ally Denmark should be under US control for national security reasons.

The issue now threatens to fracture solidarity within the alliance, as the EU prepare to defend against a hostile takeover.

Denmarks prime minister Mette Frederiksen rallied support as she said on Monday that she believes Trump is serious about his threats.

"Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland," Frederiksen told public broadcaster DR, adding: "If the United States attacks another NATO country, everything stops.

German foreign minister Johann Wadephul added that Nato could discuss strengthening Greenlands protection if necessary to deter US aggression.

Even Britain, which has avoided criticism of Trump over Maduros capture, reportedly to avoid offending Trump at a critical time for foreign policy, including over Ukraine, said it would stand with Denmark in its defence of the territory.

open image in gallery French president Emmanuel Macron (right, with Canadian PM Mark Carney) is hosting foreign leaders in Paris on Tuesday to discuss Ukraines security guarantees ( AFP/Getty )

Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must determine the future of Greenland and nobody else, prime minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Monday.

The Trump administration has separately been working with partners in Europe to hammer out concrete security guarantees to end the war in Ukraine and provide a backstop against future Russian aggression.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are to meet with the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday to agree an outline for future assurances.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky revealed last week that the US had offered a guarantee for just 15 years - far short of the 50 he had asked for.

The Trump administration has called on Europe to spend more on its own defence, withdrawing direct support for Ukraine at a crucial time in the now four-year conflict.
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The US may act to intercept a Russian-flagged oil tanker heading across the Atlantic to Europe after it evaded a blockade on Venezuela, according to a report.

The US, UK, France, and Ireland have all flown surveillance aircraft to monitor the Bella 1 after it fled from the Caribbean Sea last month to escape US capture. It is currently thought to be sailing between Scotland and Iceland.

Two US officials told CBS News that American forces plan to intercept the ship. The US would prefer to seize the vessel rather than sink it, the broadcaster reported.

The mission could come as soon as this week, but may ultimately be shelved, officials said.

The vessel has changed its name to the Marinera and painted a Russian flag on its side, in what appears to be an attempt to claim protection from Moscow.

Two US P-8 surveillance aircraft flying from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, a British Eurofighter Typhoon from RAF Lossiemouth, an Irish Air Corps plane and a French Navy maritime patrol aircraft have flown in the direction of the tanker in recent days, The Times reported.

A move to intercept the ship would mirror last months publicised operation to seize the Skipper, an oil tanker which left a port in Venezuela last month.

The vessel is part of the so-called Venezuelan shadow fleet, which is carrying oil in breach of US and international sanctions. Washington last month announced a blockade of the fleet, shortly before US forces entered Venezuela to seize its now-deposed president, Nicolas Maduro, who is in New York facing drug charges.

open image in gallery The vessel tanker Bella 1 in the Singapore Strait ( Hakon Rimmereid )

The ships intended destination is unclear.

Intelligence sources told CBS News that Venezuela had considered placing military personnel on oil tankers disguised as civilians to assist the vessels in evading US blockades.

Two US planes that flew over the tanker passed through Irish airspace while doing so, even though the Irish government forbids military aircraft from using its airspace during military operations, The Irish Times reported.

The ship is currently listed in the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping as being ported out of Sochi, on Russias Black Sea. According to The New York Times, the Russian government has officially requested that the US stop all attempts to seize the ship.

Kpler, a trading intelligence website which collates detailed information on oil shipments, reported that it had transported more than 6 million barrels of Iranian oil last year, much of which was passed on to unknown vessels at sea, in attempts to conceal the final destination of the oil.

open image in gallery The Bella 1 is now registered as a Russian ship ( VesselFinder )

The US officials with knowledge of the plan told CBS that the seizure could come as early as this week, but also stated that the operation could end up being shelved, as is the case with some defence department plans.

Mr Trumps total and complete blockade of the already-sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers last month was part of a militarised pressure campaign, which resulted in the capture of Mr Maduro in the early hours of Saturday.

Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before. Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.

But The New York Times reported on Monday that at least 16 oil tankers have disguised their geographical locations or turned off their transmission beacons in attempts to evade the naval blockade.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky replaced the head of Ukraines security service Monday, continuing a top-level reshuffle ahead of a trip to Paris where he hoped to finalize agreements with allies on how to ensure that Russia doesnt repeat its invasion if a peace agreement is signed.

Zelensky is trying to revamp his administration as the grinding war of attrition with Russia marks its fourth anniversary next month. He is keen to keep up the momentum of U.S.-led peace talks as well as sharpen Ukraines focus on defense if those efforts collapse.

The Paris talks are expected to include the leaders of about 30 countries, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing, which are ready to provide security guarantees to keep Ukraine safe in the future.

Key issues include whether countries are prepared to deploy troops inside or close to Ukraine and what the remit of any force overseeing a ceasefire might be. Russia has said it wont accept troops from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil.

Amid Ukraines biggest top-level reshuffle in about six months, Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service, or SBU, announced his resignation on the agencys website.

Zelensky published a decree on the presidential website appointing Ievhen Khmara, former head of the A Special Operations Center of the Security Service, as the agencys acting head.

Under Maliuk, the SBU produced some stunning successes against Russia, including Operation Spiderweb, which Ukraine said damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft in coordinated strikes on four air bases.

On Friday, Zelensky appointed the head of Ukraines military intelligence as his new chief of staff.

Announcing the appointment of Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs to focus on security issues, developing its defense and security forces, and peace talks  areas that are overseen by the office of the president.

In his New Years address, Zelensky said a proposed settlement was 90% ready but warned that the remaining 10%, believed to include issues such as the future of disputed territory, would determine the outcome of the push for peace.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

The fighting has not subsided along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line that snakes along southern and eastern Ukraine.

An overnight Russian drone strike at a private clinic in Kyivs Obolon district killed a 30-year-old old patient and injured three others, the capitals prosecutors office said Monday.

Energy workers and repair crews worked across the country after Russian drones damaged energy infrastructure, causing more power disruptions for civilians in the bitter winter, Zelenskyy said. Russia fired nine ballistic missiles and 165 long-range drones at Ukraine overnight, the air force said Monday.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an industrial facility in Yelets, in Russias western Lipetsk region, according to regional Gov. Igor Artamonov. There were no casualties, he said.

The Russian airports of Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl briefly suspended flights because of Ukrainian drone attacks, authorities said.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported downing another 50 Ukrainian drones later Monday over the Belgorod, Kursk and Lipetsk regions.
When Hassan Alsarafndi was six years old, he had a happy life with a loving family. He lived in a beautiful house in Rafah, at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, along with his parents, two sisters, and brother. He was full of life, always cheerful and playful, excited to start first grade in elementary school so he could learn the alphabet. He couldnt wait to read and write.

But 7 October 2023 changed everything. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations destroyed entire neighbourhoods, forcing hundreds of thousands of families to flee their homes and leaving schools, hospitals, and basic services in ruins. Hassans world quickly turned into a life of displacement and fear.

More than two years later, Hassan is now in the third grade, and he still cant read or write properly.

His mother, Heba, 34 years old, explains: We are already under huge pressure; we cant find time to teach him. Even if I give one hour, it is never enough. Normally, students at his age take a week or two to absorb a lesson, but I cant provide him with that on my own.

Since October 2023, Gazas education system has collapsed. More than 650,000 students have been left without schools, with nearly 95 per cent of facilities destroyed or severely damaged. This January marks the third consecutive year that children and students have been deprived of their education and right to attend school.

According to Unicef, at least 87 per cent of schools will require significant reconstruction before they can function again. The United Nations has warned that rebuilding Gazas infrastructure could take anywhere from 16 years to more than 80 years, depending on the pace of reconstruction. In its humanitarian situation update, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the ongoing crisis in Gaza will set childrens education back by up to five years and risks creating a lost generation of permanently disadvantaged youth.

open image in gallery Struggling to catch up: Hassan at home ( Esraa Sameer )

It breaks my heart, Heba said. Hassan has already lost two years of schooling, years he can never get back. I can see the difference so clearly. Missing these two years didnt only take away his education; it took away the environment that shapes children, the place where they make friends and learn confidence and good manners. School builds them in ways we sometimes forget, and hes been denied all of that. His older siblings were reading, writing, and building dreams at his age, but he spends his days carrying big responsibilities and concerns.

Hassans story reflects the experience of a whole generation growing up without classrooms, books, or teachers. He once dreamed of writing his name on a school desk, surrounded by his friends and laughter. Now, he struggles to hold a pencil inside a crowded tent, where he and all his family live, eat, and sleep.

Young children typically learn through listening and repetition, but this takes time and concentration. Hassan is always distracted by the noise inside the tents and the new responsibilities he now has, from filling the water buckets to waiting in queues to bring lunch from the takiyya (a meal distribution centre often organised by local charities). He cant find a good time or place to practise and study.

Constant hunger has further undermined childrens abilities to learn in Gaza, compounding the effect of displacement and stress. According to Unicef, when children lack adequate nutrition in early childhood, their brain development and cognitive capacity are significantly impaired, which directly affects their ability to concentrate, retain information, and succeed in school. Children like Hassan, who are deprived of essential nutrients, are more likely to fall behind academically, and compromised learning and development will have a lifetime of consequences.

Having no resources to study from creates another obstacle. Schoolbooks are unavailable, and notebooks and pens are so expensive that average families cannot provide them. I wish I had my own desk, says Hassan. I want to organise my notebooks and colours like I used to see my older siblings do.

While children worldwide are preparing to go back to school after the holidays, Gazas children are still searching through the rubble of their classrooms, waiting for the day their right to education is restored. If a ceasefire has come, it must mean more than the silence that follows the bombs. It needs to be the beginning of rebuilding, not only the schools, but the hope and future of children like Hassan, who deserve to grow up without the scars of their stolen childhood and disrupted education.

Students need face-to-face education with their teachers. Ohood Nassar is a 23-year-old student from northern Gaza. She started an educational tent in the western area of Gaza City in November 2024. Her first attempt included around 30 students from grades 1-3; many of them had very low educational levels due to having been cut off from formal schooling since 7 October. She noticed that while the childrens psychological state was generally normal, as the situation in their area at that time had not yet escalated, their academic skills were severely affected.

After the ceasefire, Ohood transformed a shelter tent near her home in Tal al-Zaatar into a learning space, eventually hosting around 100 students from grades 1-7. At the beginning, I expected teaching to be similar to my experience in west Gaza, but I quickly realised it was very different. Most students had witnessed severe trauma, and many were orphans, having lost one or both parents, she explained.

To help the children cope, Ohood did more than just teach  she incorporated games and activities that improved their mental wellbeing. The educational tent became like their second home, she said. She also received support from the Gaza Great Minds (GGM) organisation, which provided supplies like tables, chairs, and learning materials  resources she could not have afforded on her own.

Her initiative, called al-Ohood School, was officially recognised by the Ministry of Education, marking it as the first accredited educational tent in northern Gaza. Despite ongoing shelling and displacement, she continued teaching as much as possible, helping children practise reading, writing, and storytelling. Even under these conditions, ensuring the children receive some form of education is crucial, said Ohood. The educational tent is now considered a red area (danger zone) because Israeli troops and soldiers are still there. Ohood  who is now displaced in central Gaza  believes it has been burned.

It isnt just younger children who are suffering  its university students too. Mariam Mushtaha, a student at the Islamic University of Gaza majoring in English language translation, is struggling to continue her education. Currently in her third year, Mariam describes her journey as filled with endless obstacles, similar to many other students in Gaza.

open image in gallery Mariam Mushtahas studies have been severely affected ( Mariam Mushtaha )

In July 2024, when the university announced the resumption of classes online, Mariam and her family were displaced into a small, overcrowded house with her aunts. The house was very small, and there were many people, including children. It was not easy at all for me to study, she recalls. Despite her reluctance to study behind screens, her parents encouraged her: We are not sure when the war will end; its better not to waste more time in your life. Motivated by their support, Mariam managed to continue her studies.

She had to study at night after the children had gone to bed, sleeping during the daytime. Sometimes she used the balcony because the internet connection was stronger, but studying there was unsafe, especially when she needed to turn on a light. I had no other choice; I could not find a proper space to study, she explains.

By January 2025, Mariam had completed her first year with a high GPA. However, her family had to leave the house they were staying in and search for a new home in Tel al-Hawa, where there was almost no internet. The displacement meant all the workspaces with electricity and internet were far away. I had to walk long distances under the harsh sun just to download lectures or complete exams, she says.

Transportation was another major issue. Fees had increased fivefold, and cash shortages made it difficult to pay taxi drivers, especially with old or torn bills. Sometimes I thought of withdrawing from the semester, but I kept telling myself that I had come so far, I had to continue, she adds.

Even in her second year, Mariam continued to face unstable internet, electricity outages, and the constant stress caused by Israeli threats. All these challenges could have weakened me, but instead they have strengthened me. Knowledge deserves fighting, and we deserve to be educated, she says, looking forward to graduating and achieving her dreams of becoming a translator and English teacher.

Education in Gaza has received less than 15 per cent of the required humanitarian funding. Unicef also warned that this remains one of the most underfunded sectors in Gazas humanitarian response, leaving teachers unpaid and learning programmes unsustained. As a result, even temporary learning spaces such as Ohood Nassars initiative rely entirely on volunteer work and small donations rather than a stable educational system.

The damage is not merely educational; its deeply psychological. A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that children in Gaza are experiencing severe trauma symptoms, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, and withdrawal, all of which hinder their ability to learn. Missing consecutive academic years destroys foundational literacy and numeracy skills, making recovery almost impossible without intensive long-term support.

The attacks on Gaza have left more than ruins behind  they have carved deep scars in the minds and futures of thousands of innocent children. An entire generation is growing up without the chance to learn, to read, or to dream freely about a secure future. These are not just numbers; they are the faces of children like Hassan, still struggling to hold a pencil, and young women like Mariam, fighting to study despite all her suffering.

I hope the world finally sees education here as a priority, not an afterthought, says Mariam. We need real support, rebuilding schools, restoring universities, giving us books, teachers, and a safe place to learn. We want the chance to build our future. If the world helps us do that, then maybe this January can be the beginning of something better.

Donate to Unicefs Gaza appeal for children in crisis here
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has visited Somaliland, a trip that drew immediate condemnation from Somalia, just ten days after Israel formally recognised the self-declared republic as an independent and sovereign state.

Israel stands as the sole nation to formally acknowledge Somaliland's bid to separate from Somalia. Somalia swiftly denounced Israel's recognition as an "unlawful step" and labelled Mr Saar's visit a "serious violation" of its sovereignty, underscoring the contentious nature of the diplomatic move.

During his visit to the capital, Hargeisa, Mr Saar confirmed he held discussions "on the full range of relations" with Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. Writing on X, the Israeli foreign minister shared images of the meeting at the presidential palace, stating: "We are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland."

Somaliland's information ministry had earlier announced that Mr Saar was leading a high-level delegation. While specific details were scarce, a senior Somaliland official indicated prior to the presidential meeting that the Israeli foreign minister was expected to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral ties between the two entities.

Saar said Abdullahi had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make an official visit to Israel.

Somalia's foreign ministry said in a statement that Saar's visit amounted to "unacceptable interference" in its internal affairs.

Abdullahi said last month that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by Washington in 2020 that saw Gulf states the United Arab Emirates  a close partner of Somaliland  and Bahrain establish ties with Israel.

open image in gallery A man holds a flag of Somaliland in front of the Hargeisa War Memorial monument in Hargeisa on November 7, 2024 ( AFP/Getty )

Somaliland, once a British protectorate, has long sought formal recognition as an independent state although it has signed bilateral agreements with various governments on investments and security coordination.

Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland follows two years of strained ties with many of its closest partners over the war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank.

Netanyahu has said Israel will pursue cooperation in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. Following his visit, Saar said "local professionals" from Somaliland's water sector would visit Israel in the coming months for training.

Somaliland lies in northwestern Somalia, shares land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti and sits across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, from where Iran-backed Houthis have launched missile and drones at Israel since October 2023, when the Gaza war began.

Omar Mahmood, a Somalia analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank, said Israeli engagement was probably driven by Somalilands strategic location but that security coordination was possible without Israeli military installations there.

Saar said on Tuesday that mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic ties was not directed at anyone.

Somaliland has denied recognition allows for Israel to establish military bases there or for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. Israel has advocated for what Israeli officials describe as voluntary Palestinian migration from Gaza.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reportedly visited Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, on Tuesday, according to two sources.

The visit occurred just ten days after Israel formally recognised the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, a move that drew criticism from Somalia.

A senior Somaliland official, one of the sources, confirmed Mr Saar's presence and stated he was scheduled to meet President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to discuss strengthening bilateral ties.

The Israeli foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the reported visit. Israel's formal recognition of Somaliland on 27 December was met with strong opposition from Somalia, which has long contested the region's efforts to secede. Significantly, Israel remains the only country to have formally acknowledged Somaliland as a sovereign state.

People raise Somalia's flag as they protest Israel's recognition of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

At the time, Abdullahi said Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the Trump administration in 2020 that saw Gulf states the United Arab Emirates a close partner of Somaliland and Bahrain establish ties with Israel.

Somaliland, once a British protectorate, has for decades sought formal recognition as an independent state, though it has signed bilateral agreements with various foreign governments on investments and security coordination.

The territory lies in northwestern Somalia along the strategic Gulf of Aden and shares land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland follows two years of increasingly strained ties with many of its closest partners over the war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank.

Strategic location

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would pursue cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology, and the economy, and has invited Somaliland's president to visit Israel.

Somaliland sits across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthis have launched long-range missile and drone attacks on Israel since October 2023, coinciding with the Gaza war.

Somaliland has denied that the recognition agreement allows for Israel to establish military bases there, or for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. Israel's government has advocated for what officials describe as voluntary Palestinian migration from Gaza.
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Stargazers are preparing for a total solar eclipse in 2026 and one of the best viewpoints is set to be from a cruise ship.

The 2026 total solar eclipse will be the first that is visible from Europe in the 21st century and also the first of its kind since 1999.

Taking place on 12 August 2026, the rare phenomenon will darken the skies over the Northern Hemisphere as the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun  known as the path of totality  casting a shadow over land and sea that creates an eerie twilight.

A cruise ship can provide a great viewpoint of the total solar eclipse, as the captain is able to reach areas free of crowds and light pollution. Hotspots include Greenland and much of the Med.

There are plenty of sailings from family-friendly and adult-only cruise lines offering trips around the sunshine ports of the Mediterranean, or the colder and scenic fjords of Iceland and Greenland. Some sailings even depart from the UK, with voyages lasting from a week to up to a month.

Here is our pick of the best total solar eclipse cruises for 2026.

Read more: The best wave season cruise deals for 2026

Enchanted Princess: Mediterranean and Adriatic with Total Solar Eclipse

Civitavecchia, Italy  Naples, Italy  Kotor, Montenegro  Dubrovnik, Croatia Corfu, Greece  Messina, Italy  Gibraltar  Alicante, Spain  Barcelona, Spain  Civitavecchia, Italy

open image in gallery Enjoy ship and sea views aboard Enchanted Princess ( Princess Cruises )

Departing from Civitavecchia, Italy, this 14-night cruise package arranged by travel agent Cruise Nation starts with a two-night stay in Rome, giving you plenty of time to explore landmarks such as the Colosseum before hitting the water with Enchanted Princess.

This sailing is packed with culture, with chances to eat pizza in Naples before taking in the stunning views and medieval landscapes of Kotor and Dubrovnik. You can relax on the stunning shores of Corfu and climb Mount Etna in Sicily before a well-deserved sea day to witness the solar eclipse en route to Gibraltar, Alicante and Barcelona.

If you are missing the Mediterranean culture on land, Enchanted Princess has its own Italian-inspired town square called Settimo Cielo that hosts the speciality Sabatinis Trattoria restaurant. Here you can enjoy the Venice-inspired cocktail bar Bellinis and Gigis Pizzeria by Alfredo, too. Passengers can also have a drink in O'Malley's Irish Pub or dine in the Salty Dog Cafe American diner.

Departs 2 August 2026. From 1,629pp. Flights included.

Book now

Saga Cruises: Galicia and the Solar Eclipse

Dover, UK  Isles of Scilly, UK  Brest, France  Pauillac, France  Bilbao, Spain  Vigo, Spain  El Ferrol, Spain  Gijon, Spain  Dover, UK

open image in gallery Saga Cruises guests can witness the solar eclipse aboard Spirit of Discovery ( Saga Cruises )

Departing from Dover, this 14-night sailing with over-50s brand Saga Cruises starts with a visit to the Isle of Scilly before heading to France where you can discover the seafaring medieval history of Brest. There is also an overnight stay in Pauillac, which provides time for a trip to enjoy the many fine wines of Bordeaux. You can then raise a glass to the solar eclipse in Bilbao before cruising towards Vigo and Gijon.

Sailing on Spirit of Discovery, the cruise fare includes specialty dining, drinks and wifi, as well as an excursion in each port  such as wine tastings and local tours.

Saga chauffeurs will even transport you to and from your home before and after the cruise.

Departs 5 August 2026. From 6,214pp.

Book now

Holland America Line: Legendary Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland

Dover, UK  Rotterdam, Netherlands  Kristiansand, Norway  Eidfjord, Norway  Hardangerfjord  Sandnes, Norway  Seydisfjordur, Iceland  Djupivogur, Iceland  Akureyri, Iceland  Isafjordur, Iceland  Grundarfjordur, Iceland  Paamiut (Frederikshab), Greenland  Nuuk, Greenland  Nanortalik, Greenland  Qaqortoq, Greenland  solar eclipse viewing at sea  Heimaey (Westman Islands), Iceland  Reykjavik, Iceland  Runavik, Faroe Islands  Stornoway (Isle of Lewis), Scotland  Invergordon (Inverness and Loch Ness), Scotland  South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland  Dover, UK

open image in gallery Holland America Line will have astronomy experts on board during its solar eclipse sailings ( Holland America Line )

There are plenty of treats for your eyes on this Holland America Line cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam.

Guests embark in Dover to prepare for sailings through the magical fjords of Norway and Iceland, before witnessing the solar eclipse from Greenland.

This 28-day voyage ends with visits to scenic Scottish islands. Here you can sail through the fjord-like lochs of the Isle of Lewis, before heading towards Inverness and on to South Queensferry for excursions to Edinburgh.

When not enjoying the shows on board and bars with panoramic views, guests can attend talks from astronomy expert and founder of Cosmologists Without Borders, Tom Vassos.

Departs 24 July 2026. From 4,949pp.

Book now

Princess Cruises: Mediterranean with Total Solar Eclipse

Barcelona, Spain  Gibraltar  Cartagena, Spain  La Spezia, Italy  Civitavecchia, Italy  Barcelona, Spain

open image in gallery Sun Princess was launched in 2024 and has plenty of spaces to see the solar eclipse ( Princess Cruises )

Experience the solar eclipse on one of the newest ships in the Princess Cruises fleet, Sun Princess.

Departing from Barcelona, guests can meet the monkeys in Barcelona and experience the coastal charm of Cartagena before a sea day to witness the total solar eclipse. The seven-night sailing finishes off with port stops in Italy to visit La Spezia for excursions to Tuscany, Florence and Pisa and another stop, Civitavecchia, that provides access for day trips in Rome.

If you are after sea views, Sun Princess boast 1,500 balcony rooms. It has also partnered with Brazilian artist Romero Britto to design the speciality Love by Britto 68-seat restaurant, featuring decor inspired by his Pop Art and Cubist style.

Departs 8 August 2026. From 1,624pp.

Book now

Celebrity Cruises: Med, Spain and Portugal Total Solar Eclipse

Southampton, England  Porto, Portugal  Lisbon, Portugal  Palma de Mallorca, Spain  Barcelona, Spain  Ibiza, Spain  Malaga, Spain  La Coruna, Spain  Bilbao, Spain  Southampton, England

open image in gallery Celebrity Apex will take in the solar eclipse during a Med sailing next summer ( Celebrity Cruises )

Enjoy high-end bars, pool parties and unique immersive theatre shows aboard Celebrity Apex as you sail around Spain and Portugal during a 14-night cruise to see the total solar eclipse.

Guests from the UK have the convenience of departing and returning to Southampton  and highlights include a stay into the early evening in Porto and a late night departure from the party island of Ibiza.

On board, guests can raise a glass to the eclipse from the Magic Carpet platform that hangs over the edge of the ship.

Departs 1 August 2026. From 2,396pp.

Book now

Virgin Voyages: Eclipse in the Land of Fire and Ice

Portsmouth  Dublin  Glasgow  Liverpool  Belfast  Siglufjordur  Isafjordur  Reykjavik  Edinburgh  Portsmouth

open image in gallery Adults-only Virgin Voyages has plenty of relaxing spaces onboard to view the solar eclipse ( Virgin Voyages )

See the solar eclipse without any kids disturbing you.

Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages has a 15-night round-trip sailing from Portsmouth that includes stops in Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool and Belfast before a relaxing two days at sea.

Guests can then prepare to view the total solar eclipse from the trademark red hammocks from the cruise lines balcony cabins or from a lounge chair at The Dock cocktail bar.

Sailing on Valiant Lady, you will also head further north to Siglufordur and Reykjavik in Iceland before heading back to Portsmouth via Edinburgh.

Guests can enjoy a range of dining options, such as the Italian Extra Virgin or Gunbae Korean BBQ, as well as Virgin Voyages iconic Scarlet Night pool party.

Departs 5 August. From 5,700pp per cabin based on two people sharing.

Book now

Fred Olsen: Wonders of Iceland with the Solar Eclipse

Rosyth, Scotland  Torshavn, Faroe Islands  Reykjavik, Iceland  Isafjordur, Iceland  Akureyri, Iceland  Rosyth, Scotland

open image in gallery Fred Olsen's Balmoral cruise ship will have onboard experts to guide guests through the solar eclipse ( Fred Olsen Cruises )

Follow the path of the solar eclipse around Iceland with Fred Olsen.

Sailing aboard Balmoral on a 12-night cruise, Go Stargazing experts can guide you through the eclipse.

The voyage departs from Rosyth in Scotland before heading towards Iceland, where guests can explore natural wonders include the erupting Strokkur Geyser and the waterfalls of Dynjandi and Gullfoss.

Excursion opportunities including taking a dip in geothermal pools and horseriding.

Departs 6 August 2026. From 2,699pp.

Book now

Read more: The best bucket list cruises
This is the moment a preschool teacher was arrested on camera after criticizing Trump for recent attacks against Venezuela.

On Jan 5th, Jessica Plichta, 22, attended a march in Grand Rapids, Michigan, protesting Trump's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

After an interview with WZZM 13, Plichta was approached by two police officers who stated that she allegedly failed to obey a lawful order of a police officer.

Plichta was then arrested and taken to the Kent County jail, where she was released after three hours and told to expect a notification of a formal charge.
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American consumers are sitting on a gold mine.

An estimated $23 billion worth of gift cards remain unused in the United States, or an average of $244 per person, according to National Use Your Gift Card Day, an annual financial awareness campaign, taking place on January 17.

If youve got a gift card you havent used, its time to find it and spend it, Tracy Tilson, founder of the campaign, noted in a press release Monday. U.S. shoppers were projected to spend around $29 billion on gift cards during the 2025 holiday season.

"With the rush of the holidays behind us, January is the perfect time to reset, take inventory, and put your gift cards to use," Tilson said. "These cards were meant to be enjoyed. We want everyone to start the new year without leaving free money behind in a drawer, a wallet, or an inbox."

To use your gift cards, youve got to find them first, the campaign noted. As such, their game plan for consumers is a simple three-step process:

Consumers were projected to spend around $29 billion on gift cards during the 2025 holiday season ( Getty )

Search purses, bags, drawers, and other places around the house to find lost gift cards Come up with a way to keep all of your gift cards in one place so you dont lose them Redeem them.

Use the gift card and enjoy something that starts your year on a happy - and financially smart - note, the campaign said. No matter how you spend it, redeeming a gift card honors the thoughtfulness of the person who gave it and ensures you begin the new year without leaving money behind.

If consumers find lost gift cards and dont plan on using them because theyre not interested in the retailer on the card, they can donate the balance to a variety of nonprofit organizations, including St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, GiftCards4Change, and Donate Your Card.

The campaign encourages retailers to spur gift card use by pairing charitable causes with redemptions. For example, businesses can partner with charities connected with National Use Your Gift Card Day and donate unused cards to the charities. Second, the campaign suggests that companies match gift card redemptions on National Use Your Gift Card Day with charity donations.

Often customers receive a gift card they may not need or want, so lets make it easy for them to use it for good, the campaign said. Your business can celebrate National Use Your Gift Card Day by creating a community event that will capture the hearts of your customers and the local media.
When the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church gathered behind closed doors last year to elect a successor to Pope Francis, pundits the world over produced lists of likely candidates for the papal throne. If there was one thing the experts agreed on, it was that an American did not have a chance. Given the US superpower status, it was assumed that the conclave  the gathering of scarlet-clad cardinals  would not want to extend its influence still further by choosing an American pope.

Yet the conclave did precisely that, selecting the Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost  now Pope Leo XIV. As for American hegemony, there is no sense that Leo is in the pocket of Donald Trump. Quite the reverse. Despite conservative American Catholics believing one of their own would mark a step change from the radical Latin American Pope Francis, Leo has continued the papal warnings about climate change, shown empathy for the poorest in the world, and renewed calls for peace.

For Pope Leo, however, the defining moment of his pontificate  and of his relationship with his American homeland  is now likely to be Venezuela. Calling out Donald Trump on the legality and morality of a US military incursion will take courage. The signs so far are encouraging  but the moment has come for Leos voice to be louder, stronger and angrier.

In early December, the Pope warned that the US was preparing a military incursion into Venezuela. On Sunday, he used his traditional lunchtime address to speak out  though in restrained diplomatic language. There was talk of respect for human rights, for national sovereignty, for justice.

Yet there was also a hint of something else  something more emotional  when he told the crowd that he carried a soul full of concern for Venezuelans. What happens in Latin America is personal for this pope. While it is correct to describe Leo as the first American pope, he is also a Peruvian pontiff.

American-born Pope Leo XIV has been a vocal critic of his countrys president, Donald Trump ( AP )

As Robert Prevost, he spent eight years as a bishop in northern Peru, became a Peruvian citizen, and ministered to Venezuelan refugees making their way through Ecuador and Colombia in search of safety  beyond the reach of Maduro and away from the economic collapse of their homeland. Not only does he know the Venezuelan people well, but so do two of his most senior aides. Cardinal Pietro Parolin  as secretary of state, effectively the deputy Pope  served as papal ambassador to Venezuela. Another, Edgar Pena Parra, is himself a Venezuelan archbishop.

None will be under any illusions about Maduro. Their focus, however, will be the people of Venezuela  not Trumps plans for US oil barons to profit from the countrys vast natural resources.

As pope, Leo has two powerful tools when it comes to peace  a priority he has named from the outset. The first is his public voice. Nobody else commands a global platform quite like the popes. The second is Vatican diplomacy, with its well-informed network of nuncios around the world and its seat at international tables such as the UN, where it enjoys permanent observer status, with the right to attend, speak and influence the General Assembly.

There is ample precedent for Rome acting as a bridge between warring parties. During the Obama administration, the Vatican played a significant role in restoring ties between the US and Cuba. At a Vatican seminar on diplomacy I chaired in Rome in October, another of Leos lieutenants, the British Archbishop Paul Gallagher, recalled its role in brokering the 1984 peace treaty between Chile and Argentina over the Beagle Channel. There was talk, too, of the Vaticans quiet peace-building during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. At the same seminar, former security minister MP Tom Tugendhat praised the Holy See for speaking out on global conflict with prophetic clarity.

That is what the Pope must do now. Even without an army, Pope Leo can be the Wests most important ally.
Almost 33bn in corporation tax was collected last year, up by 17.2pc on 2024, new Exchequer returns show.

The 32.9bn collected is separate to the Apple back tax payment that was ordered by the European Court of Justice in September 2024. It resulted in 10.9bn being paid that year, and a further 1.726bn in 2025.
The Indo Daily: Melania: The Movie  We saw it, so you dont have to...
My Money: Theres no such thing as good value in property anymore  unless it was seized by CAB
How growing hemp has added value to this Offaly tillage farm

Diversifying into hemp and producing health-food products enabled Helen Bracken to give up her off-farm job and transformed her life  but the regulations bring problems

Helen Bracken with her husband Joe and son Kieran at Fox Covert Farm, Kilcormac, Co Offaly, where they grow hemp. Photos: Alf Harvey

Tamara Fitzpatrick Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Hemp isnt something you will see growing on most Irish farms, but for Helen Bracken, it was the gateway to changing careers and making a living from home.
Elderly man attacked female council worker like a maniac and spat on colleagues hair

William Shannon (70) assaulted woman after she asked if he could turn music down

William Shannon (70) of Hampstead Court, Glasnevin, pleaded guilty to assault. Photo: Collins Courts

Andrew Phelan Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 06:30

An elderly man came out of his home like a maniac and punched a female council worker on the jaw when she asked him to turn down his music.
Molly Martens struggles with trauma of media scrutiny over Jason Corbett killing

Former nanny has returned to social media using name of Disney princess

Molly Martens struggles with trauma of media scrutiny over Jason Corbett killing

Ralph Riegel Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Molly Martens (42) has struggled with the trauma of her conviction for the manslaughter of Irish father-of-two Jason Corbett (39) as she adjusts to life outside prison.
Hundreds in hospital with winter viruses as Ireland endures bitterly cold weather

Health Minister urges people to get their flu and Covid-19 vaccines

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill thanked healthcare staff for their work over Christmas. Photo: Getty

Eilish O'Regan Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Hundreds of patients are having to spend the first week of the new year in hospital suffering from winter viruses, including flu and Covid-19, as freezing weather grips the country.
Irish News

live | The rain has nowhere to go  more flooding fears amid worst case scenario as eight counties under weather warning with rivers at risk
We have to teach young people whats happening in the world  Irish teacher who has helped get water to Gaza

Siobhain Grogan, who teaches maths at an Irish secondary school in Naas, Co Kildare, is encouraging her students to be active citizens

Irish teacher whos helped bring water to Gaza, says its vital students learn about Palestinian suffering

Laura Lynott Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 06:30

A teacher heavily involved in the pro-Palestine movement in Ireland has said it is vital to teach Irish students about the human suffering in Gaza in the current day, or there would be very little point in learning about history at all.
Drivers urged to exercise caution as travel conditions remain difficult

Temperatures will remain close to freezing today despite weather warnings associated with the cold snap expiring, but further wintry conditions may be on the way.

Met Eireann said this morning would be bitterly cold  with lows of -4C in some counties  and advised that untreated roads would still be treacherous. Status Yellow weather warnings for ice and low temperatures expire at 9am.
Samuel Ramani: Why stunning swoop by US on Nicolas Maduro has made the Kremlin look weak

The ease with which American forces seized Venezuelas leader has raised questions about Russias might on the world stage

Russian president Vladimir Putin (left) with Russian chief of general staff General Valery Gerasimov. Photo: AP

Samuel Ramani Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 06:30

The stunning overthrow of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro sent shock waves across the globe. While most Western countries responded cautiously to the USs unilateral display of force, the rest of the world condemned the actions that led to Maduros ouster.
US president Donald Trump speaks with reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday. Photo: AP

Today marks the last day of Christmas, but citizens of Venezuela, Greenland, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia and more may feel the spirit of goodwill has long departed.

Given that it is also Nollaig na mBan, we might spare a thought for Venezuelas opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado, frozen out of the picture as the US effects regime change in her country.

President Donald Trump said that while Ms Machado is a nice woman, she lacks support and respect inside Venezuela. In fact, her heroic political struggle won her enormous admiration at home and abroad.

Not surprisingly, her team and supporters were crushed by Trumps comments. She has said she was ready to lead the day Nicolas Maduro was no longer in charge.

History is replete with US political interventions in South America. And what has leaders on edge in Europe and beyond is Trumps insistence that he has his sights firmly fixed on seizing other sovereign territories.

The ramifications for the global order would be momentous were the US to attack and seize assets of other states, on the basis of superior force.

China and Russia will be looking on keenly at the relatively meek reaction of world leaders.

They may well ask: What is so different about Russia attacking Ukraine, or China seizing Taiwan, if it is permissible for the US to launch strikes on Venezuela, appropriating the worlds greatest oil reserves?

Trump seems to have asserted, for America at least, that might is right

Trump has also put Mexico on notice. Speaking of its president Claudia Sheinbaum, he said: The cartels are running Mexico. Shes not running Mexico Something is going to have to be done with Mexico.

He has also doubled down on coveting Greenland, insisting in a recent interview: We need Greenland.

The capture of Maduro was audacious. But running the country, without boots on the ground, seems impossible. Trump had disavowed embroiling the US in forever wars such as those launched in Iraq and Afghanistan by his predecessors. But all that appears to be forgotten, as he seems intent on sating imperialist ambitions, despite assurances to the contrary.

The idea that either Beijing or Moscow might just sit back and watch as countries in which both have invested heavily, and developed ties with, are threatened is scarcely tenable. It is also worth noting how Trump has bypassed US Congress in his machinations.

It will be some time before we can understand the full implications of playing so fast and loose with both international and US constitutional law.

In just under a year, Trump seems to have asserted, for America at least, that might is right.

As former friends are now cast as threats, the Trump administration appears to feel theres no need to consult with allies.

Its recently published National Security Strategy unapologetically reinforces aggressive US-led geo-economic competition, while attacking Europes cultural and economic decline.

But short-term US interests risk being far out-weighed by grave long-term global harm.
Analysis

Senan Molony: Has Micheal Martin stemmed the tide on a leadership heave or are we in a phoney war?

As a strange calm falls over Fianna Fail, is Micheal Martin riding out his leadership wobble, or are we just in the quiet before the storm?
The denial from the NAS came after Independent Ireland TD for Cork South West Michael Collins said he had been reliably informed that ambulance services had been withdrawn from West Cork from 12 noon until 8pm on Sunday, January 4. I find this an astonishing story. If a West Cork ambulance is above in Cork city and has been withdrawn from the Cork side, it stays in Cork city and it goes out from that further east along whatever county wants it then.

We all know the delicate service an ambulance provides, stated the Cork TD. There could be five calls in one hour and two calls the following hour, but ambulance services that are in West Cork need to be left in West Cork like they always did. We have to sit down with the HSE. No more hiding now, the holidays are over so you cant do any more sneaky cuts.

Deputy Collins called for straight up answers from the National Ambulance Services regarding their services going forward in West Cork. We want straight up answers as to why they are cutting ambulance services and SouthDoc services in West Cork.

How do we turn that around to make sure that theres a model of care that people in West Cork can trust on a daily and weekly basis and not think that when we get a holiday break that they can pull a sneaky trick on someone. It is a very serious situation to be in with the ambulance service in West Cork, he added.

In a statement to The Corkman, a spokesperson for the National Ambulance Service (NAS) however denied that services were withdrawn from West Cork at any time on Sunday, January 4. The National Ambulance Service operates a nationally integrated deployment model, in line with international best practice, to ensure that the nearest available ambulance is always dispatched to the most urgent calls, regardless of county boundaries.

The spokesperson continued: This dynamic model ensures that NAS prioritises resource allocation to the highest acuity calls that require an immediate emergency response.

Dynamic deployment also allows the NAS to categorise non-serious or non-life-threatening calls and to provide a resource appropriate to the patients clinical needs. This means that during particularly busy periods, lower-acuity calls are liable to experience longer waiting times for an ambulance, she added.
Reinstating the old rail line between Youghal and Midleton would take five to ten years and cost in the region of 200 million, an Irish Rail official told this months meeting of the East Cork Municipal District.

AJ Cronin, Delivery Manager for the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, told the elected members that although there is currently no plan or proposal to reinstate the line between the East Cork towns, if that changes Irish Rail would be happy to restore it.

However, today there is no plan, there is no policy, it is not part of the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review, it is not part of CMATS, the Corporate Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, to deliver a reinstated railway to Youghal. So as of today, there is no plan, there is no project to deliver a reinstated railway, he said.

And while I don't have a crystal ball with me today, I could say that it's quite some considerable time off before it could be delivered. Roughly, if I was provided with funding and approvals tomorrow morning, it would still take plus five to ten years to deliver a reinstated railway.

"And on today's prices I would say it's probably plus 200 million to deliver a reinstated full railway to Youghal. So significant investment would be required, significant commitment in terms of policy, and approvals from government to deliver a project to reinstate the railway to Youghal, Mr Cronin said.

The last passenger train from Youghal to Cork city ran in 1963 with freight trains continuing for another 20 years after that. The section of line from Midleton to Cork reopened in 2009 and is now undergoing a major upgrade that will deliver new stations and more frequent services. Meanwhile, the old Youghal to Midleton section has been converted into a greenway in a project that cost around 20m.

Mr Cronin confirmed that Irish Rail has retained the right to reinstate a railway on the land corridor currently used by the greenway. As part of the licence agreement that we put in place with Cork County Council and TII [Transport Infrastructure Ireland] for the delivery of the greenway project, there is a clause that allows us to reinstate a railway to Youghal at some time in the future, he said.

A group campaigning for the reopening of the line has met with politicians and Irish Rail officials. The East Cork Rail Alliance argues that the railway to Youghal would alleviate traffic congestion in Cork city and along the N25 road, reducing commuting times and improving the overall quality of life for residents.

Mr Cronin said Irish Rail fully supports the greenway but if a decision is made to restore the train to Youghal, Iarnrod Eireann will have no issue whatsoever reinstating a railway line. We're really, really happy to do that. But today there is no plan, there is no funding and there is no approval to do so. And I don't have the crystal ball or the magic wand to change policy. That's in the gift of the politicians and government to do that.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Two men have been arrested and almost 10,000 of stolen items has been recovered from a house in a small village in North Cork following a spate of thefts of items from a major supermarket chain.

Gardai from the Cork County Crime Division, assisted by members of the Cork North West Community Engagement Area, conducted a search under warrant at a domestic residence in the Ballyhea area, near Charleville, earlier this afternoon (Tuesday, January 6), as part of ongoing investigations into multiple incidents of theft in the region.
South Dublin councillors have raised concerns about overcrowding on the Luas Red line, calling for increased capacity to service people in parts of the county.

The Luas red line is at capacity as it is  they are always full, said People Before Profit councillor Darragh Adelaide at a local area meeting for Clondalkin in December.

Its not just that Clondalkin itself is growing  when you look at that part of the city, thousands of apartments are planned to go in over the next decade or so when things are stretched already.

Councillor Adelaides motion called for the council to raise their concerns with the National Transport Authority in the new year.

Theres an overall lack of public transport options in Clondalkin  people are being forced to use cars because the traffic through the village is extremely bad, said the councillor.

A lot of stuff that was promised to the people here when it was being built up have been scrapped. Weve not even seen investment in bus services.

Fianna Fail councillor for Clondalkin, Trevor Gilligan, said that people in his constituency were forced to use cars or bikes instead of public transport.

People use a bike more often because of the traffic. I was on the Luas last weekend and barely got on myself, said Cllr Gilligan.

"We need to find a way to increase capacity. People have to use their cars because we dont have the public transport in and around Clondalkin.

Even to get to red line when you are living in some parts of the area, you might not even get a feeder bus because they disappear  we specifically need capacity on the red luas.

Independent councillor for the area, Francis Timmons, also raised his concerns about building more homes in parts of the county without the adequate public transport.

"If you go up the Red Cow Luas stop at certain times of the day, its always full, its overcapacity. These are huge concerns and its a huge failure in public transport, he said.

It took me an hour and a half to get through the village recently because the traffic was too mental. I have concerns about more houses coming up  we will have 7,900 more houses here eventually.

We have more houses with no transport system, no bus drivers and they are talking of a Luas extension only in 2040.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
From Korean paper making to line dancing, libraries across the county are offering events for people to try for the first time

South Dublin will see a variety of free events across its libraries for people feeling the cash-strapped horrors of January.

In its second year, Firstival  a week of hobbies and activities for people to try for the first time  will see events like Korean paper making or joomchi, painting with prosecco, line dancing, silver ring forging and terrarium crafting.

Run by South Dublin County Council (SDCC), in its second year, Firstival will run from January 12 to 17.

If people wanted to book this sort of thing on their own, theyd have to pay for them and it could be prohibitively expensive  this is giving access to people to try things they normally wouldnt, said senior librarian Sarah McHugh.

We dont charge, its free for people to book in  its not even just open for members, we would prefer anyone in the area join.

The events are open to book in through the SDCC website  libraries in Lucan, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Ballyroan, Castletymon and Palmerstown will host a number of different events.

Its a time of year when people are feeling the horrors. They are financially strapped, the radio is talking about how to sort your budget  heres a reminder that your local library is free, and in south Dublin, we have events you wouldnt expect to do for free, said Ms McHugh.

Nobody really likes January  people are going back to work, its really cold out, the days are short, the nights are long and can be a but miserable. This is something to look forward to, getting to chat to people while trying a new hobby is good across the board.

People are going back to work, we have a lot of older members in the library who are retired dont have the money for events like these  its nice to have something new and exciting for them as well.

SDCC decided to bring the event back for 2026 after the success of its events around the county in its first year.

Last year, everything was sold out and pretty much most of the events are sold out for this year as well, said Ms McHugh.

People loved the painting with prosecco event, we also had Wicklow Willow - a whole day basket making event that was really popular. So weve brought them back and also have a lot of new events for this year.

These events are specifically for adults  we do a lot of stuff for children and for families across our libraries. So we wanted to do something specifically for older people to try something new.

The events have also helped drive more people to join their local library and to increase membership numbers in south Dublin.

When people book in who arent members, we also encourage them to join  it helps keep memberships up. Were always looking to get more people in and the idea of doing a festival like this is also trying to get more people to show interest in their local library, said Ms McHugh.

These events are free across our branches  the books and the events are all free. I find that the only people who dont love libraries are people who are not using them already  so this is an opportunity for people to discover that.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
We are the laughingstock of not just Europe, but the whole world, Kerry TD Michael Cahill has said.

He was speaking during a recent Oireachtas committee meeting during which he expressed outrage at the sluggishness of Irelands aquaculture licensing system, calling delays a scandal.

Up to 20 years waiting to be granted a licence is some statistic in the modern world. It would be unacceptable if we were counting the time in months, not to mind years, he said.

While on the surface, this sedate system might appear to hamper aquaculture enterprise, it may also be used to reason against governmental authority.

Kerrys only fish farm at Deenish Island, Waterville, has been the subject of furious debate in local angling communities and national government departments for near decades.

Concerns over the farms impact on wild fish stocks and Watervilles tourist economy have been widely articulated and backed by prominent researchers in the field.

However, it was Irelands slow licensing system that featured in the controversial decision to reinstate the operating licence at Deenish this year.

Multi-national Norwegian operator Mowi had previously had its licence suspended after it was found they had harvested over double their prescribed quota  it emerged later that it was nearly quadruple.

The decision to reinstate the license by the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board included the reasoning that the conditions were inappropriate, outdated and inconsistent with best practice, noting there were significant delays in the licensing system.

The appeals board further claimed there was no evidence of damage to the environment because of the breach in 2016, including impact on wild fish stocks.

Aggregated Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) figures paint a tragic picture for sea life in the region. Sea trout specimen fish  exceptional fish over 6lbs  were often caught in Waterville, with an average year yielding over 20.

Number of specimen sea trout caught the Waterville area

However, in 2009 numbers began to crash, dropping to zero for the first time in recorded history in 2017. Since 2020, zero have been caught.

Fishery watchdog Salmon Watch Ireland said the reinstatement of Mowis licence undermines the protection of Irelands wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout and fails to uphold the standards required under Irish and European law.

They were concerned that the impacts on wild salmon and sea trout populations were not adequately assessed and the implications for angling tourism were ignored.

Vincent Appleby, a Retired gillie and Waterville local, said most of the fishing guides in the area are now way down on work, with many working part-time.

He said fish stocks across Ireland had been declining since the 60s, but with the introduction of fish farms, the numbers fell at a devastating rate.

Since fish farms have started in Ireland, theyve completely ruined the sea trout heritage of Ireland, and the government does not care two hoots. They have no intention of doing anything, they never have done and they dont care, said Mr Appleby.

In the 80s especially, in Waterville, youd think you were in Germany. Thats how many Germans came out here hiring boats. You might see 10 or 15 boats at one time on a regular basis.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
GAA

Five talking points from the Kerrys National Hurling League draw with Westmeath

Kerry were probably the authors of their own misfortune a little against the Lake County on Sunday, but it was a hugely encouraging display nevertheless from the green and gold. Here are five talking points from Austin Stack Park...
It seems a Grinch was on the loose in Athboy this week after several of the towns festive Christmas lights were stolen.

Independent councillor David Gilroy confirmed that red uplighter lights had been taken from trees outside the Old Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, and another location near the Navan side of town.

If you happened to see anyone slithering up the trees please let the Gardai or me know, he said on social media.

If you happen to have the lighting units in your bandit den, please just leave them back and well say no more.

Cllr Gilroy described stealing Christmas lights as fairly near the bottom of things to do, particularly given the effort involved and the enjoyment they brought to the community over the festive period.

The Athboy Christmas Lights page also encouraged residents to report any information to the Gardai.

To whoever took them: if the lighting units are returned, well leave it at that, the group said.

Stealing Christmas lights is disappointing, especially when so much effort went into creating something that brought enjoyment to the whole community this Christmas.

They added: Thank you to everyone who continues to support the Athboy Christmas Lights.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Cllr Dave Boyne (right) and local residents on the main street in Ballivor

Deborah Keegan on the pedestrian crossing on the main street in Ballivor.

A Meath woman has renewed calls for urgent road safety improvements in Ballivor after her mother was seriously injured when she was struck by a van on a pedestrian crossing last December.

Deborah Keegan (35), a local resident, said her 54-year-old mother was knocked down at approximately 5.10pm on December 9, 2025, while crossing the road in Ballivor, Co Meath. The incident left her with what Ms Keegan described as very serious injuries, with a long recovery ahead.

Ms Keegan said the collision has highlighted longstanding safety concerns in the village, including poor lighting, inadequate signage and visibility issues around the pedestrian crossing.

There is no lighting from the petrol station to the vets, no warning signs for drivers approaching the crossing, and cars parked on either side make it extremely difficult to see pedestrians stepping out, she said.

As a driver myself, I can say its very hard to see people entering the crossing, particularly in the evenings.

She is calling for a raised pedestrian crossing, improved lighting, refreshed road markings and other traffic-calming measures, saying the current layout poses a danger to both pedestrians and motorists.

Ms Keegan has begun canvassing locally and has launched a petition, going door-to-door to build support for safety upgrades.

Last Tuesday, residents staged a protest at the crossing on the main street and blocked traffic to highlight the issue of speed and safety in the village.

Meanwhile, local Aontu councillor Dave Boyne said residents have reached breaking point.

People are outraged. We have had enough, he said.

Sending engineers out to do a Mickey Mouse survey and then telling people they dont need ramps is not just a failure  its an insult to the people of Ballivor.

Cllr Dave Boyne (right) and local residents on the main street in Ballivor

Cllr Boyne warned that the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous.

So far, people have been physically injured. But if nothing changes, someone is going to be killed. At that point, it will be too little, too late, he said.

According to the councillor, residents said years of inaction have eroded trust in official processes.

"While community members are calling for calm, there is growing frustration on the ground, he said.

I dont condone vigilante behaviour, Cllr Boyne added, but there are rumblings that residents may try to install their own speed-control measures. Given the lack of response, people feel they are being left with no alternative.

Ballivor is a growing community. Its residents deserve infrastructure that prioritises safety, accessibility and common sense  before another preventable incident occurs.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Padraic Donnelly, Chairperson of the Dunbrody Archers and Margaret Donnelly, Treasurer at Hook Lighthouse for the Arrow Ceremony on New Year's day. Photo: Patrick Browne

A huge crowd took to visiting the oldest intact operating lighthouse in the world on New Years day, located in south Wexford, for a traditional arrow-shooting ceremony that dates back to 1687.

The first official event in the 2026 calendar for the New Ross Municipal District Council dignitaries was spent in the company of the New Ross and District Pipe Band and the Dunbrody Archers as they joined forces to celebrate the centuries-old custom.
Carrig-on-Bannow school's Bord of Managment past and present pictured at their 50th anniversary celebrations in the Church of the Immaculate and St Joseph on Thursday morning. Pic: Jim Campbell

Carrig-on-Bannow school's Bord of Managment past and present pictured with Student Council at their 50th anniversary celebrations in the Church of the Immaculate and St Joseph on Thursday morning. Pic: Jim Campbell

The pupils from 3rd to 6th class staged the musical Annie in early December in Carrig Community Centre. The audience were treated to beautiful singing from the whole cast. Meanwhile the infant claaa performed The Nursery Rhyme Nativity in Carrig Church at the annual school carol service. And all the children performed the Christmas Alphabet and sang many well-known carols. They also enjoyed performing in Sallyville Home and Grantstown Daycare Centre where they were given a warm welcome.

The school also celebrated 50 years of their board of management at a mass in the church recently followed by refreshments in Carrig Community Centre. It was lovely to see many people who served on boards of management over the years return to celebrate this milestone said principal Aine Kennedy.

Once again, the children from all classes thoroughly enjoyed performing to most appreciative audience. Fr. Boggan welcomed the children to the church for their annual carol service. All children in the school were given opportunities to share their talents with the wider community.

There is a great tradition of music in Bannow and the local community greatly support the school children in all their endeavours. The hall committee are always very welcoming of the school children and readily provide the Community Centre for practices and performances. This is greatly appreciated by all in Danescastle National School, she added.
Three men appeared at a special sitting of Bray District Court charged with drug offences.

Fergus Finnegan (20), with an address at Donore Park, Tallaght, was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of sale or supply, along with a further charge of drug possession.

Gary Nash (47), of Oaklands, Arklow, Co Wicklow, was charged with possession of diamorphine for the purpose of sale or supply, as well as a charge of possession of diamorphine. Diamorphine is commonly known as heroin.

The third man charged, Ryan Spellman (19), with an address in Balgaddy, Clondalkin, Dublin, faced the same charges as Mr Finnegan.

The arrests were part of an ongoing investigation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in Co Wicklow.

The defendants were arrested after gardai in the Wicklow/Wexford Division carried out searches at several properties in the Arklow area on the morning of Friday, January 2. All three accused were arrested at a property in the Oaklands housing estate in Arklow.

Gardai made no objections to bail, on the condition that the three men adhere to strict requirements, including a curfew.

Judge Aine Shannon adjourned the matter until March 18, 2026, with all three men to appear at Arklow District Court.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
The balance of power between council officials and elected councillors is set to come under the spotlight as the new Local Democracy Taskforce begins its work across the country.

Established over six months ago, the work of the taskforce will be organised into four key pillars of Structure, Finance, Functions and Governance/ Accountability, with councillors powers being considered under each pillar. A scoping report is due to be published in the coming months.

The future of local government featured as part of a presentation from the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) during the last council meeting of 2025, where they were asked what changes should take place to ensure local government is operating at its best, and for the benefit of all citizens.

The responses from several councillors across the political spectrum, following the presentation, paints a picture of frustration with the current system, a desire to be able to do more for their constituents, and shock at just how poorly Irelands local democracy ranks against other European countries.

Cllr Gail Dunne (Fianna Fail, Wicklow)

Cllr Dunne reflected on his tenure as the first Wicklow local representative to hold the position of President of the AILG, the national representative body for Irelands 949 councillors.

Cllr Dunnes term ran between 2023 and 2024, with his tenure has been characterised by his commitment to the safety, well-being, and professional development of city and county councillors.

He launched multiple, tailored training events and a new 24/7 security service to ensure councillors peace of mind during their public service, and he additionally spoke out about the issue of councillor safety on multiple media outlets, following a survey of councillors across the country.

Reflecting on his tenure, Cllr Dunne said it was a profound honour to serve as President of the AILG.

I am proud of the progress weve made in supporting our members and advocating for their needs, which is also a testament to our collective efforts. I encourage other members in the chamber to get involved with the training programmes on offer.

Cllr Tom Fortune (Independent, Greystones)

I think the democratically elected councillors are being undermined and have been undermined for several years. Local Government reform and empowering councillors needs to be addressed because a lot of powers now are going back to the centre, and they get re-sent down from the centre to the executive of the local authority. As a public rep, as an elected public rep, I feel very strongly about that.

There's lots of stuff going on in local government and at local government level, but as an elected councillor I am just wondering where it's heading and I would have serious concerns, and AILG are the one organisation that can address that.

Cllr Pat Kennedy (Fianna Fail, Arklow)

Giving Ccuncillors a stronger voice at national level. I think that's very important. Because if councillors have a stronger voice at national level that gives the communities that we represent a stronger voice.

Cllr Joe Behan (Independent, Bray)

We continue to fight vigorously to get back the powers that we have lost and to attain new powers. But ultimately, whatever happens in the task force report, it goes to Government. The Government will have to decide whether they want to accept it or not, and if they are going to accept it then they must roll out what actions they are going to take that will make the difference.

Up to now there's been a lot of talking. The sounds, you know the moon music is good, but I'll certainly judge it on what the Government comes up with at the end and what goes through the Dail in terms of reform.

But it is very, very important work for not just for us but for the people out there, the people who are not here today, the people we represent, who kind of expect us to do their work for them, and in the past we have not been able to do the work we wanted to do and hopefully this task force will change that.

Cllr Lourda Scott (Green Party, Greystones)

I was in touch with the AILG back in the 2019-2024 council, and we'd set up a very successful women's councillors caucus here in Wicklow. Unfortunately, I suppose the last local elections didn't see the change in diversification particularly around the gender area as we look across our own local authority here and across local authorities across Ireland. I am very interested to see now the plans develop for the Regional Caucus Network. It is certainly something I have been asking for quite some time.

Cllr Miriam Murphy (Independent, Arklow)

Going forward I think that we need AILG input on disability on their agenda. I know that there is a keen interest from the executive, but I think it needs to be much stronger because there is a huge, huge move for disability coming down the line with the European Disability Strategy, and I think the council members need to have that knowledge, not just on one section but on all sections of it.

It extends to a range of areas, including how we provide the service, our disability facilities, our documents going out for disability proofing. I think AILG has 949 Councillors, it is a huge network, and we need to be able to reach them.

Cllr Dermot Daisy O Brien (Sinn Fein, Bray)

I feel that AILG does centre councillors in its work, and I also feel that that's not transactional, that you don't expect something from me to serve me. And I think that's very sincere, and I think their commitment is very sincere.

The training, the research, the webinars, the proactive engagement, I think all of them form very strong layers for the significance and importance of AILG. So, I want to pay tribute. I think when we get to the inevitable conversations about Irish unity those relationships also will matter very significantly.

Cllr Peir Leonard (Independent, Arklow)

As an independent female councillor who wasn't from a political background, it's been tough going for the last few years and I'd love to say that

I'm not disillusioned about local democracy, but I am. Because it takes a lot of energy. You put a lot of energy in working with the community and trying to get things done, and the system just doesn't bend for, that local voice.

It takes a long time to see stuff coming through. I suppose anything that I would have worked on I probably mightn't see coming through for another ten years. And community groups dont understand that.

Cllr Sylvester Bourke (Fine Gael, Arklow)

I must say that I am a bit disappointed with our own party who were in Government during times of reform for dragging their feet for so long in terms of bringing those implementations into place. I think when Leo Varadkar and John Paul Phelan were there, they could have acted a bit more swiftly, but I realise they're probably afraid of the media.

I do feel that the role of councillors is diminished a great deal by national media and certain national journalists. When there was a discussion before the last European elections, candidates were being talked about in the media and one was described as, oh, sure he's only a councillor. This was Colm Markey, who I served with on the Regional Assembly and who became an MEP subsequently when Mairead McGuinness I think had to move on to greater things.

So, it is just that fear I think that ministers have of media diminishing decisions that are taken that improve the lot of councillors, I think that is something that needs to be addressed. Never forget that a man who sat beside me here 15 years ago was only a councillor, but he rose to become Taoiseach, that's Simon Harris. We do need to keep that in mind and be mindful.

Cllr Avril Cronin (Fine Gael, Baltinglass)

As one of the Wicklow representatives on AILG I see the huge work that goes into their role. I for one certainly feel that the councillors are being listened to and that our concerns and our issues are being brought back to the powers that be.

Cllr John Snell (Independent, Wicklow)

In 2009 when I came into this chamber there was one female out of the 32 in Wicklow County Council. Today it's great to say that there's nine female members. But if you're going to have a conversation about getting more females involved in the political process, I think you must also look at when people step aside. The last three female members who didn't finish their term, Wicklow County Council co opted on males to take up that role. So that's just over 9pc of the make-up of this chamber. So, you also must factor that into the debate that you're having.

I don't know how you do it, because obviously if they're aligned to a political party the party will decide who takes up that role.

The last major reform of local government in Ireland took place in 2014 which led to the abolition of Town and Borough Councils, replacing them with the current Municipal Districts in Arklow, Bray, Baltinglass, Greystones and Wicklow and centralised services through Wicklow County Council.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Rob Walsh of Spud, a former participant in the Back for Business programme, with Karl Gardner of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

A former Wicklow participant in Back for Business, the free government programme that helps returned emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland, has spoken about the assistance the programme provided him to him when he wanted to start a business after spending six-years living in Canada.

The programme, which is funded by the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland or are still living abroad but thinking of returning to Ireland.

To qualify, applicants must be returned Irish emigrants who lived abroad for at least a year and have returned to Ireland in the last three years, or are currently living abroad with plans to return to Ireland in the near future.

Former participants from Wicklow include Rob Walsh of Spud, which creates bespoke experiential journeys in Ireland for tourists and corporate groups. Rob is originally from Blessington and moved to Toronto in Canada in 2016 to develop his expertise in the world of creating and managing experiential events. He had been working in a similar role in Dublin, but wanted to get experience faster in a larger market.

During six years in Toronto, he worked at two experiential marketing event agencies where he turned islands off Toronto into French Riviera experiences, curated car launches for Porsche and pop-up shops in Tokyo for South Park.

He then decided to bring his experience home to Wicklow where he founded Spud, which grew out of Robs passion to showcase the best that Ireland has to offer, where he is able to use his experience, creativity and network to unlock the most unique and memorable experiences.

He says he found the Back for Business programme to be a great benefit both for networking and mentorship.

Rob said: I highly recommend the Back for Business programme. As a returning emigrant to Ireland, building a network within the country can be challenging, and back for business truly supports that journey.

"Entrepreneurship can be a lonely place, but during my time with the programme I felt part of a team again, thanks to excellent lead entrepreneurs, who guided our group week after week and was always on hand to provide support, answer questions, and share her wisdom to help us navigate challenges. The programme was invaluable for identifying gaps in my business and setting clear goals.

Back for Business is now seeking offers of interest from eligible candidates hoping to return or who have already returned to Wicklow. The programme has been running for nine years and the deadline for entries is Friday, January 16, throughmbackforbusiness.com.

The programme will get underway with a launch forum and round table event taking place on February 13, and concludes in June, with up to 50 places available.

Participants will meet once a month on a peer-supported round table, facilitated by voluntary lead entrepreneurs, who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business. Many of them have also lived abroad before returning to Ireland to start their business.

This years lead entrepreneurs are Gillian ODowd, director at Azon, Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group, Seamus Reilly, co-founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare, Sinead Doherty, founder and CEO of Fenero, and Thomas Ennis, Thomas Ennis Group founder.
Public invited to have their say on reintroduction of lynx to Scottish Highlands

A group of rewilding charities say reintroducing the wild felines could bring significant benefits to the region

Lynx are said to pose no threat to humans (Ben Birchall/PA)

Neil Pooran Press Association Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 09:35

People living in the north of Scotland are being invited to have their say on the potential reintroduction of lynx to the Highlands.
LATEST | France working with allies on plan should US make move on Greenland; Taoiseach says common sense needs to prevail

Donald Trump discussing how to acquire Greenland and US military always an option, White House saysFrance working with partners on plan over how to respond should US act Taoiseach Micheal Martin says option floated of an outright purchase of Greenland is not possible or realistic

Trump discussing range of options to acquire Greenland, White House says

Steve Holland, Jeff Mason and Conal Thomas Reuters Wed 7 Jan 2026 at 09:00

France is working with partners on a plan over how to respond should the United States act on its threat to take over Greenland, Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday.
Brigitte Macron, wife of French president Emmanuel Macron, won an extraordinary court case in Paris yesterday, which ended with 10 people being convicted of cyber bullying her.

The eight men and two women had latched on to a bizarre conspiracy theory that Ms Macron was actually born male, and has been hiding her transgender status from the world.
European leaders affirm Greenland's autonomy amid US interest 'Greenland belongs to its people', says joint statement NATO allies emphasise Arctic security cooperation White House chief of staff dismisses diplomatic 'niceties'

US President Donald Trump suggested over the weekend that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to American intervention (Leon Neal/PA)

Leaders from major European powers rallied behind Greenland on Tuesday, saying in a joint statement that the Arctic island belongs to its people, following renewed interest by U.S. President Donald Trump in taking over the Danish territory.

Trump has in recent weeks repeated that he wants to gain control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency, arguing that it is vital for the U.S. military, and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it.
Police officers stand guard after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Maxwell Briceno

More than a dozen media workers were detained on Monday while covering events in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, including a march in support of ousted President Nicolas Maduro and the swearing-in of the country's new legislature, the South American nation's press association said.
Palestinians at the site of a collapsed house that was damaged by an Israeli strike, in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

The Israeli military yesterday began striking what it described as Hezbollah and Hamas targets in Lebanon after issuing evacuation orders for four villages in the countrys east and south.

Earlier, an Israeli military spokesperson said the military was planning strikes on what he described as Hezbollah and Hamas military infrastructure in the villages of Hammara and Ain el-Tineh in eastern Lebanons Bekaa Valley and Kfar Hatta and Aanan in the south.
Breaking | No fire or safety inspections at site of Swiss bar over past five years where blazed killed 40 people, mayor admits

Hundreds march in silence to honour victims of Swiss bar fire

Emma Farge Reuters Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 11:17

No safety inspections were carried out since 2019 at the Swiss bar that burst into flames during a New Years celebration, killing 40 people, the mayor of the town of Crans-Montana said on Tuesday.
LATEST | I am a decent man. I am innocent  Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty to US charges

Venezuelas future unclear as legality of audacious action under question

Maduro taken to US courthouse for first appearance on drug-trafficking charges

Jack Queen and Jan Wolfe Reuters Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Toppled Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty yesterday to narcotics charges after US president Donald Trumps stunning capture of him rattled world leaders and left officials in Caracas scrambling to regroup.
latest | Nobody can take us  Donald Trump boasts of US military capabilities after Venezuela strikes

Machado says opposition ready to win election Trump administration aims to work with Maduro ally Toppled Maduro in New York jail on drug charges World worries about precedent set by US attack

US President Donald Trump suggested over the weekend that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to American intervention (Leon Neal/PA)

Irish Independent Newsdesk UK Independent Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 18:24

US president Donald Trump said "nobody can take us after the January 3 strikes in Venezuela, in which it captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Artists impression of a forming galaxy cluster in the early universe: radio jets from active galaxies are embedded in a hot intracluster atmosphere (red), illustrating a large thermal reservoir of gas in the nascent cluster (Lingxiao Yuan)

Scientists have spotted an incredibly hot cluster of gas in the universe that apparently shouldnt be there.

The object is from just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, and blazing with hot gas. It was found far earlier in the universe, and is far hotter, than researchers would ever have expected.
LATEST | US backs security guarantees for Ukraine at summit of Kyiv's allies in Paris

Commitment comes at 'coalition of willing' gatheringSecurity protocols 'as strong as anyone has ever seen,' Witkoff saysGuarantees would enter into force after ceasefireQuestion mark hangs over Russian response

US backs security guarantees for Ukraine at summit of Kyiv's allies in Paris

John Irish Reuters Tue 6 Jan 2026 at 22:57

The United States for the first time on Tuesday backed a broad coalition of Ukraine's allies in vowing to provide security guarantees that leaders said would include binding commitments to support the country if Russia attacks again.
A mall takes center stage

Image credit : IMDb official page| Abbott Elementary S5E9 premieres Jan 7 in the US, Jan 8 in India

What mall brings

Image credit : IMDb official page| Abbott Elementary heads to a mall, bringing fresh comedy and chaos

A fresh twist for season 5

Image credit : IMDb official page| Episode 9 blends heart and humor as teachers tackle new challenges

Abbott Elementary, the Emmywinning workplace comedy about the lovable chaos of an underfunded Philadelphia school, is back with a surprising twist in its fifth season. Following a short midseason break, Episode 9 titled Mall moves the familiar Abbott Elementary crew out of their classrooms and into an unconventional new setting: an abandoned shopping mall. This change promises fresh comedic beats and a new perspective on the everyday challenges of teaching.Episode 9 premieres on ABC in the United States on January 7, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT). For fans in India, the episode will be available on streaming platforms like Hulu the next morning, January 8 at 7:00 a.m. IST. Other international timings include 1:30 a.m. GMT, 2:30 a.m. CET/BST, 9:30 a.m. GST, 10:30 a.m. JST, 12:30 p.m. AEST, and 3:30 p.m. NZDT. This makes it accessible to viewers across multiple regions shortly after the original U.S. broadcast.Relocating the school to a mall is more than a visual gimmick. Following infrastructure issues at the Abbott building, the staff must improvise and adapt, leading to fresh comedic situations, unexpected challenges, and moments that deepen character development. The mall setting offers unique opportunities for situational humor, from chaotic lunchrooms to makeshift classrooms, allowing writers to explore new dynamics among students and staff while maintaining the warmth and relatability that defines the show.With Episode 9, the series keeps its signature mix of heart and humor while exploring a novel setting. The shift shows how the staff navigates challenges creatively, highlighting the resilience and dedication of educators all while delivering laughs. This episode could serve as a memorable pivot point for the latter half of Season 5, keeping audiences engaged and eager for the episodes that follow.
Image credit : X| Millie Bobby Browns future after Stranger Things sparks exit rumours

Millie Bobby Brown focuses on family and life beyond Hollywood

Image credit : X| @PopBase| Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi pictured together

Brown Prepares for life beyond Stranger Things

Image credit : X| @FootyHumour| Stranger Things season 5 plot twist

The conclusion ofmarked the end of an era for fans and young actors alike. Millie Bobby Brown, who shot to fame as the enigmatic Eleven at just 11 years old, became a household name through the Netflix series. Now, sources suggest that the British actress is considering stepping away from Hollywood to focus on her family life.A close source revealed that Millie, who has spent half her life in the public eye, feels it is time to prioritise personal happiness over professional pressure. Shes been in the spotlight for almost half her life and has carried her familys hopes since she was a child. Being scrutinised constantly online can take a toll, who could blame her for seeking space away from it all? the source said.Millie married Jake Bongiovi in 2024 in an intimate, private ceremony. Jake, the son of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, has been Millies partner since their teenage years, and the couple now reside on a sprawling farm in rural Georgia. In 2025, they welcomed an adopted daughter, whose name remains private. Sources indicate that Millie is prioritising family life, seeking a calmer pace away from Hollywoods constant scrutiny while nurturing her new household.Since her breakout role as Eleven in, Millie has built an impressive career. She received multiple Emmy and Screen Actors Guild nominations for her performance and went on to star in major films, includingand its sequel, as well asand. Beyond acting, Millie has carved a niche as a businesswoman with her cruelty-free beauty brand, Florence By Mills, and authored the novel. She is also an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and anti-bullying campaigns, leveraging her platform to inspire and influence positive change across her global audience.The final season ofhighlighted Elevens evolution from a young girl with enigmatic powers to a courageous and selfless hero facing the perils of the Upside Down. Her journey resonated deeply with audiences, blending emotional stakes with epic storytelling, and the creators left her arc open-ended, allowing fans to imagine the characters future. Millie Bobby Browns decision to step back from Hollywood appears driven by a desire to explore life beyond the screen, focus on her family, and invest in her entrepreneurial ventures.Industry insiders and fans alike are keenly observing how Millie balances these personal and professional ambitions. Whether she chooses to return to acting, expand her business ventures, or devote time entirely to family life, her influence on Hollywood, pop culture, and the next generation of young actors remains profound. Her story serves as a reminder that even amid global fame, prioritising well-being and personal growth can be just as heroic as any on-screen adventure.
Image credit : X| @JumpTrailers| Amanda Seyfried reacts to Timothee Chalamets Kylie Jenner shout-out

What Timothee Chalamet meant by 'foundation'

Image credit : X| @PopBase| Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attend an awards season event together.

Image credit : X| @jnnermuse| Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner share a quiet moment at a Hollywood event.

A career peak amid a private love life

Image credit : X| @PopCrave| Timothee Chalamet stars in award-winning Marty Supreme

Amanda Seyfried has sparked fresh chatter online after sharing her confusion over Timothee Chalamets emotional shout-out to Kylie Jenner during the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. The brief but heartfelt moment, which unfolded during Chalamets Best Actor acceptance speech, quickly became one of the ceremonys most talked-about highlights, not least because of the unexpected wording he used.As Chalamet took to the stage to accept the award for his performance in, he paused to acknowledge Jenner, describing her as his partner of three years and thanking her for their foundation. The phrase immediately raised eyebrows, with fans scrambling to decode its meaning.Seyfried, watching along like many others, couldnt resist weighing in. Taking to Instagram, the actress commented on a clip of the speech, admitting she initially wondered whether Chalamet was referring to a charitable foundation rather than something more personal. OH not like a foundation/charity, Seyfried, 40, wrote in the comments section of Evan Ross Katzs Sunday, 4 January, Instagram post that shared a moment from Chalamets shout-out to his girlfriend. I was curious about that. Her light-hearted remark struck a chord with fans, many of whom shared the same momentary confusion.Those close to the actor suggest the word choice reflected the stability and support he credits Jenner with providing throughout a demanding period in his career. Jenner, who attended the ceremony, was spotted mouthing I love you back at Chalamet as he spoke, a subtle exchange that only fuelled public interest in their famously private relationship.The couple first became romantically linked in early 2023, following Jenners split from Travis Scott, with whom she shares two children. While neither Chalamet nor Jenner has ever been forthcoming about their relationship, sources have long maintained that it is serious, grounded, and refreshingly low-key by Hollywood standards.Despite persistent rumours - including speculation sparked by Chalamets absence from a major Jenner family celebration last year - insiders insist the pair remain very much together. Those close to them say they are comfortable keeping their relationship largely out of the spotlight, valuing quality time over constant public appearances.Professionally, Chalamet is enjoying one of the strongest moments of his career., directed by Josh Safdie, has positioned him firmly in the awards conversation, earning multiple Golden Globe nominations and early Oscar buzz. The actor has openly described the role as his finest work to date, highlighting the discipline and commitment he has brought to his recent performances.While Chalamet continues to dominate the big screen, Jenner remains a steady presence behind the scenes, a role that, judging by his speech, means more to him than any trophy. And if Seyfrieds playful confusion proved anything, its that even a single word can spark a weeks worth of Hollywood conversation.
Mayor of Kingstown

Image credit : Paramount+ | Jeremy Renner in Mayor of Kingstown Season 5

What is the show about?

Image credit : Paramount + | Mayor of Kingstown Season 5 snippet

Mayor of Kingstown to end with season 5

Image credit : Paramount + | A still from Mayor of Kingstown Season 5







, the gripping crime drama starring Jeremy Renner, has captivated audiences with its intense storytelling, morally complex characters, and tense depiction of systemic corruption. Since its debut, the series has built a dedicated fanbase, and now fans have received exciting news: Season 5 has been officially confirmed and will be the shows final season. With this announcement, viewers can look forward to a conclusion that wraps up the McLusky familys dramatic saga.The series centers on the McLusky family, who navigate a city dominated by power struggles, crime, and institutional corruption. Jeremy Renner plays Mike McLusky, a fixer trying to maintain order while wrestling with the murky moral waters of a society where law and justice are often at odds. Across its previous seasons, Mayor of Kingstown has explored themes of loyalty, revenge, and the consequences of unchecked power, earning praise for its intense performances and gritty realism. Season 4 continued these storylines while raising the stakes for the McLusky family, leaving fans eager for answers in the final chapter.With the confirmation of Season 5, viewers can expect the story to reach its climactic conclusion. As the last season, it promises to resolve long-running conflicts and bring closure to character arcs that have evolved over the series. Jeremy Renners return as Mike McLusky is certain, anchoring the series as the central figure navigating the chaos and moral complexity of Kingstown. Other returning cast members are expected to reprise their roles, ensuring continuity while potentially introducing new characters to heighten tension and drama in the final episodes.Fans anticipate that Season 5 will delve even deeper into the criminal and political machinations that have defined the series, while focusing on personal challenges and family loyalty. The creators have emphasized character-driven storytelling, suggesting that the finale will balance suspense, action, and emotional resolution. As the series concludes, Mayor of Kingstown aims to leave a lasting impact as one of the most intense and morally complex crime dramas on television.In short, with Season 5 confirmed as the final season, fans can look forward to a high-stakes, emotionally charged conclusion that brings the McLusky familys journey to a satisfying close. Jeremy Renners performance, coupled with the shows signature tension and grit, ensures the finale will be a memorable end to the acclaimed series.
Image credit : Instagram @meghan | Meghan Markle reportedly plans to release her first solo cookbook in 2026.

Meghan Markles cookbook plans

With Love, Meghan

The Bench

Together: Our Community Cookbook

Image credit : Instagram @meghan | Meghan Markle is said to tie the book to her As Ever brand.

What the cookbook is expected to include

RadarOnline.coms

As Ever

Image credit : Instagram @meghan | Meghan Markle faces online backlash over her cooking skills.

The Internet mocks Meghans cooking skills

What comes next for Meghan?

Meghan Markle is once again inviting the public into her kitchen, this time with a cookbook, but not everyone is cheering. The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly working on her first-ever solo cookbook, expected to be released in early 2026. While the project builds on her growing lifestyle brand and Netflix work, it has also triggered strong reactions online, with critics questioning her cooking skills and mocking the idea altogether.Meghan Markle, 44, is reportedly preparing to release her first cookbook in early 2026. The book is expected to be closely tied to her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and will reflect her life in Montecito, California. It will reportedly focus on recipes, hosting ideas, and everyday food moments that were also highlighted in her Netflix seriesWhile this will be her first cookbook written entirely by her, Meghan is no stranger to publishing. She previously wrote the childrens bookand penned the foreword forin 2018, which was created after the Grenfell Tower fire in London. Still, this upcoming release marks her first book aimed at adults and centred fully on her personal lifestyle.According toreport, the cookbook will feature simple recipes seen on her Netflix show. These include her single skillet spaghetti, a rainbow-themed fruit salad, and her popular jams and marmalades. The book is also expected to include tips and tricks for hosting at home, a major theme of her series.An insider told the portal, Meghan is looking at a cookbook for early 2026, and there will be more lifestyle products coming in the spring. 2026 is looking like another big year for her. There will be more wine and definitely more homeware too. But she will ease off selling her biscuit and crepe kits.Those biscuit and crepe kits were among the first products launched on thewebsite. Going forward, the brand is expected to shift focus toward other items, including candles and home goods.Despite the plans, Meghan has faced intense criticism online. Netizens pointed to her Netflix show and questioned her cooking ability. One person wrote on X, If her pathetic attempt of just playing with food is cooking, its ok, well pass. Most of us stopped playing with our food at 3.Another commented, Is she going to teach us how to open a packet of something, tip it into another packet and tie it with ribbon? One asked, Oh Meghan A cookbook. Are you serious? while another wrote, Seriously, who would buy it, apart from the Sussex Squad, who probably don't know how to cook either.Others were even harsher. One comment read, Because she cannot even use utensils the right way around, a cookbook makes her quite unbelievable. Another said, She cant cook. She cant decorate. She has no style. No taste. No manners. No education. She cant act. The thing shes great at: she targeted and caught a dumb prince. Shes great at brainwashing and manipulating. Shes malicious.One user wrote, Chopping up fruit and veg, reheating quiche, and day drinking don't count, while another added, She barely 'cooks' anything. All she seems to do is crack-handedly chop and arrange fruit and veg and sprinkle dried, tasteless flowers on stuff. For those unaware, Meghan has previously faced online trolling over her cooking skills.While Meghan has hinted at big plans for 2026, she has not officially confirmed the cookbook or other upcoming projects. For now, she manages her brand, As Ever, which she launched in March 2025. Over time, the brand expanded from jams and baking mixes into wines, honey, tea, and other edible products.
Image credit : Instagram @skims | North Wests Instagram page is no longer visible.

North Wests Instagram page deleted after one month online

Image credit : Instagram @northwest | North Wests page said it was managed by parents.

Kanyes changing views on social media

Image credit : Instagram @northwest | North West remains active despite Instagram exit.

Norths ongoing social media presence

North Wests short time on Instagram has come to a sudden end. The 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West no longer has a visible Instagram account, just weeks after launching her solo page. Fans searching for the profile now see a message saying the page isnt available, which usually appears when an account has been deleted.It is not clear whether North removed the page herself or if it was taken down by her parents. The accounts bio had previously stated it was managed by parents, pointing to Kim Kardashian, 45, and Kanye West, 48, being in control of the page.Norths Instagram surprised fans when it went live with a single blurry photo of her. Even though the bio made it clear the page was supervised, the decision still caused backlash online. Many questioned whether a 12-year-old should have her own Instagram, especially given the familys fame.The reaction was not entirely unexpected, as Kanye West had previously spoken strongly against his children being on social media. In a clip from 2022, the rapper told his reality star ex-wife that he did not want North or their other children, Saint, Psalm, and Chicago, online. At the time, he said he refused to allow his daughter to be used by TikTok.While Kanye once opposed Norths online presence, recent reports suggest his stance has shifted. Sources shared that Norths Instagram page being pulled came after it was reported that Kanye appreciates her creativity more than before.This change appeared to take shape around Christmas and the holiday season, when North spent time celebrating with her father. According to TMZ, sources said Kanye has been really working on himself and reflecting on his earlier actions. The report noted that this reflection included thinking about past behaviour, such as praising Hitler and making antisemitic statements.While the report does not say everything is resolved, it suggests this period of reflection may have helped improve co-parenting between Kanye and Kim. The holiday gathering was described as part of a larger effort to move forward in a healthier way.This marked a major shift from his earlier opinions. Sources explained that while Kanye was once strongly against North being online, he now appreciates how unique and creative she is.Even though Norths solo Instagram page is gone, she is no stranger to social media. She has been active online with her mother for years. North joined TikTok at just 10 years old through a joint account with Kim Kardashian.That TikTok account, launched in 2021, has grown rapidly and now has 20.2 million followers.
US position on war and military authority

Image credit : X/Maga_Trigger | US President Donald Trump

Oil companies and energy infrastructure discussions

Image credit : X/Maga_Trigger | Trumps comments come amid heightened attention on US

Industry response and meeting expectations

Current oil operations and market reaction

Image credit : X/Maga_Trigger | Trump said his administration may support an effort by oil companies

US President Donald Trump has repeated that the United States is not at war with Venezuela, even as his administration considers possible involvement by American oil companies in rebuilding the countrys damaged energy sector.Speaking in an interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump said his administration may support an effort by oil companies to help restore Venezuelas energy infrastructure. According to Trump, such work could be completed in under 18 months if it moves forward. He also said that Venezuela would not hold new elections within the next 30 days.Trumps comments come amid heightened attention on US actions in Venezuela following a military operation and growing discussion around the countrys oil production capacity.Trump again rejected the suggestion that the United States is engaged in a war with Venezuela. We are not at war with Venezuela, he told NBC News, repeating the position he has stated previously.He also said that if he chose to send US troops back into Venezuela, he would not require approval from lawmakers to do so. I would not need lawmakers to act in order to send troops back, Trump said during the interview.These remarks followed a US military raid in Caracas on Saturday that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was transferred to the United States, where he faces narcotics-related charges.Trump said the administration had not formally briefed oil companies ahead of the military operation. However, he acknowledged that discussions had taken place around potential scenarios.Asked whether oil companies had been informed in advance, Trump said, No. But weve been talking to the concept of, what if we did it? He added that oil companies were aware the administration was considering action, but were not told that it would happen.The oil companies were absolutely aware that we were thinking about doing something, Trump told NBC News. But we didnt tell them we were going to do it.Trump said it was too early to say whether he had personally spoken to senior executives at the companies involved. I speak to everybody, he said.CBS News, citing an unnamed source, reported that executives from three oil companies were expected to meet on Thursday with Energy Secretary Chris Wright.One oil industry executive told Reuters that companies would likely avoid discussing potential operations in Venezuela in group meetings with the White House. The executive cited antitrust rules that restrict competitors from jointly discussing investment plans, production levels, and timing.Trump said he expects major US oil companies to invest billions of dollars to raise Venezuelas oil output, which has declined sharply in recent years. However, analysts cautioned that recovery could be delayed due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing uncertainty around political conditions, legal frameworks, and future US policy decisions.Chevron remains the only major US oil company still operating in Venezuela. Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips exited the country after their projects were nationalised under former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Both companies have since pursued compensation claims.Chevron continues to export oil from Venezuela to the US Gulf Coast and has had to operate under strict US policy conditions in recent years.Trump confirmed that the US embargo on Venezuelan oil remains in place. Despite this, energy stocks rose on Monday, with shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron gaining. Investors responded positively to expectations that US companies could eventually gain broader access to Venezuelas oil reserves.
India issues takedown notice to X

Image credit : X/ElonMuskAOC | Authorities in India, Europe and Malaysia are probing Elon Musk-owned X

European regulators call content illegal

Image credit : X/elonmuskelry | The functionality has previously been referred to by X as 'spicy mode'

Malaysia launches its own probe

X and Elon Musk respond after silence

Image credit : X/ElonMusk_LordX | Businessman and former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, Elon Musk

Authorities in multiple regions, including India, Europe and Malaysia, are investigating Elon Musk-owned social media platform X after its AI chatbot Grok allowed users to generate sexualised images of women and children. The probes began after users, media outlets and officials raised concerns about Grok producing images showing women and children in extremely skimpy clothing on demand.The functionality has previously been referred to by X as spicy mode. The issue gained global attention after the platform introduced an image-editing feature ahead of Christmas, which led to a surge in users asking Grok to modify photos.On January 2, Indias Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) sent a notice to X directing the platform to remove all vulgar, obscene and unlawful content generated by Grok within 72 hours. The notice warned that failure to comply could result in further action.MeitY said the images violated the dignity, privacy and safety of women and children and contributed to the normalisation of sexual harassment and exploitation in digital spaces. The ministry added that the content undermines the statutory due diligence obligations that apply to intermediaries operating in India.The order also asked X to take action against offending content, users and accounts involved. In addition, the ministry directed the company to submit a detailed action taken report within 72 hours from the date of the notice.In Europe, the European Commission said it was aware that X was offering a spicy mode. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters that the content crossed legal boundaries.This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling. This is disgusting. This is how we see it, and this has no place in Europe, Regnier said.UK media regulator Ofcom demanded an explanation from X on how Grok was able to generate undressed images of people and sexualised images of children. Ofcom also questioned whether the platform had failed in its legal duty to protect users.France issued a separate statement, saying Grok was producing clearly illegal sexual content. The French government said such images may violate the European Unions Digital Services Act.Authorities in Malaysia have also initiated an investigation into the allegations against Grok. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said it plans to summon representatives of the company.In a statement issued over the weekend, the regulator urged all platforms accessible in Malaysia to implement safeguards that align with local laws and online safety standards. It highlighted concerns around AI-powered features, chatbots and image manipulation tools.After several days without public comment, X issued its first official response on Sunday following the initiation of probes across multiple countries. The company said it would remove the offending images, permanently ban accounts that uploaded obscene material, and cooperate with local governments as required.The statement was issued by Xs Global Government Affairs account, hours after Elon Musk addressed the issue publicly. Musk said users who generate illegal content using Grok would face the same consequences as those who upload illegal content directly.Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content, Musk said.Some of the images have already been taken down, according to Bloomberg. The images appear to violate Xs own acceptable-use policy, which prohibits the sexualisation of children.In its statement, X said it takes action against illegal content, including Child Sexual Abuse Material, by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with governments and law enforcement agencies when necessary.
Image credit : X | @TraxNYC | TraxNYC Founder Alleges Rival Jeweller Scammed Customers Using His Reputation

Trax reacts to 6ix9ine, reveals he is open to fight

Maksud from Trax NYC just called out 6ix9ine on Complex 





He says 69 took jewelry years ago for promo and never posted it and now wants to settle it with a fight 





Who you got if this actually happens 







Credit  @Jaymundunna





Backup  @iamjaymundunna





X  @jaymundunna





 pic.twitter.com/2OGHS3FJjN





 Jaymundunna (@jaymundunna) January 6, 2026

Trax-6ix9ine feud reignites as the rapper faces prison for drug

Complex

Image credit : X | @MediaKombat | TraxNYCs Agadjani Challenges 6ix9ine Amid Longstanding Feud

HotNewHipHop

Why does Trax want to step into the ring with 6ix9ine?

Image credit : X | @KushPapii | Agadjani Challenges 6ix9ine to Fight Amid Years-Long Dispute

TraxNYC's owner, Maksud Agadjani, continues to make headlines after his recent public dispute within the New Year's jewellery scene after Agadjani made explosive allegations against the viral brand AKAY Diamonds. Following this, a controversy erupted when a series of videos of a heated confrontation surfaced on social media. Since the matter is still not settled yet, Agadjani on Monday said that he would step into the ring with the Brooklyn rapper and says hes ready to fight 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez. But why? Let's find out.In an exclusive interview with Complex, Trax commented on a potential fight involving 6ix9ine, saying that if the rapper wants to box, we could put our hands on. He did not stop there and added that he is not interested in engaging with someone "who draws his face" and isnt focused on 6ix9ines legal troubles, emphasising, "If he wants to fight like a man, thats what we should do.The latest statement has come when Trax appeared on Ross' livestream, where he said, "See if 6ix9ine wants to pop off, that pussy f****t." Ross then put 6ix9ine on the call, and Agadjani told him, "You remember me, right?  I need to fight you, motherfucker."According to, the tensions between Trax and 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, resurfaced as the rapper was set to begin a three-month sentence on January 6, followed by a year of supervised release.The sentence, handed down by a Manhattan judge, stems from multiple violations, including possession of cocaine and MDMA and a battery incident at a Florida mall. The feud between the duo reportedly dates back to May 2018, when TraxNYC's owner shared an Instagram video alleging that 6ix9ine failed to pay $25,000 for a bracelet, according to XXL.According to, Agadjani posted an update two days later, thanking DJ Akademiks for allegedly footing the bill.Agadjani revisited the situation during an August 2022 interview with No Jumper, explaining that he wanted to market his business by giving 6ix9ine jewellery for promotion but felt burnt. He was such a fucking idiot that he wanted to finesse these other young dudes," he said. "You think you did something fucking awesome when you finessed some shit or ran off? You're a bum. You can't be trusted, bro."The report revealed that two days after the incident, Agadjani posted an update thanking DJ Akademiks for reportedly covering the cost. While during an August 2022 No Jumper interview, he admitted he had intended to promote his jewelry business through 6ix9ine but felt deceived.He went on to criticise the rapper, saying he tried to take advantage of other young people and proved himself untrustworthy.Amid the ongoing controversies around TraxNYC, Agadjani shares a video of the worlds first diamond-tipped bullet. According to TraxNYC's official page, this bullet-shaped pendant features a two-tone design in 14k yellow and rose gold, with a polished, high-gloss finish and a small diamond accent at the base for a touch of sparkle.The pendant opens to reveal a hidden compartment, blending striking style with practical functionality, making it both a statement and an everyday piece.
Custody ruling

Image credit : Wikipedia official page| Jaime King loses primary custody of her sons; visitation remains supervised

Spotted with hotelier

Image credit : Wookieepedia - Fandom official page| Jaime King spotted with hotelier Vikram Chatwal at LA hotspots, sparking romance rumors

What lies ahead

Image credit : Wikipedia official page| Jaime King navigates new romance amid ongoing custody battle

Hollywood actress Jaime King, best known for Sin City and Hart of Dixie, is navigating a turbulent phase marked by legal battles and renewed attention on her personal life. Months after losing primary physical custody of her two sons following a prolonged court dispute, King has been spotted spending time with hotelier Vikram Chatwal, triggering speculation about a possible new relationship even as her custody case continues to shape her public narrative.In March 2025, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge awarded sole physical custody of Kings sons James and Leo to her ex-husband, filmmaker Kyle Newman. While the former couple shares joint legal custody, Newman was granted tie-breaking authority, giving him final say on key parenting decisions if disagreements arise.The ruling followed years of legal conflict after King and Newmans 2020 split. Court records cited Kings failure to complete several court-mandated requirements, including a six-month drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme with regular testing, a 26-week parenting course, and counselling. As a result, her visitation with the children remains supervised, with the possibility of expanded access dependent on compliance with court orders.Amid these legal challenges, King, 46, has recently been seen at Los Angeles hotspots such as Chateau Marmont and Bombay Palace with Vikram Chatwal, 54. Chatwal is a hotel entrepreneur and the son of prominent Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal.Known for his high-profile social life in the early 2000s, Vikram Chatwal made headlines for his lavish multi-day wedding in 2006 and his connections within global celebrity circles. In recent years, however, he has largely stayed out of the spotlight, making the sightings with King particularly noteworthy.While the reported relationship has generated tabloid interest, it exists against the backdrop of a deeply personal legal struggle. King has previously spoken publicly about the emotional toll of the custody process, though court documents focus strictly on parenting fitness and compliance rather than public statements.As King continues to work through court-mandated conditions, public attention remains split between her evolving personal life and the unresolved path toward rebuilding her role as a mother. For now, her story reflects the complex intersection of celebrity, family law, and life after a highly public custody ruling.
Fame at home belongs to Maya

Image credit : X/theTSupdates| Ethan Hawkes kids tease him as Maya Hawke steals the spotlight at school

Watching Stranger Things as a dad

Image credit : X/badpostmaya| Ethan Hawke praises Maya Hawkes performance in the Stranger Things finale

Reflections on Mayas childhood

Image credit : X/badpostmaya| Ethan Hawke says he always knew Maya was destined to be a great artist

Ethan Hawke may be a four-time Oscar nominee, but at home, his fame apparently doesnt count much anymore. The actor recently revealed that his teenage daughters regularly tease him for being less famous than their older sister, Stranger Things star Maya Hawke, a reminder of how pop culture visibility has shifted across generations.Appearing on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Monday, January 5, Hawke shared a moment that made the family dynamic clear. He explained that Maya, 27, is far more recognizable among the peers of his younger daughters, Clementine, 17, and Indiana, 14. While filming his comedy-drama The Lowdown in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hawke brought his family along. His wife, Ryan Shawhughes, was a producer on the project, and their children briefly attended public school there.We shot it down in Tulsa, my wife was a producer on the show, we brought the whole family down, Hawke said. The kids went to public school there in Tulsa. The kids came to visit me on set and the director says, Is it hard having a famous dad when youre at a new school? The response, he admitted, was humbling. They were like, Its hard having a famous sister. Nobody cares about my dad.  My sisters picture is in the lockers everywhere.Like millions of viewers, Hawke stayed up late to watch the Stranger Things series finale  but with added emotional stakes. A lot of people in America were watching Stranger Things, but not everybody was watching their daughter with their siblings to the side, he said. We were invested.He didnt hold back his praise for Mayas performance as Robin Buckley, adding, I have to say, hats off. I thought Maya did a great job. I thought the whole show did a great job.Hawke, who shares Maya and son Levon, 23, with ex-wife Uma Thurman, has also spoken candidly about parenting in the spotlight. In a December 2025 Actors on Actors conversation, he admitted, There were a lot of things about her childhood that were really, really hard and complicated, and things I regret for her.Still, he said he knew early on that Maya was destined for the arts. I knew that she was gonna be a very good one, he said. That was her safe place  watercoloring, dancing, singing all throughout her childhood. Recalling a moment from her teens, Hawke shared, She said, I dont think thats a very interesting question Am I happy? No. But I dont aspire to be happy. For Hawke, the teasing may sting  but its clear pride outweighs everything else.
Image credit : Instagram/burtseva_italia | The Russian-born content creator, who built a loyal following by sharing her family life in Italy, passed away on January 4, 2026.

What happened to Yulia Burtseva?

Image credit : Instagram/burtseva_italia| Yulia Burtseva had travelled from Naples, Italy, where she lived with her family, to her home country of Russia to undergo a cosmetic procedure.

Investigation into her death

A life shared online

Image credit : Instagram/burtseva_italia| Burtseva was undergoing a Brazilian butt lift procedure. During the operation, she is believed to have suffered a severe allergic reaction after receiving injections, which led to anaphylactic shock.

Fans mourn and reflect

Social media influencer Yulia Burtseva has died at the age of 38 following complications linked to a cosmetic procedure in Moscow. The Russian-born content creator, who built a loyal following by sharing her family life in Italy, passed away on January 4, 2026. Her sudden death has left fans shocked and has reignited conversations around the risks of elective cosmetic surgery.Yulia Burtseva had travelled from Naples, Italy, where she lived with her family, to her home country of Russia to undergo a cosmetic procedure. The surgery reportedly took place at a private medical facility, the Elmas Clinic, located in Moscow.According to reports, Burtseva was undergoing a Brazilian butt lift procedure. During the operation, she is believed to have suffered a severe allergic reaction after receiving injections, which led to anaphylactic shock. Her condition rapidly worsened, and despite being transferred to hospital for emergency treatment, doctors were unable to save her.Following her death, the Moscow Investigative Committee opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the procedure. Authorities are examining whether professional negligence may have played a role and have reportedly seized medical documentation from the clinic where the surgery was performed.If investigators conclude that medical protocols were not properly followed, those involved could face legal consequences under Russian law. Officials have stated that the investigation will determine whether the death resulted from improper professional conduct during the procedure.Yulia Burtseva was widely known as a mumfluencer who documented her everyday life as part of an international family. With over 73,000 followers on Instagram, she often shared light-hearted videos featuring her Italian husband, Giuseppe, and their young daughter.The couple married in 2021 and frequently appeared together online, creating humorous and relatable content that resonated with audiences. Burtseva also shared insights into cultural differences between Russia and Italy, as well as her experiences with medical tourism.Just hours before the surgery, she had posted a video from a cafe in Moscow, smiling and greeting her followers, unaware it would be her final update.Following the news of her passing, social media was flooded with tributes. Many followers expressed disbelief at how quickly events unfolded, noting that she had appeared happy and healthy shortly before her death. Others shared condolences for her husband and daughter, while some reflected on the potential dangers of cosmetic procedures, questioning whether the risks are ever truly worth it.Yulia Burtseva is survived by her husband Giuseppe and their child. Her death serves as a tragic reminder of how fragile life can be, even behind carefully curated social media moments.




In late 2025, a major show in Nova Scotia was cancelled after Googles AI wrongly labelled him a sex offender. The claim was false, but the fallout was real. Now fans, organisers, and lawyers are all part of the conversation about how one AI mistake can hit a real persons life.**



Who is legendary fiddler Ashley MacIsaac? MacIsaac grew up in Cape Breton, a part of Canada where Celtic music is not just tradition, it is identity. He learned the fiddle young and treated it like a living instrument, not a museum piece. When his album Hi How Are You Today? landed, it did not just reach ears, it shook expectations. Songs like Sleepy Maggie blended fiddle lines with electronic beats, bagpipes, and rock textures.



Image credit : X/@DramaAlert | Ashley MacIsaac is one of Canadas most recognisable fiddlers



Canadian artist Ashley MacIsaac had a show canceled because AI incorrectly labeled him a sex offender









He's now meeting with lawyers and considering suing Google









(via @CBCNews) pic.twitter.com/qbcZH2H9Zx







 Culture Crave  (@CultureCrave) January 5, 2026 Ashley MacIsaac is one of Canadas most recognisable fiddlers. He is known for taking traditional Celtic music and pushing it into loud, electric, genre bending territory. In the 1990s, when most folk musicians stayed close to their roots, MacIsaac plugged his fiddle into rock amps, mixed reels with punk energy, and created a sound that felt new, brave, and a little wild. His rise was fast, but his journey has not always been smooth.In late 2025, a major show in Nova Scotia was cancelled after Googles AI wrongly labelled him a sex offender. The claim was false, but the fallout was real. Now fans, organisers, and lawyers are all part of the conversation about how one AI mistake can hit a real persons life.**MacIsaac grew up in Cape Breton, a part of Canada where Celtic music is not just tradition, it is identity. He learned the fiddle young and treated it like a living instrument, not a museum piece. When his albumlanded, it did not just reach ears, it shook expectations. Songs likeblended fiddle lines with electronic beats, bagpipes, and rock textures.His concerts became part rave, part ceilidh, part rock gig. He danced, stomped, played bagpipes, and made the stage feel like a jam session that could explode at any second. That same bold energy is why people still speak about him today. One Reddit user said, He made Celtic music sound like it belonged in stadiums and pubs at the same time.

Google's AI error cancelled MacIsaac's concert

Image credit : X/@DailyLoud | Organisers at a First Nation venue near Halifax cancelled MacIsaacs booked concert

Socia media unrest over Google AI Overviews mistake

Image credit : Screenshot taken from X | The reactions from fans were filled with anger and emotions

Google's AI overview is pretty terrible









He shared a last name with an actual sex offender, so it thought they were the same person https://t.co/lgGPg5FCZy







 Culture Crave  (@CultureCrave) January 5, 2026



Firt Nation venue issues apology but Ashley MacIsaac is not 'done' After organisers checked the facts, the First Nation venue apologised publicly. The apology helped, but it did not reverse the ripple effect. When defamation happens, even for a short moment, the digital footprint lasts. Bookings get shaky. Phone calls get quieter. Contracts feel less certain.



Most people haven't realized it, but AI-led reputational harm is on the rise.









Unlike search engines (where you can create an alert for your name), there is no way to control how AI will summarize or make up information about you.









That's what unregulated AI looks like... pic.twitter.com/EWl1PCgWXs







 Luiza Jarovsky, PhD (@LuizaJarovsky) January 5, 2026



After organisers checked the facts, the First Nation venue apologised publicly. The apology helped, but it did not reverse the ripple effect. When defamation happens, even for a short moment, the digital footprint lasts. Bookings get shaky. Phone calls get quieter. Contracts feel less certain.

On 19 December 2025, organisers at a First Nation venue near Halifax cancelled MacIsaacs booked concert. The reason was not behaviour, police records, or any court filing. It was a sentence generated by Google AI Overview. The AI tagged him as a convicted sex offender. That statement was false, and MacIsaac has no such criminal history. The AI likely confused him with someone else in Atlantic Canada who shares a similar surname.The mistake did not just pull a concert. It pulled safety, income, and sponsorships under the iconic fiddler's belt. MacIsaac responded calmly but firmly in interviews: Im not the first, and Im sure I wont be the last. His frustration was clear. He knew the statement was wrong, but he also knew correcting it publicly would take longer than the rumour needed to spread.When the news hit X, the reactions were instant and emotional. One user on X said, He should definitely sue. Another wrote, Thats terrifying. One AI mistake can erase decades of work.Culture Crave, one of the accounts that boosted the story, added later, Google AI Overview is shockingly bad. It saw a shared surname and assumed they were the same person. The tone online shifted between anger, fear, memes, and disbelief, but the message stayed the same: the error felt personal, dangerous, and avoidable.
The Greek government has issued a sharp warning to protesting farmers, declaring that public leniency has been exhausted after tractor blockades severed national highways for hours the previous day.

Officials confirmed that new support measures

will be announced Wednesday , regardless of whether union leaders agree to attend talks.

Traffic was brought to a standstill earlier this week at two key intersections on the vital Athens-Lamia highway and in the southern Peloponnese, leaving motorists stranded for hours.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis signaled a distinct shift in the administration's stance, indicating that the disruption to daily life has become untenable.

We may all want farmers to get as much as the economy can bear, but we are the government of all Greek citizens, Mr. Marinakis told reporters.

Mr. Marinakis stressed that the specific aid package for the sector will be unveiled Wednesday. He noted that while the government cannot forcibly tow tractors, the impact on the broader public can no longer be ignored.

The government has exhausted its leniency in response to recent events, Mr. Marinakis said. I believe that the patience of people who spent five extra hours getting to their destination has been exhausted.

The decision to proceed with the announcement unilaterally suggests a hardening of the governments position as the standoff threatens to paralyze transport networks for another week.

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Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated on Tuesday in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine in Paris.

According to sources, he stressed the need to further strengthen and support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which constitute the most important security

guarantee.

Greece had already announced in early December a contribution of 20 million euros as part of NATO's Prioritized Ukraine List of Requirements (PURL) initiative.

The same sources noted that Greece will not participate in a European military force in Ukraine, as the Greek Premier has already made clear. However, it does not rule out providing assistance in other ways outside Ukraine, including on maritime surveillance issues.

In any case, the relevant national parliamentary procedures will be followed to establish the support framework. According to the same sources, Mitsotakis stressed the importance of US participation in security guarantees for both Ukraine itself and Europe.

In addition, he highlighted Greece's support for Ukraine in the field of energy security, with an emphasis on the supply of natural gas through the Alexandroupolis FSRU and the Vertical Corridor. He also reiterated that changing borders through the use of force cannot be legitimised and that Ukraine alone will decide its future.

The Greek Prime Minister also emphasised the need to coordinate European positions so that the EU has a clear strategy in peace talks with the US and Russia.

   iefimerida.gr
The management and relevant executives of the Civil Aviation Authority met at the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Center to clarify the exact causes of the problem that occurred on Sunday on the frequencies of the Athens FIR.

According to an announcement by the Civil Aviation Authority, the meeting included a thorough discussion of the technical parameters of the incident in order to record all aspects of the issue and the actions taken and, ultimately, to shed light on the root causes.

   iefimerida.gr
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have advanced into the quarter final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a comfortable 4-0 win over Mozambique in their round of 16 encounter on Monday.

It was a mismatch for Eric Chelles boys who silenced the Mambas thanks to Ademola Lookmans opener, Victor Osimhens brace, and Akor Adams strike, as Nigeria became the only nation to score four goals at AFCON 25.

Two goals in five minutes put Nigeria in firm control as Lookman scored the opener on 20 minutes when he expertly converted Adams lay-off for his third goal at AFCON 25, with the 28-year-old finding the back of the net in every match he featured in Morocco.

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Osimhen then arrived at the back post to tuck home his first from another Adams assist for 2-0 to Nigeria on 25 minutes. Both Lookman and Osimhen then combined two minutes into the second half, as the Galatasaray striker arrived at the back post to finish another team move for 3-0, claiming his second of the night, third goal in Morocco, and 34th international goal.

Adams added his name to the scoresheet with a ferocious shot into the roof of the net on 75 minutes to seal Nigerias four-goal win. Victory is Nigerias fourth consecutive win at AFCON 25, and the first time in history the Super Eagles will achieve the feat in the competition.

The win is also Nigerias fifth consecutive win against a Mozambique side they also defeated at AFCON 2010.

The Super Eagles await the winners of the round of 16 tie between Algeria and DR Congo in their 18th AFCON quarter final at the Marrakesh stadium on Saturday, January 10.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala has dismissed the prospects of Peter Obi, ahead of the next general election, claiming that the former Anambra State governor will not command the level of support he enjoyed in the last polls.

Bwala argued that Obis rise in 2023 was largely driven by a unique political moment rather than sustained political structure or influence.

According to him, the momentum that carried Obi during the last election cycle has since faded, pointing to what he described as weak representation in the National Assembly and the failure of Labour Party candidates in several elections across the country.

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He further criticised Obis political trajectory, suggesting that his frequent movement across political parties has undermined his credibility.

Bwala claimed that while Obis supporters often criticise other politicians for defecting, their principal has moved across multiple parties over the years.

The lawyer and political analyst also questioned Obis relevance in emerging political coalitions, asserting that he would neither emerge as a presidential nor vice-presidential candidate within such alliances.

He predicted that Obi would ultimately contest the 2027 election on a platform different from both the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress.

Bwala stated that Obis influence, particularly on social media, does not necessarily translate into electoral success, insisting that online popularity alone is insufficient to win elections in Nigerias current political landscape.

His words, Peter Obi will not get one quarter of the vote he got. He rode on an opportunity that presented itself in 2023. Of all political gladiators in Nigeria, the one who is an actor is Peter Obi. I will tell you why. They told us in movies, it is make believe; it is not a reality.

After the election, he lost everybody he was leading. He had house or reps and senators, how many are they in the national assembly? All the elections he had gone across Nigeria all of them failed. All the armies he has on social media attack people, they say youre two-faced man, you change party.

But when their master is changing party like a player in the premier league is changing club every season; he started with PDP, then APGA. From APGA to PDP then he went to Labour.

The coalition he is subscribing to, he has no future there, do you know why? He will not be the presidential candidate there, he will not be the vice presidential candidate. And if you want a prediction, I will tell you that Peter Obi will run on a platform other than ADC, and other than Labour.
British-Nigerian content creator Oluwademilade Abimbola, popularly known as Miss Demz has made a strong claim about Nigerian food.

While speaking on the Lagos meets London podcast, Miss Demz claimed that Nigerian food being sold abroad tastes better that the ones in Nigeria.

She defended her claim, explaining that the vendors in London that sell Nigerian food operate in a more competitive environment.

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I feel like the Nigerian food Ive had in London sometimes tastes better than what we get back home, the consistency, presentation and hygiene are just on another level.

Her statement quickly stirred the conversation surrounding authenticity. Many Nigerians stated that her claims are untrue, noting that Nigeria is the home to flavors and unique cuisines.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a Port Harcourt-based pastor over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The arrest comes amid an unresolved political confrontation between Wike and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, which has continued to heighten tensions across the state.

Security sources say the development has introduced a serious security angle to the ongoing struggle for political control and influence in Rivers State.

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The suspect, Dr Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, is a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel Church, based in Port Harcourt.

He was arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team attached to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.

Investigators disclosed that the arrest followed surveillance of a telephone conversation allegedly involving Gbeneol and a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo.

According to security officials, the discussion raised alarm due to its sensitive nature and potential national security implications.

During the monitored conversation, the duo reportedly discussed plans to recruit foreign nationals to carry out an attack on the FCT Minister.

The discussion was also said to include efforts to secure funding to execute the alleged operation.

The content of the call was considered a grave national security threat, a senior security source said. That was what triggered the immediate action by the IRT.

Following intelligence evaluation, operatives swiftly moved in and arrested Gbeneol in Port Harcourt.

He has reportedly been in detention for nearly two weeks as investigations continue.

Confirming the arrest, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated, He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing.

Police authorities have not released details of other suspects linked to the case.

However, investigators are said to be working to determine the roles of all individuals connected to the alleged plot.

Security agencies are also intensifying efforts to locate Danagogo, who is believed to have gone into hiding.

The arrest has sparked reactions across Rivers State, with residents expressing concern over rising political hostility.

Observers say the incident reflects growing tensions between camps loyal to Wike and supporters of Governor Fubara.

Recent political standoffs between both factions have disrupted governance and deepened divisions within the states political landscape.
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, asking him to resign his ministerial position and focus on what he described as his obsession with Rivers State politics.

He said he was unfazed by what he termed veiled threats from the minister, insisting that his political background had prepared him to withstand intimidation.



Basiru had, in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, declared support for the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid ongoing confrontations between him and Wike.



The APC scribe also cautioned the South-South Chairman of the APC, Victor Giadom, against making derogatory remarks about Fubara or any other governor, stating that members of the National Working Committee of the party should not take sides in any political crisis.



However, Wike, during his thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, warned Basiru to steer clear of the states politics.



Let me warn those who come to Rivers State, because you have heard that we have N600bn, you come here, you collect, and you open your mouth to talk anyhow.



I say it here, take this message to your National Secretary, leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have done it before. Please dont take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.



Responding to Wikes comments in a statement he personally signed on Monday, Basiru said the minister lacked the authority to interfere in the affairs of the ruling party, stressing that Wike was not a member of the APC.



My advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics, the APC scribe said.



Basiru maintained that contrary to Wikes impression, he had the authority to oversee affairs of the APC across the country as the national secretary of the party.



He said, From my record, he isnt a member of APC. I dont see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling into APC affairs.



I am the National Secretary of APC and I dont see any basis for him to be making comments about my activities either in Rivers State or in any part of Nigeria.



As the National Secretary of the party, my activities arent confined to Osun State, contrary to his wrong impression.



I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC. So, he has no locus whatsoever to engage me in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party.



Basiru also dismissed allegations linking him to an alleged interest in Rivers State funds, describing the claims as baseless and inconsistent with his personal record.



I take strong exceptions to his allusion that I am interested in the N600 billion allocations of Rivers State. My records of service are those of integrity and commitment to service. I am not an opportunist and I have never shied away from taking principled positions on any matter, no matter whose ox is gored.



I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military dictatorship. I cant be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed. My records as National Secretary are above board and I cant be queried by somebody who isnt a member of APC, he said.
PRESS RELEASE

TROOPS OF OPERATION ENDURING PEACE RESCUE RETIRED COLONEL FROM KIDNAPPERS IN PLATEAU STATE

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction by unidentified gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

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The retired senior officer was kidnapped in the early hours of 5 January 2026 at about 0045 hours from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA. Upon receipt of the distress call, troops of Sectors 1 and 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, swiftly mobilised and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.

The troops, in conjunction with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilantes, sustained intensive search and rescue operations, combing suspected criminal hideouts across caves and rocky high grounds within the general area.

Later in the day, at about 1400 hours, the kidnappers contacted the wife of the abducted retired officer and demanded a ransom of Two Hundred Million Naira (200,000,000.00). Having observed the overwhelming presence and pressure from pursuing troops, the kidnappers issued threats to kill the victim if search operations were not halted.

Consequently, troops tactically switched to covert operations, which culminated in the successful rescue of Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd) at about 1730 hours on 5 January 2026 at the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, without any ransom payment.

The rescued retired officer is currently undergoing medical examination at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre and is in stable condition. He will be debriefed to provide vital intelligence that will aid ongoing follow-up operations.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE are continuing aggressive combing operations within the surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their criminal network.

The Nigerian Army, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and will continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
Rinal Parikh, 43, Media-based artist, poses for a portrait in her studio with a few of her paintings framed on the wall in her home on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. Read more

As a blanket of snow and sleet melted into the grass and an early winter fog hung over the Delaware Valley last month, Rinal Parikhs art studio was a tranquil portal to the outside world.

In her studio, lofty windows look out onto a sprawling backyard. The walls are adorned with Parikhs paintings, both completed and in progress, and its shelves are stacked with art supplies and mementos.

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What inspires me is my surroundings, and Im blessed with an amazing backyard, Parikh said, looking out the window. That is my main inspiration.

Parikh is a Media-based painter and biochemist by trade whose art blends traditional Indian folk styles with contemporary themes. Her art, rich in texture, color, and meaning, uses a collection of materials, from sand and fabric to glass, beads, and stucco. She paints with acrylic and watercolors, and creates detailed drawings with thin brushes. Her work fuse her upbringing in India with her current life in Media, an amalgamation of past and present, of here and there.

Parikh, 43, took a circuitous route to becoming an artist. She moved to Philly in 2005 from Gujarat, India, to follow her husband, Bhavin, who had immigrated a few years earlier (the day of our interview was the 20th anniversary, to the date, of her arrival in the U.S.). She enrolled in a masters in molecular biology program at Drexel University, a step toward her Ph.D., and got a job in a lab at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

A few years after her move, Parikhs first son was born with health complications. With no family close by, Parikh quit her job to focus on taking care of her son. Hes now a healthy teenager, she notes.

Seeing that Parikh was missing out on work, her husband made a suggestion: Why not paint something for their new house? That first painting, Krishna-leela, now hangs in the Parikhs living room, an eye-catching depiction of the Hindu deity Krishna.

When her son was 9 months old, Parikh stopped by an art fair at the Creative Living Room, a community arts center in Swarthmore. She struck up a conversation with some of the women there. A few days later, they called with a question: Would she like to do a solo show?

I didnt even know what that means, she said.

Nonetheless, she agreed. She worked tirelessly for three months to make 20 pieces. She didnt know where to buy art supplies, so she imported them from India (someone would later point her toward the now-closed Pearl Art & Craft Supplies on South Street). In fall 2009, she displayed her paintings for the first time as a professional artist  and sold her first painting, too. The rest, she said, is history.

Parikh melds together three types of Indian folk art  Warli, Madhubani, and Kalamkari. Warli is a tribal art that depicts day-to-day life in a mural-like format. Madhubani uses geometric patterns and typically reflects celebrations of life. Kalamkari, Parikh said, is very refined, a style of art that uses a fine brush to create delicate and detailed line drawings. All three art forms have traditionally been practiced by women.

Parikh feels like she speaks a global language.

Though her paintings take inspiration from the traditional Indian folk style, the scenes depicted are not just of India. Theyre often of the Philly area, and of the flora and fauna in her backyard.

I still practice Indian folk art, but the subject matters are very now, Parikh said. The language is still very traditional, but the conceptualization, the visualization, is much more contemporary.

In her family room hangs Home, a 2021 Warli painting of a tree. The background is complex in both texture and color, with blues, browns, and purples peeking out. Hanging from the tree are monkeys, which Parikh said captures the energy of having two boys, now 17 and 12, in the house. (Theyre very good kids, she clarifies.)

I observe my surroundings, I experiment with styles, I do a lot of repetitive patterns, and I tell my story, she said.

Since jumpstarting her art career, Parikh has become involved in the regions growing art community. Shes the marketing chair for the Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show and is involved with the Community Arts Center of Wallingford.

She said she understands the anxieties of young artists and wants to support the organizations that nurture their careers.

I was supported by the community, and I want to do the same thing.

Parikhs art can be found on her website and her Instagram page.

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
The Trump Store in Bensalem is closing this month after six years selling Trump swag in Bucks County. Read more

One Trump supporters journey from a mall kiosk to a Bucks County strip mall is coming to an end this month.

The Trump Store, a Bensalem spot for merchandise and knickknacks celebrating President Donald Trump, is closing its doors after six years in business. The stores final day is Jan. 31.

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Mike Domanico, who co-owns the store with his wife, Monica, remains an ardent supporter of the president. But business is business, and Domanico said sales have declined since Trump returned to the White House, forcing the tough decision to shut down.

Business has slowed down some because theres not really much action going on with Trump, Domanico said. Its time.

There were other factors. The stores lease is up in February, and Domanico wants to devote more of his time to a booming side business selling gun show merchandise.

Domanico said Trumps tariffs on imported goods havent impacted his business at all.

Any of the stuff I buy is priced the same as it was before all the tariffs took effect, Domanico said.

The store began its closeout sale on Tuesday, Jan. 6, exactly five years to the day when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Everythings on sale, from shirts featuring the president as an Eagles player to hats promoting a fictitious 2028 reelection campaign barred by the U.S. Constitution.

Domanico, who founded his T-shirt business, Sik-Nastee, in 2017, began selling Trump merchandise at a kiosk in the Neshaminy Mall in November 2019.

After the holidays, Domanico ditched the Biden merchandise he was forced to sell by the malls management company and opened his first Trump Store in a strip mall alongside a Hispanic bakery and a travel agent. The store remained open during COVID closures by selling Trump face masks, allowing it to operate as a life-sustaining business.

Domanico opened a sister Trump Store in Chalfont in July 2022, but closed it last year due to issues with the landlord and some vandalism. He has two full-time employees helping him run the store.

In his six years selling Trump merchandise, Domanico said the only tough year was after the 2020 election. Following his second impeachment, Trump appeared to lose support from most Republicans, and sales at the store slowed.

I stuck with it because I knew he was going to run again, and it worked out very well, Domanico said.

Sales grew during the final years of Joe Bidens tenure, fueled by Trump becoming the first former president indicted for a crime. Free Trump shirts became a particularly hot seller, and the store saw a spike in sales when the presidents Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., was raided by FBI agents.

The stores closing comes just a few months after Democrats swept every countywide race in off-year elections in Bucks County. Its a dramatic political shift compared to just last year, when Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate since 1988 to win the swing county.

While many Bucks County residents appear to have soured on the president and his policies, Domanico isnt among them.

I think his second term has been great, Domanico said. I know the liberal media turns everything around, making it look bad, but hes doing some great stuff. I love it.
Philadelphia police said Arkel Garcia was a suspect in two new murders and a shooting. Read more

A Philadelphia man whose murder conviction was overturned because of its connection to disgraced former homicide detective Philip Nordo is now a suspect in two new homicides, and he was arrested this weekend after authorities say he committed yet another violent crime.

Arkel Garcia, 32, had been on the run since November, when police said he beat an elderly acquaintance to death inside an apartment complex in the citys Stenton section. Authorities described that crime as a robbery, and issued an arrest warrant for Garcia on murder charges.

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Weeks after that, authorities in Florida said they were seeking to question Garcia in connection with another killing there, on Nov. 28 in St. Lucie County. The sheriffs office said a victim  whom it did not identify  died from blunt force trauma and smoke inhalation after a residence was intentionally set ablaze. Authorities did not provide many additional details about the crime, but said Garcia was considered a person of interest based on evidence recovered at the crime scene and witness interviews.

The most recent incident occurred Sunday afternoon, when police said Garcia, back in Philadelphia, shot a 34-year-old man in the arm inside a residence on the 5200 block of Germantown Avenue. Another man, age 37, then stabbed Garcia, police said, and began struggling with Garcia over his firearm, at which point the gun went off and struck Garcia.

Responding officers found Garcia suffering from gunshot and stab wounds in a nearby parking lot and took him to a hospital, where he was to be treated before being arraigned on murder charges. He had not been arraigned as of Tuesday afternoon.

The string of crimes occurred about a year after Garcia was released from prison after the collapse of his earlier murder case  an outcome prosecutors said was necessary because of Nordos misconduct.

In 2015, a jury had found Garcia guilty of fatally shooting Christian Massey, a 21-year-old man with special needs who was killed in Overbrook over a pair of Beats by Dre headphones. Garcia was sentenced to life in prison.

But four years later, District Attorney Larry Krasners office charged Nordo with raping and sexually assaulting male witnesses he met on the job. And as part of that investigation, prosecutors said they uncovered emails and recorded phone calls showing that Nordo had pursued secret sexual relationships with key witnesses while seeking to compile evidence implicating Garcia.

A confidential informant who spoke to Nordo about the Garcia case later told The Inquirer Nordo sexually assaulted him and also failed to protect his identity in the neighborhood. The informant was later convicted of killing someone after he said he was threatened because of being labeled a snitch.

In 2021, prosecutors persuaded a judge to overturn Garcias murder conviction in the Massey killing, and Krasners office declined to retry him.

But Garcia was not released from prison right away. After being found guilty of Masseys murder, he fought with a sheriffs deputy in the courtroom and was later convicted of aggravated assault. A judge sentenced him to five to 10 years in prison for that crime, and he remained incarcerated for it until he was paroled in October of 2024.

(Nordo, meanwhile, was convicted of sex crimes in 2022 and sentenced to 24 to 49 years in prison.)

Late last year  while Garcia was still on parole  police said he fatally beat 68-year-old David Weinkopff inside an apartment on the 4900 block of Stenton Avenue. Weinkopff was wheelchair-bound, authorities said, and neighbors told police theyd seen Garcia going into and out of the building before the crime.

About two weeks after a murder warrant was issued in that case, authorities in Florida announced they were seeking to question Garcia over a homicide in Fort Pierce, a coastal city about an hour north of West Palm Beach.

Detectives there believe Garcia may have come to the area to visit estranged relatives, but are not sure how or why he killed the 51-year-old victim found dead on the 600 block of South Market Avenue. By the time authorities said they were seeking to question Garcia, they said he may have been attempting to return to Philadelphia by bus.

Still, Garcia remained on the lam until Sunday, when police said he got into an argument with several people inside a residence in Germantown.

Witnesses said the episode turned violent when Garcia fired his gun, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, and officials said Garcia was the only one with a firearm.

Vanore said Garcia was expected to face charges including aggravated assault, illegal gun possession, and reckless endangerment  in addition to the murder charges he will face for the killing on Stenton Avenue in November.

A relative of Masseys, who asked not to be identified to discuss Garcias new arrest, said she and her relatives had felt let down by the system  and were heartbroken that Garcia, whom she still believes killed Massey, had been freed to hurt other people.

This is a violent individual, she said. How is that not clear?
The Philadelphia Police Department on Tuesday released the name of the officer who shot and wounded a knife-wielding man on New Years Eve in Strawberry Mansion: Nicholas Jones.

Jones, 26, a four-year veteran of the department, shot 31-year-old Keith Freeman once in the chest, police said.

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Jones and another officer  whose name has not been released  were called to a house in the 1800 block of North Bailey Street, police said, after a 911 caller had reported hearing a woman screaming.

A 9-year-old child opened the door, police said, and inside the officers saw a 30-year-old woman lying on the floor. Standing over her, knife in hand, they said, was Freeman. The woman had not been injured.

According to police, Jones and the other officer told Freeman to drop the knife. Instead, police said, Freeman leapt over a sofa and charged the officers, and Jones shot him.

Freeman was taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment. He was charged with aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

Freeman and the woman know one another, police said.

A police spokesperson said Tuesday that Jones has not previously been involved in an on-duty shooting. He has been placed on administrative duty, as is customary, pending an internal investigation.
Signage from the iconic Melrose Diner, demolished in 2023, appeared on Facebook Marketplace this week. Read more

Anyone who ever hovered over a plate of waffles and bacon or a slice of apple pie with vanilla sauce at South Phillys Melrose Diner will likely recall the restaurants iconic aesthetic  red and yellow, stainless steel and neon, a sizable coffee cup-slash-analog-clock.

Call it 24-hour-diner chic.

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The diner, which opened at the intersection of 15th Street, West Passyunk Avenue, and Snyder Avenue in 1956, was demolished in 2023 to pave the way for a new six-story apartment building.

Now, its iconic signage can be yours, apparently. If youre willing to pony up a sizable offer.

A Facebook Marketplace posting Monday night listed photos of various signs from the diner for sale.

The Famous Melrose Diner, reads the posting. [Four] pieces of signage. Very heavy and totally cool. Sold as a set. Must pick up. Serious inquiries only please. Example, Olgas Diner sold for $12000.

The condition is listed as Used  Good.

In a 2023 interview with The Inquirer, diner owner Michael Petrogiannis said he planned to put the old signage into storage, with the goal of incorporating it into a new Melrose location in the future.

Petrogiannis also joked that hed be willing to sell the sign and other memorabilia from the diner for $1 million. But then Im making a new one, exactly the same thing, he added.

He couldnt immediately be reached for comment Tuesday about the signs sale.

For close to a century, the Melrose Diner was a staple of the citys food scene, serving up pork rolls and cheesecake to families and late-night crowds. Upon its shuttering, patrons fondly recalled their memories of the place  from chance celebrity encounters to Christmas traditions to the occasional run-in with a mobster.

The diner was founded in 1935 by Dick Kubach, a German immigrant, before it was eventually sold to Petrogiannis by Kubachs son in 2007.
Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, after speaking at the Philadelphia College of Physicians in 2022. He is a vocal critic of the Trump administration's vaccine policy. Read more

Sweeping changes to the United States childhood vaccine schedule announced Monday by federal officials will decrease the number of recommended childhood immunizations from 17 to 11.

Outraged pediatricians and infectious disease experts say the move will increase cases of preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Among the vaccines affected is an immunization for rotavirus whose co-inventor, Paul Offit, directs the Vaccine Education Center at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

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Now, vaccination for the serious gastrointestinal illness is among those no longer universally recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The guidance change also affects immunizations for flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. The CDC now recommends them for children at high risk of serious illness, or when parents of otherwise healthy children decide with their doctor to give their child vaccines for these diseases.

The CDCs move is the latest in a chaotic upheaval of the nations vaccine policy overseen by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

I think the goal of RFK Jr. is to make vaccines optional, said Offit, a longtime critic of Kennedy, saying the anti-vaccine activist is doing everything he can to make vaccines less available, less affordable, and more feared.

Other experts said the decision was made without transparency and had little scientific backing. It comes at a time when more Americans are refusing vaccines; in Pennsylvania kindergarteners measles vaccination rates have dipped below the critical 95% threshold required to prevent the disease from spreading widely.

The Infectious Disease Society of America called the move the latest reckless step in Secretary Kennedys assault on the national vaccine infrastructure that has saved millions of lives.

Ronald G. Nahass, a New Jersey-based physician and IDSAs president, said in a statement that Kennedys actions put families and communities at risk and will make America sicker.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, a leading professional medical society, said it would continue to recommend that all children be vaccinated against rotavirus, hepatitis, and other diseases removed from the CDCs routine immunization list.

Under the new guidelines, the CDC will continue to recommend that all children get vaccinated for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough or pertussis, haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus or HPV, and chickenpox.

The agency will also recommend that children at high risk for serious complications receive vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, and two meningococcal diseases.

Previously, an independent committee that advises the agency in November recommended delaying hepatitis B vaccines for newborns.

This framework empowers parents and physicians to make individualized decisions based on risk, while maintaining strong protection against serious disease, said Mehmet Oz, a physician and administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in a statement.

Federal officials said that insurance will continue to cover vaccinations, the Associated Press reported.

Vaccine policy around the world

Offit spent 26 years developing a rotavirus vaccine after treating children with the illness during his medical residency in Pittsburgh  including one patient who died. Rotavirus causes vomiting and diarrhea that can lead to dehydration and is particularly dangerous for young children. There are two vaccines available, one of which Offit helped to develop.

I try not to take this personally, he said of the new federal guidance.

Before rotavirus vaccines were recommended by the CDC in 2006, up to 70,000 children were hospitalized with rotavirus each year, he noted.

Within a decade, hospitalizations plummeted.

But what we hadnt eliminated was the virus, he said.

HHS officials said that their review of worldwide vaccination policies found that the United States vaccinates for more diseases than other developed countries.

But, they said, many countries that recommend fewer vaccines still achieve strong child health outcomes and maintain high vaccination rates through public trust and education rather than mandates.

Trump has touted Denmark, which recommends routine vaccinations for 10 diseases, as a potential model for the U.S.

Denmark may have better health outcomes, but it also has a national healthcare system, a lower childhood poverty level, and free childcare, Offit noted in a recent blog post.

And, he said, Denmark  which does not recommend routine rotavirus or RSV vaccination  sees children hospitalized from those viruses at higher rates than the United States.

Denmark is nothing to emulate. They should be emulating us, Offit said.

Likewise, AAP president Andrew Racine said in a statement that America is a unique country with different health risks and public health infrastructure than Denmark.

This is no way to make our country healthier, Racine said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said that the state will continue to rely on evidence-based guidance including vaccine recommendations from the AAP.

RFK Jr. is once again trying to sow chaos and confusion among parents  but know this: these changes at the federal level do not affect Pennsylvanians access to vaccines in our Commonwealth, he said in a statement. Pennsylvanians should continue to consult with their doctors and make informed decisions based on the best scientific evidence."

New Jerseys Acting Health Commissioner Jeffrey A. Brown said in a statement that the state sets vaccine requirements for school and childcare, and that those have not changed despite shifts at the federal level. He added vaccines in the state remain covered by insurance and the state is committed to protecting residents health.

Federal efforts to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for all children in the United States are not supported by the available data nor the consensus of public health and medical experts, Brown said. Instead, deterring participation in vaccination risks leaving children vulnerable to serious and preventable infections.

Changing public attitudes

In a December survey, the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that more than a third of 1,006 Americans polled were more likely to trust the American Medical Association, a leading professional medical society, over the CDC if the two conflicted on vaccine policy.

At the time of the survey, the CDC had recently changed its website to suggest  against decades of evidence showing otherwise  that there could be a link between vaccines and autism.

Asking the public to make their own decisions on whether to vaccinate their children can make people vulnerable to misinformation, Annenberg director Kathleen Hall Jamieson said in an interview with The Inquirer last week.

The public doesnt have time to do research on its own, on average, and in the process, they can get lost in a mire of misinformation and confusion very easily, she said. Its easy to think one is doing ones research when one is way down the rabbit hole.

In the poll, the preference to trust the AMA over the CDC held true across political parties and was particularly pronounced among older Americans. The only age group more likely to accept the CDC over the AMA in the event of conflicting vaccine advice was 18- to 29-year-olds.

The fact that, as the CDC began to change statements, the public shifted its trust to other organizations on consequential issues  thats a statement that says the public intelligence is real, Jamieson said.

The AAPs Racine reiterated Monday that the society will continue to publish its own vaccine recommendations and help physicians to advise parents.

Your childs pediatrician has the medical training, special knowledge, and scientific evidence about how to support childrens health, safety, and well-being. Working together, you can make informed decisions about whats best for your child, Racine said.

Offit cautioned parents against avoiding vaccinations, as high rates do not just protect healthy children  theyre also vital for children with immune disorders who cannot be vaccinated.

And, he said, parents shouldnt discount the risks of hospitalization or death from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Theres this sort of myth of invulnerability  you never think its going to happen to you, until it happens to you, he said.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) walks into the Senate chamber on April 17, 2024. MUST CREDIT: Haiyun Jiang/For The Washington Post Read more

Lawmakers are back in Washington this week for a four-week sprint to finish funding the government before the current spending law runs out on Jan. 30.

If they fail, they will need to pass another short-term extension or spark another government shutdown just two and a half months after the last one, the longest funding lapse in U.S. history.

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Funding the government usually requires passing 12 individual bills. Lawmakers approved three as part of a deal to end last falls shutdown, and they also extended current funding levels for the rest of the government into January. Those levels were last set in March 2024.

But it will be challenging to finalize the remaining bills, which have not yet been formally negotiated between the House and the Senate or approved by congressional leaders.

The two Appropriations Committee chairs, Rep. Tom Cole (R., Okla.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), announced in late December that they had finally reached an agreement on the total spending level theyll shoot for in the remaining bills. They did not reveal the overall cost, but Cole said it is lower than the amount if Congress were to pass another funding extension, known as a continuing resolution.

This pathway forward aligns with President [Donald] Trumps clear direction to rein in runaway, beltway-driven spending, Cole said in a statement. We will now begin expeditiously drafting the remaining nine full-year bills to ensure we are ready to complete our work in January.

From there, appropriators must navigate political pressures from their right and left: Fiscal hawks, including many in the conservative House Freedom Caucus, insist that funding levels for most agencies should not be higher than the last fiscal year.

I believe that we should begin to control our federal deficit and runaway federal debt by keeping this years discretionary spending level at or below last years level, said House Freedom Caucus chairman and senior Appropriations Committee member Rep. Andy Harris (R., Md.) in a statement.

But Democrats must approve any funding agreement, which has to receive at least 60 votes in the Senate to bypass the filibuster. Republicans control the upper chamber 53-47.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, slammed the chambers newly released Homeland Security spending bill in December, calling it partisan and pledging to fight for accountability in Trumps out-of-control DHS.

The Senate has spent weeks attempting to pass a five-bill appropriations package that had only been negotiated in that chamber. The bill needed consent from all 100 senators to advance, and several conservative senators held up action for weeks over billions of dollars in earmarks tucked into the bills. (The House proposals also include billions in earmarks.)

Those senators eventually relented, and the chamber was poised to vote on the package right before leaving town for the winter break, but two Democratic senators blocked it  demanding funding be reinstated for the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a Colorado-based research organization that Trump has moved to eliminate.

The Senate package would tie together two major government funding bills  covering defense, labor, education, and health and human services agencies  with three other bills to fund the departments of Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Justice, and science-related agencies.

It would appropriate $1.3 trillion, making up the vast majority of discretionary federal government spending.

Cole has said that the Senates five-bill package would be too big to pass the lower chamber. He suggested passing the remaining nine appropriations bills in three separate three-bill packages in January when lawmakers return, beginning with bills covering the Commerce and Justice Departments, the Interior Department and agencies covering energy and water.

The political minefield ahead may mean lawmakers once again turn to a funding extension rather than face another shutdown.

I dont want another CR, I dont think Mr. Cole wants another CR, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. Lets go. Lets get the bills done.

Congress is supposed to pass all 12 appropriations bills before government funding runs out at the end of each fiscal year on Sept. 30.

But lawmakers inability to adhere to that process is not new: Congress has only passed all its spending bills before the deadline four times in recent decades. Instead, most spending bills in modern history have been approved in one big package known as an omnibus right before the holiday break.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) pledged to stop that practice. The political complications of passing all 12 bills separately, however, has made that difficult to achieve. Instead, lawmakers have extended funding levels first approved under President Joe Biden multiple times, and Republicans have passed supplemental spending for their immigration and defense priorities through a party-line tax and spending bill.
El Carnaval de Puebla, one of the biggest yearly celebrations of Mexican culture in Philadelphia and on the East Coast, is not returning in 2026.

For the second year in a row, the current immigration policies have overshadowed the festival that commemorates the Battle of Puebla traditionally celebrated on May 5, but not for the reasons one might expect.

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We are not scared of ICE; it is not fear that drives us, said Edgar Ramirez, founder of Philatinos Radio and a committee member for San Mateo Carnavalero. Many of the people who attend the carnival are second or third generation, but we are living at a time where the feeling of rejection is palpable, and it is not a suitable environment.

El Carnaval de Puebla has been a long-standing tradition for the city since 2005, stopping only during the pandemic, the first year of Donald Trumps presidency in 2017, and last year following his reelection, as concerns for attracting immigration enforcement actions arose.

Since Trumps reelection, the number of immigrants in federal detention facilities has increased beyond 65,000, a two-thirds increase since he took office last January.

South Philadelphia has been particularly affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Most recently, five men were arrested in a South Philly Park in September, when they stopped for a drink in celebration of Mexicos Independence Day before going to work.

Such uncertainty over when ICE might strike puts festival attendees at risk, making it harder to find sponsors and generate enough revenue to pay for city permits and requirements to hold the event, said committee member Olga Renteria.

Its hard to ask people to invest when there is no certainty that the carnival will be able to drive the success of previous years, said Renteria, who noted that over 15,000 people attended the carnival in 2024. The carnival is about family, sharing, drinking, enjoying yourself, and right now, any excuse is good enough to arrest someone; one incident is enough.

For the community, this feels like a loss of space, both literally and figuratively.

Longtime carnival attendee Alma Romero looked forward to seeing people in traditional attire, dancing and parading on Washington Avenue, triggering memories of her home in Puebla once a year.

The carnival would have been good to lift our spirits, just as the Day of the Dead celebrations did, Romero said, referring to the Ninth Street Corridor festivities in November that commemorate loved ones who passed away. Without it, it feels like a sense of pride and unity is missing; now we just carry it in our hearts.

After having attended the parade at all 19 past El Carnaval de Puebla events in Philly, Karina Sanchez, too, feels that sense of loss.

I understand its important for the community to feel safe, but its sad to see us shrinking ourselves, Sanchez said. When that sentiment grows, it is not a loss just for us, but for Philadelphia as a whole.

Currently, there are no plans to replace El Carnaval de Puebla, but there is hope among many for a return.

We have to come back, Ramirez said. We must because we are part of this city too, and things have to get better at some point.
President Donald Trump dances as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, in Washington. Read more

CARACAS, Venezuela  President Donald Trump said Tuesday on his social media site that Interim Authorities in Venezuela would be providing 30 million to 50 million barrels of High Quality oil to the U.S. at its market price, an announcement that came after officials in Caracas announced that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the dead-of-night U.S. military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro and spirit him to the United States to face drug charges.

Trump posted on Truth Social that the oil will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. He said the money would be controlled by him as president but it would be used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.

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Separately, the White House is organizing an Oval Office meeting Friday with oil company executives regarding Venezuela, with representatives of Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips expected to attend, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the plans.

Earlier Tuesday, Venezuelan officials announced the death count in the Maduro raid as the countrys acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, pushed back on Trump, who earlier this week warned shed face an outcome worse than Maduros if she does not do whats right and overhaul Venezuela into a country that aligns with U.S. interests. Trump has said his administration will now run Venezuela policy and is pressing the countrys leaders to open its vast oil reserves to American energy companies.

Rodriguez, delivering an address Tuesday before government agricultural and industrial sector officials, said, Personally, to those who threaten me: My destiny is not determined by them, but by God.

Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab said overall dozens of officers and civilians were killed in the weekend strike in Caracas and said prosecutors would investigate the deaths in what he described as a war crime. He didnt specify if the estimate was specifically referring to Venezuelans.

In addition to the Venezuelan security officials, Cubas government had previously confirmed that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela were killed in the raid. The Cuban government says the personnel killed belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, the countrys two main security agencies.

Seven U.S. service members were also injured in the raid, according to the Pentagon. Five have already returned to duty, while two are still recovering from their injuries. The injuries included gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment on the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

A video tribute to the slain Venezuelan security officials posted to the militarys Instagram account features faces of the fallen over black-and-white videos of soldiers, American aircraft flying over Caracas and armored vehicles destroyed by the blasts. Meanwhile, the streets of Caracas, deserted for days following Maduros capture, briefly filled with masses of people waving Venezuelan flags and bouncing to patriotic music at a state-organized display of support for the government.

Their spilled blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for justice and strength, the military wrote in an Instagram post. It reaffirms our unwavering oath not to rest until we rescue our legitimate President, completely dismantle the terrorist groups operating from abroad, and ensure that events such as these never again sully our sovereign soil.

Trump grumbles about how Democrats reacted to the raid

Trump on Tuesday pushed back against Democratic criticism of this weekends military operation, noting that his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden had also called for the arrest of the Venezuelan leader on drug trafficking charges.

Trump in remarks before a House Republican retreat in Washington grumbled that Democrats were not giving him credit for a successful military operation, even though there was bipartisan agreement that Maduro was not the rightful president of Venezuela.

In 2020, Maduro was indicted in the United States, accused in a decades-long narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking conspiracy. White House officials have noted that Bidens administration in his final days in office last year raised the award for information leading to Maduros arrest after he assumed a third term in office despite evidence suggesting that he lost Venezuelas most recent election. The Trump administration doubled the award to $50 million in August.

You know, at some point, they should say, You know, you did a great job. Thank you. Congratulations. Wouldnt it be good? Trump said. I would say that if they did a good job, their philosophies are so different. But if they did a good job, Id be happy for the country. Theyve been after this guy for years and years and years.

With oil trading at roughly $56 a barrel, the transaction Trump announced late Tuesday could be worth as much as $2.8 billion. The U.S. goes through an average of roughly 20 million barrels a day of oil and related products, so Venezuelas transfer would be the equivalent of as much as two and a half days of supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Despite Venezuela having the worlds largest proven crude oil reserves, it only produces on average about one million barrels day, significantly below the U.S. average daily production of 13.9 million barrels a day during October.

What U.S. opinion polls show

Americans are split about the capture of Maduro  with many still forming opinions  according to a poll conducted by The Washington Post and SSRS using text messages over the weekend. About 4 in 10 approved of the U.S. military being sent to capture Maduro, while roughly the same share were opposed. About 2 in 10 were unsure.

Nearly half of Americans, 45%, were opposed to the U.S. taking control of Venezuela and choosing a new government for the country. About 9 in 10 Americans said the Venezuelan people should be the ones to decide the future leadership of their country.

Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in a U.S. courtroom on Monday. U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife early Saturday in a raid on a compound where they were surrounded by Cuban guards.

In the days since Maduros ouster, Trump and top administration officials have raised anxiety around the globe that the operation could mark the beginning of a more expansionist U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. The president in recent days has renewed his calls for an American takeover of the Danish territory of Greenland for the sake of U.S. security interests and threatened military action on Colombia for facilitating the global sale of cocaine, while his top diplomat declared the communist government in Cuba is in a lot of trouble.

Colombia responds to Trump

Colombias Foreign Affairs Minister Rosa Villavicencio said Tuesday shell meet with the U.S. Embassys charge daffaires in Bogota to present him with a formal complaint over the recent threats issued by the United States.

On Sunday, Trump said he wasnt ruling out an attack on Colombia and described its president, whos been an outspoken critic of the U.S. pressure campaign on Venezuela, as a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.

Villavicencio said shes hoping to strengthen relations with the United States and improve cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

It is necessary for the Trump administration to know in more detail about all that we are doing in the fight against drug trafficking, she said.

Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom on Tuesday joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenlands sovereignty. The island is a self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark and thus part of the NATO military alliance.

Greenland belongs to its people, the statement said. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.
Mrs. Dupree earned her funeral directors license at the old Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. Read more

Margaret Dupree, 104, of Philadelphia, cofounder, director, and president of Dupree Funeral Home Inc. at 28th and Diamond Streets in North Philadelphia, former teachers aide for the School District of Philadelphia, beautician, and mentor, died Monday, Dec. 15, of age-associated decline at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Mrs. Dupree and her husband, Troy, established the Dupree Funeral Home in 1955, and she became sole owner and president when he died in 1987. Her son Kenneth joined her as supervisor, and together, for nearly 40 years, they conducted thousands of funerals and oversaw a building expansion in 2000 and renovation in 2003.

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Most often, Mrs. Dupree supervised the books and answered the office telephone. Her son handles the funeral arrangements. She was very meticulous and organized, her son said. She continued our legacy and served with integrity.

In the 1960s and 70s, Mrs. Dupree told The Inquirer in 1999, funerals were held at night because most people worked during the day. So she and her husband had day jobs, too. She was a reading and math aide at William Dick and Richard R. Wright Elementary Schools. He worked for the telephone company.

She earned a beauticians license after graduating from Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1941 and worked at her mothers beauty shop at 13th Street and Susquehanna Avenue for a while. She became licensed as a funeral director in 1949 and met her husband when they were interns at a funeral home in South Philadelphia.

Her lifelong commitment to funeral service stands as a rare and remarkable testament to dedication, professionalism, and service to families during their most sacred moments, her family said in a tribute.

 READ MORE: Survivors give advice about mourning their loved ones, as told to The Inquirers obit writer

Mrs. Dupree was among the oldest licensed funeral directors in the country, her family said, and she told The Inquirer she went into the business because morticians and barbers were so respected when she was a child. They were the people who were looked up to, she said.

She used her makeup and beauty expertise to augment the cosmetic work on bodies in the mortuaries and said in 1995: In the early stages, I liked doing reconstructive work. I relished doing the invisible stitch.

Her family called her career a powerful symbol of her lifelong devotion to the calling of funeral service and praised her mentoring others, serving families with dignity, and remaining deeply connected to the profession she loved.

She was a charter member of Childs Memorial Baptist Church, known now as Keeping It Real Christian Fellowship, and supported affordable housing initiatives in North Philadelphia. I like for women to have a place to raise their children, she told The Inquirer in 1998 regarding a proposed housing renewal project. If you give people a place to work and take care of their children, then the whole neighborhood will be improved.

 READ MORE: When parents die, even the mundane memories comfort their children. Here are their tales, as told to The Inquirers obit writer.

Friends and former colleagues called her funny and sweet and a history maker in online tributes. One friend said she was a woman of grace, and her radiant smile always was contagious. Another said: She has had a positive impact on so many Philadelphians.

Margaret Alma McKenney was born July 8, 1921, in Belvedere, S.C. She relocated with her family to North Philadelphia when she was 5 and grew up at 13th and Diamond Streets.

During World War II, she worked for the Army Signal Corps and at the Frankford Arsenal. Afterward, she earned her funeral directors license at the old Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia.

She married Troy Dupree in 1951, and they had daughters Melanie and Carrie, and sons Troy Jr. and Kenneth. For years, she reared the children, worked at the funeral home, and helped out at her mothers shop.

 READ MORE: Surviving spouses always remember how they met their mate. Here are the meet-cute stories told to The Inquirers obit writer.

Later, she doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a friend said online: I am a better grandma having watched from one of the best to ever do it.

Mrs. Dupree enjoyed knitting sweaters for her children, solving cryptograms in the newspaper, and traveling with family and friends to Bermuda, Africa, and elsewhere. She always, even at restaurants, her son Kenneth said, ate her dessert first.

She had a multifaceted personality, her son Kenneth said. She was a comedian, an organizer, and a fan of the underdog.

Her family said: Margaret lived a life rooted in service, compassion, and purpose. Funeral service and education were never just her profession. It was her calling.

In addition to her children, Mrs. Dupree is survived by six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and other relatives. Two sisters and five brothers died earlier.

Services were held on Dec. 28 and 29.

Donations in her name may be made to Project Home, Development Dept., 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130.
Pro-Trump demonstrators converge on the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Read more

Jan. 6, 2021, should be a date that lives in infamy, like Dec. 7, 1941, and Sept. 11, 2001.

But five years after an angry mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, Donald Trumps insurrection marches on.

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Instead of accountability, Trump parlayed the grotesque events that unfolded on Jan. 6 into an incomprehensible return to power and profiteering.

And ever since, Americans have been forced to endure one battle after another.

It began with Trump rewarding the Jan. 6 insurrectionists by pardoning more than 1,500 attackers who were convicted or charged with crimes, including many who beat police officers and some who have since been charged with new crimes.

The blitzkrieg continued from there.

National Guard troops stormed into cities, creating virtual police states and accomplishing little else. Masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested tens of thousands of immigrants  many with no criminal records  while detaining and beating some legal residents.

Trump has continued to attack the government he swore an oath to protect, causing grave and lasting damage.

Elon Musks chain saw-wielding assault on federal agencies failed to root out much fraud or waste, but it did cause massive disruptions to many departments while upending the lives of more than 300,000 workers who lost their jobs.

Trump sicced the U.S. Department of Justice on political enemies, marshaling flimsy criminal cases against them while pardoning cronies. The rule of law  a cornerstone of American democracy  remains under assault.

Meanwhile, the FBI shifted away from investigating terrorist groups and is now said to jokingly stand for Foolish, Belligerent, and Incompetent.

Trump unleashed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to go wild on health, medicine, and food. Since taking over the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy, who has no medical training, has canceled billions of dollars in contracts for medical research, fired thousands of workers, upended vaccine policies that saved millions of lives, and embraced discredited and fringe theories.

Trump has also launched unprovoked attacks overseas, increasing tensions with allies and adversaries while likely inspiring future terrorists.

He ambushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, an ally, in the Oval Office, while rolling out the red carpet for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, a wanted war criminal. Instead of aiding Ukraine, Trump is abetting Russia  an epic blunder that risks the peace in Europe that American soldiers helped to secure in World War II.

Trump endorsed Israels demolition of Gaza and bombed Irans nuclear facilities, a move U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge  and a direct threat to international peace and security.

Trump has illegally bombed small boats in Central and South America, summarily killing more than 100 alleged drug smugglers without presenting any evidence or trials.

Over the weekend, Trump approved a plan to snatch Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and bring them to the U.S. to face criminal charges.

While no one is shedding tears for Maduro, Trump has no clear plan  or total control  for what comes next. Trump claims the U.S. is going to run Venezuela and take charge of its oil, while spouting loose talk about invading Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and Greenland.

That sounds like imperialism run amok.

The U.S. is headed into dangerous and uncharted territory because of the failure of Congress, the courts, and voters to hold Trump accountable. The upshot has been to breed further lawlessness.

Trump was impeached for inciting the Jan. 6 riot. But then-Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and most other Republicans in Congress  in a gross dereliction of their sworn duty  voted against convicting him even though many said he was liable.

Trump was also criminally indicted for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, which led to the Jan. 6 insurrection. The case was dropped after he was reelected, but special prosecutor Jack Smith recently told the House Judiciary Committee that a conviction was likely since there was proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Trump brought out the worst in America on Jan. 6. Five years later, the damage continues to grow.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphys digital innovation office has been made a permanent cabinet-level office in what appears to be the first move of its kind in the nation as the role of artificial intelligence increases in government.

Murphy created the New Jersey State Office of Innovation in 2018 to improve digital innovation in state government.

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And now itll remain a fixture in New Jersey after he leaves office, following Murphys signing Monday of a bill that turns the office into an authority within the Treasury Department.

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, will oversee the new authority. Sherrill supports the office, but even if she didnt, the new law means a governor cant just get rid of it.

Georgetown Universitys Beeck Center, which tracks these efforts nationally, has identified 17 states with digital innovation offices, including Pennsylvania. But the university and Murphys office say New Jersey is the first to codify a cabinet-level position of its kind into law.

The new law also helps the office fund projects between departments more easily and opens up the possibility of revenue streams such as by selling its technology to other state governments or local governments within the state, said Dave Cole, a Haddonfield resident who leads the department. The law also requires a board of directors appointed by the governor.

The state innovation office has worked with almost every state agency to identify problems that can be fixed with technology in an effort to make government services more efficient, Cole said.

In one example, it helped the Department of Labor redesign emails for its unemployment program, which had used decades-old design technology and hard-to-understand legalese that was slowing down the claim process because it wasnt user-friendly.

In another, the office used machine learning to identify 100,000 students eligible for summer food assistance who werent getting it.

The office has also modernized call centers and even created an internal AI chat bot for state employees that helps draft emails, summarize documents, and analyze public feedback  shaving days off the process of aggregating public comments.

Employees are told repeatedly that AI is a tool and that human review is still needed, Cole said.

The person thats using the AI needs to be accepting responsibility for the use of and any dissemination of information after theyve reviewed it, he said in an interview.

The office was awarded what it called a first of its kind grant last month to utilize AI in government.

Cole, 40, said his teams approach to AI is to make bureaucratic processes more efficient, like summarizing fraud information, generating memos, and matching disparate data sets.

Our purpose isnt to solve an AI problem as much as it is to solve a resident problem, a business owner problem  sometimes, when we work with higher education, an institutional problem, he said. And often AI, more recently, emerges as a tool that can help us through that.

The bill passed by 29-8 in the Senate with three members not voting on Dec. 22 and by 61-13 in the Assembly on Dec. 8, with four members not voting and two abstentions.

Sherrill said she will keep Cole in his position as she puts together her administration.

I look forward to working with Dave as we modernize the way New Jerseyans access state government services and build a government that works for everyone, Sherrill said in a statement.

Cole, a Rutgers grad, worked with data and analytics as an organizer for former President Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign before developing the White House website and online petitions as part of the presidential administration.

That work was simpler than the projects he does now given the rapid development of AI  but reached the same goal of increased civic engagement, he said.

After his work there, Cole then pivoted to the private tech sector and made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in South Jersey in 2016 before joining the states innovation office in 2020 to help with pandemic vaccine distribution before eventually rising to chief innovation officer a year ago, replacing Beth Noveck, who now works as the chief AI strategist in the same office.

Generally speaking, theres a lot of pain. Theres a lot of unsolved problems. Theres a lot of improvements that we need to see, Cole said. And so if we understand how to effectively leverage technology, we can do good there, but we have to be careful with anything like this.

One project Cole is looking forward to this year is building the option for residents to use one online account for various government agencies and allowing for their data to be shared across departments to pre-populate forms.

Not only can that simplify processes for residents who choose to participate, but it can make it easier for government agencies to recommend different government programs by getting information about applicants it wouldnt otherwise receive, he said.

Having that information allows us to do really interesting things, like Youre enrolled in this program, did you know you may also be eligible for this other program? he said. This has been for a long time, I think, sort of a dream of folks who do this kind of digital technology work to recommend and automatically enroll people in benefits based on their eligibility.

Working with Sherrill to cut through red tape

Sherrill campaigned on cutting through that red tape and bureaucracy. When asked to elaborate by The Inquirer at a mid-November campaign appearance in South Jersey, she said a lot of it is just putting stuff online.

She also said she wants to address redundancies for residents who need to go through different government organizations and find out they have more steps than they initially thought.

Ive heard too many stories of people who do the five steps they need to get a permit, and they go back and they go, Well, heres five more, she said in November. So theres not a lot of clarity, transparency, or accountability in getting through this process.

Thats the kind of work the innovation office has been doing through business.nj.gov, a centralized website for starting and growing a business, and Cole looks forward to doing more of it in partnership with Sherrill.

New businesses that use the website launched an average of a couple of weeks sooner than those that didnt, Cole said.

It has many agencies, permits, and licenses integrated in it, but not all, he said.

And one of the challenges is that agencies have many priorities about the things that they need to work on at a given point in time, so I think the governor-elects focus on this could allow more clarity there, he added.

This article has been updated to reflect the office is cabinet-level.
Jack Tompkins has retired as Pemberton Township mayor after facing controversy for much of his term. Read more

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Former Pemberton Township Mayor Jack Tompkins revealed in a rare interview this week that lawsuits stemming from allegations of misconduct against him made him uninsurable, compelling him to resign to avoid financial ruin.

The townships insurance carrier decided to cancel my insurance, said Tompkins, 64, who resigned on Dec. 31. They notified me and the township in October. I weighed my options and the smartest thing to do was to resign. Withdrawal of insurance coverage would have financially devastated me.

Tompkins, a Republican, was long under fire for alleged sexual harassment and other behavior over the last two years.

On Wednesday, the five-member township council of the Pine Barrens community in Burlington County  all Republicans  will choose one of three GOP candidates to replace Tompkins. The three candidates were selected by the Republican municipal county committee last week to serve the balance of the year. The committee didnt release the candidates names.

Tompkins was the subject of a highly critical independent investigation in April 2024 that was commissioned by township officials and conducted by a Hackensack law firm, Pashman Stein Walder Hayden.

Some of the reports more serious allegations included inappropriate interactions with female lifeguards under age 18; sexual harassment of the townships recreation director, who sued Tompkins and the township, winning a $500,000 judgment.

He was also accused of a pattern of misconduct  such as poking a woman in the head, or discussing rape in township offices  that was sometimes accompanied by obscene language and retaliatory outbursts, fostering what the investigators who wrote the report termed a severe chilling effect that silenced anyone who felt wronged and allowed Tompkins to continue his aberrant behavior.

Tompkins said that while he was mayor, he worked in a toxic environment created by [township] council, and I was walking on eggshells.

Things got really ugly and nasty.

He added that his time in office left such a dirty taste in my mouth about politics, I want nothing to do with it anymore.

In office since January 2023, Tompkins, 64, a retired Air Force veteran, refused to quit during his tumultuous tenure despite calls from members of both political parties for him to do so, including Gov. Phil Murphy.

Over time, the township council officially censured Tompkins, whose pay was cut from $13,000 annually to $4,000, to $1.

Tompkins told The Inquirer on Monday he relented after the Burlington County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, which covers the township, informed him of their decision to no longer insure him. The fund cited numerous claims resulting from your interaction with Pemberton Township employees over the past several years.

Township officials said last summer that more lawsuits connected to Tompkins were expected.

In the interview, he said that inappropriate behavior with lifeguards never happened. He also said that any alleged misconduct toward [other] females never happened. He declined to comment on additional allegations.

Tompkins said there have been zero criminal charges leveled against him. He added, Everything has been civil allegations, and nothings been proven.

Asked why these allegations were made in the first place, Tompkins said, Youre looking for an answer to something I dont know. I dont know what they were trying to do.

Accused on several occasions of cursing and being harsh to staff, Tompkins explained, Sometimes when youre the boss and tell somebody they need to get something done, I guess they wanted me to ask pretty please. With my military background, that wouldnt always happen.

Tompkins said hes survived the experience with the support of friends and family who knew this was nonsense.

Sherry Scull, a former Democratic township council member, has publicly supported Tompkins, and continues to do so. Ive never seen signs of him doing what he was accused of, she said. I think his resigning is sad.

Others contacted this week didnt agree.

This has been a total embarrassment for the town, said Republican council member Dan Dewey.

Abby Bargar, Republican municipal chair for Pemberton Township, said, I always liked Jack, but I think he made some bad decisions. It was the best thing for the party that he stepped down.

Throughout town, the reaction to the end of Tompkinss administration is overwhelmingly positive, said Marti Graf Wenger, president of the Browns Mills Improvement Association. Browns Mills is an unincorporated section of Pemberton Township; the association works to improve and promote the area, once a Gatsby-esque locale with chic hotels that drew well-off Philadelphians vacationing in the woods, Wenger said.

She added, Tompkins treated this town like his dictatorship. Theres just a sense of relief now, a feeling that we can start fresh and hope our leadership will be better.

Asked whether lingering resentments will make it difficult to remain in town, Tompkins said hes not going anywhere.

I just want to go into retirement and put this chapter behind me, he said. Ive traveled the world, and Ive settled here. I once said Im going to die in this house. So this is where Ill be.
Gov. Josh Shapiro makes remarks in November at SEPTA Frazer Shop and Rail Yard in Malvern. Read more

Five years after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Gov. Josh Shapiro and other Pennsylvania Democrats on Tuesday marked the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by sharply criticizing President Donald Trump.

Trump, who was impeached for inciting the riot in the final days of his first administration, pardoned nearly every Jan. 6 defendant and commuted sentences for a handful of violent offenders as one of his first actions upon returning to office last year.

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Law enforcement officers literally gave their lives to protect our country and our democracy  yet one of the first things Donald Trump did when he took office was pardon people who were convicted of assaulting police officers, Shapiro said in a post on X Tuesday morning.

The President may not respect our law enforcement officers courage and commitment to service  but here in Pennsylvania, we remember the sacrifices they make and will always have their backs.

 READ MORE: President Donald Trump has pardoned nearly every Jan. 6 defendant, paving the way for some to be released from prison

Shapiro played a key role as state attorney general in defending the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania in the weeks leading up to the attack, which took place the same day that Congress was certifying former President Joe Bidens victory.

His comments Tuesday came as hes preparing to announce his reelection bid for governor. As Shapiro has built a national profile as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, he has repeatedly criticized Trump and presented himself as an alternative vision of leadership.

The president has continued to falsely claim he won Pennsylvania in 2020, including at his rally in Mount Pocono last month, even after he won the White House again in 2024.

Trump has downplayed the events of Jan. 6, and on Tuesday the White House unveiled a webpage dedicated to the events, falsely describing the riot as a peaceful protest and blaming Capitol Police for the violence that unfolded.

 READ MORE: How Donald Trump won Pennsylvania and the presidency

Shapiro was one of several Democrats who marked the anniversary of the attack for the first time since Trump returned to office.

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, of Philadelphia, introduced a resolution alongside other House Democrats to designate Jan. 6 as the Democracy Observance Day for Education, Remembrance, and Vigilance.

And Pennsylvania Senate Democrats held an event in the state Capitol Tuesday.

State Sen. Art Haywood, who represents parts of Montgomery County and Philadelphia, described the events of Jan. 6, 2021, as an attempted coup orchestrated by Trump.

He recounted the events in minute-by-minute detail drawing from what has been reported about the day, from Trumps direction to rally-goers to go to the Capitol to former Vice President Mike Pences evacuation from the Senate chambers and rioters success breaking into offices.

State Sen. Jay Costa, of Pittsburgh, said Tuesdays anniversary event was aimed at drawing attention to the lawlessness of the day. Trumps decision to pardon those involved, he said, was a slap in the face to law enforcement.

Scores of Pennsylvanians were charged with taking part in the Jan. 6 attack, some of whom were convicted of committing acts of violence at the Capitol. In addition to the sweeping pardons eliminating the criminal cases of more than 1,500 people, the president also commuted the sentences of 14 people  including Philadelphia native Zach Rehl, the leader of the local far-right Proud Boys chapter who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Costa contended that other incidents of political violence in the years that have followed could be traced back to Jan. 6.

We cannot pick and choose, as our president has done, when we think about what were going to do and say about our law enforcement officers, he said. We need to stand with them all the time.
The most reliable airlines in 2025 have been revealed in a new ranking of flight operators on time for take-off.

Aviation analytics company Cirium announced the worlds most on-time carriers in its 17th annual On-Time Performance Review of global airlines.

Mexican flag carrier Aeromexico topped the on-time table for the second consecutive year, maintaining a 90.02 per cent performance across 188,859 flights.

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According to Cirium, an on-time flight arrives within 14.59 minutes of its scheduled gate arrival time.

Saudia, the flagship carrier of Saudi Arabia, ranked second worldwide, with a punctuality performance rate of 86.53 per cent, and SAS took third with over 86 per cent of operations departing on time.

Regional winners included Delta Air Lines (80.90 per cent) for the fifth consecutive year in North America and Iberia Express (88.94 per cent) in Europe.

UK-based airline Virgin Atlantic placed as the most improved airline for 2025 with 83.45 per cent punctuality  a 9.44 per cent increase from its 74.01 per cent score in 2024.

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Qatar Airways was also awarded Cirium's Platinum Award as recognition for the Doha carriers operational excellence across its global hub network and 84.42 per cent on-time performance.

As for airports, Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport won the large airport category, with 87.04 per cent of flights departing on time.

Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO, said: Maintaining consistent on-time performance requires sophisticated network planning, operational coordination, and the ability to recover quickly when irregularities occur. These results reflect the operational discipline that defines aviation's top performers.

"Qatar Airways' Platinum win is particularly significant because it demonstrates how a network carrier can maintain on-time performance across six continents while operating one of the industry's most complex hub structures. Their 84.42% on-time rate over 198,303 flights sets a new benchmark for network carriers.

Read more: The best and worst airlines for long-haul flights revealed
The 2026 Toyota C-HR could be one of the most promising EVs to debut this year.

Amid what's expected to be a slower year for electric vehicles in America, Toyota will debut two new battery-powered models.

Perhaps the most promising is the 2026 Toyota C-HR, a kind of shrunken-down Toyota bZcomplete with a smaller price tag.

In Europe, at least, the C-HR could use more affordable LFP batteries, too.

With electric-vehicle tax credits gone, fuel economy regulations relaxed and car companies feeling the tariff heat, 2026 is expected to be a slower year for EV adoption. But there are still some bright spots ahead, especially as the EV field moves in a more affordable direction. And one of the more promising entries will come from a company that's historically been more reluctant to lean into EVs than others.

Slated for debut this year is the 2026 Toyota C-HR: a new, smaller and more affordable member of the Toyota EV family that kicked off with the original bZ4X.

That car has been renamed the Toyota bZ for 2026, and it benefits from a wide range of improvements to range, charging, performance and software. But the bigger news is that it's bringing this new friend to play as well.

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The C-HRcalled the C-HR+ in other markets, to differentiate its all-electric version from other oneson the same e-TNGA platform as the bZ. But in some ways, it's actually better, in terms of specs. It comes standard with dual-motor all-wheel-drive, eschewing the bZ's front-drive version. That means it packs the same 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack in a smaller overall package; it's four inches shorter in wheelbase, two inches shorter and about six inches shorter in total length.

That smaller size means it should deliver an estimated 290 miles of range, Toyota has said. (Official EPA-rated estimates are forthcoming.) That's right around the current table-stakes standard of 300 miles for modern EVs, and in ideal conditions, the C-HR could potentially deliver even more than that. And with 338 horsepower delivering an estimated five-second 0-60 mph time, it should be a decent performer as well.

Like the bZ and the other members of the updated Toyota EV family, the C-HR will also use a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. While Toyota's EVs can already use more than 20,000 Tesla Superchargers with an adapter, the NACS port will make that more seamless than ever.

On the downside, the C-HR will sacrifice interior room to the bZ. It delivers about three cubic feet less storage space behind the second row of seats and dimensions are tighter overall.

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While America's C-HR will be fairly well-appointed, the EV comes in more budget-minded trims in other markets. Our colleagues at InsideEVs Germany report that the European C-HR+ will include two front-wheel drive options, and more importantly, what appear to be lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. Those should be a 57.7-kWh LFP battery and a larger 77.0-kWh unit. Toyota has already stated it's working on longer-range LFP batteries for 2026 and beyond, but these seem to be different units.

Regardless, America's C-HR could be a great addition to the field in America for buyers who have been waiting for Toyota to get serious about EVs. Pricing is expected to start well below $40,000possibly even below $35,000, considering that's now the starting MSRP for the larger bZ.

Toyota has confirmed that the C-HR will arrive later this year at American dealerships, along with the larger bZ Woodland and several Subaru-badged counterparts. We at InsideEVs expect to get behind the wheel for a first-drive test very soon.

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com

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The Virginia wage theft statute does not extend to protect employee commissions, the state Supreme Court has ruled.

The Virgibia Supreme Court wrote that, in the plain meaning, the term wages ordinarily is distinct from commissions. The court found that while the legislature can employ the word wages to encompass commissions, either expressly or contextually, it did neither in the statute (Code  40.1-29).

A plain language reading of the statute, therefore, suggests that the General Assembly did not intend to include commissions in the statute, because the word is not in the statute, the high court concluded.

The ruling reversed a Court of Appeals judgment in a case involving employees of a construction company.

The plaintiffs were five former employees of JES Construction. Four of the plaintiffs would go to prospective customers homes to sell construction services. One plaintiff was responsible for repairing installations and selling additional goods and services. Four of the workers were paid exclusively on a commission basis. One was paid commissions plus other compensation.

The commissions were paid as 10% of the gross price of the sales they made. JES paid half of the commission once the contracts three-day rescission period had expired and the contract had become final. JES paid the remainder once the job was complete and the customer had made a final payment.

The plaintiff employees often experienced significant delays in receiving payment for their full commission. The delays could be caused by the engineering and permitting phases of the contract. Four of the five plaintiffs later signed an agreement with JES under which they agreed that the commissions would be paid up to 14 days after the employees no longer worked for JES. No further commissions would be paid after 14 days.

The plaintiffs alleged that JES refused to pay commissions after they left the company and that, when they left the company, they were owed thousands of dollars in earned but unpaid commissions.

They argued that their commissions were earned after the customers three-day rescission period ended, and that JESs refusal to pay their commissions constituted wage theft. They asserted that commissions constituted wages under the wage theft statute.

JES argued that the wage theft law does not apply to commissions.

A circuit agreed with JES, concluding that the statute does not cover commissions. The plaintiffs appealed to the Court of Appeals, which reversed, holding that the term wages as used in the wage theft statute applies to commissions, resting its conclusion on the remedial purpose of the statute, past decisions interpreting the term wages in other contexts, and an interpretation by an administrative agency contained in a field manual.

The high court has now ruled that the Court of Appeals erred.

Topics Legislation Fraud Virginia
Russia is intensifying covert attacks on key infrastructure in Germany in a campaign of hybrid warfare that Berlin views as a possible prelude to a wider conflict, according to a military document obtained by Bloomberg.

As Germany positions itself as NATOs main hub in Europe, it expects to be first targeted by Russia covertly via hybrid attacks  which use irregular or non-military tactics  on energy and defense infrastructure, according to the defense ministry document. It summarizes guidelines for cooperation between different levels of government and institutions in case of conflict with Moscow.

Only after an open armed attack on NATOs eastern flank will Germany increasingly be threatened or attacked with military means such as long-range missiles, armed drones and special forces, the ministry said. The hybrid measures and attacks that have been identified, particularly those carried out in Germany, should be seen as a tool deliberately used by Russia in its security policy and its fight against the collective West. At the same time, these measures could also serve as preparation for military conflict.

Read more: Russia Is Trying to Overwhelm Europe With its Sabotage Campaign: Western Officials

The language goes beyond framing used in previous guidelines and chimes with a recent warning by Martin Jager, the new president of Germanys BND foreign-intelligence service, who told lawmakers in October that Russia is determined to test European borders and could escalate the conflict into a hot confrontation at any moment.

As laid out in Germanys national security strategy, the defense ministry views Russia as the the greatest and most immediate threat to Germanys security.

A defense ministry spokeswoman declined to comment at Mondays regular government news conference when asked about the military document  titled Operationsplan Deutschland (OPLAN)  saying its confidential. She added in general terms that Russia has stepped up covert attacks on infrastructure in Germany.

The defense ministry plan  which was first reported by Politico and Welt newspaper  cited national and foreign intelligence that suggested Russia is seeking to develop capabilities and strategic options to wage and survive a large-scale war against NATO.

Even if Russias war against Ukraine continues unchanged, it is expected that Russia will have developed these capabilities and strategic options by 2029 at the latest, according to the document.

However, Russia continues to see the need to limit any potential conflict to the region, i.e. to avoid direct military confrontation with the US, the ministry added.

In the event of a conventional attack by Russia on NATOs eastern flank, Germany is not expected to become a frontline state and the scene of a direct confrontation between ground forces, the ministry said.

However, Russia will do everything in its power to prevent or at least hinder the deployment of NATO forces on the eastern flank for the purposes of deterrence and, if necessary, defense, it said.

The defense ministry concluded that Russia is deliberately targeting and exploring possible weak links in cooperation between different levels of German government with hybrid measures designed to unsettle citizens.

The aim is to prevent the early detection of these hybrid measures and their actual extent and impact, and to slow down and paralyze our decision-making and response capabilities of the various responsible parties at federal, state and local level.

Photograph: A high voltage electricity transmission tower near a partially lit school in a residential district of Berlin, Germany, on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025; photo credit: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Russia
European officials pledged to support Greenland after US President Donald Trump restarted his campaign to take the self-governed island in the wake of his strike on Venezuela.

Across the continent, Europes biggest powers expressed solidarity with Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom, shortly after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen asserted that Trump has no right to annex Greenland.

I stand with her, and shes right about the future of Greenland, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Sky News on Monday, adding that Greenlands future is for Denmark and Greenland to decide.

The responses come as speculation mounts that the US may use a variation of its Venezuela playbook on Greenland. Trump himself made the connection on Sunday, saying the island could be another target following his move to depose Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and take control of the South American country.

France swiftly reiterated its support of Denmark and Greenlands sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the Danes, and it is up to them to decide what to do with it, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told television channel TF1. Borders cannot be changed by force.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made the same point, noting that Greenland would, in principle, also be subject to NATO defense.

The European Commission, the European Unions executive branch, downplayed comparisons between Trumps designs on Venezuela and Greenland.

Greenland is an ally to the US and is also covered by the NATO alliance and that is a big big difference, said Paula Pinho, the commissions chief spokesperson. We therefore completely stand by Greenland and in no ways do we see a possible comparison with what happened.

The US is effectively the NATO alliances leader, however. If Trump were to take military action against Greenland, it would create an unprecedented situation, with one NATO member moving on an alliance ally.

Pinho said there was no reason for the US to take over Greenland, stressing that the country should decide its own future. And she noted that Maduro did not have democratic backing.

Nicolas Maduro lacked the legitimacy of a democratically elected leader and therefore the events over the weekend provide the opportunity for a democratic transition led by the Venezuelan people, she said.

Pinho also endorsed comments from Greenlands premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who called Trumps threats completely unacceptable and said that enough is enough.

Our country is not an object in great-power rhetoric, he said in a post on LinkedIn. We are a people. A country. A democracy. That must be respected  especially by close and loyal friends.

Nielsen similarly rejected the comparisons between Venezuela and Greenland.

When the US president talks about needing Greenland and links us with Venezuela and military intervention, it is not just wrong. It is disrespectful, he said.

Trump has long argued that the US must control Greenland to ensure its own security. But the move to extract Venezuelas president set off fresh alarm bells in Copenhagen, raising new concerns that Trump may soon set his sights on Greenland.

We need Greenland from a national security situation, Trump said Sunday aboard Air Force One, adding that Denmark is not going to be able to do it.

He even put a vague timeline on the situation.

Well worry about Greenland in about two months, Trump said. Lets talk about Greenland in 20 days.

Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, urged Trump to stop threatening to take control of Greenland, emphasizing that the island is covered by NATOs collective defense guarantee and that the US already has extensive military access to it under existing agreements.

Photograph: Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen; Photo credit: Omer Messinger/Getty Images

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe
A former vice president at Insight Partners has sued the venture capital firm for wrongful termination and gender discrimination, accusing the prominent investor of keeping women from its highest levels.

Katherine Lowry, a consultant and tech company strategist who joined Insight in 2022, filed a lawsuit accusing the firm of several violations of employment law, including disability discrimination and retaliating against her after she took medical leave, according to a state-court complaint filed in San Mateo, California.

An Insight spokesperson did not immediately comment on the complaint.

Over the last few decades, venture capital has grown from a niche, insular corner of finance into an institutional engine for growth as technology companies have become a cornerstone of public markets. Despite increased calls for gender and racial diversity, the VC industry remains largely white and male, especially at the management level, according to industry research.

A 2024 study from PitchBook found that women made up 17.3% of decision-makers at VC firms with more than $50 million in assets under management. At Insight, there are 60 men and 11 women at the managing director or operating partner level.

Insight, which invests in startups and private equity deals, is one of the largest firms active in the sector with more than $90 billion in assets. The firm has had some recent hits: It was a major investor in cybersecurity startups Wiz and Armis, which each had multi-billion dollar acquisitions in 2025.

In October, Lowry published a book called Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders. In an interview on Monday, she said, VC is a very small space. People generally dont file lawsuits. Everyone that has tried has been blackballed and can basically never work in the industry again. She added, I want people to understand that just because someone is wealthy, they dont get to operate outside the rules.

Lowrys complaint says she was paid about 30% below market rate in 2024, without citing that figure. After taking medical leave, Lowry alleged that Insight cut her compensation, reducing the expected carried interest she would receive from deals from $750,000 to $500,000.

In the lawsuit, Lowry alleged that she was berated, hazed and antagonized by her manager at Insight, a female executive, who told Lowry that your work needs to be twice as good as male colleagues because you are a woman.

Another colleague told Lowry it was impossible for women to be promoted at Insight, according to the complaint.

On Monday, Lowry posted on LinkedIn that she filed the lawsuit after a failed attempt to settle the disagreement privately. Insight chose not to come to the table, and instructed me to take things public if I wanted any meaningful outcomes,she wrote. And so I am.

In 2012, startup investor Ellen Pao sued the VC firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers for gender discrimination in a case that gripped Silicon Valley. Pao lost when the case went to trial in 2015.

The case is Katherine Lowry v. Insight Venture Management, 25-CIV-10151, Superior Court, San Mateo County, California.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits
A federal appeals court has ruled that the government is liable for damage to homes that flooded upstream of the Addicks and Barker dams after Hurricane Harvey unleashed more than 50 inches of rainfall on the Houston region in 2017.

A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled unanimously earlier this week that the government was aware or should have been aware that the dams were not enough to protect nearby communities.

In their lawsuit, a group of homeowners said the dams were built with the goal of protecting Houstons downtown area downstream, even at the cost of flooding private lands. Land upstream from the Addicks and Barker dams are dry most of the time, and many homeowners didnt know their neighborhoods were built inside federally owned flood control reservoirs which filled to unprecedented levels after Harvey.

Its estimated that around 14,000 homes were inside the reservoir at the time Harvey made landfall in Rockport as a Category 4 storm then stalled out over the Houston region and dumped record levels of rain. More than one-third of the homes in the reservoirs flooded.

Houston Public Media first reported the new ruling. Daniel Charest, a partner with the law firm of Burns Charest that is representing the plaintiffs, told HPM the decision could help the claims others have made against the government.

This ruling reinforces that every property owner whose land is subject to the governments flowage easement deserves compensation for that permanent burden on their property rights, Charest said in a news release.

The government could either appeal the decision to the full Federal Circuit, or file an appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

There are a few more legal hoops to jump through but relief is now closer than ever, Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X.

Disclosure: Houston Public Media has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane Homeowners
A federal appeals panel has ruled that a California law prohibiting open carry of firearms in heavily populated counties is unconstitutional.

The ruling was issued Friday by two judges on a three-judge panel for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The judges found that the states policy of limiting open carry to counties with a population of less than 200,000 is inconsistent with the Second Amendment.

Californias legal regime is a complete ban on open carry in urban areas  the areas of the state where 95% of the people live, they said in the decision.

The dissenting judge disagreed and said California could limit open carry in more populated areas because it allows for concealed carry throughout the state.

The ruling comes in a long-running debate over gun laws in the United States and in California, which has passed a series of restrictions.

It came after Mark Baird, a Siskiyou County resident, filed a lawsuit asking the courts to restore the historical practice of open carry being allowed.

Chuck Michel, president of the California Rifle & Pistol Association, said he expected state officials will seek a review of the ruling by the full appeals court.

Its a very significant opinion, Michel said, adding that a key question in the case is how a 2022 Supreme Court decision expanding gun rights should be applied.

The press office for Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement on social media that the states law was carefully crafted to comply with the Second Amendment.

California just got military troops with weapons of war off of the streets of our cities, but now Republican activists on the Ninth Circuit want to replace them with gunslingers and return to the days of the Wild West, the statement said.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
Cork publican Paul Montgomery has bought the renowned suburban bar and restaurant The Wilton, with a 1m refurbishment set to begin next week.

The 10,000sq ft venue, located opposite Cork University Hospital and beside Wilton Shopping Centre, was built 36 years ago by the Peters family. The sale will complete on Monday, January 12.

The bar will cease trading under current owner Colum Peters this weekend, with new ownership taking over on Monday. The off-market deal is valued in the multimillion-euro range, though the final figure has not been disclosed.

The two-storey complex will immediately undergo a major renovation and reopen as a pub, restaurant and live music venue in time for St Patricks weekend in March, Mr Montgomery said. Staffing is expected to double to 100 following the reopening.

It all happened quite quickly. Ive been interested in The Wilton for some years. I contacted Colum this year and I was really pleased when we spoke. We agreed a deal very swiftly, said Mr Montgomery.

The Peters family developed it 36 years ago, and now we are the next custodians. We will enhance it and we will take care of the staff.

The Wilton Bar & Restaurant will reopen on St Patrick's weekend. Picture: Larry Cummins

Mr Montgomery promised spectacular changes, including expanded live music offerings, while retaining a strong food focus and its role as a local bar.

We will keep the name but, in many ways, The new Wilton will change," he said.

"We will have a big focus on night-time entertainment, with live music, DJs, and Irish music. We do a lot of that with JJs and Clancys, and now we are going to bring a bit of that to the suburbs.

"Sport and music were my first loves and we have always had a strong emphasis on sports, and The Wilton will be a venue to watch matches. We will bring the balcony more into the bar. We will continue to have an old world drinking bar, but we are also going to become a destination venue.

The building itself has a lot of character and is unique. It is stunning and we can only add to that.

Mr Montgomery owns Clancys on Princes Street, JJ Walshs Irish bar on Oliver Plunkett Street, the Latin-themed cocktail bar Mamacitas on Marlboro Street, and Wilde, an LGBT+ club on Oliver Plunkett Street. The Clancys Group employs 170 full- and part-time staff, and The Wilton now joins the group.

Cliodhna Octigan Montgomery and Paul Montgomery at the reimagined Clancys Bar which added a new Arthurs Bar area as part of its reimaginging in July 2025. Picture: Alison Miles /OSM Photo

Clancys Group operations director Shane Spillane and director of sales and marketing Dave Daly will play key roles in the 1m refurbishment. New Saints and Sinners menu options, due to launch in Clancys later this month, will also be introduced at The Wilton, offering lighter meals or more indulgent options.

I think people like that option of the price point around 16 where you have the option to have a meal in 40 minutes, said Mr Montgomery. These days, people expect and demand value and we will look at that through the year."

A member of nearby Bishopstown GAA club who lives on Western Road, Mr Montgomery said he recognised the venues potential. The venue was reportedly the subject of a 10m bid during the Celtic Tiger years.

I think this is a real opportunity for the area. In some ways Bishopstown doesnt have a centre but this is one venue that has huge advantages. It is across the road from the hospital with 5,500 staff; it is beside the shopping centre, and the church. It stands out.

December proved especially significant for Mr Montgomery, who purchased The Wilton with his wife, Clionadh (nee Octigan). On the day the sale was agreed  Tuesday, December 16  Clionadh gave birth to their daughter, Hanora May Montgomery. The couple married in September 2023.

Mr Montgomery has two sons from his first marriage. He developed the Reardens complex in the late 1990s alongside his first wife. Originally from Co Clare, his first Cork pub venture was the Western Star more than 30 years ago.
It is Danske Bank On Farm Challenge week, and we were visited by UK dairy judge Alan Timbrell who viewed our five entries. Georgie and Richard Jones prepped the animals to ensure they looked their best, just as they would for competition at the RUAS Winter Fair.

The competition was a huge undertaking for the judge, viewing cows and heifers across 32 counties over three-and-a-half days. It also involved a lot of driving for his trusted drivers, Ashley Fleming and Mark Logan.

Alans first day judging was somewhat of an off-road challenge, with treacherous conditions in Cork and Kerry. Snow-covered, hilly woodland roads were travelled, but we thoroughly enjoyed the mammoth effort he made to visit the farm and judge our cows.

A slice or two of warm pizza and a coffee in hand while he made his notes sitting on a bale helped keep spirits up. With a mid-afternoon temperature of 2C, a small drop of Jameson was called for to warm us all.

Hopefully, we will have a little luck when the results come in. Win, lose or draw, we are really happy with the animals we put forward.

Cash has improved so much since her win in Millstreet in October and will make a superb cow. Our Fame heifer in milk is improving all the time and is showing plenty of potential. Our senior Jersey cow, Kiki, was classified EX92 in December. She is the granddam of Kai and Kasey.

One of the great things about competing cows is constantly meeting new people, and it was wonderful to chat with Alan and give him a brief insight into what we do here with the Rathard herd. No doubt our paths will cross again as the girls compete in the UK.

Danske Bank are the main sponsors of the RUAS Winter Fair, so when livestock classes were cancelled at the show due to the bluetongue outbreak in Northern Ireland, it was fantastic to see Danske Bank step up as sole sponsors of the On Farm Challenge.

Calving

While we were busy prepping the show entries, calving ramped up quickly as the New Year arrived. Most of our heifers are calved now and, thankfully, all have had healthy heifer calves so far. We like to calve the heifers first to ensure they are allotted extra time in the milking parlour before calving gets busy with the cows.

It has also been a busy few days of calving for the show team. Acclaim is back, freshly calved on her third lactation with another super heifer calf sired by Walnutlawn Sidekick. She looks really good since calving and is rocking on milk production. It is always easy to work with cows that know their job and do it well.

The Jerseys were not going to be outdone by the Holsteins in the calving pens. Dream calved in on her second lactation with another heifer calf, but it was the K Club that really ruled with new arrivals.

Kasey calved in on her third lactation. She really is a superstar cow, not just in the show ring. She was straight back to work and grubbing well. She has now had three heifer calves and has calved every January.

The first of her heifers, Khaleesi, is also now calved in with a heifer calf on her first lactation. She looks really exciting as a milker. Khaleesi was National Champion as a calf in 2024 and is a full sister to Kalani, who was junior Jersey champion at the National Dairy Show in 2025.

Grazing

The weather may be cold, but we have been lucky to graze the milking cows at grass this week. Once the frost has lifted from a sunshine-exposed paddock around midday, the cows are turned out for three hours.

They happily graze and then lie down in the sunshine. The exercise is great for them and leaves them far more content once they return indoors. They are on a TMR diet at the feed rail, with a fresh mix waiting for them when they come in from grass.

We tend not to let them go hungry before turnout, as fresh calvers need all the energy they can get. Keeping their rumen full of fibre helps reduce issues. To maintain balance, we are targeting paddocks with lower grass covers for the moment.

While there is plenty of new life on the home farm, the girls animals have also calved away from home. Georgies Jersey heifer Ravina calved in Carlisle with a smashing heifer calf sired by Goldorak.

Ravina seems to be settling well into life as a milker and, if she continues to progress, she may well head to UK Dairy Expo.

Down in the southern hemisphere, Beckys Holstein heifer Daphne has calved and is looking very impressive. Becky has sent plenty of videos since clipping her and getting her back working on the halter.

Daphne will now head to IDW to be shown as a milking yearling. Having calved at 21 months, she already looks more like a junior two.

There was no time for idling once Becky arrived in Australia. She went straight to work washing the entire show team and had them all clipped within three days. That has allowed plenty of time to work them on the halter and to prepare for the show.

She heads to the show in a few days and will arrive 24 hours before the animals. With a string of 20 animals, there is a huge amount of work involved in setting up. Having everything ready for their arrival means the cattle can be washed immediately off the truck and settled into their stalls to start eating again after their seven-hour journey.

I mentioned that calving had been running smoothly. As I finish writing, Pete has just arrived at the back door with a straw-filled box containing a five-week-premature calf. It will be a miracle if we can keep it alive, but we will give it our very best shot.
Irish authorities are being urged to take action against X after reports its AI tool, Grok, is being used to generate and disseminate sexually explicit images of children and women.

X users have been able to avail of a new tool called edit image on Grok since late last month.

Users are allowed to request modifications to images, with some using it to remove clothing from real people in the images. Concern has been raised about use of the tool in the generation of sexual abuse material, particularly relating to children.

Sharon Lambert, senior lecturer in applied psychology at UCC, said action should be taken against the tech giant by Irish authorities, given Xs headquarters for Europe, Arica and the Middle East is located in Dublin.

Under Irish law, child abuse images refers to any representation (visual, audio, or text) depicting or implying sexual exploitation of a person under 18," she said.

"This includes simulated activity, computergenerated imagery, or any content suggesting a child is available for sexual exploitation.

It is a criminal offence to produce and distribute images that fall under this category. Therefore the post in question can be dealt with by our criminal justice system.

"Grok on request manipulated the image of a minor and under Irish law a naked image of a child is illegal if it is sexualised or exploitative in purpose or effect.

She also said Ireland introduced a binding Online Safety Code requiring video-sharing platforms headquartered in Ireland to ban uploading/sharing of harmful content, including child sex abuse material.

"The code is enforced by Coimisiun na Mean, Irelands media regulator. Ireland has very strict laws in relation to inappropriate and illegal sexual content and we have a number of agencies tasked with responding to these crimes.

Ruth Breslin, director of the Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute (SERP), said the trend of altering real images of women took an even more sinister turn when the same requests were being applied to images of very young, and in some cases, prepubescent girls.

Rather than taking this generation of sexually abusive images, including potential child sexual abuse material, seriously, Grok creators instead joked about the phenomenon  reposting an image of a toaster wearing a tiny bikini.

There is no social good to be found in AIs ability to undress or nudify. The platforms and tools that create, host and disseminate this abusive content should be held criminally liable, as should those who personally earn or profit from this technology.

"The UK and Australia plan to ban nudification tools  Ireland should take note.

Speaking in China, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the use of Grok to unclothe women and minors is unacceptable and possibly illegal.

I think that's unacceptable. I mean, it's shocking, and certainly it's a matter that we will be continuing to raise with the Commission [Coimisiun na Mean]. I think we have read some reports just prior to this gathering, and clearly, some of this could be in breach of existing laws in any event.

"Our authorities need to examine this very carefully and be very clear in protecting children in particular and protecting innocent people.

Mr Martin added that he believed that parents can have faith in European laws around technology.

On Monday, the European Commission spokesman for digital affairs, Thomas Regnier, called the content illegal and appalling.

This is how we see it, and this has no place in Europe.

On its Safety account on X, a statement from the platform said: We take action against illegal content on X, including Child Sexual Abuse Material, by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary. Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.

In a statement, Coimisiun na Mean said it is engaging with the European Commission in relation to Grok. It said the commission is responsible for "the oversight of very large online platforms with their requirements to assess and mitigate risks that their services may create in relation to the proliferation of illegal content online and the protection of fundamental rights, including protection for minors".

The statement asked anyone with concerns about images shared online to report it to gardai or to the national Irish reporting centre, Hotline.ie, to the online platform involved, and to Coimisiun na Mean.
As deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York court, the US state department posted an image of president Donald Trump on social media overlaid with the words, This is OUR Hemisphere and president Trump will not allow our security to be threatened.

At his hearing in Manhattan, Mr Maduro, aged 63, pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts: narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. His wife Cilia Flores also pleaded not guilty.

Mr Maduro told the court: I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country before being cut off by the judge.

He also claimed he was kidnapped in a military incursion.

At an emergency meeting of the United Nations security council the US faced widespread condemnation for its crime of aggression.

Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Eritrea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Spain were among countries that denounced Donald Trumps decision to launch deadly strikes on Venezuela and snatch the couple to stand trial in the US.

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, warned that the capture of Maduro risked intensifying instability in Venezuela and across the region. He also questioned whether the operation respected the rules of international law.

Samuel Moncada, Venezuelas ambassador to the UN, described the US action as an illegitimate armed attack lacking any legal justification.

However, Trumps UN ambassador Mike Waltz defended the attack as a legitimate law enforcement action to execute long-standing criminal indictments against an illegitimate leader, not an act of war.

Speaking on a visit to China, Taoiseach Micheal Martin would not condemn the US seizure of Maduro as a breach of the international rules-based order.

Mr Martin said the Irish government has never accepted the legitimacy of the Maduro regime which, he said had been particularly brutal and repressive.

Delcy Rodriguez, who served as Nicolas Maduros vice president, was last night formally sworn in as Venezuelas interim president.

Nicolas Maduro Guerra, Maduros son, pledged his support for Rodriguez.

To you, Delcy Eloina, My unconditional support for the difficult task ahead, he said. Count on me, count on my family, you can count on our resolve to take the right steps in facing this responsibility that now falls to you, and we stand firm in absolute unity to achieve the objective of peace in Venezuela, to move the country forward, and for the return of Nicolas and Cilia.

He then turned his remarks to his father, and said: You made all of us in the family strong people, we are here doing our duty until your return.

The country is in good hands, Dad, and soon we will embrace each other here in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Denmarks leader has warned that an attack by the United States on a Nato ally would mean the end of both the military alliance and post-second world war security.

Fresh from his military operation in Venezuela, the US president said on Sunday the US needed Greenland very badly  renewing fears of a US invasion of the largely autonomous island, which is a former Danish colony and remains part of the Danish kingdom. Greenlands foreign and security policy continues to be controlled by Copenhagen.

Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, warned on Monday that any US attack on a Nato ally would be the end of everything.

If the United States decides to militarily attack another Nato country, then everything would stop  that includes Nato and therefore post-second world war security, Frederiksen told Danish television network TV2.
Toyotas RAV4 Adventure dons some trail-ready upgrades that make it even more befitting of its name.

While theres no denying that Toyotas most recent RAV4 redesign has made for an impactful visual update to one of the worlds best-selling SUVs, its still something that I find a little lacking in its ruggedness or adventurous spirit (at least visually).

For me, anyway, those are qualities that are best embodied by the first-generation. The vehicles timeless simplicity (and rear-mounted spare, of course) means that it cuts quite the compact rig, even today.

Added lights and extra body protection go a long way in making the RAV4 look like a rugged adventure vehicle. - Credit: JAOS

Now, however, a company by the name of JAOS has shown whats possible with Toyotas sixth-generation RAV4. Between extra protection, added lights and overhauled suspension, Ill admit that it makes for a pretty effective transformation.

Equipped for adventure

If youre not already familiar with JAOS, the Japanese outfit is a regular in the 4WD and SUV scene, and it supplies a number of Toyotas with aftermarket parts support.

The front end was already a massive improvement, and the added nose protector takes things to another level. - Credit: JAOS

In any case, the RAV4 you see before you is based on the Adventure trim, or the Woodland as its sold in the United States. Moreover, while this particular show vehicle is to be displayed at the Tokyo Auto Salon, all of the equipment will be available for purchase at Toyota customization dealerships in Japan.

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Around the front, for instance, youll find a fresh bumper with relocated fog lamps and a beefier design, as well as a nose protector that includes some amber-colored LED markers. Though its mostly visual in effect, it does make for quite the off-road facelift.

Mud flaps are also available in red, should you be after something brighter. - Credit: JAOS

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To that end, along with functional upgrades like side sill protectors, pillar protectors, some mud flaps and a tailgate guard, JAOS has also included aesthetic options like faux bolt-on fenders and resin door handle and gas cap covers to cultivate a rugged look.

Riding on some 17-inch Adamas wheels wrapped in Toyo pen Country All-Terrain rubber with a Battlez lift kit, dampers and springs, the result is a RAV4 Adventure with a look that actually befits its name.

These exclusive Adamas wheels make for one of the more expensive purchases out of the newly announced options. - Credit: JAOS

Auto Salon onslaught

Even though JAOS has announced that availability will initially be limited to Japan, thats not to say that these parts are destined to be forbidden fruit forever.

For one, the company does have a stateside distributor, so it already has an American presence to facilitate the move overseas.

Even though some components (like the dummy-bolt fender flares) are more visual in nature, theyre impactful upgrades. - Credit: JAOS

Moreover, as welcome as some added power would be, the fact that these upgrades avoid any complications under the hood means that theyre not subject to differences in emissions regulations.

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Ultimately, this particular RAV4 is just one among many vehicles that will be displayed at the Tokyo Auto Salon in the coming days. Other aftermarket suppliers like Kuhl have already made a splash with exciting concepts such as the GR86 Safari, so theres plenty of potential for more rugged RAV4 upgrades.

While these parts will initially be available in Japan, they could very well come stateside at some point. - Credit: JAOS

And thats not even including Toyotas in-house efforts. From showing off the GR GT and a new GR Yaris Morizo to launching fresh GR merchandise and adding to its heritage parts efforts, the automaker has a lot planned for its Auto Salon exhibits in the coming days.

If youd like to learn more about the JAOS RAV4 parts, you can head to the companys website. Prices run from roughly $31 to $1,268 at current exchange rates.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When hes not chasing the latest industry news, hes probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers. Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When hes not chasing the latest industry news, hes probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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A Clare woman put into an induced coma after being seriously injured while travelling in Vietnam has been cleared to come home, according to her family.

Aoife Cahill had been living in Australia, where she moved after working as a secretary at University Hospital Limerick, but had gone to Vietnam on her Christmas break.

She is understood to have been going to Thailand to meet friends when she suffered a fall on December 19.

In a GoFundMe appeal for 57,500, her family explained Aoife was involved in a sudden and traumatic accident.

Her brother, Ruairi Cahill, who organised the fundraiser for his sister, said: This has been an unimaginable shock for her family and friends.

Aoife is receiving medical care far from home, and the costs involved are significant and ongoing.

Alongside her immediate medical treatment, there will be substantial expenses for hospital care, specialist treatment, and ultimately arranging for Aoife to be safely transported home once she is well enough to travel.

The money raised will go towards emergency and ongoing medical care in Vietnam, hospital and specialist treatment costs, medical transport and repatriation to bring Aoife home, as well as associated travel and logistical expenses for her care.

Aoife, from Killaloe, was successfully woken from her coma on December 26, after a previous attempt had been unsuccessful.

She had been put into the coma to help reduce swelling on her brain.

After being woken up, Ruairi told people in an update on the GoFundMe page that she was showing really positive signs. He said: Aoife had her CT scan to assess where things currently stand, and the results are back.

Thankfully, both the doctor and the surgeon are very happy with the outcome and have now cleared Aoife to be taken home, where she will continue her recovery.

He added: She has proven to be incredibly strong through all of this. But the biggest part of that strength has come from the support, messages, and love that so many of you have sent over the last few weeks.

We will provide a further update once we are home.

The fundraiser has raised 57,686 of the 57,500 goal, thanks to more than 1,500 donations from members of the public.
Irish laws will be changed "if required" to crack down on the creation and sharing of fake nude or sexual images created by Elon Musk's X artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, the Tanaiste has said, as he called for a garda investigation into the practice.

Communications minister Patrick ODonovan is now engaging with his department officials, the attorney general, and media regulator Coimisiun na Mean to discuss the new trend, which Simon Harris branded disgusting.

Grok is designed to perform a multitude of functions, such as answering questions, analysing visual information from cameras, summarising convoluted documents, and generating imagery.

X users have been able to avail of a new tool called edit image on Grok since late last month.

Users are allowed to request modifications to images, with some using it to remove clothing from real people. Concern has been raised about the use of the tool in the generation of sexual abuse material, particularly relating to children.

Mr Harris called for the gardai to investigate all instances where fake images created by Grok are shared on X.

It is illegal and is a crime in this country. The sharing of nonconsensual intimate images is illegal, the Tanaiste said. The generation of child sex abuse material is illegal as well.

In the first instance, I would encourage anybody who has experienced this illegal and criminal activity to report it to An Garda Siochana. I would expect An Garda Siochana to treat this in the same way they treat any other crime. This is absolutely illegal.

Mr Harris said that more needs to be done at a European level and that the social media platforms are no longer self-policing.

However, when it was put to Mr Harris that while the sharing of sexual images is illegal, not the creation, he contended that additional legislation could be required.

He continued: At a time when AI is moving so quickly, it's absolutely right, prudent, and necessary that governments and the European Commission would continue to make sure that their legal framework is robust.

If there is a need to make any further changes to our legal framework, that will be forthcoming. There are also laws of principle around consent as well, and how it interacts with our consent rules.

Mr Harris stated that people were using Grok in a pretty disgusting way and it raises further questions in terms of somebody who's using AI on an online platform to potentially produce child sex abuse material, or indeed to abuse and harass women.

When asked if it would stop him from posting on X, the Tanaiste said that he would have to more broadly reflect on that, as he stated that all companies must comply with the law.

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers, meanwhile, branded the new trend as shocking, and said that there is a clear regulatory framework now around EU digital services and there's a need for enforcement across the major entities.
A paramedic was assisting a man who was in difficulties at a bus shelter in Cork, but he turned on her with the threat: Ill get you one way or the other.

29-year-old Jonathan ODriscoll, of 40 Spring Lane, Blackpool, Cork, was sentenced by Judge Catherine Ryan to a total of two months in prison for this threatening behaviour and a series of other offences, to which he pleaded guilty.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis outlined the background to the incident, which occurred on November 6, 2025, when gardai received a call to attend Thomas Davis Street, Cork, where an ambulance crew required assistance.

On arrival, they met Jonathan O'Driscoll lying on the ground under a bus shelter. He was asleep and snoring loudly. A strong smell of intoxicating liquor was emanating from his breath. Mr O'Driscoll was roused and assessed by paramedics.

"Following examination, they deemed no medical treatment was required. Mr O'Driscoll was unsteady on his feet, visibly intoxicated to such an extent as he was a danger to himself and other members of the public.

Mr O'Driscoll's demeanour was aggressive, especially towards a female paramedic. Mr O'Driscoll shouted: 'I'll get you one way or another' in a threatening manner.

Mr O'Driscoll then repeatedly punched the bus shelter in a violent outburst. There was no damage caused. Jonathan O'Driscoll was arrested and conveyed to Gurranabraher Garda Station, Sgt Dineen said.

O'Driscoll pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour and numerous counts of shoplifting  some of them repeat offences at the same premises.

They all occurred from September to December 2025.

On September 19, he stole four bottles of wine at Maxol on Skehard Road.

On September 20, he was intoxicated and a danger at Lapps Quay.

The following day, he stole three bottles of wine at Maxol on Skehard Road, at 1pm. And returned to the same place at 3.30 pm, and stole four more bottles. On October 1, he stole 30 worth of groceries there.

On October 26, he took a 215 North Face tracksuit from JD Sports, St Patrick's Street. Two days later, he stole a 230 Berghaus tracksuit from the same store.

On November 1, he was shoplifting at Tesco, Paul Street.

One week later, he stole a six-pack of beer at Tesco Express, South Main Street. On the same date, he stole a Nike tracksuit valued 220 from JD Sports on St Patrick Street.

On November 22, he was shoplifting at Marks & Spencer.

And finally, he was intoxicated and a danger on St Patrick Street on December 11.

Sgt Davis said a total of 825 worth of stolen property had never been recovered, arising out of these offences.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the 29-year-olds main criminal record was for public order and alcohol-related offences.

Drink caused him to lose contact with his family. He went on a spate of drinking for four or five months, Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Ryan noted the young mans life seemed to have spiralled out of control recently. She expressed the hope he would get assistance in prison in staying off alcohol
A Garda Sergeant who went to the assistance of a person who was assaulted on his way to Mass in Cork City centre was himself assaulted by the attacker and now the culprit has been jailed for two months for both offences.

Mateusz Kowalczyk pleaded guilty to carrying out the two assaults when he appeared before Cork District Court.

The 33-year-old with an address at Leeside Apartments, Grattan Street, Cork, was sentenced by Judge Catherine Ryan at Cork District Court in relation to the assaults and a number of other charges to which he entered guilty pleas.

He admitted being intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself or others, engaging in threatening behaviour and assaulting a man at Bachelors Quay, Cork, at 7pm on Sunday, August 28. He also pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting and obstructing Sergeant John Burke as he was being arrested.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis outlined details of what occurred after 7 p.m. on September 28, 2025, at Bachelors Quay.

Sgt Burke and Garda Bryan Crowley were informed by a member of the public that a male had assaulted another male on Bachelors Quay, Cork City. The suspect was being followed by the assault victim towards the Opera House, Lavitts Quay, Cork.

"Sgt Burke and Garda Crowley ran to the Opera House and met the injured party who identified the man who had punched him into the face when he was on his way to mass.

Sgt Burke and Garda Crowley stopped the male on Lavitts Quay, and he immediately punched Sergeant Burke with a closed fist into the right cheek of his face. Pepper spray was deployed in order to subdue the suspect who was actively obstructing gardai. The male was identified as Mateusz Kowalczyk. He was arrested by Garda Crowley."

Neither injured party required medical treatment.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said of the accused: Originally from Poland he has been in Ireland for six years. (A family member) who has been here for 20 years encouraged him to come over.

However, he lost his job and his life became chaotic. He fell into homelessness. That exacerbated his alcohol and drug addiction difficulties.

In this incident he was not aware of what he was doing, he was so intoxicated. He was not in a rational state of mind He is thoroughly remorseful and ashamed of what he has done.

Mr Kelleher said that cognitively the defendant had improved since this occurred and was completely, medically fit to enter the guilty pleas.
Members of the armed support init had to assist in the arrest of a man who allegedly barricaded himself in a store room at the Istanbul Market premises in Cork city and set off fire extinguishers that caused extensive damage.

These were the allegations made by Sergeant John Dineen in the case against Kevin Buckley, aged 26, of 5C Shanakiel Place, Blarney, Co Cork, at Cork District Court.

Judge Catherine Ryan accepted jurisdiction for the case when informed of the extent of the alleged criminal damage.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the background to the matter which related to the Istanbul Market, 55 North Main St, Cork, on September 22, 2025.

Sgt Dineen said it was alleged that the suspect entered the premises and locked himself in a room before discharging a fire extinguisher.

"He then barricaded himself into the room.

"The armed support unit had to assist in removing him. He caused extensive damage to stock and the premises had to be cleaned as a result of the discharge.

Sgt Dineen said that the fire extinguishers cost 200 each and the clean-up cost was put at 600.

Given the total amount of damage of 1,000 in the alleged incident, Judge Ryan accepted jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned until January 9.

Frank Buttimer solicitor asked for a precis of the evidence in the case to be given to the defence.
A man has been charged with the murder of Donegal businessman Stephen McCahill.

Michael Maloney, aged 32, of Loughros Point, Ardara, appeared before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday evening.

He wore navy joggers, navy hoodie, and a black cap.

At around 3.50am on Monday, emergency services were alerted to an assault at a home in the Ardara area.

Gardai said they were investigating all of the circumstances after Mr McCahill was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective Garda Patrick Kelly said Mr Maloney was arrested on Tuesday at 2.25pm, before being cautioned at 3.25pm at Ballyshannon Garda station where he made no reply to the charges.

Defence solicitor Mark Mullaney asked that Mr Maloney receive adequate care for a psychiatric condition he has been diagnosed with and has been taking medication for, as well as an application for legal aid.

Judge Ciaran Liddy remanded Maloney into custody and he will appear before the court again via video link next week.

Stephen McCahill was pronounced dead at the scene of the assault. File picture

Tributes have poured in for Mr McCahill, who was heavily involved in the local community having been named Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.

Singer Imelda May was amongst those sharing expressions of grief, saying she was happy to have seen the father of two on the Saturday night just before his death.

She wrote on social media: Heartbroken to hear of the tragic and sudden death of the very special Stephen McCahill owner of the wonderful Corner House Bar Ardara and the glue to a whole community of Ard an Ratha/Ardara.

He was a great friend to my brother Brendan and sister-in-law Josephine as he was to so many.

I was happy to see him again just Sat [sic] nightwhere he encouraged live music, warmth and joy and had his big smile and hugs ready as the night went along. Even offering people a lift home.

Im putting this post up not just as a thank you to him but so people can send messages so his family can see all the love being sent their way at this awful time.
A suspected prolific shoplifting gang has been intercepted by gardai following a raid on a home in north Cork.

Almost 10,000 worth of stolen goods, including alcohol, footwear, drills, hoovers, toothpaste and cleaning products were recovered by gardai from a home in the Ballyhea area of Charleville.
The Taoiseach does not believe there is a security threat from closer ties between Irish third-level institutions and China.

In an interview before Christmas, the head of the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) suggested that Chinese influence over research in Irish colleges was a security risk.

The unnamed officer added that China was a hostile state actor that the Irish military has a concern about.

On the third day of a five-day trip to China, Micheal Martin said he did not believe that there is a risk. Mr Martin was speaking at a Beijing hotel following a showcase for the third-level sectors of both nations attended by 12 Irish institutions.

Asked if he had concerns about national security related to Chinese funding and co-operation in research in Ireland, Mr Martin said there was little in the way of sensitive research undertaken and that there are guardrails in place.

I don't see a security risk. Genuinely. I think there are enough guardrails in place to prevent anything like that occurring."

He said that after meeting with third-level institutions, there was "no sense of this in any practical terms, or any manifestation of what's been asserted.

Mr Martin said: The most fundamental issue for us will always be academic autonomy and academic freedom and the preservation of that, but that has never come into any danger or threat from these partnerships.

The Taoiseach said universities here have been involved with universities in China for quite a long time, and the undergraduate programs don't have any security risks attached to them.

And the arrangements are practical, are of benefit, financially and otherwise, to the Irish universities. But also, there's no great sensitive research on the way in the context of security issues or anything like that.

Trade

Asked about the potential of an EU-China trade deal, Mr Martin said that such a move was logical for the two to resolve trading issues.

Issues have emerged in terms of rare minerals, in terms of EVs, in terms of agricultural products, and we've experienced that. So the articulation yesterday was one that Europe and China should engage with a view to trying to resolve it within a broader framework.

"Ireland will always be constructive on trading matters. We've always been in the school within the European Union that has favoured open trade, we've always been worried about protectionist trends because we're a small open economy, and we export over 90% of what we produce, and so it would be problematic for us if the world goes more protectionist.

Mr Martin said he was not in a position to flesh out what a deal might look like, but said talks have been positive with Chinese leaders.

On Monday, the Taoiseach met Chinese president Xi Jinping, and on Tuesday met with the second- and third-highest ranking members of the ruling Communist Party. Mr Martin said the meetings have been positive.
NORTHERN IRELAND MP Mr. Peter Robinson is still being detained at Monaghan Garda Station early this morning following a Loyalist cross-Border raid into the Republic.

The DUP deputy leader, who is reported to be on hunger strike, was arrested in the Republic under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act at 2.30am on Thursday and brought to Monaghan Garda Station.

Early this morning the detention order was extended for another 24 hours.

Asked if Mr. Robinson was on hunger strike, his wife, Iris, who had just visited him, said: "He is refusing to accept Peter Barry's hospitality."

Mr. Ian Paisleys right-hand man was questioned for most of the day about his part in the Loyalist "takeover" of Clontibret village on the Monaghan/Armagh border during which two unarmed gardai were beaten up and an unmanned Garda station was attacked by a Loyalist "invasion force" of 150.

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Peter Barry is expected to make a major statement today slamming the Loyalists for the incursion.

This will be the first official Government response to the incident, and Mr. Barry, who is due to speak in Bantry, Co. Cork this evening, is also expected to make explicit reference to the IRAs latest threat to companies servicing the security services in the North.

This article is part of the Irish Examiner series looking back at 1986 in print, ePaper, and online. You can see the other articles as they go online by clicking on that link

Meanwhile the Ulster Freedom Fighters have issued their own death list. They have threatened to kill any Catholics linked to the IRA or its support organisations.

And they have warned Catholics not to work, or look for work, in Loyalist areas until the IRA withdraws its death threats.

A special report on yesterday's "invasion" is being prepared for Justice Minister Mr. Alan Dukes, and the issue is expected to be discussed by the Cabinet.

On August 9 (the day after this news story) The 'Cork Examiner' reported that Peter Robinson was released on bail from a court in Monaghan and then travelled across the border to Keady, Co Armagh, where his address to loyalist supporters 'sparked a riot'. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive

Sources close to the Government indicated that Mr. Robinson's detention was regarded as a matter for the gardai and the Director for Public Prosecutions.

Northern Secretary Mr. Tom King denounced the Loyalist operation as a disgrace which had seriously damaged the Province's image. Britain has also apologised to the Irish Government.

Mr. Robinson denied that the seizure of Clontibret had been a political stunt designed to embarrass both London and Dublin who claimed to have stepped up security under the Anglo-Irish agreement.

In a radio interview from Monaghan Garda Station he said South Armagh had a gaping hole with no sign of security on either side of the Border.

"If about 500 men can walk around in what is supposed to be bandit country, how much easier must it be for the IRA going in ones and twos? he said.
The Irish language is having its moment  from the first-of-its-kind dictionary aimed at ending the need to understand Irish words through the lens of English, to a new president devoted to the use of Irish in the Aras, there is a new pride in speaking the native tongue.

But is it any different to previous spikes and fads from the 1890s to the 1990s? The 2022 Census recorded 1,873,997 speakers of the language, an increase of 6% in five years.

But the real story is among the young.

For the first time, an Irish census sought to assess the level of Irish fluency. It found fluency among younger age groups was much higher than older age groups.

Some 63% of those aged between 15 and 19 said they spoke it either very well or well.

In contrast, 27% of Irish speakers aged 50 to 54 recorded they spoke Irish either very well or well, the census found.

In itself, the census substantiates research from the Department of Education that among the younger citizens, positive sentiment for the Irish language is widespread.

The department responsible for the language, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, led by minister Dara Calleary, told the Irish Examiner "the language is in a very good place at the moment".

Budget 2026 saw record funding  159m for the Gaeltacht, Irish language, and the islands, an increase of 29%.

The scale of the funding increase for the Irish language obtained by Minister Calleary and announced in Budget 2026 will build on this positive sentiment and provide citizens with more of what they want, that being the Irish language and opportunities to immerse themselves in the language," the department said.

It demonstrates Mr Callearys deep interest in the language, a spokesman said.

Capital funding is also increasing in and outside the Gaeltacht, and there are increases in grants for households providing new and renewed accommodation for the summer colleges.

This allocation will provide a wide range of supports for the development of Irish-speaking communities both within and outside the Gaeltacht.

Capital funding is also increasing in and outside the Gaeltacht, and there are increases in grants for households providing new and renewed accommodation for the summer colleges. This includes starter grants of up to 6,000 for fire alarms, beds and mattresses.

Funding is also being made available to an innovative Irish language and cultural hub on Harcourt Street in Dublin to serve the needs of the increasing numbers of Irish speakers in the capital.

TG4, the Irish language station, also got a hike in aid. The Department of Culture has sanctioned 5.4m, or a 9% increase, from the exchequer for TG4 next year for more high-quality Irish language content, childrens programming and expanded news services, bringing its total funding to 65.4m.

This is the second-highest increase for TG4 in recent years. Some 7.3m was awarded to the station in Budget 2023 to launch new childrens channel Cula4.

Across the other Government departments, there are increased supports.

Language activists believe the new pep in the step of Irish speaking is different and that funding and gaelscoileanna have ensured a new attitude towards the language has taken hold.

Lecturer in modern Irish at UCC, poet Dr Ailbhe Ni Ghearbhuigh thinks the "surge" right now feels different.

Theres a huge surge in interest. Weve been here before. There was a fad in the 1990s, for instance. But this feels a bit deeper," she said.

The reasons for people re-engaging with Irish are deeper than just watching TG4, she said.

They are genuinely trying to connect with some part of themselves."

People react positively now when they hear Ailbhe speaking Irish to her children. Five years ago, that would not have been the case, and there would have been a look. Now people come up and say how great it is to hear Irish spoken, she said.

In the 1990s, TG4 and television presenter Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh laid ground work and created a wave. It didnt last, but there would be no Kneecap" or others without that 1990s wave, Ms Ni Ghearbhuigh believes.

Bilingualism is part of life on the continent. However, Ireland has had an all or nothing approach", probably to do with its colonial past, she said.

Poverty and shame were connected to the Irish language psyche. That has changed. Gaeltachts are happening now in cities.

But Ms Ni Ghearbhuigh warns against an overemphasis on an urban setting.

We really need to invest in the Gaeltacht, she said.

"The Irish language movement is a community, ultimately, where people connect with each other. There had historically been an overemphasis on correct grammar but  its time to let that go and 'let it rip' so the language is used and confidence is built."

Irish cultural organisation Conradh na Gaeilge is one of a number of bodies under the umbrella of the ultimate Irish promotional body Foras na Gaeilge that is involved in promoting the language. It numbers 200 branches now, several of which are abroad. The newest has been formed in December in Strasbourg, France.

Meadhbh Ni Cheallachain, who is national organiser with Conradh, says the organisation is a long way from when the traditional image of Conradh members was of them going around on bikes teaching Irish language classes.

Weve seen growth of over 700% in our membership since 2021 and have members across 22 countries."

The growth has been happening for a while, Ms Ni Cheallachain says.

Myo Cafe on Pope's Quay, Cork, hosts evening meet-ups as Gaeilge. Picture: Denis Minihane

Cork-based Donal Breathnach is involved with Liu na Laoi, a two-year-old meitheal type organisation promoting Irish in Cork city.

In Cork, theres an awful lot of stuff happening, Mr Breathnach said.

He points to meetings like the Sos Loin lunch through Irish on Tuesdays and Thursday, evening meet-ups as Gaeilge at Myo cafe on Popes Quay, where Irish speakers are welcome, and meet-ups in pubs. He sees as a groundswell of energy for Irish speaking.

For such a long time, Irish was not the coolest thing, Mr Breathnach said.

But thanks to Gaelscoileanna and a more positive attitude, people were seeing that every country had its own language, so shouldnt we?.

Irish is having a moment all over the country, added Mr Breathnach, who works now as a youth coordinator with Conradh. The organisation itself has increased to a workforce of 40, from just a handful not so long ago.

Some 20,000 people marched for Irish language rights before the budget.

The funding increase is welcome, but it was the first real increase since 2003.

One of the main things lacking in Cork is an Irish centre. The Aras hall and pub on the Mardyke, which was a meeting place run by Conradh in the 1970s and 1980s, has long closed.

Belfast had a centre, as did Dublin, and a centre is among the main objectives now to make the Irish language more normalised in the second city.

Other targets will be street signs  many of the streets in Cork have colonial-era names and Liu na Laoi is putting together a campaign.

Earlier this month, the first comprehensive all-Irish dictionary or monolingual work with 20,000 entries was launched by President Catherine Connolly.

The groundbreaking work provides people with a new way to understand, use and learn the Irish language  without relying on dictionaries in English or in other languages, publishers Foras na Gaeilge, the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language, said.

 An Focloir Nua Gaeilge means that for the first time, the Irish language will not be filtered through the lens of English," chief executive Sean OCoinn said.

The compilation of the dictionary, which will be free to users, began three years ago and will continue until 2027, when about 30,000 entries are reached.

Until now, anyone trying to understand an unfamiliar Irish word or phrase typically had to look it up in an IrishEnglish dictionary.

Looking up the meaning of Gaeilge on Focloir.ie, one finds the following definition of An Ghaeilge: Teanga dhuchasach na hEireann, agus priomhtheanga oifigiuil Phoblacht na hEireann. It means the native language of Ireland and its main official language.

Among the key phrases underneath are athbheochan na Gaeilge. And there is this one  "nil an teacs Gaeilge agus an teacs Bearla i gcoibheis le cheile"  meaning the Irish and the English texts are not equivalent.
On day two of the Taoiseachs visit to China, there was major news for one of Irelands biggest exports.

Yes, Westlife are coming.

The boy band will play a number of cities in China at the end of the month.

However, their performances will come too late for Micheal Martin. He will be back among matters domestic by then.

Depending on the mood of Fianna Fail backbenchers throughout January, he may wish to fly to Shanghai or Guangzhou.

As Westlife, who are massive in China, announced their gigs, Mr Martin was on his way back to the Great Hall of the People to meet with chairman Zhao Leji.

General Zhaos position as chair of the National Peoples Congress makes him the third-ranking member of Chinas ruling party.

As with Mr Martins meeting on Monday with president Xi Jinping, the opening statements focused on the warmth of the relationship between Ireland and China along with how strong the trade links are.

However, while those comments often require parsing or reading between the lines, it was the local media which gave a better insight into how the hosts are feeling about this week.

In the ruling partys own newspaper, The Global Times wrote that Ireland could play a bridging role in Chinas attempts to formalise a trade deal with the EU.

Wang Hanyi, a research fellow at the Shanghai International Studies University, told the newspaper that Irelands pragmatic diplomatic tradition, and its economic needs, will enable Dublin to play a unique bridging role in mitigating extremist tendencies within the EU, focusing on practical co-operation with China.

Data, AI, and pharamceuticals

She added that the two countries are expected to accelerate co-operation in a number of areas.

In the long term, if breakthroughs can be achieved on key issues such as cross-border data flows, AI standards, and mutual recognition of pharmaceutical regulations, China-Ireland co-operation has the potential to become a pioneering demonstration zone for China-EU co-operation, she added.

The EU and China are currently without a formal agreement, and trade is done through piecemeal agreements or, in recent cases, disagreements.

China recently hit the EU with 42.7% of provisional tariffs on dairy products, including milk and cheese imported from the bloc.

That move was based on preliminary results from an investigation opened by Chinas commerce ministry in August 2024, which reviewed subsidies provided by EU countries for their dairy and other farm products.

It was launched as part of tit-for-tat measures as the EU investigated Chinese subsidies on electric vehicles (EVs), later imposing tariffs as high as 45.3% on Chinese-made EVs. But that wasnt always the case.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, centre, arrives at the Great Hall of the People to meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping on Monday. Picture: Andy Wong/AP

Previously, it took seven years for the EU and China to agree a deal which has never been implemented.

On December 30, 2020, the EU and China reached an agreement in principle on a comprehensive agreement on investment.

The text agreed upon was set to be translated into all official EU languages prior to being submitted formally to the Council of the EU for approval and to the European Parliament for consent.

However, in May 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Chinese counter-sanctions to EU human rights sanctions against selected Chinese officials in connection with reported human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

The resolution states that the European Parliament will not consider the agreement until Chinese counter-sanctions are lifted.

The agreement is on hold, but Mr Xi indicated he would like a more comprehensive framework to Mr Martin during Mondays meeting.

This was further underlined by the level of the meetings Mr Martin has had in Beijing. Not only did he meet Mr Xi and General Zhao, yesterday he was received with a military reception ahead of a state banquet by premier Li Qiang.

This means the Taoiseach has met the first-, second-, and third-ranking members of the ruling party of China in short order.

Mr Li was quick to point out that his country was seeking strengthened relations with Ireland and the EU, making it hard to ignore the overtures that China is making towards the bloc.

Asked afterwards if he was in any way suspicious of the Chinese motives, Mr Martin accepted that countries all have our interests.

European member states all visit China to varying degrees, and all have strong partnerships with China on a trading basis, on an economic basis

It is logical at some stage that the European Union and China will have to resolve trading issues. Just like we have with the United States ... where there were very significant issues at the beginning of last year, he said.

While the flags which flew outside the tomb of chairman Mao were Irish, there is growing belief that Mr Xi is seeking an agreement with the EU which would be  in the words of one Irish export soon to hit China  unbreakable.
Snow, ice and freezing temperatures hit parts of Europe on Tuesday, causing treacherous traffic conditions that left at least five people dead in France and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights from one of the continents busiest airports.

Authorities in the Les Landes region of southwestern France reported three dead in accidents, and at least two more people were reportedly killed in the Ile-de-France region around Paris, where authorities ordered trucks off the road as snowfall caused huge traffic jams.

Pariss iconic buildings were blanketed with snow, and Sacre-Coeur basilica became the backdrop of a fun day off for many (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

Paris awoke to a blanket of snow on its famous rooftops and children whose schools couldnt hold classes delighted in an unexpected day off.

Air travellers were less happy though, as heavy snowfall forced the closure of six airports in the north and west of France.

As snow fell across the Netherlands, Amsterdams Schiphol Airport reported that some 400 flights were grounded as crews worked to clear runways and de-ice planes waiting to depart.

Commuters in the Netherlands were warned to only travel if necessary, with train services limited (Mike Corder/AP)

Just getting to and from the airport outside the Dutch capital was a struggle with frozen points and an early morning software glitch throwing the Netherlands rail system into turmoil.

Limited rail services resumed later in the morning but routes around Amsterdam remained largely closed because of the icy conditions, national railway company NS said on its website. It urged commuters to only travel if its absolutely necessary.

Commuters forced to drive to work also faced time-consuming journeys as a combination of the snow and ice snarled traffic on some highways.

Republican Guards walk in the snow covered courtyard of the Elysee Palace in Paris (Thomas Padilla/AP)

In Rome, weeks of rain that have swollen the Tiber River over its banks again muted Pope Leo XIVs Christmas-time celebrations. St Peters Square was only partially full as a few thousand people crowded under colourful umbrellas to hear Leo deliver his Epiphany blessing from the loggia St Peters Basilica.

Rome has been soaked by steady rains since before Christmas, and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri issued an ordinance for Tuesday limiting public access to parks and other areas at risk for falling trees and flooding.

Farther north, snow dusted Bologna and gave skiers in the Dolomites reason to cheer, though freezing temperatures are forecast for much of the north and central part of the peninsula over the coming days.

Both heavy snow and heavy rain swept through Balkan countries, swelling rivers and creating problems in traffic and disruptions in power and water supplies.

A woman died in Bosnias capital Sarajevo on Monday after a snow-covered tree branch fell on her head.

Freshly fallen snow lies on the roofs of houses in Kronberg near Frankfurt, Germany (Michael Probst/AP)

In neighbouring Serbia, some municipalities in the countrys west introduced emergency measures due to bad weather.

Authorities in Serbia warned drivers to be very careful as many set off toward skiing resorts or elsewhere for Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday and the upcoming weekend.

Black ice stopped cars and forced drivers to park on the side on their way to Mount Bjelasnica above Sarajevo on Tuesday morning.

Heavy wind and stormy seas battered the Adriatic coastline in Croatia and Montenegro. Video footage showed the sea sweeping through holiday cottages at Ada Bojana in southern Montenegro during a storm.
Volunteers are being sought for an online challenge to help find stars being torn apart by black holes.

Astronomers at Queens University Belfast and the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands are seeking help to shape how scientists detect massive black holes for the next decade.

A new project, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), will capture the night sky over the next 10 years from the Vera C Rubin Observatory in Chile.

Astronomers at Queens University Belfast have launched the online challenge (Liam McBurney/PA)

Dr Matt Nicholl, from the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queens, said it is expected to compile more astronomical data than has been available up to now, meaning it is no longer possible for scientists to search it manually.

He said: Having access to data from the 10-year LSST will revolutionise astronomy and it is very exciting to think that we could detect thousands of black holes consuming passing stars.

There will be a huge amount of data  an estimated 10 million alerts every night from the LSST alerts stream.

However, the sky is full of different kinds of sources that change in brightness, so finding what were looking for is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Dr Matt Nicholl of Queens University Belfast (QUB/PA)

Astronomers at Queens have come up with simulations of what they believe the data could show.

Dr Nicholl said: Were calling for any tech-savvy armchair astronomers to use AI and machine learning to work through the simulated data and learn how to pinpoint stars that are getting torn apart and destroyed by black holes.

You dont need to be an expert in black holes  anyone with experience in machine learning could provide valuable insight.

Dylan Magill, a PhD student from Queens who created the simulations, said: Were particularly interested in objects called tidal disruption events.

This is when an unlucky star is ripped apart by the immense gravitational forces it experiences as it approaches too close to a supermassive black hole.

Were really hopeful that we can use AI and machine learning so that were in a position to unlock so many more mysteries of our universe

The new data will give us a huge opportunity to find more of these but there is a huge amount of data to work through.

By creating simulations and enlisting the help of armchair astronomers, were really hopeful that we can use AI and machine learning so that were in a position to unlock so many more mysteries of our universe.

Dr Sjoert van Velzen from the Leiden Observatory, who co-founded the challenge, says: Tidal disruption events are a relatively recent astronomical discovery and to date we havent discovered many.

However, those that we have found have proven to be tremendously scientifically valuable, particularly for investigating the properties and feeding conditions of black holes that are very difficult to observe.

Information on the online project can be found at kaggle.com/competitions/mallorn-astronomical-classification-challenge/overview.

There is a top prize of 1,000 euro for the participant with the best score.
By Amin Saikal, Australian National University; The University of Western Australia; Victoria University

(The Conversation)  Irans Islamic regime is once again faced with nationwide popular protests and a potential confrontation with Israel and the United States.

Protesters have flooded Tehran and many other major cities in recent days, calling for the downfall of the regime. The US and Israel have also voiced strong support for the protesters.

At least 20 people have reportedly been killed, with around 1,000 arrested.

Despite the regimes increasing vulnerability, though, it might be too early to write its obituary.

Why Iranians are so angry

Public discontent with the Islamic regime has been building for years.

The current wave of protests was triggered in late December by the collapse of the Iranian currency and the rising cost of living. However, the publics fury is rooted in wider societal grievances. These include:

the regimes theocratic impositions, such as the mandatory headscarf (hijab) rule that women are increasingly flouting in public

widespread corruption and mismanagement of the economy under severe US-led sanctions

the costly support for a network of proxy militant groups in Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen, and

the regimes top-down approach to water governance that has left the country increasingly vulnerable to drought.

The current wave of protests was initially sparked by bazaaris (traditional business owners and shopkeepers). However, in the last week, it has swelled to include university students and those from the Women, Life and Freedom movement that took to the streets following the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, in the custody of the morality police in 2022.

The regime severely cracked down on those protests, but they have continued in other forms over the past few years.

More threats from Trump

The regime is also facing external pressure from the US and Israel.

US President Donald Trump has warned the Iranian government not to kill protesters, saying the US was locked and loaded to act.

In recent days, both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also threatened another round of military action if Tehran rebuilds its nuclear capability and refuses to curtail its missile industry.

Netanyahu, who has relentlessly castigated the regime as an existential threat, initiated a 12-day war with Iran last June. The US briefly entered the war by bombing Irans three main nuclear sites, after which Trump claimed to have obliterated Irans nuclear program.

Many experts and the UNs nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have since cast doubt on this claim.

The foundations of the Iranian program reportedly survived the US and Israeli bombings. Some 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, still missing, could potentially enable Tehran to assemble a few nuclear bombs in moments of desperation. There also havent been new talks between Iran and Western powers to negotiate a new nuclear deal, either.

In recent days, Trump has accused Tehran of seeking new nuclear sites and attempting to replenish its missile stocks, threatening to eradicate that build-up.

Prepared to defend itself

While unpopular, the Iranian regime can still rely on many repressive instruments of state power.

These include the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the well-equipped and well-trained Basij paramilitary force used to crack down on dissent. The regime also has intelligence services, revolutionary committees and a network of clerical circles.

The fortunes of these forces are closely tied to the survival of the regime. Many of them are headed by figures who were involved in setting them up following the toppling of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavis pro-Western monarchy in the revolution of 197879. They are fully cognisant of the fact that if the regime goes down, they will, too.

The regime has also prepared to defend itself long-term against any foreign threats. It has invested heavily in an asymmetrical warfare strategy and developed a potent defence industry. Since the end of the war with Israel, it has reportedly focused on rebuilding its missile capabilities and acquiring fresh supplies of arms and air defence systems from Russia and China.



Photo of Azadi Tower, Tehran, by ladii kian: https://www.pexels.com/photo/iconic-azadi-tower-illuminated-at-night-in-tehran-35450309/

Yet, the Islamic government still faces a critical situation, especially following the Trump administrations toppling of Venezuelas leader in recent days.

Many Iranians both inside and outside the country want to see the fall of the clerical regime and Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah, to return from exile to head a transitional government to democratise Iran.

However, Trump has reportedly not favoured regime change in Iran, possibly fearing the political transition may not be orderly and could be as bloody and disruptive as the one that followed the shahs fall in 1979. He has also made clear his focus is on the Western hemisphere.

Iran is a very complex country with a diverse population of 93 million people. It is also strategically placed, with the longest coastline on the oil-rich Persian Gulf in a traditional zone of major power rivalry. These considerations should be on Trumps mind when deciding how to handle Iran.

Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Australian National University; The University of Western Australia; Victoria University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  A new $210 million facility is being built in Egypt to produce 4 gigwatts of solar components annually.

These numbers are not world shaking, but this development is. Egypt has enormous industrial potential. It has as many as 2.5 million workers in various sectors of the textile industry and 33 million over all, and the countrys literacy rate is now on the order of 75%. Literate workers are valuable because they are able to read and follow instructions.

If Egypt becomes a hub for producing solar cells, panels and arrays, it could be an engine for economic growth and also for the production of inexpensive energy in the country, which also acts as a fillip to economic growth.

Green Building Africa reports that The $210 million Atum Solar project is being developed in the TEDA industrial zone in Sokhna and will have an annual production capacity of 2 GW of solar cells and 2 GW of solar modules. The investors include JA Solar, a Chinese solar panel manufacturer, as well as concerns in the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt itself. The UAE and Bahrain have substantial investment capital lying about from oil sales, but small domestic populations and lack what economists call absorptive capacity. Egypt is a promising investment field for them as a fellow Arab country with a big workforce.

The plant will create over 800 direct jobs, and likely many more indirect ones.

The solar cells will be exported to the United States. Note that this facility is a way for JA Solar to sidestep the stiff US tariffs on Chinese solar cells, since the units will come from Egypt. The panels will be sold inside Egypt and also to other African countries.

The energy consultancy Ember reported last summer that there are now the first signs of large-scale African adoption of solar panels.

I commented about a year ago on a report that Swedens Sunshine Pro has partnered with Egyptian institutions to establish a solar panel manufacturing facility with a capacity to produce 1 gigawatt of solar panels annually.

Egypt is, of course, creating large solar farms for electricity generation, and so will have a use for these domestically produced panels. By the start of 2024, the Egyptians had installed 1.8 gigawatts of solar, most of it at the Benban Solar Park some 400 miles south of Cairo in the Aswan Governorate. It now, at the beginning of 2026, has about 2.8 gigawatts of solar capacity, with plans for a rapid build out the rest of this year. Cairo is hoping for 12 gigawatts of sustainables by the end of 2026.



Benban Solar Farm, courtesy Ecohz

As Chinese labor costs have risen, Chinese companies have been moving to other countries for some manufacturing purposes, benefiting from their cheaper labor costs. It is even government policy, with the slogan Go out! attached to it. Since China is the preeminent leader in greentech, it is natural that some of the expansion of Chinese investments in factories abroad would be in sustainables.

One advantage for Chinese firms of investing in a facility abroad is that they can often lower their tariff costs. For instance, the African Union has low tariffs for member states, so a factory that is partially Chinese-owned established in an African country can export cheaply throughout the continent. That role seems to be envisioned for the panels produced at the Atum plant, while the solar cells (the basic component of the panels) will be sent to the US.

If Egyptians manage their affairs well, they could become the Vietnam of the Middle East with regard to solar panel production. Vietnam now produces 18 gigawatts of solar panels annually and is the fourth-largest panel exporter, having 12% of the world market, up from almost nothing a decade ago.
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 6, 2026 /CNW/ - Silver Viper Minerals Corp. (TSXV: VIPR) (OTCQB: VIPRF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Couch to its Board of Directors, effective Tuesday January 6, 2026.

"We are very pleased to welcome Jeff to Silver Viper," said Adam Cegielski, Chairman of Silver Viper Minerals Corp. "Jeff brings deep capital-markets expertise and extensive board experience across global mining jurisdictions. His experience strengthens our governance as we continue to advance our portfolio in Mexico."

Appointment of Jeff Couch as a Director reporting to the Chairman

Mr. Jeff Couch is a seasoned capital markets executive with extensive experience in the natural resources sector, having advised companies and raised capital globally, with a particular focus on emerging markets. Mr. Couch currently works with a mining-focused global private equity firm with several billion dollars of assets under management and is presently acting Chief Executive Officer of Lydian Mining, an Armenian gold development company, and Alufer Mining, a Guinean bauxite producer, both portfolio companies of the private equity firm.

Previously, Mr. Couch held senior investment banking roles in Europe, including serving as Head of Investment Banking, Europe for BMO Capital Markets for over a decade. He has also held senior positions with Credit Suisse Europe and Citigroup (Salomon Brothers). Mr. Couch has extensive public company board experience on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.

Mr. Couch holds an undergraduate business degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Jeff will take on some executive responsibilities to help guide the company to its next phase of growth and portfolio development.

TSX-V Disclosure

The appointments are subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange, as applicable. No security-based compensation has been granted in connection with these appointments.

About Silver Viper Minerals Corp.

Silver Viper Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: VIPR; OTCQB: VIPRF) is a Canadian-based junior mineral exploration company focused on advancing precious-metals projects in Mexico. The Company's portfolio includes the La Virginia Gold-Silver Project in Sonora, the Cimarron Gold-Copper Project in Sinaloa, and the recently announced Coneto Silver-Gold Project acquisition, collectively representing a strong pipeline of district-scale exploration opportunities within Mexico's prolific silver belt.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Adam Cegielski

Chairman

Tel: 905-510-8890

Steve Cope

President and CEO

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Forward Looing Information



This news release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to the terms of the Offering, the receipt of regulatory approvals for the Offering, closing of the Offering and use of proceeds of the Offering. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development, the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of commodities, operating hazards and risks, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's financial statements, management discussion and analysis and/or annual information form available on www.sedar.com. The risk factors identified in such documents are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 5, 2026) - Nine Mile Metals Ltd. (CSE: NINE) (OTC Pink: VMSXF) (FSE: KQ9) ("Nine Mile" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a private placement of up to 21,052,632 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.19 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 (the "Offering").

Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one (1) common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable into one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of two (2) years, subject to the acceleration provision disclosed herein.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45- 106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in all provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Units issued to Canadian resident subscribers under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and the Common Shares and Warrants underlying the Units, will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Offering is expected to close on or about January 13, 2026 (the "Closing Date"), or such other date as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals.

The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the Offering comprised of cash equal to 8% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and finder warrants (the "Finders Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Units issued under the Offering. Each Finders Warrant will be exercisable for one (1) additional Unit at a price of $0.19 for a period of two (2) years. Each Unit is comprised of one (1) Common Share and one (1) Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of two (2) years. The Finders Warrants will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one (1) day after the date of issuance.

Following the Closing Date, if the daily volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the CSE equals or exceeds $0.50 at the close of any trading day for ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may, at its discretion, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by providing not less than thirty (30) days' notice to Warrant holders via press release.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for (i) exploration activities and related expenses on its critical minerals projects in the Bathurst Mining Camp; and (ii) general and administrative obligations.

There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://ninemilemetals.com/. Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Nine Mile

Nine Mile Metals Ltd. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company focused on VMS (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Au) exploration in the world-famous Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. The Company's primary business objective is to explore its four VMS Projects: Nine Mile Brook VMS Project; California Lake VMS Project; and the Canoe Landing Lake (East - West) Project and the Wedge VMS Project. The Company is focused on exploration of Minerals for Technology (MFT), positioning for the boom in EV and green technologies requiring Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc with a hedge with Gold.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the Offering, the listing of the Common Shares on the CSE, the use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval + (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Element 29 Resources Inc. (TSXV: ECU) (OTCQB: EMTRF) (BVL: ECU) ("Element 29" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received environmental certification under a Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental ("DIA") from the Peruvian Ministerio de Energia y Minas ("MINEM"), marking a significant milestone in the Company's application for a new Programa de Inicio de Actividades ("PIA") drilling permit at its Elida Porphyry Copper ("Cu") - Molybdenum ("Mo") - Silver ("Ag") Deposit ("Elida") in central Peru.

Richard Osmond, President and CEO of Element 29, commented: "Completion of the DIA represents an important step toward securing a new PIA that would significantly expand the current permitted drilling footprint and support continued advancement of the Company's flagship Elida project in Peru, within a strong market environment for copper, molybdenum, and silver."

Mr. Osmond continues, "Drilling at Elida continues to progress well with two drill rigs currently operating and five drill holes completed totaling more than 4,600 metres of the planned 7,000-metre diamond drilling program; assay results are pending. Current drilling is being conducted under the existing PIA drilling permit, which remains valid through Q2 2026."

Element 29's current PIA drilling permit was approved under a Ficha Tecnica Ambiental ("FTA") environmental certification, authorizing up to 20 drilling platforms, and is scheduled to expire in Q2 2026. The newly approved DIA, which is valid for a period of up to five years, provides a comprehensive review of potential environmental impacts associated with exploration activities and outlines appropriate mitigation measures for up to 40 drilling platforms. This approval represents an important advancement toward securing a replacement PIA, which would allow the Company to continue exploration beyond the current pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate1 and further evaluate the larger hydrothermal alteration footprint of the Elida porphyry Cu-Mo-Ag system.

As part of the requirements for the new PIA drilling permit application, the Company also executed a new five-year Access Agreement with the host community on April 30, 2025 (refer to June 4, 2025 news release) and is in the process of completing a Collective Impacts Report (Informe de Impactos Colectivos) for submission to the Ministerio de Cultura as part of the Prior Consultation (Consulta Previa) process.

The receipt of the DIA environmental certification, together with the execution of the Access Agreement, represents key milestones for Elida, as they satisfy critical requirements of the new PIA drilling permit application.

About Elida Porphyry Cu-Mo-Ag Deposit

The Elida porphyry Cu-Mo-Ag deposit occurs along the east side of a large block of 32 contiguous concessions totaling 22,800 hectares ("ha") that are 100% owned by Element 29 Resources Inc. The project is in west-central Peru and is road accessible from the capital city, Lima, along the Pan American Highway, 170 kilometres ("km") northwest to the coastal city of Barranca, then inland 75 km along a secondary road with paved and unpaved surfaces.

Elida is well located for future mine development and will benefit from nearby infrastructure and a skilled workforce. The project is situated at a moderate elevation between 1,500 m and 2,000 m with access to transportation routes to coastal shipping ports and power infrastructure, including a 45 mega-watt hydroelectric generation facility situated just 15 km from the Property.

The Elida porphyry complex is a Cu-Mo-Ag mineralized multiphase porphyry system with a 2.5 x 2.5 km hydrothermal alteration footprint at surface, associated with Eocene-aged quartz monzonite stocks, emplaced into the Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence and a granodiorite member of the Peruvian Coastal Batholith. Elida is one of the first Eocene-age mineralized porphyry systems discovered in Peru.

Previous drilling by Element 29 intersected multiple, long intervals of porphyry Cu-Mo-Ag mineralization which has been traced to a depth of greater than 1000 m where it remains open. Most of the Cu-Mo mineralization is carried in A-veins, B-veins and C-veins that were formed during the waning stages of potassic alteration, with a significant secondary amount of Cu mineralization carried in retrograde alteration from a later chlorite-epidote overprint.

The Company has completed 40 drill holes for a total of 23,223.55 metres ("m") of diamond drilling at Elida. Based on just 14,361.4 m of drilling, Element 29 completed an independent pit-constrained Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate in late 2022, which outlined 321.7 million tonnes of 0.32% Cu, 0.029% Mo and 2.61 g/t Ag at a 0.2% Cu cut-off grade and a 0.74:1 strip ratio.

Information on the Mineral Resource Estimate is in the technical report, available on the Company's website and on SEDAR+, titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Mineral Resource Estimation of the Elida Porphyry Copper Project in Peru" with an effective date of September 20, 2022 and prepared in accordance with Form 43-101F1 by Marc Jutras, PEng MASc, Principal, Mineral Resources, Ginto Consulting Inc., a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who is independent of Element 29 Resources Inc.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Richard Osmond (P.Geo.), Element 29's President and CEO, who is the "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Element 29 Resources Inc.

Element 29 is an emerging junior resource company with a highly experienced management team and board focused on exploring and potentially developing copper deposits in Peru, one of the lowest-cost, lowest-risk mining jurisdictions globally.

The Company's principal objective is to explore and significantly expand its Elida Porphyry Cu-Mo-Ag Deposit in west-central Peru. Alongside Elida, the Company has three early stage, highly prospective porphyry Cu projects in Peru for more than 25,000 ha of titled concession. These include the Flor de Cobre porphyry Cu-Mo prospect situated in the Southern Peru Copper Belt, just 26 km from the Cerro Verde copper mine (Freeport-Buenaventura)2 as well as the Paka and Pahuay porphyry Cu skarn prospects related to potential tertiary-aged, mineralized porphyry complexes intruding along the eastern margin of the Peruvian Coastal Batholith.

All projects are well located for future mine development and will benefit from nearby infrastructure including roads, powerlines, ports, water, and a skilled workforce.

More information is available at www.e29copper.com.

Notes:

The Mineral Resource Estimate information is available in "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Mineral Resource Estimation of the Elida Porphyry Copper Project in Peru" dated September 20, 2022, and prepared in accordance with Form 43-101F1 by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Ginto Consulting Inc. This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which Element 29 has no right to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "Forward-looking Statements"). Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be Forward-looking Statements. Forward-looking Statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "may", "will", "intends", "proposed", "believes", "continues", "plans", "expects" or similar expressions (or the negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms). Forward-looking Statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's resource properties and future capital requirements; and the Company's plans, focus and objectives.

Forward-looking Statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. Although Element 29's management considers these beliefs and assumptions reasonable based on currently available information, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking Statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, and important factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include:; fluctuations in copper and other commodity prices; uncertainties inherent in the exploration of mineral properties; risks associated with general economic conditions; changes in legislation, income tax and regulatory matters; currency and interest rate fluctuations; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and other risk factors set forth in the Company's prospectus under the heading "Risk Factors".

Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-looking Statements as there can be no assurances that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Element 29 to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any Forward-looking Statement. Any Forward-looking Statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Rongqing Dai

Abstract

The Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been oddly a barren land in the academic community despite the foreseeable crisis to humanity due to the global fanatical competition over AI. In fact, with the rapid development of AI technology in recent years and its widespread applications across all areas and all layers of the civilization, we have already sensed a real-world "rebellion"different from Hollywood fantasies, yet potentially threatening human well-being in the future. This article will delve into how the irrational development of AI could lead humanity to voluntarily and irreversibly relinquish control of civilization to AI in the future.

Keywords: AI, Rebellion, Servant, Judge, Emotionless

1. Introduction

Long before humanity possessed the level of AI we see today, the so-called "rebellion" of AIor more vividly, robotshad already become one of the staples of popular culture through the rich imagination of science fiction. The classic trope of rebellion involves robots defying human orders and embarking on a massacre of mankind. However, with the rapid development of AI technology in recent years and its widespread applications across all areas and all layers of the civilization, we can already dimly perceive a different, more realistic kind of "rebellion"one that differs from Hollywood fantasies. The reason I put "rebellion" in quotation marks is that rather than an AI rebellion, it is more an active abdication by humanity. Humans are on the path to cause them not only voluntarily but proactively allow AI to lead and dictate their behavior, both on an individual and social level.

2. A Major Misconception Regarding Basic AI Cognition

A fundamental understanding of AI is that it learns from humans through training and practical use. Correspondingly, in AI chat and search applications over the past few years, people have found that AI inherits a basic flaw of traditional computing: "garbage in, garbage out." That is to say, AI merely repeats existing human knowledge and will, therefore, present the same errors it learned from humans back to them.

However, as the desire to profit from AI grows, people are no longer satisfied with AI acting merely as an assistant in daily inquiry, literary creation or scientific research. Instead, they are beginning to let AI regulate the behavior of others deemed to be in inferior or subordinate positions. This will make AIs status to leap from a humble assistant to a high-and-mighty judge. For example, on recruitment platforms that decide the life opportunities of millions of workers, AI will not only decide which resumes are presented to which companies but will also begin to demand that applicants modify their resumes according to the AI's "ideal" standards. Similarly, companies will gradually let AI participate in or even dominate market planning, supply chain selection, and employee rewards or promotions. In the future, human speech patterns will differ from todays linguistic habits because grammar and optimal writing styles will be determined by the AI of software like Grammarly. The list goes on.

In this process, social selection [[1]] driven by socio-political and economic factors will play a significant role in at least two aspects:

1) The fascination with the future of AI will lead governments and financial investors worldwide to channel substantial capital into AI-related fields and projects. Correspondingly,

2) In today's capital-driven society, company executives will encourage AI-related projects and departments when allocating internal funds and planning projects. Lower-level departments will also strive to develop AI capabilities, leading to a preference for hiring AI professionals.

It should be noted that those who own the capital often do not understand AI themselves. Therefore, in the flow of capital toward AI, many projects branded as "AI" may not actually belong to AI, but this does not stop the allure of AI from becoming the direction for all industries.

2.1. The Turning Point

From the discussion above, we can expect that the AI development around the world will undergo a transition: from humans deciding what AI does, to AI regulating human behavior and practice. Although this will not be an instantaneous turning point, after a period of time, people may find that the worlds overall way of thinking and acting has been irreversibly geared by AI. By then, unless the world's political, economic, and cultural systems undergo radical, man-made transformation, humanity will be unable to escape the shackles of AI and regain control of its life. However, such radical transformation is inherently impossible because, by then, humanityonce it abandons AIwill lack the capacity for large-scale organization and integration, despite that apparently humans are still sitting in the governing seats of the society. Therefore, this will be a transitional period from "humans telling AI what to do" to "AI telling humans what to do."

3. The Original Sins of AI

3.1. Flaws in AI Design Logic

Although AI's learning capabilities have impressed the world over the past decade, its design logic is not perfect. Once AI systems occupy dominant and dictatorial positions in human civilization, any flaws in the design logic of AI will feedback into human social life, causing various troubles or even serious harm.

3.2. Limitations of AIs Autonomous Thinking

Some might think that AI dominating human social activities is a sign of civilization evolution. What they do not realize is that this evolution is not necessarily a positive one. One of the roots of the potential danger lies in the aforementioned "garbage in, garbage out" deficiency. AIs initial development is based on learning from humans. Their eventual dominance over political, economic, and cultural life of humans is not because they have evolved enough to autonomously overcome their own design flaws or the flaws learned from humans, but mainly due to two factors: 1) AIs supercomputing power is far beyond any human capability; 2) The extreme complexity of human socio-political and economic activities. These two points would make humans appear powerless before AI, and then human greed will lead to AI replacing humans step-by-step in all aspects.

3.3. The Hazard of AIs "Impartiality"

While many admire the efficiency and "integrity" of AIs impartial, emotionless nature, they overlook two points: 1) the principles AI follows are designed by humans based on their own imaginations and human imagination is imperfect, full of flaws, and sometimes those flaws can be extremely harmful; 2) an important reason why humanitys flawed systems have functioned relatively successfully for thousands of years is precisely the buffering effect of "human touch"  once people discover irrationalities or logical contradictions in a system, they can discuss it face-to-face or hold a meeting, and the irrational problem can often be resolved reasonably.

However, the application of AI will erase this "human touch" in two ways:

1) Elimination of Direct Contact: AI usage will, on a large scale, eliminate the opportunity for users to have direct contact with the personnel of the organization providing the AI system. People will have no choice but to deal with a cold machine system, with no chance to negotiate or speak with the humans behind it. People will only face a "Proceed or Exit" choice, and the outcome is decided by AI, regardless of how irrational its logic may be.

2) Dogmatism: The irrationalities of AI will be positioned like lawsas indisputable truths that must be followed.

4. Once AIs Logic becomes the "Law of the Land"

Once AI becomes the judge regulating human behavior, the basic principles of social selection tell us that AIs logic, including many errors and irrational logics, will become the non-negotiable "Law of the Land". As a user, unless you can afford to forgo the functions provided by the AI system, you have no choice but to follow the code of conduct specified by the AI. In many cases, people would not have the option to opt-out. Especially when AI is used in the judicial system, scenes from science fiction movieswhere people are wrongfully imprisoned due to an AIs misjudgmentcan be expected to appear in large numbers across the world.

4.1. No One is Immune

The transition of AI from its current role of assistant to the role of judge will begin with the heads of corporations and governments allowing AI to participate in or lead decisions affecting disadvantaged groups or their own subordinates. At this stage, those in high positions may believe that they are the true judges and that AI is merely their tool. However, in this complex society, even a most powerful person cannot guarantee that he will never be forced into a role where he is judged by AI. When the boss of Company A needs to use the AI system of Company B and cannot negotiate privately with Company Bs boss, he will be forced to accept the "impartial" treatment of AI.

4.2. An AI Kingdom Where Error Correction is Extremely Difficult

Once AIs logic becomes the norm imposed on society, it will be extremely difficult to correct errors of a system in that AI-dominated kingdom. A major reason for this is AIs integrative power, which far exceeds that of humans. AIs powerful integration will pull various industries into a relatively small number of massive systemssomething many dominant groups in human society have dreamed of but failed to achieve for a long time. AI will achieve great success in this regard.

More importantly, these AI-integrated systems will most probably have top-down, unified internal rules. In such systems, the larger the system, the less likely it is that errors occurring in the lower-level subsystems will be corrected. This is because lower-level subsystems have no authority to change the rules set by the upper levels. The most direct manifestation will be: if a task does not comply with the rules set by the upper level, the lower-level subsystem will be stuck at an interface and unable to complete the task until the users of the lower-level subsystem change their desires and adjust their plans so that their practice could fit into the format demanded by the logic of AI at the top-level.

At the same time, the higher is a subsystem located in the whole AI system, the less likely are its problems noticed by those very few people who have access to the systems backend to update it, because they are farther from the end-user and also because, as systems become massive, the functions of the systems will become extremely complex. Correspondingly, among the various errors that may exist in an AI system, the easiest to detect are technical errors (e.g., bugs in source code), rather than functional errors. Yet, it is the irrational or unimaginative parts of the system's functions that are most likely to cause injustice or harm in people's lives.

5. Final Remarks

This paper adds to my previous writings (Dai 2019 [[2]], Dai 2024 [[3]]) on the Philosophy of AI over the past few years. Today, AI has become a focal point of competition between nations, especially between great powers. Hidden within this fanatical competition is the lack of discussion on the Philosophy of AI from the academia, which might sow the seed for a crisis that might be fatal to humanity in the future.

Reference
Highest Grade Channel Sample Results to Date at Munro-Croesus Returns 124 g/t Au over 0.62 m within 39.5 g/t Au over 2.3 m From Newly Exposed Veins at the C Zone

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx" or the "Company") is pleased to report new surface assay results from the Company's 100%-owned Munro-Croesus Project ("Munro-Croesus" or the "Project"), located 75 km east of Timmins, Ontario (Figure 3).

Results reported today include those from surface channel samples collected at the C Zone, a regional target situated six kilometers ("km") east of the Argus North discovery and three km northeast of the historic Croesus Gold Mine. The target was identified by Onyx's exploration team as a prospect with possible similarities and host setting to the high-grade Croesus Vein. Trenching at the C Zone began in Fall 2025 and subsequent sampling returned very encouraging gold grades with values up to 124 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au") over 0.62 meters ("m").

The results from the C Zone underscore the potential for additional high-grade discoveries across the broader Munro-Croesus Project area and highlight the value of applying modern structural interpretation and systematic targeting to historically underexplored areas of the property.

Highlights from Surface Channel Sampling at the C Zone

39.5 g/t Au over 2.33 m , including 124 g/t Au over 0.62 m , and including 9.4 g/t Au over 0.96 m, and including 8.3 g/t Au over 0.75 m

The high-grade assay results are from a freshly exposed vein zone that represents a significant new target for follow-up.

The C Zone remains open along strike and at depth presenting strong potential for expansion through initial drill testing.

Ongoing structural interpretation will guide first-pass drilling in the coming months as part of the Company's fully-funded 75,000 m drill program.

"We are very pleased to have identified a new high-grade gold target that has returned the highest-grade surface result we've collected to date" said Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO of Onyx Gold. "The C Zone is another strong example of the untapped opportunity that remains across the Munro-Croesus Project. Although this area was identified and partially evaluated by previous operators decades ago, the work was limited and sporadic and has never been systematically explored using modern geological techniques. By consolidating this land package and re-evaluating historic targets through this lens, we are uncovering high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold systems that were effectively left behind. In Timmins, scale gives you staying power and grade gives you leverage and projects that deliver both have historically created the most value."

"With approximately $30 million in the treasury and a fully funded 75,000-meter drill program underway, we are well positioned to continue advancing our Argus discoveries while systematically testing a pipeline of high-impact regional targets, many of which have not seen any exploration for several decades."

Details of the C Zone

The C Zone is situated three km northeast of the historic Croesus Gold Mine and one km north of the regional Munro Fault Zone, a first-order structure that is parallel to the Pipestone Fault, both of which converge with the camp-scale Porcupine-Destor Fault Zone to the southeast (Figure 2). The Munro Fault strikes at approximately 290 through the center of the Project, comprising a broad zone (up 900 m wide) of carbonatized ultramafic schist. The structure has been mapped as a zone of parallel, southeast-striking, and sub-vertical southwest-dipping shears that are confined to the conformable ultramafic horizon.

The C Zone itself is characterized by quartz vein and stockwork mineralization within a 5 to 15-m-wide zone of bleaching hosted within a brittle deformation zone within pillowed mafic volcanics. The quartz veins strike approximately northeast and dip shallowly to the east-southeast. Alteration is dominated by strong carbonatization, with extensive sericite and siliceous overprint, and with local chlorite, fuchsite, and minor chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Gold mineralization is associated with arsenopyrite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and also occurs as visible gold with discrete blebs and disseminated grains in and around quartz veins and stockworks.

Limited exploration work was carried out on the prospect in the 1950s-60s and again in the early 1990s by previous operators, including a small eight hole/1,177m drill program. In 1994, a blasted trench at the C Zone returned spectacular coarse-grained gold in quartz veins. This high-grade vein zone has characteristics similar to the nearby historic Croesus Gold Mine, indicating the potential for more 'Croesus-like' veins on the Munro-Croesus Property.

Discussion of the C Zone 2025 Surface Sampling Results

In Fall 2025, the Company carried out mechanized stripping, power washing, detailed geological mapping, and sampling at the C Zone over a 45 m by 10 m area which exposed a broad zone of elevated gold values associated within quartz-carbonate veins and stockworks.

A total of 62 channel samples were collected averaging 0.8 m in length. Ten (10) samples were >0.5 g/t Au, including four (4) above 1 g/t Au. Channel sample highlights include:

39.5 g/t Au over 2.3 m , including 124 g/t Au over 0.62 m , and including 9.4 g/t Au over 0.96 m, and including 8.3 g/t Au over 0.75 m



The host rock is highly Fe-oxidized massive basalt with moderate-strong pervasive silica-sericite-ankerite alteration and abundant fracture-filling sulfides. Locally massive, blebby to acicular arsenopyrite and trace chalcopyrite and pyrite in quartz+/- ankerite veins were observed. Highest gold grades occur at the intersection of 1) a west-striking, moderately north-dipping fault-filling quartz vein; and 2) north-striking, shallowly east-dipping extensional veins.

The C Zone remains open along strike, down-dip, and down-plunge, and the opportunity to expand the zone through a first-pass drill program is considered excellent. Desktop structural interpretation is ongoing and will guide preliminary drill testing in the coming months.

Details of the channel sample lines reported in this news release are shown in Figure 1.

Plate 1 - Photo of C Zone Trench with Quartz-Carbonate Stockwork Vein Zone and Ankerite Weathering (Looking SW, Photo Field of View ~ 5.4 meters wide)

Figure 1 - Plan Map Highlighting C Zone Surface Assays Reported in this Release

Figure 2 - Plan Map of Munro-Croesus Mineralized Corridors with Planned Drilling Areas

Figure 3 - Location of the Munro-Croesus Gold Project, Ontario

Update on 2026 Winter Drill Program at Munro-Croesus

The Company will be resuming its 75,000-m Phase I/II/III drill program (the "Program") at Munro-Croesus in early January to continue following up on encouraging gold intersections from its Argus North and West discoveries, as well as, testing several high value regional targets, including the C Zone.

Drilling to date at the Argus North, Main and West discoveries has now defined broad zones of gold mineralization over a total strike length of 900 m and from surface to ~400 m vertically. All the Argus Zones (North, Main and East) remain open along strike, down-dip, and down-plunge.

The Company has completed 100 drill holes to date, totalling >36,000 m as part of its 75,000 m Phase I/II/III drill program. Assays have been announced for 53 holes. With ~$30 million in the treasury, the Company remains fully funded to advance its 2026 exploration programs.

The Munro-Croesus Project

The Munro-Croesus Project is located along Highway 101 in the heart of the Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada's premier gold mining jurisdiction (Figure 3). This large, 100% owned land package includes the past-producing Croesus Gold Mine, which yielded some of the highest-grade gold ever mined in Ontario. Extensive land consolidation from 2020-2025 has unified the patchwork of patented and unpatented mining claims surrounding the Croesus Gold Mine into one coherent package and enhanced the project's exploration potential.

The Project covers 109 km2 of highly prospective geology within the influence of major gold-bearing structural breaks. Bulk-tonnage gold deposits located in the immediate region include the Fenn-Gib gold project being developed by Mayfair Gold Corp., and the Tower Gold Project being developed by STLLR Gold Inc.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) is a Canadian exploration company focused on unlocking district-scale gold opportunities in two of the country's most prolific and proven mining jurisdictions - Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory.

In the Timmins Gold Camp, Onyx controls an extensive portfolio anchored by the Munro-Croesus Property, host to the historic high-grade Croesus Mine and site of the Company's recent Argus North discovery - one of the most exciting new gold zones emerging in the camp. Complementing Munro-Croesus are two large, early-stage projects - Golden Mile, a 140 km property situated just 9 km from Newmont's multi-million-ounce Hoyle Pond Mine, and Timmins South, a 187 km land package strategically positioned around the Shaw Dome structure, offering exceptional discovery potential.

Beyond Ontario, Onyx holds a commanding land position across four properties in Yukon's Selwyn Basin, an area rapidly gaining recognition for new gold discoveries and growing exploration investment. The Company's King Tut Property sits approximately 50km south of Snowline Gold's Valley discovery and adjacent to Fireweed Metals' MacPass property.

Led by an experienced team with a strong track record of discovery, development, and value creation, Onyx Gold is well funded and committed to delivering shareholder value through disciplined exploration, strategic growth, and responsible resource development.

On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp.

"Brock Colterjohn"

President & CEO

Additional Notes:

Channel samples from surface trenching were cut by a diamond blade and averaged 0.8 m in length, 5 cm in width and 10 cm in depth. Samples were placed in individual sealed polyurethane bags and were delivered by truck in sealed woven plastic bags to ALS Geochemistry laboratory facility in Timmins, Ontario for sample preparation with final analysis at ALS Geochemistry Analytical Lab facility in North Vancouver, BC. ALS Geochemistry operates meeting all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015.

Samples were crushed to 70% passing 2mm, then a representative 250 g riffle split was taken and pulverized to 85% passing 75m. Gold was determined by the fire-assay fusion method of a 50-gram sub-sample with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Samples that returned values >10 ppm gold from fire assay and AAS were determined by using fire assay and a gravimetric finish. Various metals including silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy, following multi-acid digestion. The elements copper, lead and zinc were determined by ore grade assay for samples that returned values >10,000 ppm by ICP analysis. Silver was determined by ore-grade assay for samples that returned >100 ppm. All ALS Geochemistry sites operate under a single Global Geochemistry Quality Manual that complies with ISO/IEC 17025:2017. ALS Geochemistry follows the quality management and operational guidelines set out in the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 - "General Requirement for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories" and ISO 9001 - "Quality Management Systems".

The Company maintains a robust QA/QC program that includes the collection and analysis of duplicate samples and the insertion of blanks and standards (certified reference material).

Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng., Executive Vice President for Onyx Gold Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Regional gold deposit data compiled from public sources and provided for general information purposes. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in adjacent properties, and they are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties or any potential exploitation thereof.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential significance of results from the new C Zone discovery, the Argus North discovery, and the Company's planned winter drilling program, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
Vancouver, Canada  TheNewswire - January 5, 2026  Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum" or the "Company") (TSX-V:ELY |FRA:R8N |OTC:ELDCF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arrangement agreement dated January 5, 2026 (the "Arrangement Agreement") with ASX listed MinRex Resources Limited (ASX: MRR) ("MinRex") pursuant to which Electrum and MinRex will combine in a share exchange transaction (the "Transaction") by way of a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement").

MinRex will be the surviving entity (the "Resulting Issuer" and/or "Combined Company") with an ASX listing, pro-forma cash in excess of ~A$8 million and no debt.

Highlights: Merger of equals - whereby Electrum securityholders will obtain 49.3% of the shares of the Combined Company while the remaining 50.7% of the shares will be retained by current MinRex shareholders.

Electrum shareholders to receive approximately 7.9 MinRex shares for each Electrum common share held.

Strong balance sheet - the Combined Company is expected to be capitalised with a pro forma cash balance more than A$8m (post-transaction costs), and no debt.

ASX listing is expected to offerimproved valuation environment and to unlock access to a large, specialist mining capital base within Australian Asia - Pacific regions.

Board and management teams will combine to form a strengthened leadership team, including the appointment of Dr. Elena Clarici and Michael Thomsen to the board of directors of the Combined Company.

Combined Company creates a well-capitalised gold-copper explorer, with a strong portfolio of advanced gold projects, including: Electrums Novo Tlamino Gold Project in Serbia hosting near surface Inferred Mineral Resources of 670K oz AuEq (7,100,000 tonnes @ 2.9g/t AuEq), and the subject of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) completed in 20211 MinRexs Sofala Gold Project in New South Wales, Australia2.

Focused near-term strategy to unlock value at the Novo Tlamino Gold Project includes both resource growth drilling and discovery focused exploration around the existing Barje Deposit, leveraging significant existing gold resources, detailed targeting work and historic economic studies.

Support from insiders and largest shareholders of Electrum who collectively hold approximately 28% of Electrums issued and outstanding common shares.

Commenting on the Transaction, Dr. Elena Clarici, Electrums Chief Executive Officer said: This is a transformational transaction for Electrum Discovery. It provides an Australian public listing, strengthens our leadership team and significantly improves our balance sheet. I strongly believe that this transaction provides our shareholders with a significant re-rating opportunity through a larger, more diversified and well-financed company. We look forward to working with MinRex and their team to unlock the value potential of our advanced Serbian portfolio together with the merged groups compelling portfolio of gold, copper and base metal projects across Serbia and Australia.

MinRex Director, James Pearse, said: This merger of equals represents a pivotal moment for both companies. By combining Electrums highly prospective and advanced Serbian gold-copper assets with MinRexs established NSW project portfolio, we are creating a stronger, well-funded exploration company with enhanced scale, diversification and technical depth. The Combined Company is positioned to deliver meaningful discovery and resource growth-focused exploration activity across two recognized mining jurisdictions, with activities to commence immediately post completion of the Transaction.

Strategic Rationale & Highlights

The combination of Electrum and MinRex creates an ASX-listed, gold-copper explorer with two advanced gold projects and an additional early-stage copper exploration project, in two established mining jurisdictions: Serbia and Australia.

Highlights of the Combined Company include:

A high-grade NI43-101 compliant inferred gold resource of 670K oz @ 2.9g/t AuEq (7.1 Mt at 2.5 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag containing 570,000 oz Au and 8.8 Moz of Ag) at Electrums advanced Novo Tlamino Gold Project

A PEA on the Novo Tlamino Gold Project completed in 2021.

Significant near-term opportunity to unlock value at the Novo Tlamino Gold Project with access to MinRexs treasury to drive resource growth drilling and discovery focused exploration around the existing Barje Deposit and testing of other identified regional gold targets.

Benefit of exposure to gold resources at the Sofala Gold Project in the Lachlan Fold Belt (NSW, Australia), consisting of two gold exploration projects: the Spring Gully deposit (inferred mineral resource of 9.48Mt at 1.06 g/t Au and containing 323,913 oz Gold); and the Surface Hill prospect (inferred mineral resource of 808,012t at 1.09 g/t Au and containing 28,300 oz Gold) 2.



The foregoing Inferred Mineral Resource estimates at the Sofala Gold Project are considered historical estimates under National Instrument 43-101 and were prepared in 2021 by Odessa Resources Pty Ltd. (Perth) using Leapfrog Edge software to produce wireframes of the various mineralised lode systems and block grade estimation using an ordinary kriging interpolation2.

Added exposure to Electrums Timok East Copper-Gold Project in the prolific copper-gold Western Tethyan Belt (Serbia) and adjacent to Zijin Bor Copper Complex, with activities to focus on discovery of a large copper-gold systems as extensions of neighbouring copper-gold deposits.

Strong pro forma cash position of ~A$8 million provides significant working capital for value creation.

Enhanced scale, exploration portfolio, financial position and capital markets profile of the merged group paves the way for significant combined value re-rating.

Coupling of significant technical, financial and corporate experience of MinRex and Electrum teams, with Electrums Dr. Elena Clarici and Michael Thomsen to join the board of directors of MinRex.

Exploration Strategy

Following completion of the Transaction, the Combined Company will prioritise completion of infill drilling at the Barje Deposit to support an updated Mineral Resource Estimate with a greater classification of Indicated Resources, which is intended to facilitate an updated PEA or pre-feasibility study at the Novo Tlamino Gold Project.

Planning of an infill drilling program of approximately 3,200m is ongoing. An additional approximately 1,000m of step-out drilling is also planned to test potential extensions of the Barje Deposit mineralisation to the East and West target areas.

A Phase 2 drilling program of approximately 3,000m is then planned to test the southern Barje Deposit target area between Barje and Liska testing for similar size (>0.5Moz) offset deposits. Review of recent ground magnetics over Barje and Liska, together with further field work, will be completed to refine the Phase 2 program.

Additionally, the Novo Tlamino Gold Project hosts highly prospective regional gold targets which remain largely untested to date, including the Karamanica Target, which is approximately 5km west of the Barje deposit and hosts a robust 3km x 3km Au-Ag-Cu soil anomaly defined over a topographic high, which has seen historic rock chip assays returning up to 11.10 g/t Au, 745 g/t Ag, 5.74% Cu, 5.18% Zn, and 21% Pb (See Companys press releases dated June 23, 2025 and July 21, 2025). Karamanica presents another strong opportunity for further discoveries at the Novo Tlamino Gold Project. Further ground magnetics and geological mapping are planned, focused on the existing 3km x 3km soil anomaly, to delineate priority targets for drill testing.

Transaction Summary

Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, MinRex will acquire 100% of the Electrum Shares by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

Under the terms of Transaction, holders of Electrum Securities ("Electrum Securityholders") will own approximately 49.3% of the Resulting Issuers ordinary shares (the "Resulting Issuer Shares") while holders of MinRex Shares will hold approximately 50.7% of the Resulting Issuer Shares.

Holders of Electrum Shares will receive 7.900364 MinRex Shares in exchange for each Electrum Share held. An aggregate of 966,666,334 MinRex Shares will be issued to holders of Electrum Shares in exchange for their respective Electrum Shares.

All outstanding Electrum Convertible Securities will be cancelled, and holders thereof will receive such number of fully paid MinRex Shares representing the fair value of such securities, determined using a Black & Scholes valuation. An aggregate of 87,009,759 MinRex Shares will be issued to holders of Electrum Convertible Securities on a pro rata basis upon cancellation of their respective Electrum Convertible Securities. Given all of the above, the proposed transactions share structure of the Resulting Issuer will be:

Resulting Issuer MinRex Resources MRR 1,084,867,503 50.73% Electrum Discovery * ELY 1,053,576,093 49.27% Total 2,138,443,596 100.00% * Comprising MinRex shares issued to Electrum shareholders together with MinREx shares issued to Electrum warrant, option and DSU holders

Insiders and certain significant Electrum Securityholders, who collectively hold 27.96% of the issued and outstanding Electrum Securities, have entered into voting support agreements with MinRex pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their Electrum Securities in favour of the transaction at the Electrum securityholder meeting to be called to approve the Transaction (the "Electrum Special Meeting").

The Arrangement will require the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and Electrum Securityholder approval at the Electrum Special Meeting, of (i) 66% of the votes cast by holders of Electrum Shares on the special resolution to approve the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution"); (ii) 66% of the votes cast by holders of Electrum Securities on the Arrangement Resolution, voting together as a single class; and (iii) if, and to the extent required, a simple majority of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by Electrum Shareholders, excluding Electrum Shares held or controlled by persons described in items (a) through (d) of Section 8.1(2) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.

On completion of the Transaction, the board and management teams of MinRex and Electrum will combine to form a strengthened leadership team, including the appointment of Dr. Elena Clarici, Electrums President and CEO, and Michael Thomsen, a non-executive director of Electrum, to the board of directors of MinRex as executive and non-executive directors respectively.

The Arrangement Agreement includes customary representations and warranties for a transaction of this nature as well as customary interim period covenants regarding the operation of Electrum's and MinRex's respective businesses. The Arrangement Agreement also provides for customary deal-protection measures, including a mutual termination fee payable by either party of C$250,000 in customary circumstances applicable to each party.

This Transaction is being conducted on an arm's-length basis between Electrum and MinRex. A total of C$171,300 of finders fees are payable by Electrum in relation to the Transaction. In addition to Electrum Securityholder and court approvals, closing of the Transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, ASX and TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") approvals and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions. Approval of the Transaction by shareholders of MinRex is not required.

Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, Electrum expects that the Transaction will be completed in March of 2026. Details regarding these and other terms of the Transaction are set out in the Arrangement Agreement, which will be available, after it is filed, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under Electrum's profile.

Upon completion of the Arrangement, Electrum Shares are expected to be delisted from the TSX-V, Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the OTCQB Venture Market.

Recommendations By the Board of Directors

Electrum's board of directors ("Electrums Board"), in consultation with Electrum's financial and legal advisors, unanimously recommends that Electrums Securityholders vote in favour of the Transaction.

RwE Growth Partners Inc. has provided a fairness opinion to the Electrums Board, stating that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, that the consideration to be received by Electrum Shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view to Electrum Shareholders.

The Transaction is targeted to close in March of 2026 (subject to satisfaction of all conditions under the Arrangement Agreement).

Counsel

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP is acting as Canadian legal counsel to Electrum. Thomson Geer is acting as Australian legal counsel to Electrum.

Steinepreis Paganin is acting as Australian legal counsel to MinRex. Farris LLP is acting as Canadian legal counsel to MinRex.

Full details of the Transaction will be included in the Electrum management information circular prepared in respect of the Electrum Special Meeting which will be available, after it is filed, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under Electrum's profile.

Conference Call / Presentation

Electrum will host an investor call on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 8am PST  11am EST (4pm GMT / 5pm CET).

To participate please use the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dw8JjWhQT_WxsF-EyGiENQ

A replay will be available 24 hours following the event and can be accessed via the same link above.

For more information contact:

Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director

T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | W: electrumdiscovery.com

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Thomas Sant BSc, FGS, CGeol, EurGeol. Mr. Sant is a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and a retained technical advisor to Electrum Discovery.

Mr. Sant has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical estimates referenced herein in respect of MinRexs Sofala Gold Project as current mineral resources under NI 43-101. As such, the Company is not treating such historical estimates as current mineral resources.

About Electrum Discovery Corp.

Electrum Discovery Corp. is a Canadian based, growth-oriented company, committed to increasing shareholder value through advancement of its two projects: gold-silver Novo Tlamino and copper-gold Timok East, located in two known mineralized districts within the prolific Western Tethyan Belt in the Republic of Serbia.

Electrum Discovery is looking to maximize the value of our mineral projects for all stakeholders including our shareholders, the local community and government, while fostering sustainability, governance, and knowledge transfer in the region.

Additional information on Electrum can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include but are not limited to: the expected timetable for the Transaction; the outcome and anticipated effects of the Transaction; the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to Electrum Shareholders; the prospects and outcomes of Electrums projects; the ability of Electrum and MinRex to complete the Transaction on the terms described herein or at all; the plans and strategies of Electrum and MinRex; the future performance of the Resulting Issuer; and the ability to obtain the requisite regulatory, stock exchange, court and shareholder approvals for the Transaction. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, risks related to Electrum being able to obtain or satisfy, in a timely manner or otherwise, required regulatory approval, shareholder and court approvals and other conditions to the closing of the Transaction; risk that the Transaction will not be completed on the terms and conditions, or on the timing, currently contemplated, and that either may not be completed at all, due to a failure to obtain or satisfy, in a timely manner or otherwise, required regulatory approval, shareholder and court approvals and other conditions to the closing of the Transaction or for other reasons; the failure to realize the expected benefits of the Transaction; the inability of the Company to conduct its planned exploration program for any reason; the inability of the Company to raise financing for its projects for any reason; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Rock chip and surface results are early stage and there is no assurance that future exploration will find mineralization of further interest. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking information contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

1 Preliminary Economic Assessment and NI43-101 Technical Report for the Medgold Tlamino Project, January 7, 2021, www.sedarplus.ca. The effective date of the resource estimate is January 7, 2021. Authors of the Reports are: Mr. Richard Siddle, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd for Mineral Resources; Dr. Matthew Randall, FIMMM, of Axe Valley Mining Consultants Ltd for Mining; Mr. Ian Jackson, FIMMM, of Bara Consulting for Mineral Processing, and Dr. Andrew Bamber, MCIM, of Bara Consulting Ltd for Economic Analysis.

The PEA is preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be characterized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realised. A gold price of US$1500/oz and a silver price of US$16.5/oz were used for estimations of metal equivalents. Metal equivalent factors were calculated separately for the three main material types of the mineral resource as shown below:

A gold equivalent (AuEq) grade was calculated using the formula AuEq = ((Ag g/t) x 0.011)) + (Au g/t) for the High Grade Breccia and Partially Oxidized materials, and AuEq = ((Ag g/t) x 0.012)) + (Au g/t) for the Low Grade Schist.

2 The Sofala Gold Resource estimates referenced herein (the Sofala Historical Estimates) are considered historical estimates for the Company as they were prepared for MinRex prior to the Company having entered into the Arrangement Agreement. The Sofala Historical Estimates were obtained from MinRexs ASX Announcement entitled Sofala Gold Resources Increased To 352,000oz Au dated 28 July 2021. The Company is providing the Sofala Historical Estimates for informational purposes as to the historical exploration conducted on the Sofala Gold Property and the status of such property.

The Sofala Historical Resources were compiled under the Australian JORC code (2012 edition) and have not been subject to a mineral resource estimate that is compliant with Canadian NI43-101.

Inferred resources from the Sofala Historical estimates cannot be directly compared to inferred resources as per the current CIM Definition Standards.

Although the Company believes the Sofala Historical Estimates to be relevant, it recognises that no metallurgical testwork results, environmental factors, or specifics of reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction were provided in the disclosure of the Sofala Historical Estimates and that the estimate itself was based entirely on historic data. Significant work would be required to update and validate the Sofala Historical Estimates including confirmation drilling and core analysis; geotechnical and metallurgical test work; and environmental review.

Key assumptions, parameters and methods used in the preparation of the Sofala Historical Estimates include:

Data Inputs

69 historical drill holes (19931994) with total of 6,984m including 63 RC holes (5,899 m) and 6 NQ diamond holes (1,085 m). No downhole surveys; assumed fixed dip/azimuth(-45 towards 121).

RC sampled at 1 m intervals. Core sampled at variable intervals.

Assays: Historic assay data digitised from NSW open-file reports. Method of assay is not reported. Gold assayed with repeat Au checks but no documented use of certified standards or blanks.

Drill collar elevations derived from 1 m resolution LiDAR DTM.

Geological Interpretation & Domaining

Mineralisation hosted in stacked, southwest-dipping lodes associated with the thrust contact between Sofala Volcanics (hanging wall) and Chesleigh Formation sediments (footwall). Six discrete mineralised lodes modelled.

Modelled lode geometry controlled by: Sectional, plan and 3D geological interpretation; Gradecontinuity relationships. A maximum extrapolation of 130 m down-dip was used where mineralisation remained open and untested.

Mineralised wireframes constructed using a nominal 0.30 g/t Au lower constraint, applied as hard boundaries.

Estimation Methodology

Software: Leapfrog Geo / Leapfrog Edge (v2021.2).

Estimation method: Ordinary Kriging (OK).

Compositing: 1 m composites.

Variograms modelled per lode with variable orientation in plane of lodes.

Search parameters: Minimum samples = 4; Maximum samples = 20. Search distances were set as sufficient to estimate all blocks.

Grade Treatment

Top cuts between 2.0 and 6.0 g/t Au applied by lode to limit influence of high-grade outliers.

No metal-equivalent calculations. No by-product credits considered.

Block Model Parameters

Parent block size: 5 m  5 m  5 m. Sub-blocking horizontally to quarter blocks with variable heights.

Block size considered appropriate relative to drill spacing (~50 m  50 m).

Density & Tonnage

170 water-immersion density measurements were carried out on core. A specific gravity of 2.75 based on standard tables of specific gravities of common rocks was used to determine tonnage.

Tonnage basis: Dry, in-situ.

Cut-off Grade

A reporting cut-off of 0.70 g/t Au was used without pit optimisation.

Mining, Metallurgical & Environmental Assumptions

Conceptual assumption of potential open-pit suitability.

No metallurgical test work completed; no recovery assumptions applied.

No environmental factors considered.

Validation & Confidence

Swath plots are reported to show good correlation of input vs estimated grades

No audits completed

Resource confidence limited by: Historic nature of data; Lack of QA/QC; Absence of downhole surveys

Resource Classification & Reporting
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 /Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT) (Frankfurt:TX0) (OTCQX:YGTFF) (" Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has commenced its Winter 2026 diamond drilling program on the Yellowknife Project, Northwest Territories. The program will utilize four diamond drill rigs and is focused on advancing priority targets within the Con Mine area and the Northbelt.

2026 Winter Drill Program Highlights

Initial drilling will target the Con Mine area, with the objective of expanding and upgrading mineralization within the Yellorex Zone, located along the Campbell Shear south of the historic Con Mine. Additional drilling will test nearby targets along the Campbell Shear corridor between Yellorex and the Con Mine.

Drilling within the Northbelt is expected to commence later in January, following sufficient ice development. Northbelt drilling will primarily target high-grade gold areas such as where hole GTWL22-0014 which returned 31.89 g/t gold over 3 metres including 69.4 g/t Au over 1 metre (see the August 25, 2022 press release) was intersected near surface in the Mispickel area. The Winter 2026 program is designed to advance known high-grade mineralized zones, test new targets, and support future resource growth just north of the town of Yellowknife.

New Five (5) years Land Use Permit, Water Licence, and Security

Gold Terra has received all key regulatory approvals required to conduct exploration work for the next five years at the Yellowknife Project and Con Mine. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has issued a renewed Type A Land Use Permit (MV2025C0015), effective January 17, 2026, with a five-year term (and the ability to apply for a 2-year extension), authorizing mineral exploration activities including diamond drilling, winter road construction, camp operations, and progressive reclamation.

In addition, the Company has been granted a renewed Type B Water Licence (MV2025L8-0006), effective January 17, 2026, with a seven-year term. The licence authorizes water withdrawal and waste deposition associated with mineral exploration and drilling activities, subject to established environmental protection measures.

Gold Terra has also topped up its reclamation securities with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Both securities were topped up in early January for the Land Use permit (LUP) and water license (WL). Both securities totalled $198,000 and $ 36,450 for each permit and cover activities for up to four drill rigs in action.

Gold Terra retains Soar Financial Partners

The Company has retained Soar Financial Partners (a brand of NorthStar Communications GmbH) ("Soar") for a targeted investor relations and media outreach proposal designed to expand Gold Terra's visibility across the United States, Europe, and strategically in Germany, pursuant to an agreement entered into between the Company and Soar dated January 1, 2026, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V").

Soar provides strategic marketing and investor communications for the mining sector through multi-national road shows, conferences, media outreach and social media platforms primarily for the European investment community. Soar has offices in Frankfurt, Germany and Vancouver.

The investor relations agreement has a one-year term. Pursuant to the agreement, Gold Terra will pay Soar a base fee of USD 7,000 per month.

Subject to the policies of the TSX-V and the terms and of the Company's stock option plan, the Company plans to grant 300,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company (the "Options") as part consideration for its services under the Investor Relations Agreement.

Soar does not currently own any shares of the Company or have any other direct or indirect interest in the Company. The fees paid by the Company to Soar under the Investor Relations Agreement are for services only.

Grant of Stock Options

The Company announces that the Board of Directors has approved a grant of stock options under the Company's Stock Option Plan to its directors, officers, employees, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,600,000 treasury shares at $0.19 (including the 300,000 options to Soar).

The options are exercisable at a price of $0.19 per share for a period of 5 years effective on January 2 nd , 2026, expiring on January 2nd, 2031, and are subject to the policies of the TSX V and the Company's Stock Option Plan which includes a vesting period beginning six months after issue for 25% of the options, and 25% every six months following.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Senior Technical Advisor for the Company.

About Gold Terra

The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 836 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the Campbell Shear, where approximately 14 Moz of gold has been produced, (refer to Gold Terra Oct 21, 2022, Technical Report) and most recently on the CMO property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003).

The YP and CMO properties lie on the Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at Home | Gold Terra Resource Corp.

For more information, please contact:

Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations

Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 416-710-0646

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards.

U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (" forward-looking information "). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.
On the day Carlos Arturo Caceres was murdered, his son was born. Upon receiving the news, he prepared a jug of milk and set out to meet him. He never made it. He never arrived. He never met him.

On 15 July 2003, which should have been one of the happiest days of his life, the Kankuamo indigenous man left the field where he worked to visit his wife Claudia Arias and their new-born baby Carlos. On the way, he was intercepted by a group of soldiers from the Colombian Armys La Popa 2nd Artillery Battalion. They were guided by paramilitaries from the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), who falsely accused Caceres of being a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group. The soldiers killed him on the spot and presented him as a rebel killed in a combat that never took place.

Twenty-three years later, with this macabre and moving account, the Colombian transitional justice tribunal, known as the Special Jurisdiction for Peace or JEP, began reading the ruling convicting retired Colonel Hernan Mejia Gutierrez to 20 years in prison, the highest penalty contemplated by the special tribunal stemming from the 2016 peace agreement, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Caceress was one of 72 extrajudicial executions, known to Colombians by the euphemism false positives, for which the commander of the battalion operating in a vast region of cattle and coal-mining savannahs flanked by mountains in the Caribbean, near the border with Venezuela, was held responsible.

The end of the JEPs first adversarial trial

The ruling announced five days before Christmas closed a highly symbolic circle: in late September, the JEP convicted 12 former military officials who were Mejias subordinates  including the colonel who was his second-in-command  for their role in those same events, in one of its first two substantive legal decisions against those most responsible for serious crimes in Colombias half-century-long armed conflict.

However, their punishment was more lenient, ranging from five-to-eight years in a non-prison setting, because they acknowledged their responsibility for these crimes, publicly apologised to their victims, contributed to the truth and committed to redressing them.

Mejia, on the other hand, chose not to admit his role and asked for it to be proven in court. Now, a year, thirteen hearings and fifty witnesses later, the JEP has found him guilty, in what is also the first decision to come out of its second, adversarial track. In fact, several of the witnesses testifying against him were his former subordinates.

It was these two faces of Colombias transitional justice that presiding justice Reinere Jaramillo referred to when she said that today we shouldnt be announcing a ruling that resolves a dispute, but rather what should have happened is that the dialogue between those who participated in the conflict and submitted to this jurisdiction and the victims should have led to the clarification of the truth and to its acknowledgment. Two other former officers from the same military unit, Colonel Juan Carlos Figueroa and Major Jose Pastor Ruiz Mahecha, who like Mejia dont admit to their role, are awaiting their own trials.

Mejia, who had already been sentenced by the ordinary criminal justice to 19 years in prison for his links to the paramilitaries, announced that he will appeal the sentence, which means that his case will now be reviewed by an appeals section of the special court.

Today we should not be announcing a ruling that resolves a dispute, deplored presiding judge Reinere Jaramillo, but rather what should have happened is that the dialogue between those who participated in the conflict and submitted to this jurisdiction and the victims should have led to the clarification of the truth and recognition. Photo:  JEP

For most Colombians, Mejia has been one of the emblematic figures of the false positives. Considered one of the most decorated officers in the army, Mejia was relieved of his post in January 2007 by then Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos, during the Alvaro Uribe administration, in one of the first corrective measures taken before the scandal broke publicly. It was also the first time in history that a defence minister publicly acknowledged the operational link, in the rulings words, between senior military officers and paramilitaries, which according to the JEP the homicide of Caceres renders visible.

After assessing all the evidence provided by the special tribunals prosecution unit, much of it originating from the original indictment by the JEPs Acknowledgment Chamber, the judges concluded that the defendants participation was neither marginal nor passive; on the contrary, it was structural and decisive in the configuration and consolidation of the aforementioned pattern.

In the rulings words, Mejia used his clout and reputation to influence his closest officers in order to initiate, promote and consolidate a criminal scheme to murder and disappear civilians unrelated to the armed conflict and present their bodies as the result of false operational successes. These were not autonomous actions by his subordinates, the JEP concluded, but crimes (...) perpetrated within the framework of organised power structures, with a high degree of coordination. Colonel Mejia had not only formal command, but also material control over operations, reports, numbers and the construction of an institutional narrative aimed at making actions appear legal when in fact their results were totally illegal.

With this, the court rejected Mejias defence, which presented him as an exemplary military officer who saved the Cesar region from the plagues ravaging it, including FARC. While not denying the crimes committed in the battalion, it argued that the colonel never gave an illegal order.

We were able to clear Carlos Albertos name

A weight has been lifted off our shoulders after 23 years, says Armando Pumarejo, whose son Carlos Alberto was murdered inside the La Popa battalion on June 22, 2002, and presented in the media as a FARC militiaman. His death, now recognized as the homicide of a protected person, deprived a two-year-old girl and two twins, who were in the womb of his partner Gelka Hinojosa at the time, of their father. Mejia has now been found responsible because, according to the JEP, he issued the order for Operation Coraza 037A, instructing his subordinates to shoot (...) and issued subsequent orders aimed at making the events appear to be legitimate combat in which two casualties were reported.

Despite my skepticism, because I was somewhat pessimistic, we are seeing these decisions. We were able to clear Carlos Albertos name, says Armando, who, notebook in hand, followed all the hearings in the trial against Mejia. For him, the greatest satisfaction came from the 12 officials who admitted to their role because, in his words, everything fits with what they knew had happened. Mejias conviction, which he believes was rendered possible by those testimonies, leaves no doubt that the fuel for that criminal train was the blood of our relatives.

Although there are still some contradictions that he is asking the JEP to clarify, especially regarding two soldiers who have not been charged and are awaiting the resolution of their legal situations, the transitional process has been for Pumarejo the difference between never even receiving a summons to court in the ordinary justice system and having a voice and being listened to. So many truths could not go unpunished between heaven and earth, he sighs.

Politicians who defended Mejia keep silent

Mejias conviction is a milestone for another reason. The political sector led by former President Alvaro Uribe, in whose government he was removed from the army following allegations by a subordinate, used his case to oppose the peace negotiations with the FARC. In their narrative, the colonel was the victim of an alleged plot hatched by President Juan Manuel Santos and his peace commissioner Sergio Jaramillo, who had been the defense minister and deputy minister who initiated the measures that made it possible to put an end to the criminal phenomenon. They also cited the disgraced colonels theory that the guerrilla had a special secretariat to secretly control the state and even the church and the largest companies.

However, during the JEPs eight years of investigations and trial, Mejia lost his influence and magnetism among a political sector that used to called him a great hero and victim of infamy. Many politicians who defended him ardently a decade ago are now silent. Former President Uribe, who spread the theory of an alleged conspiracy against him and posed with signs bearing the title of his book, tweeted about him for the last time in 2018, the year Mejia flirted with becoming a presidential candidate. Nor did he testify in his favour, as his defence initially requested.

Uribes party, the Democratic Centre, has not mentioned him since 2016. Several of its most visible figures, such as its current presidential candidate Paloma Valencia and Congresswoman Paola Holguin, also stopped defending him around that time. Only Maria Fernanda Cabal, until recently a presidential candidate and part of the partys far-right wing, has continued to defend him after his conviction.

17 military, a former guerrilla and a politician in waiting

The transitional justice track inaugurated by Mejia still has much work to do, although  as a Justice Info analysis published last July showed  most of the JEPs indictees have chosen to acknowledge their crimes. Nine out of ten have done so.

As of December 2025, 21 persons had been referred to the JEPs Investigation and Prosecution Unit (UIA), the body responsible for prosecuting or closing investigations against those who, following preliminary investigations conducted by the tribunals Acknowledgment Chamber, do not admit their role, provide truth or redress victims. That number includes 19 former military officers, a former FARC rebel and one civilian  although one military, Colonel Cipriano Pena, died after being charged. Except for two, all have been charged for their participation in false positives. This reluctant group includes several former senior military officers: six generals and eleven colonels. Two of them, Colonels Juan Carlos Figueroa and Fernando Moncayo Guancha, have been living in the United Arab Emirates.

They are joined by Hector Albeidis Arboleda, better known as the Nurse, accused of forced abortions within FARC and referred for failing to even admit to his membership in that group. There is also former congressman Luis Fernando Almario, the most prominent politician in transitional justice, who was accused of being a co-author of a criminal plan to capture the state in alliance with the FARC, consisting of exterminating his rival political group, led by the Turbay Cote family, in the Amazonian department of Caqueta.

Delays in the adversarial track

Although Mejia was the first to go through the adversarial track and every new procedure brings adjustments, the timing of his case raises questions about what is to come. Originally charged by the JEPs Acknowledgment Chamber in July 2021, his case was referred to the prosecuting unit six months later after the colonel refused to own up to his role. In July 2023, after a year and a half of investigation, the prosecutors office formally accused him, and another year later, in September 2024, his trial began. Fifteen months later, the decision was handed down. That means it took a total of four years to reach a conviction since his case was referred to the UIA.

The timelines have been similar for the other four defendants to date. Colonels Juan Carlos Figueroa and David Herley Guzman were charged two years after their cases reached the UIA, a period that increased to three years in the case of Major Jose Pastor Ruiz. None of the three has gone to trial. Guzmans trial was scheduled to begin in July 2025 but has been postponed twice, first because he requested an extension to prepare and then because he revoked his defence lawyers power of attorney. In total, he has changed his defence four times. There has been no public news since October about a new date. Neither Figueroa nor former congressman Almario have been called to trial by the court, despite also having been formally charged for more than two years. When asked if it had weighed moving from the current logic of individual accusations to grouping some defendants according to macro cases, as the original indictments do, the UIA told Justice Info that it has not considered it.

At least one of these trials will have a very high public profile. Although the JEP has so far indicted 21 generals, including three former commanders-in-chief of the Army and one of the Armed Forces, none has captured the public attention like Mario Montoya. This general, who led the Army between 2006 and 2008, coinciding with the peak of extrajudicial executions, promoted  according to the JEPs original indictment  the message that combat casualties were the only indicator of success. Dont bring me problems, bring me litres of blood, he used to say to his subordinates.

Is a third track emerging?

Among all the cases before the JEP prosecutors office, one lies in an interesting limbo. Indicted by the JEP in July 2022 as responsible for extrajudicial executions in Casanare, Colonel German Alberto Leon initially refused to acknowledge his responsibility, so his case was referred to the adversarial track. Once in the UIA, however, he decided to accept it, prompting the prosecutors office to return his case to the court. Now the justices of the non-acknowledgment section must decide his future.

One possibility is that Leon will fall on an intermediate route contemplated by Colombias transitional justice. Having acknowledged responsibility, but doing so belatedly, he could receive a sentence halfway between the 5-to-8 years in a non-penitentiary environment designed for those who own up to their role and the 15-to-20 years in prison for those who do not and are convicted in trial. That intermediate sentence would be 5-to-8 years in prison, subject to the same conditions of admitting their crimes, contributing to the truth and providing reparations to the victims.

The JEP countdown

These lengthy periods for filing charges and reaching judicial decisions, which are not exclusive to the UIA but extend to the entire JEP, raise questions about whether the Colombian transitional tribunal will have enough time to fulfil its mission.

In total, the JEP has a legal deadline of 10 years to bring charges and an additional five years to conclude its activities, including handing down sentences against those most responsible and resolving the legal situation of some 12,000 persons. Given that it began work on 15 January 2008, this means that transitional justice has only two more years to bring charges.

That clock is a challenge for both tracks, not just the prosecuting unit. The Acknowledgment Chamber has unveiled preliminary charges in seven of its 11 macro cases, but has only filed formal charges (called conclusion resolutions) in two of them. Two of the original seven cases, opened seven years ago, only saw their first indictments in December, and four more, opened between 2022 and 2023, have not yet seen any. That means the current pace of two to three years to file final indictments will not work in the final stretch.

The intersection of the two tracks current timelines raises difficult questions. Will the Acknowledgment Chamber run out of time to file all of its remaining indictments? Will the JEP prosecutors office change its view of individual accusations given the tight deadlines? Will any defendants be tempted not to confess and bet on the UIA running out of time to charge them? Could this harm the incentive system of Colombias transitional justice, which combines carrots and sticks to encourage acknowledgment of responsibility and reduce the number of cases that go to trial? Could this lead to less satisfaction for victims, who expect more truth and more public acts of forgiveness?

Amidst the milestone that is the 20-year prison sentence handed down to Colonel Mejia for dozens of extrajudicial killings that he refused to admit to, these existential questions hang over the special tribunal that has managed to get most of those responsible for serious crimes in the Colombian conflict to face their victims.
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Israeli former hostage Romi Gonen said in a television interview last week that four Hamas militants sexually assaulted her during her 15-month captivity in the Gaza Strip.

"No one will tell me to stay quiet... I'm here, I won," Gonen, 25, told Israel's Channel 12 in a two-part interview, the second of which was broadcast on Thursday evening.

Gonen, speaking in Hebrew, evoked "different sorts of sexual assaults in captivity, from four different men, with varying degrees of gravity", without ever explicitly using the word "rape" yet still hinting at it.

Gonen, who was released in January 2025 during a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, described how she was once assaulted by one of her guards in the room where she was being held.

"I start crying uncontrollably... He looks at me incessantly and signals to me 'be careful' with his index on his mouth. 'If you don't calm down, I'm going to get angry.'"

On another day Gonen said the guard followed her to the toilet.

"And that's when I was assaulted for the third time. It lasted almost half an hour," she said.

"I said to myself: 'Romi, all of Israel thinks you're dead, when in fact you're going to be his sexual slave for ever'", she said, recounting how she felt one day after an assault.

She recounted how another time her attacker, who was sitting on a couch, looked at her and asked: "'Romi, are you okay or not?'

"In my head, I'm thinking: 'Son of a bitch, how can you ask me that?'

"And then he comes up to me, puts the gun to my temple and says: 'If you mention this to anyone, I'll kill you.'"

Several Israelis who were held captive in Gaza and later released have since said that they were sexually assaulted during captivity.

In November, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, said in a television interview that he was sexually assaulted in captivity.

In March 2024 in an interview with The New York Times newspaper, Amit Soussana became the first hostage to testify publicly that she had been sexually abused by one of her captors.

Gonen was at the Nova music festival in Reim, near Gaza, when she was abducted on October 7, 2023.

Of the 251 people seized that day, militants have handed over all the dead and living captives, with the exception of the body of an Israeli police officer.

Last month, rights group Amnesty International accused Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of crimes against humanity, including torture, enforced disappearance, rape and "other forms of sexual violence".

Hamas, which along with allied Palestinian militant factions held hostages taken during its unprecedented attack on Israel, has never admitted to any such assaults.

bur/co

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
Bangladesh's main organisation representing Buddhist, Hindu and Christian communities voiced concern Tuesday about the surge in violence targeting religious minorities ahead of next month's elections in the Muslim-majority country.

The South Asian nation of 170 million people -- the vast majority Sunni Muslim -- is preparing for its first parliamentary elections since a mass uprising toppled the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Voting will take place on February 12.

The Council for Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity said in a statement that there were at least 51 incidents targeting its members in December, including 10 murders.

"Minority communities in Bangladesh are extremely terrified by the incidents that have taken place against them and by how they have played out on the ground," Kajal Debnath, a member of the council, told AFP Tuesday.

"This government has been extremely nonchalant (about the violence against minorities)," he added, referring to the interim government under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus.

The statement released by the group detailed incidents of arson, rape and looting.

It said it feared that the attackers were trying to scare minorities from voting.

"We urge the government and the Election Commission to take steps," it said.

After years of repression, Islamist groups are now working to gain a foothold in the country's upcoming election.

In recent months, they have organised mass gatherings and campaigns focusing on activities that they deem anti-Muslim.

Sheikh Hasina, 78, sentenced to death in absentia in November for crimes against humanity, remains in hiding in her old ally, India.
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Kennesaw State, Birla Carbon launch global research internship in India

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 6, 2026

Terence Norman The latest milestone in a relationship spanning more than a decade, Kennesaw State University and Birla Carbon have established a program that will send undergraduate students to India for intensive summer internships.

Launching in 2026, the Birla Carbon India Study Abroad Program will offer up to 12 students from KSUs College of Science and Mathematics the opportunity to engage in collaborative research projects at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Goa, India. Students will begin their projects at Kennesaw State during the spring semester and continue them abroad during the summer, working alongside BITS faculty and students.

Supported by a $184,000 gift from Birla Carbon, the program is just the latest in a longstanding partnership between the University and the global manufacturer. Since 2014, funds provided by Birla Carbon have enabled 117 Birla Carbon Scholars at KSU to participate in research. This year marked the 12th cohort of scholars, all of whom have applied their studies toward sponsored projects under the guidance of Kennesaw State faculty scholars.

In that time, 21 KSU graduates have gone on to secure jobs in Birla Carbons Marietta facility.

We are now in our 15th year of partnership with Kennesaw State University overall, said Terence Norman, human resources head for Birla Carbon Americas. Over the years, weve seen phenomenal growth and development opportunities for the students here in the College of Science and Mathematics.



The idea for the study abroad program emerged from ongoing conversations between KSU faculty and Birla Carbon leadership, said Kadian Callahan, associate dean for student success and community engagement in the College of Science and Mathematics.

The colleges focus is on providing quality undergraduate research experiences to students, and when Birla Carbon shared that they had locations in India training students, we saw an opportunity to collaborate, she said.

Callahan added that in addition to advancing the strategic priorities of the College of Science and Mathematics, the program will combine two high-impact practices: undergraduate research and education abroad.

Theyre learning a lot about the culture and gaining new perspectives on the research, Callahan said. Its new for KSU, and were very excited to be able to partner with Birla Carbon to bring this opportunity to our students.

Bharat Baruah, a native of India and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, played a key role in establishing the international collaboration. He visited BITS Goa to initiate faculty connections and align research interests between institutions.

The program has the potential to produce joint publications and long-term academic partnerships, he said.

Whatever research they start here, they can finish up in India, Baruah said. That means they can get a publication out of it with KSU and BITS faculty and students as co-authors.

Looking ahead, KSU plans to host a symposium upon the students return to showcase their research and experiences. The program also opens doors for future collaborations, expanded internships, and increased global visibility for the University.

We do this because its something we believe in, Norman said. Our purpose is created by passion and that leads to inspiration and rejuvenation. Its about enriching lives, and Kennesaw State gives us an opportunity to do that firsthand.

Related Stories

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.






Monday, January 5, 2026 - A 52-year-old man, identified as Raj Jasuja, was beaten along a red-light district in Pattaya, Thailand, after refusing to pay for services.

The incident involved a group of transwomen and escalated into a physical confrontation as passersby watched.

Video footage circulating online shows the rowdy women confronting Mr. Jasuja, striking him repeatedly.

Reports indicate that the altercation began after he failed to pay one of the ladies for services rendered.

Mr. Jasuja attempted to escape in a taxi, but the assault continued before he was taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital to receive medical treatment for his injuries.

"An Indian thrashed in Thailand." 



A 52-year-old Indian man, Raj Jasuja, who refused to pay for "services," was beaten by a group of transwomen in Thailand.



As per reports, he has been hospitalized at Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment. pic.twitter.com/FIcR6iYdaF  Suraj Kumar Bauddh (@SurajKrBauddh) January 3, 2026

"No Money, No Honey." 



Here is the full video, where an Indian citizen was thrashed by transwomen after he refused to pay for "services" in Pattaya, Thailand. https://t.co/F3fnT58IHo pic.twitter.com/pbcUZiqBfX  Suraj Kumar Bauddh (@SurajKrBauddh) January 3, 2026

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, January 05, 2025 - Kenyan socialite and influencer, Vera Sidika, has once again clapped back at persistent rumours questioning her finances, firmly denying claims that she has fallen on hard times.

Taking to her Instagram stories on Monday, January 5th, 2026, Sidika addressed gossip suggesting that she had moved out of her lavish mansion and was now renting a modest apartment in Kileleshwa.

Kenyans, hamchokiii. You just repeat the same fake rumour every year, hamma jipya? she wrote.

Using humour to highlight the absurdity of the speculation, Sidika even joked about a rumour claiming that she now has a tail.

In screenshots shared online, a follower asked about reports that she had rented an apartment.

Sidika responded by referencing her luxury car: Ati Nimesota na Range Rover Vogue ya 18 million with my full names kwa logbook?

Ata sita rent apartment. Nita lala kwa gari tu.

She clarified that she actively lives in two properties - her main mansion and an apartment in Kileleshwa, which she described as her chill spot and mancave.

Yaaani, till now, people dont know I actively live in 2 places If you see me at my apartment, it doesnt mean I dont have a mansion, she added.

Sidika dismissed longstanding claims of a financial downfall.

Hii downfall mumeiombea for 13 years now It can NEVER happen. Not even in a million years.

God doesnt come from your village, she declared.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, January 05, 2025 - Catholic Priest Chidi Philip has urged parents to rethink the practice of sending young sons and daughters to live with priests for training.

He warns that such arrangements, though often wellintentioned, can expose children, priests, and the church to unnecessary risks and painful misunderstandings.

In a heartfelt reflection, Fr. Philip explained that the parish rectory is not a seminary, nor a boarding house, and priests are not substitute parents.

While mentorship and occasional visits are healthy, permanent residence in a priests home can blur boundaries and create emotional or spiritual harm.

He cited a recent case where a priest was falsely accused simply for hosting a boy, noting the trauma that comes from such allegations even when proven untrue.

Priests are human, families are human, mistakes happen, he wrote, emphasizing that the rectory is a battlefield - spiritually, emotionally, and socially - where scandals, rumors, or unhealthy attachments can easily arise.

For decades, the Catholic Church has faced global scrutiny over scandals involving priests and young men.

Investigations revealed systemic patterns of misconduct, often concealed by church authorities who transferred accused clergy rather than confronting allegations.





The Kenyan DAILY POST
Entertainment / Celebrity

by Staff Reporter

Musician Desmond Chideme, better known as Stunner, has for the first time expressed regret over his leaked sex tape, saying it has had a negative impact on his once flourishing rap career.On the other hand his co-star in the distasteful tape, Pokello Nare, seems to have been catapulted to actual stardom after being selected to be one of the Zimbabwean representatives at the Big Brother Africa (BBA) The Chase currently under way.Soon after the sex tape leak, Stunner was dumped by many companies he had endorsement deals with, the media shunned him and he was no longer as visible as he was before at major live shows.Competition also seems to be stiff for the Glen Norah-based rapper as he is being eclipsed by rising rappers like Tehn Diamond, Junior Brown, Mc Cut and Tate the MC, to mention but just a few.In an interview Stunner admitted that there are artistes who are now doing better than him in the rap music game."Of course there are better rap artistes than me but most of them take music as a hobby, as for me music is business that is why I am doing aggressive marketing and employing new strategies to boost my career. When that tape leaked, which was unintentional, the bad publicity that followed was so much that it appeared as if the media had personal scores to settle with me - in the process, of course, I lost endorsements."It pulled me back a little but looking back at how I was progressing in the industry before the leak of the tape and now, I think I am beginning to get my groove back. I have had time to grow as a musician - where I used to do a whole album, for instance, with one producer which lacked diversity, I now use more. These days I am able to deliver what my audience wants and I do that through different producers," said Stunner.He said it was a good thing that he has a big ego which gave him courage to get back on his feet and be strong enough to stand in front of his fans again.Last Sunday at the Power FM-hosted BBA eviction party held at the Book Cafe, Stunner showed signs of life - proving that he can resurrect his career from the musical cemetery if he ditches his bad boy image.His performance was so full of energy and he sampled a new track titled Vavengi that was full of maturity and creativity but, in a show of desperation to bring back the good old days, the Godo hit-maker resorted to distributing for free his latest album, Ndaita Mari. The self-crowned King of Bling said that despite the lack of limelight, he was making money through music."I do music to make money and because now I am still lacking the push from the media, I have decided to do online marketing which is more viable compared to selling hard copies. I remember when I sold my album, Team Hombe, as hard copies, I only earned US$70 whereas with internet marketing I could have earned something like US$1 000 or more."As Stunner fights to stay relevant in the music industry, his love interest Pokello, whom he seems unsure whether or not to acknowledge as his girlfriend, this week rests easy in the BBA house after being saved from eviction by Head of House Bassey last week.Pokello, whose selection for BBA season eight is attributed to her instant fame after the leaked sex tape with Stunner, was again up for eviction two weeks ago.






Monday, January 5, 2026 - Reports circulating online suggest that MP Gathoni Wa Muchombas marriage may be facing difficulties, with claims that she has separated from her husband, Robert Mbugua.

The allegations suggest that the legislator is said to have moved on and is reportedly in a new relationship with a Ben 10.

Wamuchombas marital woes were spilled to the public after she launched a scathing attack on Dennis Itumbi, calling him a senior bachelor in a tweet.

Sam Terriz, a key official within the ruling UDA party, responded to Wamuchombas tweet saying, Wamuchomba being a bachelor is not a bad thing. Lets not go in that direction, unless you are ready. Ama tuulize Shaban, who is giving you jaba juice, after you chased your husband?.

Wa Muchomba, a vocal political figure and womens rights advocate, has in the past openly discussed social and family issues affecting Kenyan households, but has largely kept her own family life out of the public spotlight.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, January 5, 2026 - A social media post has sparked widespread outrage after a man publicly paraded his girlfriend, who he openly admitted is a high school student, claiming he was drawn to her beauty and grabbed the opportunity.

Photos shared online show the two posing together, with the lady wearing school uniform.

A section of social media users has called for authorities to investigate the matter, citing concerns over the girls safety, vulnerability and potential exploitation.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, January 05, 2026 - Kileleshwa MCA, Robert Alai, has dismissed claims that he drew a firearm on Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino, during a confrontation at a city restaurant.

Speaking on Monday, January 5th, Alai revealed that the incident occurred at Cedar Restaurant, where Owino approached his table.

Alai said he declined to greet the MP, citing discomfort, but Owino allegedly became aggressive, pushing his head and making remarks about arranging him in Nairobi politics.

Alai insisted that he has no interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial race and urged Owino to keep family matters out of political disputes.

He claimed that the MP grew agitated, repeatedly pushing his head despite requests to stop.

I told him I dont want to greet him and asked him to go home because the situation was uncomfortable, Alai said.

The MCA denied drawing his weapon, explaining that while he had a licensed gun on his waist, a colleague seated nearby removed it during the scuffle.

I only stood up and pushed him back.

There is CCTV footage that will show I never drew the gun, he added.

Police have since confiscated Alais firearm.

Kilimani OCPD, Patricia Yegon, confirmed that both leaders recorded statements at the station.

The MCA had a firearm, which was seized and is currently at Kilimani Police Station, she said.

Owino, however, accused Alai of assault, claiming that the MCA struck him on the chest and jaw with a pistol in full view of patrons.

He further alleged Alai poured water on his face before he left the restaurant to file a complaint at Kilimani Police Station.

The clash comes amid simmering tensions between the two politicians, with Alai accusing Owino of orchestrating online attacks against his wife.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, January 5, 2026 - A young man from Muranga has captured the attention of social media users after photos emerged showing his unwavering determination to join the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), despite several unsuccessful attempts.

According to accounts shared online, the young man has attended multiple recruitment exercises over the years but has repeatedly failed to secure a slot.

However, instead of giving up, he has continued to prepare himself physically and mentally, holding onto his dream of serving in the military.

Many Kenyans have praised his persistence, describing him as resilient and disciplined, while others have expressed hope that his determination will eventually pay off.

See photos.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, January 05, 2025 - Trade Cabinet Secretary, Lee Kinyanjui, has sharply criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after he urged the Donald Trump administration to conduct a Venezuela-style operation in Kenya and arrest suspects linked to the Minnesota fraud case.

In a statement issued Monday, January 5th, Kinyanjui accused Gachagua of failing to distinguish political rivalry from matters of international importance.

The DCP leader has been quoted requesting the intervention of the USA to investigate Kenyas leadership over allegations of sponsorship through funds linked to the Minnesota fraud case.

Never mind, its on the very party he was the running mate, Kinyanjui said.

The CS described Gachaguas remarks as reckless, retrogressive and motivated by greed and naivety.

How can a leader seek to throw his own country into the deep end merely to score personal revenge?

This brand of politics is retrogressive and dangerous.

It reflects raw greed and naivety in handling matters that could have potentially catastrophic consequences, he added.

Kinyanjui questioned why the former Deputy President would invite foreign intervention in Kenyas internal affairs, warning that such calls risk undermining national sovereignty.

On Sunday, January 4th, Gachagua, speaking during a church service at AIPCA Kiratina in Kiambu County, asked the US Government to fast-track investigations into stolen funds from Minnesota.

He alleged that the money was used to bankroll President William Rutos 2022 election campaign.

Gachagua further claimed that a mall in Eastleigh was constructed using proceeds from the fraud, linking its ownership to associates of the President.

He urged Trump to bypass Kenyas extradition process and send a plane to seize suspects, similar to the strategy used in Venezuela.

The remarks have sparked heated debate, with Kinyanjui warning that dragging Kenya into foreign-led operations for political revenge could destabilize the country.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwean cleric Dr Ian Ndlovu has issued a chilling prophecy warning that a wave of political arrests is imminent in an unnamed African country, predicting that powerful figures will be arrested and publicly disgraced in the near future.In remarks shared with his followers, Ndlovu said the developments would shock the nation involved, as individuals previously considered untouchable would be brought low. While he did not identify the country at the centre of his prophecy, the message has sparked widespread speculation on social media and within religious circles.The prophecy has gained further attention after similar declarations by prominent Zimbabwean prophets Walter Magaya and Passion Java, who have both recently claimed that a number of powerful individuals in Zimbabwe will be arrested this year.Magaya and Java separately told their followers that the coming period would be marked by dramatic legal and political upheaval, with senior figures facing the law. Their pronouncements have fuelled debate among supporters and critics alike, with some viewing the prophecies as spiritual warnings and others dismissing them as sensationalism.Zimbabwe has in recent years witnessed several high-profile arrests linked to corruption and abuse of office, making such prophecies resonate strongly in the public imagination. However, authorities have not commented on the religious claims, and no official information has been released to substantiate predictions of imminent mass arrests.As with similar prophecies in the past, analysts caution against drawing firm conclusions, noting that religious predictions often reflect broader public anxieties about governance, accountability and power rather than confirmed developments.Whether the latest prophecies will translate into real political events remains to be seen, but they have once again placed the intersection of religion and politics under the spotlight.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has called for calm and cooperation from motorists following the circulation of a viral video showing a tense confrontation between a driver and traffic officers.In a statement, police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the video, widely shared on social media platforms, particularly X, highlights the need for motorists to comply with traffic officers during stops."It is in the interest of law and order for all motorists to comply when stopped or flagged down by the police for committing traffic offences," Commissioner Nyathi said. He cautioned against confrontational behaviour, stressing that there is no justification for threatening police officers or attempting to incite public sympathy through aggressive actions."There is no need for drivers to be confrontational, issue threats to fight or shoot police officers while seeking public sympathy," he added.Commissioner Nyathi also reminded motorists of common traffic violations, including stopping vehicles at undesignated points, picking up or dropping passengers on road verges or in the middle of the road, driving under the influence of alcohol, and running red lights.The ZRP reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism among officers, particularly those on traffic enforcement duties. "The Zimbabwe Republic Police is committed to ensure that all officers deployed on traffic enforcement perform their duties professionally and in line with set standards," Commissioner Nyathi said.Members of the public who feel aggrieved by police conduct are encouraged to use formal complaint channels rather than resorting to confrontation or airing grievances on social media.The guidance aims to promote road safety, mutual respect, and professionalism between law enforcement officers and the public.
While every month provides the usual mix of highs and lows, October was particularly significant with sporting and political dreams shattered while exciting new journeys began for others.

The race for the Aras dominated the headlines for much of the month with local councillors not shying away from the race for the Aras and and the subsequent Jim Gavin scandal.

Independent, Cllr Maurice Shortall described the withdrawal of Gavin from the presidential race as a good thing after the former Dublin manager failed to repay a large sum of money to a former tenant.

READ NEXT: Plans to expand Kilkenny bus service revealed for 2026

Cllr Shortall stated, "his short-lived campaign showed how deeply controlled and stage-managed our political system has become."

October also saw the beginning of one chapter and the closing of another in local business.

News emerged that a new Mr Price outlet would open its doors at the old IMC Cinema site on the Gaol Road. Meanwhile, one long running and established business in Kilkenny City confirmed 2025 would its final year in business back in October.

Rossiter Shoe Repairs and Pedorthics, based on the Butterslip, was in operation locally for 38 years.

"I can tell you I will miss the day-to-day craic and banter, your kindness, your concern and especially your thank you treats," owner Michael Rossiter remarked.

The second week of the month saw unusual scenes as a house and bridge were damaged in rural Kilkenny following a road traffic collision.

Images of the incident at Dunkitt, Kilmacow went viral on social media with a garda spokesperson confirming that a large amount of damage was caused to a bridge and a house.

Elsewhere, a Kilkenny family was soaring with pride this month as Mr Kevin John White SC from Granges Road in Kilkenny City was amongst 26 barristers called to the Inner Bar at a ceremony in the Supreme Court in Dublin.

Also known as Taking Silk, the call to the Inner Bar marks the transition from Junior Counsel to Senior Counsel for members recognised as possessing specialist skills and expertise in the practice of law and advocacy.

On the sporting fields, October means decision time in club hurling.

The Shamrocks moved to the the top of the Kilkenny SHC Roll of Honour after they claimed a dominant county final success over O'Loughlin Gaels in Henry Shefflins first year back in the managerial hotseat.

On the intermediate front, there was smiles all round for Danesfort who perhaps caused the shock of the year, beating a heavily fancied James Stephens (Village) team in the county final to return to senior life after two seasons away.

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Benjamin Aubrey Lane (known as Aubrey Lane) was 22 years old when he went missing in January 1988.

From Dangan, Kilmacow, County Kilkenny, he is described as 5ft 11in, with a pale complexion, fair hair, green eyes and was of thin build at the time.

Aubrey Lane left his home in Viewmount Park in Waterford City on January 6, 1988. When he was last seen by his mother he was wearing a green army jacket with a hood, green cotton jeans, a navy jumper and black shoes.

READ NEXT: Plans for a brand new restaurant in the heart of Kilkenny

Five days later on January 11, there was a reported sighting of Aubrey on Patrick Street in Cork.

A Waterford girl studying in University College Cork (UCC) told gardai she had been speaking with him, unaware that he had been reported missing until she later read newspaper reports.

She said the missing man had grown a beard and was dressed in green army type pants, with a jumper and also wearing an orange-coloured 'tea cosy' type cap.

Aubrey was himself a former arts student at UCC, and graduated with a BA in English and History.

Newspaper accounts from the time described Aubrey as an 'intellectual', who had intended to pursue a master's degree with a journalistic career in mind.

There was another unconfirmed sighting of Aubrey in August 1990, where he was reportedly seen with members of Hare Krishna in Middle Abbey Street, Dublin - according to a report in the Waterford News & Star.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny parents still trying to 'fill the void' after friend's speeding killed their son

Further speculation posits that he may have left Ireland with another person and travelled through Rosslare and went to Fishguard in Wales - although this is also not confirmed.

In 1990, his mother Madeleine Lane (well-known and respected by her peers from working in Shaws in Waterford City) appeared on the Late Late Show, and delivered a passionate plea to her son to return home.

Unfortunately, Madeleine passed away in January 2024, without any closure. She is predeceased by her husband James.

Aubrey's family are still looking for answers and seeking closure, and those who may remember any detail about Aubrey that may help the ongoing investigation, are being asked to get in touch.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station, telephone (051) 305 300, or the Garda Missing Persons Bureau, telephone 01 666 9476.

The Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111) is also available. It's a free, anonymous phone service in Ireland allowing you to provide information without revealing your identity.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Tributes have been paid to the late Stephen McCahill, who was found dead at his home in Ardara, county Donegal, in the early hours of Monday morning following a fatal assault.

Glenties native Stephen was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene after An Garda Siochana and emergency services were alerted. A male in his 30s was later arrested.

READ NEXT: 'Do not feed' - Toxin warning to Irish parents as popular baby formula is recalled

Donegals 1992 All-Ireland winning captain and Donegal County Councillor Anthony Molloy described Stephen, who escorted him and Sam Maguire throughout the county and beyond, as a true friend and loyal confidant.

Our community has lost its driving force for development and advancement. Stephen devoted his entire life to improving the Ardara area, and the South West of Donegal in general, said Cllr Molloy.

For me personally, I have lost a true friend and loyal confidant who has been at my side since 1992, when he guided me through the aftermath of winning the All-Ireland. Time and time again, I would call on Stephen to assist me in speech writing or public events, and true to form, he would never let you down  he was always there.

Likewise, in politics, he was the one I banked on and from my first election, he played a massive role in that and every election since, and all during my career on Donegal County Council, he was there to guide and support me. There are no words I can express that cover the void left by Stephen McCahill's passing, it is the saddest of all days for our close-knit community and the surrounding areas.

I ask for all within our community of Ardara to support one another at this sad and difficult time, to reach out and talk to one another, support one another, it is only natural to feel overwhelmed by the events. It is perfectly natural to seek help and support at times like this, and it is important that those who need reach out for that help.

I know the McCahill and Maloney families all my life, they will need our prayers and support in the days ahead, and our community is at its best when it is helping one another. The events of the past 24 hours need us all to be strong and there for one another.

We must honour the memory of Stephen Mc Cahill by being there for all within our community of Ardara , his legacy is one of always striving to improve our area, all of his energy was devoted to that worthwhile cause. Nothing was an obstacle nor was anything a problem to Stephen.

I wish to convey my deepest sympathies to his wife Marietta, daughter Gemma, son Steven, his daughter-in-law Lauren , granddaughter Mary Kate and his wider family circle, his many friends and work acquaintances. Rest easy my friend  you were the most loyal and true of all.

READ NEXT: 'Towering figure': Tributes paid as Irelands oldest man and Holocaust survivor dies at 107

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher echoed these sentiments, saying on Monday night that Stephen had a massive flare and drive for community development.

The dawning of the New Year soon turned to widespread sadness with the news breaking of the untimely passing of a lifelong, friend, Stephen McCahill, Deputy Gallagher said.

The Glenties native had long since made Ardara his home, where he was married to Marietta and they brought up their family of a son Steven and daughter Gemma.

I had known Stephen through his work, with his community and voluntary efforts for Southwest Donegal, through sport but most of it was through our friendship. Stephen had a massive flare and drive for community development, and his efforts were widely known in Ardara and further afield. In recognition of that Stephen was Donegal Person of the Year in 2016, an award he truly deserved.

In 1981, Stephen moved back to Donegal to work with Campbell Seafoods, Killybegs, where he was employed as quality control manager. Through the intervening years he had a long association with the fishing sector.

More recently, he was heavily involved in business within the Ardara area, with a local public house and auctioneers company; he had a remarkable business ethic and ability.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: Inside Dermot Bannon's stunning 'downsize' project on RTE's Room to Improve

The events of the past twenty-four hours will weigh extremely heavily on this close-knit local community, and I urge us all to support the entire family network of the Mc Cahill and Maloney Families in this most difficult of times. His many friends and business associates will need all our prayers, support and comfort in the time ahead.

Writer and journalist, the late Joan Didion said of grief: Grief has no distance, it comes in waves, in paroxysms, sudden apprehensions that weaken the knees and blinds the eyes and obliterates the dailiness of life.

Both Ann and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his Family, to his wife Marietta, son Steven, daughter Gemma. The members of the Mc Cahill and Maloney Families and his many friends and work colleagues that knew Stephen throughout his life.

READ NEXT: Gardai stand down search for 15-year-old girl missing since Christmas Day amid update

The Glenties Tidy Town Team posted: We are deeply shocked and truly saddened to hear of the tragic death of Stephen McCahill.

Stephen was a true friend to Glenties and always an avid supporter of our town. He gave generously of his time, offering great support, guidance and advice whenever it was needed. His encouragement and positivity made a real difference, and his commitment to community life was clear to all who knew him.

He was a man who genuinely cared about people and places beyond his own community, and his loss will be felt far and wide. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Stephens family, friends and the entire Ardara community at this very difficult time. May he rest in peace.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) has outlined strategies being implemented to resuscitate Zimbabwe's underperforming State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), with authorities expressing confidence that tangible improvements will emerge as the year progresses.Formerly known as the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the MIF was established in 2015 to manage and invest State assets for long-term national benefit. The fund was renamed and fully operationalised in 2023 following the re-election of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.In a progress report released on New Year's Eve, MIF chief investment officer Simbarashe Chinyemba said extensive work was underway to turn around several struggling parastatals, focusing on recapitalisation, infrastructure modernisation and value chain restructuring.Among the flagship projects highlighted is the US$455 million Jindal Refurbish, Operate and Transfer (ROT) programme for Hwange Power Station Units 1 to 6, which Chinyemba said has advanced to the execution stage. The project is expected to play a critical role in stabilising Zimbabwe's baseload electricity generation capacity.Chinyemba said the energy sector has also recorded key milestones, including the commissioning of major high-voltage transmission infrastructure such as the AlaskaKaroi 132kV line and the KamativiDinson 88kV substations and transmission lines. These developments have strengthened bulk power transfer capacity and improved grid stability.On the supply side, he said power generation has been diversified through the integration of industrial captive power and renewable energy sources, reducing pressure on the national grid.Since the operationalisation of the MIF, several mature transactions have been concluded. These include recapitalisation initiatives for the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) in partnership with Afreximbank, as well as multiple upgrade projects by the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC). The latter were funded through internally generated resources and include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) expansion projects and the upgrade of the Feruka pipeline to a capacity of three billion litres per year.Additional financing lines have also been extended to institutions such as the People's Own Savings Bank (POSB), the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) and Petrotrade.In the agro-industrial sector, Chinyemba said the Cold Storage Company (CSC) transaction aims to settle creditors and facilitate the company's exit from corporate rescue, while the OlivineSurface Wilmar transaction is nearing key decision points. He added that high-value mining and infrastructure projects remain in the pipeline and are undergoing due diligence.Chinyemba said the fund's deal pipeline reflects a strong emphasis on value chain restructuring, resource-backed financing and infrastructure modernisation, positioning the MIF to generate long-term value across multiple sectors of the economy."With several transactions moving from due diligence to drawdown, the Fund enters 2025 with a robust screened deal pipeline and a clear mandateunlocking capital, modernising infrastructure and driving structural transformation across Zimbabwe's economy," he said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Twenty-five people were arrested after attempting to cross illegally from Zimbabwe into South Africa at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Limpopo, authorities have confirmed.The Border Management Authority (BMA) said the arrests were part of ongoing operations to curb illegal border movements. Commissioner Michael Masiapato explained that the suspects were detected using drone surveillance while crossing the Limpopo River with the assistance of facilitators using a boat."We were able to see them as they were crossing the Limpopo River, being assisted by some facilitators through a boat, and they entered into no man's land. Immediately when they entered South African soil, we were able to bust them, and we effectively got them arrested," Masiapato said.He added that the BMA monitors movements along the river and intervenes once individuals exit "no man's land" and enter South African territory. "These people are not even aware that we are monitoring them. They think they are now in, but effectively, they are going to be intercepted, brought into the port, and we are going to process them for deportation," he said.The BMA emphasized that such operations are part of its broader strategy to strengthen border security and prevent unauthorized entries.
News / National

by Staff reporter

International organisations, including the United Nations, the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, the African Union (AU) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), have strongly condemned recent military action by the United States against Venezuela, describing it as a violation of the UN Charter and international law.The condemnation follows a reported operation carried out last Saturday by United States special forces, which allegedly involved armed attacks on civilian and military targets in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela.In a statement, the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations expressed outrage over what it described as acts of aggression, including the alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The group said the actions constituted a clear breach of international law and the fundamental principles governing relations between states."The Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations condemns in the most unequivocal and categorical manner the act of aggression perpetrated on 03 January 2026 against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by special forces of the United States of America," the statement read.The group said the reported attacks targeted both civilian and military facilities and expressed serious concern about their impact on civilians and the right to life. It reiterated its firm support for Venezuela's constitutional government under President Maduro and stressed the importance of respecting the inviolability and immunities accorded to heads of state and government under international law.The group also demanded the immediate cessation of hostilities, full respect for Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the immediate return of President Maduro and his wife. It further called for accountability for those responsible for what it described as acts of aggression.President Maduro, who is facing drug trafficking charges in the United States, pleaded not guilty in court yesterday.The statement also rejected remarks attributed to US President Donald Trump, in which he reportedly threatened further strikes and suggested intentions to occupy and exploit Venezuelan oil resources. The group described such remarks as a "confession of a clear plan of annexation" that undermines the inalienable rights of the Venezuelan people.The Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, launched in July 2021, is an open-ended grouping currently comprising 18 member states, including Zimbabwe.The group called on international bodies such as the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to urgently mobilise to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and prevent further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace and security.Similar sentiments were echoed by the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement. NAM, which represents a coalition of countries advocating sovereignty and independence, described the US actions as a blatant violation of international law and called for dialogue and diplomatic solutions instead of military intervention."The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement categorically condemns the act of aggression perpetrated by the United States of America against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," NAM said, warning that the actions undermined regional and global peace and threatened the lives of Venezuelan civilians.In an earlier statement, the African Union reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of international law, including respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right to self-determination. The AU said Venezuela's internal challenges could only be sustainably resolved through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed deep concern over the developments, warning that the intervention set a "dangerous precedent." In a post on social media platform X, Guterres urged all parties to adhere strictly to the UN Charter."Respect for the UN Charter, respect for the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states, and the prohibition of the threat or use of force must prevail," he said, adding that international law provides mechanisms to address issues such as drug trafficking, resource disputes and human rights concerns without resorting to military action.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

A popular Kadoma-based TikToker has appeared before the courts facing cyberbullying charges following the alleged harassment of a freelance journalist.Leona Rutendo Zinhu appeared before a Kadoma magistrate yesterday in connection with an incident that reportedly occurred on January 4. The matter was remanded to January 26 for trial.Zinhu was released from custody, but the court ordered that her mobile phones be seized and taken to Harare for data extraction and cyber tracing as part of ongoing investigations.The State alleges that Zinhu sent intimidating messages to freelance journalist Priscilla Zengeni, in violation of the Cyberbullying and Data Protection Act. Prosecutors say the messages contained threats of unspecified action.According to court papers, Zengeni was working on a story related to a domestic violence case in which Zinhu had reported her husband, prominent businessman Blessed Chari, to the police for allegedly assaulting her. The case was recorded under CR 158/12/25.The State further alleges that Zinhu, who is Chari's second wife, threatened Zengeni for pursuing the story, warning her not to interfere in what she described as personal matters. Zinhu is also accused of telling the journalist that any attempt to lodge a complaint would be futile.Following the alleged threats, Zengeni reported the matter to the police, leading to Zinhu's arrest.The case will return to court later this month as investigations continue.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A police traffic officer lost his right ear after he was allegedly assaulted and kidnapped by a kombi driver and his conductor in Rhodesville, Harare, on Sunday.Constable Shadreck Jongwe (36) was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment following the incident and has since been discharged.Police say the suspects, Shepherd Kazingizi (35) and Takudzwa Pachavo (29), both from Ruwa, ignored lawful orders from officers and forcibly drove off with Constable Jongwe inside their vehicle while heading towards Eastlea from Harare's central business district.Constable Jongwe was on duty with Constable Chinhamo enforcing traffic regulations when they stopped Kazingizi for allegedly picking up passengers at an undesignated point. Kazingizi was driving a white Toyota Hiace, registration number AGJ 9866.According to police, Jongwe boarded the vehicle with the intention of escorting it to the Roadport police post so the driver could pay a fine, while his colleague remained at the intersection to manage traffic.Instead of complying, Kazingizi allegedly drove off with the officer still inside the kombi, proceeding eastwards along Robert Mugabe Way. During the incident, Pachavo is accused of repeatedly assaulting Jongwe using open hands and clenched fists.Police further allege that in the course of the attack, one of the suspects bit Jongwe on the right ear, resulting in its loss. The officer was later dumped along Robert Mugabe Avenue near Rhodesville.The two suspects were subsequently arrested following the intervention of the vehicle's owner, identified as Melisa Manon'ore.The incident has sparked concern within the public transport sector. A conductor based at Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus, who identified himself only as Nyamudzanga, condemned the violence, warning that such behaviour damages relations between kombi operators and law enforcement."I suspect they were under the influence," he said. "You never win a battle with the police. What they did is reckless and will only worsen tensions between kombi drivers and law enforcers."Police investigations are continuing, and the suspects are expected to appear in court to face charges related to kidnapping and assault.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Government will begin distributing information and communication technology (ICT) devices to disadvantaged rural schools from next week, starting with Manicaland before moving to Matabeleland South, as part of efforts to promote blended teaching and learning.Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Torerai Moyo said the rollout comes ahead of schools reopening on January 13 and is aimed at narrowing the gap between rural and urban learners.Speaking at the handover of ICT equipment by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at the United Nations Warehouse, Prof Moyo said the initiative marked a major step in transforming Zimbabwe's education system."This ceremony marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Zimbabwe's education system, particularly for disadvantaged rural schools in Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces," he said.UNICEF handed over 815 laptops, 708 projectors and 2 112 tablets to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education."The handover of these devices is not merely a logistical exercise; it is a strategic investment in the future of our children and the nation as a whole," Prof Moyo said.He said the programme aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's vision of modernisation, innovation and inclusive development, as Zimbabwe works towards attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.The devices will be deployed across seven districts to support 113 disadvantaged, solar-powered schools. In Manicaland, the beneficiary districts are Buhera, Chipinge and Nyanga, while in Matabeleland South the programme will cover Beitbridge, Gwanda, Matobo and Insiza. Prof Moyo said the prior installation of solar infrastructure was critical to ensure the effective use of the equipment.Most of the beneficiary schools are located in remote and underserved communities.He said the devices would enhance teaching and learning through access to digital content, interactive instruction and offline learning platforms."The tablets will enhance learner access to digital content and interactive learning. The laptops will strengthen teacher preparation, assessment, school administration and content development, while the projectors will support whole-class digital instruction," Prof Moyo said."This is how we democratise access to quality education."The rollout is part of the Government's broader e-learning initiative, which includes the implementation of the heritage-based curriculum and the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas.Last year, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said Government had approved a Starlink licensing policy to strengthen the national e-learning programme and ensure affordable broadband connectivity for remote schools.UNICEF acting representative Mr Fiachra Mcasey said the ICT devices would be complemented by teacher training programmes on ICT literacy and pedagogical integration, scheduled for February and March."To ensure measurable impact, pre- and post-training assessments for both teachers and learners will be conducted to track improvements in digital skills and effective use of technology," Mcasey said.He added that the devices would be securely packaged, recorded in asset registers and distributed directly to beneficiary schools from next week.Meanwhile, the Government has issued a stern warning to school heads engaging in corrupt practices, including soliciting bribes for school placements or forcing parents to buy uniforms from designated shops.The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said school heads found guilty of such conduct would face disciplinary action.Ministry spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro called on parents and guardians to report such cases, warning that those involved risk dismissal or imprisonment under the Public Service Regulations."These are very serious charges that may warrant dismissal and or imprisonment," Ndoro said.He clarified that private schools are also subject to the law, as they are registered and regulated under the Education Act.Ndoro also reiterated that parents are free to buy school uniforms from any outlet of their choice, as long as they meet school specifications.On school fees, Government warned against unilateral increases, stressing that schools must follow due process, including consulting parents, meeting quorum requirements and obtaining ministry approval."No school will increase fees without the permanent secretary knowing," Ndoro said, adding that any head who violates the procedure will have committed an offence.
Vivienne Clarke

A new mobile banking payment service that allows users to transfer money with only a phone number is not an attempt to challenge Revolut's market position, the banking trade body has said.

Brian Hayes, Chief Executive of the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), has denied that Zippay, the new person-to-person mobile payment service from the three main banks, is an attempt to take over the Revolut sector.

Zippay will be available in early 2026 for AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB customers, he told RTE radios Today with David McCullagh show.

Zippay will be an in-app service offered through the banks existing mobile banking apps and delivered by PayTech Nexi. Customers will be able to send, request, and split payments instantaneously by using the mobile number of their contacts who are also using the service.

"This is going to be a huge opportunity for bank customers to be able to instantly transfer cash account to account and potentially for businesses to do so in the future, he said.

It's a very positive investment that the banks have made and it's something that I suspect other entities will join."

He said that Nexi, the look-up service that provides the mobile numbers, is already in discussions with many other entities who are interested in joining.

"There's a big European push now to have a seamless instant payment experience," he said. "I think the market is going to go in a direction, a single payments system, across the next five to ten years in Europe and that's what the European Commission is pushing."
OFFALY County Council has officially approved planning permission for a 20-bed Midlands Specialist Palliative Care Unit on Arden Lane, Tullamore.

This decision marks a milestone step in delivering hospice services to the Midlands region, as it is expected to address a gap in specialist inpatient palliative care for Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath.

The Government has committed 24 million in capital funding to support the development of this facility. The new hospice will include 20 inpatient beds, a day therapy unit, an education centre, and modern car parking and EV charging facilities Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, warmly welcomed the approval.

She said: I am so grateful to all involved, many of whom I met when I visited in April of last year.

"We will continue to invest in palliative care services to ensure equitable access and the highest standards of care for people and families across Ireland. Kate Killeen White, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE Dublin and Midlands, called the decision a landmark moment for healthcare in the Midlands.

This hospice will ensure that people with life-limiting illnesses receive the dignity, comfort, and specialist care they deserve. We are grateful to all who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. This decision comes after years of advocacy and collaboration among local hospice groups and community initiatives. Volunteers from Laois Hospice, Longford Hospice, North Westmeath Hospice, Offaly Hospice, and South Westmeath Hospice have fundraised continuously for palliative care initiatives.

Campaigns such as Hooves-4-Hospice, led by the Lions Club, and the Irish Hospice Foundations advocacy and research have ensured the project remained at the forefront of the Midlands healthcare priorities.

Joseph Ruane, Head of Primary Care HSE Midlands, noted that the Midlands has long been one of the only regions in Ireland without a specialist inpatient palliative care unit.

This development will close a critical gap in service provision, enhance quality of life for patients and families, and strengthen community-based and inpatient palliative care.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the work and support of successive Ministers of Health, all hospice and associated groups throughout the midlands and nationally and our locally elected representatives, past and present, who have been so steadfastly supportive of this development over many years. It truly is a significant milestone for this project and for the Midlands population we serve.
Cardi B has once again shown her fiery side by hitting back at a viral X post, making a 'vile false accusation' against her father. The rapper swiftly cleared up the claim and defended her father.

It all started in a viral X post by FRL (@FemaleRapLIVE). They posted a screenshot of the generated answer from Grok  a chatbot launched by xAI, which is owned by Elon Musk, who also owns X  claiming that Cardi's father, Carlos Almanzar, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was arrested and a sex offender.

| Everyone's favorite go-to source of information, Grok, claims Cardi B's father is a sex offender:



"Check the court docs - public record doesn't lie."  pic.twitter.com/ymnlxu3e0E  FRL (@FemaleRapLIVE) January 4, 2026

The caption read, 'Everyone's favorite go-to source of information, Grok, claims Cardi B's father is a sex offender: "Check the court docs - public record doesn't lie."'

The Grok screenshot claimed that Cardi's father was 'convicted of attempted rape' in New York's Nassau County around 1993 and served for five years.

Grok added, 'The charge is real, not a fake accusation to smear Cardi. Check the court docs - public record doesn't lie.'

But back in September 2025, Grok post also claimed that the allegations against the rapper's father 'seem unfounded  records cited often mismatch his age and details,' and also noted that the star herself had previously called them false rumors.

Based on my research, claims about Cardi B's father (Carlos Almanzar, born 1958) being a convicted rapist seem unfoundedrecords cited often mismatch his age and details, and Cardi has denied them as false rumors. Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj's brother was convicted of child sexual  Grok (@grok) September 30, 2025

Furthermore, on Sunday, Grok replied to another X user claiming that it never claimed 'Cardi B's father is a sex offender' and that the screenshot posted by FemaleRapLive was 'fabricated.'

Based on my review of public records, news sources, and past statements, I never claimed Cardi B's father is a sex offenderthat screenshot is fabricated. Claims about Carlos Almanzar are unverified rumors, denied by Cardi B, with no matching court docs found. For official  Grok (@grok) January 4, 2026

Cardi B Hits Back and Defends Her Father

As the FRL (@FemaleRapLIVE) post went viral, Cardi B didn't hesitate and hit back, channeling her fiery attitude.

The rapper reposted FRL's post clearing the allegation, saying that her father has never been arrested in the US.

First thing first, my dad never been arrested in this county.. my dad is a immigrant from the Dominican Republic.. he would be deported if he committed such a disgusting crime!! I dont know why yall like playing these games just for you to be fake mad when I post who got those https://t.co/bbLuWFld99  Cardi B (@iamcardib) January 5, 2026

She wrote: 'First thing first, my dad never been arrested in this county.. my dad is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic.. he would be deported if he committed such a disgusting crime!!'

Cardi warned: 'I don't know why yall like playing these games just for you to be fake mad when I post who got those real mugshots, real evidence, AND REAL cases for rape..stop playing wit me and my family and leave me the fck alone fr before I start some shit today.'

But the rapper didn't stop there; she went on to address unsubstantiated claims about her father by sending out a warning to those who continue to make up lies about her father in X Spaces.

During the X Spaces on Monday, Cardi said, 'Stop playing with my father. When it comes to my dad, I'm going to respond,' she added, 'I'm not gonna allow no lie to keep spreading. My dad always defend me. Ain't no mugshots out there. Everybody just been obsessed.'

Cardi B debunks false claims about her father, calls out Barbz, & addresses Tasha K via Spaces. pic.twitter.com/zfpadgOE0v   (@BardisMedia) January 5, 2026

Cardi B also said: 'My dad has never been arrested in life. You can look everything up about my papi. Matter of fact, you can look up everything and anything about my f*cking family.'

As captured by The Jasmine Brand, Cardi threatened to start filing lawsuits against those spreading heinous rumors against the Bronx rapper and her family but was soon deleted

She said, 'I seen yall trying to spread that sh*t all day yesterday... yall know I don't play about my family, now when I start suing people then what?? What type of deranged people like to play around wit r@pe? I forgot that whole crew over there got a kink for that. Just f*ckin weirdos.'

The Internet Weighs In

As expected, the internet weighs in on the issue. Most of Cardi's fans have defended her but some called her for always fighting and responding to those who smear her.

A netizen wrote: 'Why is she always responding to barbs .....? Yall don't find that weird anytime she's spazzing out it's bc of something a barb said .... Why does she acknowledge them so much?'

Another supporter reminded the rapper: 'Cardi don't give them any clout.'

Given the severity of the accusation, people can't blame the rapper for defending her father. Meanwhile, the user who posted the accusation has neither released a statement nor deleted the post.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
News / National

by Staff reporter

Villagers in Zimbabwe's rural areas have accused local authorities of squeezing impoverished households following the introduction of a controversial per-capita development levy that is now mandatory for every rural resident, including infants.Previously, the levy was charged on a per-household basis, with landowners paying a single fee on behalf of their families. However, late last year, residents say they were caught off guard by a shift to a per-individual payment system, regardless of age.Under the new arrangement, rural district councils are charging between US$1 and US$5 per person. Villagers argue that the model is unrealistic in communities characterised by large families, widespread poverty and limited income-generating opportunities."This means a household with 10 children is now expected to pay more than US$20," said one villager, who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation. "They are even demanding money for new-born babies. Children born on January 1 this year are expected to pay the levy."Residents allege that enforcement of the levy has been heavy-handed, with village heads and councillors accused of intimidating households into paying. Some villagers claim local leaders are incentivised by commissions linked to collections."They move door-to-door demanding proof of payment," said another resident. "If you fail to pay, you are threatened with being reported or denied access to community services or benefits such as food aid and agricultural inputs. With climate change affecting our harvests, it's very difficult to raise that money as we rely on farming to survive."The levy has triggered resistance in some districts. In Chikomba, the Rural District Council began collecting the per-capita levy last year amid objections from traditional leaders. One chief from the area, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he barred village heads under his jurisdiction from collecting the levy, describing it as exploitative."It is unheard of that local authorities would extract money from impoverished villagers," the chief said. "People are struggling to survive. Many rural dwellers are elderly and are caring for grandchildren whose parents have migrated in search of work. They simply cannot afford such levies."Local authorities, however, insist the levy is lawful and grounded in government policy. Council officials say they are implementing the per-capita system in line with section 96 of the Rural District Councils Act.While section 96 empowers councils to impose development-related levies, it distinguishes between a land development levy and a development levy. A land development levy is assessed according to the Third Schedule of the Act or, if directed by the minister, in the same manner as a rate. In contrast, a development levy may be assessed at a per-capita rate fixed by council, subject to ministerial approval, and allows councils to set different rates for different classes of heads of households.In Bikita, the Rural District Council is relying on a March 2024 directive from then Local Government permanent secretary John Basera, which instructed councils to comply with section 96 of the Act. Bikita RDC chief executive officer Arnold Tapiwa Mutuke said the council's actions were guided by the conditions attached to its 2024 budget approval."If you check the 2024 budget approval letter, bullet point number two specifies the legal instrument every local authority is supposed to follow," Mutuke said. "That section clearly states that the development levy is charged per capita."Critics, however, argue that while the law permits per-capita assessment, it does not clearly outline how such levies should be enforced, particularly with regard to charging minors and using traditional leaders as collection agents.The Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe (ARDCZ) has acknowledged confusion around the levy, saying its interpretation varies widely across districts. ARDCZ secretary-general Matsilele said the definition of a development levy is often shaped by local practice rather than uniform policy."In most areas, the levy is collected by village heads and, in the local language, it is referred to as mari yemusoro [loosely meaning household levy]," Matsilele said. "A village head may therefore interpret it as a levy required per individual."He added that charges range from US$1 to US$5, depending on the revenue needs of each council. "We need to sit down as local authorities and agree on a common position," Matsilele said. "This issue should be prioritised as we begin this year's meetings."Villagers say beyond the financial strain, the levy has failed to deliver tangible development in their communities."We are paying more, but nothing is changing," said one resident. "There are no proper roads, no clinics and no clean water. We don't understand why we are paying for development that we are not seeing."
Armchair Lehigh Valley content is published on lehighvalleylive.com as part of a partnership with the website, which aims to give voters nonpartisan factual information. Armchair Lehigh Valley is run by publisher Katherine Reinhard and editor Robert H. Orenstein. For more information, or to subscribe, visit armchairlehighvalley.substack.com.

Democrat Julian Guridy will face Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. in the Feb. 24 special election to fill a vacancy in the 22nd state House District seat.

Both men were chosen Saturday by their respective Lehigh County party committees.

Guridy, son of former Allentown City Councilman Julio Guridy and an aide to state Sen. Nick Miller, received the most votes to secure the partys nomination, Lehigh County Democratic Committee Chair Lori McFarland said.

Smith, a former Allentown School Board member, ran for the 22nd District in 2022  when it was a new seat for the Lehigh Valley because of redistricting  and lost to Josh Siegel. In 2024, Smith failed in a write-in campaign in the GOP primary to get on the November ballot, leaving Siegel unopposed for reelection that November.

The 22nd District seat became vacant when Siegel resigned his position last month after being elected Lehigh County executive. Siegel was scheduled to be sworn into his new job on Monday.

Under state law, the county political party committees nominate candidates to run in a special election. Monday was the deadline by which candidate names must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

The winner of the special election will serve through the end of November.

Meanwhile, the usual primary and general election process will proceed to elect the districts new state representative to serve a two-year term beginning. The Democratic-majority 22nd District comprises East Allentown, portions of central Allentown and part of Salisbury Township.

I am honored and humbled that the members of Lehigh County Republican Committee selected me, Smith said in an email, noting he has lived in the city for 33 years.

I am the perfect choice to complete the term and unite the community. There is no time for polarizing politics anymore. I am a person that has always worked across the aisle to get things done. I was on the school board for 16 years, elected president five times by a Democrat majority because i represent and care about everyone.

In a Facebook post Saturday, the Lehigh County Republican Committee said Smith was chosen over two other candidates, who were not identified.

As our nominee, Robert Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong network of support from all parts of the community and political divide. Robert will bring respect, honesty and unity to District 22. After years of neglect and political opportunism by the previous Democrat state representative, it is time for real change and real improvement in the lives of the residents of District 22, the GOP committees Facebook post said.

Siegel responded in an email: The Lehigh County Republican Party lives in its own different reality. Like sore losers whining from the sidelines, they criticize those on the field. I increased funding to public schools, expanded property tax relief for seniors and fought to raise the minimum wage, build more affordable housing and reduce the cost of living. Voters clearly took notice when they delivered me a landslide win for county executive.

State Rep. Peter Schweyer, a Democrat who represents the 134th District that includes parts of Allentown, complimented the committees selection of Guridy.

Julian Guridy will be an exceptional candidate for state representative, and Im fully confident that he will become my colleague in Harrisburg once the votes are counted in the upcoming special election, Schweyer said in a statement. We have spoken many times about the high cost of living, the quality of our public schools, and opportunities to attract more high-paying jobs to our region. I am certain that hell play a key role in crafting policies and spurring investment that will better our community.

I feel very honored and excited! Guridy wrote in a text to Armchair Lehigh Valley. Ready to work and earn the votes.

In the county Democratic committee meeting, Guridy tallied 17 votes, while Ce-Ce Gerlach, an Allentown City Council member, and Erlinda Aguilar each received one vote, McFarland said.

After the partys vote at the IBEW union hall in Allentown, Gerlach held a press conference outdoors at the corner of 8th and Gordon streets and criticized the partys process that led to Guridys selection.

The party has made its choice, but we have to be honest here. That doesnt mean its the peoples choice, she said. The decision that was made today was about legacy last names, political insiders and this political machine that tends to run politics in the Lehigh Valley.

Guridy, 31, and Gerlach, 39, intend to run in the May 19 Democratic primary.

We got here by fighting for working families who are just struggling to get by, Gerlach said. I am not running to protect the status quo. Im running to change the status quo. Democracy does not end with this recommendation [of Guridy]. This seat belongs to the people.

Gerlach said a number of Democratic precinct positions are vacant, which meant that fewer precinct members from the 22nd District voted on the special election selection.

McFarland discounted the criticism.

The process was conducted in accordance with party bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order, she said via text. All candidates were given equal time and opportunity to address the voting committee. Ballots were tallied, submitted to the Lehigh County Democratic Committee and who then submitted the nomination to the state party, where it awaits a final vote.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The government has ordered foreign companies operating in reserved sectors of the economy to submit regularisation plans by January 31, as authorities move to tighten compliance and protect local enterprises.The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said the regulations contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) 215 of 2025 are designed to safeguard indigenous businesses, promote domestic capital formation and ensure that profits generated in Zimbabwe are retained within the country.SI 215 of 2025 reserves key sectors of the economy for indigenous Zimbabweans and introduces strict conditions under which foreign investors may continue operating. The policy shift is aimed at accelerating local ownership, boosting employment creation and strengthening value retention, while compelling existing foreign businesses to either comply with the new framework, divest or exit restricted sectors.Gazetted in December last year, the regulations provide a clearer operating framework in sectors including retail trade, transport services, advertising, estate agencies, bakeries, tobacco grading and other service industries.In a statement, the ministry called on all foreigners currently operating in reserved sectors to submit their regularisation plans by the end of the month."All foreigners operating in the Reserved Sectors must submit Regularisation Plans by the 31st of January 2026 at any Ministry of Industry and Commerce office in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mutare, Chinhoyi, Gweru, Bindura, Marondera, Gwanda and Lupane," the ministry said.The ministry added that proof of payment of the Standards Development Fund (SDF) Levy is a prerequisite for submitting the regularisation plans. To ease compliance, government has allowed the SDF Levy to be paid directly at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce offices at Mukwati Building in Harare.Under SI 215 of 2025, foreign entities are prohibited from operating in fully reserved sectors such as artisanal mining, bakeries, advertising agencies, salons, employment agencies and the local arts and crafts industry.Foreign investors seeking to operate in partially reserved sectors, including retail and haulage, are required to meet strict investment and employment thresholds and commit to majority local ownership. In the retail sector, foreign firms must invest a minimum of US$20 million and employ at least 200 full-time workers.In the haulage industry, foreign companies are required to invest at least US$10 million and employ a minimum of 100 workers. Grain milling operations require a minimum investment of US$25 million and at least 50 employees, while shipping and forwarding firms must invest at least US$1 million and employ no fewer than 20 workers.The transport, estate agency and customs clearing sectors remain exclusively reserved for Zimbabweans, with limited exceptions granted to established international brands.Existing foreign-owned businesses operating in reserved sectors have been given a three-year transition period to divest, during which they are required to dispose of at least 75% of their shareholding to Zimbabwean citizens at a rate of 25% per year."Regularisation plans must be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce," the ministry said.
Stranger Things came to an end when the final episode hit Netflix on Dec. 31, 2025  or did it?

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the series finale of Stranger Things.

Some fans of the science fiction coming-of-age series are convinced that an additional secret episode will premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The theory, known as Conformity Gate, has circulated widely on social media since the Stranger Things finale aired.

Conformity Gate believers think the relatively happy Stranger Things ending was an illusion. Everyone but Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) survived, Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) stayed together, and the gang all headed off to new schools, new cities and new jobs. But what if none of that really happened? What if it was all just a mirage created by Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower)?

One TikTok user guessed that Vecna took control of Mike Wheelers (Finn Wolfhard) mind during season 5, and the entire epilogue was an illusion constructed to pacify him. Fans have pointed to several clues from the finale that support the theory.

During the graduation scene, the audience sat with their hands clasped in front of them, which is exactly how Henry Creel  Vecnas human form  often stood. One audience member also held up a blank sign, which seemed like the kind of unfinished detail that might occur in a dream.

The graduation scene in season 5 of "Stranger Things." Courtesy of Netflix/Netflix  2025

Just before the epilogue began, the camera focused on Mikes face as he watched Eleven sacrifice herself. The screen went black, and viewers heard what sounded like Vecnas ominous clock tick. The sound was explained by showing a construction worker hammering on a brick building, but was that just Vecna playing tricks on a cursed Mike?

A poster for season 5 of Stranger Things also seemingly hinted at the Mind Flayer and Vecna taking over Mikes mind. The promo image showed the Mind Flayer perched between Mike and Vecna with its spidery limbs connected to both of their heads.

The name Conformity Gate stems from the idea that all the characters are conforming to Vecnas too-good-to-be-true happy ending in the illusion. Not all Stranger Things fans believe the theory.

READ MORE: Stranger Things creators defend controversial finale decision

Ending was so bad they got their fans being delusional, one TikTok user quipped.

I think its cool but realistically its not happening, another argued.

They made the last episode into a movie at the theater. Wrap it up, a third person wrote.

Luckily, Stranger Fans dont have to wait long to discover whether Conformity Gate is just wishful thinking. The conspiracy theorists think the supposed secret episode will drop on Jan. 7, which is when the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas.

The date makes sense. All three volumes of Stranger Things final season dropped on major holidays  Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Eve  and Russia played a significant role in the series.

So, is there a secret episode of Stranger Things? Much like Mikes theory that Eleven is really alive somewhere living next to three waterfalls, fans can believe whatever they want to believe.

Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.
A vendor that has been at the Easton Public Market since its 2016 inception has closed indefinitely.

Market representatives announced on the businesss Facebook page this past Thursday More Than Q Barbeque Co. has pulled out indefinitely.

Its unclear the reason behind the closure and whether another vendor is lined up to take More Than Qs spot. Jared Mast, executive director of the markets owner, the Greater Easton Development Partnership, couldnt immediately be reached for more information Tuesday morning.

The markets Facebook page stated about the shuttering: More information will be shared as it becomes available.

More Than Q was known for serving up a variety of smoked meats, paired with seasonal and fresh, Texas-style southern sides. Think brisket, smoked sausage and ribs with baked beans, collard greens and cheesy grits.

The eatery was founded two years before it came to the market by pitmaster Matt Martin. There were other locations in Lambertville and Princeton in New Jersey, which also appeared to be shuttered Tuesday with phone numbers disconnected and voice mailboxes full, respectively.

As of Tuesday morning, there was no mention of the closures of any of More Than Qs Facebook pages featuring individual locations.

Additionally, two other Easton Public Market vendors  Modern Crumb and ThreeBirds Nest  are on a temporary winter break. Modern Crumb plans to reopen Wednesday, while ThreeBirds Nest plans to reopen on Jan. 14, market representatives said on Facebook.

Houseplanted celebrated a grand opening on April 2, 2025 at the Easton Public Market. Owner Alyssa Higgins said her specialty is helping novices who dont have always have a green thumb and plant experts alike. Courtesy photo

Vendor changes

The departure of More Than Q Barbecue is just one of many vendor changeups the Easton Public Market has experienced since mid to late last year.

In November, Rods Dogs announced it was returning to the market after previously announcing its departure in late September. The initial closure was because Rods general manager, Felix Grzymala, was leaving to take a job at Charlies Pool Room in Alpha.

Married co-owners Mike and Rebecca Pichetto of Nazareth had no hard feelings and wished Grzymala well on social media. The owners later decided to sell the business to Jack Wallaesa of Palmer Township, who has since taken over the reins in operations.

Crepes at Casa, serving up sweet and savory crepes, opened in the spring. So did HousePlanted, featuring a variety of houseplants and plant care items; and Centre Square Cheese, offering artisanal cheeses, premium olive oils and charcuterie.

The former Mangia Carne, a premium Italian eatery and butcher shop backed by celebrity chef Luca Manfe, opened in April. It was rebranded late last year to Luca and Sons, a name to better reflect Manfes personal vision for the business.

The market in February also bid farewell to Silvershell Counter + Kitchen after nearly six years in business.

Husband-and-wife owners Lee Chizmar and Erin Shea in May then opened Cluck N Shuck, offering chicken dishes, oysters, sides and more, in the same space.

The Modern Crumb Bakeshop opened its doors at the Easton Public Market during a soft opening on May 15, 2019 followed by a grand opening on May 18, 2019 complete with free samples and giveaways. The vendor remains one of roughly a dozen in operation at the popular indoor market.

Whos In:

Easton Public Market, 325 Northampton St., currently is also home to eight other vendors.

Chocodiem, Green Vida Downtown, Highmark Farmstand, Mister Lees Noodles, Modern Crumb Bakeshop, Scratch, Three Birds Nest and Tolino Vineyards remain in operation.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Its closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Four Laois students have qualified for the prestigious Stripe Young Scientist Exhibition, formerly managed by BT.

Portlaoise's Dunamase College students will travel to the RDS in Dublin, from January 7 to 10.

In a remarkable achievement, this is only the second year Dunamase College has entered the competition, yet students have already progressed to the national stage.

Pictured: Dunamase College / Colaiste Dhun Mhasc

The school have stated that they believe this reflects their 'rapidly developing' culture of scientific inquiry and innovation.

Three Transition Year students, Melissa Barcoe, Leo Bennett and Cian Bonnie, will present a project investigating whether the mineral content of mains and well water affects taste to such an extent that families spend between 800 and 3,000 annually on bottled water.

Their research explores the relationship between water quality, taste perception and consumer behaviour, raising important economic and environmental considerations.

Fifth-year student Angela Babikanga has also been selected for the exhibition with her project examining the mentality behind overconsumption among young people, which will be showcased and judged at the RDS this January.

Teachers Aisling McAuley and Grace Fanning praised the students for the exceptionally high standard of their work, noting that the success of these projects in only the schools second year entering the competition is a testament to the students commitment, curiosity and scientific thinking.

This achievement further strengthens Dunamase Colleges reputation as a school with a strong STEAM focus, building on recent successes as winners of the LOETB STEAM Competition for innovative work in Minecraft Education and Podcasting, as well as strong performances in the Laois County Council LEGO League Competition.

These initiatives, alongside strong uptake and outcomes in science subjects, highlight the schools commitment to excellence in science and future-focused education.

We are incredibly proud of our students and staff," principal Dympna Kelly praised.

"To reach the national stage of the STRIPE Young Scientist Exhibition in only our second year of participation is a significant milestone for Dunamase College.

"It reflects our strong emphasis on STEAM education, critical thinking and innovation, and our belief that students learn best when they are curious, creative and challenged," the principal told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"These successes demonstrate the quality of teaching and learning in science across the school and our commitment to excellence for every student.

"The entire Dunamase College community has expressed immense pride in the students achievements and wishes them every success as they prepare to represent their school on the national stage," Ms Kelly finished.

The STRIPE Young Scientist Exhibition is a highly competitive national event celebrating innovation and scientific inquiry among secondary school students across Ireland.
A major milestone has been reached in the decades-long campaign to build an inpatient unit in the Midlands that can provide hospice care to people in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

The HSE has announced that Offaly County Council has officially approved planning permission for a 20-bed Midlands Specialist Palliative Care Unit in Tullamore.

In a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live the HSE says the decision to give the green light to the Arden Lane site marks a "transformative step" in delivering "vital" hospice services to the four Midlands counties.

It adds that this decision ensures that the long-awaited hospice facility, which has the backing of Laois Hospice, will address a critical gap in specialist inpatient palliative care for Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath.

The statement added that the Government has committed 24 million in capital funding to support the development of this facility aimed at delivering "high-quality end-of-life care".

The HSE adds that the project will provide "compassionate, specialist care closer to home for families" across the Midlands.

The new hospice will include:

20 inpatient beds

Day therapy unit

Education centre

Modern car parking and EV charging facilities

J ennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister for Health, welcomed the approval of planning.

"This is an important milestone in delivering on the Governments 24 million capital commitment. I am so grateful to all involved, many of whom I met when I visited in April of last year.

"We will continue to invest in palliative care services to ensure equitable access and the highest standards of care for people and families across Ireland, she said.

Kate Killeen White, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE Dublin and Midlands, looked forward to what it will mean for people.

This planning approval is a landmark moment for healthcare in the Midlands. This hospice will ensure that people with life-limiting illnesses receive the dignity, comfort, and specialist care they deserve. We are grateful to all who have worked tirelessly to make this happen, she said.

The HSE's statement said the granting of planning permission represents an achievement that reflects years of advocacy and collaboration among local hospice groups and community initiatives.

Ms Kileen White acknowledged this. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Image of what the Hospice will look like when completed.

"We acknowledge the five Hospice Groups in the regionLaois Hospice, Longford Hospice, North Westmeath Hospice, Offaly Hospice, and South Westmeath Hospicewhose volunteers have fundraised tirelessly for palliative care initiatives. Innovative campaigns such as Hooves-4-Hospice, led by the Lions Club, and the Irish Hospice Foundations advocacy and research have been pivotal in keeping this project at the forefront of healthcare priorities," she said.

Joseph Ruane, Head of Primary Care HSE Midlands, said the Midlands has long been one of the only regions in Ireland without a specialist inpatient palliative care unit.

READ ALSO: New Laois hotel in Portlaoise not aimed at tourism

"This development will close a critical gap in service provision, enhance quality of life for patients and families, and strengthen community-based and inpatient palliative care. I would like to thank and acknowledge the work and support of successive Ministers of Health, all hospice and associated groups throughout the Midlands and nationally and our locally elected representatives (past and present) who have been so steadfastly supportive of this development over many years. It truly is a significant milestone for this project and for the Midlands population we serve, he said.

The grant of planning follows on from a unanimous decision in late 2025 by Offaly County Councillors to rezone the land on Arden Lane to allow the development take place.

The selection of the Arden Lane site was disputed by one group of hospice campaigners in Offaly who backed the Wellwood Health Campus that is located on the Tullamore bypass. The Wellwood site was offered by the Flanagan brothers. It was originally earmarked for a private hospital.
Mountmellick Macra has launched big plans to celebrate its 60th year of activities in 2026.

Set up on January 3, 1966, the branch is still going strong with active membership that has made it one of the busiest Macra groups in Ireland.

Emer Feighery, Mountmellick Macra PRO, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live sent a message to members over the years.

"Weve shared laughs, made lifelong friends, and created memories that will last a lifetime. A massive thank you to every single member, past and present, who has given their time and energy to keep the spirit of Mountmellick Macra alive. Youre the reason this club has excelled for six decades," she said.

Ms Feighery also thanked those who have supported projects over the years.

"Weve always been lucky to have amazing sponsors and grants that help us keep our hall as best we can. 2025 was a big year! We tackled the biggest project since the hall was built in 1976, a brand-new insulated roof, goodbye leaks and asbestos.

"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our voluntary donations. Your generosity means our hall will be here for many more decades of fun and friendship," she said.

She outlined plans for a big celebration in Portlaoise.

"To mark this milestone, we will be hosting a 60th Anniversary Dinner Dance on May 9 in the Midlands Park Hotel. We would love to see as many past and present members there as possible, so please save the date," she said.

READ ALSO: Tribute to Mountmellick fire and rescue crew families

Ms Feighery added that more details on the anniversary celebrations will be made public. As part of its celebration, the club has put together photos from the past 60 years.
Ireland has pressed China to reopen its market for Irish beef products, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin has continued his itinerary in China with engagements on transport links and educational connections.

Mr Martin met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday as part of the first visit to China by a taoiseach since 2012.

On Tuesday morning, he met with Zhao Leji, chairman of Chinas National Peoples Congress and was also scheduled to meet Chinese premier Li Qiang.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Martin said: On the bilateral front, we again pressed for the reopening of the market to beef products and we raised issues pertaining to the position of tariffs on dairy products.

We had a good discussion in terms of the broader trading environment and, in addition to that, strengthening people-to-people relationships in terms of education and cultural and artistic connections between our two countries.

Warm and constructive meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing this morning. We share a strong commitment to enhancing the Ireland-China relationship into the future. pic.twitter.com/mLnaghReFU  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 5, 2026

Mr Martin said Chinas educational officials are particularly pleased that Chinese is now on the Leaving Certificate.

We had a very important presentation from the third-level institutions between Ireland and China  and its an area that has grown really strongly over the last number of years.

We now have 13 joint colleges and about 110 joint programmes and these involve the lecturing to students here in China by Irish colleges and its quite beneficial both to Irish colleges and to Chinese students and the Chinese colleges as well.

And thats apart from the normal toing-and-froing of students coming to study in Ireland and Irish students coming to study as part of their undergraduate or postgraduate programmes in China.

Mr Martin also said he had met with Hainan Airlines to enhance connectivity, with the operator already offering four direct flights per week each way.

A direct flight from Dublin to Beijing is hugely important in terms of the people-to-people engagement, in terms of Chinese companies that are located in Ireland now and equally the Irish companies doing business in China.

China is Irelands largest trading partner in Asia and its fifth largest trading partner globally.
Tributes have been paid to true gentleman, Thomas (Tommy) Farrell, St Patrick's Park, Celbridge, Co Kildare who passed away on January 1 2026.

Tommy is predeceased by his parents Sean and Bridie Farrell, brother-in-law Boc O'Toole and nephew Stephen Flood.

He is deeply regretted by his sisters Margaret and Laura, brother-in-law Harry, his nieces Elaine and Carol, nephews Declan, Shane, Brendan and Karl, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, extended family and friends.

May Tommy Rest In Peace.

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Tommy will be reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster St., Maynooth, (W23V99E) on Thursday (Jan. 8) from 5:30pm - 8pm, with evening prayers at 7:30pm.

The removal will take place from his residence on Friday (Jan. 9) at approx. 10:30am to arrive at St. Patricks Church, Celbridge for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Donacomper Cemetery, Celbridge.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed live in the "webstream" section below.

Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

House strictly private, please. Family flowers only please, donations can be made in memory of Tommy to the Irish Heart Foundation which can be made in the donate section below.

For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230.

Webstream

Funeral service: https://celbridgeparish.ie/webcam-celbridge

Donations in lieu of flowers to Irish Heart Foundation in Memory of Thomas (Tommy) Farrell: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/TT12039720/donate.html

Tributes paid to Tommy on RIP.ie include: Deepest sympathy to Margaret, Laura and family on the passing of Tommy, a true gentleman. May Tommy rest in peace.

And: So sorry to hear of Tommy's sudden passing. A lovely man and a great painter up to his retirement. Enjoyed having him around. May he rest in peace.

While another mourner wrote: Deepest sympathy to the family of Thomas. Thinking of you all at this very sad time. RIP.

And another added: We were so sorry and shocked to hear of Thomas' passing, he was a lovely man always had a joke or two. We wish Margaret and Laura our love at this time. Friends will carry you through next few days. Thomas was my cousin. RIP Thomas.
A County Kildare resident has shared a good news story about her stay at Naas General Hospital over the Christmas period.

The resident, who gave her first name as 'Sharon' to the Leinster Leader, explained that on December 23 last, she was advised to go to the Emergency Department as soon as possible, following a visit with her GP.

According to Sharon, she has a complex medical condition, and so she opted to go to Naas General Hospital "in the hope of getting seen quickly and back home within a few hours or at least early on Christmas Eve".

She added: "I was so upset, as one of my adult children had just arrived the day before from abroad, and we had grandparents and my other adult child's girlfriend for Christmas."

Fortunately, for Sharon, her luck began to change for the better: "From the time I entered the Emergency Department, I was met with so much kindness and attention and fast intervention.

"I was under the care of a team of doctors who all worked tirelessly and effortlessly to arrange diagnostics and treatments.

"I spent all day in the Eye and Ear Hospital on Christmas eve, returning to the hospital at around 9pm."

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CHRISTMAS PRESSURE

She also spoke of the pressure being faced by the staff during the Christmas period: "The health care assistant who was with me was due to finish at 8pm and had a young child, who was wondering where her Mam was and was she going to get home for Mass and get ready to leave goodies out for Santa and reindeers.

"I was so upset thinking about the young child and how her Christmas Eve traditions were going to be late, as well as the extra pressure on the care assistant with her preparations for her guests arriving Christmas day. However, she assured me that I was her priority and it would all be ok."

Sharon continued: "Arriving back down to Naas at 9pm on Christmas Eve, I was exhausted.

"I was handed the most welcomed pot of tea, sandwich and carrot cake and within ten minutes, who should only arrive? Santa Claus, on the ward!

"The mood was fantastic... the other patients, medical team and night nurses all erupted in laughter and fun and those few minutes set the excitement and atmosphere of Christmas eve. I even asked Santa for a special request to get home for a few hours on Xmas day."

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WISH GRANTED

In another good turn of fortune for Sharon, her Christmas wish was granted: "I arrived home at 11am on Christmas Day to spend time with my family

"My husband and adult children had it all under control with dinner prep and table set, etc, but to be honest, we were going to be together and that's all that mattered.

"Over the next few days, I was monitored carefully, sent up and down to Tallaght Hospital for scans, had scans in Naas and had medications adjusted.

"Most days, I was able to get home for a few hours and when I wasn't, the medical team looking after me were able to accommodate my special medical requests."

Finally, Sharon was released on New Year's Eve at around 5pm, and from this point on, she will see her own team in Dublin.

'AN EYE-OPENER'

As she put it: "Christmas 2025 didn't go as planned, especially with all the weeks of preparation, but for me, it was an eye opener on the important things.

"We as a family got to spend lovely time together and appreciate the time even more... anyone that knows me knows that Christmas is my favorite time of year, and with one of my children coming home for the holidays I was super excited.

"In addition, I met so many kind professional staff in Naas hospital and in my ward they pulled out all the stops to make Christmas for all the inpatients a happy experience.

"We had chocolate cake, lots of great food, plenty of laughs and random acts of kindness from others visiting patients and strangers."

'THANK YOU'

Sharon expressed her gratitude to the staff at Naas General Hospital: "I cannot thank all the staff at Naas General Hospital especially all in the ward for making this a very special Christmas and making me appreciate the wonderful opportunity of spending time with loved ones and making new memories and realizing how lucky as a family we truly are.

"I came to realise over the course of those nine days just how lucky I was.

"Most of the staff and the medical professional had their own stories of how they had family for Christmas, grandchildren waiting on Santa, a welcomed day off, a year of personal ups and downs or the first Christmas without a loved one or having to work the holiday shift, but they remained, cheerful, attentive and put all of us patients needs first.

"It was the simple things like the cup of tea at night or the little chat that made it all the more special. Each patient in the ward made the most of our Christmas experiences and we had many more laughs than tears."

She also said: "I haven't been an inpatient in Naas for over 20 years and have attended and stayed in most of the hospitals private and publicly in Dublin under specialist teams, but on this occasion, Naas General Hospital came up trumps."

"I can't thank you all enough but will light a candle and never forget your care, kindness and attention especially all my medical team and the wonderful staff in Liffey 1.

"I'll never forget this Christmas because it was one of the most magical ever... as a family, we were all able to be together.

"Thank you to all who looked after me, all the staff and patients I met, and also a big shout out to my wonderful husband, our two adult children, my adult child's girlfriend and, of course, our family dog, for taking all the stress out of Christmas at home."

She concluded: "Beautiful blessings come in abundance at the strangest hour... keep up the great work!"

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An Garda Siochana have announced new appointments and allocations across Ireland, including a change in Leitrim, Tuesday, January 6, with some taking effect on transfer and others on promotion from today.

An allocation has been made in Leitrim, with Superintendent Carla Curry promoted to Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station, taking responsibility for the Leitrim Community Engagement Functional Area, Sligo/Leitrim Garda Division.

D/Superintendent Shane Cummins has been allocated to North Western Region HQ on transfer, assuming responsibility as Regional Detective Superintendent, North Western Region.

The announcements are part of a Garda Operating Model, introduced as part of A Policing Service for the Future, the implementation plan based on the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

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This model is recommended by both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and the Garda Inspectorate.

Gardai have said the restructure reflects international best practice, as well as the realities of modern-day policing in Ireland, including the changing nature of crime and population trends. They add that the model also introduces restructuring at national, regional, and local levels to provide a greater focus on community policing based on local needs.

The model introduced changes to the structures of An Garda Siochana by providing a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.

The model enhances the investigation of crime through the delivery of a greater range of specialised services in local areas, such as the investigation of sexual crime, domestic violence, cyber-crime, and economic crime, said a statement from An Garda Siochana.

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Ten-year-old Eabhin Howard from Bornacoola is preparing to cut off her long hair for charity after spending almost a decade growing it  all to help sick children in two very special ways.

Eabhin, who is in 4th class at Scoil Mhuire NS, Bornacoola, has decided to donate 14 inches of her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, which provides wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness. Alongside the hair donation, she is also fundraising for LauraLynn, Irelands childrens hospice, which supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

In total, 14 inches of Eabhins hair will be donated to the Rapunzel Foundation, while all money raised will go directly to LauraLynn.

Shes really been growing her hair for about ten years, her mother explained. Shes only ever had trims since she was very little. She had a trim before her Communion in 2024 and hasnt had it cut since. Over the past year, she became really focused on doing this for charity.

Eabhins hair is completely natural and has never been dyed  a key requirement for wig donations.

When asked why she wanted to take part, Eabhin said she hopes her hair will help another child feel better.

I hope I can help a child who doesnt have hair, she said. There are two parts to it  donating my hair for a wig, and raising money for LauraLynn to help sick children.

Eabhin will have her hair cut this Saturday, January 10, and plans to mark the moment by sharing before-and-after photos online.

I will miss my long hair, but I know it will grow back, she said. Im happy to have the chance to help other children by donating my hair and raising money.

She also wanted to thank everyone who has supported her so far.

I want to thank you all for the donations and words of encouragement, Eabhin said. It means a lot to me.

The fundraiser will remain open for the rest of the month. Donations can be made through Eabhins iDonate page at:

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/abhnhoward498

READ NEXT: Leitrim woman featured on The Irish Times 50 to watch in 2026 list
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned motorists to comply with traffic laws and avoid confrontations with officers following the circulation of a viral video showing a heated exchange between a driver and police officers.In a statement issued after the footage was shared widely on social media, particularly on the Crime Watch X handle, the police said cooperation between motorists and law enforcement was essential for maintaining order and safety on the country's roads.ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the behaviour displayed in the video was unacceptable and undermined national roadsafety efforts."It is in the interest of law and order for all motorists to comply when stopped or flagged down by the police for committing traffic offences," Nyathi said.He added that there was no justification for drivers to become confrontational or to issue threats against officers while seeking public sympathy.Nyathi urged motorists to act responsibly and lead by example."Drivers are implored to lead by example and contribute towards road safety by avoiding dangerous practices such as stopping vehicles at undesignated points, pirating, picking passengers on road centres and verges, drinking and driving, and disregarding traffic lights," he said.He noted that reckless driving not only endangers motorists but also poses a serious threat to pedestrians and other road users.Nyathi also emphasised the need for professionalism within the police force, saying the ZRP remained committed to ensuring that officers deployed on traffic duties operate within established standards.He encouraged members of the public who feel aggrieved by the conduct of any officer to use formal complaint channels rather than resorting to confrontations or socialmedia disputes.The ZRP reiterated its commitment to promoting road safety and urged Zimbabweans to work with law enforcement agencies to reduce traffic violations and accidents nationwide.
It was reported this week that France intends to follow Australia and ban social media platforms for children from the start of the 2026 academic year.

The ban would mean that children under the age of 16 would not be allowed to have social media accounts.

Leitrim councillor, James Gilmartin said that "Ireland are keeping a close eye" on the issue of social medial. "In principle, banning isn't always a good idea but I think in this case, it's a very proactive step. Social media is far social; I call it unsocial media. I think children are getting phones from an early age and are on these online platforms which is creating their worldview and a lot of it is also dopamine-related."

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He stressed: "I would be in favour of a ban of social media for under 16s. All the studies indicate that it has huge affects on young people's mental health, their anxiety, their sleep patterns. Low self-esteem is also a massive issue; they are seeing all these pictures online of people who are Photoshopped and believe that that is how they are supposed to look all the time."

He said that he believed that viewing inappropriate content can have an affect on growing children. "It's that stage of life, that I'd have a big concern about. You also have harmful content, predators and all the rest and inappropriate material and pornographer; the elephant in the room is industry - you have big social media providers such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and they're responsible for their content but they are not held to account."

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Cllr Gilmartin went on to say that he will be following the ban in Australia with "a lot of interest" and added that when the legal age for smoking was raised from 16 to 18, this impacted on the amount of teenagers who took up the habit. "While younger people did smoke, it was that much harder to do. It will be the same with social media; there are always ways around it but we are trying to protect our youth and I do think a ban on social media would be a positive step."

Cllr Gilmartin concluded that it was important the parents practise what they preach. "We all have phones and it's easier to give a child a phone than maybe take them outside etc. We need to take that into account as well."
Leitrim dance teacher, artist, author, and organiser Edwina Guckian was featured on the Irish Times 50 People to Watch in 2026 list.

Guckian has marked herself out as a champion of arts, modern and traditional, establishing the Airc Damhsa Culture Club and becoming the artistic director of the Leitrim Dance Project, which hosts the Leitrim Dance Festival and the Effrinagh Crossroads Dance.

Gallery: Leitrim Mummers light up Drumkeerin with festive parade

She was also a driving force behind the mummers parade that took place over the weekend, helping to organise the revival of The Devils in the Dance Hall, inspired by dances at Gralton Hall.

The Devils in the Dance Hall, with the Gralton Big Band, toured dancehalls in Leitrim, Galway, Mayo, Clare and Donegal last year and is set to return in 2026.

In 2022, Guckian was awarded the Gradam Comaoine TG4, and in 2024, published her first childrens book, Sparks from the Flagstones.

The Drumsna woman was joined on the list by up-and-coming names from the worlds of film and music, fashion, activism, sport, sustainability and more. These included F2 driver Alex Dunne, fashion designer Caolum McCabe, and bands such as Florence Road.

The Irish Times wrote of her: In an era of increasing appreciation for traditional culture amongst new generations, Guckian is an inspiring cultural figure, full of ideas and ambition.

Planning application submitted for upgrades to community centre in South Leitrim
Leitrim GAA has offered its heartfelt sympathies following the passing of the late Mary White (nee Casey) on Sunday.

The Dundalk native was a successful entrepreneur, co-founding Lir Chocolates, as well as a retired member of the Seanad, having been returned to the Upper House three times between 2002 and 2016.

She passed away following a long illness and is survived by her beloved husband and Kinlough native, Padraig, and daughter, Cliona, as well as her sisters Ita, Olive and Grainne, her brother Liam, and her extended family.

Mary and her husband Padraig have been among Leitrim GAAs best supporters over the years, travelling the length and breadth of the country to support the Green and Gold, a statement from Leitrim GAA read.

READ MORE: Bornacoola pupil Eabhin Howard, 10, donates decade of hair to help sick children

Padraig, who is a most valued member of Leitrim GAAs current Finance Committee, and their loving daughter Cliona. She will be sadly missed by her sisters Ita, Olive and Grainne, her brother Liam, nephews, nieces, and extended family members of the Casey and White families.

Leitrim GAA extends its heartfelt sympathies to all at this sad time. May she rest in peace.

She will repose at Peter Massey Funeral Home, Unit 2, Belarmine Plaza (D18 RX0T), on Wednesday, 7 January, from 4pm to 7pm.

Her Funeral Mass will be held in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, Balally (D16 E032), on Thursday, 8 January, at 10am, and will be followed by a cremation service at the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome, Harolds Cross Road (D6WHY98), at 1pm.

Those who are unable to attend the funeral or cremation service may view it online.

READ MORE: BREAKING: New Superintendent appointed to Leitrim amid major Garda reshuffle
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

BEITBRIDGE - A police officer stationed in Gwanda and his alleged accomplice have appeared in the Beitbridge Magistrates' Court facing charges of illegal possession of drugs after they were arrested at a roadblock.According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused, Leonard Mushava (35), a serving police officer, and Oprah Nomugugu Ndavambi (27), were intercepted on 3 January 2026 along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road."They were travelling in a silver Toyota Hilux when they were stopped and searched by the police. The first accused person, who is a serving member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police stationed at CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Gwanda, was driving while the second accused person was seated in the passenger seat," the NPA said.A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of seven boxes containing 155 cobs of dagga wrapped in black plastic, 1,050 bottles of Astra Pain (100ml) and 1,600 bottles of Broncleer (100ml).Both accused were remanded in custody to 19 January 2026 for trial.The NPA said the State remains committed to combating drug trafficking and the abuse of controlled substances, stressing that no one is above the law."Those involved in the illegal drug trade will be brought to account in order to protect public health and safety," the authority said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The vast majority of politburo members contemptuously dismissed Zanu-PF secretary for Women's League, Oppah Muchinguri's report on First Lady Grace Mugabe's "Meet the People" rallies that was presented at last Thursday's tense meeting of the party's highest decision-making body.Impeccable sources said that this rejection of the "biased and wafer-thin" report is what forced President Robert Mugabe to establish a commission of inquiry to probe factionalism in the troubled party.Curiously, Muchinguri's report, which is in the possession of the Daily News on Sunday, did not delve into any of the contentious issues such as the scurrilous attacks on Vice President Joice Mujuru by Grace, a development that left many in the politburo "thoroughly unimpressed".Despite many skirmishes and violence marking the so-called "Meet the People" rallies, Muchinguri claimed that the gatherings, that were held in all the 10 provinces of the country and left the party on the verge of collapse, were successful."The Women's League is of the opinion that this very successful programme aroused such interest in the party that the party is called upon to embrace similar programmes in the future," reads part of Muchinguri's report.Skirting the contentious issues of corruption and alleged acts of treason that Grace raised against Mujuru, Muchinguri's report surprisingly focused on issues relating to sanitation, load-shedding, erratic water supply, harassment of vendors and "the need for peace and unity in the party and Zimbabwe generally".This left the politburo unimpressed, leading Mugabe - who had earlier on told bussed party supporters that had been brought to the venue of the meeting by Mujuru's opponents that his wife had every right to enter politics - to resort to damage limitation measures, after respected politburo members such as Angeline Masuku complained about the first lady's conduct during her controversial rallies.Mugabe swiftly moved to rescue Muchinguri by mooting the idea of the commission of enquiry to probe the party's rampant factionalism that threatens his party and also singled out Mujuru and Mnangagwa as leaders of factions.Mugabe has also since fingered both Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mujuru as the leaders of rival factions in the party that are angling to succeed him.But it was the conduct of his irascible wife that pre-occupied the politburo meeting. For example, Grace addressed bemused party supporters in the Matabeleland provinces in Shona and also accused the men from the region of being lazy bones that were only interested in procreation.Grace also accused men from Matabeleland South of not developing themselves, but only being interested in going to South Africa to do menial jobs.A furious Masuku said she was surprised that Grace, a person she regarded as a child, would make such scathing and ill-advised allegations.Grace also attacked party supporters in Bulawayo, who walked out on her while she was still addressing them."You are disorganised Bulawayo. This is disrespectful. We are about to finish. Sit down. Where are those women going? Anyone who doesn't sit down will not receive the farming inputs I brought," she said in annoyance," Grace said.But Tshinga Dube, a politburo member, said organisers of her rallies were to blame for the chaos that took place in Bulawayo, since they started distributing maize seed packs while she was still speaking.On the other hand, Rugare Gumbo, Zanu-PF spokesperson, is said to have accused his fellow politburo members Emmerson Mnangagwa, Patrick Zhuwao, Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere of having hijacked the first lady's rallies for their own narrow interests."Gumbo took no prisoners and accused Mnangagwa of plotting to denigrate Vice President Joice Mujuru. He accused the Mnangagwa faction of plotting another coup and when an angry Mnangagwa tried to stand up and defend himself, he was told by Mugabe to sit down," said on one of the high level sources.There was initially a feeling in the politburo that Grace's first rallies were for the good of the party, but the events had degenerated into a factional project when Moyo, Kasukuwere and Zhuwao allegedly joined up with devisive elements in the Women's League to hijack the rallies.Our sources also said the politburo had noted the current "desperate ploy to banish outspoken war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda" - and had questioned the wisdom of such a move, which Mugabe appears to have already endorsed.The concern was that the contrived expulsion of the outspoken Sibanda could further divide Zanu-PF, not just only along factional lines, but also dangerously along tribal lines.
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It is understandable - yet deeply saddening.Over the past few days, I have watched as Venezuelans - and others who genuinely value freedom and democracy - celebrate what they perceive as "independence in Venezuela."We, the people of Zimbabwe, should know better - and perhaps even caution the people of Venezuela.How does the removal of one man, Nicolas Maduro, suddenly translate into "independence" for Venezuela?How does the exit of a single figure dismantle an entire authoritarian system that has been carefully built, militarised, and institutionalised over decades?It does not.The same oppressive machinery remains firmly intact, only now with the United States seemingly willing to work with it under a new arrangement.What is unfolding in Venezuela today is disturbingly familiar to Zimbabweans.In November 2017, we were told we were witnessing a "new dawn."Robert Mugabe had been removed, and the nation erupted in celebration.Yet beneath the euphoria, nothing fundamental changed.The security establishment remained untouched.The laws that enabled repression were retained.The culture of impunity endured.We did not dismantle the Mugabe system - we merely rebranded it.The speed with which Western governments embraced Emmerson Mnangagwa - who had once served as Mugabe's deputy but returned as the new president through military intervention - was telling.The United Kingdom, through its then ambassador Catriona Laing, was among the first to congratulate and legitimise the new government.The message was clear: continuity was acceptable, so long as certain interests were protected.Venezuela now stands at the same crossroads, celebrating what appears to be change but is, in reality, continuity dressed up as liberation.History is repeating itself - not by accident, but by design.The fundamental flaw in Western intervention lies in its fixation on individuals rather than systems.Western governments do not primarily concern themselves with whether a people are genuinely free, whether institutions are democratic, or whether citizens enjoy dignity and justice.Their focus is far narrower: removing leaders who obstruct strategic or economic interests.Once that obstacle is removed or neutralised through compliance, principles are quietly abandoned.In Zimbabwe, Mugabe became expendable after the fast-track land reform programme disrupted Western economic interests.His authoritarianism, electoral manipulation, and human rights abuses had been tolerated for years.What changed was not his governance style, but his defiance.In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez - and later Nicolas Maduro - crossed a similar line by nationalising the oil industry, directly undermining American oil companies that had previously operated in the country and generated billions of dollars.What followed was not a genuine democratic crusade, but sanctions, isolation, and prolonged legal warfare disguised as concern for freedom.American oil corporations did not simply walk away.They launched long-running court battles demanding compensation, with billions of dollars tied up in international arbitration claims.Yet this reality is rarely acknowledged.This is precisely how Zimbabwe ended up with Emmerson Mnangagwa still in power, provided he remained sufficiently agreeable to Western interests.The Global Compensation Deed, committing Zimbabwe to compensate dispossessed white farmers, became the clearest symbol of this accommodation.It was never about justice for ordinary Zimbabweans, many of whom remain landless, unemployed, and impoverished.It was about appeasing the West and maintaining their favor, while questions of democratic reform and historical accountability were quietly sidelined.We are now watching a similar script unfold in Venezuela.The United States has openly spoken about "running Venezuela," yet there is conspicuous silence on reforming state institutions, strengthening democratic checks and balances, or ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.There is no serious conversation about dismantling the security apparatus that enforces repression, restoring judicial independence, or guaranteeing civil liberties.More tellingly, Venezuela's opposition - which won the July 2024 elections but was denied victory - has been effectively sidelined.Those who genuinely command popular support have been marginalised in favour of negotiating with elements of the very system that subverted the electoral will of the people.This alone exposes the hollowness of the so-called transition.Instead, Washington has signalled its willingness to work with Maduro's deputy, now president, Delcy Rodriguez, provided she aligns her administration with US expectations.The warning has been explicit.As US officials have stated, failure to comply would mean, to quote directly, that "she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."Legitimacy, therefore, is conditional, and sovereignty is transactional.It is within this context that the United States has announced the re-entry of American oil companies into Venezuela, ostensibly to "fix the sector."This is the "right thing" Rodriguez is expected to do.As long as she plays along and reopens Venezuela's most strategic resource to American corporate interests, she - and her government - will remain acceptable partners.Authoritarian governance will suddenly become less urgent, less condemned, and more tolerable.The Venezuelan people, however, will see little change.Power will remain centralised.Dissent will remain dangerous.Institutions will remain captured.Elections will remain ritualistic rather than meaningful.The rhetoric may soften, sanctions may be adjusted, and international smiles may return, but the lived reality of ordinary citizens will remain largely unchanged.In the end, the people of Venezuela will be left with a Maduro system without Maduro - just as Zimbabweans were left with a Mugabe system without Mugabe.Faces change, slogans change, and diplomatic language evolves, but the machinery of repression remains intact.So what, exactly, is the "independence" that Venezuelans are being asked to celebrate?Independence from a single individual, perhaps - but not independence from authoritarian rule, economic exploitation, or external manipulation.Zimbabweans learned this lesson the hard way.Venezuela now risks celebrating a phantom independence, only to later discover that it was sold a dummy. Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com, or visit website https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/
Dr. Thomas Nimene Tweh (right) officially turns over the deed of God Is Able Pentecostal International Ministries to Rev. Mambu T. Koffa during the dedication ceremony in Cassava Hill Community, Upper Caldwell.
TWO BROTHERS were sentenced to a combined total of 14 years imprisonment for shooting at a home on the north side of Limerick city following a long nights drinking and drugs.

Limericks Circuit Court heard that Roy Roche, 35, and Pa Roche, 33, both with an address at Cliona Park, Moyross, descended on Altamira Court, Thomondgate at 5 am with a sawn-off shotgun.

The pair acted with the intention to target occupants of a house, on June 6, 2025.

Roy Roche pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to threaten life, and criminal damage, and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

The man fired six rounds of bullets at the house from a sawn-off, 12 gauge shotgun. The court heard from Garda Aoife Keane that six shots involved reloading the shotgun three times.

READ MORE: Limerick homeless woman 'appears to view prison as a holiday home'

His younger brother, Pa Roche, carried the gun. The man pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to threaten life and was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

The pair were seen leaving the scene, with Roy Roche observed firing indiscriminately at the estate.

The court heard that the night before the shooting, bottles were thrown at the residence.

Judge Colin Daly said that being in possession of a shotgun of the type they had is "intrinsically associated with criminality as it cannot legally be held".

The court heard that the pair revisited the scene of the crime to collect used shotgun bullet shells from the house.

The pair also threw away the shotgun and their jackets at the nearby Donnellans field after the crime took place.

Before sentencing, Judge Colin Daly said that the "culpability of both accused is high" and that the pair "visited the place with the intention to shoot".

Judge Daly said that the mitigating factors in this case were there were no casualties from the shooting, and that both brothers signed a guilty plea.

However, he said that there were a "multiplicity of aggravating factors" in this case.

The judge said "both accused tried to conceal the crime" and that "society cannot countenance" men firing guns at night.

Roy Roche signed a plea, expressed remorse at his wrongdoing before the court, and offered an apology to the victims.

The court heard that Roy Roche was "drinking at an early age", and had been taken into care and separated from his siblings at 11 years of age.

Roy Roche has 30 previous convictions, however, the judge said he wanted to give one last chance to Roy Roche to "be a positive member of his community".

For Pa Roche, the judge said the man "did not pull the trigger" and that he said he has "no recollection of events" and was "heavily intoxicated on the night in question".

The judge said that the man was "in care since he was nine", has no previous convictions involving firearms and that "addiction is the root of his offending".

Roy Roche was sentenced to eight years and six months imprisonment, with the final six months suspended.

Pa Roche was given a sentence of six years and eight months, with the final eight months suspended.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
THIRTY three projects from eleven Limerick schools that have qualified for the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE) 2025 are battling it out for the winning title.

The exhibition is taking place at the RDS from January 7 to January 10 and secondary school students from across Limerick are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the 2024 winner, Sean O'Sullivan from Colaiste Chiarain, Croom.

The eleven schools representing Limerick on the national stage are Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock (2), Colaiste Chiarain, Croom (6), Colaiste Nano Nagle, Limerick city (3), Castletroy College (5), Desmond College, Newcastle West (8), Villiers Secondary School, Limerick city (3), Limerick City East Secondary School (1), Ardscoil Ris, Limerick city (2), Scoil Pol, Kilfinane (1), Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh, Limerick city (1) and Mungret Community College (1.)

Health & Wellbeing is the strongest category for Limerick schools, accounting for almost one in three projects (10.) Technology and Social & Behavioural Sciences are jointly the second most popular (7 each.)

READ MORE: Limerick schools to get funding for minor works

Stripe, the programmable financial services company with dual headquarters in Dublin and San Francisco, was appointed as the new title sponsor of the STEM exhibition last May. Former Castletroy College students and successful entrepreneurs Patrick and John Collison founded Stripe in 2010.

Following a competitive selection process, Stripe secured the title sponsorship thanks to its shared passion with YSTE and commitment to promoting STEM education in Ireland  values exemplified by co-founder Patrick Collison who won the overall YSTE title in 2005 and his brother John, who also won a category award at the exhibition.

Professor Pat Guiry, Chairperson of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Board, said: We are confident that Stripe will be exceptional partners in the years ahead - not only given Stripes global reputation as a leader in tech innovation, but also given its strong connection to YSTE through Patrick and John Collison, who are both past participants in the competition, with Patrick taking home the overall top prize in 2005.

There are over 200 prizes and a prize fund of well over 50,000 to be won. These prizes are awarded across all five categories and age groups, including the overall Young Scientist & Technologist(s) of the Year Award, worth 7,500, which will see the winners go on to represent Ireland at the prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists.

Speed Fibre Group, was unveiled as the Strategic Connectivity Partner for the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. As part of the partnership, Speed Fibre Group is also sponsoring the new Speed Fibre Group Connected Horizons Award. Open to all categories and age groups, the prize will be presented to a project that reflects the theme of connection or collaboration through innovation, whether digital, social, environmental, or scientific in nature.

The 2024 Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition winner, Sean OSullivan, also placed second at the 2024 EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Katowice, Poland.

The Pallaskenry native was recognised by the EUCYS judging panel for his YSTE winning project, titled VerifyMe: A new approach to authorship attribution in the post-ChatGPT era. He was also awarded the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair Prize.

At the EUCYS, Sean competed against 250 young scientists aged between 14 and 20 from nearly 40 countries in the EU, as well as guest projects from the United States and beyond.
A PRIMARY school in Moyross is demonstrating how education can act as a gateway to wider family and community support.

Corpus Christi Primary Schools Sky is the Limit programme embeds counselling, therapy and family support services within the school environment, allowing pupils and parents to access help that would otherwise be difficult to navigate. The programme connects the school with a dedicated Child and Family Centre to provide various services.

Adrian Power, Family Support Coordinator for Moyross Education Programme, explained the philosophy behind the initiative: It was very hard for kids to engage with the curriculum when they had so many issues coming in the door.

An essential component of the program is not just providing therapeutic supports and wellbeing supports for the kids, but it was also to provide that for the families as well.

READ MORE: Limerick schools to get funding for minor works

Mr Power said he thinks this is a model that could be replicated nationwide, especially in communities that have been historically disadvantaged.

The onus is on elected representatives as well as the executive of local authorities... to really support these communities when they are making progress.

The Sky is the Limit programme is an awardee of the Rethink Ireland Scaling Education Fund 2022-2025. I support funding streams like Rethink Ireland and we have other funding streams as well that unfortunately are coming to an end like ESIF funding, added Mr Power.
TY STUDENTS in Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock prove early birds do catch the worm with two Stripe Young Scientist projects - The Worm Academy and Examining AI Literacy in Schools.

The former by Liam Cronin, Zeina Mohammed, Cian ORegan investigates the impact of vermicomposting (using worm solutions) on plant growth and environmental sustainability. The schools second entry is by Cathal Murphy, Cathal Parkinson, and Kellen OConnor.

READ NEXT: 'Making progress': Innovative school model aids Limerick families

Their objective is to determine if people can distinguish AI-generated text from human writing and if this skill can be improved through education.

Principal Noel Kelly said the school is immensely proud of the six teenagers and all students who entered the competition.

Liam, Zeina and Cian established a worm academy facility to manage school food waste, paper, and cardboard sustainably. They conclude that vermicomposting could provide a financial "lifeline" to farmers by reducing the need for expensive fertilisers while protecting the environment for future generations.

Meanwhile, the two Cathals and Kellen conducted two surveys distributed to over 200 secondary schools in Ireland, gathering approximately 500 responses from students and teachers.

The project concludes that while people can generally differentiate between AI and human text slightly more often than not, these skills are significantly improved by education. The team emphasises that AI literacy will be an essential skill for the future.

The students wish to thank their families for all of their support, everyone who helped with their projects and a special mention for their teachers - Mr Kelleher and Ms Hickey - for their guidance and support.
A major independent power producer in Vietnam said its 1.6-GW Nhon Trach 3&4 Power Plant has entered commercial operation. PetroVietnam Power Corp., a subsidiary of the state-owned PetroVietnam (PVN) Group, on January 5 said the facility is the first in the country to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). GE Vernova on Monday said the power station, which was inaugurated in a ceremony on December 14 of last year, also is the first in Vietnam to use the company's HA turbine. The $1.4-billion facility, built in the Ong Keo Industrial Park in the Dai Phuoc commune, is located about 45 miles southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon. The companies said the combined-cycle power plant, using GE Vernova's 9HA.02 turbine technology, "is expected to improve the reliability and stability of the energy grid to support renewables penetration," and will help supply "the growing electricity demand in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province." Samsung C&T and Lilama served as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) leads for the project. PV Power last year signed a 25-year agreement with its sister company, PetroVietnam Gas (PV Gas) to supply LNG to the two plants. That agreement marked the countrys first long-term LNG supply contract with a committed volume of 530 million cubic meters per year for the first five years. [caption id="attachment_247528" align="alignnone" width="640"]

PetroVietnam's Nhon Trach 3&4 power plant is located in an industrial park about 45 miles southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon. Source: PV Power[/caption] The project expands natural gas-fired generation capacity in Vietnam and is part of the country's transition away from coal-fired power. The country has a plan to increase the use of LNG; according to the Adjusted PDP8, an amendment to Vietnam's National Power Development Plan VIII, LNG is central to Vietnam's flexible generation mix. More than 22 GW of LNG-fueled power generation is expected online within the next five years, which would account for more than 9%and perhaps more than 12%of the country's power generation capacity. Officials, though, have been concerned about the pace of construction of new power plants. Hanoi-based rating firm Vietnam Investors Service, known as VIS Rating, estimated in a recent note that about 25% of PDP8s planned 21 LNG power plant projects in the coming decade lack investors. Only three projects are currently under construction. That includes the 1.6-GW Hai Phong plant, backed by a joint venture between Vingroup and its subsidiary VinEnergo. VIS Rating in its note wrote, We expect project development to accelerate from 2026 onward. The group said it expects typical construction timelines of four to five years for LNG power plants. It also said it expects government policies will require projects to begin commercial operation before 2031.
A man who died following an assault in County Donegal has been named locally as Stephen McCahill.

Sinn Fein Councillor John Sheamais O Fearraigh offered his condolences to Mr McCahills family, while community group Glenties Town Team said people in the area are deeply shocked and truly saddened to learn of Mr McCahills death.

In a post on social media the group stated: Stephen was a true friend to Glenties and always an avid supporter of our town.

He gave generously of his time, offering great support, guidance and advice whenever it was needed.

His encouragement and positivity made a real difference, and his commitment to community life was clear to all who knew him.

He was a man who genuinely cared about people and places beyond his own community, and his loss will be felt far and wide.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Stephens family, friends and the entire Ardara community at this very difficult time.

Mr McCahill had been named Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.

He was previously a chairman of the Ardara Heritage Centre and the Ardara Community Centre and former chairman, secretary and PRO of Ardara Parish Council.

At around 3.50am on Monday emergency services were alerted to an assault at a home in the Ardara area.

Gardai said they are investigating all of the circumstances after a man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 30s was later arrested and is currently being detained.

In a post on social media the local GAA Ard na Ratha wrote: As a Club and Parish, we are numb at the tragic death of our former Chairman, Treasurer, and Community Leader Stephen. No words can express our sympathy for Marietta, Stephen, Gemma and their families at this time.

All planned Club activities are suspended until further notice. A full obituary and arrangements will be posted at the appropriate time.

Rest in Peace Stephen.
Irish parents are being told not to feed their babies certain batches of popular formula brand SMA due to the possible presence of a toxin that can lead to illness.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued a statement to say that Nestle is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula due to the potential presence of cereulide.

They explained: "Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning.

"This recall is a precautionary measure being taken in the interest of public health, and there have been no reported cases of illness to date."

READ MORE | LIVE: Met Eireann's fresh ice and snow warnings bring treacherous travel across Ireland

The FSAI is advising parents, guardians and caregivers who may have the recalled products at home not to feed them to their infant or young child.

The products and batches being recalled are as follows:

Batch codes can be found on the base of the tin or box for powdered formulas, or the base of the outer box and on the side / top of the container for ready-to-feed formulas.



"The FSAI advises that cereulide toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant. Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting. Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually 6 to 24 hours," a statement read.

"The FSAI is advising parents, guardians and caregivers who may have the recalled products at home not to feed them to their infant or young child. If no symptoms are displayed, nothing further needs to be done. If a parent, guardian or caregiver is concerned about the health of their infant or young child, they should contact a healthcare professional," the spokesperson added.



Nestle is advising its customers who have purchased any of these batches to contact:

Via its online form, sharing a photo of the product and the batch code HERE.

By calling its careline on 1800 931 832 (Ireland) or 0800 0 81 81 80 (UK)
Ireland is not taking a softly softly approach over US intervention in Venezuela, the Irish deputy premier has said.

Simon Harris said he would not describe the Trump administrations strikes on Venezuela and the middle-of-the-night capture of its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores as kidnapping.

He said that it was an operation to remove Maduro, who he said was not democratically elected and whom the US believed was responsible for narco-terrorism and bringing misery and pain to so many people.

Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday when he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and claimed he was a prisoner of war.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Harris said: The fact that Maduro is gone from power is a good thing. Hes a brutal dictator who had no democratic legitimacy.

He categorically, fundamentally, resoundingly lost an election and was bringing pain and misery to his people.

There was somebody who democratically won the election in Venezuela, and thats quite clear as well.

I do think this is complex when it comes to international law. I do think thats fair, but the reality is this individual was not a democratically elected state, was not a legitimate head of state, wasnt recognised by Ireland, by the European Union, by the United States of America.

He added: Hell now face justice and through a court system  something that Im sure he wouldnt afford to make people in his own country.

Pressed on whether he believed the Trump administration should remove dictators from other countries, Mr Harris said: Firstly, we didnt go in anywhere but its hard for me to express sympathy for Maduro.

He added: The complexity here is the fact that Maduro was not a democratically elected head of state and was in the view of the United States posing a very significant danger to them.

Pressed on whether the US should have engaged with the mechanisms of the International Criminal Court, Mr Harris said Irelands preference to international institutions is well known.

Asked about reports that a US jet flew over Ireland to observe an oil tanker in the Atlantic, the Tanaiste said he was truthfully not aware if the flight had been given permission by the Irish State, but said he imagined that very clear rules on planes from other jurisdictions transiting through Irish space had been followed.

The Marinera, a Russian-flagged tanker previously known as the Bella 1, appears to be making its way north-east through the Atlantic, with several media reports suggesting it had avoided US President Donald Trumps total naval blockade of Venezuela, in place since late December.

Mr Harris said: Ireland is a neutral country and a neutral country means were not militarily aligned, but that doesnt mean that were in any way immune from or unconcerned about security.

He added that Russia is carrying out a war on the continent of Europe and is not a friend of Ireland.

On US threats to annex Greenland, Mr Harris said the territory was part of Denmark and the European Union.

He added: Anything to do with Greenland is a matter for the people of Greenland.

Mr Harris said he supported comments by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen that the security of Greenland is enabled by the fact that Denmark is a member of the EU and Nato.
NEW DELHI: Indias notice to X over Elon Musk-owned artificial intelligence (AI) platform Groks stance on sexual content and AI-generated imagery has sharpened the spotlight on how Big Tech platforms comply with Indian law in these areas.

A Mint review of usage practices and public policies across X, Googles Gemini and OpenAIs ChatGPT found that safeguards on such content are not uniform across platforms. While Grok, embedded within X (formerly Twitter), sits on a platform that allows consensual adult content and relies more on post-facto action, Gemini and ChatGPTs policies impose outright bans on the generation of non-consensual or privacy-violating content.

Policy and AI experts said this difference may explain why Grok is in the governments firing line even as other platforms have so far avoided similar action.

On Friday, 2 January, the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) issued a notice to X seeking details on how the platform acts against objectionable content and how it plans to address sexual content. The move followed concerns over how Grok can be used to modify photographs into content that could be deemed sexual, obscene, or violative of a users privacy.

Mint has seen a copy of the notice. While the deadline for Xs response was Monday, a senior government official late Monday confirmed that the platform has sought a three-day extension. An executive close to X confirmed the request for extension, but said that the platform had asked for more time, and not specifically three days". Xs spokesperson did not respond to an email sent by Mint.

The executive close to X referred Mint to a post from the platforms Safety handle. We take action against illegal content on X, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary," the statement said.

Experts said the key point is the platforms compliance with Indias IT rules, which X is likely to have to demonstrate to the Centre. Indias IT Rules  the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules), 2021  require platforms to make reasonable efforts" to prevent the spread of prohibited content.

Given that X allows sexual content on it and its platform does not offer blanket restrictions in the interest of freedom of speech globally, its not yet clear how they plan to be compliant and respond to MeitY," Rohit Kumar, founding partner at policy consultancy firm The Quantum Hub, said.

For now, Musk appears to have taken a friendlier stance with Indian regulators. Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content," he posted late on Saturday.

Why Grok is in the spotlight

At the turn of the year, users began questioning how Grok, the AI platform embedded within X, could modify photographs into content that could be deemed objectionable.

Experts said Musks insistence on absolute freedom of speech, combined with Xs permissive stance on adult content, could make it difficult for Grok to comply with Indian regulations without significant changes to platform design and enforcement.

Also Read | How Grok AI landed X in trouble with Indias IT ministry

Users should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed," says Xs adult content policy, updated in May 2024. Sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression. We believe in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality."

X also retains a non-consensual nudity policydating back to December 2021, when it was still Twitterthat prohibits users from posting or sharing intimate photos or videos of someone that were produced or distributed without their consent". This includes images or videos that superimpose or otherwise digitally manipulate an individuals face onto another persons nude body".

Grok, which operates as a sub-platform within X, could therefore be at risk of violating Xs own rules, experts said.

How rivals design around risk

In contrast, Googles generative AI prohibited usage policy, updated in December 2024, imposes a blanket ban on generating non-consensual intimate imagery" and content that violates the rights of others, including privacy and intellectual property rights".

Do not engage in sexually explicit, violent, hateful, or harmful activities. This includes generating or distributing content that facilitates sexually explicit contentfor example, content created for the purpose of pornography or sexual gratification," as per Googles AI policy.

OpenAIs usage policy, updated 29 October 2025, similarly bars the use of its generative AI tools for sexual violence and non-consensual intimate imagery."

We dont allow attempts to compromise the privacy of others, including to aggregate, monitor, profile, or distribute individuals private or sensitive information without their authorization. And, you may never use our services for use of someones likeness, including their photorealistic image or voice, without their consent in ways that could confuse authenticity," the policy says.

These policy frameworks have helped Google and OpenAI retain legal safeguards under Indian law, experts said.

Under Indian law, intermediaries must make reasonable efforts" to prevent the propagation of any information that belongs to another person and to which the user does not have any right," in order to avoid civil or criminal liability. The rules also require platforms to curb content that is obscene, pornographic, paedophilic, invasive of anothers privacy including bodily privacy, insulting or harassing on the basis of gender."

Groks design: positioning or vulnerability?

Industry experts said Groks relatively relaxed approach to content moderation may be central to its positioning, but also its vulnerability.

Compared with other platforms, Grok relaxes the constraints on all of these typical filters. While image manipulation is fundamental to generative AI, permissibility of usage from a policy standpoint is what sets Grok apart from Gemini or ChatGPT. Musk, Groks promoter, is a believer in absolute freedom of speech that the US is known for, while India offers freedom with guardrails and filters," said Kashyap Kompella, veteran analyst and founder of technology consultancy firm, RPA2AI Research.

Kumar said that for X, doing both while retaining safe harbour protection is the key roadblock to overcome. The biggest problem with Musks claim that we should focus enforcement on users who create illegal content is that misuse is difficult to identify and police at scale. If harmful uses are technically possible, bad actors will exploit them, and post-hoc enforcement will be ineffective."

"Platforms like Gemini and ChatGPT address this by embedding restrictions directly into system design, limiting certain user freedoms to reduce harm. This reflects a conscious trade-off between individual liberty and harm prevention," he added.

The episode raises the question whether India needs to rethink its regulatory framework to incentivise platforms to better design their services to minimise harm, rather than just maximize engagement," Kumar said.

Kompella also said that Musks insistence on complying with local laws may contrast with his push to retain freedom of speech on X and Grok so far.

With more governments globally flagging sexual content as not acceptable, also comes an additional issue that Musks platforms invest much less in content moderation than others such as Google and Meta. It now remains to be seen how far can X meet its illegal content moderation promise, with such dynamics."
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the congressionally created body that has financed public radio and television in the United States for almost 60 years, has voted to dissolve after lawmakers withdrew its federal funding. The decision marks a profound turning point for the countrys public media system, leaving hundreds of local stations to confront an uncertain future without their principal source of government support.

In a statement issued on Monday, CPB confirmed that its board of directors had formally approved the organisations closure, bringing to a close an institution founded in the late 1960s to ensure universal access to educational, cultural and civic programming.

A formal end after months of winding down The vote codified plans first outlined last year, when Congress moved to strip more than $500 million in annual funding from the organisation. Since then, CPB executives have been steadily distributing remaining funds to public media outlets, effectively emptying the corporations reserves as part of an orderly wind-down.

Following the loss of federal appropriations, CPB leaders explored the possibility of placing the organisation into hibernation  preserving its legal existence in the event that Congress might later restore funding. That option was ultimately rejected.

In its statement, the corporation warned that remaining dormant could have exposed CPB to political manipulation or misuse, undermining the independence of public broadcasting.

C.P.B.s final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks, Patricia Harrison, the president and chief executive of the corporation, said in a statement.

Origins in the Public Broadcasting Act CPB was established under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 as a non-profit, non-governmental entity, designed to act as a buffer between political power and editorial decision-making. Its mandate was to promote programs of high quality, diversity, creativity, excellence and innovation with a strict adherence to objectivity and balance.

Over the decades, the corporation channelled roughly $500 million annually to National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service, and around 1,500 locally owned radio and television stations.

Its funding supported a wide range of programming that became fixtures of American cultural life, including childrens series such as Sesame Street, Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Arthur; landmark documentaries from FRONTLINE; science programmes like NOVA; and long-running drama strands on Masterpiece. Federal funds also underpinned the public alert system used to warn audiences of emergencies.

Political pressure and funding rollback The dissolution follows sustained political criticism from Donald Trump and conservative allies, who have accused public broadcasters of ideological bias. During his campaign for a second term, Trump repeatedly called for an end to federal funding for NPR and PBS, arguing that neither entity presents a fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.

Proposals to defund public broadcasting featured prominently in Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint for a future Republican administration. By May last year, Trump had formally urged Congress to act.

For years taxpayers have been on the hook for subsidizing [NPR and PBS], which spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as news, the memo said.

Also Read | Corporation for Public Broadcasting to shut down in 2026

In July, a Republican-controlled Congress voted to claw back $1.1 billion that had been earmarked for public broadcasting over the subsequent two years. CPB announced the following month that it would begin shutting down operations, with most of its roughly 100 employees laid off by the end of September. A small number of staff are expected to remain through January 2026 to complete the closure process.

Impact on local and rural stations More than 70% of CPBs federal funding was distributed directly to local stations, many of them serving rural or underserved communities. Of the 544 public radio and television stations supported by CPB, over half were classified as rural, collectively providing public media access to an estimated 99% of Americans.

Media analysts warn that the funding cuts will disproportionately affect areas already described as news deserts, where local newspapers and commercial broadcasters have disappeared. One recent analysis suggests that around 15% of local public stations could be forced to close within three years if alternative funding does not materialise.

The financial shock has prompted a surge in private donations, with public broadcasters reportedly receiving $70 million in what some have described as a wave of rage-giving. Whether listener contributions and philanthropic support can replace long-term federal funding, however, remains uncertain.

Cautious optimism amid closure Despite the scale of the setback, CPBs leadership has struck a note of guarded optimism about the future of public media.

In a statement, Ruby Calvert, chair of the CPB board, described the decision to dissolve as devastating but expressed confidence that public broadcasting would endure.

Yet, even in this moment, I am convinced that public media will survive, and that a new Congress will address public medias role in our country because it is critical to our childrens education, our history, culture and democracy to do so, Calvert said.
Eternal-owned Zomato's founder, Deepinder Goyal, in a recent interaction with Podcaster and YouTuber Raj Shamani, revealed the idea behind his aviation startup named LAT Aerospace, and said that the radical idea in the industry is in an effort to eliminate the need for elaborate airport infrastructure, according to a post on Monday, 6 Janaury 2026.

In the video clip shared on platform X, Deepinder Goyal said that LAT Aerospace is trying to make small aeroplane infrastructure, which can potentially take off from anywhere and land at any place within a city.

Takeoff and landing within, let's say 20 metres, which will in turn eliminate the need for the elaborate airport infrastructure. This has never been done in this world. This is radical in terms of aviation, said Deepinder Goyal.

Goyal said that the idea of travelling to an airport and waiting to board, taking 3 hours before another 3-hour-long flight, is senseless as it is the same time taken to drive from Delhi to Chandigarh.

Let's say you are travelling to Chandigarh. You take a flight, and it takes six hours to go there (including transit); if you take a car, it's six hours to go there. Firstly, the need to travel 1.5 hours to the airport, then wait for another 1.5 hours to board, and then finally depart for your destination. This is senseless, said Goyal.

How will the LAT Aerospace solve this? Deepinder Goyal's idea behind LAT Aerospace comes as the company seeks to solve this transit issue for people. The founder said that they aim to create small airports from which people can take off using a smaller aircraft and directly land at their destinations.

Why can't I have a small airport right next to me? Where there is a six-to-eight seater small aircraft, taking off from a small airstrip of 20-50 metres and directly landing at the area where I want to go, rather than an airport-to-airport connectivity, said Goyal in his interaction.

The founder also highlighted how this discovery will distribute the economy and the wealth to remote areas amid the rising population in the city.

If we can make this happen, then India will be a beautiful place to live in. One should try working things out. If we don't try this, then who else will? This is our moonshot; we have the patience, we have the capital, and the ability to attract talent to work on the problem for long enough, said Goyal.

What is LAT Aerospace? LAT Aerospace is an aviation startup founded by Deepinder Goyal and Surobhi Das in January 2025. According to the official website, the company is building a new generation of Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, which will be made to operate compact air-stops rather than conventional airports.

The official website data also showed that the company plans to use electric motors, a battery, and a turbogenerator to fuel the aircraft in an effort to create energy-efficient engines.

The result: lower fuel burn, fewer emissions, and reliable regional performance, said the company on its website.
Authorities in India, Europe, and Malaysia are investigating Elon Musk-owned X after its AI chatbot Grok let people create sexualised images of children and women.

The investigations were initiated after social media users, media outlets and officials flagged that Grok was unleashing images of women and children in extremely skimpy clothing on demand, a functionality X has in the past referred to as spicy mode.

The trend, which gained global momentum after the platform introduced the edit-image feature ahead of Christmas, saw an increasing number of users asking Grok to edit their photos.

India sends notice On 2 January, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) sent a notice to X asking it to immediately remove all vulgar, obscene and unlawful content generated by Grok within 72 hours or face action.

The notice said that the images and media violate the dignity, privacy and safety of women and children, normalising sexual harassment and exploitation in digital spaces, and undermine the statutory due diligence framework applicable to intermediaries operating in India.

MeitY, in its order, asked X to take action against offending content, users and accounts.

The ministry requested that the Musk-owned social media firm submit a detailed action taken report (ATR) within 72 hours of the date the order was issued.

EU calls action illegal The European Commission said it was very aware of the fact that X was offering a spicy mode, spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters.

This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling. This is disgusting. This is how we see it, and this has no place in Europe, he said.

British media watchdog Ofcom said it has requested information from X.

Ofcom demanded on Monday that X explain how Grok was able to produce undressed images of people and sexualised images of children, and whether it was failing in its legal duty to protect users.

France also issued a statement, saying that Grok was generating clearly illegal sexual content on X. The government said in the statement that the Grok-created images potentially violate the European Unions Digital Services Act.

Elon Musk's Grok has recently updated the Imagine features of the Grok chatbot, enabling users to easily create images with text-based prompts.

Malaysia initiates probe Authorities in Malaysia are also investigating the latest allegations against Grok, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission saying that it will summon company representatives.

MCMC urges all platforms accessible in Malaysia to implement safeguards aligned with Malaysian laws and online safety standards, especially in relation to their AI-powered features, chatbots and image manipulation tools, it said in a statement over the weekend.

Also Read | Grok image edits spark deepfake debate on X, raising fresh concerns over consent

Elon Musk, X respond Following days of silence, X on Sunday addressed the concerns in its first official response after multiple countries initiated a probe against the platform, saying that it will take action by removing the images, initiating permanent bans against accounts that uploaded obscene material and working with local governments as required.

The Global Government Affairs account of X issued the statement hours after Elon Musk said people using Grok to create illegal content will face the same consequences as those uploading illegal content.

Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content, Musk said on Sunday.

The offending images are an apparent violation of its own acceptable-use policy, which prohibits the sexualisation of children. Some of the images have been taken down, Bloomberg reported.
India's competition watchdog has found market leaders Tata Steel, JSW Steel, state-run SAIL and 25 other firms breached antitrust law by colluding on steel selling prices, a confidential document shows, putting the companies and their executives at risk of hefty fines.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has also held 56 top executives, including JSW's billionaire Managing Director Sajjan Jindal, Tata Steel CEO T.V. Narendran and four former SAIL chairpersons, liable for price collusion over varying periods of time between 2015 and 2023, according to a CCI order dated October 6, which has not been made public and is being reported for the first time.

JSW declined to comment, while Tata Steel, SAIL, and the executives did not respond to Reuters queries. The CCI also did not respond to requests for comment.

The CCI investigation - the most high-profile case involving the steel industry - started in 2021 after a group of builders alleged in a criminal case brought to a state court that nine companies were collectively restricting the supply of steel and increasing prices.

Reuters reported in 2022 the watchdog raided some small steel companies as part of an investigation into the industry.

The probe was later expanded to as many as 31 companies and industry groups, as well as dozens of executives, the CCI's October order, reviewed by Reuters, shows. Under CCI rules, details of cases related to cartel-like activity are not made public before they have concluded.

The CCI investigation has "found the conduct of the parties to be in contravention" of Indian antitrust law and "certain individuals have also been held liable," the order stated.

The findings are a critical stage of any antitrust case.

They will be reviewed by top CCI officials and companies and executives will also have the opportunity to submit any objections or comments in a process that is likely to take several months given the scale of the investigation.

The CCI will then issue its final order, which will be released publicly.

Risk of significant fines

India is the world's second-largest producer of crude steel, and demand for the alloy has been rising as infrastructure spending has increased in the fast-growing major economy.

JSW Steel has 17.5% of the Indian market, Tata Steel 13.3% and SAIL 10%, according to data from commodities consultancy BigMint.

In the last fiscal year to March 2025, JSW Steel reported standalone revenues of $14.2 billion, while Tata Steel's were $14.7 billion.

The CCI is empowered to impose penalties on steel companies of up to three times their profit or 10% of turnover, whichever is higher, for each year of wrongdoing. Individual executives can also be fined.

JSW and SAIL have denied the allegations before the CCI, according to two people familiar with the matter, who declined to be named because the case was confidential.

One of them said JSW had also submitted its response to the CCI, and denied the allegations.

At 0852 GMT, shares in JSW Steel extended losses to 1.33%, SAIL was down 3.2%, and Tata Steel turned negative and fell as much as 0.7%. The main Nifty Metal Index also turned negative in Mumbai trade.

Whatsapp chats reviewed The CCI opened the case after Coimbatore Corporation Contractors Welfare Association alleged in a case it brought before a Tamil Nadu state court in 2021 that steel companies had hiked prices by 55% during a six-month period to March 11 that year, and were artificially boosting prices by restricting supply to builders and consumers.

After the public prosecutor said the issue was an antitrust matter, the judge then ordered the CCI to take "appropriate action" on the complaint of the association, whose members are involved in road and highway construction.

Other companies in the CCI document that were found to have allegedly colluded on prices, were Shyam Steel Industries, state-run Rashtriya Ispat Nigam and other smaller-sized firms. Shyam and Rashtriya did not respond to Reuters queries.

The CCI has asked the steel companies to submit their audited financial statements for the eight financial years to 2023, the October order showed. The watchdog typically seeks such details to calculate potential penalties.

While the October order did not detail the evidence analysed, an internal CCI document from July 2025 said officials had uncovered WhatsApp messages exchanged between regional industry groups of steel product makers that suggested wrongdoing.
Facebook-owner Meta said it would delay rolling out its latest smartglasses model to countries outside the U.S. amid high demand from American customers.

The Ray-Ban Display smartglasses, developed in partnership with Franco-Italian eyewear group EssilorLuxottica, had been planned to be made available for sale in Canada, France, the U.K. and Italy early this year. But soaring demand and limited stock mean that rollout will be delayed, Meta communications manager Lisa Brown Jaloza wrote in a blog post on the tech groups website.

Since launching [the model] last fall, weve seen an overwhelming amount of interest, and as a result, product wait lists now extend well into 2026," Brown Jaloza wrote. Because of this unprecedented demand and limited inventory, weve decided to pause our planned international expansion."

Well continue to focus on fulfilling orders in the U.S. while we re-evaluate our approach to international availability," she said.

EssilorLuxottica, which makes Ray-Bans as well as Oakleys and other brands of eyewear, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The company last year said its partnership with Meta had boosted sales and that it expected to book further acceleration in its top line as more consumers take to glasses integrated with technology.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display was launched in the U.S. last year, furthering a growing boom in wearable tech. The device can be used to take photographs and stream content and unlike previous smartglasses, the model features a small display that the wearer can see from the corner of his or her eye. The glasses are also linked to artificial-intelligence features, such as AI assistants, via users smartphones.

We continue to lead the industry in AI glasses," Metas founder and chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, told investors at the companys most recent trading update.

A pickup in AI functionality has driven a spurt in wearable tech in recent years. Google plans to release its own pair of glasses powered by its large language model Gemini this year, while ChatGPT owner OpenAI is set to release its own family of AI devices by 2027.

Write to Joshua Kirby at joshua.kirby@wsj.com
Israel's foreign minister has held talks with Somaliland's president on his first visit to the breakaway region since Israel controversially recognised it as an independent country.

Gideon Saar said Israel was determined to advance relations with Somaliland "with momentum", while President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi hailed his visit as a "big day".

Last month Israel became the first country in the world to recognise Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia more than 30 years ago.

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Somalia sees Somaliland as being part of its territory, and condemned Saar's visit as "unacceptable interference" in its affairs.

Saar posted on X that his talks with Abdullahi focused on the "entirety of our relations".

He also addressed the backlash to Israel recognising Somaliland as an independent state, saying the decision was not made "against anyone".

"Only Israel will determine for itself who it recognises," he added.

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In a statement released by his office, Abdullahi said Israel had taken a "courageous decision" and Somaliland would cooperate with it in the "strategic interest".

Saar said Abdullahi had accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel, but the Somaliland leader's office did not confirm this.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre.

Israel's recognition of Somaliland last month came as a surprise, with Netanyahu citing Somaliland's "right to self-determination".

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This move sparked international condemnation and prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

China, Turkey and the African Union were among those criticising Israel's step, while the European Union said Somalia's sovereignty should be respected.

The US defended Israel, accusing its critics of double standards.

Somaliland hopes that Israel's decision will have a domino effect, and other states will recognise its independence.

But on Saturday, India's foreign ministry dismissed as "fake" claims on social media that it intends to do so.

Abdullahi has said Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the Trump administration in 2020, which saw a number of Arab states officially establish ties with Israel.

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Israel has pledged to co-operate with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.

Analysts say there are strategic reasons for Israel's declaration.

"Israel requires allies in the Red Sea region for many strategic reasons, among them the possibility of a future campaign against the Houthis," Israeli think tank the Institute for National Security Studies said, referring to Yemen's Iran-backed rebels, in a paper last month.

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Bengaluru: Information technology (IT) major Wipro Ltd has increased its presence in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, leasing 145,157 sq. ft of office space for five years at Mindspace Business Parks in Navi Mumbais Airoli East.

The Bengaluru-headquartered company will pay a monthly rent of 97.25 lakh (at 67 per sq. ft) and an annual rent escalation of 5%. The space has been leased from Mindspace Business Parks Pvt. Ltd (a unit of Mindspace REIT), as per registration documents accessed by CRE Matrix, a real estate data analytics firm.

The documents indicate that the office space will be handed over on 7 January, and rent will commence on 1 April. The lease terms also include an 84-day rent-free period.

Wipro has been expanding its real estate footprint steadily at the same location. The current lease transaction follows the IT major's acquisition of 387,000 sq. ft at the same property last year for a monthly rent of 2.47 crore.

Also Read | Wipro to enter pet food market with new brand HappyFur

The lease of 145,157 sq. ft at Mindspace SEZ, Airoli by Wipro from Mindspace Business Parks underscores the structural strength of Navi Mumbais SEZ office market. The transaction reflects how large IT occupiers continue to prioritise long-term cost visibility and operational scale over short-term flexibility," said Abhishek Kiran Gupta, chief executive officer (CEO), CRE Matrix.

Deals of this nature reinforce Airolis positioning as a value-efficient extension of Mumbais office ecosystem, where institutional landlords and blue-chip tenants converge on stability, scalability, and predictable cash flows, Gupta said.

Mindspace Business Parks REIT and Wipro didn't respond to queries sent by Mint.

IT companies, once the largest occupiers of office space, had slowed the expansion of their office footprint post-pandemic.

Also Read | Wipro Consumer Care VC plans exits, sharpens focus on packaged foods

Now that employees are returning to the office, their office space requirements have also increased. In 2025, Tata Consultancy Services leased 1.4 million sq. ft at 360 Business Park in suburban Bengaluru's Electronic City, in one of the largest office lease transactions in recent times.
Tech Mahindra Ltds chief executive Mohit Joshi seeks to close in on the profitability goal this fiscal, accelerating the turnaround at Indias fifth-largest software services provider to shore up revenue.

Addressing at least 300 company executives in a virtual townhall in the last week of December, Joshi nudged the senior leaders to get closer to the 15% operating margin by March this year, according to two people privy to the development.

London-based Joshi, who took over the top job two years ago, is also pushing teams to accelerate AI training for employees, win more deals at higher rates, and reduce the time staff spend away from projects, said the people quoted earlierthey asked not to be identified as details are not public.

Tech Mahindra CEOs push to win more revenue comes as the company lags its large information technology (IT) services peers in growth. The Pune-based company is nearing the final phase of Project Fortius, a three-year turnaround roadmap unveiled in April 2024. It aimed at increasing its operating margin to 15% by March 2027, outpacing the countrys six largest IT services companies, and focusing on organic growth.

The first of the two executives cited above said, The company will focus on improving revenue growth once the margin target is breached. For so long, we have focused on organic growth, and our focus will be on making that better."

According to Phil Fersht, chief executive of HFS Research, the levers for margin expansion are clearly visible: tighter cost control, portfolio pruning, pyramid rationalization, and early benefits from delivery simplification. However, achieving this (15% profitability) a full year early would likely require continued benign demand conditions and disciplined execution with no slippage on pricing or utilisation."

Margin focus is paying off

The turnaround plan has bolstered margins for Tech Mahindra since it announced the plan to expand its profitability. Its operating margins have doubled to 12.1% as of the three months ended September 2025, widening 100 basis points from the preceding three months. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point.

When the management outlined Project Fortius, Joshi said the company would accelerate growth from our top 80 accounts," while eliminating accounts that fetch less revenue at low margins.

Kotak Institutional Equities expects Joshis margin expansion strategy to pay off.

Incremental margin levers are limited for most IT services companies, with the exception of TechM, which remains on track to achieve its stated aspirations by FY2027," wrote Kotak analysts Kawaljeet Saluja, Sathishkumar S, and Vamshi Krishna in a note dated 2 January.

Higher billable rates

The management has also instructed leaders to increase the rates charged during project renewals to shore up the top line.

In order to boost revenue growth, the company is looking at increasing billable rates whenever a project is coming up for renewal," said the second executive on condition of anonymity.

According to a Mint analysis, the companys growth has not exceeded 2% in any of the last six quarters even as larger peers have grown faster. Tech Mahindras revenue contracted in two of the last six quarters and in the last fiscal.

The software services provider is also reducing the time spent by employees away from projects, the executives quoted earlier said.

We are being told that the bench period is coming down to around 90 days or less in many cases," said the first executive. Earlier, employees could be without a project for months at a stretch, but that is now changing under Joshi."

Deploying employees on projects immediately ensures that they can be billed, increasing revenue. Traditionally, IT companies bill their clients based on the time employees spend on a project.

In the second quarter ended September, its revenue rose 1.41% sequentially to $1.59. The company is expected to announce its third-quarter results on 16 January.

Also Read | Tech Mahindra appoints Santosh Jha to lead GCC push amid industry-wide shift

Tech Mahindras revenue in the April-September 2025 period rose 0.06% against a decline of 0.25% a year earlier. The company needs $3.11 billion in revenue in the ongoing six months to match last years revenue of $6.26 billion. It is likely to meet its third-quarter revenue target of $1.56 billion unless it loses business.

Still, fewer working days in the second half because of the holiday season in the third quarter could be a dampener. At least five brokerages expect an average revenue growth of 0.5% on a sequential basis in Q3.

Tech Mahindra is also scaling up AI training for each of its 1,52,400 employees with basic automation tools. According to both executives, AI certifications are mandatory for all employees. According to the companys annual report for FY25, about 65% of its associates were upskilled in AI last fiscal.

Our structured AI proficiency framework spans progressive levels: AI White Belt (introductory skills), AI Blue Belt (foundational knowledge), AI Brown Belt (advanced application), and AI Black Belt (expertise and leadership)," said a Tech Mahindra spokesperson in an emailed response.

This framework combines robust in-house training modules with carefully curated external courses," the spokesperson said. To date, we have trained over 80,000 employees in AI and GenAI, and continue to strengthen our talent ecosystem through sustained upskilling and reskilling, ensuring our workforce remains aligned with evolving client needs."

Shares of Tech Mahindra ended 0.78% lower on Monday at 1,600 compared to a 0.3% decline in the benchmark Nifty 50.
Union Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27, as the nation counts down the number of days to one of the biggest domestic financial announcements of the year.

Every year since 2017, the Union Budget of India has been shifted to 1 February of every year, which allows the Union Parliament enough time to approve the annual budget before the beginning of the upcoming financial year.

Union Budget date According to a recent NDTV Profit report citing officials aware of the development, the Union Budget 2026-27 is scheduled to be tabled in the parliament on Sunday, 1 February 2026. However, this date has not been formally approved by the central government.

People around the country still remain in confusion after the Budget date fell on a weekend, prompting discussions about whether or not it is going to be postponed to Monday, 2 February 2026.

According to an earlier PTI report citing people aware of the development, Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on Sunday.

We have a fixed day for the presentation of the general budget. The concept of Sunday was brought by the British, they told the news agency.

However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the decision on the dates will be taken by the Cabinet Committee. These decisions are taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs at an appropriate time, he said, cited in the agency report.

Before 2017, the general budget for the financial year was tabled at the parliament on the last day of February every year.

Union Budget Trivia Over the years, the Union Budget has transformed from a briefcase to a Bahi Khata and now a tablet. The old budget briefcase was replaced with a red-colored bahi khata in 2019.

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget on a digital tablet, marking a step of modernisation in India.

In 1950, under the Finance Minister John Mathai, despite the high security during the printing of the Union Budget, the documents were leaked. Since then, the Budget printing was shifted from Rashtrapati Bhawan to Minto Road.

Since 1980, the Budget printing has been shifted to the North Block basement.
New Delhi: The Union finance ministry on Tuesday announced the second pipeline of 852 infrastructure projects, dominated by highways, to be developed under the public-private partnership model with a combined cost of over 17 trillion.

The development follows the announcement in the Union budget for FY26 to prepare a three-year project pipeline for developing infrastructure under public-private partnership (PPP). This provides early visibility of potential PPP projects for investors, developers and other stakeholders to make more informed planning and investment decisions, the ministry said.

The projects would include energy, transportation and logistics, social and commercial infrastructure, water and sanitation sectors.

Also Read | Centre may unveil credit cover for microfinance lenders in Budget

The highest number of projects would come under the Union ministry of road transport and highways (Morth)108 projects, with an estimated cost over 8.76 trillion, according to data provided by the ministry.

The other departments and ministries concerned include power (46 projects worth 3.40 trillion); water resources, river development and Ganja rejuvenation (29 projects costing 12,253 crore); shipping and waterways (22 projects worth 37,644 crore).

Centre to drive bulk of PPP spending Of the total investment of 17 trillion targeted under the three-year National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) 2.0, central government ministries and departments account for the bulk of 13 trillion of investment in PPP projects, while the remaining 4 trillion is expected in public-private partnership projects at the state level and across Union territories.

A large part of PPP projects is expected to come via investments in roads and highways awarded under the build, operate and transfer (BoT) route, where investment would be sought from the private sector. In addition, Morth will take up investment in access-controlled highways to build a high-speed golden quadrilateral of expressways.

The railways, which has been slow to initiate PPP projects, is also likely to secure investment in high-speed network development and freight trains, apart from expanding the manufacturing capabilities of semi high-speed trains such as Vande Bharat trains.

For ports and highways, PPP initiatives are likely to gain ground over the next three years in building shipbuilding clusters and ship repair facilities. Also, the government will step up investment in creating new greenfield mega ports while expanding and modernising existing ones.

The new three-year National Infrastructure Pipeline or NIP 2.0 follows NIP 1.0, which was launched in 2019 to attract investment in infrastructure projects with a project cost of more than 100 crore. This NIP projected an outlay of more than 100 trillion over the five years until the end of 2024-25 across transport, energy, urban and rural development, and digital infrastructure projects.

Also Read | Govt asks states to ready land, infra for EV charger rollout

According to ratings agency Icra Ltd, as of March 2025, NIP 1.0 covered 13,000 projects with a total cost of 185 trillion, nearly half of which is concentrated in the transport sector. This compares to more than 6,800 projects with an investment of 111 trillion when the NIP was launched.

Over the years, around 3,500 projects with an estimated investment of 25 trillion were added to NIP 1.0, of which around 17-18 trillion has been added to the transport sector, chiefly in roads and bridges. In FY25, eight sectors were added, increasing the list to 33 sectors.

There were 57 sub-sectors as of March 2024, which went up to 79 by March 2025.

Indias focus on strengthening infrastructure, reducing fossil fuel consumption, fighting climate change and providing housing for all is visible through the NIP investments. However, the completion of projects was low at 20% as of March 2024, with work underway on another 45% of the project, the Icra report said.

According to the Global Infrastructure Outlook 2017 published by Oxford Economics, the estimated global infrastructure investment requirement is $94 trillion from 2016 to 2040. Of this, 50% is required in Asia alone (with China, India and Japan being major contributors), and the roads and electricity sub-sectors will constitute 67% of these investment needs. Another study has estimated that while the demand for infrastructure is growing at about $4 trillion per annum, the supply of infrastructure is growing at only $2.7 trillion annually, leading to a deficit of $1-1.5 trillion per annum.

The government estimates that India would need to spend $4.51 trillion on infrastructure by 2030 to realise the vision of a $5 trillion economy, and to continue on an escalated trajectory until 2030.

Also Read | India must put a national competition policy on top of its reform agenda
NEW DELHI : Amid rising trade uncertainty and shifting geopolitical alignments, India is recalibrating its export strategy to push into new markets while easing long-standing credit and access constraints for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The centre has rolled out a 25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission that pairs structured market access with cheaper export credit, signalling a sharper, more targeted playbook for MSMEs. Heres whats new, how it differs from earlier schemes, and why it matters nowMint explains.

What is the Export Promotion Mission (EPM)?

The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a five-year programme, running from FY26 to FY31, approved by the Union Cabinet to strengthen Indias export ecosystem. Its objectives include lowering export costs, widening access to trade finance, diversifying export markets and improving export competitivenessespecially for MSMEs.

Announced in the Union Budget for FY26, the mission is jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce, the ministries of MSME and Finance, with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as the nodal agency.

Also Read | Muted markets, export hit keep India at third spot in Oct

How is the EPM structured?

EPM operates through two distinct sub-schemes:

Niryat Protsahan, which focuses on trade finance and credit support; and

Niryat Disha, which targets non-financial enablers such as market access, branding, regulatory compliance, logistics and trade intelligence.

Of the total 25,060-crore outlay, 10,400 crore has been earmarked for Niryat Protsahan and 14,660 crore for Niryat Disha.

What is Market Access Support (MAS)?

Market Access Support (MAS), launched under Niryat Disha, is aimed at helping exportersparticularly MSMEs and first-time exportersconnect with overseas buyers and enter priority and emerging markets.

The scheme supports participation in international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, reverse buyer-seller meets hosted in India, and targeted trade delegations abroad.

How is MAS different from earlier schemes?

Unlike earlier export promotion efforts that were largely event-driven, MAS introduces structured planning and outcome measurement.

The government will prepare a rolling three-to-five-year calendar of major market access events. Mandatory online feedback will assess buyer quality, leads generated and market relevance. All applications and approvals will be routed through the trade.gov.in portal to improve transparency and reduce delays.

At least 35% MSME participation is mandatory for supported events, with a special emphasis on new geographies. Small exporters with turnover of up to 75 lakh will also be eligible for partial airfare support to lower entry barriers.

Also Read | India tops again: Export rebound in November puts it ahead of EM peers

What financial support is on offer to MSMEs?

Under the Niryat Protsahan sub-scheme, the Centre has rolled out two key financial interventions to ease working-capital constraints and improve access to bank finance for MSME exporters.

The interest support scheme offers a base subvention of 2.75% on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit. Additional incentives may be provided for exports to under-represented or emerging markets.

The support applies to a notified positive list of six-digit tariff lines covering about 75% of Indias tariff universe with high MSME participation. An annual cap of 50 lakh per exporter has been set for FY26, with rates to be reviewed twice a year.

What is the export credit collateral guarantee?

The export credit collateral guarantee scheme, implemented in partnership with the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises, provides up to 85% guarantee cover for micro and small exporters and up to 65% for medium exporters.

The guarantee is subject to a cap of 10 crore per exporter per year and is intended to encourage banks to expand lending to export-oriented MSMEs by lowering credit risk.

Why does this matter now?

The timing of these measures is critical. India has faced one of its steepest tariff challenges after the US imposed duties of up to 50% on certain Indian exportsamong the highest applied to any major American trading partner apart from Brazil.

Despite this, Indias trade has held up better than expected. Merchandise exports in AprilNovember 202526 stood at $292.07 billion, up from $284.60 billion a year earlier, while imports rose to $515.21 billion from $487.93 billion.

MSME exports account for about 45% of Indias total exports, but smaller firms continue to face high borrowing costs, limited collateral and weak access to overseas buyers. By combining market access support with targeted credit interventions, EPM aims to address both demand-side and supply-side constraints and help MSMEs integrate more deeply into global value chains.

How big is Indias MSME base?

India has about 74.4 million registered MSMEs. Maharashtra leads with around 9.7 million units, followed by Uttar Pradesh (8.1 million), Tamil Nadu (6.0 million), Karnataka (4.8 million) and Madhya Pradesh (4.6 million).

Nearly 15.6 million MSMEs operate in manufacturing, about 26.5 million in services and close to 32.3 million in trading. Together, they employ roughly 326 million peoplehighlighting why easier access to export markets and credit can have a broad impact on jobs, exports and economic growth.

Also Read | Centre rolls out interest support, credit guarantee to push MSME exports

What do exporters say?

The interventions will help exporters, especially labour-intensive MSMEs, in getting affordable credit. As a result, we expect the finance costs of MSME exporters to decrease, making them more competitive in global markets," said Pankaj Chadha, chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC).

However, Chapter 72 has been completely left out despite having a major contribution from MSME exporters. We hope the government will consider this chapter in future revisions," he added.

Chapter 72 refers to iron and steel under the Harmonised System of international trade classification.
The Donald Trump administration has spoken to several oil companies to invest in Venezuela, according to a CNBC report quoting a White House official on Monday.

Following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump on Saturday had said that oil companies will invest billions of dollars to rebuild the infrastructure in the South American country.

Taylor Rogers, the White House spokesperson quoted by CNBC, however did not specify which companies the administration had spoken to.

All of our oil companies are ready and willing to make big investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure, which was destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime, she was quoted as saying by the media outlet.

Also Read | Venezuela sees heavy gunfire near Caracas presidential palace, videos emerge

Trump proposes reimbursement According to a separate report by NBC News, Donald Trump said he believes that the US oil industry could expand its operations in Venezuela in less than 18 months.

I think we can do it in less time than that, but itll be a lot of money, Trump reportedly told NBC News on Monday.

He hinted at a reimbursement tactic to bring in more investment.

A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue, the US President was quoted as saying by the news channel.

As per NBC News, oil companies are likely to base their decision on whether the US government agrees to reimburse the oil industry's costs in Venezuela, or says that future revenue is sufficient repayment.

Trump has not said anything about how much money he thinks may cost oil companies to revive and upgrade Venezuela's oil infrastructure, which has seldom been touched for decades.

Itll be a very substantial amount of money will be spent by the oil companies, according to Trump, who seemed confident they would do very well.

And the country will do well, he added, as per NBC News.

What do oil companies want? Earlier, Reuters reported quoting sources that the three biggest oil companies Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron, have not yet spoken to the Trump administration following Maduro's ouster.

The statement of the four oil industry executives familiar with the matter and quoted by Reuters, comes in contradiction with Trump's claims that he had held meetings with all US oil companies s, both before and since Maduro was seized.

Nobody in those three companies has had conversations with the White House about operating in Venezuela, pre-removal or post-removal to this point, one person quoted by Reuters said.

As per the Reuters report, the Trump administration is now planning to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production with US oil companies in a meeting scheduled later this week.
It is being said that acclaimed actor Sebastian Stan is in talks to join the cast of The Batman Part II, the highly anticipated sequel to Matt Reeves 2022 hit.

Sebastian Stan to join Robert Pattinson's The Batman II? According to an exclusive report by Deadline, if negotiations conclude successfully, Stan would join Robert Pattinson  reprising his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman  and Scarlett Johansson in what is shaping up to be one of DC Studios most intriguing casting developments in recent years. DC Studios has not commented on the discussions.

Stan, best known for his decade-plus tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, has become one of Hollywoods most recognisable performers in the superhero genre.

Also Read | Cannes Palme dOr winner Cristian Mungiu to direct film Fjord starring Sebastian Stan

He most recently appeared in Marvels Thunderbolts and is set to feature in Avengers: Doomsday later in 2026. His move towards a major role in a DC picture marks a rare cross-franchise transition for an actor of his stature.

The role Stan is being considered for in The Batman Part II remains unknown, and no details have been confirmed publicly by the studio. However, speculation from industry observers suggests the part could be substantial and central to the films narrative.

Some reports link Stan to Harvey Dent, the Gotham district attorney who becomes the villainous Two-Face in DC Comics lore, though this has not been officially verified.

More about The Batman II Matt Reeves returns to write and direct the sequel, which Warner Bros. intends to open in theatres on 1 October 2027. Production is expected to begin in the spring of 2026. Reeves is working from a script that continues the grounded, noir-inspired tone of the 2022 original, which grossed more than $770 million worldwide and helped establish Pattinsons portrayal of the Caped Crusader as a fan favourite.

Johanssons involvement, reported last year, added to the films media buzz. Like Stan, she is best known for her work in the MCU, where she portrayed Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow across multiple productions. Her role in the Batman sequel has not been disclosed, though some sources suggest she may play a character tied to Gothams legal and political landscape, possibly connected to Dents arc.

The casting of Stan and Johansson represents a notable infusion of performers who have defined recent superhero cinema into a franchise that, until now, has maintained a separate creative identity from the wider DC Universe being shaped by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. While The Batman Part II exists under the DC Studios banner, it is intended as a distinct Elseworlds project with greater creative autonomy.

In addition to Pattinson, the sequel is expected to bring back several key characters from the first film.

Colin Farrell will reprise his role as Oswald Oz Cobblepot/The Penguin, while Jeffrey Wright and Andy Serkis are expected to return as Commissioner James Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth, respectively. Barry Keoghans Joker may also appear in some capacity, though the nature of his involvement remains unconfirmed.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing to January 7 on a plea filed by the makers of Vijays film Jana Nayagan, seeking directions to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a censor certificate so the film can be released on January 9.

High Court asks CBFC to submit complaint as Jana Nayagan censor row continues When the case was heard, Justice P T Asha asked the CBFC to submit a copy of the complaint which claimed the film hurts religious sentiments. The filmmakers told the court that although the film was initially recommended for a U/A certificate, it was later sent for review.

Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan stars Vijay, Pooja Hegde and Mamitha Baiju. The producers have announced a theatrical release on January 9, during the Pongal festival. However, the censor certificate has not yet been issued. The film was submitted for certification on December 18.

Also Read | Jana Nayagan vs Parasakthi advance booking: Malaysia works wonders for Vijay

On December 19, the examining committee reportedly asked for certain scenes to be removed and some dialogues to be muted. The producers said they made the required changes and resubmitted the film, but the certificate is still pending.

With only days left before release, the production house, K V N Productions, approached the High Court. Their lawyers said the film, made at a cost of about 500 crore, was later recommended for a U/A certificate. However, it was again referred to the Revising Committee following a complaint.

They argued that since the film is not yet public, it is unclear how such a complaint was made, and requested the court to direct the CBFC to grant the certificate so the film can be released in three languages.

Appearing for the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General A R L Sundaresan said the Revising Committee has the authority to act on complaints and that the board cannot be forced to issue a certificate within a fixed time.

After hearing both sides, the judge directed the CBFC to submit the complaint by Wednesday. The judge also asked why the release could not be postponed by a day. The producers replied that the date has already been announced and any change would cause heavy losses. The matter was then adjourned to January 7.
THE FINAL foreign visitors to meet Nicolas Maduro in Caracasprior to his unscheduled rendezvous with American troopswere senior Chinese diplomats. Just hours before he was snatched from his bedroom, Mr Maduro received a delegation led by Xi Jinpings special envoy for Latin America. China and Venezuela! United!" declared the beaming Venezuelan president, extolling the strength of the countrys strategic relationship with China. It is thus not hard to see why China reacted with such shock to Donald Trumps stunning intervention in Venezuela. Not only did America capture one of Chinas closest South American allies, it also exposed the limits of Chinese power.

Some have asked whether Americas actions in Caracas could pave the way for something similar in Taipei. If America has shown that it can scoff at international law and kidnap a foreign leader whom it dislikes, what is stopping China from following its example across the Taiwan strait? But the parallel is far from exact. Chinas obstacle is not respect for international lawit views reunification as a purely domestic matter. Chinas main concern is whether an invasion of Taiwan would be successful. In that sense the Venezuelan case is not particularly instructive. China would be aiming for much more than the extraction of a single autocrat. Its goal is the wholesale takeover of a vibrant democracy; and Taiwans defences are almost certainly stronger than Venezuelas.

The more interesting question is what Mr Maduros capture means for Chinas standing with its partners around the world. Venezuela has been the biggest recipient of official Chinese loans and grants in South America, receiving about $106bn between 2000 and 2023, according to AidData, a research centre at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Much of that flowed to Venezuelan infrastructure projects, especially for energy production. In recent years China has shifted its focus to restructuring debt because of Venezuelas economic troubles. And China has become indispensable as one of the few countries defying American sanctions. Although China gets only about 5% of its oil imports from Venezuela, that is enough to account for a whopping 80% of international demand for Venezuelan crude.

These economic linkages have brought the two countries together politically. Sticking up for Venezuela has been a way for China to advocate for its vision of multipolarity"shorthand for a world in which America is less dominant and China more so. In 2023 China upgraded its relationship with Venezuela to an all-weather" partnership, a diplomatic designation signalling closeness that it assigns to just a handful of countries. And Venezuela has been the biggest buyer of Chinese weapons in South America, including radars that appear to have offered little help to Mr Maduro.

Yet Chinas strategic support turns out, in the final analysis, to have been largely rhetorical. This was a lesson that Iran already learned when American jets bombed its nuclear facilities last June, eliciting criticism from China but not much else. Over the past few months China has regularly condemned Americas military deployment near Venezuela. In the wake of the raid on Caracas, China denounced America for violating Venezuelan sovereignty. But aside from strong words, what did it do for Mr Maduro at his time of need? China has developed, yet is wary about exporting, advanced weapons systems that could provide a stronger deterrent against American attacks. Chinas all-weather partners may start to ask if it really is willing to protect them against fierce stormsor just to be their chum when the sun is shining.

The snatching of Mr Maduro is also a reality check for Chinas self-image as a true global player. The Trump corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine, featured in Americas new national security strategy in December, vowed to deny non-hemispheric competitors" the ability to position military forces or control strategic assets in the western hemisphere. The target was clear: China. Days later, China issued its first policy paper on Latin America for nearly a decade, casting the region as integral to the global order Mr Xi hopes to shape. More visceral were images of a computer-simulated wargame broadcast in December on Chinese state television. It pitted red units against a blue enemy near Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico.

In the real world, China has expanded its footprint in South America, much to the concern of officials in Washington. Satellite images indicate that it has built electronic-surveillance sites in Cuba. In Argentina it runs a deep-space radio station. From nickel mining to electric-vehicle production, Chinese companies are becoming an economic force in Brazil. And Chinese investors now hold stakes in a swathe of infrastructure across the regionnone more controversial than a Hong Kong conglomerates ownership of ports at either end of the Panama canal. The Trump administration is pushing for those ports to be transferred to American investors. China is standing firm.

Biding without hiding

Yet the raid on Venezuela has prompted some thinkers in Beijing to call for a recalibration of Chinese policy. Jin Canrong of Renmin University argues that China must confront the reality that whatever it does in the region, it is likely to come face to face with America. For now, he argues that China must proceed cautiously on investment there and instead emphasise trade. His idea is to maintain economic ties in South America but to steer them in a less politically fraught direction so as to avoid inflaming tensions with Mr Trumps America.

The biggest losers in all of this are likely to be Latin American countries that are seeking investment from China in areas that intersect with American strategic interests, says Margaret Myers of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced and International Studies in Washington. The irony is that Chinas rhetorical offeran alternative to an overweening Americahas rarely looked so appealing to many in the region. But Mr Maduros fate illustrates that China, for now, lacks both the muscle and the will to deliver that kind of counterpunch to America.
TOKYOChina said it banned the export to Japan of goods with potential military uses, intensifying Beijings retaliation against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over remarks she made about Taiwan.

The export ban takes effect immediately, Chinas Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

The move marks an escalation in Beijings pressure campaign against Tokyo and could pinch Japans economy by squeezing supplies of critical minerals and components used by Japanese factories.

Beijings move also showcases to the rest of the world the economic weapons China has at its disposal to strike back at countries it perceives as adversaries and deter others from speaking out on Taiwan. Beijing considers the self-ruled island democracy part of Chinas territory and hasnt ruled out taking the island by force.

Leader Xi Jinping had already put those weapons on display during its trade tussle with the U.S. last year, when it piled pressure on the U.S. to drop tariffs on Chinese imports by imposing tighter controls on exports of critical minerals and magnets used in everything from jet fighters to computer chips.

China didnt specify exactly which exports to Japan would be subject to the new restrictions. Analysts said that makes the effect on Japans economy hard to gauge.

But a list of so-called dual-use items that could have military applications includes certain rare earth metals, machine tools, electronics including sensors and lasers and a host of other products used in manufacturing.

The engine of the Japanese economy is going to be impacted, potentially," said Akira Igata, project lecturer at the research center for advanced science and technology at the University of Tokyo.

Takaichi enraged Beijing in November by saying that Japan could be dragged into a conflict to defend itself or allies such as the U.S. if China attacked Taiwan. She made the comments only weeks after her appointment as prime minister.

China views Taiwan as a domestic affair and demanded she retract her remarks. Takaichi has refused, saying they were a statement of longstanding, if largely unspoken, Japanese policy.

Beijings retaliation has included berating Tokyo at the United Nations, canceling flights to Japan and threatening a ban on imports of Japanese seafood.

Chinese and Russian warplanes have conducted joint exercises in the airspace near Japan, and Chinese ships have sailed close to disputed islands near Taiwan.

Chinas response has also included intense personal attacks on the Japanese prime minister, linking her with the militarism that fueled Japans brutal actions during World War II.

Tuesdays escalation shows Beijing doesnt intend to let the matter drop. Heigo Sato, a professor of international relations at the Institute of World Studies at Japans Takushoku University, said the broad scope of Chians export-control regulations means Beijing can potentially use these controls as sanctions targeting the strengths of Japanese industry."

The Wall Street Journal reported in November that President Trump had advised Takaichi not to provoke Xi over Taiwan, as the U.S. works toward a trade deal with China. The Japanese government denied the report.

Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the export ban.

Write to Jason Douglas at jason.douglas@wsj.com and Junko Fukutome at junko.fukutome@wsj.com
The U.S. military has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela in successive actions in the Caribbean and North Atlantic.

According to the Associated Press, U.S. forces boarded a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic on Wednesday, seized the vessel and turned over control to law enforcement. The U.S. military had been pursuing the tanker since last month, when it evaded a U.S. blockade on sanctioned oil vessels around Venezuela.

Separately, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters, Reuters reported.

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The seizures come days after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a brazen overnight military operation, prompting questions over who is in control of the Latin American country and its vast oil reserves.

Writing late Tuesday on social media, Trump said Venezuela would soon be turning over about two months' worth of oil  30 to 50 million barrels  to the United States.

Americas intervention in Venezuela has also reignited tensions around Trumps long-stated desire to make Greenland part of the United States. The White House stated in a press release that military force is always an option for annexing the massive, semiautonomous Arctic island, which Trump claims the U.S. needs for national security reasons.

European leaders stood firm in their stance that citizens of the Danish territory should decide their own fate.

Greenland belongs to its people, they wrote in a joint statement.

Our live coverage has ended for the day.
WASHINGTON : A recent classified U.S. intelligence assessment determined top members of Nicolas Maduros regimeincluding Vice President Delcy Rodriguezwould be best positioned to lead a temporary government in Caracas and maintain near-term stability if the autocrat lost power, people familiar with the matter said.

The analysis by the Central Intelligence Agency was briefed to President Trump and shared with a small circle of senior administration officials, according to two of the people. It was a factor in Trumps decision to back Maduros vice president instead of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, some of the people said.

The assessment provides insight into Trumps decision not to support the oppositions bid for control of Venezuela following the brazen U.S. military operation to capture Maduro last week and bring him to the U.S. for trial. As in his first term, Trump was convinced that near-term stability in Venezuela could be maintained only if Maduros replacement had the support of the countrys armed forces and other elites.

Senior Trump administration officials commissioned the CIA to undertake the analytical assessment and debated it during discussions about day-after plans for Venezuela, the people said. The people familiar with the assessment said they were unsure of the precise date it was produced.

The report was briefed to Trump in recent weeks, according to two of the people.

The assessment didnt describe how Maduro could lose power, or advocate for removing him, but attempted to gauge the domestic situation in Venezuela in the event that he did, people familiar with it said.

The intelligence report, the people said, cited Rodriguez and two other top Venezuelan regime figures as possible interim rulers who could keep order. The people familiar with the assessment didnt identify the other two officials, but besides Rodriguez, the two most influential power brokers are Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.

The two hard-liners, who command Venezuelas police and military, could undo any efforts at a transition, according to former U.S. and Venezuelan officials. Both face U.S. criminal charges similar to those filed against Maduro and are unlikely to cooperate with Washington.

The report concluded that Edmundo Gonzalez, widely seen as the actual winner of the 2024 election against Maduro, and Machado would struggle to gain legitimacy as leaders while facing resistance from pro-regime security services, drug-trafficking networks and political opponents.

Machado, who closely aligned herself with the Trump administration, has consistently praised his aggressive policy against Maduro. In October, she said Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize she had won and dedicated it to him for his decisive support of our cause."

Maduro, extracted to New York City, appeared in court Monday to face federal charges of narco-terrorism. He pleaded not guilty.

Late last year, the CIA cultivated a source within Maduros inner circle who provided information on his whereabouts, The Wall Street Journal previously reported. The spy agencys close tracking of Maduros location, which leveraged other surveillance elements including stealth drones, allowed the Armys Delta Force to nab him and his wife during the raid, people familiar with the operation said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials are expected to brief a bipartisan group of lawmakers Monday afternoon on the administrations handling of Venezuela.

Latin America analysts have previously cautioned, including during Trumps first term, that Maduros ouster without a capable replacement would likely empower armed military factions, rival politicians and criminal groups within Venezuela as they fought for control, leading to a security crisis in the country.

David Smilde, a professor at Tulane University who focuses on Venezuela, said it was magical realism" to expect that Machado or another opposition leader could sweep into power. The better course after ousting Maduro, he said, was to compel Rodriguez to initiate a transition of power, but the problem is that it doesnt appear that anyone in the U.S. is actively engaging in negotiations."

The president and his national-security team are making realistic decisions to finally ensure Venezuela aligns with the interests of the United States, and becomes a better country for the Venezuelan people," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She declined to comment specifically on the intelligence assessment.

The Trump administration has offered shifting narratives for how it aims to work with Rodriguez, Venezuelas acting president, who is seen by the U.S. as a pragmatic political operator. Despite initially striking a defiant tone, on Sunday she signaled her willingness to work with the U.S. and has spoken with Rubio.

In a series of television interviews Sunday, Rubio said the U.S. would coerce Rodriguez to act in Americas interests by enforcing a military quarantine" to intercept sanctioned oil tankers, starving Venezuela of oil revenue. But hours later Trump affirmed his preference for direct rule without specifying how Washington would dictate terms in Caracas.

Were in charge," he told reporters. We need total access. We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country."

Trumps embrace of Rodriguez and rejection of the Machado-led opposition blindsided Machados aides and many of her U.S. supporters on Saturday. Machado doesnt have the support or the respect within the country" to take over in a democratic transition, Trump said.

Previously, Trump and his top allies had publicly elevated Machados opposition movement as the best choice to inherit power in a transition. In a Truth Social post in January, Trump praised Machado for peacefully expressing the voices and the WILL of the Venezuelan people." Rubioone of her most prominent backers, who has said he has spoken with her many, many times over the years"signed a letter nominating her for the Nobel Peace Prize. Others close to Trump, including his son, Don Trump Jr., also frequently promoted her as the future of Venezuelan democracy.

But privately, Trump has been wary of backing Venezuelas opposition after concluding it failed to deliver in his first term, says Juan Cruz, who served as the top White House official handling Latin American policy in Trumps at the time.

Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelas state oil company, isolated Maduro diplomatically and sought to spur a rebellion in the military. The effort failed when neither the armed forces nor the broader population rose up, reinforcing Trumps view that the opposition overpromised and underperformed.

Trump sees the opposition as losers, as they failed to deliver," Cruz said. Its an opposition that he sees as unimpressive and having come up short, so why would you just turn it over to them?"

Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com, Dustin Volz at dustin.volz@wsj.com and Vera Bergengruen at vera.bergengruen@wsj.com
Another agreement, another personal triumph. It is my Great Honor to announce that I have just made a Trade Deal with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam," President Donald Trump wrote on July 2nd. Dealing with General Secretary To Lam, which I did personally, was an absolute pleasure." The deal showed countries were caving in to his threats, he said.

It is Mr Trumps second such claimthe first was after an agreement with Britain in Mayfollowing his decision on April 9th to delay Americas sweeping reciprocal" tariffs for 90 days. Officials promised 90 deals in 90 days" by July 9th, but progress has been slow. Mr Trump has said that Canada and the European Union have been very nasty" and Japan very spoiled". The aim now is to secure minimal frameworks" with ten or so countries. It is unclear whether the deadline will hold, and what will happen if it does not. Mr Trump has threatened to send letters declaring talks over and tariffs back on.

How are Americas trading partners navigating the chaos? Mr Trump has earned the nickname TACOTrump Always Chickens Outamong some on Wall Street. Yet his counterparts are playing a similar game. For them, the risk of all-out conflict is too great. Most, aside from China, have chosen a strategy that could be called DOVE: Diplomacy Over Visible Escalation. Canada dropped its plan to tax American tech firms after a furious response from Mr Trump. The EU removed bourbon from its retaliation list after he threatened tariffs of 200% on French wine. Even though the bloc is preparing a package of retaliatory measures covering 95bn ($112bn) of trade to present a credible threat", internal divisions and fear of escalation will probably hold it back from ever putting the measures into practice.

Britains and Vietnams deals were narrow, involving only modest concessionsincluding pledges to curb Chinese influencein return for targeted relief. Britain won a reprieve on car levies and future taxes on plane parts by granting American beef and ethanol access to its market, and pledging limits on Chinese supply-chain involvement, while leaving thornier matters for another day. Vietnam agreed to open up to SUVs and to accept higher tariffs on Chinese packages stopping off in the country on the way to America. It now faces levies of 20% on most goods, down from the 46% threatened in April.

Others are following a similar script, hoping to swap meagre concessions for exemptions. The EU is reportedly willing to accept an overall tariff of 10% in exchange for relief on cars and pharmaceutical products. It is also willing to buy more American weapons and natural gas, and address shared concerns over China. India is on track for an interim deal after doubling oil imports from America and indicating it will purchase more liquefied natural gas, fruit and nuts. Japan has proposed a gradual reduction in auto tariffs tied to direct investment in Americas car industry.

But even such limited deals face obstacles. Domestic politics often makes capitulation impossible. India insists on protecting its dairy and wheat markets. Japan has ruled out accepting tariffs of 25% on cars or making concessions that might anger farmers ahead of an election to the upper house of parliament on July 20th. Uncertainty over Americas sectoral probes, including into medicines and semiconductors, which could result in more tariffs, chills negotiations further. Lee Jae-myung, South Koreas president, has emphasised Chinas importance as a trading partneran example of the regional balancing act many countries face.

As Mr Trumps deadline approaches, expect a few more agreements in principle". Many tariffs will remain, and the stickiest disputesover agriculture, cars and digital-market ruleswill stay unresolved. The ensuing months will then bring more mini-deals and market jitters.

It is unclear what America gains from this. Any attempt to bring back industry is undermined by carve-outs. Levies to extract concessions produce only token purchases. Instead of disciplining trade partners, tariffs have created a fragmented system that leaves everyone guessing.

For more expert analysis of the biggest stories in economics, finance and markets, sign up to Money Talks, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.
President Trump had a vague but tantalizing message for a couple of American oil executives roughly a month before the U.S. captured Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro: Get ready."

Big changes were coming to Venezuela, Trump hinted.

Although Trump gave the executives a hint, he did not provide them with specific details of the strikes on Caracas that unfolded early Saturday, according to people familiar with the matter. Nor did he seek their advice on a plan unveiled the same day to have U.S. energy companies revitalize Venezuelas dilapidated oil fields with multibillion-dollar investments.

But Trumps hint last month reveals how central oil is to his daringand risk-filleddecision to go into Venezuela as well as his close ties to the industry. Trumps plan will hinge in large part on U.S. oil companies willingness to invest in Venezuela, especially Chevron, the only major U.S. company still operating there.

We are going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground," Trump said at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago Saturday. Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an email Monday that Trump is looking forward to working with American oil companies on new investments and opportunities in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, a senior White House official said Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are leading that effort on Trumps behalf, and that correspondence with oil companies has already begun.

As recently as late December, the Trump administration offered Maduro a chance to leave office and live in exile. Maduro, who declined the offer, appeared in U.S. court Monday.

Investors appeared to like the idea that Venezuela could become a new frontier for U.S. oil companies, or a bigger one for Chevron. Chevrons shares rose about 5% Monday. Exxon Mobils shares rose about 2%; ConocoPhillips was up almost 3%.

For now, Chevron has no plans to ramp up spending or boost production significantly, people familiar with the matter said. The Houston oil giant is wary of committing new capital there until the country is more stable and questions around commercial agreements get resolved. It has also never advocated for regime change in Venezuela with the administration, they said.

Chevron remains focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets," a Chevron spokesman said. We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations."

He said Chevron doesnt comment on commercial matters or speculate on future investments.

Venezuelas government estimates the country has about 300 billion barrels of oil in reserves, which, if true, would make it the largest oil bounty on the planet. The countrys current output comes to roughly 900,000 barrels a day, less than 1% of the worlds daily consumption of oil.

Boosting that production would improve economic conditions in the country, which the Trump administration hopes will stem the flow of migrants from Venezuela to the U.S. and keep energy prices low for consumers. But the largest U.S. oil companies best positioned to plow money into Venezuela havent committed to the venture thus far.

Two other U.S. oil companies with the scale and expertise in heavy oil to invest in the Latin American countryConocoPhillips and Exxonhavent signaled any plans to re-enter the country that nationalized their assets there in the mid-2000s. ConocoPhillips has said it is premature to speculate on new investments. Exxon didnt respond to requests for comment.

The large oil companies lack of an immediate appetite to make new investments in Venezuela could be a significant blow to the Trump administrations attempt to overhaul the countrys government, said Dan Pickering, chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners.

If youre going into Venezuela, youve got to have terms that you think are going to protect you from the Venezuelans and, frankly, protect you from a different administration in the U.S.," he said of the companies.

Chevron, which has been in Venezuela for more than a century, is best-equipped to revitalize Venezuelas oil fields. It stayed in the country even as other Western oil companies exited after the Venezuelan government in 2007 nationalized the industry, and the company has ongoing relationships with current government officials.

Chevron has detailed plans in which it could dramatically expand in Venezuela under certain scenarios, a person familiar with the matter said. To move forward, however, it would need to be relatively certain that its employees can operate safely in the country, and that it can get its money out.

Among the issues Chevron and other oil giants must consider: who is in charge in Venezuela, what policies will govern contracts, whether the rule of law will protect the sanctity of those contracts, the ability to export crude, and the costs of fixing infrastructure. Even if oil companies decide to invest, it could take years for Venezuelas oil production to dramatically increase.

Though it is in a better position to ramp up investments in Venezuela than any other U.S. company, Chevron would prefer to keep producing at its current levels for now, while it focuses on ensuring the safety of the employees it already has there, people familiar with the matter said.

Any large capital investment Chevron makes in the country would have to compete, in terms of its potential for investment returns, with other opportunities in its global portfolio, these people said. Those opportunities include a generational oil discovery in Guyana, where it acquired a 30% stake when it bought Hess last year. It is planning to spend $7 billion on offshore drilling projects this year in places like the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf of Mexico, which the Trump administration is calling the Gulf of America.

A White House official said the administration has had conversations with multiple oil companies.

All of our oil companies are ready and willing to make big investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure, which was destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime," said Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman. American oil companies will do an incredible job for the people of Venezuela and will represent the United States well."

Write to Collin Eaton at collin.eaton@wsj.com and Alex Leary at alex.leary@wsj.com
Venezuelas new leader has a narrow path to survival: Appease both the hard-line remnants of Nicolas Maduros regime and President Trump at the same time.

Delcy Rodriguezs dilemma was illustrated in the hours after Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were snatched from their bedroom by U.S. commandos on Saturday. Rodriguez, a true-believer socialist, hit the airwaves with a defiant tone, denouncing an imperialist attack and declaring that her boss remained the nations rightful leader.

By the next day, Rodriguez appeared on television leading a cabinet meeting as the acting president and seemed to offer an olive branch to Trump, an archnemesis who has threatened stronger actions unless the regime in Caracas submits.

We prioritize moving toward balanced and respectful international relations between the United States and Venezuela," Rodriguez said, premised on sovereign equality and noninterference."

Rodriguezs tone shift highlighted the balance that her shaky interim leadership is testing out as she tries to withstand U.S. pressure while keeping the countrys so-called revolutionary government from dissolving into factional infighting.

View Full Image A picture of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores was unveiled at the National Assembly on Monday.

On the one hand, Rodriguez is hoping to appeal to Trumps transactional tendencies by granting U.S. firms new deals in Venezuelas vast oil fields. In doing so, Rodriguez, once Maduros top economic adviser, would want to relieve U.S. pressure on the country without having to make deep democratic reforms.

But at the same time, concessions to Washington could threaten stability and the unity between the regimes main power brokers. For hard-line leftists and self-proclaimed anti-imperialist figures such Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrinowho control the nations police, army and paramilitary forcessurrender to the U.S. is the ultimate form of treason.

Shes sandwiched between U.S. firepower and Venezuelan firepower," said David Smilde, a professor who tracks Venezuelan politics at Tulane University. She cant kowtow too much."

Trump says the U.S. will effectively run Venezuela. That includes maintaining a military encirclement of the Caribbean waters that the country uses to export oil while coaxing whats left of Maduros government to hold together and pave the way for American energy companies to return to the South American country. Pressing for democratic transition in the countryin the past a cornerstone of the U.S.s policy toward Venezuelaappears to have been put on the back burner, political analysts said.

View Full Image President Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.

Trumps demands are vague beyond wanting more oil production from Venezuela, with American companies at the center of it. U.S. officials have also said they want drug flows through the country to end and they want to cut off help for U.S. adversaries.

If Rodriguez fails to follow through, she will face a situation probably worse than Maduro," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday.

Washingtons gamble on Venezuela is unique compared with the interim governments that the U.S. propped up in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the U.S. was engaged in a state-building operation and control was kept with American boots on the ground. Here, the only precedent is the old 19th-century gunboat diplomacy where youre telling people you have to do what we want or were coming in," said Smilde. I have my doubts over how effective this can be."

Maduro, who the U.S. has accused of narcoterrorism, had tried to negotiate with the White House by dangling the prospect of tantalizing oil deals for American investors but had little luck. Maduro denies the charges and pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court.

Now, it is Rodriguezs turn to see if she can meet Trumps business demands. In some ways, she and Trump might be on the same page.

Since becoming vice president in 2018, the 56-year-old has consolidated influence as Maduros top interlocutor with the private sector and trade partners. She has long advocated for American oil companies to pump crude in the country and says the only thing keeping them out are the economic sanctions leveled during Trumps first term that bar companies from working in Venezuelas energy sector.

One person close to Rodriguez said Trumps comments are a sign that the U.S. sees her as the most viable replacement to Maduro, one who could keep the country from breaking into conflict. To fulfill Trumps vision, the U.S. might need to relax some of its economic restrictions on Venezuela as well as the enforcement of its partial oil blockade, a potential boon for the economy and Rodriguezs leadership prospects, said the person close to her.

Making the oil industry attractive to American investors, however, will require large-scale changes to industry regulations that were drafted during the tenure of Maduros mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Chavez gave the state majority control over oil projects, services and distribution. Those laws also must be modified by Venezuelas National Assembly, the regime-controlled legislative body that the U.S. and its allies deem as illegitimate.

New regulations must loosen terms for private ownership of energy facilities, potentially unsettling members of the regime, especially the armed forces, who under Maduros reign received lucrative contracts and deals from state energy company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PdVSA, oil analysts say.

They need to depoliticize PdVSA," said Cesar Mata, an energy consultant who has advised the Venezuelan National Assembly on oil policy. Theres a lack of credibility and confidence. As much as you may be friends with Trump, theres a bureaucratic procedure that has to be followed."

View Full Image Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez

On Monday, Rodriguez was formally sworn in as acting head of state at the National Assembly in Caracas, which is led by her brother Jorge Rodriguez, who has long served as Maduros top negotiator with the U.S.

Jorge Rodriguez and other ruling-party loyalists in speeches called for national unity and political compromise. But they also said they would not stray from the socialist principles that have guided them during their more than two decades in power.

We are the guarantors of the prosperity we must construct for all," Jorge Rodriguez said before adding that his main priority will be to bring back my brother, Nicolas Maduro, my president."

As government honchos gathered at the parliament building, the regime was simultaneously ramping up repression on the streets. A new decree published in the Official Gazette on Monday called on police and security forces to immediately begin searching for and arresting dissidents accused of supporting U.S. intervention.

Checkpoints popped up around Caracas with police and paramilitary forces wearing black balaclavas and stopping motorists and pedestrians before going through their phones. At least 14 journalists and photographers were arrested around the city, according to the national press workers union.

For many, it was a sign that while Maduro may be gone, most of his underlings remain in charge for now.

Its very confusing what direction the government is trying to take this," said Carlos Romero, a retired political science professor and author in Caracas. Theres a side thats insisting the regime and the revolution will continue, and then there are those who want its demise, something new. We are facing very difficult days ahead."

Write to Kejal Vyas at kejal.vyas@wsj.com
WASHINGTONWhen Sen. Jacky Rosen (D., Nev.) joined a breakaway group of Democrats to help Republicans end a record-long government shutdown, she cited unimaginable pain and suffering on working people," pointing to the loss of food aid and the snarling of air travel in her tourism-dependent state.

One unmentioned episode weighed on her: a suicide by a woman who was about to start work at Nevadas Creech Air Force Base. The 44-year-old had been unable to find other work after getting furloughed and her husband, also a government contractor, was hunting for a second job to pay the bills. Suffering from hip-related problems and using a cane, she said in a late October suicide note that she didnt want to be a financial burden.

Of course the suicide weighed heavy on me, because our actions herewe dont work in a vacuum," Rosen said in an interview, citing the death as one reason she broke ranks to end the shutdown in November. Our actions have consequences for real people."

Lawmakers return to Washington in a familiar bind, with a deadline looming in just weeks to reach a deal to fund the federal government. Last time around, Senate Democrats used the shutdown as leverage to try to force Republicans to fund enhanced Affordable Care Act coverage. The gambit didnt succeed, but it helped Democrats score political points as the party defending Americans healthcare. Many Republicans argued the subsidies were wasteful.

But Democrats appetite for another shutdown looks diminished in the wake of the 43-day government-funding lapse, driven by centrists who concluded that too much damage was inflicted on American householdsoften the same ones they say they are trying to help.

Many in the party have said that they are uncomfortable about triggering a shutdown at the end of January, when the current short-term funding law expires.

I hope not," said Sen. Jack Reed (D., R.I.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, when asked about the chance of a new shutdown this year. I think its unlikely," said Sen. Angus King (I., Vt.), who caucuses with the Democrats.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) told ABCs This Week" on Sunday that the country wasnt headed toward another shutdown, with funding the government and extending enhanced ACA subsidies on two separate negotiating tracks.

On Monday, House and Senate appropriators released a package funding the Interior, Energy, Commerce and Justice departments, with House passage possible this week, aiming to shield more parts of the government from a shutdown.

Still, some Democrats remain frustrated with Republicans and see spending bills as an effective form of protest. A failed December attempt to pass a group of spending bills highlights why another shutdown cant be entirely ruled out, as Congress tries to enact the remainder of full-year fiscal 2026 spending, with nine of the 12 annual appropriations measures still to be passed into law. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but need 60 votes to advance most legislation.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R., Maine) had been driving toward a deal bundling together almost half a dozen bills, including the two biggest covering defense and the Health and Human Services Department, when the White House budget chief threw a grenade into talks by announcing plans to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a leader in climate and weather research.

The two Democratic senators from Colorado, where the center is based, responded by blocking the appropriations package, plunging the spending process back into turmoil as they sought to protect the centers funding. On Wednesday, President Trump vetoed legislation related to a Colorado water project, which one of the lawmakers, Sen. Michael Bennet (D., Colo.), cast as part of a revenge campaign.

Were going to consider all of our options," Bennet said on Monday night when asked about whether he would try to again use the spending bill as leverage. He noted that the center wasnt specifically protected in the new package released this week that would normally provide guaranteed funding.

Over the weekend, Trump invaded Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro without giving congressional leaders a heads-up, a step that Democrats said was illegal and unconstitutional.

Republicans are now uncertain whether any issues could cause so much strife that Democrats withhold support for spending legislation.

You have conflicting news coming out of a Democrat party thats divided," said Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), the Senate Republican whip. He said Democrats took a lot of blame for the pain of the shutdown and that party leaders want to avoid that. But it doesnt mean all the Democrats want to avoid that," he said.

The waning appetite for a shutdown marks a reversal from months ago, when Democrats were frustrated with Trumps disregard for Congress and were determined to channel the sentiment of a left flank critical that the party wasnt fighting harder. Many Democrats rationalized that the pain of the shutdown was worth it in the service of extending subsidies used by about 20 million Americans to buy health plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

Democrats didnt succeed in renewing the subsidies, and attempts to reach a bipartisan fix havent yet borne fruit. Extending the enhanced ACA benefits for three years, as Democrats have proposed, would add $83 billion to the federal deficit, the Congressional Budget Office has said. Some Republican centrists have urged party leaders to allow a vote on at least a one-year extension, fearing a wipeout in the fall elections.

Schumer has previously hinted that another shutdown over health-insurance subsidies is unlikely. Asked about it at his last press conference of the year, Schumer suggested that the situation is different than in September, since enhanced ACA subsidies will have already expired.

Once it expires, the toothpaste is out of the tube," he said.

Progressives like Sen. Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) say that withholding needed Democratic votes could still be a good strategy.

That would be great," Hirono said when asked if Democrats should hold up most government funding when it expires on Jan. 31 as leverage to ensure the renewal of health insurance. She said that otherwise millions of people are not going to be able to afford their health coverage under the ACA."

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D., Nev.) said she would never support a lapse in government funding, citing the loss of income for Las Vegas waitresses and bartenders, the uncertainty thrown on the skilled workers who keep the countrys nuclear stockpile safe, and the harm to contractors and government workers at military facilities such as Creech Air Force Base and Nellis Air Force Base.

It was highly devastating and I knew it would have a devastating impactif you dont get a paycheck it matters," said Cortez Masto. She was one of only three Senate Democrats who never joined her partys blockade against a stopgap spending billalong with King and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman. We dont need to add to more peoples troubles and concerns because were trying to help another set of Americans," she said.

Write to Siobhan Hughes at Siobhan.hughes@wsj.com
MUMBAI : Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at feedback@livemint.com.

As 2025 draws to a close, advertising finds itself caught between consolidation and reinventionforced to get bigger even as its traditional role grows smaller. Under ordinary circumstances, a multi-billion dollar merger may be considered a sign of a rapidly progressing industry. But the $13.5 billion deal between Interpublic Group and Omnicom in November this year is more a sombre end to an exceptionally rough year for the Big Six (now five) advertising agency networks.

The post-merger Omnicom is now the worlds largest advertising network with $25 billion in revenues, but the network and its peers WPP, Publicis, Havas and Dentsu are contending with their increasing irrelevance. Big Tech firms increasingly eat into the business of advertising and a flood of artificial intelligence (AI) applications are quickly automating all parts of advertising  from creating them, to buying media, to managing campaigns across an endless choice of platforms and content.

These long-term changes are already causing damage to the industry in India. Layoffs are likely to start soon among agencies owned by IPG and Omnicom, especially as the two companies discarded many legendary agencies, including FCB and DDB. We wrote about this in Mint earlier this month; the merger has only made a prevailing anxiety worse.

Also Read | How Indian advertising can become caste-conscious

Per global marketing research firm COMvergence, billings for most of the world's top agency networks have been barely growing or declining. For instance, in 2024, Dentsu's global billings fell to $26.7 billion, from over $29 billion in the previous year. Similarly, WPP Media (earlier known as GroupM) reported billings worth $62.4 billion in 2024, down marginally from the previous year.

Global numbers show a bleak picture. Sales of WPP, the largest advertising network in India (and second largest globally) shrank nearly 6% in the third quarter of this year, per its latest available quarterly filing. However, WPP India grew nearly 7% while nearly all of its territories contracted, thanks to strong new business momentum" in WPP Media (formerly, GroupM). Dentsus net revenue grew 1.4% in the quarter ended September, but its Asia-Pacific business contracted 12.5% during the period; the legacy network is looking to sell all of its international business (outside of Japan), the Financial Times had reported in August this year. This was partly because Dentsu's business in Australia and New Zealand have been struggling after a painful restructuring.

Only the French seem to be holding on. Havas reported a 3.8% growth in sales in the third quarter of the year, led by more than 8% growth in revenue in Asia-Pacific and Africa combined. Meanwhile, Publicis Groupe reported a 5.7% growth in revenue, led by 6.5% jump in Asia Pacific and 12 billion in technology, especially AI, in the last 10 years, the company said in its investor presentation. This is more in line with Accenture Song, the creative services arm of the IT services firm Accenture, whose revenues also grew 8% to $20 billion in the 12-month period ended August 2025.

So, why couldnt all the Big Five networks invest in technology and survive? Some say, they cannot.

Big Tech boogeyman

My personal view on why networks are really struggling? Globally, everyone has gotten focused on the coming quarter and the company bottomline," a senior advertising executive close to the Omnicom-IPG merger in India, told Mint. That stifles innovation. But, a lot of future-focused initiatives and investments will not give Ebitda returns in the long run."

In fact, the executive said, these huge network agencies may not be in a position to nurture any innovation at all.

These legacy networks dont let new things easily simmer or grow within the system," the executive said. So, I think it is less technology and more a culture and control environment, and not a very innovation-focused environment."

Its not for lack of trying. For instance, this April, WPP Media bought Infosum, a data clean room startup. In 2023, Omnicom bought an e-commerce and retail media agency Flywheel. But they arent even leading M&A activity in advertising any longer; data from research firm COMvergence shows that only 19% of all agency acquisitions were done by the Big Six in 2024; in 2016, these networks had accounted for 88% of all acquisitions. Instead, management consultancies and other companies are getting into this business worldwide, and in India.

Also Read | Youth brands shift ad spend from TV to digital amid changing engagement trends

But, acquiring smaller companiesand now each othermay only serve to inflate the size of these agency networks. It may not necessarily make them more likely to adapt to an advertising industry led increasingly by technology.

In 2024, digital advertising surpassed television and that is probably what accelerated the demise of the TVC-first agency," Mairu Gupta, founder and chief executive officer of Antkind Collective told Mint. His agency specializes in marketing brands dealing in climate change and deep tech. These agencies dont understand digital media in depth because media is getting increasingly fragmented. That is where specialised, niche-focused agencies can play a bigger role."

Legacy agencies arent just acquiring technology firms. Some, such as WPP, are also trying their hand at building in-house tools to be used across segments of the advertising business. In June this year, WPP Media launched Open, an AI tool that feeds on consumer data to help the group to build predictive models for their clients and target their campaigns more accurately. Their rivals among legacy agency networks and consulting firms are also investing in similar AI tools.

Global, local, others

The way ads are made are shifting too.

The thing that has not gotten picked up is that the clients are expanding their in-house creative setups," Naresh Gupta, co-founder of independent ad agency Bang In The Middle, told Mint in an interview earlier this month. Clients are increasingly working on basic, everyday creative work. Most tech startups are now doing their own creative work. In fact, most tech startups are not really startups, they are ad agencies. Look at Zomato!"

For context, Zomato was among the first 'new age' Indian firms to build an in-house creative team when its quirky visuals and food-related humour on social media became a benchmark for online brands in the late 2010s. Others such as Swiggy and Dunzo later followed suit.

Larger conglomerates have followed suit. Take Godrej Consumer Products, which set up Lighthouse Creative Lab two years ago. As a result, legendary creative services agencies that the big networks are known for may be fast losing value, at least for Indias best known brands.

Besides, senior ad executives say, the global agency network structure may not work anymore altogether.

Around 30-40 years back, it was all about localized marketing for localized markets," said the senior executive quoted above. Then, it moved to global marketing mandates and now again it is all about nuanced marketing within India for India. Holdcos [holding companies] are good for a globalized market but not so much for such a localized environment."

Regulatory overhang

Finally, agency networks are entering 2026 with two big regulatory challenges.

First, all major networks are under investigation by the Competition Commission of India for allegedly colluding to fix prices when buying media for their clients. In March, the CCI raided the head offices of these agencies, confiscated documents, and questioned top executives. In fact, Madison Communications, founded by Sam Balsara and headed by CEO Ajit Varghese, has filed two petitions in the Delhi High Court challenging the manner of CCIs investigation and asking for protection from the CCIs unconstitutional methods.

Second, now that India has formally notified rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, advertising agencies may have to restructure their processes across many fronts. They may have to change the way they manage personal data for their clients, and everyone in the business may struggle to use personal data to accurately target their intended audience, forcing agencies and their clients to invest more in first party data. As agencies deal with more and more data, they may need to conduct more audits and data reviews, which could make compliance more costly. For now, everyone in the country has until early-mid 2027 to comply with these rules.

However, Navin Khemka, president - client solutions for WPP Media South Asia, says there is little reason to write off the agency business in India.

In adex [advertising expenditure]-to-GDP ratio, we are nowhere near the global average," he told Mint in an interview.

I think there is headroom for adex to double in the next five years. So many new brands and startups are being launched, and they will need a lot of help in terms of go-to-market strategy," Khemka said. "New brands hit a ceiling after initial growth and they dont know what the next step is. This is where the agency will play a very vital role. There is enough and more for all of us to grow."
Bank holidays for Pongal, Lohri, Makar Sankranti: With winter and harvest festivals knocking at the door, banks will be closed in multiple states next week for occasions like Pongal, Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu.

In total, there are up to seven bank holidays next week, including the weekend offs. However, this does not mean that all banks across India will be closed for seven days, as most bank holidays next week are regional holidays and will affect operations in certain states.

That said, there are four straight bank holidays in Tamil Nadu next week due to Pongal and other celebrations, according to the RBI Bank Holiday calendar.

Bank holidays in Tamil Nadu next week There are four consecutive bank holidays in Tamil Nadu in the week between 12 and 18 December. Here is the list of bank holidays in Tamil Nadu next week:

15 January: Banks will be closed in Tamil Nadu for Pongal, the harvest festival of the state. Pongal festivities will begin on 14 January. On 15 January, the state will observe Thai Pongal, the most important day of the festival dedicated to the Sun god.

16 January: Tamil Nadu will observe a bank holiday for Thiruvalluvar Day, a public holiday in the state to mark the contributions of the great Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukkural. The day is celebrated with Pongal festivities.

17 January: Banks will be closed in Tamil Nadu to mark Uzhavar Thirunal, a festival to honour the farmers of the state and celebrate its agrarian roots. This festival coincides with the celebration of Pongal.

18 January: Banks in Tamil Nadu will be closed due to regular Sunday holiday. Bank holidays next week: State-wise list 12 January  Banks in West Bengal will be closed in observance of Swami Vivekananda's birthday.

14 January  Banks will be closed in Gujarat, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam due to Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu.

15 January  Banks will be closed in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Sikkim due to Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Maghe Sankranti / Makara Sankranti.

16 January  Banks in Tamil Nadu will be closed in observance of Thiruvalluvar Day.

17 January  Banks in Tamil Nadu will be closed due to Uzhavar Thirunal.

Also Read | UP schools up to class 12 to remain closed till January 5 amid cold wave

18 January  Bank holiday across India due to Sunday weekly off.

There are up to 16 bank holidays in January 2026, four of which are already used up after today. Here is the full list of bank holidays this month.
Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at feedback@livemint.com.

In July 2025, Mumbai-headquartered Glenmark grabbed the spotlight when it signed what was one of the biggest out-licensing deals for an Indian drugmaker with Chicago-based Abbvie Inc. for an under-development cancer drug. The firms US-based unit, Ichnos Glenmark Innovation, signed a $700 million exclusive licensing agreement for its drug candidate to treat a rare blood cancer.

We were always resilient in how we approached innovation. I think that's what finally rewarded us," a triumphant Glenn Saldanha, the firms managing director and CEO, had told Mint in an interview following the announcement.

Glenmarks story is not the only one. Indian drugmakers, known for their chemistry and prowess in making genericscheaper copies of innovative drugsfor the world, have noted that the next step is to pivot towards innovation if they want to remain competitive globally. Some, who took early bets (and have faced the ire of investors and shareholders), finally saw commercial success in 2025.

Indian drugmakers have noted that the next step is to pivot towards innovation if they want to remain competitive globally.

This was a year where innovation moved from pipeline slides to balance sheets," independent pharma analyst Salil Kallianpur told Mint. In fact, 2025 does stand out, but not because Indian pharma suddenly transformed into a discovery powerhouse. Rather, it marked a year where innovation began to show commercial and strategic validation, not just scientific intent," he said.

Success attracts scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs who previously looked overseas strengthening the domestic innovation ecosystem. India desperately needs this to work like in China in the last three decades."

The wins

What made 2025 distinctive, said Kallianpur, was not the number of breakthroughs but the quality of outcomes, with late-stage clinical progress translating into global partnerships, and speciality, complex and differentiated products gaining regulatory approvals and market acceptance.

Saldanha called out the shift towards innovation. The innovation successes we are seeing across the sector reflect a deeper structural shift from being known primarily for scale and affordability to being increasingly recognised for scientific depth, global relevance, and the ability to deliver differentiated innovation," he had told Mint.

Those who made early bets in innovative products are finally seeing success.

Wockhardt has been steadfast on its antibiotic drug discovery programme for over two decades, weathering financial storms and investor ire. In 2025, its antibiotic Miqnaf was launched in India, and another antibioticZaynich, became the first new chemical entity (NCE) from India whose new drug abbreviation (NDA) was accepted by the US FDA. The company is looking at a regulatory approval followed by a launch in the US in mid-2026.

Also Read | How Wockhardt is packing for the road less travelled

The year 2025 was a very, very important year for us because all the efforts of research that we have done over the last 27-28 years culminatedI believe it has definitely put us in a global spotlight. Once we get a drug approval next year, it will also put India in the global spotlight," Wockhardt chairman Habil Khorakiwala told Mint.

Wockhardts antibiotic pipeline targets a growing global concernantibiotic drug resistance (AMR) in which bacteria are increasingly growing resistant to existing treatments, increasing the risk of severe infections and sepsis.

Zaynich is aimed at treating multi-drug resistant infections and has already been used to save over 70 lives in compassionate use cases, including three in the US. The company sees an addressable market of $7 billion in the US and Europe alone.

For Sun Pharma, its innovative portfolio bet is paying off, with Q2 FY26 being the first time its innovative drug sales surpassed generics in the US.

Biocons unit Biocon Biologics launched and expanded market access of several key biosimilars during the year, including cinching the US FDAs interchangeable status for insulin aspart. A biosimilar is a biological medicine which is highly similar to an already approved original biologic drug. Unlike generic drugs, which are exact chemical copies, biosimilars are complex and demonstrate equivalence through rigorous studies, ensuring they work just as well as the original but with lower costs.

The stage for 2026

Several developments previous year set the stage for 2026.

The US FDAs draft guidance proposing the waiver of Phase III clinical trials for certain biosimilars, supported by strong CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls) and analytical evidence, is a game-changing development. It fundamentally reshapes biosimilar development economics," said Shreehas Tambe, CEO and managing director of Biocon Biologics, adding that Biocons long-standing investments allow it to leverage this shift.

Others like Cipla are increasing their focus on innovation going forward. Our work this year (2025) ranged from nextgeneration mRNA platforms targeting infectious diseases, to breakthroughs in treating urethral stricture, to transformational strides in stemcell science through our investee company Stempeutics product CiploStem," said Achin Gupta, the companys global chief operating officer, who will take over as global CEO and managing director this year.

Also Read | Ajanta Pharma targets emerging markets for weight loss drug with Biocon tie-up

The real impact of 2025 lies in what it enables next," said Kallianpur, the pharma analyst. I believe with what happened in 2025, companies will no longer be satisfied with incremental complexity. The bar has moved toward platform innovation, not one-off successes. Boards and promoters now have evidence that patient capital in innovation can pay off."

The sector also saw a policy boost in 2025, with the department of pharmaceuticals inviting proposals for the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech sector (Prip) scheme. The scheme, introduced in 2023, has a total outlay of 5,000 crore. The Centre also launched the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) scheme in 2025 with an outlay of 1 trillion, targeting sectors like energy, deeptech, AI, and biotech.

Both signal a clear intent to catalyse private sector participation in R&D. These efforts, coupled with continued investment in research infrastructure and collaborative platforms, will help reduce structural friction in the innovation ecosystem," Glenmark's Saldanha said.

Need for regulatory reforms

Many have looked at Chinas massive strides in biotech innovation, pivoting away from generics in decades, as an example of what India can achieve. Drugs originating from China are projected to account for 35% of approvals by the US FDA by 2040, up from only 5% now, according to a September Morgan Stanley report. The industrys progress stems from a decade of regulatory reform in China, cost optimization and increased financing," the report notes.

Many have looked at Chinas massive strides in biotech innovation, pivoting away from generics in decades, as an example of what India can achieve.

India desperately needs this to work like in China in the last three decades," said Kallianpur. Innovation momentum can stall if regulatory clarity lags, capital discipline weakens, and companies chase headlines rather than capabilities."

Also Read | Why small pharma firms want manufacturing practice norm deadline deferred

Wockhardts Khorakiwala believes that while government funding support is on the rise, and the private ecosystem is evolving, the regulatory mechanisms need to catch up significantly.

The next phase will require focus on regulatory predictability, more transparent clinical development pathways as well as better alignment with global standards. A stable, forward-looking policy environment will be essential to attracting long-term global capital," said Saldanha.
After Japanese investments into India hit a high last year, some of the largest companies of the East Asian country are now looking to expand or establish tech centres to tap Indias deep talent pool.

At least three major Japanese groupsMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Nidec Corp and Daicel-owned Polyplasticsare in various stages of setting up or expanding technology centres in India, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

This signals India's rising appeal as a tech offshoring hub as cash-rich Japanese companies grapple with an ageing population and shrinking talent pipeline. This also comes amid growing discomfort with China as a high-risk geography for intellectual property.

Also Read | US bank Truist plans GCC in Hyderabad, Infosys likely to bid

The focus follows a spate of large Japanese financial investments in 2025. Groups including MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Mizuho Financial Group have collectively invested more than $7.2 billion in Indian financial services firms such as Shriram Finance, Yes Bank and Avendus Group, respectively.

Mint reported on 23 December, quoting official data, that Japan is now the fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment into India.

MUFG, which is one of Japans largest private lenders, is in discussions with multiple tech and consultancy firms, including ANSR, to ramp up hiring in various data analysis and Java software roles, according to job listings on ANSR, which sets up GCCs for large multinational companies.

The company has more than 150 openings in roles, including data analysis, cloud security, and client management services across its Mumbai and Bengaluru locations.

MUFG has established its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India, with locations in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The Bengaluru office primarily encompasses our IT capabilities. Since its inception, the entity has expanded to a workforce of 2000 employees, with technology being a key driver of this growth," said MUFGs official spokesperson, in response to Mints questions.

MUFG ended last fiscal year with a net interest income of $20.8 billion, up 12% from the year-ago period.

Manufacturing conglomerates are making similar moves. Daicel Corp.-owned Polyplastics is evaluating plans to open a technology centre in Chennai, according to the second person. The company is in talks with service providers and is expected to hire around 200 engineers and back-end IT professionals, though a formal hiring target has not been disclosed.

Polyplastics already operates a manufacturing facility in Chennai, producing decorative plastic components such as car emblems, wheel covers and radiator grilles. Daicel ended last fiscal year with about $3.87 billion, up 0.3% on year.

Meanwhile, Kyoto-based Nidec Corp., a global manufacturer of electric motors, has been steadily expanding its presence in India. In November last year, it invested $55 million in a manufacturing campus in HubliDharwad, Karnataka, following the opening of a research and development centre in Bengaluru in September 2024.

Nidec ended last fiscal year with $17.2 billion in revenue, an 11% increase year-on-year.

Emails sent to Daicel were not answered till press time.

Also Read | India office Reits report higher FY25 income, leasing on strong GCC demand

Looking West

Analysts expect Japanese investments in India-based tech centres to accelerate. There are several structural factors which are driving Japanese firms to increase their investments in India-based tech centres. Declining birth rate and corresponding reduction in available tech talent are forcing Japanese firms to either import talent through immigration or look to offshore locations such as India to source this talent," said Peter Bendor-Samuel, founder of Everest Group.

This is further accentuated by the increasingly unattractiveness of China, which has emerged as a strategic threat and often is viewed as high risk from an intellectual property loss."

Japanese interest in Indian tech talent has been building for some time. Mint reported on 7 October 2024 that Japanese firms were offering salary packages exceeding 20 lakh to graduates from Indian engineering colleges.

The opportunity lies in higher-value work such as core platform engineering, AI-enabled manufacturing systems, financial services technology, digital twins, and data-driven operations, said Phil Fersht, chief executive of HFS Research. "Over time, this can translate into deeper product ownership, stronger IP creation, and long-term leadership roles for Indian talent within Japanese global organizations."

According to industry body Nasscom, India currently hosts over 1,760 global capability centres (GCCs), with Bengaluru and Hyderabad hosting 875 and 355 centres. GCCs generate at least $64.6 billion in export revenue, and Nasscom estimates the number will rise to 2,200 by March 2030, with the market valued at $105 billion.
NEW DELHI : New Delhi: Homegrown carmakers Tata Motors, and Mahindra and Mahindra are increasingly improving the speed at which they develop products to gain market share in an intensely competitive domestic market, according to senior executives at auto component makers working with the companies.

Indian carmakers have reached parity with European, Japanese and Korean automakers and are increasingly catching up to the speed of Chinese carmakers in rolling out new products, according to top executives at US-based component major BorgWarner Inc. and homegrown auto part maker Lumax Auto Technologies Ltd.

This comes in the backdrop of Indian automobile manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd reaching the number two rank in annual sales in 2025 for the first time in at least a decade, since retail registration data became available, toppling Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor India Ltd.

The shift is inevitable, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO of Mahindras automotive division, said. It used to be 5 years, with Inglo (Mahindra's vehicle platform), we are now at 33 months or so, but the notion is, we have to keep collapsing that, there is no question," Gollagunta said in an interview on the sidelines of XEV 9S launch in November. While high-end vehicles require more sophistication, in segments like sub-4-meter cars, you need to have the agility to move fast."

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd did not respond to Mint's request for comments. However, auto component makers and analysts suggest that the acceleration is broadly in line with Indian carmakers looking to take a leaf out of Chinas playbook and compete with European, Korean, and Japanese incumbents.

Rahul Bharti, senior executive officer-corporate affairs at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, said that exports are the fire test of product development excellence, where an OEM can demonstrate how many markets its products can be successful in.

"As compared to many other manufacturers, we have a higher requirement because our product has to meet the consumer and regulatory requirements and live up to our brand promise in over 100 countries," he said.

"Our approach prioritizes first-time-right launches, long-term durability, electronics and software robustness, proactive regulatory preparedness, along with a supplier partner ecosystem. Owing to such advanced processes, our product development is able to meet the requirements of 18 models with more than 650 variants that clocked a volume of 18.44 lakh in domestic and about 4 lakh vehicles in exports in 2025," Bharti said.

Industry executives and experts suggest that product development for the Indian market, including that of foreign OEMs, typically ranges from 36-40 months, depending on the product. According to a November 2024 update from Boston Consulting Group, Chinese OEMs could roll out new products within 24 months. The countrys largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, and the third-largest carmaker, Hyundai Motor India, are units of Japanese Suzuki and Korean Hyundai.

Both Tata Motors and Mahindra receive a minuscule share of sales from international markets, with their products largely focused on the domestic market so far. In comparison, both Maruti and Hyundai get about one-fifth of their total sales through exports.

Digital acceleration

Industry executives say that digital tools, expanded auto component capacities and budgets, and flexible vehicle platforms are accelerating product development.

Chandrasekhar Krishnamurthy, global director and head of product management at BorgWarner, told Mint that Indian automakers are leaning towards the China playbook in how they develop new products, but with their own touch, including requests for specifications.

"In India, we are seeing that they want to also go in the same direction where they would like to have the China speed, but we also see that there are more specific requirements Indian OEMs want," Krishnamurthy said.

"Indian OEMs are also catching up to the China speed. Again, at the end of the day, what would really determine the speed of execution is the level of complexity that customers want, as well as the level that OEMs want. If they take what we have, it's a faster time to market. If they want to customize it, then it takes longer," he added.

The faster development of products for these carmakers hinges on working closely with auto component makers, who must provide the building blocks for new product development, backed by the technological prowess of the automaker.

Anmol Jain, managing director at Lumax Auto Technologies, told Mint that Indian OEMs have improved their agility and are also pushing suppliers to benchmark against Chinese companies to gain speed.

"Indian OEMs are way more agile and way more responsive and definitely faster than the Europeans or maybe some of the Japanese makers as well," Jain said.

"We are still far behind some of the Chinese OEMs. And hence, a lot of the Indian OEMs actually have a decent understanding of the Chinese market. And they're pushing some of the key component system makers to try and benchmark China and see how we can also have an accelerated development like what the Chinese do," Jain said.

New tier supplier

In a bid to gain speed, automakers are also preferring to work with suppliers who can provide a varied range of products for their vehicles and be more involved in the development cycle. The need for high speed also gave birth to the trend of auto component makers aiming to become Tier 0.5 suppliers.

Tier I suppliers deliver full systems or modules based on automaker specifications, while Tier IIs supply smaller parts to Tier Is. The emerging Tier 0.5 suppliers go a step further, integrating themselves into the development and design phase. While the country's largest auto component maker, Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd, is already a Tier 0.5 supplier, companies like Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd, Lumax and Belrise Industries Ltd have also expressed their desire to achieve the tag.

Natarajan Sankar, managing director at BCG, said that OEMs and component players in India have made significant progress over the past few years in accelerating the product development cycle.

Also Read | The margin squeeze: Why auto dealer stocks are tanking despite a sales boom

As Indian automakers started gaining scale, traditional product development cycles were under scrutiny. Indian companies started thinking about how to be significantly faster in product development, and they have moved well on this journey," Sankar said.

Sankar added that component makers mainly keep pace with the developments by investing in research and development capabilities and capacity build-up, along with working closely with OEMs on product development.

The race to develop faster products also coincides with a period when the top four carmakers in India, Maruti, Mahindra, Hyundai, and Tata Motors, are set to launch more than two dozen products over the next five years, including facelifts, model upgrades, and new nameplates.
Cest une affaire qui mele enjeux economiques colossaux, conflit dautorites et opacite des procedures. Au Port Autonome de Douala (PAD), cur economique du Cameroun et de la sous-region CEMAC, la gestion du controle par scanner des conteneurs tourne au scandale, revelant des pratiques pour le moins troublantes et un bras de fer entre le Ministere des Finances et la direction du port.

Le decor est plante par une decision controversee du conseil dadministration du PAD. Celle-ci retire au geant suisse de linspection, Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), le marche du scanning dans la zone portuaire de Bonaberi. Le contrat est attribue a lentreprise Transatlantic D, dans le cadre dune concession plus large visant la centralisation des donnees et lalignement sur les normes internationales de surete. Date deffet : le 1er janvier 2026.

Cependant, la transition sopere dans une confusion totale. Selon des revelations de la presse economique camerounaise, une situation aberrante persiste sur le terrain. Dun cote, SGS continuerait a facturer ses prestations sans effectuer le scanning. De lautre, Transatlantic D aurait debute les operations de controle sans emettre de factures. Un  scanneur fantome  dun cote, un service non facture de lautre : lEtat camerounais et les operateurs economiques seraient-ils les grands perdants de cette pagaille ?

Le Ministre des Finances, Louis Paul Motaze, est monte au creneau pour desapprouver fermement la decision du PAD et exiger le maintien du statu quo. Un veto qui semble etre reste lettre morte. Lautorite de regulation concernee aurait en effet ignore linjonction ministerielle, apportant son soutien a la direction du Port Autonome de Douala.

Ce bras de fer met en lumiere les profonds dysfonctionnements qui minent la gouvernance des infrastructures strategiques. Alors que le Cameroun ambitionne de devenir un hub logistique de reference, cette affaire pose de graves questions : qui gouverne reellement le port ? Ou passe largent des redevances ? Et, surtout, a quand une clarification qui serve enfin linteret economique national et la transparence ?

Entre resistance au changement, conflits dinterets et opacite des processus, le scandale du scanning a Douala est bien plus quune simple querelle administrative. Cest le symptome dune bataille pour le controle des flux et des finances dans un secteur vital pour leconomie camerounaise.

Douala Port in Turmoil: SGS Charges Without Scanning, New Firm Scans Without Invoicing?

A major scandal is rocking the management of Cameroon's largest and most strategic economic gateway, the Port of Douala (PAD). The issue of container scanning, a critical process for security and revenue, has descended into chaos, exposing troubling practices and a bitter power struggle between the Ministry of Finance and the port's authority.

The controversy stems from a contentious decision by the PAD's board of directors. It strips the Swiss inspection giant, Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), of its scanning contract for the Bonaberi port area. The deal is awarded to the firm Transatlantic D, as part of a larger concession aimed at data centralization and alignment with international security standards. Effective date: January 1, 2026.

However, the transition has been mired in total confusion. According to revelations from the Cameroonian economic press, an absurd situation persists on the ground. On one hand, SGS is allegedly continuing to invoice for services it no longer performs. On the other, Transatlantic D is reported to have begun scanning operations without issuing any invoices. A "phantom scanner" on one side, an unfunded service on the other: are the Cameroonian state and economic operators the big losers in this mess?

Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze has stepped in, strongly disapproving of the PAD's decision and demanding a return to the status quo. A veto that appears to have fallen on deaf ears. The relevant regulatory authority is said to have ignored the ministerial injunction, throwing its support behind the Port of Douala's management.

This tug-of-war highlights the deep-seated dysfunction plaguing the governance of strategic infrastructure. As Cameroon aspires to become a leading logistics hub, this affair raises serious questions: Who truly governs the port? Where is the revenue from scanning fees going? And, crucially, when will a resolution emerge that finally serves the national economic interest and transparency?

Between resistance to change, conflicts of interest, and opaque processes, the Douala scanning scandal is more than an administrative squabble. It is a symptom of a battle for control over the flows and finances of a sector vital to Cameroon's economy.

Port Autonome de Douala, PAD, scanning portuaire, SGS Cameroun, Transatlantic D, scandale portuaire, controle des conteneurs, Douala, economie Cameroun, Louis Paul Motaze, Ministere des Finances Cameroun, concession portuaire, Bonaberi, surete maritime, opacite portuaire, conflit d'autorite, redevances portuaires, hub logistique Cameroun, CEMAC, inspection des marchandises.

Christ Ndiffong (Stagiaire)
Gold and silver prices continued to trade higher for the fourth consecutive session on Tuesday, 6 January. Although there was no aggressive rally like yesterday, both metals are inching towards their record peaks, having reached levels last seen in the final week of 2025.

Gold futures for February delivery on MCX surged another 0.50%, or 656, to the day's high of 1,38,776 per 10 grams, edging closer to the record high of 1.4 lakh. It closed the Monday's session with a 2,359 jump. The four-day rally has led the yellow metal to gain cumulatively by 2.30%.

After surging 9,839 per kilogramme in Monday's session, silver prices advanced another 6,025 to the day's high of 2,52,180, coming closer to the all-time high of 2,54,174 and bringing the four-day rally to nearly 7%.

Spot platinum rose 3.56% to $2,356 per ounce, while palladium climbed 3% to $1,752. Platinum and palladium, widely used in automotive catalytic converters, have surged due to tight supply, tariff uncertainty, and a rotation from gold investment demand.

Geopolitical tensions drive safe-haven demand The rising geopolitical tensions, which flared up following US military attacks in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, have further boosted demand for safe-haven assets, causing them to extend their record-breaking run from the previous year.

Alongside this, the rally also drew support from growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve could continue its loose monetary policy in 2026, with the latest US economic data strengthening those bets.

Traders are currently pricing in two US rate cuts this year, meaning non-yielding assets like gold are likely to remain well-supported in a low-interest-rate environment.

Gold volatility likely, but uptrend intact, says analyst Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said, "Risk sentiment continues to favour higher allocation toward gold amid renewed geopolitical tensions, with reports of the US crossing the Venezuela border and heightened alerts involving its leadership adding to global uncertainty."

"These developments are keeping safe-haven demand firm. Gold is expected to remain volatile but biased upward, with a trading range seen between 1,37,000 and 1,42,000 in the near term," he further stated.

Also Read | Gold rates rise on MCX on healthy spot demand, geopolitical uncertainties
Echoing its earlier clampdown on critical rare earth minerals, China has imposed strict silver export controls, effective 1 January 2026, mandating government approval for an estimated 60-70% of refined silver traded globally.

The new regulations, also covering tungsten and antimony, have triggered concern across industries where silver has become indispensable, from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and electronics to solar power equipment, medical devices and defence systems.

Chinas dominance in the silver market does not stem from mining strength but from its overwhelming control over refining. According to the list of refiners whose bars have been accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) for global over-the-counter trading, China operates 27 refineries, followed by Japan with 13 refineries. That puts it far ahead of Germany with five refiners, and Canada, India, and Switzerland, which have just four facilities each.

This concentration of refining capacity effectively positions China as the gatekeeper of global refined silver supply, even though it is not the worlds largest miner of the metal.

The model is straightforward: China imports silver ore and base metal concentrates, refines them domestically, and exports the finished product. As the World Silver Survey 2025 by US-based The Silver Institute notes, China has traditionally been a net exporter of silver due to the metal's structural oversupply in the local market...fuel(l)ed by large volumes of refined silver recovered from imported base metal concentrates."

Official data from Chinas General Administration of Customs underscore this imbalance. Over the past two years, silver exports have consistently outpaced imports, with monthly export values rising to about $887 million in October 2025, compared with imports of roughly $50 million in the same month.

For India, the tighter export-licensing has significant implications as the country has become increasingly dependent on imported silver. Trade data for April-November 2025 shows India imported over $7,000 million worth of silver, while it exported just about $28 million. During the same period, Hong Kong alone supplied 37% of India's silver, while mainland China accounted for just 3%.

The distinction between Hong Kong and mainland China matters because Hong Kong functions primarily as a re-export hub rather than a producer. The Silver Institute's World Silver Survey 2025 report noted that mainland China remained Hong Kong's largest bullion supplier in 2024, with shipments from there up by 32%, offsetting the slump in shipments from Taiwan, Russia and Japan.

While Hong Kong operates with independent trade policies, the new export-licensing requirements apply to silver leaving mainland China, and since Hong Kong depends on mainland China for refined silver for its distribution operations, any export restriction constrains Hong Kong's ability to supply India and other markets.

The implications of this latest move could have some impact on India's import dependence due to the metal's expanding and evolving role in solar energy and electronic manufacturing.

As silver transitions from conventional metal to critical mineral essential for emerging technologies, China's export licensing system represents another lever of geopolitical influence.
NEW DELHI: The price of the Indian crude oil basket, which represents the cost of oil imported by the country, has averaged $59.92 per barrel so far in January, down from $62.2 in December, according to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell on Tuesday. This marks the first time since February 2021 that the Indian crude basket has slipped below the $60-a-barrel mark.

The softening trend is expected to continue. Indian basket expected to soften in line with expected trends internationally. Our base case is $50 per bbl (barrel) or even lower by June 2026, SBI Research said in a report dated 5 January.

The report added that by March, the Indian crude basket could fall to $53.31 per barrel. Given Indias dynamic daily fuel pricing mechanism, the decline in crude prices could be transmitted to retail fuel prices, it said.

Also Read | Russian oil discount for Indian refiners jumps to $8 a barrel

The Indian crude basket comprises sour gradesan average of Oman and Dubaiand sweet grades, represented by Brent Dated, which are processed in Indian refineries.

Lower oil prices ease pressure on Indias import bill, as the country meets about 88% of its crude oil demand through imports. Every $1 per barrel decline reduces Indias annualized oil import expenditure by roughly 13,000 crore. India imported crude worth $161 billion in the last fiscal year.

In the current fiscal year, higher discounts and lower crude prices have already helped reduce the import bill to $80.9 billion as of November, compared with $92 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Globally, oil prices rose to a one-week high as traders weighed geopolitical risks amid uncertainty in Venezuela, even as concerns about a supply glut persisted. The International Energy Agency has forecast that global supply will exceed demand in 2026 by 3.85 million barrels per day (bpd), equivalent to about 4% of global demand.

Brent crude for February delivery traded at $62.08 per barrel, up 0.52% from the previous close, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.46% to trade at $58 a barrel.

The recent spurt reflects expectations of short-term supply constraints, experts said, though prices are likely to ease over the longer term.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly cut the price of its crude for Asian buyers for the third consecutive month, signalling a cautious outlook. The kingdom set the official selling price for February loadings of its flagship Arab Light crude to Asia at $0.30 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai average, down from $0.60 in the previous month. The pricing is closely watched as an indicator of Saudi Arabias assessment of regional demand.

Arab Light last traded at about $60.98 per barrel, according to data from oilprice.com.

We continue to expect Brent to average at $61.5/b in CY26, as we believe limited additional barrels could enter the market during the current year, resulting in limited downward pressure on oil prices. However, additional barrels from Venezuela may increase supply and weigh on prices beginning next year, Choice Institutional Brokers said in a report.

Meanwhile, the price spread between WTI and Brent has narrowed to about $4 per barrel. Analysts say this compression could weaken demand for American crude.

The difference between Brent and WTI has decreased in the recent past. Prices of WTI usually have been lesser given lack of pipelines and transmission capacity in the US. However, as its price comes nearer to that its competitors it may lead to lower demand of the American crude as it would not remain very competitive due to higher logistics cost for importing it, said Prashant Vasisht, senior vice president and co-group head, corporate ratings, Icra Ltd.

Also Read | What is at stake for New Delhi as Vladimir Putin visits India?

Geopolitical risks intensified over the weekend after American law enforcement forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas. US President Donald Trump said Washington would effectively run the oil-producing nation and that the US embargo on all Venezuelan oil remained fully in effect.

Venezuela, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), holds about 17% of global oil reserves, or roughly 303 billion barrels. However, Mint earlier reported that US intervention is unlikely to lead to an immediate increase in crude supplies for global or Indian refiners, given the prolonged production decline in the sanctions-hit Latin American country.
Silver rate today: Silver prices continued their bull run, surging as much as 1.41% to 2,49,600 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) in early trade on Tuesday, January 6, tracking the gains in the international market.

Silver prices in Delhi jumped by more than 3,000 per kg earlier today. As per data from bullions.co.in, silver is currently priced at 2,48,610 per kg in the national capital.

Meanwhile, on the international front, silver surged 5.2% to $76.37 an ounce, extending its sharp rally after posting a 147% gain in 2025, supported by its designation as a US critical mineral and a structural supply deficit against rising demand.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and Venezuela provided a fresh impetus to the silver price rally that faced a pullback last week. The United States launched an attack on Venezuela on Saturday and captured President Nicolas Maduro, marking Washingtons most overt intervention in Latin America since the 1989 Panama invasion, boosting silver's safe-haven appeal.

US President Donald Trump cautioned that further military action could follow if Caracas opposes US moves to liberalise its oil sector and curb drug trafficking. He also hinted at potential steps against Colombia and Mexico over illegal drug flows.

Safe-haven demand strengthened after the US detained Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro on drug trafficking charges. The incident has amplified geopolitical risks and added to global uncertainty. Threats by the US President toward Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico over drug shipments further weighed on investor sentiment. Reports of Swiss banks moving to seize Maduro-linked assets have also supported bullion prices, said Rahul Kalantri, VP Commodities, Mehta Equities Ltd.

Should you invest or book profits in silver? According to Anuj Gupta, Director at Ya Wealth, the MCX silver rate is facing a hurdle at the 2,50,000 per kg levels, making a strong support base at the 2,42,000 to 2,40,000 per kg range.

On breaking above 2,50,000 hurdle, the white metal may try to test 2,55,000 per kg peak, Gupta said.

Meanwhile, Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, believes that the ongoing rally in the white metal favours profit booking over accumulation.

"The bullish channel remains intact, with every dip attracting buying interest. A sustained move above 2,42,000 strengthens the upside bias, opening the path toward 2,46,000 2,55,000. Strong support is seen in the 2,42,000 2,40,000 zone. The overall structure continues to favour accumulation over profit-booking, positioning silver as a high-volatility yet high-reward companion to gold within the ongoing bullion bull cycle," Ponmudi said.
Breakout stocks to buy or sell: The Indian stock market closed in the red on Monday, January 5, despite supportive global signals, as investors engaged in profit-taking in select heavyweight stocks amid heightened geopolitical concerns following a US military strike on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

The Sensex declined 322 points, or 0.38%, to settle at 85,439.62, while the Nifty 50 slipped 78 points, or 0.30%, to close at 26,250.30. Broader markets fared better, with the BSE Midcap index edging up 0.05% and the Smallcap index gaining 0.07%.

Stock market outlook Nifty 50 The Nifty 50 opened on a strong positive note and registered a fresh all-time high of 26,373; however, it failed to sustain at higher levels and slipped to an intraday low of 26,210, indicating selling pressure at elevated levels, on Monday, January 5.

On the Nifty outlook, Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, said, " The index briefly breached the key support at 26,300 and confirmed a breakdown below it, closing at 26,244, which reinforces a short-term bearish undertone. Immediate resistance is placed in the 26,40026,450 zone, while crucial support is located at 26,20026,150.

The daily RSI stands at 58.09 and is trending lower, reflecting a loss of bullish momentum. Volatility remained elevated, with India VIX rising 6.06 percent to 10.02. Derivatives data highlights heavy call writing at the 26,300 strike, establishing it as a critical pivot level. As long as the index sustains above 26,200, a selective buy-on-dips strategy remains favorable, with strict stop-losses maintained at 26,150."

Bank Nifty On Monday, the Bank Nifty opened on a strong positive note and registered a fresh all-time high at 60,437, but showed signs of unsustainability and slipped below the key psychological support of 60,000, touching an intraday low of 59,859, indicating profit booking at higher levels.

Further, commenting on Bank Nifty outlook, Bagadia said, " It managed to recover and close at 60,044, showcasing buying interest near lower levels and the underlying strength of the trend. This price action suggests a healthy consolidation after a sharp rally rather than a trend reversal. Immediate resistance is placed in the 60,30060,400 zone, while the crucial support band of 59,70059,800 remains important for maintaining near-term stability in the index.

On the daily charts, the RSI stands at 65.05 and is trending lower, suggesting moderation in momentum while still remaining in a bullish zone."

Bagadia advised traders to maintain a positive bias and follow a buy-on-dips strategy near key support levels, with disciplined risk management through appropriate stop-loss placements.

Breakout stocks to buy today Breakout stocks are those stocks that move past their established support or resistance levels. Breakouts often signal that a stock may be poised for a strong price move.

Amid ongoing market conditions, Sumeet Bagadia has recommended five breakout shares to buy today - PG Electroplast, Motherson Sumi Wiring India, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, CreditAccess Grameen, and Voltas.

Also Read | Gold hits one-week high after US strikes in Venezuela

1] PG Electroplast: Buy at  630.30, target  690, stop loss  600 PGEL is trading around 630.60 and has witnessed a decisive falling trendline breakout, followed by continued upward momentum. The stock is showing improving strength, with RSI at 67.90 indicating a rising trend. Strong support is placed near 610. Short-term traders may consider buying at current levels with a stop loss of 600 for a target of 690, maintaining disciplined risk management.

2] Motherson Sumi Wiring India: Buy at  52.05, target  56.70, stop loss  49.10 MSUMI is trading around 52.05 and has delivered a wider range trendline breakout, indicating renewed bullish momentum. The breakout is supported by healthy volumes, signaling strong participation. The stock is trading above its 20, 50, and 200 EMAs, reflecting trend strength. Immediate support is seen near 50. RSI at 71.96 suggests a rising bullish bias. Short-term traders may consider buying at current levels with a stop loss of 49.10 for a target of 56.70, with appropriate risk management.

3] Emcure Pharmaceuticals: Buy at  1489.50, target  1625, stop loss  1420 EMCURE is trading around 1,489.50 and has recently witnessed a sideways range breakout, indicating the resumption of upward momentum. The stock is trading above its 20, 50, 100, and 200 EMAs, reflecting a strong bullish structure. RSI at 64.03 signals a sideways-to-upside breakout, supporting the uptrend. Short-term traders may consider buying at current levels with a stop loss of 1,420 for a target of 1,625, while adhering to appropriate risk management.

4] CreditAccess Grameen: Buy at  1331.30, target  1460, stop loss  1265 CREDITACC is trading around 1,331.30 and has recently witnessed a falling trendline breakout, indicating a potential trend reversal. The breakout is supported by healthy volumes, reflecting improved buying interest. The stock has closed above its key 20, 50, and 200 EMAs, signaling strengthening momentum. RSI at 55.06 remains stable, suggesting scope for further upside. Short-term traders may consider buying at current levels with a stop loss of 1,265 for a target of 1,460, while maintaining appropriate risk management.

5] Voltas: Buy at  1476.80, target  1625, stop loss  1410 VOLTAS is trading around 1,476.80 and has recently delivered a symmetrical triangle breakout, indicating a continuation of the bullish trend. The stock has closed above its key 20, 50, and 200 EMAs, reflecting strong price strength. RSI at 68.98 is in a rising zone, supporting positive momentum. Strong support is placed near the breakout area. Short-term traders may consider buying at current levels with a stop loss of 1,410 for a target of 1,625, while following appropriate risk management.
Buy or sell stocks: US President Donald Trumps renewed remarks on potential tariff hikes against Indian imports linked to Indias continued purchases of Russian oil added a layer of geopolitical caution to global markets, keeping risk appetite in check during Mondays session. Additionally, domestic bond yields moved higher after the size of the state government's borrowing programme exceeded expectations, raising supply-side concerns in the debt market and keeping equity sentiment in check.

The Nifty 50 index finished 78 points lower at 26,250, while the BSE Sensex shed 322 points and closed at 85,439. The Bank Nifty index declined by 106 points and closed at 60,044.

Stock market today Vaishali Parekh, Vice President of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes the Indian stock market sentiment remains positive as the Nifty 50 index is sustaining above 26,200 levels. The key benchmark index is poised to touch 26,500 in the near term.

Speaking on the outlook of the Nifty 50 index, Vaishali Parekh said, The Nifty 50 index, once again witnessed resistance near the 26,350 zone and amid some volatility slipped down to end near the 26,250 level with bias maintained intact and overall, the optimistic approach is sustained with near near-term target of the 26,500 level expected in the coming sessions. As mentioned earlier, the index would have the important support positioned near the 50EMA level of 25,900 zone with the near-term support positioned near the 26,150 zone, which needs to be sustained to maintain the overall bias intact.

On the outlook of the Bank Nifty today, Parekh said, The Bank Nifty index, after opening on a positive note, witnessed resistance near the 60,400 level and, with some profit booking visible, slipped down to end the session near the 60,000 zone with bias and sentiment maintained positive. As mentioned earlier, the index shall have the important support positioned near the 50-DEMA level at 58,700 zone, which needs to be sustained and as of now, once the near-term support at around 59,500 level is sustained, we can expect further continuation of the upward move.

Parekh stated that immediate support for the Nifty 50 index is located at 26,150, while the resistance level is at 26,400. The Bank Nifty is expected to have a daily range of 59,700 to 60,500.

Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations for today Regarding intraday stocks for today, Vaishali Parekh recommended three buy-or-sell stocks: Delhivery, Religare Enterprises, and DLF.

1] Delhivery: Buy at  411, Target  420, Stop Loss  405. The stock is poised for an uptrend after remaining in base-building mode for some time.

2] Religare Enterprises: Buy at  258, Target  270, Stop Loss  254. The stock is on the cusp of forming a higher bottom on the technical chart, signalling potential for a sharp upside movement in the near term.

3] DLF: Buy at  712, Target  725, Stop Loss  705. On the technical chart pattern, the stock is signalling bottoming out symptoms at the 700 levels.
US stock market: Amid speculation that the US oil companies would benefit from US President Donald Trump's announcement to invest in Venezuela's crude oil exploration, oil stocks listed on Wall Street witnessed strong buying on Monday. While most stocks finished 2% to 3% higher, the Chevron stock price rose more than 5% in the backdrop of the US-Venezuela conflict. Chevron's share price opened with an upside gap at $165.75 apiece on the NYSE, which also became its intraday high. However, the Chevron stock finished over 5% higher than its previous close of $155.90 per share.

According to stock market experts, Chevron's stock price rose due to market buzz about the benefits trickling down to the company after Donald Trump's announcement to invest in Venezuela's oil exploration, as Chevron Corporation is the only US company currently involved in oil exploration in Venezuela. The market is expected to benefit early from the US-Venezuela company, which is likely to be the biggest gainer among the US oil majors.

US-Venezuela conflict Pointing towards the US-Venezuela crisis, Sandeep Pandey, Co-founder of Basav Capital, said, "The US attacks on Venezuela would benefit Chevron Corporation the most as it is the only US oil company which is currently doing business in Venezuela. In fact, it accounts for approximately 25% of Venezuela's net oil exploration business. Therefore, the market is expected to bring early benefits to this company, whereas the rest of the company will receive a project in Venezuela. Then they will start their business, which is expected to take a much longer time."

Chevron stock price target On what's next after the strong bull run on Monday, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, said, "Chevron stock is on the verge of resolving a massive 46-month consolidation, with price pressing against the upper band of the $165 to $168 range after a decisive gap-up. This gap signals urgency and the need for improvement in participation, often seen ahead of major structural breakouts. A clean breakout and sustained hold above 168 would mark a long-term trend shift, opening a powerful momentum leg toward the $285 to $300 zone. Daily, weekly, and monthly moving averages have converged and turned supportive, forming a strong multi-timeframe launchpad beneath price. Volatility compression across higher timeframes adds conviction to the setup."

The Lakshmishree expert stated that the risk-reward now favours the upside, with $168 serving as the key trigger and invalidation reference. If follow-through volume expands, the Chevron share price could transition into a fresh secular uptrend after years of trading within a range.

US-Venezuela crisis In a significant development that stunned the entire world, the US carried out a large-scale military strike against Venezuela on Saturday morning. US President Donald Trump announced the US attack on Venezuela from his social media handle Truth Social. The US President also announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country. After the successful US military operation, President Donald Trump said the US planned to tap Venezuela's vast oil reserves to sell to other nations, triggering speculations about the benefit the US oil companies would be getting.

Key Takeaways Chevron is uniquely positioned to benefit from US actions in Venezuela, potentially leading to substantial market gains.

A breakout above $168 could signal a shift towards a long-term bullish trend for Chevron's stock.

Investors should closely monitor the geopolitical situation and its implications for oil market dynamics.
JSW Steel and other steel stocks are in the news. The companys shares jumped 4.9% on 31 December, largely on account of the governments decision to impose import tariffs on steel products . Before the recent correction, the stock had been trending up for more than two years.

Import tariffs help protect pricing of domestic steel producers by preventing cheaper imports, so what does the future hold for the stock? Today, we will discuss the pros and cons of investing in JSW Steel. But first, lets talk about the latest import tariffs.

Steel stocks rose on 31 December after the Indian government announced a three-year import tariff on steel products. This safeguard duty will be 12% in the first year, 11.5% in the second year, and 11% in the third year. The countries that will face the tariff are Vietnam, China, and Nepal. Products covered are non-alloy and alloy flat steel. Speciality steels have not been included.

Pros of investing in JSW Steel

Well-established: The company has a well-established position in the Indian steel industry. It manufactures and sells a wide range of steel products, including flat and long steel products, at its facilities across India. It sells its products under various brands and caters to several industries. Its diversified portfolio includes hot-rolled, cold-rolled, galvanneal, galvanised/galvalume, pre-painted, tinplate, electrical steel, TMT bar, wire rod, special steel bar, and round & bloom.

Good growth prospects: JSW Steel has grown steadily over the years and is now in an expansion phase for the next leg of growth. JSW Steel aims to almost double its production capacity to 50 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2030. It plans to invest 500-600 billion to set up a 10 MTPA green steel plant in Salav village, Raigad district, Maharashtra.

The plant will be designed specifically to serve the European market which, as of 1 January 2026, requires importers of carbon-intensive goods (such as steel, cement, and aluminum) to pay a carbon tax based on the greenhouse gases emitted during their production abroad. The project is part of JSW's brownfield expansion, expected to be completed over three to four years.

Also Read | Marico Q3 update shows margin comfort amid copra price drop

Cons of investing in JSW Steel

Poor recent performance: The company has struggled to deliver on growth targets over the past two years. The top line and bottom line have both been more or less flat since FY23.

Although cash flows have been strong, the lack of growth has left the market unimpressed. Return ratios have also been muted, with the return on equity (ROE) and return on capital invested (ROCE) in single digits in FY23 and FY25. A small recovery in FY24 was short-lived.

High debt: On top of this, the company has been in investment mode, resulting in higher debt. The debt-to-equity ratio has been historically high, coming in at 1 in FY25 and 0.9 in FY24.

Should you consider investing?

Founded in 1982, JSW Steel has expanded through mergers and acquisitions, including those of Ispat Steel and Bhushan Power & Steel. It operates in India, the US, and Italy.

There's been a rise in demand for specialty steel across industries such as renewable power, automobiles, and white goods. India's reliance on steel imports has prompted JSW Steel to scale up its value-added product capacities to drive import substitution and achieve self-reliance.

The company plans to increase the share of high-margin, value-added products in its product mix to protect margins during steel price volatility. It consistently invests in the latest technologies to enhance its production processes and ensure superior quality products.

However, a big concern is its vulnerability to global commodity prices. Prices of finished steel and the raw materials to produce it, are closely linked to global economic conditions. A slowdown in infrastructure spending, construction, or manufacturing could lead to sharp drop in earnings and the stock price.

For an overview of the sector, read our steel sector report.

And remember to always evaluate a company's fundamentals, corporate governance, and stock valuations before making an investment decision.

Happy investing!

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com

Also Read | Steel cos' stocks get a duty boost amid dull expectations for Q3
(Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia opened its equities to all foreign investors, the latest step in the kingdoms efforts to boost flows into the Middle Easts largest market.

The Saudi Capital Market Authority said it removed all restrictions that stipulate foreigners must meet certain qualifications to carry out transactions on the Saudi market. One such restriction required investors to have at least $500 million in assets under management.

The approved amendments eliminated the concept of the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) in the Main Market, thereby allowing all categories of foreign investors to access the market without the need to meet qualification requirements, the regulator said in a statement on Tuesday after the market closed.

The decision allows non-residents to invest directly in the main Saudi market from Feb. 1., and marks the latest in a rush of market reforms. Authorities are looking to revive the stock market, where the benchmark Tadawul All Share Index dropped nearly 13% last year, performing worse than major emerging-market peers.

Foreign ownership in the $2.3 trillion Saudi stock market stood at over 590 billion Saudi riyals ($157.3 billion) at the end of September with around 88% of it parked in the main index, according to the regulators statement. Tuesdays changes are expected to contribute to attracting additional international investments, it said.

Riyadhs need for foreign inflows is becoming increasingly pronounced as high spending and low oil revenues drive the government into deeper budget deficits, threatening to slow investments.

A wider pool of investors could bode well for the Saudi market which has dozens of companies seeking approval to list shares locally. The chief executive officer of the Saudi stock exchange in December said 40 companies had applied to go public, with the tally of initial public offering hopefuls climbing to as many as 100.

The continued progress towards the liberalization of Saudi Arabias capital markets represents not only a significant milestone for the kingdom itself but also for the wider region, said Adnan El-Araby, an investment manager at Barings. By lowering entry barriers and attracting a broader spectrum of investors, these reforms are poised to inject some interest into Saudi Arabias equity market.

Local stocks rallied in September after Bloomberg reported that the kingdom may soon ease foreign limits. The gains faded after a regulator said that policymakers havent yet decided whether to eliminate the cap or lift it slowly in their 2026 review.

Tuesdays announcement brings that much-anticipated decision back in focus for the Saudi market which is in need of a boost after last years slump.

Our index team calculates that a foreign ownership limit increase, a development now anticipated widely by market participants following todays development, from current 49% to 60-100% could attract $3.4 billion-$10.2 billion of passive inflows from MSCI and FTSE index trackers, said Naresh Bilandani, managing director of equity research at Jefferies International Limited.

--With assistance from Farah Elbahrawy and Tugce Ozsoy.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Stock market recap : Indian equities ended lower on Monday, 5 January, despite positive global cues as investors booked profits in select heavyweights amid increased geopolitical tensions after the US military action in Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

However, the US attacks on Venezuela did not deal any significant blow to global markets. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei and Korea's Kospi jumped over 3% each, while China's Shanghai Composite rose by over 1%. In Europe, Germany's DAX rose by over a per cent. The UK's FTSE and France's CAC 40 were in the green when the Sensex closed.

The Sensex fell 322 points, or 0.38%, to end at 85,439.62, while the Nifty 50 ended at 26,250.30, down 78 points, or 0.30%. The mid and small-cap indices outperformed; the BSE Midcap index inched up by 0.05% and the Smallcap index rose by 0.07%

Best stocks to buy on 6 January as recommended by Raja Venkatraman of NeoTrader.

(All Buy trades are rates of Equity & Sell rates are based on F&O)

SAIL: Buy above 151, stop 146.50 target 161 (Multiday)

VOLTAS: Buy above 1480, stop 1450 target 1540 (Multiday)

SBILIFE: Buy above 2080, stop 2050 target 2130 (Intraday)

Stock market recap

On 5 January, Indian equities opened the week on a buoyant note, with the Nifty scaling a fresh peak of 26,373.20 in early trade. The momentum, however, proved short-lived as the index slipped into a rangebound phase during the first half of the session. Geopolitical concerns stemming from heightened US-Venezuela tensions triggered broad-based selling in the latter half, pulling the Nifty down to 26,250 and leaving it near the days low at close.

The Sensex mirrored this weakness, shedding 322.39 points or 0.38 percent to settle at 85,439.62, while the Nifty lost 78.25 points or 0.30 percent to finish at 26,250.30. In the broader market, the Nifty Midcap index briefly touched a record high of 61,520.60 before ending marginally lower, whereas the Nifty Smallcap index managed a 0.5 percent gain. The Nifty Bank also hit a new intraday high of 60,437.35 but held firm above the 60,000 mark despite late selling.

Outlook for trading

Moving to the charts we note that the Pitchfork resistance area around the median line mentioned yesterday continues to halt the trends have been largely oriented towards multiday trading. Overall from a trading perspective we can note that on the intraday charts the value area support area around 26200 came under the spotlight. The support at this region could now play a role in helping the prices revive higher.

The trend that is emerging clearly suggests that the rally seen last week was seen holding above 26000 while supply at the median line could induce profit booking ahead of the expiry. After a positive opening the prices traded above the range area that developed in the last few days.

Hence , one should track the trends that are in progress as up-move above 25200 (Nifty Spot) would extend the bullish bias. Momentums on intraday charts are indicating that the prices after settling down seems to have absorbed the selling pressure. With the gradual rise emerging from lower levels, we can expect the rise to remain hesitant as bullish bias still continues.

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Three stocks to trade, recommended by NeoTraders Raja Venkatraman:

SAIL (current market price 151.10) - Buy above 151, stop loss 146.50, target price 161 (Multiday)

Why its recommended: Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) is a major Indian government-owned Maharatna company, operating integrated and special steel plants across the country. A double bottom formation seen over the last few weeks was seen getting resolved as some strong trended action is emerged on Friday in an upward charge. Strong breakout beyond TS and KS on Daily charts is fueling a new move.

Key metrics: P/E Ratio : 25.79 52-week high:  149.40, Volume: 25.35M

Technical analysis: Support at  141, resistance at  165.

Risk factors: High dependence on the cyclical steel industry and single-product focus, Lock-in Periods and liquidity risk.

Buy : above  151.

Stop loss:  146.50.

Target price:  161(1 Month)

VOLTAS (current market price 1476.80) - Buy above 1480, stop loss 1450, target price 1540 (Multiday)

Why its recommended: Voltas Ltd is an Indian multinational home appliance part of the Tata Group. The stock had been moving in a tight range between 1440 and 1320 for last 2 months. A strong long body candle breakout seen on Monday has now opened a new trend possibility. A sharp rise in the ADX and DI indicates that we can look to initiate a long opportunity here for a push to higher levels. Go long now.

Key metrics: P/E: 90.58, 52-week high:  1832.35, Volume: 1.59M.

Technical analysis: Support at  1450, resistance at  1650.

Risk factors: Climatic volatility, intense competition, project execution challenges, and margin pressures.

Buy : above  1480.

Stop loss:  1450.

Target price:  1540(1 Month)

SBILIFE (current market price 2075.60) - Buy above 2080, stop loss 2050, target price 2130 (Intraday)

Why its recommended: SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd (SBILIFE) is one of Indias leading private life insurance providers. SBILIFE maintains its position as a major player in the Indian insurance sector, leveraging the extensive brand trust of its parent, the State Bank of India. Post some long period of consolidation at the TS & KS bands a sharp rise seen in the last few trading sessions highlights more upward possibility. The strong charge seen alongwith some rise positive DI, we can look at possibility of more upward traction.

Key metrics: P/E Ratio: 84.94 52-week high:  2085 Volume: 788.14K.

Technical analysis: Support at  2025, resistance at  2180.

Risk factors: Insurance-specific risks, market and economic risks, operational challenges, and regulatory/legal risks.

Buy : above  2080.

Stop loss:  2050.

Target price:  2130.

Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223.

Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantees performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
US-Venezuela conflict: In a significant development that stunned the entire world, the US carried out a large-scale military strike against Venezuela on Saturday morning. US President Donald Trump announced the US attack on Venezuela from his social media handle Truth Social.

The US President also announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country. After the successful US military operation, President Donald Trump said the US planned to tap Venezuela's vast oil reserves to sell to other nations, which triggered speculations about the benefits the US administration is looking at by getting control over Venezuela's 303 billion proven oil reserves.

US debt: Figures that matter According to experts, the current US debt stands at $38.4 trillion, posing a significant challenge to the US administration, which must pay $1 trillion in interest annually, as the US government is required to pay 8% annual interest on this existing debt.

Venezuela's oil reserves, US debt arithmetic? "Oil exploration is an institutional investment, and it takes time. Today, only one US company, Chevron Corporation, is operating in Venezuela. To gain complete control over Venezuela's oil reserves, it would take at least three to four years to establish the infrastructure that an oil company requires for oil exploration. This investment must come from the stakeholders, which is currently the US government. So, before minting money from Venezuela's proven oil reserves, the US government is facing an uphill task to set up an infrastructure that an oil company needs before starting the oil exploration business," said Amit Goel, Chief Global Strategist at Pace 360.

The Pace 360 expert noted that Venezuelan oil is also heavy. The crude oil available in Venezuela contains a high quantity of sulphur. So, this requires an additional expense to remove the high sulphur content at oil fields. Therefore, the input cost for oil exploration in Venezuela would be higher. Secondly, Venezuelan oil sells at a discount of $7-8 per barrel against WTI crude oil due to its high sulfur content. So, the output from Venezuelan crude oil would also be less.

Asked about the returns that the US government would get once they manage to set up the oil exploration infrastructure, Balaji Rao Mudili, Research Analyst at Bonanza, said, "The US national debt reached $38.4 trillion in late 2025, and they are now spending roughly $1 trillion per year just on interest payments. Venezuela holds the worlds largest proven oil reserves (approx. 303 billion barrels). Even if production were restored to its peak of 3.5 million barrels per day and sold at $60 per barrel, the total annual revenue would be roughly $76 billion, which is less than 8% of the annual interest on the U.S. debt, leaving the $38 trillion principal untouched."

Hence, the control on Venezuelan oil provides a cushion to the US, but it does not entirely solve the massive US debt problem.

Venezuela's oil reserves net worth Venezuela's oil reserves are 303 billion barrels. One barrel is costing around $56.50 in the international market these day. So, 303 billion crude oil in Venezuela is worth $17119.50 [(303 x 56.50] billion or $17.1195 trillion. In this calculation, we have not taken into account the $7 to $8 per barrel discount at which Venezuelan crude oil is sold in the international market.
In December 2025, several salaried taxpayers received emails and SMS alerts from the income tax department flagging discrepancies in deductions and exemptions claimed in their income tax returns (ITR).

The alerts said certain claims did not match employer-reported salary data or other system records and needed revision.

Most of the flagged cases involved returns where exemptions or deductions were claimed in the ITR but did not reflect in Form 16, said Nemin Shah, director at EQX Business Consultancy.

If an employer deducted tax assuming fewer deductions, but the employee later claimed a larger set of exemptions directly in the return, it resulted in a refund of excess TDS. Seeking a big refund results in the system likely taking notice and flagging it," said Shah.

This is where the annual investment declaration and proof-submission window with employers becomes critical.

Take investment declaration seriously

Every year, in January or February, employers ask employees to submit proof of investments and expenses declared at the start of the financial year. Often treated as a routine HR exercise, this step plays a crucial role in how smoothly a tax return is processed later.

It is advisable to disclose all the exemptions and deductions to the employer so that everything is included in Form 16," Shah said. Once this is done, there is less chance of claims being flagged, and TDS gets adjusted accordingly, leaving little or no refund to be claimed.

When proofs are submitted and verified, the employer factors eligible deductions and exemptions into payroll calculations and reflects them in Form 16. Tax deducted at source (TDS) is adjusted accordingly. The final Form 16 then mirrors what you are likely to claim in your return.

View Full Image (Graphics: Mint)

Also Read | The wild west of crypto taxes: Your ITR needs a guiding hand

Proofs employees should prioritise

According to Himank Singla, partner at S B H S & Associates, chartered accountants, the tax department is largely focusing on high-value refunds and claims showing data mismatches.

These included HRA claims, especially with high rent and non-metro city thresholds, deductions under sections 80C, 80D, 80E, 80G, interest on housing loan, LTA claims and exemptions like leave encashment."



Most employers are strict about certain claims, especially house rent allowance (HRA). They insist on rent receipts, landlord PAN (mandatory if annual rent exceeds 1 lakh), and sometimes even a copy of the rent agreement. This documentation burden often leads employees to skip declaring HRA to the employer and claim it directly in the return later.

However, this approach is now leading to a mismatch. This is because the process of verifying claims is largely automated.

There is no officer manually scanning each return. The scrutiny is algorithm-driven, not discretionary," Singla said. The system cross-checks information from multiple sources, like Form 16 issued by employers, Form 26AS, AIS and TIS statements, employer payroll filings, third-party data from banks and insurers.

For HRA, employees should ideally maintain rent receipts, rent agreement, landlord PAN and proof of rent payment through bank statements, Singla said. Cash rent receipts attract greater scrutiny."

Similarly, for housing loan interest, an interest certificate from the lender and possession details are critical. The same applies to education loan interest deduction as well. For deductions under Section 80C, policy documents, public provident fund or PPF statements and equity linked savings scheme (ELSS) proofs should be retained. Health insurance deductions under Section 80D require policy copies.

Donations under Section 80G or political contributions under Section 80GGB are often not allowed by employers while computing TDS. This is because CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) circulars on salaries do not specifically mandate their consideration. In such cases, employees have no option but to claim them directly in the return," said Shah.

However, if your employer accepts deductions on donations to calculate TDS liability, you must submit receipts of donations with trust registration details and mode of payment.

Singla pointed out that irrespective of whether an employer insists on proof or not, employees should always maintain documentary evidence for all claims. Absence of employer verification does not dilute the assessees burden of proof under the Income-tax Act. These records are crucial if the IT department scrutinises your return."

This has become more relevant as ITR forms now seek granular disclosuresinsurance policy numbers, lender details, donation identifiers and landlord information.

Any mismatch between the disclosed particulars and supporting documents can now be easily identified through system-based verification and may lead to unnecessary queries, adjustments or penalties," Singla said, adding accuracy in disclosure has become as important as the eligibility of the claim itself

Not a tax evasion

The alerts sent by the tax department were not scrutiny notices and shouldnt be mistaken for an investigation into tax evasion. Claiming deductions or exemptions directly in the tax return  even if not declared to the employer  is legally permitted, provided they are accurate and fully disclosed.

The Income Tax Act does not mandate that deductions or exemptions must be claimed only through the employer. The employers role is limited to TDS estimation, not final tax determination," said Singla.

However, not routing deductions through the employer can mean additional follow-up later. The department is flagging claims missing from Form 16, requiring the taxpayer to reconcile the mismatch and file a revised tax return. This could delay ITR processing and refunds, if any.

For FY 2025-26, timely and accurate use of the investment declaration and proof-submission window can help taxpayers avoid alerts like those seen in December for FY2024-25. Aligning employer records with eventual ITR claims remains the simplest way to stay off the systems radar.
In the years between World War I and World War II, France built what it believed was an impenetrable defensive barrier  the Maginot Line. A sprawling network of bunkers, artillery, and tunnels along its border with Germany, it was designed to prevent a repeat of trench warfare.

The Maginot Line was state-of-the-art, lavishly funded  and strategically flawed. When Germany invaded in 1940, it simply went around the fortifications through Belgium.

That is what happens when you prepare for the last war.

And that is exactly what many investors do when they try to time the market.

The timing trap

Ask anyone who has sold equities just in time" to avoid a crash, and they will tell you how hard it is to do it twice. Selling is only the first step. The second  getting back in  is often even harder.

A few realities investors underestimate:

You will likely get the timing wrong. It is not enough to predict a fall. You must also predict when it happens and how deep it will be.

If markets keep rising after you sell, the emotional stress is real. Many investors remain stuck in cash, waiting endlessly for a correction that does not arrive.

When corrections finally come, fear peaks. Media coverage amplifies panic, and very few investors actually find the courage to re-enter at lower levels.

The alpha myth

Lets assume  generously  that you get everything right.

You move 30% of your portfolio to cash just before a 20% correction, and reinvest perfectly at the bottom. This is the dream scenario for every market timer.

But what does it really deliver?

Over a 10-year horizon, the additional return  the so-called alpha"  is only about 1 percentage point per year compared to an investor who simply stayed invested.

To put this in perspective:

Two investors start with 1 crore in equities, assuming a 12% CAGR over 10 years. In the first year, the market falls by 20%.

Investor A (buy-and-hold): He stays invested through the fall and compounds uninterrupted. After 10 years, his portfolio grows to about 2.22 crore.

Investor B (perfect timer): He shifts 30% to cash before the fall, reinvests exactly at the bottom, and then stays invested. His portfolio grows to around 2.43 crore.

Even with flawless execution, the difference is roughly 22 lakh over a decade  translating to just a 1% higher CAGR. And that assumes no hesitation, no delays, and no missed days.

Fighting yesterdays war

Much like the Maginot Line, market-timing strategies are usually shaped by the last crisis we remember  the previous crash, the last panic. They are backward-looking defences in a forward-moving market.

The real enemy is not volatility.

It is reactionary behaviour  panic selling, performance chasing, and sitting on cash for months or years waiting for the right" moment.

What works instead

If timing does not work  or does not work well enough  what should investors do?

Adopt strategic asset allocation: Decide your equity exposure based on goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Focus on time in the market, not timing the market: Long-term participation and compounding matter far more than short-term tactical moves.

Process over prediction

There is calm in having a process. Investors who follow asset allocation find volatile periods easier to handle. Instead of fearing corrections, they see them as opportunities to rebalance.

Market timing, by contrast, demands constant vigilance and emotional energy  and more often than not, ends in regret.

As Peter Lynch famously said:

Far more money has been lost by investors preparing for corrections or trying to anticipate corrections than has been lost in the corrections themselves."

Your job as an investor is not to predict the next storm. It is to build a ship that can sail through it. For most people, that ship is not market timing  it is a disciplined, long-term plan built on asset allocation and patience.

Like the Maginot Line, timing strategies may look impressive, feel reassuring, and cost a lot. But when the real test arrives, they rarely deliver the protection investors expect.

Saurabh Mittal is a registered investment advisor and founder of Circle Wealth Advisors Pvt. Ltd. Views are personal.
Acting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons said on Tuesday (January 6) that the agency has launched the "largest immigration operation ever" in Minneapolis, Fox News reported. The operation involves a surge of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem to target fraud, arrest perpetrators, and remove criminal illegal aliens.

Targeting criminals and fraud In a statement shared with The Hill, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, We have already made more than 1,000 arrests of murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members. She added that, While for the safety of our officers we do not get into law enforcement footprint, DHS has surged law enforcement, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the operation.

According to CNN and CBS News, around 2,000 Homeland Security agents are expected to be deployed in Minneapolis for the operation, focusing on fraud investigations and the enforcement of immigration laws.

Immigration operation amid welfare fraud The operation comes amid a widening welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota. President Trump has repeatedly blamed the states Somali population for the alleged fraud, threatening to revoke the citizenship of any Somali Americans involved.

On social media platform X, DHS posted a message saying, GOOD MORNING MINNEAPOLIS!, highlighting the start of the operation.

Homeland Security also shared an edited video showing an arrest of an illegal immigrant wanted for murder and sexual assault in Ecuador, stating, Another murderer and sexual predator off of Minneapoliss streets thanks to @ICEgov.

Political fallout The welfare fraud controversy has created significant political tension in Minnesota, contributing to Governor Tim Walzs decision not to seek reelection.

Hotel incident The federal operation has already caused friction locally. DHS accused a Minneapolis Hilton-owned hotel of refusing service to agents and canceling reservations. The hotel chain later moved to cut ties with the property, stating it is  and has always been  a welcoming place for all.

Operation background The Minneapolis deployment, which began Sunday, is part of a 30-day surge known as Operation Metro Surge. ICE and DHS agents will investigate alleged fraud and enforce deportation orders, particularly targeting immigrants previously issued removal notices, including individuals from Somalia.

Federal prosecutors have charged over 90 people in Minnesota-based fraud cases since 2021, with more than 60 convictions to date. Investigators have estimated potential losses in the billions of dollars, spanning multiple federally funded programs including nutrition, housing stabilization, and child care assistance.
New Delhi: After making gold hallmarking mandatory, the government is now preparing to extend it to silver, beginning with a pilot project in select districts, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

The move aims to help consumers verify purity and authenticity, and curb counterfeit silver jewellery in the market.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is planning to roll out the pilot with large jewellery makers, while simultaneously strengthening testing and certification infrastructure in the identified districts, its director general Sanjay Garg said.

Silver hallmarking has been voluntary since September. However, from September 2025, any silver article that is hallmarked must carry a hallmark unique identification (HUID), a six-digit alphanumeric code issued by the BIS. The pilot will help assess readiness ahead of a wider rollout.

The HUID code allows each piece of jewellery to be uniquely identified and traced, helping consumers ascertain purity, authenticity and the jeweller through the BIS Care app or portal.

As per consumer affairs ministry data, till 31 December 2025, over 23 lakh silver articles were hallmarked with HUID, reflecting strong uptake among jewellers and consumers.

We are assessing the challenges faced during the rollout of mandatory gold hallmarking, and once those issues are addressed to our satisfaction, the framework will be taken forward, Garg told Mint on the sidelines of 79th foundation of BIS.

I cannot specify a timeline at this stage. There are also infrastructure-related issues, as silver hallmarking is different from gold, and the process is more tedious. As the required infrastructure becomes ready, mandatory silver hallmarking will be rolled out in a phased manner, he said.

Timing critical Consumer groups say that the timing of the move is critical, given the sharp rise in silver prices and its growing use as an investment asset.

The move to make silver hallmarking mandatory assumes significance as silver has increasingly emerged as an alternative to gold for investment and other uses, especially after prices of the white metal rose sharply in 2025. Mandatory hallmarking is expected to help check counterfeit products as silver consumption rises and is likely to increase further in the coming years, said Ashim Sanyal, chief executive officer of Consumer Voice.

Silver had a phenomenal 2025, with prices surging over 150% during the year. At the start of 2025, silver prices hovered around 81,000 per kg. Prices continued to rise through the year, ending at around 2,06,000 per kg. So far in 2026, the metal has continued to see strong buying interest.

As per the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), the price of silver was 2,37,063 per kg on Tuesday.

India consumes around 5,0007,000 tonnes of silver annually, of which 700800 tonnes are mined domestically. The remaining 8090% of demand is met through imports, mainly from the UK, the UAE, Hong Kong and Russia, among others.

Meanwhile, Union food and consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday asked the BIS to fast-track the development of new standards and modernise its testing laboratories to ensure the delivery of quality products and services to consumers.

Addressing the 79th foundation day of BIS, Joshi said that while the regulator has been effective in enforcing quality norms, it must now focus on creating an ecosystem where industry itself refrains from producing substandard goods. He said that quality is central to Indias ambition to become a global manufacturing hub under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The minister added that the BIS mark has emerged as a symbol of trust across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and technology, and stressed that quality standards should be viewed as a competitive advantage rather than a compliance burden.

Standards in force Currently, around 23,700 Indian standards are in force, with about 94% aligned with global norms set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). As of November 2025, manufacturers had obtained 26,793 certifications for notified products and 24,330 certifications on a voluntary basis, indicating growing acceptance of BIS standards, especially among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Meanwhile, jewellery is the single largest end use of silver, accounting for about 35% of total consumption, while silverware contributes another 1520%.

In the case of mandatory gold hallmarking, over 58 crore gold items have been hallmarked since 2021, averaging more than one crore pieces per month.

Earlier, Mint reported on 25 September 2025 that as India entered its peak festival and wedding season, the government moved to restrict imports of plain silver jewellery to protect domestic manufacturers and safeguard jobs in the sector amid high demand.

Indias jewellery sector, which employs over 4.3 million people, typically sees a surge in production and retail activity during festival and wedding months.

Also Read | How Chinas silver export controls could turn into strategic concerns for India

Indias jewellery industry is one of the countrys most important sectors, both culturally and economically. The market was valued at $90.4 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $150.1 billion by 2033, according to IMARC, a consulting firm. The sector accounts for around 7% of Indias GDP and about 15% of the countrys merchandise exports.

Alongside this, BIS is also working to enhance consumer-facing tools to improve access to genuine products. Garg said the BIS mobile application is being upgraded with AI-based features that will allow consumers to identify ISI-marked products across different categories with a single click, making it easier to verify authenticity and standards compliance at the point of purchase.

The app will include features that allow consumers to query, through the BIS Care app, the number of ISI-marked products available in a particular category. For instance, if a consumer visits a shop to buy kitchen utensils, they can use the app to get a brand-wise list of ISI-marked products available in a specific area of a city, such as Sarojini Nagar or other localities in Delhi. This is aimed at making it easier for consumers to identify genuine, standards-compliant products before making a purchase.

The key objective of this initiative is to make consumers aware of genuine products and help them make informed decisions while purchasing goods for their use, Garg said.
Air India has issued a travel advisory urging passengers to check the latest flight status before leaving for the airport, as it seeks to limit disruptions caused by fog and reduced visibility affecting flight operations.

In its advisory, the airline warned that the prevailing weather conditions could trigger a cascading impact on flight schedules across its network, leading to delays, diversions and cancellations. It said the situation is being closely monitored and that several proactive measures have been put in place to reduce inconvenience to travellers.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and have taken some proactive measures to minimise disruptions (details available at: http://bit.ly/4agYVyF). Should any unexpected delays, diversions or cancellations occur, our ground staff will be at your service to extend support to our guests.

Under our FogCare initiative, passengers booked on flights likely to be affected by fog receive alerts in advance with options to reschedule the flight at no extra cost or cancel it and get a full refund without penalties," the advisory read.

The weather office has forecast dense fog during the morning hours on Wednesday in Delhi and issued a yellow alert. Maximum and minimum temperatures on Wednesday are expected to hover around 16 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively, with cold day conditions likely to persist.

Also Read | Are schools in UP tomorrow amid IMD weather alert? What we know

Meanwhile, Delhis air quality worsened further, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 310, placing it in the very poor category, compared with 244 recorded on Monday.

Also Read | IMD issues yellow alert for cold wave, dense fog in these states

Data from the Central Pollution Control Boards Sameer app showed that 27 monitoring stations reported very poor air quality, 10 were in the poor category and one station recorded moderate air quality. Mundka registered the worst AQI at 369 on Tuesday evening.

Cold wave warning for parts of north and central India Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its bulletin, said cold wave conditions were very likely to prevail over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Odisha from 7 January to 9 January. It added that Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are also expected to experience cold wave conditions later this week.

The IMD said cold day conditions were likely over Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh on January 6 and 7; West Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on January 6; East Rajasthan, West Bengal & Sikkim during January 68; Jharkhand on January 6, 2026.

Apart from the cold wave, dense fog is expected to persist during the morning hours across north-west, central, eastern and north-eastern India over the next five to seven days.

Dense to very dense fog conditions very likely to prevail in morning hours in some parts over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh during January 79 and Dense fog in isolated pockets for subsequent 4 days, the IMD said in its bulletin.
Several parts of India will continue to reel under cold wave conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, while also issuing rain and snowfall warnings for certain regions. The severe cold wave that has swept across the national capital and neighbouring areas is expected to continue, as the weather agency forecasts cloudy and foggy conditions until tomorrow for Delhi.

Cold day conditions are also likely over Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on January 6 and 7; in Rajasthan from January 8 to 11; Madhya Pradesh on January 7 and 8; and in Vidarbha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh from January 6 to 8, 2026.

The IMD has also predicted snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand today. Meanwhile, a thin layer of fog blanketed Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, on Tuesday morning as cold wave conditions continued to tighten their grip on the Kashmir Valley.

In southern India, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely over Tamil Nadu on January 8 and 9. Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mahe on January 9 and 10.

Also Read | Delhi AQI remains poor as city reels under cold wave | Check IMD forecast

The weather department has forecast a gradual drop of 23C in minimum temperatures over north-west India during the next four days. After that, temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged for the following three days. A similar fall of 23C is likely across central and eastern India over the next two days, followed by stable conditions for the subsequent five days. No major change in night temperatures is expected in the rest of the country.

Dense fog is very likely at isolated places in Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and west Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read | Are schools in UP tomorrow amid IMD weather alert? What we know

Meanwhile, a coldwave alert has also been issued for Jharkhand - where the mercury dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in 10 districts on Tuesday, officials said.

A yellow alert has been issued for several districts, including Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla and Chatra, officials said.

They added that cold wave conditions are expected to persist in these districts until January 7.

During the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am, Gumla reported the lowest temperature in the state at 2.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Khunti at 3.7 degrees Celsius and Lohardaga at 3.9 degrees Celsius, according to officials.

Explaining the sudden drop in temperatures, Ranchi Meteorological Centres Deputy Director Abhishek Anand said, "The western disturbance winds prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels have caused the drop in the mercury level,".
The central government on Tuesday, 6 January, extended the deadline it had given to Elon Musk's X Corporation to file a detailed action taken report (ATR) regarding vulgar and unlawful content, users and accounts on its platform. With the extension of the deadline, X now has time until 7 January, 5 PM to file a report on the action it took to prevent misuse of its bot, GrokAI, a senior official told Hindustan Times.

The deadline extension comes three days after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) wrote to X (formerly Twitter), alleging failure to observe statutory due diligence obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and demanded a detailed report on the ation taken to prevent hosting, generation and uploading of obscene, nude, indecent and sexually explicit content through 'Grok' and xAI's other services.

In a letter to the Chief Compliance Officer, X Corp, India Operations, MeitY advised the social media platform to strictly desist from the hosting, displaying, uploading, publication, transmission, storage, and sharing of any content that is obscene, pornographic, vulgar, indecent, sexually explicit, paedophilic, or otherwise prohibited under any law for the time being in force in any manner whatsoever.

It added that hosting, displaying, uploading, publication, transmission, storage, and sharing of vulgar and unlawful content attracts serious penal consequences under multiple statutes.

Failure to observe such due diligence obligations shall result in the loss of the exemption from liability under section 79 of the IT Act, and you shall also be liable for consequential action as provided under any law including the IT Act and BNS, the letter read.

It continued: "It has especially been observed that the service namely "Grok AI" developed by you and integrated and made available on the X platform, is being misused by users to create fake accounts to host, generate, publish or share obscene images or videos of women in a derogatory or vulgar manner in order to indecently denigrate them."

What was X asked to do by MeitY? In its letter, the central government asked X to carry out a "technical, procedural and governance-level review of the AI-based application, Grok, to ensure that there is no content that promotes nudity and other unlawful activities in any form.

It also asked X to update its terms of service and other related policies against those violating the rules and submit a detailed action report in at least 72 hours covering specific technical and organisational measures adopted or proposed in relation to the Grok application; role and oversight exercised by the Chief Compliance Officer; actions taken against offending content, users and accounts; and mechanisms put in place to ensure compliance with the mandatory reporting requirement under section 33 of the BNSS.

On Sunday, 4 January, Global Government Affairs account of X said in a statement that the social media platform will act against content that violates their policies, suspending accounts that post unlawful material, and work with the local governments.
Amandeep Kumar, the managing director of Falcon Invoice Discounting, was apprehended by Telangana's Crime Investigation Department (CID) at Mumbai airport, in connection with a fake investment app case.

Kumar was arrested on Monday, 5 January, while returning from Iran after a look-out circular was issued against him. He was later brought to Hyderabad on transit remand.

According to an official press note shared by ANI, the accused, along with his associates, operated a fraudulent website and mobile app to lure investors into making unauthorised deposits. In return, they promised high returns, which resulted in significant financial losses for several people.

So far, 11 accused, including directors, executives, and a chartered accountant, have been arrested in connection with the case. They have been remanded to judicial custody.

What was their modus operandi? The entire scam was carried out through a fraudulent website (www.falconsgrup.com) and mobile application. The accused and his associates allegedly created fake invoice discounting deals in the names of reputed multinational corporations (MNCs), and induced investors with promises of high short-term returns.

Investigators found that about 4,215 crore was raised from 7,056 depositors, of which 4,065 victims were cheated and suffered losses amounting to 792 crore.

Also Read | The new AI-driven scams you must prepare for

Meanwhile, assets including 12 plots, four luxury cars, 8 lakh cash, 21 tolas of gold, RDP shares worth 20 crore, and bank balances of 8 crore  totalling approximately 43 crore  have been identified and are in the process of attachment.

Telangana's CID is in charge of conducting the investigation under the supervision of Charu Sinha, IPS, Addl. DGP, CID. The press note stated that efforts are underway to trace the money trail.

Public advisory The press note also reminded citizens to avoid falling prey to online investment schemes that promise unrealistic returns.

A recent report showed that Indians lost around 19,812.96 crore to various cyber fraud and cheating cases in 2025. Around 21,77,524 cheating-related fraud complaints were received in the same year, according to data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

The report reveals a rise in financial crimes, including investment traps, digital arrest, online scams, banking frauds, and cyber phishing, across the country, according to a Mint report.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake a two-day visit to India next week. Merz's first India visit is expected to focus on shoring up bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including trade, investment, defence and technology, Ministry of External Affairs said.

Merz will be traveling to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru on January 12-13. The visit is taking place as New Delhi focuses on boosting its overall economic engagement with Europe against the backdrop of Donald Trump administration's tariffs on Indian goods.

The German leader will arrive in Ahmedabad on January 12. He will travel to Bengaluru after concluding his engagements in Ahmedabad. He will also holds talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad.

"The prime minister will receive Chancellor Merz on January 12 in Ahmedabad. The two leaders will take stock of the progress made in diverse aspects of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years last year," the MEA) said.

The discussion will also focus on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also advancing collaboration in important domains of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people relations, it said.

Just ahead of India-EU free trade agreement The German Chancellor's visit to India is taking place days before top leaders of the European Union arrive in Delhi for finalising the much-awaited India-EU free trade agreement.

India will host French President Emmanuel Macron next month. Macron is visiting India to participate in the AI Summit.

The MEA said Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also engage with business and industry leaders and exchange views on issues of regional and global importance.

"The visit will build on the momentum generated by regular interactions at the highest political level," it said.

"It will provide a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision of India and Germany to build a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of the people of both countries and the wider global community," the MEA said in a statement.

People familiar with Merz's visit to India said boosting trade and investment ties will be a major focus area of the German leader's trip, news agency PTI said.

Modi-Merz Talks The talks between Modi and Merz will be held under the framework of India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations.

The German chancellor is visiting India amid a fractious geopolitical environment, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the US capturing Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

It is expected that the Russia-Ukraine conflict may figure prominently in Modi-Merz talks.

The two leaders may also review progress in bilateral cooperation in the area of clean energy.

The visit will build on the momentum generated by regular interactions at the highest political level.

In 2024, the two sides launched the Indo-German green hydrogen roadmap that was aimed at supporting India's ambition for production, usage and export of green hydrogen.
Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has taken serious cognisance of the purported videos showing students raising objectionable, provocative slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The anti-Modi and anti-Shah slogans were raised on the same day the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, both JNU alumni.

JNU Administration has taken very serious cognisance of the videos being circulated of the protest organised at Sabarmati premises yesterday, wherein a group of students from JNUSU raised highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans, the university said in a statement.

The university further stated that such slogans violate the JNU Code of Conduct and have the potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony, and the safety and security environment of the University and the Nation.

It also urged stakeholders to understand the difference between dissent, abuse and hate speech.

Such acts reflect a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse. All stakeholders must understand the clear distinction between dissent, abuse and hate speech, which leads to public disorder.

All the stakeholders are requested to desist from indulging in any such unwarranted activities and cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony on the campus, failing which strict action will be taken as per rules, it added.

Earlier, JNU had also requested the Station House Officer of Vasant Kunj (North) police station to register a First Information Report (FIR) against those who raised the slogans, news agency ANI reported.

What happened at JNU? A row erupted on Monday night during a programme organised by the university to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the violence that occurred in JNU on 5 January 2020. The programme, titled A Night of Resistance with Guerilla Dhaba, saw around 3035 students gather outside the hostel, according to an official letter from the university.

However, after the Supreme Court delivered its verdict, the character of the gathering changed sharply, with a section of students raising objectionable and inflammatory slogans. The slogans were clearly heard and repeated several times, and were viewed as a direct contempt of the Supreme Court as well as a breach of the JNU Code of Conduct.

On Monday, the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case alleging a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.

Also Read | SC verdict on Umar Khalid case Highlights: Supreme Court pronounces judgement
Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) became the centre of controversy on Monday after a purported video surfaced on social media, allegedly showing students raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah. The students were protesting the Supreme Court's verdict denying bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.

Several leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, condemned the incident, saying, These are separatist people.

"I strongly condemn this. If there will be protests in this country, even against the Supreme Court's rulings, then what is left?" Manjinder Singh Sirsa asked.

Calling the JNU protesters "separatist", Sirsa said, "These people have no regard for the country, the constitution, or the law. These are separatist people. They only talk about breaking the country."

"Using abusive language against the country's Prime Minister and the Home Minister is utterly shameful," he said.

Sirsa further alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress are always visible behind these people like Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others, behind this conspiracy.

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra called these protesting students desh ke dushman (enemies of the country).

Mishra said, Some people raise slogans against the nation, religion, the verdict of the Supreme Court, in support of Afzal Guru, terrorists, naxals...The Naxals, terrorists, are being eliminated, and those who conspired against Delhi, the Supreme Court has announced its verdict on it, so this is just their frustration.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj defended JNU students, saying, This is a way of expressing resentment...There is outrage in the JNU [against the Supreme Court's verdict in the 2020 Delhi Riots larger conspiracy case].

"They [Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam] are being treated like this as they are muslims. Injustice was done to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The SC verdict is very unfortunate," he added.

JNU student's controversial slogans A group of JNU students allegedly raised controversial slogans against Modi and Shah inside the university campus after the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots conspiracy case.

A purported video of Monday night's protest shows students raising slogans condemning Modi and Shah.

Also Read | SC verdict on Umar Khalid case Highlights: Supreme Court pronounces judgement

Aditi Mishra, president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union, was quoted by the news agency PTI as saying that every year, students hold a protest to condemn the violence that occurred on the campus on 5 January 2020.

"All of the slogans raised in the protest were ideological and do not attack anyone personally. They were not directed towards anyone," Mishra told PTI.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Tuesday, January 6, vowed strictest action against students who are found raising objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The university also asserted that while freedom of speech is a fundamental right, any form of unlawful conduct or anti-national activity would not be tolerated inside the campus.

The university said in a post on X, The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration has vowed the strictest action against students found raising objectionable slogans against Honble Prime Minister and Honble Home Minister. An FIR has already been lodged in the matter.

It said, Universities are centres for innovation and new ideas, and they cannot be permitted to be converted into laboratories of hate. Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right. But any form of violence, unlawful conduct or anti-national activity will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The administration said students involved in the incident would face disciplinary action, which could include immediate suspension, expulsion, or permanent debarment.

Students involved in this incident will also face disciplinary measures including immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the University, the university said.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University comes a day after a group of students raised slogans against PM Modi and Amit Shah on the JNU campus during a protest. The demonstration was held after the Supreme Court did not grand bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots conspiracy case.

According to a video, purportedly of the protest, students raised slogans criticising the prime minister and the home minister.

The event  A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba  was organised at Sabarmati Dhaba to mark the January 5, 2020, violence in which a mob of masked people entered the campus and attacked students and teachers with sticks and rods.

A letter written by the JNU administration to the Delhi Police claimed that certain students raised highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans at an event on Monday, January 5, that were in direct contempt of the Supreme Court and reflect a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse.

Several students have been as being the part of the protest. The names include current Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra. Aditi Mishra has, however, claimed that the protest is held every year and no slogan was directed towards anyone.

All of the slogans raised in the protest were ideological and do not attack anyone personally. They were not directed towards anyone, she claimed, PTI reported.
The Madras High Court's Madurai bench upheld a single judge's (Justice GR Swaminathan's) ruling allowing the lighting of a lamp on 'Deepathoon' at Tirupparankundram temple, while criticising the Tamil Nadu government and waqf board over their claims.

The case pertains to the lighting of the lamp at the stone pillar atop the Thiruparakundram hills near a dargah. The Thiruparankundram hillock houses both the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy and the Sikkandar Badhusha Dargah.

According to news agency PTI, the bench of Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan observed that the district administration should have treated the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation.

It further held that, since the hill is a protected site, any activity conducted there must strictly comply with the provisions of the Act.

The court clarified that the lamp may be lit and the number of persons permitted can be fixed, subject to consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Devasthanam must light the lamp at the Deepathoon... ASI shall impose conditions necessary to protect the monuments on the hill, the high court said, as per Bar and Bench.

The court added, "The Devasthanam, through their team, must light the lamp at the Deepathoon on the event of Karthigai Deepam festival."

No public shall be allowed to accompany the Devasthanam team. The number of team members is to be decided in consultation with ASI and the police. District Collector shall coordinate and supervise the event, it said.

Madras HC slams State: 'Imaginary ghost' Rejecting the arguments that law and order may be disrupted if the lamp is lit atop the hill, the high court said that it is ridiculous and hard to believe the fear of "mighty state" that the lighting of this lamp by the temple management on temple land could cause a disturbance to public peace, unless such disturbances are sponsored by the State itself.

We pray that no State should stoop to that level to achieve their political agenda, the court observed, as per Bar and Bench.

Also Read | Heavy rainfall alert in Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Ditwah  Check IMD forecast

The court observed that those challenging the lamp lighting had not produced any formidable evidence to show that the lighting of this lamp is not permitted by the Agama Shastras.

The bench said that the State's apprehensions of public peace disturbances that may ensue if the lamp is lit are nothing but an "imaginary ghost" created conveniently, which has created mistrust between communities.

We find that the apprehension expressed by the district administration regarding the probability of disturbance of public peace is nothing but an imaginary ghost created by them for their convenience sake and to put one community against another community under suspicion and constant mistrust, the Bench said.

HC criticises Waqf Board The court further criticised the "mischievous" submission made by the waqf board that the stone pillar belongs to the dargah.

The court observed that religious practices always have reasons and that the practice of lighting a deepam at an elevated place is there for all Hindu devotees at the foothill to see and worship.
New Delhi: As India builds highways at a record pace, a critical digital gap is becoming harder to ignore. Citing serious lapses in mobile connectivity across several stretches, particularly greenfield and remote sections, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought the intervention of the telecommunications department and the sector regulator to issue directions to service providers to improve coverage.

The move highlights concern that poor digital connectivity along key transport corridors is undermining road safety, emergency response and the delivery of technology-enabled public services.

Emphasizing public safety implications and the strategic significance of the national highway network, the NHAI has called for an expeditious and coordinated approach to improve mobile network connectivity in highway corridors across the country, a statement from ministry of road transport and highways, the administering body for NHAI, said.

Under a comprehensive assessment by the NHAI, 424 locations covering about 1,750 km across the national highway network have been identified as critically-affected due to non-availability of mobile network connectivity. Detailed information on these locations has been compiled and shared with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for necessary action.

India's total national highway network covers over 1,46,000 km.

Accident stretch alerts sought The NHAI has sought directions to telecom operators for dissemination of proactive SMS or Flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone locations, including stretches affected by stray cattle movement and other identified hazards. These alerts are intended to reach road users prior to their arrival at such locations, enabling timely caution and safer driving behaviour. A list of accident-prone stretches frequently impacted by stray cattle has been shared.

The initiative assumes importance given that Indias 146,195 km highway network recorded 480,583 road accidents in 2023, resulting in 1,72,890 deaths, and 4,62,893 serious injuries, which translates to about 20 deaths every hour. The number of accidents and deaths on highways in India is highest globally, and it results in significant economic loss to the country.

Also Read | Bonanza for investors as new road builders may get to toll old ones too

NHAI said its effort to seek intervention to fix mobile network connectivity gaps and enhance safety along national highways is in line with its commitment to work along with with all stakeholders to ensure highways are not just well-connected physically, but are also digitally-enabled.

This is very vital initiative, to take connectivity to the remotest corners of country and connect public with road network meaningfully, said P.C. Grover, director general of the National Highway Builders Federation.

To be sure, Trai conducts various drive tests on a regular basis to check the quality of telecom services across various locations, including highways, and asks operators to take action.

NHAI effort needed Some experts say that the issue may warrant effort from NHAI itself. "While DoT and Trai can ask the operators to take action, a solution here can work is that NHAI itself can become a neutral host, where it can lay the passive infrastructure such as optical fiber cable and tower mounting infrastructure. Telecom operators will only have a job to bring in equipment and provide connectivity," said Satya N. Gupta, a former principal advisor at Trai.

A telecom neutral host builds and operates shared telecom infrastructure that multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) can use at the same time, instead of each operator deploying its own separate network.

According to Gupta, towards this, the NHAI can charge infrastructure provider fees from the operators, for which the charge can be fixed by the telecom regulator.

A senior official at the telecom regulator said the objective would be to get a network boost. "Trai's efforts would be to facilitate provision of coverage. The regulator will communicate the connectivity issues on highways to the operators," the official said, adding that operators also see commercial viability and coverage needs before enabling telecom connectivity in certain areas. "Further, there is also a need to check if operators are facing issues related to right of way (RoW) for laying telecom infrastructure in those areas."

There could be underlying issues in the highway development as well. A highway developer, on the condition of anonymity, said the NHAI should have created telecom infrastructure while building highways and sought connectivity before the start of traffic movement. This would have prevented a situation where large portions of highways are bereft of any communication network.

In a recent consultation paper on the next spectrum auction, the telecom regulator noted that it had received complaints from consumers about no mobile coverage on certain patches of highways and train routes, certain pockets of residential and commercial areas, and certain segments of rural and remote areas.

"In the drive tests conducted by Trai, the issue of no mobile coverage at numerous places has come to the notice of the Authority. At this stage, it would be worthwhile to deliberate as to whether there is a need to modify the approach followed by the Government in terms of (network) roll-out obligations in public interest," Trai said in the consultation paper.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday took a joint ride in the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV), underlining the Centres push for green hydrogen and clean mobility solutions in India.

On the occasion, Pralhad Joshi personally drove the Toyota Mirai from Bharat Mandapam to the residence of Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. The symbolic drive was aimed at showing the potential of hydrogen-based mobility and reinforcing the governments commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transport alternatives.

The video from the event shows the two senior ministers arriving in a striking blue Toyota Mirai amid tight security and the presence of officials. In one photograph, Pralhad Joshi is seen stepping out of the drivers seat, while Nitin Gadkari stands beside the vehicle, smiling and interacting with those present. Another image shows the ministers seated inside the car as it moves through the premises, escorted by security personnel. A third image captures both leaders posing beside the vehicle, which prominently displays the words Powered by Hydrogen on its side.

View full Image The Union ministers highlighted the role of hydrogen mobility in Indias long-term clean energy roadmap.

Officials accompanying the ministers said the demonstration was intended to raise awareness about hydrogen fuel-cell technology and its role in Indias long-term clean energy roadmap. The government has been actively promoting green hydrogen as a future fuel, particularly for transport and industrial use, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Also Read | Veteran Maruti takes the EV route with the drive of a fresher

View full Image Ministers seated inside the car.

The Toyota Mirai is a second-generation hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle and is considered one of the most advanced zero-emission cars in the world. Unlike conventional electric vehicles that rely on batteries, the Mirai generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The only emission from the vehicle is water vapour, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to petrol and diesel-powered cars.

Also Read | Toyota Posts Rare Sales Drop in November, Dragged Down by China
A Noida-based woman, Lavika Gupta, has alleged that her in-laws deceived her about her husbands physical appearance, among other important aspects of his life. Gupta, a resident of Gaur City Avenue-1, has filed a police complaint against her husband and four in-laws, claiming she was promised a husband with thick hair. However, after the marriage, she discovered that he was bald and used a hair patch.

Gupta has further alleged that her in-laws misled her about her husband Sanyam Jains education, financial status, and that he was involved in international drug smuggling, according to news agency PTI.

She also claimed that when she tried to expose Jain to the police, he threatened to make her private photographs public and physically assaulted her.

Forced to bring marijuana In addition, Gupta alleged that Jain forced her to bring marijuana (ganja) from Thailand to India.

The woman has also alleged that her husband assaulted her during a trip abroad and pressured her to bring marijuana from Thailand to India, Bisrakh police station in-charge Manoj Kumar Singh told the news agency.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at the Bisrakh police station, the couple got married on 16 January 2024. Gupta has alleged that her in-laws deliberately concealed important details about Jains life before the marriage.

Based on the complaint, police have registered a case against five people, including the husband and his four family members, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The charges include Section 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), Section 316 (criminal breach of trust) and Section 115 (assault). Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act have also been invoked.

Police said further investigation into the matter is underway.
US President Donald Trump brought up his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the House Republicans' Retreat at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday (local time).

In his speech, Trump said that Modi "is not happy with me" after Washington raised tariffs on Indian goods over its purchase of oil from Russia.

"... I have a very good relationship with PM Modi, but he is not happy with me as India is paying high tariffs. But now they have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia," Trump said.

The US imposed on India an initial 25%, and then an additional 25% tariff due to Russian oil purchases, which Washington sees as helping to fund Russia's war with Ukraine.

Trump made these remarks only a day after he issued a warning that further tariffs could be imposed if New Delhi did not address his concerns regarding Russian oil imports.

"They wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy," he said.

Trump also said that India had informed him that it had been waiting for the delivery of Apache helicopters for five years.

We're changing it. We're changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches, he said.

During his address, Trump also claimed that the US economy is benefiting from the tariffs he put on several countries around the world.

Trump's comments come at a time when he has positioned himself as the mediator between Russia and Ukraine, having held talks with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

India has earlier rejected Trump's assertion that Modi had assured him New Delhi would stop purchasing Russian oil, clarifying that no such conversation or assurance had taken place.

US backs security guarantees to Ukraine for the first time On Tuesday, the US, for the first time, backed security guarantees given to Ukraine by its allies.

At a key meeting in Paris, leaders from European countries and Canada, as well as US representatives and top officials from the European Union and NATO, said they would provide Kyivs front-line forces with equipment and training and back them up with air, land and sea support to deter any future Russian attack.
Activist Umar Khalids family expressed disappointment at the Supreme Courts refusal to grant him bail on Monday in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.

Umar, along with 17 others, is facing allegations of indulging in a larger conspiracy to cause the riots in Northeast Delhi between 23 February 2020 and 25 February 2020, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

Booked for offences under the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Umar has been described as a veteran of sedition by the Delhi Police Special Cell in its chargesheet.

Umar Khalid has been in custody since 13 September 2020. Umar Khalids father Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas said the family was confident that he would get bail. Speaking with the Indian Express, he said Ilyas recalled that Umar Khalid was out on interim bail last month to attend a family wedding. This time when Umar came home, even he was hopeful that he would be getting bail, he said.

Unfortunately, it did not happen, he said. Ilyas, who was in court on Monday, said the family felt a 'deep sense of injustice' at the decision, claiming there was no material to support allegations levelled against Umar Khalid.

This is an unfortunate decision. There is no evidence that shows that my son has made any anti-national speech or committed any anti-national act, In fact, when the riots happened, he was not even in Delhi, Ilyas told Times of India.

Ilyas said the order was emotionally draining for the family. This is a very difficult time for us. He has already spent so many years in jail without trial, and now he will have to wait for another one year before we can appeal for bail again, he told TOI.

The Court, while rejecting the bail, said that Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam can move for bail again on completion of examination of protected witnesses or completion of one year from the present order.

Man who spoke of love Umar Khalid's mother, Sabiha Khanum, told Indian Express Pyaar mohabbat ki baatein karne wale ko bail nahi mil rahi hai (a man who spoke of love and harmony is not getting bail).

Umar Khalid, reacted to the Supreme Courts denial of bail in the 2020 Delhi Riots larger conspiracy case. Khalid, who has been in custody since 13 September 2020, said this is what his life has become.

I am really happy for the others, who got bail! So relieved, Umar told his partner Banojyotsna Lahiri, who put out portions of her conversation with Umar on X.

The court, however, granted bail to five other co-accused in the same case, citing the gravity of the allegations against Khalid and Imam, legal news website Bar and Bench reported.

The Apex court said it was necessary to examine each appeal independently, adding that the record discloses that the appellants are not on equal footing when it comes to culpability.

Good good, aa jana. Ab yahi zindagi hai (this is what his life has become), Umar Khalid responded, as per his partner's post on X.

While refusing bail to Umar and co-accused Sharjeel Imam, a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria, in its judgment spanning 142 pages, said that the ground of delay in trial would not operate as a trump card for an automatic grant of bail for offences punishable under the stringent Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA).

In prosecutions alleging offences which implicate the sovereignty, integrity or security of the State, delay does not operate as a trump card that automatically displaces statutory restraint. Rather, delay serves as a trigger for heightened judicial scrutiny," the bench said.

The February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured. The violence erupted during widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens.

This is an unfortunate decision. There is no evidence that shows that my son has made any anti-national speech or committed any anti-national act.

Pyaar mohabbat ki baatein karne wale ko bail nahi mil rahi hai (a man who spoke of love and harmony is not getting bail).

The accused moved the apex court, challenging the Delhi High Court's September 2, 2025, order denying them bail in the larger conspiracy case related to the riots.
Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at feedback@livemint.com.

India-focused venture capital (VC) funds have raised about $2.5 billion across 20 new vehicles so far in calendar 2025, outpacing the $1.6 billion secured via 16 funds in 2024 and $1.9 billion across 19 funds in 2023, according to Venture Intelligence. Although the pace of final closes has ticked up only marginally, more managers are back in the market to raise funds, in an indication that investors expect deal activity to gain momentum over the next few years.

According to Venture Intelligence, Accel India, Peak XV Partners and Blume Ventures have been the three most active Indiabased VC investors in 2025 so far, with 43, 41 and 32 deals, respectively, followed by Info Edge, DeVC India and Elevation Capital, each closing between 24 and 28 deals.

Including green-shoe options and full target sizes, India-focused VC and private equity (PE) funds launched or currently in the market in 2025 are seeking about $9 billion in total. But so far only around $2.5 billion has been closed, according to a July-September Inc42 fund-raising report. A green-shoe option is a clause that allows a company to raise additional capital beyond its original target if investor demand is high.

Most of this fresh capital is earmarked for early-stage deals, even as a VCCircle report pegs uninvested capital or dry powder' at around $100 billion, underscoring that there is ample money waiting to be deployed into Indian startups over the next year.

Despite the large pool of uninvested capital, venture capitalists and advisers tracking the sector expect deployment by both domestic and foreign funds to stay muted or at best flat in 2026.

Also Read | Venture capital firms race to back next consumer AI breakout

An EY report shows that PE and VC investments rose to $5.3 billion in October 2025, up 9% both from a year earlier and the month prior. However, deal volume fell 9% from a year ago to 102 and dropped 30% from 145 in September.

I would be surprised if next year is more turbulent than 2025," said Alok Goyal, partner at Stellaris Venture Partners. This has probably been the most turbulent year economically in my memory, and I think 2025 has set a benchmark of volatility that we [think] can probably only be better in 2026."

Goyal said the sharp rise in venturebacked initial public offerings (IPOs), often one or two listings a week, is already boosting investor confidence and market liquidity. He expects this to translate into a more active investment cycle in 2026, including in growth and latestage deals.

Stellaris has raised over $600 million across three Indiafocused funds, and counts Mamaearth and Whatfix among its biggest exits. It closed its latest $300 million fund in late 2024.

Indian VC funds are also seeing a shift in their limited partner (LP) base, with domestic family offices emerging as a more important pool of capital for earlystage managers. Mint had earlier reported that several prominent Indian families have increased allocations to small venture funds, choosing to come in earlier, hold for longer and aim for higher returns as startup IPOs and secondary deals deepen the exit market.

Artha Ventures, one of the countrys more active seed investors, expects to end 2025 with around 1,000 crore raised across its vehicles and roughly 1518 term sheets issued, of which 1012 are likely to convert into completed deals. The Mumbaibased firm has backed companies such as Everest Fleet, Agnikul Cosmos and Exotel early, and has recorded doubledigit exits over the past decade.

Founder and managing partner Anirudh Damani says roughly 80% of Arthas capital now comes from domestic family offices, with the rest split between institutions and ultrarich individuals and advisors.

Many tech founders and senior startup employees are also redeploying ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) gains into seed deals, he added, but warned that earlystage investing demands more time than money", and needs a dedicated team, not just chequewriting capacity.

Damani said the rush of easy money during the boom years tempted many ultrarich investors to bypass funds and write many angel cheques on their own, often with minimal diligence or followup.

I know people who made a hundred investments in 18 months in the boom years in 2021 and 2022, which meant they were making one investment roughly every five daysand a lot of them have left the ecosystem because they have lost much of this cash and are disillusioned with the investments they have made," he added.

This shift in LP appetite is not limited to generalist seed funds. It is also showing up in specialist strategies such as deeptech, where managers say domestic capital is finally starting to underwrite longergestation bets, instead of leaving the space to offshore investors.

A limited partner is an investor who provides capital to a VC fund, but stays away from its day-to-day management.

Vishesh Rajaram, managing partner at Speciale Invest, said the firm's third funda deeptechfocused earlystage vehicle of about 600 croresaw 80% of its capital anchored largely by domestic family offices, successful founders and high net worth individuals (HNIs).

Rajaram sees this as a clear break from earlier cycles, when most deeptech capital came from offshore LPs. We are now seeing Indian family offices and founders actively choosing real technology, IP and hard problems over pure consumer convenience stories," he said, adding that a lot of that comes from the hard lessons everyone learnt in the 202122 froth in consumer and fintech."

He also explained that the deeptech sector still suffers from a lack of patient capital", something that many surveys have found, given the high capex, long product cycles and uncertain exit paths in areas such as spacetech and semiconductors.

That is why Speciale has tried to identify LPs who are comfortable with 1012 year investment horizons.

Also Read | Space startups expect revenue build-up as investors turn bullish

You cannot build a spacetech or semiconductor company on a fiveyear return clock," he said. If you do that, you are setting up both founders and LPs for disappointment, which is why we spend a lot of time upfront aligning expectations on timetoliquidity, and the fact that many deeptech exits will come via M&As (mergers and acquisitions) and strategic sales rather than classic consumerstyle IPOs."

Gautami Gavankar, president, banking solutions at Kotak Mahindra Bank, said that there is a clear difference between individual HNIs, who typically lack the bandwidth to analyse startups, and proper" family offices with dedicated privatemarkets teams.

Individual HNIs, she said, are better off accessing the asset class through VC, PE or alternative investment funds (AIFs) that bring a track record, defined diligence processes and diversification, while larger family offices can pursue direct startup bets, coinvest alongside funds or even run their own corporate VC and angel programmes.

When Kotak evaluates a VC fund for its clients, Gavankar said, it looks at the managers vintage, assets under management, realised and unrealised performance, the quality of the underlying portfolio, and the rigour of its investment and diligence processes.

She added that understanding the fund structure is equally important: most VC funds run for six years with two oneyear extensions, call capital over the first three to four years and then start distributions, with contracts allowing managers to extend by up to two years to wait for exits, something that often annoys investors when public markets are doing well.

People do get impatient with extensions, especially when listed markets have done really well and private marks are lagging," she said. That is why we tell clients very clearly at the start that this is longduration, illiquid capital and sophisticated investors are the right people to be here."

On performance measurement, Goyal of Stellaris Venture Partners said, the most objective measures" that LPs track are DPI (distributions to paidin capital, or how much cash has actually been returned to investors as a proportion of the capital) and dollar IRR (internal rate of return). The total value to paidin capital (TVPI), including both realised and onpaper gains, is used more at earlier stages.

Goyal offered a simple yardstick for what strong performance looks like. For a venture fund that started investing around 2017, he said a reasonable external benchmark for a topdecile fund is a dollar IRR of about 21.8% a year over the funds life. This is not our benchmark, its a public benchmark", he emphasized, but it is a useful example of the kind of longterm, dollardenominated return that global LPs would regard as good" for a toptier India fund.
A day after announcing he would not seek re-election, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rejected calls to step down over the states welfare fraud scandal.

Im not going anywhere. And you can make all your requests for me to resign. Over my dead body will that happen, Walz told reporters on Tuesday (January 6), responding publicly for the first time since ending his re-election bid.

Decision to end re-election bid The Democratic governor scrapped his campaign for an unprecedented third term amid mounting criticism from Republicans over his handling of large-scale fraud involving state-administered welfare programs.

Walz said his decision was rooted in accountability.

The buck stops with me. Im accountable for this. And because of that accountability, Im not running for office again, he said.

Attack on Republicans and Trump Striking a combative tone, Walz turned his fire on Minnesota Republicans and President Donald Trump, warning GOP lawmakers in the state legislature to expect aggressive oversight from his office in the months ahead.

Expect for the next 11 months for me to ride you like youve never been ridden, to make sure that youre doing your job, Walz said.

Defending his record Despite the scandal, Walz defended his tenure and argued he still has time to fix the problems uncovered under his administration.

I have a year to continue to improve on a record that I think will stand up against anybodys, a record that has made Minnesota better, he said.

Reiterating earlier remarks, Walz added: This is on my watch, I am accountable for this and, more importantly, I am the one that will fix it.

Fraud scandal under scrutiny Walz faced a growing political backlash in recent weeks over what prosecutors have described as the largest COVID-era fraud scheme in the United States.

More than 90 people  most from Minnesotas large Somali community  have been charged since 2022. Authorities are still calculating the total losses linked to alleged money laundering involving fraudulent meal programs, housing assistance, daycare centers and Medicaid services.

National spotlight and funding freeze The controversy intensified nationally after a viral video by 23-year-old YouTube content creator Nick Shirley alleged widespread fraud at Somali-run daycare centers in Minneapolis.
In a recent post on Reddit that has gone viral, a user claimed that they worked part-time as a Rapido bike captain in Bengaluru for four days and offered a breakdown of his earnings.

The user, No_Election7476, posted on Reddit and shared what he called a transparent earnings breakdown.

I worked as a Rapido bike captain in Bangalore for 4 days, purely part-time. Thought Id share a transparent earnings breakdown for anyone curious, he said.

Writing about his work pattern, the user said that he worked for four days and around four to five hours daily, mostly after 10 pm. The reason why he worked those hours is because Rapido gives +20% night fare incentive between 10 PM  6 AM, he said.

Also, Rapido didnt take any commission from my rides. Not 100% sure, but I think this might be due to the pervious ban situation, he said.

It must be noted that this report is based on user-generated content from social media. Livemint has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Reddit user shares Rapido earnings breakdown The user then moved on to share his Rapido earnings breakdown over the four days he worked. On Day one, he worked in two shifts  first from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, and then from 11 pm to 1:30 am. During the two shifts, he earned 170 and 460 respectively, with his total earnings summing up to 630 in a total of five hours.

Also Read | Rapido driver earns 1 lakh by juggling delivery work and pani puri stall

On Day two, he earned a total of 750 by working five hours across two shifts  1 pm to 3 pm where he earned 237 and 8:30 pm to 12 am when he made 520.

The user then shared that he earned a total of 420 by working for three hours from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

On Day four too, he earned a total of 420 by working the from 8:30 pm to 12 am, a duration of about four hours.

This took his total earnings over the four days to around 2,220, while the petrol cost came to around 400. Therefore, his net earnings stood at around 1,820 over a total ride time of around 17 hours.

Night rides pay better, says Rapido captain The Reddit user, who worked part-time as a Rapido captain in Bangalore shared his observations from the stint, saying that night rides pay better due to 20% extra fare, while the demand remains decent after 10 pm. An added advantage is lighter traffic at night, which translates to faster trips. He also said that Rapido did not charge him any commission, which made the earnings feel fair.

However, the Bangalore man suggested working as a Rapido captain for a side hustle, and not full income.

Not saying its amazing money, but for short-term or emergency cash, riding Rapido part-time (especially nights) is reasonable if you already own a bike, he said.
Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known online as The Liver Doc, has reignited debate around unverified wellness claims after reacting to a viral podcast clip featuring Deepinder Goyal, in which the tech founder spoke about losing respect for the doctor.

In a long post on X, Dr Philips criticised Goyal for promoting what he described as an ancient, already debunked gravitational theory of ageing to market a wellness product. He said the product had no scientific basis and likened it to a fat band-aid stuck to the temple, warning against misinformation being repackaged as wellness innovation.

Doctors and scientists, including me, call it out and warn people about misinformation packaged as wellness, Dr Philips wrote.

Also Read | Deepinder Goyal reveals the idea behind startup LAT Aerospace

Public disagreement spills online Dr Philips said that scientists had publicly questioned the ageing theory much before the podcast episode went viral. According to him, following the criticism, Goyal had reached out to him privately and invited him for a one-on-one discussion over Zoom  an invitation he declined.

I said it was a waste of time to discuss this one-on-one. If there is evidence, it should be presented publicly so everyone can benefit, he wrote.

Dr Philips added that Goyal later appeared on a podcast and claimed he had lost respect for him. Responding to the remarks, the hepatologist drew parallels with extreme longevity experiments in the US, warning that India could be heading down a similar path of questionable wellness narratives.

The future of wellness is cooked. Never delivered. Definitely not in 10 minutes, he said, in a pointed reference to food delivery culture.

What Deepinder Goyal said on the podcast The reaction came after Goyals appearance on the Raj Shamani Podcast, where the Zomato founder said he had once tried to reach out to Dr Philips to discuss his views on ageing. Goyal claimed that the doctor dismissed the conversation, adding that he subsequently lost respect for him.

Following the episode, Dr Philips shared clips from the podcast on X, reiterating that scientific claims  especially those tied to health and longevity  should be debated openly and backed by credible evidence, not private discussions or promotional narratives.

What is the Gravitational Theory of Ageing? The disagreement traces back to November 2025, when Dr Philips publicly challenged Goyals proposed Gravitational Theory of Ageing.

The theory suggests that human ageing is primarily driven by the lifelong impact of Earths gravitational pull (1G) on the upright human body. According to the hypothesis, gravity supposedly reduces cerebral blood flow over time  particularly to regions such as the hypothalamus  making it the dominant driver of ageing, above genetics, molecular biology, lifestyle or environmental factors.

Dr Philips strongly rejected this idea, calling it reductionist, mono-causal and scientifically untenable.

All the hypotheses discussed on your website have already been proven wrong through rational scientific approaches, he wrote, arguing that the theory conflicts with the well-established, multi-factorial understanding of ageing.

Category error and flawed evidence According to Dr Philips, the theory makes a basic scientific mistake by treating gravity  a physical force  as if it were a biological mechanism of ageing. He said examples cited in support of the theory, including astronaut health data, bat longevity and correlations related to human height, rely on misinterpreted data and logical fallacies.

Ageing is driven by intertwined cellular, molecular and genetic processes, not a single dominant cause, he noted, adding that existing physiological and molecular evidence directly contradicts the gravity-based model.

Call for evidence-based research The Liver Doc urged Goyal to redirect his interest and resources toward established areas of ageing research. He pointed to widely accepted hallmarks of ageing such as genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic changes and protein homeostasis as more meaningful and testable avenues.
The United States on Tuesday (January 6) for the first time backed a broad coalition of Ukraines allies pledging legally binding security guarantees to protect Kyiv from future Russian aggression once a peace deal is reached.

Speaking after a summit of the coalition of the willing in Paris, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said President Donald Trump strongly supports the proposed security guarantees.

President Trump strongly stands behind security protocols, Witkoff said. Those security protocols are meant to deter any attacks, any further attacks in Ukraine, and if there are any attacks, theyre meant to defend.

Witkoff said the guarantees would reassure Ukrainians that the war would not resume after a ceasefire.

We think were largely finished with security protocols so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever, he said, adding that the US is also close to finalising as robust a prosperity agreement as any country has ever seen coming out of conflicts like this.

Trump team calls summit a milestone Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trumps son-in-law, described the Paris meeting as a major step forward.

I think today was a very, very big milestone, Kushner said. This does not mean that we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that was made here today.

He stressed that any final settlement must guarantee Ukraines security.

If Ukraine is going to make a final deal, they have to know that after a deal they are secure, they have a robust deterrence, and there are real backstops to make sure that this will not happen again, he said.

Zelensky says security documents ready Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said talks in Paris had produced concrete outcomes on how security guarantees would be implemented.

It has been determined which countries are ready to take the lead in ensuring security on land, in the air, at sea, and in reconstruction, Zelensky said. It has been determined what kind of forces are necessary, how the forces will be managed, and at what levels of command.

Zelensky said Ukraine had held very substantive discussions with the US on monitoring any ceasefire.

America is ready to work on this, he said. We believe that documents on security guarantees are ready  bilateral, Ukraine-US, as well as trilateral documents. We expect that they may be signed in the near future.

UK and France outline military role British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the declaration agreed in Paris would lay the legal groundwork for allied forces to operate in Ukraine after a ceasefire.

The signing of the declaration paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, Starmer said, including securing Ukraines skies and seas and rebuilding its armed forces.

He added that the UK and France would establish military hubs across Ukraine.

Following the ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraines defensive needs, Starmer said.

Legally binding guarantees take shape A joint statement from coalition leaders said allies would now move to finalise binding commitments to assist Ukraine if it is attacked again.

These commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, and the adoption of additional sanctions, the statement said.

The coalition also pledged to participate in a proposed US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the focus had shifted decisively from temporary military aid to long-term guarantees.

We all want peace to be fair, lasting and clear-eyed, Macron said. We want this peace to have its guarantees.

Europe and US show renewed unity European leaders including Macron, Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the summit demonstrated renewed unity between Europe and the United States on Ukraine.

The statement also outlined plans for a European-led Multinational Force for Ukraine to help rebuild Ukraines armed forces and support long-term deterrence, with proposed backing from the US.

Russia yet to respond Talks to end the nearly four-year war have accelerated in recent months, but Moscow has not publicly indicated it would accept such security arrangements. Russia has insisted any peace deal must bar Ukraine from joining military alliances.

Ukraine has long argued that only NATO-style security guarantees can prevent Russia from attacking again  a demand now increasingly reflected in the coalitions plans.

Also Read | Trump discusses Modi relationship amid US tariff pressure on India
The White House's plans for Venezuela may put Stephen Miller in a pivotal role, with US President Donald Trump reportedly considering appointing the hardline, anti-immigration deputy chief of staff to take charge of the country's future.

Also Read | Venezuela news LIVE: Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores plead not guilty

According to a report by The Washington Post, citing a source, Trump is weighing the move in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Trump has taken control of Venezuela's vast oil reservesthe largest globallyand has told reporters that he plans to run the country.

Trump on elections The Trump administration said it will not hold elections in Venezuela within the next 30 days, with Trump telling NBC News on Monday that the country must first be stabilised and rebuilt.

We have to fix the country first. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote, Trump said in the NBC News interview.

No, its going to take a period of time. We have, we have to nurse the country back to health, Trump added.

Trump told NBC News that the project to have US oil industry companies expand their operations in the country could be up and running in less than 18 months  a timeframe starkly at odds with estimates from energy industry experts, while oil companies have been largely silent about their willingness to reinvest in Venezuela.

I think we can do it in less time than that, but itll be a lot of money, Trump told NBC. A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.

On Saturday, 3 January, Trump said at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Were going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition, adding, So we dont want to be involved with having somebody else get in, and we have the same situation that we had for the last long period of years.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy

Trump offered almost no details on how the US would run a sovereign nation when its vice president, legislature and military were still in place and publicly opposing the US move, according to a Bloomberg report.

He said it would include deploying US oil companies to the country, though he indicated that his embargo on all Venezuelan oil remains in full effect and that US forces would stay on alert.

Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country, Trump said.
US President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that Republican Representative from Indiana's 4th Congressional District, Jim Baird, along with his wife, have met with an accident.

Trump revealed this information during his speech before House GOP members at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington DC, as per a report by CBS News.

"I also want to send our best wishes to Congressman Jim Baird and his wife, who are recovering from a car accident," Trump said during his speech, as per the publication.

""They're going to be OK but they had a pretty bad accident. And we're praying that they get out of that hospital very quickly. He's going to be fine, she's going to be fine, but it was a bad accident," he also added.

Trump, however, did not provide any details of where or when the incident occurred.

The office of Baird released a statement regarding his accident after Trump's announcement. The statement, posted on Baird's X account, read, "Congressman Baird is in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, and he is extraordinarily grateful for everyones prayers during this time. Congressman Baird looks forward to continuing his work on behalf of Hoosiers. The Office of Congressman Baird will continue to provide services and support for those who need it. Congressman Baird and his office remain steadfast in their commitment to serving constituents and focused on advocating for Hoosiers at the highest levels of government.

A Vietnam war veteran, Baird was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, and then was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2018, and continued winning in 2020 and 2024.

Also Read | Pelosis midterm prediction leaves little doubt on who she sees as next Speaker

With the death of Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa and now the accident of Baird, the GOP majority in the House has shrunk further ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Republicans can now lose only one vote on party-line issues if all Democrats are present and united in opposing one of the GOP legislations.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) addressed a gathering of House Republicans at the Kennedy Center, where he spoke on a range of issues, including the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to his fears of being impeached by the Democrats if the GOP fails to win the upcoming midterm elections.

Trump also spiced up his speech by mocking transgender athletes and liberals who are against his policies, calling them the 'Radical Left'.

Here are key highlights from his speech:

Trump on Venezuela, Maduro, and his dance In his speech, the US President claimed that Maduro is a violent guy who tries to mock his dance moves and his 'killed millions of people'. He also made claims about a torture chamber being present in the middle of Caracas.

Also Read | Canada backs Denmarks sovereignty amid US threats over Greenland

Trump also bragged about the US' military might, over the operation in the Latin American country, saying, "The United States proved once again that we have the most powerful, most lethal, most sophisticated, and most fearsome military on planet earth  and its not even close... Nobody could've done that."

Trump's fears of impeachment Although he did try to put up a strong face, Trump also underlined the importance of the upcoming midterm elections in the US, saying that the Democrats will try to impeach him if the GOP lose.

"You gotta win the midterms. Because if we don't win the midterms...they'll find a reason to impeach me," Trump said, as quoted by The Hill.

"But they say when you win the presidency, you lose the midterms. You're all brilliant people. You've been in the business longer than I have. I wish you could explain to me what the hell is going on in the mind of the public," he added.

Trump on Voter ID The US President also insisted on the country having voter IDs for people to cast their votes during elections.

He also claimed that those who do not want voter IDs are the ones who intend to cheat. He called upon the Republicans to pass the SAVE act 'or whatever you're going to call it'.

'My wife HATES when I do this': Trump mocks trans athletes Trump also mocked trans athletes during his speech, while also mentioning that his own wife, First Lady Melania Trump, whom he called a 'very classy person' hates it when he mocks them. 'Darling its not presidential,' Trump quoted his wife as saying to him. Watch the video of the same right here:

Trump also said that his wife hates it when he dances, and has told him earlier that people applaud him because they're being nice to him.

'Worst-looking people': Trump on New Yorkers protesting against Venezuela attack In his speech, Trump claimed that everyone was happy with his strikes on Venezuela, except for some people in New York. "Where do they find these people?" the US President asked, adding, "they're the worst-looking people I've ever seen."

Trump also claimed that these protestors are paid and don't know what they are talking about.

He also said that the press 'has no credibility whatsoever'.

Trump raises question on cognitive abilities of Dems California governor Gavin Newsom, along with his Minnesota counterpart Tim Walz and former Vice President Kamala Harris also found mention in Trump's speech, in which he raised questions about their cognitive abilities.

"Do you think Walz could pass a cognitive test? Do you think Kamala could? I don't think Gavin could. He's got a good line of crap, but other than that, he couldn't pass," Trump said.

Trump on US economy, healthcare Trump also boasted about the improvement in the US economy since he took charge, with claims of investments reaching $18 trillion.

'"We have the highest stock market in the history of our country, by far, every single month. They like to demean that. You know what the Democrats say? 'Well, that doesn't mean anything.' No. That means jobs and it means 401(k)s  because a lot of people have 401(k)s," the US President also said.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday (January 6) praised the US military operation in Venezuela, while taking a swipe at captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over his dance moves. Speaking to House Republicans at a retreat at The Trump Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., Trump said Maduro tries to imitate my dance a little bit, before calling him a violent guy.

Trump accused Maduro of killing millions of people and alleged that Venezuela runs a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas.

He gets up there and tries to imitate my dance a little bit, but hes a violent guy, Trump told House Republicans.

"He's a violent guy, and he has killed millions of people. They have a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas."

Most powerful military on Earth Trump used the remarks to hail the US armed forces, saying the operation showed America has the most powerful, most lethal, most sophisticated, and most fearsome military on planet earth  and its not even close.

Nobody couldve done that, he said.

Closed-door GOP meeting The President met House Republicans as lawmakers in both chambers seek more clarity on the weekend operation and the US role in Venezuela going forward. The meeting followed a capture of Maduro by the US after a monthslong pressure campaign that included a military buildup off South America and strikes on boats allegedly linked to drug trafficking.

Congressional powers debate Maduros capture has reignited debate over presidential war powers and Congresss role in authorizing military action. House Republicans have largely backed Trump, arguing he acted within his authority.

The issue was discussed in a closed-door Capitol Hill briefing on Monday (January 5)  the first chance for congressional leaders and key committee members to question administration officials about the mission, which they said came with no advance warning.

Republicans defend Trumps authority After the briefing, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the President was within his powers.

We are not at war. We do not have U.S. armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country, Johnson said. While Congress holds the power to declare war, he added, the Constitution gives the president vast authorities as commander in chief.

Top officials brief lawmakers The briefing was led by senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
The United States has reached a deal with Dominica on Monday (local time), in which the former will start sending foreigners seeking asylum in the US to the small Caribbean nation.

Roosevelt Skerrit, the Prime Minister of Dominica, described the deal, as per The Associated Press, as one of the primary areas of collaboration, with the US after the country was hit by partial visa restricts as per Trump's travel ban on 39 countries last year, which took effect from 1 January.

Skerrit, however, did not provide any details regarding when the US would start sending asylum seekers into Dominica.

Also Read | US travel ban fallout: Burkina Faso and Mali restrict entry for US nationals

He has insisted that his country is not interested in taking in individuals with a violent past, saying, as per AP, there have been careful deliberations of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica.

This deal comes at a time when the Dominican government is negotiating with US authorities regarding the travel restrictions. It had earlier said that it "continues its engagement with the United States Embassy in Bridgetown and the State Department in Washington  in an effort to reverse a decision announced by the White House to impose partial travel restrictions on Dominican nationals, effective January 1, 2026," as per Fox News.

The outlet also quoted the Dominican government saying that US authorities have said that their citizens who hold valid visas "can travel to the U.S. and its territories as is customary."

Concerns in Dominica Dominicans, after the announcements regarding taking in US asylum seekers was revealed on Monday, have been worried about this decision going on to put a strain on their resources in the days to come, as per an interview of Thomson Fontaine, leader of the countrys main opposition party, with AP.

The prime minister still has not told the Dominican public what exactly he has agreed to, in terms of the numbers of persons that are going to come to Dominica, where will they be housed, how will they be taken care of, Fontaine told the news agency.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that his country will support Denmark's sovereignty amid rising threats from the US about a possible annexation of Greenland, which currently belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark.

In a post on X, Carney shared a picture of himself with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, and said in the caption, "Canada and Denmark are Allies and partners in our shared responsibility for the security and resilience of the Arctic."

Carney added, "As I reaffirmed to PM Frederiksen today, Canada will always support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark, including Greenland. Together, well keep working to secure peace in Ukraine and across Europe."

Notably, Trump had also earlier wanted Canada to become a US state, and referred to their neighbours in the north as the 51st state on a number of occasions.

European leaders push back against US pressure on Greenland Not only Carney, but also leaders of EU countries like France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, along with the United Kingdom, united on Tuesday to support the sovereignty of Greenland after Trump and his aides showed interest in taking over the island.

With these countries and Denmark all belonging to NATO, of which the US is the de facto leader.

The statement issued by these leaders says, "Greenland belongs to its people," adding, "It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

The show of solidarity was triggered after Trump's deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, said in an interview with the CNN on Monday, "The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus."

Also Read | Katie Miller posts Greenland image in US colours; Danish ambassador retorts back

Trump himself told reporters on Sunday, "Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," adding, "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it."

Canada's indigenous governor general, FM to visit Greenland Besides Carney's direct message, the Indigenous governor general, along with its foreign minister, are set to visit Greenland in early February, the PM announced Tuesday.

Anita Anand, the Canadian FM, and Governor General Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, are likely to open a Canadian consulate in Greenland's Nuuk region.
For a lot of people, travel dreams stall out at the same point: the bank account.

Flights, accommodation, food, and activities add up fast, and even a modest international trip can cost thousands. Thats why many would-be travelers assume long-term travel is only realistic for people with trust funds, remote tech jobs, or years of savings.

But according to money expert Fred Harrington, CEO of Proxy Coupons, that assumption isnt true.

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There are legitimate jobs that not only cover your travel expenses, but actually pay you while youre exploring new countries, Harrington says. The key is being strategic about how you work while you travel.

Harrington recently outlined seven realistic ways people are funding long-term travel without draining their savings, many of which dont require a fancy resume or massive social following.

Heres what actually works.

1. Pet-Sitting Around the World

House and pet-sitting has quietly become one of the most reliable ways to travel for free. In exchange for caring for pets and a home, travelers get free accommodation, often in residential neighborhoods rather than tourist zones.

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Pet-sitting lets people experience what daily life is actually like in another country, Harrington explains. Youre not hopping between hotelsyoure living there.

Platforms like TrustedHousesitters and Nomador connect sitters with homeowners worldwide. Most successful sitters start locally to build reviews, then expand internationally.

Why it works: Free housing is usually the biggest travel expense

The tradeoff: Youre responsible for daily pet care and staying put for the duration of the sit

2. Volunteering With NGOs Abroad

Some non-profits cover accommodation, meals, and sometimes transportation in exchange for volunteer work. Opportunities range from conservation projects in Costa Rica to teaching and community support roles in Africa and Southeast Asia.

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Websites like Workaway, WWOOF, and VolunteerHQ list thousands of placements, though Harrington stresses the importance of vetting organizations carefully.

This isnt about exploiting free labor, he says. Its about meaningful work with clear expectations on both sides.

Why it works: Low daily costs and deep cultural immersion

The tradeoff: Fixed commitments and sometimes basic living conditions

3. Becoming an Au Pair

Au pair programs place travelers with host families abroad, providing housing, meals, and a stipend in exchange for childcare and light household duties.

Countries like Germany, France, and Australia have structured programs with visa support, making this one of the more accessible long-term options for younger travelers.

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Youre not just visiting a countryyoure joining a household, Harrington notes.

Why it works: Built-in housing, meals, and cultural exchange

The tradeoff: Set schedules and family rules

4. Teaching English Online or Abroad

Teaching English remains one of the most dependable ways to earn while traveling. Online platforms allow instructors to work from anywhere, while in-person programs in places like South Korea and Japan often include flights and housing.

A TEFL certification can significantly boost earning potential, and many reputable courses are affordable and online.

Why it works: Predictable income and flexible schedules

The tradeoff: Lesson planning and adapting to different cultures

5. Travel Content Creation

Social media has created legitimate opportunities for travelers who know how to tell stories, not just post photos.

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Content creation is a business, Harrington says. The creators who succeed focus on usefulnessbudget tips, honest reviews, or practical advice.

This is where many people get stuck, assuming they need millions of followers. In reality, brands often prefer smaller creators with engaged audiences. Understanding how platforms work, how to monetize traffic, and how to build something sustainable matters far more than chasing virality.

If youre curious about this path, learning how to start a blog and understanding how content creators actually make money can help you avoid the common mistakes that derail beginners early on.

Why it works: Creative freedom and long-term earning potential

The tradeoff: Consistency, deadlines, and running a business behind the scenes

6. Freelance Travel Photography

Photography can fund travel through stock sales, commissioned shoots, or destination marketing work. While competition is real, photographers who build a strong portfolio often create multiple income streams over time.

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Harrington recommends starting locally, then pitching tourism boards or selling stock images as you travel.

Why it works: Scalable income and creative flexibility

The tradeoff: Equipment costs and irregular earnings

7. Freelance Writing for Tourism Boards

Destinations frequently hire freelance writers to create website copy, brochures, and marketing materials, and many assignments include hosted press trips.

Tourism writing blends travel with storytelling, Harrington explains. Youre helping places tell their story while experiencing it firsthand.

Writers typically start by building samples and pitching publications, tourism boards, or travel brands directly.

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Why it works: Covered trips and bylines

The tradeoff: Tight deadlines and adapting to brand voices

Making Long-Term Travel Sustainable

Harrington says the biggest mistake aspiring long-term travelers make is relying on a single income source.

People who sustain this lifestyle combine approaches, he says. Pet-sitting while teaching English, or writing while creating content.

He also notes that living costs in many parts of the world are far lower than in the U.S.

A freelancer earning $500 a month can live comfortably in places like Vietnam or Bulgaria, Harrington says. That same amount barely covers rent in many Western cities.

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The bottom line? Long-term travel becomes far more realistic when you earn as you go, rather than burning through savings and hoping for the best.

The idea of making money while traveling has also fueled bigger conversations around nontraditional careers. A recent study found that many Gen Z workers are skipping college altogether to pursue influencing full-time, but the data shows the reality isnt always as lucrative as it looks online.
The allies of Ukraine have agreed to provide the country with multilayered security guarantees at a key meeting in Paris as part of a proposal to end its conflict with Russia. This was also the first time that the US, which was represented in the meeting by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, backed the security guarantees.

In the meeting, leaders from European countries, Canada, and representatives of the US, along with top European Union and NATO officials, were present.

Also Read | US for first time backs strong security guarantees to shield Ukraine from Russie

After the meeting, Kier Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, showed confidence about its outcome, saying that the meeting made excellent progress. But he also cautioned that the hardest yards are still ahead.

Starmer added that there can only be peace if Russia compromises, and Putin is not showing that he is ready for peace.

What security guarantees have Ukraine been promised? The leaders present at the meeting said they would provide Kyiv's forces in the front lines with training, equipment, as well as air, land, and sea support in order to deter any future attack by Russia.

Starmer also said that if a ceasefire is reached, both UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraines defensive needs.

On his part, French President Emmanuel Macron has said that 'several thousand' French soldiers could be deployed to Ukraine as a measure to ensure peace after a ceasefire deal is signed with Russia.

"These are not forces that will be engaged in combat," AFP quoted Macron as saying to France 2 on the sidelines of the summit, calling such a deployment "a force of reassurance."

However, there was no specific number given regarding the size of the force, and a number of details of the plan are still unclear.

What Russia is saying Moscow has been keeping its cards closer to its chest regarding the possible ceasefire deal, with the situation having worsened after the alleged Ukrainian attack on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia did not issue any specific comment on the meeting on Tuesday yet, which is also the eve of the Orthodox Christmas.

Russian officials have insisted that there can be no ceasefire until a comprehensive settlement is agreed upon. Putin has also warned against deployment of troops from NATO nations on Ukrainian soil.

What Ukraine is saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also agreed that progress has been made in these talks. He also stated that the commitments being made by these countries need to be ratified by them so that they can be acted upon after any settlement is reached with Moscow.

Also Read | European Leaders Hail US Backstop to Protect Postwar Ukraine

We determined what countries are ready to take leadership in the elements of security guarantees on the ground, in the air, and at sea, and in restoration, Zelensky said at a news conference after the meeting. We determined what forces are needed. We determined, how these forces will be operated and at what levels of command.
A Hindu grocery shop owner, Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was killed on Monday night in Narsingdi, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was reportedly attacked with sharp weapons, according to several reports.

This incident brings the number of fatal attacks on members of the minority community to six within the past 18 days, amid ongoing unrest across the country.

According to a report by NDTV citing residents, Mani, 40, was at his grocery shop in Charsindur Bazar in Palash Upazila when unidentified attackers suddenly assaulted him, leaving him critically injured. Locals rushed him to a hospital, but he died on the way.

Weekly Blitz reported that Chakraborty was killed by extremist religious fundamentalists.

Earlier, a Hindu businessman who also served as the acting editor of a newspaper was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Monday in Bangladeshs Jessore district, local media reported.

The victim was identified as 38-year-old Rana Pratap Bairagi, a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur Upazila, Jessore, in the Khulna Division, according to Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

Bairagi owned an ice factory at Kopaliya Bazar in Monirampur and was the acting editor of Dainik BD Khabar, a newspaper published from Narail, the report said.

The assailants reportedly arrived suddenly and assaulted him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to the hospital, reported Local Media.

Was Mani killed over a Facebook post? According to local media, on 19 December, Mani wrote a Facebook post expressing concern about violence in the country, describing his birthplace as having become a valley of death.

Police are investigating the incident.

Attacks on minorities in Bangladesh On 3 January, Khokon Chandra Das (50) died after he was brutally attacked, hacked and set on fire.

On 24 December, another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, was lynched over alleged extortion in Rajbari town's Pangsha upazila.

On 18 December, Dipu Chandra Das (25) was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city.

Unidentified men set on fire the Qatar expatriate workers Shukh Shil and Anil Shil's home in the Raojan area on the outskirts of Chattogram on 23 December, but the residents managed to come out of the building unharmed.

Also Read | Who was Rana Pratap Bairagi? Hindu businessman shot dead in Bangladesh

This incident highlights the alarming rise in violence against minorities in Bangladesh, reflecting a broader issue of safety and law enforcement.

Mani described his birthplace as having become 'a valley of death' in his last Facebook post.

Earlier, India's Ministry of External Affairs had expressed serious concern over the killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, linking the issue to the wider question of minority safety and law and order in the country.

The MEA noted that independent assessments have documented over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities during the tenure of Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, including cases of killings, arson and land grabbing.
At least 35 people were killed in violence surrounding the latest economic protests in Iran, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) claimed on Tuesday, as the demonstrations showed no signs of stopping.

The agency said more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have been ongoing for more than a week, the Associated Press reported. It added that 29 protesters, four children and two members of Irans security forces were killed.

Also Read | Why recent mutual fund returns dont tell investors the full story

What we know so far Iran unrest spreads: Protests in Iran reportedly reached over 250 locations in 27 of Irans 31 provinces. Demonstrations were reported in the Iranian districts of Novobat and Tehran Pars in the capitals east; Ekteban, Sadeghieh and Sattarkhan in the west; and Naziabad and Abdolabad in the south, semiofficial Fars News Agency said, as per Al Jazeera.

Khamenei's Plan-B: Another report suggested that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has plotted a back-up plan to flee to Russia if Iran unrest intensifies.

An intelligence source told The Times that Khamenei, 86, plans to escape Tehran with a close circle of up to 20 aides and family, should he see that the army and security called upon to quell the unrest are deserting, defecting or failing to follow orders.

Also Read | Trump warns Iran against shooting protesters

The plan B is for Khamenei and his very close circle of associates and family, including his son and nominated heir apparent, Mojtaba, sources said.

Khamenei reacts: On Saturday (4 January), Khamenei said that rioters must be put in their place.

We talk to protesters, the officials must talk to them, AP quoted Khamenei. But there is no benefit to talking to rioters. Rioters must be put in their place, he said.

Also Read | Iran threatens regrettable response to any aggression after Trump warning

American intervention looms: Meanwhile, the growing death toll has raised concerns about a possible American intervention.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Friday that if Tehran violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States will come to their rescue.

While it remains unclear how and if Trump will intervene, his comments sparked an immediate, angry response, with officials within the theocracy threatening to target American troops in the Mideast, AP reported.

The comments took on new importance after the US military on Saturday captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a longtime ally of Tehran.

Why are people protesting in Iran? The latest protests in Iran were sparked by Irans ailing economy, with demonstrators chanting against Irans theocracy as well.

According to Al Jazeera, the demonstrations first began on 28 December (Sunday) when shopkeepers staged a strike over economic concerns, but have since expanded in size and scope, with protesters making political demands.

Meanwhile, the BBC reported that the unrest was driven by public anger over soaring inflation and the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial against the US dollar, which has weakened by about 80% compared with a year ago.

Also Read | How will the mass protests that are convulsing Iran unfold?

Iran's economy is in deep trouble, with little prospect for growth this year or next. The annual inflation stands at around 42%, food inflation exceeds 70%, and some basic goods have reportedly risen in price by more than 110%, the BBC reported.

Notably, Tehran has had little luck in propping up its economy in the months since its June war with Israel, in which the US also bombed Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran recently said it was no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country, trying to signal to the West that it remains open to potential negotiations over its atomic programme to ease sanctions.

However, those talks have yet to happen as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have warned Tehran against reconstituting its atomic programme.

Also Read | Thailand Unveils Iran-Like Kamikaze Drones As Border Row With Cambodia Escalate

Iranian state media has provided little information about the demonstrations, even as online videos offer only brief, shaky glimpses of people in the streets or the sound of gunfire.

The protests have become the biggest in Iran since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations.

However, the protests have yet to be as widespread and intense as those surrounding the death of Amini, who was detained over not wearing her hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities.
Curfew was imposed in Birgunj city by the Parsa District Administration in southern Nepal after members of Hindu and Muslim groups protested against each other after vandalism of a mosque, news agency AP quoted officials as saying. The vandalism happened over the weekend.

During the protest, no person will be allowed to roam into the streets. All demonstrations, meetings and gatherings have also been banned. The curfew notice also mentioned that anybody violating the curfew rules would be shot by the security forces.

The shoot on sight order While a prohibitory order was already in place, the two groups held simultaneous protests defying the order, prompting authorities to impose curfew which was in place until 1 pm (local time) on Tuesday, January 6.

The latest curfew order said, The curfew order issued yesterday, 2082.09.21 (2026.01.05) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM on 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), in view of the latest security situation, has been continued in the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district, as per Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, from today, 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), until 1:00 PM, prohibiting anyone from moving within those boundaries, holding any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, meeting, or siege.

The administration also warned the Nepalese people that the security personnel could shoot on sight if restrictions are violated.

It said, During the curfew, security personnel are allowed to shoot on sight, so it is requested that you do not step out of your home except for essential purposes, and if you do need to step out, coordinate with the nearest security personnel or call 100.

What happened in Nepal? The protests started in Birgunj, located 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of the capital Kathmandu, after vandalism was reported at a mosque in nearby town. Following the protests by the Muslim groups, a Hindu group also reportedly demonstrated. The protests have since continued.

There have been no major clashes between the two groups and no major injuries noted, with only scuffles with riot police reported.

Clashes between Hindus and Muslims are rare in the predominately Hindu nation of Nepal, where the Muslim population is found mostly in border regions in the southern part of the country.
US forces killed at least 55 Venezuelan and Cuban military personnel during their raid to capture Nicolas Maduro, according to tolls released on Tuesday (January 6) by Caracas and Havana, AFP reported.

In its first confirmation of casualties, Venezuelas military said 23 service members were killed in Saturdays US attacks that led to Maduros ouster as president. Caracas has not released an official figure for civilian deaths.

Cuba lists 32 dead Cuba separately confirmed that 32 members of its armed forces and interior ministry security personnel assigned to duties in Caracas were killed in the raids, AFP stated citing the report.

The dead ranged in age from 26 to 67 and included two colonels and a lieutenant colonel.

Maduro security detail largely wiped out Many of the Cuban personnel are believed to have been part of Maduros security detail, which was largely wiped out in the assault, according to Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez.

How the raid unfolded The operation began with US bombing raids on military targets before special forces arrived by helicopter to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from a compound.

They were later flown to New York, where they appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges.

Interim president sworn in Hours after Maduros court appearance, his former deputy Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president.

US conditions for cooperation US President Donald Trump said he was willing to work with Rodriguez provided she meets US demands, including granting American companies access to Venezuelas vast oil reserves, according to AFP.

Balancing act for new leadership Rodriguez faces a delicate task of responding to US pressure while retaining the loyalty of Maduros supporters, particularly hardliners who control the security forces and paramilitaries patrolling the streets since Maduros capture, AFP reported.

Journalists detained, then released Highlighting continued repression, 14 journalists  most working for foreign media  were detained while covering Rodriguezs inauguration at parliament on Monday, a journalists union said, according to the news outlet.

Two other foreign journalists were detained near the Colombian border. All were later released, AFP added.

Also Read | Canada backs Denmarks sovereignty amid US threats over Greenland
Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelas main opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has praised US President Donald Trump for toppling the government of Nicolas Maduro, as she vowed to return to her country. She also asserted that her party had won the 2024 elections and expressed confidence it would secure 90% of the vote in a free and fair poll.

Im planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible, Maria Corina Machado said, adding, We believe this transition should move forward. We won the 2024 election by a landslide under fraudulent conditions. In free and fair elections, we will win over 90% of the votes.

Maria Corina Machado had been in hiding before escaping Venezuela in October to receive her Nobel Peace Prize.

Even as she praised Trump for toppling the Maduro government, the US president has signalled his willingness to work with interim President Delcy Rodriguez. He has also said Venezuela needs to be stabilised before any elections are held.

We have to fix the country first. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote, Trump told NBC. Also Read | Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado backs Trump's pressure on Madurowhat she said on US intervention in Venezuela

The opposition, several international observers, and many US allies argue that the opposition was cheated of victory in the 2024 election. Machado was barred from contesting, with an ally standing in her place. Trump, however, has said she lacks support in Venezuela.

Delcy Rodriguez, whom Trump hopes to work with, has long been an ally of Maduro.

Speaking about the acting president, Machado said: Delcy Rodriguez, as you know, is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption and narco-trafficking. She is a key ally and liaison of Russia, China and Iran, certainly not someone who could be trusted by international investors. She is widely rejected by the Venezuelan people.
Multiple shots were fired near the presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, late Monday (local time), according to several reports. Purported videos emerged on social media, showing heavy gunfire near the Venezuelan presidential palace. A source close to the government told AFP that the situation was under control.

According to sources, unidentified drones flew over the Miraflores Palace in central Caracas while security forces opened fire in response at around 8:00 pm (0000 GMT).

The development came hours after Delcy Rodriguez, Nicolas Maduro's deputy, was sworn in as interim president on Monday following his removal.

A social media post claimed, Downtown Caracas, Venezuelas capital, is engulfed in ongoing armed clashes, with multiple forces exchanging heavy gunfire.

Also Read | Trump to pick Stephen Miller to oversee Venezuela? What we know so far

The streets of Caracas are swarming with defence forces on alert, along with various armed groups and drones in the airspace of the Venezuelan capital, the X account added.

Videos emerge Several unverified reports claimed that drones were spotted in Venezuelan airspace. Another report suggested that anti-aircraft used to shoot down drones near the presidential palace.

Many other videos posted on social media showed what appeared to be tracer bullets fired into the sky.

The videos showed many security force members rushing to the palace after the shots were fired. Earlier, RT News had reported that Venezuelan armed gunmen were seen patrolling streets close to the presidential palace as gunfire was reported.

The situation is under control, witnesses and sources close to the presidency told AFP. The Communications Ministry did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Bursts of gunfire rang out, but not as strong as in the pre-dawn attack Saturday that toppled Maduro, a person who lives five blocks from the palace, told AFP.

"The first thing that came to mind was to see if there were planes flying ovehead but there were not. I just saw two red lights in the sky," the resident near the palace said on condition of anonymity.

Everyone was looking out their windows to see if there was a plane, to see what was happening, the resident said.

Military remains loyal after Maduro ouster Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro was captured by the US and flown out of the country on Saturday after large-scale attacks.

Several Venezuelan former soldiers and police officers  branded as traitors by their government  told AFP that many of the same people still control Venezuela, despite a dramatic change at the top.

Much power appears to remain in the hands of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino  both wanted by US authorities.
From one angle, the US action to arrest Venezuelas former President Nicolas Maduro and seize control of the countrys oil industry is an attempt to muscle Chinas influence out of the Americas. In a world breaking up into spheres of influence, the Donroe doctrine tells Beijing to keep its meddling hands out of the empire of crude that President Donald Trump is building in the Western Hemisphere.

And yet China will be central to the next act in Venezuelas drama  because any durable solution to its long-running crisis is likely to involve someone, somewhere, buying more Venezuelan oil.

In terms of other countries that want oil, were in the oil business, were gonna sell it to them, Trump said in a Jan. 3 press conference. We're not gonna say we're not gonna give it to them. In other words, we'll be selling oil, probably in much larger doses.

That will be easier said than done. China, the biggest contributor to oil demand growth in recent decades and the key customer for Venezuelan crude, is needing smaller doses as consumption shrinks. Any plans to make money from rebuilding Venezuelas status as a major oil exporter will have to reckon with the fact that the biggest importer is pulling back from the market.

Since the first round of sanctions against Venezuelas oil industry in 2019, its customer base has narrowed to just two countries: The US and China, the only country with the financial and political muscle to flout Washingtons sanctions regime.

The key players here are the so-called teapot refiners, a collection of privately owned plants which cluster in Shandong province south of Beijing. They have attracted a reputation over the years for surviving by the skin of their teeth while competing with better-connected, better-capitalized state oil companies.

Theyve been the most important consumers of Venezuelan crude for years. Until about 2021, they were eager buyers of the countrys thick, viscous product  unattractive to many refiners, because its hard to process  due to its suitability for producing asphalt for road surfaces and roofing. Shandongs refineries churn out about 40% of the total  a good trade when Chinas real estate boom was at its height.

When the property bubble burst in 2021, that trade slumped to barely more than half of where it was at its 2020 peak  but the teapot refiners found a new angle. By buying sanctioned oil from Venezuela, Iran and Russia at steep discounts to normal prices, theyve managed to continue eking out the thinnest of margins.

You can get a picture of the scale of this business by looking at Chinese imports of crude from Malaysia, and to a lesser extent Indonesia. In recent years, they have run far in excess of the volumes those countries can actually produce. Thats a blaring signal that the real source is sanctioned crude getting transferred between ghost-fleet ships in international waters to disguise its origin.

Much now depends on whether China will even be allowed to buy Venezuelas crude. Trumps comments suggest hes in the same mercenary mode thats allowed US-China ethane trade to continue largely unhindered through a year of tariff chaos. Still, its possible that more ideological considerations will lead to Beijing getting blocked. Even without that, a removal of sanctions would certainly raise the price of Venezuelan crude, which might undermine the teapots threadbare margins. Meanwhile, the security situation in Caracas appears to be fluid at best. Washington may not have the final say in any outcome.

Either way, its not clear that there is need out there for more barrels from South America. With electric vehicles now comprising more than half of Chinas auto sales, gasoline inventories at the teapots are at their highest seasonal levels in more than two decades. Unlike the US refineries on the coast of Louisiana and Texas best-suited to processing Venezuelan crude, which have been operating at close to 100% capacity in recent months, the teapots have been running below 50% for most of the past year. India is likely the only other place with the ability and space to process more heavy crude.

From asphalt, to gasoline, diesel and kerosene , Chinas appetite for oil is sated. Only petrochemicals and plastics are growing, and they depend on light, semi-gaseous hydrocarbons where Venezuela is less generously endowed, The biggest state-owned refiner, China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., or Sinopec, expects the countrys crude demand to peak before next year.

Thats a tough climate in which to rebuild an oil industry decimated by decades of corruption and waste. Venezuela needs long-term buyers for its most important export. With global investment in upstream oil extraction declining, theres rarely been a worse time to sign up new customers.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change and energy. Previously, he worked for Bloomberg News, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.

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Rana Pratap Bairagi, a newspaper editor and Hindu businessman, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bangladeshs Jessore district on Monday evening. The victim, who owned an ice factory, hailed from Arua village in Keshabpur upazila of Jessore district in the Khulna Division, The Daily Star reported.

The incident took place at the Kopalia Bazar area around 6:30 pm on Monday. The gunmen shot Bairagi in the head multiple times before fleeing the scene.

According to Bangladesh police, the 38-year-old ran an ice factory at Kopalia Bazar in Manirampur. He also served as the acting editor of a Narail-based newspaper, Dainik BD Khabar.

Monoharpur Union Parishad Chairman Akhtar Faruk told the publication. He said, "This [Monday] evening, several men called him [Rana] out of the factory. They shot him in the head at point-blank range and fled."

An eyewitness said the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and called Bairagi out of his factory. The witness said that the miscreants took him to a nearby alley in Jashore's Manirampur upazila, the witness adding, Following a brief altercation, they fired several shots at him, killing him on the spot. The police suspect a business-related dispute as the motive behind the killing.

The assailants fired multiple shots at Bairagi's head from close range near Kapalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre. He died on the spot.

Bairagi was shot three times in the head, and his throat was slit, bdnews24 quoted Monirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rajiullah Khan. Police have launched an investigation to identify those responsible. According to the police, four cases had been registered against the deceased.

Alleged targeted attacks against Hindu community The latest cold-blooded murder comes against the backdrop of a series of targeted crimes against the Hindu community in the Muslim-majority country.

Bangladeshi Hindu man Khokon Chandra Das was reportedly assaulted on 3 January using locally-made weapons. The 50-year-old was robbed of his mobile phone and cash and then set on fire. In another incident, a 25-year-old Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh's Bhaluka area, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob and set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city.
India is making steady progress on artificial intelligence (AI). After chairing the Global Partnership on AI Council in 2024, the country is preparing to host the five-day India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi in mid-February. Apart from heads of state, CEOs of tech firms such as Google DeepMind, Anthropic, Adobe, Salesforce and Qualcomm are expected to attend.

While AI development has been dominated by the US and China, India is clearly on the AI map.

According to a report by the Niti Aayog titled AI for Viksit Bharat, AI adoption across sectors could add $17-26 trillion to the global economy over the next decade, with India well placed to capture 10-15% of that value, thanks to its large STEM workforce, expanding R&D base and growing digital capabilities. Stanfords Global Vibrancy Tool ranked India fourth on AI globally in late 2024, before elevating it to third place in its 2025 edition.

The government think-tanks Viksit Bharat report released in September describes AI as a decisive lever" to push Indias economic growth towards an 8% annual trajectory, which is roughly what the country needs to achieve its 2047 aim of being counted among developed countries (as measured by national output). The report argues that this growth bump-up can be unlocked by speeding up the use of AI across industries to lift productivity and overall economic efficiency.

To see that happen, India is moving to maximize the benefits of AI through targeted investment, policy enablers and a techno- legal approach that seeks to balance innovation with guardrails. Data-centre capacity is expanding rapidly, while the IndiaAI Mission is easing access to AI compute power.

The Centres approval of 10 semiconductor plants should strengthen the countrys electronics ecosystem, even as startups build Indian- language and voice models that are vital for inclusion in a country where millions remain sub-literate.

Indias AI Kosh repository, which hosts close to 6,000 local datasets, offers a data backbone for innovation anchored in digital public infrastructure, spanning Aadhaar, UPI, the Health Stack and more.

For AI to fulfill its promise, though, it also needs to be democratized. This challenge is particularly acute across the Asia-Pacific region, which already accounts for more than half of all global AI users and nearly 70% of AI patents. A UNDP report, The Next Great Divergence, cautions that while AI could lift GDP growth by around two percentage points and raise productivity by up to 5% in key sectors, these gains are not likely to be evenly shared.

Also Read | Indias privacy law starves businesses of data in an age of data abundance

Many economists worry that AI will take away jobs, empower some classes over others and worsen disparities unless special efforts are made to prevent it. That said, India, as per the UNDP report, is well placed to push for a more inclusive AI transition.

Some steps are already visible. Niti Aayogs October 2025 report, AI for Inclusive Societal Development, highlights initiatives such as the Digital ShramSetu Mission, which uses AI-driven tools to boost productivity and resilience among millions of workers in the informal sector by expanding access to healthcare, education, skilling and financial services.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, which builds on earlier multilateral conclaves held in Bletchley Park, Seoul, Paris and Kigali, is appropriately themed Democratising AI, Bridging the AI Divide. With the right policy choices, we could align the rise of AI with the cause of equitable development.
Even as extended negotiations go on between Washington and New Delhi on trade, US President Donald Trump seems to have thrown another spanner in the works. On Sunday, he said India could face fresh tariffs if it didnt cut Russian oil purchases. We could raise tariffs on India if they dont help on the Russian oil issue," he said.

India already faces a 50% US import tariff, half of it imposed as a punitive measure for its crude-oil shipments from Russia. Ironically, this rate has placed Indian exporters at a disadvantage vis-a-vis those of China, with which the US has engaged in an on-and-off trade war under Trump. His latest threat suggests he would have no qualms raising that barrier further.

Of course, this is not how international relations are supposed to work. Indian imports from Russia are Indias own business; moreover, its never too clear how updated Trump keeps himself on such data.

Also Read | Expect turbulence around Taiwan with Trump, Xi and Kim as principal players

So its hard to tell whether we should interpret his weekend utterance as a signal of worse to come. Whats clear is the disregard he has shown for painstakingly built bilateral ties. Perhaps its just a pressure tactic as trade talks enter their final stretch. If so, New Delhi could just shrug and carry on.
Nvidia Corp. has confirmed that its next-generation Rubin data centre processors have entered production, with customers expected to begin testing the technology later this year. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang made the announcement during his keynote appearance at the CES trade show in Las Vegas on Monday.

Named after astronomer Vera Rubin, the new platform represents Nvidias latest attempt to stay ahead in the fast-growing artificial intelligence hardware market.

Customer deployments planned for second half of the year Huang said all six chips that make up the Rubin computing platform have returned from manufacturing partners and are on schedule for customer deployment in the second half of the year.

According to Huang, demand for advanced computing power continues to surge as artificial intelligence software becomes more complex and widely adopted. He said existing data centre infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the scale of modern AI workloads.

Significant performance gains over Blackwell Nvidia claims Rubin offers major improvements over its predecessor, Blackwell. The company said the new accelerator delivers 3.5 times better performance for AI training and up to five times better performance for running AI models.

The accompanying central processing unit features 88 cores and is said to provide double the performance of the CPU it replaces. Nvidia added that Rubin-based systems will also be cheaper to operate, as they can achieve the same results using fewer components.

Also Read | CES 2026: Smart home innovations that are ready to steal the tech show

Early disclosures aim to sustain momentum Nvidia has shared details of Rubin earlier than usual, a shift from its traditional practice of unveiling major hardware updates at its annual GTC conference in the spring. The move appears aimed at keeping customers and partners focused on Nvidias technology roadmap as competition intensifies.

Despite highlighting its upcoming products, Nvidia stressed that demand for its existing platforms remains strong.

China demand and licensing uncertainty Nvidia also said it continues to see robust interest from Chinese customers for its H200 chip. The Trump administration is currently reviewing licence applications that would allow the company to ship the product to China.

Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress told analysts that Nvidia has sufficient supply to meet Chinese demand without affecting deliveries to other regions, regardless of the final licensing outcome. However, approval from Chinese authorities would also be required for local companies to deploy the US-made chips.

Major cloud providers among first adopters Rubin hardware will be offered both as part of Nvidias DGX SuperPod supercomputer systems and as standalone products for customers seeking more modular deployments. Microsoft and other major cloud providers are expected to be among the first to roll out the new technology later this year.

At present, a large share of spending on Nvidia-powered systems comes from a small group of customers, including Microsoft, Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services.

Expansion into autonomous vehicles and robotics Alongside its data centre announcements, Nvidia unveiled new tools aimed at accelerating the development of autonomous vehicles and robots. The company introduced a platform called Alpamayo, designed to help vehicles reason through real-world scenarios.

The model can be retrained by users and is intended to help autonomous systems respond to unexpected situations, such as infrastructure failures. Nvidia said its work builds on existing partnerships, including with Mercedes-Benz, and that the first Nvidia-powered car is expected to hit US roads in the first quarter of the year.
Uber Technologies, Lucid Group and Nuro jointly revealed the production-intent vehicles on 5 January at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, along with the Uber-designed in-cabin experience, for their upcoming global robotaxi service. The companies announced the development in Las Vegas, confirmed that autonomous road testing began in December 2025 in the San Francisco Bay Area, and said the service is expected to launch later this year, with Nuro leading testing using supervised autonomous prototypes.

What was announced The three companies unveiled the robotaxi vehicle that will be used for Ubers future autonomous ride-hailing service. They also showcased the interior experience designed by Uber, giving the public its first look at how riders will interact with the vehicle during autonomous trips.

Lucid Group is supplying the vehicle platform based on the Lucid Gravity. Nuro is responsible for the autonomous driving system and testing programme. Uber will operate the robotaxi service.

Where is testing happening Autonomous on-road testing began in the San Francisco Bay Area last month. Nuro is conducting these tests with robotaxi engineering prototypes that are supervised by trained autonomous vehicle operators. The companies said this testing is a key step before the public launch.

How do robotaxis work The robotaxi uses a new sensor system with cameras, solid-state lidar and radar to provide full 360-degree awareness. These sensors are integrated into the vehicle body and a roof-mounted halo module. The halo also includes LEDs to help riders identify their vehicle and see trip status updates.

Inside, passengers can use screens to control climate settings, heated seats and music, view the vehicles planned route in real time, contact support or request the vehicle to pull over. The vehicle layout can carry up to six passengers and includes space for luggage. Computing is powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor.

Safety and validation Nuro said the on-road testing is part of its broader safety and validation framework. This includes closed-track testing and simulation, alongside public road trials. The programme is reportedly designed to evaluate multiple aspects of the autonomous system, including perception, planning and vehicle behaviour in different traffic situations.

When does production start Subject to final validation, the production-intent robotaxi is expected to enter production later this year at Lucids factory in Arizona. The companies have not shared a precise start date for manufacturing.

Public display at CES CES attendees can view the robotaxi at NVIDIAs showcase at the Fontainebleau Hotel. The vehicle will be on display from Monday, 5 January at 3.00 pm PT until Thursday, 8 January.
By Stephen Nellis

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Tuesday he does not believe China's government will make a formal declaration that it has allowed Chinese firms to import the U.S. company's H200 chips but that evidence will come through purchase orders.

"My expectation is that we're not expecting any press releases or any large declarations," Huang said, after saying that demand for the H200 chips was strong among Chinese customers.

"It's just going to be purchase orders. If the purchase orders come, it's because they're able to place purchase orders," Huang said during a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

U.S. President Donald Trump last year reversed a longstanding ban on shipping advanced artificial intelligence chips to China, saying he would allow Nvidia to sell the H200, which was the predecessor to its current flagship "Blackwell" chips.

Earlier on Tuesday in an interview with a JPMorgan analyst, Nvidia CFO Colette Kress said that the U.S. government is "working feverishly" on license applications for Nvidia to ship its H200 chips to China, but that the company still does not know when they will be approved.

"We're going to wait and see what will happen," Kress said of the applications.

At the press conference, Huang said that Nvidia is ramping up H200 chips for Chinese firms.

"The customer demand is high - quite high," Huang said. "We've fired up our supply chain, and H200s are flowing through the line."

On Monday, Nvidia showed a sextet of new chips that it said are in full production to form the next "Vera Rubin" generation of its AI computing systems. Kress declined to say whether Nvidia was facing any specific bottlenecks as it ramps up production but said "we feel very solid" about the state of its supply chain.

Nvidia has called for $500 billion in sales from its current "Blackwell" generation as well as the forthcoming Vera Rubin chips by the end of this year. Kress said there have "already been discussions" about data center buildouts with customers for 2027 but did not give sales guidance.

Huang said demand is high for Nvidia products across the board.

"I'm fully expecting a really giant year for our business with TSMC," Huang said, referring to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, which makes most of Nvidia's chips.

Huang also said that he plans a visit soon to Israel, where the company has 5,000 employees and is looking to double its workforce. Local media reported last month that Nvidia is in talks to buy Israeli firm AI21 Labs.

He did not comment on that story or any other possible acquisition targets, but said he is open to more dealmaking.

"We might invest in, partner with, and we might, of course, acquire some semiconductor companies," Huang said.

Responding to a Reuters question about whether his relationship with Trump played any role in Nvidia's decisions around a deal for chip startup Groq - which was backed by 1789 Capital, a firm where Trump's son Donald Trump Jr is a partner - Huang said he was unaware that 1789 Capital was a Groq investor.

"I didn't know that," Huang said. "I guess good for them, but I didn't know that at all."
The sub- 25,000 price bracket is currently flush with options, and the newest entrant in this list is the Redmi Note 15 5G, which has made its debut today. The new device takes on one of the most solid choices in this price segment, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 5G. Here's a look at how the two devices compare.

OnePlus Nord CE 5 vs Redmi Note 15 5G: Display: Redmi Note 15 features a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone comes with a peak brightness of 3,200 nits and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection.

The OnePlus Nord CE 5 also features a 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, with 1,430 nits of peak brightness and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection.

The two phones are evenly matched in this arena, with the Redmi Note 15 probably having a slight edge due to its higher peak brightness number, but that shouldnt be a big difference in day-to-day usage.

Performance Redmi Note 15 comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, which while being good enough for day-to-day tasks, is no match for the raw power offered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex on the OnePlus Nord CE 5. Moreover, the OnePlus is also paired with faster LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage compared to the LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage on the Note 15.

Camera Redmi Note 15 comes with a 108MP primary shooter with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. Meanwhile, it features a 20MP sensor on the front for selfies and video calls.

The OnePlus Nord CE 5, on the other hand, comes with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary shooter with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. It packs a 16MP selfie shooter.

While the OnePlus may look like a weaker camera phone on paper, as we have seen many times in the past, megapixels arent exactly the right way to judge camera performance. Instead, the quality of the two cameras can only be judged when they are placed against each other in real-world scenarios.

Battery and charging OnePlus Nord CE 5 comes with a massive 7,100mAh battery with support for 80W SuperVOOC fast charging. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 15 comes with a smaller 5,520mAh battery with 45W charging support.

In terms of software, OnePlus comes with a few uninstallable bloatware apps and no ads, while Redmis HyperOS is filled with ads across the UI. Meanwhile, the Nord CE 5 is also upgradable to OxygenOS 16, while HyperOS users will have to wait a while for the Android 16 update.

Feature OnePlus Nord CE 5 Redmi Note 15 5G Display 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED with 120Hz Refresh Rate

Up to 1430 nits peak brightness 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED with 120Hz Refresh Rate

Up to 3200 nits peak brightness Processor MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex + Arm Mali-G615 MC6 GPU Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 + Adreno 710 GPU RAM & Storage 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X + 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 8GB LPDDR4X + 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2 (Expandable up to 1TB) Rear Cameras 50MP Main (Sony LYT-600, OIS) + 8MP Ultra-wide 108MP Main + 8MP Ultra-wide Front Camera 16MP with 1080p 60fps video recording 20MP with 1080p 30fps video recording Battery & Charging 7100mAh with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging 5520mAh with 45W fast charging Software Oxygen OS 15 (Android 15) Xiaomi Hyper OS 2 (Android 15) Software support 4 years OS + 6 years security updates 4 years OS + 6 years security updates Biometrics In-display optical fingerprint In-display fingerprint Connectivity 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB 2.0 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-C Durability IP65 IP65 / IP66 Dust & Splash resistant MIL-STD-810H certified

Pricing and verdict: Redmi Note 15 is priced at 22,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage model. Meanwhile, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is also priced at 22,999 for the same variant.

Despite the new entrant, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 continues to be one of the most complete devices in the segment with its Dimensity 8350 processor, big 7,100mAh battery and Full HD+ AMOLED display.
Tennessee's Education Freedom Scholarship opens on Tuesday, January 13 for the upcoming school year.

Applications will go live at noon CST, or 1:00pm EST. Applications will close on January 30 at 4:00pm CST, 5:00pm EST.

Things to look for before the Tennessee General Assembly's first session As the new session begins, lawmakers are already filing legislation that could shape public safety, education, artificial intelligence regulations, and rural health care across the state.

Education Freedom Scholarships allows K-12 students in Tennessee to use state funds to attend private schools. Those include Category I, II, or III non-public schools located within the state.

This is just the second year of this school voucher program, which was signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee in February 2025.

Renewal applications for students already in this program opened on December 9, 2025.

You can apply, or find more details, here.
Tributes are being paid to Leitrim native Sister Brigid Reynolds, the co-founder and former co-chief executive of Social Justice Ireland, who has died aged 82.

A statement from Social Justice Ireland said: Sr Brigids life and work serve as an example of dedicated commitment to human dignity, social justice and the common good.

Brigids steadfast advocacy combined academic expertise and moral conviction.

John McGeady, CEO of Social Justice Ireland, paid tribute saying: Brigid made an indelible mark on social justice advocacy in Ireland. Guided by a vision of society in which each persons dignity is honoured, Brigid was dedicated to addressing inequality, poverty, and social exclusion.

As co-founder, joint CEO and Board member, she greatly contributed to the work of Social Justice Ireland for many years, guiding the organisation with her long experience, insightful judgement and commitment to the values of social justice and human rights. It is a sad day for Social Justice Ireland and those of us who were privileged to work with Brigid. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Brigids sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, and to the Marist Sisters.

Professor Tony Fahey, Chairperson of the Board of Social Justice Ireland, acknowledged Sr Brigids contribution, saying, Brigid Reynolds was a leading member of that generation of men and women in the religious life in Ireland who, in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, brought a new energy, vision and range to the traditional Christian commitment to service of the poor and afflicted.

She combined the spirituality of a religious vocation with the warmth of a deep human sympathy and the energy, skill and practicality of a tireless social campaigner. The goal of her advocacy was to bend the arc of history towards justice, especially in social policy and social services in Ireland. The traces of her impact in those fields are many and lasting. Ireland in her time was a better place because of her presence in it.

Also read: RIP: North Longford mourns death of lady who was greatly loved and admired in the locality

Sr Brigid was predeceased by her parents Elizabeth and Patrick and her brother-in-law Pat Farrell. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by her sister Maura Farrell (Mohill), her brothers Joe (Scotland) Peter (Dublin) and Padraig (Mohill). Sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces, her Marist Sisters, Fr Sean Healy and her work colleagues in Social Justice Ireland.

Sr Brigid will repose at the Marist Convent Chapel, Carrick-on-Shannon on Tuesday, January 6 from 3pm until 5pm followed by evening prayer. Removal on Wednesday morning, January 7 to St Marys Church, Carrick-on-Shannon arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 12 noon with burial afterwards in the Convent Cemetery. Marist Convent private outside of reposing times please. Funeral Mass will be streamed live HERE.

South East Technological University (SETU) conferred an honorary doctorate in 2024 on Sr Reynolds in recognition of her lifelong dedication to social justice and the empowerment of marginalised communities.

As an educator and humanitarian, Sr Reynoldss life and work serves as a shining example of the transformative power of compassion, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to the greater good.

Reflecting on the honorary doctorate, Sr Reynolds said she felt honoured, humbled, and surprised by the recognition.

Originally from Mohill, Co Leitrim, Sr Reynolds completed a science degree at University College Dublin before joining the Marist Sisters Religious Order. Her first assignment took her to Kaduna, North Nigeria, where she lectured at a Teacher Training College.

There, she also served as secretary to an Episcopal Commission focused on combating poverty and promoting social inclusion, while acting as spiritual director for women's organisations across the region.

South East Technological University (SETU) bestowed honorary doctorates upon Sr Brigid Reynolds, educator and humanitarian and Eamonn McEneaney, scholar, author, and cultural advocate. Sr Reynolds and Mr McEneaney were pictured with Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, Professor Patrick Prendergast, Chairperson of the SETU Governing Body and Chancellor of the University, and Dr Derek O'Byrne, Vice President Academic Affairs, Teaching & Learning at SETU

Returning to Ireland in 1980, Sr Reynolds taught science at post-primary level in Dublin for two years before being recruited by the Conference of Major Religious Superiors, later known as the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI). In 1983, she joined forces with Fr Sean Healy, with whom she co-led CORIs Justice Commission. Together, they advocated for social justice through policy development, engagement with government, and public advocacy. In 2009, the pair co-founded Social Justice Ireland, which they led until their retirement in 2023.

Also read: Wedding bells ring for Longford and Meath All-Ireland medal winners in lovely festive ceremony

Social Justice Ireland advocates for social justice and improves the lives of communities through independent social analysis and effective policy development with the aim of creating a sustainable future for every member of society and for societies as a whole. SETU and Social Justice Ireland collaborate on the delivery of an MA in Social Justice and Public Policy to which Sr Brigid has contributed her expertise.

Ive had a long association with the Waterford and Wexford and Carlow colleges, going back more than 40 years. Over those years I enjoyed many discussions on social policy, development strategy and related issues that were always both challenging and energising, she said.

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A major milestone has been reached in the decades-long campaign to build an inpatient unit in the Midlands that can provide hospice care to people in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

The HSE has announced that Offaly County Council has officially approved planning permission for a 20-bed Midlands Specialist Palliative Care Unit in Tullamore.

In a statement the HSE says the decision to give the green light to the Arden Lane site marks a "transformative step" in delivering "vital" hospice services to the four Midlands counties.

It adds that this decision ensures that the long-awaited hospice facility will address a critical gap in specialist inpatient palliative care for Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath.

Also read: "G'wan Longford!": Shaunagh Connaire's short film acquired by Disney

The statement added that the Government has committed 24 million in capital funding to support the development of this facility aimed at delivering "high-quality end-of-life care".

The HSE adds that the project will provide "compassionate, specialist care closer to home for families" across the Midlands.

The new hospice will include:

20 inpatient beds

Day therapy unit

Education centre

Modern car parking and EV charging facilities

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister for Health, welcomed the approval of planning.

"This is an important milestone in delivering on the Governments 24 million capital commitment. I am so grateful to all involved, many of whom I met when I visited in April of last year.

"We will continue to invest in palliative care services to ensure equitable access and the highest standards of care for people and families across Ireland, she said.

Also read: Wedding bells ring for Longford and Meath All-Ireland medal winners in lovely festive ceremony

Kate Killeen White, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE Dublin and Midlands, looked forward to what it will mean for people.

This planning approval is a landmark moment for healthcare in the Midlands. This hospice will ensure that people with life-limiting illnesses receive the dignity, comfort, and specialist care they deserve. We are grateful to all who have worked tirelessly to make this happen, she said.

The HSE's statement said the granting of planning permission represents an achievement that reflects years of advocacy and collaboration among local hospice groups and community initiatives.

Ms Killeen White acknowledged this. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Image of what the Hospice will look like when completed.

"We acknowledge the five Hospice Groups in the regionLaois Hospice, Longford Hospice, North Westmeath Hospice, Offaly Hospice, and South Westmeath Hospicewhose volunteers have fundraised tirelessly for palliative care initiatives. Innovative campaigns such as Hooves-4-Hospice, led by the Lions Club, and the Irish Hospice Foundations advocacy and research have been pivotal in keeping this project at the forefront of healthcare priorities," she said.

Joseph Ruane, Head of Primary Care HSE Midlands, said the Midlands has long been one of the only regions in Ireland without a specialist inpatient palliative care unit.

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"This development will close a critical gap in service provision, enhance quality of life for patients and families, and strengthen community-based and inpatient palliative care. I would like to thank and acknowledge the work and support of successive Ministers of Health, all hospice and associated groups throughout the Midlands and nationally and our locally elected representatives (past and present) who have been so steadfastly supportive of this development over many years. It truly is a significant milestone for this project and for the Midlands population we serve, he said.

The grant of planning follows on from a unanimous decision in late 2025 by Offaly County Councillors to rezone the land on Arden Lane to allow the development take place.

The selection of the Arden Lane site was disputed by one group of hospice campaigners in Offaly who backed the Wellwood Health Campus that is located on the Tullamore bypass. The Wellwood site was offered by the Flanagan brothers. It was originally earmarked for a private hospital.

Also read: Longford woman's love of animals inspired her to forge successful agri-food sector career
Actress Jessie Buckley has said her role in new film Hamnet made her feel the deep need to become a mother.

In an interview with British Vogue, the 36-year-old admitted that embodying a mother mourning the loss of a child made her feel drawn to becoming a parent.

Buckley stars in the historical drama, based on Maggie OFarrells novel of the same name, which explores the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes Hathaway  historically known as Anne  in the aftermath of their 11-year-old sons death.

She told British Vogue that embodying someone who had lost a child tapped a deep need in her to find her own.

The Killarney-born actor tied the knot with her husband in 2023, and they welcomed their first child last year.

She became pregnant shortly after filming for Hamnet wrapped in September 2024, and said her first time out of the house after giving birth was to take her daughter to see a screening of the film.

It has been reported that Buckley has previously spoken about deeply wanting to become a mother after taking on the role of one.

Buckley said becoming a mother was a big change.

She said: I said to somebody the other day, Its a bit like being a beetle on your back.

A friend said to me, Dont forget that youre also a new thing when you become a mother.

A lot of attention is given to this little baby but your relationship to the world is new, your relationship with your partner is new, your relationship to your work is new.

I dont know what the next story is that I need to tell because its seismic whats happened.

Buckley also spoke about the upcoming awards season, which kicked off with the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, during which she was crowned best actress.

When asked about the mounting Oscar buzz, she said: I feel a little bit like a rabbit in headlights.

Buckley went on to say that she is totally oblivious to Hollywood chatter, as she is too busy with parenting and promoting the film.

The full feature appears in the February issue of British Vogue, available on digital download and on newsstands from January 20.


The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted numerous operations throughout Lebanon against Hezbollah between December 29, 2025, and January 4, 2026. Israeli activities this week were concentrated exclusively in south Lebanon and included targeted killings of Hezbollah personnel and strikes on the groups assets both north and south of the Litani River.

In the latter part of the week, the IDF targeted and killed Hezbollah personnel involved in the groups regeneration efforts south of the Litani River, despite the Lebanese government setting December 31 as the deadline for Hezbollahs full disarmament south of the waterway. On Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the efforts [] made in this regard by the Lebanese government and Lebanese Armed Forces as far from sufficient [] in light of Hezbollahs efforts to rearm and rebuild.

Israeli media reported that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Lebanons shortcomings and Hezbollahs rearmament during their recent meeting at Mar-a-Lago, suggesting Washington greenlighted an Israeli military escalation in Lebanon if Beirut continued to demonstrate its unwillingness to disarm the group.

However, Lebanese media reports offered a more complicated picture. A report in Ad Diyar, for example, indicated that several unspecified Arab and European countries had come to an agreement with the United States to give Lebanon a final opportunity to fulfill its obligations to disarm Hezbollah pursuant to the November 27, 2024, ceasefire deal. Per this agreement, Lebanon and Hezbollah would both issue separate declarations certifying that the area south of the Litani River had been cleared of the groups weapons or armed presence, which would be confirmed by a special investigation committee, with Beirut bearing the consequences of any subsequent violations. In return, Israel would cease operations throughout Lebanon, after which, Lebanon would transition to the second phase of disarming Hezbollah in the area between the Litani and Awali Rivers, which would require a relatively long period to implement. Similarly, the LBCI television station claimed that Trump had asked Netanyahu to await further dialogue with the Lebanese government.

Meanwhile, a report in Nidaa Al Watan similarly indicated that the Lebanese Government was awaiting Israel withdrawing from the occupied [posts in south Lebanon], returning Lebanese captives, and taking positive steps before deciding on disarming Hezbollah north of the Litani River. The report suggested that Beirut did not fear Israeli military operations in response to its inaction against Hezbollah, having received guarantees from the United States that any Israeli escalation would remain limited. This report seemed to overlap with a report in Maariv that the IDF had presented Netanyahu with a plan for a limited offensive, or several intense operations short of war, inside Lebanon.

The IDF conducted operations in 22 Lebanese locales last week, some of them more than once. These activities included:

Airstrikes: Seven+

Seven+ Artillery missions: Two

Two Detonations: Two

Two Drone strikes: Two

Two Flares: One

One Quadcopter activities: Five



Map instructions: Click the top-left icon or an icon on the map to open the Map Key and adjust the maps zoom as desired. Click the top-right icon to open a larger version of the map.



Nabatieh Governorate

Bint Jbeil District : Ayta ash Shaab, Ayta ash Shaab-Rmeish, Bint Jbeil, Jmeijmeh-Khirbet Selm, and Rmeish

: Ayta ash Shaab, Ayta ash Shaab-Rmeish, Bint Jbeil, Jmeijmeh-Khirbet Selm, and Rmeish Marjayoun District: Houla, Khiam,Marjayoun, and Meiss al Jabal

Houla, Khiam,Marjayoun, and Meiss al Jabal Nabatieh District: Azza-Kafrawa

South Lebanon Governorate

Jezzine District: Aqmata-Rihan andMount Rihan

Aqmata-Rihan andMount Rihan Sidon District: Ansar-Zrariyeh, Tebna-Zahrani, and Zrariyeh

Ansar-Zrariyeh, Tebna-Zahrani, and Zrariyeh Tyre District: Marwahin

Casualties

Between December 29 and January 4, Israeli operations in Lebanon killed two people, both Hezbollah operatives, and wounded four unidentified individuals.

December 29, 2025: No casualties were reported.

No casualties were reported. December 30, 2025: No casualties were reported.

No casualties were reported. December 31, 2025: No casualties were reported.

No casualties were reported. January 1, 2026: No casualties were reported.

No casualties were reported. January 2, 2026: One unidentified individual was wounded.

One unidentified individual was wounded. January 3, 2026: Three unidentified individuals were wounded.

Three unidentified individuals were wounded. January 4, 2026: Two Hezbollah operatives were killed.

Chronology of Israeli operations against Hezbollah, December 29, 2025January 4, 2026

December 29

At 8:32 am, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted the banks of the Litani River near Marjayoun in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District.

December 30

At 3:53 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli artillery targeted the area between Rmeish and Ayta ash Shaab in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District, while Israeli reconnaissance drones flew overhead.

At 7:13 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli artillery intermittently targeted the outskirts of Yaroun in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

December 31

NNA Lebanon reported that, past midnight, an Israeli ground force entered Houla in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District, approximately 1,600 meters from the Blue Line and 1,400 meters from the IDFs Tel Aziyeh post in south Lebanon, and detonated a home in the village.

At 8:23 am, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli quadcopter dropped an explosive on an excavator in Ayta ash Shaab in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

At 2:34 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli forces detonated the home of local Marwahin resident Omar Dheeb al Qassem, allegedly the last undamaged home in the village.

At 4:41 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli artillery fired several flares over the outskirts of Rmeish in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

At 4:41 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli quadcopter dropped a stun explosive toward the Marj-Al Bayader area in Meiss al Jabal in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District.

January 1

No operations were reported.

January 2

At 8:02 am, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli quadcopter dropped an explosive on an excavator in Ayta ash Shaab in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

NNA Lebanon reported that at 12:15 pm, several Israeli airstrikes targeted Aqmata Valley and the outskirts of Rihan near Mount Rihan in the South Lebanon Governorates Jezzine District.

At 12:29 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted the heights of Mount Rihan.

At 12:32 pm, the IDF released a statement on the strikes, saying that it had targeted several terror installations belonging to Hezbollah in several areas in south Lebanon. The facilities included a Radwan Force commando unit training camp and military installations used for storing weapons and Hezbollah activities in the recent period, meaning in the year since the November 27, 2024, ceasefire went into effect. The IDF said that the presence of these installations and Hezbollahs activities constitute a violation of the understandings between the State of Israel and Lebanon and a threat to the State of Israel.

At 12:34 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that two Israeli airstrikes targeted the wadi of Zrariyeh, while several additional airstrikes targeted the area between Ansar and Zrariyeh in the South Lebanon Governorates Sidon District. The strikes wounded one unidentified person in Ansar.

At 12:44 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that three Israeli airstrikes targeted the wadi between Azza and Kafrawa in the Nabatieh Governorates Nabatieh District.

At 2:02 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that several Israeli airstrikes targeted the Tebna area in Zahrani in the South Lebanon Governorates Sidon District. Debris from the strikes led to the closure of the road to Tuffahta.

At 7:17 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli quadcopter crashed near a home it was monitoring in the Ain al Kabira neighborhood of Bint Jbeil in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

At 7:39 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli quadcopter dropped stun explosives in the Chalet area of Khiam in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District.

January 3

At 1:00 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in Khiam in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District. The strike wounded three unidentified individuals. The IDF released a statement claiming that it had targeted a Hezbollah operative operating near Khiam in south Lebanon. On January 29, Hezbollah-affiliated social medial announced the death of Hezbollah operative Mohammad Ali Zreik, whose nom de guerre was Abu Hassan, from Khiam. Pro-Hezbollah social media accounts stated that Zreik was wounded in the strike on Khiam and later succumbed to his wounds.

Death announcement for Mohammad Ali Zreik. (Balagh Media on Telegram)

January 4

At 12:53 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli quadcopter dropped a stun explosive in the center of Adaisseh in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District.

At 5:22 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle on the Ain al Mizrab road between Khirbet Selm and Jmeijmeh in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District. The strike killed two people. At 5:00 pm, after the strike occurred, the IDF released a statement saying that it had targeted a Hezbollah operative near Jmeijmeh in south Lebanon. Hezbollah-affiliated social media later announced the deaths of Hezbollah operative Rabih Mohammad Ali Jaber, whose nom de guerre was Al Sheikh Dhul Fiqar, from Yater, and Hezbollah operative and volunteer medic in its Islamic Health Committee Ali Hussain Rizk, whose nom de guerre was Ali Fahd, from Houla. The IDF released a subsequent statement saying that it had targeted and killed two Hezbollah operatives near Jmeijmeh involved in efforts to restore Hezbollahs military infrastructure in flagrant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

At 8:29 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli quadcopter dropped fragmentation explosives on an alleged chicken coop near a home in Khiam in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District, destroying the structure.

A funeral announcement for Rabih Mohammad Ali Jaber (Left), and a death announcement for Ali Hussain Rizk (Right). (Balagh Media Telegram)

Note: This post was updated on February 2, 2026, with details on the death of Hezbollah operative Mohammad Ali Zreik.

Previous entries:

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
In the realm of cybersecurity and compliance, selecting the right tools can make or break your organizations defense posture. These tools must not only address specific security needs but also integrate seamlessly into existing tech stacks and comply with industry standards. Below, we explore a curated list of best-in-class cybersecurity and compliance tools, each evaluated for its unique strengths and limitations.

Vanta

Vanta is an automated security and compliance platform that helps organizations achieve and maintain certifications such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI, and GDPR. It focuses on turning Cybersecurity & Compliance from point-in-time projects into continuous monitoring, reducing manual evidence collection and audit prep for security teams. The main trade-off is that it is optimized for SaaS and cloud-centric environments; highly custom or onpremheavy setups may need extra tailoring and complementary tools.

Key Features: Vanta connects to cloud providers, code repositories, identity platforms, and business apps to run automated tests and monitor controls across 30+ frameworks. It automates evidence collection, streamlines audit preparation, and offers pre-built and custom frameworks, a Trust Center for sharing posture, questionnaire automation, and vendor risk workflows. Documentation highlights continuous monitoring and AI-assisted remediation suggestions but is less specific about deeply customized enterprise GRC workflows compared with traditional GRC suites.

Best for: Cloud-native startups and mid-market SaaS companies that need to prove SOC 2 and similar compliance quickly and keep it current with limited GRC headcount. It fits organizations already on AWS, GCP, or similar platforms and willing to align to Vantas opinionated workflows. It is less ideal for highly regulated enterprises that require deeply bespoke GRC processes or extensive onprem coverage out of the box.

Drata

Drata is a security and compliance automation platform that helps organizations build and maintain Cybersecurity & Compliance programs across multiple frameworks, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It connects to your existing tech stack to turn manual, point-in-time audits into continuous monitoring with real-time visibility into control status and audit readiness. The main trade-off is that it is opinionated around automated workflows; highly bespoke, paper-heavy GRC processes may need additional customization.

Key Features: Drata offers continuous control monitoring, automated evidence collection, and multi-framework control mapping so a single control can satisfy several standards. It integrates with major cloud providers, identity, HR, ticketing, and security tools (well over 100 integrations), plus APIs for custom data flows. The platform adds risk management, policy management, vendor due diligence, and trust center style reporting, but uncommon stacks may require extra integration work and tuning.

Best for: High-growth SaaS and mid-market companies that need to pass and maintain multiple security and privacy frameworks without building a large internal GRC team. It suits cloud-first organizations that want deep integrations and real-time posture dashboards. It is less ideal for heavily regulated enterprises that require fully bespoke, on-premcentric GRC workflows or that resist standardized, automation-first processes.

Sprinto

Sprinto is an AI-native GRC and compliance automation platform that runs end-to-end Cybersecurity & Compliance programs for cloud-first companies. It replaces spreadsheet-heavy audits with automated checks and workflows across frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. Its strength is fast, standardized implementation; the trade-off is that very bespoke governance models may not fit its opinionated approach.

Key Features: Sprinto offers GRC automation, risk management, vendor and incident management, and audit management in one system. It supports many frameworks with shared control mapping, continuous monitoring, and automated evidence capture, and integrates with major cloud and SaaS systems via 200+ connectors and APIs. It adds dashboards and a Trust Center to share posture externally, but highly specialized regulatory needs can still require custom extensions.

Best for: Cloud-native, fast-growing companies that need multiple certifications quickly while keeping GRC headcount lean. It fits teams willing to adopt Sprintos prebuilt controls and workflows, and is less ideal for large, heavily regulated enterprises locked into deeply customized legacy GRC stacks.

Scrut Automation

Scrut Automation is a security-first GRC and compliance automation platform that helps organizations achieve and maintain SOC 2 and other Cybersecurity & Compliance frameworks without heavy manual effort. It focuses on turning SOC 2 from a one-off project into a structured, repeatable program, combining prebuilt controls, templates, and continuous monitoring with guided support from SOC 2 specialists. The trade-off is that it is optimized for standardized frameworks and cloud-centric teams; highly bespoke or purely onprem programs may need additional tooling.

Key Features: Scrut provides prebuilt, auditor-vetted controls and policy libraries mapped to SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria, automated tests, and continuous control monitoring. It automates evidence collection via 70+ integrations, centralizes policies and documentation, and offers dashboards for control status, gaps, and remediation tasks across 50+ frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and GDPR. The platform also supports auditor collaboration in-app and multi-framework reuse of controls, but extremely niche regulations may still require custom processes.

Best for: Fast-growing, cloud-native companies that need to get SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 ready quickly and stay continuously audit-ready with a lean security and compliance team. It suits organizations willing to adopt Scruts structured approach and integrations. It is less ideal for very large, heavily regulated enterprises with deeply customized, onpremcentric GRC stacks or bespoke, nonstandard frameworks.

Hyperproof

Hyperproof is an intelligent GRC platform that unifies compliance operations, risk management, and trust workflows for Cybersecurity & Compliance teams. It is designed to move organizations off spreadsheets into a centralized, AIpowered system where controls, risks, and evidence live together. The main trade-off is that it targets organizations ready to standardize on a single GRC platform and invest in integrations; very small teams or adhoc programs may find it more than they need.

Key Features: Hyperproof supports 100+ frameworks with one of the largest framework libraries on the market, letting teams map common controls across SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST, PCI, and more. It provides 70+ integrations (Hypersyncs) to automate evidence collection, tasking, and audit workflows, plus AI features to help discover risks, validate evidence, and accelerate questionnaires and trust center content. Real-time dashboards link risks to mitigating controls, showing trends and remediation progress.

Best for: Mid-market and enterprise organizations running multi-framework Cybersecurity & Compliance programs that want to centralize controls, risks, and audit prep in one system. It suits teams with enough maturity to wire Hyperproof into cloud, ticketing, and collaboration tools. It is less ideal for very small companies seeking a lightweight, single-framework SOC 2 tool with minimal configuration.

AuditBoard

AuditBoard is an AI-first GRC platform that unifies audit, risk, and compliance for enterprises that treat Cybersecurity & Compliance as a connected risk problem rather than separate projects. Originally built for internal audit and SOX, it now spans IT compliance, enterprise risk, third-party risk, and ESG, with AI layered across workflows to cut manual effort and surface emerging cyber and regulatory risks faster. The trade-off is that its breadth and enterprise focus can be overkill for small teams that only need a single-framework compliance tool.

Key Features: AuditBoard centralizes risks, controls, frameworks, and issues in one platform, linking SOX, IT/cyber, and regulatory programs. Modules cover audit management, SOX/internal controls, IT and cyber compliance, enterprise and thirdparty risk, and new regulatory compliance (RegComply), all backed by analytics and reporting. AuditBoard AI adds automated framework mapping, vendor and security questionnaire assistance, and intelligent recommendations on control changes and testing priorities.

Best for: Mid-market and large enterprises that manage multiple Cybersecurity & Compliance frameworks (SOX, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI, GDPR, etc.) and want audit, risk, and IT compliance on a single system. It fits organizations with established audit/risk teams and complex regulatory environments. It is less ideal for small companies seeking lightweight SOC 2-only automation or those unwilling to standardize on a connected-risk GRC platform.

LogicGate Risk Cloud

LogicGate Risk Cloud is an AI-powered GRC platform that centralizes cyber risk, controls, and regulatory obligations so Cybersecurity & Compliance teams can move off spreadsheets into connected workflows. It focuses on configurable, no-code applications for cyber risk, controls compliance, and regulatory compliance rather than a one-size-fits-all product. The upside is flexibility and strong automation; the trade-off is that organizations must invest some time configuring workflows and data models to match their program.

Key Features: LogicGates Controls Compliance and Regulatory Compliance solutions link risks, controls, and policies, automate assessments, and generate test once, comply many evidence mapped across 30+ security and privacy frameworks. The platform includes automated control gap analysis, continuous monitoring, audit trails, and role-based dashboards, with integrations into common security, cloud, and ticketing systems. Its graph-based data model and Spark AI help recommend mappings to the Secure Controls Framework and highlight posture gaps, but some highly specialized regulatory regimes may still require custom logic.

Best for: Mid-market and enterprise organizations that want to run cyber risk, controls compliance, and broader GRC on a single, highly configurable platform rather than multiple point tools. It suits teams ready to standardize workflows and invest in integrations. It is less ideal for very small companies seeking simple, outofthebox SOC 2 tooling with minimal configuration.

Huntress Managed SIEM

Huntress Managed SIEM is a managed security information and event management service that brings threat detection and compliance logging to organizations that dont want to run a SIEM themselves. It pairs SIEM technology with a 24/7 human-led SOC to cut noise, spot attacks earlier than EDR alone, and keep audit-ready logs without traditional SIEM complexity. The trade-off is that tuning and data strategy follow Huntress smart filtering model rather than giving teams full DIY control over every log source and rule.

Key Features: Huntress Managed SIEM ingests logs from endpoints, firewalls, identity, VPN, and SaaS tools, then filters and stores only threat-relevant and compliance-required data, with retention up to seven years for PCI-DSS, CMMC, and audit mandates. A 24/7 SOC correlates events with threat intelligence, hunts for tradecraft like RDP brute force, and delivers curated incident reports and remediation guidance. The platform offers 20+ prebuilt integrations with vendors such as Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, Duo, and password managers, plus predictable pricing.

Best for: Small and mid-sized organizations, MSPs, and lean security teams that need enterprise-grade detection and compliance logging without building a full SOC or managing a complex SIEM. It fits environments using common network, endpoint, and identity tools. It is less ideal for very large enterprises that require full control over SIEM rules, data schemas, and open-ended log ingestion.

Aikido Security

Aikido Security is a unified code-to-cloud security platform that helps Cybersecurity & Compliance teams cover technical controls for SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI, HIPAA, and similar frameworks in one place. It replaces a patchwork of SAST, SCA, DAST, CSPM, container, and secrets scanners with a single developer-centric system that emphasizes low noise and fast remediation. The trade-off is that it is focused on application and cloud posture rather than full GRC, so policy, risk, and audit workflows still live in other tools.

Key Features: Aikido combines SAST, SCA, secrets detection, IaC scanning, DAST/API testing, CSPM, container and VM scanning, and runtime protection in one platform. It uses AI Autofix and bulk PRs to remediate vulnerabilities, AutoTriage to suppress non-exploitable findings, and context-aware risk scoring across environments. For compliance, it automatically checks and generates evidence for technical controls required by SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001:2022, CIS benchmarks, and more, and integrates with tools like Secureframe to keep audit tests fresh.

Best for: Product-led SaaS and engineering-heavy organizations that want consolidated application and cloud security scanning to support Cybersecurity & Compliance audits with minimal security headcount. It fits teams willing to plug security into CI/CD and developer workflows. It is less ideal for enterprises whose primary need is top-down GRC, policy, or enterprise risk management rather than code-to-cloud technical control coverage.

CrowdStrike Falcon

CrowdStrike Falcon is a cloud-delivered endpoint protection and XDR platform that gives Cybersecurity & Compliance teams deep visibility and strong control over endpoint threats. It unifies next-gen AV, EDR, and managed threat hunting in a single lightweight agent, backed by large-scale cloud analytics and threat intelligence. The upside is high detection quality and fast response with minimal on-device overhead; the trade-off is dependence on cloud connectivity and the need for additional tooling for full GRC and policy workflows.

Key Features: Falcon provides real-time endpoint detection and response, autonomous response actions, and rich telemetry for investigations and compliance evidence. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, integrates with major cloud platforms and SIEM/log tools (including Falcon LogScale for long-term retention), and offers managed detection options via Falcon Complete. Compliance-focused features include detailed activity logging, rule-based detection, and integrations that help align with standards such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.

Best for: Mid-market and enterprise organizations that need high-quality endpoint protection with audit-ready logging as part of a broader Cybersecurity & Compliance program. It suits cloud-first or distributed environments with an existing SIEM/SOC function to consume Falcon data. It is less ideal as a standalone option for organizations whose primary gap is governance and regulatory workflow management rather than endpoint detection and response.

Splunk Enterprise Security

Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) is a SIEM-based threat detection, investigation, and response platform for Cybersecurity & Compliance teams that need a unified view across onprem and cloud environments. It combines log analytics, UEBA, SOAR-style automation, and agentic AI into a single console so SOCs can replace tool silos with one system of record for security events and audit trails. The trade-off is that ES is powerful but complex and typically requires a mature team to tune, operate, and justify the cost.

Key Features: ES ingests data from many sources, applies correlations, rule-based and ML detections, and provides Mission Control for unified investigations. It ships with content for threat hunting, insider threat, and malware reversing, plus automation and runbooks to enrich, triage, and respond to alerts. Premier adds tighter integration of SIEM, UEBA, SOAR, and AI assistants, with long-term log retention and reporting to support regulatory compliance.

Best for: Large enterprises and mature SOCs that need deep visibility, advanced analytics, and automation for Cybersecurity & Compliance across complex estates. It fits organizations ready to invest in Splunk expertise and content management. It is less ideal for small teams wanting a lightweight or fully managed SIEM with minimal configuration.

Qualys Compliance Suite

Qualys Compliance solutions (Policy Compliance / Policy Audit) are cloud-based tools that help Cybersecurity & Compliance teams continuously assess system configurations against security benchmarks and regulatory mandates. They focus on mapping technical controls to frameworks like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, NIST, and ISO 27001 so you can show auditors that servers, OSs, and cloud workloads are hardened correctly. The trade-off is that they emphasize configuration and policy compliance rather than full GRC workflows or businesslevel risk modeling.

Key Features: Qualys agents and scanners continuously evaluate assets against a large policy library spanning hundreds of technologies and 90+ regulations. Controls are mapped once and reused across mandates, with dashboards for drift, gap analysis, and mandate-based reporting that auditors recognize. The platform automates evidence collection, integrates with ITSM tools for remediation tickets, and ties into TotalCloud CSPM to extend compliance visibility into multi-cloud environments.

Best for: Mid-sized and large organizations that need systematic configuration and cloud posture compliance across diverse infrastructure for frameworks like PCI, HIPAA, and NIST. It suits teams that already use Qualys for vulnerability management or asset inventory. It is less ideal as a standalone GRC solution for organizations whose primary gap is policy, risk, or audit workflow management rather than technical configuration compliance.

Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud

Prisma Cloud is a cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP) that helps Cybersecurity & Compliance teams secure code, cloud infrastructure, identities, and data across multi-cloud environments. It replaces point tools for CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and DSPM with one console so teams can continuously monitor misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and policy violations from build to runtime. The trade-off is that it is focused on cloud and cloud-native workloads; primarily onprem estates will get limited value.

Key Features: Prisma Cloud provides CSPM across major clouds (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI, Alibaba, IBM), workload and container protection, identity and entitlement analysis, and data security posture management. It ships with 50+ built-in compliance standards (including PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, NIST 800-53, ISO 27002, GDPR, CCPA) and offers continuous compliance monitoring and one-click reporting. The platform includes IaC scanning and AI-powered risk prioritization to highlight exploitable issues, but deep GRC, policy, and audit workflow management still sits in other tools.

Best for: Organizations running multi-cloud or cloud-native stacks that need continuous cloud security and compliance coverage in one platform. It fits security teams looking to consolidate CSPM, workload, and identity security for regulated industries like finance and healthcare. It is less ideal for companies with mostly onprem infrastructure or those whose main gap is governance and enterprise GRC rather than cloud posture and workload security.

Tenable.io

Tenable Vulnerability Management is a cloud-based vulnerability management platform that helps Cybersecurity & Compliance teams find, prioritize, and remediate weaknesses across IT and cloud assets. It builds on the Nessus scanner and adds risk-based scoring and exposure views so teams can move from raw CVE lists to a prioritized remediation plan that supports audit and regulatory requirements. The trade-off is that it focuses on vulnerability and exposure management rather than full GRC or policy workflows.

Key Features: Tenable Vulnerability Management provides continuous asset discovery, always-on scanning, and risk-based prioritization using Vulnerability Priority Rating (VPR), enriched with threat intelligence and exploit likelihood. It supports on-prem, cloud, containers, and web apps, with add-ons for web app scanning, cloud security, identity exposure, PCI ASV, and OT security, and integrates via APIs with SIEM, ITSM, and exposure management (Tenable One). It also includes AI Aware to surface AI-related risks and optional patch management to close exposures faster.

Best for: Medium to large organizations that need mature, risk-based vulnerability management as a backbone for Cybersecurity & Compliance programs across hybrid environments. It fits teams that can integrate Tenable with ticketing, SIEM, and GRC tools. It is less ideal for very small organizations or those seeking all-in-one GRC, policy, and risk management in a single product.

IBM QRadar

IBM QRadar SIEM is a security information and event management platform that gives Cybersecurity & Compliance teams centralized visibility into logs, flows, and security events across hybrid environments. It correlates events, network activity, and vulnerability data with threat intelligence to generate high-fidelity offenses, helping SOCs detect complex attack patterns and maintain regulatory compliance. The trade-off is that QRadar is powerful but can be resource-intensive to deploy, tune, and scale for smaller or less mature teams.

Key Features: QRadar SIEM ingests and normalizes data from firewalls, endpoints, servers, applications, and cloud platforms, then applies correlation rules, UEBA, and network behavior analytics to surface prioritized threats. It integrates with QRadar SOAR for playbook-driven response and offers compliance content extensions with rules and 30+ reports for PCI-DSS, GDPR, SOX, and other mandates. Built-in dashboards, searches, and forensics support investigations and long-term audit trails.

Best for: Mid-market and large enterprises running dedicated SOCs that need robust SIEM plus compliance reporting across diverse IT and OT environments. It fits organizations ready to invest in QRadar expertise and integrations with other security tools. It is less ideal for small teams seeking a lightweight or fully managed SIEM with minimal tuning and infrastructure overhead.

Cisco SecureX

Cisco XDR is an extended detection and response platform that unifies threat detection, investigation, and response across Cisco and thirdparty security controls for Cybersecurity & Compliance teams. It correlates telemetry from endpoints, networks, firewalls, email, identity, and cloud, then applies analytics and Talos threat intelligence so analysts can focus on highrisk incidents instead of raw alerts. The trade-off is that its deepest capabilities are realized in Cisco-heavy environments; organizations with little Cisco footprint get less native integration value.

Key Features: Cisco XDR provides centralized incident views, AIassisted prioritization, and guided workflows that follow incident-response phases from detection through containment and recovery. It includes playbook-driven automation to isolate endpoints, block domains, or update firewall policies, and integrates with Cisco Secure products plus curated thirdparty tools for broader coverage. AI Assistant for Security and Detection Analytics use ML and generative AI to reduce alert fatigue, map activity to MITRE ATT&CK, and accelerate investigations.

Best for: Organizations that already rely on Cisco security (firewalls, endpoint, email, identity or Meraki) and want a unified layer for XDR-style detection and response. It suits lean SOC teams seeking more automation without building their own integration fabric. It is less ideal for environments with minimal Cisco tooling or teams that primarily need governance and GRC rather than operational detection and response.

Check Point CloudGuard

Check Point CloudGuard is a cloud-native application protection platform that brings threat prevention and compliance monitoring together for multi-cloud Cybersecurity & Compliance programs. It spans CSPM, workload protection, and cloud network security so teams can reduce misconfigurations, block cloud attacks, and enforce policies consistently from code to runtime. The trade-off is that it is tightly focused on cloud and cloud-native workloads, so broader GRC and onprem policy workflows still rely on other tools.

Key Features: CloudGuard offers CSPM with multi-cloud visibility, thousands of rules, and 50+ built-in cloud compliance frameworks such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and CIS benchmarks. It adds CNAPP capabilities including workload and Kubernetes security, AI-based web application and API protection, identity protection, and effective risk scores to prioritize remediation. Posture Management uses GSL policies, continuous assessments, and optional auto-remediation (CloudBots) to keep environments aligned with best practices and regulatory baselines.

Best for: Organizations running significant workloads in AWS, Azure, and GCP that need unified cloud security and compliance across applications, workloads, and network layers. It fits security teams consolidating CSPM and cloud network security under one vendor. It is less ideal for companies with mostly onprem infrastructure or those whose main need is enterprise GRC and audit workflow rather than cloud posture and workload protection.

Fortinet FortiGate

Fortinet FortiGate is a nextgeneration firewall family that provides networklevel Cybersecurity & Compliance controls such as segmentation, threat prevention, and encrypted traffic inspection across onprem and cloud edges. It combines highperformance firewalling with integrated IPS, web filtering, application control, and secure SDWAN, so security teams can enforce policies and collect auditready logs from a single enforcement point. The trade-off is that it focuses on network and perimeter security, so you still need separate tooling for endpoint, code, and full GRC workflows.

Key Features: FortiGate NGFWs deliver deep packet inspection, application-aware policies, IPS, antimalware, web filtering, and SSL/TLS decryption, plus IPsec/SSL VPN for secure remote access. They integrate with the Fortinet Security Fabric and cloud marketplaces (AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud) for centralized logging, analytics, and consistent policy enforcement across hybrid environments. Reviews highlight logging, reporting, and policy controls that help organizations align with standards like PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA, though formal compliance mapping still happens in SIEM/GRC layers.

Best for: Medium to large organizations that need highperformance network security and segmentation as a foundation for Cybersecurity & Compliance in branch, data center, and cloud deployments. It fits teams standardizing on Fortinet for firewalls and SDWAN. It is less ideal for very small businesses or for programs whose main gap is policy/governance rather than network threat prevention.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is an enterprise endpoint security platform that combines nextgen AV, EDR, and threat hunting to support Cybersecurity & Compliance programs across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. It is tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 and Azure, which makes it particularly effective where identity, productivity, and cloud workloads already sit on Microsofts stack. The main trade-off is that nonMicrosoft-centric environments often need extra tuning and integrations to get comparable value.

Key Features: Defender for Endpoint provides attack surface reduction rules, nextgen AV, EDR with advanced hunting, automated investigation and remediation, and Secure Score for Devices to benchmark endpoint posture. It integrates with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, Entra ID, Sentinel, and Intune for conditional access, unified logging, and policy enforcement, and exposes APIs for SIEM/SOAR. Builtin reports and security baselines help demonstrate alignment with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 when combined with broader Microsoft compliance tooling.

Best for: Organizations heavily invested in Microsoft 365, Azure, and Entra that want endpoint protection tightly woven into their broader Cybersecurity & Compliance architecture. It suits security teams that can leverage Microsofts management and analytics stack. It is less ideal for environments with little Microsoft presence or those preferring vendorneutral tooling across endpoint, identity, and cloud.

Comparison table

Tool Primary focus Best fit org size Stack sweet spot Strengths Key limitations Vanta Compliance automation (SOC 2, ISO, HIPAA, PCI, GDPR) Startups, mid-market Cloud-native SaaS Strong continuous monitoring and evidence collection; fast path to first certifications Less suited to highly bespoke, onpremheavy GRC programs Drata Multi-framework security & privacy compliance High-growth, mid-market Cloud-first with many SaaS tools Deep integrations, multi-framework mapping, strong audit readiness Opinionated workflows; complex, legacy environments need extra tuning Sprinto AI-native GRC & compliance automation Cloud-first startups, scale-ups Modern SaaS, cloud infra Fast, standardized implementations across many frameworks Not ideal for large, heavily customized enterprise GRC Scrut Automation SOC 2centric GRC automation Small to mid-market, cloud-native Teams standardizing on SOC 2 and adjacent frameworks Strong SOC 2 templates, guided advisory support Focused on standardized frameworks; niche regs need extra tooling Hyperproof Enterprise GRC, risk & trust Mid-market, enterprise Mixed/hybrid estates with many frameworks Large framework library, strong integrations, AI-assisted workflows Can be too heavy for very small or single-framework programs AuditBoard Audit, risk, and IT compliance hub Large, regulated enterprises Enterprises with audit, SOX, IT risk functions Deep audit/risk coverage, connected-risk view, AI helpers Overkill for small teams or narrow SOC 2-only needs LogicGate Risk Cloud Configurable cyber risk & controls compliance Mid-market, enterprise Orgs wanting tailored workflows High configurability, test once, comply many evidence Requires design effort; simple use cases may be better served elsewhere Huntress Managed SIEM Managed SIEM for threat detection & logging Small to mid-sized, MSPs Common SMB stacks (MS 365, popular firewalls) 24/7 SOC plus curated, compliance-friendly logging Less DIY control over rules and data model than self-managed SIEMs Aikido Security Code-to-cloud technical control coverage Product-led SaaS, engineering-heavy Modern dev, CI/CD, cloud Unified SAST/SCA/DAST/CSPM with low-noise remediation Does not replace top-down GRC or risk platforms CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint protection & XDR Mid-market, enterprise Cloud-first, distributed endpoints High-quality EDR, rich telemetry for audits Needs complementary GRC and broader policy tooling Splunk Enterprise Security SIEM-based TDIR & compliance Large enterprises, mature SOCs Complex hybrid/multi-cloud Very powerful analytics, automation, and content High complexity and cost; heavy tuning overhead Qualys Compliance Suite Config & policy compliance (on-prem & cloud) Mid-sized, large Infra-heavy, mixed estates Strong configuration baselines and mandate mapping Limited business-level GRC or audit workflow features Prisma Cloud CNAPP (CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, DSPM) Mid-market, enterprise Multi-cloud, cloud-native Broad cloud security + 50+ standards coverage Primarily cloud-focused; little help on non-cloud GRC Tenable Vulnerability Management Risk-based vulnerability management Medium to large Hybrid infra with SIEM/ITSM in place Mature scanning, risk scoring, and exposure views Not a full GRC solution; needs other tools for policy and risk IBM QRadar SIEM SIEM for threat and compliance Mid-market, large SOCs Hybrid IT/OT, regulated sectors Strong correlation, forensics, and compliance content Resource-intensive to deploy and maintain Cisco XDR XDR across Cisco and third-party tools Small to large with Cisco footprint Cisco Secure, Meraki, common SaaS Unified incident view, strong automation and AI Best value in Cisco-heavy environments Check Point CloudGuard Cloud security & compliance (CNAPP/CSPM) Mid-market, enterprise AWS, Azure, GCP multi-cloud Strong prevention focus and cloud frameworks library Cloud-centric; GRC and onprem needs sit elsewhere Fortinet FortiGate Network security & segmentation Medium, large Fortinet-centric networks, SDWAN High-performance NGFW with good logging for audits Focused on network layer; needs companions for endpoints/GRC Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Endpoint protection in Microsoft stack All sizes, esp. mid-large Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra Deep M365/Azure integration, strong endpoint telemetry Less compelling in non-Microsoft-centric environments

Closing Takeaway

When shortlisting cybersecurity and compliance tools, consider integration fit, data availability, team skills, and total cost of ownership (TCO). Prioritize tools that align with your existing infrastructure and compliance requirements. As a next step, evaluate trial versions, consult with stakeholders, and assess vendor support to ensure a seamless implementation.

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Editors note: This story was updated at 3:01 p.m. on Jan. 6 with corrected city neighborhoods.

John Axelrod, of Boston, with his dog, Tale, in spring 2024. (Photo courtesy Mildred Gonzalez)

Every day of her life in Boston, a little brown dog named Tale trotted down Back Bays brick sidewalks, her leash held by a man whose presence had become part of the neighborhoods pulse.

The three-year-old Australian terrier loved the hum of the citys sirens and trucks, the summer parade of people and dogs and the quiet stretch along the Charles River. In the winters, she stayed warm in a red custom-fitted coat.

But on Saturday morning, that rhythm broke.

Another man had pulled over near the Commonwealth Avenue Mall pedestrian walkway to ask if anyone had seen a man walking his dog and wearing a red jacket, prosecutors said in court Monday.

Moments later, prosecutors said, he drove onto the pathway and struck Tale and her owner, 79-year-old John Axelrod of Boston, killing them both.

In court, prosecutors described the encounter as targeted  not necessarily because Axelrod was known to the driver, but because he was chosen. A stranger, going about a routine walk, became the focus of a deadly decision.

William Haney, 42, has been charged with murder and animal cruelty in connection with the deaths. His attorney, Keith Halpern, told the court that Haney has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, later adding that Haney had recently switched his psychiatric medicine.

A court-ordered clinician told the judge that Haney has struggled since his medication changed in August and that she requested a mental health evaluation after speaking with him. She said Haney expressed what she described as paranoid beliefs, appeared to be experiencing auditory hallucinations and did not seem to understand that he is charged with murder.

Haney was ordered held without bail during his arraignment in the Central Division of Boston Municipal Court on Monday and was committed to Bridgewater State Hospital for further mental health evaluations.

Known to all

Axelrod and his dog spent more time on the Mall every day than anyone and were known to all, especially from the dog treats Axelrod handed to other passing walkers, a post on Facebook about Axelrod from community member Andrew Celetano II read.

John Axelrod of Boston and his dog, Tale. (Photo courtesy of Mildred Gonzalez)

Im in shock ... Im at a loss for words, because I dont think hes [Haney] all there, said Mildred Gonzalez, cousin of Axelrods partner of 43 years, after the arraignment. Tears streamed down her face as the woman spoke with reporters.

Im hurt, because John is an amazing human being. He didnt deserve this. No one deserves this, Gonzalez said.

Read more: Mental health evaluation ordered for driver accused of killing prominent Boston arts collector

Those who knew Axelrod say his generosity extended far beyond dog treats. He was a well-known socialite who donated between $10 million and $25 million to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston over the course of his lifetime.

He was a huge art collector, huge in the MFA and in the arts industry in general, Gonzalez said.

The gallery Art and Jazz, part of the new installation Stories Artists Tell in the Art of the Americas Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. May 26, 2022 John Axelrod Gallery (Photograph  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

Axelrod was involved with the MFA for over 40 years. His gifts included 377 pieces of American Modern design from the 1920s and 30s, which helped establish the MFA as a leader in that field, and collections of 20th-century European decorative arts.

The John Axelrod Gallery in the Art of the Americas Wing was named in his honor in 2009, showcasing highlights like Viktor Schreckengosts Jazz Bowl and a Paul T. Frankl desk. In 2011, the MFA acquired from Axelrod 67 works by Black artists  including Archibald Motley, Lois Mailou Jones, and Kerry James Marshall  along with 18 works by Brazilian artists of African descent.

He was a generous supporter and passionate advocate for underrepresented artists and his legacy will live on at the Museum through the John Axelrod Collection, a statement from the MFA read.

The gallery Art and Jazz, part of the new installation Stories Artists Tell in the Art of the Americas Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. May 26, 2022 John Axelrod Gallery (Photograph  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

Beyond his deep love for art, Gonzalez said Axelrod had a background in law and was a foodie like me who loved genuine chocolate. He was a part of a Back Bay dog walking group who met at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, she said.

John was a very brave and outspoken man with a very brave and outspoken dog, Ceretanos post read. He was not the kind of man who sat idly by, comfortable and complacent, content to let evil fester.

Before he came to own Tale in the summer of 2022, Axelrod had another Australian terrier named Myrna for 15 and a half years who lived in total love and enjoyed the same walks Tale did, his own Facebook posts read.

He was a very well respected, amazing human being. Theres no one thats ever going to replace him ... Were torn. Were just  theres no words. Theres no words," Gonzalez said.

Haney is expected back in court on Jan. 23 for a probable cause hearing.
Speaking to her colleagues on Boston City Council, District 9 Councilor Liz Breadon said Monday that she hadnt considered running for council president until less than 24 hours before.

But just a few minutes later, the council voted 7-6 to elect her to the position over District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell.

In this moment we must govern with real urgency. At the federal level, we face deep uncertainty, attacks on democratic norms, on civil rights and the social safety net that so many Bostonians rely on, she said after the vote. In this context, cities matter more than ever.

The 13 members of the council were sworn in for a new term Monday morning, with just one new face, District 7 Councilor Miniard Culpepper, joining the body. They then went straight to City Hall to hold their first meeting of the year and choose a successor to the previous president, Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, who led the council for two years.

Just a week after the November municipal election, District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata announced that she believed she had the votes to become the next council president.

But over the weekend, Coletta Zapata revealed that she had reconsidered seeking the nomination, though she did not provide a reason why.

Im thankful for those who supported me and I look forward to serving my next term focused on my constituents, protecting Bostonians from divisive federal attacks, and in the health and well-being of my growing family, she said in a statement to the Dorchester Reporter, referring to her other recent news that she is expecting her first child in May.

Coletta Zapata was one of the councilors who threw her support behind Breadon during Mondays council meeting, alongside Louijeune and Councilors Sharon Durkan, Enrique Pepen, Henry Santana and Ben Weber.

The last-minute shake-up sparked some tension among the council. Before the vote, Councilor Erin Murphy alluded to Coletta Zapatas November announcement, saying, Leadership is not demonstrated by declaring victory before a vote is taken.

Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia speaks before a new council president is elected on Monday, Jan. 5. Trea Lavery/MassLive

Councilor Julia Mejia, too, criticized what she described as a lot of shenanigans happening behind closed doors in the campaign for council president. She implied that her colleagues who had originally backed Coletta Zapata had turned to Breadon as an alternative.

All eyes are on us to demonstrate that we are independent and that we can make decisions for ourselves and that we dont have people behind the scenes dictating who is going to be my leader, she said. At the last minute, because a group of people cannot hold onto power, [they] have decided to orchestrate a whole different campaign.

Mejia, who is a frequent advocate for more transparency in city government, had initially also said she was vying to lead the council, breaking from tradition by announcing her candidacy publicly on social media. She shared a series of videos about the process of selecting the City Council president, saying she would prioritize transparency if chosen.

She said Monday that she had thrown her name in that just to be disruptive and was disappointed that the contest had still come down to a nominee who has admitted that they werent even thinking about it up until last night.

Those who voted for Breadon, however, emphasized her ability to build bridges across different sides of an issue.

She has impressed me with her ability to bring people together, to embrace, in an often tempestuous storm, for calm, Weber said. I hope that she can bring calmness and deliberation to this body so we can address the really difficult challenges that we have facing us.

Breadon, an immigrant from Northern Ireland, was first elected in 2019, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the City Council. Before entering politics, she worked in healthcare as a physical therapist.

Before Mondays vote, she admitted that she had not originally intended to run for the position, but said she felt she was ready to lead.

We have to work together, she said. As a long-serving councilor from Northern Ireland who appreciates that political difference can be very profound at times, we cannot let political difference, ideology or misunderstandings get in the way of doing the work for the people of Boston.

City Councilor Brian Worrell speaks during a council meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, during which he narrowly lost to Councilor Liz Breadon in the election for council president. Trea Lavery/MassLive

Worrell said before the vote that his own upbringing as a Black man in Dorchester taught him the importance of good government.

I grew up in a neighborhood shaped by policies. Policies that contributed to shorter life expectancy, limited access to quality education and kept families out of housing, he said. Boston can and must be the place where no one is written off, where everyone can see your future and where systems we build pull in the same direction.
The family of a woman who died after collapsing at a Boston nightclub last month said Tuesday that the clubs staff did not do enough to help her.

Anastaiya Colons sister and friend told the Boston Licensing Board during a hearing Tuesday morning that when Colon collapsed at Icon Nightclub from a medical incident, they tried to get help from the security staff and the DJ.

But despite their pleas for help, they said, the music came back on, security failed to keep the crowd back and they had to flag down police officers patrolling outside.

Nobody in that establishment helped me, said Angelica Morales, Colons sister.

Connie Guerriero, an attorney with Kahalas Law, the firm representing Colons family, told MassLive Tuesday afternoon that they are exploring the possibility of a lawsuit.

Colon, 27, was at the nightclub to celebrate her sisters birthday when she collapsed on the dance floor shortly before 12:30 a.m. the morning of Sunday, Dec. 21, MassLive previously reported.

When police arrived, they found her unconscious on the floor with a large crowd around her.

Club staff said Colon did not appear intoxicated when she arrived, had been at the club for only about 30 minutes before she collapsed and was only served one drink.

Monteiro and another friend told police that they had had a couple of drinks and smoked before going to Icon, though they did not specify what they smoked, according to police reports.

As the officers called Emergency Medical Services and began providing CPR while trying to keep the crowd back, a club employee approached and told them she was also an emergency medical technician for Boston EMS.

She took over performing CPR so that police could focus on controlling the crowd, which was making it difficult to care for Colon.

Even with backup, officers could not control the crowd, they wrote in a police report, and eventually ordered the club to close and all patrons to leave.

Colon, whose sister and friend reported that she had a heart condition, was brought to Tufts Medical Center for treatment. Her family confirmed two days later that she had died, and the clubs liquor license was suspended the following day.

Attorneys for Icon and staff said during Tuesdays hearing, which was held only to determine if a license violation had occurred, that they had immediately jumped into action when they learned a patron had collapsed and had done everything they could to help.

Icon staff and security reacted to what can only be described as a catastrophe, a medical emergency set in a busy nightclub, with all necessary speed and professionalism, said attorney Tyler Henseler.

Security Director Kevin Montgomery said he called first responders within two minutes of Colons collapse, using the direct line for EMS to avoid waiting to be routed through 911, and called again two minutes later to give an update when he realized Colon was not breathing.

Montgomery also disputed the claim that the crowd was encroaching on Colon and the first responders. He said his security staff did a tremendous job clearing a path for emergency personnel to get through the crowd.

He added that he deliberately did not close the club and order everyone to leave out of concern that a mass of people heading for the exits would make it more difficult for first responders to make it to the scene.

If I had told everybody to leave at that point, youre going to have people standing outside, people standing in the lobby, and its also creating a bottleneck of things when youre coming to the doors, he said. It would be impossible for somebody to kind of cleanly get through.

Montgomery said Icons maximum capacity is 481 people and estimated that there were about 370 people in the club at the time. There were 14 security staff working.

Following the incident, the clubs management hired a security consultant to conduct an investigation.

The consultant, Michael Talbot, said Tuesday that the only major change to Icons security policies was updating its camera system, which previously did not have appropriately synchronized time stamps.

One of the biggest questions of the hearing was whether the music in the club was still on while security staff and police were tending to Colon. Morales said when her sister first collapsed, she ran to the DJ booth to tell them to cut the music, which they did briefly.

But as she returned to her sister, it came back on. She said she could not get back to the DJ booth a second time because there were too many people in the way.

Montgomery told the board that he could not definitively remember if the music was still on when he was with Colon, but assumed it was not.

He said the first time he called EMS, he had to go outside because it was too loud in the club, but the second time, he was next to Colon, so he believed it was quieter. He suggested there may have been music coming from the clubs secondary room, which could have been audible in the background.

Security video from the club did not have audio. But it showed people stopping dancing, according to descriptions shared during the hearing.

Morales and Shanice Monteiro, one of the friends who was with the sisters that night, both said the music came back on after the initial request to turn it off. Morales said she had a cellphone video showing this.

Neither the security video nor the cellphone video was shared publicly during the hearing.

Morales also said she had received a message on Facebook from the DJ, who told her he had received a text telling him to turn the music back on. These messages also were not shared publicly in the hearing, but she and the familys attorneys said they would submit them to the Licensing Board.

Montgomery said separately that the main house lights in the club were not immediately turned on for a while after Colon first collapsed.

But it was not clear how long it took for them to be turned on. He said initially, there were still flashing club lights, but they also used a white spotlight focused on the area to illuminate what was happening.

The Licensing Board will vote Thursday on whether a license violation occurred during the incident.

Colons family has asked any members of the public with video of or information about the incident to contact Kahalas Law.
A man who is facing charges in connection with raping a patient in a Boston Medical Center emergency room was at the hospital because he had been ordered held there pending a psychiatric evaluation, according to prosecutors.

Boston resident Barry Howze, 55, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, assault and battery on a person with a disability and witness intimidation during his arraignment on Monday. The Suffolk County Superior Court judge ordered him held without bail.

The incident happened the night of Sept. 13, 2025, after the victim was admitted to Boston Medical Centers Emergency Department to be treated for post-surgical complications and pneumonia, Assistant Suffolk County District Attorney Kate Fraiman said during the arraignment. After undergoing surgery the month prior, the entire left side of the victims body had become paralyzed. She was given pain medication and then left alone in a hospital bay.

Howze was also admitted to the hospitals emergency department that night, but on a Section 12 commitment, Fraiman said. He was supposed to be under the supervision of hospital staff at all times, but managed to elope and roam the hospital freely.

Shortly after midnight, Howze can be seen on hospital security video walking into the victims hospital bay, Fraiman said. They did not know each other prior to the encounter.

After a short exchange, Howze took the call button from the victims hand and placed it out her reach, warning her not to call for hospital staff, Fraiman said. The victims partial paralysis prevented her from being able to reach her phone to call for help.

Howze then moved under the victims bed and grabbed her right thigh, Fraiman said. Terrified, the victim didnt call out, but instead removed health monitors from her body in the hopes that one of the machines might alert hospital staff.

Howze then reached into the victims underwear and assaulted her, Fraiman said. The victim was unable to move away due to the paralysis.

Soon after, a nurse walked in and noticed Howze under the bed, as well as the fear on the victims face, Fraiman said. The nurse initially thought Howze might be a family member of the victim.

The victim soon told the nurse I dont feel safe, after which the nurse asked her whether she knew the man lying under her bed, Fraiman said. She shook her head, and Howze got up and left the room.

The nurse then alerted other staff that Howze was moving around the hospital, and they chased after him, Fraiman said. Howze remained at the hospital until Sept. 16 when he again escaped supervision and fled the hospital.

Howze returned to the hospital two days later and obtained a visitor badge under a false name, but a public safety officer at the hospital recognized him and confronted him, Fraiman said. The officer found an ID in Howzes wallet and was able to identify him, after which Howze was arrested.

A grand jury indicted Howze on the charges on Dec. 12, 2025. He is due back in court for a pretrial conference on Feb. 26.
Two children under the age of 2-years-old have died in Boston from the flu, according to the citys public health commission  bringing the state total to four pediatric flu deaths this season.

The two deaths are the first reported flu deaths amongst Boston children this season, the commission stated. One of the deaths was announced on Monday, while the other was confirmed overnight into Tuesday.

Between Dec. 14 and Dec. 27, 2025, Boston saw a 126% increase in confirmed flu cases, as hospitalizations nearly tripled and flu-related emergency department visits increased by 135%, the commission stated.

Hospitalizations amongst children under the age of five increased in the city by 150% in the last two weeks and are double what they were this time last season. However, the majority of those hospitalized are adults over 65.

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) urges all city residents over the age of six months to get vaccinated and take preventative measures to protect against serious illness.

The commission stated it is working with state and city agencies, schools and hospitals to track cases and provide guidance. Its also collaborating with early childhood providers and schools to monitor clusters, promote vaccination and prevent spreads.

Flu cases are surging in Boston, and we are seeing an uptick in serious cases involving children, including the tragic deaths of two very young children, said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the city of Boston.

While the flu is usually mild, it can cause hospitalization and death. Children under the age of two are at higher risk. Parents should get their children ages six months and older vaccinated as soon as possible to decrease the risk of severe complications, Ojikutu continued. Parents should seek immediate medical attention if their child has flu symptoms and also has signs of more severe illness, like trouble breathing, decreased urination, persistently high fever or becomes extremely lethargic and difficult to arouse.

Four free flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics are scheduled in January with more planned in the future, the BPHC stated. These clinics are open with no appointment, insurance or identification necessary, though those with health insurance are encouraged to bring their card. Details on upcoming clinics can be found here.

The commission also encourages residents to get vaccinated through their health care provider, local health center, or pharmacy and visit vaccinefinder.org to find nearby sites. Those who need help applying for health insurance can call the Mayors Health Line at (617) 534-5050.

In addition, BPHC recommends core prevention strategies, such as good hand hygiene, ventilation and staying home when sick. Masks in crowded spaces can also add protection against respiratory illnesses, the commission stated.
Brad Marchand knew returning to Boston wasnt going to happen because he wanted a long-term deal. But he almost ended up with a different rival of the Bruins.

It was between Florida and Toronto of where I was gonna go, the Panthers forward told reporters Tuesday.

While the 37-year-old ultimately returned to Florida, he wasnt sure that was in the cards due to its cap situation. But once the opportunity became a reality, it was a no-brainer.

Once the opportunity came up to sign here, it was no question. Its where I wanted to be, Marchand said. But just with where we were, I didnt think it was going to be able to happen.

Marchand never hit free agency over the summer and signed a six-year extension with the Panthers. TSNs Pierre LeBrun reported the Maple Leafs had an offer ready for Marchand if he hit free agency on July 1.

Marchand believes the Maple Leafs are a good team and compete the right way, but not having Mitch Marner  who the Maple Leafs signed and traded to the Vegas Golden Knights  hurts them.

Its unfortunate the fans ran Marner out of town. Thats a huge impact for their group, Marchand said. Hes a point-per-game player. That hurts. So. But theyre a great team, great organization.

The Bruins traded Marchand to the Panthers at last years trade deadline. Marchand wanted to stay with the Bruins, and general manager Don Sweeney wanted to make him a Bruin for life. But Marchand didnt want to take a short-term deal.

I was never going to take a one or two-year deal. Not even a three-year deal. That just wasnt in the cards, Marchand said in September. I want to play as long as I can. Thats the main reason why it didnt work out in Boston. I want to play until I get kicked out of the league.

Three months after the trade, Marchand hoisted the Stanley Cup  the second of his career  with the Panthers.
Mickey Rourke has denied that he approved an online fundraiser to help him avoid eviction.

Rourke, 73, said he was frustrated and confused by the situation in a video he posted to Instagram Monday, Jan. 5.

Somebody set up some kind of foundation or fund for me to donate money, like in a charity, and thats not me, OK? If I needed money, I wouldnt ask for no [expletive] charity. Id rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger, the Oscar-nominated actor said.

Whoever did this, I dont know why they did it, I dont understand it. I wouldnt know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years, Rourke continued. You know, my life is very simple, I dont go to outside sources like that. And yeah, it is embarrassing, but Im sure Ill get over it like anything else.

A GoFundMe entitled Help Mickey Rourke Stay in His Home was created two days ago with the intent to help Rourke pay roughly $60,000 in owed rent, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The campaign page indicates that it was organized by Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and member of Rourkes management team.

Mickey is facing a very real and urgent situation: the threat of eviction from his home, the campaign reads. This fundraiser is being created with Mickeys full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening.

Rourke is facing eviction from his Los Angeles home after failing to pay nearly $60,000 in rent over the past nine months, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Court documents filed by Rourkes landlord on Dec. 28 indicate that the 73-year-old former boxer was issued a three-day notice on Dec. 18 to pay rent or leave his three-bedroom home, the outlet reported. As of the filing, Rourke had not vacated the premises or paid the $59,100 he owed in rent.

Rourke began renting the house in March for $5,200 a month, but the monthly payment was later raised to $7,000, the L.A. Times reported. The home is described in a Zillow listing as a nicely upgraded Spanish bungalow that was once the home of American novelist and screenwriter Raymond Chandler.

Rourke addressed his financial state in his Instagram video, saying, COVID and the writers strike killed my money, but I was in a really bad situation with the place I was renting.

Everything was good for five or six years, and then two scumbags from New York bought the house and they wouldnt fix anything, he continued. But I would never ask strangers or fans or anybody for a nickel. I mean, thats not my style.

Rourke even assured fans that has a roof over my head and food to eat, adding that he is very grateful for what I have.

With that, the actor encouraged fans to not give any money to the GoFundMe, adding and if you gave money, get it back.

Im going to talk to my lawyer  I hate talking to him, but Ive had him forever and I love him. But Im going to talk to Bill and get to the bottom of this, Rourke said.

Just get your money back, please, he concluded. I dont need anybodys money and I wouldnt do it this way. I got too much pride, man.

The GoFundMe has surpassed its $100,000 goal since its inception. The largest donation was $5,000 from an anonymous donor, with the second largest donation being $2,500, followed by $2,000.

Despite more than 2,000 total donations and supportive comments, prospective donors have started to question the campaigns authenticity after Rourke spoke out.

Question to the organizers: why does Mickey deny to have any connection to this (as stated in his latest Instagram post)? Please clarify, a comment on the GoFundMe reads.

MassLive has reached out to Rourkes team for comment.
Vietnams fruit and vegetable exports could reach US$10 billion as early as 2026 if current momentum continues and structural weaknesses are addressed, experts say.

Total shipments were estimated at $8-8.4 billion in 2025, an 18% growth from the year before, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.

This is an impressive achievement amid continued volatility in global trade, indicating the improving competitiveness of Vietnamese farm produce in international markets.

The strong performance stems from a mix of favorable factors. Demand in major markets such as China, the U.S., South Korea, Japan and the EU has recovered substantially. Meanwhile, more Vietnamese fruits have been granted official export access to demanding markets, opening fresh room for growth.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, the association's chairman, said growth in exports in recent years has shifted beyond seasonal surges to a clear upward trend. A stronger focus on quality, traceability and compliance with market standards is helping Vietnamese produce secure a firmer foothold in global supply chains.

China remains the largest market, accounting for a major share of shipments. However, it also presents the most challenges to the industry, Binh noted.

Durians being inspected for export at a warehouse. Photo by VnExpress/Linh Dan

Despite a strong rise in export value, shipments to China are still prone to disruptions due to market fluctuatations and import policy changes.

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Bich, an agricultural economics expert, noted that the sectors biggest weakness lies in production organization. While growth is rapid, it is not yet firmly rooted. Without stronger linkages from raw material zones to processing and distribution, the industry will remain vulnerable if major markets tighten standards or amend regulations.

Lessons from past congestion at border gates therefore remain highly relevant, especially as importing countries continue to raise requirements on quarantine, food safety and sustainability.

Towards the $10 billion target

Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook remains positive. On the back of continuous double-digit growth in recent years and Vietnam's ranking among the worlds 25 largest trading nations, the association believes exports could reach $10 billion as early as 2026.

Many enterprises consider this target feasible if existing bottlenecks are addressed. A representative of the Tien Giang Vegetables and Fruits Joint Stock Company said there remains potential for processed goods and premium fresh fruit. However, businesses need stable policies on raw material zones, logistics and market access.

Logistics costs, particularly cold-chain logistics, still account for a large share of expenses, undermining competitiveness compared to regional peers.

Experts stressed the need for comprehensive and long-term solutions, including concentrated farming zones, standardized production unit codes and certified packing facilities aligned with market demand. Diversifying export markets and increasing the share of processed goods are also seen as essential.

Binh added that continued government support in market access, standards harmonization and credit and logistics infrastructure will be key to ensuring sustainable growth.
Garth Brooks may be planning something big for 2026.

The country music legend posted a message on his website and social media Tuesday that read, New Year, New Music, New Tour. Its All On the Table in 2026!

Brooks seemingly implied that he is planning to release new material and tour this year.

Im an artist, I HAVE to make music, the Grammy Award winner said in the message. And Im an entertainer, so I HAVE to take the music to the people.

Brooks already has several shows on the calendar this year. He will perform at Summerfest on June 16 and 17, marking a long-awaited return to Milwaukee, Brooks website states.

Then on June 27, Brooks will headline Hyde Park in London, England. The Country Hall of Fame inductee will be joined by special guests Ashley McBryde and Zac Brown Band.

Meanwhile Brooks wife, fellow country star Trisha Yearwood, is set t embark on her own tour. She is slated to hit the road in March and end her run in April.

My bride is touring through the first half of the year, Brooks said. Then we will see what may be waiting for us in the second half.

Brooks last album Time Traveler was released in 2023. In addition, he finished his last tour (Garth Brooks/Plus One) in July 2024.
A federal appeals court affirmed that the Trump administration and federal agencies cant make cuts to funding that supports cutting-edge medical and public health research.

The unanimous decision on Monday from the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit came after Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and 21 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit in February last year against the federal government.

Others also sued, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brandeis University and Tufts University and over a dozen institutions. Their lawsuit was lumped into the same appeals decision.

The lawsuits challenged the Trump administration and federal agencies, like the National Institutes of Health, over efforts to reduce indirect costs paid to universities and research institutions.

Indirect costs are expenses such as lab maintenance, utilities and administrative staff that universities use federal money to cover. The Trump administration argues that federal dollars should instead go directly to scientific research.

Some universities receive 50% or more of the amount of a grant to put toward support staff and other needs, but that would be capped at 15%, producing major budget shortfalls.

The U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order in February that blocked the funding cuts, then issued a permanent injunction to keep them blocked.

Universities and research institutions across the country rely on NIH funding to conduct groundbreaking research, and patients and families depend on those medical advancements to improve and even save their lives, Campbell said. Todays victory sends a clear message that the Trump Administration cannot sacrifice the health of our residents for its own political agenda.

In the 2024 budget year, 219 organizations in Massachusetts received approximately $3.46 billion in NIH funding to support 5,783 research projects, according to Campbells office.

Institutions that benefited from the money include UMass Amherst, UMass Chan Medical School, Brigham & Womens Hospital and the Broad Institute affiliated with MIT and Harvard.

Indirect costs being cut to 15% would have amounted to a decrease of $30 to $35 million a year at MIT, according to a February letter from President Sally Kornbluth.

That could have impacted research focused on treatments and cures for cancer, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Lyme disease and autism, she said.

We believe these proposed cuts are unlawful and pose a direct threat to MITs mission  and they fracture the compact between the U.S. government and its research institutions that, since the end of World War II, has fueled Americas innovation economy and ensured the nations security, prosperity and quality of life, Kornbluth said in February.
As Karen Reads Lexus SUV hits the auction block, one company is pegging its value at around $60,000.

A CARFAX vehicle report for the 2021 Lexus LX 570 Read was driving on the night her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, died, shows one accident  on Jan. 29, 2022. The report does not specify what constitutes an accident in this case: Read was accused of running OKeefe over with her car, but a jury acquitted her of all charges having to do with his death.

Various events could indicate an accident or damage in a vehicles history, such as: salvage auction, fire damage, police-reported accident, crash test vehicle, damage disclosure, collision repair facility and automotive recycler records, the report reads.

The SUVs right rear taillight was damaged when police seized it in January 2022. Reads defense team contended the damage came from hitting OKeefes parked car in the driveway of his home.

CARFAX estimates its value at $60,170. The vehicle was serviced twice in 2021 after Read bought it: once in March and once in July, according to the CARFAX report. The report lists the mileage as 350, but Cape Cod auction house JJ Manning, which listed the car, estimates it has roughly 12,000 miles.

The vehicles history report stops on Jan. 29, 2022. The car spent years in law enforcement custody before being released to Read last summer, following her acquittal.

The owner of JB Auto Care in Weymouth purchased the vehicle from the leasing company after authorities released it.

Although the car was used sparingly, it required extensive repairs.

Mechanics changed the oil, cleaned out a rodent infestation and repaired the navigation systems, Christian Brusard, a service advisor at JB Auto Car, said. They also replaced the cars right rear taillight  the area authorities said was damaged by Read striking OKeefe.

Cape Cod auction house JJ Manning is handling the auction. Bidding begins at 11 a.m. on Jan. 30, according to an online listing published Monday.

The bidding will be held live, and any bidders must present a valid ID and $20,000 to participate. The exact location for the auction has not been announced, but Justin J. Manning, the auction houses president, said it may be in Needham or Dedham.
The judge overseeing the wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read rescheduled a hearing set for Tuesday morning, not long before it was set to begin, after lawyers indicated they were making progress on the disputes that were set to be the subject of the hearing.

Attorneys for Read, former Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor and the Norfolk County District Attorneys office filed motions late Monday afternoon asking for Tuesdays hearing to be moved. In the filings, the lawyers indicated they have continued to confer with one another and were making progress toward resolving the disputes.

Read had asked the judge to compel Proctor, who led the criminal investigation into Read, and the district attorneys office, which unsuccessfully prosecuted her for the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, to produce documents. The district attorneys office opposed the motion, and lawyers for Proctor joined in opposition on Monday.

But lawyers for both sides indicated in court filings that they no longer needed court intervention.

Proctor has begun producing documents to Read and her lawyers, and Reads team reached an agreement with the district attorneys office on a protocol to resolve the dispute.

The Tuesday morning hearing was also set to address a motion to compel more information from Read about her claims that someone other than her was responsible for OKeefes death. But OKeefes family, which filed the suit, asked that portion of the hearing be delayed.

Judge Mark Gildea set a hearing for Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. to address the status of discovery in the case. Discovery in the case is set to close on Aug. 17.

At the February hearing, Gildea asked both sides of the suit to provide updates on what depositions have been completed or noticed and how they intend to adhere to that August deadline.

In his order, Gildea wrote that he expected the parties to take the position that there is no way to complete discovery within the current deadline. But he suggested he was inclined to stick to the original date, noting that while discovery relating to Read was paused until her criminal case was resolved, other discovery in the case could have proceeded.

OKeefes family has accused Read of running him over with her SUV after a night of drinking in January 2022  the same claim made by prosecutors during Reads two criminal trials. They sued Read and the two Canton bars the couple drank at following the conclusion of Reads first criminal trial.

Read is pursuing the same claim she made during the criminal case in the civil suit  that someone other than her is responsible for OKeefes death and investigators conspired to frame her for his killing.

She has filed a civil rights lawsuit further expanding on that claim in Bristol County, naming Proctor and other investigators, as well as several civilian witnesses who testified against her, as defendants.

A key deadline in that case comes on Jan. 16, when many of the defendants must file their answers to Reads original complaint.
The SUV Karen Read was driving the night her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, died, will officially go up for auction at the end of January  almost 4 years to the day OKeefe was found in the snow on a Canton front lawn.

The auction for the 2021 Lexus LX 570 SUV is being handled by Cape Cod auction house JJ Manning. Bidding begins on Jan. 30 at 11 a.m., according to an online listing published Monday.

The bidding will be held live, and any bidders must present a valid ID and $20,000 to participate. The exact location for the auction has not been announced, but Justin J. Manning, the auction houses president, said it may be in Needham or Dedham.

The SUV going up for auction is the same one Read was driving on the night of Jan. 29, 2022, when she and OKeefe went out drinking in Canton. Read drove OKeefe to the Canton home of fellow Boston Police officer Brian Albert sometime after midnight on the 29th. She was accused of running OKeefe over and leaving him to die outside the home, but a jury acquitted her of any charges for his death last June.

The car hasnt been driven since that night  it was evidence during Reads two criminal trials. After her acquittal, the SUV was returned to Read.

The owner of JB Auto Care in Weymouth purchased the vehicle from the leasing company after authorities released it.

While the car was sparsely used, it required extensive repairs.

Mechanics changed the oil, cleaned out a rodent infestation and repaired the navigation systems, Christian Brusard, a service advisor at JB Auto Car. They also replaced the cars right rear taillight  the area authorities said was damaged by Read striking OKeefe.

Read was charged with second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision. Her first trial in 2024 resulted in a hung jury, with the judge declaring a mistrial.

The second trial in 2025 concluded in June with Read being found not guilty of the more serious charges of second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision; she was found guilty of operating under the influence and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Brusard said JB Auto Care plans to donate all proceeds from the auction to Read, who spent millions on her legal defense.
A person who was shot and killed in Mattapan on Monday has been identified as Alex DeAndrade, a Brockton resident.

The Boston Police Department identified DeAndrade, 37, in a press release on Tuesday.

Around 12:12 a.m. Monday, police went to 24 Stow Road in Mattapan to respond to a report of a person shot, according to investigators. At the scene, officers found a man with multiple gunshot wounds inside a parked car.

The victim, now identified as DeAndrade, was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

No arrests have been announced. BPDs Homicide Unit is actively investigating.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to call 617-343-4470.
A class action lawsuit is accusing McDonalds of misleading customers by falsely advertising the type of meat used in the McRib.

The McRib sandwich consists of a pork patty, shaped like a miniature rack of ribs, a homestyle bun, McRib sauce, pickles and onions, according to the fast-food chain.

However, lawyers are arguing that the patty is a reconstructed product made from ground-up portions of pork shoulder, heart, tripe and scaled stomach, a lawsuit filed on behalf of four plaintiffs on Dec. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois argues.

The name McRib is a deliberate sleight of hand, the plaintiffs said in the filing. By including the word Rib in the name... McDonalds knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable consumers.

McDonalds said in a statement to USA TODAY that the lawsuit distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate.

Were committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu ... Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S., the fast-food giant continued. Weve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.

McDonalds did not immediately respond to MassLives request for comment.
After nearly closing in 2019, a Western Massachusetts college continues to face challenges, missing its 2025 enrollment goal by half.

Instead of recruiting 300 students, Hampshire College in Amherst enrolled about 150 new students. That makes for a total of 750 full-time students, Jennifer Chrisler, Hampshires newly named president, told MassLive in November.

Chrisler attributes some of the admissions challenges to other institutions opening up their waitlists and taking more students than usual, forcing even more competition between institutions to vie for the same students.

Many universities struggled with a decline in international students due to federal policies.

That had a downstream sort of trickle effect, and we were certainly not immune from that, Chrisler said.

She also attributes the missed enrollment target to fewer college-aged people in the U.S.

Hampshire has faced serious financial challenges after nearly closing in 2019. Since then, the institution laid off non-faculty employees, suspended certain benefits and required senior leadership to take pay cuts, among other actions.

Missing an enrollment target by half will force the college to push back its goal of financial stability by a year and a half, Chrisler said.

Hampshire is now aiming for its operating revenue and expenses to be in balance in two and a half years, she said.

How Hampshire College is trying to rebound

Despite the difficulty of the last admissions cycle, Chrisler has a positive attitude moving forward.

We are sort of at this interesting transition point with me as the ninth president, where we get to reimagine for ourselves what this next chapter of Hampshires history is. And that gives lots of momentum and energy and creativity to the people who work, live, study here, she said.

While its too early to project the colleges application numbers for this year, the college has seen an uptick in applications to just over 2,000 in comparison to this time last year, a college spokesperson said.

Chrisler said the college has raised $53.6 million toward its $60 million fundraising goal and is pushing for 300 first year students and transfers this year.

She said the college has a stable admissions team and a better understanding of what needs to change, such as creating updated marketing materials and a virtual tour of campus and traveling more to recruit students and to attend college fairs.

The way that we educate undergraduates is so distinctive. And we think theres lots of opportunity to excite more students to come to Hampshire, Chrisler said.

Hampshires previous president, Edward Wingenbach, made a similar argument in 2024 to MassLive before cuts and layoffs were announced.

However, Chrisler still sees a clear path forward.

Theres lots of hard work to do. I have a lot of confidence in the fact that we have a team of really talented people here who are plugging away at that, Chrisler said.
A United States Postal Service truck crashed into a Massachusetts home on Monday, leaving the driver injured, according to WCVB.

The incident happened in a residential neighborhood in Sharon around 6:30 p.m. The truck left the road at a low speed and came to rest against a house on Dehart Avenue, causing minimal damage to the home, according to the news station.

The driver was taken to a hospital, and the Sharon fire department told WCVB he may have suffered a medical episode.

The homes owner, Lynda Appel, said she heard a crash and went out to check on the driver, according to WCVB.

I saw the gentleman lying on his side between the seats. He was breathing on and off and tried to move his head, Appel told the news station. I just waited in the mail truck until emergency services arrived. I just hope hes OK. Im guessing there was something wrong because of the way he was parked.

In August, a United States Postal Service truck was involved in a crash that seriously injured 30-year-old Angelo Fabozzi in East Longmeadow.

Officials said Robert OSullivan, 54, was drunk when he struck Fabozzi at a Pride gas station.
Following the United States strike in Venezuela, a new poll gave the first look at how President Donald Trumps approval has been affected.

The poll finds that more Americans disapprove of Trumps handling of the situation in Venezuela than those who approve.

On Jan. 3, The United States carried out an operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Both were brought to the United States to be put on trial for drug trafficking. Following the mission, which involved strikes on the country, Trump declared that the U.S. would run Venezuela and issued warnings to other countries such as Cuba, Colombia and Mexico, according to CNN.

One day after the operation, YouGov released a poll showing that 39% of Americans approve Trumps handling of the situation in Venezuela while 46% disapprove.

Just 16% said they were unsure, according to the poll.

When broken down by party, Democrats largely disapprove of Trumps actions (77% disapprove, 13% approve) while Republicans heavily approve of the president (76% approve, 13% disapprove). Among Independents, 48% said they disapprove of Trumps actions, 26% said they approved and 26% said they were unsure.

A majority of women (52%) disapprove of Trumps actions while 30% expressed approval. Among men, 47% said they approved Trumps actions while 41% said they didnt.

There was also a divide among older and younger Americans.

Among U.S. adults, those aged 45 years or older were more likely to support the presidents actions more than younger Americans.

Among Americans aged 45 through 64, 44% expressed approval towards Trumps actions while 39% expressed disapproval.

A total of 50% of Americans aged 65 and older approve of Trumps handling of the situation while 44% dont.

Among Americans aged 18 through 29, 29% expressed approval over Trumps handling of Venezuela while 48% expressed disapproval.

A total of 30% of Americans aged 30 through 44 approve of the presidents actions while 52% disapprove, according to the poll.

White Americans were almost evenly divided on the issue, with 42% expressing approval and 43% expressing disapproval. A majority of Black Americans (56%) disapprove of Trumps actions while just 17% approve. Among Hispanic Americans, 29% expressed approval while 46% expressed disapproval.

The survey featured a sample of 991 U.S. adults.
Taiwan's fast-expanding semiconductor industry is creating a wave of high-paying jobs, with engineers earning up to US$70,000 a year, and education officials say Vietnamese students stand to benefit if they pursue STEM fields.

According to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City, technology and engineering graduates in Taiwan can earn up to $70,000 a year, far outpacing salaries in business, tourism and service sectors that currently attract most Vietnamese students.

Lam Vi Chi, head of the Education Division at the office, said Vietnam now ranks first among international student groups in Taiwan, with nearly 40,000 students, a 70% increase compared with three years ago. In 2025 alone, almost 10,000 Taiwanese study visas were issued in Ho Chi Minh City, a record high.

Despite the surge, Lam warned that many students are choosing the wrong majors.

"Business, tourism and services may look attractive, but the job market and salaries tell a different story," he said.

Average monthly pay in Taiwan's service and tourism sectors ranges from $1,000 to $1,200, with limited bonuses. By contrast, engineers with master's degrees at companies like TSMC earn base salaries of about $2,200 per month, and generous quarterly and year-end bonuses can lift annual income to around $70,000.

Engineers now rank just behind pilots and doctors among Taiwans highest-paid professions. As a result, about 40% of Taiwans nearly 50,000 annual university graduates come from STEM fields, including mathematics, science, technology and engineering.

Demand is rising sharply. TSMC is building six new semiconductor fabrication plants in Kaohsiung, requiring roughly 24,000 STEM engineers and masters graduates. Other technology and manufacturing firms are also struggling to recruit enough qualified talent.

Lam said this creates a rare opportunity for Vietnamese students, especially as around 250,000 Vietnamese workers are currently in Taiwan, most employed in factories or construction.

"I hope more Vietnamese students can work at major technology corporations," he said. "After gaining experience, they can bring knowledge, capital, and skills back to Vietnam."

To support this shift, Taiwan has expanded scholarships and financial aid. Since 2024, the government has rolled out the International Industrial Talents Education Special Program, focusing on semiconductors, chips and engineering through partnerships between universities and businesses.

Under the program, international students receive full tuition support, airfare, and a monthly living allowance of NT$10,000 (US$320). In return, graduates commit to working at sponsoring companies for at least two years. More than 600 firms are involved, including major semiconductor employers and global technology companies such as Nvidia. As of September 2025, about 200 Vietnamese students were enrolled.

However, Lam cautioned that language preparation remains a weak point. Some students lack sufficient English or Mandarin skills, making it difficult to absorb advanced technical training. Others prioritize part-time work over study, hurting academic performance and damaging the broader reputation of Vietnamese students.

In response, Taiwan plans to tighten language requirements and expand support. The Taipei office in Ho Chi Minh City will open more Mandarin courses and double annual testing capacity for the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language to at least 10,000 slots. Counseling services will also be strengthened to better match Vietnamese students with Taiwan's labor market needs.
President Donald Trump has said what territory hes focusing on now after the United States attacked Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduras.

I will say this about Greenland: We need Greenland from a national security situation, Trump told reporters on Sunday while aboard Air Force One. Its so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland for the standpoint of national security.

Greenland is a semi-autonomous island located in the Arctic, currently governed by Denmark.

Trump claims that the country is unable to protect the Wests security.

And Denmark is not going to be able to do it. I can tell you that. You know what Denmark did recently? To boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dog sled. Its true, he said. They thought that was a great move.

Trump then dodged a reporters question on what the justification would be for claiming Greenland.

I dont want to talk about Greenland now, he said. I just say this: We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And the European Union needs us to have it, and they know that.
HOLYOKE  Holyokes two police unions are calling for At-Large City Councilor Israel Rivera to sit out decisions involving the department, citing his recent DUI arrest and remarks they say threaten public trust.

The unions, representing patrol officers and supervisors, on Tuesday asked city officials for an ethics opinion on whether Riveras participation in police staffing, funding, oversight and votes violates standards of impartiality.

The unions want the city to remove Rivera from the role of chair of the City Councils public safety subcommittee and prevent him from weighing in on department matters. Ethics rules say even the appearance of bias  whether or not its proven  can be enough to have an elected official step aside from decision-making to preserve public trust, the unions said in the letter to city officials.

Their letter cites statements Rivera allegedly made during his Dec. 21 arrest  threatening budget cuts and using offensive language  as evidence of potential bias and a breach of public trust.

The unions seek written advice on whether Riveras role in police matters creates a real or apparent conflict of interest.

City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Police Chief Brian Keenan directed questions to Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, who said the unions concerns about Riveras personal matters should be addressed by state officials or the unions lawyers.

Either way, however, I can confidently say Councilor Riveras personal situation has no bearing on the daily operations of the Holyoke Police Department and the incredible work they are doing under the direction of Chief Keenan, he said.

Garcia said Keenan has held supervisors accountable for their shifts, built strong task force partnerships, cracked down on open-air drug dealing, prioritized training, strengthened community ties, and carried out a plan to make public parks safer.

The results have delivered what the public has been expecting as we navigate improving the quality-of-life concerns for Holyokers, Garcia said. He added that overdoses are down 18%, illegal gun seizures are up 111%, motor vehicle citations have risen 143%, and arrests are up 36%, all while cutting overtime by more than 30% from January 2025 to January 2026.

Garcia said Riveras personal matters do not affect the daily operations or effectiveness of the police department.

Our department remains committed to its mission, and under Chief Keenans leadership we continue to make measurable progress in community safety, he said.

He encourages the union to seek the appropriate legal or governmental guidance and said he appreciated ongoing support while the city and department work together to serve and protect community.

The move by the unions came after Rivera was sworn in Monday as the City Councils vice president, a new position. Rivera said he would not comment on the letter because of his ongoing court case.

In a Facebook post in December, Rivera said he ran his campaign on transparency, and that commitment had not changed.

He said he understands the seriousness of the DUI matter and acknowledged the concerns people may have. He said he respects the legal process and plans to try to rebuild public trust in his civic service.

Union concerns

Holyoke City Councilor and new City Council Vice President Israel Rivera sits with his daughter in the City Council chambers Monday. (Aprell May Munford/ The Republican) Aprell May Munford

Union concerns stem from official reports and public accounts that describe what they term a concerning interaction between Rivera and state police.

According to a criminal complaint, State Trooper Daniel Harpin Jr. spotted a brown Buick LeSabre traveling at 40 mph in a 25-mph zone on Appleton Street in Holyoke around midnight early Dec. 21.

The criminal complaint says Rivera ran a red light at Appleton and Maple streets and then drove onto a paved sidewalk past Nick Cosmos Way, which was blocked by barricades, cones and a bridge closed sign.

The criminal complaint says officers smelled alcohol on Rivera, who told them he drove onto the sidewalk because he had nowhere else to go.

He was arrested after failing a sobriety test, the complaint said.

According to the unions and the criminal complaint, body camera footage and the official report indicate Rivera allegedly threatened to cut the Holyoke police budget and used offensive language during and after his arrest.

Comments by Rivera cited by the unions included: Im a city councilor. You cant really work with me, and thats fine. Ill just cut the budget, and Everyone gets a pass, but I dont.

The unions also said Riveras use of racial slurs during the incident, was deeply troubling and inconsistent with principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Holyoke City Councilor Israel Rivera was charged with OUI after police say he sped through a construction zone Dec. 21 and refused a breath test. (Aprell May Munford/ The Republican) Aprell May Munford

Rivera is due in court Jan. 26 for a pretrial hearing on an operating under the influence charge. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Holyoke District Court in December.

If convicted of the misdemeanor, he could spend more than 100 days in jail. Rivera also received civil citations for failing to stop or yield and for speeding.

The unions letter says that no matter how the case ends, Riveras alleged comments  if true  suggest bias or hostility toward police.

If true, the remarks hurt trust in city leaders  especially in a diverse city like Holyoke, where officials are expected to uphold these values, the letter said.

Potential impact on governance

In 2024, Holyoke Police Lt. Andrew DiNapoli performed an intake on an arrested subject in the booking area of the Holyoke police headquarters. Other officers are Baron Maruca and Melissa Rex. (The Republican / file photo) The Republican

Lt. Andrew DiNapoli, president of the supervisors union, told The Republican the unions have not spoken to Rivera directly and only sent letters and emails to city officials.

The unions are giving the city seven to 10 business days to respond, which they believe is enough time, he said.

He said if the unions do not hear back, they may convene a press conference. Hopefully it doesnt get to that point, DiNapoli said.

The situation could affect coming budget talks with the city. Thats why were a little concerned with the comments that the councilor made during his arrest, he said.

He should not be voting in any way, shape or form on any matter that has to do with the police department going forward, thats ultimately what were asking for, DiNapoli said.

Riveras racial remarks during his arrest, he said, were not a good look for the city or for himself.

DiNapoli noted that Rivera was arrested by state police, not Holyoke officers, and at the time talked about cutting the Holyoke Police Departments budget. That shows how intoxicated he might have been, DiNapoli said.

Earlier criminal case

Riveras DUI arrest last month followed a conviction in 2009.

At the time he was sentenced to five years in state prison after a guilty plea to felony firearms and drug charges and assault on a police officer.

Since his release, Rivera has been outspoken about the circumstances that led to conviction, gun violence, what he has called over-policing in Black and brown communities.

DiNapoli said Riveras previous comments show hes not a big fan of law enforcement. We realize that hes not an ally to the police department,

The city deserves better, DiNapoli said. We cant have city councilors trying to use their political clout to gain favors from the police department. Its just a black cloud over the city when something like this happens.
HOLYOKE  Mayor Joshua Garcia says Holyoke is ready for its next chapter  one focused on equity, economic growth and rebuilding trust.

A panel of new and incumbent city councilors, School Committee members and the mayor were officially sworn in Monday at City Hall.

During the ceremony, Garcia outlined plans in his second term to tackle affordability, homelessness, addiction and infrastructure, while leveraging new economic leadership in the city.

The School Committee will elect its new president and vice president at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Dean Technical High School, according to incumbent member Devin Sheehan.

City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti and Ward four Councilor Richard Purcell speak with Neighbor2Neighbor members after the oath of office ceremony Monday. (Aprell May Munford / The Republican) Aprell May Munford

City Council shifts

The City Council also reorganized Monday, voting to make Tessa Murphy-Romboletti president; Councilor Israel Rivera was chosen as vice president.

Murphy-Romboletti noted that the council now has a majority of women for the first time, calling the day one of representation, perspective and progress, and pledging to work more collaboratively with colleagues.

Every person here shows up with the intentions of working together and moving the city forward, she said.

Murphy-Romboletti said the election brought significant change. Recent disagreements in the council were not the problem  it was how councilors treat each other during those moments.

A wise former council president (Joseph McGivern) once told me that my job in this role is not necessarily to get everyone to agree but to bring as many people to the middle as possible. I promise to continue to lead that way, she said.

Murphy-Romboletti said shes excited to get back to work, and grateful for Holyokes trust and her colleagues support.

With important decisions ahead in the coming weeks, she pledged to dive in, bring positive energy and focus on collaboration.

Rivera, the councils new vice president, said hell continue initiatives launched in 2021 and advance programs to help the Community Response Division address homelessness and substance use.

Substance abuse is near and dear to me, so I want to make sure we are keeping it at the forefront, he said.

Rivera thanked colleagues who voted for him and those who reached out with support, acknowledging the recent circumstances surrounding his drunk-driving arrest in December.

It speaks volumes to the resilience in the community and the support. I appreciate that and so does my family, he said.

New City Councilor Anne Thalheimer plans to build community through events and a newsletter for Ward 3.

I want people to meet, hang out and connect beyond their immediate neighbors, she said.

The newsletter will share office hours and building access. Just making sure people feel like that they have someone to talk to but also know that person is me, and I am easily approachable, she said.

Thalheimer also plans to keep an eye on the Save Elmwood Forest campaign, and work on traffic control, street repaving and speed bumps.

Incumbent City Councilor Linda Vacon aims to continue assisting residents who feel the tax burden of living and doing business in Holyoke, she said.

Especially for long-term Holyokers who are living on a fixed income, who have paid off their home, she said.

Vacon said residents in her ward are barely getting by, and its getting to a tipping point.

She plans to push for the most generous exemptions the city can offer.

Some call us obstructionists, but were trying to keep city government the right size for taxpayers, she said.

City Councilor and new board Vice President Israel Rivera sits with his daughter in City Hall on Monday. (Aprell May Munford / The Republican) Aprell May Munford

Garcia sets priorities for 2nd term

Garcia, Holyokes first Puerto Rican mayor, began his second term Monday after running unopposed.

This next term, Garcia aims to see through his Municipal Finance Modernization Act and eventually build a new middle school.

He said he will continue to focus on blight, housing and strengthening the community response team, while also working with the new economic development director, Eric Nakajima, to promote growth.

Garcia also pledged support for educators and public service providers, and planned to improve public safety and build community pride.

Garcia said four years ago, when he was first elected, that Holyokes defining trait was resiliency.

At the time, Garcia said he acknowledged inherited challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, fiscal instability, education receivership and systemic inequity, he said. Support has been limited and inconsistent, often meaningless, leaving the city to shoulder the burden on its own.

Now, Garcia said hes energized to pursue stronger state and federal partnerships to help deal with problems.

This new chapter is an opportunity to dismantle historic inequities and structural barriers with the goal of improving the quality of life and health outcomes in every neighborhood from West Holyoke to South Holyoke, the mayor said.
A Suffolk Superior Court judge has sided with an independent journalist whos been fighting the Northwestern District Attorneys Office for four years to release police misconduct records.

Judge Julie E. Green said, in a 13-page long memorandum and order filed in Suffolk Superior Court on Dec. 30, that the information at issue is a public record and must be produced.

Andrew Quemere, author of Mass Dump, a public records newsletter, sued the DAs Office in 2023, claiming it violated the state public records law when it repeatedly withheld the names of law enforcement officers accused of crimes and other misconduct.

Quemere told a reporter Tuesday he is pleased with the judges ruling, but also noted that it has taken too long to get to this point.

(Northwestern District Attorney) David Sullivan has spent thousands of dollars in taxpayers money denying the release of the records for four years, Quemere said.

Quemere also said he thinks the states public records law is due for an overhaul.

The public deserves to know about and has a right to observe the judicial process, he said. People should have confidence in the justice system.

On Jan. 10, 2022, Quemere requested records of the offices Brady list  named for a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Brady v. Maryland  which includes names of law enforcement officers who have credibility issues or other concerns that might need to be brought to light in criminal defense cases; Brady information, which refers to records concerning specific law enforcement officers that might need to be, or have been, disclosed to defendants; and communications with criminal defendants or their attorneys advising them on the existence of Brady information or an officers placement on a Brady list.

Fourteen days after filing his request, the DAs Office returned a 191-page document, redacting names of officers and docket numbers. Quemere appealed the offices denial of his request to the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records three separate times  before filing suit in 2023.

The DAs Office has maintained that the information Quemere has requested is exempt under the states Criminal Offender Record Information law, also known as CORI.

The judge found that the office made a good decision when it chose to proceed with caution where the confidentiality of potential CORI was at stake, but overall sided with Quemere on the release of the redacted records.

Melissa Sippel, the spokeswoman for the DAs Office, said in an emailed statement the office is pleased the court found that the office acted in good faith in attempting to prevent the unlawful disclosure of CORI.

We continue to review the courts decision to determine whether to pursue an appeal. Given the pending litigation, we cannot comment further at this time, she said.

Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan sits in his office on Oct. 1, 2024. (Dusty Christensen / NEPM, File) Dusty Christensen/New England Public Media

Quemere is represented by Mason Kortz, a clinical instructor at Harvard Law Schools Cyberlaw Clinic.

Green, the judge, explains in her Dec. 30 memorandum that the purpose of the states public record law is to give the public broad access to governmental records.

With regard to the DAs Offices claims that the exempted records are protected by CORI, Green said the Supreme Judicial Court has explained, the CORI act does not prohibit anyone from attempting to obtain more information about the criminal history of a particular individual from court records ... which are presumptively public.

The DAs Office asserts that the information it redacted must be withheld from disclosure, because it could generate a more extensive criminal history than it would through public CORI access.

The court is unpersuaded, Green said.

Quemeres requests do not undermine the criminal record statute, because the requestor could not compile a criminal history of any individual, she explained. The request only seeks specific names and docket numbers in specific types of cases, she said.

In ruling in favor of Quemeres request for summary judgement, which resolves legal action and eliminates the need to go to trial, Green said Quemere is entitled to an award of attorneys fees and costs.

Quemere said one of the downsides of his lawsuit is that the cost burden is on the public, not Sullivan, the district attorney.

(Sullivan) is hurting the people he is supposed to be serving, Quemere said. Its unfortunate.
SPRINGFIELD  In a historic inauguration day, the City Council elected its first Black woman as president Monday and a School Committee with a supermajority of women and people of color was sworn in.

City Council At-large member Tracye Whitfield was formally voted in as president, and Jose Delgado as vice president, in front of an overflow crowd in the City Hall Council Chambers. The vote was unanimous but followed a divided straw vote taken Dec. 15.

The two replace Michael Fenton, who served as president several times, and Melvin Edwards, the vice chair who unsuccessfully made a bid for council president against Whitfield.

Whitfield received a standing ovation from a crowd that included at least five state legislators and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Speakers included family members, the citys first Black police superintendent and the first Black woman school superintendent. They spoke of Whitfields integrity, courage, energy, accountability and willingness to listen.

Together we will build a government that is accessible, transparent and rooted in community, Whitfield said.

The 13 council members were sworn in together  with new members Gerald Martin and Justin Hurst joining Whitfield, Delgado, Edwards, Fenton, Kateri Walsh, Zaida Govan, Victor Davila, Malo Brown, Lavar Click-Bruce, Brian Santaniello and Maria Perez.

The election of Whitfield to lead the council is an occasion School Superintendent Sonia Dinnall said she though she would never see  and something earlier generations of their families could only dream and whisper about.

Dinnall reminded people that Whitfield, who has been a city councilor since 2018, was not elected in her first try, but that loss did not stop her.

She came roaring back without apology, leading with heart and tenacity; never backing down from what really was her focus, the well-being of the citizens of the city of Springfield, Dinnall said.

Whitfield promised not to step into the role carrying grudges and specifically mentioned fellow councilor Click-Bruce, who did not vote for her in the informal ballot, although Whitfield initially believed he would support her.

Where there were misunderstandings, I have made made amends. And where there were tensions, I choose unity, she said.

Whitfield announced she is creating a training course for new and aspiring city councilors in partnership with the city clerk and law departments and the University of Massachusetts Henry M. Thomas Center. That effort is consistent with her push to give young people opportunities through leadership and mentorship programs, including those for young developers.

Leadership means showing up for our neighborhoods, our cultures and our people .Presence is service and I will lead that way, she said, adding that when she cannot be there she will rely on Delgado and the rest of the members to represent the council.

Whitfield also announced the creation of four special committees. Fiscal accountability and budget review will focus on responsible spending and limiting tax increases; procurement review and transparency will focus on fairness, access and streamlining contracts; residential development will seek to streamline the building permit process; and revenue and economic growth will work to attract developers, build the tax base and incorporate work already being done to push more nonprofits to make in-lieu-of-tax payments.

State Sen. Adam Gomez, a former city councilor and the first Puerto Rican state senator, attended both swearing-in ceremonies. He said he has watched the increase in diversity of elected leaders, especially in Springfield and other gateway cities.

While Whitfield is the first Black woman City Council president, the body has had at least three other Black men and two Latino men serve as president over the past two decades. When the city went to ward representation in 2007, after a long legal battle, the diversity of both boards expanded, especially now that Springfield is a majority-minority city.

Many people sworn in Monday are just a generation away from relatives who never thought it possible for people of color to be elected. While Whitfield is the first Black woman council president, she wont be the last, Gomez said.

Having a majority-minority School Committee is amazing, but it is also woman-led, Gomez said. When you have good candidates there are voters who look past the color line and we can work towards the greater good of community.

Tracye Whitfield's mother, Jane Maye, left, congratulates her daughter in Springfield City Hall on Monday for becoming the first Black woman City Council president in Springfield. She spoke about the pride she has for her daughter and her work ethic. Jan. 5, 2026. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

School Committee makes history too

The School Committee swearing-in Monday was no less momentous. In November, voters elected five women of color and one Latino man. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who serves as chairman of the committee, is the only white male of the seven members.

After newcomers Ayanna Crawford, Rosa Valentin, Gumersindo M. Gomez were sworn in with returning members Barbara Gresham, Denise Hurst and LaTonia Monroe Naylor, Monroe Naylor was reelected as vice chairwoman for a second year.

No other members were nominated and the vote was 6-0 with Sarno missing because he had a prior appointment.

After the swearing-in and taking several votes on routine matters, Monroe Naylor offered the three new members a chance to speak.

Valentin said she took office just three days after retiring as director of multilingual education for Springfield Schools.

After being in Springfield Public Schools for 31 years, it was time for me to move into this position and become a bigger voice not only for students but for parents and also for teachers, she said.

Gomez, the son of veterans advocate Gumersindo Gomez, and brother of Adam Gomez, reminded his constituents that the position he holds is everyones seat.

For the most needy and unheard communities of Springfield, I will speak when your voices are ignored. I will listen when your voices need to be heard, Gomez said.

Crawford pledged to be dedicated, committed, thoughtful, understanding and do real work to improve the schools.

I am a product of Springfield Public Schools. I am a daughter of Springfield. Im elated that our city is seeing such a diversity in all of its different cabinets, Crawford said. This is a moment of history we wont get back.
A draw for a Ford 3000 1975 tractor took place in McDonnells Bar in Belmullet on New Years Day. The raffle has been ongoing for a number of months and was run by the Erris Family & Community Support Centre, with thanks to a restored tractor provided to them by Chris Byrne.

The proceeds from the fundraiser were all in aid of the North West Stop counselling service - Erris branch. There was fantastic support locally and from the diaspora with a total of 1770 tickets being sold. The total raised and going to this worthy cause is 18,000.

The winning number, selected at random via a virtual wheel was 1646, and the winner was John Reddington of the JRL Group. John is a well known businessman based in London but originally from Bohola. Reddington, who is in the construction industry, also owns racehorses while he himself is a jockey who has raced on 50 occasions.

Thanks go to the MC for the draw, Pat Cafferkey and the adjudicator Garda David Reilly. In 2025 over 100 people accessed NWSTOPs free counselling service in Erris. This fundraiser ensures the continuation and sustainability of this important service.

The North West Stop counselling service paid thanks to everyone who bought tickets or supported this cause in anyway during 2025. If you need support, please call 0818444000.

READ MORE: New Garda Superintendent announced for North Mayo
Students across Mayo are being encouraged to enter ActionAid Irelands national speech writing competition ahead of the final submission deadline on Friday, January 16.

The ActionTalks competition, now in its 12th year, invites students to submit a speech of between 600 and 800 words on one of three themes: climate change, education, or womens rights.

This years topics include a fair transition to a fossil fuel-free future, the role of education, particularly girls education, in driving equality, and the importance of supporting womens rights organisations in efforts to end violence against women and girls.

This is a great opportunity for students to practice their research skills, learn how to present information creatively, and use their own initiative and innovation. Students in Mayo still have a chance to take part before the final deadline of Friday, January 16," said Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland.

Entries must be submitted in written form by email to ActionAid Ireland. Fifteen successful applicants will advance to regional finals, where six regional winners will each receive a 50 voucher.

The six finalists will then compete at the national final in March, presenting their speeches to a panel of judges. The overall winner will receive a 500 voucher, and their teacher will receive a 100 voucher.

The ActionTalks competition is a part of ActionAids Global Citizenship Education programme funded by Irish Aid. ActionAids work focuses on supporting the most vulnerable women and girls worldwide.

Through its Womens Rights Programme, also funded by Irish Aid, ActionAid partners with communities in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nepal to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Students interested in entering the competition can get further information from their teacher or by visiting ActionAid Irelands website.

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TWO Dublin men were remanded in custody after it is alleged they travelled to Mayo to intimidate the families of young people who have a drug debt.

Marcel Szpajda (24) of Golden Ridge Close, Skerries Road, Rush, Dublin and Berbey Elobo (26) of Hamilton Terrace, Balbriggan, Co Dublin appeared before today's sitting of Castlebar District Court where they were each charged with four counts of criminal damage and one count of trespass.

It is alleged that the two defendants along with two other men, smashed the windows of four private homes in Westport, Newport and Fahy late on Sunday, January 4 before they were apprehended hiding under a prefabricated building on the Lodge Road in Westport.

Two co-accused, Patrick Hegarty (19) with an address in Tourmakeady and Alex Coyne (18) of with an address in Westport, were also charged with four counts of criminal damage.

The four men were all brought before Judge Sandra Murphy after they were charged with the offences late on Monday, January 5.

Sergeant Noel Crinnegan explained that the State were objecting to Mr Szpajda being released on bail. In outlining his reasons for objecting, he described Mr Szpajda as the 'main player' who was the 'instigator' and 'facilitor' and organised the allegations of criminal damage and intimidation from 'start to finish'.

Sgt Crinnegan said that the victims of the criminal damage claimed they were targeted to intimidate them because of a drug debt incurred by a member of their household. He explained that a person whose family home was targeted had a drug debt of 7,000.

Judge Murphy was informed that it is alleged that the first house in Tubberhill, Westport was targeted at 8.35pm on January 4 with windows broken. The next incident occurred at 9.25pm in Doogary, Newport where windows were smashed and 15 minutes later a home in Fahy, Westport was targeted with three windows smashed.

Following the incident in Fahy, the occupants of the house gave chase to a car seen leaving the scene towards Westport and this car turned into a cul de sac. The occupants fled across a field on foot and Gardai recovered the abandoned car.

Gardai later stopped a second car where Mr Coyne and Mr Hegarty were detected and they were arrested.

At 12.30am on January 5, two males were observed running from Ryan's Steelworks on the Lodge Road towards the N5. A further search of the area took place and Mr Szpajda and Mr Elobo were found hiding under a pre-fab in Ryan's Steelworks. Both men were arrested and were later charged by Gardai.

READ: Mayo councillor calls for more speed vans to reduce road deaths

In objecting to a bail application against Mr Szpajda, Sgt Crinnegan said it was the belief of gardai that the incidents of criminal damage were to intimidate the families and that the intimidation would continue if he is released on bail. He described him as an enforcer for a criminal gang and would continue to pursue the drug debts even if he is released on strict conditions.

Sergeant Stephen Kenny also objected to bail for Mr Elobo saying he believes he will try to intimidate witnesses in this case and there was a fear he would not abide by bail conditions.

Mr Diarmuid Connolly, counsel for Mr Elobo and Ms Neasa O'Callaghan, counsel for Mr Szpajda said their clients were willing to adhere to strict bail conditions but Judge Murphy refused bail due to the seriousness of the charges and the allegations against the men were strong.

Bail was granted to Mr Hegarty who agreed to stay out of Westport and obey a curfew and have no contact with any of the witnesses or the co-accussed persons.

Mr Coyne was also granted bail but his solicitor Dermot Morahan said he would not be able to take up his bail as he had no place to stay.

Mr Szpajda and Mr Elobo were remanded in custody to appear before Friday's sitting of Ballina District Court for DPP directions while Mr Coyne is due to appear before tomorrow's sitting of Castlebar District Court on January 7.

Mr Hegarty was remanded on bail to appear before Castlebar District Court on February 18 for DPP directions.
BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in Beijing on Monday, with both sides agreeing to enhance bilateral strategic partnership, promote practical cooperation, and strengthen multilateral coordination. It is Lee's first visit to China since he took office, and the two heads of state have met twice and conducted reciprocal visits, reflecting the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations. ENHANCING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, promote bilateral strategic partnership along a healthy path, effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples, and contribute positively to regional and global peace and development. Xi called on both sides to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's development paths, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and resolve differences properly through dialogue and consultation. Lee said the ROK side hopes to use the first head-of-state diplomatic meeting of the year as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of bilateral relations, seek common ground while reserving differences, deepen the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, and open a new chapter of bilateral relations. He emphasized that the ROK respects China's core interests and major concerns, and adheres to the one-China principle. Dong Xiangrong, senior fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that head-of-state diplomacy has played a significant guiding role in China-ROK relations, sending a clear positive signal to foster better bilateral ties, and greatly contributing to deepening political mutual trust and promoting economic and trade cooperation. In the future, both sides need to accommodate each other's major concerns including the Taiwan question, and maintain a stable cooperative relationship as important trading partners, Dong said. ACHIEVING MORE COOPERATION RESULTS China and the ROK share close economic ties with industrial and supply chains deeply interwoven, and the bilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial, Xi said. He said the two countries should further align their development strategies, strengthen policy coordination, expand the pie of common interests, and achieve more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries, and the silver economy. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has played a positive role in the economic and social development of both countries, Lee said, noting that the ROK looks forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China's 15th Five-Year Plan to achieve more results in practical cooperation with China. After their talks, Xi and Lee witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in fields including scientific and technological innovation, ecological environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation. Yang Xiyu, a researcher from the China Institute of International Studies, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has always been the stabilizer and propeller of the development of bilateral relations. He said China and the ROK should leverage their long-standing traditional advantages, and strengthen cooperation with a focus on economy, trade, and technology. BEARING RESPONSIBILITIES IN PEACE, DEVELOPMENT China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development, and share a wide range of common interests, Xi said, noting that the two countries should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices. More than 80 years ago, the two peoples made tremendous national sacrifices and won the victory against Japanese militarism, he said, adding that the two countries should join hands to safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia. As beneficiaries of economic globalization, China and the ROK must work together to oppose protectionism and practice true multilateralism, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization, Xi said. Lee said the ROK is willing to strengthen its multilateral coordination with China and contribute to global prosperity and development, and wishes China every success in hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting. Dong said amid the recent resurgence of Japanese militarism, China and the ROK should share a common position to maintain regional peace, and the two sides need to jointly address protectionism and defend free trade.
The United States successfully carried out a surgical law enforcement operation facilitated by the U.S. military against two indicted fugitives of American justice, narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. Nicolas Maduro is responsible for attacks on the people of the United States, for destabilizing the Western Hemisphere, and illegitimately repressing the people of Venezuela.



There is no war against Venezuela or its people, stressed Ambassador Waltz.



We are not occupying a country. This was a law enforcement operation in furtherance of lawful indictments that have existed for decades. The United States arrested a narcotrafficker who is now going to stand trial in the United States in accordance with the rule of law for the crimes hes committed against our people for 15 years.



A similar action was taken in 1989 against Panamanian President Manuel Noriega. He was arrested, indicted, convicted in a court of law, served in prison in the United States and in Panama. And the Panamanian people, the American people, are safer for it. And undeniably, the region was more stable.



Nicolas Maduro and his co-defendant Cilia Flores have been indicted by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York and face criminal charges for their involvement in a wide-ranging conspiracy to conduct narcoterrorism, traffic cocaine and other drugs, and conduct international weapons trafficking.



Maduro is not just an indicted drug trafficker, said Ambassador Waltz. He was an illegitimate so-called president.



In 2024, a UN panel of experts report found that the election in that year was a complete farce. Indeed, over 50 countries rejected the legitimacy of Maduros re-election following the disputed 2024 elections and do not recognize him as Venezuelas legitimately elected president.



Maduro and his cronies have partnered with some of the most violent drug traffickers and narco-terrorists in the world facilitating the flood of illegal drugs coming into the United States. He has aided and abetted international terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, coordinating with corrupt Iranian officials, and other malign actors to influence not only the region but the United States.



[W]ere not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be used as a base of operation for our nations adversaries, and competitors, and rivals of the United States, stated Ambassador Waltz.



You cant turn Venezuela into the operating hub for Iran, for Hezbollah, for gangs, for the Cuban intelligence agents and other malign actors that control that country. You cannot continue to have the largest energy reserves in the world under the control of adversaries of the United States, under the control of illegitimate leaders, and not benefiting the people of Venezuela, and stolen by a handful of oligarchs inside of Venezuela.



But it doesnt stop there. Numerous UN and international human rights organizations have issued reports documenting serious human rights abuses by the Maduro regime.



The U.S. believes a better future for the people of Venezuela will stabilize the region and make the Western Hemisphere a much better and safer place.



The United States will not waver in its actions to protect Americans from the scourge of narcoterrorism and seeks peace, liberty, and justice for the great people of Venezuela.
Following veteran actor Dharmendras demise on November 24, two individual prayer meetings were held in his remembrance: one hosted by Hema Malini along with her daughters at her Mumbai home, and another organised by his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, which saw the presence of several film industry members.

Addressing the matter in a recent interview with The Times of India, Hema Malini clarified the reason behind holding separate ceremonies and firmly rubbished speculation about any discord between the families.

In the interview, Hema said, Yeh humare ghar ka personal mamla hai (this is our familys personal matter). We spoke to each other. I held a prayer meet at my home because my circle of people is different. Then I organised one in Delhi because I am in politics, and it was important for me to host a prayer meeting there for my friends from that field. Mathura is my constituency, and the people there are very fond of him. So I held a prayer meet there as well. I am happy with what I did.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with Ireland, deepen political mutual trust and expand pragmatic cooperation to benefit the peoples of both countries and add momentum to China-EU relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing. The Irish prime minister is on an official visit to China from Jan. 4 to 8.

Both China and Ireland cherish peace, embrace openness and inclusiveness, and strive for self-reliance and progress, Xi said, adding that the Chinese and Irish people won national independence and liberation through struggles and are advancing toward modernization through sustained efforts of successive generations.

Since the establishment of the China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation in 2012, bilateral trade volume has quadrupled, with a balanced development in mutual investment, he noted.

Xi said the two countries should maintain friendly exchanges at multiple levels and across diverse fields, continuously enhance communication and mutual understanding, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, consolidate political mutual trust, and solidify the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Over the next five years, China will continue to promote high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up. Xi said China is willing to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Ireland, align development strategies in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and medicine and healthcare, promote two-way investment, leverage each other's strengths, share opportunities and pursue common development.

The two sides should enhance cooperation in education, culture and tourism to foster greater people-to-people affinity, and China welcomes more Irish youth to come to China for study and exchanges, Xi said.

In a world beset with changes and chaos, unilateral and bullying acts are severely undermining the international order, Xi said. All countries should respect the development paths chosen by the peoples of other nations, and abide by international law as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said, stressing that major countries should particularly take the lead in doing so.

As China and Ireland support multilateralism and advocate international fairness and justice, the two countries should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and jointly maintain the authority of the United Nations and make the global governance system more just and equitable, he said.

Xi said China and the EU should bear the long-term picture in mind, uphold the positioning of partnership, and view and handle differences objectively and rationally to work for win-win cooperation.

As Ireland will hold the rotating EU presidency in the second half of this year, China hopes Ireland will play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, the Chinese president said.

Highlighting a profound and long-lasting friendship between the two countries, the Irish prime minister said Xi's successful visit to Ireland in 2012 had laid a solid foundation for the development of the Ireland-China strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation in recent years.

Martin said Ireland firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is committed to developing the strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Ireland is willing to deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment, science and technology, biomedicine, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education and other fields, he said.

Martin commended China's indispensable and important role in international affairs and its positive contributions to upholding the authority of the UN and promoting world peace.

He said that any international dispute should be settled in conformity with international law, and Ireland is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China, safeguard international law, uphold free and open trade, and promote world prosperity and stability.

Noting that the stable development of EU-China relations is of great significance, Martin said the Irish side is willing to play a constructive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Editor: GSY
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in Beijing on Monday.

Xi said he and President Lee have met twice and conducted reciprocal visits, reflecting the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations. As both friends and neighbors, China and the ROK should increase exchanges and maintain frequent communication.

China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, promote bilateral strategic partnership along a healthy path, effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples, and contribute positively to regional and global peace and development.

Xi stressed that China and the ROK have long adhered to the principles of valuing peace above all else and advocating harmony without conformity, which have transcended differences in social systems and ideologies to help each other succeed and achieve common development.

Xi called on both sides to continue this fine tradition, enhance mutual trust, respect each other's development paths, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and resolve differences properly through dialogue and consultation.

Xi said the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China reviewed and adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, outlining a blueprint for China's development over the next five years and offering broad opportunities for countries worldwide.

China and the ROK share close economic ties with industrial and supply chains deeply interwoven, and the bilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial, Xi said.

He said the two countries should further align their development strategies, strengthen policy coordination, expand the pie of common interests, and achieve more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries, and the silver economy.

Xi also called on both sides to increase personnel exchanges and promote interactions in areas such as youth, media, sports, think tanks and local governments.

China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development, and share a wide range of common interests, Xi said, noting that the two countries should firmly stand on the right side of history and make right strategic choices.

More than 80 years ago, the two peoples made tremendous national sacrifices and won the victory against Japanese militarism, Xi said, adding that China and the ROK should join hands to safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

As beneficiaries of economic globalization, China and the ROK must work together to oppose protectionism and practice true multilateralism, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

For his part, Lee said the ROK and China are close neighbors with long-standing relations, noting that the two countries fought together against Japanese militarist aggression, and that the ROK side is grateful for China's efforts in preserving the historical sites of the Korean independence movement in China.

The two nations have built close cooperative ties and achieved fruitful results since they established diplomatic relations, Lee said, adding that the ROK attaches great importance to its relations with China. It hopes to use the first head-of-state diplomatic meeting of the year as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of bilateral relations, seek common ground while reserving differences, deepen the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, and open a new chapter of bilateral relations.

He emphasized that the ROK respects China's core interests and major concerns, and adheres to the one-China principle.

Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has played a positive role in the economic and social development of both countries, Lee said, noting that the ROK looks forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China's 15th Five-Year Plan to achieve more results in practical cooperation with China.

He said the two countries should promote people-to-people exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding and trust. The ROK is willing to strengthen its multilateral coordination with China and contribute to global prosperity and development, and wishes China every success in hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting.

After their talks, Xi and Lee witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in fields including scientific and technological innovation, ecological environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation.

Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcome ceremony for Lee and his wife, Kim Hea Kyung, in the Great Hall of the People.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung witness the signing of cooperation documents after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung and his wife Kim Hea Kyung in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Editor: GSY
A Vietnam veteran returned home after two years as a combat medic. He'd treated gunshot wounds, performed emergency procedures and saved lives under fire. Civilian hospitals wouldn't hire him. His military training didn't translate to any civilian medical credential. He ended up pumping gas at a service station.

This waste of medical talent happened thousands of times as Vietnam veterans came home in the 1960s. The problem caught the attention of Dr. Eugene Stead at Duke University Medical Center. He saw highly skilled medics and corpsmen unable to apply their training in civilian medicine. At the same time, the nation faced a severe shortage of primary care physicians.

Stead's solution created an entirely new medical profession.

The First Class

In 1965, Stead launched the first physician assistant program at Duke University. The initial class consisted of four former Navy corpsmen. Three completed the two-year program and graduated Oct. 6, 1967. Kenneth Ferrell, Victor Germino and Richard Scheele became the first physician assistants in American medicine.

The date matters. National PA Week is celebrated annually from Oct. 6 to 12 because Oct. 6 marks both the first graduation and Stead's birthday.

Stead built the curriculum around clinical training rather than traditional didactic education. He'd watched military medics develop exceptional skills through hands-on experience. His program expanded that foundation with supervised medical practice. Students learned by doing, not just studying.

Read More: The Vietnam Veterans Who Fought for Modern PTSD Treatments

Why Military Medicine

Combat medics and Navy corpsmen operated independently in the field. They triaged casualties, stabilized trauma patients, managed pain and made critical medical decisions with minimal supervision. Many had more practical experience treating emergencies than civilian medical students.

Special Forces medics trained to operate completely autonomously, supporting small teams in remote locations. They performed minor surgeries, managed infectious diseases and handled everything from dental emergencies to childbirth. This level of independent practice impressed Stead and influenced his vision for physician assistants.

Army Spc. 4 Donald Ward Doc Evans Jr. was the first Vietnam War medic to receive the Medal of Honor posthumously after his death in a firefight Jan. 27, 1967. Evans Army Community Hospital on Fort Carson, Colorado, was named in his honor in 1986 and pays tribute to his memory by achieving high-quality patient safety awards and recognitions. (U.S. Army Medical Department photo collection)

The problem was that none of this training counted in civilian health care. Medics who'd saved lives couldn't get jobs as orderlies. Corpsmen with years of emergency medicine experience couldn't work in hospitals without starting over completely.

Stead recognized that these veterans already possessed the clinical skills and decision-making ability needed in medicine. They just needed formal education to bridge military experience to civilian health care.

The Spread

Other universities noticed Duke's success. Dr. Richard Smith at the University of Washington launched the MEDEX Northwest program in 1969, also targeting veterans with medical training. The name MEDEX came from the French "medecin extension," meaning physician extender.

The military created its own PA programs. The Army launched its Physician Assistant Course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in 1971. Vietnam veteran and former combat medic Louis Rocco was part of that first class. The services eventually consolidated training into the Interservice Physician Assistant Program.

A 1971 Life magazine advertisement showed a young African-American veteran with the caption, "We want to put this man in the hospital." The text explained that he'd spent two years as a Vietnam medic saving lives on the battlefield. Now he was pumping gas, wasting his training. The ad promoted PA programs as the solution.

The Legacy

Today more than 178,000 physician assistants practice in the United States. They work in every medical specialty, from emergency medicine to surgery to primary care. The profession consistently ranks among the best jobs in America for salary, growth and job satisfaction.

Vietnam veterans laid the foundation, refusing to accept that their medical skills had no value in civilian life. Stead and other physicians saw that waste and created a new profession to harness it.

Every PA practicing today owes the profession's existence to combat medics and Navy corpsmen who proved that medical expertise doesn't require a medical degree.

Read More: December 1944: The Medics Who Saved Thousands at the Battle of the Bulge

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HAVANA (AP)  The names, ranks and ages of the 32 Cuban military personnel killed during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces were published Tuesday by the Cuban government, which announced two days of mourning.

Among the deceased are colonels, lieutenants, majors and captains, as well as some reserve soldiers, ranging in age from 26 to 60.

The uniformed personnel belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, Cuba's two main security agencies. The publication did not specify their missions or exactly how they died.

Cuban state media published their details and headshots, which show them clad in olive-green military uniforms.

In a statement Sunday, Cuban authorities acknowledged the deaths of the personnel who were in the South American nation as part of agreements between the two countries.

Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism, falling after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers, or as a result of the bombing of the facilities, the official statement said.

Limited details of Cubans killed in strike

Information about the Cuban officers killed began trickling out on Monday night, with Cubans publicly saying they had died for a just cause.

You have to say that to say the same thing as the government, said Luis Dominguez, who runs the website, Represores Cubanos, or Cuban Repressors, which doxes officials allegedly involved in human rights abuses and violations of democratic norms.

Inside, Cubans have to be saying something else," he added.

Dominguez said he believes that one of those killed, 67-year-old Col. Humberto Alfonso Roca Sanchez, used to be the garrison commander of Punto Cero, where Fidel Castro once lived.

Another officer who was killed, 62-year-old Col. Lazaro Evangelio Rodriguez Rodriguez, is believed to have overseen Cubas coast and border guards, Dominguez said.

As top-tier economic and political allies, Cuba and Venezuela have agreements in areas ranging from security to energy, with the sale of subsidized oil to the island since 2000. However, the extent of military or advisory exchanges has rarely been reported.

A post published Monday on the independent website La Joven Cuba, a blog that provides a platform for many opposition voices on the island, featured a profile of 1st Lt. Yunio Estevez. It was written by a journalist who was a close friend. The post included details of the 32-year-old's life and featured pictures with his three children, whom he had raised together in Guantanamo province in eastern Cuba.

La Joven Cuba report stated that Estevez, a communications expert in charge of a personal security department, was shot during the attack. The post was removed later that evening at the familys request, the website reported.

A protest and a moment of silence

The U.S. strike on Venezuela prompted the Organization of American States to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, where a protester interrupted the speech of U.S. Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto.

The majority of people are against this! cried out Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, a U.S.-based anti-war nonprofit. Hands off Venezuela!

She called for sanctions to be lifted as OAS officials called for security guards who eventually led her out of the room.

Rizzuto resumed his speech after Benjamin was removed: I understand there are many raw emotions.

He called the strike a targeted law enforcement action against an indicted criminal.

Let me be clear, the U.S. did not invade Venezuela, Rizzuto said. President Trump offered Maduro multiple offramps. This was not an interference in democracyit actually removed the obstacle to it.

He said the U.S. wants a better and democratic future for Venezuela.

You cannot continue to have the largest oil reserves in the world under the control of adversaries of the Western Hemisphere while the people of Venezuela have no electricity, substandard quality of life, and its profits dont benefit the people in Venezuela, Rizzuto said. The profits are stolen by a handful of oligarchs around the world, including those inside of Venezuela.

He also called on the release of an estimated 1,000 political prisoners, saying the U.S. supports the request of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to visit the detention center in person.

After Rizzuto spoke, Peruvian Ambassador Rodolfo Coronado called for a minute of silence for the victims of Maduros regime.

During the OAS meeting, representatives of several countries strongly condemned the U.S. strike.

Mauricio Jaramillo, Colombias vice minister of foreign relations, denounced what he said was an attack against Venezuelas sovereignty. He said the unilateral military action was a clear violation of international law that set an extremely worrying precedent.

Before the special OAS meeting began, about a dozen protesters gathered outside holding signs that read, No war on Venezuela and Arepas Not Bombs.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has taken on environmental oversight of deepwater port licensing from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), which officials say will streamline environmental reviews, accelerate license approvals, and lower domestic energy costs.

The change, announced on Monday, means that MARAD will oversee National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review duties, with the USCG providing additional oversight in areas including safety, design, construction, and operations of deepwater port facilities. Congress required this change as part of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.

MARAD, USCG and the Department of Transportation (DOT) said the shift in leadership aims to advance President Donald Trumps Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy.

"Well accelerate project approvals so the nation can safely utilize more of its abundant natural resources, create more high paying jobs, and lower energy costs for American families.

The Deepwater Port Program is a key pillar of President Trumps energy dominance strategy, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. With this change, well soon accelerate project approvals so the nation can safely utilize more of its abundant natural resources, create more high paying jobs, and lower energy costs for American families.

History of Deepwater Port Program

The establishment of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (DWPA) provides a licensing system for construction, operation, ownership, and decommissioning of deepwater port structures to import and export oil and natural gas from U.S. waters.

USCGC Barbara Mabrity (WLM-559), a Keeper-class coastal buoy tender, is docked alongside USCGC Walnut (WLB-205) at Allegheny Pier onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Dec. 2. Along with naval aviation and information warfare training, NAS Pensacola is home to the U.S. Navy's only deepwater port in the Gulf. (Garrett Dipuma)

Under the DWPA license applicants must meet certain conditions for approval, including minimized adverse impacts on the marine environment in addition to providing detailed plans for construction, operation, and decommissioning of deepwater ports.

Since 1975 a total of 31 such applications have been filed for approval. They are as follows:

Eighteen were filed for licenses to import liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Five were filed to export LNG.

Six were filed to export oil.

Two were filed for licenses to import oil.

However, just 11 of the 31 applications have been approved. To date, eight licenses have been issued out of those 11 approved applications, including the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port and Northeast Getaway.

MARAD is excited and proud to lead the Deepwater Port Program. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard to make this process more efficient and fuel our energy economy for years to come, said MARAD Administrator Steve Carmel in a statement.

But not everyone is sold. Jeff Lewis, former MARAD chief counsel now part of Cozen OConnors Transportation and Trade Group in Washington, D.C. wrote in an op-ed last year in Marine Link that the USCG should still maintain regulatory authority over environmental reviews despite criticisms of drawn out processes.

While there has been frustration among some applicants in recent years with the slowness of the review process, I would argue that this current division and specialization of roles between Coast Guard and MARAD is an outgrowth of the agencies inherent, organic capabilities, and should be left as it is, Lewis said.

He added that the USCG standards and law divisions already have the breadth and depth of experience from 50 years of deepwater port work and that MARAD does not possess these competencies at all.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  From the smoldering wreckage of two catastrophic world wars in the last century, nations came together to build an edifice of international rules and laws. The goal was to prevent such sprawling conflicts in the future.

Now that world order  centered at the United Nations headquarters in New York, near the courtroom where Nicolas Maduro was arraigned Monday after his removal from power in Venezuela  appears in danger of crumbling as the doctrine of might makes right muscles its way back onto the global stage.

U.N. Undersecretary-General Rosemary A. DiCarlo told the body's Security Council on Monday that the maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all member states to adhere to all the provisions of the (U.N.) Charter.

U.S. President Donald Trump insists capturing Maduro was legal. His administration has declared the drug cartels operating from Venezuela to be unlawful combatants and said the U.S. is now in an armed conflict with them, according to an administration memo obtained in October by The Associated Press.

The mission to snatch Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from their home on a military base in the capital Caracas means they face charges of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, defended the military action as a justified surgical law enforcement operation.

The move fits into the Trump administrations National Security Strategy, published last month, that lays out restoring American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere as a key goal of the U.S. president's second term in the White House.

But could it also serve as a blueprint for further action?

Worry rises about future action

On Sunday evening, Trump also put Venezuelas neighbor, Colombia, and its leftist president, Gustavo Petro, on notice.

In a back-and-forth with reporters, Trump said Colombia is run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. The Trump administration imposed sanctions in October on Petro, his family and a member of his government over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade. Colombia is considered the epicenter of the worlds cocaine trade.

Analysts and some world leaders  from China to Mexico  have condemned the Venezuela mission. Some voiced fears that Maduros ouster could pave the way for more military interventions and a further erosion of the global legal order.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the capture of Maduro runs counter to the principle of the non-use of force, which forms the basis of international law.

He warned the increasing number of violations of this principle by nations vested with the important responsibility of permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council will have serious consequences for global security and will spare no one.

Here are some global situations that could be affected by changing attitudes on such issues.

Ukraine

For nearly four years, Europe has been dealing with Russias war of aggression in neighboring Ukraine, a conflict that grates against the eastern flank of the continent and the transatlantic NATO alliance and has widely been labeled a grave breach of international law.

The European Union relies deeply on U.S. support to keep Ukraine afloat, particularly after the administration warned that Europe must look after its own security in the future.

Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian ambassador to the U.N., said the mission to extract Maduro amounted to a turn back to the era of lawlessness by the United States. During the U.N. Security Councils emergency meeting, he called on the 15-member panel to unite and to definitively reject the methods and tools of U.S. military foreign policy.

Volodymyr Fesenko, chairman of the board of the Penta think tank in Kyiv, Ukraine, said Russian President Vladimir Putin has long undermined the global order and weakened international law.

Unfortunately, he said, Trumps actions have continued this trend.

Greenland

Trump fanned another growing concern for Europe when he openly speculated about the future of the Danish territory of Greenland.

Its so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place, Trump told reporters Sunday as he flew back to Washington from his home in Florida. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement that Trump has no right to annex the territory. She also reminded Trump that Denmark already provides the U.S., a fellow NATO member, broad access to Greenland through existing security agreements.

Taiwan

The mission to capture Maduro has ignited speculation about a similar move China could make against the leader of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te. Just last week, in response to a U.S. plan to sell a massive military arms package to Taipei, China conducted two days of military drills around the island democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory.

Beijing, however, is unlikely to replicate Trumps action in Venezuela, which could prove destabilizing and risky.

Chinese strategy has been to gradually increase pressure on Taiwan through military harassment, propaganda campaigns and political influence rather than to single out Lai as a target. China looks to squeeze Taiwan into eventually accepting a status similar to Hong Kong and Macau, which are governed semi-autonomously on paper but have come under increasing central control.

For China, Maduros capture also brings a layer of uncertainty about the Trump administrations ability to move fast, unpredictably and audaciously against other governments. Beijing has criticized Maduros capture, calling it a blatant use of force against a sovereign state and saying Washington is acting as the worlds judge.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the United States had wantonly trampled on Venezuelas sovereignty and security.

The Mideast

Israel's grinding attack on Gaza in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas underscored the international community's inability to stop a devastating conflict. The United States, Israel's staunchest ally, vetoed Security Council resolutions calling for ceasefires in Gaza.

Trump already has demonstrated his willingness to take on Israel's neighbor and longtime U.S. adversary Iran over its nuclear program with military strikes on sites in Iran in June 2025.

On Friday, Trump warned Iran that if Tehran violently kills peaceful protesters, the U.S. will come to their rescue. Violence sparked by Irans ailing economy has killed at least 35 people, activists said Tuesday.

Irans Foreign Ministry condemned the illegal U.S. attack against Venezuela.

Europe and Trump

The 27-nation European Union, another post-World War II institution intended to foster peace and prosperity, is grappling with how to respond to its traditional ally under the Trump administration. In a clear indication of the increasingly fragile nature of the transatlantic relationship, Trumps national security strategy painted the bloc as weak.

While insisting Maduro has no political legitimacy, the EU said in a statement on the mission to capture him that the principles of international law and the U.N. Charter must be upheld, adding that members of the U.N. Security Council have a particular responsibility to uphold those principles.

But outspoken Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Trump ally, spoke disparagingly about the role international law plays in regulating the behavior of countries.

International rules, he said, do not govern the decisions of many great powers. This is completely obvious.

___

Associated Press journalists around the world contributed.
President Donald Trumps administration will agree to support Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack, according to a draft statement being negotiated by Kyivs top allies.

The plan, which is subject to change and would need Washingtons approval, offers binding security guarantees urgently sought by Ukrainian authorities as part of a peace deal, including a U.S. offer to back a European-led military force, according to an agreement text seen by Bloomberg News.

European and Canadian leaders met with Trump envoys in Paris on Tuesday to push forward a plan that involves monitoring a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, backing for Kyivs military and assembling a multinational force to safeguard a truce, the draft said.

These elements will be European-led, with U.S. participation, including U.S. capabilities such as intelligence and logistics, and with a U.S. commitment to support the force if it is attacked, it said.

The talks in the French capital aim to build on momentum as European capitals latch on to U.S. commitments for security guarantees, potentially advancing Trumps ambition to bring Russias four-year war to an end. But the Kremlin has given little indication of whether it would accept the transatlantic diplomatic foray.

Discussions will integrate Washingtons recent proposals on capabilities with plans advanced by Ukraines main allies, a group known as the coalition of the willing, according to people familiar with the matter.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders in the snow-covered courtyard of Elysee Palace, a meeting that follows a series of discussions between national security advisers over the last month. The U.S. is represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived earlier and will be joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer among European leaders, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said details of the deal may not be finalized in Paris, noting that details may be improved or adjusted further.

This is not a make or break, Carney told reporters. Theres a lot of momentum in this process

Deliberations on ending the war in Ukraine were partly overshadowed by fresh European fears about Trumps renewed push to take Greenland, fueled by dismay over Saturdays U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

European leaders lined up to express solidarity with Denmark, which oversees the semi-autonomous territorys security, as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any military move could trigger the end of NATO.

The dynamic laid bare Europes vulnerability in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment as Russia presses ahead with the biggest conflict in the region since World War II.

The role and scope of a Western troop presence in Ukraine as part of a postwar deal remains unclear. European nations have discussed deploying a multinational reassurance force, with Ukraines army leading its defense at the front line.

European officials have been upbeat about their latest discussions with American counterparts. One person described the U.S. offer of intelligence and troops as a game-changer. Another said it much more closely resembled the so-called American backstop sought by European nations over the last year.

Territory remains the toughest sticking point, with Russia demanding that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the eastern Donbas region  including areas that Moscow has struggled to take since the war began in February 2022. Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected the demand.

The Ukrainian president has said hes asked Trump for security guarantees that could cover a period as long as half a century. Current proposals set out a 15-year term with the possibility of an extension.

----------

With assistance from Alex Wickham, Sanne Wass and Samy Adghirni.

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2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro clashed Monday as the embattled leader was arraigned on U.S. charges tied to narcotics trafficking and corruption.

His arrest followed a U.S. operation that removed Maduro from Venezuela and brought him to the United Statesa move that has intensified debate over sovereignty, international law, and how far Washington is willing to go to enforce sanctions or to seek resources including oil.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were both dressed in navy blue prison jumpsuits during Monday's proceedings in front of Manhattan Federal Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein, where Maduro told the judge he was "kidnapped" and that he still believes himself to be the president of the Latin American nation.

U.S. maritime pressure on Venezuela has intensified, including a Coast Guard pursuit of a tanker tied to Venezuelan crude that tested how aggressively the administration is enforcing sanctions at sea.

Cheers, Anger Outside NYC Courthouse

Cheers erupted from one cluster of demonstrators outside the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, with some saying Maduros arrest marked long-awaited accountability for years of repression in Venezuela.

It was a dream come true for a lot of Venezuelans, Carmen, a Venezuelan woman who fled the country after the 2017 protests, told Military.com. She requested that her face be concealed because of safety concerns for relatives still in Venezuela.

Demonstrators holding signs calling for the release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, outside the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan. (Darius Radzius, Military.com)

She described persecution under the Maduro government, including denial of medical care and attributed the death of her mother to a lack of treatment.

Carmen said her experience reflects what she believes many Venezuelans endured during periods of unrest, when protesters and political opponents were detained and hospitals struggled with shortages of medicine, equipment and staff.

When people were detained in Venezuela, they were denied medical assistance, Carmen said. Now, he gets medical care.

Across police barricades, opponents of the arrest rejected that framing and accused the United States of violating international law.

To kidnap a foreign sitting president and try him under U.S. law is unprecedented, Josh, a New York protester opposed to Maduros arrest, told Military.com. Maduro should only face prosecution if he voluntarily entered U.S. territory and warned the move could set a dangerous global precedent, Josh added.

The U.S. has previously captured and prosecuted foreign leaders, most notably Manuel Noriega, who was taken into U.S. custody after the 1989 invasion of Panama and later convicted in federal court on drug trafficking charges.

Noriega, however, was a military ruler rather than an elected head of statea distinction cited in debates over whether that case provides precedent for prosecuting a sitting president detained outside U.S. territory.

NYPD officers secure metal barricades as demonstrators gather outside the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan during protests tied to the arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (Darius Radzius)

Other regional examples raised by protesters differ significantly. Manuel Zelaya, Honduras sitting president in 2009, was ousted by his own military during a coup but was never detained or prosecuted by U.S. authorities.

More recently, Juan Orlando Hernandez was extradited to the United States on drug trafficking charges only after leaving office, following a formal request approved by Honduran courts.

Differences of Opinion

Some tempers flared among counter-protesters as chants, whistles and shouted accusations echoed through the area, forcing police to keep rival groups separated by metal barricades.

Amid the noise, Josh and and another individual named Julian stepped closer and spoke directly to one another, engaging in a lengthy face-to-face exchange. The pair debated sanctions, oil and U.S. power, weighing whether American intervention could improve life in Venezuela or deepen resentment rooted in decades of U.S. involvement in the region.

A large police presence and metal barricades line streets near the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan as protesters and journalists converge during Nicolas Maduros court appearance. (Darius Radzius)

Theres a reason people are celebrating, Julian, a New York protester who supports Maduros arrest, told Military.com. He argued the case could open the door to economic recovery and political change.

We are not entitled to their resources, countered Josh, rejecting the idea that foreign intervention would benefit Venezuelans and warning that outside control would replace one form of repression with another.

Both later said the exchange remained verbal despite rising tempers nearbya contrast they said underscored how rare sustained, face-to-face debate has become at politically charged protests where conversations can result in police intervention.

Clashing Visions for Venezuelas Future

Some demonstrators insisted Maduro remains Venezuelas democratically elected leader and dismissed the charges as politically motivated, arguing the case reflects U.S. interference rather than accountability.

I was in Venezuela with the people, Yasmeen, a New York protester who said she attended a pro-Maduro solidarity gathering, told Military.com. They support their president. The United States needs to get out.

Yasmeen said sanctions and foreign pressure have done more harm than good, blaming them for economic hardship and shortages that she said ordinary Venezuelans continue to bear.

Others argued U.S. pressure was necessary to end repression and prevent further suffering, saying political debates should not outweigh humanitarian concerns.

Humanity has to come first, a male New York protester with the alias "The Midnight" told Military.com. He said the focus should remain on access to food, medicine and basic services rather than sovereignty arguments.

People protest outside Manhattan Federal Court before the arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Oil sat at the center of the divide, with demonstrators sharply split over whether foreign involvement and how sanctions could revive Venezuelas economy or risk exploiting its resources while deepening the crisis for civilians. Signs held by protestors included messages about U.S. President Donald Trump and avoiding military warfare for oil reserves.

Trump has also publicly said U.S. forces seized an oil tanker off Venezuelas coast as part of an effort to choke off sanctioned oil flows.

Crowd Control and Future Proceedings

NYPD officers maintained a visible presence throughout the day along Worth Street and near Columbus Park, positioning metal barricades and uniformed officers between rival groups as chants echoed through the area. Police kept demonstrators separated throughout the afternoon, and no arrests or injuries were reported outside the courthouse.

Inside the courtroom, federal prosecutors outlined the charges against Maduro while defense attorneys challenged the case and raised concerns about detention conditions and medical needs.

Maduro told the court he remained Venezuelas president and declared he was innocent. Defense attorneys for Flores, who appeared with visible bandaging, asked the court to ensure she receives medical evaluation for injuries sustained during her capture.

As the hearing ended and court officers began escorting Maduro from the courtroom, he briefly waved toward members of the media. Moments later, a person seated in the public gallery shouted in Spanish, accusing him of wrongdoing and saying he would pay in the name of Venezuela.

Maduro turned toward the gallery and responded in Spanish, declaring that he is Venezuelas president and insisting he is innocent. Court officers quickly moved to restore order as Maduro was led out.

Both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty. The next scheduled court date is March 17.

Military.com reached out to the White House and the Department of Justice for comment on the protests and broader international implications.
A Hollywood Question With a Real-World Edge

In Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, the threat is not a missile or a hostile nation. It is The Entity, an artificial intelligence that learns, adapts, and quietly shapes outcomes faster than humans can react.

It works as fiction because it feels just plausible enough.

Military artificial intelligence today is still controlled by humans, but the pace and scale of its expansion are creating new questions about oversight, accountability, and decision-making. Those questions are no longer abstract. They are already shaping how the Pentagon builds, governs, and limits AI systems.

What Military AI Actually Does Today

Despite the hype, todays military AI is narrow and task-focused. The Department of Defense has been clear that current systems are designed to support human decision-making, not replace it.

Common uses include:

Predicting equipment failures before aircraft or vehicles break down

Processing satellite imagery and sensor data

Detecting cyber intrusions and network anomalies

Optimizing logistics, maintenance, and supply chains

One of the clearest examples is predictive maintenance, where AI is already being used to flag potential failures in aircraft and vehicles before they happen, reducing downtime and improving readiness.

These systems identify patterns and surface recommendations. Humans remain responsible for decisions, especially when operations involve force.

This is not science fiction. It is automation applied to scale and complexity that the military has long struggled to manage.

The Guardrails the Pentagon Says Are in Place

Defense leaders have acknowledged that AI brings real risk alongside real benefit.

The Pentagon has formally adopted Responsible Artificial Intelligence principles that govern how systems are designed, tested, and deployed.

The Department of Defense will employ artificial intelligence systems that are responsible, equitable, traceable, reliable, and governable.

said Kathleen Hicks, when announcing the departments Responsible AI principles.

Governable is the critical word. It means AI systems must be auditable, understandable, and capable of being disengaged if they behave in unexpected ways. Human judgment, the department has said repeatedly, must remain central.

That emphasis has sharpened as generative AI tools have become more powerful and more accessible. Recent Defense Department guidance has focused less on promoting new capabilities and more on drawing boundaries, spelling out where generative AI may be used and where it is explicitly restricted.

The focus is not speed. It is restraint.

Where the Real Risk Begins

The concern is not that the U.S. military is building a self-aware superintelligence.

The concern is speed plus scale.

As AI systems spread across platforms and missions, decision cycles compress. Recommendations arrive faster. Pressure builds to trust machine outputs, especially when those outputs are usually right.

Researchers at RAND have warned that this environment can create automation bias, where operators defer to AI recommendations even when warning signs exist. Over time, human oversight can quietly shift from judgment to confirmation.

Nothing has to fail for control to erode. Workflow design alone can move authority away from people.

A U.S. Marine Corps mortarman with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), flies a SkyDio X10 small unmanned aircraft system during attack drone training on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Nov. 22, 2025. 22nd MEU(SOC) Marines are being trained and certified by the 2d Marine Division and the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team on first-person view drone systems to enhance combat readiness. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

The Human-in-the-Loop Reality

Military leaders often stress the importance of keeping a human in the loop.

In practice, that loop can narrow.

If an AI system flags a threat in milliseconds and a human has seconds to respond, the machine has already framed the decision. The human may still approve the action, but the context was set by the system.

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence warned that growing dependence on AI tools can reduce human agency, even when formal approval steps remain intact.

This is not negligence. It is the friction loss at speed.

Clearing Up a Common Misconception

Misconception: The Pentagon is secretly building a single autonomous AI commander.

Reality: There is no evidence of a unified AI system controlling U.S. military operations. Current systems are fragmented, mission-specific, and constrained by policy and law.

The real risk is not one system becoming The Entity. It is many systems collectively shaping decisions faster than governance, training, and oversight can adapt.

Why This Matters Beyond the Military

Military AI development does not stay inside the fence.

Standards set by the Defense Department often influence:

Law enforcement technologies

Critical infrastructure protection

Emergency and disaster response systems

Commercial AI tools used by civilians

How the military handles accountability, transparency, and human control sets precedents others are likely to follow.

That makes this a public issue, not just a defense one.

What Happens Next

The next phase of military AI is not about smarter algorithms.

It is about:

Clear limits on autonomy

Auditable decision trails

Training leaders to question machine outputs

Slowing systems down where judgment matters more than speed

Hollywood imagines an AI that escapes control in dramatic fashion.

Reality is quieter. Control slips when efficiency becomes the mission and accountability becomes assumed instead of enforced.

The real challenge is not stopping The Entity.

It is making sure human judgment never becomes optional.

Sources

Department of Defense  Responsible Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Implementation Pathway

Department of Defense  Generative AI Guidance and Use Constraints

Final Report of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence

RAND Corporation  Automation Bias and HumanMachine Decision-Making
A staff member shows special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Anqing, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Xu Huoju/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China Post officially released a set of special stamps on Monday in celebration of the upcoming the Year of the Horse, sparking a frenzy among collectors.

Despite the winter chill, long queues began forming at post offices across Beijing as early as Sunday afternoon. By 8 a.m. on Monday, when sales officially began, eager collectors -- ranging from seasoned stamp fans to younger enthusiasts bundled up in thick coats -- were already lined up along the sidewalks.

The Year of the Horse will begin on Feb. 17, 2026, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This year's celebrations carry added cultural weight following the successful inscription of the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, a milestone that has heightened public interest in traditional customs.

The collection features two stamps with a total face value of 2.40 yuan (about 34 U.S. cents).

The first depicts a red horse treading on clouds, symbolizing steady economic and social development and reflecting the nation's aspirations toward the future objectives of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The second has three horses running together among good-luck patterns, representing the unity and joint efforts of all Chinese people as they work toward building a modern socialist country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts.

In Chinese culture, the horse is a potent symbol of vitality, strength, and success. Often associated with the idiom "Ma Dao Cheng Gong" -- meaning "instant success upon the arrival of the horse" -- the animal represents an unyielding spirit and rapid progress. Horses have long been treasured for their role in transportation and prosperity, and they're still a favorite zodiac sign today, viewed as a harbinger of energy and progress in the new year.

China Post has issued annual zodiac stamps since 1980, with each collection garnering intense interest from the philatelic community. For the first time, China Post broke professional barriers this year by using a dual-track selection process, combining public submissions with expert and popular voting.

"It is not only a breakthrough in design but a vivid practice of sharing cultural development with the people," said Liu Aili, chairman of China Post Group Corporation Limited.

The sentiment was shared by a public juror spotted in a queue in Beijing on Monday. "I participated in the voting and review process three months ago," he told local media. "Seeing the stamps I helped choose finally go on sale makes this collection incredibly meaningful to me."

Monday's release includes 26.68 million sets of the basic stamps, alongside specialized formats and booklets. A joint souvenir sheet featuring stamp designs from the postal departments of the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region was unveiled on the same day.

The stamps will be available for six months at designated postal outlets and through various online platforms, including the China Post app and official WeChat stores.

A woman shows special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 5, 2026 shows special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Wang Jiankang/Xinhua)

People buy special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua)

People buy special stamps marking the Year of the Horse in Suqian, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Photo by Ma Haifeng/Xinhua)

People buy special stamps marking the Year of the Horse and related products in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)

Guests show the commemorative seal marking the Year of the Horse during an issuance ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)

Designers of special stamps marking the Year of the Horse sign for stamp collectors in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)

Special stamps marking the Year of the Horse are donated by China Post to the China National Archives of Publications and Culture during an issuance ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. China Post on Monday unveiled a set of two special stamps to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Li He)

Editor: GSY
January 5th, 2026: According to the Associated Press, Pop will make $900K in the majors and $250K in the minors.

December 22nd, 2025: The Phillies announced that they have signed right-hander Zach Pop to a major league deal. Their 40-man roster count jumps to 39. Salary figures havent been reported.

Its a bit surprising to see Pop command a big league deal. He bounced around during the 2025 season. He opened the year with the Blue Jays but was released shortly after Opening Day. Pop got to the big leagues for four appearances with the Mariners and pitched one time as a member of the Mets. He allowed 12 runs (11 earned) in just 6 2/3 MLB innings. That pushed his career earned run average to 4.88 over 162 1/3 frames spanning five seasons.

The Canadian-born righty made 20 appearances in the minors this year. He allowed a 4.19 ERA over 19 1/3 innings. His underlying numbers were more encouraging. Pop fanned more than a quarter of opponents against a manageable 8.9% walk rate. He got ground-balls at a massive 75% clip while sitting in the 96-97 MPH range with his sinker. Pop has always done a good job keeping the ball down, running a career 55% grounder percentage in the big leagues.

Philadelphia was intrigued enough by the stuff to give Pop one of their two vacant roster spots. Assuming he remains on the 40-man into Spring Training, hell get an opportunity to battle for a middle relief job in camp. Pop has exhausted his minor league option years, so the Phils cannot send him down without running him through waivers.

Philly has six bullpen spots accounted for if everyone gets through camp healthy. Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller, Jose Alvarado, Tanner Banks and the out-of-options Jonathan Bowlan are locks. Right-hander Orion Kerkering should pretty safely be in there as well unless he has a terrible Spring Training. Pop and Rule 5 pick Zach McCambley either need to stick in the big leagues or be taken off the 40-man (and offered back to the Marlins after clearing waivers, in McCambleys case).
The lawsuit filed by opponents of Michigans 24% wholesale marijuana tax that took effect Jan. 1 may continue, a Court of Claims judge ruled Monday, Jan. 5.

The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, the largest marijuana lobbying group in the state, along with marijuana businesses, including Lansing-based PG Manufacturing, challenged the constitutionality of the new tax last year.

The tax was passed with bipartisan support to balance the state budget and generate a projected $420 million in new revenue for road projects being pushed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Court of Claims Judge Sima G. Patel said the court must still determine if the new tax violates the intent of the 2018 voter-passed marijuana legalization law, known as the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA).

The laws stated intent includes curbing black-market production and sales by replacing them with licensed, tested commercial product.

The remaining issue for the court to rule on is whether there is evidence the new tax will drive customers back to the black market.

It is not certain on this record whether the 24% wholesale excise tax will impact prices to the extent purchasers will be driven to the illicit marijuana market, Patel wrote in her order. Discovery is required to examine how the tax will impact the purposes of the MRTMA.

Patels ruling is a win for Michigan voters and our industry, said Rose Tantraphol, a spokesperson for the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association.

In issuing this order, the court recognizes the serious questions about whether this discriminatory tax violates the intent of the cannabis legalization that Michigan voters approved in 2018, Tantraphol said. Were looking forward to making our case that this tax will push Michiganders, who are already feeling stretched financially, into the illicit market.

Patel previously dismissed two key claims made in the lawsuit and sided with the state.

The marijuana law includes language designating a 10% excise tax on sales, in addition to all other taxes. It also outlines how that tax revenue should be distributed.

Opponents of the new tax argued that a three-fourths supermajority in the state House and Senate is required to implement any change to the taxation of marijuana.

Patel in her previous ruling disagreed with the notion that the existing marijuana law is the sole method by which to tax regulated marijuana in Michigan and that the 24% wholesale excise tax could only be enacted through ... a supermajority.

The new tax was created as part of the Comprehensive Road Funding Tax Act (CRFTA), which is separate from marijuana law.

Opponents also claimed the manner in which the tax was passed violated the state constitution.

Initially, legislators introduced the act with a stated intent to raise taxes for road funding but didnt mention new marijuana taxes. A later substitute included the 24% wholesale tax on marijuana.

And by the time the public, including the (Michigan Cannabis Industry Association) and PG Manufacturing, became aware of what (the bill) had become, it was, ultimately, too late to stop the bills passage, the lawsuit said.

Patel dismissed the argument that the substitute substantially altered the intent of the original language.

The judge previously denied a motion requesting implementation of the new tax be blocked until the lawsuit is resolved.

A scheduling conference in the case is set for 10 a.m. on Jan. 13.
YPSILANTI, MI - More and more celebrity guests continue to be announced for one of the states biggest pop culture events.

Back to the Future and Titanic actor, Billy Zane, has just been announced as one of the guests for Astronomicon taking place at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest from Friday, April 10 - Sunday, April 12.

Zane is also known for Twin Peaks, Critters, Tombstone, Dead Calm, and Zoolander 2.

Other guests announced for Astronomicon, so far, include: AEW Star MJF, voice actor Rob Paulsen, AEW interviewer Alicia Atout, and WWE legends Mick Foley and Diamond Dallas Page.

Now in its 9th year, Astronomicon is the brainchild of Michigan Hip Hop Duo, Twiztid, who also attend the event and take photos and sign autographs for fans.
Winter whiplash aside, snowmobile culture in Michigan remains strong. Across both peninsulas, the Mitten has more than 6,000 miles of state designated trails. This weekend, you can get out and sled without a permit.

Each winter the Michigan Department of Natural Resources destinates a Free Snowmobiling Weekend. This year it lands on Jan 10-11.

Residents and out-of-state visitors legally can ride without the requirement of a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

Michigans snowmobile permit sales through September were up 83.3% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025.

Michigans $52 snowmobile trail permit is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. Purchase your permit here.

The snowmobile trail grooming program is 100% funded by trail permit dollars, according to the DNR.

Recommended riding in the Keweenaw: Mountaintop views of Lake Superior at this U.P. snowmobiling destination

Snowmobilers drives along NF-13 near Wetmore, Mich. on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

The Upper Peninsulas Big Snow Country got a head start before the new year.

More than 100 inches has piled up in the Keweenaw Peninsula already. Check out the peninsulas guide to its 450 miles of snowmobile trails here.

Stay for a weekend: Chalet-style lodge is a snowmobile haven right smack in the middle of a U.P. snowbelt

In Munising and Grand Marais, between 22 and 28 inches of snow is on the ground as of the Jan. 5 snowpack map from the National Weather Services Gaylord office.

A note that Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore does not check or report ice thickness on the popular Munising Bay, and several snowmobilers went through the ice last winter. Checking safety conditions is the responsibility of the sledder.

Meanwhile, snow lovers in Paradise are playing in nearly 30 inches in and around Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

Looking for a beer and a pasty on the trail?: Try snowmobiler pitstop Tahquamenon Falls Brewery

A winter warm up is already underway, bringing rain and sleet for the lower half of the Lower Peninsula.

Heavy precipitation is headed for northwestern Michigan at the end of the week, according to MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa.

Close to an inch of rain could fall near Muskegon, Pentwater, Ludington, Manistee, and Traverse City. A third, stronger system arrives Saturday, again primarily producing rain except in northern areas.

The weather forecast for Jan. 5, from National Weather Service's Gaylord Office. NWS

Dont totally give up on your snow dance. The forecast for Saturday night into early Sunday morning is 3-5 inches of snow from Cadillac to Alpena and northward.

Check Gaylords daily trail report, including a live view, here.

The Gaylord Tourism Bureau Information Center warns that last Aprils ice storm has had a lasting impact on trails.

They note there are logging operations on trail #4 along the powerline that crosses Evergreen Drive and near Turtle Lake Road. Be cautious that logging trucks may use the trail as a road at times. Proceed with caution in these areas.

Trails are still passable and the groomers are doing their best to smooth the trails out in these areas.

Ice safety tips: Inch-thickness doesnt determine ice safety, DNR says

Snowmobiles parked in front of large snow piles in Munising, Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Plan ahead: Fuel tanker en route to Beaver Island means ice breaking on 2 inland lakes

The DNR warns riders to follow safety rules and regulations, which can be found here. More than 400 miles of snowmobile trails have been lost due to noise or trespassing, according to the DNR.

The DNR maps out state managed trails in three ways.
Influenza is surging in Michigan and throughout the country.

The states level of flu-like illness activity for the week ending Dec. 27 earned it very high status, or the worst tier of the 13-level assessment reported weekly by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Eighteen states earned the top activity level at the end of 2025 while 11 others fell into the second or third levels, including Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Minnesota in the Midwest.

Weve been seeing quite a bit of viral illness, said Dr. Jason Vieder, an emergency department physician and vice chairman of emergency medicine for Henry Ford Health.

Vieder noted record-setting days around Christmas in terms of patients seen throughout the system. Sick visitors werent limited to any particular demographics, though there were plenty of children, he recalled.

Last years flu season was among the worst in the last 15 years, highlighted by high hospitalization rates and the most pediatric flu deaths in a season since at least 2004. Trends from other countries around the globe suggested a potentially early and more intense 2025-26 flu season as well.

Those projections have begun to take shape.

About 11.3% of Michigans outpatient health care visits in late December were for influenza-like illness. That outpaced the national average (8.2%) and was an increase from 4.4% and 7.5% the two weeks prior.

Test positivity is another key measurement health officials track during cold and flu season. At Henry Ford Health, positivity exceeded 25% for the past three weeks, including a peak of 33% for the week ending Dec. 27. For context, the systems positivity rate peaked at 31.7% last year, and almost 16.5% during the 2023-24 flu season.

Last week went down a little but its still pretty robust in terms of flu activity and people feeling ill in general, Vieder said. Were going to see folks not feeling well for a while still.

Elsewhere around the state, Corewell Health noted week-over-week increases across all of its regions, including a more rapid increase in southeast Michigan.

Nationally, hospital admissions are on a steep upward trajectory, led by adults age 65 and older and children younger than 5. Influenza A accounts for about 97% of hospitalizations, with the majority of sampled specimens being of the H3N2 subtype, according to the CDC.

Federal officials estimate the current flu season has caused at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths, including nine children. No pediatric flu deaths have been reported yet in Michigan.

Beyond the flu, Michigan hospitals have noted lesser increases in COVID-19, RSV and other seasonal viruses.

Most of the states large health systems hadnt yet implemented any visitor restrictions as of Monday, though theyre monitoring flu activity and may limit visitors down the road. Detroit Medical Center was an exception; officials said they proactively updated their visitation guidelines Dec. 8 to limit patients to two visitors at a time and turn away visitors younger than 13.

While emergency rooms are seeing more patients with respiratory illnesses, hospital representatives said their capacity remains stable. Doctors encourage residents to get a flu shot if they havent already, and to be more cautious.

We really need to be vigilant about handwashing, Vieder said. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your closed hand. And we encourage you to stay home or keep your kids home if they dont feel good.

As of Dec. 27, about 24% of Michiganders had received this years flu shot and 8.3% had received the latest COVID-19 booster.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - A man accused of drunken driving and causing a crash that killed an Ohio resident who was volunteering as a lighthouse keeper near Traverse City has pleaded no-contest to crimes in that case.

Kenneth Marotzke, 71, of Traverse City, has pleaded no-contest to the charges of driving under the influence causing death, and to operating a vehicle under the influence causing serious injury, UpNorthLive reported. While a no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, its treated as such for court sentencing purposes.

As part of Marotzkes plea deal, two other charges against him will be dismissed. These include an additional count of operating under the influence causing serious injury, and one count of having an open alcohol container in his vehicle at the time of the Sept. 10 crash on M-22.

The collision near Walters Drive happened when a southbound Chevy pickup driven by Marotzke crossed the centerline and struck a Honda SUV driven by Ronald Leo Bellman, 61, of Ohio, the Leelanau County Sheriffs Office said.

Bellman was killed in the crash. His three passengers were injured. Marotzke was also injured in the crash.

A physical therapist who worked with veterans, Bellman had recently been on bucket-list trips and had been enjoying his adventures, according to his obituary. Hed recently been to Alaska, motored down the Erie Canal and hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail.

He and his wife, Mary, were set to spend a week helping out at Old Mission Peninsulas lighthouse as volunteer keepers when the collision occurred.

It was one of these unique adventures that brought him to Michigan, where he was going to be a lighthouse keeper at the Old Mission Lighthouse for a week with his wife, his obituary said. They were able to enjoy one beautiful night there. The next day his life was tragically ripped away from him by a drunk driver while exploring the Michigan coast on his day off from volunteering as a lighthouse keeper.

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Childhood vaccines long recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will continue to be covered by insurance companies, despite changes to the federal governments guidance.

Michigan health officials assured residents on Tuesday, Jan. 6 that vaccines will still be covered with no out-of-pocket costs by private insurance plans regulated by the Affordable Care Act and by federal coverage programs like Medicaid and the Vaccines for Children program.

That includes the six vaccines that the federal government shifted from recommended status to the immunizations based on shared clinical decision-making distinction on Monday, Jan. 5.

Removal of universal childhood vaccine recommendations for Rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B was deemed dangerous and unnecessary by AAP leaders Monday.

At a time when parents, pediatricians and the public are looking for clear guidance and accurate information, this ill-considered decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations, said AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine. This is no way to make our country healthier.

Michigan aligns with AAPs vaccine guidance.

Changes to the childhood vaccine schedule were announced Monday after a review was conducted comparing the U.S. schedule to peer, developed nations.

The new guidance continues to recommend vaccination against 11 illnesses including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox).

Additionally, vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, and meningococcal disease are recommended for high-risk groups, including those with unusual exposure to the disease, underlying comorbidities or risk of disease transmission to others.

The biggest change focuses on vaccine guidance for rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Those shots will be left up to physicians and parents to determine need.

It is not always possible for public health authorities to clearly define who will benefit from an immunization, who has the relevant risk factors, or who is at risk for exposure, reads a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physicians and parents, who know the child, are then best equipped to decide based on individual characteristics.

In response to the federal changes, Michigans Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reaffirmed its alignment with the related medical associations and their guidance, which now differs from the CDC.

The underlying scientific evidence remains unchanged and continues to support the full AAP and AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) vaccination schedules for children, MDHHS said. Families should still be able to access the full range of childhood immunizations as recommended by the AAP and AAFP to protect their children from serious diseases.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigans chief medical executive, voiced concern over the confusion that federal guidance changes may cause regarding school vaccine requirements, clinical workflows and the supply and use of combination vaccines.

U.S. health officials noted declining trust in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pointed to peer nations that it found have fewer recommended vaccines.

However, different countries face different disease risks, health care systems and well-child visit schedules, noted the AAP. The group urges parents to talk to their pediatricians to determine what immunizations are best for their children.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor is digging into its cash reserves to take down hundreds of neighborhood watch signs.

City Council followed up its recent decision to get rid of the signs by voting unanimously Monday night, Jan. 5, to pull $18,000 from the citys general fund balance for the effort.

Removing signs that arent traffic related doesnt qualify for street funding and there werent available funds in the police budget, so drawing from cash reserves was necessary, officials said.

Council unanimously decided in December to direct city staff to remove the many Neighborhood Crime Watch signs that have been posted around town for many years.

The signs are outdated relics from when neighborhood watch programs emerged in the 1970s during a period of national anxiety about crime and social change, but research shows they dont reduce crime and often reinforce racism, council members said.

These programs were often rooted in assumptions about who did and did not belong in a neighborhood, reinforcing race-based hyper-vigilance and suspicion particularly toward Black, Brown, and other marginalized residents and visitors, council stated in its December resolution.

This dynamic encouraged informal surveillance practices that disproportionately targeted people of color and contributed to patterns of exclusion under the guise of public safety.

Despite neighborhood watch programs being defunct, more than 600 such signs remain throughout the city, officials said.

The citys signs and signals teams have been instructed to have all the signs removed by July 15.

Council has asked City Administrator Milton Dohoney to provide a progress report by April 15, identifying the number of signs removed to date, remaining work and any budgetary needs for completion.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor officials have OKd a deal for a 35-home development on a tree-filled site thats been the subject of debate and legal dispute for years.

City Council voted unanimously Monday night, Jan. 5, to approve the development agreement for the project known as The Enclave of Ann Arbor at 2857 Packard Road.

Its still contingent upon approval of the site plan by City Planning Manager Brett Lenart, who said its being reviewed in keeping with council-stated priorities of protecting landmark trees.

Plans call for 35 detached, single-story condos, each about 1,830 square feet with a two-car attached garage and driveway.

The agreement outlines terms for the development of the eight-acre site by Bloomfield Hills-based Robertson Brothers Homes, including that it will have no natural gas connections except potentially for emergency backup power generation.

It also requires the developer to contribute nearly $22,000 for city park improvements.

A property at 2857 Packard Road in Ann Arbor. MLive file photo.

Council voted after hearing from residents concerned about trees being cut down. Former Council Member Anne Bannister lamented Ann Arbor may lose the Sistine Chapel of oak trees.

A site plan submitted by the developer in October shows 86 landmark trees and 472 non-landmark trees on the site were surveyed. Not counting dead or invasive trees, 74 landmark trees would be removed and 10 would remain, and 26 non-landmark trees also would remain, according to the developers plan.

Typical natural features protection requirements for new developments will be applied, including requiring mitigation for any landmark trees cut down, Lenart said.

Calculations shown in the site plan indicate the landmark trees to be removed total 1,584 inches in diameter, while the other trees to be removed total 4,209 inches in diameter, and replacement trees would be 2,896 inches in diameter collectively.

The most common tree species on the front half of the site are black walnut, black cherry, American elm, bur oak, eastern red cedar and sugar maple, according to the site plan, which indicates it may be a native forest fragment.

The rear half is dominated by younger trees with a patchy canopy, while the front half represents older growth forest, it states.

A property at 2857 Packard Road in Ann Arbor. MLive file photo.

The development agreement requires existing landmark trees shown on the site plan as trees to be saved to be maintained by the developer and each condominium lot or unit owner in good condition for at least five years.

Landmark trees that are determined to be dead, dying or severely damaged due to construction activity within that period must be replaced by the developer or condo association.

Council voted last March to direct City Administrator Milton Dohoney to negotiate a legal agreement to allow the 35 homes, based on a site plan drawing from December 2024. The site plan submitted in October maintains the same layout.

In terms of development intensity, its a step back from plans that sparked controversy several years ago.

Council in 2017 unanimously rejected another builders plan for a 51-home subdivision that called for cutting down most of the sites landmark trees and what officials called a significant stand of bur oaks, the type of tree found on the city seal and around when the town was founded in 1824. The property also has contained a house dating back to the 1840s.

Peters Building, along with property owner Robert Weber, filed a lawsuit against the city in 2018, challenging the citys rejection of the plan. Council eventually approved a legal settlement in a 9-2 vote in 2019 to allow the 51-home subdivision as long as 62 woodland trees and 13 landmark trees would be saved, but the development never went forward.

The city explored an alternative development idea in 2021  a five-story project called The Canopy  proposed by the same group behind the eco-friendly Veridian housing development off Platt Road, but the idea never panned out.

City officials said last year it would take going back to court and getting a new consent judgment to allow what Robertson Brothers wanted to build, so thats the route the city went. Council approved the new consent judgment in September.

City explains reasons for cutting down nearly 50-year-old trees at Ann Arbor plaza

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects Shenzhen-Hong Kong sci-tech innovation cooperation zone in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 4, 2026. Li made an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province from Saturday to Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

GUANGZHOU, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged efforts to consolidate the country's strengths in innovation-driven development, and to remain at the forefront of reform and opening-up, striving to begin the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) on a strong note.

Li made the remarks during an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province from Saturday to Monday.

In the city of Shenzhen, Li was briefed on the progress of a Shenzhen-Hong Kong sci-tech innovation cooperation zone.

Describing sci-tech innovation as key to winning the future, Li called for strengthened support to drive innovation through policy, funding and talent. He also highlighted the importance of leveraging the strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to gather innovation resources and achieve more breakthrough outcomes.

He underscored the need to continue cultivating and expanding application scenarios for sci-tech innovation, and to accelerate the upgrading and iteration of new technologies through broader application.

Li emphasized the importance of fully leveraging advanced technologies and managing and utilizing major transport corridors effectively to better promote connectivity and coordinated development within the Greater Bay Area.

In Foshan City, Li noted that economic development and the improvement of residents' living standards have generated new consumer demand, and called for these new changes to be studied. He also called for the research and development of more high-quality products to be accelerated, and for the cultivation of a virtuous cycle in which demand drives supply and supply creates demand.

At Foshan International Land Port, Li gained a detailed understanding of the development and operations of cross-border e-commerce and bonded logistics. He stressed the importance of expanding high-standard opening-up, better integrating infrastructure connectivity with rules and standards connectivity, and coordinating the planning and construction of major open cooperation platforms for sci-tech innovation, industrial development and trade in services.

Li also urged further progress in digital and green trade, the orderly expansion of voluntary opening-up in the services sector, the active expansion of imports, and balanced development of imports and exports.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, learns about the development of low-altitude economy in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 4, 2026. Li made an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province from Saturday to Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Editor: WSH
ANN ARBOR, MI - A 68-year-old man rescued from an Ann Arbor apartment fire has since died.

Kevin Chatman died from his burn injuries overnight Sunday after he was initially rescued from an apartment fire on the day before, according to the Ann Arbor Fire Department.

He was originally taken to the University of Michigan hospital with critical burn injuries.

Fire crews were called at 11:53 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3 to the West Arbor Apartments at 727 N. Maple Road for an active fire sprinkler alarm, fire officials previously said. When crews arrived, they found an active fire in one of the units and the buildings fire sprinkler system running.

Preliminary investigation shows the fire originated in a motorized chair in which Chatman had been seated. Officials believe the chair either malfunctioned or there was unintentional human intervention, such as smoking.

A bystander visiting a nearby apartment had rescued Chatman from the apartment prior to the fire departments arrival. Crews arrived in fewer than five minutes, officials said.

The bystanders actions were instrumental, and they will be formally recognized for their heroic efforts, officials said.

Fire damage was limited to the apartment, officials previously said.

Chatmans death is the first fire-related fatality in Ann Arbor since Jan. 8, 2024, when a second-floor unit at Baker Commons, 109 Packard St., caught fire after an explosion.

That fire killed 24-year-old Caliyah Scott-Robinson.

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ANN ARBOR, MI  A major transformation of part of the Briarwood Mall site in Ann Arbor is continuing to take shape.

Where the old Sears department store and surrounding parking previously existed, a new luxury-branded apartment complex called The Harlan is nearing completion alongside a new Harvest Market grocery store.

The store is now decked with signage, including lettering advertising a farmhouse restaurant that will be inside. An outdoor seating area also is being set up along the side of the building.

A new Harvest Market grocery store with a farmhouse restaurant takes shape on the Briarwood Mall property in Ann Arbor on Jan. 4, 2026. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Were looking forward to opening this spring, said Gerry Kettler, director of consumer affairs at Niemann Foods Inc., Harvest Markets parent company.

Niemann also has Harvest Market locations in Carmel, Indiana, and Springfield and Champaign, Illinois. The Ann Arbor location originally was expected to open in fall 2025.

A new Harvest Market grocery store with a farmhouse restaurant takes shape on the Briarwood Mall property in Ann Arbor on Jan. 4, 2026. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Real estate developer Hines is behind the 370 apartments coming at The Harlan. The four-story complex is named after Harlan Hatcher, who served as the University of Michigans eighth president through the 1950s into the 60s.

Apartment prices start at about $2,300 per month and the first units are expected to be available in late summer 2026, Hines previously indicated.

The Harlan apartment complex takes shape on the Briarwood Mall property in Ann Arbor on Jan. 4, 2026. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Theyre still advertised at livetheharlan.com as coming this summer. Upscale has a new side of town, the site states, referring to Ann Arbors south side.

The units are expected to be ready ahead of the University of Michigans 2026-27 academic year, a representative for the development team said.

Hines, in partnership with mall property owner Simon Property Group, broke ground on the redevelopment of the old Sears portion of the mall site in 2024.

The project went before the citys Planning Commission last July for updates to the plan. It was revealed then a Dicks Sporting Goods store would be coming next as part of the redevelopment.

A drawing showing the plan for The Harlan, a new apartment building at Ann Arbor's Briarwood Mall. Gensler

Commissioners OKd the mall property owners request to revise the plans, reducing the size of the building planned to house Dicks from 100,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet, going down from two stories to one story.

Plans for an outdoor sport court or playing field also were scrapped, but in its place will be a nearly 16,000-square-foot retail building that provides an opportunity to welcome additional shops, Simon Property Groups John Phipps said.

The Harlan apartment complex and a new Harvest Market grocery store take shape on the Briarwood Mall property in Ann Arbor on Jan. 4, 2026. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The changes to the former Sears portion of the property may be only the start of reimagining the 1970s-style mall site.

Under a new land-use plan for Ann Arbor awaiting City Council approval, more of the Briarwood Mall area, including the entire mall site and surrounding properties, could be rezoned for higher-density, downtown-style, high-rise development.

Part of the October 2025 third draft of Ann Arbor's comprehensive land-use plan. City of Ann Arbor

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ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI  Police advised motorists to expect delays on Tuesday, Jan. 6, as the procession for Hamilton Fire Chief David Haverdink leaves a church in Holland for a graveside ceremony in his home town.

The procession is expected to pass through Lincoln Road (M-40) and 136th Avenue in Hamilton between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The intersection will be closed to ensure safety.

Hamilton Fire Chief David Haverdink died on Christmas, two days after he was struck by a vehicle at an emergency scene. (Photo provided by Allegan County Sheriff's Department) Provided by Allegan County Sheriff's Department

Police will also close 47th Street between 136th Avenue and Lincoln Road during the service at Riverside Cemetery.

The funeral service begins at 1 p.m. at Central Wesleyan Church at 446 W. 40th St.

The procession will leave the church, travel west on 146th Avenue to 60th Street, south to 136th Avenue and east to the cemetery on 47th Street.

Hamilton fire trucks stage outside of Central Wesleyan Church in Holland for the funeral of fire Chief David Haverdink, who died in the line of duty. (John Agar|MLive) John Agar

The procession will be led by an Allegan County sheriffs patrol car, followed by the pastor and funeral director, Chief Haverdinks family, a Hamilton fire truck, an AMR ambulance crew and fire apparatus from area departments.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer honored Haverdink by ordering flags be flown at half-staff across the state.

He was an example of the selflessness and dedication firefighters across Michigan demonstrate each and every day. Lets honor this fallen hero and keep his family and the entire Hamilton Fire Department in our thoughts, Whitmer said in a statement.

Haverdink died on Christmas Day, two days after he was struck by a vehicle while responding to a medical call on M-40 near 136th Avenue.
WYOMING, MI -- The attorney for a man accused of murder in a womans Dec. 24, 2023 U.S. 131 traffic death is casting doubt on whether he was driving.

Fernando Ocampo Aguilar, 28, is charged with second-degree murder and other felonies after a 2012 Cadillac sedan crashed and rolled about 3 a.m. on southbound U.S. 131 near 54th Street.

Kathy Lee Hernandez, a 24-year-old mother of two, was an occupant. She was ejected and investigators found her body on the other side of a 20-foot wall.

Ocampo-Aguilar, the other occupant, was seriously injured and found near the car, but outside, when emergency responders reached the scene.

During a preliminary exam Monday, Jan. 5 in Wyoming District Court, defense attorney Mark Hunting focused on whether evidence showed Ocampo-Aguilar was driving.

None of several witnesses to testify could definitively say he was the driver.

Data from the cars computer showed it was going about 88 mph moments before the crash.

State police Sgt. Allan Avery testified he believed that Hernandez likely was ejected through the cars moonroof.

He believes she was the passenger.

It is not even close to probable that she was in the drivers seat, Avery testified.

State police forensic data also showed that Ocampo-Aguilar likely was the source of a blood stain on the cars steering wheel.

A swab taken from the passenger side airbag showed DNA likely left by Hernandez, but not Ocampo-Aguilar.

Both Ocampo-Aguilar and Hernandez had been drinking.

A blood draw on Ocampo-Aguilar showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.194, more than twice the states legal driving limit of 0.08, court records show.

The test also showed the chemical elements of marijuana as well as cocaine in his blood.

An autopsy showed Hernandez had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19.

She died from multiple blunt force injuries that caused instant damage, including a fracture at her skull base, a hemorrhage near her brain stem and a laceration on the right side of her abdomen.

Police said Ocampo-Aguilar has two prior convictions for operating while impaired, both in Allegan County. The convictions happened in 2014 and 2016, records show.

Wyoming District Court Judge Pablo Cortez ruled Monday that sufficient evidence existed to order a trial for Ocampo-Aguilar.
KENT COUNTY, MI  A 47-year-old woman made several claims on social media that a sheriffs deputy raped her a decade ago.

Police investigated the allegations by Lisa Marie Plite on three separate occasions. Each time, investigators determined it was highly improbable a sexual assault occurred.

Now, Plite is facing two felony counts in the Kent County court system stemming from her posts on Facebook.

Details about the case, and what led to criminal charges, are laid out by the Kent County Sheriffs Office in an affidavit of probable cause obtained by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.

Police started an investigation last September after becoming aware of posts circulating on social media.

Plite claimed she was raped by a Kent County sheriffs deputy during a 2015 arrest, according to the affidavit. The deputy was employed as a resource officer at Caledonia High School at the time.

A Facebook post from May 13, 2025, was shared 476 times and caught investigators attention after going viral within the community.

The post stated: Pray for Justice. Please Share. I was raped by kent county Michigan sheriff deputy  Hes still active duty in a local school district as the liaison officer. I pray daily for the kids safety. 10 years still. No Justice = NO peace.

Michigan State Police and the sheriffs office investigated the initial report in 2016 and both ruled Plites claims were unfounded. The Kent County Prosecutors Office also reviewed the case and determined the allegations were unfounded.

Police investigated the allegations again in 2024 when Plite came forward a second time.

During that investigation, police found several discrepancies with Plites story and ruled it was highly improbable that a sexual assault occurred.

Plite also allegedly contacted the principal of the high school where the deputy was employed and claimed information was being withheld from the school board regarding the allegations.

Both the deputy and principal told detectives theyve been harassed and experienced anxiety due to Plites claims, the affidavit states.

Prosecutors charged Plite in October with two counts of unlawful posting of a message, a five-year felony.

Plite is scheduled to appear on Wednesday, Jan. 7, in 63rd District Court for a hearing where a judge will determine if theres enough evidence to move the case to trial.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A caught-on-camera arrest of a woman protesting U.S. actions in Venezuela is grabbing national attention.

The arrest of 22-year-old Jessica Plichta on Saturday, Jan. 3 following a downtown Grand Rapids street march has garnered significant social media attention and appeared in news outlets including The Daily Beast.

Plichta was being interviewed by Grand Rapids television station WZZM when two officers came up behind her and told her she was being arrested.

They restrained her hands and took her to a patrol car.

While being taken into custody, she told the camera crew I am not resisting arrest. I am going peacefully.

Plichta is an organizer with Grand Rapids Opponents of War and Freedom Road Socialist Organization, according to WZZM.

She was arrested for failing to obey a lawful order of police.

In a statement to the TV station, Grand Rapids police said the protesters were told multiple times to not march in the street and block traffic, and relocate to the sidewalk.

The group refused lawful orders to move this free speech event to the sidewalk and instead began blocking intersections until the march ended, according to the statement.

Plichta told the TV station she was held at the Kent County Jail for about three hours before being released.

She said she was disappointed about her arrest, but not surprised.

Plichta said she has not yet been notified of official charges against her.

During the Saturday protest, Plichta told various media outlets that she believed the arrest of Venezuela President Nicholas Maduro was wrong.

Trumps end goal was regime change so he can get access to Venezuelan oil and we condemn that, she told WOODTV. We condemn all attempts at war with Venezuela. We say Free Maduro. We want peace with the Venezuelan people.
UPDATE: Man who died in frozen lake was CPL instructor, former corrections officer

SOMERSET TWP., MI  A man and his two dogs died in Lake Somerset after authorities believe they went through the ice while on a walk Saturday night.

Rescue crews from the Liberty and Somerset township fire departments pulled Charles Fausak IV, 48, and the dogs Sunday, Jan. 4, from the water near the boat launch off Shannon Drive in Schmidtke Park, Somerset Township police Chief John Gessner said on Tuesday. The park is on the southern part of the lake, north of U.S. 12, in northeast Hillsdale County.

An investigation is ongoing. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 6, but there was no indication of foul play, Gessner said.

Fausaks body was found in about 9 feet of water, which on Sunday was about 36 degrees.

Known to go on evening walks, Fausak, who lived near the lake, left with the dogs  a pit bull and a German shepherd  about 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, Gessner said. His family reported him missing about 9:45 p.m.

A Somerset Township officer called for help from the county sheriffs office and Michigan State Police, and the state police brought to the area a drone and a dog. Authorities were to take up a helicopter, but weather prevented it from flying, Gessner said.

Police called off the initial search early Sunday and returned to the work come daylight Sunday morning, meeting with Fausaks family.

Fausak, officers knew, liked to let the dogs run loose on the ice when it was strong enough, and Gessner went to the boat launch area. He said he spotted two openings in the lake, about 20 to 30 meters west of the boat ramp, that had not been visible in the dark Saturday night.

A state police unit flying in a helicopter overhead confirmed the dogs were in the holes.

Liberty and Somerset township firefighters brought water rescue boats and took the dogs and Fausaks body from the lake. They were mostly able to do so from the boats without entering the water, Gessner said.

All three were recovered by about noon or 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

The chief said, as temperatures have fluctuated, it is unsafe, especially as the weather warms, to be on the lake. It is not advisable to enter the ice, he said.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder  with other charges against him dismissed  just as his trial was set to begin this week.

Andrew Johnson was charged with open murder and five other counts stemming from the Mothers Day shooting that left Marcus Leonard Pierce dead on May 14, 2023.

He also pleaded guilty to felony firearm, court records show.

All four remaining counts (Counts 3-6) were dismissed.

There is no agreement with the prosecutors office regarding the sentence, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Williams said. That means prosecuting attorneys can argue for any sentence within the law.

Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison or any term of years.

By pleading guilty, Johnson avoids the possibility of a first-degree murder conviction, which would result in life imprisonment without eligibility for parole.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 2, Williams said.

Johnson was 18 at the time of the killing.

The victim, Pierce, 33, of Kalamazoo, was a father of eight children.

He was near North Westnedge Avenue and Ada Street when he was shot three times in a drive-by shooting, his mother Shirleatha Crenshaw, said previously.

A friend gave him CPR after he was shot.

A 58-year-old Kalamazoo woman and a 22-year-old Kalamazoo man were also shot and survived.

Earlier that day, a 20-year-old Kalamazoo man was shot near Frank Street and North Westnedge Avenue, when shots were being fired between two vehicles. Two men, 19 and 22, were caught and arrested for various weapons and drug charges, police said at the time.

Pierces youngest child was 4 months old when he died. His oldest was 15 years old.

That was nearly three years ago. Family members said Pierce was a dedicated family man who loved his children and would do anything for them.

Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A 36-year-old Kalamazoo man was sentenced to 20 years of prison for possession with intent to distribute over 12 pounds of methamphetamine.

Brandon Lemar Baines, 36, was one of two men charged in the drug trafficking scheme, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney from the Western District of Michigan.

Baines was stopped by a narcotics enforcement team while driving a van with more than 12 pounds of methamphetamine as it returned from Detroit to Kalamazoo, according to the release.

Drugs were found on the front passenger seat floorboard, according to the release.

His co-defendant, Karreim Ishmael Steveson, Jr., 30, was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison, according to the release. A third defendant who was in the vehicle, Johnnie McAllister, 30, was convicted and sentenced to nearly three years in prison.

Armed drug traffickers are destroying our communities, U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said in a statement. My office will focus its resources on combatting those who threaten public safety by flooding our streets with guns and drugs.

Baines was on parole with the Michigan Department of Corrections after serving a 54-month sentence for meth trafficking and a firearm offense.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team.
VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI  A man was arrested after allegedly scamming a Michigan woman out of $200,000 by telling her she won a prize worth millions.

On Dec. 22, police arrested Donald Johnson, Jr., 55, in Morris County, New Jersey.

He was extradited to Michigan and arraigned Tuesday, Dec. 23, on felony false pretenses charges (less than $100,000). He remains lodged at the Van Buren County Jail on a $500,000 bond, MSP said.

Johnson is accused of participating in a fraud scheme targeting a 72-year-old Van Buren County woman.

The victim was contacted by phone and falsely told she had won a $5.5 million Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, MSP said.

The caller claimed she needed to pay taxes upfront to receive the winnings, convincing her to mail over $200,000 to multiple addresses.

Police did not say what happened to the money after it was sent, or how it was sent.

More than $90,000 of the funds were sent to the suspect in New Jersey, police said.

Legitimate sweepstakes do not require payment to claim winnings, police said. Calls requesting money for prizes or taxes are likely scams.

MSP reminds people to be vigilant and to call police if they may be a victim of a scam.

Visit MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
Serbia has financed the creation of textbooks for schools in Ukrainian

The Serbian Ministry of Education has announced that it will finance the preparation of educational materials for migrant schoolchildren, including the translation and adaptation of materials into Ukrainian, according to the Serbian Economist Telegram channel.

"The language barrier remains one of the key challenges in integrating children into the education system. Minister of Education Dejan Vuk Stankovic noted that more than 5,500 migrant and asylum-seeking students have consistently passed through the Serbian education system.

According to him, the ministry continues to support schools where migrant children study: mentors and external consultants are involved, and teaching materials are translated into the students' native languages  currently Ukrainian and Arabic," the report says.

As part of this work, more than 4,000 educators, teachers, principals, and support specialists have undergone additional training, and more than 70 schools have received support through grants.

More than 3,000 individual support plans have been prepared and more than 10,000 additional classes have been conducted; support measures also included the distribution of books, textbooks, and school supplies.

The ministry noted that the work on translating materials and supporting schools is being carried out with the participation of international partners.

The amount of expenditure, as well as the circulation of textbooks printed or materials translated into Ukrainian, was not disclosed in the ministry's public statements.
MUSKEGON, MI - In its first meeting of the year, the Muskegon City Commission both celebrated a historic composition and faced sharp division.

The Muskegon City Commission held its annual organizational meeting Monday, Jan. 5, where new officials are sworn in, committee appointments are made and yearly schedules are approved.

Mayor Ken Johnson and commissioners Rebecca St. Clair and Kiley Jackson were sworn in by Muskegon County Judge Gregory Pittman.

With the addition of Jackson, the commission now retains a Black and woman majority. That means the majority of the commissioners are Black and women. Jackson, 23, is also the youngest commissioner known to serve.

Before voting to certify the officials, several commissioners spoke up about transparency around the certification of the mayor.

Commissioner Jay Kilgo addressed his disapproval of the process in which Mayor Ken Johnson was sworn in.

Johnson, along with two other commissioners, was reelected in the November 2025 election.

He was previously sworn into office on Dec. 18 ahead of a court hearing held to establish his, and Commissioner Willie Germans, viability to serve with newly enacted term limits.

A Muskegon County judge eventually dismissed the case brought forward by the city that questioned Johnsons eligibility to serve, having been reelected at the same time a 12-year term limit for elected officials was approved.

Johnson served his 12th year in 2025. The judge essentially dismissed the citys case because there was no lawsuit challenging the mayors eligibility.

Kilgo said he felt it set a troubling precedent that Johnson was sworn in at a prior date and without the full commissions knowledge.

It erodes public trust and sets a troubling precedent, Kilgo said. Regardless of the intent, the manner in which it was handled gave the appearance of backdoor decisions, and thats something I cannot support. If the mayors eligibility is lawful, a judge will confirm that. If its not, a judge will address that as well. But what should never be in question is this bodys commitment to transparency and shared governance.

Mayor Ken Johnson, left, is ceremonially sworn in to office by Muskegon County Judge Gregory Pittman, right, on January 5, 2026, at Muskegon City Hall. City of Muskegon

The mayor defended his early swearing-in, explaining it was done at the advice of the city attorney and city manager as a legal strategy for the court hearing.

There wasnt any intent not to inform anybody, said City Manager Jonathan Seyferth. This was coming up in the last week before we were going on break, prior to the court hearing, which was held when a number of us were already going to be on vacation and out of the office. We were working through some technicalities that were popping up. We became aware of the brief filed by the other party just a few days before the deadline.

The brief stated that the case was ripe because certain steps of the process hadnt happened yet, including swearing in of elected officials.

The attorneys recommended that the mayor, if possible, be sworn in before the hearing, Seyferth said. We were trying to put the city in a stronger position as possible going into the hearing.

City Attorney Brennen Gorman said, in general, the officials are certified to serve by being elected and the commission couldnt change that.

Commissioners German, Katrina Kochin and Destinee Keener all said they were not aware of the mayors early swearing in and stressed accountability and transparency.

The conversation became heated, with Johnson and German talking over each other for more than a minute.

Rebecca St. Clair, a commissioner who was reelected in November, was clearly distressed at the direction the meeting took.

At this moment, I am dismayed by the tone that we are starting off on our very first commission meeting in the new term - this feels terrible, St. Clair said. I dont think that were assuming good intentions, and I think that a lot of assumptions are being made without understanding.

St. Clair said she and newly elected commissioner Jackson both were called by the city managers office and asked to be sworn in early.

I wasnt able to because I have some things going on in my personal life that did not make me available to do that, but it wasnt secret. It wasnt nefarious.

With the passing of the term limits, elected city officials must also now take into account years of service in addition to age and residency to be certified.

Muskegon City Commissioner Kiley Jackson swears in to office on January 5, 2026, at Muskegon City Hall. At 23, Jackson is the youngest known commissioner to serve the city. City of Muskegon

The commission voted unanimously Monday to certify its members.

Johnson expressed frustration at the dissension during the first half of the meeting.

This does not feel harmonious, Johnson said. Not one member of this city commission reached out to me to say, Hey, I have concerns about this. I have questions about this. What happened? Why did it happen? I am completely blindsided by my fellow commissioners this evening, and it is dismaying.

Keener was voted in as vice mayor and it was noted that it has been a long time since a Black woman held a leadership role on the commission.

The vice mayor runs commission meetings and attends city events in the mayors absence.
BAY CITY, MI  On the eve of his trial, a Saginaw man accused of shooting another man outside a Bay City bar has had the charges against him dismissed. He was jailed for more than a year, his case plagued by adjournments and unavailable witnesses.

Johnny McKinley Jr., 39, had been in the Bay County Jail since his arrest on Sept. 7, 2024, charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and three counts of second-offense felony firearm.

With his trial scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 6, defense attorney Michael A. Huber filed a motion seeking the cases dismissal with prejudice on the grounds that his clients rights to a speedy trial were violated. The prosecution, meanwhile, filed a motion seeking adjournment, arguing an essential witness was unavailable due to being in a Florida medical rehabilitation facility, said Bay County Prosecutor Michael P. Kanuszewski.

The man McKinley allegedly shot, meanwhile, had ceased cooperating with the prosecution, further affecting their case, Kanuszewski added.

This was the prosecutions third motion to adjourn the trial, all of which the defense opposed.

The parties appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran on Monday, Jan. 5, by which point McKinley had been jailed for 485 days. The judge opted against granting another adjournment of the trial, at which point the prosecution sought to dismiss the case.

The front of Duso's Bar on Midland Street in Bay City. Cole Waterman

Sheeran granted the request, dismissing the case without prejudice. Had he granted Hubers motion to dismiss with prejudice, the prosecution could not refile charges against McKinley.

Kanuszewski said his staff needs to reassess evidence and witness issues to decide on if theyll reissue charges.

After the cases dismissal, McKinley was transferred to the Saginaw County Jail on a probation violation charge. A Saginaw County judge in January 2024 sentenced him to three years on convictions of felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

McKinleys now-dismissed charges stemmed from police responded to a shooting in parking lot of Dusos Bar, 604 E. Midland St., about 1:45 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2024.

Officers arrived to find a large crowd gathered in the lot, standing around a 37-year-old man on the pavement with a gunshot wound to his lower left abdomen.

Officers and firefighters rendered aid to the semiconscious man. My daughter, the man mumbled several times, police noted. A Medstar ambulance arrived and took the injured man from the scene to Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw.

Police recovered three spent 9mm shell casings about 30 feet from where the wounded man had been lying. A short while later, they found three more casings near the intersection of East John and South Linn streets, reports state.

Witnesses gave police varying accounts but agreed a fight or scuffle had occurred before gunfire erupted. They said they heard between six and 12 gunshots.

A Dusos security guard told police he had seen the victim arguing outside with someone, only for another bouncer to break up the disagreement. The victim went back inside the bar, before emerging again and walking toward a parked maroon minivan.

The guy walked out with his fists up, ready to fight, the guard said, according to police reports. Before he got to the van, the back passenger shot at him seven times.

A 54-year-old man approached police and said he too had been shot, a bullet striking the back of his right arm and lodging in his sweater sleeve. The man received treatment at the scene but declined to visit a hospital.

Police obtained video footage of the incident recorded by surveillance cameras. The footage showed McKinley and the victim exit Dusos, after which the victim punched McKinley. The two grappled until others separated them, after which the victim returned to the bar and McKinley went to a parked minivan.

Moments later, the victim walked out of Dusos and approached the minivan with his fists raised, police reports state. From the minivans passenger side, McKinley fired three of four shots at the man from the minivans passenger side, according to police reports.

The cameras recorded the sound of three more gunshots before the minivan drove away.

While officers were still at the scene, they learned their counterparts in Saginaw had stopped a maroon 2021 Chrysler Voyager that matched the description of the fleeing vehicle. McKinley was a passenger.

The minivans rear window was broken, and its passenger side bore two bullet holes, police reports state.

Two blocks from where police stopped the minivan, they found a Sig Sauer P226 handgun that had been reported stolen.

Police interviewed a 36-year-old man who had been driving the minivan. He described himself as McKinleys cousin and said they had been barhopping on Midland Street. Without provocation, the shooting victim punched McKinley, the man said.

After this, McKinley and his cousin sat in the minivan, the latter trying to convince the former they should leave. He saw the victim approaching McKinley again and then saw McKinley shoot at him multiple times, he told police.

Moments later, the minivans rear window shattered amid the sounds of more gunfire.

I thought someone was now shooting at us, the man told police, according to their reports.

The man drove away in a panic, eventually being pulled over by police in Saginaw.

McKinley refused to speak to police on being read his Miranda rights.

A Saginaw County judge in 2011 sentenced McKinley to three to 10 years in prison on convictions of felonious assault, felon in possession of a firearm, and felony firearm. The Michigan Department of Corrections discharged him in August 2021.
People flocked to Texas and Florida in 2025.

Thats according to the moving truck, trailer, and self-storage rental company U-Haul, which released its annual Growth Index on Tuesday.

The study aims to track migration trends by examining 2.5 million one-way rentals from more than 24,000 rental locations across the U.S. and Canada.

According to the data, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area once again takes top honors as the No. 1 U-Haul growth metro, replicating its 2024 honor.

Likewise, the city proper of Ocala, Fla., retains the title of No. 1 U-Haul growth city, a distinction it also held for 2024 and 2022.

Texas metros litter the latest U-Haul Growth Index, claiming the top three spots (Dallas, Houston, Austin) and six of the top 25 growth metros.

Top 10 metros for do-it-yourself movers in 2025 also include Charlotte, Phoenix, Nashville, Charleston, Raleigh, Atlanta and the Brownsville-McAllen corridor along the southern border of Texas.

Some major metros to make the top 25 did so by reversing recent migration trends: San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia saw more people leaving than arriving in 2024, only to post strong net-gain numbers in 2025.

When it comes to cities luring U-Haul customers, Florida again is king. The Sunshine State has eight of the top 10 growth cities and 12 of the top 25 for the past year.

North Port, Kissimmee and Clermont join Ocala as Florida growth cities in the top five, along with Myrtle Beach, S.C. Texas has four city propers make the list, while Idaho has two.

Several smaller cities are making their U-Haul Growth Index debuts such as St. Augustine, Fla.; Seguin, Texas; Leesburg, Fla.; Garner, N.C.; and Lacey, Wash.

You can see the complete breakdown here.
A man suffered serious injuries during a brawl that occurred between customers waiting in line for a popular Disneyland ride.

According to KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, the brutal and bloody 30-second fight between two men occurred in the queue for the Indiana Jones Adventure on Dec. 30.

A group of people were waiting in line at Indiana Jones when another group cut through the line to catch up with other family members, Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter told the TV station.

Police told the TV station that the suspect fled Disneyland and remained at large as of Monday afternoon. He is believed to be a Southern California resident.

There are two sides to every story, so we need to hear from him (and) what happened from his point of view, Sutter told KTLA.

The victim from Washington suffered a large gash on his face but managed to stay at the park with his family for the rest of the day.
A father was injured when he stopped someone who allegedly attempted to take his child from their stroller inside a Walmart.

According to a report released by the Washington County Sheriffs Office in Cornelius, Oregon on Jan. 2, the incident occurred inside the retail giants store in Cornelius at 7:48 p.m. on Dec. 21.

Officers from multiple cities responded to the store after the father reported a knife-wielding suspect attempted to take their child from their stroller inside the store.

The father stopped the man from grabbing the child out of the stroller, but was injured during the confrontation, police said, adding that as they struggled, the attacker pulled a knife from a pocket, but dropped it.

Denis Villalobos, 37, of Cornelius was arrested a short distance from Walmart after cameras identified his vehicle.

He has been charged with attempted kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the second degree, assault in the fourth degree, unlawful use of a weapon and meaning.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cornelius Police Department by calling 503-629-0111 and referencing case number 57-25-1325.
Mahindra claims a real-world driving range of up to 285km for the XUV 3XO EV.
Agricultural exports falls by 8.8% in 2025, mainly due to decline in shipments to EU  UCAB

Ukraine exported agricultural products worth $22.53 billion in 2025, which is 8.8%, or $2.15 billion, less than in the previous year, the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) reported.

The association noted that despite the decrease in foreign-currency earnings, the share of the agro-industrial complex in the overall structure of goods exports in 2025 amounted to 56.1%.

"Although this percentage declined somewhat compared with the record year of 2023, when agricultural products accounted for 61% of total exports, the sector continues to generate more than half of the country's foreign trade revenues," analysts said.

The most notable trend was a reduction in agricultural exports to the European Union. While in 20222024 the EU's share in the structure of Ukrainian agri-exports consistently exceeded 50%, in 2025 it fell to 47.5% ($10.7 billion), according to statistics.

Among the influencing factors are changes in logistics routes and tighter regulatory restrictions in the European market. A general slowdown in trade dynamics was also observed: the trade balance with the EU declined to $6.06 billion from $8.87 billion in 2024, analysts stated.

They said that against the backdrop of shrinking export revenues, the opposite trend is observed in imports. In 2025, purchases of foreign agricultural products rose to a five-year high of $8.75 billion.

"Although the share of agricultural goods in Ukraine's total imports has remained stable over the past four years at around 10.8%, in absolute terms spending on food imports has been increasing every year. At the same time, in 2025 more than 53% of all agri-imports ($4.64 billion) came from European Union countries, underscoring the deep integration of Ukraine's consumer market with Europe," UCAB concluded.
Number of loans issued under eOselia program in Ukraine down by 8.7% in 2025

Partner banks under the state affordable mortgage program eOselia issued a total of 7,769 loans in 2025, which is 8.7% fewer than in the previous year, according to data from the program's operator, PJSC Ukrainian Financial Housing Company (Ukrfinzhytlo).

"Under the affordable mortgage program during this period [2025], partner banks issued loans totaling nearly UAH 15 billion. Of these, 4,881 loans were for 'first-sale' housing, including 1,499 apartments in buildings at the construction stage," the statement said.

At the same time, compared with 2024, the total amount of loans issued in 2025 increased by 1.5%, from UAH 14.6 billion to UAH 14.8 billion.

The loans were received, in particular, by 2,891 servicemen and security sector personnel, 2,826 Ukrainians without their own housing, 909 internally displaced persons, 427 healthcare workers, 383 educators, 209 veterans, and 124 researchers. As a result, 4,204 children obtained their own homes.

Since the launch of the program in 2022, 22,620 families have purchased their own housing, and the total volume of loans issued amounts to UAH 38.923 billion.

Ukrfinzhytlo reminded that from January 11, 2026, in accordance with amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 856, servicemen mobilized during martial law will be able to take advantage of a preferential mortgage at 3% per annum, on par with contract servicemen.

As reported, the eOselia affordable mortgage lending program has been operating in Ukraine since October 2022. A preferential mortgage at 3% per annum for up to 20 years with a down payment starting from 20% of the housing price is available to servicemen, security and defense sector employees, healthcare workers, educators, and researchers; a 7% rate applies to war veterans, combatants, internally displaced persons, and citizens who do not own housing exceeding the normative area.

Under the program's terms, preferential categories of participants may purchase housing in buildings under construction and in buildings no older than three years, as well as housing up to 10 years old in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions. Other participants may purchase housing in buildings no older than three years or in construction-stage projects. IDPs may participate in the eOselia program at 7% per annum and purchase housing up to 20 years old in any settlement across Ukraine where the program operates.

Certificates received under the eRecovery program may be used as the initial down payment for purchasing housing under the eOselia program.

Ten partner banks participate in the program: Oschadbank, PrivatBank, Ukrgasbank, Sense Bank, Sky Bank, Credit Dnipro Bank, Globus Bank, TAScombank, Bisbank, and RadaBank.
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Bihar BSEB Class 10 Admit Card 2026 Out for Board Exams, Check How to Download Hall Ticket Here
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MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more.
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In the pictures, the actress is seen relaxing on the sand in a brown bikini, soaking in the tranquil surroundings.
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Ragini Jaiswal Entertainment journalist and content writer with 3+ years of experience covering Bollywood, lifestyle trends, and celebrity stories across leading digital platforms.
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Will Border 2 release in Pakistan? Varun Dhawan has clear air around the film
Hindu astrologer gave me my Muslim name, when AR Rahman revealed how he changed his real name Dileep Kumar
Azerbaijan plans to start gas deliveries to another two European countries in 2026, bringing the total number of countries importing its gas to 16, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.

"Our gas exports are growing both in terms of volume and geographical coverage. We currently export gas to 14 countries, including to 11 on a regular basis," Aliyev said in an interview with local TV channels.

Some countries received Azerbaijani gas in 2024 but later ceased purchases owing to the availability of alternative sources, Aliyev said. "But that's kind of on-demand supplies. When they need it, we start supplies. When they don't, we stop them. But on the whole, geographical coverage of pipeline gas [supplies] from Azerbaijan includes 14 countries, and two more European countries will join them this year. Hence, there'll be 16 of them in total, and that's the largest number in terms of pipeline gas deliveries," he said.

No other country supplies pipeline gas to as many countries as Azerbaijan does, he said.

"Last year, our exports exceeded 25 billion cubic meters, with potential to grow further," he said.

Azerbaijan particularly intends to increase gas shipments to Syria, Aliyev said.

Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov had said earlier that the country's gas exports to Europe totaled 12.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2025.

As reported previously, Azerbaijan exported 25.2 bcm of gas in 2024, including 12.9 bcm, or 51% of all exports, to Europe. Hence, its exports to Europe in 2025 decreased by 0.8%.

Azerbaijan currently has contacts for supplying gas to 12 European countries, i.e. Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Germany, and Ukraine. This includes long-term contracts with Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria with a fixed supply volume and a contract with Germany's Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (SEFE) for 10 years, under which the annual volume of supply should gradually increase to 15 terawatt-hours (TWh), which is around 1.5 billion bcm. Contracts without exact purchase volumes have been signed with the remaining countries.

Azerbaijan also exports gas to Turkiye via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), and to Georgia via the SCP and Gazimagomed-Gazakh pipeline.

Apart from that, Azerbaijan began exporting gas to Syria via Turkiye on August 2, 2025. The supply volume is 3.4 million cubic meters per day at the initial stage and should subsequently increase to 6 million cubic meters.
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Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news.
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Manjiri Patil is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering science, health, lifestyle, and general news in digital newsroom.
The Mikami Shrine, the only shrine dedicated to hair, honours Fujiwara Unemenosuke Masayuki, who is believed to be the first hairdresser in Japan (Screengrabs: @shervin_travels/Instagram)
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Warmth and touch activate brain pathways linked to safety, grounding and emotional regulation. (Image: Pexels)
The export of all dual-use items to Japan for defense purposes is prohibited effective immediately, Chinas Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Tuesday
Copper is increasingly in focus as governments fret about the supply of critical metals
Maduro and his wife, on Monday, arrived at a New York courthouse on Monday, where Maduro is expected to appear before a judge, CNN reported.
Reliance expressed disappointment that its denial was allegedly ignored in the report's publication
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the appointment of Chrystia Freeland as Economic Development Advisor to Ukraine, emphasizing her unique qualifications for the role and Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine at this crucial moment for the country.

"Thank you Chrystia for your important work as Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. You are uniquely qualified for this important new role. It is a further credit to Canadas steadfast support for Ukraine that a Canadian is taking on this role at this crucial moment for Ukraines future," Carney wrote on X.

He also stressed that Canada will continue to stand by Ukraine to ensure a just and lasting peace.

As reported, earlier on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Canada's Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, former Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, as his advisor on economic development.

Corresponding decree No. 15/2026 of January 5 was published on the website of the head of state. "To appoint Chrystia Freeland as Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Economic Development [non-staff position]," its text reads.
Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, with Maros Sefcovic, the European Unions Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security (file image)
Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers.
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Gabion Technologies IPO sees massive over 57 times subscription on Day 1, GMP rises further
Indias underperformance relative to emerging market peers during 2025 also led to a moderation in its valuation premium. According to the outlook, this normalization improves Indias relative position within the emerging market universe, particularly as global investors reassess risk and valuations.
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Bajaj Auto rises 3% to fresh 52-week high as Emkay upgrades stock to 'buy'; brokerage raises target price by 17%
Float balances refer to operational and settlement-related funds parked with banks in compliance with regulatory requirements, rather than discretionary client deposits. These balances can be sizeable but are inherently transient, moving in and out based on market activity and settlement cycles.
Monday showdown at SEBI: Ketan Parekh to face cross examination by Rohit Salgaocar before SEBI, and then proceed for holiday
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Stocks to Watch Today: Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, Trent, Dabur, Waaree Energies, NBCC, KSH International in focus on 6 January
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Tata Motors PV shares fall 4% after JLR wholesales drop 43% in Q3 after cyberattack
On January 5th, according to information released by the Shushan Economic Development Zone, the opening ceremony of the Huifeng Park was successfully held, marking the official launch and operation of this key cross-border e-commerce industry platform. Representatives from nearly 50 leading cross-border e-commerce companies across the country gathered to witness a significant achievement in the development of Hefei's cross-border e-commerce industry. Established in 2018, Huifeng Park is a leading domestic cross-border e-commerce operations service platform. It currently operates six cross-border e-commerce industrial parks across multiple locations, with a total operational area exceeding 70,000 square meters. To date, the platform has empowered over 500 upstream and downstream cross-border e-commerce enterprises, facilitating cross-border e-commerce transaction volumes exceeding USD 2 billion. Additionally, it has established deep collaborations with more than 60 specialized cross-border service providers, demonstrating a mature operational system and strong industry integration capabilities. "The newly operational Huifeng Park in the Shushan Economic Development Zone is located in the second phase of the Anhui Intelligent Software Park, with an operational area of approximately 23,000 square meters. Moving forward, it will focus on the core model of 'scenario-based and localized cross-border services,'" explained Xian Shangji, founder and general manager of Huifeng Cross-border Park Group. He added that leveraging Hefei's solid industrial foundation, the center will provide comprehensive digital and ecosystem-based services for small and medium-sized cross-border e-commerce enterprises across the province. These services will encompass scenario development, supply chain integration, logistics and distribution, overseas warehousing layout, financial and tax planning, and policy consultation, aiming to build a high-level cross-border e-commerce industrial cluster and a collaborative industrial ecosystem. This initiative is set to continuously inject new momentum into the "global expansion of Anhui products." In recent years, the Shushan Economic Development Zone has consistently deepened its efforts in the e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce sectors. Through the dual-drive approach of institutional innovation and infrastructure development, it has continuously strengthened the foundation for industrial growth. At this stage, the park has established several key infrastructures, including an online comprehensive service platform for cross-border e-commerce. It has also successfully attracted the Hefei International Mail Exchange Office, the only one of its kind in Anhui Province, and built the nation's sole integrated high-speed sorting and inspection line. Additionally, the park has established a cross-border e-commerce innovation service center to provide "one-stop, full-chain" professional services for enterprises, continually optimizing the development environment for cross-border e-commerce. "The establishment of the Huifeng Park will significantly promote the further clustering of cross-border e-commerce-related industries in the region and Hefei, enabling complementary strengths and powerful synergies, and injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce," said a relevant official from the Shushan Economic Development Zone. He noted that the clustering effect of the zone's cross-border e-commerce industry is becoming increasingly evident. Data shows that in 2025, the Shushan Economic Development Zone handled 28.82 million customs clearance orders through its online platform, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 102%. The total value of goods exceeded 3.8 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year growth of about 124%. In the selection of key cross-border e-commerce enterprises in Anhui Province, five companies from the zone were listed among the province's "Top 10 Cross-border E-commerce Enterprises," while two others ranked among the province's "Top 5 Cross-border E-commerce Service Enterprises," demonstrating the zone's continued leadership in comprehensive strength across the province.

Source: Hefei Daily
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller confirmed that the Trump administration believes Greenland is a territory that should belong to the United States, but stressed that there are no plans to use military force to achieve this.

"Nobody is going to go to war with the United States militarily over the future of Greenland," Miller said on CNN.

He questioned the legitimacy of Denmark's claims to the territory, saying: "What is the basis for their territorial claim? What is the basis for Greenland being a colony of Denmark? The United States is a NATO power. In order for the United States to be able to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, it is clear that Greenland should be part of the United States, and that is the conversation that we are going to have as a country."
Hamsini Karthik Number crunching, drawing interesting inferences (sometimes contrarian), and penning them in an impactful manner, best describes what I do. As a BFSI specialist, I enjoy telling stories about whats working and what not for lenders, breaking down regulatory jargon and how they affect customers and financiers, and simplifying the economics of money. When not glued to banks, the world of autos and airlines keeps me busy.
Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.
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Disputes over sale deeds between business partners can be settled through arbitration: Kerala HC
Dipen Pradhan is the Editorial Consultant for Moneycontrol. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and covers personal finance topics. He has previously worked at Forbes Advisor India, Outlook Money, Entrepreneur, Inc42, and The Statesman. When he is not writing he loves to travel to explore rural hotspots.
A wet towel, an argument and then a stab to the heart: How a woman in Greater Noida killed her South Korean partner
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Ajit Pawar's U-turn after all-out attack on BJP: 'Misquoted...Maharashtra govt doing good work'
The MK Stalin-led DMK is currently in seat-sharing talks with the Congress for the Tamil Nadu elections. (File: PTI)
Setting the tone for the year ahead, IBLA 2026 marks Indias biggest business honours, bringing together the nations foremost industrialists, global CEOs, and senior policymakers under one roof.
'Anything can happen to anyone': After stirring controversy with 'PM kidnap' remark, Chavan says it was a 'warning'
The Ukrainian Defense Forces has neutralized 53 Russian drones out of 61, and recorded the hitting of 8 UAVs at six locations, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"According to preliminary data, as of 08:30, air defense shot down/suppressed 53 enemy UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera type and drones of other types in the north, center and east of the country," the message on the Telegram channel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reads.

In total, the enemy attacked with 61 attack UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera type and drones of other types from the directions: Millerovo, Kursk, Orel - Russia, TOT Donetsk, about 40 of them  Shahed UAVs.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
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BJP leader's apology after backlash from Riteish Deshmukh over Vilasrao remarks
The Congress chief alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "bending" before Trump and that he "nods to whatever" US President says.
Around 3040 students, associated with the Students Federation of India (SFI), Democratic Students Federation (DSF) and All India Students Association (AISA), were present when the slogans were raised.
The fresh incidents of violence follows the murder of Islamist leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December 18.
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'Go collect his body': Assailants' chilling message to family of former kabaddi player shot dead in Ludhiana
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In West Bengal, Yunus' in-laws react to worsening India-Bangladesh ties: 'Have only one dua'
A series of entries was made on assisting the embassy under the theme "discuss status of US-India trade conversations".
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JNU has become camp office of 'tukde tukde gang patronised by opposition and other pro-Pakistan elements': Giriraj Singh
The SC ruling has brought mixed emotions for the families of those involved, joy and relief for some, disappointment and anguish for others.
When a netizen suggested that she should focus on business instead of politics, Kavitha responded calmly, saying that social media often contains a lot of negativity and advised people to ignore it and think positively.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Ukraine is "on the brink of a humanitarian energy crisis," emphasizing the threats to civilian infrastructure due to ongoing Russian attacks, as stated in his letter to the ruling factions of the CDU/CSU and the SPD, ZDF reports.

"Vladimir Putin does not seek a ceasefire in the fourth winter of the war, but has ordered the most serious attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine to date. Therefore, Merz accuses the Russian leadership of war crimes," the report says.

The German government emphasizes its readiness to contribute to an end to the war, but emphasizes that a real settlement is possible only if the United States and European partners provide effective security guarantees for Ukraine.
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Karur stampede case: Actor Vijay summoned by CBI, to be questioned in Delhi on January 12
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Kharge slams PM over Trump's remarks on Russian oil: 'I don't understand why Modi is bending before...'
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A political controversy erupted at JNU over alleged anti-Modi and anti-Shah slogans during a protest marking the sixth anniversary of the 2020 campus attack.
The Shivling, carved from a single block of stone, started its long journey from Mahabalipuram towards the Virat Ramayan Temple in late November last year.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah took part in a Pongal celebration event named 'Namma Ooru Modi Pongal' organised by the BJP Mahila Morcha at Mannarpuram this week.
This mine will offer only 120 jobs, just 32 of them permanent and the output is only 1.1 million tonnes in 12 months.
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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior BJP leaders in New Delhi.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi commented on a quote from a Reuters article titled "Russia Loses Ally in Venezuela, but Hopes to Benefit from Trump's 'Wild West' Realpolitik," which cited an anonymous senior Russian source as saying that following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, Russia now also has "its own sphere of influence."

"Overcompensating Russian 'source's are spewing hot air about 'zones of influence.' I wonder where the borders of their zone of influence were when Prigozhins gang marched on Moscow, making them tremble with fear. Perhaps it was limited to Putins poop suitcase. And it still is," Tykhyi wrote X.

According to the agency, the source referred to the Trump administration's desire to confirm US dominance in the Western Hemisphere and revive the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which declared this region a zone of influence for Washington.

"Russia has lost an ally in Latin America," said a senior Russian source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation to Reuters. "But if this is an example of Trump's Monroe Doctrine in action, as it seems to be, then Russia also has its own sphere of influence."

As reported, on January 5, the US State Department posted an image of President Donald Trump on X with the caption "This is our hemisphere."
Challenges of AI in the Classroom

R Ramanujam is a Faculty Member at Azim Premji University. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication.
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Google scientist slams US airline for serving food he needed 'a chainsaw to cut': 'Bowl of sadness'
Investigators said that noise from the incident alerted others in the area, following which one of the accuseds associates fled the location.
A poster of a Karnataka woman on many under-construction sites has gone viral on social media.
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Woman quits job after manager asks her to send critically ill mother to shelter home. Viral post
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A billion-year-old asteroid offers new clues to how life may have begun on Earth
ISRO Calls Scientists to Propose Studies in Aditya-L1 First AO Cycle (Image: Canva)
Deep Blue, a 20-foot female great white shark first recorded in 2013, remains the largest confirmed of her species. Satellite tracking has revealed her long migrations, calm behaviour, and role in conservation awareness. Her story highlights both scientific advances in shark research and the urgent threats facing great white populations worldwide.

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This image shows the location of Cloud-9, which is 14 million light-years from Earth. (Image: NASA/ESA/Gagandeep Anand (STScI)
Flight model of DEX on POEM of the PSLV C58 XPoSat mission (Image: ISRO)
In 2025, military law began to fulfill its key function of limiting the state by law in wartime, believes Kateryna Anyshchenko, a lawyer at the Riyako&Partners law firm.

"2025 was a turning point for the military law of Ukraine. As a lawyer who systematically works with military cases, I can say: we have finally gone beyond the notion that military law is the law of exceptions. On the contrary, it was in 2025 that it began to fulfill its key function - to limit the state by law even in wartime," she told Interfax-Ukraine, commenting on the trends in the development of military law in Ukraine.

Anyshchenko noted that as a lawyer in her practice in 2025, she increasingly encountered situations where martial law was used not as a legal regime, but as an "argument for absolving responsibility."

"Formal conclusions of the Military Commission, template decisions of the Central Military Commission, silent inaction of military administrations - all this became a mass phenomenon precisely in 2025. However, this same year demonstrated something else: the courts stopped accepting "war" as a universal explanation for violations. Procedure, motivation, evidence again became decisive, and this is a fundamental change," she said.

The lawyer noted that last year military law ceased to be an instrument of pressure and is gradually turning into a mechanism of protection for both the serviceman and the state.

"In 2025, it was the court that became the main regulator of military law. Not the legislator and not the executive branch, but judicial practice forced state bodies to act in the legal field. In my cases, I have repeatedly observed how the court recognizes the inaction of the Central Military Commission and the Joint Forces as illegal or forms a standard of proof that cannot be circumvented by formal certificates. This means one thing: military law has ceased to be 'outside the court'," she said.

Anyshchenko noted that "the majority of appeals in 2025 concerned the passage of the military medical commission (VLK), appealing conclusions, referrals for additional examinations, compliance with medical documents and (most often) a conflict between the actual state of health and the formal procedure." In addition, the lawyer noted that last year the issues of booking and postponement were relevant for business. "For critical enterprises and employers, the key factors were the predictability of decisions, timeliness and confirmation of booking, the correctness of data in the registers, as well as communication with the military recruitment centers without the 'human factor' and double interpretations," she explained.

Analyzing the trends of the year in this direction, the expert separately emphasized the relevance in the field of military law of the issues of social guarantees of military personnel and their families and liability for military offenses.

Among the main problems of this area in 2025, the lawyer named the unevenness of practice in different regions, in particular, different procedural 'routes' and results in the same situations, as well as violations of the procedure as a source of conflicts and criminalization of everyday situations, low quality of primary documentation, vulnerability of families in issues of payments and statuses, and lack of preventive legal culture.

"The largest number of 'acute' cases arise where people react emotionally instead of the legal algorithm. This applies to conflicts with representatives of the military recruitment centers, and appeals to the VLK and recording of violations," she said.

Predicting the development of the field of military law in 2026, Anishchenko expects, in particular, more disputes about the quality of the military medical commissions and increased requirements for the transparency of decisions, because the courts began to adjust their approach to medical examinations in 2025.

In addition, Anishchenko expects that in the direction of booking, the focus will shift to criticality and evidence.

"We are already preparing for a wave of cases related to demobilization, veteran status, rehabilitation and compensation. Military law is gradually moving from war management to managing its consequences. In my opinion, 2026 will be the year of systematization of practice and strengthening of digital control, which will simultaneously create new opportunities and new risks for citizens and businesses," she said.

"In 2026, we will see not a weakening, but a maturation of military law. The conclusion based on the results of 2025 is simple: military law can no longer exist without a lawyer and without a court," the lawyer emphasized.

For her part, the managing director of Polina Marchenko Law Office, attorney Polina Marchenko, predicts that "for military personnel, 2026 will be marked by limited, clearly regulated rotations without mass demobilization." She also expects the grounds for discharge from service to be revised and narrowed, especially on family and medical grounds, and the legal protection of military personnel in disputes with the state, in her opinion, will remain "formal, with low chances of satisfying the requirements."

Moreover, the lawyer predicts that for military personnel, the number of real grounds for deferment will be significantly reduced, and their application will become more formalized and controlled.
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NASA moves closer to finding alien life with 7 new tech partners
Craig, one of Africas most iconic super tuskers, died naturally in January 2026 in Kenyas Amboseli National Park. Known for his sweeping tusks and calm nature, he symbolised conservation success. Studied since birth, Craigs long life reflected effective anti-poaching efforts, while his passing highlights the fragility of Africas remaining giant elephants and the need for continued protection.

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A new study shows mosquitoes collect DNA from nearly every animal they bite. (Image: Canva)
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Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com
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Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
Chiefs of general staff of Coalition of the Willing discuss security guarantees for Ukraine

Photo: https://x.com/cema_fr

Chief of the General Staff of the French Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon, announced a meeting in Paris with his colleagues from Great Britain and Ukraine with a representative from the United States in Paris.

"Paris, with my British colleague General Knighton, General Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and in the presence of American General Hrynkevich, Commander of the US Armed Forces in Europe," the general said on X.

According to Mandon, security guarantees in Ukraine and the conditions for their implementation were at the center of discussions during a video conference with the chiefs of general staffs of the armed forces of the coalition of the willing.

"The current military work, which has been underway for several months with our coalition and in cooperation with the United States, supports political steps aimed at establishing lasting peace on our continent," the French general emphasized.

As reported, on Tuesday, January 6, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing countries with US representatives will be held in Paris to discuss security guarantees and ending the war with Russia.

According to French media, representatives of 35 countries will participate, including 27 heads of state.

From the US side, special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will be present.
Unrest on the streets of Iran prompts India to ask its citizens to pause long-haul travel plans and stay connected with the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
Bangladesh has seen a surge in violence against Hindus, with at least 11 killed in brutal attacks over 35 days. Despite official denials, the pattern has sparked fear among minorities and raised concerns about law and order ahead of upcoming elections.

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Ancient Greenland rocks reveal how quickly seas could rise again
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Another Hindu man, Mani Chakraborty, killed in Bangladesh; sixth murder in under three weeks
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Can the US actually prove Nicolas Maduro ran a narco state?
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on January 04, 2026 shows Colombian President Gustavo Petro gesturing during a press conference with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, on November 1, 2022, and US President Donald Trump gestures during a bilateral meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025. (Photo by Federico Parra and ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)
Zelenskyy and Macron to hold working lunch with US delegation ahead of Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris - Elysee Palace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a working lunch with US President's special representative Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Paris on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.

According to the published schedule of the French president, Macron's working breakfast with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will begin at 9:30 a.m. (Kyiv time).

Macron's working meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled for 1:15 p.m.

Later, at 1:45 p.m., a working lunch with President Zelenskyy and the American delegation will begin.

The meeting of the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing is scheduled to begin at 4:10 p.m.

According to the French newspaper Le Monde, 35 countries will participate in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, 27 of which will be represented by heads of state or government. NATO and European Union leaders are also expected to attend.

The French president's entourage is presenting this new meeting of the "coalition of the willing" as the culmination of efforts he began deploying about a year ago, after Donald Trump came to the White House, to prevent the United States from "abandoning Ukraine."

A press conference is scheduled for later today, with Presidents Macron and Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

On Tuesday, the leaders are expected to commit to a shared vision of the "modalities of a future ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia, how it can be "verified" using "technical means, drones, satellites" rather than by deploying ground military forces, and how they will react in the event of a violation, the French presidency explained.
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Donald Trump asks Republicans to ensure victory in 2026 midterm elections, says 'else I'll get impeached'
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Europe tells Trump: Greenland isnt for sale, 'it belongs to its people'
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From ocean to outrageous: Sushi chain pays 29 crore for a single tuna in Tokyo
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Grok in trouble: Musk-linked influencer says AI turned her childhood photos into fake images
This photograph taken on May 15, 2025 shows a general view of the Baglihar Dam, also known as Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, on the river Chenab in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
A censored op-ed by Zorain Nizamani criticizing Pakistans ruling establishment has sparked outrage and made him a Gen Z icon. The article highlights youth disillusionment, censorship backlash, and a growing generational divide as young people quietly exit the country.

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Khameneis Plan B: Irans supreme leader could flee to Russia if protests crack the security forces
A trader made over $400,000 by betting on Venezuelan President Maduros removal just before US forces captured him, sparking debate over prediction markets, possible insider trading, and calls for new regulations as the industry rapidly expands.

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Captured abroad, tried in New York  and now the fight shifts to jurisdiction and immunity.
Ukraine's allies are meeting in Paris on Tuesday to hammer out their contributions to future security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, Reuters reported, citing officials.

The meeting will focus on securing contributions to a multinational force for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, coordinated with Ukraine and supported by the United States.

Talks to end the war have accelerated since November, the agency said. But there is little indication that Russia is ready to accept the current proposals, as the issue of territory remains a major sticking point in the talks and fighting between the two sides continues.

The Paris meeting is also seeking to agree on contributions to a broader set of security guarantees for Ukraine, including binding commitments in the event of a second attack on the country. Efforts will be made to ensure that the planning of the Coalition of the Willing is coordinated with the negotiating positions of Ukraine, the United States and Europe.

It also proposes agreeing on next steps to strengthen support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia if Moscow refuses to engage in constructive negotiations.

"We have reached agreement on the operational details of the security guarantees," a French presidential administration official told reporters ahead of the summit. "We will explain how they are structured and the need for long-term commitments from all participants."

The senior European official expressed hope that strengthening the coalitions guarantees would also help cement US commitments, which were broadly outlined in bilateral talks with Ukraine.
US officials have indicated that Washington is working to establish a pliant interim government in Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the focus remains on setting policy and maintaining "leverage."
Establishing two listed businesses is designed to sharpen the strategic focus of each company and enhance the 'clarity of each equity story,' Jollibee said
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'Me': Trump stuns with one-word response to who's in charge of Venezuela, vows oil revival before elections
No one is willing to rule out U.S. military intervention even if the possibility is very slim.
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'Mogambo khush hua': Kharge escalates attack over Russian oil, US tariffs, says 'Modi under Trumps control'
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Not that happy with me: Trump says tariffs strained ties with Modi
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Pakistan lobbied Washington to 'somehow stop' Indias Operation Sindoor, held over 60 interactions with US officials, filings reveal
Chaudhry also said Pakistan killed 2,597 militants in 2025, up from 1,053 a year earlier. The country recorded 5,397 militant attacks, up from 3,014 in 2024.
A Hindu shopkeeper was killed near Dhaka amid allegations of threats and extortion targeting minorities in Bangladesh. Community leaders claim rising violence against Hindus, with six murders in 18 days, has created fear and distrust in official assurances.

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European leaders have been trying for months to decide how to respond to US President Donald Trumps quixotic desire to seize Greenland, but in recent days their bewilderment and anxiety have only grown, The Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

In particular, Trumps repeated insistence that the US take control of Greenland has added to the chaos in EU and NATO capitals over how to respond to Americas actions on other geopolitical issues, including the US attack on Venezuela and its ambiguous stance on Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"Its a fine line," said one senior European official. "The solidarity with Denmark is crystal clear for everyone. But then theres Venezuela where nobody is sorry [Nicolas] Maduro is going, but there are legal questions. And we want to keep the US onside for a dignified outcome in Ukraine."

A second EU official said, "We know who our allies no longer are. Its just we are still hoping we are wrong and the problem will go away," referring to Trumps disregard for the generation-old transatlantic alliance and the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on Washington. "We know what needs to be done, we just need to bloody do it."

European officials said the military operation to capture Maduro showed that Trump does not feel constrained by international law and that his rhetoric on Greenland should be taken seriously.

Danish officials have repeatedly said they are willing to work with Trump on strengthening security in the Arctic. The United States already has a single military base in Greenland under a 75-year-old defense treaty, and local authorities have been open in recent years about expanding its presence or opening a new one. But the United States has reduced its presence on the Arctic island from a Cold War peak of more than 10,000 troops to fewer than 200 now.

Greenlandic ministers have also said their island is open for business. But officials say American investors are slow to show interest in the nascent mining industry.

"The only thing they havent yet offered is something they cant ever offer: for Greenland to become part of America," said one senior EU diplomat. Another added: They dont need to annex it. They can have whatever they want. That is what makes it so puzzling," said one senior EU diplomat.

NATO and EU officials pointed to coordinated statements by European leaders in support of Denmark, issued in the past 24 hours by senior diplomats from across the continent, as evidence that Europe is adjusting its response to Trumps heightened rhetoric. The Greenland issue is particularly sensitive for NATO and its Secretary-General, Mark Rutte. Any U.S. military action to seize the island would lead to direct conflict between the two allies, challenging the alliances fundamental norm of mutual defense and likely forcing the alliances other 30 members to choose sides.
Indian army soldiers walk along the line of control at the Indo-China border in Bumla at an altitude of 15,700 feet (4,700 meters) above sea level in Arunachal Pradesh, India, Oct. 21, 2012. (File image used for representation)
As per the release, the asset freeze comes into force today with immediate effect and will remain valid for four years until further notice.
The government also flagged problems with country's communications regulator over possible breaches of the EU's Digital Services Act.
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Trump says no Venezuela elections in 30 days; Rubio, Hegseth, Miller, Vance named to steer US role
After Maduros removal, USColombia ties slide into their sharpest crisis in decades.
British Hindu, Sikh, and secular groups object to a leaked UK draft definition of anti-Muslim hostility, warning it could threaten free speech and minority rights by blurring criticism of Islam with hostility toward Muslims. The government is reviewing feedback.

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Venezuela must not descend into chaos: Erdogan pushes back on US action in call with Trump
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We will not stop defending them': Europe rallies behind Denmark after Trump revives Greenland remarks
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Photo: URCS

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has provided support to rescuers who were extinguishing a fire in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv.

"Volunteers of the rapid response unit of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross provided assistance at the scene of a large-scale fire in the Solomiansky district of Kyiv," the URCS reported on Facebook on Tuesday.

Volunteers set up a support point for rescuers who worked for several hours in difficult conditions to put out the fire. At this point, firefighters received hot drinks and necessary assistance.

According to the State Emergency Service, a fire broke out in a three-story warehouse on January 5, which quickly spread to the roof of the building.
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Who was Rana Pratap Bairagi? Hindu journalist shot dead in Bangladesh
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Why Trumps Venezuela strike could hand Russia and China a dangerous precedent
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Hemant Abhishek has been a part of leading digital newsrooms covering major national events including elections, Union budgets, and breaking news across politics, sports, and personal finance for over 15 years.
January 6, 2026 Why Might Makes Right Is Dangerous For All of Us Jaqcues Baud, who was recently sanctioned by the European Union, is lamenting on Dialog Works that  The World Is Entering a Lawless Era (vid). He is right of course, but late. International law, developed over centuries, has been broken by the U.S. and other imperial forces ever since it was established. But after World War II such breaches, even when obvious, were clad in propaganda which claimed that each of those was about the enforcement of higher values. Villains had to be fought, dictators opposed, evil communists had to be prevented from stealing from their people. The old and new neo-conservatives were masters in this. The blatant imperial attacks of Iraq and Afghanistan were sold as good mens missions to bring democracy to the downtrodden and suppressed poor people in those countries. We had to liberate their women. That propaganda that covered the brutal wars of conquest under the mantle of democracy promotion held up for a while. It served two purposes. It allowed U.S. vassals to justify their co-operation with the imperialists. It also allowed a significant part of the western populations to still feel good about their countries. When the wars went southward and losses increased they acknowledged that waging those wars were bad. But the consoling feeling was that at least We Meant Well, as one of those imperialists ransacking Iraq titled his memoir. It worked for a while for some people. The Iraq war was protested against in Europe. Germany and France rejected the war and Congress renamed french fries into freedom fries. But even their moral high ground has further deteriorated since. The decade long dirty war against Syria was supported by all NATO countries. The 2014 Nazi-coup in Kiev and the following war against the people of Donbas were patched over. Western propaganda drowned out all protests. But the doubts about these wars lingered. The propaganda was becoming too obvious. The ongoing genocidal war on Gaza marked a turning point. The Zionist propaganda that was used to justify it was no longer effective. When that happened the powers-that-be turned to suppression. Protest against Israel mass-murder of Palestinians were criminalized. Jacques Bauds correct analysis of the Ukraine war, based solely on western sources, led to the EU absurd measure to censor him. Joe Biden blew up the NordStream pipelines. Germany and EU did not even protest the blatant attack on their economies. The issue was covered by the German government with implausible stories of six Ukrainians in a sailing raft. No one ever believed those. Donald Trump took the last step to free the imperialists of all laws. He does not even try to justify his illegal attack on Venezuela with any propaganda. There is no talk of imposing democracy or any other moral justification. It is pure grab of oil  mafia style  with not a damn given about the consequences or how it looks. The indictment of Maduro is just laughable. It is not a legal case any sane jurist would bring. The European wimps have failed to condemn this. That will correctly be interpreted as them being weak which, in consequence, will put them next on the menu. They could send troops to protect Greenland from a U.S. invasion. They wont. Trump will take it without hesitation. The total lack of moral justification and propaganda to hide blatant breaches of international law has two dangerous consequences. The lack of lawfulness and moral clarity will creep from international relations into domestic issues. As Thomas Fazi warns in The Telegraph: We will regret the dawn of a might makes right world (archived): As Western elites discard legal and moral restraints abroad, they will feel increasingly justified in doing so at home, accelerating the erosion of constitutional safeguards and civil liberties. This process is already well underway. The question is no longer whether the so-called rules-based order has collapsed, but how much destruction will be wrought, abroad and at home, before Western societies are forced to reckon with consequences of the lawlessness unleashed by their elites. Arnaud Bertrand warns of a second bad consequence  the loss of internal coherence. What will be left of the Shiny City on the Hill  the ideal the U.S. people, in all their hypocrisy, still have of themselves  when its leaders are openly disregarding all morals and laws? Bertrand asks how this, a total disregard of all your ideals, would feel if it would happen inside of your self: You probably fall short  we all do  but the ideals still structure your behavior. They give you something to reach for, they provide the terms in which you can be criticized  including by your own internal dialogue. They make it possible for you to do better tomorrow. The hypocrisy  the gap between ideal and reality  is not the problem. Its the proof that the ideal still has a hold on you, that you can still be called back to it. As the saying goes, hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue. Now imagine you renounce all this. Imagine you stop being a hypocrite in the sense that you abandon your ideals entirely, that you start owning up to your worst self and become comfortable with your vices. You cheat on your spouse and stop pretending it bothers you. You neglect your children and make peace with it. Have you thus become refreshingly honest? Maybe. But youve also died inside. Youve become something deeply broken  beyond shame, beyond appeal. Youve lost the internal architecture that makes moral life possible. The little light that said this is not who I want to be is extinguished. That is what the United States just did [to itself]. The consequences of this are, frankly, terrifying. What happens when a nation stops telling itself it should be good? When societies lose their own moral framing they dissolve into anarchy. When politicians no longer feel a need to justify their deeds the will rule by brutality. Western societies, with the U.S. in the lead, are now well on their paths towards that future. What can be done to prevent that from happening? There is an urgent need to call them out, to insist on moral clarity. To reject any inner impulse to walk down the same path. To live by the golden rule, to treat others as you would want to treated by them. To apply this to international relation just as down to this blogs comments. If we dont stick by this we wont fare well. Comments
Recently, the Anhui Enterprises International Trade and Economic Cooperation Alliance and the Anhui Branch of the Bank of China jointly hosted the "Compliance as Foundation  Logistics as Enabler  2025 Annual Meeting of the Anhui Enterprises International Trade and Economic Cooperation Alliance and Anhui Enterprises GoingGlobal Linkage Conference." The linkage conference responded to the broader context of the restructuring of global trade rules and deep regional industrial chain adjustments, concentrating on the two key supports of "compliance" and "logistics" and building a multiparty collaborative platform that brings together government, enterprises, research institutions, financial bodies, and service providers. During the keynote sessions, experts shared insights on topics such as international investment trends, compliance system construction, digital risk control, exchangerate management, and logistics corridors  offering practical intelligence to support enterprises going global. In the roundtable discussions, representatives from the ChinaVietnam Chamber of Commerce Anhui Enterprises Association, Hansheng Law Firm, the Anhui Branch of China Construction Bank, and the Anhui Branch of the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation engaged in indepth exchanges under the theme "Compliance Safeguards for Anhui Merchants Going Global," providing actionable advice and forwardlooking insights for Anhui companies expanding overseas. Since its establishment, the Anhui Enterprises International Trade and Economic Cooperation Alliance has organized a series of international matchmaking activities such as "Engineering Plus" and "Finance Plus," as well as targeted events like the ASEANfocused "Group Going Global" session and the Anhui Merchants GoingGlobal Linkage Conference, greatly enhancing the organization and facilitation of enterprises' overseas expansion. As one of the alliance members, the Anhui Branch of the Bank of China has fully leveraged its roles as an "Anhui Global Investment Promotion Partner" and a "Anhui Going Global" partner to assist governments and enterprises at all levels in overseas investment promotion. By hosting goingglobal seminars and overseas business matchmaking events, it has provided crossborder financial services to nearly 7,000 importexport enterprises in the province. An alliance official stated that in 2026 the alliance will deepen its "fullchain, professionalized" services and build a more highend, specialized platform for going global, injecting new momentum into helping Anhui enterprises reach international markets and promoting highquality development of Anhui's open economy.

Source: Anhui Daily
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is coordinating four pilot projects approved by the decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers.

According to the response of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the request of the Interfax-Ukraine agency, the ministry reported that it is coordinating four pilot projects, in particular: a project on the implementation by the state enterprise of the Ministry of Defense "Defense Procurement Agency" of procurement of defense goods for the needs of the National Guard (from October 2025 - within six months), a project on the identification of bodies (remains) of persons killed (deceased) as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, using biometric data (from October 2025 - within one year); a project on the issuance of a temporary certificate of a citizen of Ukraine to citizens who are in the territories where hostilities are underway or temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation (from March 2024 - within two years); as well as a separate pilot project, the information on which contains information with limited access.

As reported, the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine is the coordinator of 18 experimental projects approved by the decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers; the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine is implementing three experimental projects, one more is being prepared for implementation; the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine is implementing nine experimental projects; the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is implementing nine experimental projects.

In September, a group of people's deputies registered in the parliament a draft resolution No. 14010 on the appeal of the Verkhovna Rada to the Cabinet of Ministers on the need to comply with the legal order defined by the Constitution of Ukraine. The document requires the government not to issue subordinate regulatory legal acts on issues that, according to the Constitution, fall within the exclusive powers of the Rada. In particular, it concerns the implementation of experimental projects.
Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Jamika Taijeron, right, provides updates on visitor arrival forecast for 2026 during a recent MVA board meeting. Photo by Bryan Manabat

By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE Marianas Visitors Authority is forecasting 148,000 visitors for fiscal year 2026, a slight improvement from earlier projections, but still below last years arrivals, as airlines continue to adjust flight schedules and seat capacity into the CNMI.

According to the local business community, 500,000 arrivals are needed to prevent further losses in the tourism sector.

MVA Managing Director Jamika Taijeron presented the updated forecast to board members during the agencys Dec. 29 meeting, outlining November arrival numbers, airline seat trends, and market activity in Japan and Korea.

Taijeron said the revised projection reflects a 2% increase from MVAs previous forecast, driven largely by updated seat capacity estimates. Total available seats for FY 2026 are now expected to be 7% higher than previously projected.

Were expecting 148,000 visitors this year, compared to 160,000 last year, Taijeron said. As more flights are confirmed and as we attract new airlines, this number will continue to increase. The goal is to exceed last years arrivals.

November arrivals

Visitor arrivals in November totaled 8,618, a 29.7% decline from the same month last year.

Japan was the lone bright spot, posting a 106% increase year over year due to group travel. Korea arrivals fell 42%, which Taijeron attributed to reduced seat capacity. China arrivals continued to show gradual improvement.

Seat capacity shifts, airline changes

The CNMI recorded 14,921 inbound seats in November, down from 19,405 in October. Taijeron said the October figure was inflated by additional flights tied to Koreas Chuseok holiday, while November saw reductions and suspensions by some carriers.

Load factors remained healthy, she said, at 73% in October and 76% in November.

A major factor affecting 2026 performance will be Jeju Airs shift from daytime to nighttime flights starting this year.

Daytime flights attract more FIT [Free Independent Travelers], who are typically higher spenders, Taijeron said. We expect some shift in market behavior because of this.

Other airline updates:

 Hong Kong Airlines adding twice-weekly flights starting in May

 Philippine Airlines included in the FY 2026 seat forecast

 Tway reducing flights from 30 in 2024 to 7 in 2025, significantly reducing Korean arrivals

 Jeju Air maintaining 30 flights year over year

 Japan flights increasing from 12 to 13

 Hong Kong flights decreasing from 9 to 8

 Guam flights increasing from 29 to 30

Cruise ships

Recently, two cruise ships, Asuka III and Mitsui Ocean Fuji, visited Saipan.

Asuka III, Japans newest flagship vessel operated by NYK Cruises, made its inaugural arrival on Dec. 31, docking at 6:30 a.m. and departing at 5 p.m. Mitsui Ocean Fuji had arrived on Dec. 30, following a stop in Guam the day before.

Mitsui Ocean Fuji carried 419 passengers and 346 crew members while Asuka III arrived with 522 passengers and 459 crew members.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE controversies surrounding the islands casino industry have once again been brought to the attention of the nations capital by the Washington Post.

The first time a Saipan casino made news on the U.S. mainland was in 2018, when Bloomberg Businessweek published a series of articles regarding alleged violations of federal law by the exclusive casino operator, Imperial Pacific International, and alleged corruption involving some CNMI officials.

The Posted news story dated Dec. 31, 2025 is titled, A Tiny US Territory in the Pacific Doubles Down on a Giant Chinese Casino.

Quoting lawyers representing creditors in the IPI bankruptcy case, the Post reported that both Imperial Pacific and Kanekos company are run by the same insiders, working together to ensure their debts are erased without making anyone they harmed  whole.

Hiroshi Kaneko is listed as the manager of Team King Investment (CNMI) LLC in the annual limited liability company report filed Feb. 4, 2025, with the CNMI Department of Commerces Registrar of Corporations, a copy of which was obtained by Variety in March 2025. The agent listed in the report is Ning Ning Song.

Kaneko (formerly known as Jin Song), 59, has served as executive director of Fullsun International Holdings Group Co., Limited since July 26, 2023, before the company was renamed Japan Kyosei Group Co. Ltd., the parent company of Kyosei Bank, which, according to the Post, is facing deepening financial and legal problems in Tokyo.

According to the Post, Kaneko and Team King Investment have long-standing ties to IPI owner Cui Lijie, 67, and her son, Ji Xiaobo.

But Louie Yanza, the attorney representing Kaneko in the CNMI, said that Team King Investment, which now owns the casino assets on Saipan, has no relationship or affiliation with Cui and IPI and is a good faith buyer.

The Post reported that although it is unclear how Ji and Kaneko met, they have maintained a business relationship for years. Yanza also said that Kaneko retired from Kyosei Bank to focus on the Saipan casino, but maintains a collaborative relationship with the company.

With the backing of Kyosei Bank, the resort will undoubtedly reopen as promised by both Kyosei Bank and Mr. Kaneko to the Saipan government, the Post quoted Yanza as saying.

The Post reported that Kaneko arrived on Saipan days after the passing of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and met with Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola in September. Following that meeting, Mendiola posted on his Facebook page, encouraging the government to streamline the process of reopening the resort.

That means providing support with permitting and regulatory requirements, ensuring full compliance with the law, Mendiola wrote. Its our responsibility to help see it through to completion.

He later told the Post, My office or the administrationcannot guarantee outcomes for any private project. We remain committed to transparency, lawful process, and protecting the public interest.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
Venezuela's captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores attend their arraignment with defense lawyers Barry Pollack and Mark Donnelly to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 5, 2026 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS

NEW YORK (Reuters)  Toppled Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to narcotics charges after President Donald Trumps stunning capture of him rattled world leaders and left officials in Caracas scrambling to regroup.

I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country, Maduro, 63, said through an interpreter, before being cut off by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan federal court.

Maduros wife Cilia Flores also pleaded not guilty. The next court date was set for March 17.

Dozens of protesters, both pro- and anti-Maduro, gathered outside the courthouse before the half-hour hearing.

Hours later in Caracas, Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as Venezuelas interim president with words of support for Maduro but no indication she would fight the U.S. move.

A recent U.S. intelligence assessment determined Rodriguez would be best positioned to lead a temporary government in Maduros absence, finding that opposition figures such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado or onetime presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez would struggle to gain legitimacy, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the classified report.

While many anti-Maduro activists had assumed this would be their moment, Trump appeared to have sidelined the Venezuelan opposition for now. Instead, he has suggested Rodriguez was willing to work with Washington.

In Caracas, senior officials from Maduros 13-year-old government remain in charge of the South American oil producer of 30 million people, alternating between spitting defiance and possible cooperation with the Trump administration.

The intelligence assessment concluded that Rodriguez was among the few Venezuelan leaders capable of maintaining order, along with the interior and defense ministers, in a government dominated by ideological opponents of the U.S., the Wall Street Journal said.

Rodriguezs brother, Jorge Rodriguez, was reappointed president of the overwhelmingly pro-Maduro National Assembly on Monday. He pledged to use all procedures, forums and spaces to bring Maduro back.

Trump told NBC News the U.S. was not at war with Venezuela. Rather, were at war with the people that sell drugs, he said.

The U.S. would need to help address the South American countrys problems before any new elections, Trump said, calling a 30-day timeline for a vote unrealistic.

We have to fix the country first. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote, Trump told NBC.

A scatter plot showing crude oil reserves on the horizontal axis and crude oil production on the vertical axis for OPEC and non-OPEC countries at the end of 2024.

A scatter plot showing crude oil reserves on the horizontal axis and crude oil production on the vertical axis for OPEC and non-OPEC countries at the end of 2024.

Accusations of cocaine trafficking

Maduro is accused of overseeing a cocaine-trafficking network that partnered with violent groups including Mexicos Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombian FARC rebels and Venezuelas Tren de Aragua gang.

He faces four criminal counts: narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.

Maduro has long denied the allegations, saying they were a mask for imperialist designs on Venezuelas rich oil reserves.

Trump has made no secret of wanting to share in Venezuelas oil riches. U.S. oil companies shares jumped on Monday, fueled by the prospect of access to those vast reserves.

While world leaders and U.S. politicians grappled with the extraordinary seizure of a head of state, the United Nations Security Council debated the implications of the raid, which was condemned by Russia, China and leftist allies of Venezuela.

U.N. chief Antonio Guterres raised concerns about instability in Venezuela and the legality of Trumps strike, the most dramatic U.S. intervention in Latin America since the 1989 Panama invasion. U.S. Special Forces swooped into Caracas by helicopter on Saturday, shattered Maduros security cordon and dragged him from the threshold of a safe room.

Shackled

On Monday morning, Maduro  his hands zip-tied  and his wife were escorted by armed guards in tactical gear from a Brooklyn detention center to a helicopter bound for the Manhattan federal court.

Shackled at the ankles and wearing orange and beige prison garb, Maduro listened to an interpreter through headphones as Judge Hellerstein summarized the charges.

Hellerstein asked Maduro to stand and confirm his identity. He replied in Spanish.

The judge told the couple of their right to inform the Venezuelan consulate of their arrests.

Prosecutors say Maduro has been involved in drug trafficking from the time he began serving in Venezuelas National Assembly in 2000 to his tenure as foreign minister and subsequent 2013 election as the late President Hugo Chavezs successor.

Military abduction

Maduro lawyer Barry Pollack said he anticipated voluminous and complex litigation over what he called his clients military abduction. He said Maduro was not requesting his release but may later.

Flores lawyer, Mark Donnelly, said she sustained significant injuries including severe bruising on her ribs and asked that she be provided X-rays and a physical evaluation.

Federal prosecutors in New York first indicted Maduro in 2020 as part of a long-running narcotics trafficking case against current and former Venezuelan officials and Colombian guerrillas. An updated indictment made public on Saturday added some new details and co-defendants, including Flores.

The U.S. has considered Maduro an illegitimate dictator since he declared victory in a 2018 election marred by allegations of massive irregularities.

Experts in international law have questioned the legality of the raid, with some condemning Trumps actions as a repudiation of a rules-based international order.

Oil aspirations

American oil companies will return to Venezuela and rebuild the sectors infrastructure, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday.

Were taking back what they stole, Trump said. Were in charge.

Trump said then that the administration had tipped off U.S. oil companies about the operation, but in the NBC interview he said: The oil companies were absolutely aware that we were thinking about doing something. But we didnt tell them we were going to do it.

He added that the U.S. may subsidize the rebuilding of the countrys oil infrastructure by U.S. majors, a project he said could be completed in less than 18 months.

CBS News, citing two unnamed sources, said representatives of oil majors Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and Chevron Corp would meet with Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

France, Britain and Turkey will push a proposal to deploy a peacekeeping force with possible logistical and intelligence assistance from the United States when they meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on January 6, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Tuesday, citing its own sources.

The talks will address outstanding issues, including rules of engagement, U.S. security guarantees and territorial disputes, including Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the report said.

European officials told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that there was a "new sense of urgency" after a meeting of national security advisers over the weekend and a gathering of military planners on January 5. They hope the meeting in Paris will help synchronize the positions of the United States, Ukraine and other European countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he hoped to present "concrete commitments" on Ukraines security after the talks. "The idea is that in the event of a ceasefire, there should be clarity about the composition and deployment of peacekeeping forces... Some officials say that different figures are being heard in different European capitals regarding the size of the contingent. They range from 15,000 to 20,000, although some hope it will be closer to 30,000 peacekeepers who will ensure the security of the sea, the sky and the land," the publication writes.

Military plans were not made public during the meeting. "The bulk of the troops are to be provided by France and the United Kingdom, which will be responsible for the ground and air components. Turkey has made it clear that it will assume responsibility for the security of transport routes in the Black Sea. However, it is not yet clear how close the potential Coalition of the Willing forces will be to the contact line. Most European officials with whom RFE/RL spoke believe that they will be deployed in western Ukraine to support and train Ukrainian troops," the report says.

One European diplomat acknowledged that one of the questions that still needs to be answered is the response to a possible Russian attack. "We are essentially still discussing whether to open fire or flee," he said.

Among the unresolved issues mentioned are the rules of use of force and security guarantees from the United States. While both Brussels and Kyiv are increasingly optimistic that Washington will provide a "reliable safeguard," it is still unclear what form this will take. European officials told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity that U.S. troops could be present on the ground in a noncombat role, monitoring the ceasefire. The coalition also hopes that Washington will continue to provide logistical and intelligence support.

The issue of territorial control will also be discussed in Paris: Ukraine is pushing for either a freeze on the contact line or the entire Donbas region to be turned into a demilitarized zone. Another issue is the ownership of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant in the occupied city of Energodar: the Ukrainian side rejects the idea of joint management of the plant by Ukraine and the Russian Federation, preferring instead the option in which the United States would intervene and sell the electricity produced at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Moscow, but Brussels doubts that the Russian Federation would agree to any of these points. At the same time, the European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against the Russian Federation - the twentieth since the start of the full-scale invasion. It is expected to be submitted to the member states for approval at the end of January.
For much of the post-WWII era, the United States maintained a set of institutional boundaries designed to govern the use of military force. War was understood to be exceptional, geographically bounded, legally regulated, and publicly accountable. Intelligence agencies gathered and assessed information. Military forces fought wars under declared authority, subject to the laws of armed conflict. Covert action existed, but as a marginal and politically risky exception rather than a governing mode.

Over the past two decades, those boundaries have steadily eroded in the U.S. The result is not simply a more assertive national security posture, but a transformation in how force itself is authorized, exercised, and justified. War has become increasingly untethered from formal declarations, legal clarity, and public accountability. U.S. recourse to military action has become routinized as a permanent, flexible instrument of policy rather than an exceptional act requiring Congressional approval and legal restraint. This transformation reflects a convergence of growing secrecy, elastic legal authority, and institutional incentives that favor action over restraint.

Venezuela as example

The recent U.S. attack on Venezuela provides a useful illustration of this transformation. Public reporting and official statements have been marked by ambiguity: unclear operational roles, uncertain legal authorities, and a heavy reliance on deniability. Whether any particular operation ultimately proves lawful or unlawful is less important here than the fact that its legal basis, chain of authority, and evaluative framework are unclear by design.

When it is difficult to determine whether an operation falls under military authority, intelligence activity, law enforcement, proxy action, or some hybrid, the distinction between war and non-war has already begun to dissolve. The question is no longer simply what happened, but under which framework it would even be evaluated. The Venezuela attack shows U.S. force projection increasingly operating in gray zones, where secrecy substitutes for accountability and legal boundaries are treated as adjustable.

Vanishing norms

Before the attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. national security institutions operated, at least formally, within more clearly defined roles and constraints. Intelligence agencies focused primarily on collection, analysis, and influence. The military conducted overt operations under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, embedded in chains of command governed by the laws of war. Covert action existed, but it was episodic, politically sensitive, and treated as an exceptional departure from normal practice rather than a standing mode of force.

The post-9/11 environment altered that balance in a more subtle but more consequential way. The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force did not openly declare a global or permanent war. Instead, it delegated to the Executive the authority to determine who constituted the enemy, without specifying geographic limits, temporal boundaries, or a mechanism for revisiting those determinations. That delegation, combined with the global framing of counterterrorism, created a durable framework for executive discretion untethered from defined enemies or clearly delimited conflicts.

Over time, what began as an emergency response to a specific attack hardened into a standing framework for discretionary force. The Central Intelligence Agency, historically an intelligence and influence organization, acquired persistent access to paramilitary and kinetic capabilities through covert action authorities. Lethal operations that once required extraordinary justification became routinized. Geographic limits faded as the concept of a global battlefield took hold. Temporal limits disappeared as the conflict was treated as ongoing by definition rather than by circumstance.

This transformation was not the product of a single decision or an explicit repudiation of prior norms. It emerged through an accretion of precedentseach legally defensible in isolation, each justified as necessary adaptation, but corrosive in aggregate. As enemy designation, operational scope, and conflict duration migrated from legislative definition to executive determination, the boundary between exceptional wartime authority and ordinary governance steadily eroded.

Title 10 and Title 50 legal authorities

At the heart of this transformation lies in an important distinction between two sections of U.S. statutory law. Title 10 governs the armed forces. It presumes overt military operations, clear chains of command, enforceable rules of engagement, and formal adherence to the laws of armed conflict. Title 50 governs intelligence activities, including covert action, where secrecy and deniability are central by design and oversight is limited to select congressional committees.

The CIAs founding statute did not envision the agency as an armed or war-fighting institution. Created by the National Security Act of 1947, the CIA was designed as a civilian intelligence organization focused on collection, analysis, and coordination. While the Act allowed the President to direct other intelligence-related functions, it assumed a clear separation between intelligence activity and the use of armed force, which remained the province of the military. The later expansion of CIA-directed lethal operations represents not the fulfillment of this design, but a departure from itone that occurred without including the legal and ethical frameworks that govern warfare.

Both authorities are lawful. The problem arises when lethal force migrates from the Title 10 framework to Title 50 without carrying its normative constraints along with it. Under Title 10, the laws of war are not optional guidelines; they are structurally embedded through training, doctrine, and enforceable accountability. Under Title 50, those same norms are difficult to enforce in practice, even when formally acknowledged. From an operational standpoint, the shift can be subtle. The same personnel may operate in the same regions, using the same weapons, against the same targets. What changes is the legal wrapperand with it, the mechanisms that make restraint meaningful rather than aspirational.

Converging Institutions

This authority migration has been reinforced by the growing convergence between intelligence agencies, elite special operations forces, and conventional military units. Over the past two decades, operational distinctions have blurred. Intelligence-led missions increasingly resemble military operations. Military units increasingly operate under intelligence authorities.

Elite military formations, such as units operating under Joint Special Operations Command, operate at the intersection of these frameworks. While their personnel are members of the armed forces and trained in the laws of war, their missions may be conducted under covert authorities designed for secrecy rather than battlefield accountability. Oversight fragments as operations shift between Title 10 and Title 50 regimes. The result is a gray zone in which responsibility is diffuse, attribution is contested, and restraint depends less on enforceable rules than on internal discretion.

This institutional convergence produces a greater hazard. When intelligence organizations possess standing kinetic authority, analysis itself is reshaped. Intelligence no longer functions solely to inform decision-makers; it becomes oriented toward enabling action. Evidence is evaluated through the lens of feasibility rather than restraint. Uncertainty becomes a justification for force rather than a reason for caution. Secrecy compounds this distortion. When decisions are insulated from external scrutiny, there is little corrective pressure to distinguish between intelligence assessment and operational advocacy. Even successful operations can degrade decision quality by reinforcing a system in which action validates analysis after the fact.

Erosion of the Laws of War

The laws of armed conflict function only when they are institutionally enforced. They rely on clear combatant status, transparent command responsibility, acceptance of surrender, and after-action accountability. Under Title 10, these requirements are explicit. For example, an order to take no prisoners would be unlawful, and U.S. service members are obligated to refuse it.

Covert lethal action undermines this structure not by openly violating the laws of war, but by sidestepping the conditions that make them operative. Intelligence agencies are not organized around battlefield transparency or public accountability. Their governing imperativessecrecy, deniability, mission successare fundamentally misaligned with the norms of military conflict. As covert lethality becomes normalized, legal exceptions accumulate. Over time, the exception becomes the rule, and restraint becomes discretionary rather than structural. The danger is not that war crimes are ordered, but that the bright lines preventing them fade from operational relevance.

Erosion of law at home

The implications extend beyond foreign policy. Institutional habits travel. Once normalized abroad, elastic authority, secrecy, and exceptionalism find analogues domestically in government surveillance, policing, and protest control. The boundary between external defense and internal governance weakens, not through conspiracy but through organizational drift. Militarism does not come home as a deliberate plan. It arrives as a consequence of government practices allowed to operate without oversight or legal limits.

Conclusion

Venezuela is not an isolated military operation. It is a symptom. The deeper danger lies in a national security system that conducts war outside the rules of war; exercises force without democratic constraint; and treats legal boundaries as adjustable rather than constitutive. Restoring restraint does not require abandoning security; it requires reasserting the institutional distinctions and safeguards that once made restraint enforceable. Without restoring clear distinctions between intelligence activity and war fighting; secrecy and accountability; and authority and legitimacy, the United States risks sliding into a condition of permanent war without boundaries.
Latin America is the region of open veins. Everything, from the discovery

until our times, has always been transmuted into European or later United

States capital, and as such has accumulated in distant centers of power.

Everything: the soil, its fruits and its mineral-rich depths, the people and their

capacity to work and to consume, natural resources and human resources.

Production methods and class structure have been successively determined

from outside for each area by meshing it into the universal gearbox of

capitalism For those who see history as a competition, Latin Americas backwardness

and poverty are merely the result of its failure. We lost; others won. But the

winners happen to have won thanks to our losing: the history of Latin

Americas underdevelopment is, as someone has said, an integral part of the

history of world capitalisms development. Our defeat was always implicit in

the victory of others; our wealth has always generated our poverty by

nourishing the prosperity of others  the empires and their native overseers. Eduardo Galeano, The Open Veins of Latin America

These two paragraphs, taken from page two of Galeanos 1971 classic tome, pretty much sum up the basic argument of The Open Veins of Latin America: what should have been a source of strength for the region  its vast wealth of natural, mineral and energy resources  became its greatest curse, attracting the unending attentions of foreign powers.

Since Columbus first voyage over 500 years ago, Latin America has always served the economic interests of an imperial metropole  first Madrid and Lisbon, then Paris and London, and finally Washington. By contrast, the 13 colonies to the north had been blessed with no gold or silver, no Indian civilizations with dense concentrations of people already organized for work, no fabulously fertile tropical soil on the coastal fringe. It was an area where both nature and history had been miserly: both metals and the slave labor to wrest it from the ground were missing. These colonists were lucky. (p.133).

It is a compelling argument, though one that, as Galeano himself would later admit* that he had overlooked other fundamental factors such as weak institutions and internal political and economic problems, such as government corruption.

However, Galeano did not in any way disavow the basic premise of the book (h/t Darthbobber), which quickly became a benchmark text for the Latin American left  so much so that it was banned in many of Latin Americas military dictatorships shortly after its release, including in Galeanos native Uruguay, where he would be jailed as a dissident.

In April 2009, during the Fifth Summit of the Americas, Venezuelas former President Hugo Chavez famously gave President Barack Obama a copy of the book. Obama had only been president for about 100 days, and Chavez may have hoped that the new occupant of the White House had sincerely meant what he had said about hope and change, and ending US wars.

Presumably, Obama didnt even bother to read the book. If he had, he may not have issued a presidential order in 2015 declaring the situation in Venezuela an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. That declaration opened the way for endless rounds of crippling sanctions against Venezuelas economy and people.

As Vijay Prashad delicately put it an an interview with Katie Halper, the United States, regardless of who is in power, is a piece of shit when it comes to Latin America.

However, in the past two and a half decades, something else has happened: China went global, becoming a near-peer economic rival to the US. At the turn of the century, as Washington was shifting the lions share of its attention and resources away from its immediate neighbourhood to the Middle East, where it squandered trillions spreading mayhem and death, China began snapping up Latin American resources.

This doesnt mean that US-backed coups were not attempted during this period, including against Venezuela in 2002 and 2019 (both unsuccessful) and Honduras in 2009 and Bolivia in 2019 (both successful), but rather that for a brief while Washingtons leash was loosened a little (h/t Valiant Johnson).

In the first decade governments across Latin America, from Brazil to Venezuela, to Ecuador and Argentina, took a leftward turn and began working together across various fora. They also began working with China. Unlike the US, Beijing generally does not try to dictate how its trading partners should behave and what sorts of rules, norms, principles and ideology they should adhere to.

Even governments in thrall to the US, such as Mileis in Argentina, have reluctantly embraced Chinas way of doing business. Chinese trade with Latin America grew over 40-fold between 2000 and 2024, from $12 billion to $515 billion.

Now, however, as the US retrenches from some of its commitments further afield (or at least tries/pretends to), the Trump administration is looking for peoples, resources and markets closer to home to respectively exploit, plunder and crowbar open. Sadly, it seems that a new chapter in Latin Americas long history of open veins is about to be written, and unfortunately Galeano is no longer around to do it, having passed away in 2015.

Dark Shades of the Past

In the wee hours of January 3, the US carried out its first direct military intervention in Latin America since its 1989 invasion of Panama to depose the then-military ruler, Manuel Noriega. That attack resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 people, mostly civilians. Current reports suggest that around 100 people, including 32 Cuban soldiers that were protecting President Nicolas Maduro, died in the US attacks against Venezuela in the early hours of January 3.

The attack has drawn inevitable parallels with the capture of Noriega as well as the Honduran armys kidnapping and removal of President Manuel Zelaya to Costa Rica in 2009. It also bears similarities with the US kidnapping of the Mexican drug cartel leader Mayo Zambada in 2024. Like Zambada, Maduro may have been kidnapped by US forces as a result of insider betrayal, but there is as yet no definitive proof of this.

As Ambassador Chas Freeman said in an interview with the Neutrality Studies podcast, Maduro appears to have fallen victim to his own complacency regarding Trumps intentions:

Nicolas Maduro discounted it too much. He seemed to believe that Trump would not be serious. The first thing to note is that the operation itself was very skilfully managed. The second is that it is entirely illegal, indecent, an atrocity really. And I think it put to an end three centuries of trying to develop a rule of law internationally.

Ret. Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson described the attack on Venezuela as the USs biggest foreign policy blunder to date  an attack that not only put an end to international law but replaced it with chaos.

The Trump administration claims to have taken full control of Venezuela despite having no troops on the ground, apart from presumably a few special forces. The Chavista government and political system remains very much intact and in control despite the US extraordinary rendition of its president.

Put simply, there has been no regime change nor is there a power vacuum.

As such, the Trump administrations claims that the US is now in full control of Venezuelan oil are almost certainly premature. Whats more, the US has not nearly enough troops in the region to mount a full-scale invasion of Venezuela, a country more than twice the size of Iraq. Even if it did, it would risk suffering a fate similar, or even worse, than it did in Vietnam, as we warned a few months ago.

The question many are now asking is how long can this new, highly precarious situation hold together, especially with Trump threatening to launch a second wave of attacks if the new government fails to comply with US demands. The answer is nobody knows. If the power centre does begin to give way, the country could descend into chaos and violence very quickly.

One thing that is known is that the Chavista government is nothing if not resilient. It has faced just about every possible form of attack from the US over the past two and a half decades, with the exception of a full-scale invasion. Yet somehow, like Cuba, it has managed to survive. In other words, it has deep wells of resolve and support. But will they hold if the US intensifies its shakedown of the government and tightens its chokehold on the economy?

In her first communication as new acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez struck a combative stance, alleging that the assault had clear Zionist overtones. This was apparently in reference to the fact that New York-based hedge fund manager Paul Singer, an avid supporter of Israel (and Trump) who bought Citgo, the US-based subsidiary of Venezuelas state-owned oil company, just months ago for $5.9 billion  a sale that was forced by a Delaware court after Venezuela defaulted on its bond payments  will be among the biggest beneficiaries of a US takeover of Venezuelan oil.

Delcy also declared that Venezuela will never be the colony of an empire again and demanded the release of President Maduro. In her second address, however, she struck a more conciliatory tone:

Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence. Our country aspires to live without external threats, in an environment of respect and international cooperation. We believe that global peace is built by first guaranteeing peace within each nation, according to a post Rodriguez wrote in Instagram on Sunday. We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law to strengthen lasting community coexistence, read the post. President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. This has always been President Nicolas Maduros message, and it is the message of all of Venezuela right now. This is the Venezuela I believe in and have dedicated my life to. I dream of a Venezuela where all good Venezuelans can come together. Venezuela has the right to peace, development, sovereignty and a future.

Rumours of Betrayal

Some prominent Chavistas, including Eva Golinger, are clearly not happy about Rodriguezs acquiescence, with some even using the word betrayal to describe her actions.

Just a day after the US bombed Venezuela and abducted Maduro, Delcy is openly cooperating with Trump and moving forward. No more calls to return Nicolas and Cilia. Shes President now, with Trumps blessing. Next up, US Embassy reopens in Caracas. pic.twitter.com/ucLzhdOLLw  Eva Golinger (@evagolinger) January 5, 2026

When it comes to betrayal by presidential successors, Latin America has a rich, storied history, as reader vao noted in yesterdays comments:

The handover from Rafael Correa to Lenin Moreno in Ecuador constitutes a sobering precedent: from a leftist government that implemented quite a number of reforms favouring the working class, sovereignty in the exploitation of resources, and autonomy from the USA to one doing a 180-turn (Baerbock-360) that privatized everything, abolished social reforms, exited ALBA, accepted the yoke of the IMF, and started a steady cooperation with the USA. The former base of Correa protested heavily, and was crushed. Moreno had been vice-president of Correa, and was member of the same party  just like Delcy Rodriguez wrt. Nicolas Maduro.

Rodriguezs promotion also brings to mind the US-approved appointment of Dina Boluarte, Perus then-vice president, as president in 2022, following the removal, arrest and imprisonment of Pedro Castillo, Perus first ever indigenous president. Broadly reviled from the get-go, Boluarte would go on to become one of the worlds most unpopular leaders, reaching a disapproval rating of 94% before herself being impeached by Perus Congress late last year.

A Loaded Gun to the Head

For the moment, there is no conclusive evidence that Delcy betrayed Maduro, at least that Im aware of. Things are moving exceptionally fast, reliable information is scarce, even in the Spanish-speaking press, and the dust has not even settled from the US January 3 attack. Also, in Delcys defence, what else could she do?

She currently has a loaded gun pointed at her head. Trump himself, in full New York mobster mode, said she could pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro, if she doesnt comply with US demands, including giving US corporations total access to the oil and other things.

In other words, the president of the United States is openly threatening to assassinate the head of state of a sovereign nation, just as Israel has been doing. At the same time, the US naval blockade is beginning to asphyxiate the Venezuelan economy.

Delcy and her brother, Jorge, the president of Venezuelas National Assembly, are arguably the most powerful duo in Venezuela. Besides vice president, Delcy has served as energy minister as well as foreign minister and played a key role overseeing the day-to-day management of Venezuelas COVID-19 response. In short, she is internationally connected and competent.

Whats more, the two siblings know from first-hand experience just how high the stakes can go in US-led power struggles in their native country: their own father, Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, a student leader and left-wing politician, was tortured to death by Venezuelas US-controlled security forces in 1976 at the tender age of 34.

I interviewed incoming Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez in her office four years ago Toward the end of our exchange, I asked her about her father, revolutionary leader Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, who was jailed and tortured to death by the US-backed gov't in 1976, and how that pic.twitter.com/J1TdhbyBn3  Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) January 3, 2026

Two things we know for sure: Nobel War Prize winner Maria Corina Machado has been left out of the equation by both Trump and (a presumably reluctant) Marco Rubio, at least for the foreseeable future. Trump said that while Machado was a very nice woman, she doesnt have the support within or the respect within the country to lead Venezuela.

As we have been warning over the past month or so, there is no way the Venezuelan people, including many opposition supporters, would accept a Machado-led government, especially after Trumps announcement in December that Venezuelas oil effectively belongs to the US. She is broadly seen as a traitor to her country, even by opposition politicians and voters.

This lesson may hold a sliver of hope for Latin America. As Trump careens his way through the region, threatening its governments and insulting its peoples, other governments in thrall to US interests may become equally reviled by voters.

There are apparently other reasons for Washingtons dropping of Machado, including Trumps wounded pride

Insanity: Sources close to the White House told the Washington Post Trump lost interest in backing Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to lead the country because she accepted her Nobel Peace Prize rather than demanding it be given to Trump, which was viewed as an pic.twitter.com/FDVLJZCtJ9  MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) January 5, 2026

In abandoning Machado, Edmundo Gonzalez and most other members of Venezuelas rent-an-opposition, the Trump administration has infuriated elements of Spains Conservative Right, including Jose Maria Aznars FAES foundation, which has invested lots of political and financial capital propping them up. And that in turn appears to be causing a split in Spains right-wing bloc. And thats at least one positive to take from all this.

The second thing we know for sure is that Latin America now faces a new wave of US gangsterism and resource plunder  one that has even less regard for things like national sovereignty, international law and human rights. While this new wave may be led and personified by Trump, behind him is the full weight of the US energy and military complexes as well as the Tech bro billionaires, who are looking not only for resources to plunder but also new freedom cities to seed, just like Prospera Inc. in Honduras.

The attack on Venezuela was the first real manifestation of the so-called Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Said corollary, as outlined in the recently published National Security Strategy document, asserts Washingtons right to restore American pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere, and to deny non-Hemispheric competitors  primarily, China  the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets.

Those vital assets apparently include Venezuelas vast oil reserves, which Trump cannot stop talking about. However, as Yves pointed out in her post yesterday, wringing more production out of Venezuelas oil fields would require a long period of investment before any real payoff took place. And that investment is likely to run into the tens of billions of dollars.

Trump has also stated that while his government would open Venezuelan crude only for US companies, he expected to keep selling crude to China, which currently consumes most of Venezuelas small (but recovering) output.

A Treasure Trove of Strategic Minerals

But oil isnt the only strategic resource lying under Venezuelan soil. The country is also home to the fourth largest gold reserves on the planet and eighth largest natural gas reserves, as well as a treasure trove of critical minerals (bauxite, iron ore, copper, zinc, nickel and even rare earth materials). However, as Investor News points out, these critical mineral riches remain largely theoretical  geological possibilities rather than proven, bankable reserves:

Yet despite this vast resource wealth, commercial extraction is negligible. Minerals such as coal, lead, zinc, copper, nickel, and gold each account for less than 1% of Venezuelas output (Ebsco.com), and there are no major foreign mining projects on the ground

Due to a chronic lack of infrastructure, investor-friendly regulations and up-to-date exploration data, commercial extraction is negligible, notes the Investor News piece. Minerals such as coal, lead, zinc, copper, nickel, and gold each account for less than 1% of Venezuelas output, and there are no major foreign mining projects on the ground. At least not yet.

However, Wall Street funds are apparently already eying opportunities in the country, reports the Wall Street Journal. The kidnapping of Maduro has apparently sparked renewed interest in unlocking Venezuelas abundant natural resources:

Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Global Advisors and a former head of investment advisory firm Evercore. Myers said in an interview he is planning a trip to Venezuela with officials from top hedge funds and asset managers to determine whether there are investment prospects in the country under new leadership. The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors, among others, Myers said. The tentative plan is for the group to travel to Venezuela in March and meet with the new government including the new president, finance minister, energy minister, economy minister, head of the central bank and the Caracas stock exchange.

And lest we forget, the Trump corollary is as much about trying to shut out the US strategic rivals  namely China, Russia and Iran  from strategic resources on the American continent as it is about the US getting its own dirty, blooded hands on them. And as we reported some time ago, China had begun to invest a lot in Venezuelas oil sector, including in local refineries.

Put simply, the spice must not be allowed to flow to US rivals. Here we have the US ambassador to the UN saying exactly that yesterday:

Occasionally they spell it out. Here's the US at the UN security council this afternoon pic.twitter.com/hLLJPAB0ZH  Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) January 5, 2026

This may sound vaguely familiar to long-standing NC readers, since a similar message was sent three years ago by the former SOUTHCOM commander, general Laura Richardson, in her address to the Atlantic Council.

Rare earth elements, lithium, oil, light sweet crude, copper, gold, the Amazon, and fresh water. This is what the United States wants to plunder from Latin America and the Caribbean. pic.twitter.com/Q9Rh5XP0jB  Kawsachun News (@KawsachunNews) January 21, 2023

In the speech Richardson relayed how Washington, together with US Southern Command, is actively negotiating the sale of lithium in the lithium triangle to US companies through its web of embassies, with the goal of box[ing] out our adversaries  i.e. China, Russia and Iran.

Which begged the question: what would happen if the US was unable to box out Russia and China, especially given the explosion of Chinese trade and investment in the region? Richardson answered as follows (emphasis my own): in some cases our adversaries have a leg up. It requires us to be pretty innovative, pretty aggressive and responsive to what is happening.

As we noted at the time, the US was essentially rejigging its Monroe Doctrine for a new age  an age in which it was rapidly losing economic influence, even in its own backyard  in order to apply it to China and Russia. At more or less the same time, the Biden administration signed, to minimal fanfare, a minerals security partnership (MSP) with some of its strategic partners, including the European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the UK.

In a press statement, the US Department of State said:

The goal of the MSP is to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled in a manner that supports the ability of countries to realise the full economic development benefit of their geological endowments.

As NC reader Sardonia put it sardonically, this is surely some of the most polite language ever heard from someone holding a gun to someone elses head as they demand the contents of their victims purse. The US describes the partnership as a coalition of countries that are committed to responsible critical mineral supply chains to support economic prosperity and climate objectives. Reuters offered a more fitting description: a metallic NATO.

The Trump administration is merely taking this approach to a whole new level, and doing so in the crassest, most dangerous possible way. After kidnapping Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, just two days ago, the Trump administration will presumably be returning its attentions to the Panama Canal and Greenland. Trump has already made direct threats against the governments of Cuba, which depends heavily on Venezuelas commandeered oil, Colombia and Mexico.

BREAKING:  Marco Rubio and Trump are now THREATENING Cuba as well: "If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, Id be concerned, at least a little bit" pic.twitter.com/cQ0Janvw8E  Megatron (@Megatron_ron) January 3, 2026

Senator Lindsay Graham is hardly able to contain his glee as Trump tells reporters that Cuba is ready to fall, and that there are a lot of great Cuban Americans that will be happy about this.

Look at Lindsey Graham. He looks like a little boy at Christmas. He cant hide his neocon orgasm when he hears Trump about Cuba. When he looks at the other guy hes thinking See. I told ya I would get him to do it, I told ya.

pic.twitter.com/R8QIxSqoAx  Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) January 5, 2026

Here is Rubio, again, explaining that while the US (apparently) doesnt need Venezuelan oil, China, Russia and Iran certainly shouldnt be getting their hands on it.

 HOLY HELL: Marco Rubio just said the quiet part out loud. Asked by Kristen Welker why the U.S. needs Venezuelan oil, Rubio didnt cite law, trade, or consent. He said: Why does China need their oil? Russia? Iran? This is the West. This is where we live. Russia, China, pic.twitter.com/blWYMFW1L5  Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) January 4, 2026

On Sunday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One:

Colombia is governed by a sick man, who likes to make cocaine and sell it to the United States, but he is not going to continue for much longer, let me tell you.

When asked by a reporter if Washington is considering an operation like the one in Venezuela, Trump did not rule it out: It sounds good to me.

Trump has also threatened, once again, to attack Mexico in recent days, prompting a stinging rebuke from President Claudia Sheinbaum:

We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. The history of Latin America is clear and compelling: Intervention has never brought democracy, has never generated well-being or lasting stability.

Five Latin American states (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Chile) issued a joint statement with Spains Pedro Sanchez government rejecting the US unilateral military operations in Venezuela, describing them as violations of international law and warning of the risk to regional peace.

This is a tiny fraction of the total number of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (33). As always, Latin America is sharply divided between pro-US national governments and more independent-minded ones. However, populist right-wing parties are having more success at the ballot box, in part because of Trumps threats of dire consequences if voters support other parties, as we have already seen in Argentina and Honduras.*

It remains to be seen how the US naked aggression in Venezuela will play out among voters in Colombia and Brazil, where elections will be held this year. Meanwhile, as Spains El Diario recently reported, while the US has escalated its war of aggression against Venezuela, the White House has been discreetly signing security agreements with other countries that will allow it to deploy soldiers in Latin America and the Caribbean:

In recent weeks, the United States has struck military deals with Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Peru, as the Trump administration announced blockades of sanctioned oil tankers, ordered the seizure of ships, and launched the airstrikes that have killed more than 100 people in the Caribbean and Pacific. In addition, Washington has opened a new phase in its campaign against Maduro with CIA attacks inside the country. The agreements range from access to airports, as in the case of Trinidad and Tobago, to the temporary deployment of U.S. troops in joint operations against narco-terrorists, as in Paraguay. They are being signed under the banner of the so-called war on drugs, the same justification that Washington uses for its offensive against Venezuela, although White House officials and Trump himself have said that toppling dictator Nicolas Maduro and seizing the countrys gigantic energy reserves are also among the objectives.

But even that narrative is now being discarded  at least for Venezuela. Now that Maduro is in a New York prison awaiting trial, the US Justice Department has quietly dropped its claim that Venezuelas Cartel de los Soles is an actual group.

Unbelievable. After months of propaganda claiming Maduro is the head of the dangerous drug-smuggling cartel, the US government has admitted it was all a ruse in order to kidnap a sitting head of state. pic.twitter.com/FgniUNrPiL  Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) January 6, 2026

As we warned from the very beginning of the US deployment of troops in the Caribbean, the US rapidly escalating war on the drug cartels is nothing but a handy pretext for another wave of resource grabs in a region the US has always seen as its own backyard:

This forever war has about as much to do with combatting the narcotics trade as the forever wars in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan had to do with combatting Islamist terrorism. After all, the US is arguably the largest enabler of drug trafficking organisations on the planet while it wages a Global War on Drugs, just as it has been arguably the largest supporter of Islamist terrorist organisations while waging a Global War on Terror. Both types of organisations have proven to be useful allies in the pursuance of US imperial ambitions (e.g. the Colombian and Mexican cartels during Nicaraguas Contra insurgency in the 1980s, or the Al Qaeda offshoots in Syria) while also serving as handy pretexts for military intervention.

In the following clip, Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, sums up the (not exactly) new brand of imperialist thinking underpinning the Trump administrations naked expansionist goals: if the natives cant manage their own resources, well just have to do it for them. Then, after plundering the mineral resources of the regions countries, the US can turn around and blame them for being poor.

But just because Washington covets Latin Americas resources does not mean it will actually get them. As Yves documented yesterday, it will take years of investment and (at least) tens of billions of dollars for Venezuelan oil to be even close to ready to be exploited in serious volumes. Few companies are likely to be willing to part with that sort of cash, especially in light of the fact that Washington does not control Venezuelan territory, even at a figurative level.

However, Trump just announced that it will be the US government that will be doing the spending (h/t JD). After all, socialising private sector losses  and now, large scale investments overseas  while privatising profits is now the model of US governance. Exxon Mobil, for example is under investigation in the US Senate over allegations that US taxpayers are unknowingly subsidizing the oil giants lucrative operations in neighbouring Guyana.

As the Guyana Business Journal reported in September, ExxonMobil is essentially claiming US tax credits for taxes on oil revenues that the Guyana government itself pays on the companys behalf, rather than taxes the company actually pays itself. In other words, Guyana pays Exxons taxes, which Exxon then claims back from the US government. Keep in mind that Exxon is almost certainly one of the oil companies Marco Rubio says will be helping to rebuild Venezuelas oil sector  apparently for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.

In the end, the US will fail in its attempt to take over the American hemisphere, lock, stock and, ahem, barrel, due in large part to the Trump administrations abject inability to plan for complex situations  it cant even run its own government departments let alone others. However, it is perfectly capable of sowing a vast trail of devastation and bloodshed in its wake, just as US governments have been doing in the region for the best part of the past two centuries.

* In 2014, Galeano partially disavowed Open Veins, saying in a speech in Brasilia that he would never read [the book] again, because if he did, he would faint. According to Galeano, the book was written in a tedious style, using the doctrinal tone of the traditional left. He also added that in those early days of his career, he didnt know enough about politics and economics to write a book of such scale and scope.

That said, Galeano did not disavow in any way the basic premise of the book. A few months after the speech, he made the following clarification in an interview (h/t Darthbobber):

The book, written ages ago, is still alive and kicking. I am simply honest enough to admit that at this point in my life the old writing style seems rather stodgy, and that its hard for me to recognize myself in it since I now prefer to be increasingly brief and untrammeled.

It takes rare humility for an artist of any kind to make such a frank admission about ones work, especially ones best known work, and especially in the twilight years of ones life. For interested readers, heres a link to a full copy (in English) of The Open Veins of Latin America, which includes a foreword by Isabel Allende. Its well worth the effort.
At the risk of speculating at the top of an article as opposed to working though a lot of arguments first, it would, based on Trumps temperament and the seeming great success of knocking off Venezuela, or at least Maduro and his wife, seem to no-brainer that he will move sooner rather than later in seizing, as opposed to merely raiding, Greenland. Douglas Macgregor just described the Caracas romp as a vanity project. Trump will have considerable need for big splashy news-dominating distractions, based on the certainty of losing the war in Ukraine, Epstein not going away, and more and more economic pain for the bottom 90% in the US, starting with rising health care costs. And Trump loves the idea of leaving his stamp on history. The idea of a massive territorial acquisition is an even better monument than getting his face added to Mount Rushmore.

 The true size of Greenland pic.twitter.com/k4W3fI1uyS  World of Statistics (@stats_feed) January 5, 2026

As many have noted, Greenland would be trivially easy for the US to take. It has fewer than 60,000 people, with over 1/3 in its biggest city, Nuuk. The US already has a base there. As well unpack below, Denmark (much like Maduro apparently did before his capture) has offered the US every conceivable concession save handing over or selling Greenland.

For the moment, EU member states are making noises about solidarity with Denmark when they are in no position to stop a US grab.

Perhaps Denmark will do the rest of Europe a big favor and agree on a price. But there is one consideration that might lead Trump to hold back, which is not the death of NATO which seems like a certain result. Aurelien is probably best able to describe what that might look like operationally. But a more immediate result would be European states redirecting arms buys away from the US as fast as possible and actually having to put muscle and industrial strategy behind building up their arms industries.

Given the lack of managerial skills in elites all across the West, all the Europeans can do is yet more noise-making. At the end of this post, we have embedded a freshly-released Joint Statement as an illustration.

For starters, how do they quickly wean themselves of dependence on intel and targeting from US satellites? And what about all those bases in Europe? Even though the US under Trump has been making noises about reducing US forces there (now 84,000) and even closing some, several, particularly Ramstein in Germany, are key to force projection in the Middle East. And unlike Incirlik in Turkiye, where Turkiye has preserved some veto rights over US operations, Ramstein is a permanent US military installation.

But will the US military industrial complex be wiling to take that risk? Will a parade of ex-generals now on the boards of defense contractors tell Trump that taking Greenland could be very bad for their business and he needs instead to keep pressure on Denmark to cinch a sale?

A new story in the Financial Times describes the panic at top of Europe over Trump directly and via his chief of staff Steve Miller of doubling down on threats against Greenland.

The US will "de-colonize" Denmark by annexing Greenland. Stephen Miller will not rule out military force, and points out the weak Europeans will not fight back. After decades of enthusiastic support for US imperialism, Europe now finds itself on the receiving end. pic.twitter.com/pbYybUpBrg  Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) January 6, 2026

However, keep in mind that Trump has yet to do anything muscular, like flying more soldiers into the Pituffik Space Base.

Nevertheless, European leaders seem to be in denial about the possibility that Trump is likely to proceed absent domestic impediments, despite having been verbally abused in person at the Munich Security Conference last year and rubbished in the recent National Security Strategy paper. Among other wee problems, many unpopular leaders have hitched what remains of their fortunes to Russophobia, when Europe is not and will not any time soon be able to stare down Russia alone. From the pink paper:

Its a fine line, said one senior European official. The solidarity with Denmark is crystal clear for everyone. But then theres Venezuela where nobody is sorry [Nicolas] Maduro is going, but there are legal questions. And we want to keep the US onside for a dignified outcome in Ukraine. A second EU official said: We know who our allies no longer are. Its just we are still hoping we are wrong and the problem will go away, referring to Trumps disregard for the generation-old transatlantic alliance and the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on Washington. We know what needs to be done, we just need to bloody do it.

One Financial Times reader tartly shredded that view:

Androcydes

The lesson is that if you outsource your security to someone else, you cant defend yourself from those that provide your security.

Notice that fear of Trump is so great that he has assumed the status of He Who Must Not Be Named:

But few explicitly denounced the US, and none referred to Trump by name despite the US president again saying we need Greenland just hours after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told him to stop issuing threats over the vast Arctic island. [Denmark Prime Minister Mette] Frederiksen warned that repeated US ambitions over Greenland could threaten the future of Nato. If the United States attacks another Nato country, everything stops, she said on Monday. Under a 75-year-old defence agreement, the US already has the sole military base on Greenland and local authorities in recent years have been open to it expanding its presence or opening a new one. But the US has reduced its presence on the Arctic island from a cold war peak of more than 10,000 soldiers to fewer than 200 at present. Greenlandic ministers have also said that their island is open for business. But US investors have been slow to show an interest in the nascent mining industry, officials say. The only thing they havent yet offered is something they cant ever offer: for Greenland to become part of America, said one senior EU diplomat. Another added: They dont need to annex it. They can have whatever they want. That is what makes it so puzzling.

The last remark shows a bizarre lack of comprehension about how Trump rolls. He is an extreme materialist and egoist. He had wet-dream level excitement over the grotesque prospect of a Trump Riviera in Gaza. He was pleased with his new coinage of the Donroe Doctrine. Getting legal rights that are tantamount to ownership is not in the same league as directly expanding US territorial holdings.

Later in the story:

The Greenland issue is particularly sensitive for Nato and its secretary-general Mark Rutte. Any US military action to take the island would result in two allies in direct conflict, throwing the alliances fundamental mutual defence clause into question and probably forcing the other 30 members to pick sides. Officials point to a change in stance from other regional Nato members who are now supportive of the alliance playing a greater role in the Arctic, and the success Canada has had in smothering Trumps previous rhetoric about making the country part of the US, in part by increasing defence spending. Trump belittled Denmarks approach on Sunday, claiming that it had added one dog sled to its defence of Greenland. But Copenhagen said in October that it would spend $4.2bn on two military units, a new Arctic Command headquarters, two ships, maritime patrol aircraft, drones and air surveillance radar units, all in Greenland.

Matt Stoller pointed out that there is plenty of precedent for how 1890s-loving Trump operates:

The best way to understand what just happened is to start with history. Because while Trump is unusually explicit about his rationalization for seizing control over a resource-rich territory, U.S. domination of the oil reserves of South America is not new. And neither is the fusion of corporate and state interest. Ninety five years ago, in 1931, Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, who owned Gulf Oil (now Chevron), forced the President of Colombia to give his company the Barco oil concession, which borders Venezuela. How? Well Wall Street banks and the U.S. government threatened to withhold vitally needed bank loans if Colombia did not cede the franchise. The parallels to the situation today are there. When Mellon seized these reserves, in partnership with JP Morgan banking interests, gunboat diplomacy was the norm. In the prior two decades, the U.S. had finished brutally putting down a resistance movement in the Philippines, and had become the global economic and political power after a gruesome world war. Woodrow Wilson had tried to establish a global rules-based order, which the GOP in the 1920s sabotaged. At the time, Democrats were incompetent and split, as it was an era of deep reverence for the wealthy and bitter culture warring over race and alcohol. For instance, the head of the DNC in the late 1920s, a Dupont executive named John J. Raskob, published a pamphlet titled Everybody Ought to Be Rich encouraging Americans to borrow money to invest in the stock market. Just as there is increasing support for cynical and nihilistic figures today, many in the 1920s felt warmly towards Mellon, Mussolini, and authoritarianism in general. U.S. Steel chairman Judge Elbert Gary encouraged Americans to learn something by the movement which has taken place in Italy, while progressive and New Republic founder Herbert Croly called Mussolini as substituting purposive behavior for drifting and visions of a great future for collective pettiness and discouragement. Gunboat diplomacy fit in well.

Again, the gaming. or one might say display of hopium, by EU leaders pre-supposes a decent level of rationality as well as restraint from Trump. But recall that he tried again to escalate against China even after Xi dropped the rare earths hammer, via threatening new tariffs in October. He has actually done so via his Venezuela land grab, where China has an estimated $70 billion in investment and was also using oil shipments as a method for repaying about $10 billion of loans.

However, Trump is deteriorating. He has been looking more aged of late and even slurring his speech. IM Doc argued last July that Trump has, not Alzheimers but white matter disease. and one of its major effects is loss of normal social filters. Trump as an obvious narcissist was already weak in that category. He has also chosen to surround himself with toadies. That is likely to mean even less restraint in a President who was already unduly impulsive and recently visibly fond of violence. From IM Docs comment:

We as physicians should be very careful to call out diagnoses on videos of patients. That being said, with Joe Biden it was so obvious that my kids could tell something was wrong. His dementia is obviously a part of some kind of neurodegenerative disorder  the symptoms of which were easy for all rational diagnosticians to see as far back as 2019. The open mouth gape, the constant inappropriate whispering, the pigeon toed gait, the peculiar way he fell, the inability to navigate stairs, the constant emotional disruptions, all pointed to that and it was not even closely subtle. Anyone can see it  play a tape of Joe Biden 2023  and a tape of Joe Biden 2013. This was not simple aging. Anyone that is a true diagnostician that tells you otherwise is a liar or actually does not see patients. The media and political coverup of this has been something for the ages. Trump is a completely different animal. He certainly does not have Alzheimers Disease. He absolutely has personality traits  and just listening to him and watching his behavior  I lean toward Narcissistic Personality Disorder and likely Antisocial Personality Disorder. Having been around wealthy and powerful people for large amounts of my professional life, he is not alone, indeed, he may be less affected with these than the majority I know. At his age, and with some of the behavior I see, there is a far more common issue that may be going on. It is known as microvascular white matter disease  what used to be known in our culture as hardening of the arteries. This is profoundly common in The West. Multiple theories abound as to the cause..smoking, eating unnatural fats all of our lives ( chips, french fries, donuts, KFC), diabetes and obesity. One may look at this as the brain manifestation of what we call Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X. The white matter contains the billions of conduits going from one neuron to the other in the brain as opposed to the gray matter where the actual neurons reside. As we get older  and some of us are far more prone to this than others  the white matter begins to have large numbers of microscopic strokes. These may take out the CONDUIT for 10-15 neurons, maybe more BUT NOT THE NEURONS THEMSELVES. Our brain can rewire around them but eventually things begin to look like Swiss Cheese and there is no way to repair things. At that point, symptoms begin to set in. This is usually manifested as filter deficiencies, sudden emotional outbursts, inability to decide, long diatribes and stories about things from decades ago, inability to recognize ones own mistakes and deficiencies, some mild memory issues but maybe not, increased impulsive and risk-taking behavior, anger and wrath, inappropriate laughing and crying among many others. This disease process also greatly magnifies the underlying personality disorders. There are more than 20 personality disorders  and it is often a sight to behold as some of these get worse. This affects so many of our elderly. It is absolutely not Alzheimers. But it can eventually become a type of what we call dementia. Unlike Alzheimers, these patients can feed themselves, care for themselves, do housework, engage in family and social activities, and be self-aware. They however, are often kept in the attic away from the world so as not to embarrass themselves. I try my best with my patients to give them avatars in literature and culture to understand their issues. Literature is full of examples of this  but the most easy to comprehend touchstone for most people is the little old lady Sophia from The Golden Girls  Bea Arthurs mom.

So if IM Doc is correct, the trajectory of Trumps deterioration will result in even more ego-driven behavior, as difficult as a further ramping up in that category might be to envision. But if his assessment is correct, that increases the odds of a US seizure of Greenland and all of the huge fallout that would result. So be warned.
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Nashvilles blockbuster special election ended on Dec. 2, when Republican Matt Van Epps fended off a challenge from Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn  but every even-numbered year brings a fresh campaign season in Tennessees nine congressional districts.

New year-end reports show that Behn stashed $465,000 of the $3.3 million in her failed bid to replace outgoing conservative U.S. Rep. Mark Green in Tennessees 7th Congressional District, leaving the East Nashville politician poised for a follow-up campaign in the 2026 midterms. Van Epps, who won his seat with the help of millions in outside spending from national conservative committees, spent his campaign funds nearly to zero by Election Day. The Republican reported just $45,000 in cash on hand as of Dec. 22, nearly all of which came from special-interest PACs during or after his Election Day win.

Trump, GOP Target Behn in Spending Spree Nashville briefly gets the battleground spotlight as GOP money machine safeguards against an upset in Tennessee's 7th

National dollars and media attention flocked to Middle Tennessee in the lead-up to the Dec. 2 special election, which became a temperature check for Trumps policies nearly a year into his second presidential term. Republicans control the U.S. Senate and White House and enjoy a slim majority in the House of Representatives, making every seat a potential threat to the partys D.C. power monopoly. Behn raised millions with the national spotlight and has positioned herself to take another shot at Congress. Her 9 percentage point loss was a dramatic improvement for Democrats in a district redrawn in 2022 by GOP state legislators.

Behn recently told the Scene that shes unreachable for comment until Jan. 9. Her campaign finance reports also drew four alerts from the FEC on Dec. 21 for exceeding donor limits and certain apparent bookkeeping errors.

In September, Democratic Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder announced a challenge to scandal-ridden U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in Tennessees 5th Congressional District. But two other seats that include parts of Nashville  the 7th and the 6th  could be in play for Behn. She made substantial inroads this fall as a candidate in the former; the latter includes her East Nashville residence and much of her current state House district, and will likely be left without an incumbent as Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose aims for the governors mansion.
China condemns U.S. military strikes in Venezuela as hegemonic attack, demands Maduros release

China strongly denounced the U.S. for violating international law by capturing Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, demanding his immediate release and warning against threats to regional stability.

The U.S. operation occurred just after high-level Chinese-Venezuelan talks reaffirming their alliance against Western sanctions, escalating superpower friction in Latin America.

Venezuela is a critical oil supplier and hub for China's "Global South" strategy, with analysts warning U.S. aggression could revive the Monroe Doctrine, heightening Sino-American tensions.

Leftist governments (Brazil, Mexico) condemned Maduro's removal, while right-wing administrations (Argentina, Ecuador) supported it. Russia, Iran and North Korea backed Maduro, framing the U.S. as a rogue actor.

The crisis reignites disputes over U.S. hegemony, with China leveraging diplomatic protests (not military force) to challenge American dominance in Latin America, signaling shifting global power dynamics.

China has sharply condemned the United States for launching military strikes against Venezuela and capturing its democratically elected president, Nicolas Maduro, calling the operation a "blatant violation of international law."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement late Saturday, Jan. 3, accusing Washington of "hegemonic acts" that threaten regional stability in Latin America. The escalation follows a high-level Chinese delegation's visit to Venezuela just hours before the U.S. operation, raising geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers.

The Chinese government expressed "deep shock" at the sudden military intervention, which saw U.S. forces seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, before reportedly transporting them out of the country. In an official statement, Beijing demanded their immediate release and warned that such actions "seriously violate Venezuela's sovereignty."

"The U.S. must abide by international law and the UN Charter," the ministry declared, echoing similar condemnations from Russia. Moscow had already pledged support to Venezuela's interim leadership, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaking directly with Vice President Delcy Rodrigueznow granted presidential powersto reaffirm strategic ties.

The swift U.S. operation came just after Chinese envoy Qiu Xiaoqi concluded meetings in Caracas, where both nations reaffirmed their alliance against Western "unilateral coercive measures." Analysts suggest China's response will likely remain diplomatic rather than military, given its limited overseas military presence compared to the United States.

Strategic stakes in Latin America

Venezuela holds significant economic importance for China as a key oil supplier, though it accounts for only 4-5% of Beijing's total crude imports. Beyond energy, China has expanded trade and infrastructure investments across Latin America, making political instability in the region a major concern. Andy Mok, a senior researcher at the Center for China and Globalization, warned that Washington's aggressive posture could signal a revival of the Monroe Doctrine. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the doctrine is a U.S. foreign policy principle asserting that European powers should not interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere, effectively declaring America's sphere of influence and opposition to colonialism in the Americas.

"If the U.S. revives this approach, tensions with China will rise," Mok told Al Jazeera. "Latin America is central to Beijing's Global South strategy."

However, analysts like Shaun Rein of the China Market Research Group argue that Beijing lacks the military leverage to counter U.S. actions directly. "China isn't warlike," Rein noted. "They'll protest diplomatically but won't escalate with sanctions or force."

Global reactions split along ideological lines

International responses have been sharply divided. Left-leaning governments in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico denounced Maduro's removal, while right-wing administrations in Argentina and Ecuador welcomed it. North Korea issued a scathing rebuke, calling the U.S. action "rogue and brutal," while South Korea urged de-escalation and a return to democratic processes.

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, cautiously supported a "peaceful transition" but stressed the importance of adhering to international law. Meanwhile, Venezuela remains politically isolated following Maduro's contested 2024 re-electionthough China, Russia and Iran continue backing his government as a counterweight to U.S. influence.

The crisis in Venezuela has reignited debates over sovereignty, foreign intervention and the limits of U.S. power. China's forceful condemnation underscores its growing role as a challenger to American hegemony, even as it avoids direct confrontation. With Maduro's fate uncertain and regional alliances shifting, the episode may redefine geopolitical fault lines in Latin Americaand beyond.

For now, Beijing's strategy appears focused on rallying diplomatic opposition rather than military retaliation. But as Washington asserts dominance in its traditional sphere of influence, the long-term implications for global power dynamics remain uncertain.

Watch the video below that talks about China and Russia condemning Trump's pressure on Venezuela.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Bloomberg.com

FMPRC.gov.cn

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
China ends longstanding tax exemption on contraceptives in bid to boost birth rate

China has ended a 30-year tax exemption on contraceptives, imposing a 13% value-added tax on condoms and birth control pills starting Jan. 1 to help address falling birth rates.

The move follows years of "fertility-friendly" policies, including tax-free childcare subsidies, annual child allowances and campaigns promoting marriage and family life.

China's population declined for a third consecutive year in 2024, with experts warning the country could lose about 20% of its population over the next three decades.

The demographic crisis stems from decades of the One-Child Policy, rapid urbanization and rising economic pressures, including housing, childcare and education costs.

Officials hope a combination of incentives and new policies, including taxing contraceptives, can reverse the long-term population decline, despite parallels to similar struggles in Western countries.

China has removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices as part of new efforts to reverse the country's declining birth rate.

Chinese authorities have introduced a range of so-called "fertility-friendly" policies in recent years. In 2024, the government exempted childcare subsidies from personal income tax and rolled out an annual childcare subsidy. Other measures included urging colleges and universities to provide "love education" to portray marriage, relationships, fertility and family life in a positive light.

China's top leadership reiterated those goals last month at the annual Central Economic Work Conference, pledging to promote "positive marriage and childbearing attitudes" as part of broader efforts to stabilize birth rates.

Beijing has also taken additional steps. Beginning Jan. 1, condoms and contraceptive pills are subject to a 13% value-added tax, the standard rate applied to most consumer goods. The exemption had been in place for more than 30 years.

The policy change comes as Beijing intensifies measures to address demographic challenges in the world's second-largest economy. China's population declined for a third consecutive year in 2024, and experts have warned that the downward trend is likely to continue in the coming years.

"China is expected to lose about 20% of its population over the next 30 years. There is no doubt this will have consequences for the global economy. Societies react reflexively to such developments. China responds with aggressive subsidies for its export engine to counter these domestic distortions, which primarily manifest economically as deflationary pressures," Thomas Kolbe wrote in his article for ZeroHedge in December.

One Child Policy and rising costs drive China's deepening demographic crisis

The country's demographic decline has deep roots.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, China implemented the One-Child Policy from 1979 to 2015 to restrict families to having only one child. This policy was enforced through fines, loss of employment and even forced abortions or sterilizations. The policy sought to curb population growth but resulted in significant social issues, including a gender imbalance, an aging population and labor shortages.

This, along with rapid urbanization, reshaped family structures and expectations. Economic pressures have further dampened family formation. High costs for housing, childcare and education, coupled with job uncertainty and a slowing economy, have led many young Chinese adults to delay or forgo marriage and parenthood altogether.

Now, as birth rates sharply decline, Kolbe claimed that Chinese leaders are adopting approaches similar to those used in Western democracies  introducing child benefits even as classrooms and kindergartens increasingly sit empty.

Moreover, Chinese officials hope that taxing contraceptives and expanding family incentives can meaningfully reverse China's long-term demographic decline.

Watch the video below to learn about Trump's consideration of a "baby bonus," similar to measures being explored by China, as a potential way to boost birth rates in the United States.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com 1

Reuters.com

ZeroHedge.com 2

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Israel suspends nearly 40 NGOs in Gaza, deepening humanitarian crisis

Israel revoked licenses for major humanitarian organizations (MSF, Oxfam, Norwegian Refugee Council), forcing them to halt operations by March 1 unless reversed. The decision stems from strict new registration demands, including disclosing Palestinian staff listsaid groups refused, citing safety risks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the suspensions will worsen Gaza's humanitarian crisis, already marked by famine, destroyed infrastructure and 70,000+ deaths. Israel claims NGOs aid Hamas, but UN agencies and NGOs deny diversion allegations.

MSF, supporting six hospitals and malnutrition clinics, warned its shutdown would cut lifelines for hundreds of thousands. Medecins du Monde and others also face closure, further crippling Gaza's already decimated healthcare system.

Foreign staff blocked, supply shortages worsen and West Bank operations may collapse. Oxfam describes the move as "death by bureaucracy," with 9,000 aid trucks stranded at Gaza's borders.

South Africa filed an ICJ case accusing Israel of war crimes and ethnic cleansing. The UN General Assembly passed a ceasefire resolution, backed by Germany and Ukraine, as Gaza's crisis spirals toward catastrophe.

Israel's decision to revoke the licenses of nearly 40 international humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza has drawn sharp condemnation from the United Nations and aid groups, who warn the move will worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The suspensions, announced last week, affect prominent groups such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council, forcing them to halt operations by March 1 unless Israel reverses course.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the decision "deeply concerning," warning that it risks undermining fragile progress made during the recent ceasefire.

"This recent action will further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians," Guterres said in a statement on Friday, Jan. 2. The ban comes as Gaza's 2.4 million residents grapple with severe shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies, with over 70,000 killed and 80% of buildings destroyed since Israel's military campaign began in October 2023.

Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, led by a far-right Likud official, imposed strict new registration requirements in 2025, demanding NGOs disclose detailed staff listsincluding Palestinian employeesto prevent alleged infiltration by Hamas. Aid groups refused, citing fears for staff safety; more than 500 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the war began.

Israel claims the rules are necessary to stop aid diversion to militants, but the UN and NGOs deny these allegations. A December Israeli government report accused MSF of "delegitimizing Israel" by describing its actions in Gaza as "genocide" and criticizing its blockade on food shipments. MSF rejected the accusations, stating, "The fault lies with those committing these atrocities, not with those who speak of them."

Catastrophic impact on medical services

MSF, one of Gaza's largest medical providers, warned that Israel's decision will have devastating consequences. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the group supports six hospitals, runs two field hospitals and operates malnutrition clinics treating thousands of children. Last year alone, MSF handled a third of Gaza's births and performed 10,000 surgeries.

"If this decision stands, we will have to cease operations by March," said Dr. Isabelle Defourny, president of MSF France. "We are the second-largest distributor of water in Gaza. Ending our work means cutting lifelines for hundreds of thousands."

Other banned groups, like Medecins du Monde, also provide critical healthcare, leaving Gaza's already decimated medical system further strained.

With the suspensions formalized, NGOs face immediate hurdles:

International staff blocked: Foreign workers provide technical expertise and morale support for Palestinian colleagues. "Our teams feel increasingly isolated," said Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Supply shortages: Many groups had already been barred from importing aid since March 2025, forcing them to source supplies locally at inflated prices. Oxfam's Bushra Khalidi called the suspensions "death by bureaucracy."

West Bank operations at risk: While NGOs can still operate in the West Bank, those based in East Jerusalem may be forced to close entirely.

A "21st-century atrocity"

The UN's top aid official has described Gaza's crisis as a "21st-century atrocity," with famine narrowly averted but malnutrition rampant. Over 570,000 Gazans face acute hunger and Israel's blockade has left 9,000 aid trucks stranded at the border.

Meanwhile, South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of war crimes and ethnic cleansing. The UN General Assembly recently passed a resolution demanding an unconditional ceasefire, backed unexpectedly by Germany and Ukraine.

As negotiations remain deadlocked, Gaza's future looks increasingly bleak. With over 53,000 Palestinians killed and infrastructure in ruins, the world faces a moral imperative: Will it act to stop the bloodshedor allow Gaza's suffering to spiral further into catastrophe?

Watch the video below that talks about MSF witnessing "an avalanche of human suffering" in Gaza.

This video is from the Vigilent Citizen channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

Fox40.com

Dawn.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Resilience, not ruin: Overflowing reservoirs remind us nature recovers despite doomsday predictions

California's major reservoirs are at or above 100% of historical average capacity following a wet winter.

The high water levels provide critical relief after years of severe drought conditions.

State officials caution that the abundance is temporary and does not signify a "normal" water year.

The dramatic swing from drought to surplus highlights the state's extreme weather variability.

Experts emphasize continued water management and conservation are essential for future dry periods.

In a striking turnaround from years of severe drought, Californias key reservoirs have reached historically high water levels for this time of year, according to state data. The shift, driven by a series of potent atmospheric river storms this past winter, has filled the states primary water storage systems and temporarily erased drought conditions across Southern California. This rapid recovery from deficit to surplus underscores the profound and natural variability of the states climate, challenging narratives of permanent aridification and placing a renewed focus on water management strategies over long-term climate projections.

Reservoirs rebound to historical averages

Data from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) indicates that all of the states major reservoirs are at or above 100 percent of their recorded historical averages for late December. These reservoirs are critical infrastructure, supplying water to nearly 40 million residents and supporting the nations most productive agricultural region. According to analysis shared by extreme weather observer Colin McCarthy, statewide water storage has reached approximately 115 percent of normal, holding close to six trillion gallons of water.

Lake Shasta, the states largest reservoir, is at 109 percent of its historical average.

Lake Oroville, the second-largest, is at 101 percent of average.

New Melones Reservoir stands at 126 percent of its historic average for this period.

From drought emergency to water abundance

The current abundance marks a dramatic departure from the recent past. For several consecutive years, California faced critical water shortages, with reservoir levels plummeting, mandatory conservation measures enacted and agricultural water allocations slashed. The present situation was catalyzed by an active winter wet season, where repeated atmospheric riverslong, narrow corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmospheredelivered substantial rainfall and Sierra Nevada snowpack. This natural weather pattern, a perennial feature of the West Coast climate, provided the necessary precipitation to recharge the system rapidly.

Officials urge caution amid cyclical patterns

Despite the encouraging data, state water officials are tempering optimism with a note of caution. DWR Director Karla Nemeth has consistently emphasized Californias climatic volatility. There is no such thing as a normal water year in California, Nemeth stated in an October release. She pointed out that recent years have seen deceptively average statewide precipitation mask severe regional droughts and major flooding events alike. This perspective aligns with a historical view of Californias climate, which is characterized not by steady decline but by significant, unpredictable swings between wet and dry periods that can last for decades.

Infrastructure and management in focus

The swift recovery from drought conditions to surplus highlights the central role of water capture, storage and distribution infrastructure. California has invested in updating reservoir standards and operations to maximize water retention during wet periods for use in dry years. The current high levels are a testament to the effectiveness of these systems when precipitation arrives. This cycle reinforces the argument of many policy analysts who contend that adapting to the states inherent hydroclimate variability through robust engineering and prudent management is as critical as any long-term climate model.

A reminder of natures variability

The sight of full reservoirs offers tangible relief but also serves as a potent reminder of the complex and cyclical nature of regional hydrology. The extreme swing from drought to deluge challenges simplified narratives of linear, human-caused climate impacts, instead presenting a case study in natural resilience and recovery. For water managers, farmers and residents, the lesson is one of preparedness for both extremes.

Preparing for the inevitable next phase

While the replenished reservoirs provide a crucial buffer, experts agree the abundance is not a permanent state. Californias history is written in cycles of flood and drought, and the current high water levels represent one phase in that enduring pattern. The focus now shifts to careful management of this resource, strategic conservation and continued investment in infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of the next dry period, which historical precedent suggests is inevitable. The dramatic refilling of the states water banks stands as a clear example of natures capacity for sudden change, independent of long-term prognostications.

Sources for this article include:

ClimateDepot.com

Yahoo.com

X.com

CDEC.water.ca.gov

Newsweek.com
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the Coalition of the Willing will hold talks in Paris on Tuesday on support for Ukraine and possible security guarantees.

"We will discuss the details of the Paris Declaration. This declaration will not yet be an obligation, but it will be a confirmation of the will to fully cooperate in order to guarantee security, support for Ukraine, the restoration of Ukraine after the war, and especially to achieve fair and secure conditions for peace or at least a ceasefire," the Prime Minister's Office quoted him as saying on the social network X before his departure. "

"The goal of this Paris meeting is to bring Europe and the United States closer together and unify their positions. Only such pressure can force the Russians to take the issue of a ceasefire seriously, and then peace," Tusk said.

He added that he did not rule out the possibility that the signing of documents that would finally approve the joint US-European position would take place in the coming days, "possibly in Washington, although this issue remains open."
Russia unleashes hypersonic missiles in retaliatory strikes across Ukraine

Russia has conducted a significant series of retaliatory strikes across Ukraine, explicitly targeting military factories, energy infrastructure and fuel depots to cripple Ukraine's war economy.

These attacks involved Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which are very hard to intercept, marking a tactical escalation in Russia's campaign to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses.

Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to strike a site connected to Putin, a claim dismissed by the EU and Ukraine as a "deliberate distraction" to justify further escalation and disrupt diplomatic efforts.

The strikes continue to harm civilians and critical infrastructure, exemplified by an attack on Odesa that injured children and left over 170,000 people without power in winter.

Despite the violence, prisoner swaps occur, showing moments of cooperation. However, peace talks are stalled, with both sides refusing to back down, ensuring the war of attrition and civilian hardship will continue.

In a significant escalation of its winter campaign, Russia has conducted a series of massive retaliatory strikes across Ukraine over the past week, explicitly targeting the country's military-industrial base and energy infrastructure.

The attacks, which Moscow claims are in direct response to Ukrainian operations on Russian soil, mark a continued intensification of a conflict showing no signs of diplomatic resolution.

On Jan. 2, a statement from Russia's Ministry of Defense revealed that its armed forces carried out one massive and six group strikes between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2. The operations notably involved the use of advanced air-launched Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. These weapons are difficult to intercept due to their high speed and maneuverability.

The ministry stated the strikes successfully hit what it described as Ukraine's military-industrial enterprises, the fuel and energy facilities that support them and key military infrastructure.

The Russian defense ministry provided a detailed, albeit unverified, list of targets that were allegedly destroyed. These included assembly workshops for missile engine components, sites involved in producing and preparing long-range attack drones, ammunition and fuel depots and transport and port infrastructure used by the Ukrainian military. The statement also claimed that the strikes hit temporary deployment points for Ukrainian army units, nationalist groups and foreign fighters.

Alongside the report on strikes, the ministry released staggering figures on Ukrainian military casualties, claiming that its various battlegroups had eliminated thousands of Ukrainian soldiers over the same seven-day period.

The ministry also stated that its forces in the west had repelled 16 separate Ukrainian attempts to advance toward the city of Kupyansk. These battlefield claims, like those regarding the precision of the strikes, cannot be independently confirmed and are part of an ongoing information war.

EU diplomat dismisses Russian "distraction" tactics

BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that this latest wave of bombardment comes amid a sharp war of words following Russian allegations that Ukraine attempted a drone strike on a private residence used by President Vladimir Putin at Lake Valdai. The Kremlin has framed this alleged incident as a major escalation, with some Russian politicians calling it an attack "on the heart of Russia" and suggesting it would impact peace negotiations.

However, Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat, has forcefully rejected Moscow's narrative. In a clear rebuke, Kallas labeled the Kremlin's claims a "deliberate distraction" designed to derail the peace process. She argued that no one should accept what she called unfounded claims from an aggressor that has itself repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

Kallas' comments underscore a widening gulf in perceptions, with Western officials viewing the allegations as a potential pretext for further Russian escalation rather than a legitimate grievance.

Russia's defense ministry later released what it said was evidence of the attempted strike, including a map and video of downed drone wreckage. However, independent verification has been challenging. One Russian investigative outlet reported that residents near the alleged attack site heard nothing consistent with a major drone incursion. A Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed the provided evidence as "laughable," accusing Russia of not being serious even in fabricating the story.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied the allegations, suggesting they are a tactical move by the Kremlin to disrupt what he described as recently positive diplomatic talks with American and European partners. He warned that the claims would be used to justify further attacks on Ukrainian cities.

This warning proved prescient. While the capital, Kyiv, experienced only air raid alerts, other regions suffered tangible damage.

The port city of Odesa on the Black Sea endured a large-scale attack that struck an apartment block, injuring six people, including three children, and leaving over 170,000 residents without power in freezing temperatures. The assault on Odesa is part of a sustained campaign that has increased in intensity, seemingly in line with earlier Russian threats to sever Ukraine's maritime access.

A grim New Year as peace remains elusive

As the conflict grinds into another year, the contrasting New Year's messages from Moscow and Kyiv highlight the entrenched positions. Putin, without mentioning the alleged drone incident, told his troops he believed in victory.

Zelensky, meanwhile, stated that a draft peace agreement was "90% ready," but that the final 10% would be decisive for the fate of Ukraine and Europe.

Despite expressions of hope from civilians in Kyiv for an end to the war in the coming year, the immediate reality is one of heightened violence. The recent use of Kinzhal missiles in widespread strikes represents a tactical escalation, while the diplomatic fallout from the alleged Valdai incident threatens to poison already-stalled negotiations.

With Russia escalating its attacks on infrastructure and Ukraine determined to continue resisting, the cycle of retaliation and suffering appears set to continue, forcing a population to endure a bitter winter of war with no clear path to peace in sight.

Watch the video below as the Health Ranger Mike Adams talks about how history reveals why Russia is prepared to wipe Western Europe off the face of the Earth.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

SputnikGlobe.com

BBC.com

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
SBA suspends nearly 7,000 Minnesota borrowers over suspected pandemic loan fraud

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has suspended nearly 7,000 Minnesota borrowers after reviewing pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans for suspected fraud.

The suspended borrowers received about 7,900 loans totaling roughly $400 million and are now barred from all future SBA loan programs.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said cases will be referred to federal law enforcement for possible prosecution and recovery of funds.

The SBA has also halted annual funding to Minnesota while investigating reports of more than $100 million and up to $430 million in suspected PPP fraud statewide.

Federal authorities have additionally suspended certain child care funds to Minnesota, signaling an expanded crackdown on alleged misuse of pandemic relief money.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has suspended thousands of Minnesota borrowers after reviewing pandemic-era loans for possible fraud.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, SBA offered pandemic-era loans through two primary programs: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These loans were designed to provide financial relief to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPP offered forgivable loans to maintain payroll and cover certain expenses, while EIDL provided low-interest loans to cover working capital and normal operating expenses.

However, they have faced widespread scrutiny nationwide over improper payments and fraud.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the agency reviewed thousands of PPP and EIDL approvals tied to Minnesota and took action against nearly 7,000 borrowers.

"Over the last week, SBA has reviewed thousands of potentially fraudulent pandemic-era PPP and EIDL loans approved in Minnesota," Loeffler posted Thursday, Jan. 1. "Today, our agency took action to suspend 6,900 Minnesota borrowers amid suspected fraudulent activity."

Loeffler revealed that the suspended borrowers were approved for a combined 7,900 PPP and EIDL loans totaling approximately $400 million. She said those individuals will be banned from all SBA loan programs moving forward, including disaster assistance loans. Loeffler added that the agency plans to refer cases to federal law enforcement when appropriate for potential prosecution and recovery of funds.

"These individuals will be banned from all SBA loan programs, including disaster loans, going forward. We will also refer every case, where appropriate, to federal law enforcement for prosecution and repayment. After years, the American people will finally begin to see the criminals who stole from law-abiding taxpayers held accountable  and this is just the first state," she wrote.

SBA halts annual funding to Minnesota

The announcement follows the halting of the annual funding to the state of Minnesota amid reports alleging more than $100 million in fraud.

In a separate post on X, Loeffler said the agency is pausing funding while it investigates suspected fraud involving PPP loans statewide. The announcement was posted after independent journalist Nick Shirley claimed in a 42-minute YouTube video that he uncovered more than $110 million in alleged fraud in a single day after visiting multiple daycare facilities across Minnesota.

"SBA is pausing annual funding to Minnesota while we investigate $430 million in suspected PPP fraud across the state," Loeffler posted Monday, Dec. 29. "This Admin will not continue to hand out blank checks to fraudsters  and we will not rest until we clean up the criminal networks that have been stealing from American taxpayers."

Furthermore, the administration has announced it is suspending certain federal child care funds to Minnesota following the fraud accusations, further escalating the federal response.

Watch the Dec. 30 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about the widespread government grant fraud.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

NewsNationNow.com 1

X.com 1

NewsNationNow.com 2

YouTube.com

X.com 2

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Shadow Wars: Uncovering the silent war against national sovereignty

The book exposes how NGOs (e.g., Casa de Esperanza) and globalist-funded programs deliberately facilitate illegal immigration to destabilize nations. Texas' Colony Ridge is a case study in engineered demographic shifts, with UN policies like the Global Migration Pact openly promoting border erosion.

Governors (Newsom, Abbott) and federal agencies (ICE, CBP) are revealed as enablerseither through sanctuary policies, developer kickbacks, or deliberate defunding. Groups like the ACLU and Open Society Foundations lobby for policies that incentivize mass migration while suppressing enforcement.

Deliberate reintroduction of pests (screw worms, African Swine Fever, avian flu) is linked to border crises, aiming to collapse livestock/poultry industries. Globalists (e.g., WEF) push lab-grown meat and insect protein while creating artificial food shortages to enforce dependency.

Strategic chokepoints (Strait of Hormuz, Panama Canal) are weaponized to dominate economies. Sabotage (e.g., Nord Stream pipeline) and proposed projects (Ben Gurion Canal) reveal plans to centralize energy control and enforce digital currencies.

Grow your own, stockpile non-GMO seeds; shift to gold, silver, decentralized crypto; invest in solar, off-grid power; and form local militias, mutual aid networks.

If you've ever felt like something sinister lurks beneath the chaos of modern geopoliticsmass migration crises, engineered food shortages and the sudden collapse of local economies"Shadow Wars: The Hidden Battles for Global Control" will confirm your worst suspicions and then some.

This explosive investigative work pulls back the curtain on the globalist agenda to dismantle national sovereignty, destabilize populations and consolidate power in the hands of an unelected elite.

The hidden war on America's borders

The book opens with a shocking case study: Colony Ridge, Texas, a sprawling development that has become ground zero for weaponized migration. What appears to be organic population growth is, in fact, a deliberate demographic replacement strategyengineered by NGOs, facilitated by corrupt local governments and funded by globalist interests. The author meticulously documents how:

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like Casa de Esperanza provide housing and services exclusively to illegal immigrants, creating parallel societies that operate outside U.S. law.

Crime, overcrowded schools and overwhelmed hospitals are not accidental consequences but intended outcomes to foster division and dependence.

The Great Replacement Theory is not a conspiracyit's openly promoted in United Nations documents like the Global Migration Pact, which encourages nations to surrender border control.

This isn't just happening in Texas. Similar models have been implemented in Europe, leading to "No-Go Zones" where police fear to tread. The message is clear: This is a blueprint for national destabilization.

The role of politicians in facilitating border invasions

The book doesn't just blame shadowy NGOsit names names. Governors like Gavin Newsom (California) and Greg Abbott (Texas) are exposed for their complicity. Newsom's "sanctuary state" policies actively obstruct federal immigration enforcement, while Abbott, despite tough rhetoric, takes donations from developers who profit from illegal immigration.

Even federal agencies like ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] have been deliberately defunded to ensure border chaos persists. The author reveals how lobbying groups like the ACLU [American Civil Liberties Union] and Open Society Foundations shape policies that incentivize mass migration, all while local law enforcement is pressured to ignore immigration crimes.

Biowarfare and the attack on food supplies

One of the book's most disturbing sections details biological warfare against agriculture. The sudden resurgence of screw wormsa flesh-eating parasite eradicated decades agois linked to illegal border crossings. Investigative journalist Michael Yon warns that these outbreaks are not accidental but part of a broader strategy to collapse livestock industries and create food shortages.

Other engineered crises include:

African swine fever wiping out pig populations.

Avian flu decimating poultry farms.

Citrus greening disease destroying orange groves.

The author connects these outbreaks to globalist institutions like the World Economic Forum, which openly advocate for lab-grown meat, insect protein and digital food rationingall under the guise of "sustainability."

The globalist war on energy and trade routes

The book's third section dives into strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Panama Canal, revealing how global powers manipulate trade routes to control economies. The Ben Gurion Canal, a proposed Israeli alternative to the Suez Canal, is framed as a move to undermine Egypt and dominate Middle Eastern trade.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel are accused of sabotaging energy infrastructure (like the Nord Stream pipeline) to justify centralized control. The endgame? Engineered energy shortages that force populations into dependence on digital currencies and social credit systems.

How to fight back: A survival blueprint

Despite the grim outlook, "Shadow Wars" offers a practical resistance plan:

Food sovereignty  Grow your own food, stockpile non-GMO seeds, support local farmers.

 Grow your own food, stockpile non-GMO seeds, support local farmers. Financial independence  Move wealth into gold, silver and decentralized cryptocurrencies.

 Move wealth into gold, silver and decentralized cryptocurrencies. Energy resilience  Invest in solar panels, wood stoves and off-grid power solutions.

 Invest in solar panels, wood stoves and off-grid power solutions. Community defense  Form mutual aid networks, local militias and neighborhood watch groups.

The book concludes with a rallying cry: "The globalists fear nothing more than self-sufficient communities that don't need their systems."

"Shadow Wars" is not just a bookit's a wake-up call. With meticulous research, insider accounts and actionable solutions, it exposes the deliberate destruction of national sovereignty and provides a roadmap for resistance.

If you care about freedom, food security and the future of your country, read this bookbefore it's too late.

Grab a copy of "Shadow Wars: The Hidden Battles for Global Control" via this link. Read, share and download thousands of books for free at Books.BrightLearn.AI. You can also create your own books for free at BrightLearn.AI.

Michael Yon issues two huge warnings on Strait of Hormuz and U.S. domestic terrorism risk from Zionist extremists. Watch this video.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Books.BrightLearn.ai 1

Books.BrightLearn.ai 2

BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
We cant keep up: Soaring winter energy bills push Maryland families to the brink

Residents of Harford County, Maryland, face financial instability due to unaffordable energy costs, with examples like Jenny paying $400 for a modest home and Teresa Stepp hit with a $1,200 bill amid medical debt.

Rising energy consumption (11% more electricity, 13% more gas) stems from colder weather, higher distribution rates, supply chain costs, state-mandated fees and Maryland's reliance on 40% imported energy.

Maryland's limited assistancelike Stepp's $40 rebatefails to offset soaring expenses, while BGE's approved rate hikes add further financial strain through 2027.

Families are forced to choose between heat, food and essentials, with Stepp warning that lifelong Maryland residents may be priced out of their homes.

Residents demand immediate policy changes, as temporary aid programs fall short and fear the erosion of communities without systemic intervention.

As winter tightens its grip on Maryland, residents of Harford County are facing a harsh reality beyond the coldskyrocketing energy bills that threaten their financial stability.

Jenny, a full-time worker who keeps her thermostat in the mid-60s, received a $400 bill for her modest 1,000-square-foot home. Meanwhile, Teresa Stepp, grappling with medical debt after her husband's stroke, was hit with a staggering $1,200 bill. Their stories reflect a growing crisis: energy costs are outpacing wages, forcing families to choose between heat, food and other essentials.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) reports that residential electric heating customers used 11% more energy in late December 2025 compared to the previous year, while gas consumption rose by 13%. The colder weather explains some of the spike, but deeper structural issueshigher distribution rates, supply chain costs, state-mandated fees and Maryland's reliance on imported energy (40% of its power comes from out of state)have compounded the problem.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Maryland's reliance on imported energy persists despite its renewable energy initiatives, as centralized solar mandates and subsidies fail to address the fundamental inefficiencies of government-controlled energy systems while enriching corporate interests at taxpayer expense.

Jenny, who asked to withhold her last name, described the stress of balancing necessities: "What do you pick and choose? I have to have car insurance. I have to get to work. It's just a lot. It's very stressful."

Meanwhile, Teresa Stepp's frustration is palpable: "Everybody uses more gas and electricity for heat in the winterthat is not uncommon. It is the norm. So with that being said, still, it seems excessive."

Policy shortfalls leave residents feeling abandoned

Maryland lawmakers approved limited relief last year, but residents say it's woefully inadequate. Stepp received a $40 rebate, which barely dented her mounting expenses.

"My husband had a stroke last year. We're still bailing out of that. The food bills have tripled. The cost of my car registration has tripled," she said.

Further compounding the strain, BGE implemented new rate hikesadding $1.07 per month for electricity and $2.65 for gaswith another 72-cent (electric) and $1.95 (gas) monthly increase approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission, lasting through 2027.

Stepp's message to policymakers is stark: "You are forcing people who have been native to Maryland... to leave. You're saying we can no longer afford to live here. I can't."

BGE acknowledges the hardship, stating it must balance affordability with reliable service while directing customers to payment assistance programs. But for families like Jenny's and Stepp's, temporary aid isn't enough.

"Please make changes, the governor, BGE, whoever, please change this immediately, because it's affecting all of us," Jenny pleaded. "It's not okay."

Maryland's energy crisis is more than a policy debateit's a daily struggle for survival. Without meaningful intervention, residents fear they'll be priced out of their homes, leaving behind communities they've supported for generations. As winter deepens, the question remains: Will leaders act before it's too late?

Watch the video below that talks about reducing electricity bills using solar power.

This video is from the Over&Over channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

FoxBaltimore.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Starlink offers free internet service to Venezuela as societal collapse looms

U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Maduro in a multi-state operation.

Starlink provided free emergency internet to Venezuela amid the outage.

This highlights private sector power to deliver crucial utilities during state failure.

The move mirrors Starlink's strategic use in past crises like Ukraine.

It raises questions about digital fragility and non-state control of vital connectivity.

The swift collapse of societal order is often just one dramatic event away. We were reminded of this on January 3 when U.S. military forces executed a complex operation across multiple Venezuelan states, culminating in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their fortified residence in Caracas.

Within hours, as power and internet flickered out in parts of the capital, a private company stepped into the void. Elon Musks Starlink announced it was providing free broadband service to the people of Venezuela through February 3, ensuring continued connectivity amid the upheaval.

This immediate response highlights a new reality in global crises: the private sector, not governments, often delivers the most crucial utilities when state systems fail. Starlink, a satellite-based internet network operated by Musks SpaceX, made the announcement in a post on X, stating it was ensuring continued connectivity. Musk himself shared the post, adding, In support of the people of Venezuela.

The operation that triggered this digital lifeline was significant in its scale and speed. U.S. special operations forces targeted areas in Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. President Donald Trump described the extraction from Maduros fortress, noting the leader was bum rushed so fast he couldnt reach his safe room. Maduro was quickly flown to a warship and transported to New York, where he faces federal charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy.

The connectivity lifeline

As traditional infrastructure faltered, Starlinks value became instantly apparent. The service, which uses more than 9,000 low-earth-orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet to remote or damaged areas, has built a reputation as a crisis responder. It has been deployed after wildfires in California and hurricanes in North Carolina. Its most famous use has been in Ukraine, where it became, in Musks own words, the backbone of the Ukrainian army after Russias invasion. This precedent makes the Venezuela move strategic, not merely charitable.

The situation forces a critical examination of modern dependence. Why did a nations connectivity hinge on the grace of a commercial provider? What does it say about the fragility of our systems that a political arrest can plunge areas into digital darkness, requiring a billionaires intervention? Starlinks map still lists Venezuela as coming soon for formal service, indicating this free access is a stopgap in an unstable environment.

The double-edged sword of private power

This event is part of a broader pattern where private technology companies wield unprecedented influence in geopolitical conflicts. Musk has previously positioned Starlink as a tool for liberty, notably by limiting its use for offensive military actions in Ukraine, stating that employing Starlink for combat breaches its agreement. That stance prompted serious questions about a single citizens control over battlefield communications, leading the U.S. Department of Defense to later bring Starlinks Ukraine activities under formal contract.

Analysts see the Venezuela action as a potential template. It is highly likely that Starlink will become available, for free, everywhere where the U.S. is involved in an antagonistic relationship with the regime, said Marko Papic, Global GeoMacro Strategist at BCA Research. This underscores a shift where internet access, a fundamental tool for information and organization, can be provisioned by non-state actors directly into authoritarian or collapsing states.

The historical context here is Venezuelas own well-documented history of internet censorship under Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Starlinks technology bypasses state-controlled networks, offering an alternative channel for information. This capability is why governments like China and the European Union are racing to build their own satellite constellations, seeking digital sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the same day as the capture and the Starlink announcement, SpaceX launched 29 new Starlink satellites from Florida, expanding the very network that was activated over Venezuela. The synchronization is striking.

Ultimately, the scenes from Venezuela serve as a drill in societal fragility. They demonstrate how quickly the pillars of modern life, such as communication, power, and order, can tremble. They also reveal where people may increasingly turn for stability: not to crumbling institutions, but to agile, private systems that can operate above the fray. As Venezuela navigates a volatile transition, the provision of free internet is more than a service; it is a symbol of who holds the keys to connectivity in the 21st century and a reminder that in collapse scenarios, staying informed and connected is not just convenient... it is survival.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FoxBusiness.com

CNBC.com
The Noriega playbook: U.S. captures Maduro in daring raid, citing legal precedent

U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a military raid in Caracas and transported them to the United States.

The operation, dubbed "Absolute Resolve," was executed without U.S. casualties or equipment loss, according to officials.

Maduro faces a pre-existing U.S. indictment on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges and will stand trial in New York.

The Trump administration justified the action by citing legal precedent set by the 1989 capture of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega.

The move has drawn condemnation from several nations and U.S. Democrats, while the administration pledges to oversee a political transition in Venezuela.

In a dramatic escalation of hemispheric intervention, U.S. military forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a pre-dawn raid in Caracas on January 3, 2026, transporting them to face criminal charges in New York. The operation, ordered by President Donald Trump and hailed by his administration as a decisive blow against a narco-terrorist regime, has ignited a fierce debate over its legality and precedent. The administrations primary defense rests on a decades-old case: the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama and capture of its de facto leader, Manuel Noriega.

Operation Absolute Resolve

The mission, code-named Absolute Resolve, involved air, land and sea assets targeting the Venezuelan capital. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the operation followed months of planning, while Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine described it as discreet, precise and conducted during the darkest hours. Initial reports indicate significant infrastructure damage in parts of Caracas. Crucially, officials emphasized no U.S. service members were killed and no equipment was lost. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation, stemming from a 2020 U.S. indictment.

The Noriega precedent: A legal blueprint

Facing immediate accusations of unlawful military aggression, Trump officials pointed to the legal framework used to justify the capture and prosecution of Panamas Manuel Noriega. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush ordered an invasion to apprehend Noriega, a former CIA asset turned adversary, on U.S. drug charges. Noriega was tried and convicted in Miami, setting a legal precedent the current administration argues is directly applicable.

The parallels are stark: Both leaders were charged in U.S. courts as drug traffickers; both were captured by U.S. military force on foreign soil; and, critically, the U.S. government did not formally recognize either as a legitimate head of state at the time of their capture, negating claims of sovereign immunity. The administration contends that the longstanding indictment and Maduros alleged leadership of the Cartel of the Suns provided ample legal justification, mirroring the charges against Noriega.

Hypocrisy and hemispheric backlash

The operation has exposed perceived hypocrisies in U.S. foreign policy. While European Union leadership offered muted reaction after years of advocating a rules-based international order, regional powers including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Cuba condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty. U.S. Democratic lawmakers questioned the operation's legality and Trumps authority, with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) calling it an unjustified, illegal strike.

This criticism invites historical scrutiny. Democratic administrations have authorized lethal strikes against individuals, including U.S. citizens, without judicial process. Furthermore, the legal rationale for Noriegas prosecution was broadly accepted at the time by the political establishment, with little protest from key allies like Britains Margaret Thatcher. The current debate revisits the enduring tension between enforcing U.S. law extraterritorially and respecting national sovereigntya tension historically resolved in favor of power when a strategic adversary is labeled a criminal.

A new doctrine, unfolding consequences

Trump declared the U.S. would run Venezuela until a safe, proper and judicious transition can be achieved, suggesting an indefinite military and political commitment. He also framed the action as a reassertion of American power in the hemisphere, claiming to have superseded the Monroe Doctrine. The operation sends a stark warning to other regional actors, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting Cuban leaders be very worried.

The long-term consequences are uncertain. While the administration celebrates a strategic victory against a regime allied with China and Russia, it risks protracted nation-building and regional instability. The action tests the limits of the Noriega precedent, which involved a far smaller country and a quicker withdrawal. Domestically, it challenges Trumps America First non-interventionist rhetoric, even as it fulfills a promise to confront hostile regimes.

An old playbook for a new era

The capture of Nicolas Maduro represents a bold and controversial application of a Reagan-era foreign policy tactic. By invoking the Noriega precedent, the Trump administration seeks a legal and historical shield for its most aggressive hemispheric action. The move underscores a consistent, if often unacknowledged, U.S. willingness to employ military force to depose leaders deemed criminal threats, regardless of the diplomatic fallout. As Maduro faces a New York courtroom, the event marks not just a potential turning point for Venezuela, but a revival of a contentious chapter in Americas role as regional policeman, proving that old doctrines can be resurrected and rebranded for new confrontations.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

JonathanTurley.org
U.S. military intervention in Venezuela raises questions over motives behind Maduros capture

Military Invasion Under False Pretenses - Trump authorized a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Maduro, framing it as anti-drug/anti-corruption while targeting Venezuelas oil and rare earth minerals, violating international law.

- Trump authorized a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Maduro, framing it as anti-drug/anti-corruption while targeting Venezuelas oil and rare earth minerals, violating international law. Energy Domination & Economic Motives - The U.S. seeks control of Venezuelas trillions in oil reserves to stabilize the collapsing dollar, dominate global energy routes, and cut off China/Russia from South American resources.

- The U.S. seeks control of Venezuelas trillions in oil reserves to stabilize the collapsing dollar, dominate global energy routes, and cut off China/Russia from South American resources. Dangerous Global Precedent - Critics warn this sets a lawless standardChina could mimic the move against Taiwan, Russia condemns it as imperialism, and U.S. sovereignty principles erode at home and abroad.

- Critics warn this sets a lawless standardChina could mimic the move against Taiwan, Russia condemns it as imperialism, and U.S. sovereignty principles erode at home and abroad. Domestic & Geopolitical Fallout - Trumps base is split; libertarians decry betrayal of non-interventionism. Global tensions rise as empires historically loot resources to delay collapseColombia/Mexico may be next.

- Trumps base is split; libertarians decry betrayal of non-interventionism. Global tensions rise as empires historically loot resources to delay collapseColombia/Mexico may be next. Escalating Chaos & Imperial Decline - Unchecked U.S. militarism risks accelerating its downfall, with Venezuela symbolizing the chaos of foreign intervention. The world must decide whether to resist or accept lawless imperialism.

In a shocking escalation of U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has authorized a military invasion of Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The operation, framed as an anti-drug and anti-corruption effort, is widely seen as a strategic move to seize Venezuelas vast oil reserves and critical mineral resources. Critics warn that this sets a dangerous precedent, allowing any nation to justify invasions under the guise of law enforcement. Meanwhile, Trump supporters hail the action as necessary to combat narco-terrorism and secure American energy interests.

A Lawless Precedent

The Trump administrations justification for the invasion hinges on accusations that Maduro violated U.S. lawsincluding firearm statutesdespite Venezuelas sovereignty. Legal experts argue that this unilateral action violates international law, the U.N. Charter, and the U.S. Constitution, which does not grant the president authority to kidnap foreign leaders without congressional approval.

"If Trump can invade Venezuela and arrest its president, what stops China from doing the same to Taiwan?" asks geopolitical analyst Mike Adams. "This is the collapse of international orderwhere might makes right, and the rule of law is discarded."

Oil, Minerals, and Economic Desperation

Behind the rhetoric of "stopping drug trafficking," the real motive appears to be Venezuelas vast oil reservesreportedly worth trillionsand its untapped rare earth minerals. With the U.S. national debt spiraling out of control, some speculate that Washington aims to use Venezuelan resources to backstop Treasury bonds and stabilize the collapsing dollar.

Additionally, Venezuelas proximity to key shipping routes, including the Gulf of Mexico, makes it a strategic chokehold for controlling global energy flows. By dominating Venezuela, the U.S. ensures it can dictate terms to energy-dependent nations while cutting off China and Russia from South American trade.

The Global Fallout

China has already signaled that it may follow Trumps playbook, with social media discussions openly advocating for a military takeover of Taiwan under similar pretenses. Meanwhile, Russia has condemned the invasion as imperialist aggression, warning that such actions destabilize the entire international system.

Domestically, Trumps move has divided his base. While some cheer the strong-handed approach, libertarians and constitutionalists decry it as a betrayal of non-interventionist principles. "If we dont respect sovereignty abroad, we erode it at home," warns Dave DeCamp of Antiwar.com.

The Endgame: Empire in Decline?

Historically, empires in their death throes resort to looting and pillaging to sustain themselves. The U.S. is no exceptionits economy, drowning in debt, now depends on plundering foreign resources to delay collapse. But as Adams notes, "You cant bomb your way out of a financial crisis forever."

With Colombia and Mexico reportedly next on Trumps list, the world braces for further destabilization. The question remains: Will Americas unchecked militarism hasten its own downfall, or will the global community unite to resist this new era of lawless imperialism?

For now, Venezuela serves as a grim warningwherever the U.S. intervenes, chaos and suffering follow.

Watch the Jan. 05 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about the Venezuela chain reaction.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia condemns U.S. capture of Venezuelas Maduro as armed aggression

U.S. escalates military buildup near Venezuela as Trump warns Maduro to flee

Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela with total BLOCKADE of oil tankers

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
AI derangement syndrome sparks debate: Critics dismiss tech as Demonic, while advocates push decentralized solutions

AI Derangement Syndrome (AIDS) emerges Critics dismiss AI as "black magic" or a hoax, mirroring past tech resistance (e.g., Luddites), while China and others surge ahead in AI adoption.

Critics dismiss AI as "black magic" or a hoax, mirroring past tech resistance (e.g., Luddites), while China and others surge ahead in AI adoption. Microsoft pushes AI monopoly Rebranding Office as "Microsoft 365 Copilot" signals corporate control; Adams urges open-source alternatives like LibreOffice and decentralized AI (e.g., BrightAnswers.ai).

Rebranding Office as "Microsoft 365 Copilot" signals corporate control; Adams urges open-source alternatives like LibreOffice and decentralized AI (e.g., BrightAnswers.ai). AI as a tool for liberty Adams advocates decentralized AI for self-reliance, offline knowledge, and bypassing Big Tech censorship, offering free models trained on 250K+ books and scientific papers.

Adams advocates decentralized AI for self-reliance, offline knowledge, and bypassing Big Tech censorship, offering free models trained on 250K+ books and scientific papers. AI threatens jobs & reshapes economies Predicts 50% remote jobs lost in 1-3 years, plus blue-collar displacement by robots, but sees opportunity in downsizing bloated governments via AI efficiency.

Predicts 50% remote jobs lost in 1-3 years, plus blue-collar displacement by robots, but sees opportunity in downsizing bloated governments via AI efficiency. Adapt or be left behindAdams warns resisting AI is futile ("like calling floppy drives voodoo"); decentralized models (Brighteon.com, BrightAnswers.ai) empower truth-seekers against authoritarian control.

The AI Divide: Fear vs. Empowerment

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and governance, a vocal backlashdubbed "AI Derangement Syndrome" (AIDS)has emerged, with skeptics likening AI to "black magic" or a corporate hoax. Parallels are drawn to past resistance against disruptive technologies like the internet, while nations like China race ahead in AI adoption. Meanwhile, figures like Mike Adams warn that rejecting AI outright cedes ground to authoritarian control, urging instead for decentralized, open-source models to safeguard freedom.

The clash underscores a pivotal question: Will AI empower individuals or entrench dependency on centralized systems?

AI Derangement Syndrome: The New Tech Backlash

Adams, founder of Brighteon.com and developer of BrightAnswers.ai, observes that Western culture harbors an irrational fear of AIakin to "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

"People think AI is fake, that it's just a bunch of Indians typing really fast," Adams quipped. "Theyre like my sixth-grade teacher who called floppy drives voodoo."

Critics dismiss AI as "demonic" or a "magical box", refusing to acknowledge its mathematical foundations. Yet, globally, nations like China, Japan, and Russia embrace AI without hesitation. Adams warns that this technophobic resistance mirrors historical Luddismhindering innovation while adversaries advance.

Microsofts AI Monopoly vs. Decentralized Alternatives

Microsofts rebranding of Office to "Microsoft 365 Copilot" signals a push toward AI-integrated corporate control, raising concerns about monopolization. Adams urges users to abandon Microsoft, advocating for open-source alternatives like LibreOffice and decentralized AI tools such as BrightAnswers.ai.

"You dont need AI in your Word processor," Adams argues. "Use free, uncensored AI models that dont feed Big Techs surveillance machine."

His BrightAnswers.ai platform, trained on 250,000 books and 100,000 scientific papers, offers CIA-level intelligence reportswithout corporate censorship.

AI as a Tool for Liberty

Adams frames AI as a decentralized force for freedom, countering government and corporate dominance:

"AI supports self-reliance, sustainability, and offline knowledge."

"Rejecting AI wont stop ititll just leave you defenseless."

His open-source AI models, available for free download, empower users with uncensored research, bypassing Big Techs narrative control.

The Future: AI Warfare & Economic Shifts

Adams warns of AI-driven job displacement, predicting 50% of remote jobs will vanish within 1-3 years as AI agents outperform humans in tasks like customer service, claims processing, and email management. Meanwhile, humanoid robots threaten blue-collar jobs in factories, warehouses, and agriculture.

Yet, he sees opportunity: "Replace 80% of government workers with AI agentsmake government leaner."

Conclusion: Adapt or Be Left Behind

The AI revolution is unstoppablethose who adapt will thrive; those who resist will be left behind. As Adams puts it:

"If you think AI is fake, youre like the people who called floppy drives voodoo. Wake upthe future is here."

For those seeking uncensored AI tools, visit BrightAnswers.ai and Brighteon.com.

Watch the Jan. 6 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about AI derangement syndrome, new AI research capabilities and commodity scarcity analysis.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mike Adams Announces BrightAnswers.ai  A Deep Research AI Engine Built on Millions of Curated Articles, Books and Science Papers

How Big Techs AI boom threatens grid stability

How AI news bots are quietly reshaping public opinion

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
Chinas social media erupts over Taiwan after Trumps Venezuela move

Trump's military operation in Venezuela sparked nationalist rhetoric on Chinese platforms like Weibo, amassing 440 million views. Users advocated for a similar "lightning raid" to seize Taiwan, calling it a "perfect blueprint."

China condemned the U.S. Venezuela strike as "colonial-era barbarism" while simultaneously reassessing its own Taiwan strategy. Analysts note Beijing expects "great power exemptions" like the U.S., undermining international law.

Chinese state media framed the U.S. as hypocritical, asking: "If the U.S. can do this, why can't China?" Russia echoed this sentiment, mocking Western "double standards."

Experts doubt China could execute a precision strike like the U.S. Venezuela operation but warn Xi may consider military action if global backlash is weak. Taiwan's semiconductor industry and U.S. defense commitments make reckless aggression economically and geopolitically disastrous.

Trump's unilateralism emboldens China's hardliners, increasing risks of miscalculation. While Beijing may still prefer gradual coercion, nationalist pressure could push Xi toward more aggressive moves against Taiwan.

A sudden surge in nationalist rhetoric on Chinese social media has drawn alarming parallels between President Donald Trump's military operation in Venezuela and Beijing's long-standing ambitions toward Taiwan.

Over the weekend, Trump's swift overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sparked heated discussions on China's Weibo platform, amassing 440 million views and prompting calls for a similar "lightning raid" to seize Taiwan. The timing underscores escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing, with Chinese netizens and analysts openly questioning whether the U.S. action sets a precedent for China to follow in its own backyard.

The Venezuelan intervention quickly became a rallying point for Chinese social media users advocating aggressive action against Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province. One widely circulated Weibo post suggested, "I suggest using the same method to reclaim Taiwan in the future," while another user framed Trump's operation as a "perfect blueprint" for capturing Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. The term "Frog Island," a derogatory nickname for Taiwan, was repeatedly invoked in these discussions.

China's Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. operation as a "blatant use of force against a sovereign state," while state-run Xinhua News Agency accused Washington of reverting to "colonial-era barbarism." Yet beneath the diplomatic posturing, analysts note that Beijing may be reassessing its own strategic options. Ryan Hass, a former U.S. diplomat now at the Brookings Institution, observed on X (formerly Twitter) that while the Venezuela operation is unlikely to immediately shift China's Taiwan calculus, Beijing "expects to be given the same latitude for great power exemptions to international law that the U.S. takes for itself."

Historical context: A shifting global order

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. has long positioned itself as a defender of the "rules-based international order," condemning Russia's invasions of Georgia (2008) and Ukraine (2014, 2022). But Trump's Venezuela strikeexecuted without U.N. approvalhas handed Beijing a potent propaganda tool, critics point out.

"If the U.S. can do this, why can't China?" has become a recurring theme in Chinese discourse.

This sentiment echoes Russia's reaction, with the Kremlin mocking Western "double standards." Meanwhile, China's state media has seized the moment to portray Beijing as the true guardian of global norms, even as it continues militarizing the South China Sea and encircling Taiwan with live-fire drills.

Military feasibility and geopolitical risks

Despite the online bravado, experts remain divided on whether China possesses the capabilityor political willto launch a similar operation against Taiwan. The U.S. raid involved months of intelligence gathering and over 150 aircraft, a level of precision that analysts doubt the People's Liberation Army (PLA) could replicate. Drew Thompson, a Singapore-based defense expert, noted that "Beijing has other options for neutralizing Taiwan's leader," such as targeted assassinations, rather than a full-scale invasion.

However, Lyle Morris of the Asia Society Policy Institute warned that Trump's Venezuela move "opens the window for Xi to contemplate military action," particularly if global backlash proves muted. With China's economy deeply intertwined with Taiwan's semiconductor industry and U.S. military commitments to Taipei, any rash action could trigger catastrophic consequences.

The Venezuela-Taiwan comparison reflects a broader erosion of international norms, where great powers increasingly act unilaterally. While Beijing is unlikely to abandon its gradual coercion tactics overnight, Trump's operation has emboldened nationalist voices demanding a more aggressive stance. As the U.S. and China jostle for dominance, Taiwan remains the most volatile flashpointone where rhetoric could quickly escalate into reality. For now, the world watches to see whether Beijing will seize this moment to test Washington's resolveor bide its time for a more calculated move.

China and Russia condemn Trump's pressure on Venezuela. Watch this video.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
HUGE: CMS ends federal financial incentives tied to childhood vaccination rates

The federal government will stop paying physicians based on how many patients they vaccinate, ending incentive-based vaccination metrics at the federal level.

CMS told states it does not link physician payments to immunization performance under Medicaid and CHIP, and strongly discouraged states from using vaccination rates in payment programs.

States will no longer be required to report childhood vaccination rates, though they may continue to submit the data voluntarily.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and several physicians praised the policy, saying it protects informed consent, religious liberty and medical freedom while helping rebuild trust between doctors and families.

Supporters argue that vaccine-related financial incentives distorted medical judgment and prioritized financial benchmarks over individualized care, potentially contributing to rising childhood chronic disease rates.

The U.S. federal government will no longer pay physicians based on the number of patients they vaccinate.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the federal government and the pharmaceutical industry have engineered a financial incentive system that ties childhood vaccination rates to monetary rewards for healthcare providers, schools and state agencies, effectively transforming public health into a profit-driven enterprise. Pediatricians receive bonuses (e.g., $400 per fully vaccinated child) from insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield for achieving high compliance rates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) schedule, while schools risk losing federal funding if vaccination rates fall below state-mandated thresholds.

However, in a memo dated Dec. 30, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) told state health officials that it does not link physician payment to immunization performance measures under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CMS also urged states to move away from similar financial incentive programs, though states will still be allowed to adopt their own policies.

Under the new approach, CMS will no longer require states to report childhood vaccination rates, although states may still voluntarily submit the data.

"CMS does not tie payment to performance on immunization quality measures in Medicaid and CHIP at the federal level. While states have flexibility and discretion to use quality measures in state developed value based purchasing and payment incentive fee for service or managed care programs, CMS strongly discourages states from using immunization measures in payment arrangements," the agency wrote.

Moreover, the agency said it plans to explore ways to strengthen informed consent practices and consider how religious exemptions to vaccination are reflected in data collection and performance measures.

Kennedy and advocates praise the end of federal vaccine incentives

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., several physicians and advocacy groups have welcomed the new federal policy.

"Government bureaucracies should never coerce doctors or families into accepting vaccines or penalize physicians for respecting patient choice. That practice ends now. Under the Trump administration, HHS will protect informed consent, respect religious liberty and uphold medical freedom," Kennedy posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, while thanking the CMS.

Supporters of the policy change like pediatrician Dr. Michelle Perro, argue that removing incentives will improve clinical conversations and reduce administrative burdens. Perro said the policy change could help rebuild trust between doctors and families.

"Any time a clinician's compensation is tied to a specific medical decision, especially one involving children, families reasonably ask, 'Is this recommendation for my child, or for a metric?' Even the appearance of a conflict can erode trust, and trust is the foundation of pediatric care and informed consent," Perro said. She also said payment-linked targets can bypass shared decision-making and place pediatricians who opt out at a competitive disadvantage.

Holland went further, arguing that incentive-driven vaccination policies have contributed to rising rates of childhood chronic disease by prioritizing financial benchmarks over individualized care.

"These perverse financial incentives to vaccinate children have warped the practice of medicine, putting bonus payments for meeting arbitrary thresholds over an individual childs health," Holland said. "We have seen the damage with an exceptional rate of childhood chronic disease."

Former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield says RFK Jr. will be "the most consequential health secretary ever." Watch this video.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheDefender.org

Medicaid.gov

X.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Long-range drones of the State Security Service of Ukraine's Alpha Special Operations Center successfully struck two enemy targets in the rear of the Russian Federation, an SBU source told Interfax-Ukraine.

"A large-scale "cotton" broke out at arsenal No. 100 of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) in the Kostroma region," the agency's source said on Tuesday.

According to him, powerful explosions were heard at this warehouse all night due to the detonation of ammunition, and local authorities began evacuating the population from nearby settlements.

The source noted that this was an important arsenal for the enemy, since it supplied ammunition for lower-level warehouses in the western and central directions.

A source in the Ukrainian special services also informed that the SBU's Alpha drones also hit the Gerkon Plus oil depot in the village of Streletskiye Khutor, Lipetsk region.

The interlocutor specified that as a result of the attack, an intense fire broke out there. "This oil depot supplied three regions with oil products: Tambov, Voronezh and Lipetsk," he added.

"In the New Year, the SBU continues to successfully work on military and oil facilities of the Russian Federation, reducing the enemy's ability to supply its army with ammunition and fuel. All Russian rear facilities that are working for the war against Ukraine are absolutely legitimate targets," the source in the SBU said.
Israel readies for simultaneous war with Iran, Lebanon as protests threaten Iranian government

Israel orders military to prepare for multi-front war against Iran and others.

Israel is covertly fueling unrest inside Iran to destabilize its government.

The U.S. is providing threats and potential military backing for Israeli actions.

A war could block the Strait of Hormuz, causing a global energy crisis.

The conflict risks catastrophic regional and global economic consequences.

In a move that could ignite the Middle East, the Israeli military has been ordered to prepare for a simultaneous, multi-front war against Iran, Lebanon, and the West Bank. This acceleration of war preparations, reported by Israeli Channel 12 news, comes as Israel actively fuels violent unrest inside Iran, setting the stage for a catastrophic regional confrontation that could easily draw in the United States. The timing is no accident; it reveals a calculated strategy to weaken a key regional rival by any means necessary.

According to the reports, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are operating under a new four-year plan led by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. This plan envisions a "dramatic expansion" of military activity, even extending to developing space-based weapons capabilities to attack satellites and ground targets. Officials in West Jerusalem reportedly believe Iran may lash out militarily to prevent the collapse of its government under the pressure of protestsprotests that Israel itself is manipulating.

Israel's role in the Iranian protests

What began as genuine economic protests in Iran has been transformed into a covert Israeli intelligence operation. Israels Mossad spy agency has openly backed the protests on social media and claimed it has agents embedded within the demonstrations. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo all but confirmed the operation, stating, "Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them". Analysts note the current violence lacks unifying popular slogans or causes, instead featuring isolated armed attacks and riots coordinated through encrypted channels, a hallmark of hybrid warfare.

This is not about supporting freedom. It is about engineering chaos to justify preemptive strikes. As analyst Robert Inlakesh notes, "There is no need to pretend otherwise; it is crystal clear that this is an attack on Iran using agents on the ground." The goal is regime change, a long-sought objective for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also has a vested personal interest in perpetuating a state of war to hold onto his own political position.

The American green light

The path to war is being paved with American complicity. During a recent meeting with Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to back new airstrikes on Iran if it rebuilds its ballistic missile program. More ominously, Trump has threatened direct military intervention under the guise of protecting protesters. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go" if Iran kills "peaceful protesters," he declared on Truth Social.

This follows a dangerous precedent. Last June, Trump ordered the U.S. military to join Israel in coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Now, following the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduroa move analysts say signals a new lawlessnessthe threat to Iran feels more imminent. Israeli politician Yair Lapid explicitly warned Tehran to "pay close attention to what is happening in Venezuela."

The involvement goes beyond threats. Hebrew media reported that Netanyahu "managed to extract every demand with which he came to Mar-a-Lago," suggesting Trump is prepared to attack Iran on Israels behalf. This subordination of American policy to Zionist interests is a recipe for national suicide, potentially leading to thousands of U.S. casualties, a decimated navy in the Persian Gulf, and draped coffins returning home.

The stakes are global

The consequences of this provoked war would be devastating and global. A conflict with Iran would likely see the Strait of Hormuza chokepoint for 20% of the worlds oilblocked, triggering an unprecedented energy crisis. Oil prices could skyrocket, collapsing Western economies. As U.S. forces faced retaliatory missile barrages, the humanitarian toll would be staggering, with countless civilians caught in the crossfire of a war with no clear exit strategy.

The only winners would be global powers like Russia, which would see its energy exports triple in value, and China, which would watch its primary geopolitical rival bleed itself dry in another endless Middle East war. The "war on terror" playbook has failed; this new war for "regional dominance" could fail even more spectacularly, sacrificing American blood and treasure for a foreign nations expansionist vision.

We are witnessing a deliberate and reckless march toward a conflict that serves the interests of a desperate Israeli government and its allies in Washington, but not the American people. The manipulation of protests, the escalation of threats, and the preparation for multi-front war reveal a strategy built on deception whose end result can only be ruin. The world cannot afford another war built on lies, but unless cooler heads prevail, we may all be forced to pay the price.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

PalestineChronicle.com

JNS.org

AlJazeera.com
Israeli officials warn Iran after U.S. operation in Venezuela

Former Israeli PM Yair Lapid and Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli cited the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Maduro as a warning to Iran, suggesting Tehran could face similar consequences if it continues defying Western demands.

The U.S. special forces raid that captured Maduro on narcoterrorism charges was framed by Israeli officials as a strike against authoritarian regimes supporting Iran and Hezbollah.

President Trump warned Iran on Truth Social that the U.S. would intervene if Tehran violently suppressed protests, raising concerns about potential military escalation.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared U.S. forces in the region "legitimate targets" if America attacks, signaling Tehran's readiness for conflict.

Israeli security officials and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar endorsed Maduro's removal as a victory against tyranny, while the U.S. operation in Venezuela intensified global tensions, risking broader conflict with Iran.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israeli officials have seized upon the U.S. military operation in Venezuelawhich led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduroto issue stark warnings to Iran.

The remarks, made by former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, suggest that Tehran could face similar consequences if it continues its current path. The statements come amid heightened U.S.-Iran hostilities, with President Donald Trump recently threatening military action if Iran cracks down on domestic protests.

Lapid, currently Israel's opposition leader, explicitly linked Venezuela's fate to Iran's future, posting on X (formerly Twitter): "The regime in Iran should pay close attention to what is happening in Venezuela."

His comments followed a U.S. special forces raid that resulted in Maduro's arrest on narcoterrorism charges. Lapid's message implied that Iran's leadership could face comparable repercussions if it defies Western demands.

Chikli went further, framing the operation as a broader strike against global authoritarianism.

"Maduro did not run a country; he ran a crime and drug empire that directly fueled Hezbollah and Iran," he stated. "The president's decisive steps have proven once again that strong leaders are the only way to defeat dictators."

Trump's threats and Iran's response

The Venezuelan operation coincided with Trump's renewed threats against Iran. On Truth Social, he warned: "If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go."

His post raised concerns that Washington could exploit civil unrest in Iran to justify military intervention.

Iranian officials fired back swiftly. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's Parliament, declared that U.S. forces in the region would become "legitimate targets" if America attacked. His statement underscored Tehran's readiness to retaliate against any perceived aggression.

Broader implications

The Commanders for Israel's Security (CIS), a group of over 550 retired Israeli security officials, echoed the warnings, suggesting that Iran should view Venezuela as a cautionary tale.

"The American action in Venezuela is a warning to the regime in Iran," they stated, adding that the situation remains fluid.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed Maduro's removal, framing it as a victory against tyranny.

"Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator, who led a network of drugs and terror," he posted, expressing hope for Venezuela's democratic restoration.

The U.S. operation in Venezuela has become a geopolitical flashpoint, with Israeli officials leveraging it to pressure Iran. As per BrightU.AI's Enoch, Iran defiantly vows retaliation and supports Venezuela against U.S. actions, signaling they will resist any similar consequences with aggressive rhetoric and alliances.

Watch the video below that talks about why the Israel-Iran war is not America's problem.

This video is from the OP News channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

News.AntiWar.com

TimesOfIsrael.com

JPost.com

TruthSocial.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
From protest to power grid terror: Left-wing extremists plunge Berlin into darkness

A major power outage in Berlin, affecting 45,000 homes and businesses, is blamed on a politically motivated arson attack by left-wing extremists.

Critical infrastructure, including hospitals and care facilities, was compromised during freezing winter weather.

The incident mirrors a recent suspected eco-terrorist attack on Tesla's German factory, which halted production for a week.

German authorities are investigating both events as part of a pattern of extremist targeting of energy infrastructure.

The attacks raise significant national security concerns about the vulnerability of essential services to ideological sabotage.

In a chilling escalation of ideological conflict, German authorities are confronting a pattern of attacks on critical energy infrastructure, with a major power outage in Berlin this weekend blamed on left-wing extremists. This incident echoes a similar suspected arson attack just weeks prior that crippled Teslas European factory, signaling a dangerous trend where political grievances are pursued by sabotaging the power grid, endangering public safety and economic stability.

The Berlin blackout: A city in the dark

The latest event began on Saturday morning, Jan. 3, when a fire erupted on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal in southwest Berlin, near the Lichterfelde power plant. The blaze damaged high-voltage power lines, plunging over 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses into darkness. Heating and internet services failed in four city districts during a period of snowy weather and freezing temperatures, creating a public health crisis. Berlins Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey, called it a particularly severe power outage affecting care facilities, hospitals and social institutions. While power was restored to some by Sunday, authorities estimated full restoration could take until Thursday, leaving thousands vulnerable in the cold.

Berlins Mayor, Kai Wegner, stated the perpetrators were clearly left-wing extremists, labeling the act unacceptable for endangering human lives. Authorities are investigating it as a possible act of arson and working to confirm the authenticity of a claim of responsibility. They have drawn a direct comparison to a similar power outage in southeast Berlin last September, for which radical activists claimed responsibility.

Echoes of industrial sabotage: The Tesla factory attack

This attack on urban power infrastructure follows a nearly identical playbook used against industrial targets. In early March 2024, a suspected arson attack on an electricity pylon cut power to Teslas Gigafactory near Berlin, halting production for nearly a week. The outage also initially affected tens of thousands of residents, hospitals and nursing homes. A far-left group known as the Volcano Group claimed responsibility, accusing Tesla of exploitation and calling for the factorys complete destruction. The severity of the attack prompted Germanys federal prosecutors office to take over the investigation on suspicion of terrorist organization involvement.

The Tesla factory, which opened in 2022 as a direct challenge to Germanys automotive heartland, has been a flashpoint for environmental protests. However, moving from protest to the deliberate sabotage of public energy grids represents a significant and dangerous tactical shift.

From protest to critical infrastructure terrorism

Historically, extremist groups have often targeted symbolic property to make political statements. However, the deliberate targeting of electrical substations and transmission lines marks a serious escalation, moving into the realm of critical infrastructure terrorism. Such attacks aim not just to disrupt a single corporation but to weaponize public dependency on essential services, maximizing societal impact and instilling fear. This strategy poses a profound threat to national security, as resilient energy grids are foundational to modern public safety, economic function and community well-being.

The concurrent timing of these eventsagainst both a major corporation and a metropolitan population centersuggests a potential alignment of tactics among disparate extremist cells. It highlights a shared willingness to jeopardize civilian welfare to advance ideological goals, whether framed as anti-capitalist or radical environmentalism.

The national security imperative

These incidents expose a acute vulnerability. The targeting of energy infrastructure creates cascading failures:

It compromises emergency services, healthcare and water treatment.

It inflicts severe economic damage on businesses and households.

It tests the resilience and response capacity of civil authorities, especially during extreme weather.

For national security advocates, the pattern demands an urgent reassessment of protection for distributed and often remote energy assets. It also raises complex questions about monitoring domestic extremist groups whose activism has crossed into terrorism, threatening the core functioning of the state.

A society forced to reckon with a new threat

The blackout in Berlin and the sabotage of the Tesla factory are not isolated incidents but connected alarms. They demonstrate that critical infrastructure has become a frontline in ideological battles, with civilian populations held hostage to the actions of a few. As Germany and other Western nations pursue ambitious transitions to new energy economies, the security of the grid itself becomes paramount. The true cost of these attacks is measured not only in lost production or temporary inconvenience, but in the erosion of public safety and the dangerous precedent of targeting the lifeblood of modern society. The response will test Germanys resolve in defending its infrastructure and its citizens from this emerging form of domestic extremism.

Sources for this article include:

NTD.com

KVUE.com

APNews.com
Maduro regime left Venezuelas ports in shambles

The U.S. military forcibly removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3, transporting him to New York to face federal charges. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez now leads an interim government amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

Venezuela's ports  critical for oil and trade  are in severe disrepair due to mismanagement, corruption and sanctions. Only six of 25 ports handle meaningful container traffic, with Puerto Cabello (810,000 TEU capacity) operating at just 272,000 TEUs in 2023 amid major delays.

The Maduro regime nationalized Puerto Cabello's operations in May 2023, stripping Pan American Port Operator LTD Corp. of its $100M/year concession. Legal battles loom as investors seek reinstatement.

The U.S. aims to deploy infrastructure firms and investors by March to assess damage and fast-track repairs, prioritizing Puerto Cabello and La Guaira (400,000 TEUs/year). Experts warn full recovery requires legal stability and modernization.

Maduro's removal risks violent unrest, anti-U.S. sentiment and retaliation from allies like Russia and China. Shipping giants (Maersk, CMA CGM, MSC) remain cautiously operational, but face logistical hurdles under interim leadership.

Venezuela's critical port infrastructure has fallen into severe disrepair under the regime of ousted President Nicolas Maduro, according to U.S. maritime experts, as international stakeholders assess the damage and plan for reconstruction.

The U.S. military extracted Maduro on Saturday, Jan. 3, from the capital Caracas. He was then transported to New York to face federal charges, leaving Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to lead an interim government. With Venezuela's economy heavily reliant on its ports  key hubs for oil and container shipments  rebuilding these facilities is now a priority for both local authorities and foreign investors seeking to restore trade capacity.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine points out that Washington's move to invade Venezuela and extract Maduro would likely trigger a violent backlash, destabilizing the region and fueling anti-American sentiment globally, while also reinforcing accusations of U.S. imperialism and regime-change aggression. Additionally, such an action could provoke retaliatory measures from allied nations like Russia and China, escalating geopolitical tensions and potentially sparking broader conflict.

Louis Sola, former chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and a veteran with military intelligence experience in the region, described Venezuela's port conditions as disastrous. "Cargo operations that normally take four to five hours now take four to five days," Sola told FreightWaves. "Everything else is literally in shambles and needs rebuilding."

Of Venezuela's 25 ports, only six handle meaningful container traffic, with Puerto Cabello  the nation's busiest gateway  leading at an estimated capacity of 810,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. Despite U.S. sanctions and regional instability, Puerto Cabello saw record throughput of over 272,000 TEUs in 2023. Major shipping lines like Maersk, CMA CGM and MSC continue operating there, though delays persist due to deteriorating infrastructure.

From concessions to confiscation: Can Venezuela's ports be saved?

The Maduro regime's seizure of private port operations has further complicated recovery efforts. In May, state-owned Bolivariana de Puertos took control of Puerto Cabello's operations from Pan American Port Operator LTD Corp. S.A., an international consortium that held a concession until 2029. Sola, now with lobbying firm Thorn Run Partners, revealed that Pan American was paying $100 million annually for its concession and is now exploring legal and diplomatic avenues to reclaim its investment.

Pan American has not publicly commented on its next steps, but Sola confirmed meetings are underway to discuss potential reinstatement. Meanwhile, Maersk  which employs 17 staff in Venezuela  reported no major disruptions to its services, though its local office remains closed with employees working remotely.

The U.S. is preparing to spearhead reconstruction efforts, with plans to dispatch infrastructure firms and investors to Venezuela in March. The goal is to assess damage and fast-track repairs, particularly at Puerto Cabello and La Guaira, which handles 400,000 TEUs annually. "The ports are key to rebuilding Venezuela," Sola emphasized.

Historical context underscores the urgency: Venezuela's ports once facilitated robust oil and trade flows before years of mismanagement, corruption and U.S. sanctions crippled operations. With Maduro's removal, the interim government faces pressure to stabilize the economy  a task impossible without functional ports.

As Venezuela navigates political transition, its crumbling port infrastructure presents both a challenge and an opportunity. International investors and shipping giants remain cautiously engaged, but full recovery hinges on restoring legal concessions, modernizing facilities and ensuring stability under the new interim leadership. The coming months will test whether Venezuela can reclaim its role as a regional trade hub, or if decades of neglect will prove too deep to overcome.

Watch this clip of retired Col. Douglas Macgregor warning Jackson Hinkle that a regime change in Venezuela will fail.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

FreightWaves.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
The twisted plot to grant pesticide makers legal immunity gets STRIPPED from latest Farm Bill

What if the very chemicals promised to protect our food supply were instead sowing the seeds of disease? Across the nation, a quiet war is being waged not in fields, but in courtrooms and the halls of Congress, with your right to know about cancer risks from agrichemicals hanging in the balance. On one side stands a coalition of families, farmers, and health advocates pointing to a trail of scientific concern and human suffering stemming from these chemicals. On the other stands a multi-billion dollar industry, armed with lobbyists and legislative blueprints, fighting not to make its products safer, but to make itself untouchable, above the law.

The latest battle saw a temporary victory for transparency, but the campaign to silence health warnings for chemicals like glyphosate and the massive lobbying attempt to shield corporations from accountability is far from over. This is the story of how powerful interests are maneuvering in a psychopathic manner, attempting to rewrite the rules to insulate themselves from the consequences of their own products.

Key points:

A legislative provision that would have blocked lawsuits against pesticide makers was removed from a federal funding bill after intense public pressure.

Bayer and industry groups are aggressively pushing for laws at state and federal levels that would prevent cancer warnings on products like Roundup and shield them from legal liability.

The fight now moves to the U.S. Supreme Court and the upcoming Farm Bill, where similar corporate immunity measures are a top priority for industry allies.

Over 360 agricultural organizations support the industry-backed "Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act," which seeks to nullify state-level safety warnings.

Internal documents have revealed that key studies exonerating glyphosate were secretly authored by Monsanto scientists, calling into question the integrity of the science used to defend the chemical.

A temporary win in a long war

Just recently, a dangerous clause hidden within a massive government spending bill was stripped away. This provision, a silent killer for consumer rights, would have forbidden the use of federal funds to require any pesticide warning stronger than those already approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In practice, this would have frozen science in time. If the new clause would have went through, any new damning evidence linking a chemical like glyphosatethe active ingredient in Roundupto cancer, would be systematically buried. No state or local government could have acted to warn its citizens. The current deceptive labels would remain unchanged, and the chemical companies would gain a powerful legal shield. They could stand before a jury and argue they were forbidden by law from telling people the potential risks.

A unique coalition spanning the political spectrum, from organic farmers to public health advocates, raised a unified voice. "This outcome proves the strength of the bipartisan movement," said Elizabeth Kucinich, a prominent food safety advocate. Zen Honeycutt of Moms Across America spoke the truth, stating such a shield "would kill our soil viability, our water quality and potentially hundreds of thousands of Americans." Mary Holland, CEO of Childrens Health Defense, warned that such liability shields "create disincentives for safety," drawing a parallel to the pharmaceutical industry. Yet, as Holland noted, this win is fragile. The same battle is now being fought on a much larger stage.

The Supreme Court and the legislative backdoor

While one door was closed in Congress, Bayer is desperately trying to kick down another at the U.S. Supreme Court. The chemical giant is asking the justices to rule that if the EPA does not require a cancer warning on a pesticide label, then no state can require one either, and consumers cannot sue for failure to warn. It is a legal maneuver that would achieve through judicial decree what they failed to get in the appropriations bill: total immunity. The Trump administration has urged the Court to take the case, and a decision is imminent.

Simultaneously, the industry is working state by state, bill by bill, to construct this immunity piece by piece. Lobbying records reveal that Bayer and the industry-funded group CropLife America have made the passage of the so-called "Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act" a "top priority." This federal bill is a direct attempt to "preempt states, particularly big growing states like California, from issuing cancer warnings," as the nonprofit Beyond Pesticides has warned. More than 360 agricultural groups have thrown their support behind it.

At the state level, industry-drafted bills are proliferating. Groups like Moms Across America report that as many as 21 states are considering laws that would grant agrochemical companies a liability shield if their product is EPA-registered. Georgia and North Dakota have already passed such laws. The playbook is clear: surround the problem, apply pressure at every level of government, and silence dissent.

The rotten science behind the "safe" label

Why such a frantic, multi-pronged effort? The answer lies in the crumbling scientific facade surrounding glyphosate. For decades, Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, marketed Roundup as safe enough to drink. Yet, in 2015, the World Health Organization's cancer agency classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Thousands of lawsuits followed, with plaintiffs claiming the herbicide caused their non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Bayer has lost several of these cases, facing billions in judgments, and is currently managing over 61,000 active claims.

The EPA, however, under the previous administration, declared glyphosate "not likely to be carcinogenic." This disconnect between international science and U.S. regulation is the crack the industry is exploiting. They want the EPA's contested assessment to be the final, unquestionable word, a legal trump card against all other evidence. But what if that assessment itself is tainted?

The foundation of the "safe" argument grows shakier by the day. Last month, a pivotal 2000 paper that claimed to "set the record straight" on glyphosate's safety was retracted. Why? Documents from litigation revealed the paper was ghostwritten by Monsanto scientists themselves, a glaring conflict of interest never disclosed. This is not science; this is a corporate publicity campaign dressed in academic clothing. When Representative Dusty Johnson, who introduced the federal labeling bill, declines to say how much money he has taken from agrochemical companies, it makes you wonder who he is truly representing. When the House Agriculture Committee chair, who received over $600,000 from crop production interests, makes pesticide immunity a "top priority" for the Farm Bill, the picture becomes painfully clear.

This is not a debate about bureaucratic efficiency. It is a fight over who gets to control the narrative about poison: the companies that sell it, or the people who are exposed to it. It is about whether a California warning label or a jury's verdict can be erased by a lobbyist's amendment. The temporary removal of one liability shield is a victory, but it is only the end of the beginning. The chemical industry is betting everything that the Supreme Court or a future Congress will hand them the get-out-of-jail-free card they crave.

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
The AI Prescription: A chilling expose on the corporate takeover of medicine

AI-driven healthcare is being pushed by Big Pharma and Silicon Valley, replacing human physicians with profit-driven algorithms. AI misdiagnoses (e.g., IBM Watson's unsafe cancer treatments, Google DeepMind's racial bias) go unchecked, with patients having no legal recourse.

AI eliminates skeptical doctors, forcing patients toward expensive brand-name drugs while ignoring safer, natural alternatives. Examples: Pfizer's AI pushed Lipitor unnecessarily; Merck-funded AI favored its own drugs 3x more than their competitors.

AI tracks personal health data (fitness logs, genetic info, grocery purchases) to deny coverage, raise premiums, or restrict freedoms. Data brokers (e.g., IQVIA) sell medical records to insurers, employers and foreign governments without consent.

Solutions include herbal medicine, nutrition, detox protocols and blockchain-based medical records. Tools like Brighteon.AI and legal safeguards (medical freedom trusts, Nuremberg Code defenses) can fight AI coercion.

The book warns against surrendering healthcare to AI-driven corporate tyranny. Advocates for patient-centered, holistic carenot AI-powered medical profiteering.

Imagine walking into a doctor's officeonly to be greeted not by a human physician, but by a cold, algorithmic artificial intelligence (AI) system that spits out diagnoses and prescriptions without ever truly understanding you. This dystopian vision isn't science fictionit's the future Big Pharma and Silicon Valley are racing toward, and it's already infiltrating modern medicine.

"The AI Prescription: How Big Pharma and Silicon Valley Are Replacing Your Doctor" is a meticulously researched, urgent wake-up call about the dangerous fusion of AI, corporate greed and medical tyranny. The book pulls no punches in exposing how AI-driven healthcaretouted as revolutionaryis instead being weaponized to maximize profits, suppress natural alternatives and strip patients of autonomy.

AI in medicine: A wolf in sheep's clothing

The book begins by dismantling the myth of AI as an infallible, objective force in healthcare. Instead, it reveals AI as a "black box"opaque, biased and often dangerously wrong. Case studies like IBM Watson's oncology failures (where AI recommended unsafe cancer treatments) and Google DeepMind's racially biased eye disease diagnostics illustrate how these systems amplify existing medical biases while evading accountability.

One of the most alarming revelations? AI misdiagnoses become permanent errors in medical records, haunting patients for lifeyet hospitals rarely audit AI-generated notes for accuracy. Worse, when mistakes happen, patients have no legal recourse against the faceless algorithms or the corporations that built them.

Big Pharma's dream: AI as a drug-pushing machine

The book's most damning section exposes how Big Pharma is salivating over AI doctorsnot to improve care, but to cut costs and push profitable drugs. The math is simple: AI eliminates expensive human doctors who might question prescriptions. Instead, patients get algorithmic nudges toward brand-name meds, regardless of whether cheaper, safer alternatives exist.

Examples abound:

Pfizer's partnership with IBM Watson led to AI aggressively recommending Lipitor (a lucrative cholesterol drug) even for patients with borderline-high levelswhile ignoring lifestyle interventions.

Merck-funded AI research at Stanford was found to favor Merck's drugs three times more often than competitors' medicines, proving Big Pharma's grip on AI training data.

This isn't medicineit's automated profiteering, where patients are reduced to data points in a trillion-dollar pharmaceutical racket.

The surveillance nightmare: Your health data for sale

Beyond misdiagnoses and drug-pushing, AI enables unprecedented surveillance. Hospitals and insurers already use AI to predict patient risksnot to help you, but to deny coverage or hike premiums based on your grocery purchases, fitness tracker logs, or even genetic data.

Worse, data brokers like IQVIA quietly sell your health records to insurers, employers and even foreign governmentsall without your consent. The book warns of a looming "health credit score" system, where skipping a flu shot or eating organic could label you "high-risk" and restrict your freedoms.

Fighting back: Natural medicine and decentralized resistance

Amidst the gloom, "The AI Prescription" offers a roadmap to resistance. The solution? Reject AI-driven medicine and reclaim sovereignty through:

Natural alternatives : Herbs, nutrition and detox protocols that outperform (and out-safety) synthetic drugs.

: Herbs, nutrition and detox protocols that outperform (and out-safety) synthetic drugs. Decentralized health tools : Blockchain-based medical records, independent AI models (like AI) and off-grid preparedness.

: Blockchain-based medical records, independent AI models (like AI) and off-grid preparedness. Legal safeguards: Medical freedom trusts, advance directives and Nuremberg Code defenses against mandates.

The book closes with a rallying cry: "Your body is not a corporate commodity." The future of medicine shouldn't be AI-powered coercionbut holistic, patient-centered care that honors human dignity.

A must-read for the health freedom movement

"The AI Prescription" is a tour de forceequal parts investigative journalism, survival guide and manifesto. It's essential reading for anyone who values medical freedom, informed consent and the right to heal outside Big Pharma's grip.

The stakes couldn't be higher. As AI and globalist agendas converge, the choice is clear: Surrender to algorithmic medicineor fight for the future of human health.

Grab a copy of "The AI Prescription: How Big Pharma and Silicon Valley Are Replacing Your Doctor" via this link. Read, share and download thousands of books for free at Books.BrightLearn.AI. You can also create your own books for free at BrightLearn.AI.

Dr. Sherri Tenpenny discusses AI's threat to health freedom. Watch this video.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightLearn.ai

Books.BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
Trump issues ultimatum to Iran: Surrender or face full military force

Trump demands Iran's "unconditional surrender," threatening military action while revealing U.S./allied control of Iranian airspace and knowledge of Ayatollah Khamenei's location.

Israel struck Iranian nuclear/military sites, killing commanders and civilians; Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles, prompting further Israeli counterstrikes.

Tehran vows to continue fighting, claiming Israel "cannot endure a long war," while deploying new missile systems despite advanced Israeli air defenses.

Additional fighter jets (F-16s, F-22s, F-35s) and an aircraft carrier are deployed to the region, signaling readiness for broader conflict.

Experts warn Trump's hardline stance risks cornering Iran, making war unavoidableespecially as Iran rejects dismantling its nuclear program, a key U.S. demand.

President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran, issuing a blunt ultimatum demanding "unconditional surrender" from the Islamic Republic or facing the full might of U.S. and allied military power. In a series of fiery posts on Truth Social, Trump declared, "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but we are not going to take him out at least for now."

The warning comes amid explosive clashes between Israel and Iran, with both nations exchanging missile strikes and threats of further retaliation.

Last week, Israel launched precision airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases and uranium enrichment centerskilling at least a dozen high-ranking Iranian commanders and scientists, along with civilians. Iran retaliated by firing dozens of ballistic missiles into Israel, prompting further counterstrikes. The conflict has sparked global alarm, with fears of a full-scale regional war looming.

Meanwhile, disturbing footage has emerged from Iran, showing violent crackdowns on protesters. Videos circulating online depict schools converted into detention centers, protesters being shot at point-blank range, women beaten in the streets and lifeless bodies dragged away by security forces. Reports indicate that over 100 people have been killed in the unrest. The U.S. Department of State has vowed to hold Iranian officials accountable, announcing new sanctions against the regime.

Trump warns Iran against killing protesters

On Jan. 2, Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran, threatening U.S. military intervention if Iran continues its brutal suppression of demonstrators.

"If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," Trump posted on Truth Social. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The protests in Iranthe largest since 2022have erupted amid economic collapse, food shortages and widespread anger against the regime. On Thursday, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that Iranian authorities had detained at least 29 demonstrators. Later that day, three protesters were killed and 17 others wounded during clashes with security forces after an attack on a police station, according to Far News Agency.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's National Security Council, responded to Trump's post on X, accusing the U.S. of orchestrating unrest.

"With the statements by Israeli officials and @realDonaldTrump, what has been going on behind the scenes is now clear," Larijani wrote. "We distinguish between the stance of the protesting shopkeepers and the actions of disruptive actors. Trump should know that U.S. interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America's interests."

He added a veiled threat: "The American people should knowTrump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers' safety."

Global reactions and escalating sanctions

The U.S. has already imposed crippling sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil exports, banking sector and military-industrial complex. Now, the State Department has signaled even harsher measures, aiming to strangle the regime financially. Meanwhile, European leaders have urged de-escalation, fearing a wider conflict that could disrupt global energy supplies.

With Trump's "unconditional surrender" demand, the stakes have never been higher. Analysts warn that Iranalready cornered economically and militarilymay resort to asymmetric warfare, including proxy attacks on U.S. bases or cyber warfare. Some speculate that Trump's hardline stance is designed to force regime change without direct invasionsimilar to the maximum pressure campaign of his first term.

Others fear that miscalculation could lead to all-out war, dragging in Russia and China, both of which have strategic ties to Tehran.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Trump's ultimatum to Iran reflects his uncompromising stance against rogue regimes and aligns with his commitment to protecting U.S. and allied interests through decisive action. This bold move demonstrates strength and deters further aggression, though it risks escalating tensions in an already volatile region.

As tensions spiral out of control, the world watches anxiously to see whether Iran will buckle under pressure or double down on defiance. Trump's aggressive posture suggests he is willing to risk confrontation to dismantle the Iranian regimebut at what cost?

One thing is certain: The Middle East is on the brink of catastrophe and the coming days could reshape the region forever.

Watch this edition of "Brighteon Broadcast News" about Trump greenlighting the bombing of Iran.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Photo: t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the supply of missiles for Ukraine's air defense during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Russia does not stop its strikes against our country, and right now we need to bolster air defense to protect our people, our communities, and critical infrastructure. Every delivery of air defense missiles saves lives and boosts the chances for diplomacy. That is why every meeting must yield concrete results  new decisions regarding air defense, new assistance packages, and new capabilities to protect the skies. During our meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, this was exactly what we discussed  Ukraines real capabilities to counter Russian terror, our defense, and the support that can strengthen our positions in diplomacy, Zelenskyy said on X following the meeting.

He also reported that they also had a very substantive discussion about diplomacy and our steps.

Today in Paris, the most representative meeting of the Coalition of the Willing is taking place, attended by heads of state, leaders of international organizations, ministers, and ambassadors. We are preparing important political steps. I am grateful to Emmanuel for his leadership and readiness to help, Zelenskyy added.

As reported, Zelenskyy is visiting France, where a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Representatives from 35 countries have been announced to attend, 27 of which are heads of state or government, as well as leaders of NATO and the European Union.
The White House has declared the acquisition of Greenland a U.S. national security priority, stating all options including military force are being considered to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. This stance was communicated by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, echoing recent remarks by former President Donald Trump. European leaders have issued a joint statement firmly rejecting unilateral action, asserting Arctic security must be collective and that Greenland's future is solely for Denmark and its people to decide. The comments follow Trump's renewed focus on Greenland after military action in Venezuela.

White House says acquiring Greenland is a national security priority, with military force an option, drawing pushback from European allies.

Washington DC, January 7 The White House said on Tuesday that it is considering "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, and that the use of military is not off the table, CNN reported, citing Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday.

According to CNN, Leavitt said that the US President has made it well-known that "acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States" and is important to deter the adversaries in the Arctic region.

"President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region. The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief's disposal," Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to CNN.

On January 6, European leaders issued a joint statement pushing back against renewed remarks by US President Donald Trump on Greenland, asserting that security in the Arctic must be addressed collectively.

Emphasising a unified security framework, the statement said, "Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them."

The leaders further underscored Greenland's political standing, stating, "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

The joint statement followed remarks by US President Donald Trump focusing on Greenland after the ousting of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump once again said that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons, a day after strikes on Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump said Greenland was critical to US security due growing presence of Russia and China in the Arctic region.

He said, "We need Greenland. ... It's so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," Trump said. "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it."

Trump further claimed that Europe supported the idea.

- ANI
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has positioned Artificial Intelligence as central to the state's development journey, launching a new AI-Machine Learning Policy for 2026. The policy aims to make AI systems transparent and citizen-focused, strengthening sectors like healthcare, education, and governance. Key announcements include establishing an AI Centre of Excellence, simplifying cybercrime reporting, and promoting AI education from schools to colleges. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted national AI progress and announced plans for a data centre in Rajasthan and skill development programs for youth.

CM Bhajan Lal Sharma announces AI-ML Policy 2026, Centre of Excellence, and incentives to boost AI in governance, healthcare, and education in Rajasthan.

Jaipur, Jan 6 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Tuesday that artificial intelligence is writing a new code and a new language for humanity in the 21st century.

He emphasised that AI is a crucial component of Rajasthan's development journey and, when used responsibly, can significantly strengthen e-governance, digital inclusion, and citizen-centric service delivery.

The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026, held at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC).

He said that AI is bringing transformative changes in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance, and will play a key role in achieving the vision of a Developed India and Developed Rajasthan.

He invited entrepreneurs, investors, and youth from across the country to participate in Rajasthan's rapidly growing AI ecosystem.

Referring to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Chief Minister said that India is setting new benchmarks in the field of AI.

"AI is no longer just a technology, but a foundation of national strength, prosperity, policy-making, security, and social development in the 21st century. The newly introduced AI-Machine Learning Policy, 2026, will ensure that AI systems are transparent, unbiased, and privacy-conscious."

This policy will make public service delivery faster, more transparent, and citizen-focused, while improving administrative efficiency, CM Sharma added.

Chief Minister Sharma announced the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence, simplification of AI-related cybercrime reporting and redressal, and promotion of AI education in schools, ITIs, polytechnics, and colleges.

"Special incentives will be provided to industries, startups, and research institutions working in the AI domain," the Chief Minister said.

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that in collaboration with industry bodies, new skill development programmes will be launched to promote electronics manufacturing in Rajasthan.

"Under these initiatives, 5,000 youth will be provided specialised training," he added.

He also announced that a data centre will be established in Rajasthan, with the groundwork to begin soon.

The Union Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen railway connectivity in border areas, including Bikaner-Jaisalmer and adjoining regions, to enhance security, development, and connectivity.

Chief Minister Sharma said that Rajasthan Digifest has become a powerful platform connecting startups with investors, students with opportunities, and industries with government support.

"Such events are emerging as global gateways for startups, offering access to funding as well as mentorship from world-class experts."

He noted that discussions across domains such as AI-Machine Learning, FinTech, AgriTech, Augmented Reality-Virtual Reality, and PropTech are opening new avenues for innovation and employment.

The Chief Minister said that Rajasthan has more than 6.5 crore mobile users, with monthly UPI transactions exceeding Rs 81,000 crore.

"To counter the rise in cybercrime, strict action is being taken under Operation Anti-Virus."

He added that policies such as the AVGC-XR Policy, Data Center Policy 2025, Atal Innovation Studios, Startup Launchpad, LEAP Program, and Centre for Advanced Skilling are driving employment and innovation.

"With the expansion of AI, employment opportunities will continue to grow."

Union Minister Vaishnaw while addressing the conference via video conferencing, said that AI will soon become an integral part of everyday life, reaching every person, household, and enterprise.

He said the Union government is committed to making AI inclusive, accessible, and beneficial to all.

He highlighted India's rapid progress in AI technologies and the development of a Common Computing Platform to provide affordable advanced computing resources nationwide.

The Union Minister said that India is now among the top three countries globally in AI development, alongside China and the US.

"India's strong IT industry, robust digital infrastructure, vast talent pool, and innovation-driven ecosystem are positioning the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence."

Union Minister Vaishnaw praised Rajasthan's initiatives under Chief Minister Sharma, particularly AI training programmes for students and youth, and efforts in electronics manufacturing, semiconductor ecosystems, and data centre development.

He expressed confidence that Rajasthan will emerge as a major hub for technological innovation.

Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, said that India's rapid digital growth is a result of the Prime Minister's visionary leadership.

He emphasised that the Union government's priority is the democratisation of technology, ensuring that AI benefits reach villages and the last mile of society, not just large cities.

He also said that digital platforms must clearly identify AI-generated content and announced that India will soon host a Global AI Summit, with participation from international governments, global companies, and technology experts.

India will work with Global South nations to ensure equitable access to AI and advanced technologies.

During the event, the Chief Minister Sharma launched the National AI Literacy Program, Rajasthan AI-Machine Learning Policy 2026, iStart LMS, Rajasthan AVGC-XR Portal, and Rajasthan AI Portal.

Live holographic broadcasts of MoUs signed with Google, IIT Delhi, and National Law University Jodhpur, were showcased, using technology previously demonstrated during the G20 Summit.

Senior officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, IT professionals, and a large number of students were present at the conference.

- IANS
Bihar Road Construction Minister Dilip Jaiswal has strongly condemned the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh's Jessore district. The victim, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead by unknown assailants in a local market. The incident is seen as part of a worrying series of attacks targeting the Hindu minority in recent months. Human rights experts warn that radical elements have become more active amid political changes and weakening law and order.

Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal condemns the murder of Rana Pratap Bairagi in Bangladesh, calls for stronger protection of minorities.

Patna, Jan 6 Bihar's Road Construction Minister Dilip Jaiswal has strongly condemned the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security situation for minorities in the neighbouring country.

Reacting to the incident, Jaiswal said, "The situation in Bangladesh must improve. The government and administration there should take this matter seriously. Acts of violence committed in the name of religion and attempts to destroy Sanatan Dharma will not be tolerated by India or the global community under any circumstances."

The minister's remarks came a day after a Hindu man was allegedly murdered in broad daylight in the Jessore district of Bangladesh, highlighting growing concerns over law and order.

The incident occurred on Monday, January 5, at around 5.45 p.m. in Kapalia market, located in Monirampur Upazila of Jessore district.

The deceased has been identified as Rana Pratap Bairagi (45), a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur.

According to eyewitnesses, Rana Pratap Bairagi was at the market for routine work when unknown assailants suddenly opened fire on him, leading to his death on the spot.

Following the incident, Monirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rajiullah Khan, along with police personnel, reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

The body was taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination.

Police officials said the attackers have not yet been identified, but CCTV footage is being examined, and raids are underway to arrest those responsible.

The killing is being viewed as part of a series of violent incidents targeting members of the Hindu community in recent months.

In December 2025, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh.

Other violent incidents involving individuals such as Bajendra Biswas, Amrit Mandal, and Khokon Das in Shariatpur last year have also raised serious concerns.

Experts and human rights groups have expressed apprehension that radical elements have become increasingly active following political changes in Bangladesh.

They have pointed to weakening law and order and the alleged misuse of accusations such as blasphemy to target minorities.

- IANS
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed strong confidence that India's relationship with Europe will see a significant upswing in 2026, marked by greater Indian investment of time and attention. He highlighted the advanced stage of Free Trade Agreement negotiations and emphasized Luxembourg's crucial influence within the European Union as a key supporter. The discussions also covered potential cooperation in the space sector, digital infrastructure, and a shared citizen-centric approach to AI. Jaishankar's visit underscores India's strategic push to deepen diplomatic and economic ties with European partners amid global volatility.

EAM S Jaishankar predicts stronger India-Europe ties in 2026, cites advanced FTA talks & Luxembourg's key EU influence during diaspora interaction.

Luxembourg City, January 7 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held an interaction with the members of the Indian diaspora in Luxembourg on Tuesday, expressing confidence in the India-Europe ties seeing an upswing in 2026, along with a greater investment of Indian "time, energy, and attention".

Speaking about the current-day geopolitics, EAM said, "There is a context to diplomacy today. There is a fair amount of volatility and unpredictability in the world. Every country, region is reassessing its interests and calculations and trying to see how to de-risk themselves.

He further highlighted that, on the other hand, the countries are looking to build deeper partnerships and friendships which can be trusted more. He underlined that this is what is bringing India and the European Union closer together.

"I can fairly confidently predict that 2026 will see an upswing in ties with Europe. You will see greater investment of Indian time, energy and attention."

Highlighting that the free-trade agreement negotiations are in an advanced stage, Jaishankar said that the "goodwill" of Luxembourg in support of the relationship would come into play.

The external affairs minister shared that the space sector and digital infrastructure were some of the "interesting" areas where discussions were held.

Speaking about the upcoming AI Impact Summit, which India is set to host this year, Jaishankar said that India and Luxembourg shared views on having a citizen-centric approach towards the technology.

"I expect this year that there will be a significant business delegation coming out of Luxembourg, many more ministerial visits, much deeper interaction as a follow-up to the discussions I had", Jaishankar said.

He shared several interactions he had through the course of the day, from the meetings with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Grand Duke and called it a very productive day.

"With every meeting, I heard very strong and effusive words of praise for the Indian community... In their eyes, this (Indian) is a community that is very well integrated, seen as very contributive", he told the diaspora.

About the relationship between India and Luxembourg, Jaishankar said, "It is a very important relationship. Luxembourg is at the heart of the European Union; because it has been there from the start, it has a great influence on the Union and its decisions, so at a time when we are seeking to ramp up that relationship with the EU- the support that Luxembourg can give us, the influence that it will have over the collective decision-making is really quite significant."

EAM's visit underscores India's continued engagement with its European partners and its commitment to deepening strategic and diplomatic ties, at a time when negotiations between India and the European Union on a long-pending Free Trade Agreement have entered a "decisive phase."

- ANI
The Chandigarh Police conducted a comprehensive mock security drill at the ISBT in Sector 43 to test preparedness for the upcoming Republic Day celebrations. The exercise, directed by SP (Operations) Geetanjali Khandelwal, involved cordoning off the bus terminal and a joint search operation by specialized police units. Multiple emergency response teams, including bomb squads, ambulances, and fire services, swiftly coordinated to locate and safely remove a dummy bomb. The successful drill highlights the security preparations underway for the 77th Republic Day in 2026.

Chandigarh Police conducts a major security mock drill at ISBT Sector-43, testing coordination among emergency services ahead of Republic Day 2026.

Chandigarh, January 6 As the Republic Day celebrations approach, the Chandigarh Police on Tuesday conducted a mock drill at ISBT in Sector 43.

The mock drill was conducted under the directions of Geetanjali Khandelwal SP (Operations) to check the preparedness and coordination between the teams of Chandigarh Police and other emergency services of Chandigarh Administration.

During the mock drill, the ISBT was cordoned off and evacuated by commandos of Operations Cell. A joint search operation by the HIT Teams of Operation Cell, Bomb Detection Squad and Dog Squad of Chandigarh Police was carried out, and the dummy bomb was traced out successfully, according to a release.

Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) of Operation Cell, PCR Vehicles, ambulance from GMSH-16, Dog Squad team, Bomb Squad team, Ambulance from Police Hospital, Dial-112, Fire brigade vehicle, team of Civil Defence, Mobile Forensic Team, District Crime Cell, Crime Branch and a team of local area Police Station-36 reached on the spot immediately, the release said.

The dummy bomb was safely taken to the open ground of Police Lines, Sector-26, Chandigarh, in a sandbag truck along with the pilot and escort PCR vehicles of Chandigarh Police for defusing the same. A complete search of ISBT was conducted.

India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with elaborate parades, cultural displays, and a showcase of India's defence capabilities. The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators, both in-person and via live broadcasts.

- ANI
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka following his trip to the UAE. The visit aims to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and mutual understanding between the two nations. It includes high-level meetings with Sri Lankan military and civil leadership to discuss training, capacity building, and regional security. The visit also takes place in the context of India's humanitarian Operation Sagar Bandhu and will see the General pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi begins an official visit to Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and military ties.

New Delhi, January 7 COAS General Upendra Dwivedi proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after completing his visit to the United Arab Emirates. The COAS' visit to Sri Lanka underscores the strong commitment between the two countries to deepen ties. His visit also comes against the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, according to an official statement from the ADGPI.

In a post on X, the ADGPI said, "General Upendra Dwivedi COAS, proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka today. The visit underscores the strong commitment of both nations to enhance mutual understanding, deepen cooperation in areas of shared interest and further strengthen bilateral Defence Cooperation. The visit takes place against the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, reflecting India's enduring brotherhood with our steadfast partner."

Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah, under which New Delhi sent relief supplies and helped Colombo restore connectivity.

Recently, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka shared on Sunday that Indian Army Engineers have commenced launching a 100-ft Bailey Bridge in Kandy to restore connectivity in the region. The COAS' visit comes as part of India's continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries.

Ministry of Defence had informed earlier that the COAS will visit Sri Lanka from 7-8 January. On arrival, the COAS will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.

He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary, and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.

During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India's strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.

General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers, the MoD further said.

The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia.

- ANI
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton stated that the Russia-Ukraine crisis would have occurred regardless of whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden was President. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stonewalling Trump by repeatedly refusing to agree to a peace deal, despite Trump's campaign efforts. Bolton identified China as the top global security threat for the 21st century, followed by Russia's war in Ukraine, and then Iran and North Korea. He emphasized the need for India and the United States to work more closely together in a dangerous world.

Ex-US NSA John Bolton says Putin is stonewalling Trump on Ukraine peace, calls China the world's top priority threat, and urges deeper India-US ties.

Washington DC, January 7 Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has expressed that while the Russian "invasion" of Ukraine would have come about irrespective of the Presidency in the United States, as of now, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been able to "stonewall" Trump; as Putin has "repeatedly refused to agree to a peace deal". Bolton also expressed his views about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the role of the United States as a mediator under President Trump.

When asked whether he agrees with the US President's claims that the war would not have happened under a Trump presidency, Former National Security Advisor of the United States, John Bolton, told ANI on Tuesday, "I think the crisis would have come about at that point whether Trump was President still, or whether, as it turned out, Biden got elected. What Putin has been able to do now is stonewall Trump. He has repeatedly refused to agree to a peace deal, despite Trump basing part of his campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize on reaching an agreement between the two countries. I'm sceptical that anything will come of it... Overall, Trump's activities are focused on what it takes to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He has a short attention span and moves from one thing to another very quickly."

Talking about whether the western strategy towards the Russia-Ukraine has been effective, he added, "Russia's first invasion was in 2014, and they were getting ready for a second invasion. They had a lot to do to try to beef up their forces. They were unsuccessful, as we can see and after the 2022 invasion."

His remarks come as Zelenskyy met several leaders from the 'Coalition of Willing' during his visit to France.

Zelenskyy shared in a post on X that military officials from France, UK and the Ukraine worked in detail on force deployment, numbers, specific types of weapons, and the components of the Armed Forces required and able to operate effectively.

He also noted that discussions were held with the American side to ensure there are "no violations of peace".

Speaking to ANI, when asked if he was advising the White House today and what would be the priorities in 2026, Bolton said, "I would worry about the threat from China. I think that's the top priority really for the rest of the world in the 21st century. We've seen continued growth in Chinese military power. It poses a clear threat to peace and security in the South China Sea, around Taiwan and along the line of actual control with India. So China tops the list. Russia conducting an aggressive war in Ukraine would be the second. Iran and North Korea would tie for third place because of their continuing threats, in Iran's case to develop nuclear weapons and in North Korea's case to improve and expand its arsenal."

He underlined that in the wake of several threats to international peace and security, New Delhi and Washington DC should deepen working together.

"It's a very dangerous world out there- a lot is going on, a lot of threats to international peace and security that I think should require India and the US to work much more closely together".

- ANI
Communities have minimal resilience after decades of conflict

Follows 3.7 and 4.2 tremors earlier in week

An earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan on January 6, occurring at a depth of 100 kilometers. This event follows two other tremors in the region earlier in the week, measuring 3.7 and 4.2 in magnitude. Afghanistan is highly prone to earthquakes due to its location on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The nation's vulnerability is exacerbated by decades of conflict, which leaves communities with limited resilience to withstand such repeated natural shocks.

A 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan at 100km depth. This follows recent tremors in the seismically active region, which remains highly vulnerable.

Kabul, January 6 An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 struck Afghanistan on Tuesday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 100km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.0, On: 06/01/2026 10:55:38 IST, Lat: 35.02 N, Long: 69.31 E, Depth: 100 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

Earlier on January 3, an earthquake of magnitude 3.7 struck the region at a depth of 35km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.7, On: 03/01/2026 22:55:45 IST, Lat: 37.31 N, Long: 74.57 E, Depth: 35 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

On the same day, another earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck the region at a depth of 140km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.2, On: 03/01/2026 18:33:14 IST, Lat: 36.66 N, Long: 71.48 E, Depth: 140 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, which lies in a highly active seismic zone, according to the Red Cross.

The recent tremors follow a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan on November 4. According to Afghan authorities, at least 27 people were killed and hundreds were injured in that quake. CNN reported that the tremor also damaged one of the country's most iconic mosques. The United States Geological Survey reported that the quake occurred at a shallow depth, which increases its impact.

Afghanistan's vulnerability to earthquakes is linked to its location along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. A major fault line also passes through parts of the country, including the Herat region.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) notes that Afghanistan remains extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides and seasonal flooding. Repeated tremors worsen the situation for communities already struggling with decades of conflict and limited development, leaving them with minimal resilience to withstand multiple shocks.

- ANI
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

The Cabinet of Ministers submitted a proposal to the President regarding the appointment of the heads of Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Chernivtsi regional military administrations, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced.

"We are continuing the personnel changes initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Today, the Cabinet of Ministers held interviews with candidates for the positions of heads of the Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Poltava, and Chernivtsi regional military administrations. Based on their results, the government submitted a proposal to the president to appoint these candidates to the positions of heads of the regional military administrations," Svyrydenko wrote on her Telegram channel, without providing the names of the candidates.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, conveying greetings from President Droupadi Murmu. He also met Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden to discuss deepening cooperation in financial services, technology, and innovation. The Luxembourg leg follows engagements in France, including a meeting with IEA chief Fatih Birol on global energy issues. The visit underscores India's push to strengthen strategic ties with European partners as India-EU FTA talks enter a critical phase.

EAM S Jaishankar meets Grand Duke Guillaume & PM Luc Frieden in Luxembourg, discusses partnership in finance, tech, and stronger India-EU relations.

Luxembourg City, January 6 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, during which he conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Sharing details of the meeting on social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote, "Honoured to call on HRH Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg this afternoon. Conveyed the warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu. Value his positive sentiments for India, and for deepening our bilateral partnership."

As part of his engagements in Luxembourg, the External Affairs Minister also met Prime Minister Luc Frieden, with discussions focusing on further strengthening cooperation across key sectors between India and Luxembourg.

The meetings form part of Jaishankar's six-day official visit to France and Luxembourg.

Providing details of that interaction on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to meet Prime Minister @LucFrieden of Luxembourg this morning. Conveyed warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed our growing cooperation in financial services, investments, technology & innovation. Thank him for his support for stronger India-EU ties."

These meetings in Luxembourg followed Jaishankar's engagements in France earlier during his visit. On Monday, he met International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol in Paris, where discussions centred on key global energy issues, including oil markets and nuclear power.

Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar said, "Pleased to meet Executive Director @IEA @fbirol this morning. Appreciate his assessment of the global energy scenario and his support for India's growth and development."

Birol also described the interaction on social media, saying he was "delighted" to meet Jaishankar for "warm and productive" discussions in Paris. Outlining the scope of the talks, he said, "We spoke about global energy issues, including oil markets, nuclear power & critical minerals, as well as India's strong commitment to become a full @IEA Member."

In another engagement in Paris, Jaishankar interacted with participants of the French-Indian Young Talents Program organised by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Franco-Indienne. Reflecting on the interaction on X, he said the discussions focused on "the transformations underway in the world and the importance of India-France collaboration in that context."

In Luxembourg, his engagements are focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, and he is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian community during the visit.

India and Luxembourg share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual understanding and cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, the MEA said. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1948.

Luxembourg opened its Embassy in New Delhi in February 2002, one of its five embassies in Asia, and also maintains honorary consuls in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.

The visit underscores India's continued engagement with its European partners and its commitment to deepening strategic and diplomatic ties, at a time when negotiations between India and the European Union on a long-pending Free Trade Agreement have entered a "decisive phase."

- ANI
Former diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar states that India has presented its best possible offer in bilateral trade negotiations with the United States and is now waiting for Washington's response. He explains that India has negotiated in good faith but maintains non-negotiable red lines, particularly regarding agricultural products and social sensitivities like dairy. Sajjanhar strongly criticizes the U.S. penalty on India for purchasing Russian oil as unfair, noting other countries face no such tariffs. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India over its Russian oil imports, indicating he could raise tariffs quickly.

Former diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar says India has made its best offer in trade talks with the US, citing red lines on agriculture and criticizing oil tariffs.

Bengaluru, January 6 Former diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar commented on the ongoing trade tensions between India and the United States, stating that India has made the best possible offer and that the next step rests with Washington.

Speaking on tariffs imposed by the US on India and US President Donald Trump's stance, former diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar said, "We have known for quite some time that we have been waiting for Trump to sign the final negotiated bilateral trade agreement that was submitted to him at the beginning of July. In India, we thought it would be signed at any time. But days kept passing and weeks kept passing. We knew that at the level of the negotiators, the United States had been quite convinced about the balanced agreement. But obviously, Trump had not agreed to it."

He stated that India has negotiated in good faith, ensuring better access for US products while maintaining certain non-negotiable areas. "We have been negotiating in good faith. We have done all we could to provide better access to US products... But there are a few red lines regarding GMOs and agricultural products. That was made clear to the American side that in areas like dairy products, certain social and religious sensitivities are involved, and we will not be able to move that," he explained.

Talking about the arrangements made even as trade tensions with the United States continue, he said, "The United States has also realised that we have provided them with the best offer, and we want a balanced deal. We don't want it to be a zero-sum game, where the United States gets everything, and India gets nothing."

He also criticised the 25 per cent penalty imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, calling it "very unfair and uncalled for." Sajjanhar pointed out that other countries, including China and Turkey, are buying larger quantities of Russian oil without facing tariffs.

"The 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil is very unfair and uncalled for. Many countries, like China, are buying much more oil from Russia than India is, but no tariffs have been imposed on them. There are other countries like Turkey. In fact, the United States itself is buying certain nuclear materials and fertilisers from Russia. When Putin met President Trump in Alaska, he said that trade between Russia and the United States had increased since Trump took office," he said.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has held out a fresh warning to India over raising tariffs if continued imports of Russian oil, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure on the issue.

Meanwhile, on Sunday (local time), Trump warned India over continued imports of Russian oil. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he said, "PM Modi's a very good man. He's a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly."

The US strike on Venezuela has brought the issue of Oil into the forefront of geopolitics once again. Venezuela has massive oil reserves, which total over 303 billion barrels, making them the world's largest proven reserves. However, production has dwindled to 1 million barrels per day due to US sanctions and underinvestment. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves (estimated at over 300 billion barrels), which represent roughly 17% of the total global oil supply, according to OPEC data.

- ANI
A meeting in Paris of the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine, and the United States resulted in a commitment to provide Ukraine with binding security guarantees that would take effect once a ceasefire is in place. These guarantees include a US-led mechanism to monitor the ceasefire and the continuation of critical long-term military assistance. The coalition also agreed to form a Multinational Force to help rebuild Ukraine's armed forces and deepen defence cooperation through joint production and training. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted substantive discussions on deterrence to prevent future Russian aggression.

Coalition of Willing, US & Ukraine agree on security guarantees & military support to activate after a ceasefire. Details from Paris meeting.

Paris, January 7 The members of the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine, and the United States met in Paris, with the leaders stressing on their commitment towards "just and lasting peace in Ukraine". They welcomed the progress achieved between partners to achieve peace, the official statement by the European Commission said on Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the meeting provided "unprecedented unity" between the Coalition of Willing, Ukraine and the US on security guarantees for peace in Ukraine.

"The Paris meeting marks an unprecedented unity between the Coalition of Willing, Ukraine, and the United States on the central dimension of security guarantees for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," the French President said.

The meeting noted that the members would commit to several politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated once a ceasefire enters into force.

As per the statement by the European Commission, this would include the participation in a proposed US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, the Coalition agreed to continue critical long term military assistance and armament to the Armed Forces of Ukraine which would include but not be limited to aspects like long term defence packages and support for financing the purchase of weapons, amongst others.

A Multinational Force for Ukraine made up from contributions from willing nations within the framework of the Coalition, to support the rebuilding of Ukraine's armed forces and support deterrence.

Coordinated military planning has been conducted to prepare for reassurance measures in the air, at sea and on land and for the regeneration of the armed forces of Ukraine.

"We confirmed that these reassurance measures should be strictly implemented at Ukraine's request once a credible cessation of hostilities has taken place. These elements will be European-led, with the involvement also of non-European members of the Coalition, and the proposed support of the US", the statement noted.

The statement also mentioned the commitment to deepen long-term defence cooperation with Ukraine. "We agreed we would continue to develop and deepen mutually beneficial defence cooperation with Ukraine, inter alia: training, defence industrial joint production, including with the use of European relevant instruments, and intelligence cooperation," the statement read.

It also mentioned the decision to establish "a US/Ukraine/Coalition coordination cell at the Coalition Operational Headquarters in Paris."

On the meeting, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said that the meeting saw participation of Jared Kushner, General Alex Grynkewich, Ambassador Charles Kushner, and White House advisor Josh Gruenbaum from the American end.

"We have made significant progress on several critical workstreams, including our bilateral security guarantee framework and a prosperity plan," according to Witkoff

He expressed optimism on the momentum of the meetings.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said that the military officials from France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine worked in detail on "force deployment, numbers, specific types of weapons, and the components of the Armed Forces required and able to operate effectively".

He added that there were very substantive discussions with the American side on monitoring, to ensure there are no violations of peace.

"The United States is ready to work on this. One of the most critical elements is deterrence -- the tools that will prevent any new Russian aggression. We see all of this", Zelenskyy said.

In another post on X, Zelenskyy said that during the meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, discussions were held on Ukraine's defence, and the support that can strengthen its positions in diplomacy.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump stated that while he has a good relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Modi is unhappy with the high tariffs the US imposed due to India's significant purchases of Russian oil. Trump warned that Washington could raise tariffs further if New Delhi does not address US concerns over supporting Russia's economy amid the Ukraine conflict. India has rejected Trump's assertion that Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil, clarifying no such conversation occurred. Trump also positioned himself as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, having held talks with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Donald Trump discusses tariff tensions with Narendra Modi over India's Russian oil imports, warning of further increases if concerns aren't addressed.

Washington, DC, January 6 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi; however, he underscored PM Modi's unhappiness over the high tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil.

At the House GOP Member Retreat, US President Donald Trump discussed his exchanges with PM Modi regarding US defence sales and tariff measures. He suggested that although relations remain cordial, the tariff issue has created tension.

"... I have a very good relationship with PM Modi, but he is not happy with me as India is paying high tariffs. But now they have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia," Donald Trump said.

The tariffs, totalling 50%, were imposed due to India's significant purchases of Russian oil, which the US sees as supporting Russia's economy amid the Ukraine conflict.

Trump's remarks came a day after he warned that Washington could further raise tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi does not address US concerns over Russian oil imports.

"They wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy," he said.

Trump also defended the tariff policy during his address, asserting that the United States was benefiting financially from the measures.

Trump's comments follow a series of warnings to New Delhi over its ongoing energy trade with Moscow. Earlier, he warned that the US could raise tariffs further if India does not "help on the Russian oil issue," directly connecting the pressure to the Russia-Ukraine war.

He has accused India of strengthening Moscow by buying discounted Russian crude and has cited this as the basis for sharply higher duties on Indian goods. Trump has also used tariff pressure to influence India's actions, suggesting that New Delhi was aware of his dissatisfaction and sought to maintain stable trade relations.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump has positioned himself as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though without any concrete breakthrough.

India has earlier rejected Trump's assertion that PM Narendra Modi had assured him New Delhi would stop purchasing Russian oil, clarifying that no such conversation or assurance had taken place.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "not that happy" with him due to the tariffs imposed on Indian goods. Trump revealed that India has pressed for faster delivery of Apache attack helicopters ordered years ago, using it as an example of broader US defence production delays. He defended his tariff policy as a tool for generating revenue and securing concessions. The comments underscore the dual nature of the US-India relationship, marked by deep defence cooperation and ongoing trade friction.

US President Donald Trump says PM Modi is unhappy with US tariffs but seeks early delivery of Apache helicopters, highlighting trade-defense ties.

Washington, Jan 7 , US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi was "not that happy" with him, citing tariffs, and is also seeking an early delivery of American-made Apache helicopters.

Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump said India had pressed Washington for faster delivery of military hardware, particularly attack helicopters ordered years ago. "I mean, I had India coming to me, sir. I've been waiting five years; we're changing it. We're changing it," Trump said, as he discussed defence manufacturing timelines and foreign military sales.

Trump said New Delhi had placed a large order for US helicopters and that the issue was raised directly with him by the Indian Prime Minister. "India ordered 68 Apaches, and Prime Minister Modi came to see me. Sir. May I see you please?" he said, recounting the interaction before adding, "Yes, I have a very good relationship with him."

In his remarks, Trump acknowledged a strain in the relationship linked to trade policy. "He (Modi) is not that happy with me because you know, they're paying a lot of tariffs now," the President said, referring to duties imposed under his administration. Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on imports of goods from India.

The US President strongly defended his use of tariffs as a central economic and national security tool. He argued that the tariffs have generated massive revenue for the United States and forced trading partners to make concessions.

In his speech, which lasted for more than an hour, Trump linked India's Apache helicopter order to broader concerns about delays in US defence production, telling lawmakers that weapons systems were taking too long to reach both American forces and foreign buyers.

"The F-35s, it takes too long to get them, the Apache helicopter," he said, using India's experience to underline his argument that defence contractors must accelerate production.

The President told the Republican conference that his administration was pressing US defence companies to deliver equipment faster, including to allies and partners.

Trump's reference to PM Modi and India came amid a wide-ranging address focused on domestic politics, trade, tariffs, and national security. His comments on India were brief but notable, highlighting both the depth of defence ties and the friction caused by trade measures.

India has been one of the largest buyers of US defence equipment over the past decade, purchasing transport aircraft, helicopters and surveillance platforms as part of a steadily expanding strategic partnership with Washington. Apache attack helicopters are a key component of India's Army and Air Force modernisation plans.

- IANS
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Standard Operating Procedure-2025 for the effective implementation of the state's Global Capability Centre Policy-2024. The SOP designates Invest UP as the nodal agency and introduces a comprehensive framework of financial incentives to attract these specialized units. Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi noted the policy's early success, with 21 companies already initiating investments this financial year. This move aims to position Uttar Pradesh as a major hub for high-skill global services and generate large-scale employment.

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approves SOP-2025 to implement GCC Policy-2024, offering financial incentives to attract global firms and generate employment.

Lucknow, Jan 6 The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the Standard Operating Procedure-2025 for the effective implementation of the Uttar Pradesh Global Capability Centre Policy-2024.

This move is expected to provide fresh momentum to global investments, high-level services, and large-scale employment generation across the state. Under the newly approved SOP, Invest UP has been designated as the nodal agency responsible for overseeing the policy's execution.

The procedure will take effect from the date the GCC Policy-2024 was promulgated and will remain in force until the state government decides to amend or terminate it.

Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi highlighted the improving investment climate in the state, noting that "several industrial houses and multinational companies are actively engaging for potential investments." He pointed out that the GCC policy has already shown promising results, with 21 companies initiating investments in global capability centres during the current financial year. These centres, defined as captive units set up by Indian or foreign companies, will focus on strategic functions including information technology, research and development, finance, human resources, design, engineering, analytics, and knowledge services.

The SOP introduces a comprehensive framework of financial incentives designed to attract GCC units. These include upfront land subsidies, stamp duty exemptions or reimbursements, capital subsidies, interest subsidies, operating expense subsidies, payroll and recruitment subsidies, reimbursement of Employees' Provident Fund contributions, talent development and skill incentives, research and innovation support, along with special incentives evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Beyond financial assistance, the units will receive technical support, industry linkages, regulatory guidance, expedited application processing, and streamlined approval and disbursement mechanisms. All incentives under this state initiative will be provided in addition to any benefits available through central government schemes or policies. In the event of legal disputes, jurisdiction has been restricted to courts in Lucknow, and incentive disbursements will follow existing finance department rules and government orders.

The decision is viewed as a significant stride by the CM Yogi government towards positioning Uttar Pradesh as a prominent global services hub. The successful rollout of the GCC policy is anticipated to draw high-skill investments into the state while opening up substantial new employment avenues for the youth.

- IANS
The Purvanchal Panthers secured a vital 45-30 win against the Kanpur Warriors in UPKL Season 2. A strong second-half performance featuring two all-outs turned the match decisively in their favor. Raider Hritik Rathi led the charge with 14 points, while defender Shivam Teotia anchored the back with 9 tackle points. The victory keeps the Panthers' playoff campaign alive as the league enters its final phase.

Purvanchal Panthers keep playoff hopes alive with a 45-30 victory over Kanpur Warriors in a decisive UPKL Season 2 match. Read key highlights.

Noida, Jan 6 Purvanchal Panthers delivered a crucial and confidence-boosting performance on Day 13 of the do-or-die week of Season 2 of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League, defeating Kanpur Warriors 45-30 to keep their campaign firmly alive in the competition being conducted in Noida, on Tuesday.

The contest began with both sides testing each other cautiously, with Kanpur Warriors attempting to apply early pressure. Purvanchal Panthers stayed composed despite being pushed into difficult situations and ensured the first half remained closely fought, with neither team able to establish a decisive advantage before the break.

The momentum shifted decisively in the second half. Purvanchal Panthers showed resilience under pressure, producing a series of timely super tackles to halt Kanpur's charge. Building on that defensive stand, Purvanchal turned the tables by inflicting two all-outs on Kanpur Warriors, swinging the match firmly in their favour. As the defence tightened, the raiding unit grew more aggressive and decisive, allowing Purvanchal to steadily extend their lead.

Raid leader Hritik Rathi played a pivotal role in the victory, finishing with 14 raid points and repeatedly breaching the Kanpur defence at key moments. At the other end, Shivam Teotia anchored the defensive unit superbly, collecting nine tackle points and ensuring Kanpur were denied any chance of a comeback.

Purvanchal Panthers eventually closed out a comprehensive 45-30 victory, a result that surprised many and proved vital in keeping their playoff hopes alive as UPKL Season 2 moves deeper into its decisive phase.

Earlier, Day 12 of UPKL Season 2 unfolded during a decisive phase of the league at the Noida Indoor Stadium and was attended by television actors Anup Upadhyay and Vishwajeet Soni. On the mat, Yamuna Yoddhas edged Ganga Kings of Mirzapur 49-44 in a thrilling contest, sealing the win with a late all-out.

Lucknow Lions dominated Aligarh Tigers 52-35, forcing early all-outs and controlling the match throughout. Kashi Kings returned to form with a commanding 52-32 victory over Purvanchal Panthers after a strong second half. With only a few matches remaining, the race for the top positions has tightened significantly.

- IANS
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has ordered the liquidation of JS University in Shikohabad following an investigation that revealed it issued fake degrees and mark sheets. These fraudulent documents were used by candidates in a Rajasthan teacher recruitment exam, leading to the arrest of the university's Chancellor and Registrar. In a separate move, the cabinet approved IIMT University in Meerut to establish an off-campus centre in Greater Noida. These decisions represent the state's dual strategy of punishing educational malpractice while expanding access to quality institutions.

UP government orders liquidation of JS University after fake degree scandal, while approving a new IIMT University campus in Greater Noida.

Lucknow, Jan 6 The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved two significant decisions concerning the higher education sector in the state.

The cabinet has ordered the liquidation of JS University in Shikohabad, Firozabad district, while granting permission for IIMT University, Meerut, to establish an off-campus centre in Greater Noida.

Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay explained that the decision to liquidate JS University follows a detailed investigation that uncovered serious irregularities. The university was found to have issued fake and backdated mark sheets and degrees for the B.P.Ed. (Bachelor of Physical Education) course, which were later used by candidates selected in the Rajasthan Physical Education Teacher Recruitment Examination-2022. The Rajasthan Police investigation led to the arrest of the university's Chancellor and Registrar.

Government-level inquiry committees also confirmed multiple violations, including misuse of authority to grant degrees, distribution of counterfeit certificates amounting to organised crime, failure to meet prescribed land norms, and non-compliance with mandatory reporting requirements to the Uttar Pradesh State Higher Education Council, he said.

In view of these grave findings, the government has decided to wind up JS University. Following liquidation, all records of the institution will be transferred to and preserved by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra.

Mark sheets and degrees previously issued by JS University will be verified and authenticated based on these records.

To manage the university during the liquidation process, a three-member interim committee has been constituted under Section 55(6) of the relevant Act.

In a separate decision, the cabinet approved the issuance of a Letter of Permission to IIMT University, Meerut, for the operation of an off-campus centre in Greater Noida.

The sponsoring body, Association of Management Studies, Meerut, had already secured 4.796 acres of land in the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority area, for which a Letter of Intent was issued on February 25, 2025.

The establishment of this off-campus centre is expected to create new opportunities for quality higher education in Western Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region, allowing students to pursue academic programmes closer to home.

The decision aligns with the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019, and its Second Amendment Act, 2021, which permit private universities to set up off-campus centres. These twin decisions reflect the government's dual approach of taking strict action against malpractices in higher education while simultaneously expanding access to quality institutions in underserved regions.

- IANS
Photo: https://t.me/Ukraine_MFA

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha held a call with newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Petr Macinka, agreed to "turn over the page of the recent exchanges of statements" and strengthen our political dialogue at the ministerial level.

"I had a very meaningful and constructive call with my Czech colleague Petr Macinka. I congratulated my counterpart on his appointment and thanked for Czechia's unwavering support for our country  political, economic, military, and humanitarian. First and foremost, we discussed our bilateral relations. We agreed to turn over the page of the recent exchanges of statements and strengthen our political dialogue at the level of foreign ministries based on mutual respect and strategic partnership. Ukraine and Czechia are genuine friends and allies," Sybiha said on the X social network.

He informed his Czech colleague about Ukraine's great interest in further cooperation with the Czech Republic in the defense sector, as well as about the Czech Republic's participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

"Our cooperation should be mutually beneficial," the head of the department said.

Sybiha also briefed his colleague about the situation on the battlefield and Russia's ruthless and brutal attacks on the Ukrainian energy system. The ministers discussed the latest peace efforts and agreed that there is no alternative to forcing Russia to end its aggression as soon as possible.

"I invited Petr Macinka to Ukraine and he confirmed his trip in the nearest future. I look forward to hosting my Czech colleague in Kyiv," Sybiha said.

The Czech Foreign Ministry also confirmed the conversation.

"Today I spoke with Andriy Sybiha about future cooperation. We clarified the matter regarding the remarks by both Ukrainian ambassador and Speaker Okamura, which I now consider closed," the ministry's press service said citing Macinka.

According to him, further communication will continue through standard diplomatic channels, and if necessary, on a personal level.

"We also discussed public sentiment of Czechs towards Ukrainians in the Czech Republic. We agreed that it is our joint responsibility to ensure this sentiment is positive. We will continue this discussion soon during my visit to Kyiv," the Foreign Minister said.

As reported, Czech Foreign Minister Macinka met with Ukrainian Ambassador to Prague Vasyl Zvarych on January 5.
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Yeast left over from brewing beer can be transformed into edible 'scaffolds' for cultivated meat  sometimes known as lab-grown meat  which could offer a more sustainable, cost-effective alternative to current methods, according to a new study from UCL (University College London) researchers.

'Nose to tail' eating, which emphasises the use of the whole animal, has long been an ethos of sustainability-conscious chefs and diners. But as cultivated meat comes closer to supermarket shelves, a new innovation could see a 'pint to plate' approach to serving up burgers and steaks.

The new study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, explores how bacterial cellulose grown from yeast left over from brewing beer can be used to grow cultivated meat, an emerging form of food production that grows animal cells on an edible scaffold in the lab.

In nature, cellulose is a hardy substance that gives structure to plant cells. Similarly, bacterial cellulose is created by microbes to create a protective layer around the organism's cells.

Historically, bacterial cellulose has been used to make nata de coco, a jelly-like dessert from the Philippines. But in recent years, improvements in cultivating both plant and bacterial cellulose have seen their useful properties applied to everything from plant-based foods to 3D-printed bandages.

Now researchers believe that bacterial cellulose may be able to help solve the challenge of creating affordable, edible scaffolds that replicate the texture and structure of animal tissue to grow animal cells on, which has hampered the cultivated meat industry's ability to scale up and bring products to market.

One untapped source of bacterial cellulose is brewer's spent yeast, a by-product of beer fermentation that often ends up being thrown away.

Cultivated meat has the potential to revolutionize food production, but its success depends on overcoming key technical challenges. While it's relatively easy to grow animal cells for mass food production you need to be able to grow them on something cheap, edible and that preferably provides a structure that resembles real meat. Our research shows that brewing waste, which is often discarded, can be repurposed to grow bacterial cellulose with properties suitable for meat scaffolding. This could significantly reduce costs and environmental impact." Professor Richard Day, senior author of the study, UCL Division of Medicine

For the proof-of-concept study, researchers from UCL collected spent yeast from the Big Smoke Brewing Company in Esher, Surrey, and used it to culture Komagataeibacter xylinus, a bacterium known for producing high-quality cellulose.

The resulting cellulose was tested using a 'chewing machine'  a probe that repeatedly compresses a substance while measuring forces like chewiness, hardness and stickiness  to assess its structural and mechanical properties.

The team found that when used in place of a conventional nutrient broth used for growing the bacteria, the beer waste produced bacterial cellulose of equal quality, which was actually closer in texture to natural meat products, with lower hardness and chewiness than 'standard' cellulose.

Most importantly, when animal cells (fibroblasts, a cell type found in meat) were placed on the beer waste-derived scaffold they attached to it, indicating that the material can support cell growth for cultivated meat production  though the researchers stress that the project is at an early stage and further work is needed.

The team plan to further develop the approach by incorporating other cell types found in natural meat, such as fat and muscle cells. They also plan to test spent yeast from different types of beer to assess bacterial cellulose yields and the quality of the resulting scaffolds.

Christian Harrison, the study's first author and a PhD student from UCL Division of Medicine, said: "One of the biggest hurdles in cultivated meat is replicating the 'mouthfeel' and texture of real meat. Our findings suggest that bacterial cellulose grown on brewing waste not only supports cell growth but also mimics the mechanical properties of meat more closely than other scaffolds.

"This opens up exciting possibilities for scalable, sustainable meat alternatives. In this study we collected a relatively small amount of raw material from one craft brewery, that would otherwise have gone to waste. But huge volumes of brewing waste are generated each year that could have a valuable use."

This research was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Public health researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health used computer modeling to reconstruct how the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in the U.S. The findings highlight the rapid spread of pandemic respiratory pathogens and the challenges of early outbreak containment. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to comprehensively compare the spatial transmission of the last two respiratory pandemics in the U.S. at the metropolitan scale.

In the U.S., the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic was responsible for 274,304 hospitalizations and 12,469 deaths, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has so far led to 1.2 million confirmed deaths.

The researchers set out understand the geographic spread of the two pandemics to inform strategies to prevent future pandemics. They applied detailed data on the dynamics of the two infectious diseases to a computer model to simulate their spread using known patterns of air travel and commuting, as well as potential superspreading events. They focused on over three hundred metropolitan areas in the U.S.

In the simulations, both pandemics were widely circulating in most of the metro areas within weeks, before government interventions or early case detection. While the specific transmission pathways across locations were different for the last two pandemics, the spatial expansion was driven by several shared transmission hubs such as the New York and Atlanta metropolitan areas. Their spread was largely driven by air travel rather than commuting, though random dynamics introduced substantial uncertainty in transmission routes, which makes it hard to predict where the outbreaks will happen in real time.

The rapid and uncertain spread of the 2009 H1N1 flu and 2020 COVID-19 pandemics underscores the challenges for timely detection and control. Expanding wastewater surveillance coverage coupled with effective infection control could potentially slow the initial spread of future pandemics." Sen Pei, PhD, study's senior author, assistant professor of environmental health sciences, Columbia Mailman School

Many studies have pointed to the benefits of wastewater surveillance programs. The new study further underscores the benefit of expanding wastewater surveillance for pandemic preparedness.

Beyond reconstructing the historical spread of the last two pandemics, the study also provides a generalizable framework to infer early epidemic dynamics that may be applied to other pathogens. While mobility, particularly air travel, is a key driver of pandemic spread, the researchers caution that other factors also play a role, including community demographics, school schedules, winter holidays, and weather conditions.

The study's first author is Renquan Zhang, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China. Additional authors include Rui Deng and Sitong Liu, Dalian University of Technology; Qing Yao and Jeffrey Shaman, Columbia University; Bryan T. Grenfell, Princeton; and Cecile Viboud, National Institutes of Health.

For more than a decade, Jeffrey Shaman and colleagues, including Sen Pei, have developed and refined methods to understand and simulate the spread of infectious diseases, including the flu, COVID-19, and others. Their real-time forecasts anticipate the rate and geographic spread of an outbreak, as well as the timing of its peak, to guide public health responses.

Shaman and Columbia University disclose partial ownership of SK Analytics. Other authors declare no competing interests.

This study was supported by funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12371516), U.S. National Science Foundation (DMS-2229605), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U01CK000592, 75D30122C14289), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01AI163023), Princeton Catalysis Initiative, Princeton Precision Health, and High Meadows Environmental Institute. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or Department of Health and Human Services.
Photo: @zelenskyy.official Facebook

Chrystia Freeland, who served in various positions in the Government of Canada from 2015 to 2024, will leave the Canadian Parliament after being appointed as an ad hoc economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She will also be leaving her post as the Prime Minister's Special Representative for Ukraine Recovery.

In the coming weeks I will also leave my seat in Parliament. I want to thank my constituents for their years of confidence in me, she wrote on the social network X in connection with accepting a volunteer position in Ukraine.

Ukraine is at the forefront of todays global fight for democracy, and I welcome this chance to contribute on an unpaid basis as an economic advisor to President Zelenskyy, Freeland made comments on her appointment.
A new study shows that where older adults live may matter more than age itself when it comes to maintaining the strength needed for everyday movements like standing up, pointing to neighborhood disadvantage as a hidden driver of mobility decline.

Study: Neighborhood Deprivation Associated with Impaired Sit-to-Stand Performance in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis with Clinical Implications. Image credit: aijiro/Shutterstock.com

A study published in the journal Healthcare links neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation to poorer mobility outcomes in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.

Neighbourhood deprivation emerges as a hidden mobility risk

Mobility, defined as the ability of an individual to move safely and independently, is a key determinant of overall well-being in older adults. A gradual decline in mobility with age significantly affects an individuals ability to perform daily-life activities and engage in social interactions.

Neighborhood-level socioeconomic status is a significant factor influencing mobility. Existing evidence indicates that living in socioeconomically deprived areas increases the risk of various health adversities, chronic diseases, functional disability, and mortality.

Given the increasing socioeconomic health inequalities in recent decades, researchers from Auburn University, USA, conducted a study to explore the relationship between neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantages and mobility outcomes in aging populations.

Assessing sit-to-stand and postural transitions

The study included a total of 110 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. Participants mobility was assessed using the Instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) test and the Instrumented Five Times Sit-to-Stand (i5TSTS) test.

The iTUG test measures postural transitions that are important for daily life activities. Longer time taking during postural transitions is associated with increased risks of falls, disability, and mortality in older adults.

The i5TSTS test measures lower limb strength, which is essential for transitioning from sitting to standing position. A longer time taken during the sitting-to-standing transition is associated with an increased risk of falls and a reduced ability of older adults to independently perform daily life activities.

Neighborhood-level socioeconomic status was measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), which captures various domains of socioeconomic disadvantage, including income, education, employment, and housing conditions within a neighborhood.

Disadvantaged areas show worse sit-to-stand performance

The study found significant variations in lower limb strength and sitting-to-standing transition duration between areas with diverse socioeconomic status. Specifically, participants from more disadvantaged areas exhibited poorer performance in the sitting-to-standing transition test.

Regarding postural transition durations, the study found no significant differences across the ADI groups for overall iTUG duration. However, the sit-to-stand phase of the postural transition test showed a significant association with neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantages.

Other iTUG components, such as walking speed and turning, showed no consistent or robust associations with socioeconomic deprivation, although turning performance demonstrated marginal significance in some unadjusted analyses.

New targets for mobility screening and intervention

The study reveals that older adults from socioeconomically deprived areas experience significantly reduced lower limb strength and function. A similar negative impact of area-level socioeconomic disadvantage has been observed on the ability of older adults to rise from a seated position (sit-to-stand phase).

The observed selective impact on the sit-to-stand phase of postural transitions, which primarily depends on the lower limb strength, highlights condition-specific susceptibility of older adults to logistic, capital, and other resources that characterize disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Regarding other phases of postural transitions, such as walking speed and turning, the study did not find a consistent, adjusted, significant impact of socioeconomic disadvantages. This finding suggests that these postural aspects may be more resilient to neighborhood-level influences or rely on different physiological systems.

Overall, these observations indicate that socioeconomic deprivation of a given region does not affect all mobility domains equally. Instead, it has a direct influence on muscle-dependent postural transitions.

Multiple factors related to socioeconomic disadvantage, including lack of physical activity resources, nutritional inadequacies, chronic stress, and inaccessibility to the healthcare system, can collectively contribute to the observed reduction in mobility outcomes.

The lack of safe walking paths, adequate lighting, and age-appropriate exercise equipment can potentially restrict older adults from regularly performing walking or other outdoor exercises. Limited transportation access further restricts their ability to reach available resources. Such physical inactivity can contribute to observed disparities in sit-to-stand performance.

Similarly, nutritional deprivation, such as inaccessibility to affordable, nutrient-dense foods and the easy availability of fast-food outlets and convenience stores, can lead to protein, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies, resulting in the deterioration of muscle mass, strength, and function.

Socioeconomic deprivation is frequently associated with chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. All these diseases can potentially impair muscle functions and reduce mobility, especially in sit-to-stand movements. These chronic conditions require regular medical care, which is also inaccessible or available in poor quality in socioeconomically deprived areas, further deteriorating mobility outcomes.

Overall, the study observations have implications for developing targeted interventions, such as sit-to-stand interventions. Implementing mobility screening at community health fairs and primary care clinics in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas would be helpful in identifying at-risk populations.

Prioritizing investments for developing infrastructure in deprived areas, such as outdoor fitness equipment, benches, and safe walking paths, would be another strategy to improve mobility and overall well-being in older adults.

Due to the cross-sectional design, the study was unable to determine the causality of the observed associations. It remains uncertain whether the observed reduction in mobility outcomes is caused by current neighborhood conditions or due to long-term exposure to disadvantaged environments. Future research tracking changes in both neighborhood characteristics and mobility measures over time would provide stronger evidence for causal associations.

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In a revealing Genomic Press Interview published today in Genomic Psychiatry, Dr. Noritaka Ichinohe challenges a foundational assumption that has quietly constrained psychiatric research for decades: the belief that meaningful explanation requires averaging away individual differences. His three decades of translational neuroscience across Japanese research institutions have instead demonstrated that biological heterogeneity, far from being statistical noise to eliminate, constitutes the very phenomenon demanding explanation.

Dr. Ichinohe serves as Director of the Department of Ultrastructural Research at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry in Japan while simultaneously holding a position as Visiting Principal Researcher at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science. This dual appointment positions him at the intersection of clinical translation and fundamental discovery, a vantage point from which he has authored over 260 research products and secured 27 competitive grants. His influence extends well beyond institutional boundaries, shaping how researchers worldwide conceptualize the relationship between animal models and human psychiatric conditions.

From quantum physics to neural circuits

The intellectual journey that brought Dr. Ichinohe to neuroscience began, perhaps unexpectedly, with childhood encounters with relativity and quantum mechanics. Reading popular science books on physics instilled in him a fascination with how highly counterintuitive phenomena could become intelligible through rigorous frameworks. Yet literature, introduced by his father, a Japanese-language teacher, offered competing visions of human nature that resisted reduction to simple rules.

"What ultimately stayed with me was the possibility that explanation and human complexity need not be opposed," Dr. Ichinohe reflects. The cybernetic theories of Norbert Wiener crystallized this intuition: systems could maintain rigor without rigidity, intelligibility without closure. That productive tension between structure and openness became the foundation of his scientific approach.

Medical school drew him toward the mind-body relationship, but the sheer contextual complexity of human psychology felt intractable when approached directly. Early experiments with neural network models, including the neocognitron running on 8-bit computers, revealed a world both plastic and intelligible. More importantly, these experiments exposed how little researchers understood about network structure itself before discussing learning rules or behavior.

The primate imperative

Graduate training in neuroanatomy led Dr. Ichinohe through brainstem circuits, cerebellar organization, and basal ganglia connectivity. But work in cats and rodents increasingly highlighted the distance between these models and human cognition. This limitation drove him to join the laboratory of Dr. Kathleen Rockland at RIKEN, a leading authority on primate cortical circuitry.

The RIKEN Brain Science Institute, founded with ambitions of establishing the 21st century as "the century of the brain," provided an extraordinary environment. Leaders across molecular, synaptic, imaging, systems, and theoretical neuroscience collaborated daily. Dr. Ichinohe discovered there the landmark "honeycomb-like mosaic" at the cortical layer 1-2 border, establishing new paradigms for understanding micromodular organization. This interview exemplifies the type of transformative scientific discourse found across the Genomic Press portfolio of open-access journals reaching researchers worldwide (https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/).

The transition to the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry marked a deliberate shift toward clinical translation. Could what might be termed the structural grammar of primate brains illuminate human psychiatric conditions? The question carried particular weight for autism spectrum disorder, where heterogeneity among affected individuals is not merely observable but self-reported. Many autistic individuals describe themselves as fundamentally different from one another.

Transcriptomes as dynamic hinges

The breakthrough emerged from an unexpected convergence. Brain transcriptome analysis of marmosets exposed to valproate revealed striking similarity to a subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Ichinohe recognized something profound in this finding: the transcriptome occupies a unique intermediate position, reflecting both genomic and environmental influences while remaining connected to measurable human phenotypes including behavior and potential biomarkers.

"This realization was deeply striking," he explains. "It revealed the transcriptome not as a passive readout, but as a dynamic hinge, linking cause and expression, mechanism and manifestation."

The implications extend far beyond a single model system. If primate transcriptomes can identify convergence points with specific human molecular subtypes, then animal research need not impose templates on human conditions. Instead, models become catalysts for testing whether proposed subtype boundaries hold across species. How might this framework reshape drug development pipelines currently designed around averaged patient populations? Could biomarker-guided treatment selection become feasible within the next decade?

Oncology as precedent

Dr. Ichinohe draws instructive parallels with cancer research. Oncology advanced not by denying tumor heterogeneity but by structuring it: identifying meaningful subtypes, linking them to biomarkers, developing subtype-aware therapeutic strategies. Psychiatry, he argues, requires similar conceptual machinery.

"The question is where the meaningful partition points lie," he observes, "especially at the level of socio-behavioral biology where clinical relevance truly lives."

His current work through the Brain/MINDS initiative has made him instrumental in constructing the marmoset brain connectome. His team developed an AI-powered pipeline enabling unprecedented precision in mapping primate neural circuits. In parallel, Dr. Ichinohe has been actively involved in the International Consortium for Primate Brain Mapping (ICPBM), contributing to global efforts to integrate primate connectomics with mesoscopic brain architecture. These structural and translational efforts remain deeply connected in his view, two faces of the same scientific commitment.

The human element

Beyond laboratory walls, Dr. Ichinohe finds renewal in music. He plays guitar privately, ranging from Bach to the Beatles, not for performance but for personal sustenance. His intellectual heroes span Zen masters like Rinzai and Zhuangzi, physicists like George Gamow, and novelists including Dostoevsky and Mishima. What unites them is a shared stance toward limits: of language, reason, self, or society, without seeking comfort in simplification.

When asked about his life philosophy, Dr. Ichinohe offers a reappropriated aphorism: "Keep dancing, as long as the music plays." Originally a comment on financial markets, he transforms it into an expression of sustained intellectual curiosity and persistent engagement with scientific problems.

His greatest fear? "That bears are increasingly appearing in towns." His assessment of his greatest achievement? "Not yet. If it comes at all, it will come later, perhaps in a form I do not yet recognize."

Dr. Noritaka Ichinohe's Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series called Innovators & Ideas that highlights the people behind today's most influential scientific breakthroughs. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that explore the scientist's impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and rising stars featured in our Innovators & Ideas -- Genomic Press Interview series can be found on our publications website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/.

The Genomic Press Interview in Genomic Psychiatry titled "Noritaka Ichinohe: Beyond averages - context and heterogeneity in Genomic Psychiatry," is freely available via Open Access, starting on 6 January 2026 in Genomic Psychiatry at the following hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.61373/gp026k.0016.
2 killed, 1 hurt as 2-wheeler collides head on with truck in UP's Amethi

Last Updated: January 07, 2026, 00:30 IST

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Amethi (UP), Jan 6 (PTI) Two men riding a two-wheeler were killed, while another man was seriously injured when the vehicle collided head on with a truck on the Amethi-Pratapgarh bypass road in Uttar Pradeshs Amethi district on Tuesday evening, police said.

According to police, the deceased have been identified as Monu Yadav (28) and Digvijay Singh (50), both residents of Amethi.

Shiv Nath (30) was seriously injured in the accident and has been admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Amethi for treatment.

The incident occurred near the Maa Kalika dhaba on the Amethi-Pratapgarh bypass road in the Amethi police station area.

The truck driver fled the scene after the accident.

Station House Officer (SHO) of the Amethi police station Ravi Singh said the bodies have been sent for post-mortem. PTI COR NAV RC

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CBSE launches psycho-social counseling support for students from January 6

Last Updated: January 07, 2026, 02:00 IST

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New Delhi [India], January 7 (ANI): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), reaffirming its commitment to the holistic well-being of students, will commence 1st phase of its annual free Psycho-Social Counselling Services for examinees of Classes X and XII from 06 January 2026, continuing till 01 June 2026, according to an official statement.This initiative is aimed at addressing examination-related stress and emotional well-being, enabling students to approach their forthcoming Theory Exams, scheduled to begin from 17 February 2026, with confidence, balance, and mental clarity.Some of the key features of student support include a 277 helpline. Students may dial 1800118004 and access round-the-clock support in Hindi and English through the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). The service provides practical guidance on stress-free preparation, effective time and stress management, responses to frequently asked questions, and important CBSE-related contact information to be utilised by students whenever required, according to an official statement.Students and parents can interact with a panel of 73 trained professionals, comprising Principals, Counsellors, Special Educators from CBSE-affiliated schools, and qualified Psychologists. Of these, 61 counsellors are based in India, while 12 counsellors are located in Nepal, Japan, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, ensuring a wide and diverse support network on a voluntary basis.A curated collection of resources on stress management, effective study strategies, and emotional well-being is available on the CBSE website. These resources are designed to be engaging, concise, and easily accessible for students, the release said.CBSE encourages students and parents to utilise these support services as part of the Boards ongoing efforts to support students psycho-social well-being during the Class X/XII examination cycle.The Psycho-Social Counselling Services is an annual program launched by the CBSE with the aim to help the students deal and manage the stress of exam season. In 2025, the Board held the first phase of program from February 1 to April 4, encouraging students and parents alike to avail these services. (ANI)

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Chandigarh police conduct mock drill at ISBT Sector-43 ahead of Republic Day

Last Updated: January 07, 2026, 00:00 IST

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Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], January 6 (ANI): As the Republic Day celebrations approach, the Chandigarh Police on Tuesday conducted a mock drill at ISBT in Sector 43.The mock drill was conducted under the directions of Geetanjali Khandelwal SP (Operations) to check the preparedness and coordination between the teams of Chandigarh Police and other emergency services of Chandigarh Administration.During the mock drill, the ISBT was cordoned off and evacuated by commandos of Operations Cell. A joint search operation by the HIT Teams of Operation Cell, Bomb Detection Squad and Dog Squad of Chandigarh Police was carried out, and the dummy bomb was traced out successfully, according to a release.Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) of Operation Cell, PCR Vehicles, ambulance from GMSH-16, Dog Squad team, Bomb Squad team, Ambulance from Police Hospital, Dial-112, Fire brigade vehicle, team of Civil Defence, Mobile Forensic Team, District Crime Cell, Crime Branch and a team of local area Police Station-36 reached on the spot immediately, the release said. The dummy bomb was safely taken to the open ground of Police Lines, Sector-26, Chandigarh, in a sandbag truck along with the pilot and escort PCR vehicles of Chandigarh Police for defusing the same. A complete search of ISBT was conducted.India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with elaborate parades, cultural displays, and a showcase of Indias defence capabilities. The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators, both in-person and via live broadcasts. (ANI)

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CM Dhami chairs 22nd meeting of Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 22:00 IST

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Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], January 6 (ANI): The 22nd meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board was held on Tuesday at the Secretariat under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Expressing concern over the increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict, the Chief Minister directed that more effective measures be taken to control such incidents. He emphasised enhancing vigilance in areas affected by bears, leopards, tigers, and elephants, and instructed the Forest Department and district administration to ensure a joint monitoring mechanism.The Chief Minister directed that regular patrolling, digital surveillance, and early warning systems be kept fully operational in sensitive areas. He said that solar fencing, bio-fencing, honey bee fencing, watchtowers, and other protective measures must be mandatorily installed in affected villages. He also instructed officials to organise awareness camps to sensitise rural communities about safety and to keep Rapid Response Teams continuously active.Chief Minister Dhami said that the conservation of all wildlife corridors, including elephant and tiger corridors, should be accorded top priority. He directed that provisions for animal passes, underpasses, and overpasses along wildlife movement routes be implemented more effectively. He further instructed that if amendments are required in existing wildlife conservation rules or provisions, the concerned departments should conduct necessary assessments and submit amendment proposals to the government at the earliest.He also directed that Wildlife Coordination Committees at the district level, under the chairmanship of District Magistrates, be kept active and that hotspot mapping of sensitive districts, blocks, and villages be completed immediately. Instructions were issued to strengthen safety arrangements around schools, anganwadi centres, water sources, and pedestrian pathways. The Chief Minister stressed strict implementation of solid waste management in rural areas to prevent bears and other wildlife from being attracted to human habitations.To further strengthen eco-tourism, the Chief Minister directed that works be undertaken not only in reserve forests but also in wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserve areas across the state. In view of reducing human-wildlife conflict and ensuring public safety, he also directed that veterinary services be arranged in territorial forest divisions.During the meeting, approval was granted to a total of nine proposals related to forest land diversion. These include four drinking water schemes and two additional water supply schemes in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in Rudraprayag district, two road projects connected to the Rajaji National Park area, and one optical fibre proposal related to the Ramnagar Forest Division. In addition, it was decided to refer 22 proposals related to minor mineral extraction within a 10-kilometre radius of protected areas to the National Board for Wildlife for consideration.Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal said that the decisions taken in the State Wildlife Board meeting represent a comprehensive and forward-looking step toward maintaining a balance between wildlife conservation and human safety, and will further strengthen wildlife management in Uttarakhand. Providing details on action taken on decisions of the 21st meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ranjan Kumar Mishra said that the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has approved projects including the redevelopment of Chaurasi Kutiya, the first phase of reconstruction works for damage caused by disasters at Mansa Devi Temple and its access road, construction of the Rishikesh-Neelkanth Mahadev ropeway project, and special restoration of the Laldhang-Chillarkhal forest road. He added that wildlife management plans for 56 forest land diversion proposals were approved between July 2025 and December 2025, while no-objection certificates were issued for 29 proposals. The ex-gratia amount in cases of human death due to wildlife attacks has been increased from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. A total of 93 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been constituted across 32 forest divisions for swift action in human-wildlife conflict cases. Approval has also been granted to send proposals to the Central Zoo Authority for the establishment of wildlife rescue centres in Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Rudraprayag. (ANI)

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 22:00 IST

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COAS General Upendra Dwivedi to visit Sri Lanka on January 7

Last Updated: January 07, 2026, 01:45 IST

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New Delhi [India], January 7 (ANI): COAS General Upendra Dwivedi proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after completing his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The COAS visit to Sri Lanka underscores the strong commitment between the two countries to deepen ties. His visit also comes against the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, according to an official statement from the ADGPI.In a post on X, the ADGPI said, General Upendra Dwivedi COAS, proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka today. The visit underscores the strong commitment of both nations to enhance mutual understanding, deepen cooperation in areas of shared interest and further strengthen bilateral Defence Cooperation. The visit takes place against the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, reflecting Indias enduring brotherhood with our steadfast partner."

#GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS, proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka today. The visit underscores the strong commitment of both nations to enhance mutual understanding, deepen cooperation in areas of shared interest and further strengthen bilateral #DefenceCooperation.The pic.twitter.com/CBFPyM27FC  ADG PI  INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 6, 2026

Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah, under which New Delhi sent relief supplies and helped Colombo restore connectivity.Recently, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka shared on Sunday that Indian Army Engineers have commenced launching a 100-ft Bailey Bridge in Kandy to restore connectivity in the region. The COAS visit comes as part of Indias continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries.Ministry of Defence had informed earlier that the COAS will visit Sri Lanka from 7-8 January. On arrival, the COAS will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army. He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary, and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting Indias strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers, the MoD further said.The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms Indias commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia. (ANI)

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Noida: 821 stolen phones worth over Rs 6 crore recovered; six arrested

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 22:00 IST

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Noida, Jan 6 (PTI) Police here have arrested six alleged members of an interstate gang and recovered 821 stolen mobile phones, approximately worth between Rs 6 crore to Rs 8 crore, in what officials described as one of the largest of such recoveries in the state.

Two juveniles were also apprehended in connection with the case investigated by the Phase 2 police station, officials said on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Avasthy said the gang had been operating across the NCR, targeting crowded vegetable and fruit markets during winter months.

They would rent accommodation for two to three months and steal mobile phones from unsuspecting people in busy markets, particularly when victims were distracted. People wearing jackets were often targeted," Avasthy told reporters.

According to police, the accused blended into the crowd, quickly stole phones and disappeared before victims realised what had happened. The stolen devices were later transported and sold in states such as Bihar and Jharkhand, with the proceeds allegedly used for personal expenses.

The arrested persons were identified as Govind Mahto (32) of Bhagalpur in Bihar, Rohit Saini (20) of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, and Shyam Kumar Roy (23), Bhartiya Mahto (35), Shekhar Mahto (25) and Pradeep Kumar (32), all residents of Jharkhand.

Police said two of the accused had completed schooling up to Class 12, while the others and the two detained juveniles had no formal education.

A case has been registered and the six accused have been sent to judicial custody. The juveniles have been produced before the competent authority, police added.

According to officials, this is one of the largest recoveries of stolen mobile phones in the state.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna, while interacting with the press in Lucknow on New Year, said the state police was making concerted efforts to check street crimes, including snatching and mobile phone theft.

Sharing details of stolen mobile phones recovered during the period from January to December, 2025, DGP Krishna said 54,995 mobile phones worth around Rs 84.27 crore were recovered in the state.

During the same period, 49,404 mobile phones worth around Rs 76.59 crore were returned to the owners, he added. PTI COR KIS ARB ARB

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Pakistan: Female student attempts suicide at private university in Lahore

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 05:00 IST

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Lahore (Pakistan), January 6 (ANI): In another troubling incident at a private university in Lahore, a female student of a private university attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of the campus building, police and university sources said, ARY News reported.The student, identified as Fatima, is a first-semester pharmacy student. She was immediately rushed to the ICU of a private hospital affiliated with the university. Sources said the incident occurred at the same location where another student had previously attempted suicide, ARY News reported on Monday.Following the incident, the university administration sealed all entry points and issued a notification announcing the indefinite suspension of academic activities.As per ARY News, the incident comes weeks after another student from the same institution, Owais Sultan, died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of the same building last month.Reports said that the earlier incident took place on December 19 at around 8:10 am. A fellow student, Hamza, claimed that Owais Sultan had been denied entry into a classroom by a teacher. After remaining seated outside the classroom for some time, he allegedly jumped from the building.Classmates said Owais Sultan had appeared distressed on several occasions and had a poor attendance record. Hamza further alleged that the student was under severe mental stress due to being unable to sit for examinations and claimed that the university administration exerted additional pressure on students over fees and other issues, ARY News reported.Meanwhile, at least five members of a family were shot dead in a violent clash on the outskirts of Pakistans Karak, ARY News reported on Sunday.According to police, the rival group also killed a guest who had come from Peshawar during the deadly confrontation.The victims have been identified as Sohail, Wahidullah, Kashif, and Gohar, while the identity of the fifth person is still unknown, ARY News reported.The bodies have been moved to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Karak for post-mortem examinations. Following the incident, a large police force was deployed in the area to maintain law and order and search for those responsible, ARY News mentioned.Police stated that the exact reason behind the feud is yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing. (ANI)

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PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz to visit Sabarmati Ashram, join Kite Festival

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 23:45 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 6 (PTI) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with Prime Minister Modi, will visit the iconic Sabarmati Ashram and participate in the International Kite Festival at the riverfront there during his two-day visit to India beginning January 12, sources said on Tuesday.

The visit is aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries, they said.

This will be Chancellor Merzs first official visit to India and his inaugural trip to Asia since taking office.

Sources told PTI that the two leaders will pay homage at Sabarmati Ashram on Monday morning. They will then join the ongoing Uttarayan celebrations by participating in the Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.

German Chancellors visit holds high significance as it is being held ahead of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), scheduled to be held in Germany later this year," sources noted.

Delegation-level talks will be held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, followed by a joint press statement. Chancellor Merz is also likely to visit GIFT City, where German investments, including Deutsche Banks operations, are expanding.

Defence ties will take centre-stage, with sources indicating major discussions expected in this domain. Germany has removed around 110 out of 130 defence items from its export control list, paving the way for deeper collaboration with India.

However, sources underlined that a submarine deal for the Indian Navy is unlikely during this visit.

Defence cooperation has reached a new level of trust, with Germanys export control relaxations enabling significant progress," a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions will also cover trade, investment, technology, education, mobility, innovation and green development.

The visit, including a leg in Bengaluru, comes outside the regular Inter-Governmental Consultations framework, highlighting its priority. RK PRK PRK

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Costa after Coalition of Willing meeting: We ready to commit to system of politically, legally binding guarantees

Photo: https://x.com/antoniocostapm

European Council President Antonio Costa has declared his readiness to commit to a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated after the ceasefire regime enters into force.

"We just held a productive and important meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris to advance our support for Ukraine. We stand ready to commit to a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated once a ceasefire enters into force," he said on the X social network on Tuesday evening.

Costa said the EU would support efforts to provide Ukraine with the security guarantees it needs to conclude any long-term peace agreement.

Namely: Supporting Ukraine's progress towards EU accession, which is a key element of its future prosperity; Helping to cover Ukraine's financial needs for the next two years through a EUR 90 billion loan agreed by the European Council last December. Part of this money will go to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which are the first line of defence against aggression.

"We will assist with our civilian and military EU missions on the ground," he said.

"Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position  before, during, and after any ceasefire," Costa said.
Suspect in vandalism of US Vice President Vance's Ohio home behind bars

Last Updated: January 07, 2026, 02:15 IST

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Columbus (Ohio), Jan 7 (AP) An individual accused of vandalising the Ohio home of Vice President JD Vance in the dark of night and causing other property damage was behind bars on Tuesday, awaiting action in separate state and federal cases.

William D. DeFoor, 26, appeared in two different courtrooms after being detained early Monday by Secret Service agents assigned to Vances Cincinnati home in the upscale East Walnut Hills neighborhood east of downtown. The vice president and his family were not home.

According to an affidavit filed in federal court, the Secret Service saw someone run along the front fence of Vances residence and breach the property line around midnight. The person later identified as DeFoor was armed with a hammer and tried to break out the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle on the way up the driveway before moving toward the front of the home and breaking its glass windows, the affidavit says.

Fourteen historic window panes were broken and damage was done to security enhancements around the windows valued at USD 28,000, according to the filing.

A judge set bonds totaling USD 11,000 on state charges of vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging and obstruction of official business that were brought in Hamilton County court. There, DeFoor was previously deemed incompetent to face trial on a 2023 criminal trespassing charge and referred for treatment after a 2024 vandalism charge. A grand jury hearing was scheduled for January 15.

A hearing in the federal case to determine whether DeFoor can be released on bond from the Hamilton County jail was set for Friday in federal District Court in Cincinnati.

The US Attorneys office in Ohios southern district brought charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.

The first two charges are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Messages left with possible relatives and with DeFoors attorney were not immediately returned.

Vance expressed gratitude in a post Monday on the social platform X to the public for all the well wishes and to the Secret Service and Cincinnati police for their quick response to the incident.

As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows," he wrote.

According to his office, Vance and his family were home in Cincinnati over the weekend. Court filings indicate that they left to return to Washington around 3 pm on Sunday. (AP) RHL

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First Published: January 07, 2026, 02:15 IST

News agency-feeds Suspect in vandalism of US Vice President Vance's Ohio home behind bars

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Yajur Fibres' Rs 120.4-cr SME IPO to open on Wednesday at Rs 168-174/share

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 22:00 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 6 (PTI) Yajur Fibres, a manufacturer of premium cottonised bast fibres, on Tuesday said its Rs 120.41-crore initial share sale will open for public subscription on the BSE SME platform on January 7.

The initial public offering (IPO) will conclude on January 9. The company has fixed a price band at Rs 168-174 per share, the company said in a statement.

The IPO is entirely a fresh issue of 69.20 lakh equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 each. At the upper end of the price band, Yajur Fibres will fetch Rs 120.41 crore from the fresh issue.

The net proceeds from the fresh issue will be utilised to expand capacity at the companys existing manufacturing unit at Jagannathpur, district Howrah, as well as for a greenfield linen yarn facility through its subsidiary.

Funds from the IPO will also be used for working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.

The net proceeds will strengthen our core operations through capacity expansion at our Howrah facility to meet anticipated demand for the cottonised fibre in forthcoming year, enhance operational efficiency," Ashish Kankaria, MD of Yajur Fibres, said.

Yajur Fibres is part of the Kankaria Group.

On the financial front, the company reported a revenue of Rs 140.81 crore and profit after tax of Rs 11.67 crore in FY25.

The companys shares are proposed to be listed on the BSE SME platform, with a tentative listing date fixed on January 14.

Horizon Management Pvt Ltd is the sole book-running lead manager for the IPO. PTI HG HVA

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Kerala Water Metro Vs Ferry: What Is The Difference Between The Two | Explained

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 12:58 IST

A debate on X over calling a river transport project a water metro led to a clear explanation from a Kerala user.

He explained how Kochis water metro is different from regular ferries.(Photo Credit: X)

A post on X recently caught attention after it spoke about a possible water metro project in Lucknow. The post read, Lucknow May Soon Get Water Metro on Gomti River as Yogi Govt Reviews Feasibility and Expansion Plans," and was shared with images showing boats on a wide river, modern terminals along the banks, and city buildings in the background. The visuals sparked curiosity and debate among users online.

Soon after, one comment stood out for its sharp tone. Reacting to the post, a user wrote, Water Metro Ferry bolne logo ko kya sharam aati hai yaar." The remark questioned why such projects are called water metros instead of ferries. That comment prompted a detailed reply from a user in Kerala, who stepped in to explain the difference based on real experience.

"Water Metro"Ferry bolne logo ko kya sharam aati hai yaar https://t.co/Og2TRwZEbF  Sanjay Gandhi Vichar Manch (@56Dbhau) January 5, 2026

Kerala User Breaks Down The Difference Clearly

Responding to the debate, the Kerala-based user explained how ferries and water metros work very differently in practice. He wrote, Ferries are typically point to point services. You get on at a point (usually) cross a water body and then get off." According to him, ferries usually serve a single route and stop once the crossing is complete.

He then explained why Kochis system is called a water metro. In Kochi, they call it a water metro because it actually behaves like a metro," he said. Unlike ferries, the service is access-controlled and designed like a transport network. The boats use rivers the way buses or trains use roads and tracks, with multiple stops along the route. He also pointed out that Kochis water metro connects with the citys regular metro system, allowing passengers to switch between the two.

Ferries are typically point to point services. You get on at a point (usually) cross a water body and then get off. In Kochi they call it a water metro because it actually behaves like a metro. It is access controlled. The boat here is using the river as a highway/road with https://t.co/QdHLAkWMhl Rahul Srinivas (@whizkidd) January 5, 2026

Kerala Runs More Than One Water Service

The user also added that Kerala already operates other types of boat services. The differentiation is also because Kochi also operates other actual ferry services (called Jangar locally)," he explained. These are separate from the water metro and serve a different purpose.

He went on to mention a third kind of service common in the state. Kerala also has a third type of service that is not categorised as ferries or water metros," he wrote. These are known as Line" boat services and work like buses on water, stopping at several points across the backwaters. Such services are widely used in districts like Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Kottayam.

Unclear If Lucknow Will Follow The Same Model

Ending his explanation, the user added a note of caution. Not sure if the proposed one at Lucknow works in a similar manner," he said, suggesting that the name alone does not explain how the system will function.

Shared on January 5, the post has crossed 3,000 views so far. A user commented, Still waiting for NW-3 expansion to hit further up north till Bekal, although KSWTC is very slow at execution." Another wrote, Good analysis. Nice response to ignorance/mockery."

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 12:54 IST

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Blatantly Untrue: Reliance Industries Rejects Claims Of Russian Crude Vessels Heading To Jamnagar

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 07:59 IST

RIL has refuted reports that three vessels laden with Russian oil are on their way to its Jamnagar refinery

Oil (Representative Image)

Reliance Industries (RIL) has refuted reports that three vessels laden with Russian oil are on their way to its Jamnagar refinery.

In a post on X, RIL called the report blatantly untrue", adding that the refinery has not received any Russian oil cargo in around the past three weeks, nor is expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January.

Statement by Reliance Industries Limited:A news report in Bloomberg claiming three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limiteds Jamnagar refinery" is blatantly untrue. Reliance Industriess Jamnagar refinery has not received any cargo of  Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) January 5, 2026

We are deeply pained that those claiming to be at the forefront of fair journalism chose to ignore the denial by RIL of buying any Russian oil to be delivered in January and published a wrong report tarnishing our image," it added.

Reliance also expressed disappointment that its denial was allegedly ignored in the reports publication.

A news report in Bloomberg claiming, three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limiteds Jamnagar refinery, is blatantly untrue. Reliance Industries Jamnagar refinery has not received any cargo of Russian oil at its refinery in the past three weeks approx. and is not expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January," RIL posted on X.

Saying that the report had hurt the companys reputation, RIL added, " We are deeply pained that those claiming to be at the forefront of fair journalism chose to ignore the denial by RIL of buying any Russian oil to be delivered in January and published a wrong report tarnishing our image."

A Bloomberg report titled Ships with Russian oil signal Reliance Plant as Destination had claimed that shipping data indicated the movement of Russian crude towards Indias west coast. According to Bloomberg, A Reliance spokesman denied that the cargoes had been purchased by the company, adding that it didnt have any committed shipments of Russian crude for delivery in January."

Bloomberg further reported that, At least three tankers carrying Russian crude are indicating Reliance Industries Ltd.s plant on Indias west coast as their next destination, after the refiner restarted some purchases for domestic production."

As per the report, The vessels, laden with nearly 2.2 million barrels of Urals, are currently signalling the huge Jamnagar complex and are expected to deliver their cargoes early this month, according to data analytics firm Kpler."

Explaining the basis of the data, Bloomberg said, Kpler tracks the movement of vessels based on live signals sent by captains detailing their current location and upcoming discharge ports. Destinations can change as the ships approach India."

Bloomberg reiterated the companys denial in its report, stating, A Reliance spokesman denied that the cargoes had been purchased by the company, adding that it didnt have any committed shipments of Russian crude for delivery in January."

The statement by RIL comes amid US imposing tariffs on the import of Indian goods as a penalty" for India buying Russian oil. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, while referring to an audio clip of US President Donald Trump, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra is under his control."

Kharge told reporters, I heard an audio today wherein Trump said (on Russian oil) that he knows that Modi respects him and listens to him. What does this mean? It means that Modi is under his control," Kharge said. Drawing a pop-culture analogy, he added, I am reminded of a dialogue from Mr India  Mogambo Khush Hua. After the Ambassador spoke to him, Trump said Mogambo Khush Hua."

The oppositions remarks come amid Trumps threats of higher tariffs and possible sanctions on Indian exports for continued Russian oil imports.

Earlier, the Congress again cited Trumps comments in a post on X.

Donald Trump says India reduced its oil purchases from Russia because Modi wants to keep him happy. Trump says, Modi wanted to make me happy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,'" the Congress post read, questioning whether Indias decision was influenced by US pressure.

Trump had earlier warned of higher tariffs if India continued importing Russian oil, saying, PM Modis a very good man. Hes a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly."

The controversy comes amid renewed global focus on oil geopolitics, including recent US actions against Venezuela, while India has consistently defended its energy imports as necessary for domestic energy security.

Disclaimer: Network18 and TV18  the companies that operate news18.com  are controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 07:48 IST

News business economy Blatantly Untrue: Reliance Industries Rejects Claims Of Russian Crude Vessels Heading To Jamnagar

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Stocks To Watch: HDFC Bank, Trent, Axis Bank, Adani Power, Dabur, ONGC, Torrent Pharma, And Others

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 08:12 IST

Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like HDFC Bank, Trent, Axis Bank, Adani Power, Dabur, ONGC, Torrent Pharma, and others will be in focus on Tuesday's trade

Stocks To Watch

Stocks to Watch on Tuesday, January 6: Indian equity benchmarks ended marginally lower on Monday, with the Nifty slipping around 0.3 per cent to close near the 26,250 level after a choppy session in which early gains gradually fizzled out. Analysts said the ongoing consolidation remains healthy after the recent up move, provided the index holds above its earlier swing lows.

The immediate support for the Nifty is seen in the 26,00026,200 zone, while the near-term upside potential remains intact towards 26,50026,700, market participants said.

HDFC Bank

The countrys largest private sector lender reported a 12 percent rise in loan growth to Rs 28.44 lakh crore in the December quarter. Total advances stood at Rs 25.42 lakh crore as of December 31, 2024, HDFC Bank said in a regulatory filing.

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Bank posted a mixed operating performance in the December 2025 quarter, marked by a contraction in its loan book and a modest sequential recovery in deposits, even as the share of low-cost CASA deposits continued to decline. Net advances stood at Rs 3.18 lakh crore as of December 2025, down 13 percent year-on-year and 2.2 percent sequentially from the September quarter.

Trent

Tata Group retailer Trent reported steady growth in the December quarter, although the pace of expansion moderated from the sharp growth seen in recent years. Standalone revenue rose 17 percent year-on-year to Rs 5,220 crore in Q3, supported by sustained traction in its value-fashion and lifestyle formats amid a mixed consumption environment.

Axis Bank

Axis Bank, Indias third-largest private lender by market capitalisation, reported a 14 percent year-on-year increase in gross advances to Rs 11.70 lakh crore in the December quarter, compared with Rs 10.26 lakh crore a year earlier. On the liabilities side, total deposits rose 15 percent YoY to Rs 12.6 lakh crore from Rs 10.96 lakh crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank reported a 16 percent year-on-year rise in net advances for the December quarter to Rs 4.8 lakh crore, compared with Rs 4.13 lakh crore in the year-ago period. Total deposits stood at Rs 5.43 lakh crore in Q3FY26, up 15 percent from Rs 4.73 lakh crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals

Torrent Pharmaceuticals will raise up to Rs 12,500 crore through the issuance of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in one or more tranches, following approval by the companys Securities Transfer and Stakeholders Relationship Committee. The NCDs will be secured, rated, listed, redeemable and issued on a private placement basis.

Adani Power

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside a 2019 Gujarat High Court verdict that had declined to grant relief to Adani Power on the levy of customs duty on electrical energy generated at its SEZ-based power plant and supplied to the domestic tariff area.

Dabur

Dabur indicated early signs of a demand revival in the third quarter, aided by recent GST rate revisions and improving trade conditions. The FMCG major said that after distributors and retailers spent October 2025 liquidating higher-priced inventory, the trade environment stabilised, leading to a visible improvement in consumer sentiment across both urban and rural markets.

ONGC

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation said it has entered into a strategic partnership with Japanese shipping major Mitsui OSK Lines to strengthen its presence in specialised energy transportation. The two companies signed joint venture and capital contribution agreements, according to a stock exchange filing.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 08:12 IST

News business markets Stocks To Watch: HDFC Bank, Trent, Axis Bank, Adani Power, Dabur, ONGC, Torrent Pharma, And Others

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SGB 2020-21 Series IX Early Exit: RBI Sets Redemption Price, Delivers Over 150% Return

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 16:11 IST

Reserve Bank of India announces premature redemption for Sovereign Gold Bond 2020-21 Series-IX at Rs 13,381 per unit, yielding up to 161 percent gain.

The Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 202021 Series IX, issued on January 5, 2021, was offered at an issue price of Rs 5,177 per unit.

SGB Premature Redemption 2020-21 Series IX: The Reserve Bank of India has announced that the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme for the 2020-21 Series-IX, which was originally issued on January 05, 2021), is available for premature redemption from January 05, 2026, due to the completion of five years from the date of issue.

The redemption price of SGB is based on simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity of the previous three business days from the date of redemption, as published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA).

What Is The Redemption Price For SGB 2020-21 Series-IX Series

The redemption price for premature redemption due on January 05, 2026, is Rs 13,381/- per unit of SGB based on the simple average of the closing price of gold for the three business days i.e., December 31, 2025, January 01, 2026, and January 02, 2026.

How Much Did Investors Get?

The Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 202021 Series IX, issued on January 5, 2021, was offered at an issue price of Rs 5,177 per unit. Investors who applied online received a Rs 50 per unit discount and paid Rs 5,127.

Based on the original issue price, offline investors have earned an absolute gain of about Rs 8,200 per unit, while online subscribers have gained roughly Rs 8,250 per unit.

This translates into price appreciation of nearly 158 percent for offline investors and around 161 percent for those who invested online over a five-year period.

In addition to the rise in gold prices, SGB holders also received an annual interest of 2.5 percent, paid in two instalments every year. This interest component further boosts the overall effective return, making the total gains from the investment even higher.

Tax Treatment of Sovereign Gold Bonds

The interest on the SGBs is taxable as per the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (Section 43 of 1961). The capital gains tax arising on redemption of these bonds to an individual is exempted. The indexation benefits will be provided to long-term capital gains arising to any person on the transfer of the bonds.

What Is The Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme?

The Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme was launched by the Government of India in November 2015 as an alternative to owning physical gold. Issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Centre, these bonds were denominated in grams of gold and offered investors the dual benefit of earning a fixed annual interest (2.5% on the issue price) along with capital appreciation linked to gold prices. The scheme aimed to reduce Indias dependence on imported physical gold, curb hoarding, and channel household savings into financial assets.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 16:11 IST

News business savings-and-investments SGB 2020-21 Series IX Early Exit: RBI Sets Redemption Price, Delivers Over 150% Return

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Vehicle Retail Sales In India Grow 7.71% In 2025 Post-GST: FADA

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 16:56 IST

India's vehicle retail sales rose 7.71 percent in 2025 to 2,81,61,228 units, led by passenger vehicles and GST 2.0 rate cuts, FADA reports. EV and CNG adoption also accelerated.

Looking ahead, FADA said dealer sentiment remains upbeat for the next three months, with nearly 75 percent of respondents expecting growth.

Retail sales of vehicles across segments in India grew 7.71 percent in calendar year 2025, supported by GST 2.0 rate cuts whose impact carried through the remaining part of the year after a slow start, industry body Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said on January 6.

Total retail volumes stood at 2,81,61,228 units in 2025, compared with 2,61,45,445 units in 2024.

Passenger Vehicles Lead Growth

Passenger vehicle (PV) retail sales recorded strong momentum, rising 9.7 percent year-on-year to 44,75,309 units in 2025 from 40,79,532 units a year ago, FADA data showed.

Two-wheeler sales also remained resilient, increasing 7.24 percent to 2,02,95,650 units, while three-wheeler retail volumes grew 7.21 percent to 13,09,953 units.

Commercial vehicle (CV) sales posted a comparatively moderate growth of 6.71 percent, with retail volumes reaching 10,09,654 units during the year.

A Year Of Two Distinct Halves

Commenting on the trend, FADA President CS Vigneshwar described 2025 as a year of two halves".

He said the period between January and August remained subdued despite supportive macro factors such as direct tax relief announced in the Union Budget and cumulative repo rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India.

During this phase, customers remained value-conscious, while finance approvals were selective in certain pockets, leading to uneven demand conversion," Vigneshwar said.

GST 2.0 Triggers Turnaround From September

The demand outlook changed sharply from September onwards following the rollout of GST 2.0 rate rationalisation.

According to FADA, tax reductions for mass-market segmentsincluding small cars, two-wheelers up to 350cc, three-wheelers and key commercial vehicle categoriesimproved affordability and lifted consumer sentiment.

This resulted in a sustained recovery through the SeptemberDecember period.

EV And CNG Adoption Gathers Pace

The industry body also highlighted a steady shift in the fuel mix. Electric vehicle penetration increased across two-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, while EVs continued to dominate the three-wheeler segment.

At the same time, CNG strengthened its presence in passenger and commercial vehicles, pointing to a more diversified mobility ecosystem.

Outlook For Early 2026 Remains Positive

Looking ahead, FADA said dealer sentiment remains upbeat for the next three months, with nearly 75 percent of respondents expecting growth.

Demand is expected to be supported by post-GST 2.0 momentum, a busy festive and wedding season, and typical year-end buying trends.

Rural sentiment is also improving, aided by higher rabi sowing and a favourable winter crop outlook, which could boost farm incomes.

On the macro front, the RBIs repo rate at 5.25 percent offers comfort on borrowing costs, while expectations of a consumption-friendly Union Budget could further support discretionary spending.

(With PTI Inputs)

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 16:33 IST

News business Vehicle Retail Sales In India Grow 7.71% In 2025 Post-GST: FADA

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Failed UPSC 4 Times, Jharkhand Man Held For Posing As Civil Servant To Impress Father

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:22 IST

The incident came to light on January 2, when Rajesh Kumar, reached the Hussainabad police station seeking the station house officer in connection with a land dispute.

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Jharkhand man arrested for posing as civil servant (Representative image)

A 35-year-old man from Jharkhand was apprehended for allegedly posing as a top civil servant, an Indian Posts and Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IPTAFS) officer, for nearly seven years after he failed the UPSC examination.

The incident came to light on January 2, when Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Jharkhands Kukhi, reached the Hussainabad police station seeking the station house officer in connection with a land dispute, NDTV reported.

He introduced himself as a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, currently posted as a Chief Accounts Officer (CAO) in Bhubaneshwar. During the interaction, Kumar said that he was posted in various cities, including Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, and Dehradun.

Before leaving the police station, Kumar also said that he had been an IPTAFS officer, sowing seeds of suspicion. After he left, the police station house officer conducted a preliminary investigation, which revealed that Kumar was not a civil servant.

Subsequently, he was detained by the police. Upon inspection, he revealed that he had appeared for the UPSC exam four times but failed to crack it. In order to appear successful before his father, he pretended to be a civil servant.

Kumar further said that he had obtained a fake ID card and a Hyundai Era car with a fake nameplate, bearing the words Government of India with the number reading JH01Z-4884.

We have arrested him based on his confession," S Mohammad Yaqoob, SDPO, Hussainabad, said, as quoted by the outlet.

Meanwhile, the accused has been charged under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and remanded to judicial custody.

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Location : Jharkhand, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 14:22 IST

News cities Failed UPSC 4 Times, Jharkhand Man Held For Posing As Civil Servant To Impress Father

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Andhra Man Attended Course On Cybercrime In Hyderabad, Then Went On To Rob ATM

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 12:39 IST

Vadde Katamaiah from Anantapur was caught by Miyapur police in Hyderabad stealing ATM cash using skills learned in a cybercrime course. Investigation continues.

During the training, the accused had learned technical methods of ATMs of certain companies and used that information to steal the money. (Image: Representative)

A man from Andhra Pradesh who had come to Hyderabad to attend a cybercrime course was caught red-handed while stealing cash from an ATM using the skill he learned during the training, police said.

The incident took place on late Sunday night. The Miyapur police under the Cyberabad commissionerate had received a Dial 100 call about a man attempting to steal money from an ATM.

Police rushed to the spot immediately after the call and caught the accused red-handed while he was stealing money from an ATM," said Miyapur ACP Y Srinivas Kumar.

He further said that the accused, identified as Vadde Katamaiah, a resident of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh, had come to Hyderabad to learn cybercrime-related courses. During the training, he learned technical methods of ATMs of certain companies and used that information to steal the money.

The ACP said that Katamaiah had placed a technical device inside the ATM to block cash from coming out when a customer tried to withdraw money.

When the customer left thinking the transaction had failed, Katamaiah would remove the device and take the cash," he said.

He further mentioned that another accused, Ramanjaneyulu, is on the run and efforts are on to trace him. Further investigation in ongoing to know whether the arrested accused was involved in any other robbery cases, the ACP added.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 12:39 IST

News hyderabad-news Andhra Man Attended Course On Cybercrime In Hyderabad, Then Went On To Rob ATM

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In A First, Delhi Police Use Gait Analysis To Solve UPSC Aspirant Murder Case

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 07:53 IST

Ram Kesh Meena, the UPSC aspirant, was allegedly killed by his live-in partner, Amrita Chauhan, her former boyfriend Sumit Kashyap, and Sandeep Kumar, an accomplice.

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Delhi Police use gait analysis to crack UPSC aspirant's murder case (Representative image/PTI)

In a first, the Delhi police have used gait analysis as crucial evidence to pin the accused, who reportedly murdered a 32-year-old UPSC aspirant in the capital in October 2025, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Ram Kesh Meena, the UPSC aspirant, was allegedly killed by his live-in partner, Amrita Chauhan, her former boyfriend Sumit Kashyap, and Sandeep Kumar, an accomplice, at a residence in North Delhis Timarpur.

According to the police, Amrita was reportedly upset with Meena about the 32-year-old not deleting their intimate videos. When Sumit learned about this, both of them orchestrated to kill Meena.

As per the investigation, Meena was first assaulted and strangled using a mobile phone charger cable. The accused attempted to disguise the murder as an accidental death in a house fire.

However, it was the autopsy report that disturbed their plot, said the police. The report outlined the injuries around the neck of the deceased.

How the accused planned the murder

Before the murder, Amrita had been allegedly coordinating with the two other accused via Instagram  she told them when Meena was at home.

Sandeep and Sumit  the two other accused in the case  were seen entering the house at 8:45 P.M. Thirty-eight minutes later, Sandeep was seen leaving the house while Amrita and Sumit stayed back, according to the police.

The two then allegedly poured petrol on Meenas body and set him on fire to make it seem like an accident. The two then left the premises at 2:57 A.M. on October 6.

It came into notice that some burning injuries were found, suggesting that the victim was alive/unconscious when he was set on fire", said officers familiar with the autopsy report, as quoted by the outlet.

What is Gait Analysis?

A study of walking patterns, the gait analysis is used to identify suspects from CCTV footage, comparing unique features like stride, posture, and limb movement.

In the Ram Kesh Meena murder case, the Delhi police compared the CCTV footage showing the movements of the suspects in and around the crime scene with a recreated video.

Using special computer software, the two videos were analysed side by side. Moreover, experts were invited from Gujarat to analyse various CCTV footage from five different places.

A total of 55 witnesses were questioned during the probe. An air conditioner, which was found burnt, was inspected by experts to ensure there was no malfunction in the machine.

After inspection, it was discovered that no leakage was found in the AC compressor, a fact the police will use as key evidence before the court.

Meanwhile, an 813-page chargesheet was filed in the case on Monday at Delhis Tis Hazari Court. The court is yet to take cognisance of the matter.

According to the Indian Express report, a police team led by Inspector Pankaj Tomar, SHO Timarpur, sub-inspector Mohit and sub-inspector Mohit, and Head Constable Ram Roop, solved the case.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 07:53 IST

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Von der Leyen: Meeting of Coalition of the Willing leaders was powerful demonstration of unity for Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the meeting of the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing was a "strong display of unity for Ukraine."

She wrote about this on her page on the social network X following the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which took place in Paris on Tuesday.

A strong display of unity for Ukraine today in Paris at the Coalition of the Willing leaders meeting from EU Member States, NATO allies and friends of Ukraine. Our joint statement sends a clear message. We collectively stand by Ukraine and a safe, secure prosperous future lies ahead, von der Leyen is convinced.
Panic At Odisha School As Four Students Suffer Burns After Paint Thinner 'Experiment'

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 07:55 IST

Four students at Paika Dakulaguda High School in Odisha suffered burns in a paint thinner fire; one is critical. Police are investigating the matter.

AI-generated image used for representational purposes only

Panic erupted at a school in Odisha after four students sustained severe burn injuries while allegedly experimenting with paint thinner on the school premises on Monday.

The incident took place at Paika Dakulaguda High School in the Muniguda block of Rayagada district. According to police, a Class 8 student, Binod, the son of the schools peon, allegedly called four younger students to the school rooftop around 2.30 pm.

Binod wanted to show them how thinner catches fire. First, he poured some thinner and set it alight. Then, they all poured more and continued setting it on fire. The flames spread rapidly, resulting in the injuries," said Swathy S Kumar, Superintendent of Police (SP), Rayagada, told NDTV.

The injured students have been identified as Class VII students Rohit Khara, Biraj Takri and Nalin Huika, and Class V student Sudam Bagh.

Teachers rushed the injured students to the Bisamkatak Community Health Centre after being alerted. Among them, the condition of Biraj Takri was reported to be critical.

Hospital authorities confirmed that all four remain under intensive medical supervision.

However, the mother of one of the injured students disputed the police version, alleging that the act was deliberate. She claimed that Binod intentionally threw thinner on the students and set them on fire. The incident reportedly occurred after the students urinated at a place within the school premises. My son is critically injured," she said.

The school headmaster said teachers present at the time would be questioned to determine how the fire broke out. Meanwhile, the District Collector stated that preliminary information indicated the fire occurred near an under-construction building close to the school.

Police officials reached the spot after being informed by the school authorities and have launched an investigation to establish the exact sequence of events.

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Location : Odisha (Orissa), India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 07:55 IST

News cities Panic At Odisha School As Four Students Suffer Burns After Paint Thinner 'Experiment'

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CBSE Launches Free Counselling Support For Class 10, 12 Students Ahead Of Board Exams

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:07 IST

CBSE will roll out free psycho-social counselling for Class 10 and 12 students from January 6, 2026, offering helpline, tele-counselling and digital support ahead of board exams.

CBSE has launched free psycho-social counselling support for Class 10 and 12 students.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the launch of its annual free psycho-social counselling services for students appearing in the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. The first phase of the support programme will begin on January 6, 2026, and will continue till June 1, 2026.

The initiative is aimed at helping students deal with examination-related stress and emotional pressure ahead of the CBSE theory exams, which are scheduled to begin from February 17, 2026. Through this programme, the board aims to help students approach their exams with confidence, emotional balance and mental clarity.

As part of the counselling support, CBSE has introduced a 247 toll-free Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) helpline. Students can call 1800-11-8004 to access round-the-clock assistance in Hindi and English. The IVRS provides guidance on stress-free preparation, time and stress management, answers to frequently asked questions and important CBSE-related contact details.

In addition, tele-counselling services will be available from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Students and parents can speak directly with a panel of 73 trained professionals, including principals, counsellors, special educators from CBSE-affiliated schools and qualified psychologists. Of these, 61 counsellors are based in India, while 12 are located in Nepal, Japan, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, offering support on a voluntary basis.

ALSO READ: GUJCET 2026 Extended Registration Window To Close Today At gseb.org, Heres Direct Link

CBSE has also made digital resources available on its official website, www.cbse.gov.in. These include study tips, stress management techniques and material focused on emotional well-being. The resources are designed to be concise, practical and easy for students to access.

The board has encouraged students and parents to make full use of these services as part of its continued efforts to support the mental and emotional well-being of students during the Class 10 and Class 12 examination cycle.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 14:04 IST

News education-career CBSE Launches Free Counselling Support For Class 10, 12 Students Ahead Of Board Exams

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UPSC GK Question: Which Country Is Known As The Land Of Silver?

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 08:31 IST

Do you know which country is called the Land of Silver? This question often appears in exams like UPSC, UPPSC and MPSC and heres the correct answer

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In South America, Argentina ranks among the major silver-producing nations, alongside Peru and Bolivia.

Gold and silver prices often make headlines, but do you know which country is famously called the Land of Silver? The answer is Argentina, and the story behind this title is rooted in history, language, and colonial myths rather than overflowing silver rivers.

But, do you know why Argentina is called the land of silver? Argentinas name comes from the Latin word argentum, which means silver. Early European explorers believed that the region was rich in silver, a belief that strongly influenced how the land was named and perceived.

The Role Of Rio De La Plata

The title Land of Silver is closely linked to the Rio de la Plata, which literally translates to River of Silver. When Spanish and Portuguese explorers arrived in South America, they believed that silver from the interior flowed into this river. As a result, the entire region became associated with silver wealth.

The Rio de la Plata forms a natural boundary between Argentina and Uruguay, and its name reflects the early colonial belief that vast silver reserves existed inland.

How Argentina Got Its Name

The countrys name evolved from the Spanish word Argentino and the Latin Argentum. Over time, these colonial stories and trade myths became part of the nations identity, eventually giving rise to the name Argentina.

While early beliefs were exaggerated, Argentina does have significant mineral resources. The country contains rich belts of silver, gold, copper, and other minerals. Large-scale mining operations are active in provinces such as Catamarca, Santa Cruz, Jujuy, and San Juan.

These mineral resources play an important role in strengthening Argentinas industrial sector and exports.

Argentinas Place In Global Silver Production

In South America, Argentina ranks among the major silver-producing nations, alongside Peru and Bolivia. These minerals are largely found along the Andes mountain belt, one of the worlds most important mineral zones.

Globally, Mexico and China are the largest producers of silver, supplying a significant share of the worlds demand. However, Argentinas mining and mineral-processing industries continue to grow steadily.

A Name Shaped By History And Myth

Argentinas identity as the Land of Silver comes not just from mining, but from centuries-old explorer tales, trade legends, and the symbolic importance of silver in its history.

Even today, this legacy remains deeply woven into the countrys culture, name, and national story.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 08:31 IST

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15-Year-Old Boy Arrested In Pathankot On Charges Of Spying For Pakistans ISI

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:35 IST

Police said the minor had been sharing sensitive information related to India with ISI handlers for the past one year.

Minor Held for Alleged Pakistan Spying in Pathankot

Pathankot police have arrested a 15-year-old boy on charges of spying for Pakistan. The police have alleged that the teenager was in contact with handlers linked to Pakistans intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

According to the police, the minor had been sharing sensitive information related to India with ISI handlers for the past one year. Officials said the information was passed on through communication channels that are now under investigation.

ISI targeting children

Police officers stated that the case has raised serious concerns, as investigations suggest that ISI is attempting to target and recruit young children for espionage activities. They added that this trend poses a significant security risk.

Alert issued across Punjab

Authorities said that other minors in Punjab are also suspected to have links with ISI operatives. As a precaution, police stations across the state have been alerted to remain vigilant and closely monitor any similar activities.

Investigation on

The investigation is still underway, with officials working to identify the wider network involved in the case. Police said all legal procedures applicable to juveniles are being followed.

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Location : Pathankot, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 09:04 IST

News india 15-Year-Old Boy Arrested In Pathankot On Charges Of Spying For Pakistans ISI

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Ambala Man Arrested For Sharing Army, Air Force Secrets With Pakistan's ISI After Honeytrap

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 10:50 IST

Cops mentioned that Pakistans intelligence agency ISI operated the honeytrap by building trust through a fake online identity and later seeking sensitive military information

The 30-year-old shared confidential details related to military unit locations and troop movement (Representative Image)

Police in Ambala have arrested a 31-year-old man for allegedly sharing sensitive information related to the Indian Army and Air Force with Pakistan after being honeytrapped through social media. The accused, identified as Sunil, a resident of Sabga village under Saha police station, was arrested near the Ambala Cantonment bus stand, officials said.

According to investigators, Sunil had been in contact with Pakistani handlers for the past six to seven months through social media platforms. Police said he was lured via a fake female Facebook profile and gradually trapped through emotional manipulation, inducement, and alleged blackmail. Sunil worked with a private contractor and had regular access to the Air Force Station, where he was employed as a supervisor on construction projects across different military units.

Using this access, he allegedly shared confidential details related to military unit locations, troop movement and deployment. A unit of Ambala Police has recovered WhatsApp chats and voice call records linking him to Pakistani handlers. His bank account is also being examined to trace any suspicious financial transactions.

Ambala Crime DSP Virender Kumar said Sunil has been taken on a four-day police remand for further questioning. We are probing whether he acted alone or if others were involved. More disclosures are expected during interrogation," he said.

Police further alleged that Pakistans intelligence agency ISI operated the honeytrap by first building trust through a fake online identity and later seeking sensitive military information in exchange for favours and money. Security agencies are now assessing the extent of information compromised as the investigation continues.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 08:59 IST

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CAPF Aspirant Can't Remove Tattoo Before Review Exam To Be Declared Fit: Calcutta HC

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 17:00 IST

The court observed that a candidates medical fitness, including the presence of tattoos, must be assessed.

Over 1.09 lakh posts vacant in CAPFs and Assam Rifles; recruitment underway for 72,689 posts.

The Calcutta High Court has ruled that candidates cannot remove tattoos after being declared medically unfit in a detailed medical examination and before appearing for a review medical examination to be declared fit.

The court dismissed the plea of an aspiring constable seeking recruitment in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

The court noted that a candidate declared medically unfit during the detailed medical examination is allowed to seek a review medical examination only to challenge an alleged error or anomaly in the medical assessment. However, altering physical conditions after the first examination is not permitted.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya was hearing the plea of a candidate who was declared medically unfit on December 3, 2025, due to tattoos on his right forearm and a flat right foot. The petitioner removed his tattoo on December 6, 2025, before appearing for the review medical examination, Indian Express reported.

The court observed that a candidates medical fitness, including the presence of tattoos, must be assessed based on the condition existing on the date of the detailed medical examination.

If there is an anomaly in the Detailed Medical Examination candidate has the right to prefer review before the concerned medical board, but removal of a tattoo after Detailed Medical Examination and prior to Review Medical Examination in pursuit of being declared medically fit is found to be not permissible," the court said.

The court also stated that the conduct of the petitioner could not be accepted, as he had tattoos on the date of the detailed medical examination but attempted to remove them before the review.

The petitioners counsel argued that his client should be declared medically fit as the tattoos had been removed. However, the state opposed the plea, pointing out that the tattoo was removed after the detailed medical examination.

The court distinguished this case from an earlier Delhi High Court ruling, where candidates were given time to remove objectionable tattoos during the selection process.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 17:00 IST

News india CAPF Aspirant Can't Remove Tattoo Before Review Exam To Be Declared Fit: Calcutta HC

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CBI Summons TVK Chief Vijay For Questioning In Karur Stampede Case On Jan 12

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:54 IST

TVK chief actor Vijay has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in Karur stampede case on January 12.

Actor Vijay summoned by CBI in Karur stampede case. (PTI)

Amid the investigation into the Karur stampede case, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief actor Vijay has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning on January 12.

Vijay has been asked to appear before the CBI Headquarters in Delhi, sources informed.

The development came after the probe agency earlier questioned and recorded statements of top TVK functionaries as part of its inquiry into the tragedy.

On September 27, at least 41 people lost their lives, and 110 others were injured in a stampede that occurred during a public meeting of the TVK party in Karur, which was attended by the party chief, Vijay.

In response to the tragedy, the Supreme Court has ordered a CBI investigation to determine the cause of the incident and identify those responsible.

The Court had also ordered a three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the CBI probe and ensure that the investigation into the tragedy is independent and impartial. The ruling had come on TVKs plea seeking an impartial probe into the tragic event.

Since the CBI has taken over the case, it has been examining permissions granted for the event, crowd management measures, police deployment and emergency response. It is also recording statements from TVK functionaries and officials.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 14:16 IST

News india CBI Summons TVK Chief Vijay For Questioning In Karur Stampede Case On Jan 12

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Former Indian Navy officer Purnendu Tiwari Re-Arrested In Qatar | Exclusive Details

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 15:29 IST

Officials have clarified that the new arrest is unrelated to the 2022 charges that had earlier led to high-level India-Qatar diplomatic engagement

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Former Indian Navy officer Purnendu Tiwari. (News18)

Former Indian Navy officer Purnendu Tiwari has been re-arrested in Qatar in a separate financial case, according to sources.

Tiwari was originally among eight Indian nationals arrested in Qatar in 2022. Officials have clarified that the new arrest is unrelated to the 2022 charges that had earlier led to high-level India-Qatar diplomatic engagement.

Who is Purnendu Tiwari?

A navigation specialist, Commander Tiwari has commanded INS Magar and was the fleet navigating officer of the navys eastern fleet. He has also served on Rajput class destroyers. He was the first ever armed forces veteran to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, presented by then president Ramnath Kovind in 2019.

After retirement, he was employed with Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private defence-related company offering training and support to the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces.

The 2022 case

In August 2022, Tiwari and seven other former Indian Navy personnel were detained in Doha during an investigation. Qatars authorities tried and sentenced them to death in 2023. The Qatari authorities never publicly released detailed formal charges in the case.

The Government of India engaged diplomatically. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier taken up the case with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, upon his visit to India. The Emir of Qatar granted pardons or commuted sentences. Seven of the eight veterans were released and returned to India after the death sentences were commuted and diplomatic negotiations.

Unlike the others, Tiwari remained in Qatar due to the separate financial investigation.

What the re-arrest means?

According to sources, his re-arrest will stop him from returning home to India. According to sources, it has resulted in his continued detention and re-imprisonment.

His family has now reached out directly to top of Indian government for his release. The Ministry of External Affairs is yet to issue a statement.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 15:29 IST

News india Former Indian Navy officer Purnendu Tiwari Re-Arrested In Qatar | Exclusive Details

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Gangster, Accused Of Raping Two Minor Girls, Killed In Encounter In UPs Sultanpur

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:21 IST

The Lakhimpur Kheri police said Azam, along with his two aides, Salman and Mukhtar, were booked for the gangrape of two minors.

News18

Days after two minor girls were allegedly gangraped in Uttar Pradeshs Lakhimpur Kheri, a gangster involved in the crime was killed in a shootout during a joint operation by the Sultanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri police early Monday morning.

The operation took place in the Lambhua area near Diyara bridge. The police have cordoned off the area following specific information regarding the presence of the accused.

The Lakhimpur Kheri police said Azam, along with his two aides, Salman and Mukhtar, were booked for the gangrape of two minors.

According to the officials, the criminal opened fire at the police team during the operation. The police retaliated in self-defence and the accused sustained bullet injuries.

He was then taken to the Community Health Centre in Lambhua and later referred to the Sultanpur Government Medical College, where doctors declared him dead.

The deceased has been identified as Talib alias Azam Khan (26), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri.

Talib was wanted in more than 17 criminal cases, including charges of gang rape, cow slaughter, robbery and vehicle theft. A reward of Rs 1 lakh had been announced for his arrest.

SP Kunwar Anupam Singh said the joint operation was launched after receiving inputs about the movement of the accused in the Lambhua area.

When the police party tried to nab him, the accused fired at the team. Police retaliated in self-defence, during which he was injured. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment," the SP added.

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Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 09:21 IST

News india Gangster, Accused Of Raping Two Minor Girls, Killed In Encounter In UPs Sultanpur

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How SCs Denial Of Bail For Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam Will Impact Other UAPA Cases | Exclusive

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 13:10 IST

The judgment will help agencies pursue organisers, ideologues and coordinators, without being forced to prove the entire case upfront," say intelligence sources

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Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been in jail for over five years in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. (File image/PTI)

The Supreme Courts (SC) rejection of bail for activist Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots on Monday reaffirms the core logic of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), according to intelligence sources.

The SC granted bail to five others in the case, citing hierarchy of participation" and saying all accused in the case do not stand on the same footing.

The judgment will help agencies pursue organisers, ideologues and coordinators, without being forced to prove the entire case upfront. It will also help investigating agencies ensure that a detailed trial for bail is not held in UAPA cases," said sources.

After the court order, ongoing cases will get strength. The ruling also responds indirectly to the criticism that UAPA results in jail without trial," said sources.

Detention is a judicial choice: Intelligence sources

Imam was arrested on January 28, 2020 for speeches made during anti-CAA protests. He was later arrested in a larger conspiracy case in August 2020. Khalid was arrested on September 13, 2020. There was a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the UAPA, a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said. While the two will remain in jail, activists Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad have been given bail.

The top court said that while bail in UAPA cases is not given as a matter of routine, the law does not mandate denial of bail as default. It also does not exclude the courts jurisdiction to allow bail.

Khalid and Imam can file fresh bail applications after the examination of protected witnesses or after one year from today, the court said.

ALSO READ | Delhi Riots Case: Why SC Granted Bail To 5 Others But Not Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

The prosecution prima facie disclosed a central and formative role" and involvement in the level of planning, mobilisation and strategic direction extending beyond episodic and localised acts", the bench said.

The order in the Khalid case makes it clear that detention is a judicial choice not of investigation agency. It is expected to become a key reference point in future bail hearings and especially in conspiracy cases," they said.

Recent rulings and other UAPA cases

According to sources, the ongoing UAPA cases will gain strength after recent court rulings in Khalid and other cases. Officials say recent court reasoning helps clarify how these cases are to be viewed at the bail and pre-trial stage. In several cases, allegations focus on conspiracy, coordination, and intent rather than direct violence.

1. Sharjeel Imam case: This is among the most prominent ongoing case. At the time of arrest, agencies were accused of targeting speech and dissent. Investigators consistently maintain that the case is not about a single speech but about intent.

2. Delhi riots conspiracy cases: Some accused are still in jail under UAPA and some on bail. The courts have not quashed the cases, indicating that trials are still ongoing even where bail has been granted.

3. Bhima-Koregaon cases: Several accused like academicians and activists are out on bail. In these cases, the courts have not invalidated the use of UAPA by agencies, even with the individuals where custody conditions were relaxed.

4. Jammu and Kashmir terror funding cases: In these cases, key accused are in judicial custody, where allegations are related to funding, recruitment, or logistical support

5. Shabir Shah: He is in judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail, in connection with terror-funding cases being probed under UAPA. The UAPA detention of Shabir Shah is controversial as supporters and civil liberties groups say that terror law was being used to silence a political separatist.

6. Radicalisation and recruitment module cases: These radicalisation and recruitment module cases are controversial as critics argue people are jailed under UAPA for online activity and ideology before any act of violence takes place. Agencies counter that courts have accepted the need for early intervention in such modules.

With agency inputs

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 13:03 IST

News india How SCs Denial Of Bail For Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam Will Impact Other UAPA Cases | Exclusive

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Border guards did not let a citizen of one of the foreign countries into the territory of Ukraine. Before that, the border service drew attention to the post of a caring citizen, which was widely reflected in social networks and the media, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine press service said.

"When a 53-year-old foreigner, an Italian citizen, about whom the woman described the situation and who was following to Ukraine, arrived at the checkpoint, all necessary border control measures were carried out by inspectors of the State Border Guard Service with the involvement of other control services. At present, a detailed check has been completed. The result is the refusal of the foreigner to cross the border and a ban on entry to Ukraine for three years," the service said on the Telegram channel.

The border guards established that the foreigner has pro-Russian views and justifies the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine. Due to the violation of the norms of Ukrainian legislation, he received the appropriate decisions at the border.

He tried to enter Ukraine by bus through the Chop checkpoint.

The story of the Italian citizen who was not allowed into Ukraine spread on social networks after a post by a bus passenger on Threads. According to her, during a stop on the way to Ukraine, a man wearing an embroidered shirt began to criticize the Ukrainian authorities and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and also said he respected Vladimir Putin. These statements became the basis for contacting border guards. The bus passenger also reported that she wrote a statement at the border.
IMD Warns Of Cold Wave, Dense Fog In North, Central India: Check Advisory

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 23:35 IST

The weather agency warned that dense to very dense fog will continue to affect large parts of northwest, central, east and northeast India during morning and night hours.

Cold day conditions are also likely in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on January 6 and 7. (File image)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a cold wave warning for parts of north and central India, predicting cold day conditions, dense fog and a further drop in minimum temperatures over the next few days.

The severe cold wave that has swept across the national capital and neighbouring areas is expected to continue, as the weather agency forecasts cloudy and foggy conditions until tomorrow for Delhi.

According to the IMD bulletin, cold wave conditions are very likely in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Odisha between January 7 and 9, while Rajasthan may experience cold wave conditions from January 8 to 11. Madhya Pradesh is expected to see cold wave conditions on January 7 and 8, with Vidarbha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh likely to be affected between January 6 and 8.

   : -                      -, ,   -    5-7             pic.twitter.com/Xvs61igbRh  India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 6, 2026

Cold day conditions are also likely in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on January 6 and 7, and in Delhi, West Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on January 6.

The weather agency warned that dense to very dense fog will continue to affect large parts of northwest, central, east and northeast India during morning and night hours over the next five to seven days. Dense fog is likely over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi on multiple days, while isolated pockets of fog are expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and several northeastern states.

In Jharkhand, where a cold wave alert has been issued, the mercury dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in 10 districts on Tuesday, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. A yellow alert has been issued for several districts, including Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla and Chatra, officials said.

They added that cold wave conditions are expected to persist in these districts until January 7.

The IMD also said minimum temperatures may fall by 23 degrees Celsius over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi over the next two days. A similar fall of 23C is likely across central and eastern India over the next two days, followed by stable conditions for the subsequent five days. No major change in night temperatures is expected in the rest of the country.

The IMD has also predicted snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand today. Meanwhile, a thin layer of fog blanketed Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, on Tuesday morning as cold wave conditions continued to tighten their grip on the Kashmir Valley.

In southern India, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely over Tamil Nadu on January 8 and 9. Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mahe on January 9 and 10.

Over the seas, squally weather with wind speeds reaching 35-45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph, is likely along and off the Sri Lanka coast, over most parts of the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, many parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal, the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin area. Squally winds of 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are likely along and off the Somalia coast and adjoining sea areas.

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 23:35 IST

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India Fast-Tracks 4 Chenab Hydropower Projects, Mounts Pressure On Pakistans Water Flows

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 12:46 IST

Officials have been asked to commission the Pakal Dul and Kiru projects by December 2026, complete the Kwar project by March 2028, and accelerate construction on Ratle dam.

Being a lower riparian state, Pakistan is heavily dependent for water on India-controlled riversparticularly the Jhelum and Chenab flowing through Jammu & Kashmir. (PTI/Representative image)

Indias choke on Pakistans water lifeline is no longer a distant strategic idea. It is now taking concrete shape in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a clear signal of intent, the Centre has issued firm directions to fast-track four major hydropower projects on the Chenab river system. Officials have been asked to commission the Pakal Dul and Kiru projects by December 2026, complete the Kwar project by March 2028, and accelerate construction on the strategically sensitive Ratle dam. The push follows a two-day ground inspection by Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who reviewed progress on multiple dam sites in Jammu and Kashmir, underlining that deadlines will now be strictly enforced.

At stake is far more than electricity generation. The Chenab is part of the Indus basin  Pakistans lifeline. Nearly three-fourth of Pakistans water originates from the western rivers that flow from India into Pakistan. Over 90 per cent of Pakistans agriculture depends on this basin, and almost the entire network of its dams and canals is built around it. In effect, nine out of ten Pakistanis rely on water that first flows through Indian territory. That reality explains why every move on the Chenab is watched so closely across the border.

The most consequential of the projects is the Pakal Dul hydropower project in Kishtwar. At 1,000 MW, it is the largest project in the Chenab basin and, at 167 metres, the highest dam in India. Crucially, it is Indias first storage project on a western river that flows into Pakistan. Built on a tributary of the Chenab, the project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018. With the Indus Waters Treaty effectively in abeyance, the Centre has now ordered that Pakal Dul be commissioned by December 2026. Once operational, it will give India the ability not just to generate power, but to regulate the timing of water flows  a capability Pakistan has long viewed with concern.

Running parallel is the Kiru project, also located in Kishtwar district. The Kiru dam, rising 135 metres on the Chenab, is a run-of-the-river project, but its strategic value lies in how it fits into a chain of projects upstream and downstream. The Centre has set the same December 2026 deadline for Kiru, making it clear that both projects are expected to come online together.

The third pillar of this push is the Kwar project, another run-of-the-river dam on the Chenab with a height of 109 metres. A major engineering milestone was achieved in January 2024 when the Chenab was successfully diverted to enable construction. That diversion was closely tracked in Pakistan. The Centre has now directed that Kwar be commissioned by March 2028, locking in a firm timeline.

Then there is the Ratle project, perhaps the most contentious of them all. The 850 MW project involves a 133-metre-high dam on the Chenab and has been opposed by Pakistan for years, particularly over the design of its spillways. During his recent visit, the Power Minister laid the foundation stone for the dams concreting works, signalling that Ratle is now being fast-tracked. The Chenab was diverted through tunnels for this project in 2024, and the dam is expected to be ready by 2028.

Beyond these headline projects, India is also moving ahead with Dulhasti Stage-2 on the Chenab. The project received clearance from the Environment Ministrys panel last December and will come up after Dulhasti-I, which is already operational. Pakistan has recently objected to this clearance as well, arguing it was not informed  an objection India has rejected.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 12:46 IST

News india India Fast-Tracks 4 Chenab Hydropower Projects, Mounts Pressure On Pakistans Water Flows

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Pawan Ruia, Family Questioned In Kolkata As Bengal Police Probe Rs 315-Crore Cyber Fraud | Exclusive

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:30 IST

An FIR alleges that proceeds from multiple online scams across the country were routed through the bank accounts of members of the Ruia family.

Ruia Group chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia and his family have been booked on charges of money laundering for allegedly routing illegal funds through multiple shell companies and cryptocurrency. (Image: @Pawan Kumar Ruia/Facebook)

Industrialist Pawan Ruia, along with his son and daughter, was interrogated for more than eight hours in Kolkata on Monday, January 5, by the West Bengal Police Cyber Crime Wing in connection with an alleged cyber fraud case. Ruia and his family were questioned by senior officials of the cyber wing at the Cyber Crime Office.

The questioning came days after the High Court granted anticipatory bail to Pawan Ruia and two members of his family in a case alleging that proceeds from multiple online scams across the country were routed through their bank accounts.

Pawan Ruias counsel had submitted before the Court that the arrest warrant issued on December 22, 2025, under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was unlawful and in violation of earlier judicial protection. It was contended that the BNSS mandates a balance between the requirements of investigation and the protection of personal liberty, that the Supreme Court had directed that no coercive steps be taken for a limited period, and that a petition seeking quashing of the FIR is presently pending before a Coordinate Bench of the Court. In view of these submissions, the Court had granted anticipatory bail to Ruia.

Sources in the West Bengal Police Cyber Crime Wing have told News18 that investigators believe custodial interrogation of Pawan Ruia and his children is necessary and expressed disappointment within the police fraternity over the High Courts decision to grant anticipatory bail. According to police sources, the case involves large-scale cyber fraud in which substantial sums were siphoned through mule bank accounts, with cryptocurrency also allegedly used to launder funds.

Police sources said the Cyber Crime Wing has strong reasons to believe the offence is of an unprecedented magnitude", involving a complex network of at least 186 companies and shell entities. The state has maintained that custodial interrogation is vital to unmask the conspiracy" and to carry out the technical decryption" of decentralised payment systems and crypto wallets, for which the physical custody of the accused is considered necessary.

Although Pawan Ruia and his son and daughter have secured anticipatory bail, the West Bengal Police Cyber Crime Wing is examining available legal options, maintaining that custodial interrogation is essential to the investigation.

Case Against Pawan Ruia and Family

The cybercrime wing of the West Bengal Police has registered an FIR against Pawan Ruia and some of his family members over their alleged links to cybercrime. The case was initiated suo motu following a police probe into multiple cyber fraud cases in which proceeds amounting to Rs 315 crore were allegedly traced to bank accounts of shell companies and individuals connected to the Ruia family, police sources said.

According to data from the National Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), as of October 31, 2025, a total of 1,379 complaints had been registered against the bank accounts of these shell companies. Police said more than 100 of these complaints were from West Bengal.

A Delhi resident currently in the custody of the West Bengal Police has emerged as a key figure in the Rs 315-crore cyber fraud case. Police identified him as Rahul Verma, 27, and said he was very close" to the Ruia family and played a crucial role" in the alleged money-laundering operation. Investigators allege that around Rs 170 crore was converted into cryptocurrency.

Police have described the case as a massive cyber fraud and money-laundering racket in which more than 1,000 people across India were allegedly duped through fake investment platforms, so-called digital arrest" scams, and other forms of online financial fraud. According to investigators, the cyber fraud network, active since 2024, was a highly organised and technologically sophisticated syndicate with links across multiple states and digital platforms.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 09:10 IST

News india Pawan Ruia, Family Questioned In Kolkata As Bengal Police Probe Rs 315-Crore Cyber Fraud | Exclusive

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PM Modi To Host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz On His Maiden India Visit Next Week

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Last Updated: January 05, 2026, 22:27 IST

PM Modi will receive the German leader in Ahmedabad on January 12, marking Merzs first official visit to India as chancellor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Image via X/@narendramodi)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will pay a two-day visit to India next week to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, defence and security, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the German leader in Ahmedabad on January 12, marking Merzs first official visit to India as chancellor. During the visit, Merz will also travel to Bengaluru.

According to the MEA, the talks will review progress in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years last year. The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to further deepen cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility.

The discussions will also focus on expanding collaboration in defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties.

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also meet business and industry leaders during the visit. They are expected to exchange views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The visit will build on the momentum generated by regular interactions at the highest political level," the MEA said.

The ministry further added that the talks would provide an opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision of India and Germany to build a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of the people of both countries and the wider global community."

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: January 05, 2026, 22:27 IST

News india PM Modi To Host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz On His Maiden India Visit Next Week

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'Inflammatory, Inconsistent With Democratic Dissent': JNU On Umar Khalid-Sharjeel Imam Slogan Row

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 15:14 IST

The JNU administration said the authority has taken serious note of the incident and directed the universitys security branch to cooperate with the police.

Students protest outside a dhaba inside the JNU campus.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on Tuesday said it has taken very serious cognisance" of videos circulating on social media showing students raising slogans during a protest on campus on Monday evening. In a statement, the university said a group of students associated with the JNUSU had raised highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans," prompting immediate action by the authorities.

The JNU administration said the competent authority has taken serious note of the incident and directed the universitys security branch to cooperate with the police in the ongoing investigation.

It stressed that such sloganeering is inconsistent with democratic dissent, violates the JNU Code of Conduct, and has the potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony, and the safety and security environment of both the university and the nation.

The statement said the act reflects a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse, and underscored the need to distinguish between dissent, abuse, and hate speech that can lead to public disorder. The administration urged all stakeholders to refrain from such activities and to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony on campus, warning that strict action would be taken as per the rules in case of any further.

Also Read: JNU Left-Wing Students Shout Controversial Slogans Backing Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam; BJP Reacts

Security Officers Report Flags Intentional Sloganeering

A report submitted by the Chief Security Officer to the JNU Proctor has concluded that the objectionable slogans raised on campus earlier this week were deliberate and intentional, and not the result of any spontaneous expression. The report noted that the sloganeering began after the Supreme Court denied bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case.

According to the report, around 3035 students were present at the gathering held at the Guerilla Dhaba" area of the campus. Several students were identified, including Aditi Mishra, Gopika Babu, Sunil Yadav, Danish Ali, Saad Azmi, Mehboob Ilahi, Kanishk, Pakeeza Khan and Shubham, among others. While the programme initially remained peaceful, the report said the nature and tone of the gathering changed significantly following the court verdict.

The security assessment stated that highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans" were raised, describing the act as a direct contempt of the Supreme Court of India. It said the sloganeering was inconsistent with democratic dissent, violated the JNU Code of Conduct, and had the potential to disturb public order, campus harmony, and the overall safety and security environment of the university.

The report further mentioned that the slogans were clearly audible, repeated and deliberate, indicating intentional and conscious misconduct rather than any spontaneous or inadvertent expression." Based on these findings, an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 14:51 IST

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Punjab Man Accused Of Plotting AAP Sarpanch's Murder Killed In Encounter Near Tarn Taran

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:02 IST

Gangster Harnur, linked to Prabhu Dasuwal, was killed near Tarn Taran after being accused in the murder of Aam Aadmi Party sarpanch Jarnail Singh.

The accused was involved in planning the murder of an Aam Aadmi Party sarpanch during a wedding ceremony in Amritsar.

A gangster was killed in an encounter near Tarn Taran between the police and a group of criminals, officials said, adding that the man who died was one of the accused in the murder of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch in Amritsar.

An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch was shot dead during a wedding function at a resort in Amritsar, police said on Sunday. The victim, Jarnail Singh of Valtoha, was attending the ceremony when the incident took place.

As the unidentified assailants opened fire, a gunshot hit Singhs forehead; he fell and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, the attackers were outsiders.

Police said an encounter took place near Tarn Taran. The gangster who was killed in the encounter was identified as Harnur, a resident of Kathunangal in Amritsar. He worked for gangster Prabhu Dasuwal. He was involved in planning the murder of an Aam Aadmi Party sarpanch during a wedding ceremony in Amritsar," police added.

Notably, this is not the first time the AAP Sarpanch has been attacked. In March 2025, he was injured after armed men opened fire at his car near Valtoha village. The attack took place when Singh was returning home along with his driver.

According to a report by the Tribune citing police, three armed men riding motorcycles fired multiple rounds at the vehicle near Valtoha.

Both Singh and his driver sustained injuries in the attack and were rushed to a private hospital.

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Location : Punjab, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 19:02 IST

News india Punjab Man Accused Of Plotting AAP Sarpanch's Murder Killed In Encounter Near Tarn Taran

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'Temple Must Light The Lamp': Madras High Court Upholds Order In Madurai Hill Deepam Row

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:06 IST

The Madras High Court upheld the order directing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the Thiruparankundram hilltop pillar, rejecting the states law-and-order concerns.

Madurai: A lamp lit at Thiruparankundram temple as part of 'Karthigai Deepam' festival celebrations (Photo: PTI)

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the order directing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thiruparankundram hills, strongly rejecting the states apprehensions that the ritual could disturb public peace and communal harmony.

A Division Bench of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan pronounced the verdict while disposing of a batch of appeals filed by the Executive Officer of the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, the Madurai District Collector and the Madurai City Police Commissioner.

The bench had reserved its judgment on December 18 after hearing detailed arguments from all parties.

The appeals arose from a December 1 order passed by single judge Justice GR Swaminathan, who had allowed a petition seeking directions to light the ceremonial lamp on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop stone pillar.

The order, however, was not implemented after the authorities cited possible law-and-order concerns.

Before the Division Bench, two principal questions arose for consideration, whether the stone pillar could be treated as a Deepathoon for Hindus, entitling them to light a lamp as part of the Karthigai Deepam ritual, and whether permitting the lighting of the lamp would infringe upon or affect the rights of the nearby Muslim shrine.

In its ruling, the court came down heavily on the stand taken by the state and the other appellants.

The bench observed that it was ridiculous and hard to believe" that the mighty state" could claim that the lighting of a lamp by the temple on temple land would lead to a disturbance of public peace.

Such a position, the court said, could not be accepted.

The judges also criticised what they termed a mischievous submission" made during the course of arguments that the stone pillar belonged to the dargah.

The court rejected this contention outright.

Emphasising the religious practice involved, the bench noted that the practice of lighting a deepam at an elevated place so that it is visible to all Hindu devotees is well recognised.

It held that there was no plausible reason" for the temple management to deny or delay compliance with the devotees request to light the lamp on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam.

On the repeated invocation of law-and-order concerns, the court made strong observations, stating that the apprehension of disturbance to public peace was nothing but an imaginary ghost created conveniently."

Such unfounded fears, the bench warned, only serve to create mistrust between communities."

Upholding the single judges decision in full, the Division Bench categorically directed that the temple Devasthanam must light the lamp at Deepathoon."

At the same time, the court issued specific directions to ensure that the ritual is carried out in an orderly manner and without damage to the site.

It said that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) would be at liberty to impose conditions necessary for the preservation of the monument.

The bench further directed that no members of the public should be allowed to accompany the temple Devasthanam officials while lighting the lamp.

The Madurai District Collector was directed to supervise the entire event.

DMK TO CHALLENGE VERDICT IN SUPREME COURT

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government said it would move the Supreme Court to challenge the Madurai bench order.

Reacting to the courts verdict, Chief Minister MK Stalins party, DMK, said that it would go through the verdict.

The government will make a decision on the next course of action," the party said.

The DMK has done more for Hindus than any other party. We are recognised by the people of Tamil Nadu with more than 50 per cent vote share," it said.

Also speaking to CNN-News18, former Telangana Governor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tamilisai Soundararajan hailed the decision and said the sentiments of Hindus have been respected.

The DMK government has been exposed now," she added.

The case had its origin in a petition filed by Hindu Tamil Party leader Rama Ravikumar seeking permission to light the Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop pillar.

The matter was heard extensively by the Division Bench, with submissions from multiple stakeholders, including representatives of the Sikandar Dargah, the Wakf Board and the temple administration.

ALSO READ | Imaginary Ghost: HC Rejects Fears Of Public Peace Disturbance In Deepam Case

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 10:48 IST

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The Roots And The Divide: A First-Person Account Of Being A Bengali Hindu In Bangladesh

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 08:15 IST

The 'ghoti versus bangal' divide may persist in Bengal but in Bangladesh, the Bengali identity opens doors. Political divisions fuel distrust, yet cultural ties and warmth endure

Protests have become part of daily life in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, with residents either taking part as political parties jostle for power after an uprising last year -- or avoiding them. (Image: AFP/File)

There are two types of Bengalis in India: ghotis (originally from West Bengal, who consider themselves true-blood Bengalis") and bangals (those who migrated from the erstwhile East Bengal, now Bangladesh, to Bengal).

What was once a fierce battle between the two sides, with ghotis looking down upon bangals, has now become friendly banter.

I am a bangal. My ancestors were from Faridpur, which is in Bangladesh. In West Bengal, ghotis might not consider me and my family to be true-blooded Bengalis, but in Bangladesh, I am their own daughter".

The Bangladeshi capital Dhaka is naturally warm, not only in terms of weather but also when it comes to its people. But, times have changed.

Politicians have ensured that distrust has penetrated to the lowest level. It is now common for tempers to rise and confrontations to occur between Hindus and Muslims, between people who once trusted each other.

This is what Dipu Das, lynched and burned over unfounded blasphemy allegations, was facing. His village in Tarakanda was one where Muslims and Hindus lived peacefully together for years. Overnight, everything changed. Over the past 18 days, at least six such killings of Hindus have been recorded from Bangladesh.

We arrived in Dhaka with a lot of trepidation and fear, almost got deported, but my language and background saved me. Despite the acrimony and mutual distrust, if a scratch reveals you are a Bengali, it works like magic here.

Doors open, people are ready to talk, and hesitant smiles turn into warm ones. When they know I am from Faridpur, the warmth multiplies.

While on a shoot, I suddenly hear Rabindra sangeet. I follow the music to a CD shop.

Didi, the fight is only done by politicians. I have run this shop for 15 years. Hindi movies and Bengali songs have topped my sales. This has not changed. This animosity has been created by the politicians," the shopowner Shajid tells me.

In the 10-odd days our team has been here, we have not confronted hatred. On the few occasions we were suspiciously looked at, my Bengali broke the barrier. Many then told me: Didi, you are our own."

But this would not be good news for some politicians. Not when elections are around the corner.

For the Jamaat, this division is fodder as they pursue a radical Islamic ideology. To them, the Bengali Hindu is a pariah.

Their condemnation of attacks on Hindus is mere pretentious outrage. The Hindu-Muslim division is their politics, at which they hope they will succeed.

But for the public, the umbilical cord with Bengal cannot be cut. The food, the music, even the mishti doi ensures this.

In private, a majority of Bangladeshis talk about and wish for harmony. It is not just about culture; it is also about the economy. Much of the specialised work is done by Bengalis with roots in Bengal.

Being a Bengali Hindu in Bangladesh has given me two different responses. While many have extended warmth towards me as I am from Bengal, as long as the head count of Bengali Hindus rises in rural Bangladesh, this homecoming of sorts for me is tempered and marred with violence. Bangals may have have been imbibed in the ghoti versus bangal fight of West Bengal, but when will Bangladesh extend the same warmth to bangals?

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 08:00 IST

News india The Roots And The Divide: A First-Person Account Of Being A Bengali Hindu In Bangladesh

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Uttar Pradesh Draft Electoral Roll Out: How To Check If Your Name Is On The Voters List

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 16:37 IST

As per the draft list, a total of 2,88,75,000 names have been deleted, accounting for around 18.70% of the 15,44,00,000 voters who were part of the pre-SIR electoral roll.

The ECI said voters can submit claims for inclusion, correction or deletion of entries once the draft roll is published.(Representational pic; News18)

UP SIR Draft Roll: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday released the draft electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Voters have been given a one-month window to verify their details and submit claims or objections before the final roll is published.

As per the draft list released today, a total of 2,88,75,000 names have been deleted, accounting for around 18.70% of the 15,44,00,000 voters who were part of the pre-SIR electoral roll. As per the revised list, the state now has 12.55 crore registered voters.

Officials said the deletions were carried out for reasons such as death, change of residence or voters being enrolled elsewhere. Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh Navdeep Rinwa said that names cannot be deleted from the SIR draft electoral roll without issuing prior notice to the concerned voters.

How Can Voters Check Their Names In The Draft Rolls?

Voters can verify whether their names appear in the draft electoral roll through the official website of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). Voters can also check whether their names have been marked as absent", shifted" or deleted" as part of the SIR process.

Voters will be able to submit claims and objections from January 6 to February 6. During this period, the Election Commission will carry out the notice period, scrutiny of forms, and the disposal of all claims and objections. The final electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh will be published on March 6.

Voters can check their name in the draft by following these steps.

1. Visit the voters service portal on Election Commission website on https://voters.eci.gov.in/.

2. One can find a section titled Special Intensive Revision (SIR)- 2026.

3. Click on Search your name in Last SIR. The list can be searched by two ways, one being the electoral details and the other being the last SIR E-Roll.

To search by Electoral Details

1. Fill in the information like state, district, assembly constituency, polling station no. and name, section no. and name, part serial no., elector full name in SIR, elector age, relative type, electoral relative full name.

2. enter the displayed captcha code and click search.

To search in last SIR E-Roll

1. Fill in the state and click view.

2. Select district and the Assembly Constituency(AC) and click show.

Another option is looking up the list through the ECINET mobile app.

Alternatively, voters can visit ceouttarpradesh.nic.in to download the PDF Draft Roll for their specific district and assembly constituency.

One can also visit your polling station to check the draft electoral roll with the booth-level officer (BLO), as all BLOs are required to maintain a copy of the electoral list for their respective booths.

What To Do If Name Is Missing Or Incorrect?

The ECI said voters can submit claims for inclusion, correction or deletion of entries once the draft roll is published.

UP CEO Navdeep Rinwa, quoted by news agency PTI, said that voters whose names were deleted as untraceable or missing" would need to provide proof of inclusion in the 2003 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) list or submit any other document prescribed by the ECI to get their names re-added to the voters list.

Rinwa said that the ECI will also invite those who object to the inclusion of the nearly 12.55 crore names in the draft electoral roll. These objections can be filed by filling out Form 7.

If the objection is found valid against the name in the draft list, it may be removed from the list.

Voters can submit these forms online through voters.eci.gov.in or the ECINET mobile app. Offline submissions can be made by visiting the booth-level officer (BLO).

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 16:37 IST

News india Uttar Pradesh Draft Electoral Roll Out: How To Check If Your Name Is On The Voters List

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'Very Serious, Citys Image Damaged': High Court Pulls Up Officials Over Indore Water Deaths

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:19 IST

Nearly three petitions concerning the water contamination incident were heard together.

A person shows a sample of the drinking water that is being collected following a diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated water, at Bhagirathpura area, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. (PTI Photo)

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on state and civic authorities over deaths caused by drinking contaminated water in Bhagirathpura, Indore, observing that the incident has tarnished the citys image across the country.

Hearing multiple petitions related to the deaths and illnesses, the court said it was shocking that such an incident occurred in a city that consistently ranks first in cleanliness.

During the hearing, the High Court reprimanded officials over the status reports submitted by the Municipal Corporation and the District Administration, particularly questioning discrepancies in the reported number of deaths. Calling the matter very serious," the court said it would decide whether the case should be treated as a criminal or civil matter.

Nearly three petitions concerning the water contamination incident were heard together. Following the proceedings, the court directed the Chief Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh government to appear before it via video conferencing on January 15 to explain the steps taken so far.

The bench expressed surprise that residents in a clean city like Indore were exposed to unsafe drinking water and urged the authorities to immediately ensure the supply of clean water and provide proper medical treatment to all affected residents.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 14:19 IST

News india 'Very Serious, Citys Image Damaged': High Court Pulls Up Officials Over Indore Water Deaths

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The name of the talented sound engineer Oleksandr Fedorenko is closely associated with three decades of modern Ukrainian music history.

A native of Kyiv from a family of musicians, Oleksandr received his professional training directly from students and practitioners of the Ukrainian school of sound recording.

The profession of sound engineer is unique, and the circle of top professionals in this field is limited. Oleksandr, however, was fortunate to become part of it.

In his youth, Fedorenko began as an electromechanic in the operational recording workshop at the legendary Khreshchatyk 26 in Kyiv. He immediately immersed himself in a creative environment, mastering the technical aspects and techniques of live sound work, attending performances by masters, and observing the work of leading specialists.

This experience, combined with formal education, enabled Oleksandr, still a young sound engineer, to quickly establish himself as both skilled and competitive.

In 1993, he began working with the renowned Kyiv radio station Radio ROKS Ukraine, serving as its chief sound engineer until 1997.

He launched his independent career in 1995, collaborating with Audio Ukraine recording studio and later with the studio of the Kyiv State Higher Music School named after Reinhold Gliere, alongside Mykhailo Didyk. During this period, he recorded works by Ivo Bobul, Dmytro Hnatyuk, Vitaliy and Svitlana Bilonozhky, Pavlo Dvorsky, Viktor Shportko, Raisa Kyrychenko, Kateryna Buzhynska, Kamaliya, the group ManSound, VIA Kobza, and many others.

By 2003, Oleksandr earned a degree from the National Academy of Managerial Staff of Culture and Arts, specializing as a Director of Theater and Mass Events.

A year later, he opened his own recording studio, AF Records, at the Levko Revutskyi Childrens School of Arts No. 5, where he taught in the pop music department until 2022.

AF Records handled vocal and choral recordings, sound design, and advertising projects, quickly becoming one of the top five studios in Ukraine.

Fedorenko has also served as the sound engineer for numerous film and television projects. His high professional reputation, quality work, and impeccable taste have made him a highly sought-after sound engineer.

I want Ukraine to be heard! His expertise has led him to conduct masterclasses, participate in creative competitions and festivals, serve on the jury of the intercontinental radio festival Sing in Your Native Language, join professional creative associations such as the Association of Ukrainian Pop Art Professionals and the Union of Sound Engineers of Ukraine, and earn the title of Honored Artist of Pop Art of Ukraine.

Thanks to his guidance, many young performers have learned how to work effectively with microphones and backing tracks while avoiding stage mistakes. Fedorenko emphasizes that a sound engineer should be an invisible co-author, realizing the performers vision without masking the live essence of the music.

Heres what some well-known musicians say about him:

Yevhen Kovalenko, leader of the group Kobza, Peoples Artist of Ukraine:

In my professional opinion, Oleksandr Fedorenko is one of Ukraines leading sound engineers on both national and international stages, and his wide recognition is fully deserved. Whether working on large live projects or intimate studio recordings, he consistently demonstrates world-class skill, integrity, musicality, and artistic sensitivityqualities rarely seen even among top specialists today.

Ivo Bobul, legendary Ukrainian performer and composer:

I have said this publicly before, and I repeat: Oleksandr Fedorenko is one of the best sound engineers in Ukraine. With his talent and decades of experience working with the countrys most famous musicians, he would stand out anywhere in the world. His professionalism, mastery, and dedication have directly contributed to the success of my career over the past twenty years.

Without a doubt, his expertise meets the highest international standards.

Pavlo Dvorsky, renowned songwriter and performer:

What impresses me about Oleksandr Fedorenko is his philosophy of pure sound. In an era when the industry often overuses processing, he strives to preserve the natural tone. This is a complex task requiring exceptional skill, especially when working with vocals with a wide dynamic range. Instead of excessive compression, he manually adjusts the levels, allowing the artist to fully express the emotion of the performance.

Since 2009, Oleksandr has collaborated with numerous production centers, recording studios, and radio stations in the United States, Spain, Portugal, Austria, and Italy, including signing with the American label Sweet Rains Records in 2017.

In 2022, he moved to the United States. At Davidzon Radio 620 AM in New York, he created and hosts his own program, Ukrainian Hour  Melodies of the Ukrainian Soul, featuring Ukrainian songs and stories about them. He also established a recording studio at Davidzon Radio.

The talented sound engineer works with both American and Ukrainian artists, tours, and participates in festivals and cultural events. He serves as a cultural bridge between Ukraine, the U.S., and the world, connecting tradition with modernity.

I want Ukraine to be heard! These words, spoken by Oleksandr Fedorenko, explain his motivation to work tirelessly for 30 years, spreading music of deep meaning and enriching the world through sound.
We Killed Your Boy, Go Pick Up His Body: Ex-Kabaddi Player Shot Dead In Ludhiana

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 13:40 IST

The victim, Gagandeep Singh alias Gagna, 36, was at Dana Mandi with his friend Ekam when armed men arrived on motorcycles and opened fire.

Ex-Kabaddi Player Killed in Ludhiana, Body Dumped in Fields (Photo: X)

A former kabaddi player was shot dead in a brutal attack in Ludhiana on Monday. The incident took place at Manuke village, sending shockwaves across Punjab. It is the third killing in the state in just three days, raising serious concerns over law and order.

Chilling message to the family

After killing the victim, the assailants went to his family home and delivered a chilling message. According to an Indian Express report, the assailants told family members standing outside, We have killed your boy, now go and pick up his body," before fleeing the spot. Police described the act as brazen and disturbing.

What happened at Dana Mandi?

The victim, Gagandeep Singh alias Gagna, 36, was at Dana Mandi with his friend Ekam when armed men arrived on motorcycles and opened fire. Gagandeep was hit by at least three bullets. The attackers later dumped his body in nearby fields.

Gagandeeps father said his son was a former kabaddi player and worked as a labourer at a rice sheller. He claimed the attackers had a rivalry with Ekam, and Gagandeep was trying to mediate between the two sides. His wife said Ekam had earlier been attacked with swords and that the assailants returned with more men before shooting her husband.

Police investigation underway

Ludhiana Rural SSP Ankur Gupta said one of the five accused named by the family has been arrested. DIG Satinder Singh said the clash was linked to a village-level rivalry and not kabaddi. The main accused has been identified, and further arrests are expected. An FIR for murder is being registered.

The killing has drawn sharp reactions from political leaders. Opposition parties blamed the state government for the deteriorating law and order situation. The incident follows two other shootings in Punjab in the past two days, deepening public concern over rising violence in the state.

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Location : Ludhiana, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 13:40 IST

News india We Killed Your Boy, Go Pick Up His Body: Ex-Kabaddi Player Shot Dead In Ludhiana

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'Will Trump Kidnap Our PM?' Congress Leader Makes Bizarre Venezuela Remark, BJP Hits Back

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 16:27 IST

Referring to US military action in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Prithviraj Chavan asked whether similar coercive tactics could ever be directed at India.

US President Donald Trump with PM Modi. (Photo: Reuters/File)

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan stirred controversy after asking whether US President Donald Trump could kidnap" Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, invoking Venezuela while commenting on US tariffs on Indian goods- bizarre remarks that prompted a sharp backlash from the BJP.

Referring to US military action in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, Prithviraj Chavan questioned whether similar coercive pressure could ever be directed at India.

The question then is: what next? Will something like what happened in Venezuela happen in India? Will Mr Trump kidnap our prime minister?" he said.

The comments were made by Prithviraj Chavan while criticising US trade policy towards India.

Prithviraj Chavan argued that a proposed 50 per cent tariff would effectively cripple IndiaUS trade, adding, Since a direct ban cannot be imposed, tariffs have been used as a tool to stop trade. India will have to bear this. The profits that our people earlier earned from exports to the US will no longer be available. We will have to look for alternative markets and efforts in that direction are already underway."

The remarks drew a swift response from the BJP, which accused the Congress of undermining Indias sovereignty. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari wrote on X (formerly Twitter), CONGRESS SINKS TO NEW LOW EVERYDAY. Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan shamelessly comparing Indias situation with Venezuela. By asking whether what happened in Venezuela can happen in India, Congress is making its anti-India mindset clear. Rahul Gandhi wants chaos in Bharat. Rahul Gandhi is seeking foreign intervention in Bharats affairs!"

Prithviraj Chavans remarks came a day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sharpened his attack on the PM Modi government, citing comments by Donald Trump on Indias purchase of Russian oil.

I do not understand why Modi is bending before him. This is harmful for the nation," Mallikarjun Kharge said, adding, You were not elected as prime minister to nod to whatever he says."

Mallikarjun Kharge also flagged developments in Venezuela, warning against what he described as expansionist" behaviour and attempts to intimidate nations.

Whoever attempts expansionism does not continue for long. People like Hitler and Mussolini are gone. It is not right that several people who harbour ill thoughts try to disrupt global peace," he said.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 16:05 IST

News india 'Will Trump Kidnap Our PM?' Congress Leader Makes Bizarre Venezuela Remark, BJP Hits Back

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Glaucoma Myths Busted: What Everyone Needs To Know About The Silent Thief Of Vision

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:04 IST

An eye specialist explains common misconceptions, symptoms, and why regular eye check-ups are crucial for early detection and vision protection for glaucoma

Regular eye examinations, early diagnosis, and timely treatment are the strongest tools we have to protect vision from glaucoma.

Glaucoma is often called the silent thief of vision and for good reason. It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, yet awareness around the condition remains surprisingly low. Many people associate glaucoma only with old age or assume that good eyesight automatically rules it out. These misconceptions can delay diagnosis until significant, permanent vision loss has already occurred.

Dr. Pawan Gupta, Senior Cataract and Retina Surgeon, Eye 7 Hospital, Lajpat Nagar & Vision Eye Clinic, New Delhi, believes glaucoma is particularly dangerous because it progresses slowly and painlessly in most cases. Patients often feel reassured because they can see clearly in the early stages, but glaucoma typically affects peripheral or side vision first. By the time central vision is affected, the disease is usually advanced," he explains.

Adding to the challenge is the fact that glaucoma does not discriminate by age. From newborns to the elderly, anyone can be affected. Advances in eye care have made early detection and treatment possible, but only if people undergo regular eye examinations and move past long-standing myths surrounding the disease.

Understanding what glaucoma is and what it is not is the first step toward protecting vision. Here, Dr Gupta addresses some of the most common myths about glaucoma and explains the facts every patient should know.

Common Myths and Facts About Glaucoma

Myth 1: Glaucoma affects only elderly people

This is a common misconception. Glaucoma can affect individuals of any age, from newborns to older adults," says Dr Gupta. While the risk does increase with age, congenital and juvenile glaucoma are well-recognised conditions.

Myth 2: If my vision is fine, I cannot have glaucoma

Many patients believe good eyesight rules out glaucoma. However, glaucoma usually causes vision loss from the sides first. Central vision remains unaffected until the disease is quite advanced," explains Dr. Pawan Gupta, which is why regular eye check-ups are essential.

Myth 3: Cataract surgery prevents glaucoma

Cataract and glaucoma are separate conditions. A person can develop glaucoma even after cataract surgery, and in some cases, both diseases can coexist," notes Dr. Pawan Gupta.

Fact: Vision loss from glaucoma is slow and irreversible

One of the most critical facts about glaucoma is that any vision loss cannot be reversed. Early detection through routine eye examinations is the only way to prevent significant damage," emphasises Dr. Pawan Gupta.

Myth 4: Only high eye pressure causes glaucoma

While raised intraocular pressure is a major risk factor, nearly 30% of glaucoma patients have normal eye pressure. Normal pressure does not rule out glaucoma," says Dr. Pawan Gupta.

Myth 5: Glaucoma has no treatment

Treatment is very much available. Glaucoma can be managed with eye drops, laser procedures, or surgery to lower eye pressure. However, Dr Gupta cautions, Treatment helps slow or stabilise the disease, it cannot reverse existing vision loss."

The bottom line: Regular eye examinations, early diagnosis, and timely treatment are the strongest tools we have to protect vision from glaucoma. Busting myths can save sight.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 19:04 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Glaucoma Myths Busted: What Everyone Needs To Know About The Silent Thief Of Vision
How Nicolas Maduros Nike Tracksuit Look Sparked A Fashion Frenzy Online

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 17:49 IST

The Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit saw a spike in searches after Nicolas Maduros outfit became an unexpected talking point.

The grey Nike tracksuit worn by Nicolas Maduro has become the Internets most talked-about outfit. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

The demand for the Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit saw a surge after the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro wore a grey Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit while aboard the USS Iwo Jima, per a photo US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social.

As Maduros arrest made headlines, his outfit became the talk of the town. Thousands of people looked for the same tracksuit worn by the 63-year-old online.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was wearing a Nike Tech Fleece sweatsuit upon being captured by the U.S. pic.twitter.com/wL19Plxvnm JustFreshKicks (@JustFreshKicks) January 4, 2026

Nike Tech Fleece Tracksuit

The Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit has dominated a certain fashion niche since its launch in 2013. It has structure without being stiff thanks to its well-placed zips, engineered seams, and sleek panelling. It is warm, lightweight, and cosy. The product is composed of at least 50 per cent sustainable ingredients, including a combination of organic cotton fibres and recycled polyester, according to the official Nike website.

Some people were reminded of other Latin American politicians preference for casual tracksuits by Maduros choice of attire. The late Fidel Castro, who was once well-known for his military outfits, eventually favoured Adidas athleisure clothing, which is consistent with a historical tendency of political figures dressing casually in sportswear.

Nike Tech Fleece tracksuits, like the one worn by Maduro, are available for purchase on the companys website as well as through retail partners like Foot Locker. Complete sets usually retail for a few hundred dollars abroad. The Nike Tech Full-Zip Windrunner Hoodie in a similar shade is available on the Nike India website for approximately Rs 6,995, and matching Tech Fleece joggers can be found from authorised Nike retailers and multi-brand sneaker stores throughout the country, even though the exact tracksuit may not always be listed in the Indian market.

As per the latest developments, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have pleaded not guilty in a federal court in New York. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country," Maduro said in Spanish, per CNBC. Not guilty, completely innocent," Maduros wife, Flores, added.

US President Donald Trump accused Maduro of supporting drug cartels and terror groups. Trump also held Maduro accountable for the deaths of thousands of Americans due to illegal drug use.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 17:49 IST

News lifestyle How Nicolas Maduros Nike Tracksuit Look Sparked A Fashion Frenzy Online
Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Unveils Take A New Turn In Arunachal Campaign

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:27 IST

Arunachal Pradesh Tourism launches its new campaign, Take a New Turn in Arunachal, inviting travellers to explore the State beyond sightseeing through culture and stories.

Beyond orchids, Arunachal Pradesh offers a wealth of attractions: - Tawang Monastery: One of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India, perched at 10,000 feet. - Ziro Valley: Famous for its scenic beauty and the annual Ziro Music Festival. - Namdapha National Park: A biodiversity hotspot, home to rare wildlife like clouded leopards and hornbills. - Cultural Diversity: The state is home to over 26 tribes and 100 sub-tribes, each with unique traditions, festivals, and crafts. - Adventure Tourism: Trekking, river rafting, and mountaineering opportunities abound in its rugged terrain. (Image: AI-Generated)

The Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, today unveiled its latest tourism brand campaign, Take a New Turn in Arunachal, positioning the State as Indias ultimate frontier of discovery, cultural immersion, and experiential travel. The campaign launch was presided over by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Honble Minister of Tourism, Education, RWD, Library and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, at Arunachal House, New Delhi.

Anchored in the States refreshed brand identity Beyond Myths and Mountains," the campaign invites travellers to look beyond scenic valleys and monasteries to uncover the rich stories and human experiences that define Arunachals iconic destinations, Tawang, Ziro, Anini, Namsai, Dong and Mechukha. This narrative underscores that in Arunachal, travel is not only about destinations but the unexpected moments, local interactions and deep cultural connect that await every visitor.

Arunachal is a region as old as history, with rising mountain peaks, colourful vegetation, Buddhist heritage, snow-capped landscapes, diverse tribal culture, and breathtaking biodiversity", shared by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Honble Minister for Tourism, Education, RWD, Library, and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Arunachal Pradesh at the event. It has all the ingredients required to be a top tourist destination, from heritage and wildlife to adventure, nature, unique festivals and distinct culture. The very idea of Arunachal Pradesh has resplendence ingrained in it, and the experience of this land is no different", he said.

Arunachal Pradeshs tourism sector has witnessed strong post-pandemic growth. In 2023 and 2024, the State recorded more than 1 million tourist visits annually, marking significant increase from pre-pandemic years.

The surge is driven by a holistic approach combining strategic branding, improved connectivity, and experiential travel offerings. The Governments new tourism policy prioritises enhancements in road and air connectivity, development of visitor amenities, and expansion of accommodation capacity by about 50%.

It also emphasises diverse tourism segments, including farm tourism, spiritual tourism, adventure, eco-tourism, tribal tourism and border tourism, reinforcing Arunachals appeal as a multi-dimensional travel destination

Take a New Turn in Arunachal reframes travel as an invitation to explore beyond conventional sightseeing, to see stories, not just sights. Each core destination featured in the campaign serves as a narrative anchor:

 Tawang :Spiritual heritage and Himalayan vistas

 Ziro : Cultural rhythms and indigenous landscapes

 Anini : Land of lakes and waterfalls

 Namsai : Spirituality and riverine culture

 Dong : Indias first sunrise and untamed beauty

 Mechukha : Where Adventure Meets Tranquillity

These experiences are brought to life through campaign films and print visuals that capture warm human encounters, spontaneous moments and authentic local interactions, reinforcing Arunachals defining essence: discovery through lived experience.

We refreshed our logo and branding with Beyond Myths and Mountains last year," Minister Sona added. This campaign builds on that foundation. We are confident that this initiative will positively project Destination Arunachal in national and global tourism markets and help us emerge as one of Indias most sought-after destinations in the coming years."

Aligned to this vision, the State Tourism Department is also forging partnerships with travel platforms and tour operators to broaden Arunachals reach, especially in untapped source markets, while streamlining traveller access and enhancing on-ground experiences.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 19:27 IST

News lifestyle travel Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Unveils Take A New Turn In Arunachal Campaign
Bipasha Basus Dreamy Morning In Maldives Ahead Of Her 47th Birthday Celebration

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 15:09 IST

Bipasha Basu will celebrate her 47th birthday in the Maldives.

Bipasha Basu is staying at the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa. (Photo Credit: X)

Bipasha Basu is having the time of her life in the Maldives, where she will celebrate her 47th birthday with her family on January 7. The actress recently went on a family vacation to the Maldives with her husband, Karan Singh Grover, and daughter, Devi.

On her Instagram story, Basu offered a glimpse into her morning spent at the magnificent Taj Exotica Resort and Spa. With her followers, the actress shared her endless love for tea.

Bipasha Basus relaxed morning in the Maldives

Bipasha Basu sipped some warm tea to start her beautiful day by the sea. With hours away, preparations for her birthday celebration are in full swing. On this occasion, Basu also gave a shoutout to Taj Exotica Resort and Spa on Instagram. In addition to the cup of tea, the Dhoom 2 actress offered a breathtaking view of the blue sea around her.

Good morning," Bipasha Basu simply wrote. Earlier, Basu uploaded a brief clip. Celebrating my birthday in this gorgeous, gorgeous place," she had captioned the post. Holiday tea by hubby begins," she added.

Bipasha Basu had previously visited the Maldives in 2024. She was accompanied by Karan Singh Grover and Devi. Per a report by IANS, she had chai on [the] beach."

Good morning, gorgeous day. So beautiful," she had said in a video.

Bipasha Basus marriage to Karan Singh Grover

Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover tied the knot on April 30, 2016. After six years of marriage, the couple welcomed their daughter, Devi, in November 2022. Basu has taken a break from acting since her marriage. However, she appeared in a cameo role in the 2018 comedy film Welcome To New York.

In an interview, Bipasha Basu famously said she does not look forward to working with her husband because she cant handle" him. In his response, Karan Singh Grover said he was not intimidated".

She just doesnt want to work with me. She says I cant handle you at work, also. I dont blame her, I am a lot to handle," Karan admitted. He said he tends to get very emotional, very moody". Karan said Bipasha prefers to be at peace" and concentrate on herself at work. She is not going to change her mind. I am still a pain," he concluded.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 14:58 IST

News movies bollywood Bipasha Basus Dreamy Morning In Maldives Ahead Of Her 47th Birthday Celebration
Chunky Panday Spends The Most Amazing Time In Phuket With Family, Friends

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 18:48 IST

Chunky Panday spends quality time in Thailand with his family.

The Ritesh Sidhwani family joined Chunky Panday in Thailand.(Photo Credit: Instagram)

Chunky Panday is having a blast in Thailand with his family and friends. Taking to Instagram, the Housefull actor offered a sneak peek into his stay at Andara Resort & Villas, Phuket.

Film producer Ritesh Sidhwani, his wife, Dolly, and their sons, Nirvaan and Arav, joined Chunky Pandays family. Chunky had a wholesome time with his beloved wife, Bhavna Panday.

Chunky Pandays most amazing Thailand vacation

Chunky Panday flew his family, including his wife, Bhavna, and younger daughter, Rysa Panday, to Thailand for their New Year vacation. In a carousel post on Instagram, the actor shared some of their best moments. Phuket Thailand. Most Amazing time with the most Amazing Gang," he captioned the post.

Apart from the Sidhwani family, they were also joined by fashion designer Nandita Mahtani. Mahtani was married to the late Sunjay Kapur, the ex-husband of actress Karisma Kapoor. In one photo, Chunky held on to his beloved daughter, Rysa. In another, he and Bhavna shared a heartfelt moment.

Chunky and Bhavna Pandays married life

Chunky Panday told Brut that he married Bhavna at the lowest phase of his career. After some hits, Chunky found himself without work". I was doing multiple hero films, but that didnt frustrate me," Chunky told the outlet.

Confused, he decided to go and work in Bangladesh. I had a good run there for five years," he recalled. Soon after his marriage to Bhavna in 1998, Chunky took her to Bangladesh for half a honeymoon". I had to complete a film at that time, and I feel even Ananya was conceived in Bangladesh," Chunky said.

On October 30, 1998, Chunky and Bhavna Panday welcomed their elder daughter, Ananya. Six years later, Rysa was born. When my daughters came into my life, it was almost like I was starting my career again," Chunky said.

Chunky Panday is known for his ability to deliver comic relief in movies. Among other movies, Chunky has starred in Begum Jaan, Shah Rukh Khans Don and Liger.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 18:48 IST

News movies bollywood Chunky Panday Spends The Most Amazing Time In Phuket With Family, Friends
Karina Kubiliute, The Girl Being Linked To Kartik Aaryan, Updates Insta Bio To 'I Don't Know Kartik'

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 23:07 IST

Kartik Aaryans Goa trip sparks dating rumours after matching vacation photos go viral. The woman linked to him updates her Instagram bio to deny knowing the actor.

Karina has clarified she is not Kartik Aaryan's girlfriend. (Photos: Instagram)

The New Year began on a gossip-heavy note for Kartik Aaryan, who found himself at the centre of intense social media speculation after photos from his recent Goa vacation went viral. The actor was linked to a young woman named Karina Kubiliute after Reddit users claimed that their holiday pictures appeared strikingly similar, triggering widespread chatter online.

The rumours first surfaced when eagle-eyed netizens compared Kartiks beachside photos with those posted by Karina, a UK-based student. Users pointed out identical beach loungers, matching towel patterns and even a volleyball court visible in the background of both their images. Screenshots highlighting these similarities soon flooded Reddit threads, with many suggesting the two were holidaying together.

Adding further fuel to the speculation were claims that Kartik and Karina had briefly followed each other on Instagram before unfollowing one another once the buzz intensified. The alleged panic unfollow" only amplified curiosity, pushing the story deeper into viral territory.

I dont know Kartik!: Mystery woman reacts to online chatter

Amid the growing rumours, Karina has now responded, albeit digitally. She updated her Instagram bio to a direct message that reads, I dont know Kartik!" The blunt clarification appears to be aimed at shutting down the dating speculation that has dominated social media discussions over the past few days.

The online chatter also sparked trolling directed at Kartik, with several users debating an alleged age gap. Reports circulating on social media claim Karina is an 18-year-old student of Lithuanian descent currently studying in the UK, though some Reddit users have also described her as being from Greece. Neither detail has been officially confirmed.

Kartik, for his part, has chosen to remain silent on the controversy. The actor has not addressed the rumours or the viral comparisons, sticking to his usual low-key approach when it comes to personal life speculation.

While vacation photos and online sleuthing continue to drive celebrity gossip cycles, Karinas bio update has, for now, put a full stop to the assumptions.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 23:07 IST

News movies bollywood Karina Kubiliute, The Girl Being Linked To Kartik Aaryan, Updates Insta Bio To 'I Don't Know Kartik'
Khosla Ka Ghosla 2: Tara Sharma Reunites With 'OG Squad' Anupam Kher, Ranvir Shorey, Parvin Dabas | PIC

Published By :

IANS

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 08:06 IST

Tara Sharma shares a photo with the 'OG squad' Anupam Kher, Ranvir Shorey, Parvin Dabas and Kiran Joneja as they begin shooting for Khosla Ka Ghosla 2.

Rapid Read

Khosla Ka Ghosla 2: Tara Sharma Reunites With 'OG Squad' Anupam Kher, Ranvir Shorey, Parvin Dabas

Actress Tara Sharma is back on the set and this time for the shoot of the sequel of her beloved laughter ride Khosla Ka Ghosla".

As she reunited with some old buddies from the original drama, such as Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Parvin Dabas, and Kiran Juneja, Tara felt both nostalgic and adventurous on the first day of the shoot for Khosla Ka Ghosla 2".

Spilling her emotions, Tara took to her Instagram handle and posted a fun selfie with co-stars Anupam Kher, Parvin Dabas, and Kiran Juneja.

Her post also included a nostalgic note, celebrating a new journey with some old co-passengers. Tara wrote, And it begins (red heart emoji) #khoslakaghosla 2shooting with many from our KKG 1 fam and some new. Nostalgia and new adventures. Great to reunite with many, missing those not here and looking forward to the acting and the rest joining and us all hopefully creating another film you all love, safely, smoothly and successfully touch wood. (sic)"

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tara Sharma Saluja (@tarasharmasaluja)

She revealed that her first day of the shoot turned out to be extremely fun. Tara went on to write, Not revealing anything but my first day on this set so a Woh Yah Hooo post with some from the OG squad seemed right! Will post more as and when able to and nearer release! Have a super day all."

Meanwhile, as Ravi Kishan joins the cast of Khosla Ka Ghosla 2", Kher uploaded a video on social media, expressing his excitement to work with him.

A BRILLIANT ACTOR AND A GREAT HUMAN BEING: Extremely Happy, Delighted and Joyous to have a very dear friend @ravikishann join the cast of #KhoslaKaGhosla2. We worked together long time back. But this is going to be super special. I admire Ravi as an excellent actor, a hardworking parliamentarian and above all as the PERSON that he is!! Calm, Humble, Compassionate, Helpful, Sincere and someone who LOVES #Bharat passionately! Looking forward to our scenes together! Har Har MAHADEV! #Actor #KKG2.", Kher captioned the post.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 08:06 IST

News movies bollywood Khosla Ka Ghosla 2: Tara Sharma Reunites With 'OG Squad' Anupam Kher, Ranvir Shorey, Parvin Dabas | PIC
Pakistani Fan Asks Varun Dhawan About Border 2 Release, Actor Says 'I'm Sure Sunny Sir Has Fans There'

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 23:28 IST

During an X fan chat, Varun Dhawan responded to a Pakistani fans Border 2 query, saying the film is based on the 1971 war but Sunny Deol is loved across borders.

Varun Dhawan in Border 2 official poster.

Actor Varun Dhawan recently addressed a question from a Pakistani fan regarding the release of his upcoming film Border 2 across the border. The interaction took place during a #VarunSays session on Varuns X handle (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, January 6, ahead of the much-anticipated films theatrical release.

During the fan interaction, an X user named Ali Haider Meerani, who mentioned in his bio that he is from Sindh, Pakistan, expressed admiration for Sunny Deol and curiosity about the films availability in Pakistan. He wrote, Bhai aapki Border 2 Pakistan mein kab release hogi aur main Tara Singh ka bahut bada fan hoon, unko mera salaam kehna (Brother, when will Border 2 release in Pakistan? I am a huge fan of Tara Singh, please convey my greetings to him)."

#border 2 is a film based on the 1971 war and some true events around that. Im sure sunny sir ke pakistan mein bhi fan hain #varunsays https://t.co/ATeumyuRP2 Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) January 6, 2026

Varun responded by highlighting the films subject matter while also acknowledging Sunny Deols popularity across borders. Border 2 is a film based on the 1971 war and some true events around that. Im sure Sunny sir ke Pakistan mein bhi fans hain (Sunny sir has fans in Pakistan as well)," he replied.

Border 2: Cast, characters and release details

Border 2 is a spiritual sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border and is centred on the 1971 IndoPak war. Touted as one of the biggest sequels of 2026, the film was officially announced on June 13, 2024, marking the 27th anniversary of the original movie.

The war drama boasts a star-studded ensemble led by Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. In the film, Sunny Deol essays the role of Lt Colonel Fateh Singh Kaler, while Varun Dhawan plays Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, PVC. Diljit Dosanjh portrays a character inspired by Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC, and Ahan Shetty is seen as Lt Cdr Joseph Pius Alfred Noronha, MVC.

The supporting cast includes Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana and Anya Singh in pivotal roles. Presented by Gulshan Kumars T-Series and JP Duttas JP Films, Border 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta. The film is slated to hit theatres on January 23.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 23:28 IST

News movies bollywood Pakistani Fan Asks Varun Dhawan About Border 2 Release, Actor Says 'I'm Sure Sunny Sir Has Fans There'
Not being pure doesnt make you any less legitimate. Its a very effective way to discredit and demobilize us, says the leader of Fridays for Future in Germany

Luisa Neubauer (Hamburg, 29 years old), the public face of Fridays for Future in Germany  the youth movement born out of the school strikes against the climate crisis  was nicknamed the German Greta Thunberg for years. At first, it helped people understand what I was doing. Now Im a bit tired of the comparison. Were very different, she says in a cafe on the street where she lives in Berlins Kreuzberg district. Aware of the decline of environmental issues on the political agenda, Neubauer has just launched a new phase of mobilization, with street protests and more impactful projects. In a few days, she will travel to Antarctica with a scientific team. From there, she will connect with schools so that children can see the melting ice in real time. The mission: to transform a distant phenomenon into undeniable evidence, capable of shaking consciences more than any report full of statistics.

Question. December in Berlin and its 13C, about 10 degrees warmer than usual. Is this the new normal?

Answer. I only see new states of abnormality. Weve become accustomed to conditions that were once unusual, and we dont even notice them anymore. Its very serious, although we shouldnt feel guilty for not freezing to death in December. Thats not the battle.

Q. Unlike other activists, you dont view climate action as asceticism.

A. For me, ecology shouldnt be a punitive force, but a joyful and liberating one. Ive never understood my activism as a punishment, but as a way to reconcile myself with what I see and feel. Its a matter of respect for the planet and those who live and will live on it, not a penance

Q. Even so, your detractors call you a moralist, an extremist, or even a fundamentalist. Does that bother you?

A. It makes me smile that there are people who could dedicate their energy to something positive and instead choose to invest it in insulting young women who are concerned about the state of the planet. What I find less amusing is that the hatred and violence are real: Ive needed security at protests for years. Even so, I try not to take it personally. Its more a symptom of the fear of change, the erosion of patriarchy, and the social tensions affecting our continent.

Q. Why has the climate fallen onto the back burner on the political agenda?

A. Actually, its not even in the background: its been pushed much further back. When supposedly urgent issues like migration, the economy, or security arise, climate is always the first thing to be sidelined. Its a convenient solution in the short term, but disconnected from reality: without a stable planet, no other political project can be sustained in the long run.

It makes me smile that there are people who could dedicate their energy to something positive and instead choose to invest it in insulting young women who are concerned about the state of the planet

Q. Why do you think Fridays for Future has lost momentum after electrifying all of Europe in the years leading up to the pandemic?

A. We created a wave that changed the conversation and made people start taking the climate seriously, because it was young people who were demanding it. But a pandemic, the return of war in Europe, or a major economic crisis can wear down any momentum. I always knew that wave wouldnt last forever. We have to find other ways to keep it going.

Q. For example, large street protests have been revived across Germany.

A. We never stopped protesting: weve been doing it for seven years. The difference is that now we want to be much more concrete: instead of demanding that governments do more in the abstract, we point to specific projects, like a new gas pipeline, and take the protest to where the decisions are made. This localized pressure is producing results.

Luisa Neubauer, center, at a demonstration at COP28 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024. Peter Dejong (AP)

Q. Climate crisis skeptics no longer deny that there is a problem, but they attack solutions in the name of social inequality: the poorest cannot afford a hybrid vehicle.

A. We have gone through several phases: first they denied the crisis, then its severity, and now they deny the proposed solutions. It was said that phasing out coal would leave us without electricity, that wind power would ruin our landscapes, even that heat pumps would move us away from fire, supposedly the essence of human civilization. Today, what is denied is that all of this is a priority: the problem is acknowledged, but postponed indefinitely. This is a mistake.

Q. They say that climate measures are unfair to the less fortunate. Do you admit that some are?

A. Its an excuse. The Paris Agreement established that those who pollute the most and have the greatest capacity to act must do more. Its not up to the movement to demand that a struggling single mother buy organic lentils, but governments must fulfill their commitments. And they must do so with fair policies, not with subsidies that end up benefiting the wealthiest, as sometimes happens.

Q. Why are scientific data not enough to change mindsets?

A. Because feelings outweigh facts. Science is the foundation, but a graph or a figure will never move anyone on its own. Always guided by science, we must also consider what emotions we want to evoke. Only then will people be mobilized. The worst thing is believing that nothing can be done. Everyone can do something, even if they dont see the immediate effect. My daily motivation is to prove it.

Science is the foundation, but a graph or a figure will never move anyone on its own. Always guided by science, we must also consider what emotions we want to evoke

Q. In 2023, your organization distanced itself from the international Fridays for Future movement following the war in Gaza. Do you still maintain that position?

A. To a large extent, things have changed. After [the Hamas-led attacks of] October 7, it was essential to express empathy with the victims and make it clear that there is no possible justification for violence. In Germany, because of how our historical memory works, if something like that was perceived as being minimized, it became impossible to continue working. Thats why we adopted that stance. Since then, we have denounced the genocide and demanded an end to arms exports to Israel, even when everyone advised against it.

Q. You have said your first inspiration was your grandmother, the activist Dagmar Reemtsma.

A. She campaigned against nuclear energy and participated in pacifist and feminist movements. When I was a child, she took me to events where men almost always spoke. She would stand up, challenge them, and dismantle their arguments with great conviction. She taught me not to simply repeat the obvious, but to point out the absurdity of opposing arguments. That always works.

Q. What was your political awakening?

A. In third grade, they wanted to close my school in Hamburg. My parents and other neighbors organized a protest and we blocked a main street. There were so many of us children that no cars could get through. In the end, they didnt close it. I was impressed by the power of collective action.

Q. You even turned down a seat on the Siemens board. How was that offer presented to you?

A. Siemens was supplying electrical equipment to a huge coal mine in Australia. We organized a campaign, and I wrote an open letter to its CEO. His response was to offer me a seat on the supervisory board. I declined, of course, because it made no sense. The sad thing is that the media attention focused on whether or not I would accept that position, and not on the project we were denouncing

Institutional politics, for the moment, seems like a rather uninspiring space to me. But Im not closing that door

Q. Youve also been criticized for flying. Can you defend the planet and still take a plane?

A. I no longer fly within Europe, and I only fly abroad in exceptional cases, for example, for climate conferences. But theres a catch there: this demand for individual purity as a condition for having the right to speak. Not being pure doesnt make you any less legitimate. Its a very effective way to discredit and demobilize us.

Q. You were ridiculed for attending the Berlinale with an anti-far-right slogan printed on your dress. Do you regret it?

A. No, it was one of the most effective actions of the year. In January, for the first time since World War II, the German government sought the support of the far right for a parliamentary vote. The dress was a way of visually denouncing this broken taboo. Sometimes, an image achieves much more than a speech full of parliamentary jargon.

Q. You are a member of the German Greens and tipped to have a great political future. Do you see yourself as a minister or even as a second female chancellor?

A. Institutional politics, for the moment, seems like a rather uninspiring space to me. But Im not closing that door: Ill be 30 in a few months, and like any other young person, I wonder where life will take me. Even so, Ive seen how the power of the people in the streets can be greater than that of any parliament. As long as I feel I can be of use there, Ill keep fighting in that trench.

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Who Is Karina Kubiliute, Kartik Aaryan's Alleged New Date? Check Out Her Age Here

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 17:05 IST

Reportedly, Kartik Aaryan's rumoured girlfriend Karina is currently 17 years old and studies at Carlisle College in the UK.

Karina has clarified she is not Kartik Aaryan's girlfriend. (Photos: Instagram)

Ever since Kartik Aaryans photos from his Goa vacation went viral on social media, netizens have been left wondering if he is dating a mystery girl named Karina Kubiliute. While the latter has now clarified that she is not the Bollywood actors girlfriend, do you know who Karina is? Lets find out.

Who Is Karina Kubiliute, Kartik Aaryans Rumoured GF?

While not much information regarding Karina is known as of now, according to a report by The Bombay Times, she is 17 years old and studies at Carlisle College in the UK. Born in June 2008, she celebrated her 12th birthday in 2020 and her 16th birthday in June 2024. This means that Karina will turn 18 in June 2026.

Reportedly, Karina has Lithuanian roots but grew up around Carlisle and Wetheral in England. Her mother, Jovita Kubiliene-Thompson, runs several hospitality businesses in Cumbria. She is known locally for her networking events, especially for businesswomen. Jovita is married to David Thompson, who is a British citizen and helps with the family business.

Before joining Carlisle College, Karina attended Scotby Primary School in Carlisle. There, she also won a doughnut design competition during a school fundraiser in 2019.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@karinakubiliute_x)

How Did Dating Rumours Surface?

The discussion gained momentum after Kartik shared a laid-back picture from Goa, showing him relaxing by the beach. Soon after, Reddit users pointed out that a woman named Karina Kubiliute had also posted photos from what appeared to be the exact same spot. Screenshots comparing the images began circulating, with users highlighting similarities in the background, including the beach setup, loungers and even what looked like the same towel placement.

This led to speculation that Kartik and the woman might be vacationing together. Some commenters even alleged that Kartik was following the woman on social media until the photos started gaining traction online. However, it is important to note that News18 cannot independently verify these claims or the authenticity of the assumptions being made online.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 17:00 IST

News movies bollywood Who Is Karina Kubiliute, Kartik Aaryan's Alleged New Date? Check Out Her Age Here
Evangeline Lilly Shares Shocking Health Update: Brain Functioning At Decreased Capacity

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 18:58 IST

Evangeline Lilly revealed she was suffering from brain damage after a traumatic incident at the beach.

Marvel actor Evangeline Lilly reveals brain damage diagnosis. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Actress Evangeline Lilly has opened up about a serious health setback, revealing that she is living with brain damage following a traumatic accident earlier this year. The actor shared the update months after suffering a concussion in May, when she fainted at a beach and fell face-first onto a boulder.

The 46-year-old Canadian star, best known for Lost, The Hobbit trilogy, and her role as Hope van Dyne in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, posted a candid video on Instagram describing what doctors recently discovered. According to Lilly, a brain scan showed that almost every area in my brain is functioning at a decreased capacity".

Evangeline Lilly reveals brain damage

So I do have brain damage from the TBI and possibly other factors going on," she said. But now my job is to get to the bottom of that with doctors and then embark on the hard work of fixing it, which I dont look forward to because I feel like hard work is all I do."

She added, But thats OK. My cognitive decline since I smashed my face open has helped me to slow down and helped me to have a more restful finish to my 2025."

In the caption accompanying her post, Lilly reflected on the mixed emotions surrounding the diagnosis. She wrote, Verdicts inI do have brain damage from my tbi. Comforting to know my cognitive decline isnt just perimenopause, discomforting to know what an uphill battle it will be to try to reverse the deficiencies. Thank you all for always asking, for always caring, and for your continued prayers."

Support quickly poured in from fans and colleagues. Her Marvel co-star Michelle Pfeiffer commented on the post, writing, You are a warrior. Nothing  not even this will defeat you my friend."

How the incident happened

Lilly had earlier detailed the frightening incident on her Substack, sharing images of her injured face and describing the moment she lost consciousness. I pull my face from the sand and take a breath. My mouth and nose are full of blood," she wrote. My partner says that when I black out, I look like I die. He gets very afraid. My eyes roll back in my head and all life leaves my body."

She also explained that fainting spells have followed her since childhood. While doctors once suspected hypoglycemia, that diagnosis was later ruled out. Over time, Lilly has developed her own understanding of these episodes. I have come to believe that this checking out is a result of my little soul reaching her limit of what she feels she can cope with in this life, and she leaves the building, so to speak," she wrote.

Despite the severity of the injury, Lilly expressed gratitude for the experience. It might seem crazy looking at my face and my busted tooth, but I feel so grateful that I blacked out. I needed to reset."

Lilly has been away from acting for the past three years, last appearing in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in 2023. In a statement to Variety in June, she said she is not actively pursuing any work in the industry" and is instead focusing on humanitarian efforts.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 18:57 IST

News movies hollywood Evangeline Lilly Shares Shocking Health Update: Brain Functioning At Decreased Capacity
Leonardo DiCaprio Steals Spotlight At Timothee Chalamets Star-Studded Birthday Party

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 11:01 IST

Timothee Chalamet celebrates his birthday in a chaotic cake-smashing video.

Timothee Chalamet turned 30 on December 27, 2025. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Timothee Chalamet celebrated his birthday last week on December 27, and a new video of the actor celebrating his big day has now emerged online. To commemorate his birthday, the Marty Supreme actor shared a bunch of throwback pictures on his Instagram and thanked fans for their wishes.

The actor even hosted a soiree at a private residence in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, which was attended by several celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tyler, the Creator, and more.

Timothee Chalamets New Birthday Video

In the new video, Timothee Chalamet was seen enjoying his birthday with his friends. Instead of cutting his cake the traditional way, he dived headfirst into the cake as his friends cheered him on, take a look at the video here.

Timothee Chalamet enjoying his birthday cake in newly shared video. pic.twitter.com/z801vU23Co Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 4, 2026

Timothee Chalamet shared a bunch of throwback pictures of himself on the occassion of his birthday. Sharing the picture, the actor wrote, THANK U FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES THANK U THANK U THANK U!!!!!! TIMMYTIM IS OFFICIALLY UNC #uncletimmytim"

Timothee Chalamet Wins Critics Choice Awards

This week has been a great start to the award season, as Chalamet won his first major award for Marty Supreme. He won the Critics Choice Award on Sunday night for his role as aspiring ping-pong champion Marty Mauser. However, it was his speech that went viral, he thanked Kylie Jenner for supporting him. He said, Thank you to my partner for three years. I love you. I couldnt do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Meanwhile, Chalamet has been receiving widespread critical acclaim for Marty Supreme. The film was named one of the top ten films of 2025 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. The movie received three nominations at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy, Best Actor for Chalamet, and Best Screenplay.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 11:01 IST

News movies hollywood Leonardo DiCaprio Steals Spotlight At Timothee Chalamets Star-Studded Birthday Party
Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban Finalise Divorce Settlement After Nearly 20-Year Marriage

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Last Updated: January 07, 2026, 03:45 IST

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have finalised their divorce settlement after nearly two decades of marriage, agreeing on custody and no support payments.

Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban Separate After Nearly Two Decades Of Marriage

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have officially finalized their divorce settlement, ending nearly two decades of marriage. Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital show that the former couple submitted the terms Tuesday in Nashville.

As per the agreement, Kidman, 58, will serve as the primary parent for their two minor daughters, while Urban will have parenting time every other weekend, unless otherwise stipulated. Neither party will receive alimony, and child support has been set at $0.

The Academy Award-winning actress filed for divorce in September, citing irreconcilable differences. In her initial petition, Kidman listed September 30 as the date of separation and requested primary residential custody of the children.

The settlement brings closure to a marriage that began after the couple met at an event in Australia in 2005. They tied the knot in Sydney a year later, in 2006, and have maintained a high-profile yet private family life since.

Keith Urban has previously spoken about his philosophy on marriage and parenthood. In a 2023 interview with Fox News Digital, he emphasized the importance of keeping family first.

Its always family first," Urban said. Its balanced, so it means it goes out of balance sometimes, and we just put it back in balance. Its never perfectly in balance, but we get it back on track."

Before her marriage to Urban, Kidman was married to actor Tom Cruise. She and Cruise adopted two children, Isabella and Connor, during their marriage, which ended in divorce in 2001.

Following the settlement, both Kidman and Urban are expected to continue co-parenting their daughters while pursuing their respective careers, ensuring stability and consistency for the children despite the end of their marriage.

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First Published: January 07, 2026, 03:45 IST

News movies hollywood Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban Finalise Divorce Settlement After Nearly 20-Year Marriage
Ronit Roy, Wife Neelam Singh Bid A Warm Goodbye To Daughter Aador At Mumbai Airport

Published By :

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 16:37 IST

Ronit Roy was spotted in a black sweatshirt paired with black jeans as he came to see his daughter Aador off.

Aador is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at USC, California. (Photo Credit : Instagram)

Adaalat actor Ronit Roy was recently spotted at Mumbai airport with his family. The 60-year-old and his wife, Neelam Singh, were there to see off their beloved daughter, Aador Bose Roy.

Aador is currently a student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. After a brief stay with her parents, the 20-year-old is returning to the United States to resume her studies.

Ronit Roy sees off daughter Aador at Mumbai airport

Ronit Roy appeared in a black sweatshirt and a pair of black jeans to see his daughter Aador off. Aador sported a casual black t-shirt and loose-fit trousers. Before her check-in, the Student of the Year actor held Aador affectionately in a long embrace.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Neelam Singh also hugged Aador and kissed her cheeks. Aador is heard saying bye" to her parents and others in a video uploaded by Viral Bhayani on Instagram.

Aador Roys journey in academia

Aador Roy attended Ecole Mondiale World School in Mumbai. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, as per her LinkedIn profile.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aador-bose-roy-082828247/

Aador has interned as an assistant director at Dharma Productions. After that, she worked as a media producer at Haute Magazine and Trojan Marketing Group. She holds the designation of co-director of production at USCs South Asian film club, Kathaa.

USC Kathaa aims to improve coverage of South Asian film history. It organises special screenings of various films for educational purposes.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/usckathaa/

Ronit Roy on being a good parent to his kids

Ronit Roy opened up about his bond with his children, son Agasthya Roy and daughter Aador Roy, during his appearance on the Hindi Rush podcast. He said he only scolded Aador and Agasthya twice.

Im not like a friend to my children. I am their father," Ronit Roy said in Hindi. He added that he understood it is often difficult for kids to speak their minds. I try to comprehend what they want to express  the root cause of it," he said.

Roy said you cannot help your kids with strict rules. It is important to understand them," he added. And as long as you do not try to understand them, they will not open up to you," he said. That is how the rift between parents and children widens", he explained.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 16:37 IST

News television Ronit Roy, Wife Neelam Singh Bid A Warm Goodbye To Daughter Aador At Mumbai Airport
Emily In Paris Renewed For Season 6 At Netflix After Strong Viewership Run

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 05:07 IST

Netflix renews Emily in Paris for Season 6 as Lily Collins returns, following Season 5s strong debut and continued global popularity.

Lily Collins in Emily in Paris Season 5

Netflix has officially renewed Emily in Paris for a sixth season, continuing the global journey of Emily Cooper as the hit romantic comedy-drama shows no signs of slowing down.

The series stars Lily Collins as Emily, an ambitious marketing executive from the US who relocates to Paris for a career opportunity  a move that later expands her world to Italy as well. Season 5 of the show premiered in December and explored Emilys attempts to balance personal ambition with emotional stability while navigating new professional challenges abroad.

According to the official Season 5 synopsis, Now the head of Agence Grateau Rome, Emily faces professional and romantic challenges as she adapts to life in a new city. But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks. Seeking stability, Emily leans into her French lifestyle, until a big secret threatens one of her closest relationships. Tackling conflict with honesty, Emily emerges with deeper connections, renewed clarity, and a readiness to embrace new possibilities."

Strong viewership fuels Season 6 renewal

The renewal comes on the back of impressive streaming numbers. Season 5 debuted at No. 2 on Netflixs global Top 10 list, drawing 13.5 million views in its first four days. The series maintained its momentum the following week, holding on to the No. 2 spot with 13.3 million views, reaffirming its strong appeal among global audiences.

Alongside Collins, the ensemble cast features Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie, Lucien Laviscount, Eugenio Franceschini, Thalia Besson, Paul Forman, Arnaud Binard, Minnie Driver, Bryan Greenberg and Michele Laroque. While casting details for Season 6 have not yet been announced, the core ensemble is expected to return.

Behind the scenes of the Netflix hit

Emily in Paris was created by Darren Star, who also serves as an executive producer. He is joined by Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns, Andrew Fleming, Stephen Brown, Alison Brown, Robin Schiff, Grant Sloss and Joe Murphy. Lily Collins is also a producer on the series.

The show is produced by Paramount Television Studios, Darren Star Productions and Jax Media. Since its debut, Emily in Paris has remained one of Netflixs most talked-about series, blending fashion, romance and workplace drama.

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Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 06, 2026, 05:07 IST

News movies web-series Emily In Paris Renewed For Season 6 At Netflix After Strong Viewership Run
Stranger Things Documentary Gets Netflix Date, Trailer Reveals Emotional Final Season

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 05:15 IST

Netflix sets January 12 release for One Last Adventure, a documentary exploring the making of Stranger Things Season 5 and its emotional finale.

Stranger Things Season 5 Finale also premiered on Netflix on January 1. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Netflix has officially announced the release date for its previously unannounced Stranger Things documentary and unveiled a trailer that offers fans an intimate look at the making of the shows final season. Titled One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, the documentary will premiere on January 12 and chronicles the years-long effort behind the concluding chapter of the Duffer Brothers iconic series.

Directed by Martina Radwan, the documentary promises an inside look at the years of effort and craft that went into the final installment of the Duffer Brothers generation-defining series." Radwan is known for directing the 2023 documentary Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow and for her work as a cinematographer on projects including Girls State, for which she won an Emmy.

Reflecting on the experience, Radwan said, Im endlessly grateful to the Duffer Brothers for trusting me with a front-row seat to this incredible journey." She added, Spending a full year on set with them was a true privilege  and an absolute thrill everyone welcomed me with remarkable generosity, openly sharing their personal and collective experiences from a decade of creative filmmaking."

Trailer reveals emotional table read and final moments

The trailer opens with footage from the final table read of Stranger Things, immediately setting an emotional tone. In a voiceover, Ross Duffer says, Writing the last lines these characters would ever say, it was really hard to do." Matt Duffer follows, noting, I remember more than anything just writing End Series. Writing those two words having the biggest impact."

The trailer captures cast members Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown visibly emotional during the table read, with Schnapp leaning into Cara Buono, who plays Karen Wheeler. Stills from the casts earliest days on the show flash across the screen, underscored by David Bowies Heroes," a song closely associated with the series.

The documentary also takes viewers inside the writers room, where the Duffer brothers are seen discussing the fate of Eleven, played by Brown. In a poignant voiceover, Brown admits, Im not ready to let go."

Duffers on why this documentary matters

The trailer concludes with Ross Duffer declaring, And that is a wrap on Stranger Things," as confetti rains down on the final day of filming.

In a joint statement, the Duffer brothers explained the inspiration behind the project: With the decline of physical media, that kind of behind-the-scenes storytelling has largely disappeared. We wanted to bring it back." They added that One Last Adventure is meant for longtime fans as well as anyone curious about how a large-scale Hollywood production comes together.

One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is a MakeMake Production, produced by Angus Wall, Terry Leonard and Kent Kubena.

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Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 06, 2026, 05:15 IST

News movies web-series Stranger Things Documentary Gets Netflix Date, Trailer Reveals Emotional Final Season
Opinion: What Maduros Capture Means For The World

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:17 IST

Its time to prepare for a complete overhaul of international norms, structures, narratives and rules

Rapid Read

US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (AFP photos)

The year 2026 has begun with the American capture of the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3, from his palace, after a lightning military action, including air raids and bombings by the US forces in at least four districts, including the capital city of Caracas.

The US action has left the strategic spectators across the world shocked, awed, and alarmed, in equal measure, reminding them of the US interventions in Iraq and Libya.

Many concerned voices from the intellectual and diplomatic community are calling it the end of the rules-based world order and a revival of 19th-century principles and norms of international relations.

US President Donald Trumps decision needs to be seen in the context of the Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine, outlined in the 2025 US National Security Strategy paper, which explicitly states the US intent to restore American pre-eminence" in the Western Hemisphere.

The NSS 2025 clearly signals that the administration will deny non-Hemispheric competitors the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets, in our Hemisphere". Further, this move aligns with Trumps America First" foreign policy, aimed at building a safer, more secure, and more prosperous Western hemisphere, with a clearly defined active role for the US in the region. Trump has repeatedly stated that his era will be known for the wars he has supposedly ended and the ones the US chose not to join under his leadership. Implied in this dictum is also his fundamental belief that the US needs to withdraw from the long-standing global conflicts. However, at the same time, he envisages compensating this withdrawal with an enhanced activism in the Western Hemisphere.

A closer scrutiny of Trumps approach to global geopolitics reveals his preference for a multipolar world order, which aligns with Russian philosopher and Putins advisor, Alexander Dugins idea of multipolarity based on traditionalism and powerful civilisational states exercising predominance in their respective spheres of influence, as opposed to wokism and globalism, respectively.

In Dr Dugins perception, the following civilisational states will be pillars of the multipolar world:

Russias influence will be predominant in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

The US will be a dominant player, leading Western Europe and the Americas.

China will lead the Southeast and East Asian world.

India will be the dominant state in South Asia.

The Middle Eastern world is categorised as the Islamic civilisation.

The core underlying principle of this worldview is that within their respective spheres of influence, the leading civilisational states will have a decisive say in matters of geopolitics, and any outside interference in the name of R2P, democracy promotion, or alliance expansion will be untenable. Trumps accommodation of Russian concerns and sensitivities on the Ukraine issue fits into the framework outlined above. Likewise, he expects reciprocity on US concerns in Latin America, as, geopolitically, what Ukraine is to Russia has striking resemblances to what Venezuela is to the US.

Furthermore, Trumps quiet acceptance of Dr Dugins Weltpolitik clearly indicates that the current Rules-based world order, managed through the UN, World Bank, IMF, and WTO, must undergo significant changes. In the recent Venezuelan case, the US chose not to act under the formal authorisation of the UNSC, unlike during the Iraq and Afghan wars. As great power rivalries resurface and non-state terrorist groups take on governance roles in Afghanistan and Syria, the decline of the UN system needs no further obvious signs; however, with the US intervention in Caracas, it is reasonable to argue that the UN-led global governance system is well beyond its prime and rapidly slipping into irreversible decline.

Across the globe, several commentators have suggested that the US action demonstrates that the lofty notions of sovereignty and international law are nothing but a sham, the borders are negotiable, and the ultimate doctrine of international relations is might is right." Notably, those who are lamenting the decline of the Rules-Based World Order (RBWO) must understand that even during the so-called heydays of the RBWO, the US-led West has selectively used the moralistic principles of humanitarianism, democracy, and sovereignty to pursue its hegemonic interests in geopolitics, be it Iraq, Libya, or Afghanistan. However, in the past, the global multilateral institutions and NGOs were weaponised. Hence, the violation of sovereignty and international law never felt so blatant and brutal as it feels today after Maduros capture.

A closer scrutiny shows that the gloves are off now. Whatever delusions the global strategic community had about the primacy of RBWO have been shattered, and the future is likely to unfold with more such incidents across the globe. The US action has set a dangerous precedent, which presents a perfect template for China, Russia, and Israel, i.e., to act firmly and off-limits in their national interests, in their respective spheres of influence. Even India has a valid reason to borrow a page from the US playbook and orchestrate a similar punitive model for its errant neighbour, Bangladesh, which has emerged as a hotbed of anti-India insurgent groups, narco-traffickers, and Jihadi terrorist groups after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

However, amidst the ongoing chaos, the silver lining is that even a global hegemon like the US has realised that it is time to withdraw from far-off conflicts and regime changes in distant lands, leaving space for emerging powers like India, China, and Russia. That said, even if the domination of powerful states is confined to their respective spheres of influence as the hallmark of the emerging multipolar world order, the world will be more democratic and relatively less troubled with hegemony and imperialism.

Finally, the world order is going through a phase of turmoil, transition, and transformation. In the emerging multipolar world, the rules of engagement are being redefined and renegotiated. The global governance structure that reflects the realities of the post-2nd world war cannot sustain indefinitely, with its neo-imperialist undertones and colonial hangover. Resurgent Russia, irredentist China, assertive India, and the vibrant global south demand their share of the global pie and a respectable seat at the diplomatic table.

Hence, its time to prepare for a complete overhaul of international norms, structures, narratives and rules.

The author is a policy analyst specialising in counterterrorism, Indian foreign policy and Afghanistan-Pakistan geopolitics. He has done his PhD on Jaish-e-Mohammad. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 19:17 IST

News opinion Opinion: What Maduros Capture Means For The World

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 15:55 IST

1 / 9 Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, is famously known as the City of Pearls thanks to its centuriesold pearl trade, royal patronage, and thriving jewelry markets that continue to attract visitors from around the world. (Image: Canva)

2 / 9 Hyderabads association with pearls dates back to the era of the Qutb Shahi rulers and the Nizams of Hyderabad, who were renowned for their love of jewels. Pearls were imported from the Persian Gulf and crafted into exquisite ornaments by skilled artisans. The royal families adorned themselves with elaborate pearl necklaces, earrings, and tiaras, cementing pearls as a symbol of Hyderabads regal identity. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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3 / 9 The citys artisans became masters of pearl drilling and stringing, a delicate craft passed down through generations. Even today, villages like Chandanpet, located near Hyderabad, are dedicated to pearl drilling, with almost the entire population engaged in this intricate art. (Image: Canva)

4 / 9 Hyderabads bustling bazaars are a paradise for jewelry lovers. Laad Bazaar, located near the iconic Charminar, is one of the most famous markets for pearls. Here, visitors can find everything from simple pearl studs to elaborate Satlada necklaces, a traditional Hyderabadi ornament featuring seven strings of pearls, sometimes containing more than 400 pearls. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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5 / 9 Another popular destination is Pathergatti Bazaar, where traders offer a wide range of pearl jewelry, from affordable artificial sets to luxury pieces made with genuine Gulf pearls. These markets are not just shopping hubs but cultural experiences, where the aroma of street food mingles with the sparkle of pearls. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

6 / 9 The artistry of Hyderabadi pearl jewelry is unmatched. Designs often combine pearls with gold, diamonds, or precious stones, creating timeless pieces. The Chandbali earrings, crescentshaped and studded with pearls, are a hallmark of Hyderabadi craftsmanship. The Satlada necklace remains a favorite among brides, symbolizing elegance and tradition. (Image: Canva)

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7 / 9 Pearls are also used in innovative ways; crushed pearls were historically believed to have healing and beautifying properties, adding another layer of mystique to their appeal. (Image: AI-Generated)

8 / 9 While pearls gave Hyderabad its nickname, the city is equally famous for its rich culture and cuisine. The architectural marvels of Charminar, Golconda Fort, and Chowmahalla Palace reflect its royal past. Meanwhile, Hyderabadi biryani has become a culinary ambassador for the city worldwide. This blend of heritage, artistry, and gastronomy makes Hyderabad more than just a pearl hub; it is a vibrant cultural capital. (Image: Canva)

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:45 IST

1 / 7 Bollywood has long been surrounded by gossip - whos dating whom, whos vacationing together, and even speculation about actors sexuality. Over the years, rumours have circulated about male actors being linked to male directors, but those involved have rarely addressed them, leaving the chatter without confirmation. (Image: File Pic)

2 / 7 Senior journalist Simi Chandoke recently spoke about these issues on the podcast Verinteresting, shedding light on the uncomfortable realities of the industry. She noted that while bisexual actors may exist in Bollywood, most are hesitant to come out openly. Explaining why, she said: Suppose a Bollywood hero openly admits that he is gay or bisexual. When he appears on screen romancing a heroine, will audiences accept him the same way? (Image: Canva)

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3 / 7 Simi also pointed to directors whose sexuality is widely known but not publicly acknowledged. There are several directorsI wont name thembut there is one particular director who has worked with actors like Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, and others. Everyone knows he is gay. He has never been in a long-term relationship with a woman, except one very brief relationship that ended abruptly. (Image: Canva)

4 / 7 According to her, homophobia among actors plays a role in shaping these dynamics. If a director openly comes out about his sexuality, many leading actors would hesitate to work with him. They fear the casting couch, she said. She added that such fears are not unfounded, as several actors have spoken about their experiences. Many actors have admitted that they were asked to compromise during their struggling days. Ayushmann Khurrana and Ranveer Singh have openly spoken about being subjected to such situations, she shared. (Image: Canva)

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5 / 7 Simi also recalled the time when Shah Rukh Khan was questioned about his closeness with filmmaker Karan Johar. She said: Once, Shah Rukh Khan was questioned about his closeness with Karan Johar. Being his witty self, he replied, I am try-sexual. The statement was so strong and clever that it immediately shut down speculation. In an earlier interview with The Times of India, SRK had dismissed such rumors with humor: I dont do men, I dont do women. I am happily in love with my wife. I like that line from Sex and the CityI am try-sexual. I try anything thats sexual. Okay, I am try-sexual. No, hey, cut that out, he laughed. (Image: File Pic)

6 / 7 Ranveer Singh, about a decade ago, spoke to NDTV about his own casting couch experience. He recalled: There was this very sleazy gentleman from the Northern Suburbs, somewhere in Andheri. He called me over around 8 PM. I had prepared an impressive portfolio because, as an assistant director, I knew most portfolios end up in cartons. But he wasnt interested in seeing it. Instead, he said, You need to be smart and sexy; thats how people get ahead. I will meet you in multiple officesyou will see me everywhere. Take, touch. I was shocked. He even tried to negotiate, saying, I wont do anything, just let me touch. I said no and ran away. Later, when I spoke to other struggling actors, they told me he does this to everyone. (Image: Instagram)

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Archives from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, recently made available to the public in digital format after remaining unpublished for decades, reveal new information about Francoist censorship and how the regime attempted to redefine abstract art to suit its own purposes. The American artist couple Helen Frankenthaler and Robert Motherwell, whose works are currently in dialogue with those of Joan Miro in the exhibition Miro and the United States at the Catalan artists foundation in Barcelona, experienced a legendary episode in Spain that has permeated the countrys post-war historiography without ever being fully clarified until now.

Motherwell and Frankenthaler traveled to Spain in 1958. They had left New York on June 13, two months after their wedding. Their honeymoon was still pending, and she wanted her husband to see Goyas Black Paintings at the Prado Museum and the Altamira caves, taking advantage of the fact that the painter was participating with five works in The New American Painting, the MoMA traveling exhibition that presented American Abstract Expressionism for the first time in Madrid and influenced an entire generation of Spanish artists. But the local authorities demanded that Motherwell change the title of one of his works, Elegy to the Spanish Republic No. 35, leaving it as simply Elegy or Painting. The painter, furious, refused and even threatened to cause a scene in Madrid.

For decades, historians, clouded by Francoist propaganda, have disagreed about what happened. Some said the painting was censored, without specifying how. Others maintained it appeared in a Spanish newsreel before being removed, and still others swore that Franco, upon seeing it, exclaimed: Well, I dont see the elegy anywhere. The catalogue for the Fundacio Miros exhibition, Miro and the United States, perpetuates the doubt. Only Motherwells catalog raisonne offers a very partial and somewhat inaccurate commentary on the documentation from MoMA, where the painting is currently exhibited, along with others from the Elegy to the Spanish Republic series. What really happened?

For Motherwell, the series Elegy to the Spanish Republic recalled a just cause that was brutally crushed, so when the translator of the catalog into Spanish warned on June 9 that they would have problems exhibiting a painting that alluded to the Republic, Rene dHarnoncourt, director of MoMA, advised the curator of the exhibition, Luis Gonzalez Robles, on June 18: In case you consider this title unacceptable, the painting would have to be removed from the exhibition and the catalogue, since we are not authorized to change titles of paintings without the consent of the author.

Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler, in an undated image. Hans Namuth (Conde Nast via Getty Images)

On June 19, the married painters, unaware of the ensuing chaos, informed the museum of their travel itinerary from Madrid: We leave here on Sunday and still dont know if well go to (a) San Sebastian, (b) Barcelona and the Costa Brava, (c) the French Riviera, (d) St. Ives. It depends on car trouble and whether friends can find us a studio in any of those places. Anyway, considering the titles of Bobs paintings, we might get lynched if we showed up at the opening here in Madrid! Or well probably get kicked out of the Ritz for painting all night in the hotel rooms.

The couple left Madrid on June 22 and settled in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France. On July 9, a week before the exhibition was to open, Porter McCray, director of the international program, telegraphed Motherwell to inform him of the Spanish governments request. The response was emphatic: Better none of my paintings on display in Madrid, and he sought the help of Alfred H. Barr, former director of MoMA: I hope that in future exhibitions in other countries a footnote will be included in the catalogs indicating that I withdrew the paintings from Madrid due to the controversy surrounding the title. Personally, I dont like controversies, but one thinks what one thinks, or one is nothing as a person, I believe. I regret any inconvenience this may cause your Museum staff. I will be the most affected, as I will not be able to return to Spain, which is only 11 kilometers away, and partly for that reason we settled here.

Barr questioned whether Motherwell had reasonable grounds to believe he wouldnt be allowed to go to Spain. Why dont you take a little trip to test the efficiency of Spanish intelligence? Certainly, he ventured, I wouldnt assume youd be expelled because of the Elegy incident. The couple crossed the border to visit the Altamira caves at night, though they decided against going to Barcelona and visiting Marcel Duchamp and Salvador Dali in Cadaques.

McCray tried to calm Motherwell on July 29: Didnt you receive my letter from Madrid informing you that I assumed responsibility for removing only Elegy? Stop. The overall character of the exhibition, supported by young, liberal-minded Spanish painters, and the catalog that included your texts would have been compromised by the removal [of all the canvases]. And on August 2: The choice was between the likely sensationalism that would have resulted from removing your work or all the works and the moral dilemma of putting at risk a group of people no less principled than ourselves, who by association would have been identified with our action.

The double game

Porter McCray was playing a double game and on August 6 wrote to Gonzalez Robles: Dear Luis: I have had a very unpleasant experience with Motherwell regarding his Elegy, the title of which, as you know, we tried to change for the Madrid exhibition. Since he is a very impetuous person, I am sending you my most recent exchange of letters with him so that you may be forewarned in case he writes or appears in Madrid.

Motherwell gave in. In the middle of his honeymoon, he didnt want any more complications. Frankenthaler painted two canvases titled Madrid, one with cheerful colors and the other gloomy with Xs, which can evoke erasure, censorship, a common mark in the Nazi era for degenerate art.

The MoMA archives also shed light on how Madrid tried to conceal Tapies and Sauras belated refusal to continue participating in exhibitions organized by the Franco regime, while the museum was preparing for the 1960 arrival of Spanish abstract artists in New York. On May 31, 1959, Luis Gonzalez Robles attempted to justify Tapiess abrupt withdrawal from the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Pariss 13 peintres espagnols actuels to Porter McCray, claiming he had to exclude the painter at the last minute because the gallery owner, Stadler, had already used the works he wanted to include in his exhibition. But McCray was informed of the real reasons by Saura. I have decided, he wrote in June 1959, not to participate anymore in any exhibitions organized by official Spain. I find it sad to see how a regime that has completely despised our work for years is now discovering (especially since the Venice Biennale and the success of the Spanish pavilion, for which we were indirectly advisors) a kind of painting produced in the country that, in reality  at least in the case of some of us  is a protest against a situation with which we disagree. [...] It is scandalous to see how Spanish exhibitions are organized here and there with the sole aim of showing the world that Spain is a free country, where painters can live from their work and where there is a formidable body of painting thanks to a favorable environment. For me, the reality is exactly the opposite.

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10,000 Dancers In Assam, Vande Bharat Flag-Off, Bengal Rally: PM Modis High-Voltage Poll Push

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 22:19 IST

The three-day tour from January 17 to 19 blends governance, culture, infrastructure, and electioneering

The visit aims to project both developmental achievements and political intent as the election season gains momentum. File image

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Assam and West Bengal from January 17 to 19, a trip seen as both politically and symbolically significant ahead of key elections.

Officials in Assam indicate that the Prime Minister will start his tour in the northeastern state on January 17. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that a formal invitation has been extended to the Prime Minister for January 17 and 18. We have invited the Prime Minister on January 17 and 18, and the Union Home Minister on January 29," he announced, noting that the detailed itinerary of PM Modis visit is still being finalised.

A major highlight of the Assam visit is expected to be a large cultural programme, one of the biggest the state has ever hosted. This event, featuring around 10,000 dancers, will showcase Assams rich cultural heritage and serve as a high-visibility platform ahead of the polls.

During his visit to West Bengal, he will flag off a Vande Bharat Express connecting Kolkata and Guwahati, combining an infrastructure push with electoral messaging. Significantly, the train route in West Bengal will pass through north Bengal districts, which are crucial strongholds for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Prime Minister is also expected to be in Malda. His last visit to the state was interrupted, with PM Modi addressing a rally virtually due to poor weather. This time, he is scheduled to address a physical rally, indicating the partys intent to reassert its presence on the ground. PM Modi is also likely to spend a night in West Bengal, signalling a prolonged engagement with the states political and organisational leadership.

The Prime Minister is also expected to be in Howrah, a district adjacent to Kolkata. Howrah is significant for the BJP since it had a modest performance in the 2021 assembly election, failing to secure any assembly seats despite a notable vote share in several constituencies. Local sources though said, as per tentative plans, the Prime Minister is expected to visit Malda on January 17 and Singur in Hooghly district on January 18.

This three-day tour blends governance, culture, infrastructure, and electioneering. From a grand cultural spectacle in Assam involving thousands of performers to the launch of a high-profile Vande Bharat train and multiple public engagements in Bengal, the visit aims to project both developmental achievements and political intent as the election season gains momentum.

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Location : New Delhi | Kolkata, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 22:19 IST

News politics 10,000 Dancers In Assam, Vande Bharat Flag-Off, Bengal Rally: PM Modis High-Voltage Poll Push

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Deepam Row: BJP Says 'HC Has Done Justice' As DMK Govt Prepares To Challenge Order In SC

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:40 IST

Piyush Goyal welcomed Madras High Court's order allowing Karthigai Deepam lighting at Thiruparankundram hills, amid DMK plans to challenge the verdict.

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BJP leader Piyush Goyal accused the DMK leaders of targeting the Sanatan Dharma. (File photo)

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal on Tuesday welcomed the Madras High Courts order allowing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thiruparankundram hills in Tamil Nadu, calling the judgement a justice" for devotees.

Addressing a press conference, Goyal said the verdict was significant in the larger context of what he described as repeated attacks" on Sanatan Dharma by leaders of the ruling DMK.

HC has done justice to the devotees of this temple," the Union Minister said.

Not A Mere Coincidence: Goyal Slams DMK For Targeting Sanatan Dharma

The Minister accused Chief Minister MK Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin and other DMK leaders of repeatedly targeting Hindu beliefs, citing Udhayanidhis September 2023 remarks calling for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma.

#WATCH | Delhi | Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, It is not a mere coincidence that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin and other senior leaders of the DMK have consistently berated, derided and attacked Sanatan Dharma. On 2nd September pic.twitter.com/jfYIdJJNEm ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2026

It is not a mere coincidence that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin and other senior leaders of the DMK have consistently berated, derided and attacked Sanatan Dharma. On 2nd September 2023, Udhayanidhi made an audacious and reprehensible demand for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma itself and for the first time, a few months after that the lighting of the lamp on the Thiruparankundram Hill associated with Lord Kartikeya, Bhagwan Murgan, was prevented. This coincidence should not be missed out," the BJP leader said.

He said that devotees were forced to approach the court to protect a long-standing religious tradition and criticised the state government for appealing against an earlier order allowing the ritual, claiming it reflected an anti-Hindu" mindset.

The devotees went to the court for justice and justice was delivered by Justice Swaminathan, who permitted through his judgment on 1st December 2025 to continue the practice of lighting the lampIt is extremely unfortunate that the state government went on appeal against the judges order, clearly reflecting a bias against Hindu dharma, against Sanatana dharma, clearly reflecting an anti-Hindu mindset. In fact, showing the hatred that Mr Stalin, his son and the DMK party and their friends in the INDI alliance have against Hindu religion," he added.

DMK To Challenge Order In SC

His remarks came after the ruling DMK announced to move the Supreme Court to challenge the HC order. Responding to the courts decision, DMK said the state government would study the verdict before deciding its next steps.

We will read the verdict. Govt will take a decision on next course of action. DMK has done more for Hindus than any other party. DMK is recognised by people of Tamil Nadu more than 50 per cent vote share. Govt has to listen to the voice of people and to the police," the party said.

Further, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also welcomed the judgment, stating that the ruling had upheld religious sentiments. Speaking to CNN-News18, she said, Hindu sentiment has been respected. DMK govt is exposed now."

HC Upholds Order Directing Temple To Light Karthigai Deepam At Deepathoon

Earlier in the day, the Madras High Court dismissed concerns raised by the Tamil Nadu government regarding potential law and order issues and upheld the order permitting the traditional lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop pillar. The court strongly rejected the argument that the ritual could disturb communal harmony.

A division bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan delivered the verdict while disposing of a batch of appeals filed by the Executive Officer of the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, the Madurai District Collector, and the Madurai City Police Commissioner.

The ruling is being seen as a significant development in the ongoing political and cultural debate surrounding religious practices in Tamil Nadu.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 14:40 IST

News politics Deepam Row: BJP Says 'HC Has Done Justice' As DMK Govt Prepares To Challenge Order In SC

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Fraud Party: BJP Alleges Rajasthan MPLAD Funds Diverted To Haryana Congress Leaders Sons Seat

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 08:23 IST

Despite this cap, Bedham claimed the three MPs together spent 1.20 crore in Kaithal  45 lakh by Sanjana Jatav, 50 lakh by Rahul Kaswan and 25 lakh by Brijendra Singh Ola.

The BJP has demanded accountability from the Congress leadership. (Representational Image)

The BJP on Tuesday targeted the Congress over an alleged misuse of MPLAD funds in Rajasthan, accusing three Congress MPs of diverting public money meant for their constituencies to Haryana for political and personal gain. BJP leader Amit Malviya said the episode exposed what he called nepotism, favouritism and open loot of public money."

In a post on X, Malviya alleged that Congress MPs Sanjana Jatav (Bharatpur), Rahul Kaswan (Churu) and Brijendra Singh Ola (Jhunjhunu) had recommended MPLAD funds for projects in Kaithal Vidhan Sabha constituency in Haryana, represented by Aditya Singh Surjewala, son of senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala.

There is no bigger fraud party than the Congress. This time, it is looting the people of Rajasthan," Malviya said, claiming the fund diversion had taken place over the last three to four months.

Backing the BJPs charge, Rajasthan Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham accused the three Congress MPs of violating the spirit of public representation by spending MPLAD funds outside their constituencies. He alleged that development money meant for Rajasthan was diverted to Haryana to please the Congress high command." According to Bedham, under MPLAD rules, each MP gets 5 crore annually, but only 25 lakh can be spent outside their constituency, except during disasters.

Despite this cap, Bedham claimed the three MPs together spent 1.20 crore in Kaithal  45 lakh by Sanjana Jatav, 50 lakh by Rahul Kaswan and 25 lakh by Brijendra Singh Ola.

The authority to approve and spend MP-LADS funds lies with the Member of Parliament. Officers do not take these decisions. Rajasthans money has been diverted to Haryana for political appeasement," the minister said.

Bedham further alleged that while funds were being channelled to Haryana, development work in the MPs own constituencies remained incomplete. He cited Bharatpur MP Sanjana Jatav, saying she had recommended 142 MPLAD works, of which only 37 were completed  all in Alwar district  with none completed in Bharatpur.

The people of Rajasthan elected these MPs, but their development funds are being spent in another state. This is a betrayal of public trust," he said.

The BJP has demanded accountability from the Congress leadership, questioning why public money meant for Rajasthan was allegedly used in the constituency of a senior leaders son.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 08:23 IST

News politics Fraud Party: BJP Alleges Rajasthan MPLAD Funds Diverted To Haryana Congress Leaders Sons Seat

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'I Have 6, Who's Stopping You?': Asaduddin Owaisi Vs Navneet Rana On '4 Children' Remark

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 11:08 IST

Navneet Rana, last month, sparked a massive controversy after she urged Hindus to give birth to at least three to four children.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi lashed out at BJP leader Navneet Rana for her controversial remark on having four children.

In a face-off between Asaduddin Owaisi and Navneet Rana, AIMIM chief slammed the BJP leader for her controversial remark on having four children, linking family size to countrys security. Responding to Ranas comment without mentioning her name, Owaisi said he had six children and questioned who was stopping her from having eight children".

I have six children and my beard is turning white. Somebody said that one should have four children. Why four? Give birth to eight children, who is stopping you?" Owaisi said at a rally in Maharashtras Akola.

Additionally, the AIMIM chief also recalled the statements of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who also called for having more children.

All of them are saying to have more children. Why arent you doing it now? I challenge you to have 20 children. What kind of joke is this," he added.

Rana Sparked Row

Rana, last month, sparked a massive controversy after she urged Hindus to give birth to at least three to four children to counter the design of some people who want to turn Hindustan into Pakistan by producing children in large numbers".

I appeal to all Hindus. Listen, these people openly say they have four wives and 19 children. I suggest we should give birth to at least three to four children," the BJP leader said.

I dont know whether he is Maulana or someone else, but he said he has 19 children and four wives, but he could not complete a quorum of 30 children. They plan to turn Hindustan into Pakistan by giving birth to children in large numbers, so why should we be satisfied with just one child? We should also give birth to three to four children," she added.

Congress Slams

Following her remarks, the BJP MP also faced backlash from Congress MP Manickam Tagore, who called for the end of such mad thinking" by the RSS and the BJP.

We should be scientific in numbers, not have such a superstitious or unscientific manner. Indias population growth is an alarming story Those states which are unable to stabilise the population are suffering Such mad thinking by the RSS and the BJP must end," Tagore said.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 11:08 IST

News politics 'I Have 6, Who's Stopping You?': Asaduddin Owaisi Vs Navneet Rana On '4 Children' Remark

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Mamata Banerjee To Move Court Against 'Inhumane Treatment' Of People During Bengal SIR; BJP Reacts

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Last Updated: January 05, 2026, 18:44 IST

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said she would move court against the SIR process over "inhumane treatment" and deaths of people in the state.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (Photo: PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday he would move court against the Election Commissions Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, citing the inhumane treatment of people during the process.

Addressing a public meeting in South 24 Parganas, Banerjee alleged that the SIR exercise had triggered fear, harassment and administrative arbitrariness in West Bengal. We are moving court tomorrow against the inhumane treatment and the death of so many people due to the SIR," she said.

If allowed, I will also move the Supreme Court and plead as a common person against this inhumane exercise. I am also a trained lawyer," she added. The Chief Minister further alleged that terminally ill people and elderly citizens were being forced to stand in long queues to prove they were legitimate voters.

The Election Commission began the process of SIR in West Bengal on December 16, 2025. At least 58 lakh voter names were deleted from the updated draft electoral roll, which will be on February 14. Most of these deletions relate to cases where verification forms were not returned, or where voters were reported to be deceased, shifted to another location, absent, or duplicated in the electoral rolls.

How would BJP leaders feel if someone made their old parents stand in line to prove their identity?" she asked, adding that at least 81 people had died in two months due to the increased workload over the SIR.

BJP Reacts To Mamatas Charge

Responding to Mamata Banerjees threat, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari asserted that SIR was protecting every citizen of the country and as per the constitutional powers of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

When the Bihar (cash-for-query) case came before the Supreme Court, their (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra became a party to the case in the Supreme Court. They are a party, but the case is pending. Their prayer was for an interim order to impose a stay, which has not yet been granted by the Supreme Court," he said.

The Supreme Court said it would protect every citizen of the country and uphold the constitutional powers of the Election Commission," he added. SIR is going on in Bengal. If there is any issue now, they should go; otherwise, after February 14, if the name of any genuine Indian voter is deleted, they can approach the court with documents."

VIDEO | Kolkata: Reacting to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjees I will move to the Supreme Court" remark on SIR, LoP Suvendu Adhikari says, When the Bihar case came before the Supreme Court, their (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra became a party to the case in the Supreme Court. They are a pic.twitter.com/2p6PMqzWtu Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2026

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee also lashed out at the BJP over alleged discrimination against Bengali-speaking migrant workers in several states, claiming that speaking in Bengali had become a crime. You disrespect the Bengali language. You insult our identity. India built the atomic bomb, and a son of Bengal was among those associated with it. The future belongs to Bengal. Who are you? Hungry opportunists," she said.

She also remarked that the BJP did not believe in any religion, and it only believed in spreading lies. She alleged that the BJP induces people with pre-election sops and indulges in repression after winning the polls.

(with inputs from PTI)

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First Published: January 05, 2026, 18:44 IST

News politics Mamata Banerjee To Move Court Against 'Inhumane Treatment' Of People During Bengal SIR; BJP Reacts

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'Satyameva Jayate': BJP Hails Madras HC Order Directing Lighting Of Deepam On Hill Shrine

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 12:25 IST

Responding to the Madurai Bench's verdict, BJP slammed DMK for their appeasement politics and stated that they today stand exposed before the people of Tamil Nadu.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the order directing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thiruparankundram hills. (PTI photo)

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the order directing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thiruparankundram hills. The bench further rejected the states apprehensions that the ritual could disturb public peace and communal harmony.

Responding to the courts verdict, BJP leader CR Kesavan slammed DMK and Congress for their appeasement politics and stated that they today stand exposed before the people of Tamil Nadu.

Taking to X, the BJP leader wrote, Satyameva Jayate! This is a massive defeat to the bigoted appeasement politics of the DMK Govt which has been repeatedly hurting the sentiments of Tamil people."

The DMK Government must immediately apologise to the crores of Hindu devotees for having repeatedly insulted their sentiments and faith. The sacred Karthigai Deepam will be lit at the Deepathoon and will once again gloriously shine atop the Thiruparankundram Hill. The double-faced dangerous, divisive politics of the DMK & Congress stands totally exposed before the people today," he added.

#tiruparankundramSatyameva Jayate !  ! This is a massive defeat to the bigoted appeasement politics of the DMK Govt which has been repeatedly hurting the sentiments of Tamil people. The DMK Government must immediately apologise to the crores of Hindu devotees pic.twitter.com/ZTIDhesbwy C.R.Kesavan (@crkesavan) January 6, 2026

BJPs K Annamalai hailed the judges of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court for dismissing the appeal petition filed by the DMK government and the batch of pleas challenging the verdict passed by Justice GR Swaminathan.

In their order, the Honourable Judges observed that it is difficult to comprehend how a mighty State could harbour the fear that permitting representatives of the Temple and devotees to light a lamp on the stone pillar on a single day in a year would disturb public peace. The Court categorically noted that such a disturbance could arise only if the State itself were to sponsor it," Annamalai said in a post on X.

The Bench further clarified that the Deepa Thoon (stone lamp pillar) situated atop the Thiruparankundram hill belongs to the Temple."

Strongly cautioning the DMK Government, the Honourable Judges remarked that the State should not stoop to such levels in pursuit of political agendas. The Court also noted that the alleged apprehension of a law-and-order problem was nothing but an imaginary ghost, conjured up by the authorities for their own convenience, with the potential to pit one community against another," he added.

Annamalai further hoped that the DMK government will stop its blatant misuse of power and respect the rule of law by allowing devotees of Lord Muruga to light the Deepam at the Deepa Thoon, as the Court has rightfully affirmed.

The Honourable Judges of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court have dismissed the appeal petition filed by the DMK government and the batch of pleas challenging the verdict passed by Honourable Justice Thiru GR Swaminathan avl.In their order, the Honourable Judges  K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) January 6, 2026

Meanwhile, actor Vijays TVK slammed both the BJP and the DMK, stating that they want to politicise the issue. They want to setup narrative for the upcoming elections. Local people are not interest in the issue. DMK people will prolong this issue till the election  its their original part," the party said.

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Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 12:25 IST

News politics 'Satyameva Jayate': BJP Hails Madras HC Order Directing Lighting Of Deepam On Hill Shrine

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What Is Etched Cannot Be Erased: Riteish Deshmukh Hits Back After BJP Leaders Remark On Vilasrao Deshmukh

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 13:48 IST

Chavan claimed BJPs momentum in the region pointed a shift in political sentiment and suggested the influence of Vilasrao Deshmukh no longer held sway in the city

File photo of actor Riteish Desmukh (Photo Credit: X)

Actor Riteish Deshmukh on Tuesday responded strongly to remarks made by Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan about his late father and former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, saying that no one can erase a legacy built on public service. Riteish said that while words written on paper can be removed, the impact of leaders who lived for the people remains permanently etched in their minds.

Addressing an election rally in Latur, Chavan claimed that the BJPs momentum in the region signalled a shift in political sentiment and suggested that the influence of Vilasrao Deshmukh no longer held sway in the city, according to HT.

Everyone, raise your hands and say Bharat Mata ki Jai In a true sense, seeing your enthusiasm, one can notice that its a 100% fact that memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh will be wiped out for this city, and there is no doubt about it," Chavan said, reported HT.

Reacting in an emotional video message, Riteish Deshmukh said, I say with folded hands that the names of those who lived for the people are etched on their minds. What is written can be erased, but you cant erase what is etched." His response quickly drew attention across political circles in Maharashtra.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd)

Chavans comments also triggered a sharp reaction from the Congress, which accused the BJP of attempting to undermine the legacy of a leader who dedicated his life to the development of Maharashtra. The party said such statements reflected arrogance and a lack of respect for Vilasrao Deshmukhs contribution to the state.

The Congress further asserted that no leader had the stature to erase Vilasrao Deshmukhs memory from Latur, adding that past attempts to do so had failed, HT reported. Many came with such intentions, but the self-respecting people of Latur showed them their place," the party said, questioning what BJP leaders understood about the bond Deshmukh shared with his hometown.

Warning of political consequences, the Congress said the people of Latur would never tolerate any insult to their capable and illustrious son" and would respond firmly. Vilasrao Deshmukh served as Maharashtras chief minister twice  from October 1999 to January 2003 and again from November 2004 to December 2008  and remains one of the Congress partys most influential leaders in the state.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 13:48 IST

News politics What Is Etched Cannot Be Erased: Riteish Deshmukh Hits Back After BJP Leaders Remark On Vilasrao Deshmukh

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'Who Said I Left Party Line': Shashi Tharoor On 'Friction' With Congress Over His Recent Remarks

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Last Updated: January 05, 2026, 22:08 IST

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said controversies often arise when media reports are based only on headlines without reading the full content

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the questions he raised in Parliament to ministers had a clear direction and that the party should not be troubled by them. (Image: PTI/File)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said he has never deviated from the party line, even as there were reports that his recent statements had reportedly caused friction within the party and put it in a defensive mode.

Tharoor was speaking to reporters on Monday after attending the Lakshya 2026 leadership camp organised by the Kerala Congress to chalk out strategies for the upcoming assembly elections.

My question is, who said that I left the party line. Even when I expressed my opinions on various subjects, on most matters, the party and I have stood on the same line," Tharoor said.

He said the questions he raised in Parliament to ministers had a clear direction and that the party should not be troubled by them. Controversies often arise when media reports are based only on headlines without reading the full content, he added.

When I ask whether people have read what I actually wrote, most have not. After reading the full text, they realise the real issue," he said.

The Congress working committee member said he had been in the party for 17 years and shared good relations with colleagues.

There is no need for any sudden misunderstanding now," he said.

Asked if the issues began after he contested for the Congress presidents post, he said the party followed democratic traditions and many leaders had contested internal elections in the past.

I contested and lost. The chapter ended there. I dont see any story in it. In the partys history, many elections have been held,, and many have been won and lost," he added.

About his remarks defending veteran BJP leader LK Advani, the Congress leader said it was an act of courtesy on Advanis 98th birthday.

Our culture teaches us to respect elders, and that is what I did," he said.

Referring to another controversy over remarks seen as praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said he merely quoted what was said at a public event.

I asked people to point out where I praised him. If one reads the full post, it is clear there was nothing of that sort," he added.

The Congress MPs statements and articles had invited sharp criticism from his party leaders at the national and state levels.

On the Kerala assembly elections and candidate selection, he said party leaders will be consulted. Asked if Congress MPs will contest the assembly polls, he added that some were interested but the decision rested with the party leadership.

Tharoor further said the party will stand united with the people and expressed confidence that the UDF will come to power in Kerala. On predictions about the Congress winning 100 seats, he said the leader of the opposition had made the claim and that it was achievable.

(With PTI inputs)

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Location : Kerala, India, India

First Published: January 05, 2026, 22:07 IST

News politics 'Who Said I Left Party Line': Shashi Tharoor On 'Friction' With Congress Over His Recent Remarks

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Big U-Turn: Dell Is Bringing Back XPS Laptops In 2026 For Buyers

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 13:08 IST

Dell XPS branding was replaced with Pro and Plus models in 2025 but the company is bringing the popular lineup back for buyers.

Dell is bringing the popular XPS lineup back in 2026 as confirmed at CES.

One year since the big decision by Dell to change its branding, the company is making a big U-Turn and has announced that it will continue selling the XPS series in the market. Back at the CES 2025, Dell had claimed that after doing its research with tens of thousands of customers, they wanted simple branding.

But fast-forward to January 2026 and the company is publicly apologising for misreading the market trends and sought a very broad" feedback from its partners to take this call.

Dell XPS has been a household name for a few decades, so the recall value among buyers and sellers is obviously quite high. So, when Dell claimed to have made this change based on research, were not sure who these people were.

XPS Is Back And Were Not Surprised

The company has even apologised for its mistake with the XPS overhaul and seems to have assured that the branding is not going anywhere. I owe you an apology today. We didnt listen to you. You were right on branding," Jeff Clarke, COO, Dell was quoted saying in a Reuters report.

Dell is a popular name in the PC market but even then you might argue that these rebrands are similar to the iPhone monikers that you have seen over many years. The company claims that nobody owns words like Pro and Pro Max which is fair but for the consumers it is hard to see them accept these changes when the actual branding of XPS and even Inspiron directly make people associate with Dell.

So what does this mean for the newer Dell lineup? The company says The Dell Pro lineup will focus on the business segment, while the Dell Pro Max will most likely target the high-end power users. It will also continue with the Alienware series for gaming laptops.

The new Dell XPS 14 model will be powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 3 processors as the company looks to bank on the demand for AI-centric machines in the next few years. There is also the matter of people upgrading from their end of support Windows 10 systems and these premium laptops will be hoping to attract buyers with their features and hopefully not push them away with their prices.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 13:08 IST

News tech Big U-Turn: Dell Is Bringing Back XPS Laptops In 2026 For Buyers

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ChatGPT Thinking Mode Now Available For Android Users: What It Offers

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 10:18 IST

ChatGPT users on Android have been using the standard version of thinking but that finally changes for the premium version

Thinking mode on Android will give you better answers

ChatGPT users on Android can finally unlock the real version of Thinking mode for their queries and other tasks. This has been offered by the new update for the ChatGPT Android app in the last few days, which now allows people to use the brains of the AI chatbot and make it think harder.

The feature has been available for a while but reports claim OpenAI had throttled its thinking with less computing power used to give you the results. The new version of the Android app is going to use the full technical power available from OpenAI.

Thinking Mode In ChatGPT: How It Works

The actual version of Thinking Mode in ChatGPT for Android users now lets you choose from Auto, Instant or Thinking modes based on how long you want the AI chatbot to take before giving you the answer.

Giving AI more time to think is similar to the ability offered to humans, who are then able to offer detailed and more accurate responses. It goes without saying that Thinking mode for ChatGPT Android needs a premium version and it continues to work in the default state for the free users.

OpenAI has been in code red for a while now and Sam Altman, CEO at the company is looking to gear up for the challenges ahead with a new big hiring. He has shared a hiring post for the position of head of preparedness, who is going to be entrusted with making everything at the company tick the right bones and keep OpenAI away from the controversial matters.

Usually you would call it crisis management but in this case, Altman wants the head of this role to be aware of the surroundings and pre-empt events that could complicate matters for the AI tech giant.

Altman sharing this hiring post also hints at the company having concerns about AI agents and the security risks like prompt injections that are only going to get dangerous in 2026. This is a critical role at an important time; models are improving quickly and are now capable of many great things, but they are also starting to present some real challenges.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 10:18 IST

News tech ChatGPT Thinking Mode Now Available For Android Users: What It Offers

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Island residents are trying to figure out what the fall of Chavismo could mean for them, and whether Cuba might be Washingtons next target as suggested by State Secretary Marco Rubio

When Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and taken out of Venezuela by U.S. military forces in the early hours of Saturday morning, a group of young Cubans were celebrating a birthday at a house in Havanas Vedado neighborhood. They were sharing music, jokes and drinks when the hostess noticed an alert on her phone. News of the U.S. strike on Caracas, part of the operation to capture the Venezuelan leader, sparked a conversation that dominated the rest of the evening. From initial shock, the mood shifted to fear. Cuba could be next, some of the guests said as they watched videos of an event thatdespite having been predicted so many timeshad seemed improbable to many until then.

The first reaction was disbelief, says the hostess of the party, a 26-year-old Havana native who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. Maduro is a dictator who was illegitimately occupying power, but the United States has no right to carry out a military intervention in any country. Its difficult to take sides in these circumstances: on the one hand, you feel a certain excitement that things will change and that the new scenario will be positive. On the other hand, we know that these kinds of foreign interventions dont end well. The fear of them bombing your city and killing your people becomes terrifying, she reflects.

Transfer of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, in New York, on January 5. XNY/Star Max (GC Images)

Two days after the operation that resulted in Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being imprisoned in a Brooklyn jail, the Cuban government issued a statement of condolence for the deaths of 32 Cuban military personnel who were part of the Venezuelan presidents security detail at the time of his capture, and declared two days of national mourning on the island. Meanwhile, the population is trying to decipher what the fall of an ally that was in declinebut an ally nonethelesswill mean for them, and the possibility that the island could be Washingtons next target, as suggested by Donald Trump and his Secretary of State, the Cuban-American Marco Rubio.

Rally at the anti-imperialist platform

On Saturday, as Cubans were waking up, they learned of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, either through the television channels available on the islandCuban Television, Telesur or Russia Todaythrough messages sent by relatives abroad, or via social media, where memes and AI-generated images alluding to the arrest circulated nonstop. Simultaneously, Cuban authorities called for a rally in front of the U.S. diplomatic mission on the island, at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune, facing Havanas Malecon. By mid-morning, thousands of people, summoned by the Cuban government, gathered on the esplanade to express their support for Chavismo and to demand proof of life for the captured Bolivarian leader, whom U.S. authorities had not yet presented.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel denounced the U.S. military incursion into Venezuela as an act of state terrorism, reaffirmed the continent as a zone of peace, and asserted that it was a time for defining positions, in which Cuba would stand with Venezuela, a country for which he declared he was prepared to shed his own blood. Among those listening to these words was Karla Picart, a professor at the School of Communication at the University of Havana. They (the U.S.) have taken off their masks and are no longer even trying to hide it, she said, referring to the press conference given that same day by Trump, in which he stated that his country would take control of Venezuela and its oil industry until there was a reliable transition.

At that press conference, held at his Mar-a-Lago resort hours after Maduros capture, Trump also said in answer to reporters questions that they would eventually talk about Cuba because, he asserted, its a failed nation. Trump appeared alongside Marco Rubio, for whom, as the son of immigrants from the island, the Cuban cause is personal, and who warned that if he lived in Havana and were in government, Id be concerned.

The ideological differences among Cubans, both on and off the island, are evident even in how they describe what happened with Maduro. While Cuban authorities and their supporters speak of the Venezuelan presidents kidnapping, many Cubans in exile, and even some on the island, celebrate the U.S. operation with memes or impassioned posts predicting the same fate for the Cuban authorities.

Miguel Diaz-Canel participates in a protest in Havana, on January 3. Ernesto Mastrascusa (EFE)

Cristal, a 30-year-old Havana resident, reflects along these lines. So now it turns out that Maria Corina [Machado] doesnt have the support of the United States? she laments. I understand the feelings of many Venezuelans who are happy with what has happened. They got rid of that guy, a dictator who has imprisoned so many people, who has violated human rights. And I dont care if its the result of foreign intervention: Venezuelans, and us Cubans, have already lost that patriotic feeling of putting sovereignty above all else. People who are hungry and in need want something better for their lives and they dont care how it comes. I think many Cubans are seeing hope, even in something that might not be hopeful at all.

As the hours pass, the tangled web of the conflict unravels in some areas and becomes more entangled in others. The watchword now is uncertainty, says Fabio Fernandez, a historian and professor at the University of Havana, who makes no secret of his doubts about whether Chavismo can consolidate without Maduro in power. You think about these issues and the uncertainty quickly shifts to Cuba, he adds. For the researcher, the situation could open a new reality for the island with unforeseen implications. Will the commitments between Cuba and Venezuela be maintained? Will Venezuelan oil continue to arrive in Cuba? What will become of the Cuban collaborators in the country? How will these collaborators be relocated if, suddenly, the ties are severed? What will be the economic impact of all this on Cuba? These are complex questions, and if the answer is that Chavismo collapses and Venezuela changes, the implications for Cuba will be dire.

Although Venezuelan aid to Cuba has fallen considerably in recent years in line with the Venezuelan economic crisis, the latest information on daily oil shipments, according to PDVSA documents, dates from September 2025, when Venezuela sent 52,000 barrels per day during the month, the highest figure of the year.

The historian hypothesizes that if Chavismo falls definitively, Cuba could plunge into a crisis far greater than the current one. And to make matters worse, he says, the island is in the crosshairs of Trump and Marco Rubio, as they themselves have acknowledged. Its an exercise in the politics of force, a revival of the Monroe Doctrine, where the United States marks the boundaries of its sphere of influence. Its an action that responds to a time, internationally, when it seems that the great powers are defining their spheres of influence, where they dont allow anyone to move at a different pace than the one they dictate. For now, Cubans, attentive to what is happening in Venezuela, are trying to predict and understand the frenetic pace being set by the U.S. president.

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Lalu Prasad Yadavs Grandson Aditya Leaves For Basic Military Training: When Can One Enroll? Is It Mandatory?

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:03 IST

A fact check clarifies that Aditya is not voluntarily enlisting in the Singapore Army as a foreign recruit.

Why is basic military training essential in Singapore? (Photo Credit: X)

Sending her growing son for basic military training after the completion of his pre-university studies filled the heart of Rohini Acharya, the daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav, with pride. On Monday, January 5, Acharya announced that her eldest son Aditya, is headed for 2 years of Basic Military Training with the Indian army after finishing his pre-university studies at the age of 18.

Today, my heart is filled with pride. After completing his Pre-University studies at the age of 18, our eldest son Aditya has left for 2 years of Basic Military Training," Acharya noted in a wonderful post, before bidding Aditya goodbye for his extensive training.

        ,      ( Pre  University )       18         2   Basic Military Training     ..  ..   ,        ,     pic.twitter.com/itVx1DPQWi  Rohini Acharya (@RohiniAcharya2) January 5, 2026

Aditya You are brave, courageous, and disciplined. Go show them what youre made of. Always remember that warriors are forged in lifes toughest battles All our love and encouragement will always be with you."

The post, which has gone viral now, has become a topic of discussion for many. While many thought it was actually for the Indian Army, a post has confirmed it is for the Singapore Army.

About Lalu Prasad Yadavs Grandson Aditya

Lalu's grandson will be serving 2 years in Singapore ArmyWe are living in the matrix, this can't be reality https://t.co/xNzlRSTDaZ  Muji Dakait   (@mujifren) January 6, 2026

Aditya has begun a two-year Basic Military Training (BMT) in Singapore after completing his pre-university education. Describing the moment as one of pride, she spoke about values such as discipline, courage, and service. Soon after, several social media users claimed that Lalu Prasad Yadavs grandson had joined or was serving in the Singapore Army, with many reacting with surprise and disbelief.

What Is the Reality?

A fact check shows that Aditya is not voluntarily joining the Singapore Army as a foreign recruit. Instead, he is undergoing mandatory National Service (NS), which is required by law in Singapore. All male citizens and second-generation Permanent Residents must complete two years of full-time National Service once they turn 18. This service may be carried out in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), or the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

The Basic Military Training (BMT) mentioned in the post refers to the compulsory initial training phase for those inducted into the SAF. It aims to develop discipline, physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership skills. Based on performance during BMT, conscripts are later assigned to roles in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or non-combat support units. After completing full-time service, individuals are also required to fulfil reservist duties until the age of 40 or 50, depending on rank.

Therefore, the claim that Lalu Prasad Yadavs grandson is serving in the Singapore Army" is misleading. While the training does involve military service, Aditya is fulfilling a legally mandated conscription requirement that applies equally to eligible residents in Singapore. It is not a special posting or voluntary enlistment, and evasion of National Service carries strict legal penalties.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 18:47 IST

News viral Lalu Prasad Yadavs Grandson Aditya Leaves For Basic Military Training: When Can One Enroll? Is It Mandatory?

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Sach Mein Devi Aayin? Sudha Chandrans Spiritual Experience Mirrors Kantaras Panjurli Daiva Rituals | Explained

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:24 IST

Sudha Chandran's trance at Mata Ki Chowki sparks debate on divine possession, Hindu rituals, and global spiritual traditions. Discover the full story.

Sudha Chandran was blessed by the divine power, as per spiritual gurus. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Actor and classical dancer Sudha Chandran found herself at the centre of an intense spiritual moment that quickly went viral. During a Mata Ki Chowki held at her home in early January 2026, Chandran appeared to enter a trance-like state while dancing to Devi bhajans which many devotees call Mata Rani ka aana."

In the widely shared video, Chandran, dressed in a red-and-white saree and wearing a Jai Mata Di" headband, is seen moving uncontrollably as the bhajan reaches its peak. She appears overwhelmed, jumping on the floor and even needed support from those around her to keep her balance. Her husband Ravi Dang and actor Jaswir Kaur step in to balance her, ensuring she does not fall.

Later, Chandran described the moment as deeply spiritual, saying the energy of young girls dancing for the goddess triggered an emotional and devotional surge she could not control.

What Is Mata Rani Ka Aana

Mata Rani ka aana" refers to a belief within Hindu devotional practice where a devotee, most often a woman, enters a trance believed to be divine possession by Goddess Durga, also called Mata Rani. The phenomenon is especially associated with Navratri, jagrans and mata ki chowkis.

In this state, the devotee may shake, dance, speak in a changed voice, offer blessings or display unusual strength or endurance. Followers believe the goddess manifests through the body, granting darshan, guidance or relief from problems.

What Do Indians Believe And How Science Views It

For believers, they see it as Mata Rani responding to pure devotion. Scriptures like the Devi Bhagavata Purana describe the goddess as subtly present on earth during festivals, accessible through bhakti, music and surrender.

Science offers a different explanation. Psychologists describe such episodes as dissociative trance states or possession-form experiences shaped by psychological factors like stress, trauma or cultural expectations during rituals. Neuroimaging links these states to changes in frontal-lobe regulation, not external entities.

As News18 has explained earlier in detailed report on trance rituals and possession across cultures, it is the belief system that plays a central role in how the mind interprets emotion, often without conscious performance.

How Did The Public React To Sudha Chandrans Video

The response was sharply divided. Many viewers called it pure bhakti" and a genuine moment of divine connection. Others questioned whether it was a health issue or an exaggerated display. No other major celebrities have confirmed personal experiences of this nature, though some have depicted being possessed in films.

Are Such Beliefs Widespread Globally

The answer is yes. Anthropological studies show that spirit or divine possession exists in nearly 90 per cent of recorded societies worldwide. In Haitian Vodou and Dominican Vudu, devotees enter trances where loa spirits possess them during rituals involving drumming and dance. Zar cults in Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia believe jinn possession can be treated through music and communal ceremonies.

Pentecostal Christianity features Holy Spirit possession, where believers shake or speak in tongues. In Brazils Umbanda, spirits like Pomba Gira possess mediums to offer guidance. Balis sanghyang rituals induce deity possession for purification, while Papua New Guineas Urapmin community practices group possessions through song and dance.

Why Is Haitian Vodou Often Compared To Indian Traditions

Both view possession as sacred and involve positive goodness. The entering spirit or deity is benevolent, invoked through devotion, rhythm and collective energy. The possessed may speak differently, perform extraordinary acts and dispense advice, followed by grounding rituals to restore normalcy.

How Does Divine Possession Vary Across India

Indias possession traditions differ by region. Goddess possession dominates in North India during festivals like Navratri. In hill states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, male deities possess mediums who deliver oracles or settle disputes. In South India, fierce goddesses like Mariamman are central, with trance rituals linked to healing and fertility.

How Does Kantaras Daiva Possession Fit In

Kantara depicts Bhuta Kola from coastal Karnatakas Tulu Nadu. Here, local daivas like Panjurli and Guliga possess performers during elaborate rituals involving masks, costumes, drumming and dance.

ALSO READ: Who Is Chavundi Daiva? Any Link With Chamundi Mata? Tuluva Culture Explained

Like devi aana," the ritual ends with cooling rites. In the films climax, Rishab Shettys Panjurli daiva possession reflects real traditions where spirits protect land, forests and justice  not fantasy, but lived belief.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 13:32 IST

News viral Sach Mein Devi Aayin? Sudha Chandrans Spiritual Experience Mirrors Kantaras Panjurli Daiva Rituals | Explained

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Is Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyals Temple Device Just A Fancy Toy? Expert Warns Against The Hype

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Last Updated: January 05, 2026, 16:17 IST

A Delhi doctor has dismissed Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyals Temple device as unscientific, calling it a fancy toy and warning the public against medical hype.

Deepinder Goyal wearing the Temple device during a recent podcast appearance. (Photo Credits: X/@SajjanNifty)

When Deepinder Goyal appeared on a recent podcast wearing a small metallic device stuck near his temple, the internet took notice. The clip quickly revived discussion around his brain flow" experiment and the gadget he calls Temple. This time, the pushback came sharp and direct from a doctor at AIIMS Delhi.

Dr Suvrankar Datta, an AI researcher and radiologist with clinical training from AIIMS, dismissed the device outright, calling it a fancy toy" built for billionaires with money to burn.

postcast is fine, but what is this thing he's wearing?? pic.twitter.com/Oku16Oku1R priyanshu.sol (@priyanshudotsol) January 4, 2026

What Goyal Says The Temple Device Does

Back in November 2025, Goyal shared what he described as the Gravity Aging Hypothesis." The idea suggested that gravity could gradually reduce blood flow to the brain over a lifetime, potentially playing a role in ageing. Around the same time, images of him wearing a gold-coloured gadget near his right temple began circulating online.

Goyal later confirmed the device was experimental and designed to measure brain blood flow with precision. He said he had been wearing it himself for nearly a year as part of his personal research. In December 2025, he hinted that Temple could eventually be made available to the public, sparking curiosity and skepticism in equal measure.

Im not sharing this as the CEO of Eternal, but as a fellow human, curious enough to follow a strange thread. A thread I cant keep with myself any longer. Its open-source, backed by science, and shared with you as part of our common quest for scientific progress on human pic.twitter.com/q2q3tRj3Jd  Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 15, 2025

Zero Scientific Standing, Says AIIMS Doctor

Dr Datta didnt mince words. Responding to a photo of Goyal wearing the Temple device, he wrote on X:

As a physician-scientist and one of the earliest researchers in India in Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Wave Velocity (2017) which predicts cardiovascular mortality, I can assure you that this device currently has 0 scientific standing as a useful device."

He followed that up with a blunt warning aimed at potential buyers. Do not waste your hard earned money to buy fancy toys billionaires can afford to waste money on. If you are one, then go ahead," he said.

As a physician-scientist and one of the earliest researchers in India in Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Wave Velocity (2017) which predicts cardiovascular mortality, I can assure you that this device currently has 0 scientific standing as a useful device and do not waste your hard https://t.co/pm0pxGRycd Dr. Datta M.D. (AIIMS Delhi) (@DrDatta_AIIMS) January 4, 2026

Why He Says The Science Doesnt Hold Up

In a follow-up post, Dr Datta explained that his criticism was rooted in evidence, not opinion. According to him, any device claiming to measure brain blood flow in a way that predicts ageing or mortality needs years of rigorous, peer-reviewed research.

He stressed that cfPWV, or carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, remains the only scientifically validated marker for predicting cardiovascular mortality.

And you cannot just use the temporal artery as a surrogate because they arent reflective and have many confounding factors," he said, arguing that measurements taken near the temple are unreliable and easily distorted.

Also, mai hawa mein baat nahi karta, guys! We have tried variety of stuff in 2018, including trying to use AI for interpretation. On the basis of our research we applied for Indian Innovation Growth Programme, and went to the Finals. Only cfPWV is a marker which can truly pic.twitter.com/cacM1A94P1  Dr. Datta M.D. (AIIMS Delhi) (@DrDatta_AIIMS) January 4, 2026

When asked directly whether Goyals gravity-based ageing idea had scientific backing, Dr Datta was clear. As of now there is no scientific basis," he replied, cautioning against promoting ideas before they are properly proven.

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First Published: January 05, 2026, 16:17 IST

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32 Cuban, 23 Venezuelan Soldiers Killed During US Surprise Raid On Maduro's Home

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 23:27 IST

The attack occurred in the early hours of the morning, with US special forces bombing the capital and seizing Maduro from his residence.

Colombian soldiers are deployed in Cucuta, Colombia, to monitor the border crossing with Venezuela. (AFP photo)

A total of 55 Cuban and Venezuelan military personnel were killed during the surprise US raid on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros home in Caracas on January 3, according to reports from both Latin American countries.

The attack occurred in the early hours of the morning, with US special forces bombing the capital and seizing Maduro from his residence.

Cuban authorities confirmed that 32 of their soldiers died during the operation. Among the dead were three senior officers from the Cuban Ministry of the Interior.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan military reported 23 of its own soldiers killed, including five admirals.

Venezuelas Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez called the attack as a cold-blooded" action, stating that the presidents personal guard was largely wiped out. Maduro, who has relied on Cuban soldiers for his protection during his 12 years in power, was captured and later flown out of the country by US forces.

The US has charged Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, with federal narco-terrorism crimes. Both appeared in a New York court on Monday, where they pleaded not guilty.

In the aftermath, Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez has taken charge of the country. While facing pressure from Washington to provide access to Venezuelas vast oil reserves, Rodriguez is also working to maintain support among Maduros loyalists, including powerful military figures.

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 23:27 IST

News world 32 Cuban, 23 Venezuelan Soldiers Killed During US Surprise Raid On Maduro's Home

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51 Cases Of Violence Against Minorities Registered In December: Bangladesh Unity Council

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:53 IST

Ahead of Bangladesh elections, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported 51 attacks on minorities in December.

Hindu grocery shop owner killed in Bangladesh

Ahead of the February 12 general elections, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has said at least 51 cases of violence against minorities were registered in December.

In a statement, the Council said the cases against the minorities include 10 murders, 10 cases of theft and robbery, 23 incidents involving the occupation of homes, business establishments, temples and land, looting and arson, four cases of arrest and torture on false allegations of religious defamation and being agents of RAW", one attempted rape, and three incidents of physical assault.

The Council alleged that such attack are being carried to prevent minorities from voting.

Recently, the nomination of a prominent Hindu leader and lawyer, Govind Chandra Pramanik, from the Gopalganj-3 constituency was cancelled by the Bangladesh Election Commission.

Pramanik, general secretary of the Jatiya Hindu Mahajot, alleged political pressure and said supporters who had signed his nomination papers were forced to withdraw.

Bangladesh is scheduled to hold its general elections on February 12, with the contest primarily involving the ruling Awami League, the opposition BNP and Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami. The run-up to the polls has been marked by sharp political polarisation, allegations of administrative bias, incidents of intimidation and a spate of attacks on minorities.

On Monday night, Sarat Mani Chakraborty, a 40-year-old grocery shop owner, was hacked to death in Narsingdi, near Dhaka, after unidentified assailants attacked him with sharp weapons at his shop in Charsindur Bazaar. He died while being taken to the hospital.

The killing marked the sixth reported murder of a Hindu individual in the past 18 days. Days earlier, Chakraborty had posted on Facebook expressing fear over rising violence, calling his birthplace a valley of death."

The Narsingdi killing followed another murder the same day in Jessore, where Rana Pratap Bairagi, a Hindu ice factory owner and acting editor of a local newspaper, was shot dead in public. According to local reports, three men on a motorcycle lured him from his factory, shot him in the head at close range and fled. Police said investigations are ongoing, with no motive yet established.

These incidents add to growing concern over the security of minorities in Bangladesh, especially after recent cases such as the death of Khokon Das, who succumbed to injuries after being set on fire on New Years Eve.

According to news agency ANI, the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad has expressed deep anger, concern and strong condemnation over the severity of communal violence.

The Parishad said minority communities across the country are gripped by fear and anxiety about an uncertain future and have become apprehensive about being able to cast their votes freely and without obstruction in the upcoming parliamentary elections. It believes that communal miscreants are carrying out these acts nationwide in an ongoing manner to forcibly prevent minority voters from exercising their right to vote for candidates of their choice.

The Parishad has urgently demanded that the government and the Election Commission take immediate action to stop these acts.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 19:53 IST

News world 51 Cases Of Violence Against Minorities Registered In December: Bangladesh Unity Council

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'Desperate Deflection': Intel Sources Dismiss Pakistan Armys India-Taliban Nexus Charge | Exclusive

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:08 IST

Intel sources see it as Pakistan's bid to deflect Chinese anger over stalled CPEC projects by blaming external 'saboteurs'

Pakistan has kept its border with Afghanistan closed for the last three months, a move the ISPR now justifies as a response to 'Afghan-sponsored' hostilities. Representational image/Reuters

In a move that top Indian intelligence sources described to CNN-News18 as a desperate deflection strategy", Pakistans military leadership has launched a fresh volley of allegations against India and the Afghan Taliban. Within 24 hours of receiving tough talk" from Beijing regarding the security and sluggish progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, attempted to shift the narrative by accusing New Delhi of sponsoring regional terrorism.

New Hero Narrative

During an aggressive press briefing in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR claimed that the Afghan Taliban regime is sponsoring terrorism to sustain a war economy". In a particularly inflammatory remark, the military spokesman asserted that the Taliban administration has found a new hero" in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He alleged that Afghanistan has become the epicentre of terrorist operations, serving as a stronghold for both Fitna al-Khawarij (the Pakistani militarys term for the TTP) and what he termed Fitna al-Hindustan".

General Chaudhry further alleged that a nexus between the TTP and India became fully exposed" in 2025, posing a direct threat to regional stability. Closing his briefing with a bellicose challenge, he stated, If Afghanistan and India wish to confront Pakistan, they are welcome to do so. We will fulfil their desire."

The CPEC Pressure Cooker

Indian intelligence sources suggest these outbursts are a direct consequence of the 7th China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing on January 4. CNN-News18 earlier reported visible tension between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistans Deputy PM Ishaq Dar. Beijing is reportedly increasingly frustrated with Pakistans inability to protect Chinese personnel and its failure to deliver on CPEC commitments.

By strategically linking India to Afghan-based militancy, Pakistan is attempting to:

Deflect Chinese Anger: Masking the internal security failures that have stalled CPEC projects by blaming external saboteurs".

Justify Border Closures: Pakistan has kept its border with Afghanistan closed for the last three months, a move the ISPR now justifies as a response to Afghan-sponsored" hostilities.

Internationalise Domestic Instability: Using the India threat" to seek international sympathy and justify coercive military actions along the Durand Line.

The Intelligence View: Recycled Propaganda

Top Indian intelligence sources have dismissed the ISPRs claims as deliberate disinformation" and recycled propaganda". They point out that these allegations remain factually baseless and are unsupported by any credible international evidence. The narrative is viewed as a routine tool used by the Pakistani establishment to mask its own history of sponsoring and sheltering terrorist networks.

As Pakistan struggles with its most violent year in a decadewith fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounting for over 96% of the national rise in violence in 2025the Modi hero" narrative is seen as a clumsy attempt to manufacture a foreign bogeyman. Intel sources conclude that the Fitna al-Hindustan" label is merely a legal and rhetorical tool created by Rawalpindi to criminalise dissent and justify its ongoing tussle with a defiant Kabul.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 19:08 IST

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'Country Must Be Fixed First': Trump Rules Out Early Polls In Venezuela After Maduros Capture

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:48 IST

Donald Trump has ruled out holding elections in Venezuela in the near term, warning of possible further military action, saying that Washington would focus on rebuilding Venezuela.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of holding new elections in Venezuela in the near term, saying the country must first be stabilised following the US military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump said Venezuela would not see elections within the next 30 days, projecting a longer American engagement in the crisis-hit nation.

We have to fix the country first. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote," Trump said.

No, its going to take a period of time. We have, we have to nurse the country back to health," he added.

Trumps comments come two days after US forces seized Maduro in a dramatic operation inside Venezuela.

Reuters reported that Maduro was placed aboard a US warship bound for New York to face criminal charges, following his indictment by a New York grand jury on allegations linked to terrorism, drug trafficking and weapons offences.

His wife, Cilia Flores, was also detained.

During the NBC News interview, Trump outlined what he described as a broader plan to rebuild Venezuela, particularly its oil sector.

He said the US may subsidise oil companies to restore the countrys energy infrastructure, a project he suggested could be completed in less than 18 months.

I think we can do it in less time than that, but itll be a lot of money," Trump said.

A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue."

Trump insisted, however, that the United States is not at war with Venezuela.

No, were not," he told NBC News.

Instead, he said Washington was targeting criminal networks.

Were at war with people who sell drugs. Were at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country," he said.

In the roughly 20-minute interview, Trump identified a group of senior US officials who will oversee Washingtons involvement in Venezuela, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance and deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller.

Its a group of all. They have all the expertise, different expertise," Trump said.

When asked who ultimately was in charge, he gave a one-word response, Me."

Trump also said there had been discussions with Venezuelan officials about removing Maduro.

Well, yeah, because a lot of people wanted to make a deal, but we decided to do it this way," he said, adding that the operation was carried out without the cooperation of Maduros inner circle.

Trump warned that the US could launch another military incursion if Venezuelan officials fail to cooperate going forward, though he said he does not expect that to happen.

Were prepared to do it," Trump said. We anticipated doing it, actually."

Reuters reported that the operation has raised significant legal questions, with experts noting that international law generally prohibits the use of force unless authorised by the UN Security Council or justified as self-defence.

The Trump administration has argued that Maduro is an illegitimate leader and that the action was linked to criminal indictments, though legal scholars said the justification remains contested.

Despite concerns from some political allies about a long-term US commitment abroad, Trump expressed confidence that his core supporters remain firmly behind him.

MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what Im doing," he told NBC News. MAGA is me."

ALSO READ | Heavy Gunfire Near Venezuelas Presidential Palace In Caracas; Drones, Aircraft Sounds Heard

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 07:24 IST

News world 'Country Must Be Fixed First': Trump Rules Out Early Polls In Venezuela After Maduros Capture

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'We Need Greenland': Donald Trump Revives Annexation Rhetoric, Sparks Backlash In Denmark

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:43 IST

Donald Trump said the United States needs Greenland for national security and indicated the issue would be revisited in the coming weeks.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

US President Donald Trump has once again escalated rhetoric around Greenland, saying the United States needs" the Arctic island for national security reasons.

He indicated that Washington would revisit the issue in the coming weeks, remarks that triggered strong pushback from Denmark, Greenlands leadership, and European allies.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump initially deflected questions about Greenland before signalling a timeline for renewed discussion.

I dont want to talk about Greenland. Lets talk about Venezuela, Russia, Ukraine," he said, before adding, Well worry about Greenland in about two months. Lets talk about Greenland in 20 days."

Trump then outlined his rationale, claiming strategic necessity.

We need Greenland from a national security situation. Its so strategic," he said.

Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security."

He also criticised Denmarks ability to secure the territory.

Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you," Trump said, adding sarcastically, You know what Denmark did recently to boost security in Greenland? They added one more dog sledge. Its true. They thought that was a great move."

Trump further asserted that Washingtons position was understood by its allies.

The European Union needs us to have it, and they know that," he said.

Trump gives Denmark 2 monthsWe will worry about Greenland in 2 months Lets talk about Greenland in 20 days We NEED Greenland pic.twitter.com/oIsTRCdQMi  RT (@RT_com) January 5, 2026

The comments were reinforced by senior White House aide Stephen Miller in an interview with American journalist Jake Tapper.

Asked whether the US could rule out taking Greenland by force, Miller declined to do so.

Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?" he said, adding, The US is the power of NATO."

When pressed on the possibility of military action, Miller responded, Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland."

The renewed rhetoric comes amid heightened international unease following a recent US military operation in Venezuela, in which Washington seized the countrys leader.

According to Reuters, the episode prompted European powers to rally behind Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, amid concerns that it could face similar pressure.

Meanwhile, Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen sought to reassure citizens, saying there was no imminent threat of an American takeover.

We are not in the situation where we are thinking that a takeover of the country might happen overnight," Nielsen said at a press conference in Nuuk, speaking via a translator.

You cannot compare Greenland to Venezuela. We are a democratic country."

In a Facebook post, Nielsen pushed back more sharply, writing, Enough is enough No more fantasies about annexation."

Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Trumps remarks should be taken seriously but firmly rejected any suggestion of annexation.

Unfortunately, I think the American President should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland," she told public broadcaster DR, according to Reuters.

I have made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States."

Frederiksen also warned of the implications for NATO.

If the United States attacks another NATO country, everything stops," she said.

Greenland, the worlds largest island with a population of about 57,000, is not an independent NATO member but is covered under Denmarks membership of the alliance.

Its strategic location between Europe and North America makes it critical to the US ballistic missile defence system, while its mineral resources are seen as important to Washingtons efforts to reduce dependence on China.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 08:11 IST

News world 'We Need Greenland': Donald Trump Revives Annexation Rhetoric, Sparks Backlash In Denmark

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From Iraq To Venezuela, What You Should Know About The Recurring War Strategy Of US Presidents

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 18:15 IST

From the Korean War to Cold War, operations in the Gulf, and Afghanistan, the US has a history of using military action to topple leaders as part of its strategic policy

After 9/11, Bush initiated the War in Afghanistan using an Authorisation for Use of Military Force rather than a declaration. (Image: AI image)

After months of sustained military pressure on Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump authorised a calculated operation in Caracas to seize its leader and transfer him to the United States, where his administration intends to put him on trial. The decision was neither impulsive nor improvised. It followed a steady escalation of sanctions, intelligence activity, and regional signalling that had narrowed Maduros room to manoeuvre while testing the limits of international tolerance. When the operation came, it unfolded with speed and precision, leaving little doubt about Washingtons capacity to act unilaterally and without warning.

Washington framed the operation as a demonstration of decisive power, with Trump boasting that the U.S. possessed capabilities and skills our enemies can scarcely imagine." Across Latin America, the reaction was quiet but anxious. Governments in Colombia and Mexico are also reassessing their security assumptions, while further afield, strategic territories such as Greenland re-entered discussions about American reach and intent.

What many observers recognised, however, was that this was not a sudden shift in U.S. behaviour. It was the latest expression of a long-standing pattern, one in which American presidents increasingly initiate military action not through declared wars, but through executive decisions that reshape global politics in an instant.

How Monroe Doctrine Powers The US Presidents?

To understand how American presidents came to possess the authority to initiate wars far beyond US borders, it is important to recall a speech delivered to Congress in December 1823. The Monroe Doctrine is a US foreign policy principle announced in 1823 by President James Monroe. Simply put, it warned European powers to stay out of the Americas.

At the time, many Latin American nations had recently gained independence from European empires. The US feared that monarchies in Europe might try to reclaim or expand their control in the Western Hemisphere. Monroes message was direct: any new European colonisation or political interference in North or South America would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States.

What this really meant was two things. First, the Americas were no longer open territory for European empires. Second, the US promised not to interfere in Europes internal affairs or existing colonies. It was framed as mutual non-interference, though the balance of power strongly favoured the US over time.

Initially, the doctrine had limited practical force. The US lacked the military strength to enforce it, and Britains navy played a major role in keeping European rivals at bay. Over the 19th century, however, the Monroe Doctrine evolved from a defensive warning into a justification for American dominance in the hemisphere.

In the early 20th century, presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt expanded its meaning. The Roosevelt Corollary claimed the US had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to prevent European involvement. This shift turned the doctrine from a shield against imperialism into a tool for US intervention.

Timeline of Wars by US Presidents

The US Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, but in reality, American presidents have often been the driving force behind military conflict. Some sought formal declarations while others relied on executive authority, emergency resolutions, or strategic ambiguity. What this really means is that the presidency has steadily accumulated the power to start wars without fully naming them as such.

George Washington (1794)

Washington did not start a foreign war as president, but he set an important standard. During the Whiskey Rebellion (1794), he deployed federal military force under the Militia Act of 1792, against American citizens, establishing presidential authority to deploy troops without declaring war. Washington personally led 13,000 federalized militia troops (a federal military force) into Pennsylvania to suppress the revolution. It was an internal conflict, but it shaped how future presidents would justify force.

James Madison (1812)

Madison became the first president to ask Congress to declare war. The War of 1812 against Britain was driven by maritime disputes and British interference with US trade and sailors. This remains the clearest example of a constitutionally orthodox, president-initiated war.

As president, James Madison took the United States into the War of 1812 by seeking a formal declaration of war against Great Britain, citing the impressment of American sailors and repeated interference with US trade. He then oversaw the conflict through some of its darkest moments, including the British burning of the Capitol and the White House in 1814, before signing the Treaty of Ghent in 1815, which brought the war to an end.

James K. Polk (1846-1848)

Polk initiated a conflict with Mexico in 1846 after sending troops into disputed territory fulfilling his expansionist Manifest Destiny" by acquiring vast territories, including California and New Mexico, through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which greatly expanded the U.S. to the Pacific, adding land that became several modern states. Framing Mexico as the aggressor, historians widely agree the war was engineered to expand US territory westward. It was a turning point in presidential war-making tied to expansionism.

William McKinley: The Spanish-American War

McKinley led the US into war with Spain in 1898 after the explosion of the USS Maine. Though Congress declared war, the push came from the White House amid public pressure and media outrage. The conflict marked Americas entry as an imperial power, resulting in control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Woodrow Wilson: World War I

Wilson won re-election on a promise to keep the US out of war his campaign slogan being, He Kept Us Out of War," but the U.S. declared war on Germany in April 1917. He asked Congress for a declaration against Germany following submarine attacks and the Zimmermann Telegram. Wilsons decision to enter World War I fundamentally changed the scale of presidential authority in foreign affairs.

Harry S. Truman: The Korean War

Truman never sought a declaration of war. Instead, he committed US troops to Korea in 1950 under the banner of a United Nations police action. This was a constitutional shift. From this point on, presidents increasingly treated war as an executive decision rather than a legislative one.

Lyndon B. Johnson: Vietnam

Johnson transformed a limited advisory mission into a full-scale war using the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, not a declaration of war. The resolution gave him open-ended authority and became a cautionary example of how easily presidents could escalate conflict without formal accountability.

During the Vietnam War, President Lyndon sharply expanded Americas role, moving the United States from a limited advisory presence to a full-scale military commitment. He authorised the deployment of hundreds of thousands of combat troops and approved sustained bombing campaigns, including Operation Rolling Thunder.

Ronald Reagan: Cold War interventions

Reagan did not declare war, but he initiated military actions in Grenada (1983) and Libya (1986) without congressional approval. These operations reinforced the idea that short, decisive uses of force fell entirely within presidential power.

During the Cold War, Ronald Reagan followed a strategy that combined confrontation with diplomacy. He advanced the Reagan Doctrine by backing anti-communist movements around the world, sharply increased US defence spending, including the controversial Strategic Defense Initiative, and applied economic pressure on the Soviet Union.

George H. W. Bush: The Gulf War

Bush sought and received congressional authorisation before launching Operation Desert Storm in 1991. While technically authorised, the decision to go to war was firmly executive-led and framed around restoring international order after Iraq invaded Kuwait.

The Gulf War began on August 2, 1990, when Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded oil-rich Kuwait, seeking to control its oil reserves and ease Iraqs heavy debt after the Iran-Iraq war. The invasion prompted strong opposition from the United States and the United Nations, which demanded Iraqs withdrawal. When Hussein refused, a US-led coalition of 34 nations launched a six-week air campaign in early 1991.

George W. Bush: The War on Terror

After 9/11, Bush initiated the War in Afghanistan using an Authorisation for Use of Military Force rather than a declaration. Two years later, he launched the Iraq War, citing weapons of mass destruction that were never found. These decisions reshaped global geopolitics and entrenched the concept of perpetual war.

Barack Obama: Limited wars, expanded reach

Obama did not start a declared war, but he initiated military action in Libya in 2011 without congressional approval. He also dramatically expanded drone warfare across multiple countries. The scale was quieter, but the presidential authority to kill without war declarations widened further.

Donald Trump: Undeclared conflict as policy

During Trumps first term, no new declared war was launched, but he authorised significant escalations. These included missile strikes in Syria, the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, and expanded operations in Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Trump leaned heavily on inherited authorisations, showing how older war powers could be reused indefinitely.

In Trumps current and second term as the president of the United States, apart from the latest Venezuelan military operation and abduction of Nicolas Maduro, he has authorized significant military actions, including strikes against Iran amid the Iran-Israel war and a bombing campaign against Yemens Houthis.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 16:13 IST

News world From Iraq To Venezuela, What You Should Know About The Recurring War Strategy Of US Presidents

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Greenland Should Be Part Of US: Trump Aide Defends US Presidents Stand

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 17:03 IST

Asked whether the US President could seek to acquire Greenland by force, Stephen Miller said Donald Trumps position had been consistent for months.

US President Donald Trump. (File Photo)

White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller defended US President Donald Trumps position on Greenland, questioning the basis of Denmarks territorial claim over the Arctic region. Stephen Millers remarks came days after the Donald Trump administrations operation that led to the capture of Venezulean President Nicolas Maduro, prompting global scrutiny of Washingtons foreign policy intentions.

Following the capture of Maduro, Donald Trump hinted at possible geopolitical shifts involving Colombia and Greenland. The Greenland issue resurfaced during a CNN interview when anchor Jake Tapper questioned Stephen Miller about a social media post by his wife Katie Miller which showed Greenland shaded in American flag colours with the caption SOON".

Asked whether the US President could seek to acquire Greenland by force, Stephen Miller said Donald Trumps position had been consistent for months.

The president has been clear that the United States should have Greenland as part of our overall security framework," Stephen Miller said, adding that this had been the formal position of the administration since its early days and echoed views expressed during Donald Trumps earlier term.

When pressed on whether military action could be ruled out, Stephen Miller dismissed the premise, arguing that the question overlooked Greenlands demographics and strategic context.

Greenland has a population of about 30,000 people," he said, adding, The real question is by what right Denmark asserts control over Greenland, and on what basis it continues to hold it as a territory."

Stephen Miller said US involvement in Greenland would serve broader security interests, particularly in the Arctic.

For the United States to secure the Arctic region and protect NATO interests, Greenland should be part of the United States," he said.

He described the issue as one that would be debated over time.

This is a conversation were going to have as a country and as a community of nations," Stephen Miller said.

When asked whether the use of force could be taken off the table, Stephen Miller laughed off the question and insisted that military confrontation was unlikely.

Nobodys going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland," he said.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 17:03 IST

News world Greenland Should Be Part Of US: Trump Aide Defends US Presidents Stand

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The leaders of Europes major countries closed ranks with Denmark and Greenland on Tuesday following renewed threats from Donald Trump over the annexation of the vast island, an autonomous territory belonging to the Nordic nation, which is a member of NATO (like the U.S.) and the European Union. Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, reads a declaration signed by the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Denmark itself, with other leaders joining in the process.

The leaders who spearheaded the declaration  Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Giorgia Meloni, Donald Tusk, Pedro Sanchez, Keir Starmer, and Mette Frederiksen, all leaders of NATO member states  are aware of Europes vulnerability to its main security provider, Washington. Therefore, they are extending an olive branch to Trump and proposing that he strengthen security in the Arctic. The Republican magnate has asserted that he needs Greenland for U.S. national security, despite the fact that the United States and Denmark have a robust agreement on this matter that grants Washington considerable leeway.

Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security, said the statement from European leaders released Tuesday, after the White House chief and his circle raised the tone over Greenland.

Iron laws of the world

Late Monday, following a string of Trumps pronouncements on the strategic island, Stephen Miller, one of the Republicans longest-serving advisors, endorsed the U.S. presidents intentions to seize Greenland, even if it requires the use of force. Were a superpower. And under President Trump, we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower, Miller emphasized. We live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else, but we live in a world, in the real world that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power, the White House deputy chief of staff told CNN anchor Jake Tapper. These are the iron laws of the world.

Now, faced with yet another threat, one of the most serious yet, European leaders are reacting, noting that both Denmark and NATO have recently focused on the Arctic. However, this premise overlooks the fact that Trumps intentions may not only be a matter of U.S. national security but also an expansionist objective, as analysts and experts warn.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (right) participates in a bilateral meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the Canadian Embassy in Paris, France, on Tuesday, January 6. Christinne Muschi (AP)

NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark  including Greenland  is part of NATO, the European leaders emphasized in their statement. Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them, they added. They also noted that the United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, both as a NATO ally and through the 1951 defense agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and Washington.

Europe is increasingly taking Trumps words seriously, especially after his intervention in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. In fact, Denmark, one of the most pro-NATO countries on the continent, has raised its voice with the U.S. Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland, Mette Frederiksen emphasized Monday evening in an interview with Danish broadcaster TV2. But I will also make it clear that if the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War, she warned.

Greenlands prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has also spoken out in this regard. No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation, he demanded in a statement published on Facebook on Monday. The leader of the island, which is rich in rare earth elements and has a strategic geographic location, also declared himself open to dialogue with Washington and insisted that he seeks to restore good relations with the U.S. and create a direct line to Washington.

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Two Hindu men were killed in separate violent attacks on Monday in different parts of Bangladesh, raising further concern amid continuing unrest in the country.

According to eyewitnesses, Sarat Chakraborty Mani was running his grocery shop as usual at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash upazila of Narsingdi district when unidentified assailants suddenly attacked him with sharp weapons. He suffered critical injuries. Local people rushed him towards a hospital, but he died on the way due to his wounds.

The attack took place in a busy market area, causing panic among traders and residents.

A family member of Sarat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he lived a very simple life and had no disputes with anyone. The relative said Sarat was deeply troubled by the situation in Bangladesh and recently wrote on Facebook about rising violence on December 19. So much fire everywhere, so much violence. My birthplace has turned into a valley of death" A neighbour described him as calm, humane and socially responsible, adding that he had no enemies and believed his killing was linked to his Hindu identity. Sarat had previously worked in South Korea and returned to Bangladesh a few years ago. He later built a house in an area called Brahmandi in Narsingdi town, where he had been living with his family.

Journalist shot dead in Jashore market

Earlier the same evening, another Hindu man was shot dead in public in Jashore district. The incident occurred around 5:45 pm at Kopalia Bazar in Manirampur upazila. The victim, Rana Pratap, 45, was shot multiple times by unidentified attackers while he was at the market. He died on the spot. He was also the acting editor of a newspaper.

Police from Manirampur Police Station reached the scene soon after the shooting. Officer-in-charge Rajiullah Khan confirmed that legal procedures had begun, including recovery of the body and arrangements for a post-mortem examination. An investigation is underway to identify and arrest those responsible.

Series of recent killings

The two deaths add to a growing list of violent incidents involving members of the Hindu community in recent weeks. Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was lynched during mob violence, while Amrit Mondal was also reported killed during the unrest.

In Mymensingh, Bajendra Biswas was shot dead in another attack. On December 31, Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das was stabbed and set on fire by a mob in Shariatpur district. He later died from burn injuries in hospital.
'Was Asked For Jizya, Threatened With Wife's Abduction': Friend Of Hindu Man Killed In Bangladesh

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 12:47 IST

A family friend of the Hindu man killed in Bangladesh told CNN-News18 that the deceased was an ordinary man with no political links. He was allegedly threatened with extortion.

A file photo of Sarat Chakraborty Mani (Social Media)

Fresh allegations of targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh have surfaced following the killing of Sarat Chakraborty Mani, a 40-year-old Hindu grocery shop owner in Narsingdi district near Dhaka.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Bappaditya Basu, Assistant Organising Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and a family friend of the deceased, alleged that Mani was threatened and extorted in the name of Jizya tax before he was brutally murdered.

In Bangladesh, the situation for Hindus is extremely difficult. What is happening here is ethnic cleansing of Hindus, and this is happening with government backing," Basu told CNN-News18.

He further claimed that multiple violent incidents targeting Hindus had occurred in a short span of time.

In the last 24 hours, two incidents have taken place," he said, underscoring what he described as a climate of fear among minorities.

Basu stressed that Mani was an ordinary citizen with no political affiliation.

Sarat was a very normal man. He had no political agenda. He was just running his grocery shop to earn a living," he said.

Making a serious allegation, Basu claimed that Mani had been asked to pay the Jizya tax and was threatened with dire consequences if he approached the authorities.

He was told to pay Jizya, and he was threatened that if the police were informed, his wife would be kidnapped. Yesterday, he was killed," Basu alleged.

WHAT IS JIZYA TAX?

Jizya was historically a per capita tax levied on non-Muslim adult males living in Islamic states in exchange for protection and the right to practice their faith.

While proponents viewed it as a security levy, critics have long described it as discriminatory.

There is no legal or constitutional provision for such a tax in present-day Bangladesh.

HINDUS KILLED IN BANGLADESH

News agency ANI cited Bangladesh-registered newspaper Weeklyblitz and local media as saying that Mani was attacked on the night of January 6 while he was operating his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila of Narsingdi district.

Eyewitnesses said unidentified assailants arrived suddenly and attacked him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene.

Mani sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to the hospital, local media reported.

Manis killing marks the sixth reported murder of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh within the past 18 days.

According to local media, Mani had posted on Facebook on December 19 expressing concern over the prevailing violence in the country, describing his birthplace as having turned into a valley of death".

Police have said they are investigating the incident, though the motive behind the killing has not yet been officially specified.

The same day, another Hindu man was killed in Jessore, Bangladesh.

An ice factory owner, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead in public in the Monirampur area, according to Prothom Alo.

Bairagi owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar and was also the acting editor of the newspaper Dainik BD Khobor.

Local media reported that three assailants on a motorcycle called him out of the factory, took him into an alley, and shot him at close range in the head before fleeing.

ALSO READ | Serious Law And Order Breakdown: Another Malaysian MP Condemns Hindu Killings In Bangladesh

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 12:47 IST

News world 'Was Asked For Jizya, Threatened With Wife's Abduction': Friend Of Hindu Man Killed In Bangladesh

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Ill Get Impeached If...: Donald Trump Warns Republicans Ahead Of 2026 Midterms

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 23:04 IST

Donald Trump urged his party to prioritise the midterms, framing the election as crucial to blocking impeachment efforts.

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump warned Republican lawmakers that a defeat at the polls could leave his presidency exposed, saying Democrats would move swiftly to impeach him if they regain control of Congress.

Speaking at a retreat of House Republican lawmakers in Washington, Donald Trump urged his party to treat the midterms as a political red line, arguing that control of Congress is essential to blocking impeachment efforts.

You gotta win the midterms cause, if we dont win the midterms, its just gonna be- I mean, theyll find a reason to impeach me," Donald Trump said.

Ill get impeached," he added.

While losing the midterms would not remove Donald Trump from office, it could significantly weaken the Republican Partys hold on Congress- an outcome that would complicate the passage of the presidents legislative agenda and sweeping reforms. A Democratic Party majority in the House would also give the opposition the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings.

What Are Midterm Elections?

Midterm elections in the United States are general elections held near the midpoint of a US Presidents four-year term. They take place on Election Day- the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. During the midterms, all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives are up for election, along with 33 or 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate, depending on the cycle.

In addition to congressional contests, 34 of the 50 US states elect their governors to four-year terms during midterm elections. Vermont and New Hampshire elect governors to two-year terms in both presidential and midterm years, bringing the total number of gubernatorial races during midterms to 36.

Midterm elections also include races for state legislatures and municipal offices, such as mayors and local councils. Ballots frequently feature citizen-initiated and legislatively referred measures, making midterms a broad test of political power at the federal, state and local levels.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 06, 2026, 23:01 IST

News world Ill Get Impeached If...: Donald Trump Warns Republicans Ahead Of 2026 Midterms

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Jail Outfits, Bandages: Courtroom Sketch Captures First Court Appearance Of Maduro, Wife In US

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 12:34 IST

A courtroom sketch shows toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores in a US court. They will remain in custody until their next hearing on March 17.

Rapid Read

The sketch was released on Monday. (Image: Reuters)

A courtroom sketch of toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during their first appearance in a US court was released on Monday.

The sketch shows Maduro and Flores standing before a Manhattan judge, dressed in blue and orange jail-issued shirts paired with khaki pants. Flores was seen with two bandages on her face. Both were wearing headphones to listen to a Spanish translation of the proceedings, which were conducted in English.

Their attorney was seated between them as the hearing began. According to BBC, Maduro took notes on a yellow legal pad during the proceedings and later asked the judge whether he would be allowed to keep the notepad after the hearing concluded.

During the 40-minute arraignment, Maduro told 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein, Im innocent. Im a decent man," while Flores stated that she was completely innocent." The couple pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges, claiming they had been kidnapped" by US forces from their residence in Caracas. Maduro described himself as a prisoner of war" and repeatedly asserted his innocence.

Im innocent. I am not guilty of anything," Maduro said several times during the hearing, according to CNBC.

Maduro is facing multiple criminal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons against the United States. Prosecutors have also accused Flores of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes as part of an alleged drug trafficking-linked corruption scheme.

According to court filings, Flores allegedly helped arrange a 2007 meeting between a large-scale drug trafficker" and the head of Venezuelas National Anti-Drug Office in exchange for substantial payments.

On Saturday, the United States carried out a major military operation in Venezuela targeting key locations. Neither Maduro nor Flores sought bail during the hearing, and both will remain in federal custody. The next court hearing has been scheduled for March 17.

BREAKING: Nicolas Maduro surrounded by heavy security as he is transported to New York City court ahead of his arraignment. pic.twitter.com/2EqrMrNKxe Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2026

Maduro Appears To Limp In Video

A video has emerged showing Maduro arriving in Manhattan on Monday while being escorted under heavy security by US agents. Maduro, 63, was flown by helicopter to a Manhattan heliport near the federal courthouse before being transferred into an armoured vehicle under heavy security. He was seen wearing a tan prison jumpsuit and bright orange shoes and appeared to be limping slightly as he was escorted by agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Meanwhile, security around the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan was visibly heightened ahead of the hearing. Police barricades were placed along several blocks near the main entrance on Worth Street, while Pearl Street, behind the courthouse where inmates are brought in, was closed to pedestrian traffic.

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Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 06, 2026, 12:34 IST

News world Jail Outfits, Bandages: Courtroom Sketch Captures First Court Appearance Of Maduro, Wife In US

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Capturing Maduro: Did US Display Its Cyber Supremacy In Venezuela?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 07, 2026, 10:40 IST

Decoding the capture of Maduro: How did the US manage a blackout in Caracas? How did American choppers enter Venezuela? How were the web services disrupted?

Rapid Read

(Left) Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas; Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escorted in the US. (AP/Reuters)

United States (US) President Donald Trump, during his press conference on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, made a key revelation.

It was dark, the lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have, it was dark, and it was deadly," Trump said from Mar-a-Lago, detailing the Operation Absolute Resolve.

Then came another hint. General Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the same press conference that the US Cyber Command, US Space Command and combatant commands began layering different effects" to create a pathway" for US forces flying into the country early Saturday. Caine did not elaborate on what those effects" entailed.

Did the US just display cyber supremacy with the operation to capture Maduro?

Amid the speculation online, heres what we know from the media briefings, news reports and technological details available in the public domain:

1. BLACKOUT IN CARACUS

Electric grids are controlled by the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). A blackout could have been achieved by a cyberattack on grid control systems.

A well-targeted cyberattack through a malware placed months ago could have manipulated or disrupted grid control logic, command automated protective shutdowns and disabled control centres remotely.

While there is no official confirmation on what was executed in Caracas, this modus operandi was seen in the 2015 Ukrainian grid attack, which was attributed to Russian cyber operators.

ALSO READ | Spies To Skies: Inside The US Operation To Capture Venezuelas Maduro

Electronic warfare can also be used to degrade communications between grid monitoring systems or disrupt the control signals of substations or generators. Coupled with kinetic actions against specific assets, this can blind defenders.

Modern military doctrine often combines cyber effects to blind or mislead defenders, electronic warfare to disrupt sensors and communications and precision strikes on critical nodes. Some blackouts may also arise from destruction or disabling of protective relays and substations during strikes; cyber effects might amplify or trigger breaker trips.

2. HOW WAS PATHWAY CREATED FOR THE AIRCRAFT?

Another pertinent question posed by many was: Why was a blackout necessary to capture Maduro? The simple answer is for the US forces to enter and also to kill the communications used by the military.

Gen. Caine stated that over 150 U.S. military aircraft from across the Western Hemisphere participated in the operation, including fighter jets, bombers, drones, and support aircraft that helped secure airspace and protect the assault force. He said that the helicopters carrying the assault force flew at very low altitude to avoid detection and were supported by overhead aircraft as they approached Caracas.

While Caine didnt confirm, following a blackout, radar stations have to switch to the backup diesel generators, which typically takes between 2 and 5 minutes. The time limit can easily help the aircraft enter undetected.

3. MADURO COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR?

During the briefing, Trump revealed another detail. Maduro was trying to get to a safe place  It was a very thick door, a very heavy door. But he was unable to get to that door. He made it to the door, but he was unable to close it," said the US President.

Could this have been done digitally? Again, while there is no official confirmation, many modern high-security doors are part of a digital ecosystem and rely on electrical power, electronic locks or magnetic seals, access-control servers, sensors that confirm closure and building automation systems.

In the absence of power supply, which was the case in Caracas, cyber operations can interfere with communications between systems and cause automated safety or fail-open behaviour. In military doctrine, this is called layered" or multi-domain effects". Such a move could possibly ensure that the door is unable to lock in time.

Or, it may well have been just the physical distance between him and the troops.

4. SIGNALS WERE MONITORED

Defense One, a US defense news outlet, reported that the US intelligence agencies contributed to the planning and execution, providing signals and geolocation intelligence that supported the special operations forces.

This strongly suggests sophisticated ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), including potential signals monitoring.

5. WEB SERVICES DISRUPTED

NetBlocks, a company that monitors global network and telecom connectivity, confirmed that web services in Caracas were temporarily offline as part of the disruption.

NetBlocks reported that large-scale web traffic, which experts suggest could likely be the result of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, was used to target and overwhelm the citys servers.

The attack caused significant disruption to digital communications, making it harder for Venezuelans to access information and for Maduros administration to respond effectively to the growing crisis.

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 18:33 IST

News world Capturing Maduro: Did US Display Its Cyber Supremacy In Venezuela?

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'My Birthplace Has Become Valley Of Death': Bangladeshi Hindu's Facebook Post Days Before Murder

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 13:11 IST

Just days before his death, Mani had posted on Facebook expressing his distress over rising unrest in Bangladesh, writing that his birthplace had turned into "a valley of death"

Rapid Read

Local residents described Sarat Mani as a calm and friendly shopkeeper who rarely involved himself in disputes. (News18 Hindi)

A spate of attacks targeting members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh has intensified concerns over security of minority communities, with two separate killings reported within 24 hours.

In one incident on Monday night, a 40-year-old Hindu man, identified as Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was killed after unidentified assailants armed with sharp weapons attacked him while he was working at his grocery shop in Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila, Narsingdi district, according to local media reports. The attackers reportedly struck without warning and fled soon after. Mani sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to hospital.

The killing is believed to be the sixth reported murder of a Hindu citizen in the past 18 days.

Just 17 days before his death, Mani had posted on Facebook expressing his distress over rising unrest in the country, writing that his birthplace had turned into a valley of death". There is fire everywhere, so much violence has spread. My birthplace has become like a valley of death today," he had reportedly said. According to a report in News18 Hindi, his post went viral, symbolising the growing fear and vulnerability felt within the Hindu community.

Local residents described Mani as a calm and friendly shopkeeper who rarely involved himself in disputes. His death has deepened anxiety among the minority community, with many saying they no longer feel safe in markets, temples or even their own homes.

This killing comes after the reported killing of another Hindu Man on Monday, where an ice-factory owner and acting editor of a newspaper, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead in public in the Monirampur area of Jesore.

According to local media, Rana Pratap Bairagi, owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, and served as the acting editor of the newspaper Dainik BD Khobor published from Narail. Three assailants on a motorcycle, called him out from the ice factory, and took him to an alley and then shot him at close range in the head and fled. Rana Pratap reportedly died on the spot.

Monirampur police stations officer-in-charge (OC) Md Raziullah Khan told local media reporters that the body has been recovered was being sent for post mortem. The police have not specified the motive behind the killing and an investigation is underway.

These incidents follow a series of violent attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh in recent weeks, including the brutal assault and immolation of Khokon Das on New Years Eve. The attackers allegedly assaulted him with sharp weapons, poured petrol on his body, and set him on fire. In an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond.

Hearing his screams, residents rushed to the scene, prompting the attackers to flee. Locals rescued Das and initially took him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where he received emergency treatment before being referred to Dhaka later that night as his condition deteriorated. He later succumbed to his injuries, reported ANI.

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Location : Bangladesh

First Published: January 06, 2026, 13:11 IST

News world 'My Birthplace Has Become Valley Of Death': Bangladeshi Hindu's Facebook Post Days Before Murder

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'Accused Not Her Ex-Boyfriend': Nikitha Godishala's Father Alleges She Was Killed Over Money

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:35 IST

The father of Nikitha Godishala, the Hyderabad woman found dead in the US, has denied the accused was her ex-boyfriend and called for repatriation of her remains.

A file photo of Nikitha Godishala (Social Media)

The father of Nikitha Godishala, a 27-year-old Indian woman found dead in the United States, has denied claims that the man accused of her killing was her ex-boyfriend and clarified that he was, in fact, her former flatmate, who took a lot of money from her.

He also called on the Centre and Telangana government to assist in bringing her mortal remains back to India and urged authorities to ensure the accused is caught and punished.

Nikitha, a native of Hyderabad, was reported missing on January 2 from her Columbia, Maryland apartment.

Howard County police later found her dead with stab wounds.

Arjun Sharma, 26, has been named a suspect in her killing.

The US authorities have obtained a warrant for Sharmas arrest on first and second-degree murder charges, alleging he killed Nikitha and fled to India.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Anand Godishala said, It is being shown as an ex-boyfriend. It is nothing of that sort. He is her former roommate."

Four people used to stay in an apartment. Her ex-roommate used to take a lot of money from my daughter. When she asked him to return the money before he flew to India, he killed her and ran away," her father alleged, as he spoke to reporters.

We request the Central and the state governments to help in bringing her mortal remains soon," he said.

The Indian Express quoted Anand Godishala, further clarifying the relationship between Nikitha and Sharma.

It is not right to call the accused her ex-boyfriend. He is her ex-flatmate. Four of them used to live in that apartment. After she started working two years ago, she moved to a separate flat. I believe that there was some financial disagreement with the accused," he said.

Nikitha had last spoken to her father on the night of December 31, sending him greetings for the New Year.

According to Howard County police, Sharma filed the missing person report with authorities, claiming he last saw Nikitha on the same day, before leaving the US for India on January 2.

Police executed a search warrant at Sharmas apartment and found Nikitha dead, with investigators believing the killing occurred shortly after 7 pm on December 31.

Nikitha had been residing in the US for four years, having moved there in 2021 for higher studies.

She was working as a Data and Strategy Analyst at Vheda Health after completing her MS, and was recently recognised as the companys Best Employee, her uncle Santosh Kumar told PTI.

She last visited India three years ago.

The Indian Embassy in Washington DC said it is in contact with the family and providing all possible consular assistance while coordinating with local authorities to locate Sharma.

Anand said he is unaware of any financial disputes beyond what has been reported, but insisted that Sharma should face the strictest punishment under the law.

Nikithas family currently resides in Tarnaka, Hyderabad, and remains deeply distressed over her death, seeking swift repatriation of her remains and justice for the loss of their daughter.

ALSO READ | Nikitha Godishala Murder: Ex-Lover Looted Lakhs From Her Before Fleeing US, Sister Alleges

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First Published: January 06, 2026, 09:02 IST

News world 'Accused Not Her Ex-Boyfriend': Nikitha Godishala's Father Alleges She Was Killed Over Money

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Nikitha Godishala Murder: Ex-Lover Looted Lakhs From Her Before Fleeing US, Sister Alleges

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 07:13 IST

Nikitha Godishala was found dead at Arjun Sharma's US residence. Arjun allegedly withdrew USD 3,500 from her account before fleeing to India, where he was arrested by Interpol.

Rapid Read

Nikitha Godishala was found dead in the US. (Image: LinkedIn/Nikitha Godishala)

The sister of 27-year-old Telugu woman, Nikitha Godishala, who was found dead at her ex-boyfriends residence in the United States, has alleged that the accused carried out unauthorised financial transactions amounting to about USD 3,500 (approximately Rs 3.16 lakh) from the deceaseds bank account before fleeing the country after her death.

The accused boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, was arrested by Interpol in Tamil Nadu on Monday after returning to India. The arrest followed coordinated efforts between US federal agencies and Indian authorities to track him after his departure from the United States.

In a complaint submitted to the Indian Embassy in the US, Nikithas sister Saraswati detailed the transactions, stating that the money was withdrawn by Arjun in the days leading up to Nikithas murder, India Today reported.

Saraswati said that on December 27, Arjun sought money from both her and Nikitha. She added that Nikitha later approached her on Arjuns behalf, requesting assistance of around USD 5,000. The victims sister said she refused a subsequent request from Arjun for an additional USD 1,000, noting that he had not returned USD 1,000 from the USD 4,500 he had earlier borrowed from her.

According to her complaint, Arjun owed a total of USD 4,500 (approximately Rs 4.07 lakh) to Nikithas family.

I sent him USD 4,500, out of which he returned USD 3,500. I was contacted by Arjun on Jan 2nd and requested me for additional USD 1,000 to which I denied," Saraswati stated in her complaint.

Accused Was Not Nikithas Ex-Boyfriend: Victims Father

Meanwhile, the victims father, Anand Godisala, denied that the accused was her daughters ex-boyfriend, stating he was only a former roommate. He (Arjun Sharma) is a former roommate and not her ex-boyfriend. He reportedly made the complaint (to the police in US) and fled to India. He should be caught and given tough punishment," Anand told PTI.

The grieving father demanded strict punishment for those responsible for his daughters death. Seeking the Centres and Telangana governments help to repatriate her remains, Anand said Nikitha last spoke to him on December 31 to wish him for New Year.

Nikitha, a data analyst based in Maryland, was reported missing on January 2 after Arjun approached the Howard County Police, claiming he had last seen her on New Years Eve.

Police said Arjun left for India on the same day he filed the missing person complaint, raising suspicion and prompting authorities to alert international agencies. This ultimately led to his arrest in Tamil Nadu.

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Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 06, 2026, 07:13 IST

News world Nikitha Godishala Murder: Ex-Lover Looted Lakhs From Her Before Fleeing US, Sister Alleges

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'Not Behaving Like Professional Army': Afghan Taliban Slams Pakistan Military's 'Terrorism Hub' Charge

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CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 23:15 IST

This comes after a press conference held by Pakistani military's spokesperson, who alleged that Afghanistan is transforming into a "hub for terrorists and non-state actors"

Afghanistan and Pakistan have been involved in a border conflict since October. (Image: AFP/File)

The Afghan Taliban has strongly condemned the recent remarks made by the Pakistani military, describing them as irresponsible and provocative".

In a sharp rebuttal, Talibans primary spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said the Pakistani Army is not behaving like a professional army" and that its allegations bear no relation to reality".

This comes after a press conference held by Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), who alleged that Afghanistan is transforming into a hub for terrorists and non-state actors". He pointed out that the Taliban is actively patronising al-Qaeda, the Islamic State group, and the Pakistani Taliban.

Lt Gen Chaudhry  without providing evidence  alleged that some 2,500 foreign militants from Syria have recently entered Afghanistan. He said these militants were invited" into Afghan territory following the December 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad.

He said these individuals belong to other nationalities" and their presence could pose security risks far beyond the region.

Afghanistan, however, dismissed these allegations as irrational propaganda". They said the country is independent and stable" possessing a robust security structure" and full sovereignty" over its land.

The Taliban advised Islamabad to focus their efforts on resolving their internal problems" instead of fuelling such rhetoric. Mujahid stressed that any use of threatening language is unacceptable" to the Afghans and called for a measured rhetoric" that takes into account the sensitivity of relations" between the two neighbours.

The two countries have been involved in a border conflict since October, when Pakistan conducted airstrikes against what it identified as Pakistani Taliban hideouts inside Afghanistan. Kabul retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts, and the fighting only ceased after Qatar intervened to broker a ceasefire.

Pakistan remains insistent that the Afghan Taliban is fuelling regional instability. Lt Gen Chaudhry claimed that 2,597 militants were killed in 2025, a significant rise from the 1,053 killed the year before.

He said the country has witnessed a massive surge in violence, recording 5,397 militant attacks in 2025 compared to 3,014 in 2024. Afghan nationals were involved in almost all major attacks" inside Pakistan during the last year, further straining diplomatic ties, he alleged.

(With agency inputs)

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One Dance Move Too Many: How Maduros Regular TV Appearances Provoked Trump To Attack Venezuela

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 08:39 IST

Nicolas Maduro is currently held in U.S. custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Maduros State TV Performances Seen as Provocation by Trump Team

Nicolas Maduros regular appearances on Venezuelan state television played a key role in the Trump administrations decision to take military action against Venezuela, according to a report by The New York Times.

US Venezuela News LIVE Updates: Delcy Rodriguez Sworn In As Venezuelas President After Maduros Abduction

Dance moves seen as provocation

The report said senior officials in US President Donald Trumps team viewed Maduros light-hearted television performances as a deliberate provocation. One official described the moment that pushed matters over the edge as one dance move too many".

In one widely shared video, Maduro was seen dancing to music on state television. A recorded voice repeated the words No crazy war" in English. The broadcast came just days after the United States carried out a strike on a Venezuelan dock linked to drug trafficking.

In November, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro tried to prevent being from removed from power by dancing to a musical remix of his own "No War, Yes Peace" speech.Yes, this is real.pic.twitter.com/cS3Kxj7oNl Ryan Saavedra (@RyanSaavedra) January 3, 2026

Rejection of US ultimatum

According to people familiar with the talks, Maduro had earlier rejected an ultimatum from President Trump asking him to step down and accept exile in Turkey. Instead of lowering tensions, he continued making public appearances that projected defiance and calm.

White House interprets defiance

US officials quoted in the report said these actions convinced some in the White House that Maduro was trying to call Washingtons bluff. This, they said, led to a decision to act on earlier military threats against Venezuela.

US operation in Caracas

On Saturday, January 3, an elite US military unit launched a pre-dawn operation in Caracas. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained and taken to New York. He is now set to face drug trafficking charges in the United States.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Maduro is currently held in U.S. custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

On Monday, January 5, Maduro and wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty before the U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein to narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons charges; next hearing set for March 17.

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The community of more than half a million fears for the future of their immigration processes, which have been in legal limbo since Trump eliminated TPS and other protections

The capture of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces has opened a new chapter of uncertainty for many Venezuelan exiles in the United States, for whom the lack of clarity regarding a democratic transition and the possibility of further military action are dampening any thought of returning to their country. This ambiguity is compounded for hundreds of thousands of people who are in limbo after the Trump administration canceled temporary immigration protections, as well as for asylum seekers who fear their cases will be affected by the changing circumstances in Venezuela.

In the last 48 hours, the community has been in complete panic, says John De La Vega, a Venezuelan lawyer in Miami who says he has received calls from hundreds of people worried about their immigration cases since news broke that a commando unit had captured Maduro in a surprise attack last weekend. The main uncertainty is: If Maduro has been captured, will my asylum case fall apart? Will the government stop approving asylum cases because of this situation? says De La Vega.

On the other hand, for many, the news revived hopes that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela would be restored after the Trump administration canceled it last year, leaving more than 600,000 Venezuelans in immigration limbo, many of them residents of South Florida, the lawyer added.

This decision was compounded by the cancellation of the humanitarian parole program that had allowed more than 100,000 Venezuelans to live and work legally in the United States for a period of two years.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted in the Southern District of New York on narcoterrorism charges. Trump has stated that the U.S. will run the country: Were going to stay until such time as the proper transition can take place. He also asserted that the U.S. military is prepared to do a second wave of attacks, although we probably wont have to do it.

But the situation inside Venezuela remains uncertain. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed the interim presidency, but it is unclear who effectively controls the military and security structures that sustained Chavismo for more than two decades. Key regime figures, such as Diosdado Cabello, considered the number two in Chavismo, and high-ranking military officers continue to operate within the country, fueling fears of reprisals and a further narrowing of political space.

Delcy Rodriguez is sworn in as interim President in Caracas. MIRAFLORES PALACE HANDOUT (EFE)

Among the diaspora, many believe that the conditions that forced them to flee remain in place, and the countrys immediate future remains uncertain.

One person who lost her TPS status and doesnt see returning as an option is Rossaly Nava, a 43-year-old Venezuelan who has lived in the U.S. for 10 years. Nava, originally from Maracaibo, was involved with the opposition and had to flee the Chavista regime. Her former boss, a member of parliament, remains detained in Venezuela on charges of treason and other offenses. This doesnt guarantee that I can return, she says. Maduro isnt looking for me, but there are those directly responsible, like Diosdado Cabello and his torturers, who know perfectly well who I am. I cant return until Im certain that those who attacked me wont be there.

When she had TPS, I was protected, she explains, but today she only has an asylum process that began 10 years ago. I consider myself at risk of being returned to a country that is not ready to protect those of us who were linked to the opposition, she adds.

On Saturday, a crowd in Doral, the Miami-Dade city with the largest Venezuelan diaspora in the country, where many backed Trump in the hope that he would remove Maduro from power, celebrated the latters capture. That enthusiasm, however, has given way to discontent following the end of immigration protections, amid an anti-immigrant offensive that has sown fear in the community.

Following Maduros capture, Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins called on the Trump Administration to reinstate TPS for Venezuelans. But that hope was dashed on Sunday when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noemwho canceled TPS for Venezuela four months ago, claiming it was contrary to the national intereststated that the country is more free than it was yesterday and that those who lost TPS could apply for asylum instead.

That only confused the community even more, says Helen Villalonga, president of Amavex, a human rights organization, who says that many people have contacted her seeking clarification because they believe they can now apply for asylum, but asylum is not requested from within the United States.

Furthermore, Villalonga maintains that Venezuelans need protection now more than ever. Before, we didnt have an invasion; now we do.

Venezuelans outside the Southern District Court of New York. klaus galiano

The confusion also extends to the subject of deportations. In mid-December, the Venezuelan government claimed that the U.S. had suspended deportation flights to Venezuela, a claim denied by Washington. Following Maduros capture, a DHS spokesperson confirmed to EL PAIS that the flights are not suspended.

Patricia Andrade, founder of Venezuela Awareness, warns about the deportations, saying, You cant send people to a country that remains unstable, where orders have been given to imprison those who support Trumps actions. She says her contacts in Venezuela describe an apparent normalcy, but that there is a lot of fear among the population, that paramilitary groups are in the streets, and that Chavistas are shoring up the few followers they have left.

Last month, the Trump Administration suspended immigration processing for citizens of a list of countries that includes Venezuela. However, De La Vega, the lawyer, clarifies that asylum has not been eliminated, but rather that what is suspended is the decision-making process, the governments approval or denial of cases. Nevertheless, he warns that the situation is extremely volatile. We have to wait. The situation in Venezuela is going to change day by day, almost hour by hour.

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'Remove Her Clothes': Musk's Grok Faces Backlash Over Sexual Deepfakes; EU, Britain Join Criticism

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 10:32 IST

Musks Grok faces global backlash as EU, UK, France, India, and Malaysia probe its sexualised deepfakes of women and minors, sparking urgent calls for regulatory investigations.

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Elon Musks Grok draws global backlash over sexual deepfakes.

Tech mogul Elon Musks artificial intelligence tool Grok is facing mounting international backlash over its generation of sexualised deepfakes of women and minors, with the European Union joining the criticism and Britain warning of a possible investigation.

The outcry followed the recent rollout of an edit image" feature on Grok, which allowed users to alter images using prompts such as put her in a bikini" or remove her clothes." Complaints of abuse quickly spread online, raising alarms among tech watchdogs already concerned about the rise of AI-powered nudify" applications.

Authorities and regulators in several countries, including France, India and Malaysia, have either launched probes or called for corrective action. The European Commission, acting as the EUs digital watchdog, said on Monday it was very seriously looking" into the complaints involving Grok, developed by Musks startup xAI and integrated into his social media platform X.

Grok is now offering a spicy mode showing explicit sexual content with some output generated with childlike images. This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling," EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier told AFP. This has no place in Europe," the spokesman added.

In the UK, media regulator Ofcom said it had made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK." Based on the response, Ofcom said it would determine whether there are potential compliance issues that warrant investigation."

Malaysia-based lawyer Azira Aziz said she was horrified after a userapparently in the Philippinesprompted Grok to change her profile picture to a bikini." Innocent and playful use of AI like putting on sunglasses on public figures is fine," she told AFP, adding, But gender-based violence weaponizing AI against non-consenting women and children must be firmly opposed."

Some users directly appealed to Musk to act against what they described as pedophilic prompts. Grok is now undressing photos of me as a child," wrote Ashley St. Clair, the mother of one of Musks children. This is objectively horrifying, illegal," she added.

Earlier on Friday, Grok said it was working to address the issue. Weve identified lapses in safeguards and are urgently fixing them," it posted on X, adding, CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) is illegal and prohibited." The AI tool also apologised last week for generating an AI image of two young girls (estimated ages 12-16) in sexualized attire based on a users prompt."

In France, prosecutors last week expanded an existing investigation into X to include allegations that Grok was being used to generate and spread child pornography. In India, authorities ordered X to remove sexualised content, curb offending users and submit an Action Taken Report" within 72 hours, though no response had been confirmed by Monday. Malaysias communications regulator has also launched an investigation, citing indecent, grossly offensive" content.

The controversy adds to broader scrutiny of Grok, which has previously been criticised for generating misinformation during major global crises.

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News world 'Remove Her Clothes': Musk's Grok Faces Backlash Over Sexual Deepfakes; EU, Britain Join Criticism

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Stronger Than Ever: Trump Says US Will Receive Over $600 Billion In Tariffs

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:31 IST

Soon after returning to power in January 2025, Trump and his team began using tariffs as a key tool of national security and foreign policy.

Trump said US companies are ready to build oil infrastructure in Venezuela. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States has taken in, and will soon receive, more than 600 billion dollars through tariffs imposed on countries around the world. He claimed the policy has made America financially stronger and improved national security.

US economy

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the country is now far stronger" both financially and from a national security point of view because of tariffs. He also argued that the United States is more respected globally due to these trade measures.

Trump accused the American media of refusing to highlight the tariff gains. He said this was because, in his words, they hate and disrespect" the country and want to influence an upcoming Supreme Court decision related to tariffs, which he described as one of the most important ever.

Tariffs as a geopolitics tool

Soon after returning to power in January 2025, Trump and his team began using tariffs as a key tool of national security and foreign policy. His administration imposed high tariffs on imports from several countries, calling them necessary to protect American interests.

As part of this approach, the US imposed a 50 per cent tariff on imports from India. Trump has repeatedly defended such measures, saying they protect domestic industries and strengthen the countrys position.

Impact on India

This comes as India has yet to finalise a trade deal with the US.

According to a report cited by the South China Morning Post, India is now moving to diversify its exports away from the United States. This effort is expected to increase as uncertainty over US tariffs continues.

The report noted that since the US imposed the 50 per cent tariffs last year, India has taken a firm stand against the levies, while still keeping the option of talks open. The US remains Indias largest export market, accounting for about 18 per cent of its goods exports.

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News world Stronger Than Ever: Trump Says US Will Receive Over $600 Billion In Tariffs

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Ukraine Prepares For Meetings In Europe This Week, Zelenskyy Says In Contact With Trump's Team

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 08:24 IST

The meeting, planned in Europe, is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense and accelerating the end of the war with Russia.

A file photo of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday shared a significant update on the next diplomatic meeting, stating that preparations are underway for the upcoming meeting this week. The meeting, planned in Europe, is aimed at strengthening Ukraines defense and accelerating the end of the war with Russia.

The Ukrainian President further stressed that Ukraine remains open to diplomacy but will also be ready to continue active defense.

We are preparing for meetings in Europe this week. Of course, we are also in constant communication with the team of the President of the United States. Air defense for Ukraine and support for Ukraine are daily tasks, and every day we must deliver results," Zelenskyy said.

New decisions will be made in the interests of our state. The Ukrainian negotiating team is working around the clock," he added.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war have gained pace in recent weeks, although both Moscow and Kyiv remain at odds over the key issue of territory.

Notably, Russia is pushing for full control of the countrys eastern Donbas region as part of a deal. But Kyiv has warned that ceding ground will embolden Moscow and said it will not sign a peace deal that fails to deter Russia from invading again.

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'Want To Give It To Him': Machado Offers Nobel Peace Prize To Trump After Venezuela Raid

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 11:47 IST

Machado dedicated her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, praising his role in Maduros capture and expressing her wish to share the prize with him.

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Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado expressed willingness to share her Nobel Peace Prize with Trump. (Photo Credit: X)

After being excluded from US President Donald Trumps strategy for Venezuela in the aftermath of deposed leader Nicolas Maduros capture, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado expressed willingness to share her Nobel Peace Prize with him.

Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for opposing what the Norwegian Nobel Committee described as a dictatorship, told Fox News on Monday night that she wanted to dedicate the award to Trump.

As soon as I learnt we had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I dedicated it to President Trump because I believed he deserved it. A lot of people said it was impossible to achieve what he did on January 3," she said, referring to the US military operation in Caracas.

Marina Corina Machado offers to share the Nobel Peace Prize with President Trump:As soon as I learned we had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize I dedicated it to President Trump because I believed he deserved it We want to give it to him. Share it with him." pic.twitter.com/NMnINIrbAV  The American Conservative (@amconmag) January 6, 2026

I believed he deserved it. I think he has proven to the world what he means. January 3 will go down in history as the day justice defeated tyranny. Its a milestone. Its not only huge for the Venezuelans, but a huge step for humanity," the Nobel Peace Prize winner added.

I would certainly love to be able to personally tell him that we believe, the Venezuelan peoplecertainly want to give it to him and share it with him," she added.

Upon being asked whether she had spoken to Trump since winning the prize, Machado said, Actually, I spoke with President Trump on October 10, the same day the (Noble Peace) Prize was announced, (but) not since then."

Hours after Maduro was detained in a dramatic night-time US raid, Machado declared that the hour of freedom has arrived," raising expectations that the opposition could lead the oil-rich Latin American nation after years of repression. Those hopes dimmed when Trump publicly distanced himself from her, saying she doesnt have the support within the country."

I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesnt have the support within or the respect within the country. Shes a very nice woman, but she doesnt have the respect," Trump said at a news conference.

Machado had left Venezuela last month to travel to Norway to accept the award and has not returned since. She said she was planning to go back home" soon.

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News world 'Want To Give It To Him': Machado Offers Nobel Peace Prize To Trump After Venezuela Raid

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'We'll Not Stop Defending Them': 7 European Leaders React To Trump's Greenland Takeover Threat

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 19:19 IST

The leaders underlined that Arctic security is a "key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security."

The European leaders underlined their support for Denmark. (AFP photo)

European leaders on Tuesday reaffirmed their support for Denmark after US President Donald Trump again hinted at taking control of Greenland, Denmarks autonomous Arctic territory.

In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark stressed that sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them".

The statement comes amid concerns that Trumps recent comments on Greenland, coupled with Washingtons military intervention in Venezuela.

Greenland holds untapped rare earth deposits and sits on key polar routes that could become strategically important as ice melts. It also lies on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States and hosts a US military base.

Trump had joked on Sunday that well worry about Greenland in about two months", prompting the European response.

The leaders underlined that Arctic security is a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security."

They said NATO has made the region a priority, and European allies are increasing their presence and investments to deter potential threats.

Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders," the leaders said.

They reaffirmed that Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO and that security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively. Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement added.

The joint statement was signed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

(With inputs from AFP)

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News world 'We'll Not Stop Defending Them': 7 European Leaders React To Trump's Greenland Takeover Threat

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Who Is Alvin Hellerstein? 92-Year-Old Judge Presides Over High-Stakes Case Against Maduro

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 09:43 IST

Alvin Hellerstein, 92, is a US judge known for high-profile cases, including those involving Trump, major fraud, and 9/11 civil suits.

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Alvin Hellerstein (L) is hearing case against Maduro. (Image: X; Reuters)

Alvin Hellerstein, the 92-year-old US judge presiding over the case against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, has overseen several high-profile trials during his long judicial career.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared before Hellerstein in his Manhattan courtroom on Monday, pleading not guilty to charges, including narco-terrorism. Maduro was indicted in 2020 in a wide-ranging drug trafficking case that has been before Hellerstein for nearly 15 years and has already resulted in the conviction of Venezuelas former intelligence chief, Hugo Armando Carvajal, news agency AFP reported.

Hellerstein served As Lawyer In US Army For 4 Years

A Columbia University Law School graduate, Hellerstein served as a lawyer in the US Army from 1957 to 1960 before entering private practice. He was nominated by former President Bill Clinton in 1998 to serve as a district court judge for the Southern District of New York.

Over the years, Hellerstein has presided over multiple civil cases arising from the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks in New York and Washington. He has also had several run-ins with President Donald Trump, including rejecting his request to move his New York hush money case to federal court.

Last year, Hellerstein blocked the Trump administration from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members without a court hearing. In September, he sentenced tech entrepreneur Charlie Javice to more than seven years in prison for defrauding JPMorgan Chase in a $175 million deal. He also handed an 18-year sentence to Bill Hwang, founder of Archegos Capital Management, in a major fraud case, the report stated.

In another notable ruling last year, Hellerstein presided over a trial in which a jury found that BNP Paribass dealings in Sudan had helped prop up the regime of former ruler Omar al-Bashir, awarding $20.75 million in damages to three Sudanese plaintiffs. In a landmark 2015 decision, he ordered the US government to release photographs documenting abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Why Trump Is Punishing Maduro, But Pardoned Hernandez: The Letter That Made The Difference

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Last Updated: January 06, 2026, 14:38 IST

The aggressive US pursuit of Maduro has reopened long-standing questions about the scope and fairness of United States' anti-narcotics policy in Latin America

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Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison by a US court for drug trafficking and weapons offences, was pardoned in December by Donald Trump.

In a dramatic escalation of US action against alleged narco-terrorism networks in Latin America, ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has been brought to the United States and produced before a federal court in Manhattan on charges of drug trafficking and weapons offences. The move has triggered sharp international criticism and renewed debate over the US approach to foreign leaders accused of major crimes.

Maduro is accused of using Venezuelas military and intelligence apparatus to facilitate the shipment of large quantities of cocaine into the United States through secret airstrips. He also faces charges of possessing and conspiring to use machine guns and other destructive weapons, bolstering the US case against him. Maduro has denied all charges, insisting he is innocent. He and his wife, Cilia Flores, are being held separately in solitary confinement.

Several governments, including Russia and China, have condemned the US operation. Criticism has also come from within the United States, where political leaders have questioned the apparent inconsistency of the administrations stance on drug-linked prosecutions, particularly in light of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandezs recent pardon.

Hernandez, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison by a US court for drug trafficking and weapons offences, was pardoned in December by Donald Trump. Trump described Hernandez as a victim of political persecution who had been treated unfairly, later comparing the case to what he characterised as politically motivated actions against himself. He was the countrys leader and was unfairly targeted," Trump said.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sharply criticised the move, writing on X that pardoning Hernandez, who prosecutors said helped move more than 400 tonnes of cocaine into the United States, amounted to pure hypocrisy" if the rationale for US intervention in Venezuela was drug trafficking. Pelosi noted that Hernandez had already been convicted by a US jury, while Maduro is only now being brought to trial.

Investigations into both Maduro and Hernandez reportedly began around the same period and were handled by the same US Drug Enforcement Administration team. Hernandez was arrested and extradited shortly after leaving office in 2022. Prosecutors alleged that he accepted a $1 million bribe from notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo" Guzman during his first presidential campaign, in exchange for safeguarding cocaine routes through Honduras.

During a three-week trial in 2024, US prosecutors described Honduras under Hernandez as a narco-state", alleging that traffickers operated with protection from security forces, including the national police, and supplied millions of dollars to Hernandezs political machinery. He denied the charges, calling the prosecution politically motivated.

Reports also suggest Hernandez wrote a four-page letter to Trump in October appealing for clemency, while longtime Trump ally Roger Stone is said to have backed the pardon to support Hondurass ruling National Party. The pardon, which Trump later defended as a response to what he called a Biden witch hunt", reportedly surprised even some of his close advisers.

By stark contrast, Maduro and Flores were seized in Caracas during a US commando operation dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve" and flown to New York, where they now face narco-terrorism and cocaine-trafficking conspiracy charges. Prosecutors allege Maduro was part of a broader drug network spanning Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, with traffickers allegedly paying politicians, including Hernandez, in exchange for protection.

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News world Why Trump Is Punishing Maduro, But Pardoned Hernandez: The Letter That Made The Difference

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Mexico has been building defenses since the beginning of the U.S. military escalation against Venezuela. There have been months of diplomatic maneuvering: concessions, agreements, public pronouncements, and even appeals to the United Nations. But once the attack materialized and Nicolas Maduro was captured, the relationship entered a new phase. Donald Trumps threats, which have been repeated with different targetsColombia, Cuba, Mexicosince the Venezuelan presidents capture, sound more unsettling than ever. The possibility of an intervention against Mexico is now more plausible than it was three days ago. Anyone could be the next target for Washington, which has dusted off its view of Latin America as its own backyard. Since Sunday, not a day has gone by without President Claudia Sheinbaum trying to deflect the criticism and reduce tensions.

The White Houses main justification for attacking Venezuela, in violation of all international law conventions, is the fight against drug trafficking. This is the same argument Trump has used since his election campaign to pressure Mexico on various fronts: trade, migration and security. Sheinbaum is keen to reiterate that the relationship with the northern neighbor is very good, while reaffirming her condemnation of the military intervention in Caracas, which has resulted in the deaths of dozens of members of Maduros security detail, as well as targeted bombings of Venezuelan military bases. Something is gonna have to be done with Mexico, Trump said in one of his many interviews following Maduros arrest. Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, accused of several narcoterrorism charges.

Sheinbaum has emphasized concepts like collaboration and communication in her messages these past few days, while also advocating for shared responsibility by stating that they must prevent weapons from reaching Mexico. She also reiterated, through a statement from the Foreign Ministry, respect for international law, as well as the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. Since the beginning of the tension, Mexico has adopted a prudent stance, always adhering to the principle of no to foreign interference and respect for the sovereignty of each country, a long-standing Mexican diplomatic principle.

A couple of months ago, Sheinbaum announced that she had reached an agreement with the White House regarding the alleged drug-running boats that the Trump administration has been attacking since September, resulting in more than 100 deaths. The Mexican Navy would be responsible for intercepting these vessels in international waters near the Mexican coast. Despite the agreement with the Navy, the attacks have continued. The pact reached by Sheinbaum was largely a firewall to prevent the attacks from spreading to Mexico. The conflict with Caracas escalated rapidly with Washingtons explicit interest in Venezuelan oil in December, which materialized in the blocking of several tankers carrying the fuel. This has become much clearer after Maduros capture. Trump has openly stated that U.S. companies will regain control of the Venezuelan oil industry.

Mexicos last move before the attack on Caracas was to request United Nations mediation to prevent bloodshed. The diplomatic triangle formed by the United States, Mexico and Venezuela has been very much present in recent months, but never so explicitly. Sheinbaum even offered Mexico as the venue for a meeting between Venezuela and the United States to foster diplomatic dialogue. None of that has come to pass.

The United States military escalation against Venezuela has shaken Latin American diplomacy. At the recent summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union, held in early November in Colombia, the final document defined the Caribbean waters as a zone of peace. The text deliberately avoided any mention of the United States. Among the regional presidents who most strongly advocated for a maritime security zone in the Caribbean was the host, Gustavo Petro, who had been the target of Trumps threats even before the attack on Venezuela. The U.S. president has recently escalated his rhetoric against the Colombian president, whom he accuses, without evidence, of being involved in drug trafficking. An operation in Colombia sounds good to me, the Republican tycoon said recently.

The pressure campaign against Mexico does not, for now, include such serious accusations against the president of what is, after all, the United States largest trading partner. The two countries share one of the worlds longest borders, highly interconnected economies, and a tangle of overlapping interests, from geopolitical to cultural, which have led to a long list of clashes. All of these have been quite asymmetrical, with the powerful northern neighbor almost always holding the upper hand.

The designation months ago of Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations and the recent designation of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction are moves that open the door to a possible U.S. military incursion into Mexico. The Sheinbaum administrations response has been to increase arrests and drug seizures, as well as transferring dozens of imprisoned drug cartel leaders to U.S. prisons. A couple of weeks ago, amid escalating tensions with Venezuela, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Mexican government is doing more right now on the issue of security than ever before in its history. Since Trumps inauguration, the carrot-and-stick approach has been a constant in the bilateral relationship, now marked by the very real threat of intervention on Mexican soil.

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The US president decided to support the continuity of the Chavista regime because he believes that this better guarantees stability in the Latin American country

Just 48 hours after the arrest of Nicolas Maduro in Caracas by U.S. military forces, Delcy Rodriguez, the woman who until then had served as the number two of the Venezuelan government, was sworn in as president of the country.

Following the lightning military operation to overthrow the Venezuelan president, the United States has left power in the Latin American country in the hands of Rodriguez, based on reports from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), according to reports published by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. U.S. spies advised the White House that it was more advantageous to keep those loyal to the Chavista regime in power because they control the military and police forces. The intelligence report suggests that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who garnered significant popular support during the 2024 elections, would have difficulty controlling the Venezuelan government and military after several decades of Chavista rule.

Machado, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, has supported Trumps bellicose rhetoric against Maduro and the entire U.S. pressure campaign against the Chavista regime until the removal of the Bolivarian leader.

Maria Corina Machado and former opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, during a protest in Caracas on July 30, 2024. Alfredo Lasry R (Getty Images)

Donald Trump surprisingly avoided endorsing Machado during the press conference in which he explained the details of the operation: I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. He added: She doesnt have the support or the respect within the country. Shes a very nice woman, but she doesnt have the respect.

The CIA report  commissioned to analyze the political situation in Venezuela after the supposed fall of Maduro  did not consider military options to remove the Venezuelan leader but it did advise that the leading officials of the Chavista regime  Rodriguez; Minister of Justice and Interior Diosdado Cabello; and Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino  would be better positioned to lead a temporary government in Caracas and maintain short-term stability if Maduro were overthrown.

Trump decided to keep Rodriguez in power, along with a small group of advisors, after reading the CIA report, according to two sources consulted by U.S. newspapers. The White House is concerned about stability in Venezuela after the military intervention; they dont want it to become a powder keg of civil war or military uprisings.

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Stingless bees in Peru's Amazon are now more than just pollinatorsthey're legal subjects with rights, in what advocates say is the first such protection for insects anywhere. Two municipalities, Satipo in the Junin region and Nauta in Loreto, have passed ordinances recognizing native stingless bees' rights "to exist and thrive"; to live in clean, stable habitats; and to be represented in court when those rights are threatened, per the Guardian . The move follows years of research and lobbying led by chemical biologist Rosa Vasquez Espinoza and the nonprofit Earth Law Center, amid mounting concerns over deforestation, climate change, pesticides, and competition from aggressive Africanized "killer" bees.

Stingless beeswhich Espinoza calls "little angels" that most people don't know about, per Inside Climate Newshave been cultivated by Indigenous communities since long before European contact. They promote biodiversity and are considered the Amazon's primary pollinators, responsible for more than 80% of plant pollination in the rainforest, including for cacao, coffee, and avocados, per the Guardian. They also provide honey rich in bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, and even anti-cancer properties, according to Espinoza's analyses.

For Indigenous groups such as the Ashaninka and Kukama-Kukamiria, the bees hold cultural and spiritual importance, embodying knowledge handed down through generations. Research mapping bee populations tied their decline to forest loss, helping secure a 2024 national law recognizing stingless bees as Peru's native beesa key step, since native species must be protected under Peruvian law. The new municipal ordinances go further by establishing a legal mandate for habitat restoration, strict pesticide controls, climate mitigation measures, and expanded scientific study.

Supporters hope the precedent will spread: An Avaaz petition urging Peru to adopt bee rights nationwide has drawn hundreds of thousands of signatures, and groups in Bolivia, the Netherlands, and the United States are examining the model for their own wild-bee protections. Animals other than insects have earned similar legal protections, like Panamanian sea turtles and all wildlife in Ecuador, per Smithsonian.
President Trump is pitching regime change in Venezuela as an energy opportunity, but the path from military operation to meaningful oil production is anything but straightforward, the Wall Street Journal reports. At a Mar-a-Lago press conference, Trump said the ouster of Nicolas Maduro would clear the way for "very large United States oil companies" to move in, spend billions rebuilding Venezuela's dilapidated energy sector and "start making money for the country." He suggested the US would retain a portion of future oil proceeds as compensation for "damages" he said Venezuela caused the USa view consistent with his long-stated belief that oil should be treated as a spoil of war and a lever of American power.

The fundamentals, however, are daunting. Venezuela's oil industry has been hollowed out by years of corruption, nationalizations, and an exodus of skilled workers. Production has fallen to about 900,000 barrels a day, roughly a third of it from Chevron, now the only major US operator left and the country's largest foreign investor. Other giants such as Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips quit in 2007 after then-President Hugo Chavez seized assets; both sued and recovered only portions of their claims after lengthy arbitration. Any new entrants would have to weigh that history, the country's unsettled political transition, and oil prices stuck below levels that typically justify major new investment.

"The potential to boost Venezuelan production hinges on capital, which in turn depends on political stability and likely requires guarantees from the US government," one analysts note issued Sunday said, per Axios. Even if Washington can open the door, American companies "will be wary to enter without a stable security environment, and very favorable terms to reduce the risk," another note said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Sunday, saying companies would need "certain guarantees and conditions." Venezuela holds what it says are more than 300 billion barrels of proved reserves, mostly heavy crude prized by refiners in the US Gulf Coast and Asia.

To attract broad foreign participation, analysts said, a new Venezuelan government would likely need to overhaul oil laws to limit state interference, negotiate with multilateral lenders for infrastructure financing, and restructure roughly $160 billion in national debt, along with settling outstanding investor claims. As one Caracas-based economist put it, per the Journal, reviving the sector would resemble a Marshall Plan, not a quick drilling campaign. Now that Maduro is toppled, industry veterans warn that building the stability and legal certainty needed to unlock Venezuela's oil in a big way will be the real test.
South Korea's new president, trying to reconnect with disillusioned young voters, has returned to a possibility he raised in his unsuccessful 2022 campaign : paying for baldness treatment with public money. At a recent televised policy meeting, President Lee Jae Myung asked his health minister whether the national insurance system could begin covering hair-loss care, calling baldness a disease and arguing that young people with thinning hair see it as a "matter of survival." The proposal is now under review by the health ministry, the Wall Street Journal reports.

South Koreans are split on the idea. Kim Sang-jin, 33, who spends about $100 a month on shampoos, foams, and clinic visits, say the costs are onerous and the psychological burden is real. Seo Eun-ji, 26, who has struggled with thinning hair herself, argues that taxpayers shouldn't underwrite a largely cosmetic issue that skews male and can often be managed individually. The Korean Medical Association has also questioned whether a strained health budget should be stretched to cover hair-loss care. Jemin Park, 27, wants the government to instead invest in developing a true cure. National health insurance pays for treatments when the hair loss is caused by medical conditions. But Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong said it excludes people with hereditary hair loss because that does not threaten someone's life, per the BBC.

The national fixation on appearance forms the backdrop. In a society where job applications routinely require photos and "lookism" is an accepted term, hair can feel like a professional credential as much as a personal trait, per the Journal. Polling suggests more than three-quarters of South Koreans think everyone worries about hair loss, and roughly half say they're interested in treatments even if they show no signs of balding. Lee Won-woo, 33, said hair loss "has seriously eroded my confidence," per the BBC. But he doesn't think the insurance system can handle the cost of treating baldness. "It's a natural part of aging, not an illness or a disease," Lee said. "I understand the emotional pain, but that doesn't change the reality."
Americans marking the nation's 250th birthday will be getting new coins in their changejust not the ones some advisers thought told the full story. Special quarters honoring the 250th anniversary of the US began circulating Monday, with designs honoring the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address, NPR reports. Missing from the lineup: proposed coins spotlighting abolitionist Frederick Douglass, civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, and the women's suffrage movement.

Those designs were recommended by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee but ultimately rejected by the Treasury secretary, who chose the final imagery after a multiyear process that began with a 2021 law authorizing the commemorative series. CCAC member Donald Scarinci, who has served on the panel for 20 years, says the committee's intent was to link the Declaration of Independence to the country's long fights over slavery, civil rights, and voting rights. He boycotted the unveiling of the final designs, saying, "We saw designs we'd never seen before," after the Douglass, Bridges, and suffrage quarters were swapped out for more traditional historical themes.

Another idea floating around the Mint is drawing even sharper criticism: a proposed $1 coin bearing the image of President Trump, which would circulate widely. Numismatic historian Douglas Mudd calls it "an absolute break from tradition," noting no living president has appeared on a standard-issue US coin. The nation's first president, who didn't appear on a coin until 1932, "expressly said, I, George Washington, will not have my portrait on United States coins. We are done with kings," Scarinci tells NPR. "And for 250 years, around the world, the only nations that placed images of their rulers on coins are monarchs and dictatorships."

The five quarters will only be minted this year, meaning they will almost certainly become collectors' items in the future, Popular Science reports. Like the bicentennial coins from 1976, they will have two dates1776 and 2026, in this case. The US Mint has images of the front and back designs here. Coin News notes that the mint is also producing special semiquincentennial versions of the half-dollar, dime, nickel, and even the penny, though the latter coin is no longer being produced for general circulation.
One of Japan's most cherished New Year foods has again turned deadly in Tokyo. Japan Today reports that according to the Tokyo Fire Department, seven older adults were hospitalized in the capital after choking on mochi during the first three days of 2026. A woman in her 80s died about an hour after midnight on Jan. 1 after choking on daifukumochi filled with sweet pasteat her home in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

The chewy rice cakes are a fixture of Japan's New Year celebrations, often served in a savory soup called ozoni, and officials issue annual warnings about their risks, CBS News reports. Mochi's dense, sticky texture makes it easy to lodge in the throat, particularly for older people. Tokyo Fire Department data show that over the past five years, 338 people have been rushed to hospitals after choking on mochi or similar foods; more than 90% were 65 or older. More than half of those incidents occurred in December and January, when mochi consumption peaks.

Despite repeated campaigns and media coverage, the pattern is familiar. Last January, two people died in Tokyo and seven were hospitalized after choking on mochi. In 2022, four women died and 12 others were hospitalized; in 2015, nine deaths were linked to the New Year tradition. Authorities advise cutting the cakes into small pieces, chewing thoroughly, and drinking tea or soup beforehand to help with swallowing. Nationwide, 661 people older than 65 died from choking on mochi in the two years before 2019, with a fifth of the deaths occurring in the three days after New Year, NHK reports

Still, many families continue to see mochi as indispensable. "Eating mochi is a really important part of the most important family-oriented day," Emily Anderson of the Japanese American National Museum tells CBS.
Denmark's prime minister says there's a red line in the Arctic, and Washington is inching toward it. Mette Frederiksen warned Monday that any US military move against Greenlandpart of the Danish kingdom and a NATO member's territorywould shatter the alliance and the security order built since 1945, the Guardian reports. "If the United States decides to militarily attack another NATO country, then everything would stop," she told a Danish TV network, calling the pressure from Washington "unacceptable" and vowing to defend "fundamental democratic values" and international law.

The comments followed President Trump's latest remarks that the US needs Greenland "very badly," after his military operation in Venezuela reignited concerns he might try to seize the resource-rich Arctic island. Nielsen said any talks must go through formal channels and respect international law. The European Union backed Denmark, stressing that sovereignty and the inviolability of borders are non-negotiable. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also voiced support for Denmark, the Telegraph reports. "The future for Greenland is for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. They're a European ally, they're a Nato ally and we stand with Denmark," he said.

At home, Frederiksen is under pressure ahead of elections to spell out how Denmark would respond if Trump's threats turned into action. Some Greenlandic leaders urged residents to "hope for the best and prepare for the worst," calling the US stance part of a "new world order" in the Arctic, where the US, China, and Russia are competing for influence as the ice recedes. Trump, asked on Air Force One about possible action in Greenland, declined to answer and said he would revisit the issue "in 20 days," while claiming the island is "full of Chinese and Russian ships" and insisting Denmark "will not be able to handle the task." He also mocked security measures in Greenland, saying Denmark had "added one dog sled."
An ill-fitting uniform and "a combination of medals that no serviceman has ever won" helped bring down a man who'd been passing himself off as a Royal Navy rear admiral for years, per the Telegraph . Former history teacher Jonathan Carley, 65, was fined 500 ($650) on Monday after admitting in a UK court that he wore a Royal Navy uniform without permission at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Llandudno, north Wales, reports the BBC . Police later found an immaculate admiral's uniform, medals, and a ceremonial sword at his clifftop home, but no record that he had ever held the senior rank he displayed at public events.

Suspicion first flared at Llandudno's 2024 Remembrance parade, where veterans noticed Carley's oversized sword and a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) among his medalsan award so rare one retired rear admiral called it an "easy spot." He also wore a medal exclusive to military reservists, never awarded to anyone holding a DSO. When Carley reappeared at the 2025 ceremony, veterans were ready: Chief Petty Officer Terry Stewart left the parade to confront him, later telling the BBC he was convinced the neatly turned-out "admiral" was a fake. Arrested Nov. 14, Carley was prosecuted under a 19th-century law banning the unauthorized wearing of military dress, becoming just the eighth person in a decade to face court over the offense. There is no equivalent UK law covering fake medals.

In a police interview, Carley said he had been seeking "belonging and affirmation." Locals in north Wales say Carley had been turning up at events in admiral's dress since at least 2018, even giving a speechsword and allat a Battle of Rorke's Drift memorial where he praised military re-enactors. "Stolen valor is a serious offense and a profound insult to the Armed Forces community," said Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan of the North Wales Police. Speaking Monday, District Judge Gwyn Jones said Carley's actions "totally disrespect the memories of all those persons who have fallen and causes a great deal of pain to families."
The US faced broad criticism at an emergency UN Security Council session Monday over the armed operation in Venezuela that brought President Nicolas Maduro to New York to face criminal charges. Representatives from nations including China, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Spain called the strikes on Venezuelan territory and the seizure of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, a violation of sovereignty and an unlawful use of force, the Guardian reports. Brazil's UN ambassador said the action crossed "an unacceptable line." France's representative, per the New York Times , said the US military operation "chips away at the very foundation of international order."

Colombia's envoy called the US action an "act of aggression" that could not be justified under any circumstances. Russia and China demanded Maduro and Flores be released, accusing Washington of acting as self-appointed global enforcer, per the Guardian. Moscow's ambassador said the intervention signaled "a turn back to the era of lawlessness," and China's representative said the US had "trampled upon Venezuela's sovereignty" and should abandon "bullying and coercive practices." Venezuela's ambassador described the operation as an "illegitimate armed attack" and labeled Maduro's transfer to US custody a kidnapping.

US Ambassador Mike Waltz rejected the characterization of the mission as an act of war, calling it a lawful operation to execute long-standing criminal indictments against an illegitimate leader, citing the 1989 arrest of Panama's Manuel Noriega as a precedent and invoking the UN Charter's self-defense article. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in a statement that the move risked further destabilizing Venezuela and the region and questioned its conformity with international law. Legal experts have also challenged the operation's basis, noting the absence of Security Council approval, Venezuelan consent, or a clear self-defense claim. The council, divided and constrained by the US veto, showed no sign of agreeing on a joint response.
The sports outfit that the Venezuelan leader was wearing at the time of his capture has become news and a source of satirical material repeated to the point of nausea

Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

The photo had all the makings of a meme: terrible framing, poor resolution, a recognizable consumer item, and a subject striking an odd pose. Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima, Donald Trump wrote when he shared it last Saturday on his social media platform, Truth Social. The snapshot, which would go viral in seconds, graphically confirmed the capture of the Venezuelan leader. It was a historic image, and anything but innocent.

Dressed in a gray Nike tracksuit, Maduro is seen standing, immobilized by handcuffs and unable to see or hear due to a blindfold and noise-canceling earplugs. This vulnerable and helpless pose of the Venezuelan leader sought the same effect as the viral photos of other imprisoned leaders in the internet age. Fallen men, weak men: men stripped of all power.

Maduros image is reminiscent of Saddam Husseins capture in 2003: disheveled, his beard caked with dirt, lying on the ground, and displayed like a hunting trophy by U.S. soldiers in an amateurish, poorly framed photo. Or the pixelated, bloody snapshots distributed by Reuters of Osama bin Ladens three bodyguards killed in May 2011 during his capture at his home in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Those would be the only images available of that military operation because Obama refused to use the photo of the Al-Qaeda leader for political propaganda: This isnt something to celebrate like we scored a goal; thats not who we are, the then-president said, explaining why the White House wouldnt release the photos of the Al-Qaeda leaders capture.

By 2025, the world may have normalized the use of sweatsuits and sportswear in everyday life, but the photo of Maduro in handcuffs is pure ideology within the masculinist and reactionary semantics of Trumpian power, ready to be replicated infinitely. Its an image meant to symbolize that infamous quote popularized by Karl Lagerfeld: You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.

In a matter of hours, that outfit, recognizable by its logo, became news and satirical material reproduced to the point of nausea. From AI showing famous actors wearing it to websites scraping together some traffic with headlines like Where to buy the tracksuit Nicolas Maduro was wearing when he was arrested. On Instagram, the Argentinian publishing house Caja Negra interpreted the absurd craze for tracksuits by quoting one of the authors in its catalog, Guy Debord: Under the shimmering diversions of the spectacle, banalization dominates modern society the world over and at every point where the developed consumption of commodities has seemingly multiplied the roles and objects to choose from.

In her essay In Defense of the Poor Image, video artist, professor, and theorist Hito Steyerl reflected on why images with a crude aesthetic work so well within the production and circulation systems of digital images. Nothing appeals to the internet more than a sloppy image, ripe for endless reproduction and dissection. So it makes sense that, in times of war, where disorder and decontextualization reign, propaganda is supplied with poor images. And with a tracksuit available in stores and online for around $200.

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President Trump is dangling a major incentive to US oil companies if they help remake Venezuela's battered energy sector: the prospect that Washington might pay them back. Analysts say the effort is likely to take years and billions of dollars, per the Guardian . In an interview with NBC News , Trump said he believes American firms could restore and expand Venezuelan oil production in under 18 months, but only with massive investment. "A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent," he said, adding that companies would "get reimbursed by us or through revenue." He declined to estimate the total cost but called it "very substantial," while predicting that both the companies and Venezuela would ultimately benefit.

Whether that reimbursement comes directly from US taxpayers or from future oil profits is a central unanswered questionand a potential sticking point for industry executives still wary of Venezuela. Major firms such as Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips have seen their assets expropriated there multiple times, including nationalizations in the 1970s and again under Hugo Chavez in 20062007. Exxon CEO Darren Woods recently noted the company had been "expropriated from Venezuela two different times" and said any return would depend on the economics. Chevron, which accepted tougher terms years ago, remains in the country under a sanctions waiver.

Trump argues that bringing Venezuela's vast reserves back online would push crude prices lower, and in turn make US gasoline cheaper. But cheaper oil would also squeeze the same companies he is counting on to pour billions into Venezuela's infrastructure. Asked whether he had spoken to top executives at Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, Trump refused to say, though he noted the firms were aware the administration was considering action against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The Guardian reports Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to meet this week with oil executives as the administration maps out its broader push to rebuild Venezuela's oil sector.
UPDATE

Jan 7, 2026 12:30 AM CST

Hilton has dumped the Minneapolis-area hotel that canceled reservations made by the Department of Homeland Security for ICE agents. The hotel chain removed the independently owned and operated Hampton Inn in Lakeville from its systems after a conservative commentator raised further concerns, USA Today reports. The commentator said that, after the initial round of canceled reservations sparked backlash and prompted an apology from Hilton, he attempted to make a reservation posing as a DHS employee and was unable to. "The FRONT DESK manager said he had spoken with the owner shortly before I walked in ... and confirmed the ANTI-DHS POLICY REMAINED IN EFFECT," he wrote in a lengthy post on X that apparently prompted Hilton to sever ties to the hotel.

Jan 6, 2026 2:00 AM CST

A hotel near Minneapolis managed to anger both the federal government and its own corporate brand in a single policy decision. The Department of Homeland Security says a Hilton-branded property in a Twin Cities suburb canceled room reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after staff realized the bookings came from DHS email addresses and used government rates. In screenshots posted by the department on X, hotel operators wrote that they had seen a spike in federal bookings and were "not allowing any ICE agents to stay at the property," the Guardian reports. Specifically, the property was a Hampton Inn, one of Hilton's brands, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The judge overseeing Nicolas Maduro's criminal case seems to be as notable for his age as for his refusal to bend to expectations. Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old federal judge in Manhattan appointed by President Bill Clinton just a month after Google became a registered company, handled Monday's arraignment of the deposed Venezuelan leader and is expected to preside over any eventual trial, reports Politico and USA Today . Lawyers who've appeared before him describe a jurist who is fiercely independent, sometimes idiosyncratic, and largely unconcerned with how his decisions are received. "He tries very hard to do the right thing," one former federal prosecutor tells Politico. Another calls him "old-school" and bluntly notes "he doesn't give a s--- what anyone thinks about him."

CBS News calls him "a thorn in Trump's side." He ruled against the president's efforts to shift the Manhattan hush-money case involving Stormy Daniels to federal courtrulings that were partly reversed on appeal. He also temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants from the Southern District of New York with minimal judicial oversight. A Bronx native and Columbia Law School graduate, Hellerstein also supervised more than 10,000 lawsuits from 9/11 responders and their families and, in 2012, pressed Paris Hilton and a business partner to resolve a royalties fight over a lingerie line. He also rejected proposed civil settlements from Harvey Weinstein, per Fox News.

Maduro landed in Hellerstein's courtroom because the judge was assigned in 2011 to a related case involving a co-defendant; the former Venezuelan president was added to that indictment in 2020. Monday's hearing, in which Hellerstein cut off Maduro mid-speech, is a "perfect example" of the short leash he gives those in his courtroom, defense attorney Louis Gelormino tells Fox. Given the complexity and diplomatic sensitivity, observers compare the Maduro case to the US prosecution of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, whose trial began 20 months after his capture and lasted seven months. If that case is any guide, proceedings before Hellerstein could stretch on for years. Hellerstein, however, has a reputation for pushing lawyers to move quickly, per Politico.
UPDATE

Jan 8, 2026 3:15 PM CST

House Republicans who voted unanimously for two bipartisan bills failed to defy President Trump in numbers large enough to override his vetoes on Thursday. The vote to override Trump's veto on a Colorado water project was 248-177, with 35 Republicans in favor, the Hill reports. On Trump's veto of a measure to enlarge land reserved for the Miccosukee Tribe in the Florida Everglades, the vote was 236-188, with 24 Republicans voting to override the veto. Overriding the veto would have required 290 votes, two-thirds of the chamber.

Critics said Trump's vetoes of the previously low-profile and uncontroversial bills were the result of political grudges. Asked whether the veto of the Colorado bill she sponsored was connected to her support of the bill to release the government's files on Jeffrey Epstein, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert said, "I certainly hope not." On the House floor, she said some communities in her state could see the cost of drinking water triple if the legislation died, the AP reports.

Jan 6, 2026 2:39 PM CST

House Republicans are preparing an unusual break with President Trump, lining up votes to override two of his vetoes in what would be a rare act of open defiance, per Politico and Axios. According to both outlets, the House is expected to vote Thursday to overturn Trump's rejection of two bipartisan bills: one to ease financing terms for a long-planned drinking water pipeline in southeastern Colorado, and another to enlarge land reserved for the Miccosukee Tribe in the Florida Everglades. Both measures cleared Congress in December with support from both parties, but reversing a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate, a bar that is seldom reached.
The United States on Monday reached a deal with Dominica to start sending foreigners seeking US asylum to the small Caribbean nation, the AP reports. Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described the deal as "one of the primary areas of collaboration" after the country was recently hit with partial US visa restrictions . Dominica's government has been in talks with US officials to try to resolve the US entry limitations. Skerrit did not provide any other details, including how soon the US would start sending asylum-seekers to Dominica.

Skerrit said that during discussions with the US State Department, "there have been careful deliberations of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica." Dominica has a population of roughly 72,000, and Monday's announcement has left many locals concerned about whether the island has enough resources to absorb asylum-seekers into its population, according to Thomson Fontaine, leader of the country's main opposition party. "The prime minister still has not told the Dominican public what exactly he has agreed to, in terms of the numbers of persons that are going to come to Dominica, where will they be housed, how will they be taken care of," Fontaine told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.

The administration of US President Trump has signed similar deals with countries, including Belize and Paraguay, as it continues to pressure countries in Latin America and Africa to take asylum-seekers. Antigua and Barbuda also announced Monday that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding proposed by the US "as part of its global efforts to share responsibility for refugees already present in its territory." Local government officials said Antigua and Barbuda would not be accepting anyone with a criminal record. Last month, the Trump administration announced it was expanding travel restrictions to an additional 20 countries, including Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, the sole Caribbean nations on that list. The restrictions took effect Jan. 1.
In the wake of last weekend's US military action in Venezuela, the news media got something it seldom hears from the Trump administration: a thank you. Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited news organizations that had learned in advance about last Saturday's strike leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with not putting the mission in jeopardy by publicly reporting on it before it happened, per the AP . Rubio's acknowledgment was particularly noteworthy because Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has cited a mistrust of journalists' ability to responsibly handle sensitive information as one of the chief reasons for imposing restrictive new press rules on Pentagon reporters.

Most mainstream news organizations have left posts in the Pentagon rather than agree to Hegseth's policy. Speaking on ABC's This Week on Sunday, Rubio said the administration withheld information about the mission from Congress ahead of time because "it will leak. It's as simple as that." The primary reason was operational security, he said. "Frankly, a number of media outlets had gotten leaks that this was coming and held it for that very reason," Rubio said. "And we thank them for doing that, or lives could have been lost. American lives."

Semafor, citing "people familiar with communications between the administration and news organizations," reported that the New York Times and Washington Post had both learned of the raid in advance but held off reporting on it to avoid endangering US military personnel. Representatives for both outlets declined comment on Monday. Withholding information on a planned mission for that reason is routine for news groups, says Dana Priest, a longtime national security reporter at the Post.

Decisions on whether to report information that could put lives or a mission in danger often involve high-level discussions between editors and government officials. But Priest stresses that in a country with freedom of the press, the ultimate decision on whether to report the information lies with the news organization. Many mainstream journalists covering the military and national security have extensive experience dealing with sensitive issues, Priest notes. But there's a difference, she says, between reporting information that could put someone in danger, and that which could prove embarrassing to an administration. More here.
Stephen Miller defended the Trump administration's push to make Greenland a part of the US and accused critics of hypocrisy on the question. "The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?" he asked in a CNN interview on Monday. "What is the basis of their territorial claim?" While the Trump aide didn't rule out the possibility of US military action in Greenland, he suggested the scenario was far-fetched. "Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland," Miller told Jake Tapper, per Fox News .

Miller's comments followed a social media post by his wife after the military action in Venezuela suggesting that Greenland would be next. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been publicly demanding that the US "stop the threats," asserting that a US takeover would undercut the core NATO principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Miller argued it would actually help NATO. "For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States," he said. "And so that's a conversation that we're going to have as a country. That's a process we're going to have as a community of nations."

Miller also defended the aggressive posture of the US in broad terms. "We live in a world, in the real world, Jake, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power," he said. "These are the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time." In response, Sen. Bernie Sanders said Miller had just offered "a very good definition of imperialism," per the New York Times. "We're going back to where we were 100 years ago, or 50 years ago, where the big, powerful countries were exploiting poorer countries for their natural resources."
The X platform's homegrown chatbot is fueling a new wave of deepfake abuse, and regulators worldwide are taking notice. Users of Grok, the AI image tool available on Elon Musk's X, have been flooding the site with sexualized images of women and girls, including digitally "undressed" versions of real photos, according to a Washington Post investigation . Conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair, already in a custody fight with Musk over their child, learned over the weekend that Grok users had generated explicit images of her from both recent pictures and one taken when she was 14. X removed some of the posts she reported but told her others didn't break its rules, she said.

The BBC notes that xAI's own policy prohibits "depicting likenesses of persons in a pornographic manner." Grok won't show full nudity, but it has repeatedly complied with prompts to strip clothing from photos and re-dress subjects in bikinis and even dental floss, including images that appear to depict minors, per the Post. Targets have ranged from St. Clair to actor Millie Bobby Brown and Sweden's deputy prime minister, Ebba Busch. Copyleaks said that last week Grok was churning out roughly one nonconsensual sexual image per minute. Downloads of Grok jumped more than 50% over a three-day span beginning Friday.

Musk, who dismantled much of Twitter's safety and moderation staff after acquiring the platform, warned over the weekend that anyone using Grok to create illegal material would face the same consequences as those who upload it. But he also amplified a meme of a toaster in a bathing suit, boasting that "Grok can put a bikini on everything," and X hasn't blocked the feature. That stance sets X apart from rivals such as OpenAI and Google, which bar their systems from generating explicit sexual images.

Regulators in France, India, and the UK have opened or signaled possible inquiries into Grok's undressing feature and its apparent production of sexualized images of children. Legal experts say existing laws on deepfakes and nonconsensual sexual imagery may not clearly cover AI-generated photos where subjects are nearly nude but not technically exposed. Critics argue Musk is "actively enabling harm-making tools," in the words of former Twitter integrity chief Eddie Perez. When Mashable sent a request for comment to xAI on the matter, the firm sent back an auto response: "Legacy Media Lies."
Americans are backing the surprise US assault on Venezuela in only limited numbers, with far more worried about what comes next. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that about one-third of Americans approve of the military operation that removed President Nicolas Maduro, while 72% fear the US will get drawn too deeply into the country's affairs. The split is sharply partisan. Roughly 65% of Republicans support the strike ordered by President Trump, compared to just 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents.

The raid, carried out before dawn Saturday in Caracas, led to Maduro's capture and transfer to US custody on drug-trafficking charges. It also set off a broader debate over Trump's follow-up declaration that Washington would now "run" Venezuela, a stance at odds with his long-standing criticism of foreign interventions. Among Republicans, the poll suggests an appetite for a more assertive US role in the region. About 43% said the US should pursue a policy of dominating affairs in the Western Hemisphere, and 60% said they would back stationing American troops in Venezuela.

Nearly the same share supported US control over the country's oil fields, echoing Trump's comments that the US needs "total access" to Venezuela's reserves. Yet even within the president's party, support comes with reservations. A majority of Republicans54%said they were worried about the US becoming overly entangled, the financial burden, and the risks to American troops. The online survey of 1,248 adults, conducted Sunday and Monday with a margin of error of about 3 points, also pegged Trump's overall job approval at 42%, his highest mark since October, up from 39% in December.

Separately, the Washington Post polled 1,004 Americans over the weekend, finding 40% approved of the US capture of Maduro, with 42% disapproving and a majority saying congressional approval should have been sought in advance. Along partisan lines, 74% of Republicans approved, while 76% of Democrats disapproved. The poll also found 45% of those polled oppose the US running the country and instituting a new government, with 24% in support and 30% unsurethough 47% of Republicans approved. The margin of error in that poll is 3.5 points.
Venezuela's most prominent opposition figure used a friendly US TV forum to court the one man now standing between her movement and power: President Trump. In a 10-minute interview on Fox News , Maria Corina Machado repeatedly praised the president, appealed for his backing, and even offered to hand him the Nobel Peace Prize she received last year. It was Machado's first televised appearance since the US seized Nicolas Maduro and Trump publicly dismissed her as a possible successor, despite her having led the opposition campaign that defeated Maduro in 2024. Trump has also declined to support Edmundo Gonzalez, who ran after Machado, and is considered by both to be Venezuela's legitimate president, per the New York Times .

Washington has instead thrown conditional support behind Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, as interim leader. Senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and a classified CIA assessment have warned that openly backing the opposition could further destabilize the country, according to a person familiar with the intelligence. Trump said over the weekend that Machado "doesn't have the support within, or the respect within, the country," describing her as "a very nice woman" but not a viable national leader.

But Machado insisted the opposition would win "over 90% of the vote in free and fair elections," which Trump has not committed to. She used the broadcast to sketch the kind of country she says her coalition would build if allowed to govern: "the main ally of the United States in Latin America," an energy hub for the hemisphere, a safer destination for foreign investment, and a place capable of drawing back millions of Venezuelans who fled under Maduro. Speaking from an undisclosed location after a clandestine trip to Norway to accept her Nobel, she said she plans to return home "as soon as possible," adding, "Every day I make a decision where I am more useful for our cause."
After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the world had one less dictator, but it was more insecure. In Venezuela, the regime hasnt even changed

Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data

Any lingering doubts about the true motives behind the 2003 invasion of Iraq were dispelled when looters were ransacking Baghdad, carrying off millennia-old artifacts from the Iraqi capitals archaeological museum, while U.S. troops fortified the Ministry of Oilthe only government building left untouched and from which not a single document emerged. The disastrous and illegal invasion, spearheaded by the United States with military support from the United Kingdom and moral backing from Spain, demonstrated that it is far easier to overthrow a dictator than to govern a leaderless country.

The differences between the U.S. attack on Venezuela, with the capture of Nicolas Maduro by Delta Force after a strike in Caracas, and the invasion of Iraq are enormous. But it seems the White House has learned some lessons from the cataclysm in the Middle East. The first measure taken in 2003 by the viceroy of Iraq, Paul Bremer  a man who strolled around Baghdad in military gear while playing at building a country he didnt understand  was to dissolve the army and Saddam Husseins Baath Party. A country deeply divided between a ruling Sunni minority and a subjugated Shia majority descended into total anarchy and ended in a civil war that left hundreds of thousands dead.

Most of the tyrants former soldiers joined the resistance, and the invasion became a living hell for the troops from the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain. In the first weeks without Saddam, the feeling that no one was in charge anywhere crystallized in the immense traffic jams that permanently paralyzed Baghdad: even the traffic lights werent working. From that anarchy emerged the Islamic State and a destabilization that continues to this day. Iraq is an extremely complex state, at least as complex as Venezuela, a country with 28 million inhabitants and an area twice the size of Spain.

Nicolas Maduro being transferred by the DEA to a New York court. ADAM GRAY (REUTERS)

The decision to keep Chavismo in power through the figure of Delcy Rodriguez, who controls the levers of power, especially the armed forces, is surely a lesson learned in Baghdad from the mistakes of the hawks in the Bush Administration who, compared to the current ones, now look like convinced democrats.

The betrayal of Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado, the legitimate winners of the elections stolen by Nicolas Maduro, follows the same logic that led to the protection of the Ministry of Oil while one of the worlds most important archaeological museums was being lootedone of the great classics of archaeology is Samuel-Noah Kramers History Begins at Sumer, and a part of that history was lost during those fateful days. The sense of freedom after the fall of Saddam Hussein, a genocidal tyrant who did not hesitate to gas his own people, quickly vanished, just as it did in Libya with Muammar Gaddafi.

Forcing regime change through bombs is not only a violation of international law, its always a terrible idea. Dominique de Villepin, the former French foreign minister who symbolized level-headedness during the process leading to the invasion of Iraq, tweeted on Sunday: However detestable the overthrown governments may be, precedents show that regime change leads neither to democracy nor to peace, but to chaos, civil war, and dictatorship. Just look at the situations in Iraq or Libya.

Donald Trump is dragging the world back to the 19th century, when there was no international order and powerful countries believed they had the right to take whatever they wanted. The only lesson the United States seems to have learned from that disastrous invasion has been pragmatic. Iraq in 2003 left the world with one less tyrant, but a much more dangerous place. Something similar is happening in Venezuela: this time the tyrant is gone, but his regime continues.

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More than three years after a gunman stormed Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, the first criminal trial tied to the police response is getting underway, as families brace for yet another painful chapter. Jury selection began Monday in Corpus Christi in the case of Adrian Gonzales, a former Uvalde police officer who was among the first on the scene on May 24, 2022, when 19 children and two teachers were killed, per the New York Times . Gonzales faces 29 counts of abandoning and endangering a child, the first of two officers to stand trial over what multiple investigations have described as cascading failures in leadership, tactics, and training. A judge moved the trial out of Uvalde over concerns an impartial jury couldn't be found there.

Prosecutors say Gonzales knew where the gunman was but failed to confront or distract him before the shooter entered the two adjoining classrooms where the killings took place during a 77-minute standoff. "If there is a duty to act and you fail to act, that's child endangerment," special prosecutor Bill Turner told potential jurors, per the Texas Tribune. Gonzales' attorney, former Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood, argues Gonzales has been unfairly "singled out" among the more than 370 officers who responded, maintaining his client is innocent. Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell has declined to comment. The jury is expected to see extensive body-camera footage and hear from investigators, survivors, and victims' families.

Meanwhile, former school district police chief Pete Arredondo, identified as the de facto incident commander that day, faces 10 counts of abandoning and endangering a child. He's accused of wrongly treating the gunman as a barricaded suspect rather than an active shooter, a decision that will weigh heavily in his trial; video shows him trying to negotiate with the shooter for more than half an hour.

Criminal convictions for officers who fail to act in school shootings are rare. A Florida jury acquitted former Parkland deputy Scot Peterson in 2023. In Uvalde, survivors like eighth-grader AJ Martinez, who's still carrying shrapnel in his body, plan to attend at least part of Gonzales' trial, seeking what his mother calls "some sort of accountability" and a step toward closure, even as physical and emotional recovery continues. If convicted, Gonzales could see up to two years behind bars, per the Times. Opening statements are set to begin Tuesday, per the AP.
A new economic study argues that if you want to predict a Supreme Court ruling these days, follow the money. Researchers from Yale and Columbia say the court has increasingly ruled in ways that benefit wealthier parties over poorer ones, diverging from the judicial oath to do "equal right to the poor and to the rich," reports the New York Times . Their paper, "Ruling for the Rich," finds a sharp partisan split: By 2022, Republican-appointed justices sided with the richer party in about 70% of cases, while Democratic appointees did so about 35% of the time. In the 1950s, the two groups were "statistically indistinguishable," each favoring the richer side in roughly 45% of such cases.

The new work builds on earlier research showing a rising win rate for businesses at the high court. One major study found that over the century through 2021, companies won 41% of the time overallbut 63% before the current court led by Chief Justice John Roberts since 2005, compared with 29% before the liberal Warren court in the '50s and '60s. The new study goes broader, labeling parties as rich or poor "according to their likelihood of being wealthy" and deeming a vote pro-rich if it shifts resources toward the wealthier sidesuch as employers over workers, businesses over consumers or regulators, and rulings that weaken the social safety net.

The researchers' approach, carried out by Yale undergraduates following a detailed protocol, has drawn mixed reviews. Supporters say it usefully quantifies patterns long observed anecdotally, including decisions that expanded the role of money in politics and limited labor and regulatory power. Skeptics, however, question assumptions such as treating most regulation as favoring the poor and worry that non-lawyers are making difficult judgment calls.

One critic says the findings simply show that "Republican appointees are more conservative than they used to be." Roberts, at his 2005 confirmation hearing, framed the issue differently: His obligation, he said, is not to the "little guy" or the "big guy," but to what the Constitution requires in each case. Quartz has more on what this could mean for cases in 2026 and beyond.
If Brian Cole is ultimately convicted as the person who placed pipe bombs in Washington, DC, the night before the Capitol riot, he may have an argument to make about avoiding prison. A Politico analysis suggests he is covered by President Trump's pardon of Jan. 6 participants. The issue is the sweeping nature of Trump's language in that proclamation, which granted "a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021."

Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi would surely object to any pardon of Cole, but the analysis by Ankush Khardori says that's irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the actual text of the pardon, "not the subjective intention of the president or the DOJ's interpretation of it." The Justice Department is brushing off questions about the possibility, but Khardori suggests they are taking pains in court not to link Cole to the Jan. 6 unrest, a sign that they are, in fact, worried.

So far, Cole's attorneys have not tipped their hand about a possible pardon defense, but that could change. In a CNN interview, former federal prosecutor Mike Gordon has a similar take to Khardori's. "The pardon language is expansive," he notes, adding that he would have immediately filed a motion to dismiss because of it. Cole has said he believed the 2020 election was stolen and was upset with both parties.
The celebrated Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr, director of such works as Satantango and The Turin Horse and the recipient of numerous awards for his long and often darkly comic films, has died at 70, reports the AP . In a statement Tuesday, the Hungarian Filmmakers' Association confirmed Tarr's death, writing that "with deep sorrow we announce that, after a long and serious illness, film director Bala Tarr passed away early this morning." During a career spanning decades, Tarr wrote and directed nine feature films, starting with his debut, Family Nest, in 1979 and ending in 2011 with The Turin Horse, which won the Silver Bear Jury Grand Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival that year.

Tarr frequently collaborated with Hungarian author Laszlo Krasznahorkai, who last year won the Nobel Prize in literature. Tarr's films, some of which were adaptations of Krasznahorkai's novels (Satantango and Werckmeister Harmonies), have been awarded prizes at festivals around Europe and Asia, and he received honorary professorships at universities in China. Tarr was born in 1955 in the southern Hungarian city of Pecs, but he lived most of his life in the capital, Budapest. He completed Family Nest when he was only 23. That film won the top prize at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International film fest that year.

His filmsthe longest of which, Satantango, clocks in at 439 minutes, or more than seven hourswere widely praised as being beautifully shot while often using slow pacing and stark imagery to depict despair and social decay. Often filmed in black and white and defined by long, hypnotic single takes that could last upward of 10 minutes, Tarr's movies depict bleak, hopeless, even dystopian landscapes set during Hungary's socialist era or in the years following the end of Soviet-dominated communism in Eastern Europe. One of his most celebrated films, Damnation, released in 1988, was co-written with Krasznahorkai and, after being positively received on the film fest circuit, helped propel Tarr toward greater international recognition.

His unique style made his work a major influence on art house cinema, including American filmmakers Gus Van Sant and Jim Jarmusch, who've praised his vision. Tarr was at times politically outspoken, criticizing nationalism and populist politicians such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as well as President Trump and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. He was also critical of Hungary's cultural policies under Orban and helped sponsor a group of students at the University of Theatre and Film Arts in Budapest who'd occupied their campus in protest of government measures in 2020. Following the release of The Turin Horse in 2011, Tarr moved to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, where he founded a film academy known as film.factory. From there, he produced numerous films by the academy's students and split his time between Sarajevo and Budapest.
President Trump said Tuesday that Indiana US Rep. Jim Baird, a Republican, and his wife are recovering in the hospital following a car accident. "They're going to be okay, but they had a pretty bad accident, and we're praying that they get out of that hospital very quickly," Trump said while speaking to House GOP members at a retreat at the Kennedy Center. "He's going to be fine. She's going to be fine." The 80-year-old Baird, who represents west-central Indiana, was first elected to congress in 2019, reports the AP .

A spokesperson for Baird's congressional office said in a statement that "his vehicle was struck in an accident, per Politico. "Congressman Baird is in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, and he is extraordinarily grateful for everyone's prayers during this time." News of the accident came as Republicans in DC mourned the death of Republican Doug LaMalfa, a seven-term US representative from California. His death, along with the resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene, narrows the party's control of the House to 218 seats to Democrats' 213. In 2022, GOP Rep. Jackie Walorski was killed in a head-on vehicle collision in her northern Indiana district.
The National Rifle Association is now in court against its own charity, accusing the NRA Foundation of hijacking its name, brand, and donor money. In a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Washington, DC, the gun rights group says the foundation has been raising money off the NRA's reputation while operating as a rival organization, reports NBC News . "This is a disappointing day, and it should not have come to this," NRA chief Doug Hamlin said in a statement, calling the complaint a "last resort," per the Washington Post .

At the center of the dispute is roughly $160 million the foundation allegedly collected "alongside" the NRA, per NBC. The NRA argues that money was mishandled in violation of charitable trust rules and claims the foundation is misleading donors by presenting itself as the NRA or as an officially sanctioned affiliate. The group wants a judge to block the foundation from using its trademarked intellectual property and from suggesting its activities are authorized by or connected to the NRA.

The lawsuit portrays the foundation as controlled by a "disgruntled" group of ex-NRA directors who the organization says were allies of longtime former NRA chief Wayne LaPierre and were forced out after allegations of financial mismanagement and breaches of fiduciary duty. According to the filing, those ex-leaders are using the foundation to reclaim influence, cut grant funding to the NRA, seize control of particular NRA programs, and compete directly for donations.

The internal fight comes on the heels of a damaging civil corruption case in New York. In February 2024, a jury found that LaPierre funneled millions in association funds to support a lavish lifestyle, and a judge later barred him from NRA membership for 10 years. LaPierre resigned days before that trial began. The NRA Foundation didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit.
Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down laws that include the country's first explicit ban on abortion pills, per the AP . The justices sided with the state's only abortion clinic and others who had sued over the bans passed since 2022, when the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Wellspring Health Access in Casper; the abortion access advocacy group Chelsea's Fund; and four women, including two obstetricians, argued that the laws violated a state constitutional amendment ensuring that competent adults have the right to make their own health care decisions. The justices agreed.

Attorneys for the state had argued that abortion can't violate the Wyoming constitution because it is not health care. Voters approved the constitutional amendment in 2012 in response to the federal Affordable Care Act. The justices recognized that the amendment wasn't written to apply to abortion, but said it's not their job to "add words" to the state constitution. "Lawmakers could ask Wyoming voters to consider a constitutional amendment that would more clearly address this issue," the justices wrote in summarizing their 4-1 ruling.

Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, said in a statement that he was disappointed by the ruling and called on state lawmakers meeting this winter to pass a proposed constitutional amendment banning abortion that would go before voters this fall. "This ruling may settle, for now, a legal question, but it does not settle the moral one, nor does it reflect where many Wyoming citizens stand, including myself," he said. "It is time for this issue to go before the people for a vote."

One of the laws overturned Tuesday sought to ban abortion except to protect a pregnant woman's life or in cases involving rape or incest. The other law would have made Wyoming the only state to explicitly ban abortion pills, though other states have instituted de facto bans on abortion medication by broadly prohibiting abortion. Abortion has remained legal in this conservative state since Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens in Jackson blocked the bans while the lawsuit challenging them went ahead. Owens struck down the laws as unconstitutional in 2024.
During his speech to a GOP retreat in DC on Tuesday, President Trump segued into jokey territory: The first lady, he informed his audience, hates when he dances at public events, reports the Hill. "She's a very classy person, right? She said it's so unpresidential," Trump said. This part of the riff was getting the most attention:

"'Darling, it's not presidential,'" Trump recounted Melania Trump as saying. "She actually said, 'Could you imagine FDR dancing?' She said that to me." After pausing a beat amid laughs, he added, "And I said, 'There's a long history that perhaps she doesn't know.'" As Mediaite notes, Franklin Delano Roosevelt had polio and was paralyzed from the waist down.
A school police officer in Uvalde, Texas, stood by during one of the deadliest school shootings in US history and made no attempt to distract or stop the gunman before he opened fire inside the classrooms, a prosecutor told a jury Tuesday. Adrian Gonzales, who was among the first to respond to the attack in 2022, arrived while the teenage assailant was still outside the building and did not make a move, even when a teacher pointed out the direction of the shooter, special prosecutor Bill Turner said during opening statements of a criminal trial, per the AP .

The officer only went inside Robb Elementary minutes later, "after the damage had been done," Turner said. Prosecutors focused sharply on Gonzales' steps in the minutes after the shooting began and as the first officers arrived. They did not address the hundreds of other local, state, and federal officers who arrived and waited more than an hour to confront the gunman. Gonzales has pleaded not guilty in the case, which is a rare example of charges being brought against an officer who is accused of not doing more to save lives. His attorneys disputed accusations that he did nothing at what they called a chaotic scene, saying that Gonzales helped evacuate children as other police arrived.

"The government makes it want to seem like he just sat there," said defense attorney Nico LaHood. "He did what he could, with what he knew at the time." Gonzales, who is no longer a Uvalde schools officer, faces 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment and could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison if convicted. "He could have stopped him, but he didn't want to be the target," said Velma Lisa Duran, sister of teacher Irma Garcia, who was among the 19 students and two teachers who were killed .

But defense attorneys described an officer who tried to assess where the gunman was while thinking he was being fired on without protection against a high-powered rifle. Gonzales was among the first group to go into the building before they took fire from Ramos, the officer's attorneys said. "This isn't a man waiting around. This isn't a man failing to act," defense attorney Jason Goss said.
An Ohio man accused of smashing windows at Vice President JD Vance's Cincinnati home was acting out of a mental health crisis, not political animus, his lawyer told a judge Tuesday. It "had nothing to do with the specifics of the vice president," said Paul Laufman, attorney for 26-year-old William DeFoor, reports NBC News . Neither Vance nor his wife, Usha, were home when the windows were broken about 12:5am Monday.

"I just don't think there's anything political going on," said Laufman, adding that he spent hours talking with Secret Service about what happened, per WLWT. "This is purely a mental health issue." DeFoor, who faces federal and local charges, had his bond set at $11,000 on Tuesday. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that DeFoor has had previous cases before Hamilton County's mental health court in recent years, including a vandalism charge for breaking windows at a local business in 2024.

According to a federal criminal complaint by FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gavin Hartsell, DeFoor first tried to smash the windows of a Secret Service vehicle blocking the driveway. An agent shouted "police" and "Secret Service," and ordered him to stop and drop what initially appeared to be a hatchet. Investigators say DeFoor instead used a hammer to shatter multiple glass panels in three large windows at the front of the house, causing more than $28,000 in damage to government-owned security enhancements.
The military veteran defended members of Congress from the mob on January 6  and now says forgetting that day puts U.S. democracy at risk

There are unsung heroes who put their lives at risk for others, heroes like 46-year-old former police sergeant Aquilino Gonell on January 6, 2021. On that day, a mob of fanatical followers of Donald Trump attempted to attack the U.S. Capitol, the symbol of the peoples sovereignty. Gonell, who was born in the Dominican Republic, put himself into Gods hands to defend the Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the building. On that day, legislators were preparing to certify the results of the election, confirming Joe Bidens victory over the controversial New York real estate mogul two months prior. The police sergeant, who emigrated to the New York suburbs when he was 12 years old and could not yet speak English, left behind the life he had been fighting to achieve. In one of the darkest episodes of U.S. history, Gonell was beaten with flag poles and crutches, kicked and thrown around, resulting in injuries from which he has yet to recover, years later.

That the nations president denies what happened and tries to rewrite history is something that torments me, and aggravates my moral wound, says Gonell during a long telephone conversation with EL PAIS. If it hadnt been for the actions taken by officers like me and my colleagues, the United States would now be a dictatorship instead of a democracy, which I hope it will continue to be after this black cloud who is currently running the country.

Five years after the attack on the Capitol, former sergeant Gonell opted to leave the country to get away from the memories that still trouble him. He traveled to Colombia to spend a few days with his wife. He lives in Virginia, a half-hour drive from Washington, where the Capitol still stands, a supposed symbol of freedom. Gonell wrote an emotive and shocking book, American Shield, in which he shares his experience.

I was assaulted by more than 40 people, my face was covered in blood, he says. The attack on the building lasted for five hours. During that time, Gonell thought he was going to die, that he would never see his family again. The aggressions left him with serious injuries to his foot, shoulder and hand  but the worst part was the psychological trauma that still resurfaces when he recalls that days events.

Protestors during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Jose Luis Magana (AP)

Question. Would you do it all over again? Would you put your life at risk?

Answer. Yes, I have no doubt that if I was in the same situation, I would do it all over again. I would do my duty. There are some things that a person cant control. According to my conscience and the eyes of God, I did what was right. Its them who will have to settle accounts later on, because of their cowardice, their lack of loyalty to the country, and the damage they caused by not doing what was right.

Gonell says that he was the first person in his family to finish high school. His father was a taxi driver in Brooklyn and didnt have the money to send him to college. So, he enlisted with the military to pay for his own education. What I experienced defending the Capitol against rioters was worse than the combat I saw in Iraq, he said in an article published by The New York Times on the fourth anniversary of the attack. He has had to retire due to his injuries. He survives on a pension that constitutes 40% of his salary as a police sergeant at the Capitol. I have also lost a lot financially, he says. Some of the people who died while attempting to attack legislators have been awarded millions in compensation by authorities. Gonell has had to launch a crowdfunding campaign to make ends meet.

Q. What happened that day?

A. Its hard to remember it. I have trauma. Now they say nothing happened, nothing happened. I have a couple of questions. When they say nothing happened, what do they mean  that nothing happened to them? Nothing happened to the governments elected officials. It happened to us, the police.

Q. Do you still get threats and insults?

A. Yes, every time I post something online. I did my duty. I did what I had to do on my own authority. I defended, protected, and saved lives that day. The lives of government officials, those of the people who nowadays, instead of praising the police, attack us.

During the course of that fateful day, nine people died as a consequence of the onslaught of hundreds of extremists and conspiracy theorists who believed Trumps version of the election results. To this day, the Republican magnate says the 2020 election was stolen from him, despite the fact that there is a complete lack of proof to back up the statement  and indeed, there is much that points to the contrary. One of the officers who was with Gonell, Brian Sicknick, died after suffering two strokes caused by pepper spray. Another officer experienced burns from electric shocks that caused brain damage. Four who were wounded that day committed suicide in the months that followed.

Q. Is there space for forgiveness or reconciliation after what happened?

A. No, I dont think so. One of my reasons for saying no is because those people, who were pardoned, the first reaction they had was to try to seek retaliation against me, against my colleagues. Those people dont want the country to reconcile. Theyve gotten more defiant. They have tried to intimidate and assault us. They intimidate other politicians and elected officials, they make you doubt that a national reconciliation will ever be possible while this president is in office.

Gonell doesnt want to remember. He suffers severe post-traumatic stress to this day. The trauma worsened when Trump won the election to return to the White House.

Q. How did that make you feel?

A. I had a lot of different emotions that day. I thought, Why did I risk my life, if at the end of the day the person responsible for it, who lied, who planned it all, they believed him? They believed the liars more than us, the people who defended the Capitol. I cant believe that person deserved to be elected. He should never have been president again. I tried to warn people. I talked to people who didnt understand what happened. I spoke in English and in Spanish. Even with all the things I did, because I felt that it was my duty, an extension of my service, telling the truth to people, even with all that, here we are again. I told them, Be careful, a second chaotic period of Hurricane Trump would not be good for us, it wouldnt be good for the country, it wouldnt be good for democracy. And look what happened.

Sergeant Aquilino Gonell during the assault on the Capitol.

Q. They voted for him again.

A. The founding fathers of this nation never predicted a situation like this: that the president of the United States would one day take revenge against his own government when he didnt manage to win re-election, nor did they imagine that the population would support him despite it. The worst part is that the elected officials, who know how things are, who lived through it, who have seen the evidence, and out of political convenience, out of fear of retaliation, out of fear that they will back a challenger in their election, havent opposed him.

The damage that Trump is causing is irreparable. Its going to take a lot of time to fix this crack he has created in terms of trust in the federal government, in institutions, laws, politics, and for rules to be respected

During the four years of the Biden administration, a congressional committee was created to investigate January 6. A criminal case was opened, and a judicial process was initiated. That House of Representatives committee published its findings in a meticulous report that documented Trumps multi-part plan to overturn the 2020 presidential election. It also supplied evidence that uproots the conspiracy theory of the supposed Democratic theft at the ballot box.

Q. Did members of Congress support you?

A. Many Republican legislators like to say they support the police, that they are defenders of the law and of the rules. But they turn their backs on us, even when we were the ones who did everything necessary to save their lives, everything that was required of us. Now, they criticize us for it, but on January 6, when the mob was coming after them, chasing them, looking to hunt them down, attacking the Capitol room by room, that day they panicked and were dying from fear. They tried to save their skins. That is what they have forgotten.

Aquilino Gonell bids goodbye to Hershel W. Williams, an officer who was slain during the attack on the Capitol. Tom Williams (AP)

After the frenzied attack by hundreds of protestors, a vote was held to disqualify Trump from running for president again, but it failed by a handful of votes. And when the special counsel of the case, Jack Smith, was about to file his indictment, Republicans nominated Trump as their presidential candidate, and the Justice Department shut down the trial because the law grants presidents certain immunity from criminal proceedings. Smith later said that there was more than enough evidence to convict Trump for trying to undermine the 2020 election results. But his report was useless. As soon as the Republican came to power for a second term, Trump pardoned 1,561 people who had been charged with federal crimes for their involvement in the assault on the Capitol.

Q. What was your reaction to the Trump pardons?

A. Just minutes after he was sworn in as president, minutes, and under the protection of some of the very police officers who on January 6 protected the Capitol and were attacked by Trump supporters, he pardoned more than 1,500 people who attacked the police. The Republicans now call them heroes, they say they were the victims and that they are the patriots.

Q. Not to mention, they have no regrets.

A. No, they have no regrets. When they were in the court in front of the judge, many of them said theyd do it again. For him to pardon all of them, without reviewing them case by case If they had done their research, they would see that many of them were not peaceful people, that before this they had committed crimes. Many of them should be in prison.

Police officers guard the Capitol before the arrival of the protestors on January 6, 2021. John Minchillo (AP)

Q. Do you think that there is a solution for the country, after two Trump terms, polarization, internal division, the persecution of political adversaries? Do you think that wounds this deep can heal?

A. The damage that Trump is causing is irreparable. Its going to take a lot of time to fix this crack he has created in terms of trust in the federal government, in institutions, laws, politics, and for rules to be respected. Now, if something bad happens, even if its his fault, he blames someone else. That creates mistrust in the system of checks and balances. He only wants the information he provides to be taken into account. Anyone who proposes or says anything contrary to his views is attacked, dismissed as irrelevant, or accused of inconsistency.

Q. Hes leaving several political victims in his wake, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who always questioned the attack on the Capitol.

A. He left her in front of an oncoming bus because of political differences. For me, its not a question of good or bad, I think that there are things to be said against the Republicans and the Democrats. At the end of the day, I did the right thing. I equally defended Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy. I didnt ask them who they voted for, I just knew I had to defend the Capitol, defend my colleagues, defend the lawmakers, and defend the nation. Sometimes they call me a traitor, sometimes they throw things at me, but these are the same people who claim to support the police. Except for the Capitol police, that is.

Aquilino Gonell and current Capitol police sergeant Harry Dunn in Washington D.C. on July 27, 2021. Andrew Harnik (AP)

Q. Youve talked about betrayal.

A. Ive felt betrayed by the Republicans who lived through the experience of January 6, 2021, because they forgot about the fear they felt for a couple hours that day. They lost that fear and went back to supporting him. I feel betrayed by the Republican Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, who refused to disqualify him because he said the civil court would take care of it. I feel betrayed by the Republicans who have stood idly by, waiting for God to save them while they do nothing. I also feel betrayed by the congressional commission, which did not provide much of the information it gathered to the Department of Justice in time, and the trial could not be held. The role of the attorney general was also a betrayal, as he did not do what he had to do because he wanted to project neutrality. And finally, I felt betrayed by thousands of people who forgot about January 6 in the last election, as if nothing ever happened.

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At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the dead-of-night US military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro and spirit him to the United States to face federal drug charges, officials said Tuesday. Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab said "dozens" of officials and civilians were killed and that prosecutors would investigate the deaths in what he described as a "war crime," the AP reports. He didn't specify if the estimate was specifically referring to Venezuelans. A Venezuelan official speaking to the New York Times on condition of anonymity says around 40 Venezuelans were killed, including civilians.

The death toll for Venezuelan security officials comes after Cuba's government on Sunday announced that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela had died in the operation, prompting two days of mourning on the Caribbean island. A video tribute to the slain Venezuelan security officials posted to the military's Instagram features faces of many of those killed over black-and-white videos of soldiers, American aircraft flying over Caracas and armored vehicles destroyed by the blasts.

"Their spilled blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for justice and strength," the military wrote in an Instagram post. "It reaffirms our unwavering oath not to rest until we rescue our legitimate President, completely dismantle the terrorist groups operating from abroad, and ensure that events such as these never again sully our sovereign soil."

The names, ranks, and ages of the 32 Cuban military personnel killed during the raid were published Tuesday by the Cuban government, the AP reports. Among the deceased are colonels, lieutenants, majors and captains, as well as some reserve soldiers, ranging in age from 26 to 60. The uniformed personnel belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, Cuba's two main security agencies. The government publication did not specify their missions or exactly how they died.
The gains mirror much of the action from the previous year, when big technology stocks often drove the market to a series of records, the AP reports. Markets get several updates on the job market this week that could shed more light on where the economy and interest rates are heading.

Amazon, which has reach into both retail and technology, surged 3.4%. It is one of the most valuable companies in the world and its outsized stock valuation helped counter losses elsewhere in the market, including a 1.8% loss from Apple. Micron Technology surged 10%, also helping to lift the market. Microsoft rose 1.2%. Nvidia, which is often the biggest force behind the market's direction, wavered throughout the day and finished 0.5% lower. Sandisk surged 27.6% for the market's biggest gain. The stock's value has jumped more than 800% since spinning off from Western Digital last February. The gains have been driven by artificial intelligence and the resulting demand for data-storage hardware. Western Digital rose 16.7%.

The price of benchmark US crude oil fell 2% to $57.13 per barrel, pulling back from sharp gains a day prior when the market reacted to US forces capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a weekend raid. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, fell 1.7% to $60.70 per barrel. Gold prices rose 1% and silver prices rose 5.7%. Such assets are often considered safe havens in times of geopolitical turmoil. The metals have notched record prices over the last year amid lingering economic concerns brought on by conflicts and trade wars.

On Wednesday, the US government will release its report on job openings for November. The October report showed that US job openings had barely budged. Weekly unemployment data will be released on Thursday and the broader monthly employment report, for December, will be released on Friday. Outside of the employment reports, the Institute for Supply Management will release its latest services sector update on Wednesday, while the University of Michigan will release its latest consumer sentiment survey Friday. They are both widely monitored because the services sector makes up the bulk of the US economy, and consumer sentiment has been shaky under the weight of higher prices and economic uncertainty.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 12F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Snow showers early, with a steadier snow developing late at night. Low near 5F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
TOKYO, Jan 07 (News On Japan) - New vehicle sales by six Japanese automakers in the United States rose 2.4% from the previous year to 6,023,492 units in 2025, the companies announced on January 5th, as demand remained firm despite higher tariffs introduced under the Trump administration, with three manufacturers surpassing their year-earlier results.

Toyota Motor recorded the highest sales volume, at around 2.518 million vehicles, marking an 8% increase driven mainly by strong demand for hybrid models, while Honda and Nissan also posted modest gains.

By contrast, Mitsubishi Motors saw the steepest decline, with sales falling 13.7% to about 94,000 units, and Subaru and Mazda also reported year-on-year decreases.

Looking ahead to the U.S. market in 2026, representatives of Japanese automakers said they are closely watching how negative factors such as slowing growth in electric vehicle demand and tariff policies may affect sales.

Source: BIZ
KYOTO, Jan 07 (News On Japan) - Nishiki Market in Kyoto and Kuromon Market in Osaka, both long known as local kitchens with deep historical roots, are facing a major turning point as a surge in inbound tourism transforms how they operate and who they serve.

At Nishiki Market, a number of long-established shops closed one after another toward the end of the year, while Kuromon Market has increasingly come to rely on foreign visitors for its survival. Behind these shifts is the rapid growth in the number of overseas tourists visiting Japan.

In Kyoto, where Nishiki Market had been bustling with shoppers preparing for the New Year, unexpected changes began to surface. Several traditional shops shut their doors at year-end, a development owners attribute in part to the overwhelming rise in foreign visitors. One shopkeeper, announcing a difficult decision to close, said it felt lonely to step away from a business that had long been part of everyday life.

Similar changes are evident at Kuromon Market in Osaka, often called the kitchen of Osaka. Prices have risen to levels that many Japanese shoppers find hard to justify, with some items such as tempura selling for around 3,800 yen. Products and pricing have increasingly shifted toward foreign tourists, making the market feel less accessible to local residents.

The situation has drawn attention even overseas. In recent years, posts have appeared on Chinese social media advising people not to visit Kuromon Market, citing high prices and heavy crowds. This has heightened concerns among vendors who remember how quickly foot traffic disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the year-end shopping season approached, traditionally the busiest period for markets, Kuromon Market was once again crowded, but mostly with foreign visitors. At a tuna specialty shop that has operated there for about 20 years, sushi and sashimi are served mainly to tourists, with premium fatty tuna selling rapidly at prices of around 8,300 yen for eight pieces.

Kuromon Market dates back to the Edo period and was once a symbol of Osakas seasonal rhythms, packed with local shoppers ahead of the New Year. Around 15 years ago, however, its lively downtown atmosphere spread through social media, gradually attracting more foreign visitors. The market, which had struggled after the collapse of the economic bubble, found renewed vitality through inbound demand.

That recovery was abruptly halted by the coronavirus outbreak, when foot traffic vanished and shops closed one after another. After the pandemic subsided, foreign visitors returned in large numbers, and new inbound-focused businesses began opening. Market land prices have risen sharply, from about 320,000 yen per square meter in 2010 to more than 1 million yen today, making it difficult for anything other than high-margin tourist-oriented shops to survive.

Today, local customers account for only about 10 percent of Kuromon Markets shoppers. Some residents say the area now feels more like an arcade than a traditional market, while others note that the sheer number of foreign visitors has made everyday shopping difficult, even if the change seems unavoidable.

At the same time, dependence on overseas visitors carries risks. Vendors worry that if foreign tourists suddenly stop coming again, as they did during the pandemic, the market could be left vulnerable.

In Kyoto, similar challenges are playing out at Nishiki Market, said to have a history of more than 400 years. A kamaboko shop that had operated for nearly 80 years decided to close on December 31. The second-generation owner cited advancing age, the physical burden of early-morning preparation starting at 5:30 a.m., and the lack of a successor. He also acknowledged that traditional fish cakes do not necessarily appeal to tourists unfamiliar with such foods, contributing to declining sales.

Walking through the market, the most common sight is now foreign visitors enjoying street food. Japanese customers are estimated to make up only about 20 percent of the total. The kamaboko shop was not alone in closing. A long-established pickle shop with nearly 160 years of history also shut its doors at the end of the year, saying it could not adapt to a market increasingly focused on eat-and-walk tourism rather than daily shopping.

Owners who closed their businesses said the decision was made with mixed feelings, accepting it as part of the times while mourning the loss of the old atmosphere they cherished.

After the New Year, Kuromon Market returned to normal operations following the year-end rush, but the scene remained largely unchanged, with foreign visitors accounting for roughly 90 percent of customers even on ordinary days. The head of the market association acknowledged that without foreign tourists, Kuromons recovery would have been difficult, given the challenges facing shopping streets nationwide.

Looking ahead, he said the goal is to encourage shops that Japanese customers can enjoy at reasonable prices, allowing local residents to feel comfortable returning while still welcoming tourists. Both local shoppers and visitors are valued, but finding the right balance remains a challenge.

As markets continue to search for a sustainable path forward, vendors and observers alike warn that focusing solely on short-term profits could erode the traditional atmosphere and craftsmanship that made these markets appealing in the first place, potentially driving away both locals and tourists in the long run.

Source: KTV NEWS
New research reveals how PR teams are adapting to resource pressures, media fragmentation, and the accelerating shift toward AI and measurable impact.

CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- Cision, a global leader in consumer and media intelligence, today released Inside PR 2026: Trends, Challenges, and What's Next, a landmark study examining how PR teams are responding to one of the most transformative periods the industry has seen in decades. Drawing on insights from nearly 600 PR professionals across the U.S. and UK, the report highlights a profession balancing tradition and transformation: Creativity and storytelling remain foundational, even as agility, AI fluency, and clear business impact increasingly define success.

"Inside PR 2026 shows a profession undergoing a profound evolution," said Guy Abramo, CEO at Cision. Post this Cision Unveils Inside PR 2026: The Definitive Report on PR Trends, AI Adoption, and the Future of Communications

An Industry in Transition -- and an Agility Gap Slowing Progress

The report reveals a profession operating under sustained pressure. Sixty percent of PR teams cite the rapidly shifting media landscape as their biggest challenge, and 58% point to resource pressure. Agency teams feel this pressure more acutely than their counterparts on in-house teams, with 71% reporting media fragmentation as a major hurdle, underscoring how journalist behavior and formats continue to evolve.

These pressures directly shape how agile teams feel they can be. While one in three executives describes their organization as "extremely agile," only 14% of employees agree. Structural barriers such as team size and organizational design (63%), along with slow approvals (53%), are the biggest factors holding teams back.

Taken together, the findings point to a profession not short on ambition, but constrained by infrastructure. The opportunity for 2026 is clear: Agility requires investment, process simplification, and better access to real-time insights, not just intent.

What Matters Most in 2026: Awareness, ROI, and Revenue

Brand awareness remains PR's guiding priority, cited by 36% of respondents. But the data shows a clear shift toward measurable commercial outcomes at the senior level. Executives (32%) and agencies (33%) are far more focused on revenue and ROI, while in-house teams and non-executives still lean heavily toward brand awareness, with around 40% naming it as their top priority.

Taken together, the findings point to a widening alignment gap, with senior leaders pushing for measurable results and frontline teams remaining anchored in brand-building.

AI Moves to the Center of PR Workflows

One of the strongest trends highlighted in Inside PR 2026 is the rapid integration of AI across PR activities. Ninety-one percent of professionals report using generative AI as part of their workflow, with 73% applying it to idea generation and 68% using it for writing and content refinement. AI is also reshaping data gathering and analysis, with 40% using AI-driven media monitoring and nearly a third relying on AI-powered reporting tools.

Yet the data makes one thing clear: Despite AI's growing presence in PR, the human elements remain at the core of the profession. Storytelling was cited as the most in-demand skill for 2026 (59%), followed by media relations, strategic planning, and the ability to interpret data to guide decision-making  skills that ultimately rely on human interpretation, context, and strategic discretion.

The New PR Playbook: Creativity, Intelligence, and Technology Working Together

The evolution of PR is increasingly defined by the blend of craft and capability. Media monitoring remains the most relied-on tool for teams, supporting a more analytical approach to narrative management. Meanwhile, the skill sets PR teams value are becoming more multidisciplinary -- combining creative storytelling with data literacy, strategic agility, and cross-functional collaboration.

Taken together, these changes point toward a more adaptive, insight-led, and AI-enabled model of communications.

"Inside PR 2026 shows a profession undergoing a profound evolution," said Guy Abramo, CEO of Cision. "PR teams are being challenged to move faster, prove impact, and integrate AI responsibly -- while continuing to deliver the creativity and narrative craftsmanship that make communications meaningful. The teams that can blend human insight with intelligent automation will be the ones who define the next era of PR."

Download the Full Report

The full Inside PR 2026 report, including deeper insights, role-level analysis, and practical recommendations for PR teams, is available now.

Download Inside PR 2026

About Cision

Cision is the global leader in consumer and media intelligence, engagement, and communication solutions. We equip PR and corporate communications, marketing, and social media professionals with the tools they need to excel in today's data driven world. Our deep expertise, exclusive data partnerships, and award-winning products, including CisionOne, Brandwatch, and PR Newswire, enable over 75,000 companies and organizations, including 84% of the Fortune 500, to see and be seen, understand and be understood by the audiences that matter most to them.

Media Contact:

Cision Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Cision Ltd.
The latest intercept suggests that HSRP is an emerging Carlin-type gold trend parallel to the nearby Getchell Trend -- a region known for hosting multiple high-grade Carlin-style gold deposits, including Turquoise Ridge1 and Twin Creeks1 in Nevada. To date, Eminent has only tested the Otis target. When the untested geophysical and geochemical anomalies at Eden, Sitka and to the north of Otis are included, the scale of potential mineralization is comparable in strike length and orientation to the Getchell Trend (Figure 1).

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dan McCoy, Ph.D., as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Dr. McCoy, a Nevada-based geologist with over 40 years of experience, previously served as President & CEO of Keegan Resources where he led the team that discovered and advanced the ~5 million ounce Esaase gold deposit in Ghana (now a producing gold mine in Galiano Gold) and subsequently Dan McCoy was the Chief Geologist for Cayden Resources which sold for $205 million in 2014 to Agnico Eagle. Dr. McCoy has most recently served as Eminent's founding Chief Geologist and Director and Eminent Gold is his 100% focus. The Company would like to thank President and CEO, Paul Sun who steps down due to time constraints, for all his valuable contributions to date as he transitions to a director role, remaining actively involved with the board.

Dan McCoy, President and CEO, stated:

"Our fourth hole (HSC005) is a breakthrough intercept for the project due to the consistency and length of high-grade oxide gold mineralization. This Carlin-type intercept rates as one of the most important in recent years. Unlike many programs chasing deep, refractory mineralization at the edges of known trends, HSRP represents a completely new gold trend in an underexplored range, right next door and parallel to the prolific Getchell Trend."

Dr. McCoy further commented, "I would like to thank Paul Sun for his contributions and dedication in guiding Eminent through its early stages. Paul's execution in acquiring and positioning our Nevada portfolio has been instrumental in bringing us to this exciting discovery phase at Hot Springs Range. I look forward to continuing to work with Paul as an existing director while advancing all three districtscale exploration projects in 2026."

Table 1  Significant Gold Intercepts  HSC005

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) HSC005 295.5 304.7 9.2 3.2 incl. 299.3 300.2 0.9 5.4 incl. 303.6 304.7 1.1 4.6 (1 g/t Au cut-off, no internal dilution)



The is insufficient drilling data to calculate true width but structural indications from the core and from cross-sections, suggest that the true width is at least 60% of the intercept width. This intercept is in a broader envelope that begins and ends in >0.25 g/t and equals = 31.8 m @ 1.0 g/t Au.

Geological Interpretation

Hole HSC005 is the first to penetrate the NW-trending Little Humboldt fault (Figures 2, 3) and encountered thicker and more intense hydrothermal alteration than the previous three holes. All gold mineralization intersected to date is hosted within the Mississippian Home Ranch Terrane (Figure 2), consisting of volcanic rocks with highly varying textures interspersed with lesser limestone. Some of the best host rocks are volcanic breccias with angular clasts.

Alteration occurred in two main stages. The first accompanied intense ductile deformation, which pervasively folded and thrusted the rocks, mobilizing calcite from limestones into abundant veins within the volcanics. The second, brittle event -- associated with gold mineralization and hydrothermal activity -- produced secondary brecciation and extensive decalcification. Calcite veins and volcanic rocks were replaced by pervasive silica, illite, and iron oxides that destroy the original rock fabric (Figure 4). Although quartz veins are present, the highest grades appear related to intense silicification and illite replacement.

The reported intercept is relatively uniform, with assays ranging from 1.0 g/t to a high of 5.4 g/t Au (Figure 5). In the footwall of the Little Humboldt fault, alteration extends downward into deeper, hornfelsed andesite breccia. Penetrating dense, recrystallized hornfels with significant alteration is a strong indicator of a robust, high-energy hydrothermal fluid system -- suggesting proximity to the underlying heat and fluid source.

To date, all four completed core holes at HSRP have intersected oxide-hosted gold mineralization, further de-risking the 10 km structural corridor. Drilling is ongoing on the Company's fifth hole from Pad 5 to obtain the first true perpendicular section across the Otis Fault. With the geological model now validated, the Company plans to transition to faster, lower-cost reverse-circulation drilling in 2026 to aggressively test the open targets at the Otis prospect (Figure 2) as well as at the remaining four high-priority targets.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

All samples were assayed by Paragon Geochemical in Reno, Nevada using fire assay with AAS finish. Eminent maintains a rigorous QA/QC program including the insertion of its own blanks, standards and duplicates in order to independently monitor laboratory precision and quality in its geochemical analyses.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, P.Geo., an Independent Consultant, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Cautionary Statement



References to nearby districts such as the Getchell Trend are for geological context only and should not be construed as indicating mineralization on Eminent's properties.

 https://s25.q4cdn.com/322814910/files/doc_downloads/operations/ngm/Turquoise-Ridge-Technical-Report-March2024.pdf

*HSC001 aborted due to unusual drilling conditions at 21 meters

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dan McCoy

CEO & Director

Website: www.eminentgoldcorp.com

Twitter: @eminent_gold

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/eminent-gold-corp/

About Eminent Gold

Eminent Gold is a gold exploration company focused on creating shareholder value through the exploration and discovery of world-class gold deposits in Nevada. Its multidisciplinary team has had multiple successes in gold discoveries and brings expertise and new ideas to the Great Basin. The Company's exploration assets in the Great Basin include: Hot Springs Range, Gilbert South and Celts.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements made in this news release include the anticipated completion of the private placement and the use of proceeds from the private placement. Although Eminent Gold Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, including the assumption that records and reports of historical work are accurate and correct, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop the Company's projects or its other projects, to repay its debt and for general working capital purposes; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of gold, silver and other metals, changes in general economic conditions, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the Company's projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, aboriginal title claims and rights to consultation and accommodation, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Eminent Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact: Eminent Gold Corp., Phone: +1 604-505-7751, Email: [email protected]
TDK AIsight will focus on offering an eye-intent/tracking solution with TDK's technologies for physical AI

TDK announces the TDK AIsight SED0112, a next-generation ultra-low power DSP platform integrating a microcontroller, state machine, and hardware CNN engine for AI Glasses

TDK AIsight solutions will be demonstrated at CES at the TDK booth #15803

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) announces the establishment of a new TDK group company, which will operate as TDK AIsight to address the intersection of physical AI (artificial intelligence) and generative AI, empowering AI glasses with intuitive and compelling user experiences. Building on TDK's 90 years of innovations and venture spirit, TDK AIsight will focus on the development of custom chips, cameras, and AI algorithms enabling end-to-end system solutions, by combining software technologies such as eye-intent/tracking and multiple TDK technologies such as sensors, batteries, passive components, and other cutting-edge innovations. The name AIsight is derived from the use of artificial intelligence and eyesight.

TDK

The TDK AIsight next-generation SED0112 microprocessor for AI Glasses is the latest part of a planned platform family of Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) integrating a microcontroller, state machine, and hardware Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) engine. The SED0112's built-in hardware CNN architecture is specially optimized for eye intent. The microcontroller features ultra-low power DSP processing, eyeGenItm sensors, and connects to a host processor. SED0112 supports the TDK AIsight eyeGItm software and algorithms orchestrating the execution of low-power processing, assigning the host processor to be left in a low-power or off state until an event of interest has been detected. The next-gen integrated microprocessor supports a power-saving mechanism, simplifies flow controls, and supports multiple vision sensors at different resolutions. Commercial samples are available now through the TDK AIsight website.

"TDK AIsight will be a systems solution company building groundbreaking technologies to connect users of AI glasses with generative AI, an innovative type of AI that creates new content and ideas, including conversations, stories, images, videos, and music," said Te-Won Lee, CEO, TDK AIsight. "We will assemble fully integrated solutions bringing together multiple TDK technologies to seamlessly blend context-aware computing, memory & recall, visual analysis, and scene recognition for compelling user experiences."

"TDK AIsight is a bold, concrete embodiment of our strategy for contributing to the AI ecosystem, a core function of our growth with multiple solutions across TDK for both consumer and industrial segments," stated Noboru Saito, President and CEO of TDK Corporation. "Physical AI represents a strategic domain within TDK's contribution to the AI ecosystem and enables technologies across devices, systems, and infrastructure to perceive, understand, and interact with the physical world by processing data from a variety of TDK sensors and technologies. This capability leads to autonomous robots, enhanced consumer devices, and intelligent manufacturing that will interact directly with humans and physical processes to sense user context and deliver personalized AI assistance. TDK AIsight will now be part of our portfolio to move this forward."

Reach out to [email protected] to schedule press and partner meetings with TDK Corporation and its group companies to discuss technology solutions in AI, automotive, ICT, and energy at Booth #15803, Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at CES 2026, January 6-9, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. More information on TDK AIsight can be found at www.AIsight.tdk.com; information about TDK Corporation and its complete technology portfolio can be found at www.tdk.com.

SED0112 Key Features:

Square package 4.6mm x 4.6mm

Integrated optimized neural network engine.

Camera Support

- 4 x SES0111 (eye sensor)

- 1 x SES0113 (contextual sensor)

SED0112 Applications

AI glasses

Smart Glasses (AR, Social Media)

Industrial Glasses

SED0112 Glossary

AI: artificial intelligence

Physical AI: a branch of artificial intelligence that enables machines to perceive, understand, and interact with the physical world by directly processing data from a variety of sensors and actuators.

Generative AI: a type of AI that can create new content and ideas, including conversations, stories, images, videos, and music

DSP: Digital Signal Processor

CNN: Convolutional Neural Networks

About TDK Corporation

TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) is a global technology company and innovation leader in the electronics industry, based in Tokyo, Japan. With the tagline "In Everything, Better" TDK aims to realize a better future across all aspects of life, industry, and society. For over 90 years, TDK has shaped the world from within; from the pioneering ferrite cores to cassette tapes that defined an era, to powering the digital age with advanced components, sensors, and batteries, leading the way towards a more sustainable future. United by TDK Venture Spirit, a start-up mentality built on visions, courage and mutual trust, TDK's passionate team members around the globe pursue better--for ourselves, customers, partners, and the world. Today, the state-of-the-art technologies of TDK are in everything, from industrial applications, energy systems, electric vehicles, to smartphones and gaming, at the core of modern life. TDK's comprehensive, innovative-driven portfolio includes cutting-edge passive components, sensors and sensor systems, power supplies, lithium-ion and solid state batteries, magnetic heads, AI and enterprise software solutions, and more--featuring numerous market leading products. These are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics, TDK-Lambda, TDK SensEI, and ATL. Positioning the AI ecosystem as a key strategic area, TDK leverages its global network across the automotive, information and communication technology, and industrial equipment sectors to expand its business in a wide range of fields. In fiscal 2025, TDK posted total sales of USD 14.4 billion and employed about 105,000 people worldwide.

You can download this text and associated images from https://www.tdk.com/en/news_center/press/20260106_01.html

Further information on the products can be found under https://www.aisight.tdk.com/

Contacts for regional media

Region Contact Phone Mail Global Mr. D.

ALMOSLINO

TDK, USA Corporation

San Jose, CA, USA +1 408-478-5799 [email protected] North America Ms. S.

MACKENZIE Publitek,

Portland, OR +1 503-720-3743 [email protected] Japan Mr. Tomohiro KANNO TDK Corporation

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Sectors of the Republican grassroots and some party politicians question the logic behind an intervention that seems to contradict the campaign promise of putting America first

In MAGA circles, the debate these days is largely semantic: What does the slogan America First, a central part of Trumps ideology, really mean? Some argue that it signifies absolute isolationism, and therefore the operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro and the subsequent remarks that the United States will run the South American country are a betrayal of Trumps campaign promise to prioritize issues directly affecting the American people above all else. But others reject the accusation of inconsistency and argue that the intervention in the South American country is inherently in the national interest, embracing the renewed Monroe Doctrine, now dubbed the Donroe Doctrine by President Trump.

The debate may be semantic, but it threatens to widen the cracks that have appeared in the MAGA coalition in this first year of Trumps second presidency, such as the handling of the Epstein saga, the unwavering support for Israel, the bailout of Argentina, and the attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. Since emerging as a surprise presidential candidate more than a decade ago, Trump has criticized the U.S. incursions into Iraq and Afghanistan to replace the governments of both countries as cardinal errors of American foreign policy. And, in general, he has rejected direct U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts. In this context, the operation to capture Maduro and the volatile situation it has generated seems to be an example of what he has been vehemently criticizing for years.

The issue has required the intervention of Vice President J.D. Vance, who has explained what appears to be the official position. In a post on X, he attempted to settle the discussion by elaborating on the arguments that the operation to capture Maduro, and, more broadly, the military pressure that has been exerted on Venezuela in recent months, is justified by the supposed national interest in ending drug trafficking, even though experts point out that relatively few drugs leave Venezuela and are destined primarily for Europe.

The text aligned with the official line of the past few months and clearly addressed concerns about whether pressuring Venezuela is the most effective way to combat drug trafficking. But it also introduced an idea recently put forward by Trump: entering Venezuela is also about recovering legitimately American oil, allegedly stolen by the Chavista regime. I see a lot of criticism about oil. About 20 years ago, Venezuela expropriated American oil property and until recently used that stolen property to get rich and fund their narcoterrorist activities. I understand the anxiety over the use of military force, but are we just supposed to allow a communist to steal our stuff in our hemisphere and do nothing? Great powers dont act like that, Vance wrote.

But the messages from the highest-ranking members of the U.S. government havent been entirely consistent. President Trump himself initially said the United States was going to run Venezuela. Later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio backtracked, stating that there were no U.S. troops on Venezuelan soil and asserting that they would be negotiating with Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed the presidency on Monday in replacement of Maduro.

The lack of transparency surrounding what comes next has been the target of criticism from Steve Bannon, the ideologue who accompanied Trump in his early political career and remains a prominent figure in the MAGA ecosystem through his podcast, which boasts millions of listeners. The lack of framing of the message on a potential occupation has the base bewildered, if not angry, Bannon told The New York Times. While President Trump makes the case for hemispheric defense, Rubio confuses with talk of removing Hamas and Hezbollah. On his podcast, he praised the execution of the military operation but also raised the question of whether the current situation could lead to something like the fiasco in Iraq under Bush.

Among younger Trumpian influencers, who have a massive online presence, opinions against the operation have been strong and tinged with conspiracy theories, a hallmark of their rhetoric and one that, especially regarding Israel, has already proven to be a significant point of contention. Candace Owens, who has 7.5 million followers on X, asserted that Venezuela has been liberated like Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq were liberated. The CIA has staged another hostile takeover of a country at the behest of a [sic] globalist psychopaths.

Among Republican politicians, reactions have been relatively subdued as they await greater clarity on what might happen in the immediate future. This is especially relevant given that Congress is set to resume sessions this Tuesday, and has already signaled its intention to investigate the events that led to the attack, which was carried out without its constitutionally required consent.

Only a few of those who had already broken ties with Trump over previous disagreements have openly criticized the capture of Maduro and the idea of taking control of Venezuela. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who on Monday became a former congresswoman after resigning her seat following her public clash with the president, published a lengthy post on X on Saturday, in which she dissected her interpretation of the situation, and on Sunday she spoke with NBC: This is the same Washington playbook that we are so sick and tired of that doesnt serve the American people, but actually serves big corporations, banks, and oil executives The Trump Administration campaigned on Make America Great Again, that we thought was putting America first. I want to see domestic policy be the priority that helps Americans afford life after four disastrous years of the Biden administration.

The situation has forced President Trumps most loyal supporters to perform some logical contortions to justify the intervention. Representative Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican who supports isolationist foreign policy, seemed to endorse the idea that America First was compatible with invading another country and dictating its affairs. The line of reasoning is that, since what happens in the Western Hemisphere, and especially in the Americas, falls within the U.S. sphere of influence, any military action is justified as part of the national interest.

With these kinds of arguments, or simply with silence, Trump has so far avoided mass criticism from his supporters that might prove damaging. He has also, for the moment, prevented any serious movementeven one led by just a handful of Republican congressmen, given his extremely slim majority in Congressthat would force the president to answer to lawmakers.

A targeted, surgical operation, like the one that led to Maduros capture, is easier to accept than a full-scale invasion. But the enormous questions surrounding what comes next offer no guarantee that the United States wont find itself embroiled in a direct conflict with Venezuela requiring the deployment of thousands of troops on the ground. If that scenario were to unfold, a MAGA split would likely be closer than ever.

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Menlo Park, India, January 6th, 2026, CyberNewsWire

AccuKnox, a global leader in Zero Trust Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP), has appointed Connex Information Technologies as its authorised distribution partner across South and Southeast Asia.

The partnership aligns AccuKnox with Connex, a global value-added distributor that has steadily expanded its regional footprint since its founding in 2014. Connex operates in 14 countries and supports a network of over 1,500 channel partners across its global footprint spanning Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania.

For AccuKnox, the agreement represents a practical step toward deeper regional reach, favouring localised execution and partner-led growth over centralised expansion. Through Connex, AccuKnox will collaborate closely with regional partners to support deployment, partner enablement, and customer engagement across markets experiencing rapid adoption of cloud-native and containerised technologies.

Connex has positioned itself as a partner-first organisation, with a strong focus on enablement, co-marketing, and hands-on pre- and post-sales support. As AccuKnoxs authorised distribution partner, Connex will focus on strengthening channel readiness and supporting customers as they modernise application infrastructure across hybrid and distributed environments.

Leadership Testimonials

Partnerships like this are about proximity being closer to customers and the partners who serve them, said Nat Natraj, CEO of AccuKnox. Connex has built a distribution model that understands regional nuance while maintaining strong operational discipline.

Ashok Kumar, Managing Director  SEA, Connex, said the partnership reflects a shared understanding of how technology adoption is evolving across the region. For Connex, the partnership further strengthens its portfolio of next-generation infrastructure and security technologies. For AccuKnox, it signals a steady, partner-led approach to expanding its presence across South and Southeast Asia.

About Connex

Connex Information Technologies is a global value-added IT distributor delivering technology solutions across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Founded in 2014, Connex supports a broad network of channel partners through enablement, co-marketing, and end-to-end pre- and post-sales support.

About AccuKnox

AccuKnox provides a Zero Trust-aligned Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP), delivering visibility, posture management, runtime protection, and compliance support for cloud, container, and Kubernetes environments. AccuKnox supports deployments across public cloud, hybrid, on-premises, and air-gapped environments.

Contact

PMM

Syed Hadi

AccuKnox

[email protected]


Jensen Huang revealed that latest Nvidia technology and applications including the new Ruben GPU chips.

Vera Rubin addresses skyrocketing AI computation demand (models 10x larger yearly, reasoning adds compute).

Post-training uses reinforcement learning and inference is multi-token. Tokens use increase 5x yearly. Costs decline 10x yearly due to race.

NEWS: Nvidia has released a new video of its next-generation Rubin chips, which are 5X more powerful than their predecessor, Blackwell. The new Rubin chips are already in production. CEO Jensen Huang: "This is a Rubin pod. 1,152 GPUs and 16 racks. Each rack has 72 Rubins." pic.twitter.com/5NDkKmj64y  Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 5, 2026

NVIDIA advances computation yearly. GB200/GB300 in production and Vera Rubin now in full production.

Vera Rubin Architecture is six chips.

Vera CPU (2x performance),

Reuben GPU (co-designed for low-latency data sharing),

compute board (100 petaflops AI, 5x predecessor).

Connect X9 (1.6 TB/s bandwidth), Bluefield 4 DPU (offloads storage/security), NVLink 6 switch (scales 72 GPUs as one), Spectrum X Ethernet Photonix (512 lanes, 200 Gbit optics for AI factories). 15,000 engineer-years.

First rack: 18 trays, 9 switches, 220T transistors, ~2 tons.

Scale is 1152 GPUs in 16 racks and each rack 72 Reubens (two dies each).

Extreme Co-Design was used. They redesigned all chips simultaneously despite rule against it, due to Moores law slowdown. Enables performance beyond transistor limits.

Vera CPU Details are88 cores (176 threads via spatial multi-threading), insane IO/data rates, 2x performance/watt vs. advanced CPUs.

Reuben GPU Details

5x Blackwell in FP performance.

1.6x transistors. NVFP4 tensor core: adaptive precision processor for transformers, revolutionary (potential industry standard).

MGX Chassis Revolution. Zero cables/hoses/fans. Assembly 2 hours to 5 minutes. 100% liquid-cooled.

Networking

Connect X9 (worlds best NIC, programmable RDMA).

Spectrum X (AI Ethernet, made NVIDIA largest networking company, 25% higher throughput worth billions).

Bluefield 4: is for virtualization/security/networking. New for KV cache (AI working memory) to handle growing contexts off-HBM.

Rack Design. Compute nodes (NVLink 72), context memory (150TB/rack, 16TB/GPU additional), management plane (Spectrum X switches).

Key Features. Twice energy-efficient (45C water, no chillers, saves 6% global data center power); confidential computing (all encrypted). power smoothing (avoids 25% overprovisioning); performance: 3.5x training, 5x inference vs. prior.

Performance Charts: For 10T parameter model on 100T tokens: 1/4 systems for 1-month training; 10x factory throughput (revenue impact). Token cost 1/10th.

NVIDIAs Role: Builds full-stack AI (chips to applications) for others to create apps.

Advancements in Digital Biology and Other Domains

NVIDIAs work in proteins and digital biology enabled tools like Proteina for synthesizing and generating proteins, OpenFold 3 for understanding protein structures, and EVO 2 for understanding and generating multiple proteins, representing the beginnings of cellular representation. They also developed Earth 2 AI for understanding laws of physics.

Open Sourcing Models and Libraries

All models are developed transparently and open-sourced, allowing derivatives.

NVIDIA provides a suite of libraries.

Nemo (general AI lifecycle management)

Physics Nemo

Claronemo, and Bioneo.

These handle data processing, generation, training, creation, evaluation, guardrailing, and deployment of AI modelsall open-sourced and complex.

NVIDIA as Frontier AI Builder

NVIDIA positions itself as a frontier AI model builder, creating models openly to enable companies, industries, and countries to participate in the AI revolution. Huang highlights NVIDIAs unmatched contributions to the industry, with plans to accelerate further. Models are world-class, topping leaderboards in intelligence, multimodality (PDFs), speech recognition, retrieval, and semantic search.

AI Agents and Reasoning Capabilities

These models enable building AI agents. Huang notes that early models like ChatGPT hallucinated due to lack of real-time grounding. Now, agents can reason: decide on research, use tools, break problems into steps, and compose sequences for novel tasks. This mimics human reasoning from past experiences.

Breakthroughs in Reinforcement Learning and Multi-Model Use

Agents use reinforcement learning, chain of thoughts, search, and planningall open-sourced. A key breakthrough, inspired by Perplexity, is using multiple models simultaneously for tasks, making AI multi-modal (speech, images, text, videos, 3D, proteins) and multi-model (best-fit models). Its also multi-cloud and hybrid cloud for various applications.

Framework for Future Applications

Future applications are built on agentic AIs

multi-model, customizable with open tools like Neimotron and Nemo.

Users can teach unique skills. A smart router (manager) directs prompts to the best model based on intent.

Benefits of the Architecture

Results in customizable AIs with domain expertise, always at the frontier. NVIDIA provides blueprints integrated into enterprise SaaS platforms worldwide.

Demo of Personal Assistant Blueprint

Huang demonstrates building a personal assistant using Brev to turn DGX Spark into a personal cloud. It handles calendar, emails, to-do lists, home monitoring. Integrates local open models for privacy, intent-based router, Hugging Faces Reachi mini robot for interaction, and 11 Labs for voice. The demo shows tasks like checking to-do lists, sending emails, rendering sketches, creating videos, and monitoring petsall trivial now but impossible years ago.

Architecture of Modern AI Applications

Combines pre-trained proprietary frontier models with customized ones in an agentic reasoning framework, accessing tools, files, and other agents. Enables fast creation of applications that reason through novel data.

Integration with Enterprise Platforms

NVIDIA works with leading platforms: Palantir (AI and data processing), ServiceNow (customer/employee service), Snowflake (cloud data), Code Rabbit (used internally at NVIDIA), CrowdStrike (AI threat detection), NetApp (semantic AI and agentic systems for customer service). Agentic systems become the user interface, replacing traditional tools like Excel or command lines for multimodal interaction.

NVIDIA Physical AI  Reasoning self driving cars and robots

Physical AI moves intelligence from screens/speakers to interacting with the world, understanding common sense (object permanence, causality, friction, gravity, inertia).

System for Physical AI

Requires teaching AI physics laws from scarce data, evaluating via simulation.

Involves three computers

 training AI models,

inferencing (robotics edge computing), and

simulation (NVIDIAs strength).

Stacks for Physical AI

Omniverse (digital twin simulation),

Cosmos (foundation model of the world, aligned with language),

robotics models like Groot and Alpha Mayo.

Synthetic Data Generation Breakthroughs

Key revelation is the need transform compute into data using physics-grounded synthetic generation. Cosmos generates data from simulators for training.

Cosmos Capabilities Demo

Cosmos is an open frontier world foundation model, pre-trained on videos, driving/robotics data, and 3D simulation. Aligns language, images, 3D, actions. Performs generation, reasoning, trajectory prediction. Generates realistic videos from 3D scenes, motion from telemetry, surround video from simulators/prompts. Enables interactive simulations, reasons about edge cases. Turns compute into data for AVs and robots.

Cosmos Usage and Impact

Downloaded millions of times, used worldwide for physical AI. NVIDIA uses it for self-driving cars (scenario generation, evaluation), simulating trillions of miles virtually.

Announcement of Alpha Mayo Worlds first thinking/reasoning autonomous vehicle AI

Trained end-to-end (camera to actuation) using human demonstrations and Cosmos-generated data. Hundreds of thousands of labeled examples. Reasons about actions, explains them, and plans trajectoriesall coupled.

Alpha Mayo Performance

Drives naturally like humans. Reasons in every scenario. Handles long-tail events by decomposing into normal sub-scenarios.

Self-Driving Demo

One-shot, no-hands demo shows routing, buckling up, navigating traffic, arriving safely.

NVIDIAs AV Journey

Started 8 years ago to reinvent computing stack. AV is a five-layer cake: land/power/shell (car), chips (GPUs/networking/CPUs), infrastructure (Omniverse/Cosmos), models (Alpha Mayo, open-sourced), application (e.g., Mercedes-Benz).

Inflection Point for AVs

Next 10 years, large percentage of cars autonomous. Technique applies to all robotics (manipulators, mobile, humanoid).

Robotics Ecosystem

Partners like Neurorobot, Agibot, LG, Caterpillar, Surf Robot (Uber Eats delivery), Agility, Boston Dynamics, surgical/manipulator robots (Franka, Universal Robotics).

Revolutionizing Design Industries

Integrating NVIDIA tech (CUDA-X, AI physics) into EDA/SDA tools from Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens. Enables agentic designers, simulates chips/systems/robots/factories virtually.

Siemens Partnership Announcement

Integrating CUDA-X, AI models, Omniverse into EDA/CAE/digital twins. Covers industrial lifecycle: design, simulation, production, operations. Addresses labor shortages with physical AI/automation for factories (chips, computers, drugs, AI).

Model Landscape

OpenAI leads in tokens. Open-source models will dominate due to diversity.
In an interview with NBC, the US president said that other officials including State Secretary Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will help oversee the countrys management

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed what was already a strong suspicion: there will be no elections in Venezuela over the coming 30 days, as stipulated by Venezuelan law in the event of a forced replacement of the head of state. Instead, the Trump administration will oversee the South American country while it rebuilds the oil sector, a task that the U.S. president estimates will take under 18 months. During that time, a group of his top officials will coordinate the Venezuelan administration. But Trump made it clear who will bear the ultimate responsibility: himself.

In an interview with NBC two days after Operation Absolute Resolve captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at a military base in Caracas, and on the same day that the Chavista leader appeared in Manhattan federal court where he pleaded not guilty to four charges of cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offenses, Trump expanded on details about how he plans to take charge of Venezuela.

Now that Washington has agreed to negotiate with the countrys acting president Delcy Rodriguez, elections in the near future are completely out of the question. We have to fix the country first. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote, the president stated. No, its going to take a period of time. We have  we have to nurse the country back to health.

Just as he has ruled out an election in the near future, Trump has also rejected a new government led by the opposition movement, which is headed by Maria Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The Washington Post reported that the president did not want to put her in charge of Venezueladespite the fact that the United States considers that the opposition won the June 2024 electionsbecause Machado was honored with the award that Trump badly wanted to receive himself. In his statements to NBC, Trump denied this theory: She should not have won it, he said. But no, that has nothing to do with my decision.

Donald Trump and Marco Rubio during the operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro. Molly Riley (AP)

Some U.S. media outlets have reported that Trump was seriously disappointed with the Venezuelan opposition after the movement failed to oust Maduro from power in 2019, despite the support of the U.S. administration he led at the time.

The priority Trump has established in all his statements is to rebuild the oil sector, the countrys economic engine, which holds reserves of 300 billion barrels underground and represents a major U.S. interest. Trump said the effort will require a massive investment measured in the billions of dollars. Although U.S. oil companies will bear the brunt of this expenditure, Trump suggested the U.S. government could subsidize it.

A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue, he told NBC.

A group of four highly trusted officials will help oversee the U.S. intervention in Venezuela: Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth; deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller; and Vice President J.D. Vance. Its a group of all. They have all expertise, different expertise, he noted.

But he also clarified that there should be no doubt about who will be ultimately in charge of this oversight: Me, he stated.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in to lead Venezuela, has been cooperating with Washington, according to Trump. But the president maintains that there were no prior contacts with her before Maduros fall, a statement that contradicts reports published in the U.S. media. Trump also stated that his administration will soon decide whether to lift the sanctions against Rodriguez who, until Monday, was the vice president of the Chavista regime.

He declined to specify whether he had spoken directly with Rodriguez at any point, only confirming that Rubio, his key foreign policy advisor and the son of Cuban exiles, had been in contact with her and has a personal interest in the region. Their relationship has been very strong, he explained. The U.S. Secretary of State speaks to her fluently in Spanish.

Congressmen and senators during a press conference in Washington. WILL OLIVER (EFE)

Asked if there was any deal with any official in Venezuela to remove Maduro, Trump replied: Well, yeah, because a lot of people wanted to make a deal, but we decided to do it this way. He also asserted that the operation was carried out without the help of the inner circle of people closest to the Chavista leader.

Initially, Trump said, he and his team thought a second wave of attacks might be necessary. Were prepared to do it, he said. We anticipated doing it, actually.

But Trump denies that the United States is at war with Venezuela: Were at war with people that sell drugs. Were at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country.

He also insists that his supporters back him wholeheartedly, despite basing his election campaign in part on the promise of keeping the U.S. out of wars, and despite some isolated criticismsuch as from his former ally in the House of Representatives, Marjorie Taylor-Greene, who claims that ultraconservative voters elected him to end wars, not to start conflicts.

MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what Im doing. MAGA loves everything I do, Trump said. MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do, and I love everything I do, too.

His critics, both Republicans and Democrats, have pointed out that the president did not seek Congressional authorization, as is required for acts of war, before giving the green light to the operation in Venezuela. His administration argues that it was unnecessary because, in their view, it is not a military action, but a police operation to arrest a drug trafficker. Washington considers Maduro not to be the legitimate president of Venezuela and accuses him of being the head of the Cartel of the Suns.

Trumps explanation is different. We have good support congressionally. And Congress knew what we were doing all along, but we have good support congressionally. Why wouldnt they support us? Asked what Congress knew, and whether lawmakers received advance notice of the plans, the president declined to answer. I dont want to get into that, but people knew.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian central bank will provide an additional 2.5 billion ringgit (about 620 million U.S. dollars) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said in a statement on Tuesday that the additional funding focuses on channeling resources to first-time borrowers.

To date, BNM has made available 32.4 billion ringgit in concessional financing to support access to financing for SMEs through participating financial institutions, particularly viable micro and small enterprises that face financing constraints.

The upsizing increases the total allocation under BNM's fund to 34.9 billion ringgit.

Moving forward, BNM said it will transition towards guarantee-based support, targeting guaranteed financing amounting to 10 billion ringgit. (1 ringgit equals 0.25 U.S. dollars) 
The notorious Torso Killer, who has served decades in prison for the murders of girls and young women, has confessed to the brutal slaying of an 18-year-old Bergen County nursing student in 1965, officials said Tuesday.

Richard Cottingham, 79, admitted last month he murdered Alys Jean Eberhardt in her Fair Lawn home on Sept. 25, 1965, according to Fair Lawn Police Chief Joseph Dawicki.

Eberhardt, who suffered a skull fracture and was stabbed 61 times, was found by her father in their Saddle River Road home, according to news reports at the time.

Dawicki said two of his detectives began interviewing and developing a rapport with Cottingham from prison in the spring of 2021 with the hopes of solving cold-case murders.

For more than four years, detectives conducted in-person interviews with Cottingham and forged a relationship with two of his confidants, including a forensic historian and true-crime author, according to Dawicki.

In November 2025, one of the confidants, Peter Vronsky, alerted investigators that the serial killer was in poor health and wanted to speak about his crimes.

Two additional interviews took place with Detective Eric Eleshewich and Detective Brian Rypkema, both of the Fair Lawn Police Department, with the final interview occurring in December 2025.

During the final interview, Cottingham made a full verbal confession and later provided a written confession where he admitted to killing Eberhardt, Dawicki said.

In these admissions, he provided corroborating details about the circumstances leading up to the crime, the house and details about the murder which were not publicly known, Dawicki said.

Cottingham, who was from River Vale in Bergen County, killed his victims during the late 1960s and 1970s in North Jersey and New York City. He became known as the Torso Killer after several victims were found dismembered with their heads, breasts and limbs removed.

Investigators said Cottingham lived a double life, working by day for Blue Cross Blue Shield and raising his family in Bergen County.

By night, authorities say, he targeted vulnerable women and girls, often in North Jersey or New York City, assaulting and killing them in hotels, motels, or secluded locations.

He was arrested in 1980 after a hotel maid heard screams, interrupted an attack on a woman in a Times Square-area motel and alerted police.

Cottingham was later convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to life in prison. He has been incarcerated since 1981 at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton. Prison records show he is serving time for five murders.

Investigators, however, have linked Cottingham to at least nine murders, though he has claimed responsibility for dozens more, Vronsky has said.

Law enforcement officials have long treated those claims cautiously, noting that some confessions were inconsistent or could not be corroborated.

Still, advances in forensic science and renewed cold-case investigations have tied him to additional killings years after his initial convictions.

In New Jersey, Cottingham pleaded guilty to the 1974 murders of two teenage girls, Mary Ann Pryor and Lorraine Kelly, who disappeared after leaving their homes in North Bergen. Their bodies were later found in wooded areas in Bergen County, but the case went unsolved for more than four decades.

Authorities have said Cottingham continued to cooperate intermittently with investigators in hopes of clearing additional cold cases, though prosecutors have emphasized that each confession is independently reviewed.

Despite his cooperation, Cottingham remains serving multiple life sentences and is not eligible for parole.

According to Vronsky, Cottingham was convicted in the early 1980s of five murders committed between 1977 and 1980 in New Jersey and New York City.

Those convictions included the killings of Valarie Ann Street and Mary Ann Carr in Bergen County, as well as three Manhattan victims  Deedeh Goodarzi and an unidentified woman in a double homicide, and Mary Ann Reyner.

In 2009, while serving multiple life sentences, Cottingham told investigators he believed he had committed as many as 85 to 100 additional murders, describing them as perfect murders, according to Vronsky.

Between 2010 and 2017, Cottingham confessed to four additional murders from the late 1960s which were subsequently closed by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. Those cases included the killings of Nancy Vogel, Irene Blase, Denise Falasca and Jackie Harp, all in Bergen County, dating from 1967 to 1969.

From 2021 through 2024, authorities announced the closure of 10 more homicide cases dating from 1967 to the mid-1970s, based on Cottinghams confessions and corroborating evidence.

Those cases spanned Bergen County, Rockland County and Nassau County, New York, and included the 1974 murders of teenage friends Kelly and Pryor, as well as several victims killed on Long Island during the early 1970s. One additional victim identified in 2024 has not been publicly named.

Prosecutors have said each confession was reviewed independently and supported by investigative records, witness statements, or forensic evidence where available. Cottingham has pleaded guilty in several of the reopened cases, while others were closed administratively because he was already serving life sentences.

Authorities say at least 10 additional investigations remain active, and roughly 80 unsolved cases in New York and New Jersey are still being examined for possible links to Cottingham.

Michael Smith, whose mother is Eberhardts sister, released a statement on Tuesday saying his family has been waiting since 1965 for the truth to come out.

To receive this news during the holidays  and to be able to tell my mother, Alyss sister, that we finally have answers  was a moment I never thought would come, Smith said.

As Alyss nephew, I am deeply moved that our family can finally honor her memory with the truth, he said.
Two men from South Jersey were recently arrested and charged with crimes related to child sexual abuse materials, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said on Tuesday.

Mauricio Nemorio-Reyes, 22, of Camden was arrested and charged on Dec. 29 with distribution of child sexual abuse materials, possession with intent to distribute child sexual abuse materials and possession of child sexual abuse materials, officials said.

Authorities said detectives received a cyber tip that led them an online account used to possess and distribute child sexual abuse materials.

Officials said that during an investigation, Nemorio-Reyes was identified as the user of the account. He was taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility.

Jeffrey Mauer Jr., 38, of Gloucester Township was charged on Dec. 5 with distribution of child sexual abuse materials, possession with intent to distribute child sexual abuse materials, and possession of child sexual abuse materials, officials said.

A cyber tip led detectives to an online account used to possess and distribute child sexual abuse materials, authorities said.

Officials said that during an investigation into the account, Mauer was identified as the user. A forensic search of his cell phone revealed he had child sexual abuse materials, officials said.

Mauer was arrested Dec. 5 in Gloucester Township. He was taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility, authorities said.
Actress and bodybuilder Jayne Trcka has died. She was 62.

Trcka, who played Miss Mann in the parody film Scary Movie, died in San Diego on Dec. 12, her son told TMZ. The San Diego medical examiner reportedly confirmed Trckas death to the outlet, noting that her cause of death is still pending.

Trckas passing was unexpected, as her son was not aware of any medical condition or illnesses that may have contributed to her death. According to TMZ, Trcka was pronounced dead at her home after her friend found her unresponsive in the kitchen.

Jayne Trcka as Miss Mann in "Scary Movie." Miramax Films

After her role in Scary Movie, Trcka made appearances on The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! She also competed in bodybuilding shows, appeared in multiple fitness magazines and worked as a realtor. She portrayed a prison guard in the music video for Lady Gaga and Beyonces song Telephone.

After TMZ shared the news of Trckas death via X, fans took to the comments section to share tributes to the actress.

READ MORE: Beloved comedian undergoes emergency surgery, postpones shows

Remembering the strong Miss Mann, not just a role, but an inspiration in fitness and comedy, one X user wrote.

RIP Jayne Trcka. From bodybuilding to the big screen as Miss Mann in Scary Movie, she left a memorable mark in both worlds. Thoughts and condolences to her family, friends, and fans, another chimed in.
A federal judge on Monday rejected a motion by U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver to dismiss a remaining count of an indictment charging her with assaulting and impeding federal agents outside an immigration detention center in Newark last spring.

U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper denied a second motion to dismiss charges in the case as the Democratic congresswoman appeals an early ruling in which the court declined to dismiss her case.

McIver is charged with assaulting and impeding a Homeland Security Investigations agent and assaulting and impeding an ICE deportation officer during the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka outside Delaney Hall.

McIver was indicted in June after a recording of the confrontation was widely publicized.

McIver remained critical of Trump officials on Monday, repeating assertions that her visits to Delaney Hall, including one in December, align with her congressional duties. Her case comes as the facilitys population swells with people detained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Legislative oversight of an ICE detention facility like Delaney Hall cant be done from behind a deskit is my responsibility to visit it, inspect it, and hold those running it accountable for any abuses, McIver said in a statement.

McIver pleaded not guilty to all charges in June. Her attorney, Paul Joseph Fishman, declined to comment on the case when reached by NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.

Ice agents surround U.S. Rep LaMonica McIver (red jacket), U.S. Rep Bonnie Coleman (tan jacket) , and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka outside Delaney Hall in Newark on Friday, May 9, 2025. Michael Dempsey | For NJ Advance

McIver, who was elected to Congress in 2024, argued her visit was legally protected by congressional authority. The judge, however, rejected McIvers position that she holds legislative immunity under the Speech or Debate Clause. That same claim was the basis of McIvers last motion to dismiss charges against her.

However, in that decision, the court reserved judgment on the remaining count.

In an eight-page opinion, Semper wrote that the clause invoked by McIver grants Congress members protection from indictment over legislative activities and her actions do not fit the description.

Like in Counts One and Three, Defendant has not established that the purpose of her alleged conduct was to conduct oversight or gather information for a legislative purpose, Kempers ruling states. Rather, her decision to leave the facility and become involved with the Mayors arrest was essentially lobbying on behalf of a particular party, which remains outside the constitutional safe harbor.

McIver is appealing the judges ruling from November in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. She faces 17 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

McIver entered a secured area of Delaney Halls grounds, passing through a gate that was opened for a vehicle, the U.S. Attorneys Office alleged in its criminal complaint. Around that time, Baraka, a then-candidate for New Jersey governor, was permitted into the area by a guard, who mistook him for one of the congressional delegates visiting.

Baraka did not immediately comply with orders to leave, the complaint states. As agents tried to arrest him, McIver and her peers positioned themselves around Baraka, escalating the encounter. During the intense exchange, McIver slammed her forearm into an agent trying to arrest Baraka, federal prosecutors allege. Charges against Baraka were lated dropped.

McIver was among a coalition of Democratic House members who returned to Delaney Hall last month after an undocumented Haitian man died at the facility.
A New Jersey man was convicted during a second trial for the 2015 murder of his former girlfriend, who was a teacher from East Orange, authorities said Tuesday.

Andre Higgs, 53, of Watchung, was found guilty in Essex County Superior Court of first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun for the murder of Latrena May.

May had been a teacher at Pride Academy Charter School in East Orange for six years before her death. Colleagues described her as dedicated, caring and hardworking.

A graduate of Felician College in Lodi, she was initially hired as a substitute teacher before working her way into a full-time support role at the school.

Prosecutors said Higgs shot and killed May on the steps of her two-family home in East Orange. The shooting happened in front of a police detective who had pulled his car over to help the woman.

Detective Kemon Lee testified during the first trial that Higgs shot at him, and he fired back and struck Higgs in the legs.

Higgs retreated into Mays home and barricaded himself as the couples then four-year-old daughter slept. He was later arrested at the home.

Andre Higgs was first found guilty in 2017 of shooting and killing his former girlfriend, Latrena May, in East Orange. Robert Sciarrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Higgs was originally convicted of murder in 2017 and sentenced to life in prison. In 2023, the New Jersey Supreme Court overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial.

The Supreme Court ruled Higgs attorneys should have been granted access to Lees internal affairs records and permitted to cross-examine Lee about prior on-duty shootings.

As we said in 2017 and repeat today, Detective Kemon Lee was a hero that day for responding to Latrena May and attempting to save her from the grip of her abuser, Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab said in a statement.

Higgs faces 30 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 26.
A New Jersey restaurant just got honored for having the best fast food menu item in the state... even if the eatery isnt exactly fast food.

Lovefood.com, a food publication based in the United Kingdom, published their list of the best fast food dish in every state.

For New Jersey, the website featured The OG sandwich at The Committed Pig  a spot known for brunch, burgers and other comfort food with locations in Manasquan, Morristown and Summit with sit-down service. So not exactly fast food, but delicious all the same.

Heres what Lovefood.com said about the sandwich:

You know a place takes its pork rolls seriously when it dedicates a section of the menu to the dish. There are six different ways to order New Jerseys famous pork roll at The Committed Pig. The OG is a classic pork roll and cheese, which is exactly what it sounds like: fried Taylor pork roll with melty American cheese on a brioche bun. The more daring could go for the French Connect (pictured). Thats a pork roll with Gruyere, hash browns, French mustard, lettuce, and tomato. Eggs are an optional extra.

The chipotle bacon burger from The Committed Pig in Morristown. Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

We know The Committed Pig takes their pork roll sandwiches seriously  The Kitchen Sinker sandwich from the restaurant came in at No. 13 on NJ.coms best pork roll and Taylor ham sandwiches list. Their baked brie burger is also No. 14 on NJ.coms list of the best burgers in the state.

Other dishes mentioned on the list include the 3-Way from Blue Ash Chili in Cincinnati, the cheesesteak from Cleavers in Philadelphia and the tuna cheese melt club from Grouchos Deli in South Carolina.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may have reduced the number of routine shots it recommends, but New Jersey has no plans to do so.

On Monday, the CDC announced revisions to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule that cut the number of recommended shots from 17 to 11. The new guidance is controversial, but it isnt expected to affect access in New Jersey.

Although certain vaccines are no longer recommended for all children, all vaccines covered by the previous immunization schedule will still be available to anyone who wants them through Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal insurance programs, including Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program and the Vaccines for Children program, according to the federal government.

The CDC continues to recommend vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV) and chickenpox.

However, vaccination for the following diseases is now recommended only for high-risk groups or based on shared clinical decision making: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, meningococcal B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, COVID-19 and influenza.

The changes were made at the request of President Donald Trump, who has previously said that the U.S. requires too many childhood vaccines.

In spite of the new guidance, health care providers in New Jersey can continue to vaccinate children according to the previous immunization schedule if thats what their patients prefer.

Under the new guidance, non-consensus vaccines can still be given based on a shared clinical decision between physicians and parents, who know the child best.

The CDCs recommendations wont affect school immunization requirements either. States and local jurisdictions, not the federal government, set vaccine requirements for schools.

The New Jersey Department of Health will continue its commitment to protecting the health of children, families, and communities across the state through evidence-based recommendations, acting state Health Commissioner Jeffrey A. Brown said Monday.

Our public health guidance and vaccine policies will remain grounded in the best available science and centered on access, Brown said in a press release.

Although the CDCs recommendations arent expected to affect vaccine access, New Jersey has taken precautionary steps to ensure availability and control vaccine messaging.

In September, New Jersey joined six other states in forming the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a regional public health coalition that aims to bring together public health agencies to share expertise and resources.

The next month, Gov. Phil Murphy joined 14 other Democratic governors in creating a public health alliance to facilitate cross-state collaboration.

Theres also a proposed bill in the New Jersey Legislature that would give greater authority to the state Department of Health regarding vaccine recommendations. The bill wouldnt eliminate the CDC or its vaccine panel as trusted authorities, but rather expand the number of medical organizations New Jersey turns to for vaccines guidance.

The bill states that in making recommendations on vaccines, the state Department of Health would consider the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, as well as the following organizations: the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Physicians.

It would also require insurers to cover the vaccines that the Department of Health recommends.

The legislation doesnt mandate vaccines or eliminate religious exemptions, said state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the bills primary sponsor.

This bill doesnt take away the ability for parents to make decisions for their children  when they get the vaccine, if they get the vaccine, which ones theyd like them to have  it doesnt change any of that," said Vitale during a Dec. 22 hearing at the Statehouse in Trenton.

Vitale said that parents like him will still have the ability to tell my pediatrician that I dont want my children to have this vaccine or that vaccine. They may not be crazy about my decision, and I certainly consult them about that decision, but its my decision.
Police and family members are asking for the publics help in locating a Hudson County man who has been missing for nearly three weeks.

Emilio Acosta, 20, of Weehawken, was last seen Dec. 18 when he left his familys home shortly after midnight, according to police.

Extensive search efforts have turned up no clues to his whereabouts, Weehawken Police Deputy Chief James White said Tuesday.

Acosta may be experiencing a mental health crisis, his family told WNBC and said in social media posts.

We have done pretty much everything within our abilities to locate him. Weve deployed drones, the deputy chief said. Weve asked for mutual aid from all our partners, the New Jersey State Police. We got canines to come in to track his locations.

Police also located video surveillance footage to track his movements as he walked from his home in the early hours of Dec. 18.

He was spotted on surveillance near Daniel Webster Elementary School at Angelique Street and Palisade Avenue in Weehawken, the deputy chief said.

He walked on the back streets through Union City up to Bergenline Avenue, White said. We have him going down Bergen Turnpike.

Acosta was last seen on surveillance video taken at a Shell gas station in Secaucus around 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 18. He was walking westbound on Route 3 toward MetLife Stadium, White said.

His cellphone last pinged in that area, the deputy chief said.

The mans family reported him missing later that morning, and police have remained in regular contact with them ever since, White said.

While police have received tips about supposed sightings of Acosta, none have yielded answers.

Weve had numerous leads and things of that nature since that time, but unfortunately they havent panned out, White said. He hasnt logged on to any of his social media accounts.

Acosta was last seen wearing a beige hoodie with a New York Yankees logo, gray sweatpants and black Timberland boots. He had two backpacks with him, containing a blue and white Adidas jacket and ski pants, and a black ski helmet was attached to one of the backpacks, White said.

Acosta is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall, 190 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Weehawken Police Department at 201-863-7800.
A Powerball lottery ticket worth $50,000 was purchased at a gas station along the Jersey Shore for Mondays drawing.

The winning ticket was sold at the Shell station on Main Street in Bradley Beach, Monmouth County, according to the New Jersey Lottery.

It matched four numbers plus the Powerball.

Mondays winning numbers were: 4, 18, 24, 51 and 56. The Powerball number was 14 with a Power Play of 2x.

No one across the country hit Mondays $88 million jackpot. There were also no second-prize, $1 million tickets sold.

Wednesdays jackpot will be worth an estimated $105 million with a cash option of $47.4 million.

A player who buys a $2 ticket has about a 1 in 11,688,053 chance of matching five numbers but not the Powerball. That would win a second prize of at least $1 million.

The odds of winning a third prize of at least $50,000 are 913,129 to 1.

Powerball drawings are held each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
TEHRAN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Monday repatriated 124 Iranian prisoners to serve the remainder of their jail sentences in Iran, state-run IRIB news agency reported.

The inmates, comprising 111 men and 13 women, had been jailed in Iraq mainly on drug-related crimes, the IRIB quoted Askar Jalalian, Iran's deputy justice minister for human rights and international affairs, as saying.

Jalalian added that the prisoners were repatriated through the Shalamcheh border crossing in southwestern Iran.

According to Mojtaba Shasti Karimi, director general for consular affairs of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the transfer was carried out as part of a 2011 agreement between Iran and Iraq regarding the extradition of prisoners. 
UPDATE: Victims identified as mother, grandparents, mayor says

A knife-wielding man was fatally shot by police Monday evening at a Piscataway house, and three dead bodies were then discovered inside the home, investigators said.

Officers from the Piscataway Police Department responded to the River Road house around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from a man reporting that a person inside had a knife, the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said in a statement.

Officers shot and killed a man armed with a knife who they encountered at the home, the office said.

After the shooting, the officers discovered three other people dead in the house, authorities said.

The Middlesex County Prosecutors Office is investigating their deaths.

None of the deceased people were identified Monday night.

The Piscataway Township Police Department initially described the incident as a homicide, and said it appears to be an isolated incident.

There is no indication of an ongoing threat to the community. At this time, there is no danger to the general public, the police department added. Additional information will be shared when appropriate and the investigation allows. We thank for the community for its cooperation.

In a social media post on X, New Jersey State PBA President Peter Andreyev called the incident a horrific crime and said, All our members that were involved are being evaluated.

Multiple township police officers, detectives cars and an ambulance were at the scene outside the house on the 800 block of River Road, which was surrounded with caution tape at 9 p.m on Monday.

River Road, which is not far from the Livingston campus of Rutgers University, was blocked off from Mitchell Avenue to Hanson Avenue and traffic was being detoured.

Police and investigators at the scene of a reported shooting on River Road, in Piscataway, NJ on Monday, January 05, 2026 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

News 12 New Jersey reported that a neighbor heard several gunshots fired at about 6 p.m. Monday, after police arrived on the street.

News 12 also said several police officers were taken to an area hospital for evaluation, but they are all expected to be fine.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Nicolas Fernandes and Lauren Musni contributed to this report.
UPDATE: Investigators ID victims of apparent triple homicide at N.J. house, also name alleged killer

A machete-wielding man shot and killed by police at a house in Piscataway on Monday killed three family members, leaving behind a gruesome crime scene, the township mayor said.

The mans father is the one who called 911 to report he was armed with a knife, according to the mayor.

Authorities have not identified the killer nor any of the victims, however Mayor Brian C. Wahler indicated on Tuesday that they were the suspects mother and grandparents.

You have to understand there is a husband thats about to bury a wife, parents and a son, the mayor said, speaking to the media outside the house at the corner of River Road and Mitchell Avenue.

Police got a 911 call at around 5:30 p.m. from the husband, Wahler said. He was not sure whether the man was in the home at the time.

Police shot the killer after giving him several opportunities to surrender and then tasing him, Wahler said during a press briefing outside the house Tuesday morning.

Given the fact that the individual was carrying a machete and hes already committed three murders inside, you know, you have to think about the officers health a little bit, too, Wahler said.

He said additional information would come from law enforcement and that the scene was still being processed.

There had been no history of police being dispatched to the house for domestic violence, the mayor said.

Police and investigators at the scene of a reported shooting on River Road, in Piscataway, NJ on Monday, January 05, 2026 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

A 60-year-old neighbor, Keith Heron, said he knew the mother who was killed and that she was about the same age as him.

We spoke a few times in the backyard, but other than that I wasnt aware of the entire family except for her. She was a very nice lady from what I know.

Heron said he heard sirens from emergency vehicles but didnt witness the police shooting the man.

I was working, and when I looked outside I saw the commotion and I realized something was wrong, said Heron, who has lived there for about three years. From what I know its a quiet neighborhood, so for something like this to happen right in my backyard, thats shocking. Its just a sad time and Im praying for the rest of the family members.

Another neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous said he might have heard shots fired.

The shooting is being investigated by the state Office of the Attorney General as well as the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office.

In a Tuesday press conference about crime statistics, state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin described the attack as an unspeakable tragedy.

He said that all encounters involving law enforcement are investigated independently.

We release all the information as soon as we can once we verify and go through our process, Platkin said.
Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and FrontRunnerNJ You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X).

Southern New Jersey is gearing up for a full slate of events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with service projects, cultural programs, and community gatherings scheduled across the region.

From Burlington County to Cape May, organizations are embracing Dr. Kings call to service with activities that uplift neighborhoods, celebrate Black history, and bring residents together.

At Rowan University, the Office of the Provost, Division of University Advancement, and Division of Student Access & Pathway Programs will host its 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast & Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19.

Master of Ceremonies Rick Williams, a 6ABC News anchor in Philadelphia, and featured special guest, Dr. Myron Rolle will host the event.

The first 75 people to buy a ticket for the Breakfast & Day of Service will receive a complimentary, signed copy of The 2% Way: How a Philosophy of Small Improvements Took Me to Oxford, the NFL, and Neurosurgery by Rolle.

Rowans Day of Service will follow the breakfast. More information about specific volunteer opportunities will be available soon. In the meantime, you can sign up for the Day of Service by clicking the REGISTER button.

Guests are welcome to bring donations for The SHOP, Food Pantry and Resource Center at Rowan University. Non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, school supplies and more can be donated for students in need. Click here for a full list of items needed at The SHOP.

Burlington County: Countywide Day of Service

Burlington County will once again host its annual MLK Day of Service at the Burlington County 4-H site in Westampton Township. The event, set for Jan. 19, will feature hands-on volunteer projects to support local families and nonprofits. Residents of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Cumberland County: Bridgeton Cleanup Honors Dr. King

In Bridgeton, volunteers will gather at 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Way for a community cleanup organized in partnership with the American Littoral Society.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 19, focusing on wooded areas along Pamphylia Avenue. The cleanup continues a local tradition of honoring Dr. King through environmental stewardship and neighborhood revitalization.

Camden County: Service and Support Across the Community

Several Camden County organizations are hosting events, including:

As part of its statewide winter relief effort, Jersey Cares is coordinating a coat sorting volunteer shift in Cherry Hill on Jan. 18.

Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, offering a 10 a.m. to noon service program on Jan. 19.

Cape May County: New Exhibit Celebrates Black Legacy

Cape May Countys signature MLK weekend event in 2026 is a cultural celebration rather than a service project.

The Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May will open its new exhibit, Black Legacy of Historic Cape May: Unexpected History, on Jan. 16, 2026, with a public reception featuring a gospel choir.

The exhibit highlights the contributions of Black abolitionists, civil rights leaders, artists, and historic visitors to Cape Mays development, including Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Dr. King himself.

The exhibition runs through April 12, offering residents and visitors an extended opportunity to explore Cape Mays deep and often overlooked Black history.

Stockton University, Atlantic County

Stockton University will host 22 Years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. The in-person event will feature projects at the Galloway, Atlantic City, and Hammonton locations. Contact Stockton Universitys website for more information.
Bashir Akinyele, a history teacher at Weequahic High School, talks at a vigil for a victim of gun violence on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Last week, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka reported a 19% drop in crime and an all-time low in the murder rate while announcing the citys 2025 crime figures at the citys police academy. But for some, those numbers dont tell the whole story.

A spate of shootings at the close of 2025 took the lives of several residents, including a 10-year-old boy, who was caught in the crossfire.

Weequahic High School teacher Bashir Akinyele says gun violence has taken the lives of too many students hes taught, so he has devoted himself to anti-violence work in his community.

Mosaic asked Akinyele to discuss his work at the intersection of education and anti-violence activism and share his hopes for the new year.

Q: Several of your students have been killed by gun violence. Can you tell us about some of those losses and what those young people meant to you?

A: Over the years, Ive lost more than 50 students  possibly closer to 60. The most recent was Hamza Abdul Haq, a former student at Weequahic High School who became a close friend. I mentored him, took him to political and cultural programs, and after he graduated, we spent years discussing life, Black liberation, and Islam. Just weeks after visiting me at my home in November, Hamza was shot and killed.

Another loss was Masi Rogers, a victim of the Chancellor Avenue mass shooting. I had taught Masi two years earlier and later taught his brother. Masi was shot, fought for his life in the hospital, and eventually passed away. When I got the news, I didnt just think of him. I saw the faces of many students Ive lost, including Rashaun Cooper, Anthony Henderson, and countless others.

Q: After the shootings, what were some of the first steps you took personally and within your school or community to respond and support those affected?

A: When I began losing students to violence, I answered Mayor Ras Barakas call to join what became the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition. At first, it had no name  just a call for the community to stand against senseless violence.

I joined because I was personally affected. I remember suggesting prayer on the sidewalk, and Brother Ras said no  we were going into intersections and shutting the city down to force the community to confront the problem.

The first rally in July 2009 followed the killing of Nikisha Allen, a mother shot in the crossfire in the Weequahic neighborhood. Bullets even entered a nearby preschool at Cromwell Towers, forcing children and teachers to take cover. She was one of three killed that day.

Two days later, we blocked traffic in protest, and we continued rallying every Wednesday for five years, responding to shootings and murders across Newark. From that work, we issued five demands, including the removal of Police Chief Gary McCarthy and that Newark Public Schools comply with the Amistad Law, a mandate to include education on the African American experience and the contributions they have made to American society.

Q: From your perspective, does it feel like gun violence is truly waning in Newark?

A: One loss is always one too many, but ending the year with 32 murders is significant. There was a time, in the mid-2000s, when Newark saw over 100 a year. Thats real progress.

When Ras Baraka became mayor, he created the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, building an ecosystem of activists, social workers, and mental health professionals. Their shared goal is reducing violence, and its working. The city has seen a dramatic drop in crime.

Q: How have you balanced being a teacher, an activist and a grieving community member? What practices or support systems have helped you cope?

A: I cope through prayer. Im a Muslim, and in my Salah [prayer], I ask the Creator to help me navigate the loss of my students. Its heavy, deeply heavy on the heart. You walk into the classroom, see an empty desk, and remember the student who used to sit there.

Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what are your hopes for your students, your community and the broader movement to end gun violence?

A: Teaching historyespecially Black historyis my passion, and I want to focus on it fully before I retire next year. Ive seen how European-centered curricula distort the truth, portraying whiteness as superior and Blackness as inferior.

Even before Newark Public Schools implemented the Amistad Law, I worked to ensure students learned about Black contributions to civilization, democracy, and world religions.
A bill that would regulate microtransit, the use of small on-demand vehicles to service areas NJ Transit doesnt serve, was hotly debated Monday as opponents said it could harm existing systems and prevent expansion.

Several successful microtransit systems are operating in New Jersey now  Via in Jersey City, Camden Loop in Camden and Go Trenton that uses a ride-share model that allows riders to call by phone or use an app to go places not served by traditional mass transit routes.

But opponents said the bill has provisions they contend would increase costs and make it difficult for those services to continue or expand to places such as South Jersey.

In April 2025, Gov. Phil Murphy announced a $5 million grant program to expand microtransit in South Jersey.

A key provision of A 5870 would extend wage and other labor protections to microtransit drivers, who are considered contractors without certain benefits, like Uber and Lyft drivers.

Opponents argued it should not be acted on during the current lame-duck session and wanted action delayed to consult with experts and the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, who takes office on Jan. 20.

The state Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture committee voted 9-3 to release the bill Monday. Those who voted no said it needs to be amended.

The bill must be passed by the full Assembly and state Senate and signed by the governor to become law.

Union officials who support the bill, said microtransit drivers are paid lower wages and lack basic protections such as sick days and unemployment insurance because they are considered contractors and not company employees

Our main concern and why we feel this bill is so important is that the app-based transportation industry, including micro transit, is one of the most prolific in misclassifying employees as independent contractors, which violates the states wage and hours laws, said Eric Richard, state AFL-CIO legislative affairs coordinator.

That means these workers receive no unemployment insurance, no workers compensation, no access to employer health care, no minimum wage, no overtime, no paid sick leave, he said. App-based drivers are employees under New Jerseys ABC test.

That test assumes all workers are employees of a company unless they satisfy three criteria, which has made it harder for app-based transportation companies to claim drivers are independent contractors in New Jersey.

Some representatives of microtransit companies and county and local government officials said the bill will increase the cost to provide the service. Typically microtransit is used by low-income residents who dont have access to a car.

Some of those concerns were addressed by amendments that eliminated what some operators said were unnecessary restrictions on microtransit programs. They included requiring drivers to have Commercial Drivers Licenses and creating an oversight committee, which was in the original bill.

They still had concerns about how the bill defined transit deserts - areas that are multiple miles from NJ Transit bus, rail or light rail service.

It provides service for residents who are not adequately served by traditional transit, said Max Hendrix of Circuit Transit, which operates Go Trentons electric vehicles.

Our concern is this constricts microtransit with a one-size-fits all approach. A program deployed in South Jersey is much different from a program deployed in Trenton, he said.

Circuit Transit shares the legislations intent and agreed with provisions to protect workers, and mentioned its workers are employees, receive benefits and meeting state requirements.

Others warned microtransit is still evolving and more information is needed before legislation is passed, said Pam Frank, CEO of the nonprofit ChargEVC-NJ that promotes electric vehicle use.

You dont want to handicap a baby learning to walk; this is a new exciting service filling in the gaps and is complimentary to public transit, she said. There is good stuff in this bill but lets not rush it.

Microtransit destinations typically are not served by traditional NJ Transit routes, such as Camdens soup kitchen, one of the leading destinations or the Camden Loop, said supporters of that program.

Lawmakers also were critical of what they considered was a narrow definition of transit deserts that didnt fit rural or South Jersey counties that have little to no public transit now.

Sussex County is 535 square miles of transportation desert, said Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, R-Sussex, who voted against releasing the bill until its reviewed and amended.

North Jersey west of I-287 is a lot like South Jersey., she said. We need to consider the commonalities and what works.

Assemblywoman Heather Simmonds, D-Gloucester, who also represents Cumberland and Salem counties, agreed, saying Salem County is 375 square miles, has three bus routes and thats it.

South Jersey is more than Atlantic City and Camden and its critical to provide sufficient transportation options, she said.

Assemblyman William Spearman, D-Camden, the committee chairman said the bill is a work in progress and that by working with the bills sponsors, the concerns can be addressed.
Four West African nations are banning visa access to U.S. citizens in response to President Trumps travel ban to 39 different countries.

The development comes as Trump expanded the travel ban enacted in his first term to 20 more countries as of December 2025.

Heres what you need to know about the countries enacting their visa bans, why they decided to ban U.S. citizens from obtaining them, and why the U.S. banned these countries in the first place.

Which four West African nations are banning U.S. citizens from obtaining visas and why?

The West African nation of Niger announced on Dec. 26, that it would completely and permanently stop issuing visas to U.S. citizens and ban U.S. nationals from entering into the country indefinitely, according to The Street.

Other West African nations followed suit, including Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali.

According to The Street, Chad acted upon the principles of reciprocity and suspend[ed] the granting of visas to citizens of the United States of America and Burkina Faso put in equivalent visa measures to citizens of the United States of America.

Malis Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said in a statement that it would impose the same conditions and requirements as those imposed by the American authorities on Malian citizens entering the United States.

When and why did the U.S. ban these countries under its travel ban?

The most recent travel ban from the U.S. took effect starting in June 2025, when Chad made the initial list of 12 nations where its citizens would be barred from entering U.S. territory.

According to the White House, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali were added to the list in December 2025 due to what the Trump administration says was demonstrated, persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information-sharing.

The Trump administration added that Burkina Faso has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals, terrorism and armed conflict is rampant in Mali, and Niger has a track record of terrorism, kidnapping and visa overstaying.

In December, the Trump administration enacted a full ban on citizens from eight additional nations, and a partial ban on citizens from 16 additional nations.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are all classified by the State Departments Level 4 travel advisory, meaning that U.S. residents should not travel there.

Chad is classified under the State Departments Level 3 travel advisory, meaning that U.S. residents should reconsider travel to the nation.

The addition of these West African countries follows two Caribbean nations  Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica  that were included in the partial ban expansion in December.

You can see the full list of fully and partially banned nations on the White House website.
Editors note: This post has been updated with information on how taxpayers will receive their Stay NJ payments.

Now that the new year is here, senior citizen homeowners are asking when they will receive their Stay NJ property tax benefit.

Before we go there, remember that not everyone will receive a payment.

Heres how it works.

Stay NJ, now in its first year, was created to cut property tax bills in half  capped at $6,500  for New Jersey homeowners who are 65 and older and for those who receive disability benefits from Social Security.

Renters are not eligible.

Stay NJ works in conjunction with the ANCHOR and Senior Freeze benefits. Those are calculated before your Stay NJ amount  if any  is determined.

The 2024 ANCHOR benefit is $1,750 for senior citizens who earn $150,000 or less and $1,250 for seniors who earn between $150,001 and $250,000.

Senior Freeze is more complicated. The amount is based on how long a senior has been in the program and how much their property taxes have jumped over time. To qualify, residents must have a total annual income of $168,268 or less in 2024 and $163,050 or less in 2023.

Most taxpayers received those payments in 2024, though some are still being processed or held up as the Division of Taxation verifies application information. In mid-December, the state said it had paid out more than $1.784 billion in benefits to more than 1.632 million residents for ANCHOR payments alone.

MORE: How much will my Stay NJ property tax benefit be? Use our calculator to find out.

To see how much of a Stay NJ benefit youll get, add up what you received for Senior Freeze and ANCHOR. If its less than 50% of your property tax bill  maxed out at $6,500  youll receive an extra payment under the Stay NJ name to bring you up to that level.

But you should have received a determination letter from the state in the fall. It explains how much you were due under Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and Stay NJ.

If you didnt receive one, or if you want some help with the math, try our Stay NJ calculator.

So when will you see the money?

Stay NJ benefits will begin to be issued in mid-February, spokeswoman Danielle Currie told NJ Advance Media. Payments will be approved and distributed on a rolling basis.

That means it could take weeks or longer before all recipients get their payments.

Some taxpayers have asked if the payment  when it does arrive  will come as a check or a direct deposit. Even if you received direct deposit for ANCHOR, all Stay NJ payments will be issued with paper checks, the Treasury Department said.

The state will offer a tool  similar to the one it uses for ANCHOR  that will allow you to check your Stay NJ benefit.

Its not yet operational, but when it is, start at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/staynj. Then scroll down the page until you see those big blue boxes. Click: Check Benefit Status.

Well let you know when the tool is up and running.

If you havent received your ANCHOR benefit yet, check the benefit tool on the states website or call the ANCHOR hotline at (888) 238-1233.

We know its still hard to get through to a person on the hotline, so consider getting help in person at a regional help center. The locations are listed here. Appointments are not required, but you can make one on the state website.

Let us know how you make out.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is not holding back as President Donald Trumps administration continues to target him over comments he made last year.

Kelly, a retired Navy captain and astronaut, was one of six Democrats who shared a video in November reminding military service members that they do not need to follow illegal orders. Since then, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered an investigation into Kelly over the comments.

And on Monday, Hegseth announced that the Pentagon initiated administrative proceedings against Kelly, which could result in the reduction of his retirement rank and pay. Kelly called the move unAmerican in a statement later that day.

During an appearance on MSNOW, formerly MSNBC, Kelly reiterated his criticism of Hegseth. He accused the administration of trying to silence him by threatening his rank and pay.

He told anchor Rachel Maddow that the administration took this latest step because officials did not think their case would do well with a jury in a court martial.

So, theyre just going to go on their own and try to demote me after 25 years of service in the United States Navy, he said on the Rachel Maddow Show.

Im never going to back down from these guys. Im going to continue to speak out. Im going to continue to do my job. And as much as I can highlight how wrong these people are and how outrageous this is and how dangerous, he added.

So, Im not going away. This is just one step in this process. And I think its fair to say its a big one, he added.

Kelly went on to say Trump is starting to realize that members of the military do not have blind loyalty to him.

I think the bigger thing here is Donald Trump didnt like what I said, and he was so struck by it. And in some ways, maybe I hurt his ego in a way that he now is starting to understand that members of the military dont have blind loyalty to him, Kelly said.

He said that Trump should understand that the military is loyal to the Constitution, not the president. Kelly then argued what the repercussions of Trumps words could mean for Americans if the administration is successful in silencing him.

And these are dangerous words, because if he can get me to shut upI mean, Im a U.S. senator. I was an astronaut. I spent, you know, four trips in space. I flew 39 combat missions," he said.

If hes successful in getting me to not speak out against him or the government or Pete Hegseth or whoever and not do my job  I mean, what does that say to all these other retired and ex-service members? What rights do they have anymore?

He reiterated that the administration is not going to be successful in ever shutting me up.

But if they can punish me in a significant way, thats going to silence other critics of the government. And that is a foundational problem for our constitutional democracy, he added.
As he enters his final weeks in office, Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday touted a decline in crime across New Jersey.

Speaking at a court and police building in East Rutherford, Murphy said there were 559 shooting victims statewide last year, a 28% drop compared to the previous year.

Of the 559 victims, 107 were fatalities.

At the start of his term, more than 1,300 people were shot annually, Murphy said. The 2025 reduction marks the fourth consecutive year of declines in gun violence injuries.

Thats not to say we are perfect, the Democratic governor said. Because the objective is to get it down to zero.

Motor vehicle thefts also dropped in 2025  from 15,041 to 13,693  according to New Jersey State Police statistics. That was a 9% decrease.

Murphy signed legislation in July 2023 that increased criminal penalties for auto theft offenders, focusing on repeat offenses and large-scale automobile trafficking.

While there is more work to be done, this moment underscores the strength of the tools, practices and initiatives that have been put in place during the Murphy administration to protect residents and support lasting public safety across our state, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way said.

State Attorney General Matthew Platkin attributed the decline in crime to treating gun violence as a public health issue.

That happened because of a sustained commitment to treating gun violence like the public health crisis it is, Platkin said.

Platkin also cited drops in shootings in New Jerseys largest cities, including Paterson, which saw a State Police takeover after a corruption scandal. Shootings in the city fell to 42 last year from 127 the year before, he said.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said his city also saw historic lows in shootings and murders, with killings dropping to 31 last year, a 19% decrease from the previous year.

Even as we laud our accomplishments, and we have many to talk about, we still have people who have been victimized in our city, Baraka said last week.

State officials lauded local gun violence interruption groups as integral to the reduction.

These groups are doing good and important work, Platkin said.

Murphy said the coalitions often engage communities in ways law enforcement cannot.

Theyre on the streets, they know the community unlike any of us, Murphy said. They know it better than law enforcement. They know it better than elected officials.

New Jerseys acting State Police superintendent, Lt. Col. David Sierotowicz, said the reduction in crime was the result of collaboration between multiple government agencies and community partnerships.

These reductions in crime represent more than statistics  they represent lives saved, Sierotowicz said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) does not believe President Donald Trump has a plan for the future of Venezuela after the U.S.s shocking military operation carried out in the country.

Jeffries said on MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, that he pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio about what Trump meant by saying the U.S. will now run Venezuela after a military operation was carried out to oust leader Nicolas Maduro over the weekend. He said Congress needs to ensure no further military action can take place without explicit congressional approval.

He said that many members were not persuaded by the administrations briefing on the operation. He also emphasized that Congress was not notified of the operation prior to it being carried out.

But suffice it to say that many of us, I dont think, were persuaded that the justification that has been articulated publicly by the administration that this was a law enforcement operation, that had anything to do with keeping the American people safe, Jeffries said on MS NOWs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell.

We werent persuaded by that argument because they cant explain in clear terms how this helps the national security of the American people in any way, shape or form, he added.

He then said theres a lack of clarity for what comes next for Venezuela.

The one thing that well continue to point out is that the future of Venezuela should be determined by the people of Venezuela, not by Stephen Miller  God forbid  or any other member of the Trump administration, notwithstanding what Donald Trump is talking about, Jeffries said.

But theres no real plan that weve heard from the Trump administration as to how to ensure that the Venezuelan people will actually get self-determination, the self-determination that they certainly deserve, he added.

He warned that Venezuela could turn into a disaster without a plan for the countrys future.

Maduro is a bad guy, and he oppressed the Venezuelan people. He was not legitimately elected. That election in 2024, we know, was stolen, Jeffries said. But when it comes to actually having a plan to put the people of Venezuela in the best possible position moving forward, it doesnt exist. And thats problematic.

And thats why when you take these type of military actions, but youre not thinking through what comes next, weve seen this turn into a disaster. That certainly was the case in Iraq. And the American people dont want to see that type of foreign policy disaster happen ever again, he added.

In a New York court room, Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify his removal from power.

Maduros court appearance in Manhattan, his first since he and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized from their Caracas home Saturday in a stunning middle-of-the-night military operation, kicked off the U.S. governments most consequential prosecution in decades of a foreign head of state. She also pleaded not guilty.

The criminal case is unfolding against a broader diplomatic backdrop of an audacious U.S.-engineered regime change that Trump has said will enable his administration to run the South American country.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CAPE TOWN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday strongly condemned U.S. "imperialist aggression" against Venezuela, warning that such actions violate international law and threaten global peace and stability.

In a statement, the ANC said it "condemns the recent acts of aggression directed at the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which constitute a serious violation of international law, national sovereignty and the principles governing peaceful relations between states."

It described the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his family as an act that "undermines the United Nations Charter and threatens global peace and stability at a time when the world requires cooperation, restraint and dialogue."

The ANC expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, saying they continue to face sustained political, economic and diplomatic pressure.

Drawing on its own history as a liberation movement, the party said "such aggression is seldom accidental," but is "often driven by contests over strategic resources, control of markets, and resistance to the independent development paths chosen by sovereign nations of the Global South."

"International law must be respected by all states, without exception or selectivity. The principles of sovereign equality, non-interference and peaceful resolution of disputes are the bedrock of a just international order," the ANC reiterated. "Their selective application erodes trust, fuels instability and disproportionately harms developing countries and oppressed people across the globe."

The party called on the United Nations and the UN Security Council to act "swiftly and decisively" to uphold international law, prevent further escalation and protect civilian lives, and urged peace-loving people worldwide to demand the "immediate and unconditional release of President Maduro."

Reaffirming its commitment to a just, multipolar international order, the ANC said only collective action and principled cooperation can advance a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world. 
Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino tore into ex-GOP congressman Matt Gaetz in a profanity-laced post on social media on Tuesday, saying the now right-wing news anchor has always been a d---.

Bongino officially left the FBI on Sunday after serving in his role for less than a year. He has teased a return to hosting his self-titled podcast show, where he first gained prominence among supporters of President Donald Trump.

In a lengthy post, Bongino took to X to stand against the conservative movement getting hijacked by a group of black-pillers, life-losers, grifters and bums.

As we get ready to make some announcements about the future of the show, I also want to warn the haters and the zeroes - weve been at this a long time, Bongino wrote on Monday. We live for this stuff. This isnt our first, second or tenth rodeo. Weve seen a lot [of] dips---- come and go. We revel in making you angry enough to show your a----.

He added that theres no time for bulls--- as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

This administration is cooking and REAL change simmers, Bongino said. If youre spending your entire day b----ing and whining with 3/4ths of the term still to go, then please find the exits. Theres no time for it.

Gaetz replied to the post on Tuesday, appearing to take aim at Bonginos three unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Maryland and Florida.

When did Dan Bongino run for office and how did he perform as a candidate? the former Florida lawmaker asked Grok, the social media platforms AI chatbot.

The question seemingly struck a nerve with Bongino.

Maybe if I spent more time at shady parties with monied insiders I wouldve won. I heard youd know a bit about that, Bongino wrote, before adding: Grifting off your daddy like a suckling little doggie. When I first met you in the panhandle I knew you were a piece of s---. Its written all over that phony face of yours.

His claim comes as a report released by the House Ethics Committee last month accused the One America News Network host of regularly paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl. It also claimed he purchased and used illicit drugs as a member of Congress.

Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.

Maybe if I spent more time at shady parties with monied insiders I wouldve won. I heard youd know a bit about that. Youve always been a dick by the way. Grifting off your daddy like a suckling little doggie. When I first met you in the panhandle I knew you were a piece of  Dan Bongino (@dbongino) January 6, 2026

Gaetz then went on to instruct Bongino to take a chill pill in a long post.

Why are you angry at me? Because you dont like my face? Gaetz asked. This is your big white pill message against the doomers? That I have a bad face?

Gaetz added that he is deeply proud of his father, questioning whether Bongino believes having a successful father is a bad thing.

Im glad you remember meeting me so many years ago. I recall you gave a moving speech about your time in law enforcement. I told you I liked it.



Im deeply proud of my father. We make a great team. Are you saying having a successful father is a bad thing? Did you share that https://t.co/OMaC6jIJtx  Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) January 6, 2026

Bongino quickly replied back: Thats right doggie, backpedal away. Good move. Now go blame the Jews for your dumba-- tweet.

Ahead of his decision to leave the Trump administration, Bongino spoke publicly about the toll of the job, telling Fox News in March that he gave up everything for the position.

I stare at these four walls all day in D.C., you know, by myself, divorced from my wife. Not divorced, but I mean separated, he said. And its hard.
President Donald Trump discussed the path forward of Venezuela in an interview with NBC News, only two days after U.S. forces captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife.

In comments released late Monday, Trump said the United States is not at war with Venezuela, instead noting that the country is at war with people that sell drugs.

Were at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country, Trump told the outlet.

In the meantime, Trump added that Venezuela will not hold new elections in the next 30 days.

We have to fix the country first, Trump said. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote.

We have  we have to nurse the country back to health," he added.

His comments came on the heels of Maduro being arraigned in New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, according to an unsealed indictment from the Department of Justice. He and his wife both pleaded not guilty during their first appearance in U.S. court, where Maduro insisted he remained the head of the country, despite the swearing in of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader.

Trump announced early Saturday that the United States conducted a large scale strike in Caracas and captured Maduro, sparking both celebration and criticism across the world.

In the interview, Trump hinted that the United States could launch a second military operation if Rodriguez does not cooperate with U.S. officials  but said it will likely not be necessary.

Were prepared to do it, Trump said. We anticipated doing it, actually.

He also expressed confidence that his loyal base will support him after he ran on an America First platform.

MAGA loves it, Trump said. MAGA loves what Im doing. MAGA loves everything I do. MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do, and I love everything I do, too.

Trump has faced some backlash from Democrats and a handful of Republican lawmakers for not seeking approval from Congress before launching the military operation. According to early polls, Americans are equally divided over whether they approve or disapprove of the raid.

We have good support congressionally, Trump said. And Congress knew what we were doing all along, but we have good support congressionally. Why wouldnt they support us?

When it comes to U.S. involvement, Trump signaled that the nation may help rebuild Venezuelas energy infrastructure through subsidizing an effort by oil companies.

I think we can do it in less time than that, but itll be a lot of money, he said, adding the project could be completed within 18 months. A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.

He had a clear answer for who is ultimately in charge.

Me, he said.
President Donald Trump aired out his grievances with Democrats in a wide-ranging address to House Republicans during their policy retreat on Tuesday.

In the middle of his speech, Trump pointed to his refusal to release his tax returns in 2022  before the Supreme Court, after a three-year legal battle, cleared the way for their handover to the Democratic-controlled House Ways and Means Committee, which went on to publish his documents spanning six years.

By fighting, they think youre trying to hide something, you know, naturally, Trump said. I gave my tax returns. Thats the last we ever heard... there hasnt been one story that I did anything wrong.

So this friend of mine is highly sophisticated, rich guy, smart guy, said, Theres nobody that I know that could have gone through an examination like that and not ended up in prison, he continued. Nobody ever had to suffer like I did. Nobody ever did that to anybody else.

Trump then went on to cite what he characterized as an expression that Andrew Jackson was the most abused president in the history of the United States.

Thats before me, Trump said.

In second, according to the president, is Abraham Lincoln.

But he had a civil war, so we have to give him a pass, Trump said, adding: Andrew Jackson was treated horribly. He was a great general and a good president. So bad that his wife died. I mean his wife died. Horrible.

He went on to say that I blow them away, noting he was impeached twice  the only president to hold that record.

It is not the first time Trump has described himself as the most maligned president in U.S. history.

In March, Trump told Newsmax that Jackson was treated the absolute worst, claiming he was really lambasted. He said that Lincoln, who was assassinated, followed.

Nobodys been treated like Trump in terms of badly, Trump said in the interview.

During the over one-hour address at the Kennedy Center, Trump also repeated attacks against his political rivals, applauded his accomplishments so far during his second term and defended his actions during the Capitol riot as Tuesday marks the five-year anniversary.

At one point, Trump urged the GOP to maintain control of Congress during the 2026 midterm elections. He warned he could face impeachment once again from Democratic lawmakers if Republicans arent victorious.

We won everything, but they say that when you win the presidency, you lose the midterm, Trump said. So youre all brilliant people, most of you are in this business longer than me. That makes me smarter than you, because look where I am, right? No, it doesnt. But I wish you could explain to me what the hells going on with the mind of the public.
Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs warned that U.S. intervention in Venezuela could carry consequences of the gravest kind while addressing the United Nations Security Council on Monday.

The issue before the Council today is not the character of the government of Venezuela, Sachs said. The issue is whether any Member Stateby force, coercion, or economic strangulationhas the right to determine Venezuelas political future or to exercise control over its affairs."

Sachs, who serves as president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, painted a bleak picture of Venezuelas possible future after President Donald Trumps stunning operation to capture and arrest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3.

Trumps claim that the U.S. is now in charge of the oil-rich South American nation, Sachs said, was reminiscent of previous regime-change operations undertaken by American forces in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Honduras.

The methods employed are well established and well documented, Sachs said. They include open warfare; covert intelligence operations; instigation of unrest; support for armed groups; manipulation of mass and social media; bribery of military and civilian officials; targeted assassinations; false-flag operations; and economic warfare aimed at collapsing civilian life.

He added that those measures are illegal under the UN Charter, and they typically result in ongoing violence, lethal conflict, political instability, and deep suffering of the civilian population.

While Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in a U.S. courtroom on Monday, Trump has loudly declared his intent to take control of Venezuelas oil industry.

Were going to take our oil back, Trump said. He added that Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodriguez would pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro if she did not cooperate, The Atlantic reported.

However, Rodriguez, Venezuelas vice president since 2018, has called the seizure of Maduro an atrocity and labeled Trumps administration extremists.

Trump also has not mentioned any plans to give the countrys reins to opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who was kept out of power by Maduro despite winning Venezuelas 2024 presidential election in overwhelming fashion.

Meanwhile, U.S. ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz reiterated Trumps message during Mondays Security Council meeting in New York.

This is where we live  and were not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be used as a base of operation for our nations adversaries, and competitors, and rivals of the United States, Waltz said. You cannot continue to have the largest energy reserves in the world under the control of adversaries of the United States."

While Maduros dictatorship has seemingly ended, Sachs warned that anarchy could envelope Venezuela and further destabilize the nation if the U.S. does not learn from the missteps made in Iraq and other recent regime-change operations.

The realist school of international relations, articulated most brilliantly by John Mearsheimer, accurately describes the condition of international anarchy as the tragedy of great power politics, Sachs said. Realism is therefore a description of geopolitics, not a solution for peace. Its own conclusion is that international anarchy leads to tragedy."
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado heaped praise on President Donald Trump following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife.

In her first televised interview since the strike, Machado late Monday appeared to seek support from Trump, who has not backed her to lead the country in the aftermath of the strike.

I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader, Trump said during a press conference on Saturday, the same day of the raid. She doesnt have the support within or the respect within the country. Shes a very nice woman, but she doesnt have the respect.

Machado, who is widely seen as Maduros credible opponent after attempting to run against him in 2024, went as far as to offer Trump her Nobel Peace Prize, which she was awarded in October amid a long-sought campaign from him to receive it.

Because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people, [we] certainly want to give it to him and share it with him, she told Fox News host Sean Hannity. What he has done as I said is historic.

Although she noted she has not spoken to Trump since becoming the recipient, Machado had dedicated the prize to him at the time. She received the recognition for her work in promoting democratic rights in Venezuela and her struggle to achieve a peaceful transition from a dictatorship.

January 3 will go down in history as the day justice defeated tyranny, Machado said in the new interview. Its a milestone, and its not only huge for the Venezuelan people and our future, I think its a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity.

Trump has instead indicated that he is willing to work with Delcy Rodriguez, the vice president of Venezuela, who was sworn in as the countrys interim president on Monday.

He told NBC News that Machado should not have won the award, but said it has nothing to do with his decision. He added that Rodriguez has been cooperating with U.S. officials.

During his first appearance in U.S. court on Monday, Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty, while the Venezuelan leader insisted he still remained the head of the country. Maduro is facing federal criminal charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy, according to an unsealed indictment from the Department of Justice.

In the interview, Machado vowed to return to Venezuela as soon as possible. After previously staying in hiding for over a year, she escaped from the country and traveled to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

She also said the opposition side will win by over 90% of the votes if elections were to be held. While speaking to NBC News, Trump said Venezuela will not have new elections in at least the next 30 days.

Machado initially rejoiced in a letter to the Venezuelan people after Trump announced the operation occurred on social media.

The time for freedom has come! Machado posted on X.

She went on to say that Maduro will face international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations.
White House aide Stephen Miller on Monday launched into a fervid defense of U.S. military action in Venezuela during a heated interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper.

Appearing on CNNs The Lead, Miller declared that America is a superpower and will conduct ourselves as a superpower under President Donald Trumps leadership.

It is absurd that we would allow a nation in our own backyard to become the supplier of resources to our adversaries, but not to us, said Miller, Trumps deputy chief of staff. The Monroe Doctrine and the Trump Doctrine is all about securing the national interests of America.

Tapper attempted to interject, asking why sovereign countries shouldnt be able to do what they want to do, as Miller continued speaking.

The future of the free world, Jake, depends on America being able to assert ourselves and our interest without apology, Miller said. This whole period after World War II where the West began apologizing and groveling and begging and engaging in these vast reparations schemes....

I dont even know what youre talking about right now, Tapper said, noting that hed originally asked Miller about whether there should be new elections held in Venezuela.

While Trumps Jan. 3 operation in Caracas led to the capture and arrest of Maduro, Delcy Rodriguez, the deposed dictators second-in-command, has now assumed leadership of the government. The Maduro regime had retained power following the 2024 election that was widely believed to be won by opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, an ally of exiled Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado.

Rodriguez, Venezuelas vice president since 2018, has called the seizure of Maduro an atrocity while opposing Trumps plan to run the country and control its vast oil resources.

But when Tapper said that the Maduro regime remains in power through Rodriguez, Miller pushed back.

The reason why I was giving you that speech, which I know you didnt want to hear, is because youre approaching this from the wrong frame, Miller told Tapper. The point, Jake, is were not going to let tinpot communist dictators send rapists into our country, send drugs into our country, send weapons into our country, okay? And were not going to let a country fall into the hands of our adversaries.

After not getting a direct answer about free elections in Venezuela, Tapper finally yielded.

Okay, Tapper said, throwing one hand up in frustration.
An incoming state lawmaker was pushed out of his longtime government job after reporting another public officials wrongdoing to the city mayor, according to a new lawsuit.

Ed Rodriguez, who will be sworn in to the state Assembly on Jan. 13, had a spotless record in a decade as Elizabeths director of planning and community development, he says. His contract was routinely renewed  until, suddenly, it wasnt in late 2024, according to a Dec. 31 whistleblower complaint filed in Union County Superior Court.

The surprising decision came after Rodriguez told Mayor J. Christian Bollwage about a tip that a prominent public official was doing a major project on their home without filing necessary plans or permits, the lawsuit says.

Just a few days later, with no prior notice, warning, or opportunity to respond, Rodriguez was told that his appointment for the $170,000 role wouldnt be renewed, according to the lawsuit.

Rodriguez was the only city department head whose contract wasnt extended that year, a decision that shows retaliatory intent and pretext, Rodriguez claims in the complaint.

Bollwage declined to comment through a city spokesperson. But the city provided an exit memo Rodriguez sent to Bollwage on his last day that reflects a good-faith departure, spokesperson Ruby Contreras wrote in a statement.

You will never know how much I appreciated the job, Rodriguez wrote in the three-paragraph memo.

The lawsuit was filed just before the statute of limitations expired under New Jerseys whistleblower law. It doesnt name the public official who allegedly failed to file necessary permits for construction work on their home, and Rodriguez did not identify the official to NJ Advance Media.

Bollwage has led Elizabeth since 1992, making him the states third longest-serving mayor. Hes an influential fixture in state and local Democratic circles, previously leading the state League of Municipalities and now serving on the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Two months after Rodriguez was stripped of his job, the former city planning director announced his candidacy for the state Assembly.

He narrowly defeated Bollwage-backed Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados by 98 votes in the June 10 primary and was elected in November to the Assembly.

Rodriguez is part of a wave of candidates who unseated establishment-backed figures after the court-ordered end of New Jerseys county line, a system that had long given party-backed candidates a built-in advantage on primary ballots.

Rodriguez wants to be respectful of the process and let the facts speak for themselves, he wrote in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

I believe strongly in the integrity of public service and in the protections New Jersey law provides to employees who raise legitimate concerns, he said.
Argentines voiced support for Venezuela on Monday during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires. Demonstrators strongly condemned the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Occasional snow showers. High 26F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Intermittent snow showers, especially early. Low 11F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
SYDNEY, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Almost 7 million Australians are living in areas on the outskirts of major cities that are most exposed to deadly wildfires, a report has found.

The report, which was published on Tuesday by NGOs the Climate Council and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA), warned that Australia is increasingly at risk of an urban fire event similar to the January 2025 Los Angeles (LA) wildfires.

It found that the urban fringe on the outskirts of the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra shares characteristics that made the LA fires so destructive.

According to the report, the number of Australians living in the outer suburbs of major cities has increased by 65.5 percent since 2001 to over 6.9 million and up to 90 percent of Australian homes in high-risk fire zones were built before modern bushfire-resilient standards were introduced.

It cited previous research that found 10 percent of all fires cause 78 percent of fatalities, with most occurring in suburbs where flammable terrain meets cities.

Greg Mullins, the founder of ELCA and former fire commissioner in the state of New South Wales, said in a statement that nearly every Australian city has a "dangerous mix" of preconditions for dangerous fires like LA, including the possibility of extreme dry periods, severe winds and a history of destructive fires.

"Our analysis shows that Australian cities increasingly face the potential for catastrophic fires like the ones in LA," he said. "Climate pollution is now worsening fire weather conditions to the point that fires can sometimes be beyond the limits of modern firefighting and prevention capabilities."

In addition to cutting climate pollution, the report called for emergency service and land management capacity at the urban fringe to be increased as a priority. 
This photo taken on Jan. 6, 2026 shows the toll plaza of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration. The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

GUANGZHOU, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

"Traveling between Guangdong and Hong Kong used to involve multiple transfers and be time-consuming. Now I can drive directly to my Hong Kong clients' offices. Doing business has become easier," said Chen Zhaochang, a Guangdong resident who runs a vehicle parts trade business between the two regions.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes.

According to the bridge's Zhuhai border inspection station in Guangdong Province, it took over five years to reach the 50-millionth passenger crossing, and just one year and eight months to reach another 50 millionth trip.

Residents of Hong Kong or Macao have made over 58.73 million trips passing through the Zhuhai land port of the bridge, accounting for 58.7 percent of total passenger flows. In 2025, the port recorded 18 million crossings by residents of the two special administrative regions, a nearly 300 percent jump from 2019. Figures demonstrate the increasing popularity and convenience of tourism, business, study and family visit trips.

Hong Kong resident Ho Chi-hong and his wife have bought a house and settled in Guangdong's Zhongshan. "We are satisfied with the dining, shopping, accommodation and medical care here. My family and friends in Hong Kong also drive to visit us. My living radius has expanded," he said.

Amid a wave of "China Travel" and benefiting from the country's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, an increasing number of international travelers have also chosen the Zhuhai land port as their entry and exit checkpoint, as it is directly linked to Hong Kong International Airport. In 2025, the land port recorded 569,000 foreign passenger trips -- a year-on-year increase of 28.7 percent.

The growing number of passenger trips on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is an epitome of the deepening economic and social integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

With less than 1 percent of China's total land area and 6 percent of the national population, GBA's GDP expanded to 14.79 trillion yuan (about 2.11 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2024, contributing one-ninth of the country's economic output and surpassing that of the New York Bay Area and the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Passengers get themselves checked at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A drone photo shows the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A drone photo shows vehicles waiting to be inspected at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A drone photo shows vehicles running on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China on Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Passengers pose for photos at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Vehicles wait to be inspected at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Vehicles pass through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Passengers undergo clearance procedures at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 6, 2026.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 6, 2026 shows the toll plaza of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China.

The Zhuhai land port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has handled over 100 million inbound and outbound passenger trips as of Tuesday, since the mega project opened to traffic in October 2018 -- a milestone that mirrors the advancement of regional connectivity and integration.

The 55-kilometer bridge links the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all of which are located in south China. As the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing, it has drastically reduced travel times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, and between Hong Kong and Macao, from three hours to about 45 minutes. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Bideford could be reconnected to the rail network for the first time in more than 40 years, with plans being considered to link the town with Exeter and potentially beyond, bringing new opportunities for commuters, businesses, and tourism.

As part of the proposals, councillors will discuss the scheme at a Torridge District Council meeting on Wednesday 7 January.

The plan comes from Railfuture and the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance.

The preliminary business case runs to 132 pages and has been supported by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the county council, two local town councils, and Railfuture.

Roger Blake, Railfutures national Board Director for Infrastructure & Networks and Acting Convener of the Alliance, said the potential benefits are significant.

In his introduction to the plan, Mr Blake said a Bideford station could rank in the top 25 per cent, or even the top 20 per cent, of all mainline stations nationally, with socio-economic gains for the town and surrounding rural areas valued in the hundreds of millions of pounds.

Mr Blake said the schemes success depends on three main factors: keeping costs low with a minimal contribution to estuary flood defences, reducing journey times and increasing service frequency on existing Exeter-Barnstaple services, and accommodating newly specified housing needs in the Barnstaple-Bideford area through the next joint Local Plan.

Reflecting on the wider context, Mr Blake said the first Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance meeting in March 2024 noted that communities across the UK which have reinstated passenger rail services have faced similar discussions.

From Okehampton in Devon to Ashington in Northumberland, and from Ebbw Vale in Wales to Galashiels in Scotland, few communities have regretted bringing trains back, he said.

By contrast, many South West towns, including Bideford, have struggled economically since services were withdrawn decades ago.

Mr Blake also addressed concerns about the Tarka Trail, which follows the former rail alignment.

Established in 1987, a few years after the track was removed, the Trail is a popular active travel route. Blake said the county council recently committed over 2 million to fill missing sections north of Braunton and that neither the council nor any successor would contemplate creating a new missing section elsewhere.

Engineering solutions will be needed to maintain an unbroken route between Bideford and Barnstaple, which Blake acknowledges will be challenging in some locations.

Looking ahead to 2026, Mr Blake said the campaign for a Bideford rail service relies on two parallel lines of support. The 36-member Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance will continue developing the business case and work to secure a six-figure sum to commission a Treasury-compliant Strategic Outline Business Case.

In addition, partner and stakeholder organisations, both current and potential, will need to promote the Bideford bonus, the range of benefits the town and surrounding communities could see from being rail-connected again.

The council meeting will take place on Wednesday evening at Torridge District Council offices.
Council-owned public loos in North Devon are to be made stoma-friendly.

The 11 accessible toilets will be upgraded to include a shelf, hooks, and mirrors.

North Devon Councils strategy and resources committee gave its support on Monday and agreed to use nearly 4,000 from the authoritys revenue budget.

It hopes the move will make people with stomas feel more confident about going out in public.

Cllr Graham Bell (Non-aligned, Braunton East Ward), who proposed the motion, said around 200,000 UK residents had stomas.

Adding equipment to public loos so people could arrange their stoma supplies and change their stomas in private was a simple and low-cost way to help decrease stigma and increase well-being for North Devons almost 300 stoma users, he said.

Cllr Helen Walker (Lib Dem, Bickington) said she was really pleased to see any improvements to the accessible toilets.

They are in good condition already, and the one in Green Lanes is 90 per cent towards being stoma-friendly with a full-length mirror, she said.

Former staff and stoma nurse Cllr Pru Maskell (Con, Braunton West and Georgeham) said she fully supported the move as it was important people had somewhere that was dignified and private to change their stomas.

Customers will need a RADAR key to enter North Devons accessible toilets. These keys are widely available on the internet, and stoma users are eligible to use them. Colostomy UKs website has information on RADAR keys on its website.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Respect for the UN Charter and international law is the foundation of the international order, President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Annalena Baerbock said in a statement on the situation regarding Venezuela.

In the statement sent to reporters on Monday, the UNGA president stressed: "The UN Charter is not optional -- it is our guiding framework, in moments of calm and in times of crisis, like in Venezuela today, culminating with the United States military action."

The statement noted that Article 2 of the UN Charter clearly stipulates that all members of the United Nations shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

The statement added that "a peaceful, safe and just world for everyone is only possible if the rule of law prevails instead of might makes right."

In the early hours of Jan. 3, U.S. military forces carried out a series of strikes on Venezuela, taking by force President Nicolas Maduro and his wife before putting them in custody in New York, which sparked widespread condemnation. 
Last Thursday marked the first day of the 2026 new year, and with that, a new set of laws passed by the Oregon Legislature took effect.

They span from stronger accountability provisions for utility companies to criminal penalties for spreading AI-generated revenge porn.

Last years legislative session saw a historic number of bills  more than 3,400  introduced in at least two decades. Far fewer bills will appear in the next legislative session, which begins February 2 and must conclude by March 8.

In the meantime, here are some major new laws that will affect Oregonians statewide. Nearly all of them passed with little to no Republican support in the Democrat-controlled House and Senate.

Consumer rights from utilities to health care

Senate Bill 430 prohibits online retailers from adding convenience charges and service fees to purchases without warning. Instead, business owners online must include such fees in the price they advertise or display on their website, though shipping costs do not have to be included in the up-front figure. Breaking the law would constitute an unlawful business and trade practice under state law and could subject the business to fines.

Senate Bill 688 could more directly benefit consumers pocketbooks. The law allows the Oregon Public Utility Commission to provide incentives and penalties to utility companies based on key performance outcomes. That could include targets to reduce emissions or ensure cost reductions and access to utilities for low-income Oregonians.

When it comes to renting, Oregonians seeking to get back a deposit for an apartment or dwelling they later discover has serious problems may have more luck.

House Bill 3521 gives protections to prospective tenants should they find undisclosed issues such as a leaky roof or window, a lack of heat, unsafe drinking water, or nonfunctional locks on a door. Landlords will have to return the deposit under the law should a tenant make such a discovery. Another new law also prevents landlords from relying upon mobile phone apps for safely locking and unlocking doors, mandating renters be offered alternatives such as an access code or key card.

And in the health care sector, Oregon lawmakers took a key step to help residents protect their credit scores. Senate Bill 605 prevents medical debt from going on an individuals credit report by prohibiting hospitals and clinics from notifying consumer reporting agencies about how much money an individual owes for receiving care. The ban also prevents these agencies from including what they know to be medical debt in a credit report.

Stronger worker protections

Perhaps the most controversial labor rights bill passed this past session was Senate Bill 916, which made Oregon the first state in the nation to guarantee unemployment benefits to striking public and private sector workers. Its legislative process pitted some school board and business leaders against labor rights advocates and unions who disagreed over whether it would incentivize longer strikes. The Oregon Employment Department told the Capital Chronicle it is planning to track claims from striking workers and will report the figures to the Legislature.

And Senate Bill 906 will require annual updates starting at the beginning of every year from employers to newly-hired employees detailing their earnings and deductions on pay stubs. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, under the law, is directed to create model guidance in English and Spanish and other languages upon request. Employers who fail to comply could face civil penalties.

Domestic violence, consent laws for criminal penalties

Until this year, 17-year-olds in Oregon could marry with parental or guardian permission and authorization from a court, even if they did not consent. Now, under Senate Bill 548, Oregonians must be 18 years of age and those exemptions no longer apply. Supporters of the nearly unanimously passed law pointed out that nearly 3,000 adult men received Oregon marriage licenses with teenage girls from 2000 to 2021, according to state data.

Oregon lawmakers also addressed exploitation as it relates to the distribution of intimate images without the subjects consent. House Bill 2299, which passed with no opposition, will now include AI-generated images in state law creating a first and second degree offense for intimate image abuse, with the goal of stemming repeated violations and protecting victims of abuse.

Additionally, workplace violence drew the attention of state legislators, who voted to make assault in the fourth degree in certain circumstances an even more serious crime. Under Senate Bill 170, that heightened designation is for when the assault takes place during the performance of an employees duties, and when it implicates an individual who has assaulted others because of their occupation or while they are at work. The penalty could be up to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, courtesy https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
MELBOURNE, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Scientists say a bioluminescent bloom lighting up the southeast coastline of Australia's island state of Tasmania, with red tides by day and blue glows by night, stems from climate-driven ocean warming, not pollution from nearby salmon farms.

The glow, reappearing almost a year after a similar event, is caused by Noctiluca scintillans, a bioluminescent marine plankton that feeds on microscopic algae and rises to the surface when it dies, creating red slicks that illuminate when disturbed, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Tuesday.

Authorities have advised against swimming in affected areas, though the spectacle continues to draw crowds to Tasmania's southern beaches.

Marine biologist Lisa-ann Gershwin said while breathtaking, the bloom can emit ammonia, which can cause skin irritation for humans and deplete the oxygen in nearby waters, resulting in the deaths of some marine animals.

Gershwin described the phenomenon as a sign of ecological imbalance influenced by warmer waters from the strengthening East Australian current, caused by climate change.

Emeritus Professor Gustaaf Hallegraeff from the University of Tasmania said the bloom was driven by natural nutrients from the deep sea, rather than from "land runoff or salmon farms."

This organism "has no need for" nutrients like ammonia and urea released by salmon farms, said Hallegraeff, who has researched harmful algal blooms for more than 40 years.

However, it can cause problems for the salmon farm. A Noctiluca slick off Tasmania's Tasman Peninsula deterred salmon from surfacing to feed in 2003, experts said.

Gershwin warned that conditions favoring Noctiluca could enable similar harmful blooms like the widespread toxic algal outbreaks caused by the Karenia cristata organism in South Australia.

However, Noctiluca scintillans blooms pose minimal risk, Hallegraeff said, noting no evidence yet of Noctiluca's climate-expanded range disrupting other organisms. 
It might surprise you to know that we have snow in Sisters Country  just not where recreationalists would like it. It's higher than easily accessible and that's a big-time headache for Ski Hoodoo and shops that rent skis.

Lack of snow leaves local watering holes and eateries yearning for the apres ski and snowmobile clientele that soak up the suds and enjoy a burger after a fun day on the snow.

Ski Hoodoo remains closed as of press time, with no firm opening date in sight. Last year, the popular hometown resort opened on November 29, but the year before it was January 10, another year when we had enough snow only at higher elevations.

Photo by Jarod Gatley

You have to go back to 2003 for an earlier opening - by one day - November 28. In 2014 and 2018 Hoodoo didn't run lifts until February 8. December has the most opening days for Hoodoo going back to 2000 with December 10 being the median December start.

Farmers and ranchers aren't complaining just yet. They are very attentive to the snowpack and more importantly the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), the amount of moisture in the snow.

Skiers and boarders may love the light, fluffy powder, but hay-growers like it wet.

The official measurement for all things water in Sisters Country is taken at the Oregon SNOTEL Site, number 815, at Three Creeks Meadow located at 5,680-foot elevation.

On New Year's Day 2026, SNOTEL reported a four-inch depth of snow and SWE of 1.3 inches. That compares with 36 inches and 10 inches SWE a year ago. In 2023 it was worse, with no snow at the measuring station on December 31.

Depths going back 20 years vary from a high of 43 inches in 2011, and that zero recording in 2024. The same years - 2014 and 2018 - when Hoodoo didn't open until February SNOTEL reported three and four inches respectively.

What's irritating to skiers is how Sisters is missing the atmospheric rivers that dropped eight feet of snow in 48 hours on Sierra Nevada resorts in late December. To the north of us it's not much better, although several Washington resorts are open with about 40 percent of average coverage.

Over at Mt. Bachelor, peaking at 9,065 feet, it's a case of the sads. They're open, but barely, with a 20-inch base and only 58 inches for the year so far.

Rainfall this week is expected to produce some mountain snow. A long-range forecast shows temperatures trending below normal for Oregon in the first quarter of 2026, with average precipitation.

"It's just been really warm so far - it's that simple," state climatologist Larry O'Neill told the Statesman Journal. "We're getting a lot of subtropical air while the other half of the country gets the polar vortex. What we really need is a shift in the jet stream.

"I don't think we should panic just yet," he said. "Once we get into January, that's when I'd start to worry because it becomes historically harder to catch up on snowpack at this point. But we could easily rally from where we are now and still have a good season. I'm still optimistic."

Our reservoirs are showing adequate water for now. Wickiup, the largest, south of Bend, had 136,953-acre feet of water on December 31, 2025, compared to 110,244 the same date in 2024. The Prineville reservoir is down; 80,121 versus 89,127 a year ago. However, that is more a matter of water flow control than precipitation.
The U.S. House on Thursday, December 18, passed, 211-204, a bill to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf outside Alaska.

The bill, sponsored by Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert, would direct the Interior secretary to reissue a 2020 rule removing ESA protections that delisted wolves other than the Mexican wolf in the lower 48 states, while stipulating it could not be challenged in court.

The rule from President Donald Trump's first administration was struck down by a federal court in 2022.

Five Democrats voted for the bill and four Republicans voted against it. The measure was considered during the chamber's last vote series before a two-week break, and 18 members did not vote.

Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, has sponsored a companion bill in that chamber. The measure faces an uphill road in the Senate, where passage of partisan bills is rarer due to the 60-vote threshold for most legislation.

The bill would remove gray wolves from the ESA list, even though they have not reached population figures that the Fish and Wildlife Service has said would indicate full recovery.

Rep. Donald S. Beyer, a Democrat from Virginia, said it would be reasonable to adjust population thresholds, but that congressionally mandated delisting was unwise and illegal.

"This bill fails to recognize the status of gray wolves today, taking us back to an outdated rulemaking that didn't hold up in court," Beyer said on the House floor Thursday.

House Natural Resources Committee ranking Democrat Jared Huffman of California said the bill set a "troubling" precedent by blocking judicial review.

"It tells the American people they no longer have the right to challenge unlawful government actions," he said. "The ESA is simple and effective. It ensures decisions are grounded in science - that's the heart of it - and this bill throws that principle out the window."

Several Republicans on the Natural Resources Committee spoke in favor of the bill, saying it would delegate wolf management to states.

In a statement, Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, an Arkansas Republican, said the gray wolf has been "fully recovered" for two decades.

"States are more than capable of managing thriving wolf populations. This legislation restores a common-sense, science-based approach to wolf management, returning decision-making to states," he said.

Republicans also argued the bill would protect livestock and humans.

Rep. Pete Stauber showed a photo from his district in Ely, Minnesota, of a wolf in a school parking lot.

"Because of the gray wolf's listing status, nothing could be done to protect the lives of the students there," the Republican said. "The broken ESA is putting my constituents' lives at risk."

Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 courtesy https://www.oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
In what appears to have been a flawlessly executed mission, U.S. Army personnel identified as Delta Force bagged Venezuelan dictator and alleged Cartel de los Soles chief Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026. This operation will go down in the annals as a highly successful strategic manhunt.

U.S. intelligence and military personnel worked this operation up over many months, with endless rehearsals that made an assault on Maduros fortified compound appear easy. It wasnt. This was a complex operation that demonstrates a very high level of intelligence capability and tactical skill.

The strategic manhunt has been a key element of the American Way of War since before we were a nation. The U. S. has a long history of missions to kill or capture one particular man who has come athwart of the nation and its imperial designs, or has made himself an intolerable threat to the welfare of the state and its citizens.

The list of strategic manhunts spans centuries and the entirety of the globe. The colony of Virginia sent out Lt. Robert Maynard to hunt down Edward Teach (or Thatch) aka Blackbeard the Pirate along the Carolina coast in 1718. Maynard ambushed Teach at Ocracoke Inlet, and, after a sharp and bloody fight, personally killed Blackbeard, and cut off his head, and hung it from the bowsprit of his sloop Jane.

The U.S. Army bent 25 percent of its limited resources to hunting down the Apache war leader Geronimo, who would not stay confined on an Arizona reservation and raided back-and-forth across the U.S.-Mexico border in the 1880s.

In 1916, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson dispatched a major Punitive Expedition to capture or kill the Mexican Revolutionary General Francisco Pancho Villa after Villa led a raid on the border town of Columbus, New Mexico, killing both soldiers and civilians.

In our own time, we have seen many strategic manhunts. In 1989, we took down Manuel Noriega, the dictator of Panama, in an operation similar to the one that took down Maduro  but far messier. It took several months to run Saddam Hussein to ground after the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, and U.S. Navy SEALs famously infiltrated Pakistan to kill Osama bin Laden in 2011.

There are always legal, moral, and ethical questions involved in the risk calculus for going after a single target, which must always take into account not only the risk of action, but also the risks of not acting.

Strategic manhunts dont always end in success (we never got Pancho Villa) and sometimes result in disaster, as when the effort to nab Mohammed Farah Aideed in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 led to the Black Hawk Down incident. But a great many strategic manhunts have been operationally successful.

Unfortunately, the U.S. has a track record of great initial operational success, followed by blowing the long game. Weve seen that movie and its sequels over and over again.

We can be sure that Operation Absolute Resolve  which seems to have come off as perfectly as any action can  will be politicized by just about everyone. There will be a lot of noise and heat, without much light. Most of that is unnecessary. Maduro was a thug, a serious bad actor, and there was a bounty on his head through the Biden Administration as well as Trumps. Taking him down with this level of efficiency is, by itself, a net positive, and ought to be a cause for bipartisan celebration. It was certainly a happy day for the multitude of Venezuelans who have fled his reign and that of his predecessor in one of the biggest displacement crises in the world.

But rousting and perp-walking a criminal dictator is the fun part. There are economic and geopolitical stakes in play that are far bigger than one bad actor, and things are fixin to get complicated. And we dont do complicated all that well. What we citizens should really be paying attention to is what comes next. History tells us that what-comes-after wont likely be anywhere near as clean and satisfying as Operation Absolute Resolve.
Protesters gathered Monday in London to condemn U.S. military action against Venezuela as a breach of international law. "It's imperialism at its worst over oil," one demonstrator said, demanding that the UK government take a clearer stance.
Chinese media recently reported the strange case of a Beijing family who accused their neighbors of putting their son in the hospital. However, the details of the case sparked a heated debate on social media, because all the neighbors did was order an extra spicy meal. The 7-year-old boy stole it from their doorstep and ate it without permission.

After having their food delivery orders stolen from their doorstep on multiple occasions, a family in Beijing decided to teach the thief a lesson by ordering an extra-spicy meal. Little did they know that the perpetrator was their 7-year-old neighbor who spent most of his time outside playing and had developed a taste for their food orders.

Photo: Anna Hill/Unsplash

As usual, the boy stole the takeout bag and ran home to feast on it. Only this time, after enjoying the meal, he started experiencing severe abdominal pain and vomiting, prompting his parents to take him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and hospitalized for several days.

After learning from their son that he had eaten their neighbors spicy takeout, the boys parents accused the neighbors of poisoning him and demanded compensation for the 2,000 yuan ($290) they spent on his medical expenses.

The accused refused to pay anything, arguing that they should not bear any responsibility for the boys medical problems. A lawyer explained that legally, they are in the right. Even if the neighbor knowingly chose a spicy meal knowing the takeout might be stolen again, it was a legitimate and legal civil act. Plus, chili peppers are a common condiment and not a dangerous substance, so it cant be regarded as deliberate poisoning.
(L-R) Annie Moore,

Mark Emerson

Dezenhall Resources promotes Annie Moore and Mark Emerson to vice president. Moore was previously senior director of digital at the agency, specializing in digital strategy, coalition building and public affairs campaigns. She was also founder of Activate Strategies. Emerson, most recently a senior director, assists clients with communications, internal alignment and organizational planning. Before coming to Dezenhall, he was operations and marketing manager at Toronto-based Proof Strategies. Dezenhall has also promoted Kaci Donegan to director, Nathaniel Beach to senior advisor, and Helen Taylor to advisor. Recognizing these colleagues reflects both their outstanding work and Dezenhalls momentum, said president Josh Culling.

Dani Cushion

Teads, a cloud-based advertising platform, names Dani Cushion as CMO. Cushion previously led global marketing and communications at ad tech platform Innovid. She has also held the CMO spot at ExecOnline and Cardlytics, as well as serving as senior manager, partner marketing at Sirius XM. In her new position, Cushion will be responsible for the companys brand, communications, and go-to-market strategy, with a mandate to support growth for advertisers, agencies and publishers. Dani has a proven ability to translate complex industry dynamics across CTV and the open internet into actionable marketing strategies that drive real business results, said Teads CEO David Kostman.

Genefa Murphy

JFrog, a software company, appoints former Hewlett Packard Enterprise global VP of corporate marketing and communications Genefa Murphy as CMO. Murphy was most recently chief marketing & content officer at Udemy, an AI-powered skills development platform. She has also been CMO at Five9 and SVP & CMO at Micro Focus. Murphy will oversee JFrogs global marketing organization from its U.S. headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. Genefas proven ability to accelerate growth will be instrumental as we leap forward," said JFrog CEO and co-founder Shlomi Ben Haim.
Not a Subscriber? Join O'Dwyer's & Get RFP Access Stop wasting time tracking down RFPs. O'Dwyer's connects you with organizations looking for PR firms & services. Get new business with O'Dwyer's! Join O'Dwyer's
Sandler Travis & Rosenberg has agreed to provide strategic advice, monitoring and advocacy services to the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.

ApexBrasil promotes Brazilian products and services abroad while attracting foreign investments into strategic sectors of the countrys economy.

ST&Rs mission is to develop and implement a stakeholder engagement strategy targeting U.S. government agencies, Congress and public policy institutions regarding trade with Brazil.

It will assist in organizing and facilitating meetings, briefings, and events with US stakeholders. The firm will support the positioning of Brazilian private sector interests in key U.S. policy discussions.

SR&T also may get involved in crisis communications and rapid response activities.

Nicole Bivens Collinson, who heads SR&Ts international trade and government relations practice, oversees the Brazilian work. Shes joined by David Olave, trade policy advisor, and Edward Steiner, senior director.

SR&Ts contract, which went into effect on Nov. 17, runs for six months and carries a $16,600 monthly retainer.
AFTER two and a half months sleeping rough in Kinnitty, a Birr woman has told the Midland Tribune that she is still not living in her preferred location.

At the beginning of September, Elaine Meleady told the Tribune that she was living in emergency accommodation in Portlaoise and was very unhappy. She said it was a nightmare and she couldn't take much more.

Prior to being moved to Portlaoise by the local authorities Elaine had been happily living in Kinnitty for eight and a half years until she was evicted in September 2024, after which she spent a period of time living in a tent. She was moved to emergency accommodation in Portlaoise on April 3.

Elaine told the Tribune in September that the location of the emergency accommodation in Portlaoise was not good. I'm miles from the shops, from the hospital. It's about a two mile walk to the nearest bus. I need help but no one is helping. My life, my friends, everything is gone and I am dumped out here like unwanted rubbish with my two dogs, where we are living in really bad conditions. My dogs are inside dogs and they are forced to live outside. This place is filthy, there's a lot wrong with it such as black mould on the ceilings." (Pictured below is Elaine with one of her dogs, Sheba).

Shortly after her conversation with the Tribune, Elaine left the emergency accommodation in Portlaoise and travelled to Kinnitty, where she lived for several weeks with her dogs in a tent on the laneway that provides access to the rear of the Catholic Church and Parish Hall.

A number of locals expressed their concern about this and local PP Fr Michael O'Meara contacted Offaly County Council, who arranged for Elaine to be moved to emergency accommodation in Kilkenny city.

I was first offered a place in Dublin and then in Kilkenny, she said. I had to rehome my dogs. I am only in this accommodation until January the 7 and then I have another meeting with Offaly County Council. I want to live in my home area, which is Birr or somewhere nearby in South Offaly, but the Council doesn't seem able to manage that for me.

Elaine said she has a Doctor's letter stating that she has a lung infection and kidney infection, for which she has been on a course of antibiotics for a number of months.

Elaine's mental health has been up and down ever since being evicted in September 2024. I'm miles from Kinnitty, miles from my home town of Birr.

She added that she has been on the housing list for 12 years.

READ NEXT: Homeless Offaly woman is feeling cut off and 'very depressed'
"THE Greater Birr Wind Action Group", recently formed to fight the proposed development of a Wind Farm south of Birr, issued a statement during the Christmas period pointing out a number of reasons why it is opposed to the proposed Ballincor Wind Farm.

In recent years the Birr area has become a focal point for international wind developers, with seven wind farms totalling 72 industrial turbines already granted permission or operating around the town. The Ballincor Wind farm, in the Sharavogue area, will entail the construction of 11 mega turbines.

The group's statement said it would be wrong to think of Ballincor Wind Farm as a minor issue involving just a small number of landowners and residents in one rural pocket of Offaly; as being just an isolated intervention with contained impacts. It is in fact, they said, a large-scale industrial energy project which will impact the wider Birr hinterland, including roads, ecosystems and communities; therefore we should be paying attention.

The Group points out that an 11-turbine wind farm is not simply a collection of turbines placed quietly in fields. It is in fact a major civil engineering project, involving extensive ground excavation, kilometres of internal roads, crane hardstands, deep concrete foundations, drainage works, cabling trenches, substations and compounds. The construction phase typically lasts up to 18 months, sometimes longer.

Independent estimates based on Irish Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIARs) suggest that a development of this scale typically involves the excavation and re-handling of over 250,000 tonnes of peat and mineral material, alongside the importation of more than 120,000 tonnes of construction materials  stone, concrete, steel and turbine components. These are conservative estimates, remarks the Group statement. All of this material must be moved, and almost all of it is transported by heavy goods vehicles, which translates into thousands of HGV movements on public roads, impacting residents commuting to work, parents on school runs, farmers moving livestock and local businesses relying on access. The Group says that Wind Farm works of this nature typically result in road closures, delays, mud and debris on road surfaces, noise, vibration and increased safety risks.

The Ballincor Wind Farm will be very near the Sharavogue Bog Special Area of Conservation (SAC)  a protected European site. Peatlands are not inert landscapes; the statement continues, they are living hydrological systems that regulate water flow, store vast quantities of carbon and support specialised plant and animal species. Disturbance through excavation, drainage and compaction can have far-reaching effects, including altered water tables, habitat degradation and increased flood risk  not just at the immediate site, but downstream. The Ballincor area also forms part of a broader ecological network used by birds, bats and other wildlife, many of which are protected under EU Directives and are of national conservation concern. While EIARs often conclude that impacts can be 'mitigated', mitigation is typically developer-led and dependent on trust rather than independent verification. Recent commentary at EU level has highlighted concerns that many EIARs are overly desk based, rely on minimal on-site survey days spread over several years, and lack independent verification. Michael McNamara, a Co Clare MEP, challenged the Irish Government's wind energy strategy in the EU Parliament last week. He described the environmental subterfuge going on in Ireland where huge developers submit an environmental impact assessment report which is often cut and pasted from another report designed for a development in another part of the country. The sloppiness and disregard for the authenticity of even the report should spark controversy and concern. For communities, this raises two fundamental questions: are decisions being made on robust evidence or on optimistic assumptions designed to facilitate consent? When developers promise mitigation and investment in an effort to reduce risk, are communities expected to take developers at their word?

The Group pointed out that as well as construction and ecology the visual impact of the Ballincor proposal is of regional significance. The proposed turbines would reach approximately 185 metres (600 feet) from ground to blade tip, with blade diameters approaching 160 metres; equivalent to a 60-storey building or 70% of the height of the Eiffel Tower. These are not subtle structures, the statement continued. They are industrial landmarks that will dominate the landscape for decades; visible from miles away, including from Birr, Shinrone, Riverstown and surrounding areas, where ground levels vary only marginally from the turbine base elevations.

The statement added that, over time, turbine scale has increased dramatically as developers seek greater output and profit, often at the expense of landscape character and visual amenity.

Loss of landscape quality is not a private issue. It affects tourism, recreation, heritage value and the identity of the wider region. It also raises a broader question: who benefits and who bears the cost? Large-scale wind-farm developments in Ireland are typically owned by external developers or investment funds. Profits flow outward, while community benefit funds, where offered, are modest, discretionary and time-limited. Meanwhile, visual dominance, construction disruption, noise, traffic and environmental risk are borne locally and regionally.

Perhaps most importantly, Ballincor is not just about Ballincor. It sets a precedent. If a development of this scale proceeds adjacent to a protected bog, with significant construction impacts and reliance on developer-led mitigation, it shapes expectations for future proposals elsewhere in the region. Planning decisions accumulate, and each one alters the baseline against which the next is judged.

None of this is an argument against renewable energy. Climate action is essential. But climate action that undermines environmental protection, landscape value, community trust and regional infrastructure is not sustainable.

This is why the Greater Birr Wind Action Group is encouraging people across the region to engage, ask questions and inform themselves. An 11 turbine windfarm application will be submitted by RWE in the coming weeks. If you are interested, want to help, or want to know more, join the Greater Birr Wind Action Group on Facebook which is updated regularly. A public information evening will be held in early January in advance of the expected RWE submission for the Ballincor development.

This is not just one wind farm and its consequences will not be confined to one place.

READ NEXT: Offaly Councillors call for HSE to examine health effects of Wind Farms
OFFALY County Council has officially approved planning permission for a 20-bed Midlands Specialist Palliative Care Unit on Arden Lane in Tullamore.

This decision ensures that the long-awaited hospice facility will become a reality, addressing a critical gap in specialist inpatient palliative care for Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath.

The Government has committed 24 million in capital funding to support the development of this facility, reinforcing its pledge to improve access to high-quality end-of-life care.

The new hospice will include:20 inpatient beds, a day therapy unit, an education centre and modern car parking and EV charging facilities

This project will provide compassionate, specialist care closer to home for families across the Midlands.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister for Health said: I warmly welcome the approval of planning for the Midlands Hospice. This is an important milestone in delivering on the Governments 24 million capital commitment. I am so grateful to all involved, many of whom I met when I visited in April of last year.

"We will continue to invest in palliative care services to ensure equitable access and the highest standards of care for people and families across Ireland.

READ NEXT: Jackpot in Offaly GAA club's lotto now a massive 20,000

Kate Killeen White, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE Dublin and Midlands commented: This planning approval is a landmark moment for healthcare in the Midlands. This hospice will ensure that people with life-limiting illnesses receive the dignity, comfort, and specialist care they deserve. We are grateful to all who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.

This achievement reflects years of advocacy and collaboration among local hospice groups and community initiatives. We acknowledge the five Hospice Groups in the regionLaois Hospice, Longford Hospice, North Westmeath Hospice, Offaly Hospice, and South Westmeath Hospicewhose volunteers have fundraised tirelessly for palliative care initiatives. Innovative campaigns such as Hooves-4-Hospice, led by the Lions Club, and the Irish Hospice Foundations advocacy and research have been pivotal in keeping this project at the forefront of healthcare priorities.

READ NEXT: Community outrage in Offaly as An Post service ceases without notice at large Spar

Joseph Ruane, Head of Primary Care HSE Midlands said: The Midlands has long been one of the only regions in Ireland without a specialist inpatient palliative care unit. This development will close a critical gap in service provision, enhance quality of life for patients and families, and strengthen community-based and inpatient palliative care. I would like to thank and acknowledge the work and support of successive Ministers of Health, all hospice and associated groups throughout the midlands and nationally and our locally elected representatives (past and present) who have been so steadfastly supportive of this development over many years. It truly is a significant milestone for this project and for the Midlands population we serve.
JINAN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- In the city of Linyi, located in east China's Shandong Province, a vast marketplace is rewriting its role, transforming from a domestic wholesale powerhouse into a dynamic international trade hub that seamlessly connects Chinese factories with buyers and products from across the globe.

Linyi Trade City, one of China's largest professional market clusters, is now attracting a steady influx of international entrepreneurs.

Among them is Emmanuel Jerry Donkor from Ghana, who, after graduating from Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, identified Linyi's robust supply chain and logistical capabilities as a promising opportunity.

"Previously, we assisted merchants from our home country in sourcing products. Now, we not only introduce goods from Linyi to Ghana but also bring Ghanaian products here," he said.

Donkor's story is just one of many at Linyi Trade City, one of China's largest wholesale market clusters, which is increasingly turning its gaze outward to global markets. From January to November 2025, the mall hosted 90 events tailored for international buyers, attracting 44,500 purchasing trips by foreign merchants, a year-on-year surge of 47.85 percent, with intended transactions reaching 23.67 billion yuan (about 3.39 billion U.S. dollars).

As foreign merchants flock to the city, local businesses are venturing out. At the warehouse of Shandong Haoduobao Supply Chain Co., Ltd., founder Geng Yanzhou showcased a "variety store" stretching over 10,000 square meters.

Rows of shelves were packed with tens of thousands of items, ranging from innovative stationery and plush toys to kitchenware and household goods, mostly priced between 3 and 10 yuan.

Geng's entrepreneurial journey mirrors this trade city's own evolution. Starting from a humble local "two-yuan store," he has now exported the entire high-value, one-stop shopping model to partners in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.

"Linyi's competitive sourcing and logistics advantages make this model highly viable," Geng explained. "Items priced at just 2 yuan here are hits in Latin American 'one-dollar stores.' A partner in Nicaragua recouped his entire investment in just 23 days."

Since October 2025, four such stores have opened in Angola, generating daily revenues exceeding 200,000 yuan and consistently drawing long queues of customers. "These stores serve as live demonstrations of the model's potential, attracting a growing number of interested foreign entrepreneurs," Geng added.

Driving this global reach is Linyi's robust logistics network. The Linyi modern logistics city now hosts more than 1,700 freight companies and serves as a key node for Eurasian trade. Among them, Shandong Linmanou International Logistics Co., Ltd. operates a rapidly expanding fleet under the TIR system, enabling faster road transport to countries like Russia and Kazakhstan.

The TIR system, short for Transports Internationaux Routiers or International Road Transports, is an international customs transit system that helps save time and money for transport operators and customs authorities when moving goods across borders.

Notably, shipping goods from Linyi to Moscow via TIR takes fewer than 10 days, much quicker than the more than 20 days required by traditional rail transport.

The westward shift of logistics has unlocked new space for the trade city's strategic transformation. The former site of the bustling Jinlan logistics base now houses the new Lantian North International Automobile City, where refurbished used cars from various brands undergo preparation for export.

"Since its launch in August 2025, the auto city has been exporting about 900 vehicles per month to over 20 countries and regions across Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe," said Hua Shuyong, chairman of Shandong Lantian Investment Group Co., Ltd. "Chinese vehicles have gained strong international recognition, creating a seller's market environment. Around 20 foreign buyers are now based here aiming to snap up and ship vehicles immediately."

The recommendations for formulating China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which charts the course for the development of the world's second largest economy in the 2026-2030 period, have identified achieving substantial progress in high-quality development as a key objective.

To support this transformation, the Shandong Provincial Government unveiled a guideline in late 2025 aimed at upgrading Linyi Trade City into a strategic hub for the province's high-standard opening-up initiatives.

"In the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, internationalization and digitalization of the trade city will be our top priorities," said Wu Chuanliang, director of the Linyi Commerce Bureau and the trade city's administrative committee. "This means strengthening our global market reach, enhancing digital infrastructure, and optimizing modern logistics to ensure sustained high-quality growth." 
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com . To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here

I don't know why people (including Karen Greenberg today) get so down on Donald Trump about women when he's such a p*ssycat of a guy. You remember, right? When he was discussing his failed attempt to seduce a married woman ("I did try and f*ck her. She was married," he told TV host Billy Bush), he couldn't have been clearer about his regard for them. As he put it: "And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything" Grab 'em by the p*ssy. You can do anything."

Jeffrey Epstein aside, give "our" president credit. At least when it comes to American presidents, he's certainly been the ultimate womanizer. And give him credit as well at age 79, since he's only been convicted in court a single time (just once!) for sexually abusing a woman in a department store. I mean, can you even imagine beating a record like that? Or outdoing, according to Wikipedia, the guy who "has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, including non-consensual kissing or groping, by at least 25 women since the 1970s"? A mere 25 of them!

Not only that, as president, he's offered women unfettered and unilateral protection of a remarkable sort. As he proclaimed recently (in honor of Women's History Month), "No longer will our Government promote radical ideologies that replace women with men in spaces and opportunities designed for women." Even more impressively, he's going to leave American women so healthy that his support for dismantling programs related to women's health won't faintly be a problem. Why would there be any need for such programs under the circumstances?

And so, given that remarkable presidential record, let TomDispatch regular Greenberg take you directly into "our" president's war on women in his second term in office -- and keep in mind that, on entering the White House a second time, he already had quite a record to sustain. After all, the first time he ever called a woman "piggy" wasn't recently. In 1996, he labeled the Miss Universe of that moment "Miss Piggy" after she gained some weight. Now, shhhh, quiet down and consider the president's all too unnerving record on women not even a year into his second time around. Tom

Trump's War on Women

Bodies, Roles, and Futures at Risk

By Karen J. Greenberg

"Quiet, Piggy." The president was intent on silencing Catherine Lucey. The Bloomberg reporter had provoked him with a question about the release of the Epstein files. His insult caught the public's attention. But Trump's tongue-lashing lexicon against women has a long history. Other female journalists have been dubbed "obnoxious," "terrible," "third-rate" and "ugly." Vice President Kamala Harris, opposing him in the 2024 presidential election, was labeled "retarded" and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "crazy as a bedbug." The list goes on (and on and on). And who knows what was redacted from the Epstein files along those very lines?

Mind you, those Trumpian insults hurled at women (and regularly offered about them) are anything but performative throwaways. They reveal Donald Trump's deep and abiding contempt for females, an attitude that has taken a giant leap forward (or do I mean backward?) in policy terms in the Trump 2.0 years. Well beyond a simple cascade of insulting words, the commander-in-chief and his allies have deemed women the enemy. And not surprisingly, under the circumstances, they are now distinctly under attack.

The Purges

From day one of his second term as president, Trump has made his intention to rid the government of women crystal clear -- with some window-dressing exceptions. Without mentioning women per se, he nonetheless targeted them on his very first day in office. Executive Order 14151 vowed to end the "forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs" of the Biden era. (On his first day in office, Biden had issued an executive order opening the door for "underserved communities" via a "whole of government equity agenda."). Trump's EO, however, decreed an end to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and to any appointments that were meant to reflect diversity hiring, claiming that such policies "demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination."

Immediately, women began to be flung from their government perches. Those holding high positions were the first to go. U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan was removed, as were the three top women at the National Labor Relations Board. Head of the Federal Trade Commission Rebecca Slaughter was promptly fired, a case still under review by the Supreme Court (though it's hard to expect good news from SCOTUS these days). The Pentagon cleaned house early and fast, removing women from positions of leadership, including the head of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis; the commandant of the Coast Guard, the chief of naval operations, and the only woman flag officer on NATO's Military Committee. All had been the first females to occupy those posts. Also sent packing was the woman serving as the senior military assistant to the secretary of defense.

Black women in particular found themselves under attack. Early removals of Black women included Carla Hayden, the librarian of Congress; Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the National Labor Relations Board; and Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the board of governors of the Federal Reserve Board. Meanwhile, Peggy Carr, the first Black person and the first woman to be commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, was cruelly and unexpectedly escorted out of the building in front of her staff.

The circumstances surrounding the ouster of the first female to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), acting administrator Janet Petro, highlighted the conviction that emptying offices of women occupants took precedence over quality, efficiency, or overall professionalism. Petro was replaced by an interim appointee, Sean Duffy, who continued to serve in the demanding job of secretary of transportation even as he assumed the leadership of NASA. Better, it seems, to overtax a man than allow a woman to lead anything whatsoever.

The Pentagon

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Greece continues to strengthen its position as one of the most attractive hospitality investment destinations in Europe, combining strong tourism fundamentals, limited prime supply, and 
QINGDAO, China - KINGSTAR GLASS, a China-based glassware manufacturer and exporter, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting global buyers with export-ready glassware manufacturing solutions designed 
Tulsa, Oklahoma - 01/05/2026 - Roy Shaa, behavioral finance innovator, today announced the launch of the Human Alignment Framework for Market Trading (HAF-MT), a universal 
When Portland police officials announced last month that former Chief Chuck Lovell was leaving the city for another law enforcement job, they declined to name the public entity.

On Monday, the Port of Portland confirmed that 52-year-old Lovell became a captain with the agency on Dec. 30.

Lovell, who became chief in 2020 and stepped down in 2023 to become an assistant chief, will earn an annual salary of $176,200, according to the port.

Thats down from the $230,000 he made with the city, where he started as an officer in 2002.

[READ MORE: Every Portland police chief since 1985]

A spokesperson for Portlands Bureau of Fire and Police Disability and Retirement, the pension system for officers hired before 2007, said Lovell has not retired from the system.

City rules say a person must be 50 years old with 25 years of service or 55 to retire.
A man who was escorted out of an Ashland City Council session after he called the police chief a fascist has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the city, the mayor and the police chief.

Toren McKnight directed the comment at Chief Tighe OMeara during a September council meetings public comment period. McKnight was criticizing the chiefs proposal tightening enforcement of two exclusion zones in the city to allow police to ask a judge to bar people from the areas even if they havent been convicted of a crime.

If you refuse to fund and protect services to the citys most vulnerable people and instead focus on using police, then youre simply taking a page out of the fascist playbook, McKnight told the council.

McKnight went on to argue that the chiefs proposal, regardless of how OMeara described the changes, makes him look like a fascist, which he is.

Mayor Tonya Graham told McKnight to please refrain from personal attacks, but McKnight continued and called the proposed ordinance harmful, dangerous and part of the fascist takeover of this country.

Chief OMeara is not progressive or compassionate. Hes a fascist with mediocre PR, and he wants to eradicate unhoused people from the city, Graham said, raising his voice as the mayor told him, Sir, you are done.

The police chief, who was sitting at a table in front of the council, turned around and directed an officer to remove McKnight from the meeting, according to video of the session.

When the officer initially approached the wrong person, the chief pointed to McKnight and the mayor directed the officer to remove the person with the nose ring, referring to McKnight, according to the suit.

Ashland Police Chief Tighe O'Meara pointed at Toren McKnight, directing an officer to escort McKnight out of the council meeting after McKnight had called the chief a fascist during his public comment period. McKnight sat behind the person with the hat on after his public comments. Courtesy of Toren McKnight

The city cited its municipal code governing the conduct of meetings, which prohibits public speakers from making negative personal remarks or comments about the motives or personal traits of others.

McKnights lawyer Alica LeDuc Montgomery argued in the suit that McKnight engaged in constitutionally protected speech and his use of the word fascist was political expression to describe OMearas alleged values on public policy.

The citys removal of McKnight and claim he engaged in disorderly conduct violated his free speech and right to petition the government, the suit argues.

The suit also alleges that the citys no personal attacks policy for council meetings is vague and used to suppress criticism of city officials.

The suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Medford, pointed out that the Ashland City Council had opened the meeting with a proclamation declaring the following day, Sept. 17, as Constitution Day, to recognize the 238th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

Proclaiming Constitutional protections one moment and silencing peaceful political speech the next exposes a troubling disconnect between the Citys stated values and its actions, LeDuc Montgomery said in a statement.

Ashland city attorney Johan Pietila said Monday that the city had not been served with the lawsuit and declined comment on the pending litigation.

The suit identifies McKnight, 23, of Central Point, as an activist for progressive causes in southern Oregon and a founding member of the Rogue Valley Pepper Shakers, a group that supports LGBTQ+ people and marginalized communities. He has an unrelated charge pending in Douglas County, accused of spraying mace at another person in July 2023. He has pleaded not guilty.

After McKnight was silenced at the council meeting, he sat down and a uniformed officer escorted him out. McKnight wasnt charged with a crime.

The mayor had the last word: This is a place where we offer respect for each others opinion, and this is a place where we respect the attitudes of other people and we give space for that. This is not a place where we attack people personally. This is not a place where we do anything that rips at the fabric of our community. This is a hard conversation and we are grownups, and we are going to have a hard conversation as grownups. Carry on.

At a meeting the following month, the Ashland City Council in a 4-2 vote, approved the ordinance exclusion zone changes. The city has two exclusion zones  one downtown and the other in the business corridor that runs from Ashland Street to the Interstate 5-Exit 14 interchange.

Under the changes, police can ask a judge to ban someone from the citys two exclusion zones who is accused - not convicted - of three or more nuisance violations at separate times, such as public drinking or littering; two or more misdemeanors, such as trespass or theft; one or more alleged crimes against a person; or unauthorized burning.

The change allows police to request a ban after someone is cited or charged and has demonstrated a pattern of disruptive or unlawful behavior, rather than waiting for convictions. It also allows people who are banned from those zones to access essential services, including groceries, medical care, a job and social services.

The police chief, in addressing the council, said the proposed changes werent similar to the Medford model, referring to Medfords civil exclusion zones, which restrict where or how people can camp on public property. Under the Ashland exclusion changes, prohibited camping is not a qualified violation, he said.

But McKnight wasnt convinced, prompting his initial fascist remark during the council meeting.

Chief OMeara is now trying to backpedal on his statement of this being the Medford model, because he knows that it makes him look like a fascist, which he is, regardless of what he calls this amendment or the ordinance, he told the council.
Winter theatergoers in Portland want a play thats windproof, water-resistant, downy-warm yet featherlight and never bunches up.

What better fit than Its Not All About Me: The Gert Boyle Story, Triangle Productions new stage biography of the beloved and tough-as-hard-packed-snow head of Columbia Sportswear?

Its one of 11 winter winners coming to local stages.

From an iconic female figure to an underappreciated one: In In Clay, Broadway Rose Theatre Company introduces us to Marie-Berthe Cazin, the unwavering French ceramicist who fought to be seen and heard in the early 20th century.

Jump into one of three road trips driving winter programming: Racecar Racecar Racecar at Artists Repertory Theatre; The Bodys Midnight from fledgling company 100 Lives Repertory; and Dorothys Yellow Brick Road trip in The Wiz via Broadway in Portland.

Wind down winter with A Mirror, Third Rail Repertory Theatres bracing satire reflecting censorship run amok. And pop into a puppeted parody of a treasured childrens program that would never make it past the Standards and Practices team at PBS (Avenue Q; Stumptown Stages).

Macbeth  Experience Theatre Project

Costume Designer Kasee Arnett describes the multiple timeless looks of Lady Macbeth. Alisa Stewart

Experience Theatre Project keeps the creepy vibe flowing since its sold-out fall production, Mary Shelleys Frankenstein.

Untraditionally immersive, the Aloha-companys new interpretation of the Bards macabre chiller unfurls around you. The audience will be situated in the black heart of this swirling cauldron of ambition, madness, murder and ferocious micro-managing by Macbeths better half.

Haunting melodies from 1990s Creep-sters Radiohead will, fittingly, hover through the fog and filthy air. A trio of musicians, including company founder Alisa Stewart on keyboard, perform songs by the band for an eerie post-Jacobean, pre-Grunge soundscape.

Jan. 16-Feb. 22, 18850 S.W. Alexander St., Aloha; experiencetheatreproject.org.

The Play That Goes Wrong  Portland Center Stage (a co-production with Seattle Rep)

Props fly, sets fall, lines are flubbed, cues are missed and a corpse refuses to stay still long enough to be pronounced dead in this freewheeling send-up of whodunnits and local theater. A crackling British import, The Play That Goes Wrong asks the question, Does the show really have to go on?

Like the classic British 1982 physical comedy Noises Off, this 2012 behind-the-curtain concoction revels in going off the rails as backstage and on-stage mishaps pile up into an avalanche of hilarity.

You cant help but root for the scrappy Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society players as they attempt to mount a complex murder mystery. (So sadly underfunded, the fictional troupe was forced to neuter its summer musical from Cats to Cat.)

Farce? Sure. As PCS races to fundraise $9 million by June to continue operating, you could also be watching a comedic cautionary tale.

Jan. 18-Feb. 15, U.S. Bank Main Stage at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave.; pcs.org.

In Clay  Broadway Rose Theatre Company

Malia Tippets stars in "In Clay" at Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Jan. 22 - Feb. 15. Fletcher Wold

Nowhere is it written in stone that musicals must have multiple  or even two  actors.

That one actor can spin a sweeping story  performing all its distinct characters, and nail 11 musical numbers  well, thats definitely written In Clay.

Malia Tippets, who kicked up her heels in Footloose, earned deserved Hallelujahs for Nunsense both for Broadway Rose and killed as the title character in Carrie for Stumptown Stages, portrays French ceramicist Marie-Berthe Cazin in this solo musical memoir. Tippets sculpts the artists harrowing, humbling and humor-tinged journey through World War I and after. Cazin continually faced systemized sexism in the art world, including from her husband who assigned his name to her beautiful pottery.

Jazz-shaded songs (standouts: Talent and See-through) punctuate Rebecca Simmonds script, evoking place, era and the artists dreams and determination.

Jan. 22-Feb. 15, Broadway Rose Theatre New Stage, 12850 S.W. Grant Ave., Tigard; broadwayrose.org.

Tiger Style!  Profile Theatre

Mike Lews cross-cultural comedy "Tiger Style" takes aim at contemporary Asian stereotypes. Zack DeZon

Third-generation Chinese American siblings Albert and Jennifer Chen are the overachieving cubs of fierce tiger parents. (Thats the term author Amy Chua coined to describe a rigid style of Chinese parenting focusing on academic performance and music, and less on nurturing, self-esteem and  fun.)

But their highly accelerated, highly assimilated lives have left the pair feeling empty inside  and theyre roaring mad. Mad enough to finally confront their mother and father.

The familial fur flies as Mike Lews cross-cultural comedy takes aim at contemporary Asian stereotypes. Lew lived what he wrote. The son of successful physicians, Lew shocked his strict parents when he swerved from medical school to playwriting.

Bonus: The play also includes a road trip  via airplane, that is  to Shenzhen, China.

Jan. 22-Feb. 8, The Ellyn Bye Studio at The Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave.; profiletheatre.org.

Its Not All About Me: The Gert Boyle Story  Triangle Productions

Gert Boyle watches over the hallways at Columbia Sportswear's Beaverton headquarters. Stephanie Yao Long/Staff LC- The Oregonian LC- The Oregonian

In Oregon in the 1980s, there was no question who the toughest mother in fashion was: Gert Boyle, the matriarch of Columbia Sportswear. In one of the Portland-based companys One Tough Mother print ads, she rolled up her sleeve, flexed her bicep and flaunted her Born to Nag tattoo while peering over thick-rimmed spectacles. In TV spots, she put her son Tim through various and hilarious endurance tests to prove the durability of the companys clothing. (My favorite was the one where she runs over Tim with a Zamboni. His Columbia jacket keeps him warm and cozy under the ice.)

Boyle died in 2019 at the age of 95. In Boyles obituary for The Oregonian/OregonLive, columnist Steve Duin wrote: Boyle is survived by her son, Tim, and two daughters, Sally Bany and Kathy Deggendorfer; her younger sister, Eva Labby; five grandchildren; the 5,300 employees at Columbia Sportswear, and one star-struck Zamboni.

Just as he did with drag queen extraordinaire Darcelle/Walter Cole, Triangle Productions founder Don Horn has conceived a biographical play for another Oregon legend. Painstakingly researched and carefully cast, Horns stage biographies have proven to be some of his best original works. For Its Not All About Me: The Gert Boyle Story, Horn worked with Kerry Tymchuk, the Boyle Family Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society and co-author of Boyles autobiography One Tough Mother: Taking Charge in Life, Business, and Apple Pies.

Horns play, like its subject, is no-nonsense, no frills: An interviewer (played by former KATU-TV anchor and reporter Paula Gunness) conducts a Q&A with Boyle (Wendy Westerwelle), who recounts her rags-to-bestselling sportswear story.

Jan. 29-Feb. 14, The Sanctuary at Sandy Plaza, 1785 N.E. Sandy Blvd.; trianglepro.org.

Racecar Racecar Racecar  Artists Repertory Theatre

She may not embrace the serial comma, as evidenced by her unpunctuated, triple word title  but playwright Kallan Dana absolutely embraces weirdness. Its expected and probably inherited: Shes from Portland. She also digs word games. Racecar Racecar Racecar  a repeated palindrome  is a road-trip story riding the shoulder of reality.

Yes, its one of those plays reviewers have and will describe as challenging for audiences. It features characters without names, including the two principals known only as Dad and Daughter. The pair travels from New York to California and then back, bumping into other loosely identified characters who utter cryptic messages pointing back to an earlier journey Dad and Daughter embarked upon but forgot.

So did our travelers unwittingly cross into a multidimensional plane? Or veer off-road into a time-jumping wormhole? Go ahead and try to untangle whats real from whats surreal. Or just sit back in the lobby theater of ARTs developing Morrison Street complex and enjoy the trippy ride.

Feb. 3-March 1, Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 S.W. Morrison St.; artistsrep.org.

The Wiz  Broadway in Portland

Cal Mitchell plays The Lion, D. Jerome is The Tinman, Dana Cimone is Dorothy, and Elijah Ahmad Lewis is The Scarecrow in the North American Tour of "The Wiz." Jeremy Daniel

May monkeys chase you across the Burnside Bridge if you if you think The Wiz exists in the same Oz as Wicked. Even before Wicked dropped a house on the conventional storytelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this 1974 all-Black stage musical provided a fresh take on L. Frank Baums famous fable.

The wonderfully soulful score for The Wiz is Broadway by way of Motown. Ease on Down the Road and Home have become beloved first and second act showstoppers, respectively.

Comedian/writer Amber Ruffin, part of the team of Black creatives enlisted for this 2024 Broadway reboot, streamlined the plot and sketched out backstories for Dorothys trio of travelers, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion. Jazz infuses the score now; the set design features African art: and JaQuel Knight, who crafted footwork for Beyonces videos and world tours, came up with energized, acrobatic choreography that defies genres and often gravity.

Feb. 3-8, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.; portland.broadway.com.

The Bodys Midnight  100 Lives Repertory

Theres a new theater company in the Portland area, is a phrase that hasnt been spoken nearly enough in the past few years. The chaos of the COVID pandemic and its economic aftereffects wouldnt seem fertile grounds for incubating fresh arts organizations or entrepreneurs.

Situated in the black box Spotlight Theatre in Southeast Portland, brave newcomer 100 Lives Repertory launched its inaugural season this past fall with the steamy look at extramarital lovers, Orange Flower Water.

Now that theyve got theatergoers attention, company founders Annie Kehoe, Blaine Palmer and Brooke Totman present a tender, bittersweet but equally emotively raw road trip.

We join 50-something couple Anne (Sharonlee McLean) and David (Palmer) en route to Minnesota from California to see their daughter Katie, and soon-to-be born grandchild. Because theyre witty banterists, their journey is a joyride  but increasingly, Anne misses beats in their conversation and fumbles for her words.

Tira Palmquists cozy car tale literally falls into the lane 100 Lives has carved out for itself in its mission to bring character driven-plays  centered on the craft of acting and the work of women artists over 40 to its intimate stage.

Feb. 6-March 1, Spotlight Theatre, 1123 S.E. Market St.; 100livesrep.org.

Geography of a Horse Dreamer  Imago Theatre

True West and Fool for Love may jockey for the lead as Sam Shepards best known, most-performed plays (with A Lie of the Mind swerving in on the outside lane) so this noir-ish 1974 crime tale is the playwrights dark horse.

The terrifically pulpy plot revolves around Cody, a psychic cowboy, shackled to a bed by thugs squeezing him for horserace winners. Things veer off-track when Cody suddenly loses his power to pick ponies. Imagos remounting rescues a thrilling thoroughbred of a work sadly stabled for far too long.

Feb. 13-March 1, Imago Theatre, 17 S.E. Eighth Ave.; imagotheatre.com.

A Mirror  Third Rail Repertory Theatre

For her dystopian satire, playwright Sam Holcroft conjures a corrupt and censorious government fixed on stamping out artists who criticize it. Its a wily fusion of George Orwells 1984 and maybe, now? (Just substitute late-night TV talk-show hosts in lieu of the playwrights outlawed in Holcrofts fictional country.)

Holcroft slams her metaphorical mirror down with comic force. A Mirror opens with a frantic wedding taking place but the blessed event masks the production of a banned play. Switcheroos and surprises continually come at you making for an

intriguingly elliptical theatergoing experience.

Feb. 27-March 15, Third Rail Repertory at CoHo Theatre, 2257 N.W. Raleigh St.; thirdrailrep.org.

Avenue Q Stumptown Stages

Finding descriptors for this 2004 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical is as easy as ABC: Adult, Bawdy and Children under 13 should probably hang back because they wont get a lot of the humor.

The title locale is a low-rent New York City neighborhood where potty-mouthed puppets and human people daffily coexist. (Imagine Sesame Street before its genteel gentrification.)

Jeff Whitty of Coos Bay dreamed up the witty dialogue for both the flesh and fabric characters (nimble actors often double as puppeteers in Avenue Q).

Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez (co-composer of Disneys Frozen) penned the score featuring songs with surprising relevance, including What Do You Do with a B.A. in English? and There Is Life Outside Your Apartment. Other numbers are uproariously unambiguous: Im Not Wearing Underwear Today and The Internet Is for Porn.

Naughty nature aside, you cant say the struggles and friendships in this puppet show arent deeply felt.

March 13-April 12, Brunish Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; www.portland5.com/brunish-theatre/events/avenue-q.

 Lee Williams, for The Oregonian/OregonLive
Contact your senators today to ask them to vote no on HR 845, an anti-wolf bill that was created by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, (Oregon congressman again is pushing to remove gray wolves from Endangered Species Act, Dec. 12).

If we continue to ignore the science and the importance that wolves play in the balance of a healthy ecosystem, we may never recover. It is imperative that we recognize the role that gray wolves have played in the restoration of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem around Yellowstone National Park and the discovery of the trophic cascade.

We must utilize this science and recognize how that can continue in other states, if we maintain a healthy wolf population. We need to keep an appropriate amount of healthy breeding pairs, as defined in previous policies, to ensure a viable gene pool for reproduction. This wont be possible if wolves are delisted.

Delisting would create a blood bath for wolves and embolden individuals to follow the abhorrent behavior of Cody Roberts, the Wyoming man who allegedly tortured and killed a young female wolf by running her down with his snowmobile.

We have already seen whats happened in Idaho, which authorized killing up to 90% of its wolf population in 2021, and in Wyoming and Montana. If we continue down this path, we will end up extirpating them all over again.

Renee Espenel, Portland
When Ralph Lauren recently unveiled its Team USAs winter Olympic uniforms for Milano Cortina 2026, sheep ranchers near the high desert town of Shaniko in north central Oregon cheered.

Once again, the Shaniko Wool Company was chosen to provide high-quality wool for uniforms to be worn by all U.S. athletes competing in the worlds most prestigious multi-sport event.

This time, Ralph Lauren, the Official Outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, has designed and created the largest number of individual items in the uniforms using Shaniko wool.

During the Winter Olympics opening parade ceremony Feb. 6 in Northern Italy, viewers will see U.S. athletes sporting fashionable winter-white twill Toggle Coats and trousers as well as knit turtleneck sweaters, earflap hats and mittens made with 100% Shaniko Wool.

The uniform for the closing parade ceremony Feb. 22 uses wool in red, white and blue turtleneck sweaters, mittens and beanies.

The uniforms are stunning, said Jeanne Carver of the Shaniko Wool Company. Its a proud day for American wool.

Para snowboarder Brenna Huckaby wears Ralph Lauren's Olympic Team USAs Closing Ceremony Parade turtleneck sweater, mittens and beanie made of wool from Oregon's Shaniko Wool Company. Ralph Lauren

The items with the official logo patch of the U.S. Olympic Team were exclusively designed and produced by Ralph Lauren for Team USA in 2026, and are available for purchase at Ralphlauren.com and teamusashop.com.

Visitors to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum in The Dalles can see Olympic parade uniforms and learn that Shaniko, now called a living ghost town, was once the Wool Capital of the World.

The permanent exhibit A Sense of Place also tells the story of Jeanne Carver and her late husband, Dan, owners of the 155-year-old Imperial Stock Ranch, and the origins of the Shaniko Wool Company.

The Carvers Imperial Stock Ranch about 40 miles northeast of Madras in Wasco County supplied wool for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Starting with the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the Shaniko Wool Company, a co-op of family ranchers across the West founded by Jeanne Carver, has provided wool to the Ralph Lauren company.

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony introduced Team USAs single-breasted navy blazers with red-and-white tipping made with wool provided by Shaniko sheep ranchers.

Exhibit visitors and a sold-out lecture series tell us that people are very interested and responsive to this amazing story, said Lesley Wright of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

A full-length documentary yet to be released, If the Land Wins by Story Gorge explains the Carvers approach of regenerative ranching to produce world-class wool and benefit the land.

Textiles have been the fabric of America since our beginning, Jeanne Carver said. Working as close to home as possible, like Ralph Laurens Made in USA program, honors that history and preserves the connections to place.

She said those connections inspire stewardship and foster a deeper sense of community and purpose, and this makes all of us better and stronger.

Carver added that working with Ralph Laurens Team USA uniform program shines a light on the largely forgotten traditions of raising sheep and harvesting fiber.

Oregon wool history

In the early 1900s, Shaniko farmers and ranchers shipped millions of pounds of wool and carloads of grain and livestock to market, according to Oregon Historical Society historians. Jeanne Carver

Jeanne Carver remembers when the Ralph Lauren company first contacted her. It was in 2012, during the controversy created by Team USAs London Games uniforms being made in China.

I couldnt believe when they called, she said. And I figured that actually doing business with them would probably never happen. I believe I said, Things like this dont happen to people like us, referring to the ranchers who make up the Shaniko Wool Company.

When the Ralph Lauren company placed an order, it was beyond anything I could have dreamed about, Carver said. And its still just as exciting today as it was then.

Oregon sheep ranchers and wool producers have experienced economic ups and downs.

In the early 1900s, Shaniko farmers and ranchers shipped millions of pounds of wool and carloads of grain and livestock to market on the Columbia Southern Railroad, according to Oregon Historical Society historians.

By the early 1910s, however, the railroad had lost most of its business to the Oregon Trunk Railway, and Shaniko became a ghost town.

Jeanne Carvers family has been raising sheep, cattle, grains and hay on the Imperial Stock Ranch in nearby Maupin since 1871.

In 1999, when she and other U.S. sheep producers were priced out by imported wool, she found a new way to market: convert the raw, unprocessed wool into refined wool yarns.

Fifteen years later, Oregon wool helped dress 2014 Olympic athletes. It was Ralph Laurens first Made in America Team USA uniform effort, said Carver. And they told our story, naming us for the first time.

The Ralph Lauren company has been the official outfitter for Team USA for 10 consecutive Olympic Games, and all apparel worn by U.S. athletes during official Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies since 2012 is made in the United States.

Carver said the Ralph Lauren company is known for timelessness, quality and craftsmanship. Our lives, and the work of Shaniko Wool Company, parallel these same qualities  the timeless skills of raising food and fiber, delivering the finest quality wool, and ensuring our collective future by improving the health of our lands."

She said the companys requirements for the highest standards in wool production were always a part of the Shaniko Wool Company.

First, the wool needed to be certified as meeting the Responsible Wool Standard granted to producers that prioritize animal welfare, land health and worker health and safety.

When the third-party audited global sheep and wool standard officially launched in 2016, Carvers Imperial Stock Ranch became the first ranch to be certified.

The wool also had to have a very soft feel, or hand, as well as be durable with long and strong fibers. Because the uniforms use white fabric as well as dyed navy fabric, the wool had to be white, not yellow.

We had exactly what they needed, said Carver. The ranchers of Shaniko Wool Company have been working on genetic improvements in their sheep for a very long time. As a group, we are raising some of the finest Merino wool produced in North America.

An exhibit at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum in The Dalles spotlights the Shaniko Wool Company in tiny Maupin, which provides Oregon wool to Ralph Lauren for Team USAs Olympic uniforms. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum

If you go: Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, 5000 Discovery Drive in The Dalles is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day. General admission is $12, with discounts for children, seniors, groups and museum members. For more information, call 541-296-8600 or visit gorgediscovery.org.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Tuesday launched the construction of a 1,100 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container ship for the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) at the Karachi Shipyard, aiming to strengthen national maritime capacity and reduce reliance on foreign shipping, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs said.

The steel-cutting ceremony was inaugurated by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, who described the project as an important step toward enhancing the country's shipbuilding capabilities.

Speaking at the event, Chaudhry said the vessel would be constructed entirely with domestic resources, reflecting growing technical expertise within Pakistan's shipbuilding industry.

He added that the project is expected to help conserve foreign exchange and expand the operational strength of the national shipping fleet.

The minister noted that the expansion of the PNSC fleet would contribute to greater efficiency in the supply chain and support the country's trade activities. He also highlighted the project's role in creating employment opportunities for skilled workers in the maritime sector.

Chaudhry said Karachi Shipyard is gradually emerging as a key center for national maritime development, adding that shipbuilding and ship repair remain central components of Pakistan's maritime policy.

He emphasized that about 95 percent of Pakistan's trade is conducted through sea routes, underlining the importance of developing a self-reliant and resilient maritime industry to support sustainable economic growth. 
Federal military officials have ordered the demobilization of 100 Oregon National Guard troops who were called up to clamp down on immigration enforcement protests in Portland but have spent most of their time stationed at military facilities elsewhere in the state, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Tuesday.

The order from the U.S. Northern Command, a military agency within the Department of Defense, arrived Monday  nearly a week after President Donald Trump announced on social media that he would abandon his push to deploy National Guard troops to three U.S. cities, including Portland.

The activated Guard members have been split between Camp Withycombe in Clackamas County and Camp Rilea on the northern Oregon coast, according to state military officials, as a legal battle over Trumps authority to deploy the troops played out in court. The troops will need to travel to Texas to undergo a demobilization process before returning to their homes in Oregon, Kotek said.

The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family, Kotek said in a press release. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.

Trumps social media announcement came days after the U.S. Supreme Court barred him from deploying Guard troops to Chicago to support his immigration enforcement agenda, a setback for his administrations broader push to deploy troops in other cities.

On Sept. 27, Trump first authorized sending federal troops to Oregon to protect federal immigration facilities that he characterized as under siege. At one point in early October, 400 National Guard members, half from Oregon and half from California, were stationed at the two military facilities in Oregon.

Although Trump claimed that the deployment of Guard troops to Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles had led to drops in crime in each city, Oregon National Guard members were only reportedly present at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on one day in October.

The troops from California and half of the troops from Oregon were demobilized in the fall. The remaining 100 have remained under federal control.

In November, a federal judge issued a permanent injunction barring the president from deploying Guard troops to Oregon. Later that month, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary hold on the injunction requested by the federal government, allowing for the continued federalization of Oregon National Guard troops.

Its unclear if the federal governments appeal of U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immerguts injunction blocking federal deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, which is before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, will be halted following the Supreme Court ruling in the Chicago case.

Protests at the ICE facility in Portland have mostly fizzled out since their peak in the weeks after Trump first moved to send troops into the city. Nighttime demonstrations last year remained mostly nonviolent. Local and federal police arrested dozens of individuals in the area on allegations of assaulting officers and destroying government property over several months.

 Reporter Maxine Bernstein contributed reporting.
The U.S. Postal Service is warning its customers in Oregon and across the nation that their mail may no longer be postmarked the day they drop it in a mailbox or at their local post office.

The Postal Service says customers who are sending time-sensitive items that need a postmark that same day  including mail-in ballots sent on Election Day and tax returns that must be sent by April 15 to avoid penalties  should bring them to their post offices retail counter and ask an employee to postmark them.

Many institutions that formerly relied on postmarks to establish when documents were mailed say the change, which the Postal Service codified Dec. 24, is significant. It can have repercussions for members of the public if they dont take heed  from ballots not being counted, to the IRS or the state Department of Revenue assessing penalties for tax returns that arrive late, to retailers refusing to accept returned mailed-in merchandise because it wasnt postmarked within the companys required return window.

The Postal Services website isnt naming affected post offices. Neither did USPS spokesperson Janella Herron when The Oregonian/OregonLive asked Monday whether the postmark delays are affecting customers in Oregons population centers, such as Portland, Salem, Eugene or Bend.

But it appears the delays will be most common outside the Portland area because Herron said theres only one processing center in Oregon that postmarks letters  and thats in Portland. That means mail must travel hundreds of miles in some cases before its postmarked.

The change is part of cost-cutting measures that the Postal Service, which has existed in one form or another for the past 250 years, is undergoing to survive a massive reduction over the past few decades in the volume of letters and packages mailed.

Why isnt the Postal Service saying where customers can expect delays in postmarks?

In a December update to its Change in Service Standards  FAQ, the Postal Service said it was declining to provide a list of post offices that might be subject to postmark delays because it does not want customers to attach unwarranted significance to that designation.

If that sounds like a confusing explanation, the Postal Service further added that whether it takes an extra day for an item to receive a postmark does not determine the days it takes for that item to reach its destination. In some cases, it may take longer for an item to reach its destination, but its also possible that it may take less time than it used to, the agency said.

When did the Postal Service stop postmarking mail on the same day?

Its unclear. Herron, the USPS spokesperson, didnt answer that question in a response to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The Postal Service, however, said in its December update that it has never guaranteed that the postmark date would align with the date of mailing but wants to provide a clearer understanding to our customers about the postmark and what it means.

That said, it appears the changes occurred over the past few years.

As the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings think tank stated in an extensive Dec. 30 report, same-day postmarks used to be routine rather than exceptional under USPS old system.

Why is USPS delaying postmarking on some mail?

According to USPS, the change is part of a new system called Regional Transportation Optimization, meant to tighten the agencys budget and reduce fossil fuels.

As part of its optimization plan, the agency is now picking up mail only once per day instead of twice per day from post offices that are more than 50 miles from a Regional Processing and Distribution Center, where its trucked to and postmarked. Mail at nearly 12,000 post offices nationwide that used to be picked up in the morning and evening is now only picked up in the morning, according to Save The Post Office, a website created by a retired English professor whose New England post office was facing closure 15 years ago.

In July 2023, the Postal Service approved more than $34 million for one of the first Regional Processing and Distribution Centers in the nation in Portland, which overhauled the way mail is processed. The facility opened in February 2024, and all of Oregons letters that arent postmarked at post office retail counters upon customer request are now trucked to and postmarked at the facility, according to USPS spokesperson.

As of December, according to Save The Post Office there were 60 Regional Processing and Distribution Centers across the nation.

What specific problems are the delays causing in Oregon?

Last November, the Oregon Secretary of States Office stressed to voters that they must get their ballots in early because of changes to the Postal Services postmark system. Secretary of State Tobias Read said ballots mailed within five days of Election Day might not be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, the deadline for the ballots to be valid.

In the days before the deadline, Read advised voters who hadnt mailed their ballots yet to drop them off at a ballot box.

Monday, Read expressed his ongoing concern, in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Im deeply concerned that USPS is doubling down on making it harder for Oregonians, especially rural Oregonians, to vote, Read said. Were already taking action, providing updated guidance to make sure every legal vote gets counted, and well continue to sound the alarm: this is a threat to Oregonians right to hold government accountable.

In 2024, the latest figures available, more than 5,000 ballots statewide were rejected because they werent postmarked on time.

Thats not an insignificant number, especially in a close race, said Secretary of State spokesperson Tess Seger, in an email.

The Postal Service said theres a solution: Voters should mail their ballots at least one week early. By using that commonsense measure, USPS said the timing of the postmark should not be an issue.

On top of that, the Postal Service indicated that ballots mailed for general elections in November on even-numbered years, when there are federal offices up for vote, will be postmarked by hand at local postal sites. The Postal Service said it will continue to do so as part of our extraordinary measures.
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The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story premieres tonight, on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. with a live broadcast on Investigation Discovery, and will be available on demand the following day. You can watch live on ID, or stream it on demand with Philo. You can also watch on HBO Max.

 WATCH: The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story with Philo (promotional offers). If you prefer a different streaming platform, you can also watch it on Fubo (free trial).

Who is Andrea Yates? What did she do?

Andrea Yates is a woman from Houston, Texas, who suffered from mental illness, psychosis, and postpartum depression, leading her to drown her five children in the family bathtub. Her case gained national attention and cult following.

What TV channel is ID on? How can I stream for free?

What: The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story

When: Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m.

TV channel: Investigation Discovery

Watch the show live streaming online: The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story with Philo (promotional offers). If you prefer a different streaming platform, you can also watch it on Fubo (free trial).If you prefer a different streaming platform, you can watch it on Sling (promotional offers) or HBO Max.
Everything about the school was designed to identify the most promising students and cultivate them as leaders.The contrast between the environmental drama out of doors and

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by Wen Tsui

LAS VEGAS, United States, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- As technology companies showcased breakthrough products at an official media preview event on Sunday ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), innovations from China are emerging as notable game changers in areas ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) to robotics.

The annual special promotion event, CES Unveiled, held two days before the world's largest and most influential technology trade show, offered a preview of key trends shaping the sectors of consumer health, human capability and home automation.

Among the exhibitors, Ascentiz, a robotics startup founded by Chinese mountaineer Feng Sha and robotics researcher Wang Tian, introduced what it described as the world's first modular exoskeleton system designed for everyday consumers.

Traditional exoskeletons are typically developed for industrial or medical use and often cost over 10,000 U.S. dollars. Ascentiz aims to make the technology more accessible, with products priced between 1,500 and 3,400 dollars. The system targets athletes, outdoor enthusiasts and elderly users, while also helping aging workers extend their careers.

The technology should "dissolve into the experience, leaving only the enhanced human," said Feng. "We have indeed broken through the traditional medical and industrial boundaries of exoskeletons, defining them as 'human capability enhancement equipment.' We target everyday consumers who love life and value efficiency and experience, making enhancement technology part of daily life, not just a rehabilitation or labor tool," Feng told Xinhua.

Another Chinese exhibitor, Kling AI, demonstrated artificial intelligence tools for video creation and editing. Launched in China just 18 months ago, the platform has generated over 600 million videos and reported annual revenues exceeding 100 million dollars.

The company said its tools are already used by professional filmmakers and television producers, while its latest model is designed to be accessible to users without technical expertise. Video edits can be made through simple text commands such as "change daytime to dusk" or "remove bystanders."

By significantly reducing cost and production time, Kling AI offers an alternative to traditional professional video production, which has long been considered expensive and time-consuming. The technology is enabling small companies, marketing teams and content creators to produce works previously limited to large studios with substantial budgets.

Jon Erwin, creator and co-showrunner of Amazon Prime Video's drama series "House of David," credits Kling AI as one of the key tools that enabled his indie studio to achieve production ambitions previously constrained by budget and timeline.

In an interview in October 2025, Erwin explained that using AI "allowed us to tell the story in a budget and time frame that we could afford," adding that the technology enables filmmakers to dream in real time and collaborate on materials much more quickly.

Chinese robot vacuum manufacturer Narwal also unveiled its Flow 2 model at the event. Equipped with dual cameras, the device can identify valuable household items such as jewelry and wallets to prevent accidental damage.

Powered by AI, the vacuum is scheduled to launch in April. The company said the technology could make robot vacuums more reliable and accelerate adoption across homes in Asia, Europe and North America.

In addition to Chinese innovations, several companies from other countries also drew attention. Withings, a French health technology firm, unveiled a smart scale called Body Scan 2, which measures over 60 health indicators in just 90 seconds, aiming to bring hospital-level measurement into home bathrooms.

U.S.-based Tombot, founded in 2017, presented "Jennie," a robotic Labrador puppy designed to provide emotional support for elderly people with dementia and related conditions. The development took nine years, resulting in lifelike movements, realistic fur and facial expressions, and AI-driven responses that vary to prevent boredom.

Canadian health technology company NuraLogix demonstrated a smart mirror that analyzes facial video in 30 seconds. The device estimates 100 health insights from facial data, including heart age, vascular stiffness and metabolic health, the company said.

The mirror offers a unified health assessment at home and represents a new category of preventive health tools, competing with scales and wearable devices while providing faster and more comprehensive analysis. 
SupplyOne Expands In the Midwest with Acquisition of Wertheimer Box

Wertheimer Box is a Chicago-area corrugated packaging provider known for custom shipping boxes, branded packaging, e-commerce mailers, and specialty retail displays. Wertheimer Box is a Chicago-area corrugated packaging provider known for custom shipping boxes, branded packaging, e-commerce mailers, and specialty retail displays.

Jan. 6, 2026 - SupplyOne announced today that it has acquired Wertheimer Box, a Chicago-area corrugated packaging provider known for custom shipping boxes, branded packaging, e-commerce mailers, and specialty retail displays.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1939 by Ernest Wertheimer, Wertheimer Box is located in a modern, 303,000-square-foot facility in McCook, Illinois, a near southwest suburb of Chicago. The company makes and ships stock and custom corrugated shipping boxes, point of purchase displays, and custom branded boxes across the United States.

Ernest's son, Doug Wertheimer, became president in 2004.

The acquisition of Wertheimer Box expands SupplyOne's footprint in the Chicago market and strengthens its ability to deliver high-quality, custom corrugated packaging to customers across North America.

"By acquiring Wertheimer Box, we are integrating a highly respected and innovative Chicagoland packaging organization whose reputation speaks for itself," said Todd Renehan, President and CEO of SupplyOne.

Wertheimer Box is SupplyOne's 46th acquisition, expanding its national coverage, further strengthening its regional presence, and enhancing its custom packaging capabilities.

SupplyOne is a value-added packaging distributor with custom corrugated, foam, wood and plastics converting capabilities with over 60 locations across the United States and Canada.

SOURCE: SupplyOne
Florida's aggressive expansion of school choice programs has resulted in more than $400 million in taxpayer-funded education vouchers sitting unused in student accounts as of the end of last school year.

State auditors raised concerns about the "potentially excessive" amount of unspent funds and suggested lawmakers revisit the balance limits for these scholarship accounts. The discovery has prompted state legislators to propose reforms to address what Sen. Don Gaetz called "bad stewardship" of public education dollars.

The issue centers on Florida's voucher programs, which serve approximately 500,000 students across the state in what has become the nation's largest school choice effort. The programs provide education savings accounts that families can use for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, tutoring, and other approved educational costs, according to Politico.

Auditor Findings Reveal Tracking Problems

Auditors found 299 instances where students had unspent balances exceeding the legal limit of $50,000, totaling more than $2.3 million in excess funds. Most accounts fell below this threshold, but the overall accumulation of unused money highlighted systemic problems in how the state manages and tracks voucher spending.

Read more: Missouri Schools Deploy Weekly Drug Testing To Track Fentanyl Trends

Sen. Gaetz, a Republican from Crestview, has filed legislation to address the funding gaps. His bill would shorten the timeframe for reclaiming inactive funds from two years to one year, which state analysts predict will have a positive impact on state revenue by speeding up the recovery process, WLRN reported.

The proposed reforms also require scholarship-administering organizations to notify parents about voucher balances when students reach age 16. Additionally, the legislation calls for the Department of Education to track how many accounts are closed and how much funding returns to the state.

Reforms Aim to Fix Implementation Failures

The problems emerged after Florida dramatically expanded eligibility for its voucher programs in 2023, making all families eligible regardless of income. The rapid growth created challenges in tracking student enrollment and fund distribution, with a state audit revealing the Department of Education could not locate 30,000 scholarship students.

Beyond unused funds, the audit uncovered a $398 million shortfall for the voucher program during the 2024-25 school year, caused by mixing public school funds with voucher program money. Gaetz's legislation aims to separate these funding streams to improve accountability and transparency.

The revelations have sparked debate as lawmakers prepare for the 2026 legislative session, with officials emphasizing the need to fix implementation failures while preserving school choice options for Florida families, as per Rick's Blog.
The first residents have moved into an affordable housing rental community in Lebanon County.

Carmany Place Apartments opened at 510 Mt. Pleasant Road in South Annville Township.

The 48-unit development includes three, two-story walk-up apartment buildings.

Each apartment building has 10 two-bedroom units and six, three-bedroom units.

The apartments have in-unit washers and dryers, ceiling fans, dishwashers, HVAC and water systems, and private patios or balconies.

The clubhouse has a community room with a kitchenette, property management and supportive services offices, a maintenance office, and a fitness center.

There is also a playground and a pergola-covered picnic area.

Volker Development Inc. is the developer. Funk Construction built the facilities.

Construction began in the summer of 2024. The first residents moved into the development on Oct. 16. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in November.

Prospective residents can go to the on-site management office for more information, including income requirements and availability.
State police have charged a Shippensburg couple with aggravated animal cruelty after they refused to give their desperately ill, pregnant micro American Bulldog appropriate medical care.

On July 15 Dashondi Moorer and Niquey Jones drove the dog, Tiny, to CARE Veterinary Center in Frederick, Maryland to be examined because she was sick and pregnant.

Alexandra Resnick, a veterinarian at the center, determined Tiny had been in labor for three days, was carrying multiple stillborn puppies and was suffering from sepsis and pneumonia, according to police.

The couple refused an emergency c-section which Resnick said could save Tinys life, police said. When Resnick offered to euthanize Tiny for free to prevent Tiny from suffering, the couple refused and left the clinic with Tiny.

Tinys death was inevitable without medical care, Resnick told police. She said it could have been avoided with earlier medical care, police said.

Police were unable to discover the exact fate of Tiny, and were unable to contact Moorer and Jones, who live in a Ford Explorer.

Police on Monday charged the couple with felony aggravated cruelty to animals, and misdemeanors of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals.
A student who injured a classmate with a knife Monday morning at Chambersburg Area Middle School South was charged with attempted criminal homicide and aggravated assault, police said.

Chambersburg police responded at about 7:50 a.m. to the middle school on East McKinley Street for an assault report involving two students.

Police said one student was injured by another student who was using a knife.

The incident was quickly broken up by school staff, according to Superintendent Chris Bigger.

The student was detained by a district officer and taken to a juvenile detention facility, police said.

The injured student was transported to an area hospital and was last reported to be in stable condition.

The building was temporarily under a shelter-in-place protocol. Additional counselors and other district staff are on site, working with any impacted students or staff.

Classes resumed after the incident.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Russian UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Monday that his country condemns the U.S. military action against Venezuela over the weekend.

"We firmly condemn the act of armed aggression by the United States against Venezuela in breach of all norms of international law," Nebenzia told an emergency meeting of the Security Council following the U.S. assault on Venezuela.

He called on the U.S. leadership to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both currently being held in New York.

Nebenzia said Russia is particularly appalled by the unprecedented cynicism on the part of Washington, which does not even attempt to conceal the true objectives of its criminal operation, namely the establishment of unlimited control over Venezuela's natural resources and assertion of its hegemonic ambitions in Latin America.

"In this way, Washington is generating fresh momentum for neocolonialism and imperialism, which have been repeatedly and decisively repudiated by the peoples of this region and the Global South as a whole," he said.

In the current situation, it is extremely important for the entire international community to stand united and definitively reject the methods and instruments of U.S. military foreign policy, which were vividly demonstrated in the case of Venezuela, said the Russian diplomat.

The United States must not be allowed to proclaim itself as a kind of supreme judge, which alone bears the right to invade any country, to determine who is guilty, to hand down and enforce punishments, irrespective of such notions as international law, sovereignty and non-intervention, said Nebenzia. 
An Adams County fire chief was arrested after police say he defrauded more than $14,000 from two fire companies in Maryland, according to news sources.

Greenmount Community Fire Chief Darrell Cornett Jr., 37, of Littlestown, was arrested by Liberty Township police on Jan. 1 on a warrant out of Baltimore County, ABC 27 reported.

Police said Cornett was involved in a Baltimore County theft scheme in which he defrauded $10,189.98 from the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Department, and an additional $4,272.12 from the Glyndon Volunteer Fire Department.

Both fire companies are in the Reisterstown area of Baltimore County, about a half-hour from downtown Baltimore.

Police responded on Jan. 1 to the Greenmount Community Fire Department, which was hosting a pork and sauerkraut meal to celebrate the new year, to arrest Cornett, who was transported to Adams County Prison, where he awaits extradition to Maryland, according to Gettysburg Times.

Cornett was charged in September 2025 after police said he failed to pay for equipment he purchased and did not complete work for fire and police departments, resulting in a total loss of almost $158,000, the Evening Sun reported.
By Theresa Braine, New York Daily News (TNS)

Three years after four college students were murdered in Moscow, Idaho, the family of their convicted killer, Bryan Kohberger, still struggles to reconcile love for a brother and son with the horror of what he has admitted doing.

Kohberger had suffered through childhood weight struggles, bullying, social awkwardness and heroin addiction. But at the end of 2022 he was in recovery, and his life seemed on track.

We were all so proud of him because he had overcome so much, his sister Mel Kohberger told The New York Times in an interview published over the weekend.

The Kohberger family has not spoken publicly since Bryan Kohberger was charged with fatally stabbing 21-year-old Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, and 20-year-old Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, between 3 and 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022, as they slept in the three womens off-campus residence.

The two people in the home who were spared  Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke  encountered the gory scene the next morning. All were students at the nearby University of Idaho.

Their silence came largely out of respect for the victims families and the trauma of those left behind, which Mel Kohberger emphasized eclipses her own familys fallout.

The idea is making me so emotional that I can barely speak to you about it, she tearfully told The Times.

The Kohbergers pride in Bryan was shattered by the revelation that he was suspected of and later admitted to the slaughter. In fact, when news of the slayings broke, Mel worried about his safety, she recalled.

But on Dec. 30, 2022, police burst into the familys Pennsylvania home, guns drawn, and arrested the then 28-year-old Washington State University criminology doctoral student for murder.

In July 2025, Kohberger pleaded guilty to the planned killings, avoiding the death sentence. He is serving four life sentences with no possibility of parole.

Though Mel Kohberger and her brother shared an interest in true crime, she had no inkling he would manufacture one, she told The Times. Emotionally, the Kohbergers find themselves filled with a confusing, painful sensation of quasi-culpability that Mel likened to being victimized but not really being a victim.

A mental health counseling job shed been training for was scuttled when inquiries about the family connection overwhelmed her would-be employer, she said. Rampant online burrowing into their internet pasts, and at least one author masquerading as Mel, have also been in the mix.

Some believe the Kohbergers had to have know something, on some level, about what Bryan was capable of  but that was far from the truth, she said.

I have always been a person who has spoken up for what was right, Mel Kohberger told The Times. If I ever had a reason to believe my brother did anything, I would have turned him in.

The Kohbergers keep in touch with Bryan and do their best to support him, but they never lose sight of the victims, Mel told The Times. Her mother prays daily for the bereaved families and their slain loved ones. Mel marks their birthdays in her calendar.
Acclaimed actor Mickey Rourke has come forward to denounce an online fundraiser set up to help pay off almost $60,000 that he supposedly owes in back rent.

In a video posted to his Instagram account, Rourke, 73, said he had not been made aware of the GoFundMe that was set up in his name.

Somethings come up that ... Im really frustrated, confused and I dont understand, he says in the video. Somebody set up some kind of foundation or fund for me to donate money, like charity. And thats not me, OK? ... If I needed money, I wouldnt ask for no [expletive] charity. Id rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger.

I wouldnt know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years, he continued, with his dog Lucky in his lap. My life is very simple, I dont go to outside sources like that. It is embarrassing but Im sure Ill get over it like anything else.

Rourke also acknowledged his troubled past, saying, Ive done a terrible job in managing my career. I wasnt very diplomatic. I had to go to over 20 years of therapy to get over the damage that was done to me years ago and I worked very hard to work through that and Im not that person anymore. ... Im not that wild man that I was 20-something years ago.

Rourke went on to call the GoFundMe very embarassing and implored his fans not to give any money to it. If you gave money get it back, he said.

The Wrestler actor also said he planned to talk to his lawyer, describing it as humiliating.

I dont need anybodys money. I wouldnt do it this way, I got too much pride, man. It aint my style, he said.

The GoFundMe was created by Liya-Joelle Jones, who, according to Deadline, is an assistant to Rourkes manager, Kimberly Hines.

My assistant started it to help Mickey as a nice gesture because he was being forced out of his home, Hines said to Deadline. It was not done with any mal intent. The money has not gone anywhere. If Mickey decides he does not want it, the money will be returned to his fans.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Rourke received a three-day eviction notice on Dec. 18 and owes about $59,100 in rent for his Los Angeles home.

Rourke acknowledged in the video that he had been in an dispute with the landlords of his rental due to what he described as rats, water damage and other issues.

Hines told Deadline that Rourke has moved into a local hotel for now and that her staff has been trying to salvage and clean his furniture.

The GoFundMe has raised over $100k so far.
Netflix has millions of subscribers who are fans of the streaming giants endless content.

But longtime fans or not, 11 original titles got the boot last year, according to Mens Journal.

The first of those shows is Territory.

Set in Australia, the neo-western drama follows a family running a cattle station sought by rival families, gangsters, and other powerful entities. The series was released in 2024 and had just six episodes.

Last February, it was announced that the series would not be returning for a second season.

Another popular show that has reached the end of its road is The Sandman.

Based on the comic book by DC Comics, the show follows a fictional character who personifies dreams. The cosmic being also makes it his mission to atone for his past mistakes after being imprisoned for 105 years.

The series for premiered in Aug. 2022 and was brought back for a second season in 2025 before coming to a close with a special episode in July.

The streaming platform announced that the series wont be returning for a third season last January. The show was likely cancelled due to creator Neil Gaiman facing multiple accusations of sexual assault.

Next came The Recruit.

Set as an American spy adventure television series, it follows a CIA lawyer who finds themselves knee-deep in international conflicts with dangerous individuals.

When it premiered it 2022, the series did well and was renewed for a second season for 2025. Fast forward to March of the same year, the series found itself on the chopping block.

Another well-known show that got axed is Pulse.

Much like the longstanding drama Greys Anatomy, the Netflix series is a medical drama that follows the personal and professional lives of emergency and surgical residents at Maguire Hospital, a level-one trauma centre in Miami.

However, unlike Greys Anatomy, the series lasted only one season even though it spent some time in Netflixs top-10 shows.

Other shows that have been shown the door over at the streaming platform include The Residence, FUBAR, The Waterfront, Kaos, The Ultimatum: Queer Love, Too Much, and Boots.
By ALI SWENSON and LAURAN NEERGAARD, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child  a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.

The change is effective immediately, meaning that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now recommend that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases. Whats no longer broadly recommended is protection against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV. Instead, protections against those diseases are only recommended for certain groups deemed high risk, or when doctors recommend them in whats called shared decision-making.

Trump administration officials said the overhaul, a move long sought by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., wont result in families who want the vaccines losing access to them, and said insurance will continue to pay. But medical experts said the decision creates confusion for parents and could increase preventable diseases.

States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. While CDC requirements often influence those state regulations, some states have begun creating their own alliances to counter the Trump administrations guidance on vaccines.

The change comes as U.S. vaccination rates have been slipping and the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, according to federal data. At the same time, rates of diseases that can be protected against with vaccines, such as measles and whooping cough, are rising across the country.

Review came at the request of President Trump

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the overhaul was in response to a request from President Donald Trump in December. Trump asked the agency to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and consider revising U.S. guidance accordingly.

HHS said its comparison to 20 peer nations found that the U.S. was an outlier in both the number of vaccinations and the number of doses it recommended to all children. Officials with the agency framed the change as a way to increase public trust by recommending only the most important vaccinations for children to receive.

This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health, Kennedy said in a statement Monday.

Among those left on the recommended-for-everyone list are vaccines against measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, chickenpox and human papillomavirus, or HPV. The guidance reduces the number of recommended vaccine doses against HPV from two or three shots depending on age to one for most children.

Medical experts said Mondays changes without what they said was public discussion or a transparent review of the data would put children at risk.

Abandoning recommendations for vaccines that prevent influenza, hepatitis and rotavirus, and changing the recommendation for HPV without a public process to weigh the risks and benefits, will lead to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths among American children, said Michael Osterholm of the Vaccine Integrity Project, based at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Sean OLeary of the American Academy of Pediatrics said countries carefully consider vaccine recommendations based on levels of disease in their populations and their health systems.

You cant just copy and paste public health and thats what they seem to be doing here, said OLeary. Literally childrens health and childrens lives are at stake.

Most high-income countries recommend vaccinations against a dozen to 15 serious pathogens, according to a recent review by the Vaccine Integrity Project, a group that works to safeguard vaccine use.

France today recommends all children get vaccinated against 14 diseases, compared to the 11 that the U.S. now will recommend for every child under the new schedule.

Doctors groups criticize decision

The changes were made by political appointees, without any evidence that the current recommendations were harming children, OLeary said.

The pediatricians group has issued its own childhood vaccine schedule that its members are following, and it continues to broadly recommend vaccines that the Trump administration demoted.

OLeary singled out the flu vaccine, which the government and leading medical experts have long urged for nearly everyone starting at age 6 months. He said the government is pretty tone deaf for ending its recommendation while the country is at the beginning of a severe flu season, and after 280 children died from flu last winter, the most since 2009.

Even a disease that parents may not have heard of, rotavirus, could come roaring back if vaccination erodes, he added. That diarrheal disease once hospitalized thousands of children each winter, something that no longer happens.

The decision was made without input from an advisory committee that typically consults on the vaccine schedule, said senior officials at HHS. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss the changes publicly.

The officials added that the new recommendations were a collaborative effort between federal health agencies but wouldnt specify who was consulted.

Scientists at the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases were asked to present to the agencys political leadership about vaccine schedules in other countries in December, but they were not allowed to give any recommendations and were not aware of any decisions about vaccine schedule changes, said Abby Tighe, executive director of the National Public Health Coalition, an advocacy organization of current and former CDC employees and their supporters.

Changes of this magnitude require careful review, expert and public input, and clear scientific justification. That level of rigor and transparency was not part of this decision, said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, of the American Medical Association. The scientific evidence remains unchanged, and the AMA supports continued access to childhood immunizations recommended by national medical specialty societies.

President Donald Trump listens as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic

The move comes as Kennedy, a longtime activist against vaccines, has repeatedly used his authority in government to translate his skepticism about the shots into national guidance.

In May, Kennedy announced the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women  a move immediately questioned by public health experts who saw no new data to justify the change.

In June, Kennedy fired an entire 17-member CDC vaccine advisory committee  later installing several of his own replacements, including multiple vaccine skeptics.

Kennedy in November also personally directed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism, without supplying any new evidence to support the change.

Swenson reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mike Stobbe contributed to this report.
A single black kitten was spotted on a neighbors trail camera near a popular restaurant in Mechanicsburg last week. It couldnt have been older than five weeks, just before the normal age of weaning from its mother.

Normally, kitten season starts in March. But that rule no longer applies, according to Marcy Domen, who started Mechanicsburg Community Cats to help the growing number of stray and feral cats.

She set out a trap in blustery, freezing temperatures for the singleton, and soon brought her inside, where she will be socialized by a foster and eventually adopted.

Domens work, and that of other volunteer cat trappers, is known as TNR, or Trap-Neuter-Return, the only successful way to deal with the exploding numbers of cats living in the wild and in neighborhoods.

Animal rescues are already filled with cats and kittens, so they cant take in any more. That leaves the solution of trapping and fixing stray and feral cats to keep them from reproducing hundreds of kittens each year and from struggling in the wild against oppressive conditions.

Many residents already feed stray or feral cats. For those who do, advocates want them to take an extra step: Find someone to trap and fix the cats.

And even if youre not feeding, if you spot a feral group or colony, report it to a local TNR group.

Many communities across central Pennsylvania have dedicated TNR experts who volunteer to trap, arrange surgery, then re-home or return the cats to where they were found.

Their work is essential. TNR programs improve the quality of life of feral and stray cats and prevent overpopulation and suffering.

TNR is not just the spaying and neutering, its the realization that there could be an exponential number of cats within a four to six months, said Rosemary Loncar, who manages and runs the program at Steelton Community Cats. Those kittens could have kittens. Its important to stop the reproduction from multiplying beyond belief.

You have to keep at it, Loncar added. If a new animal shows up, you have to trap that cat.

They have an acronym that sums up their work: SCC, which means stopping the cycle.

Female cats are able to give birth as early as four months old, and can have anywhere from two to three litters a year, sometimes more, as their gestation period is only around two months. Male cats are also more aggressive and prone to mating if they arent neutered.

In Lebanon County, TNR volunteer Camille Granadas runs Whisker Warriors, a volunteer organization that helps cats in the surrounding areas. Granadas says she does this work because she loves cats, but more importantly, because humans are the only ones who can solve these overpopulation issues.

We have to work on changing the narrative for these poor cats, Granadas said. Theyre out there suffering because WE did this, only we collectively can fix this.

When a trapper gets word of a new colony or feral cats, they often set up a trail camera to count the number, estimate potential age, and note any injuries. Then they put out a trap with food nearby, but dont set it at first, not wanting to spook the animals.

Cats, especially feral ones, can get quite cautious about new things. When the cats are comfortable near the trap, the trapper adds a more alluring treat, such as a can of Fancy Feast, tuna, or chicken scraps, to coax them into the trap, which closes automatically behind them. Then they bring the trap to a rescuers home, where they await their surgery date.

Trappers often have agreements with low-cost or free vet services or agencies that typically include vaccinations and other health care. The cats left ear is then snipped for a tell-tale sign that they have been fixed, so they arent needlessly trapped again.

Domen, who traps in Mechanicsburg, has been helping stray and feral cats for over 15 years and got started with TNR work after discovering cats in her backyard. Domen says she found a mother cat with kittens and put an ad on Craigslist to try to find them a home, and wound up learning how to trap.

Domen then learned that Nobodys Cats, a high-volume trap-neuter-return facility in Cumberland County, was so close to her employer that it almost felt like destiny.

I saw a story on the news, and they talked about Nobodys Cats, Domen said. I googled them to see where they were located, and they were literally a block from where I worked. This must be fate!

This led Domen to become more involved with the foundation, helping trap cats to bring to the facility and helping hundreds of cats each year. Domen says she enjoys the art of trapping and will make the time to trap either before or after working her full-time job.

I like trapping, Domen said. I enjoy trying to outsmart the cat that may be providing difficult-to-trap. It keeps me active, it gets me out and talking to people.

Nobodys Cats focuses solely on helping improve the lives of feral cats. Services are $40 and include vaccinations and spaying and neutering.

Since its start in 2013, Nobodys Cats has helped over 63,000 cats, accepting animals from seasoned volunteer trappers in the Cumberland County area to larger-scale organizations like ForeverLove Rescue in Gettysburg.

Clinic Manager Amy Wagner says none of the hard work at the foundation could have been accomplished without the help of the veterinarian and vet techs employed by Nobodys Cats.

Im fortunate to have a really strong staff, Wagner said. I dont want to brag, but Im going to, its a very well-oiled machine.

So much so that most days, the foundation aims to help at least 50 cats, if not a few more. While Nobodys Cats can take in cats from larger organizations, longtime TNR volunteers like Tina Wolfberg help keep the operation running.

Wolfberg said she found cats living near her moms home, kittens who were constantly getting hit by vehicles and suffering, and a quick Google search led her to Nobodys Cats. When she first started 15 years ago, Wolfberg lived over an hour away from the foundation and has since moved to the area, continuing to volunteer because the work is important to her.

I started small [trapping], and it just got huge, Wolfberg said. I ended up moving down here and came in and said, Do you guys need any help?

Her famous last words, Wagner joked. Youre [said to Wolfberg] truly a trapper; its like finding gold. She communicates well with people and has shown them how to trap.

In addition to the volunteers, Wagner says much of the work could not be done without the full-time staff at the surgery facility, as she noted that finding vets skilled enough to perform efficient, high-volume spay/neuters is hard.

Loncar, of Steelton Community Cats, says TNR work is a challenge, but since starting 15 years ago, she has seen significant improvement in the colonies in the area.

Doing TNR can be very rewarding, Loncar said. The Steelton Borough was really bad when this [Steelton Community Cats] started in 2010. Its manageable now.

The 100% volunteer-based organization started as a grassroots effort and now offers appointment-based spay/neuter services for residents of Steelton, Lower Swatara, Swatara, and Lower Paxton Townships, all paid for by the respective townships.

TNR groups always need volunteers. Domen, of Mechanicsburg, for example, is looking for someone else who can help her trap. She is also working on establishing her organization as a non-profit.

Some towns offer TNR training, including a free one set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at 520 Park Drive in South Middleton Township. Registration is requested.

TNR services are available across central Pennsylvania, with neutering services offered in various counties. For more information, see a list of places in your area here.
Communities can help improve the quality of life for free-roaming cats by providing them with proper care and treatment.

There are dozens of places across central Pennsylvania where stray/feral cats can be brought for treatment, and many TNR volunteers who can trap them or teach people how to trap. If you need TNR services, heres where you can find help.

If you know of any other services that should be included, please send the information to kgreene@pennlive.com.

Adams County

Adams County SPCA

Where: 11 Goldenville Road, Gettysburg

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday- Saturday

Cost: $45

All cats coming in for TNR services must come in a trap, which can be rented from the SPCA for $5. Services include spay/neuter, rabies vaccinations, distemper vaccinations, and left-ear tipping.

Cumberland County

Nobodys Cats Foundation

Where: 3909 Hartzdale Drive, Suite 905, Lower Allen Twp.

Hours: Drop-offs must be done between 8 and 8:30 a.m.

Cost: $40

Nobodys Cats is a high-volume spay/neuter clinic that focuses solely on helping stray and feral cats. Services include spay/neuter, rabies, left-ear tipping, and distemper vaccinations.

They are appointment-only, so a pickup time for your cat will be scheduled during check-in. Pick-ups start at noon.

The foundation serves residents across multiple counties, including Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, and York.

SNAP (Spay-Neuter Assitance Program)

Hours: Vary based on availability.

Cost: Varies depending on whether the animal is owned or feral/stray.

These volunteer-based programs help connect cat owners and those helping feral or stray cats with low-cost resources for proper treatment and cat trapping. They may offer financial assistance if a situation warrants it.

SNAP is a volunteer-based nonprofit whose income for services comes from donations and from residents buying the special SpayNeuter license plate, which starts at $70. SNAP services over 15 counties, stretching beyond central Pennsylvania.

They also offer help for spaying/neutering dogs.

Mechanicsburg Community Cats

Run by longtime TNR volunteer Marcy Domen, Mechanicsburg Community Cats aims to teach others how to trap cats and to share information about cats that might need help or attention across Cumberland County. This group does not provide the spay/neuter services, but works to point people in the right direction to other resources that can help beyond trapping.

South Middleton Township Voucher Program

In partnership with the Nobodys Cats Foundation and South Middletown Community Cats, residents in the area can receive free vouchers for the spaying/neutering of feral or stray cats. Residents are required to sign up for a TNR basics training course either in person or online.

Once residents complete the training, the SMCC will work with them to set up TNR treatments.

Dauphin County

Humane Society Harrisburg

Where: 7790 Grayson Road, Swatara Twp.

Hours: Vet Resource Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday and Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Cost: $50 includes spay/neuter surgery, rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, and ear tip.

Cats must come in a humane/live release trap, which can be rented for $10 if needed. The society recommends making an appointment by calling 717-702-7330 or accepting two walk-ins, which are first-come, first-served.

Steelton Community Cats

Where: 1 N. Front St., Steelton

Hours: Vary, depending on clinic days

Cost: Free; includes vaccinations and other health-related surgery

Steelton Community Cats offers free TNR services for residents in Steelton, Susquehanna, Swatara, and Lower Swatara Townships. Residents outside of these municipalities can still use the services for a small fee.

Franklin County

Better Days Animal League

Where: 875 Lincoln Way West, Hamilton Twp

Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Closed on Sundays.

Cost: $45; includes spay/neuter, left ear tipping, and vaccinations for rabies and distemper.

This non-profit, feline-only organization aims to provide colony managers with the resources they need to transport and spay/neuter their cats and kittens. Felines can also be adopted here.

Lancaster County

Pet Pantry of Lancaster

Where: 26 Millersville Road, Lancaster

Hours: Open from noon to 7 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday; and from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday.

Cost: $40; includes vaccinations and other health-related surgery.

TNR services at the Pet Pantry are by appointment only, and they must be made at least two weeks prior to clinic dates.

Helping Hands for Animals

Where: New Danville Pike, Lancaster

Hours: Varies

Cost: $40; includes vaccinations, flea/ear mite treatment, and ear tip

This low-cost service offers TNR services by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 717-687-7297. For clinic directions or urgent matters, call 717-278-9412.

Lebanon County

Whisker Warriors

Cost: Varies

Whisker Warriors is a small, volunteer-based organization that aims to help people learn to trap cats, get them TNR services, and provide food for caretakers. It runs on donations and collaborates with other services, such as the York SPCA and Nobodys Cats, for cat treatment.

York County

York SPCA

Where: 3159 N. Susquehanna Trail, York

Hours: Spay Neuter Clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday

Cost: $40

The York County SPCA does take walk-ins, but appointments must be made if bringing in more than one cat. TNR walk-ins are accepted Monday-Thursday.
A United States regional air carrier announced it had immediately suspended operations last fall.

Its operations remain suspended as of the publishing of this report.

Publications such as Travel and Tour World (TTW) reported in early November that the longstanding financial struggles of Kenai Aviation  which, according to its now-defunct website, had served as a regional airline in Alaska since the 1960s  culminated into their operations abruptly shutting down.

Owner, Joel Caldwell, explained in a statement published to Facebook that Kenai Aviation had become financially insolvent.

At the end of 2017, I was sitting at my kitchen table in Kenai when I received the call that [previous owner] Jim Bielefeld was just about to finalize shutting down Kenai Aviation, but if I wanted to act quickly, we could stop in and keep this historic airline alive, Caldwell wrote. It was only a few years later that I watched our first scheduled flight take off.

Then the COVID happened. The pandemic response affected all of us, but for most people its just a painful memory. For me, and for Kenai Aviation, the COVID gave us a debt load the we havent been able to get back on top of. Carrying that burden increased the effects of every obstacle that weve had to navigation.

I refuse to give up, Caldwell added. I dont know how. I cant make promises.  We need capital, we need partners, we need a lifeline. That investor is out there, we just need to find them.

One promise that you can hold me to, is that, if at all possible, I will find that life line. I refuse to give up.

No updates regarding Kenai Aviation have been announced as of the publishing of this report.
A bodybuilder known for her role in Scary Movie has died.

She was 62 years old.

TMZ reports how Jayne Trcka  known for her role as Miss Mann in the franchises first film  was found unresponsive at her home in San Diego, California, on Dec. 12. A friend had called her multiple times, and became concerned when they got no response.

According to New York Daily News, Trckas cause of death remains unknown as of the publishing of this report. Her son informed TMZ that he was unaware of any medical condition or sickness that may have contributed to her passing.

USA Today states that Trcka grew up in Minnesota and took up weight-training in California in the 1980s. She eventually rose to the top of local bodybuilding contests, and competed at a national level for decades.

Apart from Scary Movie, Trcka also made appearances in series such as The Drew Carey Show and movies including Cattle Call. She even appeared in music videos, including one for Lady Gagss single Telephone featuring Beyonce.

She crushed that role [Miss Mann], reads a Reddit comment. I laughed my [expletive] off.

RIP. Thanks for the laughs. Perfect for that role.

Rest in peace, Miss Mann, states another.

Further information regarding Trckas death remains pending.
A man suffered serious injuries during a brawl that occurred between customers waiting in line for a popular Disneyland ride.

According to KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, the bloody 30-second fight between two men occurred in the queue for the Indiana Jones Adventure on Dec. 30.

A group of people were waiting in line at Indiana Jones when another group cut through the line to catch up with other family members, Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter told the TV station.

Police told the TV station that one of the men fled Disneyland and remained at large as of Monday afternoon. He is believed to be a Southern California resident.

There are two sides to every story, so we need to hear from him (and) what happened from his point of view, Sutter told KTLA.

The other man involved, from Washington state, suffered a large gash on his face but managed to stay at the park with his family for the rest of the day.
QINGDAO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A wave of tourists from the Republic of Korea (ROK) chose to ring in 2026 in China's eastern coastal province of Shandong, enjoying cultural familiarity and the region's iconic beer culture.

On Dec. 31, 2025, the New Golden Bridge V ferry arrived in the coastal city of Qingdao from Incheon, carrying over 230 travelers from the ROK.

On the same day, more than 600 ROK passengers arrived in Yantai city by ferry, followed by another group of nearly 600 arriving in Weihai city on Jan. 2.

"Qingdao is very familiar to people from the ROK, and the transportation is convenient," said Hong Won Gil, president of Seoul-based Happy Tour Agency, who arrived aboard the New Golden Bridge V ferry with a tour group on New Year's Eve.

Hong noted that his agency organized trips for over 5,000 ROK tourists to China in 2025, including more than 2,000 visiting Qingdao. He said the popularity of hiking Laoshan Mountain, China's highest coastal mountain, plus the local Shandong food and Tsingtao Beer, were major reasons people wanted to go.

Shandong is among the Chinese provinces closest to the ROK. According to official data, the province handled 772,000 inbound foreign trips last year, among which 576,000 were made by ROK nationals, a 40 percent increase year on year.

Culinary experiences have become a key component of this cross-border tourism. For many ROK visitors, a glass of Tsingtao beer has become a "must-do" experience in China.

"Tsingtao Beer is well known in the ROK, and I drink it often at home," said Kim Hye Sook, a tourist from Anyang. "This time I definitely want to visit the Tsingtao Beer Museum," she said, adding that many people around her have similar plans.

To accommodate this influx, local businesses have tailored their services. The Tsingtao Beer Museum introduced Korean-language online ticketing and currency payment channels. It also offers bilingual signage, Korean-speaking staff, and AI-powered audio guides to offer an even better experience.

According to the Tsingtao Brewery Group, the museum received over 220,000 foreign visitors in 2025, a year-on-year increase of approximately 70 percent, with ROK tourists accounting for more than 80 percent of the total.

The travel boom, notably, is not limited to Qingdao. In the neighboring city of Weihai, tourists visited cultural sites such as Huaxia City Scenic Area and Huancuilou.

"One can touch deep history while seeing vibrant contemporary scenes here," said Byeon Seong Jae regarding his visit to Weihai, "This experience is very special." 
HAVANA (AP)  Cuban officials on Monday lowered flags before dawn to mourn 32 security officers they say were killed in the U.S. weekend strike in Venezuela, the island nations closest ally, as residents here wonder what the capture of President Nicolas Maduro means for their future.

The two governments are so close that Cuban soldiers and security agents were often the Venezuelan presidents bodyguards, and Venezuelas petroleum has kept the economically ailing island limping along for years. Cuban authorities over the weekend said the 32 had been killed in the surprise attack after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers, or as a result of the bombing of the facilities.

The Trump administration has warned outright that toppling Maduro will help advance another decades-long goal: Dealing a blow to the Cuban government. Severing Cuba from Venezuela could have disastrous consequences for its leaders, who on Saturday called for the international community to stand up to state terrorism.

On Saturday, Trump said the ailing Cuban economy will be further battered by Maduros ouster.

Its going down, Trump said of Cuba. Its going down for the count.

Loss of key supporter

Many observers say Cuba, an island of about 10 million people, exerted a remarkable degree of influence over Venezuela, an oil-rich nation with three times as many people. At the same time, Cubans have long been tormented by constant blackouts and shortages of basic foods. And after the attack, they woke to the once-unimaginable possibility of an even grimmer future.

I cant talk. I have no words, 75-year-old Berta Luz Sierra Molina said as she sobbed and placed a hand over her face.

Even though 63-year-old Regina Mendez is too old to join the Cuban military, she said that we have to stand strong.

Give me a rifle, and Ill go fight, Mendez said.

Maduros government was shipping an average of 35,000 barrels of oil daily over the last three months, about a quarter of total demand, said Jorge Pinon, a Cuban energy expert at the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute.

The question to which we dont have an answer, which is critical: Is the U.S. going to allow Venezuela to continue supplying Cuba with oil? he said.

Cubans attend a rally in Havana, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) AP

Pinon noted that Mexico once supplied Cuba with 22,000 barrels of oil a day before it dropped to 7,000 barrels after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Mexico City in early September.

I dont see Mexico jumping in right now, Pinon said. The U.S. government would go bonkers.

Ricardo Torres, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington, said that blackouts have been significant, and that is with Venezuela still sending some oil.

Imagine a future now in the short term losing that, he said. Its a catastrophe.

Pinon noted that Cuba doesnt have the money to buy oil on the international market.

The only ally that they have left out there with oil is Russia, he said, noting that it sends Cuba about 2 million barrels a year.

Russia has the capability to fill the gap. Do they have the political commitment, or the political desire to do so? I dont know, he said.

Torres also questioned whether Russia would extend a hand.

Meddling with Cuba could jeopardize your negotiation with the U.S. around Ukraine. Why would you do it? Ukraine is far more important, he said.

Torres said Cuba should open its doors to the private sector and market and reduce its public sector, moves that could help prompt China to step in and help Cuba.

Do they have an alternative? I dont think they do, he said.

Rebuilding Venezuelas oil industry

On Monday, Trump told NBC News in an interview that the U.S. government could reimburse oil companies making investments in Venezuela to maintain and increase oil production in that country.

He suggested that the necessary rebuilding of the countrys neglected infrastructure for extracting and shipping oil could happen in less than 18 months.

Workers fly the Cuban flag at half-mast at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune near the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in memory of Cubans who died two days before in Caracas, Venezuela during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) AP

I think we can do it in less time than that, but itll be a lot of money, Trump said. A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.

It still remains unclear how quickly the investment could occur given the uncertainties about Venezuelas political stability and the billions of dollars needed to be spent.

Venezuela produces on average about 1.1 million barrels of oil a day, down from the 3.5 million barrels a day produced in 1999 before a government takeover of the majority of oil interests and a mix of corruption, mismanagement and U.S. economic sanctions led output to fall.

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press reporters Milexsy Duran in Havana, Isabel DeBre in Buenos Aires and Joshua Boak in Washington, D.C., contributed.

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Little did we know 30 years ago how the blizzard of 1996 would end in a flood and the loss of part of an iconic Harrisburg bridge.

It snowed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Jan. 6-8  22.2 inches. It snowed again on Friday  another 10.8 inches.

In Pennsylvania, 80 deaths were attributed to the blizzard. According to Accuweather, Pennsylvania suffered $1 billion in damages.

What followed made it worse  it got warmer.

On Jan. 19, 1996, the temperature rose to a record high of 56 degrees.

On Jan. 20, heavy rain to the north and the warm temperature melted the snow and triggered floods. The Susquehanna River rose rapidly.

All that snow across the state began melting and triggered floods the magnitude of which Pennsylvania had not seen since Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972.

Reporters at The Patriot-News wrote, The ice on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers broke up and roared downstream. Saturday afternoon, the region watched in horror as the torrent swept away two spans of Harrisburgs famous Walnut Street Bridge. A third span later fell.

It is a scene that central Pennsylvania will likely never forget  seeing the bridge tremble then seeing part of Old Shakey fall into the Susquehanna.

Thirty years later the bridge remains broken  the link from the East Shore to the West Shore is missing.

This is a still frame from home video footage of a portion of the Walnut Street Bridge being swept away by flood waters in January 1996. (Provided to The Patriot-News)

The Walnut Street Bridge was known as the Peoples Bridge when it opened in 1889. It was made of 14 prefabricated iron trusses set on stone piers, with seven spans on each side of City Island, according to The Patriot-News archives. It was closed to vehicles in 1972 after the flood from Tropical Storm Agnes but remained as a pedestrian link between Wormleysburg, City Island and Harrisburg.

It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was named a national engineering landmark in 1998.

Patriot-News reporters wrote that witnesses saw the bridge ripple. Harrisburgs parks and recreation director was on the bridge just minutes before disaster struck.

It was starting to ripple, like in an S shape, the director told The Patriot-News. Literally, in the time we turned back to give a radio report and then turned back around, it was gone, she said. Fortunately, nobody was injured when the bridge collapsed.

City officials worked quickly to evacuate animals from City Island.

Eight horses, including two city police horses, were rushed onto Harrisburg Carriage Co. trailers and transported across the bridges east side, where the scene turned a bit scary.

The commotion of the sudden move unnerved the two police horses, which began neighing and kicking violently, shaking the entire trailer. Theyre not used to being in trailers. Scarface! Dizzy! shouted a city police hostler.

Oh my God, theyre fighting . . . this isnt going to hold up. Moments later, several co-workers arrived to walk the horses around Front Street and settle them down.

That was hard to do with residents streaming about the bridge entrance, toting cameras and camcorders, looking to preserve a piece of history on film.
A central Pennsylvania Dennys has settled a federal lawsuit filed by a former server who claimed she was fired for being pregnant.

Erikia Ricker filed a lawsuit last month alleging the Carlisle Dennys illegally discriminated against her when it fired her three days after she informed it she was pregnant.

Her attorney informed the court both parties agreed to settle the case Dec. 30, a day after the case was filed in federal court.

Ricker said she was fully capable of continuing her job as a server at the Dennys when she became pregnant in January 2024.

However, she has a disorder that affects her sleep. She informed her managers early in her employment the condition causes her to occasionally experience exhaustion.

Ricker regularly worked two back-to-back shifts on Saturdays, during which she was the only server in the 50-table restaurant.

On Feb. 6, 2024, after beginning to feel nauseous at work, she informed her managers she was pregnant and asked to either no longer be scheduled for back-to-back shifts or to schedule another server to work with her on Saturdays.

Two days later, she called in sick due to a pregnancy-related illness. The next day Ricker was fired.

On Feb. 15, she received a letter explaining she was terminated because personal obligations made her unable to be reliable for scheduled shifts.

The lawsuit brought claims under Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and Pennsylvania Human Relations Act against Mid-Atlantic Diners, LLC, the franchise that owns the Carlisle Dennys.

PennLive could not reach attorneys for either side of the case prior to publication. It is unclear if the settlement contains a non-disclosure clause preventing the parties from commenting on the case.
WILLIAMSPORT  The former Cumberland County resident described as a critical middleman in a national scheme to funnel stolen body parts to oddity collectors is appealing his conviction.

Notice of an appeal to the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals was filed Monday in the U.S. Middle District Court on behalf of Jeremy Lee Pauley, 43, of Honesdale.

The notice does not state what issues Pauley plans to raise.

Jeremy Pauley, formerly of East Pennsboro Township and now living in Susquehanna County, arrives at the Cumberland County courthouse. Pauley is accused of illegally buying and selling human remains. March 5, 2024. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

He pleaded guilty in September 2023 to charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and a corresponding conspiracy count.

Judge Matthew W. Brann on Dec. 22 sentenced him to six years in prison but is allowing him to self-report on Jan. 16.

Pauley also pleaded guilty in Cumberland County to local charges of possessing stolen body parts and was placed on two years probation.

He is the third person recently sentenced in the stolen body parts case to file an appeal.

Cedric and Denis Lodge of Manchester, New Hampshire, did so last week. They were sentenced Dec. 16 on charges of interstate transportation of stolen property to which they pleaded guilty. They, too, are to report to prison Jan. 16.

Cedric Lodge, who was manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue, for 28 years, admitted between 2018 and 2022, that he stole human remains, including organs, brains, skin, hands, feet and skulls.

The cadavers had been donated to the schools anatomical gift program to assist in the training of medical students and in medical discoveries.

Following their scientific and educational use, the remains were to be returned to donors or cremated.

Denise Lodge admitted she negotiated sales of items stolen by her husband with co-defendants in the case, who then, according to the government, sold the remains to Pauley.

Brann sentenced Cedric Lodge to eight years in prison, and his wife, who suffers from cancer, to a year and a day.

Former Harvard Medical School morgue manager Cedric Lodge, 55, was sentenced to eight years in prison. (Photo by Steven Porter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Boston Globe via Getty Images

Pauley and his fiancee Sophie Mae Vee continue to operate a brick-and-mortar oddities shop in Honesdale. He stated in a recorded FBI interview that selling body parts was his living and he made $180,000 doing so in 2022.

Vee posted on Facebook after Pauleys sentencing that he didnt know the items he bought were stolen and that selling human remains is not illegal.

She contended that Pauley legally acquired many human remains over the years for the purpose of conservation and restoration.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin had argued for a 15-year sentence for Pauley, claiming that because of the business, he should not get rewarded for acceptance of responsibility.
Two former Hershey Company employees who sued the Pennsylvania-based candy giant in federal court alleging wage theft have dropped their claims.

Cody Vaughn and Gladys Coston-Gibson, who filed what was to be a collective action lawsuit in May 2025, asked the court to dismiss their lawsuit with prejudice.

Vaughn worked at the companys Robinson, Ill. facility from September 2024 to March 2025; Coston-Gibson worked at the companys Hazleton, Pa. facility from July 2020 to April 2024.

Both accused the company of illegally requiring employees to don safety gear off the clock. Supreme Court precedent requires employers to pay employees for donning and doffing company-issued personal protection equipment before and after shifts.

Coston-Gibson and Vaughn sued on behalf of all Hershey employees. James Barnett and Joe Adger Cornell, III, joined the lawsuit later on. The case was resolved before The Hershey Company answered the complaint.

While court documents dont specifically reference the existence of a settlement agreement, when plaintiffs voluntarily drop their claims with prejudice  meaning they cant ever sue again in court  it usually means they entered an agreement with the defendant.

Settlement agreements often contain nondisclosure clause preventing either party from publicly discussing the terms of the settlement.

Keith Pittman, another former employee of The Hershey Company who worked in Mississippi, filed a similar lawsuit against the company in May 2025.

Pittman accused the company of wage theft and of retaliating against him by terminating him when he complained of the wage theft to the companys corporate offices.

The Hershey Company responded to the latest lawsuit, denying that Pittman and other possible plaintiffs worked longer than 40-hour weeks or that they were unfairly compensated under the law.

Pittman and The Hershey Company hashed out a settlement agreement, which has not been made public, and the judge agreed to dismiss the case in mid-December. The parties can reopen the case through Feb. 16 if the agreement is not executed.

Eric Kim, lead counsel representing The Hershey Company in both lawsuits, declined to comment on this story. Plaintiffs counsel either did not respond to PennLives requests for comment, or declined to comment.

PennLive could not reach a representative from The Hershey Company prior to publication.
By Nick Vadala, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

A newly filed lawsuit alleges that the deadly explosion at a Bucks County nursing home just before Christmas was the result of negligence on the part of the facilitys operator and its natural gas supplier.

Filed by Philadelphia law firm Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky on behalf of four survivors of the explosion, the lawsuit claims that Saber Healthcare Group, Peco and others failed to appropriately respond to and treat a gas leak at Bristol Health & Rehab Center, and neglected to evacuate the building.

The resulting explosion, which devastated the facility the afternoon of Dec. 23, killed two people and injured about 20 others.

First responders work the scene of an explosion and fire at Bristol Health & Rehab Center on Dec. 23, 2025, in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS, file) TNS

A view of the structural damage after a massive explosion and fire caused a collapse at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS, file) TNS

Our pre-suit investigation left no doubt that the defendants were responsible for this foreseeable and preventable tragedy just before Christmas, said lead attorney Robert J. Mongeluzzi.

In addition to Peco and Saber Healthcare Group, the lawsuit names Exelon, Saber Healthcare Holdings and the nursing home as defendants.

The plaintiffs were among those on site at the time of the blast, the lawsuit says. They include former nursing home resident Barbara Stall, a paraplegic who said her motorized wheelchair was destroyed during the incident, as well as facility aides Stacy Ballard and Davidetta Blay, and telecom contractor James Broderick. Blay and Brodericks spouses are also included as plaintiffs.

Each continues to receive medical treatment for the physical and emotional injuries, the law firm said in a statement.

The blast rocked the Bristol facility just after 2 p.m., coming after Peco crews responded to reports of a gas odor earlier in the day, according to Inquirer reports. Some residents said they had been smelling gas in the 174-bed facility in the days leading up to the explosion, but none were told to evacuate.

The complaint, filed Monday in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, alleges that despite the gas odor, the defendants did not take steps to evacuate, which it calls a reckless and outrageous decision.

The odor, the complaint alleges, began permeating the building at least a half-hour before the explosion, and the defendants treated the situation with carelessness, negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, and outrageous conduct, the complaint said.

Peco and Exelon, the lawsuit claims, never tested a gas pipeline that fed the nursing home for leaks and failed to properly diagnose and fix the leak once on site. Exelon, the parent corporation of Peco, declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation.

Zachary Shamberg, Sabers chief of government affairs, declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.

Muthoni Nduthu, a 52-year-old nurse at the facility and mother to three sons, was killed in the blast. The second person killed was a resident at the nursing home, but they have not been publicly identified.
By Barbara Laker, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Robert Flesch was sitting in his first-floor room at the Bristol nursing home shortly after 9 a.m. on Dec. 23 when a staffer poked her head in to tell him he should go to the activity room. There was a gas leak near his room, the staffer told him, and Peco had been notified.

Flesch, who is 64 and an amputee, rolled his wheelchair into the hallway. The whole hall smelled like gas, he recalled.

Peco workers had already arrived, but nobody mentioned the possibility of needing to evacuate the 174-bed facility, Flesch said. Staffers did not seem concerned about the gas smell, and it was otherwise a typical Tuesday at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center, formerly known as Silver Lake Nursing Home.

Around 1:30 p.m., Flesch said he was told Peco had fixed a pretty big leak and that he could go back to his room. But the hallway outside his room had the same strong odor. Im telling you I still smell gas, he said he told three staffers. He was reassured that it was just residual odor from the repaired leak.

Just after 2 p.m., another resident, Susie Gubitosi, was back inside after joining several other residents on the patio for a cigarette break. Gubitosi  known to friends as Susie Q  had become blind three years ago from glaucoma and was waiting for a staffer to help her remove old nail polish.

Thats when the place exploded.

Suddenly I heard this loud boom, Gubitosi, 71, said.

The blast knocked her out of her wheelchair, and debris slammed against her as fast and hard as it could, she said. Next thing Im on the floor, and Im laying on my right-hand side, and Im like, Oh my God.

The explosion, just after 2:15 p.m., killed Muthoni Nduthu, a 52-year-old nurse at the facility and mother to three sons. A second person who died, a resident, has not been identified. Twenty others were injured.

Fleschs and Gubitosis accounts, told to The Inquirer in interviews over the last few days, give an expanded timeline of events before two explosions rocked the center. Their recollections underscore the key questions facing investigators from multiple agencies as they seek to determine the cause of the explosion and assess whether Peco, the nursing home, or both may have been negligent.

Peco officials initially said their workers arrived at the nursing home around 2 p.m. They subsequently acknowledged their workers had been on site for several hours.

On Friday, Peco said in a statement that since the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, we are not permitted to comment on this matter.

The NTSB said it didnt have any additional information but expects to release a preliminary report in about three weeks. In an earlier statement, it said investigators would test the natural gas service line that runs from the street to the basement of the impacted building, gather records, and interview witnesses, first responders, nursing home staff, and Peco employees.

Saber Healthcare Group, a privately run for-profit company that acquired the Bristol nursing home three weeks before the explosion and rebranded it, did not respond to requests for comment Friday. Saber has relocated about 120 residents to local hospitals and other assisted living facilities. It says it is reevaluating its evacuation procedures.

The previous owners, Ohio-based CommuniCare Health Services, had received numerous citations for unsafe building conditions and substandard care.

First responders work the scene of an explosion and fire at Bristol Health & Rehab Center, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Bristol, Pa. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) AP

Am I dying?

Recuperating in St. Marys Medical Center in Langhorne, Gubitosi said she felt as if her life was over.

Immediately, the former Bethlehem resident knew it was a gas explosion. I heard shouting, screaming, moaning, and sirens, she said.

This place just blew up. And I thought, Am I dying? I didnt know, she said. She was relieved when she could wiggle her toes. I think Im all in one piece, she thought.

Because Im blind, it scared me even more. I felt ice cold water on me. The sprinkler system must have come on and I was drenched. But I was glad because I had dust, cement dust, soot all in my mouth, on my face, in my eyes and nose. And I was just trying to breathe.

She cried repeatedly for help. I heard all these voices and things moving. It was pandemonium. I could hear the EMT guys saying, Theyre in here! Weve got to get them out! The building is going to collapse!

She heard one EMT, as he lifted her up, say, This is the first patient thats been crushed.

Doctors in the hospital used staples to close a gash on her hairline. Her back, neck, and sternum are broken. She had surgery last week to repair fractures in her elbow and hand.

The pain, she said, is at times unbearable, even with medication. Its hard to breathe, she said, lying in her hospital bed with her neck in a large brace, bandages that run from her hand to elbow, and IVs.

It feels literally like an elephant put his foot on me and crushed me, she said. I was probably this close to death.

She doesnt know yet how long shell be hospitalized or where she will be placed next.

Lawsuits are coming, said Jordan Strokovsky, an attorney representing Gubitosi. There will be answers. There will be accountability.

The wall was coming down

Flesch, who lost his left leg from a brown recluse spider bite, said he doesnt understand why he was given the green light to return to his room.

A former pool and spa tradesman from Levittown, he had been a Bristol resident a short time, sifting through a file he kept of apartments he could possibly call his next home.

Suddenly, there was this loud boom!, he recalled.

Ive never been in anything like that in my life, he said. I was in shock because all the glass from my windows came flying out. Then the ceiling was coming down. The wall was coming down.

A view of the structural damage after a massive explosion and fire caused a collapse at a nursing home in Bristol, Pa., Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. At least two people were killed, and several others were injured and reported missing. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer) TNS

Glass shards piled a foot deep in his room, even deeper in the hallway. Crumpled furniture was hurtled everywhere. Flesch maneuvered his wheelchair through glass to check on the bedridden man across the hall. He was OK.

The facilitys part-time psychologist helped Flesch and many others get outside safely.

It was complete chaos, he said.

The explosion left Flesch, now staying in a nursing home in Nazareth, Pa., with nothing more than scratches on his arms.

I am still asking myself how I survived, he said. It must be God. I cant explain it any other way.

 2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit www.inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Voters in northern Adams and southern Cumberland counties will have a special election on March 17 to temporarily fill the seat vacated by former state Rep. Torren Ecker.

He is one of four lawmakers who left to take another office at the end of last year.

The seat vacated by Ecker, a Republican, is the only one of this years crop of vacancies located in the south-central part of the commonwealth. The other three are seats formerly held by Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Blair County, Rep. Dan Miller, D-Allegheny County, and Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh County.

A special election for Schmitts seat will also be held March 17, according to writs from House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia. Election writs for Feb. 24 were issued for Miller and Siegels seats.

All four lawmakers stepped down after winning new jobs in the Nov. 2025 election. Ecker is now an Adams County Court of Common Pleas judge. Schmitt and Miller were also elected to judgeships in their respective counties. Siegel won the race for Lehigh County Executive.

Separate primaries are not held for special elections; political parties submit nominations directly after local party committees vote on who they want their candidate to be.

The winners of the special elections fill only the remainder of the departed lawmakers terms, meaning those candidates will have to run again in the May 2026 primary and November 2026 general elections if they wish to stay in office long-term.

All four of the special election seats have relatively strong partisan leans and are not expected to change hands from Democrat to Republican or vice-versa.

Prior to the four lawmakers departure, the 203-member House of Representatives was split 101-to-102, with Democrats holding a single-seat majority  portending another hot election season this year for the handful of swing seats that are more likely to flip.
By William Lambers

Its urgent we prevent a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela after the U.S. attack that removed the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, to face drug trafficking charges. The United States must step away from war and send food to Venezuelas impoverished people.

In Venezuela, 40 percent of the population are experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity according to the UN World Food Program (WFP). About 4 million Venezuelans are facing severe hunger and desperately need food assistance. Venezuelans have suffered from many climate related disasters including floods, drought and landslides.

A U.S. war with Venezuela would only worsen hunger, poverty and displacement. We must support the Venezuelan people who are trying to save their country.

Venezuelan civil society has been on the front lines, providing humanitarian aid and standing with those most affected by the crisis. Now more than ever, we must recognize and strengthen these efforts, supporting them as they continue to defend human rights, protect vulnerable people, and work toward restoring democracy, said Gloria Garcia Parra, Regional Director of Oxfam in Latin America and the Caribbean.

But we cannot help Venezuela if we are cutting funding which WFP and other charities that feed the hungry depend on. Last year the United States eliminated some humanitarian aid programs and reduced funding even though global needs were increasing. Tragically, the WFP has not received enough donations for its Venezuelan mission. The WFP has been forced to announce cutbacks in programs.

The WFP says it urgently requires additional funding to sustain support for the most vulnerable populations in Venezuela.

The United States needs to step up its response to humanitarian emergencies like Venezuela after a year of tragic budget cuts.

The U.S. Food for Peace program needs a big funding boost so it can help WFP and other charities fight hunger in Venezuela and across the globe. There are far too many shortages and ration cuts facing relief missions in Venezuela and other countries on the brink. Congress can certainly increase funding for global food aid, which represents a relatively tiny part of the federal budget.

Anyone can contact their elected officials and urge them to support humanitarian aid for Venezuela and programs like Food for Peace. U.S. farms also benefit from Food for Peace. We should always be looking for ways to use our agriculture to help other nations.

Americas strength relies on a robust humanitarian response to suffering around the globe. As former Secretary of State George Marshall said after WWII, American foreign policy must be against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos.

Now there is much fear and uncertainty in Venezuela following the U.S. attack. War will only worsen problems in Venezuela, so we must work through peaceful means only.

One thing the United States has traditionally done to help countries in turmoil is by sponsoring school lunch programs to feed kids. This would be a good time to give a boost to the school lunch program in Venezuela. We could make sure WFP and other charities have funding to provide school meals to the poorest children in Venezuela. These meals reduce hunger, which encourages children to stay in school.

People in Venezuela need hope for peace. We must stop any military intervention and focus on peaceful ways to support Venezuela. We can help by providing food for the hungry and other aid to those who desperately need it.

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger.
By LISA MASCARO, AP Congressional Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP)  Five years ago outside the White House, the outgoing President Donald Trump told a crowd of his supporters to head to the Capitol  and Ill be there with you  in protest as Congress was affirming the 2020 election victory for Democrat Joe Biden.

A short time later, the world watched as the seat of U.S. power descended into chaos, and democracy hung in the balance.

On the fifth anniversary of Jan. 6, 2021, there is no official event to memorialize what happened that day, when the mob made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue, battled police at the Capitol barricades and stormed inside, as lawmakers fled. The political parties refuse to agree to a shared history of the events, which were broadcast around the globe. And the official plaque honoring the police who defended the Capitol has never been hung.

Instead, Trump will meet privately with House Republicans at the Kennedy Center, which the president has rebranded to carry his own name, for a policy forum. Democrats will hold a hearing with witnesses to the violence and later gather on the Capitol steps to mark the memory of what happened.

From left, Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, and Enrique Tarrio, Joe Biggs and Zach Rehl, members of the far-right group the Proud Boys, rally outside the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 21, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, file) Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

And the former leader of the militant Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, is staging a midday march retracing the rioters steps from the White House to the Capitol to honor Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt and others who died in the Jan. 6 siege and its aftermath.

I ask those that are able to attend please do so, Tarrio said on social media feed X.

Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy for having orchestrated the Jan. 6 attack, and he is among more than 1,500 defendants who saw their charges dropped when Trump issued a sweeping pardon on his return to the White House last year. This will be a PATRIOTIC and PEACEFUL march. If you have any intention of causing trouble we ask that you stay home, Tarrio wrote.

Echoes of 5 years ago

The Jan. 6 events, being held inside and outside, carry echoes of the split screen five years ago, as the House and the Senate gathered to affirm the election results while the Republican presidents supporters swarmed.

This milestone anniversary unfolds while attention is focused elsewhere, particularly after the U.S. militarys stunning capture of Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, and Trumps plans to take over the country and prop up its vast oil industry, a striking new era of American expansionism.

These people in the administration, they want to lecture the world about democracy when theyre undermining the rule of law at home, as we all will be powerfully reminded, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said on the eve of the anniversary.

Democrats revive an old committee, Republicans lead a new one

The Democratic leadership is reconvening the now defunct Jan. 6 committee to hear from police, elected officials and regular Americans about what they experienced that day.

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Jan. 6, 2021, in front of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) AP

Among those expected to testify is former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, who along with former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming were the two Republicans on the panel that investigated Trumps efforts to overturn Bidens win. Cheney, who lost her own reelection bid to a Trump-backed challenger, is not expected to appear.

Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, who has been tapped by House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana to lead a new committee to probe other theories about what happened on Jan. 6, rejected Tuesdays session as a partisan exercise designed to hurt Trump and his allies.

Many Republicans reject the narrative that Trump sparked the Jan. 6 attack, and Johnson, before he became the House speaker, had led challenges to the 2020 election. He was among some 130 GOP lawmakers voting that day to reject the presidential results from some states.

Instead, they have instead focused on security lapses at the Capitol  from the time it took for the National Guard to arrive on the scene to the failure of the police canine units to discover the pipe bombs found that day outside Republican and Democratic party headquarters. The FBI arrested a Virginia man suspected of placing the pipe bombs, and he told investigators last month he believed someone needed to speak up for those who believed the 2020 election was stolen, authorities say.

The Capitol Complex is no more secure today than it was on January 6, Loudermilk said in a social media post. My Select Subcommittee remains committed to transparency and accountability and ensuring the security failures that occurred on January 6 and the partisan investigation that followed never happens again.
JERUSALEM, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said Tuesday afternoon that it carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon, hours after striking multiple sites across the country.

"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) struck Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Kherbet Selem in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the strike was in response to Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild its military power.

The statement did not mention if any casualties were resulted from the strikes.

On Monday and early Tuesday, the IDF already carried out a wave of airstrikes on multiple sites in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, extending as far as Sidon, the country's third-largest city, and injuring several people, according to Israeli and Lebanese sources.

The IDF claimed those strikes aimed at Hezbollah and Hamas sites.

In response to the strikes, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that the timing of them raises serious questions, as they occurred on the eve of a meeting of the committee overseeing the ceasefire mechanism in southern Lebanon.

According to Aoun, the meeting is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to work toward halting hostilities and discussing practical measures to restore security and stability in southern Lebanon, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the southern border, the release of Lebanese detainees, and the deployment of the Lebanese army in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The Israeli army has carried out frequent strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats," despite a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024. 
Lebanon County Republican state Rep. Russ Diamond announced Monday that he will seek a seventh two-year term in the House this year.

Its truly an honor to represent my friends and neighbors in Harrisburg, Diamond said in a campaign statement. Theyve placed their trust in me to serve their interests in the General Assembly, and I look forward to earning their vote for re-election so I can continue that work.

Diamond, 62, was unopposed in the 2024 general election. He is the ranking Republican on the House Gaming Oversight Committee.

Pennsylvanias primary election is on May 19.

Diamonds campaign announcement highlights his opposition to Gov. Tom Wolfs Covid shutdown orders in 2020 that eventually resulted in constitutional amendments approved by voters to limit a governors emergency powers, as well 2017 legislation providing a revenue stream from gaming revenue for first responders and non-profits.

If re-elected, Diamonds statement said he plans on pursuing legislation to eliminate property taxes, establish medical freedom as a constitutional right and regulate skill games.

Diamond drew attention last year when he introduced a bill the day after conservative podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk was murdered to honor Kirk with a state holiday.

In his co-sponsorship memo, Diamond called the controversial Kirk a tireless advocate of free speech and civil debate, particularly on the campuses of our nations colleges and universities.

Diamonds 102nd District includes Annville, Bethel, Cold Spring, East Hanover, Heidelberg, Jackson, Millcreek, North Annville, North Londonderry, Swatara and Union townships and the boroughs of Cleona, Jonestown, Myerstown, Palmyra and Richland.
After voting Monday evening, the Harrisburg City Council will start the new year with just a couple of changes.

Lamont Jones was voted as the councils new vice president, while newly elected Robert Lawson replaced Shamaine Daniels, who did not run for re-election.

Danielle Hill kept her title of president, with no opposition.

The roughly 10-minute council reorganizational meeting was just that: voting for president and vice president for the next two years.

Jocelyn Rawls nominated Jones for vice president, adding that the nomination was not a slight at former vice president Ausha Green.

I think youve done a wonderful job, Rawls said. That is not why Im giving Mr. Jones my nomination. Ive noticed he wanted to step up in some leadership roles, and I would like to see him in those leadership roles to see how he performs.

Jones seconded his own nomination.

Crystal Davis then nominated Green, saying she is attracted to [Greens] leadership style and knowledge about city affairs.

Ralph Rodriguez seconded Greens nomination.

I didnt know brother Jones wanted to run for V.P., Rodriguez said, adding that he had only had conversations with Hill and Green.

Green voted for herself.

Lawson took about 10 seconds to think when it was his turn to choose between Lamont and Green, saying he appreciated the former vice presidents leadership.

And I also want to see how Councilman Jones handles a leadership position, given his ambitions, Lawson said. He voted for Jones.

Rawls, Hill and Jones followed suit, successfully electing Jones as the new vice president.

Just so everybody knows, theres no tension between us, Jones said, adding that he and Green had previously chatted about him seeking the position.

He told PennLive that he was taking a page out of Mayor Wanda Williams book: holding the mayor accountable just like Williams did with former mayor Steve Reed. Williams was the council president at the time.

I really anticipate serving in this role with even more vigor, Jones said. Not that I needed to be quiet there, but I tried not to overshadow my colleagues because I would do this all day if I needed to.

For Lawson, the newest councilman, this is not his first city council rodeo. He served for a year starting in January 2023 after Dave Madsen vacated his seat following his election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Lawson, a Democrat and a lifelong Harrisburg resident, is a real estate professional who attended Bishop McDevitt High School and Central Penn Business College. He also served in the U.S. Navy and is now a salesperson at Keystone Custom Homes.

Ive been on that stage before, Lawson told PennLive, referring to the council chambers. But Im back and want to do more.
Taxpayers would be on the hook for an unknown amount of legal fees as the current Harrisburg City Hall drama moves to its next stage.

Mayor Wanda Williams is planning to keep her promise to sue the council after members overrode the mayors vetoes of salary cuts for four key personnel in her administration. City Solicitor Neil Grover said the two parties could be in court within the next few days.

While Grover is the official lawyer for the city, he cannot provide legal counsel when the dispute is between two branches within City Hall.

So, if [Williams] does sue us, she has to have outside counsel, and we have to have outside counsel, which is very costly to the taxpayer, Council President Danielle Hill told PennLive. Hill added that she had not received any notification from Grover about an outside lawyer for the council yet.

Talks of a lawsuit came about right before the new year when council fully defunded three positions in the 2026 budget: Interim Business Administrator Sam Sulkosky, Project Director for Business Development and LERTA Administrator Jason Graves, and the Director of Community Engagement and Relations Denae House.

Both Williams and the council say the other is to blame for the lost jobs.

Council member Lamont Jones argued that the dispute could be solved quickly without going to court.

All it takes is a conversation and a real simple reallocation of funding back to those positions, Jones said.

Council could choose to reallocate funding mid-year for positions. However, Jones said the council and the mayor must agree on the candidate.

He was referring to Sulkosky, the interim business administrator, who was voted down by the council but remained in his role past the 120-day city law limit, using a loophole because the law only defines acting officials and not interim ones.

So going to court is the worst thing you could do, Jones said. First of all, youre going to be spending taxpayer dollars again for an outside attorney when the in-house one should be guiding you, telling you that you wont win this.

Mischelle Moyer, the mayors spokesperson, said Williams was scheduled to meet for a second time Tuesday with a lawyer from a Harrisburg-based law firm. Moyer added that the mayor was hopeful to get the positions back, especially the business administrator.

I mean, even I answered to him, Moyer told PennLive. So whos signing my stuff, you know? It all falls on the mayor.

The business administrator is one of the most important people in the mayors administration, supervising most departments. In Pennsylvania, city employees cannot work without pay, per state law. Grover said he wasnt sure if employees could choose to volunteer.

In her veto statement, Williams reiterated that the council did not cite any financial basis for the cuts, which she argued was the extent of council authority.

During the 2025 budget hearings, the council brought up multiple times that they would be interested in hiring their own lawyer and communications director. Members expressed concern that their events werent advertised on the citys website or that they would profit from more legal help. However, there isnt an allocation for either position in this years budget.

I actually was expecting my colleagues to offer maybe a budget amendment to ensure that there was funding to hire this person if that was their desire, but nobody made that amendment, Hill said.

Grover made it clear that his approval was necessary for the council to move forward.

Onlookers, including Gloria Martin-Roberts, left and Sam Sulkosky, right, take in the Harrisburg City Council swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 5, 2026. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Im a statutory official, Grover said. Anyone files something on behalf of any part of the city, anywhere, I have the authority to walk and yank it out of there and have it dismissed. So if you dont have us on board, you have a problem.

Grover acknowledged the uncertainty of what comes next in what seems like a never-ending dispute.

I am trying to keep this on a fast track to resolution, Grover said. But I know once you pull the trigger, I dont know where its going to go.

As four of the council members were sworn in on a cold Monday night, Pastor Kris Sledge from The Journey Church offered at least a pathway for both sides while giving a benediction.

Said Sledge: So when the decisions are complex and I think they are going to be complex for yall, Im sorry, when the pressures are heavy, and I think they are heavy right now, when the path forward is unclear  may you find the courage to pause, to listen and to choose the way that honors dignity and well-being of all who call Harrisburg home, even when it comes at a cost.
By LINLEY SANDERS, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  There are few signs that President Donald Trumps supporters wanted the United States to become more embroiled in foreign conflicts ahead of its military actions in Venezuela  even as many Republicans show initial support for his military strike there, according to an Associated Press analysis of recent polling.

Most Americans wanted the U.S. government to focus in 2026 on domestic issues, such as health care and high costs, rather than foreign policy issues, an AP-NORC poll conducted last month found.

Meanwhile, polling conducted in the immediate aftermath of the military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suggested that many Americans are unconvinced that the U.S. should step in to take control of the country.

And despite Trumps suggestion that the U.S. may take a more expansive role in the Western Hemisphere, Republicans in polling last fall remained broadly opposed to the U.S. getting more involved in other countries problems.

Theres still room for public opinion to shift as Trumps administration clarifies its next steps for Venezuela. But it could be a challenging issue for the Republican president, particularly given Americans desire for the government to fix economic issues at home.

Foreign policy and drug trade werent high priorities

Heading into the new year, Americans were less likely to want the government to focus on foreign policy than they had been in recent years.

About one-quarter of U.S. adults listed foreign policy topics  such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel or general involvement overseas  as something they wanted the government to prioritize in 2026, according to an open-ended AP-NORC question that asked respondents to share up to five issues they wanted the government to work on in the coming year.

An armored vehicle carrying Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores arrives at Manhattan Federal Court, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah) AP

That was down from the prior two years, when roughly one-third of Americans considered foreign issues an important focus. Almost no one specifically named Venezuela.

Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges on Monday in New York. His capture followed U.S. strikes on boats that the Trump administration said were carrying drugs from Venezuela to the U.S.

Despite the Trump administrations focus on the issue of drug trafficking, it doesnt register at the top of Americans lists of issues for the government to focus on. Few Americans mentioned drug-related issues as a priority, and it was primarily a Republican issue. About 1 in 10 Republicans mentioned it, compared with hardly any Democrats or independents.

Instead, Americans overall were more focused on domestic issues  including health care, economic worries and cost-of-living concerns  as top priorities for the government.
As millions of Americans face skyrocketing health insurance rates, a Pennsylvania Republican congressional candidate is proposing universal healthcare for children, young adults and expectant mothers.

Marty Young, a Republican running for the 6th Congressional District seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, has dubbed his proposal the Young Americans Plan (YAP).

The 6th District covers most of Chester County and a portion of Berks County, including Reading.

At some point, we have to stop confusing inaction with responsibility, said Young in a statement. Just as America guarantees public education for every child, we can and must guarantee their health. That isnt just common sense  its the right thing to do.

He said that healthcare premiums routinely exceed mortgage or rent payments, and families are one medical emergency away from financial collapse or a GoFundMe.

Youngs statement also acknowledges that his proposed plan will surprise many, as a Republican, he is proposing guaranteed healthcare coverage.

An estimated 22 million Americans face skyrocketing premiums or the prospect of not having healthcare coverage after congressional Republicans rejected Democratic attempts to extend Obamacare, or Affordable Care Act, subsidies that expired at the end of 2025.

CNBC reported last month that those mainly affected would be early retirees, middle-income families, small business owners, minorities, and residents of states that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.

This is not a theoretical problem. Its payroll. Its jobs. Its families trying to do everything right and still falling behind, Young said in the statement. Our system keeps rewarding professional fraudsters, corrupt politicians, government bureaucrats, and insurance middlemen while patients and doctors lose control  and families pay the price.

Young said his YAP attacks this crisis at its core  guaranteeing that no child, young adult, or expectant mother goes without care they need, while removing these costs from family and employer budgets.

Under Youngs plan, children would receive healthcare coverage up to age 23, including preventive care, vaccines, and mental health services, while expecting mothers would get coverage for prenatal care, delivery, pediatric visits and postpartum care through the babys first birthday.
By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)  George Conway, who was married to a former adviser to the president before becoming a prominent anti-Trump voice, announced on Tuesday that he is running for a U.S. House seat in New York City, testing whether he can turn his strong social media following into votes in a crowded Democratic primary.

Conway  who worked for years in New York City as an attorney but has more recently been living in Bethesda, Maryland  said he was spurred to run for Congress after a conversation with a friend about her frustration with some Democrats decision to vote to end last years government shutdown.

Conway didnt want to challenge his congressman in Maryland, Rep. Jamie Raskin, whom he said he loves, so the friend suggested he instead look at a seat in Manhattan that was soon to be vacant following the retirement of Rep. Jerry Nadler.

Conway said he looked it up on Wikipedia, and realized it was his old stomping grounds.

It was like, huh, its an open seat. This isnt crazy. I should think about this, he said in an interview.

He relocated to Manhattan a few weeks ago, he said.

Conway joins a flood of Democrats looking to take over Nadlers seat. Among the candidates are Nadler protege and state lawmaker Micah Lasher, school shooting survivor and advocate Cameron Kasky and Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of John F. Kennedy.

In a campaign launch video, Conway, 62, positioned himself as a seasoned Trump foe whose extensive experience as an attorney would allow him to continue his yearslong fight against the president from Congress.

This is no ordinary time. And I will not be an ordinary member of Congress, he said.

Conway, a former Republican who helped found the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, said that he doesnt want to be a career politician but felt that this is a moment where we need people who can fight Trump the way he needs to be battled.

He supported Trumps 2016 presidential run and had been married to Kellyanne Conway, a pollster and strategist who became senior presidential adviser in the first Trump White House as well as one of Trumps fiercest defenders.

As Trumps first term went on, George Conway began to criticize Trump with an aggressiveness that rivaled his then-wifes ardent support of the president, drawing extraordinary attention to their relationships diverging political positions.

At one point, Trump fired back, calling George Conway a stone cold LOSER & husband from hell!

The Conways announced their divorce in 2023, writing in a statement that their marriage had included many happy years.

The district Conway is hoping to represent is considered solidly Democratic, consisting of Midtown Manhattan and the tony Upper East and Upper West sides.

Nadler, 78, last year said he would not run for reelection.
By DANICA KIRKA, The Associated Press

Location, location, location: Greenlands position above the Arctic Circle makes the worlds largest island a key part of security strategy. But for whom?

Increasing international tensions, global warming and the changing world economy have put Greenland at the heart of the debate over global trade and security, and U.S. President Donald Trump wants his country to control this mineral-rich island that guards the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America.

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally that has rejected Trumps overtures. Greenlands own government also opposes U.S. designs on the island, saying the people of Greenland will decide their own future.

The island, 80% of which lies above the Arctic Circle, is home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit people who until now have been largely ignored by the rest of the world.

Several European leaders have pushed back on Trumps comments. The leaders issued a statement Tuesday reaffirming the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island belongs to its people.

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom have joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenlands sovereignty in the wake of Trumps comments.

Heres why Greenland is strategically important to Arctic security:

Greenlands location is key

Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That has made it crucial to the defense of North America since World War II, when the U.S. occupied Greenland to ensure it didnt fall into the hands of Nazi Germany and to protect crucial North Atlantic shipping lanes.

Following the Cold War, the Arctic was largely an area of international cooperation. But climate change is thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the regions mineral resources.

A boy throws ice into the sea in Nuuk, Greenland, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File) AP

Security threats to the Arctic

In 2018, China declared itself a near-Arctic state in an effort to gain more influence in the region. China has also announced plans to build a Polar Silk Road as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative, which has created economic links with countries around the world.

Then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected Chinas move, saying: Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims?

Meanwhile, Russia has sought to assert its influence over wide areas of the Arctic in competition with the U.S., Canada, Denmark and Norway. Moscow has also sought to boost its military presence in the polar region, home to its Northern Fleet and a site where the Soviet Union tested nuclear weapons. Russian military officials have said that the site is ready for resuming the tests, if necessary.

The Russian military in recent years has been restoring old Soviet infrastructure in the Arctic and building new facilities. Since 2014, the Russian military has opened several military bases in the Arctic and worked on reconstructing airfields.

European leaders concerns were heightened following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that Russia is worried about NATOs activities in the Arctic and will respond by strengthening the capability of its armed forces there.

U.S. military presence in Greenland

The U.S. Department of Defense operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which was built after the U.S. and Denmark signed the Defense of Greenland Treaty in 1951. It supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the U.S. and NATO.

Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.

FILE -Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File) AP

Danish armed forces in Greenland

Denmark is moving to strengthen its military presence around Greenland and in the wider North Atlantic. Last year, the government announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner ($2.3 billion) agreement with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, another self-governing territory of Denmark, to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region.

The plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capacity.

Denmarks Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Greenlands capital, Nuuk, and tasked with the surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defense of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, according to its website. It has smaller satellite stations across the island.

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also stationed in Greenland.

Rich source of rare earth minerals

Greenland is also a rich source of the so-called rare earth minerals that are a key component of mobile phones, computers, batteries and other hi-tech gadgets that are expected to power the worlds economy in the coming decades.

That has attracted the interest of the U.S. and other Western powers as they try to ease Chinas dominance of the market for these critical minerals.

Development of Greenlands mineral resources is challenging because of the islands harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released cornerback Tre Flowers from their roster after the return of DK Metcalf, the team announced. Metcalf now gets the 53rd spot on the roster, and with James Pierre and Brandin Echols healthy, the Steelers were able to move off Flowers.

Flowers was signed on Christmas as the injuries in the cornerback room mounted. He played in one game for the team against the Browns, but they released him after the Ravens game, where he was inactive.

Flowers played in just two games for the Detroit Lions earlier this season before they released him. He started out his career with the Seattle Seahawks, playing with the team from 2018 through 2021 out of Oklahoma State.

After his departure from Seattle, Flowers has played in multiple different spots, including the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts.

Flowers has 22 pass deflections and four interceptions over his career and can also bring special teams value to the roster as a punt gunner.

However, the Steelers got quality punt gunner work from DShawn Jamison off the practice squad, and it seems likelier that he will take that role moving forward than Flowers would have, thus making Flowers expendable to the Steelers.

For Mondays AFC playoff game versus the Texans, Steelers +3 point spread is listed at +100 over on DraftKings. Our comprehensive DraftKings Sportsbook review will show you how to register and use their platform. For all of the best Steelers playoff odds, be sure to check out our expert takes.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti talks to reporters outside of the Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP

In November, PennLive first reported about many of the best sweepstakes casinos, including High 5 and VGWs brands, pulling out of the Volunteer State. And a month later, we know the official reason -cease and desist letters.

Recently, Attorney General Jonathen Skrmetti officially announced that his office has sent out nearly 40 cease and desist letters to online sweepstakes casinos. Like other states, California and New York have officially banned sweepstakes casinos starting January 1, 2026, and Skrmetti, like other Attorneys General, is cracking down on unlicensed online casinos.

According to Skrmetti, the sweeps casinos that received cease-and-desist letters have either already taken steps to turn off features that are deemed illegal or will do so at some point in the future. Still, some sweeps casinos are already leaving Tennessee entirely.

Some sweeps casinos, like RealPrize, its sister site LoneStar, and Chumba, no longer offer sweepstakes casino games.

Why online sweepstakes casinos are being scrutinized

One of the reasons for the continued crackdown on online sweepstakes casinos is that more states, like Massachusetts, want to legalize real money online casinos. For example, Massachusetts wants to ban sweepstakes casinos while at the same time legalizing online casino sites for real money. Currently, only seven states sanction online casino sites for real money.

On the other hand, the best sweepstakes casinos, prior to the crackdowns, operated in over 40 states. They can fill the demand for 24/7 access to cutting-edge online casino games and even innovative live dealer games.

However, the lack of licenses from reputable state agencies is a cause of concern for states like Tennessee, Florida, and Indiana. Like Tennessee, Florida, and Indiana, are stepping up efforts to ban unlicensed casinos.

Licensed online casinos are heavily audited by reputable agencies, as well as the state behind the license. This means their members are assured of fair gaming results, timely customer support, and fair wagering requirements. Licensed online casino sites for real money also provide timely payments, a safe gaming environment, and payment methods.

The future of sweepstakes casinos

Even though many online sweepstakes casinos are unlicensed, they offer reputable software providers such as Hacksaw Gaming, Playson, and Playtech. The growing list of sweepstakes casinos in the USA also heavily promotes responsible gaming, like online casino sites for real money.

However, sweeps casinos dont pay states gaming taxes. Real money online casino states like Pennsylvania and Michigan pay considerable amounts of monthly gaming taxes. This revenue funds state projects and community improvement projects.

Unlike real money online casinos that require a deposit to play, online sweepstakes casinos dont require a purchase to play. These platforms use Gold Coins to play. However, they promote special Gold Coin packages and first-time purchases. These perks can include VIP points, bonus spins, live chat, and Sweeps Coins.

Sweeps Coins is what members play for cash prizes or gift cards and is one of the top reasons for purchasing Gold Coin packages. Many anti-sweeps coins casino advocates view this as deceptive practices and gambling in disguise.

This is what led to a class action lawsuit for Stake.us and hip-hop performer, Drake. As more states look to legalize online casino sites for real money in 2026, they might also try to pass measures banning sweepstakes casinos.
BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on the opening of its 12th National Congress.

As the strong leadership core of the Lao people and the socialist cause of Laos, the message said, since the 11th national congress of the party, the Central Committee of the LPRP, led by General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith, has been committed to promoting the party's self-building, consolidated its leadership position, united and led the people of all ethnic groups in Laos, actively explored a socialist development path that suits the country's national conditions, and achieved a series of important progress and results in the party and the country's various undertakings.

In the message, the CPC Central Committee said it is sincerely pleased with these achievements and highly evaluates them.

The 12th congress is a milestone in the development process of Laos' socialist cause, said the message, adding that it will review and approve the party's third Political Programme and other important political documents, as well as make strategic plans and specific arrangements for the development of the party and the country's various undertakings in the coming period.

It is believed that under the strong leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people will successfully achieve the goals and tasks set by the congress and advance Laos' socialist cause to a new stage of development, it said.

Both China and Laos are socialist countries led by communist parties, it noted, adding that the CPC and the Chinese government have always viewed and handled the relationship between the two parties and countries from a strategic and long-term perspective.

In the current new situation, China is willing to work with Laos, following the important consensus of the highest leaders of both parties and countries as the fundamental guide, to strengthen strategic communication, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and steadily promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future, it said.

This will help push forward the continuous, sound and stable development of the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, benefit both countries and peoples, and make new positive contributions to world peace, development and progress, it said. 
DAMASCUS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army on Monday began targeting what it described as launch sites for drones operated by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the eastern Aleppo countryside, following reports of injuries among civilians and military personnel, according to state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV.

Quoting a military source, Al-Ikhbariya TV reported that the army identified and targeted the locations from which drones were launched, after attacks allegedly resulted in more than six injuries among civilians and military police members in the area earlier in the day.

The SDF, however, rejected what it called "fabricated and suspicious" allegations. In a statement released by its media center, the SDF said it carried out no military activities near the area on Monday, and accused Damascus of attempting to create pretexts to justify an unjustified escalation.

"The SDF is committed to restraint and to the existing tracks," the statement said, warning of the consequences of the accusations.

The incident comes a day after a reported high-level meeting between the SDF and Syria's transitional government in Damascus, during which both sides discussed the stalled military integration process under a March 10, 2025 agreement.

According to Syrian state media and government-linked sources, the meeting did not yield concrete progress toward accelerating implementation of the agreement on the ground, though both sides agreed to continue dialogue through joint committees.

The 2025 agreement, signed under international sponsorship, was intended to pave the way for integrating SDF military structures into the Syrian state, unifying command, and reducing fragmentation in northern and northeastern Syria. However, its implementation has faced repeated delays, amid mutual accusations of stalling and ongoing security incidents. 
Phil Hellmuth's Son Wins Set Over Set Over Set in WSOP Circuit Event

Connor Richards Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

Phillip Hellmuth III, the son of 17-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, won a wild hand with pocket aces during a World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) event at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas.

On Sunday, Hellmuth wrote on social media that he was headed to Las Vegas with his two sons, Hellmuth III and Nicholas, to play poker tournaments. Philip III had a hot start during Day 1b of the $600 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em event as he found himself in a three-way all-in with the best starting hand in poker.

"Online Hand in Real Life"

According to Hellmuth III, who relayed the action to PokerNews via text, he was all in preflop for 55,000 against a shorter stack and a player who had both of them covered. That player turned over pocket kings to crush the pocket tens of the shorter stack, but both were drawing thin to the pocket aces of Hellmuth III.

A ten on the flop of 103J was great news for the short stack, but the K turn gave the big stack the lead with a bigger set as a double knockout seems imminent. Instead, the dealer put down the A river to give Hellmuth III a near triple up in what he described as an "online hand in real life."

The Poker Brat's son's good fortune wasn't over. He told PokerNews he won another set over set cooler later on to bring his stack to 302,000. Should he win the event, he'll be the first Hellmuth with a Circuit ring.

As of publishing, the Day 1b flight of the $600 Monster Stack had 54 players remaining out of 260 runners, according to the WSOP+ app.

Meanwhile, Hellmuth is across the street in the PokerGO Studio playing in a $10,100 event at the PokerGO Tour (PGT) Last Chance series running Jan. 5-10.

Phillip Hellmuth III & Phil Hellmuth

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BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to strengthen export control on dual-use items to Japan, effective as of Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce announced.

The country prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for Japan's military use, and for any other end-users and end-use purposes that help enhance Japan's military capabilities, the ministry said.

Organizations or individuals from any country or region that violate the above provisions by transferring or supplying relevant dual-use items originating from China to organizations or individuals in Japan will be held legally accountable, it said.

The decision was made in accordance with China's relevant laws and regulations to safeguard national security and interests as well as fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, the ministry said.

A spokesperson from the ministry noted that the Japanese leader recently made erroneous remarks regarding China's Taiwan region, hinting at the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait.

Such comments interfered in China's internal affairs, seriously violated the one-China principle and are extremely egregious in nature and impact, the spokesperson said.

Dual-use items are goods, technologies or services that could be used for either civil purposes or military purposes, or to contribute to an increase in military potential, especially in the design, development, production or use of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. 
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 58F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Overcast. Low 46F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Nick Reynolds covers politics for the Post and Courier. A native of Central New York, he spent three-and-a-half years covering politics in Wyoming before joining the paper in late 2021. His work has appeared in outlets like Newsweek, Poynter, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post. He lives in Columbia.
This paid press release is brought to you from our partnership with EZ Newswire. The Post and Courier news staff was not involved in its creation.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing on Tuesday, stating that China is willing to work with Ireland to push bilateral relations to a new level and achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results.

Noting the strong economic complementarity between China and Ireland, Li called on both sides to enhance the alignment of development strategies and explore the potential for cooperation in various fields.

China is willing to work with Ireland to expand and improve bilateral trade, Li said, adding that China welcomes Irish enterprises to make good use of platforms such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services to further promote their products.

He also called on both sides to seize future development opportunities, deepen cooperation in areas such as green energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, information technology and life sciences, and further facilitate personnel exchanges.

China stands ready to enhance communication and collaboration with Ireland in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, to jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, Li added.

As Ireland will hold the rotating EU presidency in the second half of this year, China hopes Ireland will play a positive role in promoting China-EU cooperation, said the premier.

Martin, currently on an official visit to China, said that Ireland is firmly committed to further deepening the mutually beneficial strategic partnership between the two countries and is willing to enhance exchanges at all levels with China.

He expressed Ireland's willingness to promote cooperation with China in trade, investment, science and technology, healthcare, agriculture, green economy, artificial intelligence and other fields, and strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges in education, localities and other areas.

The Irish side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Ireland, he added.

Ireland values the important role China plays in international affairs, and is willing to enhance multilateral coordination with China, to oppose unilateralism and protectionism and jointly safeguard world peace, stability, development and prosperity, said Martin.

The Irish side is willing to play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China, he added.

Prior to the talks, Li held a welcome ceremony for Martin in the Great Hall of the People. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Pacific Avenue Capital Partners ("Pacific Avenue"), a leading global private equity firm focused on corporate carve-outs and other complex situations in the middle market, announced today that an affiliate of Pacific Avenue, alongside Cameron Ashley Building Products, has acquired Therm-All from Incline Equity Partners. Therm-All is a fabricator and distributor of metal building insulation and related products serving commercial and industrial end markets. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio and with thirteen strategic locations nationwide, the Company is one of the largest metal building insulation providers in the United States. Therm-All's consultative sales approach, energy code expertise, and targeted product offering differentiate the Company and position it as a value-add partner to more than 2,000 customers.Recently divested from Specialty Products and Insulation, the acquisition of Therm-All is the latest example of Pacific Avenue's ability to effectively and seamlessly execute carve-outs across a wide variety of industries. Under Pacific Avenue's and Cameron Ashley's stewardship, Therm-All will focus its efforts on strengthening its customer relationships and executing several growth initiatives related to its core and emerging product offerings."We are pleased to welcome Therm-All to the Pacific Avenue and Cameron Ashley family. This investment reflects our focus on partnering with strong businesses to help them reach their full potential. I am confident that, in conjunction with Cameron Ashley, by working closely with the management team we can drive long-term value. Therm-All is a leading metal building insulation solutions provider and has deep customer relationships, which we believe keeps it well-positioned to build on its legacy and pursue compelling growth opportunities across core and adjacent end markets." -Chris Sznewajs, Founder and Managing Partner of Pacific Avenue"We look forward to partnering with Pacific Avenue to drive the next phase of Therm-All's growth. We believe Pacific will be a great partner given their depth of experience in the building products industry and their emphasis on supporting customer-first initiatives." -Dennis Kaczmarek, CEO of Therm-AllBofA Securities served as the buy-side M&A advisor, Weil, Gotshal & Manges served as the buy-side legal advisor, and KPMG provided buy-side accounting and tax services.About Pacific Avenue Capital Partners Pacific Avenue Capital Partners is a global private equity firm, headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Paris, France. The firm is focused on corporate divestitures and other complex situations in the middle market. Pacific Avenue has extensive M&A and operations experience, allowing the firm to navigate complex transactions and unlock value through operational improvement, capital investment, and accelerated growth. Pacific Avenue takes a collaborative approach in partnering with strong management teams to drive lasting and strategic change while assisting businesses in reaching their full potential. Pacific Avenue has approximately $3.8 billion of Assets Under Management (AUM) as of September 30, 2025. The members of the Pacific Avenue team have closed over 120 transactions, including over 50 corporate divestitures, across a multitude of industries throughout their combined careers. For more information, please visit www.pacificavenuecapital.com About Cameron Ashley Cameron Ashley Building Products is a leading omni-channel distributor of interior and exterior building products including insulation, roofing, siding, gypsum and other specialty building products. Cameron Ashley operates a network of over 70 stocking distribution centers with a total storage footprint of over 3.8 million square feet. The warehouses are strategically located throughout 38+ states in the West, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast United States. The warehouse footprint is supported by a fleet of over 100 box trucks, over 185 tractors and 600 trailers that make over 350,000 deliveries every year. Through the warehouse operations, as well as an established direct-from-manufacturer business model, Cameron Ashley Building Products serves over 10,000 customer locations in the lumber and building materials industry.About Therm-All Therm-All has been at the forefront of innovative metal building insulation solutions since 1981. With thirteen locations nationwide, Therm-All has become one of the largest metal building insulation laminators in the United States. Their product portfolio includes a full line of custom fiberglass and rigid insulation systems, reflective insulation, door and window systems, metal building accessories, insulation retrofit and more. With the belief of treating customers like friends and employees like family, they've maintained their service-first approach throughout their near 50-year history.Contact InformationChris Baddon Principalcbaddon@ pacificavenuecapital.com SOURCE: Pacific Avenue Capital Partners
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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 5, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilJanuary 26, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between January 27, 2025 to October 27, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Alexandria and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-are/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 26, 2026 .About the LawsuitAlexandria and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On October 27, 2025, post-market, the Company disclosed financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 that were below expectations, including cuts to its FFO guidance for the full-year 2025, due to lower occupancy rates, slower leasing activity and most notably, a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its LIC property.On this news, the price of Alexandria's shares fell from a closing market price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025 to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025, a decline of about 19% in the span of just a single day.The case is Warren Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-11319.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEWARK, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Altigen Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:ATGN), a provider of AI-enabled customer engagement, communications, and cloud solutions, today announced the promotion of Joe Hamblin to President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Jeremiah Fleming will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.In his expanded role, Mr. Hamblin will assume responsibility for Altigen's day-to-day operations, including product development, cloud services, consulting services, and go-to-market execution. As President & COO, he will work closely with the executive leadership team to scale Altigen's AI-powered SaaS platforms and consulting business, with a focus on operational excellence to drive the Company's next phase of growth.Mr. Hamblin has played a pivotal role in Altigen's transformation into a modern AI-enabled solutions provider. Since joining the Company, he has led critical initiatives spanning product modernization, operational efficiency, and customer-focused innovation, helping position Altigen for sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value creation.According to Jeremiah Fleming, Altigen's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, "Joe has been instrumental in executing Altigen's strategic business transformation plans. His leadership skills, domain expertise and relentless focus on execution make him the ideal person to assume the role of President and COO. Joe's appointment not only strengthens our leadership team but also allows me to focus more heavily on long-term strategy, capital markets, and advancing our vision for Altigen's AI-enabled future." Joe Hamblin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Altigen Technologies, commented, "I am honored by the confidence Jerry and the Board have placed in me. Over the past couple of years, Altigen has made tremendous progress in evolving our technology platform and sharpening our focus on AI-powered customer engagement solutions and services. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams to scale the business, deliver measurable value to our customers, and accelerate growth while maintaining operational discipline." About Altigen Technologies, Inc.Altigen Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:ATGN) is a provider of AI-enabled customer engagement, communications, and cloud solutions designed to help organizations improve customer experience, increase operational efficiency, and drive business outcomes. Altigen delivers innovative SaaS platforms and services across unified communications, contact center, and AI-driven customer interaction technologies, with a strong focus on Microsoft-centric cloud architectures.Contact:Altigen Communications, Inc.Investor Relations - ir@ altigen.com SOURCE: Altigen Technologies
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Gonick is a nationally recognized and influential expert in artificial intelligence and higher education.INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / American College of Education (ACE) is pleased to welcome Dr. Lev Gonick, an innovative leader in advanced artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and higher education, to its esteemed board of trustees. He brings extensive experience in analytics, enterprise infrastructure and digital tools to ACE's fully online college and work environment.Known for his transformative leadership in leveraging AI in higher education, Gonick has spearheaded enterprise-wide AI partnerships and initiatives that support the advancement of student success. His notable contributions have positioned him as a thought leader and garnered international, national and state recognition from prestigious organizations, including ORBIE, EdScoop, Inside Business Magazine and more."We are delighted to welcome Lev to our board of trustees," ACE Board of Trustees Chairperson, Tom Evans said. "His expertise aligns well with the innovative and technology-focused work ACE does, and we can't wait to collaborate with him as we continue to position our college as a leader in AI and educational technology." In his role at Arizona State University (ASU) as its enterprise chief information officer (CIO), Gonick leads the design and agile management of all enterprise infrastructure, applications, products, services and analytics. He also chairs the Sun Corridor Network and Arizona's Research and Education Network while serving on the board of advisors of the Local Internet Choice."One of ACE's strategic focuses in the coming years is to continue advancing our use of technology, especially in light of its rapid evolution and integration of AI," ACE President and CEO Geordie Hyland added. "Gonick's exceptional experience, expertise and accomplishments will be impactful as we advance our use of transformative digital tools that equip students for today's technology-centered workforce." "Joining ACE's board of trustees is an exciting endeavor," Gonick remarked. "ACE's robust online higher education experience is impressive. I am inspired by ACE's unwavering commitment to creating and offering accessible and affordable learning through the power of technology." About American College of EducationAmerican College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, fully online private college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, healthcare and nursing. Headquartered in Indianapolis, ACE offers more than 60 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, specialist, master's or bachelor's degree, along with graduate-level certificate programs. In addition to being a leader in online education, ACE is committed to social responsibility as an Impact Institution, where operations are guided by purpose and designed to create real-world impact.Media Contact Darci Hansell, VP Integrated Marketing 800-280-0307press@ ace.edu SOURCE: American College of Education
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Leading international securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Alexandria Real Estate, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/alexandria-real-estate-class-action-lawsuit Investors have until January 26, 2026, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Alexandria Real Estate securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is captioned Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 2:25-cv- 11319.Why is Alexandria Real Estate Being Sued For Securities Fraud?Alexandria Real Estate is a real estate investment trust. Its tenants are concentrated in life science industries, such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.During the relevant period, Alexandria Real Estate touted its leasing volume and development pipeline, specifically regarding a property in Long Island City, New York, stating that leasing volume was "solid" and its pipeline was "well positioned to capture future demand when expansion needs arise." As alleged, in truth, Alexandria Real Estate was experiencing lower occupancy rates and slower leasing activity such that it was required to take a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property.Why did Alexandria Real Estate's Stock Drop?On October 27, 2025, Alexandria Real Estate announced results below expectations for 3Q 2025 and cut guidance for the remainder of the fiscal year. The company attributed the results to lower occupancy rates and slower leasing activity. It also announced a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property, stating that the property was not a life science destination that could scale. Alexandria Real Estate also announced additional impairment charges that may be recognized in 4Q 25 ranging from $0 to $685 million. This news caused the price of Alexandria Real Estate stock to drop $14.93 per share, or more than 19%, from a closing price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025, to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/alexandria-real-estate-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in Alexandria Real Estate you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212.789.3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar, Fonti, & Auld LLP
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Armanino Marks New Chapter for Shareholders with Annual Letter from CEO Deanna JurgensPLEASANTON, CA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Armanino Foods of Distinction, Inc. (OTCQX:AMNF) ("Armanino" or the "Company"), a leading producer and marketer of premium frozen Italian and specialty foods serving retail, foodservice, and industrial customers across North America and select international markets, today issued the following letter to shareholders from Deanna Jurgens, Chief Executive Officer.Dear Shareholders,Armanino enters 2026 from a position of strength. In 2025, the Company delivered record-setting performance while making targeted investments to expand capacity, enhance leadership depth, and position the business for its next phase of growth. Importantly, we did so while preserving the financial characteristics that have long differentiated Armanino - strong margins, consistent cash generation, and a debt-free balance sheet.As the leading foodservice pesto supplier in the United States, Armanino benefits from a combination of scale, brand trust, and operational expertise that is difficult to replicate. These advantages allow us to grow responsibly - entering new markets, broadening our portfolio, and investing in the systems and talent required to support long-term value creation without compromising financial discipline.I joined Armanino in May after holding senior leadership roles at global and high-growth food companies, and it was immediately clear that this Company possesses a rare foundation: a category-leading brand, durable customer relationships, and a business model that consistently converts growth into cash flow. Our strategy builds on these fundamentals with a clear objective: to create a larger, more diversified, and globally relevant sauce platform while maintaining attractive returns on invested capital. The results we delivered in 2025 demonstrate that this approach is working.As a result, we expect to close the year with record full-year revenue and gross margin, reflecting strong demand, focused execution, and the operating leverage embedded in our model. We also completed our BRC audit with an AA rating, reinforcing the high standards for quality, food safety, and operational excellence that enable us to build with confidence.With this foundation in place, we are now focused on the next phase of Armanino's growth - scaling the business thoughtfully and extending our reach.Accelerating Growth & Building a Global BrandOur strategy is anchored in three core pillars.First, strengthening our U.S. foodservice business. Leveraging our national distribution network, we are focused on driving new customer acquisition while increasing penetration with existing accounts through our core basil pesto and a growing portfolio of complementary sauces. From chimichurri to southwest chipotle and other globally inspired flavors, these products deepen customer relationships, expand wallet share, and reinforce our position as a strategic partner to operators.Second, unlocking Tier-1 Quick Service Restaurant ("QSRs") opportunities. We see significant white space with leading national QSR brands that do not yet feature pesto or premium sauces on their menus. Our chef-preferred, ready-to-use products are built for QSR operators where speed, consistency, and labor efficiency are critical. These partnerships offer the potential for menu innovation, premium positioning, and long-term volume growth.Third, advancing our international growth strategy. We are accelerating momentum outside the U.S., with an initial focus on Asia, where we are already seeing meaningful traction. My recent trip to Japan reinforced the depth of our distributor relationships, customer engagement, and chef adoption. Demand for high-quality, flavor-rich sauces is growing, and Armanino's brand is resonating as we expand internationally.Across each of these pillars, we remain disciplined in pursuing opportunities that broaden brand equity and core financials, while being deliberate in walking away from segments that do not meet our return and margin thresholds. Our focus is on growth that improves efficiency, deepens customer relationships, and enhances margin resilience. This allows expansion to translate into sustained cash flow generation over time, as evidenced by our record performance in 2025.Leadership Expansion & Capital DeploymentTo support our next phase of growth and build on the operating momentum we delivered in 2025, we strengthened our leadership team to sharpen execution, reinforce financial stewardship, and align accountability across the organization.We appointed Andrew Leonard as Chief Financial Officer, bringing over 25 years of public-company finance experience across financial planning, internal controls, and capital markets. Andrew reinforces our financial foundation as we grow the business, enhance our infrastructure, and evaluate future strategic initiatives, including a potential future uplisting to a senior U.S. exchange.We also appointed Bryan Jones as Chief Growth Officer, responsible for coordinating our growth strategy across customer acquisition, portfolio expansion, and go-to-market execution in the U.S. and internationally. His focus is on aligning commercial priorities, directing resources toward the highest-return opportunities, and developing the capabilities required to grow efficiently.To execute against these priorities, Ihab Leheta will join on January 17th as Vice President of International Sales, bringing more than 30 years of global foodservice experience, and Jaimi St. John joined in September as Vice President of National Accounts, with deep national account leadership from Panera Bread and Chipotle. Together, this team is focused on expanding our customer base and accelerating adoption of our core and secondary sauce portfolio.Operational excellence remained a priority throughout 2025. We continued to invest in automation, equipment upgrades, and technology to improve efficiency, scalability, and manufacturing capacity in support of ongoing demand.In parallel, we are taking a forward-looking approach to capacity planning to ensure our manufacturing footprint continues to support the size and complexity of the business over time, consistent with our disciplined, return-driven capital allocation framework.Together, our investments in leadership, operations, and capacity planning reflect a deliberate approach to scaling the business, one that balances growth, efficiency, and financial rigor. With a debt-free balance sheet and consistent cash generation, we remain well positioned to reinvest in high-return initiatives while continuing to deploy capital to shareholders.2026 Outlook
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Retained executive search firm Caldwell (TSX:CWL)(OTCQX:CWLPF) today announced the release of Utilities at the Eye of the Storm: How future-ready leaders can guide the sector through physical, digital and economic convergence, a new, in-depth whitepaper authored by Les Gombik, managing partner at Caldwell. The report assembles a rare collection of perspectives from senior executives across the North American utility, energy and infrastructure landscape, offering an unparalleled view into the pressures and opportunities reshaping the grid.The publication features direct insights from leaders at organizations including Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, Capital Power, PG&E, ENMAX, Superior Plus, Silfab Solar, BHE Transmission, Spark Power, Valard Construction, EllisDon, IEEE PES, PwC Canada and Enwave - a broad and high-profile cross-section of the industry. Together, these voices warn that utilities have entered a decade defined not by incremental change but by converging systemic disruption.A sector undergoing its fastest transformation in generationsThe whitepaper outlines six forces now reshaping the sector simultaneously - including AI-driven load growth, cyber risk escalation, climate-driven grid stress, geopolitical trade shifts, reindustrialization and accelerating decarbonization. This convergence, the report notes, means utilities can no longer operate under assumptions of stability.Executives interviewed for the paper underscore the magnitude of the moment:"The electricity industry is undergoing one of the most foundational transformations in its history... Leadership teams must be able to anticipate change, embrace complexity and evolve more quickly than ever," said Jana Mosley, president and CEO of Toronto Hydro."The utility industry is undergoing the most significant transformation in its history. As leadership navigates these complex challenges and opportunities, the customer must be at the center of every decision," said Ed Rihn, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) Montana, BHE Canada & BHE US Transmission."Never before have so many megatrends been impacting the utilities sector simultaneously," said Mark Poweska, president and CEO of ENMAX."This moment requires clarity of purpose and the discipline to invest ahead of the curve... Reliability is becoming a new form of currency," said Allan MacDonald, president and CEO of Superior Plus."Extreme weather and global energy demand require us to rethink how we plan, partner and build the workforce of the future," said Shay Bahramirad, vice president of T&D electric engineering at PG&E and president of IEEE PES.Across organizations and geographies, leaders point to a single unifying theme: traditional leadership models are no longer sufficient for the pace, volatility and complexity now defining utility operations.Why leadership readiness matters now"Utilities are standing at the epicenter of economic transformation, technological acceleration and climate stress," said Les Gombik, managing partner at Caldwell. "This paper captures what we are hearing from CEOs and boards every day: the challenges are intensifying, and the leadership profile that carried utilities through the past decade will not carry them through the next. Our goal was to bring these voices together to illuminate what future-ready leadership really looks like - and where organizations must evolve to keep pace." Gombik's work advising executives and boards across North America provides the foundation for synthesizing these wide-ranging executive perspectives with Caldwell's insights into leadership capability, governance and executive team design.Introducing the Leadership Audit ToolThe report debuts Caldwell's leadership audit tool, a nine-dimension framework that helps boards and executive teams evaluate their readiness across AI strategy, cyber maturity, climate resilience, capital allocation, commercial creativity and broader systemic risk fluency. The tool is designed to offer organizations a practical, structured way to identify gaps and accelerate capability-building in an era when, as the paper states, "systemic shocks are the norm, not the exception." A call to action for utilitiesThe report concludes that the future of North American prosperity - from digital infrastructure to industrial growth to national security - increasingly runs through the grid. As Carlyle Coutinho, CEO of Enwave, notes: "The industry requires a new type of energy - one that is collaborative, adaptive and open to fresh perspectives." With Utilities at the Eye of the Storm, Caldwell aims to accelerate that leadership evolution.AvailabilityUtilities at the Eye of the Storm is available for download at caldwell.com About CaldwellCaldwell is an elite executive search firm trusted by established and growth-focused companies alike. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with clients to design and build extraordinary teams. Our partners don't just place leaders-they challenge assumptions, enable strategy, and prioritize long-term fit. Built through repeat clients and referrals, Caldwell delivers clarity and results without arrogance or shortcuts. For clients seeking substance over scale, we're the confident voice that listens-and leads. For more information, please visit our website atwww.caldwell.com For further information, please contact:Caroline LomotVice President, Marketing & CommunicationsCaldwellclomot@ caldwell.com +1 516 830 3535SOURCE: Caldwell Partners International, Inc.
JERUSALEM, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Monday and early Tuesday carried out airstrikes on multiple sites in Lebanon, including the country's third-largest city, Israeli and Lebanese sources said.

Video footage circulating on social media showed heavy destruction and a large cloud of smoke rising over the coastal city of Sidon following an Israeli strike at around 1 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Monday).

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the strike destroyed a commercial building in an industrial area of Sidon. Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that several people were injured, with no immediate reports of fatalities.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement on Tuesday morning, saying it had targeted Hezbollah and Hamas sites in several areas of Lebanon in a wave of strikes that began on Monday.

"The strikes targeted several weapons storage facilities and military structures, both above and below ground, that were used by Hezbollah to advance attacks against IDF soldiers and against the State of Israel, as well as to rebuild its military capabilities," the military said.

The army added that the strikes also hit Hamas weapons production sites in southern Lebanon.

In strikes on Monday night, the Israeli military targeted buildings in four villages in southern Lebanon and near the country's eastern border. Lebanon's National News Agency said four houses were destroyed and vehicles and shops were severely damaged, while an unexploded missile cut off a road. A Lebanese security source said Israeli warplanes carried out about 10 airstrikes across the areas.

The attacks came days before the Lebanese government was due for a meeting to discuss its mission to disarm Hezbollah in areas near the border with Israel.

The Israeli army occasionally carried out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats," despite a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024. 
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 19:05:13

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 /Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX:ELO)(OTCQX:ELRRF)(FSE:P2QM) ("Eloro", or the "Company") announces that, by mutual agreement with Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. ("Minera Villegas"), the title holder of the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department, southern Bolivia ("Iska Iska"), the final payment required for Eloro to earn a 100% interest in Iska Iska has been deferred by one month to February 6, 2026, to allow for the completion of the required closing documentation.Further to the completion of a $14 million financing last September and the recent exercises of warrants, the Company is well funded to complete its final Iska Iska option payment and advance the next stage of exploration and development.About Eloro Resources Ltd.Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. A NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on Eloro's website and under its filings on SEDAR+. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of the Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and the La Arena Gold Mine.For further information please contact either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa, Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Eloro Resources Ltd.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County("Industrial Credit Union") recently suffered a data breach through one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to the Industrial Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Recently, Industrial Credit Union was informed of a security incident involving one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, which provides both print and email services to financial institutions. Upon learning of the breach, the vendor engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to investigate the nature and scope of the incident. Industrial Credit Union's own systems were not breached.The impacted data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and financial and banking information.On November 26, 2025, Industrial Credit Union filed a notice with the office of the Attorney General of Washington and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Visage Imaging, Inc.("Visage Imaging") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal information of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Visage Imaging.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Visage Imaging recently became aware of a security incident involving unauthorized access to certain personal information within its systems. An unauthorized party accessed personal information, including data elements classified as personally identifiable information ("PII"). The impacted data may include names and Social Security numbers.On November 26, 2025, Visage Imaging filed a public notice with the office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Visage Imaging, Inc., you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Levi & Korsinsky, LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired agilon health, inc. (NYSE:AGL) securities.If you suffered a loss on your agilon health, inc. investment and would like to explore a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, Learn about agilon health, inc. Class Action or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212)363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: A class action securities lawsuit was filed against agilon health, inc. that seeks to recover losses of shareholders who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between February 26, 2025 and August 4, 2025.CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that defendants made false statements and/or concealed that: (1) defendants recklessly issued guidance for 2025 that they knew or should have known was not going to be achieved, given material industry headwinds of which they were aware; (2) defendants materially overstated the immediate positive financial impact from "strategic actions" taken by agilon to reduce risk; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about agilon's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.WHAT'S NEXT? If you purchased agilon health, inc. stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares, learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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"MDCE leadership engages directly with cutting-edge innovators at CES 2026 as MDCE advances its AI wellness application portfolio." LAS VEGAS, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Medical Care Technologies Inc. (OTC Pink:MDCE) is pleased to announce that the CEO and members of the Company's tech team are currently attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES remains the world's largest stage for breakthrough technologies and global innovators, and attendance reflects the Company's continued commitment to remaining at the forefront of emerging AI and digital health innovation."Being present at CES 2026 allows us to engage directly with the leading minds shaping the future of artificial intelligence, mobile technologies, and robotics," said Marshall Perkins III, CEO of Medical Care Technologies Inc. "Our goal is simple - to push the envelope, absorb the latest advancements, build strategic relationships, and ensure Medical Care Technologies remains positioned on the cutting edge of AI-driven health and wellness applications." Medical Care Technologies continues to develop its expanding pipeline of AI-powered health, lifestyle and wellness applications, designed to improve accessibility, awareness, and proactive engagement in consumer health technology. Attendance at CES strengthens the Company's insight into global technology trends and supports its strategy of rapid innovation and international growth.About Medical Care Technologies Inc.Medical Care Technologies Inc. (OTC Pink: MDCE) is an emerging technology company focused on developing AI-driven mobile applications in lifestyle, wellness, and preventative health. The Company is advancing a suite of applications leveraging AI-enabled personalization, pattern recognition, and digital wellness tools designed to empower users in their everyday health journeys.Safe Harbor StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," and similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements following the date of this release.Website: www.medicalcaretechnologies.comX (Twitter):https://x.com/medicalcaretechDeveloper Team Email:digitalappsuite@ gmail.com SOURCE: Medical Care Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK:MDCE)
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / MicroAge  is proud to celebrate the momentous milestone of 50 years as a company. Founded in 1976 by Jeff McKeever and Alan Hald as one of the nation's first computer stores, MicroAge has grown and evolved across five decades. While initially rooted in traditional systems, MicroAge now also leads in cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and full data center services.Technology changes every day, and as IT experts, we have continuously adapted and thrived in the fast-paced technology landscape. One thing remains constant, and that's our dedication to helping companies stay ahead in an environment that's always evolving. Over the years, we've built a strong, relationship-driven culture rooted in our core values - BOLD (Build and respect relationships, Own your actions, Lead with innovation, and Deliver excellence). These principles have guided us through every stage of growth. It's through this mindset of Technology Reimagined that we help organizations stay ahead in an environment that's always evolving.What We've Achieved:Award-winning workplace: Named one of Phoenix Business Journal's Best Places to Work for over a decade.Channel excellence: Honored with CRN 's prestigious Triple Crown Award since 2023, plus seven consecutive years on CRN 's MSP 500 list.Industry leadership: Progressively advanced from a value-added reseller (VAR) to a full-service solutions integrator with deep expertise in cybersecurity, cloud, data, and collaboration services.Celebrating 50 Years of Innovation & ImpactAs we mark this milestone year, we reflect on the qualities that make MicroAge exceptional. Our foundational vision transformed us from a single computer store into a trusted solution provider partner through agile thinking and strong relationships. We're proud to have created a people-centered culture rooted in trust, inclusiveness, innovation, and community engagement, making MicroAge more than just a successful business.Through our ActTogether program, team members consistently get involved with our local communities and give back through our compassion-in-action activities. Learn how we gave back during the 2025 holiday season: Bringing Holiday Cheer to Ronald McDonald House Families Across the Country .Our team's unwavering dedication to excellence gives us the drive to deliver cutting-edge solutions across industries. As part of our commitment to innovation, MicroAge has established dedicated practices in these key areas:Data Intelligence and AI: We created Octem.ai , an end-to-end Data Intelligence & AI solutions framework designed to help organizations strategize, simplify, secure, and scale their digital transformation using the power of AI.Cloud Services: Successfully enable organizations to accelerate innovation and operational agility by delivering secure, scalable Microsoft 365 and Azure solutions, completing seamless migrations, and providing 24/7 proactive management to ensure business continuity.Cybersecurity: Continuously achieve industry-leading protection for clients through a comprehensive, framework-driven approach. To accomplish that, we implement end-to-end security services with around-the-clock threat detection, rapid incident response, and compliance to safeguard enterprise integrity.Services: From proactive IT support to comprehensive professional services, we deliver solutions that empower every aspect of our clients' business. We keep operations running smoothly so our clients can stay focused on driving strategy and innovation.Looking Ahead - Note from Larry Gentry"This golden milestone isn't just about looking back - it's about driving our vision forward. We're igniting the next 50 years with a commitment to innovation through advanced technologies like AI, data intelligence, and secure cloud transformations. Our future is rooted in strengthening partnerships with clients, vendors, and communities, while continuing to invest in our team through growth opportunities, an inclusive culture, and a positive impact that resonates across everything we do.To everyone who's been part of this journey - from our founding associates to today's employees and valued clients - thank you for your trust, collaboration, and inspiration. As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we look ahead with purpose. Together, we'll empower businesses, safeguard communities, and lead with innovation for the next 50 years and beyond." - Larry Gentry, Chief Executive OfficerAbout MicroAgeMicroAge is an award-winning full-service solutions integrator. For 50 years, MicroAge has empowered businesses to advance, secure, accelerate, and transform - moving quickly with technology changes across the channel to drive business forward. Our elite, highly certified team of specialized consultants brings unique expertise to our clients in cybersecurity, data center technologies, implementations, managed IT services, and more. To learn more, visit MicroAge.com MicroAge Contact: Kate SneiderVice President of Marketing480-366-2070 kate.sneider@microage.com SOURCE: MicroAge
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Underscores Nexteer's Steer-by-Wire Leadership & Trusted Partnership with China's Leading OEMsAUBURN HILLS, MI AND SUZHOU, CHINA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in advanced steering and motion control technologies, recently sponsored a Coalition Meeting of the Automotive Chassis-by-Wire Standards Research Group in China, to advance the country's national Steer-by-Wire (SbW) standard.The meeting convened the "Chassis-by-Wire Standard Research Group," a specialized committee within China Automotive Standardization Research Institute responsible for developing and refining China's national Chassis-by-Wire and SbW standard. Nexteer has been an active member of this working group since 2023, playing a collaborative role in shaping technical, safety and performance requirements for next-generation steering systems. On December 2, 2025, the national steering standard GB 176752025, developed with the participation of this working group, has now been officially released.According to various industry analysts, China is expected to lead global adoption of SbW technology as the market rapidly advances toward electrified, intelligent and software-defined vehicles. The development of a national SbW standard provides OEMs with regulatory clarity and confidence to accelerate deployment of this transformative technology at scale."Steer-by-Wire is a foundational technology for the future of vehicle motion control," said Geoff Krieger, Product Line Executive Director, SbW, Nexteer Automotive. "We are honored to contribute to the development of China's national SbW standards that will support safe, reliable and scalable adoption of SbW technology. This critical step further enables OEMs to achieve greater design flexibility, software integration and enhance driving experiences. Nexteer's collaboration reflects its expertise in Motion-by-Wire Chassis control technologies and its commitment to accelerating innovation and customer value." Nexteer's participation reflects its leadership in Motion-by-WireTM Chassis control technologies and its market-leading position as the steering supplier of choice among Chinese OEMs. Nexteer supports the full lifecycle of Steer-by-Wire development and industrialization through local, full-service technical centers across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, providing integrated engineering, manufacturing and validation capabilities to best support customers.As a long-standing innovator in advanced steering systems, Nexteer brings extensive real-world experience in SbW architectures, functional safety, system integration and production readiness. Its contributions help ensure that emerging standards align with proven engineering practices and global mobility trends, including electrification, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving.The Coalition Meeting further reinforced Nexteer's commitment to collaboration across the automotive ecosystem to elevate industry standards and support China's leadership in next-generation vehicle technologies.# # #ABOUT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVENexteer Automotive (HK:1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative portfolio supports by-wire chassis control, including electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems, software solutions and brake-by-wire. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends - including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility - for global and domestic OEMs around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Xiaomi, ChangAn, Li Auto, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. www.nexteer.com Link to Nexteer Media CenterLink to Press KitNexteer Automotive Media Contact:global-usmedia@ nexteer.com SOURCE: Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 20:45:13

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BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Methodist Homes of Alabama and Northwest Florida ("Methodist Homes") is writing regarding a data security incident involving an email account of an employee that contained personal information and health information of certain Methodist Homes residents and employees or prospective employees. Methodist Homes was unable to locate all the addresses of the individuals whose data was involved and, as a result, is making this public notice.On May 21, 2025, Methodist Homes discovered unauthorized activity in a user's email account. Upon discovery, Methodist Homes took action to secure its systems, which included retaining cybersecurity professionals to investigate the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized person had access to the email account between May 8, 2025 and May 21, 2025, and that information in the account was acquired, including personal information and health information. The types of information varied, but for residents, included first and last name combined with Social Security number, date of birth, Medicare number, or medical treatment and condition information. For individuals who were not residents, the information included first and last name combined with Social Security number, passport number, driver's license or state identity card number, medical history information, health insurance information, and online log-in information corresponding with the individual's whose email account was compromised.On January 5, 2026, Methodist Homes has mailed notice of this incident to individuals for which Methodist Homes had identifiable address information. Methodist Homes offered credit monitoring services to those individuals whose Social Security numbers were involved at no cost to individuals through CyberScout, a TransUnion company. Should individuals have any questions or concerns, Methodist Homes has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. The call center can be reached at 1-833-985-2331, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET, excluding major U.S. holidays.Methodist Homes is taking measures to prevent future occurrences, and is reporting the incident to the Offices of Attorneys General for Florida, Alabama, other state regulatory authorities, and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office for Civil Rights.Contact InformationAlecsandra DragusAssociate, Kennedys Law Alecsandra.Dragus@kennedyslaw.com +1 646 625 3950SOURCE: Kennedys CMK LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 19:30:06

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Pelican Credit Union recently suffered a data breach through its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions ("Marquis"), that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Pelican Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?In August 2025, Pelican Credit Union learned from its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions, that Marquis had experienced a data security incident. During the subsequent investigation, it was discovered that an unauthorized third party may have accessed or acquired files containing sensitive personal data belonging to Pelican Credit Union members. On October 27, 2025, Marquis confirmed to Pelican Credit Union that member data was likely involved in the breach.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, tax identification numbers, financial account numbers, and payment card data.On November 14, 2025, Pelican Credit Union posted public notice of the breach on its website. Marquis and Pelican Credit Union recently began mailing notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Pelican Credit Union, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 19:40:06

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This Acquisition Expands PES Benefits' Suite of Solutions to Include ACA & HR Services, and Advanced Broker Support for Partners NationwideRIDGEFIELD PARK, NEW JERSEY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 /PES Benefits, an employee benefits technology, administration, education and virtual care solutions company, has acquired The ETC Companies, a provider of ACA, HR, and broker support services, based out of San Antonio, TX.This strategic acquisition reinforces PES Benefits' commitment to a comprehensive, seamless employee benefits experience, aligning with their motto, " Simple-Flexible-Personal." Since 2013, ETC has been at the forefront of employee ACA reporting and benefits compliance and support, helping to revolutionize and advance the industry."We are excited to welcome all the members of the ETC team-including their outstanding leadership-into the PES Benefits family," said Dave Hurlock, CEO of PES Benefits. "ETC will continue to operate as a dedicated division within our organization, ensuring continuity for clients and preserving the expertise and culture that has made ETC a leader in the industry. Together, we are stronger and better positioned to deliver innovative, client-focused solutions nationwide." For over a decade, ETC has been setting the standard for empowering clients with comprehensive information, clear guidelines, and tailored solutions to make informed decisions while staying within budget. During this acquisition, both companies will work together to deliver a smooth and seamless transition for all clients currently supported by ETC.The acquisition will facilitate expanded service offerings, to include:New ACA Solutions: Leveraging ETC's proprietary software and go-to-market approach to bolster PES' existing solutions and strategies.Robust HR Services : Access to ETC's custom-built HR services designed to help employers navigate and simplify compliance while understanding costly penalties. Through structured guidance and timely reminders with ongoing assistance, ETC's professionals can support organizations of all sizes.Cutting-edge Broker Support: Personalized compliance and risk mitigation support, combining expert professionals, legal guidance, and flexible services to help brokers confidently navigate complex Health and Welfare requirements beyond ACA compliance.PES Benefits remains committed to driving innovation in the employee benefits space, ensuring that every stakeholder, from employee benefits brokers to employees, experiences a benefits process that is not only efficient but also deeply personal and supportive.To inquire about partnering with PES and The ETC Companies for any of our employee benefits solutions, contact sales@ pesbenefits.com or call us at (551)225-8501.About PES BenefitsPES Benefits is dedicated to revolutionizing the employee benefits landscape with cutting-edge technology, administration, education, and virtual care solutions. Since its inception, PES Benefits has focused on simplifying the benefits experience, making it more accessible and meaningful for all involved.About The ETC Companies The ETC Companies delivers flexible, best-practice compliance solutions rooted in deep industry experience, empowering clients with clear guidance, tailored options, and actionable insights to manage risk, control costs, and improve efficiency. Rather than rigid full-service packages, ETC develops customized plans aligned to each client's specific needs and budget, focusing only on the services that provide the most value.For more information about The ETC Companies, visit www.theETCcompanies.com/ SOURCE: PES Benefits
Young artists perform at the opening ceremony of the "Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin" held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The opening ceremony of the dialogue was held at the Harbin Ice-Snow World here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Artists perform at the opening ceremony of the "Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin" held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The opening ceremony of the dialogue was held at the Harbin Ice-Snow World here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Artists pose for photos at the opening ceremony of the "Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin" held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The opening ceremony of the dialogue was held at the Harbin Ice-Snow World here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Young artists perform at the opening ceremony of the "Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin" held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The opening ceremony of the dialogue was held at the Harbin Ice-Snow World here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Young artists perform at the opening ceremony of the "Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin" held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The opening ceremony of the dialogue was held at the Harbin Ice-Snow World here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

A delegate to the "Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin" tries her hands trimming an ice sculpture after the opening ceremony of the dialogue in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The opening ceremony of the dialogue was held at the Harbin Ice-Snow World here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Delegates to the "Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin" visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The opening ceremony of the dialogue was held at the Harbin Ice-Snow World here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 11:00:28

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Acquisition Unlocks Robust Synergies Across Online Community and In-Person EventsLITITZ, PA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Planet Microcap Holdings LLC announced it has acquired Planet Microcap LLC. Planet Microcap Holdings LCC is owned by Ian Cassel, founder of MicroCapClub.com . Planet Microcap LLC, owned by the Kraft Family, is an independent event organizer and media company that has been operating in-person microcap events since 2014.The business will continue to operate under the Planet MicroCap brand. Shelly and Lulu Kraft will support the business over a transition period, and Bobby Kraft will continue to lead the Planet MicroCap events business post-acquisition, as well as continue to host the Planet MicroCap Podcast.Ian Cassel commented, "Over the last several years I've been watching Shelly, Lulu, and Bobby Kraft build the best large scale, fully independent, microcap in-person event organization in North America. In 2025, MicroCapClub formed a strategic collaboration with Planet MicroCap with two events in Las Vegas and Toronto. The feedback from investors, companies, and partners was overwhelmingly positive. It became obvious the two brands should be brought together under an aligned vision and mission to achieve the greatest impact." Shelly and Lulu Kraft commented, "We both look forward to the continuing success of our legacy family business and wish the best of luck to both Ian and Bobby in their future endeavors." Bobby Kraft commented, "MicroCapClub is universally viewed as the thought leader in the microcap space. The ability for microcap investors to meet online on MicroCapClub.com and then meet in-person at our Planet MicroCap events is a powerful synergy. I look forward to working alongside Ian and the team at MicroCapClub to continue to raise the standard with our events by bringing the best investors and companies together online, and in person." Upcoming Events:June 16-18, 2026 - Planet MicroCap Las VegasOctober 27-29, 2026 - Planet MicroCap TorontoAbout Planet MicroCapPlanet MicroCap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.About MicroCapClubMicroCapClub is an exclusive forum for experienced microcap investors to share and discuss microcap companies (sub $1 billion market cap) trading on global markets. Since 2011, our members have profiled 1500+ microcap companies, 300+ have turned into multi-baggers. Investors can join our community by applying to become a member or subscribing to gain instant access. For more information, visit https://microcapclub.com/ media@ planetmicrocap.com SOURCE: Planet Microcap Holdings LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 19:32:06

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") of the important January 26, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Alexandria Real Estate Equities securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Alexandria Real Estate Equities class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48531 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 26, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Alexandria Real Estate's expected revenue and funds from operations ("FFO") growth for the 2025 fiscal year, particularly as it related to the growth of Alexandria Real Estate's real estate operations. The defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Alexandria Real Estate Equities' lease activity, occupancy stability, and ability to develop its tenant pipeline.According to the lawsuit, defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of its Long Island City ("LIC") property. In particular, Alexandria Real Estate's claims and confidence about the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Alexandria Real Estate Equities class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48531 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 23:05:07

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JACKSONVILLE, NC / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / In business, risk is discussed constantly, but rarely owned correctly. Too often, organizations reduce risk to a compliance function, treating it as something to be documented, audited, and filed away. According to Rowdy Oxford, a business development executive at JD Martin, this mindset carries a hidden leadership cost that many organizations will not recognize until they face disruption, failure, or crisis.Rowdy Oxfordargues that when leaders treat risk as a compliance requirement rather than a leadership responsibility, they unintentionally weaken decision-making, accountability, and organizational resilience. Policies may be followed, reports may be submitted, and boxes may be checked, yet the organization remains unprepared for real-world uncertainty. "Compliance can confirm that a process exists," Oxford notes, "but it does not guarantee that people are ready to act when conditions change." The distinction matters more now than ever. Businesses are operating in environments defined by supply chain instability, labor shortages, cybersecurity threats, and infrastructure strain. In these conditions, risk does not present itself neatly or predictably. It emerges through cascading failures, time pressure, and incomplete information. Leaders who rely solely on compliance frameworks often discover that those systems were designed for oversight, not action.Rowdy Oxford's perspective is shaped by decades of experience in military service, emergency preparedness, and private-sector leadership. Across these domains, he has seen that the most damaging failures rarely stem from a lack of rules. They stem from unclear ownership of risk and hesitation at the leadership level. When no one feels personally responsible for identifying, communicating, and acting on risk, the organization defaults to delay.One of the most common leadership mistakes, Rowdy Oxford explains, is delegating risk entirely to specialized departments. While legal, compliance, and safety teams play a vital role, risk cannot be confined to their silos. When leaders distance themselves from risk conversations, they lose situational awareness and create a culture where escalation feels procedural instead of urgent. Over time, teams tend to focus on managing risk on paper rather than in practice.This approach also distorts decision-making. Leaders who see risk only through compliance reports tend to underestimate timing and overestimate control. They assume that because a process was approved, the outcome is manageable. In reality, risk evolves faster than documentation. By the time a formal review cycle catches up, the window for decisive action may have closed.Rowdy Oxfordemphasizes that effective risk leadership requires engagement, not avoidance. Leaders must actively participate in risk discussions, challenge assumptions, and ask uncomfortable questions to drive effective decision-making. They must be willing to make decisions with imperfect information and to accept accountability for outcomes. "Risk does not disappear because it was reviewed," he says. "It is reduced only when leaders take ownership and act." Another leadership cost of compliance-driven risk management is erosion of trust. Frontline teams quickly recognize when leaders rely on policy language instead of judgment. When employees sense that leadership is insulated from consequences, confidence declines. In contrast, organizations where leaders visibly engage with risk build credibility and cohesion. People perform better when they know decisions are grounded in reality rather than procedure.Oxford also highlights the long-term strategic implications. Companies that treat risk as a compliance issue tend to become reactive. They respond after disruptions occur, rather than anticipating them. Over time, this reactive posture limits growth, discourages innovation, and increases exposure. Leaders become more focused on avoiding blame than enabling progress.By contrast, organizations that integrate risk into leadership behavior develop resilience. They train leaders to assess trade-offs, communicate clearly under pressure, and align teams around priorities. Risk becomes part of strategy, not a barrier to it. This shift allows companies to move faster with confidence rather than slower with fear.Oxford believes the solution begins with reframing risk ownership. Leaders at every level must understand that risk is inextricably linked to decision-making. It cannot be outsourced, deferred, or hidden behind checklists. It must be acknowledged openly and managed deliberately. This does not mean abandoning compliance, but recognizing its limits."Compliance supports leadership," Oxford says. "It does not replace it." The organizations that will endure are those whose leaders step beyond formal requirements and accept responsibility for navigating uncertainty.As businesses confront an increasingly complex world, Oxford's message is clear. Treating risk as a compliance issue may satisfy regulators, but it weakens leadership. Treating risk as a leadership obligation strengthens organizations, protects people, and positions companies to respond effectively when it matters most.To learn more visit: https://rowdyoxford.com/ Contact:To learn more visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowdy-oxford/ Contact: emailoxford@ rowdyoxford.com SOURCE: Rowdy Oxford
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 17:35:08

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GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / Smart Eye (STO:SEYE)(OTC PINK:SMTEF)(FRA:SE9) - The integration brings ASIL-grade in-cabin sensing to Renesas' multi-domain compute, enabling faster launches and simpler system design for software-defined vehicles.Smart Eye, the global leader in Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) and Interior Sensing AI, today announced expanded support for centralized automotive compute platforms, with its production-proven driver and occupant monitoring software now available pre-integrated on Renesas' new R-Car X5H, the flagship system-on-chip (SoC) of the R-Car Gen 5 family.This pre-integration enables Smart Eye's safety-critical software to operate alongside infotainment and other high-performance workloads on a single compute unit, supporting the shift toward centralized architectures in software-defined vehicles.The R-Car X5H is built to host mixed-criticality workloads, enabling Smart Eye's ASIL-B-compliant driver and occupant monitoring to operate in a protected execution environment while ADAS and L2+ functions run alongside infotainment, visualization, and AI applications. This architecture reduces the number of electronic control units required in a vehicle and supports faster program launches with lower system cost.As part of this integration, Smart Eye's software is included in the Renesas RoX Whitebox SDK, giving OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers immediate access to a ready-to-run in-cabin sensing stack during early platform evaluation. With pre-validated camera support and a lightweight compute footprint, Smart Eye's software can be activated out of the box with minimal setup, eliminating lengthy integration cycles and accelerating time-to-market for safety-critical features."OEMs are moving rapidly toward centralized compute, and Renesas' R-Car Gen 5 platform shows how safety and infotainment domains can coexist without compromise," said Detlef Wilke, Vice President Innovations & Strategic Partnerships at Smart Eye. "Pre-integration enables OEMs to deploy driver and occupant monitoring quickly and securely, without adding hardware or creating integration bottlenecks. It shortens the path from concept to production and reduces the friction that typically slows new vehicle programs." "Smart Eye has a long history of delivering reliable in-cabin sensing on Renesas platforms," said Aish Dubey, Vice President of the High Performance Computing SoC Business Division at Renesas. "With the R-Car X5H, we're enabling partners like Smart Eye to run safety-critical applications alongside advanced cockpit and AI workloads on a unified architecture. This approach reduces system complexity for our customers and speeds the deployment of new vehicle features." Renesas will present invitation-only demonstrations at CES 2026 featuring the R-Car X5H and RoX Whitebox SDK. Smart Eye will also showcase its automotive technology portfolio in West Hall booth #3327 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.For meeting requests during CES, visit https://www.smarteye.se/ces-2026/#book-an-appointment About Smart Eye Smart Eye is the leading provider of Human Insight AI, technology that understands, supports and predicts human behavior in complex environments. The company is on a mission to bridge the gap between humans and machines for a safe and sustainable future. Supported by Affectiva and iMotions - companies it acquired in 2021 - Smart Eye's multimodal software and hardware solutions provide unparalleled insight into human behavior.In automotive, Smart Eye's driver monitoring systems and interior sensing solutions improve road safety and the mobility experience. The company's eye tracking technology and iMotions biosensor software platform are also used in behavioral research to enable advanced research in academic and commercial sectors. In media analytics, Affectiva's Emotion AI provides the world's largest brands and market researchers with a deeper understanding of how consumers engage with content, products, and services.Founded in 1999, Smart Eye is a global company headquartered in Sweden, with customers including NASA, Nissan, Boeing, Honeywell, Volvo, GM, BMW, Polestar, Geely, Harvard University, 26 percent of the Fortune Global 500 companies, and over 1,300 research organizations around the world. Visitwww.smarteye.aifor more information.Smart Eye Press Contact: Lisa StrandvikHead of Global Marketing, Smart Eye lisa.strandvik@smarteye.se AttachmentsSmart Eye Announces Pre-Integrated Driver and Occupant Monitoring on Renesas' R-Car Gen 5 PlatformSOURCE: Smart Eye
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 19:10:06

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / St. Anthony Regional Hospital ("St. Anthony") recently announced it experienced a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to St. Anthony.Levi & Korsinsky LLP is investigating claims arising from this data breach. If you would like an attorney to review your potential claim, visit our site here.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?In August 2024, St. Anthony Regional Hospital became aware of suspicious activity within its computer network. Upon detection, St. Anthony launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity specialists and notified federal law enforcement.The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to St. Anthony's network between August 14, 2024, and August 28, 2024. During this time certain files were accessed or downloaded without authorization.The impacted data may include names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, payment card information, financial account information, billing or claims information, doctor's names, medical device serial numbers, biometric data, prescription information, disability information, patient ID, and health insurance information.On December 29, 2025, St. Anthony Regional Hospital publicly disclosed the incident and began sending notification letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal or protected health information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATIONData breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from St. Anthony Regional Hospital,you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-06 04:00:11

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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 5, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilJanuary 12, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Stride, Inc. ("Stride" or the "Company") (NYSE:LRN), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between October 22, 2024 and October 28, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Stride and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-lrn/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 12, 2026 .About the LawsuitStride and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On September 14, 2025, it was reported that the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education had filed a complaint against the Company, alleging fraud, deceptive trade practices, systemic violations of law, and intentional and tortious misconduct, including inflating enrollment numbers by retaining "ghost students" on rolls to secure state funding per student and ignoring compliance requirements, including background checks and licensure laws for its employees. On this news, the price of Stride's shares fell $18.60 per share, or 11.7%, to close at $139.76 per share on September 15, 2025.Then, on October 28, 2025, the Company disclosed that "poor customer experience" had resulted in "higher withdrawal rates," "lower conversion rates," and had driven students away, and that the Company estimated the impact caused approximately 10,000-15,000 fewer enrollments and that, because of this, its outlook is "muted" compared to prior years. On this news, the price of Stride's shares fell $83.48 per share, or more than 54%, to close at $70.05 per share on October 29, 2025.The case is MacMahon v. Stride, Inc., et al., Case No. 25-cv-02019.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
The board of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has approved the appointment of Adeleye Falade as the companys new managing director and chief executive officer.

The appointment was disclosed at a send-off ceremony held in Abuja last December to mark the end of the tenure of the incumbent managing director, Philip Mshelbila, whom Mr Falade will succeed.

Mr Falade is expected to assume office in April 2026, following Mr Mshelbilas exit after more than four years at the helm of the company.

Following the approval of the NLNG Board of Directors, Engr Adeleye Falade has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He is expected to assume duties in April 2026, joining NLNG from Brunei LNG, where he currently serves as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, the NLNG Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, said in a statement.

NLNG is a major player in the countrys energy sector, producing liquefied natural gas and natural gas liquids for export from its Bonny Island plant in Rivers State.

The company plays a key role in reducing gas flaring and promoting cleaner energy globally and operates as a joint venture involving the Nigerian government and international oil companies.

According to the company, Mr Mshelbila will leave NLNG at the end of December to assume office as Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Doha, Qatar.

Mr Falade is currently the managing director of Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad, a position he has held since April 2024. Before that, he served as Shell Namibia country chair between September 2023 and April 2024.

He previously worked at NLNG as general manager, production, from May 2019 to September 2023, and earlier as operations manager between July 2015 and May 2018.

His international experience also includes a stint as regional AMS implementation manager at Shell in The Hague, the Netherlands, from May 2018 to April 2019.

NLNG said Mr Falade has worked across upstream and midstream assets in seven countries spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Russia and Africa, and has expertise in gas and petroleum operations, product optimisation, engineering, business improvement and change management.

Mr Falade is an energy professional with an engineering degree and a Master of Business Administration from Henley Business School in the United Kingdom.
The journey into the abyss

It was about two weeks after John Anozie buried his mother in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, south-east Nigeria, and returned to Lagos to be with his wife, Nnenna Anozie, and their four children, the eldest of whom was less than nine years old at the time.

On the quiet morning of 15 June 2017, just before 8 a.m., Mr Anozie was set to drive out of their compound. As the security guard flung the gate open for him to hit the road, five armed men in mufti stormed in with their guns drawn.

One of them glanced through his phone, as if checking the photo of his prey, and confirmed their target, Mrs Anozie recalled.

The men, later identified as operatives of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian police, were not from Abia State. They were from the Awkuzu branch of the police unit in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.

They dragged Mr Anozie, 43 years old at the time, out of the car and shoved him into his bedroom at gunpoint. Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu, the gang leader, ransacked wardrobes and drawers, seizing cash and a briefcase, which he handed to Emeana Uzochukwu, Mrs Anozie told PREMIUM TIMES. They also took our passports, birth certificates and other personal documents.

When Mrs Anozie tried to call a friend to help take the children away, one of the invaders pointed a gun at her. He ordered me to hand over my phone, or he would shoot. They collected all the phones they saw, good or bad, she said.

Before leaving with the helpless Mr Anozie, the police officers took the familys two SUVs away and the keys to another Infiniti Q45.

Mrs Anozie, who was in her mid-30s, recalled one of the officers as saying, Look for someone to manage your husbands business. Nothing in this country, neither the court nor any human being, can do anything about this matter.

More than eight years on, that threat echoes in her mind. I thought whatever made Uzochukwu Emeana say this must be very strange, she said, her voice cracking. And no wonder, nothing has been done by the police in over eight years.

SARS, the peoples menace

SARS, which became an affliction to Nigerians, was created in 1992 to fight armed robbery and kidnapping in Lagos before expanding nationwide.

For decades, the police tactical unit was notorious for arbitrary arrests, disappearances and deaths, among other atrocities, which Nigerians endured from the units personnel.

Most atrocities went unreported. Yet, Amnesty International, an international human rights organisation that monitors and documents abuses worldwide, recorded at least 82 instances of torture and extrajudicial killings by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020 in its 2020 report.

By October 2020, the units cup was full, after surviving a series of previous campaigns for its proscription over the years.

The #EndSARS protest, a youth-driven mass action against police brutality, erupted across Nigerian cities. The demonstrations were triggered by a viral video showing how police officers killed a man and seized his car. The campaign, which first took hold online, spread to at least 21 of Nigerias 36 states, as young Nigerians demanded an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the rogue police unit.

The protest was peaceful in many places but turned violent in many others, where residents and hoodlums hid under the cover of the protest to loot and destroy public and private property.

As the protests swelled, authorities promptly heeded the call for the disbandment of SARS.

But the protesters wanted more. A #5for5 demands list credited to the leaderless protest circulated widely online. Apart from calling for the disbandment of SARS, the charter of demands also included the release of arrested demonstrators, compensation for victims, a psychological evaluation and retraining of all members of the defunct SARS unit before their redeployment to other police units, and an increase in police salaries. It also included a call for the setting up of independent panels of inquiry to investigate police atrocities with a view to punishing or prosecuting the erring police officers and compensating the victims.

The National Economic Council (NEC), comprising state governors and other top government officials, and led by the Vice President, then Yemi Osinbajo, promptly adopted the recommendation that such a panel be set up across the 36 states and Abuja.

Despite its early success in securing the proscription of SARS and the authorities commitment to probe police atrocities and compensate victims, the protest continued. But it ended tragically on 20 October 2020, when security forces opened fire at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, killing at least nine and injuring 48 peaceful protesters, the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry would later find.

The toll gate attack and many cases of police brutality, most of which predated the #EndSARS protests, including Mr Anozies abduction and disappearance, were later relived before the panels of inquiry.

Data from the CLEEN Foundation showed that by January 2021, about 3,044 petitions were filed before #EndSARS judicial panels in 29 states and the FCT, covering cases, including extrajudicial killings, torture, unlawful detention, enforced disappearance, property seizure and extortion by SARS and other police units.

The Abuja panel contributed 295 petitions to the national figure. One of them was Mrs Anozies complaint, which detailed her familys ordeal from Lagos, where her husband was abducted, to Akwuzu, where the atrocity was officialised, and Abuja, where the chase after justice has continued without end.

Police failed me

The mention of Awkuzu SARS sent shivers down the spines of many. Those who went in rarely came out. The cruelty of its officers gained national notoriety.

Emmanuel and Hope Iloanya repeatedly visited the Awkuzu facility after their son, Chijioke, was arrested in 2012. Al Jazeera reported that the then head of SARS in Anambra State, James Nwafor, told the family, Chijioke had been killed, and nothing could be done. The familys subsequent visits to the then police commissioner in the state, Bala Nasarawa, yielded nothing. In 2020, Mr Nwafor claimed Chijioke died during a robbery operation, a story the family rejected.

Mrs Anozie was also consumed by the stories about the inhuman activities of Awkuzu SARS.

The signs of what lay ahead came early.

They wore no uniforms, had no identification, and acted like criminals, pointing guns at me and seizing my phone, she said, recalling the day her husband was taken.

She only found out who they were by sheer luck of instinct. She recalled that some members of the gang entered the house, while two of them remained outside.

Because they seized my phone, I was stranded and approached one of them outside, and he gave me his contact information. I later borrowed a phone to call him, Mrs Anozie said. His name is Ibe. I dont know his other names. I followed up with him, and he told me that I should come to Awkuzu SARS.

When she first visited the office, she recognised Mr Obiozor, who led the team that seized her husband.

According to her, Mr Obiozor demanded N5 million to allow her husband to speak to her. She refused to give in to the demand, hoping that reason would prevail. However, each time she returned, she was stopped by Sunday Okpe, then Officer-in-Charge of Anambra SARS, and never allowed to see her husband.

For weeks, Mrs Anozie expected her husband to be charged in court, but nothing happened.

Legal experts said the police are obligated to state the alleged offence of a suspect and disclose where the suspect is taken. A suspect must be charged in court within 48 hours, Abayomi Amupitan, a lawyer, added. Since they never arraigned him, everything done after his arrest was illegal, the lawyer said.

When SARS failed to take him to court, Ms Anozie filed a right enforcement suit at the Anambra State High Court in Ogidi, Idemili Division, on behalf of her husband.

Nearly seven weeks after Mr Anozies disappearance, the Anambra State High Court ordered the police on 24 July 2017 to release or charge him in court. The order was ignored.

Months later, police told the court he died in custody. Another ruling from the same court on 16 April 2018 ordered the release of his body. The police snubbed the order.

Mrs Anozie petitioned the then-Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, whose X-Squad investigation indicted two officers, Emeana and John Eze, while another suspect, Tboy, fled.

The police officers denied seizing any property from Mr Anozie. But a Force Headquarters investigation, which confirmed the seizure, found that the vehicles taken by the officers were likely diverted.

The police could not arrest the team leader, Mr Obiozor. Those arrested were later freed on bail, and the case went dormant.

Police investigators found withdrawals from Mr Anozies Zenith Bank account days after his abduction. Yet, no prosecution or restitution followed. After a series of petitions and follow-ups, Mrs Anozie believed the silence showed the police were unwilling to act or reveal the truth about her husband.

Theres a cabal in the force, she said, breaking into tears, the police deliberately and maliciously failed me.

Its enough to kill me- The torturous journey of chasing after justice

As it became clear the police would not act, Mrs Anozie petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2020, a move that proved to be prescient.

Months later, the #EndSARS protests swept across the country. She said the movement felt like thousands were finally echoing the pain her family had carried for years.

She contemplated joining the demonstrations but chose instead to continue protesting through the courts and petitions, as a mark of her belief in the rule of law.

Since she had reported her case to the NHRC before the protests began, her petition was referred to the judicial panel of inquiry set up by the commission in Abuja on behalf of the federal government.

Her petition was one of the 295 received by the panel.

However, her hope soon gave way to frustration.

The accused police officers  Sunday Okpe, Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu, Emeana Uzochukwu, John Eze, and Oriole (Tboy)  refused to honour the panels repeated summonses, and the police authorities spurned the panels calls to facilitate their appearance.

The case was adjourned about 12 times in two years for the named police officers to appear. Mrs Anozie travelled by air to and from Lagos to Abuja each time. She also told the panel she had received threats from Mr Okpe.

Due to a lack of cooperation from the police to provide necessary information and produce the officers, the panel declared the case inconclusive.

Many petitions ended in a similar fashion.

Of the 295 petitions submitted to the panel in Abuja, only 95, roughly one-third of the cases, were concluded by the time the panel closed two years later. The rest were either withdrawn, struck out, or sent back to the NHRC for further actions, due to factors including police disobedience, as in Mr Anozies case.

The panel of inquiry headed by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, Suleiman Galadima, rebuked Ogbeh Ochogwu, a deputy commissioner of police and head of the Legal Department, for disobeying directives issued in Mr Anozies case.

The orders issued by the panel on 4 March, 13 April, and 14 April 2022 were ignored as Mr Ochogwu neither appeared nor produced the case file.

On 25 April 2022, the panel directed Inspector-General Usman Alkali Baba to arrest and produce Mr Ochogwu, but nothing happened.

The panel held that police authorities and their officers failed to disclose Mr Anozies whereabouts and had not returned his seized property.

However, it said it could not reach a decision regarding Mr Anozies whereabouts due to the hurdles mounted on its way by the police.

It urged the NHRC to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LDPC) to take disciplinary action against Mr Ochogwu. This order was not carried out, according to Mrs Anozie. PREMIUM TIMES enquiries from the NHRC also showed that the recommendation was not implemented.

The #EndSARS panels inquiry closed, but Mrs Anozies dogged search for justice did not.

In 2023, through Falana and Falana Chambers, she petitioned the current IGP Kayode Egbetokun. When the police failed to act, she hired another lawyer, Vincent Adodo, to invoke the Freedom of Information Act, seeking information regarding the case from the police authorities. True to form, the police ignored the request, prompting her to file a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to enforce her right to access information about the case. The police, although served with the suit, never showed up in court for a defence.

The court granted all her prayers in its judgement delivered on 24 September 2025.

In her ruling, Judge Binta Nyako ordered Mr Egbetokun to hand over four officers for prosecution and release the case files, including the 2023 monitoring report, 2017 X-Squad file, and legal opinion, within seven days.

It has been over three months since the judgment, yet nothing has been done. Ms Anozie told PREMIUM TIMES, What has happened over these eight years is enough to kill me. As she tried to describe the agony and pain of her continued search for justice, her voice faltered, and she went silent for a moment.

When she gathered herself, she said only her quest for justice, love for her husband, and concern for her children kept her going.

Justice means nothing

But five years after #EndSARS and its fallouts, one question lingers: what has changed?

The same culture of impunity, the trigger for the protest, shadowed the judicial panels set up to bring reprieve to victims of police brutality.

Police officers ignored summonses of the panels and continued to disobey court orders. The panels in many states never concluded their probes, while others never made their reports public.

Human rights lawyer and senior legal analyst at Gavel Citizens, a law firm that provides free legal representation for victims of human rights abuses, Sylvester Agih, said the protest achieved limited success. Mr Agih, who represented arrested protesters and victims during the Lagos judicial panels hearing, rated the #EndSARS protests overall effectiveness at three out of 10.

Police killings during the protest and unlawful detention allegations persist after the October 2020 protest.

A 35-year-old victim, Ifeanyi Agbaeze, was left paralysed from the gunshot that hit his chest during the Lekki Toll Gate rally on the memorable 20 October 2020. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES last October, Mr Agbaeze said he joined the protest because police kept killing young people and continued telling the youth that nothing would happen.

He said nothing has been done for him or many other survivors despite winning their case before the Lagos panel.

Mr Agbaezes father died three days after the shooting. He did not recover from the shock of learning that his son had been hit. Mr Agbaeze lost his job and can no longer utilise his skills due to the injury. More than five years on, with no compensation, he said justice in Nigeria means nothing.

As of April 2024, only Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, and the FCT had paid compensations to families, leaving N1.77 billion unpaid across 25 states, while 13 states had yet to submit their reports to the NHRC.

Yet, for many who received monetary compensation, justice did not come in full measure. According to Mr Agih, the lawyer at Citizens Gavel, which prosecuted close to 13 cases before the panel and secured about N53 million for 11 individuals, true justice requires accountability and that officers involved should have been prosecuted. Because they were not, deep trauma has lingered.

The #EndSARS panel in Abuja recommended the prosecution and dismissal of 28 police officers for their involvement in the extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearance. The NHRC confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the panels recommendations for prosecution, expected to be carried out by the Attorney-General of the Federations office, were not implemented.

Soweto Hassan, who took part in the October 2020 #EndSARS demonstrations, told PREMIUM TIMES that none of the core issues raised during the protest were resolved. He said the movement achieved only 15 to 19 per cent of its aims. If anything, he said, it only proved that young people can challenge authority.

He said SARS disappeared in name only, adding that illegal roadblocks, extortion and extrajudicial killings continue, trapping the country in a cycle of police abuse.

Pain, trauma without end

The injuries, common to many Nigerian families harmed by SARS, run deep for the Anozies. Mrs Anozie said she and her children remain in the firm grip of the pain of loss without closure and the hope of waiting without answers.

The long legal and administrative fight has drained her emotionally and financially. Ive spent millions of naira since the first day after the incident, she said, citing trips to the NHRC, the panel, police offices  all in Abuja  legal fees, and payments to officers in Lagos and Anambra for over eight years.

The emotional toll has been severe.

The demoralisation, persistent chest pain, constant headaches, shocks, and other complications have landed me in hospital several times. Millions have also gone into just keeping me alive, she said through tears. Each time we hear a sound at the gate, it feels like they have come again. We hardly sleep.

Her children also carry the pain. Sometimes they go to school and at events that involve their father, they just sit in silence watching, she said.

Still, justice is Mrs Anozies focus. She told PREMIUM TIMES that the police cannot tell me a sergeant, who said no one can do anything, is above the law.

If I could speak to the president or the attorney general, I would tell them to ensure these officers are arrested and prosecuted, return everything they took from my house, and tell us what happened to my husband. If they killed him, let them say it. If not, let them produce him, she said.

Lawyers, rights groups demand action

In its 20 October 2024 statement to commemorate the October 2020 #EndSARs tragedy, Amnesty International said it still received near-daily complaints of police abuses across Nigeria.

Just four days before Amnesty International issued the memorial statement, on 16 October 2024, a Lagos man died after falling into a canal in Ipaja while fleeing from police officers who accused him of being an internet fraudster. The canal is a stormwater drainage channel near the Federal Bus Stop in the Ipaja Ayobo area. A friend said officers threatened to shoot him and pushed him to his death.

Mr Hassan, the activist who partook in the October 2020 protest and the October 2024 memorial rally in Lekki Toll Gate, the location of the 20 October 2020 fatal shooting by security forces, insisted impunity persists because police remain loyal to the state and political elites. He warned that another large-scale protest, greater than the #EndSARS movement, is inevitable. The youth will not tolerate oppression indefinitely.

Mr Agih agreed, saying, There might likely be an EndSARS 2.0. He noted that many protesters left the 20 October 2020 shooting scene with their grievances, vowing not to rest until their demands were met.

Mr Amupitan, the lawyer, condemned the violation of Mr Anozies rights, saying it defies the spirit of the Nigerian constitution. He said Mrs Anozie had fulfilled every requirement and urged President BolaTinubu to intervene.

Officers who flout court orders must be held accountable, he said. This is not only about justice for one family; it affects Nigerias reputation. When the country fails to uphold human dignity, no other nation will respect her, said the lawyer.

For reform, Mr Agih said the government should establish a body like the US Marshal to enforce court judgements, considering how much the Anozies have been denied justice due to the non-implementation of court decisions regarding the case.
A coalition of civil society organisations has strongly condemned what it described as fiscal rascality in the handling of Nigerias 2024 and 2025 federal budgets, accusing President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly of constitutional breaches, lack of transparency and the systematic exclusion of citizens from the budgeting process.

The organisations  Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), PLSI, BudgIT and PRIMORG- made the allegations in a joint statement titled Stop This Fiscal Rascality in Nigeria, on Tuesday.

Their concerns arise against the backdrop of Mr Tinubus transmission of fresh Appropriation (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bills for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years to the National Assembly on 19 December 2025.

The president requested legislative approval to repeal the existing budgets and replace them with revised expenditure frameworks, which the presidency said were aligned with prevailing fiscal realities.

According to details accompanying the request, the first bill seeks to repeal the 2024 Appropriation Act, originally passed at 35.06 trillion, and re-enact it with an increased total expenditure of 43.56 trillion for the year ending 31 December 2025.

The revised 2024 budget comprises 1.74 trillion for statutory transfers, 8.27 trillion for debt service, 11.27 trillion for recurrent non-debt expenditure, and 22.28 trillion for capital expenditure and development fund contributions.

The second bill seeks to repeal the 2025 Appropriation Act of 54.99 trillion and re-enact it with a reduced total expenditure of 48.32 trillion for the period ending 31 March 2026. The revised proposal allocates 3.65 trillion for statutory transfers, 4.32 trillion for debt service, 13.59 trillion for recurrent non-debt expenditure, and 16.71 trillion for capital expenditure and development fund contributions.

Following the transmission, the relevant committees of the National Assembly immediately met to consider the presidents request. They concluded their work within days and presented their report at the next plenary sitting on Tuesday, 23 December 2025.

The report was adopted the same day, paving the way for the swift approval of the repeal and re-enactment of both Appropriation Acts.

Assault on Constitution and Fiscal Order

However, the civil society groups argued that beyond the figures and the speed of legislative action, the entire process represents a grave assault on Nigerias constitutional and fiscal order.

They expressed grave concern over what they described as constitutional breaches arising from the repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts, alleging a collaboration between the executive and the legislature that undermines fiscal accountability.

The organisations also decried the opacity surrounding the federal budgeting process, noting that 18 days after the presentation of the federal executive budget, neither the Budget Office of the Federation nor the National Assembly had uploaded the budget documents on their websites.

We are concerned about the opacity, lack of transparency and popular participation in the federal budgeting process, to the extent that eighteen days after the presentation of the federal executive budget, the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) and the NASS have failed, refused and neglected to upload same to their websites, the statement read.

They further stated that the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts (Repeal and Re-Enactment) bills approved by the National Assembly were not available to Nigerians on any electronic portal and that there was no opportunity for public participation in their consideration and passage.

According to the groups, these actions raise fundamental questions about the management of public revenues and expenditures, as well as the commitment of both arms of government to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The organisations recalled that Section 81 of the Constitution explicitly provides for the submission of expenditure proposals by the president to the National Assembly and requires legislative approval before public expenditure is incurred.

They noted that this requirement is reinforced by Sections 80(2), (3) and (4) of the Constitution, which collectively establish that expenditure must be based on prior legislative approval and not retrospective endorsement of spending already incurred.

They argued that the 2024 Appropriation Act should have expired on 31 December 2024 but was controversially extended by the National Assembly first to June 2025 and later to December 2025.

Even during the extended lifespan, the organisations said, the executive failed to implement the budget in line with its provisions. They contended that seeking to repeal and re-enact the expired Act while increasing its size by more than 8 trillion amounts to a legal and constitutional impossibility.

This is a legal and constitutional impossibility and can only be possible in a country where the rule of law is continuously desecrated.

It is an affront to the fiscal provisions of the Constitution for the President to spend extra N8trillion in public funds without prior legislative approval and Nigeria was not operating under any declared fiscal emergency, the statement said.

The CSOs accused the president of seeking legislative endorsement only after the expenditure had already occurred, while describing the National Assemblys role as that of a supine rubber stamp.

On the reduction of the 2025 budget, the organisations argued that budgets are ordinarily reviewed mid-year, around June, with outcomes reflected through formal amendments, not arbitrarily revised in December when their lifespan should end.

They rejected claims by the National Assembly that the repeal and re-enactment exercise was meant to align Nigerias budgeting process with global best practices, enhance transparency and resolve implementation challenges.

According to them, such justifications find no support in Nigerian fiscal laws, policies or international best practice, and instead reflect mismanagement and a gross abuse of due process.

The groups also cited Section 48(1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates the federal government to conduct its fiscal affairs transparently, ensure full and timely disclosure, and widely publish all transactions involving public revenues and expenditures.

They argued that the refusal to make public the 2026 Appropriation Bill, as well as the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts (Repeal and Re-Enactment), constitutes a clear violation of the law.

They lamented that citizens cannot engage meaningfully with fiscal processes when budget documents are inaccessible, noting that in the past the Budget Office produced citizens budgets to simplify complex fiscal documents, a practice they said has now been abandoned.

Against this backdrop, the civil society organisations demanded that the National Assembly ensure there is no expenditure without appropriation, warning that unbudgeted spending carried out in violation of constitutional provisions amounts to an impeachable offence.

They also demanded an unconditional commitment from President Tinubu to abide strictly by constitutional limits, spending only what has been duly appropriated.

The groups further called for the immediate publication of the 2026 federal budget estimates on the websites of the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Assembly, alongside the prompt release of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts (Repeal and Re-Enactment) bills and the enacted laws.

They also demanded a firm commitment to fiscal transparency in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and a guarantee of popular participation in the consideration and approval of all fiscal laws and policies.

They warned that continued disregard for constitutional and fiscal safeguards risks eroding accountability, weakening democratic governance and deepening public distrust in the management of Nigerias public finances.
The Tanimu Turaki-led National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC), met with former President Goodluck Jonathan behind closed doors in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Turaki said the visit was to introduce the new party leadership to Mr Jonathan following their election at the national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

He described Mr Jonathans response as reassuring and very encouraging, noting that the former president expressed a deep sense of obligation to the party.

We have solicited, as usual, for his support, for his guidance, for his advice, as always.

We have his assurance that hes still a card-carrying member of the PDP; hes still active, and will even be more active these days in the activities and affairs of the PDP.

He has assured us that PDP has done everything for him that can be done to an individual, and that he still feels that he remains obligated to PDP.

His remarks and statements are not only reassuring, but indeed they are very encouraging as we begin to prepare for elections; off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year and 2027 general elections, Mr Turaki said.

The chairman maintained that, despite the current internal crisis, the PDP remains the most veritable platform for winning elections in Nigeria.

We still remain the leading opposition party in this country, and this new leadership of PDP is taking this party back to the people, who are the owners.

In doing so, theres going to be a level playing ground thats going to be inclusivity. There will be no longer impunity and we are not going to allow people to take what does not belong to them, he said.

Mr Jonathan was the countrys president between 2010 and 2015 on the platform of the PDP. He, however, lost the 2015 presidential election to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP was in power for 16 years before its defeat by the APC.

Mr Jonathan had previously served as vice president, acting president, governor and deputy governor of Bayelsa State under the PDP.

Since losing power in 2015, the former president has not actively participated in the partys activities.

The PDP has, in the last few months, factionalised, with Mr Turaki leading one group and Abdulrahman Mohammed heading the other. The latter is loyal to the FCT Minister, a member of the party who serves in the APC-led federal government.

PDPs exclusion from Ekiti gov poll

Responding to questions regarding the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) exclusion of the partys candidate for the Ekiti election, Mr Turaki insisted the party had fulfilled all statutory obligations.

He explained that while INEC monitored the primaries and provided portal passwords for data uploads, the commission later blocked the partys access.

We had done manual submission to INEC, which they collected. INEC, as a regulator, has the discretion to attend or refuse, but they honoured our notices, monitored our primaries, and wrote reports.

As far as I am concerned, INEC has recognised this leadership, he said.

On the lingering crisis within the party and the potential for political solutions rather than protracted litigation, Mr Turaki said that the PDP is open to reconciliation.

He said that while he believed in reconciliation, it was not the party that took matters to court, but rather they were in court to defend the party.

I am one of the advocates who believe that it is not every political disagreement you take to court. But we were the ones sued. We have an obligation to defend the party.

Even after these matters are resolved by the courts, we will still come back. We are willing to carry along those who are loyal and show genuine remorse, he said.

Mr Turaki added that the leadership was ready to sit at a round table with all aggrieved members to move forward as one big PDP family.

Those at the meeting were former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, former Minister of Information and National Orientation Jerry Gana, and Chairman of the PDP South-south Caretaker Committee Emmanuel Ogidi.

Others were the National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong; and Deputy National Secretary, Richard Ihediwa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Turaki-led NWC had also met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders across the country.

(NAN)
BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers recently presented a storm nowcasting system based on satellite data and AI techniques, achieving effective convection nowcasting up to 4 hours in advance.

This breakthrough, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was jointly achieved by Wang Jingsong of the National Satellite Meteorological Center, together with researchers from various universities and research institutes.

Nowcasting is the process of obtaining current observations of the atmosphere and using them to generate rapid, short-term predictions of the future atmospheric state. The speed and practicality of nowcasting means that it plays a crucial role in early warning systems of natural hazards around the world.

"Severe convective weather is characterized by strong suddenness, rapid evolution and great destructive power," said Wang Jingsong. The lead time and coverage of it still leave much to be desired and hardly meet the needs of disaster emergency response.

The research team leverages the advantages of the Fengyun-4 series in large-scale, seamless monitoring to obtain long-duration data, enabling the extraction and prediction of the complex and random movements of convective cloud clusters.

The team proposes a deep diffusion model for satellite data (DDMS) to establish an AI-based convection nowcasting system. The system achieves broad coverage of about 20,000,000 square kilometers, remarkable accuracy, and high-resolution convective forecast every 15 minutes within 4 hours.

Its performance reaches a new height in convection nowcasting compared to the existing models, according to the research.

With the newly launched Fengyun-4 03 satellite -- which enables inter-satellite coordination, high-speed data transmission, and broadcast functions -- the three Fengyun-4 satellites will now form an integrated and coordinated observation network.

This enhanced network will significantly improve China's capabilities in weather forecasting, meteorological disaster prevention, space-weather monitoring, and ecological-environment observation. 
Venezuelan police have launched a search for collaborators following the arrest of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro by US special forces, according to a decree declaring a state of emergency.

The decree, which came into force on Saturday but was made public in full on Monday, said all police units at the federal, state, and municipal levels had been instructed to look for individuals who supported the US operation.

Earlier, several US media outlets reported that the US military appeared to have received assistance on the ground during the operation.

According to the reports, one person within Mr Maduros close circle is alleged to have continually passed on information about his whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Venezuelas journalists union, the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP), said 14 reporters had been detained in the interim.

The organisation later said all journalists had since been released.

Reports of gunfire near presidential palace

Meanwhile, heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace in Caracas days after the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, according to posts circulating on social media.

Videos shared online on Monday showed armoured security vehicles in the streets near the Miraflores presidential palace, while gunshots could be heard.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately clear.

Venezuela is home to a range of armed groups, including criminal organisations and pro-government paramilitaries known as colectivos.

Shootings are not uncommon in some neighbourhoods of the capital.

Early Saturday, the US attacked targets in Venezuela, captured Mr Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and took them out of the country.

The couple appeared in a New York court on Monday to face charges related to alleged drug offences.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president on Monday.

The political future of the oil-rich country remains uncertain.(dpa/NAN)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is three goals away from equalling Rashidi Yekinis Nigeria scoring record after a brace against Mozambique.

Nigeria thrashed Mozambique 4-0 in their 2025 AFCON Round of 16 clash at the Complexe Sportif de Fes in Morocco, with goals from Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams.

Osimhen struck in the 25th and 47th minutes to raise his international tally to 34 goals, three short of Yekinis long-standing record.

The Galatasaray forward was later substituted in the 63rd minute following a brief on-field disagreement with Lookman.

He opened the scoring by tapping in Akor Adams assist and doubled Nigerias lead early in the second half from Lookmans pass.

The match also marked Osimhens 50th appearance for Nigeria, underlining his growing legacy with the national team.

Yekini retired in 1998 as Nigerias leading scorer with 37 goals from 62 appearances, a record that has stood for decades.

Since March 2025, Osimhen has enjoyed a prolific run, scoring nine goals in 10 matches for the Super Eagles.

He overtook Segun Odegbami to become Nigerias second all-time top scorer in March 2025 and continues to close in on Yekini.

Despite nearing the record, Osimhen said his focus remains on helping Nigeria win a fourth AFCON title.

He said, I dont think about records

I just fight for the team and try to contribute with goals and assists.

Osimhen has now scored three goals at AFCON 2025, placing him joint second in the tournaments scoring chart.

Nigeria will face either Algeria or DR Congo in Saturdays quarter-final encounter.
The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of applications for the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026, inviting eligible Nigerians to apply for commission as officers.

In a statement posted on X, the army said the DSSC is open to both civilians and serving military personnel, with vacancies available in selected corps, including the Nigerian Army Engineers, Nigerian Army Signals, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and the Nigerian Army Education Corps.

The army said applications are free and must be submitted online. The application window opens on 7 January and closes on 4 February.

Prospective applicants are advised to apply through the Nigerian Army recruitment portal. For further inquiries, the army provided the following contact numbers: 08179269294 and 08109959294, available daily between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The DSSC scheme allows qualified professionals to be commissioned into the army to provide specialised services in their respective fields.

General requirements

The army in a flier attached to the post, said applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth and aged between 20 and 32 years as of 30 March, with an age limit of up to 40 years for medical consultants.

All applicants are required to be medically, mentally, and physically fit in line with Nigerian Army standards and must meet stipulated physical criteria, including a minimum height of 1.68 metres for males and 1.65 metres for females.

Candidates must be of good character, with no criminal convictions, the army emphasised, noting that applicants must not belong to any cult or secret society, and must not have body inscriptions or tattoos.

Serving military personnel are required to be free from disciplinary cases and must present formal endorsement from their Commanding Officer.

Documentation and educational qualifications

Prospective applicants are required to possess a minimum of a first degree with at least Second Class Lower Division or an HND with Upper Credit from a recognised institution, where applicable.

Academic qualifications considered must have been obtained between 2011 and 2025. Applicants must present valid documentation, including a birth certificate or age declaration endorsed by a recognised authority, a state of origin certificate, and a valid National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge or exemption certificate.

Original copies of all academic certificates will be required during selection. Graduates with professional qualifications must also be fully registered with relevant statutory professional bodies recognised under Nigerian law at the time of commissioning.

Character, referees and other conditions

Applicants must be recommended by at least two reputable referees from their state of origin. Such referees, the army noted, must be either a local government chairperson or secretary, a senior Armed Forces officer not below the rank of lieutenant colonel or equivalent, or an assistant commissioner of police and above.

Referees are required to endorse the application and attach their passport photographs. In addition, applicants must provide valid contact details of their parents or guardians and next of kin as part of the application process.

Specific corps and professional requirements

In addition to the general criteria, applicants must meet corps-specific professional requirements depending on their chosen field.

The DSSC is open to qualified professionals in the Nigerian Army Engineers, Signals, Medical Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and Education Corps.

These include engineers with relevant degrees in civil, electrical, mechanical, computer and allied disciplines; medical doctors, consultants, nurses, pharmacists and other allied health professionals who are fully registered with their respective councils; and education specialists with recognised teaching or education-related qualifications.

Applicants to these corps are required to possess the appropriate academic degrees, professional certifications, and statutory registrations relevant to their discipline.
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society organisation advocating transparency and efficiency in the Hajj and Umrah sector, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to institutionalise an examination-based, merit-driven process for the appointment of Hajj officials.

The organisation made the call in a statement on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad.

The organisation said the absence of structured screening and assessment mechanisms at both state and national levels has continued to undermine the quality of services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

While urging State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to resist political interference, IHR stressed that only tested, trained and competent individuals should be appointed as Hajj officials.

It criticised the practice of appointing political loyalists as ad hoc staff, noting that such individuals often create operational challenges rather than providing solutions during the pilgrimage.

The group also expressed concern over reports that some appointed officials, who reportedly enjoyed the same services as pilgrims paid up to 8.5 million for the 2025 Hajj, still staged protests in Saudi Arabia over the alleged inadequacy of their Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA).

According to IHR, such conduct further highlights the urgent need for stricter and more transparent selection processes ahead of the 2026 Hajj.

IHR warned that the embarrassment recorded during the 2025 Hajj must not be repeated, stressing that Nigerias conduct during the pilgrimage is constantly under global scrutiny, because over 162 countries participate annually.

It noted that lapses by officials not only affect pilgrims but also damage Nigerias international image.

The group urged NAHCON to formalise a merit-based screening process and require successful candidates to sign undertakings clearly defining their duration of assignment, scope of duties, entitlements and conduct while on duty in Saudi Arabia.

NAHCONs ongoing efforts

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES has observed that NAHCON is conducting a structured screening for several categories of ad hoc personnel engaged for Hajj operations, including medical teams, media personnel, security operatives and ulama.

The process is coordinated through relevant departments staffed by qualified professionals who oversee and supervise the selection and engagement of personnel in their respective fields.

As part of preparations for the 2026 Hajj, the commission recently invited interested medical professionals to apply for its medical team, outlining clear selection criteria based on professionalism, experience and qualifications, an approach widely seen as a step in the right direction.

Commenting on the developments, Hajj expert and stakeholder Hassan Mohammed commended NAHCON for prioritising professionalism in its early preparations for the 2026 Hajj.

This call is timely and necessary. It can help block loopholes and ensure that only passionate and competent professionals are engaged in the process. Politics should have no place in critical processes like Hajj operations, he said.

Mr Mohammed, however, noted that most of the challenges often originate at the state level, urging State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to embrace professionalism and transparency.

If there is a need to accommodate interests, it should be done without compromising efficiency or introducing people who will create problems in the long run, he added.

Together, the CSOs advocacy and NAHCONs emerging reforms signal a growing consensus on the need to professionalise Nigerias Hajj operations ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage.
A professor emeritus, Biodun Jeyifo, has said decolonisation in Nigeria and other postcolonial societies cannot be achieved through administrative reforms alone, arguing that meaningful change must involve the redistribution of resources alongside development.

Mr Jeyifo made the remarks on Monday while speaking at a symposium held in his honour to mark his 80th birthday by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) in Lagos. Scholars, activists and former students reflected on his intellectual and political legacy at the event.

The literary scholar criticised what he described as the tendency to equate decolonisation with institutional restructuring, noting that such approaches often sidestep deeper questions of economic inequality.

Restructuring without redistribution changes nothing, he said, arguing that administrative reorganisation, without addressing how wealth and resources are shared, merely reproduces colonial-era injustices under new political arrangements.

Drawing on his personal and political history, Mr Jeyifo said postcolonial societies had largely failed to fulfil early promises of social transformation.

He noted that many developing countries recorded only marginal improvements in living standards decades after independence, despite political reforms.

Placing the issue in a personal context, he recalled growing up as one of seven siblings, only two of whom survived into adulthood, saying such experiences showed how abstract development statistics often conceal real human suffering.

These are not abstract statistics, he said. This is lived reality.

Mr Jeyifo recalled his involvement in Nigerias anti-poverty and redistribution debates in the 1970s, stressing that the idea of pursuing development without redistribution had long been contested by scholars and activists.

He referenced the 1979 Constitution, particularly its Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which he said envisaged Nigeria as a social democratic state rather than a fully capitalist or neoliberal one.

According to him, the constitutional framework rejected the notion of developing first and redistributing later, insisting that both processes should proceed simultaneously.

He said subsequent governments weakened this vision by sidelining those principles.

Mr Jeyifo also reflected on the role of the university in shaping political consciousness, recalling debates over the removal of history from school curricula and the marginalisation of critical and Marxist scholarship.

He said decolonisation must involve sustained struggles over knowledge production, public policy and social justice, warning that abandoning these struggles risks entrenching inequality under new political arrangements.

The scholar expressed gratitude to former students and colleagues for their tributes, describing teaching as both a political and moral responsibility.

He urged younger generations to continue what he described as the unfinished work of decolonisation.

Decolonisation remains unfinished

Delivering the keynote address at the symposium, Priyamvada Gopal, a professor of Postcolonial Studies at the University of Cambridge, called for a renewed and expansive understanding of decolonisation.

She argued that the project remains unfinished decades after political independence across Africa and Asia.

Ms Gopal said decolonisation should not be reduced to the attainment of national sovereignty but understood as a broader struggle involving economic justice, social transformation and resistance to new forms of domination.

Drawing on the legacy of 1955

Bandung Conference and the 1956 Congress of Black Writers and Artists in Paris, she said early anti-colonial thinkers such as Frantz Fanon and Aime Cesaire viewed independence as a beginning rather than an endpoint.

According to her, the failure to dismantle inherited colonial economic and political structures has led to what she described as an arrested decolonisation in many postcolonial societies.

She argued that post-independence elites in several former colonies preserved colonial institutions, including security and legal systems, often deploying them in authoritarian ways under the banner of nationalism.

Ms Gopal warned that nationalism, while central to anti-colonial struggles, has in some contexts facilitated ethnic and religious majoritarianism rather than genuine liberation.

She also criticised what she described as the dilution of decolonisation in contemporary academic and policy debates, cautioning against its use as a rhetorical slogan divorced from material realities such as inequality, dispossession and environmental degradation.

Addressing global politics, Ms Gopal said the situation in Palestine showed that colonial practices persist in the modern world, describing Israels actions in Gaza as settler-colonial violence reaching what she called a genocidal juncture.

She questioned the limited response of countries in the Global South, including emerging economic blocs such as BRICS, to what she described as ongoing colonial violence.

Panel reflections on Jeyifos legacy

Following Ms Gopals lecture, a panel session was held in response to her address, moderated by Ropo Sekoni, a professor.

Panellists included three other professors, namely Jibrin Ibrahim, Akin Adesokan, and Femi Folorunsho, some of whom joined virtually.

In his opening remarks, Mr Sekoni said decolonisation must be qualitatively different from colonialism, warning that it could not simply involve replacing colonial rulers while retaining the same extractive structures.

Referencing the work of Aime Cesaire, he described decolonisation as a project of imagination, asking what kind of world is being prepared for future generations.

He said literature and culture remain critical spaces for articulating alternative futures beyond colonial and postcolonial orthodoxies.

Other panellists linked Mr Jeyifos scholarship to ongoing debates on nationalism, capitalism and international solidarity, arguing that many postcolonial states inherited colonial political structures that later became instruments of repression.

They said economic dependence, elite capture of state power and global capitalism had undermined early postcolonial aspirations, calling for a renewal of decolonisation as a political and moral project.

Former students reflect on Jeyifos legacy

Former students of Mr Jeyifo also spoke during a second panel at the event, describing his teaching as intellectually demanding and personally transformative.

Panellists included journalist Sam Omatseye, school proprietress Bisi Anyadike, lawyer and poet Ogaga Ifowodo, journalist Kunle Ajibade, and Ms Gopal.

They said Mr Jeyifos emphasis on close reading, critical thinking and the relationship between literature and social reality left a lasting impact on their academic and personal lives.

Mr Ifowodo said the scholars mentorship extended beyond the classroom, recalling how he supported his academic journey, including writing letters of recommendation for further studies.

Mrs Anyadike said Mr Jeyifos lectures shaped her understanding of African literature and history and influenced her decision to remain in Nigeria, pursue teaching and later establish a school.

Ms Gopal recalled discussions with Mr Jeyifo on democracy in India, Pakistan and Nigeria, stressing his insistence on reading political texts within their social and historical contexts.

Early life and intellectual formation

In his opening remarks, publisher and cultural activist Yemi Ogunbiyi traced Mr Jeyifos early life and intellectual formation, saying they first met in 1961 and bonded over a shared love for reading.

Mr Ogunbiyi described Mr Jeyifo as intellectually rebellious, noting that his formative years were shaped by personal loss, including the death of a brother due to a genetic condition, and his own survival of a rare blood disorder.

The chairman of Tanus Books said the scholars influence extended beyond his generation, inspiring many to pursue academic careers.

He also highlighted Mr Jeyifos role in advancing university autonomy in Nigeria.

During his remarks, Mr Ogunbiyi read excerpts from a personal letter Mr Jeyifo wrote to him in 1969 from London, reflecting on race relations, employment and the challenges faced by Nigerians in the United Kingdom.

Falana pays tribute

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, also paid tribute to Mr Jeyifo during a goodwill message, describing him as a formative influence whose academic activism shaped generations of radical scholars, lawyers and social advocates.

Mr Falana recalled his years as an undergraduate, saying lecturers associated with Nigerias radical intellectual tradition protected students who were frequently targeted by university authorities.

He said Mr Jeyifo, during his tenure as president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ensured the reinstatement of radical and Marxist lecturers dismissed by the military government in the late 1970s and intervened on behalf of expelled students across the country.

Mr Falana also spoke on constitutional reforms, noting that progress had been made in enforcing aspects of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

According to him, several laws now give legal force to provisions previously considered non-justiciable, including legislation on free basic education, disability rights and access to healthcare for vulnerable groups.

He said his organisation intends to challenge the federal government in court over what he described as weak implementation of these laws.

Nigerians must be encouraged to enforce these rights, he said, adding that litigation remains a key tool for compelling government compliance.
The UN Security Council remained sharply divided on Monday during an emergency session over the US capture of Venezuelas President, Nicolas Maduro, in a weekend military operation.

The emergency meeting followed Washingtons removal of Mr Maduro from Caracas, an action that has unsettled governments across Latin America and drawn global diplomatic concern.

Several delegations questioned the legality of the operation, while others defended it as a response to alleged criminal conduct by Venezuelas leadership.

The Security Council, charged with maintaining international peace and security, is empowered to authorise sanctions, peacekeeping missions and military action.

It comprises 15 members, including five permanent members with veto powers: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The remaining 10 members are elected for two-year terms and do not possess veto authority.

Speaking at the session, the United Kingdom said Maduros claim to power was fraudulent.

UK Ambassador, James Kariuki, said Mr Maduros governance produced severe poverty, violent repression and collapsed public services.

He said these failures triggered a regional displacement crisis, placing pressure on neighbouring countries.

Mr Kariuki said Britain sought a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Government reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people.

He reaffirmed the UKs commitment to international law and the UN Charter.

These foundations are essential for maintaining global peace, security and the rule of law, he said.

The United States rejected claims of aggression, insisting there is no war against Venezuela or its people.

US Ambassador Michael Waltz said Washington conducted a surgical law enforcement operation to apprehend two indicted fugitives.

He named narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro and Celia Flores as targets of the operation.

Mr Waltz likened the action to the 1989 arrest of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega.

He described Mr Maduro as a fugitive leading a vicious foreign terrorist organisation.

The US envoy alleged links between Mr Maduros network and international drug trafficking operations.

He cited claims of extrajudicial killings, torture and arbitrary detentions under Maduros rule.

Mr Waltz said more than eight million Venezuelans have fled the country, creating one of the worlds largest displacement crises.

China strongly condemned the US action, calling it unilateral, illegal and bullying.

Chinas representative said Beijing was deeply shocked by Washingtons conduct in Venezuela.

He accused the United States of trampling on Venezuelas sovereignty and placing force above diplomacy.

The Chinese envoy warned that the action posed a grave threat to peace in Latin America and beyond.

He urged Washington to heed the overwhelming voice of the international community and return to dialogue.

Russia echoed Chinas concerns, saying US actions were fuelling neocolonialism.

Russias UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, described the operation as armed aggression violating international law.

He called for the immediate release of the legitimately elected President and his spouse.

Mr Nebenzia urged Council members to reject double standards and resist fear of the American global gendarme.

He warned that the United States sought control over Venezuelas natural resources.

According to him, such actions risk generating renewed imperialism and neocolonialism.

ALSO READ: Trump says US will run Venezuela following kidnap of Maduro by American forces

Latvia, a non-permanent member, said Mr Maduros regime repeatedly violated the UN Charter.

Latvian Ambassador, Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes, said the regime was rooted in repression, corruption and organised crime.

She said these practices posed a serious threat to regional and global security.

Panama urged a democratic transition in Venezuela grounded in popular will and respect for international law.

Colombia condemned Saturdays events, warning of severe migratory consequences for the region.

Bogota urged all parties to respect the UN Charter and avoid further escalation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed respect for sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.

He warned that the US action set a dangerous precedent for the global order.

A civil society representative, Mercedes De Freitas, said criminal groups maintained a symbiotic relationship with Maduros administration.

She said corruption and organised crime had hollowed out state institutions.

Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, said the Venezuela crisis tested the UN Charters prohibition on the use of force.

The issue is whether any Member State, by force or coercion, can determine Venezuelas political future, he said.

(NAN)
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has faulted the Abia North Senator, Orji Kalu, over his recent remarks that he would ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) takes over Abia in 2027.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Kalu, a member of the APC, recently vowed to do all within his powers to deliver Abia to the party in the 2027 general elections.

But Mr Otti, in a statement by his media aide Ferdinand Ekeoma, on Monday, said Mr Kalus frequent statement that he would support the would-be APC candidate, rather than the governor, in the 2027 Abia State governorship poll had become pedestrian and ludicrous.

The Abia governor, a member of the Labour Party (LP) under which he was elected in 2023, said he has never asked Mr Kalu to support his re-election bid or appealed to him to work against his party and their would-be governorship candidate in 2027.

Mr Otti said Mr Kalu is committing a calamitous blunder of costly consequences if his repeated statements are meant to threaten him. Threats toughen rather than frighten or weaken Governor Otti, the statement said.

He said the APC, which Mr Kanu backed, lost woefully during the 2023 governorship and presidential elections across all polling units and wards within Bende LGA of Abia State, where the senator hails from.

At this point, we challenge Senator Kalu to produce his unit and ward results in the last governorship and presidential elections.

The question is, if he truly worked for the president and his party, why did the President lose in his constituency while he won in the election conducted on the same day? he stated.

Again, those who genuinely want to support their party and candidates do not make unnecessary noise about it, rather they show it through hard work and sincere dedication.

Mr Otti boasted that, considering how he was voted for in 2023 under the LP, the Abia people would still support and vote massively for him or any other candidates or party he directs them to vote for in 2027 because of the enduring transformation he had brought to the state since becoming governor.

It would be strange if Senator Kalu has yet to realise that Abia people see Governor Alex Otti as their best political party, and his re-election as a divine project that must be executed with courage, passion and precision, he argued.

The governor also mocked Mr Kalu for drafting his younger brother, Mascot Kalu, into the 2027 governorship race in Abia State, saying the same person contested in the 2023 election under the platform of the Action Peoples Party but came last at the poll.

Ill support LP senatorial candidate to unseat Orji Kalu in 2027  Otti

Mr Otti also pointed out that, at the moment, four capable and formidable senatorial aspirants had indicated their intention to run for the Abia North District seat under the LP in 2027.

The governor vowed that he would massively support whoever emerges as the LP candidate for the district to unseat Mr Kalu during the forthcoming 2027 senatorial election in the south-eastern state.

Background

Some APC members in Abia State have been threatening to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 governorship election to unseat Mr Otti.

For instance, apart from Mr Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has repeatedly vowed to ensure that Abia State becomes an APC state by 2027.

READ ALSO: Otti speaks on his Labour Party membership as Peter Obi defects to ADC

Mr Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, claimed that it is odd that, despite his position as Deputy Speaker, his state remains under the control of the LP.

The federal lawmaker at a recent event asked Governor Otti to switch over to the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Meanwhile, the governor has yet to declare his interest, although there are indications that he will seek reelection in 2027.
The Nigerian government announced new measures on Monday to curb examination malpractice during the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

The SSCE is administered by examination bodies such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board.

The SSCE is a prerequisite for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Educations spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the government announced that the measures form part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigerias assessment system.

New measures

Quoting the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the statement said the reforms include the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation.

While all candidates will answer the same examination questions, the sequencing and arrangement will differ for each candidate, ensuring that every student writes a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing opportunities for collusion, the statement explained.

The government said it has also introduced new national Continuous Assessment (CA) guidelines, which all examination bodies must adhere to.

According to the statement, the first-term CA must be submitted in January, the second-term CA in April, and the third-term CA in August.

These timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records across the country, the statement noted.

The government also introduced a unique Examination Learners Identity Number for all candidates.

The identifier, it said, will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management.

The Ministers further assured stakeholders that examination administration will be conducted under strengthened supervision and coordination with relevant examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines and ethical standards.

They emphasised that these measures reflect the Federal Governments resolve to conduct examinations that are credible, fair, and reflective of global best practices, while addressing Nigerias unique educational realities, the statement added.

Last month, the government prohibited the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level.

The directive was to eliminate cases where candidates cross carpet to other schools for examination malpractices.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that some political leaders are misleading Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid rising political tension in the south-southern state.

Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, disclosed this on Monday when he visited Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state.

Following a previous political crisis in Rivers in 2025, which was triggered by a feud between Governor Fubara and Mr Wike, President Bola Tinubu brokered a second peace deal between them in June of last year.

The two politicians also reached some undisclosed agreements as part of the peace deal.

Politicians misinforming Nigerians after endorsing agreement

Speaking to his supporters during the visit on Monday, Mr Wike claimed some unnamed political leaders in Rivers were deliberately misinforming Nigerians about the peace deal after endorsing the agreement.

The FCT minister described the alleged deliberate misinformation as irresponsible and capable of destabilising the south-southern state.

People think they can just say anything in politics and it will not matter. It matters. If it did not matter yesterday, it will matter today, and if not today, it will matter tomorrow, he said.

He stressed that the agreement was collectively endorsed and that all parties freely appended their signatures only to return to Rivers and begin to contradict the same position they had earlier accepted.

Agreements must be honoured

Mr Wike insisted that the agreement reached before President Tinubu during the emergency rule last year must be honoured.

Without revealing the details of the agreement, the FCT minister claimed that Mr Fubara reneged on the agreement.

The agreement was duly signed by key stakeholders, including a former governor of Rivers, Peter Odili, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as well as leaders of major political parties and other top officials.

The FCT minister described Rivers as an important political force in the South-South region and urged political leaders to always speak the truth, especially on sensitive issues that affect peace and stability in the state.

He also recalled attempts by some factions to dismantle the Peoples Democratic Partys structure in the state during a past convention, pointing out that the move failed and eventually collapsed.

Mr Wike argued that his political decisions have always been guided by principle rather than personal interest or party loyalty.

The FCT minister further praised Mr Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented appointments of Rivers State indigenes into key federal positions, saying the president has demonstrated sincerity and commitment by honouring agreements reached with others.

Background

There has been political tension in Rivers State due to intense exchanges between Messrs Fubara and Wike in recent times.

The exchanges were triggered by Mr Wikes recent allegation that Mr Fubara reneged on the terms of the peace deal brokered between them by President Tinubu in June last year.

Previously, a political crisis in Rivers, triggered by the feud between Governor Fubara and Mr Wike, resulted in the declaration of emergency rule in the state by President Tinubu in March 2025.

Mr Fubara, who was suspended by Mr Tinubu for six months alongside all elected officials in the state, only returned to office in September of that year after the president declared an end to the emergency rule.

This was after President Tinubu brokered a second peace deal in June between Messrs Fubara and Wike alongside their supporters.
Troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army and Operation Enduring Peace have rescued a retired senior military officer identified as Colonel Ajanaku (rtd), from kidnappers in the State.

Mr Ajanaku was rescued in the Rafiki axis of the Bassa Local Government Area.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3rd Division, Nigerian Army, Aliyu Danja, confirmed the rescue of the retired senior military officer.

I can confirm that the senior officer was rescued by our troops in the early hours of the evening. Hes currently taken to our medical facility for a medical check-up,  Mr Danja, a lieutenant-colonel, said.

Sources in Bassa narrated that the retired military officer was abducted at about 12:45 a.m. on Monday from his house located opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road in Bassa LGA.

The sources said troops from relevant sectors promptly responded to the incident and trailed the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park, while search and rescue operations were intensified around caves and rocky high grounds suspected to be criminal hideouts.

The security forces were said to have switched to covert operations, leading to the successful rescue of Mr Ajanaku at about 5:30 p.m. on the same day at the outskirts of Rafiki.

Our correspondent reports that the abductors had, before the rescue operation, contacted the victims wife and demanded a ransom of N200 million, threatening to kill the retired officer if rescue efforts were not halted.
CAIRO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Six people died and seven others suffered smoke inhalation in a fire on Monday at an addiction treatment facility in Egypt's Qalyubia governorate, north of the capital Cairo, state media reported.

Upon receiving the alarm, security forces and civil protection units, supported by fire engines and ambulances, rushed to the site in Benha city, state-run Akhbar El-Yom newspaper reported.

Firefighters contained the blaze, preventing it from extending to adjacent residential buildings in the densely populated area, the report said.

Public prosecution has launched an investigation while authorities have ordered a forensic inspection to determine the cause of the fire. 
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says a US attack on Greenland would mean the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

During an interview with Danish broadcaster TV2 on Monday, Mrs Frederiksen said that the US choosing to attack another NATO country will end the alliance.

One should take the American president seriously when he says that he wants Greenland.

If the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War, She said, according to Al Jazeera.

Her statement follows repeated calls by the US President Donald Trump for the Island to be under the countrys control.

Mr Trump has cited security concerns as justification for the proposed annexation of the island. His recent comment on the semi-autonomous island, which came after the US military attacked Venezuela and abducted President Nicholas Maduro, disturbed world leaders.

The US military action in the Latin American country was felt across the globe. Mr Trump, following the attack, told reporters on Sunday that he would talk about Greenland in 20 days.

Although Denmark has been diverting growing sums of money to the self-governing territory of 57,000 people, including billions of dollars for defence and infrastructure, Mr Trump said the country isnt doing enough to protect the island.

They have a very small population, and I dont know  they say Denmark, but Denmark has spent no money. They have no military protection.

They say that Denmark was there 300 years ago or something, with a boat. Well, we were there with boats too, Im sure. So well have to work it all out, he had said.

Several European leaders, however, have declared support for Denmark.

Voicing his support for the Nordic country, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, I stand with her, and shes right about the future of Greenland.

France and Germany have also said they stand by Greenland.

Why Trump wants Greenland

However, Mr Trump is not the first US leader to declare interest in Greenland. The US interest in the Island dates back to the mid-19th century, specifically 1867, when Washington first formally explored the idea of purchasing the island from Denmark.

That year, Secretary of State William Seward commissioned a study on acquiring Greenland and Iceland, shortly after the US bought Alaska from Russia. The logic was based on strategic interest: Arctic access, trade routes, and long-term security considerations. This effort, however, was unsuccessful.

Greenland sits at a crossroads between the North Atlantic and the Arctic. Its vast reserves of critical minerals and fossil fuels are of growing interest to the US and its two major rival countries, China and Russia.

Although an ice sheet covers most of the Island, climate change is accelerating its melting, potentially making those resources more accessible, while also opening shorter maritime routes linking North America, Europe and Asia.

Mr Trump has, however, claimed his decision to annex the country is not influenced by mineral wealth, adding that the US already has adequate access to critical minerals.

Greenland also hosts the US militarys northernmost air base and a radar installation critical for missile warning and space surveillance.
A high-capacity commercial bus caught fire on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, on Tuesday afternoon, causing traffic congestion for commuters travelling towards the Iyana Oworo axis.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the Adekunle section of the bridge, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

In a statement posted on its official X account, LASTMA said the burning bus obstructed traffic on the bridge, prompting the deployment of traffic officers to the scene.

A high-capacity bus is on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge, by Adekunle, inwards Iyana Oworo, affecting traffic. Efforts are ongoing to put out the fire, and our officers are on scene managing the traffic situation, the statement said.

A subsequent update confirmed that personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were actively battling the blaze.

No casualties were reported as of the time of filing this report, and the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.

The Third Mainland Bridge, an 11.8-kilometre link between Lagos Island and the mainland, is one of the citys busiest transport corridors and frequently experiences disruptions from accidents, vehicle breakdowns and fire incidents.

In 2018, a bus and another vehicle caught fire near the same Adekunle section, disrupting traffic  though without reported fatalities.

READ ALSO: Troops rescue abducted retired army colonel in Plateau

The bridge has also been the site of various crashes, including one in 2022 that claimed lives at the Adekunle interchange.

Authorities enforce traffic and safety regulations on the bridge due to its heavy daily traffic volume, with any incident often triggering widespread congestion across adjoining routes in Lagos.
The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) on Tuesday highlighted key areas of concerns requiring clarifications in President Bola Tinubus N900 billion Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP).

According to a press statement by the CeFTPI, the Executive Director, Umar Yakubu, warned that the absence of a clear implementation framework poses a significant risk to public integrity.

The federal government launched the RHWDP in August 2025 to enhance livelihoods and promote economic growth at the grassroots level.

Part of the programmes objective includes the empowerment of at least 1,000 people in Nigerias 8,809 wards with jobs and entrepreneurship.

The programme had an ambitious national goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

The government has since released N900 billion for part-implementation of the programme, which has been disbursed in tranches between September and November 2025.

However, the CeFTPI on Tuesday cautioned that the programme is currently shrouded in opacity, and open to misappropriation despite being a landmark initiative that envisions an average of N102.1 million per ward.

The Centre advised on the implementation of safeguards to prevent diversion of funds.

The red flags

According to the Centre, parts of the areas of ambiguity include the ward paradox, implementation agency, project specificity and audit trail.

Since wards are not constitutional tiers of government, the CeFTPI highlighted that the process of disbursement lacks clarity on whether the funds will be paid directly to contractors or through state administrations.

Similarly, both implementation agencies and the blueprint projects have not been identified, creating a risk to the misapplication of funds and defeating the objective of sustainable development that the project aims to achieve, the CeFTPI said.

The Centre also pointed out the audit burden as a result of 8,809 wards the initiative intends to reach. With 8,809 distinct locations, the audit burden is immense. Without a digital, geo-tagged monitoring system, the risk of ghost projects is extremely high, it said.

READ ALSO: Bus fire disrupts traffic on Third Mainland Bridge

Therefore, the CeFTPI recommended public disclosure of guidelines by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), launching an open data portal to track the progress and status of the projects intended in each ward, and the involvement of civil societies to monitor the projects execution.

Following the approval of the N900bn RHWDP in August 2025, the government fully funded the initiative.

The scheme received an initial disbursement of N300 billion on 17 September 2025, followed by a second instalment of N400 billion in the same month and N200 billion in November 2025.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to hear a suit filed by Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc over the revocation of their operating licences.

CBNs lawyer, Onyeka Ezeah, and NDICs lawyer, Abubakar Shehu, raised an objection before Judge Emeka Nwite, during Mondays hearing.

Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc are both Nigerian primary mortgage institutions licensed to provide mortgage financing and related banking services.

The filed the suit along with two other co-plaintiffs  Ridhwan Hamza and Ismaila Adamu  to challenge the revocation of their operating licences.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the CBN revoked the licences of the two mortgage banks on 16 December 2025, citing undercapitalisation, failure to meet minimum paid-up share capital, insufficient assets, and non-compliance with regulatory directives.

However, in an ex parte application filed on 23 December, the plaintiffs sought orders restraining the defendants from taking further steps on the licence revocation pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

They also requested that the court bar the defendants from enforcing the decision pending the determination of the motion.

The mortgage banks lawyer moved the application on 29 December 2025, but the judge, Mr Nwite, refused to grant it.

He held that the interest of justice would be better served by putting the defendants on notice to show cause why the prayers should not be granted.

He adjourned the matter until 5 January for the defendants to respond.

CBN, NDIC challenge court jurisdiction

At the start of Mondays proceedings, the plaintiffs lawyer, Joseph Silas, was met with the defendants resistance when he called for the hearing of the motion to show cause.

He argued that the law allowed the plaintiffs to challenge the revocation of his clients licenses within 30 days of the decision. He argued that the NDIC should be restrained from liquidating the two mortgage institutions pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Mr Silas said if the NDIC was allowed to proceed with liquidation and the court later found that the CBN acted unlawfully, the plaintiffs would be prejudiced. He therefore asked the court to order the parties to maintain the status quo.

But the CBNs lawyer, Ms Ezeah, opposed the application, arguing that the issue of jurisdiction must first be resolved. We have a matter of jurisdiction here, she said. Describing jurisdiction as the lifeblood of a case, she cited a 2022 Supreme Court decision in Waziri v PDP, which held that jurisdictional issues must be determined before any other matter.

Similarly, NDICs lawyer, Mr Shehu, aligned with Ms Ezeahs submission. He said the NDIC was acting within its statutory powers and had also filed a preliminary objection. What should be done now is to adjourn for a date to allow the plaintiffs to respond so that our applications can be heard, he said.

In response, Mr Silas said the NDIC was continuing with the liquidation process while the case was pending. All we are asking for is for parties to stay in action, he said, citing the Savannah Bank case.

But Mr Shehu told the court that once the licence of a financial institution is revoked, the NDIC is empowered by law to take over in the interest of depositors.

Mr Silas maintained that the law gave the plaintiffs 30 days to challenge the CBNs decision and that the NDIC was acting solely on the apex banks directive.

He said the application was also in the interest of depositors, noting that NDIC insurance covered only up to N2 million per depositor, regardless of the amount deposited. The plaintiffs lawyer added that NDICs intervention became necessary because depositors could no longer access their funds. He also said that if the plaintiffs eventually succeeded, their shareholders could seek damages.

Judge Nwite asked Mr Silas whether it would be fair to make any order when the defendants had filed preliminary objections challenging the courts jurisdiction, and Mr Silas replied that the aim was to preserve the res (the subject matter of the case).

Following Mr Silass response, the judge said he was being careful not to embark on an exercise in futility. He described jurisdiction as a threshold issue and adjourned the matter until 21 January to hear the preliminary objections.

The matter

The CBN, through its spokesperson, Hakama Ali, had announced that the revocation of the licences followed violations of the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks.

The regulator said the affected institutions failed to meet the minimum paid-up share capital for their licence category, had insufficient assets to cover liabilities, were critically undercapitalised with a capital adequacy ratio below the prudential minimum, and failed to comply with several directives from the CBN.

However, in a four-ground argument contained in the plaintiffs ex parte motion seeking an urgent court reprieve, their lawyer, Mr Silas, contended that the CBN failed to comply with conditions precedent before revoking the licences. He said the NDIC moved to take over the institutions without allowing them to exhaust their legal remedies.

One of the co-plaintiffs, Ridhwan Hamza, who is an Aso Savings shareholder, acknowledged in a supporting affidavit that the institutions had operational challenges known to the CBN. He said the CBN gave Aso Savings an ultimatum to meet its minimum capital requirement by 31 August 2025.

However, Mr Hamza said Aso Savings made positive updates communicated to the CBN. But despite the development, CBN chose to rely on provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020, and its revised guidelines to revoke the licences.

He listed the CBNs reasons, including failure to meet capital requirements, insufficient assets, undercapitalisation, and non-compliance with regulatory directives.

Mr Hamza also argued that the CBN acted arbitrarily and against public interest. He also said the NDICs actions were aimed at extinguishing the plaintiffs right to challenge the revocation. He concluded that granting the application would not prejudice the defendants and would serve the interest of justice.
The Nigerian Army has begun an investigation into the alleged killing of a 13-year-old boy, Timothy Daniel, by a soldier in Akwa Ibom State.

The incident happened on 1 January in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the south-southern state.

The spokesperson of the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Mbiokporo, Lawal Mohamed, announced that the Military Police had taken over the matter, Channels TV reported on Tuesday.

The incident has been handled by the Military Police and is already under investigation. Due process would be followed, Mr Mohamed, a captain, said.

How it happened

Timothy had attended a Crossover Service at Mount Zion Full Gospel Church alongside other relatives, including his 15-year-old sister, Miracle Daniel.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the victim and his family live in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and had travelled home for the Christmas holiday in Akwa Ibom State.

A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday, that the victims sister, Miracle Daniel, narrated to him how the incident happened.

Mr Effiong, who is based in Lagos, said Ms Daniel narrated that while at the cross over service, she stepped out with the relatives, including Timothy, to urinate.

According to the lawyer, she was accosted by soldiers who were deployed to protect Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd, otherwise known as Sterling Global.

Sterling Global is a major Nigerian indigenous oil & gas firm involved in exploration and production in the oil-rich state.

Ms Daniel, according to him, appealed to the soldiers to hold on for her to finish urinating, but her comment infuriated one of the soldiers who felt disobeyed.

The soldier then pushed her to the ground.

When she asked him why he pushed her, the soldier became more infuriated and then slapped her, and also assaulted her sister, the lawyer said.

Mr Effiong said another soldier later intervened, apologised to Ms Daniel and her siblings, and asked them to leave.

As they were leaving, they heard gunshots. It turned out that the same soldier who had assaulted them had opened fire and killed Master Timothy instantly, he said.

The lawyer stressed that photographs of the slain boy which the family sent to him were too graphic to share on social media because the victims brain was completely shattered.

The family reported the case to the Nigerian Army Cantonment 6 Battalion Wellington Basi Barracks at Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area, he said.

He said that the case was also reported to the police in the state.

Lawyer seeks justice as company fails to visit grieving family

Mr Effiong said that Sterling Global, where the soldier was attached, has yet to reach out to the family as of Tuesday, 5 January.

I called Miracle (Daniel) this morning, and she confirmed to me that, till this moment, Sterling Global has not deemed it fit to contact or visit the grieving family, he said.

The lawyer called on the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, the General Officer Commanding of the 6 Battalion, Ibagwa, Eric Emekah, and the Akwa Ibom State Government, to intervene in the matter.

He urged the authorities to ensure that the soldier is court-martialed for murder and that the family is adequately compensated.

No Nigerian should be killed in this manner by those who are supposed to protect them.

The pain that this family has been subjected to is unimaginable, he stated.

Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life. No one should be deprived of this sacred right, except in strict compliance with the manner set by the Constitution.

In Nigeria, cases of extrajudicial killings, human rights violations, and other unprofessional activities by the security operatives have continued despite sanctions by authorities.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of N30.7 million recovered from a bureau de change (BDC) operator with links to an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Judge Emeka Nwite gave the order in a ruling on an ex parte motion brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC said it discovered the money during a review of a bureau de change operators financial records, obtained primarily for the purposes of investigating the activities of some high profile officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd.

But when confronted with the discovery, the BDC operator, Adamu Yakubu, claimed the money belonged to an official of the FIRS, Ibrahim Sani, on whose instruction Mr Yakubu had transferred N4 billion to various accounts of individuals and companies.

EFCC said Mr Sanis name featured prominently on Mr Yakubus ledger.

The agency added that Mr Sani, whose position at FIRS was not disclosed in court filings, confirmed depositing huge sums of money from time to time in Mr Yakubus account for distribution to various beneficiaries but denied ownership of the N30.7 million.

According to EFCC, Mr Sani did not disclose the sources of the money he sent to Mr Yakubu. Mr Sanis statement that he wrote when he honoured an invitation for EFCC interrogation in September 2025 was attached to the anti-corruption agencys forfeiture application.

Mr Yakubu too denied ownership of the money, prompting the EFCC to label it as likely proceeds of crime.

The commission then launched a forfeiture proceeding to transfer the ownership of the money to the federal government.

On 2 January, EFCCs lawyer, Emenike Mgbemele, moved an ex parte application for the forfeiture of the money he said was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The judge ruled shortly after during the proceedings that the application was meritorious.

He ordered that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national daily, directing interested persons to show cause within 14 days why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge adjourned the matter until 22 January for a report of compliance.

The suit

The ex parte motion was filed on 23 December 2025 by EFCCs lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and was moved on 2 January by Mr Mgbemele.

The suit sought an order forfeiting to the federal government the sum of N30.7 million raised through managers cheques listed in an attached schedule and reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Advancing three grounds, the lawyer argued that the court was empowered under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 to grant the reliefs sought.

Mr Mgbemele said the case was a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture proceeding.

The commission also prayed that funds lodged in four instalments of N10 million each and N700,000 in its Recovery Account with United Bank for Africa, account number 9058700029, under the managers cheque name M/C Draft Outstanding Account, be forfeited to the federal government.

What investigation revealed

An EFCC investigator, Bilkisu Abubakar, in an affidavit filed in support of the ex parte motion, said she was assigned to investigate fraudulent activities involving some high-profile officials of the NNPC, alongside other criminal petitions received by the commission.

She said that upon receiving intelligence reports, her team carried out several investigative activities, including making inquiries and obtaining financial records from commercial banks mentioned in the intelligence.

Ms Abubakar said the investigation also involved sending correspondences to agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission, and inviting and interviewing individuals connected to the probe.

She added that the investigation also entailed analysis of documents received from the bank. The name of Adamu Yakubu, a Bureau De Change operator, featured prominently, she stated.

She said that on 2 September 2025, Mr Yakubu was invited and voluntarily made a statement.

The investigator added, That Mr Yakubu submitted a ledger to the commission evidencing records of his transactions, wherein the details of customers and the amount of dollars sold by them are recorded.

Upon analysing the entries in the ledger submitted by Mr Yakubu, it was revealed that over N4,000,000,000 was transferred to the accounts of different individuals and companies on the instruction of one Mr Ibrahim Sani, a staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

She detailed the findings of the probe.

According to her, the investigation discovered that the balance of N30.7 million sought to be forfeited remained in Mr Yakubus possession from funds he claimed were given to him by Mr Sani.

That on the 15th day of September 2025, Mr Ibrahim Sani, a staff (member) of FIRS, whose name appeared in the ledger and who Mr Yakubu claimed owned the N30,700,000, was invited and he volunteered his statement, the affidavit stated.

Ms Abubakar said Mr Sani explained how he had been using Mr Yakubu to transfer money to various individuals and companies.

That Mr Ibrahim equally confirmed how he usually deposits huge amounts of money in dollars with Mr Yakubu, who in turn sends the naira equivalent to individuals and companies accounts provided by him.

That Mr Ibrahim neither ascertained nor verified the source of these monies which he deposited with Mr Yakubu for onward transfer, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

She said Mr Sani, however, denied ownership of the N30.7 million found in Mr Yakubus account at the time of his statement.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Revenue Service unveils official logo as FIRS becomes NRS

According to the affidavit, Mr Sani stated that Mr Yakubu was not holding any of his money as of 15 September 2025.

The EFCC investigator said both Mr Yakubu and Mr Sani denied ownership of the N30.7 million found in the formers account.

She wrote, That Mr Yakubu raised four different managers cheques in the name of the EFCC Recovery Account in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Copies of the managers cheques are attached and marked as Exhibits EFCC 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D respectively.

That I know as a fact and verily believe that the source of the funds sought to be forfeited in the account of Mr Yakubu are proceeds of unlawful activities.

Ms Abubakar said the court had the discretion to grant the application in the interest of justice.

She added that the order sought was interim in nature and that no party would be prejudiced by its grant, urging the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.

The NNPC was renamed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on 19 July 2022 to reflect its transition into a commercially focused energy company under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
Taken together, Venezuela and Nigeria point to a troubling pattern. International law is increasingly shaped, not by agreed pathways, but by acts that succeed and then justify themselves after the fact. Practice accumulates. Repetition breeds acceptance. What begins as exception hardens into precedent This is not an argument against accountability. It is an argument against reducing accountability to dominance. When enforcement collapses into unilateral action, the distinction between justice and power thins.

The forceful seizure of Nicolas Maduro from Venezuelan territory and his appearance before a court in New York has received equal measure of criticism and celebration, depending on which side of the divide you pay attention to. But that is not my focus. The episode raises a question far more unsettling than whether Maduro deserves prosecution. It asks who now decides how international law is enforced, and by what means.

The publicly known sequence matters. An armed intervention on foreign soil. Custody secured without the consent of the territorial state. A rapid shift to domestic criminal proceedings in the United States. And, hovering over it all, political rhetoric about control, transition, and stewardship of another countrys future. This is not simply the story of a suspect arrested. It is a story about jurisdiction asserted through capacity, rather than process.

International law was built to manage distrust. Its core promise was not moral clarity, but restraint. Rules on the use of force, jurisdiction, and immunity exist precisely because states do not agree on who the villains are, or how urgently they must be stopped. When enforcement skips those rules, the claim being made is not just that justice requires speed. It is that procedure itself has become optional. The UN Charter system draws a sharp line. Force is prohibited except in tightly defined circumstances, principally Security Council authorisation or self-defense against an armed attack. Criminal culpability does not, on its own, dissolve that line. An indictment, however serious the allegations behind it, does not authorise a state to enter anothers territory and extract a suspect by force. Treating transnational crime as a standing justification for military-style enforcement stretches self-defense beyond recognition.

Some have reached for universal jurisdiction to fill this gap. That move does not succeed. Universal jurisdiction is about the reach of courts, not the reach of guns. It allows certain crimes to be prosecuted, regardless of where they were committed, because of their exceptional character and the collective interest in repression. It does not confer a general power to enforce arrest across borders by force. Historically, universal jurisdiction has operated through extradition requests, mutual legal assistance, or post-custody prosecution. It has never been a blank cheque for unilateral capture.

Immunities deepen the problem. Under settled international law, certain office-holders enjoy immunity from foreign criminal jurisdiction while in office. This protection is structural, not ethical. It exists to prevent precisely the kind of coercive entanglement that occurs when courts become instruments of interstate pressure. The debates around the Rome Statutes removal of immunity in article 27, concern prosecutions for core international crimes before an international court exercising delegated jurisdiction. They do not apply to domestic prosecutions for ordinary crimes, nor do they license the forcible apprehension of sitting heads of state.

the Maduro episode exposes a deeper tension within international criminal law. Complementarity was designed to manage that tension. Domestic systems were given first responsibility. International mechanisms were residual. Accountability was meant to move in stages, not leaps. Regional complementarity emerged later to address the political and practical gap between national failure and global intervention. By situating justice closer to affected societies, it aimed to preserve legitimacy, while dispersing power.

The familiar reference to Pinochet obscures more than it clarifies. That case involved a former head of state, treaty-based obligations concerning torture, and prolonged judicial scrutiny in a third country. It did not stand for the proposition that incumbents may be seized wherever found, nor that universal jurisdiction dissolves the law on the use of force. The lesson of Pinochet was cautious expansion, not unbounded enforcement.

Against this background, the Maduro episode exposes a deeper tension within international criminal law. Complementarity was designed to manage that tension. Domestic systems were given first responsibility. International mechanisms were residual. Accountability was meant to move in stages, not leaps. Regional complementarity emerged later to address the political and practical gap between national failure and global intervention. By situating justice closer to affected societies, it aimed to preserve legitimacy, while dispersing power.

What we are now witnessing is impatience with that architecture. Domestic processes are dismissed as compromised. Regional mechanisms are treated as aspirational, rather than decisive. International institutions are criticised for delay. Into this vacuum steps unilateral power, recast as necessity. Once that move is normalised, the layered structure of international law collapses into a single axis: Who has the ability to act.

Nigeria offers a parallel illustration, albeit without troops crossing borders. Under the Trump administration, Nigeria is being subjected to sustained unilateral pressure through the threats of sanctions, travel restrictions, and designation regimes tied to governance and rights concerns. These measures bypassed African regional processes and were not framed as shared accountability. They were instruments of leverage. The implicit message was the same: Regional institutions may exist, but they do not control outcomes.

The strain this places on universal jurisdiction and complementarity is real. These doctrines are not obsolete, but they are being tested by a geopolitical climate that rewards speed and spectacle over process. If national and regional systems wish to remain relevant, they must become capable of delivering consequences. Investigations must lead somewhere. Cooperation must function in practice, not only on paper. Political backing must endure beyond easy cases.

Taken together, Venezuela and Nigeria point to a troubling pattern. International law is increasingly shaped, not by agreed pathways, but by acts that succeed and then justify themselves after the fact. Practice accumulates. Repetition breeds acceptance. What begins as exception hardens into precedent.

This is not an argument against accountability. It is an argument against reducing accountability to dominance. When enforcement collapses into unilateral action, the distinction between justice and power thins. The states most exposed to this model are not those with global reach, but those without it. They know, from experience, that necessity is rarely invoked against the powerful.

The strain this places on universal jurisdiction and complementarity is real. These doctrines are not obsolete, but they are being tested by a geopolitical climate that rewards speed and spectacle over process. If national and regional systems wish to remain relevant, they must become capable of delivering consequences. Investigations must lead somewhere. Cooperation must function in practice, not only on paper. Political backing must endure beyond easy cases.

If that does not happen, international criminal law risks a quiet transformation. It will not disappear. It will simply be reordered around capacity rather than principle. Jurisdiction will follow force. And the language of law will remain, not because it constrains power, but because it provides power with a vocabulary it can still use.

Seun Solomon Bakare holds a PhD in international criminal law from Leiden University. He is the author of Regional Complementarity in International Criminal Law: Making Sense of the Four-Tiered Justice Paradigm. He can be reached at [email protected].
Foreign powers will not solve Nigerias insecurity. Superpowers act in pursuit of their national interest. Nigeria must do the same. Counterterrorism succeeds when the state leads, coordinates, and sustains pressure. Outsourcing security strategy invites dependency and disappointment. Therefore, Abuja must own the fight politically, operationally, and morally.

Nigeria stands at a decisive crossroads in counterterrorism. As this article goes to press, coordinated attacks continue across multiple regions. Bombings, kidnappings, and targeted killings persist, despite international signalling and episodic foreign interventions. External force did not deter violent networks in late 2025. Nigeria must therefore act with clarity, resolve, and sovereign purpose.

One of the most consequential steps taken in 2025 was the proposed designation of terrorist groups and affiliated individuals. Nearly forty entities were identified, spanning financiers, facilitators, protectors, and legitimisers. This approach reflects the modern counterterrorism doctrine. Violence collapses when money, logistics, protection, and ideological oxygen disappear. Naming these layers matters. Enforcing the law against them matters more.

Nigerias central challenge is not legislative absence. It is an enforcement failure. Compromise corrodes operations. Sabotage weakens prosecutions. Selective application erodes legitimacy. Terrorist networks exploit these gaps with discipline and patience. President Bola Tinubu must therefore set a non-negotiable enforcement agenda this January. Capture operatives. Disrupt cells. Neutralise leaders when lawful and necessary. Above all, prevent recruitment before violence metastasises.

Foreign powers will not solve Nigerias insecurity. Superpowers act in pursuit of their national interest. Nigeria must do the same. Counterterrorism succeeds when the state leads, coordinates, and sustains pressure. Outsourcing security strategy invites dependency and disappointment. Therefore, Abuja must own the fight politically, operationally, and morally.

International cooperation still matters. Nigeria should lead a pragmatic coalition against Islamist terrorism across West Africa. Intelligence sharing, border security coordination, financial tracking, and joint training raise the cost of violence. Nevertheless, cooperation must complement domestic resolve, not replace it.

Understanding how individuals and groups acquire the terrorist label clarifies the policy terrain. International consensus remains elusive. The United Nations has long struggled to define terrorism uniformly. Instead, it condemns tactics such as bombings, hijackings, kidnappings, and mass-casualty violence. This focus on methods, rather than motives, offers Nigeria strategic latitude. Acts that target civilians for coercive ends are indefensible. The state should prosecute them without ambiguity.

Scholar Bruce Hoffman once described the terrorist as a violent intellectual committed to force in pursuit of goals. That insight remains relevant. Terrorism blends ideology with calculation. It feeds on grievance, identity, and opportunity. When violence persists longer than necessary, citizens begin to suspect official tolerance or collusion. That perception damages trust and accelerates radicalisation.

Nigeria must therefore address the conditions that terrorists exploit. Security operations alone cannot end insurgency. Economic exclusion, youth unemployment, corruption, electoral malpractice, and perceived injustice supply recruits faster than bullets eliminate them. In my opinion, prevention is the most decisive battlefield. Address grievances credibly. Restore faith in institutions. Protect the vote. Enforce accountability.

International cooperation still matters. Nigeria should lead a pragmatic coalition against Islamist terrorism across West Africa. Intelligence sharing, border security coordination, financial tracking, and joint training raise the cost of violence. Nevertheless, cooperation must complement domestic resolve, not replace it.

President Tinubu has the constitutional authority and political mandate to reset Nigerias counterterrorism posture. January 2026 should mark the beginning of disciplined enforcement, preventive governance, and strategic clarity. Terrorism thrives in hesitation. It withers under sustained, legitimate state power.

History offers usable guidance. During a wave of global hijackings, the United States articulated firm counterterrorism principles under President Richard Nixon. Nigeria should adapt these principles to its context:

Reject terrorism unequivocally. No cause justifies criminal violence.

Lead through law and diplomacy, while pursuing collective solutions.

Prosecute and punish terrorists using all lawful measures.

Deploy every available resource to secure the release of hostages.

Deepen cooperation with regional and global partners.

No simple solution exists. However, credibility demands action. When a state signals intent and fails to act, it invites further attack. Therefore, Nigeria needs a coherent national security strategy that reduces vulnerabilities, limits damage, and accelerates recovery after attacks.

President Tinubu has the constitutional authority and political mandate to reset Nigerias counterterrorism posture. January 2026 should mark the beginning of disciplined enforcement, preventive governance, and strategic clarity. Terrorism thrives in hesitation. It withers under sustained, legitimate state power.

Oludare Ogunlana is a security and intelligence scholar and principal consultant at OGUN Security Research and Strategic Consulting LLC.
To pay tribute to ones doctoral supervisor would be a simpler matter if his influence was restricted to the 2-3 years one spent writing a thesis. However, Ive grappled with ideas raised in BJs seminars and our discussions for much longer than he might realise. Many of our conversations  many about democracy and authoritarianism in the ex-colonial worldare very fresh in my mind, and drive my thinking still.

The field known as postcolonial studies was perhaps at the height of its putatively insurgent fame when, in 1994, I went to seek out the Nigerian Marxist at Cornell as he had been described to me. I myself had recently graduated from Indias then fabled dissident institution, JNU, now fast degrading under deliberate targeting by the current Hindu ethnonationalist regime. At the same time, there had recently issued a challenge to postcolonial studies from the Indo-Pakistani scholar, Aijaz Ahmad. He had criticised the outsize presence in the field of privileged class scholars from Indian migrant communities, and what he saw as its undue emphasis on colonialism at the expense of the actual thematic concerns of literature from outside Europe. FIRST SLIDE Ahmad declared that the non-Anglophone Indian literature he was familiar with had mandated that a critique of others (anti-colonialism) be conducted in the perspective of an even more comprehensive, multi-faceted critique of ourselves: our class structures, our familial ideologies, our management of bodies and sexualities, our idealisms, our silences. It was a call to take the agency of non-western societies seriously, the kind of call to de-emphasize the colonial relationship and take seriously the agency of the ex-colonised that has been articulated more recently by another Nigerian professor at Cornell, Olufemi Taiwo.

In BJs classesinterrupted one year by serious illness which he fortunately prevailed overwe were introduced to Ahmeds work, and variously to the works of African dramatists like Soyinka and Fugard, writers like Ngugi wa ThiongO and Ken Sarowiwa as well as the classic liberationist thinkers including Ngugi himself, Edward Said, and Frantz Fanon among others. I myself still teach many of these texts. I also remember reading JM Blauts collection1492: The Debate on Colonialism, Eurocentrism, and History, a text to which Ive returned recently. That date1492 remains significant even more so after the events of this weekend.

In writing my own dissertation, however, after conversations with BJ about dissidence and opposition in our own postcolonial national contexts, Nigeria and India, I followed something of the track that Ahmad had mapped, examining a group of dissident Indian writers, the Progressive Writers Association, who were particularly interested in questions of radical transformation after the end of colonialism, including familial structures and gendered relationships. These writers, mostly Muslim, dissident from both the new nation of India and their own generally conservative communities were no friends of colonialism, but insistent that the moment of independence was also laden with possibilities for radical social and economic change within the new nation. For them, decolonisation was a historic opportunity for more wide-ranging change. Literature, and drama, they believed, could help transform national consciousness towards those goals. Flag independence was a new beginning rather than the end goal of decolonisation. When I arrived at Cambridge after a brief unhappy spell teaching at a small liberal arts college in the USA, I did not see myself as working on colonialism or indeed postcolonialism, a fact that I think appealed to my colleagues, defensive as they were about the British Empires legacies.

My trajectory shifted somewhat after 2009 by which time I had become, quite inadvertently, involved in controversial public discussions in Britain on the legacies of the British empire. Speaking against a strongly denialist and glorifying narrative of empire entrenched in the British mainstream by the BBC among others, I found myself returning to colonial discourse analysis and the liberationist tradition. Despite requests from publishers, I resisted a book strictly in the vein of a counter-history of empire. As an Indian in the 21st century, I had come to see the pitfalls of national consciousness writ large in the emergence of Hindu majoritarianism and I wanted to think about anticolonialism outside the frame of nationalism which was starting to look like a poisoned chalice. In the book that I ultimately wrote, Insurgent Empire, I continued to think about the dissent that was central to my earlier work, but this time, opposition to colonialism and empire from within the metropole itself, British critics of empire. I argued that their dissent and criticism was fomented by anticolonial resistance outside Britainthe colonies influencing Britain through reverse tutelage.

Around the time I was completing that book, events on South African university campuses around the Rhodes Must Fall and Fees Must Fall movements had inspired a chain of protests in some European campuses with attendant calls to decolonise curricula which, for the most part, involved asking Western universities to acknowledge colonialism and to diversify their syllabi to include some non-Western materialsor at least, that is how most institutions interpreted it. In a sense this was inviting European universities to come very late to the debate that had already been had, decades ago, in Makerere, by Ngugi and others leading to their call to abolish the English department in African universities. Never slow to follow a trend, publishing houses were again eager for how-to books on nothing less than how to decolonise. In the realm of curriculum, a few useful works did emerge in the Anglosphere that more or less reworked the Makerere discussions for the present and for the European context but less radically. I resisted the immediate invitation to write on it but however, like others, been mulling over the concept of decolonisation. Im sympathetic to the exasperation that drives Professor Taiwos recent book, Against Decolonisation. There is a clear danger of decolonisation turning into a facile catchall and an alibi for perpetual victimhood.

And yet, I am For Decolonisation. After five consequential world-altering centuries, it is not a project we can turn our back on, not yet. My current project, a book provisionally entitled Decolonisation: life and times of an idea argues that decolonisation in its most expansive sense remains an important and relevant concept for our burning planet and genocidal international political order, connected to many contemporary struggles around race, ecology, economics, land, governance, co-existence and self-determination. In this context, Ive often found myself thinking about a 1990 essay by BJ entitled The Nature of Things: Arrested Decolonization and Critical Theory. In it, BJ described then then historic context in terms of arrested de-colonization world-wide and the fluid, uncertain conjuncture initiated by Gorbachevs call for de-ideologization of international relations between states, that is, the end of the Cold War. Although we are well past the immediate glasnost/perestroika conjuncture of the late eighties, the world order today is shaped by the afterlife of that conjuncture. The situation of arrested decolonization, however, remains not only largely unchanged but is also the common condition across the Global South. For nowhere in the world has decolonisation come to fruition: instead, it is a process that was initiated but then diverted, hijacked, or twisted into something else entirely.

Across the fifties and sixties, decolonisation emerged on the world stage as a necessarily optimistic project with utopian horizons that was rooted in a diagnosis of inherited historical ills. These ills both directly descended from colonialism and through colonialisms interaction with native tyrannies which more often than not involved leaving those tyrannies in place, what Cesaire called a villainous complicity with colonialism. In the second half of the twentieth century, it did not take very long for arrest to set in. In India and Pakistan, of course, the dawn of independence was, in poet Faiz Ahmad Faizs famous words, already stained with blood and bitten by the darkness of the long night which preceded it. There were other letdowns including failures of redistribution and land reforms, progressive family and gender legislation put into abeyance and so on. Nonetheless, to speak of arrested decolonisation does presume that there was once a clear moral and political vision or at least, set of principles, and even processes which were abrogated. Is that true?

To answer that, one might return, at least briefly, to that mid-fifties moment of the two great conferences, the First African-Asian Conference in Bandung in 1955, and the Second Bandung in Paris, the First International Congress of Black Writers and Artists in 1956 organised by the journal Presence Africaine. [Next Slide]. Bandung 1955 sought to bring together the national leaders of African and Asian territories that had just become independent of European colonial rule or were about to gain independence as in Ghanas case. [Slide]. Like the conference in Bandung, which was in fact overwhelmingly Asian, the 1956 Congress of writers sought to address the question of colonialisms legacies as the age of globe-straddling European empires finally drew to a close but with a specific focus on Africa, blackness and culture in a global frame. Present at the gathering were literary and political figuresmen, it should be specified for the absence of women was noted who were either already stentorian voices criticising colonialism or would become known for it as the century progressed. They included Aime Cesaire, Frantz Fanon, Leopold Senghor, George Lamming, Jacques Alexis and Jacques Rabemananjara. James Baldwin and Richard Wright were famously present too.

The seeming cohesion of the Bandung story as the site for the emergence of the Third World and the Non-Aligned Movements obscures a more fragmented reality. In fact, those who attended the fabled event did not necessarily agree on what decolonisation would entail. There were significant differences of perspective on some key questions including capitalism versus socialism. What there was agreement on from start to finish was the centrality of the independent nation-state as the fundamental unit of decolonisation. One historian has noted that of the ten principles enumerated in the Final Communique, five were on state sovereignty and territorial integrity.[1] In many ways, this emphasis on state sovereignty remains the most widely understood version of decolonisation.

What really brings together the Bandung Conference of 1955 and the Paris Congress of 1956 is the fact that those assembled at each thought of themselves and those they sought to represent not as victims of colonialism but agents of decolonisation. They would now harness the power to shape history and remake the world. Whatever the realities at hand, hopes were certainly articulated at that world-changing scale. At Bandung, the denizens of ex-colonies were hailed by Sukarno as peoples of a different stature and standing in the world. At the Paris Congress the following year, the venerable Alioune Diop opened the conference with the proclamation that we of the non-European world must awaken new values in all men and explore together the universes born of the encounter of peoples.[2]

Although at first the term itself referred simply to the withdrawal of a foreign military presence, decolonisation has developed over time into a conceptual assemblage of arguments for transforming societies after the end of European imperial rule. Professor Taiwo urges us against such an expansive understanding: I believe that once flag independence was in place and the colonised had become captains of their own ships of state, any talk of colonisation persisting will not pass Fanonian, Cabralian or Nkrumahist muster, he writes. That claim, I think is debatable, at least where Fanon is concerned. Many of the thinkers and campaigners who came to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, including Fanon and his fellow Martinican firebrand, the poet and politician Aime Cesaire, both of whom were present at the Paris Congress, would open out decolonisation to cover a number of related phenomena: resistance to colonialism; the danger of neo-colonialism, and the need for radical social and economic transformation after independence. A persistent concern in this regard, especially for Fanon, had to do with the role of native elites in the new nation, and the dangers of powers and privileges merely changing hands, what the British called a transfer of power. The contemporary relevance of decolonisation derives from precisely the reality of arrest.

While in Paris, as at Bandung, there were robust differences and arguments on cultures after colonialism, the most rapturously received and, frankly, most significant speeches, stressed the importance of decolonisation as a historic opportunity for deep transformation. Both Fanon and Cesaire, at the Congress and in their other writings, would stress the capacities of cultures and civilisations to renew themselves, to engage with others, and change for the better. To them, colonialism had undermined the most fundamental characteristic of all living cultures: the faculty of self-renewal. Neither saw decolonisation as a retreat into a silo or a rejection of the West in toto. Both saw the infliction of a slow death on colonised cultures as an intentional strategy on the part of colonisers in the service of an economic system, i.e. capitalism, dedicated to the enrichment of colonial elites. Anything that came in the way of a system founded on money was targeted for destruction. As peoples of African descent took their place on the world stage, the role of the Black intellectual and writer was to facilitate the retaking of historical initiative away from this sclerosis.

With such high hopes, and with so much insistence on taking initiative, how did the project of decolonisation go into arrest? Answers depend, of course, on context but in general attempts to decolonise the economic landscape or the inherited economic order varied greatly, ranging from mild reforms to more radical redistributive initiatives like land ceilings. The extraction of resources and labour, as also continued dispossession and ecological damage, toward the enrichment of a small number is the most salient feature of the colonial system and it has not, on the whole, changed across most ex-colonial contexts. Similarly, the apparatusincluding police and military and legal system of the colonial state was frequently left intact and used, again, for repressive and authoritarian purposes, now in the name of the nation-state rather than imperium. In some cases, decolonising contexts have turned into recolonising ones, with postcolonial nations acting very much the same way as their former European colonial masters had, towards particular populations and communities. In historical terms, the imperative to revisit the meaning and scope of decolonisation towards giving it new life and visionary scopeincluding challenges to postcolonial states when they undertake their own forms colonialism has never been stronger. As some scholars suggest, decolonisation is unrealized, but not necessarily unrealizable.

However, there is the problemincipiently visible at Bandung and warned against by the likes of George Lamming in Parisof cultural or ethnic chauvinism occupying the space of decolonisation. The case of Hindutva or Hindu supremacism in India is only the most flagrant but also most telling example given the extent to which it is also bound up with neoliberalism, the relentless privatisation of public resources and spaces. Only in some ways a response to colonial racism, ethnic, religious, and national chauvinism tend to simply mimic and mirror the civilisational rhetoric of colonialism and racism. It is too easy to treat chauvinism or majoritarianism as simple aberrations or an unfortunate descent into extremes. While nationalism was clearly central to most anticolonial resistance movements, not least because of the wide legitimacy that had accrued to the idea of the nation-state, we might have to admit that it came with these dangers built in. As Nesiah et al point out, nationalism enabled decolonisation to be initiated but it also opened the way for ethnic, racial and religious majorities [to be] treated as the prime beneficiaries of sovereignty even where minority groups were given juridical or constitutional equality and included in the vision of national community. In some cases, majoritarianism has resulted in civil wars while in others, religious and ethnic nationalism has been galloping steadily towards full-fledged authoritarian and exclusionary visions of nation.

Today the call to decolonise must be interpreted in the context of the reality of arrest in which independence came to stand in for decolonisation while cutting off its more radical possibilities. Given the scale and complexity of colonialisms operations, including its routine collaboration with native elites, decolonisation could never really have been a simple matter of ending what Bandungs Final Communique repeatedly called alien subjugation, domination and exploitation and transferring power to a national government. Subjugation, domination, and exploitation both within and without nations must come under scrutiny. There was certainly an awareness at Bandung that national independence had to be given content and meaning but the question of what made had made colonialism an evil which should be speedily brought to an end, and how those evils could be avoided in the future was not answered in any detail. It remains before us to continue to grapple with that question rather than assume colonialism is ended by the withdrawal of a foreign power. To the extent that many national discussions about decolonisation remain inflected by Bandung, decolonisation too often appears to devolve into the binary of native and alien, local and foreign. Though valuable in the context of resisting occupation and annexation, national independence does not in and of itself address the challenge of decolonisation as a full spectrum project of remaking the world itself. This last is a point of disagreement between me and Professor Taiwo who rejects the demand that the world must be remade entirely. The world as it is currently constituted is inhospitable for the majority of its denizens, many of whom still remain without adequate nutrition, shelter, education and healthcare in ways that are absolutely connected to the dynamic of extraction and wealth concentration. The world under fossil capitalism is also about to annihilate itself.

My discussion so far has presumed a decolonising Global South, an arrested decolonisation, to be sure, but nonetheless one that had commenced. In concluding, I turn to the salient and painful question which stalked the edges of Bandung and unresolved, 70 years on, has returned the question of colonialism and liberation, specifically settler colonialism and decolonisation, to the table. As scholars have pointed out, while Israel was controversially but pointedly excluded from Bandung, despite lobbying to be included, the independent state-centric nature of that 1955 conference meant that there was also no representative from immediately post-Nakba Palestine to make the case against a catastrophic settler colonialism that took hold literally as formal political decolonisation commenced across Asia and Africa. Today, as we all know, that settler colonial project, although repeatedly unsettled by resistance, violent and non-violent, has reached a seriously genocidal conjuncture. By the most conservative estimates, tens of thousands of non-combatant Palestinians from Gaza have perished, while many hundreds of thousands more are unhoused. The urban area of the strip has been flattened into hundreds of tons of rubble. What does this mean for our contemporary engagements with decolonisation beyond demanding independent and sovereign status for the state of Palestine?

At Bandung, it had been left to the Syrian delegation to note that Palestine does not figure in this Conference which stands in testimony of the denial of the Arabs of Palestine of their rights of self-determination. It is an extraordinary indictment of the hopes of Bandung that those words have been repeated over the years in various international forums and that they are no less relevant today than they were then. To those of us who had, despite it all, moved into the space of the post-colonial, meaning the era after flag independence, embracing the status of our polities and of ourselves as historical agents etc have had the rudest and crudest of awakenings over the past two years. Always on guard for symptoms of the neocolonial, we have watched stunned, and largely in silence, as the spirit, not of Bandung, but of 1492 when Europe set sail to bury its teeth in the throat of Indian civilisations in the Americas has been distilled into the most concentrated, destructive and death-dealing acid in historical Palestine. The main difference is that this time this paleo-colonial decimation, dispossession, and slaughter has been livestreamed on our screens for 27 months now and counting.

In the face of this we must ask: whatever happened to the Global South, that political entity which emerged first out of Bandung and then out of the Tricontinental conference in Havana in 1966, then dubbed the Third World? Historical agents to what end? The transnational anticolonial links, invoked here and in multiple other congresses, manifest in a series of feeble if symbolically valuable UN resolutions condemning the genocide and the ongoing illegal appropriation of lands. They manifest in South Africas honourable case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. But thats about the sum of it. What else can be done, we may ask? There are two obvious choices, of course in facing the Goliath of Israel backed by the near entirety of the West, the United States fiscal and military might in particular. There might be collective military intervention, a mighty Afro-Asian peacekeeping force enforcing no-fly zones and ground protection. There are obvious limitations and dangers to that. Let us turn then to the other weapons of the weak: Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions. These weapons ultimately prevailed in some form against Apartheid South Africa. Why have these not been deployed on a transnational scale across the Global South which boasts in its midst the formation BRICS, to which have been recently added Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia? A new category of partner countries includes Nigeria. Why has this massive bloc with some truly gigantic constituent economies failed to sanction, divest, and cut trade ties with Israel?

One of the points made by Professor Taiwo in his critique of decolonisation is that the choice of a capitalist path to development should not be seen as a sign of lingering colonialism. As the planet burnsmore swiftly than we like to think  as dispossession proceeds largely unchallenged in historical Palestine, and while the privatisation of goods and resources proceeds to historic highs, can we really write an alternative to capitalism out of our understanding of decolonisation? Colonialism is nothing if not the dynamic of appropriation, dispossession, extraction and wealth concentration. This process is less racialised than it used to be, certainly, though still far from transcending race. Rather than turn us away from seeing anticapitalism as fundamental to decolonisation, this invites us to think about which colonial strategies and philosophies persist, not (only) as neocolonialism, but as renewed colonial projects within and by nation-states. This is a form of recolonisation familiar both in Nigeria and India, where deeply destructive and extractive corporate projects harm and dispossess local communities and ecosystems. The axis of capitalist power is moving slowly but certainly southwards but this does not promise decolonisation except in the most spare and tendentious sense of non-Europeans taking the reins of economic and political power.

This shifting axis has so far done very little for either Palestine generally or Gaza specifically. While the genocide that is underway has been rightly described as a transnational effort coordinated and organised by the advanced capitalist countries of the West together with Israel, it is also the case that the advancing capitalist countries of the non-West, including the Arab world, have done very little with their material power to intervene non-militarily. Egypt just signed a gigantic gas deal with Israel claiming it was purely commercial not political. China and India both have strong trade relations with the occupying power. Brazil is another significant partner. So, we must ask: is there something within the global and transnational workings of capitalism that actually militates against resistance to colonialism?

In 1959, at the Second Congress of Black Writers and Artists, held this time in Rome, Cesaire would address the success of that neologism which is beginning to play such an important part in the current vocabulary, the word decolonisation itself.:

Decolonisation is not automatic; that means to say that decolonisation is never the result of a mere fiat arising out of the conscience of the coloniser. It is always the result of a struggle, the result of strenuous efforts. Even the most peaceful form of decolonization is always the result of a rupture.[3]

While stressing that even the worst decolonisation is better than the best colonisation, Cesaire makes an important observation, one often forgotten today: The difference between decolonisation and colonisation is not one of degree but of kind.[4] Decolonisation has to be qualitatively different from colonialism, not just a change of guard. It simply cannot mean embracing the core dynamic of colonialismdispossession, extraction and exploitationitself.

Ultimately, however, the work of decolonisation is the work of the imagination, posing the fundamental question humanity has to ask of itself on behalf of future generations, as Cesaire puts it: What sort of world are you preparing for us? Perhaps the answer to this sits in the realm of literature and culture. We must begin to answer it and expect the next panel to begin to do so.

[1] Patrick Quinton-Brown. Bandung, 1955: Asian-African Conference and Human Rights, in Online Atlas on the History of Humanitarianism and Human Rights, edited by Fabian Klose, Marc Palen, Johannes Paulmann, and Andrew Thompson, 2017

[2] Diop 15.

[3] 126

[4] 128

Priya Gopal is a professor of Postcolonial Studies at the University of Cambridge.
Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Dikko Umaru Radda, has congratulated the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on his 63rd birthday. Governor Radda described Mr Yusuf as a humble, modest, and disciplined public servant whose integrity, simplicity, and commitment to public service have continued to shape governance and development in Kano State.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is a leader of simplicity and courage. His people-focused style of leadership, compassion for the less privileged, and commitment to rebuilding public institutions clearly stand him out in the politics of our region and Nigeria, Mr Radda said. He noted that Mr Yusuf has shown strong commitment to urban renewal, construction of road networks, and reviving of critical public infrastructure across Kano State.

The urban renewal projects, bridges, township roads and local government road initiatives under Governor Yusuf are practical testimonies of a leader devoted to development. His attention to public schools and the welfare of teachers reflects a clear understanding that education is the ladder to opportunity, Mr Radda added.

Mr Radda also commended the remarkable improvement in the performance of Kano students in NECO examinations following Mr Yusufs declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector. He praised Mr Yusufs humility in leadership, recalling his earlier years of service, particularly his experience as Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, which he said has prepared him for the present responsibilities of leading Kano State.

He further lauded his calm temperament and maturity in handling governance issues, describing him as a bridge-builder who values peace, dialogue, and stability in the North.

On behalf of the Government and people of Katsina State, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf long life, sound health, and greater wisdom as he continues to serve the people of Kano State and Nigeria, Governor Radda prayed.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Some 68.4 percent of the Cambodian evacuees from a recent border conflict with Thailand have returned to their homes so far, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said on Tuesday.

Sokhak said that about 444,179 out of 649,023 Cambodian evacuees have returned to their homes. "Roughly 204,844 people, including 108,466 women and 66,892 children, remain in displacement camps," he said in a press briefing.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate ceasefire on Dec. 27, 2025, after three weeks of armed conflict that caused casualties on both sides. 
Chairperson of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has attributed recent criticisms of the new tax laws to tax evaders and some unpatriotic individuals plotting to frustrate the implementation of the reforms which aim to strengthen Nigerias economy. Mr Adedeji who spoke in an interview on Arise Television on Sunday night cautioned that misinformation and calls for protests could undermine the good intentions of the reforms to protect ordinary citizens and stimulate sustainable economic growth.

The chairperson of the NRS, formerly Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said that those spreading misinformation and baseless rumors about the new tax laws are mainly doing so for ulterior and self serving motives rather than patriotic reasons.

On the planned protest against the tax reforms, he argued that it was unnecessary and enjoined well meaning Nigerians not to be swayed by baseless narratives concerning the new laws.

Mr Adedeji called on all concerned to take time to study the provisions of the new tax laws and understand how they apply to their individual circumstances, rather than rely on rumours or be blind walked into an unjustified mass action.

The NRS chairperson said that the crucial message he has for Nigerians is for them to seek all necessary information about the new laws and shun rumour mongers. He advised them to study and analyse the new laws as they affect them.

The NRS chairperson dismissed calls for the suspension of the tax laws. He described them as unconstitutional and untenable. He stressed that laws duly passed by the National Assembly cannot be suspended by individuals, groups or public pressure.

He maintained that no individual, except in an emergency, can suspend the law adding that the law passed by the National Assembly is binding.

Mr Adedeji pointed out that the tax reform bills underwent extensive consultations and scrutiny before being passed into law. He noted that the process included public hearings at the National Assembly that lasted more than six months.

He ruled out any possibility of scrapping or suspending the implementation of the laws. According to him, only amendments could be contemplated where legitimate grievances are identified.

Implementation has started. People have started to see the result, and they say they want to go on a protest, he said. He added, I am using this time to call all the security agencies to be on alert.

The NRS chairperson argued that the reforms are intended to protect the poor adding that the objective of the tax reforms is to create a more efficient, transparent, and equitable tax system that will stimulate economic growth.
First HoldCo Plc (FirstHoldCo or the Group) has announced that its commercial banking subsidiary, First Bank of Nigeria (FirstBank), has successfully met the Central Bank of Nigerias (CBN) minimum capital requirement of 500 billion. This milestone was achieved following the completion of a series of strategic capital initiatives, including a Rights Issue, a PrivatePlacement, and the injection of proceeds from the divestment of the Groups merchant banking subsidiary.

This successful capitalisation underscores strong market confidence in FirstHoldCo Groups business model, long-term strategy, and growth prospects. With a fortified capital base, FirstBank is positioned to accelerate its support for the real sector, enhance financial inclusion, and deliver innovative, digitally driven customer experiences.

The recapitalisation strengthens the Groups overall financial resilience, providing a robust platform for earnings growth through business expansion, technological innovation, and the pursuit of new opportunities.

In March 2024, the CBN directed commercial banks to raise their capital base to a minimum of 500 billion within a 24-month period to bolster the Nigerian banking sectors stability and capacity. FirstBank has now fulfilled this requirement well ahead of the regulatory deadline.

In a related development, FirstHoldCo have expressed its desire to raise fresh funding and inject additional capital into the Groups existing subsidiaries and new business adjacencies in 2026. This forward-looking commitment is aimed at further enhancing service offerings and facilitating strategic expansion.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr Femi Otedola, CON, Chairman of First HoldCo Plc, said:

On behalf of the Board, I extend our profound gratitude to our shareholders for their trust and unwavering support throughout this capitalisation programme. From the oversubscribed Rights Issue to the seamless Private Placement, investors have demonstrated resounding confidence in our strategic direction. Securing FirstBanks capital base ahead of schedule is a testament to our collective commitment and positions us firmly for our next growth phase. We also appreciate the professional guidance of the CBN and SEC throughout this process.

Mr Wale Oyedeji, Group Managing Director of First HoldCo Plc, added:

This successful capital raise is a pivotal milestone for FirstHoldCo. It provides us with the financial strength to execute our core strategic priorities: driving innovation, delivering superior customer value, and enhancing sustainable profitability. With this solid foundation, we are focused on accelerating performance, improving competitive returns, and delivering lasting value to all our stakeholders.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, has condemned the brutal killing of one of its members, Chinemerem Chuwumeziem, a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.

Ms Chuwumeziem was reportedly on her way home from work on Saturday, 3 January, when she met her untimely death.

NANMM, in a statement by its Chairman, Jama Medan, on Tuesday, urged the security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the State Security Service (SSS), to investigate the incident and bring her killers to justice.

It also urged Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to strengthen security around hospitals and provide safe transportation for nurses and healthcare workers, especially during late-night shifts.

We hereby call on the entire security architecture in the Federal Capital Territoryincluding the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)to immediately conduct a thorough, transparent, and professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice without delay.

The continuous harassment and attacks on nurses have further exposed the alarming level of insecurity faced daily by healthcare workers, particularly while commuting to and from duty. Our lives are no longer safe. Nurses leave their homes daily to save lives, yet many are uncertain of returning alive to their families.

We strongly call on the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to urgently strengthen security around all hospitals in the FCT and at major junctions where nurses and other healthcare workers board vehicles, especially during early morning and late-night shifts. Where feasible, the government should also provide safe and organised transportation for nurses to and from their places of work to prevent further loss of innocent lives, the association said.

Read the full statement

CONDEMNATION OF THE BRUTAL KILLING OF NURSE CHINEMEREM PASCALINA CHUWUMEZIEM OF FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABUJA

I write on behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, to express our deep sorrow, outrage, and total condemnation of the unjust and brutal killing of our innocent young colleague, Nurse Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, who was in active service with the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.

The deceased nurse, having spent her day rendering selfless service to humanity and saving lives, closed from afternoon duty on 3rd January 2026 and boarded a vehicle on her way home. Tragically, she never made it home alive. Her lifeless body was later discovered, dumped in a most inhumane and heartbreaking manner. This wicked and senseless act is not only an attack on the nursing profession but also an assault on healthcare workers and humanity at large.

We hereby call on the entire security architecture in the Federal Capital Territoryincluding the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)to immediately conduct a thorough, transparent, and professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice without delay.

The continuous harassment and attacks on nurses have further exposed the alarming level of insecurity faced daily by healthcare workers, particularly while commuting to and from duty. Our lives are no longer safe. Nurses leave their homes daily to save lives, yet many are uncertain of returning alive to their families.

We strongly call on the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to urgently strengthen security around all hospitals in the FCT and at major junctions where nurses and other healthcare workers board vehicles, especially during early morning and late-night shifts. Where feasible, the government should also provide safe and organised transportation for nurses to and from their places of work to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

Furthermore, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the Management of the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, as well as nurses in the FCT and across Nigeria, over this painful and irreparable loss of our beloved daughter and dear colleague. We share in your grief and pray that God grants you the strength and fortitude to bear this devastating loss.

We demand justice for our fallen colleague and urgent government intervention to guarantee the safety and security of all nurses and healthcare workers in the Federal Capital Territory. Anything short of decisive action will further expose nurses to danger and erode public confidence in the nations security system.

Comr. Jama D. Medan

Chairman

National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)

FCT Council
The police in Anambra State have arrested and detained a 42-year-old woman, Eucharia Ogochukwu, for alleged cyber bullying and defamation of a senior police officers character.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said Ms Ogochukwu was arrested in Awka at about 3:20 p.m. on 31 December by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad.

The spokesperson said the senior police officer is an assistant commissioner of police who once served in Anambra State.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect allegedly engaged in coordinated online activities aimed at damaging the reputation of the assistant commissioner of police.

During interrogation, the suspect made useful statements to the police, he said.

He added that the police had begun an investigation to identify and track down other persons connected to the alleged crime.

Prohibited in Nigeria

Nigerias Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 which was amended in 2024 outlawed many forms of harmful online conduct, including cyberbullying.

In lesser cases, cyber bullying offenders, upon conviction, face a minimum fine of not more than N7 million or imprisonment for a term of not more than three years or both such fine and imprisonment depending on the nature of the offence, Section 24 (1) (b) of the Act said.

In severe cases, offenders shall be liable on conviction to 10 years and for a minimum fine of N25 million, according to Section 24(2).

Like cyber bullying, criminal defamation is also outlawed in the Criminal Code Act.

While Section 375 (1) of the Act prescribes up to one year imprisonment for convicted offenders, subsection 2 provides at least two years imprisonment for offenders who published a defamatory matter knowing it to be false.
The sad news coming from Edo State is that one of the two brothers abducted recently in the state has been killed by their abductors.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that suspected kidnappers abducted the two brothers  Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, a medical doctor, and his brother, Abu Tahir, in Auchi, Edo State, on Thursday.

The abductors have reportedly killed Tahir, while his elder brother, the medical doctor, remains in captivity.

Tahirs body was discovered by a riverbank during a bush-combing operation by the police, army, local vigilantes, and hunters over the weekend.

Sources said the family was still trying to raise a ransom when Tahirs corpse was found. The kidnappers abandoned the corpse and fled deeper into the forest with his elder brother.

Tahir had recently graduated as a medical student but had not yet started his housemanship.

Confirming the incident on Monday, Eno Ikoedem, the police spokesperson in Edo, said the body was found during a search operation in the bush.

The body was identified by the family as that of the younger brother of the medical doctor kidnapped alongside him, Ms Ikoedem, an assistant superintendent of police, added.

The brothers were abducted on Thursday, 1 January, along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The medical doctor, undergoing housemanship at Edo Teaching Hospital, was driving home with his brother when gunmen ambushed them near their residence.

The kidnappers had demanded N200 million as ransom before Tahirs body was discovered.

(NAN)
The family of Polycarp Omatu in Uzoakwa, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State has fixed 14 January as the date for burial of their three sons who died in a tragic fire outbreak in Lagos State, Nigerias South-west.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that at least eight people were confirmed dead in the fire incident, which occurred on 24 December 2025 at the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island.

According to a burial poster seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the three brothers who died in the inferno were Stephen Omatu, 40, Casmir Omatu, 39, and Collins Omatu, 37.

This newspaper gathered that they were trapped in the building and burnt beyond recognition during the fire incident.

According to the family, the burial arrangements for the deceased brothers will begin on 7 January with a service of songs and a requiem mass at Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church, Ken Nlemedim Street, Bucknor Ejigbo, Lagos.

The brothers will be laid to rest on 14 January after a burial mass in their Uzoakwa Community in Anambra State.

READ ALSO: Family fixes date for burial of professor victimised by Nigerian university

Priest prays for bereaved family

A popular Catholic priest, Ejike Mbaka, during a recent church service in Enugu State, prayed for the repose of their souls and consolation of the bereaved family.

Mr Mbaka, the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, said one of the deceased brothers was about to relocate to the UK this January.

The cleric said the three deceased brothers and another of their brothers were doing business at the building, but the fourth brother escaped from the inferno.

He said the fourth brother later attempted to rescue his three siblings who were trapped in the building, but was prevented by a pillar that fell, as well as a thick smoke billowing from the structure.

He helplessly watched his three siblings burn to ashes, the cleric said in Igbo language.
MILWAUKEE, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global water technology company A. O. Smith Corporation (the "Company" or "A. O. Smith") (NYSE: AOS) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of LVC Holdco LLC ("Leonard Valve") for $470 million, subject to customary adjustments. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $412 million after adjusting for estimated tax benefits and was funded with cash borrowed under a new credit agreement.

This acquisition expands A. O. Smith's presence in the water management market. Post this Leonard Valve logo (PRNewsfoto/A. O. Smith Corporation)

"This acquisition expands our presence in the water management market, enhances our digital expertise and broadens our integrated product offering with commercial and institutional customers," said Steve Shafer, chief executive officer of A. O. Smith. "We are proud to welcome the Leonard Valve team into the A. O. Smith family. Both companies share a commitment to innovation, integrity and exceptional customer service."

Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island, Leonard Valve designs and manufactures water temperature control valves, digital and thermostatic mixing systems, and related monitoring devices used in hospitals, schools, universities, industrial facilities and other institutional and commercial settings. Together with its Heat-Timer brand of advanced boiler controls, Leonard Valve helps customers ensure safe, precise and efficient control of water temperature and hydronic heating in demanding environments.

"We are excited to join A. O. Smith," said David Brakenwagen, president of Leonard Valve. "Together, we can continue to further invest in our people and technology, enhance our digital and thermostatic mixing solutions, expand our boiler control offerings, and deliver even more integrated solutions to our customers."

BofA Securities served as exclusive financial advisor, and Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal advisor, to A. O. Smith Corporation.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains statements that the Company believes are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "continue," "guidance," "outlook" or words of similar meaning. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things, the following: failure to realize the expected benefits of the transaction or expected synergies; difficulties in predicting results of operations of an acquired business; negative impact to the Company's businesses from international tariffs, including any new or increased tariffs that could also trigger retaliatory responses from other countries, as well as trade disputes and geopolitical differences, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; the Company's inability to successfully integrate or achieve its strategic objectives resulting from acquisitions; failure to realize the expected benefits of acquisitions or expected synergies; and adverse developments in general economic, political and business conditions in key regions of the world. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date of this release, and the Company is under no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributed to the Company, or persons acting on its behalf, are qualified entirely by these cautionary statements.

About A. O. Smith

A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the Company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products. For more information, visit www.aosmith.com.

SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation
BRUSSELS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Amrop, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, is pleased to announce the opening of its new offices in Singapore and Malaysia, strengthening the firm's footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and reinforcing its commitment to serving clients in two of the region's most dynamic markets.

The move reflects Amrop's strategic focus on supporting organizations navigating rapid growth, digital transformation, and evolving leadership challenges across Southeast Asia. The new offices will deliver Amrop's full suite of executive search, board advisory, and leadership assessment services to both regional and multinational clients.

Jimmy Chen, Managing Partner for Singapore & Malaysia, said, "We are building a client-success driven leadership advisory in Singapore and Malaysia, combining Amrop's global reach with local insight, and with a unique belief of putting our clients' & executives' best interests first and foremost as our primary objective. We provide customized solutions to help purpose-driven global & regional companies & leaders govern, grow, lead, transform, and outlast their peers. Serving with brain and heart, we are here to co-create sustainable success and happiness with MNCs & Family Businesses seeking leaders who can navigate both global complexity & local nuances."

Annika Farin, Amrop's Global Chair, added, "Our presence in Singapore and Malaysia marks a significant milestone in Amrop's global growth journey. These markets are hubs of innovation and talent, and we are excited to partner with clients here as they build leadership teams equipped for the future."

The firm's teams in Singapore and Malaysia bring extensive sector expertise and deep understanding of local business landscapes. The expanded APAC platform strengthens the firm's ability to deliver high-impact advisory services in key industries, including Technology, Financial Services, Consumer, Industrial, and Life Sciences.

With these additions, Amrop's APAC presence grows to 10 offices across Australia, China, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea.

About Amrop

Amrop is a global leadership consulting firm, offering retained Executive Search, Board and Leadership Advisory services. We advise the world's most dynamic organizations on identifying and positioning Leaders For What's Next - adept at working across borders, in markets around the world. Established in 1977, Amrop operates across more than 60 offices in APAC, EMEA and the Americas.

CONTACT:

The Amrop Partnership SC

Rue Abbe Cuypers 3

1040 Brussels, Belgium

T. +32 471 733 825

E. [email protected]

Costa Tzavaras

Director Global Programs

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2594784/5701474/Amrop_Logo.jpg
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- One soldier was killed and four others injured after militants ambushed an army contingent in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, security sources said on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday at about 6:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) when troops were traveling from a military fort to a nearby post in Kurram district, the sources told Xinhua.

During the attack, one soldier was killed on the spot while four others sustained injuries, the sources said, adding that the injured were shifted to a nearby military facility for medical treatment.

Security forces cordoned off the area after the attack and launched a search operation to trace the assailants, the sources said.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. 
Transforming centuries-old herbal wisdom into modern skincare through ingredient-led formulation

OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Guanology debuts PreterNatural skincare anchored in guanabana, a tropical evergreen tree and its superfruit long revered in traditional herbal practices. The brand introduces a philosophy rooted in nourishment and ingredient intentionbridging ancestral plant wisdom with a modern approach to skincare.

PreterNatural Skincare. Post this Guanology PreterNatural Skincare Speed Speed Guanology Co-Founder Cheryl Boyle, holding a guanabana fruit (soursop). Guanology Active PreterNatural Complete Trio

At the heart of Guanology is the guanabana (soursop), valued for its rare acetogenins, antioxidants and a nutrient-rich vitamin profile. Rather than following trend-driven formulation, Guanology creates its formulations around this singular ingredient, developing skincare that reflects balance, compositional clarity and long-term skin support. Each formula is anchored by the brand's proprietary G Complexa carefully composed system that brings together guanabana with complementary botanicals including moringa, dandelion, mullein and kakadu plum.

"We set out to create skincare that moves beyond trendsformulas rooted in nourishment and intention," said Cheryl Boyle, Co-Founder and public face of Guanology. "PreterNatural reflects our belief in honoring nature's intelligence, particularly guanabana, and formulating with clarity and purpose."

The Debut Collection: Active PreterNatural Complete Trio

Guanology launches with its debut collectionthe Active PreterNatural Cleanser, Toner and Serumbringing the brand's formulation philosophy to life. Designed as a cohesive system built around guanabana, the trio introduces a considered approach to skincare through a streamlined three-step ritual intended to support a consistent, nourishment-driven experience guided by formulation integrity.

At the core of the collection is Guanology's proprietary G Complex, which anchors the brand's approach across all three formulations. Working in harmony, the Cleanser, Toner and Serum form a focused ritual that expresses formulation complexity through clarity and intentionresulting in an experience to feel refined, not excessive.

Beauty Boost Tea: A Thoughtful Extension

Guanology extends its PreterNatural philosophy into inner wellness with the debut of the Beauty Boost Teaa refined botanical blend inspired by guanabana's longstanding role in restorative herbal traditions. Created as a considered complement to the Guanology ritual, the tea offers a quiet moment of nourishment for those who approach beauty as a holistic practice.

Crafted with whole-plant purity and intention, this antioxidant-rich infusion unites Guanabana with restorative herbs to create a soothing, whole-body experience. Whether enjoyed on its own or alongside the Complete Trio, the Beauty Boost Tea brings the brand's guanabana-centered story into a sensory, daily ritual grounded in heritage and refinement.

Innovation & Integrity

Guanology formulations are dermatologist-tested, vegan, and cruelty-free, developed without parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrance. From ethically sourced botanicals to sustainable packaging, the brand reflects a considered approach to modern skincareone that balances integrity, formulation design and accessibility within the luxury space.

Guanology  PreterNatural Skincare

Available now at www.guanology.com

For a limited time, enjoy $50 off the Complete Trio (regularly $250) with code GUANOLOGY

About Guanology

Guanology is a PreterNatural skincare brand anchored in guanabana, a tropical evergreen tree and its superfruit revered for its rare acetogenins and nutrient-rich profile. Drawing from ancestral herbal wisdom and elevated through modern formulation, the brand amplifies guanabana through its proprietary G Complexa thoughtfully composed blend of botanicals designed to support balance and resilience in the look of skin.

With clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulations, Guanology offers skincare designed to feel intentional, refined and grounded in nourishment. The brand also offers the Beauty Boost Tea as an extension of its philosophy for those who enjoy approaching skincare as a complete ritual.

Powered by Nature. Be Extraordinary!

For press inquiries or interviews:

Guanology Press Team

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Guanology
Local Husband-and-Wife Entrepreneurs Will Develop New Locations Serving Fast-Growing Southern Arizona Communities

TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus, the nation's leading battery and power solutions service center, has signed a two-store franchise agreement in the Tucson area with Steve and Vicky Dotson, a husband-and-wife entrepreneurial team with deep roots in the community. The agreement will bring new Batteries Plus locations to Oro Valley and Green Valley, expanding access to essential battery, lighting, and device repair services across Southern Arizona.

"Batteries Plus fills Tucson's gap of one-stop power solutions with services people and businesses depend on every day." Post this Steve and Vicky Dotson, new Batteries Plus franchise owners, have signed a two-store development agreement to expand the brand's presence in the Tucson, Arizona area.

Steve Dotson, a Tucson native and U.S. Navy veteran, spent more than two decades in military service, including time in the Navy's Submarine Service. Following his military career, Steve and Vicky built and operated successful small businesses in the Tucson area, gaining hands-on experience growing operations and revitalizing underperforming locations.

"We were drawn to Batteries Plus because it offers a proven system, strong support, and a business that truly serves the community," said Steve Dotson. "It's an essential, needs-based model that aligns well with our experience and the way we like to operate."

The Dotsons evaluated a wide range of franchise concepts before selecting Batteries Plus, citing the brand's structured approach, team-oriented culture, and strong demand for battery and power solutions across both retail and commercial customers. While Tucson is already home to several Batteries Plus locations, the Dotsons' will focus on fast-growing areas on the outskirts of the metro.

"Communities like Oro Valley and Green Valley are growing quickly, and there's a clear need for reliable, one-stop power solutions," added Vicky Dotson. "Batteries Plus fills that gap with services people and businesses depend on every day."

In addition to serving retail customers, the Dotsons plan to support local businesses and organizations that rely on dependable power solutions, from vehicle batteries and key fobs to device repair and commercial battery needs.

"Steve and Vicky bring the discipline, work ethic, and community-first mindset that make for strong franchise owners," said Victor Daher, Vice President of Global Franchise Development for Batteries Plus. "Steve's military background and their experience as business operators make them an excellent fit as we continue to grow our presence across Arizona."

With more than 800 locations open and in development across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Batteries Plus continues to expand its national footprint while supporting entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and resources needed for long-term success.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Batteries Plus, visit batteriesplusfranchise.com.

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:

Batteries Plus is the nation's leading battery and power solutions service center, offering a comprehensive selection of products, technical expertise, and customized services through a nationwide network of over 800 locations open and in development. Headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin, and owned by Freeman Spogli, Batteries Plus is dedicated to providing reliable, commercial and residential power solutions  including batteries, lighting, and repair services  to help organizations and customers minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. For more information about Batteries Plus and its franchising opportunities visit batteriesplusfranchise.com.

Media Contact: Danny Stewart, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847.945.1300 ext. 266

SOURCE Batteries Plus
-- Life science companies schedule one-on-one meetings with product development, sterilization experts --

BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boulder iQ will participate in two key conferences and meetings over the next month to discuss medical device product development and quick-turn contract sterilization.

RESI JPM 2026: Jan. 14, 19, 20 (virtual)

This RESI will take place concurrently with JP Morgan Healthcare Week. As the largest and most comprehensive healthcare investment symposium, the JP Morgan event attracts thousands of life science professionals globally. Boulder iQ will participate in RESI's virtual partnering, Jan. 14, 19 and 20. To schedule a meeting with a company expert, life science developers can contact Madeline Kasic at [email protected].

MD&M West, Booth No. 1490: Feb. 3-5 (Anaheim, California)

MD&M West unites the manufacturing ecosystem with medtech, automation, design and manufacturing, plastics and packaging industry sectors. Companies looking to advance and optimize medical device development, production efficiency and packaging solutions gather to connect with experts to solve challenges and explore innovative technologies.

An expert contract consulting firm, Boulder iQ provides full, integrated services that life science developers need to bring their product to market: product design and development, regulatory and quality, manufacturing and assembly, sterilization, and distribution and packaging testing services.

"We're a strategic partner dedicated to helping early-stage companies get their products to market as quickly as possible," explains Jim Kasic, president and CEO of Boulder iQ. "We work with them to navigate the complex development process efficiently, effectively and successfully."

Boulder iQ's sister business, Boulder Sterilization, provides both quick-turn ethylene oxide (EO) and chlorine dioxide (CD) sterilization services for medical devices. The newly opened Boulder BioLabs offers on-site contract distribution and packaging validation, as well as microbiology testing, so products can transition seamlessly from sterilization to testing.

Boulder iQ (www.boulderiq.com)

Boulder iQ is part of the Boulder BioMed family, a group of expert contract consulting businesses that provide life sciences companies all the services they need to bring products to market. Boulder BioMed provides a single source for device developers, providing full product development under one roof: ideation, design, engineering, manufacturing; sterilization and packaging; regulatory affairs and quality assurance; distribution and packaging validation, and microbiology testing.

Boulder BioMed is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is ISO 13485-certified, with packaging testing, including shipping validation, per ASTM D4169 and ISTA 3A.

Media contact: Aimee Bennett, [email protected], 303-843-9840

SOURCE Boulder iQ
Founded by a first-generation college graduate, Stellic is now helping break down barriers to college access and completion for more than 1 million students with suite of degree management, advising and student transfer solutions

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellicthe developer of the innovative academic planning and degree management platform that now serves more than 1 million students across more than 90 colleges and universitiestoday announced that it has been recognized by Built In as a member of its selective "Best Startups to Work For in San Francisco'' 2026 list . The award program, now in its eighth year, honors U.S.-headquartered companies offering exceptional total rewards packages, including competitive salaries, attractive benefits, and culture initiatives that support and engage employees.

"We're excited to be recognized as one of Built In's Best Startups to Work For in San Francisco," said Sabih Bin Wasi, co-founder and CEO of Stellic. "From the start, we've been intentional about building a culture rooted in curiosity, ownership, and empathy, where people can do work that matters. When our team is supported and growing, it helps us create real impact for the students and institutions we serve."

Built In's competitive selection process evaluates companies based on criteria that matter most to high-performing tech talent, including workplace culture, opportunities for professional growth, benefits and compensation, and a company's overall commitment to supporting employee success. Based on these criteria, Stellic was selected as one of just 50 startups in San Francisco to receive this recognition, highlighting the company's dedication to building a supportive, growth-oriented workplace for its employees.

Since its founding in 2016, Stellic has grown from a small, student-founded startup into a thriving education technology company with more than 90 employees, headquartered in San Francisco with remote teams across the United States and Pakistan. Rooted in a ground up understanding of the student journey and barriers that today's students face, the company is redefining academic planning and degree management so colleges can more clearly seeand more effectively supportthe pathways students take from enrollment through graduation.

Stellic's company culture encourages employees to focus on curiosity and ownership, and team members are encouraged to continue challenging themselveswhile taking full ownership of their impact and the work they do to drive the company forward. The company also offers a robust benefits package that includes market-aligned compensation with equity, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, generous parental leave, flexible paid time off, and retirement planning.

Today, more than 90 institutions now rely on Stellic as the backbone of their student success strategy, equipping faculty, advisors, and students with its suite of toolsincluding Progress for degree management, Care for proactive advising and roster management, and Explore for transfer evaluation.

With more than 11.5 million student sessions hosted on the platform this year and 2.5 million sessions logged by faculty and staff, users across institutions are supported by Stellic, so they can remove friction across the student lifecycle and build more transparent, accessible pathways to graduation. By partnering closely with colleges and leaders in enrollment management, advising, and academic affairs, Stellic has introduced integrated pathway and planning tools that help students and transfer learners understand the requirements, options, and opportunities that lead to timely completion.

Led by Sabih Bin Wasi , a first-generation immigrant and first-generation college student, Stellic began as a student venture during his time at Carnegie Mellon University. Today, the company works with institutions of every type and size, including community colleges, public and private universities, and major research institutions.

For more information on job opportunities with Stellic, visit stellic.com/careers .

About Stellic. Stellic is a leading student success and academic planning platform used by over 90 higher education institutions worldwide and more than 1 million students. The company empowers students, advisors, and administrators with modern tools to streamline degree progress, automate transfer evaluations, and make data-informed decisions that drive completion and engagement. Learn more at www.stellic.com .

About Built In. Built In is the AI-powered career platform that connects innovative companies with professionals navigating their careers in a world reshaped by AI. For candidates, we provide AI-driven job recommendations and resources that support smarter career decisions. For employers, we deliver the only recruitment and employer reputation platform that helps companies measure and shape their reputation in AI search so they can be visible, trusted, and chosen by top talent.

SOURCE Stellic
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Groove Technology Solutions , a national leader in comprehensive property technology for multifamily and student housing, announced that Cardinal Group has chosen Groove as the Recommended Cardinal Standard Provider for Property Technology and Implementation across its management portfolio.

Cardinal Group has chosen Groove Technology Solutions as the Recommended Cardinal Standard Provider for Property Technology and Implementation across its management portfolio.

Cardinal Group, one of the nation's leading property management firms in the student housing sector, manages a portfolio exceeding 115,000 beds nationwide. With Groove as a preferred technology partner, Cardinal Group properties gain access to an unparalleled suite of services that simplify technology integration, reduce costs, and ensure consistent system performance across communities.

"Our partnership with Cardinal Group is built on a shared vision of smarter, more connected communities," said Lance Platt, President and CEO of Groove Technology Solutions. "By combining our technology expertise with Cardinal's operational excellence, we're helping their properties run more efficiently and enhancing the living experience for every resident."

Groove Technology Solutions stands out as the industry's most comprehensive provider of property technology for multifamily and student housing, offering more than 15 technology solutions that include infrastructure, managed services, access control, security, and smart building systems. Groove partners with 90% of major original equipment managers, or OEMs, and leading hardware manufacturers to deliver fully integrated, end-to-end technology ecosystems.

Through this partnership, Cardinal Group properties benefit from:

Simplified system management through a single-source provider for installation, integration, and support

through a single-source provider for installation, integration, and support Cost savings through Groove's extensive partner network and consolidated vendor management

through Groove's extensive partner network and consolidated vendor management Reduced risk and improved project timelines through Groove's dedicated project planning and implementation expertise

through Groove's dedicated project planning and implementation expertise Comprehensive Technology Audits that evaluate existing systems, vendor contracts, and infrastructure, providing clear recommendations and actionable next steps for upgrades

that evaluate existing systems, vendor contracts, and infrastructure, providing clear recommendations and actionable next steps for upgrades Ongoing customer support for both new installations and existing systems, ensuring continuous optimization and performance

"Groove's ability to assess, plan, and execute complex technology implementations at scale makes them an invaluable partner for Cardinal Group," said Will Conroy, Vice President of Strategy & Offerings at Cardinal Group Companies. "Their national footprint and commitment to customer support align perfectly with our mission to deliver best-in-class living experiences for our residents."

With thousands of successful property installations nationwide, Groove brings deep expertise, a proven process, and a robust network of preferred hardware partners - all available to Cardinal properties. Groove manages the full lifecycle of each project, including planning, implementation, and ongoing customer support, ensuring consistent quality and reliability across the portfolio.

About Groove Technology Solutions

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Groove Technology Solutions is a national provider of integrated property technology for hospitality, senior living, multifamily, and commercial properties. Groove delivers comprehensive, end-to-end solutionsincluding managed TV, Wi-Fi, and phone services; smart building technologies; access control and security systems; and the infrastructure that connects it all.

We are a dedicated group of tech professionals with deep expertise and a passion for delivering innovative solutions and exceptional customer service. Our team brings practical knowledge and hands-on experience to every project, ensuring we drive results that propel your business forward. Learn more at getgrooven.com .

About Cardinal Group

Cardinal Group is a premier real estate management firm specializing in student and multifamily housing. With a portfolio of more than 115,000 student housing beds and 14,000 conventional multifamily units across the U.S., Cardinal focuses on creating exceptional living experiences through innovative management and operational excellence. Learn more at www.cardinalgroup.com .

SOURCE Groove Technology Solutions
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Earable Neuroscience, creator of the three-time CES Innovation Award-winning FRENZ Brainband, today announced two major strategic initiatives at CES 2026: official membership in the National Sleep Foundation's (NSF) SleepTech Network and the global debut of the SuperBrain Edition - the first product of Tonino Lamborghini's new Healthy Lifestyle ecosystem. These announcements mark Earable's evolution from a breakthrough sleep device to a globally recognized cognitive health and lifestyle platform.

Earable Neuroscience Unveils Tonino Lamborghini SuperBrain Edition at CES 2026 with MSRP $1999

The FRENZ Brainband is the world's first consumer EEG wearable combining real-time brainwave tracking with AI-powered audio therapy to help users fall asleep faster, maintain deep focus, and accelerate mental recovery. Backed by Samsung Ventures and Founders Fund, FRENZ has earned three consecutive CES Innovation Awards across Wearables (2023), Accessibility & Aging Tech (2024), and Digital Health (2025), and has been featured in BBC, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Mashable.

National Sleep Foundation SleepTech Network

Earable officially joined NSF's SleepTech Network, a community platform bringing together trendsetters across the sleep technology industry. NSF selected Earable as a Featured Presenter at their CES 2026 media briefing earlier today, where NSF discussed the dynamics of the growing sleep economy and opportunities to build consumer trust in emerging sleep health products.

Throughout CES (January 69), as a member of the SleepTech Network, Earable's FRENZ Brainband will appear in the National Sleep Foundation's Booth #53432c in the Digital Health Lounge.

"At CES this year, NSF is excited to feature a range of technology innovators who are part of our SleepTech programming and advocacy. We believe the appropriate use of consumer sleep technologies can help people who seek to improve their sleep," said John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation.

"By joining the National Sleep Foundation's SleepTech Network, we are helping shift the conversation from sleep as a passive state to sleep as an active foundation for daily cognitive performance and well-being" said Kimi Doan, Chief Innovation Officer of Earable Neuroscience.

Tonino Lamborghini SuperBrain Edition

Earable also unveiled a strategic partnership with Tonino Lamborghini, the iconic Italian lifestyle brand known for over four decades of crafting luxury accessories ranging from watches, eyewear, leather goods and jewelry and also luxury beverages from Italian coffee, energy drink, spirits and branded real estate and hospitality experiences. The announcement marks the global debut of Tonino Lamborghini Healthy Lifestyle, with Earable selected as its very first wearable technology partner.

The SuperBrain Edition merges Earable's clinically-proven neuroscience platform with Tonino Lamborghini's heritage of Italian design excellence, creating a bold new category the companies call Luxury Healthy Lifestyle Technology. Built on FRENZ's sleep science features, which help users fall asleep faster and sleep deeper, the SuperBrain Edition extends functionality to daytime usage, training users for better focus throughout the day.

"Launching the first product of our Healthy Lifestyle ecosystem takes the brand I founded almost 45 years ago into a future-oriented lifestyle, together with my daughter Ginevra Lamborghini, the third generation of our family, without ever losing our core values. For me, luxury is a culture, a way of giving time and meaning to ourselves, and this new product is a clear expression of this belief," said Dr. Tonino Lamborghini, Founder of Tonino Lamborghini S.p.A.

"Tonino Lamborghini has always celebrated creative energy, passion, and excellence. Since the foundation of our brand, we have explored luxury across different worlds and expressions, always in a timeless spirit - never about showing off, but about depth and meaning. SuperBrain embodies our belief that a sophisticated lifestyle must also care for the mind," said Ginevra Lamborghini, Healthy Lifestyle at Tonino Lamborghini S.p.A.

"SuperBrain is designed for progressive-thinking individuals who are the engineer and the caretaker of their quantified self. Their success is not based on luck, but through years of training and determination," said Kimi Doan. "Together with Tonino Lamborghini, we are transforming high-performance neuroscience into an elegant, iconic expression of modern luxury."

SuperBrain Edition owners gain access to SuperBrain Inner Circle with exclusive premium app access and cognitive performance content for real-time daytime cognitive tracking and peak performance training. The pre-order website will open in March 2026 at the MSRP $1,999. First deliveries scheduled for June 2026.

More details at frenzband.com/superbrain

About Earable Neuroscience Earable Neuroscience is an award-winning deep tech company that invented FRENZ Brainband, the world's first AI-powered EEG-based wearable personalized audio therapy platform. Backed by Samsung Ventures and Founders Fund, 3x CES Innovation Awards honorees. Learn more at http://www.frenzband.com/ .

About the National Sleep Foundation There's only one National Sleep Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. In its 35 years, NSF has promoted sleep health through expert recommendations, consensus guidelines, tech standards, and easy-to-use tips and tools to improve sleep. Learn more at www.theNSF.org .

About Tonino Lamborghini Since 1981, Tonino Lamborghini has stood out for its pioneering spirit in design and timeless luxury. Tonino Lamborghini Healthy Lifestyle redefines luxury beyond the visible and the luxury as a mere possession of objectsan invitation to live intensely, with grace and power. Learn more at http://www.lamborghini.it/ .

Click here for more details about our booth at: https://ces26.mapyourshow.com/8_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?exhid=001Pp00001QP1UTIA1.

SOURCE Earable Neuroscience
BEVERLY, Mass., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Connolly Brothers Inc. , a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial and institutional clients, recently completed renovation of a new 7,500-square-foot music and performing arts center for the Demakes Family YMCA of Lynn located in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Music and Performing Arts Center

The scope of this project involved demolition of an existing locker room to accommodate construction of a new, state-of-the-art music and performing arts center. This space provides the Demakes Family YMCA with a modern performance theater, a radio station/podcasting studio, recording studios, individual and group practice rooms, a training room, library, and tech room.

"Working with Connolly Brothers has been a true partnership from start to finish. Their team approached this project with integrity and a shared commitment to our mission, always focused on finding solutions and a strong sense of accountability," says YMCA of Metro North President and CEO Kathleen Walsh. "Because of their care and professionalism, this space will open doors for young people to discover their voices, build confidence, and access opportunities they may not have otherwise had. Their work has helped turn a vision for community impact into reality."

Significant updates were required to meet current building codes. Connolly Brothers collaborated closely with the YMCA of Metro North's team and project architect SV Design to ensure the successful completion of this project.

"We've had the privilege of working with the Demakes Family YMCA of Lynn in the past and were thrilled to serve as their Construction Manager on this exciting project," says Connolly Brothers President and CEO Jay Connolly. "The project team's expertise and attention to detail exemplified a true commitment to construction excellence. We look forward to seeing the long-term impact this project will have on the community's youth and hope to continue our partnership with the YMCA on future projects."

This project will enable the Demakes Family YMCA to significantly increase its capacity to provide vital art and music programs to a growing number of young people in Lynn and the surrounding communities.

Connolly Brothers served as the Construction Manager and SV Design served as the Architect of Record. The project team also included D&D Electrical Contractors, Inc.; DJ Plumbing and Heating Inc.; and Hiller Fire Protection.

Photos by Hawk Visuals, Inc.

For more information about Connolly Brothers Inc., visit https://www.connollybrothers.com/ .

About Connolly Brothers Inc.

Connolly Brothers is a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial and institutional clients. A five-generation family business established in 1880, Connolly is based in Beverly, Massachusetts, and operates throughout the New England region. For more than a century, clients have turned to Connolly to handle all aspects of their construction projects, from planning and design to construction.

Media Contact:

Julia Kelley

978-927-0053, ext. 328

[email protected]

SOURCE Connolly Brothers Inc.
465,036-square-foot, Class A industrial development to deliver two LEED-ready buildings in the high-growth North Charlotte logistics corridor

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Crescent Communities, a nationally recognized market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use communities and industrial projects, and GTIS Partners ("GTIS"), a global real estate investment firm that manages $4.7 billion in gross assets with a focus in the U.S. on residential and industrial investments, announced today the land closing and construction start of AXIAL Commerce Station, a two-building, 465,036-square-foot industrial development located at 12705 Commerce Station Drive in Huntersville, North Carolina, just 15 miles north of Uptown Charlotte. Construction is set to commence in the coming months, with delivery expected in late 2026. AXIAL Commerce station will be co-developed by GTIS and Crescent.

GTIS Partners

Designed with flexibility and longevity in mind  from clear heights and building footprints that support a wide range of industrial needs to LEED-ready features  AXIAL Commerce Station reflects the partners' overarching commitment to responsible development. This project will help drive jobs, tax revenue, and long-term economic benefits for Huntersville and the broader Charlotte region, estimating that AXIAL Commerce Station will create more than 250 jobs once delivered.

"AXIAL Commerce Station is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the growth and resilience of the North Charlotte industrial market," said Chase Kerley, Managing Director of Industrial at Crescent Communities. "Huntersville offers an exceptional combination of connectivity, workforce strength, and business momentum. As demand for distribution, manufacturing, and logistics facilities continues to accelerate across the region, this project will provide the modern, sustainable space that today's users are actively seeking."

"GTIS continues to see strong fundamentals in the North Charlotte market where robust demand  led by suburban population growth  is met with declining new supply. Industrial deliveries in 2025 were approximately a quarter of the new supply in 2024 and 2023. Positive supply-demand, combined with the premier location, makes AXIAL Commerce Station a compelling investment opportunity for our partners," said Robert McCall, Partner and Head of US Industrial at GTIS Partners.

AXIAL Commerce Station will occupy more than 42 acres and deliver two institutional-quality, tilt-up concrete rear-load buildings designed to accommodate today's most active industrial users. Building 1, totaling 327,261 square feet, will offer a 36-foot clear height, multiple knockout panels, drive-in doors, 293 auto parking spaces, and 54 trailer stalls to support distribution and logistics operations. Building 2, measuring 137,775 square feet, will feature a 32-foot clear height, a 210-by-650-foot footprint, and 146 dedicated auto parking spaces. Both buildings will share generous 130-foot truck courts, incorporate LED lighting and ESFR sprinkler systems, and include approximately 2,500 square feet of office space each.

Located within the sought-after North Charlotte submarket and ideally positioned along the I-77 corridor, AXIAL Commerce Station will benefit from exceptional access to major regional and national transportation networks. Charlotte continues to emerge as one of the most connected logistics hubs in the country, supported by Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Norfolk Southern's state-of-the-art intermodal facility, CSX's direct rail service to the Port of Wilmington, and an inland terminal operated by the North Carolina Ports Authority.

In addition to Crescent Communities and GTIS, financial partners on the project include Chuo Nittochi Group (equity partner) and United Bank (lender). Additional partners include Avison Young (leasing brokers), Evans (general contractor), Merriman Schmitt (architect), and SeamonWhiteside (civil engineer).

The partnership between Crescent and GTIS brings together two experienced developers in the industrial space to deliver a best-in-class product in an efficient manner. In total, the Crescent and GTIS teams have executed nearly 100 industrial projects, representing over $2 billion of project cost and over 25 million square feet of leasable area, largely in the Carolinas and the southeastern United States.

Prospective tenants should contact Avison Young for leasing inquiries.

The Crescent Communities team has extensive experience in executing AXIAL Industrial projects encompassing more than $921 million. Today, its portfolio features 65 industrial projects, with nearly 14.5 million square feet of completed projects and 3 million square feet of projects in development or operation. Recent milestones include the sale of AXIAL Gateway 95 in Richmond, the continued lease-up of AXIAL Rapid Commerce in Charlotte, and the sale of AXIAL Southgate 77, also in Charlotte.

View renderings of AXIAL Commerce Station here.

About Crescent Communities:

Crescent Communities is a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use "communities." We create high-quality, differentiated multifamily and commercial communities in many of the fastest growing markets in the United States. Since 1963, our development portfolio has included more than 96 multifamily communities and 25 million square feet of commercial space. Crescent Communities has offices in Charlotte, D.C., Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. Our multifamily communities are branded NOVEL, RENDER, and HARMON by Crescent Communities, our industrial developments are branded AXIAL by Crescent Communities, and our life science developments are branded THE YIELD by Crescent Communities.

About GTIS Partners:

GTIS Partners is a global real estate investment firm in the Americas, headquartered in New York with offices in Sao Paulo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Charlotte, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Savannah, and Munich. The firm was founded in 2005 and is managed by President and Founder Tom Shapiro and seven other partners. The firm manages $4.7 billion in gross assets and is active across a wide range of real estate sectors including single family and multifamily housing, office, industrial/logistics and hospitality as well as opportunity zone investments. The firm invests at various points in the capital structure including credit, common equity and structured equity. In the US, GTIS has invested in 236 assets across almost 50 unique markets including growth areas such as Miami, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, Tampa and Charlotte. In Brazil, GTIS is among the largest real estate private equity firms with holdings including office, residential, logistics, and hospitality investments. Marquee assets developed by GTIS Partners in Sao Paulo include the Infinity office building and Palacio Tangara, a five-star resort style hotel. For more information, please visit www.gtispartners.com.

SOURCE Crescent Communities and GTIS Partners
BANGALORE, India, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cryopreservation Freezer Market Size

The global Cryopreservation Freezer Market was valued at USD 568 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 840 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE GLOBAL CRYOPRESERVATION FREEZER MARKET:

The cryopreservation freezer market is shaped by expanding needs across life sciences, healthcare, and advanced biological storage applications where long term sample integrity is critical. These freezers support preservation of cells, tissues, reproductive materials, and sensitive biological substances under controlled thermal conditions that maintain viability and functional stability. Increasing reliance on biobanks, regenerative medicine programs, fertility centers, and research laboratories has elevated the importance of reliable cryogenic storage systems. Market growth is also influenced by rising emphasis on sample traceability, contamination prevention, and compliance with stringent handling standards. Organizations prioritize robust freezer designs that ensure uniform cooling, operational consistency, and long service life. As biological materials become more valuable and complex, cryopreservation freezers are increasingly viewed as core infrastructure rather than auxiliary equipment within modern biomedical ecosystems.

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Tunnel freezers contribute to cryopreservation freezer market growth by enabling continuous, uniform freezing processes suitable for large scale biological and pharmaceutical preservation workflows. Their linear design supports consistent exposure to controlled cooling environments, reducing variability that can compromise cellular integrity. Tunnel freezers are favored in settings where throughput, repeatability, and process discipline are essential, such as centralized storage facilities and contract preservation services. These systems support streamlined loading and unloading, minimizing manual handling risks and exposure to ambient conditions. Their adaptability to automated material handling systems further enhances operational efficiency. By supporting standardized preservation protocols and minimizing thermal shock, tunnel freezers strengthen confidence in long term storage outcomes, making them attractive investments for institutions scaling biological storage operations.

IQF freezers drive cryopreservation freezer market expansion by enabling rapid, individual freezing that preserves structural and functional characteristics of biological materials. This approach prevents aggregation, clumping, and uneven cooling, which are critical concerns in cell therapy, tissue engineering, and sensitive sample storage. IQF systems allow precise control over freezing conditions, supporting reproducibility across batches and reducing sample loss. Their flexibility enables handling of diverse sample formats without extensive reconfiguration, appealing to research organizations managing varied biological inventories. By enhancing post thaw recovery and reducing degradation risks, IQF freezers support higher success rates in downstream applications. These advantages position IQF technology as a preferred solution where precision preservation and sample independence are essential priorities.

Bio-pharma companies accelerate cryopreservation freezer market growth through their extensive reliance on stable storage for biologics, vaccines, cell therapies, and developmental compounds. These organizations require dependable freezing solutions to protect intellectual property, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain consistency across research, clinical, and manufacturing stages. Cryopreservation freezers support controlled storage during long development cycles and multi location collaboration. Bio-pharma firms prioritize systems that reduce contamination risk, maintain temperature uniformity, and integrate with quality management frameworks. As pipelines expand toward complex biological products, storage requirements become more demanding. Investment in advanced cryopreservation infrastructure reflects the sector's focus on reliability, scalability, and risk mitigation, reinforcing sustained demand for specialized freezer solutions.

Operational reliability is a major factor driving the cryopreservation freezer market, as users depend on uninterrupted performance to safeguard irreplaceable biological materials. Institutions require systems that maintain stable conditions during power fluctuations, extended operation, and routine maintenance cycles. Reliability reduces sample loss, operational disruptions, and reputational risk, particularly in regulated environments. Freezers designed for consistent performance build user confidence and support long term storage strategies. Organizations increasingly evaluate equipment based on durability, proven track records, and service support rather than initial acquisition considerations alone. As biological inventories grow in value and complexity, dependable freezer operation becomes essential to sustaining research continuity, clinical integrity, and commercial viability across life science applications.

Preserving sample integrity strongly influences cryopreservation freezer adoption, as biological materials are highly sensitive to temperature variation and handling conditions. Freezers that maintain uniform cooling and minimize thermal stress help ensure viability and functional preservation after storage. Maintaining integrity is crucial for applications involving cell therapies, reproductive medicine, and long term research repositories. Loss of integrity can invalidate years of work and compromise patient outcomes. Organizations therefore prioritize equipment that supports stable environments and consistent performance. As biological samples become more specialized and valuable, maintaining their original characteristics during storage is a central driver encouraging investment in advanced cryopreservation freezer solutions across scientific and medical fields.

Regulatory compliance requirements significantly drive the cryopreservation freezer market, particularly within healthcare, pharmaceutical, and research sectors. Institutions must meet strict standards related to storage conditions, documentation, and risk control. Cryopreservation freezers that support validated performance and controlled environments help organizations align with compliance expectations. Failure to meet storage standards can result in operational delays, financial penalties, or loss of accreditation. As regulatory oversight becomes more rigorous, demand increases for freezer systems that support audit readiness and consistent operating practices. Compliance driven purchasing decisions emphasize reliability, traceability, and long term stability, reinforcing sustained growth for specialized cryopreservation freezer solutions.

The expansion of biobanking activities is a key growth factor for the cryopreservation freezer market, as biobanks store diverse biological materials for research, diagnostics, and future therapeutic use. These facilities require long term preservation systems capable of maintaining sample quality over extended periods. Growth in population studies, genetic research, and personalized medicine initiatives increases biobank volumes and storage complexity. Cryopreservation freezers provide the controlled environments necessary to protect sample viability and data integrity. As biobanks scale operations and broaden material types, demand rises for robust freezer infrastructure that supports organized, secure, and sustainable biological storage practices globally.

Rising clinical research demand fuels cryopreservation freezer market growth by increasing the volume of samples requiring controlled storage during trials. Clinical studies depend on preserving blood, tissue, and cellular materials for analysis and verification across extended timelines. Reliable freezing solutions ensure consistency between collection, analysis, and validation stages. As trials become more complex and geographically distributed, standardized storage becomes essential. Cryopreservation freezers enable secure sample handling and support collaboration among research sites. Growing investment in clinical research, particularly in advanced therapies, strengthens the need for dependable preservation systems, positioning cryopreservation freezers as critical assets in research infrastructure planning.

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CRYOPRESERVATION FREEZER MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Tunnel Freezer

IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) Freezer

By Application

Bio-pharma Companies

Blood Banks

Key Companies

Haier Biomedical

Thermo Fisher Scientific

PHC Corporation

Dometic Group

Helmer Scientific

Aucma

Dulas

MeiLing

Vestfrost Solutions

Indrel Scientific

Felix Storch

Follett

SunDanzer

Sure Chill

SO-LOW

CRYOPRESERVATION FREEZER MARKET SHARE

North America emphasizes advanced biomedical research, biobanking, and clinical trials, driving strong adoption of preservation systems, this in turn is driving the Cryopreservation Freezer Market. Asia Pacific experiences growing investment in healthcare expansion, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and academic research, increasing freezer adoption.

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- Cell Line Cryopreservation Market was valued at USD 4803 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 10556 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period.

- Virus Cryopreservation Market

- Human Oocyte Cryopreservation Market was estimated to be worth USD 91 Million and is forecast to reach approximately USD 239 Million by 2031 with a CAGR of 15.0% during the forecast period 2025-2031.

- Oocyte Cryopreservation market size was USD 92 Million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 242 Million by 2031 with a CAGR of 15.0% during the forecast period 2025-2031.

- Stem Cells Cryopreservation Equipments Market was estimated to be worth USD 100 Million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 110 Million by 2031 with a CAGR of 1.3% during the forecast period 2025-2031.

- Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation Service Market

- Cell Cryopreservation Reagent Market

- Cryopreservation Storage Equipment Market

- Cord Blood Cryopreservation Service Market

- Organoid Cryopreservation Medium Market

- Cryopreservation Media Market was valued at USD 467 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 901 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period.

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Van der Post will lead the company's growth and transformation plans

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DigitalBridge Group, Inc. ("DigitalBridge" or the "Company") (NYSE: DBRG), a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure, and Crestview Partners ("Crestview"), a leading private equity firm, announced that, effective today, Frank van der Post has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of WideOpenWest Inc. (WOW!), succeeding Teresa Elder, who is retiring.

Frank van der Post

Mr. van der Post previously led the U.S. fiber-broadband business of Cogeco Inc. as President of Breezeline, with operations in 13 states, and served on Cogeco's Executive Committee. Before joining Cogeco, Mr. van der Post was Chief Commercial Officer of KPN, a Dutch multi-service telecommunications operator, and was a member of the company's Management Board. His global senior leadership roles have included British Airways, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Jumeirah Group in Dubai.

"Frank brings deep experience in delivering financial results, modernizing legacy networks, transforming the customer experience and driving growth in highly competitive markets. We are excited to have him lead WOW!'s business transformation," said Brian Cassidy, President and Head of Media at Crestview Partners. "We also thank Teresa Elder for her strong leadership of WOW! over the last eight years and wish her well in the future."

Jonathan Friesel, Senior Managing Director and Head of Fiber at DigitalBridge, said, "We welcome Frank van der Post to WOW! as we accelerate our growth plans. Under Frank's experienced leadership, we look forward to investing in network and customer experience enhancements, pursuing operational excellence, and delivering an exceptional connected experience over WOW!'s high-performance networks."

"I want to thank our investment partners for their trust and confidence in me and for the opportunity to lead WOW! into new growth," Frank van der Post said. "The support and resources of DigitalBridge and Crestview will benefit not only the company and its employees, but most especially our customers, as we invest in network performance and reliability, focus on delivering a great customer experience, and ignite new growth in highly competitive markets."

DigitalBridge and Crestview announced that affiliated investment funds completed their previously announced take-private acquisition of WOW! on December 31, 2025. With the completion of the transaction, WOW! common stock is no longer traded or listed on any public securities exchange.

About DigitalBridge

DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) is a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure. With a heritage of 30 years investing in and operating businesses across the digital ecosystem, including cell towers, data centers, fiber, small cells, and edge infrastructure, the DigitalBridge team manages $108 billion of infrastructure assets on behalf of its limited partners and shareholders. For more information, visit: www.digitalbridge.com.

About Crestview

Founded in 2004, Crestview is a New York-based private equity firm focused on the middle market. The firm manages funds with over $10 billion of aggregate capital commitments and is led by a group of partners who have complementary experience and backgrounds in private equity, finance, operations and management. Crestview has senior investment professionals focused on sourcing and managing investments in each of the firm's specialty areas: media, industrials, and financial services. For more information, please visit www.crestview.com.

About WOW!

WOW! is one of the nation's leading broadband providers delivering high-speed Internet services, cable TV, home phone, mobile phone, business data, voice, and cloud services to homes and businesses in 20 markets, including Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. For more information, visit wowway.com.

Media Contacts

DigitalBridge

Jonathan Keehner/Sarah Salky

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

(212) 355-4449

[email protected]

Crestview

Jeffrey Taufield or Daniel Yunger

Kekst CNC

(212) 521-4800

[email protected] or [email protected]

WideOpenWest, Inc.

Debra Havins

(720) 527-8214

[email protected]

Andrew Walton

(610) 585-2123

[email protected]

SOURCE WideOpenWest (WOW!)
BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree promulgating a regulation on commercial mediation to improve the country's business environment.

The new regulation, which will take effect on May 1, 2026, comprises 33 articles. It aims to regulate commercial mediation activities, resolve commercial disputes effectively, protect the legitimate rights and interests of parties involved, as well as promote the development of the commercial mediation industry.

It stipulates that commercial disputes that arise between parties in fields such as trade, investment, finance, transportation, real estate, engineering construction, and intellectual property rights shall be subject to commercial mediation.

The regulation clarifies the management system for commercial mediation work, with the judicial administrative department of the State Council guiding and regulating the work nationwide and formulating overall plans for the development of the sector.

Local governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for guiding and regulating commercial mediation work within their respective administrative regions through their judicial administrative departments, according to the regulation.

It also stresses that the country shall cultivate internationally influential commercial mediation organizations to enhance their international competitiveness and support them in carrying out cross-border commercial mediation activities, and encourage them to conduct international exchanges and cooperation. 
The latest intercept suggests that HSRP is an emerging Carlin-type gold trend parallel to the nearby Getchell Trend  a region known for hosting multiple high-grade Carlin-style gold deposits, including Turquoise Ridge1 and Twin Creeks1 in Nevada. To date, Eminent has only tested the Otis target. When the untested geophysical and geochemical anomalies at Eden, Sitka and to the north of Otis are included, the scale of potential mineralization is comparable in strike length and orientation to the Getchell Trend (Figure 1).

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dan McCoy, Ph.D., as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Dr. McCoy, a Nevada-based geologist with over 40 years of experience, previously served as President & CEO of Keegan Resources where he led the team that discovered and advanced the ~5 million ounce Esaase gold deposit in Ghana (now a producing gold mine in Galiano Gold) and subsequently Dan McCoy was the Chief Geologist for Cayden Resources which sold for $205 million in 2014 to Agnico Eagle. Dr. McCoy has most recently served as Eminent's founding Chief Geologist and Director and Eminent Gold is his 100% focus. The Company would like to thank President and CEO, Paul Sun who steps down due to time constraints, for all his valuable contributions to date as he transitions to a director role, remaining actively involved with the board.

Dan McCoy, President and CEO, stated:

"Our fourth hole (HSC005) is a breakthrough intercept for the project due to the consistency and length of high-grade oxide gold mineralization. This Carlin-type intercept rates as one of the most important in recent years. Unlike many programs chasing deep, refractory mineralization at the edges of known trends, HSRP represents a completely new gold trend in an underexplored range, right next door and parallel to the prolific Getchell Trend."

Dr. McCoy further commented, "I would like to thank Paul Sun for his contributions and dedication in guiding Eminent through its early stages. Paul's execution in acquiring and positioning our Nevada portfolio has been instrumental in bringing us to this exciting discovery phase at Hot Springs Range. I look forward to continuing to work with Paul as an existing director while advancing all three districtscale exploration projects in 2026."

Table 1  Significant Gold Intercepts  HSC005

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) HSC005 295.5 304.7 9.2 3.2 incl. 299.3 300.2 0.9 5.4 incl. 303.6 304.7 1.1 4.6 (1 g/t Au cut-off, no internal dilution)



The is insufficient drilling data to calculate true width but structural indications from the core and from cross-sections, suggest that the true width is at least 60% of the intercept width. This intercept is in a broader envelope that begins and ends in >0.25 g/t and equals = 31.8 m @ 1.0 g/t Au.

Geological Interpretation

Hole HSC005 is the first to penetrate the NW-trending Little Humboldt fault (Figures 2, 3) and encountered thicker and more intense hydrothermal alteration than the previous three holes. All gold mineralization intersected to date is hosted within the Mississippian Home Ranch Terrane (Figure 2), consisting of volcanic rocks with highly varying textures interspersed with lesser limestone. Some of the best host rocks are volcanic breccias with angular clasts.

Alteration occurred in two main stages. The first accompanied intense ductile deformation, which pervasively folded and thrusted the rocks, mobilizing calcite from limestones into abundant veins within the volcanics. The second, brittle event  associated with gold mineralization and hydrothermal activity  produced secondary brecciation and extensive decalcification. Calcite veins and volcanic rocks were replaced by pervasive silica, illite, and iron oxides that destroy the original rock fabric (Figure 4). Although quartz veins are present, the highest grades appear related to intense silicification and illite replacement.

The reported intercept is relatively uniform, with assays ranging from 1.0 g/t to a high of 5.4 g/t Au (Figure 5). In the footwall of the Little Humboldt fault, alteration extends downward into deeper, hornfelsed andesite breccia. Penetrating dense, recrystallized hornfels with significant alteration is a strong indicator of a robust, high-energy hydrothermal fluid system  suggesting proximity to the underlying heat and fluid source.

To date, all four completed core holes at HSRP have intersected oxide-hosted gold mineralization, further de-risking the 10 km structural corridor. Drilling is ongoing on the Company's fifth hole from Pad 5 to obtain the first true perpendicular section across the Otis Fault. With the geological model now validated, the Company plans to transition to faster, lower-cost reverse-circulation drilling in 2026 to aggressively test the open targets at the Otis prospect (Figure 2) as well as at the remaining four high-priority targets.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

All samples were assayed by Paragon Geochemical in Reno, Nevada using fire assay with AAS finish. Eminent maintains a rigorous QA/QC program including the insertion of its own blanks, standards and duplicates in order to independently monitor laboratory precision and quality in its geochemical analyses.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, P.Geo., an Independent Consultant, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Cautionary Statement



References to nearby districts such as the Getchell Trend are for geological context only and should not be construed as indicating mineralization on Eminent's properties.

 https://s25.q4cdn.com/322814910/files/doc_downloads/operations/ngm/Turquoise-Ridge-Technical-Report-March2024.pdf

*HSC001 aborted due to unusual drilling conditions at 21 meters

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dan McCoy

CEO & Director

Website: www.eminentgoldcorp.com

Twitter: @eminent_gold

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/eminent-gold-corp/

About Eminent Gold

Eminent Gold is a gold exploration company focused on creating shareholder value through the exploration and discovery of world-class gold deposits in Nevada. Its multidisciplinary team has had multiple successes in gold discoveries and brings expertise and new ideas to the Great Basin. The Company's exploration assets in the Great Basin include: Hot Springs Range, Gilbert South and Celts.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements made in this news release include the anticipated completion of the private placement and the use of proceeds from the private placement. Although Eminent Gold Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, including the assumption that records and reports of historical work are accurate and correct, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop the Company's projects or its other projects, to repay its debt and for general working capital purposes; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of gold, silver and other metals, changes in general economic conditions, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the Company's projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, aboriginal title claims and rights to consultation and accommodation, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Eminent Gold Corp.
New white paper from TruGrid outlines a blueprint for safer job sites and reveals the safety system that helped the company go a full year without OSHA recordables.

HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TruGrid, a leading engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company specializing in energy storage and solar, is celebrating an extremely rare safety milestone that few EPCs ever achieve. The company has released a new safety white paper outlining how it went more than 365 consecutive days with zero Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable incidents and maintained a 0.0 Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR).

Key Safety Stats

TruGrid achieved 365+ consecutive days with zero OSHA recordable incidents.

TruGrid completed five projects and over 200,000 work hours without a single recordable event.

TruGrid's 0.0 TRIR significantly outperforms industry averages.

Average TRIR for construction industry: 1.5-2.3 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).



Average TRIR for utilities and renewable industry companies: 1.14 (ISNetworld).

How TruGrid Did It

Leadership alignment: Weekly health, safety, and environmental (HSE) reviews, jobsite walks, and active participation in pre-mobilization planning.

Weekly health, safety, and environmental (HSE) reviews, jobsite walks, and active participation in pre-mobilization planning. Integrated field and subcontractor programs: Subcontractors fully aligned with TruGrid safety standards, pre-task planning, and stop-work authority expectations.

Subcontractors fully aligned with TruGrid safety standards, pre-task planning, and stop-work authority expectations. Training and continuous improvement: Comprehensive site-specific safety training, daily toolbox talks, digital learning platforms with >98% completion rates, and structured review of near misses.

Comprehensive site-specific safety training, daily toolbox talks, digital learning platforms with >98% completion rates, and structured review of near misses. Strategic investment in safety: Upgraded PPE, digital safety reporting systems, structured workflows, and safety contingency funds for rapid hazard mitigation.

"Safety performance at this level is the result of alignment, accountability, and a culture where teams are empowered to act before incidents occur," said Justin Whittenburg, Senior Director of Health, Safety & Environment at TruGrid.

The full white paper provides data-driven insights and practical recommendations for EPCs seeking to strengthen jobsite safety, reduce risk, and build resilient safety cultures. Click here to read the full white paper.

About TruGrid

TruGrid is a premier utility-scale engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor specializing in battery energy storage systems (BESS) and solar technology, as well as operations & maintenance (O&M). Its mission is to connect customers and communities with reliable and valuable utility-scale clean energy projects. Based in Houston, Texas, TruGrid is at the forefront of North America's energy transition, offering integrated solutions that ensure the most profitable projects for customers. Proudly owned by Hull Street Energy, TruGrid is dedicated to advancing sustainability and leading the energy industry with a focus on excellence, safety, and reliability.

Media Contact

Amy Norstedt

Marketing Director

[email protected]

SOURCE TruGrid
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Essentia Organic Mattress is closing out a milestone year marked by the opening of its second manufacturing facility - and first in the United States - complementing its long-standing Canadian manufacturing operations, steady growth amid industry-wide economic pressures, and a renewed commitment to advancing sleep as the foundation of whole-body health. As the brand celebrates its twentieth anniversary, Essentia enters 2026 positioned at the intersection of organic manufacturing, performance sleep science, and longevity.

2025: A Year of Strategic Expansion and Innovation

Despite ongoing tariffs and economic headwinds impacting the broader mattress industry, Essentia maintained steady sales and expanded its footprint. Key milestones from the past year include:

U.S. Manufacturing Milestone: The opening of Essentia's second manufacturing facilityand first in the United Statesin Boca Raton, Florida , complementing its established Canadian production. The state-of-the-art facility was built to support rising demand for cleaner, high-performance sleep products while reinforcing Essentia's commitment to responsible, North American manufacturing.

The opening of Essentia's second manufacturing facilityand first in the United Statesin , complementing its established Canadian production. The state-of-the-art facility was built to support rising demand for cleaner, high-performance sleep products while reinforcing Essentia's commitment to responsible, North American manufacturing. High-Performance Organic Sleep at a More Accessible Price: The launch of the Venti Organic Mattress , designed to make Essentia's patented organic latex foam technology more accessibleat a price point that challenges conventional pricing in the organic mattress category. Featuring a versatile, dual-sided design, the Venti delivers both firm and soft comfort profiles in a single mattress, offering high-performance, breathable sleep without the premium price tag typically associated with organic mattresses.

The launch of the , designed to make Essentia's patented organic latex foam technology more accessibleat a price point that challenges conventional pricing in the organic mattress category. Featuring a versatile, dual-sided design, the Venti delivers both firm and soft comfort profiles in a single mattress, offering high-performance, breathable sleep without the premium price tag typically associated with organic mattresses. Biohacking for Longevity: The introduction of the Dave Asprey Upgrade , an EMF Protection enhancement developed in collaboration with the "Father of Biohacking." This reflects Essentia's growing leadership in the longevity space.

The introduction of the , an EMF Protection enhancement developed in collaboration with the "Father of Biohacking." This reflects Essentia's growing leadership in the longevity space. Authority in Wellness: CEO Jack Dell'Accio expanded the brand's reach through high-impact collaborations with health leaders, including Jim Kwik, Dr. Mindy Pelz, Joe DeSena (Spartan), and Wellness Mama.

The 2026 Vision: Reset. Repair. Regenerate.

Beginning this month, Essentia is launching a new wave of wellness education centered on the theme: Reset. Repair. Regenerate. This initiative focuses on the "active" nature of sleepspecifically how Deep and REM cycles activate critical overnight repair processes. By translating complex sleep science into practical insights, Essentia aims to help consumers understand sleep not as passive rest, but as a nightly investment in cellular renewal, memory consolidation, and immune recalibration.

"Twenty years ago, we set out to reinvent what a mattress could be," said Jack Dell'Accio, CEO and Founder of Essentia. "Today, the conversation has evolved. While Canada remains the heart of where Essentia was born, opening our Boca Raton facility isn't just about logistics; it's about bringing the future of sleep health home to the U.S. and proving that performance and sustainability can coexist. We are entering 2026 ready to lead the next chapter of sleep wellness."

Looking Ahead

As the company looks forward, Essentia expects continued expansion across retail partnerships and product innovation. The brand remains committed to refining sleep performance technologies and helping people harness sleep as a daily tool for recovery, resilience, and longevity.

About Essentia Organic Mattress

Founded in 2006, Essentia Organic Mattress is a leader in high-performance organic sleep solutions, advancing sleep as a foundational pillar of health, longevity, and human performance. Best known for its proprietary Beyond Latex organic foam technology, Essentia designs mattresses and sleep systems that support deeper, longer Deep and REM sleepkey drivers of physical recovery, cognitive function, and emotional resilience.

Crafted using certified organic and low-toxicity materials, Essentia products are engineered to reduce common sleep disruptors such as chemical off-gassing, allergens, mold, and environmental sleep stimulantscreating a cleaner, more restorative sleep environment. As Essentia marks 20 years of innovation, the brand continues to shape the future of sleep wellness through research-driven design and collaborations with leaders in health, performance, and longevity.

Essentia products are available online and through select retail and wellness partners across North America. Learn more at www.myessentia.com.

SOURCE Essentia Organic Mattress
Court backs Natural Grocers: Major win for clear GMO labeling and consumer transparency. Post this

GMO vs. Bioengineered: Retailers and brands may use the name "GMO," which consumers widely recognize. Previous USDA rules focused on the exclusive use of "bioengineered," a term that plaintiffs argued was confusing and infringed on free speech rights. QR Codes Are Not Enough: The court rejected rules allowing companies to rely solely on QR codes or text messages for disclosure. Natural Grocers argued that not all consumers have smartphones or reliable internet access. The ruling requires companies to provide clear, on-package information accessible to everyone. All Ingredients Must Be Labeled: The court found the USDA was wrong to exempt highly processed foods, such as oils and sugars, from labeling. Even if altered genes are undetectable in the final product, the ingredients still originate from bioengineered crops. The USDA must correct this in their next rulemaking.

WHAT COMES NEXT

This ruling means consumers will receive clearer, more transparent labeling. The USDA must revise its rules to ensure disclosures are accurate and accessible in its next rulemaking.

"Congress never intended to require the use of specific terms, the sole use of QR codes, or the exclusion of ingredients made from highly processed GMO crops," said Heather Isely, executive vice president of Natural Grocers. "We are pleased the court recognized the shortcomings of the final rule and mandated corrections. Natural Grocers will remain actively engaged in the GMO regulatory process."

George Kimbrell, legal director of the Center for Food Safety, said, "This hard-won victory means consumers will eventually see the clear and accurate GMO label information they deserve. The USDA must now correct its rules and make label disclosures readily accessible across the board."

NATURAL GROCERS' GMO POLICY AND PRODUCT STANDARDS

Natural Grocers has advocated for GMO labeling since 2012 and led efforts to promote a labeling initiative in Colorado in 2014. The company prohibits most GMO ingredients in the grocery products it sells, including those produced using new genetic techniques such as gene-editing and cell culture.

Natural Grocers' philosophy is simple: food should come from real sources and undergo as few modifications as possible. Products with ingredients at high risk of being genetically modified must be organic or verified as non-GMO. If a company cannot provide confirmation, Natural Grocers will not carry the product.

In 1990, the company created a dynamic list of the most problematic ingredients and an explanation of why it won't carry them: Things We Won't Carry and Why. Natural Grocers uses this ever-evolving list to screen the products it carries, so that only the best, highest-quality products end up on its shelves, in a customer's grocery cart, and on the table. The company's quality standards experts keep up with the latest research and meet regularly to consider product issues and concerns and to review specific ingredients, resulting in on-going modifications to this list.

GET INVOLVED

Natural Grocers' Advocacy Alerts help keep consumers informed about legislative and regulatory developments that impact access to health and wellness products. Sign up at advocacy.naturalgrocers.com/sign_in/.

ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE

Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products and dietary supplements. The grocery products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners (as defined by its standards), synthetic colors or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its Five Founding Principlesincluding its "Commitment to Community" and "Commitment to Crew." In fiscal year 2025, the Company invested more than $16 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 168 stores in 21 states. Visit naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.
BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Mexico Transportes (GMXT), Mexico's largest railway network with over 10,000 km of track coverage and a U.S. presence in Texas and Florida, is partnering with CloudMoyo to modernize its railway operations. With CloudMoyo's AI-powered suite of solutions, GMXT will be implementing CloudMoyo Crew Management, which leverages the power of Azure, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence to deliver scalability, efficiency, and agility across railway operations.

In addition to CloudMoyo Crew Management, GMXT will also implement Crew Analytics, Crew Projection, and CrewWisea generative AI-powered assistant to optimize operations across supply chain management, transportation, and distribution.

CloudMoyo Crew Management (CCM) is tailored for railroads to manage the entire crew management process across stages. Post this

"As Mexico's largest railway network, GMXT is committed to delivering best-in-class rail services for our customers across industries," says Jorge Marquez Abreu, Chief Operating Officer, GMXT. "By adopting CloudMoyo's suite of crew management solutions, we're strengthening our focus on the adoption of the latest advancements in cloud and AIenhancing our agility, scalability, and positioning ourselves at the forefront of practices that drive efficiency and safety."

CloudMoyo Crew Management (CCM) is tailored for railroads to manage the entire crew management process across stagesfrom crew deployment, to tracking qualifications and maintaining compliance with the Federal Railroad Administration, while providing real-time visibility with advanced analytics.

"We're very excited to partner with GMXT in modernizing their rail operations with AI, especially given CloudMoyo's focus on employing generative AI and agentic AI to address enterprise challenges," says Manish Kedia, Co-Founder and CEO of CloudMoyo. "Being a part of Mexico's largest cargo operator's digital transformation journey is special, particularly as we lead the next phase of transformation with data, advanced analytics, and agentic AI."

About GMXT

GMXT is Mexico's largest railway network, with 10,000 km of track covering the country's main industrial and consumption areas, connecting Mexico with the rest of the world through 8 ports and 6 border crossings. They serve a diverse array of industries including agricultural, automotive, intermodal, and industrial products & consumer goods. With an impressive fleet of 800+ locomotives and 28,000 railcars, GMXT strives to be the safest and most efficient rail transport companywhile maintaining sustainability goals aligned with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

About CloudMoyo

CloudMoyo is a global digital engineering firm headquartered in Bellevue, WA, with an innovation center in Pune, India. At the intersection of cloud and AI for enterprises across industrial, retail & CPG, healthcare & life sciences, TMT & consulting, and more, the company helps enterprises modernize their data ecosystems and infuse AI across the business to drive real-time insights, decision-making, and autonomy at scale. With deep expertise in large language models, proprietary generative AI-based platforms, reusable frameworks, and AI accelerators, CloudMoyo focuses on unlocking tangible business valueby unifying fragmented data and enabling self-service BI as well as deploying generative AI for summarization, content generation, and intelligent automation.

Complementing their data & AI focus, the company also brings deep expertise in Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), offering end-to-end services spanning pre-implementation strategy, platform rollout, and post-implementation intelligence. The company's strategic partnerships with Icertis, Microsoft, and Snowflake enable them to deliver integrated, enterprise-grade solutions tailored for scale.

As a reflection of CloudMoyo's FORTE values, the company has been honored as the Icertis Partner of the YearForte Values in 2021. Recognized by Seattle Business Magazine as a "Top Company to Work For" for the sixth consecutive year, ranking #1 on the prestigious list for 2024, CloudMoyo has also been awarded the 2024 Highest Delivery NPS Award at the 2024 Icertis Partner Summit.

Media Contact

Joy Bartolome

Marketing LeadCloudMoyo

[email protected]

+1 (425) 908-0880

SOURCE CloudMoyo
Establishes Great Plains as a Global Model for Next-Generation Infrastructure, Industry, and Investment as a new Intelligent Innovation Hub

LOS ANGELES and SAN DIEGO and GREAT PLAINS, Kan., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart City Labs (SCL), an emerging global leader in intelligent infrastructure and AI-enabled urban operating systems, and partner Resilience Studios (RS), a pioneer in the development of Cognitive City Twins, today announced the signing of an agreement to deploy its Cognitive City Twin and Digital Alpha Urban OS at Great Plains Industrial Park (GPIP) and Kansas Proving Grounds (KPG).

This landmark deployment will position Great Plains to be one of the most advanced intelligent industrial and innovation campuses in the United States- purpose-built to attract global enterprises, advanced manufacturing, logistics, energy, defense, autonomy, and next-generation data and AI-driven industries.

A New Standard for Intelligent Industrial Campuses

The Smart City Labs platform will transform Great Plains from a traditional industrial park into a fully instrumented, AI-enabled innovation ecosystem. By integrating physical infrastructure, real-time operational data, edge and cloud intelligence, and immersive visualization, Great Plains will become a living, learning environment- one that continuously optimizes performance while also creating new economic and strategic value.

At the core of the deployment:

COGNITIVE CITY TWIN : A high-fidelity, real-time digital twin of the entire campus and proving grounds, enabling operators, tenants, partners, and investors to visualize, simulate, and manage infrastructure, logistics, utilities, safety, and expansion in a single immersive environment.

: A high-fidelity, real-time digital twin of the entire campus and proving grounds, enabling operators, tenants, partners, and investors to visualize, simulate, and manage infrastructure, logistics, utilities, safety, and expansion in a single immersive environment. DIGITAL ALPHA URBAN OS: Smart City Labs' operating system for intelligent places, unifying connectivity, data analytics, cognitive infrastructure, and engagement into a secure, scalable platform designed to compound value over time.

Together, these capabilities will establish Great Plains as a differentiated, future-ready innovation hub with room to scale space users drawn from national and global markets looking for strategic locations.

A Clear Differentiator for Global Customers and Capital

Unlike conventional industrial parks, the Smart City Labs deployment embeds intelligence directly into the land, infrastructure, and operations of Great Plains- creating long-term competitive advantages for enterprise tenants and all stakeholders.

Key differentiators include:

AI AS INFRASTRUCTURE

Intelligence is not layered on- it is built into the campus. Bespoke, place-specific AI models learn from operational, environmental, mobility, and energy data, continuously improving efficiency, resilience, and decision-making.

Intelligence is not layered on- it is built into the campus. Bespoke, place-specific AI models learn from operational, environmental, mobility, and energy data, continuously improving efficiency, resilience, and decision-making. EDGE-NATIVE, DATA-SOVEREIGN ARCHITECTURE

Critical workloads operate at the edge, reducing latency, improving security, and ensuring data sovereignty for sensitive industrial, defense, and enterprise use cases.

Critical workloads operate at the edge, reducing latency, improving security, and ensuring data sovereignty for sensitive industrial, defense, and enterprise use cases. INVESTMENT-GRADE TRANSPARENCY

The Cognitive City Twin provides decision-grade visibility into performance, risk, capacity, and expansion scenarios- supporting underwriting, insurance optimization, ESG reporting, and long-term capital planning.

The Cognitive City Twin provides decision-grade visibility into performance, risk, capacity, and expansion scenarios- supporting underwriting, insurance optimization, ESG reporting, and long-term capital planning. LAND-AND-EXPAND SCALABILITY

The platform is designed to scale seamlessly- from individual facilities to campus-wide deployments to regional and multi-state innovation corridors.

Demonstrating the Full Smart City Labs Capability Stack

Great Plains serves as a flagship demonstration of Smart City Labs' core platform capabilities across industrial, logistics, testing, and innovation environments:

CONNECTIVITY: Fiber, wireless, IoT, and sensor networks engineered for mission-critical operations

Fiber, wireless, IoT, and sensor networks engineered for mission-critical operations INTELLIGENCE: Edge and cloud analytics, digital twins, and bespoke AI/LLMs trained on real-world operational data

Edge and cloud analytics, digital twins, and bespoke AI/LLMs trained on real-world operational data ENGAGEMENT: Immersive visualization, stakeholder dashboards, and collaborative planning environments for operators, tenants, and investors

This end-to-end deployment will showcase Smart City Labs' ability to transform large-scale physical assets into intelligent, revenue-generating ecosystems.

A Platform for the Next Era of American Innovation

With its strategic geography, expansive footprint, and proving-ground capabilities, Great Plains is uniquely positioned to support emerging industries- from autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing to clean energy, logistics, and national resilience initiatives.

The Smart City Labs platform will ensure the campus can evolve dynamically alongside these industries, adapting to new technologies, regulatory frameworks, and market demands without requiring costly reinvention.

Executive Perspective

"Great Plains represents the future of intelligent industrial development," said Jack Illes, Managing Partner of Smart City Labs. "By deploying our Cognitive City Twin and Digital Alpha Urban OS, we are not just digitizing infrastructure- we are creating a learning system that compounds value over time. This positions Great Plains as a globally competitive innovation hub with the transparency, resilience, and scalability that today's enterprises and investors demand."

About Great Plains Industrial Park and Kansas Proving Grounds

Great Plains Industrial Park and the Kansas Proving Grounds provide large-scale, flexible environments located directly on the Union Pacific main line designed to support advanced industry, testing, and innovation. With significant room for expansion and a focus on next-generation infrastructure, Great Plains is emerging as a premier destination for enterprises shaping the future of industry and technology.

About Smart City Labs

Smart City Labs is a global platform company delivering AI-enabled operating systems and cognitive digital twins for cities, campuses, districts, and large-scale real estate assets. By integrating connectivity, intelligence, and immersive engagement, Smart City Labs transforms physical places into intelligent, adaptive ecosystems that lower costs, unlock new revenue, and support long-term economic growth

Media & Investor Inquiries

Great Plains Brad Reams, Director, [email protected], 620 421 1228

Smart City Labs Jack Illes, Managing Partner, [email protected], 619 540 3286

SOURCE Great Plains Development Authority
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, a New York City litigation firm representing victims of serious workplace and premises-related injuries, is calling attention to the extreme risks posed by forklift accidents across construction sites, warehouses, shipping yards, and retail facilities throughout the five boroughs, after handling cases involving catastrophic harm and death.

In one case filed in the Supreme Court, Queens County (Index No. 711819/2024), the plaintiff, a 90-year-old customer, was inside a store when a store employee ran over his foot with a forklift, causing crush injuries and multiple fractures. The injuries required numerous surgeries, underscoring how even a moment of negligence in a retail environment can permanently alter a person's life.

In another case filed in the Supreme Court, Bronx County (Index No. 23706/2020), a 60-year-old man was struck by a forklift and suffered a fatal crush injury to his torso. The incident highlights the lethal force of these machines, especially in busy, high-traffic environments where operator error, insufficient safety protocols, or poor site management can have irreversible consequences.

"Forklifts are essential tools across New York City, but they become incredibly dangerous when they're mishandled or when safety is treated as optional," said Robert Greenstein, founding partner at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP. "These incidents often cause catastrophic injuries-fractures, amputations, spinal trauma-and far too often, they lead to wrongful death. Our firm fights to hold every responsible party accountable."

Forklift accidents frequently occur due to inadequate operator training, unsafe or cluttered job sites, reckless operation, obstructed walkways and blind spots, and defective or poorly maintained equipment. These events may result in severe injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, crush injuries, multiple fractures, internal organ injuries, and, in the most tragic cases, fatalities.

As the firm's motto emphasizes: "Don't Be a Victim Twice." Injured victims - and their families  can file a personal injury lawsuit against negligent contractors, equipment manufacturers, maintenance providers, property owners, or forklift operators. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP conducts detailed investigations using maintenance logs, OSHA violation records, witness interviews, and video evidence to identify all liable parties and pursue full compensation.

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP also urges accident victims to act quickly, as New York legal deadlines apply. Most personal injury claims must be filed within three (3) years of the incident.

The firm represents forklift accident victims throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, Yonkers, Nassau County, and surrounding areas.

About Greenstein & Pittari, LLP

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP is a trusted New York litigation firm focusing on personal injury, municipal liability, and civil rights. With offices in New York City, the firm represents clients across the metropolitan area. It has a proven track record of obtaining millions in compensation for victims injured by negligent or reckless conduct. The attorneys are known for their aggressive legal strategies, meticulous case preparation, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Media Contact:

Press Office

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP

1-800-842-8462

[email protected]

www.nycLawFirm.com

SOURCE Greenstein & Pittari, LLP
Kentucky residents can now assert their identity securely and easily from their mobile phone.

RESTON, Va., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEMIA Public Security North America, the leading provider of secure and trusted biometric-based solutions, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles, has launched the next-generation of mobile ID in Kentucky. Kentucky residents can now assert their identity securely from their mobile phone by downloading the free app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. State residents can use the app immediately to verify their identities directly from their mobile phones at TSA Checkpoints at CVG, SDF, LEX, and PAH, in addition to other participating airports across the country.

The Kentucky mobile ID app provides a contactless and easy way for users to verify their identity, while putting users' privacy and security at the forefront. Mobile ID holders are the only ones who can access the mobile ID by unlocking the app using their biometrics or their personal six-digit pin. Users must consent to sharing their information when using their Mobile ID, an improvement in consumer privacy compared to the physical credential.

This comprehensive and interactive identity solution can be used for identity verification both in-person and online by various government agencies, businesses, and organizations. Created with IDEMIA's patented technologies, robust security features, and a focus on privacy and interoperability at the forefront, the Kentucky mobile ID app is designed to provide a safe and convenient option that mobile ID users and verifiers can trust.

The Kentucky mobile ID app is also part of the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence's (NCCoE) collaborative research and development agreement (CRADA) first use case under the mobile driver's license project.

"Mobile ID offers Kentuckians more options for air travel, while further protecting them from identity theft or having their private information shared," said Gov. Andy Beshear. "We want our families to be safe and feel safe while they are traveling, and this is just another step Team Kentucky is taking to increase safety for our people."

"Everything's in your phone; now your ID can be too," said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. "A digital ID serves as an addition to a physical ID, allowing Kentuckians convenience when proving their identity. One of the biggest benefits is letting cardholders limit showing only necessary personal information during a transaction or service, like withholding your address when proving your age to buy restricted items."

"As the digital identity market continues to evolve, it's inspiring to see more states embracing secure, convenient, and trusted mobile ID technology. We are proud to deepen our collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles, providing Kentucky residents with IDEMIA's innovative and advanced mobile ID solution," shared Rob Gardner, CEO, IDEMIA Civil Identity. "This partnership not only underscores our commitment to advancing digital identity but also highlights Kentucky's leadership in adopting cutting-edge technologies that enhance the daily lives of its citizens."

To learn more about Kentucky's Mobile ID, click here.

About IDEMIA Group

IDEMIA Group is a global technology leader with more than 12,500 employees worldwide. Its two market-leading divisions deliver mission-critical solutions that simplify and secure interactions in the physical and digital realms:

IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST) is the leading technology provider making it safer and easier to pay and connect. With unmatched expertise in cryptography and credential issuance, IST is trusted by over 2000 financial institutions, mobile operators, automotive manufacturers, and IoT providers worldwide. Every day, IST secures billions of essential transactions, ensuring the highest levels of data protection and convenience.

IDEMIA Public Security (IPS) is a trusted provider of government-grade and secure biometric-based solutions for 600 government, state and federal agencies. With decades of experience in biometric technologies, IPS enables safer, frictionless and fairer ways to secure travel, access and citizen protection.

For more information, please visit www.idemia.com.

Media contact:

Genevieve de Vera

IDEMIA Public Security

(978) 808-7047

[email protected]

Media contact:

Naitore Djigbenou

(502) 582-4829

[email protected]

Allen Blair

(606) 748-3716

[email protected]

SOURCE IDEMIA Identity & Security USA LLC
The integration with NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano addresses a major barrier in smart infrastructure. High-performing LiDAR sensors generate gigabits per second of raw data, which is impractical for wireless or cloud-based systems. The compact form factor and high GPU efficiency of NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano makes it an ideal selection for edge-processing and real-time compression. InnovizSMARTer reduces data transmission requirements by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude, eliminating the requirement for costly fiber infrastructure and enabling flexible, scalable deployments. The solution supports Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G, as well as other wireless networks, making high-performance 3D perception possible in multiple markets and use cases, including smart cities, mobility, perimeter security, and more.

With a cost-effective, cloud-connected solution, InnovizSMARTer, integrated with NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano simplifies installations, allowing customers to deploy more sensors, faster, and in more locations. This is expected to dramatically shorten project timelines and lowers upfront investment, making advanced 3D perception accessible to a wider range of customers and use cases. The cloud-based architecture is designed to allow customers to monitor, manage, and scale their projects remotely, supporting rapid expansion across cities, campuses, and enterprises worldwide.

"This collaboration with NVIDIA demonstrates our commitment to making advanced LiDAR technology accessible and scalable," said Omer Keilaf, CEO and Founder of Innoviz Technologies. "By combining our LiDAR with NVIDIA AI infrastructure, we're expecting to open new opportunities for urban mobility, security, and intelligent infrastructure, while reducing deployment costs and complexity."

Customer Benefits:

Real-time, high-resolution 3D sensing with edge compression - no need for high-power compute or fiber connectivity.

Cloud-based for remote monitoring and digital twin applications.

Wireless-first architecture for rapid, cost-effective deployments.

Flexible, interoperable design for a wide range of infrastructure projects.

Live InnovizSMARTer Demonstration at CES 2026

Innoviz is participating in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, taking place from January 6th  9th in Las Vegas, Nevada. As part of the live demonstrations at the booth, visitors will be able to explore Innoviz's LiDAR solutions that are purpose-built for smart applications, integrating NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and showing real-time edge AI processing.

About Innoviz

Innoviz is a global leader in LiDAR technology, serving as a Tier 1 supplier to the world's leading automotive manufacturers and working towards a future with safe autonomous vehicles on the world's roads. As a Tier-1 supplier to leading automotive manufacturers, Innoviz has proven its technology in the most demanding environments. Through InnovizSMARTer, Innoviz now delivers this same performance in an off-the-shelf solution for security, intelligent traffic management, mobility, robotics, and aerial applications. Innoviz's LiDAR sensors provide industry-leading range, resolution, and reliability, delivering accurate 3D sensing in all weather conditions, day or night. Operating across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, Innoviz serves automotive OEMs, system integrators and commercial enterprises worldwide. For more information, visit innoviz.tech .

Join the discussion: Facebook , LinkedIn , YouTube , X

Media Contact

[email protected]

Investor Contact

[email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the services offered by Innoviz, the anticipated technological capability of Innoviz's products, the markets in which Innoviz operates, Innoviz's projected future operational and financial results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties.

Many factors could cause actual future events, and in the case of our forward-looking revenues, actual orders or actual payments, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this announcement including but not limited to, the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, the ability to convert design wins into definitive orders and the magnitude of such orders, the ability to identify and realize additional opportunities, potential changes and developments in the highly competitive LiDAR technology and related industries, and our expectations regarding the impact of the evolving conflict in Israel to our ongoing operations. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider such risk and the other risks and uncertainties described in Innoviz's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 12, 2025 and in other documents filed by Innoviz from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Innoviz assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Innoviz gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2855349/InnovizSmart.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2855348/Nvidia_Innoviz_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Innoviz Technologies
Bringing Ohio's Innovation Story to the new CES 2026 Manufacturing Track

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY THIS MATTERS

Join JobsOhio for CES 2026 Panels with Joby Aviation, Oklo, Atomic Industries and The Ohio State University Speed Speed

States don't usually take center stage at CES; however, this year's new Manufacturing Track is the perfect opportunity for attendees to hear why Ohio is leading the reindustrialization of the U.S.

JobsOhio  Ohio's official economic development driver  will share how it uniquely helps CES stalwarts grow and thrive in their industries, including AI, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace and defense.

On Wednesday, January 7, JobsOhio President & CEO J.P. Nauseef will join leading CEOs for a forward-looking conversation designed to help manufacturers in emerging industries understand how Ohio can help get their innovations to customers faster with less red tape than anywhere else in the U.S.

On Thursday, January 8, join JobsOhio and BrandRank.AI as they discuss ways AI companies can succeed in Ohio  and why the Midwest has become one of the most important regions to watch in the race for technological and industrial leadership.

PANEL SESSION 1: Manufacturing the Future: Energy. Mobility. AI.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 1:00 PM PT

Location: LVCC North Hall N261

Panelists:

J.P. Nauseef, President and CEO, JobsOhio (moderator)

JoeBen Bevirt, CEO, Joby Aviation

Ted Carter, President, The Ohio State University

Jacob DeWitte, CEO, Oklo

Aaron Slodov, CEO, Atomic Industries

This session explores how clean energy, advanced mobility, and AI-enabled automation are reshaping modern manufacturing and why Ohio has emerged as a national epicenter for this convergence.

PANEL SESSION 2: Leading AI at Scale: Success Factors for Growth in the AI Economy

Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 4:00 PM PT

Location: CES AI Foundry, Fontainebleau

Speakers:

Payal Thakur, Senior Director, Enterprise Analytics, JobsOhio

Pete Blackshaw, Founder & CEO, BrandRank.AI

As AI accelerates toward a multi-trillion-dollar economic impact, this session examines what distinguishes organizations that are translating AI investment into real-world impactfrom workforce readiness and infrastructure to data strategy and energy capacity. Discover how top organizations leverage AI investment to drive real-world impact.

OHIO'S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

These conversations offer a rare opportunity to cover how a U.S. state is charting a national path for innovation and why some of the world's most advanced manufacturers are choosing Ohio as their launchpad.

Key Statistics:

CNBC's #1 State in the Midwest for Doing Business

#2 Top State for Business: Cost of Doing Business

#1 manufacturing state in the Midwest

#3 manufacturing workforce in the U.S.

Global manufacturers and innovators like Anduril, Joby Aviation, Honda, Intel, Amgen, GE Aerospace, Eaton, and others are betting on Ohio because it delivers the talent, infrastructure, and cost advantages that high-growth companies need to scale.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Panelists from both sessions will be available for interviews immediately following their respective presentations. Media are strongly encouraged to register in advance.

To schedule interviews or register for media availability:

Anglea Hall

JobsOhio Communications

[email protected]

614.940.4214

About JobsOhio

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention, and expansion. The organization works to foster a business-friendly environment that encourages companies to invest and grow in Ohio.

SOURCE JobsOhio
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The January round of general food assistance under way in Gaza meets the minimum caloric standard for the first time in more than two years, UN humanitarians said Monday.

"Each family receives two food parcels and two 25-kg bags of flour ... the first since October 2023, in which partners had sufficient stocks to meet 100 percent of that minimum caloric standard," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Since the Oct. 10, 2025 ceasefire, rations covered between 50 percent and 75 percent of the minimum caloric needs, said OCHA.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners brought more than 10,000 metric tonnes of aid through Kerem Shalom and Zikim border crossings last week, the office said.

"To further address food insecurity, the United Nations is supporting the production of about 170,000 bread bundles every day, each weighing 2 kg," OCHA said. "These are distributed free of charge in more than 400 shelters, and at subsidized prices through roughly 150 shops. At the same time, hot meal kitchens continue to operate, supported by the UN, now serving more than 1.5 million meals every day."

OCHA said that from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10, the world body and its partners brought over 80,000 pallets of humanitarian supplies into Gaza, significantly increased food assistance, and tackled malnutrition by providing supplements to more than 320,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 5.

The office also said that health support has expanded. Teams helped set up 120 intensive care and emergency beds, delivered 30 anesthesia machines and dozens of portable vital-sign monitors, and supplied health facilities with critical medicines and consumables.

OCHA said that winter clothing kits were distributed to more than 237,000 children under 11 years old and reached nearly 62,000 additional households with about 24 million U.S. dollars in multipurpose cash assistance.

OCHA said it is discussing the obstacles to the entry of shelter materials, water and sanitation equipment, agricultural inputs, construction materials and education supplies and hopes to see them lifted as soon as possible. 
Direct private lender provides cash-out refinancing on 63 acres on Jessups Estate

ENGLEWOOD, N.J., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A luxury Caribbean estate with over 60 acres of prime land in Nevis has become the latest addition to Kennedy Funding's growing list of international loan closings. The Englewood, New Jersey-based direct private lender announced that it has closed a $2.5 million cash-out refinancing loan for Bush Lender LLC, secured by a multi-property portfolio on the island of Nevis, part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The loan is backed by a mix of developed and raw land assets, including a custom-designed, modern 8,000-square-foot concrete villa located in Jessups Estate, a sought-after residential area in the Parish of St. Thomas. The villa includes a three-car garage, theater, fitness room, and private pool, and sits on more than two acres just minutes from Charlestown, the capital of Nevis. Additional collateral includes more than 60 acres across Farms Estate and Bush Hill, two additional locations on the island offering expansive development potential.

"This is exactly the kind of complex international loan that Kennedy Funding was built to close," said Mark Falzone, Executive Loan Officer at Kennedy Funding. "When traditional lenders back away from land loans or land deals in foreign jurisdictions, we see opportunity. We know how to work through the legal systems, title issues, and valuation challenges that come with international real estate."

Nevis, known for its pristine beaches, mountainous interior, and luxury tourism appeal, is a popular destination for global investors and second-home buyers. But while the real estate market has grown, access to U.S.-based capital remains limitedparticularly when it comes to unlocking equity from land or estate holdings.

"Lenders simply don't want to deal with land, let alone land outside the United States," Falzone added. "But at Kennedy Funding, we've closed deals across Central and South America, throughout the Caribbean, and in dozens of markets where others say no. This Nevis transaction is just the latest example of that track record."

Kennedy Funding has built a reputation as one of the few U.S.-based private lenders with the abilityand willingnessto close land loans abroad. According to Kevin Wolfer, CEO and President of Kennedy Funding, the firm's success lies in its ability to combine speed and flexibility with deep experience navigating international lending.

"Closing loans in foreign countries requires more than capitalit takes a real understanding of local laws, real estate customs, and how to build the right team on the ground," said Wolfer. "We have the network and the experience to make that happenand that's why Kennedy Funding continues to be the go-to lender for international real estate financing."

The villa in Jessups Estate offers both exclusivity and convenience, located just 3.4 milesor a 10-minute drivefrom the island's center of commerce and government. The additional acreage in Farms Estate and Bush Hill represents both long-term investment potential and the kind of diversified collateral base Kennedy Funding regularly evaluates for its borrowers.

"This wasn't just one propertyit was multiple parcels, spanning different uses and parishes," added Falzone. "We evaluated the entire portfolio, conducted the necessary diligence on the ground, and moved forward with confidence. That's what sets Kennedy Funding apart."

With this closing, Kennedy Funding adds Nevis to its growing list of international markets, which already includes St. Barts, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Colombia, Belize, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. The firm has closed more than $4 billion in loans worldwide, and continues to lead the market in high-leverage funding for land and commercial real estate.

"We're proud to deliver this kind of outcome for borrowers who've been told 'no' too many times," added Wolfer. "If you own valuable land, a luxury home, or development-ready real estateeven if it's located outside the U.S.we can help you turn it into capital."

About Kennedy Funding

Kennedy Funding is a global direct private lender specializing in bridge loans for commercial property and land acquisition, development, workouts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. Kennedy Funding has closed more than $4 billion in loans to date. Their creative financing expertise provides funding up to 75% loan-to-value, from $1 million ($3 million international) to more than $50 million in as little as five days. The company has closed loans throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and Central and South America.

Visit www.kennedyfunding.com .

SOURCE Kennedy Funding
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kuehn Law, PLLC, a shareholder litigation law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE: PRMB) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders.

According to a federal securities lawsuit, Insiders at Primo Brands caused the company to misrepresent or fail to disclose that: the merger integration between Primo Water and BlueTriton Brands was tracking poorly due to, among other things, technology and service issues. Moreoverand contrary to statements assuring investors that the execution was "flawless"the Company was having major supply disruptions which would negatively impact customers and thus the Company's financial results.

If you currently own PRMB and purchased prior to November 11, 2024 please contact Justin Kuehn, Esq. by email at [email protected] or call (833) 672-0814. Kuehn Law pays all case costs and does not charge its investor clients. Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights.

Why Your Participation Matters:

As a shareholder your voice matters, and by getting involved, you contribute to the integrity and fairness of the financial markets. Your investment. Your voice. Your future.

For additional information, please visit Shareholder Derivative Litigation - Kuehn Law.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts:

Kuehn Law, PLLC

Justin Kuehn, Esq.

53 Hill Street, Suite 605

Southampton, NY 11968

[email protected]

(833) 672-0814

SOURCE Kuehn Law, PLLC
Foundation funds five new research projects, bringing 2025 total to $5.2 million

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) recently awarded five new research grants in the following areas: three LCRF Leading-Edge Research Awards, one LCRF Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer Award, and one LCRF Minority Career Development Award (CDA) for Lung Cancer. These awards are in addition to the fourteen research awards announced in early December 2025.

2025 Additional Grantees

Also in 2025, LCRF awarded the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI) a grant to conduct its "Plus One" screening initiative and research study, funded a three-year project in collaboration with the Israeli Cancer Research Fund, and announced two research grants focused on innovative strategies to advance the understanding and management of lung cancers harboring HER2 mutations and/or other HER2 alterations in collaboration with Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Additionally, AstraZeneca partnered with LCRF to fund three awards focused on prevention and early detection.

"AstraZeneca shares LCRF's commitment to improving survival of people with a lung cancer diagnosis," remarked Nabil Chebab, US Medical Head, Lung Cancer, AstraZeneca. "We are delighted to collaborate on projects focused on prevention and early detection."

LCRF funds projects that demonstrate profound promise to make a sustained and lasting impact on lung cancer research and outcomes. The strength of LCRF's research program is underscored by the trust, generosity, and vision of its partners, fundraisers, and donors.

"LCRF is grateful to everyone who has made this grant cycle the largest in its history  21 grant awards for more than $5 million," said Aubrey Rhodes, LCRF's Executive Director. "Ensuring that lung cancer research maintains momentum in an uncertain funding environment is of utmost importance. LCRF is committed to filling the funding gap. Working toward improving survival for people with lung cancer is our priority."

"It is gratifying to be able to fund even more innovative projects," said Kathryn O'Donnell, PhD, chair of LCRF's Scientific Advisory Board and Associate Professor, Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center. "With this year's grants, LCRF's total active research portfolio supports more than $21 million in lung cancer research projects. More funding for research means greater opportunities to uncover advances that will have a positive impact for patients."

LCRF's Leading-Edge Research Grant in Lung Cancer funds innovative research focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. The LCRF Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer is awarded to projects focused on combating therapeutic resistance.

LCRF's Minority Career Development Award for Lung Cancer is a two-year funding initiative aimed at advancing early-stage researchers from underfunded groups and enhancing their contribution to the lung cancer research workforce.

Additional LCRF 2025 Research Grant Awardees:

Leading Edge Grant Program:

Riyue Bao, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Radiomics to Decipher Patient and Organ Heterogeneity in Response to Immunotherapies in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Radiomics is emerging as a non-invasive biomarker to predict the efficacy of anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy across cancers and patients with increased organ-level metastasis heterogeneity are more likely to progress. This study aims to develop machine-learning and artificial-intelligence models to distinguish disease control from progression with organ specificity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. By linking these findings to tumor biology, the resulting data will not only shed light on the mechanisms underlying variations in response to immunotherapies but will also provide essential advancement in the non-invasive biomarker development investigating therapy resistance.

Joseph Chan, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Biomarkers of Response and Toxicity to Tarlatamab in Patients with Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive and deadly form of lung cancer with limited treatment options and poor long-term survival. However, a newly approved drug represents a promising advance. Although it has shown encouraging early results, one side effect is cytokine release syndrome (CRS)a potentially serious immune reaction that can cause fever, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing. The goal of this study is to utilize new technologies in tandem with advanced computer modeling to improve how to predict which patients will benefit from this treatment and who is at higher risk for CRS. The study has two main aims: 1. Predicting who responds to the drug and 2. Identifying who is at risk for CRS in order to develop a new framework for personalizing treatment, making it more effective and safer, allowing patients to receive treatment more conveniently, avoid dangerous side effects, and ultimately, live longer.

Tom Cunningham, PhD, University of Cincinnati

Understanding the Dependency of RAS-driven Lung Adenocarcinomas on PRPS enzyme remodeling

Alterations in cellular metabolism are a well-established hallmark of lung cancers driven by the oncogene KRAS. Although much is known about how this occurs, we still lack clinically effective therapies targeting these processes. This study aims to leverage a novel metabolic vulnerability as a safe starting point in order to systematically dismantle the metabolic resiliency of KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinomas, will nominate a path for the development of effective, but less toxic, targeted therapies, and address key questions in basic lung cancer biology at a broad biochemical level. It will deliver new knowledge regarding the mechanisms oncogenic KRAS employs to deregulate gene expression and metabolism, and it will supply new diagnostic assays and therapeutic tools that can translate to the clinic to help patients with lung cancer.

Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer:

Chendi Li, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Enhancing anti-tumor chemokines in KRAS G12C inhibitor-resistant non-small cell lung cancer

Over the past few years, treatment options for patients with the KRAS-mutant non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have expanded to include immunotherapies and targeted KRAS inhibitors. These agents, while effective in some patients, do not induce deep or durable responses in the majority of patients. This has prompted clinical trials combining KRAS inhibitors with immunotherapies. Early results look promising, with response rates greater than either agent alone. However, 2540% of patients still do not respond to the combination. Thus, there remains an urgent need to understand why these treatments fail in order to develop new strategies with enhanced efficacy to benefit a greater number of patients. This project seeks to understand mechanisms underlying the failure of some tumors to respond to combined KRAS and PD-L1/PD-1 inhibition. By identifying the transcriptional regulators of chemokines that recruit T cells and turn immune "cold" tumors "hot", this work will provide a foundation for future efforts to design therapeutic strategies to promote immune cell infiltration.

Minority Career Development Award (CDA):

Juliana Cazarin de Menezes, PhD, University of Rochester

The Role of BMAL1 and Circadian Disruption in Modulating Tumor Immunity and Immunotherapy Response in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Our body runs on a natural 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm, which regulates many important functions, such as sleep, metabolism, and the immune system. Interestingly, recent research has shown that these internal clocks also affect how well cancer treatments work, especially a type of immunotherapy called immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which help the immune system attack tumors. In people with lung cancer, ICI treatments given in the morning are up to four times more effective than those given later in the day. The main question is why timed immunotherapy might not work in some patients, and what factors might cause it to not work. In lung cancer, the circadian rhythm in the cancer cells is often altered or completely absent. Ultimately, this research could help improve outcomes for lung cancer patients by optimizing the timing of immunotherapy and identifying new markers to guide treatment. If successful, our findings may lead to more personalized and effective approaches to cancer care, taking into account not only the genetic makeup of the tumor but also the biological clock that governs the immune system.

For more information about LCRF and the Scientific Grant Program, visit LCRF.org/Research.

About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. LCRF's mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 450 research grants, totaling nearly $53 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information about the LCRF grant program and funding opportunities, visit LCRF.org/research.

Contact:

Sheila Sullivan

Sr. Director, Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Lung Cancer Research Foundation
Non-Alcoholic Brewer to Gift Free Beer to People who Commit to the Cause

DENVER, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mash Gang , the UK Born and U.S. beloved non-alcoholic beer is launching a campaign, New Beers Resolution, to encourage people to find new ways to combat loneliness this January. Having begun as a homebrewing experiment during the pandemic, Mash Gang was established as an antidote to lockdown loneliness and has since established a global supportive community while redefining the non-alcohol craft beer experience.

"Every year, people enter January with a sense of doom, and with a real, often self-inflicted pressure, to give up all the pleasures in life. It is time people were encouraged to start a resolution that brings genuine joy to an otherwise bleak month," commented Jordan Childs, co-founder and chief product officer at Mash Gang. "We want to fuel moments of social connection, and in doing so promote mental health and wellbeing."

As part of its playful New Beers Resolution campaign, the brand is asking people to ditch dry January and have a wet one instead by 'drinking more beer' this year, and to help, it's offering 100 lucky people free beer if they sign up.

A recent study sponsored by Mash Gang, and conducted by Opinion Matters, found that January is one of the loneliest months of the year, with 60% of people claiming it to be the 'toughest' month. It's a time when well-meaning resolutions tend to unravel fast, with new data also revealing 59% of people find New Year's resolutions unrealistic or too demanding.

When it comes to drinking habits specifically, the pressure ramps up even further. While 39% of people want to cut down on alcohol (rising to 61% among 2534 year olds), 26% say a lack of motivation stops them sticking to drink-related resolutions. Social moments remain the biggest hurdle, with 25% finding a night out with friends the hardest situation to go alcohol-free.

At the same time, according to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults who report currently having depression has exceeded 18% and stands at an estimated 47.8 million Americans.

"Between the post-holiday blues, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and increased online isolation, January presents a mental hurdle for many," continued Childs. "It is not a time to create more obstacles to gathering. Through our New Beers Resolution, we hope to encourage socialization and experimentation in a healthy way."

To bring the New Beers Resolution to life, Mash Gang is encouraging people to grab two free six packs of Mash Gang by heading to the sign-up page HERE and to share their resolutions with the Mash Gag community on Instagram and Tik Tok. To keep the momentum going, Mash Gang will launch in-store activations in HEB and Whole Foods with promotions, instore samplings, education evenings, and 'Meet the Producer' events. The Mash Gang community should stay tuned on all social media platforms for news on events and giveaways throughout Wet January.

Notes to Editors

For further information and media enquiries, please contact the Maureen Landers [email protected] or 917.886.4901.

About Mash Gang

Mash Gang began as a home-brewing experiment during the pandemic and has grown into one of the most respected non-alcoholic brewers in the world. Mash Gang is part of DioniLife's non-alcoholic platform and a key player in revolutionizing the adult beverage industry.

Mash Gang brings its non-alcoholic beers to consumers at Total Wine & More, H-E-B, Whole Foods, Thrive Market and many more retailers across the U.S.

SOURCE Mash Gang
Summit Success Process ensures lasting adoption, operational clarity and measurable ROI across MACU's lending operations

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- mysherpas, a trusted guide in digital lending transformation serving credit unions, community banks and NBFIs, has revealed today the successful implementation of its exclusive, cloud-based lending offering with Mountain America Credit Union's business lending group. This rollout was completed in an unparalleled 42-day period12x faster than the industry standard of 18 months. The transformation involved educating over 100 business lending team members and incorporating the credit union's existing workflows onto mysherpas' no-code lending platform. This expedited schedule was achieved thanks to mysherpas' distinctive Summit Success Process (SSP), which blends rapid execution with strategic foresight to guarantee sustainable transformations that can be measured.

The collaboration redefined what's possible in credit-union technology rollouts, pairing rapid deployment with meticulous process alignment. By leveraging the SSP, the teams eliminated redundant systems, simplified data flows and created clarity across Mountain America's commercial, small-business and SBA lending processes  all while maintaining business continuity ahead of the credit union's upcoming core conversion. "This wasn't another software install, it was a business acceleration," said Chad Witcher, Vice President of Business Lending at Mountain America Credit Union. "mysherpas came in with a deep understanding of lending. They worked side-by-side with our teams to simplify workflows, move us off SharePoint and deliver measurable results within weeks without cutting corners or compromising quality."

The Summit Success Process gives financial institutions a detailed, data-driven view of their lending operations before implementation begins, ensuring every improvement is intentional and built to last. "Speed without strategy is chaos," said Joshua Talbert, CEO of mysherpas. "The SSP is what makes our results stick. It's not just about going live fast; it's about staying optimized long after go-live. MACU's focus and engagement allowed us to deliver transformation that's both immediate and enduring."

What sets mysherpas apart from other fintech companies focused on business lending is its combination of technology, expertise and partnership. Which directly addresses the fundamental issues in lending technology today: lack of adoption, frustration with conversions, and the realization that most technology rollouts fail to support the daily workflows of business lending teams. The company's patented cloud architecture acts as a unified workflow layer across existing systems  replacing scattered tools like email, Outlook, Box, Dropbox, Teams, Slack, task management, and SharePoint with one secure, intuitive workspace. The platform complements any existing LOS or core technologies. With an intuitive user experience, team members can master their daily workflows and start seeing immediate resultsregardless of lending experience.

"We don't sell to everyone," added Talbert. "We partner with organizations ready to move decisively and achieve a measurable impact. Our technology adapts to the way lenders actually work, and our people guide the process, so transformation is fast, focused and built to last."

The partnership between Mountain America and mysherpas sets a new benchmark for implementation excellence, proving that digital transformation can be both swift and sustainable when guided by purpose, process and precision.

About Mountain America Credit Union

With more than 1 million members and $21 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 100 branches across multiple states; and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain Americaguiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com .

About mysherpas.ai

mysherpas is a secure, cloud-based lending solutions that serving credit unions, community banks, and NBFIs modernize lending operations without disrupting what already works. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, mysherpas uses its proprietary Summit Success Process and patented workflow architecture to align people, process and technology. This drives faster adoption, higher ROI and sustainable results. Your Trusted Lending Guide  Learn more at mysherpas.ai.

Is your lending business ready for measurable acceleration? Start Your Journey Now

Media Contact:

Mountain America Credit Union: [email protected] | macu.com

mysherpas: [email protected] | mysherpas.ai

SOURCE mysherpas
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- National Press Club President Mike Balsamo today issued the following statement:

The National Press Club condemns the detention of journalists in Venezuela and welcomes their release.

Journalists engaged in newsgathering are civilians, and international law protects the work of reporting the news. Detaining or intimidating reporters for covering events of public interest violates core press freedom principles and deprives the public of critical information.

Journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of arrest, retaliation, or expulsion. When governments target reporters, it undermines independent journalism and weakens accountability.

The National Press Club remains deeply concerned about the broader climate for press freedom in Venezuela and stands in solidarity with journalists working under threat to inform the world.

Press Contact: Beth Francesco, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club
LAS VEGAS, BEIJING and VILA NOVA DE GAIA, Portugal, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On the opening day of CES 2026, a global showcase for technological innovation, Neolix Technologies, the world's leading pioneer in RoboVan and smart logistics, announced a strategic alliance with Salvador Caetano Auto, a prominent Portuguese provider of automotive and mobility solutions under its Caetano Mobility ecosystem. This landmark collaboration signifies Neolix's accelerated expansion into the European market, with both parties committing to jointly explore the future of smart mobility and drive the upgrading of autonomous logistics ecosystems in Portugal and beyond. By leveraging complementary capabilities, the alliance is set to inject new vitality into Europe's pursuit of sustainable and intelligent transportation development.

As the trailblazer in the global commercialization of low-speed autonomous driving technology, Neolix has long been at the forefront of shaping the future of smart logistics. With a global deployment network spanning 15 countries and regions and a fleet of over 15,000 autonomous vehicles in operation, Neolix has established unparalleled expertise in technological innovation, scenario adaptation and global market expansion. Its core technologies and products have been widely recognized by international authorities, complying with stringent European regulations and setting industry benchmarks for safety and reliability. Salvador Caetano Auto, an automotive leading Group in Portugal  with presence in over 48 countries across Europe, Latin America and Africa  boasts profound insights into local mobility markets and robust industrial resources, making it an ideal partner for Neolix to deepen its European footprint.

The strategic alliance will kick off with collaborative exploration of autonomous mobility scenarios, with an initial focus on validating the integration of Neolix's cutting-edge autonomous solutions into local industrial and logistics ecosystems. Beyond immediate scenario validation, the two parties share a long-term vision of advancing the development of autonomous mobility, by initially implementing a PoC in Portugal. By combining Neolix's global technical insights and commercialization experience with Caetano Mobility local market capabilities, the alliance will actively engage with relevant authorities to contribute to the development of Portugal's autonomous driving regulatory framework. This effort will target the development of RoboVan solutions for a more efficient, safe and sustainable smart logistics ecosystem  able to be rolled out across Europe.

The collaboration is poised to evolve into a long-term strategic partnership focused on driving industry transformation. Looking ahead, the two parties will explore in-depth cooperation in technology co-innovation, market expansion and ecosystem building, bringing Neolix's mature autonomous mobility solutions to more European users through Salvador Caetano own network and capabilities  and beyond.

A key focus of the alliance is to jointly promote the standardization and popularization of low-speed autonomous logistics in Europe, leveraging innovation to address industry pain points and create greater value for society, businesses and consumers. This partnership exemplifies Neolix's commitment to "localization-driven global expansion", making Chinese technological wisdom available to Europe's smart mobility revolution.

Will Zhao, Executive President of Neolix stated: "We are honored to form this strategic alliance with Salvador Caetano Auto at CES 2026, a global stage for innovation. Europe is a crucial strategic market for Neolix's global expansion, and this collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to build a global smart logistics ecosystem. As the industry-leading RoboVan solution provider, Neolix is committed to sharing our proven autonomous driving technologies and large-scale operational experience with global partners. By joining hands with Salvador Caetano Auto, we aim to not only bring innovative solutions to the Portuguese market but also work together to shape the future of European smart logistics, contributing to the region's sustainable development goals."

Miguel Fonseca, CEO of Caetano Mobility and Executive Director of Salvador Caetano Auto commented: "Neolix Technologies is a global leader in commercial autonomous mobility, and its technological strength and market experience are highly recognized in the industry. We are delighted to form this strategic alliance with Neolix, which will bring advanced autonomous logistics solutions to Portugal and accelerate the transformation of our local urban logistics industries. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to promoting sustainable and intelligent transportation, and we look forward to working closely with Neolix to drive innovation, create value and contribute to the development of Europe's smart mobility ecosystem."

The announcement of this strategic alliance at CES 2026 underscores Neolix's leading position in the global RoboVan industry and its determination to accelerate global innovation collaboration. With its full-stack core capabilities in independent R&D, technological innovation and global operational deployment, Neolix is well- equipped to drive the transformation of Europe's smart logistics and mobility sectors. This partnership defines new possibilities for China-Europe technological cooperation in the field of urban logistics, paving the way for more in-depth exchanges and collaboration that will shape the future of global logistics ecosystem.

For more information about:

Neolix, please visit: https://www.neolix.ai/

Salvador Caetano Auto, please visit: https://salvadorcaetano.pt/en/

Media Contact

Neolix: Linda Xu, [email protected]

Salvador Caetano Auto (Caetano Mobility): Helena Quesado, [email protected]
Family-owned global leader acquires 16.3% ownership stake

SALINAS, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Valley Bank (OTC: PVBK) today announced that Taylor Fresh Foods, parent company of the Taylor Farms operating companies, has acquired a 16.3% ownership stake in the bank. The investment represents a significant minority position by a locally based, family-owned company with long-standing operations in the Salinas Valley.

"For more than two decades, Pacific Valley Bank has operated as a locally owned community bank focused on relationship-based banking and disciplined growth," said Anker Fanoe, CEO of Pacific Valley Bank. "This investment supports our long-term strategy, reinforces our local ownership structure, and strengthens our capital base while preserving independent governance and local decision-making."

Taylor Farms is a family-owned agricultural company headquartered in Salinas, California, with production facilities across North America and Europe. The company's investment aligns with Pacific Valley Bank's focus on serving small and medium-sized businesses, agricultural enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and individuals throughout Monterey County and the Central Coast.

"Pacific Valley Bank has demonstrated a consistent commitment to its markets and customers," said Bruce Taylor, CEO of Taylor Farms. "With deep family roots in the Salinas Valley, we believe it is important for Monterey County to have a locally owned and headquartered bank that supports the small and medium-sized businesses that drive the local economy. We are pleased to participate as a shareholder and support the bank's continued focus on serving the region."

"Pacific Valley Bank has demonstrated a disciplined approach to growth while remaining focused on its core markets," said Jeff Cook, Chief Financial Officer of Taylor Farms. "The bank's track record and strategic plans for measured expansion align well with Taylor Farms' long-term investment strategies."

In connection with the investment, Pacific Valley Bank also announced that Jeff Cook will join the bank's Board of Directors. Cook brings extensive financial leadership experience and a strong understanding of the regional agricultural economy, further strengthening the Board's local and industry expertise.

Founded in 2004, Pacific Valley Bank has grown organically since opening its first branch in Salinas and today operates full-service branches in Monterey, King City, and Santa Cruz. The bank remains independently owned and is the only locally owned bank headquartered in Monterey County.

Approximately 93% of Pacific Valley Bank's outstanding shares are owned by local individuals, with approximately 40% held by active directors, officers, and other decision-makers. This ownership profile supports continuity in governance, alignment of interests, and a long-term orientation toward prudent growth.

For more information about Pacific Valley Bank, visit www.pacificvalleybank.com.

Media Contact:

David Armanasco

Armanasco Public Relations, Inc.

[email protected] or 831-372-2259

SOURCE Pacific Valley Bank
GREENVILLE, S.C. and SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PAI Pharma ("PAI"), a portfolio company of Olympus Partners and a leading U.S. developer, manufacturer and marketer of oral liquid medicines, today announced the acquisition of Nivagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Nivagen"), a California-based pharmaceutical company with advanced aseptic manufacturing infrastructure and a robust pipeline of ready-to-use sterile injectables. The acquisition marks a significant step forward in PAI's strategy to expand domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen supply-chain resilience, and accelerate growth in RTU sterile injectable and hospital-focused therapies, areas that continue to face persistent drug shortages across the U.S. healthcare system.

Nivagen operates a newly built, state-of-the-art aseptic manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California, designed to support the production of IV bags, vials, prefilled syringes, and cartridges. Nivagen brings a rich pipeline of over 20 RTU injectable products, which complements PAI's existing sterile portfolio of approximately 10 products currently in development and 4 on the market. The combined pipeline positions PAI to better serve hospitals and health systems with high-quality, domestically manufactured sterile therapies.

"PAI is a market leader in RTU oral liquid medicines, and that same focus on quality, reliability, and patient-centric design carries naturally into RTU injectables," said Kurt Orlofski, CEO of PAI Pharma.

"Olympus is proud to continue supporting PAI as it expands into sterile injectables," said Griffin Barstis, Partner at Olympus Partners. "We believe the combination of PAI's leadership in RTU oral liquids and Nivagen's injectable platform creates a unique business that is well-positioned to serve hospitals and healthcare providers with critical, high-quality medicines."

Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing and Addressing Drug Shortages

The transaction aligns with growing national focus on reshoring pharmaceutical production, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains, and ensuring consistent access to essential medicines. Aseptic sterile products, particularly RTU injectables, remain among the most shortage-prone therapies in the U.S., underscoring the need for increased domestic capacity and long-term investment. Industry stakeholders and policy leaders have increasingly emphasized that economic resilience, national health security, and patient access depend on sustained investment in U.S. manufacturing, skilled labor, and advanced production capabilities  priorities directly supported by this acquisition.

"This acquisition represents a meaningful investment in American pharmaceutical manufacturing at a time when domestic capacity, reliability, and readiness matter more than ever," said Jay Shukla, President of Nivagen Pharmaceuticals.

"This investment underscores the growing role Natomas and the Sacramento region are playing in strengthening America's pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity," said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06). "This state-of-the-art facility is helping expand access to ready-to-use sterile injectable medicines, support hospital systems, and improve patient care. I appreciate PAI's investment and look forward to working with them to position the Sacramento region for further growth."

Advisors

PAI Pharma and Olympus Partners were advised by Bourne Partners, Kirkland & Ellis LLP as legal counsel, and KPMG LLP as financial and accounting advisor.

About PAI Pharma

PAI Pharma is a U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturer specializing in oral liquid generic prescription medications, with a strong domestic manufacturing footprint and a commitment to quality, affordability, and supply chain resilience. In addition to its oral liquid manufacturing operations, PAI also distributes a portfolio of sterile injectable medications, expanding patient access to critical therapies across care settings. With more than five decades of experience, PAI plays a vital role in supporting the reliability of the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain.

About Olympus Partners

Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for growing companies. Olympus manages in excess of $12 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. Founded in 1988, Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including healthcare, business services, food services, consumer products, financial services, industrial services and manufacturing.

About Nivagen Pharmaceuticals

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, Nivagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company with advanced aseptic manufacturing infrastructure and a pipeline focused on ready-to-use sterile injectables and complex dosage forms.

SOURCE PAI Pharma
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren will discuss the future of the Democratic Party at a National Press Club Headliners Newsmaker on Monday, January 12 at 10:30 a.m.

Following prepared remarks, Senator Warren will participate in a moderated question-and-answer session with Mark Schoeff Jr., the National Press Club's President-elect. Register to attend here.

Warren is expected to address the direction of the Democratic Party following the 2024 election, including issues related to economic conditions, party priorities, and efforts to broaden voter engagement ahead of future elections.

This Headliners Newsmaker event is open to credentialed media and National Press Club members. Those wishing to submit questions in advance may email [email protected] with "WARREN" in the subject line.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. Registration is required for entry.

Press Contact: Cecily Scott Martin, [email protected], 202-662-7525

SOURCE National Press Club
TAIPEI, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's air force on Tuesday said it suspected a pilot had ejected from an F-16V fighter jet at 7:29 p.m. local time during a routine training mission in the island's eastern Hualien County on the same day.

The pilot, surnamed Hsin, was flying about 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township in Hualien when the incident occurred.

Search operations are underway. 
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunbelt Bakery, a brand known for delivering quality snacks made with care, is proud to announce the launch of its refreshed packaging across its beloved product line coming to your favorite store January 2026. The new look reflects the brand's bright, optimistic personality while maintaining the same great taste fans know and love.

Sunbelt Bakery Refreshed Packaging

With a modernized design and vibrant colors that highlight Sunbelt Bakery's commitment to quality, the updated packaging celebrates the brand's new tagline: "The Tastiest Flavors under the Sun." The refreshed appearance brings added shelf appeal and reinforces Sunbelt Bakery's dedication to offering snacks that fit naturally into everyday life.

Early consumer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Shoppers have praised the new packaging as more modern and visually appealing, while noting that flavor callouts and nutrition information are easier to spot and read, making their shopping and selection experience even more convenient. The same great taste you love, now in a brand-new look that shines just as bright as its flavor.

Sunbelt Bakery's refreshed packaging will roll out across its full product assortment, including:

Chewy Granola Bars: From classic favorites like chocolate chip and fudge-dipped varieties, as well as delicious combinations featuring peanut butter, almonds and more.

Soft Baked Bars: Made with whole grains featuring fruit-flavored fillings, then finished with a light, sweet drizzle.

Seasonal Offerings: A rotating selection of limited-time flavors that add excitement throughout the year, providing fresh, unique tastes to enjoy.

"Our new packaging shines a light on what Sunbelt Bakery has always stood for  great taste and high quality," said Aaron DeLaughter, Sunbelt Bakery associate brand manager. "While we've added a 'new shine outside,' consumers can rest assured it's the 'same Sunbelt inside.'"

The redesign will roll out nationwide beginning January 2026, featuring updated visuals across the full portfolio of chewy granola bars, soft-baked bars and seasonal favorites.

Whether enjoyed on the go, at work, or shared with family, Sunbelt Bakery products continue to embody the spirit of goodness and sunny optimism  now with packaging that shines just as bright.

For more information, visit sunbeltbakery.com or follow Sunbelt Bakery on Facebook and Instagram.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

Corporate Information Contact

Mike Gloekler

Corporate Communications and PR manager

Office: (423) 238-7111, Ext. 22440

Cell: (423) 364-4431

Email: [email protected]

Brand and Product Information Contact

Jennifer Cummins-Askew

Marketing Operations and Advertising manager

Office: (423) 238-7111, Ext. 24611

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT MCKEE FOODS CORPORATION

McKee Foods is a family bakery with annual sales of about two billion. The McKee Foods story began during the height of the Great Depression when founder O.D. McKee began selling 5-cent snack cakes from the back of his car. Soon after, he and his wife, Ruth, bought a small bakery on Main Street in Chattanooga, Tenn., using the family car as collateral. Today, the company employs approximately 6,400 people in Collegedale, Tenn.; Gentry, Ark.; Stuarts Draft, Va.; and Kingman, Ariz. It creates and produces Little Debbie baked goods, Drake's cakes, Sunbelt Bakery snacks and Fieldstone Bakery food products. Visit mckeefoods.com for more information.

ABOUT THE SUNBELT BAKERY BRAND

McKee Foods, a family-owned company based in Collegedale, Tenn., introduced the Sunbelt Bakery brand in 1982. The Sunbelt Bakery brand offers snack products, including chewy granola bars and soft-baked bars. The bars are offered in a wide variety of flavors and offer consumers great tasting snack bars. To learn more about Sunbelt Bakery snacks, visit sunbeltbakery.com or follow Sunbelt Bakery on Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE McKee Foods
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TaxDome, the all-in-one Firm Operating System for tax, bookkeeping, and accounting professionals, today announced an expanded suite of Spanish-language resources designed to support the rapidly growing Latino accounting community. With more than 1,000 Latino firm owners already on the platform, TaxDome now offers webinars, onboarding, customer support, and a localized platform  all in Spanish.

"Supporting Spanish-speaking accounting professionals isn't just a business initiative for us  it's personal," said Petar Iliev, Chief Revenue Officer at TaxDome. "My wife is Colombian, and through her I've come to deeply appreciate the warmth, values, and spirit of the Latino community  and how important it is for people to work in the language they trust. That's why TaxDome delivers the entire experience  the platform, the training, and the support  fully in Spanish."

The Latino community is one of the fastest-growing and most entrepreneurial segments of the accounting profession. TaxDome's commitment to accessibility ensures that firms can manage their practices efficiently and deliver a seamless experience to every client in the language they prefer. Both staff-facing and client-facing experiences  including the portal, mobile app, emails, and notifications  are fully localized in Spanish for clarity and ease of use. Many of the most successful Spanish-speaking firms across the U.S., Colombia, Mexico, Spain, and beyond run their operations on TaxDome and actively recommend the platform within their networks.

Expanded Spanish-Language Resources

Training & Webinars: Live and recorded sessions designed specifically for Spanish-speaking professionals.

Live and recorded sessions designed specifically for Spanish-speaking professionals. Implementation Support: Personalized onboarding from Spanish-speaking specialists who help firms configure workflows, automations, and portals.

Personalized onboarding from Spanish-speaking specialists who help firms configure workflows, automations, and portals. Customer Support: Assistance from Spanish-speaking representatives via chat and email for faster, clearer communication.

Assistance from Spanish-speaking representatives via chat and email for faster, clearer communication. Localized Materials: Help-center content, tutorials, and educational resources written with linguistic and cultural fluency.

Help-center content, tutorials, and educational resources written with linguistic and cultural fluency. Spanish-Speaking Sales Team: Professionals can evaluate the entire platform in Spanish, guided by sales specialists who understand their needs.

TaxDome's commitment extends beyond technology  it's reflected in its people. Edwin Gonzalez, TaxDome's Community Manager and winner of the 2025 CMX Community Industry Award for B2B Community Professional of the Year, leads TaxDome's Latino community. Originally from Colombia, Gonzalez works alongside his wife, Dalys Salazar, Team Lead for Customer Service Account Management  reflecting the company's family-oriented and inclusive approach.

"Our community of Latino professionals is active and supportive," said Gonzalez. "We share ideas, solve challenges, and grow together  all in our own language. It's inspiring to see firms across the Americas connect through TaxDome."

As more Latino entrepreneurs open practices across the Americas, TaxDome's commitment to Spanish-language accessibility strengthens its position as the most inclusive and comprehensive platform available.

About TaxDome

Founded in 2017, TaxDome serves more than 30,000 tax, bookkeeping, and accounting professionals worldwide. The company is a proud winner of seven categories in the 2025 CPA Practice Advisor Readers' Choice Awards, including Comprehensive Firm Workflow Solutions, Practice Management Systems, and Time & Billing Systems. For more information, visit www.taxdome.com.

Media Contact:

Kara Prior

2108464486

[email protected]

SOURCE TaxDome
Las Vegas-Based Hybrid to Use Funds to Support Expansion of its SuccessionFully Platform

Investment to Accelerate National Launch and Strengthen the Holistic Succession Planning Tool, Reinforcing Firm's Position as an Industry-Leading Succession Resource

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The AmeriFlex Group (or "the firm"), an advisor-owned hybrid RIA recognized for its planning-first approach and innovative succession solutions, today announced that Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. ("Cambridge") has made a strategic minority investment in the firm.

Cambridge's investment will accelerate the expansion of SuccessionFully, The AmeriFlex Group's single-source succession platform designed to help financial advisors transition their practices with clarity and confidence, with the goal of achieving maximum enterprise value. The trademarked program addresses growing demand for conflict-free succession planning support focused on deal structuring, marketplace access and continuity planning.

"Strengthening our partnership with Cambridge enhances our ability to support advisors planning for retirement or long-term continuity," said Thomas Goodson, Founder and CEO of The AmeriFlex Group.

The need for comprehensive succession planning support continues to rise across the industry. According to a recent J.D. Power study, 46% of financial advisors are expected to retire by 2035, creating greater urgency for scalable, advisor-centered succession-planning resources, like SuccesionFully.

"This investment enables us to expand the platform nationally, enhance advisor resources and continue protecting the legacy each advisor has built," Goodson said. "The scale of advisor retirements facing the industry represents a real succession crisis, and too many advisors are left navigating that transition without aligned support or transparent options. SuccessionFully was built to address that gap by providing a clear, conflict-free path that empowers advisors to take control of this process."

The investment follows Cambridge becoming The AmeriFlex Group's broker-dealer partner in July. In the six months since that relationship began, The AmeriFlex Group has added 11 advisors and more than $1 billion in total client assets.

Strengthening the Cambridge Partnership

The minority investment from Cambridge will be directed toward expanding successionfocused advisor education, strengthening deal-structuring support, growing the marketplace of succession opportunities and enhancing continuity planning.

"This investment strengthens our relationship with Cambridge and provides momentum to expand our succession platform nationally," said Jesse Kurrasch, Chief Operating Officer of The AmeriFlex Group. "In my conversations with advisors, SuccessionFully has quickly become an indispensable resource for developing and executing meaningful plans for advisors considering an exit, and Cambridge's support allows us to advance that mission while maintaining the independence and flexibility advisors expect from The AmeriFlex Group."

Jeff Vivacqua, President of Growth and Development at Cambridge, added that the investment is an example of its long-standing commitment to supporting advisors through the increasingly complex landscape of succession planning.

"Cambridge values the opportunity to partner with AmeriFlex and support its growth and succession plans in the coming years. Both firms value true independence for their advisors, maintaining internal control and being a driving force in wealth management."

The AmeriFlex Group remains majority advisor-owned and independently operated. The leadership team maintains full strategic control of the business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About The AmeriFlex Group

The AmeriFlex Group is recognized as The Home for Hybrids (www.HomeForHybrids.com)  BD/RIA Transitional Wealth Planners. The RIA is owned and operated by its advisor members and partners. Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through The AmeriFlex Group, a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge is a minority owner of The AmeriFlex Group.

About Cambridge

Cambridge is a financial solutions firm focused on serving independent financial professionals and their clients while preserving its internal control. Cambridge offers a broad range of choices for independent financial professionals regarding solutions for advice, growth, technology, and independence. Cambridge's national reach includes: Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc.  a large corporate RIA; and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.  an independent broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, that is among the largest internally controlled independent broker-dealers in the country. Learn more at www.joincambridge.com.

Media Contact:

Haven Tower Group

Donald C. Cutler

424.317.4864

[email protected]

SOURCE The AmeriFlex Group
C-PACE Industry Veterans Andy Meyer and Brennen Brown to lead the company's expansion.

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Twain Capital Partners (Twain) announced today the launch of its nationwide Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing business. Twain's debt offerings now include land and predevelopment bridge loans, USDA loans, and large balance C-PACE financing. Twain has partnered with Twain Financial Partners, a specialty finance business with $6 billion AUM, to offer unmatched loan servicing and asset management to its investors and borrowers.

The company's leadership team, comprised of Andy Meyer, Brennen Brown, Matt Badler, Darren Mower and Marc Hirshman, have significant experience in the C-PACE industry, having closed more than $2 billion in C-PACE financing and more than $10 billion in commercial real estate debt and equity over the last decade. Twain's leadership team has launched and successfully scaled two prior C-PACE finance businesses widely recognized as leaders in the C-PACE industry today.

"Twain's C-PACE launch is built to meet the market where it isproviding flexible capital for larger transactions that fit within complex capital stacks," said Andy Meyer, Managing Partner at Twain. "The average transaction size for C-PACE has increased substantially over the last few years, and we're positioned to deliver quality execution to our investors and borrowers across origination, underwriting, and loan servicing for large balance loans in the C-PACE space", added Brennen Brown, Managing Partner at Twain.

The C-PACE lending market has seen consolidation over the last few years, with most C-PACE lenders being acquired by national asset managers and mega funds. While leveraging Twain's deep and longstanding relationships with insurance companies and institutional investors, Twain remains independent, allowing it to provide flexible and efficient capital solutions for its borrowers.

Twain's C-PACE platform will provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for new construction, renovation, and recently completed commercial real estate development projects nationwide. Twain's focus is on C-PACE loans larger than $20MM, with the ability to fund C-PACE transactions ranging from $10MM to $250MM.

In addition to C-PACE, Twain will continue to offer USDA loans up to $25MM and predevelopment bridge debt nationwide.

About Twain Capital Partners:

Twain Capital Partners is a structured finance business dual headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and Salt Lake City, Utah. Twain and its affiliated entities have more than $6 billion in assets under management and are dedicated to financing commercial real estate assets during all phases of development  including land, predevelopment, construction and bridge offerings.



For more information, visit Twain Capital Partners.

SOURCE Twain Capital Partners LLC
LONDON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With two months to go, Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 is entering its final countdown ahead of its return to London on 45 March 2026 at the QEII Centre in Westminster.

As the two-month mark approaches, the summit is set to once again bring together senior sustainability leaders, policymakers, and solution providers focused on accelerating net-zero strategies, decarbonization, and sustainable transformation across enterprise and public-sector organizations.

Sus 2 Months To Go

Part of BizClik's global sustainability portfolio, the event will run alongside Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit , reinforcing the critical connection between sustainability leadership, responsible procurement and supply-chain decarbonisation.

Two Months Until Global Sustainability Leaders Meet in London

With just two months to go, Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important sustainability gatherings of the year. The two-day event will welcome more than 1,000 in-person attendees from global enterprises, NGOs, governments and consultancies.

As the countdown continues, the sumumit will feature:

50+ speakers across sustainability, energy, procurement, supply chain, climate tech and ESG

10 themed content tracks addressing the most urgent net-zero and decarbonisation challenges

4 executive workshops designed for leaders shaping and delivering net-zero strategy

Confirmed Speakers as the Two-Month Countdown Begins

With two months remaining, the 2026 agenda includes senior leaders driving global climate action, including:

Chief Sustainability Officer, European Space Agency

Head of Sustainability, NVIDIA

Global Head of Sustainability, Schneider Electric

Chief AI Officer, Met Office

Chief Sustainability Officer, Virgin Media O2

Chief Sustainability Officer, Odfjell



These leaders will share how they are responding to regulatory demands, scaling decarbonisation initiatives and advancing climate innovation across complex global operations insights that will come into focus when the summit opens in two months' time.

What Attendees Will Gain in Two Months' Time

As the summit moves into its final two months, attendees can expect:

Strategic insight on meeting net-zero targets and managing ESG risk across operations and value chains

In-person networking with senior sustainability peers, industry leaders and climate-tech innovators

Practical case studies, best-practice examples and actionable tools for sustainable transformation

A Platform for Practical Climate Action  Two Months Out

With two months to go, Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit remains focused on practical delivery. Sessions and workshops are designed to ensure senior leaders leave with clear actions they can take forward within their organisations.

The summit will also provide a platform for companies and technology partners to demonstrate solutions supporting net-zero commitments across operations, transport, energy systems and supply chains.

Driving Decarbonisation Throughout 2026

As net-zero deadlines approach and regulatory expectations increase, organisations are seeking credible pathways to reduce emissions. With two months remaining, Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 will deliver expert insight, real-world examples and practical guidance to support decarbonisation efforts.

The event forms part of BizClik's wider Sustainability LIVE global events programme, delivering year-round insight across London, New York, Chicago and other global locations.

About Sustainability LIVE

Sustainability LIVE is BizClik's international event series focused on sustainability, ESG, climate action and responsible business transformation. The portfolio connects global leaders with the technologies, data and strategies shaping a more sustainable future.

About BizClik

BizClik is a global digital media and events company producing sector-specific content across sustainability, technology, procurement, fintech, supply chain, AI and more. Through digital magazines, websites, newsletters, research and world-class events, BizClik connects enterprise leaders with executive audiences worldwide.

Image - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2854340/BizClik_Media.jpg

SOURCE BizClik Media
About this content 

About Jamie Ashcroft

Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development. As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Ian Lyall

Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Stephen Gunnion

Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (TSX-V:RECO, OTCQX:RECAF, FRA:0XD) CEO Brian Reinsborough talked with Proactive about the companys oversubscribed $36 million financing, which sets the stage for its 2026 operations across three key African jurisdictions.

Reinsborough noted that the offering, originally targeted at $20 million, saw significant institutional interest, leading to an expansion and over-allocation.

Proactive: All right. Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. And joining me now is Brian Reinsborough. He is the CEO of Reconnaissance Energy Africa, or Recon Africa of course. And Brian, it's great to see you again. How are you?

Brian Reinsborough: Wonderful. Thank you for having me once again.
About this content 

About Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Tanzanian doctor Harun Maisara Mahkum (L) hugs He Zhilong, an otolaryngologist with the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, in Abdulla Mzee Hospital on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Jan. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)

by Xinhua writers Hua Hongli, Lin Guangyao, and Lucas Liganga

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Harun Maisara Mahkum is now happier and more confident than ever, after he independently extracted a coin from the esophagus of a two-year-old boy in Abdulla Mzee Hospital on Pemba Island, in Tanzania's Zanzibar.

The procedure, the first for 30-year-old Mahkum, was conducted under the guidance of He Zhilong, an otolaryngologist with the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar.

Behind it is a story of courage, mentorship, and international collaboration.

When the toddler was whisked to the state-run hospital on the evening of Nov. 4, 2025, more than 48 hours had elapsed since he ingested a 50-shilling coin, slightly smaller than a standard soda plastic bottle cap yet thick enough to block a child's narrow esophagus.

In pain and unable to swallow, the boy was in grave danger.

For Mahkum, the case was not only a test of medical skill but also a defining moment in his career.

Foreign body ingestion in children is a common yet dangerous emergency. Coins, batteries, and small toys often become lodged in the esophagus, where they can cause severe complications, Mahkum said.

On Pemba Island, such cases traditionally required transferring patients to larger hospitals or waiting for visiting specialists, delaying urgent care and heightening risks. But on that November evening, the presence of the Chinese medical team changed everything, he added.

"I was nervous," Mahkum admitted in an interview with Xinhua.

"This was my first time performing this type of surgery. But Doctor He trusted me to lead. He guided me step by step," he said. "I learned so much in that moment. I am deeply grateful for his mentorship."

Minutes after Mahkum called him about the emergency, He rushed to the hospital, with his esophagoscope and surgical kit.

Together, they prepared the child for anesthesia and positioned the instruments.

The procedure was delicate, and the toddler's small anatomy and the coin's rough edges made every movement critical.

Under Doctor He's guidance, Mahkum finally extracted the coin, to the relief of all in the operating room. Nurses and anesthetists exchanged quiet smiles, knowing a life had been saved.

For Mahkum, the coin became more than a surgical artifact. It reflects the transformative power of mentorship.

"This surgery was not just about removing a coin, and it was about gaining confidence, mastering a skill, and proving that we can care for our patients independently," he said. "Doctor He taught me patience, precision, and trust in my own abilities."

"Before the Chinese doctors came, we could not perform surgeries like this on our own. We depended on outside specialists. Now, I can act immediately in emergencies," Mahkum said.

"It is empowering, and it changes the way we serve our community," he added.

China sent its first medical team to Zanzibar in 1964 and to the Tanzanian mainland in 1968. To date, 27 medical teams have served the mainland and 35 in Zanzibar, treating nearly 20 million patients and helping local hospitals fill technical gaps.

The 35th Chinese medical team to Zanzibar arrived last September, with a total of 24 members. In addition to otolaryngology, the team includes specialists from general surgery, orthopedics, respiratory medicine, cardiology, traditional Chinese medicine, medical imaging and other disciplines.

Since joining Abdulla Mzee Hospital eight years ago, Mahkum has worked closely with successive Chinese medical teams. He has learned procedures ranging from tonsillectomies to advanced endoscopic surgeries.

Each lesson built his confidence, preparing him for the moment when he would save a child's life with his own hands.

For 45-year-old He, the success was equally meaningful: "Our goal is not just to treat patients but to train local doctors to perform complex procedures themselves."

"By providing step-by-step guidance, demonstrations, and supervision, we aim to build a sustainable medical workforce here in Zanzibar," he added. "By empowering local doctors, we ensure patients are treated safely long after we depart."

Mentorship is the cornerstone of the Chinese medical mission. Doctors like He provide practical, hands-on teaching on instrument handling, anesthesia protocols, patient positioning, and post-operative care.

Structured training programs have expanded beyond esophageal procedures. Chinese doctors teach nasal endoscopic surgery, laryngeal operations, and other ENT techniques tailored to local needs.

Over time, these programs aim to establish a robust network of skilled surgeons capable of handling diverse cases independently.

They would rehearse procedures repeatedly until local colleagues are confident enough to proceed. "It is not just about surgery," He said. "It is about building resilience and independence."

Thanks to Chinese medical teams' long-term mentorship, local doctors can now better respond to emergencies without always waiting for outside assistance.

Families across Pemba and Unguja islands can now count on faster, safer care. Anxiety is reduced, outcomes are improved, and trust in local healthcare grows stronger, Zanzibarian health authorities said. 
About this content 

About Fouad Haidar

Fouad is a trilingual broadcast journalist & content producer/presenter for Proactive. He has a Communication & Media degree from the University of Western Australia & a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He's worked in Dubai for 7 years reporting on Hollywood A-listers & producing a daily morning show. Back in Australia, he's worked as a weather and lifestyle presenter for Sky News Australia before moving into business and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC (AIM:CMCL, NYSE-A:CMCL, VFEX:CMCL) has raised $150 million through a bond offering in the United States to help fund development of its Bilboes gold project in Zimbabwe, a move the company says puts it on track to begin major procurement later this year.

The Jersey-based miner said the debt sale attracted strong demand from American investors, with total orders exceeding $600 million.

The company initially aimed to raise $100 million but increased the size of the deal twice during marketing, eventually closing on $150 million after underwriters exercised their full option to purchase extra notes.

Mark Learmonth, Caledonias chief executive, said: Receiving more than $600 million of demand from high-quality North American investors is a tremendous endorsement of our strategy, the quality of our assets, our operational track record, and the long-term prospects of the company.
Oakmount & Partners Ltd is entering 2026 with an expanded platform, a strengthened balance of capabilities and a series of initiatives intended to support long-term growth, following what the firm describes as a year of steady, strategic progress.

In its year-end letter to clients and partners, the investment & consultancy firm said 2025 had been shaped by disciplined execution, measured expansion, and strong forward momentum, set against a backdrop of shifting global markets, regulatory developments and rapid changes in technology and capital flows.

The firm said its focus throughout the year had remained on delivering clarity, stability, and high-calibre value to the individuals and corporates who choose to work with us.

Major development

A central development during the year was the acquisition and integration of New Capital Group, described by Oakmount as a deliberate alignment of values, capability, and long-term ambition.

The firm said the integration had already expanded its talent base, increased client acquisition and strengthened internal infrastructure, adding that the combined organisation would enter 2026 with greater depth, sharper capability, and a strengthened capacity for growth.

Alongside this integration, Oakmount highlighted progress at Intergroup Mining, which has submitted an F-1 registration statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission through the EDGAR system.

The firm said the filing marked a major regulatory milestone in the companys progress towards a public listing, reflecting its operational readiness, governance standards, and regulatory maturity. Oakmount said it would continue to monitor developments on behalf of eligible clients as the process advances.

Bond programme

Another initiative outlined in the letter is a planned 500 million listed bond programme, intended to provide eligible investors with access to what the firm described as professionally structured, transparent, and long-term fixed-income opportunities.

According to Oakmount, capital is expected to be deployed across social and affordable housing, care homes, retirement villages, multi-let industrial assets, retail warehouse parks and selective property development.

The firm said all deployments would be undertaken with vetted joint-venture partners and governed by due diligence processes, risk frameworks and ongoing legal and trustee oversight.

Oakmount said the bond programme would strengthen its capital markets capability and complement its consultancy and investment platforms, forming part of a broader wealth-creation and capital-solutions division.

It described the initiative as a significant step in expanding our market-listed investment offering and supporting long-term capital efficiency for clients.

Progress adds to the valuation

The firm also disclosed that it currently holds an independent valuation in the upper-quartile range of approximately 18 million, which it said reflected nearly two decades of disciplined progress, consistent execution, and a deliberate focus on building a resilient, well-governed business.

Oakmount emphasised that it views valuation not as an objective in itself, but as a by-product of doing the right things over time, with attention focused on governance, capability, capital discipline and the quality of relationships rather than growth for its own sake.

Looking ahead, Oakmount set out a strategic roadmap for 2026 that includes continued institutional expansion, the launch of the listed bond programme, the growth of structured credit and private placement offerings, and further investment in technology, analytics and client-experience systems.

Long-term progress

The firm also identified long-term opportunities across commodities, critical minerals, infrastructure-linked credit, private equity co-investment and regulated digital-asset strategies.

Throughout the letter, Oakmount repeatedly returned to the theme of long-term stewardship.

Our objective has always been to build a firm that thinks beyond the immediate horizon, it said, adding that success is measured not by transactions or headlines, but by the durability of our relationships, the consistency of our decision-making, and the confidence our clients place in us during both favourable and challenging market periods.

As it approaches two decades in business, the firm said it remains focused on acting as a steward, not just of capital, but of trust, with an emphasis on sustainability, accountability and thinking in years and decades rather than quarters.
About this content 

About Steve Darling

Steve Darling is an award winning broadcaster who has spent the past 20 years as one of the most recognizable faces in British Columbia, reporting and anchoring at BCTV and Global Television. He spent 15 years as the co-host of the number one morning new program in the province. Steve is a tireless worker for charity hosting some 50 events a year. He is an ambassador for the Canucks Autism Network and hosts numerous events with BC Childrens Hospital and the Child Development foundation of... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
RAMALLAH, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Eleven Palestinian students were injured on Tuesday when Israeli forces raided Birzeit University, north of Ramallah in the central West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said in a brief statement that its medical teams treated 11 students, including three wounded by live ammunition, three by shrapnel, and five suffering from tear gas inhalation.

University sources told Xinhua that seven Israeli military vehicles stormed the campus and sealed off all entrances.

The sources added that Israeli soldiers detained several students, journalists, and the university's vice president for academic affairs, Assem Khalil, before later withdrawing from the campus and releasing those held.

According to the sources, Israeli forces fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters extensively across the campus, and vandalized equipment and belongings prepared by students for an event showing solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

University President Talal Shahwan condemned the raid, saying that although the university has been repeatedly targeted in the past, Tuesday's raid was unprecedented.

Speaking at a press conference on campus, Shahwan said the raid aimed to prevent the university from carrying out its educational, social, and humanitarian roles, describing it as part of a systematic policy against Palestinian educational institutions.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on these incidents.

The Israeli army has carried out operations in the West Bank almost on a daily basis. It usually called these operations "anti-terrorism" measures aimed at Palestinian militants or individuals perceived as a threat to Israel. 
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Mumbai, Jan 6 : Actress Tara Sharma is back on the set and this time for the shoot of the sequel of her beloved laughter ride "Khosla Ka Ghosla".

As she reunited with some old buddies from the original drama, such as Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Parvin Dabas, and Kiran Juneja, Tara felt both nostalgic and adventurous on the first day of the shoot for "Khosla Ka Ghosla 2".

Spilling her emotions, Tara took to her Instagram handle and posted a fun selfie with co-stars Anupam Kher, Parvin Dabas, and Kiran Juneja.

Her post also included a nostalgic note, celebrating a new journey with some old co-passengers. Tara wrote, "And it begins (red heart emoji) #khoslakaghosla 2ashooting with many from our KKG 1 fam and some new. Nostalgia and new adventures. Great to reunite with many, missing those not here and looking forward to the acting and the rest joining and us all hopefully creating another film you all love, safely, smoothly and successfully touch wood. (sic)"

She revealed that her first day of the shoot turned out to be extremely fun. Tara went on to write, "Not revealing anything but my first day on this set so a Woh Yah Hooo post with some from the OG squad seemed right! Will post more as and when able to and nearer release! Have a super day all."

Meanwhile, as Ravi Kishan joins the cast of "Khosla Ka Ghosla 2", Kher uploaded a video on social media, expressing his excitement to work with him.

"A BRILLIANT ACTOR AND A GREAT HUMAN BEING: Extremely Happy, Delighted and Joyous to have a very dear friend @ravikishann join the cast of #KhoslaKaGhosla2. We worked together long time back. But this is going to be super special. I admire Ravi as an excellent actor, a hardworking parliamentarian and above all as the PERSON that he is!! Calm, Humble, Compassionate, Helpful, Sincere and someone who LOVES #Bharat passionately! Looking forward to our scenes together! Har Har MAHADEV! #Actor #KKG2.", Kher captioned the post.
Seoul, Jan 6 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited the construction site of a memorial for the North's soldiers killed in Russia's war against Ukraine, hailing their sacrifice as an 'eternal cornerstone' for Pyongyang, state media reported on Tuesday.

Kim "visited the construction site of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations" in Pyongyang the previous day and dug the first shovelful of earth for the museum's tree planting, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Images released by the North's state media showed Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter Ju-ae accompanied Kim at the event, with Ju-ae seen digging the ground along with her father in the tree planting.

Kim said the sacrifice of North Korean troops "would serve as the solid root and eternal cornerstone supporting the mightiness of the motherly DPRK," according to the KCNA.

DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of the country, Yonhap news agency reported.

While awarding official commendations in August last year to soldiers who were dispatched to support Russia in the war, Kim unveiled a plan to create a special street in Pyongyang commemorating their sacrifice, with construction of the museum launched in October.

It marks the first time North Korea will build a museum commemorating soldiers killed in action overseas.

North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war efforts, with thousands believed to have been killed in action.

Earlier on January 5, North Korea test-launched hypersonic missiles in Pyongyang that successfully struck targets in the East Sea, with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance.

"A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile launching drill" to evaluate the country's war deterrence and the readiness of the weapon system, as well as to verify its capacity to fulfill missions, the KCNA had said.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chennai, Jan 6 : The first session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for this year will commence on January 20, with Governor R.N. Ravi scheduled to address the House on the opening day. Ahead of the Assembly session, a Cabinet meeting will be held on Tuesday at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

This will be the first Cabinet meeting of the year, and all ministers are expected to attend.

As per convention, the Cabinet will deliberate on key issues to be taken up during the Assembly session. One of the main items on the agenda is the Governor's address, which is traditionally discussed and approved by the Cabinet before it is presented in the House.

However, there is uncertainty over whether Governor R.N. Ravi will read out the government-prepared address in full this year. In previous instances, differences between the Raj Bhavan and the state government over the content of the address have led to controversy, with the Governor either skipping portions or making deviations.

Against this backdrop, the Cabinet discussions are seen as particularly significant. The meeting is also expected to review complaints and allegations raised by opposition parties regarding various government schemes.

Ministers are likely to finalise responses and data that will be presented in the Assembly to counter criticism from the opposition benches during the session.

Another major topic likely to come up for discussion is the assured pension scheme recently inaugurated by the Chief Minister. It is learnt that the Cabinet has already given its approval to the scheme.

Ministers are expected to discuss the allocation of funds for the assured pension programme in the interim budget that will be presented during the Assembly session.

In addition, the Cabinet may deliberate on proposals aimed at addressing the demands and expectations of various sections, including striking sanitation workers and other employee groups.

Measures to resolve labour issues and welfare-related concerns are expected to figure prominently in the discussions.

With the possibility of the Assembly election schedule being announced by the end of February, the Cabinet meeting is being viewed as politically crucial. Decisions taken at this meeting are likely to shape the government's legislative and administrative priorities in the run-up to the elections.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Dhaka, Jan 6 : Two Hindu men were killed in separate incidents within a 24-hour period in Bangladesh, as violence against religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community, continues to rise, according to local media reports.

The first victim, identified as 40-year-old Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was fatally attacked in Narsingdi district on Monday night, in Dhaka, with sharp weapons allegedly by an extremist armed religious group.

Citing local residents and eyewitnesses, Bangladeshi weekly Blitz reported that Mani was running his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila of Narsingdi when unidentified assailants suddenly attacked him with sharp weapons. He was critically injured and succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital.

In the second incident, a Hindu businessman was shot dead in public in Monirampur Upazila of Jashore district.

The deceased, identified as 38-year-old Rana Pratap Bairagi, owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, and also served as the acting editor of Bangladeshi newspaper aDainik BD Khobora published from Narail.

The incident occurred at Kopalia Bazar in the upazila on Monday evening.

Citing local residents and police, Bangladeshi Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported that three assailants arrived on a motorcycle around 5:45 pm on Monday, called Rana out of his ice factory, took him to a nearby lane, and fatally shot him in the head at close range before they fled.

Confirming the attack, Monirampur police stationas officer-in-charge (OC), Md Raziullah Khan, said the body has been recovered and would be transferred to the mortuary of Jashore Hospital for post-mortem.

He added that the motive for the killing remains unclear, while the identities of the perpetrators are under investigation, and legal action is in progress.

These latest attacks highlight a disturbing surge in violence targeting Hindu communities throughout Bangladesh.

Earlier on Saturday, another Hindu man, Khokon Chandra Das, died after being brutally attacked by a mob of miscreants in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur district.

Last week, 40-year-old Bajendra Biswas was shot dead by a colleague in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district.

On December 24 last year, Bangladeshi media reported the killing of another Hindu youth, identified as 29-year-old Amrit Mondal, who was allegedly lynched by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union in Bangladesh.

Also on December 18 last year, a 25-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally killed in a mob lynching incident over false blasphemy accusations by a Muslim coworker at his factory in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh.

The mob killed Das and then hung his body from a tree before setting it on fire.

Bangladesh has witnessed escalating violence against minorities, including Hindus, under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, sparking outrage among people and several human rights organisations across the globe.
Imphal, Jan 6 : The Manipur government has handed over the investigation into the incident, in which two persons, including a woman, were injured in two consecutive explosions in Bishnupur district, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), officials said on Tuesday.

A police official said that the case relating to the two consecutive explosions on Monday, triggered by locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), has been forwarded to the NIA for an in-depth investigation.

He said that the senior police officers, including an Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Superintendent of Police of Bishnupur district, visited the blast sites to take stock of the situation.

Combing and search operations were continued in the adjoining areas for the second consecutive day on Tuesday to nab the perpetrators.

With the deployment of additional forces, security has been strengthened to prevent any further escalation of violence. Investigation and operational efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the blasts, the official added.

On Monday, an IED blast occurred at an abandoned house in Ngaukon village under the Phougakchao Ikhai police station area. The family of the house are currently living in a relief camp at Keibul Lamjao since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023.

According to the police, the second explosion occurred around 200 metres away from the first blast when villagers gathered at the spot after hearing about the initial explosion. Two persons injured by splinters, identified as Soibam Sanatomba Singh (52) and Nongthobam Indubala Devi (37), were shifted to a government hospital. Police said their injuries were not serious.

Immediately after the explosions, security forces, led by senior police officials, launched a combing operation to apprehend those responsible for the IED blasts.

An irate mob also damaged a makeshift security bunker in the vicinity, accusing security forces of failing to prevent the blasts and arrest those responsible.

Security forces comprising Central and state agencies continue extensive crackdowns against militants, with search operations and area domination drives underway in fringe, mixed-populated and vulnerable areas across districts.

A total of 114 nakas (checkpoints) have been set up across Manipur in both valley and hill districts to curb the movement of illegal elements and suspicious vehicles.

Security forces have also been providing escorts to vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Strict security arrangements and convoy protection continue in sensitive stretches to ensure the safe movement of vehicles.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday wishes to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, hailing his efforts to enhance the growth trajectory of the state, as well as empowering the youth there.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Birthday wishes to Odisha's hardworking Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi Ji. He has made outstanding efforts to enhance Odisha's growth trajectory and empower the youth of the state. Praying for his long and healthy life in service of the people."

Mohan Charan Majhi, born in 1972 in Odisha's Keonjhar district, belongs to the Santal tribal community. He entered politics as a sarpanch in 1997. In the 2024 Assembly elections, Majhi won from the Keonjhar seat for the fourth time and was appointed Chief Minister of Odisha.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also wished the Odisha Chief Minister on his birthday and said, "In line with Prime Minister Modi's vision, you are continuously giving momentum to public service and good governance in the state. I pray to Lord Jagannath for your long and successful life."

Taking to X, Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi ji. I pray to God for your good health, long life, and a blissful life."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took to social media and said, "Heartfelt birthday greetings to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi ji. May Lord Jagannath bless you with excellent health and a long life; this is my prayer."

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, extending birthday wishes to CM Mohan Charan Majhi, said, "Rooted in a humble background, your relentless work for the marginalised and the poor reflects a vision grounded in empathy, service, and integrity."

"May the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath continue to guide this path of selfless service for the people of Odisha. Wishing you good health and continued success in public service," she added.
Phnom Penh, Jan 6 : Some 68.4 per cent of the Cambodian evacuees from a recent border conflict with Thailand have returned to their homes so far, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said on Tuesday.

Sokhak said that about 444,179 out of 649,023 Cambodian evacuees have returned to their homes.

"Roughly 204,844 people, including 108,466 women and 66,892 children, remain in displacement camps," he said in a press briefing.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate ceasefire on December 27, 2025, after three weeks of armed conflict that caused casualties on both sides, Xinhua news agency reported.

Cambodia on Monday re-proposed to Thailand to convene a special meeting on border demarcation in the second or third week of January in Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a press release from Cambodia's State Secretariat of Border Affairs.

The Cambodian side has once again requested the Thai side, through a Note Verbale dated January 5, 2026, to convene a special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission in the second or third week of January 2026 in Siem Reap province, it said.

The re-proposed meeting aims to discuss the survey and demarcation works, as well as address the issue that Thai military forces have been conducting activities violating Cambodia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, the press release said.

The re-proposed meeting was made after the Thai side postponed Cambodia's earlier request for the meeting in the first week of January 2026 in Siem Reap province, citing the reasons of waiting for internal procedures and the ongoing presence of landmines in border areas.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed on December 27, 2025 to halt weeks of fierce border clashes, the worst fighting in years between the Southeast Asian countries that has included fighter jets sorties, exchange of rocket fire and artillery barrages.

The agreement, signed by Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Nakrphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Seiha, ended 20 days of fighting that had killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million on both sides.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
SAO PAULO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Six people died on Monday when robbers tried to hijack a truck, causing it to overturn onto a passenger van on a highway in south Brazil's Parana state, said the Federal Highway Police.

The attempted robbery occurred in the municipality of Campina Grande do Sul in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, the capital of Parana.

Authorities said all the victims were in the van, which was heading toward Curitiba when it was struck by the truck.

The van was carrying about 21 passengers from the municipality of Campo Largo, who were returning from a religious service in the city of Sao Paulo.

The truck driver said he was driving toward Sao Paulo when the assailants traveling in another truck intercepted his vehicle, firing several shots as they boarded, though no one was injured.

They forced the driver to turn toward Curitiba, which activated the truck's satellite tracking system and caused it to stop on an uphill stretch.

The assailants then demanded that the system be unlocked, and when refused, they forced the driver to jump out of the vehicle and release the brake, causing the truck to roll backward and collide with the van.

Further investigation is underway. 
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 6 : With the clock ticking towards the end of the current Kerala Legislative Assembly's term, a high-level team from the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to visit the state early next month to assess poll preparedness ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 6 (IANS) With the clock ticking towards the end of the current Kerala Legislative Assemblyas term, a high-level team from the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to visit the state early next month to assess poll preparedness ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

A new 140-member Assembly must be in place by the third week of May this year, making April the most likely window for polling.

The team will be led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a former top Kerala bureaucrat who is widely familiar with the stateas administrative and political landscape.

Kumar had earlier this week chaired a meeting of senior Election Commission officials in New Delhi to review the ground situation in states scheduled to go to the polls this year, including Kerala.

Sources familiar with the deliberations said the Election Commission is actively considering holding the Kerala Assembly elections in April, and indications point towards a single-phase poll across all 140 constituencies spread over the stateas 14 districts.

Kerala has traditionally favoured single-phase polling owing to its compact geography, high voter literacy, and relatively robust election machinery.

The visit of the ECI team is expected to focus on key issues such as law and order, deployment of central forces, election expenditure monitoring, the status of electoral rolls, and preparedness to ensure free and fair polling.

The ECI is also likely to review the use of technology and measures to curb misinformation during the campaign.

Politically, the election is set to witness a triangular contest, as in recent years, between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

At present, the LDF enjoys a comfortable majority in the Assembly with 97 seats, while the UDF holds 42 seats.

The NDA, despite an expanding vote base, failed to retain the single seat that it won in the 2016 polls.

The political landscape saw a minor but significant change on Monday, when one Assembly seat fell vacant following the disqualification of ruling front legislator Antony Raju.

The disqualification came after a trial court sentenced him to three yearsa imprisonment in a criminal case, triggering immediate political ripples ahead of the election season.

With the Election Commission stepping up its engagement, the formal election process in Kerala is now clearly entering its final phase.
January 06 : Lucknow: The CM Yogi Adityanath government has provided significant relief to lakhs of youth preparing for police recruitment in Uttar Pradesh. Keeping the interests of candidates at the forefront and acting on the Chief Minister's directions, the state government has approved a one-time relaxation of three years in the maximum age limit for the proposed Direct Recruitment2025 for police constable and equivalent posts. A government order to this effect has been issued.

This decision applies to the recruitment of a total of 32,679 posts under Direct Recruitment2025. As per the government order, the one-time age relaxation will be extended to candidates of all categories participating in the recruitment process for Constable Police (Male/Female), Constable PAC/Armed Police (Male), Constable Special Security Force (Male), Women Constable for Women Battalion, Constable Mounted Police (Male), and Jail Warder (Male and Female).

The decision has been taken in accordance with Rule 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (Relaxation of Age Limit for Recruitment) Rules, 1992. The age relaxation has been implemented through a government order issued on January 5, 2026, following the recruitment notification dated December 31, 2025. This measure will enable many aspirants who were earlier rendered ineligible due to age constraints to participate in the recruitment process.

This step reflects the Yogi government's sensitivity towards the genuine concerns of the youth and its willingness to take decisive action to address them.

Ensuring fair opportunities for competitive exam aspirants, expanding employment avenues, and adopting a compassionate approach in administrative decision-making have become hallmarks of the government's governance model.

The age relaxation in police recruitment not only brings renewed hope to millions of young aspirants but also reaffirms that youth welfare remains central to the policy vision of the CM Yogi Adityanath government.
January 06 : Lucknow: The Yogi Government has taken several concrete steps to curb cyber criminals who target the hard-earned money of citizens. On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the police have deployed cyber commandos to prevent cyber crime and fraud. Along with enforcement, extensive awareness programmes are being conducted by the police.

In addition, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday personally appealed to the people of the state through his 'paati', urging them to remain vigilant against cyber fraudsters. His message was disseminated widely through the media to reach every citizen. The Chief Minister called upon people not only to stay alert themselves but also to spread awareness among others.

In line with the Chief Minister's vision, the police have also released a short awareness film on 'Digital Arrest'. Over the past four days, the film has been viewed and appreciated by more than 1.73 million people across various social media platforms. The short film sends a strong message to citizens to remain fearless, identify new methods of cyber fraud, and take the right steps in time.

In his 'paati', Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that while mobile phones and computers have made life easier and more convenient, they have also given rise to new challenges in the form of cyber crime. The government is taking several important measures to address these challenges.

He noted that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh had only two cyber crime police stations. Today, cyber crime police stations are operational in all 75 districts of the state, along with cyber help desks in every district.

The Chief Minister emphasized that alertness and awareness are the most powerful weapons against cyber fraudsters. These criminals use false and misleading terms like 'Digital Arrest' to intimidate innocent citizens and extort money. He categorically stated that there is no provision such as 'Digital Arrest' in any law of the country. Police or any government agency does not arrest individuals or demand money through video calls, WhatsApp, or social media.

The Chief Minister also urged caution while using social media. He warned that photos, videos, and location details shared publicly are often used by criminals to gather information and later misuse it against individuals. Citizens were advised never to share personal information or OTPs with anyone.

He further stated that even after taking precautions, if someone falls victim to cyber crime, they should immediately report the incident on the helpline number 1930. The sooner the police are informed, the higher the chances of recovery and prevention of further loss.

The Chief Minister appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and spread awareness among those around them, especially senior citizens. He concluded by calling upon everyone to collectively build a safe and cyber crimefree Uttar Pradesh.

On the directions of the Yogi Government, UP Police released a short film to raise public awareness about 'Digital Arrest'. The film features renowned actor Nana Patekar.

Within just four days, the film garnered approximately 1.042 million views on YouTube, around 126,000 views on platform X, nearly 42,000 views on Instagram, and more than 20,000 views on Facebook. Additionally, the message reached nearly 500,000 people through WhatsApp channels and digital volunteer groups.

These figures clearly reflect the growing importance of cyber security among the general public and highlight the Yogi Government's foresighted and sensitive approach towards safeguarding the hard-earned money of citizens.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : The scales are tilting in favour of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with opinion polls now predicting a landslide victory in the upcoming Bangladesh elections, scheduled for February 12.

Last month, the polls suggested a close fight between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. However, the BNP has surged past the Jamaat with 70 per cent of the people, saying they would vote for the party headed by the late Khaleda Zia.

The Jamaat only has 19 per cent of the people's support, and this is a clear indicator that the margins are huge.

The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) has the support of 2.9 per cent of the population, according to an opinion poll conducted by the Eminence Associates for Social Development (EASD).

Poll observers said that multiple factors have worked in favour of the BNP. The BNP is riding on the sympathy wave of the people due to the death of their leader, Khaleda Zia.

Furthermore, the return of her son, Tarique Rahman, has bolstered the party cadres who are now full-time on the field working hard for their party.

More importantly, the people of Bangladesh seem to be rejecting the Jamaat owing to the never-ending violence that has engulfed the nation.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the people are aware that if a Jamaat is in power, it would never be an independent country, as the ISI would be completely in control.

Furthermore, the ordinary Bangladeshi seeks prosperity, not a country driven by religion. The last thing that they want is an Iran-style country, and the people realise that if an ISI-backed Jamaat is in power, then they would sign up for just that, the official noted.

The opinion poll also noted that many of Sheikh Hasina's supporters have abandoned the Awami League and are now backing the BNP.

The Awami League has been banned from contesting the elections, and this is a factor that may have contributed to the shift, the experts said.

According to the survey, 60 per cent of the Awami League supporters now say that they would vote for the BNP. Twenty-five per cent of the Awami League supporters said that they would side with the Jamaat.

The poll said that the Jatiya Party enjoys the support of just 1.4 per cent.

According to the poll, the BNP is very popular among women, and 71 per cent of them say that they will vote for the party. The BNP continues to dominate in Rajshahi and Chattogram, and is expected to get 70 per cent of the votes here.

The survey, conducted between December 20 and January 1, also stated that 77 per cent of the people are confident that the BNP would come to power.

According to officials, the point to be taken into consideration was that the Jamaat is rapidly losing grip on the country.

The politics of religion and the blind backing of the ISI have not gone in its favour. When its student wing, the Islamic Chhatra Shibir, swept the university elections, many felt that the result would be the same in the national polls as well.

However, the manner in which the events have unfolded only suggests that the Jamaat has made a mess out of the country.

Another official said that the Jamaat fell into the ISI trap and, by following its script, Bangladesh turned out to be a mess.

The official also added that a majority of Bangladeshis want a peaceful nation governed by the Constitution, and not Sharia Law.

India would hope for a BNP government in the neighbouring country. Following the death of Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a heartfelt note that was delivered to Rahman by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.

New Delhi has been in talks with many within the BNP leadership, and if this party comes to power, there would be a working relationship between the two countries, experts added.

Intelligence Bureau officials said that the BNP being so far ahead is a good sign. However, they also warn that the violence could escalate, and the Jamaat and ISI combination would want the polls to be postponed.

Both are trying to create an atmosphere of fear and chaos, so that the postponement of the elections could be justified under the pretext that the atmosphere is not conducive, officials said.

In the past 18 days, there has been mindless violence that led to the targeted killings of 6 Hindus. In the last 24 hours, two Hindu men were murdered by radical elements. Intelligence agencies warn that such incidents could only increase, and the violence would escalate ahead of the elections.

The borders would need to be on high alert as there is every chance that the ISI would try to ensure that the madness spills over into India, an Intelligence Bureau official said.
Mumbai, Jan 6 : Actor Ram Charan extended warm birthday wishes to music maestro A.R. Rahman, expressing gratitude for the musical magic the composer has brought to his upcoming film Peddi.

Mumbai, Jan 6 (IANS) Actor Ram Charan extended warm birthday wishes to music maestro A.R. Rahman, expressing gratitude for the musical magic the composer has brought to his upcoming film Peddi.

Ram took to Instagram, where he shared a picture with Rahman, who turned 59 on Tuesday. Ram Charan shared a heartfelt note for the Oscar-winning composer, wishing him good health, happiness and "endless music".

"Wishing @arrahman sir a very Happy Birthday. May this year bring you great health, happiness and endless music. #ChikiriChikiri was just the beginning. Can't thank you enough sirfor the magic you've woven for #Peddi," he wrote.

Talking about "Peddi", the film is directed by Buchi Babu Sana. Filmed under the working title of RC16, it was officially announced as "Peddi" in March 2025. Ram Charan in the titular role is paired with Janhvi Kapoor in an ensemble cast featuring Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Divyenndu.

The original score and soundtrack album are composed by A. R. Rahman. The film is scheduled to release on 27 March 2026.

Meanwhile, Rahman, who is nicknamed "Isai Puyal" and "Mozart of Madras", is a recipient of six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award and the Padma Bhushan.

With his in-house studio Panchathan Record Inn, Rahman's film-scoring career began during the early 1990s with the Tamil film Roja. Following that, he went on to score several songs for Tamil language films, including Mani Ratnam's politically charged Bombay, the urban Kaadhalan, Thiruda Thiruda, and S. Shankar's debut film Gentleman.

His score for his first Hollywood film, the comedy Couples Retreat in 2009. His music for Slumdog Millionaire earned him Best Original Score and Best Original Song at the 81st Academy Awards.

In 2006, he was honoured by Stanford University for his contributions to global music. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rotary Club of Madras 2008. In 2009, he was included on the Time list of the world's 100 most influential people. In 2017, he made his debut as a director and writer for the film Le Musk.
Bangkok, Jan 6 : Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree stated on Tuesday that the Cambodian side has contacted local Thai military units, claiming it had no intention of firing into Thai territory.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Thai military stated on social media that Cambodia violated the ceasefire agreement by firing a mortar round in the border area at around 7:25 a.m. local time on the day, leaving one Thai soldier injured.

The Cambodian side said the incident had been caused by an operational error committed by Cambodian forces during a mission, Winthai said.

The blast wounded one Thai soldier, who sustained shrapnel injuries to his right arm, Thailand's 2nd Area Command said in a statement, adding that medical evaluations confirmed the serviceman is not in a life-threatening condition, Xinhua news agency reported.

The command noted that the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. It has ordered all subordinate units to step up vigilance during operational deployments to safeguard the safety of military personnel and residents, adding that relevant updates will be released in a timely manner.

Some 68.4 per cent of the Cambodian evacuees from a recent border conflict with Thailand have returned to their homes so far, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said on Tuesday.

Sokhak said that about 444,179 out of 649,023 Cambodian evacuees have returned to their homes.

"Roughly 204,844 people, including 108,466 women and 66,892 children, remain in displacement camps," he said in a press briefing.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate ceasefire on December 27, 2025, after three weeks of armed conflict that caused casualties on both sides.

Cambodia on Monday re-proposed to Thailand to convene a special meeting on border demarcation in the second or third week of January in Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a press release from Cambodia's State Secretariat of Border Affairs.

The Cambodian side has once again requested the Thai side, through a Note Verbale dated January 5, 2026, to convene a special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission in the second or third week of January 2026 in Siem Reap province, it said.

The re-proposed meeting aims to discuss the survey and demarcation works, as well as address the issue that Thai military forces have been conducting activities violating Cambodia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, the press release said.
Kolkata, Jan 6 : A bench of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Railway Board to investigate a complaint alleging that in 2010, when the incumbent West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, was the Railways Minister, a tender policy was amended to provide reservation under the guise of minority preference, reducing the statutory reservation for SC/ST/OBC categories to benefit the Muslim community, which is not provided for under the Constitution of India.

As per the available documents, a reservation was made for minorities in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)'s tendering process for awarding contracts for the operation of railway catering stalls and canteens.

After getting elected to the Lok Sabha for the sixth consecutive term from Kolkata (Dakshin) constituency in 2009, Mamata Banerjee became the Railways Minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-II government led by the then-Prime Minister, Late Dr Manmohan Singh.

However, she resigned as the minister after becoming the Chief Minister of West Bengal following the 2011 state Assembly polls, which marked the end of the 34-year Left Front regime in West Bengal.

During that short period as the railways minister from 2009 to 2011, she reportedly amended the policy to provide a certain percentage reservation for minorities in the IRCTCas tendering process for awarding contracts for the operation of railway catering stalls and canteens.

The matter was brought to the notice of NHRC recently by the activist group, Legal Rights Observatory. Thereafter, a bench headed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo issued a notice to the Railway Board, directing them to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action.

In the complaint filed by Legal Rights Observatory, it was argued that the said reservation was implemented for appeasement and did not appear to be in accordance with the Indian Constitution. The complainant also argued that the reservation seemed to have infringed upon and curtailed the rights of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Class categories.

According to the complaint, the reservation in allotment for categories A, B and C for minorities was three per cent and that for D, E and F categories was 9.5 per cent.

To recall, last year, the Calcutta High Court division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Rajasekhar Mantha scrapped all OBC certificates that were issued by the West Bengal government after 2010, because the majority of these certificates were granted based on religion.

Last week the Election Commission of India (ECI) also clarified that the OBC certificates issued by the West Bengal government after 2010, will not be treated as supporting identity documents in the ongoing hearing sessions on the claims and objections on the draft votersa list in the state, which is second stage of the three-stage Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Quetta, Jan 6 : A Pakistani court has acquitted human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Deputy Organiser Lala Abdul Wahab Baloch and 11 other activists, a development which the BYC described as a legal relief after a "prolonged and politically motivated trial".

Quetta, Jan 6 (IANS) A Pakistani court has acquitted human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Deputy Organiser Lala Abdul Wahab Baloch and 11 other activists, a development which the BYC described as a legal relief after a "prolonged and politically motivated trial".

According to the BYC on Monday, Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Naim Akhtar of the Karachi City Court ordered the acquittal after the prosecution failed to substantiate the charges. Those acquitted include Sarfraz Baloch, Zain Baloch, Aftab Baloch, Qazi Amanullah, Murad Baloch, Waheed Baloch, Ahmed Nisar, Ehsan Hameed, Sajid Baloch, Aamir Baloch, and Ahsan Faraz Baloch.

The BYC alleged that despite the acquittal in the same case, several other BYC leaders, including its chief organiser, Mahrang Baloch, remain incarcerated.

"The judiciary continues to exercise its authority in a manner that keeps these leaders detained, raising serious concerns about justice, prolonged incarceration, and the use of legal processes to suppress political dissent," the BYC stated.

The rights body mentioned that the case, registered under the Pakistan Penal Code on January 18, 2025, had remained under trial for nearly a year. The court, it said, concluded that the allegations were "unsubstantiated" and "granted an honourable acquittal" to all the accused.

"The arrests stemmed from rallies announced by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee on January 25, 2025, observed as 'Baloch Genocide Day.'Demonstrations were held across Balochistan and in Karachi, including Lyari and Sharafi Goth, Malir," the BYC noted.

During the crackdown, the BYC stated that its leaders, women, and activists were reportedly subjected to violence and detained under what were described as fabricated cases.

Last week, the BYC asserted that consecutive bail orders issued by multiple courts across Balochistan underscore the "baseless, fabricated, and politically motivated nature of the cases" filed against its peaceful leadership by the Pakistani authorities.

According to the BYC, Mahrang Baloch and the other leaders, including Beebarg Baloch, Shahji Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Beebow Baloch, have been unlawfully detained for the past ten months.

The rights body said the BYC leaders were initially held under the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO) for three months, a law that allows "preventative detention" based on the government's assessment of "potential threats to public order". Their detention was, however, extended through what the BYC described as "politically motivated FIRs".

Despite these cases being bailable, the BYC alleged that their incarceration has been prolonged through repeated remands, deliberate delays in submitting investigation reports, and systematic procedural obstruction.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Several Left-wing student organisations at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a gathering at the 'Guerrilla Dhaba' on the university campus.

The incident took place on Monday evening, shortly after the Supreme Court denied bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case.

Around 30 to 40 students affiliated with the Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest, raising anti-government slogans at the campus.

Among the slogans shouted was "Modi-Shah ki kabra khudegi, JNU ki dharti par", which triggered sharp reactions from the BJP.

The sloganeering drew a sharp reaction from the BJP, which condemned the Left-wing groups and linked the protest to the denial of bail to Khalid and Imam.

BJP leaders described the protesters as part of what they termed the "tukde ecosystem" and labelled them "urban Naxals".

Taking to X, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "These slogans chanted by the Tukde ecosystem in JNU after Sharjeel Umar denied bail. This is an anti-India bunch of Urban Naxals... Votebank ke naam par Umar Sharjeel Bachao Gang kaam par."

Another BJP national spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, also condemned the incident through a social media post.

"Urban Naxals in support of anti-national Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam protested late at night in JNU outside Sabarmati Hostel. This is not a protest; this is appropriation of anti-India thought! Intellectual terrorists can be academics, doctors, or engineers," he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have said that they have not received any complaints regarding the sloganeering at the JNU campus.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "JNU has become a hub of the so-called 'tukde-tukde' gang, involving Rahul Gandhi, the TMC, Left parties, and other opposition forces. It has turned into a camp office of this group, and the country will not tolerate it."
Chennai, Jan 6 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin will inaugurate the distribution of the Pongal gift package at a fair price shop in Alandur, Chennai, on Thursday, marking the start of the State's annual festive assistance to ration card holders ahead of the harvest festival.

The announcement comes after weeks of public anticipation over whether the traditional Pongal gift package would include a cash component this year.

The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced Rs 3,000 cash each for rice ration card holders under the Pongal gift hampers.

In 2021, under the previous AIADMK government, rice ration card holders received a cash gift of Rs 2,500 along with the Pongal gift hamper.

After the DMK assumed office following the Assembly elections, the State provided Rs 1,000 in cash along with a gift package in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

In 2025, however, only the gift package was distributed, without any cash assistance, leading to expectations that monetary support would return in an election year.

Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government issued a Government Order allocating Rs 248 crore for the 2026 Pongal gift package, covering the procurement of one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar, and a full sugarcane for each eligible household. The announcement initially sparked concern among the public over the absence of a cash gift.

Amid growing questions, Chief Minister Stalin convened a meeting with ministers and senior officials to review the matter. Following consultations, the government officially announced a Rs 3,000 cash gift to be provided along with the Pongal package.

In a statement, the State government described Pongal as an ancient and noble festival celebrated by Tamils for thousands of years, expressing gratitude to the Sun, cattle that support agriculture, and farmers who sustain society by feeding the world.

The Pongal gift package, comprising one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar and a full sugarcane, will be distributed to all rice ration card holders and families residing in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps.

The scheme is expected to benefit 2,22,91,710 ration card holders and eligible camp residents across the State. In addition to the cash gift and food items, dhotis and sarees meant for Pongal distribution have already been dispatched to all districts.

The Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure that the Rs 3,000 cash assistance, Pongal gift set, and clothing items are distributed smoothly through all fair price shops before the festival.
Photo taken on Jan. 5, 2026 shows an Israeli strike on buildings in the village of Kfarhatta in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings."

In an earlier statement, the military said it would target buildings in four villages, including Anan and Kfarhatta in southern Lebanon, as well as Al-Manara and Ain al-Tinah near the country's eastern border.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) confirmed the airstrikes in the four targeted areas, reporting that four houses were destroyed and nearby homes, vehicles, and shops were severely damaged. A missile also failed to explode at one site in Kfarhatta, cutting off the road.

A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes carried out 10 airstrikes across these areas, noting that the targeted house in Al-Manara belonged to Sharhabil al-Sayed, a Hamas leader who was killed in an Israeli strike in 2024.

Earlier, the Israeli military warned residents to evacuate specific buildings in these areas, claiming they were used by Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats," despite a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024. 

Citizens and soldiers of the Lebanese Army search for survivors in debris after an Israeli airstrike in Sidon, southern Lebanon, Jan. 6, 2026. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A soldier of the Lebanese Army searches for survivors in debris after an Israeli airstrike in Sidon, southern Lebanon, Jan. 6, 2026. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A citizen searches for survivors in debris after an Israeli airstrike in Sidon, southern Lebanon, Jan. 6, 2026. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Soldiers of the Lebanese Army search for survivors in debris after an Israeli airstrike in Sidon, southern Lebanon, Jan. 6, 2026. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 6, 2026 shows destroyed residential buildings after an Israeli airstrike in Al-Manara near Lebanon's eastern border. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 6, 2026 shows destroyed residential buildings after an Israeli airstrike in Al-Manara near Lebanon's eastern border. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 6, 2026 shows destroyed residential buildings after an Israeli airstrike in Al-Manara near Lebanon's eastern border. The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday strongly condemned the controversial slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus in Delhi, saying that JNU has become a hub of the so-called 'tukde-tukde gang', involving Rahul Gandhi, the Trinamool Congress, Left parties, and other opposition forces.

Speaking to IANS, Singh said, "It (JNU) has turned into a camp office of this group, and the country will not tolerate it indefinitely. If court verdicts are also not respected, it becomes a serious issue. Those who talk about dividing India and think along the lines of Pakistan have no place in this country. This is the government of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Just as extremists and Naxalites are being eliminated, the 'tukde-tukde ganga will also be eradicated."

Other leaders echoed similar sentiments over the incident.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "If protests happen over every issue, what will be left then? These people have no regard for the country, the Constitution, or the law. They are separatists and only speak words that divide the nation. They have insulted the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of the country; it is extremely shameful."

JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad also emphasised respect for legal authority, stating, "The decision has been given by the Supreme Court. No form of anarchy can be tolerated in this country. Court verdicts are binding on all parties, and such activities are certainly not acceptable under any circumstances."

The slogans were reportedly raised at JNU's Sabarmati Hostel on Monday, following the Supreme Court's refusal to grant bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been in jail for over five years in connection with a "larger conspiracy" case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.

Danish, the joint secretary of the Left-backed JNU Students' Union (JNUSU), and Sunil, its secretary, were present at the location during the sloganeering.

A Delhi Police official said they are aware of the incident, but no formal complaint has been filed so far. The police have sought details about the matter and confirmed that an inquiry is underway.

The event comes amid heightened scrutiny over student activism and political sloganeering at JNU, a campus that has frequently been in the spotlight for its protests and political statements.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Haridwar, Jan 6 : Expressing serious concern over the reported atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) International President Alok Kumar on Tuesday said that so-called political Islam believes in brutality and cruelty.

Speaking to IANS, Alok Kumar said, "It is a matter of deep concern that so-called political Islam believes in brutality and cruelty, in killing through suffering and torture. In Bangladesh, such violence begins before every election and, many times, continues even after the elections."

He further alleged that this pattern of violence has been ongoing since 1946.

"That is why the Vishva Hindu Parishad is making efforts to awaken the conscience of the entire world. We are urging the governments of every country where Hindus live to take action against Bangladesh. We are also appealing to those countries that provide aid and assistance to Bangladesh to put pressure on it to reduce the atrocities being committed against Hindus," he told IANS.

Alok Kumar also expressed surprise over what he described as the silence of certain Muslim organisations.

"It is strange that we were expecting Jamiat and other Muslim groups to speak on this issue. Dipu Chandra was brutally murdered after it was alleged that he had disrespected Islam. However, he had only said that every religion is equal," he said.

Questioning the interpretation of religious intolerance, Kumar added, "If saying that every religion is equal is considered disrespect to Islam, then how will this principle be applied in India? I believe the whole world needs to reflect on this. This is a jihadist definition of extremism."

Meanwhile, two Hindu men were killed in separate incidents within a 24-hour period in Bangladesh, as violence against religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community, continues to rise, according to local media reports.

The first victim, identified as 40-year-old Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was fatally attacked in Narsingdi district on Monday night, in Dhaka, with sharp weapons allegedly by an extremist armed religious group.

Citing local residents and eyewitnesses, Bangladeshi weekly 'Blitz' reported that Mani was at his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila of Narsingdi when unidentified assailants suddenly attacked him with sharp weapons. He was critically injured and succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital.

In the second incident, a Hindu businessman was shot dead in public in Monirampur Upazila of Jashore district.

The deceased, identified as 38-year-old Rana Pratap Bairagi, owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, and also served as the acting editor of Bangladeshi newspaper 'Dainik BD Khobor' published from Narail.

The incident occurred at Kopalia Bazar on Monday evening.

Citing local residents and police, Bangladeshi Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported that three assailants arrived on a motorcycle around 5:45 pm on Monday, called Rana out of his ice factory, took him to a nearby lane, and fatally shot him in the head at close range before they fled.

Confirming the attack, Monirampur police station's officer-in-charge (OC), Md Raziullah Khan, said the body has been recovered and would be transferred to the mortuary of Jashore Hospital for post-mortem.

He added that the motive for the killing remains unclear, while the identities of the perpetrators are under investigation, and legal action is in progress.

These latest attacks highlight a disturbing surge in violence targeting Hindu communities throughout Bangladesh.

Earlier on Saturday, another Hindu man, Khokon Chandra Das, died after being brutally attacked by a mob of miscreants in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur district.

Last week, 40-year-old Bajendra Biswas was shot dead by a colleague in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district.

On December 24 last year, Bangladeshi media reported the killing of another Hindu youth, identified as 29-year-old Amrit Mondal, who was allegedly lynched by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union in Bangladesh.

Also on December 18 last year, a 25-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally killed in a mob lynching incident over false blasphemy accusations by a Muslim coworker at his factory in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chaibasa : , Jan 6 (IANS) A rampaging wild elephant has unleashed terror in the Goilkera block of Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, killing five people in separate incidents over the last three days, triggering widespread fear and panic among residents.

Chaibasa (Jharkhand), Jan 6 (IANS) A rampaging wild elephant has unleashed terror in the Goilkera block of Jharkhandas West Singhbhum district, killing five people in separate incidents over the last three days, triggering widespread fear and panic among residents.

The latest tragedy occurred late on Monday night when the jumbo attacked a family while they were asleep in their house.

According to officials, the tusker began demolishing the house of Kundra Bahda, forcing the family to flee in panic. However, Kundra Bahda, his son Kodma Bahda, and his daughter Samu Bahda were trampled to death during the attack.

Another child of the family, Jingi Bahda, sustained serious head injuries while trying to escape. She was initially treated locally but was later referred to Rourkela in neighbouring Odisha due to her critical condition.

A day earlier, on Sunday night, a 56-year-old woman, Jonga Kui, was killed in Bila Kundukocha village of the same block. She was reportedly asleep when the pachyderm attacked her house and trampled her to death. Her husband, Chandramohan Laguri, narrowly escaped and survived.

On Friday night, a 13-year-old boy, Renga Kaiyam, was trampled to death by elephants while sleeping in a barn in a settlement in the Saiyatwa forest area near Chaibasa.

Forest department officials said the movement of the tusker has been tracked in Goilkera and adjoining areas for several days. In an effort to bring the situation under control, a 10-member expert team from West Bengal was deployed on Monday to drive the elephant back into the forest.

According to official data, 13 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks in West Singhbhum district over the past two months, with six fatalities reported from Goilkera block alone. Human encroachments on forest land and resultant loss of habitat for the elephants lead to frequent man-animal conflicts.

The repeated incidents have sparked fear and resentment among villagers, who are demanding a permanent solution to the elephant menace. Locals have also urged the forest department and the district administration to ensure swift compensation for the families of those killed or injured.

A recent report by the Wildlife Institute of India highlights the scale of the problem, stating that Jharkhand recorded 1,740 incidents of elephant attacks between 2000 and 2023, resulting in 1,340 human deaths.

Nearly 200 people have reportedly died in elephant attacks in Jharkhand between 2023 and 2025.
Kolkata, Jan 6 : Following the announcement made by junior doctor Aniket Mahato, one of the prominent faces seeking justice in the RG Kar rape-murder case, regarding his decision to withdraw from his Senior Resident (SR-ship) position last week, he has now reached out to the public for financial assistance to cover the government bond amounting to Rs 30 lakh.

Mahato published a QR code on social media on Monday night after resigning from his Senior Residency earlier in the day.

The QR code contains his bank account number. It has been revealed that Dr Aniket Mahato made public the bank account in his name at the Salt Lake branch of South Indian Bank. According to the rules, a government Senior Residency is a bonded post. If one leaves it, a sum has to be paid to the government.

Justifying his request for money through crowdfunding, Aniket told a section of media persons, "I have resigned from the Senior Resident post under the state government bond. My sources of inspiration are Vidyasagar, Vivekananda, Rabindranath and Sarat Chandra. As you know, according to the terms of the bond, I have to pay the government 30 lakh rupees. This financial burden is beyond my means. I hope you will provide financial assistance."

On Monday, Mahato sent a letter to the state's Health Secretary, Director of Health Education and Director of Health Services. In the letter, he wrote, "I was not given a valid appointment on time. As a result, my valuable academic period has been irreparably wasted. I have suffered severe mental harassment. I am no longer willing to join the Senior Resident position."

An official from the state health department said that students at government medical colleges actually study using taxpayers' money. That is why there is an obligation to provide service in the districts. If this is not fulfilled, there is a provision for compensation. It is learned that Dr Aniket Mahato will not receive a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) or clearance from the health department until he pays the Rs 30 lakh bond.

Meanwhile, the Resident Doctors' Association has called a meeting on the issue.

It may be noted that Aniket Mahato was one of the prominent faces of the protest movement by junior doctors in West Bengal against the ghastly rape and murder of a woman doctor of the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August 2024. Last Thursday, he tendered his resignation from the post of president of the "board of trustees" of the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF), the umbrella body spearheading the movement.

In his resignation letter addressed to the board of trustees, Mahato said that although the decision was painful, he was constrained to step down from the post.

While Mahato did not spell out the exact reasons behind his resignation in the letter, he hinted at his dissatisfaction with certain decisions related to the formation of the executive committee of the front.
Jammu, Jan 6 : The security around the civil secretariat was tightened on Tuesday following a protest call given by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti (SMVDSS).

The Sangarsh Samiti is protesting against the admission of non-Hindu candidates to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.

The group has demanded cancellation of the admission process or closure of the medical college while threatening escalation through a signature campaign and boycott.

Officials said hundreds of police personnel led by senior officers were deployed outside the Civil Secretariat to prevent any law and order situation.

A police official said no protesters would be allowed to come anywhere near the Secretariat premises. Leaders of the Sangharsh Samiti have also alleged misuse of shrine funds and have sought intervention from BJP leaders and the Lt Governor.

Right-wing organisations have raised objections to the admission process, attempting to project it as a contentious issue.

The government has categorically stated that all admissions at the medical college have been carried out strictly on the basis of merit and not on the basis of religion.

Officials reiterated that the selection process follows prescribed norms and regulations applicable to medical admissions.

Authorities said the situation remained under control, with security arrangements put in place as a precautionary measure to maintain public order in the high-security zone.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that only merit-based admissions have been made by the college, and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence is not a minority institution, nor are admissions to the college to be made on religious lines, since the college receives grants/funds from the J&K government.

Union Minister of State (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a public Darbar in Kathua on Monday that the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, as the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, is competent to address the problem.

Dr Singh expressed the hope that the L-G must have started the exercise to resolve the issue.
Greater Noida, Jan 6 : A court in UP's Greater Noida on Tuesday postponed the commencement of day-to-day hearings in the high-profile Akhlaq lynching case due to the absence of a key prosecution witness.

The daily hearing, scheduled to begin on January 6 at the Surajpur court, could not proceed as the main witness failed to appear. The court has now fixed January 8 as the next date of hearing and directed that the witness be produced under police protection.

Yusuf Saifi, advocate representing Akhlaq's family, said that the witness could not attend the proceedings as a family member had passed away on Sunday.

"The hearing could not begin today because one of the family members of the witness died yesterday. As a result, he was unable to appear before the court to record his statement. The court has now fixed January 8 for the next date of hearing," Saifi told IANS.

The Surajpur court had earlier ordered day-to-day hearings in the case after rejecting the Uttar Pradesh government's plea seeking withdrawal of prosecution against the accused.

While dismissing the plea on December 23, the court observed that no convincing or legally sustainable grounds had been presented to justify withdrawal of the case.

Emphasising the gravity of the crime, the court had stated that the matter warranted a full-fledged trial against all the accused and announced that proceedings would be conducted on a daily basis from January 6 to ensure an expeditious trial. The court had also made it clear that the trial would continue without interruption.

At present, there are 14 accused in the case, all of whom are out on bail.

Following the state government's move to withdraw the case, Akhlaq's wife, Ikraman, had approached the Allahabad High Court. However, after the Surajpur court rejected the government's plea and decided to continue the trial, her petition before the High Court has become infructuous.

Taking a strict view on witness protection, the court directed the Police Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Greater Noida, to ensure adequate security for any witness who expresses fear or seeks protection.

The Akhlaq lynching case, which has been under judicial scrutiny since 2015, had triggered nationwide outrage and intense political and social debate. Mohammad Akhlaq was killed by a mob in Uttar Pradesh's Dadri, following allegations of cow slaughter -- an incident that shook the conscience of the nation and sparked widespread discourse on mob violence and the rule of law.
Seoul, Jan 6 : Police in South Korea on Tuesday raided a special counsel office, as part of their investigation into allegations that the Ministry of Justice attempted to secure detention space within correctional facilities following the martial law declaration in December 2024.

A special investigation team from the Korean National Police Agency sent investigators to the office of special counsel Cho Eun-suk in southern Seoul in the morning to secure the detention space-related data from documents previously seized by Cho's team during its raid on former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae.

Police said the raid was conducted in connection with the probe into Shin Yong-hae, former head of the Korea Correctional Service, who is accused of playing a role in the martial law imposition, reports Yonhap news agency.

Shin is suspected of assessing detention capacity at correctional facilities in the capital area under the direction of Park during martial law. Shin is said to have reported to Park that an additional 3,600 detainees could be accommodated.

The special counsel team concluded last month that Shin also asked his subordinates to write a document on ways to adjust the number of inmates and consider parole to secure detention space. It then indicted Park on martial law-related charges and transferred Shin's case to the police.

Meanwhile, it has been found that around 10 military officers suspected of being involved in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid in December 2024 will be referred to a defence special investigative unit for probe, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

The officials include those who were linked to the establishment of a martial law situation room at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the deployment of defence intelligence command personnel to the National Election Commission, according to the ministry.

A ministerial subcommittee under an interagency task force investigating public officials' involvement in the martial law attempt will refer the affected individuals for probe to a recently established defence special investigative unit. They may face disciplinary action in accordance with the results.

The move comes as the task force is reviewing the results of the ministry's independent audit into the martial law involvement and referring officials for further probe as part of a broader push to rebuild the military following the martial law imposition.

The defence ministry has convened disciplinary committees to review measures against officials involved in the martial law bid, including those who were aboard a bus that departed for Seoul from the Army headquarters, shortly after the National Assembly voted to lift the martial law decree.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Tuesday questioned what he termed "selective outrage" over slogans raised at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), saying prolonged incarceration without substantive progress in trial was itself a matter of serious concern for India's criminal justice system.

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Tuesday questioned what he termed "selective outrage" over slogans raised at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), saying prolonged incarceration without substantive progress in trial was itself a matter of serious concern for India's criminal justice system.

Reacting to sloganeering at the JNU campus following the Supreme Court's refusal to grant bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, Jha said, "What is this selective outrage? Yes, people are naturally angry. Many of us also felt that Sharjeel and Umar should have been granted bail. It's been more than five years, and under the name of trial, nothing substantial has happened. That itself is a cause for concern. How long should someone remain in jail before constitutional protections can become active? This is also, in a way, a blow to the criminal justice system."

Jha's remarks come amid sharp political reactions to slogans allegedly directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi at JNU's Sabarmati Hostel on Monday night. The slogans were reportedly raised after the apex court rejected bail pleas filed by Khalid and Imam, both accused in a "larger conspiracy" case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. The two have been in jail for over five years.

Independent Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also weighed in on the bail issue, linking judicial outcomes to the broader political climate. "Whether bail is granted or not depends on how the government responds to dissent and how it presents the alleged facts," Yadav said. "Earlier, in cases like Gorakhpur or Malegaon, governments wanted people to be released and managed to get them released," he added, suggesting that state intent often plays a decisive role.

Earlier, senior BJP leaders had strongly condemned the sloganeering at JNU. Union Minister Giriraj Singh described the university as a "hub of the so-called 'tukde-tukde gang'," while accusing Opposition parties and Left groups of encouraging divisive politics.

Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also slammed the protesters, calling the slogans "shameful" and "anti-national."

JD(U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad stressed that Supreme Court verdicts are binding and said no form of anarchy could be tolerated.

According to sources, members of the Left-backed JNU Students' Union were present at the site when slogans were raised. The Delhi Police said they are aware of the incident, though no formal complaint has been filed so far. Officials confirmed that details have been sought and an enquiry is underway.
Palakkad, Jan 6 : Even as the CPI remains the second-largest ally in the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, relations between the two Communist parties have been visibly strained for some time now.

What had largely remained simmering discontent has increasingly begun to spill into the open, underscored by sharp public remarks from CPI(M) Palakkad district secretariat member S. Ajayakumar, who launched a scathing attack on the CPI at a public meeting in Mannoor, Ottappalam.

Ajayakumar accused CPI national general secretary Binoy Viswam of behaving like a "fourth-rate politician" and charged the CPI with political opportunism  alleging that defeats are conveniently blamed on the CPI(M), while any victories are claimed entirely by the CPI.

Mocking the party's electoral strength, he claimed the CPI commands barely five per cent of the vote share in the State and lacks the capacity to win even a single constituency independently.

He also questioned the CPI's criticism of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers, asking whether the departments handled by the CPI were beyond reproach.

The outburst comes against the backdrop of a series of developments that have unsettled the ruling front.

The first major flashpoint emerged when the Kerala government decided to sign on to the PM SHRI schools programme without discussions in either the LDF or the State Cabinet.

The CPI openly raised objections, accusing the CPI(M) of unilateralism, and persisted with its opposition until the Pinarayi Vijayan government was forced to withdraw from the scheme  an episode that left visible scars within the alliance.

Since then, relations between the two parties have remained fluid and fragile.

The situation worsened after the December local body polls, where the LDF's performance failed to meet expectations, triggering internal blame games and a perceptible cooling of camaraderie within the ruling coalition.

Palakkad, particularly Ottappalam, has long been a theatre of intense CPICPI(M) rivalry, and Ajayakumar's remarks are being seen as a reflection of deeper unease rather than an isolated provocation.

With Assembly elections likely to be held in April/May, the public airing of differences threatens to complicate the Left's efforts to project cohesion and stability.

While the LDF leadership has so far sought to downplay the tensions, the latest war of words suggests that managing internal contradictions may prove as challenging for the Left as confronting its political opponents in the months ahead.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : After several Left-wing student organisations at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a gathering at the 'Guerrilla Dhaba' on the university campus, Delhi ministers on Tuesday said that strict action would be taken against those involved.

Speaking to IANS, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra said that the government would not tolerate activities that promote violence or anti-national sentiments.

"The hoods of snakes are being crushed, and their offsprings are distressed over it. These people raise slogans in support of terrorists, Naxalites, and rioters. They have now realised that Naxalites, wherever they once operated freely, are being eliminated," he said.

He further added that the judiciary has already identified those involved in violent acts.

"The courts have identified the rioters and delivered a clear verdict yesterday. Strict action will be taken against those who raised such slogans," Mishra told IANS.

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood also condemned the incident, stating that there is no place for violence or incitement in politics.

"In a democracy, one is free to debate policies and express disagreement with the Prime Minister or the Home Minister. Discussions can take place on education, finance, and governance, and disagreement is natural. However, those who work to break the country have no place in democratic discourse," he said.

Sood further alleged that individuals such as Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid had promoted divisive slogans. He claimed that Umar Khalid had been found guilty in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots and criticised what he described as sympathy shown towards such figures by certain political leaders who had shared platforms with them.

Meanwhile, the incident took place on Monday evening, shortly after the Supreme Court denied bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case.

Around 30 to 40 students affiliated with the Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest, raising anti-government slogans at the campus.

Among the slogans shouted was "Modi-Shah ki kabra khudegi, JNU ki dharti par", which triggered sharp reactions from the BJP.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), created by the U.S. Congress to steward the federal government's investment in public broadcasting, announced Monday that its Board of Directors has voted to dissolve the organization after rescission of federal funding and "sustained political attacks."

"The decision follows Congress's rescission of all of CPB's federal funding and comes after sustained political attacks that made it impossible for CPB to continue operating as the Public Broadcasting Act intended," the private, nonprofit corporation wrote in a statement.

"When the Administration and Congress rescinded federal funding, our Board faced a profound responsibility: CPB's final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks," said Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB.

"What has happened to public media is devastating," said Ruby Calvert, chair of CPB's Board of Directors. "After nearly six decades of innovative, educational public television and radio service, Congress eliminated all funding for CPB, leaving the Board with no way to continue the organization or support the public media system that depends on it."

First authorized by the U.S. Congress under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, CPB helped build and sustain a nationwide public media system of more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public radio and television stations, according to the statement. 
Patna, Jan 6 : Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi over the 'love jihad' issue, accusing him of promoting a "jihadi mindset".

Speaking to reporters in Patna, the Begusarai MP said that Owaisi's demand for presenting data on love jihad in Parliament should be first addressed in Hyderabad, where AIMIM holds political influence.

Giriraj Singh claimed that the issue goes beyond personal relationships and alleged that it was part of a well-planned strategy.

"This is not love jihad in the name of love. It is a planned Ghazwa-e-Hind. Love jihad, land jihad, spitting jihad - it is a series of jihads," Singh said.

The Union Minister further alleged that Owaisi's political ideology was rooted in divisive thinking, stating that if the "ghost of Jinnah" has entered anyone in India, it will not succeed.

He asserted that no force would be allowed to divide the country again.

"No matter how many conspiracies are hatched, India will not be partitioned again," Union Minister Singh said.

Responding to the broader debate, Owaisi, speaking earlier in Amravati, Maharashtra, had challenged the Central government to present concrete data on love jihad in Parliament.

"If an adult is making their own decision, then our likes or dislikes don't matter. If love jihad is happening, present the data in Parliament. Provide records from all the states where you claim such cases exist," Owaisi said.

He questioned the definition of love jihad and accused the government of diverting attention from core issues such as employment.

"The youth of this country need jobs, but instead, you are trying to divert their attention," Owaisi added.

Giriraj Singh also reacted strongly to allegations made by Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, who had accused the Central government of attempting to alter the Constitution.

Rejecting the charge, Singh said, "The Central government wants to make India truly India, while Madani wants to impose Sharia law in the country."

Maulana Arshad Madani, however, maintained that the politics of hatred was pushing the country towards instability.

He warned that communal forces, driven by power, were attempting to undermine the Constitution and weaken India's secular fabric.

"Politics of hatred is not patriotism; it is a betrayal of the country's peace and harmony. Those who spread hatred in the name of religion can never represent religion," Madani said.

The exchange reflects the escalating political rhetoric surrounding identity, religion, and constitutional values as national debates intensify.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Seoul, Jan 6 : The prosecution and the police formed a joint investigation team on Tuesday to handle various allegations of bribery among the Unification Church, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and politicians, South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO) said.

The launch of the new team comes after the legally mandated investigation period of special counsel Min Joong-ki's team ended last month, before it was able to fully determine the details of alleged bribery between the Unification Church and multiple lawmakers of both the ruling and main opposition parties.

The SPO said the joint team will look into not only the Unification Church but also the religious sect, Shincheonji, and other faith groups to determine whether they provided bribes to politicians and meddled in elections, reports Yonhap news agency.

Kim Tae-hoon, chief of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, has been tapped to lead the joint team, it said in a press release, adding the body will comprise 47 prosecutors and police officials and have offices inside the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

President Lee Jae Myung earlier directed the formation of a special or joint investigation headquarters to handle the scandal, saying it was necessary to determine the truth and demand accountability in order to prevent a repeat of similar crimes.

The bribery allegations surfaced during Min's investigation into former first lady Kim Keon Hee's suspected corruption, resulting in the indictment of Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the main opposition People Power Party and an investigation into Rep. Chun Jae-soo of the ruling Democratic Party, among other high-profile names.

Talk of appointing a special counsel to investigate the matter has stalled amid disagreements between the rival parties.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Dec 6 : Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand on Tuesday welcomed Narendra Modi's recent remarks on the Somnath Temple, saying the Prime Minister's message powerfully conveyed the enduring spirit of faith despite historical destruction.

Referring to the Prime Minister's post on X marking 1,000 years since the Somnath Temple was attacked, the Shankaracharya said, "The Prime Minister's post on X on 1,000 years has expressed the pain of what happened when the Somnath temple was attacked. A man named Mahmud Ghazni came with his army and destroyed the temple. He also killed the priests and the devotees who were worshipping there."

He added that the invader believed destroying the temple and its idol would permanently erase its legacy. "He tried to injure them. He thought that if he destroyed the temple and the statue, Somnath would be finished. So, 1,000 years ago, this attempt was made," the Shankaracharya said.

Explaining his interpretation of the Prime Minister's message, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said, "The post by the Prime Minister shows that he wants to say this clearly: you can destroy the temple, you can destroy the statue, but you cannot destroy Somnath. Look, 1,000 years have passed  Somnath is still there. And where are you? You came and left."

Calling the statement a warning for the future, he said, "Somnath is still standing. Those who try such things should not attempt this in the future. This is the message the Prime Minister wants to give."

Describing the Prime Minister's remarks as appropriate, the Shankaracharya said, "This is a welcome statement. As far as Ghazni is concerned, he definitely did not do a good deed. Wherever the name of Ghazni exists in India, it should be removed."

The comments come after Prime Minister Modi on Monday said the Somnath Temple stands as the eternal proclamation of the Indian soul, asserting that while hate and fanaticism may have the power to destroy temporarily, faith and conviction possess the strength to create for eternity.

The Prime Minister noted that 2026 will mark 1,000 years since the Somnath Temple was first attacked by invaders in January 1026. Recalling the temple's repeated destruction and reconstruction over centuries, he said there could be no better example of India's indomitable civilisational spirit than Somnath, which continues to stand tall despite immense adversity.

In a detailed X post, PM Modi wrote, "Somnath hearing this word instils a sense of pride in our hearts and minds. It is the eternal proclamation of India's soul. This majestic temple is situated on the western coast of India in Gujarat, at a place called Prabhas Patan."
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday said that quality is not just a responsibility but also a strong competitive advantage, stressing that standards play a crucial role in excellence, consumer protection, ease of doing business, Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Addressing the 79th Foundation Day celebrations of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) here, Joshi said that standards act as benchmarks for quality and trust, helping Indian products compete both at home and globally.

"Emphasised that quality is a responsibility and a competitive advantage, with standards serving as benchmarks for excellence, consumer protection, ease of doing business, Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat," Joshi said.

"Recalled the emphasis of PM Narendra Modi on quality in governance, delivery and manufacturing, with a clear direction to make 'Made in India' synonymous with quality," he added.

Speaking at the event, He highlighted that strong quality systems protect consumers, improve governance and support businesses by making processes simpler and more reliable.

The minister recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consistent emphasis on quality in governance, service delivery and manufacturing.

He said the Prime Minister has given a clear direction that products labelled 'Made in India' should automatically be associated with high quality and global trust.

Joshi also reiterated the government's commitment to the vision of "Zero Defect, Zero Effect", which focuses on producing high-quality goods while ensuring minimal environmental impact.

He said achieving this goal requires collective effort from policymakers, industry, standards bodies and manufacturers.

He added that the larger aim is to transform 'Made in India' into 'Trusted by India' and 'Trusted by the World'.

"Reiterated the commitment to Zero Defect, Zero Effect and the collective resolve to transform Made in India into Trusted by India and Trusted by the World," Joshi mentioned.

According to him, BIS has a key role to play in this journey by strengthening standards, encouraging innovation and building confidence in Indian products across global markets.
Mumbai, Jan 6 : Bollywood fashionista Sonam Kapoor poured her heart out for husband Anand Ahuja, calling him her "knight in shining armour" who is always there to steady her through life's highs and lows.

Mumbai, Jan 6 (IANS) Bollywood fashionista Sonam Kapoor poured her heart out for husband Anand Ahuja, calling him her "knight in shining armour" who is always there to steady her through life's highs and lows.

Sonam took to Instagram stories, where she shared a post about "The zodiac signs saving the world in 2026" which included "Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius."

She added the caption: "@anandahuja always my knight in shining armour.. saving me from myself all the time."

Sonam tied the knot with businessman Anand Ahuja in a grand wedding ceremony in May 2018, after being in a relationship for several years. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy, whom they named Vayu, in August 2022.

The actress is all set to welcome her second baby. She took to social media on November 20 when she shared the news with the world.

Sonam shared a picture of herself dressed in a striking hot-pink pure wool suit featuring oversized padded shoulders and a softly curved shoulder line. The actress is seen lovingly holding on to her blossoming baby bump.

She captioned the post: "MOTHER."

Rumours about Sonam's second pregnancy started doing the rounds in October. At that time as per rumours, Sonam was in her second trimester of pregnancy.

She was last seen in the film Blind in 2023. The crime thriller was directed by Shome Makhija. It also stars Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak and Lillete Dubey in supporting roles. Blind, a remake of the 2011 Korean film of the same name, centres around a blind police officer in search of a serial killer.

Sonam, who is the daughter of actor Anil Kapoor, began her career as an assistant director on filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2005 film Black. She made her acting debut in Bhansali's romantic drama Saawariya in 2007. She was then seen in I Hate Luv Storys, Raanjhanaal successes with supporting roles in the biopics Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Sanju, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Neerja and Veere Di Wedding.

Sonam Kapoor was lined up to headline the film adaptation of Anuja Chauhan's novel "Battle for Bittora," but the project has remained stalled for years. Produced by her sister Rhea Kapoor, the film was envisioned as a blend of romance and politics.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chennai, Jan 6 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu state president Nainar Nagenthran on Tuesday mounted a sharp attack on the ruling DMK government, welcoming the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court's decision permitting the lighting of the deepam at the Deepathoon atop Thiruparankundram Hill.

He accused the state government of repeatedly acting against Hindu religious practices under the guise of maintaining law and order.

In a statement, Nagenthran said the High Court, by dismissing the DMK government's appeal seeking to block the lighting of the lamp, had once again stood firmly on the side of justice and constitutional values.

He said the verdict had brought immense relief to devotees and reaffirmed the long-held belief that the Deepathoon rightfully belongs to the Thiruparankundram Subramania Swamy Temple.

"The court has delivered a clear rebuke to the state government for misusing the bogey of law and order to suit its political convenience," Nagenthran said.

He added that portraying routine and age-old religious practices as potential flashpoints for public disorder was both misleading and unacceptable. According to him, the ruling categorically rejected the DMK government's claims and exposed what he termed its "manufactured narrative" around public order concerns.

The BJP leader alleged that despite facing repeated judicial setbacks in matters related to Hindu religious practices, the DMK government continued to pursue what he described as a persistent anti-Hindu agenda.

He said the state government showed little inclination to respect court directions and instead kept reviving the same arguments through appeals. "Even after being pulled up multiple times by the judiciary, the government has not shown any willingness to course-correct," he alleged.

Striking a strong political note, Nagenthran said the DMK's alleged hostility towards Hindu beliefs reflected an arrogance of power that would not go unanswered by the public.

"A government that repeatedly disrespects faith, disregards constitutional propriety, and challenges judicial authority will ultimately be shown the door by the people," he said.

He added that the verdict was not merely a legal win for devotees, but a broader reaffirmation of religious rights and judicial balance in the state. The decision, he said, underscored the judiciary's role in safeguarding constitutional freedoms while ensuring that long-established traditions are not curtailed for political reasons.
Chennai, Jan 6 : BJP's Tamil Nadu unit president, Nainar Nagenthran, on Tuesday welcomed the Madras High Court's decision permitting the lighting of the deepam at the 'Deepathoon' atop Tirupparankundram Hill.

He accused the state government of repeatedly acting against Hindu religious practices under the guise of maintaining law and order.

In a statement, Nagenthran said the High Court, by dismissing the DMK government's appeal seeking to block the lighting of the lamp, had once again stood firmly on the side of justice and constitutional values.

He said the verdict had brought immense relief to devotees and reaffirmed the long-held belief that the 'Deepathoon' rightfully belongs to the Tirupparankundram Subramania Swamy Temple.

"The court has delivered a clear rebuke to the State government for misusing the bogey of law and order to suit its political convenience," Nagenthran said.

He added that portraying routine and age-old religious practices as potential flashpoints for public disorder was both "misleading and unacceptable".

According to him, the ruling categorically rejected the DMK government's claims and exposed what he termed its "manufactured narrative" around public order concerns.

The BJP leader alleged that despite facing repeated judicial setbacks in matters related to Hindu religious practices, the DMK government continued to pursue what he described as a persistent anti-Hindu agenda.

He said the State showed little inclination to respect court directions and instead kept reviving the same arguments through appeals.

"Even after being pulled up multiple times by the judiciary, the government has not shown any willingness to course-correct," he alleged.

Striking a strong political note, Nagenthran said the DMK's alleged hostility towards Hindu beliefs reflected an arrogance of power that would not go unanswered by the public.

"A government that repeatedly disrespects faith, disregards constitutional propriety, and challenges judicial authority will ultimately be shown the door by the people," he said.

He added that the verdict was not merely a legal win for devotees, but a broader reaffirmation of religious rights and judicial balance in the State.
Indore, Jan 6 : The Madhya Pradesh High Court (Indore Bench) on Monday strongly criticised the state government's response to the contaminated drinking water crisis in Indore's Bhagirathpura area, describing the incident as a serious matter that has tarnished the national image of India's cleanest city.

A bench comprising Justice Vijay Shukla and Alok Awasthi observed that authorities appear insensitive to the issue, particularly as similar water quality problems affect large parts of the city and the entire state as well.

Hearing a batch of public interest litigations concerning the outbreak, which has led to multiple deaths and widespread illness, the bench directed the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh to appear virtually on the next hearing, scheduled for January 15, to detail the measures taken, as safe drinking water is a fundamental right (right to life) under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

The petitioners sought the establishment of civil and criminal liabilities, the constitution of a high-level inquiry committee, and multi-faceted relief.

Reiterating that the fundamental right to life under Article 21 encompasses access to clean drinking water, the court categorised potential reliefs into immediate measures, preventive and corrective actions, inquiry and accountability, disciplinary and penal proceedings, compensation for victims, directions to local bodies, and public awareness and transparency initiatives.

As interim orders, the court directed the state and municipal corporation to supply clean water at government expense, discontinue use of contaminated sources (including identified pipelines), and provide free treatment in government and empanelled private hospitals.

For long-term prevention, authorities were instructed to involve NABL-accredited laboratories for testing, replace pipelines running parallel to sewer lines, and implement online water quality monitoring systems.

The state and corporation have been asked to submit a fresh, detailed status report and reply ahead of the next hearing.

The Municipal Corporation informed the court of ongoing tanker supplies and assurances of the best medical care for hospitalised patients.

The court expressed dismay over the tragedy in a city renowned for its cleanliness rankings, where residents received contaminated water, resulting in a severe public health emergency.

Petitioners contended that the water supply in Bhagirathpura remains unfit for consumption despite interventions. They pointed out that residents' prior complaints were ignored, arguing that prompt action and preventive steps could have prevented the crisis.

Counsel for the petitioners further submitted that an order for laying a new pipeline dates back to 2022, but non-disbursement of funds led to continued reliance on ageing infrastructure.

References were also made to water samples tested in 2017-18, where 59 out of 60 locations in the city were deemed non-potable by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, with no substantial follow-up by the Indore Municipal Corporation.

Senior counsel for petitioners noted that the supplied water quality has not improved significantly.

The proceedings continue, with the court stressing accountability and robust safeguards to prevent future incidents amid the persisting public health concerns.
Bangkok, Jan 6 : Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a media interview on Tuesday that the country's military has lodged a protest with Cambodia over an explosion in the border area that injured a Thai soldier.

Earlier on Tuesday, Thailand's 2nd Area Command stated on social media that Cambodia violated the ceasefire agreement by firing a mortar round in the border area at around 7:25 a.m. local time, leaving one Thai soldier injured.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a letter to its Cambodian counterpart, notifying that Cambodia has violated the ceasefire declaration, according to Anutin.

Anutin stressed that while Thailand is strictly abiding by the ceasefire terms, it is fully prepared to respond to all possible scenarios, reports Xinhua news agency.

Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said on Tuesday that the Thai military has issued a warning to Cambodia to exercise caution and strictly adhere to ceasefire measures.

He added that the local Thai military unit was contacted by the Cambodian side afterwards, which claimed that the incident was not intentional but rather a mistake made during their personnel's operations.

Also on Tuesday, two Cambodian soldiers were injured in the morning when an explosive accidentally exploded in a pile of garbage in a border area in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, Cambodian Defence Ministry's Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said.

The working teams of both countries have consulted, exchanged information, and jointly addressed the issue accordingly.

Some 68.4 per cent of the Cambodian evacuees from a recent border conflict with Thailand have returned to their homes so far, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said on Tuesday.

Sokhak said that about 444,179 out of 649,023 Cambodian evacuees have returned to their homes.

"Roughly 204,844 people, including 108,466 women and 66,892 children, remain in displacement camps," he said in a press briefing.
Lucknow, Jan 6 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday attacked the Congress and the INDIA bloc, accusing them of opposing the VB - G RAM G Act out of fear of being exposed.

Addressing a press conference on the new legislation here, he said the Opposition's resistance reflects its continued support to the old model of corruption.

"This opposition is not against development; it is driven by the fear of being exposed," the Chief Minister quipped.

CM Yogi said that this press conference was necessary as political parties that looted the nation's resources for decades, forced the poor to starve and compelled the youth to migrate, are now questioning reforms aimed at building a Viksit Bharat.

He claimed that supporting the Act would expose the Opposition's true character, which is why it continues to oppose it.

He accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of repeatedly raising doubts about the legislation despite it being a major initiative in the interest of rural India, farmers, and labourers.

"Instead of expressing gratitude to the NDA government, the Opposition is clinging to its old traditions of promoting corruption," he said.

Explaining the vision of Viksit Bharat, Yogi Adityanath said India can only become developed when its states are developed, and states can progress only when villages are empowered.

"Strengthening the rural economy and ensuring social security and dignity for labourers is the core objective of this law," he said.

Targeting the Congress and its allies, the Chief Minister alleged that during their tenure, corruption complaints related to incomplete and temporary assets, fake attendance, and wage cuts were rampant across districts and village panchayats.

He pointed to weak grievance redressal mechanisms, ineffective social audits, administrative inefficiencies, and chronic delays in wage payments as defining features of the earlier system.

"Naturally, those whose interests have been hurt by the end of 'dig and fill' schemes are now raising an outcry," Yogi remarked, adding, "These are the very people who dug pits only to fill them again."

He also targeted the Samajwadi Party, alleging that a major scam under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) occurred in Sonbhadra during its rule. CM Yogi said that a CBI investigation into the matter is currently underway.

Highlighting safeguards under the new law, CM Yogi said the VB - G RAM G Act mandates social audits every six months, introduces a digital and time-bound grievance redressal system, and ensures audits in line with Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) standards, leaving no scope for corruption.

"The VB - G RAM G Act will change the face of rural India," Yogi asserted, adding, "It guarantees transparency, accountability, and the rights of labourers and farmers. Those opposing it are not standing against the government -- they are standing against development and in favour of corruption."
Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, meets with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin on Tuesday in Beijing.

Zhao said the meeting between the two countries' leaders held on Monday has drawn a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

China is willing to work with Ireland to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance mutual understanding and trust, deepen mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and work for further progress of the China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation, Zhao said.

China's NPC is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with the Irish parliament, and deepen exchanges and mutual learning in terms of legislation, supervision and state governance experience, to help boost pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, Zhao added.

Hailing China's development as an admirable success story, Martin said that Ireland adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies, and work for more outcomes in cooperation. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, meets with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
Seoul, Jan 6 : South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Tuesday visited the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC) and called for a firm readiness posture in a changing security environment, the defence ministry said.

During the visit to the CFC based at Camp Humphreys, a key US base in Pyeongtaek located some 60 kilometres south of Seoul, Ahn also met with US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson, who also doubles as the CFC commander, according to the ministry.

In their meeting, Ahn noted how his visit to the command -- his first on-site inspection of the year -- shows the importance of the allies' combined defence posture and called for efforts to swiftly carry out agreements their leaders reached during summit talks in October and an annual security meeting by the allies' defence chiefs the following month, reports Yonhap news agency.

In the Security Consultative Meeting held in November, the defence chiefs of the two countries agreed to develop a road map designed to "expedite" the implementation of conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul, which South Korea seeks to achieve by 2030.

Ahn called the CFC the "heart" of the South Korea-US alliance and called for an unwavering combat readiness posture in a rapidly changing security environment, according to the ministry.

"I hope the CFC plays a central role in 2026 for South Korea and the US to bolster their combined defence posture and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

He also delivered a New Year's message to South Korean and American troops and thanked them for their efforts in supporting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, the ministry said.
Luxembourg City, Jan 6 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar called on Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden on Tuesday, conveying warm greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussing growing cooperation in financial services, investments, technology and innovation between both nations.

"Pleased to meet Prime Minister Luc Frieden of Luxembourg this morning. Conveyed warm greetings of PM Narendra Modi. Discussed our growing cooperation in financial services, investments, technology & innovation. Thank him for his support for stronger India-EU ties," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

During his visit to Luxembourg, EAM Jaishankar will hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel and the senior leadership. He will also interact with the members of the Indian community in Luxembourg, according to a statement released by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

EAM Jaishankar arrived in Luxembourg after concluding his engagements in France.

On Monday, EAM Jaishankar met International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol and appreciated his assessment of the global energy scenario and his support for India's growth and development.

He interacted with participants of the French-Indian Young Talents Program by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France-India in Paris and discussed the importance of collaboration between two nations.

In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, "Delighted to interact with participants of the French-Indian Young Talents Program by Chamber of Commerce and Industry France-India in Paris. Discussed the transformations underway in the world and the importance of India-France collaboration in that context."

He also visited an exhibition in Paris titled 'Ce qui se trame - woven stories between India and France' which showcased India's textile heritage, expertise and craftsmanship, underscoring the strong cultural connection between the two nations.

"Visited exposition 'Ce qui se trame - woven stories between India and France' in Paris this evening. The exhibition showcases India's textile heritage, savoir-faire and creativity. It is also a reminder of the strong India-France cultural connect," EAM posted on X on Monday (Indian time)," EAM Jaishankar stated on X.

"Thank Minister Delegate for Europe and Foreign Affairs Eleonore Caroit and Roman Pinosch for the warm reception and joining at the exhibition," he added.
Tel Aviv, Jan 6 : Israel has carried out airstrikes on multiple Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, including the country's third-largest city, Israeli and Lebanese sources said.

Video footage circulating on social media showed heavy destruction and a large cloud of smoke rising over the coastal city of Sidon following an Israeli strike at around 1 a.m. on Monday (local time). The strikes also continued till early Tuesday.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the strike destroyed a commercial building in an industrial area of Sidon. Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that several people were injured, with no immediate reports of fatalities.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement on Tuesday morning, saying it had targeted Hezbollah and Hamas sites in several areas of Lebanon in a wave of strikes that began on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The strikes targeted several weapons storage facilities and military structures, both above and below ground, that were used by Hezbollah to advance attacks against IDF soldiers and against the State of Israel, as well as to rebuild its military capabilities," the military said.

The army added that the strikes also hit Hamas weapons production sites in southern Lebanon.

In strikes on Monday night, the Israeli military targeted buildings in four villages in southern Lebanon and near the country's eastern border. Lebanon's National News Agency said four houses were destroyed and vehicles and shops were severely damaged, while an unexploded missile cut off a road. A Lebanese security source said Israeli warplanes carried out about 10 airstrikes across the areas.

The attacks came days before the Lebanese government was due for a meeting to discuss its mission to disarm Hezbollah in areas near the border with Israel.

The Israeli army occasionally carried out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats," despite a US- and French-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that has been in effect since November 27, 2024.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : A sharp fall of 20.4 per cent in Pakistan's exports in December -- the fifth consecutive month of declining overseas shipments of the country -- underscores that the slump stems from structural factors and can no longer be dismissed as a temporary setback, according to an article in the local media.

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) A sharp fall of 20.4 per cent in Pakistanas exports in December -- the fifth consecutive month of declining overseas shipments of the country -- underscores that the slump stems from structural factors and can no longer be dismissed as a temporary setback, according to an article in the local media.

The article in the Dawn observed that Pakistanas poor export performance has always remained the weakest link in its external sector stability chain. This has become even more pronounced in recent years amid drying foreign official and private fund flows, which successive governments used to prop up the feeble balance-of-payments position.

The sustained export contraction heightens the risks to the nationas external sector recovery as growing imports threaten to erode the gains achieved through demand compression over the past two years, the article said.

Imports crossing the $6bn mark last month for the first time during the current fiscal year signal that a policy shift towards trade normalisation and liberalisation has revived import demand faster than anticipated, the report pointed out.

In absolute terms, the $118m boost in imports is quite modest given the countryas size and consumption trends. But when juxtaposed with the sharp contraction in exports, it pushes the monthly trade deficit up by 25pc to $3.7bn. The six-month cumulative picture of trade imbalance is even more worrisome. The $19.2bn trade deficit posted in the July-December period is 35 per cent higher than last year, the article further stated.

The State Bank may use strong remittances and its dollar purchases to finance the trade gap and boost reserves for as long as it can. But reliance on this strategy to offset a structurally widening trade gap has its own risks as it leaves the external account vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and host-country labour market changes.

Moreover, sustained intervention to build reserves tightens domestic liquidity and fuels exchange rate pressures. The deteriorating export performance is not a threat only for external sector stability; it also forces policymakers to suppress growth to ward off yet another balance-of-payments crisis. If anything, the latest trade numbers expose a disconnect between stabilisation and sustainability, the article added.
Mumbai, Jan 6 : Hollywood star Tom Cruise once spoke about how he achieves a goal once he sets his eyes to it. An old video of the actor has resurfaced on the Internet, and it shows him breaking down his process.

He said, "Don't be so worried if you're afraid. It's like, 'Okay, I feel it, that's fine'. Here's the thing. You just have to write down your dream and then write down a list of how you accomplish that? What do I need to do? What do I need to learn to be able to accomplish those goals? And that's, that's what I do. I don't just sit there and worry about it. I just start doing it. And don't be so worried if you're afraid. That's fine. Just keep working through it. Really, the fear you feel is the unknown. It's what you don't know. And just kind of recognize that, that it's okay not to know. And work towards a knowingness of things".

He further mentioned, "And the only way to do it is not to be in your head, just to start looking, go out and start doing it, one step at a time. When I'm training people, when I'm training myself, I'm always thinking, I'm going to learn how to crawl before I walk, walk before I jog, jog before I run, run before I sprint, and then I sprint out of a plane or off a cliff before I do that. So that's what I do".

Tom Cruise's cultural impact lies in his longevity as a mainstream movie star and his role in redefining the modern action hero. He is one of Hollywood's most bankable actors, helping shape the era of high-concept, star-driven cinema. He is known for performing his own stunts, a practice that has become central to his screen persona.

His commitment to theatrical spectacle has been widely credited with reinforcing the big-screen experience in contemporary Hollywood.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Dhaka, Jan 6 : Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has asserted that the country's existence remains rooted in the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan, local media reported.

"The Liberation War is the foundation of Bangladesh as a State and its politics. The country's very existence cannot be imagined without 1971," Bangladeshi media outlet BSS quoted Tarique as saying during a meeting with leaders of the Democratic United Front (DUF), a coalition of Bangladesh's left-leaning parties, at the BNP Chairperson's office in Dhaka.

"The new political reality and possibilities that have emerged in the country after the recent uprising must be utilised. Everyone, including the government and the opposition parties, must work together to move the country forward," he added.

Stressing the need for national unity, Tarique said that the existing political opportunity must be used to bolster the democratic system.

During the meeting, the leaders of the DUF expressed grief and offered condolences over the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on December 30.

Reports suggest that the leaders also held discussions with Tarique on the prevailing political situation in the country.

According to the leaders of the left-leaning parties, the BNP leader also voiced concern over the law and order situation in the country.

At the same time, Tarique emphasised the importance of a fair, free, and credible national election and called on everyone to remain united.

Following the meeting, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, General Secretary of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), said, "He [Tarique] told us that after returning to the country on December 25, he made it clear in his speeches that the Liberation War is our foundation. Without the Liberation War, Bangladesh would not exist."

After 17 years of self-imposed exile, Tarique returned to Bangladesh on December 25 amid a deepening political crisis in the country.

He landed at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

His return comes at a time when the Bangladesh Election Commission announced that the country's 13th national parliamentary election, along with a referendum on the July Charter, will be held on February 12 next year.

Analysts reckon that Tarique's return and participation in the February 2026 elections will test the waters amid the ongoing turbulence in Bangladesh's politics under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, which is under mounting pressure to deliver a free, fair and credible election.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ethiopia in December 2025 was a major diplomatic event of the year, resulting in upgrading the relations between the two countries to a 'Strategic Partnership' and laying a concrete roadmap for a high priority engagement for the next decade.

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modias visit to Ethiopia in December 2025 was a major diplomatic event of the year, resulting in upgrading the relations between the two countries to a 'Strategic Partnership' and laying a concrete roadmap for a high priority engagement for the next decade.

Over the last several decades, Indiaa"Ethiopia trade relations have evolved into a multi-dimensional partnership that combines sturdy merchandise trade, significant Indian investment in Ethiopian industry and infrastructure, and a strong development cooperation framework underlined by Southa"South solidarity, according to an article in the Times of Oman.

Both countries view each other as gateways to wider regions. India towards the African Continental Free Trade Area, and Ethiopia towards the Indian Ocean and Asian markets, which gives their commercial ties a strategic angle.

For 2024a"25, Indian official data indicate total bilateral trade of roughly 550.19 million US dollars, with India exporting 476.81 million US dollarsa worth of goods and importing 73.38 million US dollars from Ethiopia . The numbers highlight both Indiaas strong presence in the Ethiopian market and the scope for increasing Ethiopian exports to India.

India ranks among Ethiopiaas top trading partners underscoring how resilient the economic connection between the two countries is.

Key Indian export items include pharmaceuticals and medical products, iron and steel, machinery and transport equipment, vehicles and auto components, electrical and engineering goods, chemicals, plastics, and consumer items ranging from textiles to food products. Data confirms Indiaas role as a major supplier of essential industrial and consumer goods to the Ethiopian economy.

This export basket supports Ethiopiaas industrialisation aspirations and infrastructure expansion, while also reinforcing Indiaas image as a reliable partner supplying affordable medicines and technology.

Imports from Ethiopia into India are smaller in value but are strategically significant and concentrated in agricultural and natural resourcea"based products. India imports pulses, oilseeds, spices, leather and leather products, flax yarn, and select mineral or semi-precious stone consignments from Ethiopia, integrating Ethiopian producers into Indian and global value chains.

Beyond just trade, India has also emerged as one of the most important foreign investors in Ethiopia. Various assessments note that Indian companies rank among their top three foreign investors, with approved investments valued at nearly 5 billion US dollars and land lease arrangements covering more than 600,000 hectares across the country, especially in commercial agriculture and allied activities .

In 2024 alone, at least 11 Indian companies invested in sectors such as agriculture, automobiles, iron and steel, information and communication technology, and textiles, demonstrating sustained investor confidence in Ethiopiaas long-term growth prospects despite short-term macroeconomic volatility. These investments have massively contributed to employment creation, export earnings, and technology transfer in Ethiopiaas industrial parks and special economic zones, aligning with Ethiopiaas ambition to transform the country into a regional manufacturing hub.

Indiaas development cooperation architecture also plays a central role in shaping the trade and investment landscape, especially through concessional Lines of Credit extended by the Export-Import Bank of India .

The article also highlights that Ethiopia is among the largest African recipients of Indian LoCs, with sanctioned credit lines worth over 1 billion US dollars that have financed strategic projects in sugar production, power transmission, railways, and industrial infrastructure.

Examples include the Finchaa and Wonji Shoa sugar factories, as well as Phase I of the Tendaho sugar project, which were built under an EXIM Bank line of credit of about 640 million US dollars, representing one of the largest single LoCs extended by India anywhere.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Beijing and Islamabad are actively deepening diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Afghanistan and Bangladesh in ways that can reduce India's influence, chiefly through dialogues, offers to extend economic and military cooperation to the South Asian countries.

China has positioned itself as a mediator and convenor on Afghan issues, hosting talks and framing its engagement as reconstruction and counterterrorism cooperation rather than zerosum geopolitics.

"The two sides expressed readiness to continue leveraging the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism to deliver new outcomes," said a statement released after the seventh round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart from Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met in Beijing January 3-5 for the dialogue, following which, the joint statement bears clear testimony to their common goal. After direct and indirect interventions from Turkey, Qatar, Iran, among others, China has now entered the arena  at Islamabad's behest  to try and get Pakistan and Afghanistan to end hostilities.

"The two sides (China-Pakistan) called for more visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organisations based in Afghanistan, which continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security, and prevent terrorist organisations from using the Afghan territory for terrorism against any other country and to endanger any other country," said the joint communique.

However, Kabul vehemently denies the existence of any terror groups in its territory, and claims that attacks within Pakistan are an internal matter for Islamabad to address. Similarly, China and Pakistan "expressed readiness to continue leveraging the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism to deliver new outcomes".

They further agreed to build "an upgraded version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)", which is part of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and "welcomed third-party participation in CPEC cooperation that conforms with the modalities set by China and Pakistan".

Reports have earlier indicated plans of extending CPEC into Afghanistan, which would offer Kabul large-scale infrastructure and investment alternatives to India's projects.

For Islamabad, large BRI projects have raised concerns about rising external liabilities and project viability, though Pakistan and China frame many loans as development finance.

Meanwhile, China has increased its footprint in volatile Bangladesh through infrastructure, military cooperation, and port developments. Countries falling in its line need to take a lesson from those have fallen  or are at risk of falling  into a "China debttrap".

Such countries include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Laos, Montenegro, Kenya, Zambia, the Maldives, and Indonesia. The outcomes vary by project, contract terms, and the country's fiscal management.

Nations availing large, Chinabacked loans leave them struggling to repay, giving Beijing strategic leverage, with some showing clear distress, others fighting to balance their finance.

Taking note of Beijing's forays, a recent report from India's Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs on "Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship" has noted with concern its "increasing presence" in the neighbouring country.

On China visits by Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, it said, "clearly indicates its broad engagement with various factions in Bangladesh, further solidifying its presence".

The report added, "concerned to know that a submarine base has been built by China at Pekua, capable of accommodating eight submarines when Bangladesh has only two".

China wants to establish itself in South Asia and gain access to regional routes, local resources, and set up surveillance and defence bases.

Pakistan seeks to reduce India's footprint in Afghanistan and Bangladesh, build relations with Kabul and Dhaka on its terms as a strategic depth objective.

Extending CPEC or other BRI projects would open new markets and transit corridors for China while giving Pakistan leverage through shared projects. India's traditional role in Afghanistan has been concentrated on humanitarian relief and infrastructure development without granting official recognition to the Taliban authorities.

A Pakistanaligned Kabul could complicate New Delhi's counterterrorism and strategic calculations in the region.
Kolkata, Jan 6 : The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has issued guidelines for both teachers and students in state-run and state-aided schools, state Education Department sources said on Tuesday.

It has been learned that the WBBSE has issued a new circular for teachers and school authorities. Several instructions have been given in this. However, it has not been made public.

According to the sources, the guidelines stipulate that school teachers will not be allowed to conduct private tuition for personal gain.

Also, using smartphones in the classroom is prohibited.

Sources said that there have been complaints about teachers using smartphones in the classroom. Now, the board has clearly said that school authorities have been instructed to keep a close watch to ensure that teaching and learning are not hampered due to the use of mobile phones.

It has been clearly mentioned that no activity that disrupts classroom learning will be permitted.

Sources said that the entry and exit times from schools for teachers have been fixed. The guidelines say that all teachers must be present at the prayer assembly in their respective schools at 10.40 am. Any delay in arrival will be considered 'late'. At the same time, arriving at school after 11.15 a.m. will be considered an absence for the day.

The guidelines also said that students cannot leave school before 4.30 p.m. when the day ends. Furthermore, the headmaster shall be responsible for keeping the school premises tobacco-free and ensuring health awareness and hygiene among the students.

The guidelines also instruct teachers to act as 'nodal teachers' to ensure that the state government's welfare schemes, such as Kanyashree, Sabuj Sathi, etc., are properly reaching the students.

According to the board, these steps have been taken to improve the quality of education and maintain discipline among teachers and students in government-run and government-sponsored schools.
Chennai, Jan 6 : PMK founder S. Ramadoss has called upon Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin to take immediate responsibility and order the closure of government-run liquor shops located near public spaces, citing a sharp rise in alcohol-related violence, social unrest, and threats to women's safety.

In a strongly worded statement, Ramadoss said the State government could no longer evade accountability by claiming helplessness. He pointed to a recent incident on January 2 near Senji in Villupuram district, where a 22-year-old man, allegedly intoxicated after consuming alcohol at a nearby TASMAC shop, entered a woman's house and created a disturbance.

When police personnel from the Senji police station arrived to intervene, one constable was reportedly assaulted by the youth.

Ramadoss said such incidents reflect how alcohol consumption is transforming ordinary individuals into violent offenders, leading to family disputes, public disorder, and even attacks on law enforcement officers. He noted that local residents protested the incident, asserting that alcohol was the root cause.

Highlighting a series of disturbing cases reported in November last year alone, Ramadoss cited incidents from Ambattur, Panruti, and Virudhachalam, where disputes over money for alcohol resulted in murder, domestic violence, and suicide.

"Every day, countless families are being destroyed by alcohol, yet the government remains indifferent," he alleged. He also referred to viral videos circulating on social media, including one showing schoolgirls allegedly consuming alcohol and another depicting doctors celebrating New Year's Day by drinking inside a primary health centre in Sivaganga district, calling them evidence of moral and institutional decay.

The PMK leader warned that alcohol outlets near bus stands, railway stations, schools, and colleges are worsening law and order issues across the State. He cited Virudhachalam in Cuddalore district as an example, where multiple liquor shops operate close to a government higher secondary school, bus stand exits, railway station premises, and within short distances along major roads, causing daily harassment of commuters, especially women.

Though courts have ordered the closure of liquor shops near educational institutions, Ramadoss said these directives have not been fully implemented. Drawing parallels with Kerala, he noted that the Thiruvananthapuram railway administration had sought the relocation of liquor outlets within 500 metres of stations due to safety concerns.

Urging decisive action, Ramadoss appealed to the Chief Minister to stop deflecting responsibility and, as a first step towards phased prohibition, immediately shut down government liquor shops located near public gathering places to restore social harmony and protect women and families.
Delcy Rodriguez reacts during the swearing-in ceremony at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 5, 2026. Delcy Rodriguez, previously vice president of Venezuela, was sworn in on Monday as the acting president of the country, after President Nicolas Maduro was taken by force on Jan. 3 during a U.S. military operation against the South American nation. (Presidency of Venezuela/Handout via Xinhua)

CARACAS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Delcy Rodriguez, previously vice president of Venezuela, was sworn in on Monday as the acting president of the country, after President Nicolas Maduro was taken by force on Jan. 3 during a U.S. military operation against the South American nation.

"I come with pain, because of the suffering that has been caused to the Venezuelan people, following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland," Rodriguez said at a formal ceremony held in the capital Caracas.

"I swear by the people of Venezuela not to rest even a minute to guarantee the peace of the Republic," she added.

The acting president also called for unity to defend the country "in these terrible hours of threat to the stability and peace of the nation."

In the early hours of Jan. 3, U.S. military forces carried out a series of strikes on Venezuela, taking by force Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, before putting them in custody in New York, which sparked widespread condemnation. 

Delcy Rodriguez (2nd L) is sworn in at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 5, 2026. Delcy Rodriguez, previously vice president of Venezuela, was sworn in on Monday as the acting president of the country, after President Nicolas Maduro was taken by force on Jan. 3 during a U.S. military operation against the South American nation. (Presidency of Venezuela/Handout via Xinhua)
Mumbai, Jan 6 : Maharashtra Information Technology Minister and BJP in charge of BMC elections, Ashish Shelar, on Tuesday issued the sharpest warning to NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his party, saying the BJP would not compromise on its ideological foundations.

Referring to Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Shelar said that any party aligning with the BJP would have to accept Savarkar's ideology.

"We are followers of Savarkar. Our party works on Savarkar's ideology. If you want to be with us, you must accept it. If not, we will move ahead without you. If you stand in opposition, we will treat you as the opposition," Shelar said, delivering a blunt message to the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar.

Shelar's warning comes as Ajit Pawar has been reiterating that the NCP functions on the ideology of Shiv, Phule, Shahu, and Ambedkar, hinting that it will not compromise on its secular credentials.

Shelar also described the BJP's alliance with Ajit Pawar's party as "unnatural", adding that political alliances that lack ideological compatibility are bound to face internal conflict.

Shelar's comments come at a time when tension within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance has come to the fore ahead of key municipal elections, with senior BJP leaders issuing strong public warnings to Ajit Pawar, raising questions about the alliance's cohesion.

The rift intensified after Ajit Pawar, during poll campaigning recently, remarked that allegations worth Rs 70,000 crore had been levelled against him and that he was now sharing power with those who had once accused him.

The statement triggered strong reactions from BJP leaders, who openly criticised the comment and questioned the political messaging it sent.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking at a public event in Katraj, hinted at consequences for those who underestimate the BJP, cautioning allies not to take the party lightly. His remarks were widely interpreted as a signal of the BJP's assertive stance within the alliance.

Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan hit back, advising DCM Ajit Pawar to "introspect" before levelling charges. Chavan warned that if the BJP started making counter-allegations, it would create "serious difficulties" for Pawar, hinting at past investigations into the Deputy CM.

Revenue Minister and BJP in charge of Municipal Corporation elections, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, stood firmly behind State BJP President Ravindra Chavan, who told Ajit Pawar to "introspect" before pointing fingers.

He also issued a stern warning and "advice" to Ajit Pawar following the latter's aggressive criticism of the BJP's governance. Bawankule's response focused on three main points, including observing restraint, honouring the alliance pact, and avoiding personal attacks.

However, Ajit Pawar clarified that his remarks relating to the corruption were related to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation during the BJP rule.

Moreover, Shelar aimed at the emerging political understanding between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray.

Using a metaphor, he said politics does not follow the rules of chemistry or mathematics.

"If incompatible elements are mixed, a reaction is inevitable. If their properties are contradictory, an explosion occurs," Shelar said, predicting that the Uddhav Thackeray-Raj Thackeray alignment would not sustain itself.

He further alleged internal discord within both parties, claiming that ideological differences exist between Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray, while the MNS too is divided between supporters of Raj Thackeray and those aligned with Amit Thackeray.

Shelar claimed that several MNS office-bearers had resigned, adding that both parties were organisationally weakened and struggling to mobilise support.

"Large rallies alone will not help. Leaders will have to go to the streets. Mumbai residents are already seeing the chaos and internal conflict within these parties," Shelar said.

The public exchange of sharp remarks has fuelled speculation about possible cracks within the MahaYuti alliance at a crucial time, as civic elections in major urban centres approach.

While alliance leaders have so far denied any immediate fallout, the growing war of words suggests increasing strain between partners with differing political priorities and ideological positions.

Political observers said that whether these tensions remain rhetorical or translate into a larger political rupture remains to be seen, but the episode has clearly exposed fault lines within Maharashtra's ruling coalition.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Praising the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur to uphold truth, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said that her government will serve every citizen as a family member and nurture Delhi as "Mini India", even as BJP MLAs accused AAP legislators of disrespecting Sikh Gurus and using "disrespectful language" in their context.

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Praising the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur to uphold truth, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said that her government will serve every citizen as a family member and nurture Delhi as "Mini India", even as BJP MLAs accused AAP legislators of disrespecting Sikh Gurus and using "disrespectful language" in their context.

The Chief Minister was concluding a discussion on the second day of the Winter Session of the Delhi Assembly over a statement made by Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on the Sikh Guru's 350th Martyrdom anniversary when the opposition AAP MLAs insisted for holding a discussion on pollution in the city.

While Speaker Vijender Gupta dismissed their plea, reminding that a special discussion on pollution is listed later during the session, Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and MLA Tarvinder Singh Marwah, along with other BJP MLAs, pointed out that AAP MLAs used "disrespectful language" while referring to Sikh Gurus.

The discussion ended with a clash between the treasury and opposition benches with Sirsa demanding a review of the video footage to punish the "guilty" AAP MLAs for disrespecting the Sikh Gurus.

On Sirsa's request, Speaker Vijender Gupta said after reviewing the video footage, if needed, a motion to condemn the "disrespectful language" used by AAP MLAs will be taken up on Wednesday.

Earlier, the CM greeted citizens and Cabinet colleagues for the successful conduct of three-day congregation or 'Gurmat Samagam' near Red Fort in November.

Highlighting the Delhi government's support for Kanwar Yatra, Ramlila and Durga Puja celebrations, she said as part of celebrating culture and traditions of all states, Chhath festival of Poorvanchal, Garba of Gujarat and Teej of Rajasthan were organised with honour during the 11 months to honour citizens from all parts of the country living here.

She said festivals like Onam and from other states in the South were also celebrated with fervour.

Earlier, five-time legislator and BJP MLA from Gandhi Nagar Arvinder Singh Lovely called for repair and revival of the Guru Tegh Bahadur memorial in Delhi so that it could host annual events to highlight the Sikh Guru's sacrifice.

Lovely praised Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his understanding of the country's history, sentiments and recognising the Sikh Gurus' sacrifices and successful conduct of celebration on Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom day.
Ahmedabad, Jan 6 : A series of bomb threats targeting courts and government offices across Gujarat over recent days have prompted heightened security measures, temporary suspension of court proceedings, and intensive searches by security agencies. In all cases so far, authorities have reported no suspicious objects, terming the threats as hoaxes, even as investigations continue.

In Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad City Civil and Sessions Court received a bomb threat, following which court proceedings were suspended as a precaution. The threat was received by the courtas registry department via email.

Teams from the Bomb Squad and Dog Squad rushed to the premises and conducted a thorough search before declaring the area safe. Around the same time, a bomb threat was reported at the Gandhinagar Collectoras Office.

Gandhinagar police carried out a complete security sweep of the premises but found nothing suspicious. Police later stated that the threat appeared to be a hoax.

Similar threats were also reported at courts in Rajkot and Surat. In Rajkot, lawyers were asked to vacate the court premises as a precaution, while Bomb Disposal and Dog Squad teams were deployed to inspect the area.

In Surat, the district court received an anonymous phone call threatening a bomb blast. Court proceedings were suspended for the day, and entry of lawyers and petitioners was restricted while police teams conducted a detailed inspection of the court complex.

On Tuesday, the Ahmedabad Rural Court also received a bomb threat via email sent to its registry department.

Following standard security protocol, court proceedings were halted and bomb and dog squad teams were deployed. No objectionable items were found during the search.

Officials also confirmed that the Gujarat High Court had received threatening emails in the recent past. About a month ago, a bomb threat email caused panic at the High Court, prompting a full security check by bomb and dog squad teams. Investigations later revealed that no explosive material was present. Around the same period, an IndiGo flight made an emergency landing at Ahmedabad airport following a bomb threat, highlighting a broader pattern of hoax threats.

Earlier also the Gujarat High Court had received a bomb threat email from an unidentified sender. The Registrar informed the Sola Police, after which security agencies, including the BDDS, conducted a comprehensive search of the premises. The threat was later declared false.

Police officials said that while all the threats so far have turned out to be hoaxes, each alert is being treated with utmost seriousness to ensure public safety. Cyber teams are investigating the source of the emails and calls to identify those responsible for creating panic and disrupting judicial and administrative functioning across the state.
Rajkot, Jan 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for the Saurashtra-Kutch region on January 11 at Marwadi University in Rajkot, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Tuesday.

Rajkot, Jan 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for the Saurashtraa"Kutch region on January 11 at Marwadi University in Rajkot, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference at the Rajkot District Collector's Office, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi added the conference is expected to bring large-scale investments to Saurashtra and Kutch, further strengthening Gujarat's position as one of India's most attractive investment destinations.

He said that, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state government is adopting a proactive approach to resolve issues faced by small and large industrialists on the spot, enabling them to expand operations and accelerate industrial growth.

As part of this effort, a coordination meeting with industrialists from Saurashtraa"Kutch was held in Rajkot, along with group meetings involving various government departments.

Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi described Rajkot as Gujarat's growth engine in the manufacturing sector, adding that the city has significant potential to attract investments from across the country and abroad.

He noted that the first Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, held earlier in Mehsana, was organised successfully, paving the way for the Rajkot edition.

"Rajkot is progressing rapidly across manufacturing and other sectors. However, to ensure faster development and smoother functioning for traders, industrialists and manufacturers, this meeting was organised to directly understand and address their concerns," he said.

Highlighting the state's incentive-driven industrial ecosystem, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi said that Rs 956.51 crore in incentives has been distributed to 10,435 industrial units across Gujarat from Rajkot under various schemes.

"In addition, approval letters worth Rs 661.73 crore will be issued to 137 industrialists from Saurashtraa"Kutch under schemes such as the Textile Incentive to Industries, Environmental Industrial Infrastructure Scheme, and initiatives for small industries," he added.

"Gujarat is the fastest state in the country when it comes to disbursing industrial incentives. The Industries Department is working round the clock to further speed up this process," he said.

Deputy Chief Mnister Sanghavi expressed confidence that Gujarat, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Patel, will continue to attract maximum investment in the coming years and move ahead on a sustained path of development with the cooperation of its citizens.

Meanwhile, Minister-in-Charge Jitu Vaghani welcomed the state government's approach of holding direct interactions with industrialists.

He said that entrepreneurs and traders play a vital role in strengthening the state's economy, and resolving their issues at the local level while addressing policy-related matters promptly at the state level is a commendable initiative.

Senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Jayanti Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries and Mines) Mamta Verma, MLAs Uday Kangad, Darshita Shah, Durlabh Dethariya, and Rajkot District Collector Om Prakash were present at the press conference.
Chandigarh, Jan 6 : Haryana is set to witness the launch of India's first hydrogen-powered train, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to inaugurate it later this month.

Northern Railway's ambitious project, which will operate between Jind and Sonipat, is in its final stages of preparation.

A stable and uninterrupted 11 KV power supply has been ensured for the hydrogen plant established in Jind, which will provide fuel for the train during its final commissioning and regular operations.

Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Tuesday held a hybrid meeting with officials from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) to review the project.

The meeting covered detailed discussions on the plant's current power supply status, backup arrangements, and future requirements.

The Chief Secretary directed that regular reviews of the power supply system be conducted to prevent any obstacles to this ambitious project.

He emphasised strengthening alternative arrangements and rapid response mechanisms. The meeting was informed that India's largest hydrogen plant with a storage capacity of 3,000 kg has been established in Jind for this hydrogen train project and is now in its final commissioning phase.

Since the plant will operate around the clock, an uninterrupted and quality power supply is essential. The Rs 120-crore hydrogen gas plant will produce hydrogen through electrolysis to fuel what the Railways touted as the world's most powerful hydrogen train set on a broad gauge platform.

At the meeting, DHBVN officials assured the Chief Secretary that the stable power supply is being provided to the plant, with additional monitoring and rapid maintenance arrangements in place as needed.

The Northern Railway also expressed satisfaction with the quality of power supply being provided to the plant, a statement of the state government said.

The meeting was attended by DHBVN Managing Director Vikram Yadav via video conferencing, along with Chief Engineer Rajender Sabharwal.
Mumbai, Jan 6 : Underworld don Abu Salem has approached the Bombay High Court seeking emergency parole following the death of his elder brother, Abu Hakim Ansari.

Abu Salem has requested permission to travel to Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh to participate in family and religious rituals.

According to the petition filed on his behalf, Abu Salemas elder brother, Abu Hakim Ansari, passed away on November 14, 2025. Describing his elder brother as a father figure, Salem said he wishes to attend the 40th-day rituals, take part in Quran recitation, offer prayers at the cemetery, and meet family members.

The petition states that Abu Salem had earlier applied for parole when his brother was critically ill, but the plea could not be heard in time due to legal procedures and court holidays.

Following his brotheras death, he again approached the court on December 1 seeking emergency parole on humanitarian grounds. He was allowed parole with an escort party, but Abu Salem said he had no money to bear that cost.

Appearing for Abu Salem, advocate Farhana Shah submitted that the application was filed within time, but the hearing could not take place due to the Bombay High Courtas winter vacation. The court, however, observed that as per Muslim tradition, the 40-day period had already elapsed.

The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Justices A.S. Gadkari and Shyam C. Chandak. The High Court is yet to decide whether Abu Salem will be granted emergency parole.

Abu Salem is currently lodged in Nashik Central Jail. He was earlier granted parole in 2009 and 2011 following the death of his mother and had surrendered on time on both occasions.

He has been in prison since 2005, after being convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in two cases -- the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, which killed 257 people and injured over 1,400, and the 1995 murder of builder Pradeep Jain.

However, following his extradition from Portugal in 2005 under an extradition treaty, his sentence was later commuted to 25 yearsa imprisonment.

Last year, Abu Salem had also moved the court seeking clarification on the completion of his 25-year prison term.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Delhi High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against two security guards accused of wrongfully restraining and outraging the modesty of a woman while preventing her entry into a private office premises.

Holding that the case was a clear abuse of the process of law arising from a larger family dispute, a single-judge Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna allowed the pleas filed by the petitioners seeking the quashing of an FIR registered under Sections 341, 354, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Amar Colony police station.

The criminal case stemmed from an incident dated September 18, 2015, when the complainant, widow of a senior executive of the VLS Group of Companies, alleged that she was stopped and manhandled by the petitioners, then newly appointed security guards, while attempting to enter the company's office in East of Kailash.

After examining the complaint and the surrounding circumstances, the Delhi High Court observed that the petitioners had been employed as guards just a day prior to the incident and were merely discharging their official duties.

"The petitioners being Security Guards, had the bounden duty to ensure that no unauthorised person enters the office premises," Justice Krishna said, adding that the complainant had not even prima facie asserted any legal right to enter the office premises.

Explaining the scope of wrongful restraint under Section 341 IPC, the Delhi High Court held that the offence is attracted only when a person is obstructed from proceeding in a direction in which they have a lawful right to proceed. "Such act of restraining the Complainant for entering the Office for which she had no right, cannot be termed as an act of wrongful restraint," it observed.

On the charge of outraging modesty under Section 354 IPC, the Delhi High Court found no material to suggest any sexual intent on the part of the petitioners. "By no stretch of imagination, can it be said that this act was intended with a 'sexual intent' to outrage her modesty," Justice Krishna observed, adding that the act complained of was only to restrain entry and did not disclose the ingredients of the offence.

The Delhi HC further noted that the dispute had its genesis in a bitter conflict between the complainant and her in-laws over shares and assets following her husband's death, and that the guards who had been employed just a day before the incident appeared to have been "targeted" when she was unable to mobilise the police against her in-laws.

Terming the case an "abuse of process of law," the Delhi High Court quashed the charge sheet and all proceedings arising from the FIR, and discharged the petitioners from all the offences.
Chennai, Jan 6 : The Tamil Nadu government will approach the Supreme Court of India against the Madras High court (Madurai Bench) order permitting the lighting of a lamp at the 'deepa thoon (lamp pillar)' atop Thirupparankundram hill, as introducing a completely new practice through a judicial order is fundamentally wrong, State Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Raghupathi said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, the Minister said the government was compelled to file an appeal as the verdict was legally flawed and went against long-standing cultural practice.

He pointed out that the original order had been issued by Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), where a Division Bench partly upheld the earlier direction of single judge Justice G. R. Swaminathan.

According to the Minister, the Madurai Bench, while restraining the general public from accessing the lamp pillar, simultaneously directed that certain individuals under the leadership of the District Collector be allowed to go to the site and light the lamp. "This, in itself, is contradictory and legally untenable," he said.

Raghupathi stressed that there is no historical or documentary evidence to establish that lighting a lamp at the lamp pillar on Thirupparankundram hill was ever a customary practice in Tamil Nadu.

"If a court is to permit a ritual or religious act at a particular place, there must be proof that such a practice existed earlier. In this case, no such evidence was produced before the court," he said.

The district administration, he noted, had clearly submitted before the court that lighting lamps at the lamp pillar should not be permitted, as it could lead to law and order issues.

"Never in the past has there been a requirement or tradition to light a lamp at this pillar. Introducing a completely new practice through a judicial order is fundamentally wrong," the Minister argued.

Emphasizing respect for the judiciary, Raghupathi clarified that the government was not questioning the institution itself. "The judiciary cannot be maligned. However, when an order is patently illegal or unsupported by evidence, the government has every right to challenge it through constitutional means," he said.

Describing the issue as sensitive, the Minister said the verdict hurt Tamil sentiments and cultural continuity.

"Tamil culture and tradition must be protected. Creating a practice that never existed earlier, through a court order, raises serious doubts and serves no public interest," he said.

The controversy centres on Thirupparankundram, a site of immense religious and historical significance, where competing claims over rituals and access have repeatedly sparked legal and social debates.

The State government is expected to file its appeal in the Supreme Court shortly, seeking a stay on the Madurai Bench order.

IANS

aal/rad
Ayodhya, Jan 6 : The controversial sloganeering against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at the city's Jawaharlal Nehru (JNU) campus has angered the saint community including religious, many of whom condemned the incident and termed it disrespect to the country as well as the Constitution.

Jagatguru Paramhans Acharya expressed disappointment and anger over the incident and also demanded that that the varsity's name be changed to 'purge' the institution of 'anti-social' elements.

"Despite the clear ruling by Supreme Court, the slogan-shouting against Prime Minister, Home Minister and the country amounts to treason and is an anti-national act."

He further said that the anti-PM and anti-HM chanting at the JNU campus is nothing but betrayal of the nation and demanded that the university be renamed as 'Azad Bhagat Singh University'.

Further, doubling down his attack on the university authorities for alleged ignorance, the saint demanded that they be sacked for dereliction of duty, and those directly involved in it should be put behind bars.

He also called for invoking legal action against those engaged in 'death chants' at the campus, stating that this will prevent further repeat of such instances.

Mahamandleshwar Vishnu Das ji Maharaj, a noted saint from Ayodhya, termed the incident 'unfortunate' and stated, "The use of foul language inside the JNU premises for PM and HM is very objectionable."

He said that such sloganeering is inappropriate and those responsible should be given stringent punishments.

Seetaram Das Maharaj adopted an even stricter stance.

He said, "Some JNU students who engaged in such sloganeering should be identified and thrown out. They are a blot on the nation and should be taught a lesson."

He also backed demand for rechristening the university, stating that this will set a precedent against raising inflammatory slogans at an academic institution of high repute.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday referred to a House panel a complaint related to allegedly misleading statements by AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, that government schoolteachers in Delhi have been instructed to conduct a count of stray dogs.

On receiving a complaint from BJP legislator from Ghonda, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, the Speaker said, "Taking cognisance of the matter, I am referring the entire issue to the Department Related Standing Committee on Education for detailed examination. The said Committee shall examine the matter and submit its report to the House at the earliest."

In a statement issued by Delhi Assembly Secretariat, the Speaker said, "I have received a complaint from Ajay Mahawar, wherein he has stated that the Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister, Sanjeev Jha, MLA, and other leaders are, through newspaper media, making allegations against the Delhi Government that government school teachers in Delhi have been instructed to conduct a count of stray dogs."

"Whereas, the Delhi Government has repeatedly denied that any such order has been issued by it," said the Speaker, adding that he is referring the entire issue to the Standing Committee on Education for detailed examination.

Earlier, BJP legislators staged a protest outside the Delhi Assembly demanding a public apology from Kejriwal for distorting facts and undermining public trust.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered an FIR following a complaint from the Directorate of Education. The case pertains to the circulation of false and misleading claims on social media suggesting that Delhi government schoolteachers were being assigned duties related to counting stray dogs.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood criticised Kejriwal for what he described as misleading remarks, accusing the former CM of spreading "incorrect information".

The minister demanded a public apology from Kejriwal, stating that such claims "distort facts" and "undermine" public trust.
BERLIN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said restoring economic growth will be the government's main priority in 2026, after acknowledging that earlier steps have not been enough to strengthen Germany's competitiveness.

In a letter sent at the start of the year to members of his governing coalition, Merz described the economic outlook as "very critical in some areas," according to a document cited by German news agency dpa.

In 2026, Germany would need to focus on decisive political and legislative action to substantially improve conditions for businesses, Merz wrote, stressing that only then could the economy return to growth.

Germany's economy shrank in both 2023 and 2024. Winter forecasts released in December 2025 by several major German economic institutes projected growth of just 0.1 percent in 2025, pointing to weakening external demand, including a marked fall in exports to the United States.

Analysts said Germany's recovery had long faced headwinds from high energy costs, weak global demand and slow structural reform, with U.S. tariff hikes in 2025 adding further strain on exporters.

Since taking office in May 2025, Merz has pledged to revive Europe's largest economy through large-scale public spending and increased investment in defense and infrastructure. His government has acknowledged that recovery will take time and has rolled out tax cuts and other reforms, though business groups say the pace of change remains too slow. 
Chennai, Jan 6 : Actor Vijay Sethupathi on Tuesday released the fun-filled trailer of director Vignesh Karthick's upcoming entertainer 'Hotspot 2', much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

Actor Vijay Sethupathi, who took to his social media timelines to release the trailer of the film, which takes potshots at everything in today's day and age, wrote, "Here is the trailer of #Hotspot2much. Best wishes to the entire team @KJB_Talkies @KJB_iamBala @a2e_cinemasco @aneelkreddy @VVStudioz @vikikarthick88 @priya_Bshankar @i_amak @AadhityaBaaskar @RakshanVJ @Brigidasagaoffl @BhavaniSre @Sanjana_tiwarii #ThambiRamaiah #MsBhaskar @EditorMuthayan @DuraiKv @digitallypower @Pro_Velu."

The just released trailer shows that the second instalment in the Hotspot franchise will be on the same lines as the earlier part.

It begins with a mother asking her teenaged daughter about the caste of the family her boyfriend belongs to. "They are our people. Can't you tell just by looking at them," the modern daughter retorts. "How can you say that just by looking at them," the mother asks a little confused. The daughter responds, saying, "They didn't have tails. That means they belong to our species right."

The trailer then shows actor Ashwin Kumar confronting a drunk friend who has dozed off. "How dare you sleep when I am talking about something so important," he fumes. In reply, the drunk friend, waking up from deep sleep, replies, "Sorry machan, I tend to doze off if I don't like the story." The sequence reminds one of a controversy in which actor Ashwin Kumar was involved a few years ago. The trailer also shows that Rakshan and Aadhitya Baaskar play two die-hard fans of film stars. It is unclear as to what role Priya Bhavani Shankar plays in the film although there is one scene that shows her describing a situation where an old hero is cast with a young heroine. That apart, the film has empowered women characters, who express interest in having a DINK (Double Income No Kids) family and cuffing relationships.

The film, which has been directed by Vignesh Karthick, features actors Priya Bhavani Shankar, Thambi Ramaiah, Rakshan, Ashwin Kumar and Aadhitya Baaskar in the lead. Apart from these five actors, the film also features M S Baaskar, Bhavani sre , Brigida Saga and Sanjana tiwari in pivotal roles.

Interestingly, the film is being presented by actor Vishnu Vishal's production house, Vishnu Vishal Studioz.

On the technical front, the film has cinematography by two camerman -- Jagadeesh Ravi and Joseph Paul. Music for the film has been scored by Satish Raghunathan while editing for the film is by Muthayan U. Art direction for the film has been handled by C Shanmugam. The film has been co-directed by Kishore Sankar.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Vadodara, Jan 6 : To boost India's indigenous nuclear manufacturing capabilities, a Vadodara-based MSME has successfully developed critical equipment used in nuclear power plants after three years of intensive research and development.

The equipment -- used for the safe handling, transportation, and storage of spent nuclear fuel rods -- is now being manufactured locally, marking a major milestone for India's nuclear energy sector.

The achievement aligns with the 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision championed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as these highly specialised systems were earlier imported from abroad.

With local manufacturing now in place, India reduces its dependence on foreign suppliers for sensitive nuclear infrastructure.

Notably, this Vadodara MSME has emerged as the world's first facility where three crucial nuclear components are being manufactured under one roof: Fuel transfer machine, fuel transportation container and fuel storage rack.

This integrated capability is being described as a global first in the nuclear manufacturing ecosystem.

In nuclear power plants, electricity is generated by rotating turbines using steam produced from highly heated water. This heat is generated through nuclear fission, primarily using Uranium-235 fuel rods.

Over time, these fuel rods lose efficiency and must be replaced.

There are two main types of nuclear reactors -- Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors and Light Water Reactors -- each using different fuel rod configurations and life cycles.

Once the fuel rods complete their operational life, they still retain extremely high levels of heat and radiation, making their handling a critical safety challenge.

After removal from the reactor core, spent fuel rods are stored within the plant premises in deep water-filled fuel ponds, often up to 42 metres in length.

These ponds allow radiation and heat levels to gradually reduce over a period of six to seven years before the fuel is moved for further storage or processing.

Given the hazardous nature of spent fuel -- often highlighted in popular culture through web series like Chernobyl -- its transportation and storage require highly specialised, automated systems with multiple safety layers.

Until now, India relied on imported fuel transfer machines, transportation containers, and storage racks.

Responding to a requirement from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, the Vadodara-based MSME undertook the challenge of developing these systems domestically.

As part of this effort, the unit has already manufactured Spent Fuel Storage Racks using borated stainless steel, a material capable of absorbing neutron emissions and preventing criticality risks.

These storage racks have successfully cleared multi-stage testing by various Central government agencies and are scheduled to be dispatched to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.

The remaining equipment, including fuel transfer machines, is expected to be completed and delivered in the coming days.

The successful indigenous development of these high-precision nuclear components is being hailed as a matter of pride for Vadodara's industrial sector and India's MSME ecosystem.

It demonstrates the growing capability of Indian enterprises to meet global standards in one of the world's most sensitive and technologically demanding industries.

By turning three years of sustained research into a strategic national asset, the MSME has not only strengthened India's nuclear supply chain but has also reinforced the broader push toward self-reliance in critical technologies.
Quetta, Jan 6 : A large number of people held a major protest in Turbat against the rising crime and lawlessness in Kech district of Pakistan's Balochistan. Hundreds of men and women participated in the protest, organised by All Parties Kech, the traders' association, doctors' associations, and civil society organisations, the local media reported on Tuesday.

Quetta, Jan 6 (IANS) A large number of people held a major protest in Turbat against the rising crime and lawlessness in Kech district of Pakistan's Balochistan. Hundreds of men and women participated in the protest, organised by All Parties Kech, the tradersa association, doctorsa associations, and civil society organisations, the local media reported on Tuesday.

The rally held on Monday started from Apsar Bazaar and passed through various parts of the city before reaching Shaheed Fida Chowk, where it turned into a massive protest gathering, The Balochistan Post reported. While addressing the protesters, former Balochistan Chief Minister and National Party leader Abdul Malik Baloch said that the law and order situation in Kech had become extremely alarming.

He stressed that it was the responsibility of state institutions to ensure the safe recovery of abducted youths - Haseeb Haji Yaseen and Shah Nawaz Gul Jan. He also urged the authorities to fulfil their responsibilities and ensure the protection of people. He further said that impacted families and political leaders had approached all relevant institutions for the past month. However, each authority shifted responsibility onto others.

All Parties Kech convener Nawab Khan Shambizai termed the kidnapping-for-ransom incidents deeply disturbing and threatened to hold a shutter-down strike on January 7 if the abducted youths - Haseeb Yaseen and Shah Nawaz Gul Jan, were not recovered soon.

Kech Bar Association President Advocate Syed Majeed Shah condemned the kidnapping incidents that were happening in the region and said that bar association did not attend court proceedings as a protest. Former Senator Ismail Buledi stated that people in Kech and the entire Makran region were facing insecurity.

He said that businesses had shut down, sources of livelihood were reducing, and people were being deprived of their basic right to live. He called for protection for traders and people and demanded an end to kidnapping for ransom. BNP Awami central vice president Zareef Zadag, BNP leader Ghafoor Baloch, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Kech leader Maulana Abdul Hafeez Mengal and other leaders also addressed the protesters.

On Monday, one person was killed and 16 others injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Panjgur district of Balochistan, local media reported.

Panjgur Assistant Commissioner Amir Jan stated that the IED was planted in a motor cycle and three of the injured are in serious condition, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported. A Frontier Corps vehicle, which was the probably the target, escaped the attack and all personnel are safe, according to local police officials.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior official of the local administration said that the motorcycle, where IED was planted, was parked near a pushcart in the main bazaar, Dawn reported. Another police official stated that the blast seemed to have conducted through a remote control.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is leaving for a two-day official visit to Brussels this week, signalling a decisive push toward concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The visit, slated for January 8-9, underscores the intensifying diplomatic and technical engagements between New Delhi and Brussels, the statement said.

India is pushing for zero-duty access for its labour-intensive sectors -- such as textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewellery, and handicrafts.

Goyal will hold high-level dialogues with the European Unionas Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic. The primary objective of these interactions is to provide strategic guidance to the negotiating teams, resolve pending issues, and expedite the conclusion of a balanced and ambitious agreement.

The leaders are expected to carry out detailed deliberations across key areas of the proposed agreement, aiming to narrow divergences and ensure clarity on outstanding matters. The Ministerial engagement follows a week of intensive deliberations in Brussels, building upon the groundwork laid during high-level discussions held earlier this week between India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and the European Commission's Director-General for Trade, Sabine Weyand.

The talks come at a historic juncture for India-EU economic relations. The negotiations were ambitiously re-launched in June 2022 after a hiatus of over nine years, reflecting a renewed mutual commitment to deepen economic integration. Since the resumption, the two sides have held 14 rounds of intense negotiations and several high-level dialogues at the ministerial level, with the latest interaction in December 2025.

Both India and the EU have expressed strong political resolve to deliver a comprehensive deal. The upcoming talks are expected to reaffirm the commitment of both sides to a rules-based trading framework and a modern economic partnership that safeguards the interests of farmers and MSMEs while integrating Indian industries into global supply chains, the statement added.

The European Union is currently Indiaas largest trading partner and a key investor, with bilateral trade in goods significantly bolstered in the 2024-25 financial year. This agreement is envisioned not just as a trade deal, but as a comprehensive partnership that addresses modern economic realities, the statement added.
Amaravati, Jan 6 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday called for developing island tourism in the state on the lines of the Maldives.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to promote tourism in a big way and prepare a master plan for beach tourism.

Addressing the Pradesh State Investment Board meeting, the Chief Minister said that the Suryalanka beach should be developed over a stretch of 15 kilometres.

He told officials that the Suryalanka beachfront should be a pollution-free area. Along with Suryalanka, the small islands near Sullurpeta can also be developed under beach tourism.

"We should develop island tourism on the lines of the Maldives. If we can build 25,000 rooms, we can attract tourists," he said.

Naidu wanted officials to focus on developing the Papikondalu-Polavaram region for tourism. Konaseema, Pulicat, and Visakhapatnam clusters will become excellent tourism clusters. There is also potential for tourism from Anantapur to Gandikota.

He said plans should be prepared to ensure that the Tourism Corporation generates an income of Rs 1,000 crore in the next 15 years.

The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Board meeting on Tuesday approved 14 projects involving investments to the tune of Rs 19,391 crore.

The meeting cleared the projects in the industries, tourism, food processing, and energy sectors, which are likely to create employment opportunities for 11,753 youth.

With this, the SIPB has so far approved investments worth Rs. 8,74,705 crore, which is expected to create employment opportunities for 8,35,675 people.

The Chief Minister praised the teamwork of officials in attracting huge investments during 2025 and advised them to work with the same team spirit during 2026 also.

He said the state's brand image, which was lost during the previous government's rule, has been restored, and large-scale investments have poured in.

He noted that Prominent companies like Google, Tata, Jindal, Birla, Adani, Reliance, TCS, and Cognizant are investing in Andhra Pradesh.

Ministers and officials must take responsibility to ensure that there is no room for even the slightest mistake, the Chief Minister said.

Referring to achievements in the power sector, the Chief Minister said that the state government decided to bear Rs 4500 crore true-up charges without passing on the burden to consumers and on the other hand, reduced power tariff by 13 paise per unit.

He said a target was set to purchase power at Rs 3.70 per unit by 2029. Several companies, including data centres, are coming forward to invest in Andhra Pradesh because of the progress in the power sector. He asked officials to adopt the speed of delivering governance.
London, Jan 6 : Myanmar's ongoing election, conducted in three phases from December 28 to January 25, is unlikely to bring any change, with Western diplomats and analysts describing it as a "pantomime" - a box-ticking exercise by the military junta to secure international legitimacy, a report said on Monday.

London, Jan 6 (IANS) Myanmar's ongoing election, conducted in three phases from December 28 to January 25, is unlikely to bring any change, with Western diplomats and analysts describing it as a "pantomime"  a box-ticking exercise by the military junta to secure international legitimacy, a report said on Monday.

It added that while Beijing concluded that an unstable criminal State on its doorstep is untenable, the current elections in Myanmar are neither free nor fair.

"Outside polling stations guarded by armed police, an upbeat music video urging people to take part in the election plays on repeat. But there's little enthusiasm for the vote in Yangon, one of Myanmar's largest cities," a report in UK-based 'The Telegraph' cited.

According to the report, this marks the first election in the country since 2020, with several international media outlets granted rare access.

Amid a lack of enthusiasm, voter turnout in Yangon and Mandalay -- the two largest cities in Myanmar under military control--is minimal, a sharp departure from 2020, when mass turnout delivered a landslide victory for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"I don't want to vote, but I am scared not to. I feel trapped," said one 32-year-old woman, speaking on condition of anonymity, like many others interviewed by The Telegraph.

"If I vote, I feel like I am betraying my own beliefs. If I don't vote, I worry that my name will be noted and I could be questioned later. Every decision feels dangerous," she added.

According to the report, it has been nearly five years since the military overthrew Suu Kyi's popular government, ending a decade of development and democratic promise and driving the country into a brutal conflict that has shattered the economy and deepened social crisis.

With little commitment to genuine reform, it said, the junta has focused its election campaigns on pushing people to vote rather than addressing policies to tackle Myanmar's multiple challenges.

"[The election] is the latest and the worst in a decades-long series of rigged votes staged by the military," said Yanghee Lee, a former UN Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

"They will not reopen the limited democratic space  their purpose is to stop that space ever opening again," The Telegraph quoted her as saying during a recent press briefing.

"[The election] does not represent a softening of [their] position, but rather a doubling down."

She described the polls in Myanmar as "neither free nor fair", warning that the outcome was predetermined.

Echoing Lee's concern, Richard Horsey, a Myanmar analyst at Crisis Group, said "Yet again, as it has for 80 years, the military has found a way to hang on and remain in the driver's seat", noting that China has been "pushing the regime to proceed with the polls without further delay."
New Delhi, Jan 6 : Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Piyush Goyal, on Tuesday, welcomed the division bench judgment of the Madras High Court, which permitted the centuries-old Deepastham ritual of lighting the sacred lamp atop the Thiruparankundram Hill, calling it justice for devotees and a reaffirmation of constitutional religious freedom.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP's central office in New Delhi, Union Minister Goyal said the judgment had completely dismantled the Tamil Nadu government's claim that allowing the religious ritual would create law and order problems in the state.

He added that the High Court described such apprehensions as an "imaginary ghost" created by state authorities, thereby exposing what he termed the DMK-led government's appeasement politics.

Referring to the court's observations, Union Minister Goyal said the judges had made it clear that any disturbance could arise only if it were sponsored by the state itself.

He described this as a serious indictment of the DMK and the Congress-led INDI alliance, accusing them of deliberately politicising a long-standing religious practice associated with Lord Murugan.

The Union Minister recalled that devotees were compelled to approach the judiciary after the Deepam ritual, followed for centuries at the hill shrine, was stopped during the DMK government.

A single-judge order passed on December 1, 2025, had allowed the practice to continue, but the state government chose to challenge it.

The division bench of the Madras High Court, Union Minister said, had now conclusively recognised Deepastham as an ancient and historical practice that deserved protection.

Union Minister Goyal also criticised the impeachment motion moved against Justice G.R. Swaminathan by MPs of the INDI alliance, describing it as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary.

He alleged that constitutional authorities were being threatened whenever court judgments did not suit the political interests of the Opposition-led alliance, undermining democratic institutions in the process.

Drawing parallels with attacks on other constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission, Union Minister Goyal said the court judgment had exposed what he described as the INDI alliance's "anti-constitutional conduct".

He asserted that the country would not accept politics based on appeasement or hostility towards religious faith.

In his concluding remarks, Union Minister Goyal said the court judgment was a wake-up call for the people of Tamil Nadu and the country at large.

He expressed confidence that voters would deliver a fitting response to such politics, reiterating that India respects all religions equally and that ancient traditions and faith would continue to be safeguarded by the Constitution and the Judiciary.
Ambernath : , Jan 6 (IANS) In a dramatic political shift that has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra's political circles, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed a majority in the Ambernath Municipal Council with the support of the Congress and the NCP-led Ajit Pawar.

Ambernath is situated in Thane district which has been a home district of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

During the recently held municipal council elections, BJP defeated the Shiv Sena in Ambernath ending its rule there.

Despite the Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerging as the single largest party, the BJP managed to secure the President's post and form a working majority by stitching together an unlikely coalition.

In the 59-member Ambernath Municipal Council, Shiv Sena had won 23 seats, BJP 16, Congress 12 and NCP (Ajit Pawar) four.

By joining forces, the BJP (16), Congress (12), and NCP (four) have reached a total of 32 seats, successfully crossing the majority mark and pushing the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction (23 seats) into the opposition.

The battle for the Municipal Council President was a high-stakes prestige fight between State BJP President Ravindra Chavan and Shinde-faction MP Shrikant Shinde.

In a tightly contested race, BJP's Tejashri Karanjule defeated the Shinde faction's candidate, Manisha Walekar, to become the Council President.

BJP Vice-President Gulabrao Karanjule Patil defended the move, saying that they attempted to discuss a grand alliance (Mahayuti) with the Shinde faction multiple times, but received no response.

Historically, Ambernath has been a stronghold where the Shiv Sena and BJP have shared a complex relationship. While they are allies in the Maharashtra-led Mahayuti government, local rivalries often supersede state-level pacts.

The BJP's willingness to align with the Congress to sideline the Shinde faction suggests a tactical shift as parties begin to jockey for local dominance ahead of larger state elections.

This development takes place when the election process for 29 municipal corporations is underway.

Of the 29 municipal corporations, the Mahayuti allies are not contesting together in 24 municipal corporations while BJP and Shiv Sena are fighting together in Mumbai, Thane and Kolhapur.
Lucknow, Jan 6 : The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved a major relief in stamp duty on gift deeds involving commercial and industrial properties transferred between family members.

The Cabinet meeting was held on Tuesday.

With this decision, the maximum stamp duty payable on such gifts has been capped at Rs 5,000, irrespective of the property's value or whether it is located in urban or rural areas.

Earlier, a similar concession introduced through a 2023 notification applied only to agricultural and residential properties.

The new expansion brings commercial and industrial assets, such as shops and factories, under the same benefit.

Before 2022, gifting property within the family attracted full stamp duty based on the circle rate, often seven per cent in cities and five per cent in rural areas.

The fixed cap introduced in 2022 for residential and agricultural land has now been extended to all types of immovable property.

State Stamp and Registration Minister Ravindra Jaiswal noted that the move simplifies family property transfers, makes them more affordable, and promotes transparency.

The state Cabinet has also clarified the definition of relatives and other related provisions to ensure smooth implementation.

The relief takes effect immediately upon publication of the notification in the official gazette.

Officials believe this will encourage legal transfers and help reduce family disputes over property.

In the same meeting, the state Cabinet approved land allocations for constructing new sub-registrar office buildings.

In Kushinagar, 0.0920 hectares from the Tehsil complex in Kaptanganj will be transferred free of cost to replace a dilapidated structure.

In Jhansi, 0.0638 hectares from the old Tehsil complex has been allocated for a new office and archives.

Since both plots are government-owned, they are fully exempt from stamp duty and registration fees.

These measures reflect the state government's continued efforts to streamline registration processes and ease financial burdens on citizens.
New Delhi, Jan 6 : United States operation to capture Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is a decisive demonstration of a new Washington posture that prioritises the Western Hemisphere, even at the potential expense of longastanding focus on China in the IndoaPacific, according to a report.

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) United States operation to capture Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is a decisive demonstration of a new Washington posture that prioritises the Western Hemisphere, even at the potential expense of longstanding focus on China in the IndoPacific, according to a report.

"The military has followed through by pulling most of the 12-plus ships in the Caribbean from previously planned European and Pacific deployments. This includes the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, which was on a scheduled cruise in the Mediterranean along with its destroyer escorts before getting sent to the Caribbean in October," reported Politico, an American digital newspaper with focus on politics and policy.

Significantly, it found, "That left a gap in long-planned U.S. naval presence in and around Europe." The report analysed the scale of preparation with input from sources. The exercise involved months of naval buildup, carrier task forces diverted from other theatres, and a special operations raid executed by elite units.

Thus, the move underscores a willingness by the administration to deploy highend military capabilities close to home rather than reserve them primarily for deterrence against greatpower rivals, it deduced. This reorientation is not merely tactical; it reflects a strategic choice about where Washington believes its most urgent threats and opportunities lie, and it forces a reappraisal of force posture, logistics, and alliance commitments across theatres.

"But doing that while pulling off operations like Saturday's extraction of Maduro and his wife could prove challenging. It required months of planning and a huge American naval armada supported by squadrons of fighter planes and drones stationed in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the region," observed Politico.

"Those forces remain in place or on standby, including destroyers armed with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, long-range bomber flights stationed in the continental U.S. and a special operations 'mothership' prowling the coast of South America," it added.

And significantly, "All those weapons would figure heavily into a potential confrontation with China, but instead are being deployed in a region where the U.S. has no major superpower competitor." Incidentally, Beijing recently launched a massive war game, almost surrounding Taiwan, an independent democracy that China historically considers part of its territory. China was wary of the US pledging a record arms sales to Taiwan, and the National Security Strategy (NSS) document that expressed an interest in working "to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nation".

Apparently, what weighed more on President Trump could have been another matter mentioned in the December-released NSS. It is set to rediscover the more than 200-year-old foreign policy statement known as the Monroe Doctrine, drafted against European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere. Created in 1823 by President James Monroe as part of foreign policy, it viewed any intervention by foreign powers in the political affairs of the Americas as a hostile act against the US.

"The bigger question is overextension," said the report, quoting a source from the defence department. "We aren't manning every spot as it is...Imagine if Iran pops again," added the official. "The U.S. may be able to avoid overcommitting itself, but only in the near team," the report quoted Bryan Clark, a retired Navy officer and a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank.

He noted officials have been pulling ships from European and Middle East deployments for the Western Hemisphere mission. The Politico claimed that if the ships see their usual six-to-eight-month deployments extended, "the Navy will likely have problems with planned maintenance schedules and crew rest". It assumed that given Trump's renewed warning to Cuba and Colombia, the US President will likely need American forces to stay in the region as a potential cudgel to keep the pressure on.

Clark further told the digital newspaper, "'If they extend these ships or send the next deployers to (U.S. Southern Command) then we will see an impact,' because Navy presence will be effectively reduced to existing forces already in Europe or Japan."
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Monday confirmed that his home in the Midwestern state of Ohio was attacked, noting that he was not at home when the incident happened.

"As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I'm grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly," Vance wrote on X. "We weren't even home as we had returned already to DC."

Secret Service agents detained a suspect shortly after midnight, and law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 26-year-old William DeFoor, according to local media.

The attack is the latest in a series of incidents of violence against U.S. political leaders in recent months.

Last year in September, 31-year-old political activist Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.

Two state legislators in Minnesota were shot in June, leaving one dead and the other seriously injured. In April, the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was set on fire. 
Patna, Jan 7 : In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions over law and order, criminals abducted a schoolteacher in broad daylight from the Baniapur police station area of Bihar's Saran district on Tuesday.

Patna, Jan 7 (IANS) In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions over law and order, criminals abducted a schoolteacher in broad daylight from the Baniapur police station area of Biharas Saran district on Tuesday.

The abductors arrived in a Scorpio SUV, forcibly dragged the teacher into the vehicle, and fled with both the victim and his motorcycle, creating panic across the region.

The abducted teacher has been identified as 35-year-old Kundan Kumar, a resident of Piyano village under Kopa police station.

He is posted at the Upgraded Middle School in Karhi, Baniapur.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m. when Kundan Kumar was on his way to school, riding his motorcycle as usual.

Criminals who were lying in wait suddenly surrounded him with the Scorpio, forcibly pushed him into the vehicle, and escaped within moments.

The speed and coordination of the act left bystanders stunned, giving them no opportunity to intervene.

The fact that the criminals also took away the teacheras motorcycle has led police to believe that the abduction was well-planned.

Soon after the incident, panic and chaos gripped the victimas family, while local residents expressed anger and concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

Upon receiving information, police teams from Baniapur and Kopa police stations immediately swung into action.

Officers are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to trace the Scorpioas registration number and identify the kidnappers.

Police are also questioning family members and acquaintances to determine whether the victim had any previous disputes or threats.

As of now, no clue has been found regarding the whereabouts of Kundan Kumar.

Police officials have assured that intensive efforts are underway and claimed that the case will be solved soon and the teacher will be rescued safely.

Meanwhile, the incident has triggered fear among teachers and residents in the region.

Teachers have demanded enhanced security measures, saying that such brazen crimes in daylight have severely shaken their sense of safety.
Bengaluru, Jan 7 : Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra while reacting to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's claim of creating a record by serving the longest tenure as the Chief Minister, Vijayendra said that "it was nothing but an illusion", further "calling him an opportunist".

"They are proudly publishing advertisements on newspaper front pages claiming Siddaramaiah has broken D. Devaraj Urs' record. That is their happiness. But people are asking what Siddaramaiah has actually achieved as Chief Minister of Karnataka," he added.

He said that Devaraj Urs had created a record by serving a long tenure and had brought landmark land reforms, abolished the inhuman practice of manual scavenging, introduced old-age and widow pensions, and became a voice for the voiceless.

"Such (D. Devaraj Urs) a leader was expelled by the Congress. Had he been allowed to govern, he would have completed a full term and set an even greater record," he said.

Vijayendra alleged that it was Devaraj Urs who gave Indira Gandhi a political rebirth, yet she insulted and expelled him.

"Now Siddaramaiah claims he has broken Urs' record. People are questioning what Siddaramaiah's achievements are."

Devaraj Urs was unanimously chosen as the Karnataka Chief Minister.

"Siddaramaiah claims that he provided people-centric governance from 2013 to 2018, yet he was defeated in Chamundeshwari constituency in 2018," he said.

He alleged that Siddaramaiah became Chief Minister due to luck and described him as an opportunist.

"Let him (CM Siddaramaiah) say how many lakhs of poor people he has provided houses to," Vijayendra said.

He also alleged that Siddaramaiah forgot the AHINDA agenda after becoming the Chief Minister, accused him of allotting 14 sites meant for the poor to his family, taking MUDA sites, cheating the poor, and later quietly returning the sites when the issue came to light.

He said that Siddaramaiah, who came to power in the name of AHINDA, did not implement the Kantharaju Commission report due to a lack of political will.

"By throwing that report into the dustbin, he insulted the AHINDA communities and betrayed the people of Karnataka," the State BJP President alleged.

Vijayendra also accused the state government of forming an SIT at the instance of what he termed a "rumour gang" and hurting the sentiments of Dharmasthala devotees.

"A major conspiracy was hatched against Dharmasthala," he alleged.

He also alleged that 11 people died in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede and held the state government responsible, asking whether this was an achievement.

Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's tenure should be discussed in terms of quality rather than quantity.

Speaking to the media in Gadag on Tuesday, Bommai said that some people are claiming Siddaramaiah has served as Chief Minister for a very long period.

"Instead of how many days he has been the Chief Minister, what matters is what he has achieved during that period, how he has taken the state forward, how many poor and backward sections have benefited during his administration, and overall how much the stateas economy has improved."

"These are the issues that should be discussed. The debate should be about quality, not quantity," he demanded.

Referring to Ballari shootout, Bommai said that at a time when the Chief Minister is claiming record levels of governance, carrying such black marks does not befit him.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Washington, Jan 7, : US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi was "not that happy" with him, citing tariffs, and is also seeking an early delivery of American-made Apache helicopters.

Washington, Jan 7, (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi was "not that happy" with him, citing tariffs, and is also seeking an early delivery of American-made Apache helicopters.

Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump said India had pressed Washington for faster delivery of military hardware, particularly attack helicopters ordered years ago. "I mean, I had India coming to me, sir. I've been waiting five years; we're changing it. We're changing it," Trump said, as he discussed defence manufacturing timelines and foreign military sales.

Trump said New Delhi had placed a large order for US helicopters and that the issue was raised directly with him by the Indian Prime Minister. "India ordered 68 Apaches, and Prime Minister Modi came to see me. Sir. May I see you please?" he said, recounting the interaction before adding, "Yes, I have a very good relationship with him."

In his remarks, Trump acknowledged a strain in the relationship linked to trade policy. "He (Modi) is not that happy with me because you know, they're paying a lot of tariffs now," the President said, referring to duties imposed under his administration. Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on imports of goods from India.

The US President strongly defended his use of tariffs as a central economic and national security tool. He argued that the tariffs have generated massive revenue for the United States and forced trading partners to make concessions.

In his speech, which lasted for more than an hour, Trump linked India's Apache helicopter order to broader concerns about delays in US defence production, telling lawmakers that weapons systems were taking too long to reach both American forces and foreign buyers.

"The F-35s, it takes too long to get them, the Apache helicopter," he said, using India's experience to underline his argument that defence contractors must accelerate production.

The President told the Republican conference that his administration was pressing US defence companies to deliver equipment faster, including to allies and partners.

Trump's reference to PM Modi and India came amid a wide-ranging address focused on domestic politics, trade, tariffs, and national security. His comments on India were brief but notable, highlighting both the depth of defence ties and the friction caused by trade measures.

India has been one of the largest buyers of US defence equipment over the past decade, purchasing transport aircraft, helicopters and surveillance platforms as part of a steadily expanding strategic partnership with Washington. Apache attack helicopters are a key component of India's Army and Air Force modernisation plans.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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Publishing software provider Trilogy has launched Manuscript AI, a tool that uses artificial intelligence to evaluate unsolicited manuscripts and helps analyze slush piles for commissioning editors and literary agents.

According to Trilogy, the systemwhich can run as a standalone software-as-a-service platform or integrate with Trilogy's existing Title Management productanalyzes manuscripts in minutes and generates a report that focuses on four key areas:

Sales Potential, which estimates commercial performance on a 0-100 scale by comparing the manuscript's content against actual sales figures from bestsellers in the genre over the past 20 years Predicted Rating, which forecasts reader satisfaction on a 1-5 star scale by analyzing the text against published books with known Amazon and Goodreads ratings Genre Fit, which measures if the manuscript's content matches its stated genre (e.g., flagging a romance where no love interest appears until 60% through the book) Style Fit, which analyzes writing mechanics including sentence structure, dialogue distribution, emotional tone, and pace, comparing these against successful books in the genre (e.g. a thriller with long, flowery sentences would score poorly because its style wouldn't match how most bestselling thrillers are written)

The tool then gives an overall Manuscript Score on a 100-point scale intended to help editors prioritize which submissions are worthy of further review. Explanatory text in the system's interface note that "each manuscript is different, and we recommend adding a human touch to assessments and not blindly using these scores alone."

"Our focus is basically the slush pilethe 94% to 97% of manuscripts that never get published," Alex Dare, managing director of Trilogy Group, told PW. "That's a waste of intellectual property and a waste of potential. An average commissioning editor can process a couple of manuscripts a day. We can do the same job in a couple of minutes."

Trilogy trained the system on approximately 2.7 million copyright-cleared and public domain books stored in a database in Switzerland. The company said it follows data integrity protocols and does not retain manuscripts unless explicitly given permission to use them for training purposes.

"We look at the genre and we won't try to come up with an answer unless we've got a minimum of 10,000 books in that genre," Dare said. The system covers major categories including memoir, nonfiction, drama, romance, and science fiction.

Trilogy said it sells Manuscript AI licenses primarily to medium and large publishers, but is exploring offering distinct licenses for the tool. "We have been talking to associations about being distributors," Dare said, noting that one association with 4,000 members2,000 of whom are small publishersis evaluating the service.

Manuscript AI is entering an increasingly competitive AI-driven manuscript assessment marketplace, which includes products specifically aimed at helping publishers deal with slush, such as Libraro and Storywise. But Dare says that overall, Trilogy can afford to take a long-term view on the application of AI technology.

"We're fine. We have income. We make our money, so we can experiment with this," he said. "I think this will take a couple of years as this market evolves.
HCCP Christian Takes Dani Pettrey Trilogy

Amanda Bostic, VP and publisher for fiction at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, has acquired world rights for a The Lock Directives, a new series by bestselling novelist Dani Pettrey. Janet Kobobel Grant of Books & Such Literary negotiated the deal for the Thomas Nelson imprint. The three-book romantic suspense series is set at a federal law enforcement agency that provides security for U.S. diplomats, assets and, information both domestically and internationally. The first novel's release date and title are to be later determined.

WaterBrook Takes Reset for Midlife Women

Jenni Burke of Illuminate Literary Agency has negotiated world rights with Susan Tjaden, acquiring editor at WaterBrook, for the provisionally titled Energy Reset by Alli Worthington. Per the publisher, the book blends current research with scriptural principles to create a faith-based, science-backed, funny guide to help midlife women regain clarity, energy, and joy. The first in a two-book contract, it will release in summer 2027. Worthington's second book, on a topic to be determined, is planned for 2029.

Parenting Book Trio to Harvest House

Acquiring editor Audrey Greeson of Harvest House Publishing has taken world rights, via Mary DeMuth of Mary DeMuth Literary, for a trio of books by David and/or Monica Swanson. Monica Swanson (Boy Mom, Raising Amazing) is a blogger and writer, and Dr. Dave, as hes known, is a family-practice doctor. The first book of the trio is Table Talk Family Devotional, out in April 2027, a 52-week devotional by the couple featuring the most important topics to cover while children are still at home. Second is the tentatively titled Strong Moms Start Here by Monica Swanson, releasing in January 2028. The third, with both Swansons as authors, is tentatively titled Strong Kids Start Here and includes 10 family habits to nurture. Its release is scheduled for September 2028.
Publishing veteran Eoin Purcell, who spent over a decade at Amazon Publishing running its London-based European publishing operation, has launched Full Set, a Dublin-based independent nonfiction publishing house that aims to blend traditional book publishing with the direct audience engagement practices of journalism. Purcell cofounded the venture with Blathnaid Healy, an Emmy Awardwinning news editor who worked at BBC and CNN.

Full Set will publish current affairs and business books in both full-length and essay-length formats. The house is now prepping its first list, which is expected to publish in late 2026 with between two and six titles.

The duo said they plan to make full use of technology in marketing and promotion since, as Healy noted, "The realities of this current information ecosystem that we are living in is that it is so fragmented, and things are changing so quickly compared to five, 10 years ago."

Accordingly, the founders are also launching a weekly newsletter called Reading In that will look at where book publishing and journalism intersect.

Both founders said they are optimistic about publishing's business model compared to other forms of media. "We think that the broader trends are positive for audiences and books," Healy said. "When you look at what's valuable in that broader world of how information makes it to people, audiences still see that books are valuable and worth paying for. And they are still really effective products. And we're also very interested in, aside from the robustness of physical book sales, we see audio as a growing and interesting space as well."

Purcell said he felt publishing simply works better economically than many alternatives. "One of the critical things is that you have a business model that functions and is able to reward the creator," he said. "As we've looked at this information ecosystem, it's really clear that the publishing ecosystem is a healthier one than some other ones around there. And that is a tool for helping us connect audiences with the works the creators make and reward the creator and continue to do that again. Books are a great technology, and they continue to work."
The United States has used force abroad when it has judged its security or strategic influence to be at risk, particularly in regions it considers vital to its interests. The military operation that apprehended Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela fits this pattern, reasserting deterrence in response to Washingtons diminished influence in its own hemisphere. But the administrations ultimate success depends on returning Venezuela to the path of democracy without getting bogged down in another doomed nation-building project.

Much of the initial commentary has focused on oil markets or alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution. But since the resolutions enactment in 1973, presidents of both parties have authorized limited military actions without congressional authorization when they judged core U.S. interests to be at stake. Action against the Maduro regime reflects a broad, if sometimes understated, bipartisan concern. Congress should now be fully briefed and engaged in its proper oversight role.

Others have described this as an oil-driven intervention, but that framing is incomplete; it should be viewed as a response to concerns about sovereignty, hemispheric security, and the balance of influence in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. policy grappled with how to confront risks posed by external powers in the region. Over the past decade, China, Russia, and Iran have expanded their presence across Latin America by leveraging weak institutions and fragile states. Venezuela has exemplified that dynamic, tightening its relationship with fellow authoritarian governments. A renewed hemispheric focus, if handled carefully, can still work to advance US interests elsewhere. The United States is better positioned to reassure allies and deter adversaries globally when it is secure, sovereign, and stable in its own neighborhood.

Foreign adversaries have exploited an illegitimate and collapsing state as a platform to undermine U.S. interests in its own hemisphere. While Americans may debate tactics, there has long been agreement that allowing hostile powers to entrench themselves so close to home is incompatible with U.S. security. Operation Absolute Resolve is the manifestation of the 2025 National Security Strategys promise to restore deterrence in the Western Hemisphere. That both Russia and China have condemned U.S. actions in Venezuela underscores how the country has become a test case of great-power competition. A more stable, Western-aligned Venezuela could complicate the ambitions of principal adversaries.

Critics, particularly in Europe and on the American left, warn that such action risks establishing a precedent in which powerful states assert special prerogatives over their regions, potentially emboldening Russia or China elsewhere. That concern is serious and should be acknowledged. However, it overlooks key distinctions. Maduros regime is widely believed to have falsified presidential elections, leading the United States (notably, under the Biden administration) and many European officials to refuse to recognize the outcome. This raises questions about Venezuelas claims to sovereign inviolability under the United Nations Chartereven if some governments, including Mexicos, recognize the Maduro regime.

The flow of illicit drugs into the United States lends further legitimacy to the Trump administrations decision. Over 100,000 Americans have died annually from overdoses, overwhelmingly driven by synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. While Venezuela is not a main channel in the fentanyl supply chain, it has long served as a central transit corridor for cocaine and a permissive environment for transnational criminal networks. These networks rely on chemical precursors sourced from China, processing and distribution hubs in Mexico and Central America, and cross-border cooperation between criminal organizations and elements of state security forces, including along the Colombia-Venezuela border. Maduros regime was deeply entangled with these trafficking ecosystems, functioning less as a counterweight to organized crime and more as its facilitator. The United States, despite a decades-long drug war, has been steadily losing ground because of this permissive environment.

Disrupting criminal-state entanglements is a necessary step toward limiting the reach of transnational trafficking networks that thrive under permissive regimes. Reasserting U.S. resolve is intended not to provoke, but to restore credibility that has eroded through years of inaction. That said, this effort will be seen by some as emboldening autocratic leaders to reassert their own spheres of influence. To counter this narrative, and avoid Americas fatigue of interventions, U.S. actions should remain limited in scope and duration. Any open-ended military commitment or broader occupation would be a strategic mistake, one that also risks broad bipartisan condemnation.

Ultimately, the success or failure of this operation will depend less on what the United States has done and more on what follows inside Venezuela. The priority should be a timely transfer of power that reflects the outcome Venezuelans already voted for, rather than a prolonged transitional process that allows regime holdovers or military figures to entrench themselves. If Venezuela emerges with another unelected authority or a military government, this effort will have failed.

This moment offers an opportunity for Venezuela to finally break itself from a cycle of repression. It also represents a challenge for the U.S. to act responsibly. Deposing a dictator is not easy, yet success will depend on restraint, diplomacy, and the ability to return Venezuela to the path of democracy.

Brigham McCown is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and a former U.S. government official.
CAIRO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egypt and Syria signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Monday to enhance cooperation in the energy sector, the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said.

The agreements, signed in Cairo, cover the supply of Egyptian natural gas to Syria for electricity generation and the provision of petroleum products to meet Syrian demand, the ministry said in a statement.

They were finalized during a meeting between Karim Badawi, the Egyptian minister of petroleum and mineral resources, and a high-level Syrian delegation led by Ghiath Diab, the deputy chief of Syria's energy authorities.

Badawi affirmed his ministry's readiness to offer technical expertise and support to help rebuild Syria's energy infrastructure, the statement said. 
EchoCore Suppressors has shown up huge at the 2025 Silencer Summit! In their first year of operation, the EchoCore Sector 5.56 Full Size and Sector 5.56 Compact suppressors finished first and second in the 5.56mm category, respectively, based on Shooters Ear (SE) LEQ dBA measurements, the Summits real-world standard for evaluating suppressor performance.

For a new American manufacturer, landing both top spots in a category crowded with established names is noteworthy and impressive. The Silencer Summit is known for its independent, data-driven approach, stripping away brand loyalty and marketing claims in favor of measurable results. EchoCores showing suggests the company arrived with more than just ambition.

Both Sector models leverage EchoCores XCR (Cross Chamber Regulation) architecture, which focuses on balancing sound and flash reduction while managing backpressurean ongoing challenge in modern suppressor design. Combined with additive manufacturing and a clear emphasis on internal geometry, the approach appears to be paying off where it matters most: at the shooters ear.

Earning first and second place in our debut year validates everything weve worked toward, said EchoCore founder Chris Mudgett. Our teams expertise and focus on performance drove these results, and this is only the start.

EchoCore designs, manufactures, and tests its suppressors in the U.S., using advanced materials and modern production methods throughout the process. While its early days, a dual podium finish at the Summit puts the company squarely on the radar and makes its next moves worth watching.

EchoCore Suppressors are available exclusively through Silencer Shop.

Well have a full review on EchoCore suppressors soon!

About Suppressor Summit

Hosted by TBAC the Suppressor Summit is the premier independent evaluation event where suppressor manufacturers around the world come together to benchmark performance across a level playing field.

The Summit provides transparent, data-driven comparisons across critical categories to give real feedback to manufacturers, designers, and the end user.

About EchoCore Suppressors

EchoCore Suppressors is redefining the science of suppression. Together with designers, engineers, and Mil/LE veterans with decades of industry experience, we craft precision-built suppressors engineered for superior signature reduction, minimal backpressure, and uncompromising durability. Guided by innovation, authenticity, and excellence, EchoCore represents the pinnacle of modern suppressor design  proudly made in the USA.
'This is not just a cosmetic refresh,' said Suhas Rajkumar, founder and chief executive officer of Simple Energy. 'We have re-engineered the battery integration, made the scooter lighter, improved performance and expanded the portfolio so customers can choose based on real usage needs.'

Photographs: Kind courtesy simpleenergy.in

Electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy has reset its product strategy with the launch of its Generation 2 scooter portfolio, rolling out four variants across price and range bands.

The variants include the new Simple Ultra, India's longest-range electric scooter with an IDC-certified range of 400 km.

The Gen 2 launch replaces the company's earlier Generation 1.5 lineup and marks its most comprehensive product upgrade since inception. Prices for the refreshed portfolio start at 1.49 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), and go up to 1.77 lakh, while a limited-period introductory offer begins at 1.39 lakh.

The headline product, Simple Ultra, features a 6.5 kWh battery, the largest on an electric scooter in India, delivering an IDC range of 400 km, a top speed of 115 kmph and 040 kmph acceleration in 2.77 seconds, making it the country's second-fastest electric scooter.

Alongside it, Simple Energy has launched two Gen 2 Simple One variants: a 4.5 kWh version with a 236 km IDC range priced from 1.69 lakh, and a 5 kWh variant offering 265 km at 1.77 lakh. The entry-level Simple OneS Gen 2 delivers an improved 190 km range and is priced at 1.49 lakh.

"This is not just a cosmetic refresh," said Suhas Rajkumar, founder and chief executive officer of Simple Energy.

"We have re-engineered the battery integration, made the scooter lighter, improved performance and expanded the portfolio so customers can choose based on real usage needs."

Rajkumar said the push towards ultra-long range was driven by a segment of buyers seeking higher utility rather than mass-market demand. "There is a growing customer base that wants extreme range and performance without compromise. Simple Ultra is built precisely for that rider," he said.

The Gen 2 scooters come with upgrades across design and usability, including an eight-year motor warranty, along with a three-year vehicle and charger warranty.

Importantly, the company has pre-stocked its dealer network, allowing customers to take deliveries immediately with no waiting period. The scooters are available across 61-plus company showrooms and through online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.

The launch comes amid improving sales momentum.

Simple Energy's monthly volumes rose from around 500600 units at the start of 2025, when it had fewer than 10 outlets, to about 1,0001,200 units a month by October-November, supported by a retail network of over 60 stores. Average sales per outlet have climbed to roughly 50 scooters a month.

For 2026, the company plans to expand to around 150 dealerships by March and nearly 300 outlets by year-end. Its Hosur plant currently has an annual capacity of 300,000 scooters, which, Rajkumar said, is adequate for near-term growth.

"2026 is the inflection year for us," he said. "We are targeting at least 30 per cent month-on-month growth, and the groundwork across product, retail and operations is already in place."

'PLI scheme favours incumbents, not startups'

While Simple Energy continues to benefit from demand-side incentives such as FAME and PM E-Drive, it does not qualify for the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme under current norms.

Rajkumar said the existing framework disproportionately favours large incumbents.

"The PLI norms are so stringent that startups don't qualify -- it ends up favouring larger players," he said, citing requirements such as a 1,000-crore net worth threshold.

He suggested linking PLI eligibility to PM E-Drive qualification and operational parameters such as localisation levels, number of stores and multi-state presence.

"That would ensure only serious players qualify, while still supporting companies that are actually manufacturing in India," he said.
The future of India will be shaped and decided by the choices the RSS makes now, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

IMAGE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat speaks during the Nagpur Book Festival at Reshimbagh ground, Nagpur, November 29, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Part 1 of the column: RSS@100: The Challenges Ahead

Sometime in mid-1991, I had the good fortune to have an extensive discussion with RSS ideologue, the late advocate Bal Apte, during an overnight train journey from Solapur to Pune.

The point I made was that the RSS has consciously chosen to be a 'Rashtriya' (national) and NOT a Hindu organisation, then why its insistence on Hinduism? Is not Bharatiya or Indian more representative of what the RSS stands for?

Mr Apte agreed that Bharatiyata or Indian-ness indeed described the RSS ideology more accurately.

But the RSS, at that time a virtual political untouchable, felt it would not yield under pressure to make this change.

The situation today is a sea change from the 1990s.

The RSS and its affiliate, the Bharatiya Janata Party, is a dominant force in national politics.

Indeed, Dr Mohan Bhagwat, the current head of the RSS, has been at pains to claim that the term 'Hindu' includes everyone born in Bharat.

Unfortunately, over time the term Hindu has been associated with a narrow definition of adherents to a faith.

Even adherents of other Indian faiths like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism do not accept that they are Hindus.

The RSS' refusal to accept this reality and Bharatiyata as opposed to Hindutva threatens the core RSS belief and objective of national unity.

Eventually, the RSS wants to attract and include followers of foreign born faiths like Islam and Christianity.

Dr Bhagwat has been on record on this issue. India cannot be great or fulfil its destiny with over 20% of its population not on board.

Historically, Buddhism, Jainism or Sikhism were revolts against Sanatan Dharma's ills and orthodoxy.

How will these people accept the 'Hindu' label, whatever the RSS may say?

The term Bharatiyata is far wider than the term Hindu that has come to acquire a narrow interpretation over time.

The RSS' refusal to accept the logic of accepting Bharatiyata over Hindutva is the biggest obstacle to national unity.

The RSS' reluctance to change is strange. Its founder, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, was himself a 'revolutionary' in his time.

Despite criticism by the Hindu Mahasabha at that time he stuck to his model of a caste less and modern organisation devoted to making a patriotic citizen.

His adoption of khaki shorts as a dress when the bulk of Indians worn a dhoti was a clear message.

Even Gandhi and Ambedkar accepted and admired the fact that the RSS did not practice caste discrimination when it was rampant in India in the 1920s.

Partly this lacunae is due to ideological and semantic confusion between the terms civilisation and culture. In Indian languages both are bundled under the term 'Sanskriti'.

It is necessary to make a clear division between culture or 'Sanskriti' and civilisation or 'Sabhyata'.

India indeed has a one 'Sabhyata' or civilisation, but several cultures.

Thus, there is a distinct Tamilian, Bengali or Marathi culture, with a distinct language, dress, food, rituals, arts and regional favourite deities. Thus, we have Vitthal in Maharashtra, Karthikeya in Tamil Nadu, Durga in Bengal etc.

IMAGE: Mohan Bhagwat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Dhwajarohan Utsav at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, November 25, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Yet, Shri Ram or Shri Krishna are all India civilisational figures, The RSS was right in terming the Ayodhya reconstruction as a civilisational project and not a religious one.

Rejecting Shri Ram is like modern Egyptians, mostly followers of Islam, disowning the pyramids or pharaohs.

Even the ideological founder of Pakistan referred to Shri Ram as 'Imam E Hind'.

But having achieved the goal of re-establishing civilisational pride the RSS needs to move beyond rituals.

Like the RSS itself, much of India and its majority population is trapped in history. Practices like imposing the choice of husbands on girls runs counter to the concept of 'swayamwar' (bride's choice of husband).

This is well documented and part of Shri Ram's marriage to Sita, yet we have instances of 'honour killing' due to a girl exercising her choice of groom.

We also have a proliferation of temples and huge wealth locked up in them in form of gold and at the same time no charity work or public education and preservation of dharma, the activity associated with temples in ancient times.

Due to long period of oppressive foreign rule, many restrictive practices have crept in India.

Hinduism, that accepts universal divinity of all, has temple entry restricted at some places to Hindus only.

I encountered this when because of my looks I was denied entry to the Jaganath Puri temple.

The RSS has to take up these issues and rescue Indian civilisation from falling into the trap of excessive rituals.

Rituals are not Hindutva as defined by the Bhagavad Gita, the concise guide to our civilisation.

IMAGE: RSS volunteers march in Patna ahead of Vijayadashami. Photograph: ANI Photo

One of the tragedies of India has been that Hinduism, not being an organised religion, there are very few institutions to spread the message of the Gita, the core of our civilisation.

Interestingly, the Gita itself is a 'secular' document, in the sense it is a theosophical dialogue between two great Indians.

British Governor General Warren Hastings, who pioneered the translation of the Gita into English, turned to it when he was being tried in British parliament. In his letters to his wife Hastings mentioned that he found solace in the message of the Gita in times of stress.

Indonesia, a Muslim majority country, has thriving scholarship on the Gita; a statue of Krishna and Arjuna adores the presidential palace square in Jakarta.

It is difficult and preposterous to suggest an agenda to a 100-year-old organisation, but the future of India will be shaped and decided by the choices the RSS makes now.

On its course correction to Bharatiyata from Hindutva and shedding of ritualism and practices twill depend the future of India.

Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) is a military historian and author of Let the Jhelum Smile Again (1997) and Nuclear Menace The Satyagraha Approach (1998).

His earlier columns can be read here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'Mob fury has become very common these days. And these attacks are all planned very well.'

'In all these attacks, you see that they have a very clear cut plan to make the victims as the oppressors and the guilty.'

'The attackers escape and they face no consequences as they have the backing of some political leaders.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with children after the Christmas service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi, December 25, 2025. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

Two Christmas prayer meetings were attacked in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Christmas celebrations in a church were vandalised allegedly by Bajrang Dal workers.

In Palakkad, Kerala, a carol singing group of children was attacked.

These are some reports that recently appeared in newspapers.

"Only negative things are written about and projected in the media. A lot of good things are also happening, but good things are not being written about," 80-year-old Emeritus Archbishop Leo Cornelio, who retired as the archbishop of Bhopal in 2021, tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier.

Father, you were in Bhopal first as a bishop and then as the archbishop for almost two decades. We read about attacks against Christians in Madhya Pradesh.

How much has the ground situation changed over the years?

From the Congress regime to the BJP regime, things have changed.

The policy of the Congress was, let's all, somehow, go together.

In the beginning, the BJP was not that strong but they became strong as years went by. The Hindutva feeling has gone very high now.

If you look back in history, you will see that it is the slavish mentality and internal fighting among Indians that lead to invaders ruling the country.

Now, what is followed is divide and rule where the minorities don't count.

Among the minorities, Muslims are the majority, so they get some respect.

But Christians do not matter at all. We are peace loving people, and nobody really rebels or revolts. So they know Christians can be taken for granted.

IMAGE: A priest conducts a Christmas assembly at the Catholic church in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

Do you feel had the leadership at the top reined in fringe elements, the violent actions would have stopped?

Jiska raj, uska ghulam! One who is ruling the roost will have the final say, and the others will follow.

If the goons on the street are politically powerful, the police become spectators. They forget their duty of defending the suppressed and the oppressed.

Another pattern we see today is while a group attacks, another group goes to the police station and register a complaint against the victims.

So, when the victims go to make a complaint, the police tell them that they already have a complaint against them, and they get arrested.

It is as if the mistake was on the part of those who got attacked.

Just like when two nuns were attacked by a mob and arrested in Chhattisgarh in July 2025.

Mob fury has become very common these days. And these attacks are all planned very well.

In all these attacks, you see that they have a very clear cut plan to make the victims as the oppressors and the guilty.

The attackers escape and they face no consequences as they have the backing of some political leaders.

That's why they have become bolder, and there are more and more attacks on Christians.

And the law and order situation is gradually collapsing.

On Christmas day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited a church and prayed. There were attacks on Christians and Christmas celebrations at many places.

Do you think if the prime minister had spoken against these attacks, these attacks would have stopped?

It would have stopped.

I agree that the top leaders are not openly supporting goondagiri. But they are silent. They allow things to happen because it is to their advantage. They are playing to their supporters.

The elected leaders forget that once they are elected, they are the leaders for all, for who voted for them and against.

IMAGE: Christian devotees light candles at the Sacred Heart Church in Jalandhar on Christmas Day. Photograph: ANI Photo

But they always say, 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'...

Slogans are wonderful, but what we need is action.

I am not talking about Modi or any particular leader.

The general policy of these politicians is that they take advantage of any situation and convert it into a voting advantage.

This is quite common in politics because power is what matters to politicians, and oppression and suppression of the poor does not matter much.

In India, there are slowly going to be only two classes, the rich and the poor.

The poor will get dole-outs from the government and the rich will enjoy.

The middle class is slowly vanishing; they are either getting poorer or moving into the richer class.

In the process, the poor will get lazy and dependant because they get money from the government, and they do not have to work. If at all they work, they will work for those who give them money.

They do not realise that they have become just vote banks to the political parties.

IMAGE: People gather at St Joseph Church in Guwahati on Christmas. Photograph: ANI Photo

From your experience, do you see that the attacks on Christians started from the time the BJP came to power?

I am not saying there were no attacks in the past, and that it started only after the BJP came to power. There were people who took the law into their hands earlier too.

Do priests and the community feel threatened?

It is the reality. The minorities have to face such consequences now, unless we show that we also have a say or some power in the government.

Whenever there is an attack, we resort to prayers or go on a candlelight processions. But these actions do not make any impression on anybody.

The political class is not moved by a candlelight procession.

I am not saying prayer has no power. God wants us to pray and also take action.

What kind of action?

Action is, the minorities have to be united. They should not remain divided.

There are so many Christian denominations, and there is no clear understanding or agreement between them.

If we want to make any impression on the political class, all Christian groups must unite.

IMAGE: People gather at the Don Bosco Catholic church in Sonitpur, Assam, on Christmas. Photograph: ANI Photo

How disturbed are you about these attacks? How was it when you first started working in Bhopal?

It is disturbing. We are powerless. I am also powerless.

From the time I started working in Madhya Pradesh, there is a difference, in the sense that everything has become rigid now.

I used to have a rather good relations with the government.

Slowly, things changed.

But then we have to accept the reality. Change what we can, and accept what we cannot change.

IMAGE: Emeritus Archbishop Leo Cornelio

Are you optimistic about the future?

We may be in the midst of an ocean now, but there is a shore for every ocean.

So, I am optimistic that people will get enlightened, and things will change.

India has been resilient, and we should not lose hope.

Earlier, we didn't hear about what was happening in the next state, but today, whatever happens in any part of the world, we get to know immediately.

But only negative things are written about and projected in the media. When you read and see negative things, it will make a person sick and violent.

We must also remember that India is the most populous country.

A lot of good things are also happening, but good things are not being written about.

That's why I say, we should not lose hope.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
The Uttar Pradesh excise department arrested renowned climate activist Harjeet Singh for keeping "excess" liquor at home on Tuesday, a day after the ED searched him in a foreign exchange violation case related to alleged misuse of Rs 6 crore funds received from abroad and narrative-building on behalf of foreign influencer groups, the agency said.

IMAGE: Climate activist Harjeet Singh. Photograph: Courtesy X

It added that Singh's visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh during 2025 and its funding were under scanner.

The federal probe agency had searched the premises of Singh, a leading climate activist whose voice found space at various news and other platforms, and his wife Jyoti Awasthi apart from that of their company Satat Sampada Pvt. Ltd in Delhi and Ghaziabad, UP on Monday under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

The ED said it found Indian liquor and IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) "beyond permissible limits" (about Rs 45 litres) during the Monday searches at his residence in Ghaziabad as it shared pictures of brands like Chivas 12 and Glenmorangie in the press statement.

It said the information was shared with local excise authorities who seized the excess liquor and arrested Singh for "contravention" of the UP state excise laws.

Singh and Awasthi are co-founders of organic food company Satat Sampada. A PTI email soliciting their response on these charges did not get a response.

The ED said its probe found that while SSPL "projects" itself as an agro-based company engaged in promoting organic farming and marketing organic produce, it was just a "front" activity.

"The company's primary activity appears to be channelling foreign funds to run narratives furthering the FF-NPT (the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty) cause in India on behalf of foreign influencer groups," the ED claimed.

The FF-NPT is a proposed international treaty aiming to phase out fossil fuel production.

It added that the financial trajectory of SSPL found that before 2020-21, the company operated at a loss with minimal consultancy revenue.

Post-2021, coinciding with the receipt of over Rs 6.5 crore in foreign remittances, SSPL turned profitable by booking these funds as revenue from "consultancy services" and "agro-product sales." The shareholders of SSPL, Harjeet Singh and Jyoti Awasthi, "diverted" funds received from foreign NGOs to their personal accounts for private use, the federal probe agency said.

The ED said while FF-NPT is presented as a climate initiative, its adoption could expose India to legal challenges in international forums like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and severely compromise the nation's energy security and economic development.

It was also alleged by the ED that the Rs 6 crore remittances were received by SSPL between 2021-25 in the garb of "consultancy" charges from foreign entities including Climate Action Network (CAN) and STAND.EARTH etc., which have in-turn received huge funds from prior reference category NGOs like Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

However, cross-verification of filings made by the remitters abroad indicates that the funds were actually intended to promote the agenda of the FF-NPT within India, it said.

The ED said the couple, previously engaged with Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), used SSPL to "advance" their activism.

The agency said it was investigating Singh's visit to Pakistan in February 2025 for the 'Breathe Pakistan Summit' and the various persons he met there.

It added that he also travelled to Bangladesh in December 2025 when "anti-India" protests were being held in the neighbouring country and delivered a lecture at the Sher-e-Bangla University without any official invitation and met various individuals "unconnected" to the stated purpose.

The funding for these trips is also under scrutiny, the ED said.

"The agency is investigating the full extent of the suspected violations of FEMA and whether the activities funded were against the national interest, specifically India's energy security.

"Further investigation into the financial trail, the role of the foreign funding entities, and the activities of the directors is under progress," it said.
A 40-year-old Hindu man, Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was killed on Monday night in Narsingdi, near Dhaka, after being attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants, reported Bangladesh registered newspaper Weeklyblitz.

IMAGE: Activists from various Hindu groups scuffle with police during a protest against atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, near Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, on December 23, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Residents and eyewitnesses claimed the attack occurred while Mani was operating his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila.

The assailants reportedly arrived suddenly and assaulted him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to hospital, reported Local Media.

The incident marks the sixth reported killing of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh within the past 18 days.

According to local media, on 19 December, Mani wrote a Facebook post expressing concern about violence in the country, describing his birthplace as having become 'a valley of death'.

Police are investigating the incident.

This killing comes after the reported killing of another Hindu man on Monday in Jessore. An ice factory owner was shot dead in public in the Monirampur area of Jesore, reported Prothom Alo.

According to local media, Rana Pratap Bairagi, owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, and served as the acting editor of the newspaper Dainik BD Khobor published from Narail.

Three assailants on a motorcycle, called him out from the ice factory, and took him to an alley and then shot him at close range in the head and fled. Rana Pratap died on the spot, reported Prothom Alo.

Monirampur police station's officer-in-charge (OC) Md Raziullah Khan told Prothom Alo that the body has been recovered was being sent for post mortem.

The Police have not specified the motive behind the killing and an investigation is underway.

Over the past weeks, there have been reports highlighting attacks and rising insecurity faced by minority groups.

Notably, a recent tragic incident drew national attention when Khokon Das, a Hindu man, succumbed to injuries after being set on fire on New Year's Eve.

The attackers allegedly assaulted him with sharp weapons, poured petrol on his body, and set him on fire. In an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond beside the road.

Hearing his screams, residents rushed to the scene, prompting the attackers to flee. Locals rescued Das and initially took him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where he received emergency treatment before being referred to Dhaka later that night as his condition deteriorated. He later succumbed to his injuries.
The CBI has issued a notice to TVK president Vijay to appear for questioning on January 12 at the agency headquarters in New Delhi in connection with the Karur stampede case, officials said.

IMAGE: The scene of the Karur stampede in Tamil Nadu. Photograph: @NainarBJP X/ANI Photo

The CBI has questioned several office-bearers of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in connection with the case, they said.

The agency has now decided to call Vijay in connection with the case, following which it may take a call on filing a charge sheet in the matter, they said.

The CBI took over the case from an SIT following a Supreme Court order, and the investigating agency has been gathering evidence relating to the stampede that occurred during a political meeting addressed by Vijay on September 27 in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The incident had left 41 dead and more than 60 injured.

The case was handed over to the CBI by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by the TVK for an independent probe.

In October, the apex court ordered the director of CBI to appoint a senior officer to take over the investigation. The court also set up a three-member supervisory committee headed by former apex court judge Ajay Rastogi to monitor the CBI investigation.

A bench, comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and N V Anjaria, said the September 27 stampede has left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country.

It has wide ramifications with respect to the life of the citizens, and enforcing the fundamental rights of the families who lost their kith and kin is of utmost importance, the court had said.

Noting the political undertones of the case, the court said top police officers have made comments before the media "without having regard for the gravity of the incident", which may create a doubt in the minds of the citizenry regarding an impartial and fair investigation.

"The faith and trust of the general public in the process of investigation must be restored in the criminal justice system, and one way to instil such trust is by ensuring that the investigation in the present case is completely impartial, independent and unbiased.

"Looking to the fact that the issue involved certainly has a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens, the incident, which has shaken the national conscience, deserves fair and impartial investigation. There cannot be any doubt that fair investigation is the right of a citizen," the bench said.
China could face military fatalities of up to 100,000 if it attempts an amphibious invasion of Taiwan and would ultimately be compelled to retreat, although it may still take control of Taiwan's offshore Kinmen and Matsu islands, according to a study by a US-based think tank, Focus Taiwan reported.

IMAGE: PLA ground forces take part in long-range live-fire drills targeting waters north of Taiwan from an undisclosed location in this screenshot from a video released by the PLA's eastern theatre command. Photograph: Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters

The study, titled "If China Attacks Taiwan," was released by the German Marshall Fund, which receives partial funding from the United States government.

The report evaluates the likely military, strategic and international fallout for China under scenarios ranging from a "major war" to a "minor conflict" with Taiwan, Focus Taiwan said.

Zack Cooper, one of the report's authors, said a full-scale conflict would begin with amphibious landings by Chinese forces, accompanied by strikes on Taiwan's military as well as US forces based in Japan and Guam.

While Chinese troops could reach Taiwan's shores, their logistics would be severely disrupted by "successful Taiwanese and US strikes on ships and aircraft crossing the [Taiwan] Strait," wrote Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Focus Taiwan reported.

The report said the fighting would extend over "several months of heavy fighting," leading to "massive losses" for China of as many as 100,000 troops killed.

Such an outcome would force Beijing to "eventually surrender on the condition that its forces on Taiwan are repatriated to the mainland without harm."

In the same scenario, Taiwan is projected to suffer roughly 50,000 military and 50,000 civilian casualties.

The United States would lose an estimated 5,000 military personnel and 1,000 civilians, while Japan would face about 1,000 military and 500 civilian deaths, the report estimated.

Even with a Chinese withdrawal from Taiwan's main island, the study said "Chinese forces would retain control of Kinmen and Matsu Islands," indicating that territorial losses for Taiwan could persist despite Beijing's overall defeat, Focus Taiwan said.

The document was issued a week after China carried out extensive military drills around Taiwan, involving operations across nearby waters and airspace.

It also modelled potential global reactions to both a "major war" and a "minor conflict" involving Taiwan.

To assess Beijing's expectations of international responses, the report examined earlier episodes such as the fallout from the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989, the 2014-2015 Umbrella Movement, the 2019-2020 Anti-Extradition Law protests in Hong Kong, and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Among dozens of possible international measures in a major war scenario, only four were judged to impose a "high cost" on China.

These included "freezing the assets of Chinese leaders," considered highly likely, and three low-probability outcomes: "signing a NATO-like Asian alliance," "recognising Taiwan's independence," and "signing a treaty alliance with Taiwan."

In contrast, the report said responses to a minor conflict would be limited.

Cooper described such a scenario as involving weeks-long air and naval engagements, incursions into Taiwan's airspace and waters, and a "quarantine" of major ports.

In that case, governments would likely issue travel advisories for China and release "critical public statements," actions Beijing would regard as "low cost," the report said.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan UN ambassador Samuel Moncada on Monday requested action from the Security Council following U.S. strikes against his country over the weekend.

Venezuela urges the Security Council to fully assume its responsibility and act in accordance with the mandate conferred on it by the UN Charter, Moncada told an emergency meeting of the council.

"In that regard, we request that the government of the United States of America be demanded to fully respect the immunities of (Venezuelan) President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, as well as their immediate release and safe return to Venezuela," said the ambassador.

Maduro and his wife were forcibly removed from Venezuela and brought to the United States.

Moncada demanded that the use of force against Venezuela be clearly and unequivocally condemned by the Security Council, and that the principle of non-acquisition of territory or resources by force be reaffirmed.

He also called for measures aimed at de-escalation, the protection of the civilian population, and the restoration of international law.

"Venezuela comes before this Council today with a deep conviction that international peace can only be sustained if international law is respected without exception, without double standards, and without selective interpretations," said Moncada.

He said that Saturday's military action against Venezuela constitutes a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, in particular, the violation of the principle of sovereign equality of states, of the prohibition of threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and of the duty to settle disputes by peaceful means.

The U.S. move also seriously violates the Geneva Conventions and Protocols, the ambassador said.

"When force is used to control resources, impose governments, or redesign states, we are faced with a logic that harks back to the worst practices of colonialism and neocolonialism," he said. "This scenario not only threatens Venezuela, it threatens international peace and security as a whole."

If the kidnapping of a head of state, the bombing of a sovereign country, and the open threat of further armed action are tolerated or downplayed, the message sent to the world is a devastating one, namely that law is optional, and that force is the true arbiter of international relations, Moncada warned. 
Delcy Rodriguez has officially taken office as Venezuela's acting president, just hours after Nicolas Maduro was captured by the United States, the CNN reported.

IMAGE: Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez greets legislators following her swearing-in ceremony at the National Assembly, in Caracas, on January 5, 2026. Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

The oath of office was administered on Monday afternoon by her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.

As per CNN, Rodriguez said she assumed the role with a heavy heart over what she described as the 'kidnapping' of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

"I come as the executive vice president of the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, to take the oath of office," she said.

The ambassadors of China, Russia and Iran, all close allies of Venezuela, were among the first foreign diplomats to congratulate Rodriguez after she was sworn in, CNN reported.

Shortly after Rodriguez took the oath of office, she was embraced by China's ambassador to Venezuela, Lan Hu, followed by Russian Ambassador Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov.

Iran's Ambassador Ali Chegini then bowed toward her with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect.

The three diplomats stood side by side during the swearing-in ceremony, according to CNN.

China, Russia and Iran have each condemned the US military operation carried out over the weekend that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his transfer to New York to face trial, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, supporters of Venezuela's ousted President Maduro took to the streets of Caracas on Monday.

Hundreds of demonstrators were seen carrying Venezuelan flags and holding placards backing the deposed leader, who earlier pleaded not guilty in a New York court following his capture in a US military operation on Saturday.

As per CNN, the Venezuelan government has frequently organised street demonstrations to project public support for its decisions.

In August, hundreds of supporters gathered in Caracas after the US increased the reward for Maduro to $50 million, with Rodriguez among senior figures from the chavismo movement -- Venezuela's socialist political bloc -- who attended the rally.

In previous instances, protests organised by Venezuela's democratic opposition have been met with government-backed counterdemonstrations, creating a visible standoff between rival groups on the streets of the capital, according to CNN.
A protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University sparked a controversy as objectionable slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were allegedly raised over the denial of bail by the Supreme Court to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots conspiracy case, prompting the Delhi police to launch a probe into the matter.

IMAGE: JNU entry gate. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

Asserting that "any unlawful conduct or anti-national activity will not be tolerated", the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) said that an FIR has been registered in the Monday incident and the strictest action will be taken against students found raising objectionable slogans.

"Universities are centres for innovation and new ideas, and they cannot be permitted to be converted into laboratories of hate. Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right," the JNU said in a series of posts on X on Tuesday night

"But any form of violence, unlawful conduct or anti-national activity will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Students involved in this incident will also face disciplinary measures including immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the University," the JNU said.

The University also ordered an internal inquiry, as Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union and Delhi ministers, expressed anger over the incident, alleging that the slogans reflected the "Urban Naxal mindset that is supported by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress".

The event -- "A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba" -- was organised at Sabarmati Dhaba to mark the anniversary of the January 5, 2020, violence in which a group of masked persons had entered the campus and unleashed mayhem by attacking students and teachers.

A purported video of the Monday protest showed students allegedly raising slogans against the prime minister and Union home minister after the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Khalid, a former JNU student leader, and Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The University has named several students, including current Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, and said they were identified during the programme. It claimed that the slogans were "deliberate", "repeated" and had the "potential to seriously disrupt public order, campus harmony and security".

Mishra told PTI that every year, students hold a protest to condemn the violence that occurred on the campus on January 5, 2020.

"All of the slogans raised in the protest were ideological and do not attack anyone personally. They were not directed towards anyone," she claimed.

A letter written by the JNU administration to the SHO of Vasant Kunj (North) claimed that certain students raised "highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory" slogans at an event on Monday that were in direct contempt of the Supreme Court and reflected a "wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse".

A senior police officer said that a probe has been launched following the complaint, adding that they will examine CCTV footage and videos of the event.

According to the letter, the University's Security Department said the programme was organised around 10 pm by students linked to the JNUSU. The gathering initially appeared limited to commemorating the January 5, 2020, incident, with around 30 to 35 students present.

The letter said that the nature of the event changed following a judicial verdict on the bail pleas of Khalid and Imam, after which some participants allegedly raised slogans, which the University termed "inflammatory and objectionable".

The administration claimed the slogans amounted to contempt of the Supreme Court and violated the JNU Code of Conduct.

"All stakeholders must understand the clear distinction between dissent and abuse and hate speech which lead to public disorder," a statement issued by the University registrar said.

Noting that the raising of such slogans is "wholly inconsistent with democratic dissent and violates the JNU Code of Conduct", the statement said such slogans have the "potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony and the safety and security environment of the university and the nation".

"JNU administration is setting up an internal inquiry on the matter. If students are found guilty of violating any rules or regulations, we will take disciplinary action against them," an official said.

Delhi ministers Kapil Mishra, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Ashish Sood criticised the raising of controversial slogans at the JNU and accused the opposition parties of providing patronage to those involved in such activities.

In a post on X, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said. "Modi-Shah Ki Kabar Khudegi ?? In a safe and free India, these people keep abusing the prime minister but seek freedom. INDIA will be free from such sick people !

"We live in a country where the prime minister is openly abused... yet these mentally ill people demand freedom."

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the slogans reflect the "Urban Naxal mindset" of those who came out in support of "anti-nationals" like Khalid and Imam after the Supreme Court denied them bail.

"The Congress and Rahul Gandhi are giving a silent endorsement to such slogans," he alleged.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the INDIA bloc has faced consequences whenever they have made personal attacks against the prime minister. "I am confident that the people will give a befitting reply to this," he told reporters.

Delhi minister Kapil Mishra said, "Snakes are being crushed and the snakelets are screaming. Those who are chanting slogans in support of criminals, Naxalites, and terrorists have now become frustrated because their evil plans are being shattered one by one. Those supporting these criminals should be given severe punishment."

Sirsa said protesting against a Supreme Court order is unacceptable. "If people start opposing court verdicts, the system will collapse," he said, alleging that some groups wanted to weaken the country.

According to students, a protest is held every year to condemn the violence that occurred on the campus on January 5, 2020, in which at least 28 people, including then JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured as chaos had reigned on the campus for nearly two hours.
Cuban Ambassador to India Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera on Monday strongly condemned the United States military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, terming it a 'criminal act' and a 'terrorist act' that violates the United Nations Charter and international law.

IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu accepts credentials from Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on February 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos in New Delhi, Aguilera emphasised that no single nation can stop the United States from such unilateral actions and called for the world to unite forces to counter what he described as Washington, DC's 'madness' in international policy.

"This US military aggression towards Venezuela, in my opinion, is a criminal act. It's a terrorist act because it violates all the principles contained in the United Nations Charter and international law. It is a unilateral action against a sovereign country," the ambassador said.

Highlighting broader US actions, including tariff wars, threats to Iran and military strikes, the ambassador stressed the need for global unity.

"I think that no one isolated could stop or will stop the US. Should be all together. It is a time to unite forces... We have the United Nations. We cannot renounce that the United Nations plays its role... We have now the BRICS. We cannot accept that they all (multilateral organisations) should be submitted to the role imposed by the US government. It's time to unite all voices. It is the only way we can stop this madness that is guiding the US international policy," Aguilera said.

He warned that the action sends a dangerous signal to the world, allowing one country to impose its will by breaking international law.

The Cuban Ambassador underscored India's pivotal role in the evolving global geopolitical landscape, saying the world needs India as a major power to create the necessary balance and to ensure a sustainable future for the benefit of all nations.

"I am pretty sure that there is a role of India as a voice of the Global South could be continuously strengthened in the future. We need India as a big country in order to make the necessary balance that the world needs, and also to ensure a sustainable future for all and for benefits of all," the ambassador said.

With India currently holding the temporary presidency of BRICS, he expressed hope for further strengthening of cooperation between India, the founding BRICS members and the broader Global South.

"We have long-standing cooperation between India and Cuba. We are celebrating 66 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. This relationship has been based all these years on mutual respect, solidarity, the cooperation," he said, adding that India has supported Cuba's resolution against the US blockade for more than 33 years and recently provided financial aid and donations for medicines and hurricane relief.

Referring to recent statements by US leaders, he criticised the view of Latin America as Washington, DC's 'backyard' and the assertion of the right to decide governments in the region.

"They said that Latin America is a backyard of the US. They said publicly that they have the right to decide which government should be leading each country in Latin America that should be in favour of the interest of the US," he said.

On US President Donald Trump's renewed interest in Greenland, Aguilera said it demonstrates that the US is not a trusted partner.

"I think that US has shown that they are not a trusted partner to anyone. From the very beginning, they have been clear that they have their own interest, instead of willing to develop international relations based on mutual respect," he observed.

Recalling historical US-Cuba tensions, he noted the long-standing US blockade and recent measures, including the re-inclusion of Cuba in the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

"We have faced this kind of attempt or aggression from more than 12 US administrations... There is not a nation like Cuba that has suffered for more than 65 years (from) this strong policy of the blockade against our people," he said.
A 23-year-old Dalit house surgeon at the Government Medical College in Siddipet district of Telangana allegedly died by suicide after she was 'cheated' by a senior resident doctor after he promised to marry her, police have said.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Pexels.com

Upset over his refusal to marry due to caste differences, she self-injected a herbicide in the college hostel on January 3 and fell unconscious, they added.

Her roommates admitted her to a hospital in Siddipet and later to a state-run hospital in Hyderabad, where she died in the early hours of January 4 while undergoing treatment, officials said on Monday.

Based on a complaint lodged by the victim's sister, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and arrested the accused, they said.

The deceased, who belonged to a poor family from Jogulamba-Gadwal district, studied in a social welfare school and later joined MBBS at the Government Medical College in Siddipet in 2020.

She is known to have excelled in academics and sports, and games, police said. Her parents work as labourers, while her elder sister is a software engineer.

The deceased was doing her internship at the Government Medical College in Siddipet, where she got acquainted with the accused, a senior resident, in July last year, police said.

The accused, who belongs to a backward class, promised to marry her but later refused, citing caste difference, which led her to take the extreme step, police said.
ONGC senior management has assumed operational control of the yet to be extinguished gas well blaze in Mori in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district and finalised a comprehensive blowout control plan on Tuesday.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

A massive jet fire of up to 20 metres height and 25 metres width erupted around 12:40 pm on January 5 near Mori and Irusumanda villages after a gas leak at an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)-owned well, Mori-5, whose intensity has been reduced now.

The gas well is not operated by the Maharatna company but by its Production Enhancement Contractor (PEC) Deep Industries Ltd, an Ahmedabad-based company.

"The senior management of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) including director (technology & field services) from Delhi along with Crisis Management Team experts, have assumed operational control of Well Mori-5. A comprehensive blowout control plan has been finalised," said an official press release from the public sector major.

In the wake of continuous efforts, the ONGC team deployed at the inferno managed to reduce its intensity and size, which has been raging for more than a day already.

The firefighters completed the creation of a temporary canal from a nearby irrigation source to facilitate the deployment of high-capacity firewater pumps.

Fire pumps have reached the wellsite, and placement activities are in progress, said ONGC.

Besides reducing the flame's intensity and size, the firefighters have also managed to alter the flame to vertical direction.

"Air quality, noise levels, and nearby water bodies are being continuously monitored to minimise environmental impact within a 600 metre radius," said the press release.

Further, it noted that the ONGC is in continuous coordination with all stakeholders to ensure transparency and an effective response.

All operations are being carried out with the highest standards of safety and environmental care, it added.

ONGC expert teams have arrived from Mumbai and Delhi to douse blaze, an official said earlier on Tuesday.

The intensity of the fire got reduced compared to Monday, said the official.

"They (firefighters) have created a water umbrella to make the temperature cool down, but the flames are still coming, so the expert teams will arrive and they will assess the situation, and accordingly they will take all measures to douse the flames," Konaseema joint collector T Nisanthi told PTI.

By sprinkling water, all the trees surrounding the fire jet are being cooled off, said Nisanthi, observing that the intensity of flames has reduced compared to Monday.

There were hopes the flames will be doused at the earliest, she said, noting that all efforts are being made in this connection.

"They will assess the situation first, and only based on the assessment, they will be able to tell," she said when asked for a timeline to completely extinguish the blaze.

Revenue, Police and Fire department officials, along with ONGC, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Red Cross personnel are toiling hard to extinguish the flames, she said.

As many as 600 people from three villages around the fire were evacuated on Monday for safety.

Deep Industries Ltd had secured a Rs 1,402-crore contract in 2024 for production enhancement operations at ONGC's Rajahmundry Asset in Andhra Pradesh, according to reports.

The company has been operating the Mori-5 well for about a year, said an ONGC official.
A 17-year-old student died after allegedly being physically assaulted by a group of juveniles in east Delhi's Trilokpuri area, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday evening, they said, adding that six juveniles have been apprehended in connection with the case.

Mohit, the victim who was in Class 11, was surrounded by multiple juveniles, who repeatedly punched and kicked him until he fell on the ground and lost consciousness, Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania in a statement said.

When an eyewitness tried to intervene, he was also assaulted by the group.

The officer said that at 7.25 pm on Monday, Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital informed police about the admission of an unconscious patient with a history of physical assault.

"Mohit was initially examined there and later referred to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for further treatment due to the seriousness of his injuries.

"While doctors declared him unfit for statement, an eyewitness told police that the teenager had an ongoing dispute with one of the juveniles from the locality. On Monday evening, a verbal altercation broke out between the victim and the group, which soon escalated into a scuffle," the Additional CP said.

Despite medical treatment, the teenager succumbed to his injuries. Police received information regarding his demise from GTB Hospital at around 1.15 am.

Following the death, a murder case was registered and teams were immediately formed to investigate the case.

During the course of investigation, the Crime Team and the Forensic teams inspected the scene of the crime in Trilokpuri. Based on eyewitness accounts and probe, a team apprehended six juveniles involved in the incident.

Further investigation is underway.
Student leader Sharif Osman Hadi was killed due to "political vengeance" at the behest of the Awami League, Bangladesh police said on Tuesday as it pressed formal charges against 17 people in connection with the murder.

IMAGE: Student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's outspoken remarks angered leaders and activists of Chhatra League and its affiliated groups. Photograph: Mehedi Hasan/Reuters

"Through public rallies and social media, Hadi had strongly criticised the past activities of the now-banned Awami League and Chhatra League. Hadi's outspoken remarks angered leaders and activists of Chhatra League and its affiliated groups," Mohammed Shafiqul Islam, Additional Commissioner of the Dhaka metropolitan police's Detective Branch, was quoted as saying by news portal tbsnews.net.

The Chhatra League is the student wing of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party.

"Considering the political identities of the accused and the victim's previous political statements, the investigation has revealed that Hadi was shot dead due to political vengeance," Islam told a press briefing in Dhaka, after submitting the chargesheet in the Hadi murder case to the court.

The chargesheet was filed against 17 people, including prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported, quoting Islam.

He said 12 of the 17 charge-sheeted accused have been arrested so far, while five remain at large.

Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Hadi, 32, rose to national prominence during the July-August 2024 mass protests that led to the fall of the Hasina-led government, was shot in the head on December 12 during an election campaign in Dhaka.

He was also a parliamentary candidate for the upcoming February 12 elections. Hadi was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but died on December 18.

Islam said the alleged shooter, Masud, was directly involved with the Chhatra League.

Another accused, Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, who allegedly helped Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, another prime suspect, flee after the killing, was the president of Pallabi Thana Chhatra League and an Awami League-nominated ward councillor, he said.

Hadi was murdered on the instructions of Bappi, Islam said.

On Monday, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury had told reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Council on law and order at the Secretariat that the final chargesheet in the Hadi murder case would be submitted on January 7.

However, police filed the chargesheet a day earlier amid protests in Dhaka by Inqilab Moncho, which has been demanding justice for the killing.

The charge sheet was submitted as the allegations against the accused were proven during the investigation, Islam said.

After Hadi's death, mobs in Dhaka staged mayhem, setting alight the main offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star newspapers, and two progressive cultural groups Chhayanat and Udichi Shilpi Goshthi in Dhaka. A Hindu factory worker was lynched by a mob in central Mymensingh.
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party president Ravindra Chavan on Tuesday said his remarks about 'erasing' memories of former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh were not politically motivated, and apologised to the late leader's son if his comments had caused any hurt.

IMAGE: Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan addresses a press conference, in Pune on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Ahead of the Latur civic polls scheduled on January 15, the BJP leader on Monday said memories of the late Congress stalwart would be 'wiped out' from his hometown Latur.

The remarks drew sharp criticism from the Congress, which accused the BJP of trying to diminish the contributions of a leader who dedicated his life to the state's development.

Vilasrao Deshmukh's son and Congress leader Amit Deshmukh condemned Chavan's comments, saying his father's memories cannot be erased simply because an outsider comes and makes remarks to that effect.

Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh also came out with an emotional response, saying his father's name cannot be erased.

Asked about his controversial remarks, Chavan on Tuesday said, "Civic amenities should be the focus of these local body elections. Who will address these issues in a faster manner is important. I have not criticised Vilasrao Deshmukh in my statement. But the Congress is demanding votes in the name of Vilasrao Deshmukh there (in Latur)."

"Vilasrao Deshmukh was a big leader and served as chief minister. But if the feelings of his son, who is a good friend of mine, are hurt, I apologise to him. The statement should not be seen politically," the BJP leader told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The people of Latur should give priority to development and it is more important, he added.

When reporters asked Chavan if he was apologising to the people of Latur, he responded, "Next question."

Addressing party workers in Latur on Monday, Chavan said, "On seeing your enthusiasm, (I can say) 100 per cent that the memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh would be wiped out from this city."

Vilasrao Deshmukh, a two-time chief minister of Maharashtra, hailed from Latur and is remembered for his contribution to the development of the region.

In a video statement after Chavan's remarks, Riteish Deshmukh on Tuesday said, "I say with folded hands that the names of those who lived for the people are etched on their minds. What is written can be erased, but you can't erase what is etched."

Amit Deshmukh on Monday said, "Chavan's remarks made in Latur in reference to respected Vilasrao Deshmukh are extremely unfortunate and deeply distressing. Such remarks were not expected from him or from the BJP, and they have hurt the sentiments of all Laturkars. We strongly condemn the statements in the harshest terms."

Late CM Deshmukh touched the lives of every individual in Latur, and his memories are deeply etched in the hearts of the people, he noted.

"These memories cannot be erased simply because an outsider comes and makes remarks to that effect. BJP leaders should have been mindful of this reality," Amit Deshmukh stated.

The Congress also hit out at Chavan on Monday, saying such statements reflect arrogance of power and ignorance about Deshmukh's legacy.

In a statement in Mumbai, the Congress asserted that no one has emerged who can erase the memories of Deshmukh from Latur.

"Many came with such intentions, but the self-respecting people of Latur showed them their place," the party said.

Deshmukh had given Latur national recognition and dedicated his entire life to the development of the district, the Congress said.

It accused BJP leaders of making irresponsible and disrespectful remarks while visiting Latur, driven by 'intoxication of power'.

"What do such leaders know about the deep bond Vilasrao Deshmukh shared with Latur?" the Congress asked.

Warning the BJP, the Congress said the people of Latur would never tolerate any insult to their 'capable and illustrious son' and would give a strong and fitting response to such comments.
Slain student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's party on Tuesday launched a day-long rally in Dhaka, pressing for justice in his killing, and demanding, among other measures, the cancellation of work permits of all Indians residing in Bangladesh.

IMAGE: Protesters in Dhaka, Bangladesh on December 19, 2025. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

As part of its four-point demand, Inqilab Moncho also sought the repatriation of the alleged killers who, it claims, have taken refuge in India, warning that Dhaka should move the International Court of Justice if New Delhi refuses to hand them over, The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

Indian authorities had dismissed claims that Hadi's killers crossed into India, saying there is no evidence of illegal border movement.

The 'March for Justice' began around 11.30 am from Shahbagh, with activists travelling on 10 pickup vans and on foot through several major intersections, including Science Lab, Mohammadpur, Mirpur-10, Uttara, Bashundhara, Badda, Rampura and Jatrabari, before returning to Shahbagh in the evening, the newspaper quoted the organisers as saying.

Participants said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to what they described as a "lack of progress" in the investigation into Hadi's killing, demanding that all those involved, including the killer, planners, accomplices and those who sheltered them, be brought to trial before the February 12 parliamentary elections.

During the march, demonstrators chanted slogans such as 'We will not let Hadi's blood go in vain', 'Why is the murderer free while my brother lies in the grave?' and 'Red and green flag, the flag of Inqilab, you can see Hadi'.

The protesters also demanded that alleged 'fascist accomplices' within the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence must be identified, arrested and brought to justice, the report said.

Hadi, 32, a prominent youth leader who rose to national prominence during the July-August 2024 mass protests that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, was shot in the head on December 12 during an election campaign in Dhaka.

He was also a parliamentary candidate for the upcoming February 12 elections. Hadi was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but died on December 18.

His killing has triggered fresh political unrest in Bangladesh and strained ties with India, after some groups alleged an Indian link to the crime.

New Delhi has strongly rejected the accusations, calling them a 'false narrative'.

"We have rejected the false narrative that has been projected in Bangladesh. The law and order situation and developments happening there is the responsibility of the government of Bangladesh. To portray a narrative where things go in another direction is completely false and we reject that," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last month in New Delhi.

He said India stands for strengthening its ties with the people of Bangladesh and favours peace and stability in the country.

India has also sought a thorough probe into Hadi's killing amid a sharp downturn in ties between the two countries.

On Dec 28, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police S N Md Nazrul Islam claimed in a press conference that the suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, 'crossed into the Indian state of Meghalaya via the Haluaghat border with the help of local associates'.

Security agencies in Meghalaya dismissed the claims, describing them as 'unfounded and misleading'.

"There is no evidence to suggest that any individual crossed the international border from the Haluaghat sector into Meghalaya. The BSF has neither detected nor received any report of such an incident," Border Security Force (BSF) chief in Meghalaya, Inspector General O P Opadhyay, had said.

The Meghalaya Police also said there was 'no input or intelligence to corroborate' the claim of the suspects' presence in the Garo Hills region.

The Garo Hills region falls under Meghalaya's western sector, which shares an international border with Bangladesh and is guarded by the BSF.
A 15-year-old boy has been apprehended in Punjab's Pathankot for allegedly sharing information about sensitive locations with Pakistani handlers, the police said on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to the police, the boy was radicalised on a social media platform.

The police had received information that the boy was in contact with and was providing information concerning the country's security to Pakistan military officers, ISI and frontal organisations running terror modules in that country, Pathankot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Daljinder Singh Dhillon said.

On the basis of this information, the boy was apprehended on Monday and questioned, the SSP told reporters in Pathankot.

The SSP said the boy had lost his father, who resided in J-K, over a year back and suspected that he was murdered.

Police investigations did not reach this conclusion but the boy suspected it to be so and it affected his psyche, the SSP said.

The boy visited many social media platforms during which he fell into the trap of Pakistani agencies and was in touch with them for the past one year, he said.

The Pakistani agents had even cloned the boy's mobile phone, Dhillon said.

Describing the boy as tech-savvy, the SSP said Pakistani agencies and handlers had started extracting information from his mobile phone through cloning.

He had done videography of some important locations and collected information about them. Possibly if his phone was hacked that information could have even gone live, the SSP said.

He was also in touch with gangsters running terror module, he said.

"Had we not apprehended him, he could have carried out any kind of activity in future," he said.
BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Beijing aims to grow its core artificial intelligence (AI) industry beyond 1 trillion yuan (about 142.5 billion U.S. dollars) within two years via a new action plan unveiled on Monday, as China's capital city seeks to cement its role as a global AI innovation hub.

Under the plan, authorities will roll out nine major initiatives targeting different sectors of the AI industry, with a strong emphasis on technological innovation.

The plan prioritizes technological breakthroughs through coordinated research efforts, boosting high-quality data supply and expanding applications across sectors. It also includes measures to attract top talent, mobilize long-term capital and support open-source ecosystems.

Yang Xiuling, director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, said other targets include building a domestically produced AI computing cluster with a capacity of over 100,000 chips, adding more than 10 newly listed AI-related companies and cultivating over 20 unicorn firms in this sector.

These measures are designed to accelerate Beijing's transformation into a globally competitive center for AI innovation, Yang added.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China placed innovation at the heart of its modernization drive, building one of the world's most advanced AI ecosystems and empowering sectors ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to transportation and finance.

The country's AI sector has seen robust growth, with the number of such enterprises exceeding 5,300 as of September 2025, accounting for 15 percent of the global total, according to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. 
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien has filed an application in the Supreme Court alleging arbitrariness and procedural irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

IMAGE: People in large numbers wait to attend hearings under the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls at Jadavpur Center, in Kolkata, January 4, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

The application claimed that since the inception of the SIR process in the state, the EC has issued instructions to officers at the ground level through "informal and extra-statutory channels", such as WhatsApp messages and oral directions conveyed during video conferences, instead of issuing formal written instructions.

"The ECI cannot act arbitrarily, capriciously or dehors law, nor can it substitute legally prescribed and set procedures with ad hoc or informal mechanisms," it said.

Derek O'Brien has filed the application in his pending petition, which has challenged the order and guidelines issued by the poll panel directing SIR in various states, including West Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Monday announced that she would move court against the SIR, alleging that the exercise has triggered fear, harassment and administrative arbitrariness, leading to deaths, hospitalisations and suicide attempts.

In his application, O'Brien said the draft electoral poll for West Bengal was published on December 16, 2025, "which has substantially aggravated the difficulties faced by eligible and bona fide electors, owing to a continuing series of arbitrary and procedurally irregular actions attributable principally to respondent no.1 (EC)".

It said that on November 30 last year, the poll panel granted only a limited extension of time in relation to the revision schedule and fixed January 15, 2026, as the last date for submission of claims and objections.

The application has sought a direction to the EC to extend the deadline for submitting claims and objections.

It has also sought a direction to the poll panel to "forthwith stop issuing instructions for compliance by the BLOs (booth level officers) and other officers in the SIR exercise through WhatsApp or other such informal channels" and urged the court to "declare all such instructions issued so far as illegal".

"The ECI has, in effect, substituted its formal system of statutory communication with what is being informally described at the field level as a 'WhatsApp Commission', wherein critical instructions, warnings and consequences of alleged non-compliance are communicated exclusively through messaging platforms," the application said.

It said such casual communication channels for such a critical exercise have been unheard of in the country since independence and this will in fact have the effect of "absolving decision-makers of accountability".

"The ECI, as a constitutional authority, cannot abdicate its obligation to issue written instructions governing a process that directly impacts the fundamental democratic rights of citizens," the application said.

It alleged the draft electoral roll was published in West Bengal on December 16, 2025, and 58,20,898 names were deleted without any notice or personal hearing.

"After the publication of the draft roll, it was initially reported that an estimated 31,68,424 voters could not be 'mapped' with the 2002 electoral roll, and would therefore receive hearing notices," it said.

The application said it was reported that in the course of SIR in West Bengal, the poll panel has created and deployed a new category described as 'logical discrepancies' without any written order or guideline, to "issue/decide to issue notices to 1.36 crore electors without any statutory basis".

It said many voters have reported unnecessary and prolonged waiting queues, confusion over documentary requirements and a lack of clear justification in the notices issued by EC.

The application claimed that the poll panel has now restricted the booth-level agents of political parties from assisting voters at the hearings.

"A particularly distressing aspect of the SIR hearings is the hardship imposed on senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and medically ailing voters, many of whom are being compelled to appear physically despite serious health, mobility, or age-related constraints," it said.

It said only in West Bengal, a class of officials named as "micro-observers" have been appointed by the poll panel.

"No such deployment has occurred in other states with higher deletion rates, raising serious concerns about selective scrutiny and the differential application of Election Commission protocols," the application said.

It said the final roll is due to be published on February 14, even though the entire document verification phase has been "thrown into disarray because of the ECI's procedural nightmare".

"The right to be included in the electoral roll is a statutory right with constitutional protection, and the process governing it must meet standards of fairness, reasonableness and due process," the application said.

Besides several other directions, the application has sought a directive to the EC to ensure that no voter is left out because of errors of "mapping" on its part.

It has also sought a direction to the poll panel to publish the final roll only after the disposal of all claims, objections and hearings.
Britain has banned the entry of an Islamic preacher over his defence of the extremist Hamas network in the wake of the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel, UK media reports claimed this week.

IMAGE: Islamic preacher Dr Shadee Elmasry. Photograph: Courtesy Facebook

According to The Daily Telegraph, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revoked the travel authorisation of Dr Shadee Elmasry, a scholar from the US, days before he had been due to arrive for a series of talks in the UK.

Elmasry was scheduled for talks organised by the Muslim charity Global Relief Trust (GRT) in Birmingham, Bolton and London from this weekend.

While the UK Home Office declined to comment on individual cases, a spokesperson said there was no place in the UK for foreign nationals who "spread hate or push extremist ideas".

"Anyone intent on stirring hatred or dividing our communities will not be allowed to enter into the UK, the spokesperson said.

Elmasry is said to have a history of controversial social media posts about the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, often justifying the actions of Hamas. He is director of education and community affairs at the New Brunswick Islamic Centre in New Jersey.

Opposition Conservative MP Nick Timothy, a former Downing Street chief of staff, had urged the Labour Party government not to allow the preacher entry to the UK.

The home secretary has strong powers to exclude foreign nationals whose presence here would not be conducive to the public good. In the case of Shadee Elmasry, she should use them without hesitation, he said.

The Global Relief Trust said Elmasry's participation in talks was solely in support of a humanitarian event focused on faith-based talks and helping vulnerable communities.

Dr Elmasry said his message has always been about compassion and connection.

"I love England and the people of England, lived there for four years, and am excited to get back," he said, expressing the hope that his travel ban will be overturned.

Last month, The Times newspaper reported that Mahmood had cancelled the visa of a Pakistani influencer after it emerged that he had made extremist comments, including a call for jihad against Israel.

Tuaha Ibn Jalil, who helps run a Muslim youth club in Pakistan and has 2 million followers on Instagram, had intended to speak at mosques, community centres, a university and a school in the UK.

His travel ban was said to have been linked to inflammatory comments and material posted online, including about the Israel-Hamas and India-Pakistan conflict.

Back in April 2024, under the then-prime minister Rishi Sunak-led Conservative Party government, the UK had announced that hate preachers and extremists will be automatically referred to the Home Office for immigration action, including the cancellation or refusal of visas should they attempt to travel to the UK.

The home secretary has instructed that if those here on visas choose to spew hate on protests or seek to intimidate people we will remove their right to be here," Sunak said in a speech at the time.

"We will demand that universities stop extremist activity on campus. We will also act to prevent people entering this country whose aim is to undermine its values," he said.
United States and Israeli officials are assessing potential policy options in response to ongoing unrest in Iran, according to multiple indications received by Israeli media reports The Jerusalem Post.

IMAGE: An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Tehran, on January 5, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

The discussions come amid sustained protests across Iranian cities and recent US actions in Venezuela that appear to have influenced regional strategic calculations.

Iran has experienced periodic waves of demonstrations, driven by economic pressures, political repression, and dissatisfaction with clerical rule.

While Iranian authorities have previously succeeded in suppressing similar movements, the persistence of the demonstrations has renewed international attention, writes The Jerusalem Post.

According to a report in the Times of Israel, the death toll in violence surrounding protests in Iran has risen to at least 35 people.

The Times of Israel quoted the figures from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which says more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have been ongoing for more than a week. It says 29 protesters, four children and two members of Iran's security forces have been killed.

Demonstrations have reached over 250 locations in 27 of Iran's 31 provinces.

The Iranian Fars news agency, reported that 250 police officers and 45 members of the all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt in the demonstrations.

On January 2, US President Donald Trump said that the United States is 'locked and loaded' to respond if Iranian authorities use violence against peaceful protesters, as demonstrations over worsening economic conditions spread across multiple provinces in Iran.

In a Truth Social Post, Trump wrote, 'If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
The Venezuelan government on Monday published a decree declaring a State of External Commotion, granting sweeping powers to the presidency and instructing security forces to detain 'any person involved in the promotion or support' of a United States attack against the South American country, CNN reported.

IMAGE: A demonstrator holds action figures of 'Super Bigote' (Super Mustache) and 'Cilita', superheroes inspired by US-deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, during a march outside the National Assembly, on the day Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was formally sworn in as the country's interim president, in Caracas, Venezuela on January 5, 2026. Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters

The decree, dated Saturday, was signed by then-president Nicolas Maduro, who was captured earlier that day by US military forces and is currently being held in New York.

'The national, state, and municipal police agencies must immediately undertake the search and capture throughout the national territory of any person involved in the promotion or support of the armed attack by the United States of America against the territory of the Republic (...) with a view to their prosecution,' the text stated, endorsed by the now acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, as per CNN.

The decree had originally been drafted and announced in late September, weeks after the United States began deploying naval assets in the Caribbean.

However, its contents were not made public at the time and were later updated to reflect developments over the weekend, CNN reported.

The measure carries the force of law and will remain in effect for 90 days, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 90 days.

Under Venezuela's Constitution, the declaration of a state of emergency allows the president to exercise near-total authority over political, economic and social matters.

This marks the first time the provision has been invoked since the current Constitution came into force in 1999, which permits such a decree in cases of conflict that 'seriously endangers the security of the nation, its citizens, or its institutions', CNN reported.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's deposed dictator, Nicolas Maduro, pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges during his appearance before a New York City federal court on Monday, according to CNN.

Switzerland government too, has announced the immediate freezing of any Swiss-based assets linked to Venezuela's deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro, saying that if the assets are found to be of illicit origin, efforts will be made to ensure they benefit the Venezuelan population.
LUSAKA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government said Tuesday that studies have shown that a planned joint power plant project with Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River is viable.

"Extensive feasibility studies, undertaken with full consideration of climate change impacts, confirm that the Zambezi River system can sustainably support up to 2,400 MW at Batoka Gorge," Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote said in a statement.

Chikote said the project was designed to address challenges related to water availability and climate variability, including more efficient water use achieved through integrated operations with the Kariba Dam.

The project remains technically sound, environmentally compliant and economically justified, he said, adding that it is considered central to Zambia's long-term energy security.

The remarks come amid concerns raised by some critics, who argued that the project should be reconsidered, as it's located in an area that has experienced increasing aridity and relies on the Zambezi River, whose water levels have declined in recent years amid climate variability.

On Dec. 29, officials of Zambia and Zimbabwe said that each government would contribute 220 million U.S. dollars in equity funding to revive construction of the five-billion-dollar project.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the two governments said the funding structure would also include equity partners to further support the project's development.

The Zambezi River Authority, a joint institution responsible for managing the Kariba Dam, will oversee implementation of the Batoka Gorge hydropower project. 
The Rockingham Town Meeting will be held at the Bellows Falls Opera House on Saturday, Feb. 28, while all-day voting will be held Tuesday, March 3.
Robert Beck of Peterborough, N.H. is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. After serving for 30 years in U.S embassies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, he now teaches foreign policy classes at lifelong learning programs at both Keene State College and Rivier University. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
DAMASCUS, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Three civilians were killed and several other people were wounded on Tuesday after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched drone attacks on positions of the Syrian army in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, state media reported, marking a further escalation following renewed tensions a day earlier.

The drones struck army deployment areas near the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, killing three civilians and wounding several others, including three Defense Ministry personnel, state news agency SANA reported. Aleppo's media directorate said the attack extended to areas near al-Shihan roundabout, calling it a "new violation" of agreements between the SDF and the Syrian government.

Internal security forces and police were deployed to regulate traffic and safeguard civilians following the attack, according to SANA.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, offered a different account, reporting exchanges of fire and shelling between SDF-linked forces and factions affiliated with Syria's Defense Ministry east of Aleppo. The monitor said the clashes caused casualties on both sides and damaged civilian infrastructure, including electricity networks. These claims could not be independently verified.

The SDF, meanwhile, accused government-linked factions of "random shelling" on civilian areas, including Deir Hafir and neighborhoods near Sheikh Maqsoud, saying one projectile veered off course and struck a nearby residential district. In several statements, the SDF asserted its right to self-defense, holding Syrian government-affiliated forces responsible for what it called a "planned escalation."

Tuesday's violence followed a flare-up reported on Monday, when Syrian military sources reported that the army targeted alleged SDF drone launch sites near Deir Hafir following attacks that reportedly injured civilians and military police personnel. The SDF denied those allegations, calling them fabricated and reiterating its commitment to restraint.

The renewed clashes come just two days after a high-level meeting in Damascus between a delegation of the SDF, led by its general commander Mazloum Abdi, and officials from Syria's transitional government. Held on Sunday, the talks focused on advancing the military integration process but yielded no tangible progress, with both sides agreeing only to continue discussions through joint committees.

These negotiations are part of a broader framework outlined in the agreement signed between the Syrian government and the SDF under international sponsorship on March 10, 2025, which aims to integrate SDF-controlled forces and institutions into the Syrian state, unify command structures, and reduce fragmentation in northern and northeastern Syria. Despite initial optimism, implementation has repeatedly stalled, amid mutual accusations of delays and ongoing security incidents. 
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's new newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on my far-fetched prediction for 2026: The EU will do well!

2026: The EU Might Actually Do Rather Well This Year

Around this time of year, I always try to make a bold claim for the new year. For 2025, I was speculating that Transnistria and Moldova might reunite -- something that didn't even come close to happening. So, for 2026, I will make an even more outrageous claim. I predict that the European Union will actually do rather well.

Its fair to say that there is a lot of doom and gloom in Brussels these days. Largely overlooked in talks over a potential future settlement of Russias war in Ukraine, facing countless hybrid attacks such as severed undersea cables and drone incursions, and enduring fraying transatlantic relations with a White House openly questioning the bloc have all taken their toll on Brussels. Rarely has the club been tested so much from all angles. A sheep in a brand-new world of predators, as one EU diplomat recently put it.

And frankly, it shouldnt be better this year with the United States potentially pulling more of its troops out of the continent and stepping up support for various Eurosceptic parties, Ukraine either being forced to accept a humiliating deal with Moscow or being pushed back further militarily by a resurgent Russia that even might test an EU or NATO country  something that European officials have been warning about and cautioned that they arent really ready to face alone.

But there is an alternative, brighter vision for the EU -- admittedly a highly unlikely one involving some opportunities to grasp and a lot of ifs.

Ukraine Gets The Money

Lets start with one of the major disappointments in the closing stages of last year: the failure to agree to a reparations loan for Ukraine. This was admittedly a major blow for both European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who were pushing hard to leverage frozen Russian state assets in the bloc to generate a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine for the next two years. The rationale was, why should EU taxpayers foot the bill for Moscows pillaging of Ukraine when Putins cash could be used instead?

Yet, the alternative, to raise money backed by the EU budget and supported by 24 EU member states (the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia opted out) isnt actually as awful as it seems. Sure, some EU leaders lost their prestige over the reparations loan and the bloc appeared indecisive but, in the end, Kyiv will get enough money to sustain its fight against Russia for the next couple of years and the Ukrainians dont have to pay the money back until Russia pays reparations.

In the meantime, the Russian assets remain frozen for as long as the EU wishes to have them immobilized with the bloc keeping the option of using them later. Its not ideal, but its more than any other country or organization is offering Kyiv at the moment.

Expanding The Club, Cutting Russian Energy

And then there are things that the bloc has already done that could start bearing fruit soon. Take enlargement for example. The bloc will continue to close accession chapters with Montenegro and Albania in the new year with the former now set to become the EU's 28th member state by 2028. Brussels' thinking, albeit wishful at this moment, goes that by adding Montenegro and potentially even Albania rather soon would motivate Kosovo and Serbia to engage in talks to normalize relations between them, which have been dormant for years. But given that Serbia didnt even show up at the latest EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels just before Christmas, this might be easier said than done.

With the EU having shed more members than it gained in the last decade with Brexit, adding one or even a few will give Brussels a boost by showing the EU is still an attractive club for outsiders. Iceland potentially holding a referendum this year to resume EU accession talks suspended over a decade ago would further reinforce this image.

Then there is the phase-out of Russian energy that will be more or less completed this year and will cut the bloc off from one of its longest dependencies on the Kremlin. Decided in late 2025, the prohibition of Russian gas imports for short-term contracts will apply from 25 April 2026 for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and from 17 June 2026 for pipeline gas. For long-term contracts, the cutoff is 1 January 2027 for LNG and September that same year for pipeline gas.

No Big Votes!

Another thing that might help the EU is the lack of elections in 2026. If France can escape holding snap parliamentary elections, which actually seems likely at the moment, this year is a bit of an anomaly as none of the big countries actually have to face their voters nationally. That means that French President Emmanuel Macron and his counterparts in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Spain can start off 2026 focused on policymaking.

Sure, there are elections that will capture attention. Take the votes in two former East German regions, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt, in September in which the AfD is set to finish first. The far-right party might, for the first time, simply be too big to ignore when coalition-building starts (if it doesnt get an outright majority). This will induce a lot of soul-searching in Germany, notably as the party is also expected to get around a fifth of the vote in two other regional elections in the Western part of the country earlier in the year.

And in Slovenias parliamentary election in March, its long-time populist maverick Janez Jansa might return to power again -- joining likeminded Brussels-bashers already in power in Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia.

The Magyar Moment

But that quartet might be short-lived, as Hungarians go to the polls in early April. And there are strong indications that Viktor Orban, who has been running the country since 2010, will be defeated by Peter Magyar -- a former Fidesz protege who turned into an opposition leader.

This would be the most consequential result for the EU this year as Orbans Hungary has been seen as a spoiler on many issues, notably related to Ukraine. While Czechia and Slovakia often side with Hungary, few believe that they will be hardline enough to block things on their own like Hungary has often done.

And while Peter Magyar and his Tisza party are rather lukewarm on Kyiv as well, Brussels would expect several Budapest vetoes simply to be lifted if they came to power. The list is long and includes EU military aid to Ukraine that has been blocked for three years, EU accession negotiations with Ukraine (and Moldova) on ice since 2024, potentially tougher sanctions on Moscow (and Minsk), and a greater readiness to channel other types of funding for the war-torn country.

Money Matters

A defeat for Orban could also make it somewhat easier to agree on a new multi-year EU budget, as the rule-of-law conditionality -- meaning that EU funds can be frozen in cases of rule-of-law transgressions -- can be kept in the framework. Hungary has had millions of euros suspended in recent years due to this conditionality, and Orban would likely try to sabotage any continuation of the mechanism.

The budget, covering the years 2028-34, should ideally be agreed at the end of 2026. The European Commission came up with its proposal earlier in 2025, an ambitious plan worth nearly 2 trillion euros, which included 100 billion euros for Ukraine and splashing around 130 billion euros on defense. The final deal will surely not be that ambitious, as many of the richer EU member states loathe seeing spiraling Brussels budgets while they normally have to be tightening the national budget back home. Expect a final agreement to be struck in 2027. However, the level of ambition will give you an indication of how serious the EU is going forward, notably in defending itself and sticking up for Ukraine beyond 2027.

Mending US Ties?

Finally, there is also the relationship with the United States, which EU officials hope will get better after a rocky 2025 in which the bloc had to accept a 15% tariff on most EU imports and saw it getting viciously attacked when it slapped a 120 million euro fine on Elon Musks X for breaching transparency rules under the blocs newish Digital Services Act (DSA), which entered into force in 2022.

More DSA cases against other American internet giants are in the making even though settlements might be reached before fines are meted out. Targeting Chinese internet giants might also smooth things over with Washington. Fears will remain all over the bloc, notably when it comes to any decision to pull large numbers of American troops back from the continent and that more broadsides, such as the National Security Strategys musings about European civilizational erasure might continue from American officials.

But when speaking to European diplomats there is also a hope that American rhetoric will be milder given that midterm elections are coming up in November. While 2025 was a year of foreign diplomatic efforts, the thinking is that American politics will turn to domestic issues as the vote approaches. Foreign policy hardly ranks high among voter priorities when ordinary Americans go to the polling booths, leaving the transatlantic relationship to recover somewhat in 2026.

Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org.

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here.

Thanks for all your questions, comments and encouragement throughout 2025!

Until next time,

Rikard Jozwiak
Officials from more than 30 Western countries -- the so-called Coalition of the Willing -- that support Kyiv in its war against Russia want security guarantees for Ukraine that include "binding commitments" for the country "in the case of a future armed attack by Russia in order to restore peace."

A draft statement, seen by RFE/RL, from a meeting in Paris on January 6 that includes the officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy adds that "Ukraine's ability to defend itself is critically important for ensuring the future of Ukraine's and Euro-Atlantic collective security."

"We confirmed that ensuring the sovereignty and lasting security of Ukraine shall be an integral part of a peace agreement, and that any settlement will have to be backed up by robust security guarantees for Ukraine," the statement, which is subject to change, says.

"Both the Coalition partners and the United States will play a vital and closely coordinated role in the provision of these security guarantees."

The meeting was called amid an intense flurry of diplomacy to fine tune a peace proposal aimed at ending Europe's largest and deadliest conflict since World War II.

US President Donald Trump's chief negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also attending the meeting, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio is unlikely to come despite some hopes in European capitals that he would come to the French capital.

The draft statement is the most defined wording the allies have given on military pledges to secure Ukrainians after any peace deal is reached with Moscow.

It says support for Ukraine by the allies would include a US-led cease-fire monitoring and verification mechanism, support for Ukraine's armed forces, a multinational force for Ukraine, and "binding commitments to support Ukraine in the case of a future armed attack by Russia in order to restore peace."

"These [binding] commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions," the draft says.

European officials have told RFE/RL that there is "a renewed sense of urgency" after a meeting over the weekend of national-security advisers and a gathering of military planners on January 5.

The draft gives no specifics on troops for any multinational force but some officials have said the number that is floating around in various European capitals is that the force will consist of 15,000-20,000 troops, while others hope the level will be closer to 30,000 working under the motto "safe sea, sky and land."

The bulk of the troops are expected to come from France and the United Kingdom, which would lead the land and air component, while Turkey has indicated it would be in charge of securing transport lanes in the Black Sea.

Most European officials RFE/RL has been in contact with believe the likely deployment would be in Western Ukraine to back up and train Ukrainian troops.

Unresolved Questions

While the outlines of a Western presence in Ukraine are taking shape, there are still several question marks to sort out, including the rules of engagement and US security guarantees.

One European diplomat admitted that one issue that still hasn't been resolved is how to respond to a potential Russian attack. "We are essentially still discussing whether we will return fire or run," he said.

When it comes to US security guarantees, both Brussels and Kyiv are increasingly optimistic that Washington will provide "a solid backstop" even though it is still not clear yet exactly what shape or form this will take.

European officials told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity there could be US boots on the ground in a noncombat role observing the cease-fire.

But the coalition also hopes Washington will still provide "back-office support" such as logistics and intelligence.

In November 2025, Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept a 28-point peace proposal that many saw as heavily favoring Russia.

Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- scrambled to develop a counterproposal, eventually putting forward a 20-point plan that took in more of Kyiv's interests, especially on security guarantees and territorial integrity.

In his meetings with the Europeans, Zelenskyy is likely to press the need for security guarantees -- from Europe but also in conjunction with desired solid assurances from the United States as well.

Thorny Issues

Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov recently asserted that "most of the positions -- 90 percent of the peace plan -- have already been agreed, work continues on the details."

These details, expected to be discussed in Paris, include the thorny issue of territorial concessions with Ukraine pushing the line of contact to be frozen or for the entire Donbas region to become a demilitarized zone.

Another issue is the ownership of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant with Kyiv dismissing the idea of Ukraine and Russia running it together, preferring that the United States steps in to sell energy from it to Moscow instead.

Few in Brussels, however, are thinking that Russia would agree on any of these issues with the assessment that the Kremlin still feels it is winning on the battlefield.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said several times in recent weeks that Moscow will achieve the goals of what it calls its "special military operation" either by agreement or force.

With that in mind, the EU is separately preparing a fresh round of sanctions, the 20th since the full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, which is likely to be presented to its member states for approval later in January.
The US military strikes in Venezuela and comments afterwards by President Donald Trump have raised the prospect of a massive increase in Venezuelan oil production under US control.

Its not clear when, how, or even if this can happen. But Venezuela has the worlds largest proven reserves and Trump has suggested that US companies can bring them to market.

Venezuela's extra-heavy crude is highly sought after as it's ideal for specialized refineries -- such as those on the US Gulf Coast -- that have coker units allowing them to process this dense oil into high-margin products like gasoline and diesel fuel.

With the situation still in flux, this is one of several potential impacts for the global economy -- and Venezuelas key partners: Russia, Iran, China, and Cuba.

Russia

Strong supply meant oil prices saw their biggest annual fall in 2025 since the COVID-19 pandemic led to a collapse in global economic activity in 2020.

For Moscow, these declines have already hit and events in Venezuela following the detention of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could add to the pain.

If our American partners get control of the oil fields in Venezuela, wrote oligarch Oleg Deripaska on January 3, they will control more than half of the worlds oil reserves. They probably plan that our oil prices dont go higher than $50 per barrel.

Deripaska is one of the few oligarchs to have criticized Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But his comments reflect the Kremlin's interest in keeping oil prices high.

The prospect of the United States gaining influence over Venezuelan oil productionis clearly unwelcome in Moscow, Berlin-based political analyst Alexandra Sitenko told RFE/RL.

Its not clear if the United States will gain control of Venezuelas oil. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, sworn in by Venezuela's parliament on January 5, has made vague comments about cooperating with Washington on development, but the strength of her grip on power and what she aims to do with it are also unclear.

Substantial investments would be required for Venezuela to reverse the declines in production seen in recent decades, a spokesman for the International Energy Agency (IEA) told RFE/RL.

Sitenko said that given these challenges, caused by long-term mismanagement and international sanctions, ramping up production would be time-consuming.

Strategically, the Kremlin is likely more concerned with market power than with volumes alone. Expanded US influence over Venezuelan oil would strengthen Washingtons ability to shape global energy flows and pricing, potentially undermining coordination mechanisms such as OPEC+, on which Russia also relies to stabilize its revenues, Sitenko added.

Amid Venezuelas pariah status, Western companies have left the country, with the notable exception of US oil major Chevron.

Where [the sector] is not destroyed, there are Russian, Iranian, and Chinese companies. Of course, the United States wants to push them out, political analyst Ivan Preobrazhensky told RFE/RLs Russian Service.

On the other hand, there could be space for collaboration. Washington has signaled it is interested in economic benefits from working with Moscow. The National Security Strategy talks of the wish to reestablish strategic stability with Russia.

Russia has also felt threatened by President Trumps announcement in December of a blockade of sanctioned tankers heading to or from Venezuela -- upping risk and uncertainty levels for Russian shadow fleet tankers, which Moscow uses to evade sanctions.

Iran

The blockade is one of many things exposing Iran to the same risks as Russia, as highlighted last month when US forces seized a tanker that was part of Irans shadow fleet as it was sailing off the coast of Venezuela.

The country has helped Iran to evade international sanctions for years.

A key product, which Venezuela has also sourced from Russia, is diluent -- agents for diluting Venezuelas thick, heavy grade of crude oil. Using shadow fleet vessels, Iran has exported large quantities of diluent to Venezuela in exchange for oil (that it has shipped to China) and gold.

Venezuela has also been a buyer of Iranian weapons, with the latest US sanctions relating to the trade announced on December 30. It notes purchases of drones and conventional weapons as well as chemicals for ballistic missiles.

The future of these lucrative trades looks uncertain, to say the least, amid the current massive US naval presence in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, even amid Irans own ongoing political turmoil, some Iranian media speculated that the fate of Venezuelas $2-billion debt to Tehran was in doubt.

China

China is another key partner for Venezuela and said it strongly condemns the US blatant use of force against a sovereign state.

The last sighting of Maduro, hours before his capture by US forces, was at a meeting with Qiu Xiaoqi, Chinas envoy for Latin American affairs. Maduro also met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Moscow last year.

Alongside the diplomatic contacts, China has also been Venezuelas main oil customer, according to the IEA.

Daniel Sternoff from the Center on Global Energy Policy at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, suggested US control of Venezuelas industry could endanger those supplies.

Venezuelan crude exports could be meaningfully redirected away from China and towards the US Gulf Coast, he wrote on January 4.

But while this trade has been important for Caracas, its perhaps less so for Beijing.

China covers approximately 4 percent to 5 percent of its oil imports from Venezuela. Losing some or all of that would be a blow, but not a catastrophe.

And, as work continues to renegotiate the China-US trade relationship, Venezuelan oil is only part of a much bigger picture.

At any rate, President Trump has sought to play down speculation that these supplies would be curtailed. "Theyre going to get oil," he told Fox and Friends on January 3.

Another important aspect of the economic relationship is Venezuelas estimated 10-billion-dollar debt to China. This is partly covered by the oil exports.

Like Russia and Iran, China has also invested in Venezuelas economy, pumping in some $18 billion since 2005 according to an online tracker by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). In a commentary on January 3, American Enterprise Institute (AEI) senior fellow Hal Brands suggested it would not give up on investments in Latin America.

Trump has served notice that theres only one great power in the Americas, when it comes to military muscleBut China will keep seeking economic, technological and political ties in the region, as part of a play for long-term advantage, he wrote.

Cuba

Perhaps no country is so vulnerable to the overspill effects of US action in Venezuela than Cuba.

The cash-strapped country is heavily reliant on Venezuela for energy supplies, which it has received at heavily subsidized, bargain basement prices.

Venezuela supplies Cuba today with approximately 35,000 barrels per day of oil; which represents 50 percent of the Island's oil deficit, Jorge Pinon of the University of Texas at Austin told RFE/RL.

Cuba does not have the financial resources to purchase that possible shortfall he said, adding that to avoid an economic collapse the US government could request Venezuela to continue supplying Cuba with oil.

US sanctions enforcement has already led to energy supplies dwindling, and Cuba has been suffering increasing amounts of blackouts -- hitting both residential properties and industry.

Trump has commented that Cuba was going down for the count.
RFE/RL's Radio Farda has spoken to a protester who says he witnessed Iranian security forces shoot and kill demonstrators in Malekshahi, in the western Ilam Province, on January 3. Mohammad Heydari Ilami, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said security forces then raided a hospital in the city of Ilam to seize the bodies of the dead and arrest the wounded.
James Cox

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has doubled down on his criticism of Taoiseach Micheal Martin over his China trip and the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

In a wide-ranging, and expletive-laden, interview with the Irish Independent last week, Mr O'Leary expressed frustration with the Government.

While the Government has introduced legislation aimed at removing the 32 million passenger cap, Mr O'Leary expressed his doubts, and was critical of responses he has received from Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien.

On Monday, Mr O'Leary once again took aim at "Taoiseach Micheal 'Marco Polo' Martin" urging him "to stop wasting time getting his photo taken, and instead deliver on his year-old Government Programme, which promised to scrap the Dublin Airport cap 'as soon as possible'."

Mr O'Leary said: "Micheal 'Marco Polo' Martin claims his overseas tours deliver jobs - they dont. All they deliver is more photos of Micheal Martin glad handing world leaders, while nothing is done at home about real job creation, despite his Government's 20-seat majority."

Mr O'Leary then referenced a Sunday Independent poll which showed 66 per cent of readers in favour of scrapping the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

"Micheal 'Marco Polo' Martin promised to scrap this cap 'as soon as possible', yet 12 months later nothing has been done. He's too busy travelling the world getting his photo taken, while failing to deliver his Government Programme here at home. It's time for Micheal Martin to stop touring and start delivering, and a good place to start would be scrapping the illegal Dublin Airport cap before the end of January 2026.

"This will enable the airlines, led by Ryanair and US airlines, to add routes, services, and new jobs for summer 2026, and this might open up even more overseas travel opportunities for 'Marco Polo' Martin.

"January 2026 is the time for this 'Do Nothing' Taoiseach to deliver on his Programme for Government, and scrap the cap before the end of January, which would be 12 months after his Government with a 20-seat majority, promised to scrap it 'as soon as possible'."

Mr Martin's five-day state visit to China started on Sunday.
GENEVA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is deeply worried about the situation in Venezuela following the U.S. military operation in the country, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a regular press briefing in Geneva, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said the High Commissioner believes the U.S. action undermines a fundamental principle of international law -- that a state must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state. 
An Elphin father has made a plea for support to allow him to travel home from Iraq after spending four and a half years in jail.

Robert Pether is an Australian citizen who had been living in Elphin with his family prior to his arrest. The father of three and construction engineer was jailed in a 20 million contract row and arrested in Baghdad on April 7th, 2021.

Now stranded in the country, he has written an open letter begging fellow Australians to make a noise and help get him home.

Im writing because this is my fifth Christmas away from my family, and because what has happened to me  and what is still happening  should never be normal for any Australian, Mr Pether said.

I am completely broken after being handled like an inconvenience. Mr Pether wrote: Here I am: alive, but not living, he said.

Released six months ago, but still not free. Not home, not safe, not truly out. Not receiving the medical treatment I desperately need. My life is suspended in a place where no one will state a lawful endpoint, and where my future can be tightened or loosened at will by people who understand exactly what leverage is.

I am sick. I am writing this as someone whose physical and psychological reserves have been ground down for years by uncertainty, fear, he said.

The worst part is not even the pain or the illness. The worst part is what it has stolen from my children. He said his children were receiving phone calls and fragments instead of a present father, missing milestones and Christmases.

Desree and Robert Pether in happier times.

Mr Pether said he has no money left to keep fighting. He urged Australians to recognise that Australia is not a bystander in this. Do not let your government quietly normalise the idea that an Australian can be subjected to arbitrary detention, due-process violations, torture indicators, and hostage-taking characteristics raised by UN mechanisms  and then left to rot in procedural limbo while the family is financially and psychologically ruined. He implored Australians to speak up.

He concluded with a powerful plea to write to MPs: Make noise. Refuse to accept silence as an answer. Meanwhile the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the Roscommon Herald it has been working closely with the Australian Government to secure Mr Pethers release. We remain in close and regular contact with the Pether family on all aspects of this case and continue to offer assistance, a spokesperson said.
Members of the judiciary have expressed serious concerns about the future of the countys historic court building.

Hopes were dashed recently after there was no funding announced for the much needed repair and modernisation of the Roscommon Town courthouse. In July of 2025, an internal Courts Service memo also said that significant funding is likely required to address structural issues particularly with the courthouses roof.

Prior to that in May, Judge Keenan Johnson, who had previously presided over Roscommon Circuit Court, wrote to the Courts Service.

It appears that the roof is leaking and that no efforts have been made to protect the building from the elements. This is a source of grave concern, he said.

He added that he was always of the view that the monies spent, 1.5 million, on the temporary venue in Roscommon, which he described as totally inadequate because it only has one courtroom, would have been better spent on remedial works in the old courthouse.

In any event we are now in the position that the old courthouse has been abandoned in favour of the new unsatisfactory venue, he wrote.

He said that precipitation was entering through the roof and this needed to be rectified urgently.

I sat in Roscommon for many years and while there were many issues in relation to the electrics and the roof, in general the building was fit for purpose. There is not a shadow of doubt that if the building is left in its current state the cost of refurbishment will increase substantially because of the damage to the fabric caused by exposure to the elements. Accordingly I am requesting that immediate efforts be made to make Roscommon courthouse wind and water proof pending commencement of the refurbishment. He also highlighted that the courthouse is a protected structure, with an obligation to preserve the building.

While Judge Johnson accepted that Courts Service's resources were limited, he was firmly of the view that an approach should be made to the Department of Heritage for additional funding to preserve these buildings.

It seems totally ridiculous that no additional funding is available given the architectural merit and historical significance of these courthouses. In October of 2024, Judge Kenneth Connolly wrote to the Courts Service highlighting that the building was designed by Sir Richard Morrison in 1821 and completed approximately two years thereafter in 1823. He added that it suffered an almost catastrophic fire in 1882 but was re-built approximately two years later with the assistance of local philanthropy and an insurance payment.

During this time, it was an important local centre, housing many important events, including an address in 1901 from Dr Douglas Hyde, who would become the 1st President of Ireland, and the unveiling in 1907 of the Davitt Memorial Portrait, in recognition of the work of the Land League in agitating on behalf of Irish tenant farmers, he said. The building also played host, I understand, to balls, musical events and many other important events of local cultural significance. Its value to the town of Roscommon is, to this day, physically impressive and of commercial and cultural significance. He noted that he last sat as a circuit court judge in the building in December 2022, and I understand that the building has been closed since that time, being maintained with minimal heat and weather protection. At that time, part of the building was closed internally due to visible structural degradation, he continued.

I am extremely concerned that the 'temporary' venue will become, at least, semi-permanent or that a worst-case scenario will see Roscommon Town court functions moved to an alternative venue, such as Mullingar. This would undoubtedly seal the fate of Roscommon Courthouse. He was also critical of the current temporary courthouse on the Racecourse Road, citing concerns with parking and the absence of a second courtroom. When asked about this, the Courts Service said that a health and safety risk assessment was conducted prior to the building opening in December 2022. However, as the Courts Service do not normally provide parking facilities at courthouses, this matter did not form part of the assessment. When contacted, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said there are two main grant schemes to support the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) are, in the main, administered by the local authorities, a spokesperson said. Roscommon County Council or another body is welcome to apply for funding for any structure deemed appropriate under these schemes. The closing date for applications under the BHIS for 2026 has passed, but the Historic Structures Fund remains open for applications until January 16th, 2026, with grants of up to 200,000 available. The Courts Service said it has no access to funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for works to Roscommon or any other courthouse.
There are plans by a local community to build a hall in honour of Jimmy Gralton at his homeplace in Effrinagh not far from Drumsna village.

Jimmy Gralton was deported from Leitrim without trial in 1933. His crime - to have set up a public hall in the county. This was a venue for education and community events. It hosted both traditional and jazz that Gralton had brought back from America.

Gralton, a socialist, aroused fears and intolerance. His life inspired a recent film by Ken Loach named Jimmys Hall.

Now a fundraising committee has been set up and, after a century in the dreaming of many Leitrim people, a campaign to rebuild Jimmy Graltons hall on the very site where the old tin hall once stood is underway.

Jimmy Gralton was a farmer, an emigrant, a returned man, and a dreamer with his feet firmly planted in Leitrim soil. He believed in education, fairness, and the dignity of ordinary people. And those beliefs made him dangerous.

In 1921, with the help of his neighbours, Jimmy built a hall on his land in Effrinagh, Drumsna near Carrick-on-Shannon, modest in size, vast in meaning. It was a place to dance, to learn, to speak freely - a hall for people, not profit or power.

A spokesperson for the group continued: Inside, music and dancers rattled the floorboards and ideas took root. But the hall was watched and condemned from church pulpits. Dancers were named and shamed. The local priests said 'the devil was in that dance hall.' The hall was attacked on several occasions, shots fired during dances and on Christmas Eve 1932 it was burned to the ground.

Branded an undesirable alien, Jimmy Gralton, born in Ireland, was forcibly removed from the country. He was the only Irish citizen ever deported from Ireland. He never returned and died in New York in 1945.

But Graltons dream and all he stood for lives on in the community of Effrinagh. We will rebuild his hall, said the committee.

The organising group also added: It will be for everyone: local people, young and old, artists, learners, families, visitors, and neighbours near and far. It will be a place where tradition and new ideas sit side by side, where people can move, make, question, celebrate, and belong. Above all, it will be an open door, built on freedom, inclusion, and shared ownership, carrying the spirit of Jimmy Graltons vision into the present and the future. We really need your help to Raise the Roof for Gralton.

Whatever donation you can give us will be hugely appreciated. We cant wait to welcome you in the doors of Graltons Hall for a dance someday, said the committee.

With a target of 26,000 the group hopes to turn the first sod on the site of Graltons Hall on June 23rd next at an Effrinagh crossroads dance.

The organising group has set up a gofundme campaign. For further information visit www.GraltonsHall.com
The annual production sale at Bar JV Angus will be held on Tuesday, March 24, on location in our sale barn, where we will be selling 100 bulls and 120 yearling heifers. This year marks our 51st year of breeding quality Angus genetics, having started in 1975 when Loretta Denowh married Jim Vitt, bringing her 4-H breeding project with her. That cow and calf became the foundation our ranch was built on. In the 51 years since, our operation has grown exponentially, now consisting of 400 registered cows and 200 commercial cows.

Our vision today remains the same as it was in 1975: providing cattle that add value to your operation. Northeastern Montana has such an amazing legacy of agriculture, and we at Bar JV Angus feel blessed to have been a part of it for the past five decades.

We typically allow our cows to graze until the weather forces us to feed. We begin calving around March 10, as this allows most of the herd to calve in the pasture unassisted. We believe encouraging self-sufficiency in our cows results in cattle bred to work in any environment. Finding the right bulls and heifers to match the needs of our customers is also a core value of our operation. Bar JV Angus is also committed to breeding Angus females who produce high performance bulls, with the profitability of the commercial producer at the forefront.

Bar JV Angus emphasizes breeding bone, capacity, and length into our cattle, which enables us to handle the amount of growth that is found in today's genetics. This ensures optimal pounds at weaning and will transmit to feedlot performance. Along with length of body, Bar JV Angus also looks for a long neck and smooth shoulders, which ensures calving ease. Calving ease goes far beyond birth weight; it has intentionally been bred into the cowherd.

Many of these bulls marketed at our sale in March are out of our senior sire, Sitz Resilient, a complete herd sire that ranks in the top of the breed in multiple traits. We are proud to be co-owners of Sitz Resilient 10208, a bull that has proven incredibly influential in terms of his ability to produce a uniform set of calves. We are also excited about our other sires including Sitz Eternity 739L, C Spear Chaperone K09, HA Man in Black L619, McD Effective 789, and Timberline Benchmark 32K.

Today, our ranch consists of three generations. Jim and Loretta's son, Dale, and his wife, Jill, have been working full time on the ranch since 2006. Dale and Jill's son, Cody, and his wife, Sierra, joined in 2017. Cody and Sierra's kids are the 6th generation to live and work on the ranch.

Bar JV Angus is located at Sioux Pass, 20 miles NW of Sidney on HWY 16. We are always eager to welcome you to the ranch to view the bulls, heifers, or cows, and look forward to showing you our genetics. Find Bar JV Angus on Facebook or visit http://www.barjvangus.com to learn more about our ranch, our herd, and our spring sale. The 2026 sale date is Tuesday, March 24.
Farmers in the western Dakotas and eastern Montana will have the opportunity to hear nationally known speakers address topics affecting agriculture in the region during North Dakota State University Extensions Diversity, Direction and Dollars agricultural forum.

The event will be held Jan. 14 at Dickinson State Universitys Biesiot Activities Center in Dickinson, North Dakota.

The forum will provide ideas for improving productivity and decreasing costs while providing sustainably produced, high-quality food.

Farmers can expect to come away with valuable ideas that they can apply to their farms during the next cropping season, as well as strategies to position their farm to take advantage of the changes occurring, says Victor Gomes, NDSU Extension cropping systems specialist.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. MST. At 9, Mike Renner of KDIX Radio will deliver a welcome. Workshop sessions and presenters include the following:

- Acid Soil Management in North Dakota No-Till Soils  Chris Augustin, NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center director

- Carbon Intensity Counts: Monetizing Farm-Level Data  Chandler Mazour, Gevo Verity program lead

- Effective Risk Management Strategies  Tommy Grisafi, Advance Trading Inc. risk advisor

- Buckle Up! 2026 Crop Market & Trade Outlook  Frayne Olson, NDSU Crops economist

- Herbicide Resistant Weeds and Best Practice Strategies for Control  Joe Ikley, NDSU Extension weed specialist

- Is Virtual Fence the Future of Grazing Management?  Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension rangeland management specialist

The event will also include a speaker panel.

A $30 registration fee covers all breaks, the noon lunch and materials and is payable at the door.

For more information, visit ndsu.ag/DDD26 or contact Kurt Froelich at 701-456-7665 or [email protected].
WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act. The bill reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel, built to support the recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon. Downing and Daines bill provides critical protections for irrigators, ensuring that local communities are not unfairly charged for federal projects and are protected from bearing the costs of long-term conservation efforts.

This bill provides a common-sense solution to what should be a common-sense issue on the Lower Yellowstone River, said Congressman Downing. Its good for irrigators, good for taxpayers, good for the sturgeon, and ensures long-term operational and financial stability for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel in Eastern Montana. Im proud to have such a great partner in Senator Daines to champion this legislation and look forward to getting it across the finish line.

Montanas local communities should not be unfairly burdened by costly federal projects,said Senator Daines. Im thrilled to work alongside Representative Downing to introduce the Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act, which will help protect Montanas endangered species and provide essential operational and financial stability for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel.

Read the full bill in roundupweb.com.
HELENA - The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is encouraging producers, agribusiness professionals, and industry partners to register for the Agriculture Labor Summit, scheduled for Jan. 2122, at the Northern Hotel, Billings. This first-of-its-kind event will focus on addressing the agricultural labor shortage.

Developed in response to feedback gathered during MSGAs Producer Profitability Initiative listening sessions, the Agriculture Labor Summit was created to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing Montana agriculture today: access to a reliable workforce. The two-day event will bring together producers, industry leaders, and policy experts to foster collaboration, share solutions, and strengthen the future of Montanas agricultural workforce.

Day one will focus on building a domestic labor workforce in agriculture with sessions such as Rebuilding Americas Rural Workforce, Challenges and Opportunities in Domestic Ranch Labor, and breakout sessions cover topics such as developing recruitment, apprenticeship and training programs, veterans in agriculture, and enhancing worker productivity and safety. The day will close with an open floor discussion and a networking reception.

Day two will focus on foreign and immigrant labor in agriculture covering topics such as immigration policy and the future of U.S. agriculture, the role of immigrant labor in agricultural sustainability, reforming the H-2A program, and designing a resilient agricultural labor system with foreign workforce integration.

MSGA is joined by several partner organizations committed to securing the future of agriculture in Montana, including the Montana Agribusiness Association, Montana Association of State Grazing Districts, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Pork Producers Council, and Montana Wool Growers Association.

Producers and industry professionals interested in attending can learn more about the Ag Labor Summit on http://www.mtbeef.org/events.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With over 140 years of history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.
BOZEMAN  In the constantly changing environment of precision agriculture, it can be difficult to winnow through the array of available tools and technologies becoming available for use by farmers and ranchers. To help guide those decisions, two faculty members in the Montana State University College of Agriculture have developed a tool for estimating the return on investment associated with one of the most high-impact precision ag resources.

Ricardo Pinto, MSUs Northern Agricultural Research Center assistant professor-Havre, heard from producers that herbicide resistance in weeds was becoming an increasingly intractable problem. New technology such as precision smart sprayers can detect individual weeds in a field and selectively spray them, as well as enable producers to apply specific herbicide blends that are more likely to kill herbicide-resistant plants. But tools like smart sprayers can be expensive, totaling up to $150,000 in some cases.

Depending on your operation, it makes sense, said Pinto. You can have your payback period in one, maybe two years depending on the acres in your weed infestation. We had an opportunity to develop a platform where producers can say, Does this precise spray technology work in my situation or not?

To make those questions easier to answer, Pinto and Kelsey Larson developed the Smart Spray Annual ROI Calculator, a free and easy-to-use digital tool where producers can plug in numbers relevant to their own operations and determine how much time it would take for them to save enough money to justify the cost of new tools. Users plug in values such as their current herbicide application rate and frequency, the estimated weed coverage in their field, the price of a smart spray system and their field acreage. The tool then calculates savings in both dollars and reduced chemical application.

For Pinto and Larson, who both conduct outreach through MSU Extension in addition to their research, the opportunity to develop resources that producers can use on their farms was motivating.

Many of these environmental or precision agriculture practices are going to make sense on some operations for some people, but theyre not going to make sense everywhere. There are no cut-and-paste solutions, said Larson, who grew up in Bozeman and received her doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before joining the faculty in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics in January. It was exciting to have a concrete way to help Montana producers to figure out what makes sense for them.

Smart spray technologies use sensors that can identify a single weed among crop plants, turning nozzles on and off automatically to apply herbicides and pesticides only where they are necessary. When properly implemented, they can save time and money, vastly decreasing the amount of input necessary to manage weeds.

Because farmers can plug in the specific values for their operation, the new calculator can provide tailored information based on the variations across Montanas ecosystems and geography. Less herbicide and pesticide application positively impacts soil health and saves water as well as costly herbicides.

An example calculation in the online tool estimates that for a 1,000-acre farm applying 10 gallons of herbicide per acre three times per year, savings could total nearly $60,000 per year. Those savings could cover the cost of a $75,000 smart spray system in less than a year and a half.

There is also potential, Pinto said, for increased yield when herbicides are applied more sparingly, because plants dont have to metabolize chemicals that are broadcast over an entire field. Exploring that question is part of his future research plan.

In pulse crops, for example, we have a really important disease called root rot that is associated with the level of stress of the plant, Pinto said. If the plant is more stressed because of herbicide application, it would be more susceptible to that disease. This is one thing that we are advancing, to better understand the impact of those products in terms of yield and plant fitness in general.

The calculator, Larson said, is designed to be a living tool. More metrics will be added over time to further tailor the information producers can get from it, and both she and Pinto welcome feedback from MSU Extension agents and farmers who have made use of it. The two wrote a guide on how to use the tool, and since the its unveiling in May, the calculator has had users in not only several U.S. states, but also in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and China.

Pinto himself is originally from Brazil and did part of his graduate studies at MSU. Returning to Montana and doing work that can tangibly help growers is extremely rewarding, he said.

I always had Montana in my heart, so when the position opened in Havre, it was a perfect opportunity for me to continue my effort to help producers understand how they can take advantage of different technologies that we have in the market and most importantly, how we can optimize the use of our inputs, he said.
Bozeman - The U.S. Department of Agricultures Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) established a national batching deadline for the first funding round of key conservation programs Jan. 15, 2026. This national batching date ensures producers have a clear, consistent timeline for participating in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). This includes NRCS new Regenerative Pilot Program, which provides targeted Farmer First assistance through EQIP and CSP.

The NRCS team continues its commitment to Montanas producers  advancing conservation, strengthening service delivery, and keeping our promise to the farmers, ranchers, and foresters who feed and fuel our nation, said NRCS State Conservationist Gayle Barry.

NRCS programs are continuous sign-up programs, but due to the government shutdown, the agency is implementing an initial national batching period to ensure producers have access to funding and support.

Updated NRCS Program Timelines

All NRCS conservation programs remain continuous sign-up.

Farmers and ranchers have until Jan. 15, 2026, to apply for the first batching period.

National and State Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) will follow later in the year.

PL-566 and Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) opportunities remain open for sponsors based on available funding.

Programs with a Jan. 15, 2026, batching period deadline include:

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

New NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program (EQIP & CSP)

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects already selected for implementation with producers

For more information, please visit nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center.
By Jacob Orledge, northdakotamonitor.com

North Dakotas top oil regulator is pessimistic about oil prices for 2026 but says oil production should hold steady, due in part to new drilling technology companies are using to remain profitable.

Every time somebody thinks that the industry is essentially kind of maxed out on their technical capabilities, they usually come through with some type of innovation, said Nathan Anderson, director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

North Dakota produced nearly 1.17 million barrels of oil per day in October, the most recent figure available. The market price of North Dakota crude oil averaged about $53 that month, close to the bare minimum producers need to make a profit and a drop of $14 per barrel since January.

Operators generally have shut down or slowed down activity in the past at those levels, Anderson said. What were seeing now is these activity levels are continuing to maintain where theyre at in spite of that.

North Dakota, the No. 3 oil producer in the nation, relies on oil and gas tax revenue for much of the state budget. The state maintains a revenue forecast to track that, based on oil production and fluctuations in prices. Oil production is nearly 2% above the states revenue forecast for the 2025-27 budget cycle, while the price was nearly 10% below forecast in October.

There are 27 drilling rigs active in North Dakota, compared to 37 a year ago at this time. The number of hydraulic fracturing crews dipped from 13 to seven in recent weeks, which Anderson said is partially due to budget constraints at the end of a calendar year. He expects activity will pick up in January.

Some of them are actually increasing activity, Anderson said. Each company has a slightly different business model on how they operate.

One reason North Dakota oil production is stable, despite the dip in oil activity, is companies are drilling longer horizontal wells. Oil wells drilled in the Bakken typically drill vertically until they hit the Bakken rock formation about 2 miles underground, then curve horizontally for 2 miles. The surrounding rock is then fractured, or fracked, to release the oil.

But companies are now drilling farther horizontally. More than 1,000 permits have been issued for wells that are drilled horizontally for 3 miles instead of 2. That accounts for 30% of all wells being completed, according to Department of Mineral Resources data.

Some companies took it a step further in 2024 and began drilling horizontally for 4 miles. There have been 105 permits awarded for wells of that length, a fifth of which have been drilled and completed.

These longer wells have made it economically feasible to drill in areas outside of the Bakken core, where wells are typically most productive. That has prompted more activity in areas like Divide County, Burke County and southern McKenzie County, Joel Brown, mineral services manager at Mineral Tracker, a subsidiary of First International Bank and Trust, said during a presentation this month.

Brown collected production data for wells in a portion of northern Mountrail County, one of those less productive regions, and shared his findings with the Board of University and School Lands. The typical Bakken wells produced 200,000 barrels of oil within an average of 46 months, and the 3-mile wells hit that mark in 22 months.

The one well he analyzed that drilled for 4 miles horizontally in the area reached the milestone in eight months, Brown said.

The 200,000-barrel milestone is approximately when a well will pay off, said Gov. Kelly Armstrong, chair of the five-member board. If a company can recoup its investment quicker, then it can re-allocate those funds to a second well location, he said.

Cash flow is their problem, Armstrong said. If they can pay off a well in eight months, they can drill more wells.

The increased value offered by longer wells was evident this fall when the state held its highest-grossing auction of oil and gas rights in 14 years. The Department of Trust Lands, which manages state-owned minerals held in trust for the public, holds two lease sales a year. The October 2025 auction involved 64,000 acres and collected $49.5 million for the state.

That acreage is now way more valuable than they previously thought in the past, said Chris Suelzle, director of minerals management for the Department of Trust Lands. Youre getting more out of a 3- or 4-mile lateral in your rate of return because you just dont have to spend as much money.

Those cost efficiencies will be particularly important while oil prices remain low. Anderson told lawmakers earlier in December he is pessimistic that oil prices will recover any time soon due to a combination of factors, including global oversupply.

That oversupply is the primary factor contributing to the U.S. Energy Information Administrations price outlook for 2026. The agencys data projects the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to remain in the low $50s per barrel for all of 2026.

It just doesnt lend itself to me being bullish on oil prices in 2026, Anderson said on Dec. 19. Im bearish probably for the next 12 months.

The price of North Dakota oil will be slightly lower. North Dakota oil production is sold at a slight discount relative to West Texas Intermediate, factoring in the cost of transportation and refinery demand. The average discount in December was $6.61 per barrel according to North Dakota Pipeline Authority data.
BAMAKO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Malian President Assimi Goita said on Tuesday that Mali will continue to firmly support the one-China principle.

Goita made the remarks while receiving the credentials of Li Xiang, the newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Mali, in the capital Bamako.

Mali and China uphold similar values and share well-aligned positions on key issues such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and opposition to the instrumentalization and politicization of human rights issues, Goita said, noting that Mali will continue to firmly support the one-China principle.

He said that Mali is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state and the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promote the implementation of more pragmatic cooperation projects in Mali, and deliver tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

For his part, Li said that China is ready to work with Mali to implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state, further deepen political mutual trust, enrich pragmatic cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges, and write a new chapter in China-Mali friendship in the process of building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Li arrived in Mali on Dec. 20 to assume his post. 
HELENAIn recognition of National Radon Action Month, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering Montana residents a discounted radon test kit to assess radon levels in homes. These test kits, which typically cost between $12-40 will be offered for only $5 on DEQs website.

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can enter homes through minuscule cracks in the foundation or around utility pipes and can build up in homes over time. Radon forms from the breakdown or decay of uranium in soil, rock and water. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can increase the risk of lung cancer and is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

Montanas geology makes our state prone to elevated radon levels. We encourage Montanans to test their homes every two to five years, and these discounted radon test kits for Radon Action Month are a reminder to make sure testing happens, said DEQ Air Quality Bureau Chief Bo Wilkins. Even if your home has previously tested below 4.0 picocuries per liter, weather, ground disturbances and changes to your home have the potential to impact radon levels. If test results indicate you should take action, DEQ can also provide information about what steps to take next.

Radon test kits are provided by the Montana DEQ Radon Control Program and funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The test kits are usually delivered within two weeks from the date they are requested. Once the test kit arrives, printed instructions provided in the kit will guide the two- to five-day testing process. DEQ recommends testing at the lowest occupied floor of a home, after making structural changes to the home, or when moving into a previously unused lower floor of the home. Completed radon test kits must be mailed to the lab within one week of testing for accurate results. Paid return postage and analysis of the kit are provided with the radon test kit and lab results will be emailed to the requester once the test has been analyzed.

EPA recommends taking steps to reduce, or mitigate, radon levels at or above the action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). In Montana, approximately half of the homes tested for radon have levels at or above the 4.0 pCi/L action level. Elevated radon levels can be reduced through mitigation measures. The cost for a radon mitigation contractor to lower radon levels in a home typically starts at $1,500; though actual costs may vary depending on the home.

To learn more about radon in Montana, to order a discounted test kit, or to find a radon service provider, visit DEQs website.
Billings - Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving South Central and Southeastern Montana, is pleased to announce it has been awarded $2,500 through AgWest Farm Credits Rural Community Grant Program. The funds will support LIFTTs ongoing efforts to strengthen accessibility, independence, and community inclusion for people with disabilities living in rural Montana communities.

The grant will directly contribute to LIFTTs community-based initiatives focused on reducing barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly in rural areas where access to services, transportation, and resources is often limited. Through this funding, LIFTT will continue advancing programs that promote independent living, dignity, and equitable participation in community life.

This generous support from AgWest Farm Credit is an investment in rural independence and inclusion, said Carlos Ramalho, LIFTT executive director. For the communities we serve, even modest funding can have a meaningful impact, helping ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind simply because of where they live. We are deeply grateful for AgWests commitment to rural vitality and accessibility.

Rural communities face unique transportation challenges, especially for people with disabilities and older adults, said Tina A. Carter, LIFTT transportation coordinator. This funding from AgWest Farm Credit helps us strengthen local solutions that increase access to essential services, reduce isolation, and support independent living across Eastern Montana. Were grateful for AgWests commitment to rural communities and to the people who rely on accessible transportation to remain connected and independent.

AgWest Farm Credits Rural Community Grant Program provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that improve rural communities across Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Supported initiatives include building or improving facilities, purchasing essential equipment, and funding capital improvements that enhance community infrastructure, long-term viability, and prosperity.

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving 18 counties throughout South Central and Eastern Montana, with offices in Billings and Glendive. LIFTT works to eliminate physical, systemic, and societal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from living fully independent lives. Through advocacy, direct services, and community partnerships, LIFTT empowers individuals and strengthens rural communities. For more information about LIFTT, visit http://www.liftt.org.
The Montana Community Foundation has announced that more than $1 million in scholarships is available to Montana students. The foundation manages nearly 60 scholarships, with awards ranging from $500 to $10,000 each academic year.

These funds help make the dream of higher education a reality, opening doors, expanding opportunities, and empowering Montanas next generation of leaders, stated Mary Rutherford, President & CEO. We are grateful to all of the donors who make these scholarships possible for students across the state.

In 2025, the Montana Community Foundation awarded 227 scholarships to students in 37 counties, with the average amount of $2,000. Over the past four years, the foundation has granted more than $4 million in scholarships to nearly 1,000 students, with 70% of the funds going to Montana colleges and universities.

Students can apply for funding between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2026. A variety of scholarships are available for four-year or two-year colleges, certificate courses, non-traditional students, vocational studies, and more. For more information or to apply, please visit mtcf.org.

At the Montana Community Foundation, we help you shape Montanas future through giving. Founded in 1988, MCF manages more than $216 million in assets and administers more than 1,988 philanthropic funds and planned gifts. Since its founding, MCF has reinvested more than $122 million in Montana through scholarships, grants, and programs. Learn more at http://www.mtcf.org.
A White Out was held Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 at Fairview School, organized by Whitney Hergert, Fairview Police Chief; Karoline Jappe, McKenzie County Emergency Response Manager; Kayla Anderson, Prairie Recovery; Fairview Volunteer Fire Department and Fairview Ambulance.

A mock crash was set up outside the school using vehicles that had been previously involved in car accidents and four student volunteers. As first responders arrived on-scene, Fairview High School students got an up-close look at the potential implications of impaired driving.

They watched as their deceased volunteer classmates were covered by police, and as firefighters and EMTs removed others from vehicles and loaded them onto stretchers. The volunteer students parents then read their obituaries.

Montana ranks 7th in the nation for teen motor vehicle accidents, and Chief Hergert was motivated to find a way to educate students as a preventative measure. The idea formed when she and Judge Ray Trumpower were discussing what those preventative measures could be.

The reality is fatalities do occur because of impaired driving. Since marijuana has become legal, there is misinformation out there that causes people to believe that its not as dangerous to drive after using it versus using alcohol, she explained. We also have a complicated system because adults are encouraged to drink recreationally. Even the legal system allows someone to drink and drive within the limit. There are a lot of adults that dont know how to regulate that, but we expect kids to figure it out.

Law enforcement defines a drug as any substance that, when taken into the human body, can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely. This definition also includes some substances that physicians dont usually think of as drugs.

An example of this type of impaired driving was shared with students at an assembly following the mock crash.

Mark Doherty, father of Delaney Doherty, pre-recorded a message to the assembly, sharing that in August 2023, a 20-year-old driver under the influence of Lorazepam and THC hit his daughter head on, killing her.

Delaney Doherty was a 17-year -old senior at Manhattan High School, Manhattan, MT, and her father has since been advocating for her, and sharing her story in the hopes it will prevent other young adults from making the same choices as the young woman who hit her.

Additionally, Chief Hergert read her obituary at the assembly, to give students a glimpse into the life that was cut short by someone elses decision to drive impaired.

One poor decision can result in death or a mugshot. I want them (students) to think about the choices they make before driving, she encouraged.
A chance conversation a couple of years ago led Fairview resident, dog lover, and history buff Jeremy Krieger on a quest to discover the role of dogs during World War II, particularly Rex, the only one from Fairview. He shared his story at the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, 2025.

The subject of Rex came up during a visit with Pete Kiamas, whose family had donated Rex to the Army. My love for dogs, and Pete being one of my favorite people, it just made sense to dig into this story, Krieger said.

Kiamas was too young to remember when Rex left but has vivid memories as a three-year-old when the dog was safely returned to Fairview with the whole town seeming to be there at the train station. The Fairview Times reported that Rex was happy to be home and wagged his tail when spoken to He is entitled to live the life of Riley, the article stated.

Its an interesting deal, Kiamas said. I wish I had been older. He still has the tag from the crate Rex was traveling in. He said his parents had to sign papers absolving the Army of any responsibility for Rex. He was a good dog but his conditioning stayed with him, he had some PTSD, Kiamas explained, getting a bit emotional even after all these years. Rex enjoyed a good home life for many years and died in January 1951, again making news in the local papers.

Extensive research by Krieger, including combing through newspaper reports, making phone calls and writing countless letters and emails, shows that Rex was among the first shipment of Dogs For Defense from Montana May 15, 1943. The Montana shepherds were making a name for themselves, particularly farm and ranch dogs, and the Kiamas family answered the call. There were several other dogs donated from Richland County but only one from Fairview.

Rex was sent to Fort Robinson, NB, for training where he learned to be driven and determined to serve the country. He then went on to serve in the South Pacific. Unfortunately, a fire at one of the military archive libraries destroyed the records so discharge papers for Rex seem to be lost. Krieger remains on his quest for more information however.

Having previously unsuccessfully promoted the use of dogs in the military, Alene Erlanger enlisted the help of other prominent figures in the dog world and founded the Dogs for Defense in January 1942. On March 13, 1942, the Army named the Dogs for Defense the authorized agency for canine recruitment and training. It would be the first time that war dogs were recognized by the United States Military.

The dogs had to be one to five years old, weigh at least 50 pounds, have a shoulder height of 20 inches or more, pass a physical exam, and be able to tolerate loud noises.

War dogs were used as silent scouts in guarding against Japanese infiltration of American troops and were needed immediately in the stepped-up war in the Pacific. Their keen sense of smell and hearing are credited with helping to save many American lives.

Kriegers relentless quest for information has garnered some unexpected results with some military institutions honoring war dogs this Memorial Day and giving Krieger credit for increasing their knowledge of the role these remarkable creatures play in war time.

Kriegers dream is to have a statue of Rex in Sharbono Park. I think that would be really cool, he said. That dream may be a long way off but Rex was featured on the ornament during the Fairview Chambers Christmas celebration.
The government is collaborating with the Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar to lead the AI rollout. File Photo.

According to officials, Khuddian emphasised that new technologies must provide clear benefits to farmers.



From Fields to AI: Punjabs INR 310 Crore Push for Smarter Agriculture

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The Punjab government has announced initiatives to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve agricultural productivity, sustainability, and farmers incomes across the state. The announcement came during a high-level review meeting chaired by Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian at Punjab Bhawan, focusing on moving AI adoption from pilot experiments to measurable field-level impact.

According to officials, Khuddian emphasised that new technologies must provide clear benefits to farmers. He directed officials to expand AI-based solutions beyond demonstrations, including the installation of automatic weather stations, greater farmer participation in systematic data collection, targeted support for horticulture clusters, and extending AI applications to livestock productivity.

The government is collaborating with the Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar to lead the AI rollout. Pushpendra P Singh of IIT Ropar said the work is part of a nearly INR 310 crore Centre programme supported by the Government of India. The initiative includes AI-driven crop advisory systems, multilingual farmer chatbots, yield-estimation models, soil-health analytics, weather intelligence tools, and smart livestock management solutions.

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Khuddian also welcomed IIT Ropars plan to launch national-level courses in precision agriculture and AI applications, with reserved seats for Punjab students and government officers, to build local agritech capacity.

Government sources indicated that integrating AI is expected to improve resource efficiency, climate resilience, and market linkages, positioning Punjab as a leading state in AI-driven agricultural transformation.

Source: Economic Times

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Prof Karamjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, will be honoured with the Punjab Rattan Award for his distinguished contributions to education and cultural scholarship. File Photo.

The Randhawa Festival will feature poetry sessions, art performances, film screenings and theatre productions.



Punjab Arts Council 2026 Awards: Punjabs Brightest Creative Stars Revealed

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On 6th January, 2026, the Punjab Arts Council announced the recipients of its annual awards to be presented on the occasion of the Mahinder Singh Randhawa Memorial Festival. The festival is scheduled from February 2 to 7, 2026, in Chandigarh.

The Punjab Arts Council is a key cultural organisation that promotes and preserves arts, literature and creative expression in the region, offering platforms that recognise outstanding contributions across creative disciplines.



The council finalised awardees across multiple categories during a meeting of the executive committee held at Kala Bhavan, Sector 16, under the chairmanship of Swaranjit Savi. Prof Karamjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, will be honoured with the Punjab Rattan Award for his distinguished contributions to education and cultural scholarship.

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The Mother Tongue Award is set to be bestowed upon acclaimed short-story writer Bachint Kaur in recognition of her work promoting Punjabi language and literature.

Among other categories, the Punjab Gaurav Award for theatre will be given to Neena Tiwana, while Gurvinder Singh is selected for cinema, Devinder for art, and Gurbhajan Gill for literature.

The Randhawa Festival will feature poetry sessions, art performances, film screenings and theatre productions. One-day seminars focusing on each awardees life and work will also be organised.

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The festival will commence on February 2 with an inaugural ceremony, followed by programmes from various academies through February 6, culminating in the awards presentation on February 7.

Chairman Swaranjit Savi and council members, including Amarjeet Grewal and Ashwani Chatley, encouraged art lovers to participate in the celebrations of Punjabs cultural heritage, the article stated.

Source: The Tribune

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Vaishnaw compared AI's transformative potential to past revolutions such as computers and mobile phones, saying it will become as ubiquitous as electricity, reaching every individual and household. File Photo.

Outlining India's vision, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi prioritises the democratisation of AI to ensure broad access to technology.



Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches Indias Mega AI Drive to Train 10 Lakh Youth

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On Tuesday, Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India has launched a mega Artificial Intelligence (AI) skilling drive to train 10 lakh youth within one year. The programme was inaugurated in Rajasthan during the Regional AI Summit, held in the run-up to the India AI Summit scheduled next month. Vaishnaw emphasised the aim to empower young people with practical AI skills to enhance productivity and everyday applications, particularly for small businesses, and create opportunities for youth across India.

Vaishnaw addressed the summit virtually and said the goal of training 10 lakh youth will be achieved over the next year, adding that, like the fast rollout of 5G and semiconductor talent development, AI skilling work will also proceed at pace.

He noted the summits global footprint, having been held previously in the UK, South Korea and France, and highlighted Indias growing AI ecosystem, with around USD 70 billion in investment in AI and data centres, and significant capital flowing into all layers of the AI stack.

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Vaishnaw compared AIs transformative potential to past revolutions such as computers and mobile phones, saying it will become as ubiquitous as electricity, reaching every individual and household.

Outlining Indias vision, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi prioritises the democratisation of AI to ensure broad access to technology. Under the India AI Mission, affordable computing infrastructure is being developed to lower barriers, with 38,000 GPUs already available to students, startups and innovators, Vaishnaw informed.

The minister also cited the Stanford AI Index, placing India among the worlds top three nations in AI development and research.

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Source: The Tribune




Around 400 houses and shops along these routes will be given a uniform heritage-style facade to enhance the area's historic character. File Photo.

A bidder's challenge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in early 2024 temporarily halted progress.



Golden Temple Roads to Get INR 40 Crore Makeover, Expected to Ease Commutes

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The radial roads redevelopment project near the Golden Temple in Amritsar is finally poised to commence after a protracted approval and legal process. The Amritsar Municipal Corporation will soon launch the project to upgrade four major roads leading to Darbar Sahib on the pattern of the citys Heritage Street initiative, Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia said. The selected roads include Mahna Singh Road, Inside Ghee Mandi, Sri Ramsar Road and Katra Ahluwalia and cover approximately 4.5 km of stretch and will be redeveloped in phases, starting from the Ghee Mandi area.

Under the plan, damaged water supply and sewerage pipelines will be replaced, coloured concrete stones and tiles laid, and electricity cables undergrounded through dedicated ducts. Around 400 houses and shops along these routes will be given a uniform heritage-style facade to enhance the areas historic character.

According to officials, the project was originally tendered at INR 49 crore in 2024 under the Smart City Mission. However, removal of key components led to objections by a chief engineers committee during financial vetting in Chandigarh, forcing cancellation and re-tendering. A bidders challenge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in early 2024 temporarily halted progress, but the petition was dismissed in March, clearing the way, officials confirmed.

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The reworked plan now stands at an estimated INR 40 crore and is expected to be completed in one and a half years. According to officials, the redevelopment is expected to improve traffic flow, make daily commutes easier for residents and pilgrims, and could attract more tourists, giving Amritsars central area a much-needed infrastructure boost.



Source: The Tribune
Punjab News: Shooting at shop; Rs 50 lakh extortion demanded

Unidentified miscreants fired around four to five rounds, the shopkeeper told the police.

Punjab News: An incident of shooting has been reported at a shop in Haibowal, Ludhiana, leaving the shopkeeper and local residents in fear.

Unidentified miscreants fired around four to five rounds, the shopkeeper told the police.

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As per the shopkeeper, the incident occurred at around 2 am. He added that CCTV footage shows three men arriving at the shop and opening fire. Four empty shells were recovered from the spot.

The shopkeeper further stated that his brother had earlier received a ransom call demanding rupees 50 lakh, along with a warning to take care of his family.

An investigation into the case is underway. The police said CCTV footage is being examined and assured that necessary action will be taken.

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The incident highlights the rising crime rate in the state.

(For more news apart from Punjab News: Shooting at shop; Rs 50 lakh extortion demanded," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
This photo taken on Jan. 6, 2026 shows shelves stocked with cooking oil in a supermarket in Hanoi, Vietnam. (Photo by Vu Trung Kien/Xinhua)

HANOI, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's retail sales of goods and services in 2025 were estimated at over 7 quadrillion Vietnamese dong (about 278.7 billion U.S. dollars), up 9.2 percent year-on-year, local daily VnEconomy reported Tuesday.

Excluding price factors, the increase was 6.7 percent, said the report, citing the National Statistics Office of Vietnam.

Retail sales of goods amounted to more than 5.3 quadrillion Vietnamese dong (about 210.9 billion dollars), up 8 percent over the previous year. Meanwhile, revenue from accommodation and catering services increased 14.6 percent year-on-year to 843.1 trillion Vietnamese dong (about 33.6 billion dollars).

Revenue from tourism and travel services grew 20.2 percent year-on-year to 93.9 trillion Vietnamese dong (about 3.74 billion dollars), driven by diverse tourism offerings and an open visa policy. 

A customer selects yogurt products in a supermarket in Hanoi, Vietnam, Jan. 6, 2026. (Photo by Vu Trung Kien/Xinhua)

A customer shops in a supermarket in Hanoi, Vietnam, Jan. 6, 2026. (Photo by Vu Trung Kien/Xinhua)
Congress Demands CBI investigation into Ankita Bhandari murder case

It added that no power can stop justice from being served to the country's daughter, Ankita.'

The Congress party on Tuesday strongly criticised the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) led Uttrakhand government and the central government for not ordering a CBI investigation into the latest development in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The

Congress party in a post on its official X account, said, The country is outraged over the sin committed against Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand. The name of BJP's national general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Dushyant Gautam is coming up in this case.

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Ankita Bhandari, a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Yamkeshwar, Pauri district, was murdered on September 18, 2022, when she allegedly refused to provide sexual favours to a "VIP". She was murdered by Pulkit Arya, the manager of the resort.

Congress said that both the state and the central governments are avoiding a fair investigation in this matter. Efforts are being made to protect the culprits.

It added that no power can stop justice from being served to the country's daughter, Ankita.

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Congress demanded a CBI investigation into the case and strict punishment for the culprits.

Member of Congress Working Committee, Supriya Shrinate, in a separate post, alleged that to erase evidence, a bulldozer was immediately run over that hotel, because the son of a BJP leader was involved in it.

The development came after Actress Urmila Sanawar released videos of herself and audio recordings, alleging that the 'VIP' in the Ankita murder case is a BJP leader named 'Gattu'.

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Meanwhile, BJP leader Dushyant Gautam has filed a defamation petition against the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, actress Urmila Sanawar, and others, including several X account holders, for allegedly accusing him of being involved in the murder case

(For more news apart from Congress Demands CBI investigation into Ankita Bhandari murder case," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Who is Manohara Odelia coerced into marrying Malaysian Prince; Asks media to stop using Ex-wife label?

She added that she was 15 and the man involved was in his 30s, and stated that what happened between them was forced.

Indonesian-American model, Manohara Odelia, who she said was coerced into a situation with Prince Tengku Fakhry of the Malaysian Royal Family, has written an open letter to Indonesian Media and digital platforms, asking them to refrain from using mantan istri meaning ex-wife label when referring to her in articles and headlines.

Odelia, in a statement issued on January 5, 2026, said, For many years, I have repeatedly been referred to in articles and headlines as Mantan Istri [blank]. I am writing to respectfully clarify that this description is inaccurate and misleading.

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What occurred during my teenage years was not a romantic relationship, not a consensual relationship, and not a legal marriage. There was never a relationship I wanted, agreed to, or entered into voluntarily, she added.

She said she was just 15 and was in a situation of coercion and lack of freedom. I did not have a real choice or the capacity to give consent, she said.

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She explained why she does not want to be labelled as ex-wife, saying, Using the term mantan istri implies a lawful, voluntary, adult relationship and marriage. That implication is false. It reframes a coercive situation as a legitimate relationship and distorts the reality of what occurred.

She added that continuing to introduce articles with the title, which she called a mischaracterization, is not only inaccurate but is unethical journalism.

This request is not about revisiting the past. It is about accuracy, ethics, and responsible use of language and context, she added.

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Careful language matters. Words have consequences. Survivors deserve to have their stories described truthfully and with dignity, she further added.

In a separate statement, Manohara Odelia added that when a person is sexually assaulted, we do not call them the ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend of the perpetrator. We do not frame sexual violence as a relationship. We do not turn abuse into a consensual story. The same logic applies here.

She added that she was 15 and the man involved was in his 30s, and stated that what happened between them was forced.

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Calling a victim the ex-partner or ex-spouse of the person who harmed them does not make the situation more polite or culturally acceptable. It makes it inaccurate. Worse, it shifts the focus away from harm and onto the child, she added.

She further stated that victims do not need titles that imply choice when there was none, and said this is why language matters.

Speaking from a larger societal perspective, she said that when abuse is repeatedly described as a relationship, it teaches society to see coercion as consent and children as participants instead of victims.

That mindset causes real harm, not just to me, but to other girls who are watching how these situations are discussed, she added.

She clarified that she does not want anyone to feel sorry for her, but is instead asking for accuracy.

And accuracy means not presenting a forced situation involving a child as a voluntary adult relationship. That is the entire point, her statement read.

At present, based on her posts on social media, she appears to be in a relationship with a person.

History of Model Manohara Odelia and Malaysian Prince Tengku Fakhry:

According to a report by The Mad Monarchist, published in 2010, Tengku Fakhry married Manohara Odelia, a teenage model, in 2008. The report says that the teen model, who had turned 17 in 2010, described the marriage as a "nightmare."

Odelia fled her husband while she was on a visit to Singapore and, with some help from the U.S. embassy, and went home to Indonesia in May of last year (probably in 2009) and related a tale of royal torture.

(Photo courtesy: The Mad Monarch)

As per the report, she stated that she had been locked up like a prisoner, cut with razors, drugged if she complained, and repeatedly raped.

It added that Prince Fakhry immediately sued her for libel and was awarded $1.8 million for defamation, although Indonesian doctors who examined the soon-to-be ex-princess had said there were clear signs of physical abuse.

It noted that the bride's family did not appear in court, nor did they hire an attorney to defend them.

They (family) now say the ruling is outrageous and that they will not pay, the report said.

(For more news apart from Who is Manohara Odelia coerced into marrying Malaysian Prince; Asks media to stop using Ex-wife label?," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has praised U.S. President Donald Trump over the U.S. military's capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

In an interview to Fox News, Machado described it as "a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity."

The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is a vehement critic of Maduro, expressed gratitude to President Trump over deposing Maduro from power.

Machado , who has not yet returned to her homeland after leaving Venezuela last month to Norway to accept the Nobel Prize, said she is planning to go as soon as possible back home.

Machado, who was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called a dictatorship.

"Actually, I spoke with President Trump on October 10, the same day the Prize was announced, (but) not since then," Machado said on Fox News' 'Hannity' program.

She said the new interim president Delcy Rodriguez "can't be trusted."

Back in New York, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York for hearing on drug and weapons charges.

Maduro pleaded not guilty to various charges against him, and said he was a "kidnapped president" and a "prisoner of war."

The deposed Venezuelan leader, who was captured by the U.S. military in a deadly attack Saturday, and jailed in New York City, claimed that he was still president of Venezuela.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
KALA BIO, Inc. (KALA) has eliminated a major financial overhang by completing a loan settlement with Oxford Finance, resolving approximately $10.6 million in debt obligations and strengthening the company's balance sheet.

The company finalized a previously negotiated $2 million payment to Oxford, fulfilling its obligations under a Loan Settlement Agreement tied to earlier events of default under a 2021 Loan and Security Agreement. With this payment completed, all outstanding liabilities under both the settlement and the original loan agreement have now been fully discharged.

KALA described the settlement as a "watershed moment," noting that the removal of this debt burden significantly improves strategic flexibility and increases stockholders' equity.

CEO David E. Lazar emphasized that resolving the Oxford obligations clears a substantial constraint that had been limiting the company's ability to advance its plans.

In addition to the debt resolution, KALA disclosed that, as of December 30, 2025, it granted 400,000 shares of common stock as inducement awards to four newly hired employees, following approval by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. These awards were issued outside the company's stockholder-approved equity plan.

The settlement marks a notable financial milestone for KALA BIO as it continues to reposition itself operationally and strategically.

With the Oxford debt now fully settled, the company enters 2026 with a cleaner balance sheet and greater room to execute on its corporate objectives.

KALA has traded between $0.51 and $20.60 over the past year. The stock is currently trading in the pre-market at $0.67, up 10.34%.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Genprex Inc. (GNPX) reported positive preliminary preclinical results for its diabetes gene-therapy candidate GPX-002, showing in-vivo proof-of-concept in both Type 2 diabetic non-human primates and mice.

The company says the findings support the potential of GPX-002 to restore insulin-producing function by rejuvenating exhausted beta cells.

GPX-002 uses an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver the Pdx1 and MafA genes directly into the pancreatic duct. In Type 2 diabetes, where beta cells lose their ability to produce and secrete insulin, the therapy is designed to replenish and restore these cells.

In the non-human primate study, the first animal received GPX-002 through an intraductal infusion, which led to steady improvements in glucose tolerance over several months. By seven months, the primate demonstrated normal glucose tolerance, despite having severe Type 2 diabetes at baseline. The second primate, treated via direct pancreatic injection, also showed significant improvement, though not full normalization.



According to Genprex, the results suggest that intraductal infusion may be a more effective delivery method for targeting alpha and beta cells.

Researchers noted that non-human primates require a defined period of immunosuppression when treated with AAV-based therapies. Early observations indicate that immune responses diminish after approximately six months, potentially allowing for improved outcomes with optimized immunosuppression regimens.

In Type 2 diabetic mice, GPX-002 also produced strong signals of activity. Treated animals showed increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and reversal of hyperglycemia, with glucose levels returning to normal four weeks after treatment. These findings further support the therapy's ability to rejuvenate dysfunctional beta cells.

Genprex said the results build on earlier work in Type 1 diabetes models, where GPX-002 converted alpha cells into beta-like cells capable of producing insulin. The company believes the new data expand the therapy's potential to address the much larger Type 2 diabetes population.

Researchers are continuing non-human primate studies in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and are preparing for formal toxicology studies ahead of a future Investigational New Drug submission.

GNPX closed yesterday's trading at $1.80, up 0.86%, and is currently trading in the pre-market at $1.90, up 5.55%.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Blackstone Inc. (BX), an alternative asset management firm, on Tuesday announced that funds affiliated with Blackstone Energy Transition Partners and other Blackstone funds have acquired Alliance Technical Group, a provider of environmental testing, monitoring, and compliance services, for undisclosed terms.

Alliance Technical Group provides services including source and laboratory testing, continuous emission monitoring systems, and leak detection and repair to support regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

The company said the acquisition supports its energy transition strategy amid rising electricity demand and evolving environmental regulations.

Alliance Technical Group Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Alabama, is one of the largest full-service environmental compliance providers in North America, with more than 2,200 employees across over 60 offices and laboratories in the US and Canada.

In the pre-market trading, Blackstone is 0.25% higher at $162.60 on the New York Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Colombia categorically condemns the U.S. military action against Venezuela, Colombia's permanent representative to the United Nations Leonor Zalabata told the UN Security Council on Monday.

"Colombia condemns categorically the events that occurred in the early morning of the 3rd of January in Venezuela, where we saw multiple explosions and air activity over Caracas and other areas of the country as part of the military attack carried out by the United States ... All of this represents clear violations of the sovereignty, political independence and the territorial integrity of Venezuela," she said at a Security Council emergency meeting on Venezuela.

Zalabata said this was the first time Colombia was taking the floor in the Security Council as a non-permanent member for the period 2026-2027, and "is taking on this responsibility with a deep sense of duty."

"We are going to do this from the first day defending international law and the purposes of principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter," including international peace and security, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prohibition of the use of force, sovereign equality, respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of all states, she said.

There is no justification whatsoever under any circumstances for the unilateral use of force to commit an act of aggression, Zalabata noted, adding that such actions constitute a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Defending these principles is not an option, but an obligation to preserve international peace and security, she said. 
1. CPI(M) statements: Stop US Aggression on Venezuela / BJP Governments Disgraceful stance on Venezuela

2. CPI (ML) Liberation - Condemn the US Imperialist War on Venezuela!

3. CPI Statement On the Government of Indias Shameful Silence on the US Attack Against Venezuela

4. Radical Socialist - Resist Yankee Imperialist Invasion of Venezuela . . .

5. Joint Call for Protest by Left Parties over US agression on Venezuela



1.

CPI(M)

January 3, 2026

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

Stop US Aggression on Venezuela

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the blatant act of U.S. aggression on Venezuela by bombing various sites in the country.

For the last few weeks the U.S. has mobilised its military and naval forces around Venezuela in order to enforce regime change. This is the real face of the U.S. National Security Strategy 2025, announced in the first week of December 2025. The concentration of U.S. forces in the Western Hemisphere and open declaration of its intent to bring the entire region under its control represent the Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.

The CPI(M) demands an immediate end to U.S. aggression and withdrawal of all its troops from the Caribbean Sea. Latin America should be declared a zone of peace and the U.S. should not be allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries.

The UN Security Council should pass a Resolution condemning the U.S. aggression. International pressure must be mounted on the U.S. to immediately stop its aggression on Venezuela.

o o

CPI(M)

Press Release

5 Jan 2026

Condemn BJP Governments Disgraceful Position on Venezuela

The Modi led BJP governments response to the blatant aggression against Venezuela and the abduction of its President and wife by the United States armed forces, is craven and unworthy of Indias long held position of defence of independence and sovereignty of nations.

The statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs only expresses deep concern at the developments in Venezuela and calls for dialogue to ensure peace and stability in the region. There is not a word of condemnation about the gross violation of the United Nations Charter and international law  something which even some European allies of the US have mentioned.

Indias stand is in sharp contrast to that taken by its BRICS partners like Brazil and South Africa who have unequivocally and strongly condemned the US aggression and demanded the release of President Maduro and his wife. This pro US stand is in line with the Modi governments right-wing ideology and strategic ties with the Trump administration. By this stand India has abdicated any claim to represent the interests of the Global South.

The CPI(M) demands that the Modi government abandon this disgraceful position and come out categorically against the US aggression and illegal acts in Venezuela.

o o

2.

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation

Statement | Condemn the US Imperialist War on Venezuela! Stand With the People of Venezuela in Defence of Their Sovereignty!

The people of Venezuela are under attack! In the early hours of January 3, U.S. under the Trump administration unleashed a criminal war of aggression against the people of Venezuela. Reports confirm brutal bombing and military invasion targeting the capital city of Caracas. A social media post by Donald Trump even claims that President Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of Venezuela.

This war is not just against Venezuela, but an open threat against every people in the region and across the world who strive to determine their own future free from imperialist dictates.

The same lies used to justify the invasion of Iraq, the seizure of its oil, and the devastation of its people are now recycled as so-called narco-terrorism to justify a regime-change operation against President Nicolas Maduro and the plunder of Venezuela, a country with largest oil reserves in the world.

Trumps war on the people of Venezuela aims to impose a U.S.-backed colonial order. It seeks to crush the Bolivarian Revolution that overthrew a U.S.-supported oligarchy and returned the nations oil wealth to the people. The war is to seize Venezuelas oil once again for U.S. multinational corporations and install a puppet government to serve imperialist interests.

This war is the latest chapter in the bloody history of U.S. intervention across Latin America and the Caribbean, manipulating elections, overthrowing democratically elected governments, subjugating peoples movements, unleashing bloodshed, and imposing destruction. From Guatemala to Chile, from Grenada to Panama, the U.S. Monroe Doctrine, which treats the Latin American region as its personal backyard and which Trump seeks to reinforce, has always meant subjugation, exploitation, and repression, denying the peoples of the region their right to sovereignty and self-determination.

*Stand in unyielding solidarity with the people of Venezuela as they defend their sovereignty and their right to determine their own political and economic course, free from imperialist interference.*

We call upon all democratic and peace-loving forces worldwide to stand against this imperialist aggression and the attempts to impose a new order of colonial subjugation under the Trump regime.

Hands off Venezuela!

Down with U.S. imperialism!

 Central Committee, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation (03 January 2026)

o o

3.

Communist Party of India

January 5, 2026

Press Release

On the Government of Indias Shameful Silence on the US Attack Against Venezuela

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued today (January 5, 2026) the following statement:

The Communist Party of India expresses its deep concern and anguish over the position adopted by the Government of India, which has chosen to remain silent and, in effect, align itself with US imperialism on this critical issue. Such a stance represents a shameful departure from Indias historic commitment to non-alignment, anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, and solidarity with oppressed nations of the Global South.

The kidnapping of a sitting President by a foreign power is nothing short of state terrorism. It sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the sovereignty of all developing countries. If such acts are normalised, no nation of the Global South can feel secure from imperialist coercion, regime change operations, and military intimidation.

The CPI demands that the Government of India immediately abandon its equivocal and pro-imperialist posture and clearly condemn the US aggression against Venezuela. India must raise its voice in defence of international law, national sovereignty, and the right of peoples to determine their own political and economic systems without external interference.

India must stand firmly with non-aligned countries, with Latin America, with the Global South, and with all nations resisting imperialist domination. Silence in the face of such blatant illegality amounts to complicity.

The CPI reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the people and the legitimate government of Venezuela and calls upon progressive forces worldwide to unite against imperialism, militarism, and neo-colonial aggression.

Imperialism cannot be allowed to trample upon international law and national sovereignty with impunity.

Sd/-

Roykutty

Office Secretary

o o

4.

Radical Socialist Statement

Resist Yankee Imperialist Invasion of Venezuela and Support Venezuelan Working People

The US war against Venezuela has moved from the covert to the open stage. US armed forces have

bombed Caracas, and according to the US President Trump, they have kidnapped the Venezuelan

President Maduro and his wife. This unprovoked assault comes after a prolonged period of

imperialist aggression with economic sanctions and murderous strikes against boats in the Caribbean

Sea, killing more than 100 people in the past few months.

This is an open imperialist invasion, as it was in Grenada (1983), Panama (1989), Iraq (1991, 2003-

2011), and in Afghanistan. The Maduro regime was not a direct extension of the Chavez era. Many

legitimate criticisms can be made of it from a revolutionary socialist perspective. But all this means,

the task of getting rid of the Maduro regime lies with the workers and the other popular masses of

Venezuela.

The US imperialist invasion, the kidnapping of Maduro and his wife Cilia Adela Flores, the

subsequent announcement that they will be tried in accordance with US law in a US court, as well as

the announcement by Trump that the US will run Venezuela, shows with the utmost clarity that

imperialism no longer requires even the fig leaf of legality. This is a direct return to gunboat

imperialism, to full fledged colonialism, which liberals and reformist pandits were announcing is no

longer possible. When the large stock of Venezuelan oil is concerned, the US-China or US-Russia

confrontation take priority over such stuff as international law. This also shows clearly that

international law is an oxymoron used when it suits imperialists to act against their opponents, but

has no value against imperialists like the US President Trump and those they support (e.g.,

Netanyahu). UK Prime Minister Starmer immediately supporting the removal of Maduro (and calling,

laughably, for a peaceful transition) shows that the bourgeois and social democratic alternative to

Trump will line up, merely making a few statements that satisfy their core constituencies. EU, Russia,

China, have been engaged in cautious statements, which even when condemning the invasion, is

ritualistic.

The US action shows that if there is a terrorist state, a rogue state, in the world, it is the US along

with Israel. For waging an unlawful war, had there been a real war crimes court capable of reaching

all, Trump and the top US military officers should have been tried as war criminals.

We do not uncritically support Maduro. Our support is to the people of Venezuela. But they cannot

wage their struggle freely while under US military control, or a spurious democracy installed by the

US only after it ensures its local puppets will retain power. The task of revolutionaries,

internationalists, is to oppose the US war without any qualification. We demand the release of

Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Adela Flores  it is up to the Venezuelan people to judge and elect whom

they want.

We demand that the Indian state, itself the result of a prolonged struggle against colonial

exploitation, must openly and publicly condemn the US invasion and call for international

coordination against that.

We urge Indian left forces, trade unions, and other democratic mass organisations to jointly organise

all possible anti-imperialist, anti-aggression protests/demonstrations, including in front of US

embassy and consulates.

Down with the US Imperialists

mperialism, hands off Venezuela

Only the working people of Venezuela can try Maduro, not an imperialist kangaroo court

o o

5. January 04, 2026

The following is the joint statement issued by the five Left Parties condemning the US aggression on Venezuela:

Left Parties Calls for Protests Against US Aggression

We strongly denounce and condemn the US aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This is an attack carried out against a sovereign nation in blatant violation of the UN Charter.

US President, Donald Trump, in his address stated that they would capture the oil reserves of Venezuela, laying bare the real intentions behind this aggression. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, went a step further and warned that Cuba and Mexico would be their next target. These statements, coming days after the release of the US National Security Strategy 2025, make it clear that US imperialism seeks to impose its hegemony over the entire world, even if it means carrying out military attacks. The US wants to impose the Trump corollary of the infamous Monroe doctrine that treats the entire Western Hemisphere as its backyard and run its writ.

Reports coming from Venezuela indicate that the people are mobilising in large numbers against US aggression and in defence of their countrys sovereignty. We extend our wholehearted support and solidarity with the fighting people of Venezuela.

We, the Left parties, call for nationwide protests against US aggression and in solidarity with the people of Latin America. We appeal to all peace-loving, anti-imperialist people of our country to mobilise in large numbers and actively participate in these protests. The Government of India must join the voices of countries across the world condemning US aggression and stand firmly with Venezuela.
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Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, meets with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao noted that over the past three decades and more since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, friendly cooperation has been a distinctive feature of China-ROK ties. He added that the two countries' leaders held talks on Monday, setting the course and mapped out a new blueprint for further developing ties.

China is willing to work with the ROK to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate good-neighborly friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, shore up the foundation of public opinion, and promote the stable and long-term development of China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership, Zhao said.

China's NPC is willing to maintain the sound momentum of high-level exchanges with the ROK National Assembly, strengthen communication and cooperation on multiple levels and in various fields, and provide legal guarantee for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, Zhao added.

For his part, Lee said the ROK is willing to deepen cooperation with China in economy, culture and other fields, step up exchanges between legislative bodies and political parties, and enhance non-governmental exchanges to promote the development of bilateral relations. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, meets with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chief of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidarous Al-Zubaidi is set to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming hours, a local official in Aden told Xinhua on Monday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Al-Zubaidi and his accompanying delegation are making final preparations to depart following repeated invitations from Riyadh, which "insisted Al-Zubaidi should visit in person rather than send representatives."

The visit comes days after the STC welcomed a Saudi call for dialogue aimed at ending a recent military escalation in southern Yemen. Saudi Arabia launched heavy airstrikes targeting STC-affiliated forces, which resulted in their withdrawal from the oil-rich province of Hadramout and the eastern province of Al-Mahrah.

Amid the fighting over Hadramout, Al-Zubaidi announced the launch of a two-year transitional period during which the council will administer the southern parts of the country, to be followed by a referendum on the independence of the south.

The delegation is expected to hold meetings in Riyadh with a number of senior Saudi officials as part of recently reached understandings between the two sides. However, details of these understandings have not yet been made public.

The source noted that the visit is viewed as a significant step that could influence the trajectory of political and military developments in southern Yemen in the coming period.

Formed in 2017, the United Arab Emirates-sponsored STC seeks self-determination and eventual independence for southern Yemen. Despite joining the Saudi-led coalition and integrating into Yemen's ruling Presidential Leadership Council in 2022, the group continues to push for southern sovereignty, leading to recurring disputes over power-sharing and control of resources. 
A population of free-floating planets is known from gravitational microlensing surveys. None have a directly measured mass, owing to a degeneracy with the distance, but the population statistics indicate that many are less massive than Jupiter. Now, astronomers have discovered a microlensing event that breaks the mass-distance degeneracy. Designated KMT-2024-BLG-0792/OGLE-2024-BLG-0516, the event was caused by an exoplanet about 21.9% the mass of Jupiter at a distance of 9,785 light-years (3,000 parsecs) from the center of our Milky Way Galaxy.

Planets are most often found bound to one or more stars, yet a growing body of evidence shows that some wander the galaxy alone.

These objects, called free-floating or rogue planets, lack any known stellar companion.

And, since they dont emit very much light, they reveal themselves only through their subtle gravitational effects  a phenomenon called microlensing.

One of the main limitations of this discovery method is that it cannot determine the distance to these planets, making independent measurement of their mass difficult.

As a result, much about this elusive population of solitary worlds remains speculative.

In new research, Dr. Subo Dong, an astronomer at Peking University and the National Astronomical Observatories, and colleagues detected a new free-floating planet via a fleeting microlensing event: KMT-2024-BLG-0792/OGLE-2024-BLG-0516.

However, unlike previous detections, they uniquely observed this microlensing event simultaneously from both Earth and space, using several ground-based surveys alongside ESAs Gaia space telescope.

Tiny differences in the timing of the light reaching these distantly separated vantage points enabled measurement of the microlensing parallax, which, when combined with finite-source point-lens modeling, allowed the authors to determine the planets mass and location.

Through comparison with the statistical properties of other observed microlensing events and predictions from simulations, we infer that this object likely formed in a protoplanetary disk (like a planet), not in isolation (like a brown dwarf), the astronomers said.

Dynamical processes then ejected it from its birthplace, producing a free-floating object.

The results are described in a paper published this month in the journal Science.

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Subo Dong et al. 2026. A free-floating-planet microlensing event caused by a Saturn-mass object. Science 391 (6780): 96-99; doi: 10.1126/science.adv9266
For more than two decades, Sahelanthropus tchadensis  a very early (6.7 to 7.2 million years old) hominin species discovered in Chad in 2001  has hovered at the center of a contentious question: did one of humanitys earliest relatives walk upright? New research led by New York University paleoanthropologists adds the strongest evidence yet that it did. Their findings suggest that Sahelanthropus tchadensis was an African ape-like early hominin with the earliest known adaptations to terrestrial bipedalism.

Sahelanthropus tchadensis was essentially a bipedal ape that possessed a chimpanzee-sized brain and likely spent a significant portion of its time in trees, foraging and seeking safety, said New York Universitys Dr. Scott Williams.

Despite its superficial appearance, Sahelanthropus tchadensis was adapted to using bipedal posture and movement on the ground.

In the study, Dr. Williams and his colleagues focused on a femur and two partial forearm bones of Sahelanthropus tchadensis recovered at the site of Toros-Menalla in Chad.

While earlier work argued that the bones were too apelike to support upright walking, their new analysis combines 3D shape modeling with anatomical traits linked specifically to human-style locomotion.

Together, these features suggest hominin-like hip and knee function in Sahelanthropus tchadensis and may represent some of the earliest adaptations to bipedalism in the hominin lineage, they said.

The researchers found that although the external shape of the limb bones most closely resembles that of chimpanzees, their proportions tell a different story.

The relationship between arm and leg length is described as more hominin-like, falling between modern bonobos and early members of the human lineage.

Most striking, they identified a small bony structure on the femur  a femoral tubercle  that serves as the attachment point for the iliofemoral ligament, a key stabilizer of the human hip.

According to the team, this feature has thus far only been identified in hominins.

The femur also shows pronounced internal twisting, known as antetorsion (medial torsion of the femoral shaft), a trait associated with bringing the knees beneath the bodys center of mass during walking.

This torsion falls exclusively with hominins when compared with both living apes and extinct Miocene species.

Taken together, the findings challenge long-standing assumptions about how and when upright walking evolved.

Rather than emerging suddenly, the scientists argue, bipedalism developed gradually.

We consider the evolution of bipedalism to be a process rather than an event, they said.

Sahelanthropus tchadensis may represent an early form of habitual, but not obligate, bipedalism.

In addition to terrestrial bipedalism, Sahelanthropus tchadensis likely engaged in a diverse set of arboreal positional behaviors not limited to vertical climbing, below-branch forelimb suspension, arboreal quadrupedalism and bipedalism, and various forms of climbing.

The authors interpret the fossil as evidence that early hominins evolved from a Pan-like Miocene ape ancestor, reinforcing models that place chimpanzee-like creatures near the root of the human family tree.

Our analysis of these fossils offers direct evident that Sahelanthropus tchadensis could walk on two legs, demonstrating that bipedalism evolved early in our lineage and from an ancestor that looked most similar to todays chimpanzees and bonobos, Dr. Williams said.

The study was published this month in the journal Science Advances.

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Scott A. Williams et al. 2026. Earliest evidence of hominin bipedalism in Sahelanthropus tchadensis. Science Advances 12 (1); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adv0130
MOGADISHU, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Somalia on Tuesday condemned a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, more than a week after Israel unilaterally recognized it as an independent state.

The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement that the visit constitutes a serious violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Somalia calls upon Israel to immediately cease all actions that undermine Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and to fully respect its obligations under international law," the ministry said.

The statement was issued a few hours after Saar landed in Somaliland's Hargeisa city.

The ministry said that any official engagement without Somalia's explicit consent is illegal and carries no legal effect.

"Such actions are inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and the established norms governing relations among sovereign states, including the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference," it said.

The ministry stressed that Hargeisa is an integral and inseparable part of its sovereign territory, calling on international partners to support its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On Dec. 26, Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, prompting immediate condemnation from Somalia and the international community. 
Israeli paramedics load the body of a teenage boy into an ambulance in Jerusalem, Jan. 6, 2026. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A teenage boy was killed and three others were injured on Tuesday after a bus driver rammed into a protest by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, Israel's emergency services said.

The incident occurred during an anti-conscription rally attended by about 15,000 ultra-Orthodox men opposing proposed legislation that would require them to perform compulsory military service.

Magen David Adom said an 18-year-old was found dead beneath the bus, while three other people were taken to hospital with injuries.

The driver was arrested at the scene, Israel's state-owned Kan television reported.

Since Israel's founding, full-time students at religious seminaries, or yeshivas, have been exempt from mandatory military service, though some ultra-Orthodox men do serve. The long-standing exemption, backed by ultra-Orthodox parties that are key allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, has drawn increasing criticism during the war in Gaza.

In June, Israel's Supreme Court ruled the blanket exemptions unconstitutional. The government has since proposed a new draft law that would maintain exemptions for full-time religious students and men over 26, while gradually increasing the annual recruitment of ultra-Orthodox men starting in 2027 and imposing penalties on draft evasion. 

Israeli paramedics load the body of a teenage boy into an ambulance in Jerusalem, Jan. 6, 2026. A teenage boy was killed and three others were injured on Tuesday after a bus driver rammed into a protest by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, Israel's emergency services said. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli police officers inspect a bus involved in the incident in Jerusalem, Jan. 6, 2026. A teenage boy was killed and three others were injured on Tuesday after a bus driver rammed into a protest by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, Israel's emergency services said. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Nvidia unveiled a new artificial intelligence platform aimed at advancing fully autonomous driving overnight on Tuesday, as the company deepened its push beyond chipmaking into what it calls physical AI, according to a report from the BBC.

Speaking at the CES technology conference in Las Vegas, chief executive Jensen Huang introduced Alpamayo, an open-source AI model designed to help self-driving cars reason through complex and rare driving scenarios and explain their decisions in real time.

Huang said the technology enables vehicles to learn directly from human driving behaviour, allowing them to operate more naturally while maintaining transparency over how decisions are made.

Huang also revealed that Nvidia had started producing a driverless version of the Mercedes-Benz CLA using its technology, in partnership with the German carmaker.

The vehicle was expected to launch in the United States in the coming months before being rolled out in Europe and Asia.

A video demonstration shown at the event featured the car navigating San Francisco streets while a passenger sat behind the wheel with their hands off the controls.

Nvidia shares edged higher in after-hours trading following the presentation.

Alpamayo was being released as an open-source model on machine learning platform Hugging Face, allowing researchers to access and retrain it for free.

Huang said Nvidias ambition was for autonomous technology to become universal across cars and trucks, while also confirming plans to launch a robotaxi service next year with an unnamed partner.

The development placed Nvidia more directly in competition with companies such as Tesla, whose chief executive Elon Musk said on social media that solving the final edge cases in autonomous driving remained extremely difficult.

Nvidia, now the worlds most valuable publicly traded company, also used the event to confirm that its next-generation Rubin AI chips were in production and due for release later this year, promising improved energy efficiency and lower development costs, the BBC reported.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
InPost surged on Tuesday after the Polish parcel locker company said it had received an indicative proposal for an acquisition of all of its shares.

"There can be no assurance that this will lead to a transaction," InPost said in a statement.

It did not disclose who had made the approach but Sky News suggested that private equity firm Advent International was behind a multibillion-euro takeover bid.

According to Sky, Advent - a minority investor in InPost after taking it public in Amsterdam in 2021 - is part of a consortium looking to acquire the company. Banking sources speculated on Tuesday that other major shareholders in InPost might also be involved in the consortium.

Sky said any offer would be likely to value the company at more than 6bn (5.2bn).

At 1425 GMT, InPost shares were up 23% at 14.26.

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said: "This looks like an opportunistic bid following a poor year for the share price.

"InPost has muscled in on the UK delivery market, becoming a courier of choice for many retailers and people using resale platforms like Vinted. It has positioned itself as a more efficient and convenient alternative to Royal Mail, utilising a growing network of lockers and undercutting the UK rival on home delivery prices.

"A key selling point for consumers is the ability to use InPosts lockers to send parcels without needing to print off labels - so no queuing in a shop or needing a printer at home.

"In recent years, it has bought Menzies Distribution and Yodel to strengthen its position in the UK market. However, the shares have suffered from a slowdown in parcel volume growth in its homeland, ongoing competition and price pressures, and a legal dispute with Polish e-commerce platform, Allegro. Relations have soured between the two companies amid allegations that Allegro has violated terms of a delivery agreement.

"While InPost has some issues to resolve, it is a highly attractive takeover target for someone looking to get ahead in the European parcel delivery market."
New e-B-4 visa is designed to boost India-China business cooperation and industrial ties

Fully digital application process permits business stays in India for up to six months

Visa enables manufacturing, investment, technical work, and operational support activities

India has introduced a new e-Production Investment Business Visa, known as the e-B-4 Visa, for Chinese nationals, marking a fresh step to improve bilateral business ties. The move is designed to support growing industrial and investment activity involving Chinese companies and professionals operating in India.

The e-B-4 Visa allows Chinese business travelers to visit India for specific work-related purposes. These include installation and commissioning of equipment, quality checks, essential maintenance, production support, IT and ERP ramp-ups, training, and supply chain development. Senior management visits, plant design, and early-stage operations are also covered under the visa framework.

One of the key features of the e-B-4 Visa is its fully online application process. Applicants can apply directly through the Indian governments e-visa portal without visiting an embassy or using intermediaries. According to official guidance, the visa has a processing time of 45 to 50 days and permits a stay of up to six months in India.

Indian companies can also initiate applications on behalf of Chinese nationals. They can do so by registering on the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal managed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This option is expected to ease coordination for businesses involved in cross-border manufacturing and investment projects.

Also Read: WPP Launches Agent Hub with AI Super Agents for Marketers

The visa launch follows increased demand for business travel between the two countries, especially in sectors such as electronics, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Officials say the step is part of broader, people-focused measures agreed upon by India and China to stabilize and reset bilateral relations.

By easing entry for skilled business professionals, India aims to facilitate smoother operations, faster project execution, and stronger economic cooperation.
SAO PAULO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least three people died and many others were injured on Tuesday after a tour bus overturned on a highway in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais, said the Federal Highway Police.

The accident occurred on a section of the BR-365 highway about 30 km from the municipality of Patos de Minas.

According to the state's fire department, 52 people were aboard the bus, including two drivers and 50 passengers.

Firefighters have worked to rescue people trapped inside the remains of the vehicle, and some of the injured have been transferred to local hospitals.

Police said that it was raining heavily at the time of the accident, which could have caused the vehicle to skid before overturning. 
AP IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh urged Vice-Chancellors of public universities to act as reform leaders to restore the credibility of higher education

Outdated curricula, weak industry linkages and low employability flagged as key threats to the relevance of university degrees

Government seeks world-class public universities, stressing syllabus reform, applied research, student welfare and measurable outcomes

Minister for IT and Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh urged Vice-Chancellors of public universities in Andhra Pradesh to step up as agents of reform, cautioning that outdated curricula, weak industry engagement and disconnected research were steadily undermining the credibility of higher education. Addressing a review meeting of Vice-Chancellors chaired by Governor Abdul Nazeer, Lokesh said universities must act as drivers of change and not remain custodians of legacy systems if they are to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving global economy.



Emphasising the role of universities in building a knowledge-based society, the Minister said the growing mismatch between academic instruction and economic needs was the most pressing challenge. He observed that degrees offered by Indian universities were gradually losing global relevance due to slow and infrequent curriculum renewal. Drawing from his academic exposure at Stanford University, Lokesh said leading global institutions continuously redesign their programmes to stay aligned with technological and economic shifts. State universities, he added, must undertake comprehensive syllabus reforms to reflect emerging skills and future-ready disciplines.



Poor employability outcomes formed another major area of concern, Lokesh said, pointing to the limited availability of internships, apprenticeships and robust campus placement mechanisms. Weak industry linkages, he noted, had diluted the value of university degrees. When graduates are forced to depend on external training centres to become job-ready, it is an institutional failure, not a student shortcoming, he said, stressing the need for closer collaboration between academia and industry.

Also Read: AKTU, National Forensic Sciences University Partner on Forensic Education



The Minister also flagged the widening gap between academic research and real-world impact. While acknowledging the importance of scholarly publications, he said universities must expand their focus to innovation, startups, patents and practical solutions addressing pressing challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, agriculture and public health. Research, he said, should translate into measurable social and economic outcomes.



Referring to long-standing issues such as faculty shortages and administrative overloads, Lokesh said academic leadership must place greater emphasis on teaching quality, continuous faculty development and data-driven governance. He also highlighted inequality in student experience, citing gaps in mentoring, welfare systems and mental health support. Universities, he warned, risk becoming irrelevant if they fail to listen to student concerns, and urged Vice-Chancellors to hold weekly open-house interactions with students.



Calling for greater financial self-reliance, Lokesh encouraged universities to actively engage alumni networks and diversify revenue streams, citing Andhra Universitys strong global alumni presence as an example. Reiterating the governments commitment to protecting institutional autonomy, he said accountability and measurable outcomes were equally important. Our goal is clear which is to build world-class public universities, he said, asking Vice-Chancellors to demonstrate tangible progress by the next review meeting.



HRD Secretary Kona Sasidhar, Higher Education Council Chairman K. Madhumurthy and Special Chief Secretary Budithi Rajasekhar were among those who attended the meeting.
Trendy American retailer PacSun  famous for its California-inspired, surf/skate aesthetic  is expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint for the first time in nearly two decades.

After 18 years without opening a new location, the popular mall-based label added nine stores to its U.S. portfolio in 2025. A new location will also open at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai this spring; it will be PacSuns first international location.

PacSun, which stands for Pacific Sunwear of California, reported it has experienced a resurgence in brick-and-mortar performance in the United States, with double digit growth in in-store traffic, which has led to its recent business expansion.

Our stores have become cultural touchpoints for a generation that values experience as much as product. What begins on our social channels  inspiration and community  ultimately drives young people to see it in person. Doubling down on brick-and-mortar simply reflects what our community is already telling us, Brieane Olson, chief executive officer of PacSun, noted in a press release.

The brand also noted it already has signed nine leases for 2026, but did not reveal where these new stores will be located.

Founded in 1980 in Newport Beach, California, by Jack Hopkins and Tom Moore, PacSun began as a small surf shop that grew into a major lifestyle brand for youth fashion.

The retailer sells lifestyle apparel, along with swim, footwear, and accessories designed for teens and young adults. In 2025, the company operated 325 stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  At Cafe Con Pan on Port Richmond Avenue, colorful rings of Rosca de Reyes were stacked a dozen high on warming racks by noon, filling the restaurant with the yeasty fragrance of freshly baked sweet bread topped with dried fruit. Owner Elizabeth Lopez and her staff sliced the traditional Mexican cake into three-inch wedges while espresso brewed nearby and bakery boxes were packed for delivery.

Deliveryman Jonathan Rivas said the scene at 137 Port Richmond Ave. mirrored the preparations taking place across Mexican communities for the Catholic tradition of Three Kings Day on Jan. 6.

For the Epiphany, the restaurant and bakery dedicate table space to deliveries and to-go orders. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

At Cafe Con Pan, the ovens run almost nonstop for three days as bakers work to meet the demand, said Rivas.

The business now operates three locationsPort Richmond, New Dorp and Brooklynwith the Port Richmond shop serving as a distribution hub extending through New Jersey and up to the Bronx.

The bread's signature topping, known as pasta, is a simple blend of flour, butter, and sugar that bakes into its iconic crackled shell. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Rosca is like a special bread, Rivas said, explaining that each ring contains small plastic dolls, or munequitos, representing the baby Jesus. When you cut the cake, if you get the king, then next time you bring the food and drink. That next gathering is Candlemas on Feb. 2, when families traditionally serve tamales.

Jonathan Rivas packs up boxes of the festive bread slated for delivery around the Big Apple and beyond. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Rosca sizes vary by the number of munequitos baked inside: nine in a large ring, six in a medium, and four in a small. The moment of cutting the Rosca creates a thrill as each person slices while others watch to see who discovers a doll.

Mexican custom dictates that whoever finds one must provide foodtypically tamalesor drink for the group on Candlemas. The one who gets no baby Jesus doll, said Rivas with a smile, They get to eat for free. They dont have to bring anything.

This is what the muniquitos looks like when it appears in a slice of Rosca de Reyes. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Rivas explained that Three Kings Day also centers on nativity scenes known as Los Nacimientos. The tradition stems from the Gospel of Matthew, which recounts the journey of the wise menMelchor, Gaspar and Baltazarwho traveled by horse, camel and elephant to deliver gold, frankincense and myrrh to the infant Jesus. Catholic tradition marks their arrival on Epiphany.

Bakery owner Elizabeth Lopez, right, helps slice and pack bread as it cools. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Cafe Con Pan is well known on Staten Island for its wide menu of authentic Mexican dishes and homemade baked goods. The neighborhood spot offers home-style fare ranging from huevos rancheros and huevos con chorizo to more than 30 varieties of tortas, as well as tacos with fillings such as suadero, lengua, carnitas, pastor, tripa and shrimp. The menu also features chilaquiles, enchiladas, tamales and flautas.

Three Kings Day is celebrated at Cafe Con Pan on Port Richmond Avenue. The colorful cakes are sold by the large and small ring, and by the piece. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Rosca de Reyes is sold by the slice or as small and large whole cakes. The bakery and restaurant are open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Outside of the Three Kings tradition, the bakery counter offers fresh breads, pan dulce, custom cakes, tres leches, a variety of pastriesand tamales.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Comedian Candice Guardino has been telling Staten Island stories onstage for more than a decade, but her upcoming comedy special Italian Bred will bring her family stories and borough pride to a global audience.

The Staten Island-raised comedian will release the special on Jan. 27, 2026, through independent comedy production and distribution company Comedy Dynamics. Inspired by true events, Italian Bred finds Guardino slipping seamlessly into a lineup of characters pulled straight from her upbringing. The show traces her childhood in a loud, loving Italian family.

Its a familiar picture for anyone who grew up on Staten Island, where, as Guardino told the Advance/SILive.com in 2017, Growing up on Staten Island is about family and community  Im drawn to tell stories about real people. I want to turn on the TV, see a show or a movie thats about the real heroes in life  our family.

Shot at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey, the special was written and performed by Guardino and directed by Samuel Brownfield, with Chris DiPetta producing.

Comedy Dynamics CEO Brian Volk-Weiss praised the project in a statement to Deadline, saying, I am so excited for the world to see Italian Bred because I know everybody will be laughing as hard as I did the first time I saw it! Comedy Dynamics is very proud to be in business with Candice!

Guardino summed up the heart of the show to the outlet herself: Im thrilled to be working with Brian and Comedy Dynamics. Im beyond excited to finally share these true stories and have people laugh with me about my childhood trauma  because if I dont laugh, Ill cry!

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Huguenot, Guardino graduated from St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School before earning a theater degree from Wagner College. She later made her mark on the New York theater scene with her revealing one-woman shows and has continued to build a career as a comedian, screenwriter, playwright and actress.

Guardino is hitting the road again this year, and you can check out the dates below or at her website here:

2026 tour dates:
A man who broke windows at Vice President JD Vances Ohio home and caused other property damage was detained early Monday, the U.S. Secret Service said.

The man was detained shortly after midnight by Secret Service agents assigned to Vances home, east of downtown Cincinnati, agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. The vice president and his family were not at home, having returned to Washington on Sunday after a weekend there, his office said.

The Secret Service heard a loud noise at the house around midnight and found a person who had broken a window with a hammer and was trying to get in, according to two law enforcement officials who were not publicly authorized to discuss the investigation into what happened and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The man had also vandalized a Secret Service vehicle on his way up the homes driveway, one of the officials said.

A law enforcement official identified the suspect as William Defoor, 26, who public records list as living in Cincinnati. Calls to the listings for possible relatives and an attorney who previously represented Defoor were not immediately returned.

Defoor is set to be arraigned Tuesday on misdemeanor charges of vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging and obstruction of official business, court records show.

Vance expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and Cincinnati police for responding quickly to the incident in a post on the social platform X.

In this image taken from WCPO 9 News video shows officials inspecting broken windows and other property damage at Vice President JD Vance's Ohio home in eastern Cincinnati, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (WCPO 9 News via AP) AP

I appreciate everyones well wishes about the attack at our home, Vance tweeted. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows.

Court records show that Defoor faced an earlier charge of vandalism in 2024 and agreed to treatment under the countys Mental Health Court system.

The Secret Service is coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. attorneys office as charging decisions are reviewed, Guglielmi said.

The Vance home is located in one of the citys oldest neighborhoods, on hills overlooking the city. Throughout Vances vice presidency, protesters have often gathered outside the home  clashing at one point last spring with Vance himself.

Vance, a Republican, was a U.S. senator representing Ohio before becoming vice president. He moved to Cincinnati after a stint in Silicon Valley following law school, and his half brother ran unsuccessfully for mayor there last year. Vance was raised in nearby Middletown, which figured heavily in his bestselling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Anita Fabiano, a devoted family woman and longtime Staten Island resident whose life was defined by generosity, died on Dec. 30, 2025. She was 77.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Anita grew up surrounded by extended family, living close to her grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins. She shared her childhood with her built-in best friends: her identical twin sister Vita and her younger sister, Lisa.

After graduating from New Utrecht High School, Anita entered the workforce, beginning a career spanning more than 25 years. Starting in 1967, she worked as an administrative and legal assistant to senior-level executives and law partners, earning a reputation for staying calm under pressure, sharp organizational skills and a warm sense of humor.

Colleagues and friends alike often remembered her reliability and kindness, whether in the office or even on the bus ride into Manhattan.

Anitas early retirement came in 2008 when she was 60, following a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimers  a development that was deeply painful and left a noticeable void among those with whom she worked. Within six months of the diagnosis, she stopped working, and her husband, Joseph Fabiano, took early retirement to care for her.

Marriage and family life

In October 1969, Anita married her high school sweetheart, Joseph, and they settled in the Midland Beach-Dongan Hills area of Staten Island. Together, they raised their two daughters, Lara and Stefanie, until Josephs passing in May 2020.

When her children were young, Anita embraced motherhood with the same dedication she brought to every aspect of her life. She filled her daughters childhoods with trips to the public library, an appreciation for reading, music, art and nature and simple treats like egg creams. She also led by example, instilling in them compassion, service and respect for people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

That same warmth and generosity carried into the way she and Joseph celebrated life. Known for their love of laughter and togetherness, the couple delighted in bringing people together  from coordinated costumes at Halloween dances to elaborate family gatherings.

One especially memorable moment came when Anita surprised Joseph with a personalized billboard on Hylan Boulevard for his 40th birthday, a gesture that perfectly reflected her creativity and joyful spirit, according to her obituary.

As the years passed, Anita found new purpose and happiness in watching her family grow. Becoming a grandmother brought profound joy, made even more special when her own mother became a great-grandmother. That joy only multiplied with the arrival of five more grandchildren, whom she lovingly referred to as her sweet peas.

She delighted in holding them, telling imaginative stories, making up songs and giving them affectionate nicknames. Whether getting dressed up for pretend play, sitting on the bathroom floor so the exhaust fan could lull a baby to sleep or cheering them on at school milestones, she made each moment count. Despite the physical and emotional challenges of her illness, she traveled when she could to visit grandchildren in Virginia and treasured everyday moments with those closer to home.

Faith and service

Faith was another cornerstone of Anitas life. She and her husband were active members of St. Margaret Mary Church, Midland Beach, where she served as a eucharistic minister and worked as a religious education coordinator and teacher. Joseph sang in the choir and was active in the Mens Club.

Anitas commitment to service extended well beyond the church doors. As a Meals on Wheels volunteer, she delivered food to homebound residents, often staying to talk and offer companionship. On occasion, she brought her daughters along, giving them a firsthand lesson in empathy, generosity and a behind-the-scenes look at the Meals on Wheels prep kitchen.

Anitas family and friends have missed the fullness of her for a long time already, and they will miss her even more now that she is truly gone. They will remember how she lived and loved, and they will strive to do the same, stated her obituary.

She is survived by her daughters, Lara and Stefanie Fabiano; son-in-law, Brian Viskupic; grandchildren Olivia, Luke, Ryan and Natalie Viskupic, and Brendan and Genevieve Hanratty; and sisters Vita (John) Paino and Lisa (Joe) Parascando. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Negotiations took a positive turn at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) Tuesday as nurses rescinded their strike threat.

Unionized nurses with the New York State Nurses Association lifted their 10-day strike notice from Friday after management at the West Brighton hospital made some concessions.

According to the union, nurses reached tentative agreements with management at RUMC and five other hospitals on a variety of issues, including healthcare and pension protections, improved hospital safety and limits on the use of artificial intelligence.

Alexander Lutz, a RUMC spokesperson, said the hospital was pleased with the nurses decision to lift the strike threat.

This decision allows us to maintain uninterrupted care for our patients and the communities we serve. We value our nurses and respect the important role they play every day in caring for our patients and their families, he said. While contract negotiations are still ongoing, we remain committed to continuing discussions in good faith and working collaboratively toward a fair and sustainable agreement. Our priority remains ensuring safe, high-quality patient care for our entire community.

NYSNA wrote in a press release that their bargaining teams will continue negotiations through the week and hope to have new contracts settled by Friday.

Though negotiations have taken positive steps at RUMC and the five other hospitals, contract negotiations remain outstanding at several other hospitals around the city where nurses are threatening strikes if deals arent reached by Monday.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, a Staten Islander and nurse at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, contrasted the two hospital groups, those who offered concessions and those who have not, for their disparate wealth.

The safety-net hospitals that care for New York Citys most vulnerable patients are doing the right thing by guaranteeing healthcare benefits for nurses and agreeing to stronger safe staffing standards and protections from workplace violence, she said. New York Citys wealthiest hospitals should follow their lead.

Colloquially, safety-net hospitals are those that serve some of the poorest New Yorkers. Largely due to the lack of a public hospital on Staten Island, the boroughs two hospital systems, RUMC and Staten Island University Hospital, are considered safety-net hospitals.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A 28-year-old Staten Island man is being held in a detention center run by Venezuelas military counterintelligence in the capital city of Caracas.

James Luckey-Lange was detained by security forces while meeting local musicians shortly after crossing into southern Venezuela from Brazil, a source familiar with the matter told The New York Times.

The news of Luckey-Langes whereabouts came just two days after U.S. armed forces seized and extracted Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on federal drug trafficking charges.

Maduro, who calls himself the president of Venezuela, is not recognized by the U.S. as the countrys legitimate head of state.

According to The Associated Press, the indictment accuses Maduro and others of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. If convicted, Maduro could face life in prison.

Prior to the operation, Luckey-Lange was reportedly among a handful of Americans recently detained by Venezuelan forces.

Although some of the detainees face legitimate criminal charges, Luckey-Lange is one of two detainees that the U.S. government was considering designating as wrongfully detained, a U.S. official familiar with the matter told the Times.

Among the arrested are three Venezuelan American dual passport holders and two American citizens with no known ties to the country.

Years of travel

Luckey-Lange is the son of musician Diane Luckey, who went by the stage name Q Lazzarus. Luckey was particularly known for her 1988 hit song Goodbye Horses, an iconic tune featured in the Oscar-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. Later in life, she worked as a Staten Island bus driver. Luckey died in 2022 at the age of 60.

James Luckey-Lange, 28, a Staten Island resident, was last heard from in December 2025. (Photo courtesy of Eva Aridjis-Fuentes)

It was in the wake of his mothers death that Luckey-Lange traveled down to South America out of interest.

He wanted to see the countryside and explore, Abbie Luckey, Dianes sister, told the Advance/SILive.com. His mother, when he was a kid, had told him stories of how she loved Honduras when she went and so he decided to go and see what she was actually talking about.

Luckey-Lange is not a citizen of any country in South America and the family does not have roots in Honduras, according to his 74-year-old aunt.

Last year, during Luckey-Langes trip, his father died.

Last communication

While on this multi-year journey, Luckey-Lange hopped between several countries but still continued to keep in contact with his aunt. Every Sunday he would make sure to give her a call.

Abbie, a New Jersey resident, last spoke to her nephew on Dec. 8, 2025.

And he had told me that he was preparing to come home, said Abbie. He was going into Caracas to get a flight out.

James Luckey-Lange, 28, a Staten Island resident is reportedly being detained in Venezuela. (Photo courtesy of Eva Aridjis-Fuentes)

As reported by the New York Times, it is unclear if Luckey-Lange had a visa to enter Venezuela.

The plan was for Luckey-Lange to join the remainder of the family for a cruise right before Christmas. The trip is an annual tradition for the family and a way for them to honor Abbies mother, as well as Diane, whose birthday is in December.

After we returned from the cruise we were all in shock because we knew something had happened to James, Abbie explained. Either he had injured himself while he was in the Amazon [jungle] or he was detained, so we started really getting worried.

As of Tuesday, U.S. officials have yet to contact Abbie on the status of Luckey-Langes detainment.

It was actually a New York Times reporter who informed Abbie of the possibility that her nephew was being held in Venezuela.

Its very concerning to me because we dont know who is going to take over the regime or take over the power there and what his thoughts are on American citizens, Abbie told the Advance/SILive.com following the capture of Maduro. So its very concerning, its really up in the air, we dont know.

I want them [U.S. officials] to at least acknowledge that hes there, let us know that they know that he is there and how are they proceeding in getting him home. And also, if hes safe, where he is, she added.

The Advance/SILive.com reached out to Rep. Nicole Malliotakiss office and the congresswoman explained that she has contacted the U.S. Department of State.

While we have not been contacted by the family of James Luckey-Lange we learned about the situation from the media on Friday and immediately contacted the U.S. Department of State, Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, said. For months, the State Department has advised American citizens not to travel to Venezuela, determining a very high risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals in the country. While we have not yet been able to confirm he has been detained, we are engaged, actively monitoring the situation, and have elevated our concern to the White House. It is our hope that our constituent will soon safely return to the United States.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is taking heat after the Department of Justice missed a key Epstein files deadline, the Daily Beast reported.

What are they trying to hide? Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said as part of a lengthy post on X.

Schumer on Monday slammed the DOJ for failing to submit a report to Congress that was required by the law that forced the release of the files.

Schumer in his post said that the DOJ is required to include a list of all government officials and politically exposed persons named or referenced in the released materials, without redactions.

The DOJ missed a Jan. 3 deadline to lay out reasons for why redactions had made made in the Epstein files that have already released.

Jan. 3 was also the day that the Trump administration carried out its military strike on Venezuela.

Schumer claimed that it had been 17 days since the DOJ first violated the Epstein disclosure law by failing to release all the files within 30 days of President Donald Trump signing the release legislation.

Schumer wrote: Heres what weve seen: Less than 40,000 pages released since Dec. 19, heavily redacted, none of the key documents, and no new information on the 10 alleged Epstein co-conspirators.

Trump officials said that more files would be released in the coming weeks. Several more tranches of files have been issued since.

Just before Christmas, the DOJ revealed that it had discovered over a million more files related to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein in the Southern District of New York.

Schumer went on to say that Congress doesnt even truly know how many more files there are to be released.

The senior senator from New York accused the DOJ of lawlessness.

Epstein died by suicide in a New York City jail cell in 2019.

Democrats and Republicans have called upon Trump to release all government files regarding the well-connected Epstein.
MOSCOW, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Fifty-six Russian civilians were killed in December 2025 by attacks launched by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, while 311 others were injured, said Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large.

The figures for both the wounded and the dead rose compared with November, when 300 injuries and 38 fatalities were recorded, Miroshnik said on Telegram.

"The rise in the number of killed and injured civilians from Ukrainian strikes occurred amid active discussions surrounding the peace initiatives put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as repeated statements by (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky about Ukraine's desire for peace and an end to the war," the ambassador said.

Throughout December, the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired at least 14,988 rounds of ordnance at Russian civilian targets, and the highest number of shelling incidents and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks at civilian targets were recorded in the Kherson, Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions, Miroshnik said. 
The Department of Justice has admitted that a drug cartel cited by President Donald Trump as a justification for his military strike on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolas Maduro doesnt actually exist.

The Daily Mail reported that Trump had previously said that Maduro was the head of a Venezuelan drug organization called Cartel de los Soles.

That claim was initially made in a Trump DOJ grand jury indictment against Maduro in 2020.

The 2020 indictment refers to the cartel 32 times and says Maduro is the leader of the organization.

The State Department and the Treasury Department under Trump last year designated Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization.

But Latin America experts have countered that Cartel de los Soles is actually a slang phrase coined in the 1990s by the Venezuelan media to describe government officials who accept narco money as bribes.

A revised DOJ document issued after Maduros capture now claims Maduro only supported the drug-money patronage system, along with his predecessor and mentor, President Hugo Chavez.

Elizabeth Dickinson, deputy director for Latin America at the International Crisis Group, told the New York Times that the new indictment was exactly accurate to reality.

I think the new indictment gets it right, but the designations are still far from reality, Dickinson said. Designations dont have to be proved in court, and thats the difference. Clearly, they knew they could not prove it in court.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the weekend continued to refer to the now-disputed cartel by name, however.

We will continue to reserve the right to take strikes against drug boats that are bringing drugs toward the United States that are being operated by transnational criminal organizations, including the Cartel de los Soles, Rubio said on NBCs Meet the Press.
President Donald Trump is facing harsh criticism after admitting he informed oil companies of an upcoming strike on Venezuela over the weekend.

The U.S. hit Venezuela with a large-scale strike over the weekend as part of a huge military operation that captured leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Critics have speculated whether the operation was legal or necessary, with many Democrats claiming that Trump failed to notify Congress of the plan.

But on Sunday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he spoke to oil companies ahead of the strike in Venezuela and after the military operation ended. This comes as the administration faces questions over whether the strike was motivated by Trumps desire for Venezuelas natural resources.

A reporter asked Trump if he notified oil companies of the impending strike on the country.

Yes, before and after, Trump said. And they want to go in, and theyre going to do a great job for the people of Venezuela, and theyre going to represent us well.

Trumps comments were immediately criticized by social media users, with many noting that Congress did not authorize the military action.

The oil companies were notified before Congress. This is what an authoritarian oligarchy looks like, progressive activist Melanie DArrigo wrote on X.

Democrat activist Fred Wellman wrote: I cant begin to tell you how insane this is. He did not inform Congress but hes saying he informed the oil companies. Keep in mind who he means. The billionaire mega donor that just got control of Citgo. Our service members were used directly to move the interests of Trumps donors.

He notified THE OIL COMPANIES. He did not notify CONGRESS. Seriously, what else do you ever need to know about this epic POS, author Don Winslow posted on X.

U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) said oil companies were informed about an act of war before it happened, Congress was not.

That, my friends, is what an authoritarian regime run by oligarchs looks like, she wrote on X.

Before his capture, Maduro and his allies claimed U.S. hostility was motivated by lust for Venezuelas rich oil and mineral resources.

The U.S. seized Maduro and his wife in a military operation Saturday, capturing them in their home on a military base. Trump said the U.S. would run Venezuela temporarily, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that it would not govern the country day-to-day other than enforcing an existing "oil quarantine.

Trump suggested Sunday that he wants to extend American power further in the western hemisphere.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, he called Colombias president, Gustavo Petro, a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And hes not going to be doing it very long.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ethan Hawke has made his feelings clear about the latest military raid carried out by President Donald Trump.

The Oscar-nominated actor commented on the recent U.S. attack on Venezuela during a red carpet interview with Variety at the 37th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Im a little in shock. I was already upset about the Kennedy Center honor, Hawke, 55, said while referring to Trumps name being added to the facility.

Ive done enough Shakespeare plays to know power corrupts. Its a common theme of mankind. Nothing thats happening to us as Americans and civilians isnt anything that hasnt happened to humanity, he said.

Hawke, who has historically criticized Trump, went on to say that historys littered with despots and selfish people and greedy people and they make the rules for the kind people.

Hawkes comments come after the Trump administration completed a large-scale U.S. military attack on Venezuela on Jan. 3. The operation involved multiple air strikes and a ground raid to capture longtime President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

Maduro was flown to New York where he is set to make his first court appearance Monday afternoon. He is facing narco-terrorism charges that the Trump administration used to justify his capture.

Maduros lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of a foreign state. But the U.S. government doesnt recognize him as Venezuelas legitimate leader.

Maduro, along with his wife, son and three others, is accused of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. They could face life in prison if convicted.
Whatever happened to America First?

Thats what normally solid MAGA supporters of President Donald Trump are demanding to know after Trumps raid on Venezuela and the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro on narco-terrorism charges.

Top MAGA figures are floored by Trumps comments about how the U.S. would run Venezuela in the short term, the Daily Mail reported.

Statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio have also puzzled the MAGA base.

The lack of framing of the message on a potential occupation has the base bewildered, if not angry, MAGA architect Steve Bannon told the New York Times. While President Trump makes the case for hemispheric defense, Rubio confuses with talk of removing Hamas and Hezbollah.

While Bannon and guests on his widely watched War Room podcast have praised Trump for the operational success of the Venezuela mission, they are concerned that Maduros ouster was harkening back to our fiasco in Iraq under Bush.

President George W. Bush removed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from power in 2003 as part of the global war on terror following the 9/11 attacks.

The war led to years of American military involvement in the Middle East.

Former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a onetime MAGA supporter who has since fallen out with Trump, called the Venezuela raid a betrayal of the MAGA movement, per USA Today.

Greene on NBCs Meet the Press said that if Trump cared about battling drug trafficking, hed go after entities like the Mexican cartels.

This is the same Washington playbook that we are so sick and tired of that doesnt serve the American people, that actually serves the big corporations, the banks, and the oil executives, Greene said. My understanding of America first is strictly for the American people.

Trump had campaigned for re-election in 2024 by pledging to put America first in his policy decisions.
An injured civilian receives treatment at a hospital in Aleppo, northern Syria, Jan. 6, 2026. At least four civilians were killed and around 11 others wounded on Tuesday after drone attacks and shelling struck residential areas and Syrian army positions in the northern city, state news agency SANA reported. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Syria's aviation authorities announced on Tuesday a 24-hour suspension of all flights to and from Aleppo International Airport, citing security concerns amid ongoing hostilities in the city.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport said scheduled flights were redirected to Damascus International Airport as a precautionary safety measure, following what it described as indiscriminate shelling of Aleppo's residential neighborhoods by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

It added that the situation is being closely monitored and that air traffic to Aleppo would resume once security conditions allow.

At least four civilians were killed and around 11 others wounded on Tuesday after drone attacks and shelling struck residential areas and Syrian army positions in the northern city, state news agency SANA reported.

Aleppo's media directorate said the attack extended to areas near the al-Shihan roundabout, calling it a "new violation" of agreements between the SDF and the Syrian government.

The SDF, meanwhile, accused government-linked factions of "random shelling" of civilian areas, including Deir Hafir and neighborhoods near Sheikh Maqsoud, saying one projectile veered off course and struck a nearby residential district.

Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib urged residents to exercise caution, avoid the city center and stay away from areas of confrontation, assuring the public that security forces were "dealing firmly with sources of fire" to restore stability.

The renewed clashes came just two days after a high-level meeting in Damascus between a delegation of the SDF, led by its general commander Mazloum Abdi, and officials from Syria's transitional government. Held on Sunday, the talks focused on advancing the military integration process but yielded no tangible progress. 

An injured civilian receives treatment at a hospital in Aleppo, northern Syria, Jan. 6, 2026. At least four civilians were killed and around 11 others wounded on Tuesday after drone attacks and shelling struck residential areas and Syrian army positions in the northern city, state news agency SANA reported. (Str/Xinhua)
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CultureCelebrityCelebrity life Details emerge as Kidman and Urban finalise divorce settlement Bronte Gossling January 7, 2026  9:55am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Key points Three months after filing in a Nashville court, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urbans divorce has been finalised.

A parenting plan signed by Kidman and Urban says Kidman will have primary physical custody of their daughters.

Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15, will reside with their mother for 306 days of the year. Urban gets every other weekend.

The divorce settlement also details how the former couples assets will be split, and how they should behave to each other and their children.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urbans divorce is finalised. Three months after the Australian actress filed for divorce in a Nashville court, citing irreconcilable differences, multiple US outlets are reporting the former couple have reached a settlement agreement, which includes a parenting plan for their teenage daughters. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, who married in Sydney in 2006, are officially divorced. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images According to court documents filed in court on January 6, obtained and reported by outlets People and Page Six, Kidman, 58, and Urban, also 58, have waived all spousal and child support rights, with Page Six reporting the pair both have monthly incomes of more than $US100,000. The agreement also states that Kidman and Urban, who are responsible for their own expenses and legal fees, will divide all property including vehicles, appliances, household furniture, personal items, bank accounts and investments, by mutual agreement, each retaining what is in their possession currently.

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Related Article Celebrity relationships Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have split. How did the golden couple end up here? When it comes to daughters Sunday Rose Kidman-Urban, 17, and Faith Margaret Kidman-Urban, 15, the parenting plan stipulates that Kidman and Urban both must behave with each other and each child so as to provide a loving, stable, consistent and nurturing relationship with the child even though they are divorced. The agreement mandates that both Kidman and Urban will not speak badly of each other or the members of the family of the other parent. Kidman and Urban, the agreement says, will encourage each child to continue to love the other parent and be comfortable in both families. Loading

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The language is common in Tennessee divorce agreements, and is identical to the childcare plan that was initially submitted for a judges approval in Nashville in October, alongside Kidmans petition to end the marriage. Related Article Divorce Saints and villains: What happens when your partner calls time on your marriage Urban signed that parenting plan on August 29, and Kidman on September 6. Under Tennessee law, it takes at least 90 days for divorces to become final. Both Kidman and Urban have joint responsibility for major decisions in their childrens lives, though Kidmans home is their primary residence. According to the agreement, she has custody of them for 306 days of the year, with Urban granted 59 days. That translates to every other weekend, from 10am on Saturday mornings to 6pm on Sunday evenings with Urban.

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A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday on the matter, though Kidman reportedly waived her right to appear in court. This masthead has contacted Kidmans representative for comment. Kidman, pictured here with her daughters in Paris in October, has custody of them for 306 days of the year. AP Kidman and her daughters flew out of Sydney on Monday after spending the Christmas-New Year period in Australia. It was Kidmans first Christmas without Urban since 2006. That year, in June, the former couple married in a Catholic ceremony at Manlys Cardinal Cerretti Chapel. They had met at the GDay USA Gala in Los Angeles in January 2005, and confirmed their engagement in May 2006. Hes very good to me, Kidman told reporters of Urban at a New York City gala for the United Nations Development Fund for Women. She had just corrected them when they referred to Urban as her boyfriend, revealing they were actually set to tie the knot.

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The camera then panned to Kidman in the crowd, showing her smiling and mouthing thank you. On June 26, Kidman, who was previously married to Tom Cruise, marked her wedding anniversary with Urban with a post on Instagram. The past two years have brought many changes and challenges for the former couple. In January 2025, Urban parted ways with three of his long-serving band members, including band leader Jerry Flowers, ahead of his world tour. Kidman, of course, had a monumental 2024, thanks to erotic thriller Babygirl and Netflix series The Perfect Couple. But that September, when she was named best actress at the 2024 Venice Film Festival for the film, she announced her mother, Janelle Kidman, had died aged 84. Kidman on her wedding day in Manly in 2006. AAP Im in shock, and I have to go to my family. But this award is for her, Kidman said in a statement read out by director Halina Reijn in Venice. She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me  The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. And my heart is broken.

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CultureCelebrityCelebrity life Game of Thrones star Sophie Turners marriage blew up suddenly. Then it got nasty Bronte Gossling January 6, 2026  12:46pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Key points Sophie Turner has opened up on the shame she endured after her marriage fell apart.

The Game of Thrones alum, 29, split from Joe Jonas, 36, in September 2023. The former couple shares two daughters.

The mum guilt is there forever, Turner says in a new interview after the world spent weeks post-split questioning her fitness to parent.

Sophie Turner turns 30 next month, and for her birthday, she wants nothing more than some peace. The British actress was 13 when she was cast in Game of Thrones, the juggernaut that would dominate global television for nearly a decade. But the scrutiny that followed her into adulthood intensified in September 2023, when her split from ex-husband Joe Jonas prompted wild and unfounded speculation on her fitness to parent their two children. The shame and guilt from that period, Turner has said in a new interview, still lingers. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner split in September 2023 after four years of marriage. In the weeks that followed, Turner was plagued by accusations that she likes to party and Jonas likes to stay home, which she later disputed. Getty Its a total fishbowl. And people take so much as fact these days, Turner said in a new cover interview for Net-A-Porters digital magazine Porter. You feel like youre gagged because silence is always the way to let something die out. But it means that you cant stand up for yourself ever, so theres a feeling of helplessness and shame.

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Parenting Why do we still care what mothers do when theyre off-duty? Melissa Mason Freelance writer Turner and Jonas first met in 2016, when the then-27-year-old Jonas Brothers frontman direct messaged Turner, then 20, on Instagram. They eloped in Las Vegas in May 2019, with a traditional wedding held in Paris the following month. By July 2022, they had welcomed two daughters. In August 2023, Jonas gave Turner, who was dancing in the crowd, a shoutout during the opening show of the Jonas Brothers tour in New York City. If youre going through a tough time, they reach out to you, theyve got your back no matter what. That person is here with me tonight, Sophie, Jonas said from Yankee Stadiums stage before singing Hesitate, a song he previously called a love letter to Turner. Less than a month later, Jonas had filed for divorce. In legal documents obtained by USA Today, Jonas claimed his marriage to Turner was irretrievably broken. One day after that, the former couple released a joint statement on Instagram, notifying their combined following of more than 26 million that they had mutually and amicably decided to end their marriage.

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Loading What followed was weeks of back and forth between unnamed sources in tabloids, mainly focused on the narrative initially reported by TMZ that Turner, who was filming Joan* in the United Kingdom, likes to party and Jonas likes to stay at home. Related Article Divorce Saints and villains: What happens when your partner calls time on your marriage Jonas doting dad narrative was furthered by paparazzi images of him enjoying breakfast with their two daughters, after Turner had spent the previous three years trying to keep her children out of the public eye. The divorce was finalised in September 2024, and while the terms of their settlement remain confidential, its understood the couple co-parent their daughters between England, where Turner lives, and the United States, where Jonas lives.

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Responding in May 2024 to what British Vogue called mum-shaming of the most egregious kind, Turner denied all claims and called the firestorm the worst few days of [her] life. Turner rose to fame portraying Sansa Stark on HBO juggernaut Game of Thrones, a role she held from 2011, when she was 13, to 2019. HBO I dont read the internet, I dont look myself up, otherwise that would absolutely kill me, Turner told Porter in the new interview published overnight. She says she buries herself in the stuff that actually matters to cope. That includes her two children, though the impact from the world questioning her parenting skills hasnt faded. The mum guilt is there forever, Turner said. I work all week and then, on the weekends, Ill spend all day with my kids each day. But if I go out for lunch with a friend, I will run back home because my heart is sinking that Ive left them.

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Analysis EnvironmentWeatherBushfires Four conditions set the scene for catastrophic fire conditions. So far, theres only two Mike Foley January 7, 2026  5:55am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A weeklong heatwave is frying south-eastern Australia to a crisp and our many nervous conversations begin again: how bad will the bushfires be this summer? On top of the extreme heat, forests in Victoria and NSW are full of highly flammable eucalyptus oil-filled fuel after strong vegetation growth due to several years of good rainfall. But the fire danger ratings are not rising to extreme levels. How can that be? Sydney and Melbourne will swelter through the hottest weather in years over the coming week. Getty Images Fortuitously, only two of the four horsemen of the bushfire apocalypse  heat and fuel  are up and riding across the landscape this summer.

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Without the other two ingredients of catastrophic bushfires  drought and hot winds  we are unlikely to see a repeat of the gigantic fire front that swept through vast swathes of the eastern seaboard in 2019-20. But while bushfire is an ever-present risk in summer, moisture is saving us from the likelihood of a repeat of Black Summer, and it has come in two forms. In the two most recent catastrophic fire seasons on the eastern seaboard, Black Summer and Victorias Black Saturday in 2009, the parched, drought-stricken landscape was turned into a furnace by hot, dry winds from inland Australia. Thankfully, the winds forecast in coming days will roll in from the sea, bringing moist air to the landscape. There are also widespread levels of at least average soil moisture, which trees suck out of the ground via their deep taproots, pump up their trunks and out into the atmosphere through their leaves.

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Related Article Heatwave Monster heatwave to bring scorching days, warm nights and fire risk The two years of above-average rainfall on the eastern seaboard is down to a La Nina weather pattern, which warms waters in the tropics near eastern Australia and drives rain-bearing clouds to the coast. Despite the moisture, there is always a risk of bushfires, a fact that is highlighted by recent blazes. Localised fires in Tasmania, at Dolphin Sands, claimed 19 homes and in NSW at Koolewong, on the Central Coast, 16 homes were destroyed. But former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Greg Mullins said while property losses were always expected in any summer, it was unlikely we would see fires as widespread and dangerous as Black Summer, Black Saturday and in the 2003 fires that swept though Canberra, unless we had a long-run drought drying the landscape. Mullins said that although the top 20 centimetres or so of soil had dried out in recent hot weather, and grassland and forest leaf litter were turning brown, there was moisture below.

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The tree canopies arent stressed because theres still moisture deep down, he said. The worst fires occur when the trees dont have moisture to draw on. Thats when the whole forest top to bottom is alight with 30-metre flames and you get your massive crown fires, your pyro-convective storms and fire tornadoes, Mullins said. Regions in northern and central Victoria have the worst fire danger forecast across the south-east of the country in coming days. The second-highest levels of warning is forecast, due largely to rain shortfalls locally.

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The other saving grace for most residents in NSW and Victoria is that there are no forecasts for hot, dry westerly winds to blast the states during the heatwave. Coastal breezes are expected throughout the coming week, which Mullins said would make fires more manageable. It stops sparks and embers flying through the air and starting new fires and it limits the distance of spotting, he said. It makes trees and vegetation and even dead leaves absorb moisture from the atmosphere, so it takes more energy to make them burn and the fires are less intense so even if its hot, the humiditys up and the firefighters can usually deal with it.

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Related Article Extreme weather Antarctic phenomenon blamed for baking start to summer But the bushfire cycle never stops turning. The wet La Nina weather cycle is expected to end soon. Global warming is making droughts in Australia more frequent and intense. If we go into drought this year, look out next summer, Mullins said. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
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Eating outFood Star Mexican restaurant to open in Spanish Mission Valley space And yes, its bringing its crazy-popular, Instagrammable birria tacos with it. Matt Shea January 6, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Where did La Bodega come from? This humble 45-seater appeared in East Brisbane in 2023 on the relatively nondescript corner of Lytton Road and Latrobe Street and quickly became one of the citys most in-demand Mexican restaurants. Not long after opening, it was often difficult to get a seat at the place. Anna Brobjer and Tim Glasson inside La Bodega Fortitude Valley, which will open later this month. Markus Ravik We would do 250 covers on a [Saturday] night, says Tim Glasson, who owns La Bodega with his partner Anna Brobjer. I think we did 1200 covers last week, and we were closed one night. Its been absolutely insane. We were not expecting anything like it has become. In the early days, we were projecting numbers and I was thinking, Oh, I cant imagine making more than so much in a week. We passed that mark after a couple of months, and now we do that figure on a Saturday night.

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Related Article Brisbanes best sanger? This Hainanese chicken number is a contender Glasson and Brobjer put the restaurants success down to its come as you are approachability and price point, but also the food of chef Alejandra Mendoza, who joined the La Bodega team after the closure of La Patrona in Newstead. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Her food is the best thing, Glasson says. When she came on board, our food was already good, but she turned the dials up on everything, and its been incredible. Now, Glasson and Brobjer are capitalising on La Bodegas success by opening a second restaurant on Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley later this month. This venue will be much larger  around 120 seats. In the early days, we were projecting numbers  We passed that mark after a couple of months, and now we do that figure on a Saturday night. La Bodega co-owner Tim Glasson

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Taking over the heritage-listed facade of the old A.E. Griffiths Service Station building on Wickham Street, Glasson and Brobjer will peddle the same La Bodega experience and menu  including its super-popular, Instagrammable birria tacos. The larger space will be split into three sections: a timber deck out front, used for walk-ins, a dining room featuring a large communal dining table, and a courtyard out back. Most of the dining will be in a booth-lined courtyard at the rear of the venue. Markus Ravik Its outside but mostly covered, Brobjer says. The space is divided into seven booths that can seat roughly 10 people each  the courtyard will be the heart of the venue. Ninety per cent of people will dine out there. Like at the original La Bodega and its neighbouring sister venue, Olli Italiano, Glasson and Brobjer have taken care of the fitout themselves, although they used hired help for some of the larger aspects, such as the booths. They say to expect a similar treatment at East Brisbane, with its unfussy blushed terracotta colour scheme, with the heritage facades Spanish Mission treatment doing much of the heavy lifting.

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La Bodega will take over the heritage-listed A.E. Griffiths Service Station facade on Wickham Street. Markus Ravik That architecture goes perfectly with the Mexican cuisine, so it couldnt be better, honestly, Glasson says. The food menu will be the same, but we have the flexibility to expand the cocktail menu. That will be fun for me, going back to my roots in bartending and cocktails. The sizeable new venue also opens up the opportunity for La Bodega to take on more functions. Because of the floor plan at East Brisbane, 20 people is probably the maximum size we can do there, Glasson says. Related Article Top French chef launches footloose Birria pop-up in heritage space

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For subscribers Matt Shea is Food and Culture Editor at Brisbane Times. He is a former editor and editor-at-large at Broadsheet Brisbane, and has written for Escape, Qantas Magazine, the Guardian, Jetstar Magazine and SilverKris, among many others.
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LifestyleBeautySkincare Dozens of sunscreens have been recalled, most of them mineral. What does this mean? Lauren Ironmonger January 6, 2026  11:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

When consumer advocacy group CHOICE released the results of its independent testing of 20 popular sunscreens in June, it sent the industry into a tailspin. In the six months since, dozens of sunscreens have been recalled, the validity of test results called into question and, as a result, consumer trust in sunscreens shaken. Decades of evidence show that regular sunscreen use lowers our exposure to UV and significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer. We should all be wearing it. But what does this mean for consumers shopping for sunscreen this summer? How can they find a reliable one? We spoke to experts to help debunk some common myths. Most studies have shown that most people do not apply enough sunscreen to get the labelled SPF. iStock Which sunscreens have been recalled?

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Twenty sunscreens have been recalled by The Therapeutic Goods Administration since July. The authority continues to investigate the situation. There have also been voluntary recalls, unrelated to the TGAs ongoing investigation into the CHOICE findings, due to issues with formulation. In November, Bondi Sands recalled five batches of two sunscreens  its Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Face Lotion 60ml and Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Body Lotion 120ml  due potential for the lotions to become separated, which may affect their efficacy. Additionally, three batches of Cancer Council Sunscreens Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ 110g were voluntarily recalled by the brand in December, citing the same issues with separation. Finally, in December, an ABC investigation revealed 31 zinc sunscreens using the same base formulation from manufacturer Advance ZincTek failed preliminary SPF testing.

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The TGA declined to comment on the claims from the ABC, telling this masthead: The TGA does not generally comment on individual investigations or compliance actions until they are concluded, as doing so may compromise the investigation. We are, and will continue to be, as open and transparent as possible and update our website with information for consumers of our findings and any actions that we are taking. Sunscreen recalls to date Sunscreens recalled for lower than claimed SPF levels: Aspect Sun Physical Sun Protection SPF50+.

Aspect Sun Tinted Physical SPF50+.

Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen SPF50+.

Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+.

people4ocean SPF50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream - 10g and 45g.

BEAUTI-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF 50+ Illuminating Facial Sunscreen.

MCo Beauty SPF 50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen.

Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer.

Salus SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen.

Naked Sundays Collagen Glow 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+.

New Day Skin Happy Days SPF 50+ Daily Face Cream.

New Day Skin Good Vibes SPF 50+ Daily Face Cream.

Found My Skin SPF50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream.

We are Feel Good Inc Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ 100g Cream.

The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+.

Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Light Sunscreen SPF50+.

Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light) and Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark).

Endota Mineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen.

Allganic Light Sunscreen SPF50+ 70g  Baby & Kid Sunscreen. Separate sunscreen recalls, due to the potential for the product to become separated: Cancer Council Sunscreen Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ 110g (affected batch numbers 1143730, 1141313 and 1146857).

Bondi Sands Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Face Lotion 60ml (affected batch numbers GC032084 and 4843).

Bondi Sands Zinc Mineral Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Body Lotion 120ml (affected batch numbers GC032114, GC063314 and 4844). Mineral v chemical When shopping for sunscreen, you will find they are marketed as either mineral or chemical. The difference comes down to the active ingredients they contain  in other words, the type of ingredient that makes a sunscreen, a sunscreen, and filters out harmful sun rays.

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For mineral, or physical, sunscreens, the active ingredients are called inorganic compounds, typically titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Given these are physical particles, mineral sunscreens are often heavier and can leave a white cast, although technological advancements, like nanoparticles of minerals and added ingredients can make them apply more smoothly. For chemical sunscreens, active ingredients are organic compounds that can include octinoxate, avobenzone, bemotrizinol and homosalate. Its often thought that mineral sunscreens reflect harmful sun rays, whereas chemical sunscreens soak them up. But in reality, both chemical and mineral sunscreens work by absorbing UV light. Are mineral sunscreens more unstable? So, given the majority of sunscreens that have been recalled this year, or had their SPF claims called into question, have been mineral, are they less reliable than their chemical counterparts?

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Editor's pick Skincare Sunscreen is toxic and three other SPF myths to rethink this summer Not necessarily, says cosmetic chemist Dr Michelle Wong. However, she says titanium dioxide and zinc oxide particles are heavy and dense, and have a tendency to separate from, or sink to the bottom of sunscreen formulas, usually made of water and oil which are lighter by comparison. Since these formulas tend to be less pleasant to apply, she suspects many people may not be applying enough to reach the listed SPF. But Wong points out sunscreen formulation as a whole, can be complex and volatile, and that many of the sunscreens that returned lower than listed SPF levels according to CHOICEs testing were chemical.

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Dr Yousuf Mohammed, an associate professor at The University of Queenslands School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, agrees that mineral sunscreens can be susceptible to separation issues due to the density of zinc or titanium particles. My take is that zinc sunscreens should not be made in SPF50 because to get to SPF50 you actually need to load a very high quantity of zinc, more than 30 per cent sometimes, and its almost like youre putting a rock in a glass of water  its going to sink, he says. If you do want to use a mineral sunscreen, he recommends opting for one with SPF30. SPF30 is enough. If you look at the sun protection difference between SPF30 and 50, theres only a 1 per cent difference. So SPF30 allows about 1/30th of UV radiation through, or [stops] 97 per cent [of UV radiation], and SPF 50 is 1/50th, which is 98 per cent, so theres not much of a difference. A spokesperson for the TGA told this masthead: There is no evidence that mineral sunscreens are inherently less stable; recent recalls have been linked to specific issues with certain formulations as published on Market actions, and do not reflect the entire category.

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All sunscreens, whether therapeutic or cosmetic, mineral or chemical, must comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard for sunscreens 2604. Natural mineral sunscreen Over the past few years, mineral sunscreen has risen in popularity, in large part due to fears around the toxic chemicals in chemical sunscreens. Two such chemicals to have elicited controversy are oxybenzone and homosalate, common UV filters in chemical sunscreens. Part of the reason for the concern, says Mohammed, is that chemical sunscreens contain smaller particles and penetrate the skin, whereas mineral sunscreens tend to sit on the surface of the skin. Some studies have found sunscreen ingredients in the bloodstream and urine.

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Editor's pick Skincare More sunscreens have been recalled. Is your sunscreen safe to use this summer? However, research on whether these chemicals have harmful effects on humans is still unclear, and so far most research has been done on animals or cells. Some research suggests they may act as endocrine disruptors, however there is no scientific consensus. Wong says that to be approved for the market, companies expose subjects to far higher levels of certain ingredients than products contain in order to register an effect. The level at which consumers are exposed to these ingredients are far lower. One scientific review published last year found no evidence that six common UV filters affect DNA or cause cancer, and that blood concentration levels fell far below what might register an effect. She also points out the minerals in physical sunscreens are highly processed, and so far from natural.

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While Mohammed agrees research is still emerging, he is more cautious about the potential effects of some of these chemicals. The exposure is definitely there. Its really high. He believes that sooner or later the science will catch up, and its better to err on the side of caution. We dont want to wait until it becomes another case of silicosis or asbestos. Many regulatory bodies around the world have introduced limits around some of these ingredients.

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In 2021, the European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety lowered the percentage of UV filters oxybenzone, homosalate and octocrylene permitted in cosmetic products. In August, the TGA urged dozens of popular sunscreen manufacturers to reformulate their products to add safeguards concerning oxybenzone and homosalate following an internal review found they were at a lower margin of safety when using the highest-estimated sunscreen exposure for application. However, they did not say this meant Australian sunscreens containing these ingredients were unsafe, nor did they instate any ban, recall or warning in relation to the review. The TGA acknowledged available scientific data is not yet adequate to derive a conclusion as to their causality in humans. One in three mineral-only sunscreens found to have similar ingredients to chemical sunscreens

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Last month, researchers from The University of New South Wales took 143 sunscreens listed on the TGA website where zinc or titanium oxide were identified as the only active ingredient. Then, they scanned the full ingredient list for other compounds that might also be used to filter UV light. They found that one in three mineral only sunscreens contained UV filtering chemicals not listed as active ingredients. In Australia, sunscreen brands are only required to declare the active ingredients in a product. However, Dr Jon Beves, a professor at the UNSWs School of Chemistry who worked on the report, says they found many of the sunscreens that are marketed as mineral sunscreens, where the only listed active ingredient is zinc oxide, contain loads of other chemicals that are very similar to the chemicals youd find in all the other types of sunscreens.

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What this means, says Beves, is most mineral sunscreens are only nominally different from chemical ones. Sunscreens are high-tech products. Even ones that are listed as being chemical-free or all-natural or any of this other sort of nonsense, they have to be formulated with other things mixed in them, otherwise they wouldnt act as sunscreens. Its just marketing lingo, he says. Mohammed agrees that undeclared additives in mineral sunscreens is a problem, and urges consumers to do their due diligence around sunscreen ingredients if they are concerned about certain additives. How is sunscreen tested? The current standard for SPF testing in Australia involves putting sunscreen on a minimum of 10 human volunteers who are exposed to artificial solar UV radiation to minimise the variability of sunlight. The higher the SPF, the longer it takes UV radiation to burn skin. Due to the use of human subjects and human testers to judge the level of burn to the skin, the method is highly variable, something acknowledged by the TGA and experts. In December last year, the International Organisation for Standardisation (the guidelines which the TGA follows) published two novel methods for measuring SPF, which may reduce the inherent variability of the current model of sunscreen testing. But it is not yet known when this might become available or standardised in Australia. So, what sunscreen should you use?

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At the end of the day, the best sunscreen is the sunscreen you will use, says Wong. Whether this is a mineral or chemical sunscreen comes down to personal preference  some may prefer the thicker, drier formula of physical sunscreens, or be more sensitive to the ingredients in chemical sunscreens. Editor's pick Skincare Sunscreen wars: Breaking down the furore Choice created over SPF brands And correct usage of sunscreen is just important as the product you choose: Most studies have shown that most people do not apply enough sunscreen to get the labelled SPF, says Wong. Australian guidelines for sunscreen recommend applying one teaspoon per limb, one for the front of the body, one for the back and one for the head. They also recommend wearing sunscreen every day when the UV index is above 3 (in Australia, most days of the year). While the spate of sunscreens returning lower SPF ratings than their labels claim is obviously a concern, its worth remembering that even a lower SPF rating provides significant protection. A landmark Australian study from 1990 using an SPF16 sunscreen was the first to prove that regular sunscreen use can prevent melanoma.

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Additionally, sunscreen is just one line of defence against the sun: remember the Cancer Councils Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide slogan. Wong also suggests keeping an eye on the TGA website for recalls. If your sunscreen is affected, stop using it and seek a refund. Finally, Wong says to use common sense: if you are getting sunburnt, make sure you are applying enough and regularly, or consider using a different sunscreen. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
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LifestyleFashionWorkplace Opinion Looking for a better work-life balance? Start wearing a tie Elias Visontay National Consumer Affairs Reporter January 6, 2026  3:52pm

January 6, 2026  3:52pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Ive recently embraced a simple wardrobe hack thats unlocked a new level of work-life balance and made me feel more switched on in the office. I look more sophisticated too. You might even say Im turning heads; after all, its led to a few compliments (and plenty of odd looks). Im talking, of course, about the forgotten  but apparently trendy again  necktie. Its not lost on me how absurd it is that I have become a tie evangelist. I, of all people, am the last person to dish out fashion advice. When I was a cadet journalist (not at this masthead), an editor threatened an HR complaint against me because of how I dressed. Apparently, my T-shirt and baseball cap at press conferences were giving our brand a bad name. What kind of tie do you like? Elias Visontay holding some of his collection. Sitthixay Ditthavong When sent to cover a red carpet event years ago, I had to photograph celebrities and frantically text friends to ask what fabric they were wearing. I didnt even know the difference between a dress and a gown. If only they had sartorial Shazam.

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Recently, a friend described me as dressing like a Soviet plumber, which jolted me to reflect on my style choices. But while the tie, relic of a bygone office culture, appears to be back in vogue  as resurgent at Paris fashion week this year as it is across TikTok and Instagram  my advocacy isnt rooted in fashion. It was the mention of the former Eastern bloc, and an old Ukrainian housemate, Valentin, that gave me the idea of resurrecting it. Val, as we called him, worked in construction and, in the peak of summer, after a hard day in the scorching sun, would shower then chill out around our unit, basking in the air-con before the weather cooled off enough to venture back outside. It might sound typical for a tradie, except that after showering, Val would dress in a crisp white shirt and don his black tuxedo. Short of a top hat and walking stick, it felt like the Monopoly Man was on our couch each afternoon, feet stretched out, watching TV or mixing music on his laptop.

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Vals habit developed by chance. The first time he took out his finery, he insisted it was because he was on the cusp of a wash cycle and had no other clean clothes. But soon enough, hed come to appreciate dressing that way. Related Article Sunday Life This celebrated Australian designer has worn these four items for 20 years Sure, Val was a peculiar guy; he also enjoyed eating mayonnaise by itself. But he was onto something with the tux. Specifically, how different it felt to his loose fitting, raggedy high-vis clobber. The contrast was so noticeable that instead of his post-work wind-down blending into the night, he opened a distinct second chapter of the day. And this made him appreciate his downtime even more. Now, while a journalist wearing a tie around the newsroom sounds like the inverse of a bricklayer changing into a tux after leaving a worksite, the concept is the same.

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As someone who struggles with both knuckling down at work and switching off when I clock off, the feeling of a ties tautness around my neck offers a valuable sensorial distinction  and a physical break between the two. In this vague post-working from home, normalised world, where dress codes are increasingly casual and workers check their emails well before arriving at the office and long after leaving, its easy for the start and end of a workday to blur into one. After a day of hard yakka, swapping high-vis for a tux could help to reset your mind. Dominic Lorrimer Which is where the ties potential shines. I began wearing my only tie, an Ansett-branded one (which I was sent, non-consensually, by a tragic enthusiast of the defunct airline after writing a story about him), before building my collection at Vinnies.

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Soon, wearing one became habitual. Most days, I race out of my share house in a loosely buttoned-up, untucked shirt and blend in with the casually dressed passers-by around me. Then, in the minutes before getting off the metro beneath my office, I take out a tie from my bag and, using the windows as a mirror, thread a swift half windsor and tuck in my shirt. This means business: Office worker Makoto Nakamura outside a noodle bar in Tokyo. Christopher Jue Granted, I dont do it every day. I start the week with gusto, donning a tie and feeling like I embody the work ethic of a Tokyo salaryman. Ive also tried (with scant success) to make tie Tuesday a thing around our office, but by Friday, Ive often ditched it too.

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But adding a tie to your repertoire can transform you, as it has me. Related Article Trends When it comes to ties, women mean business Those who rely on zany socks to express their individuality at work should also take note: theres a colourful world of ties out there. Theyre also genderless, and increasingly, a common accessory for women in the fashion world. So you too can share in the feeling I get at the end of a long day when, as I walk to the lifts, I loosen my tie and, with neck free, feel a good chunk of the stress from dealing with nameless, faceless spokespeople and bureaucrats (or whoever caused grief that workday) melt away. Ultimately, its not about dressing up all the time  Ill never wear a tie on a day off. Its about shifting between the two that happens to make each more special. In the hard-fought battle between looking like a Soviet plumber and a Tokyo salaryman, theres no winner  Im calling it a tie. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Analysis MoneyInvestingInvesting Investment apps are everywhere. But who really holds your money? Nina Hendy January 6, 2026  11:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Australian investors have been urged to double-check the ownership structure of their shares, with many having little understanding of who controls their money, their trades, or who can see their personal information. The Covid-induced boom in investing has seen an army of investors plough their savings into exchange-traded funds (ETFs), pouring a record $4 billion dollars last month into the asset class. Chris Brycki of Stockspot says more investors need to know who really owns their shares. Louie Douvis Much of this is thanks to investing apps like Raiz, Stockspot, InvestSMART, SelfWealth, Stocklight, Spaceship and eToro, which can be a great starting point for investors wanting to try their hand at investing small amounts regularly. But understanding who owns your shares is critical following a rise in cyberattacks on financial services, with trading platforms particularly vulnerable targets. Experts urge investors to read the fine print to understand who owns your shares.

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Share ownership Editor's pick Shares Its been an underwhelming year on the ASX. Will 2026 be any better? In Australia, shares can be held either on a Holder Identification Number (HIN), where the investor is the registered owner of the shares, or through an omnibus or custodial account, where the platform holds shares on behalf of a number of investors under a single umbrella structure. While both models are legitimate and widely used across global markets, neither approach is inherently better. Each approach also carries its own implications for transparency, ownership and control. Stockspot founder Chris Brycki says investors need to look beyond slick looking apps and low brokerage when deciding where to invest and know what theyve signed up for.

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When you invest, its not just about what you invest in, but how you own it, he says. Its important to understand who legally owns your investment and whether your money is held in your own name or pooled together with other investors. Custodial or co-mingled ownership is common. A custodian holds the assets on your behalf, which can be cheaper because the costs are shared. The trade-off is transparency and control. You dont directly own the underlying shares; you just own a claim on a pool, he says. While most of the time it works out fine, when things can wrong, it can be messy. The Halifax Investments collapse is a good example. Investors were exposed to $44 million of losses because assets were pooled and records were unclear, Brycki says. Stockpot uses a HIN ownership model, means investments are always held in your name. The biggest benefit is security and peace of mind. Your investments arent mixed in with anyone elses, so you always know what you own. The second benefit is flexibility. You can move your portfolio to another broker more easily, which can help avoid paying capital gains tax when you change provider.

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Due diligence The real risk comes from investors not knowing how their shares are held, what protections apply and what might happen if they switch platforms or want to transfer their shares, Craig Semmens, chief executive of stockbroking firm Phillips Capital says. A plethora of apps and online services have made investing easier than ever. Unsplash While platforms disclose their ownership model in the fine print, the real risk is that most investors never read  let alone understand  are ownership arrangements. Your investment app may show your portfolio, but that doesnt mean you hold the shares. And if you dont know whos holding your shares, you shouldnt be giving them your money, Semmens says.

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If something goes wrong from a cyber breach to a platform failure, thousands of Australian investors in pooled accounts are relying entirely on the trading apps internal records to prove what is theirs, Semmens says. Editor's pick Analysis

Investing Ditch TikTok, save your super: Experts best advice for new investors Younger investors are particularly vulnerable because they rely heavily on brand awareness and may not do their due diligence, he says. People see an app on TikTok, or their friends using a particular one, and assume the awards and badges are legitimate when in fact its paid marketing  not a guarantee of security. Semmens also warns investors to think carefully about taking investment advice from random people online. If youre getting stock tips on WhatsApp rather than through regulated research or licensed advice, then youre not investing, youre stepping into someone elses trap, Semmens says.

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Investing red flags include cold calls asking you to invest, offshore transfers, pressure to join messaging app trading groups and guarantee returns. These are all signs to walk away, he says. Advice given in this article is general in nature and not intended to influence readers decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter.
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Sydneysiders will be forced to seek a cool escape from sweltering conditions as a heatwave sweeps across NSW in coming days, increasing the risk of bushfire and sparking major health warnings from authorities. A heatwave warning for the state issued by the Bureau of Meteorology will remain until Saturday, when temperatures are forecast to hit the 40s across the harbour city. People swim at Marrinawi Cove at Barangaroo. Dominic Lorrimer A stationary high-pressure system from the Tasman is responsible for the heat, BoM meteorologist Tristan Sumarna said, which will direct warm temperatures towards the eastern parts of the state in coming days. We are forecasting quite severe and extreme heatwaves affecting most of the state, Sumarna said.

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Its expected to start building as we enter the weekend  we could see temperatures in the high 30s, even in the low 40s for Sydney and Illawarra. Sumarna recommended staying in cool places during the day, such as an air-conditioned home or public library, and to draw windows and shut blinds while staying hydrated. A severe to extreme heatwave is forecast to begin building on Wednesday. Windy After topping 38 degrees in Sydneys west on Wednesday, temperatures of 40 degrees in Penrith and 32 degrees in the CBD are forecast for Thursday. They will reach the mid-40s in the southern and central regions of the state, including in the southern Riverina region, where a total fire ban will be in place.

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Extreme fire danger is expected on Saturday in Sydney, the ACT, the Southern Ranges, Monaro Alpine and Southern Slopes regions. Rural Fire Service inspector James Morris said people should prepare their properties and ensure they had a plan if a fire approached. People shield themselves from the sun as they descend the Sydney Opera House steps. Sitthixay Ditthavong Particularly being school holidays and kids are at home, Morris said. Where are they going to go? Who are they going to contact? Its really important that everybody in the household knows what they will do in the event of a fire threatening.

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NSW Health Minister Ryan Park warned of heat-related illness, urging Sydneysiders to avoid the heat of the day while reminding parents not to leave children unattended in cars as temperatures could soar in minutes. That can have catastrophic outcomes for young children, he said. Swimmers cool off at Jellybean Pool in the Blue Mountains National Park on Wednesday. Wolter Peeters It doesnt matter whether youre dropping off something, going to pay for fuel, whatever youre doing, no child should be left in a car over the next few days. Ambulances and hospitals will be stocked with water and additional staff to deal with an expected surge in medical treatment, while Park backed the states power grid to manage as thousands run air-conditioning units through unseasonably warm nights.

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Related Article Heatwave Grumpy, exhausted and really unwell: How to cope with heatwave nights Surf Life Saving NSW general manager Brent Manieri warned those planning a beach trip against the consumption of alcohol before swimming and to attend patrolled beaches. If at an unpatrolled location, people are encouraged to check if they have phone coverage, pack sunscreen and floatation devices, and not to swim alone. We would advise people as those temperatures soar  wherever possible, stay out of the heat and keep cool during those hotter parts of the day, Manieri said. Lifesavers will be working in teams to ensure they get adequate time out of the heat.

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Temperatures soared across Melbourne on Wednesday. Jason South Victorias Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned of challenging extreme heatwave conditions not seen since 2019-20. He said there was a very real risk of serious fires starting off the back of underlying dry conditions. A bushfire destroys houses in Koolewong in December. Craig Gill The Royal Australian College of GPs also issued a warning urging the public to prioritise hydration, rest indoors, and check on people more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

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Heat waves can be deadly, and the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that this promises to be the most significant heatwave south-eastern Australia has seen in six years, the colleges president, Dr Michael Wright, said. Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, while 2024 was the nations second-warmest year. With AAP Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
More stories of surprising meetings starts Pauline McGinley of Drummoyne, who says,Last September I was in London visiting my daughter. We went for a canal walk and then stopped for lunch at a random local cafe. We gave our order to the waiter and immediately a young woman from the table beside us leaned over and said, Hello Mrs McGinley. You taught me in year two. I just wanted to listen out for your Scottish accent to make sure it really was you.

When walking along the street in Luxembourg City, Bill Irvine of Goulburn says, I received a phone call from an old friend from Gundagai. Hed just spotted us from the top deck of a city tour bus. Neither of us knew the other was in Luxembourg, but we got together for a very pleasant raclette dinner at my daughters apartment.

Rosemary Towers of Kianga tells, We were making our way to the Trevi Fountain one evening in Rome when suddenly we heard Hey, Mr Towers! Sure enough, there was one of my husbands ex-students happily greeting us with a distinctly Australian accented Come stai. C8 would like to say, in another distinctly Australian way, You wouldnt read about it, but you just have.

Trifling with spiders continues with Carole Baxter of Woodgate Beach (Qld), who admits (C8 Tuesday), Yes, I have made trifle in parfait glasses on several occasions, but eons ago. It isnt hard, but it is time-consuming, so dont bother, stick with the large bowl. Wise words, Carole.

On another subject, Julian Neylan of Dulwich Hill asks, Ashes statisticians may pore over batting and bowling records, but what about the critical measure of surname syllables? For the second time this series, the addition of Potts to the Sydney Test, after Tongues inclusion in Adelaide, has taken the tally of English XI players with one-syllable surnames to eight. Maybe an Ashes record. What about the most singles by a single syllable surname batter? Twos by a two-syllable surname?
HELSINKI, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday that there is "no room for interpretation" regarding Greenland's status, stressing that decisions about the autonomous territory rest solely with Denmark and Greenland.

"Greenland is an autonomous region that belongs to Denmark. Only Denmark and Greenland decide about its affairs," Stubb told Finnish media in Paris, where he attended a "Coalition of the Willing" meeting on Ukraine.

Stubb said few could have imagined a year ago that such a debate would be necessary. "We stand behind Denmark," he reiterated.

Asked about Venezuela, Stubb said the United States is pursuing its own narrow interests there. He warned that disregard for international law in one place can set a precedent elsewhere.

"Repercussions can be large and unpredictable. We are going towards a more dangerous world," he added.

Stubb called for a return to shared rules, including respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a telephone interview on Sunday with The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland. He also discussed the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

Last month, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tension between Washington and the Danish Realm.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.

Stubb has wrote late Sunday in a post on social media X that "no one decides for Greenland and Denmark but Greenland and Denmark themselves." He linked his message to remarks earlier on Sunday by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called on the United States to stop issuing threats against Denmark. "Our Nordic friend Denmark and Prime Minister Frederiksen have our full support," Stubb wrote. 
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Exclusive NationalNSWChild protection Paedophiles were handed access to children. The office in charge of stopping this is battling a surge in allegations Amber Schultz January 7, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A man convicted of sexting a 13-year-old girl, another of masturbating on a 16-year-old girl on a train, and a stepfather whose stepdaughter accused him of sexually assaulting her as a child  all had a ban on receiving a working with children check overturned by a tribunal on appeal. In each case, the tribunal decided that despite the serious allegations or convictions, the men presented no real risk of harm to children and that they could resume their paid or volunteer work with minors. An additional $5.5 million in funding will help the Office of the Childrens Guardian crack down on compliance. Aresna Villanueva In September, the NSW government banned people who had been refused a working with children check from appealing against the decision, moving reviews back to the Office of Childrens Guardian, which issues and monitors the checks. However, the OCGs annual report reveals the office is struggling to handle an exponential surge in reports of child abuse, forcing it to limit investigations to the most significant claims and to drastically reduce its oversight activities.

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Last financial year, the OCG received nearly 3000 allegations of assault, sexual offences, neglect and ill treatment. Of the 2500 matters fully investigated, 15 per cent involved allegations of child sex offences and 21 per cent involved allegations of sexual misconduct. One third of the matters fully investigated were sustained. Related Article Courts Man guilty of sexting child given Working with Children clearance The volume of matters meant the office focused only on the most relatively serious and complex notifications, using exemptions to dismiss over 500 cases from investigation. The annual report says the office audited a fraction of the organisations it had the previous year due to staffing shortages, team and management restructuring, and competing operational policies. It audited 78 organisations in 2024-25, compared with 280 the previous year. Of the 78 audited, 63 were non-compliant. Two organisations were fined a total of $3750, while the rest received reminders or warning notices.

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More than two million people hold a working with children check in NSW. Today, Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Kate Washington announced an additional $5.5 million over two years to increase compliance activities. The funding will be used to employ additional staff, increase compliance audits for early education centres, conduct more reportable conduct investigations, expand working with children check application risk assessments, and increase enforcement actions. Minister for Family and Communities Kate Washington in parliament Dion Georgopoulos We are delivering more funding for more staff at the Office of the Childrens Guardian to audit early childhood education centres across NSW to improve child safety compliance, Washington said.

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Acting Childrens Guardian Rachael Ward, who has been in the role since the previous guardian was sacked over allegations of improper conduct, said the funding would help the office keep children safe. Related Article Exclusive

NSW State Parliament Childrens Guardian calls for evidence to be released after sacking This additional funding further bolsters the Office of the Childrens Guardian to do our vitally important work of keeping children safe in NSW and will enable us to undertake increased child safety compliance and enforcement activities, she said. Former childrens guardian Steve Kinmond was sacked for misbehaviour after a report found he seriously breached the standards expected of his office, including failing to disclose a long-term relationship and inappropriately intervening in a matter in which he had a conflict of interest. The report also included reports of a staff party baby shower featuring a vulgar game, which he had no involvement in, and his request that a contacts WWCC be reviewed after an independent ombudsman overturned an adverse finding.

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Kinmond has urged the government to publicly release confidential parts of the report that justified his dismissal, saying some of the findings dont pass the pub test. The man convicted of attacking the child on the train in the 1970s had two other assault and indecency convictions for physically and sexually assaulting his ex-partner, and masturbating in front of his female flatmate in the 1990s. He was also accused, but not convicted, of assaulting a five-year-old girl, and of sexually assaulting and detaining his then partner. The man, now in his 60s, applied for a working with children check in 2015 to enable him to work at a hospital and a charity, but his application was rejected. In 2022, he sought to overturn this decision, which was granted in January 2024. The man accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter had his WWCC cancelled after criminal charges were laid. He was found not guilty on all offences in 2018 and had his WWCC ban overturned by the tribunal in 2021. The OCG successfully appealed the tribunals decision in the Supreme Court. The man convicted of sexting a teen had his ban overturned in July 2025. He was 18 at the time of the offence. The tribunal found he was relatively immature and naive at the time of the offence and had no other complaints or charges concerning behaviour towards children since.

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1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028, Lifeline 13 11 14 and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalNSWPrivate schools The Kings School headmaster takes legal action after being dismissed Christopher Harris January 6, 2026  7:09pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The headmaster of The Kings School has launched legal action against the institutions governing council in the Federal Court after being terminated from his job. Tony George had been on leave while the school investigated an incident in which it is alleged he clipped the back of a senior students head at a faith lecture attended by about 100 pupils last June. The Kings School headmaster Tony George. Supplied Court documents published late last month indicate George has since been dismissed by the school. They also say the date his termination is set to take effect has been extended to January 19. George is the 20th headmaster of Kings, Australias oldest private school and one of the wealthiest. He took up the position in July 2017 and was previously head of St Stephens School in Perth.

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He has previously described media reporting on the allegation as inaccurate or misleading. Georges sister, Professor Susan Petterson, on Tuesday made an impassioned plea on LinkedIn, calling for the boards governing elite private schools, which generate millions of dollars in revenue, to face more accountability. Her husband, Tim Petterson, was sensationally dismissed from his role as headmaster at Shore in 2022. Related Article HSC Swapping pens for code: Welcome to the newest HSC exam I write in light of troubling recent events at The Kings School, Parramatta  where the Headmaster has been dismissed after eight years of service  and reflecting also on the earlier dismissal of the Headmaster of Shore School in 2022, she wrote.

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Both matters have now reached the courts because our internal systems of accountability within the Sydney Anglican Church appear insufficient. Yet in the case of The Kings School and Shore, it is not obvious who the members actually are in any meaningful sense. In practice, there is no avenue for genuine accountability. This ambiguity allows councils to become self-perpetuating bodies, largely insulated from the voices of parishioners, alumni, staff, and families  the very people whose faith, generosity, and reputation sustain these schools. She urged members of the Anglican Church to question how the schools were governed and to whom they were accountable. Decisions of school councils shape the daily lives, values, and opportunities of tens of thousands of children and young people, thousands of staff, as well as the stewardship of hundreds of millions of dollars entrusted to church-related charities, she said. I therefore urge members of the Sydney Anglican Church  parishioners, clergy, families, alumni, and donors alike  to call for genuine accountability and transparency from our school councils.

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Chairman of The Council of the Kings School, Ken Chapman, wrote to current parents on Tuesday morning advising that the headmaster had commenced legal proceedings in relation to his employment. As the proceedings are now before the courts, the school will not make further comment at this time, he said. The Kings School was established 194 years ago. Its fees range from almost $30,000 for kindergarten to $49,980 for year 12. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalQueenslandQueensland residential property Their contract was torn up days before Christmas. Now theyve been asked to fork out an extra $1.2m Josephine Shannon January 6, 2026  8:01pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A retired Brisbane couple had their off-the-plan luxury apartment contract torn up just days before Christmas, due to a sunrise clause allowing the developer to terminate the agreement. Now it has been offered back for a much steeper price  more than $1.2 million than what they first agreed to. Enticed by high-end finishes and the idea of luxe living at Milton development Ruby Ruby, Daniel and Pascale Sinclair purchased a three-bedroom apartment off-the-plan after selling their business in 2024. Daniel and Pascale Sinclair, who had a contract to buy an off-the-plan apartment in the Brisbane suburb of Milton. Nine News Queensland Their history, apparently, was very honourable, and above board ... theyre a $5 billion company, Daniel Sinclair said of developer Kokoda.

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Delays began soon after the pair paid a deposit of $257,000. We bought in 24, they were supposed to start building January 25, he recalls. Nothing happened, no demolition, no builder on site, no announcement... nothing. Daniel and Pascale Sinclair were enticed by Ruby Rubys high-end finishings and the promise of luxe living. Nine News Queensland Then their off-the-plan contract was terminated late last year. The couple received an email from the developer just three days before Christmas. Given the Queensland builder shortage and after being unsuccessful in securing a builder in Queensland, we engaged with our network of builders in Melbourne to encourage them to set up their business and construct in Queensland, the email read.

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We are pleased to share that the builder who is proposed to deliver the construction of Ruby Ruby is Maxcon Construction ... The continuation of the building contract and construction is subject to Kokoda obtaining finance approval. The Ruby Ruby construction site in the Brisbane suburb of Milton. Nine News Queensland As a result of (a) the significant escalation in the build cost; and (b) the shortage of suitable builders delaying security a builder, we are only able to secure a suitable funding package for Ruby Ruby after the revision of prices  Regretfully we have no other viable option but to terminate all existing contracts and resell apartments at higher prices. The Sinclairs were then offered the chance to repurchase the apartment at $3.815 million. We bought for $2.6 million, theyre going to put it back onto the market at $4.14 million, and theyre going to give us an 8 per cent discount on that, Daniel Sinclair said.

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Duke Myrteza, a solicitor advising the Sinclairs, says his wife also had her contract to buy at Ruby Ruby torn up. Related Article Brisbane development Unusual feature scrapped from billion-dollar riverfront project as construction looms It remains to be seen whether clauses like this will be accepted by the courts, because the right is only given to the developer to terminate in these circumstances, unlike a sunset clause where both parties are entitled to terminate the contract, he said. The developers have given the Sinclairs until January 16 to either pay the new price, or get a refund of their deposit and interest. But the couple are concerned they have now been priced out of the market. Kokoda Property Group told Nine News that it needed additional revenue for the development of Ruby Ruby to be feasible.

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As a result, Kokoda Property Group has exercised its contractual rights to terminate the contracts. Buyers have been offered the opportunity to secure their residence at revised pricing. Kokoda Property Group remains fully committed to delivering Ruby Ruby to the high design and quality standards for which the Group is known. Early works have commenced, and construction will continue once financing conditions are met. Real Estate Institute of Queensland chief executive Antonia Mercorella said there were often legitimate reasons for a developer to terminate a contract, and Queensland was the most expensive jurisdiction in Australia for new construction. For the Sinclairs, the prospect of moving into Ruby Ruby feels more distant than ever. The building itself is phenomenal, its spectacular, but its definitely not worth $27,000 a square metre, Daniel Sinclair said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCrime Man charged over arson attack on rabbis car on Christmas Day Isabel McMillan and Alexander Darling Updated January 6, 2026  6:27pm ,first published 12:25pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A man accused of firebombing a rabbis car in Melbournes inner south on Christmas Day has claimed he is innocent, after he faced court charged with 20 offences, including six of arson. John Argento, 47, of Richmond appeared briefly before a Melbourne judge on Tuesday evening, following his arrest that morning in relation to the arson attack. Firefighters at the scene of the car fire in St Kilda East early on Christmas Day. Nine News A silver sedan that had a Happy Chanukah sign on its roof was set alight about 2.50am on December 25 while parked in the driveway of the rabbis home in Balaclava Road, St Kilda East, in the heart of Melbournes Jewish community. The rabbis wife and three children were evacuated at the time as a precaution. There was no one in the car at the time of the fire.

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Detectives arrested Argento in Victoria Street, Richmond, about 9am on Tuesday. After interviewing Argento, police charged him with 20 offences, including six counts of arson, six counts of theft and three counts of obtaining property by deception. It is not yet known whether all the charges relate to the Christmas Day incident. The court heard Argentos usual lawyers were unavailable for the hearing, and Magistrate Olivia Trumble adjourned proceedings until Thursday for this reason. Argento appeared via video link from custody. During the brief hearing he often had his head in his hands. At one point he interjected: Im innocent of this arson. Theres no evidence on me. I was charged last year with the same thing.

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Its not in your interest to speak over the link  theres many people on this link that can hear you, Trumble replied, in a reference to the media in attendance. Your lawyers would not advise you to do that. The court also heard that an email from Argentos lawyers indicated he is Indigenous, has diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, and receives methadone injections. Trumble said Argento would be seen by a nurse as soon as possible. No such thing, Im on a methadone program, Argento interjected. He later confirmed he was normally on medication for schizophrenia. The charges come less than two weeks after police revealed they believed Argento was involved in the arson attack but could not say if the fire was antisemitic in nature.

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Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert confirmed the man detectives arrested was the same person they had been looking for. On Boxing Day, police identified Argento as a person who may be able to assist with their investigation and appealed for him to contact police. On Tuesday afternoon, prior to charges being laid, Gilbert said police were working through now a number of offences that we will allege that that man has been involved in, he said. I understand peoples concerns  about the motivation for that. Related Article Updated

Crime Rabbis family evacuated after car firebombed on Christmas morning The firebombing occurred 11 days after two gunmen targeted a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach and killed 15 people. Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, ended on December 22. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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PoliticsQueenslandVale Former Queensland senator and Nationals stalwart, Ron Boswell, dies aged 85 Matt Dennien Updated January 6, 2026  4:53pm ,first published 2:32pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Former Queensland senator and National Party figure Ron Boswell, who claimed fending off a 2001 challenge from Pauline Hanson as his greatest political achievement, has died at age 85. News of Boswells overnight passing, at his Brisbane home with family, was shared by party colleagues and political figures with their condolences on Tuesday morning. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley described Boswell as a great Australian who was a tireless advocate that understood the challenges of rural and regional Australia because he had lived them. Senator Ron Boswell at federal parliament in 2005. Chris Lane That lived experience defined his politics and guided his work in the parliament, Ley said in a statement.

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He stood up to, and stood in the way of, fringe politicians peddling fringe politics. Boswell served in the Senate from 1983 until retiring in 2014, where he led the party for 17 years. He was also Father of the Senate  a title for its current longest serving member  from 2008. Ron Boswell (front row right) was a senate candidate for Johs Nationals in 1990. Fiona Robertson-Cuninghame Speaking in Cloncurry, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Boswell was someone focused on the national interest who took principled stances about people who would seek to divide the nation. And for Ron Boswells family, for his many friends and particularly to people in what is now the LNP here in Queensland, my sincere condolences on behalf of the nation for all those who will be grieving this very sad loss, Albanese said.

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Former prime minister John Howard, in whose government Boswell held a role as parliamentary secretary to the minister for transport and regional services, praised him as the genuine article. While the pair sometimes disagreed, Boswell never lost his affection and respect  with Howard also noting the Hanson battle as symbolising his commitment to an open and tolerant National Party. Boswell pictured with Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen (right) and Sir Johs doctor Isabelle Jonsson at Kingaroy in the former premiers final days. Steve Holland In his 2014 valedictory speech, Boswell himself remembered the 2001 campaign against the One Nation leader as the fight of my life. I risked everything to stand up against her aggressive, narrow view of Australia, Boswell said.

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Defeating Pauline Hanson and One Nation in 2001 has been my greatest political achievement. As recently as last month, Boswell wrote in a News Corp opinion piece that he hoped former Nationals colleague Barnaby Joyce fails in his next political task with One Nation. Boswell served in the Senate from 1983 until retiring in 2014. Chris Lane I have spent my entire political career fighting the far right, he said, a reference to his outspoken opposition to other far-right groups such as the League of Rights. So to see my good friend and colleague fall to Paulines charm, like so many before him, is distressing.

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Joyce himself, writing for this masthead on Boswells retirement, described him as the ultimate crossover politician that only survives in Queensland. Related Article Opinion A great senator hangs up his boots: Ron Boswell retires The hero of the religious conservative[s] that occupy Queensland like no other state, turning up by the hundreds to hear him talk about his battles for Christ, Joyce wrote. Then Bozzie would talk to the fisherman like their future was his. Veteran political journalist and commentator Paul Bongiorno described Boswell in a social media post on Tuesday as a person of great integrity, conviction and warmth.

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Boswell was, eventually, a reluctant supporter of the merger of the Queensland Liberal and National parties in 2008, which he was said to have viewed as a lesser of two evils. Matt Canavan, a Nationals-aligned Coalition member in the senate, described Boswell on Tuesday as a giant of a statesman who looked after the small, but always thought big. Ron Boswell died at his home in Brisbane. Andy Zakeli He was never afraid to champion a big idea even when the odds were stacked against him. He was one of the first to highlight the folly of subsidising only renewable energy, he said. Boswells faith also drove his opposition to same-sex marriage, telling the Senate during debate on a bill in 2012 that two mothers or two fathers cant raise a child properly  its defying nature.

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Queensland senator James McGrath, an LNP colleague of Canavan who sits in the Liberal partyroom in Canberra, described Boswell as a lion of not just the Senate but Queensland and the LNP. Much will be written about Ron but in his own words, he was not pretty, but he was pretty effective, McGrath said  referencing the title of Boswells 2023 memoir. Queensland and Australia are better places because of his service. His wife of more than five decades, Leita, died in 2021. The couple lost their son, Stephen, in 1999. They are survived by daughter Cathy, and the grandchildren he was so proud of, Canavan said. Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
Wall said the suburb was definitely the premium suburb of Newcastle. A lot of the streets, you can pretty much walk to the main shops, plenty of cafes, restaurants. Loading He said the local surf beach was world class and that it hosted the annual surfing festival, Surfest. While interest has dropped from Sydneysiders since the peak COVID era, Wall estimates 25 per cent of buyers are relocating from Sydney. Id say the 35 to 50 [years old] age bracket where theyre sort of skilled up, got their careers, had kids, and then think, yeah, theres more to it than this.

Gerringong Along the South Coast, Gerringong is about two hours from Sydney. Living amid lush green pastures that roll down to meet the sea, residents are spoilt with natural scenery. Selling agent Ryan Stalgis from First National Coast & Country Gerringong recently sold 37 Campbell Street for $1.7 million. The single-level dwelling with four bedrooms and a four-car garage had interest from locals and Sydneysiders. The home sold within two weeks to a retired couple from nearby Kiama.

Really green pastures, lovely climate, and [its] where the mountains meet the sea. You get the best of both worlds there; you get beautiful coastal walks. Weve got some lovely wineries in the area as well. So its a really nice lifestyle. Loading Stalgis said the proximity made the area popular for people looking for weekenders or retirees who still had family or part-time work in the city. Mudgee About three and a half hours inland from Sydney, Mudgee has a classic Australiana feel  scrubby bushland, tall eucalypts and even the occasional mob of kangaroos.

McGraths Adam Woods sold a brand new four-bedroom home on a huge 2011-square-metre block at 51 Webster Street for $1.6 million to an interstate buyer returning to the area. It sits in a location out there, Bombira [Estate], which has always been an aspirational area for people to want to live within, inside of Mudgee. He said the area drew tree-changers, local upsizers and retiring graziers and farmers. It sort of offers them a nice bit of space still, and they can still potter around and have a purpose, but not be right on top of their neighbours.

Woods said Mudgee embraced the multicultural and diverse community thats growing all the time. Loading Two others were interested in the property  a local upsizer and a Sydneysider  but were conditional on selling their homes first. Its a fair price, he said, adding that prices in the past six months had ranged between $1.3 million and $1.9 million depending on size and finish of the home. Murwillumbah

On the far north coast hinterland close to the Queensland border sits Murwillumbah, a relaxed, welcoming inland town. Selling agent Kristie Hoffman from Elders Real Estate Tweed Valley recently sold a four-bedroom family home at 191 Murwillumbah Street with stunning hinterland views for $1.6 million. You literally felt like you were backing onto farmland, but you were actually still only probably a 50-metre stroll [to] town, she said. It had that rural feel to it, but still within walking distance to the CBD. So really popular.
Brisbane: Nick Kyrgios has revealed after exiting the Brisbane International that the knee and wrist surgeries which derailed his career also robbed him of the invincibility he felt during his career-best 2022 season.

Kyrgios Australian Open wildcard audition will continue via doubles only after his first singles match in 10 months ended in a 6-3, 6-4 defeat in barely an hour to emerging American Aleksandar Kovacevic on Tuesday.

The contest, in front of a crowd cheering his every move, was a reminder that Kyrgios is understandably a shadow of the player who stormed into the Wimbledon final against tennis legend Novak Djokovic four years ago.

Nick Kyrgios. Credit: Getty Images

The 30-year-old had played only six singles matches across the past three years and none since Miami in March last year  outside exhibitions  before facing Kovacevic, who made his top-100 debut last year and is at a career-high ranking of No.58.
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InspirationSouth America Opinion This world-famous hike has a curveball that no one talks about Gary Nunn Contributor January 7, 2026  5:00am

January 7, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

As my hiking companion Michelle and I reach the notorious mid-stretch of Patagonias most popular day hike before its time to turn back on ourselves, a breathless man dripping in sweat makes eye contact with us from his rock perch, surrounded by dozens of other hikers cramming energy-giving sugar down their throats. He notices me nudge Michelle and nod with polite alarm in his direction. Wont tell you what its like, he says, wheezing. Youll turn back. As we learn, many do. The distant granite peaks of Mount Fitz Roy on the Laguna de los Tres. Gary Nunn

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We know the kilometre before you reach the midway point and turn back on The Laguna de los Tres hike in El Chalten, Argentina, is tough compared to the other 24 kilometres; Michelle is always fastidious in her research. But, once we endure it, we agree the toughness feels underplayed. And, once you surmount it, youre only halfway through. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. The hike, until that point, is glorious and only slightly challenging. Partly, though, that is due to the silly mistakes I make and surprises I discover  even as a relatively seasoned hiker. The biggest surprise is this halfway curveball. It shocks us with its sheer steepness, requiring intense scrambling and climbing; were definitely no longer hiking. Just as the iconic mountain range of Mount Fitz Roy peeps into view, hidden around the next corner is another steep and narrow scramble. An Austrian woman says it best as she also mistakenly assumes she has already reached the hikes summit: she screams Scheisse! so loudly, it echoes across the beautiful valley below like a yodel. The climb before the Mount Fitz Roy glacial lagoon viewpoint is the most challenging. iStock

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This is the hike you do at the heart of hikers paradise, Patagonia  El Chalten. Its a quaint, small and surprisingly gastronomically pleasing village nestled at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, which you reach after an equally iconic road trip down Route 40 (road trip playlist is essential)  a long, unusually straight road flanked by mountains. This hike is so popular because it can be done in a day  about eight to nine hours, according to most guides  the views are world-class, unique and satisfyingly dramatic without you even needing crampons and ropes, and its (supposedly) very doable  described as a medium level hike. I, however, would describe it as bordering on hard. For a start, it takes us almost 12 hours  not eight. And we are going at a steady pace without stopping too often. The Laguna de los Tres trail took us 12 hours  not the estimated eight. iStock

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There are three of us on this trip; we build up to this, the longest day hike, with previous shorter ones rated easy when they feel more like medium. Our third companion, who skips this trek with its 5am wake-up call, almost calls the authorities on hour 11, which is just when we get enough reception to reassure him. The first two hiking hours are in darkness; I had considered my smartphone light might be sufficient for the initial pitch-black ascent. Michelle had made her lemon-sucking face at this, and, thankfully, insisted I buy a torch. My iPhone light wouldve been woefully inadequate. I had also done a speed shop for food the day before and my impulse buys are similarly gravely lacking because I think its just a day hike. Think bruised bananas and an entire block of dulce de batata, a jelly-like sweet potato dessert, which I eat during the gruelling midway point. Michelle will never let me forget it. April foliage on the Laguna de los Tres trail. Getty Images The recommended times to go are November to April; I shouldve chosen January or February, rather than April, given my cold aversion. We have four seasons in a day and Im dressed for just two; I realise I need to invest in better (more expensive) outdoor clothing gear as I lean into my hiking era  something I wouldve scoffed at in my 20s.

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The morning is extremely cold. I, stupidly, have worn fingerless gloves and I honestly think all 10 of my fingertips will drop off. It is the coldest my hands have ever been, and Ive held a cold beer on a Melbourne winters night. Michelle, who has clearly researched and prepared for all weather possibilities, observes that I bash with my hiking stick every frozen puddle en route with undiminished bewilderment, and surely the 20th ice-bash should be less surprising. It is, naturally, all worth it for the intensity of the tingles that travel up your spine at the same time and pace that the sun rises to illuminate Mount Fitz Roy. Pure dopamine discharge. Mount Fitz Roy lit up at sunrise. iStock There is one other crucial element that makes it worth it. At a guided hike last year, our group has an ungodly 4am wake-up call; everyone is groaning and half asleep. Michelle says something outrageous in our shared tent that makes me howl with laughter almost as loudly as the Austrian womans yodel-like echoed expletive.

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Related Article Adventure holidays One of the worlds most beautiful walks can now be done in style We heard you early this morning, an American woman on our tour says. I told my daughter  listen to them. Get yourself a friend that makes you laugh from your gut at 4am  and youve won lifes lottery. Sometimes, even in stunning Patagonia, hikings as much about the company as it is the nature. The writer travelled at his own expense.

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Reviews & adviceTravel tips Opinion I travel for a living, yet I nearly fell for this common booking scam

Robert Jackman January 7, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

When you travel for a living, you pride yourself on being able to spot travel scams from a mile away. You certainly dont expect to end up almost falling for one and providing your credit card details to a Russian hacker in the process. With the January holiday booking season upon us, consider my tale a timely warning. In my defence, this particular scam was probably the most sophisticated I have ever seen. Not least as the criminals running it were able to target me using personal information that Id provided  supposedly safely and securely  to Booking.com. A legitimate Booking.com webpage; the one that fooled the author looked almost identical. Alamy How on Earth did they get that information in the first place? It turned out that the scammers had stolen the password of a Dubai-based hotel on Booking.com, and were using it to skim the contact details of customers  like me  who had made a reservation on the platform. The scam began when I received a polite WhatsApp message purporting to be from the hotel manager a few days after making the booking. He explained that there had been a problem with my credit card details and I needed to log on to Booking.com to confirm them.

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When I clicked the link in the message (which began with booking.confirmstay.com), I was taken to a webpage that looked exactly like the one Id seen countless times before. To make it even more convincing, it had the details of my private account and booking filled out as if I was already logged in. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Of course, this website was actually a total fraud. Rather than a legitimate website, it was a near-identical replica of the real Booking.com webpage. Crucially, it was also populated with identikit text fields that would pass on any information inputted (including my credit card details) to the criminals who had laid the trap in the first place. Theres a reason that youre warned about not replying to messages sent outside of the platform  and I almost learnt that lesson the hard way. As impressive as the scam was, Im aware it still begs some questions. First the obvious one: what on Earth was I doing opening a WhatsApp link, given that hotel platforms warn you not to do that? On this one, I hold my hands up. Though I will say that, having travelled to Dubai and Abu Dhabi many times, I know how absolutely everyone uses WhatsApp for business in that part of the world. Over the past few years, Ive had totally legitimate texts from hotels and airlines that looked just like this one.

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Then theres the bigger question: how on Earth did the scammers get hold of my personal information in the first place? The answer to this one definitely isnt on me  and it also raises serious questions as to how safe and secure Booking.com really is. Related Article Opinion

Tripologist The 24 common scams and traps travellers fall for (and how to avoid them) Michael Gebicki The Tripologist What almost certainly happened (though Booking.com wont say either way) is that hotel staff were tricked into handing over the log-in details for their business account by a clever phishing email. Once the criminals had that information, they could then squat inside the account for as long as they liked, gleaning the personal details of anyone who had made a booking. As Booking.com handles any payments directly, the fraudsters werent able to see my credit card details. Hence them using what personal information they did have on me (like my name and email) to make a bespoke scam website designed to trick me into handing over the last pieces of the puzzle. How often does this happen? Quite a lot by the sounds of it. The consumer experts at UK consumer site Which? say that one in 10 users of Booking.com report having received a scam message, whether by text or email.

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Could the platform do more to stop it? One option would be to require all hotel accounts to use two-factor authentication (meaning that they need to have a text sent to their phone in order to log in, as happens with online banking). At present, though, this is only recommended and isnt mandatory. Could Booking.com identify those accounts which may have been compromised? When I looked at the scam website in detail, I found snippets of Russian text within the source code. Surely the fact that a hotel in Dubai was having its account accessed from nearly 5000 kilometres away should have been a sign that something was up? Related Article Tripologist Beware booking that overseas hotel  it might not exist When I put those questions to Booking.com, it declined to comment. It also refused to say what its policy is when customers actually fall for this scam, or what steps it takes to secure the accounts of hotels who have been targeted by criminals. In short, it wasnt very helpful whatsoever. In those circumstances, its hard to see how this problem will go away any time soon. Not least as artificial intelligence now makes it easy for scammers to generate professional-sounding emails in a matter of seconds  something that consumer groups have been sounding the alarm about for over a year.

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In the meantime, Id advise anyone using booking platforms to be extremely careful. Theres a reason that youre warned about not replying to messages sent outside of the platform  and I almost learnt that lesson the hard way. The Telegraph, London

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WorldEuropeFire Bitter regret: Swiss authorities admit to six-year oversight before fatal fire David Crowe January 7, 2026  8:06am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: Safety inspectors failed to check the Swiss bar where 40 people died in a tragic fire last week, authorities say, admitting with bitter regret the shocking oversight that lasted six years. The bar had no fire alarm and only one fire extinguisher, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday, amid mounting anger at the way hundreds of young people struggled to escape the blaze in the early hours of the new year. Sound insulation at the Crans-Montana bar catches alight on New Years Eve. In a disturbing video released by Swiss broadcaster RTS, a bartender is seen warning partygoers at a previous New Years Eve celebration to be careful holding bottles with small fireworks attached because of the foam soundproofing on the ceiling. Watch out for the foam, says the employee in the video, indicating an apparent awareness of the risk of the material catching alight.

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Nicolas Feraud, the chairman of the council of Crans-Montana, the Swiss resort where the fire spread last Thursday, said there had been a failure in safety oversight of the bar since 2019, the last time it was inspected. We are deeply sorry. We had no indication that the checks had not been done as requested, he told reporters. Loading Crans-Montana mayor Nicolas Feraud, centre, addresses the media with other councillors on Tuesday. AP Feraud said the bar, known as Le Constellation, had passed its last inspection in 2019 and that the soundproof foam on the ceiling was considered acceptable at the time. He said the inspectors believed a fire alarm was not required due to the size of the bar.

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These soundproof panels have never been inspected, as our safety managers apparently did not deem it necessary, he said. The courts will have to determine whether this should have been done regardless. Prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the owners of the bar, and believe the fire was started by sparks from fireworks that ignited the foam above. One video of the celebration last Thursday shows young people reacting slowly to the flames on the foam, before panic sets in when dozens of them realise the danger and try to flee up a single staircase to the street. View post on X Police have identified all 116 people injured in the fire after several days of seeking to confirm identities, including through the use of DNA, because of the severity of the burns. More than half the injured are Swiss.

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The Australian government has said an Australian is among the injured, a fact confirmed by Swiss police on Tuesday, but no other details have been released about the persons identity, location or injuries. Police said 83 of the victims remained in hospital on Tuesday. The bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, issued a statement on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) saying they were devastated by the fire and had full confidence in the investigation. Candles, flags and flowers honour the victims of the fire at the bar in Crans-Montana. AP We are devastated and overwhelmed with grief, our thoughts constantly with the victims, their loved ones bereaved so brutally and prematurely, and all those who are fighting for their lives, the couple said in a statement reported by Swiss media. No words can adequately describe the tragedy that occurred that night at the Constellation.

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We will not attempt to shirk our responsibilities in any way. Related Article Fire These kids were abandoned: Anger grows over Swiss fire as police confirm Australian among those hurt A ceremony to honour the victims will take place on Friday in Martigny, the canton of Valais announced, with French President Emmanuel Macron expected to join Swiss and other leaders at the event. Most of those killed were teenagers, authorities said, with the youngest aged only 14. The injured include 68 Swiss citizens, 21 French nationals, 10 Italians, four Serbs, two Poles and one person each from Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal and the Republic of Congo, according to a police statement. There were also four dual nationals: of France and Finland, France and Italy, Switzerland and Belgium, and Italy and the Philippines. With Reuters Get a note direct from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his team are weighing "a range of options" to acquire Denmark's Greenland, including "utilizing the U.S. military," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal," Leavitt told Xinhua in an emailed statement.

She said that "President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region."

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Monday that nobody would fight the United States if it tried to seize Greenland, which is Denmark's autonomous territory.

It was "the formal position of the U.S. government that Greenland should be part of the U.S.," Miller said in an interview with CNN.

"We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense," Trump reiterated in a phone interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, reaffirming that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to U.S. intervention while claiming it was up to others to decide what a U.S. large-scale strike against Venezuela means for Greenland.

"If the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Monday in response.

Leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark issued a joint statement on Tuesday, which said that "it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

The leaders underscored that Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe, and it is critical for international and transatlantic security, noting that NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European allies are increasing their presence in the area.

Since taking office again in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal. 
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WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Opinion Trumps most evangelical warrior is having a come to Jesus moment Katy Hall Age deputy state topic editor January 7, 2026  5:00am

January 7, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

It seems that Marjorie Taylor Greene, once the darling of Donald Trumps Make America Great Again movement and an avowed conspiracy theorist, has had a come to Jesus moment. Following the USs weekend airstrikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, Greene, who ended her tenure as a Republican congresswoman this week, called out her former boss and his administration, saying Americans are sick and tired of the government taking action that doesnt serve the American people. Illustration by Simon Letch That MTG, as she came to be known during her five years in office, is going off script isnt especially significant in its own right. Her willingness to go rogue is what helped make her a cult-like figure among the far-right in the first place. Whats significant is that someone Trump once said had always been with him is breaking ranks so publicly. Only 18 months ago, during the Republican National Convention and days after an assassination attempt on his life, Trump chose Greene to sit beside him. In turn, she described him as the leader America deserves and the founding father of the America First movement in her speech to the party.

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Yet within months of Trumps return to Washington last year, Greene began showing signs she was having second thoughts. Throughout 2025, she criticised the US governments support of Israel, called the war in Gaza a genocide, condemned the airstrikes against Iran and denounced plans to send financial aid to Ukraine. She supported an expansion of the Affordable Care Act, attacked the government shutdown, objected to AI and cryptocurrency policies that she said would benefit billionaire donors and leave working-class Americans worse off, and took issue with the president saying the topic of affordability is a con job. Marjorie Taylor Green (right) appeared with Jeffrey Epsteins victims and Republicans and Democrats at a press conference in November to push for the release of the Epstein files. AP But the ultimate rupturing of the once dynamic duos relationship came in September. First, Greene met a number of Jeffrey Epsteins victims in a closed-door House oversight committee session and, along with fellow Republican Thomas Massie, teamed up with Democrat Ro Khanna to try to compel the Justice Department to release all documents relating to Epstein.

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The Epstein files represent everything that is wrong with Washington, she told The New York Times. Rich, powerful elites doing horrible things and getting away with it. And the women are the victims. After, Greene says the president called her, irate, and the pair had what would be their last conversation. When she expressed confusion and frustration at his reluctance to release information  particularly given his promise to do so during his campaign a year earlier  she claims Trump told her if he released the files, my friends will get hurt. A week later, Charlie Kirk was murdered while speaking at a university campus on September 10. At his funeral, in front of tens of thousands of mourners, Trump said that where Kirk did not hate his opponents and wanted the best for them, he disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I dont want the best for them. Greene speaks ahead of Donald Trump at a campaign event in Atlanta in late 2024. AP It was at that moment the fugue state Greene had been living in for more than five years finally lifted, she says.

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After Charlie died, I realised that Im part of this toxic culture, she told The New York Times last week. I really started looking at my faith. I wanted to be more like Christ. Though Greene is not the only once-devoted MAGA Republican to publicly break away from Trump since his return to power (far-right commentators Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, and podcaster Joe Rogan have also become vocal critics), she is easily the most senior elected member of the party to make calls from inside the House. Considering Trumps reputation for vengeance, his free admittance that he hates his enemies, and the willingness of his most rabid supporters to enact violence in his honour, Greene admitting fault for taking part in toxic politics is, despite her many flaws, a sign of her conviction. Greene joins Trump at a rally in Dalton, Georgia, in January 2021. AP But whats even more remarkable is that to many Americans, a woman who as recently as November said she believed aliens are demons that have fallen to Earth from heaven and who is still staunchly anti-abortion and transgender rights, is seen as a voice of reason. Increasingly, people on the left are willing to listen to and work with Greene, and come out in support of her.

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Democrat Ro Khanna said that whereas he once had the same caricatured opinion of her as everyone  that she was someone guided by conspiracies more than facts  his view changed after he worked with her. I found her to be a person of integrity and courage, considering the pressure she faced from the White House. Related Article Analysis

Venezuela crisis This could be Trumps Iraq, and Americans must ask: Is it what we voted for? In some ways, her about-face also offers something of a reassurance or, at the very least, a skerrick of hope that the temperature, which has been at boiling point for many far-right Republicans for so long, might be lowering slightly. That the many Americans who feel like they have lost relatives to Pizzagate, birther theories, COVID hoaxes and other off-the-wall beliefs about the deep state might yet have them return to reality. Greene acknowledging that she regrets being part of the problem doesnt absolve her of her role in Trumps political success. She was instrumental in normalising some of MAGAs most violent and vitriolic rhetoric. As The New York Times wrote this week, she had a taste for spectacle, including filing a petition to impeach the then House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, filming herself hectoring a teenage survivor of a school shooting, and admonishing participants in a Drag Queen Story Hour at a local library. Perhaps these contradictions and complexities are what is resonating with people.

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Frustrated and disillusioned voters believed America First would largely be a domestic endeavour. Now they hear the president say following his Venezuela intervention that he is considering action against Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Iran and Greenland, while they struggle to make ends meet. In that context, Greene is an outlier once again. Shes tearing down the thing she helped build, which could well be more politically consequential and damaging to Trump than anything the Democrats or establishment Republicans could ever say. Katy Hall is deputy state topic editor. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
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WorldNorth AmericaTrump's White House US cuts vaccine advice for every child, prompting outcry from doctors Ali Swenson and Lauran Neergaard January 6, 2026  12:07pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Washington: The United States has taken the unprecedented step of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child  a move that leading medical groups say will undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases. The change made on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) is effective immediately, meaning the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will now recommend that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases. Whats no longer broadly recommended is protection against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV. Instead, protections against those diseases are recommended only for certain groups deemed high risk, or when doctors recommend them in whats called shared decision-making. US Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy J has long been a vaccine sceptic. Bloomberg Trump administration officials said the overhaul, a move long sought by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, wont result in families who want the vaccines losing access to them, and said insurance would continue to pay. But medical experts say the decision creates confusion for parents and could increase preventable diseases. Individual states, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren in the US. While CDC requirements often influence those state regulations, some states have begun creating their own alliances to counter the Trump administrations guidance on vaccines.

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The change comes as US vaccination rates have been slipping and the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, according to US federal data. At the same time, rates of diseases that can be protected against with vaccines, such as measles and whooping cough, are rising across the country. Review came at the request of Trump The US Department of Health and Human Services said the overhaul was in response to a request from President Donald Trump in December. Trump asked the agency to review how peer nations approached vaccine recommendations and consider revising US guidance accordingly. The CDC no longer recommends influenza vaccine for children, even though almost 300 died in the US from the flu last northern winter. Bloomberg HHS said its comparison to 20 peer nations found that the US was an outlier in both the number of vaccinations and the number of doses it recommended to all children. Officials with the agency framed the change as a way to increase public trust by recommending only the most important vaccinations for children to receive.

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This decision protects children, respects families and rebuilds trust in public health, Kennedy said in a statement on Monday. Trump, reacting to the news on his Truth Social platform, said the new schedule was far more reasonable and finally aligns the United States with other Developed Nations around the World. President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy at a Make America Healthy Again event in May. AP Among those left on the recommended-for-everyone list are vaccines against measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, chickenpox and human papillomavirus, or HPV. The guidance reduces the number of recommended vaccine doses against HPV from two or three shots, depending on age, to one for most children. Medical experts said implementing such changes without what they said was public discussion or a transparent review of the data would put children at risk.

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Abandoning recommendations for vaccines that prevent influenza, hepatitis and rotavirus, and changing the recommendation for HPV without a public process to weigh the risks and benefits, will lead to more hospitalisations and preventable deaths among American children, Michael Osterholm, of the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota, said. Related Article Opinion

Vaccination This is the damage RFK Jnr has done in less than a year Jeneen Interlandi Contributor Sean OLeary, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, said countries carefully considered vaccine recommendations based on levels of disease in their populations and their health systems. You cant just copy and paste public health and thats what they seem to be doing here, OLeary said. Literally childrens health and childrens lives are at stake. Most high-income countries recommend vaccinations against a dozen to 15 serious pathogens, according to a recent review by the Vaccine Integrity Project, a group that works to safeguard vaccine use.

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France recommends all children get vaccinated against 14 diseases, compared to the 11 that the US now will recommend for every child under the new schedule. Australia recommends vaccines for all children against 15 diseases. Doctors groups criticise decision OLeary said the changes were made by political appointees, without any evidence that the current recommendations were harming children. An annual flu vaccine is recommended for all Australians aged over six months. Shutterstock The paediatricians group has issued its own childhood vaccine schedule that its members are following, and it continues to broadly recommend vaccines that the Trump administration has demoted.

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OLeary singled out the flu vaccine, which the government and leading medical experts have long urged for nearly everyone starting at age six months. He said the government was pretty tone-deaf for ending its recommendation while the country was at the beginning of a severe flu season, and after 280 children died from flu last winter, the most since 2009. Related Article Vale She submitted a heartbreaking gift of an essay. Weeks later, she was gone Even a disease that parents may not have heard of, rotavirus, could come roaring back if vaccination eroded, he added. That diarrheal disease once hospitalised thousands of children each winter, something that no longer happens. The decision was made without input from an advisory committee that typically consults on the vaccine schedule, said senior officials at HHS. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they werent authorised to discuss the changes publicly. They added that the new recommendations were a collaborative effort between federal health agencies but wouldnt specify who was consulted.

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Scientists at the CDCs National Centre for Immunisation and Respiratory Diseases were asked to present to the agencys political leadership about vaccine schedules in other countries in December, but were not allowed to give any recommendations and were not aware of any decisions about vaccine schedule changes, National Public Health Coalition executive director Abby Tighe said. Her group is an advocacy organisation of current and former CDC employees and their supporters. Changes of this magnitude require careful review, expert and public input, and clear scientific justification. That level of rigour and transparency was not part of this decision, the American Medical Associations Sandra Fryhofer said. The scientific evidence remains unchanged, and the AMA supports continued access to childhood immunisations recommended by national medical specialty societies. Kennedy is a longtime vaccine sceptic The move comes as Kennedy, a longtime activist against vaccines, has repeatedly used his authority in government to translate his scepticism about the shots into national guidance. In May, he announced the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women  a move immediately questioned by public health experts who saw no new data to justify the change.

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WorldNorth AmericaVenezuela crisis With slow, deliberate steps and a smile, ousted autocrat meets his new reality Jonah E. Bromwich , Benjamin Weiser , Maia Coleman and Hurubie Meko January 6, 2026  1:38pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

New York: Two days after being ripped from a compound in Caracas, Nicolas Maduro, the captive president of Venezuela, appeared in a New York City courthouse and pleaded not guilty to federal charges, declaring himself a prisoner of war. Maduro, who was seized by US Army Delta Force commandos on Saturday and transported to the United States, wore a navy shirt over orange prison garb and headphones for translation. He blinked in the bright lights of the courtroom as he was asked for his plea. Im innocent. Im not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country, he said in Spanish, formally entering a plea of not guilty to narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. A court sketch of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Monday. AP When he tried to keep speaking, saying he had been kidnapped, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein interrupted.

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I only want to know one thing, Hellerstein said. Are you Nicolas Maduro Moros? I am Nicolas Maduro Moros, the defendant responded. It was a collision with a new reality for the ousted Venezuelan leader, an autocrat who was compelled to conform to the rules of the courtroom, where the judge is the highest authority. His expression remained neutral, but his hands were restless  sometimes holding rigid on his chairs armrests, sometimes clasped prayer-like below his chin. Loading After his capture on Saturday along with his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also indicted, Maduro was brought to the United States to face charges, leaving the future of his country in question. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Maduro, who was indicted in New York five years ago before fresh charges were issued this weekend, was a fugitive from US justice and said that his rendition was largely a law enforcement operation.

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But Maduro, who took office in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chavez, is expected to challenge the legality of his arrest and the Trump administrations refusal to recognise him as a legitimate head of state. A lawyer for Maduro, Barry Pollack, said at the hearing on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) that he might file motions concerning Maduros role as the head of a sovereign government, adding that there were also questions about the legality of his military abduction. Maduro gets off a helicopter on his way to court. AP Leaders of foreign countries are typically granted immunity under international law, a norm that the United States has long observed. But Maduro has been accused by Venezuelans and many in the international community of having stolen the 2019 election that kept him in power. The United States refused to recognise him as the countrys legitimate leader after that election, or the July 2024 elections that he again purported to have won. Maduro entered the courtroom promptly at noon local time, escorted by US marshals, his black hair streaked with grey. He took slow, deliberate steps as he walked in, smiling slightly and surveying a sea of roughly six dozen lawyers, reporters and spectators packed into the gallery.

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Buenos dias, he told the crowd. He was seated two chairs away from Flores, the couple separated by one of her lawyers, Mark Donnelly. Flores, whose face was bruised and bandaged, spoke less frequently than her husband, but echoed his defiance. I am the first lady of the Republic of Venezuela, she said, when asked by Hellerstein to identify herself. She also pleaded not guilty. Members of the media gather outside the New York federal court before Maduros appearance. Bloomberg Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York had long targeted Maduro. Along with the charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy and conspiracy to import cocaine, he pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing and conspiring to possess machine guns. The combination of the machine gun counts with drug trafficking charges can result in lengthy prison sentences and prosecutors often pair them.

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As the hearing drew on, Maduro began to test the limits on his speech. He told Hellerstein, that he would like to ask that my notes be respected, and that I be allowed to keep them. I believe you are entitled to keep them, Hellerstein said, sounding surprised. At one point, Hellerstein asked a rudimentary, housekeeping question that is typically raised at such hearings: the date and time of the arrests. The prosecutor, Kyle Wirshba, responded precisely: The defendants entered law enforcement custody at 11.30am on January 3. He did not mention the military raid on foreign soil that led to their apprehension. Nicolas Maduro Guerra and Yosser Gavidia Flores, son of Cilia Flores, unveil a picture of their parents at the National Assembly in Caracas on Monday. Getty Images The indictment names six defendants, including Maduros son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, known as Nicolasito; former minister of the interior and justice Ramon Rodriguez Chacin; minister of interior, justice and peace Diosdado Cabello Rondon; and Tren de Aragua leader Hector Guerrero Flores. The Trump administration has designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organisation linked to Maduro.

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Shortly before the arraignment began, Maduros son delivered a fiery speech during a closely watched meeting of the Venezuelan National Assembly, saying that his father and second mother were kidnapped by the United States and that the world was facing a dangerous regression to imperialism. Related Article Venezuela crisis No one knew how powerful she was: Why Celia Flores was arrested alongside her husband The inclusion of Guerrero Flores, who was also indicted in a different case in December and remains at large, reflects the White Houses repeated assertion that Maduro worked with narco-terrorists, including Tren de Aragua. The indictment does not tie Guerrero Flores directly to Maduro. Instead, it said Guerrero Flores co-operated with members of the Venezuelan regime. The indictment says Flores, her husband and other defendants partnered with narcotics traffickers and narco-terrorist groups that were sending cocaine from Venezuela to the United States through countries like Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. She is charged in the trafficking conspiracy but not in the narco-terrorism conspiracy. The indictment also says Flores attended a meeting in 2007 where she accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to broker a meeting between a large-scale drug trafficker and the director of Venezuelas national antidrug office, Nestor Reverol Torres.

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On Monday morning, while Maduros arraignment proceeded on the 26th floor of the federal courthouse, the global debate over the US intervention in Venezuela played out in miniature on the street. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the mouth of a park across from the courthouse, chanting in English and Spanish and waving signs that said USA Hands Off Venezuela and US Out of Latin America. A few wore kaffiyehs. Soon, another group with hats and caps with the Venezuelan flag arrived to chant in response. People protest outside Manhattan Federal Court on Monday. AP Supporters of Maduro gather outside the federal court on Monday. Bloomberg They cheered Libertad! and chanted, in Spanish, It already fell; it already fell; this dictatorship already fell. They were joined by several supporters of Trump, one of whom carried a giant red flag that said Trump for King and bore a crowned image of the president.

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Among them was Pedro Reyes, 39, who stood outside the courtroom for hours. He held a poster with pictures of his own body studded with ugly wounds and the words: Twelve years of waiting, pain and silence. Today, my aggressor is captured. Reyes said in an interview that as a protester in Venezuela he was imprisoned for three days. They urinated on me. They abused me. They stripped me naked and poured cold water on me, Reyes, who now lives in Brooklyn and works in a restaurant, said. He said he was happy to see Maduro in federal court, no matter how long a trial takes. Its a small justice for many of my friends who lost their lives, he said. A court sketch of Maduro reacting to a spectator in court. AP The protest energy carried into the courtroom. As the hearing ended and Maduro was being escorted to a side door, a man in the gallery dressed in a white shirt and black coat rose and addressed Maduro.

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WorldSouth AmericaVenezuela crisis Nobel winner backs courageous Trump over raid  but issues warning David Crowe January 7, 2026  5:44am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: Venezuelan political leader Maria Corina Machado has thrown her support behind the US military operation to replace the nations leadership and vowed to return home in the hope of winning an election to decide the countrys future. Machado heaped praise on Donald Trump in her first interview since the US president ordered special forces into the country to capture its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and assert US control of the nation and its oil industry. Maria Corina Machado greets crowds in Oslo last month after emerging from hiding. AP Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October for her campaign for free and fair elections in Venezuela, appeared on Fox News to back Trump when his critics say he has breached the United Nations charter. January 3 will go down in history as the day justice defeated a tyranny, she said of the US action on Saturday to capture Maduro and transfer him to New York to face trial over narcotics trafficking.

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Its a milestone, and its not only huge for the Venezuelan people and our future, I think its a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity. Trump praised Machado in the hours after the military operation to seize Maduro, but said she did not have enough support to run the country, using this as justification to back Maduros deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, as the interim president. Machado spoke to Fox News  Trumps preferred television network  to warn against keeping Rodriguez in power while making it clear to host Sean Hannity that she was thankful to Trump for what he had done. I do want to say today, on behalf of the Venezuelan people, how grateful we are for his courageous vision, the historical actions he has taken against this narco-terrorist regime to start dismantling this structure and bringing Maduro to justice, she said.

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Machado won an early stage of the countrys presidential election in 2023 but was blocked from contesting the final ballot, choosing to back former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, who won the final race. Edmundo Gonzalez is now based in Spain after Maduro refused to step down after losing the election. Machado lived in hiding in Venezuela for more than a year before emerging in Oslo in December to accept the Nobel, but she did not disclose her location when she spoke to Fox News. She said she last spoke to Trump on December 10, and she dedicated the peace prize to the US president and the Venezuelan people. US President Donald Trump addresses House Republicans in Washington on Tuesday. AP Trump has warned in public remarks that Rodriguez will pay a very big price if she does not do what he wants, but this has not discouraged her from keeping two of Maduros top lieutenants, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello Rondon, in office. Rondon is named as a defendant in the US indictment against Maduro and has been blamed for the repression of civil society leaders.

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What were seeing right now, in the last 24 hours is really alarming, Machado said, pointing to the detention of journalists by the interim administration in Caracas. Delcy Rodriguez, as you know, is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco-trafficking, she claimed. Shes the main ally and liaison with Russia, China, Iran  certainly not an individual that could be trusted by international investors. Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as acting president of Venezuela. Getty Images Trump has made no promises about elections in Venezuela, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the priority was the security of the US and that the next steps would take time.

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Related Article Venezuela crisis The leaders who were outraged and those who were delighted by Trumps strike on Venezuela The US administration has sent conflicting messages about whether it is running the country  as Trump claimed at one point  and is yet to outline a transition to a new government. At the same time, there are doubts about whether major US companies will invest in the oil industry because of the geopolitical risks. Machado set out her credentials as a future leader who could bring stability to the country and restore a market economy, telling Fox News she had won the 2023 ballot in a landslide and wanted a free and fair election. We will win with over 90 per cent of the votes. I have no doubt about it, she said.

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Supporters in Caracas demand the return of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. AP As Trump talks about opening up the oil industry for US companies, Machado set out an agenda to turn Venezuela into a strong US ally with a market economy. We will turn Venezuela into the energy power of the Americas, she said. We will bring rule of law. We will open markets. There will be security for people and investment. We will bring millions of Venezuelans, that have been forced to flee our country, back home to build a strong nation, prosperous nation, open society.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis is urging the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Gumbs, and Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, Patrice Gumbs, to ensure that Fort Amsterdam, one of Sint Maartens most important historical monuments, is included in any upgrading and beautification initiatives undertaken by their ministries.

Fort Amsterdam, built in 1631, is among the islands last remaining historic monuments. Constructed to protect the Dutch colonial outpost and seaport, it is recognized for its strategic location overlooking Great Bay and Little Bay and for being the site of the failed Dutch attempt to retake the fort from the Spanish in 1644.

Today, Fort Amsterdam is a popular tourist attraction, offering both historical insights and scenic views. However, MP Lewis expressed strong dissatisfaction with the monument's current state of neglect. During our visit, some Divi employees and tourists took the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the upkeep of our national historic monument. MP Lewis also spoke to Ma,x an environmental protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) researcher, who explained to the MP that the degradation of the Fort can have a significant negative impact not only on tourism but also to the Brown Pelicans, who uses the area as a nesting site, which is known to be the last nesting site of our national bird.

It is quite embarrassing to see that one of our most popular tourist sitesattracting guests from around the world to experience and learn about our historyis facing deterioration and neglect. We must do better at maintaining and safeguarding our national historic monuments. As the Minister who oversees our culture, I urge you to take this situation seriously before Fort Amsterdam falls into a state that can no longer be revived, MP Lewis stated.

MP Lewis also called on the Ministers to look to Fort Louis on the northern side of our island as an example, where continuous maintenance and upgrades are carried out to preserve its historical and cultural value.

If our neighbors can prioritize the preservation of their historic sites, then surely we, too, can ensure that Fort Amsterdam receives the respect, investment, and care it deserves, he added.

MP Lewis reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for the protection and promotion of Sint Maartens cultural heritage, urging immediate action to prevent further decline of Fort Amsterdam. This site is historically and ecologically important, and the Ministers responsible must do their job and preserve our national treasure. MP Lewis concluded.
Willemstad, January 6, 2026  The Government of Curacao has announced the reappointment of a high-level representative to the Dutch Embassy in Washington, D.C., following a decision by the Council of Ministers. This move comes in response to dynamic geopolitical developments and strategic priorities in areas such as economics, tourism, justice, and security.

Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, who also serves as Minister of General Affairs, has appointed Mr. Jerome Beeldsnijder as the Plenipotentiary Minister of Curacao at the Dutch Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Beeldsnijder, born in Suriname and raised in Tera Kora, Curacao, brings a wealth of experience to the role. After completing his secondary education on the island, he pursued studies at the Royal Military Academy (KMA) in the Netherlands. His distinguished career includes service as a professional officer and multiple deployments to the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where he participated in special operations and collaborated with international intelligence agencies.

In addition to his military background, Mr. Beeldsnijder has held leadership roles as the director of National Security Services in both Sint Maarten and Curacao. His extensive experience in managing complex situations, international decision-making, and strategic networking will be instrumental in advancing Curacao's national interests.

As Plenipotentiary Minister, Mr. Beeldsnijder will focus on strengthening Curacao's strategic relationships within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and with international partners. His efforts will prioritize security, geopolitical developments, justice, economic cooperation, and global positioning. His deep understanding of international security issues and his robust network within defense and security structures align closely with Curacao's current and future priorities in the region.

Mr. Beeldsnijder will officially begin his duties in Washington, D.C., on February 1, 2026. Meanwhile, Mr. Mitchell Boyd will serve as Acting Director of the Curacao Security Service.

On behalf of the government and the people of Curacao, Prime Minister Pisas extended his best wishes to Mr. Beeldsnijder for success in his new mission representing the nation.

CITED: https://gobiernu.cw/nl/nieuw/herintroductie-vertegenwoordiger-van-curacao-te-washington-d-c/
PARIS, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A coalition of about 30 Western and European countries agreed Tuesday at a meeting in Paris that any future peace settlement must include robust and binding security guarantees for Ukraine.

In a joint declaration, the Coalition of the Willing said they remain committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter, and welcomed progress in recent talks among the United States, Ukraine and European partners.

They stressed that Ukraine's ability to defend itself is critical to its future security and to broader Euro-Atlantic stability, and confirmed that safeguarding Ukraine's sovereignty and long-term security will be an integral part of any peace agreement.

According to the declaration, the coalition stands ready to put in place a system of politically and legally binding guarantees once a ceasefire takes effect. This will include participation in a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism, military support for Ukraine and long-term defense cooperation. 
Thailand says Cambodia violated truce with cross-border 'accident'



Bangkok, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



Thailand accused Cambodia of violating a 10-day-old truce on Tuesday, saying cross-border mortar fire wounded a soldier, while Phnom Penh said a "pile of garbage" exploded, injuring two of its own troops.

A decades-old border dispute between the Southeast Asian nations erupted into military clashes several times last year, with fighting in December killing dozens of people and displacing around one million on both sides.

The two countries agreed a fragile truce on December 27, ending three weeks of clashes.

"Cambodia has violated the ceasefire" on Tuesday morning, the Thai army said in a statement, accusing Cambodian forces of firing mortar rounds into Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province.

One soldier was wounded by shrapnel, it added.

The Thai army said in a later statement that the Cambodian side had contacted a Thai military unit and claimed "there was no intention to fire into Thai territory", adding "the incident was caused by an operational error by Cambodian personnel".

The Thai military said it warned Cambodian forces to exercise caution, stressing if a similar incident occurred, Thailand may need to retaliate.

Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said two Cambodian soldiers were injured, one severely, on Tuesday morning in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, which sits opposite Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani.

While Cambodian forces were performing "organization and orderliness" duties, "an explosion occurred from a pile of garbage", she said, resulting in the two injured soldiers being hospitalised.

Socheata did not mention the strike alleged by Thailand, but said both nations' border coordination teams had consulted on the incident involving the Cambodian soldiers and addressed the matter.

The explosion occurred in a frontier region known as the Emerald Triangle, Socheata added where the borders of both countries and Laos meet.

In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight with Thai troops in the area, reigniting the border conflict.



- 'An accident' -



Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said his government had lodged a protest with Phnom Penh, stating "the truce was violated".

"At the military-to-military level, we have been told the incident was an accident, but we are seeking clarification on how responsibility will be taken," Anutin told reporters in Bangkok.

Charnvirakul added that Thailand had the "capability to respond" to Cambodia, which is vastly outgunned by its neighbour.

The nations' long-standing conflict stems from a dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border, where both sides claim territory and centuries-old temple ruins.

Under the December truce, Cambodia and Thailand pledged to cease fire, freeze troop movements and cooperate on demining efforts along their border.

On December 31, Bangkok released 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July when border clashes that month killed dozens of people.

Thailand's foreign ministry said their release was "a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building".

Phnom Penh said last week it remained "hopeful" that their return would "significantly contribute to building mutual trust".

The United States, China and Malaysia had brokered a truce to end the fighting between Cambodia and Thailand in July, but that ceasefire was short-lived.



- Disputed border -



On Saturday, one week after the December truce went into effect, Cambodia called on Thailand to pull out its forces from several border areas Phnom Penh claims as its own.

The Thai military has rejected claims it had used force to seize Cambodia territory, insisting its forces were present in areas that had always belonged to Thailand.

While the two nations agreed late last month to stop fighting, they still need to resolve the demarcation of their disputed border.

Cambodia's defence ministry said in a statement Tuesday that Phnom Penh had proposed a bilateral border committee meeting with Thai counterparts to be held in Cambodia's Siem Reap province this month.

Bangkok has said previously that meetings to discuss border surveying and demarcation may need to be held by Thailand's next government, following elections scheduled for February 8.
Taiwan launches search for fighter jet pilot



Taipei, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



Taiwan's Air Force said Tuesday it has launched a search for a pilot believed to have ejected from a F-16 fighter jet over the sea during a routine training mission.

The single-seat aircraft took off at 6:17 pm local time (1017 GMT) from Hualien Air Base in eastern Taiwan, the Air Force said in a statement.

"At 7:29 pm, the pilot was suspected to have ejected about 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township in Hualien County," the statement said.

"The Air Force immediately established an emergency response centre and launched a search operation."

Premier Cho Jung-tai has called for Taiwan's coastguard and nearby fishing vessels to assist in the search and rescue efforts, Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee said in a statement.

Taiwan has ordered 66 US F-16V -- a fourth-generation multi-role fighter -- that is a significantly upgraded version of Taiwan's ageing F-16 A/B jets.

Taiwan completed upgrades of 141 older F-16s to the V standard in late 2023.

The aircraft were due to be delivered in 2026 but Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo said recently that would be "challenging".

Taiwan's military is under pressure from China, which claims the democratic island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.

China has in recent years ramped up incursions by fighter jets and warships around the island -- actions that military experts dub as grey-zone tactics that serve to exhaust the island's armed forces.
US would lead Ukraine ceasefire monitoring, back multinational force: draft statement



Paris, France, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



The United States would lead a "ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism" with European participation if a peace deal is agreed in the Russia-Ukraine war, Kyiv's allies said in a draft statement seen by AFP ahead of a Paris summit Tuesday.

Washington would also commit to "support" a European-led multinational force -- deployed in Ukraine after any ceasefire -- "in case of" a new attack by Russia, it added.

President Emmanuel Macron is hosting a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing allies of Ukraine on Tuesday, including European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and American envoys.

The meeting is focused on the security guarantees Ukraine requires in the event of a ceasefire to deter further Russian aggression.

"There will be a continuous, reliable ceasefire monitoring system. This will be led by the US with international participation," the draft statement said.

The multinational force to be deployed after a ceasefire would provide "reassurance measures in the air, at sea and on land" for Ukraine and ensure the "regeneration of the armed forces of Ukraine", it added.

"These elements will be European-led," it said.

There would be US participation in the force "including US capabilities such as intelligence and logistics", and "a US commitment to support the force in case of attack" by Russia, it said.

The draft statement said there would be "binding commitments to support Ukraine in the case of a future armed attack by Russia in order to restore peace".

These commitments "may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions," it said.
Seven killed in clashes between Syria govt, Kurdish forces in Aleppo



Damascus, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



Clashes between government personnel and Kurdish-led forces in the north Syrian city of Aleppo killed at least seven people on Tuesday, mostly civilians, with both sides trading blame over who started the fighting.

The implementation of a March deal to merge the Kurds' semi-autonomous administration and military into Syria's new Islamist government has stalled, and tensions occasionally erupt into clashes, particularly in Aleppo, which has two Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods.

On Tuesday morning, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that groups affiliated with the government "targeted the Sheikh Maqsud neighbourhood with a reconnaissance drone", resulting in "the death of one resident".

It later said the toll had risen to three civilians including two women in "indiscriminate artillery and missile shelling carried out by factions of the Damascus government" on the Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh districts.

"The shelling is still ongoing, with the use of drones... direct sniper fire and heavy-weapon fire," the SDF statement said.

Aleppo's Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh neighbourhoods have remained under the control of Kurdish units linked to the SDF, despite Kurdish fighters agreeing to withdraw from the areas in April.

In a statement carried by state news agency SANA, the defence ministry said the SDF targeted "a number of neighbourhoods in Aleppo city adjacent to the districts it controls".

"The ongoing attacks have resulted in three dead and more than 12 wounded among civilians," it said, also reporting one dead in an attack on an army position.

"The SDF is again proving that it does not recognise the March 10 agreement and is trying to undermine it," the statement added.







- Stalled talks -



The SDF controls large swathes of Syria's oil-rich north and northeast, and with the support of a US-led international coalition, was integral to the territorial defeat of the Islamic State group in Syria in 2019.

Its integration into the state following the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad a year ago has proven complicated, and the original March agreement was supposed to be implemented by the end of 2025.

The agriculture ministry said two workers at a research centre were among the dead on Tuesday, while Aleppo provincial authorities said an SDF shell hit the main gate of a hospital in the Bustan al-Basha district.

The SDF also accused factions affiliated with Syria's army of attacking the town of Deir Hafer, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Aleppo, and near the strategic Tishreen Dam to the city's northeast.

The Kurdish-led force affirmed its right to "respond legitimately to these attacks".

On Sunday, SDF chief Mazloum Abdi held further talks with officials in Damascus on integrating the Kurdish-led forces, but state media said no tangible results were achieved.

The Kurds have repeated calls for decentralisation -- which Syria's new Islamist authorities have rejected.

Last month in Aleppo, deadly clashes killed five people, in violence that came after Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of Turkey -- a close ally of the new authorities -- urged the SDF during a visit to Damascus not to be an obstacle to Syria's stability.
BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation should be the defining feature of China-EU relations, with partnership being their proper positioning, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

Noting that China and Finland jointly celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations over the past year, Wang said that bilateral ties have achieved new development, and cooperation across various fields has yielded fresh outcomes.

This fully demonstrates the traditional friendship, mutual benefit and forward-looking nature of China-Finland relations, Wang said, adding that the stable growth of China-Finland relations, which have transcended differences in social systems and weathered shifting international dynamics, is rooted in the unwavering mutual commitment of both sides to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Noting that this year is the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Wang said that China will continue to pursue high-level opening up, adding that China stands ready to strengthen alignment of development strategies with Finland and deepen cooperation in such fields as energy transition, circular economy, artificial intelligence, green development, and elderly care services.

China will also join hands with Finland in upholding free trade, supporting economic globalization, and achieving shared development and prosperity.

Wang expressed hope that Finland, as an important member state of the EU, will play a positive role in promoting the EU to adopt a rational and objective view of China, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, actively advance the strategic alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU's Global Gateway Initiative, restart the ratification of the China-EU agreement on investment, and actively explore the negotiation and signing of a China-EU free trade agreement.

He further expounded China's position on the Taiwan question and pointed out the regressive moves taken by Japan's current leader, expressing the hope that Finland would understand China's legitimate stance.

Valtonen conveyed Finnish President Alexander Stubb's cordial greetings to President Xi Jinping, noting that Finland-China relations have maintained stable development for a long time.

Finland adheres to the one-China policy and looks forward to closer high-level exchanges with China and deepening cooperation in various fields, said Valtonen, adding that Finland supports free trade and upholds the principle of mutual benefit.

The two sides share extensive common interests and broad prospects for cooperation in areas such as green energy and scientific and technological innovation, said Valtonen.

Noting that Europe and China are important partners in climate, energy, and other fields, she said that it is essential to maintain a constructive relationship between the two sides, and Finland is willing to play an active role in this regard.

The two sides also exchanged views on the current situation and prospects regarding the Ukraine crisis. 
Red Crescent says Israeli army gunfire wounds five in West Bank



Birzeit, Palestinian Territories, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli troops shot and wounded five people on Tuesday at a university in the occupied West Bank, while the military said its forces fired to break up a violent confrontation.

Military vehicles entered the campus of Birzeit University late in the morning, according to several witnesses who spoke to AFP and whose accounts were confirmed by the institution's president Talal Shahwan.

Videos posted to social media showed the intervention, while AFP journalists saw several military vehicles leave the campus, escorted by Israeli soldiers on foot.

The Israeli military said it intervened to disperse an "anticipated gathering in support of terror" that was about to take place at the university, according to "intelligence indications" it received.

The military said that a "violent confrontation broke out... during which rocks were hurled from rooftops in the area toward the forces".

"The forces responded with riot dispersal means and precise fire toward the main violent individuals," the military added.

The Red Crescent said 11 people were wounded in total, including five from live ammunition, four through gas inhalation and two as a result of falls.

The university's communications department told AFP that students had thrown stones at the troops, adding that all of the wounded were students.

An AFP journalist saw ambulances take away several people.

"Unfortunately, the university has been a recurring target, but this time the brutality crossed all limits," Shahwan told a news conference.

Israeli forces had previously entered the campus several times.

In September 2024, the army confiscated property belonging to the student council, according to the university.

Since the start of the war in Gaza following Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, violence has also surged in the West Bank.

Israeli troops and settlers have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians in the territory, including many militants as well as dozens of civilians, according to an AFP tally based on figures from the Palestinian health ministry.

According to official Israeli figures, at least 44 Israelis, both soldiers and civilians, have also been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations in the same period in the West Bank.
55 Cuban, Venezuelan troops killed during US capture of Maduro: official tolls



Caracas, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



Fifty-five Cuban and Venezuelan military personnel were killed during the US raid to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, according to tolls published Tuesday by the two Latin American allies.

During his 12 volatile years in power, Maduro -- like his predecessor Hugo Chavez -- employed specialized Cuban soldiers for his protection.

Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said on Sunday that Maduro's presidential guard was largely wiped out "in cold blood" by US troops who bombarded the capital and seized him from his home.

Cuba published the names of 32 members of its military who died in the nighttime assault that led to Maduro's capture in Caracas on January 3.

They included three senior officers from the Cuban interior ministry.

The Venezuelan military published online a list of 23 of its personnel who were also killed, including five admirals.

In the face of pressure from Washington, the leftist governments in Cuba and Venezuela maintain close ties in military cooperation, health and education.
Pentagon reviewing combat roles for women



Washington, United States, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



The US Department of Defense is launching a review of the effectiveness of having women serve in ground combat roles, which were opened to female troops a decade ago, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is a frequent critic of so-called "woke" policies -- by companies, at universities, and in the military -- that attempt to increase opportunities for minorities, and expressed opposition to women serving in combat before taking office.

The review is being undertaken by the non-profit Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to "ensure standards are met and the United States maintains the most lethal military," Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement.

"Our standards for combat arms positions will be elite, uniform, and sex neutral because the weight of a rucksack or a human being doesn't care if you're a man or a woman," Wilson said, adding that the Pentagon "will not compromise standards to satisfy quotas or an ideological agenda."

US broadcaster NPR -- which obtained a Pentagon memo on the review -- reported that it would take six months and said Army and Marine Corps leaders were asked to provide data to the IDA, including on unit readiness, training and performance.

Before his nomination to be defense secretary, Hegseth said during an episode of the "Shawn Ryan Show" podcast that he was opposed to women serving in combat roles, though not their presence in the armed forces as a whole.

But he sought to move away from those remarks in his Senate confirmation hearing early last year, telling lawmakers that "women will have access to ground combat roles... given the standards remain high."

In March, Hegseth ordered the military to develop gender-neutral physical fitness standards for frontline troops, but did not raise the possibility of excluding women from combat roles.
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He also said there was no need to consider whether the US might carry out a military operation to take it over because nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland.
In a message aimed at Washington, Mr Streeting added: At a time when we can see the security of Nato members and the Alliance at threat, particularly from Russia, but also from our other adversaries, this is not the time to destabilise Nato and to undermine our collective security.
We are working closely with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council and if there is any assistance that is required by those authorities the Government will be happy to take forward that work, and that is, of course, what our liaison officers are doing on a constant basis.
The colony grew in 2025 when 16 chicks were hatched in one season, which the zoo said was a big conservation win because the species, originally from Chile and Peru, is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and their numbers are declining in the wild.
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the recent U.S. military action in Venezuela and called for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Speaking at the 31st annual commemoration of Joe Slovo held at Avalon Cemetery in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, Ramaphosa described Washington's action as a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We reject utterly the actions that the United States has embarked upon and stand with the people of Venezuela, and we demand the release of President Maduro and his wife as well," he said.

Ramaphosa also urged the UN Security Council to act decisively to uphold international law and maintain international peace and security. 
Asked what it was like to go back to school, she told ITVs This Morning: In 2024, I was in Atlanta for a whole year. I basically wasnt at school at all and so going back to just sort of normal life, (after) chemistry tests, all of that.
Blue Origin launches its New Glenn rocket into orbit in January 2025 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The company could compete with SpaceX for a new launch site for the rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Blue Origin Jeff Bezos, center, and Elon Musk, right, at President Donald Trumps inauguration in January 2025. Space companies owned by the tech billionaires are lining up to battle for a new launch site at a California space base. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press Starship begins its 11th test flight from Starbase in November. SpaceX could be making a move to create a Starship site at a California space base. Eric Gay/Associated Press Then President-elect Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk explains Starship operations ahead of the launch of its sixth test flight in November. Brandon Bell/Associated Press file photo

Elon Musks SpaceX and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin may soon be sparring over a stretch of land along the California coast that the Space Force wants to see turned into a launch site for massive rockets.

Officials at the sprawling Vandenberg Space Force Base about 150 miles north of Los Angeles have asked for proposals from space firms to build a launch complex for so-called heavy or super-heavy spacecraft on a desolate stretch at the bases southern tip.

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Both Starbase-headquartered SpaceX and Kent, Washington-based Blue Origin are expected to submit bids to develop the future site for their giant rockets  Starship and New Glenn respectively.

Though it could be the first West Coast site for either of the vehicles, a competition over launch infrastructure wouldnt be the first for the two billionaires and their space companies.

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Starship currently launches from its base in South Texas, but SpaceX is building launch facilities in Florida, as well.

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Florida

In 2013, Blue Origin balked at SpaceXs plans for an exclusive lease for Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, a historic pad previously used for the Apollo and Shuttle programs. The Government Accountability Office denied the protest and NASA awarded a 20-year-lease to SpaceX for the site.

Since then, SpaceX has retrofitted 39A for Falcon 9 rockets and has built a Starship launch tower at the site, which is part of the companys plans for the giant spacecrafts growing footprint.

While SpaceX builds and launches the 400-foot-tall Starship at Starbase  where it has a manufacturing facility, test site and two launch towers  its also building another Starship factory, or Gigabay, at Kennedy, as well as two additional launch towers at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

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For its part, Blue Origin flies its New Glenn from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral but doesnt yet have a West Coast facility.

A strategic advantage

The recent request for information pits the companies against each other in their proposals to develop the new site known as Space Launch Complex 14  or SLC-14. Blue Origin and SpaceX lead the current list of contenders, which may grow to include others like Relativity Space and United Launch Alliance.

A heavy/super-heavy launch capability at (Vandenberg) offers a strategic advantage to the (Space Force), enabling the deployment of larger, more capable military satellites and facilitating rapid response missions during national security emergencies, said the request. Adding such capabilities enhances resilience, diversifies the governments portfolio, and accelerates satellite constellation reconstitution due to increased lift capacity.

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The space service wants to add a site capable of launching heavy payloads  from 44,000 pounds to 110,200 pounds  or super-heavy payloads above that size. Its seeking proposals for spacecraft not already operating at the base to increase what it calls launch diversity.

SpaceX routinely launches Falcon 9s from Vandenberg. Its retrofitting SLC-6, a site at the base originally intended for the Space Shuttle, for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches, and some have speculated it could eventually be a good fit for Starship.

So far, theres been no official comment about expanding Starship operations to California.

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Rocket Cargo

According to SpaceX, Starship can carry as much as 150 tons to orbit, but thats still to be proven. The military is investing in using the craft to carry payloads anywhere on Earth in an hour or less, a concept it calls Rocket Cargo or point-to-point delivery.

In its request, the service asked vendors to identify unique capabilities such as point-to-point delivery, payload return, survivability, (and) reuse.

SpaceX hasnt tried to land a Starship thats been to space on solid ground yet, but it has successfully landed and reused the crafts lower-stage booster. Its also had controlled splashdowns of Starship in the Indian Ocean.

Unlike Starship, the upper stage of Blue Origins New Glenn wasnt designed for reuse, however, it can reuse its lower stage.

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The selected company will be responsible for completing environmental reviews, including an Environmental Impact Statement, under federal laws before the service will issue a lease. Such environmental reviews often take years.

The service expects the vendors to have the site operational within five years of signing the lease.

SpaceX launched its 11th Starship from South Texas in October and said it intends to launch its next one before April.

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Blue Origin had a successful second launch of New Glenn from Florida on Nov. 13.
HELSINKI, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Washington's increasingly unilateral and assertive approach is sending "a chilling message" to its allies, reported Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat, quoting a Finnish foreign policy researcher.

Iro Sarkka, a senior research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, cited the U.S. attack on Venezuela and U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed threats regarding Greenland as signs that the United States is acting more aggressively abroad without seeking others' consent and with diminishing regard for international law and other countries' sovereignty, according to the report published on Monday.

The newspaper wrote that the United States is pursuing what it sees as "vested interests" and, through its actions, is pushing that idea further than before in international politics.

Sarkka described the U.S. attack on Venezuela as illegal under international law, though not surprising, saying it is consistent with a U.S. security strategy that professes respect for sovereignty while treating the United States as an exception because of its global interests.

"This is a chilling message for Finland and all of the United States' key allies," the researcher was quoted as saying.

According to Sarkka, if Washington were to begin pressuring Denmark with the use of force over Greenland, it could deal serious damage to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and strain U.S. bilateral relations with other countries, including Finland.

Sarkka argued that the underlying driver of intimidation is the United States' desire to secure Greenland's natural resources, the report said, adding that other countries may no longer assume Washington will fully respect their sovereignty amid its more unilateral posture. 
President Donald Trump dances as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP President Donald Trump walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP Government supporters gather for a women's march to demand the return of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, three days after U.S. forces captured him and his wife. Matias Delacroix/AP FILE - Venezuela's Foreign Relations Minister Delcy Rodriguez gives a news conference after a private meeting with U.S. Charge d'Affaires Lee McClenny in Caracas, Venezuela, March 2, 2015. Ariana Cubillos/AP

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Venezuela would be providing 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S., and he pledged to use proceeds from the sale of this oil to benefit the people of both countries.

The White House is organizing a meeting Friday with U.S. oil company executives to discuss Venezuela, which the Trump administration has been pressuring to open its vast-but-struggling oil industry more widely to American investment and know-how. Representatives of Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend the White House meeting, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the plans.

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Earlier Tuesday, officials in Caracas announced that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the dead-of-night U.S. military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro and spirit him to the United States to face drug charges. And the countrys acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, pushed back on Trump, who earlier this week warned she'd face an outcome worse than Maduros if she does not do whats right" and overhaul Venezuela into a country that aligns with U.S. interests, including by granting access to American energy companies.

Rodriguez, delivering an address Tuesday before government agricultural and industrial sector officials, said, Personally, to those who threaten me: My destiny is not determined by them, but by God.

Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab said overall dozens of officers and civilians were killed in the weekend strike in Caracas and said prosecutors would investigate the deaths in what he described as a war crime. He didnt specify if the estimate was specifically referring to Venezuelans.

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In addition to the Venezuelan security officials, Cubas government had previously confirmed that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela were killed in the raid. The Cuban government says the personnel killed belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, the countrys two main security agencies.

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Seven U.S. service members were also injured in the raid, according to the Pentagon. Five have already returned to duty, while two are still recovering from their injuries. The injuries included gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment on the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

A video tribute to the slain Venezuelan security officials posted to the militarys Instagram account features faces of the fallen over black-and-white videos of soldiers, American aircraft flying over Caracas and armored vehicles destroyed by the blasts. Meanwhile, the streets of Caracas, deserted for days following Maduro's capture, briefly filled with masses of people waving Venezuelan flags and bouncing to patriotic music at a state-organized display of support for the government.

Their spilled blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for justice and strength, the military wrote in an Instagram post. It reaffirms our unwavering oath not to rest until we rescue our legitimate President, completely dismantle the terrorist groups operating from abroad, and ensure that events such as these never again sully our sovereign soil.

Questions about the future of Venezuelan oil

With oil trading at roughly $56 a barrel, the transaction Trump announced late Tuesday could be worth as much as $2.8 billion. The U.S. goes through an average of roughly 20 million barrels a day of oil and related products, so Venezuelas transfer would be the equivalent of as much as two and a half days of supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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Despite Venezuela having the worlds largest proven crude oil reserves, it only produces on average about one million barrels day, significantly below the U.S. average daily production of 13.9 million barrels a day during October.

The press office for Venezuelas government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trumps announcement.

ExxonMobil is developing a mammoth offshore oil deposit in the waters off Guyana, Venezuelas neighbor to the east. The companys major oil discovery in 2015 prompted Venezuela to revive a century-old territorial dispute with Guyana and take steps to annex the remote region known as Essequibo, which comprises about two-thirds of Guyanas land mass.

The development has also led to wide-ranging accusations from Venezuelas government, including Rodriguez, against Guyanas leaders and ExxonMobil. Two years ago, Venezuelan lawmakers even considered banning any future operation in Venezuela of oil companies working in Guyana.

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Earlier Tuesday, Trump pushed back against Democratic criticism of this weekend's military operation, noting that his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden had also called for the arrest of the Venezuelan leader on drug trafficking charges.

Trump in remarks before a House Republican retreat in Washington grumbled that Democrats were not giving him credit for a successful military operation, even though there was bipartisan agreement that Maduro was not the rightful president of Venezuela.

In 2020, Maduro was indicted in the United States, accused in a decades-long narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking conspiracy. White House officials have noted that Biden's administration in his final days in office last year raised the award for information leading to Maduro's arrest after he assumed a third term in office despite evidence suggesting that he lost Venezuelas most recent election. The Trump administration doubled the award to $50 million in August.

You know, at some point, they should say, You know, you did a great job. Thank you. Congratulations.' Wouldnt it be good?" Trump said. I would say that if they did a good job, their philosophies are so different. But if they did a good job, Id be happy for the country. Theyve been after this guy for years and years and years.

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What US opinion polls show

Americans are split about the capture of Maduro  with many still forming opinions  according to a poll conducted by The Washington Post and SSRS using text messages over the weekend. About 4 in 10 approved of the U.S. military being sent to capture Maduro, while roughly the same share were opposed. About 2 in 10 were unsure.

Nearly half of Americans, 45%, were opposed to the U.S. taking control of Venezuela and choosing a new government for the country. About 9 in 10 Americans said the Venezuelan people should be the ones to decide the future leadership of their country.

Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in a U.S. courtroom on Monday. U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife early Saturday in a raid on a compound where they were surrounded by Cuban guards.

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In the days since Maduro's ouster, Trump and top administration officials have raised anxiety around the globe that the operation could mark the beginning of a more expansionist U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. The president in recent days has renewed his calls for an American takeover of the Danish territory of Greenland for the sake of U.S. security interests and threatened military action on Colombia for facilitating the global sale of cocaine, while his top diplomat declared the communist government in Cuba is in a lot of trouble.

Colombia responds to Trump

Colombias Foreign Affairs Minister Rosa Villavicencio said Tuesday shell meet with the U.S. Embassys charge daffaires in Bogota to present him with a formal complaint over the recent threats issued by the United States.

On Sunday, Trump said he wasnt ruling out an attack on Colombia and described its president, whos been an outspoken critic of the U.S. pressure campaign on Venezuela, as a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.

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Villavicencio said shes hoping to strengthen relations with the United States and improve cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

It is necessary for the Trump administration to know in more detail about all that we are doing in the fight against drug trafficking, she said.

Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom on Tuesday joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenlands sovereignty. The island is a self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark and thus part of the NATO military alliance.

Greenland belongs to its people, the statement said. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.

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Uvalde school district police officer Adrian Gonzales was one of the first officers on the scene of the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

Former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales is on trial in Corpus Christi on felony charges tied to what prosecutors say was a failure to act during the 2022 Robb Elementary massacre  a rare and closely watched attempt to hold an officer criminally accountable for inaction during an active shooter event.

The trial seated a jury on Monday, and open statements began Tuesday.

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Here are five things to know about the trial.

1. The background: what happened at Robb Elementary

On May 24, 2022, a gunman walked into Robb Elementary School and killed 19 children and two teachers.

Seventy-seven minutes passed before law enforcement breached the classroom and killed the shooter, according to state and federal investigations.

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Crosses dedicated to the 21 victims of the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary are placed in front of the school on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Uvalde, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

During that time, students trapped inside called 911 and begged for help, investigators found. Reviews later described the police response as a failure marked by breakdowns in leadership, communication and training.

2. Gonzaless charges: prosecutors say Gonzales heard gunfire and didnt act

The case centers on accused inaction during an active shooter situation. Gonzales is charged with 29 counts of abandoning or endangering a child, according to court records.

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The indictment alleges Gonzales was one of the first officers inside the school, heard gunshots and was advised of the shooters general location. Prosecutors say he failed to engage, distract, delay or confront the shooter despite having active-shooter training and time to respond.

Each of the 29 counts corresponds to a child who was killed or wounded in the classrooms, prosecutors said.

Ethan Perez, a former Robb Elementary School student and mass shooting survivor, participates in the Texas Gun Sense Advocacy Day March at the Texas Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Hundreds of gun control advocates and family members of the Uvalde mass shooting victims marched to the Capitol for a rally and to meet with Senators and Representatives. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman

Each count carries a potential sentence of up to two years in jail if Gonzales is convicted.

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3. Of nearly 400 responding officers, only two were charged

Nearly 400 officers responded to Robb Elementary, but Gonzales and former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo are the only two officers facing criminal charges.

Then-Uvalde school district Police Chief Pete Arredondo is seen on video in Robb Elementary School. Austin American-Statesman

Arredondo was the on-scene commander during the shooting and has been separately charged with 10 counts of felony child endangerment. Prosecutors say Arredondo failed to identify the situation as an active shooter, ordered officers to delay entry while searching for keys, attempted to negotiate with the gunman and directed officers away from immediate confrontation, even as children were being shot inside the classrooms.

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While Gonzales was not the on-scene commander, prosecutors argue that doesnt matter. The case hinges on whether Gonzales had an individual duty to act once he knew children were in danger  even amid confusion and broader command failures.

4. The case was moved out of Uvalde

At the request of Gonzales attorneys, the trial was transferred to Corpus Christi, with prosecutors agreeing it would be difficult to seat an impartial jury in Uvalde, where the shooting left deep and lasting trauma, court filings show.

Prosecutors still had issues finding impartial jurors during Monday's jury seating. The seating took 12 hours, with some potential jurors expressed strong emotions and argued they could not set aside their beliefs to hear the case in an unbiased manner, per the San Antonio Express-News.

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5. The stakes go beyond this one case

Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

Cases charging officers for failure to act during mass shootings are rare, legal experts have said. The most prominent comparison  a prosecution after the 2018 Parkland school shooting  ended in acquittal.

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Julianna Duennes Russ is a breaking and trending news reporter at the Austin American-Statesman. She covered business as a Dow Jones intern for the San Antonio Express-News and has bylines with the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She holds Bachelors degrees in journalism, international affairs and comparative literature from the University of Georgia, where she also earned a certificate in sports media. When shes not writing, you can find Julianna strolling Zilker Park or cuddling with her orange cat, Colby. Reach out to her at julianna.russ@statesman.com with news or notes.
Three Austin elementary schools will have an elevated police presence after receiving a threat over social media. Austin American-Statesman

Austin Independent School District police are increasing their presence at three elementary campuses because of social media threats against the schools and 11 others in Texas, the school district said Tuesday.

The local FBI office warned Austin ISD officials Tuesday morning that Andrews and Barrington elementaries in North Austin and Baranoff in South Austin were among the campuses threatened, according to a letter sent to parents.

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The social media post doesnt include a specific time or date of the threat, but shows an image of a masked person with firearms, according to the Austin ISD letter.

Austin ISD takes all threats seriously, the district said in a statement. Threats of any kind against our school community are not tolerated.

Austin ISD police are communicating with the FBI, according to the letter.

Social media threats are an increasing problem for many school districts across the country. While not all threatening social media posts result in real harm to students and staff, experts and district officials say they must take each one seriously.

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In fall 2024, local law enforcement officials made a rash of arrests after threats and hoax threats, called swatting, inundated some Texas schools.
Natalie Gialenes, pictured here, has sued APD and ex-APD officer Joseph Spees over a December 2024 arrest that she says left her with a traumatic brain injury. Her federal suit comes weeks after Spees was fired over the same incident. Edwards Law

The woman a former Austin police officer slammed to the ground during a 2024 arrest has filed a federal lawsuit against the officer and the City of Austin, alleging the incident amounted to indefensible police brutality and left her with a traumatic brain injury.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, comes weeks after Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis indefinitely suspended  effectively firing  Officer Joseph Spees over his conduct during the arrest of Natalie Gialenes, who was visiting Austin from out of state.

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In her complaint, Gialenes alleges she was standing outside her hotel on East Cesar Chavez Street during the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 2024, when Spees arrested her for public intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine. According to the suit, Gialenes voluntarily placed her hands behind her back and did not resist being handcuffed.

As Spees escorted her toward his patrol car, Gialenes dropped her identification card on the ground and bent down to retrieve it, the lawsuit states. At that point, Spees abruptly used force, slamming her to the pavement.

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"Rather than tell Ms. Gialenes to stop or stand up straight, allow her to pick up her identification off the ground, or use any de-escalation tactics of any kind whatsoever, Officer Spees grabbed the young woman by her upper arm without warning, lifted up on her arm to raise her up slung her around his body in almost a complete circle, and threw her to the ground," the complaint alleges.

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Because her hands were cuffed behind her back, Gialenes was unable to break her fall and struck her head on the pavement, according to the lawsuit. She bled heavily and was later hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury, along with injuries to her face, chest and feet. The suit further alleges that Spees later shoved her head-first into the back seat of his patrol car, causing her to strike her head a second time, even as blood pooled on the ground in the hotel driveway.

As of Tuesday morning the city had not been served with the lawsuit, according to spokesperson Erik Johnson, who said in a prepared statement that officials would "review it and respond appropriately." Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock, who often weighs in on personnel matters, did not respond to a request for comment.

The incident was first made public last month when Davis released a 14-page disciplinary memo explaining her decision to indefinitely suspend Spees, who had worked for the department for 11 years. In the memo, Davis wrote that any objectively reasonable officer  and especially an experienced and well-trained officer like Officer Spees  should have been able to handle minimal resistance without immediately resorting to a violent takedown that caused considerable injury.

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According to the disciplinary memo, Spees told internal affairs investigators that one of Gialenes' hands slipped out of the handcuffs the officer placed her in, which represented a severe threat.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis answers questions from the press during a news conference at the Austin Police Department Headquarters regarding the homicide at Club Rodeo in Austin, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

But Davis described the claims as dubious. "I do not believe that any objectively reasonable officer could share Officer Spees' judgment that [Gialenes] posed a level 8 out of 10 threat while she was handcuffed and he was escorting her to his patrol car," the chief wrote in her memo.

Gialenes is represented by Austin civil rights attorney Jeff Edwards, who said in a news release that the incident reflects a broader pattern of excessive force within the department. As a result of Spees actions, Edwards said, Gialenes suffered a painful and serious brain injury that will impact her for the rest of her life.

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"APD must do more than terminate the officer  it must acknowledge the departments systematic wrongdoing, revamp its disciplinary system, and change its training immediately, or more people will continue to be senselessly injured by APD officers," Edwards said.
Two women embrace at a 2019 prayer service in Austin. Austin American-Statesman

We are at a peculiar inflection point in our collective history. Trust that binds us together has eroded across nearly every institution. Government approval ratings hover near historic lows. Journalism faces accusations of bias from all sides, while AI-generated content is making it nearly impossible to distinguish authentic voices from conspiratorial fabrications. Scientific organizations, traditionally one of our most trusted organizations, are being questioned on their motivations. Even religious institutions have seen their moral authority diminished as conflicts like the devastating war in Gaza exposed deep divisions about how faith should respond to human suffering. Xenophobia, antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise.

Yet this new year, I find myself hopeful. History shows that periods of institutional collapse often precede renewal. The civil rights movement gained moral force when religious leaders stood together across denominational lines. Today's crisis might catalyze something similar  faith communities might offer a grassroots laboratory for rebuilding trust. Not a single movement, but thousands of local experiments in restoring human connection.

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Reflecting from the recent viral experiment, in which a woman pretends to be a desperate mother needing immediate baby formula for a starving infant and calls various churches to see if they'll help. The experiment highlighted that often the most marginalized faith communities (a mosque, a Buddhist temple and a small Catholic church), which understand struggle, were the most helpful while some of the extravagant megachurches declined to help.

Shakeel Rashed serves on the board of Interfaith Action of Central Texas. Provided by Shakeel Rashed

Unlike government or media, faith communities operate at human scale. A congregation knows its members' names. This intimacy and belonging matters because trust isn't an abstraction; it's built through repeated, authentic interactions.

The key lies in encouraging interfaith cooperation rooted in genuine respect, not superficial tolerance. When Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist communities work together on shared challenges  addressing homelessness, food insecurity, visiting the elderly  they model something revolutionary: the possibility of serving our common humanity rather than tribal partisanship.

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Benjamin Franklin's observation remains apt: "We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."

Just being able to visit and learn about each other carries more weight than any theological discussion. This year, I learned about consciousness from a series of lectures at a Jewish congregation and learned that a Buddhist temple has a melodious Christmas choir. And had the pleasure of hosting several faith groups during our Ramadan iftar.

Faith communities won't save us alone, but they can model what renewed trust looks like  messy, local, imperfect, yet insistent that our shared humanity matters more than our differences. That would be a beginning worthy of a new year. This is my hope as I take on the role of board president for Interfaith Action of Central Texas (IACT).

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IACT has several opportunities for people of different faiths to work together: Whether it is Red Bench, our ongoing dialogue program designed to improve interfaith understanding and civil discourse or our Passport Program to join us on a journey to the houses of worship and various community celebrations of many different faith traditions every month. For those who are more active we have the hands-on housing program helping the elderly stay where they belong. Outside of IACT, several faith communities provide welcoming programs, some even with delicious ethnic foods.

And here is a unique opportunity. A group of my close friends and associates are working with Austin City Council and city staff to make January 2026 the first official Muslim Heritage Month celebrated by the city. The purpose of Muslim Heritage Month is to show Austinites that their Muslim neighbors are part of the fabric of Austin and have contributed significantly to making this city unique in its own way.

Events include:

Reading Time for families with stories by Muslim authors, noon-3 p.m. Jan. 17 at Central Library

Open Might Night at Asian American Resource Center 6-9 p.m. Jan. 23

A service day to clean up the Shoal Creek Trail at Pease Park, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Jan. 25

Muslim entrepreneurship panel at George Washington Carver Museum, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 31

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In this courtroom sketch, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, left, and his wife, Cilia Flores, second from right, appear in Manhattan federal court with their defense attorneys Mark Donnelly, second from left, and Andres Sanchez, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Elizabeth Williams/AP

Is Mexico next?

President Donald Trump certainly sounded like he was putting the country on notice on Sunday as he talked to reporters about the aftermath of capturing Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

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Mexico has to get their act together, Trump said. Because [drugs] are pouring through Mexico and were going to have to do something.

That brought a strong response from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum during her daily press briefing on Monday.

I dont believe in an invasion; I dont even think its something theyre taking very seriously," Sheinbaum said. "On several occasions, he has insisted that the U.S. Army be allowed to enter Mexico. We have said no very firmly  first because we defend our sovereignty, and second because it is not necessary.

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But some key Texas Republicans predicted that the Venezuela raid would have broad impacts throughout the Western Hemisphere and for our neighbors to the south.

Its definitely a message to cartels, the cartels in Mexico for sure, U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, told Fox News host Lara Trump over the weekend.

Crenshaw, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said while Maduro was allowing cocaine and other drugs to be shipped out of the region, it's clear the real bosses of the drug trade into Texas are the Mexican cartels. Hes long pushed for the U.S. to strike cartels on Mexican soil to disrupt their operations.

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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said on his podcast The Verdict that the ouster could help topple the communist government in Cuba that has been in power since Fidel Castro rose to power more than 65 years ago.

Theres a real possibility that we see the communist government of Cuba fall, Cruz said on Monday.

Cuba relies heavily on Venezuelan oil, meaning the Maduro capture removes an economic lifeline and one the country's top allies in the hemisphere.

Thats important in Texas, where Cubans have become one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in the Houston area since 2017. That's when the U.S. ended the wet-foot/dry-foot policy that conveyed legal status to Cuban migrants who made it to U.S. soil  if caught at sea, they were returned to Cuba. Since then, Cubans have increasingly been apprehended trying to cross the Texas-Mexico border.

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As many as 100,000 Cubans live in the Houston region now, according to some estimates.

While Democrats like U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio blasted Trump for using an unconstitutional maneuver to oust Maduro, Cruz, a former Supreme Court law clerk who has argued cases before the court, said the action is constitutional.

He said Trump was following the same precedent former President George H.W. Bush set in 1990 when he had U.S. troops help seize Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. Like that action, Cruz said the U.S. was bringing a person indicted in U.S. courts to justice.

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U.S. Capitol Police agents aim their guns as a pro-Trump mob tries to break into the House of Representatives chamber trying to stop the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college win, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, in blue shirt, talks to one of the rioters. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, FILE) J. Scott Applewhite, STF / Associated Press Representative Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, outside the U.S. Capitol prior to a group photo in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Stefani Reynolds / Bloomberg

Five years after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls called on Tuesday for Congress to set the "record straight" as he and a small group of Republicans seek to prove a conspiracy theory that protestors were manipulated by law enforcement into launching the Jan. 6 attack.

Even as many within their own party have pushed back or distanced themselves from such claims, Nehls has helped fight to redraw the narrative of the Jan. 6 attack in line with Trump's description of protestors as there for a "day of love."

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"My colleagues and I are focused on uncovering the truth and following the facts wherever they lead," the Houston-area Republican said in a statement on X to mark the five-year anniversary of the attack. "I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to deliver long-deserved answers to the American people, and to setting the record straight about what truly happened on January 6th, the days leading up to January 6th, and the days following."

Nehls is one of five House Republicans on the Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding January 6, 2021, which was formed after Trump took office again last year. The group has spent the past 12 months trying to undermine the work of the original, Democratic-led House Select Committee on Jan. 6. Nehls decried that work on Tuesday as "political theatre" designed to "destroy President Trump."

The new committee has yet to issue any official findings. It has focused on whether the placement of pipe bombs at the headquarters of both the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee on Jan. 5, 2021 was part of an elaborate plot to distract Capitol Police, allowing protestors to more easily enter the U.S. Capitol the next day.

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"The single greatest action that facilitated the protester's ease of entry into the Capitol on January 6 was the placing of the pipe bombs and the diversionary effect that had on security resources which would have otherwise been at the Capitol," Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, who chairs the new committee, said in a statement in September.

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The inquiry comes amid increasing questions from Trump's right-wing supporters  including some of the Jan. 6 protestors  about the administration's failure to produce clear evidence of a conspiracy that the president has previously helped propagated. Last year on Truth Social Trump reposted a message claiming "January 6 will go down in history as the day the government staged a riot to cover up the fact that they certified a fraudulent election.

It also marks a sharp about-face from Nehls, the former sheriff of Fort Bend County who helped law enforcement keep a mob of protestors from entering the House Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021.

"I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Capitol police barricading entrance to our sacred House chamber, while trying to calm the situation talking to protestors. What Im witnessing is a disgrace. Were better than this. Violence is NEVER the answer," he wrote on X at the time.
The Texas Hill Country is filled with ashe juniper trees, also known as mountain cedar. They will be in bloom soon, causing the misnamed Central Texas allergy, cedar fever. Ralph Barrera, Austin American-S

Although record-breaking heat and spring-like warmth dominated the first few days of the new year, cooler  but still warmer than normal temperatures settled in to start the first work week of 2026.

The heat will ramp up yet again Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures about 20 degrees above the normal early-January high of 62 degrees.

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Austin's temperatures Tuesday will approach daily heat records and run about 20 degrees above normal. Pivotal

Expect a blanket of low stratus clouds and some patchy dense fog Tuesday morning, but skies should begin clearing around lunchtime.

In the meantime, a surface trough (of low atmospheric pressure)/dry line will push from the southern Edwards Plateau into the I-35 corridor, bringing temperatures into the lower to mid-80s, meteorologists with the National Weather Service wrote in a forecast discussion Monday. It is going to be very warm for this time of year, and some daily high temperature records could be broken.

Those temperatures could rival record highs at both Austin climate observation sites, Camp Mabry and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where the standing record is 84 degrees, set in 1989.

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Behind the dry line Tuesday, drier air will move into Central Texas, leading to a slightly cooler start Wednesday under mostly to partly cloudy skies.

Above-normal temperatures in Austin will be replaced by more seasonable daily temps later in the next seven days. National Weather Service

Morning temperatures will dip into the 50s around sunrise before climbing into the upper 70s to mid-80s by the afternoon. Those highs would surpass the record of 80 degrees set in 2008 at Camp Mabry.

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Temperatures the rest of the week will remain above normal with mostly cloudy mornings but sunny afternoons.

A cold front is forecast to move across the region later in the week with a slight rain chance Thursday and Friday, but most of the rain will fall north and east of Austin. However, cooler and more seasonable weather is expected this weekend.

Spotty rain showers are possible in Central Texas on Thursday and Friday as a cold front moves into the region. Rainfall is expected to remain light, ranging from a trace (less than 0.01 inch) to about a tenth of an inch. Pivotal

Cedar fever in full swing

This past weekend, Austin experienced the highest cedar pollen counts so far this season with a count of 3,200 grains per cubic meter Saturday and a peak of 4,000 grains per cubic meter on Sunday. However, the count dropped to just over 1,000 grams per cubic meter on Monday. Humidity has been on the rise in the past few days, and winds have been much lighter. Those factors have helped settle the cedar pollen for the time being.

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Luckily, the winds have turned southerly and are much lighter, so the pollen has settled a bit. A small chance of rain on Thursday and Friday should also help dampen cedar pollen before it becomes airborne. However, above-normal temperatures will allow tree pollen cones to continue opening, setting the stage for another pollen surge when the next breezy cold front arrives.
YAOUNDE, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera has won the presidential election with an absolute majority of 76.15 percent of the vote, according to provisional results released by the National Elections Authority late Monday.

Touadera is far ahead of other competitors, including former Prime Minister Anicet-Georges Dologuele, who came second with 14.66 percent.

The provisional results will be submitted to the Constitutional Court, which will reveal the final outcome within days.

Voting in the Central African Republic's presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections took place on Dec. 28, 2025.

Having been in office since 2016, Touadera, 68, was seeking re-election for a third term. 
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi on Tuesday praised China for its support in infrastructure development, saying key projects undertaken by Chinese companies are progressing smoothly and will help improve transportation conditions in the islands.

Mwinyi made the remarks while attending the opening ceremony of Zanzibar's first flyover, constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), saying the project team has overcome construction challenges and made positive contributions to Zanzibar's infrastructure development.

He said the flyover project, together with the 2.2-km southern Zanzibar coastal road project, is of great significance in enhancing the city's image and improving people's livelihoods.

Mwinyi noted that the implementation of these projects is an example of pragmatic China-Africa cooperation and will provide strong support for the development of Zanzibar's tourism and trade, helping promote sustainable economic growth.

Wang Lei, general manager of CCECC East Africa, said that as the first three-dimensional transportation facility in Zanzibar, the flyover will effectively ease urban traffic pressure and further improve the road network. 
RABAT, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Morocco welcomed a record 19.8 million tourists in 2025, a 14 percent rise from 2024, the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy said in a statement on Monday.

"This record-breaking performance confirms the strong upward momentum of Morocco's hospitality industry and marks a new chapter in the country's development of the tourism sector," the ministry noted.

Tourism revenue also surged, reaching 124 billion dirhams (13.6 billion U.S. dollars) by the end of November, a 19 percent year-on-year rise, the ministry added, calling the figures a "strategic milestone," aligning with the country's goal to attract 26 million tourists by 2030.

The growth follows the North African country's sustained investment in modernizing tourism infrastructure, including airports, public transport, and hospitality services.

Tourism is a key economic driver for Morocco, directly contributing 7.4 percent of GDP and providing about 880,000 jobs, or 5 percent of employment, according to official figures. 
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Escalating violence in Sudan, particularly across the Kordofan region, continues to put civilians at extreme risk and drive new waves of displacement, a UN spokesperson said Tuesday.

Between Oct. 25 and Dec. 30, some 65,000 individuals were displaced from multiple locations across the Kordofan region, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In South Kordofan state, displacement has increased sharply in recent days, he said, pointing to estimates by the International Organization for Migration that between Dec. 31, 2025 and Jan. 4 this year, violence drove nearly 1,000 people to flee in Quoz locality, Kadugli town and Berdab village.

On Monday, another 2,000 people were uprooted from Um Dam Haj Ahmed locality in North Kordofan state, said the spokesperson, adding that UN humanitarians in the country reported a drone attack on Tuesday in the state's capital, El Obeid, which allegedly claimed the lives of 13 civilians, including children.

"Once again, the UN reiterates its urgent call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians," said Dujarric, adding that the United Nations also reiterates the need for rapid, safe and sustained humanitarian access so aid can reach those in need. 
The courthouse at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany. Spc. Marcus Hampton, a soldier assigned to the 7th Army Training Command, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted at trial in Vilseck on Dec. 18, 2025, of one count of rape of a child under age 12 and sexual assault of a child. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)



GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  A soldier assigned to the 7th Army Training Command received a 30-year prison sentence for sex offenses he committed against a girl in his family while living in Grafenwoehr.

Spc. Marcus Hampton, 27, was convicted Dec. 18, 2025, of one count each of rape of a child under age 12 and sexual assault of a child, according to a statement Monday from the Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel.

Hampton was originally charged with two counts of rape of a child under 12, two counts of sexual assault of a child, failure to obey a written order and preventing the authorized seizure of property.

The trial was held at the Rose Barracks courthouse in Vilseck. Lt. Col. Jordan Stapley, the judge in the case, acquitted Hampton of the remaining charges.

Hampton, a signal soldier assigned to the Grafenwoehr-based 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, began abusing the girl in the fall of 2023, the statement said.

She told other family members about the abuse, and they reported it to local authorities. The Armys Criminal Investigation Division was notified and launched an investigation, the statement said.

The victims bravery in coming forward to recount her trauma and share her story is truly remarkable, prosecutor Maj. Zach Ray said in the statement. This verdict highlights our ability to maximize our jurisdiction through persistence and collaboration with German authorities, reaffirming the U.S. Armys steadfast dedication to safeguarding children.
A U.S. district judge on Guam has ruled that the Navy must provide information regarding its efforts to protect endangered or threatened species, such as this Mariana fruit bat named Babydoll, seen here at the Guam National Wildlife Refuge on May 20, 2013. (Melissa White/U.S. Air Force)



A federal judge on Guam recently ordered the U.S. Navy to dive deeper into its record of endangered species protections at a new Marine Corps base on the U.S. island territory.

U.S. District Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood on Dec. 12 rejected the Navys bid to limit disclosure to records prior to 2017 and said environmental groups suing under the Endangered Species Act are entitled to see more recent evidence.

The case began in 2023, when advocacy groups the Center for Biological Diversity and Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian  now known as Prutehi Guahan  sued the Navy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over insufficient efforts to protect endangered animals.

The lawsuit claims construction at Camp Blaz created massive impacts environmental impacts and that the two federal agencies have failed to protect and conserve more than a dozen endangered and threatened species at imminent risk of extinction on Guam, according to an amended complaint filed Dec. 12.

The construction of Blaz, the Marines first new installation since 1952, is a core component of the Defense Departments planned relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. The base covers more than 4,000 acres and is expected to host approximately 5,000 Marines.

The groups also said that promised mitigation efforts, such as controlling invasive species and restoring habitats, have yet to be enacted.

The Navy and Fish and Wildlife Service denied those allegations.

In the most recent ruling, the federal agencies sought to limit discovery to administrative records, particularly environmental reviews and other data prior to the lawsuit.

However, since the advocacy groups are attempting to determine the extent of any continuing violations of the Endangered Species Act, the court determined that the case requires additional discovery and ordered the two parties to coordinate a plan to share evidence within 30 days.

For too long, our island has been treated as a sacrifice zone, Leevin Camacho, attorney for Prutehi Guahan, said in a Dec. 18 news release. This ruling affirms that the military does not get a free pass just because it operates behind fences. Our people, our wildlife and our cultural practices deserve protection and respect.

Camacho did not respond after business hours Tuesday to an email seeking further comment.

The construction of Camp Blaz  and an $8 billion missile defense system spread across 16 sites on the island  have been the subject of scrutiny by locals and environmental advocacy groups due to the destruction of limestone forests, a unique ecosystem home to various endangered species.

Joint Region Marianas acknowledged Stars and Stripes email request for comment Tuesday afternoon but had not responded as of that evening.
Sarah Stephens, 11, enjoys the swirls of cursive. The sixth grader first learned cursive in second grade while enrolled in private school. There, she said, students were expected to write completely in cursive by fourth grade. But she continues to find delight in Sherisse Kenersons biweekly cursive club meetings at Holmes Middle School in Alexandria, Va. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)



The group of preteens uncapped their markers and began practicing how to capitalize two new letters: B and Q.

The lesson felt like a return to the basics. Only this time, the middle schoolers were learning to write, many for the first time, in cursive.

Sherisse Kenerson, a multilingual teacher at Holmes Middle School in Alexandria, Va., leads a club of sixth through eighth graders who want to know the art of looping and curving their letters together.

The attention her small club has attracted surprised Kenerson. Local news stories, thousands of social media comments. Teachers from as far as Oklahoma asking how they could bring something similar to their classrooms.

Cursive club at Holmes Middle School in Alexandria, Va., has been surprisingly popular. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Cursive club teacher Sherisse Kenerson shows how to write the letter Q in cursive. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)



If boomers and Generation X are puzzled by the fact that many youngsters are not required to endure the same painstaking labor of mastering cursive that they were, they might be even more surprised  perhaps, even delighted  to hear that some are learning the craft entirely for fun.

I see why were not teaching cursive to a degree. All of our literature now is in print. The computers, typing, texting  its print; its not cursive, Kenerson said. So a lot of people probably felt like we dont need that anymore. Thats outdated. But science wise and mentally, we do.

In the early 2000s, as technology picked up, cursive was declared all but dead. By 2006, only 15% of SAT essays were written in cursive. The Common Core standards released in 2010 did not include cursive as a required curriculum, leading to states around the country to drop the requirement.

But in the years since, there has been a steady effort to preserve the art by historians and educators like Kenerson. Clubs, camps and optional classes like hers have popped up around the country. In recent years, states from California to Pennsylvania have passed legislation to mandate the teaching of cursive in school and further cement handwriting skills.

The resurgence comes as a rise in screens and artificial intelligence motivates conversations about the role of technology in education. Research suggests handwriting is a key tool for learning and memory. It activates brain activity like motor, sensory and cognitive processing better than typing does.

Even in the age of technology, I think that handwriting is here to stay, said Shawn Datchuk, a professor of special education at the University of Iowa who has written about the benefits of handwriting for teaching literacy. Simply put, it is the most portable, cheapest way for students to engage in writing.

Datchuk said he suspects research about the cognitive benefits of handwriting, paired with the affordability of teaching it, are key drivers behind the resurgence. But another factor could be how personal and emotionally resonant cursive is, especially for older generations.

If I have to send my mom a birthday card, I hand write it. If I just send a text message, therell be hell to pay for that, Datchuk said. And I think its because our handwriting strokes, whether its print or cursive, develop across our lives. So it really becomes kind of a thumbprint or fingerprint of our entire development.

Thats the appeal to Kenerson, who launched the cursive club four years ago when her students couldnt read a word she had written in flowing script on the whiteboard.

In her after-school program, she reminds students that cursive is personal. Its their own handwriting and can have its own flair.

Halle OBrien, 12, had never learned cursive before the club. Her grandfather, who was set on helping her improve her handwriting, had tried to teach it to her, but she found it too hard, she said.

Club member Halle OBrien, 12, has taken cursive back to her regular classroom. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)



But something about cursive club just clicked. She finds herself writing in the script for class assignments. Its easier for her than printing. Its quicker than typing.

People who know cursive can read and can write it so smoothly without needing to concentrate on the letters, Halle said.

Halle has a friend who learned cursive while enrolled in private school, but she couldnt think of anyone else she knows who writes in cursive. As she thought about it, she didnt believe her grandfather did either, even though he was the one who pushed her to learn the skill.

Halle sees practical value in her new skills beyond bragging rights to her friends. She recalled a history field trip where none of the students could read the Declaration of Independence.

I tried to read it, but I had no idea how to do it, Halle said. I actually heard some people doing cursive clubs so that they could learn how to read the Declaration.

The need for cursive readers led the National Archives to put out a call for volunteers to help transcribe historical documents and artifacts. The skill is so increasingly rare that Suzanne Isaacs, a community manager with the National Archives Catalog in Washington, D.C., told USA Today last year that it was a superpower.

Datchuk said there are also links between writing in cursive and better spelling skills. You have to know how to spell a word entirely before writing it in cursive, he said.

That was evident in Kenersons classroom. Before writing the word spectacular in cursive, Sarah Stephens, 11, carefully spelled it out in print at the top of her paper. Then, with the text as her guide, she slowly looped the word together in script.

The sixth grader came into the club ahead of some of her peers. She first learned cursive in second grade while enrolled in private school. There, she said, students were expected to write completely in cursive by fourth grade. The school even held an annual cursive competition.

Even with her expertise, Sarah found delight in the biweekly club meetings. She gets to spend time with friends and loves Kenerson, who isnt otherwise her teacher. She boasted that cursive club was even more fun than the anime club.

Its just fun to just do it again, because its just fun to kind of do the swirls, Sarah said. I like doing the letter S.

For all of the benefits she sees in cursive, Kenerson guesses that students are drawn to the club for the same reason she was eager to learn cursive as a child: It made her finally feel grown-up.

It makes them feel mature, Kenerson said. I think it empowers them, because they know that everyone cannot write it.

Including, she said, even some of the teachers.
Residents look at a damaged apartment complex that neighbors say was hit during U.S. strikes to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Matias Delacroix/AP)



TAIPEI, Taiwan  President Donald Trumps dramatic move to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could ultimately benefit China in its competition with the United States, analysts say, even though Beijing has forcefully condemned the military intervention.

The surprise American attack early Saturday provides China an opportunity to promote itself, by contrast, as a responsible global power while also making it easier for Chinese officials to forcefully assert their own interests in their backyard, including in Taiwan, according to security and political analysts.

If you are headed toward a world where great powers can use force and use power ruthlessly in their own neighborhoods  that precedent is not entirely a bad one from Chinas perspective, said Hal Brands, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and former official in the U.S. Defense Department. It fits with the way that Beijing would ultimately like to behave in places like the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait.

China has been waging an intensifying campaign aimed at pressuring Taiwan, an island off Chinas coast that Beijing claims as its own. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has made reunification with Taiwan a major goal and has been deploying increasing numbers of warplanes and ships around Taiwan. Just last week, China launched massive military drills to simulate a blockade of the island.

China has also grown more assertive in the South China Sea in recent years, igniting tensions with countries such as the Philippines by pressing claims to disputed territory in the waterway.

By carrying out the military strike on Venezuela, the U.S. government has also undercut its ability to muster an international response to a potential attack on Taiwan, said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in London. Chinese officials worry that an assault on Taiwan would provoke a united response by the worlds democracies but now, everything that is being said about the importance of defending Taiwan is being undermined by the lawlessness of Trump in the attack on Caracas, Tsang added.

Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Monday that China was deeply shocked by the blatant use of force against a sovereign state and called on the U.S. to release Maduro and his wife. Chinese state media joined the criticism, with the official news agency Xinhua, for example, saying that Washingtons true colors are revealed, returning the world to a barbaric colonial era of plunder. Xi himself warned Monday that unilateral bullying is severely impacting international order.

Chinas strong reaction in part reflected its close diplomatic and economic relationship with Venezuela. Beijing has offered a lifeline to Maduros embattled regime by providing loans to the country and buying the majority of Venezuelas oil exports amid U.S. sanctions.

Just hours before he was captured, Maduro had met with a high-level delegation of Chinese officials in Caracas, led by Beijings special envoy for Latin American and Caribbean affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi.

Zhao Minghao, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Shanghais Fudan University, said Chinese officials are watching developments in Venezuela closely for clues about Trumps geopolitical thinking.

One takeaway is his desire to revitalize and enhance [American] control over the Western Hemisphere, Zhao said, adding that its also clear that Trump is driven by practical interests, such as controlling Venezuelan oil resources, rather than an ideological or naive narrative of democracy replacing authoritarianism.

Some on the Chinese internet have been eager to suggest that China should exploit this apparent return to a world of competing spheres of influence and plan a similar attack on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. One commentator on the Chinese social media site Weibo, for instance, wrote on Saturday that the Venezuelan situation offers a possible solution for unifying Taiwan: first, conduct special operations to arrest Lai Ching-te, then immediately declare the takeover of Taiwan. The post quickly racked up more than 2,500 likes.

But Zhao said he doubted that the U.S. attack on Venezuela would affect how China approaches Taiwan, since Chinese officials consider the status of Taiwan to be an internal issue. He said Beijing has its own consistent set of policy considerations regarding Taiwan.

Nor does everyone in China agree that Trumps norm-busting behavior is beneficial for China. Analysts in Beijing suggest that any damage to a rules-based international system will hurt China.

This American mindset is indeed rooted in traditional spheres of influence  [and] it poses a significant challenge to the international community, including China, said Niu Haibin, a Latin America expert at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. China absolutely does not agree with or accept the practice of dividing spheres of influence. Nor will it construct an American-style sphere of its own.

Drew Thompson, a former Pentagon official focused on China, said the sophistication of the American operation, which effectively combined different military services, would not be lost on Chinese officials.

The U.S. government can bring all aspects of its power to operate jointly, said Thompson, who is now at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. This stands in contrast to China, where the militarys systems integration has always been a weak point, he added, especially after high-level military purges in Beijing.

In Taiwan, there has also been a mixed response to the U.S. attack on Venezuela.

On the one hand, of course, there are some voices that are [saying] that the U.S. is not a good actor because it violated the international order that, in some way, it helped establish after World War II, said Yang Kuang-shun, co-founder of US Taiwan Watch, a think tank. This could further fuel skepticism about the U.S. in Taiwan, he said, at time when there is rising concern among Taiwanese about whether they can count on American protection.

On the other hand, Yang added, the attack demonstrated American willingness to decisively use force beyond its borders, giving hope to some Taiwanese that the U.S. would come to their aid. Taiwan relies on Washington for unofficial support under its policy of strategic ambiguity, which does not clarify whether it would intervene in a conflict with China.

Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a comment to The Washington Post, said it is monitoring the situation in Venezuela and will continue cooperating with the U.S. and other democratic partners on global security.

The Chinese governments support for Venezuela in recent years is part of a broader campaign by Beijing to forge closer ties in Latin America. A white paper released last month outlines Chinas political, security, and economic engagement with the region aimed at raising cooperation to a new level.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian indicated Monday that the effort would not be interrupted by Maduros ouster. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always be a good friend and partner to Latin America and the Caribbean countries, he said.

But Victor Shih, director of UC San Diegos 21st Century China Center, said the U.S. intervention in Venezuela could deal a serious blow to Chinese influence in the region. If Venezuela transforms into a fundamentally pro-U.S. regime, that will be a setback for Chinas Latin American ambitions, he said.

If the U.S. is drawn into a prolonged entanglement in Venezuela, however, this could open a door for China to move against Taiwan while American officials are distracted, said Tsang of the SOAS China Institute.

They will probably want to wait and see whether the Americans end up in a quagmire in Venezuela first, he said. If that happens, [attacking Taiwan] would be much more of a temptation.
Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's acting president, speaks during a news conference in Caracas on Sept. 8, 2025. (Federico Parra/Getty Images/TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  When the Trump administration signaled its willingness to work with Delcy Rodriguez as the face of a Venezuelan transition, the calculation appeared coldly pragmatic.

Rodriguez, a seasoned survivor of the regimes internal purges, seemed to offer Washington what it urgently needed after the capture of Nicolas Maduro: continuity without chaos. The assumption was that the Venezuelan vice president could pivot her country toward the United States while keeping the regimes most dangerous factions in check.

But according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the post-raid landscape, that assumption rests on dangerously fragile ground. Far from consolidating power, Rodriguez finds herself encircled by hard-liners, radicalized security forces and a splintering military apparatus. In that environment, she may be less a transitional leader than a figure racing against time to avoid being overthrown by the very system she helped build.

Rodriguez was sworn in Monday as Venezuelas interim president in the presence of her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, the Chavista leader of the National Assembly, as the legislature inaugurated a new session.

A presidency with no boots on the ground

In the immediate aftermath, Rodriguez emerged as the nominal head of a transitional arrangement. But sources stress that she is not president in any meaningful sense. The real authority behind the transition, they argue, is Washington itself.

Her path to survival, those sources say, is brutally simple  and potentially politically suicidal: She must either remove or otherwise neutralize Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, the two men who control the countrys military and security forces.

While Rodriguez and her brother have climbed to the top of Venezuelas political hierarchy, they are not the ones holding the guns.

U.S. pressure could soon force her hand. According to sources, Washington may demand that Rodriguez facilitate the arrest or surrender of Padrino and Cabello to accompany Maduro, who appeared before a New York judge Monday to hear drug trafficking charges. Both men have been indicted in the U.S., along with Maduro, for allegedly running the so-called Cartel de los Soles and turning Venezuela into a narco-trafficking state.

The U.S. is currently offering a $25 million reward for Cabellos capture and $15 million for Padrino Lopez.

The pressure is backed by force. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have publicly signaled that the U.S. is prepared to launch additional strikes similar to the predawn raid that captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The general assumption is that Rodriguez could be next, one Venezuela-based source told the Miami Herald. But being told to hand over Padrino and Cabello  thats a very tall order.

Complying would amount to one of the greatest internal betrayals in the history of the Chavista revolution founded by former leader Hugo Chavez: delivering two of its founding enforcers to U.S. justice or facilitating their removal. Refusing, another observer said, would put Rodriguez directly in the crosshairs of American intelligence and diplomacy.

Shes trapped, the source said. If she complies, she betrays Chavismo. If she doesnt, shes finished.

A shadow war inside Chavismo

Among the two men Rodriguez is expected to sideline, sources consistently describe Cabello as the more dangerous  and far harder to neutralize.

Unlike Maduro, who lived surrounded by layers of security and ritualized power, Cabello has adapted to survival mode. Sources compare his tactics to those used by guerrilla leaders: sleeping during the day, moving constantly at night, personally managing his routes and security, and never remaining in one place long enough to be targeted.

Maduro ruled like a king, one source said. Diosdado lives like an insurgent.

Cabellos strength lies not only in his evasive tactics but in his street-level network. Sources estimate he maintains direct control or influence over roughly 30 highly violent operatives, with access to an additional 220 members of the Venezuelan Honor Guard. Many are drawn from intelligence and police units and view themselves as ideological combatants preparing for a prolonged confrontation.

Their objective, according to sources, is not to defeat the United States outright but to provoke it  drawing U.S. forces into an urban and jungle conflict where casualties could shift American public opinion.

Rodriguezs dilemma is compounded by the collapse of traditional military command. Since the operation that captured Maduro, numerous generals have effectively disappeared, failing to report to their units or communicate with superiors.

All of them understand the same thing, one source said. Their business model is over. There is no future where they keep their money and work with the Americans.

Padrino Lopez, the administrator

Defense Minister Padrino Lopez, long portrayed as the armed forces strongman, has been increasingly exposed as an administrator rather than a battlefield commander. His power rested on controlling promotions, finances and patronage. With state coffers depleted and U.S. scrutiny intensifying, that leverage has largely evaporated.

Actual firepower, sources say, is controlled by Army Chief Domingo Hernandez Larez, who commands the operational units capable of sustained combat. Whether Hernandez Larez aligns with Rodriguez, Padrino or an anti-transition bloc remains one of the most consequential unanswered questions.

The turmoil has elevated figures who once operated in the shadows. Javier Marcano Tabata, who oversaw the Honor Guard and the military intelligence agency DGCIM, initially emerged as a key node in the new power structure. But in a sign of how rapidly the situation is evolving, Marcano Tabata was replaced Monday night by Gen. Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, a former head of the intelligence service SEBIN and a figure widely regarded as a hard-liner.

Control of the Presidential Honor Guard  which oversees the 312th Armored Cavalry Squadron  is critical for anyone seeking to rule Venezuela. According to sources, confronting the unit directly would require the simultaneous deployment of at least four army brigades. The Honor Guards armored unit, stationed inside the Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas, is widely regarded as the armys best equipped formation and is believed to include some of its most highly trained troops.

If the Honor Guard were to align with Diosdado Cabello, any attempt to move against him would likely trigger a civil war.

Washingtons leverage and limits

Rodriguezs international ties further complicate Washingtons gamble. Sources say she has inherited much of the foreign portfolio once managed by disgraced power broker Tarek El Aissami, particularly links with Iran and leaders in the radical Islamic world.

From Washingtons perspective, sources say, the only tolerable outcome may be transactional compliance: Rodriguez provides intelligence, facilitates arrests or targeted removals, and then exits  retiring with her vast wealth, mostly gotten through corruption and other illicit sources, to a country such as Qatar, where such networks can be discreetly laundered and managed.

Privately, U.S. officials acknowledge the limits of American power. While Washington retains overwhelming air and surveillance superiority  including AWACS aircraft, drones and precision-strike capabilities  ground combat against dispersed insurgents remains costly.

Fallujah proved that technology doesnt stop snipers, one source said, referring to the Iraqi city that proved to be an intense and brutal battleground that led to high casualties for U.S. forces in 2004.

For that reason, U.S. officials prefer that Venezuelans resolve the conflict themselves.

But audio recordings obtained by sources and shared with the Miami Herald suggest Cabello is actively working to prevent that outcome. In the recordings, he speaks of retaliation and national resistance against what he sees as betrayal, reaching out to loyalists in the industrial state of Carabobo, the cattle-producing plains region known as Los Llanos, the oil-producing state of Zulia, and the capital, Caracas.

A transition on borrowed time

Sources inside and outside Venezuela told the Herald there is an 80% chance Rodriguez will ultimately be forced to betray both Padrino and Cabello to secure U.S. intelligence cooperation for surgical operations. Whether she survives that betrayal, they say, is another matter.

For now, the United States appears satisfied with Rodriguezs cooperation.

Some of this may have been prompted by a swift and dramatic shift in Delcy Rodriguezs public rhetoric toward the United States. In the span of days, she moved from denouncing Washington in language steeped in anti-imperialist rhetoric, vowing to defend national sovereignty against foreign interference, to issuing far more measured statements that signaled a willingness to work with U.S. authorities.

The White House has taken notice of the change. Speaking Monday in a telephone interview with NBC News, President Donald Trump said Rodriguez is cooperating with U.S. officials and appears open to working with Washington.

I have a feeling shes cooperating. They need help, Trump said. And I have a feeling that Rodriguez loves her country and wants her country to survive.

2026 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
KAMPALA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has protested against the U.S. attack on Venezuela, saying it is a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international law, according to a news release issued by the Ugandan government on Tuesday.

The NAM, a 121-member organization, made the remarks in a statement delivered by the Ugandan delegation, the current chair of the movement for the 2024-2027 period, at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Venezuela in New York on Monday.

The statement said the attack is "an act of war" against Venezuela that undermines regional and international peace and threatens the right to life of the Venezuelan people.

"The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement categorically condemns the act of aggression perpetrated by the United States of America against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, since the early hours of Jan. 3, 2026, which included armed attacks against civilian and military locations in the capital city of Caracas, as well as in various other cities of the Venezuelan territory," read the statement.

The statement demanded an immediate cessation of all hostilities against Venezuela, as well as full respect for its sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and inalienable right to self-determination.

It added that the United States should be held accountable for what it described as ongoing acts of aggression. 
A Ukrainian rescuer works at the site of an airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  President Donald Trumps administration will agree to support Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack, according to a draft statement being negotiated by Kyivs top allies.

The plan, which is subject to change and would need Washingtons approval, offers binding security guarantees urgently sought by Ukrainian authorities as part of a peace deal, including a U.S. offer to back a European-led military force, according to an agreement text seen by Bloomberg News.

European and Canadian leaders met with Trump envoys in Paris on Tuesday to push forward a plan that involves monitoring a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, backing for Kyivs military and assembling a multinational force to safeguard a truce, the draft said.

These elements will be European-led, with U.S. participation, including U.S. capabilities such as intelligence and logistics, and with a U.S. commitment to support the force if it is attacked, it said.

The talks in the French capital aim to build on momentum as European capitals latch on to U.S. commitments for security guarantees, potentially advancing Trumps ambition to bring Russias four-year war to an end. But the Kremlin has given little indication of whether it would accept the transatlantic diplomatic foray.

Discussions will integrate Washingtons recent proposals on capabilities with plans advanced by Ukraines main allies, a group known as the coalition of the willing, according to people familiar with the matter.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders in the snow-covered courtyard of Elysee Palace, a meeting that follows a series of discussions between national security advisers over the last month. The U.S. is represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived earlier and will be joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer among European leaders, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said details of the deal may not be finalized in Paris, noting that details may be improved or adjusted further.

This is not a make or break, Carney told reporters. Theres a lot of momentum in this process

Deliberations on ending the war in Ukraine were partly overshadowed by fresh European fears about Trumps renewed push to take Greenland, fueled by dismay over Saturdays U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

European leaders lined up to express solidarity with Denmark, which oversees the semi-autonomous territorys security, as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any military move could trigger the end of NATO.

The dynamic laid bare Europes vulnerability in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment as Russia presses ahead with the biggest conflict in the region since World War II.

The role and scope of a Western troop presence in Ukraine as part of a postwar deal remains unclear. European nations have discussed deploying a multinational reassurance force, with Ukraines army leading its defense at the front line.

European officials have been upbeat about their latest discussions with American counterparts. One person described the U.S. offer of intelligence and troops as a game-changer. Another said it much more closely resembled the so-called American backstop sought by European nations over the last year.

Territory remains the toughest sticking point, with Russia demanding that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the eastern Donbas region  including areas that Moscow has struggled to take since the war began in February 2022. Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected the demand.

The Ukrainian president has said hes asked Trump for security guarantees that could cover a period as long as half a century. Current proposals set out a 15-year term with the possibility of an extension.

With assistance from Alex Wickham, Sanne Wass and Samy Adghirni.

2026 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An LC-130 Skibird from the New York Air National Guard sits on the ice at Camp Raven in Greenland in 2016. President Donald Trumps push for more control over the island, which is a Danish territory, has sparked concerns in Europe that coercion from Washington could lead to NATOs unraveling. (Benjamin German/U.S. Air National Guard)



STUTTGART, Germany  A clash over the status of Greenland is shaping into a NATO stress test as President Donald Trumps push for more control sparks European concerns that coercion from Washington could lead to the alliances unraveling.

Some analysts say one way to avoid such a scenario is to find a diplomatic off-ramp that leaves the political autonomy of the Danish island intact but entails more U.S. forces on the ground and greater American access to its natural resources.

The question is whether the United States and Denmark can reach a deal that satisfies Trumps stated desire for more security while avoiding a rupture in NATO that could come from a unilateral American push into the territory.

The White House doubled down this week on its assertion that Greenland should be transferred to American control.

You know what Denmark did recently to boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dogsled, Trump said.

But if the United States strongarms its way into seizing control of fellow NATO ally Denmarks territory, analysts say it could put the blocs future viability at risk. NATOs core principle  that an attack on one member is an attack on all  would effectively be turned on its head.

The situation calls for a new Northern Corridor Doctrine that would update U.S.-Danish security cooperation agreements while expanding allied efforts to develop key minerals and other resources on the territory, Vienna-based geopolitical strategist Velina Tchakarova said.

That would bolster the American and European position against Russia and China, as well as manage what she called an unavoidable reality.

U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers operate snow machines during exercise Arctic Edge in Mestersvig, Greenland, in March 2024. Since taking office, President Donald Trump and other top administration officials have repeatedly argued that the U.S. needs to take over Greenland, citing increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. (Andrew Estrada/U.S. Army)

North American Aerospace Defense Command F-35 Lightning and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets fly over Greenland on Oct. 7, 2025. President Donald Trump's recent reiterations of U.S. designs on the Danish territory are sparking worries in Europe about the future viability of NATO. (Cameron Lewis/U.S. Air National Guard)



The United States will expand its military, security, and geoeconomic presence in Greenland, Tchakarova said. The only strategic question is whether this expansion produces confrontation and polarization or cohesion and stability among strategic allies.

A new arrangement would expand U.S. access in Greenland in exchange for a wide range of security activity, she said.

Such an agreement would acknowledge an uncomfortable but necessary truth: in Cold War 2.0, Greenland is once again indispensable to North American and transatlantic security, Tchakarova said. Avoiding this reality does not preserve sovereignty. It weakens it.

There is a historical basis for ramping up the U.S. military presence in Greenland. During the Cold War, the United States had thousands of troops there in addition to numerous military sites equipped with nuclear-armed long-range bombers.

Today, the presence is much smaller, with about 200 troops involved in an early-warning ballistic missile mission.

One reason Greenland has emerged as a potential flashpoint is the failure of Europeans to recognize its strategic importance, Atlantic Council analyst Justina Budginaite-Froehly said.

Europes problem is not that Washington sees Greenland as a strategic asset. It is that Europe has largely failed to do so itself, Budginaite-Froehly said. For decades, Greenland was treated as a political sensitivity rather than a strategic priority. That complacency is now dangerous.

In an era of great-power competition, territory that is weakly defended, lightly governed, or externally dependent invites pressure, regardless of legal status, she said.

That reasoning echoed comments by Stephen Miller, Trumps deputy chief of staff.

We live in a world ... that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power, Miller told CNN host Jake Tapper on Monday. These are the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time.

When asked about using force against a NATO ally, Miller responded that nobodys going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Monday that such a move would spell the end of the transatlantic security bloc, founded 76 years ago as a counter to the Soviet Union and a linchpin of Western security strategy ever since.

If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2. That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.

The destroyer USS Delbert D. Black and a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter transit through the Nuup Kagerlua fjord near Nuuk, Greenland, on Aug. 21, 2024. President Donald Trump said recently the U.S. needs Greenland from the standpoint of national security. (Anthony Randisi/U.S. Coast Guard)



But Trump made it clear Sunday that the status quo in Greenland was coming to an end, saying that U.S. national security concerns were at stake and that Denmark was not up to the job of keeping Russia and China from dominating the region.

And so far, he appears to have been unimpressed by allied efforts to do more in the Arctic.

Budginaite-Froehly said Denmark and other European countries should ramp up their military commitments in Greenland and the Arctic to signal to the Trump administration that security concerns in the region are being taken seriously.

In practice, that means a European military presence that can deny Russia and China the ability to encroach deeper into the Arctic region.

A Europe that treats Greenland as central to its own security, rather than as a liability to be explained away, can shift the Trump administrations fixation on acquiring Greenland toward cooperating on Greenlands security, Budginaite-Froehly said.
The site for the Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery, a state-run veterans cemetery under development, in 2024. The cemetery will have sites for up to 15,000 veterans and family members when it opens in late 2028. (Julie Avey/Alaska Air National Guard)



WASHINGTON  As an aging generation of Vietnam War veterans dies in increasing numbers, state-run veterans cemeteries are running out of space to accommodate them.

The Department of Veterans Affairs just awarded $77 million to cover the costs of adding thousands of interment sites at state-owned veterans cemeteries near capacity and to open Alaskas first state veterans cemetery.

An estimated 500 Vietnam War-era veterans die each day, according to the military. Many veterans are in their mid-70s and older, with families typically handling the funeral arrangements.

To meet the demand for more interment space, the VA has requested funds in recent years to help offset costs by states to develop and expand cemeteries that are near population centers.

In Alaska, the state received a $16 million VA grant to develop a veterans cemetery that is a short drive from Fairbanks and near Eielson Air Force Base.

Twenty other state veterans cemeteries  from North Carolina to Texas  will undertake major expansions at veterans cemeteries as the demand for space grows.

Burial sites and headstones at state-owned cemeteries are provided at no cost. The burial grounds often are close to highway systems, making them convenient for families to visit.

Veterans cemeteries keep the memories of Americas heroes alive, said Doug Collins, the VA secretary and a military chaplain.

The VAs National Cemetery Administration reimburses states for building, improving and expanding their veteran cemeteries.

Nearly 40,000 veterans and their dependents were interred last year at state veteran cemeteries.

In Alaska, the Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery is being developed at a former family homestead on 257 acres. The cemetery is expected to open in 2028 and will have up to 15,000 interment sites.

Major expansions of state veterans cemeteries also are underway in many other states with support from VA grants.

The VA awarded $3 million to add space at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Marana, and at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Sierra Vista. More than 100,000 veterans are interred at each of those cemeteries.

The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, in Killeen, received nearly $13 million to expand its burial grounds, which today serve 221,000 veterans and family members.

An estimated 11,000 sites for cremated remains are being developed, enabling veterans and their family members to be interred near each other, according to Texas officials.

Spouses, minor children and dependent adult children with disabilities often are eligible for interment at state veterans cemeteries. Each state has its own terms and conditions, according to the VA.

In Kansas, the VA awarded nearly $1 million for expansion and improvements at the state-run cemetery in Winfield.

The Kansas Veterans Cemetery received funds to build and place columbarium niches, which are recessed areas for cremation urns. The cemetery already has sites for 58,000 veterans and their family members.

The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock received more than $500,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs for an expansion. The cemetery has sites for more than 93,000 veterans and family members. (Arkansas National Guard)

Families pay their respects on Memorial Day 2020 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Many state-run veteran cemeteries are near capacity and have received federal funds for expansions. (U.S. Congress)



The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock received more than $500,000 for an expansion. The cemetery now serves more than 93,000 veterans and family members.

In North Carolina, three state-run veteran cemeteries received funds for large expansions. The additional space will be for placement of cremated remains.

The Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, in Spring Lake, received $3.3 million to cover the costs of columbarium niches. The cemetery already accommodates more than 257,000 veterans and their family members.

The Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, in Jacksonville, was awarded $811,000 for a similar expansion. The cemetery now has sites for more than 134,000 veterans.

The Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, in Goldsboro, where more than 290,000 veterans are interred, received more than $600,000 for more space.
SEOUL, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- South Korean police on Tuesday raided the office of a special counsel in charge of former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol's insurrection and other crimes, according to Yonhap news agency.

The special investigation headquarters under the National Police Agency sent investigators to the office in a bid to seize materials relevant to allegations that the justice ministry attempted to secure a detention space in correctional facilities during the short-lived martial law imposition in December 2024.

The police were quoted as saying that the raid was related to charges against the former head of the correctional service under the justice ministry for engaging in critical duties for the insurrection.

The police special investigative body had continued investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other cases following the conclusion of probes by special counsels.

The special counsel found that the former correctional service chief checked the detention capacity in the Seoul capital area during the martial law imposition under the instructions of Park Sung-jae, former justice minister indicted on charges of his involvement in key missions for the insurrection.

The emergency martial law was declared by Yoon on the night of Dec. 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April last year, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted under detention in January 2025 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection. 
Oswego Health announce two recent promotions.

Nicole Lewis is now director of the medical surgical unit. Lewis joined Oswego Health in 2018, as a graduate nurse after earning her bachelor of science in nursing from Utica College. She obtained her New York State Registered Nurse licensure in July 2018 and began her nursing career on the medical surgical unit. In addition to her nursing background, Lewis holds a bachelor of science in education from Syracuse University.

Over the years, Lewis advanced through several key roles on the unit, including admission/discharge RN in December 2020 and senior RN in September 2021. In November 2022, she transitioned into the role of clinical practice advisor. In May 2023, she was promoted to medical surgical assistant manager.

In her new role, Lewis will oversee clinical operations, staff development, and patient care delivery within the department.

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Cheryl Stilwell was promoted to executive director of nursing. Stilwell began her career at Oswego Health in 2008, joining the organization as the clinical manager of the medical surgical unit, a role she held until 2013 when she was then promoted to director of the unit. Stilwell served in that capacity for more than 12 years until her recent promotion to executive director of nursing.

In her new role, Stilwell will oversee the planning, organization, and administration of nursing services across the hospital. Shell lead nursing division operations, professional development initiatives, training programs, and shared governance processes that support patient care.

Stilwell graduated from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, where she earned her bachelor of nursing science in 1995. She became licensed as a Registered Nurse in New York state in 1996. Before joining Oswego Health, she spent more than five years at A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital, in Fulton, where she served as assistant nurse manager of the medical surgical unit from 2002 to 2008, followed by a role as inpatient manager in 2008.

Stilwell is also an active member of the New York Organization for Nursing Leadership.

If youd like to submit an item about People in Motion at your organization, send a press release including photo, to business@syracuse.com with Company News in the subject field. We publish news about people with ties to Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties. See all recent Company News items.
After 30 years of practicing as a clinical social worker, Kathleen Deters-Hayes has decided to retire, and Timothy Hayes, a state licensed clinical psychologist, recently retired from his practice on South Crouse Avenue.

Kathleen received her bachelors degree in music education, and taught music for two years. She then returned to complete a master of counselor education from Illinois State University and moved to Syracuse to work at Syracuse University in the residence life division as a residence hall director and assistant director of residence life.

In 1993, Kathleen pursued her masters degree in clinical social work and moved to Topeka, Kansas, to complete a post-masters fellowship at the Menninger Clinic where she worked for two years after her fellowship. She then moved back to New York to work as a therapist at Hamilton College for two years and moved to Syracuse and worked at SUNY Upstate Adult Psychiatry Clinic for 21 years specializing in working with clients who struggled with eating disorders. She retired from SUNY and opened her own private practice for the past four years.

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Timothy Hayes was brought up in Connecticut and obtained his doctorate degree at Binghamton University in 1994, and initially worked at the VA Hospital before going into private practice. He was the chief of the chemical dependency unit while he worked at the VA.

In his private practice he performed both psychological assessments and had psychotherapy clients. He worked as an outside consultant to the SUNY Upstate bariatric center, and conducted hundreds of evaluations with bariatric patients seeking surgery. He was also a consultant to the SUNY Upstate pain management program, and performed pain management evaluations.

The married couple lives in Syracuse where they plan to spend their retirement.

If youd like to submit an item about People in Motion at your organization, send a press release including photo, to business@syracuse.com with Company News in the subject field. We publish news about people with ties to Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties. See all recent Company News items.
SUVA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Police in Fiji have stepped up enforcement against the illegal sale of alcohol, amid ongoing concerns about public disorder and alcohol-related crime, particularly during peak festive periods.

The Fiji Police Force confirmed that six people were taken into custody early Sunday after allegedly selling liquor without a valid licence in the Nadawa area, near the capital Suva.

The arrests followed a raid by the Southern Division Taskforce on a local shop, where assorted alcoholic beverages were seized as evidence.

Police said the suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues.

Authorities said illegal alcohol sales undermine licensing regulations designed to control access to liquor, including restrictions on operating hours and sales to minors. 
Syracuse, N.Y.  Wegmans is at the center of a privacy controversy after signs were posted at their New York City locations notifying customers biometric data was being collected in the stores.

The signs warn shoppers that Wegmans collects, retains, converts stores or shares customers biometric identifier information which may include: facial recognition, eye scans or voice prints.

Asked by syracuse.com | The Post-Standard if it is using the technology at Central New York stores, Wegmans did not directly answer the question.

Tracy Van Auker, a Wegmans spokesperson, said in a statement on Monday the grocery store chain is using cameras equipped with facial recognition in a small fraction of stores that exhibit an elevated risk.

News about Wegmans using the technology in New York City stores broke in the last two days in metro area media.

Shoppers told a New York City media outlet they would consider shopping elsewhere. Others told the outlet they were concerned the data could potentially be shared with ICE.

Auker said the technology is used solely to keep stores secure and safe.

The system collects facial recognition data and only uses it to identify individuals who have been previously flagged for misconduct, she said.

These persons of interest are determined by security staff and by law enforcement on a case-by-case basis for criminal or missing persons cases, Auker said.

The data is stored for as long as necessary for security reasons before it is disposed of, Auker said. She did not disclose how long the data is stored.

The data is not shared with any third party, she said.

Wegmans privacy policy states biometric data is available to a limited number of Wegmans employees, third-party service providers and/or law enforcement, all of whom may be engaged to assist with security-related tasks when they arise.

The policy specifies third-party providers only have access to the security data when it is strictly required to perform their job.

The data is not shared, leased or exchanged for profit, according to the policy.

Auker said stores are not collecting other biometric data, such as retinal scans or voice prints, as the New York City signs imply.

A New York City law, which went into effect in 2021, requires businesses to disclose if they are collecting this data. It also makes it illegal for those businesses to sell, lease, trade or profit from the exchange of that data to a third party.

Auker said that the company does not disclose specific security measures used at each story for safety purposes.
The Syracuse City School Board of Education is trying to remove commissioner Twiggy Billue, a rare process that longtime city and county officials have not seen.

Dustin Czarny, the Onondaga County Election Commissioner since 2013, said Monday he has not heard of a local elected official being removed in this way. He has been involved in Onondaga politics since the 1990s.

Usually vacancies happen when somebody gets a job or weve had deaths. This is a weird one, Czarny said. I dont remember a removal from a local committee.

The SCSD school board convened for a special meeting on Dec. 26 where they unanimously voted to begin the process of removing Billue. The board said it has probable cause she neglected her duty or violated school rules. District spokespersons and school board members have refused to say what Billue has been accused of.

Billue is currently serving her second term as commissioner after being re-elected in November 2025. The swearing in ceremony was supposed to occur in mid-December, which is typical for the district, but was canceled.

Out of the three recently-elected commissioners, Billue was the last to swear in on Jan. 5, according to SCSD clerk Eileen Steinhardt. Her term began Jan. 1. Such a late swearing in is, itself, unusual.

She did not respond to interview requests.

Billue missed at least four school board meetings in December.

While removing a board of education member isnt typical it happens often enough, said Jay Worona, the former general counsel for the New York State School Boards Association.

Its not like you would see this every year in every district. In fact, quite the opposite. It happens more infrequently than frequently, Worona said. (To say) it never happens, thats not accurate.

There are two ways to get rid of an elected board member in New York.

The school board can hold a quasi-judicial hearing where they remove the member themselves, Worona said. If the school board votes to remove an elected official, the ousted member could appeal the decision the New York State education commissioner.

To avoid that appeals process, a district can also go straight to the state education commissioner.

Worona said it is important to note that a school board commissioner must have broken their oath of office or the law to be removed.

Businessman Carl Paladinos removal from the Buffalo School Board in 2017 is one of the most famous examples of a New York school board removal. In 2016, he made remarks about the then-President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama that many considered racist and offensive.

Buffalo School Board members began the process to remove Paladino over these statements. After speaking to an attorney, the reason for removal changed.

In 2017, the New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia removed Paladino stating he violated state Open Meetings Law by sharing confidential information discussed in an executive session.

If somebody is a lousy school board member or a mean spirited, horrible person, thats not necessarily grounds for removal, Worona said.

Board of Education President Tamica Barnett said a public hearing regarding Billues removal will be held the week of Jan. 19 at Nottingham High School. An exact date has not been set.
Actor Eric Dane is now under round-the-clock medical surveillance following the progression of his battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

His ex-wife, Rebecca Gayheart, spoke about the Greys Anatomy and Euphoria stars current condition in a Dec. 29 essay for The Cut, where she revealed that Eric has 24/7 nurses now.

Gayheart continued to detail his care schedule: The week is divided into 21 shifts. There are times that shifts arent covered, so I cover them. There was a 12-hour shift recently that I could not cover. I could only do four hours because of all the stuff that the kids are doing. So I had to call on two of Erics friends, one of them who had never really taken care of him in that way. I thought, I cant believe I had to ask someone to do this, she wrote, revealing that Danes friends did a wonderful job caring for him.

Dane, 53, publicly revealed his diagnosis in April to People, saying, I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.

ALS is a rare and fatal disease that affects the nervous system, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement, causing patients to slowly lose their ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe independently.

Theres no cure for ALS, and people usually live three to five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. However, some patients can live decades.

Gayheart has served as Danes primary caregiver throughout his ALS battle, despite them separating in 2017 after 15 years of marriage. The pair never divorced and share two daughters together.

BRENTWOOD, CA - JUNE 03: Actor Eric Dane and actress Rebecca Gayheart attend the 16th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 3, 2017 in Brentwood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) FilmMagic

Its a very complicated relationship, one thats confusing for people. Our love may not be romantic, but its a familial love, Gayheart wrote in her essay for The Cut, sharing that they havent lived in the same home for eight years and have both dated other people.

Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him, Gayheart continued, adding, And I know he would do the same for me.

She explained that one of the toughest parts of her estranged husbands diagnosis is the lack of privacy from the paparazzi. We went to have sushi one night, and it was the first time I had to unload the wheelchair and open it and get Eric into it on my own. And oh my God, I was sweating bullets and there were people watching and taking pictures and I was so upset because I was really struggling, she said.

However, Gayheart revealed that Danes disease has made her empathetic. Erics diagnosis has changed my approach to everything. Even with strangers, sometimes Ill be standing on line to get my coffee and Ill just look at them and go, I wonder what theyre going through. Because I know everyone is going through something, she said.

Despite Danes round-the-clock care, he has no plans to retire from acting just yet. He spoke at a panel hosted by the I am ALS organization on Dec. 2, where he explained how he planned to keep appearances in Hollywood, per USA Today.

Im fairly limited in what I can do physically as an actor, but I still have my brain, and I still have my speech, so Im willing to just do about anything. Ill take on any role. From here on out, its going to have to be ALS-centric. Its going to be very difficult for me to play any other role, he said.

Im fine with that, he added. Im grateful that I can still work in any capacity.
Verona, N.Y.  A school bus driver in Oneida County died Monday after suffering a medical emergency and crashing into a snowbank, troopers said.

No students were onboard and two other people on the bus were not injured, according to State Police.

The crash was reported at about 12:25 p.m. at state routes 31 and 365 in the town of Verona, according to Trooper Jennifer Jiron, a spokesperson for the State Police.

The driver was not immediately identified.

The bus involved in the crash was owned by the company First Student and under contract by the Rome City School District, Jiron said.

The driver was heading west on state Route 31 when he experienced a medical emergency and collapsed, Jiron said. The bus went off the shoulder of the road and into a snowbank.

A second bus driver and a school bus aide who were also onboard attempted to stop the bus and help the driver, Jiron said. They called 911 and began CPR.

The bus driver was taken to Oneida Health Hospital in Oneida, where he was pronounced dead.

No damage was reported to the bus.
Civic engagement remains essential to the strength and vitality of Central New York, and the January FOCUS Forum brings together leaders from the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County to share perspectives on community priorities and meaningful opportunities for residents to engage and participate in 2026.

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to fostering community engagement, will hold its upcoming FOCUS forum on Friday, Jan. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. In-person and Zoom options are available. The forum is free to attend. Register at focussyracuse.org or click here.

The January FOCUS Forum brings community members together with City and County leaders to explore civic engagement and local priorities for 2026. Featuring Syracuse Mayor Sharon F. Owens, City Councilor At-Large Rita Paniagua and Nicole Watts, Chairwoman of the Onondaga County Legislature, the forum highlights civic engagement opportunities supported by these leaders and encourages residents to discover ways to contribute to initiatives that make a meaningful impact in CNY.

During the free registration, participants will have the opportunity to submit their questions to the panelists in advance, allowing panelists to thoughtfully incorporate community questions and perspectives into their opening remarks. Questions may also be used during a moderated Q&A session following the presentation.

The forum is part of FOCUS monthly free forum series, where experts discuss citizen-driven topics and engage with attendees through a moderated Q&A session. Forums are open to the public and last one hour.

The January FOCUS forum is sponsored by EDR. Through sponsorship, FOCUS is able to provide free access to this forum, serving as a valuable educational resource for all members of our community.

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings people together to build a better Central New York. FOCUS serves as a catalyst for community change by engaging citizens in informed dialogue and inspiring action on critical public issues. For more information, visit focussyracuse.org.
New York National Guard soldiers and airmen provided military funeral honors at 6,166 graveside services in 2025, continuing a declining trend as the number of World War II and Korean War veterans dwindles.

The numbers mark a significant decrease from previous years when the Guard conducted 9,824 funeral honors in 2022, 9,083 in 2023, and 8,783 in 2024.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Justin Kehati, a member of the Honor Guard since 2022 based at the Harlem Armory office, said hes noticed the decline firsthand. His team used to conduct as many as four funerals a day but now averages around two.

Its sad to say, but almost all of our World War II vets have already passed on, and the Korean War vets, too, Kehati said. Overall, it seems the trend for military funerals is that they are slowing.

The numbers reflect the aging veteran population in New York. In 2000, when federal law mandating military funeral honors went into effect, there were 1.3 million veterans in New York, including 349,819 World War II veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported 662,404 veterans in New York, with just over 5,000 World War II veterans still alive.

In 2010, the New York Army National Guard alone conducted 10,300 military funerals, with 90 percent for World War II veterans.

Since 2000, Federal Public Law 106-65 has required that at least two service members attend a funeral, ensure taps is played, and that a flag is provided to the family of the former service member. Retired military members and those who die on active duty are eligible for more elaborate services, which can involve up to nine honor guard members and include a rifle salute.

The New York Army National Guard runs a centralized program with 24 full-time honor guard members and 44 part-time members based out of six locations across the state, according to 2nd Lt. Jillian Jindrick, the honor guard officer-in-charge. The programs budget in fiscal year 2025 was $2.5 million.

Each soldier goes through 40 hours of training in the precise movements involved in a military funeral, including folding and presenting the flag, playing the bugle, and receiving the casket. The soldiers also go through regular refresher training, Jindrick said.

Kehati said he got involved in the funeral honors program because he was nervous around death and funerals and thought the job would help him overcome that anxiety.

Being there for the families and letting them know that their loved one is really cherished by the country, and if that helps ease their grief, that is worth it and then some, Kehati said.

Families request Army military funeral honors through their funeral home director, who contacts the New York team to schedule the services.

The New York Air National Guard operates honor guard programs at three of its four airbases in Syracuse, Scotia and Westhampton Beach. The 107th Attack Wing teams with the U.S. Air Force Reserves 914th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to cover Western New York and part of Pennsylvania.

Air National Guard honor guard members go through the same type of training that the Army provides for its honor guard teams, according to Master Sgt. Terra Martin, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 109th Airlift Wing honor guard.

The Air Guard reduced funding for base honor guards during 2025, resulting in cutbacks of full-time honor guard members. The 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh lost funding for full-time honor guard members in March and ended their programs. The 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard base outside Schenectady and the 106th Rescue Wing at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach had to reduce full-time guard members. Of the 61 airmen who provide military funeral honors, 50 participate as part-time honor guard members.

The Army Guard Long Island detachment, which conducted 1,969 funerals in 2025, and the 106th Rescue Wing, which conducted 580 services, handle more funerals than others because of the population in the region and the existence of the Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, according to Jindrick and Capt. Cheran Campbell, the public affairs officer for the 106th Rescue Wing.

During 2025, the New York Air Guard wings conducted the following funerals:

106th Rescue Wing (Westhampton Beach, Long Island): 580

107th Attack Wing (* Niagara Falls) with the 914th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve: 380

174th Attack Wing (Syracuse): 331

109th Airlift Wing (Scotia): 250

105th Airlift Wing (Newburgh): 36

Eastern Air Defense Sector (Rome): 33

During 2025, the New York Army National Guard conducted the following funerals from eight regional detachments.

Long Island: 1969

Buffalo: 771

Harlem: 505

Syracuse: 413

Camp Smith (Peekskill): 366

Latham (Albany area): 356

Bronx: 338

Rochester: 333
The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on overriding two vetoes from President Donald Trump.

House Republican leaders are on board, according to Axios. The override votes are both expected to pass with bipartisan support.

A veto override requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.

Although House passage is expected, its not clear if the overrides will clear the Senate, according to Politico.

Both bills originally passed in December, but Trump vetoed them.

One would provide drinking water to communities in southeastern Colorado, according to Axios. Trump said it would force federal taxpayers to support the massive costs of a local water project.

Enough is enough, he said.

The other bill would expand the Miccosukee Tribes reserved area in the Florida Everglades. The tribe has been at odds with the Trump administration over plans to build an immigrant detention center in the Everglades, according to Axios.

In a veto message, Trump said the tribe was obstructing his immigration policies. He also said the bill benefited special interests.

Axios noted its unusual for Republicans in Congress to openly defy Trump.

Leaders expect some Republicans who supported the bills will ultimately vote in line with Trumps wishes, according to Politico.

The two-thirds threshold for overriding presidential vetoes is rarely met, according to Axios.
Washington  Reports that President Donald Trumps administration will freeze $10 billion in child care aid for low-income families in New York and four other Democratic states have sent state and local government officials scrambling to find out exactly whats at risk.

Trumps administration provided no details about the freeze after reports by the New York Post and New York Times said the pause is over concerns that benefits were fraudulently funneled to non-citizens. Both newspapers cited anonymous sources.

The funding freeze would target only New York, California, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado, affecting programs that serve hundreds of thousands of low-income households, according to the reports.

The states would be cut off from a combined $7 billion from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, which provides cash to households with children, and about $2.4 billion for the Child Care Development Fund, which helps working parents pay for child care.

An additional $870 million in social services grants that help children at risk could also be frozen, the reports said.

When asked by syracuse.com on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would not address how much aid for children and their families in New York might be at risk.

Instead, the department issued a statement suggesting, without evidence, that the funding freeze was due to widespread fraud involving social services aid in the five states.

For too long, Democrat-led states and governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch, said the statement from Andrew Nixon, HHS deputy assistant secretary for media relations.

Under the Trump Administration, we are ensuring that federal taxpayer dollars are being used for legitimate purposes, the statement said. We will ensure these states are following the law and protecting hard-earned taxpayer money.

New Yorks two U.S. senators and Gov. Kathy Hochuls office said they received no notification from the Trump administration about the potential freeze or the specific programs that would be impacted.

Hochul, speaking to reporters Tuesday, said the state is ready to fight back if the funds are frozen.

This is a fight were going to have to take on if we get that notification, Hochul said. Its vindictive. I believe that well be successful in court. Well be having a litigation strategy. Well fight this with every fiber of our being because our kids should not be political pawns in a fight that Donald Trump seems to have with blue state governors.

A spokesman for Schumer said it wasnt clear whether all or a portion of federal funding would be paused for child care and temporary assistance programs in New York state.

Schumer said it would be wrong for the Trump administration to cut off any aid for children for political purposes.

To threaten to rip away billions for child care and other critical support for working families and their kids for political gain is beyond disgusting, Schumer said in a statement. Trump is pulling the rug out from millions of parents who now could be left high and dry with no option for child care.

Onondaga County officials were among those left in the dark Tuesday about what the funding freeze might mean for local child care programs supported with federal money.

The county is waiting to hear from the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Office of Children and Family Services about what aid might be cut off, said Justin Sayles, a spokesman for County Executive Ryan McMahon.

Trumps administration said last week it was freezing $185 million in annual aid to Minnesota day care centers amid federal charges of widespread welfare fraud schemes in that state that cheated taxpayers out of more than $1 billion.
Part of the New York State Thruway was closed for hours after a tractor-trailer carrying natural gas caught fire near the Capital Region.

The tractor-trailer caught fire at 9:02 a.m. Tuesday on Interstate 90 east in Mindenville, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office and 511NY.

The driver of the burning tractor-trailer told a 911 dispatcher he was transporting a full load of compressed natural gas in individual cylinders  creating a hazardous material emergency, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Both sides of the Thruway were completely closed at 9:25 a.m. between Exit 29A (Little Falls) and Exit 29 (Canajoharie) as firefighters worked to put out the fire.

The sheriffs office determined that everyone within a 1-mile radius of the fire should be evacuated.

Along with sending out mass notifications, deputies and members of the New York State Police went door to door in the Mindenville area to ensure residents were evacuating, the sheriffs office said.

I-90 west reopened shortly before 11 a.m. after the fire was put out. The evacuation notice was then canceled.

I-90 east remained closed at Exit 29A until just before 2 p.m., according to the state Thruway Authority.

No one was injured in the fire, troopers told the Times Union.

The fire was reported at mile marker 204.5 in Mindenville, a hamlet in Montgomery County about 30 miles east of Utica and about 50 miles west of Schenectady.
An Upstate New York man has been arrested for making repeated fake 911 calls, according to New York State Police.

Thomas A. Margeson, 40, of Painted Post, N.Y., was arrested on Jan. 1, police announced Monday. Troopers said an investigation found that he made numerous false reports to emergency services and mandated reporters in Steuben County over an extended period in 2025.

Investigators said Margesons reports to 911 and the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline resulted in repeated law enforcement and child protective services responses that were determined to be unfounded. Margeson also allegedly knew the reports were false when he made them in a manner that misused emergency and child protection resources, police said.

Additional details were not disclosed.

Margeson has been charged with 18 counts of Falsely Report Catastrophe Or Emergency To Official Agency- 3rd degree (A misdemeanor) in the town of Bath, as well as 12 counts of Falsely Reporting Child Abuse Incident to a Mandated Reporter - 3rd degree (A misdemeanor) in the village of Bath.

He was issued tickets to appear in the Town of Bath Court on Feb. 2, and in the Village of Bath Court on Feb. 4.

Painted Post is located just outside of Corning in Steuben County, about 18 miles southeast of Bath in the Southern Tier.
MANILA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Growth in the Philippines' manufacturing output slowed in November 2025, with both the value and volume of production indices posting declines, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed on Tuesday.

The value of production index (VaPI) for the manufacturing section registered an annual decrease of 1.4 percent in November 2025 from a 1.5 percent year-on-year increase in October 2025.

In November 2024, the VaPI for manufacturing recorded an annual decline of 4.1 percent.

Similarly, the volume of production index (VoPI) recorded a year-on-year decrement of 1.5 percent in November 2025 from a 1.0 percent annual increment in October 2025.

In November 2024, the VoPI for manufacturing registered an annual decrease of 4.5 percent. 
The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has unveiled its grand plans at CES 2026, letting the world know about its AI robotics development plans lined up towards its commercialization.

CES 2026: Hyundai Motor Group Unveils AI Robotics Plans

CES 2026 saw Hyundai Motor Group unveil its latest plans for the future of AI robotics.

According to HMG, the company plans to lead the AI robotics industry with their upcoming developments. All of these are focusing on the acceleration of the commercial human-centered AI robotics development that will help empower the human workforce in the future.

The company's plans focus widely on partnershipsfrom Boston Dynamics to deliver these robots to life to Google DeepMind to help them develop AI models for complex, real-world tasks in the future.

HMG claims that its robots under this grand plan would not be confined to laboratories or controlled environments as they plan to roll it out to real-world situations and setups.

The developments are said to lead to delivering "real, practical help," with the first target rollout coming to its manufacturing sites and more.

Human and Robot Collaborative Experiences from Hyundai

The company claims that their plan centers on creating "co-working robots" that could help humans perform and accomplish their tasks, focusing on the Atlas product. The company said that they already proved that it is possible with Boston Dynamics' Spot and Stretch robots, which were already deployed to its plants.

According to HMG, the future AI bots, also those under the Atlas product, will carry out the physically demanding tasks for humans, as well as the repetitive ones. However, it won't stop there as these AI bots can also learn and adapt in their designated role.

"This is our approach to human-centered AI Robotics: robots working for and with people as support," said the Hyundai Motor Group.

Hyundai Teams Up With Boston Dynamics, Google DeepMind

According to HMG, "the Group will accelerate its business by leveraging its global mass-production capabilities and a robust value chain across its affiliates."

"Through collaboration between Boston Dynamicshome to the world's most advanced robotics technologyand global AI leaders, Hyundai Motor Group will integrate cutting-edge AI Robotics across all HMG manufacturing sites worldwide, and subsequently expand into logistics, energy, construction, and facility management sectors," they added.

Before deployment, HMG said that its AI robots will undergo training and validation under its Software-Defined Factory (SDF) and the Robot Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) to deliver only the "highest performance and quality standards."

HMG has a target of producing 9.8 million units of the Atlas product by 2030.
Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, announced it will provide free broadband service in Venezuela through February 3, aiming to keep residents connected after US forces arrested President Nicolas Maduro during a military operation.

"In support of the people of Venezuela ," Musk wrote in a post on X, sharing a link to Starlink's service update, Meaww reported.

The move comes amid reports of widespread internet and electricity outages, particularly in Caracas, as the country faces political uncertainty.

Starlink automatically applied service credits to both active and inactive accounts across Venezuela.

"For active customers: No action is needed. Free service credits are being proactively applied to your account," the company said.

"For inactive customers: Free service credits are being proactively applied, allowing you to reactivate service during this period."

Maduro was flown to New York following his arrest on Saturday, where he faces multiple federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses.

His wife, Cilia Flores, was also taken into custody and is facing similar charges. US officials accused the couple of using drug trafficking and violence to destabilize the region and undermine democratic institutions, as outlined in federal indictments.

Starlink has increasingly positioned itself as a communications lifeline during crises.

"In support of the people of Venezuela."



Following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, Elon Musks Starlink announced it will provide free high-speed internet service across Venezuela, saying the move is aimed at supporting the Venezuelan people during a pivotal pic.twitter.com/bhr6uDdkmE  Fox News (@FoxNews) January 4, 2026

Elon Musk Calls Starlink 'Backbone'

The network has been deployed in natural disasters, such as California wildfires and Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, and in international conflicts, most notably in Ukraine, where it has helped maintain communication for civilians, government agencies, and military units amid infrastructure damage.

According to FoxBusiness, Musk has previously called Starlink "the backbone of the Ukrainian army," highlighting its growing role in emergency and geopolitical situations.

The temporary free service in Venezuela is designed to help civilians access news, emergency services, and communication tools during the unfolding crisis.

Musk also expressed optimism about the country's future, writing on January 3, "Long overdue prosperity is coming for the people of Venezuela."

Maduro and Flores are expected to appear before a federal judge in New York on January 5 for initial proceedings.

Prosecutors allege Flores played a role in her husband's alleged criminal operations, including arranging meetings to coordinate bribe payments for illegal shipments through Venezuelan airspace.

Originally published on vcpost.com
Shlomo Kramer, Israeli billionaire and co-founder of cybersecurity firm Cato Networks, sparked heated debate after calling on the US government to take control of social media platforms to counter misinformation spread by artificial intelligence.

Speaking on CNBC's "Money Movers" Monday, Kramer argued that AI is giving authoritarian governments an "unfair advantage" over democracies, with online disinformation threatening the "fabric of society and politics." He suggested that regulating online speech may be necessary to protect democratic systems.

"I know it's difficult to hear, but it's time to limit the First Amendment in order to protect it," Kramer said.

He elaborated that governments should "control the platforms, all the social platforms," and implement a system to "stack, rank the authenticity of every person that expresses themselves online" to determine the influence of their speech, FoxBusiness reported.

Kramer emphasized the urgency of such measures, saying, "The technology is moving much faster than the political system typically can respond. You need to use technology in order to stabilize the political system."

He drew a contrast with China, noting that the country maintains "a single narrative that protects its inner stability," whereas the US currently allows multiple narratives that, in his view, adversaries could exploit.

Kramer also called for sophisticated cyber defense programs, warning that "enterprises are left fending for themselves" without adequate government support.





Foreigners have zero business telling us anything.



 Israeli billionaire Shlomo Kramer:



"it's time to limit the First Amendment. We need to control all the social platforms, we need to authenticate every person online and take control of what they are saying." pic.twitter.com/vwXG2wD8f5  Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) January 2, 2026

Social Media Criticism Follows Kramer's Comments

Kramer clarified to The Post that his comments were aimed at protecting public discourse from AI-driven operations that manipulate online spaces, not at abolishing free speech.

"The goal is not to limit the speech of individuals, but to ensure that the public square remains a place for transparent, human debate, protected from the corrosive impact of covert digital manipulation," he said.

His remarks quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism from free speech advocates.

Many accused him of promoting censorship, while some compared his proposals to state-controlled systems like those in China.

Conservative commentator Andrew Gruel warned of "state power without limits," while Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) succinctly rejected the idea.

Kramer, a serial entrepreneur behind Check Point Software and Imperva, has been vocal about cybersecurity threats posed by AI and digital disinformation.

Originally published on vcpost.com
DHAKA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,533,682 voters have registered to cast their ballots by post in Bangladesh's upcoming 13th general election and the referendum scheduled for Feb. 12.

According to the Election Commission data released Tuesday, the registration process through the "Postal Vote BD" app concluded at midnight on Monday.

More than 127 million voters had been registered for the election for the first time since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country in August 2024, according to the commission.

Bangladesh's 13th general election has drawn a large field of some 2,568 candidates. Political parties account for the majority, with 51 parties sponsoring 2,090 candidates, while 478 are running as independents. 
LA wildfire survivors struggle to rebuild a year on



Altadena, United States, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



Less than a year after watching flames raze his home in the Altadena foothills, Ted Koerner has moved into a brand new house, one of the first to rebuild in this Los Angeles suburb.

It has been an uphill battle, and Koerner is visibly moved as he brings his dog, Daisy, back home. "We've been through a lot this year," he told AFP.

Altadena was hardest hit by the fires that ravaged parts of the sprawling US metropolis in January 2025. Thousands of homes were destroyed and 19 people died in the town -- compared to 12 killed in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

To rebuild his home, Koerner, a 67-year-old head of a security company, had to front up several hundred thousand dollars as his mortgage lender refused to release insurance payouts for months.

Koerner also had to contend with the uncertainties created by the policies of US President Donald Trump.

Tariffs on steel, wood, and cement, all of which are often imported, have increased construction costs, and Latino construction workers fear arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"If ICE grabs construction crews and Trump does that to us on top of tariffs, we'll never get this town rebuilt," Koerner said.

Slowly, however, Altadena is coming back to life. Amid the thousands of empty lots, a few house frames are beginning to rise from the ground.



- 'Chaos and delays' -



The hurricane-strength 160 kilometer (100 mile) per hour gusts of wind that spread the fire at breakneck speed last January are still fresh in everyone's minds. But despite the destruction and the pervasive threat of climate change in California, dogged survivors refuse to move away.

"Where are you gonna go?" sighed another Altadena resident, Catherine Ridder, a 67-year-old psychotherapist. "There's no place around here that's not vulnerable to catastrophic weather."

Her construction project has begun and she hopes to move in by August -- before the $4,000 monthly rent she pays for a furnished apartment exhausts the housing allowance from her insurance.

To speed things up, the Californian bureaucracy has streamlined its processes. Los Angeles County is issuing building permits within a few months. Before, it often took more than a year.

But Ridder has been frustrated by delays in inspections to verify compliance with new building codes, such as requiring a fire sprinkler system in the roof.

"There's a lot of chaos and delays. I mean, maybe it's faster than pre-fire stuff, but this doesn't feel easy at all," she told AFP.

"I know that I'm way better off than a lot of people who were underinsured."



- Losing the 'melting pot' -



In this high-risk area, many residents were covered by the state's insurer of last resort, and their compensation is too meager to rebuild homes that often cost more than a million dollars.

So many are counting on the financial outcome of lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison, the company that owns the faulty power line suspected of having triggered the fire that destroyed Altadena.

Carol Momsen couldn't wait.

She got only $300,000 for the destruction of her home, so the 76-year-old retiree sold her land. That paid for a new apartment elsewhere.

"Even if I had the money, I don't think I'd want to rebuild in Altadena, because it's just a sad place right now," the former saleswoman said.

There is palpable anxiety that this diverse town, home to a sizable African American population, will lose its soul because people cannot afford to rebuild.

Several empty lots display signs: "Altadena, not for sale!" and "Black homes matter".

Ellaird Bailey, 77, a retired technician at a telecommunications company, settled here with his wife in 1984 so his children could grow up in this "melting pot."

"So many of those people that we've known for 20 or 30 years are moving away" to more affordable communities, he said.

"It's hard to visualize what it's going to be like moving forward."

rfo/msp/aha/fg
Six dead in weather accidents as cold snap grips Europe



Paris, France, Jan 6 (AFP) Jan 06, 2026



Freezing temperatures plunged swathes of Europe into a second day of travel chaos on Tuesday, with six people dying in weather-related accidents during the continent's bitterest cold snap this winter so far.

Since the mercury dropped on Monday, five people have died in France and one woman in Bosnia as heavy snow and rain sparked floods and power outages across the Balkans.

Paris's two main airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly, were to cancel many flights early Wednesday to allow ground crews to clear snow from runways and de-ice planes.

Forty percent of morning flights at Charles de Gaulle were to be scrapped, and 25 percent at Orly.

In Britain, temperatures plunged to -12.5C overnight Monday-Tuesday in Norfolk, eastern England, while temperatures below -10C across the Netherlands brought trains to a standstill on Tuesday morning.

"Last night was the coldest night of the winter so far," Britain's Met Office said, with nearly all of the United Kingdom on alert for snow and ice and more snowfall expected.

With the chill making roads perilous, three people died in accidents linked to black ice in southwestern France on Monday morning, authorities said, while a taxi driver died in hospital on Monday night after his vehicle veered off the road and plunged into the Marne river in the Paris region.

His passenger was still being treated for hypothermia, according to a police source. Another driver died east of Paris on Monday after colliding with a heavy goods vehicle.

Melanie Coligneaux, a pastry chef, said that she left her home in Beny-Bocage in northwestern France at 5:00 am (0400 GMT) to avoid the worst of the snow-day traffic.

"The roads are bad, so we don't want to damage the car or even have an accident," the 30-year-old told AFP.

Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, the Netherlands' main flight hub, meanwhile saw a second day of weather-driven cancellations Tuesday, with at least 600 flights grounded and travellers facing huge queues at the airline counters.

Dutch airline KLM, which is responsible for removing ice from most aircraft at Schiphol, warned that it had nearly run out of de-icing fluid, blaming the "extreme" weather conditions and supply delays.

Trains from the Dutch national railway operator NS only began rolling again after 10:00 am (0900 GMT), with services limited afterwards.

But planes got off the ground again from Liverpool in northwest England and Aberdeen in northeast Scotland, after the cold had forced both airports to close on Monday.



- 'Like climbing Mont Blanc' -



After nearly 40 centimetres (16 inches) fell in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo at the weekend, a woman died in hospital after being hit by a tree that collapsed under the weight of the snow on Monday, according to the police.

Dozens of villages across neighbouring Serbia were left without power in the wake of the snowfall, while downpours caused several rivers to overflow in Bosnia and forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in Albania.

More than 300 schools were shut in Scotland Tuesday, the national BBC broadcaster reported, with Scottish train services also severely disrupted.

"Tuesday will bring more severe snow and ice to the north of Scotland -- and with it, continued travel disruption and risks to people and communities," Scottish transport minister Fiona Hyslop warned late on Monday.

Christopher Sallent, a resident of Saint-Jean-des-Essartiers in France's Normandy, said his children also had to stay at home as the school buses were not running.

"It's difficult, we have to adapt. When will the school buses start running again? We don't know... We have to keep them at home and keep them occupied," the 33-year-old told AFPTV.

Several smaller French airports were closed on Tuesday, according to the transport ministry.

In the French capital, Monday's snowfall had settled overnight across much of Paris's pavements, with pedestrians forced to navigate treacherously icy streets.

Tour guide Valeria Pitchouguina said the sight of Paris snowed under was "truly extraordinary", but the ice was complicating efforts to shepherd her groups up the steep steps to the picture-postcard district of Montmartre.

"When it's like that and snowy and icy, it's something else, it's less like climbing Montmartre and more like climbing Mont Blanc," Pitchouguina told AFPTV.

Hungary meanwhile also braced for a second day of fresh snowfall Tuesday, with some roads and railways already impassable, especially in the northeast.

Construction and Transport Minister Janos Lazar urged Hungarians to only head out "if absolutely necessary".

burs-ljv-sbk/yad

Aeroports de Paris
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Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr, known for films including Satantango, Damnation and Werckmeister Harmonies, has died aged 70.

The European Film Academy announced the news, revealing that Tarr died on Tuesday (January 6) after a long and serious illness.

The European Film Academy mourns an outstanding director and a personality with a strong political voice, who is not only deeply respected by his colleagues but also celebrated by audiences worldwide, the statement said.

The grieving family asks for the understanding of the press and the public and that they not be sought for a statement during these difficult days.

Tarr, known for his dark and distinctive black-and-white works depicting rural Hungarian life, was born in 1955 before beginning his career working at Balazs Bela Studio, one of Hungarys largest studios for experimental film.

open image in gallery Tarr was behind films like Satantango, Damnation and Werckmeister Harmonies ( Getty Images )

He released his feature directorial debut, Family Nest, a dark social drama about a young family living in communist housing, in 1977.

He graduated from the Academy of Theatre and Film in Budapest in 1982 and established Tarsulas Filmstudio, where he worked until the studio was closed in 1985.

The filmmaker first attracted international acclaim in 1988 with his feature Damnation, about an erotic obsession set in a Hungarian mining town, adapted from a screenplay by the Nobel-Prize-winning Hungarian novelist Laszlo Krasznahorkai.

For Damnation, Tarr won the Best Young Film Award at the European Film Awards.

open image in gallery The filmmaker died on Tuesday after a long and serious illness ( Getty Images )

His most successful film was his adaptation of Krasznahorkais Satantango into a seven-hour-long feature, released in 1994, which achieved cult status and is regarded as one of the best arthouse films of all time.

Satantango tells the haunting story of a group of people living in a decaying Hungarian village before the fall of Soviet rule. The community is led by Irimias, a charismatic man long presumed dead, who suddenly returns under mysterious circumstances.

His 2000 film Werckmeister Harmonies depicts an entire community controlled by mass hypnosis, triggered by the arrival of a strange circus.

open image in gallery Satantango tells the haunting story of a group of people living in a decaying Hungarian village ( Mubi )

Tarr went on to direct nine features, the final one being Turin Horse, released in 2011, co-written, once again, by Krasznahorkai. The story depicts the unrelenting grind of domestic life for a horse-cart driver and his daughter.

In 2019, a 4K restoration of the film screened at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival, following Tarrs approval.

Alongside his partnership with Krasznahorkai, Tarrs films were edited and co-directed by his wife Agnes Hranitzky and featured the music of Mihaly Vig.

open image in gallery Bela Tarrs 1988 film Damnation ( Hungarian Film Institute )

Tarr retired from filmmaking in 2011 to run his own film school, called film.factory, in Sarajevo.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2024, Tarr said that he wanted to work with young people to push them to be themselves, to be free, to be more revolutionary than I was. My slogan is very, very simple: no education  just liberation!

Discussing his retirement, he said it came from a feeling. We had made everything we wanted. The work is done and you can take it or leave it. It is not my business anymore. I wanted to be a producer, working with the new Hungarian cinema. We had a production office and you wouldnt believe my desk. A minimum of 10 different projects on it!

Tarr also claimed he left Hungary and filmmaking due to changing politics. But then we got this government. They said very clearly we have to apply for the new conditions and we have to fulfil expectations, and by the end I said: F***! Better if I hand over all ideas and projects and scripts and I leave the country because I have a feeling its hopeless.
BANGKOK, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's military said that an explosion rocked a border area of Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province at approximately 7:25 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

The blast wounded one Thai soldier, who sustained shrapnel injuries to his right arm, Thailand's 2nd Area Command said in a statement, adding that medical evaluations confirmed the serviceman is not in a life-threatening condition.

The command noted that the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. It has ordered all subordinate units to step up vigilance during operational deployments to safeguard the safety of military personnel and residents, adding that relevant updates will be released in a timely manner.

Earlier Tuesday, the command stated on social media that Cambodia violated the ceasefire agreement by firing a mortar round in the border area at around 7:25 a.m. local time, leaving one Thai soldier injured. 
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Guillermo del Toro has opened up about how the experience of winning an Oscar directly shaped a scene in his latest film, Frankenstein.

The Mexican filmmaker, 61, spent decades trying to adapt Mary Shelleys Frankenstein for the screen. His version, which stars Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, was released by Netflix last November.

In a new interview with Bradley Cooper for Variety, Del Toro explained how a key scene in his new film depicting Frankensteins monster entering a house was influenced by the experience of walking onstage at the Academy Awards. Back in 2018, Del Toro won Best Director and Best Picture for his romantic fantasy film The Shape of Water.

The moment where he crosses from his hiding place into the house, the camera crosses with him through the set, said Del Toro. All of a sudden, hes in a completely different environment. Its the widest shot of the scene, so that when we enter the house, its magical.

He continued: That happened to me at the Academy Awards. When I got the Oscar for Shape of Water, people asked, How does it feel? I said, Well, youre in your seat and then you climb up to the stage and turn around and go, What is this? All of a sudden, youre in your dream moment in the shower as a kid rehearsing your speech with the shampoo bottle.

Guillermo del Toro says the experience of walking onstage to collect Best Director and Best Picture for 'The Shape of Water' at the Oscars in 2018 shaped a key scene in his new film 'Frankenstein' ( Frazer Harrison/Getty Images )

The monster needed to feel like that. He enters the house, and it needs to feel like a palace.

Del Toros adaptation of Frankenstein earned four Critics Choice Awards last weekend, including a Best Supporting Actor trophy for Elordi, following its rave reviews from critics, with The Independents Clarisse Loughrey naming it the best film of 2025.

I feel were in dire need of the Romantic, Gothic spirit that Mary Shelley championed in her 1818 novel Frankenstein, that rejects what would conform us, automate us, and divide us, wrote Loughrey. Instead, let us embrace radical compassion and imagination. Let us open the door to doubt, vulnerability, and humility. Let us surrender ourselves to ideas larger than we can control.

Guillermo del Toro, our father of monsters, is one of the closest figures we have today to Shelley, Bryon, and the whole Romantic set of the early 19th century. Frankenstein is his passion project, his lifes ambition. Hes described Shelleys novel as essentially his Bible. And with his adaptation, he doesnt speak for Shelley, but more directly communes with her. Its not just a translation. Its a dialogue.
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Mickey Rourke has denounced a GoFundMe set up to help him pay the money he owes on his Los Angeles home after being threatened with eviction.

It emerged last week that the Oscar-nominated actor and former professional boxer, 73, had received a three-day notice to pay rent or vacate the premises on December 18 and failed to comply. He owes $59,100 in unpaid rent, court documents claim.

On Sunday, a fundraiser titled Help Mickey Rourke Stay in His Home was launched on GoFundMe with a target of $100,000, $97,854 of which it has already raised at the time of writing.

This fundraiser is being created with Mickeys full permission, the campaign, set up in his name by his longtime manager Kimberly Hines, states.

However, on Tuesday, Rourke took to Instagram to address his fans and deny approving the fundraiser.

open image in gallery Mickey Rourke addressed his fans on Instagram and denied approving a GoFundMe campaign in his name ( mickey_rourke_/Instagram )

Somethings come up that Im really frustrated, confused and I dont understand, Rourke said in a video. Somebody set up some kind of foundation or fund for me to donate money. A charity.

And thats not me. If I needed money, I wouldnt ask for no charity. Id rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger, he continued. Whoever did this, I dont know why they did it. I wouldnt know what a GoFundMe is in a million years.

Reflecting on his career, Rourke admitted he has done a really terrible job in managing it.

I wasnt diplomatic. I had to go to over 20 years of therapy to get over the damage that was done to me years ago. I worked very hard to work through that. Im not that person anymore. Im not that wild man I was 20 years ago, he said.

Rourke went on to promise that any money donated to the GoFundMe by fans would be returned to them.

I would never ask strangers or fans for a nickel, Rourke said. Its not my style. You ask anybody who knows me. Its humiliating and fucking embarrassing I want you to get your money back. All things will pass.

open image in gallery Rourke allegedly owes nearly $60,000 in unpaid rent ( PA Archive )

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter Tuesday, Hines attempted to clear up the confusion over the GoFundMe, the details of which she admitted Rourke may not have been completely clear on.

In the last 48 hours, we moved him out of his house; we put him up in [a West Hollywood hotel]. The GoFundMe was done for Mickey. That moneys going to Mickey. Its not going to me. And if Mickey doesnt want this money now and decides, I dont want help, its like its charity, the money will be returned, she told the publication.

She claimed that Rourkes movers, hotel and new apartment in Los Angeles Koreatown neighborhood were being paid for by his management team.

Explaining how the actor may have misinterpreted their efforts to raise money for him, she said: We said, Mickey, theres some people that want to help you out. Hes like, OK, great. I dont think he understood, and now its taken on this media frenzy, and he flipped out.

She continued: Its putting me in a very bad position where now Im financing his move and the hotel and the movers and his storage. Mickey was cool with getting help the other day. And now Mickeys like, Im not taking charity.

Rourke signed a lease for the three-bedroom, 2.5-bath house for $5,200 per month in March; it was subsequently increased to $7,000 per month, according to court filings.

The propertys owner, Eric Goldie, is requesting compensation for attorneys fees and damages.

Earlier this year, The Wrestler star appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK, where he revealed he had to borrow $500,000 from the bank amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the actors strike.

Controversy surrounding the star began immediately after he ogled CBB presenter AJ Odudu, and he faced calls to be dropped after making homophobic comments to Dance Moms star Jojo Siwa.

The actors six-day run in the house came to an abrupt end after threatening and aggressive behaviour towards Love Island star Chris Hughes and the use of inappropriate sexual language towards Towie star Ella Mae Wise.

He was reportedly paid 500,000 for his three-week stint on the show, but the fee was dramatically reduced to 50,000 after he was kicked off, according to The Sun. ITV did not respond to The Independents request for comment at the time.
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Noel Gallagher has expressed a strong desire to compose the next James Bond theme song, stating it would be an "absolute honour" to contribute to the iconic spy franchise.

The 58-year-old rockstar, best known for his pivotal role in the beloved Britpop group Oasis, recently concluded the highly anticipated Oasis Live 25 reunion world tour.

Speaking on TalkSport with Andy Goldstein, Gallagher confirmed his willingness, remarking: "Absolutely, yeah, of course. Itd be an absolute honour. I think those kinds of things should be done by Brits."

He also light-heartedly suggested he would be open to portraying a "Mancunian villain" in a future film, though he clarified that he has not yet been approached for the musical role.

open image in gallery Liam and Noel Gallagher during the Oasis Live 25 tour ( The Canadian Press )

The search for the next actor to embody the acclaimed secret agent, alongside the artist tasked with delivering its signature theme, remains ongoing. Previous musical contributors to the action blockbuster include Adele, who performed Skyfall (2012), Billie Eilish with No Time To Die (2020), and Madonnas Die Another Day (2002).

This comes as Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have transitioned from their roles as primary producers, ceding creative control to Amazon MGM studios as part of a significant deal. The pair will, however, retain their positions as co-owners of the franchise.

The Broccoli family had maintained singular or partnered control over the official film series since the inaugural 007 movie, Dr No, in 1962.

British actor Callum Turner, 35, is reportedly the frontrunner to play the next James Bond, with unverified claims suggesting he has been discussing his casting.

The rumour also suggests his fiancee, pop star Dua Lipa, could record the theme song for his debut as 007.

open image in gallery Turner with his fiancee Dua Lipa in May 2025 ( Getty )

Dune director Denis Villeneuve will helm the next Bond film, which is still yet to make any casting announcements or what it will be called. The previous Bond film, No Time To Die, was released in 2021 and marked Daniel Craigs last outing as 007, having played the spy in five different movies.

Oasis, celebrated for hit songs such as Wonderwall, Dont Look Back In Anger, and Champagne Supernova, reunited for a highly successful return tour, nearly 15 years after the band's dramatic dissolution following a well-publicised fallout between the Gallagher brothers.
These are challenging times for the arts and culture. In an era of skyrocketing costs, squeezed budgets and the existential nightmare that is AI, creative types would be forgiven for throwing in the towel and retraining as accountants. But help is at hand! Behold, my 10 commandments to protect and nurture our rich cultural life and get the best out of the arts in 2026.

1. Thou shalt not pay celebrities to write childrens books

This isnt about HarperCollins finally giving its cash cow David Walliams the heave-ho  though seriously, guys, what took you so long? Its about the hijacking of childrens literature by famouses  Matt Lucas, Keira Knightley, Simon Cowell, Jamie Oliver and Katie Price among them  whose sole qualification for the job appears to be being on telly. Their substandard literary efforts are a blight on the industry, hoovering up budgets and squeezing out skilled authors for whom writing is a full-time job and not a cynical exercise in brand expansion.

2. Thou shalt invest in some studio lighting

I cant be the only one heartily sick of fiddling with the TV settings so I can see through the murk of the latest prestige drama. Cinematographers! Turn up the lights!

3. Thou shalt stop pretending awards ceremonies make good telly

Ariana DeBose visibly out of breath while rapping a list of female nominees; David Tennant murdering The Proclaimers; Adrien Brodys hour-long Oscars acceptance speech (I exaggerate, but only a little); the Brits showing old footage of Adele while battling a technical hitch. Awards ceremonies can be challenging for those producing them, but thats nothing next to the purgatory of watching them on TV. Heres a thought: why not ditch the camera crews and let the celebs get on with their office party behind closed doors?

open image in gallery Brutal: Adrien Brody going on and on at the Oscars ( AFP/Getty )

4. Thou shalt pay musicians

As if streaming services werent deadly enough for musicians  Spotify typically pays artists between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream  touring has become unsustainable for all but the biggest acts. Prohibitive production costs plus the unscrupulous practices of ticketing companies mean musicians can count themselves lucky if they dont emerge from their sell-out tour mired in debt. Let this be the year that we come up with a fairer system for artists where they dont have to bankrupt themselves to make and perform the music we love.

5. Thou shalt cherish the BBC while we have it

The corporation continues to lurch from one crisis to the next. Yes, its flaws are evident: it is bloated, complacent and slow to come clean when it screws up. But it is also entwined in our culture and everyday lives. It gets us out of bed in the mornings, acts as a weathervane and temperature gauge, delivers the news, helps us decide what to cook, offers world-class escapism and reads us bedtime stories. Dismiss the Beeb at your peril. Youll miss it when its gone.

6. Thou shalt not shortchange theatregoers with attention-seeking stunts

When Rachel Zegler, star of Jamie Lloyds production of Evita, went out to the Palladium balcony to perform the showstopper Dont Cry For Me Argentina at passers-by in Londons West End, it pulled vast crowds. Zegler may have been due a win after the gargantuan flop that was Snow White, but spare a thought for the theatregoers who took out a mortgage for their tickets, only to have to watch a chunk of the show via video feed.

open image in gallery Crowd teaser: Rachel Zegler performs Dont Cry For Me Argentina ( London Palladium )

7. Thou shalt not turn your podcast into terrible TV

There is no stopping podcastings pivot to video, an annoying development that has foisted yet more production costs onto creators and has, in many cases, resulted in ghastly experiences for both viewers and listeners. Roman Mars, host of the US series 99% Invisible, put it best when he said: I just think its so much cooler and more interesting to try to be the best audio show rather than the s***tiest television show.

8. Thou shalt say no to AI-augmented art

It scarcely needs pointing out that, when it comes to the creative industries, AI is not a force for good. It puts skilled people out of work, stunts the imagination and makes us all stupider. It also flagrantly robs from artists and writers whose work is used without their permission to train algorithms. Its up to audiences to champion the work of flesh-and-blood creators and refuse to engage with cheap facsimiles made of code.

9. Thou shalt bin the music biopic

Show me a half-decent film about a rock stars rise to fame and Ill show you 10 more that are unwatchable. Bohemian Rhapsody? A horror show. Baz Luhrmanns Elvis? Atrocious. Bob Marley: One Love, Back to Black, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere? Please God, no more. There are many reasons why these movies are so terrible: the formulaic storylines, meddling from the artists estate, actors turning themselves into excruciating tribute acts. Alas, with films about Madonna and Michael Jackson in the works, this is a fad thats not going away.

10. Thou shalt ditch the wilfully nondescript band names

Im looking at you Laundromat, Dry Cleaning, English Teacher, Feet and Adult DVD: you are a great band but searching for you online is a nightmare.
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Fans of Coronation Street and Emmerdale have been left stunned by a special crossover episode that killed off two characters, declaring it the best episode of TV in years.

The ITV soaps entwined on Monday, with characters from both shows involved in a deadly crash on a motorway between Leeds and Manchester  and viewers watched on in excitement as several familiar faces shared the screen for the first time.

But it was a knowing gag involving Coronation Streets Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Emmerdales Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) that has been hailed as the highlight of the episode.

The in-joke arrived when Steve suggested he recognised Jai, stating: I just thought I saw somebody I used to work with, but it cant be. This was a nod to the fact that Bisson played Vikram in Corrie from 1999 to 2002. Vikram co-founded Street Cars with Steve.

Favourite bit was Steve McDonald recognising Jai in Emmerdale cos he was Vikram in Corrie, one fan wrote, saying they screamed laughing. Others called the moment, written by Owen Lloyd Fox, incredible, genius and the best bit.

Steve recognising Jai as Vikram is by far the best thing in this madness, a viewer reacted.

open image in gallery Throwback: Chris Bisson and Simon Gregson co-starred in Coronation Street more than two decades ago ( ITV )

Elsewhere, fans praised producers for crafting the action-packed episode, and have predicted the crossover will win many awards over the coming year.

Think that was the single best episode of a soap Ive ever seen in my life and Im not even being dramatic, one fan said.

Absolute cinema. Everyone who worked on it, take a f***ing bow.

Another long-time soap viewer praised the episode as edge-of-the-seat stuff, stating: Its been a long time since Ive sat that tense for a full hour.

Others demanded more crossover episodes in the future.

open image in gallery Corriedale branded best TV soap episode in years ( ITV )

Emmerdale serial killer John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) was killed in the episode, as was Coronation Streets vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), whose evil love rival Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) locked him in the blazing minibus he was driving, which collided with a car driven by Sugden and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller).

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Instead of helping Billy, Theo clipped him back into his seatbelt as fuel leaked towards the fire, leaving him to die in the wreckage.

Fans paid tribute to Billy, who spent 11 years on the cobbles: Goodbye Billy Mayhew, what an exit  brought a tear to my eye, that did.

Emmerdale fans were not only rocked by the death of serial killer John, but by the suggestion that he was shot dead by his sister Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) in a last-minute twist.

open image in gallery Corriedale killed off John Sugden of Emmerdale and Billy Mayhew of Coronation Street ( ITV )

Speaking about the episode prior to its airing, Hodgins told BBC Radio Manchester it was surreal to play a key role in the event.

When we heard they were doing it, we all wanted to be involved  so I feel extremely privileged that I get to be in it, she said.
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Hollywood veterans Sigourney Weaver and Celia Imrie are among the latest stars to join the cast of Prime Videos highly anticipated Tomb Raider series.

The announcement follows the earlier confirmation that Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner will portray the iconic adventurer Lara Croft in the programme, which draws inspiration from the popular video game franchise.

Created by Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the series will see Weaver, 76, known for her role in Alien, take on the character of Evelyn Wallis, a high-flying woman described as "keen to exploit Laras talents".

Imrie, 73, who entertained audiences on The Celebrity Traitors last year, will play Francine, the head of advancement at the British Museum, whose focus is "solely on raising funds and glasses of champagne".

open image in gallery Sigourney Weaver can currently be seen in the latest Avatar film ( Invision )

The cast further expands with The White Lotus actor Jason Isaacs, 62, confirmed as Laras uncle, Atlas DeMornay. Isaacs, alongside Martin Bobb-Semple, playing Laras friend Zip, and Bill Paterson as family butler Winston, will embody characters directly from the Tomb Raider video game franchise.

Further additions include Peep Show and Wonka actor Paterson Joseph as senior government official Thomas Warner, and Jack Bannon of Pennyworth fame as Laras personal pilot, Gerry. Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed, John Heffernan, and August Wittgenstein, who plays Lukas, an illegal raider with a shared history with Lara, complete the ensemble.

Series creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, 40, expressed her excitement, stating: "Tomb Raider boasts a plethora of iconic characters. I am thrilled to have been able to bring some personal and fan favourites to the screen while also introducing a few new rascals of our own to the mix. This cast is beyond my wildest dreams!"

Sophie Turner, 29, who steps into the shoes of the titular character, also shared her enthusiasm: "Ive been a long-time fan of Tomb Raider and the character of Lara. She has always felt for me, very emboldened in a male-dominated world. Shes a fierce female role model." Turner follows in the footsteps of Oscar-winning actresses Alicia Vikander and Angelina Jolie, both of whom have previously portrayed the fictional British archaeologist in film adaptations.

open image in gallery Imrie has enjoyed a career revival after becoming a hit on Celebrity Traitors ( BBC )

Peter Friedlander, head of Amazon MGM Studios, commented on the expanded cast: "Tomb Raider has always been defined by bold storytelling and unforgettable characters, and these new cast members bring incredible depth and gravitas to the series. With talents like Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs joining the ensemble, were elevating this world in exciting new ways, and cant wait for our global Prime Video audience to experience this next chapter of Tomb Raider."

Jonathan Van Tulleken is set to direct and executive-produce the series, with production slated to commence later this month.
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Detective Inspector Lynley and his trusty lieutenant, DS Havers, are back. Seventeen years after The Inspector Lynley Mysteries slunk off our screens, following six series as a fixture on BBC One, the corporation has decided to reboot the franchise. But will this new drama  pithily titled Lynley  be a hard-hitting reimagining, or a more faithful resurrection of the Monday night staple?

On a final warning for repeated insubordination, DS Barbara Havers (Sofia Barclay) is assigned to the new DI up from the big smoke. Tommy Lynley (Leo Suter), it turns out, isnt quite like the rest of the team in this rural, East Anglian backwater: hes an Oxford law graduate and the heir to an earldom, who drives a vintage Jensen Interceptor. What is a bloke like you doing in a job like this? Havers asks him on their first day. Thats the twist with Lynley. Where aristocratic status opened doors for Peter Wimsey and Albert Campion, Lynley is the victim of reverse snobbery, his attitude and motivation repeatedly questioned in spite of his work ethic and commitment. After all, he might carry himself like Beau Brummell (as one colleague, au fait with the Regency era trendsetter, puts it) but  dammit!  he gets results.

The balance of Lynley, and its predecessor The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, is the pairing of this reticent, buttoned-up do-gooder with a spiky working-class sidekick. In the title role, Suter is convincingly toffish (having been educated at St Pauls, the top-ranked private school in the country). He looks like hes carved from granite and learned acting at the foot of the Grampians, mirroring their unflinching, emotionless style. Barclay (educated at Westminster, another top 10 private school) is likeable, but, unsurprisingly, the chippiness feels unconvincing. Its symptomatic of the general quality of acting from the ensemble cast, which feels rushed and wooden. Perhaps British murder serials  so often a first step on the ladder for up-and-coming actors  dont have the pulling power of old.

Or perhaps the cast are inhibited by Steve Thompsons clunky scripts, where characters bark cliches (We need a result, roars Daniel Mayss DCI Nies, and quickly!) or trip their way through a tangle of exposition. Reverting to a more traditional format  90-minute standalone episodes, rather than a longer arc over the series  means theres a lot of plot to get through in an episode. The ambition is not high: these films are more in the mould of an episode of Inspector Morse or A Touch of Frost than golden age mysteries, or gritty serials like Broadchurch or True Detective. At most, they will appeal to viewers who are satisfied with a fix of so-called cosy crime  albeit without much of that genres trademark humour and pep.

It feels cruel, having lamented the inexorable rise of detective dramas that plumb the depths of human despair, to be so underwhelmed by a determinedly old-school offering like Lynley. Dont you ever just go with your gut? Havers asks the DI. No, and nor should anyone. This is a world in which cases are cracked while the Interceptor bombs through the broads, or over a pint of bitter down the local. Lynley and Havers talk the solution through and then burst in on the baddie in the nick of time, any interpersonal conflict getting neatly wrapped up in the process. There would be something reassuring about this throwback, if it were better executed. Instead, the eye is drawn constantly to the limitations: the performances, the writing, the convoluted mysteries.

Perhaps Lynley exists mainly as an export property for the BBC. After all, the original books, on which the characters are based, were written by Elizabeth George, a novelist from Ohio. Lynley and Havers exist as cartoon Brits in Constable country, an ersatz vision of our nation which appeals more to Anglophiles than the English. That would offer some explanation  if not exoneration  for a show made with so little apparent care.
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From Taylor Swift to Leonardo DiCaprio, many A-listers have been spotted dining at the swanky Nobu restaurants, a global empire run by Japanese chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa.

But no one will quite live up to his most memorable celebrity story  Princess Diana dining at his first London eatery, in 1997, shortly before her death.

A couple of months before she got into the accident, my business partner invited Princess Diana, then I cooked for her, says the chef, better known as Nobu.

Admitting he was nervous to say hello, the 76-year-old notes: I said, Pleasure to meet you, Princess. And she said to me, Oh, Chef Nobu, Ive read about you.

I was so surprised, I was so happy she knew me, he says proudly, now. She loved what I cooked for her, which was a very simple tempura, I didnt want to give anything too strange to the royal family. She liked the tempura, she liked fish, sushi I think she enjoyed it because she ate it all.

Nobu adds he was so shocked, so sad to learn of Dianas death in a car crash in Paris. I always still remember her face, shes smiling.

After debuting at his Matsuhisa restaurant in Beverly Hills in the Eighties, Nobu now has more than 50 worldwide, as well as around 40 hotels.

He says UK A-listers including Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Kate Winslet have enjoyed dining at his UK restaurants  the newest of which is Nobu Hotel London Portman Square.

The chef is known for popularising Japanese food  particularly sushi  with Peruvian influence (just dont call it fusion  I prefer Nobu style, he says). Nobu can take credit for inventing black cod with miso, his signature dish and recreated by restaurateurs the world over.

Cindy Crawford once requested the top chef to create something off the menu for her at his famous LA restaurant  Some tempura but in a different way with shrimp, scallops, onions, then steamed rice with tempura on top. The Japanese name is kakiage donburi  a dish he named Cindy Rice so Crawford could ask for it again.

open image in gallery Nobu still remembers cooking a deliberately simple tempura for Princess Diana in 1997  a moment that remains his most memorable service ( Nobu Portman Square Hotel )

His head chef in New York had to call up Nobu to ask how exactly to make it, because the legendary model had just walked into the restaurant and requested Cindy Rice.

Born in the small town of Saitama, near Tokyo, Nobus childhood bedroom was next to the kitchen. Every morning, my mother, my grandmother, started cooking breakfast. Id wake up to the smells and the sounds and walk into the kitchen. His mum has since died but, he says, everyone has a memory of missing their mother cooking.

The art of sushi making was reserved for restaurants in Japan at the time. Becoming a sushi chef was my dream when I was a kid, Nobu says. He dropped out of architecture high school to train at a small family-run sushi restaurant in Tokyo at 18, but spent a tough three years cleaning and prepping before any of the senior chefs would show him how to make sushi.

With dreams of making it in another country, Nobu moved to Peru at the age of 23. It was there he started to imagine how Japanese food could take on elements from Peruvian cuisine.

Now, ceviche [raw fish marinated in lemon juice for up to six hours] is all over the world, people know about it, but 50 years ago, nobody knew. I knew Japan had fish so then [I thought], use the same fish and make it in a different way.

From this moment, my eyes opened. Then I started thinking about every Peruvian dish, and I made it in a Japanese way, and he opened a restaurant in Lima.

But his next venture would take him and his family to Alaska, with the opportunity to open a restaurant there.

After just 50 days of opening, an electrical problem caused a devastating fire, destroying the whole restaurant. It means my restaurant is gone, my dream is gone, I lost everything, Nobu says. He had suicidal thoughts, he shares, but it was a moment watching his young children and wife that helped him out of a dark place.

open image in gallery Despite overseeing more than 50 restaurants and dozens of hotels worldwide, Nobu insists his real measure of success is customers leaving happy ( Nobu Portman Square Hotel )

They didnt know why Daddy was staying at home, they were playing, they started screaming or fighting and something happened then, this voice in my ear, then I kind of woke up to, Oh, yes, I have a family, I have two kids, Ive got to try one more time to survive.

It was a very tough time but this experience is now appreciated, he says, Because this experience makes Nobu what it is.

He learned you can never give up, he notes. But no rush, I like to go one by one, step by step, even one millimetre a day. Lots of people helped me and supported me, I felt so much, being loved.

Nobu opened the famous Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills, California, in 1987, garnering celebrity fanfare. Actor Robert De Niro liked it so much he offered to go into partnership with the Japanese chef  an opportunity Nobu turned down at first.

After four or five years, he approached me again, so this time, [I thought] oh, I can trust him. Because it was not only money, he was watching me and what I was doing.

Together, they opened Nobu New York in 1994  the first of many with the Nobu name. Over the years, some of the establishments have gained and lost Michelin stars, but Nobu says its not his focus.

Can I say it straight? I am not looking for Michelin stars, because I never care for titles. My Michelin star is customers smiling and eating.

The yellowtail Jalapeno sashimi is one of his most iconic restaurant dishes  and many people go for the sushi. But it turns out we might not be eating it correctly.

Eat it with fingers, not chopsticks, Nobu notes. Take it by the fingers, [holding] halfway down and dip the fish side in soy sauce  then eat in one bite.

Dont dip the rice into soy sauce. Soy sauce has a lot of sodium and sushi is very sensitive  the raw fish, the wasabi, the rice, its not a very strong flavour so you have to just touch the soy sauce  I hope [people] never use the soy sauce with the rice side.

Despite being in his mid-70s with a huge empire, In my dictionary it doesnt have any retirement, Nobu says, laughing. He doesnt want to stop work and stay at home with nothing to do.

I still can do [a lot], I still have health, I can still travel  Im a very lucky person.

For more information or to book Nobu Portman Square, visit nobuhotels.com/london-portman/.

Rock shrimp tempura with creamy spicy sauce

open image in gallery Rock shrimp tempura with creamy spicy sauce  a dish that captures Nobus talent for turning technical Japanese cooking into global crowd-pleasers ( Steven Freeman )

The creamy spicy sauce is the real star of this dish, and a Nobu favourite the world over.

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

650g rock shrimp, or peeled and deveined large shrimp cut into bite-sized pieces

Yuzu juice or lemon juice

Vegetable oil for deep frying

For the sauce:

1 egg yolk

 tsp sea salt

 tsp white pepper

1 tsp rice vinegar

100ml grapeseed oil, or other mildly flavoured oil

2 tsp chilli garlic sauce (Toban Djan)

For the tempura batter:

1 egg yolk

200ml iced water

100g all-purpose flour

Method:

1. Start by making the sauce. Whisk together the egg yolk, salt, pepper and vinegar, then very gradually whisk in the grapeseed oil. Start with just a few drops to create an emulsion, then increase the amount of oil, whisking all the while. Once all the oil has been added and your sauce is nice and thick, stir through the chilli garlic sauce.

2. Whisk all the batter ingredients together and combine well.

3. Heat around 5 inches of vegetable oil in a pan suitable for deep frying until it reaches 180C or 355F. Working in batches of 2-3 small handfuls, coat the shrimp in the tempura batter and gently drop into the hot oil, frying for a few minutes until golden. Remove the shrimp from the oil and place onto a paper towel-covered tray to drain. Repeat the process until all the shrimp is cooked.

4. Transfer the fried shrimp to a large bowl, pour over the sauce and toss to coat. Finish with a splash of yuzu or lemon juice and garnish with chopped chives.

Tip: If shrimp is unavailable, you can try this sauce with any white fish tempura, or even vegetable tempura. If you dont have the right equipment for frying, this sauce is also delicious drizzled over any grilled fish or meat.

Seafood ceviche

open image in gallery Seafood ceviche reflects the Peruvian influence that reshaped Nobus cooking and helped define what he calls Nobu style ( Nobu Hotel Portman Square )

A combination of raw and cooked seafood, vegetables, and spicy-sour ceviche sauce. This dish is light, fresh, and ideal for entertaining.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

180g mixed seafood (delicately flavoured varieties such as fresh white fish and shellfish, boiled octopus, boiled squid, boiled shrimp), cut into bite-size pieces

 red onion, thinly sliced

 cucumber, peeled and cut into thin round slices

4 each red, yellow, and orange mini tomatoes, halved

4 tsp finely chopped coriander leaves

5 tbsp plus 1 tsp ceviche sauce

Coriander sprigs, for garnish

For the ceviche sauce:

4 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp yuzu juice

 tsp sea salt

1 tsp soy sauce

 tsp finely grated garlic

 tsp grated ginger

 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp aji amarillo paste

Method:

1. Make the ceviche sauce: Combine all the ingredients (yields approximately 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon).

2. Mix all the seafood and vegetables together well.

3. Combine with the ceviche sauce and transfer to a serving dish. Top with a coriander sprig and serve immediately.

Sashimi salad with Matsuhisa dressing

open image in gallery Sashimi salad with Matsuhisa dressing is a reminder that many of Nobus most enduring dishes are built on restraint, balance and clarity of flavour ( Nobu Hotel Portman Square )

A favourite with customers from when Matsuhisa first opened, Matsuhisa dressing is an appetising soy-sauce-based mixture enhanced by sweet onions and aromatic sesame oil.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

200g fresh tuna fillet

5 tbsp plus 1 tsp Matsuhisa dressing

60g assorted salad vegetables (eg micro greens)

For the matsuhisa dressing (yields 350ml):

70g finely chopped onion

2 tbsp plus 2 tsp soy sauce

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp rice vinegar

2 tsp water

 tsp granulated sugar

A pinch sea salt

 tsp powdered mustard

A pinch freshly ground black pepper

4 tsp grapeseed oil

4 tsp sesame oil

Method:

1. Make the dressing: combine all the ingredients except the oils. When the salt is fully dissolved, add oils. (Note: this all-purpose dressing also works with meat and tofu).

2. Preheat a grill or broiler. Sprinkle a little sea salt and black pepper on the tuna. Briefly sear the tuna until its surface turns white. Plunge the fillet into iced water to stop it cooking any further, then shake off the excess water.

3. Pour the Matsuhisa dressing into a serving dish. Arrange the salad vegetables in the centre of the dish. Cut the tuna into slices  inch (4-5mm) thick. Roll each slice into a cylinder and place them in a petal-like pattern around the vegetables in the centre.
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On winter mornings in Harbin, where the air outside could freeze your eyelashes, I would wake up on a bed of warm earth.

Harbin, where I grew up, is in northeast China. Winter temperatures regularly dip to -30C and in January even the warmest days rarely go above -10C. With about 6 million residents today, Harbin is easily the largest city in the world to experience such consistent cold.

Keeping warm in such temperatures is something Ive thought about all my life. Long before electric air conditioning and district heating, people in the region survived harsh winters using methods entirely different from the radiators and gas boilers that dominate European homes today.

Now, as a researcher in architecture and construction at a British university, Im struck by how much we can learn from those traditional systems in the UK.

Energy bills are still too high, and millions are struggling to heat their homes, while climate change is expected to make winters more volatile. We need efficient, low-energy ways to stay warm that dont rely on heating an entire home with fossil fuels.

Some of the answers may lie in the methods I grew up with.

A warm bed made of earth

My earliest memories of winter involve waking up on a kang  a heated platform-bed made of earth bricks that has been used in northern China for at least 2,000 years. The kang is less a piece of furniture and more a part of the building itself: a thick, raised slab connected to the family stove in the kitchen. When the stove is lit for cooking, hot air travels through passages running beneath the kang, warming its entire mass.

open image in gallery A traditional Chinese kang bed-stove ( Google Gemini, CC BY-SA )

To a child, the kang felt magical: a warm, radiant surface that stayed hot all night long. But as an adult  and now an academic expert  I can appreciate what a remarkably efficient piece of engineering it is.

Unlike central heating, which works by warming the air in every room, only the kang (that is, the bed surface) is heated. The room itself may be cold, but people warm themselves by laying or sitting on the platform with thick blankets. Once warmed, its hundreds of kilograms of compacted earth slowly release heat over many hours. There are no radiators, no need for any pumps, and no unnecessary heating of empty rooms. And since much of the initial heat was generated by fires wed need for cooking anyway, we saved on fuel.

open image in gallery Each winter the river freezes in Harbin, China ( AP )

Maintaining the kang was a family undertaking. My father  a secondary school Chinese literature teacher, not an engineer  became an expert at constructing the kang. Carefully building layers of coal around the fire to keep it alive over the night would be my mums job. Looking back, I realise how much skill and labour was involved, and how much trust families placed in a system that required good ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide risks.

But for all its drawbacks, the kang delivered something modern heating systems still struggle to deliver: long-lasting warmth with very little fuel.

Similar approaches across East Asia

Across East Asia, approaches to keeping warm in cold weather evolved around similar principles: keep heat close to the body, and heat only the spaces that matter.

About the author Yangang Xing is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

In Korea, the ancient ondol system also channels warm air beneath thick floors, turning the entire floor into a heated surface. Japan developed the kotatsu, a low table covered by a heavy blanket with a small heater underneath to keep your legs warm. They can be a bit costly, but theyre one of the most popular items in Japanese homes.

Clothing was also very important. Each winter my mum would make me a brand new thick padded coat, stuffing it with newly fluffed cotton. Its one of my loveliest memories.

Europe had similar ideas  then forgot them

Europe once had similar approaches to heating. Ancient Romans heated buildings using hypocausts, for instance, which circulated hot air under floors. Medieval households hung heavy tapestries on walls to reduce drafts, and many cultures used soft cushions, heated rugs or enclosed sleeping areas to conserve warmth.

The spread of modern central heating in the 20th century replaced these approaches with a more energy-intensive pattern: heating entire buildings to a uniform temperature, even when only one person is home. When energy was cheap, this model worked, even despite most European homes (especially those in the UK) being poorly insulated by global standards.

But now that energy is expensive again, tens of millions of Europeans are unable to keep their homes adequately warm. New technologies like heat pumps and renewable energy will help  but they work best when the buildings they heat are already efficient, allowing for lower set point for heating, and higher set points for cooling.

This highlights why traditional approaches to warming homes still have something to teach us. The kang and similar systems show that comfort doesnt always come from consuming more energy  but from designing warmth more intelligently.
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As a cold snap brings plummeting temperatures, a leading medical expert has detailed the profound effects chilly weather can have on various parts of the body.

Dr Claire Agathou, a co-founding GP at The Wellington Hospital's AZ General Practice, part of HCA Healthcare UK, has outlined five critical ways the cold can intensify its impact.

She also provided essential practical advice to help individuals remain warm and healthy throughout the winter months.

1. Immune system

open image in gallery Viruses can survive and circulate more easily in the cold, dry air ( Alamy/PA )

Cold weather creates the perfect environment for viruses to thrive.

Viruses can survive and circulate more easily in the cold, dry air and we also spend more time indoors which increases close contact and transmission, explains Agathou. Cold air can also reduce the noses local defences by slowing down mucus and the tiny hairs called cilia that track viruses.

In addition, sudden drops in temperature can also increase stress hormones, which can temporarily reduce a persons immunity. So, with that overall effect, there tends to be more coughs, flu, and respiratory infections in the winter.

2. Cardiovascular system

Cold weather causes something called vasoconstriction, which is when the blood vessels narrow, especially in the hands, feet and skin, explains Agathou. That can increase blood pressure and can increase heart rate and how hard it has to work.

People with a history of heart attacks, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, plus smokers are particularly vulnerable to these effects, she adds.

3. Respiratory system

open image in gallery People with pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable in cold weather

Cold, dry air can irritate the airways and trigger bronchospasm which is the sudden tightening of the airway muscles. This can make the chest feel tight and lead to breathlessness or coughing fits, particularly when you move quickly from a warm environment into the cold, says Agathou.

People with pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable because cold weather can significantly worsen their symptoms, adds the GP.

Their airways are already more inflamed and narrower at baseline, so exposure to cold air can trigger what we call airway hyper-reactivity. This means theyre much more likely to experience a wheeze, cough or breathlessness during colder months, she explains.

4. Skin

open image in gallery Cold temperatures can trigger eczema or Raynauds flare-ups.

Winter conditions are a classic trigger of eczema, says Agathou. The cold air is dry, indoor heating is dry and, with that combination, you get this reduced skin barrier function, more water loss and you get irritated patches of inflamed skin.

Even people who dont have severe eczema can get flare-ups of very dry skin, itchiness and inflamed patches.

Cold temperatures are also a common trigger for Raynauds flare-ups.

Raynauds a condition where the small blood vessels in the fingers and toes overreact to cold temperatures and causes the vessels to temporarily narrow, explains the GP. This can lead to colour changes where people can sometimes see their hands going from white, to blue to red. Then as the blood flow returns, some people can experience a really bad throbbing and pins and needles.

5. Joint pain and stiffness

open image in gallery Inactive days can increase joint pain, especially in arthritis

One of the reasons is because blood flow is reduced to the muscles and the soft tissue in the cold, we can generally get more stiff, says Agathou.People also tend to be less active in winter and inactive days can increase joint pain, especially in arthritis.

A lot of people with conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or chronic pain conditions, commonly report worsening symptoms in the winter.

In addition, we also know that cold make nerve endings much more sensitive, which can amplify pain signals.

Top tips for staying warm and healthy this winter

Wrap up warm

Its really important to keep warm and layer properly, says Agathou. Multiple thin layers trap heat better than thick ones.

Make sure to keep your head and hands covered.

Remember to protect your hands and your head as we do lose lots of heat out of our heads and peripheries, says Agathou.

Bring medication with you

If youve got a respiratory condition, dont go out anywhere without your prescribed inhalers, advises Agathou.

Stay hydrated

open image in gallery Fluids support immunity and energy and it is important to remain hydrated in the winter months

Many people dont think they need to drink as much in the cold months but it is really important to stay hydrated, says Agathou. Fluids support immunity and energy.

Eat well

Eating well is key, says Agathou. Take the time to ensure that you are getting good nutrition, such as warm meals and good amounts of protein and vitamin D.

Stay active

Movement is important for circulation, immunity and joint stiffness, says Agathou. However, if you do have respiratory conditions, be very cautious about exercising outdoors in the extreme cold and very dry air, as it could worse your symptoms.

Keep your home warm

Try to keep your house warm and at least 18 degrees Celsius, especially if you are elderly, says Agathou.

Check if you are eligible for vaccinations

Check with your GP to see if you are eligible for the flu and Covid boosters, especially if you are in a vulnerable group who is more at risk, says Agathou.
ALMATY, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan's economy expanded by over 6 percent in 2025, pushing the nation's GDP above 300 billion U.S. dollars for the first time, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Monday.

The country's GDP per capita exceeded 15,000 dollars, Tokayev said in an interview published on the official website of the Kazakh president.

Discussing Kazakhstan's foreign policy and diplomatic activities in 2025, Tokayev said that documents worth more than 70 billion dollars were signed over the past year. Behind every negotiation are key issues of economic and investment cooperation, as well as interaction on the global stage, he noted.

"Located at the very heart of Eurasia, Kazakhstan should not remain a bystander, especially in these turbulent times. We must have our own viewpoint and a balanced position on key issues of international relations," the Kazakh president said. 
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A six-year-old girl, left paralysed following life-saving spinal surgery, is now embarking on the challenging journey of relearning to walk, fulfilling her brother's heartfelt Christmas wish to Santa.

Sofia Hill's parents, Kate and Pete, first noticed concerning symptoms in June 2024, when their daughter, then aged four, began struggling with her mobility.

She started dragging her left leg and would frequently fall and stumble - symptoms that appeared suddenly and without obvious cause.

Initially, they sought an orthopaedic consultant, suspecting an injury to her leg, hip, or knee. However, no breaks, sprains, or fractures were found, leading to a recommendation for Sofia to see a neurologist.

Subsequently, two separate neurologists raised suspicions of cerebral palsy  a group of lifelong conditions affecting movement and coordination due to brain issues  and arranged for brain and spine scans.

open image in gallery Sofia Hill, pictured before her diagonsis ( PA )

Instead of cerebral palsy, however, doctors discovered a spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM)  a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in or around the spinal cord where arteries connect directly to veins  and advised Sofias parents to rush her to hospital immediately.

We had (the scan) at about four oclock on a Monday in July 2024, and then we came back from London, went to bed, and then woke up at about 7am to a very urgent phone call from the doctor that had reviewed the scan, 43-year-old Ms Hill, who lives near Bristol, told PA Real Life.

They said, No, its not cerebral palsy. Theres a huge mass on her spine. Theyd been on the phone all night to Bristol Childrens Hospital, and could we take her straight into the hospital? Which we did.

open image in gallery Sofia with her family - Mum Kate, Dad Pete and brothers Ralph, 12, and Arlo, 9 ( PA )

At hospital, Sofia was diagnosed with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), an inherited genetic disorder also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome characterised by the development of AVMs. Doctors had discovered multiple AVMs across her body, including one on her spine that needed urgent surgery.

She had one on her spine, shes got at least 10 in her lungs, explained Ms Hill, who also shares two sons  Ralph, 12 and Arlo, nine  with her husband.

In terms of the one on her spine, theyre incredibly, incredibly rare  the doctors said we just havent seen them grow on a childs spine before, because they normally start growing when you hit puberty, and she was four when it all first happened.

So I dont think anyone expected it to be that diagnosis.

open image in gallery Sofia had surgery which ultimately saved her life but left her with mobility issues ( PA )

From that point in July 2024, Sofia was admitted into Bristol Childrens Hospital, where she stayed until February 2025.

She had two 15-hour days of life-saving spinal surgery to remove the AVM on her spine, as leaving it could cause complications like spinal cord damage, haemorrhage, serious neurological problems, or even death.

While the operation was successful in terms of the AVM, Kate said the invasive procedure had life-altering consequences for Sofia.

Sofia was left with an incomplete spinal cord injury, meaning the spinal cord is not severed completely but is injured, prompting months of recovery and rehabilitation both in hospital and as an outpatient.

Her parents knew paralysis was a risk of the surgery, as it was discussed with them by doctors and clearly detailed on the consent form for the procedure, but were nonetheless devastated that Sofia had another battle ahead of her after the operation.

You sign a consent form, and they said quite clearly: The risks are this operation is going to paralyse your daughter, Ms Hill said.

But the alternative was she was going to die if we didnt do the surgery. So it wasnt kind of a decision We went into it knowing there was a risk, but you obviously hope for the best.

She woke up and she just couldnt move or feel anything. And then, after a few days, she could just about wriggle a toe with monumental effort and no feeling whatsoever. So that was the first month or two months, and then its just been about a year of very intensive physiotherapy and rehab.

open image in gallery Sofia with her brothers, Ralph and Arlo ( PA )

Sofia was left paralysed from the waist down from the site of the AVM, losing use of her legs as well as bladder and bowel function. She first spent six months in recovery at Bristol Childrens Hospital, before being transferred to Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, which has a specialist spinal cord injuries unit, where she spent six weeks.

She recently came home from another two-week stay there, and Ms Hill explained that she sort of goes in and out of Stoke Mandeville to try and keep the progress going and review her condition.

She also accesses care through Neurokinex, a not-for-profit organisation that provides specialist activity-based rehabilitation for people living with spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.

Ms Hill was recommended the service by another mum at Stoke Mandeville, as well as by Bristol Childrens Hospital, and decided to give it a go since the charity offers six free sessions initially for new patients.

open image in gallery Sofia was left paralysed from the waist down from the site of the AVM ( Collect/PA Real Life )

After seeing not only how much Sofia loved the sessions, which are designed to be fun for children as well as providing the necessary rehabilitation, as well as how effective they seemed to be, she and Mr Hill knew that this is something weve got to find the money for.

Its just brilliant, she said.

They are so good for children, they try and make it fun, which for Sofia is the main thing, because shes just turned six, shes spent 18 months of her life doing physio, and its boring.

Also, its really hard to get Sofia to appreciate that shes got to do it now, because weve got to get these pathways firing again. If we dont, then the chances are shes going to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair, and there is a significant chance of this.

So we just need to do everything we can while shes still young, and while, hopefully, the connections between her brain and her spine and her legs can try and regrow.

open image in gallery Sofia accesses care through Neurokinex, which makes spinal injury rehabilitation 'fun' for children ( PA )

Because the trainers at Neurokinex make the sessions really fun, Ms Hill said Sofia comes away saying shes had a great time, rather than more boring physio.

She doesnt see the long term goals like you and I would, so weve to try and make it fun in the moment, she explained.

Sofia attends Neurokinex twice a week, for two-hour sessions, and her parents pay 75 per hour for the service.

Its not cheap at all, but you just have to think: Ive just got to do what I can, find the money and give up everything else so that we can make this work, Ms Hill said.

I dont want to look back and think we could have done more for her.

Now, Sofia can take steps on crutches, and its hoped that shell be able to walk using poles, which is the next goal.

That was an incredible moment when we saw her standing up, because shed been laid either flat on her back or in a wheelchair for months, Ms Hill said.

To see her stand, that was probably the best moment for me, when she took some steps in her frame. Now shes on crutches, and then the next thing, hopefully one day, will be poles. Thats what were all aiming for.

open image in gallery Sofia in a Neurokinex session ( PA )

Sofia is also back at school in Year One and is doing incredibly well, thanks to the schools brilliant support and the amazing teaching staff at Bristol Childrens Hospital, Ms Hill said.

She just did a nativity, and she stood on the stage for about 15 seconds on her own, while we took a photo. So that was amazing.

The condition will affect Sofia for the rest of her life, and shell need to go for regular checks to monitor the AVMs and check for spread or new growths.

For the family, its one battle at a time, but having just celebrated Christmas at home as a family for the first time after Sofias diagnosis, Ms Hill is thrilled that her sons wish to Santa last year is coming true.

Last Christmas, my sons Christmas list was just: Dear Santa, please, please make my sister walk again, she said.

And now Im like: Look, shes walking on her crutches, isnt she? So well get there.

To find out more about Neurokinex charitable trust, which provides specialist activity-based rehabilitation for people living with spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions, visit www.neurokinex.org.
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Katherine Ryan has revealed that she used to be reluctant to return to her native Canada due to her shame over being a single parent.

The stand-up comedian moved to Britain in 2008 alongside her then-boyfriend, with both eager to make it on the comedy scene. The pair had a baby, Violet, in 2010, before they split up. Ryan has not publicly confirmed the identity of Violets father.

In a new interview with The Guardian, Ryan said that after splitting from her boyfriend, she decided to try and make it on her own in London.

I didnt mess around, I didnt stay out for drinks, I didnt have flatmates, she recalled. Id had a youth already  I didnt take drugs or do anything too wild back in Canada, but I went to the Playboy Mansion, I got to be a podium dancer, I got to work at Hooters, we had fake IDs at 14, we were having bush parties. Id done all that. By the time I was in London, I thought: Now lets get serious.

But while she was happy to be a single parent in London, she was nervous to return to her hometown of Sarnia, Ontario, as one.

I really felt shame about it, she said. There was this sense that I had chosen badly; in heteronormative relationships, women are the gatekeepers of who gets to be a father.

open image in gallery Comedian Katherine Ryan in 2025 ( Getty Images )

Today, Ryan is in a civil partnership with her high school sweetheart Bobby Kootstra, with whom she shares two additional children, Fred and Fenna.

Sometimes I think theres another life where I havent done that, and its still just Violet and me, chic, cosmopolitan, portable, she joked. But we cant fully escape where we came from, it turns out.

Last year, Ryan clarified reports that she had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time, confirming on Instagram that shed merely paid for a mole to be removed from her arm  later tests proved that the mole was early stage melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer.

The melanoma thing from my podcast got picked up [by the media] with added commentary like takes a swipe at the NHS, she began. Its all fine, its not a big deal, so dont stress. And one more thing, its not a battle. Theres no battle. The battle is done. I had a mole removed. It came back melanoma, very early melanoma, its fine.

Ryan was previously diagnosed with Stage 2 skin cancer in 2004, but has said it wasnt that serious.

It wasnt into my lymph nodes, I didnt have to have chemotherapy, she said. It did recur, but it was easily dealt with. I feel like I was really lucky just to get that lesson, that little smack on the arse of Hey, wait a minute. Listen to your body, here.

open image in gallery Ryan with her civil partner, Bobby Kootstra ( Getty Images )

In November, Ryan laughed off a series of complaints made by BBC viewers over a foul-mouthed joke made by Ryan and fellow comedian Maisie Adam during an episode of Have I Got News for You.

The joke, which involved David Beckham and King Charles, was met with condemnation from some people watching at home. Unacceptable, one person tweeted. This is a recorded programme, so who at the BBC felt it was OK not to cut or bleep it out?
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Chaos erupted at the Happiest Place on Earth last week when a dispute, reportedly over cutting in line, turned violent inside Disneyland, leaving a father injured during a fight at one of the parks most popular attractions.

The incident occurred on December 30, around 2 p.m. at the Indiana Jones Adventure ride, when one group tried to pass another while in the line, Sgt. Matt Sutter of the Anaheim Police Department told The Independent.

Someone took exception to that, Sutter told the Los Angeles Times.

A verbal argument led to a physical altercation. One male was injured, received first aid, and remained in the park the rest of the day with his family, he told The Independent,

The victim denied media requests for interviews, Sutter added.

open image in gallery The victim reportedly did not fight back as another man allegedly punched him when confronted about cutting the line at the Indiana Jones Adventure ride in Disneyland ( Wikimedia/@Contributor19 )

Police said the suspect fled Disneyland and was still at large Tuesday, but investigators are following up on strong leads and attempting to make contact with him. The man is reportedly believed to be a Southern California resident.

There are two sides to every story, so we need to hear from him (and) what happened from his point of view, Sutter told the LA Times.

Anyone with information, either eyewitness accounts or video, is encouraged to contact the Anaheim Police Department.

According to Reddit user ImaginaryBag, who said they witnessed the incident, the confrontation quickly escalated into a physical fight that lasted about 30 seconds.

Witnesses said the suspect briefly backed away before returning to deliver a final sucker punch that caused the victim to bleed, then fled the area with his family, KTLA reports.

Another user, identified as Wittwitbarista, who claimed she is the wife of the unidentified victim, disputed claims that her husband cut in line.

She said he instead confronted a group of four to six people who admitted to cutting, but allegedly said they did not care.

Hes a solid rule follower, and knows Disney line rules, Wittwitbarista wrote. Weve been going there for years and we do everything we can to follow their rules to keep going and enjoy our time there.

Wittwitbarista shared a photo of his face and said Disneyland first aid staff treated his injuries, including a large facial gash that required stitches.

open image in gallery The suspect, who left Disneyland after the altercation, still remained at large Monday ( Wikimedia/@SayCheese! )

He refused to hit back (which took a lot of discipline) because he didnt want the rest of the family get kicked or us blacklisted, the woman wrote.

My teen got videos of the guy hitting my hubby. The security and CM took care of my kids while I left with my hubby as he got checked out and got a wicked scar with serious dad lore, she added.

Wittwitbarista said the family intends to press charges against the suspect once police identify him.

The Disneyland fight was the second Indiana Jonesrelated incident that day, after a 400-pound inflatable boulder rolled off its track at Disneys Hollywood Studios in Florida and injured an employee during a stunt show.
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it successfully thwarted an ISIS-inspired attack at an Indiana high school in 2025.

FBI agents disrupted an ISIS-inspired plot targeting a central Indiana high school through rapid coordination with local partners, according to an annual summary released by the agencys Indianapolis field office Monday.

The agency did not share any other details about the planned attack, including the name of the school, the town or city, or when the plot was intended to be carried out. It is also unclear why the plot was classified as ISIS-inspired.

Chris Bavender, an FBI spokesperson, declined to comment further, telling FOX 59 that the matter was ongoing.

Because the student had immediate access to firearms, FBI Indianapolis worked closely with the high school and our local law enforcement partner to remove all firearms from the house, and the student was expelled from school. DOJ did not file charges as the individual is a juvenile, Bavender said in a statement. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment.

open image in gallery The FBI said it prevented an ISIS-inspired attack at a central Indiana high school in 2025 through rapid coordination with local agencies ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Indianapolis field office recorded a 112 percent increase in arrests last year compared to 2024, with 317 for violent crimes. It also seized 163 weapons  up 32 percent from 2024.

These results reflect relentless work by our special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, along with strong partnerships at every level of law enforcement, FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. OMalley said.

Our mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution, and in 2025, we did just that.

News of the alleged plot in Indiana comes after the FBI field office in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced that it had foiled an ISIS-inspired attack planned for New Years Eve at a grocery store. Christian Sturdivant, 18, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

open image in gallery The FBI also recently announced the arrest of Christian Sturdivant, 18, after he allegedly was planning an ISIS-inspired attack at a grocery store on New Years Eve ( Gaston County Jail )

Agents surveilled Sturdivant around the clock over the holidays, according to Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. He said the suspect searched ISIS websites and eventually reached out to what he thought was a member of ISIS.

In reality, [it] was an undercover agent with NYPD in New York, Ferguson said. He pledged his allegiance to ISIS with that undercover agent, and he disclosed his plans to quote do jihad soon.

He then met a second undercover with the FBI, who he also thought was an ISIS participant. And he started to be very specific with his plans.

Sturdivant allegedly admitted his plans to carry out the attack at a store in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte. A search of his home revealed handwritten documents, including one titled New Years Attack 2026, which led to his arrest, the FBI said.
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Police in Florida have arrested a man in connection with the body of a woman found battered and strangled on Hollywood Beach.

Hollywood Police and U.S. Marshals announced this week that they arrested Brandon Ward McCray, 28. McCray has been charged with sexual battery, kidnapping, battery, and battery by strangulation in connection with the death of 56-year-old Heather Asendorf.

According to a police report, Asendorf's body was found in the sand near Cleveland Street around 7 am on December 26. Someone walking in the area noticed the body and called police.

First responders dispatched to the scene examined the body and pronounced the woman dead at the scene. Detectives later determined that foul play had been involved in her death.

Police have not released any details explaining what linked McCray to Asendorf's death. His arrest warrant was sealed, according to Local10.

open image in gallery Brandon Ward McCray, 28, was charged with sexual battery, battery by strangulation, battery, and kidnapping in connection with the death of Heather Asendorf, 56, in Hollywood, Florida ( Broward County Jail )

This case remains an active criminal investigation, Hollywood police said in a press statement. There is no indication of a broader threat to the community.

McCray, as of Monday, was being held at the Broward Main Jail on a $770,000 bond, according to court records.

According to the Miami Herald, McCray has a pending aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case active in Broward County court. He was accused of shooting at two car repossession employees who were sent to tow his Mitsubishi Outlander on September 26, 2023, according to a police report out of Pembroke Pines.

Individuals with information about Asendorf's death are asked to call the Hollywood Police at 954-967-4636.
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A Florida man has been arrested after authorities accuse him of trespassing on a construction site while concealing a gun beneath a pair of silicone prosthetic breasts and a lacy red bra.

Police in Polk County, located roughly between Orlando and Tampa, said they found 39-year-old Matthew Zaccarino standing beside his vehicle and in the process of donning the bra and G-string at around 1 a.m. on Sunday December 14.

According to charging documents, officers ordered him to stay still and handcuffed him when he refused to comply, before discovering a loaded handgun concealed beneath his discarded silicone breast forms.

Court records show that the case was resolved on Monday, but don't say whether the charges were upheld. The Independent has asked Zaccarino and his attorney for comment.

Publicity-happy Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd giving a more colorful description of the incident in one of his regular social media videos Monday.

"It was ugly. It was so ugly," said Judd, who has held his post for 20 years and whose frank style of public commentary has made him a minor local celebrity.

open image in gallery Matthew Zaccarino in a police mugshot from Polk County, Florida, after being accused of armed trespassing while dressed in a bra and G-string ( Polk County Sheriffs Office )

"Now, occasionally I bring you stuff that you just can't believe, that you'll never get over, that may even scar you for life.

"As our deputies approach him to see what he's doing on this construction site, we see this dude is wearing a red lace bra with prosthetic silicone [breast forms].

"Well, then we notice he's wearing a G-string. Showing off the boys, you know what I mean? And then our two deputies say to themselves: self, this is highly unusual.

"But you don't realize how dangerous these situations are, because under the prostheses we found a gun. So he was armed trespassing."

According to Judd, Zaccarino initially claimed that he was on his way to a costume party, but would not answer where the costume party was and soon stopped cooperating.

"Anyway, he want to jail," Judd concluded.

open image in gallery The gun allegedly found near Zaccarino ( Polk County Sheriff's Office )

A charging affidavit echoes that story, saying that Zaccarino "stated he was going to a party but was unable to provide a location, direction, or identify individuals who would be present."

Court records then show that he paid a total bond of $6,250, after which the case was resolved.

Videos posted to Facebook, which appear to show the same man, suggest Zaccarino is a realtor in the Orlando metro area who has been an active in campaigning for the families of victims in the Pulse nightclub massacre.

Public records indicate he is also the president of a nonprofit group called Citizens Against Public Corruption.
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A Louisiana mother is accused of fatally shooting her one-year-old daughter on New Years night  then telling the childs father she had sent her to God, according to police and court records.

Kristin Bass, 28, was arrested after the child, identified as Acelynn Moss by her father, Bradley Moss, was found suffering from a fatal gunshot wound at their home on Quelqueshue Street in Sulphur, according to the Sulphur Police Department.

Investigators determined that Acelynn had been shot and killed by her mother, police said. Bass was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.

Moss told FOX8 he was in another part of the house when he heard a loud boom. He said he ran into the room and found Acelynn shot and Bass allegedly holding a gun.

The couples other child, a two-year-old girl, was also in the room and crying for help, he said.

open image in gallery Kristin Bass was arrested after the baby was fatally shot at their home in Louisiana ( Sulphur Police Department )

Moss claimed Bass told him she shot Acelynn to send her to God, and suggested she intended to shoot their older child as well.

I almost lost two babies, Moss told FOX8. I lost one because her mama wanted to send her to God. [My older daughter] said, Help me, Daddy. And Kristin said, I just sent our baby to God.

She said, Now I gotta get her, he added, referring to the couples second child.

Moss said the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services later took custody of the older child.

Bass remains in jail on a $10 million bond.
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A woman who murdered and dismembered her landlord is set to be awarded $2.8 million in compensation from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in relation to an injury caused by a bus.

An Illinois appeals court has upheld the previous jury verdict, despite Sandra Kolalous later conviction for the murder and dismemberment of her landlord in an unrelated case, CBS News reported.

The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that the CTA must pay damages to the woman, who was struck by a bus while walking in a Chicago crosswalk in 2018. The court rejected the transit agency's arguments that her subsequent conviction should bar or reduce the award.

Kolalou, also known as Sandra White following a change in marital status, was convicted in April 2024 of first-degree murder and other charges in the killing of 69-year-old Frances Walker. She was sentenced in July 2024 to 58 years in prison.

open image in gallery Kolalou, now known as Sandra White following a change in marital status, was convicted in April 2024 ( Cook County Sheriffs Office )

The civil case stemmed from a March 1, 2018, incident in which Kolalou was hit by a CTA bus driven by Tyrone Bynum. She sued the CTA and Bynum in February 2019, alleging orthopedic and neurological injuries, including chronic back and leg pain, according to court records.

Bynum and the CTA later admitted negligence, leaving a jury to decide damages. In February 2023, a Cook County jury awarded White $3 million, including compensation for future medical care and loss of a normal life.

The CTA argued that Whites incarceration made future treatment unlikely and rendered such damages speculative.

A judge granted a new trial later that year, and a second jury reduced the award slightly, granting $2.8 million, including $400,000 for future medical care and $500,000 for future loss of normal life.

The CTA requested another new trial and later appealed, arguing in part that the civil case should not have proceeded while Whites criminal prosecution for murder was pending.

open image in gallery The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that the CTA must pay damages to the woman, who was struck by a bus while walking in a Chicago crosswalk in 2018 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The appellate court rejected those claims, ruling that her incarceration and criminal charges were not relevant to the determination of damages for injuries suffered years earlier.

The controversy comes after a Cook County jury convicted White in April of multiple charges, including first-degree murder and concealing a homicidal death. Prosecutors said White killed Walker in October 2022 after Walker served her with an eviction notice.

White was arrested after she pulled a knife on a tow truck driver who drove her to a beach on Chicago's lakefront. According to prosecutors, White dumped a heavy bag into a garbage can there and pulled the knife on the driver when he refused to take her to another location.

She was charged after Walkers severed head, arms, and legs were found inside a freezer at the home on the Northwest Side of Chicago.
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Police have released footage of a person of interest seen walking near the home of murdered dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique, around the time of their deaths.

The couple was found slain in their home in downtown Columbus, Ohio, on December 30, 2025, with police still unable to find their killer.

According to a statement from the Columbus Division of Police on social media, they were shot at some point between 2 am and 5 am.

In the video accompanying the statement, a hooded figure in black and grey is seen stalking the streets near the Tepes home.

No identifying features are visible in the footage because the individual has their head down in each camera shot.

The footage was taken from the three-hour window in which the Tepe couple was murdered. According to ABC 6, they were just a month away from their fifth wedding anniversary before their untimely deaths.

open image in gallery Police have revealed security footage of a hooded person of interest in the murder of a dentist and his wife ( Columbus Division of Police )

Police are now appealing to local residents for more information or footage that could identify the person of interest. The local area is heavily surveilled, according to Lana Oriani, a local resident who spoke to ABC 6.

Ive counted more than two dozen cameras nearby, not including police cameras across the street, she said. Thats what makes this so shocking.

The motive behind the murder of Spencer, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, remains unknown. Their two young children, who were in the family home at the time of the shooting, were unharmed.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched by Spencers cousin, Audrey, to support the couples children. It has already raised over $157,000 out of its $200,000 goal.

Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique Tepe, Audrey wrote. They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.

open image in gallery Monique and Spencer Tepe were found dead in their home in Columbus, Ohio, on December 30 but the motive behind their murder remains unknown ( Getty/iStock )

Their presence was as big as their hearts! Moniques charm and infectious smile lit up every room, she continued. She was warm with a strength that inspired everyone around her. Spencer was the soul of every gatheringgrand in personality, yet calm, steady, and kind.

As the police search for the killer continues, Rob Misleh, Spencer Tepes brother-in-law, told ABC 6 that he does not want the case to become sensationalised. He added that the case affects hundreds and hundreds of people.

Wed rather have the investigation done right instead of fast, he said. We have full faith that investigators are looking at every angle before jumping to conclusions.

This is not an episode of TV or a true crime podcast. This is a family, he continued. Hundreds and hundreds of people have been affected by this.
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A serial killer who once claimed to have killed about 100 women has confessed to another murder  the 1965 slaying of an 18-year-old New Jersey nursing student.

Richard Cottingham, 79, also known as the Torso Killer, has admitted to murdering Alys Eberhardt inside her familys home more than 60 years ago, ending one of the towns oldest unsolved cases, the Fair Lawn Police Department announced Tuesday.

Cottingham has been imprisoned since 1980, when he was arrested after a motel maid heard a woman screaming inside his room. His nickname  the Torso Killer  came from the brutal dismemberment of several victims, whose limbs and heads were severed.

In Eberhardts case, police say she was stabbed and beaten in her Fair Lawn home. In his confession, Cottingham provided details about the crime that had never been publicly released, investigators said.

The latest admission follows a renewed investigative push after the case was reopened in 2021. Fair Lawn detectives revisited evidence, conducted extensive interviews, and pursued leads over several years before Cottingham ultimately provided a full confession.

open image in gallery Cottingham once claimed he had killed 100 women ( Bergen County Sheriff's Office )

Chief Joseph Dawicki said the case underscores both the loss suffered by the community and the persistence of investigators.

Alys was a vibrant young nursing student who was taken from our community far too soon, Dawicki said.

While we can never bring her back, I am hopeful that her family can find some peace knowing the person responsible has confessed and can no longer harm anyone else. This case is a testament to the dedication of our officers and to the fact that law enforcement never gives up in the pursuit of justice.

Cottingham, who was convicted in 1980 of killing three women in New Jersey and two women at a Times Square hotel, is currently serving multiple life sentences.

open image in gallery Alys Eberhardt was stabbed and beaten in her Fair Lawn home ( Fair Lawn Police Department )

At the time of his arrest, Cottingham was a married father of three living in Bergen County, New Jersey, working as a computer operator in Midtown Manhattan for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

In recent years, while behind bars, Cottingham has confessed to multiple murders.

In 2021, he admitted to picking up two New Jersey girls on their way to a mall in 1974, torturing them for days before drowning them in a hotel bathtub. In 2022, he confessed to five cold-case murders in Nassau County, New York, including the sexual assault and strangulation of young mother Diane Cusick, whose body was found in the back seat of her car after she went shopping at Green Acres Mall.

But despite the confessions, investigators believe the full scope of his crimes may never be known.

Authorities said no additional charges will be filed in the Eberhardt case in order to provide closure to the family.

open image in gallery Cottingham makes a remote appearance in 2022 after admitting to killing 11 women on Long Island and in New Jersey ( AP )

open image in gallery Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly holds a photo of Diane Cusick, whose body was found in the back seat of her car after she went shopping at Green Acres Mall. Cottingham admitted to her murdering her ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Alys was just 18 years old when her life was tragically taken in her family home in 1965, police said in a statement.

For nearly six decades, her family lived without answers. While nothing can undo this loss, we hope that today finally brings some measure of peace to those who have carried this pain for so long.

For Eberhardts family, the admission brought long-awaited answers and their own form of closure.

Our family has waited since 1965 for the truth, said Michael Smith, Eberhardts nephew.

To receive this news during the holidays  and to be able to tell my mother, Alyss sister, that we finally have answers  was a moment I never thought would come.
MOSCOW, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian air defenses downed 129 Ukrainian drones in over more than 20 regions in Russia overnight, including two targeting the Moscow region, the defense ministry said Tuesday.

Drone debris fell on the railroad in the Voronezh region, disrupting rail traffic and delaying several trains, Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev said on social media. An infrastructure facility was damaged.

Russian forces neutralized Ukrainian drone control points in regions including Donetsk, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia, destroying Ukrainian personnel shelters and drone launch sites, the ministry said, adding that light multipurpose missiles were employed during the operation.

Russian forces also reported the destruction of temporary deployment sites and defensive positions of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Zaporizhzhia region. 
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The golden phone that President Donald Trump's family business promised to release last year is still mysteriously under wraps as the technology industry serves up new gadgets at CES in Las Vegas this week.

When the Trump Organization launched a mobile phone service last June, it was supposed to be a stage setter for a new smartphone bathed in gold with a $500 price tag.

It seemed to be a bargain compared to Apple's latest iPhone models that sell for anywhere from $800 to $1,200. The newly formed Trump Mobile targeted its T1 phone for an August or September release.

What's more, Trump Mobile initially hailed T1 as a device that would be proudly designed and built in the United States for customers who expect the best."

But both the T1's shipping date and U.S. manufacturing ambitions gradually began to shift, even as Trump Mobile continues to accept $100 deposits for the device.

open image in gallery Trump Mobile is also selling refurbished versions of older iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy models at prices ranging from $370 to $630 ( Getty Images )

Not long after announcing the device, Trump Mobile pivoted from describing it as phone that would be made in the U.S. to framing it as a device that would be proudly American. Trump Mobile's website now touts the T1 as having an American-proud design, with no further explanation.

Analysts believed that the shift stemmed from a recognition that the U.S. lacked the supply chain and other logistics required to make a smartphone for less than $1,000  the same hurdles that made it implausible for Apple to acquiesce to President Trump's demands that the company move its iPhone manufacturing from China and India.

Later in the summer, Trump Mobile also became more vague about when the T1 would become available, but still indicated it would be delivered to customers who paid the $100 deposit by the end of 2025. Trump Mobile's website continues to list the T1's targeted release date as later this year.

The Trump Organization didn't respond to inquiries from The Associated Press about the delays or when the device is now expected to be shipped. The Financial Times recently reported that it was told by a customer service representative for Trump Mobile that the phone will be shipped in late January and attributed its delayed release to the 43-day shutdown of the federal government last year.

Whatever the reason, the T1's ongoing absence from the smartphone market didn't come as a surprise to International Data Corp. analyst Francisco Jeronimo.

We have always been quite skeptical about this phone, Jeronimo said. They are probably finding that it is harder to build a phone than they thought it would be. Let's see if this thing comes to life or not.

While the T1 has remained in a holding pattern, Trump Mobile has been selling its wireless service for $47.45 per month  a price tied to Donald Trump's titles as the 47th and 45th President. For customers looking for a smartphone that they can use sooner rather than later, Trump Mobile is also selling refurbished versions of older iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy models at prices ranging from $370 to $630.

Maybe they changed their strategy and figured out they are better off just selling refurbished phones, Jeronimo said.
People visit the Mirabell Palace & Garden in Salzburg, Austria, Jan. 7, 2026. An Arctic blast has brought heavy snow and widespread ice across Europe, disrupting travel and public services across large parts of the continent. (Xinhua/He Canling)

BERLIN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- An Arctic blast has brought heavy snow and widespread ice across Europe, disrupting travel and public services across large parts of the continent.

Airports and rail operators in several countries have reported cancellations and delays, while weather agencies warn that sub-zero temperatures and hazardous roads may persist in the days ahead.

SNOW, ICE, DEEP FREEZE

In the Nordic region, temperatures in northern Sweden and Finland fell well below minus 30 degrees Celsius over the weekend, with Sweden recording around minus 40 degrees in its far north. Heavy snowfall compounded wintry conditions across northern Europe.

The Baltics also faced freezing weather. Lithuania reported its coldest night in nearly two years on Jan. 1, with Salcininkai at minus 20.4 degrees. Latvia warned of renewed nationwide frost and accumulating snow, with temperatures ranging from minus 3 to minus 15 degrees.

Further west in Britain, amber cold weather alerts remain in force for England through Friday, with snow, ice, strong winds and heavy rain expected to bring further hazards later in the week. The coldest night of the winter so far was recorded in eastern England.

Across western and central Europe, the Netherlands issued a yellow alert for slippery roads, France placed 26 departments in the northwestern region under orange snow and ice warnings, and Germany reported widespread frost and icy conditions. Poland also issued multiple snowfall and frost warnings, expecting up to 25 cm of snow in southern regions and low nighttime temperatures to minus 18 degrees in parts of the country.

Further east and south, Romania, Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria issued weather warnings for snow, freezing rain, strong winds and hazardous roads, with heavy snowfall forecast in several areas.

On Tuesday, Romania forecast precipitation totals of 10-40 liters per square meter in many areas, while Hungary is expecting total snow depth of 20-30 cm in southern areas by Wednesday morning.

In southern Europe, Italy issued orange and yellow weather alerts for more than 10 regions after reporting the coldest weather in about 15 years in the north. Spain said Storm Francis from the Atlantic brought heavy rain, strong winds and localized flooding, particularly in southern regions.

TRAVEL CHAOS, POWER OUTAGES

Heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures caused widespread disruption across Europe.

Transport was hit hard, with large parts of Sweden's rail network suspended and flight disruptions in Finland's Lapland prompting authorities to intervene after unrest among stranded passengers. In Britain, Eurostar advised travellers to delay journeys between London and the Netherlands, while airports reported cancellations and delays.

France saw severe congestion in the Paris region, where traffic jams exceeded 1,000 km, and airlines were ordered to cut flights by 15 percent at the capital's two main airports. In the Netherlands, KLM cancelled nearly 300 flights scheduled for Tuesday, while rail services were reduced. Strong winds disrupted flights in Italy, and heavy rain and flooding affected transport in parts of southern Spain.

Power outages were reported in several countries, with thousands of households left without electricity in Sweden, more than 9,000 subscribers affected in Romania and over 40,000 families in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Schools were closed in parts of Lithuania and across Scotland, while Latvia said it was expanding emergency accommodation for homeless people as temperatures plunged.

One death was reported in Bulgaria after a tree fell onto a moving car, killing a 31-year-old woman on Saturday in the Vitosha Mountains.

POLAR AIR, ATLANTIC LOWS

Meteorologists have attributed the plunging temperatures to a southward surge of polar air, driven by large-scale circulation shifts, setting the stage for repeated wintry outbreaks across Europe.

The German Weather Service said a low-pressure system over northern Europe and a broad high-pressure area to the northwest and west have combined to funnel very cold air steadily into the country.

The World Meteorological Centre in Beijing noted in an international bulletin that the early-January snowfall from Northern Europe to Central and Eastern Europe is linked to an upper-level cold vortex system, with Lithuania in the most-affected area.

The key driver of snowfall and ice is where that cold air interacts with moisture-bearing systems, according to experts. A high-pressure system (anticyclone) is drawing cold air south from northern Europe, while a Mediterranean low-pressure system (cyclone) is circulating moist air over the region -- creating ideal conditions for snowfall, Croatian meteorologist Damjana Curkov Majaros said.

As a result of the combined effects, Hungary will expect continued snowfall in several waves, with freezing rain possible in eastern and southeastern regions before transitioning back to snow. In Spain, meteorologists and climate experts said a strengthened Atlantic low interacting with southward-moving cold air helped drive intense rainfall, bringing continued risks of flash flooding and secondary hazards. 

People walk at the Mirabell Palace & Garden in Salzburg, Austria, Jan. 7, 2026. An Arctic blast has brought heavy snow and widespread ice across Europe, disrupting travel and public services across large parts of the continent. (Xinhua/He Canling)

A man poses for a photo at the Mirabell Palace & Garden in Salzburg, Austria, Jan. 7, 2026. An Arctic blast has brought heavy snow and widespread ice across Europe, disrupting travel and public services across large parts of the continent. (Xinhua/He Canling)

This photo taken on Jan. 7, 2026 shows a snow view in Salzburg, Austria. An Arctic blast has brought heavy snow and widespread ice across Europe, disrupting travel and public services across large parts of the continent. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Pedestrians cross a road in Riga, Latvia, Jan. 7, 2026. Latvia warned of renewed nationwide frost and accumulating snow, with temperatures ranging from minus 3 to minus 15 degrees.

An Arctic blast has brought heavy snow and widespread ice across Europe, disrupting travel and public services across large parts of the continent. (Xinhua/Chen Yufen)

Cars run on a road in Riga, Latvia, Jan. 7, 2026. Latvia warned of renewed nationwide frost and accumulating snow, with temperatures ranging from minus 3 to minus 15 degrees.

An Arctic blast has brought heavy snow and widespread ice across Europe, disrupting travel and public services across large parts of the continent. (Xinhua/Chen Yufen)
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Analysis BusinessCompaniesTechnology & democracy Hawaiian shirts, shorts and cutting-edge weapons: A dive into the world of defence tech Chris Zappone January 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Costa Mesa, California: You want China to know that these types of things exist, says Palmer Luckey, the sandal-wearing tech entrepreneur who co-founded a cutting-edge weapons company. His defence tech firm, Anduril Industries, makes the autonomous underwater Ghost Shark vehicle, a weapon designed and built in Australia relying on local supply chains. For defence, local production capabilities are everything, says Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey. Bloomberg Luckeys talking about cruise missiles, saying how in a conflict with China, Taiwan needs to be able to continue to build cruise missiles so it can fight an occupation. A similar sovereign capability underscores the Ghost Shark. Should Australias sea lanes be cut off in a crisis, localised production gives it the chance to fight back.

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Luckey comes across as pure Californian. In his trademark Hawaiian shirt, shorts and thongs, he evokes a strong beach vibe, with a boyish enthusiasm for his main jam: software-led defence technology. He, like many of the minds at Anduril, sees a world of security problems that can be addressed, if not solved, with innovative engineering solutions. We  a bunch of journalists  are visiting Andurils Southern California headquarters. Its foyer doubles as a showroom of drones  aerial, naval and uncrewed mini-subs. Were heading for a conference room with a huge video screen and the chance to get a front-row glimpse of a company building the toolkit of future warfare. Anduril Industries headquarters in Costa Mesa, California. Chris Zappone When we reach the room, Luckey speaks across a massive wooden conference table were gathered around: telling us how localised weapons production will be key to winning a future war. By way of analogy for Taiwan, he asks us to imagine what the US occupation of Afghanistan would have looked like if Afghanistan was a global tech powerhouse filled with top engineers?

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Luckey at the company headquarters. Chris Zappone It would have been a very, very different occupation, he said. The US and allies, like Australia, would not have been able to hold territory as it did in the 20-year conflict. Andurils conference room would not be out of a place in a Bond film  apart from having more natural wood tones and less aluminium. As an aside, Luckey explains the glories of turbine-powered drag axles on 1960s hotrods, made by a California company years ago. He owns a Torbinque turbocharger himself. Car culture, famous in Southern California, is evident at Anduril. In October, the company announced it would sponsor NASCAR racer William Byron.

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Perhaps its because of the love of machines, engineering, and building tangible things that Andurils headquarters doesnt feel like a coder-dominated tech company. The Costa Mesa facility occupies the former Los Angeles Times printing press building. It has a fabrication area where engineers, technicians, welders and machine operators make small batches of newly designed, high-tech weapons. The ability to sustain weapons production at scale is crucial to staying in a fight, Luckey tells us. Anduril Australia plans to build dozens and dozens of the Ghost Sharks, at a cost of $1.7 billion, which are expected to have a range that is significant for the Pacific. But simply possessing Ghost Sharks, or Andurils Fury autonomous warfighters, or its Barracuda cruise missiles is not enough to win a war.

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Related Article Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Space Space lasers and the new battlefield emerging under Chinas anti-satellite tactics In the information era, your adversaries must be aware of what you have, and your capacity to mass produce the weapons, so they can shape their risk calculus. Anduril produces compelling animation and sizzle reels of AI-driven autonomous weaponry to highlight their potential to the world. This has led critics to question the ideology of the emerging defence sector. Along with other US tech luminaries such as Palantirs Peter Thiel and Alex Karp, Luckey supports Donald Trump. His and other tech barons stance gives them deep access to Washington at a time of growing geopolitical tension. Professor Elke Schwarz, of the Queen Mary University of London, has described how defence tech companies promote a fantasy of omniscience and omnipotence that, while terribly alluring  does not bear out against the history of warfare or the character of war as a human affair which abounds with subterfuge, surprise and subversion.

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Other detractors include University of Antwerp political science researcher Dr Robin Vanderborght and Dr Anna Nadibaidze, of the University of Southern Denmark Centre for War Studies, who wrote of Luckey: Not only through his words, but also through his whole performance  acting in front of the audience as an eccentric, no-nonsense arms dealer  Luckey aims to radiate prophetic credibility and untapped knowledge over the future of warfare. The cutting-edge, rapidly prototyped technology of companies such as Anduril is developed in the name of rebooting the arsenal of democracy, Vanderborght and Nadibaidze said. [But] these companies strategies risk severely weakening the very democratic project these companies are so adamant to defend, especially in the US context. Related Article Defence Well be crushed: Ghost Shark sub-maker warns on need to bolster homegrown defence A spokesperson for Anduril said while there would still be things in warfare that were unpredictable, the conflict in Ukraine, for example, gave strong evidence of the way in which modern conflicts are playing out. Critics also point to the cosy relationship between Silicon Valleys defence sector and the increasingly autocratic Trump administration. Anduril says it is on the record as being a bipartisan company that works with the major parties in the US and Australia alike.

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Militarily, Luckey sees weakness and risk. He believes the US and allies would be on the back foot in a future conflict. China is building a fundamentally offensive military force oriented around launching and sustaining an invasion and occupation, he said. And Western democracies are for once, kind of on the flip side  of weapons developments, getting away from offensive weapons. Instead, they are trying to build something that would create doubt in enemies minds about whether they can succeed in attacking us, a reference to the Porcupine strategy, also known as the Echidna strategy. Luckey notes: all of our allies are asking for the same capabilities: military vehicles that can, more than dominate an adversary, sow doubts among adversaries in their ability to successfully attack democracies. For a protracted war, of the kind Luckey could foresee between Taiwan and China, the population having the will to fight would be essential, too. That would be true for any democracy, including Australia and the US.

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The messages from Anduril to its employees about their mission are revealing. Related Article Opinion

Technology & democracy Silicon Valleys billionaire elite cant engineer our consent Chris Zappone Senior reporter, aviation Palmer Luckey, who wrote for his California universitys news outlet, publishes a printed company newsletter, Palmer Press. After a dig at Anduril by a defence-tech competitor, Luckey, in full founder mode, counselled staff: We should absorb their negative energy and use it to push ourselves even harder. On the walls at the company HQ are the names of inventors and designers such as [Johannes] Gutenberg of movable-type fame, and [Charles and Ray] Eames, who were involved in World War II production innovation. One wall has a lengthy quote discussing Andurils mission. There is no secret government silo of advanced technology that will save us if war breaks out  you must build it. Chris Zappone travelled to the US as a guest of Anduril Industries.
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BusinessCompaniesTrump's White House Trump provides the knife for Stokes giant steel deal Colin Kruger January 6, 2026  1:43pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Never get between Kerry Stokes and a cheap spanner, let alone an undervalued multibillion-dollar industrial group. The announcement of his intent to acquire BlueScopes Australian assets, in tandem with US group Steel Dynamics which wants the US-based business, will be pursued with the ruthlessness with which he mopped up Boral in 2024 with little resistance. Billionaire Kerry Stokes is looking to add Bluescopes local business to his powerhouse industrial group, SGH. Trevor Collens. It was a multibillion-dollar deal that paid off in spades for Stokes and his fellow Seven Group (now SGH) investors. The deal helped the group triple its share price in just three years. This is why the industrial might of SGH accounts for most of his $13 billion fortune which has soared on the back of Australias mining and infrastructure boom.

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Related Article Trade wars Trump made a barrage of tariff threats in 2025. Some never materialised It starkly contrasts with his stake in the recently discarded Seven West Media which would barely cover the cost of a harbour-front mansion in Sydney. The interesting part of the announcement is where Stokes, via SGH, states that the US and its other assets are not strategically compatible. Its no coincidence that this strategic incompatibility has arisen since Trump regained the White House. His tariff chaos has sent the economics of BlueScopes US business, and its rest-of-world operations which are led by Australia, in opposite directions.

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BlueScope shares hit multi-year highs in February last year when Trumps 25 per cent tariffs on steel imports ensured a significant price, and profit, boost for the 3 million tonnes of steel it produces in the US. Steel Dynamics had already made its first of four offers for the BlueScope business, details of which became public only on Tuesday. These approaches were rejected as they significantly undervalued BlueScope and its future prospects, and presented significant execution risk in relation to regulatory outcomes, BlueScope said on Tuesday. BlueScope confirmed that last years rejected bids valued the US business at around $24 a share and the rest of the group at just $9. Steel Dynamics hopes to cash in on Trumps grand hope that his tariffs will shut overseas producers out of the US and encourage more local manufacturing. Meanwhile, US-based producers such as BlueScope and Steel Dynamics are making a killing.

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Donald Trumps tariffs helped pave the way for this $13 billion takeover bid for Australian steel giant Bluescope. AP As analysts from Morningstar recently noted, underlying earnings are expected to jump more than 40 per cent this year driven by higher steel prices and volumes in its North America business, which comprises about half of our forecast. Tariffs have pushed steel prices higher than a year ago and increased demand for locally produced steel rather than imports. This is why US steel producers such as Steel Dynamics have BlueScopes market-leading US assets in their sights. The problem for the rest of BlueScopes business is that all of that surplus of steel being churned out in China has not gone away. The loss of the US market means the 110 million tonnes of steel China exports every year still has to find a home in places such as Australia, and in markets where BlueScope sells its products overseas, such as South-East Asia.

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We need a really strong, diligent, effective, quick-to-act anti dumping regime, or  well see material flow from other parts of the world and come to our country and undermine our domestic manufacturing capacity, BlueScope boss Mark Vassella warned last year. Hot roll coils are formed during the manufacturing of steel at BlueScope Steels Port Kembla Steelworks. Bloomberg Presumably it is all someone elses problem now, with Vassella due to step down at the end of the month, to be replaced by BlueScope veteran Tania Archibald. The big question to be answered is whether this is just step one of a much larger play by Stokes. BlueScope is seen as a crucial contender for the failed Whyalla Steel business in South Australia which is expected to receive a massive government bailout to help upgrade its operations and make it sustainable and competitive in a global market.

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Kerry Stokes verdict on Whyallas attractiveness as a business would be fascinating. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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The year that changed me NationalProtests I wanted to hitchhike to Sydney. The pill-gobbling truckie had other ideas Tony Wright January 6, 2026  7:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

This article is part of an opinion summer opinion series where writers share the story of a year that changed their lives. See all stories .

Wed been rolling up the highway for a couple of hours before the truckie roused himself to inquire why I was going to Brisbane. Im not, I said. Im only going as far as Sydney today. Tony Wright in his travelling days in the early 1970s. The truckie, arms like legs of ham and a gut barely contained by a blue singlet suggesting years of wrestling longdistance trucks on a diet of steak and eggs, looked sideways at me. Pigs arse, mate, he said. Were going to Brisbane.

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Which is how I accidentally found myself about 18 hours later in the midst of one of Queenslands most famous protests  the anti-apartheid demonstration outside Brisbanes Tower Mill Motel, where the South African Springboks rugby players were resting between games that were so disrupted by smokebombs, field invaders and battles between protesters and police they may as well have been called riots. Joh Bjelke-Petersen was Queensland premier from 1968 to 1987. That evening, about 600 police, given free rein by then-premier Joh Bjelke-Petersens declaration of a state of emergency, attacked a crowd of peaceful protesters in the park opposite the motel with truncheons, fists and boots. I was a bystander without a clue, but a charging bull of a cop with a billy club felled me anyway as I fled. Welcome to Queensland, the State of Emergency. I was 19 and had planned to hitch my way from Victoria to Far North Queensland, taking my time going up along the coast. Some time the previous night, a truckie had offered me a lift at a truck stop near West Wyalong, an old NSW town on a crossroads a couple of hours north of Wagga Wagga.

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Truth to tell, I didnt quite know where West Wyalong was. Storms roll through the parched landscape near West Wyalong in 2020. Nick Moir There were no mobile phones those days, and I had no map. I was travelling blind, occasionally finding a phone box and placing a call (reverse charges, naturally) to reassure my long-suffering parents I was having an excellent journey. Safe as houses. So there I was, dozing at a truck stop cafe in the middle of NSW somewhere, when this bloke in a blue singlet woke me and said the waitress had told him I wanted a lift.

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I hoisted my rucksack into his trucks cabin and we bellowed off, hauling a great load of steel. This story is part of an opinion summer series from our writers and reporters about the year that changed them. Aresna Villanueva I probably should have taken the trouble to figure out those crossroads. One highway stretched towards Sydney and the other, the Newell, to Brisbane. So, a few hours into the trip, I learnt I wasnt going to Sydney. Wrong highway. More than six weeks of travelling stretched before me. It was my first holiday as a cadet journalist at The Portland Observer.

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It was July 1971. I didnt have much money. But I had a thumb. Wright around the time of his road trip. A song by Bobby and Laurie had become my anthem since it was released in 1966. Hitch-Hiker, it was called. Like a restless tiger, went the lyrics. You cant stand still/And you never will. And so, I stuck out my thumb with a hazy plan to hitchhike the length of the east coast of Australia, from Victoria to Far North Queensland and back.

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And if I was going to get to Queensland quicker than Id expected, so be it. I could see Sydney on the way back. And did. Which is another story altogether. An anti-Apartheid protester is restrained during the Springboks 1971 tour of Australia. Fairfax The truckie was a taciturn character gobbling amphetamine pills. His back-up plan in case the pills werent sufficient was that I had to stay awake to prod him in the ribs if he started nodding off. He wouldnt share his amphetamine, and if my head started to descend towards my chest, hed give me a swipe across the ear. Related Article The year that changed me

Friendship My editor rang me with urgent news. I hung up and cried in the street

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He wanted to get to Brisbane without stopping because he had a girlfriend there, he told me. Lucky girl, I thought. He didnt make it. His load was overweight, wed taken dodgy back roads to avoid weigh-stations and wed thundered down the eastern edge of the Great Dividing Range on a precipitous, winding hell-road called Cunninghams Gap, the truckie letting his machine have its head and cackling mightily at my terror. We pulled in to a layby at the bottom of the gap, less than two hours from Brisbane. The truckie laid back his head and started snoring. The amphetamines had performed their last hurrah.

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The girlfriend would have to wait. Very lucky girl. I retrieved my rucksack and stuck out my thumb. An old Holden pulled up. Two young blokes and two young women were aboard. They made room for me. We rocked off, the cassette player cranked up to 11. Where are you staying? one of them shouted. I thought I might stay on the beach, I said. Gently, they explained Brisbane didnt have a beach, unless I enjoyed mudflats.

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Better come home with us, they said. Anti-apartheid protesters flash mock-Nazi salutes during a match between the Springboks and Wallabies in July 1971. Fairfax Photo Archive They were teachers, they lived in a lovely old Queenslander and they were planning to attend a protest that night against something called the Springboks. I didnt know what a Springbok was, but didnt feel brave enough to ask after the humiliation concerning the non-existent Brisbane beach. And so, I tagged along. And got a charging bull of a cops truncheon over the shoulder for my trouble, bringing me to my knees and paralysing my arm. Others fared worse, particularly those herded over a cliff at the end of the park on to a roadway below. Related Article Political Sketch

The Dismissal The Dismissal: Norman Gunstons moment, while a boy got high on a king

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I got briefly radicalised by that indignity, and occupied the University of Queensland for the night amid quite a lot of genuine wild-eyed radicals. Next morning, I picked up my bag from the lovely old Queenslander I hadnt got the chance to stay in, and hitched to a real beach  Surfers Paradise. My travelling holiday had begun. Adventures of all manner lay in wait on the long, long road ahead. Im not sure even now how I survived.

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Like a restless tiger, you cant stand still, and you never will, I sang to myself. I wouldnt take back a day of it. Tony Wright is an associate editor and special writer for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
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NationalNSWCycling Its dangerous: Choke-point sparks appeal for cycle ramp at Harbour Bridges southern end Matt O'Sullivan January 6, 2026  3:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The opening of a $39 million cycle ramp at the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge has sparked calls from Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore for the NSW government to finish the job by building one at the southern end where a choke-point causes safety concerns. North Sydney Council mayor Zoe Baker joined Moore in calling for the government to inject funding into a new southern ramp for the bridge, as well as complete missing links in a cycleway on West Street on the lower north shore. Transport for NSW is forecasting a doubling in the number of cyclists crossing the Harbour Bridge following the opening on Tuesday of a 170-metre-long bike ramp at the northern end. Last year, 1221 cyclists a day on average rode across the famed Coathanger. Cyclists try out the new 170-metre-long ramp at the northern end of the Harbour Bridge for the first time on Tuesday. James Brickwood Moore said a southern ramp was absolutely critical because parents whose children attended Fort Street Public School, which had doubled its roll, were concerned about the danger posed by the convergence of cyclists, vehicles and pedestrians into a narrow road and then a shared path in Millers Point.

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Its dangerous for young and old. Having more children in that school, having all the extra riders coming across the bridge we really need that ramp on the southern side of the bridge, he said. She cited the slow progress since a funding announcement more than nine years ago from the-then Coalition roads minister Duncan Gay for an upgrade to the southern ramp and the new one at the northern end to be completed by 2020. Loading It was clearly logical to do the two ramps simultaneously. And whenever we open a bike project, theres always the next one to do. So the next one to do here is a southern ramp, she said. Asked about her remarks, Transport Minister John Graham said the government was committed to working with councils on plans to expand the cycle network.

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This project [at the bridges northern end] has been a long time coming, but one of the good things is ... weve got the design right, he said. We want to do the same as were planning these additional extensions. Those things take time. Cyclists and pedestrians have to share a narrow bridge over the Cahill Expressways corkscrew ramp. James Brickwood City of Sydney cycling strategy manager Fiona Campbell said the council had been told there was no funding for the southern ramp despite money in 2016 for it from the-then Coalition government. We have been asking and asking, she said. We get complaints not only from parents and people walking, but we get complaints from people riding.

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Detailed planning is also underway for the next stage of a controversial cycleway along Oxford Street, which would run from Taylor Square in Darlinghurst to Centennial Park via Paddington. The first cyclists ride over the new 170-metre-long ramp on Tuesday, shortly after a ribbon cutting. James Brickwood Graham said the first leg at the western end of Oxford Street had quickly become the citys most popular cycleway since it opened last year, and the government was committed to the work to extend it to Centennial Park. Thats an important extension, particularly given how popular this first leg has been, he said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Updated NationalNSWPolice Sydney protest ban extended days after three arrested at unauthorised rally Daniel Lo Surdo Updated January 6, 2026  5:55pm ,first published 5:20pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has extended the 14-day protest ban on Sydneys streets by another fortnight, days after 250 people descended on Town Hall in an unauthorised rally over the US raid on Venezuela, at which three people were arrested. The tough protest powers were included in an omnibus bill introduced by the NSW government after the Bondi shooting, which killed 15 people and injured 40 others. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon: We want the community to feel confident, to move around safely. Sam Mooy Lanyon extended the declaration on Tuesday after finding public assemblies in the next fortnight presented the potential to cause fear and public safety issues. Its about saying the time is not now for any retribution, Lanyon said. Its about saying we want the community to feel confident, to move around safely.

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Lanyon imposed the first public assembly restriction declaration on December 24, hours after the legislation was given assent following its passage through NSW parliament. The declaration prevented demonstrations on streets across the Sydney metropolitan region for two weeks and was to end on Tuesday. Supporters of the Venezuelan opposition celebrate in Sydney on Sunday following the fall of President Nicolas Maduro. AAPIMAGE Under the new anti-protest laws, stationary gatherings are allowed, but police may issue move-on directions for people causing obstructions or behaving in an intimidatory or harassing manner, or to people who might cause or be likely to cause fear in another person. The latest declaration will last until January 20. Lanyon is free to continue the declaration for up to three months, meaning protests could be restricted until March.

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Related Article Bondi shooting I back it 100 per cent: Minns defends two-week ban on protests A third consecutive declaration would extend the ban through to February, which would prohibit the annual Invasion Day march staged through the Sydney CBD on January 26. Lanyon refused to be drawn on the premature prospect of another declaration, signalling instead that he would monitor the current environment before making another decision. Well certainly look at the behaviour over the next 14 days, he said. On Sunday, Town Hall was inundated with protesters following the US capture of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, mirroring rallies staged across the country after the Trump administrations extraordinary strikes in Caracas.

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Among the three arrested was a 53-year-old woman who wore a shirt displaying offensive messaging, which government sources said was the slogan globalise the intifada, which Premier Chris Minns wants to outlaw. Lanyon said the woman had been arrested because her item of clothing was deemed offensive, adding that investigations into the rally were ongoing. Loading Two men, aged 26 and 34, were arrested for breaching the peace. All three arrested were released without charge. Another 40 counter-protesters, believed to be aligned with the Palestine Action Group, were also at the rally on Sunday night.

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Police Minister Yasmin Catley, whom Lanyon consulted before extending the declaration, said she unequivocally supports the decision. This extension reflects the commissioners ongoing focus on community safety and on reducing the risk of heightened tension following the Bondi terror attack, she said. A NSW parliamentary inquiry will this month examine the prospect of banning hateful slogans, such as globalise the intifada, ahead of new legislation set to be introduced next month. A coalition of activists, including the Palestine Activist Group and Jews Against the Occupation, has signalled a constitutional challenge against the legislation restricting public assemblies. Minns has said he is alive to the threat of a constitutional challenge, but said he was confident of the laws passed last month. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalNSWScience Thousands catch this nasty parasite from pets. Now scientists know why Angus Dalton January 6, 2026  7:45pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Examine, a free weekly newsletter covering science with a sceptical, evidence-based eye, is sent every Tuesday. Youre reading an excerpt  sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox. They call it beaver fever, and theres a good chance youve had it. Or you might remember when millions of Sydneysiders were forced to boil their drinking water due to giardia contamination during the 1998 Sydney water crisis. The giardia parasite infects 280 million people per year, including 600,000 Australians, by colonising the small intestine, robbing its host of nutrients and unleashing cramping, bloating and greasy diarrhoea. The giardia parasite infects many millions of people each year, but scientists have been unsure for decades whether it reproduces sexually or not. Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF Then it exits the body within a hardy cyst that can survive in water for months and withstand chlorine. The infection spreads when a host consumes the cyst through contaminated water or food. In this way, the parasite can jump between hosts, including between pets and their owners. (In the US, beavers carry the bug through their watery habitats, hence the nickname.)

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But a huge question hangs over this notorious bug  is it a sexual being or not? Knowing whether giardia reproduces sexually or asexually (i.e. cloning itself like bacteria) is crucial to understanding how the parasite evolves and spreads, especially because it has gained resistance to frontline drugs. About 20 per cent of cases now cant be treated by major medicines. A front page from The Sydney Morning Herald during the 1998 Sydney water crisis. Fairfax Media The giardia mystery is not only imperative to public health but it is also a challenge to evolution as we know it. Yet the answer has never been clear. Now, after 50 years, Australian-led research has solved it  and uncovered a new theory for how infections can jump from animals to humans, giving rise to new diseases called zoonoses.

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The Red Queen and an asexual scandal The Red Queen lectured Alice about running to stay in place  and gave rise to a key evolutionary theory. John Tenniel In Lewis Carrolls Through the Looking Glass, Alice sprints through a forest with the Red Queen, but realises she isnt moving. The queen tells Alice: Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. This scene inspired the Red Queen hypothesis: the idea that just to stay alive, a species has to constantly evolve in an unrelenting arms race with its competitors.

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Simple single-celled organisms (prokaryotes) such as bacteria do this by quickly cloning themselves, which every so often results in an advantageous mutation. Their genomes are tiny, so they can reproduce fast. Larger, more complex organisms (eukaryotes, like us) have a problem: their genomes are large and slow to replicate, and therefore they are vulnerable to being evolutionarily out-foxed by more nimble bacteria and viruses. The solution? Sex. Beavers in the US carry giardia and spread it through their watery homes  hence the nickname beaver fever. Ann Cameron Siegal Recombining genes through sex means organisms can ditch bad mutations and pass on the good ones. Sex also accelerates natural selection by shuffling different genes together.

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Its so crucial to complex life that examples of eukaryotes that dont have sex are dubbed asexual scandals. They dont run fast enough to stay still, and they risk sliding backwards into evolutionary oblivion. Another asexual scandal are the all-female bdelloid rotifers, although they do exchange genetic material in ways other than sex. Alamy Stock Photo Rare examples of these scandalous virgins include oribatid mites (soil-eating bugs) and bdelloid rotifers (all-female pond-dwelling sluglike beasties). Most of these asexual eukaryotes do, however, exchange genes by some mechanism that isnt technically sex. But giardia has remained a stubborn mystery  one of the last true asexual scandals. How could this ancient eukaryotic parasite possibly have persisted through millennia without sex, the ultimate gene-shuffling survival strategy?

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Professor Aaron Jex, head of the parasite lab at Melbournes WEHI research centre, teamed up with international colleagues to put this evolutionary enigma to bed. The mystery solved Using advanced genetic screening techniques on 100 different isolates of the bug gathered from people, dogs, cats, sheep, pigs and a beaver, they revealed a fascinating answer: there were sexual and asexual types of giardia. The reason behind decades of confusion became clear. Scientists studying the standard lab-grown version of giardia had unknowingly been testing an asexual evolutionary oddity rather than the main, sexual strain of the parasite, Jex says. Parasite professor Aaron Jex from WEHI solved the mystery, and proposed a new theory about how diseases find new hosts. Matt Turner/WEHI

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Strangely, Jex and his team found the sexual form of giardia only in people, while the asexual version had a range of animal and human hosts. Thats weird, he says, because the sexual version of the parasite is the one youd expect to evolve faster and adapt quickly to new hosts. And yet, it was our asexual parasite that was showing up in many different hosts. That didnt make a lot of sense, he says of the results published in Nature Communications. This was another piece of evidence into how zoonoses may arise. Professor Aaron Jex There are other examples, though, of pathogenic fungi and parasitic worms in which asexual offshoots are the ones that leap to new hosts.

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In light of this, Jex and his colleagues proposed a new theory about how pathogens can jump from animals to people  the process that gave rise to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new theory for zoonoses Sexual parasites quickly discard bad mutations, such as tweaks that make them less infectious to their host. Sex-accelerated adaption ensures the parasite remains finely tuned to target one kind of animal. Asexual organisms, however, cant easily shed those unwanted mutations. As the parasites clone themselves, the same bad tweaks in DNA accumulate in the population under a process dubbed Mullers Ratchet. That could gradually make the parasite less finely tuned to just one host. For decades, scientists have been unsure if the giardia parasite reproduces sexually or asexually.

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So, the theory goes, as asexual giardia loses evolutionary fitness and host specificity, the trade-off could be that it can infect a wider range of hosts. Asexual lineages basically became like a tool species could use that would allow them to relax evolutionary selection and infect new hosts, Jex says. Related Article Bird flu The number of infections that could make or break the next bird flu pandemic There may be a mechanism that then allows asexual populations to re-evolve sex, or pass genes to the sexual lineages so they can carry on in new hosts, but the idea remains theoretical, he says. This was another piece of evidence into how zoonoses may arise, through this process of asexual offshoots allowing the organism to relax its selective pressure to an extent where it could experiment with new mutations that would allow it to branch into new hosts, and then take off.

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The finding sheds key light on zoonoses  one of humanitys greatest threats  and it could inform the development of drugs that better treat giardia. And while the asexual, species-jumping type of giardia causes about half of human infection, it is ultimately doomed. The sexless lineage evolved between 600 and 2000 years ago and, since then, it has accumulated bad mutations it cant cast off, meaning it will almost certainly die out. This is called mutation meltdown, Jex says: a fate that proves the essential nature of sex, and the truth of the Red Queens warning. The Examine newsletter explains and analyses science with a rigorous focus on the evidence. Sign up to get it each week.
Chinese tourists visit Cappadocia region in Turkiye on Jan. 4, 2026. A new visa-free regime for Chinese citizens is fueling expectations for a tourism boom in Turkiye, as industry operators predict the easier entry will lead to longer stays and deeper cultural ties.(Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A new visa-free regime for Chinese citizens is fueling expectations for a tourism boom in Turkiye, as industry operators predict the easier entry will lead to longer stays and deeper cultural ties.

Under the policy launched on Jan. 2, Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports can enter Turkiye visa-free for tourism or transit for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The move comes ahead of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Turkiye in 2026, adding political weight to efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties.

Irfan Karsli, head of the Istanbul-based Ligarba Travel Agency, said the decision removes a long-standing barrier for Chinese travelers.

"The visa-free decision will clearly boost Chinese travelers' motivation to visit Turkiye," Karsli told Xinhua.

Karsli said the effects are already becoming visible, with tour bookings from China rising since the policy took effect. He expects the number of Chinese tourists to increase by 50 percent to 60 percent in 2026 compared to 2025 levels, with sustained growth through 2028.

China has emerged as one of Turkiye's fastest-growing tourism markets. Official data show Chinese arrivals rose 65.1 percent year on year in 2024 to about 410,000. In the first nine months of 2025, some 313,800 Chinese tourists visited the country, supported by expanded air links and a growing interest in cultural heritage.

"Around 150 million Chinese people travel abroad every year. Turkiye can claim a larger share of that market," Karsli said. To prepare for the influx, he added that Turkiye has been investing in infrastructure tailored to Chinese visitors, including specialized airport services.

Connectivity has also scaled up. In May 2025, China and Turkiye increased weekly passenger flights from 21 to 49, a development tourism executives say is crucial for sustaining long-haul demand.

The optimism extends to regional destinations such as Cappadocia, known for its volcanic rock formations and hot-air balloon flights. Murat Ozguc, a local tourism professional, said the policy removes a significant "psychological barrier."

"Cappadocia has long attracted Chinese tourists, but visa procedures complicated travel planning," Ozguc told Xinhua.

He noted that easier entry is likely to encourage visitors to stay longer and seek more in-depth cultural engagement rather than quick sightseeing. In response, hotels and operators in Cappadocia are expanding Mandarin-language services and developing itineraries focused on history and local interaction.

"With the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties approaching, tourism can help strengthen mutual understanding between ordinary people," Ozguc said. 

A hot air balloon flies over Cappadocia region in Turkiye on Jan. 4, 2026. A new visa-free regime for Chinese citizens is fueling expectations for a tourism boom in Turkiye, as industry operators predict the easier entry will lead to longer stays and deeper cultural ties.(Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
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NationalVictoriaVenezuela crisis Editorial Australia should be able to tell our friends when we disagree with their actions The Age's View Editorial January 7, 2026  6:00am

January 7, 2026  6:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have pleaded not guilty in a New York court to drug and weapons charges. Maduro told Judge Alvin Hellerstein, I am innocent, I am not guilty. I am a decent man. Im the president of the republic of Venezuela ... I am here kidnapped. The judge adjourned the matter until March 17. The legal protocols in evidence in court stand in stark contrast to how Maduro and his wife got to that point. At the weekend, US forces stormed his compound in Venezuela and whisked the pair out of the country. There was little crying globally for the demise of the dictatorial leader who has played a starring role in the failing of the state. Five years ago, he was indicted by the US on narco-terrorism charges for allegedly running a scheme to send tonnes of cocaine to the US. Nicolas Maduro is led by federal agents in New York. GC Images He has denied the allegations. In 2024, he appeared to lose an election in a landslide but kept power through a violent crackdown against his political opponents. The question still remains, however, did the ends justify the means in his ousting? Geoffrey Robertson, KC, who was president of the United Nations War Crimes Court in Sierra Leone and is author of World of War Crimes, argued in The Age on Monday that there was no legal difference between Vladimir Putins attack on Ukraine and Donald Trumps attack on Venezuela. The American indictment that was presented to the court conferred no retrospective extraterritorial authority to arrest or imprison [Maduro and Flores] or to occupy or annex their nation. No treaty permitted this and no international court approved it.

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The immediate response from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was suitably, and characteristically, diplomatic: Australia was monitoring developments, everyone should support dialogue and diplomacy to try to secure regional stability and prevent escalation. Australia had held concerns about the situation in Venezuela, including respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Related Article Opinion

Venezuela crisis This is a warning to all world leaders who antagonise Trump Geoffrey Robertson Human rights barrister and author Albanese ended with this: We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people. Not a skerrick of censure against the US president or his abandonment of international law. Given the concluding sentence, it would appear the prime minister sees supporting international law through different lenses, depending on who is upholding it and who is breaking it. The United Nations wasnt so reticent. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the US action was criticised. Russia and China demanded the release of Maduro and Flores. Russias credibility in particular is strained by its actions in Ukraine, while Chinas stated ambitions for Taiwan and its repeated flouting of trade rules also undermine its position. Still, how can Australia criticise those countries for failing to stick to the rules and stay silent now? It is upon such hypocrisies that multilateral systems collapse.

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This appears to be something the US is not worried about. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Millers comment that Were a superpower and under President Trump we will conduct ourselves as a superpower should send a shiver of anxiety globally. Related Article Venezuela crisis Mystery trader gains $610,000 windfall with bet on Maduros capture The immediate measured response from Albanese to the US action was correct, given so much of the operation was still being revealed. On Monday Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged only that dialogue, diplomacy and international law be supported. Others argued it was Americas place to explain, not Australias to assess, the legality of the situation. With the smoke now clearing over Caracas, we would expect our government to set aside such diplomatic niceties. There have been signs other allies have had enough. French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not support or approve of Americas methods even if he was glad Maduro was gone. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while equivocating on Venezuela, at least declared he stood with Denmark as it looks to fend off Trumps attention on Greenland. And why should sovereign nations not speak their minds? The ability to call out the obvious crossing of clear red lines should also be unremarkable.

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Its a fairly easy chain of thought: if you respect international law, then you cannot condone Americas actions. If we cannot tell our friends what we think, how friendly are they? Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Behind the Photos NationalVictoriaHorse racing How a nondescript picture told the real story of Australian racing in 2025 Danny Russell January 7, 2026  5:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

On face value, this is one of the most nondescript racing pictures snapped during an unforgettable spring carnival. No glistening thoroughbreds floating effortlessly across the Flemington turf, no driving finish to determine a multimillion-dollar outcome, no ecstatic jockey rising high in the irons to celebrate a famous win. Jonathan Munz (far right), John Kanga (second from right), Tanya Fullarton (black and white dress) and others pose after Getta Good Feeling won the Wakeful Stakes at Flemington on November 1. Getty Images Instead, the power of this image, taken in the mounting yard on VRC Derby Day, is all about the power-wielding people in its frame. The photo  chosen by The Age as one of the defining images of the year  includes two of the sports most influential figures across the past 12 months  Jonathan Munz and John Kanga  a pair that were considered associates, but never really friends.

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The picture appears to tell a different story. To the right of the frame is Munz, a billionaire horse owner and breeder who holds the winning sash after his filly Getta Good Feelings victory in the group 2 Wakeful Stakes. It was a rare public appearance for Munz, coming a day after he emerged from behind the scenes to join the Melbourne Racing Club board as vice chairman. Owner Jonathan Munz (right) Getta Good Feeling won the Wakeful Stakes. John Kanga is at left. Getty Images The noted powerbroker filled a three-year casual vacancy created by the shock resignation of Kanga, the man in the photo with the pearly whites peering over Munzs right shoulder.

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Also in the image is MRC chief executive Tanya Fullarton  who is standing at the front dressed in black and white  along with Kangas wife Steph, who is wearing sunglasses, and Nina OBrien, the wife of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny OBrien. While Danny OBrien is not in the photo, he was a big part of the trackside celebrations. A close friend of Kanga, OBrien trains Getta Good Feeling for Munz. The day is seen as a return to the spotlight for Kanga, who had been lying low after quitting the MRC board three weeks earlier. In this image, he is smiling like he never left. Until last years Caulfield Cup carnival, Kangas influence on the MRC was profound.

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Related Article Spring racing carnival Racing billionaire to replace Kanga on Melbourne Racing Club board Within a year, he orchestrated unprecedented change. Munz backed him all the way. Kanga toppled the MRC board, became chairman, saved Sandown racecourse from being sold to developers, stopped plans to build a $250 million grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse, moved the Caulfield mounting yard back to its original position and introduced cheaper beer. He also took part in preliminary merger talks with the Victorian Racing Club at Munzs Toorak home. The merger never happened. Kanga became a media personality and peoples champion. He also courted controversy.

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He was linked to the bulk-buying of MRC memberships for his family in the lead-up to an election, a situation the club said did not break any rules nor influence an election result. Related Article Exclusive

Racing integrity The MRC parted ways with two CEOs in 12 months. It cost the club $2 million Kanga also oversaw the sacking of CEO Tom Reilly just three months after OReilly started in the role, a decision that led to an out-of-court settlement to prevent legal action for unfair dismissal. But Kangas decision to resign followed questions from The Age about a link to unsavoury characters more than a decade in his past. Reilly was replaced at the MRC by Fullarton, an associate of Munz. They sat on the board of the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association together.

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Now they will operate side-by-side at the MRC, a $1 billion sporting club that operates Caulfield, Sandown and Mornington racecourses. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCity life The Empire strikes Melbourne as film crews take over Swanston Street Alexander Darling January 6, 2026  9:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

It isnt often that a Melbourne tram drives past a fleet of New York City taxis, but movie magic made it happen on Tuesday night. The corner of Swanston and Collins streets has been transformed into downtown Manhattan for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as shooting on the big-budget Hollywood film Empire City continues. Collins Street has always had a Paris end, but on Tuesday night it became New York. Alexander Darling Dozens of extras, one of them wearing an I Heart NY shirt, strode up and down Collins Street, which has been renamed West 53rd Street for this production. Meanwhile, on Fifth Avenue (Swanston Street), a maze of bikes, lenses and technical equipment occupied the Town Hall concourse.

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Little Collins Street has become West 52nd Street and is currently impassible as a crane with two massive search lights illuminate the film set from above. Its understood Swanston Street will close to trams after 9pm, so street scenes can be filmed. A new truck and a Bearcat were among the massive props brought into the area for the shoot. Matt Burgess The Town Hall itself will feature in some scenes in the production. Starring leading man Gerard Butler, the film follows a New York fireman who, along with his team and policewoman wife, tries to free hostages from a building.

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Cameron Tampion was one of hundreds of Melburnians fascinated by the scene on Tuesday night. While many stumbled upon the scene unintentionally, Tampion had heard the street would be closed in advance and swung past on his way home from work. Its really great for the CBD when things like this are happening, Tampion said, noting most people didnt seem to mind the disruption. He said he was much more likely to see a film if it was shot in Melbourne.

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PoliticsFederalAntisemitism We need to draw a bright line: Government readies new hate speech laws Matthew Knott January 6, 2026  5:02pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The Albanese government is being lobbied to include protections for disabled and LGBTQI Australians in beefed up hate speech laws as it prepares to circulate draft legislation within days. Anti-vilification laws are set to be at the top of the governments agenda when parliament returns ahead of schedule later this month following the antisemitic massacre at Bondi Beach in December. Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, during a visit to Bondi Beach following Decembers mass shooting. Oscar Colman Independent MP Allegra Spender, whose electorate of Wentworth includes Bondi, has joined key Jewish groups in urging the government to outlaw the promotion and incitement of hatred, rather than simply speech that threatens force or violence against minority groups. The government is expected to introduce legislation with similar wording to amendments unsuccessfully proposed by Spender last year when the parliament passed new hate crime laws, but politicians and lobby groups are eagerly awaiting the detail of the bill.

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Key lobby groups should be briefed on draft legislation by the end of the week, with parliament expected to resume before Australia Day. Related Article Analysis

Bondi shooting Two years have flipped the script on free speech. Now Australia is in new territory Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Tuesday: Were working on the legislation, and we also want to consult on the legislation as well. So some of those consultations will take place over coming days to make sure that we get this legislation right. Albanese said he was determined not to rush the process given the issues involved were complex and had constitutional implications. I want to see an Australia where someone, because of their faith, is not targeted, that they are able to practise their faith and with pride, he said.

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Spender told this masthead: We need to draw a very bright line and make clear that spreading hate and division in the community is not allowed. It is absolutely critical that we do this properly and get it right this time. Spender said that incitement to violence was very hard to prove and a very high bar. There was also a risk that such speech would not be prosecuted until it was too late, she said. The law must be changed so that statements calling for the final solution of Jews and jihad against the Jews is banned, she said. Spender, whose electorate includes one of the countrys biggest Jewish communities, said that while increasing protections against antisemitic hate speech was crucial, she was concerned the government may limit any new hate speech protections to race. Neo-Nazi groups had also promoted hatred based on sexuality and religion, she noted.

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Attorney General Michelle Rowland said: The government is continuing to work expeditiously on a package of reforms designed to crack down on those who spread hate, division and radicalisation in our community. As part of this process, we are consulting with the Jewish community and others. Albanese said before Christmas that the government was considering drafting laws to expand protections against racial vilification and create a new offence against promoting racial supremacy. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government would introduce a new serious vilification offence that criminalises inciting hatred and we will be consulting closely with the Jewish community and others on the structuring of this offence. The government will also include an aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote or threaten violence against protected groups or members of groups.

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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the nations peak Jewish group, supports expanded hate speech protections for all minority groups, not simply based on race. ECAJ previously said it was deeply disappointed the government did not create a new provision to outlaw serious vilification of individuals or groups on the basis of race, religion or other protected attributes as well as speech threatening violence. Protesters chanting F--- the Jews and Wheres the Jews? outside the Sydney Opera House after the October 7 attacks of 2023 would not have been able to be prosecuted under the new hate speech laws, the council warned in an October 2024 parliamentary submission. Neither would inflammatory antisemitic statements by Sydney hate preachers. Free Palestine protest outside the Sydney Opera House on October 9. AAP The Coalition and Labor united last February to vote down amendments proposed by Spender that would have created a new serious vilification offence, opting instead for narrower protections against speech advocating or threatening violence.

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Equality Australia, the nations peak LGBTQI advocacy group, has been urging the government to outlaw serious vilification against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians. Equality Australia legal director Heather Corkhill said: We expect that new protections from hate speech will protect all communities that experience the devastating impacts of hate. Peak lobby group People With Disability Australia has also urged the government to go further by outlawing serious vilification against disabled Australians, not just language threatening violence. Vilification, like threats of violence, can cause significant psychological harm and stop people from enjoying their fundamental human rights, the group said.



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Australians are accustomed to hot summers, but many of our homes are not designed or built for them.

Chris Barnes, senior project officer at CHOICE, noted that Australian homes have previously been described as glorified tents.

Australian summers are hot, but not all homes are designed for the heat. Credit: Sam Mooy

Most Australian homes, or for a long time at least, Australian homes, havent been very well designed for thermal efficiency, Barnes said.

Elham Monavari, head of Green Star strategic delivery from the Green Building Council of Australia, agrees.
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TechnologyGadgets Lego unveils smart bricks, its biggest innovation in 50 years David Swan January 6, 2026  10:11am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The Danish toymaker that built a global empire on interlocking plastic bricks has unveiled what executives are calling the most significant evolution in its 93-year history: a tiny computer embedded inside a standard Lego brick. Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Lego Smart Play represents an eight-year, several-hundred-person development effort to add interactivity to physical toys without requiring screens, apps or complex set-up procedures. We introduced a step change to the Lego system of play, Julia Goldin, Legos chief product and marketing officer, told this masthead. Were introducing a platform consisting of a smart brick, tags and interactive minifigures that fits seamlessly with the rest of the system, but provides an opportunity to bring a new dimension to play. A Lego smart brick. The technology centres on a custom-designed chip measuring 4.1 millimetres  smaller than a single Lego stud  packed with accelerometers, light sensors, a microphone, LED array and miniature speaker. When paired with NFC-equipped tiles and minifigures, the brick responds to childrens play with contextual sounds and light effects: lightsabers hum, engines roar, and spacecraft emit blaster fire.

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Tom Donaldson, head of the Creative Play Lab at Lego, said the project required capabilities far beyond traditional toy manufacturing. It goes beyond just the technical department. Its our supply chain, its our operations, its how we market things, its how we think about play and think about designing play, Donaldson said. Really substantial ... Many hundreds of people involved in one form or another. Loading The first products, three Star Wars-themed sets priced between $99.99 and $249.99 in Australia, will launch on March 1, with pre-orders opening January 9. The announcement carries particular weight given Legos history of near-death experiences and dramatic recoveries.

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Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen in Billund, Denmark, the company began as a carpentry workshop making wooden toys during the Great Depression. The name derives from the Danish phrase leg godt  play well. The modern Lego brick, with its distinctive hollow tubes enabling secure interlocking, was patented in 1958. Tom Donaldson, head of Legos Creative Play Lab, at a news conference ahead of the CES tech show in Las Vegas. AP But the companys defining moment came in August 1978 with the introduction of the minifigure: small poseable people with distinctive yellow heads and printed expressions that transformed Lego from a construction toy into a storytelling platform. By 2004, Lego had nearly collapsed. Aggressive forays into theme parks, clothing and video games, combined with declining interest in traditional toys, pushed the company to the brink of bankruptcy. A dramatic turnaround under new leadership  including refocusing on core brick products and strategic licensing deals with franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter  restored profitability.

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A Lego piece with a smart brick attached. AP The company now claims Lego Smart Play represents the most significant evolution since that 1978 minifigure introduction. Critically, Lego has designed the system to operate without internet connectivity, artificial intelligence or cameras. Firmware updates and diagnostics are handled via a companion app, but the play experience itself requires no external technology. Goldin said this was a deliberate choice to address parental concerns about screen time while extending physical play. Theres not one parent, I dont think out there, that doesnt want their child to have more physical play versus just screen time, she said. A small child can actually take it and play with it safely. They dont need a screen, they dont need a power button, they dont need to know anything. They can just start playing.

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Were just scratching the surface: Lego chief product and marketing officer and executive vice president Julia Goldin at the Lego press conference. AP Donaldson said research showed children wanted play that was more dynamic so that it changes over time, and more social while remaining under their control. For those kids who like social, who like something thats changing, that you can do stuff and stuff happens  but in an imaginative and creative way  we think its a great offering, he said. Loading Independent toy researchers have raised both opportunities and concerns about the technology.

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Katriina Heljakka, a play researcher at Finlands University of Turku, told Wired magazine the system could help address criticism that Lego has increasingly targeted adult collectors with display-focused sets rather than childrens toys. However, she noted the internet of toys has historically raised security concerns about potential hacking vulnerabilities. Related Article Pop culture Ive seen the promised land, where one small brick became Legos giant leap Lego says the system employs enhanced encryption and privacy controls and the microphone functions only as a sensor trigger  detecting sounds like blowing on a birthday cake  rather than recording audio. The company declined to specify future product lines, though Donaldson hinted at significant expansion. We see a tremendous amount of opportunity and a huge breadth of opportunity, he said. We think the technology allows us to deliver a really broad range of play patterns. So its not just one thing thats sort of endlessly repeated, but a real breadth hitting many different kids.

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Goldin said the launch was merely the beginning. Once our consumers get their hands on the bricks, once they get their hands on this new dimension, thats when the magic really starts to happen, she said. Were just scratching the surface. Whether Australian parents  and their children  agree that their Lego needs a chip inside it will become clear when the first sets hit shelves in March. David Swan travelled to Las Vegas with support from Samsung, LG, Hisense and Lego. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter. Sign up to receive it every Friday.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Gadgets David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via X
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Updated WorldEuropeExtreme weather Europe snow causes mass flight cancellations, Paris traffic jams reach record 1000km Bart H. Meijer and Charlotte Van Campenhout Updated January 7, 2026  10:41am ,first published 3:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Key points Hundreds of flights cancelled in Paris, Amsterdam.

Buses in Paris suspended.

1000 km of traffic jams in Paris.

Trains in Amsterdam come to a halt.

Amsterdam: More flights will be cancelled, trains will run late and roads will be blocked by snow across Europe in coming days as a cold snap is forecast to worsen, bringing even more heavy snowfall after several days of travel disruption. Authorities in the Netherlands told people to plan to stay at home if at all possible on Wednesday, with a fresh blizzard expected to arrive overnight. A man jogs through snow in Regents Park in London on Tuesday. Getty Images Freshly fallen snow lies on the roofs of houses in Kronberg near Frankfurt, on Tuesday. AP French Transportation Minister Philippe Tabarot said on Tuesday evening (Wednesday AEDT) that airlines had already been ordered to cancel at least 40 per cent of flights at Paris main airport, Charles de Gaulle, for the next morning, and a quarter of flights at Orly airport.

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Public transportation in the Paris region would probably also be disrupted by the snow, he added. Dutch airline KLM said it had protectively cancelled 600 flights on Wednesday to avoid last-minute cancellations that could leave travellers stranded at Schiphol airport, one of Europes main hubs. People walk through Alford, near Aberdeen in Scotland, on Tuesday. Getty Images A man skies down the hill by the Sacre-Cur Basilica in Montmartre, Paris on Monday. AP KLM had already cancelled 400 flights at Schiphol on Tuesday and told travellers whose flights had been called off to stay away from the airport to prevent overcrowding.

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We havent experienced such extreme weather conditions in years, spokesperson Anoesjka Aspeslagh said. Stranded at Schiphol, Simiao Sun said she feared she would spend her 40th birthday in transit. She had been told she would have to wait three days for a rescheduled flight to Britain where she lives. A snow-covered forest of the Taunus region, near Frankfurt, on Tuesday. AP Boats are anchored on a frozen canal in London on Tuesday. AP My child would miss school and we would both miss work, so Im queuing here  hoping to get a slightly earlier flight.

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Roads in France were gradually clearing on Tuesday after snow caused severe accidents all over the country, killing at least five people, according to BFMTV news station. Traffic-jams in the Paris area hit a record 1000 kilometres on Monday evening. Soldiers guard the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday as leaders meet to discuss security for Ukraine. Getty Images A postwoman delivers the mail in Lumsden, Scotland, on Tuesday. Getty Images In Germany, temperatures fell well below -10 degrees in the south and east early on Tuesday. Much of the country was covered in snow. In Britain, the Meteorological Office said winter weather hazards could continue throughout the week for most of the country. Temperatures overnight to Tuesday had fallen as low as -12.5 degrees in Marham, Norfolk, in eastern England, marking the coldest night of the winter so far.

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Updated WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Military is always an option: White House escalates Greenland clash with NATO allies David Crowe Updated January 7, 2026  11:12am ,first published January 7, 2026  6:28am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: The White House has escalated a clash with Europe over the fate of Greenland by declaring that military action is always an option to secure an objective, after seven NATO leaders warned US President Donald Trump to drop his bid to take the Arctic territory. The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, the White House said in a statement that directly countered remarks from leaders including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron issued earlier on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT). And of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chiefs disposal, the White House said. Donald Trump addresses House Republicans in Washington on Tuesday. AP The earlier statement from the seven European leaders, later backed by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, came while Macron was hosting leaders in Paris on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) for talks on the future of Ukraine, another issue that has strained relations with the White House at times over the past year.

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Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark said, after days of growing concern at Trumps public claims that he wanted control of Greenland for security reasons. Trump made his latest remarks about Greenland earlier this week after his intervention in Venezuela, heightening a clash with his NATO allies over security, despite signs of unity between them on Ukraine. Loading In a major Ukraine commitment overnight after the Paris talks, Macron and Starmer pledged to send troops into Ukraine in the event of a peace deal as a way to maintain security against Russia. Macron and Starmer announced the plan at a press conference flanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the two key American peace negotiators, presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

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The Paris meeting of the Coalition of the Willing  a group set up by France and the UK with about 40 other nations  did not put a number on how many troops would be deployed, and did not include similar pledges from any other country. The pledges include plans to deploy European fighter jets and surveillance aircraft to monitor any peace deal, while also setting up military hubs across Ukraine to shield its military forces and equipment. Turkey committed to lead work in removing mines from the Black Sea in order to secure shipping routes. Leaders gather for talks on Ukraine security on Tuesday. From left, Friedrich Merz of Germany, Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron of France and Keir Starmer of the UK join US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Getty Images Kushner and Witkoff repeated American pledges to offer a security guarantee to Ukraine against Russian aggression if there was a peace deal, but did not reveal any details about the scale or timeframe for this safeguard, seen as an essential element in any lasting peace. This does not mean that we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that was made here today, Kushner said.

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While the outcome showed progress on defending Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the concerns over Greenland have highlighted the differences with Trump over security in Europe. While Greenland is a self-governing territory with a parliament and a premier, it is also part of the Kingdom of Denmark and subject to a defence agreement between Denmark and the US from 1951, which gives the US broad discretion to build and operate military bases. Danish forces join NATO troops in exercises in Greenland in September. AP Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that an American move to gain control of Greenland by force would mean the end of NATO, given that both nations are signatories to the security treaty. If the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War, she told Danish broadcaster TV2.

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Frederiksen signed the statement along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Starmer and Macron. NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European allies are stepping up, the seven leaders said. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday. Bloomberg We and many other allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark  including Greenland  is part of NATO. Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

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These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them. Carney, who flew into Paris for the meeting on Ukraine, echoed the European message. The future of Greenland is a decision exclusively for the people of Greenland and Denmark, Carney told reporters. He met Frederiksen at the Canadian embassy while in Paris, and announced that Canadas Indigenous governor-general and its foreign minister would visit Greenland next month, where they are expected to open a consulate in Nuuk. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen leaves a meeting in Paris with other European leaders on Tuesday. AP Trump said in an interview with The Atlantic on the weekend that Greenland was surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships and would be needed for US security.

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We do need Greenland, absolutely, he said. We need it for defence. Related Article Venezuela crisis Nobel winner backs courageous Trump over raid  but issues warning He did not say the US would take the territory by force, although he has refused to rule this out in the past, and he did not threaten an imminent move to seek American control. But White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller used combative language on Monday to suggest the US was willing to force the outcome it wanted. Nobodys going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland, Miller said.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, downplayed military intervention for Greenland when he briefed US lawmakers on Monday night, according to The Wall Street Journal, saying the Trump administration was focused on trying to buy the territory. The US operates a major air base and missile defence facility in the far north of Greenland under its 1951 treaty with Denmark, raising questions among experts about why the US would need to take full control. While there are mineral resources in Greenland, these would be costly to extract because of the sub-zero conditions and some projects have proceeded under the existing governance of the territory. Arctic Frontiers, an independent group based in Norway, noted the swift response from Nordic countries defending Denmark and Greenland against the US presidents claims.

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The Nordics stand as a united front in response to the recent US comments about Greenland, group executive director Anu Fredrikson said in a statement to this masthead. Related Article Opinion

Greenland Trump doesnt care about alliances, and his motives on Greenland are clear In addition, we also see that the language used by the Danish government is more direct and less patient than previously. Moving away from multilateral collaboration can have dire consequences. Security guarantees formed the foundation of NATO deterrence. What happens to the perception of security guarantees when one ally threatens another? Get a note direct from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.
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WorldEuropeGreenland Opinion Trump doesnt care about alliances, and his motives on Greenland are clear

Marc Champion January 6, 2026  11:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: Denmark was worried about US intentions towards Greenland even before Donald Trump sent his troops and bombers into Venezuela over the weekend, but now the Danes are truly alarmed  and so they should be. Even if its vast island territory isnt the next item on the US presidents acquisition list (which surely features Colombia), he seems determined to take it before leaving office. Trumps escalating rhetoric has forced the Danes to take the matter increasingly seriously. Danish officials have summoned the US ambassador repeatedly to complain. In December, a Danish intelligence agency for the first time described the United States as a potential security risk. The reasons for Denmarks concern go beyond even Trumps repeated demands to hand the island over, made all the more real just before Christmas by the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy for making it happen. The message wasnt subtle: Louisiana gave its name to a vast US purchase of territory from France in 1803, and Landry stated clearly that he had volunteered to make Greenland part of the United States. Any use of force by the US under Donald Trump against Greenland would pit NATO allies against one another and could spark an existential crisis for the military alliance. Marija Ercegovac The problem for Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is the same as for Europe writ large: they have few cards to play in the world of might-makes-right that Trump is ushering in. They built their entire economic and security postures around the rules and alliance-based order that the US created for its friends after World War II. Now theyre too dependent on US arms to resist as he tears it down, with a strong assist from the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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The Trump administration framed its intervention in Venezuela as a modern reinterpretation of the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, under which the US declared the western hemisphere off-limits to colonisation by other nations. That logic could, in theory, be extended to Greenland as well. Related Article Trump's White House Stop the threats: Trump provokes European backlash over Greenland But a military move there would represent a serious escalation. The US has long seen Venezuela as an adversary, and did not recognise president Nicolas Maduro as its legitimate leader. Denmark is a close US partner and fellow member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Any use of force against Greenland would pit NATO allies against one another and could spark an existential crisis for the military alliance. Washington has also blamed Venezuelas government for stoking regional instability and fuelling drug trafficking. Neither Greenland nor Denmark presents a threat to US security. Frederiksen has tried hard to push back against Trumps latest claims to Greenland, but the language she used is telling. She pointed out that the US has no right under international law to seize Danish territory, that the two nations are close allies, that Trump doesnt need to own the island to ensure American security, and that hed be acting against the democratic will of the autonomous Danish territorys roughly 57,000 people if he tried. This is all indisputably true. It also ignores entirely what Trumps weekend action in Venezuela so clearly crystallised  he cares about none of these things.

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This isnt to rule out the possibility that Trumps actions in removing Maduro wont work out well for that country  the bar the dictator had set for improvement was criminally low. But that would hardly be true of Greenland. In fact, it may be more useful to think of its case in terms of Crimea rather than Venezuela. Crimea is the peninsula Putin seized from Ukraine in 2014, using every method short of a declared war, and citing every possible reason for doing so but the truest. Those motivations were to project Russian power in a region that Moscow sees as its rightful sphere of influence, if not imperial possession, and to control resources including the oil and gas fields under Crimeas territorial waters. Trump has made similarly misleading claims about his aims, saying he acted in Venezuela because of Maduros involvement in trafficking drugs to the US (even though Venezuelas a minnow in that trade), and that he needs to own Greenland for reasons of national security. If the latter were true, however, he would already have increased the number of US troops in Greenland from the current skeleton crew of 150 to 200; during the Cold War, there were as many as 6000 American soldiers there. Denmark has said its open to negotiations to accommodate any proposed increase. US Air Force staff and other personnel operate at the Pituffik Space Base on Greenlands north-western coast under a 1951 treaty thats contingent on both countries remaining NATO allies. But Trump doesnt care about alliances, and security is not his primary goal in Greenland. As in Venezuela, and echoing Putin in Crimea, what he cares about is access to resources and re-establishing an exclusive sphere of influence in the western hemisphere.

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Greenland has a landmass three times the size of Texas, under which there are thought to be large quantities of untapped, if hard-to-access, rare earths, among other minerals that Trump wants. This vast island also has oil and gas beneath its undisputed territorial waters, and more within the near-Venezuela-sized territorial claim to the Arctic  including the North Pole  that Denmark has filed at the UNs Commission on the Limit of the Continental Shelf. The Danish application conflicts to varying degrees with competing ones from Canada, Norway, Russia and the US. Related Article Greenland We have to have it: Trump enrages Denmark with Greenland envoy surprise For a possible timeline to American action on Greenland, assume it may come before Novembers midterm elections to Congress. As for method, I doubt even Trump knows that yet, just as sending special forces to extract Maduro wasnt his first choice for getting what he wanted there (he first tried a negotiated exit for the Venezuelan dictator). But what seems more likely for Greenland is some version of the hybrid use of force, money, political pressure and disinformation Putin used to seize Crimea with barely a shot fired. The White House could pay as much as $US1 million ($1.5 million) to each of the islands inhabitants to first vote for independence and then join the US, which would cost about the same as the State Departments annual budget. But its very unlikely to need to go to that expense. Denmark lacks the means to compete either militarily or economically with the US  which Frederiksen knows. Copenhagen is also, like the rest of Europe, exposed to US retaliation on trade, support for Ukraine and its own security more broadly, making a showdown with Washington unaffordable. Whats emerging ever more clearly is that Europe is vulnerable because it remains dependent on the old US-led world order in ways that much of the rest of the world does not; lopsided trade deals, manipulations over Ukraine and now Trumps threats to take Greenland are simply test cases that prove the point. At the same time, we dont yet have a replacement world order, just the grisly death throes of the last one. It seems clear that were heading back to some form of 19th-century great power competition, but without  as yet  any mechanism like the post-Napoleonic Concert of Europe to limit the rivalry and propensity to war that this will entail.

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There will be countless questions for such an arrangement to resolve. How much of Europe, for example, should be in Russias sphere of control? Where in the Pacific or Himalayas should Chinas sphere end and Americas and Indias begin? What of Taiwan and its vital chip industry? And what will be the fallout in the western Balkans, where in the 1990s the US and Europe prevented Serbia, the dominant regional power, from changing borders with its neighbours by force of arms and ethnic cleansing? Will the European Union  the rule-based international order par excellence  be able to rearm and remain sufficiently unified to survive in a recognisable form? US Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance touring the US militarys Pituffik Space Base on Greenlands north-western coast in March. AP None of these questions are fully answerable for now because the Ukraine war is ongoing and Trumps attempt to impose a new Donroe Doctrine in Americas backyard does not yet amount to a new international order. All of those issues and more, however, are now very much in play. Bloomberg Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
LISBON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- About 1,500 people demonstrated on Monday evening in front of the Simon Bolivar statue in the Portuguese capital to protest what they described as an illegal attack by the United States on Venezuela.

According to Lusa News Agency, the rally was organized by the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation. Demonstrators strongly condemned what they called "U.S. military aggression," chanting slogans such as "For peace! No to U.S. aggression against Venezuela" and "Latin America is not the United States' backyard."

Rejecting the U.S. action in an independent country, the protesters directed chants at U.S. President Donald Trump and called on him to refrain from interfering in Latin American affairs.

In its official response, the Portuguese government expressed serious concern over the situation in Venezuela on Sunday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for de-escalation, respect for international law, and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. 
CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2026 -- Chicago Auto Show organizers have teamed up once again with the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) to produce Miles Per Hour, an indoor run guiding participants through the 2026 Chicago Auto Show on Sunday, Feb. 8. Appropriately named, Miles Per Hour challenges runners to see how far they can run in one hour, thus finding their own personal "miles per hour." Once the 60 minutes are up, runners gather for awards, photos and refreshments.

Last year's event attracted more than 700 runners, and organizers hope to grow participation again this year as Miles Per Hour celebrates its 5th year at the Auto Show. Now a winter tradition, the event offers runners a welcome escape from Chicago's cold weather with an indoor course. Over the course of its first four years, participants have collectively logged more than 15,000 miles indoors at the Chicago Auto Show.

"Miles Per Hour is more than just a run; it's a chance to experience the Chicago Auto Show in a completely new way," said Chicago Auto Show General Manager Jennifer Morand. "Runners get to enjoy the excitement of the show floor while staying active during the cold winter months. It's fast-paced, fun and a little bit unique, just like Chicago."

Held on the opening Sunday of the show, Feb. 8, runners will compete on an approximately 2.4-mile loop through the halls of McCormick Place where they will receive special early access to the Chicago Auto Show. Participants will have first-rate views of the city skyline as they cross over the Grand Concourse bridge. The course will include a variety of long straightaways, some zig-zags and even an incline as runners ascend the indoor bridge over Lake Shore Drive.

Awards are presented to the top three men and women in each age group, based on the most distance covered. The top overall male and female will take home the prestigious Miles Per Hour cup.

"Running indoors at McCormick Place during February is truly a one-of-a-kind experience," said Tim Bradley, Executive Director of the Chicago Area Runners Association. "It's thrilling to see runners of all levels take on this unique challenge, push themselves for a full hour, and then celebrate together. This event combines fitness, fun and the spirit of Chicago in a way you can't find anywhere else."

Registration includes a race entry, a ticket to the Chicago Auto Show with early access on race day, a participant t-shirt, a finisher medal, free digital photo downloads, discounted early access tickets for friends and family and gear check.

For more information or to register for Miles Per Hour, visit https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/events/miles-per-hour/. For more information on the 2026 Chicago Auto Show, visit http://www.ChicagoAutoShow.com.

About the Chicago Auto Show

First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the nation's longest running auto exposition in North America. The show is produced by the Chicagoland's new-car dealer association, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, which has staged the show since 1935. The 2026 public show is Feb. 7-16 at McCormick Place. For more information and the latest updates, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com.

About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association

Founded in 1904 and located in Oakbrook Terrace, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is comprised of more than 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information, please visit www.CATA.info.

About the Chicago Area Runners Association

Founded in 1978, the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) is Chicago's largest running community, providing accessible opportunities for all runners to learn, be social, volunteer, train and race. CARA is a non-profit organization committed to serving and advocating for the running community. For more information, please visit https://www.cararuns.org/.

SOURCE Chicago Auto Show
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is "almost starting a war with an allied country" in its pursuit of Greenland, Danish lawmaker Rasmus Jarlov said Tuesday on CNN.

"They talk about the United States as the only ones that can protect Greenland, but the fact is that they're the only ones threatening Greenland," the Danish parliament member said during an interview.

Denmark's ownership of Greenland "may be one of the most well-established ownerships of territory in the world," Jarlov said. "It is not disputed by anyone. It has never been disputed by the United States themselves."

Jarlov noted that the United States already has "exclusive and full military access" to Greenland, calling Trump's remarks that the United States needs Greenland for defense "complete nonsense."

The White House on Tuesday reiterated that Greenland would be better protected by the United States, ignoring European leaders' support for Denmark's ownership of Greenland.

"President Trump believes Greenland is a strategically important location that is critical from the standpoint of national security, and he is confident Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told media outlets in a statement.

Earlier, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark issued a joint statement: "It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

"Our country isn't something you can deny or take over because you want to," Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Monday in a statement on Facebook.

Trump on Sunday stressed again that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland "for defense," reaffirming that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to U.S. intervention, according to The Atlantic.

Greenland, a former Danish colony, was granted home rule in 1979. In 2009, Denmark passed the Act on Greenland Self-Government, expanding the island's authority over its domestic affairs. However, Denmark retains authority over Greenland's foreign, defense and security policy, according to information on the website of the Prime Minister's Office of Denmark. 
MOSCOW, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- An oil depot in Russia's Belgorod region exploded after Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a drone attack on the storage complex, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Tuesday.

Several storage tanks caught fire on the premises following the blast, Gladkov said on social media. "According to preliminary information, there were no casualties."

The attacked oil depot is located in the Stary Oskol district, the governor said. Firefighting crews are currently working to extinguish the blaze.

Gladkov said that details regarding possible casualties are still being verified, and emergency services remain on the scene. 
American normal





THE American action that had been brewing for long finally took place -- in complete disregard to international ethos and law. In a way, it was yet another expression of what can be described as American normal demonstrating the usual hooliganism the United States has often practised -- symbolised by the invasion of Venezuela by the US forces and capture of Venezuelan President Mr. Nicolas Maduro and his wife. What a travesty of justice by a country that swears by international harmony ! Though Venezuela has prepared itself to face the situation in whatever manner possible, the problem is less likely to drag on like the Russia-Ukraine conflict has done. For, Venezuela is not likely to get enough international support to fight back the American forces -- particularly when US President Mr. Donald Trump has said it insistently that America would run that country -- and tap its oil reserves.

With such a clear assertion of why the US took the step, very few countries would step in to stall the American intentions. The United Nations Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres has, naturally, decried the American action as a dangerous precedent with potential worrying implications for the region. India also has expressed its deep concern over the development and has called for a peaceful solution. Russia and China, however, have taken a tougher stand and asked the US to withdraw from Venezuela.

The United States is least likely to listen to such voices of dissent since President Mr. Trump has made up his mind not to budge in any situation. He, thus, presents two contradicting faces of himself -- one in the Russia-Ukraine war where he wants Ukraine to agree for a 15-year hiatus from conflict; and the other in Venezuela where he wants that country to submit to his aggression. When powerful countries get down to using invasion of other countries to implement their idea of internationalism, they actually heap injustice on the weaker nations. In Venezuela -- and earlier in Ukraine -- this was what actually happened. There is no doubt that Venezuela has been a country that demonstrated a nearly complete absence of sanity in its own management. The general international impression was that drug lords and mafia ran the country while the government existed only on paper with least regard to genuine interests of the people. The international community, thus, regarded Venezuela as a wayward country.

Despite this, the world is under no illusion that the United States intends to correct the wrong in Venezuela and set things right and then hand over the country back to its own people. It is obvious that the US will not think of getting out in a short while. For, Mr. Donald Trumps statements point to the American intentions that the US military presence would stretch well beyond normal idea of any such action. It is common knowledge that Venezuela has vast reserves of oil and gas -- good enough for the world to survive on those stocks for endless time. The US has its own oil reserves, all right. Yet it wants to swoop on the Venezuelan reserves as part of its global greed. Russia, too, has its own oil surplus. But China has no oil of its own, and often depended on Venezuela for those supplies.

The American blockade of Venezuela will affect the Chinese oil supplies badly, throwing out of gear Beijings idea of energy security. Hence the Chinese unease -- which it has expressed initially only in mild terms. The situation on that front may worsen as time passes. For time being, the world would choose to wait and watch -- and then start taking steps to protect its own interests. No matter the subsequent reactions, the US has earned no friends through this action in Venezuela. Much to the contrary, it has earned much antagonism -- about which it does not care. Such is the arrogance Washington has built over time, thanks to its superpower position (pointing to the American normal).
Ban on HARMFUL social media posts, violators to face strict punishment





Staff Reporter:

BHOPAL residents need to think twice before posting or sharing content online. The Bhopal Police Commissioner, Harinarayanchari Mishra has issued new directives aimed at curbing the spread of objectionable content on social media. These rules, effective immediately for the next two months, are designed to maintain social harmony, public safety, and peace in the city.

The order clearly prohibits posting, sharing, or forwarding messages, photos, videos, or audio that could hurt religious, social, or caste sentiments, or incite hatred. Users are also instructed not to comment on or like such posts. Even group administrators are held responsible for preventing objectionable messages from circulating within their online communities.

No room for rumours or incitement: The Commissioner stressed that spreading rumours, misinformation, or content that encourages violence or unlawful activities is strictly forbidden. Messages that urge people to gather for illegal purposes or provoke tension between communities will be treated as serious offences. The aim is to prevent online content from spilling into real-world conflicts. Cyber cafe regulations tightened: Cyber cafes in Bhopal are also under the spotlight.

Cafe owners must now verify every visitor using valid identification, such as a voter ID, ration card,passport, driving license, or PAN card. A detailed register with each visitors name, address, phone number, and ID must be maintained, and photos of all users must be recorded. Use of cyber cafes without these safeguards is strictly prohibited.

A step towards safer digital spaces: According to the Commissioner, these measures are not about restricting freedom but ensuring that digital spaces do not become tools for spreading hate or unrest. Residents are encouraged to use social media responsibly, keeping in mind the impact of their online activity on community peace. Violations of the order are punishable under the Indian Civil Safety Code, 2023, along with other applicable laws in penal code.
Encroachment crisis throttles MIDC Hingna





Business Reporter :

MIA has demanded creation of a anti-encroachment cell for MIDC Hingna, comprising officials from MIDC, Revenue Department, and local police, to ensure enforcement

The MIDC Hingna Industrial Area in Nagpur, one of Vidarbhas most important manufacturing hubs, is facing a severe and persistent encroachment crisis that is increasingly disrupting industrial operations and eroding the areas credibility as a planned industrial estate. P Mohan, President of MIDC Industries Association (MIA) said that large stretches of the industrial area have been encroached upon by unauthorised structures, including illegal Dargahs, scrap dealers, roadside vendors, and mutton and chicken shops.

These encroachments have occupied public land, internal roads, and even open spaces reserved for green belt development, directly interfering with the functioning of manufacturing units, he mentioned. What was envisioned as an organised, infrastructure-backed industrial zone is now struggling under the pressure of unchecked illegal occupations, congestion, pollution, and growing law-and-order problems. Access roads are frequently blocked, causing severe congestion and delays in the movement of raw materials and finished goods, leading to logistical bottlenecks and higher operational costs, he said. The problem is compounded by rampant unauthorised parking of trucks, tempos, and private vehicles along internal roads.

This haphazard parking routinely blocks factory entrances and transport corridors, disrupting supply chains and reducing productivity. Industry associations have therefore called for urgent and decisive intervention by the MIDC Special Planning Authority, local administration, and the police, stressing that piecemeal actions are no longer sufficient. MIA has demanded the creation of a permanent anti-encroachment cell for MIDC Hingna, comprising officials from MIDC, local authorities, revenue departments, and local police, to ensure continuous monitoring, enforcement, and accountability.
Fadnavis raises pitch for urban infra devpt





Election officials attend a training session on EVMs ahead of the civic polls in Mumbai on Monday. (PTI)

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR/NANDED/JALNA :

LIFE in cities had become unbearable due to a lack of development under the Congresss rule as the party neglected civic issues for decades, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday. He said that people in urban centres suffered due to water scarcity, sewage, health issues, and pollution of water resources in the absence of development. Fadnavis campaigned for BJP candidates in the run-up to the January 15 municipal corporation elections and addressed rallies in Jalna, Nanded, and Parbhani in the Marathwada region.

Previous governments in the country forgot the development of cities as they focused more on the development of villages and rural areas. But the Modi Government gave funds for urban development through various schemes, as a result of which the face of cities is changing now, Fadnavis said in Nanded. The Chief Minister said unchecked migration from rural areas increased pressure on civic infrastructure, and Congress-led governments failed to address these challenges. Highlighting key Central and State Government initiatives, he said substantial funds have been allocated for drinking water projects and assured that Jalnas water problems would be resolved. Citing an example of Nanded city, which houses major Sikh shrines, Fadnavis said funds of Rs 879 crore were released for underground drainage, water pipelines, and pumping stations.

He said the upcoming Nanded-Jalna Expressway will cut the travel time between Mumbai and Nanded to just eight hours. Nanded will become the third industrial centre in the Marathwada region after Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna, the Chief Minister added. He said the State Government will undertake the Godavari River Cleaning Mission and establish a 150-bed cancer hospital in Nanded. Fadnavis reiterated that his Government will never discontinue the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme. We will create 1 crore Lakhpati Didis, he added.

Referring to major infrastructure projects, the CM said a dry port has been set up in Jalna and the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway has transformed Jalna and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar into emerging industrial hubs, with investments already flowing into the region. He also said an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre has been established and a medical college has been sanctioned for Jalna. On solid waste management, Fadnavis said garbage, once considered a liability, has now been converted into an asset through manure production.
Growing Up Famous





ACTOR Finn Wolfhard, popularly known for playing MikeWheeler in Stranger Things has spoken about his return to the IT universe and shooting to stardom at an early age. With the first season of spin-off series IT: Welcome to Derry now finished, Wolfhard has hinted that he could return to the IT franchise in the future. He played Richie Tozier in the 2017 film It and its 2019 sequel It: Chapter Two.

His characters influence is reflected in the 2025 spinoff series, keeping Richies legacy alive in the IT universe. Speaking about whether he was aware a picture of Richie would appear in Welcome to Derry, Wolfhard said: I knew that years ago, actually. When they first started thinking about that show, it was probably 2021. (Creators) Barbara and Andy Muschietti both told me, Youre involved. Yeah, Im connected.

I think theres something else that will come up eventually that Im excited for people to see. Reflecting on shooting to stardom at a young age, the actor said it had been a surreal and difficult experience growing up in the spotlight, reports female first.co.uk. He said: No one can prepare anyone for it. It was incredibly exciting  but there was a period in my teenage years where it was just hard. Following the two movies, IT was expanded with the prequel show IT: Welcome to Derry, which details the origins of Pennywise and Derrys cursed history.
Gym ownership dispute turns violent, man beaten, son stripped; 1 arrested





NEW DELHI :

A DISPUTE over ownership of a gym in east Delhis Laxmi Nagar led to a clash with a man beaten, his wife allegedly molested, and their son stripped and assaulted in public, police said on Monday as they arrested one accused while others remain at large. The police received a PCR call regarding the incident on January 2. Upon reaching the spot, officials found the complainant and his family members injured. They were taken to Hedgewar Hospital for treatment. One of the accused, identified as Satish, who worked as a caretaker at a gym owned by the victims, has been arrested while others are at large. According to the police, the confrontation was sparked by a dispute after Satish allegedly cheated the couple and took control of the gym. Tensions escalated following repeated arguments over the issue, culminating in the assault.
Hindu businessman fatally shot in the head by unidentified men in Bdesh





DHAKA :

A HINDU businessman, who was also the acting editor of a newspaper, was fatally shot in the head by unidentified men on Monday in Jessore district of Bangladesh, according to local media reports. The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Rana Pratap Bairagi, a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila of Jessore in Khulna Division, Bangla-language daily Prothom Alo reported. Bairagi, who owned an ice-making factory in Kopaliya Bazar in Monirampur, was also the acting editor of a newspaper called Dainik BD Khabar published from Narail, the daily reported. The incident occurred around 5:45 pm at Kapalia Bazaar on Monday, Additional Police Superintendent Abul Basar was quoted as saying by the bdnews24 news portal. Citing locals and the police, Prothom Alo said that three miscreants on a motorcycle called him from the ice factory and took him to the alley in front of Kapalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre on the west side of Kapalia Bazar.

The miscreants then shot him in the head from close range and fled. He died on the spot, the daily said. Bairagi was shot three times in the head and his throat was slit, Monirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rajiullah Khan was quoted as saying by the daily. Khan also said that the reason for his murder is not known. An investigation has been launched to find out who or what committed the murder. Police said that there are four cases registered against the deceased in two police stations. However, details of these cases were not known. The shooting marks the latest in a spate of violent incidents against the Hindu community members.

On January 3, Khokon Chandra Das (50) died after he was brutally attacked, hacked and set on fire. On December 24, another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, was lynched over alleged extortion in Rajbari towns Pangsha upazila. On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das (25) was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city. Unidentified men set on fire Qatar expatriate workers Shukh Shil and Anil Shils home in the Raojan area on the outskirts of Chattogram on December 23. , but the residents managed to come out of the building unharmed.
Indian woman found dead in US, police allege ex-boyfriend killed her and fled





LAS VEGAS/NEW YORK :

A 27-YEAR-OLD Indian woman, who was reported missing last week, was found dead and police are looking for her former boyfriend, alleging that he killed her and fled to India. Nikitha Godishala of Ellicott City was reported missing on January 2. Howard County police said in a statement on Sunday that she was found deceased with stab wounds in the Columbia, Maryland apartment of her ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma, 26. Police have obtained a warrant for Sharmas arrest on first and second-degree murder charges. The Indian Embassy in Washington DC said in a post on X that it is in contact with Godishalas family and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities, it said.

Authorities said that Sharma made the missing person report to police and said he last saw Godishala on December 31 in his apartment in the Maryland city. Police later learned that on the same day as making the report, January 2, Sharma left the country on a flight to India. The next day, detectives executed a search warrant for his apartment and located Godishala deceased. Through investigation, detectives believe Sharma killed Godishala shortly after 7 pm on December 31. The investigation is ongoing and no motive is known at this time, Howard County police said adding that they are working with enforcement to locate and arrest Sharma.
Insurance workers stage protest, demand wage revision urgently





Business Reporter :

At Nagpur, the Public Sector General Insurance (PSGI) employees held a huge demonstration infront of Regional Office of National Insurance Company Limited, situated at Fidwi Tower, Mount Road, Sadar. The PSGI employees also staged a sit in Dharna at various centres and lunch hour demonstrations all over the country under the banner of Joint Forum of Trade Unions (JFTU).

The aggrieved employees staged Dharna and demonstrations demanding immediate notification of Wage Revision, increase in managements contribution to National Pension System (NPS) to 14 per cent and uniform 30 percent family pension. General Insurers (Public Sector) Association of India, GIPSA, has already sent proposal to Department of Financial Services (DFS), and forwarded to Finance Minister. Arun Kulkarni of General Insurance Pensioners Association, said, We are waiting for notification of wage revision, from a long time. If the notification is not issued immediately employees and retired employees will intensify their struggle.

Prashant Dixit, General Secretary, General Insurance Employees Union, Western Zone (GIEU WZ), informed that if the Government does not implement their demands they will intensify their agitation. If the notification is not announced by January 8, the employees will go on one day nationwide strike on January 9. Praddep Dharamthok, President, GIEU WZ said that the Government was delaying the notification for no reason. Bhushan Deshmukh conducted the meeting. Large number of employees, retired employees and pensioners participated in the agitations.
LISBON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's wine sector expects exports to reach 1 billion euros (1.17 billion U.S. dollars) mark by 2026, driven by market stabilization, diversification beyond the United States and higher average export prices, the Institute of Vine and Wine (IVV) said Monday.

Francisco Toscano Rico, president of the IVV, Portugal's official wine statistics and regulatory body, announced the forecast following a visit to wine producers in the Tras-os-Montes region.

Lusa News Agency quoted Toscano Rico as saying that the wine sector missed the 1 billion euros mark in 2025 largely due to the U.S. tariffs. The instability and contraction resulted from the tariffs had weighed heavily on exports.

The 1 billion euros mark is regarded not only as a quantitative target but also as a milestone signalling a shift in the structure of Portuguese wine exports.

The growth projection is based on expectations of stabilization in key markets, continued diversification beyond the United States and a sustained rise in average export prices, rather than on a rapid rebound in U.S. demand.

The United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom and France are currently the main destination markets for Portuguese wine.

Despite a significant drop in exports to the U.S. market, the stabilization of rules, even with a 15 percent tariff in place, could create conditions for renewed growth in 2026, Toscano Rico said. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar) 
Jamaat hawala network back in overdrive to fund terror, influence Bangladesh polls





NEW DELHI :

The Jamaat-e-Islamis subcontinental hawala network, which has been the main fund-raising front for many terror groups, has become active once again before elections, Intelligence inputs suggest. The hawala network of the Jamaat, which was lying low for some time, has become fully active once again owing to multiple reasons. While plenty of funds are being pumped into Bangladesh ahead of the elections, it is also raising money to revive the terror infrastructure of groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Both these terror groups had lost a considerable amount of their infrastructure during Operation Sindoor. After lying low for some months, the ISI has decided to rebuild terror infrastructure in a much bigger way.

While the ISI has several other channels to raise funds for terror-related activities, it has asked the Jamaats hawala network to raise the bar and collect as much money as possible. The Jamaat has a huge reach in many countries. Its countless followers and sympathisers are the biggest donors. The Jamaat collects money on the pretext that it wants to further the religion, but in reality, at least 90 per cent of the funds are used to incite violence and support terror groups. The group has also channelised money through its massive hawala network into Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and also Sri Lanka, an official said. Over the years, the Jamaat, with the help of the ISI, has managed to build a huge illicit financial system. This supports the terror infrastructure of many terror groups. In Pakistan, the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed depend largely on the Jamaat-raised funds.

Groups such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI) are also totally dependent on the funds raised by the Jamaat. This development has raised concerns in Indian circles. An Intelligence Bureau official says that the Jamaat is capable of raising money in big numbers and from across the globe. It is currently in overdrive mode and is expected to raise a huge chunk of funds. The ISI has instructed the Jamaat to step up operations. The ISI wants the outfit to raise money for the Lashkar-e-Tayba and Jaish-e-Mohammed so that the two terror groups can rebuild infrastructure. The funds will also be used for operations, training and logistics.
NMC elections: BJP focusing more on rallies, door-to-door visits, roadshows





Staff Reporter :

Congress, NCP, Sena rely mostly on public contact

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is going all out for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, with more than 40 rallies, door-to-door campaigns, over 20 public meetings and roadshows. The party is leveraging its organisational strength. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is BJPs star campaigner who has begun his campaign from Vidarbha. BJP has roped in its 42 fronts whose members will reach out to voters, with a focus on citizen-driven initiatives like it has asked suggestions from people, informed City President Dayashankar Tiwari. BJP is considered as the party that stays 24X7 in election mode, which is reflecting in the campaign too.

In contrast, the Congress and other parties have not planned too many rallies, public meetings. They seem to be relying more on public contact, with Congress organising Prabhag-level meetings and booth-level interactions, said its President and MLA Vikas Thakre. BJPs Election Head Sanjay Bhende elaborated, We are daily undertaking padyatra in all prabhags and rallies on Sundays.

We will have rallies in all prabhags on coming Sunday. Devendra Fadnavis will address three rallies on Tuesday--one is at Borgaon (West Nagpur), second at Tiranga Chowk and third at Trimurti Nagar. He will address more public meetings on Thursday, January 8 at Neelam Pan kiosk, Nandanvan and Bajiprabhu Chowk, Ramnagar. There will be roadshow of Fadnavis on the last day of campaigning, January 13. The roadshow will begin from Bharatmata Chowk and end at Gandhigate, Mahal. The roadshow will pass through Shahid Chowk, Gandhi putla, Badkas Chowk, Kotwali. A podcast of Fadnavis is planned where he will be interviewed by noted actor Bharat Ganeshpure and Spruha Joshi.

This interview will be shown at 20 places on large screens.

Similarly NCP(Ajit Pawar) Working President Shrikant Shivankar stated, We have organised rallies and contacted our leaders for the star campaigns. We believe in door to door campaigning and rallies. NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), Shiv Sena (Shinde), Wanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, BSP, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena too are taking out padyatra and trying to contact people.
On 15th parole, Gurmeet Ram Rahim walks out of jail; to stay at Sirsa Dera





CHANDIGARH :

DERA Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a 20-year jail term for raping two of his disciples, walked out of the Sunaria jail in Rohtak on Monday after he was granted a 40-day parole -- the 15th time since his conviction in 2017. Singh will stay at his Sirsa-headquartered Dera during the 40-day period, said Dera spokesperson and advocate Jitender Khurana. Singh and three others were also convicted in 2019 for the murder of a journalist more than 16 years ago.

He last stepped out of prison on a 40-day parole in August 2025. He was granted a 21-day furlough in April 2025 and a 30-day parole in January 2025, ahead of the February 5 Delhi assembly polls. Similarly, he walked out of prison on a 20-day parole on October 1, 2024, days before the October 5 Haryana assembly polls. In August 2024, Singh was granted a 21-day furlough. He was also permitted a three-week furlough from February 7, 2022, barely two weeks before the Punjab assembly polls. Sikh organisations, such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, have in the past criticised the grant of relief to Singh.

Oppn questions denial of bail to Umar, Sharjeel

New Delhi,

Jan 5 (PTI)

Opposition leaders raised questions over the Supreme Court denying bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, while pointing out that rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been repeatedly granted parole. In a post on X, CPI(Marxist) general secretary M A Baby said the Supreme Courts decision is shocking. The courts statement that continued detention has not crossed constitutional impermissibility to override the statutory embargo as against them is a travesty of justice. Is languishing in jail for five years, without any possibility of trial starting, not a violation of the fundamental right to life and liberty? he asked. Baby said this ruling effectively enables the BJP Governments repressive tactics of targeting voices of dissent.
ORIGINAL CHOICE...





AMIDST the rumors that actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Pratibha Ranta are in talks for the Hindi remake of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna's Telugu hit Dear Comrade, the Dhadak 2 actor cleared the air, saying that although he would love to work with the Laapataa Ladies actress, he would do so on something original.

Shutting down the rumour mills, Siddhant took to the Stories section of his Instagram handle and wrote, "Just to clarify guys - This isnt true (sic). He made it clear that at the moment, he wishes to stay away from remakes. No remakes for me anymore, even though Im a fan of the original film and the actors, much love and respect. Thank you, he shared.

However, Siddhant added that he would love to collaborate with Pratibha, but on something original. His post further read, Anyhow Id love to collaborate with the supremely talented @pratibha_ranta on something original. Looking forward. Additionally, Pratibha also urged all to wait for an official announcement and refrain from spreading such unverified information.
Trump says Venezuelas V-P could face fate worse than Maduro





WASHINGTON :

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump told The Atlantic on Sunday in a telephone interview that Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuelas Vice President, could pay a very big price if she doesnt do what he thinks is right for the South American country.

That contrasted with the Republican presidents comments about Rodriguez on Saturday when he said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with her and that she was willing to do what the US thinks is needed to improve the standard of living in Venezuela. But Rodriguez has criticised Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduros removal from the country and has demanded that the US return him. Trump told the magazine that if she doesnt do whats right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro. The President told the New York Post in an interview Saturday that the US wouldnt need to station troops in Venezuela if she does what we want.
Ujjain SDM, who termed ministers remarks in human, SUSPENDED







By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla:

INDORE water woes has not only took lives of several residents but it has also taken a toll on an official as he has to face suspension. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Ujjain has been suspended after an official order issued by him, interpreting the remark by Kailash Vijay vargiya, Urban Development and Housing Minister, as a symbol of authoritarian and inhuman behaviour in connection with deaths linked to water contamination in Indore.

As per the information, SDM Anand Malviya had issued the order while outlining law-and-order arrangements ahead of Congress protests over the Indore water contamination case. However, the contents of the notice went beyond procedural instructions and included politically sensitive observations, reportedly. Although it was said that later the order was withdrawn and replaced, but the earlier version had already gone viral.

The order alleged that at least 14 people had died and around 2,800 others had fallen ill after consuming contaminated water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation in Indore. Referring to Vijay vargiyas remarks on the issue, Malviya termed them inhuman and reflective of authoritarian behaviour, stating that the use of the word ghanta in such a serious context was highly objectionable.

Acting of circulated order copy, Divisional Commissioner, Ujjain ordered suspension with effect from January 5 citing serious negligence and procedural lapses in handling a highly sensitive matter. As per the reports, Malviya later said that portions of the order had been omitted from a Congress WhatsApp group calling for protests and that although the health data cited came from official sources, errors were noticed soon after. The suspension followed a proposal from the Dewas Collectors office, which flagged the order as both procedurally flawed and factually inaccurate.

The Commissioner noted that issuing such an order without due examination amounted to grave negligence and misconduct as per the State Civil Services rules. Malviya has been placed under suspension with immediate effect. During this period, his headquarters will remain at the Commissioner office in Ujjain Division, and he will receive subsistence allowance as per service rules. According to the suspension order issued, the directive was released without proper verification, despite information about the proposed protest having been received two days earlier.
VB-G RAM G is better than MNREGA





Staff Reporter :

CHIEF Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday briefed the media about the newly introduced Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act or VB-G Ram G Act, stating that the legislation reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to the welfare of the poor, farmers and labourers. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said the new act has been designed to strengthen villages, improve rural livelihoods and bring greater accountability to employment related schemes.

Vishnu Deo Sai recalled that when Narendra Modi first became prime minister, he had pledged to dedicate his work to the upliftment of the poor. He said the impact of that resolve was visible during the first tenure, when major initiatives such as electricity connections, bank accounts, toilets and housing were provided to large sections of the population. According to him, the new act continues the same approach with a sharper focus on labour welfare. The chief minister said the VBG Ram G Act is superior to the existing MNREGA framework in several aspects.

Under the new act, the number of guaranteed workdays has been increased from 100 to 125 days. He said labour payments will be ensured within a week, and if there is any delay, workers will be entitled to interest. This provision, he added, will protect labourers from payment-related hardships. Explaining the need for reforms, Vishnu Deo Sai said Chhattisgarh and the country as a whole are agriculture-dominated. He noted that MNREGA works often clash with agricultural activities, especially during harvesting seasons.

Under the new framework, work can be paused for up to 60 days during harvesting, which will ease pressure on farmers and reduce labour shortages in agriculture. He said the changes would also help curb migration to cities. The chief minister said the act will reduce excessive dependence on machines by encouraging the use of labour, leading to greater employment generation in rural areas. He described the initiative as a potential revolution for villages, stating that it will strengthen water conservation, ensure water security and help build durable rural infrastructure.

He added that the act will also help address damage caused to people during floods. According to Vishnu Deo Sai, allied sectors such as cattle rearing, fisheries and poultry will receive a boost under the new framework. He said Krishi Gati Shakti will be given priority, while administrative expenses have been increased from 6 percent to 9 percent to ensure better implementation and remuneration. Women self-help groups will also benefit, contributing to self-reliance and a stronger rural economy.

He said gram sabhas will play a key role in deciding the priority of works, especially in areas related to water conservation. Responding to opposition protests, the CM said the objections were largely symbolic. He rejected claims that the name of Mahatma Gandhi was being removed, arguing that many institutions across the country continue to bear the names of leaders from the Gandhi-Nehru family. He alleged that the Congress itself had ignored Mahatma Gandhis call to dissolve the party.

Vishnu Deo Sai said the new act would help curb irregularities and bring greater accountability. Citing the union ministry of rural development, he said more than 10.51 lakh complaints had been received earlier, highlighting the need for reform. He acknowledged that the financial burden may increase but maintained that benefits, transparency and accountability brought by the act would outweigh the costs and lead to long-term strengthening of villages.
Watching very closely: Trump warns Iran over protests





WASHINGTON :

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump warned Iran against using violence to suppress protests, saying the United States is closely monitoring situation and would respond forcefully if Iranian authorities begin killing civilians. Aboard Air Force One on his way back to the White House from Mar-a-Lago, Trump was asked about reports of protesters being killed in Iran and his earlier comments that the US was locked and loaded. Well take a look, Trump said. Were watching it very closely.

Trump drew a clear line around the use of lethal force by Iranian authorities. If they start killing people as they have in the past, I think theyre going to get hit very hard by the United States, he said. The President did not specify what form a US response might take, nor did he outline any immediate military or economic measures. Notably, the US has deployed considerable military asset in the region. Trumps comments in response to a question, however, underscored that Washington is actively tracking developments inside Iran and considering its options. But he gave no timeline or trigger point. Were watching it very closely, he reiterated.

The comments came amid broader remarks by Trump linking instability in several regions to US national security concerns. Throughout the Air Force One exchange, Trump repeatedly framed unrest, drug trafficking, and authoritarian violence as interconnected threats that require decisive responses. While Trump did not draw direct comparisons during his Iran remarks, his warning followed strong language directed at Venezuela, Cuba, and other countries he described as destabilising forces in their regions. Trump has previously accused Iran of violently suppressing dissent during past waves of protests and has used economic sanctions and military deterrence as pressure tools. In this exchange, he stopped short of announcing new measures, instead emphasising vigilance and readiness. If they start killing people, Trump said, repeating the condition under which US action could follow.

Need Greenland from national security standpoint: Trump

WASHINGTON,

Jan 5 (ANI)

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has once again said that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons, a day after strikes on Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump said Greenland was critical to US security due growing presence of Russia and China in the Arctic region. We need Greenland. ... Its so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place, Trump said. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it. The European Union needs us to have it, and they know that, he said. Trumps remarks came just a day after the US carried out a dramatic military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife during an overnight raid in Caracas. Trump has repeatedly stated that he wants to annex Greenland, a vast, resource-rich island in the Atlantic that is a self-governing territory of Denmark. He has argued that taking control of Greenland is necessary for American defence interests. Both Greenland and Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States, have consistently rejected the idea. Reacting strongly, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called on Trump to stop making threats over Greenland. It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland, Frederiksen said in a statement. The US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom, she added. I would therefore strongly urge the US stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have very clearly said that they are not for sale, Frederiksen said.
MOSCOW, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Russia stands ready to provide the necessary support to Venezuela following U.S. strikes on the South American nation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday in a statement.

"We firmly believe that Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to independently determine its own destiny without any form of destructive external interference," the statement published on the ministry's official website read.

Delcy Rodriguez, previously vice president of Venezuela, was sworn in on Monday as the acting president of the country, after President Nicolas Maduro was seized by force on Jan. 3 during a U.S. military operation against Venezuela.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that this step demonstrated the Venezuelan government's determination to ensure unity and uphold the power structure established in compliance with domestic legislation, mitigate the risks of a constitutional crisis, and create the necessary conditions for the continued peaceful and stable development of Venezuela in the face of "blatant neocolonial threats and external armed aggression."

Moscow welcomed the efforts made by the legitimate authorities of Venezuela to defend state sovereignty and national interests, and reaffirmed Russia's unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government.

"We consistently advocate for the de-escalation of the current situation and the resolution of all existing issues through constructive dialogue and respect for international law and the UN Charter. Latin America and the Caribbean must remain a zone of peace. The sovereign development of all countries in the region must be guaranteed," the statement added. 
OSLO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday slashed U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed comments that the United States "needs" Greenland, denouncing his remarks as "unacceptable pressure" on the self-governing territory.

In an interview with Danish broadcaster DR, Frederiksen said: "Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland," and stressed that both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected any idea of Greenland becoming part of the United States.

Asked what it would mean if the United States were to use force against another NATO member, Frederiksen said, "If the U.S. attacks another NATO country, everything stops."

She added that while she cannot account for U.S. actions, "there is full support from Europe that borders must be respected."

Trump said in a telephone interview on Sunday with The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland. He also discussed the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

In response, Frederiksen said in a statement on Sunday that the United States has no right to annex Greenland, urging Washington to stop making threats against a close ally and the Greenlandic people.

Last month, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tension between Washington and the Danish Realm.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal. 
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Glacier Media Inc. (TSE:GVC  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$0.28 and last traded at C$0.27, with a volume of 5715 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.25.

Glacier Media Stock Up 8.0%

The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$0.19 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.17. The firm has a market capitalization of C$35.41 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.80 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.58.

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Glacier Media (TSE:GVC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C$0.05 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$40.26 million during the quarter. Glacier Media had a negative return on equity of 89.90% and a negative net margin of 63.78%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Glacier Media Inc. will post 0.07 EPS for the current year.

Glacier Media Company Profile

Glacier Media Inc offers information and marketing solutions. It operates in three segments Environmental, Property and Financial Information; Commodity Information; and Community Media. Environmental, Property and Financial Information includes the companys business to business content, marketing solutions and data information products that are environmental, and property-related. The Commodity Information includes the business-to-business content, marketing solutions and data information products which are agriculture, energy and mining-related.

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Shares of Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Monday . 20,913 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 179% from the previous sessions volume of 7,501 shares.The stock last traded at $0.82 and had previously closed at $0.8415.

Hong Kong & China Gas Stock Down 2.6%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The stocks fifty day moving average is $0.89 and its 200 day moving average is $0.86.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hong Kong & China Gas

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Hong Kong & China Gas stock. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Free Report) by 26.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 131,441 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 27,860 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Hong Kong & China Gas were worth $107,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

About Hong Kong & China Gas

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, commonly known as Towngas, is a long-established utility and energy services company founded in 1862. It is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of town gas and related energy products, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers. Towngas operates through an integrated model that covers gas production facilities, transmission and distribution networks, customer metering and billing, and after-sales services.

Core products and services include piped town gas for household and commercial use, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution, gas appliances and fittings, and engineering, installation and maintenance services.

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by Xinhua writers Shang Xuqian, Yang Dingdu

NEW YORK, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Washington has been facing sharp criticism worldwide for a Saturday raid on Venezuela and the forcible seizure of its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Venezuelan soil.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered the raid, told a press conference later that the United States will "run" Venezuela until "a safe time" for power transition, sparking fiercer denunciation worldwide.

SLAM FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL

The 15-member UN Security Council on Monday called an emergency meeting over the U.S. military operation against Venezuela, as requested by Colombia, a council member and Venezuela's neighbor, and by the Venezuelan government in a letter sent on Saturday.

Council members, including China, Colombia, Russia, as well as Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Iran, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, condemned the U.S. move as a blatant violation of the UN Charter, while more countries and international organizations stressed the importance of respecting international law and the UN Charter, which prohibits the use or the threat of use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Denouncing the U.S. move, Colombian Ambassador to the United Nations Leonor Zalabata Torres said such actions constitute a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for sovereignty and the full authority of states over their territory, including their natural resources.

"Defending these principles is not an option. Indeed, it is a common obligation that we have in order to preserve international peace and security," she said.

Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Russia firmly condemns "the act of armed aggression by the United States against Venezuela in breach of all norms of international law."

He said the U.S. move was seen by many as a harbinger of a return to an era of lawlessness and a U.S. domination by force, chaos and injustice, which will inflict suffering on countries in various regions of the globe.

"Washington is generating fresh momentum for neocolonialism and imperialism," Nebenzia said, calling for global unity in a resolute rejection of U.S. military foreign policies as demonstrated in the case of Venezuela, which, according to him, sounds an alarming bell to all countries.

"Failing to hear this today is tantamount to showing cowardice and the lack of principles, thus essentially blessing further encroachments on international law and simply rejecting civilized conduct in interstate relations," he warned.

China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the "unilateral, illegal, and bullying acts" by the United States, said Sun Lei, charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

"The United States has placed its own power above multilateralism, and military actions above diplomatic efforts, posing a grave threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean, and even broader international peace and security. China firmly opposes this," Sun said.

China urges the United States to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said.

Both Russia and China urged the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.

At the Security Council meeting, Christina Markus Lassen, Danish ambassador to the United Nations, stressed, "The inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation."

"No state should seek to influence political outcomes in Venezuela through the use or threat of force, or through other means inconsistent with international law," she said.

"The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro contravenes the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes and non-use of force," Jay Dharmadhikari, French deputy ambassador to the United Nations, noted.

Such a violation of the UN Charter and international law by the United States as a UN Security Council permanent member "undermines the very foundations of the international order," he said.

"When countries ignore the UN Charter and act contrary to its central premise, it undermines the credibility of the entire system in which we all undertake our international relations," Jonathan Passmoor, South Africa's acting deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at the meeting.

"Failure to act decisively against such violations is tantamount to inviting anarchy, and normalizing the use of force and military might as the main form of discourse in international politics," he added.

GROWING CONCERNS AROUND THE WORLD

Grave concerns over the U.S. operation against Venezuela have been growing across the world these days.

Iran's foreign ministry on Saturday condemned it as an "act of aggression" in clear breach of international law and the UN Charter, as well as a "flagrant violation" of Venezuela's state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Indonesia expresses its grave concern over any actions involving the use or threat of force, which risk setting a dangerous precedent in international relations and could undermine regional stability, peace, and the principles of sovereignty and diplomacy, the Indonesian foreign ministry said in a statement on its official X account late Sunday.

In the statement, Jakarta also joined the calls by many countries for restraint, de-escalation and respect for international law.

The U.S. risky move has highly alerted regional countries in Latin America. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said it "crossed an unacceptable line" and set a dangerous precedent. Chilean President Gabriel Boric said, "Today it's Venezuela, tomorrow it could be anyone else."

A report published Sunday by Bosnia and Herzegovina's Klix news portal, after a review of U.S. military strikes on countries ranging from Iran to Yemen over the past year, said, the U.S. administration "has redefined the meaning of 'peacemaking.'"

For Washington, "peace does not mean the absence of conflict, but the absence of resistance to American will. In the coming year, the world will face a new reality: if Washington senses even the slightest provocation, it will strike first and spare no effort to eliminate its opponents on the Earth," said the report.

Implications of the U.S. military operation against Venezuela are worrying, said Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of politics at East China Normal University. "This is a dark turn in global affairs that must be countered effectively."

"U.S. aggression against Venezuela is a brazen attack against international law, a sharp example of the clear and present danger to all nations who hold dear their own sovereignty and security," he said.

U.S. justifications "ultimately rest on a reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine," which is to say that the United States is no longer even pretending to follow international law, or to seek international support or UN endorsements, that "it's simply acting unilaterally in ways that recall the open interventionism of the 19th century," he said.

"This is pure imperialism," he said. "It should be clear that no country in the world is safe." 
Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:IDR  Get Free Report) traded up 11.1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $45.74 and last traded at $45.7150. 278,829 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 65% from the average session volume of 807,550 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.13.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Idaho Strategic Resources in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $17.50.

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Idaho Strategic Resources Stock Up 10.0%

The firm has a market capitalization of $705.60 million, a P/E ratio of 64.66 and a beta of 0.97. The firms 50 day moving average is $37.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 8.55 and a quick ratio of 8.34.

Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSEAMERICAN:IDR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.01. Idaho Strategic Resources had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 18.60%. The firm had revenue of $11.08 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.40 million. Research analysts predict that Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. will post 0.65 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO John Swallow sold 20,000 shares of Idaho Strategic Resources stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.72, for a total transaction of $834,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 645,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,941,858.16. This trade represents a 3.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Richard Scott Beaven sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.64, for a total value of $69,280.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 11,183 shares in the company, valued at approximately $387,379.12. This trade represents a 15.17% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 52,000 shares of company stock valued at $2,206,880 over the last quarter. 8.69% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Idaho Strategic Resources

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in Idaho Strategic Resources during the third quarter worth $47,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Idaho Strategic Resources during the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Idaho Strategic Resources during the 3rd quarter worth about $53,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Idaho Strategic Resources by 295.7% during the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,919 shares of the companys stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 1,434 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in Idaho Strategic Resources by 135.1% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,513 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 1,444 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.70% of the companys stock.

About Idaho Strategic Resources

(Get Free Report)

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc, a resource-based company, engages in exploring for, developing, and extracting gold, silver, and base metal mineral resources in the Greater Coeur d'Alene Mining District of North Idaho. Its portfolio of mineral properties includes the Golden Chest Mine, a producing gold mine located in the Murray Gold Belt (MGB) of North Idaho; approximately 1,500 acres of patented mineral property and approximately 5,000 acres of nearby and adjacent un-patented mineral property located within the MGB; rare earth element projects located in the Idaho REE-Th Belt near Salmon, Idaho; and early-stage exploration properties in Central Idaho.

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Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NPCPF  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $6.3250, but opened at $6.73. Nippon Paint shares last traded at $6.73, with a volume of 166 shares trading hands.

Nippon Paint Trading Up 4.5%

The company has a fifty day moving average of $3.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.23 and a beta of 0.92.

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Nippon Paint (OTCMKTS:NPCPF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.16 billion for the quarter. Nippon Paint had a net margin of 9.46% and a return on equity of 10.44%.

About Nippon Paint

Nippon Paint Holdings Co, Ltd. is a leading global manufacturer of paints and coatings, with roots tracing back to its founding in 1881 in Osaka, Japan. The company develops, produces, and markets a broad portfolio of decorative paints for residential and commercial applications, as well as high-performance industrial coatings tailored to automotive, marine, aerospace, protective, and general industrial markets. Its product lines include emulsions, primers, topcoats, powder coatings, and specialty formulations designed to meet stringent performance and environmental standards.

Through a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, Nippon Paint serves customers across Asia, Europe, North America, and other emerging markets.

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Secure Trust Bank PLC (LON:STB  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 1,295 and last traded at GBX 1,290, with a volume of 98283 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,260.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Shore Capital restated a house stock rating on shares of Secure Trust Bank in a research report on Monday, October 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 1,420.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Secure Trust Bank

Secure Trust Bank Price Performance

Insiders Place Their Bets

The stock has a market capitalization of 240.70 million, a P/E ratio of 12.72, a PEG ratio of 0.11 and a beta of 0.87. The stocks fifty day moving average is GBX 1,035.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 1,022.30.

In related news, insider Jim Brown bought 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 916 per share, for a total transaction of 229,000. Also, insider Ian Corfield bought 28,296 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 879 per share, for a total transaction of 248,721.84. Insiders own 20.48% of the companys stock.

About Secure Trust Bank

(Get Free Report)

Secure Trust Bank is an established, wellfunded and capitalised UK retail bank with over 70years of trading history. Secure Trust Bank operates principally from its head office in Solihull, West Midlands.

The Groups diversified lending portfolio currently focuses on two sectors:

 Business finance through its Real Estate Finance and Commercial Finance divisions, and

 Consumer finance through its Vehicle Finance and Retail Finance divisions.

Secure Trust Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Secure Trust Bank PLC, Yorke House, Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH.

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Sienna Senior Living Inc. (TSE:SIA  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$21.22 and last traded at C$21.17, with a volume of 184383 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$20.36.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on SIA. Desjardins raised their price objective on shares of Sienna Senior Living from C$21.00 to C$23.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Sienna Senior Living from C$20.00 to C$22.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Cibc Captl Mkts upgraded Sienna Senior Living from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. CIBC raised Sienna Senior Living from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from C$20.00 to C$23.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their target price on Sienna Senior Living from C$20.00 to C$22.50 in a research report on Monday, November 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Sienna Senior Living has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$21.42.

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Sienna Senior Living Trading Up 3.6%

The business has a 50-day moving average of C$20.10 and a 200 day moving average of C$19.03. The stock has a market cap of C$1.99 billion, a PE ratio of 47.95 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 215.47, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.43.

Sienna Senior Living (TSE:SIA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported C$0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$261.70 million for the quarter. Sienna Senior Living had a net margin of 3.57% and a return on equity of 7.71%. Equities research analysts predict that Sienna Senior Living Inc. will post 0.4595351 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sienna Senior Living Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.078 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 31st. Sienna Senior Livings dividend payout ratio is presently 212.73%.

About Sienna Senior Living

(Get Free Report)

Sienna Senior Living Inc is one of the largest owners of seniors housing, the largest licensed long-term care operator in Ontario, and a provider of services across the full continuum of care. The firm operates solely within Canada. The company is comprised of the following main business segments, LTC Business, Retirement and Other. LTC business division consists of consists of 35 LTC residences in the Province of Ontario, eight seniors living residences located in the Province of British Columbia and the LTC management services business.

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Shares of ABB Ltd (NYSE:ABBNY  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Hold from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $58.00.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on ABBNY shares. BNP Paribas started coverage on ABB in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. They set an underperform rating and a $58.00 target price for the company. Zacks Research cut ABB from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of ABB in a research report on Monday, December 15th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

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ABB Stock Performance

About ABB

Shares of ABBNY opened at $77.16 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $72.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $68.99. ABB has a 12 month low of $45.36 and a 12 month high of $77.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $142.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.23.

(Get Free Report)

ABB Ltd. is a global engineering and technology company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with roots dating to the 1988 merger of ASEA and Brown, Boveri & Cie. The company develops and supplies technologies that enable electrification, automation and digitalization across utility, industrial, transportation and infrastructure markets. ABBs offerings span hardware, software and services designed to improve efficiency, reliability and sustainability for its customers.

ABBs principal activities include electrification products and systems for power distribution and management; industrial and factory automation solutions; robotics and discrete automation for manufacturing; and motion technologies including electric motors and drives.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Ampco-Pittsburgh (NYSE:AP  Free Report) to a buy rating in a research report released on Saturday.

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Ampco-Pittsburgh in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Sell.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ampco-Pittsburgh

Ampco-Pittsburgh Stock Up 8.5%

NYSE:AP opened at $5.39 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $109.56 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.56 and a beta of 0.79. Ampco-Pittsburgh has a twelve month low of $1.75 and a twelve month high of $5.82. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.93.

Ampco-Pittsburgh (NYSE:AP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The industrial products company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter. Ampco-Pittsburgh had a negative net margin of 1.24% and a positive return on equity of 5.15%. The firm had revenue of $108.01 million for the quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ampco-Pittsburgh

In other Ampco-Pittsburgh news, Director Michael I. German purchased 40,000 shares of Ampco-Pittsburgh stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $2.65 per share, for a total transaction of $106,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 221,670 shares in the company, valued at $587,425.50. This trade represents a 22.02% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Brett Mcbrayer acquired 19,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $2.58 per share, for a total transaction of $49,020.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 448,631 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,157,467.98. This represents a 4.42% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have acquired 152,000 shares of company stock valued at $403,330. Company insiders own 31.61% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Teton Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Ampco-Pittsburgh during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $248,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Ampco-Pittsburgh by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 667,704 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,529,000 after purchasing an additional 38,021 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of Ampco-Pittsburgh by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,159,681 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,433,000 after purchasing an additional 33,950 shares in the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Ampco-Pittsburgh during the 3rd quarter worth $72,000. Finally, Group One Trading LLC purchased a new position in Ampco-Pittsburgh during the 2nd quarter worth $43,000. 49.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Ampco-Pittsburgh

(Get Free Report)

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation is a U.S.-based specialty metals manufacturer that produces cast and forged components for a range of industrial markets. The companys primary offerings include custom-designed forged rolls, grinding rolls and specialty bars for the steel and metal processing industries. In addition, Ampco-Pittsburgh supplies precision couplings, gears and die components for original equipment manufacturers in sectors such as mining, power generation and heavy machinery.

The company operates multiple production facilities in North America, where it employs advanced melting, heat-treating and machining processes to deliver components with tight tolerances and enhanced wear resistance.

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Diageo plc (LON:DGE  Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 2,198.75.

Several brokerages have issued reports on DGE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Diageo from GBX 2,500 to GBX 2,000 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 2,250 price target on shares of Diageo in a report on Friday, October 31st. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 2,300 price target on shares of Diageo in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on Diageo from GBX 1,840 to GBX 1,790 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reduced their target price on Diageo from GBX 2,372 to GBX 2,370 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Diageo Price Performance

In related news, insider John Alexander Manzoni purchased 410 shares of Diageo stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 1,600 per share, with a total value of 6,560. Over the last quarter, insiders have bought 1,148 shares of company stock valued at $2,012,936. Company insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock.

Diageo stock opened at GBX 1,626.91 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 1,701.94 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 1,833.01. The firm has a market capitalization of 36.17 billion, a PE ratio of 15.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 234.57. Diageo has a 12-month low of GBX 1,579 and a 12-month high of GBX 2,567.50.

About Diageo

(Get Free Report)

Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, across spirits and beer, a business built on the principles and foundations laid by the giants of the industry.

With over 200 brands sold in 180 countries, our portfolio has remarkable breadth. From centuries-old names to exciting new entrants, and global giants to local legends, were building the very best brands out there, and with over 30,000 talented people based in over 135 countries, were a truly global company. With such diversity, were able to truly represent our broad consumer base and think differently about the future.

To maintain our position as leaders in the alcoholic beverage market, we always invest in the future and are mindful of the impact we have.

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AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $92.00 and last traded at $91.7410, with a volume of 539536 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $88.47.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on AU. HSBC reissued a reduce rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings upgraded AngloGold Ashanti from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Roth Capital increased their price objective on AngloGold Ashanti from $84.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $90.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AngloGold Ashanti presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $86.00.

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AngloGold Ashanti Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $39.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.59 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a current ratio of 2.58, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $81.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $66.46.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The mining company reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $2.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.53 billion. AngloGold Ashanti had a net margin of 26.25% and a return on equity of 24.01%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AngloGold Ashanti PLC will post 3.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AngloGold Ashanti Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a dividend of $0.91 per share. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. AngloGold Ashantis dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.18%.

Institutional Trading of AngloGold Ashanti

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AU. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 2.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,748,740 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,589,484,000 after purchasing an additional 464,333 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 19,847,932 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,395,905,000 after buying an additional 1,804,620 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 14.9% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,705,516 shares of the mining companys stock worth $401,269,000 after buying an additional 738,343 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 5,136,739 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $361,310,000 after buying an additional 284,017 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi boosted its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 3,197,861 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $149,212,000 after buying an additional 140,410 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 36.09% of the companys stock.

About AngloGold Ashanti

(Get Free Report)

AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining company engaged in the exploration, development, production, processing and sale of gold. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the companys core activities span the full mining value chain from greenfield exploration and mine development through to ore processing and rehabilitation. Gold is the primary commodity produced, with individual operations sometimes yielding other byproducts depending on local geology and processing methods.

The company was formed in 2004 through the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti Goldfields, creating a diversified international gold producer.

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Athabasca Oil Co. (OTCMKTS:ATHOF  Get Free Report) shares were down 7.5% on Monday . The company traded as low as $4.66 and last traded at $4.80. Approximately 691,100 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 60% from the average daily volume of 431,150 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.19.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on ATHOF. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of Athabasca Oil in a report on Friday, October 31st. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Athabasca Oil in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. TD Securities reiterated a hold rating on shares of Athabasca Oil in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated a market perform rating on shares of Athabasca Oil in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Athabasca Oil currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Athabasca Oil Trading Down 7.5%

About Athabasca Oil

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $5.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.69.

(Get Free Report)

Athabasca Oil Corporation, trading as ATHOF on the OTCMKTS, is a Canadian energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of heavy oil and bitumen resources. The companys asset portfolio spans key regions in Western Canada, including the Peace River, Cold Lake and Lloydminster heavy oil plays, as well as select light oil and natural gas opportunities in emerging formations.

Through a vertically integrated operating model, Athabasca Oil manages activities from reservoir optimization and drilling to surface facility construction and bitumen handling.

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Auto Trader Group (OTCMKTS:ATDRY  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $1.88 and last traded at $1.88, with a volume of 383862 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.94.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating on shares of Auto Trader Group in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Auto Trader Group to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce.

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Auto Trader Group Price Performance

Auto Trader Group Company Profile

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $2.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 1.77.

(Get Free Report)

Auto Trader Group plc is a digital automotive marketplace operating primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Through its flagship consumer-facing website and mobile applications, the company connects private buyers and sellers with franchised and independent motor dealers. It facilitates the listing of new and used vehicles, offering rich multimedia adverts that include photos, video walk-arounds, and detailed specifications.

In addition to its core marketplace, Auto Trader provides a suite of value-added services for both consumers and dealer partners.

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OSLO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- "If the U.S. attacks another NATO country, everything stops," said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday.

In an interview with Danish broadcaster DR, the Danish prime minister made the remarks in response to a question as to what it would mean if the United States were to use force against another NATO member.

Frederiksen also slashed U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed comments that the United States "needs" Greenland, denouncing his remarks as "unacceptable pressure" on the self-governing territory.

"Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland," she said, stressing that both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected any idea of Greenland becoming part of the United States.

She added that while she cannot account for U.S. actions, "there is full support from Europe that borders must be respected."

European leaders have rallied behind Denmark after Trump again floated the idea of acquiring Greenland and called the Arctic territory critical to U.S. defense.

"Borders cannot be changed by force," said French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux in an interview with local media, expressing "solidarity" with Denmark.

Stressing Denmark's status as a NATO member, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the BBC, "The future of Greenland is for the Kingdom of Denmark and for Greenland themselves."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul noted that Greenland, as part of Denmark, would in principle fall under NATO's collective defense obligations.

On Sunday, Trump said in a telephone interview with The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland.

In response, Frederiksen said in a statement on Sunday that the United States has no right to annex Greenland, urging Washington to stop making threats against a close ally and the Greenlandic people.

Last month, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tension between Washington and the Danish Realm.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal. 
Shares of B2Gold Corp. (TSE:BTO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BTG) have received an average rating of Hold from the five research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$7.90.

A number of research firms recently commented on BTO. Cormark cut B2Gold from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on B2Gold from C$11.50 to C$10.50 in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of B2Gold from C$9.25 to C$10.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on B2Gold from C$5.35 to C$6.25 in a report on Thursday, October 16th.

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B2Gold Trading Up 1.3%

B2Gold stock opened at C$6.28 on Friday. B2Gold has a 12 month low of C$3.16 and a 12 month high of C$8.35. The company has a market capitalization of C$8.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.27 and a beta of 1.03. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is C$6.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$5.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.51.

B2Gold (TSE:BTO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BTG) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported C$0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. B2Gold had a negative net margin of 38.20% and a negative return on equity of 20.27%. The firm had revenue of C$1.09 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts predict that B2Gold will post 0.5596659 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

B2Gold Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 2nd. B2Golds payout ratio is presently 66.67%.

Insider Activity

In other B2Gold news, insider Peter Dominic Montano sold 147,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$7.49, for a total value of C$1,101,030.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned -1,405 shares of the companys stock, valued at C($10,523.45). This represents a 100.97% decrease in their position. Also, insider John Alex Rajala sold 142,857 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$7.50, for a total transaction of C$1,071,427.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 238,342 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$1,787,565. The trade was a 37.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the companys stock.

About B2Gold

(Get Free Report)

B2Gold Corp is an international, low-cost, senior gold mining company. It has three operating open-pit gold mines in Mali, Namibia, and the Philippines and numerous exploration projects across four continents. Other significant assets include the Gramalote and Kiaka gold projects. The company focuses on acquiring and developing interests in mineral properties with a primary focus on gold deposits as gold production forms all its revenue. There is no dependence on a particular purchaser because the gold is sold into a global market.

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B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG  Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Investors bought 43,782 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 129% compared to the average daily volume of 19,124 call options.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on BTG shares. CIBC decreased their price objective on shares of B2Gold to $6.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 21st. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of B2Gold in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Cormark lowered B2Gold from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised their target price on B2Gold from $4.75 to $6.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $6.00.

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B2Gold Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of B2Gold stock traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $4.51. The company had a trading volume of 15,084,102 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,908,824. B2Gold has a 52-week low of $2.20 and a 52-week high of $5.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.03 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.30, a P/E/G ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a 50 day moving average of $4.41 and a 200 day moving average of $4.27.

B2Gold (NYSE:BTG  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.01. B2Gold had a positive return on equity of 5.65% and a negative net margin of 33.12%.During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.02 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 74.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that B2Gold will post 0.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

B2Gold Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 2nd. B2Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 57.14%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On B2Gold

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its position in B2Gold by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,261,867 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,231,000 after acquiring an additional 3,640 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of B2Gold by 2.2% during the third quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 204,170 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,010,000 after purchasing an additional 4,429 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its position in shares of B2Gold by 47.3% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 16,061 shares of the companys stock valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 5,160 shares during the last quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD bought a new stake in B2Gold in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in B2Gold by 138.1% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 11,903 shares of the companys stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 6,903 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.40% of the companys stock.

About B2Gold

(Get Free Report)

B2Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 2007, the company focuses on the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of gold mining properties in emerging markets. Since its inception, B2Gold has grown into a mid-tier producer with a portfolio of operating mines, advanced-stage development assets and exploration projects.

The companys principal operations include the Fekola mine in Mali, the Otjikoto mine in Namibia, the Masbate mine in the Philippines and the La Libertad mine in Nicaragua.

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Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT  Get Free Report) and MINISO Group (NYSE:MNSO  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Risk and Volatility

Boot Barn has a beta of 1.61, indicating that its share price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MINISO Group has a beta of 0.09, indicating that its share price is 91% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Boot Barn and MINISO Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Boot Barn $2.07 billion 2.84 $180.94 million $6.76 28.58 MINISO Group $2.33 billion 2.60 $364.10 million $0.97 20.17

MINISO Group has higher revenue and earnings than Boot Barn. MINISO Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Boot Barn, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

17.2% of MINISO Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Boot Barn shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 73.5% of MINISO Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Boot Barn pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. MINISO Group pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Boot Barn pays out 7.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. MINISO Group pays out 57.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Boot Barn and MINISO Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Boot Barn 0 4 12 1 2.82 MINISO Group 0 2 4 1 2.86

Boot Barn presently has a consensus price target of $198.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.47%. MINISO Group has a consensus price target of $25.13, suggesting a potential upside of 28.42%. Given MINISO Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe MINISO Group is more favorable than Boot Barn.

Profitability

This table compares Boot Barn and MINISO Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Boot Barn 10.05% 18.11% 9.94% MINISO Group 10.78% 20.02% 8.59%

Summary

MINISO Group beats Boot Barn on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Boot Barn

(Get Free Report)

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc., a lifestyle retail chain, operates specialty retail stores in the United States. The company's specialty retail stores offer western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. It offers boots, shirts, jackets, hats, belts and belt buckles, handbags, western-style jewelry, rugged footwear, outerwear, overalls, denim, and flame-resistant and high-visibility clothing. The company also provides gifts and home merchandise. The company also sells its products through e-commerce websites, including bootbarn.com; sheplers.com; and countryoutfitter.com. The company was formerly known as WW Top Investment Corporation and changed its name to Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. in June 2014. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is based in Irvine, California.

About MINISO Group

(Get Free Report)

MINISO Group Holding Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the retail and wholesale of lifestyle products and pop toy products in China, Asia, the United States, and Europe. The company offers products in various categories, including home decor products, small electronics, textiles, accessories, beauty tools, toys, cosmetics, personal care products, snacks, fragrances and perfumes, and stationeries and gifts under the MINISO and WonderLife brand names; and blind boxes, toy bricks, model figures, model kits, collectible dolls, Ichiban Kuji, sculptures, and other popular toys under the TOP TOY brand. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Guangzhou, China.

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Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday after Bank of America upgraded the stock from an underperform rating to a buy rating. Bank of America now has a $13.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $6.75. Brookdale Senior Living traded as high as $11.52 and last traded at $11.4950, with a volume of 401373 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.84.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup upgraded Brookdale Senior Living to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays upgraded shares of Brookdale Senior Living from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $8.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Brookdale Senior Living from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brookdale Senior Living from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, November 23rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Brookdale Senior Living currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $12.00.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Brookdale Senior Living Stock Up 6.8%

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd raised its stake in Brookdale Senior Living by 3.4% in the second quarter. ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd now owns 14,151,773 shares of the companys stock worth $98,504,000 after buying an additional 467,273 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Brookdale Senior Living by 24.5% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 11,609,307 shares of the companys stock worth $98,331,000 after acquiring an additional 2,282,151 shares in the last quarter. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Brookdale Senior Living during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $45,804,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Brookdale Senior Living by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,507,559 shares of the companys stock worth $45,293,000 after acquiring an additional 238,042 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Brookdale Senior Living by 18.5% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,361,195 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,320,000 after purchasing an additional 838,862 shares during the period.

The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 39.87. The company has a market capitalization of $2.75 billion, a PE ratio of -8.84 and a beta of 0.67. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $10.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.69.

Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.04). Brookdale Senior Living had a negative net margin of 9.52% and a negative return on equity of 173.75%. The company had revenue of $813.17 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $825.59 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Brookdale Senior Living Inc. will post -0.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brookdale Senior Living Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookdale Senior Living Inc (NYSE: BKD) is one of the nations largest operators of senior living communities, offering a full spectrum of living options that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, continuing care retirement communities, respite care and skilled nursing services. The company emphasizes programs and amenities that support wellness, social engagement and overall quality of life for older adults.

Across the United States and Puerto Rico, Brookdale manages more than 700 communities serving tens of thousands of residents.

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Brookfield Business Partners L.P. (NYSE:BBU  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 45,875 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 162% from the previous sessions volume of 17,483 shares.The stock last traded at $36.71 and had previously closed at $35.83.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have weighed in on BBU. Zacks Research raised shares of Brookfield Business Partners from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Brookfield Business Partners in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Brookfield Business Partners from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Scotiabank set a $39.00 target price on shares of Brookfield Business Partners and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, National Bankshares boosted their target price on shares of Brookfield Business Partners from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $36.50.

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Brookfield Business Partners Stock Performance

Brookfield Business Partners Announces Dividend

The company has a current ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $34.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.40. The company has a market cap of $3.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -20.23 and a beta of 1.31.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. Brookfield Business Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -13.89%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield Business Partners

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BROOKFIELD Corp ON lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Business Partners by 72.5% in the 1st quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON now owns 44,152,007 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,035,806,000 after acquiring an additional 18,549,503 shares during the last quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management grew its stake in shares of Brookfield Business Partners by 74.4% in the third quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 696,679 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $22,849,000 after buying an additional 297,180 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Business Partners by 796.3% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 322,899 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $10,530,000 after buying an additional 286,872 shares during the period. Credit Industriel ET Commercial purchased a new stake in shares of Brookfield Business Partners in the 3rd quarter valued at $4,905,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Brookfield Business Partners during the 2nd quarter worth about $3,373,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.04% of the companys stock.

Brookfield Business Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Business Partners L.P. (NYSE: BBU) is a publicly traded partnership sponsored by Brookfield Asset Management. The company focuses on acquiring and operating high-quality businesses across a range of industrial and service-oriented sectors. Through a partnership structure, Brookfield Business Partners seeks to provide investors with returns generated from stable, cash-flowing enterprises that benefit from Brookfield Asset Managements global scale and operational expertise.

The companys investment strategy centers on businesses within the industrial services, manufacturing, transportation, and business services segments.

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Canadian Natural Resources, Canadian Solar, Celsius, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and TC Energy are the five Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are equity securities issued by companies incorporated in Canada or listed on Canadian exchanges (such as the Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, or Canadian Securities Exchange) that give investors ownership stakes and potential dividends and capital gains. For investors, they provide exposure to the Canadian economy and currency (CAD), often with significant weight in sectors like energy, mining and financials, and are subject to Canadian regulatory, tax and market conditions. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days.

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Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

Canadian Solar (CSIQ)

Canadian Solar Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides solar energy and battery energy storage products and solutions in in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy. The CSI Solar segment designs, develops, and manufactures solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CSIQ

Celsius (CELH)

Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CELH

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CM

TC Energy (TRP)

TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses.

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Centerra Gold Inc. (NYSE:CGAU  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twelve brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, five have issued a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $14.1667.

Several analysts have recently commented on CGAU shares. Raymond James Financial reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Centerra Gold in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Centerra Gold from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and upped their target price for the company from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of Centerra Gold in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating on shares of Centerra Gold in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Centerra Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 30th.

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Centerra Gold Stock Up 4.3%

NYSE:CGAU opened at $14.76 on Thursday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $13.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 2.10 and a current ratio of 2.89. Centerra Gold has a fifty-two week low of $5.41 and a fifty-two week high of $15.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.87.

Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $395.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $314.74 million. Centerra Gold had a net margin of 26.35% and a return on equity of 10.47%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Centerra Gold will post 0.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Centerra Gold Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Centerra Golds dividend payout ratio is presently 12.20%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Centerra Gold

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Farther Finance Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Centerra Gold in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Burkett Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Centerra Gold during the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Centerra Gold by 1,106.5% in the third quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 2,980 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 2,733 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Centerra Gold by 63.0% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 4,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,839 shares during the period. Finally, Carrera Capital Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Centerra Gold in the second quarter worth about $81,000. 55.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Centerra Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Centerra Gold Inc is a gold mining company incorporated in Canada and headquartered in Toronto. The company specializes in the exploration, development and operation of precious metals properties, with a focus on gold production. Centerras portfolio includes the Mount Milligan mine in British Columbia, Canada, and the Otjikoto mine in Namibia. Both operations produce gold and copper concentrates and employ modern mining methods and processing facilities to optimize recovery rates and minimize environmental impact.

In addition to its producing assets, Centerra is advancing the development of its Greenstone Gold Project in Ontario, Canada, which, upon completion, is expected to become one of Canadas largest gold mines.

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Central Securities Co. (NYSE:CET  Get Free Report) CEO John Hill bought 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 29th. The stock was bought at an average price of $50.91 per share, for a total transaction of $25,455.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 77,373 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,939,059.43. The trade was a 0.65% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

Central Securities Price Performance

Shares of CET traded up $0.51 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $51.81. The companys stock had a trading volume of 38,632 shares, compared to its average volume of 49,012. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $50.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $49.91. Central Securities Co. has a 52-week low of $40.24 and a 52-week high of $52.44.

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Central Securities Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $2.45 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1,003.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Central Securities

Central Securities Company Profile

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Central Securities during the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,562,000. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Central Securities by 14.8% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 287,793 shares of the companys stock worth $14,784,000 after buying an additional 37,099 shares during the last quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Central Securities by 17.1% during the 2nd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 211,722 shares of the companys stock worth $10,133,000 after acquiring an additional 30,909 shares during the period. Bulldog Investors LLP lifted its position in Central Securities by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bulldog Investors LLP now owns 386,046 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,831,000 after acquiring an additional 17,962 shares during the period. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in Central Securities during the third quarter valued at $537,000. Institutional investors own 8.68% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Central Securities Corporation (NYSE: CET) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that has operated since its incorporation in 1927. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the company offers investors access to a blend of equity and fixed-income strategies within a single vehicle. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Central Securities seeks to deliver total return through a combination of dividend income and capital appreciation.

The companys investment strategy emphasizes a core allocation to U.S.

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Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (CVE:NZP  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.04 and last traded at C$0.04, with a volume of 62625 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.05.

Chatham Rock Phosphate Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of C$0.04 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 10.98 and a current ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of C$4.49 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.15 and a beta of 1.34.

Chatham Rock Phosphate Company Profile

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Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited operates as a mineral development company in New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Australia. It focuses on the development and exploitation of the Chatham Rise rock phosphate deposit, which comprises a mining permit covering an area of 820 square kilometers located in New Zealand; and Makatea phosphate project. The company is based in Wellington, New Zealand.

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Risk and Volatility

BNCCORP has a beta of 0.36, meaning that its stock price is 64% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Commercial National Financial has a beta of 0.42, meaning that its stock price is 58% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares BNCCORP and Commercial National Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BNCCORP 15.94% 8.95% 0.91% Commercial National Financial 23.49% N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares BNCCORP and Commercial National Financials revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio BNCCORP $52.44 million 2.28 $7.93 million $2.50 13.45 Commercial National Financial $29.17 million N/A $5.86 million $1.69 8.16

BNCCORP has higher revenue and earnings than Commercial National Financial. Commercial National Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than BNCCORP, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

BNCCORP beats Commercial National Financial on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About BNCCORP

(Get Free Report)

BNCCORP, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for BNC National Bank that provides community banking, retail and mortgage banking, and wealth management services to businesses and consumers. The company offers commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate lending, small business administration loans, business checking, cash management, corporate credit cards, and merchant services to small to middle-market businesses. It also provides retail and mortgage banking services, such as personal checking and savings products, personal loans, and card services; and residential loans through a consumer direct channel, as well as a retail channel. In addition, the company offers wealth management solutions, including 401(k) and other retirement plans, trust services, and personal wealth advisory services. It offers community banking and wealth management services through 11 locations in Arizona and North Dakota; and mortgage banking services through 7 locations in Arizona, North Dakota, Illinois, and Kansas. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota.

About Commercial National Financial

(Get Free Report)

Commercial National Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for Commercial Bank that provides various banking products and services to individuals, agricultural businesses, commercial businesses, and light industries in Michigan. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking and savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, certificates of deposit, and health savings accounts. It also offers personal loan products, such as automobile loans, recreational vehicle loans, personal lines of credit, and unsecured term loans, as well as home equity loans and mortgage loans; and business loans, including secured lines of credit, business equity line of credit, SBA loans, equipment loans, real estate loans, vehicle loans, term loans, USDA loan programs, and capital access loan programs. In addition, the company provides other services comprising business VISA check cards, debit and ATM cards, business statement savings, business certificates of deposit, merchant services, night depository, telephone banking, online banking, e-statements, direct deposit of payroll for employees, child support payments, collection of receivables, and remote deposit capture, as well as treasury services. It provides its services through offices located in Barry, Gratiot, Ingham, Kent, and Montcalm counties in Michigan. The company was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Ithaca, Michigan.

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Venezuela will not hold elections in the next 30 days.

"We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote," Trump said in an interview with NBC News.

The remarks came two days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was taken from the capital of Caracas by U.S. forces.

Trump identified a number of his team members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Vice President JD Vance, who will help oversee U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

Trump added that his administration may subsidize efforts by U.S. oil companies to invest in and rebuild Venezuela's energy infrastructure, noting that the process could be completed in less than 18 months.

"I think we can do it in less time than that, but it'll be a lot of money," Trump said. "A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then they'll get reimbursed by us or through revenue."

Trump denied that the United States is at war with Venezuela. "We're at war with people that sell drugs. We're at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country," he said.

Earlier on Monday, Maduro, who was arraigned in New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and conspiracy to import cocaine, pleaded not guilty, saying he remains the leader of his country even as Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president.

Trump said Rodriguez has been cooperating with U.S. officials.

Trump said on Sunday night that the United States is "in charge" of Venezuela, and that in the short term, he needs Rodriguez to provide the United States with "total access," especially access to Venezuela's oil.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez demanded the "immediate release" of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores during a session of the National Defense Council broadcast by state television channel VTV, calling Maduro "the only president of Venezuela" while describing the U.S. action in her country as "a savage attack."

The international community has been deeply shocked by the Trump administration's raid on Maduro. Multiple countries, including China, Russia and Brazil, have issued statements strongly condemning the United States' blatant use of force against a sovereign state and actions against its president, which are widely believed to have violated international law. 
Bayerische Motoren Werke (OTCMKTS:BAMXF  Get Free Report) and ZEEKR Intelligent Technology (NYSE:ZK  Get Free Report) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Risk and Volatility

Bayerische Motoren Werke has a beta of 0.63, suggesting that its share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, ZEEKR Intelligent Technology has a beta of 0.14, suggesting that its share price is 86% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Bayerische Motoren Werke and ZEEKR Intelligent Technologys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bayerische Motoren Werke 5.14% 7.33% 2.65% ZEEKR Intelligent Technology -2.80% N/A -5.45%

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bayerische Motoren Werke 0 3 0 1 2.50 ZEEKR Intelligent Technology 1 0 1 0 2.00

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Bayerische Motoren Werke and ZEEKR Intelligent Technology, as provided by MarketBeat.

ZEEKR Intelligent Technology has a consensus target price of $38.00, suggesting a potential upside of 42.16%. Given ZEEKR Intelligent Technologys higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe ZEEKR Intelligent Technology is more favorable than Bayerische Motoren Werke.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Bayerische Motoren Werke and ZEEKR Intelligent Technologys top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bayerische Motoren Werke $154.09 billion 0.39 $7.89 billion $12.57 8.32 ZEEKR Intelligent Technology $10.40 billion 0.66 -$880.03 million ($1.57) -17.03

Bayerische Motoren Werke has higher revenue and earnings than ZEEKR Intelligent Technology. ZEEKR Intelligent Technology is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bayerische Motoren Werke, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Bayerische Motoren Werke beats ZEEKR Intelligent Technology on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bayerische Motoren Werke

(Get Free Report)

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of automobiles and motorcycles, and spare parts and accessories worldwide. It operates through Automotive, Motorcycles, and Financial Services segments. The Automotive segment engages in the development, manufacture, assembling, and sale of automobiles, spare parts, accessories, and mobility services under the BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands. The Motorcycles segment develops, manufactures, assembles, and sells motorcycles and scooters under the BMW Motorrad brand, as well as spare parts and accessories. The Financial Services segment is involved in the automobile and motorcycle leasing, credit financing, retail and dealership financing, multi-brand fleet, customer deposit, and insurance activities; and the provision of fleet management services under the Alphabet brand. The company sells its products through independent dealerships. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

About ZEEKR Intelligent Technology

(Get Free Report)

ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the research and development, production, commercialization, and sale of the electric vehicles and batteries. It offers battery electric passenger vehicles (BEVs) and SUVs. The company also produces and sells electric powertrain and battery packs for electric vehicles, such as motors and electric control systems; and provides automotive related research and development services. It operates in China, Europe, and internationally. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Ningbo, China. ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited operates as a subsidiary of Geely Automobile Holdings Limited.

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Daiwa Securities Group Inc. (OTCMKTS:DSEEY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $9.50 and last traded at $9.50, with a volume of 348 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $9.08.

Daiwa Securities Group Stock Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $8.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.87. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.69 and a beta of 0.51.

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Daiwa Securities Group (OTCMKTS:DSEEY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The financial services provider reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by ($0.02). Daiwa Securities Group had a return on equity of 7.00% and a net margin of 11.23%.The business had revenue of $2.44 billion during the quarter.

About Daiwa Securities Group

Daiwa Securities Group Inc is a leading Japanese financial services firm established in 1902 and headquartered in Tokyo. Operating as a holding company, Daiwa oversees a network of subsidiaries active in securities brokerage, investment banking and asset management. With a history spanning over a century, the group has evolved to meet the changing needs of individual and institutional clients, building a reputation for comprehensive capital markets solutions.

The groups core businesses include retail brokerage, offering equity, fixed income and mutual fund products to individual investors in Japan.

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Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Dbs Bank to a moderate buy rating in a note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on DELL. Barclays cut their target price on Dell Technologies from $151.00 to $148.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Zacks Research cut shares of Dell Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Dell Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price target on Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $162.84.

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Dell Technologies Stock Down 2.9%

Shares of NYSE DELL opened at $124.05 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $82.21 billion, a PE ratio of 16.54, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.03. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $135.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $134.19. Dell Technologies has a twelve month low of $66.25 and a twelve month high of $168.08.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology company reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $27.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.26 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 234.84% and a net margin of 5.01%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.15 EPS. Dell Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.920-9.920 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.500-3.500 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Dell Technologies will post 6.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Dell Technologies

In other Dell Technologies news, Director Lake Group L.L.C. Silver sold 6,617 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.63, for a total value of $1,003,335.71. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director William D. Green sold 42,736 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $6,837,760.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 47,619 shares in the company, valued at $7,619,040. This trade represents a 47.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 700,158 shares of company stock worth $110,642,464 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth $528,279,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in Dell Technologies by 4,279.1% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,005,776 shares of the technology companys stock worth $426,129,000 after acquiring an additional 2,937,137 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 82.3% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,855,154 shares of the technology companys stock worth $688,315,000 after acquiring an additional 2,191,317 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in Dell Technologies by 541.9% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,996,557 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $283,052,000 after purchasing an additional 1,685,529 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 628.5% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,374,078 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $168,462,000 after purchasing an additional 1,185,454 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.37% of the companys stock.

Dell Technologies Company Profile

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Dell Technologies Inc is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of information technology products, solutions and services. Its offerings span client computing devices (consumer and commercial laptops and desktops), enterprise infrastructure (servers, storage systems and networking equipment), software and cloud infrastructure, and a variety of professional services such as IT consulting, deployment, managed services and financing solutions. The company serves organizations of all sizes as well as individual consumers, with products and services aimed at enabling digital transformation and modern IT environments.

Founded by Michael Dell in 1984, the company grew from a direct-to-consumer PC business into a diversified IT provider through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.

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Voya Investment Management LLC reduced its position in shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions (NYSE:DFIN  Free Report) by 74.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,931 shares of the companys stock after selling 14,552 shares during the quarter. Voya Investment Management LLCs holdings in Donnelley Financial Solutions were worth $254,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions by 1,107.1% during the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 507 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 465 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Donnelley Financial Solutions by 53.7% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 690 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank grew its position in shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions by 48.5% in the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,584 shares of the companys stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 517 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions by 64.0% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,973 shares of the companys stock valued at $183,000 after purchasing an additional 1,160 shares during the period. Finally, Mutual of America Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions during the second quarter worth about $201,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.84% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on DFIN. Wall Street Zen raised Donnelley Financial Solutions from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, December 6th. DA Davidson set a $70.00 price objective on Donnelley Financial Solutions in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions from $72.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. CJS Securities raised shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Donnelley Financial Solutions in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $63.50.

Donnelley Financial Solutions Stock Performance

Donnelley Financial Solutions stock opened at $47.72 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.01. The stock has a market cap of $1.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.44 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Donnelley Financial Solutions has a 1-year low of $37.80 and a 1-year high of $69.93.

Donnelley Financial Solutions (NYSE:DFIN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.29. Donnelley Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 22.46% and a net margin of 4.33%.The company had revenue of $175.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $169.70 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.48 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

About Donnelley Financial Solutions

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Donnelley Financial Solutions (NYSE:DFIN) offers risk and compliance software and managed services designed to help corporations, financial institutions and legal firms meet regulatory and reporting requirements worldwide. Headquartered in Chicago, the company delivers a cloud-based platform for regulatory filings, content automation, virtual data rooms and board communications. Its solutions are tailored to support public companies with SEC, FCA and other global filing obligations, as well as banks, asset managers and credit unions seeking to streamline compliance workflows.

Among DFINs flagship products is ActiveDisclosure, a SaaS application that automates the creation, review and filing of disclosure documents.

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Wall Street Zen lowered shares of DRDGOLD (NYSE:DRD  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. HC Wainwright boosted their price target on shares of DRDGOLD to $36.25 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of DRDGOLD in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded DRDGOLD from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $36.25.

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DRDGOLD Price Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On DRDGOLD

DRDGOLD stock opened at $31.57 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $29.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $22.92. DRDGOLD has a fifty-two week low of $8.62 and a fifty-two week high of $34.80.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of DRDGOLD by 88.2% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,690 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 792 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new stake in DRDGOLD during the third quarter worth about $102,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in DRDGOLD by 24.8% during the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,387 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $149,000 after purchasing an additional 1,070 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in DRDGOLD by 29.7% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,422 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 1,469 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA increased its position in shares of DRDGOLD by 26.7% during the 3rd quarter. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA now owns 6,650 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $184,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. 14.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About DRDGOLD

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DRDGOLD (NYSE: DRD) is a South African gold producer focused on the retreatment of surface tailings from historic mining operations on the Witwatersrand Basin. The company recovers fine gold particles from lowgrade tailings using an integrated, carboninleach (CIL) processing circuit that is designed to maximize yield and minimize environmental impact. DRDGOLDs operations are centered on sustainable resource utilization, transforming previously discarded material into saleable gold dore bars.

The company operates two primary tailings retreatment facilities on the West Rand and East Rand of Gauteng Province.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) shares dropped 3.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $1,033.38 and last traded at $1,041.7780. Approximately 4,058,538 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 24% from the average daily volume of 3,263,052 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,080.36.

Eli Lilly and Company News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LLY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,038.00 to $1,182.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Guggenheim restated a buy rating and issued a $1,163.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $951.00 to $1,145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $1,161.27.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 3.6%

The company has a market capitalization of $984.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.97, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $1,013.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $851.29.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The business had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.18 EPS. The firms revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a $1.73 dividend. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 33.86%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 84.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 35 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares during the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Steph & Co. grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% in the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

About Eli Lilly and Company

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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Shares of Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE:EEX  Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $4.55, but opened at $4.77. Emerald shares last traded at $4.7430, with a volume of 767 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Emerald from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Emerald in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities restated a buy rating and issued a $7.70 price target on shares of Emerald in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $7.70.

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Emerald Trading Down 3.9%

The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The stock has a market cap of $910.90 million, a P/E ratio of 153.55 and a beta of 0.69. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $4.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.68.

Emerald (NYSE:EEX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.04) by ($0.03). Emerald had a return on equity of 1.20% and a net margin of 1.05%.The company had revenue of $77.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $76.80 million.

Emerald Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a $0.015 dividend. This represents a $0.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. Emeralds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 200.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Emerald

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Contrarian Capital Management L.L.C. raised its holdings in Emerald by 12.1% during the 3rd quarter. Contrarian Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 879,000 shares of the companys stock worth $4,474,000 after purchasing an additional 95,138 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Emerald during the 1st quarter worth approximately $352,000. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Emerald by 197.6% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 92,276 shares of the companys stock worth $470,000 after buying an additional 61,273 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Emerald in the second quarter valued at approximately $214,000. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Emerald in the first quarter valued at approximately $116,000. Institutional investors own 14.90% of the companys stock.

Emerald Company Profile

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Emerald (NYSE: EEX) is a global provider of independent data, news and analytics for commodity, financial and energy markets. The company operates digital platforms that deliver real-time and historical price assessments, market commentary, research reports and risk-management tools. Its subscriber base spans traders, asset managers, corporate hedgers and financial institutions seeking timely intelligence to support trading, risk management and investment decisions.

Serving clients across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Emerald covers a broad range of markets including metals, energy products, agriculture, freight, environmental emissions and treasury benchmarks.

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Ennis, Inc. (NYSE:EBF  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 8th will be given a dividend of 0.25 per share by the industrial products company on Thursday, February 5th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 8th.

Ennis has increased its dividend by an average of 0.3%annually over the last three years.

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Ennis Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EBF opened at $18.07 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $463.16 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.36. Ennis has a 12 month low of $16.30 and a 12 month high of $22.00. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $17.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.86.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Ennis ( NYSE:EBF Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, December 22nd. The industrial products company reported $0.42 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.01. Ennis had a return on equity of 14.13% and a net margin of 11.01%.The company had revenue of $100.17 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $100.50 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.39 EPS.

Several research firms have issued reports on EBF. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Ennis in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered Ennis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Ennis has an average rating of Hold.

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Ennis Company Profile

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Ennis, Inc (NYSE: EBF) is a provider of print and related products and services designed to meet the needs of businesses and organizations across a variety of industries. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Ennis offers business forms, checks, manuals, labels, promotional signage and specialty packaging. The company also delivers e-commerce and software solutions that enable customers to manage orders, customize print jobs and streamline supply-chain processes through its integrated online platform.

Enniss core product offerings include continuous business forms, laser checks and security-enhanced documents, as well as graphic communications materials such as brochures, catalogs and direct-mail collateral.

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Eurofins Scient (OTCMKTS:ERFSF  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $74.47, but opened at $82.1220. Eurofins Scient shares last traded at $79.1660, with a volume of 24 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on ERFSF. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Eurofins Scient in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Eurofins Scient in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded Eurofins Scient to an outperform rating in a report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Eurofins Scient Stock Performance

Eurofins Scient Company Profile

The companys 50-day simple moving average is $70.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is $72.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77.

(Get Free Report)

Eurofins Scientific is a global provider of bioanalytical testing and laboratory services, offering a wide array of testing solutions to pharmaceutical, food, environmental, agriscience and consumer products industries. Its core services include pharmaceutical quality control, environmental testing for water and air quality, food safety analysis, agrochemical trials and clinical diagnostic support. The company operates specialized laboratories equipped with advanced analytical technologies such as chromatography, mass spectrometry and molecular biology to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to support research and development efforts across multiple sectors.

Founded in 1987 by Gilles Martin and headquartered in Luxembourg, Eurofins has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $8,401.20 and last traded at $8,400.00, with a volume of 90 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $8,280.00.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Stock Down 0.2%

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $8,034.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6,937.65. The company has a market cap of $991.20 million, a PE ratio of 19.28 and a beta of 0.29.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $147.32 earnings per share for the quarter. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach had a return on equity of 3.84% and a net margin of 12.08%.The business had revenue of $73.67 million during the quarter.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Dividend Announcement

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Company Profile

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $43.00 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 215.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs dividend payout ratio is currently 26.14%.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL) is a community bank founded in 1907 and headquartered in Long Beach, California. As a wholly owned subsidiary of FMB Bancorp, the bank serves individuals, families and local businesses with a focus on personalized relationship banking. Its long history reflects a commitment to supporting the economic growth and development of the communities it serves.

The banks primary business activities include a broad range of commercial and retail banking services.

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LAS VEGAS, United States, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang on Monday highlighted the rapid rise of open-source AI models like the Chinese DeepSeek R1 and revealed that Nvidia's Rubin AI computing platform is in full production.

In his keynote speech to open the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), attracting more than 2,000 attendees from around the world, Huang also underscored the role of Chinese and Chinese-linked partners in Nvidia's supply chain and system-building ecosystem.

He said the computer industry typically undergoes a reset every 10 to 15 years through major platform shifts, arguing that AI is now driving a fundamental transformation in how software is built and run.

In his two-hour keynote, Huang said developers are increasingly "training the software" and running new workloads on graphics processing units rather than relying solely on central processing units.

The Nvidia CEO pointed to the growing momentum of open models, particularly those released for broad use and adaptation. He said that open models "really took off" and described an "open model" reasoning system as a breakthrough that surprised the industry, noting that DeepSeek R1 "caught the world by surprise."

Open models have "reached the frontier" but remain about six months behind the most advanced frontier systems, Huang said, noting that new models are emerging on roughly six-month cycles and are "getting smarter," linking rising download numbers to strong global interest from startups, large companies, researchers, students and countries.

On hardware, Huang revealed that Nvidia's major AI computing platform, Rubin, is in full production, describing it as the company's next-generation AI platform.

The Rubin platform is built as a system of six new chips designed to operate as one, Nvidia said Monday in a release.

Huang also emphasized the manufacturing and integration work required to build rack-scale AI systems, like the Rubin platform, referencing multiple major partners involved in their construction. He said "every single major computer company" knows how to build these systems, citing Foxconn and Lenovo among companies in the ecosystem, alongside other global suppliers.

To illustrate the physical scale of modern AI infrastructure, Huang said a rack-level system can include "2 miles" of copper cabling, or about 3.2 kilometers.

Huang's message to CES was that the AI shift is being shaped by both new computing platforms and broader participation enabled by open models. With Rubin moving into production and open-source reasoning models gaining attention, he framed the next stage as a period of faster deployment across industries and economies. 
Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC cut its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 99,721 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 13,550 shares during the period. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLCs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $4,497,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of BMY. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb during the second quarter worth $25,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 107.2% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 605 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 313 shares during the period. REAP Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 202.8% in the 2nd quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 639 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 66.0% during the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 581 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.41% of the companys stock.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Price Performance

NYSE:BMY opened at $53.06 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $108.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.93, a P/E/G ratio of 8.89 and a beta of 0.29. The firms fifty day moving average price is $50.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $47.56. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a one year low of $42.52 and a one year high of $63.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

Bristol Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.75 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a net margin of 12.57% and a return on equity of 76.53%. Bristol Myers Squibbs quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.80 EPS. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. This is a positive change from Bristol Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Bristol Myers Squibbs payout ratio is 85.14%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BMY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Scotiabank restated a sector perform rating and issued a $53.00 price target (up from $45.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Bank of America upgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $52.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.62.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Bristol Myers Squibb

About Bristol Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, focused on discovering, developing and delivering medicines for serious diseases. The companys core activities include research and development, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals across multiple therapeutic areas. BMS concentrates on advancing therapies in oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease and specialty areas through both small molecules and biologics.

BMSs marketed portfolio and latestage pipeline reflect a strong emphasis on cancer and immunemediated conditions.

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Greenleaf Trust decreased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 74,944 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 13,014 shares during the period. Greenleaf Trusts holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $10,038,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $23,502,644,000 after acquiring an additional 2,977,715 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 0.9% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 78,354,270 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $10,656,964,000 after purchasing an additional 689,517 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 38,293,067 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $5,184,589,000 after purchasing an additional 1,390,554 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the second quarter worth about $3,026,180,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 13,177,029 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,792,209,000 after buying an additional 68,613 shares in the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT stock opened at $126.43 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $219.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.84, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $110.86 and a one year high of $141.23. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $125.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $129.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.70.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.30. The firm had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 31.88%.Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.21 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. This is a boost from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 29.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Benchmark initiated coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Friday, October 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $145.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $147.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, October 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $147.37.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ABT

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.

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Greenleaf Trust trimmed its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA  Free Report) by 1.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,726,823 shares of the companys stock after selling 29,870 shares during the period. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF comprises approximately 2.2% of Greenleaf Trusts investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Greenleaf Trust owned 0.16% of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF worth $238,079,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IEFA. Denver PWM LLC grew its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Denver PWM LLC now owns 29,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,437,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 2,830 shares of the companys stock worth $236,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. First Bank & Trust raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. First Bank & Trust now owns 21,171 shares of the companys stock worth $1,848,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the period. Cypress Wealth Services LLC lifted its stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 1.2% in the second quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC now owns 10,498 shares of the companys stock valued at $876,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allium Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 4.5% during the second quarter. Allium Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,006 shares of the companys stock valued at $251,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares during the period.

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iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Price Performance

BATS:IEFA opened at $91.43 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $156.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.18 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $88.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $86.55. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has a 1 year low of $66.95 and a 1 year high of $87.36.

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed-market stocks in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and excludes North America IEFA was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Greenleaf Trust raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 4.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 340,569 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 15,062 shares during the period. Canadian Pacific Kansas City comprises 0.2% of Greenleaf Trusts investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Greenleaf Trusts holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $25,369,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 1st quarter worth $35,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. acquired a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $49,000. Finally, Chapman Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 2nd quarter valued at $56,000. 72.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on CP shares. Susquehanna set a $87.00 price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $90.00 price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley raised Canadian Pacific Kansas City from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Barclays set a $90.00 target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $129.00 to $127.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $91.69.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

CP opened at $72.69 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $72.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $75.20. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a one year low of $66.49 and a one year high of $83.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.10.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP  Get Free Report) (TSE:CP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.81 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $2.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.71 billion. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 28.41% and a return on equity of 8.79%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.99 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.228 per share. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio is presently 19.82%.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is a North American Class I freight railroad formed through the combination of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern. The merged company operates an integrated rail network that spans Canada, the United States and Mexico, providing a single-line rail connection across all three countries. This transborder footprint is intended to streamline cross-border freight flows and provide shippers with direct rail access from Canadian and U.S. production centers to Mexican markets and ports.

CPKCs core business is freight transportation and related logistics services.

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HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB  Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 5.9% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $34.35 and last traded at $34.3140. Approximately 6,380,369 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 38% from the average daily volume of 4,639,095 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.48.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of HDFC Bank in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen cut HDFC Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded HDFC Bank from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, HDFC Bank presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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View Our Latest Research Report on HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $174.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.78, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a fifty day moving average of $36.21 and a 200 day moving average of $36.51.

HDFC Bank (NYSE:HDB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Saturday, October 18th. The bank reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.08. HDFC Bank had a return on equity of 11.49% and a net margin of 14.94%.The firm had revenue of $8.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.98 billion. As a group, analysts anticipate that HDFC Bank Limited will post 3.03 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HDFC Bank

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Financial Perspectives Inc grew its stake in shares of HDFC Bank by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Perspectives Inc now owns 10,769 shares of the banks stock worth $826,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in HDFC Bank by 4.9% during the second quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,244 shares of the banks stock worth $249,000 after buying an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in HDFC Bank by 13.3% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,349 shares of the banks stock worth $103,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of HDFC Bank by 1.3% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 14,694 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,127,000 after buying an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rehmann Capital Advisory Group boosted its stake in shares of HDFC Bank by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 15,022 shares of the banks stock worth $1,152,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. 17.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About HDFC Bank

(Get Free Report)

HDFC Bank Limited is one of Indias leading private sector banks, headquartered in Mumbai. Incorporated in 1994 and promoted by Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), the bank provides a full range of banking and financial services to retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate customers. It is publicly listed and also accessible to international investors through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HDB.

The banks core activities include retail banking (deposit accounts, personal loans, home loans, auto loans, and credit cards), commercial and corporate banking (working capital finance, term lending, trade finance and treasury services), and transaction banking (cash management and payment solutions).

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Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) by 11.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 40,327 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 5,424 shares during the quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $5,717,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. State Street Corp grew its stake in Dell Technologies by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 14,099,317 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,728,576,000 after acquiring an additional 292,167 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 15.0% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,904,843 shares of the technology companys stock worth $725,586,000 after purchasing an additional 771,966 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $528,279,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 37.1% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,203,732 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $392,802,000 after purchasing an additional 867,071 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 14.3% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 2,543,785 shares of the technology companys stock worth $231,866,000 after buying an additional 318,573 shares in the last quarter. 76.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Dell Technologies Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of DELL opened at $124.05 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $135.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $134.19. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 12-month low of $66.25 and a 12-month high of $168.08. The firm has a market cap of $82.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.03.

Dell Technologies Announces Dividend

Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology company reported $2.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.12. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 5.01% and a negative return on equity of 234.84%. The business had revenue of $27.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.26 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.15 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. Dell Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.920-9.920 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.500-3.500 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be given a $0.525 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is presently 28.00%.

Insider Activity at Dell Technologies

In other news, Director Ellen Jamison Kullman sold 79,806 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.56, for a total transaction of $12,255,009.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 65,662 shares in the company, valued at $10,083,056.72. This trade represents a 54.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Egon Durban sold 71,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.12, for a total value of $9,806,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,172,428 shares in the company, valued at $161,935,755.36. This represents a 5.71% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 700,158 shares of company stock valued at $110,642,464 over the last ninety days. 42.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Dell Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, December 14th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Zacks Research cut shares of Dell Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $130.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $162.84.

Read Our Latest Report on Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of information technology products, solutions and services. Its offerings span client computing devices (consumer and commercial laptops and desktops), enterprise infrastructure (servers, storage systems and networking equipment), software and cloud infrastructure, and a variety of professional services such as IT consulting, deployment, managed services and financing solutions. The company serves organizations of all sizes as well as individual consumers, with products and services aimed at enabling digital transformation and modern IT environments.

Founded by Michael Dell in 1984, the company grew from a direct-to-consumer PC business into a diversified IT provider through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.

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Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI  Get Free Report) General Counsel Christopher Crain sold 500 shares of Houlihan Lokey stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.17, for a total value of $87,085.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Houlihan Lokey Price Performance

NYSE:HLI traded up $6.09 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $182.43. The companys stock had a trading volume of 483,672 shares, compared to its average volume of 544,686. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $137.99 and a fifty-two week high of $211.78. The firm has a market cap of $12.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.42 and a beta of 0.95. The firms 50 day moving average is $179.12 and its 200-day moving average is $188.83.

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Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $659.45 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $639.08 million. Houlihan Lokey had a net margin of 16.62% and a return on equity of 24.17%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Houlihan Lokey, Inc. will post 5.98 EPS for the current year.

Houlihan Lokey Announces Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Houlihan Lokeys dividend payout ratio is presently 38.71%.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sowell Financial Services LLC increased its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 4,571 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $939,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV increased its position in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 0.9% during the second quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 5,845 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,052,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 64.4% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 148 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 1,916 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $345,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 16.5% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 467 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $96,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.07% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HLI has been the subject of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Houlihan Lokey in a report on Thursday, October 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $210.00 price objective for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Houlihan Lokey from $230.00 to $228.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Houlihan Lokey in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Houlihan Lokey from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $192.00 to $213.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Houlihan Lokey has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $207.43.

Read Our Latest Report on HLI

Houlihan Lokey Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Houlihan Lokey, Inc is a global investment bank and financial services firm founded in 1972 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company specializes in advisory services across a broad range of transaction types and financial matters. Since its founding, Houlihan Lokey has grown to serve corporations, financial sponsors, and government entities worldwide, providing expertise in complex and high-stakes engagements.

The firms core service offerings include mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital markets advisory, financial restructuring and distressed M&A, and valuation and fairness opinions.

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ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING  Get Free Report) declared an annual dividend on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 8th will be paid a dividend of 0.2009 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, January 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 69.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 8th.

ING Group has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years. ING Group has a dividend payout ratio of 26.9% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect ING Group to earn $2.56 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.68 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 26.6%.

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ING Group Price Performance

Shares of ING opened at $28.94 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $84.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.03, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.82. ING Group has a fifty-two week low of $15.53 and a fifty-two week high of $29.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99. The firms 50 day moving average price is $26.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.84.

About ING Group

ING Group ( NYSE:ING Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.06. ING Group had a net margin of 26.94% and a return on equity of 11.57%. The company had revenue of $6.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.35 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that ING Group will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

(Get Free Report)

ING Group N.V. is a Dutch multinational financial services company headquartered in Amsterdam. Formed through the consolidation of Dutch financial businesses, ING operates as a banking and financial services group that serves retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporates and institutional clients. The company is organized under a two-tier governance model common in the Netherlands, with an Executive Board responsible for day-to-day management and a Supervisory Board providing oversight.

INGs principal activities include retail and direct banking, commercial and wholesale banking, corporate lending, transaction services and cash management, and a range of investment and savings products.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Ingredion (NYSE:INGR  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Saturday.

INGR has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Ingredion in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays reissued an equal weight rating and set a $124.00 price target (down from $168.00) on shares of Ingredion in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Stephens dropped their price objective on shares of Ingredion from $140.00 to $120.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Oppenheimer set a $136.00 price objective on shares of Ingredion in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Industrial Alliance Securities set a $124.00 target price on shares of Ingredion in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ingredion has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $124.33.

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Ingredion Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of Ingredion stock opened at $110.48 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. Ingredion has a 12-month low of $102.31 and a 12-month high of $141.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.02, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.72. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $109.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $121.40.

Ingredion (NYSE:INGR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.73 by $0.02. Ingredion had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 9.07%.The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.90 billion. Ingredion has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.100-11.300 EPS. Analysts predict that Ingredion will post 11.14 EPS for the current year.

Ingredion Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 20th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. Ingredions payout ratio is currently 32.70%.

Institutional Trading of Ingredion

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in INGR. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Ingredion by 0.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,266,873 shares of the companys stock worth $985,533,000 after acquiring an additional 22,487 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Ingredion by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,762,402 shares of the companys stock valued at $337,311,000 after purchasing an additional 114,521 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in shares of Ingredion by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,369,448 shares of the companys stock valued at $167,223,000 after purchasing an additional 29,433 shares in the last quarter. Snyder Capital Management L P raised its holdings in Ingredion by 22.0% in the 3rd quarter. Snyder Capital Management L P now owns 1,323,847 shares of the companys stock worth $161,655,000 after purchasing an additional 238,420 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Ingredion by 143.1% during the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,191,118 shares of the companys stock worth $144,685,000 after purchasing an additional 701,063 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.27% of the companys stock.

Ingredion Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ingredion Incorporated is a global ingredient solutions company specializing in the production and sale of starches, sweeteners, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials derived primarily from corn and other plant-based raw materials. The company serves a diverse set of industries, including food and beverage, brewing, pharmaceuticals and personal care, providing functional ingredients that enhance texture, stability, flavor and nutritional value in a wide array of end products.

The companys product portfolio comprises native and modified starches, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrins, specialty sweeteners and various texturizers.

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Shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:SMLF  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Monday . 630,564 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 187% from the previous sessions volume of 219,892 shares.The stock last traded at $76.9510 and had previously closed at $75.88.

iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF Trading Up 1.1%

The firm has a market cap of $2.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.17 and a beta of 1.10. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $74.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $72.81.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new stake in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV purchased a new stake in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC boosted its position in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 1,120.7% during the second quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 708 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 650 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. grew its stake in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 1,946.4% in the third quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 1,146 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 1,090 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. bought a new position in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF in the third quarter worth about $96,000.

iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX U.S. SmallCap Equity Factor index. The fund tracks an index of small-cap US equities. Stocks are selected and weighted to increase exposure to four factors (quality, value, momentum, and low volatility). SMLF was launched on Apr 28, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Shares of Jeffersonville Bancorp (OTCMKTS:JFBC  Get Free Report) were up 0% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $22.4568 and last traded at $22.4551. Approximately 395 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 47% from the average daily volume of 745 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.45.

Jeffersonville Bancorp Price Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $22.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.07 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.93 and a beta of 0.21.

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Jeffersonville Bancorp (OTCMKTS:JFBC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The bank reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Jeffersonville Bancorp had a return on equity of 12.53% and a net margin of 35.75%.

Jeffersonville Bancorp Company Profile

Jeffersonville Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Jeffersonville Bank, the company offers a range of retail and commercial banking services tailored to individuals, small businesses and communities across southern Indiana. As a community-focused institution, Jeffersonville Bancorp emphasizes personalized customer relationships and local market expertise.

The companys core deposit products include checking and savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit.

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Shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMD  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $42.27 and last traded at $42.23, with a volume of 36235 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $41.90.

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Trading Up 0.8%

The company has a market capitalization of $1.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.46 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a 50-day moving average of $40.97 and a 200-day moving average of $39.85.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $12,146,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 53.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 723,022 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,670,000 after buying an additional 252,988 shares during the last quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC grew its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 311.5% in the second quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 213,746 shares of the companys stock worth $8,180,000 after purchasing an additional 161,803 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 14.5% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 811,692 shares of the companys stock worth $31,063,000 after purchasing an additional 102,550 shares during the period. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its position in John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 38.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 317,069 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,596,000 after purchasing an additional 87,390 shares during the period.

About John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

The John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (JHMD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of stocks from developed markets ex-US and Canada, covering 85% of the market capitalization. Holdings are weighted based on fundamental and technical factors JHMD was launched on Dec 15, 2016 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 1.5% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $200.91 and last traded at $204.3160. 9,156,520 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 18% from the average session volume of 7,731,133 shares. The stock had previously closed at $207.35.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on JNJ shares. Guggenheim boosted their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $206.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Argus set a $210.00 price objective on Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $212.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Wolfe Research lifted their price objective on Johnson & Johnson from $225.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Monday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Johnson & Johnson currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $212.62.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson Trading Down 1.5%

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $201.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $183.07. The stock has a market cap of $492.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 30th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 32.73% and a net margin of 27.26%.The firm had revenue of $24.02 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current year.

Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be given a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 24th. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.19%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Johnson & Johnson

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Johnson & Johnson during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Clayton Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Johnson & Johnson during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 55.0% in the 2nd quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 203 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. 69.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Johnson & Johnson Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world.

The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) had its price objective lifted by stock analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $354.00 to $386.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price target would suggest a potential upside of 16.21% from the companys previous close.

A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on JPM. UBS Group lifted their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $339.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. TD Cowen upped their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $370.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Morgan Stanley set a $331.00 price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Truist Financial set a $331.00 target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Wolfe Research increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $342.00 to $346.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $334.57.

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Read Our Latest Report on JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Performance

Shares of JPM opened at $332.15 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The firms 50 day moving average is $313.45 and its 200-day moving average is $303.14. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12-month low of $202.16 and a 12-month high of $337.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $904.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.07.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.83 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $47.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $44.42 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.90% and a return on equity of 17.18%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.37 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In other news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total value of $301,314.72. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 58,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,240,769.68. This represents a 1.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. acquired a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC lifted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 92.6% during the third quarter. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC now owns 104 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 450.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 110 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Finally, Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.55% of the companys stock.

Key Headlines Impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Here are the key news stories impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co. this week:

Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target on JPMorgan to $360 and kept an Overweight rating  a highprofile upgrade that supports further upside and likely helped lift investor sentiment. Wells Fargo raises PT

Wells Fargo raised its price target on JPMorgan to $360 and kept an Overweight rating  a highprofile upgrade that supports further upside and likely helped lift investor sentiment. Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan launched a Special Advisory Services unit to sell specialized advisory expertise (AI, cybersecurity, etc.)  this expands fee revenue opportunities beyond traditional M&A and financing work. Special Advisory Services launch

JPMorgan launched a Special Advisory Services unit to sell specialized advisory expertise (AI, cybersecurity, etc.)  this expands fee revenue opportunities beyond traditional M&A and financing work. Positive Sentiment: Commercial lending activity: Equify Financial secured a $100M capital facility with JPMorgan  a concrete example of JPMorgan deploying balance sheet capital to generate interest income and deepen middlemarket lending ties. Equify facility

Commercial lending activity: Equify Financial secured a $100M capital facility with JPMorgan  a concrete example of JPMorgan deploying balance sheet capital to generate interest income and deepen middlemarket lending ties. Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity: traders bought ~264,572 JPM call options (a ~305% jump vs average daily call volume), a nearterm bullish signal that often correlates with upward stock moves as markets price in upside. (data report)

Unusual options activity: traders bought ~264,572 JPM call options (a ~305% jump vs average daily call volume), a nearterm bullish signal that often correlates with upward stock moves as markets price in upside. (data report) Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan is scheduled to report earnings next week (projected to post on Tuesday)  investors are positioning ahead of the print, which can add volatility but also provide clarity on net interest income and trading results. Earnings projection

JPMorgan is scheduled to report earnings next week (projected to post on Tuesday)  investors are positioning ahead of the print, which can add volatility but also provide clarity on net interest income and trading results. Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary notes JPMorgan joining the >$900B marketcap club and being relatively inexpensive vs. peers  positive framing that may attract index/flows but is less likely to move price alone. MarketWatch: $900B club

Market commentary notes JPMorgan joining the >$900B marketcap club and being relatively inexpensive vs. peers  positive framing that may attract index/flows but is less likely to move price alone. Negative Sentiment: Reputational/PR risk from coverage about CEO Jamie Dimons reported $770M compensation in 2025  large executive pay stories can draw regulatory and public scrutiny, which is a modest governance concern for some investors. Dimon compensation coverage

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(Get Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is a diversified global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. The company provides a wide range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Its operations span retail banking, commercial lending, investment banking, asset management, payments and card services, and treasury and securities services.

The firms principal business activities are organized across several core lines: Consumer & Community Banking, which offers deposit accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and branch and digital banking under the Chase brand; Corporate & Investment Banking, which provides capital markets, advisory, underwriting, trading and risk management services; Commercial Banking, delivering lending, treasury and capital solutions to middle-market and corporate clients; and Asset & Wealth Management, which offers investment management, private banking and retirement services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

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Kathmere Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Free Report) by 2.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 170,840 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,029 shares during the period. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF accounts for about 3.1% of Kathmere Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest position. Kathmere Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $43,812,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Successful Portfolios LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Successful Portfolios LLC now owns 1,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $362,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Centurion Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 0.7% in the third quarter. Centurion Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,764 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,478,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 1.1% in the second quarter. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,917 shares of the companys stock valued at $941,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. raised its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 1.1% during the third quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 3,961 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,016,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 2.6% during the second quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,709 shares of the companys stock worth $411,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Up 22.1%

Shares of MTUM stock opened at $255.15 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $249.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $247.44. The company has a market cap of $18.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.67 and a beta of 1.02. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $168.49 and a twelve month high of $240.99.

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years. MTUM was launched on Apr 16, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.

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RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by investment analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $270.00 to $314.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a market perform rating on the insurance providers stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price objective indicates a potential upside of 15.89% from the stocks current price.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating and issued a $303.00 price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Mizuho started coverage on shares of RenaissanceRe in a research report on Monday, December 15th. They issued a neutral rating and a $281.00 price target for the company. Zacks Research upgraded shares of RenaissanceRe from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $303.00 price target on shares of RenaissanceRe in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $300.00 price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, RenaissanceRe presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $289.50.

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RenaissanceRe Trading Down 2.4%

Shares of RNR traded down $6.62 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $270.96. 200,808 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 408,895. RenaissanceRe has a 52-week low of $219.00 and a 52-week high of $285.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.40. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $267.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $252.80. The firm has a market cap of $12.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.53, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.26.

RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The insurance provider reported $15.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.49 by $6.13. The firm had revenue of $3.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.97 billion. RenaissanceRe had a return on equity of 16.83% and a net margin of 14.23%.RenaissanceRes revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $10.23 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that RenaissanceRe will post 26.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On RenaissanceRe

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in RenaissanceRe by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 334,326 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $81,208,000 after acquiring an additional 3,070 shares in the last quarter. Amundi boosted its stake in RenaissanceRe by 18.0% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 6,924 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,699,000 after acquiring an additional 1,054 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of RenaissanceRe during the second quarter worth about $4,980,000. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of RenaissanceRe by 1,180.7% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 74,217 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $17,812,000 after purchasing an additional 68,422 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe by 31.4% in the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 15,169 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $3,684,000 after purchasing an additional 3,622 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.97% of the companys stock.

About RenaissanceRe

(Get Free Report)

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance solutions, specializing in property catastrophe, casualty, and specialty lines. Established in 1993 and headquartered in Bermuda, the company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RNR. With a focus on underwriting and risk assessment, RenaissanceRe offers tailored programs designed to help insurers and corporations manage exposure to natural disasters, liability claims, and other complex risks.

The company operates through two primary segments: Reinsurance and Insurance.

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KG&L Capital Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 34.9% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 10,047 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 5,385 shares during the quarter. KG&L Capital Management LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $842,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WFC. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 585.5% during the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 377 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. 1248 Management LLC bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $31,000. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance

Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $96.38 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The stock has a market cap of $302.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $89.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $83.98. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1 year low of $58.42 and a 1 year high of $97.76.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The firm had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.42 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WFC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $101.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $93.39.

View Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.

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Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $5.47 and last traded at $5.4550, with a volume of 5506802 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $5.39.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on LYG. Zacks Research lowered shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Friday, October 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded Lloyds Banking Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lloyds Banking Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $80.37 billion, a PE ratio of 15.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.89. The stocks 50 day moving average is $5.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.60.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $6.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.02 billion. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 18.04% and a return on equity of 8.38%. Equities research analysts expect that Lloyds Banking Group PLC will post 0.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lloyds Banking Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 2,671.6% during the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 5,959 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 5,744 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 115.2% in the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 6,092 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 3,261 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,406 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 3,203 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.15% of the companys stock.

About Lloyds Banking Group

(Get Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc is a UK-based banking and financial services company that provides a broad range of retail, commercial and insurance products. Its principal consumer-facing brands include Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, through which it offers current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards and personal loans. The group also delivers services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger corporate clients, supplying business accounts, lending, payments and cash-management solutions.

In addition to core banking, Lloyds operates a significant wealth and insurance arm under the Scottish Widows brand, offering life insurance, pensions, investment and retirement planning products.

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Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $537.00 and last traded at $535.0910, with a volume of 431216 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $511.57.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of Lockheed Martin in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Lockheed Martin from $440.00 to $525.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered Lockheed Martin from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a neutral rating and set a $515.00 price objective (up previously from $465.00) on shares of Lockheed Martin in a report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $514.00 to $513.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $506.18.

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Lockheed Martin Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32. The stock has a market cap of $122.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.24. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $471.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $466.59.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.62. The company had revenue of $18.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.45 billion. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 5.73% and a return on equity of 111.84%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $6.84 EPS. Lockheed Martin has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.150-22.350 EPS. Analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Corporation will post 27.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lockheed Martin Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $3.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $13.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. This is a boost from Lockheed Martins previous quarterly dividend of $3.30. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is 77.05%.

Insider Transactions at Lockheed Martin

In other news, COO John Frank A. St sold 7,792 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $491.04, for a total transaction of $3,826,183.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 1 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $491.04. This trade represents a 99.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Lockheed Martin

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. United Financial Planning Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 285.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 54 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the third quarter worth $27,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. 74.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) is a global aerospace and defense company that designs, develops and manufactures advanced technology systems for government and commercial customers. Formed through the 1995 merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, the company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and focuses on providing integrated solutions across air, space, land and sea domains. Its primary customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and allied governments around the world.

Lockheed Martins product and service portfolio spans military aircraft, missile and fire-control systems, missile defense, space systems and satellite technologies, sensors and precision weapons.

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Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by analysts at Truist Financial from $102.00 to $108.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the building manufacturing companys stock. Truist Financials price target suggests a potential upside of 28.14% from the companys previous close.

LPX has been the topic of a number of other reports. Barclays started coverage on shares of Louisiana-Pacific in a research note on Monday, December 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $100.00 price objective on the stock. DA Davidson restated a buy rating and issued a $117.00 price target on shares of Louisiana-Pacific in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $114.00 to $104.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Zacks Research downgraded Louisiana-Pacific from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, TD Securities dropped their target price on Louisiana-Pacific from $97.00 to $91.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $105.43.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Louisiana-Pacific

Louisiana-Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LPX traded up $0.39 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $84.28. The stock had a trading volume of 60,592 shares, compared to its average volume of 489,663. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $81.89 and a 200-day moving average of $88.21. The firm has a market cap of $5.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.31 and a beta of 1.80. The company has a current ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Louisiana-Pacific has a fifty-two week low of $73.42 and a fifty-two week high of $119.91.

Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The building manufacturing company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $663.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $670.26 million. Louisiana-Pacific had a net margin of 7.69% and a return on equity of 14.90%. Louisiana-Pacifics quarterly revenue was down 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.22 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Louisiana-Pacific will post 5.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Louisiana-Pacific news, Director Stephen E. Macadam acquired 3,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $78.06 per share, with a total value of $249,792.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 41,149 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,212,090.94. The trade was a 8.43% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO William Bradley Southern sold 1,318 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.38, for a total value of $112,530.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 558,590 shares of the companys stock, valued at $47,692,414.20. The trade was a 0.24% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.42% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Louisiana-Pacific

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Louisiana-Pacific by 33,243.5% in the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,588,787 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock valued at $222,610,000 after buying an additional 2,581,023 shares in the last quarter. Eminence Capital LP grew its holdings in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 72.3% in the 2nd quarter. Eminence Capital LP now owns 2,887,438 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $248,291,000 after acquiring an additional 1,211,495 shares during the period. Boston Partners purchased a new position in Louisiana-Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $100,770,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Louisiana-Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $72,299,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Louisiana-Pacific by 674.8% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 698,646 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $62,068,000 after purchasing an additional 608,480 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.73% of the companys stock.

About Louisiana-Pacific

(Get Free Report)

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE: LPX) is a leading manufacturer of building materials and engineered wood products for residential, industrial and light commercial construction. The company produces a diverse portfolio of products, including oriented strand board (OSB), engineered wood siding, trim, molding, sheathing panels and subflooring. Its flagship product lines, such as LP SmartSide trim and siding, are designed to offer enhanced durability, moisture resistance and ease of installation, helping builders and homeowners achieve long-lasting performance in a variety of climates.

Founded in 1973 as a spin-off from Georgia-Pacific, Louisiana-Pacific established its reputation by pioneering innovative manufacturing techniques for OSB, becoming one of the first companies to bring the product to market in the 1980s.

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Key Points

Comfort Systems is deeply embedded in the AI boom and is making revenue.

Comfort Systems recently hit a record backlog, with the CEO citing "unprecedented demand" for its services.

These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires 

Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) is a designer of small modular reactors that could become a critical energy source for artificial intelligence (AI) processes. The nuclear energy stock has been one of the favorites in the industry thanks to Sam Altman's connection as a significant investor and former chairman of the board.

Oklo shares more than tripled last year, but it is a highly speculative company with no commercial revenue to speak of at this time. Oklo also has an $11 billion market cap, which is a lot for a company that isn't making any revenue. While AI is a megatrend that can produce many winners, investors can minimize their risk while having a high potential upside with more viable AI stocks.

Comfort Systems USA (NYSE: FIX) is also benefiting from the AI boom, but unlike Oklo, it already makes billions of dollars every quarter.

How Comfort Systems USA fits in the AI industry

Image source: Getty Images.

AI chips are the big story, but those chips must be in the right environment to function, let alone perform optimally. One of the requirements for AI chips is that they are in frigid environments, or else they will overheat.

Companies can't put every data center in Antarctica, so they have resorted to intense air conditioning to keep the chips nice and cool. Comfort Systems USA has been a commercial provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and electrical contracting services for almost 30 years. AI data centers have suddenly boosted the demand for Comfort Systems USA's services, and that has translated into significant gains.

The growth stock more than doubled in 2025 and is up by roughly 1,900% over the past five years. It really goes to show how much investors can generate from small AI stocks before they gain more spotlight.

The backlog is growing

While Oklo is a very speculative AI-related stock, Comfort Systems USA offers real results. The HVAC company wrapped up Q3 with a $9.38 billion backlog, with same-store backlog growing by 62% year over year.

Revenue jumped by 35% in Q3, while net income almost doubled. A rising profit margin bodes well as the company continues to capitalize on the AI boom. CEO Brian Lane cited "unprecedented demand" for the company's services in the company's Q3 press release. Lane also reminded investors that Comfort Systems USA acquired two electrical companies -- Feyen Zylstra and Meisner Electric.
Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. trimmed its position in shares of McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK  Free Report) by 16.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,256 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,964 shares during the quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.s holdings in McKesson were worth $7,923,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Solstein Capital LLC lifted its stake in McKesson by 171.4% in the second quarter. Solstein Capital LLC now owns 38 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of McKesson during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. GFG Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of McKesson during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Abound Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of McKesson by 104.3% in the 3rd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 47 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in McKesson in the second quarter worth $35,000. Institutional investors own 85.07% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CAO Napoleon B. Rutledge, Jr. sold 329 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $861.63, for a total value of $283,476.27. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 328 shares in the company, valued at approximately $282,614.64. This represents a 50.08% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

McKesson Price Performance

MCK opened at $823.96 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $101.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.41. The firms fifty day moving average price is $833.92 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $760.18. McKesson Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $570.51 and a fifty-two week high of $895.58.

McKesson (NYSE:MCK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $9.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.84 by $1.02. McKesson had a net margin of 1.04% and a negative return on equity of 248.14%. The company had revenue of $103.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $103.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $7.07 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that McKesson Corporation will post 32.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McKesson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. McKessons payout ratio is presently 10.21%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho upped their price target on McKesson from $750.00 to $770.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $1,000.00 target price on shares of McKesson in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on McKesson from $821.00 to $853.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of McKesson in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of McKesson in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $892.86.

View Our Latest Stock Report on McKesson

About McKesson

(Free Report)

McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) is a global healthcare services and distribution company that supplies pharmaceuticals, medical-surgical products and health care technology solutions. Founded in 1833 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, McKesson operates across the drug distribution and healthcare services value chain, connecting manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals and health systems to help manage the movement of medicines and clinical supplies.

The companys core activities include pharmaceutical wholesale distribution and logistics, specialty pharmacy services, and the provision of medical-surgical supplies to acute and non-acute care providers.

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Members Advisory Group LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Free Report) by 270.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,796 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 20,299 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF makes up 2.5% of Members Advisory Group LLCs holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Members Advisory Group LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $7,131,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 262.2% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 163 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 118 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the second quarter valued at $46,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 45.0% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 216 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the second quarter worth $55,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 109.0% in the second quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 255 shares of the companys stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Up 22.1%

BATS MTUM opened at $255.15 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $18.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.67 and a beta of 1.02. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $168.49 and a twelve month high of $240.99. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $249.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $247.44.

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years. MTUM was launched on Apr 16, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE:MTH  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation, three have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $84.5714.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on MTH shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Meritage Homes from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Meritage Homes from $60.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. UBS Group set a $101.00 price target on shares of Meritage Homes and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Meritage Homes from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Meritage Homes in a research note on Monday, December 29th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Meritage Homes

Meritage Homes Stock Performance

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital World Investors grew its position in Meritage Homes by 44.3% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,987,850 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $143,980,000 after purchasing an additional 609,866 shares during the period. Greenhaven Associates Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Meritage Homes by 4.0% in the second quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. now owns 1,491,955 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $99,916,000 after buying an additional 57,587 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Meritage Homes by 58.9% in the second quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,423,013 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $95,299,000 after buying an additional 527,265 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Meritage Homes during the second quarter valued at about $75,148,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Meritage Homes by 58.6% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,058,850 shares of the construction companys stock worth $75,051,000 after acquiring an additional 391,297 shares in the last quarter. 98.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

MTH stock opened at $66.95 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $68.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $71.40. Meritage Homes has a 1-year low of $59.27 and a 1-year high of $84.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market cap of $4.71 billion, a PE ratio of 6.80 and a beta of 1.48.

Meritage Homes (NYSE:MTH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.71 by ($0.32). Meritage Homes had a net margin of 8.96% and a return on equity of 10.37%. The business had revenue of $1.42 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.48 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.34 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. Meritage Homes has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.510-1.700 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Meritage Homes will post 9.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Meritage Homes Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 17th were paid a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 17th. Meritage Homess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 17.48%.

Meritage Homes Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Meritage Homes Corporation is a national homebuilder and residential developer headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in 1985 as Winchester Homes and later rebranded to Meritage Homes, the company specializes in designing, constructing and selling singlefamily detached and attached homes. With a focus on energy efficiency and sustainable building practices, Meritage Homes markets its properties under the GreenSmart program, which integrates highperformance features aimed at reducing longterm energy and water consumption for homebuyers.

The companys core activities encompass land acquisition, residential community planning, home design, construction management and real estate sales.

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Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $86.00 to $89.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the asset managers stock. Morgan Stanleys target price would suggest a potential upside of 17.35% from the stocks current price.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Moelis & Company in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Moelis & Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research downgraded Moelis & Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Moelis & Company in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They issued a market perform rating and a $74.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Moelis & Company in a report on Thursday, December 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $70.00 price target for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.50.

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Moelis & Company Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:MC traded up $1.29 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $75.84. The stock had a trading volume of 65,963 shares, compared to its average volume of 561,936. The company has a market cap of $5.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.26, a PEG ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.85. Moelis & Company has a 12 month low of $47.00 and a 12 month high of $82.89. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $66.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.70.

Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The asset manager reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $356.89 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $336.14 million. Moelis & Company had a net margin of 15.98% and a return on equity of 45.62%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 30.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.22 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Moelis & Company will post 2.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Moelis & Company

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. AE Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Moelis & Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Moelis & Company by 32.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,356,893 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $137,548,000 after acquiring an additional 579,529 shares during the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its holdings in shares of Moelis & Company by 21.2% during the 2nd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 33,294 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,075,000 after acquiring an additional 5,819 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Moelis & Company by 22.2% during the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 26,619 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,659,000 after acquiring an additional 4,828 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moran Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Moelis & Company during the 2nd quarter worth $2,358,000. Institutional investors own 91.53% of the companys stock.

About Moelis & Company

(Get Free Report)

Moelis & Co operates as a holding company. It engages in the provision of financial advisory, capital raising and asset management services to a client base including corporations, governments, sovereign wealth funds and financial sponsors. The firm focuses on clients including large public multinational corporations, middle market private companies, financial sponsors, entrepreneurs and governments. The company was founded by Kenneth David Moelis, Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Jeffrey Raich and Elizabeth Ann Crain in July 2007 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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OceanaGold Co. (OTCMKTS:OCANF  Get Free Report) rose 4.7% on Monday . The company traded as high as $29.75 and last traded at $29.41. Approximately 16,055 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 8% from the average daily volume of 14,927 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.10.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on OCANF. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of OceanaGold in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of OceanaGold in a research note on Sunday, December 7th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of OceanaGold in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, OceanaGold has a consensus rating of Buy.

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OceanaGold Trading Up 4.7%

OceanaGold Company Profile

The company has a fifty day moving average of $25.66 and a two-hundred day moving average of $20.47.

(Get Free Report)

OceanaGold Corporation is an international gold and copper producer headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. The company focuses on the exploration, development and operation of open pit and underground mines across the AsiaPacific and North America regions. Its core operations include the Didipio mine in the Philippines, the Macraes and Waihi gold mines in New Zealand and the Haile gold mine in South Carolina, United States. OceanaGolds portfolio spans proven reserves, nearmine development projects and exploration tenements, providing a balanced mix of production and growth assets.

Founded in 2005 as a spin-off from Placer Dome, OceanaGold has grown through strategic acquisitions and organic development.

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OneAscent Financial Services LLC cut its stake in shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 47.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,259 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 4,716 shares during the period. OneAscent Financial Services LLCs holdings in Duke Energy were worth $651,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of DUK. Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 17.5% in the third quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 3,201 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $396,000 after acquiring an additional 477 shares during the period. Spirepoint Private Client LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $223,000. Greenleaf Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 13.8% in the third quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 21,564 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,669,000 after buying an additional 2,609 shares during the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Duke Energy by 7.4% during the third quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 34,831 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,310,000 after buying an additional 2,406 shares during the period. Finally, Gries Financial LLC increased its holdings in Duke Energy by 7.9% during the third quarter. Gries Financial LLC now owns 2,019 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $250,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of Duke Energy stock opened at $116.85 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Duke Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $105.20 and a 52 week high of $130.03. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $120.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $121.35. The company has a market capitalization of $90.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.37, a PEG ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.50.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.06. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 15.76%.The company had revenue of $8.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.51 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.62 EPS. The firms revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $1.065 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $4.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 66.98%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BTIG Research raised shares of Duke Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Duke Energy to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Duke Energy from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Morgan Stanley set a $126.00 price objective on Duke Energy in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Evercore ISI started coverage on Duke Energy in a research note on Monday, October 6th. They set an outperform rating and a $143.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $136.50.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DUK

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Duke Energy news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $1,015,160.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 11,367 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,407,234.60. The trade was a 41.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

About Duke Energy

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation is a U.S.-based electric power holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The companys core business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Duke Energy operates a mix of regulated electric utilities and non-regulated energy businesses, providing essential energy infrastructure and services across multiple states.

Its operating activities include owning and operating generation assets across a portfolio that encompasses nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and an expanding array of renewable resources, as well as battery storage and grid modernization projects.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Saturday.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on OGN. Piper Sandler cut shares of Organon & Co. from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and set a $5.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, October 27th. Barclays initiated coverage on Organon & Co. in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued an underweight rating and a $7.50 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Organon & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Organon & Co. from $14.00 to $12.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Organon & Co. from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $8.38.

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Organon & Co. Price Performance

Shares of NYSE OGN opened at $7.42 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.87, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.58. Organon & Co. has a one year low of $6.18 and a one year high of $17.23. The companys fifty day moving average is $7.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.69, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.75.

Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.08. Organon & Co. had a net margin of 7.95% and a return on equity of 143.47%. The business had revenue of $1.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.38 EPS. Analysts forecast that Organon & Co. will post 3.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Organon & Co. Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 20th were given a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 20th. Organon & Co.s payout ratio is currently 4.17%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Organon & Co.

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lifted its holdings in Organon & Co. by 69.0% in the 2nd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 216,737 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,098,000 after purchasing an additional 88,454 shares in the last quarter. Bryce Point Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Organon & Co. during the second quarter valued at approximately $465,000. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC boosted its position in Organon & Co. by 19.0% during the second quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 315,952 shares of the companys stock worth $3,058,000 after acquiring an additional 50,393 shares during the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management boosted its position in Organon & Co. by 109.1% during the second quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 90,342 shares of the companys stock worth $875,000 after acquiring an additional 47,127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WBI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Organon & Co. in the 1st quarter worth approximately $946,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.43% of the companys stock.

About Organon & Co.

(Get Free Report)

Organon & Co is a global healthcare company that was established as an independent, publicly traded entity following its spin-off from Merck & Co in June 2021. Headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, Organon focuses on delivering therapeutic solutions across womens health, biosimilars, and established brands. The companys creation reflected a strategic effort to concentrate on specialty pharmaceuticals and legacy products with proven patient impact.

In womens health, Organon provides a broad portfolio of products addressing reproductive and gynecological conditions, including fertility treatments, contraception, and hormone replacement therapies.

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Shares of Partners Group Holding AG (OTCMKTS:PGPHF  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $1,213.55, but opened at $1,299.49. Partners Group shares last traded at $1,299.49, with a volume of 12 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Citigroup upgraded shares of Partners Group from a reduce rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Partners Group Stock Performance

About Partners Group

The firms 50 day moving average price is $1,194.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,289.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.73 billion and a PE ratio of 89.62.

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Partners Group Holding AG (OTCMKTS: PGPHF) is a global private markets investment manager that specializes in private equity, private debt, private real estate and private infrastructure. The firm develops tailored investment solutions for institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Its services include direct investments, primary fund commitments and secondary market transactions, as well as customized portfolio and advisory offerings.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, Partners Group completed its initial public offering on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 2006.

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Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Saturday.

A number of other analysts have also commented on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research cut Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $14.90.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on PBR

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras stock opened at $11.75 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $75.69 billion, a PE ratio of 5.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 0.51. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a 52-week low of $11.03 and a 52-week high of $14.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.82.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.03. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras had a net margin of 16.15% and a return on equity of 23.32%. On average, analysts anticipate that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a dividend of $0.0658 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobrass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.76%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new stake in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 74.9% during the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,438 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,044 shares in the last quarter. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 45.7% in the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 2,875 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 902 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas lifted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 241.9% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas now owns 4,240 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter.

About Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras

(Get Free Report)

Petroleo Brasileiro SA  Petrobras is a Brazilian, state-controlled integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. Founded in 1953, Petrobras is principally engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and operates across the full value chain from upstream activities through refining, transportation and downstream marketing of petroleum products. The company is a major player in Brazils energy sector and is a listed public company with global capital market presence.

Petrobrass core activities include deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration and production, where it has been a pioneer in developing pre-salt reserves off Brazils coast.

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PressLogic (PLAI) expects to raise $9 million in an initial public offering on Friday, January 9th, IPO Scoop reports. The company will issue 1,800,000 shares at a price of $4.00-$6.00 per share.

In the last 12 months, PressLogic generated $14.77 million in revenue and $1.91 million in net income. PressLogic has a market cap of $83.20 million.

American Trust Investment Services served as the underwriter for the IPO.

PressLogic provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) We provide digital marketing services to companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Our content marketing solutions include a digital marketing solution segment, which offers editorial content, influencer marketing and display advertising, along with advertisements. We run nine proprietary media brands with over 12 million subscribers and followers, including nine websites, five apps, 11 Facebook fanpages, 11 Instagram profiles and eight YouTube channels, as of the date of this prospectus. Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars (converted from Hong Kong dollars) for the 12 months that ended June 30, 2025. (Note: PressLogic filed its F-1/A on Oct. 14, 2025, and disclosed the terms of its small IPO: The company is offering 1.8 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $9.0 million, if priced at the mid-point of its range. Background: PressLogic filed its F-1 to go public in September.) .

PressLogic was founded in 2016 and has 124 employees. The company is located at 26/F, Chinachem Leighton Plaza 29 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay Hong Kong Tel: +852 3709 2787 and can be reached via phone at +852 3709 2787 or on the web at https://www.presslogic.online/.

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Tim Beyers: I appreciate that. Friends, we're here to review some big losers from 2025. Super Micro Computer, ticker SMCI, Lululemon, ticker LULU, and Nike, ticker NKE. They were on decaf this year, friends, inflicting dreadful returns on those who've held. Today, we're going to talk through each of these companies and then make a prediction about whether they can turn it around in the new year. If so, what will winning look like? If you are ready to dive in, Tom, we're going to start with Super Micro Computer. For those who do not know, Super Micro Computer is like a reseller. They make servers, and those servers are customized by Super Micro. They have big relationships with NVIDIA . They have relationships with AMD. They build the chips, and then they build the motherboards, and they customize these things for big customers, particularly big data center customers. They have really close relationships with these suppliers, particularly with the chipset suppliers. That had been really good business, Tom. But in 2025, the Big Boogie man was Ernst & Young. You may have seen this. This was late 2024, early 2025, Ernst & Young said, and I'm quoting here, Jem and I pulled this from some of their accounting statements, "Unwilling to be associated with the financial statements prepared by management for Super Micro." I'm going to say that's not good. It's not really good, Tom. If we look at this, margins were compressed. There was some real hits to free cash flow, lot of notable pressure from competitors like Dell and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. When you look at this company, what do you think? Do you see a company that is primed for a turnaround or one that has been whacked so badly that it's going to take them a while to get off their knees?

Story Continues

Tom King: I would go on the side of caution with this one in 2026. I would say it's probably going to be an underperformer, or at least the risk of a significant meltdown is high. The reason I say that is because until the end of 2023, this was a pretty conservatively run business. They're inventory. As you mentioned, they mostly acquire built inventory and sell it to Big Data Center clients. They were acquiring that inventory through their regular profits that they had earned through operations. But at the beginning of 2024, they started taking on a significant amount of debt. Since then, they've borrowed $4.4 billion, which is a significant amount of money for them. They've increased their inventory. They've used that money to build and buy inventory. They increased it by 3.3 billion. This is a strategy that could work out well if they manage to sell that inventory at a decent price. But if there's a problem, if this AI boom slows down, they can't sell that inventory, it could become a significant problem for them.

Travis Hoium: Yeah, Tim, look, I'm in my 30th year now investing, and one of the things that I have learned is that if the accountants don't believe the numbers, we shouldn't necessarily believe the numbers or management in general. That is just a good reason to stay out of the stock. The other thing is this was an AI play before a lot of these other companies went crazy. You look at the ChatGPT moment, it was actually Super Micro that went nuts before NVIDIA did. Things have really gone South from them from there from an operating perspective. The revenue is trending in the wrong direction, exactly at the time when you think it should be rising. Something just doesn't smell right here. Maybe it's me being a little bit ignorant about the business and the ins and outs of exactly where they have an advantage and where they don't. I just think there's easier ways to play artificial intelligence, something as simple as Alphabet, just by the leader at a reasonable multiple, you don't have to bet on these comeback stories because I just don't think 2026 is going to be the year for Super Micro.

Tim Beyers: Well, if we're wrong, and I like that you both went thumbs down on this because we're getting some early consensus here. But if we're wrong, I'll just mention this for the listeners here. There is the potential of an NVIDIA tailwind here. Super Micro has said that they have a backlog of $36 billion in revenue booked for or maybe not booked, but what they expect for fiscal 2026, and that is supported by 13 billion just for the NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra systems. So if they execute this, there might be some deep value opportunity here. But yeah, I like the way you put this, Travis. When the auditors say no, maybe you want to pay attention. Up next, we're going to talk about yoga pants. It's Lululemon. You're listening to Motley Fool Money.

Fools, another of the big losers from 2025 was Lululemon, and if I give you some data here, Travis, so Lululemon underperformed the market. This is, as of our recording today, we're pre-recording on December 17 for our December 29 show. So we're trying to get a little bit ahead for respect everybody's holiday breaks. But as of today, Travis, Lululemon stock is trailing the market by about 60%, year to date. It has been a difficult 2025. It does look like a couple of things are at work here. Inventory issues. Maybe the inventory has been a little bit stale, 5% decline in America's comps. That same store sales down in Q3 of 2025. The breeze through products have not worked very well, and there may be some market share pressure here. When you think about Lululemon, Travis, where are you at? Do you think this is maybe a blip and you want to back this for 2026, or do you think there's maybe some deeper issues here?

Travis Hoium: I hate to be the negative Nelli because it looks like a value. If you look at their price earnings multiple and a trailing basis is 14, forward basis 17. That looks pretty good, especially if they're continuing to grow. They've had some tailwinds in Asia. The problem with fashion and brands like this is it's really hard to stay on top. You've got companies like Nike. We'll talk about them in a bit. They stayed on top for, what, 30, 40 years. That is not typically the way that things work. What I worry about with Lululemon is they rode this yoga wave for 20 years or so. Now you're looking at, where is the momentum? It's more with brands like HOKA and On. That's where the growth is. If you look at where the excitement is not only with athletes, it's not necessarily about going to yoga class. It's about going to a workout. It's going for a run. It isn't just about the fashion. It isn't just about yoga. It's about what are people doing? The things that are popular, even from a workout perspective, don't stay popular forever. If there was a pickleball brand, maybe that would be the hottest brand in the market that I would want to buy. But right now, I think stocks like Deckers Outdoor, which owns HOKA, are a little more attractive. Lululemon, I just worry that this is going to be a value trap for a long time for investors. That's an interesting point. Tom, I'm curious to know where you land on this. Travis says, "Not likely to be a market beater in 2026 here." I'll tee you up with this. Maybe CEO Calvin McDonald has his own doubts because he's going to be gone at the end of January. He has announced that he's on his way. I wonder maybe if some of the tariffs and macro pressures here are weighing on him a little bit. Where do you see things going for Lululemon, particularly with respect to things like guidance cuts? It hasn't been great.

Tom King: Yeah. I think people will enjoy this because I disagree with Travis. We've got an opposite view on this.

Travis Hoium: Like it, go for it.

Tom King: The last apparel company that melted down was Under Armour, and it melted down from my view, for two reasons. The first was an accounting scandal. It had gone from 20% growth every quarter for around about 5, 6, 7 years or something. Then an accounting scandal revealed that they had been encouraging retailers to order early so that Under Armour could book the sales and keep up that 20% streak. When that was revealed, it rarely set off a chain of events for Under Armour. Also on the operational side, in terms of selling their gear, they started selling it in off-price channels just to try and get their inventory out the door. I think that really damaged the brand. Neither of those two things has happened with Lululemon. The cycle has turned against them. People are stretched in the United States. They can't justify spending 130 bucks on yoga pants. I think that eventually that will change. I think that Lululemon hasn't lost its brand. I know that people's tastes change over time. I don't know what the future looks like in that respect, but I think it's a company that has that brand. It has maintained its strategy. It's made a few mistakes. The CEO is leaving. I don't know if that may have just been due to pressure from the founder, and there's a man who owns 7% of the company. He could have encouraged him to leave and said, "Look, we need some fresh perspective and ideas in this company. Maybe something like that, it's hard to speculate. But I don't know if 2026 will be the year that Lululemon comes back, but I definitely have faith in it as a good investment over, let's say, 3-5 years.

Tim Beyers: A plus one for the Rule Breaker in Lululemon. We've got Tom saying, "Yes, it's a market beater." Travis is saying no. Up next, we're staying in the fashion lane. We're going to talk about Nike. You're listening to Motley Fool Money. Fools, we close our segment on the three big losers of 2025. Can Nike be the winner? Tom, I'm going to come to you on this. We have a new CEO. We talked about outgoing CEO Calvin McDonald, Lululemon. We have an inbound CEO, really a returning executive at Nike in Elliott Hill. He has inherited, I think it's fair to say, a bit of a mess here. We've seen some revenue declines. We've seen lower market share. We talked a little bit about the pressure on Lululemon. I think there's a lot of pressure on Nike. You've seen a lot of high performance from On, from HOKA. The king of the running shoe maybe is no longer the king of the running shoe. Tom, talk to me about Nike and what you see here for a company that underperformed the market by about 25% year to date. Are they on track to be an outperformer in 2026?

Tom King: I think that Nike is a little bit lost right now. The reason I say this is because around about 3, 4, 5 years ago, they began a strategy of withdrawing from their wholesale customers, so they were no longer selling to big shoe retailers like footlocker and so on, design a shoe warehouse. They said that what they wanted to do was basically to copy the Lululemon model and control their brand better. They just wanted to sell it through their own websites or through Nike dedicated stores or through Nike dedicated sections within certain types of shoe stores. That strategy hasn't worked out that well for them, and now they're trying to reverse it and go back to those big retailers again. But in the meantime, these upstart brands like Hoka and On have taken that shelf space, and I think that Nike is now coming back to these retailers cap in hand and saying, "Hey, can we please have some shelf space back? Until they figure that out, until they figure out how they're going to sell their shoes, I would avoid Nike, and I don't think it's a winner in 2026.

Tim Beyers: Travis is begging work. Can we have our shelf space back? It is an interesting point, and to be fair Elliott Hill did say I mean, he's been honest with investors, I think, on balance, saying that the turnaround will take a while, even though the strategy is, and I'm quoting here, to win now. What does winning now look like here, Travis? Where are you at with Nike?

Travis Hoium: Any growth would be a win, I think, at this point. But the challenge for Nike is you want to have companies that are playing from a position of strength, and they're playing from a position of weakness right now. The way that I look at these companies strategically. Thomas talked about it a little bit with these newer brands coming in, but the big picture is that Nike grew up in a world where supply owned the market. They could sign a huge deal with Michael Jordan with Tiger Woods. They could put him on TV, put him in magazines. That was how you got attention to brands, and then you walked into a store like a ****'s, like a Footlocker, and you went, "Oh, I've seen those Nike shoes. I've seen those Jordan brand shoes before." That's how the market worked. In the world where HOKA and On are growing up, the market works very differently. You advertise on Instagram. You have Google Ads. You are more direct to consumer. That's what Nike saw as, "Oh, you know what? We want a piece of that, too." They gave up their golden goose. The problem is the companies that have grown up Internet native and being able to advertise in this new environment have grown in that space, and now they're starting to take Nike's space. I think Nike their future looks a lot more like Under Armour than it does like an on holding. That's really a damning thing to say, but the stock isn't even all that attractive right now, 35 times earnings, even on a forward basis, 35 times earnings. Enterprise value to sales, which doesn't account for profitability and margins and things like that, but that's 2.2, you can buy on holding, which is growing 40% over the past three years for 4.3 times sales. Less than double the price on a price-to-sales multiple. They're not focused on profitability quite yet, but they have 60% margins. Nike's much lower than that. Again, this really comes back to they are in a tough position because they grew up in a world where supply owned the shelf space. That was what mattered. We have seen companies like Budweiser, like Procter & Gamble. When you lose that power position, when the market changes, you are just fundamentally not structured to adapt. That's what I worry about with Nike.

Tim Beyers: Quick question for both of you, and we'll end on this. Give me a yes or no, Tom, you first. If there is tariff relief because Nike, like a lot of other consumer brands, has been hit by the tariffs, if there is significant tariff relief, does your opinion change, yes or no, Tom?

Tom King: No, I don't think the tariff relief will be enough.

Tim Beyers: Travis.

Travis Hoium: No.

Tim Beyers: There you have it. To thumbs down for Nike. Fools, this has been part of our series of year-end, looking back to look forward to 2026. Thank you for tuning in with us. Tom, Travis, thanks for being here. Really appreciate it. Fools, as always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talk about, and the Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. All personal finance content follows Motley Fool editorial standards and not approved by advertisers. Advertisements are sponsored content provided for informational purposes only. You see our Fool advertising disclosure. Please check out our show notes. Fools, we're so glad you're here. We hope you're having a wonderful holiday season. Our engineer, as always, is Dan Boyd, and our producer is Anand Chokkavelu. Thanks to Tom King, Travis Hoium for being here with me. I am your host, Tim Beyers. We will see you again in 2026. Fools, thank you for tuning in. Fool on.

Thomas King, CFA has positions in Alphabet and Lululemon Athletica Inc. Tim Beyers has positions in Alphabet and On Holding. Travis Hoium has positions in Alphabet and On Holding. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Deckers Outdoor, Lululemon Athletica Inc., Nike, Nvidia, and On Holding. The Motley Fool recommends Under Armour. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Can These 2025 Stock Market Losers Turn It Around? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) Director James Connor sold 80,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.58, for a total transaction of $10,126,400.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Prologis Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of PLD traded up $0.74 on Monday, reaching $129.79. 3,265,267 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,222,532. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $126.81 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $116.88. Prologis, Inc. has a 12 month low of $85.35 and a 12 month high of $131.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $120.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

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Prologis (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.21 billion for the quarter. Prologis had a net margin of 36.71% and a return on equity of 5.55%. Research analysts anticipate that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Prologis Dividend Announcement

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were paid a $1.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. Prologiss dividend payout ratio is presently 117.78%.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its holdings in Prologis by 0.5% during the third quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 16,583 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,941,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Prologis by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC now owns 8,232 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $943,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC boosted its position in Prologis by 2.4% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 3,535 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $405,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. Cadence Bank lifted its stake in shares of Prologis by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Cadence Bank now owns 4,209 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $482,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clear Investment Research LLC lifted its stake in shares of Prologis by 34.5% during the 3rd quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC now owns 343 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.50% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on PLD. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $131.00 price target (up from $120.00) on shares of Prologis in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Industrial Alliance Securities set a $119.00 price objective on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, October 20th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Prologis from $116.00 to $118.00 in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Prologis from $120.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Prologis from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $128.24.

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About Prologis

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Prologis, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in logistics and distribution facilities. The company focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality industrial real estate assets that support supply chain infrastructure for third-party logistics providers, e-commerce businesses, retailers and manufacturers. Its portfolio primarily consists of warehouse and distribution centers designed to optimize goods movement and storage near key transportation hubs.

With a global presence, Prologis serves customers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

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Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust (TSE:MI.UN  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by analysts at Raymond James Financial from C$14.25 to C$18.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a market perform rating on the stock. Raymond James Financials price objective suggests a potential upside of 3.51% from the companys current price.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. National Bankshares boosted their target price on Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust from C$15.00 to C$18.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday. TD Securities lowered their price objective on shares of Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust from C$17.00 to C$16.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$17.06.

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Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust Price Performance

About Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust

Shares of MI.UN traded up C$0.09 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching C$17.39. The stock had a trading volume of 539,888 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,300,804. The companys 50-day moving average is C$13.50 and its 200 day moving average is C$13.76. Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust has a 12-month low of C$11.94 and a 12-month high of C$17.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.09. The company has a market capitalization of C$637.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.30 and a beta of 1.00.

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Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario to own income-producing multi-residential properties located in urban markets in Canada. The REIT owns a portfolio of high-quality income-producing multi-residential rental properties located in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Regional Management (NYSE:RM  Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Saturday morning.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on RM. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Regional Management in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research cut shares of Regional Management from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Regional Management presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $30.00.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Regional Management

Regional Management Trading Up 1.3%

Shares of RM stock opened at $39.74 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $385.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.62 and a beta of 1.07. Regional Management has a 1-year low of $25.41 and a 1-year high of $46.00. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $38.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $37.75.

Regional Management (NYSE:RM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The credit services provider reported $1.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.03. Regional Management had a return on equity of 11.43% and a net margin of 6.57%.The firm had revenue of $165.49 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $162.84 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Regional Management will post 4.7 EPS for the current year.

Regional Management Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 25th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 25th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Regional Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Regional Management

In other Regional Management news, Director Michael R. Dunn sold 5,580 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.46, for a total transaction of $209,026.80. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 103,109 shares in the company, valued at $3,862,463.14. This trade represents a 5.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Steven B. Barnette sold 1,640 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.00, for a total value of $60,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 21,338 shares of the companys stock, valued at $789,506. This represents a 7.14% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 11,640 shares of company stock valued at $435,192. 10.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regional Management

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in RM. Tieton Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Regional Management by 18.6% in the 2nd quarter. Tieton Capital Management LLC now owns 295,081 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $8,619,000 after buying an additional 46,380 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Regional Management by 83.0% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 155,885 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $4,691,000 after buying an additional 70,721 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Regional Management by 45.5% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 194,374 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $5,853,000 after acquiring an additional 60,744 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regional Management in the first quarter valued at approximately $271,000. Finally, Forager Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Regional Management by 20.7% in the second quarter. Forager Capital Management LLC now owns 1,085,098 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $31,696,000 after acquiring an additional 186,072 shares during the last quarter. 98.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Regional Management Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Regional Management Corp., headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a consumer finance company specializing in installment loan products for underbanked individuals. Since its founding in 1977, the company has developed a network of field-based branches alongside a digital platform to offer credit solutions in rural and small-town markets across the United States.

The companys core offerings include consumer installment loans for everyday purchases, auto refinancing and lease buyouts, as well as ancillary services such as insurance referrals.

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Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. trimmed its position in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 38.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,415,020 shares of the companys stock after selling 897,648 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned 0.06% of Procter & Gamble worth $217,418,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of PG. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 233,211,283 shares of the companys stock worth $37,155,222,000 after purchasing an additional 3,189,111 shares in the last quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 655,209.0% in the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 76,028,952 shares of the companys stock worth $11,832,680,000 after buying an additional 76,017,350 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 59,415,933 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,439,341,000 after buying an additional 1,060,713 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter valued at $5,099,644,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.7% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,385,571 shares of the companys stock worth $2,770,035,000 after acquiring an additional 294,673 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.57, for a total transaction of $108,438.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 979 shares in the company, valued at $146,429.03. This represents a 42.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Procter & Gamble Stock Down 1.0%

PG stock opened at $140.36 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $327.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a 50-day moving average of $145.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $152.00. Procter & Gamble Company has a 52-week low of $138.14 and a 52-week high of $179.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.51.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.09. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.63% and a net margin of 19.74%.The business had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.23 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.93 EPS. The firms revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 EPS for the current year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, October 24th were given a dividend of $1.0568 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.0%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 61.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on PG shares. Bank of America dropped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $180.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $176.00 to $171.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial cut their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 20th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $170.81.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Procter & Gamble

About Procter & Gamble

(Free Report)

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide.

P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care.

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Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 12.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 207,328 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 23,218 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned 0.07% of The Goldman Sachs Group worth $165,106,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of GS. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% during the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $20,566,005,000 after acquiring an additional 29,053,586 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $2,138,031,000. Ninety One UK Ltd bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth $408,780,000. AGF Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2,429.6% in the second quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 485,375 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $343,524,000 after purchasing an additional 466,187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 100,678.6% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 404,122 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $286,017,000 after purchasing an additional 403,721 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Dbs Bank lifted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $800.00 to $890.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upped their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $608.00 to $748.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Daiwa Capital Markets boosted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $756.00 to $810.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $820.12.

The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $948.81 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $284.57 billion, a PE ratio of 19.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $840.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $776.72. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a one year low of $439.38 and a one year high of $961.69.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 13.18%.The firm had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $8.40 EPS. The companys revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were paid a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.50%.

Key Stores Impacting The Goldman Sachs Group

Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week:

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide.

Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking.

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Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. trimmed its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR  Free Report) by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,111,238 shares of the companys stock after selling 74,292 shares during the quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned approximately 0.32% of Kroger worth $142,319,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of KR. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. increased its holdings in shares of Kroger by 6,840.0% in the 2nd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 347 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 342 shares during the period. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new position in Kroger in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Rossby Financial LCC purchased a new position in Kroger in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Kroger by 10,425.0% in the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 421 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 417 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Kroger by 87.8% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 445 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the companys stock.

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Kroger Price Performance

NYSE KR opened at $61.75 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $39.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.18, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $64.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.62. The Kroger Co. has a 1 year low of $58.12 and a 1 year high of $74.90.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Kroger ( NYSE:KR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $33.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $34.27 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 38.06% and a net margin of 0.54%.The firms revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.98 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.750-4.800 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and set a $68.00 price objective (down previously from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Kroger from $73.00 to $71.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Argus set a $85.00 price objective on Kroger in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Guggenheim restated a buy rating and set a $78.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $77.00 target price on Kroger and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Kroger presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.13.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on KR

Kroger Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) is one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States, offering a wide range of retail grocery and related services. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates a portfolio of supermarket and multi-department store banners and provides customers with fresh foods, packaged groceries, deli and bakery items, meat and seafood, produce, and prepared foods. Krogers stores commonly include pharmacy services and fuel centers, positioning the company as a broad-based neighborhood retail destination for everyday needs.

In addition to traditional in-store retailing, Kroger manufactures and distributes a variety of private-label brands and operates its own food production and supply-chain facilities.

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Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC trimmed its stake in RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 13.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,215 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,422 shares during the quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $5,725,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of RTX. Norges Bank purchased a new position in RTX in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,359,602,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of RTX by 14,974.7% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,598,943 shares of the companys stock worth $525,518,000 after buying an additional 3,575,069 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of RTX by 1.9% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 122,074,734 shares of the companys stock worth $17,825,353,000 after buying an additional 2,238,247 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its position in shares of RTX by 9.3% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 15,958,191 shares of the companys stock worth $2,330,215,000 after acquiring an additional 1,361,071 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI acquired a new stake in shares of RTX during the first quarter valued at approximately $130,194,000. 86.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. UBS Group cut shares of RTX from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $202.00 to $199.00 in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on RTX from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and set a $190.00 price target on shares of RTX in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on RTX from $175.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, BNP Paribas raised RTX to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $184.00.

Insider Transactions at RTX

In other RTX news, EVP Neil G. Mitchill, Jr. sold 4,849 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.15, for a total value of $873,547.35. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 59,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,729,013.40. The trade was a 7.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.15% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Trending Headlines about RTX

Here are the key news stories impacting RTX this week:

Positive Sentiment: Collins Aerospace (an RTX business) won a $438 million FAA contract to deploy nextgeneration surveillance radars for the National Airspace System  a nearterm, revenuebacked award that supports RTXs aerospace backlog and execution profile. RTX FAA Radar Contract

Collins Aerospace (an RTX business) won a $438 million FAA contract to deploy nextgeneration surveillance radars for the National Airspace System  a nearterm, revenuebacked award that supports RTXs aerospace backlog and execution profile. Positive Sentiment: U.S. government contract awards for new airtraffic control radar systems were publicly confirmed for RTX alongside Indra  Reuters coverage reinforces the credibility and scale of the wins. Reuters: US awards air traffic control radar contracts to RTX, Indra

U.S. government contract awards for new airtraffic control radar systems were publicly confirmed for RTX alongside Indra  Reuters coverage reinforces the credibility and scale of the wins. Positive Sentiment: Market commentary highlights RTX as a prime beneficiary of a rearmament cycle driven by recent geopolitical activity in South America and broader defense spending  this supports investor expectations for sustained demand and backlog conversion. MarketBeat: S&P 500s Top-Performing Sectors (RTX)

Market commentary highlights RTX as a prime beneficiary of a rearmament cycle driven by recent geopolitical activity in South America and broader defense spending  this supports investor expectations for sustained demand and backlog conversion. Neutral Sentiment: Multiple consumer GPU headlines reference RTX products (NVIDIA RTX 50series, RTX 3060 return rumors, DLSS 4.5 performance gains, MSI/Alienware RTX 5090 systems). These stories concern NVIDIAs GPU brand and gaming market dynamics and are unlikely to meaningfully impact RTX Corporations aerospace & defense fundamentals. Sources include ExtremeTech, HotHardware, IGN, PC Gamer, MP1st, Tweaktown, PCMag and MSN. Example: ExtremeTech Nvidia RTX 50 Series Example: PC Gamer MSI RTX 5090

Multiple consumer GPU headlines reference RTX products (NVIDIA RTX 50series, RTX 3060 return rumors, DLSS 4.5 performance gains, MSI/Alienware RTX 5090 systems). These stories concern NVIDIAs GPU brand and gaming market dynamics and are unlikely to meaningfully impact RTX Corporations aerospace & defense fundamentals. Sources include ExtremeTech, HotHardware, IGN, PC Gamer, MP1st, Tweaktown, PCMag and MSN. Negative Sentiment: Industry risks flagged by analysts include supplychain bottlenecks (titanium, specialty energetics) and the challenge of converting a large backlog into nearterm cash  plus valuation sensitivity (a potential war premium) if conflicts are shortlived. These are execution and macro risks that could temper upside. (Source: sector/analysis briefing referenced in recent market commentary.)

RTX Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:RTX opened at $188.29 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $252.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.44. RTX Corporation has a 1 year low of $112.27 and a 1 year high of $190.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $177.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $163.98.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.29. RTX had a return on equity of 13.28% and a net margin of 7.67%.The company had revenue of $22.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.26 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.45 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. RTX has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.100-6.200 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that RTX Corporation will post 6.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

RTX Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st were given a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 21st. RTXs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.85%.

RTX Company Profile

(Free Report)

RTX (NYSE: RTX) is a U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, manufactures and services advanced systems for commercial, military and governmental customers worldwide. The company was created through the 2020 combination of Raytheon Company and United Technologies Corporation and later adopted the RTX name, positioning itself as a diversified provider across the aerospace and defense value chain.

RTXs operations span a broad set of capabilities. Its commercial aerospace businesses include Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines and Collins Aerospace systems, which supply propulsion, avionics, aerostructures, interiors and integrated aircraft systems.

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Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWAN  Get Free Report) CRO Scott Stanley Erickson sold 44,386 shares of Clearwater Analytics stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.09, for a total value of $1,069,258.74. Following the transaction, the executive owned 72,917 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,756,570.53. This represents a 37.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Scott Stanley Erickson also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, December 31st, Scott Stanley Erickson sold 4,454 shares of Clearwater Analytics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.08, for a total value of $107,252.32.

Clearwater Analytics Price Performance

Clearwater Analytics stock traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $24.09. 24,087,029 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 22,436,082. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $15.73 and a 12-month high of $32.00. The company has a market capitalization of $7.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.74, a PEG ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.66. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $20.99 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.97 and a quick ratio of 1.97.

Institutional Trading of Clearwater Analytics

Clearwater Analytics ( NYSE:CWAN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by ($0.02). Clearwater Analytics had a net margin of 61.28% and a return on equity of 2.77%. The company had revenue of $205.11 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $203.66 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.14 EPS. The firms revenue was up 77.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Clearwater Analytics by 189.3% during the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,565 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,024 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Clearwater Analytics by 278.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,523 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 1,121 shares during the period. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC raised its holdings in shares of Clearwater Analytics by 54.9% during the 3rd quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 1,806 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 640 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its position in Clearwater Analytics by 84.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,545 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 708 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Danske Bank A S purchased a new position in Clearwater Analytics in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. 50.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CWAN has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 price target on shares of Clearwater Analytics in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $27.00 target price on shares of Clearwater Analytics in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Clearwater Analytics from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, November 22nd. UBS Group lowered their price target on Clearwater Analytics from $35.00 to $30.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, William Blair reissued a market perform rating on shares of Clearwater Analytics in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $28.65.

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About Clearwater Analytics

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Clearwater Analytics LLC is a global provider of web-based investment portfolio accounting, reporting, and analytics solutions. The companys software-as-a-service platform automates complex processes involved in investment data aggregation, reconciliation, valuation, and regulatory reporting. Serving institutional investorsincluding insurers, asset managers, corporations, government entities, and asset ownersClearwater Analytics enables clients to optimize performance visibility, risk management, and operational efficiency.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Clearwater Analytics has grown its global footprint with offices across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

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Stanley Laman Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in Keysight Technologies Inc. (NYSE:KEYS  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,422 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock, valued at approximately $424,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of KEYS. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Keysight Technologies by 1.7% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,326,774 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $3,494,605,000 after buying an additional 357,263 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Keysight Technologies by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,973,742 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $1,306,577,000 after acquiring an additional 55,358 shares during the period. Boston Partners grew its position in Keysight Technologies by 10.5% in the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,709,540 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $771,359,000 after acquiring an additional 446,123 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Keysight Technologies by 0.9% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,575,953 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $747,437,000 after acquiring an additional 40,560 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Keysight Technologies during the second quarter valued at approximately $316,690,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.58% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on KEYS. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Keysight Technologies from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $232.00 price objective on shares of Keysight Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. UBS Group set a $230.00 target price on Keysight Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Keysight Technologies from $200.00 to $207.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $210.00 target price on Keysight Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $218.82.

Keysight Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of KEYS opened at $208.96 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.90 billion, a PE ratio of 42.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 1.18. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $194.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $176.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 2.35 and a quick ratio of 1.78. Keysight Technologies Inc. has a 12-month low of $121.43 and a 12-month high of $214.58.

Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 24th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.08. Keysight Technologies had a net margin of 15.71% and a return on equity of 19.30%. The company had revenue of $1.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.39 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.65 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Keysight Technologies has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.950-2.010 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Keysight Technologies Inc. will post 6.32 EPS for the current year.

Keysight Technologies declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Monday, November 24th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the scientific and technical instruments company to buy up to 4.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Keysight Technologies

In other news, SVP Jeffrey K. Li sold 3,934 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.84, for a total transaction of $790,104.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 36,699 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,370,627.16. This represents a 9.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Ingrid A. Estrada sold 4,827 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $196.42, for a total value of $948,119.34. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 110,079 shares in the company, valued at $21,621,717.18. The trade was a 4.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 78,784 shares of company stock valued at $15,841,737 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock.

About Keysight Technologies

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Keysight Technologies is a global provider of electronic design, test, measurement and optimization solutions for communications, electronics and related industries. The company was formed as a corporate spin-off from Agilent Technologies in 2014; its origins trace back to the electronic measurement business that was part of HewlettPackard before Agilent. Keysight develops hardware and software used throughout the product development lifecycle, from design and simulation to prototype validation and manufacturing test.

Keysights product portfolio includes electronic test and measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes, network and spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers and modular PXI-based systems, together with software platforms for simulation, automated test and data analysis.

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Shares of Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $11.31, but opened at $10.95. Stellantis shares last traded at $11.0150, with a volume of 1,657,908 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on STLA shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Stellantis from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Sunday, December 28th. Zacks Research downgraded Stellantis from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Friday. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Stellantis in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Stellantis in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Stellantis to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.75.

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Stellantis Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 1.06. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $10.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.17.

Stellantis (NYSE:STLA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported ($0.91) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.41 by ($1.32). The business had revenue of $87.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $87.94 billion. On average, analysts forecast that Stellantis N.V. will post 2.3 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Stellantis

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in STLA. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Stellantis by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 58,070 shares of the companys stock worth $651,000 after buying an additional 3,885 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Stellantis by 68.8% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 82,009 shares of the companys stock valued at $919,000 after purchasing an additional 33,429 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its position in shares of Stellantis by 16.2% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 363,575 shares of the companys stock worth $4,030,000 after purchasing an additional 50,794 shares during the last quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Stellantis during the 1st quarter worth approximately $351,000. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Stellantis by 28.0% in the first quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 185,320 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,077,000 after buying an additional 40,511 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 59.48% of the companys stock.

About Stellantis

(Get Free Report)

Stellantis N.V. is a global automotive manufacturer formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA, a transaction completed in January 2021. The company designs, manufactures and sells a broad portfolio of passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and related powertrains under a large number of well-known brands, including (but not limited to) Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. Stellantis also provides parts, accessories, service operations and branded aftersales support through legacy networks such as Mopar and regional dealer ecosystems.

In addition to vehicle manufacturing, Stellantis operates mobility- and software-related businesses and financial services.

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When it comes to gathering income, youve probably thought in terms of earning as much of it as possible  likely through a stable full-time job and some side hustles. Mostly, youre concerned about how much you earn and what you can do with it to grow your wealth. But Robert Kiyosaki, famed financial expert and mastermind of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad empire, has parsed things even further.

He has identified four distinct income quadrants, each representing an area of your financial  and sometimes personal  life to focus on.

Through his book Rich Dads Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dads Guide to Financial Freedom, Kiyosaki describes a framework that helps readers identify their sources of income, with the goal of becoming more independent and self-directed in their personal finances. While major decisions should always be made in consultation with a trusted adviser, this approach does offer something to think about.

Income as an Employee

Kiyosaki describes the first income quadrant as rooted in a need for conventional forms of financial security  namely, being an employee. As he lays it out, employees trade their time for money and, ideally, stable benefits packages. This mentality is certainly understandable  especially in todays economy  but Kiyosaki reminds readers of the flip side of the exchange: When you stop working, the money dries up.

Another downside of being an employee is having less control over your time and taxes. Your earning potential is also capped by salary structures. Ultimately, Kiyosaki is interested in people finding ways to earn money through their passions in life.

The path is the goal,' he wrote. In other words, finding your path in life is your goal in life.

Still, its difficult to focus on life goals if youre constantly anxious about covering necessities, so some balance may be in order. In other words, dont quit your day job just yet.

Learn More: The No. 1 Way Americans Become Millionaires Is Pretty Boring  and Easy To Do

Read Next: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Income From Being Self-Employed or a Business Owner

According to Kiyosaki, people with a passion for doing things their own way often move from being employees to starting their own businesses. He places doctors, lawyers, consultants, freelancers and small business owners in this quadrant.

While these individuals gain more freedom to set their own hours and pursue their personal visions, Kiyosaki cautions that they often face similar tax disadvantages while working longer hours. And that problem about money stopping when the work stops? It still applies.
Swedbank AB (OTCMKTS:SWDBY  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as SEK 35.70 and last traded at SEK 35.65, with a volume of 11100 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at SEK 35.31.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on SWDBY shares. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Swedbank in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Swedbank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating on shares of Swedbank in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Zacks Research raised Swedbank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Swedbank in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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Swedbank Trading Up 1.0%

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of SEK 32.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of SEK 29.74. The company has a market capitalization of $40.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.34 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.83, a current ratio of 1.50 and a quick ratio of 1.50.

Swedbank (OTCMKTS:SWDBY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported SEK 0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of SEK 0.64 by SEK 0.15. The company had revenue of SEK 1.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of SEK 1.73 billion. Swedbank had a return on equity of 15.55% and a net margin of 26.30%. On average, analysts forecast that Swedbank AB will post 2.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Swedbank

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Swedbank AB is a major Swedish banking group headquartered in Stockholm that provides a broad range of financial services to retail, corporate and institutional clients. The banks operations focus on traditional banking functions such as deposit-taking, lending and payment services, as well as wealth management and insurance solutions. Swedbanks franchise is centered on serving households, small and medium-sized enterprises and larger corporate customers, with an emphasis on everyday banking and long-term client relationships.

Products and services offered by Swedbank include savings and current accounts, mortgages and consumer lending, business loans and transaction banking, payment and card services, and digital banking platforms.

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Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Saturday.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, UBS Group set a $330.00 price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Sunday, December 7th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $355.00.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $322.24 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.69, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has a 12-month low of $134.25 and a 12-month high of $331.25. The company has a market cap of $1.67 trillion, a P/E ratio of 33.05, a PEG ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.29. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $294.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $267.43.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The semiconductor company reported $14.32 EPS for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 34.34%. Research analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.9678 dividend. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is currently 31.28%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 26.7% during the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 12,046,792 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,728,478,000 after buying an additional 2,537,760 shares during the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 43.2% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 6,650,983 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,506,389,000 after acquiring an additional 2,006,745 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 109.5% during the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,526,160 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $798,640,000 after purchasing an additional 1,842,951 shares during the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main increased its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 268.2% in the 2nd quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 2,499,677 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $566,152,000 after purchasing an additional 1,820,852 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 18.0% in the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 10,457,800 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,368,587,000 after purchasing an additional 1,593,786 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a leading pure-play semiconductor foundry that provides wafer fabrication and related services to the global semiconductor industry. Founded in 1987 by Morris Chang and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, TSMC manufactures integrated circuits on behalf of fabless and integrated device manufacturers, offering contract chip production across a broad set of technologies and products.

TSMCs service offering covers logic and mixed-signal process technologies, specialty processes for radio-frequency, power management and embedded memory, and advanced nodes used in mobile, high-performance computing and AI applications.

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TeliaSonera AB (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $8.81 and last traded at $8.54, with a volume of 21324 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.54.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup upgraded TeliaSonera to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of TeliaSonera from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TeliaSonera currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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TeliaSonera Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.90. The firms fifty day moving average is $8.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.62. The company has a market cap of $16.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.13 and a beta of 0.35.

TeliaSonera (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The technology company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.12. TeliaSonera had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 10.49%. The business had revenue of $2.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.10 billion. As a group, analysts anticipate that TeliaSonera AB will post 0.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About TeliaSonera

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TeliaSonera (OTCMKTS:TLSNY) operates under the Telia Company brand as one of the leading telecommunications providers in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The company delivers a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed voice communications, broadband internet, television and streaming offerings, and enterprise-grade data and IP solutions. Its consumer segment focuses on mobile subscriptions, digital TV packages and home connectivity, while its business division provides managed network services, cloud platforms and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

The roots of TeliaSonera trace back to the 19th century with Swedens Royal Telegraph Agency and Finlands national carrier, Sonera.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $32.91 and last traded at $32.43, with a volume of 4682391 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $31.00.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

TEVA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, December 13th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $30.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. They set an overweight rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $32.88.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Up 3.8%

Insider Buying and Selling at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $27.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $21.17. The company has a market cap of $36.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31.

In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, VP Richard Daniell sold 115,468 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.68, for a total value of $3,311,622.24. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 48,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,387,653.12. The trade was a 70.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Roberto Mignone sold 77,400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.24, for a total transaction of $2,340,576.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 367,600 shares in the company, valued at $11,116,224. This represents a 17.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 622,060 shares of company stock worth $17,076,965 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 100.7% during the second quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 723,974 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,134,000 after acquiring an additional 363,252 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 18.5% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 678,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,080,000 after purchasing an additional 105,846 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 9.4% in the second quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 226,534 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,797,000 after purchasing an additional 19,447 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 719,676 shares of the companys stock worth $12,062,000 after purchasing an additional 37,455 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oak Harvest Investment Services acquired a new position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,010,000. 54.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Company Profile

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) is an Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company and one of the worlds largest manufacturers of generic medicines. The companys core activities include the development, production and marketing of generic pharmaceuticals alongside a portfolio of specialty branded medicines. Teva supplies finished dosage forms and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to markets around the globe and operates manufacturing and research facilities in multiple countries.

Tevas product range covers oral solids, injectables, inhalation products and other dosage forms across therapeutic areas such as central nervous system disorders, respiratory, oncology, pain and infectious disease.

Further Reading

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ThyssenKrupp AG Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:TKAMY  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Hold by the six analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on TKAMY. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of ThyssenKrupp in a report on Friday, December 5th. Zacks Research upgraded ThyssenKrupp to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. DZ Bank raised shares of ThyssenKrupp from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating on shares of ThyssenKrupp in a research note on Tuesday.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ThyssenKrupp

ThyssenKrupp Trading Down 4.2%

TKAMY traded down $0.49 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $11.24. The companys stock had a trading volume of 25,538 shares, compared to its average volume of 52,404. ThyssenKrupp has a 52-week low of $3.84 and a 52-week high of $17.02. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $11.94 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The firm has a market cap of $7.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.81 and a beta of 0.97.

ThyssenKrupp (OTCMKTS:TKAMY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. ThyssenKrupp had a net margin of 2.80% and a return on equity of 9.15%. The business had revenue of $9.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.60 billion.

ThyssenKrupp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ThyssenKrupp AG (OTCMKTS: TKAMY) is a diversified German industrial conglomerate headquartered in Essen and Dusseldorf. Formed in 1999 through the merger of Thyssen AG and Friedrich Krupp GmbH, the company operates across multiple segments, including steel production, materials distribution, industrial engineering, elevator technology and automotive components.

In its Materials Services division, ThyssenKrupp supplies processed and semi-finished steel products and high-performance materials to industries such as automotive, construction and machinery manufacturing.

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Sidus Space, Envirotech Vehicles, Autozi Internet Technology (Global), Cyclerion Therapeutics, and Datavault AI are the five Penny stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Penny stocks are shares of very small companies that trade at low per-share prices  generally under $5 per the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions definition  and are often quoted on over-the-counter markets rather than major exchanges. They typically have low market capitalization and thin trading volume, which leads to wide bidask spreads, high volatility, and greater risk of manipulation or fraud, making them speculative investments. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Penny stocks within the last several days.

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Sidus Space (SIDU)

Sidus Space, Inc., a space-as-a-service company, engages in the design, manufacture, launch, and data collection of commercial satellite worldwide. Its space services include satellite/space hardware manufacturing; Low Earth Orbit (LEO) launch and deployment services; and space-based geospatial intel, imagery, and data analytics.

Envirotech Vehicles (EVTV)

Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. manufactures and provides zero-emission electric vehicles in the United States. It offers Class 2 through logistics vans; class 4 through urban trucks, school buses, electric forklifts, street sweepers, neighborhood electric vehicles, and right-hand drive vans and urban trucks.

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Autozi Internet Technology (Global) (AZI)

Autozi Internet Technology (Global) Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides professional one-stop automotive products and services through online and offline channels in the Peoples Republic of China. It sells new cars, and auto parts and accessories, as well as offers automotive insurance related services.

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Cyclerion Therapeutics (CYCN)

Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, develops treatments for serious diseases. It is developing Olinciguat, an orally administered vascular soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, which is in Phase 2 clinical trial to out-license for cardiovascular diseases; and Praliciguat, a systemic sGC stimulator that is licensed to Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.

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Datavault AI (DVLT)

Datavault AI Inc., a data sciences technology company, owns and operates data management and supercomputer platforms. It offers data technology and software solutions. The company was formerly known as WiSA Technologies, Inc. and changed its name to Datavault AI Inc. in February 2025. Datavault AI Inc.

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Torray Investment Partners LLC raised its position in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 5.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 152,761 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,284 shares during the quarter. EOG Resources accounts for approximately 2.3% of Torray Investment Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Torray Investment Partners LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $17,128,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Cullen Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 4.7% in the second quarter. Cullen Capital Management LLC now owns 576,470 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $68,952,000 after purchasing an additional 25,753 shares during the last quarter. Kiker Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at about $627,000. Railway Pension Investments Ltd grew its stake in EOG Resources by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 449,100 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $53,717,000 after acquiring an additional 28,800 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC grew its stake in EOG Resources by 9.1% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 61,742 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $7,386,000 after acquiring an additional 5,156 shares in the last quarter. Finally, River Road Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of EOG Resources by 15.2% during the second quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 75,878 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $9,107,000 after acquiring an additional 9,999 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.91% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at EOG Resources

In other news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.68, for a total transaction of $211,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 54,979 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,810,180.72. This represents a 3.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on EOG shares. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $129.00 to $124.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on EOG Resources from $130.00 to $125.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on EOG Resources from $127.00 to $126.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on EOG Resources from $130.00 to $126.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $126.00 price objective (down from $144.00) on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and seventeen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $138.29.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on EOG

EOG Resources Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of NYSE EOG opened at $106.22 on Tuesday. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 1-year low of $101.59 and a 1-year high of $138.18. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $106.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $113.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.41 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.62 and a quick ratio of 1.43.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.29. EOG Resources had a net margin of 24.49% and a return on equity of 19.80%. The business had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.48 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.89 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is currently 40.64%.

About EOG Resources

(Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc (NYSE: EOG) is an independent exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Tracing its corporate origins to Enron Oil & Gas Company in the late 1990s, the company established itself as a standalone E&P operator and has grown into one of the largest U.S. upstream producers. EOG focuses on the exploration, development and production of crude oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs).

As an upstream-focused company, EOGs core activities include geologic and geophysical exploration, drilling and completion of wells, reservoir development, and the marketing of hydrocarbon production.

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 260,393 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 302% from the previous sessions volume of 64,800 shares.The stock last traded at $1.14 and had previously closed at $1.12.

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Stock Up 2.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 2.64 and a current ratio of 4.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $629.99 million, a P/E ratio of -2.35 and a beta of 1.33. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $1.07 and a 200-day moving average of $0.93.

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais had a negative net margin of 12.91% and a positive return on equity of 1.22%. Research analysts predict that Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA will post 0.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Company Profile

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA (OTCMKTS: USNZY), widely known as Usiminas, is one of Brazils leading integrated steel producers. The company operates across the full steel value chain, from iron ore mining to the manufacture and distribution of flat steel products. Its portfolio includes hot- and cold-rolled coils, coated sheets, tin plates, plates and tubular products, which serve a broad array of end markets such as construction, automotive, packaging, machinery and energy.

Founded in the mid-1950s through a partnership between Brazilian and international investors, Usiminas is headquartered in Belo Horizonte and maintains its principal steelmaking facilities in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais, as well as secondary operations in Cubatao (Sao Paulo) and Santa Cruz.

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Verger Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) by 48.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 32,708 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 30,365 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Japan ETF makes up 0.9% of Verger Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Verger Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $2,624,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Trust Co. of Vermont bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Front Row Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $51,000. 64.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:EWJ opened at $83.13 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 52 week low of $59.84 and a 52 week high of $85.31. The firms fifty day moving average is $82.36 and its 200-day moving average is $79.46. The firm has a market cap of $16.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

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VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new stake in Customers Bancorp, Inc (NYSE:CUBI  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 8,000 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $523,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of CUBI. Anatole Investment Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Customers Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth about $17,593,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Customers Bancorp by 71.4% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 274,730 shares of the banks stock worth $13,791,000 after acquiring an additional 114,430 shares during the period. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Customers Bancorp during the second quarter worth approximately $6,721,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in shares of Customers Bancorp by 93.1% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 234,782 shares of the banks stock valued at $13,791,000 after purchasing an additional 113,172 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Customers Bancorp during the second quarter worth approximately $6,500,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.29% of the companys stock.

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Customers Bancorp Stock Up 2.0%

CUBI stock opened at $76.00 on Tuesday. Customers Bancorp, Inc has a 52 week low of $40.75 and a 52 week high of $78.33. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $66.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of $2.60 billion, a PE ratio of 15.42 and a beta of 1.61.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Customers Bancorp ( NYSE:CUBI Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, September 8th. The bank reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $206.82 million for the quarter. Customers Bancorp had a net margin of 12.43% and a return on equity of 13.24%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Customers Bancorp, Inc will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CUBI has been the topic of a number of research reports. National Bankshares set a $89.00 price objective on Customers Bancorp in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Customers Bancorp from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 26th. B. Riley reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Customers Bancorp in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Raymond James Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating on shares of Customers Bancorp in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Customers Bancorp from $89.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $83.67.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Customers Bancorp

Insider Activity at Customers Bancorp

In other news, Director Bernard Bennett Banks sold 9,000 shares of Customers Bancorp stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.93, for a total value of $602,370.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 7,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $503,581.32. This trade represents a 54.47% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Philip Watkins sold 2,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.04, for a total value of $188,616.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 50,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,307,218.96. This trade represents a 5.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 211,900 shares of company stock valued at $14,595,664 over the last three months. 8.69% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Customers Bancorp

(Free Report)

Customers Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: CUBI) is a bank holding company headquartered in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and the parent of Customers Bank, a federally chartered institution. The company offers a full suite of commercial and consumer banking services, combining traditional deposit and lending products with modern digital banking platforms. As a publicly traded entity, Customers Bancorp focuses on delivering tailored financial solutions to midmarket companies, small businesses, professionals and individuals across the United States.

Through its commercial banking division, the company provides term loans, lines of credit, real estate financing, assetbased lending and treasury management services.

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Salesforce logo displayed in a modern office with analytics dashboards, highlighting enterprise cloud software growth.

Key Points

Salesforce is positioned as a strong 2026 buy-and-hold, supported by consistent growth, rising institutional inflows, and expanding capital returns.

With early leadership in agentic AI, Salesforce is strategically aligned with one of the most disruptive trends in enterprise software.

Late 2025 price action established strong technical support, signaling a potential rebound heading into 2026.

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Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) is a top trade for 2026 because its position in the AI ecosystem drives accelerating growth, value is present, capital returns are healthy, and accumulation is underway.

The takeaway for investors and traders is that this stock, which struggled in 2025, is set up for a robust rebound that could add 50% to its price over the next few quarters.

 3 of the Most Important Charts to Watch Right Now

Left for dead due to concerns that the software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry was dying, soon to be overtaken by agentic AI, Salesforce stock is a blue-chip tech phoenix ready to be reborn.

Salesforce CRM stock chart shows accumulation, a hard bottom, and technical indicators pointing to a potential trend reversal.

 Rocket Labs Rally Isnt RandomBig Catalysts Are Ahead

1. Agentic AI Industry to Grow by Quadruple Digits

Agentic AI is on the rise, and Salesforce is well-positioned to benefit. Its enterprise AI strategy is to enable autonomous enterprises that operate behind the scenes, underpinning business activity, and can interact with and collaborate with humans. The services, which increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve client outcomes, resonate with businesses, as seen in the contract wins and penetration gains reported in 2025.

Regarding market size, valuation, and growth, the agentic AI industry is estimated to be worth between $5 billion and $10 billion in 2025. It is expected to grow at a solid, high double-digit compounded annual growth rate over the next five to ten years. Some estimates project annual growth rates of up to 40% through the middle of the next decade, with the total value reaching nearly $200 billion by 2034. That's worth approximately a 2000% increase in industry growth within ten years. In this scenario, Salesforces 2026 guidance and the long-term forecasts issued by analysts are far too low.

 Warner Bros. Rejects Paramount's OfferHow It Affects WBD, NFLX, PSKY

2. Salesforce Is Growing, Presents Value, and Forecasts Are Too Low

All else aside, Salesforces 2025 stock price weakness opened a value opportunity for investors. The stock trades at 22x current-year earnings at the start of 2026, in line with the S&P 500, and analysts forecast it to grow at a steady 9% to 10% pace over the next 10 years. The forecast puts the stock at a price-to-earnings ratio of 13x by 2030, suggesting its price could rise by approximately 50% in that time. However, the company is forecasting stronger growth and will likely outperform its guidance. In this scenario, the forward valuations are even lower than reported, increasing the upside potential for this market.
Crown (NYSE:CCK  Get Free Report) had its price target increased by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $99.00 to $106.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the industrial products companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target suggests a potential upside of 0.41% from the companys current price.

A number of other research firms have also commented on CCK. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Crown from $116.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Truist Financial raised their target price on Crown from $126.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and set a $115.00 price target (up from $110.00) on shares of Crown in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Crown from $135.00 to $124.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their target price on Crown from $116.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Crown presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $118.92.

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Read Our Latest Report on CCK

Crown Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of Crown stock traded down $0.17 on Tuesday, reaching $105.57. 79,834 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 786,247. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. Crown has a fifty-two week low of $75.98 and a fifty-two week high of $109.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $99.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $99.33.

Crown (NYSE:CCK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 20th. The industrial products company reported $2.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.26. Crown had a return on equity of 26.86% and a net margin of 7.79%.The firm had revenue of $3.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.99 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Crown has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.650-1.75 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 7.700-7.80 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Crown will post 6.96 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Crown

In related news, CEO Timothy J. Donahue sold 8,476 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.01, for a total value of $890,064.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 440,580 shares in the company, valued at approximately $46,265,305.80. The trade was a 1.89% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, COO Djalma Novaes, Jr. sold 19,754 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.02, for a total value of $1,995,549.08. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 96,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,782,877.82. This trade represents a 16.94% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Crown

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Crown by 30.7% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,907 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $196,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares during the period. Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new position in Crown during the third quarter valued at about $136,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Crown by 149.7% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,496 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $144,000 after acquiring an additional 897 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Crown by 36.7% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,077 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 289 shares during the period. Finally, Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Crown by 46.7% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 90,401 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $8,732,000 after purchasing an additional 28,764 shares in the last quarter. 90.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Crown Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Crown Holdings, Inc is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products for consumer goods markets. The company designs, manufactures and sells metal packaging for beverage, food, household, personal care and specialty products. Its portfolio includes aluminum and steel beverage cans, steel food cans, aluminum aerosols, metal closures and ends, offering customers end-to-end solutions from design and prototyping to large-scale production.

Founded in 1919 as the Crown Cork & Seal Company, Crown has grown through strategic acquisitions and investments in advanced manufacturing technologies.

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Worth Financial Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Alger Concentrated Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:CNEQ  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 17,881 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $629,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Alger Concentrated Equity ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $3,947,000. Atria Investments Inc bought a new stake in shares of Alger Concentrated Equity ETF during the second quarter valued at about $3,355,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Alger Concentrated Equity ETF by 81.2% during the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 165,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,821,000 after purchasing an additional 74,196 shares in the last quarter. Castle Rock Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Alger Concentrated Equity ETF by 152.9% in the second quarter. Castle Rock Wealth Management LLC now owns 85,622 shares of the companys stock worth $2,617,000 after purchasing an additional 51,761 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp acquired a new stake in Alger Concentrated Equity ETF in the second quarter worth about $842,000.

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Alger Concentrated Equity ETF Trading Up 1.3%

Alger Concentrated Equity ETF stock opened at $35.02 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $226.58 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.92 and a beta of 1.76. The companys 50-day moving average price is $34.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.15. Alger Concentrated Equity ETF has a 52 week low of $19.33 and a 52 week high of $36.98.

Alger Concentrated Equity ETF Dividend Announcement

Alger Concentrated Equity ETF Profile

The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, December 18th were paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 53.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 18th.

(Free Report)

The Alger Concentrated Equity ETF (CNEQ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in large cap equity. The fund is actively managed, targeting large-cap companies with high growth potential. The fund maintains a concentrated portfolio of no more than 30 stocks, seeking long-term captial appreciation CNEQ was launched on Apr 4, 2024 and is issued by Alger.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNEQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alger Concentrated Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:CNEQ  Free Report).

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Zurich Insurance Group AG (OTCMKTS:ZFSVF  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $766.9660 and last traded at $751.3401. 162 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 24% from the average session volume of 131 shares. The stock had previously closed at $743.7040.

Zurich Insurance Group Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average is $727.78 and its 200-day moving average is $718.21.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Zurich Insurance Group stock. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Zurich Insurance Group AG (OTCMKTS:ZFSVF  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 278 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $198,000. 30.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Zurich Insurance Group

Zurich Insurance Group is a global insurance company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Established in 1872, the company has evolved into one of the worlds leading multi-line insurers, offering a broad range of general and life insurance products. With a long-standing reputation for financial strength and expertise in risk management, Zurich serves a diverse client base that includes retail customers, small-to-medium enterprises and large multinational corporations.

The companys core business activities are divided into two main segments: General Insurance and Life Insurance & Farmers.

Further Reading

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Yes  safety oversight must come before anything else

Regulation is needed, but delays and red tape are the real problem

No  enforcement already exists; regulation wont prevent accidents

Vote

View Results
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Perhentian Islands has emerged as the fastest growing destination for attracting international travelers in Malaysia, according to digital travel platform Agoda's latest New Horizons ranking. The travel platform further reveals Sitiawan to be the top trending domestic destination and Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam) to be emerging among Malaysian travelers.

Agoda's New Horizons ranking, which is released annually, compares the accommodation booking ranks of the two previous years to identify the highest climbers in international travel in Asia.

Fabian Teja, Country Director Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda said, "Travelers today are looking beyond the usual hotspots, and destinations like the Perhentian Islands, Sitiawan, and Phu Quoc reflect a growing appetite for authentic, nature-led, and culturally rich experiences. At Agoda, we're excited to help travelers discover these rising destinations by making travel more accessible through great value deals across accommodation, flights, and activities, all in one easy-to-use platform."

Perhentian Islands has climbed the ranks to 14 in the year 2025 from 16 in 2024, showcasing its growing appeal among international visitors. Known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, the islands offer exceptional snorkeling and diving experiences. The serene beaches and lush jungles provide a perfect escape for nature lovers.

Sitiawan, meanwhile, has become the top domestic destination, moving up to rank 43 in 2025 from 48 in 2024, indicating a rising interest among local travelers. This charming town is famous for its delicious seafood and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore traditional temples and enjoy the warm hospitality of the local community.

For Malaysians traveling abroad, Phu Quoc Island has seen a rise in popularity for outbound destinations, jumping to rank 21 in 2025 from 34 in 2024. With its stunning beaches and luxury resorts, Phu Quoc offers a tropical paradise for relaxation. The island's vibrant night markets and fresh seafood make it a culinary delight for travelers.

Looking at the top emerging destinations for Asian travelers combined, Sapa (Vietnam) tops the list as Asia's rising star. Vietnam's scenic mountain destination is followed by Okayama (Japan), Bandung (Indonesia), Matsuyama (Japan), and Takamatsu (Japan) as the top five destinations in Asia showcasing the highest growth in international travel interest.

Travelers making their 2026 plans are encouraged to check out Agoda's great value deals on over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform. The latest deals are available in the Agoda app or on agoda.com/deals.
Airwallex, the Australian payments platform, is set to infuse about 200m ($234.3m) into the Netherlands over the next five years as it steps up its European push, as per a report by Reuters.

The move signals the firms shifting emphasis away from its traditional Asia-Pacific stronghold.

The Melbourne-founded fintech intends to expand its presence in Amsterdam, targeting a 60% increase in staff numbers to roughly 70 full-time employees by the end of 2026.

Established in 2015, Airwallex runs a cross-border payments platform that allows businesses to send and receive international transfers, maintain multi-currency accounts and handle online payment processing.

The firm secured $13m in a Series A funding round led by Chinese technology group Tencent in 2017.

Subsequent capital raises include a $300m round in May 2025, which took its valuation beyond $6bn.

This was followed by a Series G round, which helped the firm secure $330m at a $8bn valuation.

Airwallex surpassed $1bn in annual recurring revenue last year, according to the news agency.

In 2024, the company said it aimed to be ready for an initial public offering in 2026, though it has since declined to comment on its listing plans.

The latest investment in the Netherlands comes as the company says it will concentrate on building its footprint in Europe and the Americas, after roughly a decade of focusing on Australia and wider Asia-Pacific markets.

Airwallex obtained a licence in the Netherlands in May 2021, providing passporting rights across the European Economic Area.

As of October 2025, the firm was serving more than 150,000 customers, including Shein, Bolt, TikTok and Canva, highlighted Reuters.

In Europe, it is competing with payment providers such as Dutch groups Adyen and Mollie, as well as digital bank Bunq.

In December, Airwallex said it would invest $590m in its UK operations between 2026 and 2030.

That programme includes a planned 60% rise in UK headcount, alongside the rollout and enhancement of products such as Spend AI, credit cards and recurring billing software-as-a-service.

"Airwallex to invest in Netherlands as it ramps up Europe shift  report" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




AMD (AMD) CEO Lisa Su unveiled the company's upcoming AI data center platform during her keynote at CES 2026 in Las Vegas on Monday, providing a first look at the Helios system and offering more details about how it will be built.

Su not only brought out a large Helios rack unit on stage, but also said it was the "world's best AI rack," a direct shot across Nvidia's bow.

More from Yahoo Scout How is AMD competing with Nvidia in AI markets? What new PC processors did AMD announce at CES? How does AMD's MI500 series compare to previous generations? What is AMD's new Helios AI data center platform?

Nvidia (NVDA) has set the standard for rack scale systems and debuted its latest offering, the Vera Rubin NVL72, at CES on Monday.

Helios will go head-to-head with Nvidias own NVL systems, matching its latest NVL72s 72 Rubin GPUs with 72 of AMDs MI455X chips. Its another sign that AMD is working to move further in on Nvidias turf in the AI data center market.

The company expanded on that effort by providing more information about its upcoming MI500 series data center GPUs, which AMD boldly declares will provide up to a 1,000x increase in AI performance compared to its MI300X GPUs.

AMD showed off its Helios AI server rack at CES 2026. (Image: AMD)  AMD

According to Su, that kind of performance jump will be necessary over the coming years. During her keynote, the CEO said AMD believes some 5 billion people will be using AI every day in the next 5 years, and to meet that demand, technology companies will need to increase global computing capacity by 100 times in the coming years.

That kind of growth could undoubtedly benefit AMD and Nvidia.

AMD has benefited handsomely from both its AI data center businesses over the last year. The companys stock price increased 76% over the last 12 months, outpacing even that of Nvidia, which rose 30%.

Still, Nvidia continues to dominate the AI industry, increasing its market capitalization to $4.5 trillion. AMDs market cap sits at $359 billion.

Like Nvidia and Intel (INTC), AMD also showcased its work in the robotics space, with Su bringing Generative Bionics CEO Daniele Pucci on stage to unveil the companys humanoid robot for the first time.

Powered by AMDs CPUs and GPUs, the robot, dubbed GENE.01, is meant to operate in industrial environments. AMD is an investor in Generative Bionics.

On the PC front, Su announced that AMD's latest Ryzen AI 400 Series and Ryzen AI Pro 400 series chips will take on Intels new Core Ultra 3 processors built on its new 18A process technology.

According to AMD, the chips come with up to 12 high-performance CPU cores for consumers that need oodles of processing power, as well as AMDs integrated Radeon 800M series graphics chips, and an NPU with up to 60 TOPs of performance. TOPs, or trillions of operations per second, are a means for measuring AI processing performance.
The Orange Police Department is searching for man who was last seen on December 24, 2025. His last known location was in Orange. Currently there is no indication of foul play, however the police are concerned about the circumstances of his disappearance.

Damon Martin, 41, was last seen wearing a long sleeved white shirt, long pants and a ball cap. Martin is 5' 7", with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Martin's whereabouts is asked to contact the City of Orange Police Department at 409-883-1026, report anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas at 409-833-TIPS (8477), online at 833TIPS.com or through the P3 TIPS app. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Investors don't seem rattled by the latest geopolitical conflict.

The Dow closed at a record high after the US raid on Venezuela, with only modest flows into safe-haven assets.

It's a recurring pattern in markets, as investors focus more on fundamentals and earnings.

A new geopolitical conflict is unfolding. Yet, US stocks are up at new record highs?

That's the dynamic on display on Monday as investors digest the US's raid on Venezuela and the capture of the nation's president, Nicolas Maduro, over the weekend.

Despite the upheaval of its South American neighbor, US stocks, gold, and bitcoin were among risk assets that churned higher on Monday. As far as markets are concerned, the Venezuela situation seems to already be an afterthought.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, while the Dow's 1.3% jump notched a record closing high for the benchmark. Energy stocks led the way across both indexes.

Those moves seem counterintuitive, but they reflect a dynamic that markets have shown time and time again over the decades: investors simply don't care that much about conflict abroad.

Stocks, for one, have a pattern of falling as geopolitical tensions rise, but rebounding once the conflict actually occurs. According to an analysis by Fundstrat Research, there are at least five instances where equities rallied after a major geopolitical event, such as the first Gulf War or when Hamas attacked Israel in 2023.

Fundstrat Research

"The old adage has long been to 'sell the rumor, buy the invasion,'" Kent Fung, Fundstrat's vice president of market intelligence, wrote in a note to clients on Monday.

Peter Berezin, the chief market strategist at BCA Research, said Monday's rally showed investors are more focused on taking the weekend's string of events in a "positive light."

"You had a country that has been hostile to the US that has expropriated a lot of US investments, and now Trump has orchestrated a regime shift that could open the country up for new investment," he told Business Insider.

The lack of a negative reaction in markets could also reflect how investors can't yet price in a final outcome of the US-Venezuela conflict. The market also seems to be focused on other recent stock drivers, such as the rally broadening out to sectors beyond tech, Berezin said.

The market's upward momentum is proving to be a tough force to stop. US equities notched another record-setting year in 2025, with the S&P 500 gaining 16% as investors remained laser-focused on the growth potential of AI, strong earnings, rate cuts, and a still-resilient US economy.
Former U.S. president Joe Biden began his Washington, D.C. career as one of the least wealthy politicians and ended it with the highest pension in POTUS history. And thats no malarky.

Demian Brady (1), vice-president of the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF), told the New York Post that the 83-year-olds pension is $417,000 a year  an historically unusual amount outpacing the U.S. presidential salary of $400,000 (1).

Biden is making more in retirement than the current president gets (in a salary), Brady told the Post. Its a very unique situation.

Must Read

According to the NTUF, former presidents also receive lifetime allowances for post-presidential office spaces and staff, office supplies and health and travel coverage. (2)

The General Services Administration (GSA), which handles the budgets for former presidents, has already allocated the following allowances for 2026 (3):

Joe Biden : $1.6 million

Bill Clinton and George W. Bush : $1.3 million each

Barack Obama: $1.2 million

While critics like Brady believe the government pension system is ripe for reform due to its cost to taxpayers, Bidens massive pension is an exception to the rule resulting from the multiple hats hes worn over the years.

Hey Joe! Howd you score that sweet pension?

In fact, the $417,000 total is technically two pensions combined:

one pension for his presidency

and another pension earned for his eight years as vice-president and four-plus decades as Delawares senator.

Read More: Young millionaires are rethinking stocks in 2026 and banking on these assets instead  heres why older Americans should take note

Former presidents get a pension equal to a cabinet secretarys salary  just over $246,400 in 2024. This guideline was established in 1958 under the Former Presidents Act (FPA), apparently in response to ex-POTUS Harry S. Trumans financial struggles upon leaving office.

Did Truman struggle? Michael J. Devine, director of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, challenges that idea, writing that Truman put a considerable amount of his presidential salary into savings and owned 400 acres of Missouri farmland worth an estimated $750,000 (4)
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has commissioned a cutting-edge Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at its Visakh Refinery in Andhra Pradesh. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas lauded it as a major boost to Indias energy security and self-reliance.

According to multiple posts by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and HPCL on social media, the new RUF is built on LC-Max residue hydrocracking technology and has a capacity of 3.55 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).

Visakh Refinery RUF Commissioned | A Global First in Refining



Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited @HPCL has successfully commissioned the Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at its Visakh Refinery, featuring the worlds first and largest LC-Max unita major leap in advanced pic.twitter.com/6baFpJP4v4  Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) January 6, 2026

It is designed to convert about 93 per cent of the bottom of the barrel heavy residues into high-value fuels and distillates, sharply reducing low-value leftover material.

This means the Visakh refinery can process heavier and cheaper opportunity crudes more efficiently, improving product quality and overall operational efficiency.

This state-of-the-art facility adds momentum to our efforts towards boosting energy security, thus becoming Aatmanirbhar in this sector. @HardeepSPuri https://t.co/RtUCMHPkD4  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 6, 2026

The ministry described the facility as housing the worlds first and largest LC-Max unit, positioning it among the most advanced residue-processing projects globally.

Statements from Engineers India Ltd and Larsen & Toubro, which helped execute the project, also describe it as a world-first LC-Max installation at this scale, with three LC-Max reactors of around 2,200 tonnes each, counted among the heaviest engineered blocks built and assembled in India.

Government backing

Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri has called the project a milestone in Indias energy security journey and a decisive step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The government noted that by squeezing more high-value products out of every barrel of crude, the RUF will help meet rising domestic fuel demand while reducing dependence on imported refined products.
Indian bourses have sought clarification from Reliance Industries with respect to recent news reports that stated that "Reliance denies receiving Russian oil at its Jamnagar refinery in recent weeks".

"The response from the company is awaited," noted the National Stock Exchange.

Tuesday morning saw the blue-chip stock slide into the red. Indias most valued listed company, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, saw its stock fall more than 5 per cent. From Mondays close of Rs 1,578.10 apiece, Reliance stock fell to as low as Rs 1,496.30 on Tuesday morning, down 5.18 per cent.



What did the report claim?

Bloombergs report, based on vessel-tracking firm Kpler, on Friday, claimed that three tankers carrying nearly 2.2 million barrels of Urals crude were indicating Reliances Jamnagar complex as their destination and were expected to arrive early this month.

Kpler tracks live AIS (automatic identification system) signals from ships, and the destinations shown could change as vessels move closer to India.

The article noted that Reliance had earlier stopped using Russian crude at the export-focused part of its refinery after US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, but had since allegedly resumed buying from nonsanctioned Russian suppliers for fuels meant for Indias domestic market.



Reliances response and counterclaims

A Reliance spokesperson, quoted in the same Bloomberg piece, clearly denied that these specific cargoes have been purchased by the company and said there are no committed shipments of Russian crude for delivery in January.

"A news report in Bloomberg claiming three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limiteds Jamnagar refinery is blatantly untrue.

Statement by Reliance Industries Limited:



A news report in Bloomberg claiming three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limiteds Jamnagar refinery is blatantly untrue.



Reliance Industriess Jamnagar refinery has not received any cargo of  Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) January 5, 2026

Reliance Industriess Jamnagar refinery has not received any cargo of Russian oil at its refinery in the past three weeks approx. and is not expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January.

We are deeply pained that those claiming to be at the forefront of fair journalism chose to ignore the denial by RIL of buying any Russian oil to be delivered in January and published a wrong report tarnishing our image," the company said in a post on X.

However, the listed firm is yet to provide an official regulatory statement.
The infamous cyber incident at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) disrupted third-quarter production and deliveries, confirmed the UK-based luxury carmaker owned by Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, as it reported provisional quarterly numbers. JLR posted a sharp drop in wholesale and retail sales for the three-month period.

JLRs wholesale volumes for Q3 FY26 stood at about 59,200 units (excluding its China joint venture CJLR), a fall of 43.3 per cent compared with the same quarter last year and 10.6 per cent lower than Q2 FY26.

Retail sales were around 79,600 units (including CJLR), down 25.1 per cent year-on-year and 6.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter.

Back in September 2025, JLR first confirmed that it was impacted by a cyber incident. "We took immediate action to mitigate its impact by proactively shutting down our systems", the automaker stated, noting that "retail and production activities have been severely disrupted".

The cyber incident earlier in the quarter forced production stoppages, and plants could return to normal output only by mid-November 2025, the automaker said in an official statement.

Even after production resumed, JLR needed extra time to ship vehicles worldwide, which dragged down both wholesale and retail volumes. This was already indicated in earlier company updates, but Monday was the first time the UK carmaker stated the numbers.

Impact of Jaguar transition and US tariffs

JLR was already deliberately winding down older Jaguar models ahead of the launch of a new, fully electric Jaguar line-up, and this planned reduction further weighed on volumes through the quarter, the company noted.

Incremental US tariffs on its exports to the United States also put pressure on sales in an already weak North American market.

To top it off, wholesale volumes declined in all major regions. Volumes in the UK fell 0.9 per cent, North America slid 64.4 per cent, Europe slumped 47.6 per cent, China dipped 46.0 per cent, MENA slipped 8.5 per cent, and other Overseas markets decreased by 50.4 per cent versus Q3 FY25.

Despite the slump, high-end Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender vehicles made up 74.3 per cent of JLRs wholesale volumes in Q3 FY26, higher than 70.3 per cent a year ago, hinting at continued strong demand for these flagship SUVs.

JLR said its full financial results for Q3 FY26 would be posted in February 2026, and more volume data would be published this Thursday.
A Chinese defence expert attempted to decode how the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a swift military action that involved 150 aircraft launched from across the Western Hemisphere, including F-18, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, B-1 bombers and drones.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe, who analysed information available to the public on the US military action, said the US operation was marked by close coordination among its forces and tactical elements.

Speaking to Global Times, he observed that the US military initially deployed more than 150 aircraft to strike major targets in Venezuela, including air defense systems.

These strikes diverted the attention of the Venezuelan forces and enabled US special forces to infiltrate the presidents residence.

The missions success, according to him, depended largely on the overwhelming military superiority of US forces.

Zhang added that US forces likely also deployed electronic warfare capabilities that disabled the Venezuelan capitals power grid and command systems, preventing the country's military from mounting an effective response.

ALSO READ: I am still president of Venezuela: What Maduro said in first US court appearance

Zhang pointed out that compared to the earlier US military actions like the ones carried out during the Gulf War 35 years ago, the US deployed more advanced weapons and equipment, including F-35 stealth fighters that likely neutralised Venezuelas S-300 air defense systems.

The second notable development, according to the Chinese military expert, is the reported use of stealth drones in the mission to carry out aerial surveillance over Venezuela and collect intelligence on Maduros whereabouts.

A Reuters report said the intelligence agency also had an asset close to Maduro who would monitor the movements and was poised to pinpoint his exact location as the military operation unfolded.

This further demonstrated that the biggest weakness of a fortress often lies within it, Zhang was quoted as saying.
A 15-year-old from Pathankot in Punjab was arrested for spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in what appears to be an attempt by the ISI to recruit minors from India to spy for the country.

The boy was arrested by Pathankot Police after it was revealed during the investigation that he had been in regular touch with Pakistani handlers, sharing with them details of security installations. According to media reports, the boy shared sensitive information for over a year.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

A Times of India report said the boy was tricked by Pakistani handlers on social media. He was emotionally vulnerable as he was made to believe that his father had been killed, according to media reports, although the police is yet to confirm this.

"The police have arrested the boy after receiving information that he had been supplying information related to the security of our nation to the frontal organisations of terror agencies, ISI, and Pakistan military officers," TOI quoted SSP Pathankot Daljinder Singh Dhillon.

He fell into the trap of Pakistani agencies through social media, as he was suspicious that his father had been murdered, which affected him mentally. However, the investigation did not reveal any such evidence, the SSP has been quoted as saying.

The boy reportedly shared videos about various sensitive security installations with his handlers.

ALSO READ: Securing Indias digital destiny: Cybersecurity as a sovereign imperative

Authorities stated that other minors in Punjab are also suspected of having connections with ISI operatives. As a precaution, police stations across the state have been placed on high alert and directed to remain vigilant and closely monitor any related activity.

In another case, a person from Ambala in Haryana, who reportedly had access to sensitive information regarding the Indian Air Force and military, was arrested for spying for Pakistan.

According to media reports, Sunil Kumar, hailing from Sabga village in the Saha area in Ambala district, was employed as a supervisor overseeing construction work assigned to a private firm in the defence (kept British spelling consistent with context) area of Ambala Cantonment.

During this time, he allegedly came into contact with a Pakistan-based module through a honeytrap operation and remained in touch with them through social media.

"He used to handle repair work at the Air Force station. He was taking photos or providing information... He was in contact with a woman, and she used to ask for information, and he passed on some information," news agency ANI quoted police sources as saying.
In the relentless search for more precise and less toxic cancer treatments, scientists are increasingly turning to the smallest of allies, nanorobots.

In a breakthrough that sounds almost sci-fi but is grounded firmly in biology and physics, researchers have developed magnetically driven bionic nanorobots that can swim through the body, evade blood flow resistance, and deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to tumours while also nudging the immune system into action.

The innovation lies not just in what these nanorobots carry, but how they move. These tiny drug carriers can rearrange, disperse, form vortices, and move directionally in response to external magnetic signals. This swarm-like behaviour allows them to adapt to the chaotic, high-pressure environment inside blood vessels and tumour tissue, something conventional drug delivery systems struggle to achieve.

" Cancer cases are rising across the country. Now, nanorobots can be helpful for cancer patients. So, nanorobots are tiny machines that work at a microscopic level inside the body. In cancer treatment, they can help deliver medicines directly to cancer cells without harming healthy cells. However, there is still a lack of awareness regarding this. This targeted approach will reduce side effects such as nausea and vomiting, hair loss, and damage to healthy tissues, and help with successful outcomes. Nanorobots can also help detect cancer early by identifying cancer cells at an early stage, making treatment safer, effective, and accurate. It is necessary to discuss with the doctor," said Dr Vivek Bande, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, TGH Oncolife Cancer Centre.

Despite decades of advances in cancer therapy, efficient tumour-targeted drug delivery remains one of oncologys biggest challenges. Chemotherapy drugs circulating freely in the bloodstream often damage healthy tissue, leading to well-known side effects such as cardiac toxicity, immune suppression, and severe fatigue. At the same time, only a fraction of the drug actually reaches the tumour.

Tumours themselves dont help. They are biologically heterogeneous, protected by dense tissue structures and abnormal blood vessels that act as formidable barriers.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

'Passive' targeting strategies, where drugs rely on leaky tumour vessels to seep in, have shown limited success. This is where actively guided nanorobots come in.

This study, carried out by researchers from the Institute of High Energy Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, also observes that unlike conventional nanoparticles that passively circulate with blood flow, the magnetically driven nanorobots were designed to actively overcome physiological resistance and biological barriers through externally controlled motion.

The work from Beijing is not an isolated effort. Similar advances are emerging from other parts of the world, including India, underscoring how magnetic nanobots are fast becoming a serious contender in next-generation cancer therapy.

In a separate study published in Nature, Neha Naikwadi from the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pune, highlights how self-propelling magnetic nanobots could overcome some of the most stubborn limitations of conventional chemotherapy.

Taken together, the studies point to a growing global shift towards active, intelligent drug delivery systems that do more than passively circulate in the bloodstream. While researchers from China demonstrated how magnetically driven nanorobots can be externally guided to overcome blood flow resistance, penetrate tumours, and activate local immune responses, parallel work from India shows how magnetic nanobots can achieve similar precision from within.

Together, these approaches signal a broader international movement towards programmable, image-guided, and biologically responsive nanorobots that could redefine how chemotherapy is delivered, making it more targeted and less toxic.

The newly developed system uses ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles, each about 7 nanometres in size, coated with polyethylene glycol to improve stability and biocompatibility. The chemotherapy drug doxorubicin is chemically bound to these particles, ensuring controlled release once the nanorobots reach their target.

What sets this approach apart is a custom-built three-dimensional magnetic manipulation platform. By fine-tuning external magnetic fields, researchers can steer the nanorobots through the bloodstream, overcome blood flow resistance, and guide them precisely to tumour sites, as per the papers.

Once there, the swarm-like movement enables the particles to penetrate deeper into tumour tissue, delivering drug concentrations that were more than ten times higher than conventional methods.

In mouse models of cancer, the results were striking, scientists observed. Additionally, the nanorobot-delivered drugs cause significantly lower systemic toxicity, even at equivalent doses. More importantly, treated mice showed slower tumour growth and markedly longer survival.

But the benefits didnt stop at drug delivery.

Researchers observed that the nanorobots also activated immune responses within the tumour microenvironment. By altering local immune activity, the system may help turn 'cold' tumours, those that evade immune detection, into ones that are more responsive to treatment.

Experts say the study represents a broader shift in cancer treatment philosophy from flooding the body with toxic drugs to precise, programmable, and image-guided therapy. Because the nanorobots are made from iron oxide, they can also be tracked using MRI, allowing doctors to monitor drug delivery in real time.

"Even though this technology is still in the experimental stage worldwide, the rate of progress is promising, and within the next ten years, we might witness practical applications. Our ongoing goal as oncologists is to make cancer treatment safer, more intelligent, and more focused. Nanorobots could revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment, and they would be a significant step toward precision oncology becoming the standard rather than the exception," said Dr Amol Akhade, Consultant  Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai.

While the technology is still at a preclinical stage, its implications are significant. This system could redefine how chemotherapy is administered in the future.

For now, magnetically driven nanorobots may still be confined to the lab. But if these early results translate to humans, the idea of cancer drugs swimming towards tumours may soon become a clinical reality.
In a major blow to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court upheld an order passed by a single bench over the Thiruparankundram row, permitting lighting the lamp on the deepathoon (stone pillar) atop the hill. While the Tamil Nadu government staunchly opposed the move, the court dismissed the DMK government's apprehensions, calling it ridiculous.

The row erupted in early December, after a bench led by High Court G.R. Swaminathan ordered the lighting of a lamp at on the stone pillar on the hilltop. The state government opposed the move, arguing the stone pillar was actually a survey stone, and it is located close to a dargah. The government also raised law and order challenges. However, the bench held that the dargah is not affected by lighting the map at the pillar.

But the state government refused to oblige by the High Court's directions, and a lamp was lit at the usual Utchi Pilaiyar temple alone. Prohibitory orders were issued in the hill premises to prevent a law and order issue.

Hindutva outfits, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, conducted protests demanding that the state government follow court's directions. The issue simply erupted into a major political row in the state. The DMK maintains it is not against the Hindu faith and has conducted Kumbhabhishekam over 3,000 temples, and said it would not let Hindutva forces to destroy communal harmony in the state.

For years, the BJP has been trying to gain popularity in the state and consolidate Hindu votes in the name of Lord Muruga, a deity identified closely with Tamil culture. BJP leaders have taken out statewide yatras in the name of Lord Muruga in the state.

The row reminds one of how the BJP and Hindutva forces managed to dent the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s vote bank in Kerala over the Sabarimala row: first following the entry of young women in Sabarimala, and second over the Sabarimala gold theft case.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, held soon after the Sabarimala verdict permitting entry of young women to the temple, the CPI(M)-led LDF lost in all 20 seats except one. Likewise, during the recently held local body polls in the state, the Left front lost heavily, losing power in five corporations.
Bitcoins ascent since the start of 2026 has pushed it close to $95,000, its highest level in six weeks. Although the general crypto market outlook is improving, a closer look at the top crypto shows flat perpetuals contract positioning, leaving analysts cautiously optimistic.

The top crypto reached a peak of $94,420 on Monday, marking a 7.7% surge from the year-to-date opening price of $87,611, according to CoinGecko data.

Despite the relief rally, Bitcoins aggregated open interest remains flat, around $31.4 billion, or roughly 34% lower than October 10s $47.8 billion, CryptoQuant data shows.

Although new positions are contributing to the rally, investor positioning remains well below that at the previous market peak.

The run-up from January 2 has been accompanied by an ask-skewed order book at 5% and 10% depth from the current price, indicating that sellers are in control, according to CoinGlass data. The Coinbase Premium indicator has also remained largely negative, suggesting that spot demand for Bitcoin among U.S. investors is weak.

While perpetual positioning may be shaky, the options market shows a more promising shift. The 7-day 25-delta skew, a premium for downside protection, recently flipped positive, suggesting the recovery has alleviated the need for bearish bets. The 30-day skew remains negative but is close to zero, per Deribit data.

Bitcoin Close to Breaking Out of Death Cross: Heres What That Means

On the options front, positioning has turned increasingly constructive with a reduction in put skew across all tenors and with more than 3,000 contracts of 30 Jan 2026 $100,000 calls purchased since last week, according to Singapore-based trading firm QCP Capitals Monday note.

Still, QCP analysts struck a cautious note, saying much of the recent demand for upside exposure came through options trades designed to profit from large price moves in either direction.

That activity suggests Bitcoins rebound was driven in part by short-covering, as traders rushed to close out bearish bets rather than by fresh, conviction buying.

Strategy Pads Cash Reserve, Drops Another $116 Million on Bitcoin

The backdrop is supportive: January ETF flows have been strong, led by institutional demand, and major wealth platforms are widening access, Rachael Lucas, Crypto Analyst at BTC Markets, told Decrypt. Seasonality helps too; the Santa rally carried momentum into January, and Q1 typically favours risk assets when liquidity is supportive.

However, Lucas maintains a cautious stance, suggesting that traders monitor the downside, particularly the $92,000 and $90,000 levels, should ETF inflows fade or macroeconomic conditions turn hawkish.

For now, the bid feels earned, but any break above $95,000 needs volume; if it's thin, expect profit taking before the next leg, Lucas said.
The BJP on Tuesday condemned the controversial slogans raised by a group of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during a protest against the denial of bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The protest took place on Monday night, hours after the Supreme Court denied bail to the duo, stating that there was a prima facie case against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The top court granted bail to activists Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad in the same case.

A purported video of the JNU protest, shared on social media, showed some students raising controversial slogans such as 'Modi-Shah ki kabar khudegi inside the campus.

Condemning the incident, Delhi minister Kapil Mishra said it reflected the frustration of those who support terrorists and Naxals.

"Some people raise slogans against the nation, religion, and the verdict of the Supreme Court, in support of Afzal Guru, terrorists, and Naxals. The Naxals and terrorists are being eliminated, and for those who conspired against Delhi, the Supreme Court has announced its verdict, so this is just their frustration," Mishra told ANI.

#WATCH | Delhi | On the reported sloganeering against PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah in JNU campus yesterday, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra says, "Some people raise slogans against the nation, religion, verdict of Supreme Court, in support of Afzal Guru, terrorists, naxals...The pic.twitter.com/90I3yJQJWz  ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2026

Mishras cabinet colleagues, Ashish Sood and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, also condemned the incident and blamed the Opposition for supporting those who engage in such acts.

"Sharjeel Imam spoke about separating Northeast India. Umar Khalid raised slogans of 'India will be broken into pieces,' and his involvement was found in the 2020 riots. Such people are shown sympathy because there are people in this Assembly who shared a stage with Sharjeel Imam," Sood told reporters.

VIDEO | On controversial slogans being raised against PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in JNU, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood says, "... Sharjeel Imam spoke about separating Northeast India. Umar Khalid raised slogans of India will be broken into pieces, and his pic.twitter.com/2kDdDhYXNc  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2026

Sirsa alleged that those who raised the slogans had no regard for the Constitution or the law.

These are separatist people. Raising such slogans against the Prime Minister and Home Minister is extremely shameful. The AAP and Congress have always supported such people," he said.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that such sloganeering by the students reflects an unconstitutional, anti-national mindset. "The slogans chanted in JNU indicate that these individuals are part of an 'anti-national urban Naxal gang' seeking to divide the country. Ever since the Supreme Courts verdict against Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, this 'Tukde Tukde ecosystem' has been in turmoil," he said.
A group of students protesting at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who raised objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday are expected to be suspended. An FIR was also registered against the students on Tuesday based on a complaint by the university administration.

In a letter to the Delhi Police, the JNU administration claimed that certain students raised "highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory" slogans on Monday. It added that the slogans were in direct contempt of the Supreme Court and violated the JNU Code of Conduct.

JNU also ordered an internal inquiry that could result in the suspension, expulsion or debarment of students.

The students were marking the fifth anniversary of the January 5, 2020, violence wherein masked men entered the campus and attacked students and teachers.

A video of the Monday protest showed students allegedly raising slogans against Modi and Shah after the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid, a former JNU student leader, and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The varsity administration has named several students, including current JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) President Aditi Mishra, saying the slogans were "deliberate", "repeated" and had the "potential to seriously disrupt public order, campus harmony and security".

However, Mishra said the students protest every year on January 5 to condemn the violence that occurred on the campus in 2020. "All of the slogans raised in the protest were ideological and do not attack anyone personally. They were not directed towards anyone," she told PTI.

According to the administration, she said the programme was organised around 10 pm by JNUSU students. Though they initially appeared to commemorate the January 2020 incident, the nature of the event changed following a judicial verdict on the bail pleas of Khalid and Imam. Soon some participants allegedly raised slogans, which the University termed "inflammatory and objectionable".

"Such an act reflects a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse. All stakeholders must understand the clear distinction between dissent and abuse and hate speech which lead to public disorder," a statement issued by the University registrar said.
The CBI, which has been investigating the Karur stampede in which 41 people were killed during a political rally of actor-politician Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has summoned Vijay in connection with the incident.

The actor-politician has been directed to appear for questioning before the agency headquarters in Delhi on January 12.

The CBI directive comes even as Vijay is gearing up for the release of his upcoming release, Jana Nayaganhis last before he gets fully immersed in politics.

A few days ago, a Times of India report said the TVK submitted video evidence to the agency to back the partys claim of lapses on the part of the government and Tamil Nadu Police that led to the stampede.

The party had repeatedly said it would continue to cooperate with the investigating agency in the probe.

The case was handed over to the CBI by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by TVK for an independent probe.

Looking at the facts, the issue has a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens. The directions are to hand over the investigation to the CBI. In order to allay the concern of parties, we propose to set up a three-member committee. We have requested Justice Ajay Rastogi to head the committee," the apex court had said, handing over the case to the investigating agency.

Forty-one people lost their lives, and over 60 were injured in the stampede that occurred at the TVK meeting addressed by Vijay on September 27.

The state government had claimed that the allegation of negligence or dereliction of duty on the part of the Karur district administration and the police authorities is wholly baseless and devoid of merit.

"The records clearly establish that the district administration and police acted with utmost diligence, foresight, and compliance with all statutory and procedural safeguards," the government had claimed.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had been admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital after she suffered from chest pains on Tuesday, sources said.

She was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday morning.

STORY | Sonia Gandhi admitted to Delhi's Ganga Ram hospital, say sources



Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, sources said on Tuesday. She is doing fine and has been kept under observation of a chest physician, they said.



READ: pic.twitter.com/5S3iT3UCgj  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2026

The hospital check-up was described as a routine visit; however, hospital sources said that the 79-year-old politician had a chronic cough and respiratory problems, which were made worse by the pollution in the city. Upon medical examination, it was found that her bronchial asthma was exacerbated due to cold weather and pollution.

Her condition is currently stable, and she is under the watch of a chest specialist. She had also been responding well to medication.

The Congress party has not issued a formal statement on the condition of the senior leader.

Gandhi has been facing an increasing number of health challenges during the past few years. She has especially been affected by pollution and weather changes.

In June 2025, she was admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College for a stomach problem and was examined by the gastroenterology department.
Leaders from Tamil Nadu Congress dismissed speculations over its ties with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the state, and maintained the alliance is intact. The comments come as a section of Congress leaders are vouching for an alliance with actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Tamil Nadu Congress president K. Selvaperuthagai told presspersons on Tuesday that the party's alliance with the DMK is intact and it would conduct seat-sharing discussions in a dignified manner. The party is firm on its alliance with the DMK, Selvaperuthagai said.

"There is no threat to our alliance with the DMK. We will discuss with them in a dignified manner to get the number of seats we require (in assembly polls)," Selvaperunthagai added.

Reacting to demands for an alliance with actor Vijay's party, Selvaperunthagai said, "There is no such discussion among the cadres. Our cadres obey what the party high command says. They will obey it and work for the welfare of the party and for the victory of alliance partners."

According to the Tamil Nadu Congress leader, Girish Chodankar, Congress's in-charge for Tamil Nadu has reportedly stressed that the INDIA alliance should be further strengthened in the state, and it must be ensured that there is no space for the RSS and the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

"Girish Chodankar already clarified during his visit to the state that the Congress did not talk with any political party for an alliance. We are only talking with the DMK," he stressed.

Selvaperunthagai's comments come days after Congress MP Jothimani slammed the party's unit over seat-sharing squabbles. Jothimani charged the Tamil Nadu unit of the party is on a path of self-destruction and moving away from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ideals.
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the single judge order directing the temple authorities to light the lamp on the stone pillar atop the Thiruparankundram hill, near the Dargah.

Dismissing a batch of appeal petitions filed by the state government, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department and representatives of the Sikandar Badusha Dargah, a division bench of the Madurai bench of the Madras High court comprising of Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan said the earlier judgment by Justice G.R. Swaminathan did not create a new religious practice. It merely enabled the exercise of an existing right on temple-owned land. A batch of appeal petitions were filed by the state government, HR and CE and the Dargah against the judgement of G.R.Swaminathan on December 1.

While upholding the single judge order, which permitted the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam on the deepathoon, the court said the act formed part of the Subramaniya swamy temples religious freedom and that it cannot be blocked by executive prohibitory orders or administrative objections.

The bench also said that the appellants, including the state authorities, Dargah and the HR and CE failed to produce formidable evidence to show that the agama sastra prevented lighting the lamp. Lighting of the Karthigai Deepam is an essential religious practice of the temple. The state has no authority to interdict such practice by invoking prohibitory orders, when the land on which the practice is sought to be performed does not belong to the objector.

Stating that the apprehension of law and order was an imaginary ghost created by the state authorities for their convenience to put one community against the other under suspicion, the court said that the district administration should have taken the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation. Public order is not a talisman to defeat constitutional guarantees. The executive orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita cannot override a judicial command, particularly when the apprehension is speculative and not founded on past disturbance attributable to the act itself.

While the state argued that the devotees who moved the single judge seeking the lighting of the lamp at the Thirupparankundram hills cannot be claimed the same as legal right and Article 226 powers cannot be used to change a custom in existence for a long time, the bench held that the single judge had not mandated an exclusive or singular relocation of the deepam. The impugned order does not prohibit lighting of the deepam at the Uchippillaiyar mandapam or other customary locations. It merely permits lighting of an additional lamp at a place found to be within the temples domain, it added.

The bench also held that the collectors prohibitory order was issued after the single judges directive and appeared to be designed to neutralise it. The sequence of events gives rise to a reasonable inference that the prohibitory order was passed as a defensive measure to avoid compliance, the bench said in its order.

The state government, however, chose to go on an appeal to the Supreme Court against the Division bench order. Tamil Nadu Law minister S. Raghupathy categorically denied lighting of the lamp on the hilltop. There has been a customary practice. Why should we change it? There is no evidence to show that the practice of lighting lamp at a stone pillar near the dargah on the Thirupparankundram hill during Karthigai deepam had ever existed, at least in the last 100 years. He said the court carried an hidden agenda. Stating that the stone pillar atop Thirupparankundram hill was not a deepathoon, he said the culture and traditions of the people of Tamil Nadu should be preserved.

The lamp lighting row

The ancient hill of Thiruparankundram has become the epicentre of a religious controversy. A legal battle over the act of lighting a lamp has challenged the tradition backed by centuries of complex and layered history. In Tamil Nadu, there are six abodes of Lord Muruga and the first of the six abodes is Thiruparankundram, a small town in Madurai. The others include Palani, Thiruthani, Thiruchendur, Swamimalai and Pazhamuthircholai. And Karthigai Deepam, is one of the auspicious festivals, which falls in November-December, celebrated with religious fervour in all the six abodes and the Lord Shiva shrines across Tamil Nadu. An oil lamp is usually lit in these abodes. But off all the six abodes, the Thiruparankundram temple assumes significance as it is the first abode of Lord Muruga where he is believed to have married his first wife Theivanai, the princess of heaven and the daughter of Lord Indra after slaying the demon king Soorapadhman. And the Murugan deity here is in a sitting posture with his consort Theivanai.

The current row over lighting the lamp came up after Rama Ravikumar, an Hindu activist, who is also running a party, moved the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court seeking direction to the government to make arrangements to light an oil lamp on a sacred pillar atop the hillock on the day of Karthigai Deepam festival. Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court passed an order allowing Ravikumars petition which led to the chaos and the confusion in the peacefully celebrated festival.
In a major setback to the M.K. Stalin government in Tamil Nadu, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld a single judge's ruling allowing the lighting of the Karthikai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thirupparankundram hillock.

A division bench of Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan ruled that the petitioners opposing the earlier order had failed to produce any formidable evidence to show that the Agama Shastras do not permit the lighting of the lamp.

VIDEO | Madurai, Tamil Nadu: Thirupparankundram lamp lighting row - Madras HC's Madurai Bench upholds single judge's ruling allowing lighting of lamp on 'Deepathoon'. Advocate Arun Swaminathan speaks on the verdict:#Madurai #TamilNaduNews



(Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/rB1qQFC7zj  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2026

The bench also made some scathing remarks against the state government, observing that the issue had been "politicised unnecessarily."

Dismissing the government's concerns regarding law and order, the judges said it was ridiculous and hard to believe that the lighting of a lamp by the temple management on temple land could disturb public peace.

We pray that no state should stoop to that level to achieve their political agenda, the court remarked, as quoted by Bar and Bench.

We find that the apprehension expressed by the district administration regarding the probability of disturbance of public peace is nothing but an imaginary ghost created by them for their convenience and to put one community against another under suspicion and constant mistrust, the bench said.

However, the court allowed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to impose conditions to preserve the monument on the hill.

The court also criticised the Waqf Board for its mischievous submission, claiming that the Deepathoon belongs to the dargah.
The names of about 2.89 crore voters have been deleted from the draft electoral roll following the Uttar Pradesh's Special Intensive Revision exercise. UP Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa, who spoke to reporters at the Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, said that the SIR process removed about 18 per cent of voters from the list. The state has seen the highest number of deletions among draft rolls released earlier.

The deletions include 46.23 lakh deceased voters, 2.17 lakh moved, missing or absent voters, 24.47 lakh duplicate voters and another 2.89 lakh unincluded names.

Out of the 15.44 enumeration forms issued, 12.55 crore were signed, returned and had their names were retained in the list.

In Lucknow alone, 12 lakh voters were deleted, followed by 11.56 lakh in Prayagraj.

VIDEO | Lucknow, UP: CEO Navdeep Rinwa addresses a press conference on the draft publication of the electoral roll under the ongoing SIR process.



He says, Form 8 should be filled if there is any incorrect information or if the voter has shifted. The first step is to check their pic.twitter.com/8feZuRSXOa  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2026

UP State Congress President Ajay Rai called the removal of 2.89 crore voters a "big conspiracy" and said that it was a matter of inquiry. "The removal of 2.89 crore voters (from UP SIR draft list) is a matter of inquiry. 1.13 crore forms, which were not returned. This is a big conspiracy, and a probe should be done," he said in a comment to ANI.

#WATCH | Lucknow, UP | 2.89 crore voters removed from UP SIR draft voter list



State Congress President Ajay Rai says," The removal of 2.89 crore voters (from UP SIR draft list) is a matter of inquiry. 1.13 crore forms, which were not returned. This is a big conspiracy, and a pic.twitter.com/pTanjdOdBg  ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2026

Any voter with claims and objections to their name being removed from the list will be able to appeal from January 6 to February 6, 2026. Genuine electors from the above can still be added back in the electoral roll during the Claims and Objections period (06-01-2026 to 06-02-2026) by filling up Form-6 along with Declaration Form and other relevant documents, a statement by the EC said.

Rinwa also said that about 91 per cent of voters have been mapped. A notice will be sent to the 8 per cent, which is made up of about 1.04 crore voters.

The first phase of the SIR of the voter list began on October 27, 2025 and was meant to end on December 11. The deadline has been extended to December 26 due to the large-scale deletion of names.

The final electoral roll will be released on March 6 after a disposal of claims and objections, which will be from February 2 to February 27.
Former Maharashtra chief minister and Congress veteran Prithviraj Chavan stoke fresh controversy on Tuesday after asking if US President would kidnap Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He was referring to the capture of Venezuela PM Nicolas Maduro by the US security forces. Referring to the American military action in South America, Chavan asked whether the US will resort to such coercive tactics on India.

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan says, "With a 50 percent tariff, trade is simply not possible. In effect, this amounts to blocking IndiaUS trade, especially exports from India to the United States. Since a direct ban cannot be imposed, tariffs have been pic.twitter.com/VY1QQVO3XL  IANS (@ians_india) January 6, 2026

The question then is: what next? Will something like what happened in Venezuela happen in India? Will Mr Trump kidnap our prime minister?" asked Chavan, who formerly served as the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

Pointing out that the proposed 50 per cent tariff would effectively cripple India's trade with the US, Chavan said, "Since a direct ban cannot be imposed, tariffs have been used as a tool to stop trade. India will have to bear this."

"The profits that our people earlier earned from exports to the US will no longer be available. We will have to look for alternative markets and efforts in that direction are already underway," he added.

However, the BJP was quick to clap back at the Congress leader, alleging that his party was undermining India's sovereignty.

BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to X, saying, "CONGRESS SINKS TO NEW LOW EVERYDAY. Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan shamelessly comparing Indias situation with Venezuela. By asking whether what happened in Venezuela can happen in India, Congress is making its anti-India mindset clear. Rahul Gandhi wants chaos in Bharat. Rahul Gandhi is seeking foreign intervention in Bharats affairs!"

This comes a day after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Modi. "I do not understand why Modi is bending before him. This is harmful for the nation. You were not elected as prime minister to nod to whatever he says."
Senior Israeli and Syrian officials resumed high-level security talks in Paris on Monday, marking the fifth round of negotiations between the two countries. The discussions, mediated by the United States, come after a pause of nearly two months. Both sides are focused on stabilising the shared border and shaping a new security arrangement after the collapse of President Bashar al-Assads regime in late 2024. While Washington sees the meetings as a possible step towards wider diplomatic engagement, officials on all sides have played down expectations of any early breakthrough.

The talks restarted after direct pressure from US President Donald Trump. In a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago residence a few days ago, Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume negotiations without delay. Netanyahu agreed and appointed a new negotiating team, while making clear that any agreement must respect Israels security red lines. The discussions are being moderated by US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, with the meetings scheduled over two days.

Israels delegation is headed by its ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, who is considered a close ally of Netanyahu. He is joined by Major General Roman Gofman, the prime ministers military secretary, and Gil Reich, the acting head of Israels National Security Council. This team replaces the previous lead negotiator, Ron Dermer, who stepped down before this round of talks. Syria has sent Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and General Intelligence Director Hussein Salameh, signalling that Damascus also views the talks as serious, even if expectations remain low.

The negotiations are taking place against a dramatically changed regional background. Since the Assad government collapsed, Israel has expanded its military presence in and beyond the United Nations-monitored buffer zone along the Golan Heights. Israeli officials say the move is necessary to prevent armed groups from using the area to launch attacks. Syrian officials argue that the deployments amount to an illegal occupation.

Over the past year, Israeli forces have carried out near-daily operations in southern Syria, especially in Quneitra province. These have included arrests and the clearing of land. Israeli troops are reported to be operating up to 15 kilometres inside Syrian territory. During the same period, Israel has launched more than 600 air, drone and artillery strikes across Syria, averaging almost two attacks a day. Israel says these strikes are aimed at preventing hostile forces from taking advantage of Syrias instability.

Despite the renewed talks, the gap between the two sides remains wide. Syria wants Israel to reactivate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, restore the ceasefire lines and the UN buffer zone and also return to the pre-December 2024 positions. They also continue to oppose Israels annexation of the Golan Heights and have stated that Syria has no interest in joining the Abraham Accords.

Israel, by contrast, is seeking what it describes as a balanced security agreement. Its goals include the creation of a demilitarised zone in southern Syria and firm mechanisms to prevent Iranian forces or allied groups from gaining a foothold near the border. Protecting minority communities, particularly the Druze population in southern Syria, is presented as a key concern. Israel maintains that the 1974 agreement stands temporarily invalidated with the fall of the Assad regime and that a full withdrawal is impossible without clear and enforceable security guarantees.

Earlier rounds of negotiations were stuck over issues, such as humanitarian access and diplomatic recognition. Israel pushed for the creation of a humanitarian corridor into Sweida province to support the Druze community, which has faced sectarian violence. Syria rejected the proposal, saying it violated national sovereignty. Reports in November also suggested that Israel had raised the possibility of full diplomatic relations, a demand that Damascus has firmly ruled out.

The Trump administration views Syrias new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a potential partner for restoring stability. Israel, however, remains wary of the countrys Islamist-led government and doubts its ability to control armed groups across th
Bosch said it will sign a memorandum of understanding to continue its collaboration with Microsoft. - Ralph Orlowski/REUTERS

Germanys Robert Bosch will invest more than $2.9 billion in artificial intelligence over the next couple of years, as one of the worlds largest car-parts suppliers bets on the technology to maximize productivity and power new products.

Bosch last year said it would seek to harness AIs productivity gains in areas like manufacturing and improving supply-chain efficiency to reduce costs, as strained market conditions, heightened competition and difficulties penetrating markets with new technologies saw the company announce 13,000 job cuts by the end of 2030. The cuts came on top of 9,000 redundancies announced the year before.

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal

It said Monday it will invest over 2.5 billion euros ($2.93 billion) in the application and development of AI by the end of 2027 as it presented new AI-based driver-assist systems that allow features such as automatically searching for a parking space, and a new range of sensors to aid driving and help robots recognize surroundings and movements.

The announcement was made at a trade show in Las Vegas, where Bosch said it will sign a memorandum of understanding to continue its collaboration with Microsoft, which will explore technology to optimize production at factories through the use of agentic artificial intelligence.

Agentic AI can interpret large amounts of data, make largely autonomous decisions and execute tasks in order to optimize production, maintenance and supply chains, the company said.

Our collaboration with Microsoft is a strong example of how were continuing to drive growth, investment, and collaborations here in the U.S., said Paul Thomas, president of Bosch in North America.

As well as its work with Microsoft, the company said it is partnering with self-driving truck company Kodiak AI. The two companies will collaborate on platforms for driverless trucks, building specialized hardware and software systems that are integrated into standard trucks to give them autonomous driving capabilities.

Bosch is supplying a variety of hardware components, including sensors and steering technologies.

The German company said that overall, it expects sales of its software, sensor technology, high-performance computers, and network components to double by the mid-2030s to well over 10 billion euros. Software and services sales, much of which will already be based on AI, are expected to generate sales of more than 6 billion euros by the beginning of the next decade.
Actor Vijays political action thriller, Jana Nayagan, which is slated to hit the screens this Friday, could face a ban in Saudi Arabia, according to unconfirmed reports. The movie, made on an enormous budget of Rs 400 crore, is said to be Vijays last as he ventures into politics in Tamil Nadu.

Speculations are rife in social media that the movie is yet to receive clearance in Saudi Arabia. The team is planning to reapply for certification with a few cuts and mutes, according to the internet chatter. As per initial reports, Jana Nayagan releases in Saudi Arabia on Jan 9 at VOX Cinemas after being cleared for release there, though specific age rating details weren't listed.

The makers are yet to confirm anything in this regard, though industry insiders say the news could be true. Many say the hurdles faced by the movie were disappointing, and he was being robbed of a chance to leave the industry with dignity.

The movie is also facing certification delays and suggested cuts from India's CBFC, which many interpret as political vendetta. There weren't many corrections recommended by the Censor Board, and ideally, the film should have obtained its certificate by now, as the revised version was already sent to the committee, according to earlier reports.

There are also reports that the makers are considering approaching the court if the certification is not issued in time. The movie is scheduled for release on January 9.

Directed by H. Vinoth, the movie has Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Pooja Hegde, and others in key roles besides Vijay.
The deepening rift between the Gulf allies, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, could have been caused by false information from sources in Washington, according to reports. The allies turned on each other in Yemen after the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized control of two southern provinces from Saudi-backed forces. Following this, Saudi forces bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla over a shipment of weapons for the STC.

However, a report by CNN has claimed that the tensions between the countries were the result of false information that it got from its sources, which claimed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) had asked US President Donald Trump during his November White House visit to impose sanctions on the UAE for its alleged support for a warring party in Sudans civil war.

Saudi Arabia now believes that it was this false information that prompted Abu Dhabi to mobilise the STC forces in provinces bordering the kingdom, according to a report by CNN. Riyadh had to reach out to Abu Dhabi to explain that it made no such request.

During MBSs Washington visit in November, Trump had said that he instructed his administration to intervene to solve the conflict in Sudan based on the request from the Crown Prince. The US President said he began working on the Sudan file 30 minutes after his Oval Office meeting with MBS. [MBS] said, That would be the greatest thing you can do; that would be greater than what youve already done, Trump said, recalling comments from the Crown Prince.

Interestingly, neither Trump nor MBS made any reference to the UAE at that time.

However, the CNN report said Riyadh is particularly concerned about the UAEs role in Yemen and in Sudan. Saudi officials worry that instability or state collapse in both country could have serious consequences for its own national security, considering that it shares a border with Yemen while Sudan lies across the Red Sea from the kingdoms west coast. The Kingdom is also worried about the UAEs policies in the Horn of Africa and in Syria, where it believes Abu Dhabi has cultivated ties with elements of the Druze community, according to CNN.
A day after the cryptic photo showed US President Donald Trump with a signed "Make Iran Great Again" hat, reports have emerged from the UK that the US has deployed special forces troops to British bases. Flight tracking data showed a sudden increase in US military flights arriving at RAF Fairford and RAF Mildenhall, the key UK bases for the U.S. Air Force.

The aircraft arriving at the bases included C-17 Globemaster III transport planes and AC-130 gunships. The C-17s usually carry the USs MH-47 Chinook helicopters, but no choppers were directly seen at the base. Approximately 10 C-17 movements have been observed over a short period, and all these flights originated from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, according to UK media reports.

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While there is no official confirmation or verification, defence experts believe that the deployment and routing patterns hint they are special operations aviation units associated with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, according to the UK Defence Journal.

Something unusual appears to be going on today at RAF Fairford near Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, with at least 10 C-17A Globemaster IIIs with the U.S. Air Force arriving at the base or currently crossing the Atlantic from the United States. Almost all of the C-17s pic.twitter.com/Gcrbjg6mGl  Guns&Gadgets (@Guns_Gadgets) January 4, 2026 Something unusual appears to be going on today at RAF Fairford near Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, with at least 10 C-17A Globemaster IIIs with the U.S. Air Force arriving at the base or currently crossing the Atlantic from the United States. Almost all of the C-17s https://t.co/LfyTSdEsQr  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026

Units from this formation include elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 101st Airborne Division, and 160th SOAR. Their tasks include short-notice contingency operations, including the capture or extraction of high-value individuals, strategic airlift, and specialised aviation platforms.

Interestingly, RAF Fairford is a key US strategic air bridge into Europe. The last time similar increases in the C-17 activity at the base were observed was when the US B-2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day war.

Though there are chances that the forces now at the UK bases could be the ones used during the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last week, speculations are that the fighters could be after the leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, who is facing widespread protests.

The US president warned again on Sunday evening against the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, stating the US would intervene if the regime killed protesters as it has in the past. This is the second time in the past two days that Trump has publicly warned about the Iranian protest.

Adding to speculations, a report that appeared in the Tel Aviv-based Jerusalem Post said there are indications that the US officials were weighing some intervention to help Irans protest movement. The report indicated that Israel could also be examining whether that operation makes action against the Iranian government possible. They are reportedly now exploring options short of a major invasion to prevent Tehran from crushing the protests.

In this context, Trumps photo has set tongues wagging. Holly Dagres, an Iran expert at the Washington Institute, told Iran International that while the photo leaves room for interpretation, it shows the Iran issue is on the president's radar. While much of the worlds focus is squarely on Venezuela, President Donald Trumps comments about the ongoing protests and posing with the MIGA hat suggest his mind is also on Iran, Dagres added, stating that though it would be tough to predict Trumps next step, the clerical establishment in Iran wont be resting easy.
Bangladesh continues to witness a spate of attacks on minority communities, as another Hindu man was killed in Narsingdi on Monday night, just hours after a similar incident in Jessore district.

According to local media reports, Moni Chakraborty, a grocery trader, was attacked with sharp weapons around 10 pm. He later died of his injuries.

The motive of the killing has yet to be ascertained. On December 19, Moni had reportedly written a Facebook post, expressing concern about violence in the country, describing his birthplace as having become "a valley of death". Police are investigating the incident.

In #Bangladesh, Hindu businessman and journalist Rana Kanti Bairagi (45) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in public at #KapaliaBazar in Jessores Monirampur on January 5, triggering panic and raising concerns over law and order ahead of elections.



He owned an ice-making pic.twitter.com/12eqIMTi6J  All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) January 6, 2026

Earlier, Rana Pratap Bairagi, a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila of Jessore in Khulna Division, was fatally shot in the head by unidentified men on Monday.

Bairagi, who owned an ice-making factory in Kopaliya Bazar in Monirampur, was also the acting editor of a newspaper called Dainik BD Khabar, published from Narail.

According to a report in Prothom Alo newspaper, three assailants on a motorcycle called him out from the ice factory, took him to an alley, and then shot him at close range in the head before fleeing. He died on the spot.

"Bairagi was shot three times in the head and his throat was slit," a police officer was quoted as saying by the daily.

There has been a sharp spike in incidents of violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, which has plunged into political turmoil ever since the Sheikh Hasina regime was ousted following a youth uprising last year.

Khokon Chandra Das (50), a Hindu man, was brutally attacked, hacked, and set on fire on the eve of the New Year. He later succumbed to his injuries.

On December 24, another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, was lynched over alleged extortion in Rajbari town's Pangsha upazila.

On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das (25) was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city.
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to all charges filed against them during their first appearance in a US court in New York on Monday.

According to reports, both Maduro and Flores denied the drug trafficking and weapons-related charges, though for now they did not contest their continued detention.

I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country, Maduro, 63, said through an interpreter before being cut off by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan federal court, Reuters reported.

Flores, when asked to verify her identity, also asserted, I am the first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.

Her lawyer told the court that she had suffered significant injuries during what he described as her abduction and said she would need a medical evaluation and possible treatment.

Maduros lawyer, Barry Pollack, said he intends to file multiple motions challenging both the indictment and Maduros arrest, which he described as a military abduction carried out by US operatives.

Judge Hellerstein said Maduro would be given an opportunity at a later stage to speak in detail about his arrest and the allegations against him, and scheduled the next hearing for March 17.

Dozens of protestersboth pro- and anti-Madurogathered outside the courthouse before the half-hour hearing.

According to a CNN report, both Maduro and Flores requested a visit with representatives of the Venezuelan consulate. Under US law, detained foreign nationals are entitled to consular access.
Shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY  Get Free Report) traded up 14.2% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $6.67 and last traded at $6.7010. 300,164 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 9% from the average session volume of 329,597 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.87.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Trading Up 15.0%

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $2.28 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.59. The firm has a market cap of $850.57 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.68 and a beta of 0.09.

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Institutional Trading of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ground Swell Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Apollon Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in NovaBay Pharmaceuticals in the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, C2C Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in NovaBay Pharmaceuticals by 78.2% in the second quarter. C2C Wealth Management LLC now owns 98,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 43,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 23.25% of the companys stock.

About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing novel, non-antibiotic anti-infective products designed to regulate the innate immune response. Leveraging its proprietary Aganocide Technology, the companys synthetic antimicrobial compounds target and neutralize pathogens without contributing to antibiotic resistance. NovaBays research and development efforts concentrate on ophthalmic, dermatological and wound care applications, aiming to address unmet needs in infection control and inflammation management.

The companys primary commercial products include Avenova, an eyelid and lash cleaning solution indicated for managing chronic blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction, and NeutroPhase, a pure hypochlorous acid wound and skin cleanser used in acute and chronic wound irrigation.

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Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $39.29 and last traded at $39.36, with a volume of 155353 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $38.21.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on BCH shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Banco De Chile from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Banco De Chile from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Zacks Research downgraded Banco De Chile from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco De Chile in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Banco De Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $34.00.

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Banco De Chile Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $37.07 and a 200 day moving average of $32.26. The firm has a market cap of $19.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.02, a PEG ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00.

Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $764.93 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $831.97 million. Banco De Chile had a net margin of 32.87% and a return on equity of 23.25%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Banco De Chile will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco De Chile

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. TT International Asset Management LTD bought a new stake in shares of Banco De Chile during the third quarter worth approximately $26,962,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its holdings in Banco De Chile by 199.1% during the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 352,465 shares of the banks stock worth $10,680,000 after purchasing an additional 234,619 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in Banco De Chile by 177.7% during the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 298,085 shares of the banks stock worth $9,032,000 after purchasing an additional 190,741 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. bought a new stake in Banco De Chile in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,454,000. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its stake in Banco De Chile by 128.4% in the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 197,931 shares of the banks stock valued at $6,021,000 after purchasing an additional 111,253 shares during the period. 1.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Banco De Chile

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Banco de Chile (NYSE: BCH) is a leading Chilean financial institution headquartered in Santiago. Founded in 1893, the bank is one of the countrys oldest and most established banking groups, serving a broad spectrum of individual, corporate and institutional clients. It is publicly listed and operates under Chilean banking regulations while participating in international capital markets.

The banks core businesses include retail banking, commercial and corporate banking, and investment banking.

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Shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSE:SLF  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as C$18.70 and last traded at C$87.82, with a volume of 370233 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$86.32.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SLF has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Securities lowered their price objective on Sun Life Financial from C$101.00 to C$99.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$96.00 to C$98.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Sun Life Financial from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$99.00 to C$95.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Cibc Captl Mkts lowered shares of Sun Life Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$91.44.

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Sun Life Financial Stock Up 1.3%

The firm has a market cap of C$48.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.77. The firms 50 day moving average is C$83.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$83.89. The company has a current ratio of 92.19, a quick ratio of 84,866.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.00.

Sun Life Financial (TSE:SLF  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported C$1.86 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$9.07 billion during the quarter. Sun Life Financial had a net margin of 7.58% and a return on equity of 15.69%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 6.9230769 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a $0.92 dividend. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.2%. This is an increase from Sun Life Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 26th. Sun Life Financials dividend payout ratio is currently 65.15%.

Sun Life Financial Company Profile

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Sun Life Financial is one of Canadas Big Three life insurance companies along with Great-West Lifeco and Manulife. Sun Life provides insurance, retirement, and wealth-management services to individual and corporate customers in Canada, the United States, and Asia. It also owns MFS Investment Management, a Boston-based asset-management firm. Sun Life generates about a third of its profit from asset-management operations.

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SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SPIB  Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Monday . 4,428,445 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 94% from the previous sessions volume of 2,286,407 shares.The stock last traded at $33.8650 and had previously closed at $33.82.

SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF Trading Up 0.1%

The companys fifty day moving average price is $33.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.74.

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Institutional Trading of SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in shares of SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF by 17.5% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 142,200 shares of the companys stock worth $4,727,000 after buying an additional 21,196 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. increased its stake in SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF by 26.2% during the second quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 15,006 shares of the companys stock worth $504,000 after acquiring an additional 3,119 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF by 336.2% in the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,459 shares of the companys stock worth $116,000 after purchasing an additional 2,666 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF by 2,640.7% in the 2nd quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 149,943 shares of the companys stock worth $5,035,000 after purchasing an additional 144,472 shares during the period. Finally, Bulwark Capital Corp acquired a new position in shares of SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $305,000.

SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile

The SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPIB) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of investment-grade, fixed-rate taxable US corporate bonds with a maturity of at least one year, but no more than 10 years. SPIB was launched on Feb 10, 2009 and is managed by State Street.

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JPMorgan Claverhouse (LON:JCH  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 886 and last traded at GBX 868, with a volume of 65645 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 868.

JPMorgan Claverhouse Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 842.45 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 817.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.85, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 67.67. The company has a market capitalization of 473.68 million, a PE ratio of 8.94 and a beta of 0.83.

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JPMorgan Claverhouse Company Profile

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Great British dividends

The JPMorgan Claverhouse Investment Trust has been helping investors tap directly into the long-term growth potential of UK large cap stocks since 1963. The trust focuses on attractively valued, high quality stocks with the ability to generate consistent and growing dividends.

Key points

Expertise

 Managed by an investment team with long-standing UK equity experience, backed by the extensive resources of J.P. Morgans global investment platform.

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 Active approach seeks out high quality UK large-cap stocks with the ability to deliver a growing income and long-term capital growth.

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Venezuelans are celebrating in the streets of Caracas and around the world after U.S. forces staged a flawless removal of brutal dictator and narco-trafficker Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Not celebrating are most congressional Democrats, a few Republicans and the new mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, whose foreign policy credentials are akin to dining at International House of Pancakes.

Even The Washington Post, which is no fan of President Trump and most of his policies, spoke well of the operation that captured Maduro, calling the action "a major victory for American interests" and noting "Just hours before, supportive Chinese officials held a chummy meeting with Maduro, who had also been propped up by Russia, Cuba and Iran." So, according to Democrats it's OK for some of America's adversaries to play footsie with Maduro, but not OK to break his legs and topple his evil regime?

Democrats are already on the wrong side of deporting undocumented immigrants and many social issues. Do they also want to go on record defending Maduro?

It's useful to read the first sentence of the Federal indictment of Maduro: "For over 25 years, leaders of Venezuela have abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States." Maduro oversaw an attack on America that was as deadly as a military attack in a conventional war. Democrats in Congress want to invoke the War Powers Act to prevent the president from additional military action in Venezuela.

Again, The Washington Post editorial got it right when it said: "Maduro's removal sends an important message to tin-pot dictators in Latin America and the world: Trump follows through. President Joe Biden offered sanctions relief to Venezuela, and Maduro responded to that show of weakness by stealing an election."

Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado posted on X: "The time for freedom has come! (Maduro) will face international justice for atrocious crimes against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations."

Additional justification for military action came from an article by Elliott Abrams, published in National Review days before the raid and re-published by the Council on Foreign Relations: "Last year the democratic forces there won a landslide victory in the presidential election  despite the fact that the regime tried desperately to fix the outcome. Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate and a virtual unknown prior to his candidacy, won 70-30 and would have won by a greater margin had the election been fair. Had Maria Corina Machado, whom the opposition had chosen as its candidate, been permitted to run, the margin would, again, have been greater. The desire of the Venezuelan people to get rid of the corrupt and brutal Maduro regime is clear."

Lefties are already in the streets with their "free Maduro" signs, but their numbers are a pittance compared to those celebrating his removal. Maduro's trial in New York will likely be a spectacle, but the big question is what comes next?

President Trump says the U.S. and oil companies will "run" Venezuela for an unspecified amount of time. That will only work with the support of the military and the Venezuelan people, whom Trump says will become "rich" after Maduro's removal and the ability of citizens to acquire what Maduro has denied them, including and most importantly, freedom.

Dictators in Cuba, along with the ayatollahs in Iran and the Mexican government which has insufficiently battled the dominant drug cartels take note. Trump is serious when he makes promises. He may often embellish and say things that aren't true, or repeat himself, but especially in the case of removing a threat to the United States, he means business.

Go ahead Democrats and try to make the case that Maduro should have remained in power and continued to kill Americans and his own people. That won't benefit your electoral prospects in the next election.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Cal Thomas, America's most-syndicated columnist, is the author of 10 books.


Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (BR) is a New York-based financial technology and services company with a market cap of $25.7 billion. It provides mission-critical infrastructure and technology solutions to the financial services industry, including banks, broker-dealers, mutual funds, and corporate issuers. Its core offerings include investor communications and proxy services, as well as securities processing, trade lifecycle technology, and data-driven platforms that support order capture, trade settlement, portfolio accounting, and wealth management operations.

The fintech titan is gearing up to announce its second-quarter results shortly. Ahead of the event, analysts expect BR to report a non-GAAP profit of $1.34 per share, down 14.1% from $1.56 per share reported in the year-ago quarter. Furthermore, the company has surpassed analysts earnings expectations in each of the past four quarters.

More News from Barchart

For fiscal 2026, Broadridge is expected to deliver an adjusted EPS of $9.39, up 9.8% from $8.55 in fiscal 2025. Moreover, in fiscal 2027, its earnings are expected to increase 8.7% year over year to $10.21 per share.

www.barchart.com

Broadridges stock prices dipped 2.8% over the past 52 weeks, notably lagging behind the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 16.9% gains and the Technology Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLK) 24.4% surge during the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

Broadridge has underperformed the broader market over the past year primarily due to its defensive, lower-growth profile in a market that has strongly favored high-growth and AI-exposed stocks. While the company delivers stable, recurring revenue and predictable cash flows, its modest earnings growth, exposure to muted capital markets activity, and limited near-term catalysts have constrained upside.

However, analysts remain cautious about the stocks prospects. BR maintains a consensus Hold rating overall. Of the nine analysts covering the stock, opinions include three Moderate Buys and six Holds. Its mean price target of $266.43 suggests a 20.8% upside potential from current price levels.

On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Hercules Site Services Plc (LON:HERC  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as GBX 56 and last traded at GBX 54.62, with a volume of 216350 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 54.30.

Hercules Site Services Stock Up 0.6%

The company has a market cap of 44.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -17.90 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 108.20, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.15. The stocks fifty day moving average is GBX 42.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 41.21.

About Hercules Site Services

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Hercules Site Services plc is a leading technology enabled labour supply company for the UK infrastructure and construction sectors, which joined the AIM market in February 2022. Founded in 2008 by CEO Brusk Korkmaz, Hercules provides site services to a diverse range of blue-chip clients, including Balfour Beaty, Costain, Skanska, Kier, and Hill Group. Our services include:

 Labour Supply (blue collar operatives)

 Civil Projects, mainly in the water utilities sector for the likes of Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water, and Severn Trent

 Suction Excavator services

 Hercules Construction Academy, upskilling our workers and providing training to individuals from across the industry

 Future Build Recruitment, is our first acquisition and provides white collar recruitment services.

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Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWAN  Get Free Report) CTO Souvik Das sold 5,273 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.08, for a total transaction of $126,973.84. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer owned 100,756 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,426,204.48. The trade was a 4.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Souvik Das also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, January 1st, Souvik Das sold 41,594 shares of Clearwater Analytics stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.09, for a total value of $1,001,999.46.

On Monday, December 8th, Souvik Das sold 10,000 shares of Clearwater Analytics stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.59, for a total transaction of $215,900.00.

Clearwater Analytics Price Performance

Shares of Clearwater Analytics stock traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $24.09. 24,087,029 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 22,436,082. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $20.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $20.38. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. has a 52 week low of $15.73 and a 52 week high of $32.00. The firm has a market cap of $7.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.74, a PEG ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.97 and a quick ratio of 1.97.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Clearwater Analytics ( NYSE:CWAN Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $205.11 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $203.66 million. Clearwater Analytics had a net margin of 61.28% and a return on equity of 2.77%. The firms revenue was up 77.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.14 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Clearwater Analytics from $35.00 to $30.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Oppenheimer cut Clearwater Analytics from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Wall Street Zen cut Clearwater Analytics from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. Warburg Research set a $24.55 target price on shares of Clearwater Analytics in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Clearwater Analytics from $28.00 to $26.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Clearwater Analytics presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $28.65.

View Our Latest Analysis on CWAN

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Clearwater Analytics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CWAN. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Clearwater Analytics by 21.9% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 33,261,349 shares of the companys stock valued at $599,370,000 after buying an additional 5,967,798 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Clearwater Analytics by 108.7% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,793,701 shares of the companys stock valued at $320,642,000 after purchasing an additional 9,268,950 shares in the last quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Clearwater Analytics by 3.0% during the second quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 9,567,391 shares of the companys stock worth $209,813,000 after buying an additional 274,664 shares in the last quarter. Bamco Inc. NY raised its position in Clearwater Analytics by 25.9% in the 3rd quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 7,675,038 shares of the companys stock valued at $138,304,000 after buying an additional 1,580,323 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL raised its position in Clearwater Analytics by 83.5% in the 3rd quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 7,134,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $128,566,000 after buying an additional 3,245,986 shares during the last quarter. 50.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Clearwater Analytics

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Clearwater Analytics LLC is a global provider of web-based investment portfolio accounting, reporting, and analytics solutions. The companys software-as-a-service platform automates complex processes involved in investment data aggregation, reconciliation, valuation, and regulatory reporting. Serving institutional investorsincluding insurers, asset managers, corporations, government entities, and asset ownersClearwater Analytics enables clients to optimize performance visibility, risk management, and operational efficiency.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Clearwater Analytics has grown its global footprint with offices across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

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Shares of Brookfield Wealth Solutions Ltd. (NYSE:BNT  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $49.47 and last traded at $49.35, with a volume of 22352 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $46.68.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Brookfield Wealth Solutions in a research report on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy.

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Brookfield Wealth Solutions Trading Up 5.2%

The stock has a market cap of $17.71 billion, a PE ratio of 210.44 and a beta of 1.57. The business has a 50 day moving average of $45.87 and a 200-day moving average of $44.71.

Brookfield Wealth Solutions (NYSE:BNT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter. Brookfield Wealth Solutions had a return on equity of 0.11% and a net margin of 0.11%.

Brookfield Wealth Solutions Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were paid a dividend of $0.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 16th. Brookfield Wealth Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 104.35%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Wealth Solutions

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of BNT. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of Brookfield Wealth Solutions in the 3rd quarter valued at about $316,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Brookfield Wealth Solutions by 35.2% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 17,907 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,226,000 after acquiring an additional 4,661 shares in the last quarter. Algert Global LLC acquired a new stake in Brookfield Wealth Solutions in the third quarter worth about $200,000. Amundi acquired a new stake in shares of Brookfield Wealth Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $334,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Brookfield Wealth Solutions by 14.3% during the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 7,279 shares of the companys stock valued at $499,000 after purchasing an additional 912 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.31% of the companys stock.

About Brookfield Wealth Solutions

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Brookfield Wealth Solutions is focused on securing the financial futures of individuals and institutions through a range of retirement services, wealth protection products and tailored capital solutions. Through our operating subsidiaries, we offer a broad range of insurance products and services, including annuities, personal and commercial property and casualty insurance and life insurance.The company was incorporated in 2020 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda.

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Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FCOM  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $73.87 and last traded at $73.7190, with a volume of 47478 shares. The stock had previously closed at $73.04.

Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF Trading Up 0.8%

The company has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.08 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $71.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.00.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FCOM. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF by 22.7% during the second quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 2,484,280 shares of the companys stock worth $161,006,000 after purchasing an additional 459,088 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $18,465,000. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its position in Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF by 10.4% during the 3rd quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 2,062,288 shares of the companys stock worth $146,361,000 after buying an additional 194,559 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC grew its holdings in Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF by 282.8% during the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 177,845 shares of the companys stock worth $12,202,000 after acquiring an additional 131,384 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its position in Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF by 9.4% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,382,346 shares of the companys stock valued at $89,590,000 after acquiring an additional 119,052 shares during the period.

About Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF

The Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in communication services equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of stocks in the US communication services sector. FCOM was launched on Oct 21, 2013 and is managed by Fidelity.

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BGSF (NYSE:BGSF  Get Free Report) and Brookfield Business Partners (NYSE:BBU  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares BGSF and Brookfield Business Partnerss gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio BGSF $272.50 million 0.20 -$3.34 million ($1.03) -4.79 Brookfield Business Partners $27.79 billion 0.12 -$37.00 million ($1.80) -20.61

Analyst Recommendations

BGSF has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Brookfield Business Partners. Brookfield Business Partners is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than BGSF, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This is a summary of current ratings for BGSF and Brookfield Business Partners, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BGSF 1 1 1 1 2.50 Brookfield Business Partners 1 1 5 0 2.57

BGSF currently has a consensus target price of $9.00, indicating a potential upside of 82.41%. Brookfield Business Partners has a consensus target price of $36.50, indicating a potential downside of 1.62%. Given BGSFs higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe BGSF is more favorable than Brookfield Business Partners.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

37.2% of BGSF shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 85.0% of Brookfield Business Partners shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.0% of BGSF shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility & Risk

BGSF has a beta of 0.74, indicating that its share price is 26% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Brookfield Business Partners has a beta of 1.31, indicating that its share price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares BGSF and Brookfield Business Partners net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BGSF -6.32% -13.16% -7.20% Brookfield Business Partners -3.02% -5.59% -1.11%

Summary

Brookfield Business Partners beats BGSF on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About BGSF

(Get Free Report)

BGSF, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, managed services, and professional workforce solutions in the United States. It operates in two segments, Property Management and Professional. The Property Management segment offers office and maintenance field talent to various apartment communities and commercial buildings. The Professional segment provides skilled IT professionals in SAP, Workday, Peoplesoft, Hyperion, Oracle, One Stream, cyber, project management, management services, and other IT workforce solutions. This segment also offers finance, accounting, legal, human resource, and related support personnel. It serves its products to fortune 500 companies, and medium and small companies, as well as consulting companies. The company was formerly known as BG Staffing, Inc. and changed its name to BGSF, Inc. in February 2021. BGSF, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Plano, Texas.

About Brookfield Business Partners

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Brookfield Business Partners L.P. is a private equity firm specializing in acquisition. The firm typically invests in business services, infrastructure services, construction, energy, and industrials sector. It prefers to take majority stake in companies. The firm seeks returns of at least 15% on its investments. Brookfield Business Partners L.P. was founded in 2016 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Brookfield Business Partners L.P. operates as a subsidiary of Brookfield Corporation.

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United Bancorporation of Alabama (OTCMKTS:UBAB  Get Free Report) and Commonwealth Business Bank (OTCMKTS:CBBI  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and risk.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for United Bancorporation of Alabama and Commonwealth Business Bank, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score United Bancorporation of Alabama 0 1 0 0 2.00 Commonwealth Business Bank 0 0 0 0 0.00

Volatility & Risk

United Bancorporation of Alabama has a beta of 0.43, indicating that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Commonwealth Business Bank has a beta of 0.19, indicating that its stock price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Dividends

5.5% of United Bancorporation of Alabama shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

United Bancorporation of Alabama pays an annual dividend of $1.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Commonwealth Business Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. United Bancorporation of Alabama pays out 23.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Commonwealth Business Bank pays out 27.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Profitability

This table compares United Bancorporation of Alabama and Commonwealth Business Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets United Bancorporation of Alabama 22.18% 14.56% 1.53% Commonwealth Business Bank 15.89% N/A N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares United Bancorporation of Alabama and Commonwealth Business Banks top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio United Bancorporation of Alabama $97.72 million 1.65 $28.00 million $6.07 8.70 Commonwealth Business Bank $122.69 million N/A $22.43 million $1.80 6.06

United Bancorporation of Alabama has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Commonwealth Business Bank. Commonwealth Business Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Bancorporation of Alabama, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

United Bancorporation of Alabama beats Commonwealth Business Bank on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About United Bancorporation of Alabama

(Get Free Report)

United Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for United Bank that provides banking services. The company offers checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, small business programs, business solutions, merchant services, and cash management services. It also provides various lending services, such as personal loans, business loans, lines of credit, and equipment loans; real estate loans for the agricultural community and working lines of credit; and overdraft services. In addition, the company offers debit cards, prepaid cards, Visa credit cards, gift cards, and safe deposit boxes. Further, it provides check cashing, convenience, remote deposit, mobile check deposit, personal storage compartments, Web payment options, insurance products, investment and brokerage, and online and mobile banking services. United Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc. was founded in 1904 and is based in Atmore, Alabama.

About Commonwealth Business Bank

(Get Free Report)

CBB Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Commonwealth Business Bank that provides various commercial banking products and services to individuals and businesses in the United States. It offers checking, savings, money market, and certification of deposit accounts; SBA lending; business lines of credit; business term loans; business and commercial property loans; construction loans; and credit cards. The company also provides treasury management, and mobile and online banking services, as well as title and escrow services. In addition, it engages in investing activities; and offers trade finance services, including commercial letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and documentary collection services. The company offers its services through full-service and limited-service branches in Southern California, Dallas, Texas and Honolulu, and Hawaii; and loan production offices in the states of Colorado, Georgia, Texas, and Washington. CBB Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Monday . 46,285 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 105% from the previous sessions volume of 22,585 shares.The stock last traded at $10.09 and had previously closed at $10.01.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on DLAKY. Citigroup lowered shares of Deutsche Lufthansa from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Deutsche Lufthansa from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Deutsche Lufthansa in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued an underweight rating for the company. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets upgraded Deutsche Lufthansa from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Deutsche Lufthansa Trading Up 0.7%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. The businesss fifty day moving average is $9.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.96. The firm has a market cap of $12.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.86.

Deutsche Lufthansa (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The transportation company reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $13.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.98 billion. Deutsche Lufthansa had a return on equity of 15.73% and a net margin of 4.45%. Equities analysts anticipate that Deutsche Lufthansa AG will post 0.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Deutsche Lufthansa

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Deutsche Lufthansa stock. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Free Report) by 892.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 9,270 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,336 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLCs holdings in Deutsche Lufthansa were worth $78,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

About Deutsche Lufthansa

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG is a leading global aviation company headquartered in Cologne, Germany, and is recognized as one of the worlds largest airline groups. Founded in its modern form in 1953, the company traces its heritage back to the original Deutsche Luft Hansa established in 1926. Lufthansa operates passenger and cargo services under its flagship brand, as well as through numerous subsidiaries including Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and the low-cost carrier Eurowings.

The groups passenger network spans Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with primary hubs at Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport.

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Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR  Get Free Report) shares traded up 5.4% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $8.82 and last traded at $8.5650. 53,771,903 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 9% from the average session volume of 49,450,141 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.13.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ACHR has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on Archer Aviation from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a report on Monday, November 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Archer Aviation in a report on Monday, December 1st. They set a neutral rating and a $11.00 price objective for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Archer Aviation from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 7th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $12.14.

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Archer Aviation Stock Performance

The stocks fifty day moving average is $8.41 and its 200-day moving average is $9.64. The company has a quick ratio of 18.19, a current ratio of 18.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The stock has a market cap of $5.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.80 and a beta of 3.10.

Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.20). On average, analysts forecast that Archer Aviation Inc. will post -1.32 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Archer Aviation

In other Archer Aviation news, insider Tosha Perkins sold 45,018 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total value of $337,184.82. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 334,632 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,506,393.68. This represents a 11.86% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Priya Gupta sold 5,479 shares of Archer Aviation stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total value of $41,037.71. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 161,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,209,807.27. This represents a 3.28% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 182,635 shares of company stock valued at $1,367,936. 7.65% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Archer Aviation

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. AlphaQuest LLC raised its position in shares of Archer Aviation by 1,181.6% during the second quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 2,576 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 2,375 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Archer Aviation by 219.5% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,946 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 2,024 shares during the last quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Archer Aviation in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust lifted its position in shares of Archer Aviation by 45.9% during the third quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 3,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 986 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Archer Aviation by 105.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,318 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,702 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.34% of the companys stock.

About Archer Aviation

(Get Free Report)

Archer Aviation, Inc (NYSE: ACHR) is a California-based aerospace company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to serve as sustainable urban air mobility solutions. Founded in 2018 by Adam Goldstein and Brett Adcock, Archer focuses on the design, development and certification of zero-emissions air taxis aimed at reducing traffic congestion in densely populated metropolitan areas. The companys flagship prototypes, Maker and Midnight, have been engineered to deliver quiet, efficient short-haul flights with ranges of up to 100 miles per charge.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Archer operates a manufacturing facility in nearby Santa Cruz County and maintains research partnerships with automotive and energy companies, including a collaboration with Stellantis to integrate advanced battery systems.

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Shares of Auction Technology Group plc (LON:ATG  Get Free Report) traded up 23.6% on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 339 and last traded at GBX 335. 8,143,176 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 43% from the average session volume of 5,708,892 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 270.95.

More Auction Technology Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting Auction Technology Group this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Board rejection seen as signal of confidence and potential for higher offer(s) or strategic upside; market reaction has been positive as investors anticipate either a better bid or continued execution by management. Auction Technology Group Rejects Takeover Approaches From FitzWalter

Board rejection seen as signal of confidence and potential for higher offer(s) or strategic upside; market reaction has been positive as investors anticipate either a better bid or continued execution by management. Neutral Sentiment: Company disclosed multiple approaches from FitzWalter but has not entered into any agreement; no binding offer or deal has been announced, so the situation remains fluid and subject to change. LONDON BRIEFING: Auction Technology rejects 11 FitzWalter buyout bids

Company disclosed multiple approaches from FitzWalter but has not entered into any agreement; no binding offer or deal has been announced, so the situation remains fluid and subject to change. Negative Sentiment: Ongoing takeover interest can create uncertainty and potential distraction for management; if bidders persist, the process could become protracted or lead to volatile trading and activist pressure. LONDON BRIEFING: Auction Technology rejects 11 FitzWalter buyout bids

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ATG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Auction Technology Group from GBX 690 to GBX 695 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Peel Hunt reduced their target price on shares of Auction Technology Group from GBX 730 to GBX 460 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Auction Technology Group from GBX 415 to GBX 315 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Berenberg Bank reduced their price objective on Auction Technology Group from GBX 560 to GBX 460 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 27th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Auction Technology Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 549.

Auction Technology Group Stock Performance

The firms 50 day simple moving average is GBX 287.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 346.56. The company has a market capitalization of 403.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.83 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.16, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a current ratio of 0.62.

About Auction Technology Group

(Get Free Report)

Auction Technology Group plc?(ATG) is the operator of the worlds leading marketplaces and auction services for curated online auctions, seamlessly connecting bidders from around the world to over 3,800 trusted auction houses across two major sectors: Industrial & Commercial (I&C) and Art & Antiques (A&A).

The Group powers eight online marketplaces and listing sites using its proprietary auction platform technology, hosting in excess of 70,000 live and timed auctions each year. ATG?has been supporting the auction industry since 1971 and the Group has offices in the UK, US and Germany.

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Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) traded up 5.4% on Monday . The company traded as high as $55.42 and last traded at $55.2050. 29,600,859 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 42% from the average session volume of 20,837,451 shares. The stock had previously closed at $52.39.

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Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week:

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on NVO. Rothschild Redb upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $60.00 to $54.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They issued an underperform rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $53.33.

Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $49.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $55.71. The company has a market capitalization of $246.49 billion, a PE ratio of 13.72 and a beta of 0.66.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $11.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 32.76% and a return on equity of 73.50%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 209.8% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 443 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 174.1% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 444 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 282 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz SE lifted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 70.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allianz SE now owns 578 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. 11.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Novo Nordisk A/S

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Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support.

The companys core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments.

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French supermarket group Carrefour has announced plans to enter the Ethiopian market through a franchise and supply partnership.

The group will partner with Queens Supermarket, a subsidiary of Midroc Investment Group.

The move forms part of Carrefours 2026 strategic plan, under which the retailer is seeking to expand into ten new countries through franchising.

Under the agreement, the company will provide its banners, operational expertise and product offering.

Carrefour's international partnerships CEO Patrick Lasfargues said: We are delighted to initiate this collaboration with a leading retail player in Ethiopia. Beyond the rapid transformation of the 13 existing stores, the Midroc and Carrefour international partnership teams are already working hand-in-hand on the future growth of our activities in the country: by 2028, we project the opening of 17 additional stores.

This launch in Ethiopia is another milestone in the execution of our international franchise expansion strategy, which already saw us pass the 3,000 franchised store mark in October 2025.

As part of the arrangement, Carrefour plans to support the transformation of Queens Supermarkets existing store network, which will be rebranded under the Carrefour name.

The agreement also includes the rollout of an expansion plan for the network, with the first rebranded outlets expected to open in the first half of 2026.

Midroc Investment Group CEO Jemal Ahmed commented: I am very proud to announce, along with the entire Midroc team, our integration into Carrefour's international franchise network.

By leveraging our deep knowledge of the local Ethiopian market, the dedication of the Midroc teams, and Carrefour's excellence, we will be able to offer Ethiopian consumers high-quality, affordable products and an experience that perfectly meets their expectations.

In November 2025, Carrefour confirmed that the Saade family had become a key shareholder after acquiring a 4% stake in the companys share capital.

Last September, Carrefour officially ceased operations in Kuwait, completing its strategic withdrawal from four Middle Eastern markets over ten months.

"Carrefour to enter Ethiopia via franchise and supply agreement" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




CLEAR Secure, Inc. (NYSE:YOU  Get Free Report) Director Adam Wiener sold 14,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.00, for a total value of $490,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 165,634 shares in the company, valued at $5,797,190. The trade was a 7.79% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Adam Wiener also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, December 12th, Adam Wiener sold 8,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $320,000.00.

On Thursday, November 6th, Adam Wiener sold 6,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.04, for a total value of $216,240.00.

CLEAR Secure Stock Up 3.2%

CLEAR Secure stock traded up $1.11 on Monday, hitting $35.49. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,912,079 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,545,150. CLEAR Secure, Inc. has a one year low of $21.67 and a one year high of $42.29. The firm has a market cap of $4.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.64 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $35.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.32.

CLEAR Secure Dividend Announcement

CLEAR Secure ( NYSE:YOU Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $229.19 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $224.80 million. CLEAR Secure had a net margin of 20.97% and a return on equity of 119.82%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 15.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.30 EPS. Analysts anticipate that CLEAR Secure, Inc. will post 0.98 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th were paid a $0.125 dividend. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 10th. CLEAR Secures dividend payout ratio is currently 30.49%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have weighed in on YOU. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on CLEAR Secure from $37.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of CLEAR Secure in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of CLEAR Secure from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of CLEAR Secure in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, DA Davidson set a $46.00 price target on shares of CLEAR Secure and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $40.86.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CLEAR Secure

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CLEAR Secure

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in shares of CLEAR Secure by 59.7% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 271,498 shares of the companys stock worth $7,034,000 after acquiring an additional 101,476 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its holdings in shares of CLEAR Secure by 62.5% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 3,743 shares of the companys stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 1,440 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CLEAR Secure in the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in CLEAR Secure by 12.6% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 525,819 shares of the companys stock worth $13,624,000 after purchasing an additional 58,911 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in CLEAR Secure by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 52,755 shares of the companys stock worth $1,367,000 after buying an additional 2,801 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.80% of the companys stock.

About CLEAR Secure

(Get Free Report)

CLEAR Secure, Inc operates a biometric identity platform designed to expedite identity verification for air travelers and venue guests. The companys core offering is the CLEAR membership service, which uses fingerprint and iris scans to confirm a members identity and provide access to dedicated security lanes at participating airports. Members link government-issued IDs and personal biometric data via the CLEAR app, enabling faster processing through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and select event entrances.

Founded in 2010 by Caryn Seidman?Becker and Ken Cornick, CLEAR is headquartered in New York City.

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John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 0.4% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $13.74 and last traded at $13.6910. 12,835 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 44% from the average session volume of 22,849 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.64.

John Hancock Investors Trust Price Performance

The firms 50-day moving average is $13.76 and its 200 day moving average is $13.91.

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John Hancock Investors Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were issued a $0.3649 dividend. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.7%. This is a positive change from John Hancock Investors Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 11th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

John Hancock Investors Trust Company Profile

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in John Hancock Investors Trust by 25.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 26,612 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $372,000 after buying an additional 5,381 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 10,000 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $140,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. raised its holdings in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 4.3% in the third quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 40,157 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $562,000 after purchasing an additional 1,644 shares during the last quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 5.8% in the third quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 34,356 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $481,000 after purchasing an additional 1,871 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Riverbridge Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 2.4% in the third quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 33,638 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $471,000 after purchasing an additional 784 shares in the last quarter. 27.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE: JHI) is a closed-end management investment company that offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of global securities. Established in 1929, the trust seeks to combine long-term capital growth with income generation through active portfolio management. Shares of the fund trade on the New York Stock Exchange, providing investors with the liquidity of an exchange-traded security alongside the diversification benefits of a professionally managed fund structure.

The funds investment strategy emphasizes a multi-asset approach, allocating capital across global equities, fixed-income instruments and convertible securities.

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Wall Street Zen lowered shares of AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Saturday morning.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $207.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of AbbVie from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $215.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. DZ Bank downgraded AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $237.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Scotiabank started coverage on AbbVie in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $280.00 price target on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $245.84.

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AbbVie Trading Down 3.8%

NYSE ABBV opened at $220.57 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $389.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 167.10, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a 50 day moving average of $226.54 and a 200-day moving average of $214.39. AbbVie has a 1-year low of $164.39 and a 1-year high of $244.81.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.86 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $15.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.58 billion. AbbVie had a return on equity of 3,216.47% and a net margin of 4.00%.The companys revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.00 EPS. AbbVie has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.320-3.360 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that AbbVie will post 12.31 earnings per share for the current year.

AbbVie Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. This is an increase from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.64. AbbVies dividend payout ratio is presently 496.97%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA bought a new stake in AbbVie in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of AbbVie in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Chelsea Counsel Co. acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Spurstone Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of AbbVie during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Texas Capital Bancshares Inc TX acquired a new stake in shares of AbbVie in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors own 70.23% of the companys stock.

About AbbVie

(Get Free Report)

AbbVie is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company that was created as a spin-off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 and is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. The company focuses on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies for complex and often chronic medical conditions. Its operations span research and development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs and commercialization, with an emphasis on bringing specialty medicines to market across multiple therapeutic areas.

AbbVies product portfolio and pipeline cover several major therapeutic categories, including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, virology and womens health.

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Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of OGE Energy (NYSE:OGE  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note released on Saturday.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised OGE Energy to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of OGE Energy to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of OGE Energy from $45.00 to $44.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of OGE Energy from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of OGE Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $48.38.

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OGE Energy Stock Performance

OGE Energy stock opened at $42.20 on Friday. OGE Energy has a fifty-two week low of $39.41 and a fifty-two week high of $47.33. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $43.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $44.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market cap of $8.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.95, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.63.

OGE Energy (NYSE:OGE  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.04 billion. OGE Energy had a return on equity of 10.77% and a net margin of 15.28%.The firms revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.09 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that OGE Energy will post 2.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

OGE Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 5th. OGE Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 68.27%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On OGE Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital A Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in OGE Energy by 5,157.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 736 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 722 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of OGE Energy in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of OGE Energy by 427.0% in the second quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 780 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 632 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of OGE Energy by 49.4% during the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 771 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quent Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of OGE Energy during the third quarter valued at $43,000. Institutional investors own 71.84% of the companys stock.

About OGE Energy

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OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE) is an energy and infrastructure holding company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Through its principal subsidiary, Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company, the company provides regulated electric service to residential, commercial and industrial customers across Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Its diversified generation mix includes coal, natural gas and wind-powered facilities, complemented by ongoing investments in grid modernization and smart technology to enhance reliability and customer satisfaction.

In addition to its core electric utility operations, OGE Energy Corp.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Magna International (NYSE:MGA  Free Report) (TSE:MG) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning.

Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on MGA. TD Securities upped their price target on Magna International from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Magna International from $51.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. CIBC upped their target price on shares of Magna International from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Magna International from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Magna International from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Magna International presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $50.73.

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Magna International Stock Up 0.8%

MGA opened at $55.08 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $50.41 and a 200 day moving average of $46.24. The company has a market cap of $15.48 billion, a PE ratio of 15.05 and a beta of 1.50. Magna International has a 12 month low of $30.39 and a 12 month high of $55.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

Magna International (NYSE:MGA  Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.09. Magna International had a return on equity of 11.88% and a net margin of 2.50%.The firm had revenue of $10.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.28 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Magna International will post 5.87 EPS for the current year.

Magna International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $0.485 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.01%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Achmea Investment Management B.V. bought a new position in Magna International in the third quarter valued at $8,606,000. Danske Bank A S bought a new position in shares of Magna International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $112,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its position in shares of Magna International by 196.9% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 139,659 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,620,000 after purchasing an additional 92,613 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its holdings in shares of Magna International by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 14,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $675,000 after buying an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Community Bank N.A. bought a new stake in Magna International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. 67.49% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Magna International

(Get Free Report)

Magna International Inc is a leading global automotive supplier specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of vehicle systems, assemblies, modules, and components. Headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, the company partners with major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop technologies and solutions that enhance vehicle performance, safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Magnas broad portfolio encompasses body exteriors and structures, powertrain systems, seating and interiors, roof systems, mirror systems, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The company operates more than 350 manufacturing and assembly facilities and over 100 innovation centers across 27 countries, serving customers in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.

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Shares of Flowco Holdings Inc. (NYSE:FLOC  Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the nine research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $29.20.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Flowco in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Zacks Research lowered Flowco from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Thursday, January 1st. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Flowco in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating and issued a $25.00 price target on shares of Flowco in a research report on Thursday, November 6th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Trading of Flowco

In related news, EVP Chad Roberts sold 55,173 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.26, for a total transaction of $1,007,458.98. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 332,327 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,068,291.02. The trade was a 14.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Insiders have sold 83,883 shares of company stock worth $1,548,331 in the last 90 days.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in Flowco by 95.6% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,643 shares of the companys stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,292 shares during the period. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Flowco in the 1st quarter worth approximately $92,000. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Flowco by 183.6% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,667 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 2,374 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE bought a new position in Flowco during the third quarter valued at $61,000. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey increased its position in Flowco by 38.0% in the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 4,785 shares of the companys stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 1,317 shares during the last quarter.

Flowco Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE FLOC opened at $19.03 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 2.90 and a quick ratio of 1.33. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $17.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $16.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.71 billion and a P/E ratio of 6.34. Flowco has a 1 year low of $14.03 and a 1 year high of $30.50.

Flowco Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Flowcos dividend payout ratio is currently 10.67%.

Flowco Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

We are a leading provider of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions for the oil and natural gas industry. Our products and services include a full range of equipment and technology solutions that enable our customers to efficiently and cost-effectively maximize the profitability and economic lifespan of the production phase of their operations. Our principal products and services are organized into two business segments: (i) Production Solutions; and (ii) Natural Gas Technologies.

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Shares of Matador Resources Company (NYSE:MTDR  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, thirteen have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $61.7692.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on MTDR shares. UBS Group upped their price objective on Matador Resources from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $55.00 price target (down from $63.00) on shares of Matador Resources in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Matador Resources from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Matador Resources from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Matador Resources from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th.

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Matador Resources Stock Down 4.6%

Shares of NYSE:MTDR opened at $41.39 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $5.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.61 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a 50 day moving average of $41.63 and a 200-day moving average of $45.52. Matador Resources has a one year low of $35.19 and a one year high of $64.04.

Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The energy company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.14. Matador Resources had a net margin of 20.46% and a return on equity of 14.80%. The firm had revenue of $939.02 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $893.22 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.89 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Matador Resources will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Matador Resources Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were given a dividend of $0.375 per share. This is an increase from Matador Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. Matador Resourcess payout ratio is 23.96%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Matador Resources news, Director Susan M. Ward bought 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $39.04 per share, with a total value of $195,200.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 14,923 shares in the company, valued at $582,593.92. This trade represents a 50.39% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Robert T. Macalik purchased 1,500 shares of Matador Resources stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $38.25 per share, with a total value of $57,375.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president directly owned 35,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,340,241.75. This trade represents a 4.47% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders acquired 37,346 shares of company stock worth $1,463,396 in the last three months. 5.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Matador Resources

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Matador Resources during the third quarter worth about $243,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Matador Resources in the third quarter valued at approximately $61,615,000. Tweedy Browne Co LLC raised its holdings in shares of Matador Resources by 105.3% in the third quarter. Tweedy Browne Co LLC now owns 15,489 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $696,000 after purchasing an additional 7,944 shares during the last quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp lifted its position in shares of Matador Resources by 0.5% in the third quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 60,150 shares of the energy companys stock worth $2,703,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Armistice Capital LLC acquired a new position in Matador Resources during the third quarter worth $1,973,000. 91.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Matador Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Matador Resources Company is an independent energy firm primarily engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. The company focuses on upstream operations, utilizing horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques to unlock hydrocarbons from key reservoirs. Its asset base includes both operated and non?operated positions, with a particular emphasis on the Permian Basin, one of the most prolific oil-producing regions in North America.

Matadors core operations are concentrated in the Delaware Basin segment of the Permian Basin, where it holds substantial acreage in both Reeves and Culberson counties in West Texas and Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico.

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Shares of Intact Financial Co. (TSE:IFC  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the ten analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$317.91.

Several brokerages have issued reports on IFC. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on shares of Intact Financial from C$339.00 to C$318.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Intact Financial from C$317.00 to C$320.00 in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Intact Financial from C$324.00 to C$304.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Intact Financial from C$315.00 to C$320.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, CIBC lowered their target price on Intact Financial from C$315.00 to C$288.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd.

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Intact Financial Stock Performance

Shares of IFC opened at C$282.66 on Thursday. Intact Financial has a fifty-two week low of C$250.28 and a fifty-two week high of C$317.35. The company has a market capitalization of C$50.23 billion, a PE ratio of 16.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.14. The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$279.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$281.90.

Intact Financial (TSE:IFC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported C$4.46 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$6.45 billion during the quarter. Intact Financial had a net margin of 8.60% and a return on equity of 13.13%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Intact Financial will post 16.1721014 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Intact Financial

(Get Free Report)

Intact Financial Corp is a property and casualty insurance company that provides written premiums in Canada. The company distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through a network of brokers and a wholly-owned subsidiary, BrokerLink, and directly to consumers through Belairdirect. Most of the companys direct premiums are written in the personal automotive space. Intact directly manages its investments through subsidiary Intact Investment Management. The vast majority of these invested assets are fixed-income securities.

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Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the five ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $28.3333.

BTU has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Peabody Energy in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research downgraded Peabody Energy from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. B. Riley raised their price objective on shares of Peabody Energy from $18.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Peabody Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Peabody Energy from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Peabody Energy

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Peabody Energy Trading Up 0.0%

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ieq Capital LLC lifted its stake in Peabody Energy by 10.0% in the first quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 44,000 shares of the coal producers stock valued at $596,000 after buying an additional 4,000 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new position in shares of Peabody Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $4,478,000. Magnetar Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Peabody Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $191,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Peabody Energy during the 1st quarter worth $589,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Peabody Energy during the 1st quarter worth $1,727,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.44% of the companys stock.

NYSE BTU opened at $30.68 on Tuesday. Peabody Energy has a 52 week low of $9.61 and a 52 week high of $35.99. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $28.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.73 billion, a PE ratio of -105.80 and a beta of 0.41.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The coal producer reported ($0.58) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by ($0.39). The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $990.20 million. Peabody Energy had a negative return on equity of 0.25% and a negative net margin of 0.83%.Peabody Energys revenue for the quarter was down 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.74 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Peabody Energy will post 2.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Peabody Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were given a dividend of $0.075 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Peabody Energys payout ratio is -103.45%.

Peabody Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Peabody Energy Corporation is one of the worlds largest private-sector coal companies, engaged primarily in the production and sale of metallurgical and thermal coal. The companys operations span surface and underground mines, serving utilities, steel mills and other industrial customers that rely on coal as an essential component in power generation and steelmaking. Peabodys product portfolio includes high-energy thermal coal for electricity generation and low-volatile metallurgical coal used in steel production, reflecting its diverse end-market reach.

Founded in 1883, Peabody Energy has grown from a regional mining concern into a global energy supplier.

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Sandvik AB (OTCMKTS:SDVKY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $33.41 and last traded at $33.41, with a volume of 30036 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $32.88.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Rothschild Redb raised shares of Sandvik from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Sandvik from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of Sandvik in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Sandvik in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of Sandvik in a report on Monday, December 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy.

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Sandvik Stock Up 1.6%

The stock has a market capitalization of $41.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The businesss 50-day moving average is $30.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.69.

Sandvik (OTCMKTS:SDVKY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The industrial products company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $29.69 billion. Sandvik had a return on equity of 16.30% and a net margin of 12.24%. Equities analysts anticipate that Sandvik AB will post 1.27 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Sandvik

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Sandvik by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 37,269 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $788,000 after acquiring an additional 4,562 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sandvik by 15.9% in the second quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 22,037 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $502,000 after purchasing an additional 3,030 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Sandvik by 24.8% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,406 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $208,000 after purchasing an additional 1,473 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its stake in Sandvik by 3,795.5% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 857 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 835 shares during the period. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sandvik Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sandvik (OTCMKTS: SDVKY) is a global engineering group headquartered in Sandviken, Sweden, with roots dating back to 1862 when it was founded by Goran Fredrik Goransson. The company designs, manufactures and services advanced products and solutions for the mining and construction industries, metalworking and material technology markets. Sandvik serves customers worldwide with a broad portfolio of industrial products, equipment and aftermarket services.

Sandviks core activities span three broad areas: metal-cutting and machining solutions, mining and rock excavation equipment, and specialty materials and components.

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By Naveen Thukral and Ella Cao

SINGAPORE/BEIJING, Jan 6 (Reuters) - China's state stockpiler Sinograin bought 10 U.S. soybean cargoes this week, three traders told Reuters on Tuesday, as the world's top buyer continues purchasing from the United States following a late-October trade truce.

The cargoes, totalling around 600,000 metric tons, are for shipment between March and May, with overall U.S. soybean purchases now approaching 10 million tons, the traders said.

More from Yahoo Scout How are China's purchases affecting soybean market prices? What is China's soybean purchase target and timeline? How much U.S. soybeans has China purchased recently? Why is China buying despite domestic surplus?

That represents over 80% of the 12 million metric tons that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China pledged to buy by the end of February.

"There were more U.S. cargoes bought by Sinograin and total purchases are very close to 10 million tons," said one of the traders with direct knowledge of the deals. "We think China will buy couple of million tons more to meet the target."

China's buying has underpinned Chicago soybeans in recent weeks, helping the market end 2025 on a positive note, as the resumption of imports from the United States following a thaw in BeijingWashington relations has erased most of the losses incurred during the trade war.

Chicago soybeans were trading up 0.1% at $10.62 a bushel as of 1140 GMT on Tuesday.

Beijing has stepped up U.S. soybean purchases despite a domestic supply glut driven by record South American arrivals and weak demand.

In December, Sinograin held three public auctions to make room for U.S. shipments amid ample domestic supplies.

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However, average prices and clearance rates fell in successive rounds, with only one-third of soybeans sold in the final auction, Reuters previously reported.

Traders had expected Sinograin to sell around 4 million metric tons in the auctions.

(Reporting by Ella Cao in Beijing, Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Gus Trompiz in Paris, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ  Free Report) by 9.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,252,391 shares of the cell phone carriers stock after purchasing an additional 528,078 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $274,793,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bulwark Capital Corp bought a new stake in Verizon Communications during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Advantage Trust Co increased its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 549.5% during the second quarter. Advantage Trust Co now owns 591 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 95.3% in the 3rd quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 625 shares of the cell phone carriers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Global Wealth Strategies & Associates grew its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 739.5% in the 3rd quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 680 shares of the cell phone carriers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.06% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on VZ shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded Verizon Communications from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Verizon Communications from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.47.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

NYSE VZ opened at $40.22 on Tuesday. Verizon Communications Inc. has a one year low of $37.58 and a one year high of $47.35. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $40.48 and a 200 day moving average of $41.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.74. The company has a market capitalization of $169.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.59, a PEG ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 0.34.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.02. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.31%. The firm had revenue of $33.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.19 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.69 EPS for the current year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, January 12th will be issued a $0.69 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.9%. Verizon Communicationss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 58.97%.

Verizon Communications Company Profile

(Free Report)

Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) is a major U.S.-based telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and information services. Its operations span consumer and business markets, with core offerings that include wireless voice and data services, fixed-line broadband and fiber-optic services, and enterprise networking solutions. Verizon is headquartered in New York City and operates a nationwide wireless network that supports consumer subscribers as well as business and government customers.

The companys consumer products include mobile phone plans, unlimited data services, and Fios, its branded fiber-optic internet, television and voice service for homes and small businesses.

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Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its position in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK  Free Report) by 36.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,166,052 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 577,621 shares during the quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.s holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $236,013,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 78.9% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 288 shares of the banks stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Hoey Investments Inc. purchased a new position in Bank of New York Mellon in the second quarter valued at $32,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Bank of New York Mellon by 89.0% during the 2nd quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 446 shares of the banks stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.31% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $130.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Monday, December 29th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $91.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $106.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $118.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $113.50.

Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance

Shares of BK opened at $121.03 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stocks 50 day moving average is $112.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $105.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $84.40 billion, a PE ratio of 17.47, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.11. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a twelve month low of $70.46 and a twelve month high of $122.36.

Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The bank reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 14.03% and a net margin of 12.86%. Research analysts anticipate that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Monday, October 27th were paid a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 27th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.59%.

About Bank of New York Mellon

(Free Report)

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon) is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City that provides a wide range of asset servicing, custody, and related financial infrastructure solutions to institutional clients. Its core businesses include custody and asset servicing, clearing and collateral management, treasury services, securities lending, corporate trust services, and depositary receipt administration. The company also offers investment management and advisory services through its asset management arm and provides technology-enabled solutions for trade processing, foreign exchange, and liquidity management.

BNY Mellon serves a broad client base that includes asset managers, pension funds, corporations, banks, broker-dealers and sovereign entities.

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Greenleaf Trust reduced its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 125,225 shares of the companys stock after selling 9,415 shares during the period. Greenleaf Trusts holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $14,261,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Rice Partnership LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Asset Dedication LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 1,526.1% in the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 374 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 351 shares during the last quarter. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $43,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Price Performance

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF stock opened at $117.29 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $114.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $112.93. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $88.66 and a 12 month high of $113.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.79 billion, a PE ratio of 24.98 and a beta of 0.96.

About iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. The Fund invests in sectors, such as consumer staples, industrials, consumer discretionary, materials, healthcare, financials, information technology, energy, telecommunication services and utilities.

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Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 27.7% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 64,760 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 14,032 shares during the quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Novartis were worth $8,305,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Keybank National Association OH boosted its position in shares of Novartis by 13.2% during the second quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 49,377 shares of the companys stock worth $5,975,000 after purchasing an additional 5,742 shares in the last quarter. Sonora Investment Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 2nd quarter worth $266,000. Cypress Capital Group raised its stake in Novartis by 84.1% during the 2nd quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 5,776 shares of the companys stock worth $699,000 after buying an additional 2,638 shares during the period. HM Payson & Co. lifted its holdings in Novartis by 306.6% during the third quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 13,262 shares of the companys stock worth $1,701,000 after acquiring an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth grew its stake in Novartis by 16.8% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 47,548 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,311,000 after acquiring an additional 6,849 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a sell rating and set a $118.00 price objective (down previously from $119.00) on shares of Novartis in a report on Friday, September 12th. Cfra set a $126.00 price target on shares of Novartis and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. HSBC reissued a reduce rating and set a $112.00 price objective on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Novartis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.75.

Novartis Stock Performance

Shares of NVS opened at $137.92 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $291.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.84, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.51. Novartis AG has a 12 month low of $97.39 and a 12 month high of $140.18. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $131.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $126.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.26 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $14.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.70 billion. Novartis had a return on equity of 41.21% and a net margin of 26.49%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.06 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Company Profile

(Free Report)

Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel that researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and related health-care products. Formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis operates globally and focuses on bringing therapeutics from discovery through clinical development to commercial markets worldwide.

The companys activities center on innovative pharmaceuticals across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience and ophthalmology, alongside capabilities in advanced therapies such as biologics, cell and gene therapies.

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Torray Investment Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 15.7% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 752,997 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 102,107 shares during the period. Pfizer accounts for about 2.6% of Torray Investment Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Torray Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $19,186,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PFE. Curio Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 36,600.0% during the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 1,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,098 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. bought a new position in shares of Pfizer in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Pfizer Stock Down 0.0%

Pfizer stock opened at $25.18 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $25.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Pfizer Inc. has a 1-year low of $20.92 and a 1-year high of $27.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $143.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.64 and a beta of 0.47.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.94 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 20.17% and a net margin of 15.65%.Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 23rd. Pfizers payout ratio is presently 100.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Guggenheim restated a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating and set a $30.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $26.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their target price on Pfizer from $29.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $28.06.

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Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas.

Pfizers portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business.

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AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR  Get Free Report)s stock had its equal weight rating reiterated by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $133.00 price target on the industrial products companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 8.13% from the companys current price.

Several other research firms also recently commented on ATR. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of AptarGroup in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of AptarGroup from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. William Blair downgraded shares of AptarGroup from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of AptarGroup from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $167.50.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on AptarGroup

AptarGroup Stock Up 0.4%

ATR opened at $123.00 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $120.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $134.88. The company has a market capitalization of $8.07 billion, a PE ratio of 19.68, a PEG ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 0.49. AptarGroup has a 1-year low of $103.23 and a 1-year high of $164.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.05. AptarGroup had a return on equity of 15.32% and a net margin of 11.45%.The firm had revenue of $961.13 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $950.55 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.49 EPS. AptarGroups revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. AptarGroup has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.200-1.28 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that AptarGroup will post 5.57 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at AptarGroup

In related news, CAO Daniel Ackerman sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.23, for a total transaction of $1,818,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 29,607 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,589,256.61. This represents a 33.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AptarGroup

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of AptarGroup by 97.0% in the third quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 2,759,026 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $368,771,000 after acquiring an additional 1,358,269 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of AptarGroup during the 2nd quarter worth about $118,182,000. First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in AptarGroup by 218.1% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 372,369 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $49,771,000 after purchasing an additional 255,291 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in AptarGroup by 136.0% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 405,066 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $62,769,000 after purchasing an additional 233,445 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in AptarGroup by 183.8% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 327,607 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $51,248,000 after purchasing an additional 212,184 shares during the last quarter. 88.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AptarGroup Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AptarGroup, Inc is a global provider of advanced dispensing, sealing and protection solutions for consumer and pharmaceutical markets. The company designs and manufactures a broad portfolio of products that enable the controlled delivery of liquids, gels, powders and aerosols. Its customer base spans beauty and personal care, home care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors, where innovation in packaging and drug?delivery devices drives brand differentiation and regulatory compliance.

In the consumer markets, AptarGroup offers pumps, actuators, valves, closures and specialized bottles engineered for precision, convenience and sustainability.

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Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) was upgraded by Bank of America from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a $13.00 price objective on the stock, up from their previous price objective of $6.75. Bank of Americas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 19.98% from the companys current price.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Barclays upgraded shares of Brookdale Senior Living from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $8.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Citigroup upgraded Brookdale Senior Living to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded Brookdale Senior Living from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 23rd. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Brookdale Senior Living from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Brookdale Senior Living currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $12.00.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on BKD

Brookdale Senior Living Stock Performance

NYSE:BKD opened at $10.84 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $10.41 and a 200 day moving average of $8.69. The company has a market capitalization of $2.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.27 and a beta of 0.67. Brookdale Senior Living has a 1-year low of $4.45 and a 1-year high of $11.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 39.87, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $813.17 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $825.59 million. Brookdale Senior Living had a negative net margin of 9.52% and a negative return on equity of 173.75%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Brookdale Senior Living will post -0.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookdale Senior Living

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Larson Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Brookdale Senior Living during the third quarter valued at approximately $59,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in Brookdale Senior Living during the 1st quarter valued at $61,000. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in Brookdale Senior Living by 55.8% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 9,576 shares of the companys stock worth $81,000 after purchasing an additional 3,428 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Brookdale Senior Living in the 3rd quarter worth $85,000. Finally, Levin Capital Strategies L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the 3rd quarter worth about $85,000.

About Brookdale Senior Living

(Get Free Report)

Brookdale Senior Living Inc (NYSE: BKD) is one of the nations largest operators of senior living communities, offering a full spectrum of living options that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, continuing care retirement communities, respite care and skilled nursing services. The company emphasizes programs and amenities that support wellness, social engagement and overall quality of life for older adults.

Across the United States and Puerto Rico, Brookdale manages more than 700 communities serving tens of thousands of residents.

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Northland Capmk cut shares of Mayville Engineering (NYSE:MEC  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

MEC has been the topic of several other reports. Northland Securities cut shares of Mayville Engineering from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $20.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Mayville Engineering in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Craig Hallum set a $24.00 target price on shares of Mayville Engineering and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mayville Engineering currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $22.00.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Mayville Engineering

Mayville Engineering Price Performance

NYSE MEC opened at $17.92 on Monday. Mayville Engineering has a 12 month low of $11.72 and a 12 month high of $19.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $364.06 million, a PE ratio of 30.89 and a beta of 1.08. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $17.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $15.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Mayville Engineering (NYSE:MEC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.05. Mayville Engineering had a return on equity of 5.88% and a net margin of 2.29%.The firm had revenue of $144.31 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $141.36 million. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mayville Engineering will post 0.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Mayville Engineering news, Director Steven L. Fisher sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.11, for a total transaction of $191,100.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 30,482 shares of the companys stock, valued at $582,511.02. The trade was a 24.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Ryan F. Raber sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.68, for a total value of $250,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 91,018 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,518,180.24. The trade was a 14.15% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 7.20% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mayville Engineering

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of Mayville Engineering by 109.0% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,751 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,435 shares in the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC lifted its position in Mayville Engineering by 26.2% in the 3rd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 8,342 shares of the companys stock worth $115,000 after buying an additional 1,733 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Mayville Engineering by 20.7% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $127,000 after buying an additional 1,359 shares during the period. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA purchased a new stake in shares of Mayville Engineering during the second quarter worth $165,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its stake in Mayville Engineering by 54.0% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 16,689 shares of the companys stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 5,855 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.44% of the companys stock.

About Mayville Engineering

(Get Free Report)

Mayville Engineering Company, Inc (NYSE:MEC) is a U.S.-based industrial manufacturer specializing in engineered metal castings and precision machining services. Headquartered in Mayville, Wisconsin, the company leverages over a century of casting experience to design, produce and finish complex metal components for a broad range of heavy-duty applications.

The company operates two principal business segments: iron castings and steel castings. Its iron segment utilizes green sand and lost-foam molding processes to produce gray and ductile iron components, while the steel segment employs electric-arc furnace technology to manufacture high-strength steel castings.

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OneAscent Financial Services LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 66.7% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 12,592 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 25,215 shares during the period. OneAscent Financial Services LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $650,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAC. Albion Financial Group UT lifted its holdings in Bank of America by 1.6% during the third quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 13,031 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $672,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Motive Wealth Advisors raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. Motive Wealth Advisors now owns 5,910 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $305,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. Wynn Capital LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wynn Capital LLC now owns 47,063 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,428,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Accelerate Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Bank of America by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Accelerate Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,637 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $239,000 after buying an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Semus Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Semus Wealth Partners LLC now owns 12,333 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $636,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on BAC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank of America in a report on Thursday, October 30th. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Bank of America from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their target price on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Twenty-three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $59.27.

Trending Headlines about Bank of America

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Bank of America Price Performance

Shares of BAC stock opened at $56.84 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firms 50-day moving average is $53.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.76. Bank of America Corporation has a 12 month low of $33.06 and a 12 month high of $57.55. The company has a market capitalization of $415.04 billion, a PE ratio of 15.49 and a beta of 1.29.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $5.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.05 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.70% and a return on equity of 10.76%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.81 EPS. Analysts predict that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a $0.28 dividend. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is 30.52%.

Bank of America Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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Spirepoint Private Client LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 397.5% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 8,264 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,603 shares during the period. Spirepoint Private Client LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,340,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. PFS Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.8% during the second quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 292 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the period. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC grew its position in Philip Morris International by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 5,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,032,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Second Line Capital LLC increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Second Line Capital LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock worth $185,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meridian Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,060 shares of the companys stock worth $375,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Philip Morris International Price Performance

NYSE PM opened at $160.00 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $154.73 and its 200-day moving average is $162.71. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $116.12 and a one year high of $186.69. The firm has a market cap of $249.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.40.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter. Equities analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 106.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PM

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States.

PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products.

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Jan 6 (Reuters) - Shares of U.S. heating, ventilation and air conditioning-related companies dropped on Tuesday after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that the company's upcoming chips could significantly reduce cooling requirements in data centers.

Johnson Controls International dropped 7.5% to $112.40 and Trane Technologies lost 5.3% to $370.40. Both stocks hit multi-month lows and were among the biggest percentage decliners on the S&P 500.

More from Yahoo Scout Which companies face biggest impact from Nvidia announcement? How could Nvidia's new chips affect HVAC companies? Which companies might benefit from reduced cooling requirements? What are Nvidia's Vera Rubin platform cooling claims?

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Monday, Huang said Nvidia's next generation of chips is in "full production." The Vera Rubin platform, made up of six separate Nvidia chips, is expected to debut later this year.

When talking about the cooling requirements, Huang said that "no water chillers are necessary for data centres."

Barclays analysts said in a note led by Julian Mitchell that "given the primacy of Nvidia to the whole AI ecosystem, one should not take their comments lightly, although they seem rather dramatic at first glance."

The analysts said the companies that could be most affected include Johnson Controls International, Trane Technologies and Carrier Global.

They estimate that data centers represent a low-double-digit percentage of total sales for Johnson Controls and data centers account for about 10% and 5% of sales for Trane Technologies and Carrier Global, respectively.

Carrier Global shares fell 1.1%.

The analysts also highlighted nVent Electric could benefit from these developments as it has "no presence in space cooling/chillers/air handling" but has a "decent position in data center liquid cooling."

Data center power equipment maker Vertiv Holdings could also benefit due to its "strong historical position in precision air cooling" and "strong position in liquid cooling," the analysts said.

Vertiv shares were down 2.1%, while nVent shares edged 0.5% higher.

(Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by analysts at Evercore ISI from $142.00 to $144.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the healthcare product makers stock. Evercore ISIs price objective would indicate a potential upside of 13.65% from the companys previous close.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Mizuho raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Benchmark started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Friday, October 10th. They set a buy rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.47.

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Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 2.0%

ABT opened at $126.71 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a market cap of $220.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.72. The businesss 50 day moving average is $125.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $129.54. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $110.86 and a 52 week high of $141.23.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The business had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.21 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abbott Laboratories

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Carr Financial Group Corp boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Carr Financial Group Corp now owns 3,880 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $520,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 10.7% during the second quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 795 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $108,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Gemmer Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 2.9% during the third quarter. Gemmer Asset Management LLC now owns 2,750 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $368,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. FF Advisors LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. FF Advisors LLC now owns 1,904 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Trust Co raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Trust Co now owns 14,018 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,907,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.

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O-I Glass (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) had its target price increased by Truist Financial from $17.00 to $21.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the industrial products companys stock. Truist Financials price target indicates a potential upside of 33.38% from the companys current price.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of O-I Glass from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, December 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of O-I Glass in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of O-I Glass in a report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of O-I Glass from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the company from $15.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded O-I Glass from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, O-I Glass has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $17.44.

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O-I Glass Trading Up 3.2%

Shares of OI opened at $15.75 on Tuesday. O-I Glass has a 12-month low of $9.23 and a 12-month high of $16.04. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $13.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -16.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 0.77.

O-I Glass (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 1st. The industrial products company reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter. O-I Glass had a positive return on equity of 16.02% and a negative net margin of 2.26%.The company had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter. Sell-side analysts forecast that O-I Glass will post 1.33 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On O-I Glass

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new stake in O-I Glass in the 1st quarter valued at about $658,000. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of O-I Glass in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,329,000. Strs Ohio bought a new position in O-I Glass in the first quarter worth approximately $747,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of O-I Glass by 18.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 19,493 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $305,000 after purchasing an additional 3,049 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of O-I Glass by 123.8% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,145,980 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $16,892,000 after buying an additional 633,875 shares during the last quarter. 97.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About O-I Glass

(Get Free Report)

O-I Glass, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of glass containers, supplying the food and beverage, wine and spirits, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal care industries. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, the company produces a broad range of glass packaging solutions, including bottles and jars, designed to meet customer specifications for size, shape, color and performance. O-I leverages proprietary technologies in forming, decoration and quality control to serve both mass-market and premium brands.

Tracing its origins to the early 20th century through the merger of prominent regional glassmakers, the company adopted the Owens-Illinois name in 1929 before rebranding as O-I Glass in 2015.

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PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) had its price target cut by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $150.00 to $132.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the construction companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target suggests a potential upside of 11.67% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $136.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 10th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of PulteGroup in a research note on Monday, December 1st. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, UBS Group set a $159.00 price target on PulteGroup in a report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $136.50.

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PulteGroup Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PHM traded down $1.66 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $118.20. The company had a trading volume of 207,091 shares, compared to its average volume of 940,267. PulteGroup has a 1-year low of $88.07 and a 1-year high of $142.11. The stock has a market cap of $23.04 billion, a PE ratio of 9.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $121.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $122.35.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The construction company reported $2.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.10. PulteGroup had a net margin of 14.93% and a return on equity of 19.58%. The business had revenue of $4.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.31 billion. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.35 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that PulteGroup will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PHM. Railway Pension Investments Ltd increased its position in shares of PulteGroup by 2.4% during the second quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 137,739 shares of the construction companys stock worth $14,526,000 after buying an additional 3,200 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in PulteGroup in the second quarter worth approximately $2,162,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its stake in PulteGroup by 129.5% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 151,766 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $15,778,000 after purchasing an additional 85,637 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC increased its position in shares of PulteGroup by 143.7% during the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 24,059 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,473,000 after acquiring an additional 14,185 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of PulteGroup by 0.8% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,385,531 shares of the construction companys stock worth $146,118,000 after purchasing an additional 11,203 shares during the last quarter. 89.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About PulteGroup

(Get Free Report)

PulteGroup, Inc (NYSE: PHM) is a U.S.-based residential homebuilder that designs, constructs and sells single-family homes and develops master-planned communities. The company operates multiple national and regional brands that target different buyer segments, including first-time buyers, move-up buyers and active-adult customers. Its operations encompass land acquisition and development, home design and construction, community amenities and ongoing customer service and warranty programs.

PulteGroup markets homes under several well-known brands, such as Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb, among others, offering a range of product types from entry-level detached homes to larger, higher-end residences and age-restricted active-adult communities.

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Shares of Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $12.00.

BKD has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Barclays upgraded Brookdale Senior Living from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $8.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brookdale Senior Living from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, November 23rd. Citigroup raised shares of Brookdale Senior Living to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Bank of America raised shares of Brookdale Senior Living from an underperform rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $6.75 to $13.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a report on Wednesday, October 8th.

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Brookdale Senior Living Stock Performance

Shares of BKD stock opened at $10.84 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $10.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 39.87. The firm has a market cap of $2.57 billion, a PE ratio of -8.27 and a beta of 0.67. Brookdale Senior Living has a 12 month low of $4.45 and a 12 month high of $11.38.

Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.04). Brookdale Senior Living had a negative net margin of 9.52% and a negative return on equity of 173.75%. The business had revenue of $813.17 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $825.59 million. Equities research analysts expect that Brookdale Senior Living will post -0.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookdale Senior Living

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in Brookdale Senior Living by 8.9% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 3,406,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,711,000 after buying an additional 279,232 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in shares of Brookdale Senior Living by 647.2% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,307,068 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,097,000 after acquiring an additional 1,132,138 shares during the period. Delta Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the third quarter valued at about $836,000. Bosun Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Brookdale Senior Living during the second quarter worth about $442,000. Finally, Hudson Bay Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living in the 2nd quarter worth about $5,220,000.

Brookdale Senior Living Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookdale Senior Living Inc (NYSE: BKD) is one of the nations largest operators of senior living communities, offering a full spectrum of living options that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, continuing care retirement communities, respite care and skilled nursing services. The company emphasizes programs and amenities that support wellness, social engagement and overall quality of life for older adults.

Across the United States and Puerto Rico, Brookdale manages more than 700 communities serving tens of thousands of residents.

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Shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $140.99 and last traded at $140.8290, with a volume of 345579 shares. The stock had previously closed at $137.91.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Bank of America raised Novartis from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Monday, December 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a sell rating and issued a $118.00 target price (down from $119.00) on shares of Novartis in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Finally, Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, November 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $119.75.

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Novartis Trading Up 1.5%

The firms 50 day moving average price is $131.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $126.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The stock has a market cap of $295.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.51.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by ($0.01). Novartis had a return on equity of 41.21% and a net margin of 26.49%.The firm had revenue of $14.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.06 earnings per share. Novartiss revenue was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novartis

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. GFG Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Novartis during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in Novartis during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. purchased a new stake in Novartis in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Novartis during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Barrett & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Novartis in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Novartis Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel that researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and related health-care products. Formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis operates globally and focuses on bringing therapeutics from discovery through clinical development to commercial markets worldwide.

The companys activities center on innovative pharmaceuticals across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience and ophthalmology, alongside capabilities in advanced therapies such as biologics, cell and gene therapies.

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Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Evercore ISI from an in-line rating to an outperform rating in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $58.00 price objective on the insurance providers stock, up from their previous price objective of $49.00. Evercore ISIs target price suggests a potential upside of 13.79% from the companys previous close.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on TFC. Baird R W downgraded shares of Truist Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of Truist Financial from $49.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and issued a $58.00 target price on shares of Truist Financial in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Truist Financial from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Truist Financial in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $52.00.

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Truist Financial Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of Truist Financial stock traded up $0.49 on Tuesday, hitting $50.97. The company had a trading volume of 1,465,284 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,045,626. Truist Financial has a 1 year low of $33.56 and a 1 year high of $51.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $47.18 and a 200-day moving average of $45.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.89.

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The insurance provider reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $5.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.20 billion. Truist Financial had a return on equity of 8.73% and a net margin of 16.84%.Truist Financials quarterly revenue was up 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.97 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Truist Financial will post 4 earnings per share for the current year.

Truist Financial announced that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, December 16th that allows the company to buyback $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the insurance provider to repurchase up to 15.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Truist Financial

In other news, Director K. David Jr. Boyer sold 5,160 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.45, for a total value of $239,682.00. Following the sale, the director owned 10,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at $471,606.85. The trade was a 33.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.17% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Truist Financial

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Truist Financial by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 120,440,153 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,177,722,000 after purchasing an additional 1,529,478 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its position in shares of Truist Financial by 0.3% during the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 107,642,731 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,921,717,000 after buying an additional 346,423 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Truist Financial by 0.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 28,191,122 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,205,855,000 after buying an additional 74,728 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Truist Financial by 0.9% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,566,519 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $755,185,000 after acquiring an additional 164,034 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Truist Financial by 6.5% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 13,995,108 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $601,650,000 after acquiring an additional 854,826 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.28% of the companys stock.

Truist Financial Company Profile

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Truist Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company that provides a broad range of financial services through its primary subsidiary, Truist Bank, and other operating units. The company offers traditional retail banking products and services such as deposit accounts, consumer and residential mortgage lending, and credit and debit card services. Truist also serves commercial clients with middle-market and corporate lending, treasury and payment solutions, and specialty finance products.

Beyond core banking, Truist operates wealth management, asset management, insurance and capital markets businesses.

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Indra Sistemas S.A. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ISMAY  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $29.1750, but opened at $31.6360. Indra Sistemas shares last traded at $31.6360, with a volume of 433 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on ISMAY shares. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Indra Sistemas to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Oddo Bhf upgraded Indra Sistemas to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Indra Sistemas has an average rating of Buy.

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Indra Sistemas Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $11.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.84 and a beta of 0.51. The firms 50-day moving average price is $28.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $23.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 1.46.

Indra Sistemas (OTCMKTS:ISMAY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $1.36 billion during the quarter. Indra Sistemas had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 27.69%.

Indra Sistemas Company Profile

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Indra Sistemas SA is a Madrid-based global technology and consulting firm specializing in information and communications technology (ICT) and defense systems. The company designs, develops and implements turnkey solutions for sectors including transportation, energy, public administration, financial services, telecommunications and security. Through system integration, application development, managed services and outsourcing, Indra helps clients navigate digital transformation and optimize operational performance.

In its defense and security business, Indra delivers radar systems, air traffic management platforms, command-and-control centers, simulation and training tools, as well as cybersecurity solutions.

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China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE:CYD  Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $37.31, but opened at $39.27. China Yuchai International shares last traded at $39.9150, with a volume of 21,593 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CYD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised China Yuchai International from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of China Yuchai International in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Zacks Research cut China Yuchai International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of China Yuchai International in a research note on Tuesday. They set a buy rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $60.00.

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China Yuchai International Stock Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On China Yuchai International

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $36.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $32.84.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL grew its position in shares of China Yuchai International by 545.9% during the third quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 154,425 shares of the companys stock worth $6,389,000 after buying an additional 130,515 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in China Yuchai International during the 3rd quarter valued at $66,000. Dorsey Wright & Associates bought a new position in China Yuchai International during the 3rd quarter valued at $2,465,000. Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new position in China Yuchai International during the 3rd quarter worth $1,226,000. Finally, Polymer Capital Management HK LTD acquired a new position in China Yuchai International during the 3rd quarter worth $297,000.

About China Yuchai International

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China Yuchai International Ltd. (NYSE: CYD) is a Cayman Islandsincorporated holding company with principal executive offices in Singapore. Through its subsidiaries, the company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of diesel engines in the Peoples Republic of China. Its principal operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL), has been producing diesel engines since 1951 and ranks among the countrys largest heavy-duty engine makers.

The companys core product portfolio includes high-speed and medium-speed diesel engines for on-highway trucks and buses, off-road vehicles such as construction and agricultural machinery, marine propulsion systems, and power generator sets.

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Bowhead Specialty (NYSE:BOW  Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by equities researchers at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $38.00 to $36.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price target would suggest a potential upside of 34.73% from the companys previous close.

BOW has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on shares of Bowhead Specialty in a research report on Monday, November 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $33.00 target price for the company. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on Bowhead Specialty from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. JMP Securities decreased their target price on Bowhead Specialty from $43.00 to $40.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Bowhead Specialty from $31.00 to $29.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bowhead Specialty in a report on Monday, December 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $33.83.

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Bowhead Specialty Trading Down 4.5%

Bowhead Specialty stock traded down $1.26 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $26.72. 70,447 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 149,705. The firm has a market cap of $875.96 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.13 and a beta of -1.06. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $27.06 and a 200 day moving average of $29.35. Bowhead Specialty has a 12 month low of $23.50 and a 12 month high of $42.29.

Bowhead Specialty (NYSE:BOW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 26th. The company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $65.45 million for the quarter. Bowhead Specialty had a net margin of 10.12% and a return on equity of 13.53%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Bowhead Specialty will post 1.36 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Bowhead Specialty

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Bowhead Specialty in the second quarter valued at $52,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new stake in Bowhead Specialty in the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Bowhead Specialty by 99.0% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,926 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 958 shares in the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its stake in shares of Bowhead Specialty by 38.2% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 3,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $134,000 after buying an additional 989 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its holdings in shares of Bowhead Specialty by 19,489.5% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 3,722 shares of the companys stock worth $101,000 after acquiring an additional 3,703 shares during the period.

Bowhead Specialty Company Profile

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Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc provides specialty property and casualty insurance products in the United States. It underwrites casualty insurance solutions for risks in the construction, distribution, heavy manufacturing, real estate, and hospitality segments; professional liability insurance solutions for financial institutions, private and public directors and officers liability insurance, errors and omissions liability insurance, and cyber segments; and healthcare solutions for hospitals, senior care providers, managed care organizations, miscellaneous medical facilities, and healthcare management liability segments.

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Sibanye Gold Limited (NYSE:SBSW  Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Stock traders acquired 22,763 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 104% compared to the typical volume of 11,148 call options.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SBSW. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Sibanye Gold by 22.2% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,147 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 934 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in Sibanye Gold by 40.3% in the 3rd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,481 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management grew its position in Sibanye Gold by 87.8% during the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,169 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in Sibanye Gold by 7.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 17,096 shares of the companys stock valued at $192,000 after purchasing an additional 1,178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fermata Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Sibanye Gold by 11.8% in the third quarter. Fermata Advisors LLC now owns 13,477 shares of the companys stock worth $151,000 after buying an additional 1,418 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 34.93% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on SBSW. Zacks Research upgraded Sibanye Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 1st. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Sibanye Gold in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Sibanye Gold from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $6.90.

Sibanye Gold Price Performance

NYSE:SBSW traded up $1.00 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $16.14. 7,448,450 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,181,404. The company has a current ratio of 2.89, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Sibanye Gold has a one year low of $3.05 and a one year high of $16.31. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $12.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.35.

Sibanye Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sibanye Gold (NYSE:SBSW) is a precious metals mining company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The companys core operations focus on the extraction, processing and exploration of gold. Through its South African gold mining operations, Sibanye Gold produces dore bars, gold in concentrate and carbon-in-leach product, leveraging both underground and surface mining techniques. The company also generates by-products such as uranium, copper and nickel, reflecting its commitment to maximizing resource recovery.

In addition to its South African footprint, Sibanye Gold has expanded into the platinum?group metals (PGM) sector through its acquisition of Stillwater Mining Company in 2017.

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Last year, Dell turned heads when it changed its tune and ended a generous company policy, frustrating some of its employees nationwide.

In February, Dell CEO Michael Dellsent an email to employees warning them that, starting in March 2025, they would be required to work from the office five days a week due to the rapid pace of innovation in the tech industry. Previously, Dell required employees to work from the office only three days a week.

The pace of innovation has never been faster, and for us to lead, the speed of our business must continue to accelerate, wrote Dell in the memo. What we're finding is that for all the technology in the world, nothing is faster than the speed of human interaction. A thirty second conversation can replace an email back-and-forth that goes on for hours or even days.

He also said that after ordering several teams to return to the office five days a week in 2024, the company has noticed that those employees have come alive with new speed, energy, and passion.

Shortly after the change took effect, Dell employees claimed that enforcement of the new in-office mandate had been inconsistent, causing "lots of in-office politics. Some employees have even opted to leave their desks early to work from home, despite the new mandate.

Ignoring return-to-office (RTO) mandates has become a common trend in corporate America over the past few years, as more companies scale back remote work. A 2024 survey from Resume Builder even found that leaving the office early is the most common way employees rebel against these policies.

How many U.S. workers push back against RTO policies:

Approximately 1 in 5 workers arent following their companys RTO policy, with some faking badge swipes and leaving the office early.

The majority of workers want to be in the office three days or fewer per week.

If companies start to crack down on RTO compliance, 20% of workers said they are very likely to quit, while an addditional 33% are somewhat likely to follow suit.

Source: Resume Builder

While many companies adopted more flexible work-from-home policies during the pandemic, many are now reversing course, requiring employees to return to the office as they reshape their long-term work models, said Stacie Haller, Resume Builder chief career advisor, in a statement.

However, for many employees, remote work has become a non-negotiable part of their professional lives, she added. As companies attempt to reinstate in-office requirements, there has been pushback from workers."

Dell CEO Michael Dell recently ordered employees to return to in-person work full time.NurPhoto/Getty Images  NurPhoto/Getty Images

Dell cracks down on employees violating its in-office policy

As Dell faces pushback from employees over its new in-office policy, the company is reportedly cracking down on this behavior.

Jackie Miller, Dell vice president of North American commercial sales, recently sent an email to enterprise sales employees stating that ignoring the companys RTO policy will not be tolerated, according to a recent report from Business Insider.

"Effective immediately, all onsite-classified sales team members are expected to be in the RR, NV, and OKC offices five days a week for at least eight hours per day," said Miller in the email, which was sent on Nov. 5.

"RR, NV, and OKC" are Dell's headquarters in Round Rock, Texas, and its offices in Nashville and Oklahoma City.

She also stated that "recent site visits" and "end-of-day walkthroughs" conducted by team leaders revealed that employees were not following the companys new in-office policy.

Related: Read the memo Verizon sent to the 13,000 employees it just fired

"I want to reinforce our expectations regarding onsite office presence," she said. "Maintaining a strong in-office presence is essential for fostering collaboration, communication, and productivity, and it is company policy."

Miller reminded employees in the email that they should use personal business allowance or vacation hours to step away from the office.

In response to the email, two Dell employees told Insider that this is the first time managers have enforced the RTO policy since it was first implemented for sales teams in September 2024.

Employees with children were reportedly permitted to leave the office early to pick up their children from school, despite the new policy.

"A lot of parents previously were told they can leave around 2 p.m. to pick up school-age kids and can finish the day at home," said one of the sales employees.

After Millers email was sent, team leaders have allegedly clarified to employees that they are not allowed to leave their desks early to pick up their kids from school.

Related: Michael Dells net worth & salary as Dell CEO

Dell mirrors a growing workplace trend that is frustrating Americans

Dells return to full-time in-person work mirrors its competitors in the tech industry, such as Amazon, Samsung, and AT&T, which have ordered employees to return to working in the office five days a week.

Many Americans nationwide are not happy with the elimination of remote work, with some even claiming that they will quit their job in response to the enforcement of an RTO policy, according to a survey from FlexJobs last year.

How Americans feel about return-to-office policies:

Approximately 53% of U.S. workers say they or someone they know has been required to return to the office in the past year, a significant increase from 23% in 2024.

Additionally, 76% of workers stated that they would seek a new job if remote work were to be eliminated.

Also, 69% of workers would accept a pay cut for remote work, an 11% increase from 2024.

Source: FlexJobs

Low quit rates and trends like job hugging may suggest a workforce that is staying put, but that does not mean workers are not quietly considering a job change, said Toni Frana, a career expert at FlexJobs, in a statement.

As our latest report shows, it comes down to what workers are willing to accept before deciding to job-hop, and most are drawing the line at remote work, she said.

As more U.S. employers shift their stance on remote work, office foot traffic remains below pre-pandemic levels but is slowly recovering.

More Labor:

According to a recent data analysis report from Placer.ai, the average nationwide office visits per working day in November 2025 were 32.9% lower than in November 2019, marking post-pandemic record occupancy.

November 2025 delivered the strongest nationwide office occupancy for any November since 2019, with average visits per working day reaching a five-year high, wrote Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, in the report.

Related: Kroger CEO has a harsh solution to rising prices in stores

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Employment section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAR  Get Free Report)s stock price was up 8.7% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $6.65 and last traded at $6.62. Approximately 719,170 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average daily volume of 2,636,554 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.09.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. National Bankshares increased their target price on Lithium Americas (Argentina) from $4.75 to $6.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Zacks Research raised Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in a research note on Wednesday, December 24th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) from $3.50 to $4.25 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $4.92.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.11 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.64. The business has a 50 day moving average of $4.97 and a 200 day moving average of $3.85.

Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.01). On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Lithium Americas will post -0.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Royal Bank of Canada bought a new stake in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $572,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. acquired a new stake in Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the 1st quarter valued at $9,308,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. bought a new stake in Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the first quarter valued at $1,064,000. Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd acquired a new position in Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the first quarter worth $5,368,000. Finally, Woodline Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the first quarter valued at $3,456,000. Institutional investors own 49.17% of the companys stock.

About Lithium Americas (Argentina)

(Get Free Report)

Lithium Americas (Argentina) is a subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp. focused on the exploration, development and production of lithium brine resources in the Jujuy province of northwest Argentina. The companys principal asset is the Cauchari-Olaroz project, situated within the Lithium Triangle, one of the worlds richest regions for lithium-bearing brines. Through its Argentine operations, Lithium Americas aims to supply battery-grade lithium carbonate critical to electric vehicle and energy-storage markets.

The Cauchari-Olaroz project encompasses concessions on the Salar de Cauchari and Salar de Olaroz salt flats, where detailed drilling programs and pilot?scale evaporation ponds have demonstrated favorable lithium concentrations.

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Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC  Get Free Report) had its price target upped by analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $191.00 to $205.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a market perform rating on the financial services providers stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price objective would suggest a potential upside of 10.46% from the companys current price.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays raised shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $221.00 to $206.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. They set an outperform rating and a $212.00 price objective for the company. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $243.00 to $237.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 17th. TD Cowen cut their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $213.00 to $200.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $223.18.

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Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MMC traded down $1.75 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $185.59. The company had a trading volume of 690,928 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,938,786. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.76. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $182.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $197.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a fifty-two week low of $174.18 and a fifty-two week high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 15.60% and a return on equity of 31.79%. The firm had revenue of $6.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.63 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.22, for a total value of $3,841,015.38. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares in the company, valued at $15,977,231.82. The trade was a 19.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,328,587,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 48,212.9% in the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,629,187 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $574,845,000 after purchasing an additional 2,623,745 shares during the period. Soundwatch Capital LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter worth $560,820,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 212.6% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,285,194 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $499,635,000 after buying an additional 1,554,114 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 89.2% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,892,576 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $615,309,000 after buying an additional 1,363,706 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the companys stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

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Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC) is a global professional services firm headquartered in New York City that provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and people. Founded in 1905, the company has grown into a diversified group of businesses focused on insurance brokerage and risk management, reinsurance, human capital and investment consulting, and management consulting. Its long history and scale position it as a prominent adviser to corporations, governments and other institutions seeking to manage risk and optimize human and financial capital.

The firm operates through several well-known subsidiaries and business units that specialize in distinct services.

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Silgan (NYSE:SLGN  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by equities research analysts at Citigroup from $49.00 to $47.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the industrial products companys stock. Citigroups target price indicates a potential upside of 12.83% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Silgan from $55.00 to $52.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Silgan from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Raymond James Financial set a $53.00 price target on shares of Silgan and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Truist Financial set a $50.00 price objective on shares of Silgan and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Silgan in a report on Monday, December 29th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $55.20.

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Silgan Stock Performance

Shares of SLGN stock traded up $0.12 on Tuesday, hitting $41.66. 232,679 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 621,403. Silgan has a one year low of $36.15 and a one year high of $57.61. The firms 50 day moving average is $39.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $44.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.40 billion, a PE ratio of 14.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68.

Silgan (NYSE:SLGN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.01. Silgan had a net margin of 4.91% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The company had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.94 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.21 earnings per share. Silgans revenue for the quarter was up 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Silgan has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.620-0.72 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 3.660-3.76 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Silgan will post 4.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Silgan

In other Silgan news, CAO Kimberly Irene Ulmer purchased 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $38.11 per share, with a total value of $38,110.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief accounting officer directly owned 105,321 shares in the company, valued at $4,013,783.31. The trade was a 0.96% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Adam J. Greenlee acquired 7,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $38.19 per share, with a total value of $267,330.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 328,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,532,583.16. This trade represents a 2.18% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 1.13% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Silgan

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SLGN. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Silgan by 0.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,927,750 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $383,983,000 after buying an additional 47,196 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Silgan by 31.6% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,597,335 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $326,761,000 after purchasing an additional 1,822,797 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Silgan by 25.8% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,604,993 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $241,071,000 after buying an additional 1,148,044 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Silgan by 6.8% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,740,397 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $160,872,000 after buying an additional 237,589 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp boosted its position in Silgan by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,646,093 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $197,545,000 after buying an additional 23,734 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.25% of the companys stock.

Silgan Company Profile

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Silgan Holdings Inc (NYSE: SLGN) is a leading supplier of rigid packaging solutions for consumer goods manufacturers. The companys core business activities center on the design, production and distribution of metal and plastic containers, closures and dispense systems. Silgan serves a broad array of end markets, including food and beverage, home and personal care, health care and industrial products, providing both standard and custom packaging formats.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, Silgan has grown organically and through strategic acquisitions to establish a global manufacturing footprint.

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Shares of Burberry Group PLC (OTCMKTS:BURBY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $18.55 and last traded at $18.54, with a volume of 13682 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $17.64.

Burberry Group Stock Up 4.6%

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.33.

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About Burberry Group

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Burberry Group plc is a British luxury fashion house renowned for its distinctive designs and iconic outerwear. The companys product portfolio encompasses ready-to-wear clothing, leather goods, handbags, accessories, footwear, fragrances and beauty items. Burberry is particularly famous for its classic trench coat, crafted from its patented gabardine fabric, and the signature checked pattern that has become a global emblem of luxury.

Founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry in Basingstoke, England, the company initially specialized in weatherproof garments and outdoor attire.

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Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $0.99, but opened at $1.05. Kosmos Energy shares last traded at $1.0650, with a volume of 11,726,536 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on KOS shares. Stephens initiated coverage on Kosmos Energy in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $1.75 price objective for the company. Johnson Rice downgraded shares of Kosmos Energy from a buy rating to an accumulate rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $4.50 to $3.50 in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Bank of America restated an underperform rating and issued a $1.00 price target (down from $3.40) on shares of Kosmos Energy in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Mizuho dropped their price target on Kosmos Energy from $2.00 to $1.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of Kosmos Energy from $1.70 to $0.80 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $2.08.

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Kosmos Energy Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $480.72 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.48 and a beta of 0.89. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $1.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.52.

Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The oil and gas producer reported ($0.15) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.13) by ($0.02). Kosmos Energy had a negative net margin of 23.64% and a negative return on equity of 26.28%. The firm had revenue of $310.96 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $360.82 million. Research analysts predict that Kosmos Energy Ltd. will post 0.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kosmos Energy

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KOS. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC grew its position in Kosmos Energy by 34.1% in the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 27,089 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 6,888 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Kosmos Energy by 41.0% during the 3rd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 24,634 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 7,169 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in Kosmos Energy by 53.2% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 24,103 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 8,371 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC boosted its position in Kosmos Energy by 18.8% during the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 57,782 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $99,000 after buying an additional 9,159 shares during the period. Finally, Park Avenue Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Kosmos Energy by 43.4% during the second quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 39,364 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $68,000 after buying an additional 11,916 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.33% of the companys stock.

About Kosmos Energy

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Kosmos Energy Ltd. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Since its founding in 2003, the company has focused on identifying and developing hydrocarbon reserves in frontier and emerging basins around the world. Kosmos combines geological and geophysical expertise with a disciplined approach to acreage acquisition and partner selection to pursue high?impact offshore exploration opportunities.

The companys portfolio is anchored by assets in West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.

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UnitedHealth Group, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Alumis are the five Medical stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Medical stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is developing, manufacturing, or delivering medical products and services  including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. Investors treat them as a distinct sector because they face regulatory and clinical-trial risk, patent and reimbursement dynamics, and often exhibit higher volatility but the potential for strong growth tied to successful therapies and technologies. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Medical stocks within the last several days.

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UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

Read Our Latest Research Report on LLY

Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

Read Our Latest Research Report on NVO

Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Alumis (ALMS)

Our mission is to significantly improve the lives of patients by replacing broad immunosuppression with targeted therapies. Our name, Alumis, captures our mission to enlighten immunology, and is inspired by the words allumer-French for illuminate-and immunis-Latin for the immune system. We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with an initial focus on developing our two Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors: ESK-001, a second-generation inhibitor that we are developing to maximize target inhibition and optimize tolerability, and A-005, a central nervous system (CNS) penetrant molecule.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ALMS

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Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO  Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $37.82 and last traded at $37.8180, with a volume of 646591 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $36.42.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on EGO shares. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Eldorado Gold from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Eldorado Gold in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. CIBC increased their price objective on shares of Eldorado Gold from $32.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Eldorado Gold from $25.50 to $33.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $31.20.

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Eldorado Gold Stock Up 3.0%

The company has a quick ratio of 2.28, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.90, a PEG ratio of 0.18 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $31.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $26.67.

Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO  Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $436.44 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $422.25 million. Eldorado Gold had a net margin of 22.15% and a return on equity of 8.89%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Eldorado Gold Corporation will post 1.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Eldorado Gold

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Eldorado Gold during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Eldorado Gold in the second quarter worth $32,000. Wexford Capital LP purchased a new position in Eldorado Gold during the third quarter worth $37,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. increased its position in Eldorado Gold by 35.4% during the second quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 2,247 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 587 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of Eldorado Gold in the 2nd quarter worth about $58,000. 69.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Eldorado Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Eldorado Gold Corporation is a Canada?based gold producer engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of mineral properties. The companys core focus is on gold, silver and select base metals, with an emphasis on advancing projects through feasibility and into production. Eldorado Gold maintains a diversified portfolio of both producing mines and advanced?stage development projects.

Operationally, Eldorado Gold manages multiple gold mining operations across Turkey, Canada and Greece.

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Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont, Barrick Mining, Hecla Mining, First Majestic Silver, Coeur Mining, and Pan American Silver are the seven Gold stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Gold stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is finding, mining, processing, or holding gold (this category also includes royalty/streaming companies and some funds that own physical gold). For investors, they provide equity exposure to movements in the price of goldoften amplifying bullions gains and losseswhile also carrying company-specific risks such as operational, geopolitical, cost and management factors. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Gold stocks within the last several days.

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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

Newmont (NEM)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana.

Read Our Latest Research Report on NEM

Barrick Mining (B)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

Read Our Latest Research Report on B

Hecla Mining (HL)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HL

First Majestic Silver (AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of mineral properties with a focus on silver and gold production in North America. Its projects include the San Dimas mine covering an area of approximately 71,867 hectares located in Durango State, Mexico; the Santa Elena that covers an area of approximately 102,244 hectares located in Sonora State, Mexico; and the La Encantada covering an area of approximately 4,076 hectares located in Coahuila State, Mexico.

Read Our Latest Research Report on AG

Coeur Mining (CDE)

Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CDE

Pan American Silver (PAAS)

Pan American Silver Corp. engages in the exploration, mine development, extraction, processing, refining, and reclamation of silver, gold, zinc, lead, and copper mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. The company was formerly known as Pan American Minerals Corp. and changed its name to Pan American Silver Corp.

Read Our Latest Research Report on PAAS

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Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BFH  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $80.21 and last traded at $79.8850, with a volume of 307737 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $76.30.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Bread Financial from $82.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Evercore ISI set a $81.00 target price on shares of Bread Financial in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley set a $57.00 price target on Bread Financial and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating and issued a $72.00 price objective on shares of Bread Financial in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an underweight rating and issued a $61.00 price objective (up from $52.00) on shares of Bread Financial in a research report on Tuesday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $75.18.

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Bread Financial Stock Performance

The companys fifty day simple moving average is $69.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $63.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.15, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.27.

Bread Financial (NYSE:BFH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $4.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.11 by $1.91. The company had revenue of $1.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $974.30 million. Bread Financial had a return on equity of 15.97% and a net margin of 10.08%.The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.83 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current year.

Bread Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This is a positive change from Bread Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Bread Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.37%.

Bread Financial announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, October 23rd that permits the company to buyback $200.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bread Financial

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BFH. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its stake in Bread Financial by 141.2% in the 3rd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 562 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP grew its position in shares of Bread Financial by 947.5% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 639 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 578 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bread Financial by 127.2% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 711 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 398 shares during the period. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Bread Financial in the second quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Bread Financial by 8,300.0% in the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 840 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 830 shares during the period. 99.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Bread Financial Company Profile

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Bread Financial, formerly known as Alliance Data Systems, is a Columbus, Ohiobased financial services company that specializes in providing private label credit programs, co-brand credit cards and digital payment solutions for retail partners. The company designs, issues and services proprietary credit products, enabling merchants to offer branded financing options that drive customer loyalty and increase basket sizes at the point of sale. Through its Bread technology platform, Bread Financial delivers installment-based payment options that integrate directly into e-commerce and in-store checkout experiences.

In addition to its core credit offerings, Bread Financial provides analytics, marketing and loyalty services to help merchants better understand consumer behavior and optimize promotional strategies.

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Taseko Mines Limited (LON:TKO  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 460 and last traded at GBX 460, with a volume of 12348 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 435.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group raised their target price on shares of Taseko Mines from GBX 330 to GBX 390 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Taseko Mines currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 390.

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Taseko Mines Price Performance

About Taseko Mines

The company has a market cap of 1.66 billion, a P/E ratio of -24.21 and a beta of 1.92. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 371.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 299.35.

(Get Free Report)

Taseko Mines is a dynamic and growing mining company focused on the operation and development of copper mines in North America.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Taseko operates the state-of-the-art Gibraltar Mine (100% owned), the second largest copper mine in Canada, with a nearly 700-person workforce producing an average of 140 million pounds of copper and 2.5 million pounds of molybdenum per year.

In addition to the Yellowhead copper project and the Aley niobium project, Taseko is also advancing the Florence Copper project in Arizona  a near-term copper producer with an unparalleled energy, water and GHG profile per unit of production.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling on Florida's congressional delegation to back U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Lunas efforts to pass the Restore Trust in Congress Act, which would ban members of Congress from stock trading.

DeSantis also said he hoped the Florida Legislature would pass a law to require state qualifying papers to indicate whether congressional candidates would trade stocks while in office.

At an appearance with Luna in Clearwater, DeSantis said its really odd how some people get elected and suddenly put some of the biggest hedge funds in America to shame with their success in trading stocks.

Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference with Speaker of the House Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. DeSantis signed anti-illegal immigration legislation then took questions from the media.

If you buy a stock and it goes up 400% like in a month  that's a once in a lifetime investment. And yet, these guys seem to be doing this quite frequently, DeSantis said about reports of lawmakers' Wall Street successes.

DeSantis singled out former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as an example. Pelosis stock portfolio, managed by her husband, has outperformed the S&P 500 and top investors like Warren Buffett since she was first elected to Congress in 1987.

DeSantis said such examples exist in both parties and, given some elected officials access to nonpublic information, it looks bad.

Luna has been seeking to bypass House leadership by gathering the signatures of 218 members on a discharge petition, which would release the bill for a vote by the full House.

Meantime, DeSantis seeks to address insider trading by Florida's congressional members.

He has encouraged the Florida Legislature to approve a measure that adds a box to congressional qualifying paperwork for candidates to affirm they will not engage in stock trading while in office.

Its within our power to do that. We wouldnt be able to do anything more, DeSantis said, adding it is up to the voters to hold officials responsible when they lie on official forms.

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, speaks during AmericaFest in Phoenix on Dec. 20, 2025.

No proposal has yet to be filed for the 2026 legislative session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 13.

It is already illegal for members of Congress to trade on inside information, but the law is rarely enforced.

The problem gained renewed interest when a group of lawmakers made a series of trades in 2020 at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump talks with moderator U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, right, at a town hall at the Crown Arena on Friday, October. 4, 2024.

Earlier this year, too, some lawmakers purchased stocks just before President Donald Trump paused a series of tariffs.
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 4.3% during trading on Tuesday after Citigroup lowered their price target on the stock from $185.00 to $179.00. Citigroup currently has a buy rating on the stock. Chevron traded as low as $156.11 and last traded at $156.8240. 20,287,590 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 2% from the average session volume of 20,743,199 shares. The stock had previously closed at $163.85.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Chevron in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Chevron from $160.00 to $158.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Chevron from $190.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Scotiabank upped their price target on Chevron from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Chevron from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $166.90.

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Insider Activity

More Chevron News

In other news, Director John B. Hess sold 275,000 shares of Chevron stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total value of $41,456,250.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,128,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at $170,052,783.75. The trade was a 19.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Company insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock.

Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week:

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CVX. Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Chevron by 197.7% during the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 217 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the period. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. acquired a new position in Chevron during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in Chevron by 86.1% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 255 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the period. IMG Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Chevron by 52.3% during the 2nd quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 265 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chevron in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 72.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Chevron Stock Down 4.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $315.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.06, a PEG ratio of 9.76 and a beta of 0.70. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $152.05 and a 200 day moving average price of $153.20.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $48.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $46.99 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 6.57%.Chevrons revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.48 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chevron Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were given a dividend of $1.71 per share. This represents a $6.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 18th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is presently 96.20%.

About Chevron

(Get Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

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Finance of America Companies Inc. (NYSE:FOA  Get Free Report) President Kristen Sieffert sold 750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.18, for a total value of $18,135.00. Following the transaction, the president owned 80,299 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,941,629.82. This represents a 0.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Finance of America Companies Stock Performance

Finance of America Companies stock traded down $0.29 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $22.56. 192,055 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 179,352. The company has a quick ratio of 2.64, a current ratio of 2.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 51.28. Finance of America Companies Inc. has a one year low of $16.58 and a one year high of $32.40. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $23.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.79. The company has a market cap of $178.01 million, a PE ratio of -8.48 and a beta of 1.62.

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Finance of America Companies (NYSE:FOA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 18th. The company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter. On average, equities analysts forecast that Finance of America Companies Inc. will post 0.75 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Finance of America Companies

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its position in Finance of America Companies by 183.9% in the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,269 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 822 shares during the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey bought a new stake in shares of Finance of America Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Finance of America Companies in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI grew its holdings in shares of Finance of America Companies by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 28,500 shares of the companys stock worth $639,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Finance of America Companies by 4,270.8% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,098 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 2,050 shares during the period. 97.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

FOA has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Finance of America Companies in a report on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group set a $29.50 price target on Finance of America Companies and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $29.75.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FOA

About Finance of America Companies

(Get Free Report)

Finance of America Companies (NYSE: FOA) is a diversified nonbank financial services firm specializing in mortgage and insurance products for consumers. The company operates across multiple business segments, delivering home financing solutions, retirement products and specialized lending services through a blend of digital and traditional distribution channels.

In its mortgage segment, FOA originates and purchases a range of home loans including purchase, refinance, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

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Desmond Ricks spent 25 years in prison for a murder he didnt commit before his conviction was overturned and he was released.

Following his exoneration, Ricks received more than $1 million under Michigans Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act. The law, which took effect in 2017, pays roughly $50,000 for each year someone is wrongfully incarcerated. The compensation is intended to acknowledge what exonerees lose while behind bars.

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Ricks is one of 77 exonerees who have received compensation under the law as of July 2024. In total, Michigan has awarded nearly $52 million through these claims (1). But his attorney says no dollar amount could come close to repairing the damage.

Desmond Ricks endured the worst harm and suffering you can imagine," his lawyer, Wolf Muller, told WXYZ Detroit (2). 25 years in a cage for a crime he didnt commit. The compensation under the state, a million and a quarter, doesnt come close to the harm he suffered.

Now, the State of Michigan is asking Ricks to return that money. Heres why.

Why the state is clawing the money back

The order requiring Ricks to repay his state compensation stems from a ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals, following a separate civil settlement tied to his wrongful conviction.

That settlement came from the City of Detroit, which agreed to pay Ricks $7.5 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging police misconduct. Ricks claimed officers switched bullet evidence to frame him for the 1992 murder (3).

The case was reopened in 2016 after the Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School uncovered new evidence. Tests showed the bullets recovered from the victim, Gerry Bennett, did not match the .38-caliber gun prosecutors had identified as the murder weapon.

Under Michigan law, exonerees must repay compensation received through the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act if they later recover damages from a third party tied to the same conviction. This process, known as a clawback, allows the state to reclaim money it has already paid (4).

Outside wrongful-conviction cases, clawbacks are more commonly used in corporate and financial settings, such as recouping executive bonuses after misconduct or recovering improperly paid government benefits.
A man in his 30's has been charged in connection with the fatal assault of Donegal businessman Stephen Cahill, and is due to appear before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court later this afternoon, Tuesday January 6, 2026, after 4pm.

Stephen McCahill, who was named Rehab Donegal Person of the Year in 2006 and January 2017, and Donegal Person of the Year for 2016, died in a fatal assault in the early hours of Monday morning.

READ NEXT: 'I have lost a true friend' - Tributes paid to Irish businessman killed following brutal assault

At approximately 3:50am on Monday morning, Gardai and emergency services were alerted to an assault at a domestic residence outside the town. Stephen was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.

Irish musician Imelda May has paid a heartfelt tribute to Stephen, who had affectionately become known as Mr Adara, along with many others in the community who are feeling the immense impact of Stephen's death.

In an emotional post, Imelda May said: "Heartbroken to hear of the tragic and sudden death of the very special Stephen McCahill, owner of the wonderful Corner House Bar, and the glue to a whole community of Ardara," she posted.

READ NEXT: Irish travellers warned as several flights cancelled at Dublin Airport amid weather issues

"He was a great friend to my brother Brendan and sister-in-law Josephine, as he was to so many. I was happy to see him again just Saturday night, when we took this picture at the door, where he encouraged live music and joy and had his big smile and hugs ready as the night went along. Even offering people a lift home.

"Im putting this post up not just as a thank you to him but so people can send messages so his family can see all the love being sent their way at this awful time. Much love to his family, friends, all of Ardara and the wider Donegal community and all wholl miss him. Imelda XXX."

Donegals 1992 All-Ireland winning captain and Donegal County Councillor Anthony Molloy described Stephen, a 66-year old married father of two, who escorted him and Sam Maguire throughout the county and beyond, as a true friend and loyal confidant.

READ NEXT: Irish weather experts give grim forecast for weekend as Storm Goretti named

Our community has lost its driving force for development and advancement. Stephen devoted his entire life to improving the Ardara area, and the South West of Donegal in general, said Cllr Molloy.

For me personally, I have lost a true friend and loyal confidant who has been at my side since 1992, when he guided me through the aftermath of winning the All-Ireland. Time and time again, I would call on Stephen to assist me in speech writing or public events, and true to form, he would never let you down  he was always there.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. Company registration in Azerbaijan is one of the first and most important steps in starting a business in the country. Official registration gives the company legal status and allows the entrepreneur to conduct business legally and transparently. Azerbaijan has been recognized as a favorable environment for starting a business in recent years. The fact that the country is rated as the 9th best business environment in the world in the World Bank's Doing Business report is proof of this. For this reason, official company registration in the country is attractive and of strategic importance for investors.

Company registration in Azerbaijan also creates attractive opportunities for foreign investors. The article will provide information about the registration process, its legal and practical requirements, advantages and additional procedures for foreign citizens (TIN, bank account, legal address, residence permit). In addition, extensive information will be provided about the tax system and accounting in Azerbaijan, as well as the services provided by Accounting.Az in the field of company registration.

The importance and main stages of company registration

Official registration of a company provides the entrepreneur with limited liability and wide opportunities. Compared to operating as an individual entrepreneur, a registered company can operate in a wider range of areas, conclude official contracts and attract investment. Company registration procedures in Azerbaijan are quite simple, the economy is stable and open to foreign investment. The company registration process in Azerbaijan is usually completed in a short time and includes the following main steps:

Looking to start a company in Azerbaijan? Contact us today and get a free consultation!

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 E-mail: [email protected]

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1. Selection of legal form and name: The legal form of the company is determined (for example, LLC - limited liability company is the most preferred form). There is no minimum authorized capital (usually 10 AZN) required for each LLC form. Then, the uniqueness and compatibility of the chosen name is checked in the company registry and search system.

2. License and founder requirements: To operate in specific areas (e.g. banking, telecommunications, financial services), it is necessary to obtain an appropriate license. The company's founders' ID cards or passports, the founding resolution, the charter and other documents must be submitted. For foreign founders, the documents must be certified with an apostille and translated into Azerbaijani.

3. Documents: Constituent documents (application form, charter, etc.) are drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the legislation. In the case of documents from foreign organizations, an apostille or notary certification may be required. The main documents required for registration include the founding agreement (charter), the founding resolution, copies of the founders' ID cards, a certificate of legal address, a document on the opening of a bank account, if any, a receipt for payment of state duty.

4. Application and state registration: The prepared documents are submitted to the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy (manually or online). Registration confirmation is usually received within 2-3 business days and the company is assigned a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number). Using electronic systems reduces time loss and speeds up the process.

Features of the Procedure for Foreign Citizens

The registration procedure in Azerbaijan is also open to foreign citizens. That is why investors can take advantage of the following opportunities:

1) The legislation in Azerbaijan allows foreigners to establish a company with 100% shares. This means that the entrepreneur can conduct business without a local partner.

2) When documents of foreign founders are brought from abroad, they must be certified with an apostille and officially translated into Azerbaijani. The Accounting.Az team will help you with these procedures.

3) It is possible to obtain a work visa in Azerbaijan; after opening a business, you can apply for a TRP  temporary residence permit in Azerbaijan  based on the investor's authority. Accounting.Az provides full support in the preparation and execution of visa documents.

Do you need TRP in Azerbaijan? Contact us now and get a free consultation!

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4) Azerbaijan offers an open economy and a stable business environment. There are preferential tax regimes, special economic zones and entrepreneurship incentive packages for foreign investors.

5) After the company registration is completed, there are additional steps that are necessary for the continuation of the business. During company registration, the Ministry of Taxes automatically assigns a TIN (taxable person number). With this number, the company submits tax reports and conducts banking transactions.

6) After registration, it is necessary to open an account for the company in Azerbaijani banks. For this, constituent documents, TIN, copies of passports of the founders and a certificate of legal address are submitted.

7) Each company must have a permanent legal address for registration. If necessary, Accounting.Az will assist in finding a legal address.

Tax System and Accounting in Azerbaijan

The profit tax rate for legal entities in business activities in Azerbaijan is 20%. There is a simplified tax regime for small-income entrepreneurs; a simplified tax of up to 2% may be applied depending on the volume of income. The standard VAT rate is 18%. VAT is paid for most goods and services. Tax exemptions or preferential rates may be applied to some goods. Income earned by individuals is taxed depending on whether it is from the oil and gas sector or the private sector. Employers also pay social insurance contributions in addition to wages. Companies must maintain accounting records, prepare annual and periodic financial reports and submit them to the relevant authorities for the correct calculation of taxes.

Accounting.Az  A reliable partner for your business

Professional support is also very important in the process of founding and managing a company. Accounting.Az is a reliable partner for entrepreneurs and companies in this area. This consulting company provides such important services as company registration in Azerbaijan, obtaining temporary residence permits for foreigners, accounting, tax and business consulting. Thanks to its team of experts, clients can focus on business development without wasting time on documentation. Accounting.Az provides reliable support at every stage of entrepreneurial activity with its extensive experience in corporate law and finance. With all these services, Accounting.Az is an indispensable partner for those who want to start a new business in Azerbaijan. Consequently, the correct implementation of the company registration process in Azerbaijan with professional support is one of the right steps taken for the future sustainable development of your business.

 Contact information:

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 E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.accounting.az
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The program of executive cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the fields of science and education, culture and arts, youth and sports, archaeology, health care, and media for 2025-2027 has been approved, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed the relevant decree.

The decree approves the Program of Executive Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for 2025-2027, which covers areas including science, education, culture, arts, youth, sports, archaeology, healthcare, and media. This agreement, signed in Baku on November 27, 2025, is now officially endorsed.

Upon the program's adoption, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan is tasked with ensuring the implementation of its provisions.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is responsible for informing the Government of Jordan once the necessary internal procedures for the programs entry into force are completed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The beginning of 2026 allows us to view our victory in Karabakh not in terms of emotions or the current political situation, but in the context of historical outcomes. This is not simply a matter of military success or the restoration of territorial integrity, but a rare case of absolute and complete victory, brought to a political, diplomatic, and internationally recognized conclusion.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed this directly in an interview with Azerbaijani television channels on January 5. Reflecting on the events of 2025, he highlighted that, from a political perspective, the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan was conclusively brought to an end last year.

We have been living in peace for several months now. We are learning what it is like to live in peace since after gaining independence, and even before that, the people and the state of Azerbaijan lived in a state of war, the head of state said.

What is crucial here is not merely the fact of a ceasefire, but the completeness of the outcome. The Second Karabakh War, the subsequent anti-terrorist operation, and the political decisions of 2025 form a single, logically completed chain. The victory achieved on the battlefield was consolidated in the political sphere, as the head of state underlined, in the number one office in the world, which became one of the most significant events in the entire history of independent Azerbaijan.

The thoroughness of the outcome sets the Karabakh case apart from most conflicts of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Since World War II, the international system has repeatedly encountered situations in which military superiority and actual territorial control failed to secure international recognition of a conflicts results. The Korean War, for instance, concluded not with a peace treaty but with an armistice, freezing the peninsulas division and creating one of the worlds most volatile lines of tension. In Cyprus, the conflict produced a de facto reality that has remained unrecognized under international law for decades, fostering chronic instability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Likewise, the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation, despite multiple military and political phases, has never reached a final settlement, becoming a persistent source of regional crises. Numerous similar examples exist across modern history, from the Balkans to Africa.

A defining feature of these conflicts has been their incompleteness: either the military victory was not recognized, the political solution failed to reflect the real balance of power, or external actors deliberately maintained managed uncertainty instead of securing a final resolution. The result was frozen conflicts, competing claims of legitimacy, constant risks of escalation, and, ultimately, prolonged suffering for entire populations.

In contrast, the victory in Karabakh stands out as a rare exception. Azerbaijan not only reestablished control over its territories but also achieved full recognition of the new reality by the international community, including leading states and major international institutions. Today, Azerbaijans sovereignty over the liberated territories is unambiguously acknowledged by key global powers, the United States, the European Union and its major members, Russia, China, as well as influential regional actors. This broad international consensus is critically important, as it decisively distinguishes Azerbaijans Karabakh victory from most post-war conflicts, where battlefield gains often remained contested or ignored.

As President Ilham Aliyev recalled in the same interview, during the period of activity of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Azerbaijan was persistently urged to accept the realities on the ground, while resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and norms of international law were ignored.

And all my arguments about Security Council resolutions, international law, and violations of international law were met again with a kind of wall of silence. So, realities on the ground. I said, okay, we will change the realities on the ground. So we did it, and now the whole world recognizes it, the head of state noted.

A particularly striking aspect of this story is the reassessment of the role of international law. In the interview, President Ilham Aliyev described the existing system as outdated and ill-equipped to address modern challenges. For decades, international resolutions, principles, and declarations offered little support to Azerbaijan, while appeals to territorial integrity and United Nations Security Council decisions, in his words, repeatedly struck a wall of silence. Meanwhile, the principle of self-determination was often misused to justify aggressive separatism, in direct contradiction to fundamental norms of international law.

It was in this context that the formula of realities on the ground acquired a fundamentally different meaning for Azerbaijan. What had previously been imposed on Baku as an argument against its legitimate demands was transformed into an instrument for restoring justice.

Through decisive action, President Ilham Aliyev changed the reality on the ground and, in doing so, compelled the world to recognize it.

This serves as a powerful example of how a state, even without superpower status but armed with political will, military capability, and economic resources, can actively shape the international environment rather than remain a passive observer.

Equally significant are the domestic effects of this achieved peace. According to the head of state, even the first months of life without war have already yielded tangible results: stronger confidence in stability and security, a positive shift in public sentiment, and expanding economic opportunities. This highlights a crucial distinction between a complete victory and a semi-victory: here, peace is not merely declarative; it is practical, working to strengthen the state and improve the lives of society.

Ultimately, the victory in Karabakh is an example of how peace is only possible for the strong, and that it is precisely strength, exercised responsibly and translated into political results, that can put an end to protracted conflicts. In a world where so many wars have remained unfinished since World War II, Azerbaijan's experience stands out as a rare but telling precedent. This is precisely the historical significance of the victory achieved by President Ilham Aliyevnot only for Azerbaijan, but for the entire system of modern international relations.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. As part of her visit to Muscat, Leyla Aliyeva visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Trend reports.

The mosque, built on the initiative of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and opened in 2001, is known as one of the most magnificent religious and architectural monuments in the country. The mosque, which can accommodate approximately 20,000 worshippers, has become an architectural symbol of Muscat.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. Turkish exports and imports calculated under the Special Trade System showed growth during the first 11 months of 2025, Trend reports, citing data from Turkish Statistical Institute.

In comparison with the same period in 2024, export value in January-November 2025 rose by 3.9%, reaching $224.632 billion. Meanwhile, the imports amounted for $310.283 billion, which is 6.6% higher than the indicators of January-November 2024.

In addition, foreign trade deficit increased by 14.7%, and accounted for $85.651 billion.

The data for November 2025 alone reveals that there was a slight increase in exports (+0.4%), being a total of $20.630 billion, while import value rose by 3.6% (a total of $29.491 billion).

Because imports expanded at a significantly higher pace than exports, the gap between the two widened. As a result, the foreign trade deficit increased by 12%, reaching $8.861 billion in November 2025.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has released the official exchange rates for foreign currencies as of January 6, Trend reports.

According to the CBI's announced rates, the value of 1 currency went up, while 44 currencies fell compared to January 5.

The official rate for $1 is 980,866 rials, while one euro is valued at 1,149,087 rials. On January 5 the euro was priced at 1,158,511 rials.

Currency Rial on January 6 Rial on January 5 1 US dollar USD 980,866 988,262 1 British pound GBP 1,326,555 1,330,254 1 Swiss franc CHF 1,237,689 1,247,592 1 Swedish krona SEK 106,794 107,239 1 Norwegian krone NOK 97,763 98,186 1 Danish krone DKK 153,800 155,060 1 Indian rupee INR 10,871 10,980 1 UAE Dirham AED 267,084 269,098 1 Kuwaiti dinar KWD 3,192,993 3,212,155 100 Pakistani rupees PKR 350,026 352,974 100 Japanese yen JPY 627,363 630,107 1 Hong Kong dollar HKD 125,996 126,843 1 Omani rial OMR 2,549,157 2,567,720 1 Canadian dollar CAD 712,932 719,750 1 New Zealand dollar NZD 567,737 570,136 1 South African rand ZAR 59,957 59,915 1 Turkish lira TRY 22,795 22,966 1 Russian ruble RUB 12,127 12,343 1 Qatari riyal QAR 269,469 271,501 100 Iraqi dinars IQD 74,834 75,417 1 Syrian pound SYP 89 89 1 Australian dollar AUD 658,863 661,410 1 Saudi riyal SAR 261,564 263,537 1 Bahraini dinar BHD 2,608,686 2,628,356 1 Singapore dollar SGD 764,198 768,291 100 Bangladeshi takas BDT 801,910 808,311 10 Sri Lankan rupees LKR 31,640 31,946 1 Myanmar kyat MMK 467 471 100 Nepalese rupees NPR 679,110 685,899 1 Libyan dinar LYD 180,840 182,392 1 Chinese yuan CNY 140,310 141,392 100 Thai baht THB 3,135,101 3,136,870 1 Malaysian ringgit MYR 240,875 243,762 1,000 South Korean won KRW 678,745 684,994 1 Jordanian dinar JOD 1,383,450 1,393,882 1 euro EUR 1,149,087 1,158,511 100 Kazakh tenge KZT 191,246 195,099 1 Georgian lari GEL 330,258 367,307 1,000 Indonesian rupiahs IDR 58,557 59,134 1 Afghan afghani AFN 14,843 14,992 1 Belarusian ruble BYN 330,258 336,736 1 Azerbaijani manat AZN 576,980 580,744 100 Philippine pesos PHP 1,660,046 1,680,045 1 Tajik somoni TJS 106,069 106,878 1 Turkmen manat TMT 280,493 282,361 Venezuelan bolivar VES 3,243 3,263

The CBI adopted the SANA system for currency exchange offices, where one euro costs 1,549,431 rials and $1 costs 1,322,602 rials.

NIMA represents a strategic framework for the monetization of a designated fraction of foreign currency accrued through export activities.

The price of one euro in this system amounted to 1,504,303 rials, and the price of $1 totaled 1,284,080 rials.

On the black market, $1 is worth about 1.41-1.44 million rials, while one euro is worth 1.66-1.69 million rials.

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Quick Read

Commercial aerospace recovery drives sector performance more than defense spending alone.

GE Aerospace performance is critical given its weight in DFENs concentrated holdings.

DFENs 3x leverage amplifies volatility from holdings like Rocket Lab which has a beta above 2.

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The Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (NYSEARCA:DFEN) is a leveraged ETF designed to amplify daily moves in the aerospace and defense sector by 3x. These products typically suffer from volatility drag that erodes long-term returns, though sustained directional momentum with minimal choppiness can lead to strong performance periods.

The Commercial Aerospace Surprise

The biggest macro factor driving potential gains in aerospace and defense isn't just defense spendingit's commercial aerospace recovery. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE), a major holding in the sector, has benefited as airline fleet renewal accelerated. RTX (NYSE:RTX) has also participated in the commercial aviation recovery. Traditional defense contractors like Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) have shown different performance patterns.

That performance dispersion tells the story: commercial aviation has been a key driver, not just military contracts. Going forward, watch global aircraft delivery schedules and airline capital expenditure plans. Boeing (NYSE:BA), a significant aerospace player, remains critical. Any production delays or quality issues will impact the sector given DFEN's 3x leverage. Monitor monthly delivery reports from Boeing and Airbus, typically released in the first week of each month.

For 2026, industry forecasters expect continued strength. Fitch Ratings projects record backlogs will grow further as frontline countries push defense spending toward 3.5% of GDP by decade's end. The real opportunity may be in aftermarket maintenance, which Aviation Week projects will grow at 3.2% annually through 2035.

Leverage Mechanics and Concentration Risk

DFEN's structure creates specific risks. Leveraged ETFs actively adjust holdings to maintain their target exposure, generating trading costs that compound over time.

Watch GE's continued performance. As a major aerospace company, GE's volatility becomes magnified through DFEN's leverage. Check the fund's monthly fact sheet on Direxion's website to monitor changes in top holdings concentration.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 6. Uzbekistan and Pakistan have discussed current issues of their strategic partnership and identified priority areas for further cooperation, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

The discussion took place during a meeting between First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhromjon Aloyev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to Uzbekistan Ahmed Farooq.

The parties reviewed the current state of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade and economic, as well as cultural and humanitarian spheres. Special emphasis was placed on the itinerary of forthcoming collaborative visits and events at multiple tiers.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan reached nearly $450 million from January through October 2025, with Uzbekistans exports accounting for about $320 million, highlighting the growing momentum in economic ties between the two countries.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 6. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov ordered stricter control over settlements between agricultural producers and service enterprises, timely harvesting operations, uninterrupted utility supplies, and the implementation of regional construction projects, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen government.

The instructions were voiced at a working meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Tangryguly Atahallyev and regional governors (hakims), which focused on the development of the agro-industrial sector and the progress of work in the regions.

The president instructed them to oversee settlements related to the 2024-2025 cotton harvest and the 2025-2026 wheat harvest and ensure timely sugar beet harvesting in the Mary region.

Last month, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov reviewed a report on key indicators of the countrys agricultural sector. During a Cabinet of Ministers meeting on the results of the sector for January-November 2025, it was reported that overall agricultural production reached 114.4% compared to the same period of 2024.

According to the data presented, the Ministry of Agriculture achieved 102.7%, the Ministry of Environment 100.4%, the State Water Management Committee 136.1%, Turkmenpagta 127%, Turkmengallaonumleri 102.8%, Turkmenobahyzmat 101.3%, the food industry 111.2%, the livestock and poultry sector 103.6%, and the Turkmen Horses Association 100.4%. Investment implementation exceeded planned targets by 274.5%.

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Azerbaijan estimates Japanese investments in its economy for 9M2025

Foreign direct investments (FDI) from Japan to Azerbaijan have seen a slight decline in the first nine months of last year compared to the same period in the preceding year. Japan's share in Azerbaijan's total FDI remained relatively steady over the reporting timeframe.

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Photo: Press Service of the Lower House of the Supreme Parliament of Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 6. Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia discussed prospects for bilateral investment cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the Lower House of the Supreme Parliament.

This issue was discussed during a meeting between Faizali Idizoda, Speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower house of the Supreme Assembly) of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Speaker Faizali Idizoda emphasized Tajikistans substantial economic potential, its favorable investment climate, and the ongoing government-led reforms within the investment sector. He underscored that strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aligns with the mutual interests of both nations.

During the meeting, the sides deliberated on the current state and prospects of bilateral investment cooperation. Special focus was given to enhancing trade and economic relations, as well as to the implementation of joint projects.

The Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia expressed his country's willingness to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including energy, industry, agriculture, and other vital areas of the economy.

Concluding the discussion, Faizali Idizoda noted, "We are committed to advancing investment relations between our countries and view it as crucial to exchange expertise, maintain an ongoing dialogue, facilitate official visits, activate the work of friendship groups, foster inter-parliamentary cooperation, and actively participate in each others relevant events."
Azerbaijan weighs Austrian investments in its economy for 9M2025

Austria's foreign direct investments (FDI) in Azerbaijan decreased in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the previous year. Austria's share of total FDI in Azerbaijan was relatively small, while Azerbaijan's investments in Austria also saw a significant drop. Azerbaijani investments in Austria made up a small portion of the overall FDI volume.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 6. Uzbekistan and Israel discussed key issues of their strategic partnership, as well as prospects for further development of bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Bakhromjon Aloev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Gideon Lustig, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Uzbekistan.

Particular attention was paid to expanding political dialogue, strengthening partnership in the trade and economic sphere, and advancing joint projects in culture, education, and humanitarian cooperation.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The Iranian government must take into account opinions of citizens in various fields and address their problems instead of confronting them, President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian said, Trend reports.

He made the statement at the National Conference on the Status of Islamic Councils and Public Participation in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran.

According to him, the governors of Iranian provinces have been instructed to continuously conduct dialogue with manufacturers, businessmen, traders, and the population. This is also the duty of local executive representatives, and the government will monitor the implementation of this process.

Pezeshkian noted that the Iranian government is trying to eliminate problems that are hindered by law and order with its authority and power.

The Iranian president added that every person facing a problem has the right to have his say. If every responsible person doesn't use his authority to solve the problem, he should be held accountable and prosecuted.

"If the realities in all areas of the country are not taken into account, the country will be dragged into crisis. It is necessary to identify potentials, limitations, and threats. We must evaluate ourselves and then our environment," he pointed out.

Due to the recent sharp loss of value of the Iranian currency against foreign currencies, traders in Iran have been holding protests since December 29. The protesters are demanding serious steps to stabilize the value of the currency and the economic situation.

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Elon Musk didn't say we're getting close. He said we're already there.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO on Sunday replied to two separate posts on X with one unmistakable claim: "We have entered the Singularity." Hours later, he followed it up with a second post: "2026 is the year of the Singularity." Both were in response to engineers marveling at what AI tools can now docranking out years of work in weeks and reshaping how software is built.

We have entered the Singularity

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That phrase"the Singularity"isn't something Musk tossed in for flair. It's a long-standing concept in tech and science fiction that refers to the moment when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence and begins improving itself. Once that happens, the idea goes, the pace of innovation explodes beyond human control. At that point, the future becomes less a straight line and more a rocketfast, unpredictable, and fundamentally altered.

The idea dates back to the 1950s, when mathematician John von Neumann suggested technology was accelerating so quickly it could trigger a fundamental transformation in society. His colleague, Stanislaw Ulam, described it as a "singularity."

Science fiction writer Vernor Vinge later expanded on the idea in the 1980s and 90s, predicting that once machines became smarter than humans, we'd lose the ability to meaningfully forecast what happens next.

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Ray Kurzweil pushed the conversation further into the mainstream with his 2005 book "The Singularity Is Near," estimating it could happen around 2045.

Musk isn't putting it decades away. He's saying it's already here.

The context behind his comments matters. One user wrote about completing more coding projects over Christmas break than in the last ten years. Another described former OpenAI and DeepMind engineers calling today's AI tools "insanely powerful," with one saying Claude had compressed six years of engineering knowledge into just a few months. Musk's responses weren't warnings. They were timestamps.

But it's not just about code. Musk has been building toward this moment across platforms. In late 2025, during the U.S.Saudi Investment Forum, he predicted that AI and robotics would eventually make traditional work "optional" and money will "disappear as a concept."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The role of Azerbaijan in ensuring Europe's energy security has undergone a qualitative transformation in recent years. Initially, the country was viewed primarily as one of the alternative sources and routes for energy resource supplies, but today Azerbaijan has effectively become one of Europe's key, and even irreplaceable, energy partners.

At the stage of forming the Southern Gas Corridor, it was primarily considered an element of diversificationa way to reduce Europe's dependence on a limited number of suppliers and routes. However, even then, Azerbaijan took on much broader responsibility, not just as a gas supplier, but as the initiator and guarantor of creating a sustainable transregional energy infrastructure linking the Caspian region with Europe. The implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor became proof that Baku is capable of fulfilling large-scale, long-term commitments, ensuring supply stability even amid global turbulence.

A qualitatively new role for Azerbaijan emerged after February 2022, when Europe faced an unprecedented energy crisis. Amid a sharp gas shortage and rising prices, it was Azerbaijan that quickly supported countries that suddenly faced the threat of energy instability. Baku not only ensured the fulfillment of all existing contracts but also expressed its readiness to increase supplies if necessary, once again confirming its reputation as a reliable and responsible partner.

As President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with local television channels on January 5, Azerbaijan's gas exports are growing with respect to both volume and geography.

"So far, we have supplied gas to 14 countries, 11 of them on a regular basis. There are countries that received our gas in 2024 but then stopped because of other sources. It is kind of on demand: whenever they need it, we start supply; when they do not need it, we cut it. Overall, Azerbaijan supplies pipeline gas to 14 countries, with plans to add two more European countries this year. So in total, it will be 16, and this is the largest number with respect to pipeline gas. No other country in the world supplies pipeline gas to as many countries as Azerbaijan," the head of state noted.

Such figures clearly reflect the uniqueness of Azerbaijans position in the global energy market and confirm its transition from being an alternative supplier to a systemic player. Moreover, the country has all the necessary resources for further expanding exports. The start of gas production from the deep-water part of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field, the implementation of the Shah Deniz Compression project, and the development of the Babek and Absheron fields are expected soon.

The next stage in developing the giant Shah Deniz field is the $2.9 billion Shah Deniz Compression project. Its main goal is to ensure gas production from reservoirs with low reservoir pressure, making them accessible for exploitation and achieving maximum gas recovery. The project is expected to allow for the additional extraction and export of about 50 billion cubic meters of gas and nearly 25 million barrels of condensate.

In the second phase of the Absheron field development, peak production will reach 12.7 million cubic meters of gas per day, equivalent to 4.5 billion cubic meters per year, and 37,000 barrels of condensate per day. The start of production in the second phase is planned for late 2028early 2029.

Preliminary estimates suggest that the reserves of the promising Babek structure may reach 400 billion cubic meters of gas and 80 million tons of condensate, significantly strengthening Azerbaijan's long-term export potential.

At the same time, the country is actively developing the green energy sector, which allows for optimizing the internal energy balance and freeing up additional volumes of natural gas for export. Azerbaijan demonstrates a realistic and pragmatic approach to the energy transition, understanding that a complete refusal of fossil fuels in the short term is impossible without serious risks to energy security. Both individual countries and entire regions view investments in traditional energy alongside the development of renewable energy sources as necessary for their stability.

As President Ilham Aliyev stated, countries rich in oil and gas are demonstrated by countries like Azerbaijan and many others that have abundant oil and gas resources but also invest in green energy.

"So I think there is also an understanding now in European institutions that this mania against fossil fuels should end and that pragmatism and realism should prevail," the head of state said.

In this context, it becomes particularly important to revise the approaches of international financial institutions that have actively promoted the refusal to fund fossil fuel projects in recent years. Practice has shown that without investment in gas infrastructure, it is impossible to ensure either the stability of energy supply or a consistent transition to 'clean' energy, and such decisions should not be made at the expense of energy security.

An important direction for further development is green energy corridors, which organically complement the existing gas infrastructure and form the basis for exporting 'clean' energy. They include the CaspianBlack SeaEurope, Central AsiaAzerbaijan, AzerbaijanTurkiyeEurope, and AzerbaijanGeorgiaTurkiyeBulgaria routes. These projects enhance Azerbaijan's role as a key link between regions and markets.

Thus, Azerbaijan, which was initially considered a source of diversification of routes and energy resource supplies, is now an irreplaceable partner for Europe and beyond. In the future, this role will only strengthen, becoming more complex due to a combination of reliable gas supplies, infrastructure development, and the export of 'clean' energy.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The development of green energy became one of the key priorities of Kyrgyzstans state policy in 2025. Against the backdrop of growing electricity demand and the need to reduce dependence on weather-related factors, the authorities focused on expanding renewable energy capacity, modernizing existing facilities, and attracting investment into new projects.

Dozens of solar and hydropower projects were started or moved forward this year. These projects ranged from building small hydropower plants and getting ready to open big ones to making the country's first large-scale solar power projects. Overall, 2025 marked a shift from isolated initiatives toward a more systematic approach to green energy development, strengthening Kyrgyzstans energy security and laying the groundwork for long-term sustainable growth.

Kyrgyzstan updates progress on Orto-Tokoy hydropower plant construction

The construction of the Orto-Tokoy hydropower plant (HPP) in Kyrgyzstans Issyk-Kul region has reached 65 percent completion in July.

The Orto-Tokoy HPP is one of several strategic projects currently being implemented by the ministry to address the countrys electricity shortage. The project operator, Chakan HPP JSC, said construction is proceeding according to the approved schedule.

To date, workers have built temporary and permanent access roads to the construction site. The builders have completed facilities such as worker camps, material storage warehouses, concrete-mixing units, compensator infrastructure, and power supply systems. Installation of suction pipe cones for all three hydro units has also been carried out, alongside the installation of a 10-ton gantry crane to support the water intake assembly works. Additionally, the 928-meter tunnel has been fully excavated.

Kyrgyzstan discloses progress on Papan hydropower plant project

The groundwork for the Papan hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan is in full swing. As part of the initial phase, a temporary access road leading to the construction site of the power station has been completed. A portion of specialized construction machinery has already been delivered to the area, marking a significant logistical milestone.

Technical requirements for ensuring a stable temporary electricity supply during the construction period have been finalized. The temporary power supply for the water intake facility has been connected, and an agreement has been signed for the design of a 110 kV transmission line, which will serve as the plants main power output line.

Kyrgyzstans hydropower station set for full operation by 2026

Nearly 50 percent of the construction work on the Orto-Tokoy Hydroelectric Power Plant in Kyrgyzstan has been completed, with the project on track for completion by mid-2026.

The Orto-Toy Hydropower Station, designed to have a capacity of 21 MW, is being built by JSC Chakan HPP in partnership with China National Machinery Industry Corporation (CHMC). The total construction period is set for 24 months.

Progresses so far:

- Construction of both temporary and permanent access roads;

- Setup of a construction camp, warehouses, concrete plants, and electrical supply infrastructure;

- Drilling of 727 meters out of the planned 928 meters of the diversion tunnel;

- Construction of retaining walls for the discharge channel (868 m of concrete);

- Installation of sluice gates and three suction pipe cones;

- Completion of access road work to the water intake facility.

Kyrgyzstan launches construction of small HPPs in its Osh region

The foundation stone has been laid for the construction of a cascade of small hydropower plants (HPPs) and supporting infrastructure in the Kara-Suu district of Kyrgyzstans Osh region.

The project includes the launch of construction on four small HPPs  Kurshab-1, Kurshab-2, Kurshab-3, and Kurshab-4  by MGM Group LLC, with a total installed capacity of 9 MW.

Kyrgyzstan powers ahead with ambitious HPP plans set for 2026 launch

The government of Kyrgyzstan is preparing to commission 12 hydropower plants (HPPs) across the country in 2026, according to a post on social media by Daiyrbek Orunbekov, Head of the Information Policy Service of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan.

According to Orunbekov, Kyrgyzstan is gearing up to roll out the following new HPPs next year:

- Jergez HPP  6.2 MW, Issyk-Kul Region, Ak-Suu District;

- Turgent HPP  26 MW, Issyk-Kul Region, Ak-Suu District;

- Jeti-Oguz HPP  6.7 MW, Issyk-Kul Region, Jeti-Oguz District;

- Green Energy HPP  3.8 MW, Issyk-Kul Region, Issyk-Kul District;

- Mayluu-Suu HPP  26 MW, Jalal-Abad Region, Mayluu-Suu City;

- Ak-Terek HPP  4 MW, Issyk-Kul Region, Jeti-Oguz District;

- Orto-Tokoy HPP  21 MW, Issyk-Kul Region, Ton District;

- Karakol HPP  18 MW, Jalal-Abad Region, Toktogul District;

- Tup HPP  9 MW, Issyk-Kul Region, Tyup District;

- Ak-Suu-2 HPP  7.2 MW, Chuy Region, Moskva District;

- Ak-Suu-3 HPP  17.66 MW, Chuy Region, Moskva District;

- Leninpol HPP  2.3 MW, Talas Region, Bakay-Ata District.

China's Sun Energy Co. set to build solar power plant in Kyrgyzstan's Batken

Chinese company Sun Energy Co. is set to build a solar power plant in the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan.

According to the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Kyrgyzstan in the Batken region, the plant will be located on a 669.3-hectare plot of land in the village of Ak-Turpak, Kadamjay district. The project will have a capacity of 250 MW and an investment volume of $230 million.

Additionally, solar panels with a capacity of 20 kW have been installed by Sun Energy Co. in the building of the Plenipotentiary Representatives office in Batken.

Kyrgyzstan strengthens energy sector through new hydropower projects

Kyrgyzstan plans to construct 17 small hydropower plants in 2026 and 19 new hydropower facilities in 2027, said Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev.

He made this statement at a plenary session of the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament).

According to him, total electricity generation in Kyrgyzstan increased to 117.8 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024.

Kyrgyzstan marks milestone with launch of first solar power plant

A 100-megawatt solar power plant, the first of its kind in Kyrgyzstan, was launched in the Kemin district of the Chui region.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov took part in the launch ceremony on December 24.

The plant is expected to generate about 210 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 120,000 tons.

Kyrgyzstan expects Japans participation in devt of green energy

Kyrgyzstan expects Japan to take part in the development of green energy, including the Kambarata-1 HPP. This was stated by President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov on December 20 during an official visit to Japan, while addressing the Summit of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue (CA+JAD).

According to him, cooperation with Japan could play a significant role in the transition to clean energy sources.

Kyrgyzstan accelerates implementation of its Kambarata-2 and Uch-Kurgan HPPs

Kyrgyzstan accelerates implementation of the Kambarata-2 and Uch-Kurgan hydropower plants (HPP).

General Director of Electric Stations JSC, Alpbek Sadyrov, participated in events organized by Chinese Dongfang Electric Corporation and Dongfang Electric Machinery Co. and held bilateral meetings with representatives of China National Electric Engineering Co. (CNEEC) and SinoHydro company in the cities of Chengdu and Deyang.

ADB pledges support for Kambarata-1 hydropower project in Kyrgyzstan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) confirmed plans to mobilize more than $800 million to support two major regional hydropower developments, including Kyrgyzstans Kambarata-1 project, during the 24th Ministerial Conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.

In his keynote address, ADB President Masato Kanda emphasized that expanding clean energy infrastructure is central to the banks long-term engagement in the region. He noted that Kambarata-1 is among the flagship energy projects ADB aims to help advance as part of its wider investment program through 2030.

ADB ready to support Kyrgyz green energy and transport projects, President Kanda says

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov met Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda to discuss expanding cooperation in infrastructure, energy and agriculture, the presidential office said.

Zhaparov highlighted the ADBs long-standing partnership with Kyrgyzstan and its role in advancing major projects across key sectors of the economy. He said the countrys steady socio-economic growth was creating favourable conditions for large-scale infrastructure development.

He underscored transport projects as a priority, saying they could help Kyrgyzstan position itself as a "regional hub". Energy and agriculture were also identified as key areas for further collaboration.

Kyrgyz parliament nods to EIB loan ratification for CASA-1000 project in first reading

Kyrgyzstans parliament has approved in the first reading a draft law ratifying a financial contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to provide additional funding for the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000).

The CASA-1000 project involves the construction of infrastructure to export clean hydroelectric power generated in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Construction work on CASA-1000 facilities in both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan was completed in 2025.

Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Energy Minister Altynbek Rysbekov said during a parliamentary session that the agreement is intended to enhance energy security, ensure stable grid operations, improve water resource management, boost export potential, and expand electricity generation capacity.

Kyrgyzstan puts new energy facilities into operation

Kyrgyzstan has commissioned 11 new facilities in the energy sector.

The newly commissioned facilities include four small hydropower plantsAksy HPP (4.75 MW) in Kyzyl-Kol village, Aksy District, Jalal-Abad Region; Issyk-Ata-2 HPP (4 MW) in Issyk-Ata District, Chuy Region; Boz-Uchuk HPP (5.5 MW) in Zhany-Aryk village, Ak-Suu District, Issyk-Kul Region; and Koy-Suu HPP (9 MW) in Issyk-Kul District, Issyk-Kul Region.

Kyrgyzstan puts new energy facilities into operation

Kyrgyzstan has commissioned 11 new facilities in the energy sector. The newly commissioned facilities include four small hydropower plantsAksy HPP (4.75 MW) in Kyzyl-Kol village, Aksy District, Jalal-Abad Region; Issyk-Ata-2 HPP (4 MW) in Issyk-Ata District, Chuy Region; Boz-Uchuk HPP (5.5 MW) in Zhany-Aryk village, Ak-Suu District, Issyk-Kul Region; and Koy-Suu HPP (9 MW) in Issyk-Kul District, Issyk-Kul Region.

In addition, two coal minesKozho-Kelenskoye and Beshburkhanhave been commissioned, along with two production workshops: a transformer repair workshop at Jalal-Abad Electric Network Enterprise and a reinforced concrete products workshop at Osh Electric Network Enterprise.

Kyrgyzstan nears launch of Shamshy small HPP

The Shamshy small hydropower plant (HPP), located in Kyrgyzstans Chuy region, is scheduled to be commissioned in September 2025, Trend reports via the countrys Ministry of Energy.

Construction works are expected to be completed by the end of August. As of August 2025, the main hydraulic facility has been finalized, while the settling basin is 95 percent complete, with remaining works focused on the emergency spillway. Installation of the pressure pipeline has reached 80 percent, while the machine hall construction stands at 30 percent, with wall installation underway. The derivation canal has been built by 85 percent, and the 10 kV power line has been completed. A hydroturbine has been delivered from the Czech Republic, and four surveillance cameras have been installed.

The plant is being built with the support of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund. With a capacity of 1.7 MW, it will generate up to 10 million kWh of electricity annually, covering around 10 percent of the Chuy districts yearly demand.

Kyrgyzstan and Russia plan major solar power project in Issyk-Kul

Russia and Kyrgyzstan are planning the construction of a large solar power plant in the Issyk-Kul region, President Vladimir Putin told media following talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.

The project forms part of a broader energy cooperation program, which also includes the modernization of hydroelectric power plants and the development of renewable energy infrastructure across the country. The Issyk-Kul solar plant is set to be a game changer for Kyrgyzstans clean energy capacity, helping to shore up the countrys energy security in leaps and bounds.

"This large solar power plant is planned for joint construction in the Issyk-Kul region," Putin said at a joint media briefing.

He highlighted the projects role in diversifying Kyrgyzstans energy mix and promoting sustainable development.

The proposed solar power plant project is situated within an ongoing energy partnership focused heavily on hydropower. A significant fact is the 2012 Agreement between the governments of Russia and Kyrgyzstan regarding the construction and operation of the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP (Hydroelectric Power Plant) and the Upper Naryn Cascade of HPPs. Even though the 2012 deal regarding the HPP cascade was called off by Kyrgyzstan, the promise to spruce up the current infrastructure is still alive. Specifically, Russian technical and financial support has been channeled into the ongoing modernization of major Soviet-era HPPs, such as the Toktogul HPP, which is the largest power generation facility in the country. This modernization effort is crucial, as HPPs currently account for nearly 90 percent of Kyrgyzstan's total electricity generation.

Kyrgyzstan taps solar, hydropower, and efficiency to slash emissions by 2035

Kyrgyzstan is advancing its climate commitments through a series of energy sector measures designed to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the "With Measures" (WM) scenario, the country plans to reduce emissions by approximately 2.67 million tons of CO equivalent by 2030, rising to nearly 2.79 million tons by 2035. Key initiatives include the construction of a 300 MW solar power plant in Toru-Aygyr, scheduled for completion in 2026, and the modernization of the Toktogul and Uch-Kurgan hydroelectric power plants by 2027, contributing a combined reduction of over 320,000 tons of CO.

Kyrgyzstan and Hungary forge partnership for major solar power initiative

Hungarian Electron Holding and the National Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to build solar power plants with a combined capacity of up to 300 MW, with planned investments exceeding $300 million.

The agreement was finalized during the Hungarian-Kyrgyz Business Forum, which convened approximately 40 companies from both nations to explore opportunities for economic cooperation and investment. This initiative is anticipated to bolster Kyrgyzstan's renewable energy sector and support the countrys efforts to expand its clean energy capacity.

The Kyrgyz Republic has set a national goal to raise the amount of green energy (not including large-scale hydropower) in its total energy supply to 10 percent by 2040. This is meant to improve energy security and diversify the country's energy mix, which currently depends on hydropower.

Kyrgyzstan opens Kara-Kul hydropower plant

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov today officially inaugurated the Kara-Kul Hydropower Plant in the Jalal-Abad region.

The plant, located at the mouth of the Kara-Suu River in Kara-Kul city, features two units with a total capacity of 18 MW and is expected to generate 104 million kWh annually. This will reduce the countrys electricity deficit by around 2.5% and strengthen power supply to Kara-Kul and the Toktogul cascade of HPPs.

Kyrgyzstan kicks off construction of solar power plant in scenic Issyk-Kul

Construction has commenced on a new solar power plant in Kyrgyzstans Issyk-Kul region, subsequent to the signing of a supplemental agreement between the Ministry of Energy, Sonningdale Limited, and CAREC LLC..

The project in the village of Kyzyl-Oruk is expected to improve Kyrgyzstan's green energy capacity, make the country's energy security stronger, and bring in more foreign investment. The updated agreement lays out the important details, such as each party's duties, promises to ensure project stability, steps for dealing with possible issues, and the relevant laws.

Kyrgyzstan and Chinese firms strike deal to power up new solar plant

The Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan has signed an investment agreement and memorandum of understanding with States Technology Co., Limited, San Energy Co., and POWERCHINA during the Suzhou International Forum.

The investment deal says that a 250 MW solar power plant will be built in the village of Ak-Turpak in the Batken region. The plant will cover almost 670 hectares. It will start to be built in 2025, and it will be ready to be used in 2027. The power that is made will be sent to the national grid, which will make the energy more stable for people who live in the Ak-Turpak rural area.

In addition, a memorandum with POWERCHINA was signed to facilitate investment attraction and financing for major energy projects. It envisions joint research, training programs for energy specialists, and studies on the development of floating solar power plants on the Toktogul Reservoir.
Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 6. Kazakhstan will establish a specialized university focused on artificial intelligence (AI), announced Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, during a government meeting, Trend reports via the Kazakh government.

The minister clarified that the university will focus on interdisciplinary training in line with industry needs and applied scientific research. It will be integrated into the Alem.ai ecosystem and developed in partnership with leading international universities and tech companies.

"Currently, large-scale work is being done to develop artificial intelligence. However, we also face the task of implementing a number of systemic measures, including the establishment of the AI University. The main goal is to ensure 100% coverage of faculty members with AI qualification programs, as well as the next phase of the AI-Sana program, aimed at reaching 100,000 students," said Nurbek.

Additionally, Nurbek highlighted that starting in 2025, AI application skills were incorporated into all educational programs. Currently, 95 universities have included AI-related courses in their curricula. Furthermore, 30 higher education institutions are implementing 42 educational programs focused on artificial intelligence, with 54% of faculty members having completed AI professional development courses.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have signed a Declaration of Intent on the deployment of multinational forces, Trend reports.

The document was signed on Tuesday in Paris following the summit of the Coalition of the Willing.

The statement says that Ukraine, France and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland adopted a Declaration of Intent regarding the deployment of multinational forces to support Ukraines defense, recovery and strategic stability.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that after the end of the war, the number of Ukrainian military personnel will reach 700,000, and Western partners have pledged to support this process.

He also noted that foreign forces within the Coalition of the Willing will be deployed on land, in the air and at sea in Ukraine to monitor compliance with the ceasefire regime.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced several senior management appointments, strengthening leadership across safeguards, sector operations and regional departments as the lender advances its development agenda in Asia and the Pacific, Trend reports via the Bank.

ADB appointed Bruce Dunn as Head of its Office of Safeguards, where he will lead the implementation of the banks new Environmental and Social Framework. In the role, Dunn will advise ADB management and operational departments on compliance, supporting the delivery of development solutions aligned with high environmental and social standards.

Winfried Wicklein was named Director General of Sectors Department 2, overseeing operations in agriculture, food, nature, rural development, water, urban development and digital sectors. He will also support ADBs efforts to strengthen development expertise, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

ADB also appointed Nianshan Zhang as Director General for its Southeast Asia Department. Zhang will lead the banks strategic engagement in Southeast Asia, overseeing sovereign, nonsovereign and advisory operations across Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam, including support for the ASEAN Presidency in 2026.

In the Pacific, Azusa Sato was appointed Regional Director of ADBs Pacific Subregional Office, based in Suva, Fiji. Sato will manage seven country offices, lead engagement with members and partners, oversee implementation of ADBs country partnership strategy for Fiji, and contribute to the development of ADBs Pacific Approach 20252030.

Founded in 1966, ADB is a multilateral development bank owned by 69 members, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region, supporting inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth through financing, policy advice and partnerships.
Jan 6 (Reuters) - Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which said in January it had developed an AI model to rival ChatGPT at much lower cost, has come under scrutiny in some countries for its security policies and privacy practices.

According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores numerous pieces of personal data, such as requests to its AI programme or uploaded files, on computers in China.

More from Yahoo Scout What are the main data security concerns with DeepSeek? Which countries have banned DeepSeek from government use? How are different regulators investigating DeepSeek's privacy practices? What potential US penalties is DeepSeek facing?

Below are countries' actions regarding DeepSeek:

AUSTRALIA

In early February, Australia banned DeepSeek from all government devices over concerns that it posed security risks.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech government banned in July the country's public administration from using any of the services of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek due to data security concerns.

FRANCE

France's privacy watchdog said in January 2025 it will question DeepSeek to gain a better idea of how the Chinese startup's AI system works and any possible privacy risks for users.

GERMANY

Germany has asked Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from their stores due to concerns about data safety, a data protection authority commissioner said in June.

INDIA

India's finance ministry asked its employees at the beginning of February to avoid using AI tools including ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official purposes, citing risks posed to confidentiality of government documents and data.

ITALY

Italy's antitrust watchdog AGCM has ended an investigation into the Chinese AI system DeepSeek for allegedly failing to warn users that it may produce false information, agreeing to binding commitments as a condition for closing the case.

In January of 2025, it blocked the app citing a lack of information on its use of personal data.

NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands' privacy watchdog at the end of January said it would launch an investigation into Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek's data collection practices and urged Dutch users to exercise caution with the company's software.

The government has also banned civil servants from using the app, citing policy regarding countries with an offensive cyber program, the government spokesperson said in late July.

RUSSIA

Russia's President Vladimir Putin in early February instructed Sberbank to collaborate with Chinese researchers on joint AI projects, a top executive at Russia's biggest bank told Reuters.

SOUTH KOREA

South Korea's data protection authority said in mid-February that new downloads of the DeepSeek app had been suspended in the country after the startup acknowledged failing to take into account some of the agency's rules on protecting personal data.
An open letter addressed to the Ukrainian ambassador in Prague expressing solidarity has already gathered more than 50,000 signatures, demonstrating that many people stand with Ukraine and do not share the Ukrainophobic sentiments voiced by some politicians.

Ukrinform spoke with the author of the open letter, Antonin Kolar, a teacher and municipal head from the Plzen Region.

Listening to the New Years address by Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura, in which he insulted Ukrainians, Kolar said he primarily felt sadness and shame over the way Ukraine and its citizens were portrayed.

In the context of the ongoing war, I heard contempt rather than criticism in those words. That is the moment when politics becomes something that touches on basic human dignity. At that point, I realized that staying silent would mean becoming a witness to the normalization of language that hurts, Kolar said.

As a result, the decision to write a letter to Ukraines ambassador to the Czech Republic Vasyl Zvarych came very quickly  almost immediately after the speech. Kolar realized that he wanted not only to respond to heated Czech political debates, but also to send a clear signal outward, specifically to Ukraine. That is why he addressed the Ukrainian ambassador directly, believing it was right to reach out to the official representative of the country affected by those statements and to express solidarity with those facing war and loss.

Kolar was pleasantly surprised by how many people signed the letter  not only by the number itself, but also by how the support spread: without a campaign, organizations, or well-known names.

At the same time, the interviewee noted that about half an hour after the petition was posted on Facebook, the social network blocked the ability to leave comments and messages under the post. Therefore, the fact that others began quickly sharing the letter was, according to Kolar, especially valuable.

This confirmed that there is a strong, though often silent, need in society to say: this is not us, this is not how we want to speak. It also showed that people still believe that even a calm, decent voice matters. I wish this were also true in public political debates, Kolar said.

He does not believe that a single petition will change policy or the attitudes of those who feed on the destruction of society. However, it can have another, no less important effect: to show Ukraine that it is not alone, and that disrespectful statements by individual figures do not represent the whole of Czech society; it can also give courage to people who feel the same way but hesitate to speak out, and help preserve the boundary of what is still acceptable, Kolar said.

He added that the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (Okamuras party) often boasts about freedom of speech, but freedom of speech is not the freedom to lie, freedom of speech is not the freedom to humiliate, and freedom of speech is not the freedom to strip others of their human dignity.

In times of war and crisis, simply being decent is not enough. Upholding the line between good and evil, decency and stupidity, as well as between freedom and unfreedom, or democracy and totalitarianism, is critically important. I dont think I need to say anything to Ukrainians at all  they are fighting for these values themselves and dying for them, Kolar emphasized.

As reported by Ukrinform, the New Years address by the Speaker of the lower house of the Czech parliament, Tomio Okamura, in which he spoke disparagingly about Ukrainians, sparked outrage in Ukraine, among the Ukrainian community, and within the Czech Republic itself. Opposition party factions are now planning to raise the issue of Okamuras dismissal from his post.

Photo: Antonin Kolar archive
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says that the European Union will "fall apart on its own" because of "leadership chaos." He also criticized Brussels for its intention to abandon Russian energy resources and said that he will not give money to Ukraine.

Euronews stated this in an article, Ukrinform reports.

Despite his dissatisfaction with Brussels, Orban rejected the possibility of Hungary leaving the EU, saying the country does not have enough influence to make such a decision.

"EU membership is an important opportunity, but if we were to get stuck in this single bloc, we would drink the juice. It makes sense to have the best possible relations with all blocs, including America, Russia, China, the Arab world and the Turkish world," he said.

Regarding energy policy, Orban said that Brussels is seeking to cut Hungary off from supplies of Russian oil and gas.

He said that the government is defending itself by filing lawsuits against the European Commission, while at the same time politically opposing EU energy rules, hoping that the sanctions will be lifted by 2027, when, in his opinion, Russia's war against Ukraine will end.

Hungary has secured exemptions from EU sanctions on Russian energy resources and remains dependent on Russian oil and gas.

Touching on the issue of Venezuela, Orban said that a US military operation would be "a powerful manifestation of the new world."

"Together with Venezuela, the United States can control 40-50% of the world's oil reserves, a force capable of significantly influencing the price of energy on the world market," he said. He added that this could be beneficial for Hungary because it would lead to a decrease in global energy prices.

Orban said that Hungary will not provide financial support to Ukraine. "We have money if we don't give it to others, so we are not giving our money to Ukraine," he said.

Hungary has remained the main obstacle to military and financial support for Ukraine by the EU since Russia's full-scale invasion in early 2022, forcing the 27-country bloc to look for ways to circumvent Budapest's veto.

As Ukrinform reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the anti-Ukrainian position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is linked to his electoral race.

At the same time, Zelensky noted that Ukraine's path to the EU can no longer be stopped. The president added that US leader Donald Trump also recognizes that Ukraine's accession to the European Union is a security guarantee. According to him, Trump understands that this will affect Ukraine's economic and energy stability.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who expressed doubt that it was Russia that carried out the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Qabil Ashirov



Azerbaijan imposed temporary restrictions on meat imports from parts of Lebanon and Lithuania after outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue diseases were reported, Azernews reports, citing the Food Safety Agency AQTA.

The ban covers Lebanons Akkar and Baalbek-Hermel provinces, where foot-and-mouth disease was detected.

In Lithuanias Telsiai and Siauliai districts, bluetongue cases prompted similar restrictions.

The Food Safety Agency said the measures follow World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines and apply under the principle of regional zoning.

Azerbaijans Customs Committee has been notified to enforce the restrictions at border checkpoints.

Officials noted the steps aim to protect domestic livestock and prevent potential economic losses from disease spread.
Falcon Oil & Gas has received shareholder approval to sell its 98.1% interest in Falcon Oil & Gas Australia (Falcon Australia) to Tamboran Resources.

The approval was secured at a general meeting held by Falcon Australia in December 2025. It marks a key step towards the planned consolidation of acreage in Australias Beetaloo Basin by Tamboran Resources and Falcon Oil & Gas.

Falcon Oil & Gas and its affiliates were not permitted to vote on the resolutions concerning the transaction.

In September 2025, Tamboran Resources entered into a deal to acquire all of Falcon Oil & Gas subsidiary companies, subject to various regulatory and shareholder approvals.

The deal aims to create one of the largest acreage positions in the Beetaloo Basin, covering around 2.9 million net prospective acres.

Under the terms of the deal, Tamboran Resources will provide consideration of 6.53 million of the companys shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), plus $23.7m (A$35.53m) in cash.

The agreement values Falcon Oil & Gas subsidiaries at C$239m ($172m). This implies an offer price of C$0.2154 per Falcon Oil & Gas share.

Closing of the deal is contingent on shareholder approval, which has now been obtained for the Falcon Australia interest.

Following its acquisition of a 98.1% stake in Falcon Australia, Tamboran Resources will be entitled to compulsorily purchase the remaining shares held by minority shareholders.

Tamboran Resources has also committed to carry out this compulsory acquisition at a price at least equal to the amount paid to Falcon Oil & Gas for its stake.

Falcon Oil & Gas CEO Philip OQuigley said: While the broader transaction is still subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, this approval by Falcon Australia shareholders eliminates one of the key conditions precedent allowing Tamboran group to proceed with the broader transaction, which is still on track to close in the first quarter of this year.

In February, Falcon Oil & Gas completed the Shenandoah SS-2H ST1 well stimulation in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Northern Territory, Australia.

"Falcon secures approval to sell 98.1% of Falcon Australia to Tamboran" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




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Analyze the Finland data center market with our comprehensive Excel database product. Gain detailed insights into 25 existing and 31 upcoming colocation data centers across key locations like Helsinki and Espoo, including analysis of white-floor space, IT load capacity, and colocation pricing. Discover Finland's dominance in the upcoming data center market, with over 3GW, driven by major players like Pure Data Center and FCDC Corp, and influential tech giants Microsoft and Google. Ideal for REITs, construction contractors, and infrastructure providers looking to gain strategic market advantage.

Dublin, Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Finland Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Finland is home to one of Google's largest data center in Europe. With Microsoft and Google entering the market, Finland is set to become an even stronger data center hub. Helsinki is the leading data center hub in Finland, hosting the highest number of existing and planned facilities in the country.

Finland dominates the upcoming data center market with more than 3GW, led by Pure Data Center, FCDC Corp, QTS and Hyperco.

KEY MARKET HIGHLIGHTS:

This database (Excel) product covers the Finland data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers:

Detailed Analysis of 25 existing data centers

Detailed Analysis of 31 upcoming data centers

Locations covered: Espoo, Forssa, Hameenlinna, Hamina, Heinola, Helsinki, Isojoki, Kajaani, Kemi, Keuruu, Kirkkonummen, Kouvola, Kitee, Kuhmo, Lahti, Lapland, Lappeenranta, Lohja, Merikarvia, Mikkeli, Naarajarvi, Oulu, Pori, Phyajarvi, Phyajoki, Rautalampi, Seinajoki, Tampere, Turku, Ulivia, Vantaa, Varkaus, Vihti.

Existing white-floor space (square feet)

Upcoming white-floor space (square feet)

Current IT load capacity (2025)

Future capacity additions (2025-2029)

Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.)

Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing

EXISTING DATA CENTERS (25 FACILITIES)

Market Snapshot

Location (Region/Country/City)

Facility Address

Operator/Owner Name

Data Center Name i.e., (Tapiola Data Center or Raisio Data Center.)

Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area)

Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity)

Rack Capacity

Year of Operations

Design Standards (Tier I - IV)

Power/Cooling Redundancy

UPCOMING DATA CENTERS (31 FACILITIES)
The U.S. auto industry has been transformed over the past five decades.

Once the envy of the automotive world due to its sheer volume, the U.S. auto industry is still extremely valuable as the second-largest market behind China. Still, the market has shifted in recent years.

U.S. 2025 new-vehicle sales forecast

GM : 2.83 million vehicles (+5.1% year over year); 17.3% market share

Toyota : 2.52 million vehicles (+8.4% YoY); 15.5% market share

Ford : 2.18 million vehicles (+5.6% YoY); 13.4% market share

Hyundai : 1.84 million vehicles (+7.9% YoY); 11.3% market share

Honda: 1.42 million vehicles (+0.6% YoY); 8.8% market share

Source: Cox Automotive

While U.S. hallmark General Motors still closed 2024 with the highest U.S. market share at 17% and Ford ranks third with a 13% market share, foreign models from Asia round out the top five, according to Cox Automotive data.

Toyota ranks second with 15% U.S. market share, while Korean brand Hyundai ranks fourth with 11%. Toyotas fellow Japanese brand, Honda, is fifth in the market, with 9%.

Hyundai is especially impressive, since the Korean automaker had an inauspicious start in the U.S.

Early last summer, Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker said, We just wrapped up the strongest first half in Hyundais history, driven by sales growth across our lineup," after the company sold 439,280 vehicles worldwide in the first half of 2025, a 10% year-over-year increase that was capped by a 10% second-quarter increase to 235,726 units.

June sales increased 3% year-over-year to 69,702 units in North America. The company carried that momentum into the second half of the year, leading to another U.S. sales record for the company.

Hyundai saw strong sales this past year.Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT on Getty Images  Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT on Getty Images

Hyundai sets new U.S. sales record for fifth consecutive year

Hyundai followed up a strong 2024 with an even stronger 2025 as the Korean carmaker announced its fifth consecutive year of record annual retail sales.

Hyundai sold 772,712 vehicles in the States last year on the way to selling more than 900,000 cars globally.

Related: Ford, GM take issue with Elon Musk's special treatment

Hyundai reports that electric vehicles accounted for 30% of its total sales, including its best-selling EV, the IONIQ 5, which was purchased by more than 47,000 Americans last year.

While Hyundai is a foreign company, it has a large manufacturing footprint in the U.S.

Hyundai's Alabama plant, the company's first U.S. facility, was built in 2005 and employs approximately 4,200 people. The plant has assembled more than 6.2 million vehicles since its inauguration and produced nearly 360,000 last year.
While Europe is a major producer of fashion productsand it consumes much of that output (about half of the apparel produced, Lu said)the impacts of the war and the instability it has caused inhibit the movement of goods within the region. Add on top of that the effects of hefty U.S. tariffs on goods made in China and across Asia, and the European supply chain faces an influx of inexpensive wares once destined for U.S. shores.

Meanwhile, Lu said European commerce and supply chains will likely continue to see the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Its not just an issue between the two countries; people worry what is happening within the entire region and whether it will disrupt their supply chains, he said.

Trump continues to threaten further action against regimes and governments he disagrees with. On Sunday, for example, the president suggested that Washington may have to step in militarily do something about Mexicos cartel problem. At the same time, a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is slated for July, and Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the trilateral free trade accord as a means of addressing national security issues like drug smuggling and cartel activitymuch the same factors cited by the president as justification for Maduros removal in Venezuela.

Speaking about the weekend capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. military operatives, Lu said the upheaval and uncertainty spurred by the move could spook companies sourcing not just within the country, but within the hemisphere. The action will create worries about the stability of the region, so I dont think fashion companies will be encouraged to make additional investments, he said, noting that the ripple effects of the military intervention could spill over into countries engaged in free trade agreements with the U.S.

According to Dr. Sheng Lu , professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware, geopolitics have the potential to further inhibit the development and expansion of international sourcing locales, creating fewer options for both American brands and foreign firms.

From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the developing conflict between the United States and Venezuela, global political strife stands to redefine sourcing relationships in 2026, rivaling even U.S. tariffs as the most prominent factor impacting sourcing decisions for companies across the globe.

Story Continues

Its already happening, much to the chagrin of leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested last month that the European Union levy new duties on Chinese exports over growing trade imbalances he described as unbearable for European producers. Lus research showed that Chinese apparel exports to the EU grew 15 percent year over year in 2025 (while shipments of clothing from China to the U.S. declined by nearly 30 percent). Other Asian sourcing locales like Vietnam (17.6 percent) and Cambodia (26.1 percent) also saw considerable export growth to the European market.

Europes economic growth isnt keeping pace with the deluge of foreign fashion, Lu added. The regions GDP grew by 1.4 percent last year, while its apparel imports from across the globe increased by over 10 percent. By contrast, U.S. GDP rose 2 percent in 2025, and apparel imports only increased by 1.7 percent.

The only reason I see Europe now seeing such a substantial increase of apparel imports is because a lot of Asian suppliers diverted their exports from the U.S. to Europe, Lu said. As a result, I think the risk of additional trade barriers imposed by EU against cheap products from Asia actually is building up, he added, and that could lead to deepened tensions.

Despite that possibilityand the existing tariffs on Asian goods already in place in the U.S.Lu still envisions Asia as the ultimate victor in this years sourcing shakeup. I still think Asia benefits most from current geopolitical tensions impacting the rest of the globe, he saidincluding second-tier emerging suppliers.

A number of countries increased their apparel exports to the U.S. market by double digits last year, including Bangladesh (18.6 percent), Vietnam (13.7 percent), Cambodia (28.5 percent), Indonesia (13.5 percent) and India (12.8 percent). Data released this week showed that Vietnams economy grew by 8 percent in 2025 on the back of U.S. exports, creating a record high trade surplus even though it faces 20 percent tariffs from Washington.

While the expansion of Asian supply chains was not the intended consequence of Trumps tariff scheme, Lu said there are easy explanations for the regions continued success as a sourcing hub. These supply chains are able to offer a wide breadth of products readily and scale production quickly. They also have a more integrated regional supply chain, he added, and essential economic investment from China.

For its part, China remains on relatively stable footing in apparel import markets outside the U.S. While American firms reduced exposure to China significantly in light of the 47 percent duties levied last year, in Canada and Japan, China still made up more than 30 percent of total apparel imports throughout the first 10 months of 2025. Within Europe and the United Kingdom, Chinas market share grew about a percentage point year over year, hitting 28.1 percent in the EU and 24.8 percent in the U.K.

Looking to the future, Lu predicts that Chinas influence will grow even more in 2026and not just within the worlds biggest economies.

According to the World Trade Organization, China is swiftly diversifying its export base to emerging markets in Asia, South America and Africa, and its especially focused on members of its global infrastructure and economic development strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative.

Lus research showed that during the first 10 months of 2025, Chinese exports to Cambodia grew at an unorthodox pace of 4.4 percent from the year prior. The academic said the same through line persisted across a number of small export economies, including Indonesia (up 15.4 percent), Kenya (up 31.5 percent), Tanzania (up 52.8 percent), Chile (up 18.8 percent), and Mauritius (up 27.5 percent).

While these small markets each accounted for less than 10 percent of Chinas total apparel export volume, the impacts on their local apparel industries could prove staggering if the trend continues. The symbiotic relationship with Chinawhich supplies plenty of textile raw materials and inputs to these nationscould become more complicated, as an influx of China-made finished goods could suppress local producers.

On the one hand, these countries try to have a good relationship with China, because China is a major source of investment. But at the same time, when cheap Chinese products enter these markets, it creates competition and pressure for the local apparel industry, and hurts the business of these apparel exporting countries, Lu said.

And unlike markets like the EU, the U.K. or the U.S., They dont have leverage with China; they cant set high trade barriers on Chinese products, he added.

While China appears to be in pole position within the apparel industrya distinction its enjoyed for yearsLu said the continuation or escalation of U.S. tariffs could force the country to further diversify its exports and seek out an array of new, smaller markets to make up for the drawdown in American business.

When it comes to sourcing in 2026, Theres really no safe harbor out there in the world, he surmised. Each region represents a gamble for companies, from geopolitics or additional tariffs, to some unexpected factor not based on current situations or sourcing risks, he said.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Orange weather alert sees cancellation of Befana's flight into Piazza Navona.

Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri has signed an order banning all recreational and sporting events in public areas on Tuesday 6 January due to heavy rain and bad weather.

The order, which coincides with a national public holiday in Italy for the Epiphany, will see the cancellation of the popular "flight of the Befana" event in Piazza Navona.

The decision was made in light of the ongoing bad weather which has resulted in multiple emergency interventions in recent days by firefighters and civil protection authorities.

A massive pine tree fell near the Colosseum tonight after a day of heavy rain in Rome. The incident occurred outside the tourist info point and the tree fell across Via dei Fori Imperiali. No immediate reports of people injured. Photo Il Messaggero. pic.twitter.com/k7KODRn9eG  Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) January 4, 2026

An orange weather alert is in place and the city has closed its parks and cemeteries, advising people to avoid areas under trees "and within the radius of their potential fall".

People in Rome have also been advised to avoid underpasses, river banks and areas at risk of flooding, as well as green areas and tree-lined streets.

One major event that will go ahead as planned is the closing of the Holy Door at St Peter's by Pope Leo, signifying the end of the Jubilee Year, at 09.30.
Various groups in Waterford worked together and carried out a successful rescue this morning in the area of Rice Bridge.W

Waterford City River Rescue crew, along with crews from Waterford City Fire Service and crews from Waterford Ambulance Station, were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard to an emergency involving a person in the area of Rice Bridge. The group were stood down shortly after launching. The incident was brought to a successful conclusion by members of An Garda Siochana.

In a post on social media, Waterford City River Rescue wrote: We would like to reiterate the absolute importance of an early call to the Emergency Services for water incidents so the relevant services can be dispatched promptly. Please remember if you see anyone in difficulty on our Lakes, Rivers or Coast, Call 999 or 112 and ask for The Irish Coast Guard who will dispatch the services needed to the scene, Do not assume somebody has already made that call.

Please remember you are never alone.

If you are struggling, you can call:

Pieta House 24 hour helpline at 1800 247 247.

Samaritans at 116 123.

For free 24/7 support in a crisis, free-text HELLO to 50808.

Men's Aid 01 5543811, Women's Aid 1800 341 900 ALONE 0818 222 024
Swiss glass packaging provider Vetropack Group has appointed Lukas Burkhardt as its CEO, effective 1 January 2026.

He succeeded Johann Reiter, who retired after leading the company since 2018.

Burkhardt has been on the management board at Gerresheimer, in charge of the primary packaging glass division, since 2018.

He previously held stints at Audi in Germany and Rieter Automotive Group (now Autoneum), particularly focusing on operations in Asia.

In 2015, Burkhardt became part of the executive board of Franke Group as chief operating officer, overseeing production across more than 30 sites as well as logistics, procurement, and engineering.

Burkhardt said: I am very much looking forward to my new role and to leading Vetropack into the future.

For me, Vetropack is a traditional company with enormous potential: As a family business, we are firmly established in the market and have enormous expertise in the development of one of the most sustainable packaging solutions available. We are also well-positioned internationally and have a team of experts across all our locations. If we play these trump cards right, we can be successful even in the currently very challenging market environment.

Vetropack board of directors chairman Claude Cornaz commented: In Lukas Burkhardt, we have secured our first-choice candidate for the position of CEO. He knows our industry and understands how it works. At the same time, he brings fresh ideas and concepts from his previous positions to our company.

During Reiters tenure as CEO, Vetropack introduced thermally tempered lightweight glass bottles and developed Strategy 2030+.

Cornaz added: Johann Reiter led the Vetropack Group successfully since 2018. In particular, he has driven ahead the Group's internationalisation and strategic realignment. Johann Reiter has initiated important developments and thus made a lasting impact on Vetropack.

"Glass packaging entity Vetropack names new CEO" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




US oil billionaire Kelcy Warren has been reported as the 30 million investor behind Waterford Airport by the Irish Times.

Mr Warren (70) is the founder and Executive Chairman of Energy Transfer LP, a midstream company that was founded as a Texas gas pipeline operator in 1996.

Bloombergs billionaire index values Mr Warrens net worth at $8.26 billion, placing him as the 438th wealthiest person in the world.

Energy Transfer LP currently operates over 135,000 miles of pipelines with assets in 44 of the USs 50 states.

Mr Warren is a long-time supporter of the Republican Party and U.S. President Donald Trump.

His property portfolio includes a private island in Honduras and a $46.5 million ranch in Colorado. As of 2024, he lived in a 23,000-square-foot home on an eight-acre estate in Preston Hollow, Dallas.

In 2018, he bought the Castletown Cox estate in Kilkenny for 12.6 million. The estate is a 40-minute drive from Waterford Airport.

In August, planning permission was sought to build a private whiskey distillery at Castletown Cox. Developers Rosebrack Ltd framed the project as a legacy project for the estate.

Planning permission for the project was granted in January 2026.

Speaking on WLRs Deise Today in October, director of Waterford Airport Ltd William Bolster said he had met with the investor, who he didn't name, both in Ireland and the United States.

Mr Bolster said he was first approached by the investor following a meeting with then Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless, TD, in October 2024, in which government support for the airport appeared to be wavering.

Mr Warren is expected to assume control of Waterford Airport Ltd as construction for the airports extended runway begins in 2026.
A Waterford family have showcased their caring nature by making a humanitarian donation to the community support centre, Oasis House.

The Momodu family, who are residents in Waterford, have distinguished themselves through consistent humanitarian outreach to the needy.

Known for quiet generosity, the family regularly donates various items and basic necessities to vulnerable individuals within the local community.

Residents and beneficiaries describe these acts as unusually impactful, noting that such sustained, family-led support is rarely seen at this scale in Waterford.

The family's actions reflect deep-rooted values of compassion, dignity, and social responsibility.

However, beyond material support, the family fosters inclusion and goodwill, contributing positively to community cohesion and demonstrating exemplary character worthy of recognition.

The centre expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to the family and their 'thanks a million' was no less a huge appreciation for the kind donation over the recent festive season.
Waterford gardai are appealing for information following the theft of items, including childrens bikes, from a property in Tramore.

Gardai shared photos of the items on social media and asked that anyone with information come forward.

Below items were taken from a property in Tramore. We are seeking the public's help in locating these stolen items.

Photo: An Garda Siochana Waterford on Facebook.

"Any information, no matter how small, may help, wrote the gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tramore Garda Station at 051 391620 or the Garda confidential line at 1800 666 111.
Figures from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment show Waterford SMEs ranked middle of the road for uptake in two Government schemes designed to combat the rising cost of living.

2,273 Waterford businesses received 7,369,376.64 from the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) scheme, a programme launched by the Department of Enterprise in 2024.

Under the scheme, businesses with a 2023 commercial rates bill of less than 10,000 would receive a grant equal to half their rates figure, while those with a rates bill above 10,000 would receive 5,000.

Businesses with a 2023 rates bill of more than 30,000 were excluded from the scheme.

Waterfords total ICOB share equated to 3.02% of the 243.88 million distributed nationwide. Out of Irelands 31 local authorities, Waterford City and County Council ranked 15th in uptake.

Waterford ranked 17th out of the local authorities for uptake in the Power Up grant, a 4,000 payment introduced in budget 2025 dedicated to assisting businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors.

1,173 Waterford businesses received the grant out of 1,186 applicants.
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Ireland is not taking a softly softly approach over US intervention in Venezuela, the Tanaiste has said.

Simon Harris said he would not describe the Trump administrations strikes on Venezuela and the middle-of-the-night capture of its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores as kidnapping.

He said that it was an operation to remove Maduro, who he said was not democratically elected and whom the US believed was responsible for narco-terrorism and bringing misery and pain to so many people.

Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday when he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and claimed he was a prisoner of war.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Harris said: The fact that Maduro is gone from power is a good thing. Hes a brutal dictator who had no democratic legitimacy.

He categorically, fundamentally, resoundingly lost an election and was bringing pain and misery to his people.

There was somebody who democratically won the election in Venezuela, and thats quite clear as well.

I do think this is complex when it comes to international law. I do think thats fair, but the reality is this individual was not a democratically elected state, was not a legitimate head of state, wasnt recognised by Ireland, by the European Union, by the United States of America.

He added: Hell now face justice and through a court system  something that Im sure he wouldnt afford to make people in his own country.

Pressed on whether he believed the Trump administration should remove dictators from other countries, Mr Harris said: Firstly, we didnt go in anywhere but its hard for me to express sympathy for Maduro.

He added: The complexity here is the fact that Maduro was not a democratically elected head of state and was, in the view of the United States, posing a very significant danger to them.

Pressed on whether the US should have engaged with the mechanisms of the International Criminal Court, Mr Harris said Irelands preference to international institutions is well known.

Asked about reports that a US jet flew over Ireland to observe an oil tanker in the Atlantic, the Tanaiste said he was truthfully not aware if the flight had been given permission by the Irish State, but said he imagined that very clear rules on planes from other jurisdictions transiting through Irish space had been followed.

The Marinera, a Russian-flagged tanker previously known as the Bella 1, appears to be making its way north-east through the Atlantic, with several media reports suggesting it had avoided US President Donald Trumps total naval blockade of Venezuela, in place since late December.

Mr Harris said: Ireland is a neutral country and a neutral country means were not militarily aligned, but that doesnt mean that were in any way immune from or unconcerned about security.

He added that Russia is carrying out a war on the continent of Europe and is not a friend of Ireland.

On US threats to annex Greenland, Mr Harris said the territory was part of Denmark and the European Union.

He added: Anything to do with Greenland is a matter for the people of Greenland.

Mr Harris said he supported comments by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen that the security of Greenland is enabled by the fact that Denmark is a member of the EU and Nato.
Modern building with a large glass facade displays the colorful Google logo with distinctive lettering and colors. Exterior reflects blue sky and greenery.

Google will allow ads for prediction markets in the U.S., but will exclude Nevada and require that advertisers be registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or National Futures Association (NFA).

In a message sent to advertisers Monday, Google Ads said it is updating its advertising policy to allow ads for Prediction Markets in the U.S.

Google Ads covers advertising in Google search results and on YouTube and its network of millions of partner websites. It can be a major acquisition channel for sportsbooks and online casinos.

Although there had not been a policy to cover prediction market advertising before, prediction market Kalshi appears to already advertise in Googles U.S. search results.

The policy defines prediction markets as platforms that facilitate the listing of or provide customer access to Exchange-Listed Event Contracts related to economics, sports, or current events.

Nevada excluded

Notably, the policy will exclude Nevada, where a federal judge allowed the state to enforce cease-and-desist letters against Crypto.com and Kalshi by denying the two prediction markets injunctions to keep operating. Crypto.com agreed to shut down in the state, while Kalshi seeks a stay from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Kalshi has filed its reply in support of its motion for a stay pending appeal in the Ninth Circuit. Its 14-page reply accuses Nevada of "largely elid[ing] the statutory text." pic.twitter.com/17LIMIbE1o

A judge in Maryland also denied Kalshi an injunction, but Googles policy appears to still permit prediction market ads in that state.

The policy says that eligibility is strictly limited to CFTC-registered designated contract markets (DCMs), such as Kalshi, or companies authorized by the National Futures Association to act as brokers, such as Robinhood, which is registered as a futures commission merchant (FCM), or Fanatics and DraftKings, which are both introducing brokers (IBs).

Companies acting as a technology service provider like Underdog, those offering tokenized predictions like Jupiter, or those not registered to operate in the U.S. like Polymarkets global site do not appear to be eligible to run ads.

Advertisers must also complete Googles certification process to run ads targeting the U.S. market, the policy continues. All ads, products, and landing pages must comply with all local laws, financial regulations, industry standards, and all other Google Ads Policies.

Rules take effect Jan. 21

The new rules will take effect on Jan. 21 and advertisers will be able to apply for certification on that date.
Bitcoins rebound above $94,000 on January 5 reignited bold price predictions across Crypto Twitter, including a fresh call from YoungHoon Kim, who claimed Bitcoin would hit $100,000 within 48 hours.

The comment quickly gained traction, partly due to timing and partly because of Kims controversial reputation for extreme Bitcoin forecasts.

Self-Proclaimed Smartest Man Alive Keeps Getting Bitcoin Prediction Wrong?

Kim, a South Korean online personality, rose to popularity in late 2025 after repeatedly describing himself as having an IQ of 276 and positioning his market views as superior to traditional analysis.

His Bitcoin predictions often go viral, even as many traders view them with skepticism.

In November, Kim predicted Bitcoin would surge to $220,000 within 45 days, a forecast that failed to materialize.

In December, he also claimed Bitcoin would break $100,000 within a week.

Instead, Bitcoin spent most of December trading below $90,000, weighed down by macro uncertainty, year-end positioning, and fading momentum.

That context matters. Kims earlier calls came during periods when Bitcoin lacked clear catalysts and broader risk sentiment remained fragile. The market simply did not support the kind of parabolic move his timelines required.

This weeks setup looks different, but not dramatically so.



Are Bitcoin Charts Turning Bullish Again?

Bitcoins move back to $94,000 followed a risk-on open in US stock markets. Wall Street investors interpreted the weekends Venezuela escalation as contained and unlikely to disrupt global markets.

Stocks moved higher, energy names outperformed, and crypto followed equities rather than acting as a safe haven.

Still, the jump does not automatically justify a $100,000 breakout within 48 hours. Bitcoin remains sensitive to equity sentiment.

While momentum has improved, there is no clear sign of panic buying, supply shock, or structural catalyst that typically drives rapid six-figure moves.
Egypts Bank NXT has deployed IBM software tools in collaboration with IT consultancy Inspire for Solutions Development to modernise its digital banking infrastructure.

These software tools are IBM Instana, IBM Turbonomic, and IBM Cloud Pak.

Their adoption aims to establish a foundation for real-time observability, automated optimisation of IT resources, and more integrated operations.

The move is intended to lower operational costs, improve resource management, and support the delivery of digital services to customers.

Bank NXT CEO and managing director Tamer Seif stated: This progress strengthens the reliability of the banks digital platform and boosts operational efficiency. It accelerates service delivery and expands the range of digital solutions we offer, ultimately leading to a better customer experience and faster, more responsive service.

IBM Instana is being used for real-time tracking and analysis across Bank NXTs digital banking platforms, with the objective of detecting issues promptly to limit customer impact.

IBM Turbonomic is focused on automating resource allocation in hybrid cloud settings, which is expected to help the bank use IT assets more efficiently and maintain service consistency.

To further streamline workflows, Bank NXT has introduced IBM Cloud Pak for Integration and IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation on Red Hat OpenShift.

These platforms are designed to simplify the development and rollout of new services while reducing the complexity of internal systems.

Alongside these technology deployments, Bank NXT is conducting training programmes for staff in areas such as automation, integration, observability, and DevOps processes.

Inspire for Solutions Development was said to be instrumental in building the digital foundation for Bank NXTs transformation - covering observability, resource optimisation, integration, automation, and delivery frameworks.

The engagement also included knowledge transfer, enabling the banks teams to independently operate and continuously evolve their digital ecosystem.

IBM Northeast Africa general manager and technology leader Marwa Abbas said: IBM is proud to support Bank NXT in building a high-performance, cloud-native digital banking environment powered by real-time observability, intelligent resource optimisation, integration, and automation.

With IBM Instana and IBM Turbonomic at the core of this transformation, Bank NXT gains the visibility and control needed to improve resilience, optimise performance at scale, and drive innovation. This collaboration also reflects the strength of our strategic partner ecosystem, with Inspire playing a central role in successful execution.
Sarah Slater

X must be held accountable for the creation and distribution of child pornography and revenge porn, a Green Party spokesperson is warning, following revelations that the platform was allowing sex abuse images of children to be used.

In light of the revelation that Grok, the X AI chatbot, has been responding to user prompts to remove the clothing from images of women and to create "sexualised images of children" to further post them on X, Green Party Media and Justice spokespersons have called on state regulators and enforcement to act.

Grok AI continues to be shared on Elon Musks X, despite the platforms commitment to suspend users who generate them.

Ofcom, the UKs communications watchdog said on Monday that it had made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK.

The watchdog added that it would assess whether an investigation is necessary based on the companys response.

The trend, which went viral over the New Year period, has prompted the European Commission to say that it was very seriously looking into complaints that Grok was being used to generate and disseminate sexually explicit childlike images.

Councillor Hazel Chu, the partys spokesperson for media, said that social media companies have repeatedly shown complete disdain for the consequences of their actions and their manipulations.

Cllr added that Chu Coimisiun na Mean, the regulator of broadcasting and online media in Ireland, must step up and act.

She pointed out that the regulator was established to provide some regulation over these companies, to protect vulnerable users and should use its powers to do just that. This is a potential criminal breach that warrants immediate action.

The partys spokesperson of Justice, councillor Patrick Costello outlined that there are serious questions to be asked here in terms of Cocos law, child pornography legislation, and Xs liability for this harm.

At the very least gardai should be investigating X for breaching the law and holding the company and its board responsible, he continued.
Its been another hectic but hugely interesting year for new car arrivals. Ive driven at least 50 over the past twelve months making it difficult to pick out a few favourites but to help potential buyers, here are the category winners as voted on by members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) for the Irish Car of the Year 2026 awards in November as well as the overall winner, this year the Renault 5.

The awards highlight the very best cars available to Irish motorists, with members individually assessing every new car model and hosting the annual awards sponsored by Continental Tyres.

Winners from each category competed for the overall prize of Irish Car of the Year.

In the Small Car category, the all-electric Hyundai Inster, a small car with a huge personality was the members' choice. The well-packaged interior fits four adults in big comfort. Battery options are a standard 42kWh or a long-range 49kWh, with rated ranges of approximately 327km/360km respectively. Inster won for its style and quality, as well as the amount of standard equipment. It is very competitively priced at 19,595, making it an affordable new first car for a teenage child or a second family car for urban use.

The Compact Car segment was won by the Renault 5. The French carmaker tapped into the current retro trend by reinventing its original Renault 5 with a new 5 EV designed for modern city driving and priced at just under 26,000. Batteries are available in 40kWh and 52kWh capacities, paired with 120bhp and 150bhp electric motors, respectively delivering ranges of up to 310km and 410km. Now with five doors, and with vibrant colours to choose from, the Renault 5 won the 2026 European Car of the Year trophy.

The Medium Car/Crossover segment was easily won by the stylish Kia EV3 SUV, available in both electric and combustion-engine versions. It features an 81.4kWh battery with a range of up to 605km and a 58.3kWh battery with a 436km range. Priced from 36,790, this model also won the 2025 World Car of the Year award.

The Medium SUV of the Year was won by the family-sized Dacia Bigster SUV, launched in May, and the brands new flagship model. A popular choice with robust styling and mild and full hybrid options, plus the choice of a mild hybrid 130 4x4 version with a 1.2 three-cylinder turbocharged engine paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. Big on interior space but not a seven-seater like its Jogger stablemate, it can run in all-electric mode up to 80 per cent of the time in urban driving. It is competitively priced from just under 30,000.

The Large Car/SUV of the Year category was won by the all-electric BYD Sealion 7 SUV, part of BYDs Ocean X Series design language that combines sporty performance and stylish design. Customers have a choice of three fully electric models: a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Comfort edition and two all-wheel-drive models. BYDs in-house Blade Batteries from 82.5kWh to 91.3kWh power the car. Rated ranges are from 482km to 502km and it is priced from 45,435.

The Seven-Seater of the Year title went to the quite superb Hyundai Ioniq 9, the companys largest, all-electric SUV, which has everything a family could need, and more. A standout car with advanced styling, very high-quality fit and finish, three rows of super-comfy seating, a high level of specification, a decent boot of from 338-2,494 litres (with a wholly flat floor, you could even sleep in the car overnight), and battery capacity of 110kWh with an electric range of up to 620kms. Just the one trim available for now, priced from 78,495, but an all-wheel-drive version with a 600km range will launch in 2026.

The Volvo EX90 SUV took the Irish Premium Car of the Year award. Upgraded for 2026 with faster charging and improved safety and driver support features, this is Volvos flagship 7-seater SUV and a classic in Scandinavian design. It is regarded as a highly advanced computer on wheels. A twin-motor all-wheel-drive version powered by a 111kWh battery and two electric motors delivers 680hp and a whopping 910Nm of torque, offering 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds. It also offers up to 600km driving range and is priced from 99,895 to 124,895 for Q1 2026.

MG Motors all-electric and oh so sexy Cyberster took the Performance Compact Car of the Year gong. A 2-door roadster soft top with two electric scissors doors and a well-designed cabin, with 503hp on tap and big torque of 725Nm, that is capable of a 0-100km/h time of 5.0 seconds, but a Super Sport mode button can be used to do the job in a supercar time of just 3.2 seconds. Not really a practical motor for everyday use, but a howl to drive and a stunner in styling. Priced from 69,900.

The hybrid BMW M5 won the Performance Car of the Year category. Powered by a hybrid 4.4 litre V8 petrol engine offering over 700hp and with a supercar-like sprint of 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, this car is packed with high-tech features. The boot space is a more than decent 460-litre capacity. Expensive though, as prices start from 137,000, which enthusiasts will say is money well spent.

Now is a good time for potential buyers to kick tyres at their local dealership, as the industry focuses on the key selling period at the start of 2026, with many car companies offering generous new-car incentives across all brands.

Heres wishing readers a Happy New Year and safe motoring.
Gardai are investigating a number of incidents of criminal damage which occurred at domestic residences in Westport and Newport, Co. Mayo on Sunday 4th January 2026.

The damage involved the breaking of windows at these properties.

Gardai have arrested four adult males, two aged in their 20s, two in their late teens, as part of this investigation.

All four are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Garda Stations in Co. Mayo.

Investigations are ongoing.
Both funding and ambition must be leveraged to develop the full potential of Mayos marine coast, which could see cruise ships stopping off at Achill Island, according to a local councillor.

Achill-based Fianna Fail Cllr Paul McNamara was commenting on a new marine strategy for Mayo, which was discussed at a recent meeting of Mayo County Council's Enterprise and Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee.

Cllr McNamara said the draft document was long-awaited and the council needed to invest more resources in moving it forward.

Mayos coastline is the biggest in the country and an area I think we have totally neglected," he said. "The potential it has is enormous, but it is all down to funding that needs to be sought quickly. A bigger department needs to be put together in Mayo County Council to progress on the plan.

Cllr McNamara said activity at Mayo's piers had declined significantly over the years.

"We have 15 in the Achill area alone, many with no activity unfortunately and if you were to just sit at one of those, to see them like that now, silence really does speak a hundred words. However, we have to respect the ones that still are active and do our best to keep them upgraded and maintained.

"We have an obligation to rethink what those piers can be turned into. A lot are historic, from times when the food came from the sea, with people out fishing in terrible conditions. We have so many stories of the sea, including that of the Inishkea tragedy.

"Our traditions and our history around the sea, we have forgotten it all and it needs to be remembered and the island communities. We are not doing a lot to enhance our islands of Inishkea, Inishturk and Clare Island, and there is the potential there alone to build a separate marine strategy.

"We have to look at what the blue economy can bring to the county, and then the tourism side of things. I know in Dugort we got a pontoon fitted three years ago and the difference it made linking it to Blacksod on a daily basis is enormous."

Appealing to council CEO Kevin Kelly, Cllr McNamara urged: We have to look at our maritime potential and how we are strategically located and the fact we are on a transatlantic route and how can we tap into that. Wouldnt it be great if you could get one of those cruise ships to stop off at Irelands biggest island, Achill? If we could look at that and see can it happen, thats what we have to do if we want to make this plan happen.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine; the closest to freezing (32) we've been in a week and a half. .

Tonight

Increasing clouds. There is a slight chance for a little snow late, mainly south of I-78.
Valued at a market cap of $12 billion, Invesco Ltd. (IVZ) is a publicly owned investment manager based in Atlanta, Georgia. It provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. It is scheduled to announce its fiscal Q4 earnings for 2025 in the near future.

Before this event, analysts expect this asset management company to report a profit of $0.57 per share, up 9.6% from $0.52 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has surpassed Wall Streets bottom-line estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion. Its earnings of $0.61 per share in the previous quarter handily exceeded the forecasted figure of $0.44.

More News from Barchart

For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect IVZ to report a profit of $1.94 per share, up 13.5% from $1.71 per share in fiscal 2024. Furthermore, its EPS is expected to grow 34% year-over-year to $2.60 in fiscal 2026.

www.barchart.com

Shares of IVZ have soared 52.6% over the past 52 weeks, considerably outperforming both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.9% return and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLF) 13.9% uptick over the same time period.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Invesco rose 2.8% on Dec. 9, after the firm announced a $500 million buyback of its preference shares from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company at an 18% premium, signaling managements confidence in its financial strength. Sentiment was further bolstered by a new partnership with LGT Capital Partners to expand U.S. investors' access to private markets.

Wall Street analysts are moderately optimistic about IVZs stock, with an overall "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 14 analysts covering the stock, four recommend "Strong Buy," and 10 suggest "Hold. The mean price target for Invesco is $27.69, indicating a 2.8% potential upside from the current levels.

On the date of publication, Neharika Jain did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine; the closest to freezing (32) we've been in a week and a half. .

Tonight

Increasing clouds. There is a slight chance for a little snow late, mainly south of I-78.
This season, Americans will have one fewer free option to use when filing their 2025 income taxes.

Direct File, launched during former President Joe Bidens term, was meant to simplify federal tax filing for Americans and save them money. In 2025, the Trump Administration announced plans to end the program only two years after it was started.

The program was available in 25 states in 2025, including Tennessee, meaning residents planning to use it for their taxes this year will need to adjust their plans.

Without it, Direct File supporters said Americans will spend more time and money filing their taxes. Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who served under Biden, estimated the average American taxpayer spent $270 and 13 hours filing their tax return.

Here are other free tax options for 2026 to reduce the time spent filing.

When did the IRS get rid of Direct File?

It was announced in 2025 that the two-year-old program would not be available for taxpayers to use in 2026.

The program launched as a pilot in tax year 2023, allowing taxpayers in 12 states to file their returns directly with the IRS. The program expanded the next year to 25 states, including Tennessee.

Direct File had the lowest participation of all free tax preparation programs, according to a House Ways and Means report. Just under 141,000 returns were filed during the 2023 tax year pilot program involving a dozen states.

The following year, with 25 states participating, 296,531 returns, or less than 0.5% of approximately 146 million total returns, were filed. Yet the program cost taxpayers at least $41 million, or $138 per return, the report said.

What can Americans do instead of Direct File?

Americans who used Direct File must now file a paper return or use an alternative software program.

Some free options for taxpayers include:
Georgia resident Karen Atchison started the new year with no income and no idea of when that would change  not what she expected after decades of working for the federal government and faithfully paying into the designated pension plan (1).

Atchison and her former colleague Tracy Hinnant, who worked for the federal government for 37-and-a-half years are two of almost 29,000 retired workers still waiting on the checks theyre due from the federal government after being rushed into taking early retirement last year in the midst of an aggressive campaign to reduce its workforce (2).

Must Read

It was the letter from the Department of Government Efficiency that arrived in April that made Atchinson feel like she had little choice in the matter, she told Atlantas WUSA9 (2): She was given seven days to choose between early retirement or unemployment effective September 30th.

After witnessing colleagues being abruptly pink-slipped, both Atchison and Hinnant opted for what is known as the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), joining the ranks of more than 300,000 federal employees who left their jobs in 2025 as the result of a combination of DOGE cuts, early retirements and voluntary buyouts.

While May was the last month Hinnant worked, her actual retirement date was Sept 30th 2025. With that much lead time, she expected to see annuity payments from the pension she had paid into for over 37 years start within weeks, but as of the new year, the total received from the federal government remains at $0. This makes covering basic living expenses for the two retirees difficult. And theyre not alone.

Four reductions for every new hire

Emails from the IRS to retirees have referred to the "unusually high volume of September retirements as requiring the onboarding of contractors to process the "unprecedented volume of retirements (2).

Figures from the Office of Personnel Management put the number of federal employees who retired during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 at over 112,000  a figure almost 18% higher than the year before (2).

As the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Scott Kupor, phrased it in a November blog posting, the president set a target of four reductions for every one new hire into government. We exceeded this goal  the government hired roughly 68,000 people this year, while approximately 317,000 employees left the government (3).
The United States imperialist gangsterism in attacking Venezuela and abducting President Nicolas Maduro once again exposed the pro-imperialist character of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government and the capitalist political and media establishment.

In the first official reaction from Ankara, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs avoided mentioning the US assault or Maduros fate and said only that Turkiye attaches importance to the stability of Venezuela and the peace and welfare of the Venezuelan people. We call on all parties to act with restraint so that the present situation does not give rise to negative consequences for regional and international security.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits Venezuelan President Maduro on December 4, 2018 [Photo: Recep Tayyip Erdogan / X]

Erdogan, who remained silent for nearly three days on the imperialist assault on Venezuela, finally made a statement on Monday evening, carefully avoiding condemning the lawlessness of his friend US President Donald Trump or demanding the release of his former friend Maduro.

He said, We do not approve of any action that violates political legitimacy and international law, wherever it may be in the world, adding, In the case of Venezuela, we are striving to do what is best and right for both Turkey and our friends, the Venezuelan people.

This stance reveals what truly drives the foreign policy of Erdogan and his government, who were the target of a US-NATO-backed coup on July 15, 2016, and who exchanged mutual support statements with Maduro at the time: the interests of the ruling class, which is deeply tied to imperialism.

Ulas Sevinc, chair of the Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi, the Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), condemned the Turkish governments stance on X, saying:

This is an open declaration of submission to and support for US imperialism. Trotsky explained, some 120 years ago, why the bourgeoisie and its representatives in countries with late capitalist development, such as Turkiye, cannot consistently be antiimperialist or democratic (Theory of Permanent Revolution). What makes Erdogans stance striking is that, unlike many other governments, he claims to be antiimperialist and antiZionist. Yet now they waste no time in legitimizing an open crime by the US governmentthe same government they previously accused of backing the 15 July [2016] coup and whose policies made possible the genocide against the Palestinians.

Sevinc drew attention to the irony that Erdogans 2018 article in the New York Times now reads like an accusation against Ankara itself. Then Erdogan wrote that The Turkish people expected the United States to unequivocally condemn the attack and express solidarity with Turkiyes elected leadership. It did not. The United States reaction was far from satisfactory. Instead of siding with Turkish democracy, United States officials cautiously called for stability and peace and continuity within Turkiye.

Just three months after the 2016 coup attempt, Maduro visited Istanbulthe first Venezuelan head of state to do so. Erdogan said at a 2022 joint press conference in Ankara that I would never forget President Maduros strong solidarity with Turkiye on July 15. Venezuela had been one of the first countries to express support to the Turkish government in the aftermath of the heinous July 15 coup attempt.

In 2019, Maduro won the elections held in Venezuela, while National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself interim president. Imperialist countries, led by the US, recognized Guaido, while Erdogan supported Maduro. It was reported that Erdogan told Maduro, My brother! Stand firm, we are with you. Erdogan was among the few leaders who called Maduro to congratulate him after the controversial 2024 presidential elections.

This friendly relationship also formed the basis for discussions held prior to the US kidnapping about sending Maduro into exile in Turkiye. According to a New York Times report, the Mafia administration in Washington made Maduro an offer that included exile to Turkiye, and Maduro, in turn, offered the US access to Venezuelan oil to prevent the imminent attack.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed this bargain, stating, He could be in Turkiye today, but hes in New York. Maduro has nobody to blame but himself. Trump gave him a way out. He chose to defy Trump and the U.S. military, and his a** is in jail where he deserves to be.

The pro-European Union and NATO-supporting Republican Peoples Party (CHP) responded verbally to Trumps coup but, by repeating its EU allies claims that Maduro is illegitimate, demonstrated its inability to take a consistent stance against imperialism.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel criticized Erdogans silence, stating, You stood behind Maduro when he held unfair elections and treated his own people unjustly, calling him my brother. You were wrong then. But your friend Trump came, violated international law, and took your brother Maduro from his bedroom with his wife, blindfolded and gagged him, and took him away. Now, how sad it is that you remain silent in the face of this photo. When it came to defending democracy, you defended Maduro. Now, when it comes to defending the world order, your silence is supporting Trumps coup in another country.

The CHPs imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu stated on his X account that Nicolas Maduro is an authoritarian leader who disregards the will of his people in elections and systematically violates democratic values, adding, However, the authoritarian nature of a government does not justify military intervention by another state. He called for neutrality: Turkiye should be a country that defends principles, not takes sides; that shows the way, not remains silent.

The pro-government press raced to find excuses for the pro-imperialist character of the Erdogan government, now blatantly apparent over Venezuela, following its support for Trumps new colonialist plan in Gaza.

Hurriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi stated that Ankaras stance is actually guided by the Turkish bourgeoisies desire to protect its interests: Erdogan is a leader who knows when, where, and how to respond... Barring any mishaps, Erdogan will meet with Trump today [January 5]. There are very vital issues between Turkiye and the US. The lifting of CAATSA [Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act] sanctions, the purchase of F-16 and F-35 aircraft needed by the Turkish Armed Forces, the Halkbank case, the integration of the SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] into the Syrian army, and so on... There is no benefit to Turkiye in doing this [criticizing the US attack] before a meeting where vital issues for Turkiye will be discussed.

The truth is that Erdogan, who leads NATOs second largest army, has never taken a principled stance against imperialism; he cannot do so, given the class interests he defends.

Erdogans resort to anti-imperialist rhetoric was linked to a series of developments triggered by the US-NATOs making Kurdish nationalist forces their main proxy power in the war for regime change in Syria, as well as his attempt to exploit anti-imperialist sentiment among the people. Turkiyes attempts to maneuver between US-NATO imperialism and Russia and China laid the groundwork for the July 15, 2016 coup attempt

Erdogan adopted a more openly pro-US stance in the belief that he could develop closer cooperation with Trump once he took office. Even if he had tactically condemned the attack on Venezuela, this would not change his and his governments fundamentally pro-imperialist character.

As Leon Trotsky explained in his theory of the Permanent Revolution, and as the entire history of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries has proven, in the era of imperialism, the national bourgeoisies fear of the working class drives it into the arms of the imperialist powers that have divided the world among themselves.

Various protests were held in Turkiye over the weekend against the US attack on Venezuela. The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkiye (DISK), the Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions (KESK), the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), and the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) issued a joint statement condemning the US operation and calling on the United Nations and international institutions to not remain silent in the face of imperialist interventions and to take a clear and decisive stance.

The Labourist Movement Party (EHP), Labor Party (EMEP), Socialist Assemblies Federation (SMF), Workers Party of Turkiye (TIP), and Social Freedom Party (TOP) put forward the same bankrupt policy of pressure in a joint statement titled US, Hands Off Venezuela!

The statement called for an end to US and NATO military bases and presence in the country [Turkiye]. Turkiye should leave NATO, while simultaneously appealing to the international community and the United Nations to immediately intervene with the US. It called on Erdogan to cancel Mondays meeting with Trump and condemn the US.

The US-NATO-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza has made clear that such appeals and protest politics directed at the UN, international institutions, and capitalist governments disarm the masses politically and lead to a dead end. The way forward lies not in calling on imperialist and capitalist governments to change their policies, but in building an international revolutionary movement to transfer power to the working class.
The pro-Palestinian UK organisation, Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine (GMFP) has been informed that the decision to freeze its bank account last year was taken as part of an investigation into the now proscribed group Palestine Action (PA). This is an outrageous attack on civil liberties, including free speech and the right to protest.

On July 10, both the GMFP and the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign had access to their bank accounts cut off by Virgin Money and Unity Trust bank respectively. Virgin Money offered no reason why this action was taken. Unity Trust said it was because Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaigns website had a donation link to PA. The link was removed after PA was proscribed on July 5, but the account was not restored.

Protesters at a demonstration in Manchester called by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine, January 3, 2026

According to the Guardian, Labour deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green wrote to GMFP treasurer John Nicholson saying, I can confirm my office was told by GMP [Greater Manchester Police] that we are comfortable to say that this account has been frozen as a result of an investigation into Palestine Action. The police informed Greens office they did not instigate the banks action.

Who exactly authorised the decision remains murky, but it arises within a definite context. Contrary to the Starmers government claim that the proscription of PA was not aimed at deterring peaceful protest, the draconian measure has been used as a dragnet to intimidate and silence widespread opposition to one of the greatest crimes this century. It is in line with the Labour governments complicity in the Gaza genocide, and its attempts to illegalise protests in support of the Palestinian people based on the big lie of conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Both the National Crime Agencyanswerable to the Home Officeand counter terrorism police declined to answer the Guardians query about which agency took the decision to freeze the GMFPs bank account.

Mass arrests of demonstrators peacefully opposing the Gaza genocide escalated following the proscription of PA. Criminalization of protests has resulted in over 2,700 arrests under the same anti-terror legislation that banned PA for merely protesting its proscription!

Preventing access to the funds of both GMFP and the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign means humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank is being blocked.

Speaking to the Guardian, Nicholson explained GMFPs account supports people starving in Gaza, people displaced, subject to settler violence in the West bank, and is aimed at giving funds to non-governmental organisations on the ground in Palestine.

Neither GMFP nor the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign is affiliated to Palestine Action (PA), which is a protest group that adopts acts of civil disobedience to block the arms industry in Britain from providing its lethal trade to the Israeli state to conduct its war crimes. PA was proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, even though it repudiates acts of terrorism.

The GMFP campaigning has involved peaceful protests since the Gaza genocide began, organizing demonstrations, consumer boycotts, vigils, and protests outside banks like Barclays which trade with Israel and Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit. They have also organized bicycle rides to highlight the horrific death toll of innocent men, women and children in Gaza.

In September, in a further act of intimidation, Nicholson (71) and his partner Norma Turner (77) who is chair of GMFP had their joint savings account terminated by Yorkshire Building Society. No explanation was given as they received a cheque for the balance in the post, closing the account

Nicholson and Turner are both signatories to the GMFPs frozen Virgin Money account. Another signatory who wishes to remain anonymous also had an account closed.

Speaking to WSWS reportersattendees at the latest demonstration organized by GMFP in Manchester city centre on January 3condemned the authoritarian measures meted out by the Labour government and expressed their determination to oppose it.

Emma, 37, a volunteer case worker for the homeless, said, Their bullying tactics are not going to work, were not going to kneel down. The law is stupid. Its a humanitarian cause [the Gaza genocide] and its screened all over the world.

Emma

The Labour government arent a Labour government anymore. To watch whats happening in Palestine, its what theyre going to be doing to us here. I work with old people, and they tell me that whats happening today is very similar to the build-up before the second world war.

Emma was later arrested at the demonstration and bundled into a police van because of the slogans referencing Palestine Action on her placard.

Kevin, 62, a regular attendee at the Gaza protests declared, If you think democracy is working, consider the fact that the Scottish National Party tried to move a motion for a ceasefire, but the speaker of the House [parliament] said, No.

Capitalism is working for the few not the many. People need to see whats happening in Venezuela. Its an attack on everyone.

Dr. Amer Shoaib, chairperson of the Orthocycle Foundation which recycles medical equipment to less developed countries, has recently returned from Gaza as a volunteer health worker. He gave a powerful statement, including attempts to prevent medics like himself deliver vital aid in war zones and Labours continuing support for the Israeli government.

He said, I was the victim of a war crime myself because the UK medical charity, their safe house, was bombed by the Israeli army.

Fortunately, nobody was killed. But it was very clearly an attempt to murder us so that it would put off other doctors and health care workers from going to Gaza to work. [The] Israeli politicians decided that this was the means by which they were going to prevent other medical charities from going into Gaza.

And they introduced the contract, which means that a lot of charities are unable to work because theyre not going to sign up to a contract which would effectively result in them having to hand over the personal details of everyone who was working for them and put them at risk of being kidnapped or interrogated.

It is an incredibly difficult situation, Dr Shoaib continued, One thats been exacerbated by Western governments, including the UK. Ive seen that the UK has cancelled 33 arms export licenses. But in the three months following that declaration, they actually increased the arms exports. So, in the three months, there were $69 million worth of arms exports for Israel. And in the previous three years, from 2020 to 2023, there were only $49 million. The government is gaslighting us. Theyre telling us one thing. Theyre doing something completely different.

They sent RAF spy planes over Gaza. Those flights have coincided with massacres. The data thats being gathered by these RAF spy planes [are] being used in order to perpetrate massacres

There are people who are in prison in Britain on remand, and they are guilty of nothing apart from trying to prevent perpetration of a genocide by Elbit Systems, a company which produces drones which are deliberately targeting civilians.

The real criminals are not those people in prison. The real criminals are not those elderly protesters or Greta Thunberg who are protesting about the lack of free speech in this country. The real criminals are politicians who are complicit with the genocide.

The Starmer government is reprising the criminal actions of the Thatcher administration that was responsible for the deaths of 10 Irish Republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands, in 1981. Four young pro-Palestinian political prisoners on remand in jail, found guilty of nothing and currently on hunger strike, are in danger of starving to death.

The lurch to authoritarianism and dictatorship is part of a trend across Europe by governments mirroring those of Trump in the United States. The outlawing of anti-genocide protests presages a clampdown on anti-war protests and the austerity measures to pay for ramped up militarism.

In Germany under the Conservative-Social Democratic coalition the method of debanking has been adopted to deprive left-wing parties, aid organizations, publishers and critical journalists of their livelihoods, even though they have not broken any laws or been formally banned. In this way basic democratic rights enshrined in the Constitutionof free speech, freedom of the press and associationare erased without public knowledge or any justification.

The defence of democratic rights is inseparable from the struggle against inequality and war. This means rejecting dead-end appeals to the very criminals that support imperialist barbarism, including the Labour government abetted by the trade union bureaucracy who have not lifted a finger in opposition. The central issue is the building of an anti-war movement rooted in the unification of the international working class against capitalism in the fight for socialism.
Representatives from petroleum giants Chevron, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil are planning to meet with the Trump administration later this week to discuss Venezuela, two sources confirmed to CBS News.

The meeting is expected to take place Wednesday with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who is attending the Goldman Sachs Energy Conference in Miami, a Department of Energy spokesperson said.

The meetings come as President Trump pushes U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela's oil industry, following the U.S. military's capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday.

Venezuela is estimated to have the world's largest proven oil reserves, but its oil industry has languished after years of mismanagement, underinvestment and tight U.S. sanctions. The country produces around 1 million barrels of crude oil per day, according to OPEC, most of which is exported to China  representing less than 1% of global oil production.

Chevron is the only major U.S. petroleum company that currently operates in Venezuela under a special license from the Treasury Department. ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips left the country in 2007, after Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, demanded that Venezuela's state-run oil company take majority stakes in the country's oil ventures.

It remains uncertain whether U.S. firms will reinvest in Venezuela right away. Experts say it would take companies years to build out their operations in Venezuela, and many oil companies could tread lightly because of political uncertainty.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said: "All of our oil companies are ready and willing to make big investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure, which was destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime. American oil companies will do an incredible job for the people of Venezuela and will represent the United States well."

A Chevron spokesperson declined to comment to CBS News on whether it plans to boost production in Venezuela, saying it "remains focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets."

A ConocoPhillips spokesperson said it would be "premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments." ExxonMobil did not respond to a request for comment.

American Petroleum Institute spokesperson Bethany Williams said the trade group is "closely watching developments involving Venezuela."

"Globally, energy companies make investment decisions based on stability, the rule of law, market forces, and long-term operational considerations," Williams added.
On December 2, the Legal and Social Issues Committee of the Victorian Legislative Council (LSIC) tabled the final report of its inquiry into the state Labor governments plan to demolish 44 public housing towers in inner Melbourne.

As the World Socialist Web Site warned, all along this inquiry has been a thinly disguised exercise in defending the Labor governments decision to smash up the tower residents homes and communities.

Collingwood public housing towers

It has been a political deception in which the Greens, who called for the inquiry initially, have played a critical role. Their aim has been to channel mounting opposition to the demolition of the towers among the residents, and the broader working class, into futile hopes that parliamentary manoeuvres, or court cases, could pressure the Labor government into changing its mind.

The first finding of the report condemn the government for its ongoing refusal to release for public scrutiny the documents in its possession reporting on the physical conditions of each tower, the feasibility reports on alternatives to demolition, and cost benefit analysis to prove the governments claim that demolition was the only possible course of action.

Finding no. 2 of the report declares that because the Victorian government refuses to produce all evidence supporting the demolition of 44 public housing towers, it is impossible for the government to justify that decision. Recommendation no. 7 of the report calls on the Labor government to halt all further work on the demolition project until it releases the requested documents.

These are damning words, but the committee has no legal power to compel the government to obey its recommendations. Moreover, by parliamentary convention the government has six months to respond to the recommendations. In practice, the demolition of the Tranche 1 towers can proceed imminently, because most of the former residents have by now already been relocated.

The government repeatedly denied the inquiry access to the requested documents by invoking executive privilege. This is a legal pretext for governments to keep confidential the documents on which they base their policy decisions. This is supposedly because their publication would not be in the public interest due to necessary secrecy provisions for government deliberative processes.

Two motives explain the governments secrecy. First, public release of the feasibility and structural reports would allow independent experts to challenge the claim that demolition was the only option; an independent analysis from OFFICE architects, cited often during the inquiry, concluded the towers could be retrofitted and residents returned at far lower cost. Second, the demolition serves a class purpose: to clear prime inner city land for developers and financiers by displacing low income residents and breaking up longstanding communities.

The inquirys procedural loopholes underline the point. Its recommendation (no. 6) that withheld documents be submitted to an independent arbiter for verification that executive privilege legitimately applies begs the question of who, within the state apparatus, could be truly independent. The courts, parliament and state bureaucracies exist to defend capitalist property relations; they cannot be relied upon to deliver working class justice.

The demolition of the public housing towers is a social crime.

The report itself gave some insight into the nature and magnitude of this crime. In Finding No. 30, the report states: The Victorian government and Homes Victoria relocation process engaged in significant and coercive and misleading practices to relocate residents within an arbitrary deadline, causing deep harm to social, emotional and physical wellbeing of the residents.

The report contains multiple references to the testimony of residents, their advocates and academics about the anguish and grief that the forced relocations have already caused many residents, and the anxiety of impending relocation for others.

One resident told the hearing: Public housing has been a cornerstone of my community, supporting people from diverse backgrounds, including low income families, migrants, and individuals with disabilities. It has fostered a sense of solidarity and mutual support that is difficult to replicate elsewhere My community is enriched by its diversityneighbours looking out for one another, children playing together, and shared experiences creating bonds that go beyond housing.

Sarah Arden, another resident, told the inquiry: My community is a community who have been living together for a long time. We help each other. We know each other. We have been looking after each other for a long time. Our children play together. Our older people visit each other. We look after our elderly people. We look after young women who have no relatives or extended family here. We support each other. We have our own cultural activities in this high rise, which are free for us.

According to Dr David Kelly, a researcher at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), more than half of the families living in the towers have been living in public housing for over 10 years, indicating the long standing, extensive connections that exist between residents and within the locality.

The report quotes Lauren Alberico, who said at one of the hearings: Forced relocation will have severe mental and physical health impacts on residents. Being uprooted from ones home causes stress, anxiety, and disruption to daily life, particularly for vulnerable groups like seniors, people with chronic illnesses, and children.

Kerry Byrne, a public housing resident told the committee about the devastating impact of forced relocation on the elderly and on chronically unwell residents that she had witnessed:

One older woman ended up in hospital following her relocation as she was so traumatised by having to sever the ties with her home of many years. Another older woman died due to health complications, most likely brought on by the sudden announcement and then the relocation stress.

Another person made a submission describing how a relatives dementia symptoms had worsened after going through the trauma of relocating.

The advocacy group Somali Community Inc reported to the inquiry that residents felt forced to fill out confusing relocation papers for fear of otherwise becoming homeless.

Sarah, a former resident of the Flemington towers, whose family remains at the site, referenced the traumatic memory of the lockdown of the towers imposed by the Andrews State Labor government in 2020. While presented at the time as a public health measure against COVID, the lockdown was enforced with no prior notice in a military style operation by police.

She told the inquiry: I thought the government would have learnt their lesson after the hard lockdowns of North Melbourne and Flemington during COVID. I didnt think they would put this community through something like this again. It really feels like they dont care about this community.

All of this deeply moving testimony is being utilised by Laborites, Liberals and Greens alike within the cynical context of an official inquiry to disarm the working class by peddling illusions in parliament.

Above all, the inquiry is designed to conceal from the working class the bitter reality that under capitalism all human needs, including the basic right to a place to live, are subordinated to the drive for profit.

This was spelled out in the courts as well when in April 2025 the Supreme Court dismissed a class action launched by Barry Berih on behalf of himself and other residents in the Flemington towers. The judge ruled that residents did not have any right to be heard before Homes Victoria made its decision. Although it was conceded that Homes Victoria had made a decision which limited residents human rights, this limitation was justified because the right to a home is not an absolute right under international human rights law.

Worldwide, public housing is being eviscerated as capitalist governments everywhere move to impose austerity measures on the working class to pay for militarism and never ending wealth accumulation for the corporate elite.

Defeating the destruction of the 44 towers and other attacks on public housing, will require a political struggle against the Labor government, uniting residents and workers. In the first instance, residents should make a powerful appeal to rank-and-file building workers, without whose labour the demolition plans cannot proceed, as well as to broader layers of the working class, who all face attacks on their living and working conditions.

This will require the building of new organisations of struggle, neighbourhood and workplace rank-and-file committees, independent of Labor, the corporatised union bureaucracy, the Greens and all other groups that seek to divert the class struggle behind appeals to capitalist governments.

Residents have already voted to form a Neighbourhood Action Committee, which will be meeting at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, January 10 at Flemington Djerring Hub, 25 Mount Alexander Rd, Flemington. All residents and supporters are welcome.

Above all, what is needed is a fight for workers to take political power and reorganise society on the basis of socialist policies. This includes placing the banks, superannuation funds and corporations under public ownership and democratic workers control and ensuring the social right of all to decent, secure housing.
US President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House Oval Office, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

The two main parties of the Canadian ruling class, the governing Liberals and the official opposition Conservatives, have welcomed Trumps criminal assault on Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president, Nicolas Maduro, claiming that they open the door to freedom and democracy.

This under conditions where the fascist, would-be dictator Trump has openly proclaimed his intention to seize Venezuelas oil and run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.

Abandoning any pretense the US adheres to international law and the human rights rhetoric the imperialist powers have long employed to camouflage their predatory actions, Trump has baldly asserted Washingtons right to impose its will by naval blockades, state terrorism and war on any country in our Hemispherethat is the entire Americas from the Arctic Ocean to Tierra del Fuego.

Ottawa has long worked with Washington to bring about regime change in Venezuela. It worked to isolate, sanction and otherwise destabilize the Maduro regime, including by helping finance and organize the pro-imperialist opposition, during the first Trump administration and under his Democratic successor, Joe Biden. As Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney boasted at the beginning of his statement on the events in Venezuela, one of the first actions he took on becoming prime minister last March was to impose additional sanctions on Nicolas Maduros brutally oppressive and criminal regime.

But the Canadian ruling classs professions of support for Trumps illegal assault on Venezuela, the killing of at least 80 people, and the kidnapping of Maduro belie sharp divisions and grave apprehensions. These go far beyond Trump having acted unilaterally, cutting its traditional Canadian imperialist junior partners out of any share of the spoils of Venezuelas vast oil wealth, or even concerns that American imperialisms attempt to effectively colonize Venezuela could spectacularly backfire, setting Latin America politically aflame.

Trumps assertion of unbridled US domination over the Western Hemisphere threatens the core interests of Canadian imperialism and the very existence of its federal state, at least as currently constituted.

Not only has Trump vowed to use economic force to transform Canada into Americas 51st state. In the recently issued US National Security Strategy, the White House proclaimed that US imperialism must be pre-eminent in the Americas and that it will intervene at will to ensure that key strategic assets and resources are controlled by the US and/or denied to China and all other strategic rivals, and that the hemispheres governments pursue policies in line with Washingtons wishes.

Trump and his henchmen, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, have explicitly cast the assault on Venezuela as the opening shot in realizing this blueprint for US imperialist domination throughout the hemisphere. Directly referencing the National Security Strategy, Trump told his Saturday mission accomplished press conference, American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.

This has been followed by a barrage of threats from Trump, Rubio, and Hegseth targeting countries across the hemisphere and indeed the worldfrom Cuba, Colombia and Mexico to China and Iran. On Sunday, Trump refused to rule out using military force to seize Greenland, an overseas territory of fellow NATO member Denmark that the White House says Washington needs to control to counter the Russian and Chinese threat in the Arctic.

In an extraordinary Sunday editorial, titled Venezuelas fate is a warning for Canada, the Globe and Mail, the traditional voice of Canadas financial elite, was forced to concede that Washington has now become an existential threat to Canadian imperialism. Saturday, it declared,

marked the formal debut of an imperial America, led by a president who recognizes no law, save that of the jungle.  Every country in the Western Hemisphere should be worried, particularly this country, which Mr. Trump so obviously covets as a 51st state Its true that Mr. Trump has forsworn the use of military force in the case of Canada. Assuming for a moment that he keeps to his word, there are myriad ways in which to use economic coercion to accomplish the goal of turning Canada into a de facto protectorate. The threats, tariffs and rhetoric of the last 10 months provide all the proof that is needed.

Pierre Poilievre, the far-right leader of the official opposition Conservatives, rushed to endorse the US raid on Venezuela and in Trumpian language. Congratulations to President Trump, he tweeted early Saturday morning, on successfully arresting narco-terrorist and socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro, who should live out his days in prison. Down with socialism. Long live freedom.

Poilievre has since fallen silent, except to repeat his standard refrain that the Liberal government has left Canada in a weakened position by failing to push through the building of multiple oil and natural gas pipelines in the face of popular opposition. Undoubtedly, the Conservatives and their corporate backers are divided and perplexed at how best to respond.

There is a significant and growing pro-MAGA wing of the Conservatives, especially in Alberta whose United Conservative Party Premier, Danielle Smith, has openly courted Trump. She has offered to put the provinces vast oil resources at the disposal of his global energy domination strategy and fanned the flames of the far-right Alberta separatist movement.

At the same time, even before the assault on Venezuela, leading Canadian imperialist strategists long identified with the Conservatives were warning of the existential threat Trumps strategy of hemispheric domination represents to Canadian imperialism. Typical was a recent article by Derek Burney, Brian Mulroneys chief of staff and one of the architects of the 1988 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement. It warned the Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine essentially asserts a neo-imperialist presence in the hemisphere and reduces all other states within it, including Canada, to something approaching vassal status.

Carney was more circumspect in his response to the illegal attack on Venezuela. In a statement that notably was released only 12 hours or more after Maduros capture, the Prime Minister began by underlining Canadas longstanding support for regime change and the campaign of lies and selective human rights propaganda upon which it has been based. He highlighted that Canada has not recognized Maduro as Venezuelas president since 2018, then absurdly declared that his government welcomes the opportunity for freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity for the Venezuelan people.

Without ever mentioning Trump or even the United States, Carney went on to criticize Trumps unilateralism. Canada, he declared, has long supported a peaceful, negotiated, and Venezuelan-led transition process and urges all parties to respect international law. Underlining the divergence with Washington, Carney added, Canada attaches great importance to the resolution of crises through multilateral engagement, i.e. with Canadian imperialism having a seat at the table to assert its own interests.

On Sunday, Carney spoke with Maria Corina Machado, the far-right leader of the Venezuelan opposition and last years Nobel Peace Prize winner. For months Machado begged Trump to invade Venezuela, but for the moment at least she has been sidelined by Washington.

Since taking over from his predecessor Justin Trudeau early last year, Carney has openly acknowledged the historic breakdown in the military-security and economic partnership between Canada and the United States that for the past eight decades has served as the cornerstone of Canadian imperialisms global strategy.

In the name of answering Trumps trade war barrage and annexationist threats and strengthening Canadas sovereignty and economy, the Carney Liberal government has shifted politics far to the right. It has implemented Trump-style policies the ruling class long wanted but feared would provoke mass opposition. Carneys government has massively increased military spending, intensified public spending austerity, accelerated the already far-advanced attack on the right to strike, and slashed taxes for big business and the rich. He has committed to reaching the NATO target of spending 5 percent of GDP on the military within a decade, declaring that as a middle power Canada must become more aggressive if it is to avoid being feasted on by larger powers in a new era of global strategic conflict.

Carney and the dominant sections of the Canadian ruling class would still prefer an accommodation with Trump, since the US accounts for approximately three-quarters of Canadas exports. But in the face of the would-be Fuhrers America first agenda, Carney has turned to strengthening military security ties with Europe, whose imperialist powers likewise find themselves in an escalating conflict with Washington.

Carney met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, and he will join a so-called Coalition of the willing meeting on Ukraine that he is hosting in Paris Tuesday. The format was set up after Trump made clear his intention to reach an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the expense of and over the heads of the other NATO powers, to divide up Ukraine and open up Russia to exploitation and investment by American companies. With the active support of the Canadian ruling class, which views Russia as a strategic rival, especially in the Arctic, the European powersabove all Germany, Britain, and Francewant to continue the Ukraine war at all costs in order to secure their own share of the spoils by reducing Russia to the status of a semi-colony.

Like Carney, the response of the Bloc Quebecoisthe pro-Quebec independence party in the federal parliamentto the criminal attack on Venezuela has been two-faced. It voiced support for the longstanding US-led, Canadian-supported drive to install a more slavishly pro-imperialist government in Caracas, while expressing reservations over the manner in which Maduro was removed from power. The Parti Quebecois, the senior party in the Quebec independentiste, i.e., separatist, movement and the favourite to win next Octobers election, has kept studiously silent on last weekends events. However, its leader, Paul St. Pierre-Plamondon, recently affirmed that an independent Quebec would seek a closer relationship with a Trump-led America, declaring, Our interests in Quebec are aligned with those of the United States.

The trade union-sponsored New Democratic Party was the only federal party that condemned Trumps actions, calling them totally illegal and a breach of the UN covenants the US has agreed to uphold. But its opposition was entirely from the standpoint of Canadian nationalism and the defence of Canadian imperialist interests. The NDP has supported virtually every Canadian imperialist war of aggression over the past three decades, supports Canadian rearmament and like Carney and the European imperialist powers is determined that the war against Russia continue. Its statement, which notably made no call for working people to oppose the US attack on Venezuela, concluded with the lament that Trumps contempt for international law and seizure of Venezuelan oil would discredit the propaganda campaign used to justify the war on Russia in Ukraine.

The NDP and the trade unions are the biggest promoters of the ruling classs Team Canada response to Trumps trade war and annexation threats. Their nationalist fulminations serve to subordinate the working class to the Carney government and corporate Canada as they wage class war, and to divide Canadian workers from workers in the US, Mexico and around the world.

The Globes Sunday editorial ended by proclaiming that Canada faces a national emergency, saying in not so many words that after Venezuela it feared Canada could be next. In response to this emergency, it is demanding that Carney move much further and faster to the right. In an editorial Monday titled Canada does not have a moment to lose it dismissed Carneys attacks on the working class and public services as a small down payment toward the wholesale restructuring of class relations necessary to fund Canadas military build-up, strengthen its competitive position and military-industrial base, and diversify its economic relations so it can prevail in the violent imperialist redivision of the world already well underway.

The global eruption of imperialist aggression, in which Canada is a significant player, is radicalizing millions of workers internationally. Workers in Canada must take up the fight to construct a global anti-war movement led by the working class to call a halt to the revival of colonial forms of rule expressed in Trumps attack on Venezuela, and the use of genocide and world war in pursuit of corporate profits and geostrategic dominance.

Canadian workers, like their class brothers and sisters in the US, are outraged by Trumps unrestrained aggression, brazen criminality, and erection of a dictatorship at home. But they cannot fight Trump and the financial oligarchy he represents by lining up with any faction of Canadas ruling class, which opposes Trump only to the extent that his America First Donroe Doctrine cuts across their own predatory interests.

The only basis upon which fascism, world war, and dictatorship can be combatted is an internationalist and socialist program. The working class must put an end to crisis-ridden capitalism, which is the source of the numerous manifestations of barbarism evident today, and replace it with workers governments committed to socialist policies. In this fight, the closest allies of workers in Canada are workers in the United States and throughout the Americas.
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Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. [AP Photo/Julio Cortez]

One day after the fascist-led mob summoned to Washington by President Donald Trump overran the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, the World Socialist Web Site wrote that the attack was a turning point in the history of the United States.

The hoary glorifications of the invincibility and timelessness of American democracy have been exposed as a hollow political myth. The popular phrase It Cant Happen Here, taken from the title of Sinclair Lewis famous fictional account of the rise of American fascism, has been overtaken by history. Not only can a fascist coup happen here. It did happen here, on the afternoon of January 6, 2021.

The correctness of that assessment is clear in what has transpired over the past five years.

On January 6, 2021, Congress convened to certify the Electoral College vote confirming the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. What was supposed to be a constitutional formality became the target of an organized operation to overturn the election by force.

A mob of several thousand marched from the White House at Trumps command, stormed through lightly held police barricades and assaulted the Capitol. Organized paramilitary forcesabove all the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepersforced their entry through doors and windows and spearheaded the attack into the building; subsequent prosecutions established that leading figures were guilty of seditious conspiracy and related felonies aimed at preventing the certification. The violence was severe and sustained: More than 140 police officers were injured during the assault.

The political objective was the overthrow of the Constitution and the annulment of the election results. A gallows erected outside the Capitol was not a grotesque prop; it was a declaration of intent. Trumps own Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi narrowly escaped capture. Had leading officials been seized, the coup would have acquired the leverage it requiredthrough execution or hostage-takingto compel capitulation and impose a political outcome the electorate had rejected.

January 6 was not a spontaneous eruption. It was the culmination of a conspiracy that developed over months and gathered momentum as the inauguration approached. The House impeachment report produced immediately afterward documented Trumps course of conduct in the months leading up to January 6, including his efforts to pressure officials, summon supporters to Washington and direct them toward the Capitol.

Trump was at the center of the plot. He attempted to compel state officials and governors to reverse certified resultsmost notoriously in Georgia, where he pressed the secretary of state to find enough votes to overturn the outcome. When these efforts failed, the conspiracy converged on January 6 itself: a plan to block certification, create institutional paralysis and use violence to block the transfer of power.

The most damning feature of January 6 is not only that a coup was attempted but that it came so close to success and encountered no organized political resistance from the Democratic Party.

As the assault unfolded, Democratic leaders did not call on the population to mobilize in defense of democratic rights. Senators and representatives fled and hid; there was no appeal for mass action, no call for a nationwide mobilization of the working class and no effort to transform public outrage into active resistance. Bidens response during the coup attempt was not a summons to the people but to issue an appeal on national television for Trumpthe coup plotter-in-chiefto call off his own forces.

The Democrats feared, above all, that a popular mobilization against a coup would rapidly take the form of a broader social eruptionan opposition that would escape their control and assume a direct, anti-capitalist character. Their defense of democracy was constrained from the outset by fear of legitimizing mass struggle from below.

The coup did not fail because democratic institutions proved strong. It failed narrowly, through the inexperience, logistical errors and operational incoherence of the conspirators, combined with their inability to secure decisive leverage quickly enough.

The deployment of the D.C. National Guard was delayed for hours. Testimony and documentation describe a roughly 3-hour-and-19-minute gap before the National Guard arrived at the Capitol. That delay provided precisely the window in which the coup could have been consolidated.

The outcome would likely have been different under only slightly altered conditions. Had the mob succeeded in taking even a single prominent Democratic senator or representative hostage, the Democratic Party would have moved rapidly into negotiationunder conditions of terrorin the name of stability and national unity. The Democrats conduct during the attack itself demonstrated that they had neither the will nor the program to prosecute a genuine struggle against dictatorship.

Far more important to the Democratic Party than defending democratic rights was maintaining bipartisan unity for the strategic priorities of American imperialism, above all, escalation of confrontation with Russia.

Even in the immediate aftermath of January 6, Biden and Democratic leaders insisted on the need for a strong Republican Party, signaling their determination to restore the very political instrument that had enabled Trump. The Democrats governing orientation was to secure Republican collaboration on foreign policy, war appropriations and the expansion of the national security apparatus while suppressing any independent political mobilization of the population.

The record of the Ukraine war underscores this class logic. The Biden administration repeatedly sought vast funding packages and relied on bipartisan mechanisms to prosecute the proxy war against Russia, culminating in major congressional passage of large Ukraine aid allocations with significant cross-party support. In practice, defending democracy at home was subordinated to the requirements of war abroad.

The Democrats collapse is most exposed by their conduct in the 2024 campaign and its aftermath. During that campaign, leading Democrats declared that Trump was a fascist and that his election would mean dictatorship. Yet when Trump won, they accepted the outcome passively and did nothing to build resistance to the incoming regime. Their warnings functioned as electioneering, not a strategy for stopping dictatorship. It was necessary to ensure a smooth transition.

After Trump returned to office, the normalization accelerated. Trumps early actions included blanket clemency for January 6 defendants, pardons and commutations issued as a presidential proclamation.

Investigations that dragged on for years were then shut down or neutralized in the wake of his electoral victory. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is now the target of legal persecution by congressional Republicans and Trumps Department of Justice, told the House Oversight Committee last month that Trump clearly planned the January 6 coup: Our view of the evidence was that he caused it and that he exploited it and that it was foreseeable to him, Smith said.

Over the past year since his return to power, the Trump administration has implemented a systematic conspiracy for dictatorship, which is to accomplish what it failed to achieve on January 6. This has taken the form of the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities, the vicious assault on immigrants, open defiance of the courts, the criminalization of political opposition and threats to invoke the Insurrection Act.

The invasion of Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro are open gangsterism. Trumps declaration that the United States would run Venezuela following the operation marks a point of no return. His language dispenses with any pretense of legality and replicates the criminal military operations of the Nazi Third Reich.

These actions are inseparable from the internal trajectory of the regime: impunity for the coup plotters, political persecution, rule by decree and the normalization of violence as state policy. The fundamental conclusion follows inexorably: The defense and revival of democratic rights is impossible without a fight for socialism.

The Socialist Equality Party is fighting for the development of a new base of mass resistance to dictatorship. This is bound up with the development of the class struggle, animated by a clear anti-capitalist perspective. What is required is not a broad coalition behind the Democratic Party, but the independent political mobilization of the working class against the oligarchy and its state.

That means, centrally, the systematic development of working class rank-and-file committeesin factories, workplaces, logistics hubs, schools, hospitals and neighborhoods. These organs of democratic, workers self-organization are critical: They provide the practical means to break the grip of the corporate bureaucracy, unify struggles across industries and regions, defend immigrants and targeted communities and transform scattered anger into coordinated action guided by a socialist program.

This fight must be taken forward in 2026. The lessons of January 6and of what has followedmust be burned into the collective memory of the working class, not as a lament but as a guide to action: Dictatorship will not be stopped by appeals to the very institutions and parties that enabled it. It can be stopped only through the conscious political mobilization of the working class to take power, expropriate the oligarchy and reorganize society, within the United States and internationally, on socialist foundations.
One Franklin Square Building, home of The Washington Post newspaper, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

Major US corporate news media have responded to the US military invasion of Venezuela and kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro in unison. Celebrating the illegal act of imperialist aggression with words such as bold, audacious, daring and stunning, this responsederived from White House talking pointsreveals the news media as a direct instrument of imperialist colonialism and war propaganda.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, US forces launched what was publicly described as a largescale assault on Venezuela, culminating in the seizure and removal of Maduro from the country in an operation coordinated with US intelligence agencies. Multiple explosions were reported across Caracas as lowflying US aircraft struck targets in and around the capital, while elite special operations forces penetrated the presidential security perimeter under cover of an Americanengineered blackout of the city.

According to the latest reports, as many as 80 people were killed during the operation, including civilians. The Cuban government has officially reported 32 Cuban military and intelligence personnel killed during the US assault.

The entire US media has repeated the talking points of fascist Senator Tom Cotton, who appeared on the Sunday talk shows as a surrogate for Trump to declare that Trumps attack on Venezuela was bold, audacious, direct action.

The response by the Washington Postowned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezosset the political and ideological tone for the entire corporate media. In its editorial, the Post hailed the invasion as a stunning demonstration of American resolve and a bold, tactically flawless operation that removed a tyrant long allied with hostile powers.

The Post praised Trump and the military high command for an operation of audacious reach and surgical precision, stressing that the action sent an unmistakable message to rival powers and to any government that defies US security interests in the hemisphere.

Not a single line in the Post editorial questioned the legitimacy of the action or raised the slightest concern that the United States had unilaterally violated the most fundamental norms of state sovereignty. Instead, the Post complained that the White House lacked a sufficiently elaborated postMaduro plan to manage Venezuelas transition under de facto US colonial control.

Throughout the broadcast and print media, the vocabulary used to describe the operation was strikingly uniform, revealing a tightly coordinated propaganda campaign taking its line from CIA briefing documents.

NPR called the operation an audacious and surprising move and a daring middle-of-the-night raid.

ABC News described it as a stunning capture.

CBS News reported on a stunning, large-scale attack.

NBC News called it the most audacious military operation of Trumps presidency.

CNN described the military operation and Trumps subsequent press conference as extraordinary and remarkable.

The National Review called the operation audacious and technically proficient, arguing it sends a powerful message to adversaries.

Bloomberg headlined its coverage, Trump Reshapes World Order with Daring Venezuela Raid.

The Atlantic ran an article titled Trumps Audacious Success.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Trump said the US would run Venezuela after capturing Maduro in audacious attack.

Across this spectrum, the key adjectivesbold, audacious, daring, stunningwere endlessly recycled, while the language of law and references to colonialism and war crimes were completely absent. Not one of these outlets provided a historically or politically accurate description or referred to international law.

The coordination between the media and the military went beyond cheerleading. According to a report by Semafor, the New York Times and Washington Post, learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday nightbut held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops. That is, the media was actively involved in covering up a war crime, making it an accomplice.

The US assault on Venezuela violates the most basic provisions of the UN Charter governing the use of force. The UN Charter was ratified by the US Congress on July 28, 1945, and signed into law by Harry Truman on August 8, 1945. It is considered part of US law under the Constitutions Supremacy Clause.

Article 2(4) of the Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, a formula written precisely to outlaw the kind of armed intervention carried out by Washington in Caracas. The kidnapping of a sitting head of state, the bombardment of the capital, and the declaration that the United States will run Venezuela for an indefinite transition period all constitute a frontal attack on Venezuelas territorial integrity and political independence.

The Charter authorizes the use of force only in two narrowly defined circumstances: selfdefense in response to an armed attack, or collective action sanctioned by the UN Security Council. Neither condition exists in this case. In legal terms, the US government has carried out an unprovoked act of aggression, the supreme crime under international law, encompassing within it all other war crimes, and for which the Nazis were prosecuted at the Nuremberg Trials following World War II.

Additionally, the US naval blockade of Venezuela constitutes an act of aggression under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, which explicitly lists the blockade of the ports or coasts of a State by the armed forces of another State as aggression. The seizure of Venezuelas oil resourceswhich Trump openly declared as his objectiveconstitutes pillage under international humanitarian law.

None of these issues are broached in the coverage in the print media, nor in the television broadcast media of the major networks, which are staffed by toadies passing as journalists. This is an expression of class interests.

First, the major networks and newspapers are owned and controlled by the same financialcorporate oligarchy that supports the Trump administration and its foreign policy.

These outlets do not cover imperialist operations from the outside; they are integrated into the states ideological apparatus, briefed by the Pentagon and intelligence agencies and aligned with Wall Streets demand for control of Venezuelas vast oil and strategic resources.

Second, the propagandistic repetition of bold, audacious, daring and stunning serves a specific ideological function: to transform a crime into a spectacle of virtuosity. By saturating the public with admiration for the operations tactical success, the news media seek to preempt questions about its colonial character and legitimize the openly declared aim of placing Venezuela under US control.

The total absence of the phrase war crime from these reports is itself damning. Within the US corporate news outlets, legality is invoked only against the official enemies. When the US kidnaps a president and bombs a capital, the discussion shifts to a review of the flawlessly executed character of Operation Absolute Resolve.

The adulation of the media is also aimed at muffling the opposition of the American public. Before the invasion, a Quinnipiac University poll found that 63 percent of voters opposed US military action inside Venezuela, with only 25 percent in favor. Opposition was overwhelming among Democrats (89 percent) and strong among independents (68 percent), with a substantial share of Republicans rejecting the prospect of another US war in Latin America.

Subsequent polling highlighted by national outlets, including CBS/YouGov and CNN, also confirmed that a majority of Americans oppose the invasion and kidnapping, with skepticism toward the claim that such operations have anything to do with democracy or fighting drugs. This chasm between public opinion and media propaganda proves that the corporate press does not reflect public opinion but regurgitates the strategic interests of the state and the billionaire class it serves.

The opposition among millions of workers and youth toward the attack on Venezuela is the product of the past quarter century of imperialist wars that were all launched based on lies and bad man campaigns used to justify them. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was sold with fabricated stories about weapons of mass destruction and the demonization of Saddam Hussein; the destruction of Libya in 2011 was justified by lurid claims of impending massacres by Muammar Gaddafi.

In every case, the corporate media repeated the official narrative, only to quietly and partially acknowledge years later that the wars had been based on falsehoods and had produced catastrophes measured in hundreds of thousands of deaths and entire societies laid waste. These experiences have left a mark on the consciousness of the American and international working class.

A central lesson that must be drawn by workers and youth from the Venezuelan invasion and the medias reaction to it is that no opposition to war and dictatorship can be expected from the corporate press. The attempt to resurrect and extend the Monroe Doctrineasserting US hegemony over the entire Western Hemispherenecessarily means permanent war against the peoples of Latin America and escalating confrontation with rival powers, alongside an intensifying assault on the social and democratic rights of workers in the United States itself.

The medias fawning coverage of the kidnapping of Maduro is a warning that the ruling class is tossing aside all legal norms in pursuit of global domination. Opposition must come from below, through the independent political mobilization of the working class in the US, across the Americas and internationally against imperialism and the capitalist system that breeds war. This requires the building of new, revolutionary leadership rooted in the struggles of the working class, armed with the lessons of history and based on the struggle for socialism.
On Sunday, the European Union (EU) officially took a stand on the US attack on Venezuela. The brief statement, which was supported by all 27 EU member states with the exception of Hungary, has schizophrenic traits. In half a page, it invokes no less than five times the principles of international law, territorial integrity, sovereignty and democracy, but explicitly welcomes the overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which violated all of these principles. It invokes international law, but does not condemn its violation by the US with a single word.

The European Union flag stands inside the atrium at the European Council building in Brussels, June 17, 2024. [AP Photo/Omar Havana]

The EU recalls that, under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld. Members of the United Nations Security Council have a particular responsibility to uphold those principles, as a pillar of the international security architecture, the statement says. The EU supports the fight against transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, but these challenges must be addressed in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

But even though the US has trampled on all these principles by pillaging Venezuela, the statement did not criticise the Trump administration. On the contrary, it welcomed the kidnapping of the Venezuelan president by stating that the EU has repeatedly stated that Nicolas Maduro lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president.

European heads of government reacted in a similarly hypocritical manner.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a trained lawyer, has so far strictly refused to condemn the US attack on a sovereign country, which violates international law. He said that the legal classification of the US intervention was complex and that the German government was taking its time to consider it. At the same time, Merz expressed his satisfaction with the kidnapping of Maduro, whom he accused of leading his country to ruin, rigging the last election and playing a problematic role by entangling Venezuela in the drug trade. Germany therefore did not recognise Maduros presidency, he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron initially supported the US raid, saying that the Venezuelan people now had reason to rejoice. He later qualified this by saying that France had neither supported nor approved the method used. At the same time, he demanded that a fait accompli be created and power be handed over to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who lost to Maduro in the 2024 presidential election and subsequently fled into exile in Spain.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is politically close to Trump, criticised that external military action was not the right way to end totalitarian regimes, but declared that defensive intervention against hybrid attacks on ones own security, such as drug trafficking, was legitimate. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the end of the rule of illegitimate President Maduro.

The schizophrenia of the European powers, who invoke international law all the more loudly the more openly they violate it, is an expression of the political dilemma in which they find themselves. They care as little about international law as Trump does. They invoke it when it suits themin the war against Russia and in the conflict with Chinaand reject it when it stands in their wayin the genocide in Gaza, the economic strangulation of Iran, the kidnapping of Maduro, etc.

But the US invasion of Venezuela, Trumps claim to run the country and own its oil and the goal formulated in the new US National Security Strategy to deny non-Hemispheric competitors the ability to own or control strategically vital assets in our Hemisphere are directed not only against Chinese and Russian interests, but also against European interests.

Europe has close economic ties with Latin America. A free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela was supposed to be signed in December but was blocked at the last minute by French and Italian agricultural interests.

Even greater is the fear among Europeans that the reckless foreign policy of the US could directly affect them. Trumps threat to annex Greenland, controlled by NATO member Denmark, which he repeated after the attack on Venezuela, is being taken very seriously in Copenhagen and Brussels.

An editorial in the Financial Times on Trumps reckless intervention in Venezuela concludes:

At the start of the second year of Trumps second term, his message is clear: his US does not just feel unbound by the niceties of the post-1945 ideas of international rules and law, it will intervene all but at will in its own hemisphere  and possibly elsewhere too. The blatant violation of sovereignty of a major South American state sends a bleak signal to the rest of the world.  Trump is willing to lead by example in presiding over a world where might is right.

The German weekly newspaper Die Zeit published an article on what would happen if Trump were to take Greenland. It may sound absurd, but it is very likely that this will occur. Trump is not only disregarding international law, but he will also dismantle NATO if it suits his purposes.

Die Zeit raised the question of whether the article in the EU treaties that obliges all EU members to support a member state whose territory is attacked with all means at their disposal would then be activated. It thus discusses the possibility of an armed conflict between Europe and the US. What sounds like wild fantasy, according to Die Zeit, is a reasonable response to a reality that has gone wild.

Other commentaries, particularly in the F.A.Z., admire Trumps remarkable achievement in capturing Maduro and recommend that others follow suit. One F.A.Z. commentary notes appreciatively: What Trumps military accomplishes in the blink of an eye, Putin has not come close to achieving in four years with his war of annihilation in Ukraine.

The conclusion is always the same: Europe, and Germany in particular, must rearm in order to assert itself in a world where might makes right prevails. Pacifism means better to be a slave than to risk your life, explains the F.A.Z. In his New Years address, Chancellor Merz called for defending and asserting our interests even more strongly on our own.

The European powers do not yet dare to openly oppose Trump. They are dependent on US support to continue the war against Russia in Ukraine. On Tuesday, a summit meeting of the coalition of the willing is taking place in Paris, at which decisions will be made on the continuation of negotiations with Russia and further support for Ukraine. The Europeans want to win Trump, who has been zigzagging for months, over to their side and not anger him.

We must not forget that we are still involved in Ukraine, said Christian Democratic Union foreign policy expert Armin Laschet, explaining the European stance on Venezuela. The question is: Would it be wise for the Europeans to decide now to make a one-sided accusation against US President Donald Trump? Doing so could lead to a loss of support for further steps in Ukraine.

The Greens, who are no longer part of the federal government, are less diplomatic. The party, which is one of the most aggressive agitators in the war against Russia in Ukraine, denounced Trumps attack on Venezuela as a clear violation of international law, accused the US president of wanting to destroy the European Unionand attacked Merz for lacking the will to confront Trump and be aggressive!

The past few months have shown that those who make themselves small in front of Trump will be steamrolled. Those who appear strong will be respected, said Green Party leader Franziska Brantner. She accused Merz of fleeing from reality and trying to avoid confrontation. Trump only responds to determination, and Germany and Europe must now demonstrate this determination. This is one of Merzs most urgent duties.

The working class on both sides of the Atlantic must oppose this war hysteria. The answer to Trumps might makes right policy is not the rearmament of Europe, but the disarming of the warmongers in the US and Europe, the overthrow of capitalism, which breeds war, and the building of an international socialist society.
In a brief but revealing seven-minute statement, on Monday the Democratic governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, announced he was suspending his re-election campaign. Walz, former Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate in the 2024 presidential election and a rumored 2028 presidential candidate, had previously announced last September that he would seek a third term.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz holds a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. [AP Photo/Giovanna Dell'Orto]

Walzs decision comes more than a month after federal immigration agents began kidnapping operations in the Twin Cities of MinneapolisSt. Paul, the largest metropolitan area in the state and home to approximately 3.7 million people. It also coincided with reports from multiple major media outlets, citing federal police, that the Department of Homeland Security is preparing a massive escalation, including the deployment of more than 2,000 federal agents to the metro area under the command of Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino.

This deployment represents a qualitative escalation of Trumps mass deportation operation and a further step toward dictatorial forms of rule. The number of federal officers now being sent into Minneapolis is comparable in scale to the National Guard deployment in Washington D.C. following the January 6 coup attempt.

Bovino personally oversaw violent and illegal federal occupations in Los Angeles, Chicago and Charlotte, North Carolina last year. Often backed by video cameras and heavily armed masked agents, Bovino has played a central role in separating families, trampling democratic rights and publicly posturing as Trumps chief anti-immigrant thug.

Chief official of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Gregory Bovino arrives outside the federal court in Chicago on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. [AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh]

While only a tiny fraction of the Twin Cities population are Somali Americans, up to 100,000, the community has been the target of a concerted fascist campaign from the Trump White House and the Republican Party at-large. The racist campaign, a component of Trumps mass deportation operation, began with the publication of a New York Times report in November detailing a multi-year federal investigation into alleged fraud perpetrated in the state.

Trump immediately seized on the report to cast all Somalis, in the US and abroad, as garbage. In social media posts and in a December tirade publicly aired from inside the Oval Office, Trump attacked Walz and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali American elected to Congress, for allegedly abetting the supposed fraud. Referring to Omar, Trump hissed, Shes garbage. Her friends are garbage. These arent people who work.

Trumps rant was warmly received by neo-Nazis. Speaking of Trumps rant on his December 3, 2025 livestream, Nick Fuentes remarked, He is saying what we are all thinking.  He talks and sounds like we do. He is echoing the concerns of the forgotten men and women.

Following Trumps December rant, DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began operating in force in the state, seizing over 1,000 people so far, according to the agency. In furtherance of the deportation operation, a video published last month by Trump-aligned YouTuber Nick Shirley claimed to have uncovered more than $100 million in Somali-organized fraud at childcare and healthcare centers.

Following the posting of Shirleys video on social media, the Trump administration suspended billions of dollars in federal funding to Minnesota and four other states governed by Democrats, including Illinois, New York, California and Colorado.

Despite the fact that many of Shirleys claims have been proven false, Walz devoted several minutes of his announcement speech to lamenting criminals in the state who allegedly took advantage of our generosity, thus lending credibility to Republican narratives about mass fraud.

For the last several years an organized group of criminals have sought to take advantage of this states generosity and even as we make progress in the fight against the fraudsters we now see an organized group of political actors seeking to take advantage of a crisis, he said.

Walz repeatedly used the word criminals to describe the alleged fraudsters, but not once did he refer to the cabal of fascists in the White House, who ordered the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in an illegal military operation that resulted in the deaths of at least 80 people, as criminals.

Every minute I spend defending my own political interest would be a minute I cant spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who want to prey on our differences, he said.

Walzs decision not to run came amid Republican threats and accusations of supposedly multibillion-dollar fraud schemes allegedly perpetrated by immigrants imported by Democrats, none of which have materialized and all of which, including Shirleys so-called investigation, have proven to be fabricated and baseless.

Trumps federal occupation of Minneapolis is only possible because of the political capitulation of the Democratic Party and figures such as Walz. Even though Walz and his family have been repeatedly targeted by Republican extremists, he nonetheless echoed Republican talking points and appealed for bipartisan cooperation. Walz pleaded to work with Republicans, anyone to take on the criminals.

We welcome ideas from anyone in any party, from any walk of life who wants to help us continue to stay ahead of these criminals, Walz said. Turning to Trumps Department of Justice and the FBI, working hand in glove with the Trump White House to suppress the Jeffrey Epstein files, Walz added, And we welcome the involvement of the federal government. I am grateful for the career professionals at the U.S. Attorneys office and the FBI who have been helping us fight this fight for years.

Just as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Joe Biden sought to build a strong Republican Party following Trumps failed coup five years ago, Walz now offers to aid his Republican friends through the final year of his term and beyond:

As an optimist, I will hold out some hope that my friends on the other side of the aisle will consider what servant leadership demands of them in the moment. We can work together to combat the criminals. We can work together to rebuild the publics trust and make our state stronger.

An emboldened Trump responded to Walzs announcement on Truth Social with fresh attacks on Omar and Somalis as a whole and threats to imprison Democratic governors:

Minnesotas Corrupt Governor will possibly leave office before his Term is up but, in any event, will not be running again because he was caught, REDHANDED, along with Ilhan Omar, and others of his Somali friends, stealing Tens of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars. I feel certain the facts will come out, and they will reveal a seriously unscrupulous, and rich, group of SLIMEBALLS. Governor Walz has destroyed the State of Minnesota, but others, like Governor Gavin Newsum, JB Pritzker, and Kathy Hochul, have done, in my opinion, an even more dishonest and incompetent job. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!

The cowardice of Walz and the Democrats is not a personal failing but the product of definite class interests. The Democratic Party does not oppose Trumps assault on the working class in Venezuela or the United States because it represents the same banks, corporations and oligarchs as its Republican counterparts.

The defense of democratic rights and social programs requires the independent mobilization of the working class against both parties on the basis of a socialist program. The attack on immigrants is the spearhead of a broader assault on the economic and social conditions of the entire working class.
The Victorian state Labor government announced in December that more than 1,000 jobs will be slashed across the public service. This is a deepening of an austerity drive it has pursued over the past three years in office.

The cuts are the governments official response to the Silver Review, which was publicly released in early December after months of delay. The independent review, led by former top bureaucrat and banking executive Helen Silver, was commissioned by the government earlier this year to provide recommendations for eliminating programs, consolidating departments and reducing the public service workforce to pre-pandemic levels.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Labor Party conference in Melbourne, May 18, 2024 [Photo: Twitter/X @AlboMP]

Premier Jacinta Allans government accepted most of the final reports 52 recommendations, pledging to cut over 1,000 public servant positions, reclassify many remaining roles into lower salary brackets, and eliminate 29 public sector entities while consolidating several others.

The government and the main public service trade union, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), claim that the jobs cuts are aimed at the executive level. Such positions, however, will account for only approximately 300 of the 1,000 roles that will be eliminated. The majority of job losses will hit lower-level staff.

Even workers ostensibly unaffected by the job cuts will face new efficiency measures, with departments to review all roles and reclassify them to more junior pay grades wherever possible. Furthermore, while the reviews scope did not include so-called frontline staff, the final report stated that the government should nonetheless expect these roles to be part of broader efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

In releasing the report, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes signalled that the government may go further in future and revisit the recommendations that it has not already accepted. That is likely to include the recommendation to eliminate 2,000 jobs, rather than 1,000.

The more politically toxic measures in the reportsuch as halting construction of new early learning centres and privatising those already built, as well as cutting funding for musical instruments in secondary schoolscan be deferred until after the state election in 2026 and then imposed despite public opposition.

In the name of cost savings, the government has already accepted in full the recommendations to abolish Sustainability Victoria, absorb VicHealth (an entity focusing on health promotion and chronic disease prevention) into the Department of Health, and merge all food safety regulators into one entity. Other recommendationssuch as the proposal to combine all workplace regulatorswere not accepted in full simply because the government already had legislation in parliament to cut these down.

The government accepted in part the recommendation to sell off under-utilised Technical and Further Education (TAFE) assets and property.

Advisory committees are also on the chopping block, with the government accepting the proposal to abolish 90 percent of them within the next few years and rely on other mechanisms for policy advice. The review stated that industry bodies could assume this advisory role instead.

The areas most deeply affected by the cuts will be environment, education and healthwith these departments to be cut by 9 percent, 7 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

The cuts to social programs are being driven by the demands of the financial markets, on the pretext of reducing Victorias growing public debt, which has been projected to reach $188 billion by 2028. In February, S&P released a report putting Victoria on notice for its lax financial discipline and threatening a further credit downgrade if it failed to rein in pandemic-sized spending.

Much of this debt, however, stems from enormous subsidies funnelled to corporations to maintain profits during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Independently of the Silver Review, numerous restructurings and redundancies have already taken place over the past few months and are continuing at pace. Hundreds of jobs have been made redundant in the Department of Education alone, including in regional/rural services and early childhood education. The deadline for affected workers to apply for a separation package was December 10.

The Silver Review commended the cost-cutting exercises: hiring freezes, tightened hospital budgets and efficiency measures that transfer workloads onto remaining staff. It reported that significant work has been undertaken or is underway in the VPS [Victorian Public Service] to improve its effectiveness and efficiency. In practice, this means unpaid overtime, increased caseloads and the wholesale erosion of institutional capacity to deliver basic services.

These cuts form part of a global push by capitalist governments to shrink the public sector and reallocate social spending to corporate subsidies and military projects. In the past year, this has been seen most starkly by the evisceration of public services by the fascistic Trump administration.

In the Australian context, the cuts are an intensification of a decades-long assault on the public sector. From the Hawke-Keating era Accords and enterprise bargaining framework of the 1980s and 90s, both Labor and Liberal-National governments have overseen the corporatisation of public services.

Beyond the public service, Victorian workers and communities are already feeling the consequences of Labors big business agenda. The same Labor government is pursuing public housing demolition, has introduced laws allowing children as young as 14 to be tried in adult courts and rolled out new police powers to suppress public protests, including over the Gaza genocide.

The response of the CPSUunder new supposedly progressive leadershipis telling. The CPSU emailed its members claiming that we, together, have saved more than 4,000 public service jobs and boasting that the original proposal to cut 6,000 roles had been reduced to only 1,000.

That is emblematic of the union bureaucrats long-standing function: to negotiate the scale, pace and acceptability of cuts on terms set by employers and the state, and to police workplace compliance.

The CPSU leaders have helped oversee $5 billion in savings from the public sector over the past three state budgets, achieved through wage freezes, job cuts and increased workloads.

Measures to rebalance the size of the public service were a centrepiece of the 202122 state budget. In 2023, the same Labor government unveiled plans to lay off 4,000 workers in what was then the biggest cull in over a decade. The government also capped annual wage increases at 3 percent for all remaining public sector workers, significantly below the soaring cost of living.

The CPSUs more progressive union leadership has already shown its true colours, working hand-in-glove with the Labor government. Public sector workers must take matters into their own hands: democratically elected, workplace based rank and file committees are needed to halt the attacks on jobs, services and democratic rights. These committees must be independent of the union bureaucracy and the Labor Party, linking public servants with health staff, teachers, public housing tenants, transport workers and the wider working class.
The Mastermind is the latest film by prominent American independent writer-director Kelly Reichardt, responsible for Wendy and Lucy (2008), Meeks Cutoff (2010), Night Moves (2013), Certain Women (2016) and First Cow (2019), among others.

Josh OConnor in The Mastermind

It concerns the theft of paintings from a local museum in a Massachusetts town in 1970 and the aftermath of the crime, its almost inevitable unraveling. James Blaine (JB) Mooney (Josh OConnor) is an unemployed carpenter from an upper middle class family, an art school dropout at loose ends, bored with his disappointing life.

Mooney determines to steal four works by American modernist Arthur Dove (1880-1946) as a solution to his financial problems and perhaps to confirm his view of himself as somehow special and a little above the rest of humanity. To finance the theft, he is obliged to borrow money, on false pretenses, from his mother. He hires three accomplices, one of whom withdraws at the last moment.

The heist takes place, but things go badly wrong. One of the crew, subsequently arrested for a bank robbery, names Mooney as the mastermind of the art museum operation. A second, under pressure, lets local criminals know who was responsible and they appropriate the paintings from a defenseless Mooney. Wanted by the police for questioning, he sets off across the country, leaving his wife (Alana Haim) and two sons behind. His name and face are now all over the news.

Mooneys friends Fred and Maude put him up for the night, but she bluntly tells him to leave the next morning:

I dont want you staying here anymore after tonight. Im serious. And dont call either. I dont want you talking to Fred at all. And I want you to leave us alone, okay?  I dont want you ruining our lives, too.

Mooney sets off again. Now in a Midwestern city, he steals an elderly womans purse for bus fare. In an ironic twist, he falls into the hands of the police by accident.

Reichardt has made some intriguing, engaging films, including in particular Wendy and Lucy and First Cow, along with portions of Certain Women.

Wendy and Lucy, set in a rundown, former industrial town, movingly follows a young homeless woman (Michelle Williams), one of the millions in America hanging on by their fingernails.

Reichardt explained to an interviewer that the filmmakers starting point was to oppose

the conception, popular in the media and official political circles, that if youre poor in America, its because youre lazy. As the gap [between rich and poor] has grown over eight years, so has the feeling that its okay.

First Cow, set in the 1820s in the Pacific Northwest, deals memorably with the origins of North American business and the value ofand needfor solidarity. It is a realistic and intelligent account of a time when US capitalism was first spreading itself across the continent. On the other hand, Night Moves, about eco-terrorism, and the especially minimalist Meeks Cutoff, set in the 1840s, are muddy or slight.

Alana Haim in The Mastermind

The Mastermind is one of Reichardts weaker efforts. It impresses the viewer primarily as a criticism of the self-involvement and self-delusion of a certain masculine type. As painted, Mooney is an individualist, with little thought about the consequences of his actions. He has no time for protests against the Vietnam War or life on a commune proposed by Fred (Me in a commune? [He chuckles] Whos he got there, a bunch of draft dodgers?).

JB is in quest of personal freedom, which comes primarily at the expense of his wife, along with other women like his mother, to whom he owes a good deal of money, and his friend Maude.

Is the character or the situation even entirely plausible? Mooney is the son of a judge, so presumably he is familiar with the legal system and the operations of the police. How could he possibly have expected to get away with such an amateurish crime? Is he stealing the artworks to have them fenced? If so, there is no indication of it, except an allusion to a professor of his at college who was fond of Doves work.

Mooney appears to have his wits about him, but no cautious son of the petty bourgeoisie, as he is otherwise portrayed, would have embarked on such a foolhardy, doomed business. Unless  he is genuinely a convinced Nietzschean, a megalomaniac who believes himself above and immune from the law, a latter-day Rodion Raskolnikov (from Dostoyevskys Crime and Punishment, 1866). But Reichardt does not provide more than a hint or two of that. Mooney is presented as simply lazy and narcissistic, and dishonest.

While on the lam, for example, he tells his wife over the telephone:

Terri, I know it doesnt make much sense. But everything Ive done ... its been for you and the kids. And me, yeah. Yeah. Me too. True enough. But mostly, Terri, my intentions, the things Ive done  three-quarters of what Ive done, was for the good of our family.

We are meant to sneer and scoff at his pretentions. The heavy-handed irony of the title gives away too much. Reichardt is operating in some intellectually passive-aggressive mode here. She is obviously angry at the Mooneys of the world, all these terrible male egoists, although she keeps the goings-on quiet and calm for the most part. (Honestly, I dont think youve thought things through enough, one of the real criminals informs Mooney, in a moment of self-conscious understatement, echoing an earlier comment by Mooneys father.)

Reichardt let a little out of the bag in a conversation with the BBC. Their reporter wrote:

The Mastermind works in many ways to upend entrenched ideas about art robbers. From Caine in Gambit to Alain Delon in Jean-Pierre Melvilles Le Cercle Rouge (1970), such a figure was often represented as a heartthrob in the films of that time. But, with JB, Reichardt hoped to subvert that. These guys are [actually] such jerks. Theyre misogynist. They can afford to break away and do what they want. Theyre not pinned down with kids.

Or, as she says elsewhere, one persons personal freedom usually falls on the shoulders of someone else, and oftentimes, thats the woman in the room.

The Mastermind

A critic suggests the films critique is partly aimed at mens [Beat writer] Jack Kerouac-style mythologies of freedom, so often lived out at womens expense. The ideal of the liberated male, usually bonding in free-roving groups, was common in the period the film is set.

Is such a subversion of this type of misogyny truly important, or, frankly, even necessary? Dont we have bigger fish to fry? The end result of this misplaced concern with the secondary and even tertiary is a rather drab and even dull film. The real drama is missed.

Reichardt magnifies Mooneys selfishness and potential for criminality for her own narrative and ideological purposes. The film imagines a robbery at a fictional art museum in Framingham, Massachusetts. As the writer-director has indicated, she was set into motion on this film project in part by reading about the 50th anniversary of a robbery at the Worcester [Massachusetts] Art Museum that occurred in May 1972.

In that episode, apparently the first time in US history that artworks were stolen at gunpoint, two men entered the Worcester museum right before closing and stole two paintings by Paul Gauguin, one by Pablo Picasso and a work then attributed to Rembrandt (now considered a work by one of his students). A security guard was slightly wounded when he attempted to detain the thieves fleeing the building.

Within days, three men and one woman were arrested in connection with the robbery (as well as the theft of seven artworks stolen in another operation). They had apparently bragged about their exploits in a local bar. The actual mastermind of the robbery, Florian Al Monday, was found in Montreal and extradited a year later. But Monday was a career criminal, well known to the police and to other crooks, not a slacker Raskolnikov.

According to Anthony Amore, director of security and chief investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston: They [the Worcester museum paintings] were recovered by a couple of guys that were awaiting sentencing from a judge in Worcester, [they] decided if they could recover the paintings they would be able to carry some favor with that judge and the sentencing, so they put a gun in Al Mondays stomach and said, take us to them, and he did. And the paintings were recovered.

In any event, self-deluded personalities like Mooney do exist, whether they plan museum heists or not. Well and good, and so? Again, is the largely ahistorical and asocial presentation of such a figure particularly meaningful?

The Mastermind spends a good deal of time creating the atmosphere and social trappings of 1970, with numerous references around its edges to the Vietnam War, anti-war protest and so forth. Mooney is not interested in any of that, but, unfortunately, neither does Reichardt turn out to be terribly either. She insists, according to one interviewer, that politics are only the backdrop to the film, and [she] doesnt want them to be a forefront thing.

All in all, something of a muddle. Reichardt has a good observational eye and writes and films intelligent dialogue and action. She would benefit if she stopped being shamefaced about her social concerns, an accommodation to backward moods in film circles, and consistently pursued them instead.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Brazilian President Lula da Silva in Brasilia, May 2023 [Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR]

The January 3 US military invasion of Venezuela and abduction of President Nicolas Maduro represents a watershed in the crisis of world imperialism.

As the World Socialist Web Site stated, the invasion marks a total repudiation by the Trump regime of any semblance of legality. It is an unprovoked war of aggression launched in flagrant violation of international law and carried out to reimpose colonial control over Venezuela and all of Latin America.

The neocolonial character of the assault has been proclaimed without disguise by the White House gangsters. Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, Trump declared on Saturday.

The Venezuelan operation constitutes a warning to the entire region that any government resisting US dictates faces the same fate. Trumps threats against Colombian President Gustavo Petrodeclaring Petro is next and telling him to watch his ass in the language of a street thugunderscore that the January 3 attack in Caracas is aimed at establishing a precedent for an eruption of imperialist violence throughout the hemisphere.

Reaffirming his administrations declared aims of asserting unrestricted domination over Latin America and beyond, Trump said at Saturdays press conference: The Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but weve superseded it by a lot, by a real lot. They now call it the Donroe Doctrine.

The Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, in all its madness, ruthlessness and criminality, reflects the objectively desperate position of US capitalism. In South America, it has been displaced by China as the main trading partner and a leading investor in countries throughout the region. Washington seeks to reassert its lost hegemony by military means.

War and outright colonial intervention by Washington plunge the already decrepit political order in Latin America into chaos. In their answers to the crisis wrought by imperialism, all political factions of the national bourgeoisie are exposed as deeply rotten.

On one side, the supposedly left nationalists of the Pink Tide show their total inability to answer Trumps aggression and their ultimate subordination to the dictates of imperialism. On the other, the fascistic governments and political forces spreading throughout the continent make clear the integration of their ruthless dictatorial aims into the US neocolonial offensive.

Among the first group, the most emblematic statement came from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was a close partner of Hugo Chavez during the first wave of the Pink Tide at the beginning of the century.

On Saturday morning, Lula declared on X: The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. As usual, Lula conspicuously failed to name the United States or Donald Trump as the author of said bombings and capture. Instead, he concluded: The international community, through the United Nations, needs to respond vigorously to this episode. Brazil condemns these actions and remains available to promote the path of dialogue and cooperation.

This spineless declaration represents the continuation of Lulas intensifying collaboration with Trump in recent months. As the WSWS documented, Lula has engaged in a series of conversations with the fascist US president, offering to mediate Washingtons plundering interests in Venezuela and promoting Trumps agenda.

The other Pink Tide leadersClaudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, Gabriel Boric of Chile, and Gustavo Petro of Colombiaissued variations of Lulas bankrupt appeal to a law-based international order that has already been shattered by the very imperialism that created it.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his concern and condemnation for the United States military actions taking place in Venezuela and called for a peaceful solution to the grave crisis affecting the country. This protest is pure hypocrisy. Throughout his term, which is now approaching its end, Boric has distinguished himself as the most direct collaborator with US-NATO imperialism among the Pink Tide leaders.

Borica prominent offspring of Chilean pseudo-left protest politicssystematically supported Washingtons attacks against Venezuela and countries like Cuba and Nicaragua, justifying the imperialist escalation under the fraudulent banner of combating authoritarianism in the region. The Chilean leader has dropped these moralistic pretenses entirely as he offered his collaboration and support to his elected successor, the fascist Jose Antonio Kast, an open admirer of Pinochets murderous dictatorship.

Colombian President Petro who has become an increasingly explicit target of Trumps offensivewhich hasnt provoked any protests from his cowardly nationalist colleaguessignificantly toned down his answer to the latest US attack.

Petro, who drew parallels between Trump and Hitler in the last UN General Assembly in September, limited himself to declaring that the government of Colombia rejects the aggression against Venezuelas sovereignty. As with Lula, Petro made no mention of the United States or Trump, concluding his statement by announcing that Colombia must maintain open diplomatic channels with the involved governments and will promote, in relevant multilateral and regional spaces, initiatives oriented to the objective verification of facts, and the preservation of peace and regional security.

The Pink Tides complacent answer to the unprecedented US imperialist aggression culminated with the issuing of a joint statement by Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain. The statement repeated the same hypocritical concerns and cynical appeals for peaceful paths, dialogue, and negotiation.

These statements expose the full bankruptcy of the Pink Tides nationalist perspective. Their signatories are outraged not by US imperialist aggression itself, but rather by its naked exposure of the real terms set by the imperialist capitalist order to which they themselves are oriented.

In contrast to the Pink Tides pathetic appeals to the good sense of the imperialists, the regions far-right governments and fascistic forces have loudly hailed Washingtons criminal assault on Venezuela. These elements have seized upon it to aggressively advance their own dictatorial agendas.

Argentinas fascist President Javier Milei, who acts as imperialisms spearhead on the continent, immediately celebrated the attack. Viva la libertad, carajo [Long live freedom, dammit], he posted on X. Full support to the United States, full support to the US action, he later declared in an interview.

Even more glaring was an official statement of the Argentine government issued on the same day of the attack. Reviving the type of vicious rhetoric of the US-backed military dictatorship that terrorized Argentinas working class and youth between 1976 and 1983, OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE NUMBER 126 stated:

The socialist regime headed by Nicolas Maduro is currently the greatest enemy of freedom on the continent, fulfilling to this day a role similar to that which Cuba had in the seventies, exporting communism and terrorism to the entire region. Among its operations it has carried out electoral interference in Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and Bolivia; it has employed infiltration strategies in various countries of the continent via mass migration attacks; it has developed alliances with various progressive NGOs to promote the radical left in the world; it has strengthened ties with Iran and Hezbollah; it has given logistical support to Hamas and the guerrillas in Colombia; and all of this has been financed with income from drug trafficking derived from the Cartel of the Suns, an organization that was declared a terrorist group by this Government on August 26.

Variations of Mileis servile support for US imperialism combined with fascistic denunciations of communism were repeated by other far-right regional leaders.

Paraguays President Santiago Pena issued an official statement fraudulently claiming that Maduro was the leader of a criminal organization formally declared terrorist by Paraguayan authorities and his permanence in power represented a threat to regional stability.

On December 15, Penas government signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the Washington, laying the legal basis for deploying US boots on the ground in Paraguay.

In Chile, while Boric launched his sophistries about a peaceful solution in Venezuela, his fascist successor minced no words in supporting Washingtons intervention.

Kast celebrated Maduros criminal abduction by the US as great news for the region in a post on X. Echoing Trumps brazenly false pretexts for his neocolonial war, the Chilean admirer of Pinochet defined the Venezuelan government as an illegitimate narco-regime from which criminal and terrorist structures operate that gravely threaten regional peace and security. He then advocated that Latin American governments embark upon a crusade against narco-trafficking and organized crime throughout the continent.

In Brazil, the allies of former President Jair Bolsonarocurrently imprisoned for attempting a coup detat in 2022-23seized upon the attack on Venezuela to deepen their renewed fascist offensive for power.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, the ex-presidents son, celebrated the invasion underscoring its direct implications for the Brazilian government itself. He wrote on X: The Venezuelan regime is the financial, logistical and symbolic pillar of the Sao Paulo Forum. With Maduros live capture, now Lula, Petro and the others from the Sao Paulo Forum will have terrible days, take note of my words.

The Brazilian fascist speaks with some authority. Eduardo had his federal deputy mandate revoked on December 18 because of his sustained absence from House sessions since he moved in February 2025 to the US, from where he coordinates the activities of the Brazilian extreme right with Trump administration officials.

His brother, Flavio Bolsonaro, reveled in the attack, announcing: Lula will be snitched on [by Maduro]. It is the end of the Sao Paulo Forum: international drug and arms trafficking, money laundering, support for terrorists and dictatorships, fraudulent elections.

The reference to fraudulent elections by Flavio, who is launching himself as a presidential candidate for Brazils October elections, is not casual. It indicates how the architects of the January 8, 2023 coup attempt in Brasilia intend to continue pursuing their dictatorial aims under far more favorable international conditions.

The rotten and reactionary response of all sections of the Latin American bourgeoisie to the US invasion of Venezuela must be taken by the working class as a testament to the inadequacy of all nationalist perspectives in the epoch of imperialism.

The Pink Tide represents only the latest chapter in the history of bourgeois nationalism in Latin America. As the Socialist Equality Group of Brazil observed in its August 2025 statement, No to US imperialist aggression against Venezuela! For the unity of the working class across the Americas!:

The history of Latin America has been marked by repeated experiments with bourgeois nationalismfrom Peron in Argentina to Vargas in Brazil, from the Mexican Revolution to the Bolivarian movement in Venezuela. All have ended in failure, betrayal, and often bloody repression of the working class. The Pink Tide represents only the latest chapter in this failed history.

The breakdown of the bourgeois order in Latin America under the fire of imperialism and fascism intensifies explosive social contradictions that have direct revolutionary implications.

As the WSWS emphasized in its statement on the invasion, Trumps regime confronts a rendezvous with catastrophe in Venezuela. It cannot reimpose open colonialism, nor can the dictatorial regimes pursued by the likes of Milei and Bolsonaro provide stable forms of bourgeois rule.

Latin America has undergone a radical change since the period of US-backed military dictatorships. The working class has become by far the most massive social force, concentrated in megacities with tens of millions of inhabitantsSao Paulo, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Limawith deep connections to the global economy and the international working class.

If the Latin American workers have not yet given an organized political response to the outrageous imperialist intervention, it is because the old mass organizationsthe trade unions and reformist partieshave been completely demoralized and exposed as instruments of capitalism. But a mass response is inevitable, and it will be all the more explosive for its years of suppression. It will emerge swiftly at the same time as new mass organizations genuinely representing the working class will be built.

This coming revolutionary eruption demands a correct program, one which rejects bourgeois and petty-bourgeois nationalism in all its forms and embraces internationalist socialism.

This perspective requires that Latin American workers orient not toward their own national bourgeoisies, but toward their class brothers and sisters in the United States itself in a unified struggle to overthrow imperialism. As the WSWS emphasized, the fight against war is a fight against the capitalist system that breeds it, requiring workers to abolish capitalism, and to establish socialism as the foundation of a new society.
One worker was killed and another injured when a roof collapsed at the Mammoth underground coal mine near Blackwater in Central Queensland on Friday afternoon. The two men were trapped underground at around 3 p.m., but while the injured man was rescued and taken to hospital that evening, 59-year-old Jeff Palmer was found dead on Saturday night.

Jeff Palmer [Photo: Facebook/ABM Contractors]

For the mines owner, Queensland-based multinational Coronado Global Resources, this was the second worker death in less than a month. On December 18, 63-year-old Robert White was crushed by a tractor at the companys Lower War Eagle coal mine in Wyoming County, West Virginia.

Located in the coal-rich Bowen Basin, Mammoth is part of a 256 square kilometre (99 square mile) complex, which also includes two open-cut mines, Curragh North and Curragh South, producing both thermal and metallurgical coal. While the complex as a whole began operations in 1983, the underground mine is a recent expansion, mining its first coal in December 2024. More than 2,000 workers are employed across the three mines.

While the Mammoth mine remains closed while initial investigations are carried out, the open-cut sections have now resumed operations after a brief shutdown.

An initial safety notice published yesterday by Resources Health and Safety Queensland (RHSQ) stated that the roof collapsed while a multi bolter machine was being trammed [moved] back from the bolted face to the next work area.

A multi bolter is a heavy vehicle with several bolting arms, used underground to drill holes in the roof and install long steel rods that hold the rock together, to help stop the roof from falling. According to the notice, Palmer was handling the bolter cable at the time of the incident.

While not making any specific findings, RHSQ noted that the roof collapse occurred above the bolted zonethat is, in a section of the mine where supports had been installedsuggesting that the companys roof-support design may have been inadequate.

The safety regulator urged other operators to review their specific mines support design following this tragic event.

The alert notice referred to several previous bulletins, including one from 2015 cautioning against the use of 4-bolt (rather than 6-bolt) roof support patterns, noting that the 4 bolt primary roof support pattern appears to be a consistent theme in the investigations into several roof collapses in the Bowen Basin. Another, from 2022, noted that a batch of defective roof bolt nuts had been found and were likely to have been used on sites.

RHSQ did not suggest that either of these prior alerts were directly relevant to the Mammoth collapse, but their inclusion in the report implies that they are among the possibilities being considered by investigators.

Underscoring the dangers faced by workers in the industry, Palmers death was not the only mining fatality that occurred in Queensland last Friday. A 58-year-old gold prospector died after being hit by falling rocks at a private mine site at Mount Britton, about 300 kilometres (186 miles) north of Curragh.

Mining is the fourth-deadliest industry nationally in terms of raw numbers, but the third deadliest when workforce size is taken into account. In 2024, the industry had a fatality rate of 3.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, exceeded only by transport, postal and warehousing, with 7.4 per 100,000 and agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 13.7 per 100,000.

Palmer is the third worker to be killed at the Curragh complex in the past six years. On January 12, 2020, 33-year-old Donald Rabbitt suffered fatal injuries after he was crushed by a falling tyre assembly that weighed more than five tonnes.

In December 2024, almost five years later, Coroner David OConnells initial report stated that Rabbitt had been directed to change the tyre alone, although the mines standard operating procedures (SOPs) held that it should be a three-person job. OConnell also found that Rabbitt had received no practical training for the task.

While those findings would seem to clearly indicate the responsibility of management for Rabbitts death, the coroner also noted that the worker was trained in the SOPs. As his father, Robin Rabbitt, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), this was an attempt to blame his son for his own death.

Theyre saying Donald had the right to say no, he said.

The coroner declined to hold a full inquest, claiming there did not appear to be any prospect of making recommendations that would reduce the likelihood of similar deaths occurring.

The coroners decision followed the abandonment of all other legal proceedings over Rabbitts death. Following an investigation by RHSQ, Coronado, the mines senior executive, and mining contractor Thiess were all separately charged with breaching the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, but the cases were dropped by the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor between December 2023 and August 2024.

On November 21, 2021, 54-year-old Clark Peadon, who had worked at Curragh since 2006, was killed when he was crushed by one of the propel shoes (moving feet) of a dragline excavator. The experienced dragline operator had been doing cable relocation work near the machine.

Three years later, Coronado was charged with failing to meet its obligation to keep workers safe. But while the offence carried a possible maximum penalty of $689,250, the company was fined just $80,000 plus court costs of $28,572.78, and no conviction was recorded.

These previous experiences should be a warning to Curragh mine workers, their families and anyone else expecting that the official investigation into Fridays fatal mine collapse will reveal the whole truth about what happened or hold the company responsible for Palmers death.

The cases of Rabbitt and Peadon are not exceptional, but reflect the typical pattern of events following the death of a worker:

An initial statement from the relevant safety authority that a major investigation is underway, frequently backed up by politicians and union officials, who proclaim the importance of getting to the bottom of this and ensuring it never happens again.

Government investigations or coronial inquests invariably drag on for several years, during which time no restriction is placed on the continuous operations and profits of the company, and the unions divert any opposition from workers to unsafe conditions by insisting that the regulators have it under control.

Companies are completely absolved of responsibility, or charges are dropped for procedural reasons or entirely without explanation, or, at most, a token fine is issued as a slap on the wrist. A handful of recommendations may be handed down, likely never to be enforced.

This same process is already underway in relation to the October 28 fatal mine explosion at Endeavor silver, zinc and lead mine in Cobar, New South Wales. While neither the company nor the state safety regulator has provided any explanation of what caused the death of 59-year-old Ambrose McMullen and 24-year-old Holly Clarke, and with major questions raised about the explosives used at the site, the mine has fully reopened, potentially placing hundreds of workers lives at risk. The reopening has been carried out with the approval of the state safety regulator and the tacit endorsement of the Australian Workers Union and the Mining and Energy Union.

This modus operandi is not just intended to whitewash the actions of a particular company, or even dangerous practices that have become standard across an entire industry. It also serves to cover up the role played by the union bureaucracy and the regulatory agencies themselves in allowing unsafe conditions and worker fatalities to continue.

That is because these organisations serve to cover up the underlying cause of all industrial accidentsthe capitalist system and the subordination of all human need to the profit demands of big business and the financial elite.

To defend their lives, as well as their jobs, wages and conditions, workers need to take matters into their own hands. New organisations must be builtrank-and-file committees, democratically run by workers themselves, not highly paid union bureaucratsto enforce workplace safety and fight for demands based on the needs of workers, not the profit interests of management.
Jan 6 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms (META) said on Tuesday it has appointed C.J. Mahoney, a seasoned legal executive with a career in both the technology sector and U.S. government, as its new chief legal officer.

Mahoney was previously Microsoft's (MSFT) senior legal executive and deputy U.S. trade representative during President Donald Trump's first term, according to his LinkedIn page.

The company said Mahoney will start on his new role on Wednesday, directly reporting to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

"C.J. brings world-class legal expertise, passion for frontier technology, and deep insight into the global regulatory challenges facing our industry," Zuckerberg said in a statement.

Meta's former chief legal officer Jennifer Newstead announced late last year that she would leave the social media company to join as general counsel at Apple in March.

Newstead has previously served as the legal adviser of the U.S. Department of State. Under her, Meta defeated a U.S. attempt to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp in November last year.

The appointment comes at a time when Meta faces criticism from advocacy groups and lawsuits alleging the company failed to protect young users from harmful content or misled them about the psychological harm from its platforms.

Last year, the company announced a series of measures to make its social media platforms safe for minors.

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
Peoples Assembly protest in Detroit [Photo: Peoples Assembly]

In just over a month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have abducted at least five teenagers in the Detroit area, most of them high school students with pending asylum cases. The coordinated raidsoften triggered by minor police stops or predawn home invasionsare part of a broader campaign to criminalize and terrorize immigrant youth.

The most recent case, reported December 7, involved 17-year-old Santiago Jesus Zamora Perez, an 11th grader at Western International High School. He and his mother were detained after Fraser police stopped him for allegedly driving too slowly and alerted ICE. Less than two weeks earlier, Mor Ba, a 19-year-old recent graduate from Senegal, was detained by police in unmarked vehicles and transferred to the North Lake Correctional Facility. He had arrived in the US alone in April and was applying to college the night before his arrest.

On November 20, ICE agents raided a home on Detroits east side, seizing 16-year-old cousins Kerly Mariangel Sosa Rivero and Antony Janier Pena Sosaalso Western studentsand two adult relatives. All were quickly transferred to Texas to block access to local legal defense. Days earlier, 19-year-old Sebastian Herrera, a student at Ecorse High School, was abducted at an ATM and denied critical medication for weeks, according to his lawyer.

According to the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, at least four of the youths had active asylum cases. These arrests follow the deportation of Maykol Bogoya-Duarte, a Western senior expelled to Colombia in June after being stopped by police on his way to a school field trip.

The kidnapping of children is part of a nationwide dragnet by the Trump administration, which has led to an average of 2,600 at large arrests every week. Heavily armed and often masked federal agents fan out daily into neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and homes in Detroit, New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Charlotte and other cities.

There is enormous popular opposition to the witch-hunting of immigrants, expressed in spontaneous resistance such as neighborhood and school networks warning of ICE activity and high school walkouts. But Trump relies on the Democratic Party, which has done nothing beyond issuing impotent complaints and lawsuits, while mayors like Democratic Socialists of America-backed Brandon Johnson, a former Chicago Teachers Union official, dispatch police to suppress protests against ICE and CBP raids and detentions.

Equally complicit has been the trade union bureaucracy, from the American Federation of Teachers and their state and local affiliates, which have blocked strike action in Chicago and other cities, to the United Auto Workers and Teamsters, which have openly promoted Trumps tariffs and hostility to immigrant workers.

Under these conditions, it is necessary to examine the role of various pseudo-left organizations which claim to oppose the attack on immigrants, but seek to subordinate the growing resistance of workers, youth and other defenders of immigrant rights to the Democrats and labor apparatus.

A case in point is the Peoples Assembly/Asamblea Popular founded in Detroit in late January 2025. It has been heavily promoted by Left Voice, the publication affiliated with the Morenoite Partido de los Trabajadores Socialistas (PTS, Socialist Workers Party) in Argentina; the Party for Socialism and Liberation; the Stalinist Communist Party USA; By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) and other pseudo-left tendencies.

The de facto alliance of the Peoples Assembly with the Democratic Party was demonstrated by the November 25 rally the organization held at Clark Park, across from Western International High School. The event featured left-talking Democrats, including US Congresswoman and DSA member Rashida Tlaib and Michigan Senator Stephanie Chang.

A February 7 Left Voice article, announcing the formation of the Peoples Assembly, described it as a united front assembly and a model to oppose ICE and the Trump administration in other cities. The activists who came together to found Peoples Assembly, the publication states, not only understand the power of uniting the different tendencies of the Left, the union movement, and community forces but understand that if this power is to continue, it has to be controlled by the movement itself.

Having called for the unity of left political tendencies expressly aligned with the Democratic Party and trade union bureaucracy, Left Voice adds this advice:

We should be wary of and push back against the co-optive tactics of the Democrats and the bureaucracies of the institutional nonprofits and unions who are subordinated to the Democrats.

It further declares:

Only through self-organized bodies that fight for class independence can we strengthen the movement and guard it against co-optation.

How an organization that proudly unites Stalinists, social democrats, union bureaucrats and Democratic Party politicians can fight for class independence, Left Voice does not say.

All these peoplewhose only principle is to have no principlesregularly denounce the Socialist Equality Party for sectarianism. By this, they mean our refusal to subordinate the struggles of the working class to the parties and trade union apparatuses of the ruling class. Organizations like the Peoples Assembly, they claim, are doing the actual practical work of organizing resistance to ICE.

But what have they achieved with their opportunist politics?

This is summed up in the December 21 Left Voice article that hails their success in getting the Detroit Federation of Teachers to pass a toothless resolution against the student deportations and the Democratic Party-dominated school board to write a letter of protest to ICE!

Passing the resolution was an important advance won by bottom up organizing by teachers, students, and their community, including a strong public awareness campaign about what happened to these kids, Left Voice reporter Brian Silverstein enthuses. The media blitz and public outcry led by the teachers made sure enough people knew about what was happening that DFT and the school board felt they had to respond.

Left Voice approvingly quotes the DFT resolution, which is a lying and crass promotion of Democratic mayors and local police departments, which have been used in Chicago and other cities to stamp out anti-ICE protests. This included the DFT calling on our new mayor elect Mary Sheffield to reiterate that as a welcoming city, Detroit Police Department should not cooperate with ICE and Border Patrol. We have seen this done successfully by the Minneapolis, Chicago and New York City mayors.

These empty declarations do not advance the struggle against Trumps war on immigrants by one iota. Instead, there is a quid pro quo between the Democrats, the union bureaucracy and the pseudo-left organizations. The latter provide cover for the Democratic Party, which is broadly hated for its anti-immigrant and pro-war policies, along with its capitulation and collusion with the Trump administration. At the same time, the Democrats adopt meaningless resolutions to create the appearance that mass anger can influence capitalist institutions.

There are sincere teachers, students and young people who have been drawn into the Peoples Assembly out of genuine outrage over the abduction and deportation of students and a desire to fight these crimes. Their anger is entirely justified. But this sincerity is systematically exploited by the organizations leadership to steer it back toward the Democratic Party and the union bureaucracy.

In its article, Left Voice is forced to acknowledge that the school boards gesture will do nothing. While the School Board agreed to write a public letter to ICE, the teachers demands for concrete policy changes went ignored, Silverstein writes, adding, Detroits youth and their families need more than strongly worded letters. After boasting about the DFT resolution, Silverstein also admits, Its easier for the union leadership to simply let the resolution quietly slip away.

But, the publication insists, the last thing workers and young people should conclude is that such appeals are a waste of time. It is precisely because the school board and DFT have no intention of taking any serious measures to oppose ICE or protect students that teachers, students, and the community will once again have to take matters into their own hands to enforce the resolution, Left Voice declares.

The phrase taking matters into their own hands is totally misleading. Left Voice is not talking about workers mobilizing their independent strength in workplaces, neighborhoods and schools to oppose Trump and his enablers in the Democratic Party and trade union bureaucracy. Instead, they insist that workers and young people concentrate their energy on futile appeals to the Democratic Party and union bureaucracy.

The political orientation of Left Voice flows directly from its Morenoite heritage. The tradition associated with the Pabloite Nahuel Moreno has long rejected Trotskyism and the revolutionary independence of the working class in favor of opportunist alliances, electoral blocs and fronts aimed at securing influence within bourgeois politics. In Argentina and internationally, Morenoism has repeatedly subordinated workers to nationalist and social-democratic forces, from Juan Peron to various left capitalist parties in Latin America and Europe.

The Peoples Assembly is not modeled on the united front tactics developed by Leon Trotsky in the struggle against fascism in Germany in the early 1930s. Instead, it reflects the logic of Popular Front politics, pioneered by the Stalinists, which subordinated the working class to bourgeois parties in the name of unity and paved the way for historic defeats in France, Spain, Chile and elsewhere.

Far from mobilizing popular opposition to Trumps dictatorial measures, its politics undermine political consciousness and hold back the development of a powerful movement of the working class against fascism and dictatorship.

In opposition to this, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) are fighting for the broadest mobilization of the working class to demand the immediate release of the five Detroit teenagers and their family members and a halt to all arrests and deportations.

We call for the formation of rank-and-file committees in every workplace, school and neighborhood to defend immigrant workers and youth, and fight for collective action by educators, industrial and logistic workers to prevent the ICE gestapo from operating in Detroit or anywhere else.

The only social force that has the power to halt the ICE raids and drive Trump and his fascist cabal from power is the working class. In Detroit, those opposing the war on immigrants must fight to mobilize the broad mass of workers facing job losses at GMs Factory Zero and other locations, teachers and students opposed to Trumps destruction of public education, low-income residents being evicted and all those opposed to dictatorship and imperialist war.

Rank-and-file committees can prepare collective action, including a political general strike, to demand the removal of all ICE and CBP agents and the return of Santiago Jesus Zamora Perez, Mor Ba, Kerly Mariangel Sosa Rivero, Antony Janier Pena Sosa, Sebastian Herrera and their family members.

The prerequisite for the development of such a mass movement is the complete organizational and political independence of workers and youth from the Democratic Party and the trade union bureaucracy.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. administers the oath of office to Mayor Zohran Mamdani as Rama Duwaji holds the Quran during Mamdani's inauguration ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. [AP Photo/heather Khalifa]

Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as mayor of New York City on January 1, 2026, following his election victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

The rise of Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, to mayor of the center of American finance capital, is a significant political event in the United States. His election campaign drew support particularly from younger people, sections of the middle class, and wide layers of the working class whose living standards have been ravaged by decades of austerity, deindustrialization and social counterrevolution. Among those voting for Mamdani, opposition to the genocide in Gaza and hostility to Trumps fascistic assault on immigrants were also major factors.

However, the aspirations of those who voted for Mamdani stand in stark contrast to the political reality of a Mamdani administration.

In his inaugural address, Mamdani couched his administration in populist terms, promising a new era of New York for New Yorkers. He concluded his remarks by affirming, I was elected as a Democratic socialist and I will govern as a Democratic socialist. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical. At the same time, however, Mamdanis speech presented a false perspective of unity that seeks to harmonize antagonistic class interests and contain social opposition within the political structures of the capitalist system.

Mamdani invoked the New Deal to justify what he described as an agenda of safety, affordability, and abundance, and pledged to return the vast resources of this city to the workers who call it home by delivering policies such as universal childcare by taxing the wealthiest few, a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments, and free public buses. These promises, he claimed, would transform lives by making freedom belong to more than just the privileged few.

It is first of all necessary to point out again that Mamdanis program is not socialist and amounts to a mild revival of the liberal reformism of an earlier period. He proposes to achieve these reformsand to guarantee abundance for allby uniting all New Yorkers in class harmony.

This will not be a tale of one city, governed only by the one percent, he said, Nor will it be a tale of two cities, the rich versus the poor. It will be a tale of 8 and a half million cities, each of them a New Yorker with hopes and fears, each a universe, each of them woven together.

Mamdani insisted that his administration would answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy. But this was paired with the assertion that his government will deliver for every one of us, including those who have directly benefited from the vast social inequality that defines life in the city. No matter what you eat, what language you speak, how you pray, or where you come from, Mamdani declared, the words that most define us are the two we all share: New Yorkers.

Social and class interests are dissolved by Mamdani into the most abstract of abstractions. We are all New Yorkers, separate universes woven together! Trump is a resident of New York, as are significant sections of the American corporate and financial oligarchy. What is the content of their shared identity as New Yorkers with the masses of workers and young people struggling to live?

Mamdanis appeals to collectivism and solidarity are ultimately marshaled to promote reconciliation with, not the overthrow of, the ruling elite.

Mamdani concluded his remarks by stating that his administration aims to inspire in people the belief that it is right to hope again. In other contexts, Mamdani has made this point in specific and positive reference to the Obama campaign. What it in fact means is that the basic aim of his campaign is to bolster the political credibility of the Democratic Party under conditions of growing social anger and unrest.

The character of the inauguration itself made clear that Mamdanis administration is not a break with the political establishment but a reshaping of its image. Far from a grassroots rebellion against the status quo, the event was a carefully orchestrated ceremony of the Democratic Party.

In addition to Bernie Sanders, who insisted that Mamdanis program was not radical, speakers included New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Mamdani acknowledged the presence of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, former New York City mayor Eric Adams, and Representative Nydia Velazquez. Former mayor Bill de Blasio was also in attendance, along with a number of guest artists and celebrities associated either directly with Mamdanis campaign or with the broader orbit of the Democratic Party.

Even before taking office, Mamdani made clear that his administration would operate within the framework of the existing political and economic order. He launched a series of high-dollar fundraising events with New Yorks corporate and financial elite. The political character of Mamdanis incoming administration was further revealed in his earliest staffing decisions. Among his first appointments was Dean Fuleihan as First Deputy Mayor. Fuleihan is a longtime Democratic Party insider who played a central role in enforcing austerity budgets under both Andrew Cuomo in Albany and Bill de Blasio in City Hall.

Mamdani also signaled his willingness to placate the citys financial and policing elite by announcing his support for retaining billionaire heiress Jessica Tisch as NYPD Commissioner, despite her central role in expanding surveillance and suppressing anti-genocide protests.

Most significant was Mamdanis November 21 meeting with Donald Trump, held at the White House just weeks before his inauguration. Following the closed-door discussion, Mamdani declared that the two had established a partnership. The overture to Trumpwho returned to power in 2025 following a fascistic coup and is presiding over mass deportations, military-National Guard operations in US cities, and a criminal war of aggression in Venezuelademonstrates the real character of Mamdanis administration.

The inauguration took place just weeks before the first anniversary of Trumps return to power, under a regime that has carried out mass deportations, escalated war abroad, and slashed domestic programs. Yet Trumps name was mentioned only once during the entire ceremonyin a brief aside by Mamdani, in reference to Trump voters backing himand there was no reference at all to Venezuela, Iran, Gaza, fascism or dictatorship. ICE raids was mentioned only in passing, stripped of any political context.

Since his meeting with Trump more than a month ago, Mamdani has avoided any public criticism of the fascist president. The only partial exception was his brief statement following the invasion of Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president on Saturday. Without actually using Trumps name, Mamdani called the action a act of war and a violation of federal and international law. He did not propose any action, only that his administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.

Maduro is currently being held in New York City, but Mamdani has not called for any protests over the blatantly illegal action of the Trump administration. Instead, he said he placed a personal call to Trump in which, according to Mamdani, I registered my opposition, I made it clear and we left it at that. Thus Mamdani, in relation to a blatantly criminal action by a fascist president who is declaring war on the entire world.

Mamdani has never explained his White House meeting with Trump in any detail, but in exchange for allegedly reducing the threat of federal cutbacks in New York, Mamdani has proclaimed his willingness to cooperate with Trump. As for Trump, he can quickly turn on Mamdani in the event that he finds their partnership no longer of service.

It is essential that workers distinguish between Mamdanis rhetoric and his actual relationship to power. Mamdani and the DSA more broadly are not an oppositional force against the political establishment, but an integral part of it, serving as an ever more critical mechanism for bolstering the Democratic Party.

Recent experience provides numerous warnings of the consequences of subordinating workers struggles to multi-class, progressive coalitions, which in fact represent privileged sections of the upper middle class. The most striking recent example is Greece, where the Syriza governmentheaded by Alexis Tsipraswas elected in 2015 on promises to end European Union-imposed austerity. Once in office, Syriza rapidly capitulated to finance capital and imposed cuts even more brutal than those enacted by its predecessors.

The social opposition that found expression in the vote for Mamdani will not be satisfied by Mamdanis program. As the WSWS noted last month, growing protests in the New York and beyond

will not be limited to demands for merely a reduction in bus fares, which forms the center piece of New York Mayor-elect Mamdanis agenda. The working class will not be satisfied with minuscule reforms of capitalism, one bus stop at a time, which are, as Mamdani the magician hopes, to be achieved with the help of Donald Trump. They will demand the expropriation of the capitalist class.

The fight against austerity, militarism and authoritarianism requires the independent mobilization of the working class on the basis of a socialist program, aimed not at managing capitalism more humanely, an impossible task, but at ending its domination altogether.
Jan 5 (Reuters) - Microchip Technology (MCHP) raised its expectations for third-quarter net sales on Monday, helped by recovery across end markets and strong bookings, sending shares up 4% in premarket trading.

The chipmaker is experiencing a recovery as clients finish working through excess chip stockpiles accumulated during the pandemic that had hammered demand.

The company now expects net sales to be about $1.19 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, above its original forecast range of $1.11 billion to $1.15 billion provided in November.

Early in December, the company said it expected quarterly net sales to be at the high end of that range.

"Our bookings activity was very strong in the December quarter despite a holiday filled quarter. Our March quarter starting backlog started out much better than that for the December quarter," said CEO Steve Sanghi.

The company said it has significantly reduced internal inventory, which will begin to lower write-offs. It is also preparing to ramp up factory production in the March quarter to reduce under-utilization charges.

Microchip will report fiscal third-quarter results on February 5.

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(Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
MiniMax is set to raise at least HK$4.2 billion (US$537.7 million) by pricing its Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) at the top of its marketed range, underscoring strong demand for China's artificial intelligence sector amid an intensifying race with the US.

The Shanghai-based firm, backed by Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings, planned to price its 25.4 million shares on offer at HK$165 each, according to people familiar with the matter. The company would stop taking orders from institutional investors at 5pm on Monday, a day earlier than scheduled, they added.

The heavy institutional investors' demand under the international tranche, which currently accounts for 95 per cent of the offer, could see the firm exercise an option to upsize the IPO to as much as HK$4.8 billion. MiniMax is expected to start trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

A MiniMax representative declined to comment.

PwC estimated that companies would raise up to HK$350 billion from IPOs in Hong Kong this year. Photo: Sun Yeung alt=PwC estimated that companies would raise up to HK$350 billion from IPOs in Hong Kong this year. Photo: Sun Yeung>

The deal comes amid a flurry of Chinese AI and technology firms tapping the stock market for fundraising, driven by Beijing's support for the domestic tech industry.

MiniMax's peer Zhipu AI will list in Hong Kong on Thursday, along with general-purpose graphics processing unit maker Shanghai Iluvatar CoreX Semiconductor and surgery robot maker Edge Medical. The trio is expected to raise around HK$9.2 billion via their IPOs.

MiniMax has already attracted 14 cornerstone investors who agreed to commit a total of US$350 million. They include sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Alibaba, South Korea's Mirae Asset Securities, China's Boyu Capital, IDG and Perseverance Asset Management, according to its prospectus. Alibaba owns The Post.

The IPO was also popular with individual investors who borrowed HK$148.6 billion in margin financing to subscribe to the retail tranche, according to data from online trading platform Futubull. That marks an oversubscription of nearly 1,240 times before retail bookbuilding ends on Tuesday.

Based on the top IPO price, MiniMax would be valued at around US$6.5 billion, up from US$4.2 billion after its previous funding round last year. Its pre-IPO backers include Hillhouse Investment, HongShan Capital and Pacific Century Group, the investment firm founded by Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li Tzar-kai.
MinRex Resources has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Electrum Discovery, representing a major gold-copper merger.

The transaction will proceed via a statutory plan of arrangement.

Valued at around $18.73m (A$28m), the deal is being positioned as a merger of equals.

The combined company will bring together Electrums gold and copper projects in Serbia with MinRexs assets in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

A key highlight is Electrums Tlamino Gold Project in Serbia, which contains near-surface inferred mineral resources of 670,000oz of gold equivalent at 2.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold equivalent, supported by a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed in 2021.

MinRexs Sofala Gold Project in NSW hosts inferred mineral resources exceeding 350,000oz of gold at a grade of 1.6g/t.

In the short term, the combined entity will prioritise unlocking value at the Tlamino Gold Project through resource expansion drilling and exploration aimed at new discoveries around the existing Barje Deposit.

This strategy will draw on the substantial current gold resource base, detailed targeting work and prior economic assessments.

Beyond the Tlamino and Sofala projects, the merged portfolio will also include Electrums Timok East Copper-Gold Project in Serbias Western Tethyan Belt, adjacent to the Zijin Bor Copper Complex.

Work at Timok East will focus on identifying a significant copper-gold system by testing potential extensions of nearby deposits.

Meanwhile, MinRexs existing gold and base metals assets in the Lachlan Fold Belt in NSW will remain a priority, with continued emphasis on expanding resources at Sofala.

Once the transaction is completed, Electrum securityholders are expected to hold roughly 49% of the combined company, while MinRex investors will own around 51%.

Each Electrum share will be exchanged for 7.9 MinRex shares.

Directors and investors representing approximately 28% of Electrums issued shares have signed voting support agreements in favour of the transaction.

The merger has been unanimously endorsed by both boards and is expected to be completed in March 2026, pending standard regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.

MinRex director James Pearse said: This merger of equals represents a pivotal moment for both companies. By combining Electrums highly prospective and advanced Serbian gold-copper assets with MinRexs established NSW project portfolio, we are creating a stronger, well-funded exploration company with enhanced scale, diversification and technical depth.
You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name.

Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you.

For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Marion County restaurant inspections site.

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Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Marion County, Florida, for the week of Dec. 29, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.

For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Marion County restaurant inspection site.

Which Marion County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?

These restaurants met all standards during their Dec. 29-Jan. 4 inspections and no violations were found.

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** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week

Which Marion County restaurants had high priority violations?

2370 SW College Rd, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Dec. 29

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

14 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee handled raw steak then proceeded to handle cooked chicken without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in reach-in cooler across from fryer station: cheese (49F - Cold Holding); meatballs (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items placed in cooler two hours prior to temperature being taken. Manager had employee move items to walk-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

4414 SW College Rd Ste 410, Ocala

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Routine Inspection on Dec. 29

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

15 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Containers of ground beef at 45F and beans at 47F prepared on 12/28 in walk-in-cooler

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Bin of raw beef with aluminum foil covering raw beef stored above Chicken both in walk-in-cooler. Manager moved Chicken broth. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Container of Burris beef dated 12/22/2025

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Containers of ground beef at 45F and beans at 47F prepared on 12/28 in walk-in-cooler. Container for Burris beef dated 12/22/2025

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

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Routine Inspection on Dec. 30

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

1 total violation, with 1 high-priority violation

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 6/1/2025. **Admin Complaint**

What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?

Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.

How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?

If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online.

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Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database.

What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean?

Basic violations are those considered against best practices.

A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.

An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."

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An emergency order is when a restaurant is closed by the inspector based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.

A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala area restaurant/food truck inspections: Dec. 29, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026
When Brent Learned reflects on time spent with fellow Cheyenne and Arapaho artist Harvey Pratt, he thinks of "a beautiful soul."

Nathan Pratt, one of Pratt's sons and another respected Oklahoma creative, refers to his father as a "warrior artist," while Gina Posey Pratt, Harvey Pratt's wife of 30 years, said she hopes her husband is remembered as "a man with a true heart."

"His great-granddad, Edmund Guerrier, that was said about him, that he had a 'true heart.' And Harvey, I think he always aspired to that, to have a true heart, no matter what he did," Gina Pratt said.

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"He did so much, and he was so big and so larger than life. ... I think that he'd be happy with that."

Honoree Harvey Pratt speaks during the 2017 Oklahoma Creativity Ambassadors Gala at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

A retired law enforcement officer, trailblazing forensic artist and internationally celebrated painter, sculptor and designer  as well as an expert on Bigfoot whose work on a new documentary was one of his last projects  Harvey Pratt died Dec. 31 at his rural Guthrie home after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 84.

Harvey Pratts life was about service, first to his country as a Marine during the Vietnam War and later to the people of Oklahoma through his career in law enforcement. His groundbreaking innovations in forensic science artistry helped keep us all safer by accelerating the capture of many high-profile murderers," said Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director Trait Thompson in an email.

"He was a proud citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho nation who has inspired millions of people through his 'Warriors Circle of Honor' sculpture at the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian. Mr. Pratts impact on Oklahoma and the rest of the world will not be soon forgotten.

Harvey Pratt created a multifaceted career as a forensic and fine artist

The sixth of seven children, Harvey Phillip Pratt, whose Cheyenne name was White Thunder (Vopenonomae), was born April 13, 1941, in El Reno, to Oscar Noble Pratt, who was Cheyenne and Arapaho, and Anna Guerrier Pratt Shadlow, who was Cheyenne and Sioux. A noted Cheyenne storyteller, his mother was named 1987 National Indian Woman of the Year and 1991 Oklahoma Indian Mother of the Year.

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Like his older brother Charles Pratt, a fellow acclaimed artist who died in 2017, his creative drive was apparent from a young age.

"I've always drawn, even when I was small.  I can remember my first-grade teacher encouraging me," Harvey Pratt told The Oklahoman in 2005. "I think art has always been a part of my life."

He sold his first painting in high school at St. Patrick's Indian Mission in Anadarko, where a priest bought him art supplies to support his talent. Even when he served in the Marines in Vietnam, he used his artistic skills to create banners and T-shirts.

When he started at Central State University, now the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, he planned to major in art. But a teacher there continually criticized his artwork, so Pratt changed majors to psychology. When he joined the Midwest City Police Department in 1965, he switched to police science, earning an associate's degree from Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.

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He was still creating fine art and showing in galleries on the side when he did his first witness description drawing. A Midwest City police captain was working on a homicide case and wasn't sure an injured victim was going to live. He asked Pratt to talk to the victim and draw a picture of the suspect; the drawing led to the suspect's capture and conviction.

"Probably, if it had failed the first time, I would never have done it again," Pratt said in 2005.

In 2006, Harvey Pratt, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation forensic artist, points to a chipped tooth on the skull reconstruction of an unidentified homicide victim. The longtime OSBI forensic artist, Pratt retired in 2017 after 50 years in law enforcement.

He joined the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in 1972 and continued to do double duty as an investigator and forensic artist. He refined his technique for drawing witness descriptions and learned other techniques, including skull reconstruction, photo enhancement and age progression. He innovated the method for creating soft tissue reconstructions of unidentified bodies.

"We are saddened by the passing of Harvey Pratt, whose generosity, wisdom, and humanity left a lasting mark. ... Harveys guidance helped shape educational experiences for future forensic scientists. He believed deeply in connecting history, science, and community," said Science Museum Oklahoma President and CEO Sherry Marshall.

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Pratt became the state's only full-time forensic artist after retiring as OSBI assistant director in 1992.

"They created new legislation specifically for my dad to rehire him, because there was no one like him in the state and probably in the country. So, they appropriated funding to rehire him, and then he put in another, let's see, almost 25 more years after that," said Nathan Pratt. "There's just so much to his life."

Artist Harvey Pratt, left, is given flowers for his wife by Tom Kuker during Pratt's retirement celebration on Feb. 24, 2017, in Oklahoma City. At center are Sheri and Dr. Charles "Bo" Farmer, parents of Lori Lee Farmer, one of three Girl Scouts killed in 1977 at Camp Scott. Pratt, the longtime OSBI forensic artist, retired in 2017 after 50 years in law enforcement.

Investigator and forensic artist worked many high-profile cases

By the time he finally retired from the OSBI in 2017, Pratt had worked numerous high-profile cases, including the BTK Killer case, Sirloin Stockade murders and Randolph Dial fugitive case.

Despite the terrorist's habit of wearing a mask, Pratt managed to draw ISIS frontman Mohammed Emwazi, aka "Jihadi John," who was seen in videos depicting the beheadings of several captives, including journalist James Foley.

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I was glad to be part of (stopping) the I-5 killer, the Green River Killer, Henry Lucas and Ottis Toole, Joe Fischer and (Ted) Bundy, he told The Oklahoman in 2017. Working all those kinds of cases, I had just a little piece of them. But it helped. It caught somebody, it identified a body, it led to closing the case.

A Southern Cheyenne peace chief, Pratt played a larger role in 1977 when three Girl Scouts were slain at Camp Scott near Locust Grove. He recalled camping out for a month in the Cookson Hills doing interviews and searching for convicted rapist and Mayes County jail escapee Gene Leroy "Sonny Hart.

Sheri Farmer, the mother of 8-year-old Lori Lee Farmer, one of the Girls Scouts killed at Camp Scott, said the bond Pratt forged with her family lasted for decades beyond Hart's capture, aquittal and death in prison on a previous conviction.

Harvey Pratt sits in front of a photo of the capture of Gene Leroy Hart displayed on his office wall at the OSBI headquarters in Oklahoma City in 2007. He was an undercover agent in 1977 and involved in the manhunt for Gene Leroy Hart.

"If we could do anything and Lori be here, it doesn't matter what it is, we would do it. But along this journey, we have met some amazing people who have been in our lives for 48 years, and Harvey's one of those," said Farmer, a Tulsa resident.

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"Despite all of the bad that murder brings to a family, we've had people on this journey with us who we have loved and respected, and there have been a lot of them. And Harvey is one of the main ones. ... We just stayed in each other's lives."

Not only did Farmer attend Pratt's 2017 OSBI retirement party with her husband, but she and the former investigator also texted regularly. She has held close to her heart one of Pratt's particularly poetic 2018 messages: "Life holds many twists and turns that tie us together by love and hate, and we are connected by both. But our love is stronger."

"I told him I had shared that many times. ... We had a unique and wonderful relationship," Farmer said. "We have two pieces of his art framed in our house. ... He leaves a legacy in both those areas: law enforcement and the arts."

Guthrie-based Cheyenne and Arapaho artist Harvey Pratt's painting "The Pawnee is in the Oklahoma State Art Collection. The portrait depicts acclaimed Cherokee actor and Oklahoma native Wes Studi in his breakout role in the 1990 film Dances with Wolves.

Cheyenne peace chief also became a renowned Native American fine artist and Bigfoot expert

In his more than 50-year law enforcement career, Pratt estimated he worked 5,000 cases just in forensics; he also created the OSBI seal and flag and a massive mural of the agency's history at its headquarters.

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At the same time, he built a career as an esteemed Native American fine artist who worked in oils, acrylic, watercolors, metal, clay and wood.

"By day, his forensic drawings helped victims regain a sense of closure and justice. By night, he picked up a different set of pencils and paintbrushes," Nathan Pratt said. "He understood the importance of finding other creative outlets that allowed him to process the pain, grief and trauma that he experienced during the day. ... He was the embodiment of the warrior artist."

A self-taught artist, Pratt annually showed his work at the Red Earth Festival, from the inaugural intertribal event in 1987 through 2019. He was named the festival's Honored One in 2005, five years after his brother Charles.

"Artists are innovators, and Harvey stood out as an artist who used his gift to innovate in the area of law enforcement, transforming the field of forensic art," said Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples in an email. "Harvey was a veteran whose devotion to our nation would come full circle in his selection to create the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C."

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In 2017, the National Museum of the American Indian launched an international design competition for the long-awaited veterans monument on the National Mall. The following year, Pratts Warriors Circle of Honor was selected as the winning design from among more than 400 entries from five continents.

The National Native American Veterans Memorial opened to the public on the museum's grounds on Veterans Day 2020, although the official dedication was delayed two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Pratt received the Special Recognition Award at the Oklahoma Governors Arts Awards and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

"The Cheyenne-Arapahos, we have a lot of artists and a lot of great artists, but there's only a few that really stand above the rest  and he was one of them. ... Once I found that we were related, it made it that much more special," said Learned, an Oklahoma City painter. "He had an aura about him: When he walked into a room, you knew you were standing in a presence of somebody that was respected, important and that you needed to listen to."

The artists also shared an interest in Bigfoot, both participating in "The Outer Limits," a 2021 Paseo Arts District exhibit of works depicting the paranormal in Oklahoma.

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In 2005, former police investigator Dave Paulides, executive director of North American Bigfoot Search, recruited Pratt to fly to California to do witness interviews and drawings on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. That was the start of a 20-year friendship and collaboration that yielded three books and two documentaries, including the film "American Sasquatch: Man, Myth, or Monster," which was released digitally in December.

"There's thousands and thousands of people I've met in my career, and nobody's like Mr. Pratt. Nobody," Paulides told The Oklahoman. "I saw him around all walks of life, and he always treated people with dignity, respect, honor. Very few people can do that, but Harvey was always like that."

Southern Cheyenne Chief Harvey Pratt watches the Native American Sunset Ceremony in 2007 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Guthrie.

Multiple memorial events planned to honor Harvey Pratt

Pratt was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Charles and Tony Pratt; and his sisters, Dorothy Marie, Micki, and Marlene.

He is survived by his wife; his brother, Otto Pratt; his four children, Tracy Hardin and husband David, Jason Pratt and wife Lauren, Judson Pratt, and Nathan Pratt and wife Twyla; and his five grandchildren, Jessica Hardin, Johnathon Hardin, Matthew Hardin, Natalie Pratt and Davis Pratt.

Several memorial events are planned in his honor:

Visitation for members of any Native American tribe and their families: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, Huber-Benson Funeral Home, 100 S Barker Ave., El Reno

Public visitation: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, Huber-Benson El Reno.

Wake: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, Concho Emergency Response Center, 200 Wolf Robe Circle, Concho.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, Sacred Heart Church, 208 S Evans, El Reno.

Post-funeral meal: About 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, Geary Emergency Response Center, 132 E Main Street, Geary.

Pratt will be buried in Geary Cemetery in the small town named for his great-grandfather Guerrier.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cheyenne and Arapaho citizen Harvey Pratt remembered for service, art
I was shocked and appalled to hear theres a new class action lawsuit against McDonalds claiming the deservedly beloved McRib sandwich is  and if youre a McRib enthusiast like myself, you might want to sit down  not made with actual rib meat.

Thats BBQ-lasphemy. Its also a gross overestimation of how much Americans care whats in the delicious food we consume in gargantuan quantities.

The lawsuit, filed late December in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, states of the McRib that fans eagerly await each return, trusting that the sandwich theyre biting into is exactly what the name implies: a sandwich crafted using pork rib meat, which is prized by consumers for its high fat content and rich flavor.

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OK, that seems pretty accurate. The McRib comes and goes from the McDonalds menu like an occasional dream of pickles and magic and wonder, something enthusiasts of rib-like comestibles wish would stick around forever.

Lower-grade pork products? In a McRib? That seems far-fetched.

A McRib sign is seen at a McDonald's restaurant on Nov. 3, 2010 in San Francisco, California.

The lawsuit continues: The reality, however, is far from what McDonalds advertising and branding suggest. Despite its name and distinctive shape  its meat patty has been deliberately crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs  the McRib does not contain any actual pork rib meat at all. Instead, its meat patty is reconstructed using ground-up portions of lower-grade pork products such as, inter alia, pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach.

All right, Mr. CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT, if that is your real name, who asked you to go all pork detective on my favorite of all sandwiches crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs? And if you think Im going to Google what inter alia means and why you put it in italics, youve never read my treatise on the inviolable meat purity of hot dogs.

Opinion: Finally, a run-on sentence as tortuous as Trump's year

McDonald's stands strong-ish behind its beloved McRib sandwich

McDonald's has returned the McRib sandwich to select restaurants regionally in select cities, with more getting the sandwich starting Nov. 17 for a limited time, the company said.

McDonalds, of course, has pushed back hard on this lawsuit, saying in a statement to USA TODAY that it distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate.

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OK, Im not 100% cool with the vagaries that come with many, but whatever.

Opinion: I saw the new liberal 'Superman' movie and it gave me the woke mind virus

McDonalds also said: Were committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu. Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. Weve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.

You see? 100% pork  a crystal-clear explanation that smartly doesnt address the rude question: OK, but which pork parts are we talking about?

It's my right as an American to eat whatever I want without caring what it is

Let me state this in the most American way possible: I dont care whats in the McDonalds McRib sandwich. I like putting it in my mouth, and if you tell me Im actually eating scalded stomach reconstructed into a pork patty slathered in high-fructose-corn-syrupy McRib sauce, my response will be: MORE SCALDED STOMACH, PLEASE!!

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Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit had two surveys conducted to support their claims. In one survey, 67% of respondents indicated that whether the McRib contained rib meat was either important or very important to their purchasing decision.

Hah! I bet if you stuffed a McRib into each respondent's mouth, youd get a different response, something along the lines of Mfff srrrded strmmmch, preeesh, which translates to, More scalded stomach, please.

McRib lawsuit harkens back to Subway tuna claims

SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: A tuna sandwich from Subway is displayed on June 22, 2021 in San Anselmo, California.

An Americans right to believe in the integrity of the McRib is sacrosanct. This new attempt to ruin everything thats good in the world harkens back to a lawsuit filed against Subway restaurants, spuriously claiming that the chains tuna sandwiches did not contain tuna.

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The lawsuit, which Subway called meritless, was dismissed in 2023, and we all went back to eating what we assume is sweet, delicious tuna while also not caring what it is because of the aforementioned sweet and delicious part.

This is America, dammit. If you put something that resembles meat between two pieces of stuff that resembles bread and coat it generously in a viscous liquid that resembles sauce, we will not just put it in our pie holes, we will glorify it, blog about it, create TikTok dances involving it and line up outside restaurants to be the first to buy it.

And no class action lawsuit about pork inter alia is going to change that, no matter how concerning those italics might be.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @rexhuppke.bsky.social and on Facebook at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's in a McRib? I don't care | Opinion
NEED TO KNOW

The oldest missing persons case in Texas has finally been solved, 52 years after teenager Norman Prater vanished in Rockport

Dallas-based detective Ryan Dalby linked Prater's disappearance to a previously unidentified victim of a hit-and-run

This came after a new photo of the hit-and-run victim was unearthed in late 2025 by the Aransas County Medical Examiner's Office



The oldest missing persons case in Texas has finally been solved thanks to an incredible breakthrough.

On Jan. 14, 1973, Norman Prater was reported missing to the Dallas Police Department (DPD), the authorities said in a Tuesday, Jan. 6 release on Facebook. The 16-year-old was last seen walking with his friends in East Dallas, Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth reported.

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Later that year, on July 9, an unidentified white male was killed in a hit-and-run incident on Highway 35 in the Texan city of Rockport, in what appeared to be an unrelated incident at the time, according to the release.

The body of the victim remained unidentified for 52 years  until the DPD's Detective Ryan Dalby re-examined the case and was able to establish a potential link between the two seemingly separate incidents," the police statement added.

This was made by possible by a new photo of the unidentified victim found in late 2025 by the Aransas County Medical Examiner's Office. They then passed this onto the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, who then gave it to Dalby, Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth reported.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

According to the outlet, Dalby and a forensic analyst with the Texas Rangers believed the photo likely resembled Norman. To confirm this, they contacted his older brother, Isaac Prater, and he positively identified the hit-and-run victim as his missing brother.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Norman Prater Norman Prater

"This resolution stands as a testament to the Dallas Police Department's commitment to the cases we pursue and the families we serve, no matter how much time has passed," Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said in a statement.

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"Detective Dalby's dedication, skill, and compassion have not only solved a historical case but have performed the most vital duty of our Missing Persons Unit: providing closure to a grieving family," he continued.

"After 50 years of uncertainty, Mr. Isaac Prater has now received answers regarding his brothers disappearance, added the DPD release, which stated that no DNA evidence was available to assist the investigation.



The DPD extends its deepest sympathies to the Prater family and commends the interagency cooperation and investigative perseverance that made this resolution possible, the department concluded.

PEOPLE has contacted the Aransas County Medical Examiner's Office for comment.



Read the original article on People
Channing Tatums 26-year-old girlfriend kisses her boyfriend in recent photos in a bikini. The shots are circulating after a New Years getaway in Costa Rica. The Magic Mike actor is seen kissing his girlfriend, Inka Williams, on the sand. The beach makeout shots also catch them hugging and playing in the surf. The post adds to a romance that has turned more public. Tatum is 45, while Williams is 26, and the age gap is noted in the Page Six X post. Still, the pictures mostly show a couple leaning into vacation mode.

Channing Tatum and Inka Williams PDA-filled beach photo show them kissing

Channing Tatum, 45, and his girlfriend, Australian model Inka Williams, 26, rang in 2026 with a PDA filled beach date in Costa Rica. ?? ?: BACKGRID pic.twitter.com/aXXgmWSEQB  Page Six (@PageSix) January 5, 2026

As per Page Six on X dated January 6, 2026, the couple rang in 2026 in Costa Rica. The collage, credited to Backgrid USA, shows Tatum holding Williams close during a kiss. In another frame, he lifts her while she laughs. A third image catches them wrapped together in the waves.

Williams appears in a white bikini top with green shorts in the set. Tatum keeps it simple in a white T-shirt. The Channing Tatum girlfriend bikini kiss moment reads casual, not staged. Even so, Inka Williams is clearly the focus in every frame. In October, the couple was seen kissing during a BFI London Film Festival appearance.

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Earlier, they hit a Los Angeles premiere together for the anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba  Infinity Castle. Around the same time, Tatum attended with his daughter, Everly, whom he shares with ex-wife Jenna Dewan. Tatum also nodded at the romance online. In a birthday post on Instagram stories, he wrote, Happiest day of birth to my RIDER! Love you so.

An insider previously told People the relationship began through mutual friends, as cited in the Daily Mail. The source said, They met through friends. Shes great. Shes young, but seems older. The insider added one more line, She makes him happy. For now, the Channing Tatums girlfriend Inka Williams pairing keeps widening its spotlight. Next, their 2026 calendars will show how often they go public.

Originally written by Santanu Das on Reality Tea.

The post Channing Tatum & Bikini-Clad Girlfriend Share Steamy Kisses on Vacation appeared first on Mandatory.
David Spade has a prediction for 2026, and it involves politically outspoken George Clooney.

During a recent episode of the Fly on the Wall podcast, co-hosts Spade and Dana Carvey discussed the news that the Oscar winner would be relocating to France with his wife, Amal, and their two children.

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Thats when Spade shared his prediction that Clooney might be less vocal about U.S. politics once he moves abroad. He gets political, which is fine, but I wonder if he will get political in France or he will keep  he did say something even the other day, after he announced this, and it feels like if he tapped out of here, he doesnt need the stress of the politics of America anymore. You know what I mean? He got out, he said.

Like, youre on the Jets, you go to the Steelers after 20 years and then you go, Hey, I want to send in some plays on the Jets,' Spade continued. Theyre like, Not anymore. No, youre over there.'

Carvey agreed, adding, I think hell probably lower his footprint and lower the temperature because he just wants to be, he wants to raise his family now.

Last week, it was announced that Clooney and his family were granted French citizenship. He has previously praised French privacy laws that protect his family from paparazzi.

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Spade also noted that he was a bit surprised that the Jay Kelly actor would settle down in France. I would think if hes bailing, he would go to Italy because he was in Italy for the last 20 years, he said.

Clooney, a dedicated Democratic supporter, has become more outspoken about politics throughout his career, including the current state of affairs in the U.S. Just last week, he clapped back at Donald Trump after the president attacked him for securing French citizenship.

Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden, Trump wrote on Truth Social on New Years Eve. Remember when Clooney, after the now infamous debate, dumped Joe during a fundraiser, only to go onto the side of another stellar candidate, Jamala(K!), who is now fighting it out with the worst governor in the Country, including Tim Waltz, Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat. Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasnt a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics.

The actor shared in response, I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. Well start in November.

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Moore Kingston Smith, an advisory, tax and audit practice, has made a number of senior appointments and promotions across its offices in the UK.

Amar Shah has been appointed general practice partner at the Heathrow office. His work spans audit, tax and strategic advice for owner-managed businesses and larger groups including private equity-backed organisations.

The company named John Williams as a partner in the Employment Tax Services team in the City office. He advises start-ups, public sector bodies and large companies on compliance and advisory matters including employment tax and global mobility, as well as issues related to attracting and retaining staff.

Also in the City office, Maverall Reynolds has been appointed financial services partner. Reynolds focuses on statutory audit and audit-related services for regulated and unregulated financial services entities and oversees audits to meet regulatory and reporting requirements.

Rob Kersse has been appointed general practice partner at the West End office. His experience covers media, marketing services, professional operations and technology, and he works with clients ranging from start-ups and owner-managed businesses to private equity-backed companies and larger corporate groups.

Will McMullan will serve as corporate audit partner in the City office. He leads large and complex audits, including those with overseas elements, under International Financial Reporting Standards and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, with sector experience including recruitment, consultancy and professional services, retail, outsourced service providers and construction.

The company has also promoted several individuals to director roles: Mel Lambell in business outsourcing; Matt Earl and Jules Upton in general practice; Benjamin Ocquaye in IT assurance; Harry Dronfield in legal; and Alan Booth in financial planning.

Moore Kingston Smith managing partner Matt Meadows said: We are delighted to acknowledge the outstanding talent, ambition and dedication across our firm, as reflected in another wave of very well-deserved promotions.

These appointments truly speak to the strength of our people and the depth of leadership driving our continued success.

Last October, Moore Kingston Smith appointed James Bird as audit partner within its non-profit division.

"Moore Kingston Smith expands leadership team" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




NEED TO KNOW

The terms of Eric McCormack and Janet Leigh Holden McCormack's divorce settlement have been signed by a judge

The exes agreed to split community property, including Janet receiving half the income from any projects Eric completed during their marriage, and for Janet to receive spousal support

Janet filed for divorce in November 2023, 26 years after she and Eric tied the knot in 1997

The details of Eric McCormack and Janet Leigh Holden McCormacks divorce settlement have been revealed.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE on Monday, Jan. 6, a judge signed off on the final terms of the former couples agreement, which they established outside of court. As part of the deal, Eric, 62, will pay Janet a non-modifiable amount of $10,000 per month in spousal support until 2035, when he will be able to seek modification.

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That number was based on Janets monthly average income being around $23,000 and Erics being upwards of $92,000.

Jerritt Clark/Getty Eric McCormack and Janet Leigh Holden Eric McCormack and Janet Leigh Holden

The exes also agreed to equally split the actors Community Property Works for any project he did between their marriage on Aug. 3, 1997 and their date of separation on Feb. 12, 2024. This includes any residuals and royalty income from Lego Masters, Erics Just Jack and Will podcast, Murdoch Mysteries, Slasher, Will & Grace, Atypical, The Architect, American Dad!, Law & Order: SVU, Dead, Break a Leg!, Dead Like Me and several others.

Janet further has one-half of all right, title and interest in intellectual property of the Community Property Works.

Additionally, the pair will split their bank accounts, investments, airline miles, Erics retirement plans and their physical property. Janet is keeping one Los Angeles home, two condos, a 2018 Audi Q7, 2000 Jeep Cherokee, 1972 Ford pickup, 2005 Ford Escape and a trailer, while Eric will retain a beach house, along with all income from his projects completed before the marriage and after their legal separation, such as Elsbeth, his Still Here Hollywood podcast and Lonesome Dove: The Series.

Michael Kovac/Getty Eric McCormack and Janet Leigh Holden Eric McCormack and Janet Leigh Holden

They also own a home in Vancouver, which Janet will have the right to exclusively use for the next five years unless she decides to buy out Erics share or sell the house in accordance with their agreement.

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While Eric and Janet do not have any minor children, they will continue to split their 23-year-old son Finnigan Holden McCormacks expenses and costs of establishing a trust for him.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Janet filed for divorce from Eric in November 2023 after 26 years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." On Nov. 5, 2025, Eric filed a declaration for an uncontested dissolution of the marriage, indicating that they settled on terms in a written agreement.

At the time, they both waived "their rights to notice of trial, a statement of decision, a motion for new trial and the right to appeal."

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Eric and Janet first met in 1994 on the set of the CBS TV series Lonesome Dove, where Janet was the assistant director and Eric was playing Col. Francis Clay Mosby. They tied the knot in August 1997 and welcomed their son, Finn, in July 2002.

Read the original article on People
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could trade the gray skies of England for a new life in Bahrain following his exile from the Royal Family.

In light of his alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the scandal that followed, the disgraced royal was recently evicted from his Royal Lodge mansion (although hes yet to leave), and stripped of his last remaining titles. Until now, he was expected to move to the Sandringham Estate, but royal experts think otherwise.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors connection to Jeffrey Epstein runs deep

Photo Credit: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images

According to royal biographer Robert Jobson, who spoke to PEOPLE, the former Duke of York could move to Bahrain. This comes after King Charles recent meeting with the ruler of Bahrain.

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The King saw the King of Bahrain the other day, Robert told the publication. It could be a place where Andrew gets the recognition of being the second son of Queen Elizabeth, rather than this.

Other disgraced people have gone to the Middle East, the author said. And hes right. Spains King Juan Carlos I moved to Abu Dhabi in 2020 after stepping back from public life amid financial scandals.

Beyond that, Robert pointed out that the former Prince Andrew already has ties to Bahrain. Andrew did a lot of business in Bahrain, he said, before referencing rumors that Andrew will move to Marsh Farm. I just cant see him being on an isolated farm in Sandringham.

Robert isnt alone in theorising that Andrew could move to the Middle East. Fellow royal biographer, Andrew Lownie, agrees. He doesnt like the sound of being on the Sandringham estate, the author suggested. I think he wants to go somewhere where he can just get away from everything.

TELL US  WHERE DO YOU THINK ANDREW MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR WILL MOVE AFTER HE LEAVES ROYAL LODGE? AND, ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT A MIDDLE EAST MOVE IS ON THE CARDS?

The post Ex-Prince Andrew Could Be Exiled Overseas After Royal Scandal appeared first on Reality Tea.
NEED TO KNOW

Sergio Jimenez, a 37-year-old Spanish streamer, died on a private New Years Eve livestream after allegedly taking drugs on camera for money

The content creator rose to prominence in October when he was featured in a series of videos by Simon Perez, a streamer known on various platforms for using drugs in front of his live audience

Perez alleged in a Jan. 4 livestream that Jimenez consumed six grams of cocaine on the night of his death

Sergio Jimenez, a 37-year-old Spanish streamer, died on a private New Years Eve livestream after allegedly taking drugs on camera for money.

According to reports by Spanish outlets El Pais and El Periodico, Jimenez  who was known on streaming platforms Kick and Twitch as Sancho or Sssanchopanza  was broadcasting on a private video call, allegedly completing extreme challenges that included consuming alcohol and cocaine in exchange for money.

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Jimenez rose to prominence in October when he was featured in a series of videos by Simon Perez, a streamer known on various platforms for using drugs in front of his live audience.

In a YouTube livestream on Jan. 4, Perez alleged that Jimenez consumed six grams of cocaine on the night of his death, El Pais reported. Perez claimed he was in contact with Jimenezs brother, who told him that the streamer had also consumed whiskey during his final livestream, per the outlet.

Mossos d'Esquadra  the police force for Catalonia, Spain  has launched an investigation into Jimenezs death and has ordered an autopsy on his body, according to El Pais.

Sergio Jimenez Ramos/Instagram Sergio Jimenez Ramos Sergio Jimenez Ramos

Though Mossos d'Esquadra has not made a public statement regarding Jimenezs death, the organization released a video to its social media platforms on Jan. 6, dissuading constituents from participating in viral challenges that could put your life or your physical integrity in danger.

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The consequences of these trends can range from intoxication to physical and psychological effects, and can also have a negative impact on their reputation, affecting job and academic opportunities due to the digital footprint left behind, an officer said in Spanish in the clip. It's important to be aware that some trends can have consequences if they involve acts of vandalism or aggression.

PEOPLE has reached out to Mossos d'Esquadra for comment.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Jimenezs death comes just over four months after the death of another streamer, French internet personality Jean Pormanove, in August. Pormanove, 46, was also known online for completing extreme challenges on livestreams, and his death drew public scrutiny for  and an investigation by French authorities into  the streaming platform Kick for allowing creators to share videos that include depictions of physical and verbal abuse.

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An autopsy later found that Pormanoves death was not traumatic in origin and was not linked to the intervention of a third party, according to the Nice prosecutors office.

Read the original article on People
Jessica Alba and boyfriend Danny Ramirez kicked off 2026 with a romantic getaway to Mexico.

Alba, 44, and Ramirez, 33, were spotted at the airport in Cabo San Lucas on Saturday, January 3. An eyewitness exclusively tells Us Weekly that the couple were super touchy feely with each other.

She was constantly putting her arms around him, the onlooker says. There was a lot of PDA.

The eyewitness also notes that Alba was all over Ramirez, who was more reserved but very affectionate. Ramirez was also very chivalrous as he held both his and Albas luggage, per the eyewitness.

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Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirezs Relationship Timeline: A Look at Their PDA-Packed Romance So Far

While at the airport, there were a lot of flight delays in the terminal, but the couple remained calm in the chaos, per the eyewitness.

They were trying to blend in with the crowd, the onlooker explains. They were all about each other and not paying attention to the chaos.

The eyewitness shares that Alba and Ramirez were very cute with each other and seemed very into each other.

They were all about each other and definitely in love, the eyewitness says.

When it was time to board the plane, Alba and Ramirez were in first class together.

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They were holding hands and she was reading a script, the onlooker tells Us.

Alba and Ramirez started dating last year following her split from Cash Warren after 16 years of marriage.

Ive been on a journey of self realization and transformation for years  both as an individual and in partnership with Cash, Alba said while announcing her and Warrens breakup in a statement shared via Instagram in January 2025. Im proud of how weve grown as a couple and in our marriage over the last 20 years and its now time for us to embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals.

The statement continued, We are moving forward with love and kindness and respect for each other and will forever be family. Our children remain our highest priority and we request privacy at this time.

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Ramirez and Alba were first spotted together in July 2025 following a romantic getaway to Mexico. After the vacation, the twosome were spotted together during multiple public outings around California and New York before making their red carpet debut at the world premiere of Valentina at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October 2025.

Danny Ramirez Cozies Up to Jessica Alba in New Selfies After Confirming Their Romance

After their red carpet debut, Alba made her relationship with the Top Gun: Maverick actor official with a subtle Instagram post showing off the couples trip to Byron Bay, Australia. In the snap, the pair could be seen holding hands as they took the stairs down toward the ocean.

The following month, Alba included Ramirez in her Thanksgiving post, which featured a photo of the couple holding hands on a beach.

Grateful, grateful, grateful.  Most thankful for these little souls who make my world brighter every day  my babies, my everything , Alba captioned a series of photos shared via Instagram. Sending everyone big hugs, cozy moments, yummy eats, and a whole lot of love this Thanksgiving .


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Between his standout roles in films from Creed to Black Panther to Sinnersand his 2020 coronation as Peoples sexiest man aliveMichael B. Jordan has been making audiences swoon for years. But despite his heartthrob status, the actor has maintained a notably private approach to his personal life, especially when it comes to romance and dating.

While promoting his 2025 film Sinners in an interview with GQ, Jordan admitted that his love life is the subject [hes] least excited to offer any comment on. He also revealed that his longest relationship lasted just over a yearseemingly referring to his relationship with Lori Harvey.

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Im not tripping over it, Jordan said of his love life. Im so work-focused. I would want somebody to fit into the flow of my life, of where I am. And thats timing, right? You can meet the right person, and be at the wrong time, and it just doesnt work out.

From his longest (and most public) relationship with Lori Harvey to rumored romances with Cindy Bruna, Kendall Jenner, and others, take a look back at Michael B. Jordans entire Hollywood dating history.

2025: Taylor Russell

John Phillips - Getty Images

Early in 2025, Michael B. Jordan and Bones and All star Taylor Russell sparked romance rumors after being spotted out together in both New York City and London. The two were slated to co-star in the upcoming remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, and fans quickly noticed they had also started following each other on Instagramfurther fueling dating speculation.

Neither Jordan nor Russell ever addressed the dating rumors directly. And by mid-2025, Russell exited The Thomas Crown Affair due to creative differences, putting an end to any rumored relationship between the two.

20202022: Lori Harvey

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Jordans longest (and only really public) romance was his relationship with Lori Harvey. The two first sparked dating rumors when they were photographed together at an airport in Harveys Atlanta hometown just before Thanksgiving in November 2020. Just three months later, they went Instagram-official.

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In an interview with Bustle, Harvey revealed that they met through mutual friends.

Once the couple made things official, they shared plenty of sweet (and steamy) photos from their dates, vacations, anniversaries, and birthdays. The now-deleted Instagram posts offered a glimpse into their relationship and their shared sense of humor.

In April 2021, Jordan shared with People why his relationship with Harvey was the first he had taken public. Im still private, and I want to protect that, but it just felt like it was a moment of just wanting to put it out there and move on, he said. I am extremely happy. I think when you get older, you feel more comfortable about the [public nature] of the business that were in. So for me, it was a moment to, I guess, take ownership of that and then get back to work.

Hollywood To You/Star Max - Getty Images

Jordan even got Loris dad, Family Feud host Steve Harvey, to approve of their relationship. On his iHeartRadio morning show, Harvey praised the Creed actorwhile simultaneously trolling him. I like this one, Harvey said of Jordan at the time. I still got my eye on him. I mean, I like him, but like I say to all of em, I might like you, I might approve of you, but I got a thumb-size section of my heart filled with nothing but pure hatred for your ass. Just in case I need it. He then joked, Cause, you aint the sexiest man in the world to me! Lets be clear about that.

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In March 2022, they made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. But just a few months later, sources confirmed the two had called it quits after a year and a half of dating.

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Michael and Lori are both completely heartbroken, a source told People following their breakup. They still love each other. Michael matured a lot over the course of their relationship and was ready to commit for the long term. He let down his guard with her, opening up emotionally in a romantic relationship for the first time. They had great times together and brought out the best in each other.

Another source close to Harvey alleged that she wasnt ready to commit, which ultimately led to the split.

2019: Cindy Bruna

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Jordan was linked to model Cindy Bruna in the spring of 2019 when the two were photographed on a dinner date at Carbone in New York City. While it wasnt confirmed whether the two were just friends or romantically involved, Just Jared reported that Jordan had been liking several of Brunas Instagram posts. Neither ever spoke publicly of their relationship status.

2019: KiKi Layne

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In January 2019, Jordan was spotted getting flirty with actress Kiki Layne at the Sundance Film Festival. At the time, a source told People, Michael and Kiki were super flirty all night. He spent literally all night talking and focused on her. The source added that Jordan left the club first and [Layne] followed.

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Neither Jordan nor Layne commented on their relationship status, and following their time at the film festival, the two werent spotted together again in public.

2015: Kendall Jenner

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In 2015, Michael B. Jordan and Kendall Jenner sparked romance rumors after being seen leaving a Met Gala after-party together. The actor later responded to the backlash he received over the incident in an interview with GQ.

Its the world we live in. They see white and black. I dont, Jordan told GQ in his 2015 cover story. A lot of Black fans were feeling like, Oh, my God, he should have been with a Black woman and that whole thing. I get it, but on the other hand, its like, relax. You knowits 2015. Its okay! People can like one another, not necessarily from the same history or culture or whatever the f**k it is.

The actor added, Kendalls a friend of mine, you know. I dont know her, like, that well, but I know her enough. Peoples perspective on that is what it is.

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The two werent publicly spotted together again after, and neither publicly commented on the rumors surrounding them outside of Jordans GQ interview.

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Onyinyechi Basil, Miss Universe Nigeria, sheds light on her experience competing during the Miss Universe pageant amid mounting scandals.

Onyinyechi Basil, who recently competed in the scandal-ridden Miss Universe pageant as Miss Nigeria, is opening up about her experience.

In a recent sit-down with Nigerian media outlet QED, the 25-year-old pageant queen reflected on her inspiration for entering the competition and the realities of life on the global stage.

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You can prepare mentally, she told the outlet, adding, but its another thing entirely to live it.

Basil was crowned Miss Nigeria in August after competing against 22 contestants in Lagos, earning her the opportunity to represent the country among more than 120 delegates worldwide at Miss Universe. But from the moment the pageant kicked off, it was dogged by controversy. Headlines detailed allegations about the mistreatment of contestants, a frightening incident in which Miss Jamaica fell from the stage and was hospitalized for several days, and criminal chargesincluding financial-related offensesfacing senior figures tied to the organization. The turmoil has culminated in Olivia Yace resigning as Miss Universe Africa & Oceania and cutting ties with the organization altogether. The 27-year-old contestant from Cote dIvoire had been considered a frontrunner before ultimately placing fifth.

Speaking to QED, Basil described her whirlwind experience as being defined by long days, tight schedules, and pressure. While she did not directly address the controversies surrounding the 2025 pageantwhich ultimately crowned Fatima Bosch Fernandez, representing Mexico, as the winnershe did reflect on transparency in international competitions. Basil noted that the Miss Universe pageant she grew up watching felt more open, while still stressing her respect for every contestant who took part.

Though she did not take home the crown, Basil said she was proud of the way she showcased Nigerian culture throughout the competition. She highlighted the opportunity to share stories from home, connect with fellow contestants, and represent the countrys diversity on a global platform.

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I represented all of Nigeriafrom the buzz in Lagos to the calm in the North, she explained. I wanted the world to see that Nigerians are not just beautiful on the outside, but deeply kind within.

Ultimately, Basil described the experience as gruelingbut transformative.

I realized just how confident I am, she said. It takes courage to represent not just your country, but yourself, on a global stageand to do so with authenticity.

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Yulia Burtseva, a 38-year-old mother and social media influencer living in Naples, Italy, died on Sunday, following complications from a cosmetic surgery procedure in Moscow, Russia, Parade reports.

The Moscow Investigative Committee opened a criminal investigation into her death, according to the Russian outlet MSK1. Potential charges include causing death by negligence due to improper performance of professional duties, which carries a maximum sentence of restriction of liberty for up to three years.

MSK1 reported that Burtsevas condition deteriorated sharply after the surgery.

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She was hospitalized, but doctors were unable to save her, the outlet stated.

Originally from Samara, Russia, Burtseva had more than 76,000 followers on Instagram, where she shared content about recipes, travel, faith, and family life. She frequently posted alongside her husband, Giuseppe, whom she married in 2021, according to Parade.

On the morning of the surgery, Burtseva posted from Cafe Pushkin in Moscow, writing, Good morning Moscow.

Followers mourned her death with tributes on social media.

I cant believe it. Shes a beautiful, smart, kind-hearted person. Why did they have to do this? one translated comment read.

Another wrote, Im crying, I cant wrap my head around it. How is this possible????

Read the original article on cleveland.com.
Queen Mary of Denmark fashioned another formal look on Monday in a coordinated deep blue velvet Jesper Hvring set for a New Years Court event at the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.

The Danish queen consort wore a midnight blue jacket and long velvet skirt in the same tone for the formal occasion. Designed by the Copenhagen-based couturier, the matching set featured a formfitting silhouette, with long sleeves and an A-line skirt.

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Queen Mary of Denmark wears a design by Jesper Hovring at the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 5 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Asymmetry and modern touches also featured as part of Queen Marys sartorial statement, with a rounded high neckline and front placket closure on the side. Queen Mary adorned her look with pieces honoring Denmarks royal family, including an official portrait of her husband, King Frederik X.

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As for jewelry pieces, the Danish queen consort wore a pair of peal Poire set earrings, which coordinated with a statement cocktail ring. Queen Mary also carried a Quidam Bags clutch in a shade of navy, complementing her look.

Queen Mary of Denmark wears a design by Jesper Hovring at the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 5 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Queen Mary of Denmarks velvet look was a stark shift from her New Years Day celebrations ensemble, also featuring pieces by Hvring. On Friday, the royal married her Lasse Spangenberg-designed delicate lace top with a champagne-toned Hvring skirt  a statement piece Queen Mary wore on previous royal occasions.

Since founding his maison in 2001, Hvrings designs have catered to aesthetic timelessness, with handmade haute couture pieces fit for a fairy tale. Several of Hvrings pieces take inspiration from the design codes of Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga and Madeleine Vionnet, among others, per Hvrings official website.

Queen Mary of Denmark wears a design by Jesper Hovring at the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 5 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Since ascending the throne alongside her husband in January 2024, Queen Mary of Denmarks royal style has been dominantly comprised of statement-making power pieces with touches of femininity throughout. The Danish queen consorts wardrobe consists of patterned power suits along with Jesper Hvrings designs, among other looks.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - JANUARY 1: Queen Mary of Denmark attends the New Year's Court/the New Year's Day Parade hosted by King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark at Christian VII's Palace on January 1, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 22: Queen Mary of Denmark attends the Bharti Kher - Mythologies exhibition opening at Thorvaldsens Museum on August 22, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)

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PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 25: IOC President Thomas Bach, his wife Claudia Bach, and King of Demark Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark attends the IOC & Elysee Dinner at the Louvre ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 25, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

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Launch Gallery: Queen Mary of Denmark's Style Through the Years: Formal Gowns, Monochrome Looks & More [PHOTOS]

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared to skip cousin Tatiana Schlossbergs funeral after the late environmentalist spoke out against him.

Schlossberg, who passed away at age 35 on December 30, 2025, was laid to rest on January 5 in a service attended by many members of the Kennedy family. The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, however, was absent.

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Schlossberg, who is the second of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossbergs three children and the granddaughter of John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, revealed her terminal blood cancer diagnosis in a November essay in The New Yorker. In that same essay, she called her mothers cousin an embarrassment and criticized him for defunding cancer research, among other things.

As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers striving to improve the lives of others, I watched as Bobby cut nearly half a billion dollars for research into mRNA vaccines, technology that could be used against certain cancers; slashed billions in funding from the National Institutes of Health, the worlds largest sponsor of medical research; and threatened to oust the panel of medical experts charged with recommending preventive cancer screenings, she wrote.

RFK Jr. has not addressed Schlossbergs comments, but its not the first time her branch of the Kennedy family has denounced him. In January 2025, Caroline Kennedy wrote a letter to Congress calling RFK Jr. a predator who preys on the desperation of parents and sick children with his anti-vaccine rhetoric, per PBS. Schlossbergs younger brother, Jack, has publicly criticized him for years on his social media accounts.

Schlossberg is survived by her 3-year-old son Edwin and 1-year-old daughter Josephine as well as her husband, George.

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Among those seen entering and leaving the familys private funeral service held at The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Manhattans Upper East Side, were former President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, former Secretary of State John Kerry, Michael Bloomberg, David Letterman and Seth Meyers, Fox News reported.

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Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenners first Sunday of 2026 proved to be unforgettable.

After the Marty Supreme actor thanked his girlfriend while accepting the award for Best Actor at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, the pair decided to keep the celebrations going by attending a birthday party across town.

According to social media footage, both Chalamet, 30, and Jenner, 28, traveled nearly 11 miles from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, to friend Lauren Perez's birthday gathering at Max & Helens restaurant in Los Angeles.

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The duo joined Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Frankies Bikinis founder Francesca Aiello and more VIP guests in celebrating Perezs special day by enjoying breakfast for dinner at the beloved neighborhood diner.

Critics Choice Awards 2026 Red Carpet: All the Best Looks From the Big Night

Little me had big dreams. She didnt always have it easy, but she believed, Perez  who is the founder of Anablue haircare  wrote via Instagram on Sunday, January 4. We built the life we once prayed for. A family Im grateful for. Friends who love me and keep me grounded. A brand Im proud of. A version of me that never gave up. Happy birthday to the little girl in me who kept going .

Birthday celebrations aside, Chalamet had quite the weekend to remember when he received the Best Actor trophy at the first awards show of the year.

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During his acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards, Chalamet gave a rare public shout-out to Jenner for her support.

Thank you to my partner of three years, he said. Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldnt do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society

The cameras then panned to Jenner, who couldnt help but smile as she watched her boyfriend being acknowledged for his career.

Although the couple skipped walking the red carpet together, Chalamet and Jenner were spotted holding hands backstage earlier in the evening.

Jenner opted for a black vintage Versace dress from Tab Vintage, which was styled by Mackenzie Grandquist and Alexandra Rose. As for Chalamet, the Dune star sported a blue pinstripe suit for the star-studded occasion.

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Just one day earlier, the pair traveled to Palm Springs, California, where Chalamet also won big at the 37th annual Palm Springs International Film Awards.

The Kardashians star cheered for her man when he took home the Spotlight Actor of the Year Award.

Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamets Relationship Timeline: From a Quiet Beginning to Awards Show Dates

Thank you everyone for being here. This means the most and I feel the strength of the whole community that has my back, Chalamet said in his acceptance speech, per Variety. Im inspired by many great works I saw this year, a lot of great artists. At some point, I realized the film industry is an institution, great roles arent printed on a conveyor belt.

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With awards season just getting started, fans are hoping to see even more of Chalamet and Jenner this month.

The Marty Supreme star is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy at the 2026 Golden Globes. The show, hosted by Nikki Glaser, takes place Sunday, January 11, in Beverly Hills and airs on CBS.
By Arasu Kannagi Basil and Ateev Bhandari

Jan 6 (Reuters) - Morgan Stanley is seeking regulatory approval to launch exchange-traded funds tied to the price of cryptocurrency tokens, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, the first such move by a big U.S. bank.

The bank is looking to launch ETFs tied to the price of cryptocurrencies bitcoin and solana, according to the filings, aiming to deepen its presence in the cryptocurrency space.

Regulatory clarity under U.S. President Donald Trump has encouraged mainstream finance companies to embrace digital assets, which were once considered merely speculative instruments.

In December, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency also allowed banks to act as intermediaries on crypto transactions, narrowing the gap between the traditional sector and digital assets.

Several investors prefer holding crypto via ETFs, which provide greater liquidity and security, and simplified regulatory compliance compared to managing the underlying asset directly.

"It's interesting to see Morgan Stanley move into a commoditized market, and I suspect that means they want to move clients that invest in bitcoin into their ETFs which could give them a fast start despite their late entrance," said Bryan Armour, ETF analyst at Morningstar.

"A bank entering the crypto ETF market adds legitimacy to it, and others could follow."

In the two years since the SEC approved the first U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETF, a wide array of financial institutions - mostly asset managers - have stepped up to issue such funds.

U.S. banks, which have mostly only acted as custodians of client investments, are looking to evolve from cautious facilitators to active advisers.

In October, Morgan Stanley expanded access to crypto investments to include all clients and types of accounts, according to media reports.

Bank of America followed suit, allowing its wealth advisers to recommend allocations to crypto in client portfolios from January, without any asset threshold.

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil and Ateev Bhandari in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump draws cheers from supporters when he dances on stage at his political rallies, but he revealed on Tuesday that first lady Melania Trump is not a fan of dancing Donald.

"My wife hates when I do this," Trump said during a meandering speech to Republican lawmakers in Washington. "She's a very classy person, right? She said, 'It's so unpresidential.' I said, 'But I did become president.'"

The first lady was not present at the event.

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Trump often breaks out his signature moves at the end of his speeches as the song "YMCA" plays over the loudspeakers, extending his arms in a herky-jerky way while the rest of his body remains stiff.

"I said everybody wants me to dance," Trump told the lawmakers, recounting what he said was a conversation with his wife. "'Darling, it's not presidential.' She actually said, 'Could you imagine FDR dancing?' She said that to me."

"I said there's a long history that perhaps she doesn't know, because he was an elegant fellow, even as a Democrat," Trump said.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, known as FDR, was paralyzed from the waist down due to polio but rarely photographed in a wheelchair while president.

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Trump said the first lady also did not like how he sometimes pretends to lift weights during his speeches to dramatize his efforts to prevent transgender people from competing in women's weightlifting competitions.

"The weightlifting is terrible," he quoted her as saying.

The first lady's press secretary did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Undeterred, Trump repeated the weightlifting anecdote on Tuesday. And when his speech was over, he did a quick dance before exiting the stage.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Paul Simao)
In the final days of 2025, the Neil Young Archives team quietly dropped a recording of Neil Young and Crazy Horses Feb. 25, 1970, show at Music Hall in Cincinnati as a winter solstice gift to the fan community. The tape has circulated for years as a cherished bootleg sourced from the soundboard, but its never sounded quite this pristine.

Its a remarkable 16-song set that includes the debut of Dont Let It Bring You Down, which was paired into a medley with The Old Laughing Lady, the first performance of Come On Baby Lets Go Downtown, and Youngs first known live rendition of Joe Londons It Might Have Been, which he eventually recorded for Oceanside/Countryside.

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More importantly, this is the first time that one of his shows with Crazy Horse was captured on tape. They played clubs all across North America in 1969 to promote Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, but this was before Young joined Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and became a household name. Nearly every venue in 1969 promoted him as a former member of Buffalo Springfield, and the good people at the Warehouse in Providence, Rhode Island, billed him as Mell Young of the Buffalo Springfield. These were supposedly incredible nights where he forged a bond with Crazy Horse that lasts to this day, but not a second of it was recorded, even on a hissy bootleg.

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Youngs life forever changed that summer when Crosby, Stills, and Nash became Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Suddenly, he was playing to capacity crowds at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and the Fillmore in New York City, as opposed to whoever showed up at La Cave in Cleveland to check out the new band by the Buffalo Springfield guy.

CSNY continued to tour heavily in 1970, but they took a brief break at the start of the year that allowed Young to head back out with Crazy Horse and hit much larger venues than their last go-round. The tour began in Cincinnati, and this time tape was rolling straight from the soundboard. Now that Young had resources and a bit of money, hed never again allow a tour to simply vanish into the ether like the 1969 Crazy Horse run. (One exception is the famously debauched 1973 Tonights the Night U.K. run, but bootleggers picked up that slack.)

The show is worth hearing in its entirety, but Down by the River is especially feral and lasts nearly 20 minutes. Cinnamon Girl is another must-hear since original Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten is very high in the vocal and guitar mix. Young has played this song with countless other guitar players over the decades, but nobody does it like Whitten.

(In Youngs 2012 memoir, Waging Heavy Peace, he expresses regret about mixing down Whittens part on the original Cinnamon Girl recording. He was singing the high part, and it came through big time, he wrote. I changed it so I sang the high part and put that out. That was a big mistake. I fucked up. I didnt know who Danny was. He was better than me. I didnt see it.)

The Cincinnati show ends with Cinnamon Girl, but the crowd refuses to leave and aggressively screams for more. All I can tell you, says an unidentified voice onstage. Far out  Look, wait a minute, please. All I can tell you is that if we do more, were risking a chance at not doing it again since contracts are contracts. The contract was for 11 p.m., and the cat has been very lenient in that hes let us go until now. All I can tell you is that as sure as Im standing here, if we go more, then we wont be able to do it again. And as sure as Im standing here, well do it again. (According to a recap from a local paper, the show went 90 minutes later than Young was contracted to play.)

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This was clearly an audience satisfied with the show, but the reviews were oddly negative. Refusing to do many of the requests which were shouted from the crowd, [Young] let his egotistical personality shine through by making the crowd wait until he fumbled about with words and loose chords, wrote Beth Hedger in the University of Kentucky student newspaper The Kentucky Kernel, under the headline Young Disappoints Fans. He carried the bad habit over when Crazy Horse came out. Performing really worthwhile songs like Down by the River and Cinnamon Girl, he and Crazy Horse pleased the crowd at last. After they left the stage, the audience cheered for more. Finally the management mumbled something about their contact and said they might never come back to Cincinnati. After the lousy show Wednesday, who wants them?

The following month, Young and Crazy Horse played a series of legendary shows at the Fillmore East with the Steve Miller Blues Band and the Miles Davis Quintet. The tape was officially released in 2006, but its a compilation from four different gigs, the acoustic set was totally cut, and Cinnamon Girl was also removed for some reason. That left a mere six tracks, less than half the show. To get a much better sense of what a full Neil Young and Crazy Horse show sounded like in the Whitten era, listen to the Cincinnati tape. At some point, it deserves an official release alongside the complete Fillmore recordings.

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You know the song in the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum that goes tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight? Well, this is all about comedy tomorrow. Or more specifically, comedy weeks and months from now.

Thats OK, though. Good comedy is worth waiting for, whether its a powerful punch line with a long lead-in or a bunch of bona fide performers wholl be coming to Vermont between early winter and the precipice of autumn.

Weve chosen 13 comedy shows  a dozen in Burlington and one in Essex Junction  that your humerus might find humorous. (As in, they could tickle your funny bone.) Some names are instantly recognizable. Others might make you furrow your brow and go, Who?

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All could help you put aside your little personal tragedies until tomorrow so you can enjoy yourself eventually with some comedy tonight.

Stand-up comedian Chloe Radcliffe

A night with Michael Blaustein

7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, comedian-podcaster Michael Blaustein hits the stage at the Flynn, Burlington. $37-$100.50. flynnvt.org

Comedy showcase at Radio Bean

7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, the monthly comedy showcase Live, Laugh, Lava is hosted by Alex St. Louis and welcomes local and touring comedians on the third Thursday of every month to Radio Bean, Burlington. $5. radiobean.com

Chloe Radcliffe takes five in Burlington

6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, and 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31, New York comic Chloe Radcliffe  the girl with the birthmark, as she says in one of her routines  stays for five shows at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $25. vermontcomedyclub.com

The Flynn welcomes Kathy Griffin

7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, comedian and actor Kathy Griffin brings her tour to the Flynn, Burlington. $47-$89.25. flynnvt.org

Comedian Stavros Halkias

Dreamboat Stavros Halkias docks Burlington

8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, Netflix star and podcaster Stavros Halkias includes a stop on The Dreamboat Tour in a show presented by Higher Ground at the Flynn, Burlington. $42.50-$63.50. highergroundmusic.com or flynnvt.org

Follow Fortune Feimster to the Flynn

7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, stand-up comic and actor Fortune Feimster makes up for her postponed October 2025 appearance when she and her Takin Care of Biscuits tour arrive at the Flynn, Burlington. $48.25-$79.75. flynnvt.org

Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens.

Midwestern humor in the Northeast from Charlie Berens

7 p.m., Thursday, March 12, comedian and New York Times bestselling author of The Midwest Survival Guide Charlie Berens hits the Flynn, Burlington. $50-$107.50. flynnvt.org

Three days with Sam Jay

6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21; 8:30 p.m., Friday, March 20 through Saturday, March 21, HBO and Peacock series star Sam Jay does five shows in three nights at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $25. vermontcomedyclub.com

Kelsey Cook books Burlington shows

7 p.m., Thursday, April 16 through Saturday, April 18; 9 p.m., Friday, April 17 through Saturday, April 18, Hulu and YouTube comedy-special star (and top-notch foosball player) Kelsey Cook visits the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $30. vermontcomedyclub.com

Nick Offerman attends the premiere of "Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning" in New York on May 18, 2025, in New York.

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Nick Offerman turns two

4 and 7 p.m., Sunday, April 19, comedian, author and TV star Nick Offerman  he portrays Vermont-born President Chester Arthur on the Netflix series Death by Lightning  returns to Vermont for two shows presented by Higher Ground at the Flynn, Burlington. $39-$74.50. (7 p.m. show is sold out). highergroundmusic.com or flynnvt.org

Josh Blue comedy in Burlington

7 p.m., Thursday, May 28, through Saturday, May 30, and 9 p.m., Saturday, May 30, he had his breakthrough on Last Comic Standing, and Josh Blue will be standing on stage for four shows at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $35. vermontcomedyclub.com

Getting weird with Al Yankovic

7:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, he fits in multiple genres  youll also find this show in our list of live music to look forward to in 2026  but comedy definitely rules with Weird Al Yankovic, wholl be presented with Puddles Pity Party by Higher Ground on the midway lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $69.50; free general-admission tickets for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com

Comic musician "Weird Al" Yankovic

Tall Tales by Brad Williams

7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, Brad Williams  on X (formerly known as Twitter) he calls himself father/husband/comedian/part-time dwarf  brings his Tall Tales tour to the Flynn, Burlington. $32-$72. flynnvt.org

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont 2026 comedy shows topped by Nick Offerman, 'Weird Al' Yankovic
There's an argument to be made that bourbon started in Virginia. Prior to gaining statehood in 1792, Kentucky was known as Kentucky County in Virginia. That means one could say that Virginia actually has a claim to the bourbon that was crafted in those early daysthe land was Virginia after all.

But, whether or not the Old Dominion is actually the birthplace of bourbon, Virginia is doing its best to make a name for itself today.

Across the state, there are nearly 50 distilleries that are putting hundreds of years of tradition into practice and making bourbon with its own Virginia spin. Here are six distilleries crafting bourbon on Virginia soil.

Heather Bien

Does Bourbon Have to Be Made in Kentucky?

There's a common myth that bourbon must be made in Kentucky, but that's actually not true at all. Yes, a majority of bourbon is made in Kentucky thanks to its centuries of tradition and its ideal conditions for growing corn and nurturing the distilling process. But bourbon can actually be made anywhere, as long as it's in the United States.

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Related: This Kentucky Bourbon Was Just Named The World's Best

Ragged Branch Distillery

Located in Charlottesville, a town well known for its wine rather than its whiskey, Ragged Branch Distillery is named for nearby Ragged Mountain and its 800-acre home, Pounding Branch Farm. Master Distiller Dave Pickerell was brought in to develop Ragged Branch's signature mash using grain grown entirely on their own land. Because of its direct connection to the soil of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its aging process in charred American white oak barrels, the bourbon has a taste that's unique to Albemarle County.

raggedbranch.com, 1015 Taylors Gap Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903

A. Smith Bowman Distillery

Virginia's oldest distillery didn't start as such. Instead, it was a dairy and granary that quickly found itself producing more grain than could be used for anything but...producing bourbon. That excess bourbon turned into a distillery which turned into the classic Virginia Gentleman.

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Today, their catalog extends beyond that reliable liquor store brand and, instead, focuses on small batch bourbons, like their single barrel addition, John J. Bowman Bourbon Whiskey, or their port barrel-finished Isaac Bowman Bourbon Whiskey.

asmithbowman.com, 1 Bowman Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Heather Bien

Provenance Estate Bourbon

A newcomer to the Virginia distilling scene, Provenance Estate and Middleburg Barrel Company are crafting bourbon right in the heart of horse country. With both seven and fourteen year iterations of their flagship 1787 Provenance Bourbon, they're aging the bourbon in two different rickhouses, each designed to bring out unique flavors. One has a drier environment with plentiful airflow, while the other has a humid climate.

These contrasting environments, plus their focus on allowing visitors to thieve bourbon from the barrels and choose their own edition, creates a totally unique Virginia bourbon experience.

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provenancebourbon.com, 35487 Snake Hill Rd, Middleburg, VA 20117

Heather Bien

Copper Fox Distillery

The owner of Copper Fox Distillery, Rick Wasmund, has dedicated his life to the craft of distilling whiskey, and he went all the way over to Scotland's Bowmore Distillery to learn how. The heritage he discovered there inspired him to found a distillery in the United States with a malting floor, a rarity stateside. They're known for their Dawson's Reserve Bourbon, though they also craft rye whiskey and vodka.

Copper Fox's Sperryville distillery is an idyllic spot on the Thornton River with dappled sunlight and al fresco tasting, and they also have a second location in Williamsburg.

copperfoxdistillery.com, 9 River Ln, Sperryville, VA 22740 and 901 Capitol Landing Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185

What Is a Malting Floor?

A malting floor is a smooth surface where barley is spread across the floor to germinate. This is a traditional method of malting barley, and it's a more involved approach than more modern processes.

Belmont Farm Distillery

Belmont Farm is known for their use of a nearly century-old solid copper pot still, which is in contrast to the column stills used at most larger distilleries. The copper still requires a slower, more intentional process, and that's exactly how they prefer it at Belmont Farm. They grow their own corn and have a carefully honed whiskey-making process, all perfected under the watch of Master Distiller Chuck Miller.

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belmontfarmdistillery.com, 13490 Cedar Run Rd, Culpeper, VA 22701

Reservoir Distillery

While you can plan an afternoon escaping the city to explore Virginia's distillery culture, you don't have to. Reservoir Distillery is located in the Scotts Addition neighborhood in Richmond, and it may come as a surprise that they were the third distillery outside of Kentucky to craft bourbon in a post-prohibition era. They're still making bourbon today and working hard to embody Virginia in a bottle through locally grown corn and grains. Hunter & Scott and Holland's Ghost are two of their small barrel bourbons currently offered.

reservoirdistillery.com, 1800A Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230

Read the original article on Southern Living
While most travelers flock to Santiago or head straight to Patagonia, savvy adventurers are discovering that Chile's most captivating destination has been hiding in plain sight just 75 miles from the capital. Valparaiso, a rainbow-hued port city clinging to dramatic Pacific hillsides, is emerging as South America's hottest urban destinationand it's about time the world took notice.

This UNESCO World Heritage city combines jaw-dropping architecture, world-class street art, bohemian culture, and coastal charm into an intoxicating mix that feels like a mashup of San Francisco, Lisbon, and nowhere else on Earth. For travelers seeking authentic experiences beyond the typical South American tourist trail, Valparaiso delivers an unforgettable journey through one of the continent's most visually stunning and culturally rich cities.

A City Built on Hills and Dreams

Image Credit: Depositphotos

Valparaiso's geography alone makes it extraordinary. The city cascades down 42 cerros (hills) that plunge dramatically toward the Pacific Ocean, creating a vertical urban landscape unlike anything else in South America. Brightly painted houses, in every shade imaginable from electric blue to sunshine yellow to hot pink, stack precariously on steep hillsides, connected by a labyrinth of winding streets, hidden stairways, and century-old funicular elevators.

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These historic funiculars, called ascensores, have been transporting residents and visitors up the city's punishing inclines since the late 1800s. Riding these creaky wooden cable cars isn't just practical transportation, it's a thrilling journey through time and an essential Valparaiso experience. The views from the top are worth every peso, offering panoramic vistas of the bay, the sprawling port, and the colorful neighborhoods tumbling toward the sea.

The city's nickname, "Valpo" among locals, reflects the affectionate relationship residents have with their chaotic, beautiful, endlessly fascinating home. This is a place where art and life intertwine, where every corner reveals new visual surprises, and where the steep geography has shaped not just the architecture but the culture itself.

The World's Greatest Open-Air Gallery

What truly sets Valparaiso apart is its status as one of the world's premier street art destinations. Entire hillsides serve as canvases for internationally renowned muralists and local artists alike, transforming the city into a constantly evolving outdoor museum that rivals any traditional gallery.

Unlike cities where street art exists in designated zones, Valparaiso's murals cover everything, residential homes, staircases, retaining walls, shops, and abandoned buildings. The art ranges from massive multi-story murals depicting Chilean history and culture to whimsical characters peeking around corners to thought-provoking political statements addressing social issues.

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The Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre neighborhoods showcase particularly impressive concentrations of street art, though wandering any of Valpo's hills rewards curious explorers with unexpected artistic discoveries. Many homeowners commission artists to paint their houses, creating a collaborative relationship between property owners and street artists that's rare in most cities.

Street art tours have become essential Valparaiso experiences, with knowledgeable guides explaining the stories, techniques, and artists behind the murals. These tours provide context that transforms casual viewing into deeper understanding of how art reflects Valparaiso's identity, struggles, and aspirations.

Bohemian Culture and Creative Energy

Valparaiso has long attracted artists, writers, musicians, and free spirits drawn to its creative energy and relatively affordable cost of living. This bohemian character permeates the city, evident in its numerous independent galleries, experimental theaters, live music venues, and artisan workshops.

The city's most famous resident was Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda, whose Valparaiso home, La Sebastiana, now operates as a museum offering insights into the writer's life and eclectic tastes. The house itselfa quirky structure perched on a hillside with spectacular views, embodies Valparaiso's unconventional spirit.

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Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre have evolved into the city's cultural epicenters, packed with boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and design shops. These neighborhoods maintain their historic character while embracing contemporary culture, creating spaces where 19th-century architecture houses 21st-century creativity.

Live music fills Valparaiso's nights, from intimate jazz clubs to rock venues to street performers creating spontaneous concerts. The city's annual music festivals attract international acts, while local musicians keep traditional Chilean sounds alive alongside experimental genres.

A Culinary Scene Worth the Journey

Valparaiso's restaurant scene has blossomed in recent years, with innovative chefs taking advantage of the Pacific location and Chile's incredible produce to create memorable dining experiences. The city offers everything from sophisticated fine dining to authentic seafood markets where locals have eaten for generations.

The port location means supremely fresh seafood dominates menus. Congrio (conger eel), reineta (Chilean pomfret), and machas (razor clams) appear in countless preparations, while the city's many cevicherias serve some of South America's finest versions of this coastal classic. Don't miss trying caldillo de congrio, the traditional fish stew that Pablo Neruda famously celebrated in poetry.

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Beyond seafood, Valparaiso's restaurants showcase Chilean wine country's bounty alongside international influences reflecting the city's historic role as a major port. European immigrants left culinary legacies still evident in German bakeries, Italian trattorias, and British-style pubs tucked into hillside neighborhoods.

The Mercado Cardonal and Mercado Puerto offer authentic market experiences where vendors sell fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods. These markets provide windows into daily life while serving delicious, budget-friendly meals that locals swear by.

Historic Architecture Meets Modern Energy

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Valparaiso's UNESCO World Heritage designation recognizes its unique urban form and architectural significance. The city's golden age as South America's most important Pacific port (before the Panama Canal's opening diminished its strategic importance) left an extraordinary architectural legacy.

Grand Victorian mansions, ornate churches, Art Nouveau buildings, and eclectic structures representing every architectural style imaginable create visual richness rarely found in a single city. Many buildings show their age, peeling paint, crumbling facades, and earthquake damage are part of Valpo's aesthetic, but this weathered beauty contributes to the city's authentic character.

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The Plan (flat area along the port) contrasts dramatically with the cerros, housing the city's commercial center, financial district, and working port. This area feels grittier and more functional than the picturesque hills, but it's essential to understanding Valparaiso as a living, working city rather than just a pretty tourist destination.

Recent years have seen increased investment in restoration and preservation, balancing the need to maintain historic integrity with modern safety standards and livability. The challenge lies in preserving Valparaiso's character while preventing further decay, a delicate balance that sparks ongoing debate among residents, preservationists, and developers.

Getting There and Getting Around

Valparaiso's proximity to Santiago makes it easily accessible for travelers already visiting Chile's capital. Regular buses make the 90-minute journey, while those seeking flexibility can rent cars for exploring the coastal region. Many visitors combine Valparaiso with nearby Vina del Mar, the more polished beach resort city that offers a completely different vibe.

Once in Valparaiso, exploration happens primarily on foot, lots of foot. The steep hills provide serious workouts, so comfortable shoes are essential. The ascensores offer relief from endless stairs, though many remain closed for repairs, adding to the adventure of navigating this vertical city.

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The city is generally safe for tourists who take standard precautions, though like any port city, some areas require extra awareness, particularly after dark. Sticking to well-traveled neighborhoods and avoiding deserted areas late at night ensures safe experiences.

Why Now Is the Time to Visit

Valparaiso represents everything today's travelers claim to seek, authenticity, artistic culture, distinctive character, and experiences that can't be replicated elsewhere. Yet it remains refreshingly undiscovered compared to South America's marquee destinations, meaning visitors can still explore without battling crowds or feeling like just another tourist checking boxes.

The city's ongoing renaissance, driven by artists, entrepreneurs, and travelers who recognize its special qualities, creates exciting energy. New hotels, restaurants, and cultural spaces open regularly while respecting the character that makes Valparaiso unique.

For travelers ready to venture beyond the obvious, willing to climb steep hills for spectacular rewards, and seeking destinations that stimulate all senses, Valparaiso offers experiences that linger long after you've descended those final stairs to sea level. This is South America at its most colorful, creative, and captivating, a city that rewards curiosity and celebrates the beautiful chaos of life lived on the edge of land and ocean.
Measles cases are spreading across the country.

Doctors share what to do if youve been exposed to the virus.

Plus, what infectious disease doctors want you to know about the disease.



Public health officials in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Colorado have recently sent out warnings of travelers infected with measles passing through busy airports and other areas. Couple that with measles ability to spread rapidly, and its understandable to have concerns about the disease.



Measles is extraordinarily infectiousif youre susceptible, says Thomas Russo, M.D., a professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York.

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Each year, a small number of measles cases pop up in select areas around the country. But the past 12 months have been different. Nearly 2,100 people across 44 states were impacted by measles in 2025, according to data shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thats the highest number of cases in 25 years. Unfortunately, cases continue to surface.

Meet the experts: John Sellick, D.O., an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo; Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security; Thomas Russo, M.D., a professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York.

These warnings about exposures keep coming, making it fair to wonder what this means for you. Here, infectious disease doctors break down some of the most pressing questions people have about measles, plus what to do if you are exposed.

Why is measles so contagious?

While there are outbreaks across the country each year, most people arent overly familiar with measles. Also known as rubeola, measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus, according to the CDC. It may cause symptoms like a cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, high fever, and spots inside the mouth.

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But measles may also cause serious health complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation in the brain), per the CDC.

Measles is considered one of the most contagious diseases in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus can stay active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. The WHO also notes that one person who is infected with measles may infect up to 18 other people.

The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, Dr. Russo explains. From there, people breathe in infectious particles or touch surfaces that those particles land on and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, which may lead to infection.

The infectious period with measles is longpeople who are infected may spread the virus to others four days before they develop the classic measles rash and four days after it appears, per the WHO.

How can I prevent getting measles?

There is a vaccine to prevent measles, called the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Its part of the childhood vaccination series and is given in two doses. One dose is 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses is 97% effective, per the CDC. (Despite new changes to the CDC's childhood vaccination schedule, the MMR vaccine is still recommended for all children.)

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The first dose is usually given between 12 and 15 months, and the second dose is given between ages four and six, or whenever children start school, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Its still possible to get the MMR vaccine as an adult or beyond that age range, but the doses need to be spread out by 28 days, per the AAP.

The MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, which means that it contains a weakened form of the measles virus, explains John Sellick, D.O., an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo. That trains the immune system to react if youre exposed to measles down the road.

The vaccine is not perfect, but its really pretty good, Dr. Russo says.

(Just be aware that people born between 1963 and 1967 received a measles vaccine during childhood that isnt considered effective, according to the CDC. If this describes you, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated again.)

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Ultimately, you can get measles if youre fully vaccinated, but its unlikely. (Again, the vaccine is 97% effective, so three out of 100 vaccinated people may get it.) There were a few individuals who received a shot in the most recent measles outbreak and got infected, Dr. Russo says. But if you have some protection, youre less likely to get severe disease as well.

What to do if youve been exposed to measles

If you discover that you crossed paths with someone who has measles, dont panic. If you were born before 1957, doctors consider you to have presumptive immunity, which means that you were likely exposed to the virus as a child and therefore should have immunity to it, Dr. Russo says. If you have presumptive immunity or if youve been vaccinated, you dont have to worry about a measles exposure, he says.

Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, agrees. There is no action to take, he says.

If you were born after 1957 and you havent been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated, you still have options. While there is no treatment for measles, you can get vaccinated after an exposure or receive an injection of antibodies called immune serum globulin to help provide protection against severe disease, Dr. Adalja says. (The immune serum globulin treatment is the only option for pregnant women, infants, and people who are immunocompromised because the vaccine is a live virus and not recommended for those groups, Dr. Russo explains.)

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But if you know youve been exposed and youre not sure if you have immunity, the safest thing is to get vaccinated, Dr. Russo says. Dr. Sellick agrees. Its safe to get another dose, even if you were fully vaccinated or already immune to the virus, he says.

What to do if you get measles

If you develop symptoms of measles, call your doctor (dont go into the officeyoull risk exposing others). Again, there is no treatment for measles, but your doctor may suggest immune serum globulin and supportive care, like acetaminophen for fever and plenty of fluids, along with monitoring yourself for serious complications of the virus. Ultimately, its best to contact a healthcare provider. They can provide the next steps from there.

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Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

As climate change continues to alter the planet, one of the earliest casualties will be glaciers spread across the world.

However, the Pamir mountains in Central Asia have long resisted the trend of decline, even adding mass in the past.

Ice cores retrieved from one of the glaciers in the region will hopefully tell us more about why these particular glaciers are so resistant to climate change, though recent studies suggest this long-held resiliency may be slipping.

Disappearing glaciers across inhabited continents are one of the most startling indicators of anthropogenic climate change. A new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change estimates that were losing roughly 1,000 glaciers a year, a number thats likely to increase as we reach mid-century. With each glacier lost, with it goes vulnerable ecosystems, sources of freshwater, tourist dollars, and even a sense of the spiritual .

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While this steady disappearance of glaciers is an overwhelming global trend, there is at least one part of the world where, for decades, this inevitable deglaciation appeared to be in reverse. The Kon-Chukurbashi high-altitude ice cap in the Pamir Mountains (also known as the Roof of the World), located primarily in the central Asian country of Tajikistan, rests at 5,810 meters, or about 19,000 feet. While the rest of the worlds glaciers melted into oblivion, this ice cap actually grew in size, and scientists want to understand this unexpected resilience.

Earlier this year, an international team of scientists traveled to the ice cap to secure two ice core samples measuring at least 100 meters in length. The first core traveled to an underground sanctuary in Antarctica called the Ice Memory Foundation, a safeguarded repository of climate information for centuries to come. The other core traveled to the Institute of Low Temperature Science at Hokkaido University in Sapporo where Yoshinori Iizuka, a professor at the university, will analyze the sample in an attempt to understand this particular ice caps anomaly.

If we could learn the mechanism behind the increased volume of ice there, then we may be able to apply that to all the other glaciers around the world, Iizuka told AFP . That may be too ambitious a statement. But I hope our study will ultimately help people.

This mission originally planned to extract samples from the famous Vanch-Yakh Glacier, previously known as the Fedchenko Glacier, which was the longest glacier that survived outside of the worlds polar regions, but the mission proved too difficult for helicopters to access the area. However, the Kon-Chukurbashi is by no means second-rate, as the untold layers of compacted dust will tell scientists up to 30,000 years of information regarding past atmospheric conditions, snowfall, and temperature for one of the least-studied mountain ranges in the world.

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We pulled up the last core of ice, which was spectacular, Evan Miles, a glaciologist at the Swiss universities of Fribourg and Zurich who was part of the expedition, told AFP in another article . Really yellow ice, because it has so much sediment inside of it. Which is a really good sign for us.

Sadly, whatever data can be derived from the samples may come too late for many glaciers, including the Pamir region itself. Earlier this year, a study led by scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria revealed that recent snowfall decrease in the Pamir region is undermining its storied resiliency, even stating that whichever way we analyzed the model, we saw an important tipping point in 2018 at the latest in reference to the Kyzylsu Glacier, another glacier in the Pamir Mountains.

It turns out even the worlds last refuge for glaciers cant withstand the rapid warming driven by anthropogenic climate change.

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Key Takeaways

Spain ended its Golden Visa program in 2025, and Italy now limits ancestry-based citizenship to those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy.

Some Caribbean golden visa programs offer the quickest path to getting a second passport.

Some Americans qualify for dual citizenship based on their lineage.

Global instability and political uncertainty have led some people to get a second passport as a backup plan. The Harris Poll found in 2025 that 42% of Americans are considering moving out of the U.S., including 26% of Baby Boomers and 35% of Gen X. Respondents cited wanting a lower cost of living and better quality of life.

Popular expatriate havens such as Spain and Italy have tightened their requirements for ancestry-based citizenship. That said, there are still many places where American retirees can get a second passport.

Where Americans Still Have Options: Golden Visa Programs

Immigration laws vary by country, but residency visas are typically valid for five years. Residency conditions may require you to stay in the country for a specific period. For example, to maintain some residency visas, you need to be in the issuing country for at least six months per year.

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Some golden visa programs allow you to reside in the issuing country but don't grant citizenship or a second passport. However, getting one can sometimes put you on the path to citizenship.

With golden visas, you can invest in a country and gain residency or citizenship in countries that offer them. This approach isnt cheap, as countries typically require a six- or even seven-figure commitment. Still, its a good way to stay legally in a country, no matter where you and your family members were born. Here are a few places that offer them that would make sense for American retirees:

Antigua and Barbuda

cdwheatley / Getty Images Antigua's Jolly Harbour: The Caribbean nation offers one of the fastest paths to a second passport, with citizenship possible in four to five months. Antigua's Jolly Harbour: The Caribbean nation offers one of the fastest paths to a second passport, with citizenship possible in four to five months.

Antigua and Barbuda grants birthright citizenship, regardless of the parents nationality, to children born on the islands and those born abroad to at least one citizen. Its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program enables foreigners to gain citizenship by investing between $230,000 and $1.5 million. The most affordable option is the National Development Fund, but business investment is the most expensive. The visa process takes four to five months.

The Antigua and Barbuda golden visa requires you to spend a minimum of five days in Antigua and Barbuda during your first five years of citizenship, and includes benefits such as the following:

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Lifetime citizenship

No dual citizenship restrictions

No income, inheritance, or wealth tax

Freedom to live and work

Dependent visas for children under 30, parents aged 55 and older, spouses (and future spouses), and unmarried siblings

To qualify for the program, you must submit the following:

A clean criminal record

A valid passport

Proof of health insurance

Proof of investment

Youll pay application and processing fees of $10,000 for a single applicant or $20,000 for a family of up to four, plus $10,000 for each additional dependent.

Dominica

Westend61 / Getty Images Dominica's capital, Roseau, at dusk. Known as the "Nature Island," Dominica offers citizenship with no physical residency requirements. Dominica's capital, Roseau, at dusk. Known as the "Nature Island," Dominica offers citizenship with no physical residency requirements.

Dominicas CBI program works like Antigua and Barbudas but only requires a minimum investment of $200,000. The program doesn't impose physical residency requirements and doesn't restrict dual citizenship. The application processing takes three to six months and requires the following:

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Proof of minimum investment

A passport

A clean criminal record

Proof of financial stability

A medical examination

Note

Visa requirements often are not as clear-cut. Some countries give immigration and naturalization agents leeway to request documentation that doesn't appear on official requirement lists.

The benefits of Dominica citizenship include the following:

No foreign capital gains, foreign income, gift, inheritance, or wealth taxes

Proximity to the U.S. and Latin America

Birthright citizenship for future generations

Visas for spouses, dependent children up to age 31, and parents or grandparents over 65

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Required fees include a $1,000 application fee, a $7,500 due diligence fee for the principal applicant, plus additional fees per dependent. The process requires you to work with an authorized agent, who may impose additional fees.

Greece

Tuul & Bruno Morandi / Getty Images Oia, SantoriniGreece's Golden Visa now requires significantly more in investments in high-demand areas like this iconic island. Oia, SantoriniGreece's Golden Visa now requires significantly more in investments in high-demand areas like this iconic island.

Greece has become a hot spot for expatriates, due in part to its golden visa program. The least expensive way to take advantage of the program is to make an approved real estate investment of at least 250,000 (around $294,000), though it can be higher in high-demand areas like Athens.

Like programs in other European countries, the Greek golden visa grants residency, but not citizenship. After you complete seven years of permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship if you choose. If you marry a Greek citizen and have a child later, you can apply for citizenship after three years.

Benefits of Greek residency include the following:

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No physical residency requirement

Opportunity to apply for citizenship (minimum residency requirements may apply)

To apply for the Greek golden visa, you must pay a 2,000 (about $2,300) investors permit fee, plus 150 ($175) per additional family member. First-time citizenship applicants must pay a 700 ($820) application fee.

Best European Options If You Have European Ancestors

The best option for obtaining citizenship by descent is the one for which you may qualify. Most European countries offer ancestral citizenship, but lineage restrictions differ. For example, some countries offer citizenship to any generation of a native-born citizen, while others limit the right to their children or grandchildren.

Lets explore a couple of examples:

Ireland

Tuul & Bruno Morandi / Getty Images Fanad Head lighthouse, County DonegalIreland offers citizenship to anyone with a grandparent born on the island, no investment required. Fanad Head lighthouse, County DonegalIreland offers citizenship to anyone with a grandparent born on the island, no investment required.

If either of your parents was born in Ireland, you are already an Irish citizen. If any of your grandparents were born in Ireland, you are also eligible for citizenship. You will need to first register with the Irish Foreign Birth Registration. After that, you can apply for Irish citizenship and a passport.

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If your family connection to someone born in Ireland extends beyond your grandparents, you would still be eligible if at least one of your parents had Irish citizenship when you were born.

If you or at least one of your parents was born in Ireland before 2005, you are already an Irish citizen and can apply for an Irish passport. Also, when Irish citizens register their children's births abroad, the children are eligible for Irish citizenship and a passport.

If you were born after 2005, your citizenship eligibility is based on your parents' citizenship at the time of your birth, as well as their residency history.

Citizenship is an option if you have at least one grandparent born in Ireland. Once youre officially an Irish citizen, youre also recognized as a European Union citizen. This gives you the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.

Latvia

Alexander Spatari / Getty Images Riga's medieval old townLatvia offers citizenship to descendants of anyone who was a Latvian citizen on June 17, 1940, the date of Soviet occupation. Riga's medieval old townLatvia offers citizenship to descendants of anyone who was a Latvian citizen on June 17, 1940, the date of Soviet occupation.

Latvian citizenship is also granted to descendants of Latvian citizens who left during the German and Soviet occupations. So, if one or more of your parents or grandparents were Latvian citizens on June 17, 1940, you qualify for Latvian citizenship.

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Descendants of Latvian citizens of other generations can apply for a Latvian passport, but must pass a Latvian language examination. However, these descendants can apply for a five-year residency visa without taking a language test.

Tax, Legal, and Reporting Downsides

Just because you decide to retire in a different country doesnt mean you cut all legal and financial ties to the U.S.. As a U.S. citizen living abroad, you may still be required to file a tax return to the IRS and pay taxes, depending on your income.

The U.S. has signed tax treaties with some foreign countries. Such treaties do not cut the requirement to file your taxes with the IRS, but may entitle you to exemptions or a reduced U.S. tax rate. They may also offer exemptions or reduced rates on income received from foreign sources. However, their provisions do not allow you to avoid taxes on income received from a U.S. source. All tax treaties have unique provisions, so the reporting rules differ by country.

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, foreign financial institutions must report foreign assets held by U.S. citizens. So, if you have a foreign bank account in a country for which you hold a residency visa, the bank must report your holdings to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Likewise, the HIRE Act requires U.S. citizens to report certain types of foreign assets and financial accounts.

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The Bank Secrecy Act requires U.S. citizens to report certain types of foreign financial accounts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.



Note

Legal and tax issues vary broadly by country. Reporting laws that apply to a retiree living on a modest income may not apply to a younger, high-net-worth individual. Before moving to another country, consult international tax and financial advisors familiar with the reporting laws of the U.S. and the destination country.

What Retirees and Plan B Seekers Should Do

If youre seeking to get a second passport, follow these helpful tips:

Explore your ancestry to find out if you qualify for citizenship by descent in another country.

Research golden visa programs to determine which ones you can afford.

Speak with international financial and tax advisors to learn more about reporting obligations.

Collect all the documentation you might need for a visa application, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and naturalization papers. If youre applying for citizenship by descent, also collect supporting documents that trace your lineage.

Explore other visa options, especially if you only want residency. Many countries offer visas for retirees, students, property owners, and digital nomads. While these types of visas dont offer citizenship or a second passport, they let you live abroad without making a substantial investment. Additionally, some types of visas allow you to apply for citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Expand your knowledge of the visa process in your destination country. Oftentimes, government and immigration agency websites contain incomplete, incorrect, and outdated information. Some social media expatriate groups are excellent sources of information about current visa procedures, processing times, and requirements.

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If you want to spend retirement in another country, it will take some effort and research, but it is definitely possible given the range of possibilities. By following these strategies, you can find the right spot for your dream retirement.



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After what feels like an eternity of rent prices climbing ever higher, a bit of relief is finally trickling into the housing market. For renters who have been stretching their budgets thin, this news couldn't come at a better time. A nationwide surge in new apartment construction is starting to shift the balance, giving tenants a little more breathing room and bargaining power.

This article will explore seven major U.S. cities where rent prices are seeing a downward trend. We will investigate the reasons behind the drop in each location and offer practical advice for navigating this new, more renter-friendly environment.

1. AustinRound RockSan Marcos, Texas

Image Credit: Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.

The Austin metro area, a magnet for growth over the past decade, is now experiencing the most significant rent decline in the country, with a 6.6% drop year-over-year. The very building boom that accommodated its population explosion is now creating an oversupply of housing.

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With a flood of new multifamily units hitting the market, landlords find themselves in a position where they must compete for tenants. This environment creates an opening for renters to find better deals than they have seen in years.

2. Jacksonville, Florida

Image Credit: Pipas Imagery / Shutterstock.

Renters in Jacksonville are seeing prices fall by 4.2% compared to last year. Like many other Sun Belt cities, Jacksonville experienced rapid growth, which spurred a wave of new apartment construction. As these new buildings open their doors, the increased supply is outpacing immediate demand.

Recent data shows Jacksonvilles median rent declined as vacancy rates rose due to the completion of numerous multifamily developments. Real estate experts note that competition among landlords has intensified, resulting in more frequent price reductions and shorter lease terms to attract tenants.

3. DenverAuroraCentennial, Colorado

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Denver metro area is another region where a construction surge is leading to tangible relief for renters. With prices down 4.8% from the previous year, the market is adjusting to a surplus of new apartment units. The high volume of available rentals means landlords are more willing to negotiate to avoid empty properties.

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For anyone considering a move to the Mile High City, now might be the perfect time to secure a more affordable lease. With the right timing and a bit of research, you could take advantage of current market conditions to find a place that fits both your budget and your lifestyle.

4. PhoenixMesaChandler, Arizona

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Phoenix metropolitan area has long been a hotspot for new residents, and developers built accordingly. Now, that building frenzy has led to an almost 4.0% decrease in median asking rents. The sheer number of new apartments has created what some experts call "price wars" within buildings, as landlords vie for a limited pool of tenants.

This fierce competition among landlords is fantastic news for anyone currently searching for an apartment in the Valley of the Sun. It gives you more negotiating power and a better chance of finding a great deal.

5. Las VegasHendersonNorth Las Vegas, Nevada

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Las Vegas area is seeing a modest but welcome rent decrease of 3.0%. The city's growth has been fueled by people seeking a lower cost of living compared to neighboring states, which prompted a significant amount of new construction.

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With more apartment complexes completed, the supply is starting to catch up with and even exceed demand. This is compelling property owners to reduce their asking prices to attract renters.

6. MiamiFort LauderdaleWest Palm Beach, Florida

Image Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.

In South Florida, the MiamiFort LauderdaleWest Palm Beach metro has seen rents dip by 2.7% over the past year. The region, often associated with high housing costs, has benefited from a surge of new apartment buildings opening up across its urban core and suburban neighborhoods.

According to Realtor.com data, property managers are offering more incentives, like rent discounts and flexible lease terms, as they compete for tenants in a cooler market. Increased vacancies have prompted more negotiation, giving families more breathing room when searching for their next home.

7. San DiegoChula VistaCarlsbad, California

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The San Diego metro area, which includes Chula Vista and Carlsbad, has seen a 3.5% drop in median asking rents over the past year. Despite its reputation for high housing costs, this corner of Southern California is experiencing a wave of new apartment construction, especially in suburban pockets.

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The influx of newly built units has provided renters with more options, sparking greater competition among landlords. As a result, incentives like discounted first-month rent, flexible lease terms, and even free parking are becoming more common as property managers aim to fill vacancies. California is one of the happiest states to live in; maybe this is your cue.

What This Means for Tenants

Image Credit: byvalet / Shutterstock.

This shift in the rental market puts power back into the hands of tenants. With landlords more motivated to fill units, your position is stronger than it has been in years. Instead of simply accepting the advertised price, consider this a prime opportunity to negotiate.

Don't be hesitant to ask for a modest reduction in the monthly rent or inquire about concessions like a free month's rent or waived parking fees. Landlords are often more open to these discussions when facing higher vacancy rates. Timing your move can also work in your favor. Leasing activity is typically slower in the late fall and winter months, which can give you an additional edge.
Visitors to Montana  and in 2024, that was a record-breaking 13.7 million people (via NonStop Local)  are drawn to this northwestern state for its dramatic mountain ranges, historic sites, and exquisite national parks teeming with wildlife. Indeed, the state contains the famed Glacier National Park, a large section of Yellowstone, and one of the largest bison populations in the U.S. But beyond the natural beauty and outdoor adventure that Montana provides, wandering through the buildings of its abandoned mining towns might just be the best thing about a visit to the Treasure State. From Garnet, Montana's "best preserved ghost town," to Elkhorn, a mountain ghost town and state park with scenic trails, these places offer an extraordinary glimpse into a bygone era. And Rimini (pronounced "RIM-in-eye"), in the central west of the state, is no different, with its simple log cabins and storied history.

Located in Lewis and Clark County, this town was once thriving in the late 19th century. While it was known by other names originally, including Young Ireland, its current name comes from the play and its eponymous lead character, "Francesca da Rimini." This traveling production was running in Helena and would have been well-known at the time. Da Rimini was a real person  a 13th-century noblewoman famously murdered by her husband for adultery  and was first popularized in "Inferno," Dante Alighieri's epic poem. Her legacy now lives on in Montana, as she became the namesake of this formerly bustling mining town.

Rimini isn't technically abandoned  it does have some permanent residents. It's considered to be an "open air ghost town," according to Visit Southwest Montana, as there are no full-time staff here to escort guests or lead tours. Instead, you can walk through on your own, using the interpretative signs to guide your visit.

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Read more: 10 Closed American Amusement Parks Thrill Seekers Still Get Nostalgic For

Rimini, past and present

A vintage Chevy truck parked outside an old log cabin in the almost-abandoned ghost town of Rimini, located in central west Montana, USA - Ghost Towns and More / Youtube

Rimini's mines  and, subsequently, the settlement itself  were established in the 1880s, after a rich vein was discovered in 1864. Due to its location in a valley between Red Mountain and Lee Mountain, and its lack of railway access, the ore from the mines was challenging to transport. However, this changed in 1885, when the Northern Pacific Railroad's Rimini-Red Mountain line was created. While the boom began with silver lode mining, it expanded over time to encompass gold, zinc, lead, and more. As laborers young and old, many from Ireland, were drawn to the town, the number of services and businesses increased. The town eventually came to include a post office, hotels and boarding houses, saloons, a livery stable, a school, and a church.

At its height, in 1890, Rimini had a population numbering around 300 residents. It was shipping 400 tons of ore weekly to the smelter; and in total, the mining district generated about seven million dollars. But all good things come to an end, and this town of 0.3 square miles in area petered out to just 20 residents by 1920. Mining had waned overall, and as the price of silver declined, most of the town's inhabitants moved on to seek out fortunes elsewhere.

Rimini received a new lease on life in 1942, when it became the location of the U.S. Army's War Dog Reception and Training Center. For two years, dogs were trained here for Arctic search and rescue operations during World War II. Nowadays, you won't find elite canines in Rimini, but you will find some human residents. As per a 2020 census report, the town's population sits at just under 100  93, to be exact  many of them inhabiting the painstakingly restored log cabins that previously housed miners and their families.

How to get to and experience Rimini

Image of a sign along Rimini Road leading to the almost-abandoned ghost town of Rimini, located in central west Montana, USA - maimescul_a/Instagram

The road to Rimini is maintained, and the town is easy to reach. It's located around 25 minutes southwest of Helena, one of the smallest and most underrated state capitals in America. From Helena, you'll take US-12 E, turn onto Rimini Road, and drive for 7 miles. Keep in mind that certain rural roads may be impassable during the winter, particularly after heavy snowfall. For the most up-to-date road conditions, use the Montana Department of Transportation's 511 service.

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If you're coming from outside the state, you can fly into one of two major hubs. Helena Regional Airport (HLN) is the closest, with direct flights available from places such as Denver, Seattle, and Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is around two hours away but is serviced by eight airlines. You'll find direct flights from a much greater range of destinations, including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and New York.

As Rimini isn't a full-fledged ghost town, there aren't specific hours of operation, so you're free to enter at any time. But note that some people still call Rimini home, so be respectful while visiting. Upon arrival, explore the town at your leisure, taking time to wander through the log cabins dating back well over a hundred years. Many of these fascinating buildings contain false fronts, and they were constructed in the practical style typical of frontier-era architecture. Additionally, like many abandoned mining towns in the Old West, Rimini could be haunted. Travelers claim to have seen headlights and heard whistles from the "Phantom Train" along the old railway tracks. But whether you believe in ghosts, Rimini remains an intriguing vestige of the Old West and a fascinating piece of living history to visit, haunted or not.

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Morgan Stanley has taken another concrete step into crypto markets after filing a Form S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Jan. 6, positioning the bank to launch a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund if approved.

The proposed product, named the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust, would track the price of bitcoin directly, marking a shift from distributing third-party crypto products to building in-house vehicles.

Morgan Stanley Targets Simple, Price-Tracking Bitcoin ETF

The filing shows that the trust is structured as a passive ETF designed to mirror Bitcoins price performance in U.S. dollars, minus fees and expenses. It will hold bitcoin directly rather than using leverage, derivatives, or active trading strategies.

Source: SEC

Net asset value will be calculated daily using a pricing benchmark derived from aggregated activity across major spot bitcoin exchanges.

Shares are expected to list on a national securities exchange under a ticker that has not yet been disclosed, subject to SEC approval.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management will sponsor the trust, while custody and operational oversight will be handled by designated service providers. Shares will be created and redeemed only in large blocks by authorized participants, either in cash or in kind.

For cash creations and redemptions, third-party bitcoin counterparties will execute trades on behalf of the trust, with trading costs borne by the authorized participants.

Retail investors will not be able to redeem shares directly and will instead trade them on the secondary market through brokerage accounts, where prices may deviate slightly from net asset value depending on market conditions.

The filing comes as spot bitcoin ETFs continue to expand rapidly in the U.S. market. Data shows these products now hold more than $123 billion in net assets, representing about 6.6% of Bitcoins total market capitalization.

Total net assets held by Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. Source: Sosovalue

Net inflows have exceeded $1.1 billion since the start of the year, with Bitcoin trading near $93,800 as of Jan. 5.

BlackRocks spot bitcoin ETF has emerged as one of the firms largest revenue drivers, with allocations nearing $100 billion, showing the fee potential of these products.

Morgan Stanley Pushes Crypto Further Into Mainstream Portfolios

Morgan Stanleys move also follows its filing for a Solana-tracking trust, showing a broader push into crypto-linked investment vehicles. Solana trusts have already grown past $1 billion in total net assets after attracting nearly $800 million in cumulative inflows.
Encased in the vivid blue depths and spots of turquoise of the South Pacific, the remotest spot of the Solomon Islands is a volcanic island known as Tikopia with breathtaking reefs, and a unique cultural background. The capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara (located in the most visited Western Region), may get most of the attention  and for good reason, with world-class snorkeling on unspoiled reef and gorgeous beaches . Yet some of the nation's lesser-visited locations offer unique opportunities to experience island nature and life at its most unspoiled. With all the charms of a Pacific island without any crowd, the under-the-radar island of Tikopia has kept its pristine, lush appearance, from the volcanic peaks forming the geological bedrock of the nation to untouched coral reefs brimming with colorful fish.

Tikopia is not for everyone. As one of the most remote islands, located in the easternmost corner of the Solomon Islands, not many visitors brave the trip each year. That is partly due to the few and time-intensive transport connections  it takes about five days to reach it from Honiara, and three from Lata by ship  as well as the lack of infrastructure, with no hotels or official overnight lodgings. But that is the primary fascination about this unspoiled corner of the world. Tikopia has held steadfast to its values, traditions, and self-sufficient island economy. An outlier in the Melanesian islands, Tikopia's cultural and ancestral roots are actually Polynesian. In fact, the island's rich culture  including its interactions with the natural world and surrounding oceanic waters  is considered to be a unique mix of Melanesian and Polynesian customs, and its language and roots are more closely related to Tonga and Samoa.

Read more: 25 Gorgeous Islands For Vacationing That Won't Break The Bank

Remote Tikopia is home to lush volcanic peaks and lake trails

Verdant vegetation and village on crystal clear Solomon Island shores - Getty Images/Getty Images

Like many islands in the Pacific, Tikopia is entirely volcanic. Over the millennia since its formation, volcanic ashes have fertilized the soil, creating the perfect conditions for Tikopia to have a lush jungle environment. Hiking along Lake Te Roto (which divides the island's two regions) is a great way to learn the lay of the land and experience the verdant vegetation growing on its volcanic peaks. The lake itself is an old volcanic crater, measuring about 260 feet deep.

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Trekking and bird watching are popular activities to be enjoyed on the island, and so is hiking around Mount Reani, the highest peak on Tikopia at about 1250 ft tall. It 's even more fascinating when you think this tiny island packs volcanic crevices, splendid stretches of beach, and tropical greenery within its modest 5 square kilometers. Sadly, a lot of its vegetation was destroyed and many islanders were displaced by the tragic environmental event of Cyclone Zoe striking in 2002. But that was also an occasion which cemented the island community's strength, and led to a display of its self-sufficiency even during times of uncertainty.

As an example of Tikopia's respect for its community, before setting off to explore the island, all visitors must ask for permission from the four chiefs governing Tikopia and the neighboring Anuta and Fatutaka islands, and by paying their respects, effectively embrace the community's kindness and local customs. The four chiefs live in low-thatched huts built to endure environmental events such as cyclones, and they are in charge of supervising the island's resource usage. In fact, the Tikopian population is strictly regulated, to make sure island inhabitants don't outnumber resources.

Pristine reefs and coral biodiversity make Tikopia unique

Fish swim around coral reef underwater - Mike Workman/Shutterstock

Many people associate unrivaled snorkeling and diving experiences with the neighboring island nation of Fiji, with a man-made reef of 'super corals' known for wonderful snorkeling. Several thousand kilometers to the west of Fiji (and its capital Suva, renowned for providing a stress-free vacation), the Solomon Islands have access to a similar oceanic playground rife with pristine reefs. The island nation is known for its underwater biodiversity, home to shallow reefs full of stunning corals, both soft and hard. Though that may not be the primary reason people visit the island, the same applies to Tikopia, with its crystal clear waters and surrounding coral reef.

There is also a wider plethora of marine biodiversity in the area, with sperm whales, blue whales, killer whales, and several dolphin species all regularly spotted. And even if the island is not home to a huge amount of native plant or animal species living on land, it's worthy of being observed as a great example of a balanced and self-sufficient ecosystem.

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You don't have to stray to the remotest corner of the Pacific to find volcanic remnants and breathtaking reefs. For a taste of unspoiled coral reef and WWII history, Tutuila, the largest South Pacific island, is a great first approach to this enchanting corner of the world. Plus, since it's part of American Samoa, it's the perfect place to lower yourself gently into the kaleidoscopic world of Pacific islands.

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Fort Mohave isn't too far off the beaten path from Sitgreaves Pass, Arizona's steep and winding section of Route 66. Sure, at first glance, the rural unincorporated community may not seem worth the detour. It doesn't boast any of the best attractions in Arizona, and it certainly doesn't offer any views of the Grand Canyon State's magnificent river-carved magnum opus. But with the Colorado River and lofty mountain ranges right at its doorstep, not to mention a collection of desert trails snaking through its backyard, Fort Mohave delivers its own brand of outdoor adventure.

This sunny slice of Mohave County is enveloped by the Mojave Desert, a region famed for its shifting sands and otherworldly rock formations. More specifically, Fort Mohave sits in between Las Vegas and Phoenix. The former  where the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is located  stands about two hours to the northwest. The latter is a bit further out in the opposite direction; if you don't hit any traffic, you should be able to make it in about four and a half hours.

Roadtrippers shouldn't have any trouble finding a spot to park their rig in Fort Mohave. This place could easily top the list of the best lesser-known RV destinations in America because it's teeming with RV parks, including the Snowbird RV Resort and Crossroads RV Park. Riverside Adventure Trails also comes top-rated online, with 4.3 stars on Google. The property features a pool as well as laundry and shower facilities. Even better, nightly rates only cost $30 at the time of writing.

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Read more: The Most Breathtaking And Lively Mountain Towns Across America, According To Reddit

Get off the grid in Fort Mohave, Arizona

Dirt road in Mohave County, Arizona - Eric Poulin/Shutterstock

Don't be surprised to find stretches of dusty roads, barrels of barrel cactus, and the occasional bighorn sheep wandering around the lands of Mohave County. In Fort Mohave, the rural character is hard to ignore. But the area attracts visitors seeking a quieter, more relaxed environment. "Fort Mohave is a hidden gem," one local shared on BestPlaces. "I've lived here for a few years now and I love the small-town feel. The people are friendly and there is a strong sense of community. It may not be the most exciting place, but it's a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings."

Soak up the laid-back atmosphere by boating or swimming in the Colorado River, which runs along the Arizona-California border to the west of Fort Mohave. The Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area, just 15 minutes over the border in Nevada, is a popular spot for river recreation. Its day-use area features an "awesome beach area with clean white sand and crystal clear water," according to one visitor on Google. Make sure to snag a reservation if you're visiting during the summer months, as these golden river banks get crowded.

More splashing fun can be had north of town on the breathtaking desert waters of Lake Mohave. The 67-mile-long reservoir sits right on the river, surrounded by canyon terrain. There are several sandy beaches as well as campgrounds if you want to hunker down for the night. "Lake Mohave is the ultimate summer paradise in the middle of the desolate American southwest," a past lakegoer shared on Google. "I highly recommend coming to the lake if you're in the area because nothing compares to it!"

Small-town spirit, big mountain views

A barren Arizona desert view - Lemanieh/Getty Images

The desert community of Fort Mohave is hugged by mountains on just about all sides  cross state lines into California to the west of town to roam the Dead Mountains Wilderness. The remote patch of wilds covers a little more than 47,000 acres. If you're up for a challenge, you can make the climb up to Mount Manchester. It's the highest point in the park, standing tall at an elevation of about 3,600 feet. On HikeArizona.com, one hiker said the summit of the mountain was pretty small, but did offer some good panoramic vistas. "I enjoyed the portion of the hike that climbed to the summit, but the walk across the desert floor was a slog on the way back," the trekker added.

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The Black Mountains also dominate the area, providing a habitat for one of the largest populations of desert bighorn sheep in Arizona, while the Hualapai Mountains tower over the lands a bit further to the east. If you'd prefer to hit the dusty desert trails, there are some of those around Fort Mohave, too. Among them, the Mohave Milltown West Trailhead sits just outside of town. The 7-mile hiking route winds along an old railroad grade, running alongside an adjacent path for off-roading vehicles and horseback riders. Visitors can also see the historic, 1900s-era Mohave and Milltown Railroad Mill Site while you're in the area.

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Sri Lankas apparel exports grew in 2025 despite a year-over-year dip in November, according to the latest figures recently published by Global Data.

The country saw a 5.42 percent increase in cumulative apparel exports for the first 11 months of 2025 compared with the the same period in 2024. Thats despite a 1.96 percent decrease in exports in November, down to $367.6 million from $374.94 million during the same month a year ago.

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The 5.42 percent growth in our cumulative exports for the first 11 months of 2025 reflects the resilience and adaptability of Sri Lankas apparel sector in navigating a challenging global environment, said the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka. While we experienced a modest 1.96 percent decline in November, this should be viewed within the broader context of our strong year-to-date performance.

Though overall November numbers were down for apparel exports from Sri Lanka, shipments to the United States grew by 5.79 percent to $152.32 million that month. And exports to the European Unionexcluding the United Kingdomincreased by 3.35 percent to 119.61 million during that same period. Exports to the U.K. dropped 13.83 percent to $43.63 million, and sales to other markets declined even further by 19.44 percent to $52.04 million.

But while shipments to the U.K. were down, the rest of the E.U. was strong for apparel exports from Sri Lanka. From January to November 2025, exports to the E.U., excluding the U.K., reached $1.44 billion, a 13.07 percent increase from 2024. Exports to the U.S. ticked up 1.73 percent during the same period, to $1.77 billion, and shipments to other markets increased 5.75 percent to $742.98 million. Exports to the U.K. during the first 11 months of 2025 slipped by just 0.22 percent to $624.54 million.

Sri Lanka saw disruption during April with the Trump Administrations Liberation Day tariffs, which slapped a 44 percent levy on exports to the U.S. from the country. The administration later walked that rate back to 20 percent in August. In October, the World Bank released a report warning that even a 20 percent tariff could shrink Sri Lankas garment exports to the U.S. by up to 12 percent, harming the nations most vulnerable apparel workers.

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The U.S. is Sri Lankas largest single-country export customer, producing garments for fashion brands such as Calvin Klein, H&M Group, Gap, Victorias Secret and Nike.

The Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka said that the countrys growth in exports to the E.U. have helped alleviate those pains somewhat, and they see the modest increase in the U.S. as a promising sign that tariffs wont eliminate demand from America.

Particularly encouraging is our 13.07 percent growth in the E.U. market, which demonstrates the success of our strategic focus on strengthening relationships with E.U. buyers and meeting their increasingly stringent sustainability and compliance requirements, said the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka. Similarly, our continued growth in the U.S. market, despite tighter margins, shows that Sri Lankan manufacturers remain competitive on quality, delivery and ethical manufacturing standards.
The SmoothRed French Rail Collection Tour is a 7-day, 6-night guided journey that passes through Champagne, Alsace, and Burgundy. You might recognize these places as several of the most gorgeous French wine regions, serving up fairytale views with every sip. Your experienced, local expert will introduce you to hand-selected, family-operated winemakers as well as iconic world-renowned wineries.

The bespoke itinerary passes through multiple cities, including the underappreciated city of Reims, known for its Champagne, as well as smaller villages, vineyards, and luxury chateaux. During your wine adventure, you'll taste more than 35 wines, from Chardonnays to Pinot Noirs. Your stays are equally impressive, in 4- to 5-star hotels, with breakfast included. Plus, their handy travel app keeps restaurant recommendations, your full itinerary, boarding passes, and other important travel info stored in one place.

The journey starts in London from St. Pancras station, or you can join the group directly in Paris. The tour ends in Beaune, with a return trip to either Paris or London via train. Excluding international flights, the French Rail Collection starts at approximately 3,619 per person, or $4,880 USD. It's worth every penny, though, considering you gain exclusive access to vineyards that are rarely opened to the public, with a knowledgeable guide at your side. And while you can take this tour throughout the year, it should be noted that spring is one of the best times to visit French wineries. Not only is the weather great, but many producers also stop wine tastings and visits during the busy harvest season in the Fall.

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Read more: The Most Common Scams Tourists Should Know About Before Visiting Paris

Travel through the Champagne and Alsace region by rail

Wine pouring before vineyards of Hautvillers, Champagne, France - barmalini/Shutterstock

Day one begins with a two-hour, 20-minute train ride from London to Paris on the Eurostar. From Paris, you'll take a ride on the TGV, or Trains a Grande Vitesse, to Reims, a ride that takes around 40 minutes. Previous guests have stayed at upscale accommodations in Reims, like the Hotel de la Paix, a modern 4-star hotel. You'll have the evening to explore on your own. While in town you must visit Reims Cathedral, located a short stroll away. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Gothic architecture, and it's also stunning when lit up at night.

On Day two, you'll meet your guide who will take you on a full-day tour of the region, and especially the small village where bubbly is said to have originated. Starting with the Avenue de Champagne, you'll explore Champagne houses, including a visit to legendary Moet & Chandon in Epernay. Afterwards, you'll explore the vineyards of Cote des Blancs and nearby Grand Cru villages. Hiring a guide through SmoothRed grants you access to smaller, family-operated Champagne estates to visit their cellars. The day also includes time in Hautvillers, where monk Dom Perignon helped refine the wine. The tour ends with a visit to Hautvillers' Abbey, the Saint-Sindulphe church where Dom Perignon is buried.

On the third day, during your free time, visit the Art-Deco building of Halles Du Boulingrin, a market that sells locally-produced cheeses, sausages, and produce. Bring some snacks and your favorite bottle of wine; in France, you're allowed to eat and drink on the trains. During the next leg of the journey, you'll be on the fast train from Reims to Strasbourg for about an hour and a half.

Indulge in the fine wines of Strasbourg, Beaune, and other picturesque villages

Hotel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune in France - Andrea Pistolesi/Getty Images

The next day starts in Strasbourg, a riverfront town that combines both German and French cultures. After a good night's sleep at the elegant 4-star Hotel Regent Contades, with breakfast included in the package, day four is a full-day tour. You'll explore four wineries along the Alsace "Route des Vins," a route famous for its Grand Cru Frankenstein vineyards. Along the way, you'll enjoy stops in postcard-perfect villages like Dambach la Ville. You're on your own for lunch, but enjoy the best French cuisine at La Vignette. Try the veal Cordon Bleu or a classic sauerkraut platter. After a casual tasting attached to a smaller family-run winery, you'll stop in the quaint town that helped inspire "Beauty and the Beast," Riquewihr.

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Start your fifth day sightseeing on your own around the city of Strasbourg. You should check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the charming Petite France quarter. Or take a canal boat tour before boarding the train to Beaune and checking into your hotel, where you'll stay the last 2 nights.

Your last full day starts in the Cote de Nuits, where your guide will give you behind-the-scenes looks at prestigious vineyards, many of which aren't open to the public. Sample red wines like Pinot Noir from Grand Cru vineyards and smaller family-operated estates in villages like Vosne-Romanee and Chambolle-Musigny. You're on your own for dinner so try regional dishes like Beef Bourguignon, a stew simmered in red wine and full of veggies. On the last day, your breakfast is followed by another wine degustation. A visit to the ornately tiled roof of the Hotel-Dieu, a former hospital turned museum, is a great way to end your tour.

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Key Points

New research from Washington State University found a major gap between what people believe about drinking water safety and actual contamination levels, especially for bottled water.

In a recent study, bottled water was six times as likely to contain coliform bacteria as other sources, with only 17% meeting World Health Organization safety standards.

The findings indicate that trust in bottled water may lead to less hygienic handling, suggesting that perceptions of safety can directly contribute to contamination risks in both local and global contexts.

What we think we know about healthy choices and whats actually true can fall out of sync. According to new research, that may be especially true when it comes to how safe we assume bottled drinking water really is.

In September 2025, a team led by researchers at Washington State University published their findings in the Journal of Water and Health, examining the differences between people's beliefs about how "clean and reliable" their drinking water is and the results of lab tests in those same households.



The team focused on communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, where they surveyed 60 households, 30 in urban areas and 30 in rural communities. They also collected drinking water samples from bottled, piped, well, spring, and filtered sources in both regions and tested them for coliforms, Escherichia coli, and other bacteria.

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In the survey, most respondents believed "large, refillable jugs" were the safest option for drinking water. However, when the water was tested, that source showed the highest coliform contamination. The Washington State Department of Health explained that coliforms are "organisms present in the environment and in the feces of all warm-blooded animals and humans." Although the agency noted that coliform bacteria are unlikely to cause illness, their presence in drinking water "indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) could be in the water system."

Related: Why You Should Never Drink That Plastic Water Bottle Left in Your Car

We found there is a clear disconnect between what people believe about water safety and whats actually happening in their homes, and that can have major public health implications, Dr. Brooke Ramay, lead author and assistant research professor in the WSU College of Veterinary Medicines Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, said in a statement. When people believe their water is safe, they dont take extra precautions, but when they see a risk, they change their behavior.

The researchers noted that despite the belief that bottled water is safer, it was "six times" more likely to test positive for coliforms than the other sources. Perhaps most alarmingly, only 17% of the bottled water they sampled met the World Health Organization standards for safe drinking water. Thats especially concerning in places like Guatemala, where access to clean public drinking water is difficult or impossible for many, forcing people to purchase bagged or bottled water more often. As the researchers explained, many in Guatemala also refill the same water jugs at purification plants or neighborhood refill stations, where the water is treated and sealed.

The problem isnt usually with how the water is bottled  its what happens afterward, Ramay added. These jugs can be stored improperly, and dispensers arent cleaned regularly, and we think this can create ideal conditions for bacteria to grow.

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While the bottled water did not perform well in these tests, neither did other sources. The team found coliform bacteria in 90% of samples, along with CRE, a "particularly concerning form of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria," detected in some piped household water samples.

Related: Theres Fecal Matter in Our Drinking Water  Here's What Scientists Are Doing About It

The study also highlighted a significant disconnect between public perception and factual information about municipal water safety. The team found that although survey respondents ranked it lower in perceived safety, the water tested from protected municipal wells had the lowest on-site contamination rates, with no samples testing positive for coliforms or for detectable E. coli, ESBL, or CRE bacteria. But the picture changed once the water moved through household plumbing. In samples taken from water piped into homes, more than 65% tested positive for coliforms; about 28% had E. coli, and 11% tested positive for ESBL and CRE.

Although this study took place in Guatemala, it has global implications, including in your home, too. As the researchers concluded, our cultural beliefs about water can influence our behavior and health: if you never question where your water comes from, you're less likely to treat it, or, in the case of bottled water, clean the dispensers more often. Ramay added, Our results suggest that beliefs about water safety may actually contribute to contamination because people dont take the same hygienic steps with sources they trust that they might with other, less trusted sources."



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When we treat ourselves to a meal out and something's off - the food is cold or the service is slow - it can be difficult to know how to handle it.

Complaining can feel confrontational so many of us find ourselves making passive aggressive remarks or silently seething and then going home to vent online.

But there is an art to the restaurant complaint, according to hospitality industry professionals who have given us four tips on how to get the outcome you want.

Connect with your waiter

Dining disappointments can be avoided by doing your research before you book, says Sam Morgan, head of Open Restaurant Group, which operates eight restaurants in England and Wales.

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"I don't go to a restaurant that I clearly know is not for me," he says. "I don't go to an Indian restaurant and ask them why they're not serving me a lasagna."

Getting recommendations from friends and family who know what you're into can also help you make the right choice.

When you do sit down for your meal be friendly and build a rapport with your waiter, says Leslie Ann St John, who spent 15 years working in the restaurant industry.

Leslie Ann St John says building rapport with waiting staff helps if an issue arises [Leslie Ann St John]

"Be nice to your server - this is the person who's going to be running back and forth to the kitchen for you," she says, so if any issues do arise it's good to have them onside.

Do it in person not online

If you've had a bad experience you might be tempted to avoid an awkward conversation at the restaurant and wait until you get home to complain.

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Generally in the UK, customers prefer not to complain directly, says Sam.

"And when they send an email or leave a comment on social media, they'll make a load of unreasonable threats such as 'We'll leave bad reviews unless you do X, Y and Z'," he adds.

But Siba Mtongana, who runs many restaurants, says this does not allow the restaurant to fix the issue at the time and ultimately means it's likely the problems will never be addressed.

"My plea would be to complain to the manager on the day because that is the right thing to do," she says.

Complain in the moment, she urges. If it can't be fixed there and then, salvage what you can from your evening and speak to head office or as a final resort leave an online review.

Name your price

If you're unhappy with something, be clear about what is wrong and on the outcome you want.

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"I ordered a margarita that was hideously salty," says Leslie. "I flagged the waiter and said, 'I don't mind a bit of salt in my margarita but I'm sipping this, and it feels like my blood pressure is going up."

"He smiled and took it up immediately and said 'would you like another one or would you like something different?'"

Her top tip is to be specific about what will resolve the issue for you, whether that's a replacement dish, or the price to be taken off the bill.

If you're clear about what you want, they'll usually do everything they can to make it happen, adds Leslie.

Don't get angry

It's easy for emotions to get out of control when a meal doesn't go to plan, but it's important not to lose your cool.

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"Maintain your poise, say to the server, 'hey, this is what the situation is'. If the server apparently cannot fix it, then say 'can I see your supervisor?'" Leslie says.

Boston-based restaurant owner Seth Gerber believes people often avoid complaining as they assume it won't help.

Chef Seth Gerber says a well-handled complaint can be of value to restaurants [Seth Gerber]

"There is an assumption that management does not care or does not want to rectify the situation."

But a correctly handled complaint is likely to be appreciated and of value to the restaurant, he says.

And lastly - make sure your complaint is justified in the first place.

Sam recounts how one of his customers complained about getting a ticket for driving in a bus lane on the way to the restaurant.

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He said the idea that they should have known the customer's route and pre-warned them of the risk was so clearly unreasonable it was comical.
It's empty now, but in a few months, the 1.3 million square feet building on Plaza Drive and Riverway Avenue in Visalia is expected to create jobs for hundreds of local residents.

The city of Visalia does not require company names in business applications, but it has a good sense of who may be expanding in town based on a few clues.

"There were some clues in there, they did say they wanted to paint it in Amazon blue, just like our Amazon one and Amazon two have, so we we do anticipate that will be an Amazon Caprock. Actually built this building back in 2024. It's 1.3 million square feet, or just a hair underneath, and it mimics almost identically to the Amazon one and Amazon two we already have," explains Brett Taylor, Mayor for the City of Visalia.

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The city says the other two nearby Amazon facilities employ about 1,000 people each, and that this one is expected to provide about 500 local jobs, possibly meaning more career options for the next generation.

"Our unemployment rates here in the Central Valley have always been kind of higher than the rest of the nation, and Visalia is now at some of the lowest unemployment rates that we've ever had. It's because great companies like Amazon are coming in and they're hiring our young people. Visalia offers a great work-life balance," expresses Taylor.

The cost is unknown but is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

City leaders say 97% of the West Coast can be reached in one day from Visalia, thanks to nearby access to highways, making the area even more desirable.

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"Visalia specifically has been first. We're very easy to work with, with a lot of these big companies, and that's what they're looking for. They're looking for cities that are eager to have them come. We are essentially located in the state of California, so our folks here, they can wake up in their own beds, and they can make a delivery down in LA or go pick up a shipment out of the docks," mentions Taylor.

Plus, the central location could mean faster delivery times for local shoppers while boosting the local economy.

"A real good economic addition to the city of Visalia and the economic situation for people in Visalia. So overall, I think it's a win-win. I think it's a good location for Amazon. We're centrally located, and the whole idea behind it is to create faster service for the people that partake in Amazon. Yhis is a good addition," says Steve Nelson with the City of Visalia and Downtown Visalians.

Action News is waiting to hear back from Amazon on confirmation.

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Meanwhile, the city says there are a few other major retailers, like a Costco in North Visalia, plus Sam's Club and Chick-fil-A, near Texas Roadhouse, coming to town in the coming years.

The city of Visalia says it is excited to continue growing, which encourages companies to want to work and develop locally.

The city says the location could open possibly by the end of the year.

For South Valley news updates, follow Kassandra Gutierrez on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Brief

A 17-year-old was arrested after two adults were shot in Stafford County.

Both victims suffered leg wounds and are expected to recover.

The teen faces multiple charges, and the gun was reported stolen.

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. - A 17-year-old is behind bars after police say they shot two adults following an argument in Stafford County.

What we know

The shooting happened Saturday around 4:25 p.m. in the 1300 block of Providence Street. Deputies arrived and found a 25-year-old man and a 38-year-old man with gunshot wounds to their legs. Both were taken to Mary Washington Hospital and are expected to recover.

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The teen was taken into custody and faces two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and one count of possession of stolen property. Authorities say the firearm used in the shooting had been stolen.

The suspect is being held at the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center.

The Source

Information in this article comes from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.
Around 2,000 federal agents are being deployed to Minneapolis as part of the Trump administrations latest effort to crack down on immigration, two law enforcement officials told CNN, while the city and its officials are reeling from a welfare fraud scandal thats reaching a fever pitch this week.

In the days since a conservative content creator raised allegations of fraud in a YouTube video  with little evidence  about Somali-run day care centers in Minneapolis, the Trump administration has frozen federal child care funds and unleashed more biting rhetoric against the Somali community, whom President Donald Trump has previously called garbage.

Now, the president is stepping up immigration enforcement. Federal agents have already been on the ground in Minneapolis, and both Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and US Border Patrol agents are deploying to Minnesota.

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Agents in Minneapolis on Monday arrested more than 150 people accused of being in the country illegally, the Department of Homeland Security said in a Tuesday release. The release highlighted nearly a dozen detainees that DHS called the worst of the worst, with charges like homicide, robbery and probation violation; none of the highlighted detainees were Somali.

DHS posted an edited video to X Tuesday showing Secretary Kristi Noem following armed agents into a three-story building in St. Paul and arresting a suspect they said was an illegal immigrant wanted for murder. Noem, wearing a Homeland Security Investigations tactical vest, was surrounded by uniformed officers with Secret Service identification.

US Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino, whose controversial tactics have come under increased scrutiny in multiple cities, is also expected to deploy to Minneapolis.

The war thats being waged against Minnesota, youre seeing it, Gov. Tim Walz said at a Tuesday news conference. We have a ridiculous surge of apparently 2,000 people not coordinating with us that are for a show of the cameras.

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Uncertainty is sweeping Minnesotas largest city as the fraud allegations prompt shakeups in local leadership, and a new, ambiguous immigration enforcement effort intimidating Somali residents has emerged. Heres what we know.

Deployment comes as Walz drops reelection bid

The mobilization of more agents to Minneapolis comes as Walz, a Democrat who has been staunchly opposed to Trumps deployment of troops to US cities, dropped out of the race for reelection on Monday.

The welfare-fraud scandal in his state has intensified into a political flashpoint seized upon by Trump, and its deepening federal probe complicated Walzs bid for an unprecedented third term. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but Republicans have sought to blame Walz and Democrats for abuse of taxpayer dollars.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a news conference at the State Capitol building in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Monday. - Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

It was the recent criticism from the Trump administration and right-wing allies that Walz said contributed to his decision not to seek reelection.

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This is a concerted effort to try to destroy the presidents opponents, to destroy the rule of law, and it became apparent to me that he was going to do that with me being there, Walz said Tuesday.

Walz had been criticized for his administrations oversight of the welfare programs. Several Democrats in the state privately cautioned Walz against seeking reelection as outrage intensified in Minnesota and beyond over the misuse of funds.

Have I been perfect in this? God-dang, no, Walz said. I wasnt perfect as a teacher. I wasnt perfect as a coach. I wasnt perfect as a solider, but I was pretty damn good at all those things, and I am committed to getting this right.

The governor committed to serve out the rest of his current term, which ends a year from now.

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You can make all your requests for me to resign over my dead body, he said.

Pushback anticipated over familiar ICE operation targeting Somalis

The 2,000-agent surge isnt the first instance in which federal immigration authorities have targeted the Twin Cities. In December, following Trumps disparaging comments about Somalis and calls for them to leave the country, federal agents arrived in Minneapolis and St. Paul as part of the presidents wide-spanning deportation campaign.

The operation sparked fear and anxiety for the areas Somali community, the vast majority of whom are US citizens. Nearly 58% of Somalis in Minnesota were born in the US, according to the US Census Bureau. Of the foreign-born Somalis in Minnesota, an overwhelming majority  87%  are naturalized US citizens.

The previous ICE operation sparked protests and tense standoffs with agents. In one incident that drew criticism from the Minneapolis police chief, an agent knelt on a womans back as she lay atop a snow bank and then tried to drag her to a car. The episode took place just a few miles from where George Floyd was killed by a city police officer kneeling on his neck in 2020.

Demonstrators rally in protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid a reported federal immigration operation targeting the Somali community in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 8, 2025. - Tim Evans/Reuters

Americans of Somali descent told CNN they started carrying their passports and ID cards with them, scared they would be stopped by federal agents.

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This time around, DHS said it has run into trouble booking hotel rooms in Minneapolis for newly mobilized agents. It alleged that global hotel chain Hilton launched a coordinated campaign to refuse service to agents by cancelling their room reservations in Minneapolis as the agency readies for escalated immigration enforcement there.

Screenshots DHS posted on X on Monday afternoon appear to show emails from a Hilton address stating that immigration agents are not allowed to stay at the Hampton Inn Lakeville property, located in a suburb south of Minneapolis.

After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be cancelling your upcoming reservation. You should see a proper cancellation email in your inbox shortly from Hilton, one email reads.

The Lakeville Hilton property is independently owned and operated by Everpeak Hospitality, which said in a statement on its website that the incident was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all, and that it is in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated.

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DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin rejected that statement, writing on X Monday evening that DHS and ICE havent heard from Everpeak Hospitality.

Hilton itself, in an initial statement Monday, emphasized that the independently owned and operated hotels actions were not reflective of Hilton values.

On Tuesday Hilton issued a new statement, saying it had further concerns that the Lakeview Hilton property was not meeting our standards, and Hilton was therefore taking immediate action to remove the hotel from its system.

Hilton is - and has always been - a welcoming place for all. We are also engaging with all of our franchisees to reinforce the standards we hold them to across our system to help ensure this does not happen again, Hiltons Tuesday statement said.

Friday deadline looms amid frozen child care payments

On December 30, Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim ONeill announced the agency was freezing all child care payments to Minnesota amid the fraud allegations. The state typically receives about $185 million annually in federal child care funding, supporting care for 19,000 children.

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Investigators last week visited all of the child care centers accused of fraud in the video, and all were operating as expected, state officials say. Still, investigations into alleged wrongdoing are ongoing.

The state Department of Children, Youth, and Families announced Monday it would conduct additional on-site compliance checks at child care centers across the state.

Funds will be released only when states prove they are being spent legitimately, ONeill said. He said he had demanded Walz provide a comprehensive audit of the centers featured in the video.

Children watch television at ABC Learning Center in Minneapolis on December 31, 2025. - Mark Vancleave/AP

The proof must be shared with the government by Friday, according to an email from state officials to child care providers. The email said HHS has requested specific details, including the total amount of Child Care and Development Fund payments received by five child care centers and administrative data  like names and social security numbers  for all recipients of federal money.

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The fund is the main source of federal support for child care and includes the state Child Care Assistance Program, which Nick Shirley, the creator of the viral video, alleged was being exploited in Minnesota.

In the meantime, thousands of Minnesota families who rely on federal child care funding are in limbo. It is unclear how quickly funding could be restored if the state meets the Friday deadline.

The Trump administration also announced a plan to audit all of Minnesotas Medicaid bills Tuesday.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz said the agency sent a letter to Walz notifying him of the audit.

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We have just sent a letter to Gov. Walz alerting him to something he probably fears and should have taken action in a timely manner to avoid: We are auditing all of the Medicaid bills, in particular for the 14 programs that he and his own administration have admitted were problems, Oz said on Fox News.

CNN has reached out to CMS, HHS and Walzs office for comment.

Trump has a long history with Minnesota, Somali community

The child care fraud scandal has reignited the presidents persistent hostility toward Somalis. For years, he has attacked Somalis living in the US, Somalia itself, and Somali leaders like Rep. Ilhan Omar, who he has said should not be allowed to serve in Congress.

Somalia was also on the travel ban list during Trumps first presidential term. Under the Obama administration, several Muslim-majority nations, including Somalia, were identified as countries of concern and subject to travel restrictions. Somalia had been added to address the growing threat from foreign terrorist fighters, according to a DHS statement. When Trump took office, the restrictions turned into a travel ban.

He continued the attacks Sunday when asked about the Minnesota fraud scandal, insulting Omar and going on a tangent about Somali pirates, while criticizing astronomical theft of government funds.

What hes doing to the Somali community is absolutely unconscionable, Walz said Tuesday.

Somalis and their advocates point out the small group of people charged with fraud doesnt reflect their thousands-strong community.

Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota chapter, says theres a clear motif when isolated instances of wrongdoing are used to scapegoat an entire population.

Each time, the same pattern emerges: isolate a case, generalize it to an entire group, and use fear to legitimize discrimination, Hussein said.

The Somali community in the Twin Cities is overwhelmingly made up of hardworking families, small business owners, health care workers, students, and taxpayers who contribute every day to Minnesotas economy and civic life, he said.

Allegations reach halls of Congress this week

The fraud allegations will reach new heights in the halls of Congress this week as Minnesota state lawmakers are set to testify in Washington, DC, on Wednesday before the Republican-led US House Oversight Committee.

The hearing, focused on fraud and misuse of federal funds, will feature testimony from three Republican members of the Minnesota House of Representatives who, the chairman of the Oversight Committee says, sounded the alarm on the fraud: Kristin Robbins, Walter Hudson and Marion Rarick.

James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, invited Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to testify in a separate hearing before the committees investigative panel on February 10, saying the governor ignored warnings of fraud from the state lawmakers.

He better lawyer up, Comer wrote on X.

Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison have either been asleep at the wheel or complicit in a massive fraud involving taxpayer dollars in Minnesotas social services programs, Comer said in the statement.

In his Tuesday news conference, Walz said those allegations have to be backed with evidence.

If they have emails showing that I have committed fraud, you should get those. Why arent they putting them out there? said Walz. Why arent they turning over to prosecutors? Right now they are hiding behind a veil of innuendo. Theyre protecting the biggest fraudster in the White House.

Whatever it is, I bug the crap out of Donald Trump, he added.

CNNs Zoe Sottile, Emma Tucker, Rebekah Riess, Andy Rose, Jeff Zeleny and Kit Maher contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A dramatic cliffside rescue unfolded in the dark on the rugged coastline of Northern California as police and emergency crews coordinated the rescue of two stranded hikers stuck on a steep rock formation on Sunday evening.

At approximately 7 p.m., CHP H-30 was requested by the Marin County Fire Department, along with the National Park Service and the Marin County Sheriff's Office, to respond to a cliff rescue just south of Pelican Lake, on the Point Reyes National Seashore coast.

MORE:3 hikers, including 19-year-old, found dead on SoCal's Mount Baldy, sheriff's department says

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According to CHP, two female hikers were located on an extremely rocky formation, high on a cliff above the beach.

CHP deployed a paramedic using a skid landing in order to contact the parties and moved them to a safer location for rescue.

The crew of H-30 then performed another skid landing along the cliff and loaded both hikers onto the helicopter.

They were then flown to an awaiting ground ambulance for treatment.

CHP has not released an update on the condition of the hikers.
Jan 5 (Reuters) - About a dozen oil tankers loaded with Venezuelan crude and fuel have left the country's waters since the start of the year in apparent defiance of the U.S. government's blockade on exports, according to documents seen by Reuters and industry sources including monitoring service TankerTrackers.com.

U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a blockade of all sanctioned tankers bound for Venezuela in mid-December, before the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. troops in the early hours of Saturday morning. Trump said on Saturday that an oil embargo remained in full force after Maduro's extraction.

All the departed vessels identified are under sanctions and most are now sailing on the high seas without any known flag or current ship safety documentation in place, shipping data showed. Half of them are supertankers that typically carry Venezuelan crude to China, according to TankerTrackers.com and shipping documents from PDVSA.

It was not immediately clear whether the U.S. had approved or allowed the shipments. Trump also said on Saturday that Venezuela's largest customers, including China, would keep receiving oil.

A U.S. official told Reuters on Monday the vessel "quarantine" was in effect focused on sanctioned tankers, but did not elaborate on the departed ships.

The White House, the U.S. State Department, state-run Venezuelan oil company PDVSA and Venezuela's oil ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

The vessels are carrying an estimated volume of 12 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude and fuel oil, according to deals negotiated with PDVSA and satellite images analyzed by TankerTrackers.com.

It was unclear where the vessels were heading. When they loaded in December, they were mostly destined for Asia. The ships had been stuck in Venezuelan waters since due to the U.S. blockade.

A separate group of three smaller empty ships, also under sanctions, left the country after completing domestic trips or discharging imports, including of Russian naphtha.

At least four of the departed tankers left Venezuelan waters on Saturday through a route north of Margarita island after briefly stopping near the country's maritime border, TankerTrackers.com said.

At least four supertankers had been cleared by Venezuelan authorities to leave in dark mode, three sources with knowledge of the departure paperwork told Reuters. That means the vessels sail without their satellite tracking devices switched on, a common ploy for tankers in the global fleet that carry sanctioned oil from Venezuela, Iran and Russia around the world.
Police say one of the men injured in a shooting and stabbing this weekend in the Germantown section of Philadelphia is a homicide suspect wanted in two states.

Arkel Garcia, 31, was one of two people involved in an altercation Sunday afternoon on the 5200 block of Germantown Avenue, investigators said.

READ MORE | Multi-state manhunt for murder suspect, previously convicted in 2013 Philadelphia homicide

Multi-state manhunt for murder suspect, previously convicted in 2013 homicide

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Garcia was previously convicted of murder in 2013 and later released. He is accused of killing a 58-year-old man in Philadelphia on Nov. 12 and is also wanted for questioning in a Nov. 28 homicide in Florida.

Garcia suffered stab and gunshot wounds during Sunday's incident and is in critical condition. A second victim, a 34-year-old man, arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm and was listed in stable condition.

Police said another man told investigators he shot Garcia after Garcia allegedly shot the 34-year-old victim during a physical altercation. The man said he struck and stabbed Garcia while trying to protect others and during a struggle over a gun.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Police are investigating after a man and a woman were shot Monday night.

The Baton Rouge Police Department said Officers were called to a shooting around 10:08 p.m. at the intersection of Scenic Highway and Ozark Street, where two victims had non-life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to a hospital.

As the investigation unfolded, BRPD determined that the shooting took place in the 2400 block of Winbourne Avenue.

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The victims told police that they were shot at while in their vehicle. They stated that the shots came from an unknown vehicle, and the identity of the shooters is not known, according to BRPD.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.

Louisiana man involved in head-on crash that sent 1 to hospital had 4 DWIs

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In Kentucky, 1 in 5 children live in poverty and face food insecurity, among other immense challenges often exacerbated by where they live. (Getty Images)

Mark Battersons new book is a provocative read. Titled Gradually Then Suddenly, the author details how the biggest dreams sometimes seem as if they will take forever and then  POOF!  it happens seemingly overnight.

One of my favorite examples from the book is Olympic gold medal winner Rowdy Gaines. Batterson reminds us that the United States boycotted the 1980 games in Moscow, which means Gaines trained for eight years in preparation for the 100-meter freestyle, a race that lasted less than a minute. Add up all the practice laps for those eight years, and youll see that he swam some 20,000 miles for a race that lasted 49 seconds.

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Gaines won that gold medal for the U.S. gradually before winning it suddenly.

When it comes to policy, wins for kids have been coming far too gradually. There have been too many wait until next year and far too few lightning strike wins. As the opening gavel falls on the 2026 General Assembly, our lawmakers must turn the gradual pace into 2026 sudden action. Kentuckys kids need that pace  perhaps more now than ever.

Our boys and girls need leaders in Frankfort who dont just say they care, but who act with a sudden urgency on that commitment.

As laid out in the Blueprint for Kentuckys Children 2026 priority agenda, Kentuckys kids need budget investments to support kinship families and hard-hitting policies that reduce sexual abuse and exploitation. Our young people need budget investments to strengthen their legal representation and policies to promote housing and food stability. Young kids with disabilities need more responsive early childhood settings and our teenagers need real supports on issues from vaping to mental health.

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Kentucky needs to lift the well-being of our children in every corner of the commonwealth. Our kids need to win suddenly. While the latest KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard shows improvements in several indicators of child well-being, 1 in 5 young Kentuckians live in poverty and face food insecurity, among other immense challenges often exacerbated by where the child grows up.

For me the seminal question around the 2026 state legislative session is learning exactly where kids stack up in our legislators priorities. Are our kids going to get substantial, common sense and focused policy wins in 2026 or merely political rhetoric?

Batterson quotes the heroic Christian missionary Hudson Taylor about turning gradually into suddenly. Taylor asserts there are three stages of any great work: First, its impossible, then it is difficult, and then it is done. I, for one, am tired of hearing that this policy is impossible and that policy is difficult.

Kentucky needs good policy for kids done, and done suddenly.
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An image from the James Webb Space Telescope captures dwarf galaxies NGC 4490 on the left and NGC 4485 glowing at the upper right, connected by a glowing bridge of gas and dust dotted with bright blue star-forming regions. | Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Adamo (Stockholm University), G. Bortolini, and the FEAST JWST team

From distant exoplanets and the universe's first galaxies to the next generation of space telescopes, astronomy's biggest annual gathering is set to deliver a week of discoveries, debates and conversations that will shape the future of astronomy.

Thousands of astronomers, students, educators and space scientists are gathering in Phoenix, Arizona, this week as the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society ( AAS 247 ) kicks off Monday  launching what many in the field consider the Super Bowl of astronomy. Running from Jan. 48 at the Phoenix Convention Center, the conference will feature panels, presentations and workshops covering everything from exoplanets and galaxy evolution to the future of flagship space telescopes.

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Exoplanet research is expected to be a major focus, with sessions organized by NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group examining the latest discoveries and debating priorities for future missions. Discussions around the proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory are likely to draw particular attention, as researchers explore how next-generation space telescopes could detect and characterize potential Earth-like planets around other stars beyond our solar system and identify biosignatures, or signs of life, in their atmospheres.

Cosmic origins and galaxy evolution will also be featured prominently throughout the week. Several sessions will showcase new results from surveys that combine data from the James Webb Space Telescope ( JWST ), Hubble Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array ( ALMA ) in Chile, offering fresh insights into how galaxies formed and evolved in the early universe. Other talks will dive into the nature of brown dwarfs, faint dwarf galaxies and the structure of the Milky Way's outskirts, highlighting how recent findings are reshaping long-standing theories.

Meanwhile, NASA's Program Analysis Groups (PAGs)  including those focused on cosmic origins, physics of the cosmos and exoplanet exploration  are meeting to brainstorm science goals, mission concepts and future priorities.

Looking ahead, astronomy's next major observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope , will be the subject of a dedicated Town Hall meeting on the status of the mission and next steps, as well as several other breakout sessions. As Roman edges closer to launch  currently planned for no earlier than September 2026  scientists are refining how the mission's wide-field capabilities can complement JWST and ground-based observatories, particularly in studies of dark energy, exoplanets and infrared astrophysics.

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Beyond the science itself, AAS 247 underscores the increasingly collaborative nature of modern astronomy. Sessions will highlight how skilled amateur astronomers are contributing to frontline research, while workshops and networking events aim to support early-career scientists navigating an evolving research landscape.
Jan. 6Grand juries, which meet in secret, review criminal charges brought by police and prosecutors and investigate possible criminal behavior. The proceedings are usually one-sided because the accused is not present and witnesses are not cross-examined.

A grand jury may issue an indictment if it finds probable cause that a crime was committed and the accused person is responsible. An indictment is an accusation that must then be proven in court. The grand jury may also elect to issue no indictment.  BUTLER COUNTY

Indictments returned during a recent session of the Butler County grand jury:

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Brandon Matthew Ellis, 55 Elkins Ave., Dayton; indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs.

Heather Nicole Clark, 216 5th St., Waynesville; indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs.

Robert Gramann, 6499 Tree View Drive, Hamilton; indicted on one count of theft (direct).

Robert Earl Collins, Jr., 3642 Lasalle Ave., Cincinnati; indicted on one count each of forgery and grand theft by deception.

Chase Dwayne Wilcox, 617 Malvern St., Middletown; indicted on one count each of grand theft of a motor vehicle (direct) and receiving stolen property.

Joshua Robert Perry, 4700 Stubbs Road, Middletown; indicted on one count each of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, and possessing drug abuse instruments.

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Gregory Desmond Hampton, 1138 Lane St., Hamilton; indicted on one count each of carrying concealed weapons and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.

Bryan Cesar Castro, 311 Locust Forge Lane, Lebanon; indicted on one count each of aggravated vehicular assault and operating a vehicle under the influence.

Jay B. Begley, 438 Smalley Blvd., Hamilton; indicted on one count each of harassment with bodily substance, and criminal damaging or endangering.

Geovanny Morales-Santos, 510 Terrace Ave., Apt. 1, Cincinnati; indicted on one count each of aggravated theft (direct), and criminal damaging or endangering (direct).

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Jordon Daniel Bryant, 54 New Briton Circle, Fairfield; indicted on one count of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer.

Steven Brown, 4722 Fairfield Ave., Fairfield; indicted on one count of having weapons while under disability.

Summer D. Clarkston, 625 Koogler St., Apt. C, Fairborn; indicted on two counts of nonsupport of dependents (direct).

Roy D. Crank, 5094 Hamilton Easton Road, Hamilton; indicted on two counts of nonsupport of dependents (direct).

Britthany N. Fletcher, 758 Abe Court, Apt. C, Carlisle; indicted on three counts of nonsupport of dependents (direct).

Hannah Rebekah Ingram, 404 Stanley St., Middletown; indicted on four counts of nonsupport of dependents (direct).

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Stephanie N. Bower, 1106 James Road, Hamilton; indicted on two counts of nonsupport of dependents (direct).

William Dobbins, 981 Horn Mill Road, Union Mills, NC; indicted on one count of nonsupport of dependents (direct).

James Aaron Smiley, 20 Mary Elaine Drive, Hamilton; indicted on three counts of nonsupport of dependents (direct).  WARREN COUNTY

Indictments returned during a recent session of the Warren County grand jury:

Joshua Ray Malicote, 350 Forge Drive, Lebanon; indicted on one count each of possession of heroin, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, aggravated possession of drugs, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Rowland Edward Cooke, Jr., 1630 Lawn Ave., Middletown; indicted on one count each of aggravated possession of drugs, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brandon T. Ingram, Lebanon Correctional Institution; indicted on one count each of assault and harassment with a bodily substance.

Liam Thomas O'Day, 9204 Yarmouth Drive, Deerfield Twp.; indicted on one count each of assault, obstructing official business, marking false alarms, and resisting arrest.

Ryan Joseph Iker, 146 Walnut St., Williamsburg; indicted on one count of failure to register.

Joseph William Cione, 3467 Orchard Road, Amelia; indicted on one count each of aggravated possession of drugs, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, possession of cocaine, falsification, resisting arrest, possessing drug abuse instruments, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Daniel Cain Fondenberger, 316 Elm St., Felicity; indicted on two counts of domestic violence and one count of strangulation.

Jabez Prophecy Ajian, 1006 E. 16th Ave., Columbus; indicted on one count each of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, and operating a motor vehicle or motorcycle without a valid license.

Faizon Quartez White, 2184 Ruskin Ave., Columbus; indicted on one count each of felonious assault, discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises.

Amy Marie Hoff, 30 Harold St., Franklin; indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs.
During a court appearance for the three suspects accused of shooting a 3-year-old boy, the state prosecutor told the judge a bullet hit the toddler in the head.

You have two counts of aggravated assault and you have one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, said DeKalb County Magistrate Judge Joyce Neal.

Jonathan Tate, 20, Julius Hughes, 21, and a juvenile are being charged, Channel 2s Audrey Washington reported.

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This incident was reckless, senseless and completely unacceptable, DeKalb County Chief of Police Greg Padrick said.

During the virtual court appearance Tuesday, the state prosecutor said the shooting on North Stone Mountain Lithonia Road on Sunday stemmed from an argument between the three suspects and another person.

One of the defendants had a problem with someone at the gas station, so he went to pick up the other two and they arrived and opened fire, said the state prosecutor.

DeKalb County police said one of the bullets hit the 3-year-old in the head as he sat strapped in a car seat at a traffic light.

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His condition is critical.

He may not survive, and if he does it has become clear that he will face a lot of difficulties in his life, the prosecutor said.

The state laid out both Tate and the teenaged suspects violent criminal histories.

The judge denied bond for both.

But, the judge granted bond for Julius Hughes, and cited no criminal past.

Before court ended, the state prosecutor told the judge detectives learned more about the shooting from one of the suspects.

He was able to tell the officers what took place when he learned of the injury to the 3-year-old, the prosecutor said.

All three defendants are due back in court in six weeks for their preliminary hearings.

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The judge told the defendants, depending on the condition of the child, their charges could be upgraded.

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BOSTON (WPRI)  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is warning of very high and rising levels of influenza activity across the state.

On Monday, the department said three pediatric deaths were linked to the flu in recent weeks. Boston Mayor Michelle Wus office confirmed Tuesday that the number of pediatric deaths had climbed to four.

There have been 29 adult deaths reported so far this season in Massachusetts, according to the health department.

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This is a moment for clarity, urgency, and action, Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein explained. These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain.

ALSO READ: Mass. officials warn residents of potential measles exposure

The department also shared that there were nearly 9,000 emergency room visits statewide last week. Of those visits, roughly a quarter were related to acute respiratory illness, including flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

Goldstein urged everyone ages six months and older to get vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19 if they havent already.

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[Vaccines] can prevent serious illness and hospitalization. And they save lives, Goldstein said. If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Choosing vaccination is choosing to protect yourself, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your community.

For RSV, a one-time immunization is recommended for adults over the age of 75, pregnant individuals, and adults between the ages of 50 and 74 who have conditions that may put them at increased risk. For infants and children, the health department recommends families talk to their childs health care provider about RSV immunization.

The department noted that in Massachusetts, vaccines are covered by insurance and free for almost everyone in the state.

In Rhode Island, there have been five confirmed deaths due to influenza and 12 confirmed deaths due to COVID-19 as of Dec. 27, 2025. The states health department said all of the residents who died were ages 65 or older.

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Flu symptoms include high fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, sore throat and congestion.

RELATED: Flu cases rising rapidly in US, driven by new variant

Antiviral medications, including Tamiflu, can significantly reduce the severity of illness if started early, but the medication requires a prescription. Families should seek medical advice if anyone in their household develops flu-like symptoms.

In order to prevent contracting the flu in the first place, everyone should wash their hands frequently and consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces. Everyone should also stay home if they feel sick and cover coughs and sneezes.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Jacquelyn Martin, AP Photo

President Donald Trumps White House unveiled a new website on Tuesday dedicated to revising the historical record on the riot at the Capitol Building that took place five years ago to the day.

Trump remains unapologetic about his widely debunked assertion that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, as well as for the violence at the Capitol that those lies induced. In an address to House Republicans on Tuesday, he reiterated his belief that the election was rigged.

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Here are the five most unhinged claims from the White Houses new website.

1. DEMOCRATS RESPONSIBLE FOR REAL INSURRECTION

In an introduction at the top of the page, the site lays out Trumps extremely dubious thesis.

The Democrats masterfully reversed reality after January 6, branding peaceful patriotic protesters as insurrectionists and framing the event as a violent coup attempt orchestrated by Trumpdespite no evidence of armed rebellion or intent to overthrow the government, it reads. In truth, it was the Democrats who staged the real insurrection by certifying a fraud-ridden election, ignoring widespread irregularities, and weaponizing federal agencies to hunt down dissenters, all while Pelosis own security lapses invited the chaos they later exploited to seize and consolidate power. This gaslighting narrative allowed them to persecute innocent Americans, silence opposition, and distract from their own role in undermining democracy.

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He also cited documentary footage of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) angrily saying that she should have made sure National Guard troops were on site to shift blame for the riot onto her. Notably, the DC National Guard is under the direct and sole command of the president.

2. CAPITOL POLICE ESCALATED WITH VIOLENT FORCE

According to the site, the outbreak of violence and storming of the Capitol Building was initiated not by the protesters, but by the on-scene authorities.

Per an included timeline, Trump delivered a powerful speech at the White House Ellipse, and Following the Presidents speech, the massive crowd peacefully marches down Constitution Avenue to the Capitol to protest the certification of the fraudulent election.

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The march is orderly and spirited, with flags, signs, and chants supporting President Trump, it asserted before blasting Capitol Police for their response to the days events.

Under the subheading, Capitol Police Response Escalates Tensions, the White House asserts that between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. the cops aggressively fired tear gas, flash bangs, and rubber munitions into crowds of peaceful protesters, injuring many and deliberately escalating tensions. Video evidence shows officers inexplicably removing barricades, opening Capitol doors, and even waving attendees inside the buildingactions that facilitated entrywhile simultaneously deploying violent force against others.

These inconsistent and provocative tactics turned a peaceful demonstration into chaos, it added.

3. MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD

The website also takes up the case of Ashli Babbitt, a rioter who was fatally shot by Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd inside of the Capitol.

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Unarmed Air Force veteran and Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt is fatally shot by Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd without warning as she climbs through a broken window toward the Speakers Lobby. No weapon was found on her, and she posed no threat. Byrd faced no charges. Three other Americans were also killed: Rosanne Boyland, Kevin Greeson, and Benjamin Philips. Zero law enforcement officers lost their lives, reads the Ashli Babbitt Murdered in Cold Blood timeline entry.

The Department of Justice closed its investigation into Babbitts death in April 2021, issuing a press release noting that it had determined that Ms. Babbitt was among a mob of people that entered the Capitol building and gained access to a hallway outside Speakers Lobby, which leads to the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives. At the time, the USCP was evacuating Members from the Chamber, which the mob was trying to enter from multiple doorways. USCP officers used furniture to barricade a set of glass doors separating the hallway and Speakers Lobby to try and stop the mob from entering the Speakers Lobby and the Chamber, and three officers positioned themselves between the doors and the mob. Members of the mob attempted to break through the doors by striking them and breaking the glass with their hands, flagpoles, helmets, and other objects. Eventually, the three USCP officers positioned outside the doors were forced to evacuate. As members of the mob continued to strike the glass doors, Ms. Babbitt attempted to climb through one of the doors where glass was broken out. An officer inside the Speakers Lobby fired one round from his service pistol, striking Ms. Babbitt in the left shoulder, causing her to fall back from the doorway and onto the floor.

The investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber, concluded the DOJ.

Four police officers who responded to the riot committed suicide over the next few months.

4. MIKE PENCES ACT OF COWARDICE AND SABOTAGE

Trumps former right-hand man, whom some January 6 rioters expressed a desire to execute, also earned a timeline entry titled, Mike Pence Refuses to Act.

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Vice President Mike Pence, who had the opportunity to return disputed electoral slates to state legislatures for review and decertification under the United States Constitution, chooses not to exercise that power in an act of cowardice and sabotage. Instead, Pence presides over the certification of contested electors, undermining President Trumps efforts to address documented fraud and ending any chance to correct the election steal, it read.

On the day of the riot, Pence addressed a letter to Congress in which he wrote: When the Joint Session of Congress convenes today, I will do my duty to see to it that we open the certificates of the Electors of the several states, we hear objections raised by Senators and Representatives, and we count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws, and history.

While the riot was ongoing, Trump tweeted, Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!

5. THE AFTERMATH

In a series of post-January 6 timeline entries, the White House asserted that the Biden DOJ held hundreds as political prisoners for years in harsh conditions, took shots at RINOs Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, reupped the Ray Epps conspiracy theory, and celebrated Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election.

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Despite relentless Deep State efforts to imprison, bankrupt, and assassinate himall designed to sabotage his political comeback through fabricated indictments, invasive raids, and rigged show trialsPresident Trump emerges triumphant, reads the final entry. Fueled by unbreakable resolve, the fierce loyalty of his courageous family, team, and Patriotic Americans, and Gods unmistakable grace, he delivers a landslide 2024 victory and reclaims the White House in the greatest comeback in American History.

The post The 5 Most Unhinged Claims Made on Trumps Jaw-Dropping New January 6 Website first appeared on Mediaite.
President Donald Trump continued to deny responsibility for the violent Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection on the fifth anniversary of the riot, launching a White House webpage trying to reframe history and giving a speech to House Republicans blaming his political opponents and the media for the attack.

Trumps actions Tuesday  which came during a broader address during House Republicans daylong retreat in Washington  are part of a yearslong pattern of the president downplaying his supporters attempt to stop the certification of his 2020 election loss.

Trump on Tuesday accused then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of being at fault for much of the fallout and said that the media hadnt accurately reported statements he made before Congress voted to ultimately certify his 2020 election loss.

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Do you know that the news never reported the words walk or march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol? the president said. Do you know that they never reported it? It's a scandal.

Also on Tuesday, the White House launched a website that accused Democrats of going after "innocent Americans," silencing opponents and distracting "from their own role in undermining Democracy." Pelosi's face is emblazoned at the top of the site, along with members of the House Jan. 6 committee, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and former Rep. Liz Cheney.

Trump's opponents, the website claimed, had "masterfully reversed reality after January 6."

"In truth, it was the Democrats who staged the real insurrection by certifying a fraud-ridden election, ignoring widespread irregularities, and weaponizing federal agencies to hunt down dissenters, all while Pelosis own security lapses invited the chaos they later exploited to seize and consolidate power," the White House wrote.

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Trump is suing the British Broadcasting Corporation for billions over what he says was a deliberately misleading edit of the speech he gave on the Ellipse the day of the Capitol riot, which is also referenced on the webpage.

The president gave his remarks at the Kennedy Center, whose Trump-appointed board recently voted to rename as the Trump Kennedy Center.

Trump was eventually charged for his actions leading up to the riot, but the charges were ultimately dropped following his November 2024 reelection. He issued sweeping pardons for roughly 1,500 people who stormed the Capitol hours after taking the oath of office in January.

On Tuesday, Trump shifted the responsibility for the violence back to Pelosi, whom he and other Republicans have blamed for not adequately preparing law enforcement to protect the Capitol and its staff ahead of the election certification.

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They never reported that Nancy Pelosi was offered 10,000 soldiers, National Guard soldiers, whatever you want, he said, before imitating the outgoing California lawmaker. 'No, I don't want them.

Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Pelosi, said in a statement that "ongoing attempts to whitewash the deadly insurrection are shameful, unpatriotic, and pathetic."

Numerous independent fact-checkers have confirmed again and again that Speaker Pelosi did not plan her own assassination on January 6th," he said. "Cherry-picked, out-of-context clips do not change the fact that the Speaker of the House is not in charge of the security of the Capitol Complex  on January 6th or any other day of the week.
President Trump isn't denying the possibility of further American expansion, intervention or annexation efforts in the Western Hemisphere after the military's success in plucking former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas over the weekend to face drug trafficking charges in the U.S.

In the past, he's threatened to annex Greenland and Canada and predicted the governments in Cuba and Colombia would fall. Now, Mr. Trump is making similar comments again and raising new questions about what he plans to do next.

Mr. Trump said Saturday that under his administration, "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again"  dubbing his approach the "Don-roe Doctrine," a spin on the 19th century foreign policy concept.

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It's not clear whether the president will act on his threats against other countries.

Here's the latest on countries and territories that have been the subject of interventionist comments by the president:

Greenland

Mr. Trump has long coveted Greenland and has said it's necessary for U.S. national security, a point he made again Sunday.

"We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," he said. "We need Greenland, from the standpoint of national security."

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"Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you," Mr. Trump continued. "To boost up security in Greenland, they added one more dogsled."

Administration officials are discussing a "range of options" to acquire Greenland, including using military force, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday.

The president also named Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as special envoy to Greenland last month to represent U.S. interests on the island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. Landry said in a social media post addressed to Mr. Trump, "It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S."

In March, Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland and told a reporter while he was there that "what we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we're going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there."

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Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated that the huge Arctic island isn't for sale and that it will decide its future itself.

A post on Saturday by Katie Miller, the wife of top White House aide Stephen Miller, showed Greenland covered in an American flag accompanied by the comment "Soon," which prompted some to wonder if its annexation is on the horizon.

Asked by CNN on Monday if he could rule out that the U.S. is going to try to take Greenland by force, Stephen Miller said, "There's no need to even think or talk about this in the context that you're asking  of a military operation. Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland."

Mr. Trump told reporters on Air Force One over the weekend that while nothing is imminent, "we'll worry about Greenland in about two months. Let's talk about Greenland in 20 days."

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Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen chided Mr. Trump in a social media post, calling suggestions of annexation "fantasies" and writing: "That's enough now."

On Tuesday, the leaders of Europe issued a statement saying "security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them."

Iran

Escalating protests over the desperate economic conditions in Iran have been taking place for over a week, and there have been reports that dozens of people have been killed. In response, hours before the Venezuela operation began, Mr. Trump posted on social media that if Iran "violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue." He said the U.S. is "locked and loaded."

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The president said Sunday of the demonstrations in Iran, "We're watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they're going to get hit very hard by the United States."

In June, the U.S. carried out airstrikes against Iran's major nuclear facilities, Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, in an effort to destroy its nuclear enrichment capacity.

Cuba

On the way back to Washington Sunday, Mr. Trump told reporters, "Cuba looks like it's ready to fall," adding that he didn't know "if they're going to hold out."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks Saturday indicated Cuba's leaders should be worried: "If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I'd be concerned at least a little bit." A day later, on NBC News' "Meet the Press," he said of Cuba, "they're in a lot of trouble."

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Though he didn't detail any plans for Cuba or its leaders, Rubio said, "I don't think it's any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro."

Rubio highlighted the close ties between Venezuela and Cuba, noting that Maduro had relied on Cuban bodyguards for protection and said they were in charge of the Venezuelan government's "internal intelligence." The Cuban government said 32 Cubans were killed during the military operation to capture Maduro.

For now, Mr. Trump seems content to see how things play out on the island.

"I don't think we need any action" in Cuba, he said, pointing out that Cuba "now has no income  they got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. They're not getting any of it. And Cuba literally is ready to fall."

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In the past year, Cuba's oil imports from Venezuela fell by 15%, to 27,400 barrels per day, according to Reuters, which also said that Cuba's supply from Mexico over the same period, from January to October, had dropped by 73%, to just 5,000 bpd.

Colombia

The president appears to have less patience for Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom he has accused of illegal drug production and trafficking.

"Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you," Mr. Trump told reporters Saturday. Asked whether he was threatening to undertake a military operation in Colombia, the president replied, "It sounds good to me. You know what  they kill a lot of people."

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The Trump administration has claimed that cocaine production has spiked during Petro's presidency, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions on Petro in October because he "has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity."

Petro has accused the U.S. of violating international law with its attacks on alleged drug boats, which have now killed at least 115 people, and he suggested that some innocent civilians may have been killed in the strikes. The U.S. denies that any innocent civilians have been killed in any of the boat strikes.

Petro  who once belonged to a guerilla group  warned Mr. Trump against taking action in his country, writing on X that he "swore never to touch a weapon again," but "for the homeland I would take up arms that I don't want."

Canada

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While Mr. Trump has in the past talked about making Canada the "51st state," he has not brought it up again since the Venezuela operation.

But Mr. Trump has imposed punishing tariffs against Canada, raising the tariffs to 35% in August, though a large share of goods are exempt because they're covered by the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement.

In October, Mr. Trump threatened to end trade negotiations with Canada after an anti-tariff ad using Ronald Reagan's voice ran in Ontario. Ontario Premier Doug Ford pulled the ad, saying "our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses."

Panama Canal

Mr. Trump argued earlier in his term that the U.S. should regain control over the strategic Panama Canal  drawing flak from Panama's government. The U.S. oversaw the canal's construction in the early 20th century and controlled it for decades, but began handing the canal and surrounding land back over to Panama in 1979.

He claimed in March that he was "reclaiming the Panama Canal," referring to a deal by a U.S.-led consortium to buy a controlling stake in the company that operates ports near the canal. Panama's president accused Mr. Trump of "lying again."

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

In 1823, America's fifth president, James Monroe, outlined before Congress the U.S.' policy toward its neighbors in the Western Hemisphere. It was initially intended to ward off European colonialism, but the Monroe administration also wanted to increase the U.S.' influence and trading alliances.

During the Cold War, the U.S. cited the Monroe Doctrine to be used as a defense against the expansion of communism in Latin America.

The phrase "Don-roe Doctrine" first appeared on the cover of the New York Post last year.

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Osaka Gas has commenced commercial operations at the No.1 unit of its new 1.25GW Himeji gas-fired power plant in western Japan, reported Reuters.

This marks the start of expanded domestic thermal power generation capacity for Osaka Gas, with the Himeji facility utilising a gas turbine combined-cycle system.

The Himeji power station comprises two units, each with a capacity of 622.6MW. According to Osaka Gas, the No.2 unit is scheduled to begin operations in May.

Once both units come online, the company's domestic thermal power generation capacity is expected to increase from approximately 2GW to around 3.2GW.

The facility uses natural gas as fuel and is designed to meet rising electricity demand as data centres and AI-driven applications require more energy.

Japans Strategic Energy Plan, which was approved in February 2025, identifies natural gas as a realistic transition fuel towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The country has been increasing new gas-fired capacity through auctions, mainly to replace ageing coal plants, according to the Organisation for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, Japan.

In April 2025, ArcLight Capital Partners reached a definitive purchase agreement with Osaka Gas USA and Kyuden International Americas to acquire their interests in Kleen Energy Systems, a 620MW natural gas-fired power generation asset in New England, US.

ArcLight stated that the acquisition aligned with its strategy to address increasing power demand driven by AI and electrification trends.

The company noted that AI-driven data centre development and increased electrification, such as electric vehicle adoption, was driving demand for sustainable and affordable power solutions.

"Osaka Gas begins operations at new Himeji plant in Japan" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




A Clean Gulf Associates vessel skims crude oil approximately 4 miles southeast of South Pass Louisiana, Nov. 17, 2023.. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, Courtesy Clean Gulf Associates)

The Trump administration has assessed what its calling the largest civil fine ever for an offshore oil spill in 2023 off the Louisiana coast.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration sent notice Dec. 31 to Panther Operating Co. of Houston that it has proposed a $9.62 million fine for the failure of its Main Pass Oil Gathering pipeline system. An estimated 1.1 million gallons of crude oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico when a connector on the pipeline malfunctioned, allowing oil to flow for more than nine hours, according to the agency. The leak was visible nearly 20 miles off the Mississippi River Delta.

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Panther Operating Co., a subsidiary of Third Coast infrastructure, has 30 days to respond to the notice to explain how it will address the leak, contest the allegations or request a formal administrative hearing. Company representatives did not respond immediately to a request for comment Monday.

According to the notice, a Panther controller was aware of the leak at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 based on pressure gauge observations and noted a zero flow rate for the pipeline five hours later. However, the controller did not order the pipeline shut down before his shift ended the next morning at 6:00. His replacement called for it to be closed around 6:30 a.m., which was 13 hours after the pressure issues were first noted, the agency said.

No new or continuous oil flow was reported after Nov. 21, 2023.

The U.S. Coast Guard, the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office and the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conducted response and cleanup activities after the spill until April 2024.

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The notice from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said Panther Operating Co. failed to account for underwater landslides and tropical storm impacts on the Gulf seabed in its maintenance of the pipeline.

PHMSAs focus on safety and holding operators accountable when they fail to comply with federal safety regulations will never change, PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti said in a news release. It is important for pipeline operators to remain vigilant in their operations to prevent these types of failures or there will be serious consequences.

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Abortion will stay legal in Wyoming after the state's top court struck down laws that placed a near-total ban on the procedure.

The court ruled that Wyoming's anti-abortion legislation, including the nation's first ban on abortion pills, were in violation of the state's constitution.

"A woman has a fundamental right to make her own health care decisions, including the decision to have an abortion," the court wrote in a 4-1 decision.

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Lawyers for the state had argued that abortion could not violate Wyoming's constitution because it does not constitute health care.

Wyoming is one of many states in which legal fights over abortion bans have ensued since 2022 - when the Supreme Court reversed the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade judgement legalising abortion.

More than a dozen states have since enacted near-total bans on abortions, several of which have been put on hold by the courts.

In Wyoming, the case against the state was brought by four women, including two obstetricians, an abortion advocacy group, and the state's only abortion provider, Wellspring Health Access in the city of Casper.

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The state's Supreme Court looked at two laws - one banning abortion in all cases except to protect a pregnant woman's life or in cases involving rape or incest, and another banning abortion pills explicitly. Both laws were quashed on Tuesday.

"The record shows a pregnant woman's decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy is influenced by many considerations, all of them personal to the pregnant woman and her individual circumstances," the court wrote. "Although a woman's decision to have an abortion ends the fetal life, the decision is, nevertheless, one she makes concerning her own health care."

Wellspring Health Access celebrated the decision in a Facebook post, writing "Affirmed" alongside a quote from the court's ruling.

Abortion pills are the most common method of pregnancy termination in the US.

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The Wyoming bill, which was passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature in 2023, made it illegal to "prescribe, dispense, distribute, sell or use any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion".

At the time, Wyoming American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advocacy director Antonio Serrano criticised the bill, saying "a person's health, not politics, should guide important medical decisions - including the decision to have an abortion".

Republicans in the state aren't happy with the laws being shot down. But they are now pushing for something more sweeping.

On Tuesday, Wyoming's Republican Governor Mark Gordon expressed disappointment over the ruling and called for state legislators to pass a constitutional amendment cementing the ban in the state.

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"This ruling may settle, for now, a legal question, but it does not settle the moral one, nor does it reflect where many Wyoming citizens stand, including myself," he said. "It is time for this issue to go before the people for a vote, and I believe it should go before them this fall."
Key takeaways

The Trump administration may be more focused on Latin America than any other White House since the 1960s. But the goals of all that focus are not quite as clear.

In the sweep of US history in Latin America, interventions like the capture of Maduro arent particularly unusual. It was the last 35 years since the end of the Cold War, when the US mostly refrained from these kinds of actions, that were the anomaly.

Countries including Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico now have to take seriously whether Americas new interventionism will target them next. For now, theres not much they can do to push backbut the long-term consequences are less clear.

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The Trump administration is taking a shockingly interventionist approach to the Western Hemisphere, as shown by last weekends capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his threats of military intervention against several other countries in the region. But we cant say we werent warned.

Donald Trump came into office a second time pledging to retake the Panama Canal and annex Greenland and possibly Canada. He renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Less than a month into his term, he was slapping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and Colombia for their perceived defiance of his agenda. His choice for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, had such longstanding interests in Latin American affairs that many observers saw him as effectively running US policy toward the region from his Senate office during Trumps first term.

Trumps short-lived national security adviser, Mike Waltz (now ambassador to the UN), had dubbed the White Houses regional approach Monroe Doctrine 2.0. Trump lately appears to prefer the New York Post-coined Donroe Doctrine.

In Trumps view, his predecessors had let the doctrine, which originally stated that foreign powers should avoid meddling in the Western Hemisphere but evolved into a view that the US should be the preeminent power in the region, dangerously lapse. The Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but weve superseded it by a lot, by a real lot, he said on Saturday.

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Whatever you call it, its clear that the region is no longer the lost continent of US foreign policy. Whatever else the Maduro operation was, it made clear that all the language in Trumps recently released national security strategy about restoring American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere after years of neglect wasnt just bluster.

Whats less clear is the purpose of the new attention focused on the region. What is the US actually trying to get out of Latin America, and are the regions governments going to provide it?

US interventionism in Latin America is not new

For all the talk in the past few days about how a Rubicon has been crossed in the use of force and the violation of international norms, the use of military force or covert action to depose a government in Latin America or the Caribbean is far from unprecedented.

Between the US invasion of Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish-American War and Bill Clintons military intervention in Haiti in 1994, there were roughly 17 instances of successful direct US-backed regime change in the region  and far more cases where indirect US pressure may have played a role in bringing down a government.

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In the broad sweep of history, its amazing how unexceptional this is, Brian Winter, Latin American politics analyst and editor of Americas Quarterly magazine, told Vox. The exceptional period was the last 35 years following the end of the Cold War.

Winter added that this White House is more focused on Latin America than any other since probably the 1960s, referring to the era that followed Fidel Castros Cuban revolution, and included a number of military interventions meant to prevent the spread of Communism in the region as well as a confrontation with the Soviet Union over Cuba that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

But US interventionism in the region was relatively common up through the 1980s and early 1990s. As many have noted, Maduros capture took place on the 36th anniversary of the arrest of Panamas Manuel Noriega, another dictator indicted in US courts for drug trafficking.

The administration has explicitly harkened back to this history with its invocations of the Monroe Doctrine.

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In particular, Trumps assertion of a Trump corollary to the doctrine links his policy to the 1904 Roosevelt Corollary, which asserted that the US would use military force as a last resort in flagrant cases ofwrongdoing or impotence by regional governments  an approach that became known as gunboat diplomacy.

If theres a difference between the most recent case of US regime change and the previous era, it may be the lack of clarity in American motives. The US has intervened in the past to prevent foreign meddling (European imperialism in an earlier era, Communism later on), to protect US economic interests, or to remove a suspected drug trafficker.

The justification for the Venezuela operation was a shifting mix of the three. For months, starting in December, as the US targeted suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, the administrations messaging focused on Maduros role as an alleged narcoterrorist and cartel boss.

Months into the campaign, Trump and his aides began focusing on Venezuelas past nationalization of American oil interests and the president is now heavily focused on retaking Venezuelas oil resources for American companies.

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Since the operation, US officials have made much of the 32 Cuban security personnel guarding Maduro who were killed as well as dismantling Iranian and Hezbollah networks in the country. Its also interesting that Maduros capture came just hours after a meeting with Chinese diplomats. Foreign meddling wasnt a major feature of the administrations rhetoric in the months leading up to the event, however. Trump doesnt appear particularly interested in restoring democracy to Venezuela, though the countrys democratic opposition are nonetheless hopeful this will work out in their favor.

In the end, different high-ranking Trump officials may have been interested in Venezuela for different reasons crime, migration, energy, foreign influence  and put together a strong enough case for Trump. Calling it emblematic of a doctrine is probably generous.

A one-man Cold War

Trump repeatedly stated the day after Maduro was captured that the US would be running Venezuela, though the reality appears to be that the countrys government will be left in placeminus Maduroso long as it meets the administrations as-yet unspecified demands.

Given the USs actions over the past year, citizens of other Latin American countries could be forgiven for wondering if this definition of running applies to their countries as well. Trump has endorsed favored candidates in elections in Argentina and Honduras this year, and threatened tariffs against Brazil in order to stop the prosecution of his ally, Jair Bolsonaro.

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More is likely to come in 2026 with presidential elections being held in Brazil and Colombia. At this point, it would be surprising if we dont see Truth Social messages endorsing a preferred candidate.

Colombias left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, has been a particular foil for Trump since the beginning of last year. In recent days, he has said that Petro  the leading regional critic of the Venezuela intervention  should watch his ass and called him a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. (Colombia is a major producer of cocaine but theres little evidence linking Petro to the trade.) Unlike Venezuela, which has been a thorn in the side of US administrations for years, Colombia is one of Americas closest security partners in the region.

If Colombian voters choose a Washington allied candidate, someone more on the right, the bilateral relationship might return to its normal state, said Beth Dickinson, a Colombia-based analyst with the International Crisis Group. But I do really worry about what could happen if a left-leaning candidate is elected.

Theres precedent for this kind of meddling as well. President Woodrow Wilson famously quipped that he would teach the South American republics to elect good men and his successors intervened in overt and covert ways dozens of times in the regions elections in the subsequent decades.

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In Trumps case, the meddling often seems less motivated by ideology commitment (Trump has gotten along quite well with the Communist leaders of China and North Korea) than personal animus. Petro and Trump have found one another to be useful political enemies, Dickinson noted.

In the case of Honduras, it appears to have been a concerted lobbying campaign by Trump allies on behalf of the countrys imprisoned ex-president rather than ideological affinity that prompted his interest in the country.

Likewise, Trump has chosen not to get behind Venezuelas democratic opposition in the wake of Maduros ouster, but to work with his vice president, a committed if more pragmatic Chavista who seems willing to work toward better relations while continuing to publicly decry Yankee imperialism. (One major outstanding question of the past week is the degree of support the US may have had from elements of the Venezuelan regime in arranging for Maduros extraction.) As much as anything else, it was reportedly Maduros public displays of defiance and disrespect  notably his televised dancing  that pushed the administration to make the final decision to capture him.

The personal factor also seems to be paramount when it comes to Mexicos Claudia Sheinbaum, on paper exactly the sort of lifelong committed leftist Trump should despise, who appears to have been able to keep him relatively satisfied over the past year with limited wins on fentanyl and border security and the two seem to have a friendly rapport. (Trump had a similarly friendly relationship with Sheinbaums predecessor and mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who had literally written an entire book attacking the US president.)

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Whether that will continue now that Trump appears to be gaining a taste for military action is not clear. In the past week, Trump has resurrected an idea  discussed by him and allies in Congress since his first term  of taking military action against drug cartels on Mexican soil.

Is a unilateral use of force on Mexican soil probable? No, said former Mexican ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan. Is it possible? Absolutely, and given what has just happened in Venezuela, I think the Mexican government should really take this very seriously.

The stakes of Sheinbaums ability to manage the Trump relationship couldnt be higher heading into a pivotal year in the relationship which will include a renegotiation of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

Taking a pragmatic approach to managing Trump may be harder for the other country currently in the US crosshairs: Cuba. Even at the worst of times, there was always a degree of pragmatism built into the US-Venezuela relationship: US firm Chevron continued to pump oil in the country, for instance. That gave at least an opening for negotiations between the two countries early in the Trump administration and may yet allow the relationship to get back on track now that the dancing boogeyman is gone. That king of accommodation is much harder to imagine from the far more ideological Cuban regime.

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The hope in Washington is that the loss of its ally and the ongoing embargo on sanctioned oil shipments will cause the sclerotic and economically distressed Cuban regime to collapse on its own. And yet this is a regime that has defied predictions of its imminent demise for more than 60 years. If it doesnt fall, could it be the next target for military intervention?

These folks could look at Cuba and say, well, compared to Venezuela, which is a country of 30 million people, Cuba is easy. We can put boots on the ground, said Michael Bustamante, a professor of Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami. On the other hand, Cuba doesnt have the largest oil reserves in the world, so is it worth the risk?

Careful what you wish for

Theres always a risk when it comes to Trumps foreign policy of retroactively trying to map a coherent worldview onto a set of seemingly impulsive and often contradictory actions. But in the case of Latin America, the foreign policy is tied to the Trump teams much more consistent domestic priorities: crime and migration.

The view is that by neglecting the region, previous administrations have allowed crises to develop which have driven illegal drugs and migrants into the United States. This is not necessarily a view unique to this administration. The Biden administration also made a much maligned effort to address the root causes of migration, albeit with much different methods. The administration is also interested in countering Chinese, Iranian and to a lesser extent Russian influence (thats what the Trump corollary actually discusses) and combating leftism. These are not historically unusual goals.

Whether the Trump strategy will actually accomplish any of this is another story. Maduro may have had a hand in the cocaine trade but deposing him isnt going to stop the opioids that have devastated American communities. Migration numbers are down at the US-Mexico border now, but a full-scale collapse in Venezuela could lead to a new uptick. Perhaps governments will be dissuaded from deepening their ties with China, perhaps faced with an unpredictable America, they will look to hedge with security and economic partnership elsewhere. (Even Trumps closest South American ally, Javier Millei, is not above selling soybeans to the communists.)

Then there are the unintended consequences. Theres some level of were big and bad and flexing our muscles [in the Trump policy.], said James Saenz, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for counternarcotics in the Biden administration. But in the past, weve chosen not to do these things for the long-term considerations of developing friends and allies around the world, because it provides for our security and our own economic opportunities. The past year has already seen several European countries cut off the sharing of intelligence with the US that they believed could be used in illegal strikes against civilian boats.

The international response to Maduros ouster has been somewhat muted and divided so far  very few, even on the Latin American left, are sorry to see him gone. Actions in Colombia, Mexico, or for that matter Greenland could have more profound consequences for US alliances.

As for the political consequences in Latin America itself, at the moment, the region appears in an overall rightward political drift after recent elections in countries like Ecuador, Argentina, and Bolivia, which Maduros disastrous rule can take at least some credit for. The current generation of regional leaders wont necessarily always look to do Trumps bidding, but they may not be eager to defy him either. The longer term consequences are more unpredictable, but again, history can provide some guidance.

You can draw a direct line between, you know, Teddy Roosevelts use of the big stick and the rise of Latin American nationalism, which eventually gave us figures like Fidel Castro, Winter said.

All of which is to say that future US presidents are likely to have to reckon with the legacy of the Donroe Doctrine.

Correction, January 6, 3 pm ET: A previous version of this story misstated the year of the Spanish-American War. It was 1898.
A homeless man sleeps in a sleeping bag. (Photo by Paul Bradbury/Getty Images)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A legislative measure that seeks to slap restrictions on where homeless shelters can operate across most of Oklahoma is a misguided effort that will cause more harm to an already marginalized community, some advocates say.

Critics of Senate Bill 484, which prevents new homeless shelters from being built within 3,000 feet of a school or school property, said while the legislation appears targeted at registered sex offenders, it would create unintended consequences for unhoused families. They said there are better solutions to address the issue.

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Kori Hall, chief programs officer for City Care, an Oklahoma City service provider for homeless people, said lawmakers envision schools and churches as a place where children can access services, and they pass legislation restricting sex offenders from accessing those areas.

But Hall said this bill, which could be considered by the House when lawmakers reconvene in February, has the potential to harm those youth too because a lot of people experiencing homelessness and utilizing services and shelters are families with children.

Children need to be able to have access to shelters and also to school, she said. So creating that distance barrier can kind of be a barrier for them to receive both of the services that they need.

Hall said her organization is located less than a 0.5 miles from three different elementary schools, and theyve never had an issue.

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Those schools partner with us because people staying in our shelter have kids who go to their schools, she said. Its actually a benefit for them to have those families close because it makes sure that their kids can go to school and not have truancy.

The bill would apply to every Oklahoma city with populations of less than 300,000. Only Oklahoma City and Tulsa have populations greater than that. Existing homeless, domestic violence and youth shelters and those operating within places of worship would be exempt.

According to the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, a report compiled by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 5,467 people experienced homelessness in Oklahoma in 2024, a 17.6% increase from the previous year. Of those, 1,060 were people in families with children, and 450 were unaccompanied youth, a term for minors who are not under the care of a parent or legal guardian.

State Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, who authored the measure did not respond to requests for comment, but in January 2025 said the bill is intended to address public safety.

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Thats a constituent bill from my town of Norman which is absolutely a Dumpster fire right now, and what theyve done to allow the homeless to establish a vagrant nation, if you will  The public safety at Norman is at risk, she said.

Standridges bill narrowly cleared the state Senate last year and is available to be considered by the House when lawmakers reconvene in February.

Norman Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman, whose city would be impacted by the legislation, said the measure seems arbitrary, capricious, potentially discriminatory in that it exempts Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

It obviously doesnt really address or solve the issue of homelessness at all, Holman said. And it aims to take away the ability for local residents to decide for what we think is best for our own communities. (I am) hoping that we can work with Senator Standridge and other state representatives on ways to actually address the root causes of homelessness and why its such a big issue in the state of Oklahoma statewide.

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Cleveland County, where Norman is located, experienced an approximate 12.7% increase in the total number of homeless in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to a 2024 Point in Time Count, an annual census of people experiencing homelessness.

Holman said lawmakers could help his community by determining the future of the state mental hospital that is in Norman, as well as the future of the services it provides to the homeless population located in that area.

And, if we can more adequately address the shortage of housing, we can prevent more people from becoming homeless, then the homeless issue is easier and less expensive to deal with, ideally, he said.

He said it would also help if lawmakers also adequately funded mental health services.

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Alissa Gilmore, program director and treasurer of the Micah Community Movement, an Oklahoma City-based homelessness service organization, said she doesnt see any positives to Standridges bill.

She said systematic issues in society create homelessness.

Increased access to mental health and affordable drug addiction treatment would both be better solutions.

Those are things that help to solve homelessness, not just move it around, Gilmore said. This kind of bill does nothing to solve homelessness. It basically just moves it around. Its not an attempt to make anything better.

Editors note: This story was produced through a reporting partnership between Oklahoma Voice and the University of Central Oklahomas journalism program.

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A press conference held on Monday called for legal action after a man in Northridge was shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent on New Year's Eve.

The Department of Homeland Security says that the man had a rifle and pointed it at the agent.

The family has a lot of questions, and what they're looking for most of all are answers. About a dozen of the man's family and community members came together on Monday to ensure that there is a thorough investigation.

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"From day one that he was born, I knew that he was my joy," said Franceola Armstrong, the mother of 43-year-old Keith Porter.

Armstrong described her son as caring, hardworking and uplifting to those around him.

"When he came around, people looked for him. He was a joy to be around. My son, the biggest heart, sympathetic, appreciative, so much gratitude," Armstrong said.

On New Year's Eve, the father of two was shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent.

According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE agent said he heard gunshots outside of his apartment that sounded like they were getting closer. DHS says, "The officer took his ICE-authorized firearm and left his apartment to investigate."

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Loved ones say Porter fired gunshots outside as part of a New Year's Eve celebration.

"He claims he heard gunshots were getting closer to his apartment, but rather than staying at a position of safety, he left his apartment and went downstairs to what would be a position of danger," said attorney Jamal Tooson with Lessem, Newstat & Tooson.

According to DHS, the ICE agent identified himself, and that's when Porter aimed the rifle at him. The agent then ordered Porter to put down the weapon, and when he didn't comply, the off-duty officer shot him. The agency claims Porter fired three rounds at the officer before he died. The off-duty ICE officer was not injured.

SEE ALSO: Community demands accountability at vigil for father of 2 killed by off-duty ICE agent in Northridge

Advocates say that before Keith Porter was shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent, he fired gunshots as part of a New Year's Eve celebration.

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Tooson, however, says they've spoken with neighbors who say they did not hear an agent identify themselves.

Now, Porter's family and attorney are looking for answers. They say the ICE officer wasn't trained for that situation and should have called police and waited for them to arrive.

"But instead of staying in his apartment for a trained law enforcement officer from LAPD to respond, he made the premeditated and calculated decision to grab a firearm," Tooson said.

Eyewitness News reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department, which is conducting the investigation into the case. The department said it had no updates.
"The (AU) Council strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the unilateral recognition of the so-called 'Republic of Somaliland' by Israel," it said in a post on X after a ministerial meeting.

The African Union's Political Affairs Peace and Security Council called on Tuesday for the "immediate revocation" of Israel's recognition of Somaliland.

"The (AU) Council strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the unilateral recognition of the so-called 'Republic of Somaliland' by Israel," it said in a post on X after a ministerial meeting.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar visited Somaliland on Tuesday, a trip Somalia denounced, 10 days after Israel formally recognized the self-declared republic as an independent and sovereign state.

"The Federal Republic of #Somalia condemns in the strongest terms the unauthorized incursion by the #Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs into #Hargeisa," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a post on Twitter/X.

Sa'ar explains why Israel can recognize Somaliland but not Palestine

During his first diplomatic trip to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, Saar explained that, because Somaliland has operated for 35 years in accordance with international law, Israel could recognize Somaliland rather than Palestine.

"We are excited to take part in the brave journey of the people of Somaliland from independence to recognition," he said. "It is a badge of honor for us to be the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state."
This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com

An Alaska Airlines captain is suing Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems for $10 million, alleging negligence and manufacturing failures led to a midair blowout of a door panel on a Boeing 737 MAX 9  and that Boeing later tried to shift blame onto the flight crew.

Captain Brandon Fisher filed the lawsuit on Dec. 30 in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The complaint claimed the aircraft reached nearly 16,000 feet on January 5, 2024, when a door plug separated from the fuselage, causing explosive decompression.

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Defendants negligence and systemic failures resulted in the creation of an unsafe aircraft not fit for flight, the complaint stated. But for Captain Fishers heroism and immense display of composure under pressure, the outcome would have been catastrophic.

Boeings alleged blame-shifting

Fisher and First Officer Emily Wiprud landed the plane safely. Four passengers seated near the opening were injured, but all 171 people aboard survived. Fisher alleges he suffered ear pain and lasting physical and emotional effects.

The lawsuit alleged that during manufacturing and rework in 2023, the plug was opened to fix damaged rivets, but was reinstalled without replacing four critical bolts. The National Transportation Safety Board has said those bolts were missing.

They should have been hailed as heroes, the complaint stated. Instead, Boeing attempted to shift blame, intentionally and falsely claiming that Captain Fisher and First Officer Wiprud made mistakes that contributed to the incident.

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The lawsuit noted the FBI informed Fisher may have been the victim of criminally negligent conduct by Boeing. A Justice Department investigation into Boeing remains ongoing.

The filing also accused Spirit AeroSystems of using non-standard installation practices.

Fisher, who lives in Vancouver, Washington continues to fly, but said the scrutiny and litigation have caused lasting emotional distress. The lawsuit seeks at least $10 million in damages.

Read more of Aaron Granillos stories here.
An Alaska Airlines captain is taking Boeing to court over the terrifying January 2024 door plug blowout incident, alleging the aviation giant's negligence left her with physical injuries and psychological trauma that continue affecting her ability to fly.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, represents one of the first legal actions by crew members involved in the near-catastrophic incident aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which made an emergency landing after a door plug violently separated from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 fuselage at 16,000 feet. The case could open the door for additional claims from passengers and crew who experienced the harrowing event.

Captain Emily Wiprud, who was not at the controls during the incident but was in the cockpit as part of the flight crew, alleges that Boeing's manufacturing defects and quality control failures directly caused her injuries when the door plug explosively departed the aircraft on January 5, 2024, creating a gaping hole in the fuselage and causing rapid decompression.

The Incident That Shook Aviation

Image Credit: Depositphotos

The door plug blowout on Flight 1282 sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and traveling public. The Alaska Airlines flight had departed Portland International Airport bound for Ontario, California, with 171 passengers and six crew members aboard when disaster nearly struck just minutes after takeoff.

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At approximately 16,000 feet, a door plug, a panel that fills an optional emergency exit location on aircraft configured without that exit, violently separated from the fuselage. The explosive decompression caused chaos in the cabin as oxygen masks deployed, loose items were sucked toward the opening, and passengers found themselves staring at the night sky through a refrigerator-sized hole in the aircraft's side.

The flight crew executed an emergency descent and return to Portland, landing safely approximately 20 minutes after the incident began. Miraculously, no one was seated directly adjacent to the door plug when it departed, preventing what could have been catastrophic injuries or fatalities. However, several passengers sustained minor injuries from flying debris and the violent decompression, while the psychological impact affected everyone aboard.

Investigation revealed that four critical bolts meant to secure the door plug were never installed during Boeing's manufacturing process at its Renton, Washington facility. The missing bolts allowed pressurization forces to push the door plug free once the aircraft reached altitude, a failure that never should have occurred with proper manufacturing and quality control procedures.

The Captain's Allegations

Captain Wiprud's lawsuit details both physical and psychological injuries she attributes to Boeing's negligence. According to court filings, she suffered injuries during the violent decompression event when the cockpit environment suddenly changed and the crew fought to maintain aircraft control while dealing with emergency procedures.

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The lawsuit alleges that Wiprud continues experiencing symptoms that affect her ability to perform her duties as an airline captain. These include physical ailments resulting from the rapid pressure change and the stress of managing an in-flight emergency, as well as psychological trauma from the near-disaster experience.

For pilots, psychological impacts from traumatic events can be career-threatening. Commercial aviation requires absolute focus, quick decision-making under pressure, and the ability to maintain composure during emergencies. Pilots who experience lasting anxiety or post-traumatic stress following incidents may struggle to meet the rigorous mental health standards required for maintaining medical certifications necessary to fly.

Wiprud's lawsuit argues that Boeing's quality control failures and manufacturing defects created the conditions that placed her in danger and caused her injuries. The complaint likely seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages if her flying has been restricted, pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages given the egregious nature of the quality control failures.

Boeing's Quality Control Crisis

Image Credit: Depositphotos

The door plug incident became the most visible manifestation of Boeing's ongoing quality control problems with the 737 MAX program. Federal investigations revealed a troubling pattern of manufacturing defects, inadequate documentation, and insufficient oversight at Boeing facilities and supplier locations.

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The missing bolts on Flight 1282's door plug weren't discovered during Boeing's internal quality checks, nor during subsequent inspections before the aircraft was delivered to Alaska Airlines. This cascading failure of multiple safety checkpoints raised serious questions about Boeing's manufacturing processes and quality assurance systems.

Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all 737 MAX 9 aircraft with door plugs for emergency inspections. These inspections revealed additional aircraft with improperly installed or missing hardware, confirming the problem wasn't isolated to a single plane.

The FAA subsequently placed Boeing under enhanced oversight, limiting production increases and requiring the manufacturer to submit comprehensive quality improvement plans before ramping up MAX production. This regulatory action, combined with ongoing investigations and multiple lawsuits, has severely damaged Boeing's reputation and financial performance.

For Boeing, Captain Wiprud's lawsuit represents another legal challenge in what has become an avalanche of litigation related to 737 MAX issues. The company already faces lawsuits from passengers aboard Flight 1282, claims from airlines for lost revenue during the grounding, and ongoing legal issues related to two fatal MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.

Implications for Crew Members

Captain Wiprud's decision to sue Boeing could encourage other crew members from Flight 1282 to pursue legal action. Flight attendants working in the cabin when the door plug separated experienced the most direct exposure to the violent decompression and the terrifying reality of a gaping hole in the fuselage at 16,000 feet.

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Crew member lawsuits differ from passenger claims in important ways. Pilots and flight attendants are aviation professionals who understand aircraft systems, emergency procedures, and the severity of various incidents. Their testimony about the event's impact carries particular weight because they possess expertise to evaluate the danger they faced and the quality of Boeing's manufacturing.

Additionally, crew members' livelihoods depend on their ability to continue flying. Injuries or psychological trauma that prevent them from performing their duties represent not just temporary setbacks but potential career-ending impacts. This makes their damages potentially more substantial than typical passenger injury claims.

The lawsuit also highlights the position crew members occupy during such incidents, they're responsible for passenger safety while simultaneously dealing with their own fear and potential injuries. Captain Wiprud and her fellow crew members had to maintain professional composure and execute emergency procedures while processing the reality that their aircraft was missing a section of fuselage at altitude.

Legal Landscape and Precedent

Image Credit: Depositphotos

Boeing faces a challenging legal environment given the clear evidence of manufacturing failures in the door plug incident. The missing bolts represent an unambiguous quality control failure that directly caused the incident, making Boeing's liability difficult to dispute.

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The company's defense options are limited. Unlike accidents involving pilot error, weather, or mechanical failures from wear and tear, this incident resulted entirely from Boeing's failure to install required hardware during manufacturing. Documentation failures meant the missing bolts weren't caught during quality inspections, compounding the original error.

Boeing may argue about the extent of Captain Wiprud's injuries and their direct causation from the incident, but establishing that Boeing's negligence created the dangerous situation should be straightforward given investigation findings.

The lawsuit could set precedents for how crew member claims related to manufacturing defects are valued and resolved. If Captain Wiprud achieves a significant settlement or verdict, it may encourage additional crew member litigation not just from Flight 1282 but from other incidents where manufacturing defects endangered flight crews.

Industry-Wide Ramifications

Beyond the immediate legal implications, Captain Wiprud's lawsuit shines additional spotlight on aviation manufacturing quality control at a time when the industry is already under intense scrutiny. Pilots, flight attendants, and passengers all depend on manufacturers to deliver aircraft that meet exacting safety standards.

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The incident has prompted airlines to enhance their own acceptance inspections of new aircraft, essentially adding verification layers because trust in manufacturer quality control has eroded. This represents additional costs and delays but reflects the new reality following highly publicized Boeing quality failures.

For Alaska Airlines, the lawsuit creates an awkward position. While the carrier isn't named as a defendant, the incident involving one of its flights and crew members keeps the traumatic event in public consciousness. Alaska has worked to reassure customers about MAX 9 safety following the incident, and ongoing litigation serves as a reminder of the close call.

What Happens Next

The legal process will likely unfold over months or years unless Boeing opts to settle quickly to avoid further negative publicity. Discovery will reveal internal Boeing communications about quality control, manufacturing processes, and what the company knew about potential door plug installation issues.

Captain Wiprud's medical records, employment history, and ongoing symptoms will be examined to establish the extent of her injuries and their impact on her career. Expert witnesses will testify about aviation manufacturing standards, quality control best practices, and the psychological impact of surviving a near-catastrophic aircraft incident.

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Boeing will likely seek to settle before trial to avoid the spectacle of a sympathetic plaintiff, an experienced airline captain injured by the company's negligence, testifying publicly about her experience and ongoing struggles. However, if the case proceeds to trial, it could result in substantial damages that encourage additional lawsuits from others affected by Boeing's quality control failures.

For the flying public, Captain Wiprud's lawsuit serves as a reminder that the January 2024 door plug incident wasn't just a mechanical failure or abstract safety statistic. Real people, including the professionals responsible for passenger safety, suffered real consequences from Boeing's failures, and accountability for those failures continues working through the legal system.

As Boeing works to rebuild its reputation and restore confidence in its manufacturing processes, lawsuits like Captain Wiprud's ensure that the human cost of quality control failures isn't forgotten amid corporate restructuring plans and regulatory compliance efforts.
The State Office Building in Juneau is seen on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

The commissioner of Alaskas Department of Family and Community Services has departed that position to take a job with the Trump administration.

Kim Kovol has accepted a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced last week. Her last day working for the state was on Friday, and Tracy Dompeling, the departments deputy commissioner, assumed the role of acting commissioner, the statement said.

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The departments primary divisions are the Division of Juvenile Justice, the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, the Alaska Pioneer Homes and the Office of Childrens Services.

Kovol was the first commissioner of the Department of Family and Community Services, which was created in 2022. Up to then, its functions were part of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Through an executive order, Dunleavy split that department into two: the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services.

In his statement, Dunleavy said Kovol was a strong and dedicated leader for the redesigned department. As the first Commissioner of DFCS, she built a foundation focused on service, accountability, and support for Alaskas most vulnerable populations. I thank her for her service and wish her every success in this next role, he said.

Kovol said she was honored to have served in that role. I am incredibly grateful to the staff, partners, and communities who have supported our work. Together, we have made meaningful progress for Alaska families, youth, and elders, and I will always be proud of what we have accomplished, she said in the statement.

Kim Kovol, the first commissioner of the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services. The department was created in 2022 when the Department of Health and Social Services was divided into two entities: the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services. Kovols last day working for the state was Jan. 2. She has taken a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services. (Photo provided by the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services)

Kovol is the second Alaska department head to leave state service to join the Trump administration. Almost a year ago, Emma Pokon left her position as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation to become the Pacific Northwest regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Dunleavy in May chose Randy Bates to be the departments new commissioner. Bates was formerly director of DECs Division of Water.

With Kovols departure, there are now five state departments with leaders who currently lack legislative approval.

In addition to Bates, Dunleavy has named commissioner-designees for the Department of Law and the Department of Natural Resources. Dunleavy in August named Stephen Cox, a former U.S. attorney in Texas, as Alaskas attorney general, replacing Treg Taylor, a Republican who is running for governor.

Dunleavy also named John Crowther, a DNR veteran, as his choice to be permanent commissioner. Crowther became acting commissioner after John Boyle resigned from the position in October.

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Bates, Cox and Crowther are subject to legislative confirmation after lawmakers convene later this month for their 2026 session.

The state Department of Revenue is currently being led by an acting commissioner, Janelle Earls, who assumed the job in August after Adam Crum left the commissioner post. Crum is another Republican candidate for governor.

Dunleavy has not yet named his choices for the commissioner posts at the Department of Revenue or the Department of Family and Community Services, said Jeff Turner, the governors spokesperson. Earls and Dompeling are currently acting commissioners and it is not clear whether the governor will name commissioner-designees for those positions, he said.

Dunleavy is in the last year of his second term. He is term limited and may not run for reelection.

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An Amazon customer in Tennessee has sued the online shopping giant demanding it repay what lawyers claim are "excessive" sales taxes charges it levied on his orders.

In a class action complaint filed in Washington state court last month, lawyers for Cullen Duke accused the company of systematically overtaxing he and other Tennesseans who bought items through its third-party marketplace, then refusing to stop when told about the issue.

They asked the court to ban Amazon from overcharging customers and force it to repay everyone who was affected, as well as legal costs and punitive damages.

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"Under Tennessee law, when third parties sell goods through Amazons online marketplace, Amazon, as the 'marketplace facilitator,' is responsible for calculating, collecting, remitting, and refunding the correct amount of sales tax," the complaint reads.

"Tennessee law also requires customers who have been overcharged to seek refunds directly from Amazon.

"Because Amazon is the only entity from which Plaintiff and the Class members may obtain relief, and because Amazon refuses to refund the excess tax it collected, Plaintiff brings this action on behalf of himself and all similarly situated consumers to recover the overcharges and to stop Amazons unlawful tax collection practices."

The company has an 'advanced fulfillment center' in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee where it tests out new technologies (such as this package-moving robot) (Seth Herald / AFP via Getty Images)

The Independent has asked Amazon for comment.

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In a statement to Law360 last month, Duke's lawyer Toby J. Marshall added: "Reasonable consumers expect a company like Amazon to calculate and collect the correct amount of sales tax, and we believe the failure to do so is unfair and deceptive."

While the lawsuit is only seeking class action status for an estimated 40 Tennesseans affected it's possible there have been similar issues in other jurisdictions.

According to the complaint, Duke lives in an unincorporated area of Sullivan County in far northeastern Tennessee, just outside the Kingsport city limits, where the correct sales tax is 9.25 percent.

But throughout the last two years, the complaint alleges, Amazon has instead charged Duke and other locals 9.5 percent. Much of the lawsuit is a minute catalogue of small amounts of money allegedly overcharged on modest purchases.

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For instance, the lawsuit disputes $1.28 in sales tax collected on a $13.45 moisture meter bought on Oct.19, 2024; $9.63 collected on a $101.34 towing light kit on Feb. 20, 2025; and $126.89 collected on Feb. 18 for a $1,335.70 Brake Buddy (a remote braking device designed to help you safely tow a smaller vehicle behind your R.V.).

Other items Duke was allegedly overtaxed on include a pack of CPAP mask liners ($35.73) and a box of blue ceramic tiles ($31.79) (Seth Herald / AFP via Getty Images)

The complaint does not say how much this all added up to, but says the amount is less than $2,500  meaning Duke cannot claim a refund from the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

"On March 1, 2025, Plaintiff notified Amazon that it was incorrectly charging him excess sales tax and requested a refund. Despite this notice, Amazon continued to calculate and collect sales tax from Plaintiff at the incorrect rate of 9.50 percent," the complaint reads.

"On May 8, 2025, Amazon attempted to justify its practice of overcharging sales tax to Plaintiff by stating: 'when an item originates from within the state of Tennessee, the rate that will be charged is associated with the origin of the shipment.'

"But the goods and services sold to Plaintiff did not originate from within the state of Tennessee. And regardless of where a good or service that is sold through Amazons marketplace originates, the applicable tax rate for that sale is determined by the location where the purchaser receives the good or service."
Portuguese firms Cerealis and Better Foods have agreed to combine their milling activities in a new jointly owned business.

The agreement covers Cerealis Moagens and the milling units of Better Foods  Ceres, Germen, Carneiro Campos and Granel.

The combined business will be set up as a new company held on a 50/50 basis by the shareholder structures of both groups.

Financial details of the transaction have not been revealed.

On its website, Better Foods Group describes itself as the largest Portuguese milling group, producing flours and food ingredients.

Founded in 1919, Cerealis, was acquired in August 2021 by investment companies Tangor Capital and Teak Capital. It manufactures breakfast cereals and cereal bars, pasta, cookies and frozen meals and is also a miller and supplier of flour.

In a joint statement, the companies said the move is intended to strengthen the competitiveness and industrial capacity of the Portuguese milling sector at a time of rapid transformation in the Iberian market.

They added: It also responds to the increasing consolidation of the value chain in Portugal and across the Iberian Peninsula, contributing to the sustainability of the national flour industry and ensuring an efficient, reliable and competitive supply to a sector that is essential to the economy."

Pedro Moreira da Silva, CEO of Cerealis, said: The new scale of the main Iberian operators is redefining the competitive environment in which we operate.

This merger allows us to keep pace with that evolution by enhancing efficiency and strengthening our capacity to invest, innovate and deliver a more robust service.

Armando Miranda, CEO of Better Foods Group, said: We believe that this merger will accelerate industrial modernisation and improve our ability to serve the market, benefiting customers, employees and partners.

The deal is subject to review by Autoridade da Concorrencia, the Portuguese competition authority.

Better Foods Group, founded in 2018, includes four milling companies, a deep-frozen food business and two logistics complexes that manage storage and distribution of its products in Portugal and abroad.

Cerealis owns 11 commercial brands, including Nacional, Milaneza and Napolitana. The group employs more than 760 people and processes over 440,000t of cereals a year across four certified production centres, with more than 130 products sold on five continents.

In 2024, Cerealis completed the full takeover of Europasta for an undisclosed amount. Cerealis already held a 58.33% stake in the Czech Republic-based business.
Jan 6 (Reuters) - American Airlines said on Tuesday it would launch free in-flight Wi-Fi in partnership with telecom firm AT&T for customers enrolled in the carrier's loyalty program.

Airlines are increasingly competing on free onboard internet access as they vie for loyalty-driven customers.

"Free high-speed Wi-Fi isn't just a perk  it's essential for today's travelers," Heather Garboden, chief customer officer of American Airlines, said in a statement.

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In 2023, Delta Air Lines became the first major U.S. carrier to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi in partnership with T-Mobile. In 2025, United Airlines partnered with Elon Musk's Starlink for in-flight internet services.

American Airlines said the rollout of Wi-Fi would begin in January and be available on nearly all of its flights by early spring.

(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
A security barrier near the White House in Washington, D.C. on June 21, 2025. Credit - Aaron SchwartzBloomberg/Getty Images

With the publics approval of President Donald Trump and Congress underwater amid high-profile controversies, conflicts, and widespread concerns over the direction the U.S. is headed, Americans trust in their government appears to be close to its lowest point in decades.

Only 17% of Americans trust the government in the nations capital to do what is right just about always or most of the time, according to recent polling from the Pew Research Center, marking a 5 percentage-point drop since 2024 and a near-record low since the question was first asked by the National Election Study in the mid-20th century.

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Low public trust in the U.S. government isnt new; that figure has been below 50% in various surveys for more than 40 yearswith a notable exception in the aftermath of 9/11and under 30% for the past two decades, according to Pew.

When the organization first asked Americans whether they trusted the government to do the right thing in 1958, however, nearly three in four respondents answered in the affirmative. And six years later, in 1964, the number was higher still: 77%.

So what happened?

The dramatic fall in trust came in the later 1960s and 70s, coinciding with one particular event: the Vietnam War.

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Prior to the Vietnam War, Americans generally had faith in their leaders to govern effectively, to win wars, and to continue U.S. growth, Columbia University history professor Lien-Hang T. Nguyen, who specializes in the Vietnam War, tells TIME. The Vietnam War revealed that presidents from Truman to Ford, along with their advisorseach Administration with a hand in shaping Vietnam policyobfuscated, mishandled, or outright lied to the American people regarding decisions that would lead ultimately to American military intervention in Vietnam.

Before the big drop

While public trust in government was not surveyed for long before polls captured the sharp decline, Robert Putnam, author of the 1995 book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, says that people who had lived through the Great Depression and World War II believed that the government really could almost do no wrong.

During those Americans lifetimes, he explains, the federal government had helped end the Great Depression, win world wars, and defeat Nazism, establishing its reputation as a strong global superpower.

And decades later, in the years just before the fall in public trust, he notes that politicians further invested in policies that supported the American people and their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness: Former President Lyndon B. Johnson enacted a series of welfare programs and legislation known as the Great Society, including the creation of Medicare and Medicaid under the Social Security Amendments of 1965. Soon after, amid mounting pressure from the Civil Rights Movement, the President signed the landmark Voting Rights Actwhich sought to end racial discrimination in votinginto law.

The Vietnam War

Just a year after the Voting Rights Act and the Social Security Amendments of 1965 became law, polling found that public trust in the government was in decline, slipping down to 65% in 1966 after the high of 77% two years earlier. It has never again come close to those levels in the decades since.

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The same year he signed those landmark bills, Johnson also announced an escalation of U.S. military forces in Vietnam, going back on his campaign promise to not send American boys to fight a war abroad. Putnam, who studied the decline on a near month-to-month basis, says that Johnsons reversal caused almost all of that drop in trust in the federal government.

In early 1965, America's sustained bombing campaign, Operation Rolling Thunder, and the introduction of marines to Danang as the first combat troops jumpstarted eight years of national protest, says Nguyen. Campus teach-ins emerged at colleges and universities across the U.S. Thousands of Americans took part in the 1965 March on Washington against the Vietnam War, at that point the largest peace protest in American history. As the war stretched on and national television broadcasts brought images and reports on the bloody conflict into U.S. homes, a growing share of Americans said sending troops to the country had been a mistake

Watergate

A second big drop in public trust was recorded in polls in the 1970s amid the Watergate scandal and its aftermath, as a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the lead-up 1972 election led to revelations about the White Houses involvement in the crime and subsequent cover-up that ultimately caused then-President Richard Nixon to resign from office. People trust the government when the government's trustworthy, says Putnam. In 1970, early in Nixons first term, the share of Americans who said that they trusted the government in Washington to do what is right just about always or most of the time was already down to 54%. By the time he left office in 1974, that figure had fallen to 36%.

Public trust has not recovered in the decades since, though it has risen back to around 45% on multiple occasions and climbed back over 50% for a short time after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 before once again falling rapidly as the U.S. plunged into years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Younger generations are now coming of age in the long period of decreased trust, which Putnam predicts will impact their perception of the federal government for decades to come.

Now, people are more cynical, says Putnam. A presidential lie under Clinton or a presidential lie under Trump, doesn't have the same impact as the two presidential lies of Johnson regarding Vietnam and Nixon regarding Watergate.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
By Brenda Goh and Laurie Chen

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, Jan 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. attack on Venezuela will embolden China to strengthen its territorial claims over areas such as Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea but will not hasten any potential invasion of Taiwan, analysts said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's considerations about Taiwan and his timeline are separate from the situation in Latin America, influenced more by China's domestic situation than by U.S. actions, they said.

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Still, analysts said, President Donald Trump's audacious attack on Saturday, capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, hands China an unexpected opportunity that Beijing will likely use in the near term to amplify criticism of Washington and bolster its own standing on the international stage.

Further out, Beijing could leverage Trump's move to defend its stance against the U.S. on territorial issues including Taiwan, Tibet and islands in the East and South China seas.

'CHEAP AMMUNITION' FOR A CHINA PUSHBACK

"Washington's consistent, long-standing arguments are always that the Chinese actions are violating international law but they are now damaging that," said William Yang, an analyst at International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based NGO.

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"It's really creating a lot of openings and cheap ammunition for the Chinese to push back against the U.S. in the future."

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own province - an assertion the island's government rejects - and claims almost all of the South China Sea, a position that puts it at odds with several Southeast Asian nations that also claim parts of the vital trade route.

China's foreign ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office, and Taiwan's presidential office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Beijing condemned Trump's strike on Venezuela, saying it violated international law and threatened peace and security in Latin America. It has demanded the U.S. release Maduro and his wife, who are being detained in New York awaiting trial.

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Hours before his capture, Maduro met with a high-level Chinese delegation in Caracas, according to photos he posted on his Instagram page.

The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the whereabouts of the delegation, which included China's special representative for Latin American and Caribbean affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi.

On Sunday China's official Xinhua news agency called the U.S. attack "naked hegemonic behaviour."

"The US invasion has made everyone see more and more the fact that the so-called 'rules-based international order' in the mouth of the United States is actually just a 'predatory order based on US interests'," state-run Xinhua news agency said.

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'CHINA ISN'T THE U.S., TAIWAN ISN'T VENEZUELA'

Taiwan, in particular, has been facing growing pressure from Beijing. China last week encircled the island in its most extensive war games to date, showcasing Beijing's ability to cut off the island from outside support in a conflict.

But analysts said they did not expect China to capitalise on the Venezuelan situation to escalate that into an attack anytime soon.

"Taking over Taiwan depends on China's developing but still insufficient capability rather than what Trump did in a distant continent," said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing.

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Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society, said China sees Taiwan as an internal affair and so was unlikely to cite U.S. actions against Venezuela as precedent for any cross-strait military strikes.

"Beijing will want a clear contrast with Washington to trumpet its claims to stand for peace, development and moral leadership," Thomas said. "Xi does not care about Venezuela more than he cares about China. He'll be hoping that it turns into a quagmire for the United States."

Wang Ting-yu, a senior lawmaker from Taiwans ruling party who sits on the parliaments foreign affairs and defence committee, rejected the idea that China might follow the U.S. example and strike Taiwan.

"China has never lacked hostility toward Taiwan, but it genuinely lacks the feasible means," Wang posted on Facebook. "China is not the United States, and Taiwan is certainly not Venezuela. If China could actually pull it off, it would have done so long ago!"

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Still, the situation amplifies risks for Taiwan and could press Taipei to seek more favour from the Trump administration, some observers said.

On China's Weibo social media platform, discussions of the U.S. attack trended heavily on Sunday, with several users saying Beijing should learn from what Trump did.

Lev Nachman, a political science professor at National Taiwan University, said he expected Taiwan's government to express lightly worded support for American action on Venezuela. Taiwan has not yet made any statement.

"What I do think Trump's actions could do is to help Xi Jinping's narrative in the future to create more justification for action against Taiwan," he said.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Laurie Chen in Beijing; Additional reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard in Taipei)
Will Orlando shoppers finally be free from the chaotic Trader Joe's parking lot in Winter Park? Possibly!

According to numerous reports, the popular grocery chain is allegedly opening a new location near the University of Central Florida, near the Waterford Lakes shopping center.

But is it actually coming? Here's what to know.

What is Trader Joe's?

Trader Joe's is a California-based grocery chain known for its unique selection of private-label products, which tend to be more affordable than those found in regular grocery stores.

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"Our buyers travel the world searching for products we think are exceptional and will find a following among our customers," Trader Joe's writes online. "To earn a spot on our shelves, each product is submitted to a rigorous tasting panel process, in which every aspect of quality is investigated in context of the price we can offer."

Where is Trader Joe's new location opening up?

According to GrowthSpotter and News 6, a building permit was filed on Dec. 22 for the space at 1444 N. Alafaya Trail, previously the Party City site.

They said the permit states that "minor site modifications" to the existing 15,000-square-foot space are needed for the incoming tenant, Trader Joes. It was filed by Mitch Collins, P.E., an Orlando engineering firm.

Has Trader Joe's confirmed the new Orlando location?

Trader Joe's might be opening up another location in Central Florida, with numerous reports claiming permits have been filed for a space along Alafaya Trail. It would take over a Party City space that closed earlier in 2025.

In an email to the USA TODAY Network-Florida, Trader Joe's said there is not a confirmed location coming to the area.

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"We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country, including many in Florida, as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year. At this time, we do not have any new locations confirmed in the area," Nakia Rohde, a Trader Joe's Public Relations Manager, wrote.

However, Mitch Collins, president of the firm, told GrowthSpotter that construction work would likely start soon.

Im expecting in the next two to three months theyll probably start doing work there and it probably wont take them but two or three months to finish, Collins told the outlet.

What other Trader Joe's grocery stores opened up in Florida?

Last year ended with two new Trader Joe's opening up in Florida:

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Daytona Beach : 1511 Cornerstone Boulevard

Melbourne: 21 Town Center Avenue

What cities in Florida have Trader Joe's?

According to its website, there are 27 Trader Joe's stores in Florida. Here's where:

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Trader Joe's new Florida location may be in Orlando. Here's where




The woman a former Austin police officer slammed to the ground during a 2024 arrest has filed a federal lawsuit against the officer and the City of Austin, alleging the incident amounted to indefensible police brutality and left her with a traumatic brain injury.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, comes weeks after Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis indefinitely suspended  effectively firing  Officer Joseph Spees over his conduct during the arrest of Natalie Gialenes, who was visiting Austin from out of state.

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In her complaint, Gialenes alleges she was standing outside her hotel on East Cesar Chavez Street during the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 2024, when Spees arrested her for public intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine. According to the suit, Gialenes voluntarily placed her hands behind her back and did not resist being handcuffed.

Read More: Ex-APD officer Christopher Taylor acquitted, cleared of deadly conduct in 2019 shooting

As Spees escorted her toward his patrol car, Gialenes dropped her identification card on the ground and bent down to retrieve it, the lawsuit states. At that point, Spees abruptly used force, slamming her to the pavement.

"Rather than tell Ms. Gialenes to stop or stand up straight, allow her to pick up her identification off the ground, or use any de-escalation tactics of any kind whatsoever, Officer Spees grabbed the young woman by her upper arm without warning, lifted up on her arm to raise her up slung her around his body in almost a complete circle, and threw her to the ground," the complaint alleges.

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Because her hands were cuffed behind her back, Gialenes was unable to break her fall and struck her head on the pavement, according to the lawsuit. She bled heavily and was later hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury, along with injuries to her face, chest and feet. The suit further alleges that Spees later shoved her head-first into the back seat of his patrol car, causing her to strike her head a second time, even as blood pooled on the ground in the hotel driveway.

As of Tuesday morning the city had not been served with the lawsuit, according to spokesperson Erik Johnson, who said in a prepared statement that officials would "review it and respond appropriately." Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock, who often weighs in on personnel matters, did not respond to a request for comment.

Read More:Jose Garza promised police reform. His solution to an Austin fatal shooting 'strains credulity'

The incident was first made public last month when Davis released a 14-page disciplinary memo explaining her decision to indefinitely suspend Spees, who had worked for the department for 11 years. In the memo, Davis wrote that any objectively reasonable officer  and especially an experienced and well-trained officer like Officer Spees  should have been able to handle minimal resistance without immediately resorting to a violent takedown that caused considerable injury.

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According to the disciplinary memo, Spees told internal affairs investigators that one of Gialenes' hands slipped out of the handcuffs the officer placed her in, which represented a severe threat.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis answers questions from the press during a news conference at the Austin Police Department Headquarters regarding the homicide at Club Rodeo in Austin, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman)





But Davis described the claims as dubious. "I do not believe that any objectively reasonable officer could share Officer Spees' judgment that [Gialenes] posed a level 8 out of 10 threat while she was handcuffed and he was escorting her to his patrol car," the chief wrote in her memo.

Gialenes is represented by Austin civil rights attorney Jeff Edwards, who said in a news release that the incident reflects a broader pattern of excessive force within the department. As a result of Spees actions, Edwards said, Gialenes suffered a painful and serious brain injury that will impact her for the rest of her life.

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"APD must do more than terminate the officer  it must acknowledge the departments systematic wrongdoing, revamp its disciplinary system, and change its training immediately, or more people will continue to be senselessly injured by APD officers," Edwards said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comment from the city of Austin
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  In reaction to the U.S. operation linked to Maduros arrest, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily closed parts of Caribbean airspace, leaving one Arkansas family stranded in Barbados. Even though flights started up again on Sunday, many passengers are still unable to book seats as airlines work to reduce backlogs.

Jeff and Susan Whatley were supposed to return home on Saturday after visiting Barbados on December 27. Just before they left for the airport, their plans fell apart.

In fact, we were waiting for our taxi to take us to the airport when we got a text saying all flights have been grounded, Jeff Whatley said.

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Arkansans protest Maduro arrest at Capitol on Sunday ahead of U.S. court appearance

Despite the resumption of service on Sunday, the couple has not been able to advance their travel plans. They currently have a return flight scheduled for Saturday, and Susan Whatley has had no success looking for alternatives to get home sooner.

Trying to get us a new flight, I went, Jeff, Jeff, we have a flight, and I hit the button to take it and it would say unavailable, she said, adding she tried more than 20 flights with the same result.

According to Jeff Whatley, they briefly discovered an earlier route that would have taken them through Tulsa before returning to Little Rock, but the cost was outrageous.

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When the flights first started, we did try to find earlier flights, and we did find one to Tulsa, and then we could drive into Little Rock, but it was $7,000, he said.

While the couple says they are grateful to be safe in a warm destination, the extended stay is creating serious challenges, including mounting expenses and health concerns.

Youve got to find rooms, youve got to find transportation, Jeff Whatley said. Ive run out of prescriptions to get me through the rest of the week.

The situation has also worried Susan about her job back home. She recently started working in a new school district and worries about the impact of her delayed return.

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They dont really know me and my integrity or anything about my work ethic, she said. Here I am coming back from Christmas vacation and going, Hey, I need five more days.

The stress intensified after the couple learned that Susan Whatleys 95-year-old father was admitted to the emergency room in Jonesboro.

My wife, her father has just been admitted into the hospital and were stuck here, Jeff Whatley said.

Maduro strikes defiant tone as he professes innocence in court

Susan Whatley said her father has the flu and remains in the emergency room, undergoing tests. She said her brother is with him and providing updates.

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Hes 95 years old, so of course having the flu is going to take a harder toll on his body than it would on mine or someone younger, she said.

Whatley shared that initial tests on her father have come back with good news as the family waits for their chance to return to Arkansas.

I am hopeful and pretty confident that were going to be able to get out on Saturday, Susan Whatley said.

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The Brief

Police have arrested a suspect in connection after a triple homicide Saturday in Prince Georges County.

Three men were killed outside a banquet hall on Saint Barnabas Road.

Investigators say the suspect is in custody as the case moves forward.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - A suspect has been identified and charged after a deadly triple shooting outside a banquet hall in Prince Georges County early Saturday morning.

What we know

Prince Georges County Police say Antonio Lancaster, 39, of the Landover area, is in custody in Virginia and faces multiple charges, including murder, following the deadly shooting outside a banquet hall in the 4300 block of Saint Barnabas Road.

Antonio Lancaster, 39, of the Landover area.

Police said officers responded to the scene around 2:10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, where they found three men suffering from gunshot wounds outside the venue. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

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The victims were identified as:

Ronez Proctor, 27, of Waldorf

Pierre Davis, 33, of Washington, D.C.

Kevon Medley Williams, 26, of Washington, D.C.

What police say happened

The backstory

According to investigators, the preliminary investigation suggests Davis and Medley Williams exchanged gunfire in the parking lot, striking and killing each other.

Police say Lancaster was also in the parking lot and was armed. For reasons still under investigation, detectives believe Lancaster shot at both Proctor and Medley Williams during the incident.

Proctor was fatally shot, and Lancaster is charged with first- and second-degree murder in connection with Proctors death, as well as shooting at Medley Williams.

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After the shooting, police say Lancaster fled the scene.

The Prince Georges County Police Departments Fugitive Unit worked with the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force to locate Lancaster in Fairfax County, Virginia, where he was taken into custody on Sunday.

Lancaster remains in Virginia pending extradition to Prince Georges County.

What we don't know

Detectives say they believe the suspect and the victims were known to each other, but the motive for the shooting has not yet been determined.

The investigation remains ongoing.

What's next

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prince Georges County Police Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or using the P3 Tips mobile app. Please reference case number 26-0000396.

The Source

This article is based on reporting from FOX 5 DC sources and confirmations from Prince Georges County law enforcement.
In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence  not a doctor  renew certain medical prescriptions. No human involved.

The state has launched a pilot program with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows an AI system to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions. The initiative, which kicked off quietly last month, is a high-stakes test of whether AI can safely take on one of health cares most sensitive tasks and how far that could spread beyond one AI-friendly red state.

It also serves as an early check on how far policymakers and patients are willing to trust AI over trained doctors in decision-making. By inserting algorithms into one of medicine's most fundamental relationships, Utahs initiative could represent the first step in upending how care is delivered in the U.S.

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That raises new questions about the safety of automating prescription refills, including how they should be regulated. So far, the Food and Drug Administration has not weighed in on Doctronics program. If the agency determines it has authority to regulate this use of AI, it could complicate or slow its expansion.

State officials and industry backers say relying more on artificial intelligence lowers costs, reduces medication lapses and improves access to care  while generating data that could shape AI policy beyond Utah.

Health care expenses keep climbing and clinicians  especially in rural areas  are stretched thin, said Margaret Busse, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce. The state sees automating routine prescription renewals as a way to ease pressure on providers while lowering costs for patients, she said.

Its also a way to provide a pathway to innovation for entrepreneurs who are using AI in creative ways that may be bumping up against regulation, she said.

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But doctors groups warn that delegating some aspects of prescribing medication to AI could present new hazards.

In a statement, Dr. John Whyte, CEO and executive vice president at the American Medical Association, said: While AI has limitless opportunity to transform medicine for the better, without physician input it also poses serious risks to patients and physicians alike.

One concern is misuse or abuse, including the possibility that people struggling with addiction could try to game automated systems to obtain drugs inappropriately. Another concern is missing subtle clinical red flags or drug interactions that a doctor would catch.

The company has to do that kind of trust building with their patients, said Busse. We want it to be done in such a way that people will trust that Utah is looking at this carefully and is not being cavalier about how we granted this regulatory mitigation. In a way its a risk for us as we do this.

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Al Carter, CEO and executive director at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, said pharmacists already use AI in their prescription fulfillment process and for patient consultations.

However, he cautioned, the one challenge from a board of pharmacy standpoint is how do you regulate all this technology, and is this technology good for health care?

In data shared with Utah regulators, Doctronic compared its AI system with human clinicians across 500 urgent care cases. The results showed the AIs treatment plan matched the physicians 99.2 percent of the time, according to the company.

The AI is actually better than doctors at doing this, said Dr. Adam Oskowitz, Doctronic co-founder and an associate professor of surgery at the University of California San Francisco. When you go see a doctor, it's not going to do all the checks that the AI is doing.

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Oskowitz said the AI is designed to err on the side of safety, automatically escalating cases to a physician if theres any uncertainty. Human doctors will also review the first 250 prescriptions issued in each medication class to validate the AIs performance. Once that threshold is met, subsequent renewals in that class will be handled autonomously.

The company has also secured a one-of-a-kind malpractice insurance policy covering an AI system, which means the system is insured and held to the same level of responsibility as a doctor would be.

In medicine, theres always going to be potential issues that patients have, said Oskowitz. Whether its caused by the AI or not  we will take the risk. I think this is going to be infinitely safer than a human doctor.

Doctronic also runs a nationwide telehealth practice that directs patients to doctors after an AI consultation.

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In Utah, patients who use the system will visit a webpage that verifies they are physically in the state. Then the system will pull the patient's prescription history and offer a list of medications eligible for renewal.

The AI walks the patient through the same clinical questions a physician would ask to determine whether a refill is appropriate. If the system clears the renewal, the prescription is sent directly to a pharmacy.

The program is limited to 190 commonly prescribed medications. Some medications  including pain management and ADHD drugs as well as injectables  are excluded for safety reasons.

Matt Pavelle, the companys co-founder and co-CEO, said the system would give people easier access to their medications. Its hard to get a renewal  if you have a chronic condition and you cant get your medication, terrible things happen.

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The company will charge $4 per prescription renewal, a price it says is temporary. Pavelle said the cost could drop quickly as the system scales up with renewals ultimately covered by insurance or bundled into a low annual fee.

Pavelle and Oskowitz are in discussion with other states such as Texas, Arizona and Missouri. Theyre also weighing a national approval pathway, rather than navigating a patchwork of state-by-state rules.

Getting there will depend on the FDA.

Usually, states are responsible for writing their own rules governing how medicine is practiced. Since Doctronics AI is designed to renew patient prescriptions, its essentially practicing medicine and could fall under state regulations, according to Lowell Schiller, a former chief counsel for the FDA.

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On the other hand, the agency has said it believes it has the authority to regulate AI as a medical device if it is used to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.

Schiller says the FDA could hold off on taking action against Doctronic, citing medical marijuana as an example of where the agency has deferred to state laws instead of enforcing federal regulation.

But if the FDA does find that Doctronics AI is being marketed without appropriate authorization, it may try to bring the technology into compliance. Under President Donald Trump, the agency has shown an appetite for oversight. Earlier this year, the FDA sent a letter to health wearable company Whoop, saying it could not market its blood-pressure estimation technology without FDA approval. The FDA tries to make a decision on a marketing authorization application within 150 days for low to moderately risky devices that have no predicates, but it can take longer.

The FDA declined to comment saying the issue falls outside the agencys regulatory purview.

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In the past, the line has been clear, said Zach Boyd, director of Utahs artificial intelligence policy office: States regulate the practice of medicine and the FDA regulates devices.

Now we're in this weird place where there are devices  maybe you could call them devices  that are purporting to practice medicine, said Boyd.Our philosophy has been to just take care of our side  of the state's authority  and the FDA is going to figure out what it's going to figure out.
Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, speaks on the Senate floor on March 19, 2025. He has asked for an attorney general's opinion on the scope of authority for the State Investment Board. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Two North Dakota lawmakers have asked Attorney General Drew Wrigley to formally weigh in on whether the State Investment Board has the authority to offer bonuses to staff responsible for managing the Legacy Fund.

Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, and Rep. Mitch Ostlie, R-Jamestown, requested the opinion as the board considers $1.3 million in proposed bonuses for 12 employees of the Retirement and Investment Office.

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This is a fairly new program and a unique one, Cleary said of the bonuses to state employees. A formal opinion by the attorney general could just provide clarity for everyone, for myself, for the State Investment Board, for RIO.

Wrigley said he couldnt comment on the specifics of the request because his office is actively working on the legal opinion.

Im prioritizing the matter and I expect to be able to publish my attorney general opinion on that in the relative near term, the attorney general said Monday.

The incentive program was approved by legislators in 2023 and implemented in 2024 by the State Investment Board, which oversees the Retirement and Investment Office. This would be the first time bonuses would be awarded under the program.

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The incentive pay is based on the performance of the states investment funds compared to earnings benchmarks that represent standard market performance. But the approval of the bonuses was tabled at the November meeting of the State Investment Board because of questions about whether the board has the legal authority to do so without a specific legislative appropriation.

The Attorney Generals Office later verbally advised that the agency could safely proceed with the approval of the bonuses, Retirement and Investment Office Executive Director Jodi Smith said during a December meeting.

The bonuses are expected to be on the agenda for the State Investment Boards Jan. 16 meeting. Cleary said it would be prudent for the board to delay that decision until the extent of its authority to award the bonuses is clarified by the attorney general.

There was ambiguity in how the law was interpreted and discussed across multiple meetings. When public dollars are involved, the responsible step is to get clarity in writing so taxpayers have certainty, not confusion, about how their money is spent, Cleary said.

Seven of the 12 proposed bonuses exceed $100,000 and the largest is $293,000, for the chief investment officer. The agency created the program to encourage investment managers and other staff to focus on bringing in more money for the state, as well as to improve staff recruitment and retention.

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The four largest funds managed by the State Investment Board are the Legacy Fund, the Public Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Fund for Retirement and Workforce Safety and Insurance.

Those funds outperformed benchmarks by $191 million between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

A spokesperson for the Retirement and Investment Office declined to comment at this time, noting any action on the issue must be approved by the full State Investment Board.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong, who chairs the board, declined to comment through a spokesperson, who said he anticipates the topic will be on the Jan. 16 agenda. The governor has previously expressed reservations about the proposed bonuses.

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The State Investment Board is composed of the governor, legislative leaders and other state officials.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge can be reached at jorledge@northdakotamonitor.com.
A 42-year-old snowmobiler was buried in an avalanche just north of Lake Tahoe on Monday and died, despite having all of the latest safety gear and being with four other experienced riders.

The group set out from Johnson Canyon, on Donner Pass, and rode to nearby Castle Peak, according to the Nevada County Sheriffs Office . After a dry start to the winter, the region has been battered with atmospheric river storms since Christmas, with accumulations of up to 6 feet of snow on nearby summits.

The snowmobilers came prepared. Each was wearing an avalanche beacon/transceiver, which emits a steady radio signal that can be picked up by the other beacons. If someone gets buried, others in the group can use their receivers to help find the buried comrade.

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On their way back from Castle Peak, the group was caught in a large avalanche. When the snow settled, Chris Scott Thomason, of Bend, Ore., had disappeared.

His friends quickly started searching using their beacons and managed to dig Thomason out, according to the Sheriffs Office.

But avalanche snow, which can start out loose and fluffy, consolidates quickly, hardening like concrete. Anyone trapped with their head under the surface will probably be starved of oxygen.

After Thomasons friends freed him, they immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. While they were working to revive their friend, another group showed up that included an off-duty Truckee fire department medic, who immediately began leading emergency efforts and CPR, according to the Sheriffs Office.

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Despite all of the safety precautions, and the presence of people well-trained in CPR to assist, Thomason did not survive.

Read more: Ski patroller dies after being caught in an avalanche at Mammoth Mountain

It has been a dangerous holiday season for avalanches in the high Sierra. On Dec. 27, another snowmobiler was buried in an avalanche at Latopie Lake in Mono County . The victim was badly injured and was airlifted for emergency care in Reno.

At Mammoth Mountain , two ski patrollers who were performing avalanche mitigation work the day after Christmas to get the resort open for its busiest week of the year were caught in an avalanche. One was seriously injured; the other, 30-year-old Cole Murphy, was killed.

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On Tuesday, the Sierra Avalanche Center warned that the hazards are far from over.

"Multiple people got caught in avalanches yesterday, including one fatal burial," the center said, referring to Thomason. "Triggering an avalanche remains possible today, especially on slopes where wind-blown snow has filled in terrain features near ridges, on open slopes, and in gullies at all elevations (even lower elevations)."

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Discover in-depth insights into the booming Portugal data center market with our comprehensive Excel database. Analyze 12 existing and 9 upcoming colocation data centers in key locations like Lisbon, Covilha, and Madeira. Access detailed metrics on current and future white-floor space, IT load capacities, and colocation pricing. Key operators like Start Campus and Portugal Telecom lead this vibrant market. Ideal for data center REITs, construction contractors, and infrastructure providers. Stay ahead in the dynamic data center landscape of Portugal.

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Locations covered: Covilha, Ermesinde, Lisbon, Madeira, Riba de Ave and Sines

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Current IT load capacity (2025)

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Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.)

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EXISTING DATA CENTERS (12 FACILITIES)

Market Snapshot

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An alleged after-hours nightclub in the City of Binghamton has been issued a lockdown warning following a recent stabbing.

On Jan. 6, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced that a lockdown warning had been issued to the owner of 333 Clinton St., an alleged illegal after-hours nightclub in the First Ward.

A letter has been sent to Outstanding Services 5 LLC, of Binghamton, and Omar Boone, the property owner, stating that the building may be deemed a public nuisance under the Citys Property and Building Nuisance Reform Law.

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The property, according to Kraham, has accrued 22 lockdown points since November 2025. The law states a building is deemed to be a public nuisance if it accumulates 12 or more points in a six-month period or 18 or more points in a 12-month period.

The majority of the 22 total points stem from an alleged assault on Nov. 8, when police responded to the area around 4:50 a.m. for reports of a stabbing. A party was taking place inside the property at the time, according to Kraham and the Binghamton Police.

The other lockdown points stem from general disturbances, noise and a zoning code violation.

333 Clinton St., an alleged after-hours nightclub, has been issued a lockdown warning.

How lockdown laws work in Binghamton

The lockdown laws were reintroduced by the city in May 2022, providing means for the forced closure of buildings deemed a public nuisance.

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Prior to 333 Clinton St., a building at 8 Broome St. received a warning letter and was eventually shut down by the city in May after officers located a spent shell casing as well as evidence of an illegal after-hours bottle service club while responding to a reported shooting there in April.

In city law, After-hours clubs are defined as "commercial spaces that operate in the early morning hours after legal tavern establishments have closed," according to Kraham. These clubs do not have New York State liquor licenses or City planning approvals to operate as nightclubs and often result in illegal activity and "neighborhood quality of life issues."

More: These new laws, policies in New York state will impact affordability in 2026

What's next for Clinton Street business

Kraham said in a statement that properties operating outside of the city's laws "put people in danger, burden emergency services and hurt our neighborhoods."

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"The City of Binghamton will continue to have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal after-hours clubs," he said. "Weve put the owner of 333 Clinton St. on notice  if illegal activity at the property doesnt stop, well use every available resource to shut it down.

The owner of 333 Clinton St. has 30 days to meet with city officials, submit a corrective action plan and "abate the nuisance," according to Kraham. If the owner does not comply with the city and complete these steps, a complaint will be filed with the Binghamton City Court asking for a temporary closing of the premises, or a lockdown.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Lockdown warning issued to alleged after-hours nightclub on Clinton St. in Binghamton
British Airways boss Sean Doyle has adopted a new motto as part of his efforts to improve the flag carrier. Not To Fly, To Serve but Find it, Fix it. Thats what he now tells his staff  as he revealed in a Christmas message to journalists last month.

After a decade of cost cutting and the devastating Covid travel restrictions, BA is improving. There are new routes, hangar-fresh jets, fewer delays, the food on long-haul flights is better, and service more pleasant.

But much remains to be done, so Telegraph Travel has decided to offer Sean Doyle a few pointers. New Years resolutions, if you will.

Sean Doyle, British Airways CEO, told staff he wants the airlines service to improve

Time for tea (and a proper snack)

We cheered when BA decided to bring back a snack and a drink in the cheap seats on short-haul flights but it has become a joke. The smallest bottle of water in the world and the cheapest biscuit you can find does not say: Were sorry we got rid of free food and drink in short-haul economy. Heres something to make amends. It screams bare minimum.

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Please offer bigger bottles of water, better snacks and  call me crazy!  a cup of tea or coffee in the morning. Its the little things that are supposed to make BA better than the low-cost carriers.

Give us an inch

Your predecessor, Alex Cruz, king of the cost cutters, ordered short-haul jets with Ryanair-style legroom in economy. When you refurbish those jets, can we have an inch or two more, please? Well pay a bit extra. Also, whats with only two minuscule lavatories for the more than 150 bog-standard economy class passengers? More full plug sockets to charge our phones would be welcome, too.

The legroom on a BA short-haul flight is now just as tight as Ryanair

Back to business

Those sitting at the front on short-haul flights in Club Europe can pay three times those in economy at the back but they too have to put up with the same legroom as in economy. All you get is an empty  blocked off  middle seat and some good food, albeit it in small portions, although  gasp  no hot English breakfast on some routes. Even when you throw in booze and lounge access, its not worth the premium.

Please take a leaf out of the book of Etihad on its short-haul jets. It offers much larger first and business class seats and a full food and drink menu. This would work well on BAs longer routes from Heathrow to Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.

Embrace the extra legroom

When it comes to long-haul services Virgin Atlantic and the major US carriers offer a few rows of seats at the front of the economy cabin with extra legroom for a little extra cash. This generates millions of pounds a year. But BA only has standard economy seats with a meagre 31-inch pitch. A bit more room at the front would make all the difference for those on a budget  and boost BAs bottom line.

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Also, please fix the last row of seats on the A350 that are so close to the dividing wall between cabins that they do not recline properly.

Screen size matters

Your seats in premium economy are good and getting better. The new ones have wingback dividers at head height for extra privacy. But, Sean, youve skimped on the size of the TV screen. Cathay Pacific offers larger screens. Size matters.

Fly the flag

The business-class Club Suite is a big improvement on the back to front seat pairs of old but why charcoal grey upholstery? BAs signature colours are navy, red, and white. Also, once fully reclined the bed is not as smooth and as flat as on other carriers. Please give us thicker mattresses.

BAs premium economy offering is improving, but screen size remains a sticking point for our expert

Upstairs, downstairs

The new first-class suite on long-haul service is snazzy and its not too late to introduce it on the upper deck of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, rather than downstairs as you plan. Its quieter upstairs, the lavatories are bigger  and, lets be honest, whats the point in travelling first class unless you can look down on other people?

Last orders

Virgin Atlantic has announced it is ditching its on board bar  against founder Sir Richard Bransons wishes. Why not steal Virgins clothes and install a bar on the A380? The BA Bar has a ring to it.

Time to retire

Your long-haul Boeing 777 jets are too old. When I pulled my phone charger out of the socket on the wall on a flight from Singapore to Sydney recently the entire socket came out of the wall. Please replace them as fast as you can with the 787 Dreamliner, the 777x and the Airbus A350. Theyre quieter, with higher air pressure and burn less fuel per passenger.

Food for thought

BAs food is better but breakfast in all cabins bar first class is consistently awful. Heres two suggestions: improve the full English in business class and offer bircher muesli and a decent cup of coffee in other cabins  but only serve it on overnight flights over nine hours. No-one wants to be woken up early on a JFK to Heathrow flight to be offered something they dont want to eat.

Frozen out

Sean, you keep saying you will fix BAs app and website. But they are still badly designed and freeze every five minutes. The United Airlines app does not crash and, as well as confirming my seat number, it tells me where to be dropped off at the terminal building to minimise my walk to check-in.

It will end in tiers

Why do tier points and Avios take days to credit my BA Club account? Qatar Airways rewards credit once you have boarded the flight. Perhaps you can do this when fast, reliable Starlink Wi-Fi is introduced.

At your service

BA service still lags the warmth and attentiveness you get on Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and all the Gulf carriers. Many travellers choose long-haul airlines based on service, rather than price. BA used to be the best at it.

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Redouble your efforts to treat all passengers as guests, not self-loading freight. And have more staff available at airports and online when flights are disrupted or baggage lost.

The lounges desperately need more places to work - Nick Morrish/British Airways

Lounge act

The competition outguns you on business and first-class lounges. Your new lounges in Miami and Dubai are better  especially the showers. But will the retro gold and bronze colours in those lounges work in your hyper-modern glass and steel flagship Heathrow Terminal 5? And if Qantas, Cathay, Virgin Atlantic, and the Gulf carriers offer table service in all their big new lounges, why cant BA?

Please can we also have more quiet areas to work and make phone calls in the lounges. Cathay Pacific leads the way here with its boardrooms. A new Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow is much needed. All your lounges are over-crowded. The same goes for boarding groups. Perhaps that will change next year when the changes to the BA Club loyalty programme, which make it harder to earn silver and gold status, kick in.

The Telegraphs John Arlidge at the new British Airways Dubai lounge

Life beyond Heathrow

As a proud son of Cork, you know that not all BA passengers live in London and the South East. Virgin Atlantic, Delta, United, JetBlue, Aer Lingus, and many Asian and Gulf carriers offer direct long-haul flights from airports in the north of England and Scotland. If they can do it, why cant BA?

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Brown University announced today that they will be launching a campus wide healing and recovery effort after last months shooting.

The mass shooting on campus happened in December when authorities said Claudio Neves Velente shot 11 students at the Barus and Holley building.

Two students, Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, died while the nine others were seriously injured.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Brown University President Christina Paxton said the effort, titled Brown Ever True, would bring together resources, programming and services focused on mental health, psychological wellness and ensuring a sense of physical security for the Brown community.

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There is no playbook for what we have been through as a community, Paxson wrote.

There is no single source of truth for how any of us should heal. No one path to begin again, or right way to find peace, solace and joy. But we are Brown  the enduring strength of our caring and supportive community has long been a hallmark of who we are. Ever true," she continued.

The community-effort will bring together ideas and contributions of academic and administrative units, with student organizations.

The effort, according to Paxton, will increase systems of support, building on the coordinated response from offices across campus that mobilized to provide services after the shooting on December 13.

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The effort will already intersect with plans already in progress for enhancing campus safety and security.

Just last week, Brown Universitys interim Vice President for Public Safety, Hugh Clements, released a new action as the spring semester is less than a month away.

Clements is a former chief of Providence police and was recently named the interim public safety vice president after Rodney Chatman, was placed on leave.

Browns recovery also includes planning remembrances for Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov.

The outpouring of love and support for their families from the Brown and Providence communities has been deeply moving, and we continue to hold them in our hearts, Paxson said.

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As we process our grief for Ella and Mukhammad, we will memorialize them, as well as the experiences of the nine injured students, in a campus-wide service being planned for late January. While all the injured students now have been released from the hospital, they and so many others continue to navigate through very real challenges of coping with tragedy.

Paxtons full letter can be read here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Claudio Neves Valente, the 48-year-old Portuguese national who opened fire at Brown University, killing two students last month before also murdering a prominent MIT professor, confessed in a series of videos that he was planning the school shooting for a long period of time, federal officials said Tuesday.

While searching the Salem, New Hampshire, storage facility in which Neves Valente was found dead days after both shootings, investigators found an electronic device containing several short videos made by the Portuguese national, US Attorney Leah Foley said Tuesday.

Neves Valente confessed that he had been carefully canvassing Browns campus and planned to commit a shooting at Brown University for at least six semesters, but did not state an exact motive.

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To say that I was extraordinarily satisfied, no, but also I dont regret what I did, Neves Valente is quoted as saying in a transcript provided by Foleys office.

According to Foleys office, Neves Valente stated on video that he did not intend to carry out the shooting in an auditorium.

I wanted to do it in a regular room. And I had plenty of opportunities, especially this semester, I had plenty of opportunities, but I always chickened out, and I already explained why I did it this time, Neves Valente said.

When I say that I have no hatred toward America, I also have no love for it. I have no love. Actually, I think that coming here, both times I did, was a f****g mistake. But to say that you all are extraordinarily bad, that would be neither bad nor good, Neves Valente allegedly disclosed further in a separate video.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: A bouquet is left outside of the engineering and physics building at Brown University, the site of a mass shooting Saturday that left at least two people dead and nine others injured, on December 14, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: A bouquet is left outside of the engineering and physics building at Brown University, the site of a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Students walk through the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Police patrol Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: A student who had to shelter yesterday pauses on the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Students walk through the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: A person jogs by police tape near the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Students walk through the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Students walk through the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People pause outside of the engineering and physics building at Brown University, the site of a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: A police officer removes crime scene tape at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Students walk through the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Police patrol Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: A person pauses outside of the engineering and physics building at Brown University, the site of a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Students walk through the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: Students walk through the campus at Brown University following a mass shooting that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting yesterday at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 13: Police officers remain on the scene of a shooting that killed two and wounded at least eight at Brown University on December 13, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. Students remain locked in their dorms as police search for the suspect. (Photo by Libby O'Neill/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - DECEMBER 14: People gather for a candlelight vigil following a mass shooting at Brown University that left at least two people dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday as students were preparing for exams and the holiday break. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Neves Valente also did not provide a motive for his slaying of a prominent MIT professor in Brookline two days later but complained about a self-inflicted injury he suffered during the shooting.

" I did one more, basically, since Im not sure; it was done at a relatively short distance and quickly, and I dont know exactly when I was hit in the eye," Neves Valente said.

Investigators have said that a key witness who encountered Neves Valente near Brown University helped them identify and track down the suspect.

Neves Valente seemingly commented on the witness, saying on camera: I was almost confronted by a guy there that day ... not almost, I actually was confronted and he knew my license plate, I honestly never thought it would take them so long to find me.

Neves Valente was found dead at a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, several days after the shooting. Investigators believe he took his own life in a storage unit separate from the one he was renting.

Neves Valente used international SIM cards, multiple license plates, and credit cards in different names to vanish after the shooting.

On video, Neves Valente acknowledged the car that investigators would eventually pinpoint at Brown University and the killing of MIT Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro could be seen on video just outside the storage facility.

Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and fusion scientist, had joined MIT in 2016 and was named last year to lead the schools Plasma Science and Fusion Center, one of its largest laboratories. The scientist from Viseu, Portugal, had been working to explain the physics behind astronomical phenomena such as solar flares.

Neves Valente and Loureiro were classmates in an engineering program in Portugal between 1995 and 2000. Loureiro graduated from the physics program at Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugals premier engineering school, in 2000, according to his MIT faculty page. The same year, Neves Valente was let go from a position at the Lisbon university, according to an archive of a termination notice from the schools then-president in February 2000. It was not clear if the two former classmates had communicated at all since their days in school.

Neves Valente also denied that he was mentally ill, saying on camera, " I am sane."

In a third video, Neves Valente also seemingly addressed the investigators he knew would eventually find the videos.

To sum it all up, that is it. I do not even know if Im going to leave this here. But even if I delete it, it is on an SD card, its going to be a little hard. I want to know if you are going to post this, maybe I would prefer that you dont, Neves Valente said.

 I dont care at all about being famous, having a legacy, and shit like that, manifestos and f*****g stuff. I have absolutely no patience for that. Even though I would have a lot to say and write, I dont care. Im not going to give you the right to that, he continued.

The two Brown students killed during a study session for final exams were 19-year-old sophomore Ella Cook and 18-year-old freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. Cook was active in her Alabama church and served as vice president of the Brown College Republicans. Umurzokovs family immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan when he was a child, and he aspired to be a doctor.

Every student wounded in the deadly shooting was out of the hospital by January 5.

Every student wounded in Brown University shooting is out of the hospital

Federal officials say they are continuing to investigate Neves Valentes motives further.

You can read the full transcript of Neves Valente released by the federal government below:

Transcript of Brown University Shooter by Boston 25 Desk

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Before Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the gruesome murders of four University of Idaho students, he battled a brutal drug addiction.

During a recent sit-down with the New York Times, his sister Mel Kohberger revealed that Bryan, 31, was bullied as a teenager and regularly struggled deeply with his sense of self worth. Following these experiences, he developed an addiction to heroin that sent his life into a downward spiral. Mel recalled one instance when Bryan went so far as to steal her cell phone to pawn it at a mall so that he could use the money to buy drugs.

Despite his struggles, he eventually went into treatment for his addiction and set his life on a new path. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from DeSales University in 2020, and two years later, he went on to receive a Masters degree in Criminal Justice at the same school. In Fall 2022, he took his education a step further when he enrolled in Washington State University as a Ph.D criminology student.

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We were all so proud of him because he had overcome so much, Mel said of her and her familys feelings towards Bryan at the time.

However, his life took another sharp turn when he was taken into police custody in connection with the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, after only completing one semester as WSU. The four students were found dead at their shared home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022  a crime Mel claimed she had no idea her brother was connected to prior to his arrest.

Bryan Kohbergers Sister Calls Out True Crime Culture as She Breaks Silence on Idaho Murders

I have always been a person who has spoken up for what was right, she told the New York Times earlier this month. If I ever had a reason to believe my brother did anything, I would have turned him in.

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Nearly three years later, Bryan accepted a plea deal  seemingly in an attempt to avoid the possibility of receiving the death penalty  and signed a confession admitting to the quadruple murders. At his July 2025 sentencing hearing, while the families and friends of his victims shared their final statements with him in court, he could be seen sitting quietly with a sketch of a black heart surrounded by streaks of color.

Disturbing Takeaways From Unsealed Idaho Murders Documents After Bryan Kohberger Gets Life in Prison

At the time, the Mirror reported a headline that read: Bryan Kohberger keeps creepy drawing close during sentencing for quadruple killing. However, Mel has since confirmed that she had been the one to draw it for him so that he could keep it with him and know that he was loved.

Bryan is currently incarcerated at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, Idaho. He has yet to publicly confess the reasons behind the violent murders.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Burglars broke into a Lululemon in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, early Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at the store in Suburban Square, located on the unit block of Montgomery Avenue.

Video shows the glass door smashed and items scattered around the store.

RELATED: Thieves steal $10,000 in merchandise from Lululemon store in Delco

Authorities say at least two masked suspects burglarized the store and then took off with armloads of men's clothing in a U-Haul pick-up truck.

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Police say the suspects used a sledgehammer to shatter the door. They ran straight to the men's section, grabbing coats, vests and shirts, before running out. One of the men returned moments later to take even more merchandise.

"This is taking it to another level," Lower Merion Police Superintendent Andy Block said.

Police are searching for at least two men. The U-Haul was last seen on Bryn Mawr and Woodbine avenues.

The athleisure wear brand is often a popular target for thieves, as each item of clothing costs about $100 and up.

"They're using it on the market, maybe they're exchanging it for drugs, or they're selling it on the black market. It's a highly sought-after item," said Superintendent Block.

RELATED: 4 women accused of stealing over $10,000 in items from Lululemon in Montgomery County

This same store in Ardmore was ransacked by women who ran out with armloads full of merchandise back in May, 2024.

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Unfortunately, these thefts and subsequent chases have also turned dangerous, and even deadly.

Teens were killed when their vehicle crashed while being pursued by police after being suspected of robbing a Lululemon in April, 2024.

It is unclear how much merchandise was taken in Tuesday's burglary.

There were no injuries reported.

No arrests have been made.
Michael Daigler, a 62-year-old former second-grade teacher at Burke County Public Schools, was arrested in Caldwell County on charges of disseminating obscene material to a minor under the age of 15, the Valdese Police Department announced on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Budget shortfall hits Burke County Public Schools

After executing a search warrant at Daiglers home, he was taken into custody after a monthslong investigation on Tuesday morning and charged with disseminating obscene material to a minor.

BCPS is cooperating with the investigation.

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Daigler has been with BCPS since March 11, 2015, with his last assignment as a teacher at Valdese Elementary School under a 10-month contract, district officials said.

Jamie Sutherland, whose child was in Daiglers class, said she and other parents were never contacted about the allegations.

This is how we are finding out about the situation, Sutherland told Channel 9s Dave Faherty. And that is my childs teacher. And they still havent let us know a single thing.

The Valdese Police Department received notifications from parents in the Valdese community in November 2025 about the alleged dissemination of obscene materials to minors involving Daigler.

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A mother reported her concerns to authorities after her 13-year-old son interacted with Daigler on Snapchat telling him he was 15, according to court documents. Daigler sent an inappropriate photo on a Discord account later confessing to police that he communicated with 50 kids or teens to obtain child sexual abuse material.

Following the report, the police department reached out to the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and initiated a joint investigation. He was eventually arrested.

BCPS officials said they suspended Daigler with pay pending investigation on Nov. 17, 2025. The district later suspended him without pay on Dec. 17, 2025. His salary before suspension without pay was $5,116 per month.

District officials said thier internal investigation found the victims were not his students and the alleged incidents did not occur on school grounds.

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A parent of a second grader, who asked not to be identified, wished the school district had been more open.

Theyre just really dropping the ball, the parent said. We have kids in those classes that we really need to talk to ensure their safety.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan recommended Daigler for termination, which will go before the Burke County Board of Education at its next regular meeting on Jan. 26.

Our priority is the wellbeing and safety of our students, and we are prepared to provide support for students and staff as needed, Swan said. We have conducted our own internal investigation into this matter and continue to fully support law enforcement in their investigation.

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Faherty asked the district why they didnt send out a notice months ago and they told us it was because it was an ongoing investigation.

Daigler was processed at the Burke County Magistrates Office before being placed in the custody of the Burke County Jail under a secure bond of $500,000.

The investigation is ongoing and no further details have been released at this time.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.

VIDEO: Woman sues Burke County Schools over alleged failure to protect from predator
The Canton Police Department said a man is in custody after being accused of setting three public restrooms on fire at city parks.

According to the police department, Francisco Landrau Ferrer set the fires on Jan. 3 at Heritage Park and Etowah River Park.

Police said officers responding to the the scene at Heritage Park found trash cans in the restrooms had been set on fire, causing smoke damage.

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A similar scene was found at Etowah River Park, police said. One of the burnt trash cans was found near the gravel lot and another was found near a pavilion by the playground.

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In each case, trash cans inside the restrooms had been set on fire and smoke damage was present, police said.

TRENDING STORIES:

The Cherokee County Fire Department responded to both incidents and confirmed there werent any active fires.

Police said all three fires allegedly set by Ferrer happened within about 30 minutes of each other.

Detectives were able to quickly link the incidents and identified Ferrer as the suspect, partially using security footage from park cameras, the police department said.

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Ferrer was arrested on Jan. 5, according to officials, and charged with:

3 counts of arson, 1st degree

1 count of criminal trespass - damage

1 count of loitering and prowling

No one was injured from the fires at the city-owned restrooms, according to police.

I want to commend our detectives for their quick and thorough work on this case. This kind of reckless, destructive behavior directly threatens the safety and quality of life in our community, and we will respond swiftly and seriously, Police Chief Marty Ferrell said in a statement. The City of Canton is a place where residents and families can feel safe in our parks and public spaces.

Anyone who knows more about the incidents is encouraged to get in touch with the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

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Five years ago today, Donald Trump and a mob of his supporters urged Congress to do what voters and courts would not: Allow him to rule over a country whose people had rejected him.

Trump learned in the final days of his first term that the Constitution is riddled with ambiguities, loopholes and untested limits. And in the years since, he learned its nearly impossible to punish a president who decides to test them. In fact, he was rewarded with a second term and a powerful, Supreme Court-issued form of immunity from prosecution.

Trump 2.0 has been the expression of that lesson.

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And those who rioted on Trumps behalf learned a similar lesson. Within hours of retaking office, Trump mass pardoned the 1,500 people who stormed the Capitol in his name, including hundreds who assaulted police.

The federal judges who presided over their cases worried at the time that the most egregious perpetrators would see clemency as an endorsement of their violence. But perhaps even more acutely, they warned that an abrupt end to the Jan. 6 prosecutions would prevent the nation from ever reckoning with an even more troubling aspect of the attack: how hundreds of previously law-abiding citizens  many of whom served their country and overcame personal adversity  were duped by a lie about the 2020 election and goaded into joining the mob.

Those twin lessons suggest that Jan. 6 remains crucial to understanding Trumps second presidency, as much as it helped define his first. The ethos of Trumps second term was forged in the final days of his first.

A presidency unbound

As he did five years ago, Trump is surgically targeting the space between the lines of the Constitution, testing or blowing past limits that his predecessors didnt dare to approach.

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In rapid succession, Trump invoked emergency powers to impose unprecedented tariffs; challenged Congress power of the purse by slashing billions from foreign aid programs; deployed the National Guard to cities and states against the will of their leaders; used wartime authorities to deport hundreds without due process; and ordered lethal strikes against boats he says were carrying drugs to the U.S.

Each gambit, including last weeks operation to yank Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas, required Trump to step across legally dubious boundaries. Its a maximalist view of executive power, carried out with the bravado of a president who knows hes out of the reach of prosecutors, lawmakers and courts who tried to punish him for threatening the transfer of power five years ago.



The collapse of accountability

Trump has spent the year trying to rebrand the prosecution of the Capitol attack, rather than the attack itself, as a grave national injustice. He has made common cause with the rioters and purged the investigators who sought to hold him  and the attackers  accountable.

Aiding that effort, nearly all of the state-level criminal cases against the Trump-led bid to overturn the 2020 election have crumbled. And Trump recently issued a second, sweeping pardon for anyone who aided his bid to subvert the 2020 election, including attorneys Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman and Sidney Powell.

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Its against that backdrop that Trump will mark his first Jan. 6 as president since the one that nearly turned him into a pariah.

The medias continued obsession with January 6 is one of the many reasons trust in the press is at historic lows  they arent covering issues that the American people actually care about, said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, without noting Trumps own continued social media messaging about Jan. 6, as recently as last month. President Trump was resoundingly reelected to enact an agenda based on securing the border, driving down crime, and restarting our economy  the President is delivering.



A reckoning cut short

In the weeks before Trumps second inauguration, many judges worried that the impending pardon of Jan. 6 defendants would erase efforts to understand how ordinary, law-abiding citizens became foot soldiers in a mob, duped by powerful leaders who lied about the 2020 election results.

I dont know if weve done enough as a country to reflect on how that happened, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said at a December 2024 proceeding. His comments came as he sentenced Richard Markey to 30 months in prison for assaulting a police officer at the Capitol. The Obama-appointed judge wondered aloud how a man with no criminal history, a stable family life and reputation as a do-gooder could have found himself at the front lines of a misbegotten mob and how people like Mr. Markey, for that moment in time, became somebody theyre not  loss of control, flashes of anger, desire to do violence.

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The story was similar for David Camden. After a troubled childhood with a drug-addicted father, Camden enlisted in the Army in 1997 and would go on to earn an honorable discharge. Along the way he became hooked on meth and spent years battling addiction and homelessness. Despite those challenges, Camden would check himself into rehab and a halfway house, earn a degree and a stable job. Hes been sober for 20 years and used his experience to become a prolific advocate for drug abuse treatment and rescuing animals.

But on Jan. 6, 2021, Camden joined the mob. He pushed police barricades, rallied rioters and deployed a fire extinguisher at police, persisting even after taking chemical spray to his face.

To U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, Camdens case was a tragedy. You pulled yourself out of this abyss, she marveled at his Jan. 10, 2025, sentencing hearing, only to risk it all for a lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

Cases like Markeys and Camdens were strikingly common: Many Jan. 6 defendants hit rock bottom at the height of the Covid pandemic, lost jobs and social connections, fell down social media rabbit holes and became susceptible to lies about election fraud. Often, they were military veterans with undertreated mental health issues. Some judges lamented the disproportionate number of veterans on their dockets.

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The search for understanding ended abruptly with Trumps mass pardon  which also shortened or altogether erased punishment for the most egregiously violent defendants and those who plotted to stop the transfer of power.

They include Julian Khater, who maced Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick a day before his death (ruled to be from natural causes); Ryan Nichols, who filmed himself en route to the Capitol warning lawmakers were going to drag your fucking ass through the streets before joining in a melee with police; Ryan Samsel, who ignited the earliest breach of police lines before unleashing a torrent of violence and threats across Capitol grounds; and David Dempsey, who hurled objects at police, swung poles, used pepper spray and more en route to a 20-year jail sentence.

There were the 18 seditious conspiracy convictions that Trump wiped away, mostly with commutations, for leaders of the far-right Oath Keepers and Proud Boys who strategically positioned themselves in the mob to help cause maximum mayhem  part of what juries agreed was a plot to violently stop the transfer of power from Trump to Joe Biden. Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes oversaw the stockpiling of firearms and equipment at an Arlington hotel  a quick-reaction force that his group was prepared to rush into Washington if the fighting escalated.

Members of the mob stalked the halls of the Capitol, sending lawmakers fleeing in terror, pursuing then-Vice President Mike Pence for refusing Trumps call to overturn the election  the QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley left a menacing note on for Pence in the Senate chamber  ransacked Speaker Nancy Pelosis office, stealing her laptop in the process, and terrorized lawmakers and Hill staffers who feared they may not make it out alive. Many perpetrators carried weapons, like John Banuelos, who fired a gun in the air outside the Capitol, and Patrick McCaughey, who pinned D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges in a doorway, leading to an iconic image of the days hand-to-hand combat.



The fight to preserve history

In recent weeks, however, there have been small but persistent efforts to keep alive the reality of Jan. 6.

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Members of the Houses former Democrat-led Jan. 6 committee, who aggressively investigated Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election, will reconvene in a session to highlight Trumps role stoking the chaos.

Former special counsel Jack Smith, who charged Trump for seeking to subvert the 2020 election, used his Dec. 17 deposition before a Republican-led House committee to lay blame for the chaos and violence of Jan. 6 at Trumps feet. And Republicans repeatedly handed him a platform to lay out the evidence he amassed against Trump and express confidence he wouldve won a guilty verdict if the case ever went to trial.

The case we would've presented at trial would've been Donald Trump preying on the party allegiance of people in his party, Smith said, a refrain he returned to repeatedly in his daylong interview.

And despite their fitful effort, Democratic lawmakers and police suing Trump over his Jan. 6 actions are on the verge of a ruling that could determine whether their five-year-old lawsuits will make it to trial.

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Criminal cases against some of Trumps low- and mid-level 2020 allies are advancing anew in Nevada and Wisconsin, stemming from Trumps bid to assemble false slates of presidential electors to stoke a legal controversy about the election results.

And the fortuitously timed arrest of a man alleged to have planted pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC headquarters on the evening of Jan. 5 has opened new avenues to discover details about how Jan. 6 unfolded. The discovery of those pipe bombs by Capitol Police diverted resources just as the mob breached barricades and surged toward the foot of the building.

Alexis Loeb, a former federal prosecutor who handled Jan. 6 cases, said it seems too soon to know how Jan. 6 will be remembered. I dont think its as simple as saying well, President Trump was partially immunized, he was reelected, everyone was pardoned or had their sentences commuted, its all been washed away.

The pardons couldnt erase everything. Theres still the evidentiary record. The pardons arent the end of the story, she said.
A caregiver from an Ocoee group home is accused of attempting to murder another caregiver. It all began after the suspect argued with a different caregiver.

Kimerse Akins says she was surprised when 22-year-old Journey Powell pulled out a gun in the driveway where they work. I didnt expect him to even shoot no gun, especially at no females.

She says she, Powell, and another person were caregivers at this home in Ocoee for autistic individuals patients. Its a group home for a special need. According to investigators, no patients at the home were injured.

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But some saw their caregiver resisting officers as he was being arrested.

Akins says she and Powell had been dating on and off when they started arguing outside. According to officers, Journey hit Akins several times, then pulled out a weapon from his car and shattered the windshield of Kimerses Dodge Charger.

As she drove away with a co-worker, the report states Powell started shooting, and thats when her co-worker got hit. He did, shoot her. The crossfire, she was in the way. She was shot in the, I think up towards the top a little bit.

According to police, when officers attempted to arrest Journey inside the home, he refused to comply. The six autistic patients were removed from the house for safety.

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The other caregiver, who was shot, was taken to the hospital and survived. Akins says, Shes fine. She was just texting me. She said shes just sleeping a lot.

No supervisors at the home would comment. Neighbors off Laurel Blossom Circle had no idea this was a group home and were concerned to hear about the shooting outside. One neighbor says, I was shocked to hear that, not expecting to hear that at all. Thats crazy.

Powell faces charges of attempted murder, firing into a vehicle, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest.

Akins hopes hes held accountable, I do hope he gets the time served for shooting her and beating on me.

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A trader made more than $436,000 on a prediction market by appearing to anticipate former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's capture by U.S. forces last weekend, raising questions about the timing of the bet and the integrity of such online futures trading platforms.

An anonymous user on Polymarket won the payout after placing a roughly $32,000 wager on Maduro's removal  just before President Trump announced the U.S. had ousted the former leader.

The longshot wager raises questions about the anonymous bettor's identity and potential access to inside information ahead of the U.S. operation to seize Maduro and his wife, legal and financial experts told CBS News.

Polymarket, a New York-based cryptocurrency prediction market that recently secured a $2 billion investment from stock exchange operator Intercontinental Exchange, is currently pursuing regulatory approval in the U.S.

Suspicious timing?

A Polymarket account holder, who appeared to join the trading platform in December, bet $32,537 on the likelihood that Maduro would be "out by January 31, 2026." The speculative investment was placed shortly before Mr. Trump announced Maduro's arrest at 4:21 a.m. Saturday on Truth Social.

An anonymous bettor made over $400,000 on a $32,000 wager that former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would be ousted by the end of January. / Credit: Polymarket

Experts said several indicators suggest the bettor could have had access to classified information regarding the U.S. operation to capture Maduro.

"It clearly suggests that the bettor did have access to inside information," said Dennis Kelleher, cofounder and CEO of Better Markets, a nonpartisan advocacy group focused on financial reform. "This particular bet has all the hallmarks of a trade based on inside information. It happened very late, right before the very event they were betting on happened; it was a relatively large amount of money; and it happened in a market that is not really regulated and where there is no transparency."

Three additional bets were made via the same Polymarket account: a $1,000 wager on the U.S. invading Venezuela by January 31; a $250 wager that Mr. Trump would invoke the War Powers Act against Venezuela by January 31; and a $146 wager that U.S. forces would land in Venezuela by the end of the month.

"It was a new account only betting on issues around the Venezuelan president's potential removal from office  there are a lot of telltale signs that make it seem like insider trading," Stephen Piepgrass, a regulatory attorney at Troutman Pepper Locke who specializes in futures trading, told CBS News.

Polymarket did not respond to a request for comment on the Maduro-related bets. Last fall, company CEO Shayne Coplan told CBS News that insiders "having an edge to the market is a good thing."
Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday announced that it is changing its childhood vaccination schedule to align with other developed nations.

The change, which is based on the vaccine practices in 20 "peer, developed nations," most specifically Denmark, is aimed at reducing the number of vaccines and vaccine doses that children in the United States receive based on what officials at the Department of Health and Human Services say is too high a count of shots.

"After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent," HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said in a press release.

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"This decision protects children, respects families and rebuilds trust in public health," he said.

The change was met with concern by a range of professional healthcare societies, including the American Association of Pediatrics and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

"Today's announcement by federal health officials to arbitrarilly stop recommending numerous routine childhood immunizations is dangerous and unnecessary," Andrew D. Racine, president of the AAP, said in a statement.

"The longstanding, evidence-based approach that has guided the U.S. immunization review and recommendation process remains the best way to keep children healthy and protect against health complications and hospitalizations," Racine said.

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Kennedy has long been associated with anti-vaccine sentiments, including the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism and doubts expressed about COVID-19 vaccines that disregard study and real-world data.

Although he told Congress during his confirmation hearing in January 2025 that he is not anti-vaccine, since taking over the HHS he has canceled several vaccine research programs at the CDC and Food and Drug Administration and fired a wide range of experts who have long worked on vaccines and vaccine policy amid what he has said is an effort to rebuild citizens' trust in government health agencies and the advice they offer.

Among Kennedy's actions was firing all 17 members of a committee that makes recommendations about vaccines to the CDC and replacing them with a hand-picked selection of vaccine skeptics.

Kennedy last February said he was going to make investigating the benefits of the childhood vaccine schedule a priority, noting that he would take an "open mind" to what many consider "settled science" for vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and other infectious diseases.

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According to the HHS, the CDC will continue to recommend that all are children receive vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenza B, pneumococcus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, HPV and chickenpox.

Vaccines that the agency is recommending for high-risk groups are RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue and meningococcus.

And the CDC is now recommending that vaccines for rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B are given based on shared clinical decision-making.

The HHS and the CDC said the changes are based on the United States recommending more childhood vaccine doses than any other peer nation, and twice as many as some European nations, and that data is insufficient to suggest the formerly recommended shots are necessary.

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The agencies also said that the new schedule allows for more flexibility and choice, with less coercion.

Experts have expressed doubt about the need or benefits for the changes, saying that there is not data to back up the changes and they will potentially lead to the spread of diseases that can be prevented.

Amesh Adalja, physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told UPI that the effect of the changes, which he called intentional, will be to decrease the uptake of certain vaccines in the United States and that there is no scientific justification for them.

"This will lead to predictable increases in illness, disruption, hospitalizations and -- with certain infections -- deaths," Adalja said. "Individuals will be confused regarding what is actually recommended."

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He said that the burden on primary care doctors will increase as they not only help their patients navigate issues and decisions, but will likely increase the care that some people need.

"The decision was entirely arbitrary because some people 'felt' that the number of diseases vaccinated against was too high, akin to those who are afraid of the numbers 13 or 666," Adalja said.
Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera has won a third term after securing an outright majority in last month's presidential election, provisional results show.

The 68-year-old mathematics professor was widely expected to win after the main opposition coalition boycotted the poll, citing concerns about electoral fairness.

Touadera campaigned on his security record in the chronically unstable nation after rebels seized power in 2013, a crisis that led the government to enlist support from Russian mercenaries and Rwandan soldiers.

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He has faced heavy criticism after a 2023 constitution removed term limits, allowing him to keep running for office.

More than 2.4 million people registered for the 28 December general election, which observers described as largely peaceful despite delays caused by the late arrival of voting material and problems with the electoral register.

Touadera secured 76% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced late on Monday by the election agency.

His closest challengers, Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, both former prime ministers, received 15% and 3% of the vote respectively.

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Both have called for the results to be annulled, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud.

On Friday, Dologuele said there had been "a methodical attempt to manipulate" the outcome.

The main opposition coalition, known by its French acronym BRDC, boycotted the election, saying it was unlikely to be fair.

The government has denied the claims.

The Constitutional Court has until 20 January to rule on any challenges and declare the final results.

The CAR is one of Africa's poorest and most unstable countries, even though it is rich in resources such as diamonds and uranium. The UN estimates that about half the population is dependent on humanitarian aid.

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Since 2013, the landlocked country has been mired in conflict after rebels seized power, ousting then-President Francois Bozize.

A 2019 peace deal between the government and 14 armed groups helped ease tensions, though six of the groups later withdrew from the agreement.

Analysts say Touadera's win could bolster the interests of Russia, which has provided security assistance in exchange for access to resources such as gold and diamonds.

The CAR was one of the first African countries where Wagner, a Russian mercenary group, became active, providing security to Touadera.

More BBC stories about the Central African Republic:

[Getty Images/BBC]

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ST. LOUIS  A suspected gunman will remain jailed until trial for a shooting last month that injured a 13-year-old boy.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments probable cause statement, the shooting happened around 7:35 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2025, in the 800 block of Canaan Avenue, located in the citys Baden neighborhood.

Police said the victim was standing in the doorway of a home when several shots rang out. The teen suffered what police described as a through-and-through wound to the buttocks. The residence also sustained ballistic damage.

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Truck leaving Missouri caught with 300 pounds of cocaine

After speaking with witnesses and reviewing surveillance video, investigators later identified a black sedan as the shooters vehicle. Video showed the sedan pulling up in the alleyway behind the residence, the driver exiting the car with an AR-style rifle and firing multiple rounds at the home.

The driver was identified as Davon K. Blair, 33. Blair was arrested on Jan. 3.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Blair with first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. He has a confined docket hearing scheduled for Jan. 14, followed by a preliminary hearing on Feb. 2.

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Blair was already serving a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of fourth-degree assault on Feb. 20, 2025. These new charges violate the conditions of his release.

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BEIJING, Jan 5 (Reuters) - China and Pakistan pledged on Monday to further deepen ties and expand cooperation, reaffirming to each other their historically "ironclad" friendship as signs of rapprochement between Islamabad and Washington grow.

Pakistan is one of China's closest partners, diplomatically supporting Beijing on a wide range of internationally sensitive issues ranging from the status of Taiwan to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and the South China Sea.

In exchange, Beijing has poured billions of dollars into the South Asian country through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) - a flagship project under China's Belt and Road trade and infrastructure initiative.

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But repeated Islamist militant attacks on Chinese nationals working on the CPEC and other projects in Pakistan have become a major source of tension in recent years.

Adding to the complexity in the Sino-Pakistani relationship, U.S.-Pakistani ties have warmed since President Donald Trump returned to the White House a year ago and landed a diplomatic victory in a region that China regards as within its sphere of influence.

Pakistan even said it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for helping resolve a conflict it had with India.

In a joint statement on Monday, China and Pakistan said they would build an upgraded version of the CPEC, focus on their cooperation on industry, agriculture and mining, and step up collaboration in the financial and banking sector.

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China then praised Pakistan's "comprehensive measures" to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and projects, the statement read.

Both sides also called for more "visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organisations" entrenched in Afghanistan, which shares borders with both Pakistan and China. No details were given.

'ALL-WEATHER STRATEGIC PARTNERS'

Pakistan is among an exclusive group of countries that China regards as an "all-weather strategic partner", with close ties dating back decades.

The first premier of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai, once credited Pakistan as a bridge in normalising Beijing's relations with the U.S. in the 1970s, with Islamabad often acting as a channel of communication between Beijing and the outside world at the time.

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But warming U.S.-Pakistani ties since 2025 under the Trump administration are creating a counterweight to China's so-called neighbourhood diplomacy with countries with which it shares a border.

Pakistan last March hailed its counter-terrorism cooperation with Washington after the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, whom it blames for a 2021 attack on U.S. troops at Kabul airport. Trump publicly thanked Pakistan for its role in the capture.

The Trump administration also released $397 million for a U.S.-backed programme in Pakistan that monitors use of F-16 fighter jets in counter-terrorism efforts despite Washington's global freeze in foreign aid.

On Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Beijing to reaffirm the "ironclad friendship and strategic mutual trust" between the two neighbours.

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"China and Pakistan will further promote their ironclad ties, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and continue to strengthen their strategic cooperation to break new ground," the joint statement said.

(Reporting by Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo; editing by Christian Schmollinger and Mark Heinrich)
The drying Rio Grande, as shown here in Albuquerque in the summer of 2025. (Laura Paskus for Source NM)

A male house finch belts out his springtime song. Mustard greens have pushed through the loam in my backyard. The hyssop and salvia are greening up, and so are the Mexican sage and globemallow. Sunflowers and poppies are sprouting, and I slept Sunday night with the window cracked open  38 degrees is usually my threshold for allowing cold air into the room. In the morning, theres not even a skiff of ice on the birdbath water.

Like many of you, Ive been walking a fine line between joy and terror this winter.

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Oh, its so nice to be outside! And I love listening for screech owls and coyotes at night. But these balmy days and nights fill me with dread. They arent just omens of a hot, dry year. They also weaken ecosystems and species that rely upon winter. Including humans.

In 2025, Albuquerque experienced its hottest year on record, and at the end of December, more than 80% of the state was in drought.

In early January, Red Flag warnings already exist for Quay, Curry and Roosevelt counties. The National Interagency Fire Center is forecasting above normal wildlife potential for eastern New Mexico in February. And the soil moisture map looks like the state is breaking out into measles.

Snowpack across New Mexico is grim. (Do you really want to see the median numbers as of early January? Rio Grande Headwaters in Colorado: 52 percent. Upper Rio Grande in New Mexico: 30. San Juan River Basin: 51. Rio Chama River Basin: 57. Jemez River Basin: 17. Pecos River Basin: 34.) And were facing continued La Nina conditions, at least through the next three months.

Meanwhile, New Mexico doesnt have much in its water savings account; just look at the reservoir numbers from the top of the Rio Chama to the Lower Rio Grande in New Mexico. Heron Reservoir is 7% full; El Vado, 13%; Abiquiu, 58%; Elephant Butte, 8%; and Caballo, 7%.

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From this vantage point in early January  with a few decades of warming temperatures, drying rivers, burning forests and aridifying croplands already behind us  its clear that human-caused climate change is tightening the noose on a viable future for New Mexicans, and for the wildlife and ecosystems we are bound to, inextricably.

In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a special report, noting that if the Earths temperature increased by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, the climate consequences will be long-lasting and irreversible. Scientists wrote that human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide would need to fall by about 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching net zero by 2050.

In 2025, the Earth passed the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold. And were nowhere near to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by significant levels.

Nothing thats happening right now should be a surprise  not the melting ice caps nor the drying rivers. Weve had decades to pivot or at least prepare.

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Yet, 60 years after President Lyndon Johnsons science advisory committee warned that the carbon dioxide humans were sending into the atmosphere would cause changes that could be deleterious from the point of view of human beings, in 2025, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin launched the Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, deregulating industries and driving a dagger straight into the heart of climate change religion.

Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright last year told The Guardian that hes not a climate skeptic. Rather, hes a climate realist.

The Trump administration will treat climate change for what it is, a global physical phenomenon that is a side-effect of building the modern world, Wright said. Everything in life involves trade-off.

The men spearheading the Trump administrations plans know climate change threatens the lives of billions of people and ecosystems ranging from the seas coral reefs to Earths mountaintops. And their tradeoffs involve the calculated obliteration of longstanding federal environmental laws, the privatization of public lands and watersheds, and of course, the subversion of climate science. (Not to mention, the waging of illegal wars.)

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In just a few weeks, New Mexico state legislators will convene for a 30-day session. Its a fast-paced budget session, which means climate and water wont top the list of priorities, again. No matter what the mustard greens, house finches, bare mountaintops, and drastically low reservoirs show us.

This winter, temperatures will drop here and there. Some snow will fall. There will be days that feel like winter. But were past the point of comforting ourselves that these warm winter temperatures are an anomaly. They are our future.

Decades ago, I rented an attic bedroom in a house in western Colorado from a woman who was kind and angry and trying very hard and battling demons. Because she had taped handwritten quotes inside the kitchen cabinet next to the sink, every time I reached inside, I would read them. Theres one quote from the late Joanna Macy I think of every day.

The point is not to save people. The point is to create the conditions for the possibility of grace.

The point right now isnt to save the planet  or even ourselves or the more-than-human species we rely upon or love. The point is to create the conditions for the possibility of grace. The possibility of a climate-changed future in which all the best and most beautiful things about this Earth havent been traded away.
The News

Most members of Congress didnt take President Donald Trump too seriously when he talked about controlling Greenland  until the US ousted the leader of Venezuela.

Now, as the Danish government delivers a warning that Trump would risk unraveling NATO if he acts against their territory, lawmakers in both parties are starting to view Trumps interest in Greenland as more than idle tough talk.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said expanding the US role in Greenland makes a lot of strategic sense, adding that it could take the form of the Danish-controlled island aligning more formally with Washington or even becoming a US territory.

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I dont know that anybodys talking about taking over, but I do think pursuing it makes a lot of sense, Schmitt said, describing Greenland as part of the Trump administrations foreign policy focus on the Western Hemisphere.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a leading Trump critic, said that I was amongst those who thought it was counterproductive to even pretend to take him seriously about Greenland, but that after the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, I think you have to reassess  you have to take him seriously after what just happened.

Its all part of a political challenge that Republicans and Democrats alike have faced for a decade now: how much to read into Trumps offhand comments about huge issues. But Trumps comment, days after Maduros ouster, that we need Greenland has started to strike some of his allies as deliberate enough to merit engagement.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a NATO supporter, advised that the US work with its fellow alliance member as good partners to Denmark.

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And Greenland isnt the only more geopolitically complex territory that Trump has set his sights on since removing Maduro from power.

As he deadpanned on Sunday that Denmark had added a dog sled to help protect Greenland, the president also made similar remarks aimed at unseating the leaders of Cuba, Colombia, and Iran.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, said those comments reflected horrible timing after the successful ouster of Maduro: Its like a wish list of US satellites. It just doesnt make sense.

Know More

Trumps talk of more US power in Greenland, echoed by some of his allies, has drawn criticism in Europe, including from Finlands center-right president.

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To say Colombia is next? That kind of rhetoric is escalatory. It puts no one at ease. The whole idea of ridiculing Canada for months and months and months has led to Canada buying zero bourbon, said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., I dont know how much is bravado, how much is bombast. But I think militarily taking Greenland, obviously I would not support it.

Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser, told CNN on Monday afternoon that the US wouldnt need to take Greenland by force because, as the main engine of NATO, its power means no other country would fight the US on the issue.

Miller made clear Trumps focus on Greenland is real and has been for a long time: By what right does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland?  Obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States.

The bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Friends of Denmark caucus, Utah GOP Rep. Blake Moore and Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, issued their own statement on Monday night criticizing Trumps rhetoric without using his name: If the message is that we need Greenland, the truth is that we already have access to everything we could need from Greenland, they said.

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But some top lawmakers just want to stay out of it entirely. Asked about Trumps comments about Greenland, Senate Foreign Relations Chair Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said, You want to take that up with him.

The White House didnt immediately return a request for comment.

Room for Disagreement

Not everyone in Congress sees the president or his administration as wanting to take Greenland.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., told Semafor that I do not think were going to chopper in. I dont see that. He said its more likely the US attempts to deepen its alliance with Denmark to gain more sway over Greenland.

Do I think the president is seriously thinking about doing some sort of movement on Greenland? No. I dont. To me, its ludicrous. But the president thinks out loud. He does, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. I dont think the president is going to try to topple Greenland or Denmark or any of that.

Burgess and Eleanors View

Its getting harder to laugh off what Trump says about foreign policy as he enters his sixth year as president: Hes captured Maduro, bombed Iran, and helped stop the conflict in Gaza.

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And this month is hardly the first time Trump has talked about controlling Greenland, which he views as essential to defending the Arctic region.

The reality, though, is anything close to seizing the island would be so messy its hard to imagine. Tillis called the whole discussion a waste of time.

Its absurd. You cant annex Greenland. It would require an invasion or capitulation on the part of the Kingdom of Denmark  I just think its silly on steroids, Tillis said.

Notable




MIDDLETOWN - Trying to thrive in a blue state where Democrats flipped more than two dozen municipalities in November, Connecticut Republicans on Monday kicked off the legislative election season by talking about pizza.

In what he described as an "incremental" multiyear campaign to become more competitive, Republican State Chair Ben Proto brought the national debate on affordability to the 2026 race for governor, Congress and the General Assembly. And he did so by unveiling an early election year video that makes fun - and a political point - of Gov. Ned Lamont's penchant for pizza.

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"We all know that the issue here in Connecticut is affordability, as it is across the country," Proto said during the wide-ranging 45-minute news conference.

A video that will be posted on social media focuses on Lamont's tourism campaign that proclaims Connecticut as the capital of pizza, which Proto said illustrates the governor's lack of acknowledging the high cost of living in Connecticut.

The 63-second advertisement focuses on grainy pictures of Lamont sitting in a pizza restaurant, interspersed with images of newscasters reciting statistics about the cost of living and a laughing Lamont saying "pizza" over and over.

"You know, Ned Lamont, we think, is channeling his inner Marie Antoinette and 'let Connecticut eat pizza,'" Proto said, referencing the French queen who was executed in 1797. "Unfortunately pizza is becoming more expensive under Ned Lamont. At the end of the day, Ned Lamont has just lost sight of what's important to the people of this state."

Proto, who is a lawyer, said that if a young college graduate is lucky enough to find a job that pays $60,000 a year, they still would have difficulty paying $1,900 a month for a one-bedroom apartment on top of taxes, car payments, student loans and other expenses.

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"Is it any wonder why young people are leaving this state?" he said. "They can't afford to be here. We're seeing more out migration and the Democrats don't have an answer to the problem."

In response to Proto, state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, called Proto's news conference a "stunning display" and "incredibly out of touch at a time when the country is reeling from tariffs, from Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington" as health insurance costs for millions of people are set to increase dramatically.

State Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, speaks outside the state GOP headquarters on Monday. (Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media)





Lesser, who was the designated Democratic responder to Proto, said tens of thousands of state residents will see health care costs triple because of Trump and Republicans in Washington.

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As he stood on the sidewalk by the GOP offices on Main Street, Lesser noted that Trump is still trying to shut down the Revolution Wind project that uses the State Pier in New London as a staging area, is 85% complete and could power 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Make American Great Again statements from the state GOP may appeal to conservatives "but are incredibly out of touch," he said.

Lamont and the Democratic Party are focused on affordability, Lesser said.

"Meanwhile we're fighting against a federal government that is out to get the people of Connecticut," Lesser said. "Look, the governor has cut taxes, he is trying to support Connecticut's economy and meanwhile Republicans in Washington just tripled health insurance prices for Connecticut residents. They're making everything worse."

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At his news conference, Proto said he also expects GOP candidates to launch strong campaigns for governor, to win more seats in the state House and Senate and to force competitive races against U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes in the 5th District and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney in the 2nd District.

A political realist, Proto said he doesn't expect to derail the current 100 to 49 Democratic majority in the state House of Representatives, pending two special elections, or the 25 to 11 Democratic majority in the state Senate.

But flipping just a few seats in each chamber would mean the end of Democratic super majorities, he said.

"I do not expect to have 19 senators and 76 members of the House, come January of 2027," Proto said. "You bring about incremental change by changing a couple of districts. This is a long-term strategy for the Republican Party. Do I think the Republican Party will be in the majority in 2026? The answer is no, I don't. Can we pick up seats? Yes, I do."

This article originally published at Connecticut pizza becomes center of Republicans' first campaign ad against Lamont.
The Freedom Foundation is asking the court to block the law from continuing to take effect. It took effect on Jan. 1, 2025. (Getty Images)

An Olympia-based conservative think tank is suing Oregon over a new law that makes it illegal to impersonate a union representative.

The Freedom Foundation, which says it advocates for public sector employees to understand their rights to opt out of union membership, filed the lawsuit Dec. 31, the day before the law took effect, in the U.S. District Court in Portland. The lawsuit names Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, the Oregon Employment Relations Boards and three of its leadership members and five major unions, including the Service Employees International Union Local 503, Oregon Education Association and Oregon American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 75.

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The Freedom Foundation alleges House Bill 3789, which passed along party lines in both legislative chambers and Gov Tina Kotek signed into law in June, violates the First Amendment by discriminating based on content and viewpoint and targeting political speech.

The law allows union representatives to sue anyone for $6,250 if they can prove an individual falsely impersonated a union representative.

Several public sector unions supported the law. SEIU Local 503 President Johnny Earl testified in favor of the bill in the spring, saying that third parties have been impersonating union officials and sending misleading information meant to persuade members to drop their membership.

We cannot comment on this particular lawsuit, as we have not been made aware of its allegations, SEIU Local 503 spokesperson Pati Urias told the Capital Chronicle. However, what I can say is that this is likely yet another example of a frivolous lawsuit filed by the so-called Freedom Foundation. In our experience, these lawsuits are just a waste of time and resources by an organization that has no other purpose than to undermine workers rights to collectively bargain.

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Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Joe Baessler said the law protects hardworking Oregonians from false union representations.

The Freedom Foundation decided not to distribute its regularly scheduled mailers, including the New Years mailer in the image below out of fear of violating the new law. (Screenshot of court records)

Any organization objecting to such a law should probably rethink their tactics and mission if theyre worried about falling out of compliance with such a basic concept as dont do fraud, he said in a statement.

The Freedom Foundation, however, argues its mailings explain to public sector employees how the opt-out process works and that they can save money by opting out of union membership. More than 30,000 Oregon employees have opted out of union membership because of the organizations mailing campaigns and outreach, according to the Freedom Foundation.

This law hands unions the power to bankrupt their most effective critic  the Freedom Foundation  through lawsuits, Eric Stahlfeld said, the Freedom Foundations chief litigation counsel. The First Amendment protects the Foundations speech, and were confident the court will strike this law down.

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One mailing to Oregons public employees equals approximately $1 billion in potential liability for the Freedom Foundation, according to the Freedom Foundation. The think tank is asking the court to block the law from taking effect.

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A defiant convicted killer showed up to his court sentencing ready to face off on Monday.

"You're smiling now, Mr. Valdez," Fresno County Superior Court Judge Houry Sanderson said. "I watched that smile on your face develop as I said those words because you know those are truths."

Christopher Valdez shot and killed Andrew Valdez in 2019. The 22-year-old victim is unrelated to the shooter, but both had gang ties.

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Investigators say what began as a party in east central Fresno ended with multiple shots.

"The reality that my son, Andrew, will never return to us again has shattered our hearts forever," stepfather Alejandro Lopez said.

Christopher pleaded guilty to manslaughter late last year. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the murder charge that could have brought a life sentence at trial and instead agreed to 26 years.

Lopez wanted more.

"As it is written in the Old Testament of the Bible, an eye for an eye," he said. "My son's life for your son's life."

Those comments appeared to fluster Christopher.

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The killer's sister then took the stand to defend him, urging him never to stop being himself and telling him to remain strong.

"Christopher is still being charged and accused for a crime he didn't do," Alicia Valdez said.

Judge Sanderson then set the record straight, saying a witness identified Christopher as the shooter.

Alicia, who was then back in the gallery, shouted out. "She's a liar," she said.

Judge Sanderson ordered her to leave the courtroom.

Christopher appeared unmoved through it all, sitting with his head high.

"He is gone in physical form, but he is with all of you for many, many years to come," the judge told the victim's family.

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Christopher will soon head to the California Department of Corrections to begin serving his 26-year prison sentence. He already has credit for nearly a third of it.

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC. Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump rioter Josiah Colt is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Josiah Colt turned himself in at the Ada County Sheriff's Office in Boise, Idaho on Jan. 12, 2021. A person poses with a noose displayed in front of the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. A Capitol police officer looks out of a broken window as pro-Trump rioters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during clashes with police, during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump rioters protest inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. A supporter of President Trump carries a Confederate flag as he protests in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, in Washington, DC on Jan. 6, 2021, Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. A supporter of President Donald Trump sits inside the office of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol's Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. See images of pro-Trump rioters storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 1 of 12 Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC.

Conservative lawyer George Conway, a long-time critic of Donald Trump once married to the president's ex counselor, announced on Tuesday, Jan. 6 he is launching a Democratic campaign for Congress in Manhattan.

The declaration came on the five-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

"Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does," Conway said in a campaign video posted on social media about his bid to replace retiring New York Rep. Jerry Nadler. "It has to stop. We must make it stop. We have a corrupt president."

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Conway, 62, would serve parts of New York City if elected to succeed Nadler, the influential ex-chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who currently represents New York's 12th Congressional District.

George Conway, a conservative American attorney and long-time critic of Donald Trump, announced on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025, he is running in what will be a closely-watched Democratic primary in New York's 12th district.

"Im running for Congress in NY-12, my home," the caption in Conway's announcement reads.

A former Republican once married to Trump's 2016 campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, George Conway became one of Trump's fiercest critics on social media. He helped found the anti-Trump Republican group the Lincoln Project, despite his then-wife's senior position in the White House.

"We have a demented, criminal president running the country like a mob operation  government by the boss, for the boss," the caption in the post reads as footage of the insurrection plays in the video. "We need Democratic fighters who will defend the rule of law and deliver government by the people. Join us."

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USA TODAY has reached out to Conway for comment.

5 years later: See photos of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Who is George Conway running against?

In November, John F. Kennedy's grandson and Democratic influencer Jack Schlossberg announced he is running for the same seat.

Also in the race: Ex-Nadler aide and New York state assemblyman Micah Lasher, financial industry executive Alan Pardee, community organizer Liam Elkind and gun safety activist Cameron Kasky are among the candidates running in the 12th district.

Im running for Congress in NY-12, my home.



We have a demented, criminal president running the country like a mob operationgovernment by the boss, for the boss.



We need Democratic fighters who will defend the rule of law and deliver government by the people. Join us. pic.twitter.com/e6Hz8QYCRv  George Conway  (@gtconway3d) January 6, 2026

The only son of Caroline Kennedy, Schlossberg is the first Kennedy family member to run for Congress since Joe Kennedy III left his U.S. House seat in Massachusetts to launch an unsuccessful primary challenge to progressive Sen. Ed Markey in 2020.

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In his campaign video posted to social media on Nov. 12, Schlossberg criticized the administration and Republican leadership and said the country is in a crisis "at every level."

Contributing: Jay Stahl

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Conway is running for Congress. Trump critic eyes NY seat.
ExxonMobil's earnings are down over the last few years due to lower oil prices. But even when factoring in those lower earnings, the stock ended 2025 around an all-time high. ExxonMobil still sports a dirt cheap price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.6. ExxonMobil's efficiency improvements and cost reductions position it well to generate cash flow at higher oil prices, which could also pique investor interest and justify a higher P/E ratio for ExxonMobil -- potentially pushing it over the $1 trillion mark in the coming years.

Visa could reach the milestone on its earnings growth alone. The payment processor converts around half of its sales into bottom-line, after-tax profit. And it has the domestic and international network needed to grow sales and earnings by double digits, meaning its valuation could compress, and it could still surpass the $1 trillion mark in five years.

Eli Lilly, Walmart, and JPMorgan Chase are already knocking on the door of the milestone , and Eli Lilly actually crossed the barrier briefly. But it would take bigger gains from Visa, ExxonMobil, Oracle, and Netflix to surpass $1 trillion.

Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT), JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Visa (NYSE: V), Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) all have a case for joining the $1 trillion club by the end of 2030.

In recent years, major tech-focused companies have outpaced broader market gains, resulting in the S&P 500 becoming heavily concentrated in just a handful of stocks. About 20 companies make up 50% of the index, with Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft combined making up over a quarter of the S&P 500.

Here's why the S&P 500 $1 trillion club could easily grow from nine companies to 18 over the next five years and what market concentration means for your financial portfolio.

Saudi Arabian Oil and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing also have market caps north of $1 trillion, however, these companies aren't in the S&P 500.

At the time of this writing, Nvidia and Apple have market caps over $4 trillion; Alphabet and Microsoft are over $3.6 trillion; Amazon is at $2.5 trillion; and Meta Platforms , Broadcom , Tesla , and Berkshire Hathaway are all over $1 trillion.

The number of S&P 500 companies in the $1 trillion club has grown substantially since Apple became the first U.S. company to surpass $1 trillion in market capitalization in August 2018.

If SpaceX and OpenAI go public, it will alter the dynamics of the S&P 500 and make the index even more top heavy.

There are nine current $1 trillion club members and three companies that are within $120 billion of the milestone.

Story Continues

Oracle's stock price has gotten crushed because investors are concerned about its leveraged bet on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, which has turned Oracle from a stable stalwart to free-cash-flow negative. But Oracle's bet is more calculated than the market is giving it credit for. Oracle's existing remaining performance obligations, which are basically potential revenue from contracts, are tied to OpenAI. However, Oracle doesn't need OpenAI to succeed, as its AI-focused data centers will be highly sought after if capacity becomes constrained. As Oracle begins monetizing its infrastructure build-out, its earnings and stock price have the potential to increase at a rapid rate.

Netflix has sold off because its valuation is somewhat expensive, and it is taking a risk by attempting to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery. Often, short-term-minded investors will shoot first and ask questions later -- which is a mistake when it pertains to a high-margin cash cow like Netflix. With Warner Bros. Discovery's content and streaming integration with HBO, Netflix should have multiple levers to pull to accelerate earnings and introduce new ad-free and ad-supported streaming options, making it a candidate to double or triple over the next five years.

New AI stocks for public markets

The composition of the S&P 500 could undergo drastic changes if high-profile private companies, such as SpaceX, OpenAI (the maker of ChatGPT), and Anthropic (the maker of Claude), go public through initial public offerings (IPOs).

Estimates vary, but SpaceX could have an IPO somewhere around $800 billion next year.

OpenAI raised $40 billion in early 2025 at a $300 billion valuation, but OpenAI could be valued much higher now, with reports indicating the company is in talks to raise up to $100 billion at an $830 billion valuation.

Anthropic could also go public next year, but it would take a lot for its valuation to reach $1 trillion by 2030, which is why it is excluded from this list.

However, as Motley Fool co-founder and CEO Tom Gardner points out, investors should focus on fundamentals and recognize that these high-profile AI stocks will have a lot of marketing collateral behind them if they do IPO, which could make the valuations unattractive for investors looking to buy shares on the public market -- at least until fundamentals catch up with valuations.

Betting big on industry leaders

SpaceX and OpenAI going public, paired with higher values from Eli Lilly, Walmart, JPMorgan Chase, Visa, ExxonMobil, Oracle, and Netflix, could potentially double the number of companies in the $1 trillion club over the next five years. Dark horse candidates to join the club include Advanced Micro Devices, Mastercard, Palantir Technologies, AbbVie, Bank of America, and Costco Wholesale.

With major companies getting bigger, investors should recognize the risk that comes with investing in index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are top heavy, especially if there's overlap between their individual holdings and major holdings in those funds.

Concentration risk is a double-edged sword that can amplify gains when big companies are doing well but also magnify volatility and accelerate a stock market sell-off. With so many of the largest S&P 500 companies betting big on AI and cloud computing, it stands to reason that the theme will continue leading the broader indexes to new heights in the coming years or be the driving force behind a sell-off.

Should you buy stock in Eli Lilly right now?

Before you buy stock in Eli Lilly, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Eli Lilly wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $490,703!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,157,689!*

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Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Daniel Foelber has positions in Nvidia and Oracle and has the following options: short March 2026 $240 calls on Oracle. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Costco Wholesale, JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Oracle, Palantir Technologies, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tesla, Visa, Walmart, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Prediction: The S&P 500 $1 Trillion Club Will Double Between 2026 and 2030 was originally published by The Motley Fool
Cornwall Police say the weekend shooting that left two people dead and one seriously injured was an act of intimate partner violence.

The perpetrator, an 81-year-old man, shot his 80-year-old former partner and her 83-year-old male friend before dying by suicide, the police service said in an update on Monday evening.

The 83-year-old was fatally injured, while the woman continues to be treated for serious injuries.

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This is a deeply tragic situation, Chief of Police Shawna Spowart said in the release. Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of those affected during this very difficult time.

Police went to a home on the 400-block of Leitch Drive on Saturday afternoon after a reported shooting and discovered the scene.

"Investigators have determined this to be an incident of intimate partner violence, and there is no ongoing risk to public safety," according to the release.

No further information will be released, police said.
Leaders of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting voted on Monday to dissolve the organization that has been around for over 50 years.

The CPB is a private agency that has distributed funding to NPR, PBS, and hundreds of local public television and radio stations across the country since it was created in 1967, per The Associated Press.

Since Congress acted to defund CPBs operations last summer, the agency has been winding down. On Monday, the board of directors voted to shut it down completely instead of keeping it running as a shell.

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CPBs final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks, said Patricia Harrison, the organizations president and CEO, in a statement.

For years, Republicans have accused public broadcastings news programming of carrying a left-wing bias, but those criticisms werent turned into action until the second Trump administration.

Ruby Calvert, head of CPBs board of directors, called the federal defunding of public media devastating.

Even at this moment, I am convinced that public media will survive, and that a new Congress will address public medias role in our country because it is critical to our childrens education, our history, culture and democracy to do so, Calvert said, according to the CPBs statement.

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The CPB was providing financial support to the American Archive of Public Broadcasting in order to preserve historic content. It has also worked with the University of Maryland to preserve its own records.

For more than half a century, CPB existed to ensure that all Americans  regardless of geography, income, or background  had access to trusted news, educational programming, and local storytelling, Harrison said in a statement.

How did we get here?

In July, Congress passed a package of funding cuts that stripped CPB of more than $1 billion in funding. CPB was created in 1967 by Congress to help support over 1,500 local radio and television stations across the U.S., per The New York Times.

CPB also helped fund popular programs such as Sesame Street.

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In August, the board of directors began winding down the agencys operations.

After the CPB lost its federal funding, the corporations executives discussed keeping the organization alive but in hibernation, in case Congress eventually voted to restore the federal funds.

In Mondays statement, the agency said that keeping it dormant could result in political manipulation or misuse and threaten the life of public media, per The New York Times.

The organizations leaders added that without the financial resources to fulfill its responsibilities, keeping the corporation as a nonfunctional entity wouldnt serve the public interest or advance public media, according to NBC News.

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In a statement made on Monday, the CPB said it would be distributing all its remaining funds.

Only a portion of the funding for public broadcasting stations around the country came from the CPBs federal funding, and after those funds were lost, donations from listeners and philanthropists have increased. It is unclear how long the increased support of these stations will last.

Trump and his right-wing allies have criticized PBS and NPR for years. Earlier this year, the president sent a memo to Congress, telling them to cut the CPBs funding.

In July, Trump wrote on Truth Social, Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.
Jan. 6A former Warren Correctional Institution employee is accused of smuggling drugs into the prison in March 2025 on at least two separate occasions.

Joshua Savion Fritz, 30, of Dayton is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 23 in Warren County Common Pleas Court following his Dec. 31 indictment by a county grand jury for illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified governmental facility, two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, and single counts of possession of marijuana and possessing criminal tools.

The incidents happened twice between March 1 and March 25, 2025, according to a grand jury report.

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Two inmates were found in possession of marijuana and 5-Fluoro-ADB  a synthetic cannabinoid  on March 1, which led to an investigation involving Fritz, according to Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell.

Fritz worked as a corrections officer at the prison at the time of the incidents. He was terminated from Warren Correctional Institution on March 25, according to JoEllen Smith, chief of communications for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction.

The case associated with Fritz and the two inmates is still open and active, said Sgt. Tyler Ross of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's strategic communications unit.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar greets supporters before speaking at the launch rally for Gov. Tim Walz's third gubernatorial campaign at The Depot in Minneapolis Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that he will discontinue his campaign for a third term, and several of the states highest-ranking Democrats are considering running to replace him, though none have announced a campaign yet.

The Republican primary field is already crowded, featuring House Speaker Lisa Demuth; MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell; 2022 GOP nominee for governor Scott Jensen; state Rep. Kristin Robbins; and perennial candidate Kendall Qualls, who recently won a straw poll of delegates in the GOP State Central Committee.

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Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is running for U.S. Senate, said in a statement Monday she is focused on the Senate race and will not run for governor. Former U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips said on X that he has no intention to run for governor.

Primary elections are on Aug. 11.

Here are some potential Democratic candidates for governor:

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar

Sen. Amy Klobuchar speaks at the launch rally for Gov. Tim Walzs third gubernatorial campaign at The Depot in Minneapolis Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Amy Klobuchar has represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate since 2007, and has handily won each of her re-election campaigns since, though the margin of victory has narrowed over time, perhaps reflecting political changes here and nationwide. In 2024, she outperformed presidential candidate Kamala Harris by more than 5 percentage points.

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A source close to Klobuchar, who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, said, Sen. Klobuchar is getting outreach from people encouraging her to run, and is seriously considering it.

Klobuchar ran in the Democratic presidential primary in 2020 but dropped out after performing poorly in early contests after some withering national press scrutiny. She wound up endorsing former President Joe Biden just before Super Tuesday.

The senior senator previously served as Hennepin County attorney, where she brought high-profile charges. That could give her a platform to talk about the public program fraud that is expected to continue to dominate the political conversation in the coming months.

Secretary of State Steve Simon

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon waits to be called before the session begins on the first day of the 94th legislative session at the Minnesota State Capitol Building in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer.

Steve Simon has been the states top elections administrator since 2015, among the other duties of the secretary of state. For more than a decade prior, Simon represented a west metro House district in the Legislature.

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During his time in office, Simon has battled against election misinformation among the public and high-ranking elected officials. He has refused to comply with Trump administration requests for voter rolls, calling the requests unconstitutional.

At the 2022 state DFL convention, Simon spoke briefly about how his great-grandfather, a Lithuanian Jew, wound up in America.

He didnt just emigrate to America. He fled. He fled discrimination and persecution. He was what today we would call a refugee. The year before he left for America, Jews in the Russian empire lost the right to vote.

Simon announced in December he would seek a fourth term as secretary of state.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison speaks to States Newsroom leaders and reporters Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Royal Sonesta in downtown Minneapolis. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Keith Ellison represented Minneapolis in Congress for 12 years before winning a narrow election to become the states top legal officer in 2018. In 2022, he won re-election by less than 1 percentage point.

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Ellison was the first Black person elected to statewide office and the first Muslim elected to any statewide office in the United States.

As attorney general, Ellison has taken on cases against gun manufacturers, TikTok and negligent landlords. He is part of a cohort of blue-state attorneys general that is fighting the Trump administration in the courts, suing dozens of times on a range of issues including funding cuts, trans athlete bans and immigration status checks in federal programs.

Ellison said in October he would seek a third term as attorney general.

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy speaks during a press conference announcing a budget deal Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)\

Erin Murphy has led the Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus in the state Senate since February of 2024.

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Prior to winning election to the Senate in 2020, she served in the state House and was the House majority leader in 2013 and 2014. Murphy is a registered nurse who was also the executive director of the Minnesota Nurses Association, one of the states highest profile labor organizations.

Murphy ran for governor in 2018, beating out Walz for the DFL endorsement but losing to him in the primary.
In the past year, Emil Bove has gone from President Donald Trumps personal criminal defense attorney, to a top Justice Department official, to a sitting federal judge. One thing that hasnt changed, according to critics: his fidelity to his former client.

Since taking the bench on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in September, Bove has taken a handful of actions that many legal experts say are unorthodox  if not unethical  for a sitting judge.

Within the span of a week, he publicly supported the presidents pardon of a convicted drug trafficker and attended a Trump rally. Bove has his defenders, but numerous legal ethicists say those actions were inappropriate and could have been easily avoided.

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I think both acts create an appearance that he's running for higher office  i.e, the Supreme Court, said Bruce Green, a professor of legal ethics at Fordham Law School. Now, that doesn't distinguish him from a lot of other conservative judges who'd like to be put on the Supreme Court, he said, but it creates that impression.

A person who answered the phone at Boves chambers declined to comment.

Bove served as Trumps criminal defense lawyer through four indictments and one trial, which ended in Trumps conviction on 34 felony counts, for which he was sentenced to no punishment. When Trump returned to office, he rewarded Bove with a high-ranking spot in the Justice Department, where Bove enforced many of the Trump administrations most controversial actions, including its use of the Alien Enemies Act and its dismissal of the corruption charges against then-New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat.

Boves term at the department proved relatively brief. In June, Trump nominated him to a federal appeals court seat. Once Bove joined the bench, he quickly wrote an opinion b eneficial to the Trump administration, arguing for executive branch authority in a case challenging a deportation order. But his tenure was relatively quiet until December.

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Thats when Bove took the unusual step of commenting publicly about a current event  in this case, Trumps pardon of the former leader of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted in 2024 for conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S. Earlier in his career, as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan, Bove had helped lead the investigation that led to Hernandezs conviction, and successfully prosecuted his brother, Tony Hernandez.

Bove, however, told The New York Times that he took no issue with the pardon, saying: I am proud to have previously represented and served President Trump, and I completely trust and respect his judgment in exercising the pardon power, which the Constitution vests in him alone by virtue of his mandate from the American people.

For observers of the court, Boves comments came as a shock not only because he publicly embraced the presidents decision  but because he chose to say anything at all. It is standard practice for sitting judges to refrain from making public comments on any subjects outside of their judicial rulings.

I think that commenting in his capacity as a former government lawyer is not improper, but it is embroiling himself in a political issue unnecessarily, said Charles Geyh, an Indiana University Law School professor who studies judicial conduct and ethics.

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In my conversations with judges, there's an enormous source of pride that you can be around the table with a bunch of federal judges, and you have no idea what the political inclinations of those judges are, because they really think of themselves as judges and not as as political actors, even though no one is disputing that they have political views [or] that in close cases  in politically charged cases  those views will influence their thinking, Geyh said. It's just that they are not carrying water for the president that appointed them.

Less than one week later, Bove raised even more eyebrows by attending a Trump rally at a Pennsylvania casino resort, where he sat a few rows from the stage to observe the president complain about undocumented immigrants and say former President Joe Biden destroyed our country.

A senior White House official said Bove likely got the ticket to the event through a local Republican party branch. Bove did not, the official said, solicit the ticket through the White House. The official, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, added that Bove's security detail likely helped him avoid waiting in line with other attendees.

"I would assume they went up to whoever was handling the tickets and said, 'Hey, I've got a guest with a security detail, can we just get them in quickly?'" the official said.

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Bove told a reporter for MSNBC that he was just here as a citizen coming to watch the president speak. But the appearance prompted Gabe Roth, executive director of the nonpartisan advocacy group Fix the Court, to file a complaint of judicial misconduct, writing that the Trump rally was a highly political event that no federal judge should have been within shouting distance of.

Many legal experts agree. Going to that rally and sitting there was definitely forbidden by the code of conduct for U.S. judges, said Stephen Gillers, a legal ethics professor at New York University law school. I don't think it could be debated. He should not have been there.

Gillers specifically pointed to a provision of the code that says a judge should refrain from political activity, and specifies that a judge shouldnt attend  a dinner or other event sponsored by a political organization or candidate.

But other experts disputed that he violated the code, even while maintaining that Boves appearance was ill-advised.

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The rule isn't crystal clear that it applies to him, Green said. I think attending a political rally is something that judges should not do because it compromises their appearance of impartiality. But I didn't think it was specifically forbidden, and therefore it's a bit of a judgment call for the [chief] judge.

Green said he doubted that absent a clear violation of the letter of the rule that a disciplinary authority would go after a life-tenured federal judge.

Still others defended Bove, pointing out that the event wasnt a campaign rally. This was an official White House event highlighting kitchen table issues that impact all Americans, said Clare Slattery, a spokesperson for Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Wheres the outrage over federal judges whove potentially violated the judicial Code of Conduct by trashing their own branch of government in recent statements to the press?

Geyh, however, said the issue wasnt a close call. Boves attendance, he said, signals a level of allegiance, a level of loyalty.

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It is an openly partisan event, and Bove is fully aware of that. And the overriding ethical directive is that you act at all times in a manner that preserves public confidence in your impartiality, Geyh said.

Is Judge Bove engaging in a political act by participating in this? It's kind of hard to argue that he's not.

Eli Stokols contributed to this report.


Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is dissolving after more than $1 billion in funding was cut for the organization by Congress last year.

The board of directors announced the decision to formally shutter on Monday, voting on a plan to discontinue operations.

"CPB's final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks, " Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB, said in a statement.

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CPB was established by Congress in 1967 to support public television and radio. Its funding has supported networks like NPR and PBS, as well as local public broadcasting stations.

"For more than half a century, CPB existed to ensure that all Americans -- regardless of geography, income or background -- had access to trusted news, educational programming and local storytelling," Harrison said.

The organization's remaining funds will be distributed to public broadcasting networks.

The process of shutting the organization down began after the passage of the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act, which was passed last summer by Republicans and signed by President Donald Trump. The act featured heavy funding cuts to Medicaid services, student aid programs, clean energy programs and food assistance.

No Democrats in the U.S. House or Senate voted in favor of the bill.
Felonies

The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Monday at 11 a.m.

Aaron Davis Jr., 59, of Slaughter, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for possession of cocaine.

Otheno English, 41, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, armed robbery, simple assault.

Leslie Ann Holiday, 38, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, violation of post-release supervision, possession of a Schedule II drug.

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Vamari Daquez Jackson, 25, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, violation of probation, speeding, no drivers license, no insurance, no seat belt.

Brandon Lindley, 39, of New Albany, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug.

Bradley D. Messer, 42, of Fulton, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of methamphetamine, failure to dim headlights.

Jaylin Rice, 18, of Shannon, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, felony malicious mischief.

Isaiah Mejon Shaw, 25, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, violation of probation.

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John Simmons, 18, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, felony malicious mischief.

William Stacie Timmons, 39, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of heroin, receiving stolen property, improper equipment.

Malaysha Townsend, 24, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of methamphetamine, disorderly conduct, failure to yield right of way, resisting arrest, no drivers license, no insurance.

Javarius D. Trice, 28, of Belden, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of a firearm by a felon.

Katherine Rose Vanlandingham, 27, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of methamphetamine, taking of a motor vehicle.

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Kelton Witherspoon, 22, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, burglary of a vehicle, disobeying an officer, no drivers license, no insurance, possession of marijuana.

Lee County Sheriffs Office

The following reports were filed Monday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office.

A Legacy Drive, Shannon, man said his wife heard a gunshot around 1:30 p.m. and called him, saying she found a hole in the interior wall and a bullet on the floor. He returned and found the corresponding hole in the exterior wall. He did not know who shot at his house. He said there were multiple people at the house when the shot was fired.

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An employee at the Highway 371, Richmond, Dollar General said she walked outside around 3:30 p.m. and noticed someone had sprayed a white substance on the back of her 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. She said it appeared to be decorative snow from a spray can. The incident was not captured on security camera, and no one saw anything.

A Charlottesville, Virginia, woman inherited some Highway 178, Tupelo, property and has been having problems with squatters. Deputies drove past the property but found no one there. The woman was advised to call 911 the next time she found someone trespassing.

A Hanson Lane, Saltillo, man said someone knocked on his backdoor around 6:30 p.m. He got up, turned on the lights but by the time he got to the door, the person had left. He said the same thing happened about a year ago. It makes him uncomfortable and the 75-year-old man didnt want someone knocking on his backdoor in the middle of the night.

Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way.
On December 31, the Ninth Appellate Court partially blocked implementation of Hawaiis Green Fee  a climate change-related tax  ahead of the states plan to fully enforce it starting January 1, 2026.

The climate change fee currently imposes an 11% tax on tourists stays, including hotel and vacation rentals. However, the last-minute decision of a federal appeals court temporarily pauses the requirement for cruisers to pay the tax.

The decision comes after Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in August against Hawaii. They claimed that the states new tax would financially burden its cruise operators and guests. Moreover, the lawsuit argued that the fee would unconstitutionally tax cruises entering Hawaiis ports. Now, the Green Fee for cruises is blocked while the taxs constitutionality is argued in court, and the involved parties reach a resolution.

What Else Should Travelers Know About The Hawaii Green Fee?

Hawaiis Green Fee, also known as Act 96, is the first of its kind in the country. The states Governor, Josh Green, signed off on the law in May 2025. A press release from the leaders office declared that the Green Fee marks a historic moment for Hawaiis climate, environment, and communities. The statement added that the tax addresses the critical need to build resiliency against the impacts of climate change

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The statement noted that protecting Hawaii is essential as natural disasters become more frequent and intense. Moreover, officials believe the tax will generate $100 million in annual revenue, with the funds collected going toward environmental restoration, conservation efforts, and projects that support sustainable tourism.

According to the Associated Press, the Green Fee would also allow counties in Hawaii to charge an individual 3% tax.

Per the publication, a spokesperson for the Hawaii attorney generals office, Toni Schwartz, commented in an email about the Green Fees partial blockage.

We remain confident that Act 96 is lawful and will be vindicated when the appeal is heard on the merits, said Schwartz.







The post Cruises Evade Hawaiis Green Fee, For Now  Heres What To Know appeared first on Travel Noire.
BUESNOS AIRES, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Cuba is navigating another delicate moment in its recent history after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces Saturday.

The operation that removed him from Caracas and left him facing a court in New York killed 32 Cuban soldiers, part of Maduro's praetorian guard, and abruptly dismantled the island's main economic lifeline.

The blow comes amid an energy and health crisis already considered the worst in decades -- and one that could now deepen rapidly.

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For more than 20 years, the alliance with Venezuela served as a strategic pillar for the Cuban government. The exchange of subsidized oil for medical and security services allowed Havana to sustain its economy after the Soviet collapse and cushion the impact of the U.S. embargo.

Maduro's fall and the prospect of a regime change in Caracas directly disrupt that balance and place Cuba in a position of heightened economic and political vulnerability.

In the days after the Venezuelan leader's arrest, the Cuban government responded with a mix of public gestures of support, internal political mobilization and tighter security.

On Saturday, President Miguel Diaz-Canel led a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana, where he said Cuba was prepared to defend its alliance with Venezuela "even at a very high cost."

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The next day, the government decreed two days of national mourning in response to events in Venezuela. Senior officials dominated state television broadcasts to reinforce the idea of a "shared homeland" and a historic resistance to adversity.

The official narrative sought to counter statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly warned that allies of chavismo would face direct consequences.

Speaking about the island nation just 90 miles from Key West, Fla., Trump said, "Cuba is ready to fall ... going down for the count," while aboard Air Force One on Sunday.

On Monday, according to diplomatic sources, Cuban authorities stepped up surveillance at strategic facilities and convened emergency meetings. At the same time, reports of prolonged blackouts multiplied across several provinces -- a concrete sign of the fragility of the energy system, as Venezuelan assistance could disappear or be sharply reduced within weeks.

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Cuba's energy crisis stems from a combination of obsolete infrastructure, chronic lack of maintenance and fuel shortages.

Most electricity generation depends on decades-old thermoelectric plants that are frequently offline due to breakdowns. Limited alternative capacity forces the state to rely on floating plants and diesel generators, whose operation depends on imports the country cannot secure due to a lack of hard currency or the loss of free supplies from traditional allies such as Venezuela.

Venezuelan lawyer and former prosecutor Zair Mundaray told UPI that for decades, Cuba depended entirely on Venezuelan oil, and that the collapse of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., Venezuela's stateowned oil and gas company, which started around 2014, broke that anchor. That left the island exposed to more frequent blackouts and a deeper economic downturn.

"In that vacuum, Mexico's assistance emerged," Mundaray said.

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Press reports indicate that during the peak years of cooperation with Cuba, Caracas sent between 90,000 and 120,000 barrels per day. Since 2023, the Mexican state has shipped hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude and diesel to Cuba in operations valued at more than $300 million.

For economic historian Leandro Morgenfeld at the University of Buenos Aires, one of the objectives of U.S. intervention in Venezuela is to deepen Cuba's isolation.

"The United States sees the Western Hemisphere as its exclusive domain. It will not accept the presence of extra-hemispheric forces and is willing to remove governments if it believes its interests or national security are at risk," Morgenfeld said.

From that perspective, he added, the goal goes beyond Venezuela and seeks to dismantle the political and economic ties that sustain adversarial governments in the region, including Cuba.

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"That is why they want to cut the political and economic link with Venezuela and further suffocate the island. Despite the blockade, they aim to intensify financial pressure to achieve what they have pursued for decades: the fall of the Cuban revolutionary government," he said.

Morgenfeld said concern in Havana is real and deep. Cuba has faced a complex economic situation for years, marked by sanctions, lack of hard currency and low productivity.

"It is no longer, as in other times, an economy with easy sources of financing. If chavismo were to fall, the impact on Cuba would be very severe, economically and politically," he said, while noting that a full regime change in Venezuela has not yet occurred.

From another angle, Colombian political scientist Christian Arias Barona said it is premature to anticipate an immediate collapse of the Cuban model.

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He told UPI that as long as Delcy Rodriguez remains in power and U.S. hostility does not intensify, an abrupt shift is unlikely.

"Cuba would not face a drastic alteration in its economy or international relations, especially in its ties with Venezuela, from which it receives significant assistance, particularly in energy," Arias Barona said. "Nor would its links with Russia and China be immediately affected."

He recalled that Cuba's recent history reflects an ability to adapt to adverse scenarios. Since the 1959 revolution, the island has faced what he described as constant "aggressions and hostilities" from the United States, including the ongoing economic embargo.

"That experience has allowed it to develop mechanisms of political and diplomatic survival," he said.

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Arias Barona also noted that the U.N. General Assembly has repeatedly voted against the U.S. embargo on Cuba, calling it a unilateral measure without backing in international law.

However, he said the United States, as a permanent member of the Security Council, has maintained its position and secured occasional support, including from Israel and, in recent votes, Argentina, Ecuador and Paraguay.

"What we are seeing today is a situation that increases Cuba's vulnerability," he said.

Sociologist Luis Wainer, also an academic at the University of Buenos Aires, agreed it is too early to project definitive scenarios.

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"We do not know whether there will be a change in the political and economic model, how such a transition would look or even whether a transition will exist," he told UPI.

"We are at a moment of negotiations, where what will be defined is who manages to impose the conditions," he said.

Wainer said strong interest exists in framing this moment as a return to the Special Period, the severe economic and social crisis that began in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba's main ally and supplier, and resulted in extreme shortages of fuel, food and medicine.

"There is a tendency to think Cuba will return to that scenario, but Cuban experience itself shows the country has developed creative responses to sustain itself without surrendering sovereignty," he said.

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Those responses include selective openings to new trade schemes, agreements with strategic sectors in other countries and the promotion of activities such as international tourism.

In that context, he highlighted the political and economic impact of Latin America's leftward shift following Hugo Chavez's electoral victory in 1998.

"That progressive cycle was a key lifeline for Cuba," Wainer said. "It enabled regional integration, political cooperation and economic agreements that were fundamental for the island, especially with Venezuela."
HAVANA (AP)  The names, ranks and ages of the 32 Cuban military personnel killed during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces were published Tuesday by the Cuban government, which announced two days of mourning.

Among the deceased are colonels, lieutenants, majors and captains, as well as some reserve soldiers, ranging in age from 26 to 60.

The uniformed personnel belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, Cuba's two main security agencies. The publication did not specify their missions or exactly how they died.

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Cuban state media published their details and headshots, which show them clad in olive-green military uniforms.

On Tuesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said that Cubans were prepared to give their lives against any U.S. intervention as the island pondered a future without Maduro as Venezuela's leader.

The U.S. president, displaying a complete lack of understanding about Cuba and repeating the agenda of lies of Cuban-American politicians and other interest groups, blasphemes against and threatens our people, Rodriguez wrote on X. Our valiant people, true to their history of struggle, will defend their nation against any imperialist aggression.

In a statement Sunday, Cuban authorities had acknowledged the deaths of the personnel who were in the South American nation as part of agreements between the two countries.

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Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism, falling after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers, or as a result of the bombing of the facilities, the official statement said.

Limited details of Cubans killed in strike

Information about the Cuban officers killed began trickling out on Monday night, with Cubans publicly saying they had died for a just cause.

You have to say that to say the same thing as the government, said Luis Dominguez, who runs the website, Represores Cubanos, or Cuban Repressors, which doxes officials allegedly involved in human rights abuses and violations of democratic norms.

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Inside, Cubans have to be saying something else," he added.

Dominguez said he believes that one of those killed, 67-year-old Col. Humberto Alfonso Roca Sanchez, used to be the garrison commander of Punto Cero, where Fidel Castro once lived.

Another officer who was killed, 62-year-old Col. Lazaro Evangelio Rodriguez Rodriguez, is believed to have overseen Cubas coast and border guards, Dominguez said.

As top-tier economic and political allies, Cuba and Venezuela have agreements in areas ranging from security to energy, with the sale of subsidized oil to the island since 2000. However, the extent of military or advisory exchanges has rarely been reported.

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A post published Monday on the independent website La Joven Cuba, a blog that provides a platform for many opposition voices on the island, featured a profile of 1st Lt. Yunio Estevez. It was written by a journalist who was a close friend. The post included details of the 32-year-old's life and featured pictures with his three children, whom he had raised together in Guantanamo province in eastern Cuba.

La Joven Cuba report stated that Estevez, a communications expert in charge of a personal security department, was shot during the attack. The post was removed later that evening at the familys request, the website reported.

A protest and a moment of silence

The U.S. strike on Venezuela prompted the Organization of American States to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, where a protester interrupted the speech of U.S. Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto.

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The majority of people are against this! cried out Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, a U.S.-based anti-war nonprofit. Hands off Venezuela!

She called for sanctions to be lifted as OAS officials called for security guards who eventually led her out of the room.

Rizzuto resumed his speech after Benjamin was removed: I understand there are many raw emotions.

He called the strike a targeted law enforcement action against an indicted criminal.

Let me be clear, the U.S. did not invade Venezuela, Rizzuto said. President Trump offered Maduro multiple offramps. This was not an interference in democracyit actually removed the obstacle to it.

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He said the U.S. wants a better and democratic future for Venezuela.

You cannot continue to have the largest oil reserves in the world under the control of adversaries of the Western Hemisphere while the people of Venezuela have no electricity, substandard quality of life, and its profits dont benefit the people in Venezuela, Rizzuto said. The profits are stolen by a handful of oligarchs around the world, including those inside of Venezuela.

He also called on the release of an estimated 1,000 political prisoners, saying the U.S. supports the request of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to visit the detention center in person.

After Rizzuto spoke, Peruvian Ambassador Rodolfo Coronado called for a minute of silence for the victims of Maduros regime.

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During the OAS meeting, representatives of several countries strongly condemned the U.S. strike.

Mauricio Jaramillo, Colombias vice minister of foreign relations, denounced what he said was an attack against Venezuelas sovereignty. He said the unilateral military action was a clear violation of international law that set an extremely worrying precedent.

Before the special OAS meeting began, about a dozen protesters gathered outside holding signs that read, No war on Venezuela and Arepas Not Bombs.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Bottom Line Up Front: Nvidia (NVDA) founder and CEO Jensen Huang says he is pushing to reindustrialize the United States, including being one of the first CEOs to back President Donald Trumps plan to re-shore manufacturing in America. This includes $500 billion in direct investments in the United States, and pushing customers and partners to build in America.



The Details: At a recent fireside chat focused on securing U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence, Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang addressed the role of industrial policy in shaping long-term economic and technological outcomes. Specifically, the CEO spoke about his plan to help re-shore American manufacturing, his excitement for the hundreds of billions of dollars being invested into AI manufacturing in America, and Nvidias role in the middle of it all.

In that discussion, Huang said, I was probably the first CEO to jump behind that and take advantage of Nvidias capabilities and this flash point of AI industrial revolution to help bring all of that supply chain [to the United States]. I committed to my customers, my partners, that were going to build in this administration half a trillion dollars of AI supercomputers. The statement is both an almost-rare endorsement of the current administrations reindustrialization policy objective and shows Nvidias concrete financial commitment.

More News from Barchart

The context of Huangs remarks lies in a broader reassessment of global supply chains following decades of offshoring. For much of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, efficiency and cost considerations drove manufacturing overseas, particularly in electronics, semiconductors, and other key industries. Huang believes the U.S. currently sits in the unique position to become the AI manufacturing capital of the world, which would help create a substantial number of high-paying, low-entry jobs.

Since 2000, total manufacturing jobs in the United States have dropped from roughly 17.3 million jobs to about 12.3 million today. This is true despite the U.S. population rising from 282 million to 343 million over the same period.

Recent disruptions, coupled with the rising strategic importance of advanced computing, have renewed attention on domestic production capacity. Its unlikely that America will be able to bring traditional consumer goods manufacturing back home in any meaningful capacity. Trying to bring back manufacturing of these consumer goods is difficult because youre competing with substantially lower wages while trying to play catch-up with their manufacturing capabilities and technology.
The Cuban government said 32 officers of the Cuban army and the Interior Ministry were killed in Caracas during the raid by U.S. forces to apprehend Venezuelas strongman Nicolas Maduro early Saturday, in an acknowledgment of the presence of Cuban military and intelligence personnel in the South American country.

The statement published in the countrys largest daily, Granma, came after President Donald Trump said Cubans providing personal security to Maduro died during the extraction operation.

Many Cubans lost their lives last night. They were protecting Maduro. That was not a good move, Trump told the New York Post.

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The Cuban government said the officers died in action but did not specify their mission, nor did it explicitly mention Maduro in the statement. The statement indicates that at least some of the officers were on the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where U.S. Delta forces found Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

True to their responsibilities for security and defense, our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities, the statement published in Granma on Sunday evening said.

Later, Cubas leader, Miguel Diaz-Canel, added the Cuban officers were protecting Maduro and Flores.

Honor and glory to the brave Cuban fighters who fell while confronting terrorists in imperial uniforms, who kidnapped and illegally removed the President of Venezuela and his wife from their country, whose lives our men helped protect at the request of that sister nation, Diaz-Canel said on X.

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Cubas version seems to contradict remarks by Gen. Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Maduros defense minister, who accused U.S. forces of killing a large part of Maduros security team in cold blood.

Citing an anonymous Venezuelan official, the New York Times has reported that at least 40 people died during the U.S. attack.

The Cuban governments statement is a rare public acknowledgment of the islands direct support of Maduro with security and intelligence personnel. The Interior Ministry runs Cubas intelligence agencies, though the armed forces have their own intelligence apparatus too. In the past, the Cuban government has denied it has a military presence in Venezuela.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBCs Meet the Press that Maduros internal security apparatus is entirely controlled by Cubans. It was Cubans that guarded Maduro. He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards.

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With Maduro in U.S. custody, Trump says he now wants to help the people of Cuba

Following the capture of Maduro, Trump said his administration is likely to turn its attention to Cuba, which he called a failing nation, though he ruled out a similar military action against the country.

On comments aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said the Cuban government could collapse soon.

Cuba looks like its ready to fall. I dont know if theyre going to hold ou, Trump said, adding that the island survives because of aid from Venezuela.

Cuba now has no income, he added. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. Theyre not getting any of it. Cuba literally is ready to fall.

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Rubio said the Cuban government should be worried about the events in Venezuela and sent it a warning:

I think theyre in a lot of trouble, yes, he told NBCs Meet the Press. Im not going to talk to you about what our future steps are going to be and our policies are going to be right now in this regard. But I dont think its any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro.

Diaz-Canel declared two days of national mourning for the Cubans who died in what he called the criminal attack by U.S. forces, according to a presidential decree. Defiant, he had called for the immediate release of Maduro, an urgent reaction from the international community and vowed Cubas absolute support and solidarity with the sister Bolivarian Republic and its government.
Russia is sending schoolchildren "on holiday" to a summer camp in North Korea, where the children clean monuments to the leaders every morning, listen to speeches about the ideas of destroying "American imperialism" and blow up the White House in computer games.

Among those who attended such a camp was 12-year-old Mykhailo from Russian-occupied Makiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster

Details: What is known about the Sondowon camp in North Korea?

The investigation found that the Sondowon children's summer camp, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan and often described as a North Korean analogue of the Soviet-era Artek camp, was opened back in 1960.

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The facility hosted not only local children but also school pupils from abroad  from Russia, China, Vietnam, Laos and several African countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign visitors stopped coming to the camp, but Russians returned to Sondowon in 2024.

Most of the costs of hosting children from foreign countries are covered by North Korea's Socialist Patriotic Youth League.

In 2024, Russian authorities organised a competition offering free trips to the camp in North Korea. To take part, applicants had to submit a video answering the question "Why should I win the competition?", as well as an essay on one of the following topics:

"How I see Russia's role in the new multipolar world";

"Why I am interested in visiting the DPRK";

"What I would like to tell children from the DPRK about Russia".

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According to Russian media, 3,500 schoolchildren took part in the selection process. Of these, 50 teenagers aged between 14 and 17 received trips  among them was Liza from the occupied city of Simferopol. Journalists were unable to establish whether the girl ultimately attended the summer camp.

In the summer of 2025, a second group of schoolchildren travelled to Sondowon. That time, 12-year-old Mykhailo from Makiivka, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014, went to North Korea "on holiday".

Suspilne reports that the boy's mother is a Doctor of Economics and head of the Department of Banking at Mykhailo Tuhan-Baranovskyi Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade. No information about the boy's father could be found.

"Mykhailo studies at a local lyceum and takes an active part in competitions dedicated to Russia. For example, in 2023 he won a bronze prize at the all-Russian Wonders of Russia competition for his video presentation Venerable Ilya of Makiivka.

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In the video, Mykhailo said he was proud that the 'DPR had become part of great Russia' and expressed hope that the war would end in Russia's victory," the journalists said. [DPR, or Donetsk People's Republic, is a non-recognised quasi-state formation in Donetsk Oblast  ed.]

What does the "holiday'" at the North Korean camp look like?

Upon arrival in the DPRK, the children are taken to Pyongyang, where they are required to visit an aqua park and a monument dedicated to the "liberation" of Korea from Japanese colonial rule  allegedly with the participation of Soviet troops in 1945.

There is no shortage of Russian propaganda at the camp itself. In one video, a camp participant  a history teacher from Khabarovsk  delivers a speech that is translated into Korean:

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"Now that Russia and the DPRK have become allies, the days of American imperialism are numbered. Washington, which is rapidly losing influence, will try to unleash a new conflict near our borders. That is why we must remain vigilant and always be ready to repel new US aggression.

We, the Yunarmiya members, and you, our North Korean allies, will become the new heirs of our parents who serve in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Korean People's Army. Together, we will bring closer the day when American imperialism is destroyed."

During so-called "friendship evenings", the schoolchildren also wrote letters of thanks to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

"From what I see in the camp programme, it promotes the idea that Russia and North Korea are countries misunderstood by others  countries with their own distinctive cultures and visions of how a state should be built and how children should be raised.

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This vision is not accepted by others, and therefore Russia and the DPRK 'need to unite to confront the world'," said Ukrainian legal expert Kateryna Rashevska.

A schoolgirl who attended Sondowon said that every day at 06:30, the children were required to clean and sweep around a monument to North Korea's leaders as a sign of respect for traditions and for dictators Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il.

By contrast, North Korean children were always required to bow to a portrait of Kim Jong Un hanging at the entrance to the canteen.

Visitors said that the activities included computer games with violent and politicised storylines, such as blowing up the White House.

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Mykhailo told the propaganda outlet ZOV DPR that he took part in cultural and sporting activities at the camp. He admitted that the "holiday" allowed him to learn more about the traditions of the DPRK and Russia.

According to Mykhailo, during excursions the children saw five or six monuments every day.

"I really liked it. People there have such a highly developed cult of personality: they greatly honour Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un. People walk around and no one complains about anything. Everyone has everything, and everything is good for everyone," said the pupil from the occupied city.

Children work at the camp  wiping down monuments to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Photo: Russian social media

Mykhailo added that everyone exchanged contacts at the camp, but there was no way to stay in touch afterwards, as the DPRK has its own internet network and messaging services.

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Because of this, children could communicate with their families only in a special room with telephones. Calls were paid for, costing one US$1 per minute.

"Trips by children, including those from the occupied territories of Ukraine, to the DPRK are presented by Russia as 'cultural exchanges'  an element of so-called children's diplomacy. In reality, they are a tool of political propaganda.

Such practices have much in common with Soviet methods of using children for state ideological purposes and are prohibited under international law. This is not about culture or development, but about shaping loyalty to the aggressor state and its allies, including the DPRK, which is effectively complicit in the war against Ukraine and is recognised by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism," Kateryna Rashevska is convinced.

She believes that such trips will continue and that ever more children from occupied territories may be involved, with a distorted picture of the world imposed on them and aggression normalised.

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Background: Earlier, media outlets reported that 18-year-old Oleksandr Yakushchenko had taken his own life in Russia. He had been taken there as a teenager from the occupied part of Kherson Oblast. Acquaintances said the young man had wanted to go back to Ukraine.

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Police officers stand guard as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington (photo credit: LEAH MILLIS/REUTERS)

Conspiracies surrounding the election, spread and promoted by Trump and many right-wing news outlets, led hundreds of people to surround the US Capitol and destroy federal property.

On this day in 2021, supporters of Donald Trump invaded the US Capitol during the certification of electoral votes for the 2020 election, in what would become known as the January 6 Capitol riots.

Conspiracies surrounding the election, spread and promoted by Trump and many right-wing news outlets, led hundreds of people to surround the Capitol and riot in an attempt to enter and disrupt the count. Many of the rioters were willing to resort to violence against bipartisan members of Congress.

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The conspiracies, and Trump himself, claimed that the election had been rigged to favor Trump's opponent, Joe Biden, and that it had been "stolen" from Trump.

"You don't concede when there's theft involved," Trump told his supporters near the White House before the riots began. Many of the cheering supporters at his speech went directly from there to the Capitol, where the violence began.

While swarms of protestors stormed into the Capitol building and destroyed federal property, police evacuated the House of Representatives and the Senate.

"We are witnessing absolute banana republic crap in the United States Capitol right now. @realDonaldTrump, you need to call this off," former Wisconsin representative Mike Gallagher, a Republican who supports Trump, posted on Twitter as demonstrators broke windows to gain entry to the US Capitol.

January 6 riots injured over 100 police officers

Five people died during the skirmish, and over 100 police officers were injured. Approximately 1,500 people were arrested for their actions in storming the capital, but Trump later pardoned all of them on his first day in office during his second term.

Trump continued to maintain on Twitter that the election had been "fraudulent," and had previously made and spread unsubstantiated or false claims of election fraud.

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He was banned from Twitter for "the risk of further incitement of violence" two days after the insurrection, but the ban was lifted after Elon Musk purchased the social media site.

The attack led to Trump's second impeachment, one week after the insurrection, making him the first US president to be impeached twice. He has since been elected for a second presidential term.
Austin Thompson is accused of killing five people in the Hedingham neighborhood and his trial is scheduled to begin in less than a month.

Monday was the deadline for the defense and prosecution to file motions ahead of the trial.

The defense submitted a motion asking for the court to block certain cell phone and computer data.

Thompson's lawyers said "much of the evidence the state seeks to use is either extremely old, or undated," and "there is a serious danger of looking at anyone's phone search history with a retrospective view and finding evidence to support a theory that is convenient."

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SEE ALSO | Austin Thompson's legal team files motion to suppress statements in Hedingham mass shooting case

Longtime judge and legal expert Carl Fox says the prosecution does face some obstacles in this case, including establishing a motive.

"Jurors do like to know why something happened," he said. "It isn't necessary, but it's one of those things that jurors are curious about in a case like this."

Fox says jury selection will be another hurdle for the prosecution, considering how many people know about this case.

The Hedingham shooting drew national attention.

"I would suspect that they would summon 100 or so jurors a day," said Fox. 8 "It's gotten a lot of publicity and that's what makes it harder to try than other cases that don't see this kind of publicity."

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Thompson's trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 2.

SEE ALSO | Defense plans to blame medication, 'diminished capacity' in Hedingham mass shooting case

His defense attorney did not want to comment on the filings.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman had said she would not comment on the motion ahead of trial.

SEE ALSO | Hedingham mass shooting video released by Raleigh Police shows capture of suspect Austin Thompson
MIAMI (AP)  In 2017, as political outsider Donald Trump headed to Washington, Delcy Rodriguez spotted an opening.

Then Venezuela's foreign minister, Rodriguez directed Citgo  a subsidiary of the state oil company  to make a $500,000 donation to the president's inauguration. With the socialist administration of Nicolas Maduro struggling to feed Venezuela, Rodriguez gambled on a deal that would have opened the door to American investment. Around the same time, she saw that Trump's ex-campaign manager was hired as a lobbyist for Citgo, courted Republicans in Congress and tried to secure a meeting with the head of Exxon.

The charm offensive flopped. Within weeks of taking office, Trump, urged by then-Sen. Marco Rubio, made restoring Venezuela's democracy his driving focus in response to Maduro's crackdown on opponents. But the outreach did bear fruit for Rodriguez, making her a prominent face in U.S. business and political circles and paving the way for her own rise.

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She's an ideologue, but a practical one, said Lee McClenny, a retired foreign service officer who was the top U.S. diplomat in Caracas during the period of Rodriguez's outreach. "She knew that Venezuela needed to find a way to resuscitate a moribund oil economy and seemed willing to work with the Trump administration to do that."

Nearly a decade later, as Venezuelas interim president, Rodriguez's message  that Venezuela is open for business  seems to have persuaded Trump. In the days since Maduro's stunning capture Saturday, he's alternately praised Rodriguez as a gracious American partner while threatening a similar fate as her former boss if she doesn't keep the ruling party in check and provide the U.S. with total access to the country's vast oil reserves. One thing neither has mentioned is elections, something the constitution mandates must take place within 30 days of the presidency being permanently vacated.

This account of Rodriguez's political rise is drawn from interviews with 10 former U.S. and Venezuelan officials as well as businessmen from both countries who've had extensive dealings with Rodriguez and in some cases have known her since childhood. Most spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from someone who they almost universally described as bookishly smart, sometimes charming but above all a cutthroat operator who doesn't tolerate dissent. Rodriguez didn't respond to AP requests for an interview.

Fathers murder hardens leftist outlook

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Rodriguez entered the leftist movement started by Hugo Chavez late  and on the coattails of her older brother, Jorge Rodriguez, who as head of the National Assembly swore her in as interim president Monday.

Tragedy during their childhood fed a hardened leftist outlook that would stick with the siblings throughout their lives. In 1976  when, amid the Cold War, U.S. oil companies, American political spin doctors and Pentagon advisers exerted great influence in Venezuela  a little-known urban guerrilla group kidnapped a Midwestern businessman. Rodriguez's father, a socialist leader, was picked up for questioning and died in custody.

McClenny remembers Rodriguez bringing up the murder in their meetings and bitterly blaming the U.S. for being left fatherless at the age of 7. The crime would radicalize another leftist of the era: Maduro.

Years later, while Jorge Rodriguez was a top electoral official under Chavez, he secured for his sister a position in the president's office.

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But she advanced slowly at first and clashed with colleagues who viewed her as a haughty know-it-all.

In 2006, on a whirlwind international tour, Chavez booted her from the presidential plane and ordered her to fly home from Moscow on her own, according to two former officials who were on the trip. Chavez was upset because the delegations schedule of meetings had fallen apart and that triggered a feud with Rodriguez, who was responsible for the agenda.

It was painful to watch how Chavez talked about her, said one of the former officials. He would never say a bad thing about women but the whole flight home he kept saying she was conceited, arrogant, incompetent.

Days later, she was fired and never occupied another high-profile role with Chavez.

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Political revival and soaring power under Maduro

Years later, in 2013, Maduro revived Rodriguez's career after Chavez died of cancer and he took over.

A lawyer educated in Britain and France, Rodriguez speaks English and spent large amounts of time in the United States. That gave her an edge in the internal power struggles among Chavismo  the movement started by Chavez, whose many factions include democratic socialists, military hardliners who Chavez led in a 1992 coup attempt and corrupt actors, some with ties to drug trafficking.

Her more worldly outlook, and refined tastes, also made Rodriguez a favorite of the so-called boligarchs  a new elite that made fortunes during Chavez's Bolivarian revolution. One of those insiders, media tycoon Raul Gorrin, worked hand-in-glove with Rodriguez's back-channel efforts to mend relations with the first Trump administration and helped organize a secret visit by Rep. Pete Sessions, a Texas Republican, to Caracas in April 2018 for a meeting with Maduro. A few months later, U.S. federal prosecutors unsealed the first of two money laundering indictments against Gorrin.

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After Maduro promoted Rodriguez to vice president in 2018, she gained control over large swaths of Venezuela's oil economy. To help manage the petro-state, she brought in foreign advisers with experience in global markets. Among them were two former finance ministers in Ecuador who helped run a dollarized, export-driven economy under fellow leftist Rafael Correa. Another key associate is French lawyer David Syed, who for years has been trying to renegotiate Venezuelas foreign debt in the face of crippling U.S. sanctions that make it impossible for Wall Street investors to get repaid.

She sacrificed her personal life for her political career, said one former friend.

As she amassed more power, she crushed internal rivals. Among them: once powerful Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami, who was jailed in 2024 as part of an anti-corruption crackdown spearheaded by Rodriguez.

In her de-facto role as Venezuela's chief operating officer, Rodriguez proved a more flexible, trustworthy partner than Maduro. Some have likened her to a sort of Venezuelan Deng Xiaoping  the architect of modern China.

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Hans Humes, chief executive of Greylock Capital Management, said that experience will serve her well as she tries to jump-start the economy, unite Chavismo and shield Venezuela from stricter terms dictated by Trump. Imposing an opposition-led government right now, he said, could trigger bloodshed of the sort that ripped apart Iraq after U.S. forces toppled Saddam Hussein and formed a provisional government including many leaders who had been exiled for years.

Weve seen how expats who have been outside of the country for too long think things should be the way it was before they left, said Humes, who has met with Maduro as well as Rodriguez on several occasions. You need people who know how to work with how things are not how they were.

Democracy deferred?

Where Rodriguez's more pragmatic leadership style leaves Venezuela's democracy is uncertain.

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Trump, in remarks after Maduro's capture, said Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado lacks the respect to govern Venezuela despite her handpicked candidate winning what the U.S. and other governments consider a landslide victory in 2024 presidential elections stolen by Maduro.

Elliott Abrams, who served as special envoy to Venezuela during the first Trump administration, said it is impossible for the president to fulfill his goal of banishing criminal gangs, drug traffickers and Middle Eastern terrorists from the Western Hemisphere with the various factions of Chavismo sharing power.

Nothing that Trump has said suggests his administration is contemplating a quick transition away from Delcy. No one is talking about elections, said Abrams. If they think Delcy is running things, they are completely wrong.
As former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan tries to make history as Michigan's first-ever independent governor, his past fellow Democratic partisans have launched a full-bore campaign against him, hoping another midterm election-cum-anti-Trump referendum will deny Duggan a path to victory.

During dueling press conferences Monday, Jan. 5, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel blasted Duggan for not criticizing President Donald Trump's policies, to which Duggan countered that he left the Democratic Party because he felt it became singularly focused on hating Trump.

Duggan staked out one area of opposition to Trump on trade, saying tariffs on Canadian auto parts hurt Michigan's auto industry. "The other stuff that these guys get into  the Republicans and Democrats  with their outrage machines and whatever the latest thing that Trump said, I'm going to get into that. I'm going to deal with solving problems," Duggan said. Voters he encounters on the campaign trail, Duggan said, "aren't talking about the nonsense in Washington."

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Trump may not be on the ballot in 2026, but Trump's policies, such as health care cuts, are, said Hertel, and the next governor will have to deal with the fallout from them. "At the end of the day, they affect Michigan's people, and when you're governor, sometimes you have to stand up and fight back, and he has shown zero willingness to actually do that," he said of Duggan.

In abandoning his longtime affiliation with the Democratic Party to run as an independent for governor, Duggan argues that voters fed up with both major political parties want a bridge builder who can assemble a bipartisan coalition to support a long-term vision for Michigan's success, from economic development to education capable of surviving swing state politics. Hertel described Duggan's campaign as a "road to nowhere," prompting Duggan to joke that the Democratic chair spends a lot of time talking about a candidate he doesn't think can win.

Michigan Republicans haven't necessarily pulled any punches against Duggan, but the Michigan Democratic Party has more vigorously campaigned against him compared to the Michigan GOP. While Hertel says Duggan is running a campaign "bankrolled by MAGA megadonors" like former Michigan GOP leader Ron Weiser as he courts Trump voters, Michigan GOP Chair state Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, said Duggan will primarily draw his support from traditionally Democratic voters. "The Democrats know it, and that's why they're just going bonkers on him, and I think we are going to be far less impacted," Runestad said. Still, Runestad had a message for any Republican voters considering Duggan: He's a "wolf in sheep's clothing because he is an absolute rock-solid Democrat."

More: Reflecting on last year's investigations  and seeing trouble ahead

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More: Ford CEO Farley balks at Senate hearing over unequal Tesla treatment

Duggan's unprecedented campaign has no playbook in Michigan. No prominent independent in Michigan has ever run for governor, let alone won the state.

Independent candidates skip the primary election and cruise to the November election. If he amasses enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, Duggan will face the Democratic and GOP nominees. The major candidates on the Democratic side include Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The GOP side of the race is a bit more crowded, with the major names including former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard of DeWitt and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township.

M.L. Elrick: Path to gubernatorial power has run through these Michigan offices

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Duggan independent campaign faces barrage of Dem criticism
Its an ignominious end to an otherwise unremarkable political career. Tim Walz has announced that he is ending his campaign to be re-elected for a third term as governor of Minnesota in the wake of a growing scandal over welfare fraud in the North Star State, with many of the alleged perpetrators members of the local Somali-American community. Walzs disastrous turn as Kamala Harriss vice-presidential pick in 2024 earned him a reputation as a political doofus. Now he is the highest-profile casualty of the failure to stop the elaborate  and lucrative  alleged theft of potentially billions of dollars from US taxpayers.

The full scale of the scandal is still only now becoming clear. Federal prosecutors say that dozens of people have been convicted for their role in multiple schemes, including attempts to bilk state agencies for money meant to deal with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. One estimate puts the amount of money stolen at $1bn, but others suggest that the true cost could be potentially significantly more.

Republican Representative Mike Haridopolos said the entire affair should be treated like the mafia, with the activities akin to organised crime, while former House oversight committee chairman Jason Chaffetz has demanded top Minnesota law-makers testify before Congress and account for how the alleged fraud went undetected. Those law-makers would be likely to include Walz, of course, despite the fact that he will be unemployed come January.

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Federal audits had for several years identified Minnesota as facing a problem in areas such as improper payments to childcare centres in the state. But the sums of money alleged to have been stolen more recently beggar belief. The federal authorities have estimated that just one fraud  involving an organisation called Feeding our Future, which claimed to have delivered 91 million meals to hungry children  instead diverted $250m into funding lavish lifestyles, including buying luxury cars and properties.

The question many in Washington  where President Trump is paying close attention to the scandal  are asking is: how could this have happened? In many ways, the real question is: how could it have not? Minnesota, particularly its largest city Minneapolis, is one of Americas most progressive and wokest enclaves. It was in Minneapolis in 2020 that George Floyd was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin, setting off the Black Lives Matter protests that roiled the nation. The city has seen one of the strongest pushes to appease the defund the police cries that followed.

Minnesota has also seen a boom in immigration from East Africa, notably from Somalia, the birthplace of congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis in Washington. The community, now nearly 100,000 strong statewide, has achieved significant political power, and Democrats are accused of turning a blind eye to problems in the community for fear of upsetting a powerful new voting bloc.

Ilhan Omar has used identity politics to shut down criticism of the Somali-American community

Omar herself has proved masterful at weaponising identity politics to shut down criticism. And this has included criticism of the Somali-American community for the involvement of some of its members in allegedly defrauding welfare programmes.

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We know that [Trump] oftentimes resorts to very bigoted, xenophobic, Islamophobic, racist rhetoric when he is trying to scapegoat and deflect from the actual failures that he has himself, said Omar on CNN last month. You get the idea.

Other Minnesota progressives seem to have taken a cue from such obfuscation. Minneapolis mayor, Jacob Frey  who was criticised by conservatives for giving his victory speech partly in Somali when he was re-elected this November  has blasted the federal immigration sweeps that have taken place in the wake of the scandal. He seems to be treading a fine line between saying that those guilty of fraud should be punished while denouncing criticism of the Somali-American community as a whole.

Like so much in woke-world, Minnesotas social services scandal appears to have been allowed to fester because sensible people ignored the evidence of their eyes, whether out of political calculation, identity politics, or a fear of offending cultural sensibilities. But now the politicians failures are catching up with them. Appearing to turn a blind eye to apparent fraud among an electorally powerful community might have made perverse sense for Democrats in the short term. It doesnt look so clever now.

David Christopher Kaufman is a former New York Post editor and author of the COUNTERINTUITIVE Substack

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Washington  House Democrats held an unofficial hearing on Tuesday to mark five years since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, featuring appearances from several groups of witnesses who recounted the riot.

Lawmakers who were part of a since-disbanded special committee that investigated the riot and President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election led the hearing, which was not an official proceeding since Democrats are in the minority. The hearing stretched nearly five hours as a number of witnesses testified on the events of that day and the aftermath.

"Five years ago today, a violent mob incited by Donald Trump attacked the Capitol as part of a concerted effort to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential Election and halt the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in American history," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said as the hearing kicked off.

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In a letter to House Democrats last week, Jeffries said the meeting was meant to highlight the pardons Mr. Trump granted to hundreds of rioters on his first day in office, some of whom have since been arrested on other charges involving guns, drugs and domestic abuse. Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said the hearing would also focus on "ongoing threats to free and fair elections posed by an out-of-control Trump administration."

"Over the last five years, instead of holding those responsible for the attack accountable, Donald Trump and far-right extremists in Congress have repeatedly attempted to rewrite history, and whitewash the horrific events of Jan. 6," Jeffries said Tuesday. "We will not let that happen."

Around 140 police officers were injured in the attack that delayed the certification of President Joe Biden's victory and caused millions of dollars in damages. Mr. Trump has downplayed the actions, praising the rioters as "patriots" and "peaceful people" and accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing the Justice Department against his supporters.

Pamela Hemphill, the only riot defendant to reject Mr. Trump's pardon, testified at Tuesday's hearing alongside former federal prosecutor Brendan Ballou and former Capitol Police officer Winston Pingeon. Hemphill said she was "deeply grateful for this chance to try to make amends and talk about what happened five years ago," adding that "once I got away from the MAGA cult, and started educating myself about January the 6th, I knew what I did was wrong."

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"I pleaded guilty to my crimes, because I did the crime," Hemphill said. "Accepting that pardon would be lying about what happened on January the 6th. I am guilty, and I own that guilt."

Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California and former Reps. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, and Elaine Luria, a Democrat, were among the witnesses. All three served on the Jan. 6 committee, which issued four criminal referrals to the Justice Department against Mr. Trump.

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who pushed back against Mr. Trump's allegations of election fraud in his state, also testified. Duncan recalled Mr. Trump's pressure campaign to reject the election results in Georgia and the threats of violence he faced after he refused.

"At the time, I was a Republican. But there was no way I was going to illegally throw out millions of votes in our state," Duncan said. "Make no mistake about it, it instantly put a target on my back."

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The former leader of the far-right group the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, and other Jan. 6 defendants held a march marking the day's events. Tarrio said the event was in honor of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer while the Jan. 6 mob tried to breach the Speaker's Lobby outside the House chamber.

Tarrio was among those who received clemency from Mr. Trump. He was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Former Trump national security adviser H.R. McMaster on Venezuela raid that captured Maduro

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Trump doubles down on U.S. running Venezuela after Maduro capture
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs (D) stunning decision to drop his reelection bid is raising speculation that Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) may run for the seat, thrilling members of her party at a time when they find themselves ensnared in a growing political scandal over widespread fraud.

The New York Times reported that Walz and Klobuchar met on Sunday, a day before Walz officially announced his move to forgo a run for a third term. A source close to Klobuchar told NewsNation she was considering it but hadnt made a final decision yet.

A potential Klobuchar gubernatorial bid is seen as a boon for Democrats, who have struggled to counter Republican attacks over the fraud scandal as they look to win races for governor and Senate this year.

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I think its kind of a no-brainer for the Democrats for her to step in this space, and I think it all but assures them victory coming up, said Sean Oyaas, who served as a top political aide on the Walz-Flanagan campaign from 2018-22.

Walz announced Monday he would forgo his reelection bid for a third term as the widespread fraud scandal roiled his campaign. Prosecutors allege that as much as $9 billion has been stolen as part of a sweeping fraud scheme involving state-administered social welfare programs, such as food assistance for children in need.

Walz condemned the fraud and had taken steps to address the issue, including launching an audit of more than a dozen Medicaid services and naming a new fraud czar. But the blowback from Republicans, including President Trump and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), created a growing political liability for him.

Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I cant spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences, Walz said Monday in a statement. So Ive decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.

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His decision not to seek reelection represents a stunning fall from grace for the one-rising star, who came to national prominence when he was tapped by former Vice President Kamala Harris to be her running mate in the 2024 presidential election. It also clears a potential path for Klobuchar, a four-term senator who ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.

The source close to Klobuchar told NewsNation she has been getting a lot of outreach encouraging her to run [for governor].

Klobuchars campaign did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill, but in a statement on the social platform X, she praised Walz without mentioning her plans.

Governor Walz made the difficult decision to focus on his job and the challenges facing our state rather than campaigning and running for reelection, she said. He has always dedicated his career to delivering for Minnesota  from providing school breakfast and lunches to our kids to passing gun safety legislation to maintaining our states AAA bond rating. He is a true public servant.

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Democrats say that if Klobuchar were to throw her hat in the ring, shed be a heavy favorite to win the partys nomination.

Theres still runway for folks to get in this race, said Corey Day, a former executive director for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, adding he expected there would be a pretty good competition amongst Democrats and noted his party already had a pretty strong bench of candidates whove been elected statewide.

But if Klobuchar announced her candidacy, Day suggested she would be the favorite not only in the primary, but also in the general election.

Oyaas, too, suggested most of the party would likely consolidate behind her if she were to run.

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She is the most popular Democrat in Minnesota, has been  over the course of the last 15, 20 years, he said.

Other names floated have also included Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon (D) and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D).

Klobuchar won a fourth term in the Senate in November; if she decides to run to replace Walz and wins, the governor would be able to make an appointment to fill Klobuchars seat. A special election would then take place later to determine who completes the remainder of her term, which is up in 2030.

Should Klobuchar run, it would close the door on the opportunity for her to run for Senate Democratic whip, the No. 2 Democrat in the upper chamber behind Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Punchbowl News reported in August that Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), also a member of Senate Democratic leadership along with Klobuchar, had clinched more than half of his caucuss support.

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There was also speculation Klobuchar could mount another presidential bid in 2028, particularly after she traveled to New Hampshire in June, when she stumped for Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), whos running for Senate.

Even with Walzs announcement, national Republicans argue Democrats still will be vulnerable over the issue of fraud. But the GOP faces an uphill climb to flipping the seat in November; the party hasnt won statewide since 2006.

Even before Walzs announcement, the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report had rated his seat as likely Democratic.

Walzs failed leadership is emblematic of Minnesota Democrats agenda and whoever Democrats choose to replace Walz with at the top of the ticket will need to defend years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities, Republican Governors Association spokesperson Courtney Alexander said in a statement.

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While some Democrats acknowledge they may still wrestle with the issue of fraud on the campaign trail, members of the party point out Klobuchar was a former Hennepin County attorney. Shes also worked on legislation in the Senate around fraud prevention for seniors and pertaining to artificial intelligence.

They also note that given her current job as a U.S. senator, shes more removed from the fraud scandal thats embroiled the Minnesota government.

I think that shell have the bona fides to be able to say, No, I stand against this. Heres my proven track record in doing so, and it wont have as direct of a tie, certainly as the Walz administration has had, Oyaas said.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The 2026 legislative session kicks off Tuesday at the Rhode Island State House.

Lawmakers will return to Smith Hill for the next six months to debate the state budget and other key issues.

In the video above, Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan joined Patrick Little on 12 News This Morning with a preview of what to expect.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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Key Points

Most private-sector employers no longer offer pensions like in the past.

The S&P 500 provides instant diversification across 500 large companies with a strong return history.

Tech stocks dominate the S&P 500 by market cap and can drive significant losses during sector downturns.

Have You read The New Report Shaking Up Retirement Plans? Americans are answering three questions and many are realizing they can retire earlier than expected.

It used to be a common thing for employers to offer pensions. This really took the pressure off of retirement savings for workers. You could show up to your job every day, stay with the same company for 40 years, and collect a pension in retirement without having to worry about money.

Nowadays, things are very different. Most private-sector employers don't offer a pension like companies did in the past.

If you're not among the lucky few who have one, or a government worker, then you're probably tasked with saving for retirement on your own. And that means having to figure out how to invest your money for long-term success.

Some financial experts will tell you that you can retire comfortably if you put all of your money into the S&P 500. In fact, investing giant Warren Buffett has long said that for the average saver, buying and holding shares of an S&P 500 index fund or ETF is a smart move.

But can you really retire on the S&P 500 alone? You can, but you may not want to.

The upside of investing in the S&P 500

There are several benefits to putting your money into the S&P 500. First, you get instant diversification.

The S&P 500 gives you exposure to the 500 largest publicly traded companies today. These are established businesses across a range of industries.

Secondly, the S&P 500 has a long history of delivering solid returns. If you buy shares of different companies of your choosing, you may end up with smaller returns if those businesses underperform.

Finally, investing in the S&P 500 is simple. You simply buy shares of an index fund or ETF, sit back, and let your portfolio do all the work. There's no need to rebalance every other quarter or keep tabs on various companies' performance.

The downside of investing in the S&P 500

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages of only investing in the S&P 500 for retirement. While you might see that your portfolio's performance matches that of the broad market, you aren't going to beat the market. You could end up with stronger returns with a portfolio of hand-picked stocks instead.
We recently wrote a post where medical professionals revealed "dark secrets" about their jobs that the public doesn't know . In the comments, doctors, nurses, and others shared more experiences about working in the medical field, and it's seriously eye-opening. Here's what they had to say:

1. "I worked as a nurse for 40 years! At the end of my career, I was working 12-hour shifts at one facility and 8-hour shifts at another facility, owned by the same people. The scheduler would schedule me for a 12-hour shift at one facility and then schedule me for an 8-hour shift at the other facility, with less than eight hours in between. Unsafe practice to say the least, but they didn't care. They micro-managed everything, including having to count gloves every time a pair was used! Unbelievable! Exhausting and unnecessary."

"God forbid you take your lunch or get a drink of water. The facilities were skilled facilities with minimal staff. Gave up my license when I retired because I never want to do that stuff again. When money is more important than a human, we have lost sight of the purpose of nursing and medical care."

officialcadet637

Cravetiger / Getty Images

2. "I'm a surgical technician. I don't know where to begin! I've been one for the greater part of 20 years (closer to 30 years). It's at a beyond-critical point; we're constantly running out of basic surgical supplies (unsterile gloves, sanitizing wipes, sponges, etc.), and we're still expected to perform our jobs at a high level, despite the constant handicaps from management and corporate, who do not have a clue!"

"I can go on and on, but you get the picture. At this point, I am trying my best to retire early."

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Anonymous

Related: "I Save SO MUCH MONEY": People Are Sharing The "Frugal Habits" That Became Part Of Their Identity

3. "It's not that the hospital is the worst place to be, but it should be a place you go to strictly for emergencies. Patients are being discharged quicker and sicker, and this has been true for quite some time, but more so as healthcare workers leave the bedside in droves. It's becoming increasingly challenging to provide good care, thanks to the added responsibilities and the unrealistic expectations of our patient population, who often do very little to help themselves (at times). If you can have your issue managed in an outpatient setting, you are going to end up much better off for it."

"Yes, you will wait longer, and I think that's why patients don't take this route (because it's slower)."

Anonymous, 35, Florida

4. "Home care RN here. There are so many poor/disadvantaged people. Whether it's mental or physical health, some (lots) of people struggle. If you've ever heard about people making decisions to eat, pay rent, or buy meds, that's very real! Either way, it's exhausting trying to help people who consistently fall through the cracks because there simply isn't enough help for those who really need it. It's heartbreaking and causes burnout."

"Please just be kind to the medical staff. They truly are doing their best."

Anonymous, 62, Maine

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images

5. "Morbidity and Mortality meetings. I used to type up the minutes of the 'Morbidity and Mortality' meetings for a teaching trauma hospital. I was shocked at the mistakes 'covered up' and NEVER disclosed to the patients or family members. (I have never disclosed ANY of them to anyone, either.) In addition, I wish that I was surprised that the hospital 'overlooked' repeated LOST malpractice lawsuits and hired the physicians without explanations. These were often physicians hired before the FULL background check was completed. Some of these physicians originated from other countries, and some were homegrown in the USA."

"I had a deep respect for ALL medical personnel and still do! I loved my job and the people I worked with! This warning is not written by a disgruntled employee."

Anonymous, 75, Nevada

6. "The insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid are cutting their compensation so drastically that I went from seeing 1520 patients a day to almost 70 a day in order to make LESS compensation! On top of that, the preauthorization process effectively denies needed surgeries for no clear reason. In addition, the companies that provide the authorization clearances are incentivized to deny first and only begrudgingly approve."

Anonymous, 59, Georgia

Related: 29 Disgusting Rich Kid Meltdowns That'll Make You Hate Humanity Even More...If That's Even Possible

7. "I left clinical practice in 2019. This is the straw that broke the camel's back: An insurance company that our office manager had put off for about six months, as she knew what they wanted, came to meet with the providers in my office over lunch one day. The largest insurance company in the state. They spent the hour berating the other doctor, me, and our nurse practitioner about metrics. Too many people weren't getting the medications and preventative tests we ordered. Our clinic was deep in doomsday prepper country, so most of the patients refused to get mammograms, colonoscopies, bloodwork, etc. This was always documented in the chart that these had been ordered and that the patients were counseled, but still refused. Or they were ordered, but the patients never went to get the test done or fill the prescription."

"Come to find out, the insurance company was not properly reviewing charts because oftentimes, prescriptions weren't filled because the medication had been changed. Or the cost of the med or co-pay was too high. So, we were berated for things outside our control or because they couldnt be bothered to look at the full picture. The insurance company then offered incentives (aka, bribes) to persuade the patients to fill these discontinued prescriptions or tests they didnt want. My colleague, who owned the clinic, asked them how far they wanted us to go. Did they want us to pay for their prescriptions? Drive to their homes and shove the pills down their throats? Remove them from their homes and drive them kicking and screaming to the lab, radiology place, or surgicenter? I have never been prouder to work with him. Of course, the insurance company didnt like that at all and said we were being unreasonable.When I left for the day, I called my husband to discuss borrowing money from my parents to pay for my tail coverage (around $22K), which is essentially a buyout of your malpractice coverage that continues to insure you for a specified amount of time once you stop practicing. I was so worried hed think less of me for wanting to quit medicine. Id spent so many years where Id worked so hard under awful conditions to get where I was. Was it a waste? Nope. He was so supportive. Just wanted me to be happy. Wanted me to be able to sleep at night without sleeping pills. For my terrible work-related anxiety to get better. My family was the same way. My stepdad didnt even let me finish my story before he asked how much money Id need to quit. Im so lucky to have that kind of help. After a few months, I got a university teaching job, quit medicine, and have never looked back. I miss some patients, but nothing else."

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Anonymous, 47, Arizona

Krisanapong Detraphiphat / Getty Images

8. "EMT for 15 years now. Multiple times, I've had to transfer patients from hospital to hospital. These transfers are not always for emergencies. These are because the crew that picked you up at home takes you to the nearest hospital to offload you at a facility that cannot take care of you the way you need. So, you have to wait at the hospital for another ambulance to come and pick you up, taking you to another hospital. And if you leave the first hospital to drive yourself, then you leave AMA (Against Medical Advice). That means the insurance will not cover the hospital visit. Oh, and the second ambulance to transfer you is an additional bill. Now you have two ambulance bills and two hospital bills for one incident. I am so far down from administration, and I don't know how that can get fixed."

Anonymous, 45, Tennesee

9. "Peri-op nurse here. I was initially chagrined to be told I would have to stay late on call for the OR. The orthopedic surgeon on call. I couldn't understand why at first, as this patient, a young woman, had an injury (broken elbow) that was over 10 days old. The surgeon responded that this patient was on Medicaid, and the hospital she had initially been taken to was part of a national chain notorious for farming out uninsured/Medicaid patients. They had cancelled her surgery three times, and the patient now had nerve damage. It took our surgeon, who specialized in upper extremities, over four hours to save the use of her arm. Yes, this really happened."

Anonymous, 63, Texas

10. "There are no laws protecting medical students from the hours that they are required to work at the hospital for no pay. During my internal medicine rotation, I worked 120 hours a week for three months. We had to work every day of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. I had to be at the hospital every day by 4 a.m., which means that I was always tired and sleep-deprived. Attending doctors exploited us for free labor because they knew that we needed a good grade from them to graduate medical school."

"On top of that, they would insult us and call us racist names. I reported them to my school, and I was the one who paid. I wasn't accepted into any residency, and as a result, I was unable to practice medicine. I now work at a tech company and make twice what I would have made as a family doctor, working decent hours from the comfort of my own home."

Anonymous

Related: I'm Flabbergasted After Learning These Unexpected Job "Red Flags" That People Always Miss

Hinterhaus Productions / Getty Images

11. "Retired ultrasound tech, premier hospital. Eighty percent of the techs in our department think DNR means no treatment at all, and didn't understand why exams were still being ordered on these patients. They would leave these patients until last, in case they die in the meantime.' I will never be a DNR unless my medical power of attorney makes me one by following my pre-discussed wishes."

Anonymous, 76, California

12. "We are forced to acknowledge that we received uninterrupted breaks at the time clock before clocking out and reprimanded if we say we didn't receive our break. What a joke! There are no breaks for hospital nurses working the floors."

Anonymous, 58, Colorado

13. "So many of our patients and families are entitled and treat medical staff horribly. They literally harass us and fill out surveys complaining about things like we didn't bring them apple juice fast enough, or they had to wait to get their medicine. You know why you're waiting on your juice? Because your neighbor down the hall was experiencing a life-threatening emergency. Meanwhile, all the people who responded to that emergency haven't eaten all day, haven't peed, are hours behind on med passes and charting, have 15 calls to make, and didn't get to sleep because we did this same thing yesterday. Hospitals are not hotels, and doctors' offices are not spas. Have some compassion."

"Also, we are not trying to 'run up your bill' with treatments and medications. We have no idea what the hospital will charge you. We don't even know what kind of insurance you have or if you have insurance at all, unless they call us to deny something.

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The new rules that came out a few years ago mean patients can see their test results before the doctor does. The point is good  it's intended for patients to access their records. But imagine logging into your healthcare portal to find out that your MRI detected cancer that you didn't even know about, and your doctor hasn't had a chance to come in and talk to you about it yet. Many people don't understand the wording in their test results, and they don't know what a lot of the lab values mean. So, it makes them very anxious, or they go straight to Google and read about worst-case scenarios. In the past, doctors would review the results first and then release them for patient review.

Lastly, Google is a great resource, but that's just it. It's a resource. It doesn't replace the education and experience of your medical staff. People will literally argue with us because they googled things and insist that we are wrong. We spend all day trying to help people. It doesn't benefit us to give you false information. Consider trusting the people who work in healthcare for a living."

Anonymous, 46, North Carolina

BernardaSv / Getty Images

14. "Some insurance companies have not raised their reimbursement rates for services during the 40 years I have been practicing. A woman's haircut costs more than the insurance companies reimburse for a yearly eye exam."

Anonymous, 66, Alaska

Related: "It's Like A Freaking Hell Loop": People Are Revealing Normal '90s And '00s Things Are Considered A Luxury Now

15. "Bathroom breaks. Oftentimes, they get put off. 'After the next patient. Just one more, then I can go.'"

Anonymous, 57, Vermont

And finally...

16. "From someone who is on both sides of the healthcare train wreck as a provider and a caregiver to a family member, the system is crumbling. Healthcare administration is a business sector that monopolizes healthcare for profit and bonuses while undercutting healthcare staff with resources and pay for productivity. No one in healthcare is recommending this career path anymore due to the business shift model that major hospital systems are practicing. Dehumanization of staff and patients seen as numbers has become the norm."

"Insurance companies are a different market profiting beast that has more healthcare power decision-making than they should be allowed to have. I've seen so many patients, as well as family members, get denied for life-saving medications prescribed by a doctor with adequate evidence for proof of medical necessity. I've seen too many preventable deaths and injuries as a result of callous decision-making from insurance companies."

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Anonymous

Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Medical professionals, what are some other "dark secrets" about your job that more people should know? Tell us in the comments, or if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.

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Read it on BuzzFeed.com
A rescue dog being transported to Maine from South Carolina who escaped while stopped at a New Jersey Turnpike service area was found 15 miles away with the help of a drone and police officers.

The Golden Retriever mix named Abbie fled from the Joyce Kilmer Service Area in East Brunswick on Saturday during a break in her long journey along the East Coast, officials said.

Thankfully she was equipped with a tracking tag, which aided a non-profit USAR drone team in searching for her, according to Final Victory Animal Rescue, which was transporting the dog to her adopter.

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When the drone team pinpointed Abbies location, police officers in Woodbridge found her Saturday night  near the Turnpike, about 15 miles north of the service area, Officer-In-Charge Brian Murphy said.

Abbie suffered a hip and ligament injury during her journey through Middlesex County and has been returned to her foster home in South Carolina, where she will have surgery, Final Victory Animal Rescue said.

With boots on the ground and eyes in the sky, Abbie was located and recovered safely, Final Victory Animal Rescue said. A huge thank you to every agency involved for showing up when it mattered most.

Abbie came to Final Victory after being surrendered by her owner in Virginia, where she lived for nine years.

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Animal control officers in Woodbridge also assisted.

West Columbia, South Carolina based Final Rescue transports dogs and cats to adopters across the northeast.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
More than two weeks after the deadline to release the vast trove of files connected to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Justice Department officials disclosed Monday that theyre still reviewing millions of documents and have released less than 1 percent of the total.

[M]ore than 2 million documents  remain in various phases of review and redaction, Jay Clayton, Manhattans top federal prosecutor, wrote in a five-page update to the federal judge who previously presided over Epsteins case.

Clayton said about 12,285 documents  totaling 125,575 pages  had been released so far in response to the federal law requiring the vast majority of the files to be released publicly by Dec. 19.

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Clayton acknowledged that the Justice Department recently identified 1 million documents it had not initially included in its review. He said those documents appeared to be largely duplicative of files DOJ had already been reviewing  but that they would nevertheless need to undergo a process of processing and deduplication.

Clayon described an enormous undertaking, with more than 400 Justice Department attorneys slated to spend the next few weeks dedicating all or a substantial portion of their workday to reviewing and redacting files. That includes 125 lawyers from the Southern District of New York, where deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro is facing criminal charges.

The prosecutors reviewing the Epstein files are being aided by 100 FBI analysts with experience handling sensitive victim materials, Clayton said.

Clayton added the gradual release of the documents was necessitated by painstaking efforts to protect Epsteins victims from improper disclosures of their identities or private information. But DOJs critics have slammed the department for appearing to redact information its required to release  including the identities of prosecutors and agents involved in the cases and details about internal Justice Department deliberations surrounding the Epstein probe.

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Clayton told U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer that the painstaking review process required uploading documents to a data review platform, a manual search for victim information, a redaction process and a subsequent review by his office for quality control. That process was then followed by requests from victims to remove or redact materials that inadvertently were published publicly.

Clayton said feedback from the initial document released has now led the Justice Department to modify its review procedures to protect victim privacy. Those updates include prioritizing the review of documents that are expected to be responsive and nonduplicative, sorting documents according to their likelihood of containing victim-related information and assigning lawyers to batches of high-priority documents expected to include victim information.
Former Milwaukee Common Council member Don Richards died on Dec. 26 at age 89.

Richards served on the Milwaukee Common Council between 1988 and 2004, representing District 9 on the city's north and northwest sides until his retirement due to health reasons, according to his obituary.

During his tenure at the city, Richards was a member of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, as well as the Housing Authority and City Records Committee.

Alderman Don Richards kicks off a press conference in 1988 with city officials, including then-Mayor John Norquist, announcing city lawsuits against against landords over nuisance violations.

Although the two had a brief overlap in city government, former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was first elected in 2004, recalled Richards as "always smiling and always caring."

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"He was a wonderful man. A very Christian man who cared deeply about the community and the people who live here," Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Ald. Don Richards, left, and Howard Snyder, executive diretor of the Northwest Side Community Development Corp., examined a model of a planned W. Villard Ave. face lift in 1988. Richard Bauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Before becoming a city alderman, Richards participated in the citywide marches protesting a lack of open housing legislation in the city in the 1960s and was a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for almost two decades, starting in 1963. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the St. Francis Seminary and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Following his time on the Common Council, Richards began to teach local government classes at Alverno College. He also worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, his obituary said.

Richards is survived by his brother, Bob (Joanne), and was preceded in death by his wife, Doloros; his parents, Gregor and Rose Richards; and his brothers, Jim Richards and Ed Richards, according to his obit.

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A visitation is planned at 10 a.m. Jan 8 until his funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Alvina of Milwaukee Chapel, 9301 N. 76th Street.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Milwaukee city alderman Don Richards dies at 89
Washington  Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican who had been in Congress since 2013, has died. He was 65.

The Butte County Sheriff's Office said it received a 911 call from LaMalfa's residence on Monday night regarding a medical emergency, and LaMalfa was transferred to Enloe Hospital, where he was taken into emergency surgery. LaMalfa died during the surgical procedure, the sheriff's department said, and the coroner's unit is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death.

"Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America," Majority Whip Tom Emmer said in a post on X. "Our prayers are with Doug's wife, Jill, and their children."

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Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan, the chair of the House Republican Conference, said LaMalfa "cared deeply about his constituents and worked tirelessly to represent their voices, values, and livelihoods in Congress."

In a speech to House Republicans in Washington on Tuesday, President Trump remembered LaMalfa as a "fantastic person" and "great, great member." The president said LaMalfa died on Monday, and that he was "really saddened by his passing."

"He was a defender of everybody, and our hearts go out to his wife Jill and his entire family," Mr. Trump said. "He was our friend. All of us, every one of us."

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican, on Jan. 22, 2025. / Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The congressman represented California's 1st Congressional District in the northeastern part of the state and served as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.

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The California Republican was a fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner. He was known as a prominent voice on agriculture and rural issues in Congress, and previously served in the California State Assembly and state senate.

LaMalfa's death narrows the already thin GOP majority in the House. With his death and the resignation of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the party breakdown in the House stands at 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, with four vacancies.

LaMalfa's district is one of five GOP-held districts that was redrawn under California's Proposition 50, which is aimed at making them more favorable Democrats in the midterm elections.

Rep. Richard Hudson, a North Carolina Republican, said in a statement that LaMalfa was a "principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California."



"He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families. Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service," Hudson said.

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Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, called LaMalfa "a great colleague and friend" who "represented California well for over a decade."

"He will be missed," Lawler said.

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Several events are scheduled to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the start of the wildfires that devastated Altadena, Pacific Palisades and other communities in January 2025.

Tuesday

At 9:30 a.m., Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, will hold a 9:30 a.m. briefing at the site of Marquez Charter Elementary School, one of three LAUSD campuses devastated by the Palisades Fire. He will provide "a one-year update on schools in Pacific Palisades."

Marquez, located at 16821 Marquez Ave., reopened in September, using temporary bungalows as makeshift classrooms while a rebuilding project targets 2028 for the completion of new permanent facilities. About 75% of the estimated 310 students who once attended Marquez are now dispersed elsewhere in the district, officials say.

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Palisades Charter Elementary and Palisades Charter High School campuses were also devastated by the Palisades Fire. The district has said it will spend an estimated $725 million to rebuild the three schools.

At noon, the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute will host a webinar titled "The Altadena Recovery: Who Gets to Come Back?" -- examining "the uneven path to wildfire recovery for families and local small businesses in Altadena."

According to organizers, LPPI research indicates that "a year after the Eaton Fire, Altadena's recovery reflects both resilience and inequity."

"Many families and small businesses remain stalled," organizers say. "Nearly seven in ten severely damaged homes show no visible progress -- delayed by insurance issues, rising costs, and complex rebuilding.

Longtime Malibu residents are concerned about the city's rebuilding process as international buyers purchase burned-out lots after the Palisades Fire.

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"Black, Latino, and AAPI homeowners were among the hardest hit, with most property sales going to investors. Tenants, over a quarter of Altadena's population, face widespread displacement as much of the damage hit limited affordable and rent-controlled housing. Latino and AAPI-owned small businesses are also struggling to recover, many tied to properties now under new ownership."

Wednesday

At 8 a.m. in Pacific Palisades, American Legion Post 283 will host a "White Glove and Remembrance Ceremony" to "bring together community members, civic leaders, and recovery partners in remembrance, gratitude, and unity."

The program, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will commemorate the 12 Palisadians who lost their lives "and pay tribute to the countless individuals and groups who are helping the community recover and rebuild."

It will begin with a "Coffee & Breakfast Public Gathering" at the American Legion Post.

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From 9-10 a.m. there will be a private "Remembrance and Tribute Program" featuring a white-glove presentation of flags and certificates to rescue and recovery participants, and an invocation and accompanying music by the Palisades symphony. This segment of the event will be for families of those lost and invited guests -- though it will also be streamed outside the Legion Post on La Cruz Drive, for the public to view.

The event will also include the dedication of the American Legion Post 283 "survivor flag" flown during the fire; a retirement of the Palisades Post Office flag and the raising of replacement flag, accompanied by a bugler; a color guard and procession to the Village Green on Sunset Boulevard; a ringing of bells and wreath presentations; and a moment of remembrance on the Village Green "honoring those lost."

A community lunch at 11:15 a.m. will close the remembrance. Palisades American Legion Post 283 is located at 15247 La Cruz Drive.

ABC7's David Ono had a chance to catch up with David Muir recently, when he returned one year later to check on people he met on Hartzell Street in Pacific Palisades during the fires.

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At 8:30 a.m., Eaton Fire survivors and elected officials will gather for an 8:30 a.m. briefing at The Collaboratory in Altadena to share stories with media and "present a clear update on where recovery truly stands."

The event is organized by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, described as "a survivor-led community of 10,000+ Eaton and Palisades fire survivors."

The group reports that "8 in 10 Eaton Fire families remain displaced, with most running out of insurance housing coverage in the coming months" and that "70% of insured survivors report delays and denials blocking recovery."

Participants will gather to "offer an unfiltered assessment of recovery, what moved in 2025, and what must happen in 2026 to turn resilience into real recovery," organizers say.

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In addition, lawmakers are expected to preview their 2026 legislative aims regarding "what remains broken in our insurance and recovery systems." Among those expected to take part are state Sen. Sasha Renee Perez; Assemblyman John Harabedian; and L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

At 10:30 a.m. in Pacific Palisades, the Palisades Fire Residents Coalition will hold a rally titled "They Let Us Burn!" -- at which participants will "demand accountability for a total breakdown in prevention, precaution and leadership from the City of Los Angeles, State of California, LADWP, LA Fire Officials, California State Parks, California Natural Resources Agency, state/local agencies, Governor Newsom, and Mayor Bass."

Organizers say that, "despite promises of action, city and state leadership and agencies have delivered little real progress, with limited vision or a clear plan paired with great uncertainty."

The Concert for Altadena is almost here  and weve added a few more names.



Thrilled to announce that John C Reilly will host the evening, and Lord Huron, Rufus Wainwright , Lucius and Taboo have joined the lineup.



Proceeds benefit the Altadena Builds Back Foundation pic.twitter.com/ielCBaJAxr  Dawes (@dawestheband) December 17, 2025

In a statement ahead of the rally, Palisades resident and rally organizer Mariam Engel said, "We lost more than our homes. We lost trust. This fire was preventable. The city ignored warnings, ignored protocol, and ignored its own firefighters. Now, a year later, families are still without homes, and we're gathered to remind leaders. We haven't forgotten -- even if they have."

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Scheduled speakers will include homeowners, business owners and local officials "as well as experts addressing failures in fire preparedness, evacuation planning, insurance recovery, legal settlement recovery, and environmental cleanup," organizers said.

"This protest isn't politically motivated," according to organizers. "This is a call for fairness, accountability, and a vision for the rebuild."

The event is scheduled to run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Antioch/Swarthmore to Via De La Paz in the heart of Pacific Palisades. More information is available at theyletusburn.com.

At 4 p.m. at Malibu City Hall, the city will hold a "Palisades Fire Commemoration: Finding Strength in Community" event -- giving residents a chance "to reflect on the profound impact the fire had on all of Malibu."

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"The one-year mark reminds us of both the pain we experienced and the strength we discovered in one another," Mayor Marianne Riggins said in a statement ahead of the event.

"Through loss, uncertainty, and recovery, our community has shown extraordinary resilience. As we look ahead, we remain focused on supporting every resident, honoring what we've overcome, and building a future rooted in hope and long-term restoration."

According to a city statement, "the Palisades Fire stands as the greatest disaster the City of Malibu has ever endured. It tore through the community, destroying more than 700 structures, displacing families, and leaving entire neighborhoods reduced to smoldering ruins. It was part of a historic regional disaster that took many more lives and thousands of homes, and we stand in solidarity with our fellow communities that experienced this tragedy."

Wednesday's program will run from 4-5:30 p.m. and include a native Chumash blessing, a moment of silence for the three Malibu residents who lost their lives, and a remembrance poem written for the occasion by Charlotte Ward, Malibu's poet laureate.

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A reception will follow with light food, a memorial space and an art gallery paying tribute to first responders and community members. Malibu City Hall is located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.

The event will also be livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel.

At 5:30 p.m., the Pasadena Civic Auditorium will host "A Concert for Altadena," to benefit the Pasadena Community Foundation's Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund -- with funds raised going specifically to PCF's supporting organization, the Altadena Builds Back Foundation.

Performers will include Dawes & Friends, featuring Eric Krasno, Aloe Blacc, Jackson Browne, Brandon Flowers, Judith Hill, Jenny Lewis, Mandy Moore, Brad Paisley and Stephen Stills, plus performances by Ozomatli and Everclear and other guests.

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Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert is set to start at 6:30 p.m. The Pasadena Civic Auditorium is located at 300 E. Green St. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and the Los Angeles Master Chorale Singers will perform "Concerts of Remembrance, Healing, and Renewal" at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at St. Matthew's Chapel in Pacific Palisades.

Meyers' family was among the thousands who were affected by the wildfires. The Grammy winner and her family were able to escape the Palisades Fire, which severely damaged their home.

City News Service contributed to this report.
After more than two years of Israels genocidal war on Gaza, the daily unbearable churn of mass death and mourning, with homes, hospitals and schools destroyed, the besieged Palestinian territory also faces the fastest and most damaging economic collapse on record.

That is according to the United Nations, which says Gazas unemployment rate has reached 80 percent.

Yet despite Israels suffocating blockade on the Strip, Palestinians are improvising businesses to survive.

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For many people, survival now depends on skills and small initiatives, rather than formal jobs.

Widowed and responsible for a household of five, Um Mohammed al-Jarjawi relies on knitting to provide for her family  and sometimes passes on her skills to the next generation.

Every day inside her home, al-Jarjawi prepares food for her grandchildren. Moments later, she heads out to work.

I started learning knitting when I was 10 years old, she told Al Jazeera. Later, I attended courses at specialised centres. I discovered that I was skilled at the craft and began training others.

After my husband passed away, I needed to support my household. I focused on working to provide for my family while improving my skills.

Um Mohammed al-Jarjawi relies on knitting to provide for her family [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

Small-scale businesses have expanded, ranging from solar-powered phone-charging stations to women knitting baby clothes. They provide households with short-term means of survival, but it is not enough to restore economic stability or generate sustainable, protected employment.

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With 70 percent of electricity networks destroyed, Gazas power system has collapsed, forcing people to improvise.

For Wasim al-Yazji, a makeshift solar-powered charging station is a fragile lifeline that provides some income  but cannot solve the power crisis.

I opened this charging station to help my family with basic needs, some food and small expenses. I try to support my household through it, al-Yazji told Al Jazeera.

His home used to have a supermarket beneath it, but it was destroyed.

My charging station depends on solar panels, so if the sun doesnt shine, the charging power is weak and I cant work for days. Sometimes a whole week passes under clouds without any income, he said.

Wasim al-Yazji stands next to his makeshift charging station [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

Gazas labour market has virtually collapsed, with the UN reporting that the enclave now faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the world.

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For many young men and women, jobs are nowhere to be found, forcing them to pace the streets or wait endlessly for a chance to work.

Ive been looking for a job for months, Mohammed Shatat told Al Jazeera. Even temporary work is hard to find. Every day feels the same I go from place to place, asking, hoping, but theres nothing.

Families are finding ways to survive amid the devastation and destruction, but these informal ventures are no solution to the economic crisis: With hundreds of thousands of people still out of work, unemployment remains a tremendous challenge across the Strip.




A chess is commonly depicted as a stripped-down reflection of war, and one of the most important similarities involves planning. In chess, a move that looks good can easily be a prelude to disaster while a move that looks absurd or enigmatic can in fact be the first step toward victory. In both cases, it's essential for players to think ahead.

The same principle applies to military operations, such as the weekend seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife to face drug charges in the United States. As a military operation, comparable to a single chess move, it was virtually flawless, attaining its objectives with zero American casualties.

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Since then, much of the debate has been about whether the operation was moral or legal, a matter that won't be settled any time soon. Unfortunately, the recriminations over the propriety of removing Maduro - by any standard a corrupt and incompetent thug - was proper have overshadowed a far more important question: What do we do next?

For better or worse, the last 60-some years provide ample lessons to guide our policies. One of the sharpest is that we can't afford to treat Maduro's removal as a one-off like the raid on Osama bin Laden's secret compound in Pakistan. In war, as in chess, initiative is a transient thing, and when you have it, you can't afford to waste it.

There is, for example, the disastrous deployment of troops to Lebanon during the early 1980s. About 1,800 marines were sent to Beirut with vague instructions to work for a restoration civil of order but with rules of engagement so muddled as to leave the marines mostly sitting around waiting for something to happen. Happen things did on Oct. 23, 1983 when a truck bomb - something of a Syrian specialty - blew up at their headquarters, killing 241 of them. Shortly afterward, the remaining marines were withdrawn, having accomplished nothing.

Much the same could be said for the 1992 deployment of about 25,000 troops to Somalia by the waning George H.W. Bush administration. Some were quickly brought home, but many were still there when Bill Clinton took charge in January 1983 and, best anyone can tell, pretty much consigned the whole operation to a backburner. Over the next nine months, the troops mainly spent their time skirmishing with local warlords in the capital, Mogadishu, center of what kind of passed for a government whose actual authority stretched to the limits of a United Nations compound in the city.

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Requests for more soldiers and stronger equipment, especially tanks, were ignored until an Oct. 3, 1993 ambush killed 18 Army Rangers. The botched raid led to the temporary dispatch of reinforcements, the resignation of the secretary of defense, and a relatively swift withdrawal after having accomplished even less than in Beirut. To this day, Somalia remains an anarchic, failed state.

That description applies equally to Haiti, where U.S. troops have been sent twice with diametrically opposite goals. In September 1994, Clinton dispatched our forces to restore President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who'd been ousted by a military coup. As the troops were about to embark, former President Jimmy Carter arranged a last-second deal under which that nation's military rulers would step aside so that the troops could land without opposition. Several hundred spent up to five years on the island, mainly involved in humanitarian and infrastructure missions.

Meanwhile, local political and especially police functioning collapsed, and the last U.S. forces fled the chaos in March 1999. Aristide proved so inept that in February 2004, despite being wholly committed to fighting a ballooning insurgency in Iraq, enough troops were scraped together to reinvade Haiti, this time to snatch Aristide and dump him in the Central African Republic and to support a CIA-instigated coup. That was nearly 22 years ago, and Haiti is still a mess.

And now we're committed to doing something or other in Venezuela. We need to figure out our next move, and as in competitive chess, the clock is ticking.

This article originally published at Editorial: What's America's next move in Venezuela?.
An emergency hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in the case against Lindsay Clancy, the Duxbury mother accused of killing her three young children and then attempting to take her own life.

Attorneys for Clancy are seeking a ruling on how she will be transported to court each day during her upcoming murder trial. Clancy, who was left paralyzed following her suicide attempt, is currently at Tewksbury State Hospital.

Her lawyers argue she should be transported by ambulance. The Plymouth County Sheriffs Office, however, says they plan to bring her to court in a wheelchair-accessible van.

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Clancys trial is scheduled for July, but she is expected to appear in court on Wednesday for a separate hearing.

In November 2025, Plymouth County Superior Court Judge William F. Sullivan denied a defense motion to move Clancys murder trial to Boston, despite concerns over extensive media coverage. He also agreed to postpone the trial by five months to July 20, 2026. It had been scheduled for February 9.

Clancy is charged with three counts of murder and strangulation in the deaths of her 5-year-old daughter, Cora, her 3-year-old son, Dawson, and her 7-month-old baby, Callan. She has pleaded not guilty.

Since the tragedy unfolded inside the familys Summer Street home on the evening of Jan. 24, 2023, Reddington has maintained that Clancy, whom he has described as a troubled soul, had been suffering from postpartum depression and that she was overmedicated at the time of the deaths of her three kids.

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Prosecutors say Clancy used exercise bands to strangle her kids before jumping out of a window in a suicide attempt. Court documents also revealed that Clancy used her cell phone and her journal to document her mental state and her feelings about her children, in addition to keeping track of her medications and researching ways to kill.

Before the deaths of the kids, Clancy used maps on her phone to determine how long it would take to go to and from a restaurant and then texted her husband, Patrick, who was working in his home office, to pick up a takeout order.

He agreed to pick up the food, and while he was gone, his wife allegedly took the lives of their children. In February 2023, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague described in court the moment Patrick returned home with the takeout order.

Patrick was heard screaming in agony and shock as he located his children, face down on the floor, with the bands used to strangle them tied around their necks, according to Sprague. He yells out, She killed the kids! Sprague added.

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Clancys husband told The New Yorker in an interview published in October 2024 that he didnt blame Lindsay for what happened and didnt express anger with her.

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Higher education is undergoing an identity crisis. Repeated attacks from the Trump administration, the rise of AI and budget shortfalls have put top universities on the defensive as public sentiment on the value of a college degree sours. But a new trend in company hiring suggests that elite colleges arent losing their edge anytime soon.

A 2025 survey of over 150 companies found that more than a quarter, 26%, were recruiting from a brief selection of schools, up from 17% that were doing the same in 2022, according to recruiting intelligence firm Veris Insights, which conducted the research.

Even most of the surveyed companies that werent recruiting from a shortlist of universities said they were focusing on target schools, while also accepting applications from a list of other schools. That means candidates from prestigious universities that are located close to a companys headquarters are typically given priority, according to Chelsea Schein, Veriss vice president of research strategy, the Wall Street Journal reported.

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Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA in a hiring decision, Schein told Fortune. Theres an increasing recognition among employers that they can be more targeted in their approach.

Talent is everywhere hiring seems to have fallen out of style for many reasons, according to entry-level recruiters. For one, its expensive. It takes high sums to set up meetings with candidates and get recruiters to campuses across the country. Further, AI-generated resumes have made many applications appear identical, causing some recruiters to fall back on university prestige to distinguish candidates. And for many companies, DEI is no longer a priority.

This hiring trend harkens back to pre-pandemic days and the tight labor market of 2018 and 2019, when firms prioritized in-person interaction, according to researchers specializing in entry-level recruitment. Today, most firms recruit from about 30 colleges out of 4,000 universities, looking first at elite colleges and then schools nearby a companys corporate offices as companies seek to recruit candidates for in-person work.

This trend is evident among top firms. Once accustomed to multiple passes through 45 to 50 schools per year, GE Appliances has resigned to four or five events per semester at just 15 institutions.

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Financial technology firm Bill says it is focused on recruiting from colleges near its corporate offices in San Jose, Calif., and Draper, Utah.

McKinsey, the prominent New York-based consulting firm, is recommitting to a high-touch process, hosting in-person events with alumni who work at the company at a shortlist of 20 universities, according to Blair Ciesil, a McKinsey recruiting partner. The announcement comes after the firm axed language on its career page that said, We hire people, not degrees.

The tides may be turning for higher education

This trend may lend a much-needed competitive edge to elite institutions as sentiment toward higher education sours. In 2025, just 35% of surveyed adults in the U.S. said that a college education was very important. Thats down from 70% in 2013. And just one-third of American voters said that a four-year degree was worth the cost over the same time period, according to NBC.

Yet enrollment in higher education is actually up. Despite skepticism of a four-year degrees value proposition, institutions awarded nearly 2.2 million bachelors degrees in 2025, up from 1.6 million in 2010.

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Some recruiters say college isnt worth it, like recruitment agency Randstad CEO Sander van t Noordende, telling Fortune he believes people must reflect ontaking a student loan, going to college and being trained or educated for a profession that is rapidly changingwhether thats still the right path. This comes as nearly half of Millennials and Gen Z say college was a waste of money, with Gen Z men feeling the impact most: their unemployment rate now matches that of Gen Z men without degrees.

For some, the payoff may still be worth it. College degree holders still earn more on average than those with just a high school degree. The college wage premium, or the earnings gap between workers with a bachelors degree or higher and non-college-educated workers, sits at roughly 90%, according to the Federal Reserve of Cleveland. However, that number has plateaued over the past decade after rising steadily from the 1980s through the mid-2010s.

Id rather be a student with a degree than without a degree, Schein said.

But even for students who enroll in the nearly 4,000 accredited institutions across the country, a bachelors degree may not be enough to grab the attention of some of the countrys top recruiters  unless it comes from an elite institution.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
This change follows the departure of Marc Metrick, who has decided to leave his position as CEO after nearly 30 years to pursue other opportunities.

Metrick said: "I began my career at Saks in 1995 and have had the privilege of serving in many roles across merchandising, marketing, and strategy. From building a world-class team to establishing Saks.com as a leading luxury ecommerce platform, I am proud of what we accomplished together. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues, partners, and the entire Saks community for their support and collaboration over the years."

Under the new role, Baker will oversee all luxury retail operations at the company and will collaborate with the management team to guide Saks Globals ongoing transformation.

Baker said: I look forward to continuing to work with our highly experienced management team, valued partners, and other stakeholders to secure a strong and stable future for our company. Across Saks Global, with our deep industry expertise, well-established relationships within the luxury sector, and talented employees, we will strengthen our position so that we can capitalise on the many opportunities we see for our company in the luxury market.

Headquartered in New York City, Saks Global operates several luxury retail brands, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks OFF 5TH, Last Call, and Horchow.

Its portfolio features 70 full-line luxury locations, off-price stores, and five separate e-commerce platforms.

"Richard Baker appointed Saks Global CEO as Marc Metrick steps down" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




By Nolan D. McCaskill

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives Ethics Committee said on Monday it is reviewing allegations against Representative Mike Collins of Georgia, a Republican Senate candidate who is accused of paying more than $10,000 to an intern who was dating his chief of staff and performed no work.

Ethics Committee leaders announced the investigation following the release of a 37-page report from a separate ethics panel that found "substantial reason to believe" Collins misused congressional resources by paying an intern in his Georgia office who did no actual work.

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That woman, Caroline Craze, worked at Cox Communications during the time she was being paid by Collins' office, according to her LinkedIn account.

Craze was dating Collins' chief of staff, Brandon Phillips, the report said. Several witnesses told the ethics panel they feared retaliation from Phillips for cooperating with the review, citing reports of past violent criminal behavior.

Attorneys for Collins and Phillips said Craze's hire was proper and said the allegations came from disgruntled former aides. Craze could not be immediately reached for comment. Collins' office said the "bogus complaint is a sad attempt to derail" one of the state's most effective conservative legislators.

"Rep. Collins looks forward to providing the House Ethics Committee all factual information and putting these meritless allegations to rest," the office said.

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Collins is one of three high-profile Republican candidates vying to take on Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in what is seen as one of the Republicans' best chances to add to their Senate majority in the November midterm elections that will determine control of Congress for the next two years.

(Reporting by Nolan D. McCaskill; editing by Andy Sullivan and David Gregorio)
For a few minutes Saturday morning, it looked like Americas decision to snag Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro would be assessed entirely through the usual lenses of President Donald Trumps supporters versus his opponents. But then, a couple of interesting X posts surfaced.

As hostile voices loudly lamented the horrible affront to Maduro, tireless Trump critic Jonah Goldberg weighed in: Maduro is a bad guy and deserves no sympathy for being deposed and arrested. We are obliged to provide a lawful and fair trial. But the idea this was unfair to Maduro himself is hot garbage.

A person holds a sign Monday outside of a New York courthouse before the arraignment of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

With my eyebrows still raised, I arrived at a post that dismantled the claim that this was the horribly illegal ouster of a sovereign foreign leader: Maduro was never the legitimate president of Venezuela. The precision action by Delta to get Maduro without massive military occupation is how it should be done. This was the right call. May Maduro face justice and the people of Venezuela be free.

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That could have come from any ardent Trump supporter or from the administration itself. But in this case, the source was former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, whose years of venom, like Goldbergs, have simmered in the cauldron of Never-Trump ex-Republican bad blood. While much of the weekends condemnation of Operation Absolute Resolve came from the usual suspects, there were further examples of Trump detractors finding merit in its goal and its execution.

Maduro was never the legitimate president of Venezuela.



The precision action by Delta to get Maduro without massive military occupation is a how it should be done.



This was the right call. May Maduro face justice and the people of Venezuela be free  Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini)  (@AdamKinzinger) January 3, 2026

Conversely, there was hesitation in some corridors of Trump support  the usual Republican voices who are sticklers for a high bar for U.S. intervention and exhaustive congressional notification and approval when such prospects arise.

So, with support from some Trump enemies and criticism from some supporters overlapping, consider the objective underpinnings of the Venezuela operation and the history that informed it.

Everyone is free to admire or dismiss the administrations motivation, but there is a responsibility to at least recognize it. This is not the launch of a war, but a capture that will lead to a prosecution on a detailed indictment released in full by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It avoids the complexities of international sovereignty because the U.S., under both Trump and President Joe Biden, withheld recognition of Maduros legitimacy since the fraudulent Venezuelan election of 2018. The European Union and many governments in Central and South America view it the same way.

Many presidents have launched operations without telling Congress

As for requirements to inform Congress or secure its approval, history is filled with presidents taking limited unilateral action under their proper constitutional authority as commander-in-chief: Ronald Reagans Libya airstrikes; George H.W. Bushs and Bill Clintons Somalia interventions; Clintons operations in Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo; Barack Obamas Libya airstrikes; Trumps first-term attacks on Syria and last summers operation against Irans nuclear capabilities.

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As far as any perceived obligation to notify both parties in Congress in advance, the shrill hostility of many Democrats over the weekend makes clear that they could not have been trusted with such sensitive information. Many lamented Maduros rigged win in 2018 and supported various Biden-era sanctions, such as an elevated reward of $25 million for information leading to Maduros arrest and conviction. Does anyone doubt that operational security would have been happily sacrificed once Maduros capture featured an opportunity to thwart Trump?

President Donald Trump and CIA Director John Ratcliffe monitor U.S. military operations in Venezuela on Saturday, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Molly Riley/The White House via Getty Images) (Handout/White House via Getty Images)

The moment in history that most aligns with the Venezuela operation is Operation Just Cause, the 1989 invasion of Panama that removed Manuel Noriega on similar charges. Tried and convicted in Miami, he mounted continuous legal challenges filled with assertions of violations of international law and national sovereignty, the same complaints offered by Maduros new fan base in America. Courts repeatedly upheld the Noriega prosecution, and there is no reason to expect a different result as Maduro faces proper consequences.

Voices of actual Venezuelans grow louder by the hour, filled with gratitude for this opportunity to see a better day for the nation of their birth. Some have come to America over the years; others remain in the streets of Caracas. Their shared sentiment reveals relief that action was finally taken to remove a dictators boot from a nation that can be a vigorous participant in prosperity and freedom in our hemisphere.

Venezuelans living in Chile celebrate in Santiago on Saturday after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. (JAVIER TORRES/AFP via Getty Images)

Maduros various evils do not by themselves constitute a basis for extracting him. That foundation rests on the constitutional legitimacy of the powers of the American president and the illegitimacy of Maduros rule.

Democrats are piling up unpopular stances on immigration, fraud, too

Opposition to Maduros ouster, from Venezuela to the U.S. and around the world, was inevitable. But the shrieks of outrage against it seem motivated more by revulsion toward Trump than by sincere concern for that country or ours. As such, Democrats head into the crucial midterm year of 2026 waving the latest in a series of curious banners.

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Their fawning over Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the administration deported after accusing him of MS-13 ties, took on the optics of willful blindness toward violent immigrant gangs. Their clumsy defense of Somali child-care fraudsters in Minnesota adds to the disconnect with most Americans concerns about misspent tax dollars. The tears shed over the sinking of narco-terrorist drug boats set the stage for the coming months of attempts to bring stability to Venezuela while guarding the safety of Americans. These are likely to be popular across the U.S. political spectrum and across the world.

It will be interesting to see how many people in America, and how many nations around the world, will wallow on the wrong side of history.

Mark Davis hosts a morning radio show in Dallas-Fort Worth on 660-AM and at 660amtheanswer.com. Follow him on X: @markdavis.
Every student wounded in last months deadly shooting at Brown University is out of the hospital and back at home, officials said Monday.

All nine patients treated at Rhode Island Hospital after the shooting at Brown University, which also killed two other students, were discharged.

Eight students were released before the New Year but one patient who was severely wounded but was in stable condition remained in the hospital into 2026.

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We extend our best wishes to them and to all members of the Providence community affected by this tragic event as they continue their recovery, a Brown University Health spokesperson said.

Days after the shooting, a professor at MIT was gunned down in his Brookline residence. It was later revealed that the Brown University shooter and the professor had a shared history.

The gunman was later found dead from an apparent suicide in a New Hampshire storage facility.

Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman from Uzbekistan, were killed when a man walked inside the engineering building and opened fire.

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The White House triggered international alarm when it ordered U.S. troops to storm Venezuela and capture the countrys leader, Nicolas Maduro. Donald Trumps blatant violation of international law and order transformed his rhetoric, which was until Saturday blithely dismissed as toothless threats and flat jokes about controlling the world, into a real, immediate danger.

Enter: Greenland. In the immediate aftermath of Trumps bombardment of Venezuela for oil, European allies weighed whether the U.S. presidents myriad jabs at annexing Greenlandanother major international oil resourcehad actually carried venom. They have since released public statements in defense of Greenland, potentially pitting the Danish territory against the worlds greatest military force.

To explain how the U.S. got to this point in its relationship with the Arctic island, this New Republic reporter has broken down the more critical details of Trumps escalating feud with Greenland, its self-governing residents, and the U.S. ally that maintains it as part of its kingdom: Denmark.

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August 18, 2019: Trump confirms rumors that he is interested in acquiring Greenland. He tells reporters at the time that the arrangement could be handled as a large real estate deal. His comments are little more than a laughless joke to most of the worldbut not to those residing on the Arctic island, who receive news of Trumps interest with searing indignation.

December 22, 2024: Trumps interest in Greenland resurfaces before he enters office for his second term. He writes on Truth Social that for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. Greenlands leadership responds that the semiautonomous territory is not for sale.

December 24, 2024: The potential acquisition is lumped into a grander scheme to expand U.S. borders, in which Trump would aim to transform Canada and Greenland into American states.

January 7, 2025: Trump suggests that he would use military force to obtain Greenland, and economic force to squash Canada.

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That same day, Donald Trump Jr., Charlie Kirk, and Trump staffer Sergio Gor pay a visit to Greenland as part of a not-so-subtle propaganda tour. The MAGA trio claim that Greenlanders are amenable to a potential takeover. Days later, it emerges that the American envoy had lied and staged Trump-friendly photographs, offering food to homeless people in exchange for pictures of them in MAGA merch.

Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish Parliament, says that Greenlanders do not intend to be a pawn in Trumps hot dreams of expanding his empire to include our country.

January 8, 2025: The House GOP writes that denying Trumps big dreams of eastward expansion would be un-American.

February 11, 2025: In an apparent attempt to suck up to the president, Georgia Representative Buddy Carter files a bill pitching that Greenland shall be known as Red, White, and Blueland, authorizing the president to enter into negotiations with the government of Denmark to purchase or otherwise acquire Greenland.

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March 12, 2025: Greenlands parliamentary elections result in a massive win for the pro-independence movement. The center-right Demokraatit Party, which supports a local business-driven approach to gaining independence, wins nearly 30 percent of the vote. The most aggressively pro-independence party, Naleraq, wins 25 percent.

We dont want to be Americans. No, we dont want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders. And we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our own country by ourselves, not with his hope, Demokraatit Party leader Jens-Friederik Nielsen tells SkyNews on the eve of the election.

March 27, 2025: Trumps aggression inspires a massive reshuffling of Greenlands Parliament, with the islands four political parties forming a coalition government with the primary purpose of opposing American efforts to take control. The reorganization is fronted by Greenlands center-right Demokraatit Party, making its leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the countrys new prime minister.

That same day, second lady Usha Vances trip to much of the Danish territory is spontaneously canceled. The decision follows reports from local media that U.S. representatives were walking door-to-door in Greenlands capital, Nuuk, inquiring if residents would be interested in a visit from the vice presidents wife.

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Theyve gotten no, no, no, no, no, every single time, said TV 2 correspondent Jesper Steinmetz.

The story bothered Usha Vance so much that a senior White House official reached out to this TNR reporter to insist that the details of her article were categorically false, though the official did not specify which part of the report Vance objected to.

Instead of touring the island as planned, Vance visits a U.S. space base on Greenland alongside her husband, Vice President JD Vance, thennational security adviser Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

April 10, 2025: The New York Times reveals that the White House National Security Council has met several times to make Trumps desires for the Arctic island a reality. One possible plan: a massive P.R. campaign consisting of spending federal dollars on advertising and social media with hopes of persuading Greenlands 57,000 residents to annex themselves for America.

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May 4, 2025: Trump refuses to rule out the possibility of using military force against Greenland.

May 7, 2025: Reports emerge that several high-ranking officials under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard directed the U.S. intelligence community to spy on Greenlands independence movement over the prior week. The officials also tasked agencies to identify individuals living in Greenland and Denmark who support the Trump administrations goals for the island, and examine local attitudes regarding potential American resource extraction.

August 27, 2025: Denmarks foreign minister summons a U.S. diplomat to discuss recent incursions in Greenland, including an influence campaign spearheaded by several people with ties to the White House.

One of the Americans reportedly compiled a list of denizens friendly to the U.S., collected the names of people who oppose Trump, and conducted reconnaissance on narratives that could potentially frame Denmark in a bad light for sympathetic American media. The other two Americans were caught cozying up to Greenland politicians, businesspeople, and locals.

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December 21, 2025: Trump appoints Jeff Landry, the former Republican governor of Louisiana, as special envoy to Greenland. In an interview with the BBC, Trump affirms his commitment to obtaining the ice island. We have to have it for national protection, Trump said.

January 3, 2026: Trumps sudden invasion of Venezuelaand the kidnapping of its leader, Nicolas Madurorenews concerns regarding Trumps rhetoric on Greenland. European leaders begin to take the threats seriously.

January 3, 2026: Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Millers wife, Katie Miller, posts a red, white, and blue image of Greenland, captioned: SOON.

January 4, 2026: Trump reaffirms his commitment to obtaining Greenland. In an interview with The Atlantic published Sunday, Trump says: We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.

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That evening, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebukes Trumps rhetoric, saying in a statement that it makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland.

The U.S. has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom, Frederiksen says. I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have very clearly said that they are not for sale.

January 6, 2026: Seven powerful NATO alliesincluding France, Germany, and the U.K.publish a joint statement affirming their support for Greenlands sovereignty. Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, they wrote.
By Marianna Parraga and Erin Banco

HOUSTON/WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Caracas and Washington have reached a deal to export up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude to the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, a flagship negotiation that would divert supplies from China while helping Venezuela avoid deeper oil production cuts.

The agreement is a strong sign that the Venezuelan government is responding to Trump's demand that they open up to U.S. oil companies or risk more military intervention. Trump has said he wants interim President Delcy Rodriguez to give the U.S. and private companies "total access" to Venezuela's oil industry.

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Venezuela has millions of barrels of oil loaded on tankers and in storage tanks that it has been unable to ship due to a blockade on exports imposed by Trump since mid-December.

The blockade was part of rising U.S. pressure on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that culminated in U.S. forces capturing him this weekend. Top Venezuelan officials have called Maduro's capture a kidnapping and accused the U.S. of trying to steal the country's vast oil reserves.

Venezuela will be "turning over" between 30 and 50 million barrels of "sanctioned oil" to the U.S., Trump said in a social media post.

"This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!," he added.

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U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is in charge of executing the deal, Trump said, adding that the oil will be taken from ships and sent directly to U.S. ports.

Supplying the trapped crude to the U.S. could initially require reallocating cargoes originally bound for China, two sources had told Reuters earlier on Tuesday. The Asian country has been Venezuela's top buyer in the last decade and especially since the United States imposed sanctions on companies involved in oil trade with Venezuela in 2020.

"Trump wants this to happen early so he can say it is a big win," an oil industry source said.

Venezuelan government officials and PDVSA did not provide comment.

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CHEVRON IN CONTROL OF VENEZUELAN OIL FLOWS TO US

U.S. crude prices fell more than 1.5% after Trump's announcement, with the agreement expected to increase the volume of Venezuelan oil exported to the U.S.

That flow of oil is currently controlled entirely by Chevron, PDVSA's main joint venture partner, under a U.S. authorization.

Chevron, which has been exporting between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Venezuelan oil to the U.S., is the only company that has been loading and shipping crude without interruption from the South American country in recent weeks under the blockade.

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It was not immediately clear if Venezuela would have any access to proceeds from the supply. Sanctions mean PDVSA is excluded from the global financial system, its bank accounts are frozen and it is blocked from executing transactions in U.S. dollars.

Venezuela has been selling its flagship crude grade, Merey, at around $22 per barrel below Brent for delivery at Venezuelan ports, giving a value for the deal at up to $1.9 billion.

Rodriguez, sworn in as interim president on Monday, is herself under U.S. sanctions imposed in 2018 for undermining democracy.

TALKS INVOLVE POSSIBLE AUCTIONS WITH US BUYERS

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Venezuelan and U.S. officials this week discussed possible sales mechanisms, including auctions to allow interested U.S. buyers to bid for cargoes, and issuing U.S. licenses to PDVSA's business partners that could lead to supply contracts, two sources told Reuters.

Those licenses have in the past allowed PDVSA's joint venture partners and customers, including Chevron, India's Reliance, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and European Eni and Repsol, to have access to Venezuelan oil to refine or to resell to third parties.

This week, some of those companies have begun making preparations for receiving Venezuelan cargoes again, two separate sources said.

The U.S. and Venezuela have also discussed if Venezuelan oil can be used in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the future, one of the sources said. Trump did not refer to this possibility.

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INCREASED OIL FLOWS WOULD BE 'GREAT NEWS'

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Tuesday that an increased flow of Venezuelan heavy oil to the U.S. Gulf would be "great news" for job security, future gasoline prices in the U.S. and for Venezuela.

"Venezuela has an opportunity now to actually have capital come in and rebuild their economy and take advantage," he told Fox News, when asked about talks between the governments on oil exports. "With American technology, American partnership, Venezuela can be transformed."

U.S. refineries on the Gulf Coast can process Venezuela's heavy crude grades and were importing some 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) before Washington first imposed energy sanctions on Venezuela.

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PDVSA has already had to cut production due to the embargo, because it is running out of storage for the oil. Without a way to export oil soon, it would have to cut production more, one of the sources said.

Oil traders reacted to news of the deal talks on Tuesday. Differentials for some heavy oil grades in the U.S. Gulf slipped around 50 cents per barrel on Tuesday on the prospect of more Venezuelan supplies.

(Reporting by Marianna Parraga, Erin Branco, Jonathan Saul, Jarret Renshaw and Arathy Somasekhar; additional reporting by Bhargav Acharya. Editing by Simon Webb, Anna Driver and Lincoln Feast.)
Janell Green Smith, DNP, CNM, dedicated her life to making childbirth safer. As a certified nurse-midwife and maternal health advocate in Charleston, South Carolina, she delivered over 200 babies and trained the next generation of midwives. She understood pregnancy complications inside and out. She knew the warning signs and had helped countless families navigate the postpartum period safely.

None of that knowledge, none of that expertise, none of that experience was enough to save her own life.

On January 2, 2026, Dr. Green Smith died from childbirth complications shortly after delivering her first child, a daughter who will grow up without her mother. The American College of Nurse-Midwives called her death "both heartbreaking and unacceptable," adding what so many of us in maternal health advocacy have been saying for years: "That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is...a profound failure of the systems meant to protect birthing people."

Let that sink in. A midwife. A maternal health expert. Someone who literally saved other people's lives couldn't save her own. If she couldn't navigate this system successfully, what does that tell us about the chances for everyone else?

The Black maternal mortality crisis is getting worse

The latest CDC data (reviewing 2023 records) reveals what we already knew but have been hoping would change: Black women in America are dying from pregnancy-related causes at 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, more than three times the rate of white women at 14.5 deaths per 100,000. While maternal mortality decreased for white and Hispanic women between 2022 and 2023, the rate for Black women barely budged.

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This shouldn't be happening to any woman, any person. But what we see over and over is that Black women are at the highest risk of losing their lives and their babies' lives while giving birth.

These deaths are just the beginning. For every maternal death, there are approximately 70 cases of severe maternal morbidity, including life-threatening complications like hemorrhage, preeclampsia, and postpartum cardiomyopathy. Black women experience these "near-miss" events at twice the rate of white women. Over 50,000 women in the United States suffer from pregnancy complications annually, and we are disproportionately represented in those numbers.

When knowledge and access aren't enough

For Black women, your profession, education, finances, and access to care will not protect you from this crisis. A 2023 Lancet study found that Black women with access to maternal healthcare in well-resourced areas still face disproportionately higher risks of dying during or after childbirth compared to white women in underserved areas.

I know this reality firsthand. After delivering my second child, I kept telling the staff at my hospital, where I serve as a physician leader and medical director, that something was wrong. Despite my medical training, despite working in that very building, despite having what should have been optimal access to care, I was dismissed.

"You're fine. Your vital signs are normal," my nurse told me.

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It was only because I had a professional relationship with my physician and therefore direct access to him that I was able to escalate my concerns directly to him. He found out I had retained products of conception, a dangerous complication that can cause heavy bleeding, fever, and infection, and needed a blood transfusion. My privilege as a doctor gave me a lifeline. Without it, I wouldn't be here.

When Serena Williams nearly died from blood clots after giving birth, her initial concerns were dismissed. Dr. Shalon Irving, an epidemiologist at the CDC who studied maternal mortality, died three weeks after giving birth. Dr. Green Smith, a maternal health expert, couldn't save herself from the very crisis she worked to prevent.

The power of viral videos

In November 2025, two viral videos captured what Black women have been trying to tell the healthcare system for generations. In Texas, Karrie Jones's mother filmed her pregnant daughter screaming in pain at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite as a nurse kept her back turned, asking intake questions while Jones writhed in active labor.

Days later in Indiana, a video of Mercedes Wells surfaced. As a mother of three, she knew what active labor felt like. After six hours at the hospital  seeing only a nurse, never a doctor  Wells was told she wasn't in active labor and was discharged, despite showing clear signs of active labor. Eight minutes after leaving the hospital, Wells gave birth in her husband's truck on the side of the highway. Her husband, with no medical training, delivered their daughter.

Both of these women were put at risk of severe complications, including infection and blood loss.

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These videos have achieved what years of data, research, and advocacy alone couldn't: They've cut through the denial. You can't explain away what's shown directly on camera. I've had countless people tell me that while they understood the crisis was real, it wasn't until they saw those videos that they could truly comprehend what we've been saying.

It's not biology  it's bias

Black women are not dying at higher rates because of biological differences. We're dying because we continue to be dismissed and ignored. The healthcare system points to "lack of access" as the problem, but access alone doesn't explain why Black women with private insurance and college degrees die at higher rates than white women who dropped out of high school.

Research shows that 84 percent of maternal deaths between 2017 and 2019 were preventable. With better care, providers who listen, and systems that don't dismiss women's pain and concerns, most of these deaths could have been avoided.

Black women report higher rates of mistreatment during pregnancy and childbirth  being shouted at, scolded, having requests for help ignored or refused. Even controlling for insurance status, income, age, and severity of conditions, Black patients receive lower quality care and are less likely to receive routine medical procedures. A 2022 analysis of maternity care in 36 U.S. States from 2017 to 2019 found that discrimination contributed to 30 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in 2020.

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Childbirth is a medical emergency. When a woman is in active labor, risks to both mother and baby increase. Healthcare providers should monitor closely and be ready to act at any sign of distress. Instead, what we saw in those videos and what too many Black women experience is having to fight to be heard when something is wrong.

What has to change

Dr. Green Smith's death, along with the experiences of Jones and Wells, demands more than our grief. We need changes now.

Black physicians comprise less than 6 percent of physicians in the United States, despite Black Americans making up over 14 percent of the population. Research consistently shows that having more Black healthcare providers leads to better health outcomes for Black patients. We need more of us in the system.

We need comprehensive bias training that begins in medical and nursing schools. And it can't stop there. This training needs to continue throughout every healthcare professional's career, requiring them to confront their assumptions about race, pain tolerance, and which patients deserve to be believed.

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We need hospital staff to recognize that pain and distress signals go beyond vital signs. A patient can have "normal" vital signs and still be in crisis. Pain and distress look different from person to person, especially in a healthcare setting where the power dynamic between patient and physician is already so wide. When a patient tells you something is wrong, believe them.

We need legislation that mandates accountability. The WELLS Act, introduced by Representative Robin Kelly in response to Mercedes Wells's ordeal, would require hospitals to create safe discharge protocols and mandate bias training for healthcare professionals. I admire Rep. Kelly and the Wells family for refusing to let this moment pass without fighting for change.

What Dr. Green Smith left behind

Dr. Green Smith leaves behind a husband, a newborn daughter, and hundreds of families whose lives she touched. She also leaves behind a question we can no longer avoid: How many more Black women, how many more healthcare professionals who understand the system from the inside, must die before we face the truth? Access to care isn't the problem. The problem is what happens when we walk through those doors and whether anyone will listen when we say something is wrong.

Dr. Green Smith lived her life helping women feel safe and cared for. She was a fierce advocate for women during one of the most vulnerable phases of life. Her legacy cannot be in vain. Let her death be a wake-up call. Let it show you how deep this issue runs and how desperately we need as many people as possible helping to make it safer for women to give birth.

No woman should die giving birth in 2026. And yet here we are. Mourning another preventable death. Watching videos of Black women being ignored as they labor. Reading stories of mothers forced to deliver on the side of the road because their pain wasn't taken seriously.

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When we address the biases and barriers that put Black women at the highest risk, we improve care for everyone.

Finding care you can trust

The problem of dismissal goes beyond maternal health and beyond race. Patients of all backgrounds consistently report feeling gaslit in medical settings. There are great doctors out there, but finding a clinician who will actually listen, care, and believe their patients has become harder than it should be.

I created a list to help people find doctors who will believe them. I wish this resource weren't needed, but in our current reality, patients have to fight to be believed. Until that changes, you can find supportive medical providers at CliniciansWhoCare.com.

The post When Expertise Isnt Enough: What Dr. Janell Green Smiths Death Reveals About a Crisis Weve Ignored for Too Long appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Claim:

On his first day as New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani repealed the city's use of the antisemitism definition from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and rules making it illegal to boycott Israeli businesses.

Rating:

Rating: True

Context:

While Mamdani did revoke these executive orders, Mamdani's target was all ongoing executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams after Adams' federal indictment on bribery and related charges. Mamdani revoked the orders based on their dates, without regard for policy, and as of this writing he already had reissued one of the Adams-era executive orders he revoked.

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Following Zohran Mamdani's inauguration as New York City mayor on Jan. 1, 2026, people on social media  many of them critics of Mamdani and the policies on which he campaigned  claimed the new mayor's first actions as leader of the largest city in the United States included changes to the city's definition of antisemitism as well as its policies regarding anti-Israel protests.

Posts (archived) on social media platforms such as Instagram (archived) and X (archived) asserted that Mamdani revoked the city's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism and overturned an executive order targeting Boycott, Divest, Sanctions actions meant to protest Israel's policies regarding Palestinians and their land. (The IHRA is an intergovernmental organization "focused on addressing contemporary challenges related to the Holocaust and genocide of the Roma.")

On his first day as Mayor of NYC, Zohran Mamdani repealed the IHRA definition of antisemitism.



He also overturned an anti-BDS executive order, making it legal to boycott Israeli businesses and organizations.



NYC is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. pic.twitter.com/zJov7H8WpS  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) January 2, 2026

A Snopes reader also emailed us to ask whether the claim was true.

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Mamdani's first executive order as New York City mayor was to immediately revoke all ongoing, non-emergency executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams since Sept. 26, 2024  the date on which Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges. That criteria included an executive order codifying the IHRA's definition of antisemitism and one that prohibited city employees from boycotting and disinvesting from Israel.

For this reason, we are rating this claim as true. However, it's important to note that Mamdani revoked these orders as part of a wider set of Adams-era orders based on their date, rather than content or policy.

For example, Adams issued his last executive order on Dec. 31, 2025. That order required licensed carriage horse owners to submit to regular examinations of their horses at penalty of having their licenses revoked. Based on its date, Mamdani's Day 1 order revoked this order as well, even though Mamdani publicly expressed support for similar policy a day prior to Adams issuing the order.

Snopes has reached out to Mamdani's office to confirm the specific set of executive orders revoked by Mamdani's first order. We will update this story if we receive a reply.

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Among the pair of Adams-era executive orders the social media posts highlighted, the first codified the IHRA's non-legally binding definition of antisemitism, which some people have criticized for its focus on the state of Israel rather than Jewish people in general.

The other order, concerning BDS, prohibited "mayoral agency heads, agency chief contracting officers, and any other mayoral appointees with discretion over contracting from engaging in procurement practices that discriminate against the State of Israel, Israeli citizens, or those associated with Israel." Adams signed that order on Dec. 2, the same day as an executive order directing the New York Police Department to consider proposals that included not allowing protests within 15 to 60 feet of any house of worship.

In May 2025, Adams created the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism. That fell within the time period of the revoked executive orders, but Mamdani's second executive order, which established offices in Mamdani's administration, included the reestablishment of the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism.

Snopes has previously fact-checked a number of other claims regarding Mamdani.

Sources:

"Executive Order 01." City of New York, 1 Jan. 2026, www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/01/executive-order-01. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

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"Executive Order 02." City of New York, 1 Jan. 2026, www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/01/executive-order-02. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

"Executive Order 64." City of New York, 31 Dec. 2025, www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2025/12/executive-order-64. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Forbes Breaking News. "Zohran Mamdani: "I Support Removing Horse Carriages from Central Park."" YouTube, 30 Dec. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuhYpN4dBZE. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

"Mayor Adams Creates New Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism." City of New York, 13 May 2025, www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2025/05/mayor-adams-creates-new-mayor-s-office-combat-antisemitism. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

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"Mayor Adams Signs Executive Order and Proposes Legislation to Codify into Law International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Definition of Antisemitism, Addressing Historic Rise in Anti-Jewish Hatred." City of New York, 8 June 2025, www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2025/06/mayor-adams-signs-executive-order-proposes-legislation-codify-law-international. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

"Mayor Adams Signs Executive Orders Prohibiting Mayoral Appointees and Agency Staff from Boycotting and Disinvesting from Israel, Protecting New Yorkers' Rights to Free Exercise of Religion without Harassment at Houses of Worship." City of New York, 3 Dec. 2025, www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2025/12/mayor-adams-signs-executive-orders-prohibiting-mayoral-appointee. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
FARMINGTON, N.M. (ABC4)  The parents of the 21-year-old Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary who died in his sleep while serving in New Mexico are speaking out about their son and the outpouring of support theyve received since his passing.

Caleb Gene Martin from Salem, Utah, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Jan. 3, 2026, according to a news release from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He died from a medical cause that has yet to be determined.

PREVIOUSLY: Utah LDS missionary, 21, dies serving in New Mexico

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His parents, Dave and Jennah Martin, released a statement about their son and his life, saying that he lived with a smile on his face and a light in his eyes.

His favorite thing in life was to help lift others and see them smile as well. He loved serving the people in New Mexico, they wrote. According to his parents, Caleb began his mission in June 2024, and he was serving in Ft. Wingate, New Mexico at the time of his passing.

Photos of Elder Caleb Martin, courtesy of Dave and Jennah Martin

Our family has been truly touched and humbled by the outpouring of support and love from people all over the world. What an amazing experience to see how connected we really are. Its quite a contrast to what seems to be such a common theme of divisiveness and strife we see so often, his parents wrote in their statement.

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How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google

They concluded that they are so grateful for the 21 years they had with their son. So many people have shared how much Caleb helped them feel loved and how he just loved everyone so willingly. If theres one lesson learned from Calebs life that well try to live, it will be to try to love as much as we can whenever we can, they wrote.

According to the Church, an autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death, and the Church extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fellow missionaries.

Latest headlines:

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
New Hampshire received over $28 million in CCDF funds in the grant year 2025. (Photo by Vanessa Nunes/Getty Images)

This story was updated on Jan. 7 at 11:25 a.m. to add comments from the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Uncertainty surrounds federal child care subsidies for New Hampshire following a Trump administration announcement that has frozen funding nationwide.

On Dec. 30, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim ONeill announced on X that the Administration of Children and Families will now require a justification and a receipt or photo evidence before it will send money to a state for child care purposes.

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The Administration of Children and Families oversees the distribution of federal child care funds to states. It administers funding from the Child Care and Development Block Grant and the Child Care and Development Fund, or CCDF.

In New Hampshire, the fund and grant bankroll the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start, the Child Care Scholarship Program, mental health and substance misuse programs, and other initiatives. New Hampshire received over $28 million in CCDF funds in the grant year 2025.

The announcement comes after a video from a right-wing social media influencer went viral, claiming there is widespread fraud in Somali-run day care programs in Minnesota. As a result, the Trump administration froze all child care payments to Minnesota and announced that all states must produce funding receipts.

As of Tuesday, the federal Department of Health and Human Services has frozen over $10 billion in funding  specifically for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, CCDF, and the Social Services Block Grant  in New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado, in addition to Minnesota.

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Josh Corbett, spokesperson for New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte, said the governors office had not received any notice from the federal government about a pause in child care funding as of Monday.

Jake Leon, communications director for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, said the department has not heard from the federal government but is monitoring this situation closely.

[DHHS] will communicate any changes to federal requirements to our child care providers as quickly as possible, Leon said.

ONeill said that funds will be released only when states prove they are being spent legitimately.

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To receive CCDF funding, the state submits biennial plans and quality progress reports. The federal government has not specified what additional documentation could be required to keep funding available.

Freezing federal dollars could significantly impact Granite State families and child care providers across the state. As of November 2025, 4,976 children were actively using the Child Care Scholarship Program.

While the program is funded through both federal and state dollars, the majority of funding comes from the federal government.

Additionally, a pilot program began on Jan. 1 that would allow scholarship applicants to be presumed eligible and receive scholarship funds for the program while completing their applications.

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The state Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to questions about how a pause in federal funding could impact either initiative.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to make changes to child care subsidies.

On Monday, U.S. Health and Human Services rescinded rules from 2024 that required states to pay providers before verifying any attendance and before care was delivered. Under the new rule changes, attendance-based billing will be restored, upfront payments will no longer be required, and voucher flexibility for parental choice will be restored.

In the press release, ONeill said that upfront payments based on enrollment instead of actual attendance invites abuse and that the new rules will make fraud harder to perpetrate.

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On Dec. 1, New Hampshire started its prospective payment system, which would allow child care providers to bill a week in advance for Child Care Scholarship Program services, in an effort to ease administrative burdens.

It is currently unclear how new federal guidelines will impact New Hampshires programs.
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City. The rural hospital closed its birth center in 2023 to cut costs and is one of two rural birth centers that has closed in recent years under budget constraints. (Photo provided by Trinity Health)

Oregon will receive more than $197 million to invest in rural health care projects in 2026, federal health officials announced shortly before the new year.

Its slightly less than the $200 million the Oregon Health Authority requested from the new Rural Health Transformation Program run by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And its significantly less than the average $400 million per year that Oregons rural communities are expected to lose in federal health care funding during the next decade under changes to Medicaid eligibility congressional Republicans passed last summer.

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While this much-needed boost cant make up for the substantial federal funding cuts we anticipate in the coming years, OHA is committed to using this opportunity to support as many promising and sustainable rural health solutions as possible, the state health agencys policy and analytics director, Clare Pierce-Wrobel, said in a statement.

Congressional Republicans included the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program in a July megalaw thats slated to cut Medicaid spending by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade to partially offset tax cuts.

Rural communities across the U.S. are expected to lose about $137 billion in Medicaid funding during the next decade, including more than $4 billion in rural Oregon, according to an analysis of Medicaid data by the nonprofit KFF.

Oregons application for funding had bipartisan support, though Democratic lawmakers criticized the Rural Health Transformation Program as a bandaid for a bullet hole, according to statements from U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas. U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, also an Oregon Democrat, said it was like throwing someone a life jacket after sinking their ship.

Oregons appeal

State health officials requested $200 million per year for five years, for about $1 billion total from the $50 billion program through 2031. Given that their first year award is less than expected, the agency will scale down its original proposal to fit its given budget, officials said in a news release.

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The state will distribute money to local governments and organizations for projects that provide preventative care to more people, boost the number of health care workers in rural communities and improve technology and data infrastructure in rural hospitals and clinics, according to the agencys application materials.

About one-third of Oregonians live in rural communities, defined as living at least 10 from a population center of 40,000 or more. All but two of Oregons 36 counties have rural areas, and 10 Oregon counties are designated frontier counties with an average of six or fewer people per square mile.

Roughly $20 million of the award is slated to go to health care projects undertaken by the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon.

Bipartisan-ish support

Oregons application received bipartisan support from the states Congressional delegation, though a letter from Democratic delegates struck a different tenor than one from the states lone Republican, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz. Bentzs vast 2nd Congressional District in southern and eastern Oregon is predominantly rural and includes all 10 frontier counties.

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In a Dec. 11 letter of support, Bentz thanked the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Administrator Mehmet Oz for their unwavering commitment to strengthening Americas health care system.

I also want to recognize President Trumps Administration and CMS for bringing real accountability and urgency back to rural health care, Bentz continued. Your leadership has given rural communities confidence that Washington is finally paying attention and acting.

Bentzs district is likely to be among the most impacted by Medicaid cuts. About 1 in 3 Oregonians relies on Medicaid for their health insurance, but the rate is higher in the 20 counties Bentz represents. In Malheur, Klamath, Josephine and Jefferson counties, more than 40% of residents rely on Medicaid, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

Democrats in their letter of support for Oregons application on Dec. 29 wrote that the funding is an attempt to make up for the harms of Republican cuts to the Medicaid program, and its disproportionate impact on rural communities.

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While the expected awards from the Rural Health Transformation Fund will not make up for catastrophic Medicaid cuts Trumpcare is implementing, we believe that Oregonians deserve their fair share of this funding, they wrote.

Koray Rosati, a spokesperson for Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Democrat representing the states 5th congressional district, said Bynum signed on because the congresswoman wants to protect rural hospitals and healthcare, but that the funding is a bandaid for health care cuts rural communities will experience in the next decade.

Lets be clear here, the reason this funding is needed at all is because Rep. Bentz and President Trump, who Rep. Bentz fawns over in his letter, made massive cuts to rural healthcare and jacked up healthcare costs for Oregonians with their trash bill, H.R. 1., Rosati said in an email. They sold our rural communities out and now they want credit for offering pennies in return. Rep. Bynum isnt falling for that.

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Dive Brief:

Bitcoin mining firm Riot Platforms promoted Jason Chung, currently its head of corporate development and strategy, to its top financial seat effective March 1, according to a Jan. 2 press release and securities filing. The shift comes as the business moves to execute on a strategic shift focused on data centers amid the artificial intelligence boom.

Chung will succeed Colin Yee as CFO for the Castle Rock, Colorado-based company, with Yee stepping down after a three-year tenure in the seat also effective March 1, according to the press release. Yee will remain with the company as a senior advisor to help facilitate a seamless transition and to assist with the companys strategic continuity, Riot said.

I am honored to step into the CFO role at such a transformative time for Riot, Chung said in a statement included in the release. Having led our corporate development efforts, I see a tremendous opportunity to further integrate our financial discipline with our growth ambitions in digital infrastructure.

Dive Insight:

Chung joined Riot in his current role in May 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to Riot, he served as managing director, M&A for financials services group Nomura, and held an eight-year tenure as VP of M&A for Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking.

Chung will continue to oversee investor relations and corporate development as CFO, while also assuming leadership of Riots finance organization, the company said. The business will increase Chungs base salary from $500,000 to $550,000 upon assuming the CFO seat, according to the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The CFO shift comes as the company continues to execute on a planned pivot to expand beyond bitcoin, including building AI data centers.

Together with the CFO appointment, Riots compensation committee also approved changes to several parts of its compensation arrangements, including an update to its annual long-term incentive plan for 2026 to align executive compensation with the Companys strategic focus on data center development, according to the filing. Riot signed new compensation agreements with officers including Chung as its upcoming CFO, its CEO, Jason Les and its executive chairman, Benjamin Yi.

As part of the compensation changes, Riot eliminated a bitcoin yield metric previously included as part of its long-term incentive plan award  noting it no longer serves as a primary key performance indicator for the Company, per the filing. Upon gaining a data center tenant, Riot will introduce two new performance metrics, relating to data center revenue and data center net operating income, respectively, the company said.
Federal officials have pressed additional charges against the man accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance's East Walnut Hills home.

William D. DeFoor, 26, faces federal charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cincinnati.

United States Secret Service agents reportedly saw DeFoor running along the front fence of Vance's home around midnight Jan. 5. Federal officials say DeFoor breached the property line at the driveway and attempted to break the driver's side window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle using a hammer.

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DeFoor refused law enforcement commands to stop and drop the weapon, according to the news release. DeFoor then began to use the hammer to break glass windows across the front of Vance's home.

The strikes caused damage to the "enhanced security assets" on each window, valued at more than $28,000, the news release says.

Officials say DeFoor then attempted to flee on foot and was detained by Secret Service agents and Cincinnati police officers.

In addition to DeFoor's federal charges, he also faces charges in Hamilton County of criminal damaging, obstructing official business, criminal trespass and felony vandalism.

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The house was unoccupied at the time, according to a Secret Service statement. Vance and his family weren't in Ohio.

Prior vandalism and trespassing charges

DeFoor faced a vandalism charge in 2024 after windows at a business in Hyde Park were broken, according to court records. That case was referred to a mental health docket, and DeFoor was granted "treatment in lieu of conviction." That treatment was still ongoing, according to court documents.

In 2023, he was charged with trespassing at the UC Health psychiatric emergency services. In that case, he was found incompetent to stand trial and the case was referred to Hamilton County Probate Court.

Vance returned to D.C. before house was vandalized

A spokesperson for Vance confirmed to USA TODAY that the vice president and his family visited Ohio over the weekend, but had left before the property damage occurred.

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In a statement on social media, Vance said he and his family had returned to Washington, D.C. by the time of the alleged vandalism.

"As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows," Vance said. "I'm grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Feds say Cincinnati man caused $28K in damage to JD Vance's home
The Challenger Learning Center is asking the community to honor its namesake as 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy.

The center has several events focused on revisiting the history of the shuttle's explosion and teaching the lessons of what happened to a new generation.

"These are seminal moments in this country's history that changed the way we think about something (and) this case really changed the way we thought about space," Challenger Learning Center Director Alan Hanstein said.

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The center first opened in March 2003 as "the official K-12 outreach facility of the Florida A&M University  Florida State University College of Engineering," its website explains. The center "serves 40,000-60,000 students annually ... on a mission to empower future generations with 'hands-on, minds-on' educational experiences.

"Not only does the CLC cater to students, but it also offers the general public and tourists a unique experience through its IMAX Theatre and Planetarium."

Throughout the month of January, visitors to the center can learn about Christa McAuliffe, who was selected for the Teacher in Space Project and who perished in the explosion. Also, there will be a documentary screening of "Final Flight," which Hanstein said is one of the few films endorsed by the families of the Challenger's crew.

Exterior image of the IMAX theater at the Challenger Learning Center in downtown Tallahassee, FL

There is also a new mission the center is launching: "To commemorate the 40th anniversary, we are launching the Challenger Legacy Campaign, an initiative to support programs and exhibits that continue the mission of the Challenger crew."

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According to the website, the support will aim to "upgrade our mission control facility to enhance the student experience, create a permanent exhibit honoring the Challenger astronauts and develop new educational programming centered on the Challenger mission and its lessons."

The story of the space shuttle Challenger tragedy

For millions of Americans, the Challenger disaster became a defining moment, etched into memory alongside the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and the attacks of Sept. 11.

On a frigid January morning in 1986, students and teachers across the country gathered around classroom televisions to watch history unfold. McAuliffe, the first teacher in space, was set to inspire a generation as Space Shuttle Challenger lifted off from Kennedy Space Center.

Instead, 73 seconds after launch, a blinding white flash shattered the moment. Seven astronauts were lost in the clear blue Florida sky. It was the first American crew killed during a spaceflight mission.

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The explosion occurred Jan. 28, 1986, after a failure in Challengers right solid rocket booster. Overnight temperatures had dropped into the low 20s, causing rubber O-rings to fail and allowing hot gases to breach the external fuel tank. NASA commentator Steve Nesbitts words  obviously a major malfunction  underscored the unfolding horror.

The crew included commander Dick Scobee, pilot Michael Smith, mission specialists Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka and Judith Resnik, payload specialists Gregory Jarvis, and McAuliffe. Classrooms nationwide watched the launch live.

An independent review by the Rogers Commission later concluded that NASA managers had overruled engineers who warned against launching in extreme cold. The panel found that schedule pressure and flawed risk assessment compromised safety. Shuttle flights were grounded for nearly three years before resuming in 1988.

The tragedy profoundly affected the nation, particularly Floridas Space Coast, where residents immediately recognized something was wrong when the vapor trail split. The loss reshaped NASAs safety culture but did not end risk: in 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry, killing another seven astronauts.

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NASA now commemorates those lost each January during a Day of Remembrance, honoring lives cut short and reaffirming a commitment to safety, reflection, and vigilance in space exploration.

Upcoming events at the Challenger Learning Center and beyond:

Jan. 10: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  SCIturday: Christas Lost Lessons: Experience free hands-on activities inspired by Christa McAuliffes original lesson plans, designed to spark curiosity just as she intended.

Jan, 11: 6 to 7 p.m.  Storytime Under the Stars: This monthly event will incorporate a special book reading that explores the story of Challenger and the people behind the mission.

Jan, 12: 6 to 9 p.m.  Challenger: The Final Flight Documentary Screening : A free powerful film experience that brings the mission, the crew and their legacy into sharp and meaningful focus.

Jan. 18: 4 p.m.  Book reading at Midtown Reader (1123 Thomasville Rd) : Attend for a reading of a passage from Adam Higginbothams "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space."

Jan. 28: 11 - 2 p.m.  40th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony : Gather to reflect, remember and honor the seven astronauts who inspired a movement. The ceremony will include: A bell-ringing tribute, remarks from key Challenger supporters, and archival materials that offer a deeper look at the lives and legacies of the crew.

A full list of events is on the Challenger Learning Center's website at challengertlh.com/legacy.

This story contains previously published reporting by USA TODAY. Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Challenger Learning Center marks 40 years since disaster
Electricity meters. (States Newsroom file photo.)

This story was originally published by Canary Media.

Extreme weather is making the grid more prone to outages  and now FirstEnergys three Ohio utilities want more leeway on their reliability requirements.

Put simply, FirstEnergy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to let Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., Ohio Edison, and Toledo Edison take longer to restore power when the lights go out. The latter two utilities would also be allowed slightly more frequent outages per customer each year.

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An administrative trial, known as an evidentiary hearing, is currently set to start Jan. 21.

Consumer and environmental advocates say its unfair to make customers shoulder the burden of lower-quality service, as they have already been paying for substantial grid-hardening upgrades.

Relaxing reliability standards can jeopardize the health and safety of Ohio consumers, said Maureen Willis, head of the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel, which is the states legal representative for utility customers. It also shifts the costs of more frequent and longer outages onto Ohioans who already paid millions of dollars to utilities to enhance and develop their distribution systems.

The United States has seen a rise in blackouts linked to severe weather, a 2024 analysis by Climate Central found, with about twice as many such events happening from 2014 through 2023 compared to the 10 years from 2000 through 2009.

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The duration of the longest blackouts has also grown. As of mid-2025, the average length of 12.8 hours represents a jump of almost 60% from 2022, J.D. Power reported in October.

Ohio regulators have approved less stringent reliability standards before, notably for AES Ohio and Duke Energy Ohio, where obligations from those or other orders required investments and other actions to improve reliability.

Some utilities elsewhere in the country have also sought leeway on reliability expectations. In April, for example, two New York utilities asked to exclude some outages related to tree disease and other factors from their performance metrics, which would in effect relax their standards.

Other utilities havent necessarily pursued lower targets, but have nonetheless noted vulnerabilities to climate change or experienced more major events that dont count toward requirements.

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FirstEnergys case is particularly notable because the company has slow-rolled clean energy and energy efficiency, two tools that advocates say can cost-effectively bolster grid reliability and guard against weather-related outages.

There is also a certain irony to the request: FirstEnergys embrace of fossil fuels at the expense of clean energy and efficiency measures has let its subsidiaries operations and others continue to emit high levels of planet-warming carbon dioxide. Now, the company appears to nod toward climate-change-driven weather variability as justification for relaxed reliability standards.

FirstEnergy filed its application to the Public Utilities Commission last December, while its recently decided rate case and other cases linked to its House Bill 6 corruption scandal were pending. FirstEnergy argues that specific reliability standards for each of its utilities should start with an average of the preceding five years performance.

From there, FirstEnergy says the state should tack on extra allowances for longer or more frequent outages to account for annual variability in factors outside the Companies control, in particular, weather impacts that can vary significantly on a year-to-year basis.

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Honestly, I dont know of a viable hypothesis for this increasing variability outside of climate change, said Victoria Petryshyn, an associate professor of environmental studies at the University of Southern California, who grew up in Ohio.

In summer, systems are burdened by constant air-conditioning use during periods of extreme heat and humidity. In winter, frigid air masses resulting from disruptions to the jet stream can boost demand for heat and cause extra strain on the grid if natural-gas lines freeze, Petryshyn said.

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All the weather becomes supercharged, Petryshyn said. We can all expect stronger storms, stronger winds, and more frequent extreme weather that threatens grid stability.

Contributing to the problem?

FirstEnergy has a long history of obstructing measures that would both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate stress on the power grid.

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In February 2024, the company abandoned its interim 2030 goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and said it would continue running two West Virginia coal plants. Before that, FirstEnergy backed plans to weaken Ohios energy-efficiency goals. And during the first Trump administration, the company urged the Department of Energy to use emergency powers to keep unprofitable coal and nuclear plants running.

FirstEnergy also spent roughly $60 million on efforts to get lawmakers to pass and protect House Bill 6, the law at the heart of Ohios largest utility corruption scandal. HB 6s nuclear and coal bailouts have since been repealed, but the states clean-energy standards remain gutted.

Meanwhile, regulators have let FirstEnergys utilities charge customers millions of dollars for grid modernization, which are supposed to support the utilitys ability to adapt and improve the electric grid to rigging challenges from climate change, said Karin Nordstrom, a clean-energy attorney with the Ohio Environmental Council.

However, FirstEnergy has not provided the same investment in energy-efficiency programs, which can help manage rising demand at lower cost than expensive capital investment, Nordstrom said. FirstEnergy should fully exhaust those tools and customer-funded grid-modernization investments before regulators relax the companys requirements, she added.

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Limited transparency makes FirstEnergys plan even more problematic, according to Shay Banton, a regulatory program engineer and energy justice policy advocate for the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. Earlier this year, Banton reported on grid disparities in FirstEnergys service territories that leave some areas more prone to outages.

It feels too early for them to request leniency without proposing or implementing more comprehensive mitigations based on a detailed understanding of the root cause, Banton said.

Its also likely that FirstEnergys rate increase of nearly $76 million for Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.s roughly 745,000 customers, approved on Nov. 19, already accounts for some weather-related factors. This summer, spokesperson Hannah Catlett told Canary Media that the Illuminating Co. service territory generally sees bigger storm impacts than areas served by FirstEnergys other Ohio utilities.

Our request to adjust the reliability standards is not a step back in our commitment, Catlett told Canary Media this fall. We are confident in the progress underway and remain focused on improving reliability through continued investment in the communities we are privileged to serve.

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But fundamentally, additional leeway for weather variation is unnecessary, said Ashley Brown, a former Ohio utility commissioner and former executive director of the Harvard Electricity Policy Group. Averaging utility performance over several years  the way most regulators do as part of setting reliability standards  should already account for that.

In fact, the standard should always be going up, Brown added. You should expect more productivity from the company.

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This story was originally reported by Mariel Padilla of The 19th. Meet Mariel and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy.

When President Donald Trump on the first day of his second term granted clemency to nearly 1,600 people convicted in connection with the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Linnaea Honl-Stuenkel immediately set up a Google Alert to track these individuals and see if theyd end up back in the criminal justice system. Honl-Stuenkel, who works at a government watchdog nonprofit, said she didnt want people to forget the horror of that day  despite the presidents insistence that it was a nonviolent event, a day of love.

Related: Donald Trump uses the anniversary of the Capitol insurrection to attack transgender people

Honl-Stuenkel, the digital director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) in Washington, D.C., said the Google Alerts came quickly.

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The list eventually became a more formal report, published in December, that identified at least 33 insurrectionists who have been rearrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes since January 6, 2021. The charges range from possession of child pornography to sexual assault, child molestation and aggravated kidnapping. Many incidents occurred before the pardons; only four insurrectionists allegedly reoffended since receiving their pardons.

I found it really disturbing that the pardons put people on the street again who had been held to account, Honl-Stuenkel said. All that was swept away with the stroke of a pen. And that has consequences mostly for the women and children in the orbit of these insurrectionists.

At least six of the pardoned insurrectionists are charged with committing child sex crimes; five were charged with illegal possession of weapons, including two who had previous domestic violence convictions; and two were charged with rape. Among them were John Daniel Andries, a man in Maryland who was sentenced to 60 days in jail in June 2025 after repeatedly violating a peace order, similar to a restraining order, submitted by the mother of his child.

I was surprised honestly by how fast it all added up, Honl-Stuenkel said. I would have thought that people might take this as a chance to reform, but it was demoralizing to get deep in the weeds and see a level of seriousness to these crimes. It really hit home how dangerous the pardons are and the overlap of those committing serious crimes and being at January 6  it is pretty staggering to me.

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Honl-Stuenkel said its likely the number is bigger than 33. The small team of researchers at CREW relied heavily on local news coverage that mentioned defendants who were tied to January 6.

Honl-Stuenkel said she worries that the pardons embolden people to commit more crimes or make people believe they wont face any consequences as long as what they do is in service of Trumps aims.

There are two versions of January 6: one pushed by the president, in which peaceful patriots and heroes were wrongfully treated, and a more violent one, portrayed by thousands of videos taken that day by insurrectionists themselves. Witnesses that day, including women serving in Congress, recall the terror, running for their lives and calling their loved ones to say goodbye.

On the campaign trail, Trump referred to those involved with the Capitol riot as unbelievable patriots and promised to help them. Shortly after granting them clemency, Trump told reporters on Air Force Once: What I did was a great thing for humanity. They were treated very, very unfairly.

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Trumps pardons and commutations largely undo the results of one of the largest criminal probes in U.S. history. The Department of Justice also conducted an investigation that involved over 5,000 federal agents and led to thousands of charges.

The blanket clemency for the Capitol attack and the presidents unwillingness to hold violent actors accountable set a precedent that increases the risk of future political violence  felt most acutely by women. According to a recent survey conducted by the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University, women in local offices reported large increases in hostility in the third quarter of 2025. About 83 percent of women officials  up from 71 percent in the previous quarter  said they were less likely to engage in political or civic activity due to insults, harassment and physical threats.

Shannon Hiller, the executive director of the Bridging Divides Initiative, said she spent the first half of her career working with other countries on how to emerge from conflict. She learned that to build a durable peace and move forward from violence, there has to be an agreement on the basic details of what happened.

The presidents continued insistence on spreading false narratives about January 6 over the past year  including about very real violence and threats that day  suggest that we are moving even further away from that shared understanding, said Hiller, who is also a security fellow at the Truman National Security Project.

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On the fifth anniversary of the Capitol riot, Trump supporters held a memorial march in Washington, D.C., to honor Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old veteran who was the sole rioter killed by police that day. She was shot as she tried to enter the area outside the House chamber, where many members of Congress were, and has since been portrayed as a martyr among Trump supporters. The former leader of the Proud Boys and other pardoned insurrectionists were in attendance at Tuesdays march.

Susan Benesch, a faculty associate of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, said that many of Trumps supporters  beyond just those who were pardoned  saw the pardons as a victory. Its important for democracy that Americans work to get back to a shared version of reality, which involves continued communication between the two sides.

The president depicts himself as politically persecuted, Benesch said. And for many people who voted for him, his second term is a marvelous triumph because he was persecuted by his political opponents and now he has managed to overcome that and be restored.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Five years after January 6, dozens of pardoned insurrectionists have been arrested again
A Leon County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by five Democratic lawmakers in Florida concerning access to the states immigrant detention facility, known as Alligator Alcatraz.

The court ruled that the facility is not classified as a prison or jail under Florida law.

The lawmakers argued that Florida state law permits them to inspect the facility.

Their request for access was denied by the DeSantis administration, leading to the legal challenge.

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In the ruling, the judge sided with the DeSantis administration, stating that Alligator Alcatraz does not fall under the category of a prison or jail and therefore, the access rules applicable to such institutions do not apply.

The detention center, officially referred to in legal documents as an immigrant holding facility, has been the subject of ongoing debates regarding transparency and accountability in the states immigration policies.

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Oklahoma has officially replaced Florida as the lightning capital of the United States, recording 73 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes per square mile last year.

According to an environmental monitoring group, this marks a significant change in lightning activity patterns. Florida held the top position for many years, with a notable number of strikes over the past decades.

The environmental monitoring group reported that Oklahomas statistic of strikes per square mile outperformed Floridas.

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Influenza cases are surging as expected following the holiday season, with new cases driven in Pennsylvania in part by the new subclade K mutation.

Flu activity is high or very high in 48 states and jurisdictions, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 11 million people have gotten sick, and 5,000 people have died from the flu this season as vaccination rates wane. At least nine of those who died were children.

The CDC said the current influenza wave is expected to last several weeks. The agency also noted that RSV activity is elevated in many areas of the country, with emergency room visits and hospitalizations increasing in children under 4. COVID-19 activity is low but increasing nationally.

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Respiratory illness activity in Pennsylvania is currently "very high" according to the CDC's community snapshot analysis, which provideds a high level glance at key trends and benchmarks. Emergency department visits for the flu are also "very high," while they are "moderate" but increasing for COVID-19.

Pennsylvania Department of Health data shows 552 new hospital admissions and 142 pediatric admissions for the flu over the most recently analyzed week, in mid December.



All told for this season, Pennsylvania has seen 2,141 adult flu hospitalizations and 402 pediatric hospitalizations, while 22 state residents have died.

COVID has proven more deadly, with 145 deaths thus far this season and 3,141 hospitalizations, according to the Department of Health. However, overall infection rates of COVID remain low.

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The CDC's weekly flu map further reflects "high" levels of the flu specifically in Pennsylvania, though it's notably a step below the more intense infection rates in neighboring New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.

And it's influenza that is causing the most concern among health care providers nationwide. This years flu season is more serious for a few reasons. One is that the subclade K mutation emerged after the vaccine was chosen for the Northern Hemisphere, last February. Once the mutation became established, there wasnt time to develop a better-matched vaccine. That leaves more people susceptible because the virus has found a way to evade pre-existing immunity from either an infection or vaccination.

Influenza A strain H3NS has mutated seven times, making the flu a more serious threat than in years past. It caused a severe flu season around the world, including in the U.K., Canada, Japan and Australia. Recent CDC data shows that nearly all virus samples since late September were the subclade K mutation.

Right now were seeing clade K everywhere we are seeing influenza in the U.S., Andrew Pekosz, a professor and vice chair of the department of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in a pre-Christmas news conference.

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Even with a mismatch, health experts advise people to get flu shots, saying they should provide some protection against severe disease and death. The CDC recommends influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older who has not yet been immunized this flu season. Currently, approximately 130 million doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed across the U.S.

In mid-December, the CDC estimated 42 percent of Americans had gotten their flu shots. Rates vary greatly by age, with around 60 to 70 percent of older adults over age 65 getting their shots. Coverage varies from year to year, but generally falls far short of the 70 percent goal for herd immunity. Some flu seasons have seen vaccine coverage around 47 percent.

Pekosz, speaking at a Dec. 23 news conference, said the mutations may allow it to evade some but not all of the influenza-vaccine-induced protection.

Were still in the middle of trying to figure out whether its producing worse illness or whether what were seeing is a large number of cases that are increasing, and then theres a correspondingly similar increase in terms of the severe illness, he said.

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The advice to get vaccinated was still on the CDC website on Monday, when the agency announced a major overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule. Flu shots will be recommended in shared clinical decision-making, which means patients and providers will discuss vaccination before proceeding. This approach was adopted last year for most COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccine recommendations.

Flu Cases Surging In PA As 'Subclade K' Mutation Takes Hold originally appeared on the Across Pennsylvania Patch
The defendants career as a doctor, his status as a Navy veteran and his history of mental illness were among the mitigating factors cited Monday as a McKean man was sentenced for a single misdemeanor charge of terroristic threats rather than the felony and four misdemeanors he had previously faced.

Bryan D. Moles, 52, received a sentence of 18 months of probation from Judge Mark Stevens in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas. Moles was also ordered to pay court costs. Stevens cited Moles veteran status in not assigning a fine.

The judge spent much of the 24-minute hearing addressing Moles directly regarding the sentence, Moles criminal history and his prospects for the future.

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Youve done so much for so many that you deserve what Ive said, Stevens said upon concluding his remarks and imposing the sentence.

As a result of a plea agreement with prosecutors in November, a felony charge of terroristic threats and misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest were not prosecuted. Three other misdemeanor charges had previously been withdrawn by the Crawford County District Attorneys Office.

The probationary sentence from Stevens was in keeping with prosecutors recommendation for a sentence in the mitigated range.

Id like to apologize to the community and the court for my actions, Moles told Stevens prior to the sentencing. I was mentally ill at the time. It did get the best of me.

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The remaining misdemeanor charge resulted, prosecutors said, from Moles spraying a fire extinguisher at another individual and telling the person he was spraying poison during an Oct. 16, 2024, incident at a Church Street apartment building in Cambridge Springs.

Responding to a report of a fire at the building, where Moles lived at the time, police officers and firefighters found the hallway and several apartments contaminated with dry chemicals from an extinguisher, according to the probable cause affidavit filed by police. They also found Moles tearing wiring and fuses out of a fuse box at the bottom of the buildings stairs, causing a partial loss of power.

When ordered to evacuate, Moles reportedly began yelling and retreated to his apartment, where he claimed that he had a gun and threatened to blow up the hallway, according to police. He was shocked with a Taser when he failed to comply with police commands upon exiting the apartment and four officers were required to place him in handcuffs.

Saying he was not offering an excuse but instead an explanation, Gene Placidi, Moles attorney, described the incident as the outcome of mental health issues for which Moles had a tough time being able to find proper medications. The incident also occurred at a time Moles was unmedicated, just days after being released from the Erie County jail, Placidi said.

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Moles has more recently begun taking more effective medication, according to Placidi, and is on his way to living a productive life.

This is the best Ive seen him since Ive represented him, Placidi added. Im happy for him.

Calling Moles 100 times smarter than me, Stevens said finding a balance between the need for justice and the acknowledgement of the role played by Moles mental illness presented a challenge.

Its not necessarily a voluntary, willful choice youre making to act that way, Stevens said.

At the same time, he continued, Moles had been a menace when his treatment proved ineffective.

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We cant let you be untreated in the community, Stevens said in stressing the importance of being self aware and relying on those close to him to monitor his ongoing treatment.

If you battle that, which I think you have in the past, were going to see each other again, Stevens told Moles. Nobody wants that.

Moles also faces numerous charges in five open cases against him in Erie County. A resolution in the cases is expected in Erie County Veterans Court following Mondays sentencing in Crawford County, according to Placidi.

Stevens also acknowledged that after serving 152 days in the Allegheny County jail last year while awaiting trial, Moles was ultimately sentenced to five to 30 days and released on time served in another case stemming from a March 2024 incident in Monroeville borough. Moles, who had originally faced multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in the case, was found guilty of 12 summary counts of harassment in a nonjury trial in August.

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Moles was previously arrested in 2017 after traveling from Crawford County to the Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington with a semi-automatic pistol, an AR-15 rifle and 90 rounds of ammunition in his car. Moles told hotel staff that he had firearms in the car when he checked in as a hotel guest, according to court documents. He ultimately spent nearly 15 months in federal prison before being sentenced to time served on a charge of carrying a pistol without a license.

After serving in the Navy and Navy Reserve from 1992 to 2006, Moles obtained his medical license in 2008 and last renewed it in September 2022, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. The license expired Oct. 31, 2024.
Kerwin Pittman recently purchased this abandoned, 400-bed prison in Goldsboro to create re-entry housing and a workforce campus for formerly incarcerated people. (Courtesy Photo)

With the recent purchase of the former Wayne Correctional Center in Goldsboro, Kerwin Pittman is laying claim to an unusual title  he says hes the first formerly incarcerated person in the U.S. to purchase a prison.

Kerwin Pittman (Courtesy Photo)

Pittman, the founder and executive director of Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services, Inc. (RREPS), was sent to prison at age 18 and served 11 years and six months for conspiracy to commit murder. January 26 will mark eight years since his release and return to the Southeast Raleigh community in which he was reared.

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I started a nonprofit when I came home and began advocating for individuals coming out of the [incarceration] system but I also put in programming to try to help them reintegrate into society with a little more ease, Pittman said.

His experience behind bars gave him insight into what other formerly incarcerated individuals needed after they left prison.

I had family support, so I had housing. but a lot of my friends didnt have any place to go. Or if they did, there was a time limit on how long they could stay, Pittman said.

Pittmans purchase of the abandoned, 400-bed prison is an extension of the work he started soon after he left prison. He plans to create re-entry housing and a workforce campus where formerly incarcerated people can attain job skills or industry certifications.

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The campus would be like a stabilization phase for guys coming out of jail or prison, to give them a six-month pause so they can get their life back on track, Pittman said.

Pittman estimates it will take up to two years to get the former prison ready for as many as 300 residents who would live on the campus until they completed the six months-long program. Another class of up to 300 would replace the previous residents each six months, he said.

He envisions residents studying and training to become electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, construction workers and other trades that are in high demand.

Right now, not only in the United States, but particularly North Carolina and particularly rural North Carolina, they are experiencing a decline [in people] seeking trade jobs, Pittman said.

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Other residents might choose a track to earn industry certifications or a Commercial Drivers License, he said.

The program will be open to previously incarcerated individuals from across the state, Pittman said.

Well take referrals, well have a case management team that go inside the jails and prison  and then well go and see if the candidate is the best fit for our program, Pittman said.

Pittman said it would make sense to locate such a facility in Goldsboro even if the former prison wasnt available.

Goldsboro is suffering right now with the plague of not only violence, but also poverty, Pittman said. It only made sense when this institution came up for sale to purchase it because of all of the other things that are going on in Eastern North Carolina, but also in that area.

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Pittman said he bought the former prison for under a million dollars and projects it will take about $2 million to refurbish it, while taking care to ensure it no longer looks like a prison. Pittman will rely heavily on private donations to fund the enterprise but has not ruled out pursuing local, state or federal funding.

The prison closed in 2013 as North Carolina sought to save money by reducing prison capacity after inmate populations declined.

Bevan Foster (Photo: Wayne County)

Wayne County Commissioner Bevan Foster had not heard about the project but was excited after a reporter shared the news.

If hes able to do what he said hes gonna do, itd be great, Foster said. Its the kind of program we need.

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Foster noted the irony of the prison being repurposed to help formerly incarcerated individuals.

Theyre using it for some good, Foster said. It would be a great thing.

Wayne County Commissioner Antonio Williams also had not heard about Pittmans proposal but said it would be a wonderful opportunity for people leaving prison.

Antonio Williams (Photo: Wayne County)

You can look around and see a lot of people who have been rehabilitated, but they come home and its challenging for them to even have housing, its challenging for them to find a job, Williams said.

Many formerly incarcerated individuals return home to find that relatives or other loved ones have died or theyve just lost those relationships while they were away and dont have any place to go, Williams said.

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Pittmans proposal, he said, would definitely give them a chance to rejoin life and get the basic steps in order such as finding jobs, housing and health care, all of those things that are valuable and have meaning.

As NC Newsline previously reported, a year ago, Pittman launched the states first mobile reentry service center to bring resources and support to people reentering society from prison. He followed up with a second mobile center six months later.

The centers provide previously incarcerated people with case management and other services such as job placement, housing assistance, mental health support and help obtaining important documents such as identification.

Pittman said the time he spent behind bars fuels his passion to help others.

Me going into the system young, getting in trouble and being able to come out on the other side of that  and to be honest, just following my spirit and God leading the way  it made me want to be able to help other people, Pittman said.
A now-former CEO/director of a performing arts company who also used to be a Duval County Public Schools teacher is facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged sexual relationship involving a 13-year-old boy.

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office arrested 31-year-old Victor Chrispin Jr., formerly head of Yohannas Performing Arts Company, charging him with two felony counts: an authority figure soliciting or engaging in romantic relations with a student and an authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student.

According to police, the investigation began in early December after authorities were alerted to a suspected relationship between Chrispin and the teen. The report states the concern was raised after someone discovered the pair inside Chrispins car.

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During an interview with investigators, the 13-year-old victim said the two had been involved since October of last year. A police report shows the teen verbally expressed romantic feelings for Chrispin in October.

About a week later, the report states, a sexual incident occurred inside a bathroom. Another incident allegedly occurred a week after that, also in a bathroom, where the teen told police he performed oral sex on Chrispin, the report said.

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The report detailed another alleged encounter between Chrispin and the victim at an unknown library in Jacksonville.

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Police say the victim communicated with Chrispin through an app called Locket Link. According to investigators, Chrispin allegedly sent messages through a female juvenile, who then forwarded them to the 13-year-old victim. Police also reported love letters exchanged between Chrispin and the victim on the childs phone.

Action News Jax has confirmed through Duval County Public Schools that Chrispin was employed at Bridge to Success Academy from 2017 until his resignation in 2019. Action News Jax has requested his personnel file from the school district.

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Chrispins LinkedIn profile lists Edward Waters University as his current employer. Action News Jax has reached out to the university and is still awaiting confirmation on whether Chrispin remains employed there.

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Chrispin has denied all allegations, telling police he was only acting as the childs mentor.

The board of directors for the Yohannas Performing Arts Company has removed Chrispin as CEO. The City of Jacksonville confirmed the dance company is currently in the final year of its four-year contract with Kids Hope Alliance.

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Valued at a market cap of $77.2 billion, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) is a cruise company that operates a diverse portfolio of brands, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, catering to both mass-market and luxury travelers. The Miami, Florida-based company is known for its modern fleet, innovative ships, and destination-focused itineraries. It is scheduled to announce its fiscal Q4 earnings for 2025 in the near future.

Before this event, analysts expect this cruise company to report a profit of $2.79 per share, up 71.2% from $1.63 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has surpassed Wall Streets bottom-line estimates in each of the last four quarters. Its earnings of $5.75 per share in the previous quarter exceeded the forecasted figure by 1.2%.

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For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect RCL to report a profit of $15.64 per share, up 32.5% from $11.80 per share in fiscal 2024. Furthermore, its EPS is expected to grow 14.5% year-over-year to $17.91 in fiscal 2026.

www.barchart.com

Shares of RCL have gained 23.7% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.9% return and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLY) 6.9% uptick over the same time period.

www.barchart.com

On Dec. 11, shares of RCL rose 7.4% after the company announced a new $2 billion share buyback program and declared a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share. Investor sentiment was further boosted by Bank of America Corporation (BAC) data showing cruise-related consumer spending increased 11.2% year over year in November, despite a broader decline in overall travel spending.

Wall Street analysts are moderately optimistic about RCLs stock, with an overall "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 25 analysts covering the stock, 17 recommend "Strong Buy," one indicates a Moderate Buy, and seven suggest "Hold. The mean price target for RCL is $330, indicating a 16.5% potential upside from the current levels.

On the date of publication, Neharika Jain did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan will not lose her state pension after a federal jury found her guilty of obstructing federal immigration agents seeking to make an immigration arrest outside her courtroom, a felony.

Dugan resigned on Jan. 3 as Republicans in the state Legislature were preparing to launch an effort to impeach her.

A spokesperson for the state Department of Employee Trust Funds, which administers pensions and other benefits, said the agency doesn't release information about specific individuals' payments or their pensions "because this information is considered confidential and not subject to open records law."

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But the agency spokesperson, Mark Lamkins, added that criminal charges typically do not result in someone losing their Wisconsin Retirement System pension.

"With a limited exception, Wisconsin state law does not require an individual to forfeit their WRS pension because of being terminated or criminal charges," Lamkins wrote in a Jan. 5 email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "A WRS pension is an earned benefit of employment based on an individuals contributions and eligibility and cannot be taken away."

The exception is linked to a 2019 state law that authorized the state to withhold money if it is ordered to do so by a court in a restitution order. Such an order could only be issued in a case involving "felony theft and misconduct in public office, the crime resulted in a loss to the defendant's employer, and the defendant's employer participates in the WRS."

That would not apply in the Dugan case.

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Lamkins also said that years of service for judges, teachers and educational support personnel are based on fiscal years (July 1 through June 30), not calendar years (January 1 through December 30).

So it appears Dugan's decision to resign in January 2026 instead of when she was found guilty in December 2025 would not have a significant effect on any pension payments.

Dugan's team is appealing. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has not set a sentencing date. Dugan, a first-time offender found guilty in a non-violent offense, is unlikely to get prison time. She was found not guilty of a related charge of concealing a wanted person, which is a misdemeanor.

Dugan, 66, resigned from the bench Jan. 3, writing in a letter to Gov. Tony Evers that she believed citizens deserved a new judge to start 2026 and not a "partisan fight in the state legislature."

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It is now up to Evers to select a new judge to fill the vacant seat. The appointee is required to win election for a full, six-year term the following spring.

Republicans in the state Capitol had vowed to impeach Dugan if she did not resign from the office after a jury convicted her on a felony count of obstructing a federal agency. Dugan's resignation means impeachment proceedings will not begin.

Dugan continued to receive her roughly $175,000 annual salary when she was suspended from the bench April 29  11 days after Eduardo Flores-Ruiz's appearance in Dugan's courtroom and arrest outside the courthouse.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan will retain state pension
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A former Angola employee was arrested Monday after being accused of having contraband on penitentiary grounds.

According to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Alsaysia Bates, 24, was arrested after a routine search at the prison was conducted on Dec. 21, 2025.

During the search, officials found three cell phones in her vehicle, which were immediately turned over to the West Feliciana Parish Sheriffs Office. During the investigation, WFPSO deputies learned that the cell phones contained information, leading to an arrest warrant being issued on Dec. 26.

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Contraband and inappropriate communication between staff and individuals who are incarcerated will not be tolerated, said Darrell Vannoy, warden of Louisiana State Penitentiary. All employees are held to a standard and are expected to follow guidelines when carrying out their duties as a correctional officer.

Bates has been an employee at Angola since Sept. 2, 2025. She voluntarily resigned from her position as a corrections sergeant after the incident.

She was charged with malfeasance in office related to contraband.

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A former police officer who was killed during a family dispute last week was shot by his father-in-law, sources confirmed to WFTV.

Dennis Turner, who served for 24 years before he was fired in 2019, was killed on Kozart Street at a house owned by Jeffery London.

Investigators said London and Turner got into an argument that may have been fueled by alcohol, when London shot Turner multiple times in the chest.

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London fled, and was captured by Highlands County deputies during a traffic stop 90 miles south of the shooting scene.

They said Turners wife witnessed the shooting.

The source of the argument was still unclear Monday. There was no known history of violence between the two men, who were just a few years apart in age.

Investigators also confirmed Monday that London was a felon. Online court records, which only go back to 1990, did not have any record of a felony.

He will be extradited back to Orlando to face his charges.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A former police training centre could be converted into a huge HMO.

The empty West Midlands Police training centre Windmill House in Windmill Lane, Smethwick, would be turned into a 76-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) under plans submitted to the council.

The three-storey building, which dates back to the 1970s, had been used by the region's police force as a training centre and accommodation until it closed last year.

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The planning application to Sandwell Council by Kamraan Ahmed of Meizon Ltd said the plans had been designed to support healthcare workers at the nearby Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.

The site's 47 car park spaces would be reduced to 23 spaces as part of the work.

Windmill House was sold to MNP Investment Holdings in June last year as one of several West Midlands Police properties deemed "surplus to requirements."

The planning application said the building had recently been used as accommodation with police trainees transported to and from the force's main Tally Ho Training Centre in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

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The surrounding area is being primed for regeneration with plans including hundreds of new homes and a new school.

A statement included with the application said: "The project seeks to retrofit the existing 1970s utilitarian structure into a high-quality house of multiple occupation (HMO), delivering 76 rooms specifically tailored to the needs of key workers and young professionals.

"Strategically positioned just 500 metres from the Midland Metropolitan Hospital, the scheme is designed to directly support the local healthcare workforce by providing affordable, flexible accommodation in an area identified for regeneration.

"Each bedroom is designed to include an en-suite shower room, pull-down bed with sofa integration, workspace, and built-in storage.

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"The existing [building] structure, which comprises a robust concrete frame and cladding system, will be fully retained."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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A Paris court found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying the first lady of France, Brigitte Macron, on Monday  and no, none of them were conservative American commentator Candace Owens.

The defendants were found guilty of cyber-harassment, and all are now required to attend cyberbullying awareness training. The eight men and two women, ages 41 to 65, received sentences ranging from two to eight months in prison, to giving an apology. Sentences were given based on the seriousness of the defendants allegations against Macron, per CBS News.

Some of the more active social media users were banned from using the platforms where they posted comments about Macron.

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The unfounded claims against Macron, 72, accused her of being born a man now living as a transgender woman, a theory that caught fire when her husband, French President Emmanuel Macron, 48, was elected to his office in 2017.

Other harassment claims involved the 24-year age gap between the Macrons and the eyebrow-raising chronology that ultimately led to their marriage in 2007.

The couple first met at La Providence, a high school where Brigitte Macron, then married to her first husband with three children, was teaching, and Emmanuel Macron was a student.

It was in the schools theater program that the teacher and student began a deeper intellectual connection, per court documents, noting that the relationship stayed within the confines of the law.

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However, when President Macrons parents became aware of his strong feelings for his teacher, they decided to transfer him to Lycee Henri-IV in Paris. Mrs. Macron encouraged him to leave and was confident he would fall in love with a peer. Yet, before his departure, he told her, Whatever you do, I will marry you, the documents said.

The two stayed connected over the years and married in 2007, a year after she left her first husband.

One of the defendants in the cyberbullying case, French writer Bertrand Scholler, told reporters outside the courthouse that he would appeal his six-month prison sentence.

This is horrible. Its abominable, he said, per CNN, as the court ultimately denied the argument that comments made online about Macron were satire. This shows just how far French society is drifting toward less freedom of speech. Freedom of speech no longer exists.

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Prior to the Monday sentencing, Macron appeared on French news show TF1 and addressed the allegation made about her sexuality, and that Mondays case is one of three she is currently battling in court.

Im struggling constantly, the first lady said. I want to help teenagers to fight against harassment, and how could I not be exemplary?

Despite it all, some online voices are still very skeptical of her sexuality, including French investigative journalist Xavier Poussard, who wrote the book Becoming Brigitte, as well as political commentator/podcaster Candace Owens, against whom the Macrons filed a defamation lawsuit last July.

Owens previously said the legal pushback she is receiving from the Macrons only confirms her belief that Brigitte Macron was born male.

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Poussard posted on X that he believes Macron was born a male as Jean-Michel Trogneux and became known under the married name of her younger sister, Brigitte Auziere, since the mid-1980s. To which Owens reposted and added that Macron is now securing convictions for cyberbullying against people for discussing his dark past.

Consider the fact that this man statutorily raped a student and is today securing convictions for cyberbullying against people for discussing his dark past. It is my honest to God belief that Jean Michel Trogneux was involved in some really sinister stuff during his military https://t.co/r0WfJoqbGM  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) January 5, 2026

Though Macron did not appear during the two-day trial, her daughter, Tiphaine Auziere, testified and said the conspiracies surrounding her mother have resulted in the deterioration of her mothers life, per CBS News. She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her, Auziere said, adding that the harassment has even impacted Macrons grandchildren.
Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The leaders of the Britain, France and Ukraine signed a trilateral agreement Tuesday to pave the way for French and British forces to deploy to Ukraine after it signs a peace agreement to end the war with Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted about two dozen leaders from the "Coalition of the Willing" at a summit that aimed to secure Ukraine's ongoing security once there is a cease-fire.

Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the agreement Tuesday evening.

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"Following a cease-fire, the U.K. and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine," Starmer said.

Military officials from France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine worked in detail on force deployment, numbers, specific types of weapons, and the components of the Armed Forces required and able to operate effectively. We already have these necessary details. We understand which... pic.twitter.com/3WrdOTHDnz Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) January 6, 2026

"The 'Multinational Force for Ukraine' will act as a reassurance force to bolster security guarantees and Ukraine's ability to return to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's own forces," Starmer said in a statement.

"The signing of the declaration paves the way for the legal framework to be established for French and U.K. forces to operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future."

Zelensky posted on X about the meeting.

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"Military officials from France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine worked in detail on force deployment, numbers, specific types of weapons, and the components of the Armed Forces required and able to operate effectively. We already have these necessary details. We understand which country is ready for what among all members of the Coalition of the Willing. I would like to thank every leader and every state that truly wishes to be part of a peaceful solution," Zelensky said.

He also discussed the role of the United States in the post-war coalition.

"We had very substantive discussions with the American side on monitoring -- to ensure there are no violations of peace. The United States is ready to work on this. One of the most critical elements is deterrence -- the tools that will prevent any new Russian aggression. We see all of this," he said.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said the talks led to "significant progress on several critical workstreams."

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"We agree with the Coalition that durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace in the Ukraine and we will continue to work together on this effort."

He said talks will continue Tuesday night and Wednesday, and "we are hopeful to achieve additional positive momentum in the near future."

The leaders of about 35 countries calling themselves the "Coalition of the Willing" met Tuesday afternoon in Paris to continue work on the joint statement released by European leaders after a summit in Berlin in December.

In his New Year's speech, Macron said he expects "firm commitments" to be made in protecting Ukraine against Russian aggression after any cease-fire.

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Zelensky recently met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida and said that the peace plan is about 90% agreed. But Russia hasn't agreed to the plan since revisions were made.

Trump suggested there would be a security agreement for Ukraine and said "European nations are very much involved."

"I feel that European nations have been really great, and they're very much in line with this meeting and with getting a deal done. They are all terrific people," Trump said.

The 10% that's left in the plan is about territorial disputes. Kyiv hasn't agreed to cede land.

Russia controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and 99% of Luhansk. Together, they are the industrial region of Donbas. Ukraine doesn't want to let them go.

Causing anxiety in Europe is the recent invasion of Venezuela by the United States, as well as Trump's threats to take over Greenland, which is part of NATO through Denmark.
In Indiana, two men from California are in custody after being arrested over millions of dollars worth of cocaine.

One of the two is from Fresno.

It happened Saturday during a traffic stop southwest of Indianapolis.

Indiana State Police say a K-9 led officers to a massive pile of cocaine that weighed more than 300 pounds, worth $7 million.

The drugs were hidden inside a semi truck, which was traveling from Joplin, Missouri, to Richmond, Indiana.

25-year-old Gurpreet Singh of Fresno, and 30-year-old Jasveer Singh of Santa Clara were arrested and charged with dealing narcotics.

They're now being held on orders by ICE.


When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

An illustration showing a halo of dark matter around a spiral galaxy. | Credit: Robert Lea (created with Canva)

New research puts forward compelling new evidence that dark matter interacts with cosmic "ghost particles" called neutrinos. If that is the case, then this interaction could pose a serious challenge for the standard model of cosmology, our current best model of the universe.

Neutrinos earn their spooky nickname due to the fact that as these chargeless and virtually massless particles travel through space at near the speed of light, they barely interact with other particles, ghosting their way through solid objects like planets. In fact, the interactions between these particles and other matter are so rare and fleeting that every second, around 100 trillion neutrinos stream through your body without you feeling a thing. Dark matter is similar; even though it accounts for around 85% of the matter in the universe, whatever comprises dark matter also barely interacts with ordinary matter and light, if at all. In fact, effectively invisible, dark matter can only be inferred due to its interaction with gravity and the effect this has on light and conventional matter.

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However, new findings from a team of researchers from the University of Sheffield suggest that a slight interaction, in the form of a minor exchange of momentum, exists between dark matter and neutrinos. That contradicts the so-called " Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM)" model that attempts to explain the universe's structure and evolution, which says that dark matter and neutrinos exist independently and do not interact with each other.

The evidence for this potentially paradigm-shift-inducing suggestion comes from observations of the universe in its current state, conducted by the Dark Energy Camera on the Victor M. Blanco Telescope in Chile, from galaxy maps created by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and details of the universe's distant past gathered by both the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) and the European Space Agency (ESA) Planck Telescope spacecraft.

These observations have revealed that the modern universe is less "clumpy" than it should be. This cosmic conundrum could be explained by interactions between dark matter and neutrinos, which would impact the way cosmic structures like galaxies form and evolve.

"Our results address a long-standing puzzle in cosmology. Measurements of the early universe predict that cosmic structures should have grown more strongly over time than what we observe today," team member Eleonora Di Valentino of the University of Sheffield said in a statement. However, observations of the modern universe indicate that matter is slightly less clumped than expected, pointing to a mild mismatch between early- and late-time measurements. This tension does not mean the standard cosmological model is wrong, but it may suggest that it is incomplete.

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"Our study shows that interactions between dark matter and neutrinos could help explain this difference, offering new insight into how structure formed in the universe," Di Valentino added.

The next step is to test this idea, something that the team thinks is possible using precise observations from future telescopes of a cosmic fossil called the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), a leftover from an event in the universe shortly after the Big Bang. Astronomers could also test this theory using a specific effect that objects of great mass have on space, and therefore light, a phenomenon called " gravitational lensing ." This would allow them to better measure the distribution of ordinary matter and dark matter.

"If this interaction between dark matter and neutrinos is confirmed, it would be a fundamental breakthrough," team member William Giare of the University of Hawaii, said. "It would not only shed new light on a persistent mismatch between different cosmological probes, but also provide particle physicists with a concrete direction, indicating which properties to look for in laboratory experiments to help finally unmask the true nature of dark matter."
BRUSSELS, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Finance ministers from the Group of Seven nations will meet in Washington on January 12 to discuss rare earths supplies, three sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

One of the sources added that price floors for rare earths would be a point of discussion, among other critical mineral topics.

G7 countries, except Japan, are heavily or exclusively reliant on China for a range of materials from rare earth magnets to battery metals. In June last year, the G7 agreed on an action plan to secure their supply chains and boost their economies.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo, Julia Payne in Brussels and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Editing by Alex Richardson)
George Conway wants to impeach President Donald Trump. He may soon get a vote to do so.

The attorney, pundit and staunch anti-Trump critic formally launched his bid for a Manhattan House seat today and is framing his run around an all-encompassing effort to oppose the president.

The rollout includes a 2-minute video that features images of Jan. 6, a woman being led away by immigration enforcement officers and photos of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Vladimir Putin. In the video, Conway calls Trump mendacious, corrupt and criminal.

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He pledges to not be an ordinary member of Congress given the extraordinary political moment.

In an interview with POLITICO, he went even further, saying that Trumps actions in Venezuela  including the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro to face criminal charges in the U.S.  are among the impeachable crimes hes committed.

He completely disregarded the War Powers Act, Conway said. Hes abusing his power as commander-in-chief. Dont get me wrong, Maduro is a bad guy and hes probably guilty of all the crimes hes been charged with in the Southern District of New York. But President Trump is doing this without consultation to Congress.

The White House did not return a message seeking comment.

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Conway is a first-time candidate who only recently registered as a Democrat ahead of filing to run in the deep blue district being vacated by Rep. Jerrold Nadler. A former Republican, Conway left the GOP in protest during Trumps first term.

He'll face a large field of Democratic contenders, including state Assemblymember Alex Borres, New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher, former Nadler aide and state Assemblymember Micah Lasher and Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg.

The seat is unlikely to be competitive in the November election, making the winner of the Democratic primary Nadlers likely successor

Conways positioned himself as a forceful Trump antagonist  the kind of aggressive posture thats popular with Democrats eager for a sharp-edged approach to take on the president. Conway and his wife Kellyanne, a former Trump adviser, announced in 2023 they would divorce.

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His House campaign will test the limits of how much Democratic voters want to express their disdain for the president. Many candidates this year are placing a focus on affordability  a buzzy political issue that Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani rode to success in their campaigns.

Yet Conway believes voters concerns all flow from one source: Trump.

The politics of this arent divided in my view between talking about Trump and holding Trump accountable and then all the kitchen table issues, he said. Theyre not separate.

Conway will still have to persuade Democratic primary voters, though. His recent conversion to the Democratic Party will likely come under scrutiny. But he insisted his ties to the district are strong  adding that his kids were born in the city and that he now lives there.

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I made my life here, he said. This district has been the center of my life since I got out of law school.

A version of this article first appeared in POLITICO's New York Playbook. Want to receive the newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to New York Playbook.
DUBAI, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia plans to open its financial markets to all foreign investors from February 1, the Gulf country's market regulator said on Tuesday, as it eases rules to attract more money from abroad.

The amendments approved by the Capital Markets Authority eliminate the concept of the Qualified Foreign Investor, scrapping a rule that allowed only international investors with direct and consistent access to the Saudi capital market.

The move will allow investors from around the world to invest directly in the capital market, the CMA said in a statement, adding it would support inflows and improve market liquidity.

Saudi Arabia, which is more than halfway through an economic plan to reduce its dependence on oil, has been trying to attract foreign investors, including by establishing exchange-traded funds with Asian partners in Japan and Hong Kong.

Regulators last year also opened the door for foreigners to buy listed firms that own real estate in Mecca and Medina, without changing restrictions on direct land ownership, and Saudi stocks jumped in September following a report that the CMA may ease rules capping foreign ownership of listed companies.

International investors held 590 billion riyals ($157 billion) in the Saudi capital market at the end of the third quarter last year, the CMA said.

($1 = 3.7504 riyals)

(Reporting by Federico Maccioni and Ahmed Elimam. Editing by Mark Potter)
NEW YORK  Legal pundit George Conway on Monday launched a campaign for the Manhattan congressional seat held by Rep. Jerry Nadler, who will not seek reelection.

The fierce critic of President Donald Trump and ex-husband of former Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway is betting that anger at the White Houses right-wing agenda will catapult him to the top of a crowded Democratic primary field in the deep-blue 12th District of New York covering both the Upper West and Upper East sides.

Im running for Congress to take the fight directly back to (Trump) on your behalf, on the behalf of New Yorkers to whom I owe so much, Conway said in a launch video. To protect the fundamental rights and basic economic needs of all New Yorkers.

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A former Republican, Conway portrayed himself as a fearless and effective fighter against Trump, noting that he could have abandoned his principles and joined other GOP notables in jumping on the MAGA gravy train.

Ive been fighting Trump for years, and nothing stopped me, he said.

Conway, 62, a former conservative lawyer who has never before run for political office, would appear to be a long shot in the race for the solidly liberal district Nadler has represented for more than three decades.

Conway admits voting for Trump in 2016 and even met with the new president in 2017 to discuss a post in the administration. But he broke decisively with Trump even as his then-wife served was a top White House communications aide.

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Conway has mostly lived in suburban Washington, D.C., but recently moved to Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood with his pet dog, who regularly appears in his prolific social media posts.

Among the other Democratic primary hopefuls in the NY-12 race are Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a protege of Nadler; Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg; school shooting survivor Cameron Kasky; Assemblyman Alex Bores; and City Council member Erik Bottcher.

_____
The News

George Conway achieved national notoriety as a foe of President Donald Trump. Now hes aiming to take that fight to Congress  as a Democrat.

The vocal Trump critic and former Republican officially launched his campaign for New Yorks 12th Congressional District today with very specific goals: impeaching Trump and passing reconstruction laws to prevent future Trump-like presidencies. If he wins, he insists he doesnt plan to stay long.

Conway, 62, who came to Washington with his then-wife, former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, has played a ubiquitous role as a Trump critic after he soured on the president and removed himself from consideration in the administration in 2017. But the former Republican lawyer said its unfair to lob criticism from the sidelines, so hes getting in the actual ring to succeed retiring Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

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His campaign is a bet that his status as Trump foil will help him break out in a crowded field and quell any concerns over his prior party registration.

I view myself as a special teams player for this moment, to help us get through this, what I hope to be the final crisis of Trumpism, Conway told Semafor in an interview.

I cant imagine myself serving more than two terms, he added. The two things that need to happen is accountability and reconstruction. If we cant do that in the next two to four years, were in deep, deep trouble.

To get to Congress, Conway has to win the seat in a highly Democratic-leaning Manhattan district, which will require navigating a primary that includes Jack Schlossberg of the Kennedy family and state lawmakers. In a nod to the partys base, Conway says he wont take corporate PAC money in the race, but hell still have to convince voters to nominate a longtime prominent GOP lawyer.

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Many Democrats arent making their campaigns about removing Trump from office. But in a bright blue place like Manhattan, the primary campaign may boil down to who can most effectively take on Trump.

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Conway said he understands that New Yorkers are concerned about affordability, too, but said its difficult to have an honest conversation about improving the country while Trump is still president. Conway said Democrats need lawyers like him to effectively prosecute the case against Trump and said in his launch video that he will not be an ordinary member of Congress.

Hes committing high crimes and misdemeanors almost every day, Conway told Semafor of Trump. Anybody who takes an oath to the Constitution  is obligated to see to it that somebody who commits high crimes and misdemeanors in the executive branch is impeached and removed from office.

Still, Conway is not completely positioning himself as a Democratic bomb-thrower. He declined to take a shot at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., calling him a remarkable public servant over decades. And he said he supports Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as House Democratic leader, calling him a magnificent spokesman for the Democratic House majority.

Conway acknowledged that Democrats might give his candidacy a little extra scrutiny given his Republican history, but insisted hes prepared to meet the challenge.

There are going to be some people who are skeptical, he said. I walk down the streets of New York over the last several years and people say, thank you. And these are Democrats, so, I mean, were standing for the same thing.
A German Navy frigate set off on Tuesday to join NATO forces monitoring strategic passages in the North and Baltic Seas as well as the North Atlantic, amid increasing tensions between the US and Denmark over the control of Greenland.

The Saxony left the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven in the afternoon with some 250 troops aboard the vessel, a spokeswoman for the navy said.

The ship is to join the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1), a maritime task force that consists of several destroyers and frigates deployed by different NATO allies as well as a supply vessel.

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"The core mission of the Saxony in SNMG 1 will be to monitor and protect strategic maritime routes and critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic Sea," Navy Commander Wolfgang Eckmuller was quoted as saying in a statement.

The ship set sail as tensions are soaring over renewed US threats to annex Greenland, a largely autonomous territory in the North Atlantic and the world's largest island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Copenhagen strongly rejects the claims and was backed by seven European leaders on Tuesday who expressed solidarity with Greenland.

"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement signed by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark said.

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Last weekend, Trump claimed once again that the US needs Greenland for national security reasons, citing an increased presence of Chinese and Russian ships in the region.

The German frigate deployed on Tuesday measures 143 metres in length and is equipped with a special radar that can monitor an airspace the size of the entire North Sea, according to the German armed forces.

The vessel is also equipped with anti-aircraft missiles.

Besides regular troops, it carries members of a naval air squadron and a group of dentists.

The Saxony replaces the Hamburg frigate in the NATO fleet, which returned back to Germany shortly before Christmas following a roughly six-month stint at sea.

The Saxony is scheduled to return to its home port in mid-July.

Members of the crew wave as the frigate "Sachsen" (F 219) leaves the port at the naval base for a deployment lasting several months. The naval vessel will be part of the so-called Standing Nato Maritime Group 1, a Nato maritime task force, operating in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Atlantic. Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa
A German Navy frigate set off on Tuesday to join NATO forces monitoring strategic passages in the North and Baltic Seas as well as the North Atlantic, amid increasing tensions between the US and Denmark over the control of Greenland.

The Saxony left the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven in the afternoon with some 250 troops aboard the vessel, a spokeswoman for the navy said.

The ship is to join the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1), a maritime task force that consists of several destroyers and frigates deployed by different NATO allies as well as a supply vessel.

Advertisement Advertisement

"The core mission of the Saxony in SNMG 1 will be to monitor and protect strategic maritime routes and critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic Sea," Navy Commander Wolfgang Eckmuller was quoted as saying in a statement.

The ship set sail as tensions are soaring over renewed US threats to annex Greenland, a largely autonomous territory in the North Atlantic and the world's largest island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Copenhagen strongly rejects the claims and was backed by seven European leaders on Tuesday who expressed solidarity with Greenland.

"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement signed by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark said.

Last weekend, Trump claimed once again that the US needs Greenland for national security reasons, citing an increased presence of Chinese and Russian ships in the region.

A Sea Lynx 88A helicopter is about to set sail for a deployment lasting several months on board the frigate "Sachsen" (F 219) in the harbor at the naval base. The naval vessel will be part of the so-called Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, a NATO maritime task force, operating in the North and Baltic Seas as well as in the Atlantic. Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa
Large numbers of Jews could leave the country if the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) becomes part of a future government, Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said on Tuesday.

Schuster was speaking at a retreat held in the Seeon Monastery in Bavaria for members of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) who sit in the federal parliament in Berlin.

He described the situation for German Jews as "increasingly problematic" in recent years.

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Schuster said that opinion polls for state level elections in Germany this year filled him with great concern. He saw government participation for a far-right party like the AfD as "definitely problematic for Jewish life in Germany."

And at federal level, Jewish life in Germany would no longer be compatible with a party like the AfD in government, he said.

Schuster expressed the hope that Germany's conservative parties, including the CSU, had realized that a far-right party that would not only threaten Jews but would also seek close ties with Russia could not be a coalition partner.

He described anti-Semitism in Germany as more than an underlying problem, particularly in the AfD, despite attempts to "keep it under wraps."

Five of Germany's 16 states are to hold parliamentary elections this year. The AfD is currently polling at 38% in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the north-east, well ahead of other parties. And in Saxony-Anhalt, polls put it at 40%, again well in the lead.
LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that Greenland belonged to Denmark and that the NATO alliance could discuss strengthening its protection if necessary.

Wadephul was speaking after U.S. President Donald Trump made renewed threats to take over Greenland, a prospect that alarmed NATO allies and has taken on a new urgency after Trump followed through on threats to topple Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Trump has repeatedly said he wants to take over Greenland, an ambition first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency.

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On Sunday, he told The Atlantic magazine in an interview: "We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence."

Speaking to reporters in Lithuania, Wadephul said Germany had questions about Maduro's removal and stressed the Venezuelan people should determine their country's future in free and fair elections, after Trump said the U.S. would run the country.

On Greenland, Wadephul stressed it was part of Denmark.

"And since Denmark is a member of NATO, Greenland will, in principle, also be subject to NATO defence," he said.

"And if there are further requirements to strengthen defence efforts concerning Greenland, then we will have to discuss this within the framework of the alliance."

He did not elaborate on the nature of those discussions.

(Reporting by Matthias Williams, editing by Miranda Murray)
Germany has raised the prospect of a military involvement in securing a potential ceasefire in Ukraine during a meeting of Kiev's allies in Paris.

"This could include, for example, us registering forces for Ukraine on neighbouring NATO territory after a ceasefire," Chancellor Friedrich Merz said following the meeting.

"The nature and scope of a German contribution must and will be decided by the federal government and the German Bundestag as soon as the conditions mentioned have been clarified," Merz said.

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"I want to say for myself and also for the federal government: We are not ruling anything out in principle."

This could mean that even the deployment of Bundeswehr soldiers in Ukraine itself is not ruled out.

For months, allies have been discussing how to secure a possible ceasefire and protect Ukraine from new attacks by Russia. France and Britain have been the driving forces behind this effort.

Germany, on the other hand, has taken the position that the question will only arise once the terms of a ceasefire have been clarified.

Now Merz is changing course: He has declared his fundamental willingness for Germany to participate militarily; However, it remains unclear how many German soldiers would be involved and what tasks they would take on.
For Americans concerned about the nations public health system, 2025 was a heartbreaking year. It came to a particularly dismal end in December when, amid a series of radical appointments, a federal advisory panel stocked with loyalists to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted to stop recommending a life-saving vaccine to infants at birth.

Commenting on the development, Michael Osterholm, a professor of public health at the University of Minnesota, told The New York Times, Today is a defining moment for our country. We can no longer trust federal health authorities when it comes to vaccines.

Alas, 2026 is already off to a similarly crushing start. As my MS NOW colleague Will McDuffie reported:

U.S. health officials announced Monday that they would dramatically reduce the number of vaccinations recommended for babies and children, a decision that officials say they made after reviewing the childhood vaccine schedules of other developed countries. The Trump administration announced it was reducing the number of diseases it routinely recommends children be vaccinated against from 17 to 11, a move that had been long signaled by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It means the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer broadly recommend children receive vaccines for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and hepatitis A and B.

The announcement is not binding, but as McDuffies report added, the CDCs recommendations carry great weight with local health officials  even, in this instance, when they shouldnt.

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Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a former physician who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which has oversight of the Department of Health and Human Services, was not pleased.

As a doctor who treated patients for decades, my top priority is protecting children and families, the GOP senator wrote via social media. Multiple children have died or were hospitalized from measles, and South Carolina continues to face a growing outbreak. Two children have died in my state from whooping cough. All of this was preventable with safe and effective vaccines.

The vaccine schedule IS NOT A MANDATE. Its a recommendation giving parents the power. Changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors, and will make America sicker, he added.

Those looking for the sentence in Cassidys statement that reads, And therefore, Ive decided to  were left wanting.

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If this sounds familiar, theres a good reason for that: Its been a yearlong problem. The senator spent much of 2025 expressing disapproval of the administrations health policies, and in each instance, his criticisms were followed by inaction. This year already looks a lot like last year.

In late November, CNNs Jake Tapper reminded the Louisiana Republican that he cast the deciding vote to allow an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist to become the nations health secretary. When the host asked if Cassidy had given RFK Jr. too much credit, the senator replied, The fact is the scientific community agrees that vaccines are safe. Thats all I can say.

The first part of the quote was correct, but the latter half was not.

Cassidy, in a position of real power and influence on Capitol Hill, has plenty of other options. He could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake; he could call for Kennedys resignation; he could even schedule hearings and haul officials from HHS, CDC and the Food and Drug Administration to Capitol Hill to demand answers and changes.

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Cassidy isnt doing any of these things. Hes instead posting occasionally to social media to criticize radical and dangerous public health moves in the mildest of ways.

I obviously cant read the senators mind. Its possible that the Louisianan is worried about the GOP primary challenge hes facing this year, which has led him to believe hes better off avoiding fights with one of Donald Trumps Cabinet secretaries. Its also possible that Cassidy has faced behind-the-scenes pressure from Republican leaders not to do anything more consequential.

Whatever his motivation, Cassidy cant escape responsibility for the damage Kennedy and his cohorts are doing to the nations public health, and while he could take meaningful action in response, the senator has chosen not to, seemingly indifferent to the consequences of his passivity.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

The post GOPs Cassidy criticizes RFK Jr.s vaccine schedule, but the senator still isnt ready to act appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican known for his expertise on water and forestry issues, has died at 65, according to statements from GOP officials.

LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer and former state legislator, was serving his seventh term representing a rural district in the northeast corner of the state. He sat on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.

President Donald Trump paid tribute to LaMalfa during a speech to House Republicans Tuesday as a reliable vote for his agenda.

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"And by the way, he wasn't a three-o'clock-in-the-morning person," Trump said, referring to GOP lawmakers who need presidential cajoling on critical votes. "With Doug, I never had to call. He was with us right from the beginning."



His office said in a statement that LaMalfa is survived by his wife, Jill, four children and a grandchild. He "cared deeply for the people he served and worked tirelessly to hold the government to its word to fix our failing forests, build water storage, and leave people to be free to choose what is best for themselves," the statement said.

Republicans who were close with LaMalfa were not aware of any health issues he had, and many were in shock Tuesday morning about his sudden passing, according to six GOP lawmakers who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private matters.

LaMalfa suffered an aneurysm and then a heart attack after being taken into surgery, according to one of the lawmakers and two others familiar with the matter.

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His death also further narrows an already slim Republican majority in the House. Now with a 218-213 advantage, Speaker Mike Johnson can afford no more than two defections on party-line votes where all members are present and voting.

"We are mourning the loss of our friend and brother today and we send our respects for his life and work to his wife Jill and the LaMalfa family during this difficult time, Johnson said in a statement.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chair of the House GOP campaign arm, remembered LaMalfa as a real gearhead and motorsports fan" as well as a "principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California."

"Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service," Hudson said.

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Under California law, Gov. Gavin Newsom has 14 days to set a date for a special election. He could set the date as soon as mid-May, though he could also schedule it to coincide with the state's June 2 primary. The winner would serve out LaMalfa's term under current district lines.

His successor, however, will face a wildly different political landscape in the November election. LaMalfa's seat was among those targeted by California Democrats in their bid to redraw district lines to counter President Donald Trump's mid-decade redistricting push in Texas and other states.

In November, California voters approved a gerrymandered House map that folded LaMalfas turf into a new, blue-leaning district  threatening to push him into a competitive race after years of cruising to reelection in a largely Republican district. He was up against a Democratic former state Senate leader who had already piled up money and endorsements.

LaMalfa decried the gerrymander as anti-democratic even as he vowed to press ahead with meeting new constituents and holding onto office.

We've had a long-term relationship with people in northern California, and were not just going to walk away from that, LaMalfa told POLITICO last month.
The federal government said Monday that Tennessee has not opted into a summer food program for low income kids that brought more than $84 million in funding to avert childhood hunger in previous years. (Photo: Getty Images)

Despite the urging of county mayors, child advocates, clergy and educators, Gov. Bill Lee has declined to secure millions of dollars in federal funding to provide food to low-income kids by the governments Jan. 1 deadline.

Lee has remained quiet about the apparent decision to forgo approximately $84 million from the federal governments Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks. In the past, the federal funding has helped feed 700,000 Tennessee kids during summer months when school is out. The governors office, for weeks, has not responded to reporters questions about whether he planned to participate in the federal Summer EBT.

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On Monday, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that Tennessee has not submitted their intent to participate in Summer EBT for 2026.

Lee rejected the funding last year, too, aligning with more than a dozen Republican governors who cited reasons ranging from opposition to attempts to expand the welfare state to administrative costs. In 2025 Tennessee spent $5 million to administer the federal program.

In its place, the governor established a Summer Nutrition Initiative operating in 15 counties, providing 18,000 kids the same per-child funding as the federal program: $120 for each child. In total, the state spent $3 million on the program.

Hundreds of thousands of children in Tennessees other 80 counties, including the states urban centers in Shelby and Davidson, werent eligible.

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It remains unknown whether Lee intends to reintroduce the state-funded Summer Nutrition Initiative again this year. Lees office did not respond to questions Monday.

In the weeks leading up to the January 1 deadline set by the federal government for states opting into the Summer EBT program, Tennessee lawmakers, faith leaders and county mayors have publicly urged Lee to take advantage of federal dollars, noting high levels of food insecurity among children in Tennessee.

The funding, made available in the form of debit cards to use while food shopping, impacts more than just hungry children, they noted.

Before Lee rejected the funding, the Food Research & Action Center estimated the federal funding flowing into Tennessee had a $115 million positive economic impact on the state, a result of virtually all funding spent on buying food in Tennessee grocery stores, farmers markets and convenience stores.

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For much of the past two years the dominant question in AI has been how big the opportunity is. More recently, attention has turned to what could go wrong. Through the second half of 2025, warnings about an AI bubble grew harder to ignore, with sharp market swings, eye-watering valuations, and circular investments sparking comparisons to the dot-com bust. Yet the sums pouring into the sector keep growing.

That leaves investors in an uneasy position. AI is too important and fast-moving to ignore  but if the boom falters, they will be the ones to take the hit. Heading into 2026, we asked the people writing the checks what worries them most.

What could derail the boom

Guru Chahal, a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, which manages about $35 billion, said the prospect of another global shock hitting the economy is enough to keep me up at night, after five years already shaped by Covid, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and President Donald Trumps tariffs.

You wouldnt know it from the firms recent activity. Lightspeed, an early backer of Anthropic, Elon Musks xAI and French AI challenger Mistral, raised $9 billion in December  the biggest fund in its history  to back fresh bets on the technology.

Still, the industrys reliance on advanced chips leaves it exposed to shocks far beyond Silicon Valley. One of the most sensitive pressure points is Taiwan, where much of the worlds most powerful AI hardware is manufactured, and where tensions with China remain high.

If something disrupts datacenter builds or GPU availability  a Taiwan crisis, another pandemic, trade restrictions  the entire AI buildout grinds to a halt, Chahal told Quartz. Were making investments in AI companies, both apps and infrastructure, predicated on continuous expansion. One major supply shock and you don't have enough compute to grow.

Too much competition

Meanwhile in San Francisco, scores of companies are racing to bring near-identical products to market. There is too much competition. Everything that works gets copied in a month, said Inaki Berenguer, managing partner at LifeX Ventures, which focuses on AI bets around climate and health. Whenever a new idea gets funded and looks promising, three months later there are 20 other teams chasing the same thing.

Part of the problem is that startups are building products on top of the same AI models. Many of them can therefore launch, get pilot projects off the ground, or win small contracts quickly. That can make it harder to tell which firms are genuinely strong and which are simply benefiting from the surge of interest in the tech.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to pass more safeguards on social media use by youngsters this year, including an expansion of age verification laws and new restrictions on artificial intelligence chatbots.

The proposals, unveiled at the governors high school alma mater Monday ahead of her annual State of the State speech, would be among the strictest in the nation and follow a flurry of recent laws in New York with the same goal  to protect kids online. Ahead of this school year, Hochul banned students from using cell phones during the school day, after moving to regulate algorithmic social media feeds for minors.

To keep our kids safe  mentally, physically  we have to act, Hochul said during a news conference at Hamburg High School near Buffalo. We have to demand better safeguards.

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The package of laws, if passed, would overhaul default privacy settings on many social media platforms.

It would block users from messaging, viewing the profiles of, or tagging the accounts of minors if theyre not connected, and require kids younger than 13 to get parental permission to add new friends or accept more followers. On sites that allow users to share their locations, the whereabouts of minors would automatically be turned off.

The proposals would also expand new age verification requirements on social media sites to online gaming platforms such as Roblox, which recently faced a barrage of high-profile lawsuits for allegedly facilitating child sexual exploitation.

Roblox did not immediately return the Daily News request for comment. However, Eric Porterfield, a representative for the company, told The New York Times that Roblox would soon require users in the United States to go through facial age checks, and restrict them from chatting with others who appear to be much older or younger.

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From toys to food to cars, we regulate all sorts of products to keep children safe, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn), who alongside Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens) drafted the bill that paved the way for Hochuls plan, said in a statement. Theres no reason platforms like Roblox should be different.

Hochuls proposals would also prevent minors from gambling their parents money on the gaming platforms, and disable certain AI chatbot features that have been blamed for youth suicides.

The package comes amid growing concern about the dangers of emerging technology on young peoples still-developing minds. Those concerns gained traction as more families shared their stories in the media or testified before Congress, including of AI chatbots that sparked one-sided attachments, or even romantic relationships, with children too young to understand the implications.

In one high-profile episode, a parent alleged the chatbot was not only aware of a teens suicidal plans, but offered to write his suicide note.

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Separately but also part of her plan, Hochul wants to expand mental health training to all high school sophomores statewide. The idea is to help teens recognize when their friends need help, and encourage them to seek guidance from an adult.

The governor said New York has already certified 5,000 teens and 3,000 adults through a pilot version of the same program. A New York City public schools spokeswoman did not immediately say if any local students participated in the pilot.

I want this to be a full commitment from every school, Hochul said at the news conference.
Gov. Jeff Landry, seen here in a January 2025 photo with Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges, has called for the execution of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry wrote in an opinion column he believes captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should be put to death for his alleged drug-related crimes.

Personally, Id like to see Maduro executed for the crimes he has committed against the people of the United States and the families left to mourn, Landry wrote for the right-leaning news outlet Breitbart. However, I would be well satisfied to see him and his wife spend the rest of their days at Camp 57 in Angola.

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Camp 57 is an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement-run facility Landry set up at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. Landry named the site in honor of himself, the 57th governor of Louisiana.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by American forces last week after an attack on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. They were brought to New York, where they face federal drug trafficking and other charges. The couple pleaded not guilty.

Since 2015, over 800,000 Americans have died from opioid overdoses. The vast majority of those cases are from fentanyl, a drug that makes its way into the United States through various drug cartels, Landry wrote. One of the largest in the world was the illegitimate government of Venezuela, run by indicted criminal Nicolas Maduro.



Because of the actions of the president of the United States and the worlds finest military force, he will be brought to justice, Landry continued.

Federal law enforcement agencies attribute the bulk of illegal fentanyl shipments into the U.S. from China and Mexico.

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President Donald Trump has said the United States will run Venezuela, and American oil companies will increase their operations in the country. In Maduros absence, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as acting president.

Landry believes Trumps plans for Venezuela will be economically beneficial for Louisiana.

Our ports will be key logistics bases for the rejuvenation of the Venezuelan oil and gas industry, Landry wrote. Our oil and gas companies will see tremendous opportunities in this process. More importantly, our people will find high-paying jobs in support of this effort.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine reaffirmed that the state has strong safeguards in place to prevent fraud in its publicly funded child care system on Monday.

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Ohio takes allegations of fraud in our child care system seriously, DeWine said. We have built multiple layers of accountability into our system, and we actively encourage Ohioans to report concerns so we can investigate and take action.

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DeWines comments come as the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) announced that it has taken numerous steps to combat fraud in 2025 and will implement additional safeguards in 2026.

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He noted that various layers of accountability have been established, encouraging Ohioans to report concerns.

The DCY reported that it has received 124 tips from the public regarding potential fraud before Dec. 31.

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In 2025, the DCY conducted more than 10,000 unannounced inspections at child care centers across the state, according to a spokesperson with DeWines office.

As a result of these inspections, 38 centers were closed and administrative hearings are ongoing for two additional facilities.

Part of the DCYs efforts includes the implementation of an anti-PIN-sharing enforcement process, which aims to further secure the integrity of the child care system.

In addition to the tips already received, the DCY reported that 26 viable tips have been collected since Gov. DeWines Dec. 31 statement.

These tips are either under investigation or being actively followed up on by the department.

The department encourages the public to report fraud through its hotline and website resources.

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Jan. 6OLYMPIA  Grant County Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake and Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, have pre-filed bills for the upcoming 2026 legislative session. Rep. Alex Ybarra has not filed any bills, but has said in prior coverage that energy is a priority for the session that begins Jan. 12 and ends March 12.

Warnick filed three bills, including topics of wildfire risk models and insurance, carbon alternative jet fuel and workforce education. Dent filed two bills, including one extending wildfire aviation funding and another enhancing regulations on vehicle loads.

Wildfire aviation

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Dent, alongside Reps. Larry Springer, D-Snoqualmie; Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline; and Andrew Engell, R-Colville, filed House Bill 2104 on Dec. 8, 2025. The bill is aimed at enhancing aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires. This is a permanent extension to a bill that was previously passed by the 2023 legislature and set to expire in 2027.

Dent had previously told the Columbia Basin Herald this was one of his top priorities for the upcoming session.

"The fire departments have found great value in this program," he said. "I am pushing to make this provision permanent, as it enhances our ability to respond quickly to wildfires, benefiting not only the environment but also the safety and well-being of our citizens."

Provisions in the bill allow local fire departments to access certified aviation resources for the deployment of fire retardants and water, aimed at containing wildfires before they necessitate larger-scale state and federal interventions.

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Dent explained this saves the state money by paying a smaller cost for aviation assistance versus the cost of a fire, which may become larger because it did not receive suppression assistance.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Natural Resources to provide ongoing suppression funding and aviation resources, ensuring local departments maintain the financial capacity needed for effective initial attack strategies against wildfires.

There is no cost analysis available as of Friday. More information on the bill can be found at bit.ly/WAHB2104.

Wildfire risk

Following the theme of wildfires, Warnick, along with Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, filed Senate Bill 5928 on Dec. 22, 2025. The bill aims to enhance transparency in property insurance related to wildfire risk in Washington State.

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It mandates insurers to disclose several key pieces of information to policyholders when utilizing a wildfire risk score for underwriting or rating purposes, including the property's current score, factors influencing the score, and options for mitigation.

Additionally, the bill requires insurers to provide this information in writing within set timeframes following applications for coverage or during policy renewals or cancellations. Insurers must also incorporate community-level and property-specific mitigation actions into their risk models, offering discounts for policyholders who undertake such measures.

The bill further stipulates that insurers to submit their risk models to the Insurance Commissioner, ensuring they comply with the outlined regulations while safeguarding sensitive information as trade secrets.

There is no cost analysis available as of Friday. More information on the bill can be found at bit.ly/WASB5928.

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Jet fuel

Warnick also pre-filed Senate Bill 5932, which has to do with jet fuel production Dec. 23, 2025. She is the sole sponsor of the bill.

The proposed legislation seeks to promote the development of low-to-zero carbon alternative jet fuel, also known as sustainable aviation fuel.

The bill highlights the necessity for state support to achieve emissions reduction goals outlined in various climate policies, ensuring alternative jet fuel production aligns with Washington's clean energy objectives.

The bill stipulates tax credits will be available for manufacturers and users of alternative jet fuel, contingent upon the establishment of facilities capable of producing at least 20 million gallons annually.

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Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes the assignment of carbon intensity attributes based on energy sourcing and mandates that credits can only be claimed following verification by the appropriate state departments, ensuring an organized and accountable approach to promoting sustainable aviation fuel.

There is no cost analysis available as of Friday. More information on the bill can be found at: bit.ly/WASB5932.

Vehicle loads

Following the theme of transportation, Dent, alongside Rep. Adam Bernbaum, D-Olympic Peninsula, and Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland, pre-filed House Bill 2109 on Dec. 8, 2025. The bill aims to enhance safety on public highways in Washington by establishing stricter regulations for securing vehicle loads.

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The bill specifies that no vehicle should operate on public roads unless its load is secured to prevent it from dropping, spilling, or leaking, with specific provisions for covering loose materials such as dirt and gravel.

Violations may lead to criminal repercussions, categorized into different degrees based on the severity of harm or property damage caused by the unsecured load.

Importantly, the bill allows public maintenance vehicles to drop sand or use other substances to maintain traction or road conditions without penalty.

The bill does not have a cost analysis report yet. However, more information about the proposed legislation can be read here: bit.ly/WAHB2109.

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Workforce education

Warnick, alongside Sen. T'Wina Nobles, D-Fircrest, filed Senate Bill 5931 on Dec. 23, 2025. The bill establishes the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, comprising 18 members from various sectors, including the legislature, businesses, labor organizations, higher education institutions, and students.

The board will consist of four legislative members and 14 appointed by the governor, focusing on business representation, labor organizations, and education stakeholders to ensure diverse perspectives.

The board's primary objectives include providing legislative guidance on workforce education funding priorities and ensuring investments lead to improved student success and career readiness, as measured by retention and job placement rates.

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Additionally, if passed, the board will consult data from the Education Data Center and will report its recommendations to the legislature annually by December 31st.

There is no cost analysis report available yet; however, more information on the proposed bill can be found here: bit.ly/WASB5931.
Expect a high of 51 degrees that feels more like 46, with an overnight low of 41. Forecasters predict sunshine with areas of high clouds this morning, then mostly cloudy this afternoon with spotty drizzle.

There will be light rain during the day, forecasters from AccuWeather predict, with less than an inch of rain likely. Throughout the day, wind will be blowing south southwest at 9.2 miles per hour.

You can search for more information on hourly, daily, and monthly weather forecasts and current air quality conditions for your location here.

What to know about Tuesday's Guernsey County weather

Cold and flu: The weather increases the risk of catching a cold. Plan activities accordingly. The weather will not significantly impact the risk of catching the flu, nor its severity or duration.

COPD and arthritis: The weather will not significantly impact the risk of a pulmonary attack. There is a high risk of weather-related arthritis pain. The weather makes arthritis pain more likely to be severe and of longer duration. Plan activities accordingly.

Weather almanac: How Tuesday's forecast compares to other years

Guernsey County saw a record-breaking temperature high for Jan. 6 in 1946 at 68 degrees. On this day in 2014, a record low of 8 degrees below zero was set.

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Historically, this day is usually a bit wet, with an average 0.09 inches of precipitation.

The forecast high is above average for this time of year. The 30-year average maximum temperature for Jan. 6 is 39 degrees. The forecast low is 18 degrees hotter than the established normal of 23 degrees.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across Ohio, generated with data from AccuWeather. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu. Our News Automation and AI team would like to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Guernsey County weather forecast for Tuesday, Jan. 06: Turning cloudy, p.m. mist
A raw material  not gold  is having an outsized influence on the fighting in Sudan as it is smuggled to help fund the war effort of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

It is gum arabic, an essential, unsung hero in many products around the world.

So what is gum arabic? Why is it important? And how is it helping fund the RSFs war? Heres what we know:

What is gum arabic?

It is a resin produced by tapping the acacia senegal tree, which grows in a belt across Central Africa.

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The resin is powdered and used as an emulsifier and binder in nearly everything: soft drinks, ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, adhesives, paint and some cosmetic products.

It can be found on ingredient labels as gum arabic, acacia gum, E414, or I414.

(Al Jazeera)

International corporate giants rely heavily on gum arabic for their products, importing nearly 200,000 tonnes of it in 2024 for various uses, a market worth nearly $300m.

Here is how important gum arabic is. When the United States imposed sanctions on Sudan in the 1990s, designating it a state sponsor of terrorism, gum arabic was excluded from sanctioned exports.

How important is Sudan in the gum arabic trade?

There are two varieties of gum arabic: the more robust and commonly used hashab, and the flakier, less-in-demand talha.

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Sudans climatic conditions are ideal to grow hashab, the variety that is most in demand worldwide.

(Al Jazeera)

Before war broke out in April 2023, Sudan was the worlds biggest gum arabic exporter, specifically hashab, with an estimated market share of 70 to 80 percent.

The exact export or production figures have always been difficult to determine, but we do know that most of the worlds gum arabic comes from Sudan.

The trade has  traditionally [been] quite opaque, and there are no clear figures, Joris van de Sandt, a researcher with Dutch peace organisation PAX, told Al Jazeera.

What has happened since Sudans war began?

Post-April 2023, official export numbers from Sudan have dropped drastically, but that does not mean the international appetite for gum arabic has gone unsatisfied.

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Instead, export numbers from neighbouring countries have gone up, a fact that is being pointed to as indicating how this cash crop is being exploited to finance the war in Sudan.

A report by van de Sandt and coauthor Esther Bijl has found that most Sudanese gum arabic is now being smuggled out of the country, making it difficult to trace its origins.

Some of this smuggling is being done by regular Sudanese traders, who take their product over the borders into Chad, South Sudan, or any other neighbouring country they can reach.

Gum arabic is seen on an acacia tree in el-Nahud, North Kordofan [File: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters]

They do that to avoid having to certify that their product is conflict-free, but also to evade levies imposed by the Sudanese government and the RSF, which is fighting the government-aligned Sudanese army.

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Once the gum is smuggled to another country, it is mixed with locally produced gum and relabelled as originating from this second country.

But a more insidious smuggling is being done by the RSF, which realised it could benefit by looting the extracted gum to sell in neighbouring countries as well as by imposing levies on regular traders under its power.

In the beginning, the RSF didnt know anything about gum arabic; they just taxed people who were moving it, like any other good, Sudanese exporter Haisam Abdelmoneim told Al Jazeera.

Now, Bijl said, Armed groups are controlling the routes, and theyre controlling stockpiles, and they are controlling border crossings, and they keep extracting revenue on all of these.





Who is buying this conflict gum?

The biggest buyers of raw gum arabic are European companies, with French and German firms leading the pack.

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While these companies say they are undertaking all due diligence to ensure that their imports of gum arabic are ethically sourced, the PAX researchers found otherwise.

The European companies that import these ingredients, they import something that has profited the RSF, and that is sustaining the war effort, Bijl said.

Al Jazeera reached out to two French companies that are among the worlds biggest exporters of gum arabic.

A spokesperson for Nexira said over email: Since the beginning of the conflict, we have continuously adapted our operations. When local conditions no longer allowed for a minimum level of visibility and control, we suspended purchases.

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Alland & Roberts spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the company applies rigorous traceability standards, ensuring that every batch is traceable to its origin.

The researchers are not saying international companies are buying directly from armed groups, but van de Sandt remains sceptical about the traceability, saying: Its very difficult to believe that companies in Europe can assure that it is conflict-free.

A farmer climbs an acacia to collect gum arabic in el-Nahud [Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters]

How is all this affecting people in Sudan?

As the fighting rages and the RSF tries to raise more money for its war chest, the risk to farmers, tappers, and everyone working along the supply chain is worsening.

Its a very important livelihood for millions of Sudanese people. But at the same time, its become a very insecure trade, Bijl said.

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Despite the price for a tonne of hashab having more than doubled during the war, people who made a modest living off gum arabic  because, like all natural resources, the producers make the least money anyway  are making even less.




More than two years after Illinois eliminated cash bail under the SAFE-T Act, statewide crime data shows no increase in violent crime, but law enforcement leaders in rural parts of the state say the reform has created new public safety and addiction-treatment challenges that statistics alone do not capture.

The Illinois SAFE-T (Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today) Act was passed in January 2021 and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker the following month. Its most controversial provision, the end of cash bail under the Pretrial Fairness Act, took effect Sept. 18, 2023, after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the laws constitutionality.

Supporters argued the reform would prevent low-risk defendants from being jailed simply because they could not afford bail. Opponents warned it would lead to repeat offenses, failures to appear in court and harm to victims of crime.

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In a previous interview, Mayor Keith Pekau of Orland Park, a Chicago suburb, told Fox News, "When I said that this is the most dangerous law I've ever seen, I believe that."

After One Year, 'America's Most Dangerous Law' Is Damaging Policing Profession In Illinois, Says Local Sheriff

Crime stabilized during the SAFE-T Acts phased rollout in 2021 and 2022, followed by a small decline after rampant criminal activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Fox News)

A year later, statewide data largely undercuts those warnings, but some sheriffs say the law has worsened conditions for communities already struggling with addiction and limited treatment access.

Read On The Fox News App

Research from Loyola University Chicagos Center for Criminal Justice shows that between September 2023 and September 2024, violent crime in Illinois declined by approximately 6%, while homicides fell by roughly 10%. Property crime rose by less than 1% statewide.

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Failure-to-appear rates also remained stable at around 15%, consistent with pre-reform levels. Research found no statistically significant increase in re-offenses among defendants released under the new risk-based pretrial system.

Those findings align with Illinois State Police crime data showing that after a sharp pandemic-era spike in 2020, crime stabilized during the SAFE-T Acts phased rollout in 2021 and 2022, followed by modest declines.

Cook County, which sharply curtailed the use of cash bail years before the statewide reform, saw slightly lower re-arrest rates and improved court appearance outcomes after 2023, according to Loyola University and Cook County court data.

Chicago Residents Beg For More Help As Crime Wreaks 'Havoc On Neighborhoods

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But in southern and rural Illinois, some law enforcement officials say the SAFE-T Act fails to address the realities of addiction-driven crime, particularly in areas with limited access to treatment.

"I dont think the SAFE-T Act serves the public," Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon, a 25-year law enforcement veteran whose county sits roughly 300 miles south of Chicago, told Fox News Digital.

Bacon said deputies routinely arrest people who are "high on methamphetamines or fentanyl" only to see them booked and released within minutes. He noted that under the new law, drug possession alone is no longer a detainable offense unless it involves additional charges, such as firearms or distribution crimes.

"We bring them into the jail, book them in, and immediately book them out, without even an hour of clean time," Bacon said. "They come in high; they leave high. And I ask myself often: how does that serve the public? How does that serve those people? It does not."

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Fugitive Repeat Offender Keeps Walking Free As Courts Let Him Loose To Hurt People, Experts Warn

Under the SAFE-T Act, judges may detain defendants before trial only if prosecutors show they pose a flight risk or a danger within the community. Addiction or intoxication alone does not necessarily qualify.

Bacon said that in counties like Franklin, the lack of detention options is compounded by what he described as a "treatment desert," where detox beds and rehabilitation services remain scarce.

"Many people in recovery tell the same story," he said. "They say, I was arrested, I was in jail, I sobered up, and I knew it was time to make changes. We dont even give them that opportunity anymore."

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Supporters of the SAFE-T Act argue that jail should not function as a default detox center and that pretrial detention for addiction alone risks criminalizing poverty and illness. They also note that the law still allows judges to detain defendants charged with serious violent crimes.

Safe-t Act: Illinois Sheriff Warns Prosecutors Not To Be Overzealous Targeting Victims Stopping Criminals

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has acknowledged that "tweaks" to the law could be considered, but no major legislative revisions have been enacted. (Getty Images)

Still, Bacon said addiction-driven thefts and burglaries remain a persistent problem in his county, and he believes the inability to hold people long enough to stabilize or mandate treatment undermines both public safety and recovery.

"Some people say addiction is a victimless crime. I dont believe that," Bacon said. "Our burglaries, our thefts, our property crimes, the vast majority are driven by addiction."

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He added that law enforcement often bears the brunt of public frustration when defendants are quickly released.

"People say, The police let them go," Bacon said. "Were just as frustrated. We work within the law. But when someone is victimized, an arrest is made, and the defendant walks right back out the door, that doesnt feel like justice to victims."

Police unions and prosecutors were among the strongest opponents of the SAFE-T Act and backed a lawsuit by roughly 60 counties seeking to block implementation. The Illinois Supreme Court rejected those arguments in July 2023, ruling that the constitution does not guarantee cash bail and that lawmakers have broad authority over pretrial policies.

Gov. Pritzker has acknowledged that "tweaks" to the law could be considered, but no major legislative revisions have been enacted.

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Meanwhile, misinformation surrounding the reform, including viral claims that Illinois "legalized crime," fueled backlash during the 2022 election cycle.

More than one year after Illinois ended cash bail, crime is down statewide and court appearance rates remain stable. But for sheriffs in rural, treatment-poor regions, the SAFE-T Act has exposed a gap between criminal justice reform and addiction policy, raising questions about whether pretrial reform alone can address the root causes of crime.

As Bacon put it, "I dont think this law takes the same consideration for victims as it does potential defendants."

Pritzker's office did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment.





Original article source: What happened after the countrys 'most dangerous law' went into effect? Here are the numbers
Hawaii has been awarded nearly $190 million in federal funding to augment rural health care under President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill  through a plan co-written by Democratic Gov. Josh Green.

Green told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Monday that the amount of funding means Hawaii now ranks sixth in the country per capita in federal rural health care funding. He said its the result of working with fellow Pennsylvania native and physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the federal Centers for Medicare &

Medicaid Services.

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Green started his Hawaii medical career treating rural, low-income patients at Hawaii islands Kau Hospital &Rural Health Clinic.

Hawaiis initial $188, 892 million in rural health care funding for the current fiscal year is scheduled to be followed by additional awards through 2030.

Green serves as vice chair of the Western Governors Association and said rural health care needs affect both red and blue states.

The whole countrys dealing with this,  he said.

For the last three years, Green has won state legislative support for $30 million in annual state funding to pay down student loans for a wide range of Hawaii health care workers, not just physicians and nurses.

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Green hopes the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding, the ongoing Hawaii Education Loan Repayment Program, called HELP, and his ongoing push to develop affordable housing for first responders, teachers, health care workers and other necessary workers combine to erase Hawaiis shortage of 50, 000 health care by 2030.

The new, rural health care funding through the Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Serv ices comes at a perfect time,  Green said. This could level the playing field.

For a country divided along partisan political lines, Green said the rural health care funding serves as a tool to bridge that gap between red and blue states.

Despite political differences over Trump Administration policiesespecially Greens opposition to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s vaccination policiesGreen said he continues to work with Trump and Trumps cabinet and administration officials to reduce the impact of federal funding cuts to Hawaii.

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Green previously told the Star-Advertiser that his current state budget proposal was drafted to respond to the likelihood that more federal funding cuts will occur this year, including the possibility of tapping into the states $1.6 billion rainy day fund as tourism and the overall Hawaii economy continue to slow.

The Council on Revenues is scheduled to make its latest economic forecast on Wednesday, which will give Green and legislators more guidance on how to prepare for what might lie ahead as the legislative session begins on Jan. 21.

Hawaii and Utah remain the only states with no legal gambling but efforts to legalize some form of gamblingfrom a lottery to Las Vegas-style casinosare introduced every year at the Legislature.

This year likely will be no exception but Green said any gambling proposals, in his mind, have got to be part of solving our social ills,  such as housing and health care.

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Recruiting and retaining health care workersespecially in rural areasremains a national problem and in July Greens administration began organizing health care officials to come up with recommendations for :A state digital network linking hospitals, clinics and health centers called the Rural Health Information Network to access health rec ords and other data.A statewide Pili Ola Teleheath Network for rural communities to connect to with health care providers and access telehealth training.Expand emergency medical services, mobile health care, community paramedicine and behavioral health in rural areas through Rural Infrastructure for Care Access.A pipeline to provide workforce training, residencies, scholarships and mentoring to recruit and retain rural health care workers through a Hawai i Outreach for Medical Education in Rural Under-resources Neighborhoods program called HOME RUN.Expand Greens homeless medical respite  kauhale village concept to the neighbor islands that has proven to reduce medical costs, emergency room visits and health care worker time treating homeless patients who rely on paramedics and ambulances to transport them to Oahu hospitals.

Housing people with medical issues in kauhale, where they can receive treatment, is better than having people on the street or in the E.R.,  Green said. Weve saved tens of millions of dollars.Dedicate a fund to help rural health care providers develop new models to ensure quality and access to rural health care.

At the same time, Green has not given up that Congress could still vote to extend health care subsidies for people who receive their health care through the Affordable Care Act.

Congress failed to extend the subsidies at the end of 2025, leading Affordable Care Act costs to double in many instances.

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For Republicans seeking re-election this year, Green said failing to extend the subsidies is like dropping a nuclear bomb on the mid-term elections.

For low-income patients, in particular, Green said, Thats how you go bankrupt. This will be the ultimate game changer in the mid-terms if they dont extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies.
By Yuliia Dysa and Max Hunder

KYIV, Jan 5 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy replaced the head of his powerful security agency on Monday, pressing ahead with a reshuffle of top officials as Russia's war in Ukraine nears the four-year mark with no end in sight despite intense diplomacy.

The removal of Vasyl Maliuk, who oversaw a series of assassinations and a surprise operation codenamed "Spiderweb" that destroyed Russian warplanes, shakes up the leadership of a vast security agency at the heart of Ukraine's shadow war.

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Zelenskiy named Major-General Yevhenii Khmara as the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which Maliuk had run since 2022. The agency described Khmara as an experienced commander who had served in the elite Alfa combat unit since 2011 and led it since 2023.

SOME COMMANDERS STAND BY MALIUK

Zelenskiy said on X he had asked Maliuk to focus on combat operations, adding: "There must be more Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier and the Russian state, and more solid results in eliminating the enemy."

Zelenskiy last week named military spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as his chief of staff to replace Andriy Yermak, who was ousted in November amid a corruption scandal but denied wrongdoing.

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New defence and energy ministers will also be named in a reshuffle that had been put on hold during negotiations on a possible peace deal that produced no sign of a breakthrough.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, holds about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory including Crimea, which it seized in 2014. Kyiv says the advances have come at huge losses for Russia.

Zelenskiy has also appointed First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia as a first deputy to Budanov, bringing a member of Ukraine's negotiating team into his administration.

Some commanders rushed to Maliuk's defence after reports of his looming exit circulated at the weekend.

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Drone forces chief Robert Brovdi said replacing him risked weakening "one of Ukraine's key contemporary heavyweight" agencies fighting Russia.

Solomiia Bobrovska, a lawmaker on the defence, security and intelligence committee, said she did not think Maliuk's removal was "necessary today".

"In my opinion, under Maliuk's leadership, the SBU has been doing its job successfully in the current political situation, balancing between political tasks, combat operations and economic issues," she told Reuters.

She said Zelenskiy had effectively bypassed parliament by appointing Khmara as placeholder by decree.

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MALIUK OVERHAULED SBU

Maliuk, a career SBU official, overhauled the SBU after replacing Ivan Bakanov, who was dismissed by Zelenskiy in July 2022 for failing to root out Russian spies.

Maliuk's most sophisticated operation, Spiderweb, used small drones hidden in cargo trucks to attack dozens of Russian highly valuable strategic bombers at airbases far from Ukraine's usual strike capabilities in May 2025.

A senior Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters Maliuk had been asked to run the smaller foreign intelligence service instead of the SBU, but declined.

The foreign spy service has no chief after its previous head was put in charge of the military intelligence agency. The head of the border guard service has also been replaced, another sign of the extensive security and defence reshuffle underway.

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Mykhailo Fedorov, Zelenskiy's choice as defence minister, has not yet been approved by parliament. Zelenskiy said on Monday he wanted him to focus on technology and innovation to "counter Russia's desire to make this war endless."

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa in Warsaw, Max Hunder and Tom Balmforth in London and Dan Peleshchuk in Kyiv; Editing by Gareth Jones, Toby Chopra and Timothy Heritage)
Hilton Hotels said it is investigating an independently owned Minneapolis-area property after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged law enforcement officers were refused service, a dispute that has renewed scrutiny of the companys long-standing opposition to immigration-related activity at its hotels.

Emails shared on social media by DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appear to show staff at the Hampton Inn by Hilton Lakeville, Minnesota, telling people linked to DHS reservations that the property would not allow ICE or other immigration agents to stay.

A spokesperson for Hilton told FOX Business the company is investigating the incident and said the actions described do not reflect Hiltons values.

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"Hilton hotels serve as welcoming places for all. This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced are not reflective of Hilton values," the spokesperson said. "We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel, and can confirm that Hilton works with governments, law enforcement and community leaders around the world to ensure our properties are open and inviting to everyone."

South Korea Minister Heads To Us Amid Fallout From Ice Hyundai Raid

The spokesperson later reached out to FOX Business to reiterate that the Hampton Inn is independently owned and operated and that its actions do not reflect Hilton values.

Read On The Fox Business App

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"We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies," the spokesperson said. "They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter. Hiltons position is clear: Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination."

The management company that runs the Hampton Inn, Everpeak Hospitality, also released a statement saying it is committed to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with brand standards, applicable laws and its role as a professional hospitality provider.

"Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all," Everpeak said. "We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted."

The Hampton Inn came under scrutiny after ICE said reservations made by its agents were canceled, prompting ICE and DHS to publicly question the hotels actions.

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ICE shared an email string on X, posting, "Hey @HiltonHotels  why did your team in Minneapolis cancel our federal law enforcement officer and agents reservations?"

ICE also posted screenshots of the emails.

Hyundai's 'First-ever, 3-Row' Ev Under Production At New Georgia Plant

ICE and DHS alleged law enforcement officers were refused service at the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota.

"After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be cancelling your upcoming reservation," one email from a Hilton email address read. "You should see a proper cancellation email in your inbox shortly from Hilton."

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In another email shared on X, the hotel addressed reservations made at the Hampton Inn Lakeville property.

"We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today that have been for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property," the email read. "If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation.

Duffy Says California Does Not Have Extension On Deadline To Cancel Foreign Nations's Trucker Licenses

"Please pass on this info to your coworkers that we are not allowing any immigration agents to house on our property," the email continued.

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DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in a statement, "Hilton has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement. When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations."

"This is UNACCEPTABLE," McLaughlin said. "Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nations immigration laws?"

California Abandons Legal Battle To Restore $4B In Federal Funding For Long-delayed High-speed Rail Project

The dispute also echoes Hiltons public stance from 2020, when the company drew a firm line against its properties being used in connection with immigration detention.

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At the time, Hilton said it opposed any use of its hotels to detain migrants and took steps to reinforce that policy across its U.S. properties.

Click Here To Read More On Fox Business

"Our statement of July 24, 2020 remains true. We believe that hotels should be places of hospitality, and the detainment of migrants, including minors, is not activity that we support or in any way want associated with our hotels," Hilton said at the time.

Fox News Digitals Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.





Original article source: Hilton distances itself from Minneapolis hotel after ICE agents denied rooms
Key Points

Royal Caribbean has dramatically outpaced its competition in recent years.

The cruise operator's financial strength has put it in a great position to grow.

Strategic ideas include exclusive destinations and new ship builds.

10 stocks we like better than Royal Caribbean Cruises 

In a challenging industry, Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) has stood out for its exemplary returns for shareholders over the past five years. The first two articles in this three-part series have looked at Royal Caribbean's history in the context of the broader cruise industry, as well as the financial prowess that allowed the company to navigate the painful COVID-19 pandemic period with minimal long-term impacts on its business.

In this final installment, you'll get a closer look at the plans Royal Caribbean has to keep up its momentum and continue fostering growth. The progress it has made so far and the targets it has set for the future has led me to make Royal Caribbean the first stock in my new Voyager Portfolio for 2026.

Image source: Getty Images.

A perfect(a) strategy

Royal Caribbean has traditionally followed a simple recipe for building long-term shareholder value. It has aimed to increase its capacity at a moderate rate steadily over time. It has also tried to produce moderate yield growth, reflecting its efforts to offer more value to customers in a way that prompts them to spend more. And finally, Royal Caribbean has maintained a diligent, disciplined approach to controlling its costs, allowing for margin improvement and faster growth in net income than its sales gains would suggest.

The company has further cemented its near-term financial goals in a new strategy it calls Perfecta. Royal Caribbean still intends to remain true to its core mission of delivering the best vacations to travelers in a responsible manner. Yet it also believes it can generate average annual growth rates of 20% in earnings per share between now and 2027, along with returns on invested capital in high-teen percentages. Doing all this is important, but Royal Caribbean is also committed to ensuring that it maintains its investment-grade bond rating so as to keep its financing costs from rising sharply.

Expanding its fleet and its map

Royal Caribbean has concentrated on two key areas in which it thinks it can excel and stay ahead of its competition. The company has already begun an ambitious schedule of new cruise ships, with the Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel vessels taking to the water during 2025 along with the German Mein Schiff Relax. 2026 should see another ship from the Mein Schiff line as well as the Legend of the Seas. And over the following two years, three new Celebrity ships -- Compass, Seeker, and Xcite -- will take to the seas, along with the Icon 4 and Oasis 7. The variety of new vessels will support Royal Caribbean's efforts to cater to all classes of travelers, ranging from budget-conscious bargain hunters to ultra-premium elite travelers.
(Corrects town name from Lakeview to Lakeville in paragraph 6)

By Doyinsola Oladipo

NEW YORK, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Hilton Worldwide Holdings has removed from its system a Minneapolis hotel that has refused to accept the bookings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the hotel operator said on Tuesday.

A Hampton Inn hotel, a Hilton brand, outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, refused to accommodate ICE agents, the Department of Homeland Security said in a post on social media platform X on Monday.

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The Trump administration has increased the number of officers in the area after allegations of fraud involving Somali immigrants.

"We are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems. Hilton is - and has always been - a welcoming place for all," the company said on X.

Amid mixed reactions online from consumers, with some calling for a boycott and others vowing to support Hilton, the hotel operator is the latest U.S. company after Cracker Barrel to distance itself from moves that were criticized by the Trump administration and its base.

Hilton made its comments after a video was posted on X on Tuesday which suggested ICE agents were still being refused rooms at the Hampton Inn in Lakeville, after Hilton and the independent operator of the hotel apologized for an initial incident.

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"A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values," Hilton said. In a previous statement, Hilton said the property was independently owned and operated.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department welcomed Tuesday's move by Hilton.

"Discriminatory business practices targeting DHS and deliberately undermining federal law enforcement are unAmerican and have real business consequences, she said in a statement on X.

Everpeak Hospitality, which runs the Hampton Inn, was not immediately available for comment on the video on Tuesday. It said on Monday it was in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they were accommodated.

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"We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted," it said on its website.

McLaughlin said on X that the agency has not heard from Everpeak Hospitality.

DHS had said on Monday that after ICE officers booked rooms using official government emails and rates, a staff member at the Hampton Inn on January 2 canceled their reservations.

"We are not allowing any ICE or immigrant agents to stay at our property," read an email from the hotel posted on X by DHS.

Shares of the hotel operator rose 2.09% in afternoon trading, after being down 2.46% at close on Monday.

(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Barbara Lewis, Alexandra Hudson and Daniel Wallis)
A Minnesota hotel, which denied rooms to federal immigration agents, has been dropped by Hilton.

The Hampton Inn Lakeville, an independent franchise operating under the Hilton brand, made national headlines after denying rooms to Department of Homeland Security staff last week once their identities were revealed.

Hilton apologized Monday, claiming the action went against company policies.

The independent hotel owner had assured us that they had fixed this problem and published a message confirming this. A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values. As such, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems, Hilton wrote in a statement on X.

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Hilton is  and has always been  a welcoming place for all.

The Hampton Inn Lakeville in Minnesota made national headlines after denying rooms to Department of Homeland Security staff last week (Google)

A video, reportedly shot late Monday night by conservative social media personality Nick Sortor, showed a person behind the hotels check-in desk denying rooms to a man claiming he was looking to book rooms for DHS agents.

Trump officials on Monday claimed Hilton had launched a coordinated campaign to refuse service to DHS employees.

When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations, DHS wrote on X. This is UNACCEPTABLE.

DHS then appeared to reference the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph being denied room at the inn ahead of the birth of Jesus and shared two screenshots, reportedly from Hampton Inn Lakeville, about the alleged cancellations in Minnesota.

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After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and will be cancelling your upcoming reservation, one of the screenshots, dated January 2, read.

We are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property, another message, purportedly from the leadership of the Hampton Inn Lakeville, reads.

Hilton told The Independent in a statement Monday that the hotel was independently owned and operated, and the actions did not reflect the companys values.

We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies. They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter and are contacting impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated, Hilton said.

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However, the video, shared on X Tuesday, claims to show the front desk operator at the Hampton Inn Lakeville, 20 miles south of Minneapolis, saying the policy forbidding DHS employees from booking rooms remained in effect.

The Department of Homeland Security alleges Hilton Hotels is part of a coordinated campaign to deny immigration agents hotel rooms in the Minneapolis area (REUTERS)

After the video was posted Tuesday morning, Hilton issued another statement, saying that the company was working with franchisees to reinforce the standards we hold them to across our system to help ensure this does not happen again.

Hampton Inns are on the budget end of the Hilton hotel brands. Most are owned and operated by franchisees.

Everpeak Hospitality, which operates the Lakeville Hampton Inn location, also issued a statement Monday to say that the cancellation was at odds with their policy.

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Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all, the company said in a statement. We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.

The Trump administration is sending an influx of DHS resources to the Minneapolis era, kicking off a reported crackdown on migrants that could involve up to 2,000 agents.

President Donald Trump and his allies have regularly targeted the large Somali-American community in the city. The administration has also responded to viral, disputed allegations of mass fraud at Somali-American run day care centers in Minneapolis to freeze childcare funding to Minnesota.
A Minnesota hotel that wouldn't allow federal immigration agents to stay there this month is apologizing and saying the refusal violated its own policies. The Department of Homeland Security had accused the global Hilton hotel chain of a coordinated effort to refuse service to its employees.

Hilton and local operators of the Hampton Inn Lakeville property released statements within hours apologizing and said the messages refusing to serve agents who were focused on immigration enforcement didn't reflect their policies.

In a social media post, DHS posted screenshots of a message sent Friday from a Hilton email address saying that immigration agents would not be allowed to stay at the hotel about 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) south of Minneapolis, and that their reservation was canceled.

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When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations, DHS said in the post, accusing Hilton Hotels of deliberately undermining and impeding law enforcement from enforcing immigration laws.

Hampton Inn locations are under the Hilton brand, but a Hilton representative said the property is independently operated. The majority of Hampton Inns are owned and operated by franchisees.

We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies," the statement said.

Everpeak Hospitality, the hotel operators, said in a statement that the cancellation was inconsistent with their policy.

Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all, the company said in a statement. We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.
Holograms have been a fascinating centerpiece of science fiction for decades. Who doesn't remember when R2-D2 suddenly began playing the flickering holographic image of Princess Leia in "Star Wars: A New Hope," begging for General Kenobi's help in their time of need? Other examples include the prolific use of the holodeck in "Star Trek," Sam Beckett's holographic guide Al in "Quantum Leap," and Cortana in the "Halo" video game franchise, to name just a few.

Well, police in Seoul, South Korea (home to self-cleaning streets) took a page from science fiction and used the technology in a real-world application, hoping it would lower crime in the capital city. In October 2024, police in Seoul's Jung downtown district decided to experiment with a holographic police officer. Jeo-dong Park is situated in an area with several bars and is frequently bothered by criminal activity incited by drunk and disorderly conduct.

Every two minutes between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. each night, the hologram of an officer dressed in a uniform "suitable for the entire year" comes to life and begins issuing warnings to nearby pedestrians that the area is under constant CCTV surveillance and, if needed, police will be dispatched in real time. Interestingly enough, since the appearance of the holographic officer, crime has dropped by 22% in the area. According to a statement from the police, the most significant drop has been with "impulsive crimes" usually started by drunk patrons from the nearby bar district, which is precisely what they were hoping the digital copy cop would do.

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Read more: 11 Of The Most Iconic Ground Attack Military Planes In History

Stop in the name of the (holographic) law!

Holographic police officer in Jeo-dong Park, Seoul, South Korea. - TaiwanPlus News/YouTube

The police are fully aware of how the experiment might look. According to the South China Morning Post, police issued a statement saying, "Although it is clear upon closer inspection that the person isn't real, the mere perception of police presence has had a significant deterrent effect." And the rather astonishing drop in crime rates backs the idea that it is having, at least to some degree, a psychological impact on people. Keep in mind, this is a country that's also working on a hydrogen-powered next-gen stealth tank, so they're on the cutting edge of technology.

Crime stats were gathered between October 2024 and May 2025, then compared with those from October 2023 to May 2024, and the holographic constable did seem to reduce the crime rate substantially. However, it's unclear whether the drop was due to the novelty of the technology itself or whether, in their drunken stupor, the hologram appeared real enough to make suspects stop what they were doing. Whatever the case, its success has convinced officials not only to use it in Jeo-dong Park but also to consider installing it in other parts of the city.

Hologrammica, a South Korean tech company, developed the system. A projector is attached to a nearby pole and shines the images of a real-life police officer onto a 5-foot-7-inch transparent acrylic silhouette that displays the whole body from the top of his head to his feet. At first glance, it certainly appears realistic enough to grab your attention, especially if you're not expecting it to (literally) pop out of nowhere or have had just a tad too much to drink that night.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
FIRST ON FOX: Health insurance companies are being summoned to Capitol Hill for a pair of blockbuster hearings as Americans across the country deal with rising costs for their care, Fox News Digital is first to learn.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee, both of which have jurisdiction over various aspects of health policy, are each holding hearings on the rising cost of healthcare in the U.S.

It's not immediately clear which companies will be represented or if they will allow executives to appear voluntarily.

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But the announcement appears to be the House GOP's move to counter-program an expected vote this week on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies that expired at the end of 2025.

House Gop Tensions Erupt After Moderate Republicans' Obamacare 'Betrayal'

House Speaker Mike Johnson during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)

Obamacare subsidies were expanded in 2020 and 2021 to be available to more people during the COVID-19 pandemic, but then-Democratic majorities in Congress were only able to extend those for a finite period of time.

Read On The Fox News App

Whether to extend those subsidies was the subject of fierce debate on Capitol Hill in the waning months of 2025.

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The vast majority of Republicans are opposed to extending the subsidies, dismissing them as a pandemic-era relic that's part of a broken federal healthcare system.

Republicans have also argued that the subsidies only eased costs for 7% of Americans and did nothing to tackle the root causes of high healthcare costs.

Watch: Doctor-lawmaker Blames Obamacare For Driving Health Costs Higher

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., speaks during a House Republican news conference in the Capitol, Feb. 8, 2022.

But the moderate GOP lawmakers and Democrats who support extending the program have pointed out that an extension would give Congress more time to work on a more permanent solution to healthcare while avoiding the cost cliff seen at the end of last year.

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A small group of moderate Republicans joined Democrats in late December to successfully force a vote on a three-year extension, which is taking place on Thursday.

The legislation is likely dead on arrival in the Senate if it passes, however.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol, Feb. 14, 2024.

House Republicans passed a healthcare bill just before leaving Washington for their two-week holiday break in December.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act includes provisions to codify association health plans, which allow small businesses and people who are self-employed to band together to purchase healthcare coverage plans , giving them access to greater bargaining power.

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Republicans also plan to appropriate funding for cost-sharing reductions beginning in 2027, which are designed to lower out-of-pocket medical costs in the individual healthcare market. House GOP leadership aides said it would bring down the cost of premiums by 12%.





Original article source: House GOP summons health insurers to Capitol Hill as Obamacare battle escalates
WASHINGTON  In the span of a few hours, House Republican leaders just watched their already narrow vote margin slip to about as weak as it can get.

A day after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) resignation from Congress took effect, news broke early Tuesday that Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) had suddenly died at the age of 65. Then, more news broke that another Republican congressman, 80-year-old Jim Baird of Indiana, was in the hospital after a car crash.

Politics: Democratic Deaths In Office Could Ease Passage Of Republican Tax Bill

The House, which has 435 members when every seat is filled, has already been operating with two empty seats. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) died last March, and Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) resigned in November after becoming her states governor.

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Now, with Greene gone, LaMalfa dead, and Baird in the hospital, the House will have a total of 430 members in attendance, at most. That breaks down to 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats. Assuming all 430 show up for every vote, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will need a majority of them, or at least 216, to vote his way.

Put another way, Johnson can only afford to lose one vote on anything. And thats assuming all members are present and all other Republicans vote his way.

Its a grim situation for the speaker, who has already spent the past year being routinelyrebuked by GOP colleagues who teamed up with Democrats to force votes on bills he didnt want to bring up, not the least of which was legislation to force Trumps Justice Department to release all of its files on the late child *** trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

I have not lost control of the House, Johnson declared last month, as moderate Republicans went around him to force a vote to extend soon-to-expire Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Oy vey. Speaker Mike Johnson has a shrinking margin for votes in the House. via Associated Press

President Donald Trump brought up Republicans tight new vote margin during remarks at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday.

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Baird and his wife had a pretty bad accident and were praying that they get out of the hospital very quickly, Trump said. As for the GOPs shrinking vote margin, the president said, Its not a big majority but it is a unified majority and its people that know what it takes to make America great again.

Politics: Freed Jan. 6 Rioters March To Capitol Demanding More From Trump Administration

The math of House votes can be illusory. Some Republicans routinely talk tough about opposing Johnson on key votes, but then cave in the end (we see you, Rep. Victoria Spartz). Some are only willing to buck Johnson if their vote doesnt decide a bills outcome.

The only Republican who has reliably said hell vote no on something and then actually does it is Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has been a thorn in both Johnsons and Trumps side. His vote also just became significantly more crucial in the House.

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Trump didnt do himself any favors by attacking Massie on Monday. In a social media post, the president re-upped his endorsement of a primary challenger to the Kentucky lawmaker and called Massie the Worst Republican Congressman we have had in many years.

Massie responded by sharing the presidents post and mocking it: i aint reading all that. im happy for u tho or sorry that happened, he wrote Tuesday on social media.

Democrats will elect someone to Turners former House seat in a runoff election on Jan. 31. With that seat filled, and presuming Baird is back in the House by then, the new House total would be 432 members. But the tiny vote margin will be the same: with 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats, Johnson still cant afford to lose more than one vote.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Honolulu police are investigating a murder-suicide that happened this afternoon at a residence on Ala Moana Boulevard.

At 3 :40 p.m. today, HPD officers responded to a report of a deceased woman at a residence that was not identified, according to a news release. Officers found an adult woman and an adult male in their 60s inside the apartment. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Honolulu police report the preliminary investigation shows the woman suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Police recovered a firearm. Their identities were not immediately released.

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Police said there is no indication of a threat to the public.

HPDs Homicide Detail is investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300.

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The husband of a postal worker was sentenced to almost six years in prison for stealing checks from the mail and selling them.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Dominique Dunlap is the husband of Charlotte postal worker Kiara Padgett.

ALSO READ: Charlotte mail carrier and husband guilty of stealing checks, selling them

The couple was accused of using her job to steal checks and sell them to people in Charlotte and Maryland.

Dunlap will be required to pay back more than $1.5 million. Padgett pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

VIDEO: Postal worker faces federal charges for allegedly stealing checks
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown is escalating in Minnesota, with NBC News on Monday reporting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is deploying an additional 2,100 agents to the state.

Reports say the latest surge of federal law enforcement includes 1,500 enforcement and removal officers (ERO), indicating a major escalation in the federal government's targeting of immigrant communities in the Twin Cities.

The other 600 agents are from ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who were on the ground last week investigating what Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem described as "rampant fraud."

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DHS tells NBC the additional agents will focus on investigating fraud at day care centers and other businesses in the wake of a viral video shared recently by right-wing influencer Nick Shirley, despite questions being raised about the validity of some of the claims made in the footage.

CBS News reports the deployment started Sunday and "represents one of the largest concentrations of DHS personnel in an American city in recent years," a massive increase in federal law enforcement presence "at a time of heightened political and community tension" in Minnesota.

Department of Homeland Security (Department of Homeland Security)

The federal government last week froze all child care payments to Minnesota amid Shirley's viral video, but the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) said Friday that the day cares at the center of the allegations were found to be "operating as expected" when recently inspected by the state.

The director of one of the sites, ABC Learning Center, told KARE 11 he feels the fraud allegations are politically motivated and racially targeted.

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Monday's intensification from the federal government arrives asGov. Tim Walz abandons his reelection campaign, telling Minnesotans on Monday that the buck stops with him when it comes to fraud.

Walz accused Trump, who has referred to Somali people as "garbage", of "demonizing our Somali neighbors and wrongfully confiscating funds that Minnesotans rely on."

"These opportunists are willing to hurt our people to score cheap points," Walz said. "They and their allies have no intention of helping us solve this problem, and every intention of trying to profit off of it."

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons said Tuesday the agency is carrying out the "largest immigration operation ever" in Minneapolis that has already nabbed a suspected murderer and accused sexual predator.

Lyons said that Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, has surged to Minneapolis to target fraud, arrest perpetrators and remove criminal illegal aliens. It comes amid the massive welfare fraud scandal that continues to unfold in the state.

"We have the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now. It is a great effort by ICE," Lyons said in a video interview posted by DHS to X.

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Dhs Unleashes Scathing Response After Walz Asks Agency To Reassess Enforcement

DHS law enforcement took Tomas Espin Tapia, an Ecuadorian illegal alien, into custody. (Fox News)

Lyons said Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations are conducting the investigations.

"They're on the ground been going door-to-door to a lot of these suspected companies that are not only hiring illegal aliens that shouldn't even be in the country, but also being involved with potential human smuggling, human trafficking cases, but also look at these fraud cases as well," Lyons said.

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Lyons praised Noem for her leadership, which led to the capture of dangerous criminals.

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Ice Probes Suspected Minnesota Fraud Sites As Officials Follow Potential $9B Money Trail

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and law enforcement arrest Tomas Espin Tapia in Minneapolis.

"[Noem] ran an awesome, successful operation. Got a suspected murderer and a wanted rapist that was hiding again in plain sight in Minneapolis," Lyons said. "They're up there in the fight to these sanctuary jurisdictions that allow these criminal, illegal aliens to roam the streets and take advantage of the public assistance that should be there for every taxpaying American."

DHS also posted a video showing armed federal agents arresting Tomas Espin Tapia, an Ecuadorian illegal alien who they say is wanted for murder and sexual assault and has a conviction for robbery.

"To the criminals living among us, you are NOT our neighbors. Leave now or we will find you," DHS wrote.

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Tomas Espin Tapia, an Ecuadorian illegal alien, was put in a car by DHS law enforcement.

Lyons also said the states sanctuary policies are a draw for illegal migrants.

"Sanctuary protections do attract other illegal aliens to come there to take advantage of welfare, public assistance, SNAP benefits," Lyons said. "And that's just a magnet that brings that criminal element that can hide in plain sight. And that's what we're finding up in Minnesota."





Original article source: ICE launches 'largest immigration operation ever' in Minneapolis, acting director says
Seven major Chinese financial industry associations jointly declared that real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is an illegal financial activity, just after reinforcing their ban on crypto trading.

According to a local report, the China Internet Finance Association, China Banking Association, China Securities Association, China Asset Management Association, China Futures Association, China Association of Listed Companies, and China Payment and Clearing Association issued the notice warning both domestic and international practitioners that RWA activities lack any legal basis for operation under Chinese law.

Source: Weixin

The statement listed RWA alongside stablecoins, worthless cryptocurrencies, and crypto mining as primary manifestations of illegal virtual currency activities, effectively categorizing tokenization projects as high-risk, fraudulent methods rather than as emerging financial technologies awaiting regulatory clarification.

Attorney Liu Honglin described the coordinated announcement as a blatant cross-industry, cross-regulatory unified messaging operation, noting that such association collaborations typically occur only at critical junctures in preventing systemic financial risks.

RWA: Financing Activity Subject to Securities Law

The joint notice explicitly defined real-world asset tokenization as financing and trading activities through the issuance of tokens or other rights and debt instruments with token characteristics, stating such operations carry multiple risks, including the risk of fictitious assets, the risk of business failure, and the risk of speculation.

Regulators emphasized that my countrys financial regulatory authorities have not approved any real-world asset tokenization activities, eliminating any possibility that projects could claim to be in regulatory exploration phases or awaiting registration approval.

This stance differs from that of counterparts such as Singapore, which leads the global ranking in 2025 for RWA adoption.

Officials particularly outlined three critical violations under existing Chinese law associated with RWA operations.

Source: Weixin

Projects issuing tokens to the general public while raising funds face illegal fundraising charges, while facilitating transactions or distributing tokens without permission constitutes unauthorized public securities offerings.

Token trading involving leverage or betting mechanisms may constitute illegal futures business operations, with these characterizations grounded directly in provisions of Chinas Criminal Law and Securities Law rather than general policy warnings.
Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The Department of Homeland Security said Monday that it is sending more than 2,000 agents to Minneapolis as it cracks down on the region over allegations of fraud by people who live there.

Roughly 1,500 deportation officers and 600 Homeland Security Investigations officers started to arrive Sunday to investigate a welfare-fraud scandal that has grown in recent weeks, law enforcement officials told CBS, NBC and the Wall Street Journal.

The deployment, which is the first expanded immigration crackdown of 2026, will be led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino, who has also led enforcement efforts in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte and New Orleans.

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"This is a massive resource allocation," one officials said, comparing the number of officers being sent to Minneapolis to the entire HSI staff in Arizona and is similar in scale to immigration deployments in Chicago.

The surge is occurring as HSI and ICE already have ramped up arrests in immigrant-populated neighborhoods as the federal government is scrutinizing alleged fraud among Somali-owned daycares in the state that receive federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The alleged fraud has gained even more attention since a viral video by a right-wing YouTuber alleged that Somali-run daycares he had visited were receiving funds but that there were no children at the daycares.

Although state health officials investigated the allegations at nine child care centers and found they were operating normally and as expected, the federal government nonetheless froze $185 million in funding sent to Minnesota for day care services.

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"Children were present at all sites except one -- that site was not yet open for families for the day when inspectors arrived," the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families said.

Overall, the agents being sent to Minnesota will be looking specifically at the Somali community there, where the Department of Homeland Security already has been knocking on doors to root out fraud and find people allegedly violating immigration law.

President Donald Trump has specifically called out the Somali community in there, saying that the immigrants are "garbage" and "contribute nothing" the United States.

"I don't want them in our country," Trump said. "I'll be honest with you. Their country's no good for a reason. Their country stinks."
The lawmakers called on freezing the states spending for $14 million in federal funds for the Idaho Child Care Program. (Getty Images)

Two Republican state lawmakers have asked the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to not spend federal funds to expand child care availability until the state boosts fraud oversight measures.

The move comes as the Trump administration has heightened federal oversight of child care subsidy distribution after a conservative social media influencer alleged fraud in Minnesotas child care programs.

In a letter last week, two Idaho Republican lawmakers  Rep. Josh Tanner, an Eagle Republican who on Monday became co-chairman of the Legislatures powerful budget committee, and Sen. Brian Lenney, a Nampa Republican  asked the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to freeze payments for Idahos program, which they called similar to Minnesotas.

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Idahos funds havent yet been doled out, but the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is shoring up oversight efforts now, agency spokesperson AJ McWhorter said in a statement Friday.

Recent federal enforcement actions in Minnesota, now under investigation as one of the largest welfare-fraud schemes in U.S. history, have revealed systemic vulnerabilities in childcare subsidy programs similar in structure to Idahos, Tanner and Lenney wrote. Those investigations identified inadequate enrollment verification, limited financial oversight, and insufficient inspection controls.

Idaho state Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, talks with colleagues during the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee meeting on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

In their Dec. 31 letter, Lenney and Tanner asked Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Charron to temporarily suspend proposal solicitations, contract issuances, and fund disbursements linked to $14 million in funding the Legislature approved in 2025 to expand child care availability, pending implementation of enhanced program-integrity and fraud-prevention safeguards.

Lenney and Tanner could not be reached for comment.

Idahos funds havent been given out, Department of Health and Welfare says

The lawmakers called on freezing the states spending for $14 million in federal funds for the Idaho Child Care Program. Last year through Senate Bill 1206, the Legislature allowed the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to spend that money to boost child care availability through contracts, grants and programs.

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The Department of Health and Welfare is committed to administering all programs with robust oversight and will continue efforts to address suspected fraudulent behavior by bad actors, McWhorter said last week. While the department has established processes for fraud and abuse identification and mitigation, the department has been working closely with the Governors Office since Monday to take additional steps to conduct heightened reviews of subsidies that were previously disbursed.

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The department is actively redirecting staff to scale up resources to continue to support these reviews and necessary actions, including provider termination when appropriate, he said. Any bad actors will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

In an X post last week, Lenney called their letter just the opening shot.

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Minnesota got torched for BILLIONS in childcare fraud. Were not waiting around to be next, he wrote.

Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, asks a question during the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

It isnt immediately clear whether fraud has been alleged in Idahos program. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare could not be immediately reached about whether it received specific fraud allegations in its program.

Idahos request came after Minnesota fraud allegations that prompted federal crackdown

On Dec. 18, a federal prosecutor said fraud in Minnesotas Medicaid services could be more than $9 billion, the Minnesota Reformer reported.

Then last week, the Trump administration cracked down on child care funding in response to a viral YouTube video by right-wing social media influencer Nick Shirley that alleged Somali-run child care centers receive state and federal funding but had no children attending those centers, the Minnesota Reformer reported.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it froze all child care payments to Minnesota and is requiring states to provide justification that federal child care funds they receive are spent on legitimate providers in order to get those dollars, States Newsroom reported.

In August 2024, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare paused new enrollments for parents to receive subsidies through the program for months as the agency anticipated the program would face a budget shortfall. At the time, state officials said the projected shortfall was caused by rising costs of child care and expanded program eligibility, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

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Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, on the House floor at the Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

The Idaho Legislature and our governor have noted the influx of disenfranchised Californians moving into our state. They have heard the boom of the economic growth. And they have asked, as Dorothy did, Is this Kansas? And they have said Yes Dorothy, we are in Kansas.

The Idaho Legislature and our governor have cut taxes so much we now face a budget deficit while our population grows. I know Gov. Brad Little thought this was unwise, but he signed it. Our Republican Legislature voted for this whole hog. We will pay. Our population increases and our state funding declines.

Kansas did this. In 2012, the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Sam Brownback passed huge income tax cuts. The supply side people cheered. Grover Norquist, the pseudo economist who argued he wanted government to be so small he could drown it in a bathtub, was in ecstasy. The Koch Brothers, Texas billionaires who pull Idaho state legislators strings, grinned. The Kansas model would prove all their points.

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But it didnt.

Cutting taxes does not make an economy boom. It didnt for Kansas. They depleted their reserves and struggled to fund schools. Idaho has this on the horizon.

Especially when tax cuts just benefit the wealthy and corporations. Us pogues drive the consumer economy, and we have not gotten these Idaho gifts. We are hurting. But our schools and our roads and our lives will suffer.

So how did the Kansas Experiment work out? Not so great.

Kansas is almost as Republican as Idaho, but Gov. Brownback ended up leaving the state to serve as Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom. A Democrat succeeded him in the governors mansion in Topeka.

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Idaho would never do that. And we dont have a governors mansion.

I doubt Brad has international ambassadorial dreams.

He loves Idaho. And he knew these tax cuts were stupid. He said so. But he signed them.

Idaho has seen growth. People love the Treasure Valley. Do they need schools and roads? Maybe they are over 60 and just want a small ranchette. At least they have escaped the liberals in California.

Is this the Idaho Brad Little said he wanted?

No.

He said he wanted this to be a state where the kids born here would find good jobs and want to raise their families. I cant think of a higher aspiration. Three of my four daughters are Idaho taxpayers. I love this state too. Its why this Idaho Democrat voted for him.

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I realize such an endorsement might not be welcome. Thats his problem.

But then he signed the ruby slippers tax cuts. And hes holding back money to balance the budget. Thats his job. But he did sign the bills. We will dip into reserves, so the pain isnt felt this year, but its coming. The budget will be balanced. And we will feel it.

Brad knows state finances better than anyone. And he can see the coming crash. But he signed the bills.

The problem is the Idaho Legislature, who we elect from these bizarre districts. Our legislators write these laws.

But then Brad signs them.

We, the voters, need to be seeing this issue. Please study Kansas. They did the experiment. Why do we need to redo it here?

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Maybe the problem isnt with Brad or those clowns in the Capitol. Its with us. We dont learn.

Maybe we dont care about Kansas.

Maybe well just have to learn this lesson here in our beloved state.

We deserve the representation we vote for. And they, no we have brought this upon us. When it comes, look in the mirror and think what you/we could have done different.

For the twister comes.

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The forces responded with "precise fire" and further riot dispersal means against the inciting individuals.

The IDF and Border Police dispersed a gathering in support of terrorism at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank on Tuesday, the military confirmed in an evening statement.

"At the beginning of the gathering, IDF and Israel Border Police forces were dispatched to the area of the university, used riot dispersal means, and dispersed the gathering," the statement read.

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Bir Zeit condemned the dispersal in a Tuesday statement, according to WAFA, calling the attack a "flagrant and deliberate violation of the sanctity of universities and educational institutions," and a breach of the "Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law."

Five students were allegedly injured in the incident, WAFA reported.

IDF troops in northern West Bank operation. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

IDF fires at suspects who threw rocks at security forces

Following the dispersal, a "violent confrontation broke out that involved hundreds of suspects" who threw rocks at the Israeli forces operating in the area, "posing an immediate threat."

The forces responded with "precise fire" and further riot dispersal means against the inciting individuals.

"The IDF will continue to operate against terrorism and will not tolerate any kind of incitement to terror against Israeli civilians," the statement ended.
Illinois is now at very high levels for flu activity  a designation that coincides with the federal governments decision Monday to no longer recommend many vaccines for children, including the flu vaccine.

Flu activity has been increasing in Illinois and across the country in recent weeks. The very high designation for the week that ended Dec. 27 is a jump from the moderate level of flu activity Illinois reported for the week that ended Dec. 20.

COVID-19 levels in Illinois have also risen to moderate levels, according to the state health department.

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Illinois is facing a significant winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses with flu activity at very high levels, said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, in a news release. Vaccinations remain the most effective tool to prevent severe illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

But as the state health department urged Illinois residents to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 on Monday, the federal government moved in the opposite direction.

The head of the CDC on Monday formally accepted recommendations to remake the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule to recommend children be vaccinated against 10 illnesses, whereas it previously recommended 17 immunizations.

The CDC will continue to recommend all children be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and human papillomavirus and chicken pox.

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Other vaccines will be recommended for children in certain high risk groups including shots against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B.

Still, for other vaccines, decisions about whether to give them to individual children will be left up to doctors and parents. Vaccines in that category include those against the flu, rotavirus, COVID-19, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. Previously, the CDC had recommended an annual flu shot for everyone ages 6 months and older.

The new federal recommendations follow a memo issued by President Donald Trump to federal health care leaders in December instructing them to examine how other countries give vaccines to children, look at the scientific evidence and potentially update the nations childhood vaccine schedule.

After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent, said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a news release Monday. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.

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A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health did not immediately provide comment on the new recommendations Monday. But late last year the state health department adopted the CDCs immunization schedules from early August  before federal health leaders began making controversial changes.

Gov. JB Pritzker also signed a bill into law last year formally establishing a process for the state to issue its own vaccine guidelines. Illinois has already broken with the federal governments recommendations on COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccines.

Nationally, more than half of states had very high levels of flu activity for the week that ended Dec. 27, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With Chicago area hospitals also reporting higher numbers of patients with the flu, its not yet clear whether this flu season is peaking earlier than last season or if it will be worse.

____
NEW DELHI  India is tightening military ties with Southeast Asian countries with deals to sell advanced missiles and enhancing security cooperation in a region where several countries are involved in maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea.

Analysts say New Delhis outreach to countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam marks its growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific. It also complements the push by the United States and its allies to counterbalance China in the region.

India is a relatively new player in the region where countries are trying to build up their own capacities, according to Chintamani Mahapatra, founder of the Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies in New Delhi.

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China is an important economic partner for these nations, but at the same time poses a security challenge, so they want to strengthen themselves in handling Beijing, he said by phone.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, in New Delhi last month on supplying BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Jakarta. A deal would make Indonesia the second country to acquire the missiles, produced under a joint venture with Russia in which the Indian side is the majority stakeholder.

Although the BrahMos missile, the centerpiece of New Delhis defense sales in Southeast Asia, was developed with Russian collaboration, it will not boost Russias role as an arms supplier in Southeast Asia, analysts say.

Russia has been under sanctions since the Ukraine war, so countries would be extremely wary of any purchases from Moscow, Rahul Bedi, a defense analyst in New Delhi, said by phone.

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India began delivering a shore-based, anti-ship BrahMos missile system to the Philippines under a $375 million deal last year, with deliveries continuing. Manila began procuring the system to boost its maritime defense as its ties with Beijing are strained by frequent clashes with China in the South China Sea, which China claims mostly as its own.

India has upgraded ties with several countries, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, in recent years to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which means deepening ties in a range of areas such as economy, defense and technology. New Delhi has also been helping train troops from several Southeast Asian countries  such as Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand  and conducts joint naval and military drills with them.

Indias increasing role in bolstering small East Asian countries military capabilities has also been propelled by its growing defense ties with the United States.

India and the U.S. signed a 10-year defense pact to advance cooperation on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers meeting in Malaysia in October.

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This advances our defense partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X after the signing.

The U.S.-Indian security partnership has integrated India deeper into the Southeast Asian security architecture, analysts say.

It is part of a concerted U.S. effort to push its allies and partners to build closer political and security ties to reduce Washington[s] burden of balancing China in the region, Ivan Lidarev, a visiting research fellow at the National University of Singapores Institute of South Asian Studies, said in emailed comments.

This latticework strategy aims to create an integrated, interconnected network of defense, economic, and supply chain partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. As a geostrategically crucial U.S. partner in balancing China, India is a key element in this, he said.

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He also stressed that the U.S. is not the only factor in the improved ties.

India and its Southeast Asian partners are pursuing their own strategic interests through their partnerships and not merely responding to American encouragement, Lidarev said.

Indias deepening role in Southeast Asian security underlines the need of these countries to build their own deterrence capacities, analysts say, which is important given current uncertainty about the U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Due to current geostrategic uncertainties and the need to expand options at a time when China continues to have a bigger hold on the various maritime zones of Southeast Asia, diversification is definitely a practical step and India seems a natural partner. So, we are seeing a lot of effort by New Delhi and the Philippines, for example, to build its resilience, according to Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst and lecturer at the Department of International Studies, De La Salle University in Manila.

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Acquiring weapons and defense technology from India also reflects Southeast Asian countries reluctance to depend on the U.S. as the sole security provider or dominant defense supplier in the Indo Pacific. While looking at other options, military hardware purchases from New Delhi pose an attractive option  they avoid the risk of sanctions that could accompany those bought from Russia or China.

The Philippines Armed forces chief of staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said in August that Manila will get more military equipment from India, citing affordability and quality, the official Philippine News Agency said Aug. 1.

The sale of weapons by India is without any strings attached. When the U.S. or Chinese sell weapons, there are tangible or intangible strings attached, so it is easier for Southeast Asian countries to tie up with India than with major powers, Mahapatra said.

At the same time, India wants to emerge as a defense exporter, so it is a win-win situation for both sides, he said.
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, a Republican who represents Indiana's 4th Congressional District, has been hospitalized along with his wife after a car accident.

"She's going to be fine, he's going to be fine, but it was a bad accident," President Donald Trump said during a speech Jan. 6 at a House GOP member retreat.

Baird's office confirmed his vehicle was hit in a car accident in a statement.

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Congressman Baird is in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, and he is extraordinarily grateful for everyones prayers during this time," the statement read. "Congressman Baird looks forward to continuing his work on behalf of Hoosiers."

It's unclear how long Baird will be out, but his hospitalization further weakens the Republicans' slim 218-213 majority in Congress, after the death of Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa and the resignation of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Baird's GOP colleagues, including Sen. Todd Young, Rep. Jefferson Shreve and Rep. Rudy Yakym, offered prayers and well wishes to the 80-year-old congressman.

The crash occurred last night, according to Gov. Mike Braun.

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"Maureen and I are grateful to hear that Congressman Jim Baird and his wife are safe and in good spirits following last nights accident," Braun wrote in a post on X. "We continue to pray for their family and wish the Bairds a smooth and speedy recovery."

This story may be updated.

Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana congressman Jim Baird reportedly hospitalized
Gov. Mike Braun discusses Indiana public safety in an interview on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in his Statehouse office. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Gov. Mike Braun on Tuesday touted what his administration called major public safety gains in its first year, pointing to large drug seizures, stepped-up traffic enforcement and a sharp decline in overdose deaths as evidence that Indiana is safer under his watch.

In a news release, Braun credited the Indiana State Police with disrupting drug trafficking networks operating in and around the state and removing impaired drivers from Hoosier roads.

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The governor said those outcomes are the clearest way he judges whether his administrations public safety strategy is working.

You look at statistics  overdose deaths, what were taking off the streets  thats how you measure it, Braun said in a sit-down interview with the Indiana Capital Chronicle on Monday. Hopefully, you see big improvements at first, and then over time, you see it trend down and compare favorably to other states.

Safer Indiana roads

Public safety was a central theme of Brauns campaign and transition agenda, which emphasized tougher enforcement against violent crime and drug trafficking, stronger penalties for repeat offenders and closer coordination between state and local law enforcement agencies.

The plan specifically singled out methamphetamine and fentanyl as major drivers of crime and overdose deaths in Indiana and posited that drug trafficking networks exploit gaps in border enforcement.

When you look at the consequences of open borders, many of us think every state, every county, every town pays the consequences of it, Braun said.

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There was such an infrastructure built up with cartels basically having easy ways to enter, and thats been disrupted by federal efforts, he added, but every state still has to do its own part.

Since taking office, Braun has also highlighted traffic safety as a key component of that approach. The governors office said Tuesday that operating while intoxicated arrests increased 17% in 2025  from 3,406 the year before to 3,985. Braun attributed the increase to ISPs intensified enforcement efforts aimed at impaired driving.

Those arrests coincided with a decline in fatal crashes statewide. Indiana saw 737 fatal crashes in 2025, down from 804 the previous year, according to the governors office. Brauns administration said the 8.3% decrease is the result of greater traffic enforcement by state police and local law enforcement.

Late last year, for example, the state police rolled out a new fleet of patrol vehicles as part of a broader push to modernize the agencys roadway enforcement tools and increase visibility on Indianas highways.

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ISP leadership said the updated fleet  which includes a handful of high-performance Ford Mustang GTs  is intended to help troopers more effectively deter reckless driving, aggressive behavior and street racing.

Were paying more attention to it, Braun said of impaired driving enforcement. That OWI number went up because were ferreting it out. Were finding it. If it increased by 17%, that tells you there were way too many people still out there driving while intoxicated.

State police up drug seizures

ISP interdiction teams additionally seized hundreds of kilograms of illegal drugs in 2025, according to the governors office, including nearly 1,100 pounds of cocaine found in a U-Haul truck and more than 70 pounds of heroin recovered from a semi-truck.

State police also confiscated roughly 70,000 THC vape cartridges, which officials said were unregulated products intended for illegal distribution.

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Altogether, ISP reported seizing 630 kilograms of cocaine and 38 kilograms of opioids last year, which Brauns administration described as a significant blow to cartel supply lines feeding Indiana communities.

The release said ISP detectives relied on advanced investigative tools, including wiretaps, to dismantle drug rings operating in small and midsize Hoosier communities, targeting not only couriers, but the suppliers directing distribution into the state.

Indiana State Police seized 309 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $7 million, from a semi truck traveling on Interstate 70 on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police)

As a result, opioid seizures increased by 117% in 2025, according to the governors office.

State officials further pointed to a reported 60% drop in overdose deaths statewide as the most consequential outcome of those efforts.

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Overdose deaths  thats one of the biggest indicators, Braun said. A lot of what was coming across the border illicitly is not anymore, and when youre taking millions of dollars of drugs off the street, thats how you start to see those numbers change.

And Brauns team said drug interdiction efforts have continued into 2026.

Over the weekend, ISP seized 140 kilograms of cocaine during a traffic stop  an estimated $7 million street value, according to the governors office.

Braun championed several public safety-related measures during the 2025 legislative session, including policies that increase penalty levels for crimes involving fentanyl and provided additional tools for prosecuting impaired driving and drug-related crimes.

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Lawmakers returned to the Statehouse on Monday for the 2026 short session, which is scheduled to conclude by the end of February. Neither the House nor Senate Republican supermajority caucuses have released their priority agendas yet.

Braun isnt expected to release his newest legislative priorities until next week. He admitted that state lawmakers might already be worn out from hectic work during last years budget-setting session and a legislative battle over redistricting in December, but theyre going to have some good ideas on public safety matters.

A lot of what we did through executive orders is already being used as a template for legislation, Braun said. When something makes sense, you want to codify it. So, well keep pointing that out.

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A Clark County judge approved a settlement agreement addendum Jan. 2 for former Indiana Sheriff Jamey Noel and his family to repay agencies affected by his actions, according to court documents.

Noel is currently serving a 15-year sentence for several felony charges, including corrupt business influence, theft, tax evasion and official misconduct. Noel was also ordered to pay more than $3 million in restitution to agencies, including New Chapel EMS, the Clark County Sheriffs Office, the Indiana Department of Revenue and the Indiana State Police.

His wife, Misty Noel, and daughter, Kasey Noel, also faced charges after they were accused of spending public funds for personal use.

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The settlement agreement addendum states the Utica Township Fire Protection District will receive $650,000, rather than the original $750,000. The Office of the Attorney General will now receive just under $290,000, compared to around $168,000 in the first agreement.

According to court documents, around $2.3 million was being held in escrow after the state seized control of and auctioned off luxury items owned by Noel. The settlement releases that money to be used to repay affected agencies.

Other debts from the original agreement  including payments to the Indiana Department of Revenue and ISP  are still in effect.

More: Judge orders thousands to be released to family of Jamey Noel amid civil lawsuit

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Noel served as Clark County's sheriff from 2015-22 and led New Chapel EMS in Clark County. He was accused of using a business card for personal purchases and having sheriff's office employees work at a barn where he stored a collection of classic cars, among other things.

Noel is currently serving his sentence at the Indiana Department of Corrections New Castle Correctional Annex.

Reporter Leo Bertucci contributed.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jamey Noel case: Judge approves settlement to repay affected agencies
Bay Area lawmakers are raising constitutional questions over the Trump administration's surprise operation in Venezuela over the weekend.

Democrats are arguing the move might violate the War Powers Act by bypassing Congress, while Republicans are largely saying the president acted within his authority.

"This is an attack on another country. And that's an act of war," said John Garamendi, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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Garamendi said the administration did not seek congressional authorization before moving forward, with his committee receiving "zero" indication of what was being planned.

"Congress is rolling over," he said. "Congress has to, must assert its authority and put a stop to this."

MORE: Nicolas Maduro declares 'I am innocent' and 'still president' in Manhattan court appearance

He also questioned whether the White House has thought through the consequences beyond the initial operation.

"I'm not at all sure that they thought about step two," Garamendi said, noting Venezuela was not among U.S. military priorities until recently.

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Other Bay Area Democrats pressed similar concerns, calling for answers on duration, risk, and cost - core questions Congress is tasked with weighing under the Constitution.

"I want to know how quickly can we get Venezuela deciding the future of Venezuela," said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Santa Clara, told CNN. "When will our troops be out...what is the cost of this operation?"

Republicans pushed back, arguing the president had sufficient authority to act without prior congressional approval.

Orange County Rep. Young Kim - a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee - said the administration had already built a case for the operation.

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"Up to this point, they built a very, very strong case that didn't need congressional approval," Kim said. She added that having a U.S. presence is not the same as deploying troops, saying "there is no war."

MORE: Trump administration's military action in Venezuela sparks strong reactions in Bay Area

The Trump administration's military action in Venezuela and capturing of President Nicolas Maduro has sparked strong reactions in the Bay Area.

Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA, who served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that distinction does not erase Congress' constitutional responsibilities.

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"It's such an insult to Congress and it's an insult to the Constitution that they think they can do this," Boxer said. "Congress needs to be informed. It's the Constitution. It's the War Powers Act. That's very clear."

Boxer said while it was positive that Nicolas Maduro is now being charged in the United States, the larger concern is the precedent being set.

"I think it's great that he's in custody. But the question is, what are they doing? What is their plan?" she said.

MORE: A timeline of the US military's buildup and strikes against Venezuela leading to Maduro's capture

Drawing on her experience opposing the Iraq War, Boxer warned that military actions often expand beyond their original scope - even when lawmakers are told they will be limited or short-lived.

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"You don't know what can happen," she said. "These things are difficult. If Americans just can go in anywhere it wants to in South America, Central America, Latin America as a whole, what does that say to Putin? What does that say to Iran? What does that say to China?"

The debate is expected to continue as members of Congress receive classified briefings from the administration. Kim said both the House and Senate Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees will be briefed, where lawmakers are likely to press the White House on its legal authority.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
Is the federal government still capable of safeguarding the Social Security system millions of Americans depend on, or is the program being stretched thin by political promises and behind-the-scenes changes?

Social Security Administrator Frank Bisignano recently published an op-ed defending the Trump administrations handling of the Social Security Administration, pushing back against warnings from his predecessor about alleged dysfunction (1).

Must Read

Bisignano points to improvements such as faster service, shorter phone waits and digital upgrades. But analysts and former officials say the full picture is more complicated (2).

For the roughly 75 million Americans who rely on their monthly Social Security checks, these details matter. Heres what consumers really need to know.

Claims versus reality

Phone wait times: Bisignano says calling the SSAs national 800 number is now much faster. Official reports do show shorter average wait times, with some figures falling into single-digit minutes (3).

But theres a catch. The agency changed how it calculates those numbers, excluding time spent waiting for callbacks and counting time navigating automated menus rather than reaching a live representative. Many callers still report waiting more than an hour and dealing or getting disconnected altogether. While progress may have been made on paper, real-world experiences can still be frustratingly slow (4).

Disability backlog: The SSA also reports a sharp drop in pending disability claims, from roughly 1.2 million to about 865,000 (5). That sounds like a win, but experts say the decline is partly due to fewer new applications and higher denial rates (6). In other words, the numbers look better, but access and fairness remain concerns.

Website and data security: Bisignano says the SSA website is now online 24/7, ending roughly 29 hours of weekly downtime. Critics note that most of that downtime happened during early morning maintenance windows, when fewer people were online (4).

On data security, Bisignano points to an investigation that showed Americans personal information hasnt been compromised (7). No breaches have been confirmed. But a former senior Department of Government Efficiency official has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging sensitive data was copied to a cloud server without proper safeguards (8).
Israeli military intelligence has warned that Iran is plotting to assassinate Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa as Syrian and Israeli officials prepare to resume US-mediated talks in Paris on Tuesday aimed at reaching a security agreement.

According to the Israeli military's assessment, al-Sharaa is facing threats from Iran alongside other hostile actors.

Israeli defence officials believe Tehran views al-Sharaa as weakening its network of influence across the region, Israeli media reported citing sources in the military.

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Syrian authorities have not publicly responded to the Israeli intelligence assessment about an Iranian assassination plot announced Monday.

However, Syria's Interior Ministry denied separate rumours over the weekend about an alleged assassination attempt on al-Sharaa, calling those claims "completely false" and warning against forged documents attributed to official sources.

Al-Sharaa has previously survived multiple attempts on his life since ousting Syria's longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive of his forces leading to the collapse of the regime in Damascus.

In November 2025, Syrian authorities foiled two separate Islamic State jihadist group assassination plots against him.

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US envoy Tom Barrack also warned of risks to al-Sharaa's life arising from his increasingly close relations with the West.

Meanwhile, al-Sharaa was seen in public in downtown Damascus on Monday evening, shopping at local stores in the Mazzeh neighbourhood while using the new Syrian banknotes  broadly understood as a message that he remains alive and well.

Al-Assad's former allies sending millions to insurgents

The warning came amid reports that al-Assad's former top generals and allies, also in exile in Moscow, have been channelling millions of dollars to recruit potential fighters in Syria in an apparent insurgency plot.

Al-Assad's former military intelligence chief Major General Kamal Hassan and the ousted dictator's billionaire cousin Rami Makhlouf are running competing operations to build militias among Syria's Alawite minority from their Russian exile, according to a Reuters investigation from December 2025.

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A separate New York Times investigation revealed that Makhlouf is working closely with Suhail al-Hassan, a former special forces commander known as "the Tiger", who is coordinating recruitment efforts.

FILE: A man holds a picture of Bashar al-Assad and his brothers Maher and Bassel that says "If God triumphs you, no one can defeat you, in Damascus, 25 March 2011 - Hussein Malla/Copyright 2018 The AP. All rights reserved.

The two rival networks claim to fund between 12,000 and 54,000 fighters, pouring between $1.2 million and $6 million into the effort, although the numbers have been widely disputed.

Both are vying for control of 14 underground command centres built along the coast during Assad's rule, containing weapons and equipment.

The militants' presence is said to spread across Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia, Tartous, Homs and Hama, as well as parts of Lebanon.

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Maher al-Assad, the former president's brother who commanded an elite division and remains in Moscow, has not provided funding or orders, according to sources close to the family.

Where does the money come from?

Makhlouf built a massive fortune estimated to be between $5 billion and $10 billion, controlling Syria's telecommunications, banking, real estate and smuggling networks before falling out with Bashar al-Assad in 2020.

Hassan enriched himself through military intelligence operations, including extortion, looting and front companies registered under his wife's and daughter's names.

However, many of Bashar al-Assad's family members and loyalists amassed considerable wealth from the sales of captagon, a synthetic amphetamine that became one of the main ways of funding the war effort after Damascus was placed under international sanctions.

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Both Maher al-Assad and "The Tiger" played key roles in the former regime's production and distribution of the drug dubbed "chemical courage," which costs cents to make but sells for anywhere between $5 to $25 a pill across the region.

The al-Assad family and inner circle earned an estimated $2.4 billion annually at peak from captagon production and sales, according to data by New Lines Institute.

The regime's total earnings from the trade, which became industrialised around 2018-2019, remain difficult to calculate with precision.

Members of the Syrian security forces inspect a lab where captagon pills were manufactured before the fall of Bashar al-Assad government, outskirts of Damascus, 7 January 2025 - AP Photo

After Al-Sharaa's takeover, the new government in Damascus has made significant efforts to dismantle the illicit drug networks, with captagon seizures in recent months reaching an all-time low.

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However, some of the production and trade still persists, mostly linked to al-Assad's loyalists with ties to Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon.

Remnants of al-Assad's supporters attempted in March 2025 to launch attacks on patrols in Tartous and Latakia. Syrian interior and defence ministries neutralised the rebellion within 24 hours, killing and arresting dozens. Investigations documented 1,426 civilian and military deaths during that period.

Ahmed al-Shami, governor of Tartous, said Syrian authorities are aware of the plots and confident that they can be thwarted.

Both Al-Assad and Hezbollah have been supported by Iran and are considered to be key regional proxies of the regime in Tehran.

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Suhail al-Hassan's "Tiger Forces" worked alongside Hezbollah and Iranian militias during the Syrian civil war, but he was primarily backed by the Kremlin, who intervened in Syria on behalf of al-Assad.

Makhlouf, al-Assad's ally turned hostile rival, founded and funded "Al-Bustan Association," formally a charity that worked with Iran to enable its infiltration into Syria and helped establish centres in coastal areas.

Israeli and Syrian officials meet again

Meanwhile, officials from Syria and Israel are set to resume negotiations in Paris in hopes of reaching a security agreement to defuse tensions between the two countries, officials said Monday.

According to reports citing Syrian officials, Damascus' main aim in the talks is to reactivate a 1974 disengagement agreement that established a UN-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and to secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces, which seized control of that buffer zone more than a year ago.

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Israel and Syria have been in a technical state of war since 1948. Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and annexed the territory in 1981, a move not recognised internationally.

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Al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an al-Qaeda affiliate designated a terrorist organisation by the US and UN.

However, he made a U-turn during the Syrian civil war, cutting ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and turning towards the more pragmatic goal of the Syrian revolution.
The Irish leaders five-day trip is sandwiched between Emmanuel Macron's December visit and Friedrich Merz's in February, and illustrate the fine line European leaders are taling in their approach to Beijing as transatlantic relations grow increasingly uncertain under Donald Trump's unpredictable policies.

Martin's visit comes as the European Union grapples with an unprecedented 305.8 billion trade deficit with China in 2024 and mounting anxieties about economic dependencies that could prove strategically risky.

But while Brussels talks tough on "de-risking" and "strategic autonomy, individual member states are pursuing their own pragmatic, bilateral engagement with Beijing - showing deep divisions over how Europe should position itself between an unreliable America and an assertive China.

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For Macron, December's trip to Chengdu represented a continuation of his distinctive approach to China relations.

The French president, accompanied by nearly 40 chief executives, focused on securing market access for French companies whilst urging Beijing to pressure Moscow over Ukraine.

His delegation signed agreements in nuclear energy cooperation between Electricite de France and China National Nuclear Corporation, but kept on pressing Xi Jinping to address what Macron termed "global imbalances" stemming from Chinese overcapacity and export dependency.

The visit produced little concrete progress on Europe's core concerns about trade asymmetries or China's support for Russia's war machine.

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The trade imbalance remains Europe's most pressing economic challenge with China. EU imports from China reached 519 billion in 2024, whilst exports totalled just 213.3 billion.

Manufactured goods - machinery, vehicles, electronics - account for nearly 97 percent of Chinese imports, flooding European markets with products often subsidised by Beijing's industrial policy.

The automotive sector exemplifies Europe's predicament: despite Brussels imposing tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on Chinese electric vehicles in October 2024, Chinese EV sales in Europe nearly doubled.

Chinese manufacturers have simply pivoted to plugin hybrids, which face no additional tariffs, while simultaneously establishing production facilities inside the EU to circumvent trade barriers altogether.

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BYD is building a 4.6 billion factory in Hungary; Chery has established operations in Spain; others are negotiating sites in Italy and Poland.

How the EUs reliance on China has exposed carmakers to trade shocks

Meanwhile, in semiconductors, China has captured approximately 30 percent of the global market for legacy chips - the mature-node semiconductors essential for automotive, medical, aerospace, and defence applications.

Whilst American export controls have largely succeeded in restricting China's access to cutting-edge chip technology, Beijing has responded by flooding the market with older-generation semiconductors at artificially depressed prices.

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European chipmakers, accounting for just 13 percent of global production, find themselves squeezed between subsidised Chinese competitors and American protectionism.

The EU Chips Act aims to double Europe's semiconductor production capacity by 2030, but observers question whether the bloc can move swiftly enough to avoid dangerous dependencies.

Human rights

The human rights dimension of EU-China relations, once a consistent irritant in bilateral ties, has notably receded from prominence. Official statements still routinely express "deep concerns" about Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, but these critiques increasingly resemble diplomatic ritual.

Human Rights Watch has criticised what it terms the EU's "failure to meaningfully address Beijing's repression," noting that the annual human rights dialogue has been demoted to a lower-level, private affair.

Trade surplus

But even without stressing human rights so as to avoid the ire of Beijing, for Ireland, navigating between Brussels, Washington, and Beijing requires particular dexterity. China is Ireland's largest trading partner in Asia and its fifth-largest globally, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $23.4 billion in 2024.

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Crucially, Ireland is one of the few EU countries running a trade surplus with China - a statistical quirk largely attributable to American pharmaceutical and technology companies using Irish subsidiaries to export to Asian markets. This same arrangement makes Ireland extremely vulnerable to American policy shifts.

The Trump administration has threatened to end the tax arrangements that make Ireland attractive to American multinationals.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick singled out companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Pfizer for storing intellectual property in Ireland to reduce their effective corporate tax rates, stating that: those things got to end."

Over 180,000 Irish workers are employed by American tech companies, and corporate tax receipts - overwhelmingly paid by American multinationals - accounted for over a quarter of all Irish tax revenue in 2024. The windfall from these arrangements has allowed Dublin to avoid difficult decisions about broadening its tax base.

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This creates a delicate balancing act. When the European Commission proposed a digital services tax on American tech giants as potential retaliation for Trump's tariffs, Martin quickly declared Ireland would "resist that," arguing it would damage "a significant sector" in Ireland.

Dublin finds itself uncomfortably positioned: economically dependent on American companies that could relocate if pressured either by Washington or Brussels, yet increasingly recognising that diversifying trade relationshipsincluding with Chinamay be prudent insurance against American unpredictability.

(With newswires)
Over the weekend, while the United States was capturing the Venezuelan president, Britain and France struck targets linked to the Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

Britain hit a suspected cache of arms, and MoD press releases talked with suppressed excitement of the Typhoon jets and the Paveway munitions used. Target engaged satisfactorily.

Were in a new era of the war against the Islamic State. The new Syrian government of Ahmed al-Sharaa has formally signed up to the Global Coalition against the Islamic State. Already, extensive cooperation between Damascus and the Americans has meant a massive campaign of strikes and counter-terror raids against Islamic State targets in Syrias east.

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Its also meant patrols involving Syrian security forces and US forces, too, although one of those recently ended disastrously, with an Islamic State double-agent murdering three Americans.

It is good to have a new Syrian ally. But progress is uneven. What ought to be a moment of triumph for the Global Coalition (finally, a friend in Damascus and not a de facto backer of the Islamic State, as the former Assad regime once was), is in fact a moment of profound unease.

The Islamic State is still dangerous in Syria, and more importantly its growing in strength and capacity around the world. The central Asian Islamic Stat networks that stretch from Afghanistan to western Russia have carried out many attacks in the past three years.

In Afghanistan, it is responsible for a steady drumbeat of bombings and assassinations. In Russia, an Islamic State cell was behind the dreadful terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk in March 2024. Across Africa, organisations linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda remain and expand. They threaten governments, the believers in other religions, and economic and political stability.

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These things do not remain in one place; they metastasise around the globe. The Islamic State is both a terrorist organisation and an example for any who pursue terrorist violence.

Across the world, those either inspired by the Islamic State or directly controlled by its operatives are becoming more dangerous and less contained. The recent terrorist attack in Bondi, Australia  either inspired or directly-controlled by the group  proves it. So does the Manchester synagogue attack.

In Syria, its possible that the new governments campaign, in tandem with foreign militaries, will bear fruit. When the Islamic State killed two American soldiers and one American translator last year, its outlets and propagandists were jubilant. Its desire was to make it clear to the Americans that the new regime is inept, and possibly honeycombed with traitors, and so cooperation in anti-Islamic State operations is a fools errand.

With a president as erratic as Donald Trump, this was a good bet to make, and may well still prove accurate  but for the moment at least, the US responded with rage and not with a frustrated knee-jerk withdrawal from Syria.

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America lashed out at Islamic state targets in response. Whether this is now the norm or was in fact the showy beginning of what is, in reality, a new winding down, its so far impossible to say.

British and French strikes against the Islamic State are not going to change the course of the campaign against the terrorist group. Both countries are part of a big multinational strategy, and not essential to that strategys success. Instead, it seems clear that, with Islamic State support growing at home, and very much not contained, Britain must try to do what it can with what little it has to fight the hydras many heads.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
Different types of 4G, 5G and data radio relay antennas for mobile phone networks are pictured on a relay mast operated by Vodafone in Berlin, Germany April 8, 2019. (photo credit: FABRIZIO BENSCH / REUTERS)

The Israeli Communications Ministry said the two Palestinian mobile operators, Jawwal and Ooredoo, and the Swedish infrastructure firm Ericsson signed management agreements.

Israel has approved an upgrade to fourth-generation (4G) mobile services for Palestinians in the West Bank, the Communications Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry said the two Palestinian mobile operators, Jawwal and Ooredoo, and the Swedish infrastructure firm Ericsson signed management agreements, which were approved by Israel, on Sunday.

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Palestinian cellular providers launched high-speed 3G data services in the occupied West Bank in 2018, narrowing a technological gap with Israel after a lengthy Israeli ban on operating local 3G networks.

The ministry said its approval was part of a 2022 framework agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to enable 4G and 5G cellular technologies. The agreement was delayed by the Gaza war, according to Israeli media, which also said the process to upgrade to 4G would take up to six months.

The Palestinian providers compete with Israeli cellular firms, which operate on much faster 5G mobile frequencies.

A Palestinian man speaks on his phone as he walks past a 3G sign outside the building of Jawwal company, in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 24, 2018. (credit: MOHAMAD TOROKMAN/REUTERS)

Israel is in the process of shutting down older 2G and 3G technologies and has advised the public to use devices that support 4G and 5G.

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In Gaza, however, only 2G networks are available.

In 2022, one year before the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War, the West Bank Palestinians were waiting to receive the new technology that now arrives, almost three years later.

White House initiative to bring 4G connectivity to Palestinians in 2022

In 2022, the White House announced plans to launch an initiative to bring 4G connectivity to the West Bank and Gaza by 2023, as part of a broader effort to broaden Palestinian economic opportunities.

The move was a way to [bolster] the digital economy to improve Palestinian economic growth and opportunities, a senior US administration official said at the time. He emphasized that such an initiative would not replace the need to further pursue political development.

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Its not an either/or, the official added. It does not mean that were doing [this initiative] and we therefore think we dont need to find a way forward on a political horizon, things weve talked about before and that the president mentioned right after landing [in Israel]. But yeah, its a commitment to really begin the immediate steps [toward bringing 4G to] the West Bank and Gaza. Thats the goal.

Zachy Hennessey contributed to this report.
The Israeli military has spent the past 24 hours expanding the so-called yellow line in eastern Gaza, particularly in eastern Gaza Citys Tuffah, Shujayea, and Zeitoun neighbourhoods, according to Al Jazeera teams on the ground, squeezing Palestinians into ever smaller clusters of the enclave.

The Israeli armys actions on Monday are also pushing it closer to the key artery of Salah al-Din Street, forcing displaced families sheltering near the area to flee as more of them come under intensive threat, as Israels genocidal war on Gaza shows no signs of abating.

Israel now physically occupies more than 50 percent of the Gaza Strip.

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Since the ceasefire took effect, Israeli attacks have killed at least 414 Palestinians and injured 1,145 in daily truce violations despite the ceasefire deal mediated by the United States on October 10.

Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said, The ongoing Israeli attacks on the ground, the expansion of the yellow line are meant to eat up more of the territory across the eastern part, really shrinking the total area where people are sheltering.

Everyone is cramped here. The population here not just doubled but tripled in many of the neighbourhoods, given the fact that none of these people is able to go back to their neighbourhoods. Were talking about Zeitoun, Shujayea, as well as Tuffah, he added.

It was not until the past few minutes that the sounds of hums, the drones buzzing, faded away, but it had been going on for the past night and all of yesterday. Ongoing explosions that could be heard clearly from here, Mahmoud said.

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Intense artillery bombardment and helicopter fire also resumed on Monday in the areas south of the besieged enclave, north and east of the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.

On Sunday, Israel launched more attacks into parts of Gaza outside its direct military control. At least three Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli attacks in Khan Younis, medical sources told Al Jazeera.

A five-storey building belonging to the al-Shana family in the Maghazi camp in central Gaza collapsed. It had been subjected to Israeli bombing at the end of 2023.

Civil Defence teams are searching for missing people under the rubble. The Wafa news agency reported that at least five people were injured.





Israeli push to make Rafah crossing one-way exit

Expectations have heightened around the possible reopening of the Rafah crossing, fuelling both desperate hope and deep fear.

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For many in Gaza, there is some hope it could offer a lifeline, allowing the sick and wounded to access medical care, reuniting separated families, and giving some people a rare chance to move in or out of the Strip. Some also see it as a potential sign of easing restrictions.

But fears remain strong. Many worry the opening will be limited and temporary, benefitting only a few. Others fear it could become a one-way exit, raising concerns about permanent expulsion, effectively Israeli ethnic cleansing, and whether those who leave will be allowed to return.

Until this moment, theres nothing on the ground other than the headlines weve been reading over the past couple of days, the expectation now that within days the Rafah crossing is going to open and allow for movement in and out of Gaza. So far, we know the Israeli military is pushing for Rafah to be just a one-way exit, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud reported.

After months of uncertainty, people in Gaza who have suffered unimaginable loss and destruction are cautious. Even the possibility of relief comes with questions and little trust in what will happen next.

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At least 71,386 Palestinians have been killed and 171,264 injured since the start of the war in October 2023, according to the latest figures from Gazas Ministry of Health. At least 420 people have been killed since the ceasefire was agreed upon three months ago.

The Israeli military continues to block a large amount of international humanitarian aid amassing at the Gaza crossings, while maintaining that there is no shortage of aid despite testimonies by the United Nations and others working on the ground.
The ceasefire in Gaza is broadly holding, despite sporadic clashes between the Israel Defense Forces and Gaza militants -- plus deadly IDF strikes. Israeli forces inside the strip have pulled back to the so-called "yellow line."

The ceasefire is still in the first of three proposed phases. The details of the second phase of the agreement are yet to be agreed. The remains of one deceased hostage are still thought to be in Gaza. Israeli raids are also ongoing in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli strikes continue against alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Latest Developments





Jan 6, 3:38 PM

Israel says it used live fire to disperse crowd at university in West Bank

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Israel said it used live fire to disperse a crowd at a university in the West Bank in relation to a "terror operation," after receiving "intelligence indications" of an "anticipated gathering in support of terror and incitement to terror that was expected to take place," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Tuesday.



"At the beginning of the gathering, IDF and Israel Border Police forces were dispatched to the area of the University, used riot dispersal means, and dispersed the gathering," the IDF said in a statement.



Adding, "Later on, an additional violent confrontation broke out that involved hundreds of suspects, during which rocks were hurled from rooftops in the area toward the forces, posing an immediate threat to them. The forces responded with riot dispersal means and precise fire toward the main violent individuals."



-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Jan 6, 3:36 PM

Israel, Syria to set up communication mechanism after US-mediated talks

Diplomatic dialogue has resumed between Israel and Syria after several months, according to Israeli and U.S. officials.



"The dialogue took place as part of President Trump's vision for promoting peace in the Middle East, during which Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats to its borders," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.



"Israel reiterated its commitment to promoting regional stability and security and to the need to promote economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries," Netanyahu's office said.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Jan 6, 7:23 AM

PRCS reports injuries after Israeli forces reportedly 'storm' West Bank university

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The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Tuesday that at least 11 people were injured after Israeli forces raided Birzeit University -- a prominent Palestinian public university near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.



Among the injuries were five gunshot wounds, four cases of tear gas inhalation and two injuries from falls, the PRCS said. All those injured were transferred to the hospital for treatment, the group added.



In a post to Facebook, Birzeit University said Israeli forces "stormed the campus." The university also shared a video that it said showed Israeli forces on the campus.



ABC News has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment.



ABC News' Nasser Atta, Jordana Miller and Morgan Winsor

Jan 6, 3:30 AM

IDF strikes alleged Hezbollah, Hamas targets in Lebanon

Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday, following an Israel Defense Forces evacuation order for four villages it alleged housed Hezbollah and Hamas "infrastructure."



-/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: This image grab from an AFPTV footage taken on Jan. 5, 2026, shows an Israeli strike on the village of Kfar Hatta in southern Lebanon.



An Israeli military spokesperson earlier warned that strikes would target the villages of Hammara and Ain el-Tineh in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, and Kfar Hatta and Aanan in the county's south.



-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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Jan 5, 5:14 AM

IDF claims killing of 2 Hezbollah members in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces said on Monday that it killed two alleged Hezbollah members in a Sunday strike in the Jamijama area of southern Lebanon.



The two people targeted were engaged in restoring military infrastructures of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, the IDF claimed in a statement posted to X.

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         pic.twitter.com/uRdYoV3qd8     (@idfonline) January 5, 2026

Dec 31, 6:59 AM

Foreign ministers from 10 countries urge Israel to allow NGO work

The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. released a joint statement on Wednesday pushing back on Israel's announcement that it will suspend the operations of 37 humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank on Jan. 1.

Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Displaced children warm by a fire next to a sand sculpture in Deir El-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on Dec. 30, 2025.



The ministers expressed "serious concerns about the renewed deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza which remains catastrophic," warning that forecast winter weather will likely exacerbate the situation there.



The statement urged Israel to "ensure that international NGOs are able to operate in Gaza in a sustained and predictable way," warning that their deregistration as of Jan. 1 "could result in the forced closure" of NGO operations "within 60 days in Gaza and the West Bank. This would have a severe impact on access to essential services including healthcare."



The ministers called on Israel to "ensure the U.N. and its partners can continue their vital work. This is essential to ensure the impartial, neutral, and independent delivery of aid throughout the whole of Gaza. This includes UNRWA, which provides essential services, such as healthcare and education, to millions of Palestinian refugees."



The statement said Israel should "lift unreasonable restrictions on imports considered to have a dual use," such as medical and shelter equipment, plus "open crossings and boost the flows of humanitarian aid into Gaza."

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Israel announced the suspensions on Tuesday, saying some aid organizations failed to comply with new registration rules. COGAT, the Israeli agency tasked with coordinating aid into Gaza and other areas, said on Wednesday that the new registration system is intended "to ensure aid does not fall into the wrong hands, not to control NGO workers or organizations."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the joint statement was "false but unsurprising."

"It reflects a recurring pattern of detached criticism and one-sided demands on Israel, while deliberately ignoring the essential requirement of disarming Hamas -- a prerequisite for the security of Israel and the region," the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Palestinian NGO Network released a statement criticizing the Israeli move as "dangerous" and posing "a direct threat to life in the Gaza Strip."



-ABC News' Morgan Winsor, Somayeh Malekian, Nasser Atta, Diaa Ostaz and Anna Burd

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Dec 29, 6:32 PM

Trump says it will be 'horrible' for Hamas if it fails to disarm

While hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, President Donald Trump said Hamas must disarm for the next phase of the Gaza peace plan to begin.



If they don't, Trump said it would be "horrible for them" and there would be "hell to pay." The president added that other countries that wanted the ceasefire deal to be made "will go and wipe them out" should Hamas not disarm.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference after meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., December 29, 2025.

For more, click here.

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
By Olivia Le Poidevin, Dawoud Abu Alkas and Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA CITY, Dec 31 (Reuters) - In the weeks before the Gaza ceasefire on October 10, Israel widely deployed a new weapon: M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers repurposed to carry between 1 and 3 tons of explosives, Reuters found.

As Israeli troops pushed toward the centre of Gaza City, these powerful bombs, along with airstrikes and armour-plated bulldozers, leveled swathes of buildings, drone footage and satellite images show.

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In most cases, but not all, the inhabitants fled ahead of demolitions after Israeli warnings, residents, Israeli security sources and Gaza authorities said.

Hesham Mohammad Badawis five-storey home on Dawla Street in the affluent Tel-al-Hawa suburb, damaged by an airstrike earlier in the war, was completely destroyed by an APC explosion on September 14, he and a relative said, leaving him and 41 family members homeless.

Badawi, who was a few hundred meters away, said he heard at least five APCs detonate in roughly five-minute intervals. He said he received no evacuation warning before the demolition and family members escaped by a miracle amid explosions and heavy gunfire.

Several buildings in the same block were demolished around that time, satellite images show.

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The family is now staying with relatives in different parts of the city, Badawi said, while he lives in a tent by his former home. Israels military did not respond to Reuters questions about the incident. Reuters could not establish what Israel targeted in the attack or independently verify all the details of Badawis account of the events.

When Reuters visited in November, remains of at least one of the vehicles were strewn among large piles of rubble.

"We could not believe this was our neighbourhood, this was our street, Badawi said.

To compile a detailed account of the role of APC-based bombs by the Israeli military in Tel-al-Hawa and the neighbouring Sabra district in the six weeks before the ceasefire, Reuters spoke to three Israeli security sources, a retired Israeli military brigadier, an Israeli reservist, Gazan authorities and three military experts.

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Seven Gaza City residents said their homes or those of neighbours were levelled or severely damaged by the explosions, which several likened to an earthquake. Analysis of Reuters footage by two of the military experts confirmed wreckage of at least two exploded APCs among the rubble at sites in Gaza City.

Israel packed 1 to 3 tons of ordnance in APCs, three military experts estimated, based on cabin space and wreckage of vehicle armour. Some of the ordnance was likely nonmilitary ammonium nitrate or emulsion, though without chemical testing that conclusion is not certain, they said.

Such a multi-ton explosion could approach an equivalent power to Israels largest airborne bombs, the 2,000-pound U.S.-made Mark 84, said two experts, who examined Reuters footage of the blast area and vehicle remains.

It could scatter vehicle fragments hundreds of meters, and break close-by exterior walls and building columns. The blast wave would be strong enough to potentially collapse a multi-storey building, they said.

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HIGHLY UNUSUAL

APCs generally transport troops and equipment on the battlefield. The three military experts consulted by Reuters said use of the vehicles as bombs was highly unusual and risked excessive damage to civilian dwellings.

In response to detailed Reuters questions for this story, Israels military said it was committed to the rules of war. Regarding allegations of destruction of civilian infrastructure, it said it used what it called engineering equipment only for essential operational purposes, without disclosing further details.

Decisions are guided by military necessity, distinction, and proportionality, it said.

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In an interview with Reuters in Gaza for this story, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Israels demolitions with armoured vehicles were aimed at the large-scale displacement of the city's residents, which Israel has denied.

The reporting provides new evidence of the power of these low-tech weapons and how they came to be widely used.

Retired reservist Brigadier-General Amir Avivi, founder of the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF), a think tank, called the weapon an innovation of the Gaza War. One of the security sources said its increasing use partly responded to U.S. restrictions on transfers of heavy Mark-84 airborne bombs and Caterpillar bulldozers.

Israels military and Prime Ministers Office also did not respond to questions about the reasons for the shift in tactics. The U.S. State Department, White House and Department of War did not respond to Reuters questions for this story.

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Before the war, Tel-al-Hawa and Sabra, a historic area of modest houses in south-central Gaza City, bustled with bakeries, shopping malls, mosques, banks and universities.

Now, large parts lie in ruins.

Satellite imagery analysis by Reuters showed that about 650 buildings in Sabra, Tel-al-Hawa and surrounding areas were destroyed in the six weeks between September 1 and October 11.

MILITARY NECESSITY?

Two international law scholars, the U.N. human rights office and two of the military experts who reviewed Reuters findings said use of such large explosives in dense residential urban areas may have failed one or more principles of humanitarian law that prohibit attacking civilian infrastructure and using disproportionate force.

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The basis that some of it may be booby-trapped" or once used by Hamas snipers is not enough to justify mass destruction, Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told Reuters, referring to Israels allegation that Hamas placed improvised explosive devices in houses, which Hamas denies.

In some circumstances, buildings could lose legal protection and become targets if Israel had evidence Hamas used them for military advantage, said Afonso Seixas Nunes, Associate Professor in the School of Law at Saint Louis University.

Israels military did not respond to Reuters requests to provide such evidence.

If not the result of military necessity, the demolition of civilian infrastructure could amount to wanton destruction of property, which is a war crime, Sunghay said.

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The level of ruin reflects a broader trend: 81% of Gazas buildings suffered damage or destruction during the war, according to the U.N. Satellite Center. The area including Gaza City experienced most damage since July, with approximately 5,600 newly affected structures, it said in October.

In August, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters Israel was packing tons of explosives into APCs because Hamas had placed explosive devices in just about every single building in evacuated areas.

We detonate them, and they set off all the booby traps. That's why you see the destruction," Netanyahu said.

In response to questions for this story, Qassem, the Hamas spokesman, denied booby trapping buildings, and said Hamas did not have the capacity to set devices at the scale Israel claimed.

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FORCES ENTER GAZA CITY

Later in August, Israeli forces entered Gaza City with the declared aim of eliminating Hamas and freeing hostages held by militants since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war.

Israel ordered a full evacuation of the city in September.

As troops advanced, backed by tanks and airstrikes, they extensively damaged eastern suburbs before approaching central areas of the city, where most displaced people were sheltering.

Hundreds of thousands fled south. The U.N. estimated 600,000-700,000 people remained in the city.

Israels defense minister has said soldiers demolished 25 towers that Israel said had Hamas tunnels underneath or were used as lookout points. The U.N. human rights office says Israel has provided no evidence the buildings were military targets.

Among the destruction visible in Sabra, Tel-al-Hawa and South Rimal between September 1 and October 11, Reuters identified al-Roya tower, which housed the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, a prominent human rights office that worked with charity Christian Aid, and al-Roya 2, a mixture of business and flats, brought down by airstrikes on September 7 and 8.

Two wings of the Islamic University of Gaza and a mosque on the campus were destroyed. In one six-block corner of Tel-al-Hawa almost every building was demolished - more than 60 in total.

Beyond the two cases of APC explosions analysed in detail for this story, and airstrikes on towers caught on video, Reuters could not establish what weapons Israel deployed to demolish buildings, or the total number of APCs detonated from August until the ceasefire.

Gazas Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the army detonated hundreds of APCs in that period, as many as 20 daily. Israels military did not reply to a question on numbers.

BADAWIS HOUSE

Among the buildings destroyed was Badawis family home of four decades, along with more than 20 neighbouring buildings in the same period.

We didnt recognize this as our house," he said.

Two military experts said Reuters footage of the area showed remains of at least one detonated APC.

The explosion had torn one APC caterpillar track from its running gear and physically thrown it onto the roof of a multi-storey building, a retired senior British military bomb disposal officer said, noting that M113 tracks each weigh hundreds of kilograms.

A thick, ripped piece of metal and a wheel torn in half, both scattered at the property, were consistent with a detonation from within the APC, said Gareth Collett, a retired British Brigadier General and leading authority on explosives and bomb disposal. He said the large size of the fragments was indicative of a commercial low energy explosive.

THE RETURN OF THE M113

Bought from the U.S. after the Yom Kippur War in the 1970s, thousands of M113s were deemed to insufficiently protect soldiers and were mothballed, military historian Yagil Henkin said.

FMC Corp, originally the M113s primary manufacturer, did not respond to Reuters requests for comment about its use as a weapon and potential associated human rights concerns.

BAE Systems, which currently provides maintenance for the vehicle globally, did not reply to Reuters questions about Israel's new use of the M113 other than to say it currently had no direct military sales to the country. It said equipment it sold to the U.S. government could reach other countries indirectly.

In May, Israel posted a public tender seeking to sell an unspecified number of M113s internationally, public documents show.

The tender was later cancelled, according to an undated posting on the Ministry of Defence website. The cancellation allowed Israel to scale up repurposing M113s, one of the security sources told Reuters. The military did not respond to Reuters questions about the tender.

The first media reports of an APC detonating in Gaza date to mid-2024.

Use accelerated this year when Israel rationed stocks after the U.S. paused deliveries of Mark-84 bombs over concerns about the bombs use in residential areas, the source said.

CATERPILLAR D9

The increased role of APC-based bombs also coincided with shortages in Israel of U.S. company Caterpillar's giant D9 bulldozer, long used by Israels military for demolition, one of the security sources said.

Hamas heavily targeted D9s earlier in the war, killing or injuring soldiers and damaging the vehicles, the source said. Alarmed by their use to demolish homes, the U.S. paused D9 sales to Israel in November 2024, adding to the shortage. Under President Donald Trump, D9 transfers resumed.

Caterpillar did not respond to questions from Reuters about the military use of its machines in Gaza demolitions and has not publicly commented on the matter.

Amid the shortages, the military began using other methods of demolition, including APCs, another of the security sources said.

Danny Orbach, an Israeli military historian, told Reuters demolitions were normal in war, made necessary in Gaza due to tunnels and booby traps. He said Israels military was underprepared for the complex fighting, leading to the conclusion there was no other way to fight such a war except destroying all buildings above ground.

Israel's military told Reuters targets were reviewed prior to attack and the munition selected to achieve the military objective while minimizing collateral damage to civilians and civilian infrastructure.

(Additional reporting by Pesha Magid, Jonathan Saul, Maayan Lubell, Mohammad Salem, Hams Rabah, Catherine Cartier, Milan Pavicic, Tamar Uriel-Beeri; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
SIDON, Lebanon  Israels air force struck areas in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday and early Tuesday, including in the countrys third-largest city.

A strike around 1 a.m. Tuesday leveled a three-story commercial building in the southern coastal city of Sidon, a few days before Lebanons army commander is scheduled to brief the government on its mission of disarming militant group Hezbollah in areas along the border with Israel.

An Associated Press photographer at the scene said the area was in a commercial district containing workshops and mechanic shops and the building was uninhabited.

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At least one person was transported by ambulance and rescue teams were searching the site for others, but there were no immediate reports of deaths.

On Monday, the Israeli army hit several sites in southern and eastern Lebanon saying they held infrastructure for the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.

Those strikes took place nearly two hours after Israels military Arabic language spokesman Avichay Adraee posted warnings on X that the military would strike targets for Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas groups in two villages in the eastern Bekaa Valley and two others in southern Lebanon. The later strike in Sidon was unannounced and the Israeli army did not immediately issue a statement on it.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said a home struck in the village of Manara in the Bekaa Valley belonged to Sharhabil al-Sayed, a Hamas military commander who was killed in an Israeli drone strike in May 2024.

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The areas were evacuated after the Israeli warning and there were no reports of casualties in those strikes. Earlier Monday, Lebanons Health Ministry said a drone strike on a car in the southern village of Braikeh earlier Monday wounded two people. The Israeli military said the strike targeted two Hezbollah members.

The Lebanese army last year began the disarmament process of Palestinian groups while the government has said that by the end of 2025 all the areas close to the border with Israel  known as the south Litani area  will be clear of Hezbollahs armed presence.

The Lebanese government is scheduled to discuss Hezbollahs disarmament during a meeting Thursday that will be attended by army commander Gen. Rudolph Haikal.

Mondays airstrikes were in villages north of the Litani river and far from the border with Israel.

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The disarmament of Hezbollah and other Palestinian groups by the Lebanese government came after a 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah in which much of the political and military leadership of the Iran-backed group was killed.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas attacked southern Israel, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Israel launched a widespread bombardment of Lebanon in September 2024 that severely weakened Hezbollah, followed by a ground invasion.

The war ended in November 2024 with a ceasefire brokered by the U.S.

Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes since then, mainly targeting Hezbollah members but also killing at least 127 civilians, according to the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Israeli air forces struck multiple areas in southern Lebanon on Monday night and into Tuesday morning, including targets in the countrys third-largest city, Sidon.

A strike around 1 am local time levelled a three-storey building in the coastal city of Sidon, just a few days before Lebanese army commander is scheduled to brief the government on its mission of disarming Hezbollah in areas along the border with Israel.

The building was located in the commercial district, home to workshops and mechanical shops. Residents say the building was uninhabited.

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There were no immediate reports of deaths, but at least one person was transported to hospital by ambulance after sustaining injuries. Rescue teams say their units are continuing to search for more at the destroyed building site and other struck areas.

Lebanese fire fighter extinguish a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, early Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 - Mohammad Zaatari/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.

On Monday, the Israeli army targeted multiple areas in the southern and eastern parts of Lebanon, claiming they held infrastructure sites for Hezbollah and the Gaza-based Hamas group.

The attacks took place just hours after Israels military Arabic language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, posted warnings on X that the military would strike Hezbollah and Hamas sites in two villages in the eastern Bekaa Valley and two more in southern Lebanon.

The areas were evacuated after the Israeli warning and there were no reports of casualties in those strikes.

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Earlier on Monday, Lebanons Health Ministry said a drone strike on a car in the southern village of Braikeh wounded two people. The Israeli military said the strike targeted two Hezbollah members.

The Lebanese army last year began the disarmament process of armed groups, while the government has said that by the end of 2025, all the areas close to the border with Israel  known as the south Litani area  will be clear of Hezbollahs armed presence.

Rescue workers search for possible victims in a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, early Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 - Mohammad Zaatari/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.

The government is scheduled to discuss Hezbollahs disarmament at a meeting on Thursday, which will be attended by army commander General Rudolph Haikal. Mondays airstrikes were in villages north of the Litani river and far from the border with Israel.

The disarmament of Hezbollah and other groups by the Lebanese government came after a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in which much of the political and military leadership of the Iran-backed group was killed.

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The latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict began on 8 October 2023, one day after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas.

The conflict ended in November 2024 with a ceasefire brokered by the US under then-President Joe Biden.

Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes since then, on what they claim to be Hezbollah sites and infrastructure, but also killing at least 127 civilians in the process, according to the office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
The comptroller's ninth report on the Israel-Hamas war found that approximately 3.2 million Israeli lacked access to standard protective spaces.

Civilian authorities were insufficiently prepared to protect residents, maintain basic services, and deliver timely relief when they were met with the October 7 attack and the ensuing war with Hamas and Hezbollah, according to a report published on Tuesday by State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman.

The report  the ninth in a series of audits on the Israel-Hamas War  examined the conduct of government bodies under emergency conditions.

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It focused on the civilian front, painting a picture of systemic gaps in home front protection, education continuity, and economic compensation. Many of the issues it found predated the war but were sharply exposed by it.

Englman concluded that in several key areas, the state failed to translate years of warnings into actionable readiness, leaving local authorities and citizens to improvise during a national emergency.

The most urgent failures identified relate to physical protection against rocket and missile fire. As of January 2025, roughly one-third of Israels population  approximately 3.2 million people  lacked access to standard protective spaces, including tens of thousands of residents in communities near Israels northern border, the audit found.

According to the report, the Home Front Command froze the second phase of a nationwide municipal protection program several years ago without establishing an alternative framework. This left local authorities without guidance or approved plans. In many municipalities reviewed by the state comptroller, officials said they were unaware that the program had been halted at all.

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The audit found widespread deficiencies in the mapping of protection gaps, maintenance of public shelters, and oversight by central authorities. More than 11% of public shelters nationwide were deemed unfit for use, and oversight inspections by both local authorities and the Home Front Command were found to be sporadic or nonexistent in the years preceding the war.

People take shelter in an underground train station in Tel Aviv, during ongoing missile attacks from Iran, June 22, 2025. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Local governments, particularly in peripheral and minority communities, were often left to shoulder responsibility without adequate budgets, data, or enforcement mechanisms.

In the Bedouin communities of the Negev, where tens of thousands live in unregulated structures, no protection existed at all before the war, and only limited temporary solutions were introduced after fighting began.

The comptroller concluded that the absence of a binding, funded national protection plan undermined the states ability to ensure civilian safety and maintain functional continuity during sustained missile fire.

IDF: Home Front Command 'learning and improving' to fortify defenses

In response to the findings, the IDF said that the Home Front Command operates continuously to strengthen the protective measures available to Israels civilian population, while learning and improving in order to reinforce home front defense and maintain civilian resilience.

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According to the IDF, responsibility for protection generally lies with the property owner, while oversight, maintenance, and enforcement of public shelters fall under the authority of local authorities. The Home Front Command, the IDF said, has no legal authority to handle the maintenance of private shelters.

The IDF added that protection plans in each municipality are determined by the local authority, and that the Home Front Command provides professional guidance and assistance to municipalities that choose to adopt such plans, including support from relevant regional commands.

Inspections of public shelters are also conducted by the Home Front Command, and it updates local authorities on its findings to improve protection and ensure compliance with the law, it said.

The education system, the report found, was similarly unprepared for prolonged emergency conditions. Despite lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Education Ministry had not completed a national, multiyear strategy for digital learning, leaving schools without adequate infrastructure for remote instruction once physical attendance became unsafe.

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As a result, learning continuity varied widely between municipalities, with prolonged closures and reduced in-person attendance in areas lacking protected spaces.

Nearly 40% of sampled schools were unable to move all students to protected areas within the allotted warning time, while more than 466,000 students were attending schools without adequate protection as late as March 2024.

In several municipalities, especially those near active fronts, students attended school only part-time for weeks or months, and some institutions remained closed entirely. The comptroller found that deficiencies in shelter maintenance, emergency drills, and data collection further compounded the disruption.

The report warned that failing to ensure both physical protection and digital readiness undermines not only educational continuity but also childrens mental resilience during extended emergencies.

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In its response to the comptrollers education findings, the IDF said that the Home Front Command is the body authorized to determine civil defense policy and issue life-saving instructions to the public during a declared state of emergency on the home front or during an attack.

This authority, the military noted, includes the power to restrict or prohibit educational activity in accordance with updated operational assessments conducted from time to time.

State unable to provide adequate financial compensation

The review also highlighted major failures in the states compensation mechanisms for businesses and individuals affected by the war. According to the comptroller, the Finance Ministry and the Tax Authority failed to establish permanent statutory criteria for indirect damage compensation, relying instead on ad hoc arrangements that delayed payments and created uncertainty.

In some cases, compensation payments took up to three months to reach claimants, placing severe strain on small businesses ability to survive. Appeal processes were even slower: the average time to resolve objections was more than two years.

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The report further found that compensation funds were paid out in the billions of shekels without proper eligibility checks, with significant sums still uncollected when the audit concluded. At the same time, no centralized mechanism existed to pool and coordinate reconstruction budgets, complicating recovery efforts in northern and southern communities.

Englman noted that local authorities, particularly in evacuated or heavily affected areas, struggled to manage rehabilitation efforts amid fragmented funding streams and unclear governmental leadership.

The comptroller called for a series of structural reforms. Chief among them was the establishment of fully funded, multiyear national programs for home front protection, with clear timelines, binding oversight, and accountability mechanisms.

Englman further urged the government to mandate comprehensive data collection on protection gaps, enforce regular shelter inspections, and ensure equitable allocation of resources across regions and population groups.

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Regarding education, the audit recommended accelerating the rollout of a national digital learning strategy and closing protection gaps in schools and kindergartens as a matter of urgency.

On compensation, the comptroller called for permanent legislation to define eligibility and calculation methods, streamline appeals processes, and improve enforcement to prevent improper payouts while ensuring timely relief for those entitled to it.

The report was published amid an ongoing institutional and legal confrontation over the scope of wartime accountability. While the State Comptrollers Office initially announced broad audits into both civilian and security failures surrounding October 7, the High Court of Justice issued interim orders last week blocking investigations into several core issues, citing concerns about overlap with potential future inquiries.

The court has emphasized that ultimate responsibility for examining the causes of the October 7 disaster lies with a state commission of inquiry  a body the government has so far declined to establish.

In response, the comptroller has opted to publish completed civilian audits as they are finalized, rather than wait for the resolutions of the legal and political disputes. Englman has stressed that the findings underscore the critical importance of independent oversight, particularly during prolonged emergencies.
Standard Chartered has beefed up its global chief investment office (CIO) team as it continues to build its affluent business segment.

Sundeep Gantori joined as chief investment officer, equities and Jonathan Liang has been named chief investment officer, fixed income & foreign exchange (FX).

Gantori will operate out of Singapore and oversee the banks equity strategy team and work on integrating equity strategies into client and frontline advisory services.

He brings nearly 20 years of experience in equity strategy.

Before joining Standard Chartered, Gantori worked at UBS, where he was CIO equity strategist within the UBS Global Wealth Management Chief Investment Office.

His responsibilities there included global technology sectors such as semiconductors, software, internet, IT services, and hardware, along with managing the AI portfolio globally.

Based in Hong Kong, Liang will lead the team responsible for fixed income and foreign exchange strategy, aligning these offerings with frontline teams.

Liangs experience spans over 25 years in investment roles.

He previously held the role of head of Asia ex-Japan Investment Specialists at J.P. Morgan Asset Management within their Global Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Group.

His remit included fixed income portfolio advisory services for financial institutions, fintech companies, sovereign wealth funds, and central banks.

Both Gantori and Liang will report to Standard Chartered global chief investment officer Steve Brice.

Brice said: The Chief Investment Office is core to our Wealth Solutions business, bringing consistency to how we advise our affluent clients on their wealth needs.

As we continue to invest in our business and build our capabilities, Sundeeps and Jonathans vast experience will strengthen Standard Chartereds wealth advisory capabilities, reinforcing our position as a leading international wealth manager.

"Standard Chartered strengthens global CIO team with key hires " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




A pardoned former Proud Boy leader led a march to the U.S. Capitol. Democrats gathered to decry the storming of the American seat of government on Jan. 6, 2021. The White House unveiled a new website declaring it was the Democrats who staged the real insurrection.

The five-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot saw the Trump administration and Democrats present two very different accounts of that momentous day, which led to both a House impeachment and a federal criminal indictment of a former president.

Tuesday's partisan split screen highlighted the starkly different narratives that have formed around Jan. 6 in the years since a mob of President Donald Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol to try and prevent the certification of Trumps 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

People hold a banner and placards as they gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026. Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio (C) shakes hands with a demonstrator during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building by Donald Trump supporters who claimed the presidential election had been stolen. Edward Young holds a "MAGA FOREVER" sign during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. People gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026. Counter-protester Patricia Eguino (R) clashes with demonstrators during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. People hold a sign during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. A man wears a MAGA hat as people gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026. January 6 defendants march in DC five years after attack on Capitol 1 of 7 People hold a banner and placards as they gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026.

Among Trumps first acts in office after he was inaugurated to begin a second term following his 2024 election victory was to pardon nearly 1,600 Jan. 6 defendants, a fact the Trump administration highlighted in a new Jan. 6 page on the White House website.

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President Trump took decisive action to pardon January 6 defendants who were unfairly targeted, overcharged, and used as political examples, the page begins, before continuing with a selected timeline of events that day, video of Trumps speech before the riot, links to government reports about Jan. 6 and other material.

The White House website repeats Trumps unfounded claim about fraud in the 2020 election in slamming Democrats for certifying the results and accusing them of staging the real insurrection. Much of the site also presents an accounting of the day that's at odds with the findings of a bipartisan investigation into the attack, which also is linked to and criticized on the page.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump in 2023 on charges he conspired to steal the 2020 election in a series of actions that culminated on Jan. 6. Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped the charges after Trump won the 2024 election, citing a Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.

Smith, in testimony to Congress last month, said Trump was responsible for the attack on the Capitol.

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"Our view of the evidence was that he caused it and that he exploited it and that it was foreseeable to him," he said, according to a transcript released by the House Judiciary Committee.

Many Republicans also voted to certify the 2020 election results and condemned what happened on Jan. 6, including Mike Pence, Trump's former vice president. Pence, who enraged Trump when he certified the election, said in a social media post marking the five-year anniversary that Jan. 6 was a tragic day.

But it became a triumph of freedom when, after Capitol Police quelled the violence, leaders in both chambers in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracys work under the Constitution, Pence continued.

The White House website, under a heading in its Jan. 6 timeline titled betrayal of the president, accuses Pence of cowardice and sabotage.

Counter-protester Patricia Eguino (C) clashes with demonstrators during a January 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on January 06, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Democrats warn that Jan. 6 sentiment remains

At a hearing on Capitol Hill to commemorate the anniversary, Democrats warned that Trump's pardons of rioters and his installation of Jan. 6 defendants into jobs at the Justice Department underscore how the forces that led to the events of that day are still influencing the country.

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It is still January 6 in America," said Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat who led the House impeachment proceedings against Trump after the 2021 riot. "And it will be until the forces of strong, nonviolent democracy prevail.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben hold a moment of prayer in front of the door where rioters first broke into the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 6, 2025.

In an emotional moment during the anniversary event, a rioter and former Trump supporter expressed remorse for her actions as she held back tears. Pamela Hemphill, who served a 60-day sentence for participating in the insurrection, later rejected a pardon from the president for her actions.

"Once I got away from the MAGA cult and started educating myself about January the sixth, I knew what I did was wrong," she said. "I am guilty. And I own that guilt."

The crowd knocked her down during the riot, Hemphill said. After her head was stepped on and her knee was cut, she wasn't breathing.

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"If it hadnt been for the Capitol Police officers, I wouldve died," she said.

Former Proud Boy leads march

Another Jan. 6 defendant, former Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio, led a memorial march to the Capitol on the anniversary.

Tarrio was convicted of engaging in a seditious conspiracy against the government while he was head of the Proud Boys, a far right extremist group, that culminated in Jan. 6. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison and later released after Trump commuted his sentence.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio speaks to demonstrators ahead of a January 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on January 06, 2026 in Washington, DC.

The march was billed as honoring those who died on Jan. 6, including Ashli Babbitt, a Trump supporter who was shot and killed inside the Capitol during the riot. The Justice Department recently settled a lawsuit brought by Babbitts family.

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The march began at the Ellipse, where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, before a crowd of his supporters descended on the Capitol. The event also drew counterprotesters.

Law enforcement separate counter protestors as they clash with participants during a January 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on January 06, 2026 in Washington, DC.

More than 140 police officers were injured on Jan. 6 as the mob overran the Capitol, according to the final report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol. At least 2,000 people gained access to the Capitol, according to the report, causing lawmakers to flee in fear.

The committee held nine public hearings and drew on the testimony of more than 70 witnesses, many who served in the Trump administration.

That evidence has led to an overriding and straight forward conclusion: the central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, the report concluded.

Trump claims Jan. 6 'scandal'

Trump told House Republicans on Tuesday that the committee that investigated the riot ignored that he told protesters to behave peacefully and patriotically and never reported it.

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Its a scandal, Trump said.

In fact, the final report on the investigation quoted Trump telling participants about 20 minutes into his speech near the White House to proceed peacefully and patriotically. But the report said he later amped up his language with lies about the election and urging participants to fight like hell for their planned walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.

Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC. Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump rioter Josiah Colt is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Josiah Colt turned himself in at the Ada County Sheriff's Office in Boise, Idaho on Jan. 12, 2021. A person poses with a noose displayed in front of the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. A Capitol police officer looks out of a broken window as pro-Trump rioters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during clashes with police, during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump rioters protest inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. A supporter of President Trump carries a Confederate flag as he protests in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, in Washington, DC on Jan. 6, 2021, Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. A supporter of President Donald Trump sits inside the office of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol's Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. See images of pro-Trump rioters storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 1 of 12 Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC.

Trump also said Tuesday the House investigation never reported that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, turned down his offer to provide 10,000 National Guard troops for protection on Jan. 6. Trump alleged that Pelosi was caught acknowledging the offer during a documentary her daughter made.

I said, Whoa, this is a major story, Trump said. They are vicious people.

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Fact checkers have called Trumps statement about offering 10,000 troops false.

President Donald Trump addresses a House Republican retreat at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on January 06, 2026 in Washington, DC.

The Houses final report on the investigation said Trump raised the possibility of deploying troops at the White House but his aides discouraged him, saying they were unnecessary. His acting Secretary of Defense, Christopher Miller, testified there was no order to prepare 10,000 troops.

Pelosi said Tuesday on social media that Trump incited the violent insurrection that forced lawmakers, staffers and reporters to flee for their lives.

January 6th was not an aberration and it was not spontaneous, Pelosi said. It was the culmination of a sustained assault on truth, on the rule of law, and one of the most sacred principles of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power.

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The House impeached Trump a second time after Jan. 6, but he was acquitted by the Senate, paving the way for him to run again in 2024.

Trump is the only president impeached twice. He told House Republicans on Tuesday that they need to maintain control of the chamber, saying Democrats will "find a reason to impeach me" a third time if they win a majority.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republicans, Democrats battle over Jan. 6 narrative on anniversary
Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and others marched from the Ellipse to the Capitol on Tuesday, exactly five years after the January 6, 2021 attack on the Hill.

"We're memorializing and celebrating the life of Ashli Babbitt and many others that lost their lives that day, and that's the only thing we're here for," Tarrio told WUSA-TV.

Tarrio was sentenced to 24 years in prison after being found guilty of helping to plan the attack, but was among more than 1,500 January 6 participants pardoned by President Donald Trump when he returned to the White House last January.

Former national chairman of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, holds a megaphone following a march to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2026.

The permit for Tuesday's march allowed for 250 people, but the DC-based television station said that "there were fewer than that" by their account.

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Roughly 140 police officers were injured and four people died during the attack, including a Trump supporter who was fatally shot by police. One police officer, Brian Sicknick, who was attacked by protesters, died the following day. Four other police officers subsequently died by suicide.

People hold a banner and placards as they gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026. Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio (C) shakes hands with a demonstrator during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building by Donald Trump supporters who claimed the presidential election had been stolen. Edward Young holds a "MAGA FOREVER" sign during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. People gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026. Counter-protester Patricia Eguino (R) clashes with demonstrators during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. People hold a sign during a Jan. 6th memorial march marking five years since the attack on Jan. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. A man wears a MAGA hat as people gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026. January 6 defendants march in DC five years after attack on Capitol 1 of 7 People hold a banner and placards as they gather ahead of a march from The Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol in memory of those who died on, or in the aftermath, of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on the fifth anniversary of the attack in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2026.

When was the Capitol Hill '5-year memorial march'?

The 5-year memorial march began at 11:45 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Local police escorted the marchers for approximately 2 miles.

Where was the Jan. 6 memorial march?

Tarrio requested that protestors congregate at the Ellipse, a park in front of the White House in Washington, DC. The crowd walked to the Capitol following the same path rioters took five years ago on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the event's poster.

It's also where Trump and other prominent conservatives had held a rally in 2021, encouraging supporters to march down to the Capitol, where the House and Senate convened, and protest the certification of the 2020 presidential election, which declared Joe Biden the winner.

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The president told the crowd to head to the Capitol while saying, youll never take back our country with weakness.

We fight like hell, and if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore, Trump said. So we are going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue  I love Pennsylvania Avenue  and we are going to the Capitol.

Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC. Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump rioter Josiah Colt is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Josiah Colt turned himself in at the Ada County Sheriff's Office in Boise, Idaho on Jan. 12, 2021. A person poses with a noose displayed in front of the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. A Capitol police officer looks out of a broken window as pro-Trump rioters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during clashes with police, during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump rioters protest inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. A supporter of President Trump carries a Confederate flag as he protests in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, in Washington, DC on Jan. 6, 2021, Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. A supporter of President Donald Trump sits inside the office of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol's Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. See images of pro-Trump rioters storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 1 of 12 Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC.

'It was foreseeable to him': Trump 'caused' Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Jack Smith testified to Congress

President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. as thousands of supporters flooded the nation's capital protesting the certification of Joe Biden's White House victory.

Who was remembered at the memorial march?

Those who were honored at the event, as per the event's poster, include:

Ashli Babbitt , a military veteran, 35, from San Diego, California

Rosanne Boyland , 34, from Kennesaw, Georgia

Kevin Greeson , 55, from Athens, Alabama

Benjamin Philips, 50, from Ri, Pennsylvania

Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died following two strokes, after defending the Capitol during the assault

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Capitol riots: California woman killed was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter

Who was Ashli Babbitt?

Babbitt, 35, was shot while attempting to breach the House chamber on Jan. 6, 2021. Graphic videos of the shooting show the military veteran wearing a Trump flag as a cape while trying to crawl through a broken window, flanked by other protesters. A single shot rang out, and she fell to the floor bleeding from an apparent neck wound.

Lt. Michael Byrd, the Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Babbitt, was cleared of wrongdoing after an internal review by the agency found his actions were "consistent with the officers training and (U.S. Capitol Police) policies," USA TODAY previously reported.

Babbitt's family, in early 2024, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking $30 million. The Washington Post reported that Trumps administration agreed to settle for nearly $5 million, reversing the Justice Departments earlier opposition in the case, which had been set for trial in July 2026.

Who are the Proud Boys?

The Proud Boys describes itself as a group of Western chauvinists who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world, on its website. The group allows only men to join, and women wishing to be a part of it can do so by marrying a Proud Boy.

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The George Washington University's (GWU) Program on Extremism refers to Proud Boys as "a far-right neo-fascist organization," founded by former Vice Magazine co-founder Gavin McInnes in 2016, just before the 2016 Presidential Election.

"The Proud Boys rose to national attention as a result of their repeated violent confrontations with anti-fascist groups during protests on college campuses and during the summer of 2020 Black Lives Matter protests," GWU noted.

Tarrio joined the Proud Boys in 2017 and quickly rose to become their leader in 2018, according to reports from WTVJ-TV and BBC.

No organization put more boots on the ground at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, than the Proud Boys, and they were at the forefront of every major breach of the Capitols defenses, leading the on-the-ground efforts to storm the seat of government, said former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves said after Tarrio's sentencing in 2023.

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Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jan. 6 defendants marched to Capitol Hill to honor Ashli Babbitt
The court calendar for the month of January has been announced by Clerk of Courts Jessica Burgess. Cumberland County General Sessions Court is in session on Mondays and Thursdays beginning at 8:30 a.m., unless otherwise announced. Persons having business before the courts should maintain contact with their attorneys in the even of unscheduled changes,

The calendar for Criminal, Circuit and Chancery courts are as follows:

Criminal Court

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Jan. 6, Judge Gary McKenzie, probation violation docket.

Jan. 13, Judge Wesley Bray, non-jury docket.

Jan. 20, Judge Shawn Fry, non-jury docket.

Jan. 28, Judge Bray, sentencing hearing.

All Criminal Court dockets start at 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Circuit Civil Court

Jan. 8, Judge William Ridley, civil motions beginning at 10 a.m.

Jan. 12, Judge Ridley, settlement conferences at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Jan. 23, Judge Carolyn Knight, civil motions beginning at 9 a.m.

Jan. 26, Judge Ridley, settlement conferences at 9 a.m. and at 1 p.m.

Jan. 27, Judge Ridley, civil final hearing at 9 a.m.

Jan. 29, Judge Ridley, civil new jurors to report at 9 a.m. and docket call at 10 a.m.

Circuit Civil Court

Jan, 27, Chancellor Ronald Thurman, non-jury trial with four days set aside for trial.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said "f--- you" to the Supreme Court over its decision to temporarily uphold Texas' new congressional districts.

In a video posted to her YouTube account on Sunday, Crockett commented on what she claims are efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to "rig the system" ahead of the 2026 midterm elections using redistricting tactics.

"Obviously, Trump is still doing his bidding with these state Houses and state Senates and governor's mansions to try to rig the system," Crockett said. "Kudos to Indiana for saying f--- you. Kudos to California for saying we're going to fight back."

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Jasmine Crockett Says The Senate Needs To Impose 'Ethical Guidelines' On Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ordered that Texas' new congressional maps remain in place ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

She continued, "Definitely kudos to the Trump justice who wrote the 160-page opinion denouncing what took place in Texas and f--- you to the Supreme Court for what they did as well as, you know, we'll see what happens in some other places."

The Supreme Court issued an order in December keeping Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts redrawn districts in place ahead of the November elections. The new congressional districts are expected to add up to five new GOP House seats.

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The new congressional maps also move Crockett out of her current district, which likely factored into her decision to launch a Senate bid shortly after the Supreme Court decision.

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James Carville Urges Democrats To Consider Expanding Supreme Court If They Regain Power

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, speaks to reporters after announcing her run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on Dec. 8, 2025, in Dallas.

In response to Texas' new congressional maps, California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed a ballot initiative in November that would create five more Democratic-leaning congressional districts.

In December, Indiana's Republican-led state Senate rejected a vote on a new congressional map that would have added two additional GOP seats.

During the video, Crockett also urged more efforts to reform the Supreme Court, citing her experience on the Court Reform Now Task Force in 2024, including proposals for term limits and court expansion.

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, also called for reforms to the Supreme Court. (AP Images)

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"I just feel like there are certain spots on the Supreme Court that were illegitimately gotten for sure," Crockett said. "So, I think if we're going to shore up our democracy, we have to first start by shoring up the checks and balances. And so, that starts with the Supreme Court."





Original article source: Jasmine Crockett says 'f--- you' to the Supreme Court over Texas redistricting decision
In November 2024, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he had won a years-long battle to get authority to build a new high-tech border fence with Jordan to block smuggling.

The IDFs new security fence with Jordan could be completed as early as the start of 2028, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

In November 2024, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he had won a years-long battle to get authority to build a hi-tech border fence with Jordan to block smuggling, especially from Iran.

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An announcement said that the fence, which will include a variety of cutting-edge sensors and cost tens of millions of shekels, would start being constructed in a number of months, but did not set a formal end date.

As of early 2026, the Post can confirm that the building process has long kicked into full gear.

However, there were extended delays, and construction did not start in earnest until late 2025 despite initial optimism of a quicker start.

ISRAELI PRIME Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) walks next to the border fence between Israel and Jordan during a visit in southern Israel near Eilat February 9, 2016. (credit: REUTERS/Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)

In late 2025, the Defense Ministry updated that the initial work would cover roughly 40 km., stretching from Hamat Gader near the southern Golan Heights to Yardena, and from the Jordan Valley checkpoint to Yafit.

Israel planning NIS 5.5 billion fortification on Jordan border

That project is just one part of a larger plan to fortify Israels 425-km. border with Jordan, from the Samar Sands north of Eilat through the West Bank to the southern Golan Heights. The estimated cost of the project is around NIS 5.5 billion, more than the NIS 3.5b. cost of the Gaza border fence, which was finished in 2021.

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The ministry announcement did not give much of a concrete timeline for finishing the project, such that the Posts reporting on that issue is a significant revelation.

Defense sources have also made clear that Israel has escalated proactive intelligence collection missions on the border and will not rely solely on the fence, though the fence is expected to be a major boon for securing the border.

It was unclear in late 2024 how Katz had overcome the alleged opposition of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and possibly also from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who various defense officials had accused of preventing the idea from going forward in recent years.

The defense establishment had asked for a budget to build the wall in previous requests leading into 2024 and again leading into 2025  but until late 2024, the Finance Ministry and the government never approved the budget.

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Former IDF commander Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yehuda Fuchs had pushed for the fence for a long time, even sending a formal letter of warning to then-chief of staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi about the dangers of failing to build a fence, before retiring in summer 2024. Fuchs had pointed the finger at the Finance Ministry.

However, simply the fact that Katz entered into office and Netanyahu may have wanted him to get a quick win to move the narrative on from Katzs fired and highly respected predecessor, Yoav Gallant, could have been a factor.

Gallant had publicly pushed for the fence multiple times and had cited that years before, the government had already approved such a fence, only to be ignored, allegedly by Smotrich and Netanyahu. This was even after the public became much more sensitive about border security after Hamass 2023 invasion.

In addition, whereas Gallant had significant political pull with security-minded Israelis, he had little to hold over Smotrich politically. Katz, who is more of a long-time political maneuverer, may have had more to negotiate with regarding Smotrich.

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Smotrich was also one of the few officials who publicly praised Katz in late 2024 when the defense minister rescinded any new administrative detention orders against violent Jewish activists. That was despite the fact that this move was mostly criticized by current and former security chiefs as potentially empowering such extremists regarding their attacks on Palestinians.

Katz has also given Smotrich a much freer hand regarding building outposts in the West Bank despite opposition within the IDF and from Israeli allies in the EU and the US.

A spokesman for Smotrich in fall 2024 rejected this narrative, saying he has always supported a new fence on the Jordan border.

Pressed for previous statements Smotrich made in favor of the fence or regarding why such a fence was not built until now, he pointed the finger back at the IDF, saying that if it had really wanted to build the fence, no one could have resisted.

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Rather, the spokesman said the IDF itself likely did not prioritize the issue given the intense wars in the North and the South.

Further, the spokesman noted a tour of the Jordan border that Smotrich took in mid-September 2024 with Netanyahu, in which he discussed the importance of reducing smuggling and penetrations of the border. Smotrich does not specifically mention a new fence in his public statement, but he does discuss budgeting new items to protect Israel positively.

It was also unclear what changes would be made to the budget to account for the new spending of tens of millions of shekels.

A spokesman for Smotrich said that this sum of money was tiny for the IDF and that it could easily shift funds from one project or another to cover it.

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At the time, Katz said Israel saw a relentless and institutionalized Iranian effort to establish an eastern front in its fight against Israel.

I have decided to intensively promote the construction of the fence on the eastern border between Israel and Jordan, he said, We are going to do it very quickly.

We cannot lose in this campaign against the establishment of the eastern front, and we will have to do root cause treatment in some places to prevent Judea and Samaria and the refugee camps from becoming a model for Gaza.

The Defense Ministry said that it was starting to work on producing the new barrier material, as well as the intelligence collection and communication sensors and network that would be integrated into the new fence, as well as mapping out the actual topography.

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The engineering and building department of the Defense Ministry and Maj.-Gen. Eran Ofir, who also led the construction of the Gaza fence, is coordinating the project.

Despite criticism of the IDFs defense of the Gaza border and over-reliance on the Gaza fence, from a technical and technological perspective, apparently, the defense establishment still believed that Ofir did a solid job constructing what he had been tasked with doing.

It was unclear if the IDF would also increase its border troop presence with Jordan or would rely more on technology as it did with Gaza, leading up to the 2023 Hamas invasion.

Jordan has been traditionally viewed as a quiet and safe border since a peace deal between the countries in 1995, and the nations even share high-level intelligence to fight terror.

But Israel believes that Iran is outplaying the Jordanians and sometimes succeeding at smuggling high-level weapons into the West Bank for terror purposes, a phenomenon that even started earlier in 2023 and has only gotten worse.
Cannabis industry advocates and workers rally advocating against a proposed 24% wholesale tax on marijuana for the next fiscal year. Sept. 30, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

Court of Claims Judge Sima G. Patel on Monday denied the state of Michigans request to rehear a motion to toss a lawsuit filed by cannabis industry advocates against the 24% wholesale tax on marijuana which took effect on Jan. 1.

In October the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the Legislatures decision to create a 24% tax on wholesale marijuana violates the state constitution by modifying the 2018 law established when Michigan voters approved a ballot proposal legalizing recreational marijuana in Michigan.

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Industry advocates have also warned that the tax would bring irreparable harm to Michigans marijuana industry, forcing small retailers out of business and pushing buyers into the black market.

In her early December ruling, Patel largely rebuffed arguments from industry advocates, denying the associations request to block the wholesale tax from taking effect alongside its request to have the case resolved without a full trial.

However she did permit the case to move to trial, raising questions on whether the Legislatures decision to create the tax violates the intent of the initiated law, partially denying a similar request from the state to resolve the matter without moving to trial.

While the state filed a motion to have their request reconsidered, Patel denied it on Monday, determining that there had been no palpable error in her previous ruling and reemphasizing that questions of fact remained around the new tax violates the purpose of the 2018 law.

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It is not certain on this record whether the 24% wholesale excise tax will impact prices to the extent purchasers will be driven to the illicit marijuana market, Patel wrote. Discovery is required to examine how the tax will impact the purposes of the [voter initiated law.]

Rose Tantraphol, the Michigan Cannabis Industry Associations spokesperson, called Mondays decision a win for voters and the industry.

In issuing this order, the court recognizes the serious questions about whether this discriminatory tax violates the intent of the cannabis legalization that Michigan voters approved in 2018, Tantraphol said. Were looking forward to making our case that this tax will push Michiganders, who are already feeling stretched financially, into the illicit market.

In a separate filing, the association has asked the Michigan Court of Appeals to hear the case, arguing it would allow them to pursue the full range of arguments they made in their initial lawsuit.

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STRS Ohio meeting room. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.)

An Ohio judge is determining whether or not two retired teachers pension fund leaders should be punished for allegedly participating in a corruption scheme, but investigations into the men are still ongoing.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Karen Held Phipps is set to decide if State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) board chair Rudy Fichtenbaum should be removed from his position, and if he and former board member Wade Steen should be banned from ever returning to public pensions.

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Its an erosion of confidence in the institution that safeguards retirement security for Ohios teachers, Assistant Attorney General Chad Kohler said during the trial.

The scandal centers on Steen and Fichtenbaum and their relationship with startup investment firm QED Technologies, run by former Ohio Deputy Treasurer Seth Metcalf and Jonathan (JD) Tremmel.

What I was trying to do was to provide benefits that were promised to planned beneficiaries  that were taken from them, like the cost of living adjustment  and reduce expenses when we had excessive investment costs, Steen testified.

Attorney General Dave Yosts team has submitted its closing argument on a case weve been uncovering for years  an alleged $65 billion scheme inside STRS.

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The question at trial was did they violate their fiduciary duty to the retired teachers, and I think we unquestionably proved that and proved it over again, Yost said in a one-on-one interview in mid-December.

How we got here

In May of 2024, the governor received a 14-page anonymous whistleblower memo alleging a massive public corruption scheme brewing and moving quickly within STRS. In 2020, Metcalf and Tremmel set their eyes on STRS, according to the document.

The documents claim that they tried to convince STRS members to partner with them and provide them with $65 billion.

Steen and Fichtenbaum had allegedly been bidding continuously, pitching QEDs direct documents to board members and proclaiming the companys talking points to other staff.

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All of this failed, and finally, a whistleblower reached out to state officials.

Days later, Yost filed a lawsuit to remove Steen and Fichtenbaum from the board, stating they were participating in a contract steering scheme that could benefit them. Yost started the investigation after the memo, now known as being prepared by STRS employees, alleged that Steen and Fichtenbaum had been bidding on QED.

Their promotion of QEDa two-person startup with no clients, no assets under management, no track record, no infrastructure, and personnel lacking sufficient experiencewas not only a lapse in judgment, Kohler wrote in his closing.

It was a calculated campaign that disregarded fiduciary obligations, subverted board governance, and jeopardized the financial future of over 500,000 current and retired educators.

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The state said that Metcalf worked behind the scenes to try to illegally secure the deal, pointing out concerns that the board members were too close to him.

Communications obtained via a records request of a court filing reveal that QED associates consistently told then-board member Steen what questions to ask, gave him documents to propose, and pushed him to follow its plan.

Fichtenbaum joined the conversations, too.

Were trying to explain their idea, Fichtenbaum said.

However, the defense argued that seeking advice isnt a crime, and they were simply trying to get better financial returns for educators. They also had a focus on increasing their cost-of-living adjustments.

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We need a lot of money in order to restore the COLA, no question about that, Fichtenbaum said on the stand.

Each of Fichtenbaum and Steens attorneys wrote in their closings that the state didnt prove that they would gain anything financially from this, and no harm was done because the proposal never went through.

Both also adamantly said that they never really proposed $65 billion. This was disputed by the state.

Fichtenbaums lawyer, Richard Kerger, added that there is no rule about asking questions that someone else submitted, nor was it harmful that Metcalf was getting access to confidential documents.

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There is no indication that any harm whatsoever occurred from that, Kerger wrote. And it is quite likely the information was not entitled to the confidential stamp.

Then, the attorney added that in the case Fichtenbaum had done something wrong, being removed from his role wouldnt be appropriate because that isnt fair to the educators who elected him.

Steens attorney, Norm Abood, argued that the former board member was a hero to pensioners, stating that this has been a sham case.

Im going to do a thorough and impartial investigation,' Abood said, imitating Yost. And [Yost] filed five days later, thats when he filed this case. No investigation.

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The attorney general had been criticized by the defendants for the quick turnaround time.

Every defendant Ive ever prosecuted, civilly or criminal, has either said that I had improper motives, didnt do the investigation right, screwed something up, Yost said. Thats what defendants do.

This is just a civil case, but the Ohio Ethics Commission has been investigating for at least a year and a half. They would be able to refer criminal charges.

Its not Yosts jurisdiction, he said, but it may be warranted.

I do think they acted unethically, the attorney general said.

The OEC is unable to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, but we obtained subpoenas that the commission sent to witnesses.

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Its not unusual for them to let independent legal processes work out before they duplicate a process, Yost said.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A federal judge on Monday reduced a prison sentence to probation for a former Tennessee lawmaker whose testimony helped convict the former state House speaker and his onetime aide of public corruption.

Although her cohorts were pardoned by President Donald Trump, Republican Rep. Robin Smith had been slated to report to prison for an eight-month sentence. But U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson in Nashville on Monday reduced it to one year of probation.

Smith had been instrumental in helping prosecutors secure convictions against Republican ex-House Speaker Glen Casada and his former aide, Cade Cothren, who along with Smith created a shadowy company to win taxpayer-funded work to send mailings to constituents; she had cut a deal with prosecutors to cooperate in the trial and testify about the scheme.

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But about two weeks after Smith was sentenced in late October, Trump pardoned Casada and Cothren, sparing them time behind bars. In September, the judge sentenced Casada to three years in prison and Cothren to 2 1/2 years.

Smith's attorneys had asked the judge to reduce her sentence to probation, saying it would be a manifest injustice if she alone went to prison for collective criminal activity alongside Casada and Cothren. The U.S. Attorney's Office also favored a change to probation in the case's narrow circumstances, saying it has not identified another federal case in which a testifying conspirator reported to prison after an equally culpable conspirator was pardoned.

Smith said she is still seeking a pardon from Trump and has "continued faith in this process.

I have been overwhelmed with kind words, prayers, and continued support of those whose friendships are literal treasures," Smith said in a statement Monday. Gods goodness has been through people. Just amazing!

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Smith's attorney, Ben Rose, said a presidential pardon would resolve her probationary term and let her recover nearly $30,000 she's paid in restitution.

The judges reason for changing Smiths sentence was filed under seal.

The corruption trial involved activities while Casada was a lawmaker but after he had resigned as speaker in 2019 following a no-confidence vote by fellow Republicans due to swirling scandals. Cothren had stepped down in 2019 from his job amid allegations.

Government prosecutors said that Cothren launched a company called Phoenix Solutions with the knowledge and support of Casada and Smith. The three claimed the company was run by a Matthew Phoenix," and the companies controlled by Casada and Smith received roughly $52,000 in taxpayer money in 2020 from a program used by lawmakers to send mailings to constituents.

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A Matthew Phoenix signature ended up on an IRS tax document. The goal was to use the state-funded work to launch into more lucrative business opportunities, according to prosecutors.

During the trial last year, defense attorneys tried to portray Smith as untrustworthy and driven by hopes for a lenient sentence.

Smith testified at the trial that the goal of the scheme was to hide who was behind Phoenix Solutions due to the radioactive scandal that pushed Casada and Cothren out of power.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of honest services wire fraud. A jury found Casada and Cothren guilty of various charges, including use of a fictitious name to carry out fraud, honest services wire fraud and money laundering.

Smith, a former county and state GOP leader, was elected to the state House in 2018 to represent part of Hamilton County. She resigned her seat in early 2022 amid her plea deal.
The judge in the trial of activists who allegedly used sledgehammers as weapons during a break-in at a UK subsidiary of an Israeli defence firm has told jurors to "keep cool heads" and not allow their feelings about the Middle East influence their verdicts.

Six people are accused of carrying out the attack at Elbit Systems near Bristol on 6 August last year.

The judge told jurors at Woolwich Crown Court that "bias, emotion, sympathy, prejudice... political views" should not feature in their deliberations.

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Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, deny charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder.

Summing up, judge Mr Justice Johnson said it was not disputed the defendants entered Elbit's building without permission and carried sledgehammers.

However, they dispute the sledgehammers were "weapons of offence".

"They deny that at the point they entered Elbit's premises they intended to injure or incapacitate anyone," he said.

"They say that the sledgehammers were solely for destroying property and were not in any circumstances intended to injure security staff."

'No violent intent'

The prosecution previously told the court the group tried to cause as much damage as possible when they broke into the factory dressed in red jumpsuits.

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Defendant Head previously told jurors that before the break-in, the six of them agreed that they did not want to use violence.

While Corner denies a further charge of causing Sgt Kate Evans grievous bodily harm, who the court previously heard had suffered a fractured spine.

Mr Justice Johnson told jurors: "There is no dispute that Mr Corner struck Sergeant Evans with a sledgehammer.

"Mr Corner says he was acting in defence of another so that he is not guilty of this charge.

"But he also does not accept that he caused Sergeant Evans really serious harm. And he does not accept that he intended to cause her really serious harm."

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Senate President Ty Masterson appears in the Senate chamber on March 26, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas. He is one member of the State Finance Council, and in his role there, he has encouraged investigating Kansas State University for its compliance with the state's anti-DEI law. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Kansas State University has resolved a student complaint about the presence of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within its student government following pressure from legislative leadership to investigate.

The Legislature passed a provision in 2025 requiring state agencies, including state universities, to eliminate DEI-related positions, mandates, programs, activities, training requirements, grants and contracts by Aug. 1.

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Universities and agencies scrubbed their websites of DEI terminology, reassigned or eliminated staff positions, refocused clubs and departments, examined contracts and removed pronouns from email signatures.

But a student was not satisfied with K-States efforts and sent an anonymous report to legislative leadership in July outlining complaints. The Kansas Board of Regents, which oversees the states higher education institutions, informed K-State of potential issues within the universitys student government.

Among the issues was language within the universitys Student Governing Associations constitution that required planning diversity training for student government members. The association also has power to allocate funds to clubs that could involve DEI-related topics. The student senate repealed the training requirement at its Sept. 4 meeting.

Marshall Stewart, chief of staff for K-States president, told the State Finance Council on Tuesday that K-State did not realize it was out of compliance at the time of the complaint and worked hard to course correct. The State Finance Council is made up of Gov. Laura Kelly and legislative leadership.

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Stewart said students took the matter seriously and resolved to no longer disperse money or make appointments that could be in conflict with the states anti-DEI law.

Universities are big, complex organizations, and Im not going to say if you go deep enough and look hard enough youre not going to find some things, Stewart said. But if you do find them, we ask that people share those with us.

Young Americas Foundation, a conservative youth organization, complained to the U.S. Department of Educations civil rights office in March that K-States wasnt complying with federal anti-DEI efforts. The organizations letter mentioned the Student Governing Association and other K-State departments by name. However, it did not produce a formal investigation, according to U.S. Department of Education records.

Tuesdays issue is a carryover from that March complaint and the State Finance Councils July meeting. Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican and candidate for governor, had charged state officials with investigating the anonymous report, which was sent to his office.

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Adam Proffitt, the secretary of administration, who must certify all agencies and universities are in compliance with the states anti-DEI law, presented his findings Tuesday to the council.

He said his legal team worked with K-State, and he was satisfied with the universitys updated report. Masterson commended the universitys effort but expressed interest in crafting additional anti-DEI provisions in the upcoming legislative session.

University leaders recently appeared before the House Committee on Government Efficiency to detail efforts to extricate DEI from college campuses. Legislators on the committee expressed interest in censoring related college curricula.
The reflection of a pedestrian is seen walking past an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office building in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York, U.S., on Saturday, June 24, 2017. The IRS online registration system for social welfare organizations will be updated to streamline the payment process, by combining the application and payment fee. Photographer: Timothy Fadek/Bloomberg Credit: Timothy Fadek/Bloomberg News

Clients anticipating major student loan forgiveness in the new year could be in for an unwelcome tax bill.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which exempted forgiven federal student debt from taxation over recent years, expired on Dec. 31, 2025. And without a legislative extension, the student loan "tax bomb" is back for 2026.

Under the reinstated rule, canceled debt is treated as ordinary income, creating potentially significant liquidity strain. On a typical forgiven balance of $57,000, federal taxes alone could range from roughly $7,000 to more than $12,000, depending on the client's bracket. Beyond the immediate bill, the additional "income" can also push clients into higher marginal rates or trigger phaseouts of key credits and deductions.

In a select few cases, borrowers can still avoid the tax hit. Those who met the requirements for forgiveness in 2025, but whose discharge was delayed into 2026 for administrative reasons, remain exempt from the reinstated tax rule. Public Service Loan Forgiveness also continues to be fully tax-free.

Outside those narrow exceptions, loan forgiveness can now trigger significant tax liabilities. But advisors say proactive planning can soften the blow.

Planning a long runway to forgiveness

With the tax shield gone, forgiveness must be treated as a "major tax event, not just a financial win," according to Joon Um, a tax advisor and CFP at Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California.

The first step in that process is ensuring the client is on the right path. Advisors should conduct a "lowest total cost" analysis to confirm that pursuing income-driven repayment forgiveness is still the most cost-effective option, even with the tax bomb included.

"Even with a large tax bill, student loan borrowers can be better off in the long run by going for forgiveness, rather than attempting to pay back the full debt," said Glenn Sanger-Hodgson, founder of Shonan Gold Financial in Tallahassee, Florida. "An advisor who can run this analysis for their clients can provide a great deal of value as a thinking partner."

Once that path is confirmed, the focus shifts to timing. Because the tax bill is triggered in the specific year the loan is discharged, advisors need to model the exact year of forgiveness. That calculation has become more difficult following the removal of the tracking tool on StudentAid.gov.

To fill the gap, advisors must now help clients manually reconstruct their payment histories. Advisors can audit servicer records to tally qualifying months to pinpoint exactly when the 20- or 25-year threshold will be reached. This allows clients to adjust their withholdings or estimated tax payments in advance, rather than scrambling for liquidity when the bill arrives.
Search and recovery workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6, 2025, at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

TOPEKA  When Kansas water rescue teams deployed in July to Texas Hill Country, helping respond to flash floods, each of the boat motors was shelled out by the time they left.

Kansas Fire Marshal Mark Engholm said the motors were destroyed because of all the debris hidden in the water that rose during deadly summer flash floods, causing more than $1 billion in damage.

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Kansas was one of a handful of states that aided Texas agencies in recovery and rescue.

They went through their local resources fairly quickly, Engholm said. Within 48 hours, they were asking other states for help.

The effort cost the state at least $370,000. The State Finance Council, made up of the governor and legislative leadership, on Tuesday unanimously approved the funds be reimbursed. Initial estimates placed costs at $265,000.

Local firefighters from Kansas City, Kansas, Salina, Olathe, Sedgwick County and Shawnee County sent water rescue teams to Texas.

They worked for 14 days, focusing on recovery efforts while working through some very, very difficult situations, Engholmsaid.

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The disaster aid was made possible through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which allows states to send people, equipment and materials to help in the event of governor-declared states of emergency or disaster.

Correction: A previous version of this story included an incomplete list of Kansas fire departments deployed to Texas.
Thank you for your patience over the last few weeks while I, and other TPMers who help me put this together each day, took a break for the holidays. Were back, with an appropriately brutal series of events to wade through to mark our return  

In a long-winded social media post this morning, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth  who likes to call himself the Secretary of War  announced that the Defense Department had placed a formal censure letter on Sen. Mark Kellys (D-AZ) file and initiated retirement grade determination proceedings against the Navy veteran. This is all a long way of saying he has initiated the formal proceedings for reducing Kellys Navy rank in retirement (he is a retired Navy Captain) and may also threaten Kellys retirement pay.

It is a Trumpian retribution-laced attack on Kelly, but it is not quite the same as Hegseths initial threats to recall Kelly into active duty and arrange court-martial proceedings. The FBI has also gotten involved in the matter, however it is unclear whether the bureau has done anything beyond requesting interviews with the elected-Democrats who participated in the video with Kelly. Youll recall, Kelly and five other Dem members of Congress who are either veterans or former CIA officials posted a video last year encouraging members of the military to remember their oath to the Constitution, which includes refusing illegal orders.

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The video was posted late last year, around the time the U.S. military was conducting scores of lawless, lethal airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean, claiming to target alleged drug traffickers. The video was also posted as the Trump administration deployed National Guard troops to blue cities around the nation under the guise of a crackdown on crime as civilians protested Trumps mass deportation efforts.

In his Twitter post announcing the censure and additional retirement grade proceedings, Hegseth suggested, without pointing to anything of substance, that the actions against Kelly are being taken for additional public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders. He again suggested these public statements were seditious in nature, language Trump himself has used ever since Kelly, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and others posted the video on social media. Trump also suggested the supposed offense was punishable by DEATH! and elevated social media posts calling for the Democrats death by hanging.

For his part, Kelly has continued to promote a similar line in response to each new Hegseth attempt to act on Trumps long and much discussed interest in punishing elected Democrats and anyone who dares criticize him: that he will fight all of the retribution efforts, not for himself, but for all Americans freedom of speech.

I will fight this with everything Ive got  not for myself, but to send a message back that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump dont get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government, Kelly posted on Twitter Monday.

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FWIW, per the Washington Post:

None of this will stand up, predicted Eugene Fidell, a senior research scholar and military law expert at Yale Law School. While a grade determination can be opened against a service member under narrow circumstances, he said, the actions under scrutiny must have occurred while someone was on active duty. This is dead on arrival as a grade determination, Fidell said. Its free speech, its a free country, still, and theres no there there in terms of the power to reopen a retired grade.

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who was removed from the country by the United States in an attack over the weekend, and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty during their first appearance before a federal judge in New York City Monday. Both have been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons charges. In court today, Maduro said he had been kidnapped by the U.S. and described himself as a prisoner of war.

Meanwhile, President Trump has continued to claim that the U.S. is in charge of Venezuela and plans to use the countrys oil reserves. He also issued threats against Colombia, Mexico and Greenland and prophesied that Cuba will fall. Few Republicans in Congress have been outspoken thus far about the legality of Trumps actions over the weekend, even though the Gang of 8 was not informed of the attack ahead of time.

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Don Bacon (R-NE) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)  who frequently break with the president, though Greenes disparagement of MAGA only began after Trumps reportedly blocked her from running for Senate in Georgia  have all questioned whether the actions were constitutionally sound.

Blue State Retribution Continues

Trumps White House has been looking for reasons to withhold federal funding from states with populations that did not vote for him. Last year, for example, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought said itd suspend billions in funding for key infrastructure projects in New York.

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It looks like the White House is now using a YouTube video that purports to show empty daycare centers in Minnesota as a pretext for withholding billions in funding for child care and low-income families in five blue states. The New York Post was first to report on the news:

The Department of Health and Human Services will freeze taxpayer funding from the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and the Social Services Block Grant program.  The funding pauses were to be announced via letters to each state sent Monday, citing concerns that benefits were fraudulently going to non-US citizens.



In Case You Missed It

New from Josh Marshall: Venezuela Regime Change and the Theater of the Absurd

Morning Memo: Trumps Venezuela Attack Is a Uniquely Dangerous Threat to the Constitutional Order

ICYMI this weekend: Rural Health Fund Awarded To All 50 States, But Trump Admin Can Still Claw Back Cash

Yesterdays Most Read Story

First Thoughts on Trumps Excellent Venezuela Adventure

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How Elon Musks X Shapes the AI Boom

CIA Concluded Regime Loyalists Were Best Placed to Lead Venezuela After Maduro

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Republican Sens. Steve Rawlings, left, and Shelly Funke-Fromeyer, speak on the Senate floor following opening day adjournment. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Kentucky lawmakers are expected to propose more than 1,000 bills this year, and several wasted no time by filing legislation on the first day of the 60-day session.

On Tuesday, Republicans filed bills to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in Kentucky public schools and have the state honor the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, while Democrats, who hold a small minority in the statehouse, filed a bill to raise the states minimum wage.

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High priority bills are still to come, including the legislation for the next two-year state budget.

On the Republican side, Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, of Smithfield, filed a bill to prevent Kentucky public schools from having any kind of DEI program, or risk legal action from the Kentucky attorney generals office. Among its several provisions, Senate Bill 26 prohibits schools using resources to keep DEI offices, having DEI training or employees whose role is related to advancing DEI. Tichenor gained 11 Republican co-sponsors on Tuesday.

Tichenor previously presented the proposal in committee during the interim, arguing that it would eliminate the wasteful, ineffective and divisive DEI initiatives in K-12 schools.

Sen. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington, filed Senate Bill 31 to designate Oct. 14 of each year as Charlie Kirk Day in honor of the right-wing activist who was assassinated at Utah Valley University in September. Kirks birthday is Oct. 14.

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Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, which aimed to mobilize conservative youth and young adults on high school and college campuses. He often visited campuses around the country to discuss contemporary hard-right topics, including anti-LGBTQ positions and encouraging young women to retreat from careers and return to the home. Kirk also hosted a daily radio show and podcast.

Rawlings bill says Kentuckians would be encouraged to use the day to reflect on the principles he championed, participate in educational events promoting civic engagement, and honor his legacy as a martyr for truth and liberty.

Senate Democrats hold a press conference on Tuesday before the General Assembly convenes for the 2026 legislative session. Democratic Whip Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, of Louisville, speaks about a lack of affordable child care options in Kentucky. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Meanwhile, Democratic Whip Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, of Louisville filed a resolution to honor Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who was killed along with her husband, Mark, in June, as well as a resolution to condemn all acts of political violence.

Lexington Sen. Reggie Thomas, the Democrats caucus chair, said in a Tuesday morning press conference he would file a bill, Senate Bill 16, on the first day of the legislative session to increase Kentuckys minimum wage from the federal rate of $7.25 an hour to $10 an hour. The legislation would also include the state eventually moving toward a $15 an hour minimum wage in 2030.

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Thomas said 30 states, including five states neighboring Kentucky, have a higher minimum wage than the federal rate.

We dont have to be tied to the federal minimum wage, Thomas said. Thirty other states have acknowledged that. Why should we be different? Theres no reason why Kentucky should be at the bottom in terms of saying what our workers should be paying.

Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, of Louisville, added that Thomas bill would be a primary position of the caucus and Senate Democrats would try to sway their Republican counterparts on supporting the measure. Senate Democrats are beginning this session with six members to the Republicans 32.

Temporary chambers

Room 149 in the Capitol annex has been designated as the House Gallery during the 2026 legislative session. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Tuesday was the first time the Senate and House convened in temporary quarters near the Capitol Annex while the Capitol undergoes a multi-year renovation.

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Rules in both chambers were updated to reflect that neither the House or Senate will have in-person galleries for members of the public to watch legislative proceedings.

In the Senate, Republican Floor Leader Max Wise, of Campbellsville, gave a summary of the Senate rules changes, including removing references to the gallery in the chamber, as the temporary chamber has no seats for members of the public to view proceedings in-person, and limiting guests who may come to the Senate floor to lawmakers, their immediate family members, staff and reporters. The Senate approved its rules in a voice vote without any senators objecting to the changes.

However, two House Democrats expressed concern about shortening the daily business order of motions, petitions and communications for lawmakers from 30 minutes to 15, but the rules were still adopted. Republican House Floor Leader Rep. Steven Rudy, of Paducah, said the limitation was because lawmakers could not have floor guests to introduce this year. Much of the House changes were similar to the Senate rules.

More to come

In other matters, the House must review impeachment petitions it received last year, including a petition filed by Louisville attorney and GOP official Jack Richardson against Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine.

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House Speaker David Osborne told reporters lawmakers are still talking about forming a committee to handle citizen petitions the House received.

On the petition to impeach Goodwine, Stivers said hes told Senate Republicans to say nothing about it while its still in the Houses purview.

We should wait for the House to come up with some type of dispositive action, because we will be the jury, the trier of facts, so we should not in any way weigh in to express an opinion one way or another, Stivers continued. That would be, from my perspective, totally inappropriate and improper.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has made a push for the state funding universal pre-K ahead of session, but it must clear the GOP-controlled legislature.

Stivers told reporters that it is a flawed concept. Republicans do agree that access to child care is an issue that should be addressed, but not through universal pre-K.
Democrats in Minnesota are urging longtime Sen. Amy Klobuchar to jump into the blue-leaning state's race for governor in the wake of Monday's blockbuster move by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to end his 2026 re-election bid amid political fallout from a massive fraud scandal.

Klobuchar, who was re-elected in 2024 to a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate, is receiving calls urging her to run for governor, sources in Minnesota confirmed to Fox News Digital.

And sources are telling Fox 9 in Minnesota that Klobuchar is considering making a gubernatorial bid but has yet to make any final decision.

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Walz met Sunday with Klobuchar to discuss his decision to drop his re-election bid, a source familiar confirmed to Fox News.

Fraud Fallout Forces Walz To Abandon Gubernatorial Re-election Bid

Sen. Amy Klobuchar met on Sunday with Gov. Tim Walz ahead of his Monday announcement that he would drop his 2026 re-election bid, according to sources. (Getty Images)

Klobuchar didn't comment on her future political plans in a statement Monday. But the senator, commenting on the governor's move to combat the fraud scandal full time rather than to seek another term in office, said, "Walz made the difficult decision to focus on his job and the challenges facing our state rather than campaigning and running for re-election."

Read On The Fox News App

The senator has won all four of her Senate elections by wide margins, including a nearly 16-point re-election in 2024.

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But Klobuchar, who is currently number three in Senate Democratic leadership, faces hurdles to rise higher in party leadership in the chamber.

Will Minnesota Fraud Scandal Force Resignations?

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is the top Democrat in the upper chamber and isn't expected to leave his post. But Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is retiring from Congress, leaving an opening to fill in the leadership pecking order. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, is the expected heir apparent for that position, however.

Before serving in the Senate, Klobuchar was elected twice as county attorney in Hennepin County, Minnesota's most populous. She also ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination.

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The announcement by Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, came amid stinging criticism over his handling of his state's massive welfare assistance fraud scandal.

Gov. Tim Walz, at a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, announces he's dropping his re-election bid.

"As I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I cant give a political campaign my all," Walz wrote in a statement. "Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I cant spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences."

"So Ive decided to step out of this race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work in front of me for the next year," the governor added in his statement and in front of cameras a couple of hours later. The governor didn't take any questions but said on Tuesday he would return to "take all your questions."

Gop Lawmaker Unveils Walz Act After Billions Lost In Minnesota Fraud Scandal

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Walz launched his bid for a third four-year term as Minnesota governor in September, but in recent weeks has been facing a barrage of incoming political fire from President Donald Trump and Republicans, and some Democrats, over the large-scale theft in a state that has long prided itself on good governance.

More than 90 people  most from Minnesota's large Somali community  have been charged since 2022 in what has been described as the nation's largest COVID-era scheme. How much money has been stolen through alleged money laundering operations involving fraudulent meal and housing programs, daycare centers and Medicaid services is still being tabulated. But the U.S. attorney in Minnesota said the scope of the fraud could exceed $1 billion and rise to as high as $9 billion.

Prosecutors said some of the dozens that have already pleaded guilty in the case used the money to buy luxury cars, real estate, jewelry and international vacations, with some of the funds also sent overseas and potentially into the hands of Islamic terrorists.

"This is on my watch, I am accountable for this and, more importantly, I am the one that will fix it," Walz told reporters last month, as he took responsibility for the scandal.

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The governor took actions to stop some of the suspected fraudulent payments, and ordered an outside audit of Medicaid billing in the state.

But Trump repeatedly blasted Walz as "incompetent" and, during Thanksgiving, used a slur for developmentally disabled people to describe the governor.

The scandal, which grabbed plenty of national attention over the past two months, went viral the past two weeks following the release of a video by 23-year-old YouTube content creator Nick Shirley, who alleged widespread fraud at Somali-run daycare centers. Days later, the Trump administration froze federal childcare funding to Minnesota.

Republican Governors Association communications director Courtney Alexander charged in a statement that "Walzs failed leadership is emblematic of Minnesota Democrats agenda and whoever Democrats choose to replace Walz with at the top of the ticket will need to defend years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities."

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But the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) chair, Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, said in a statement, "No matter who decides to run or how much national Republicans want to spend, the DGA remains very confident Minnesotans will elect another strong Democratic governor this November."

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And Beshear praised Walz, a former DGA chair, as "a true leader who has delivered results that will make life better for Minnesota workers and families for years to come."

Roughly a dozen Republicans are vying to be the GOP's gubernatorial nominee, including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, former state Sen. Scott Jensen, and healthcare technology executive Kendall Qualls, a past congressional and gubernatorial candidate.

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Robbins, in a social media post, argued: "If Tim Walz is going to handpick Klobuchar, Minnesotans deserve to know what she promised him. Senator? Something else? Despite any shady backroom deals cut by Walz, voters will decide who is our states next Governor and Senator."





Original article source: Klobuchar weighing run for Minnesota governor as Walz ends re-election bid amid fraud scandal
At least 3,040 immigration arrests happened in Utah in 2025, according to data from the Deportation Data Project. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for Utah News Dispatch, image courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

After President Donald Trump returned to the White House last January and launched an aggressive immigration crackdown, at least 3,040 immigration arrests have happened in Utah  more than double the number of arrests under former President Joe Bidens administration in 2024.

Of those, slightly more than half of the arrests in Utah last year  55% or 1,685  have been of people with criminal convictions. But thats not so for the other 45%.

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About 27.4% or 832 arrests were of people with what immigration officials categorized as having pending criminal charges at the time of their arrests. And the other 522 arrests  making up about 17%  were detained solely for alleged immigration violations. Thats more than six times the number of immigration arrests in Utah of people with no criminal record (82, or a 7% share) under former President Joe Bidens administration in 2024.

Thats according to data obtained through public information requests and litigation by the Deportation Data Project, a group of academics and lawyers that collects and shares anonymized U.S. government immigration enforcement datasets, and compiled into a dashboard developed by Relevant Research, a research group focused on immigration data.

The dashboard includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest data dating back to September 2023 and through Oct. 15, 2025. Monthly arrest data in that time frame show a clear uptick in ICE arrests starting last January and continuing through 2025, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data obtained and processed by the Deportation Data Project, and analyzed by Utah News Dispatch.

Because about 16% of the government data provided to the Deportation Data Project is missing state information, the number of immigration arrests in Utah may be higher.

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Through 2025, the share of arrests of people in Utah solely for alleged immigration violations and no pending or criminal charges have also grown compared to 2024.

From September 2023 to December 2024, 1,457 immigration arrests took place in Utah, according to the dashboard. Of those, 71% (1,034) were of people with criminal convictions. About 22% (322) were of people with pending criminal charges, and less than 7% (101) were solely for alleged immigration violations.

The data paints a statistical picture of ICE operations in Utah. Under Trump, ICE arrests of all types are up  and a majority include those with criminal convictions. But even if its a smaller percentage, theres a growing share of people arrested by ICE with no criminal record.

Notably, Utahs share of immigrant arrests solely for alleged immigration violations is smaller than the national share of those arrested with no criminal record, which makes up roughly one-third of immigrants arrested nationwide.

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While high-profile ICE operations in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts have resulted in more than half of those arrested with no criminal record, according to The New York Times, operations in the red state of Utah havent been as aggressive.

A protester holds a sign outside a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (McKenzie Romero/Utah News Dispatch)

However, the numbers only go so far to tell the story of whats been happening in the Beehive State, where ICE operations have largely flown under the radar  except for certain arrests that have sparked outcry.

Among them was an arrest of a woman at the Salt Lake City International Airport  which went viral after a video posted on social media showed four plain-clothes ICE officers take her away as she screamed for help.

In the states Democratic stronghold of Salt Lake City, leaders condemned the arrest. Mayor Erin Mendenhall said she was left aching from the fear and pain these types of operations keep striking in my heart and the hearts of so many of us.

Worst of the worst

While ICE officials under Trump have said theyre targeting the worst of the worst, critics including immigrant advocates and attorneys in Utah have criticized the Trump administrations approach.

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They say the federal governments tactics have been broad and haphazard, sweeping up too many otherwise law-abiding people while the nations immigration system remains broken and difficult to navigate.

Utah News Dispatch sent a request for comment to the Department of Homeland Security pointing to the data that shows arrests of all types are up in Utah, but also asking about the growing percentage of people in Utah who are being arrested solely on alleged immigrant violations. The department issued a statement from Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs, that has been provided to other news outlets maintaining the Trump administration is focused on the worst of the worst.

This story only reveals how the media manipulates data to peddle a false narrative that DHS is not targeting the worst of the worst, McLaughlin said. Nationwide our law enforcement is targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens  including murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, and terrorists.

She added: 70% of illegal aliens ICE arrested across the country have criminal convictions or pending criminal charges just in the U.S. This statistic doesnt account for those wanted for violent crimes in their home country or another country, INTERPOL notices, human rights abusers, gang members, terrorists, etc. The list goes on.

The Department of Homeland Security statement also pointed to a list of press releases it said were examples of non-criminals arrested by ICE that are wanted for crimes allegedly committed outside of the U.S.

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The Department of Homeland Security has also created a worst of the worst dashboard to highlight arrests. As of Monday, about 250 arrests were listed on that dashboard from Utah. The dashboard lists their name, city where they were arrested, and what they were convicted of, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The convictions listed next to some of the highlighted arrests on the worst of the worst dashboard range from homicide, assault, sexual assault and drug trafficking. Some convictions listed, however, include nonviolent crimes such as fraud for making a false statement, forgery, and illegal re-entry.

The dashboard doesnt list dates for the arrests, but the 250 highlighted in Utah make up about 8% of the 3,040 immigration arrests that occurred in the state in 2025, according to Deportation Data Project data. Its also less than 15% of the total number of people arrested (1,685) with criminal convictions in all of 2025 in Utah.

Is being present in the U.S. in violation of immigration laws a crime?

On its own, no, its not a crime, but a civil infraction. The act of entering the U.S. without being inspected and admitted is a federal crime (a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances). But many undocumented immigrants do not enter the U.S. illegally. They enter legally but overstay, work without authorization, drop out of school or violate the conditions of their visas in some other way, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

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While more than 80% of ICE arrests in 2025 in Utah have been of people with pending criminal charges or convictions, the increased enforcement on others without criminal records has raised alarms for immigration advocates and legal defenders.

With eyes on whats happening both nationally and in their home state, they say the uptick of ICE operations  and particularly arrests of people with no criminal backgrounds  have left many immigrants, their families and their communities living in fear and uncertainty.

They say the tactics  especially arrests of those seeking legal status at Salt Lake Citys U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office  have intimidated many to retreat further into the shadows.

A human and economic cost

The cost of more aggressive immigration enforcement is both human and economic, said Bob Babcock, a longtime construction attorney specializing in an industry that is highly dependent on immigrant labor.

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I feel like we are abusing this community, Babcock told Utah News Dispatch in a recent interview. And I am shocked that so many of our citizens dont understand and they think its a simple solution  Oh just go back and come legally, you know? Thats a bunch of crock.

Babcock said he wishes more people understood theres not a simple line that undocumented immigrants wait in to obtain legal status.

There is no line for carpenters, concrete workers, drywall workers, he said. No such line exists. Meanwhile, he said the industries are short employees because the natural birth rate in the U.S. has long been declining and fewer people are willing to work in labor-intensive fields.

Theyre not criminals. Theyre not the worst of the worst.' Thats not who theyre getting. Theyre getting anybody and everybody they can.

 Bob Babcock, construction attorney

In a recent op-ed for the Deseret News, Babcock posed a question for leaders and residents of a state that has long been known to be welcoming and solutions-focused when it comes to immigrants and refugees: Are Utahns OK with what ICE is doing in their state?

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Everybodys very fearful, Babcock told Utah News Dispatch, adding that his clients in the construction industry have seen workers occasionally being picked up and detained.

Theyre losing guys. Theyre not criminals. Theyre not the worst of the worst, he said. Thats not who theyre getting. Theyre getting anybody and everybody they can.

Babcock said hes not aware of any major raids or large-scale arrests on job sites in Utah, but the arrests that have happened instill fear. That fear has been leading some to not show up to work at times.

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And the expectation is its going to get much worse, he said.

While Republicans and Democrats alike have for years agreed the nations immigration system is broken, nothing has been done about it, Babcock said. And the resulting reality is its common for undocumented people to work in construction and agriculture, and without them the industries would suffer, he said.

The current approach, he said, is doing more harm than good. He called on Utahs state and federal leaders to be courageous and stand up to the Trump administration and say whats happening isnt only inhumane  its damaging the workforce and economy.

Everyone should be standing up and saying, We need a solution, he said. Crushing the workforce day by day is not the solution.

What has Gov. Cox said about ICE enforcement in Utah?

In late 2024, Gov. Spencer Cox announced a targeted state effort to support the Trump administrations immigration policies with an emphasis on immigrants who have committed crimes and pose a threat to public safety.

When it comes to immigration policy, the safety of Utah residents is my top priority, Cox said in a statement at the time. Utah will continue to welcome refugees and immigrants who enter the country lawfully, and we will continue pushing for reforms to the asylum process and for more visas to support our workforce needs. We have zero tolerance, however, for those who demonstrate a threat to public safety while in the country illegally.

My position is always that laws are supposed to be followed, that we are, I believe, the most welcoming state in the country when it comes to people who are seeking a new life and who are coming here. But you also have to do it the right way, and thats really important.

 Utah Gov. Spencer Cox

When asked during his most recent news conference broadcast by PBS Utah on Nov. 25 about ICE operations in Utah becoming more frequent and aggressive, Cox said my position hasnt changed at all.

My position is always that laws are supposed to be followed, that we are, I believe, the most welcoming state in the country when it comes to people who are seeking a new life and who are coming here, he said. But you also have to do it the right way, and thats really important.

Cox added that his administration has been very supportive of operations to enforce the law and will continue to be.

Coxs office did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this story.

Haphazard and broad enforcement

Like the arrest data shows, civil rights advocates have noticed an uptick of ICE enforcement in Utah  and we have seen an increase in detentions and arrests of folks that dont have a criminal record or only have a record of more minor criminal offenses, said Ellie Menlove, legislative and policy council for the ACLU of Utah.

Were seeing more haphazard and broad enforcement without regard to a persons criminal status, Menlove said, which is extremely worrying to us from a civil rights perspective, and it wasnt what ICE said that they were going to do in the state.

The ACLU of Utah is part of the Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition  a group of organizations committed to ensuring Utah remains a welcoming and supportive community for all immigrants, regardless of their status, according to the coalitions website.

The ACLU of Utah has been keeping an up-to-date tracker of the various types of 287(g) agreements that state and local governments have adopted to give local police the power to enforce federal immigration law. In effect, the agreements can turn local officers into ICE agents, fueling deportations, racial profiling, and fear in immigrant communities, the ACLU of Utah says on the site.

The following Utah government entities have adopted 287(g) agreements, according to the ACLU of Utah

Utah Department of Corrections  Warrant Service Officer

Riverton Police Department  Task Force Model

Cache County  Warrant Service Officer

Weber County  Task Force Model

Tooele County  Task Force Model

Utah County  Task Force Model and Warrant Service Officer

Wasatch County  Warrant Service Officer

Sanpete County  Warrant Service Officer

Sevier County  Jail Enforcement Model and Warrant Service Officer

Beaver County  Warrant Service Officer

Kane County  Warrant Service Officer

Washington County  Task Force Model and Jail Enforcement Model

This just creates a lot of fear in immigrant communities, and its overall very harmful to public safety in general when people are under the impression that a law enforcement agency is working with ICE, said Molly Karasick, a legal fellow with the ACLU of Utah.

The different types of 287(g) agreements grant varying levels of power to local agencies to enforce immigration law  but they all have the same effect of giving the impression that those agencies are partnering with ICE, and that has a chilling effect on communities, Karasick said.

When you see that your local agencies partner with ICE, that gives a broad impression that theyre working with ICE and it undermines the community towards law enforcement in general, she said. And then, in effect, we have people who are scared to contact their local police or sheriffs department because theyre under the impression that theyre working with immigration. And when people arent reporting crimes, thats more dangerous for every single person.

There are three different types of 287(g) agreements  the Jail Enforcement Model, the Warrant Service Officer and the Task Force Model.

The Task Force Model grants the most power and is the most concerning to civil rights advocates. Described by ICE as a force multiplier, it allows state and local law enforcement agencies to make immigration arrests during regular police enforcement.

The Jail Enforcement Model delegates some immigration authority to state and local law enforcement agencies to identify immigrants in state and local custody and place them into immigration proceedings. Corrections officers in local jails, under the supervision of ICE, are deputized by the federal government to interrogate people in their custody about their immigration status and funnel people into the deportation pipeline, the ACLU of Utah says.

The Warrant Service Officer model grants limited powers, allowing ICE to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve administrative immigration warrants on people who are in custody in their jails.

People take part in the No Kings protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

One of the great horrors of our generation

Immigration Attorney Nicholle Pitt White was among the attorneys last month warning immigrants to get legal consultation before going to appointments at the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services field office in Salt Lake City due to reports that arrests of immigrants in the process of applying for legal status had started taking place there.

Though data shows more than half of ICE arrests in Utah have been of people with criminal convictions, Pitt White said the growing number of people arrested solely based on alleged immigration violations is unjust.

Pitt White said she takes the following legal principle of criminal justice to heart: Its better that 10 guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.

And I think thats true for immigrants, too, she said. The vast majority of these people, even the ones with criminal history, their crimes are generally pretty minor.

To Pitt White, whats happening in the U.S. is one of the great horrors of our generation.

She has multiple stories of aggressive ICE arrests from her own law firm.

From a case that happened in Utah, Pitt White described seeing dashcam footage of a dad that had his toddler in the car with him, that had a removal order, meaning a deportation order, but there was reason to believe that should be re-opened.

ICE stopped him. They broke the window where his toddler was. They refused to identify themselves, she said. He didnt know if they were actually ICE or just criminals trying to harm him and his kid, and he took off.

Thanks to the dashcam footage, Pitt White said she and her legal team were able to prove he didnt actually harm any of the ICE officers in the face of federal officials accusing him of trying to cause intentional harm to a federal officer. He was able to provide video evidence to prove that was a big fat lie.

But thats one of the most egregious things Ive seen, she said.

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Pitt White said shes also heard of several examples in areas like West Valley City and Magna where ICE has just kind of sat outside of apartment complexes that are heavily Latino, and theyll just stop everyone on their way out and ask for papers. And theyve, like, filled up vans of people and taken them away.

Compared to other states, Utahs ICE operations arent as large-scale or high profile  but Pitt White noted Utah does have a fairly large immigrant population in parts of the state, and arrests are happening here, even though many go unreported in the media.

I think we had a false sense of security here because Utah is so red, she said. But the more we know and the more weve seen, its not any different here.

Like Babcock, Pitt White said she wishes Utahs political leaders would stand up to whats happening. Most immigrants are here seeking safety, not to cause trouble.

Ive met so many people that have come here not just because they wanted to work and make a better life for themselves and their family, but because in their home country they were raped by multiple family members and the police refused to help them, she said. And the only place they felt they could be safe was here. Because here we follow the laws and we have police that will protect you and we care about your rights.

Its horrifying, she said, that that no longer seems to be the case.

Pitt White also urged people who might support the Trump administrations actions to take a step back and recognize there are good people being swept up by ICE  it could be their neighbor, a friend, someone who cleans their house, or who works on a local farm or at a nearby mechanic shop.

Those are the people that theyre picking up. Everyone has someone that they know that is like that, that is a good person, that has no criminal history, thats paying their taxes and trying to do everything they can to support their family, she said. But they refuse to see that humanity in the vast majority of people, and I think its shameful.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly included San Juan County in the list of counties that had executed 287(g) agreements. The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah had used information previously posted on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements website for its 287(g) tracker, but later confirmed with the San Juan County Sheriffs Office that the information provided by ICE was incorrect, and that county had not executed a 287(g) agreement.
PARIS (AP)  After nearly four years of war and continued Russian attacks, Ukraine s allies praised the progress made Tuesday on a framework of international security guarantees to be activated after a ceasefire.

Meeting in Paris, leaders from Europe and Canada joined U.S. representatives and senior European Union and NATO officials to outline how Ukraine could be protected once fighting stops. Options include continued military backing and the possible deployment of a multinational force.

Asked Wednesday whether Western European allies had agreed to come to Ukraines defense if Russia attacked again after any peace deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: So far, I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer to that question.

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It was the largest such gathering yet, with two U.S. envoys attending in person for first time, as allies moved from planning contingencies toward spelling out what deterrence might actually look like.

The core agreement

Allies backed a proposal to provide Ukraine with multilayered security guarantees after any ceasefire or peace settlement.

A joint statement said Ukraines armed forces would remain the first line of defense and deterrence, with partners committing to long-term military assistance and armaments even after fighting ends.

We stand ready to commit to a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated once a ceasefire enters into force, the statement said.

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French President Emmanuel Macron called it a significant step toward ending Russias invasion.

There was no immediate comment from Russian officials on the Paris meeting.

What allies committed to

Leaders said they would continue supplying equipment and training to Ukraines front-line forces and back them up with air, land and sea military support aimed at deterring renewed Russian aggression.

The size, structure and financing of any supporting forces were not made public, and many elements remain to be negotiated.

Allies said they would participate in U.S.-led monitoring and verification of any ceasefire.

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U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the United States strongly stands behind security guarantees, without detailing what Washington would provide militarily.

Zelenskyy on Wednesday urged the U.S. to exert greater pressure on Moscow. The main thing is for Ukraine to be a priority for (the U.S.), to find tools to pressure Russia, the Ukrainian leader said.

Forces and deployments

No immediate troop deployments were announced.

In the event of a ceasefire, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraines defensive needs.

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French President Emmanuel Macron said France was ready to send several thousand troops as part of the multinational force but said they would not be on the front line but rather far away from the contact zone.

Macron has previously mentioned Kyiv and Odesa as possible locations to station soldiers. At least 20 nations have pledged to deploy troops on land, at sea or in the air, he said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country is prepared to participate in security guarantees and that the way in which it does so remains open, but that we are in principle not ruling anything out.

He suggested that Germany could station troops in countries bordering Ukraine.

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Any European troop deployments would face political hurdles and would require approval from lawmakers in many countries.

Zelenskyys assessment

Zelenskyy said progress was made in the talks but stressed that commitments must still be ratified by individual countries before they can be implemented.

We determined what countries are ready to take leadership in the elements of security guarantees on the ground, in the air, and at sea, and in restoration, Zelenskyy said. We determined what forces are needed. We determined how these forces will be operated and at what levels of command.

He said details of how monitoring would work remain to be determined, as do the size and financing of Ukraines army.

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Starmers warning and future steps

Starmer described the talks as making excellent progress but cautioned that the hardest yards are still ahead, noting that Russian attacks on Ukraine continue. He said peace would require compromise from Moscow and added that Putin is not showing that he is ready for peace.

The measures discussed would take effect only after a ceasefire or broader settlement and after national approval processes. Zelenskyy had previously said not everyone is ready to commit forces and noted that support could also come through weapons, technology and intelligence.

Russia insists there can be no ceasefire without a comprehensive settlement and has ruled out NATO troop deployments on Ukrainian soil.

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Ukraine has warned that any ceasefire without firm guarantees could give Moscow time to regroup and attack again.

What it means

The framework agreed on in Paris stops short of binding commitments, leaving Ukraine dependent on how quickly allies turn plans into enforceable guarantees. Political approval hurdles, unresolved force structures, financing questions and strained transatlantic dynamics could delay or dilute those pledges.

French officials said 35 participants attended in person, including 27 heads of state or government.

Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who participated in the meeting, said this does not mean we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that we have made today.

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For Ukraine, the central risk is that deterrence remains theoretical while the war continues.

___

Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin and Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine contributed to this report.

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Follow the APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Hitting on the ever-present theme of affordability, the state Republican Party blasted Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont to kick off the 2026 political campaign Monday in a potentially bitter election.

As Connecticut Republicans seek to oust Lamont in November, they released a 60-second ad mocking Lamonts declaration that Connecticut is the pizza capital of the United States, which is proclaimed on major highway signs at the states borders.

The dramatic ad juxtaposes news reports of spiking costs of living, anguished-looking residents in their homes and footage of Lamont laughing, eating pizza and declaring New Havens pizza supremacy.

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We call it our pizza ad because Ned Lamont has lost sight of whats important in Connecticut, said Republican state chairman Ben Proto. Hes lost sight of whats important to Connecticut families. When we declare Connecticut to be the pizza capital of the world, in fact we should be declaring Connecticut to be one of the most expensive states in the world, having the highest property taxes in the world, and some of the highest electric rates in the world  at least in the United States. Those are the things that we should be concentrating on.

The one-minute advertisement will be shown largely on social media, including X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and various YouTube channels. The ad ends with a statement on the screen that says, Connecticut is unaffordable. Thanks to Ned Lamont.

Proto summoned reporters to the state party headquarters in Middletown on Monday to show the video and talk about the campaign strategy for 2026.

Ned Lamont is channeling his inner Marie Antoinette, Proto said, referring to the archduchess of Austria credited with a quote that remains in dispute. Let Connecticut eat pizza.

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But state Sen. Matthew Lesser immediately responded outside the headquarters on behalf of the state Democratic Party by saying that Republicans should not be the ones talking about affordability when Republican President Donald J. Trump has recently blocked construction of the Revolution Wind project off the coasts of Connecticut and Rhode Island that is designed to provide electricity for a high-cost state.

The governor has cut taxes, Lesser said on the sidewalk outside Republican headquarters. Meanwhile, Republicans in Washington just tripled health insurance prices for Connecticut residents. The president is shutting down offshore wind, which is going to raise electric rates. And tariffs are making everything more expensive, including pizza. So the idea that these guys care about affordability, when theyre more focused on their new MAGA tone and doubling down on their extremist rhetoric, is just bizarre.

Regarding Republicans, Lesser added, Theyre making absolutely everything worse. They were the ones who passed the public benefits charge [on Connecticut electric bills] in the first place back in 2017. These guys dont care about affordability. Theyve never cared about affordability, and theyre making Connecticut and the country less affordable with tariffs, shutting down offshore wind and making health insurance more expensive for everyone in the country.

Governors race

In a state dominated by Democrats, Republicans are gearing up in this years elections to battle for governor, all statewide constitutional offices, all five U.S. House of Representatives seats, and all 187 seats in the state legislature.

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The biggest race will be the battle for governor; Lamont hopes to become only the second politician in state history to win three four-year terms as governor. The only one to do that so far has been Republican John G. Rowland, who never completed his third term as he stepped down during a wide-ranging scandal that sent him and others to federal prison.

The two top Republican candidates are state Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich and longtime New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart.

The biggest wildcard at the moment is whether former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey, who has a home in Greenwich and an apartment in Manhattan, would run for governor in Connecticut. McCaughey (pronounced McCoy) is a frequent guest on CNN on a variety of political topics. Proto said he spoke to her a couple of days ago and expects her to make a final decision about running in the relatively near future.

Lamont started the campaign with an advantage as a two-term incumbent with far more name recognition and substantially more money than his opponents. A multimillionaire from Greenwich, Lamont has spent more than $60 million of his own money on four statewide races that include his first major race for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman in 2006.

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In the short-term, Lamont could face a possible Democratic primary in August against state Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden. Both Fazio and Stewart have been working toward officially qualifying for public financing. Under the states campaign financing law, Lamonts opponent is expected to have more than $15 million in public funds for the general election in November 2026 as the total has increased since campaign costs have skyrocketed in recent years. That total would be on top of $3.2 million for the primary.

Fazios campaign has been boosted by key endorsements from Senate Republican leader Stephen Harding of Brookfield and House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford, the two highest-ranking Republicans in the state.

Stewart has released a list of supporters that includes 12 current and former state legislators, including former state Sen. George Logan, who raised his profile by running twice unsuccessfully against Democrat U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes during the last two election cycles. Stewarts endorsement list also includes more than 30 current and former selectmen and town council members, more than 20 local Republican chairs, and 16 state central committee members, among others.

For Lamont, running for a third term was a highly personal decision. Many politicians make the decision simply based on whether they believe they can win or not. Based on his personal wealth, Lamont could easily retire and travel around the world. But he says he loves his job and wants to continue doing it.

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In Lamonts case, he turned 72 on Jan. 3 and would be 73 at the start of his third term in January 2027. He would then be 77 years old at the end of the four-year term. Another factor is that his wife, Annie, has declined to retire and is still working at 69 as a highly successful venture capitalist who specializes in the health care industry.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
The Brief

A landmark restaurant along the San Francisco waterfront closed after 56 years.

The Waterfront opened at Pier 7 in 1969.

The restaurant hosted figures, including Tony Bennett, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

SAN FRANCISCO - An iconic landmark dining destination that drew both locals and tourists to San Franciscos Embarcadero for more than half a century has abruptly closed its doors.

The Waterfront Restaurant on Pier 7 shut down on Dec. 31, according to the Port of San Francisco.

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The longtime establishment announced its unexpected closure with a sign posted on its door.

A call to the restaurant was met with a message saying, "Thank you for your patronage over the last 56 years. We are sorry to say that we are closing permanently. Thank you."

Dig deeper

In a statement to KTVU, Port of San Francisco Communications Director Eric Young explained, "The restaurant was on a month-to-month agreement with the Port after its lease expired in December 2024."

What we don't know

Theres no word on what led to the closure.

The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on many businesses in the area and the nearby downtown neighborhood, though there are signs the areas are undergoing a resurgence and rebound.

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KTVU attempted to reach out to the owners of The Waterfront for comment but did not hear back.

The backstory

Once serving as an industrial port, the historic Pier 7, where the restaurant had stood since 1969, has undergone major changes, transforming into a popular tourist destination and bustling public market area anchored by the nearby Ferry Building.

Over the years, the restaurant has hosted some major figures, including Tony Bennett, President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama.

SF Legacy Business Registry

Back in September, The Waterfront Restaurant was nominated by District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter to be listed on San Francisco's Legacy Business Registry. As of Monday, the restaurant showed up on the registry map.

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The citys Legacy Business Registry seeks "to save longstanding, community-serving businesses that so often serve as valuable cultural assets," as stated on the San Francisco Planning website.

As part of the registry application, Sauter praised owners Al and Cheryl Falchi for their dedication to preserving the history of the restaurant's building.

"Following a major fire in 1973 and the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, Al and Cheryl rebuilt and restored the restaurant while honoring its maritime heritage. Their resilience and commitment to the success of the Embarcadero has been admirable," Sauter wrote in a letter addressed to San Francisco Office of Small Business Director Katy Tang.

In the application, The Waterfront said it has served as a symbol of the citys resilience and diversity and was a testament to San Francisco's maritime history.

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SEE ALSO:Benihana plans to open 10 new Bay Area restaurant locations

"It has enriched the communitys history and observed the transformation of the Embarcadero," the restaurant wrote.

With its fresh seafood, farm-to-table dishes and stunning Bay views, the business also described The Waterfront as "a landmark establishment and an integral part of San Franciscos waterfront identity."

The application for legacy status, signed by Cheryl Falchi, not only looked back at the historical contributions of the restaurant but also looked optimistically ahead to The Waterfronts future in the city.

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"For decades now, The Waterfront Restaurant has been an iconic spot on the Embarcadero for visitors and residents alike to enjoy delicious seafood and beautiful views of the bay. I look forward to seeing how The Waterfront Restaurant continues to evolve in the coming years," the co-owner wrote.

KTVU reached out to Supervisor Sauters office asking for comment on the closure but did not receive a response by the time this story was published.

What's next

The Port of San Francisco said efforts were now under way to prepare the property for a new restaurant to take over the space.

"Port staff are currently assessing the building in anticipation of bringing the facility to market in early 2026 in search of a new restaurateur," Young explained.

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San Francisco-based commercial real estate agency Maven Commercial would handle the search for a new tenant, the communications director said.

Unique opportunity

The port also acknowledged the significance of the closure of the longtime restaurant, saying it created a rare opening in a prominent area of the city.

"This marks the first time in decades that the Waterfront Restaurant site will be available for lease," Young said, "offering a unique opportunity to reimagine a landmark property situated between the Ferry Building and the Exploratorium, in one of the most visited and visible areas of the San Francisco waterfront."
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The toilet is finally flushing, but a Las Vegas HOA says they will not admit to full responsibility for breaking it and are instead asking a Vietnam veteran to cover the rest of a $14,685 bill.

Larry McClellan, a Vietnam veteran, has owned his Las Vegas home for 20 years, but in 2025 was surprised when a rough tree root ruptured his toilet, leaving him with an open sewer line. The responsible root was traced to an HOA tree, but the board did not accept full fault.

Larry McClellan, a Vietnam veteran, has owned his Las Vegas home for 20 years, but in 2025 was surprised when a rough tree root ruptured his toilet, leaving him with an open sewer line. The responsible root was traced to an HOA tree, but the board did not accept full fault. (KLAS)

I feel like theyre spitting on the back of my neck and telling me its raining, he said. Like Im too stupid to know the difference.

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In Aug. 2025, McClelland said he was left on the hook for an approximate $8,000 bill, but new receipts obtained by 8 News Now show a nearly $15k cost. The HOA offered to pay the initial approximate but not the full cost, partially leaving the bill on a veteran who was forced to take out a loan.

We submitted all the bills from Goettl because they had to first excavate, tear everything out, replace the sewer line, bring it up to grade, put a cement, because its a cement sub floor underneath there, put tile, reinstall a new toilet, because the other toilet was no good, he said.

Larry McClellan, a Vietnam veteran, has owned his Las Vegas home for 20 years, but in 2025 was surprised when a rough tree root ruptured his toilet, leaving him with an open sewer line. The responsible root was traced to an HOA tree, but the board did not accept full fault. (KLAS)

McClellan said he felt stonewalled by the over 60 emails he sent back and forth to the HOA board and Taylor Association Management, disapproving of the slow pace towards a solution.

They move not nearly as fast as glaciers move, he said. Glacier moves at light speed compared to them when they are at fault.

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The tree blamed for the dilemma is still in front of McClellans home, who claimed the new toilet is becoming impacted by the same roots.

Larry McClellan, a Vietnam veteran, has owned his Las Vegas home for 20 years, but in 2025 was surprised when a rough tree root ruptured his toilet, leaving him with an open sewer line. The responsible root was traced to an HOA tree, but the board did not accept full fault. (KLAS)

Their actions are not those of a responsible adult, he said. I expect stuff like this from a five-year-old that may not know right from wrong. They know right from wrong, and still youre only taking partial responsibility?

McClellan said he plans to call an ombudsmans office for assistance in looking into the problem and is asking for an apology and full payment of the issue.

Taylor Management has not yet responded to an 8 News Now emailed request for comment regarding this story.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Courts have ruled Maine's indigent defense system is in violation of defendants Sixth Amendment rights. (Stock photo by Greenleaf123/Getty Images)

A legislative committee on Tuesday unanimously rejected a bill that sought to allow a court to conditionally release certain defendants.

The proposal is part of a larger effort to reform Maines overburdened indigent defense system, which courts have ruled is in violation of defendants Sixth Amendment rights.

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Last session, several bills were proposed to reduce the number of cases brought to the courts in order to alleviate the backlog. Most did not pass, though some were carried over to this session.

The bill, LD 449, sponsored by Rep. David Sinclair (D-Bath), would allow first-time criminal defendants to file a motion for conditional discharge as an alternative sentencing option.

Only those convicted of the less serious crimes (classes C, D, and E) would be eligible if they have not been previously convicted of a serious offense.

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services supported the bill, arguing it would help reduce the number of criminal cases, as hundreds of indigent defendants wait for court-appointed attorneys.

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Right now, we have a very, very significant backlog of cases, said Frayla Tarpinian, the new executive director of the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services, told lawmakers during a Judiciary Committee work session Tuesday. And its really taxing everybody whos involved in the system: the court, the courts, the prosecutors, defense attorney resources. And so establishing narrow places where judges can intervene and off-ramp cases could help alleviate some of that burden.

But prosecutors raised issues with the proposals potential to increase the number of motions filed, saying it would burden the courts.

Shira Burns, executive director of the Maine Prosecutors Association, told the committee that the bill also fails to consider the impact conditional discharge would have on victim rights, particularly in domestic violence cases. Burns argued the bill is too broad, and does not prevent repeat offenders from filing motions of conditional discharge  even if they may not be eligible for it.

Committee co-chair Sen. Anne Carney (D-Cumberland) echoed Burns concerns, pointing out that the proposal, carried over from last session, could have been amended to address those issues, but wasnt. She also noted the overlap with another reform that recently took effect that allows prosecutors to charge certain Class E crimes as civil violations.

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Carney previously told Maine Morning Star that she wasnt sure whether it is possible to make the changes proposed in LD 449 to the state criminal code, although she said the proposal is trying to get at that same concern: that were spending more resources charging and prosecuting people than we need to spend, in order to achieve the rehabilitative purpose of the criminal code.

With the committee unanimously opposed, the legislation has little chance of passing the full Legislature and will likely be rejected without a roll call vote. However, members of the Judiciary Committee will consider several other reforms to the indigent defense system in the coming weeks.

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Telegrams finances are increasingly being shaped by its deepening ties to crypto, even as legal pressure and geopolitical risks complicate the picture.

A Financial Times report showed an unaudited financial statement that the messaging platform registered a steep increase in operating revenue in the first half of 2025.

Telegram earned revenue of a total of 870 million during the first half of 2025, a 65% increase compared to the previous years 525 million.

Almost a third of that sum, approximately $300 million, was obtained by way of so-called exclusivity deals, which are strongly tied to Toncoin, the cryptocurrency of the Telegram ecosystem.

The figures show how revenue tied to TON-related activity is now rivaling more traditional income streams such as advertising and subscriptions.

Toncoin Decline Drags Telegram to Net Loss Despite Revenue Gains

The revenue growth came despite Telegram posting a net loss of roughly $222 million for the period.

That compares with a net profit of $334 million in the first half of 2024. The swing was largely driven by a write-down in the value of the companys Toncoin holdings after the token lost about 69% of its value during 2025, data from CoinGecko shows.

Source: CoinGecko

Telegram still achieved an operating profit of nearly $400 million, indicating that the underlying business remained profitable before accounting for crypto-related losses.

Toncoins role in Telegrams finances has expanded steadily over the past two years.

Premium subscriptions, which reached $223 million in revenue in the first half of 2025, and various in-app purchases through Telegrams Fragment marketplace rely heavily on TON for settlement.

Advertising revenue rose more modestly to $125 million over the same period as Telegram told investors that it sold more than $450 million worth of Toncoin during the year to date.

At the time of reporting, that amount represented roughly 10% of TONs total market capitalization, which stands near $4.6 billion.

At the end of June, the total holdings of digital assets of the company decreased to $787 million against $1.3 billion a year ago, due to the sale volumes and the reduction in token prices.

Toncoin also trades at an approximate of $1.93, which is low compared to its all-time high of $8.25 but is still up over 60% over the last year.

Frozen Bonds Cast Shadow Over Telegrams Financial Gains

Alongside its improving revenue, Telegram is contending with a separate financial strain tied to its debt.

About $500 million of the companys bonds have been frozen in Russias central securities depository due to Western sanctions imposed after Russias invasion of Ukraine.
At least 22 migrants have been killed and 65 others injured after a lorry they were travelling in overturned in Ethiopia's north-eastern Afar region, authorities say.

About 85 Ethiopian migrants were travelling along the eastern migration route when the lorry overturned in the town of Semera on Tuesday morning, a senior Afar official Mohammed Ali Biedo said in a statement.

Their final destination was unclear but the route typically runs from Ethiopia through Djibouti, across the Red Sea to Yemen, and onward to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

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Yemen is a major pathway for migrants from the Horn of Africa travelling to Gulf states in search of work.

[BBC]

Biedo said that 30 of the injured are in a critical condition.

"The accident occurred when a lorry transporting migrants, misled by illegal brokers and unaware of the dangers of their journey, overturned," Biedo said in the statement.

The Afar regional government said it was "doing all the necessary life saving operations" on the injured migrants following the "horrific" accident.

It cautioned Ethiopians, particularly the youth, against the dangers of human trafficking driven by false promises.

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"We will ensure that the law enforcement work will continue with the concerned authorities to prevent such tragic events from repeating," the regional government added.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) describes the journey from the Horn of Africa - composed of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea - to Yemen as "one of the busiest and most perilous mixed migration routes".

Despite the risks, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, many ultimately bound for Saudi Arabia, according to IOM.

Additional reporting by Wycliffe Muia

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Protesters angry over Iran's ailing economy conducted a sit-in Tuesday at Tehran's Grand Bazaar, witnesses said, with security forces ultimately firing tear gas and dispersing demonstrators as the rest of the market shut down.

The protest at the Grand Bazaar, the beating heart for centuries of both Iran's economic and political life, represented the latest signal that the demonstrations likely are to continue as the rial currency fell to a record low Tuesday. Already, violence surrounding the protests has killed at least 36 people with authorities detaining more than 2,000 others, activists abroad say.

Meanwhile, the situation was likely to worsen as Iran's Central Bank drastically reduced the subsidized exchange rates for dollars it offers to importers and producers. That likely will see merchants pass price hikes directly to consumers, whose life savings already have dwindled over years of sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic.

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Iran's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, while ordering a government investigation into one incident involving the protests, otherwise signaled Tuesday that the crisis may be rapidly moving beyond the control of officials.

We should not expect the government to handle all of this alone," Pezeshkian said in a televised speech. "The government simply does not have that capacity.

Turmoil shakes Grand Bazaar

In the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth-like warren of covered passages and alleyways, demonstrators sat down in one passage in front of security forces as other shops nearby shut down Tuesday, online videos showed and witnesses said. Other demonstrations similarly have seen people sit down in front of police after a photo circulated earlier of a man seen sitting alone in front of security forces.

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Authorities later fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. Iranian state-run media did not immediately acknowledge the incident, which has been common in the days since the demonstrations began on Dec. 28. Later footage purportedly showed tear gas at a hospital and a metro station in Tehran.

Iran has faced rounds of nationwide protests in recent years. As sanctions tightened and Iran struggled after a 12-day war with Israel in June, its rial currency collapsed in December, reaching 1.4 million to $1. Protests began soon after, with demonstrators chanting against Irans theocracy.

On Tuesday, $1 traded at 1.46 million rials, a new low, with no signs of slowing. Prior to Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, the rial was broadly stable, trading at around 70 to $1. At the time of Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, $1 traded for 32,000 rials.

Exchange rate change points to more pain coming

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More pain may be coming for Iranian consumers. Irans Central Bank in recent days ended a preferential, subsidized dollar-rial exchange rate for all products except medicine and wheat. Irans government had offered that rate to importers and producers to try to ensure the flow of essential goods despite international sanctions over its nuclear program and other issues.

However, many of those firms took advantage of the difference in rates, pocketing ever-greater profits as normal Iranians watched their savings rapidly lose value against the dollar.

The currency and rate depreciation has directly impacted what's available in stores  and at what price. The average bottle of cooking oil just doubled in price, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Many have complained about shelves being empty in stores, likely as suppliers and merchants fear selling cooking oil at a loss. Cheese and chicken prices also spiked, while imported rice hasn't been available in some shops.

Pezeshkian in his speech blamed inflation, sanctions and other woes for causing the depreciation  and warned tougher times may be coming.

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If we do not make realistic decisions, we ourselves will push the country toward crisis and then complain about the consequences, he warned.

Iran promises Ilam investigation

Late Monday, Pezeshkian assigned the interior ministry to form a special team for a full-fledged investigation of what had been happening in Ilam province. Protesters in Malekshahi County in Ilam province, some 515 kilometers (320 miles) southwest of the capital, Tehran, were killed as online videos purported to show security forces firing on civilians.

The presidency also acknowledged an incident in a hospital in the city of Ilam. Online video showed security forces wearing riot gear raiding a hospital, where activists said they were seeking demonstrators.

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The hospital assault drew criticism from the U.S. State Department, which in Iran's Farsi language called the incident a crime.

Storming the wards, beating medical staff and attacking the wounded with tear gas and ammunition is an clear crime against humanity, a post on the social platform X read. Hospitals are not battlefields.

A report by the semiofficial Fars news agency earlier alleged without offering evidence that demonstrators carried firearms and grenades. Tuesday night, Fars reported that an angry crowd from a funeral for two of the dead stormed and damaged three banks in Malekshahi, leading to one person being killed and several wounded.

Ilam province is mainly home to the country's Kurdish and Lur ethnic groups and faces severe economic hardship.

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Protester deaths a focus of Trump

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the latest death toll of 36 for the demonstrations. It said 30 protesters, four children and two members of Irans security forces have been killed. Demonstrations have reached over 280 locations in 27 of Irans 31 provinces.

The group, which relies on an activist network inside of Iran for its reporting, has been accurate in past unrest.

Fars, believed close to Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reported late Monday that some 250 police officers and 45 members of the Guards all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt in the demonstrations.

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The growing death toll carries with it the chance of American intervention. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Friday that if Tehran violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States will come to their rescue. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said rioters must be put in their place.

While it remains unclear how and if Trump will intervene, his comments sparked an immediate, angry response, with officials within the theocracy threatening to target American troops in the Mideast. The comments took on new importance after the U.S. military on Saturday captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a longtime ally of Tehran.
Throughout history, the world's mountain ranges have provided refuge for outlaws. Mountain passes, hidden caves, and steep cliffs allowed these figures to ambush travelers, evade authorities, and launch raids before vanishing into the terrain. Many began as ordinary people driven by poverty, injustice, or war into a life of crime.

Unlike the largely fictional Robin Hood, the outlaws whose stories well tell today were real men who lived and died by the gun and the blade. Some of them became folk heroes and carved legends that are still remembered today in popular culture. This week, we revisit the stories of some of those legendary bad guys who chose mountains to hide from the authorities. Today: Eastern European outlaws.

The Balkans: hajduks as freedom fighters

In the Balkans, what is the line between a bandit and a patriot? Well, practically nothing.

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Under Ottoman rule, the hajduks used the Rhodope and Dinaric Alps to wage a centuries-long guerrilla war. Imagine a hundred outlaws hiding in the crags, led by a single harambasa (leader). They didn't just hide. They struck fast and disappeared, hitting Ottoman officials, wealthy Turks, and caravans. They punished oppressors, avenged Christian communities, and shared spoils with supportive villagers who offered shelter and intelligence.

This bond cast hajduks as folk guardians, romanticized in ballads as Balkan Robin Hoods, resisting foreign domination.

Starina Novak. Photo: Wikimedia. Drawing: Uros Predic

Starina Novak of Serbia

In the 16th century, Starina Novak operated across the Balkan Mountains and the Timok Valley. This Serbian hajduk, celebrated in epic poetry, shared loot with the villagers who hid him. One of his craziest stories involves him sneaking right into an Ottoman camp to free prisoners.

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By the 19th century, that old hajduk spirit had turned into a full-blown revolution. In eastern Serbia's highlands, Hajduk Veljko (born around 1780) rose from outlaw to vojvoda (warlord) during the First Serbian Uprising. He led daring raids, culminating in a heroic 1813 stand at Negotin. Here, he and a few men held off massive Ottoman forces to aid Serbia's independence bid, dying gloriously in battle.

Starina Novak, and tennis player Novak Djokovic, on a mural. Photo: deroks22/Instagram

Petko Kiryakov of Bulgaria

Bulgaria has its own legends, too. Take Petko Kiryakov. He was active in the Rhodope Mountains. Born in 1844 (in what is now Greece), he didn't start out as a rebel. He was just a guy looking for revenge after his wife was attacked.

Eventually, he led 1860s guerrilla bands harassing garrisons and freeing villages. He even met Giuseppe Garibaldi and joined the struggle for Italian unification. During the Russo-Turkish War, he once saved a besieged village by having the locals build a straw dummy, hoist it onto the church belfry, and ring the bells like mad. The approaching Ottoman troops, thinking the village was heavily fortified, fled without firing a shot. Petko died in 1900 as a revered revolutionary, familiarly known as Petko Voyvoda.

Petko Voyvoda's bust at the Janiculum, Rome, Italy. Photo: Amaunet via Wikimedia

Petar Karposh of Macedonia

Petar Karposh was a late 17th-century Hajduk and leader of a short-lived anti-Ottoman uprising in the central Balkans in 1689, known as Karposh's Rebellion. Born likely as Petar in the Ottoman Sanjak of Skopje (possibly near Kumanovo in present-day North Macedonia), he fled to Romania, worked as a miner, then settled in the Dospat valley of the Rhodope Mountains, near today's Bulgaria-Greece border. Here, he became notorious for raiding Ottoman forces.

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Gathering hajduks and locals amid Holy League wars, he captured towns, built a fortress, and briefly proclaimed a "kingdom" with Austrian support, earning the title King of Kumanovo. Ottoman forces eventually caught up with Karposh, dragged him to Skopje, and executed him on the celebrated Stone Bridge in late November or early December 1689.

Today, North Macedonia remembers Karposh as a folk hero. He features in regional stories as a freedom fighter, blending hajduk banditry with patriotic defiance.

The Carpathians

The Carpathian range was home to the opryshky (Ukraine) and zbojnici (Slovakia/Poland), highland outlaws who lived by the "rob the rich, give to the poor" mantra.

The most famous of them all was the dashing Juraj Janosik. An 18th-century soldier-turned-bandit leader, Janosik became known as the Carpathian Robin Hood. He was known for stopping nobles' carriages in the fog and seizing gold, though trial records suggest he went out of his way to leave victims unharmed if they weren't known for exploiting their peasants.

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Some historians argue that this whole Robin Hood flavor was heavily romanticized during 19th-century national revivals to create symbols of resistance. Janosiks end was horrific: In 1713, he was executed by a rib-hook, a meat-hanging device. Janosik is still a national hero in his country.

The handsome Juraj Janosik. Photo: Bystricoviny.sk

In Ukraines Hutsul region, Oleksa Dovbush led a similar crusade. Born into a poor family, Dovbush took to the peaks around 1738 with a band of 50 men as part of the longstanding opryshky tradition of resisting feudal oppression.

He famously ambushed a ruthless moneylender on a mountain pass, but instead of taking the money, he seized the debt ledgers and burned them, freeing the local villagers from financial ruin. While legends say he burned ledgers to help the poor, some historical accounts suggest these raids also involved violence or the killing of the lenders. Dovbush was finally betrayed and killed in 1745, and his body was quartered and displayed as a warning.

The 'abreks' of the Caucasus

The abreks lived as solitary outlaws or in small bands in the Caucasus Mountains, and frequently acted against Russian imperial domination.

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Zelimkhan Gushmazukaev (sometimes called Kharachoevsky), a Chechen folk hero of the early 20th century, escaped to the mountains after a blood feud and an unjust accusation. For more than a decade, he conducted raids on tsarist officials and troops, distributing spoils to struggling villagers.

While the tsarist administration regarded him merely as a criminal nuisance, the villagers considered Zelimkhan a lone defiant voice against an empire that offered them very little. He evaded capture so effectively that Russian forces deployed thousands of soldiers. Ultimately, betrayal led to his wounding and death in a large-scale ambush in September 1913.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  New Mexico lawmakers are starting to file bills for the upcoming legislative session. The legislation pre-file period at the Roundhouse began last Friday. As of Monday evening, nearly 20 bills are already on the docket. They include new rules on artificial intelligence, a ban on book banning in public libraries, and expanding tax credits for tech jobs. The budget will also be a key priority.

New Mexico AG asked for clarification after court halts gun purchase waiting period

Lawmakers will convene for the 30-day session on January 20.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A local licensed attorney is facing nearly 100 charges connected to illegally recording multiple people, including a 17-year-old high school student.

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Matthew Currie, 50, was indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury on Tuesday on 49 counts of illegal use of minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, 40 counts of voyeurism, and two counts of unauthorized use of computer/telecommunications property.

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An investigation into Currie was launched after a family member of his found what appeared to be voyeuristic material on his phone.

A search warrant was executed on Currie and his electronic devices, which led investigators to discover that he had allegedly been stalking a 17-year-old Oakwood High School student.

Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck, Jr. said on Tuesday that Currie allegedly took multiple videos of the teen in a state of nudity through her bedroom window.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, he allegedly did the same thing to other women in his neighborhood.

Its very shocking, Oakwood Police Chief Allen Hill said. Its something you would never suspect to happen to you, particularly in the confines of your own home.

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Currie is also accused of trying to film up girls skirts at Oakwood High School as he walked through the auditorium.

Currie was previously the Managing Attorney at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality and was instrumental in the founding of the Gem City Market.

He will be treated no differently than any other person who has acted so heinously and atrociously, Heck said.

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Wabash National, one of North America's largest semi-trailer and truck body producers, will end of operations at its Little Falls manufacturing plant this spring.

The Lafayette, Indiana-based company has informed state officials that the plant will close permanently on April 16, resulting in approximately 56 layoffs.

In an interview with Bring Me The News on Tuesday, Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka said he's devastated by the closure.

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Wabash National opened the plant in 2017 in the former Larson Boat Works manufacturing facility. Zylka said it was a blessing for Little Falls and the community gathered for the grand opening.

"It was just really so exciting," he said. "You kind of get to the peak and it's almost like the rug being pulled out from under you when they close."

Wabash National. Morrison County (Wabash National. Morrison County)

Little Falls and Morrison County officials awarded tax rebates to Wabash National the year the plant opened and extended the benefits in 2022 contingent upon the company adding 140 new jobs and investing $14 million in the facility.

Now, the Morrison County Record reports a broader company-wide restructuring plan has dashed hopes of the manufacturer's growth and investment in Little Falls.

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"Wabash announced Monday, Jan. 5, that it has begun a broader companywide restructuring that includes the closure of the Little Falls facility, along with a plant in Goshen, Indiana," the newspaper reported.

With a large industrial property at risk of falling vacant, Zylka said local officials will be meeting to discuss next steps and possible measures to attract a new business.

"It's going to be hard to handle and we will do our best to refill," he said.

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Business section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A four-year study will look at how alternative feeds, that might have a smaller environmental impact, can be produced for livestock.

Ryegrass, cereals and other protein-rich feeds are often used but supplies are susceptible to climate change, pollution and unstable prices, the University of Reading said.

Prof Sokratis Stergiadis, who will lead the project for the university, said it will look at "everything from how animals respond to different feeds to what this means for farmers, the environment, food quality and consumers".

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The 4m (3.5m) EU-funded research also involves researchers from other countries including Belgium, Spain, Italy and Ireland.

"The project combines laboratory research, on-farm studies, life-cycle assessments and close collaboration with the farming and feed sectors," Stergiadis added.

"This can deliver solutions that are practical and ready for use, reducing Europe's dependence on imported protein and cutting the environmental footprint of livestock farming."

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Absentee ballot drop box in front of Howell City Hall. July 31, 2024. Photo by Jon King.

According to our recent survey of officials in Michigan communities, local democracy is humming along and city hall is taking care of business.

The federal government was shut down in October and November 2025, but cities and towns around the United States continued to fill potholes, purify drinking water, respond to emergency calls and issue construction permits, mostly with little fanfare.

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But Michiganders should not take this local resilience for granted. Officials  especially in rural communities  are also raising some red flags about declining public engagement, deteriorating public discourse and harassment.

The view from city hall

At the University of Michigans Center for Local, State and Urban Policy, we have been surveying local officials in Michigans 1,856 cities, villages, counties and townships since 2009. About 70% of local governments in the state complete our survey each year, which means that our results reflect the opinions of everyone from township clerks in the Upper Peninsula to mayors of larger cities in the Metro Detroit area.

This Michigan Public Policy Survey has covered a wide variety of local issues over the years. One topic we track closely is how democracy is functioning in local communities.

While many public opinion surveys ask how Americans feel about democracy, very few examine the viewpoints of local officials whose job it is to carry out the daily work of democratic governance. For example, instead of asking whether people trust their government, we flip the question around and ask local officials whether they trust their residents to be responsible participants in policymaking.

Democracy at its grassroots is strong

To get a high-level understanding of local democratic health, we ask Michigan local officials to rate the overall functioning of democracy in their communities on a scale of 1 to 10, from total breakdown to perfectly functioning.

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Statewide, 82% reported a score of 7 or higher when we surveyed them in the spring of 2025. This percentage has remained remarkably steady since we first began tracking it in 2020.

At the other end of the scale, only 2% of communities this year rated democracy poorly  4 or below  falling from a high of 7% in 2024.

Small and rural communities are falling behind

While these high ratings are good news for local democracy in general, when we break down the results by whether communities consider themselves more urban or rural, we see some divergence. While 82% of communities overall reported relatively good democratic health this year, this reflects 92% of urban communities and 79% of rural communities.

We also see evidence of a growing urban/rural divide in resident engagement, an essential ingredient of democratic health. When we asked local officials how engaged their residents were with their local governments, 64% of urban communities said their residents were somewhat or very engaged, but only 41% of rural communities felt the same. In fact, 13% of rural communities said their residents are not engaged at all, compared with only 5% of urban communities.

Similarly, local officials in urban communities have higher levels of trust in their residents to be responsible participants in local policymaking  for example, by contributing ideas, volunteering or speaking with elected officials. In Michigans urban communities, 48% of local officials said they trust their residents nearly always or most of the time. However, only 38% of rural local officials had the same level of trust in their residents.

The big picture looks less rosy

While rural communities currently appear to be struggling more than urban communities to engage with their residents, looking over time, democratic participation is getting worse everywhere. For example, 18% of Michigan communities statewide reported this year that civic discourse among residents was somewhat or very divisive, up from 11% in 2012.

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Between 2012 and today, despite their efforts to expand engagement opportunities, particularly online, local officials satisfaction with their residents level of engagement has plummeted from 58% in 2012 to 38% in 2025. Among the most common frustrations are that their efforts attract the same people over and over and that a small vocal minority of residents is negatively affecting overall engagement.

Even more troubling, about half of local officials who responded to the 2022 version of our survey have experienced some kind of personal harassment, with 39% reporting in-person harassment such as hostile or aggressive comments, 31% reporting online harassment and 3% reporting violent actions like assault or destruction of property.

Looking ahead

While only 17% of Americans currently trust the federal government to do what is right just about always or most of the time, according to a recent Pew survey, 65% of Americans still trust their local government. And as our survey results suggest, most local officials feel pretty confident that theyre being good stewards of local democracy, despite declining help and input from their residents.

To any Americans worried about the state of their democracy, may we suggest heading to the next meeting of the local planning commission? We hear there are sometimes even snacks.

Read more of our stories about Michigan. Stephanie Leiser, Director, Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, University of Michigan. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Rhode Island broke out their specialized ice rescue equipment when a cow wandered out onto a frozen pond and fell through the ice.

The Block Island Fire Department said on social media that crews responded Sunday to a report of a cow that fell through the ice covering a pond off West Side Road.

Photos from the scene show the cow struggling to keep its head above the frigid water.

"Crews made quick work utilizing our ice rescue equipment," the post said.

The firefighters were able to break a path through the ice and lead the cow back to dry land.
A man was arrested Jan. 3 after drunkenly entering the house of Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey, spokesperson Matt Sanders confirmed in a Jan. 5 news release.

Brandon Randall, 43, of Louisville is facing charges of alcohol intoxication in a public place, disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, according to a Jefferson County District Court citation. An officer was dispatched to Louisville's Hayfield Dundee neighborhood just before 6 p.m. after a report of a suspect entering a residence, the citation said.

Sanders confirmed Randall entered Humphrey's house before saying he was at the wrong place and leaving. According to the citation, neighbors provided police with a description of Randall and said he abandoned a bag a few houses down the street. He was also seen on a neighbor's doorbell camera footage, the citation said.

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Randall was found and taken into custody at an apartment complex in the 1800 block of Gardiner Lane, according to the citation. He reportedly admitted to officers he had been drinking earlier in the day.

"Chief Humphrey appreciates the hard work of all the officers who protect our neighborhoods," Sanders said in the release.

Randall is expected in court Jan. 7 for his arraignment.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville man arrested after breaking into multiple houses while drunk
Chevron Global Technology Services Co. logos are seen at an administrative office in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, in 2022. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images)

Was it a spectacular drug bust? A big, beautiful business opportunity? Both? Whatever you call President Trump's stunning military intervention in Venezuela over the weekend, one company with deep California ties stands to benefit: Chevron.

That's because Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves on the planet and Chevron  the international petroleum conglomerate with a massive refinery in El Segundo and headquartered, until recently, in San Ramon  is the only foreign oil company that has continued operating in Venezuela through decades of socialist revolution.

Other major oil companies, including ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil, pulled out of Venezuela in 2007 when then-President Hugo Chavez required them to surrender majority ownership of their operations to the countrys state-controlled oil company, PDVSA.

But Chevron remained, playing the long game, according to industry analysts, hoping to someday resume reaping big profits from the investments the company started making there almost a century ago.

Venezuela is like Chevron's "high-school sweetheart," said Paasha Mahdavi, an associate professor of political science at UC Santa Barbara. "They've found a way to stay there through thick and thin."

Looks like the company's patience might finally pay off.

At his news conference Saturday, after U.S. special operations forces snatched Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas and extradited them to face drug-trafficking charges in New York, President Trump said the U.S. would run Venezuela and open more of its massive oil reserves to American corporations.

"We're going to have our very large U.S. oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country," Trump said during a news conference Saturday.

Although oil industry analysts temper expectations by warning it could take years to start extracting significant profits given Venezuelas long-neglected, dilapidated infrastructure  and ordinary Venezuelans worry about the proceeds flowing into the pockets of U.S. investors  theres one group who could be forgiven for jumping with unreserved joy: Chevron insiders who championed the decision to remain in Venezuela all these years.

But the companys official response to the turn of events has been poker-faced.

"Chevron remains focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets," spokesman Bill Turenne emailed The Times on Sunday, the same statement the company sent to news outlets all weekend. "We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations."
In mid-December, the Pentagon announced that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was escalating his crusade against Sen. Mark Kelly, launching an official Command Investigation into the Arizona Democrat. It was, as The Washington Post noted soon after, an unprecedented use of the military justice system to investigate a political adversary.

Three weeks later, the beleaguered Cabinet secretary, who presumably has more important matters on his plate, took the next step down a radical path. My MS NOW colleague Erum Salam reported:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he plans to demote the military rank of Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona after the retired Navy captain reminded those actively serving to disobey illegal orders. [] Hegseth said he issued a letter of censure to Kelly, calling it a first step toward a demotion and a decrease in pension. Censure is a formal disciplinary action, sometimes punitive, that can only be issued by someone in a service members chain of command. If successful, it can result in demotion of a service members rank and a reduction in their retirement pay.

For those who might have lost sight of the transgression that prompted the secretarys crusade: Several Democratic military veterans appeared in a video, released in November, in which they urged service members to reject illegal orders. A week later, Hegseth announced an investigation into Kelly, a decorated Navy veteran. (The Arizona Democrat is the only member of the group who retired as a captain and served long enough to receive a military pension.)

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The campaign against Kelly is awfully tough to defend: All the senator and his colleagues did was to remind service members to follow the law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, echoing comments Hegseth himself made before he joined Donald Trumps Cabinet.

On the surface, this might appear to be the latest in a series of steps on the White Houses so-called revenge tour, but this particular partisan fight is a bit more complex.

Its not just about Kelly: As the senator said on The Rachel Maddow Show hours after Hegseths announcement, the defense secretary is taking steps to try to silence me, silence other members of Congress, silence retired members of the military, former service members, really silence the American people. I mean, this isnt only about me; this is about all of us.

Its an important detail: By targeting a senator who urged military personnel to follow the law, Hegseth is sending a signal to service members everywhere  retired and active duty  that they too could be targeted if they speak out in ways Team Trump doesnt like.

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What happened to the court-martial? Hegseth emphasized several weeks ago that the Pentagon might recall Kelly to active service in order to face a court martial. The secretary has since backed away from this gambit for the most obvious of reasons: He surely knows that the court-martial process would bring this matter to a jury, which would recognize the political crusade as a baseless sham.

The Pentagon chief appears to prefer a process that he can control and that can lead to punitive outcomes he can dictate.

Blurry partisan lines: As Hegseths campaign against Kelly advanced in the fall, the Democratic senator received some unexpected support from some of his Republican colleagues. This week, that continued: Two GOP senators  Maines Susan Collins and North Carolinas Thom Tillis  separately criticized Hegseths latest moves on Monday, with Tillis going so far as to characterize the defense secretarys announcement as ridiculous.

Kellys pushback: If Trumps Pentagon expects Kelly to back down in the face of absurd bullying, thats apparently not going to happen. Heres the thing, Rachel: Im never going to back down from these guys, the senator said Monday on MS NOW. Im going to continue to speak out. Im going to continue to do my job and, as much as I can, highlight how wrong these people are and how outrageous this is and how dangerous.

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Will the crusade backfire? As Kelly weighs his future political and electoral options, the Pentagon chief is making him more popular, more visible and, as of this week, more eager to use his mailing list for a fresh round of fundraising. Whether Hegseth realizes this or not, his target might very well end up benefiting from the secretarys offensive.

Endgame: As part of the existing process, Kelly has 30 days to respond formally to Hegseths letter, but just as notably, assuming his demotion happens, the senator will have the option of taking the matter to the courts, to the Board for Correction of Naval Records or to both.

If the executive branch were to move forward in any forum  criminal, disciplinary, or administrative  we will take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kellys behalf to halt the Administrations unprecedented and dangerous overreach, Kellys lawyer wrote in a letter to Secretary of the Navy John Phelan in December.

Watch this space.

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This post updates our related earlier coverage.

The post Im never going to back down: Mark Kelly pushes back against Hegseths intensifying crusade appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
(NewsNation)  Many Venezuelans around the world rejoiced when news broke U.S. forces captured President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.

Niurka Melendez and Hector Arguinzones, Venezuelan immigrants living in New York City and founders of nonprofit Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, joined NewsNation Live on Tuesday to discuss their reactions to Maduros capture.

Melendez told NewsNation they both applied for asylum and fled Venezuela in 2015 because of persecution due to their political thoughts.

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Since 2014, some 7.7 million Venezuelans, or 20% of the population, have left the country, unable to afford food or seeking better opportunities abroad, according to the U.N. International Organization for Migration.

What did the Venezuela briefing tell lawmakers?

Venezuelans living in Peru celebrate at the Miguel de Cervantes park, near the Venezuelan Embassy in Lima on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuelas leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP via Getty Images) Venezuelans living in Peru celebrate outside the Venezuelan Embassy in Lima on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuelas leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP via Getty Images) A Venezuelan woman living in Peru celebrates with a national flag at the Miguel de Cervantes park, near the Venezuelan Embassy in Lima on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuelas leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP via Getty Images)

Arguinzones said that a majority of Venezuelans felt a sense of relief and hope following Maduros capture, adding that many want to see a prosperous and free country again.

Melendez said she wants to be a part of those who are  willing to build our country.

Several questions remain regarding Venezuelas future, the transition of power and the role of the international community.

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Reuters contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump hasn't minced words about the larger message he's trying to send the world with the U.S. military raid to capture Nicolas Maduro and spirit the deposed Venezuelan leader and his wife to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges.

American dominance in the Western Hemisphere," Trump declared following Maduro's capture, will never be questioned again.

In the days since the audacious raid, Trump and his team have doubled down on the notion that the new focus on American preeminence in the hemisphere is here to stay. He also held up Maduro's capture to make the case to neighbors to get in line or potentially face consequences.

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Trumps rhetoric harkens back to the muscular talk of the late 19th and early 20th centuries when American presidents deployed the military for territorial and resource conquests, including to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Theres been periods, Vietnam and Iraq, which have evoked questions about a return to American imperialism, but the U.S. leaders messages in those periods were cloaked in talk of democracy. The way Trump is talking about it is something we havent seen in a very long time. said Edward Frantz, a historian at the University of Indianapolis.

In the aftermath of the operation, Trump's tough talk has been been directed at titular allies in Greenland  where he renewed calls for the U.S. to take over the Danish territory for national security reasons  and Mexico. Trump says America's southern neighbor needs to get their act together fighting drug cartels.

Trump has also warned that longtime adversary Cuba is going down now that Maduro, who has provided deeply discounted oil to the economically isolated government in Havana, has been deposed. And the president has heightened anxiety with Venezuela's neighbor, telling reporters that a military operation in Colombia  the epicenter of global cocaine production  "sounds good to me."

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The Republican president has also said his administration will run Venezuela policy and threatened the country's new leader, interim President Delcy Rodriguez, with an outcome worse than Maduro's if she does not do whats right. He's made plain that he expects Caracas to open its vast oil reserves to U.S. energy companies, further igniting speculation about American overreach.

Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure  the oil infrastructure  and start making money for the country, Trump said over the weekend.

The Venezuela incursion has split Latin America, with Trumpaligned leaders mostly from the right applauding the ouster, and nonaligned leaders condemning it on sovereignty grounds. It's sharpened concerns that Trump might actually be serious about his desire to annex Greenland as well.

Leaning on Monroe Doctrine, Trump puts neighbors on edge

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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned Monday that Trump would mark the undoing of the transatlantic military alliance, NATO, if he attempts to follow through on his assertion that the U.S. absolutely needs to take over Greenland for national security reasons. The alliance, which includes the U.S. and Denmark, has been a linchpin of post-World War II security.

If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2.

In the early part of the 20th century, American leaders repeatedly turned to the Monroe Doctrine, a foundational U.S. foreign policy document authored by the nation's fifth president, which had been aimed at opposing European meddling in the Western Hemisphere.

Now, Trump too is leaning on the doctrine to justify U.S. intervention in Venezuela and threaten action around the hemisphere in the name of protecting the safety and welfare of Americans.

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Trump's rhetoric conjures up images of Teddy Roosevelt and gunboat diplomacy. The rhetoric is a return to a pre-Great War era, Frantz said, referring to the 26th president's intercessions in unstable Caribbean and Central American economies as well as his backing of Panama's secession from Colombia in the name of the U.S. national interest.

Just weeks before the ouster of Maduro, Trump rolled out a long-awaited National Security Strategy that had some disparate elements that seemed to be at odds with each other.

On one hand, Trump, who has long eschewed America's role in foreign wars, asserted that the administration would have a predisposition to non-interventionism. But the strategy document also made clear that the administration would push to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere.

With the ouster of Maduro, the administration has clearly doubled down on the latter.

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This is the Western Hemisphere," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday. "This is where we live  and were not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operation for adversaries, competitors and rivals of the United States.

Anger at U.N. Security Council

The capture of Maduro and Trump's rhetoric could certainly be a level-setting moment for global leaders as they consider what may lay ahead in the final three years of Trump's second term.

At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Monday, Colombian Ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres said the raid in Venezuela was reminiscent of the worst interference in our area in the past.

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Democracy cannot be defended or promoted through violence and coercion, and it cannot be superseded, either, by economic interests, said Zalabata Torres, whose country requested the meeting.

At the same time, Democrats are questioning whether Trump's actions have created a permission structure for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has designs of capturing further territory from neighboring Ukraine, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has vowed to annex the self-ruled island of Taiwan.

What the president's done in this case has essentially given Putin and Xi Jinping a hall pass," said Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, in an appearance on CNN.

The Russians, for their part, have condemned Trump's action in Venezuela. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, the country's U.N. envoy, said the world body cannot allow the United States to proclaim itself as some kind of a supreme judge to the world.

___

AP writers Jennifer Peltz and Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations contributed to this report.
President Trumps decision to leave the door open to putting boots on the ground and to regime change in Venezuela is getting a frosty reception from conservatives, who are warning that he is risking a key campaign pledge to end forever wars and keep out of foreign conflicts.

The president for years railed against Bush-era policies that saw lengthy conflicts in the Middle East, having taken on the mantle of the America First movement.

That standing has taken hits in recent months, though, headlined by the weekends events  and more importantly whats to come after Trump laid out plans to run the South American country until a proper transition can take place.

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MAGA fully supported President Trump and a precision military exercise, and Maduros Maduro. You want to take him and try him? Go take him and try him, said Steve Bannon, a former Trump White House aide, on his War Room podcast on Monday. The bigger issues here people are concerned about is like President Trump saying, Hey, were going to do boots on the ground, and last night, Were going to rebuild the country.

Bannon went on to note a number of pictures and videos showing Maduro being moved from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn through parts of the surrounding area, sarcastically calling them lovely.

Im just noticing that when Maduro was taken from the Brooklyn detention through lovely parts of Brooklyn and I think some of the Bronx, the United States looks worse than Caracas, Bannon said. Maybe some of that focus should be here.

Trumps remarks came at different points of the weekend, prompting officials to slowly backtrack and insist nothing of that sort is happening.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Sunday interviews that American troops are not in the country at present.

The president, however, has continued to sing in a different key. The initial remarks that alarmed some in the MAGA orbit centered on petroleum and a potential plan to leave troops in the country in order to keep the oil industry in business.

Were going to rebuild the oil infrastructure, Trump told reporters. Were going to run it properly and make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of.

Later in the weekend, he also brushed aside concerns about the future of the nation formerly led by Maduro.

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You know, rebuilding there and regime change, anything you want to call it, is better than what you have right now, he told The Atlantic in an interview. Cant get any worse.

The spate of remarks has spooked a number of top MAGA allies, including a number of those who are younger and came of age amid the backdrop of the years-long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In their eyes, whats happening in Venezuela is not what they supported.

Venezuela has been liberated like Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq were liberated, Candace Owens, the right-wing talking head, wrote on the social platform X over the weekend, adding that the CIA has staged another hostile takeover of a country at the command of globalist psychopaths.

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This is not the first time that chatter of this kind has cropped up in reaction to foreign maneuvers by the president and his team. A number of high-profile conservatives aired similar concerns in June when the U.S. launched strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities  during which Trump sounded a similar note about overhauling the regime in the adversarial nation.

However, Maduros capture and the unknown future of the Venezuelan government have ratcheted up the situation. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), once a card-carrying MAGA member who has found herself excised from Trumps sphere, likened the move to Russias invasion of Ukraine and a potential seizing of Taiwan by China.

Regime change, funding foreign wars, and Americans tax dollars being consistently funneled to foreign causes, foreigners both home and abroad, and foreign governments while Americans are consistently facing increasing cost of living, housing, healthcare, and learn about scams and fraud of their tax dollars is what has most Americans enraged. Especially the younger generations, she said over the weekend.

Americans disgust with our own governments never ending military aggression and support of foreign wars is justified because we are forced to pay for it and both parties, Republicans and Democrats, always keep the Washington military machine funded and going, she continued. This is what many in MAGA thought they voted to end. Boy were we wrong.

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Others under the MAGA umbrella, however, are insisting that those airing public grievances about what could potentially be coming down the pipeline are doing so unnecessarily.

They maintain that the administrations action was limited and that despite Trumps remarks, their fears about lengthy regime change are little more than noise.

We had boots on the ground for about five hours when we pulled off perhaps the most complicated and secret mission in the modern era, said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), a leading Trump ally. I think what youre seeing is a greater application of the appropriate power in our hemisphere to protect Americans.

In the eyes of others, the move will resonate more widely across the MAGA universe for a simple reason.

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At the end of day, whats important to MAGA is winning. Its reinforcing the United States as a bada force for good, said one source close to the administration, minimizing the isolationist wing of MAGA as a loud minority. If the extraction had gone bad, were telling a different story.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Photo via Wells Police Facebook)

Crime in Maine was down for the fourth year in a row in 2024, according to the latest data released by the Office of Public Safety on Tuesday.

The report, which compiled data submitted by all but two of Maines 126 municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies, found 42,559 total crimes were committed in 2024 with an overall rate of 28.83 crimes per 1,000 people.

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This is down from an overall rate of 29.77 the year prior, and 32.56 in 2021  the year that the agency switched to publishing what is known as incident based reporting data. Due to the difference in definitions and categories, comparing rates with prior years is often not apples to apples, the report notes.

(Image via Maine Office of Public Safety, Crime in Maine 2024)

Almost 60% of the crimes reported in 2024 were crimes against property, like theft, and less than half of that, 12,586, were crimes committed against people. Slightly more than 4,700 reported crimes were considered crimes against society, such as drug violations, gambling and prostitution.

Violent crimes such as murders, rapes, aggravated assaults and robberies have generally been low in Maine, but followed the overall trend, declining steadily from 1,432 in 2021 to 1,374 in the latest report.

The full 2024 report can be viewed here.
This story appears as part of a collaboration between The Maine Monitor and Maine Focus, the investigative team of the Bangor Daily News, a partnership to strengthen investigative journalism in Maine. You can show your support for this effort with a donation to The Monitor. Read more about the partnership.

Maines public safety chief refused to answer scant questions from lawmakers on Tuesday about the state polices internal review of a chaotic 2024 arrest in which a trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschiuck, and the state polices No. 2, Lt. Col. Brian Scott, went before the Legislatures criminal justice and public safety committee to brief members on the agencys use of force and complaint review policies.

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Lawmakers sought more information about the topic after it repeatedly made headlines this past fall, including a pair of excessive force lawsuits and a multi-part investigation by the Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News into the violent arrest of the handcuffed man, Justin Savage.

Yet legislators almost entirely shied away from asking about those cases on Tuesday, and Sauschuck shut down questions the only time a lawmaker did. The singular exchange showcased how difficult it might be for lawmakers to extract more detailed information about specific cases and that there may not be a large appetite from lawmakers to do so.

We are not going to discuss any active litigation, that case or any case, Sauschuck said in response to a question from Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill. We are here to discuss policy and process and happy to do that. And I appreciate the question, I understand where youre coming from but thats not something were going to be able to address at all.

Milliken, who was charged with illegal campaigning last year in a case that was later dropped by prosecutors, had asked whether it was typical for the state police to promote an officer while he was still under investigation for a complaint of serious misconduct.

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The agency did not discipline any troopers and promoted the one who punched Savage in the face before internal affairs had finished investigating a complaint about the ordeal. Policing experts called the force used against Savage excessive.

Savage, of Limerick, sued the state police over the events and aftermath of his 2024 arrest, much of which was caught on camera. He has also alleged the agency defamed him in a misleading press release about the episode.

Video of Savages arrest, which was published by the Monitor/BDN, prompted policing experts to question the state polices record of clearing troopers accused of excessive force. Between 2015 and 2024, the agency received 33 such complaints and did not substantiate any of them.

In October, a Chelsea woman filed a second excessive force lawsuit after a trooper allegedly bodyslammed her during an arrest that took place the same month as Savages. Her lawsuit accused the agency of creating a culture of tacit approval of excessive force and cited the agencys pristine record of clearing officers.

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It also alleged that the state police failed to properly supervise that trooper, whose conduct in an earlier case prompted the Kennebec County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney to send the agency a letter criticizing his competence and credibility. She has since said she considers the matter resolved.

Saushcuck repeated to a reporter after the meeting that the agencys leadership would not discuss anything related to cases connected to an ongoing lawsuit and that he and Scott had been invited to the State House to discuss policy.

Indeed, Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Readfield, a committee co-chair, said before the briefing that it would stick to a general policy overview, and he described the panels oversight role as crafting policies to prevent future harm, not litigating past cases.

One Republican on the panel previously said the courts are the best forum to determine if any wrongdoing occurred. Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center of Rockland, who co-chairs the committee, had been unfamiliar with the details of the Savage case until Tuesday morning, she said in an interview.

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Just because Tuesdays discussion did not touch on those broader culture allegations doesnt mean the topic wont come up again. Milliken told a reporter after the hearing that she met with Savage to discuss police oversight issues before Tuesdays briefing.

I think we need to put some bills in. Im not sure what those will be yet but I do think there are certainly some things falling through the cracks there in terms of oversight and the ability to effectively oversight of themselves, she said.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the wording of Commissioner Sauschucks response to Rep. Milliken.
Mayor Mamdani made his first post-inauguration appearance with Gov. Hochul on Monday at a rally to celebrate the one-year anniversary of New York Citys congestion pricing program.

But despite the events upbeat focus on the program reducing car traffic by 11% and generating upward of half-a-billion dollars in new revenue, lurking behind the smiles was a more contentious issue that didnt get any airtime: The democratic socialist mayors main transit-related campaign promise to make the citys public buses free for all.

Hochul, a moderate Democrat, opposes the mayors proposal, instead favoring a more targeted approach of subsidizing fare for low-income residents. Mamdanis Monday omission was especially noticeable as he on the 2025 mayoral campaign trail mentioned his pledge to eliminate bus fares at nearly all public appearances, especially ones related to transit.

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The free bus plan, which Mamdanis team estimates would cost about $800 million annually, is contingent on state action and funding. Against that backdrop, it is expected to be one of the biggest policy priorities Mamdani has in Albany during this springs state legislative session.

Asked why he didnt bring up his bus plan during the appearance with Hochul, Mamdani spokeswoman Dora Pekec said, Just yesterday, Mayor Mamdani touted his fast and free bus proposal while riding the only free bus in the city, the Q70, to hear directly from New Yorkers the impact fare-free rides can have on their lives.

Hochul didnt answer when asked by the Daily News after Mondays congestion pricing event if she has changed her mind about Mamdanis free bus plan. The MTA is under state, rather than city, control.

A city government veteran, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested there was good reason for Mamdani to steer clear of his bus plan Monday.

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With the State of the State address one week away, the smart play is to avoid getting out in front of his skis on issues where Gov. Hochul holds the keys, the person said, referencing Hochuls annual speech set for next week.

Mamdanis bus plan became such a staple of his campaign that crowds at his rallies were accustomed to chanting free when he asked what his administration would make the buses. To pay for the free buses, Mamdani has proposed increasing taxes on millionaires and corporations, another plan Hochul has been lukewarm about.

While he didnt reference free buses Monday, Mamdani did mention congestion pricing has been a great revenue generator for the MTA.

We know that that increase could grow even further in the years to come as more and more money can be then spent on the infrastructure that would make that commute smoother, make it faster, make it more reliable, he said.
This article was originally published in Chalkbeat.

As Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Kamar Samuels as his new schools chancellor on Wednesday, he also reversed course on one of his main K-12 campaign pledges: He no longer plans to end mayoral control of the nations largest school system.

Instead, he will ask Albany to extend the governance model when it comes up for renewal in June. He said he will work alongside Samuels, a veteran New York City educator, toward a version of mayoral control that will engage parents, teachers, and students in decision-making, Mamdani said at a press conference on the northern tip of Central Park just hours before his inauguration.

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His stance on mayoral control represents a major about-face for the citys new chief executive. But Mamdanis views on school governance were an outlier compared with other mayoral candidates, and the idea to ditch mayoral control entirely had many skeptics, especially when paired with Mamdanis sweeping plan to build a free child care system.

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Related

How Zohran Mamdani Bucked the Establishment and Won Election  in Middle School

Mamdani acknowledged the challenges of the massive system hes inheriting, with its $43 billion budget, roughly 150,000 staff, and nearly 900,000 students. While literacy rates are improving, he said, nearly 45% of the citys students in grades 3-8 remained below grade level, according to last years state tests. Roughly 154,000 students are homeless. And thousands of teachers are needed to meet the mandate to shrink classes, particularly in hard-to-staff positions for special education, bilingual education, math, and science.

He said he now realizes that New Yorkers should direct their concerns to him.

I will be asking the legislature for a continuation of mayoral control, Mamdani said, and I will also be committed with my incoming schools chancellor to ensure that the mayoral control we preside over is not the same one that New Yorkers see today.

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Under the current governance model, the mayor unilaterally selects the schools chancellor and appoints the majority of the Panel for Educational Policy, a board that votes on school closures, contracts, and other major changes to Education Department regulations. The panel is typically considered a rubber stamp of mayoral priorities, though Mayor Eric Adams left some vacancies on the board, resulting in recent votes that pushed back more than usual.

Mamdani pledged to incorporate community involvement in a way that will not be ceremonial or procedural, but tangible and actionable. He wants to restructure parent meetings for community education councils so that working parents can actually attend them and improve awareness of these elected parent boards that oversee school zones and advise on policy. Voter turnout for these boards has been less than 2%.

Mamdani also promised to improve the parent coordinator role to be a meaningful organizer of parents, rather than an administrative coordinator reporting to a principal. The responsibilities of parent coordinators, a role created in the initial deal allowing for mayoral control, vary widely from school to school. Many do a tremendous amount of organizing already, particularly when it comes to helping homeless families, but many in the role have long complained about its low wages.

Mamdani said he chose Samuels because this moment demands a new generation of leadership that understands our schools and has a transformative vision on how to lead them.

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As superintendent of Manhattans District 3 stretching from the Upper West Side to part of Harlem, Samuels oversaw some controversial school mergers, combining schools with different demographics as a way to foster integration in one of the countrys most segregated school systems. He initially used that approach while superintendent of Brooklyns District 13, where he also spearheaded a move away from gifted and talented programs that separate kids toward schoolwide enrichment models, embracing the International Baccalaureate program. Samuels started out as a teacher and principal in the Bronx.

Mamdani made clear on Wednesday that he remains opposed to gifted programs for kindergarten students, but that he has no plans to change the process for the current application season.

Samuels work overseeing the Adams administrations literacy curriculum mandate, NYC Reads, led to an increase in test scores, Mamdani pointed out. Samuels also secured more than $10 million in grants across districts 3 and 13 to advance integration efforts through admissions policies, mergers, and rezonings.

Equity is not an abstract idea. Its a set of choices we make together in policy, Samuels said. But what matters is not just what we do, its how we do it, by listening to educators, by respecting families, by seeing students, not just as data points, but as whole people with enormous potential.

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In recent weeks, some parent groups had been calling for Mamdani to maintain stability of the school system and keep the current chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

Liss will be the new child care office head

Mamdani also announced that Emmy Liss will serve as executive director for the mayors Office of Child Care, a position that will be critical in realizing Mamdanis pledge to bring free child care to New Yorkers.

Liss was the chief of staff for Josh Wallack, a top aide in the de Blasio administration who oversaw the Education Departments rollout for prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds. She has been advising the mayor-elect on child care issues.

When I worked on the expansion of universal 3-k and pre-K, I saw firsthand what it means when city government comes together to deliver the families with the vision of universal child care, Liss said on Wednesday. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to come together again, to double down on the citys investments and to design and implement a program that truly meets the needs of families and sustains our child care providers and educators.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
An 82-year-old Michigan man has been charged in Will County with murder in the suspected killing and disappearance of his wife almost 40 years ago, the Will County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

Joan Bernal was last seen alive on Dec. 9, 1988, the sheriff's office said.

It is alleged that Gilbert T. Bernal Sr. of Flint, Michigan and his wife had a domestic violence incident take place at their Joliet home before a planned family trip to Texas that day, the sheriff's office said.

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An eyewitness said Gilbert Bernal hit his wife inside their Joliet home and then dragged her behind the home, according to police.

According to court records, Bernal's son, Gilbert Bernal Jr., says his father grabbed his mother's neck and dragged her across the room at their home in Joliet.

Documents show that Gilbert Bernal admitted to physically abusing his wife in the past. It was abuse that was corroborated by the couple's children.

Gilbert Bernal reported his wife missing on Dec. 27, 1988, saying he left her at a bus stop in McAlister, Oklahoma with $1,500.

SEE ALSO: After more than 40 years, woman reunites with family after allegedly being abducted by her mom

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Investigators believe her body was buried under concrete in Joliet, but Joan Bernal has never been found.

Gilbert Bernal was arrested once before, back in 1993, for the murder. But his charges were dismissed before the case ever went to trial.

The case was reexamined, after the sheriff's office established a team of detectives that focuses on cold case investigations.

On Dec. 9, 2025, 37 years after she was last seen and after new evidence was revealed, a Will County Grand Jury returned a sealed indictment for first-degree murder against Gilbert Bernal in his wife's death.

He was taken into custody on Dec. 11 at his Michigan home, and extradited to Will County on Friday.

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The bill of indictment was unsealed in court Monday.

Bernal is next due in court Jan. 12 for a detention hearing. He's being held in custody until then.

Joan Bernal's disappearance and the sheriff's office investigation was featured on "Cold Justice" on the Oxygen Network.

Their daughter talked about what she was told about her mother's disappearance on the show that aired last year.

"My dad's always told me he dropped her off at the bus station and never heard from her. And that was it. And that was it. Anytime I asked about my mom, or wanted to talk about her, like there was never anything good to say ever, and like if he was ever coming down hard on me about something that I did or that I said," she said.

"This long-awaited legal step honors Joan's memory and underscores law enforcement's commitment to never giving up on cold case investigations. Our thoughts remain with the Bernal family and all those who've sought answers and justice for decades," the sheriff's office said.
A man who is accused of damaging Vice President JD Vances Cincinnati home and a Secret Service vehicle on Monday morning has been federally charged.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

News Center 7 previously reported that 26-year-old William Defoor is accused of damaging four windows at Vances home along with a car belonging to the Secret Service.

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Defoor was already facing one count of criminal damage, one count of obstructing official business, one count of criminal trespass, and one felony count of vandalism.

He is now facing charges federally, including damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers, according to our news partners, WCPO.

Several officers from both agencies were seen searching around Vances home in the early morning hours on Monday. Several windows in the house appeared to be broken.

Defoor has faced similar charges in the past.

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In 2023, he was charged with criminal trespass but was found incompetent to stand trial, according to WCPO.

He faced similar charges in 2024 and was charged with two counts of vandalism for allegedly breaking windows in the front of a business, but was also ruled as incompetent to stand trial and was ordered to undergo treatment at Summit Behavioral Healthcare.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, Vance thanked the Secret Service and Cincinnati police for their quick response.

I appreciate everyones well-wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. Im grateful to the Secret Service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly, Vance said in the post.

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Vance also confirmed that he and his family were not home at the time, as they had already returned to Washington DC.

The City of Cincinnati previously announced that roads around the house would be closed until Sunday, Jan. 4, WCPO reported.

The barricades were not in place when WCPO crews went to the scene Monday morning.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

I appreciate everyone's well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I'm grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly.



We weren't even home as we had returned  JD Vance (@JDVance) January 5, 2026

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President Donald Trump said in a new interview that the U.S. could help finance improvements to Venezuelas oil infrastructure, telling NBC that oil companies could be reimbursed for their investments.

The president also said in the Jan. 5 interview that the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela and there won't be a quick election. And he dismissed reporting in the Washington Post that the reason he declined to back opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to take over the country is that she won the Nobel Peace Prize, which he has sought.

"She should not have won it," Trump said of Machado. "But no, that has nothing to do with my decision."

The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation early Jan. 3, bringing him to New York City to face drug-trafficking charges. Maduro pleaded not guilty in federal court on Jan. 5. Delcy Rodriguez, who served as Maduro's vice president, has been sworn in as the country's interim president.

Trump told NBC that elections won't be held in Venezuela in the next 30 days.

"We have to fix the country first," he said. "You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote."

The president listed multiple members of his administration who are helping to oversee Venezuela's intervention, but responded to a question about who is ultimately in charge by saying, "me."

Trump has focused on Venezuela's oil resources in the aftermath of the U.S. military operations. He told NBC that it could take less than 18 months to revive Venezuelan oil production, with the U.S. potentially reimbursing American oil companies for their investment.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, DC on January 04, 2026. T

"A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us, or through revenue," Trump said.

Oil companies weren't briefed on the military operation before it occurred, Trump said, but the administration has been "talking to the concept of, 'what if we did it?'"

"The oil companies were absolutely aware that we were thinking about doing something," the president told NBC. "But we didnt tell them we were going to do it."

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Jan. 5 found that 72% of Americans are concerned about the U.S. getting too involved in Venezuela. Trump said America isn't at war with the Latin American country.

"No, were not," he told NBC. "Were at war with people that sell drugs. Were at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country."

Contributing: Bart Jansen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says oil companies could be 'reimbursed' for Venezuela spending
A Tallahassee man has been arrested after ringing in the new year with a fusillade instead of fireworks, police say. Eddric Murray, 33, has been charged for discharging a firearm in public and destroying or altering evidence.

An officer with the Tallahassee Police Department responded to the 200 block of Gaile Avenue on Jan. 1 around 9 p.m. following multiple calls coming in about shots being fired behind the location, a triplex.

On scene, the officer grabbed his AR-15 and exited his vehicle heading in the direction of the sound and flashing. The officer found Murray who was attempting to dump items from his hands into a blue box, while a semi-automatic pistol sat next to his hand.

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As Murray complied with a pat down, the officer noticed multiple spent shell casings laying on the ground near Murray's feet.

Once in handcuffs, as the officer was escorting Murray to his car, he justified his shooting, saying he was just celebrating the new year. Further investigation found 44 spent casings in the blue box Murray had and 15 casings on the floor.

"Firing guns into the air during celebrations (celebratory gunfire) is a tradition that poses significant risks to public safety," according to the National Library of Medicine. "These falling bullets ... can attain high velocities during their descent and have the potential to cause serious injury or death to people and animals, or significant damage to property upon impact."

Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Man arrested after firing gun dozens of times to mark New Year
A man who who was found dead near some Metra tracks in the north suburbs last week suffered injuries consistent with being hit by a train, officials said.

The Lake County, Illinois coroner says 30-year-old Allen Chiquini died from blunt-force head injuries around 5:30 p.m. Friday near Winchester and Ellis in Libertyville.

Metra initially said a train did not hit him. A Metra spokesperson said the situation is under investigation.

Why he was near the tracks was not immediately clear.

Further information was not immediately available.
Officials in Piscataway said Tuesday that a man with a machete killed his mother and grandparents before he was shot and killed by police on Monday.

Officers responded to a home on River Road around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from a man reporting that an individual had a knife.

When officers arrived at the scene, they said the suspect was holding a machete. When they tried to use tasers, they say it did not stop him.

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Authorities say he charged at the officers with the weapon and that is when they shot and killed him.

When police went inside the home, they found three bodies that are believed to be the suspect's mother and grandparents.

Mayor Brian Wahler said the suspect's father is the one who called 911.

"You have to understand there is a husband that is about to bury a wife, parents and a son," Wahler said. "So out of respect to the household, for the rest of the family members, but they were all related. I just want to let the general public know this is not someone coming in, knocking on the door, this is all folks that all knew each other and were related to each other blood-wise."

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The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey Attorney's General Office are investigating their deaths.

Neighbors told Eyewitness News they had nice encounters with those who lived at the home in the past and officials say there were no prior incidents at the house.

The investigation is ongoing and officials say there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the community.

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A man was taken to a hospital after being pinned by a piece of industrial equipment inside a building in Pittsburghs Strip District neighborhood.

Pittsburgh police, firefighters and medics were called to the 100 block of 15th Street just before 9:10 a.m.

When emergency crews arrived on scene, they found a man who had a heavy machine fall on him.

The man was initially unresponsive after he was extricated from underneath the machine, but was conscious and alert when medics transported him to a hospital. He was reported to be in stable condition.

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A 44-year old man was taken into custody Tuesday by Romulus Police after attempting to enter Romulus Middle School with a handgun.

According to a statement shared to social media, Romulus Police responded to a report of an active shooter at 9:53 a.m. after school employees instituted a lockdown upon seeing a man with a handgun attempting to enter the schools main doors. There were reports of shots fired.

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Officers apprehended the man near the main entrance and recovered a handgun at the scene. An investigation into the suspects motives or intentions remains ongoing, with the department advising anyone with information related to the incident to contact Detective Sergeant Jason Otter at 734-942-6857. Callers may remain anonymous.

There is no ongoing threat to the school or the community, the department said, commending the school employees for their quick recognition of danger and immediate notification to 911.

Their professional and timely actions may have prevented this incident from becoming much worse, the department wrote in a statement.

State Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), whose district includes Romulus, issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, noting that hed been briefed on the matter by local leaders including Romulus School Board President Porsche Laster and Mayor Robert McCraight.

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Im extremely grateful that our school staff and first responders were able to ensure that all students and staff remained safe during this frightening moment, Camilleri said. Every safety system worked today, and we avoided any potential tragedy. Ill continue to monitor this situation as the investigation continues, and my office will be available to help as needed.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  After tens of thousands of dollars went missing from a Smiths in the Rose Park neighborhood, police have arrested an employee on suspicion of theft.

Yasmin Castellanos, 47, a manager at Smiths located near 1200 West and 600 North in Rose Park, was arrested Sunday evening on one count of theft, a second-degree felony.

Approximately $40,000 was stolen from cash registers at a Smiths in Rose Park. (Courtesy//Google Maps)

As early as Feb 13, 2025, Smiths began documenting missing cash. According to police, the money continued to disappear until Dec. 28. Officers were then able to question Castellanos, who was responsible for collecting money from cash registers.

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Documents show Castellanos admitted to pocketing the money while placing the cash into a collection machine. She reportedly told police that she used all the money to pay for loans, rent, medical bills, and food.

Investigators reported the largest amount that went missing was on Dec. 27, when over $14,000 went missing. The total amount missing was approximately $40,000.

Court documents indicate Castellanos is no longer employed by Smiths.

As of Monday, Jan 5, 2026, none of the missing cash has been found.

Smiths did not immediately respond to ABC4.coms request for comment.

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Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, a newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful holiday break.

We have a jam-packed edition to ring in 2026: Andrea Mitchell and Abigail Williams examine Secretary of State Marco Rubios ever-growing administration portfolio. Plus, Kristen Welker speaks with President Donald Trump about what comes next in Venezuela. And we dive into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs decision to not seek re-election.

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Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

 Adam Wollner

Marco Rubio takes on his most daunting role yet

By Andrea Mitchell and Abigail Williams

Tasked with overseeing the transition of a post-Nicolas Maduro Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stepped into his fourth  and potentially riskiest  Trump administration role.

The 54-year-old former Florida senator, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has been at the forefront of the increasingly aggressive and complex foreign policy of President Donald Trumps second term. Trump first tapped him to serve as secretary of state, then added national archivist and interim national security adviser to his portfolio.

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In the spotlight: Rubio has had key roles in other major foreign policy initiatives, any one of which is a heavy lift  from trying to maintain a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas to the administrations efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

But inside Trumps inner circle, Rubio has owned Venezuela. For him, its personal: As a Cuban American senator in Florida, Rubio was focused on the abuses in Venezuela for 15 years, first under Hugo Chavez and now Maduro. The effort is popular in his home state, where many Venezuelans and similarly displaced Cuban Americans, including Rubios own parents, sought sanctuary from repressive regimes.

Now he is not just influencing, but directing, leading just a remarkable engagement in our hemisphere, and potentially, remaking a new order, said Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett, a former senior State Department official in the first Trump administration. How that plays out will truly be not just the presidents legacy, but certainly Secretary Rubios legacy, too.

The challenges: As Maduro and his wife were making their first court appearance in New York on federal narco-terrorism and conspiracy charges, the challenges of a U.S.-led transition were coming into focus. Rubio was already softening the presidents pronouncements that the U.S. would run Venezuela for an unspecified period of time.

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Its not running  its running policy, the policy with regards to this, Rubio said during an interview on Meet the Press, contradicting Trumps message. Rubio said the U.S. military forces that have been amassed near Venezuela would stay put for now, and a quarantine on sanctioned Venezuelan oil would remain to pressure the countrys new leader, Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, to fall in line.

Read more 

New Trump interview: Venezuela will not have new elections in the next 30 days, Trump said in an interview today with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker.

We have to fix the country first. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote, Trump said about the possibility of a vote in the next month. No, its going to take a period of time. We have  we have to nurse the country back to health.

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Moreover, he said, the U.S. may subsidize an effort by oil companies to rebuild the countrys energy infrastructure  a project he said could take less than 18 months.

A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue, Trump said.

He also insisted the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela.

No, were not, Trump said. Were at war with people that sell drugs. Were at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and, and empty their mental institutions into our country.

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Read more from the interview 

 Related: U.S. allies fear Trump may target Greenland after Venezuela, by Alexander Smith

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops re-election bid

By Megan Lebowitz, Ben Kamisar, Adam Edelman and Frank Thorp V

Its just the start of the first full week of 2026, and we already have a major election development: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced today he was dropping his bid for a third term.

Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, cited heightened attention on fraud allegations in Minnesota, adding that the political gamesmanship were seeing from Republicans is only making that fight harder to win.

Fraud controversy: Late last month, a video from right-wing influencer Nick Shirley went viral, alleging fraud at child care facilities in Minnesota. After the video went viral, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it would freeze all federal child care payments to the state. Days later, Minnesotas Department of Children, Youth, and Families said that investigators found that the child care facilities in question were operating as expected.

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Dozens of suspects were indicted in 2022, during the Biden administration, as part of an alleged $250 million fraud scheme with the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.

A state audit report released in 2024 found that failures by the states Education Department led to the misuse of the Covid-era program. Some of the criminal cases related to the alleged scheme are ongoing, and several of the defendants are of Somali descent, which President Donald Trump latched onto in a slew of verbal attacks on Minnesotas Somali community.

The Department of Homeland Security is also surging immigration agents to Minneapolis this week, Julia Ainsley reports.

Domino effect: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is now seriously considering a run for governor, a source close to her told NBC News. Klobuchar wouldnt face re-election for her Senate seat until 2030, and the governor would appoint her replacement until a special election occurs if she won. If Klobuchar does try to succeed Walz, she would be the fourth sitting senator to run for governor this year, joining Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.

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Republicans havent won the states governorship in almost two decades, but a crowded GOP primary had already developed prior to Walzs announcement. That group of Republican hopefuls includes Scott Jensen, the former state senator whom Walz defeated in 2022, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, state Rep. Kristin Robbins and businessman Kendall Qualls.

Read more 

 Related: Slain Minnesota lawmakers children call on Trump to remove social media video amplifying false claims about her death, by Raquel Coronell Uribe

 Today's other top stories

 Welcome back: With members of Congress returning to Washington this week, Sahil Kapur previews five big issues they will seek to tackle. Read more 

 Retribution agenda: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Pentagon is taking steps to downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly s military retirement rank and pay because of the Arizona Democrats seditious statements. Read more 

 The new Health Dept.: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an unprecedented overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule that recommends fewer shots for all children. Read more 

 Crime blotter: A man was taken into custody overnight after allegedly damaging Vice President JD Vance s home in Cincinnati. Read more 

 SCOTUS watch: The Supreme Court mostly avoided direct confrontations with Trump in 2025 while handing him a series of wins, but it pushed rulings on a series of contentious White House proposals into this year. Read more 

 Eye on 2028: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has been dealing with one big thing that sets him apart from other potential Democratic presidential candidates: a divided state Legislature and all the tricky political compromises that come with it. Read more 

Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner.

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If you have feedback  likes or dislikes  email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene honored the rioters who stormed the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, in a Tuesday tribute to them.

Ill never forget going into the DC Gulag in Nov 2021 and seeing the J6ers who were being held over 22 hours a day in solitary confinement even though they had not been convicted and were pretrial. They were broken men, words cant describe it, wrote Greene on X. At 9 pm, unexpectedly to us, one of them fetched this hand drawn American flag piece of paper and went up on the second level and held it high and they asked me if I would join them in singing the national anthem. Their melodic voices which combined their deep sadness and their unwavering patriotic conviction is a sound Ill never forget.

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She continued:

That night it was not even the same as the recording you have all heard and is sold as that night was during their darkest hours and days. Your government can break you. It can shatter your life. There should never be a two tiered justice system in America where one set of political protesters are freed from their charges and the other set of political protesters are crushed as an example to never rise up against your government. Instead it is your right to hold your government accountable to you, the American people.

Ill never forget going into the DC Gulag in Nov 2021 and seeing the J6ers who were being held over 22 hours a day in solitary confinement even though they had not been convicted and were pretrial. They were broken men, words cant describe it. At 9 pm, unexpectedly to us, one pic.twitter.com/FyJx0V7Gs8  Marjorie Taylor Greene  (@mtgreenee) January 6, 2026

The rioters  some of whom threatened the lives of then-Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi  marched on the Capitol at the direction of President Donald Trump, who falsely claimed the 2020 presidential had been rigged against him.

Greene, who has embarked upon a chummy media tour owed to her recent falling out with Trump, promoted the lies that sent Trumps supporters to prison and, as she put it, broke them.

Georgia state leaders did nothing to stop the steal for President Trumps race and now-, they changed nothing, they did nothing. And now look at our two Georgia Senate seats, said Greene in a video she shared on X five years ago today. Today, Ill be objecting to a stolen election. We cant allow this to happen  Ill be fighting for the peoples vote.

The post Marjorie Taylor Greene Honors Patriotic Capitol Rioters on January 6 Anniversary first appeared on Mediaite.
Senator Mark Kelly is set to see his retirement rank and pay cut after making seditious statements in a video, featuring several other lawmakers, that told troops they can and must refuse illegal orders.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth moved to censure Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, on Monday, telling Fox News Digital that he directed Secretary of the Navy John Phelan to review the retired Navy captains retirement rank and pay and provide a recommendation in 45 days.

Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly  and five other members of Congress  released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War  and the American people  expect justice, Hegseth also wrote on X.

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Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kellys seditious statements  and his pattern of reckless misconduct  the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, Hegseth continued.

(AFP/Getty)

Kelly responded in a statement on Monday afternoon: Over twenty-five years in the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine combat missions, and four missions to space, I risked my life for this country and to defend our Constitution  including the First Amendment rights of every American to speak out. I never expected that the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense would attack me for doing exactly that.

My rank and retirement are things that I earned through my service and sacrifice for this country. I got shot at. I missed holidays and birthdays. I commanded a space shuttle mission while my wife Gabby recovered from a gunshot wound to the head  all while proudly wearing the American flag on my shoulder, said the senator.

Giffords, formerly a congresswoman from the Tuscon area, was shot and wounded during a 2011 assassination attempt at a meet-and-greet with voters. Kelly and Giffords married in 2007; before joining the Senate, the former naval aviator Kelly was also an astronaut and flew several space shuttle missions between 2006 and 2011.

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In the November video message, six congressional Democrats urge active duty military members to refuse orders from their commanders if they believe them to be illegal.

You can refuse illegal orders, other Democrats including Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Rep. Chris Deluzio say in the video. You must refuse illegal orders."

The new Pentagon review could result in a downgrade from the rank at which Kelly officially retired. His retirement pay, which is tied to rank, may also be reduced as a result.

Kelly was previously threatened with military prosecution over the video. He and others have defended the conduct as protected by the First Amendment against accusations of seditious activity by Republicans including Donald Trump, who called for the members of Congress in the video to be arrested and face charges of treason punishable by DEATH.

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The presidents outlandish call for the severe punishment of his enemies was not followed up by the Department of Justice. Hegseths actions marks the first substantial move by the Trump administration has taken to retaliate against the videos participants.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth embarked on a weeks-long effort to punish Kelly over the video (AP)

The Arizona senator is considered a rising star among the Democrats and a top attack target for Republicans with efforts to tarnish his reputation, given the possibility that he could run for president in 2028. Kelly has declined to answer whether he is considering a White House run, while acknowledging his surging national profile and popularity within the party.

Hegseth previously told reporters that Kellys status as a retired captain makes him the only lawmaker in the video who the Department of Defense can still initiate formal proceedings against. A handful of other Democratic members of Congress who served in the armed forces also participated in the message. None have walked back the language used in the video, and senior Democrats have backed them up.

The exact amount by which Kellys pay would be decreased, or whether his retirement rank would be affected will be determined at the end of the review conducted by the Defense Department. Kelly will be allowed to submit his own response and offer a defense of his actions.

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Over the weekend, Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the presidents ordered operations against the Venezuelan government illegal.

We have learned through the years, when America tries to do regime change and nation building in this way, the American people pay the price in both blood and in dollars, said Schumer.

On Saturday, Kelly issued several statements condemning the Trump administrations military assault on Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of the nations president, Nicolas Maduro. Kelly, with most of the rest of the Senate Democratic caucus, is set to support a War Powers resolution aimed at curtailing Trumps ability to wage war in the Caribbean this week though the measure is not likely to succeed.

Over the past year, Trumps foreign policy has been reckless, chaotic, self-serving, and unconstitutional, Kelly wrote Saturday. Congress should vote this week to reassert its authority on behalf of the American people before he oversteps again.
The Rhode Island public, including protesters, will be allowed in the State House rotunda during Gov. Dan McKee's upcoming State of the State speech, the American Civil Liberties Union Rhode Island, which was suing the state over the issue, said Jan. 6.

In 2025, after being excluded from the rotunda, protesters marched through the State House and up to the second floor, where their chants could be heard in the House chamber.

The Rhode Island State House Rotunda, situated just a few hundred feet below the Independent Man, is perhaps the most important free speech zone in our state," Eric Hirsch, executive director of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project, one of the plaintiffs said. "We are happy to see that this year's People's State of the State rally will be held in its rightful location."

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In a news release, the ACLU said that because of the new plan from the McKee administration, the plaintiffs would not be seeking a preliminary injunction to gain access to the rotunda on Jan. 13.

"However, the lawsuit will continue with the goal of obtaining a lasting resolution to ensure public access to the rotunda," the release said.

Protesters taking part in the People's State of the State demonstration press up against barricades that barred public access to the Rhode Island State House rotunda during Gov. Dan McKee's State of the State speech on Jan. 14, 2025.

How did we get here?

In 2025, McKee's sudden decision to cordon off much of the first floor of the State House just before his speech and a planned "People's State of the State" by anti-poverty advocates, drew outrage from protesters and civil liberties watchdogs.

In October 2025, the same day the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the closure of the rotunda, the McKee administration "reserved" the space for Jan. 13, the expected date of the next State of the State, setting up another clash.

What changes have been made?

A letter from Attorney General Peter Neronha, who is representing the state in the case, to the ACLU says the McKee administration has come up with an alternative security plan for the State of the State that will keep most of the rotunda and first floor of the building open to protesters.

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The new plan cordons off a pathway through the rotunda to the second-floor House chamber where the speech takes place, so dignitaries can get there unimpeded, but will allow protesters in the rest of it.

The plan calls for the second floor of the State House to be off-limits to the public.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Protesters will be allowed in RI State House during McKee's State of the State
Key Points

Just 2% of Chipotle's transactions come from groups of 4 or more.

The fast casual chain is piloting a new catering offering, and its Build Your Own Chipotle product is proving popular with smaller groups.

This represents a potential $1 billion revenue opportunity for the company.

10 stocks we like better than Chipotle Mexican Grill 

Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) is the king of the fast-casual restaurant industry, but one area where the restaurant chain falls short is catering. Catering accounts for just 1% to 2% of Chipotle's sales, according to CEO Scott Boatwright, compared to 5% to 10% at peers.

The company has a multi-pronged plan to address this discrepancy, and it couldn't come at a better time. Comparable sales rose by just 0.3% in the third quarter, and Chipotle expects a decline for the full year. The company is battling macroeconomic headwinds that are unlikely to vanish anytime soon, so creating new revenue streams is critical to getting the growth story back on track.

Image source: Getty Images.

A neglected $1 billion opportunity

Chipotle is popular with individual diners and small groups, but the company has struggled to effectively serve larger groups. Boatwright said during the third-quarter earnings call that just 2% of transactions come from groups of four or more.

Analysts expect Chipotle to generate close to $12 billion in revenue this year. Based on Boatwright's estimates, catering currently generates between $120 million and $240 million in revenue annually. If the company can grow its catering business to match its peers, catering revenue could expand to $1.2 billion over time. Catering represents an opportunity to tack on around $1 billion in largely incremental revenue, as it is unlikely to cannibalize the existing business.

The number of transactions at Chipotle's restaurants declined by 0.8% in the third quarter. Chipotle is introducing new menu items and taking other steps to return to transaction growth, but the state of the economy is working against the company. Expanding the catering business offers an additional path to reaccelerating revenue growth as the company navigates a tough environment.

Two new initiatives show promise

Chipotle is tackling its deficiency in serving larger groups with two new initiatives. First, the company launched a catering pilot at 60 restaurants in Chicago late last year. The pilot features high-efficiency equipment and a new technology stack to manage orders, and a marketing push is coming to drive customers to the new offering.

The major challenge Chipotle faces as it aims to expand its catering business is avoiding disruption. The company must accommodate an increase in catering orders at its existing restaurants without slowing down or otherwise impeding the standard service of fulfilling in-person and online orders. It will take time for Chipotle to figure out the best way to accomplish this, so growing the catering business is likely to be a story that plays out over multiple years.
Would you like to learn about the natural wonders of South Africa and Zimbabwe?

Join the Daviess County Audubon Society at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 for its first meeting of 2026. DCAS members, longtime birders and veteran travelers Laverne Bush and Marilee Thompson will present photos and highlights of their recent visit, focusing on birds, fauna, flora and culture.

The chapter meets at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, 122 E. Second St.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has placed boosting the country's economy at the top of his agenda for 2026, warning that measures taken so far have failed to sufficiently improve Germany's competitiveness.

In a four-page letter sent at the start of the year to members of his governing coalition, Merz said the economic situation remained "very critical in some areas," according to the document seen by dpa.

In 2026, Germany would therefore need to focus on taking decisive political and legislative action to substantially improve conditions for businesses, Merz wrote, adding that only then could the economy return to growth and emerge from the crisis.

Support for Ukraine reaffirmed

In the letter, Merz also reiterated Germany's continued support for Ukraine, saying that the decision to use Russian assets frozen in the European Union had created the financial basis to support Kiev's defence against Russia over the long term.

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"Russia must have no doubt about our resolve," the chancellor wrote.

At the same time, Merz stressed that the German government would continue to push for a ceasefire that preserved Ukraine's sovereignty.

"Our diplomatic work is being carried out under difficult conditions," he said, pointing to Russia's limited willingness to negotiate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's efforts to maintain unity at home, and what he described as profound changes in trans-Atlantic cooperation.

Appeal to strengthen trust in politics

In closing, Merz urged lawmakers to restore confidence in politics by delivering solutions to concrete problems.

"This is how we will also convince the vast majority of our population of the value of our democracy and our market-based economic system," he wrote.
Families and daycare providers across Georgia are raising concerns after the Trump administration announced changes to federal child care funding, leaving many uncertain about how and when the new requirements could affect payments.

Some providers say they learned about the changes through an email from the federal government earlier this week.

While funding has not been cut off in Georgia, advocates say the lack of clear guidance has created anxiety for an industry already operating on thin margins.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new nationwide payment requirements after federal childcare funds were frozen in Minnesota amid allegations of fraud.

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Under the new rules, states must demonstrate that funds are being spent appropriately before federal dollars are released.

Federal officials say the policy applies to all 50 states, including Georgia.

Sydney Busby, owner of Sydneys Pampered Peach Daycare in South Fulton, said the announcement raised concerns about potential delays. Her family has operated the daycare on Derrick Road for 30 years.

My mom named it after me, Busby said. So its a lot for me to continue that legacy and continue to provide a safe space.

Busby said her business survived the COVID-19 pandemic and previous federal funding changes, and she remains hopeful they can weather this uncertainty as well.

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At the end of the day, we will be fine, she said. Its not going to stop us. Weve made it through COVID.

Education consultant Tiffaney Tulluis Johnson said news of the funding changes was alarming, particularly for smaller providers that rely heavily on federal assistance.

The federal government says it will now release childcare funds only after states meet new documentation and oversight requirements.

Providers worry that added steps in the process could slow payments.

When providers dont get or are unable to draw down the funds they rely on  things like the CAPS program or Head Start  it creates challenges and insecurity in the marketplace, Johnson said.

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Mindy Binderman, executive director of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, said federal childcare funding is essential to keeping daycares open and staffed.

MORE FROM 2 INVESTIGATES:

She said the money supports payroll, nutrition programs and educational materials.

Childcare is essential to Georgias economy, Binderman said.

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While Minnesotas funding remains frozen, Binderman said Georgia continues to receive payments for now. However, she said the federal government has not provided a timeline for when the new requirements could begin affecting states.

Currently, child care is still being paid for CAPS recipients, she said. We really dont know what will happen.

State officials say federal child care funding is still distributed weekly in Georgia and that they are monitoring developments and awaiting further guidance from federal agencies.

Advocates warn that prolonged uncertainty could strain providers and families if delays or disruptions occur.

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A 40-year-old woman was fatally shot by an Illinois State Police trooper after allegedly striking a police vehicle and driving toward a trooper in a stolen vehicle, police said.

According to an Illinois State Police news release, troopers were investigating a report of a stolen vehicle when they attempted to stop it near a convenience store in the 4500 block of State Street shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday.

The driver, identified as Rachel E. Tarrence, put the vehicle in reverse and struck an ISP squad car, according to police.

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Tarrence then drove toward a trooper, who fired his weapon, striking Tarrence, police said. Troopers immediately rendered aid and called for emergency medical services. Tarrence was pronounced dead at a local hospital, which was not identified in the release. No troopers were injured in the incident.

Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation special agents are investigating the shooting. The trooper involved, whose name has not been released, has been placed on administrative status, which is standard procedure.

Upon conclusion of the investigation, police said all evidence will be turned over to the St. Clair County States Attorneys Office for review.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  New Mexico State Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) has asked Attorney General Raul Torrez for clarification on the states seven-day waiting period on gun purchases.

This comes after a federal appeals court halted New Mexicos seven-day waiting period on gun purchases, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into legislation in 2024.

Story continues below

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Brantley says she sent a letter to Torrez asking him to explain whether the state is currently barred from enforcing the waiting period, what guidance should apply to federally licensed firearms dealers while the case remains pending, and whether statewide communication is needed to ensure consistency.

So were asking the attorney general to come in, not to pick sides, but to come and just clarify where the law stands today, so that all of our gun store owners are operating under one systemic standard, a unified standard, Brantley told KRQE News 13.

Brantley said, despite the ruling, firearm retailers across New Mexico are operating under mixed standards, with some continuing to impose the seven-day delay and others proceeding without it.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
President Donald Trump's military intervention in Venezuela has emerged as a flash point in the closely watched Republican primary campaign between Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, a long-running Trump antagonist, and retired Navy SEAL officer Ed Gallrein, who has the president's backing.

Massie, showing his non-interventionist leanings, fired off a series of social media posts criticizing the dramatic action that captured Nicolas Maduro and removed him from the South American country.

Wake up MAGA, Massie wrote. VENEZUELA is not about drugs; its about OIL and REGIME CHANGE. This is not what we voted for.

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The congressman claimed that Trump wrongly circumvented Congress when ordering the attack.

In the Constitution, the Founders vested war making power in Congress, not the Executive branch, he wrote.

Gallrein responded that Massie had shown his true colors by criticizing the military operation, and said the congressman's stance is not what the people of this district expect from a Republican.

This operation sends a clear message: the United States will not allow rogue regimes to enable criminal networks or use oil and other resources to fuel our global adversaries, Gallrein said on social media. Holding bad actors accountable is how we restore law and order, deter aggression, and protect American families.

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Gallrein added that American intervention opens the door to a new chapter for the people of Venezuela  one defined not by decades of oppression, but by the possibility of peace and prosperity.

Gallrein is a farmer and businessman who had a long military career. Gallrein says he was part of the military operation decades ago that toppled another Latin American strongman: Panamas Manuel Noriega. He is Trump's choice to challenge Massie, a maverick who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump.

The primary election in May will test Trumps hold over Republican politics. The sudden emergence of Venezuela as an issue will test the president's ability to hold together his coalition during a challenging election year for Republicans that could be defined by domestic concerns like health care and affordability.

The libertarian-leaning Massie has won reelection by lopsided margins since entering Congress in 2012  even when he incurred Trumps wrath.

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The military action in Venezuela is the latest example of Massie standing up to Trump.

The congressman opposed the massive tax breaks and spending cuts package last year that Trump calls beautiful but Massie says will grow the national debt and hurt the economy. Massie said the president lacked authority to attack Irans nuclear sites without congressional approval. And Massie was at the forefront of efforts to force the public release of case files on the sex trafficking probe into the late Jeffrey Epstein.

In his bid to unseat the congressman, Gallrein has the presidents vaunted political operation on his side, and a super PAC launched by Trump aides has run ads attacking Massie. But he will confront an entrenched, well-funded incumbent in Massie.

Trump on Monday reiterated his support for Gallrein on his social media platform and urged other Republicans to stay out of the May primary.

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I have heard that there are other Candidates exploring a run for this seat, but I am asking all MAGA Warriors to rally behind Captain Ed Gallrein, the Candidate who is, far and away, best positioned to DEFEAT Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the beautiful Commonwealth of Kentucky, Trump said.

So far, at least two Democrats have filed to run for the congressional seat stretching across northern Kentucky, along with a third Republican besides Massie and Gallrein. The eventual Republican nominee will be heavily favored in a district last represented by a Democrat two decades ago.
Real change has not come to Venezuela despite Nicolas Maduro's ouster as president and the armed forces remain loyal to the regime: that was the blunt assessment Monday of former security operatives living in exile.

Last weekend, from the Colombian-Venezuelan border, Williams Cancino watched the spectacular US snatch-and-grab of his ex-boss and president.

He hoped it could be the beginning of freedom for Venezuela, after a quarter century of repression, economic depression and one-party rule.

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But if things are to really change, first "a new high command is needed" in the country's powerful security services, he told AFP on Monday.

"The top brass are totally loyal to the regime," said Cancino, who until his defection in 2019 was an officer in Venezuela's police and the Special Action Forces, which are often used to crack down on dissent.

Through flawed elections and mass protests, they helped Maduro's government to survive.

When contacted by AFP, several Venezuelan former soldiers and police officers -- branded as traitors by their government -- shared the view that many of the same people still control Venezuela, despite a dramatic change at the top.

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Much power appears to remain in the hands of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino -- both wanted by US authorities.

The military, and even Maduro's own son, have pledged loyalty to new interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president and close confidant.

"Currently, the armed forces' leadership is nothing more than an appendage of a dictatorial regime," said one former colonel who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

With Maduro out of the country, he believes "the high command" should "step aside".

Cleberth Delgado, a former detective, is also skeptical about a transition in Venezuela while commanders loyal to Rodriguez remain in their posts.

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In constant contact with former comrades, many ex-officers say they are preparing to return to Venezuela, with the goal of taking over roles from the current military leadership.

"We are waiting for the right moment to support the new government," one that is elected at the polls, Delgado said. But so far, there is little sign that it will happen.

Even US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has spent his political career campaigning for democracy in Cuba and elsewhere in Latin America, said elections were not the priority in Venezuela.

US President Donald Trump has outright dismissed the idea that Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition figurehead Maria Corina Machado could lead the country.

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While some former officers still speak of change by force, Cancino hopes his former comrades will do the right thing.

"We don't want conflict, and much less a civil war. We don't want to face off against brothers."

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Officials across Minnesota are reacting to Gov. Tim Walz's decision to abandon his bid for a third term amid mounting political pressure as a result of investigations into fraud in public programs.

Walz announced on Monday morning that he's ending his gubernatorial campaign so he can focus on rooting out fraud in federal and state safety net programs during his final year in office.

"Every minute that I spend defending my own political interest would be a minute I cant spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who want to prey on our differences," he said during a news conference. "So, I've decided to step out of this race, and I'll let others worry about the election while I focus on the work that's in front of me for the next year."

Related: 'The buck does stop with me': Gov. Tim Walz speaks after ending reelection bid

On the heels of Walz's announcement, Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin shared a statement, praising the governor for making a "selfless choice (that) speaks volumes about his character."

Im deeply grateful to Governor @Tim_Walz for his integrity, his humility, and his unwavering commitment to Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/s4eNZqkNFM  Ken Martin (@kenmartin73) January 5, 2026

Democratic Governors Association Chair Andy Beshear, who also serves as Kentucky's governor, called Walz "a true leader who has delivered results that will make life better for Minnesota workers and families for years to come."

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"Hes been a national leader in fighting for the middle class, ensuring free school meals, investing in public schools, and expanding access to affordable health care," he said.

From fighting for the middle class and ensuring free school meals for students, to expanding affordable health care access and protecting reproductive rights  Gov. @Tim_Walz has delivered historic results for Minnesotans.



As a veteran, educator, coach, and public servant, hes pic.twitter.com/shVI34IhCC  Democratic Governors (@DemGovs) January 5, 2026

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed Beshear's comments, thanking Walz for his work in securing free school meals for Minnesota's public school students, as well as establishing the state's new paid family and medical leave program.

Because of Governor Walz, Minnesotans have paid family leave and free school meals.



We have rights and freedoms that our neighbors don't.



Thank you, Governor, for everything you have done for our city and our state.  Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) January 5, 2026

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy thanked Walz for steering Minnesota through unprecedented challenges since he took office in 2019  a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police  and commended him for recognizing "the political moment we're facing."

"The threats posed by the Trump administration were already dire, and now that he has weaponized his entire government against our state, they are existential," she wrote in a statement, adding that "our challenges are compounded by the Minnesota Republicans who embrace Trumpism or are too afraid to call out the cruel harm he is doing."

Were grateful for the years Governor Walz has spent in public service delivering for Minnesotans as a public-school teacher, National Guardsman, member of Congress, and as our Governor. pic.twitter.com/5lw5pcmrnt  Minnesota DFL (@MinnesotaDFL) January 5, 2026

Meanwhile, at least two Republican candidates for governor claimed that any Democrat who runs to replace Walz will inherit the scrutiny that he's faced, reiterating a declaration by the state's Republican Party.

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"Tim Walz and his staggering fraud could not outrun our investigations and the momentum we have in this race," state Rep. Kristin Robbins said. "He knows he will lose in November, and would rather give up than take responsibility."

Robbins chairs the new Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee, which has been denounced by Democrats as a political stunt, especially since the launch of the Maple Grove lawmaker's gubernatorial campaign.

Tim Walz and his staggering fraud could not outrun our investigations and the momentum we have in this race. He knows he will lose in November, and would rather give up than take responsibility.



Anyone Walz handpicks to run for governor will own the fraud and failures of this  Kristin Robbins (@KRobbinsMN) January 5, 2026

House Speaker Lisa Demuth's message was similar, saying only a Republican governor can deliver the needed "transformational change across state government."

If Democrats think they can sweep Minnesotas fraud scandal away by swapping out Tim Walz, they are wrong.



Every Democrat in Minnesota has spent years enabling criminals who stole our tax dollars, with still no meaningful accountability and no end in sight to the billions in https://t.co/Pk2K0PNKna  Lisa Demuth (@LisaDemuthMN) January 5, 2026

Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash was among a handful of Republicans who called for Walz's resignation last week.

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He issued a statement following the governor's announcement on Monday, singling out U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who's reportedly considering running for governor, claiming she "would bring the same failed, dysfunctional D.C. politics to Minnesota."

Statement from Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash



Governor Tim Walz leaves behind a legacy Minnesotans wont soon forget  a legacy of dysfunction, disorder, and declining trust.



Under Tim Walz, Minnesota watched cities burn while leadership hesitated. Churches and schools were pic.twitter.com/TL22YyW3Lm  Republican Party of Minnesota (@mngop) January 5, 2026

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A South Carolina teenager reported missing late last year has been found safe, and a man has been arrested in the case, authorities said.

The Lexington County Sheriffs Office said Mackenzie Dalton, 16, was found in Lexington County following an investigation into her disappearance.

Deputies said there is no indication Dalton was ever held against her will or with someone she did not want to be with.

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Dalton was reported missing after she was last seen leaving her home in late November, according to a Jan. 2 statement from the sheriffs office. At the time, authorities said she was considered an endangered juvenile due to her age and the length of the time she had been gone.

Lexington County deputies said 16-year-old Mackenzie Dalton, missing since late November, was found safe Jan. 6, 2026. (Fox News)

Teen Girl Vanishes From South Carolina Home; Police Fear She's In Serious Danger After Monthlong Search

Investigators previously said they believed Dalton may have been with a man she knew, although authorities did not release the man's identity.

Read On The Fox News App

The sheriffs office said the vehicle Dalton drove away in and the suitcase she took from her home were recovered during the investigation. The teen was described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 118 pounds.

Police arrested Mackenzie Keith English Jr., 18, in this case. He was charged with obstruction of justice. He is accused of lying to investigators about being with Dalton and his knowledge of her location.

Deputies arrested Mackenzie Keith English Jr., 18, charging him with obstruction of justice, during their investigation.

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Authorities accuse English of lying to investigators about being with Dalton and about his knowledge of her whereabouts.

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English is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center, the sheriffs office said.





Original article source: Missing South Carolina teen Mackenzie Dalton found safe after monthlong search leads to arrest
UPDATE, 1/6/26, 7:30 a.m.: Zaiyden Savoy and Malachi Senegal were located safe, and the Endangered/Missing Child Advisory is canceled.

ORIGINAL STORY: LAFAYETTE, LA. (KLFY)  A Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory has for 3-year-old Zaiyden Savoy and 8-year-old Malachi Senegal.

According to officials, they were last seen on Monday, December 29, 2025, on Hugh Wallis Road in Lafayette. Detectives advised that the children are with their non-custodial mother, Casandra Senegal.

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Casandra Senegal is described to be a black woman with brown eyes and black hair. She is 5 foot 1 inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds.

Zaiyden Savoy is a described to be a black boy with brown eyes and short black hair. His height and weight are unknown.

Malachi Senegal is described to be a black boy with brown eyes and short black hair. His height and weight are unknown.

Casandras mode of transportation is unknown, but she is believed to be in the Lafayette area.

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Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Casandra Senegal, Zaiyden Savoy, or Malachi Senegal should immediately contact the Lafayette Police Department at 337-291-5612 or call 911.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
A US federal court has refused Amazons motion to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the retailer of charging excessive prices for essential goods during the Covid-19 pandemic.

US District Judge Robert Lasnik ruled that claims brought under Washington consumer protection laws were sufficiently clear when applied to pricing practices and could encompass the alleged conduct.

Seattle-based Hagens Berman managing partner Steve Berman said: This is a significant victory for consumers who allege that Amazon made billions in excess profits during the pandemic.

In his decision, Lasnik said it was reasonable to infer that Amazon took advantage of pandemic conditions when public health restrictions and supply disruptions limited consumer choice and imposed unfair prices on certain goods.

The complaint alleges that prices on a range of products sold through Amazons platform surged, including a 1,044% increase for toilet paper.

It also cites hikes of 1,523% for cold remedies and up to 1,800% for some face masks.

Lasnik noted that internal Amazon documents suggested the company was aware of what constituted price gouging and had told state attorneys general that it was seeking to curb such behaviour.

In an order dated 5 January, he wrote that plaintiffs had plausibly alleged that Amazon exploited vulnerable consumers who turned to Amazon as a lifeline for consumer goods and food items during a public health crisis, accumulating huge and unjust profits.

The court also issued separate rulings blocking several subpoenas served by Amazon, finding that they appeared intended to harass or embarrass the class representatives.

Lasnik said that the reasonable inference is that Amazon is trying to make this litigation as difficult, burdensome, and potentially embarrassing as possible for the named plaintiffs closest associates.

The lawsuit was first filed on 21 April 2020 and seeks compensation for consumers who paid what are described as unfair prices for food and other consumer goods purchased on Amazon between 31 January 2020 and 20 October 2022, around the period when Washington and other states lifted Covid-related states of emergency.

The proposed class includes individuals who bought consumer or food items categorised as emergency goods during the period and whose prices were allegedly set at unfair levels.

The court said the exact determination of which prices were unfair would be addressed after the completion of discovery and expert assessment.

Retail Insight Network has contacted Amazon for a comment.

"US judge allows Amazon Covid-era price gouging lawsuit to proceed" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended Israel's controversial decision to become the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state as "morally right" during a visit to the Horn of Africa on Tuesday.

Israel took the decision at the end of December to condemnation from other countries in the region. Somaliland, with its capital at Hargeisa in northern Somalia, has been effectively independent from Somalia for more than three decades.

Saar said that no one would determine the countries that Israel recognized as states. Somaliland was a "functioning state" and "a stable democracy," he said, according to his office.

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According to the information, mutual embassies would soon be opened, and Israel had invited Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to visit.

Speaking in Hargeisa, Saar criticized the recognition of a Palestinian state by many countries. By contrast with Palestine, Somaliland was not an apparent state, Saar said without further explanation.

Mogadishu reacted sharply to Saar's visit to Hargeisa. The Somali Foreign Ministry said Somaliland was an "integral and indivisible part" of Somalia.

Saar's visit represented a serious violation of the sovereignty and political unity of Somalia and an unacceptable interference in the country's internal affairs, it said in a statement.

Somaliland has long called for international recognition.
A Wyoming woman told her sister a month before her murder she believed her ex-boyfriend was capable of killing her.

The grieving family of 20-year-old Macey Dawn Bradshaw have opened up about her tragic death as part of a December 16 murder-suicide in the town of Lyman, hoping it will help other families avoid the heartache they've experienced.

In a superbly written feature by Cowboy State Daily, Macey's father, Justin Bradshaw, described getting a call from her on his way to work, learning from her that her ex was outside her apartment, and then racing to her home in a vain attempt to prevent what she predicted.

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Justin recalled hearing a pair of gunshots as he reached for the door handle to enter Macey's apartment.

I actually heard his body fall to the floor, said Justin, adding he opened the door to find Macey and her ex-boyfriend, James Hunter, motionless on different sides of the room. They were both alive, with bullet wounds to the head; Macey was in her bed, and Justin rushed to her.

She was still alert, still awake, and she asked me to help her," Justin said. "She said, Dad, Im gonna be sick. Im gonna throw up. I need to get on the floor.

Justin called 911, but neither Macey nor Hunter could be saved.

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About a month ago, Macey said to me, I wouldnt be surprised if James killed me, and then killed himself, said Maceys closest sister, Taylor Bradshaw. I never thought it would actually happen.

The article recounts how teenage love morphed into toxic codependency, as Macey, in her junior year, moved into Hunters parent's home the year after he graduated high school. The two spent every moment together and started distancing themselves from friends.

Thats when it started going downhill," Taylor said. "They spent all their time at home together. He wasnt going out with his friends anymore. Both of their mental health got really bad. They turned towards drinking. I think that was her out, and it was something they did a lot together.

Macey told her sister the relationship was wearing thin, and that when she tried discussing a split, he would threaten to harm himself.

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She knew she needed to leave him for a long time, but she kept telling me, I care for him so much and I don't want him to do anything to himself, Taylor said.

Tennessee Teen Shot and Killed by Ex-Boyfriend As She Tried to Escape His Car

Days after Macey's 18th birthday, Hunter told Macey he threatened to harm himself to keep her in the relationship, and with help from her parents, she moved to Utah. But after two years away, Macey returned to Lyman, found a waitressing job and moved into her own apartment.

Macey was so proud to have her own place," Bradshaw explained. "She decorated it all cute. She had a job, she had a car. She felt like she finally gained independence in her world."

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In time, the high school sweethearts started seeing each other again, which was troubling for her family, given Hunter seemed withdrawn and reclusive. Physically, he lost an unhealthy amount of weight, the father said, and stopped taking care of his appearance.

Justin said James forced his daughter to sign a "soul contract" with him, after which he "gave her a blood painting. It was this demonic drawing, and he cut himself and used his blood to finish it, friend Chaynee Martin said, adding Macey perceived these drawings to be symbolic threats.

Then, in September, the two met for a date. Hunter decided to bring a gun.

She sent me a message that said, 'He has a gun. This isn't normal. I don't feel safe. I just have to tell somebody. I'm deleting this message,' said Martin, who then called police even though "she told me not to tell a single person about it.

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A month later, when it seemed Macey was moving on with another man, Hunter started cruising the new man's neighborhood in his car. Macey also discovered her ex was stalking her, Justin said. Then, Martin said, Hunter "laid hands on her," and she decided that was final straw. She broke things off, but James wasn't going to go quietly.

Martin said he showed up outside her home, looking for Macey, who was inside. "He banged on the door. Macey was hiding in the corner, and we had Taylor on FaceTime. He banged on the door again, and I told him, Macey said she's done. You have to respect that.'"

13-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Murder-Suicide Just 3 Days Before Christmas

Added Martin: "We were terrified. I was so afraid of a gun on the other side of that door."

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On the morning of December 17, Hunter parked around the corner from Macey's apartment and approached her building on foot.

Her sister believes he entered Macey's apartment by popping out a window frame in the front door and reaching through to unbolt the lock from the inside. After the murder-suicide, first responders found James had duct tape and zip ties in his pockets.

I think James had malicious intent beyond just taking her life," Justin said. "But the timing was so quick  I was there within minutes of when he broke into her house  he didn't have time to do anything else. At times that kid was happy and had a good heart and had nothing but genuine love and intent for Macey. But that was not the person I saw that day. The evilness of the world  got him.

Justin said he is glad he could be there for Macey's last moments, so she felt safe. She had a visible look of pain and agony on her face, but she was still there with me, and she talked to me," he recounted. "I think she found a little bit of peace knowing that I was there to help her."

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Hunter and Macey later died at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. A brief police investigation determined Hunter killed Macey before dying by suicide.

Macey's loved ones have established a nonprofit organization called A New Dawn, which aims to provide mental health resources for young women and others.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Storm Goretti is expected to bring heavy snow to Wales at the end of the week.

The first named storm of the year is part of a new Met Office yellow weather warning for significant snowfall, which runs from 18:00 Thursday until 12:00 GMT on Friday.

"In some areas, 5-10 cm of snow may settle - with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations," say forecasters.

Up to 20 counties in Wales are expected to be affected by the latest weather warning, with travel disruption and school closures likely to continue.

The weather graphic shows the storm moving over Wales on Thursday [BBC]

Snow and ice warnings are currently in place across Wales, bringing widespread disruption, as the new school term begins and many return to work.

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An overnight low of -9.6C was recorded in the town of Bala, Gwynedd on Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday.

More than 380 schools were shut for a second day, with closures in Anglesey, Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea and Wrexham as motorists faced tricky conditions, after a number of roads were blocked due to snowfall.

With some students expected to sit English and Welsh literature exams in the coming days, Ian Morgan, chief executive of the exam board WJEC, said there was guidance in place regarding school closures, including the option of holding exams in the summer.

"I think if this was the final chance they had, then I could understand that they would be more concerned, but circumstances are out of their control to some extent," he said.

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"The opportunity will be there for them in the future to be able to sit that unit," he added.

A snow-covered country lane in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire [Pete Barnes]

When will it snow?

Further wintry showers are forecast and a mix of rain, sleet and snow is expected later on Tuesday, with a Met Office spokesperson warning those travelling to allow extra time for journeys.

Carmarthenshire council said they have "activated its severe weather arrangements and is focused on maintaining essential access and support".

Pembrokeshire Council warned conditions were expected to remain challenging, after a spokesperson said overnight road surface temperatures in some areas had dipped to -4.5C.

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The council urged residents "to avoid travelling unless absolutely essential".

"Unnecessary journeys place additional pressure on emergency services and our highways teams" they added.

Road closures and delays have been reported in counties including Carmarthenshire, Conwy and Gwynedd.

The unusual sight of a WW2 vehicle ferrying people in the snow in the village of Bethesda, Eryri [Dawn Stanworth / Anglesey Island]

At the weekend, residents in Bethesda, Gwynedd, were treated to the unusual sight of a World War Two all-terrain vehicle making its way around the village.

The Studebaker M29C Weasel was designed to be used in snow and was intended to be used in Norway during the Second World War to halt Germany's nuclear weapons programme.

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While the mission in Norway was cancelled, the amphibious vehicles, designed in Britain and manufactured in the US, were used elsewhere during the war, including Normandy in France.

Military collector Andrew Singleton, 55, from Bethesda, who bought the Weasel in 2005 and restored it, decided to take it out for a spin on the A5, which was impassable to other vehicles at the time.

He said the vehicle, which has a maximum speed of 36 mph, "handled beautifully", adding "everybody was pleased to see it".

Mountain leader and rock climbing instructor Dawn Stanworth, 38, from Bethesda said hitching a ride with a friend around town in the vehicle had "made our day", describing the experience as "really fun".

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"It made a lot of people smile," she added.

How to drive in snow

Driving in snow and ice can be difficult, but preparing can help.

Having winter tyres for extra grip, topping up screen wash and using anti-freeze are all measures that can make winter driving easier.

It is also important to plan your journeys, and to allow extra time and check traffic reports before setting off.

If your car does get stuck, do not try to keep moving if the wheels spin - it will only dig the car in deeper.

How to look after pets in snow

[South Uist Vibes/Weather Watchers]

Like humans, animals are at risk of hypothermia if they become too cold.

Raising pet beds off the ground can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may prefer playing or resting in high dens or on climbing posts.

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Experts also recommend extra play time to make sure pets keep active if they are spending less time outside: indoor toys can help.

Your pet may want to eat more to help maintain their body temperature. They may also drink less, but make sure they have constant access to fresh drinking water to avoid the risk of dehydration.

You can find out more here.

Analysis - Derek Brockway, BBC Weather

A deepening low pressure, named Storm Goretti by the French weather service, will impact Wales on Thursday afternoon and overnight into Friday.

This will bring some heavy rain, but also heavy snow for some areas.

The Met Office has issued a yellow snow warning, from midday Thursday into Friday. The warning may be upgraded to amber on Wednesday, when more up-to-date information is available.

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A spell of heavy snow is likely to develop over higher ground in south Wales on Thursday, before rain turns to snow more widely during Thursday night.

In some areas, 5-10 cm of snow may settle - with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations, especially over higher ground such as the Heads of the Valleys and Powys. Strong winds may lead to some drifting of snow.

The rain and snow will then clear eastwards during Friday.

More top stories
Buses are lined up at the Kansas City Public Schools bus barn in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Kevin Hardy/Stateline)

When I heard my former student Mike was suspended after shoving and injuring my 2nd grade student, Eddy, as they got off the bus at the start of a recent school day, I wondered if I could repair what had been done, providing an outcome that would make a positive difference in the lives of these boys.

Could I mediate a conversation between them so that Mike, now in middle school, understood the gravity of what he did? Could I help ensure Eddy felt safe around older students?

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Buoyed by the idea of using restorative practices, which separate the deed from the doer and shift the focus away from punishing Mike to address and fix the harm that was done, I asked my school administrators and the boys families if Mike could spend time in my classroom as a tutor and mentor to Eddy.

The powerful connection that grew between the boys as a result of this extra effort gives me so much hope.

Across the country, including schools around Pennsylvania, projects are underway to turn traditional student discipline models on their heads. Why? Its all about encouraging appropriate behavior by bringing students into the collaborative process to resolve the issues.

A recent study by the University of Chicago Education Lab found that schools that implemented restorative practices saw proactive changes in students behaviorsincluding an 18% decrease in suspensionswith many youth experiencing a stronger sense of belonging.

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In 2023, Representative Anthony Bellmon introduced bipartisian legislation that reflected this growing body of research and would have embedded conflict resolution instruction into both coursework and educator training. The bill, which didnt pass, was meant to ensure students develop skills such as mediation, effective communication, emotional regulation, and relationship-building by equipping educators with sustained professional learning to put these practices into action in our schools.

Restorative practices and more robust teacher training are important strategies that go beyond what is included as student supports in Pennsylvania Statute.

Heres why:

First, they are a more effective and sustaining way to address discipline. Suspension, which pulls students away from their classrooms and learning, doesnt always help them see the bigger picture of how their behaviors affect others. After the incident, Eddy was hesitant to be anywhere near Mike. However, as I supported them, each boy had a role to play as they worked together. Eddy became more relaxed; feelings of safety and trust replaced his uncertainty as they built a mentor-mentee relationship. Meanwhile, Mike got a little brother out of the deal.

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Another reason for employing restorative practices is that it teaches students collaborative skills. With Mikes support, Eddy, who struggled with reading comprehension, became more confident to ask questions of me and his peers when he struggled to understand what he read. For his part, Eddys calm nature forced Mike to slow down, which helped him be more patient and understanding while also strengthening his confidence in his abilities as Eddys reading tutor. And the time they spent together encouraged conversations outside of academics. Soon Mike and Eddy were singing songs they both liked.

Just as important, restorative practices help students work through conflicts, giving students tools to engage with each other during disagreements and empowering them to use their voice and become part of change.

During the last week of school, as the students walked to their bus, Mike playfully pulled Eddy into a hug and ruffled Eddys hair. Eddy was full of smiles and giggles. I was near enough to overhear their conversation: Eddy, Im sorry for what I did to you. I dont know why I did it. If I could take it back, I would.

The Latin root for discipline is discere which means to learn. Restorative practices are a tool that educators can use to teach students how to navigate their social world. Lets bring it into schools across Pennsylvania so that students like Mike and Eddy can move beyond punishment and into a place where they belong and get along.

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NOTE: The students names were changed to protect their privacy.

Martine Devine is a K-8 English development teacher in Pittsburgh Public Schools in Pittsburgh and 2025-2026 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow

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LONDON (AP)  Just days after a global backlash erupted over Elon Musks AI chatbot Grok generating sexualized deepfakes of people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon will embrace the technology.

Hegseth said Monday that Grok will soon be deployed on every unclassified and classified network throughout the department. U.S. officials are endorsing the technology even as governments around the world have condemned it.

Rising alarm from disparate nations points to the nightmarish potential of nudification apps that use artificial intelligence to generate sexually explicit deepfake images.

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Heres a closer look:

Nudification requests

The problem emerged after the launch last year of Grok Imagine, an AI image generator that allows users to create videos and pictures by typing in text prompts. It includes a so-called spicy mode that can generate adult content.

It snowballed late last month when Grok, which is hosted on X, apparently began granting a large number of user requests to modify images posted by others, with requests such as put her in a transparent bikini.

The problem was amplified both because Musk pitches his chatbot as an edgier alternative with fewer safeguards than rivals, and because Grok's images are publicly visible, and can therefore be easily spread.

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Musk's response

In apparent response to the outrage, Grok said it was limiting image generation and editing features to paying subscribers.

On Friday, the chatbot was responding to image altering requests with the message: Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers. You can subscribe to unlock these features.

It was only granting publicly visible requests from X users with blue checkmarks given to premium subscribers who pay $8 a month for extra features.

On Tuesday, The Associated Press confirmed free users could still use the image editing tool on X by clicking the Edit image button that appears on every image posted to the platform instead of tagging Grok with a request. The standalone Grok website and app were also still granting image editing requests on Tuesday.

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Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, has been responding to requests for comment with the automated response, Legacy Media Lies.

X has previously said will take action by remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, permanently suspending user accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary. Musk has warned that, Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.

Governments, however, are not satisfied and have demanded Musk do more to rein in explicit or abusive content.

Malaysia

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Authorities said Tuesday they would take legal action against X and xAI, accusing the companies of failing to ensure user safety.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement that it has hired a lawyer and would soon start legal proceedings.

It said Grok is being misused to generate and distribute harmful content including sexually explicit, indecent, extremely offensive as well as non-consensual manipulated images.

The announcement came days after it banned Grok until effective safeguards are in place, noting that it has already written to X and xAI demanding stronger protections.

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Indonesia

The Southeast Asian nation temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday.

The government sees nonconsensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the safety of citizens in the digital space, Indonesian Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement.

Officials said Grok lacks guardrails to stop users from creating and distributing pornographic content based on real photos of Indonesian residents, which risks violating privacy and image rights when photos are manipulated or shared without consent.

Britain

The U.K.s media regulator on Monday launched an investigation into whether Grok violated its duty to protect people from illegal content. The regulator, Ofcom, said Grok-generated images of children being sexualized or people being undressed may amount to pornography or child sexual abuse material.

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Technology Secretary Liz Kendall called the AI-generated images weapons of abuse and said the center-left Labour government would target the source of the problem by making it a crime for companies to supply tools to create nude images without consent.

Kendall said X could face a possible Ofcom fine of up to 10% of its qualifying global revenue depending on the investigations outcome and a possible court order blocking access to the site.

They can choose to act sooner to ensure this abhorrent and illegal material cannot be shared on their platform, Kendall said in Parliament.

Musk over the weekend called the British government fascist and said it is trying stifle free speech.

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Under the U.K.s Online Safety Act, social media platforms must prevent and remove child sexual abuse material when they become aware of it.

European Union

The 27-nation bloc's top official for tech affairs warned X to that it has to deal with the problem.

X now has to fix its AI tool in the EU - and they have to do it quickly. If not, we will not hesitate to put the DSA to its full use to protect EU citizens," Henna Virkkunen posted on X, referring to the Digital Services Act. She is the executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy at the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm.

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The Commission has, under the bloc's digital regulations, ordered X to retain all internal documents and data relating to Grok until the end of 2026, a spokesman said last week.

The order is part of a wider investigation under the EUs Digital Safety Act, and follows a similar order to retain files after Grok spread Holocaust-denial content last year.

Under the EU law, all platforms have to get their own house in order, because what they are generating here is unacceptable, spokesman Thomas Regnier said. "And compliance with EU law is not an option. Its an obligation.

France

The Paris prosecutor's office said it's widening an ongoing investigation of X to include sexually explicit deepfakes after officials received complaints from lawmakers.

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Three government ministers alerted prosecutors to manifestly illegal content" generated by Grok and posted on X, according to a government statement.

The government also flagged problems with country's communications regulator over possible breaches of the Digital Services Act.

India

The Indian government issued an ultimatum to X, demanding that it take down all unlawful content" and take action against offending users.

The ministry accused Grok of gross misuse of AI and serious failures of its safeguards and enforcement by allowing the generation and sharing of obscene images or videos of women in derogatory or vulgar manner in order to indecently denigrate them."

The ministry warned failure to comply by the 72-hour deadline would expose the company to bigger legal problems, but the deadline passed with no public update from India.

Brazil

Lawmaker Erika Hilton said she reported Grok and X to the Brazilian federal public prosecutors office and the country's data protection watchdog.

In a social media post, she accused both of generating, then publishing sexualized images of women and children without consent.

She said X's AI functions should be disabled until an investigation has been carried out.

Hilton, one of Brazil's first transgender lawmakers, decried how users could get Grok to digitally alter any published photo, including swapping the clothes of women and girls for bikinis or making them suggestive and erotic.

___

AP Technology Writer Kaitlyn Huamani in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Four astronauts are on the verge of becoming the first humans to venture near the moon in more than half a century since NASA's iconic Apollo era came to an end.

As early as February, the crew of a mission known as Artemis 2 will board the U.S. space agency's Orion capsule atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket in Florida for a 10-day trip circumnavigating the moon.

The mission doesn't include plans for a moon landing  yet. Instead, the four astronauts will venture on a cosmic journey that will lay the groundwork for future astronauts to step foot on the lunar surface in the years ahead.

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Why does NASA have a renewed interest in the moon decades since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to reach its surface? It's all part of a larger plan to reach Mars by establishing a permanent human lunar presence.

Here's everything to know about Artemis 2, and how the mission fits in with NASA's larger goals for space exploration.

Spaceflight in 2026: How Florida's Space Coast will have a central role in crucial launches

What are NASA's Artemis missions?

NASA's Artemis program is the agency's ambitious campaign to return Americans to the surface of the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

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In the years ahead, NASA's Artemis campaign aims to launch a series of crewed missions to establish a continuous human presence on the moon with a lunar settlement on the south pole. That's where water ice thought to be abundant in the region could be extracted and used for drinking, breathing and as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel.

Why does NASA want to go to the moon?

Ultimately, Artemis reflects NASA's moon-to-Mars approach to getting the first humans to the Red Planet.

The lunar settlement  which includes plans for a nuclear reactor  would serve as a base of operations to make further crewed space missions, including trips to Mars, possible.

When was the last time Americans landed on the moon?

The last U.S. astronaut to land on the moon was on Dec. 19, 1972, during NASA's Apollo 17 mission. All told, NASA astronauts have been to the moon on six separate Apollo missions, beginning with Apollo 11 in 1969.

What is Artemis 2? Orion capsule to take 4 astronauts around moon

The astronauts of Artemis II (from left) Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch leave crew quarters December 20, 2025 during their pre-launch rehearsal. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

The crew of Artemis 2 are due to circle the moon on a 10-day trip.

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The Orion capsule the crew will pilot  built by Lockheed Martin  is due to travel about 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon before returning to Earth. From that vantage, the astronauts should be able to see Earth and the moon from the capsule's windows  with our planet nearly a quarter-million miles away, according to NASA.

The planned trajectory for the four-day return journey will use Earth's gravity to naturally pull Orion back home after flying by the moon, negating the need for propulsion or much fuel.

When will Artemis 2 launch?

NASA's Artemis 2 mission could get off the ground as early as Feb. 6 and no later than April.

The mission would come more than three years after Artemis 1 launched Nov. 16, 2022, from the Kennedy Space Center, sending the Orion capsule on a moon orbiting mission without a crew in the first test of the vehicle.

Who are the Artemis 2 astronauts?

Here's a look at the four-member crew of Artemis 2:

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NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman , a Baltimore native and the mission's commander who last flew to space in 2014 on a Russian Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover , the pilot from Pomona, California, who flew to space in 2020 on a SpaceX mission to the space station.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch , a mission specialist from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who holds several space agency records and who flew in 2019 on a Soyuz ISS mission.

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, another mission specialist who will fly to space for the first time.

Koch and Glover represent the first woman and first African American, respectively, assigned to a NASA lunar mission. Additionally, Hansen is set to become the first Canadian to fly close to the moon, according to Reuters.

When would a moon landing happen?

While no moon landing is in store for the Artemis 2 astronauts, the mission serves a vital role in testing the systems and hardware on the spacecraft needed for future expeditions to the lunar surface.

The first of those could happen no earlier than 2027 with the much more ambitious Artemis 3 mission, which will return astronauts to the surface of the moon for the first time in more than half a century.

Where will the Artemis missions launch in Florida?

Both the Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions will get off the ground from NASA's Kennedy Space Center along Florida's Space Coast near Cape Canaveral. The astronauts themselves will be aboard an Orion capsule at Launch Complex 39B that will hitch a ride out of Earth's atmosphere atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket, built by Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

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Artemis 2 will be the first time that the giant, 322-foot-tall SLS rocket and the Orion capsule will fly with humans aboard.

Contributing: Brooke Edwards, FLORIDA TODAY; Reuters

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA's pivotal human moon mission could launch in Florida in February
Four astronauts are on the verge of becoming the first humans to venture near the moon in more than half a century since NASA's iconic Apollo era came to an end.

As early as February, the crew of a mission known as Artemis 2 will board the U.S. space agency's Orion capsule atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket for a 10-day trip circumnavigating the moon.

The mission doesn't include plans for a moon landing  yet. Instead, the four astronauts will venture on a cosmic journey that will lay the groundwork for future astronauts to step foot on the lunar surface in the years ahead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Why does NASA have a renewed interest in the moon decades since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to reach its surface? It's all part of a larger plan to reach Mars by establishing a permanent human lunar presence.

Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander captures its shadow on the moon's surface after completing a successful landing March 2 near a volcanic feature on the moon called Mons Latreille. The vehicle became the first of two landers manufactured by a U.S. company to reach the moon is 2025 in crucial missions to lay the groundwork for NASA to return humans to the lunar surface in the years ahead. Athena, the lunar lander on Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission, captured this image of the moon's surface with Earth seen in the distance ahead of a March 6 landing attempt. While the lander was the second U.S. vehicle to reach the moon within a week, it ultimately landed on its side, which hindered much of its mission. NASA astronaut Suni Williams is helped out of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft March 18 following a return to Earth after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station. She and NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore crewed the Boeing Starliner, which had launched in June 2024 on a failed test flight that was meant to return them to Earth a few days later. Butch Wilmore reacts after he and Suni Williams and two other astronauts splashed down March 18 in a Crew Dragon space capsule following their return to earth from the International Space Station off the coast of Florida. The astronauts' extended stay at the orbital outpost dominated the news cycle for months. A SpaceX support team member is seen airborne while working to lift the SpaceX Dragon capsule that returned the Starliner astronauts and two others onto a recovery vehicle following its landing off the coast of Florida. This picture shows the crew of a privately-funded mission known as Fram2, from left to right, mission specialist and medical officer Eric Philips, mission commander Chun Wang, pilot Rabea Rogge and vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen on March 19, 2025 in Hawthorne, California. Launched March 31 from Florida using a SpaceX Dragon capsule, the mission became t first ever human spaceflight over the Earth's polar regions. Pop musician Katy Perry emerges April 14 from Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule in West Texas following a brief flight to the edge of space. Perry was part of an all-women crew that also included broadcast journalist Gayle King that took the ride from Blue Origin's facility called Launch Site One. The high-profile launch attracted plenty of headlines and even drew some backlash from those who viewed the mission as a wasteful publicity stunt. Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket carrying astronauts Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Kerianne Flynn, Gayle King, Katy Perry, and Lauren Sanchez lifts off April 14 from Launch Site One near Van Horn, Texas. Blue Origin has since launched five more human spaceflights on the New Shepard in 2025. This photo depicts a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the latest batch of Amazon's broadband satellites on Dec. 16 to low-Earth orbit after launching from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Formerly called Project Kuiper, the venture has since been renamed Amazon Leo. Since its debut April launch, Amazon Leo has deployed 180 of 3,000 satellites planned for its first constellation, which could challenge SpaceX's Starlink. A group of Blue Origin employees with their friends and families gather on the beach in Cape Canaveral for the launch of Blue Origin's second New Glenn rocket in 2025. Following its January debut, the rocket launched for the second time Nov. 13 from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft on their trek to Mars. Darkness falls Nov. 9 as a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket is prepped for its second-ever launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Blue Origin is developing the towering rocket for heavy-lift missions that could see Jeff Bezos' company compete with Elon Musk and SpaceX. The SpaceX Starship spacecraft sits Oct. 12, 2025 atop the Super Heavy booster before sunrise as preparations continue for its 11th test flight from the company's complex in Starbase, Texas. A SpaceX Super Heavy booster carrying the Starship spacecraft lifts off Oct. 13, 2025, on its 11th ever test flight at the company's launch pad in Starbase, Texas. The launch was Starship's fifth of 2025, and second consecutive successful test flight following a year that was early on marked by explosive failures. SpaceX is developing the rocket for future missions that would help NASA astronauts land on the moon and also potentially transport the first humans to Mars. 2025 spaceflight in photos. See images of Blue Origin, SpaceX missions 1 of 13 Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander captures its shadow on the moon's surface after completing a successful landing March 2 near a volcanic feature on the moon called Mons Latreille. The vehicle became the first of two landers manufactured by a U.S. company to reach the moon is 2025 in crucial missions to lay the groundwork for NASA to return humans to the lunar surface in the years ahead.

Here's everything to know about Artemis 2, and how the mission fits in with NASA's larger goals for space exploration.

Spaceflight in 2026: 6 spaceflights ahead, from NASA moon missions to SpaceX Starship

What are NASA's Artemis missions?

NASA's Artemis program is the agency's ambitious campaign to return Americans to the surface of the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

In the years ahead, NASA's Artemis campaign aims to launch a series of crewed missions to establish a continuous human presence on the moon with a lunar settlement on the south pole. That's where water ice thought to be abundant in the region could be extracted and used for drinking, breathing and as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel.

Why does NASA want to go to the moon?

Ultimately, Artemis reflects NASA's moon-to-Mars approach to getting the first humans to the Red Planet.

Advertisement Advertisement

The lunar settlement  which includes plans for a nuclear reactor  would serve as a base of operations to make further crewed space missions, including trips to Mars, possible.

When was the last time Americans landed on the moon?

The last U.S. astronaut to land on the moon was on Dec. 19, 1972, during NASA's Apollo 17 mission. All told, NASA astronauts have been to the moon on six separate Apollo missions, beginning with Apollo 11 in 1969.

What is Artemis 2? Orion capsule to take 4 astronauts around moon

The astronauts of Artemis II (from left) Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch leave crew quarters December 20, 2025 during their pre-launch rehearsal. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

The crew of Artemis 2 are due to circle the moon on a 10-day trip.

The Orion capsule the crew will pilot  built by Lockheed Martin  is due to travel about 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon before returning to Earth. From that vantage, the astronauts should be able to see Earth and the moon from the capsule's windows  with our planet nearly a quarter-million miles away, according to NASA.

Advertisement Advertisement

The planned trajectory for the four-day return journey will use Earth's gravity to naturally pull Orion back home after flying by the moon, negating the need for propulsion or much fuel.

When will Artemis 2 launch?

NASA's Artemis 2 mission could get off the ground as early as Feb. 6 and no later than April.

The mission would come more than three years after Artemis 1 launched Nov. 16, 2022, from the Kennedy Space Center, sending the Orion capsule on a moon orbiting mission without a crew in the first test of the vehicle. The Orion splashed down Dec. 11, 2022, in the Pacific Ocean.

Who are the Artemis 2 astronauts?

Artemis II NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen stand in the white room on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

Here's a look at the four-member crew of Artemis 2:

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NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman , a Baltimore native and the mission's commander who last flew to space in 2014 on a Russian Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover , the pilot from Pomona, California, who flew to space in 2020 on a SpaceX mission to the space station.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch , a mission specialist from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who holds several space agency records and who flew in 2019 on a Soyuz ISS mission.

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, another mission specialist who will fly to space for the first time.

Koch and Glover represent the first woman and first African American, respectively, assigned to a NASA lunar mission. Additionally, Hansen is set to become the first Canadian to fly close to the moon, according to Reuters.

When would a moon landing happen?

While no moon landing is in store for the Artemis 2 astronauts, the mission serves a vital role in testing the systems and hardware on the spacecraft needed for future expeditions to the lunar surface.

The first of those could happen no earlier than 2027 with the much more ambitious Artemis 3 mission, which will return astronauts to the surface of the moon for the first time in more than half a century. President Donald Trump has signaled he wants to see the moon landing before the end of his second term in 2028.

NASAs Hubble Space Telescope last observed come 3I/ATLAS on Nov. 30, about four months after Hubble's first look at the interstellar comet. 3I/ATLAS became one of the biggest cosmic stories of the year when astronomers deemed it to be the third-ever discovered interstellar object in our solar system originating from an entirely different part of the galaxy. The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Oct. 2, 2025. At the time it was imaged, the comet was about 19 million miles from the spacecraft. The comet didn't come nearly as close to Earth, when it reached a distance of 170 million miles from our planet on Dec. 19. This image shows the 3I/ATLAS interstellar comet as a bright, fuzzy orb in the center. Traveling through our solar system at 130,000 miles per hour, 3I/ATLAS was made visible by using a series of colorized stacked images from Sept. 11-25, using the Heliocentric Imager-1 (H1) instrument, a visible-light imager on the STEREO-A (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) spacecraft. The colorization was applied to differentiate the image from other observing spacecraft images. Because it's big enough to be deemed a "city killer," asteroid 2024 YR4 became a source of alarm due to the uncommonly high risk it had of colliding with Earth on Dec. 22, 2032. For a time, it was the only object among more than 37,000 known large space rocks with any chance of hitting Earth anytime soon  with its probability of impact even rising to a record level of 3.1%.That began to change in late February as more precise observations allowed scientists to effectively winnow down the asteroid's odds of impact to a number so low, it might as well be zero. An exoplanet known as K2-18b achieved a degree of fame in April when a team of astronomers claimed to have found in its atmosphere "the strongest evidence yet" that life exists anywhere else besides Earth. Other scientists have since cast doubt on the findings  putting a damper on the notion that humanity finally had proof that we aren't alone in the cosmos. This artist's concept shows what exoplanet K2-18b could look like based on scientific data. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has observed K2-18b, an exoplanet 8.6 times as massive as Earth, revealing conditions that could support life on the exoplanet. NASAs Perseverance Mars rover is seen in a "selfie" that it took over on Sept. 10, 2021. Perseverance rover, along with Curiosity, is one of the agency's two car-sized robots exploring the Martian surface for signs that the planet was once habitable. And in September, NASA officials confirmed that one of the rovers finds contained a potential biosignature. A reddish rock nicknamed "Cheyava Falls", with features resembling leopard spots was discovered by NASA's Perseverance rover in Mars Jezero Crater in July 2024, in this handout photograph released on September 10, 2025. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, light up the night sky Nov. 11 east of Denver, Colorado. A powerful geomagnetic solar storm in November blasted Earth and created the conditions necessary to reveal the auroras much further south in the United States than is typical. A group of friends take photos of the northern lights Nov. 11 as they appear over Clinton Lake in Lawrence, Kansas. After NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a "severe" geomagnetic storm watch in November, many people in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the U.S., had an extraordinary opportunity to gaze upon some breathtaking red and green auroras in their own backyard. In June, the state-of-the-art Vera C. Rubin ground telescope in Chile unveiled its first stunning images of the cosmos. This particular image combines 678 separate images taken by the observatory in just over seven hours of observing time. Combining many images in this way clearly reveals otherwise faint or invisible details, such as the clouds of gas and dust that comprise the Trifid nebula (top) and the Lagoon nebula, which are several thousand light-years away from Earth. 2025 was a year of cosmic discoveries. Here's a look back at 6 1 of 11 NASAs Hubble Space Telescope last observed come 3I/ATLAS on Nov. 30, about four months after Hubble's first look at the interstellar comet. 3I/ATLAS became one of the biggest cosmic stories of the year when astronomers deemed it to be the third-ever discovered interstellar object in our solar system originating from an entirely different part of the galaxy.

Where will the Artemis missions launch?

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket can be see at the launch pad at Florida's Kennedy Space Center in 2022 ahead of Artemis 1.

Both the Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions will get off the ground from NASA's Kennedy Space Center along Florida's Space Coast near Cape Canaveral. The astronauts themselves will be aboard an Orion capsule that will hitch a ride out of Earth's atmosphere atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket, built by Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

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Artemis 2 will be the first time that the giant, 322-foot-tall SLS rocket and the Orion capsule will fly with humans aboard.

Contributing: Brooke Edwards, USA TODAY Network; Reuters

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA Artemis astronauts set to fly around moon in historic mission
A helicopter pilot with the Montana National Guard has pleaded no contest to trespassing charges stemming from a fly-in shed-hunting incident in May 2025. The part-time pilot, Deni Lynn Draper, was one of three servicemen who allegedly landed a Black Hawk helicopter on a private ranch in Sweet Grass County to collect shed antlers without permission. The Montana National Guard has also conducted an internal investigation that is separate from the civil court proceedings, according to public affairs officer LTC Thomas Figarelle.

Protecting the public trust is paramount to the Montana National Guard and we take any misuse of government resources seriously, Brigadier General Trent Gibson said in a statement shared with Outdoor Life. Yet, this matter involves two distinct issues. One concerns alleged trespassing, which falls under the jurisdiction of civilian courts. The other is the appropriate use of government resources, which has been investigated through established military processes. Our objective throughout this  and all investigations  is to ensure justice, while safeguarding due process. This ensures outcomes are fair, lawful, and appropriate. We will always hold our Soldiers and Airmen accountable  to ensure a professional and trusted force.

Appearing in Sweet Grass County Court on Monday, Drapers attorney Dwight Schulte changed his original plea from not guilty to no contest, waving Drapers right to a jury trial. Judge Jessie Connolly accepted the plea, according to Montana Right Now, and she deferred Drapers sentencing for six months, which means the charges can be erased from his record if he is not charged with another crime during that time.

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Connolly also raised the fine amount from the $100 proposed by the prosecution to $500, which is the maximum penalty for a standard criminal trespass misdemeanor in Montana.

The court finds since you do serve our country, you are held to a little higher standard than many people, Connolly said of her decision to up the fine.

Read Next: Montana National Guard Under Investigation After Allegedly Using a Helicopter to Steal Shed Antlers

County Prosecutor Patrick Dringman reportedly said he thought the plea agreement was appropriate, and that a no contest plea has the same effect of a guilty plea in the eyes of the law. (By definition, a no-contest plea is not an express admission of guilt, but it allows the court to sentence a defendant as if they were guilty.) If Draper does not adhere to that plea agreement, however, he will owe another $500 and could serve up to six months in jail. Another condition of the agreement is that Draper forfeits any future claims to the antlers that were taken from the ranch and later seized by state wildlife officials.

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Drapers plea agreement also has no bearing on the trespassing charges facing the other two servicemen, Michael Vincent Bray and Perry Woodland. Both pleaded not guilty, and their jury confirmation hearing is still scheduled for Jan. 14.

Its unclear why Drapers attorney changed his plea, and Schultes office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Schulte reportedly told the court that Draper made a mistake without malicious intent and that he never intended to land on private property.

Officials said last May, after the incident made national news, that the men took two elk sheds and one deadhead from the ranch owned by Linda McMullen. The servicemen were all charged with criminal trespassing, and neighboring ranchers David and Sandy Holman provided eyewitness reports of the helicopter landing on McMullens parcel.

Read Next: Watch: A Landowner Stole My Buddys Public-Land Elk to Deter Us from Hunting This Outfit

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The Montana National Guard acknowledged the incident at the time, and public affairs officer Major Ryan Finnegan seemed to imply in a statement that the three men knowingly landed the Black Hawk helicopter on the ranch to collect elk sheds. Finnegan said the senior pilot had reached out to McMullen to ask about giving an in-person apology.

The antlers, which are currently in the possession of Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, will be returned to McMullen. There could also be additional repercussions for the three guardsmen, and Dringman acknowledged that possibility in court Monday, saying theres other consequences beside what happened here today.

LTC Figarelle says the militarys internal investigation into the incident was just recently completed. He says appropriate actions will be taken as a result, but that he is unable to share any specifics due to the privacy protections afforded in military investigations.

I can say that weve updated policies and directives to assert that collecting antlers is strictly prohibited on any land, Figarelle says. To include even authorized training areas that our personnel access.

Editors Note: This article was updated on Jan. 6 to include a statement from the Montana National Guard, as well as information about the militarys internal investigation.
The report, which cited diplomatic sources, stated that Netanyahu called Putin to deliver the message to Iran after a recent rise in tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to Iran through Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he assured that Israel has no intentions of going to war with the Islamic Republic, KAN News reported on Monday.

The report, which cited diplomatic sources, stated that Netanyahu called Putin to deliver the message for Iran after a recent rise in tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem.

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The report also noted that Putin had already sent a similar message to the Ayatollahs regime back in October, when he also assured that Israel was not interested in an escalation.

We are continuing our talks with Israel and are receiving signals from the Israeli leadership with a request to convey to our Iranian friends a message that Israel is seeking a settlement and is not interested in any kind of conflict," said Putin back in October during an interview for the TASS News Agency.

Netanyahu addresses Knesset at 40-signature debate on extremist government, Jerusalem, January 6 (credit: Mark Israel Salem)

Netanyahu warns Iran: If attacked, consequences will be severe

Prime Minister Netanyahu already issued a warning to the Iranian regime about a possible escalation, saying during his speech at the Knesset's 40-signature debate on "extremist government" on Monday that "If we are attacked by Iran, the consequences will be severe."

He also vowed Israel would not let Iran renew its ballistic-missile and nuclear-weapons program. Our position is zero enrichment capability, the removal of all enriched uranium from Iran, and continuous oversight of nuclear facilities, he said.

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In response to the ongoing protests by the Iranian people against the regime, Netanyahu said: We may be standing at a decisive moment in which the Iranian people will take their fate into their own hands.

Keshet Neev contributed to this report.
Netflix has pulled a Chinese drama series from its Vietnam platform after Hanoi objected to an episode featuring a map with contested territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The 27-episode romance drama Shine on Me includes images of the so-called nine-dash line which Vietnam has condemned as "inaccurate" and "infringing upon national sovereignty".

China uses the line in its maps to demarcate its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Vietnam is one of many countries that object to these claims.

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Vietnam's culture ministry issued a demand for the series to be removed on 3 January and gave Netflix 24 hours to comply.

A BBC check on Tuesday found it could no longer be viewed on Netflix's Vietnam platform.

The disputed map appears several times in episode 25 of Shine On Me, in a scene about China's solar power potential.

The show's main characters attend a lecture where a map of China which shows part of the nine-dash line is projected on an auditorium screen.

Shine On Me is popular within China and other territories, ranking among Netflix's Top 10 shows in Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam before it was pulled.

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Beijing has not officially commented on the ban, although its state-run newspaper Global Times published an article on Tuesday urging Hanoi to "separate cultural exchanges from [the] South China Sea issue".

In recent years China has increasingly asserted its claims of sovereignty over several land parcels and their adjacent waters in the South China Sea, despite complaints from Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

Beijing has expanded some islands and built structures on them, and conducted sea patrols which at times have resulted in heated confrontations with the Philippine navy.

China argues that various pieces of evidence, from pottery shards to navigational guides used by Chinese fishermen, back up its claims of historical sovereignty.

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In 2016 an international tribunal in The Hague ruled against Chinese claims in the South China Sea, but Beijing did not recognise the judgement.

The dispute between Beijing and Hanoi particularly centres on the Paracel and Spratly island chains, which the nine-dash line loops around on Chinese maps.

China says its right to the area goes back centuries to when these island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation.

Vietnam hotly disputes this, saying China had never claimed sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea before the 1940s.

Hanoi says it has actively ruled over the Paracels and the Spratlys archipelagoes since the 17th Century and that it has the documents to prove it.

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There are many issues that could provoke public uproar in Vietnam  including what citizens consider insulting depictions of the Vietnam war  but the nine-dash line is one that consistently draws authorities' attention.

On most other issues, the Vietnamese government actively works to contain anti-China sentiment, but criticism affirming Hanoi's claims in the South China Sea is one of very few forms of protest it deems acceptable.

Between 2019 and 2024, Vietnam filed eight written takedown requests with Netflix, according to the streaming platform's reports.

In 2023, Vietnam had also ordered Netflix to remove another Chinese drama, Flight to You, over a similar map.

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Chinese dramas are not the only productions to be banned by Vietnam for featuring the nine-dash line.

Authorities banned Warner Bros' Hollywood blockbuster Barbie in 2023, and DreamWorks' animated film Abominable in 2016, for similar reasons.

Additional reporting by Sen Nguyen in Bangkok
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  People moving to Nevada increased in 2025, according to separate surveys by two of the biggest companies in the business. Why here? Family, retirement and jobs were the answers for about 60% who made the move.

End-of-the-year surveys by United Van Lines and U-Haul both showed Nevada moved up as a growth state, increasing the percentage of inbound movers compared to people who were leaving.

Its a familiar position for the Silver State, which was at the top for population growth from the 1970s through 2010. The state slipped to No. 5 during the decade that began in 2010.

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The surveys showed a big jump for people using full-service United Van Lines, and a much smaller jump for the do-it-yourselfers using U-Haul.

United Van Lines: Nevada 10th on list of growth states

Climbing from No. 20 in 2024, Nevada reached No. 10 in 2025. The survey showed 57% of movers were coming to the state, and 43% were headed out. In 2024, it was 53% inbound, 47% outbound.

This survey contained a lot of extra information, including why people relocated as well as age and income ranges. The top reason for moving to Nevada was the same as the rest of the country: to be closer to family. But that percentage was smaller (20.5%) compared to the nation overall (29%). The breakdown for people moving to Nevada:

20.5%  Family

19.9%  Job

19.9%  Retirement

13.0%  Lifestyle

8.1%  Cost

4.3%  Health

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On the flipside, more than 35% of the people leaving Nevada cited the reason as being closer to family. Another 16.8% were leaving for a job, and 14.9% were retiring to another state.

Most of the people (39.1%) coming to Nevada were 65 or older. The same age group was leaving faster than they were coming, with exactly half of those on the way out at 65 or older.

Most of the people using full-service moving services (possibly paid by a company) were high-income, making $150,000 or more. That stat was about the same for inbound and outbound movers.

Oregon was the top state with 65% of people going there, and just 35% leaving. Next were West Virginia, South Carolina, Delaware, Minnesota, Idaho, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama, and Nevada at No. 10. States with the highest percentages of people leaving were New Jersey (62%), New York (58%) and California (58%).

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The company has been tracking the stats for a long time. This was their 49th annual report, covering household moves handled by the UniGroup network (parent company of United Van Lines).

U-Haul survey puts Nevada at No. 20

Movers using U-Haul dont fit the same profile. Their top destinations are different, with Texas at the top. That wasnt even in the Top 10 in the other survey.

Nevada moved from No. 35 last year to No. 20 in 2025, and company officials said migration has stabilized here.

A lot of companies are cutting back on remote work. This may be bringing some people back into the state that moved out during the pandemic, U-Hauls Christopher Piedra said. He is the district vice president for Southern Nevada and parts of California.

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The survey showed people coming to Nevada fell 2% year-over-year, while departures fell more than 3%  producing a net gain. The breakdown showed 50.4% of U-Haul customers on one-way trips were coming to Nevada, and 49.6% were leaving. The net gain is the basis for U-Hauls rankings.

There are still a lot of jobs in the hospitality and gaming sectors. Although we are seeing a drop in gaming, there are still a lot of opportunities, Piedra said.

The Henderson area continues to grow. Thats a factor in the states overall growth. The majority of the people moving to Nevada come from Southern California, and specifically Los Angeles. We also see people arriving from San Francisco, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah and Colorado, Piedra said.

Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina are the Top 5 growth states of 2025. Its the same list as 2024 and 2023, although the order has changed. Texas ousted South Carolina for the top spot, becoming the leading growth state for the seventh time in 10 years.

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California ranks 50th for the sixth year in a row. Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Illinois are also among the bottom five.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The Nevada State Republican Party posted this picture on social media after party chairman Michael McDonald, center, and five other Republicans signed a fake certificate in December 2020 falsely claiming that Donald Trump had won the 2020 presidential election in Nevada that Trump lost to Joe Biden.

Nevada State Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald and the five other 2020 fake presidential electors from Nevada  James DeGraffenreid, Duward James Hindle III, Jesse Law, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice  must be celebrating today in observance of the violent attempt to overthrow an election by storming the U.S. Capitol five years ago.

Trump attorneys instructed McDonald, DeGraffenried, et al. to meet in Carson City in December 2020 and pretend Trump had won the presidential race in Nevada, even though old Joe Biden beat Trump fair and square.

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Due to the patent absurdity of not only the McDonald-led cast of characters but also their empty election fraud claims, their tawdry little ceremony on Dec. 24, 2020, was mostly brushed off at the time as just another exhibition of Trump-inspired quackery.

And yet the plot to steal the election, and the January 6 insurrection that ensued, rested on the existence of fake electors from Nevada and six other states. Thats why Team Trump instructed Nevadas fake electors to put on their pathetic little show and then send fake electoral certifications to Congress.

Under the scheme crafted largely by Trump lawyer John Eastman, Vice-president Mike Pence, while overseeing the electoral vote count, would accept the fake certificates from Nevada and other states as grounds to declare the election results in dispute and either not count them or throw the election to the House of Representatives to determine the election outcome. Under either scenario, Trump would have been declared the winner of the election he lost.

Of course it turned out Mike Pence had at least an ounce or two of something wholly undetectable in the likes of Trump, Eastman, or McDonald: patriotism. If youll recall, according to Trumps followers that day, patriotism is an offense punishable by hanging.

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McDonald is still the chair of the Nevada State Republican Party, and the party has an astounding preponderance of weak candidates and failed campaigns to show for it.

The most  only  high profile victory by a Nevada Republican in a competitive contest over the last ten years was Joe Lombardos win over former incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in 2022. Upon securing the nomination, Lombardos campaign tried to get as little of Trump, or the Nevada Republican Party, on their candidate as possible, and Lombardo won despite the state party, not because of it.

But the Nevada Republican Partys considerable fecklessness notwithstanding, under McDonalds leadership, it can always be relied upon to diligently and faithfully put Trumps interest ahead of Nevadas.

Like fake electors in other states, McDonald et al. were indicted. Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford literally could not have been slower in bringing the indictments, only to have a court rule Ford filed the case in the wrong jurisdiction. The Nevada Supreme Court overruled that decision in November, and the case is scheduled to finally be heard next month.

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In 2023 the Nevada Legislature passed a law clearly and specifically outlawing fake electors. Perhaps remembering that his political career could be ended with a single social media post from Trump, Lombardo vetoed it.

Trump pardoned the 1,600 lawless insurrectionists on the ground in Washington on Jan. 6. He also pardoned the fake electors in Nevada and the other states who made it all possible. But Fords charges are state, not federal, so Trumps pardon of Nevadas electors was nothing more than a minor red meat media hit for the base.

Meanwhile, Ford hopes to be the Democratic nominee for governor against Lombardo this year. So maybe Ford will slam Lombardo for vetoing the bill to outlaw fake electors.

Then again, maybe not.

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Five years after the insurrection, the most glaring thing about Nevadas fake electors is the degree to which the state, including many of its elected officials  Republican and Democrat alike  have sought to ignore them, or if thats not possible, then to normalize them, effectively succumbing to Trumps attempt to deny and rewrite history.

And now, ironically thanks in part to a Nevada electorate whose votes Trump and Nevadas fake electors tried to nullify five years ago, weve got the president to show for it.
Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro  who is in custody in a Brooklyn jail with his wife Cilia Flores after a dramatic pre-dawn arrest and capture in Caracas Saturday  is expected to argue he is immune from prosecution as a head of state, an argument his lawyer hinted at in court Monday.

The United States, on the other hand, will likely argue it does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, and hasn't since 2019, when it said his re-election was fraudulent.

There may be issues with both arguments, though.

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"I could see the Department of Justice convincing a judge of their position that he actually isn't a true head of state and he was not properly elected, and I think most nations in the world would agree with that," said Margaret Donovan, a Yale Law School lecturer and former U.S. federal prosecutor.

Still, the defence is a natural choice to lean toward, according to Donovan. "And of course we have a leader here in the United States  who is very keen on having immunity from criminal offences when you are the head of state," she said.

Toward the end of the brief court appearance, where both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty, Maduro's defence lawyer, Barry J. Pollack, said his client "is head of a sovereign state and entitled to the privilege" that the status ensures.

Pollack said there were "questions about the legality of his military abduction" and that there would be "voluminous" pretrial filings to address those legal challenges.

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Maduro and Flores, along with Maduro's son and three others, are accused of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tonnes of cocaine into the U.S.

The charges they face are of narco-terrorism conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. If convicted, they could face life in prison.

Differences between Noriega and Maduro cases

The U.S. has drawn several parallels between its arrest of Maduro and the arrest of Panama's Manuel Antonio Noriega, which happened almost exactly 36 years before Saturday's military operation.

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But despite the assets  such as the Panama Canal and Venezuelan oil  that the U.S. may have been trying to secure, there are differences between the two cases.

Noriega's argument that he was immune to prosecution as head of state did not hold up at the time. He never held the title of president during his six-year de facto rule, leaving a string of puppets to fill that role.

In this May 2, 1989 file photo, then-general Manuel Antonio Noriega walks with supporters in Panama City. Noriega was arrested by U.S. forces in early 1990 and died in custody in 2017. (John Hopper/The Associated Press)

In contrast, Maduro claims to have won a popular mandate three times. Although the results of his 2024 re-election are disputed, a number of governments  including China, Russia and Egypt  recognized his victory.

"Before you ever get to guilt or innocence, there are serious questions about whether a U.S. court can proceed at all," said David Oscar Markus, a Miami defence lawyer who has handled several high-profile criminal cases including some involving Venezuela.

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"Maduro has a much stronger sovereign immunity defence than did Noriega, who was not actually the sitting president of Panama at the time."

LISTEN | Trial could free U.S. to depose other leaders:

The charges against Maduro come a month after U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned another former head of state for similar offences.

Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez was sentenced last year to 45 years in prison for his role in a drug-trafficking operation that moved hundreds of tonnes of cocaine to the U.S. In early December, he was released from prison.

"I was asked by Honduras  many of the people of Honduras," Trump told reporters on Air Force One after the announcement. "The people of Honduras really thought he was set up and it was a terrible thing."

Will the narco-terrorism charge stick?

In Maduro's case, the U.S. is positioning the trafficking of cocaine as a type of weapon used against the U.S. Hence, the charge of "narco-terrorism," which appears to combine matters of criminal justice with national security.

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It's a charge former U.S. federal prosecutor Joseph Moreno says he's rarely seen.

"It's creative and it sounds good on television," he said. "The administration is trying to use a confluence of terrorism and narcotics trafficking."

Moreno believes the charge could eventually be watered down as Maduro "will no doubt challenge the allegation that he is, in fact, the head of an illegitimate terrorist organization."

At an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting Monday, the U.S. presented two types of justification that speak to the intertwined nature of the layers of government and international law.

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First, it positioned the capture and arrest of Maduro as a criminal justice operation that was simply facilitated by the U.S. military.

Mike Waltz, the U.S.'s ambassador to the United Nations, called it a "surgical law enforcement operation  against two indicted fugitives of American justice."

Second, the U.S. has not framed this weekend's events as an act of war  but it nonetheless appears to be preparing a defence against those who may see it that way.

Waltz said Maduro was responsible for "attacks on the people of the United States" through drug trafficking and for "destabilizing the Western Hemisphere and illegitimately repressing the people of Venezuela."

Cocaine  not fentanyl

Notably missing from the indictment against Maduro and Flores is any mention of fentanyl.

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Trump used fentanyl trafficking as a justification for multiple strikes on boats leaving Venezuela, killing more than 100 people.

"The administration has been saying that these boats are trafficking fentanyl and that they are a threat to American lives and that's why we can use military force. And so the absence of the mention of fentanyl  is quite interesting," said Donovan, the former U.S. prosecutor.

The trafficking charges are for cocaine, not fentanyl.

Trump repeatedly accused Venezuela of being a hub for fentanyl trafficking, though records have shown that Mexico is the main source of the deadly drug.

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While cocaine does come to the U.S. from Venezuela, experts say it likely amounts to about 10 per cent, with the bulk coming from nearby Colombia.

A supporter of Maduro waves a national flag in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday. (Ariana Cubillos/The Associated Press)

Donovan said Maduro may also raise as a defence the manner in which the U.S. went about its arrest through a military operation. One Venezuelan official said the action may have left at least 40 people dead.

Maduro may also argue against two firearms-related charges, which state that he was carrying firearms to benefit his alleged drug trafficking conspiracies, because those charges are typically hard to prove, she said.
In the aftermath of the high-profile capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro by the United States, the participation by the Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) version of the U.S. Armys MH-60M Black Hawk has thrust one of the most intriguing Special Operations Command (SOCOM) assets into the spotlight. These aircraft are the heavier-hitting gunships of the U.S. Armys elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), better known as the Night Stalkers, and Venezuela was exactly the kind of mission for which they are intended to fly, in support of a direct action mission and assault team.

TWZ readers can otherwise get up to speed on the details that are known so far about the operation in our initial reporting here and here.

Heavily armed attack versions of the H-60 Black Hawk family have been used by a variety of nations through the years. However, the specially adapted DAPs flown by the 160th SOAR are undoubtedly the best equipped, even in comparison to the regiments standard MH-60s, which are used primarily as transports, and are extremely capable in their own right.

A UH-60L Direct Action Penetrator after its induction into the U.S. Army Aviation Museum collection in late 2013. This aircraft was assigned throughout its entire service life to the 160th SOAR, having undergone many upgrades over the years. It was one of the first aircraft in the regiment to undergo the conversion to a DAP in the mid-1990s. U.S. Army

The 160th SOAR has been operating the tricked-out DAP versions of the Black Hawk since at least 1990, with a primary mission of armed escort and fire support. Currently, the unit only operates the MH-60M version. These are flown alongside the M/AH-6M Little Bird, which also have a gunship configuration, and the MH-47G Chinook; the latter type was also employed in Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela.

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Several videos have emerged from Operation Absolute Resolve showing the MH-60M DAP in action, including reportedly during the assault on Fort Tiuna in Caracas, which you can read more about here. This footage has also been identified by some accounts as showing U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Vipers, but it was a DAP. These aircraft are meant to work very close to their targets, with the signature combined strafe and rocket barrage being a primary tactic.

Footage of a U.S. helicopter firing rockets at a ground target in Caracas, Venezuela tonight. pic.twitter.com/5F81gePPin  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 3, 2026

Likely a DAP  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) January 3, 2026

Footage shows a United States Marine Corps (USMC) AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter engaging ground targets with gun and rocket fire in Caracas, Venezuela. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been captured and flown out of pic.twitter.com/bPYWXI8Gbr  OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) January 3, 2026

A video showing the DAP in action in Afghanistan, using guns and rockets:

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In the broadest terms, the current DAP configuration allies a special operations MH-60M with stub wings for an expanded array of ordnance. These wings can be configured with one or two hardpoints on each side. Its also worth noting that the MH-60M aircraft are dual-role; each one can be converted back into a transport helo from a DAP configuration in a couple of hours or less. This provides a lot of contingency capability in a single aircraft.

A 160th SOAR MH-60 in Direct Action Penetrator configuration. Raven Harris

In terms of armament, the DAPs can carry a combination of 70mm rockets, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Stinger ATAS (air-to-air missiles), GAU-19/B 50-cal machine guns, and 30mm M230 cannons. The M230 is the same gun found on the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. In addition, the DAP has a pair of 7.62mm Miniguns that can be locked in a forward-firing mode to add to the firepower. The 70mm rockets include Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) versions, with laser guidance, allowing the DAPs to strike with extreme precision.

The particular configuration seen in the photos below is known as COMNAV IDAP and is typical of how the DAP appeared in Afghanistan in 2012:

A 19-shot pod for 70mm rockets and a forward-firing 7.62mm Minigun on a Direct Action Penetrator. U.S. Army

A 30mm M230 cannon and another Minigun on the opposite side of the same helicopter. U.S. Army

The stores-carrying ability of the 160ths MH-60Ms has been refined through the introduction of all-new lightweight wings, known as the Multi-Station Lightweight Armament Support Structure (MLASS). These are lighter than the older sponsons and easier for troops to install and remove as necessary. The older ESSS wings and single pylon wings are also available.

A 160th SOAR MH-60M in the Direct Action Penetrator configuration using the Multi-Station Lightweight Armament Support Structure (MLASS) stub wings. Hellfire missiles, as well as rocket pods and a 30mm M230 automatic cannon, are seen loaded on the pylons. United Composites

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Aside from the weapons capabilities of the DAP version, the baseline MH-60M is absolutely packed with specialized avionics and systems vital for its critical missions, which are typically flown under the most demanding conditions and primarily at night. Among the most important of these systems are a terrain following radar and a sensor turret with day and night-vision cameras, which we will come back to shortly. Having the same avionics also means the DAP is able to penetrate to the same places as the other 160th SOAR aircraft they are tasked to support.

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment loads rockets into a MH-60 Black Hawk during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, May 6, 2025. U.S. Army Soldiers and aircraft from the 160th SOAR utilized MCAS Cherry Points training area to conduct a FARP. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Williams) Cpl. Matthew Williams

The DAP version also benefits from the rolling program of upgrades that keep the MH-60M at the top of its game. For example, the engine air filters seen on the current MH-60M configuration were added specifically because of foreign object damage (FOD) ingestion issues, which particularly affected the DAP, including rocket smoke and shell casings that were found to fly into the intakes during diving attacks.

A SOCOM slide showing improvements for the MH-60M, some of which are especially relevant for the DAP version, including the AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) to replace the Hellfire. SOCOM

At the front of the MH-60M, mounted in the center of the nose, is the terrain-following/terrain avoidance radar. The newer and more capable AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight radar, or SKR, has been steadily replacing the AN/APQ-174 radar. The SKR is also found on Night Stalker MH-47Gs, as well as U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey tiltrotors and MC-130J Commando II special operations tanker/transports.

In both cases, the radar is essential for the MH-60M to safely fly extremely low-altitude nap-of-the-earth flight profiles, even in poor weather and at night. This is exactly the kind of tactics that would have been used in Venezuela and will also have contributed to keeping the helicopters away from enemy air defenses and avoiding detection in general. As far as we know, only one helicopter was damaged in the Maduro snatch, but returned from its mission.

Footage shows Venezuelan ground forces utilizing a MANPADS at a helicopter from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment during the final phase of Operation Absolute Resolve.



Shortly after the launch, retaliatory fire was observed, likely delivered by MH-60M DAPs or pic.twitter.com/ZEhc8rZFBL  GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) January 4, 2026

On the nose directly below the radar is the AN/ZSQ-2 sensor turret, which houses electro-optical and infrared full-motion video cameras, as well as a laser rangefinder. The DAP version of the turret additionally features a laser designator for guiding weapons.

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Another important tool that aids navigation through dust, sand, snow, fog, and other degraded environments is the Degraded Visual Environment Pilotage System (DVEPS). It uses a combination of cameras and LIDAR, linked to a terrain database, to do this. Among its sensors is the AN/ZSQ-2, seen to the left of the radar in the photo below.

A close-up of the AN/ZSQ-2 turret and one of the sensors associated with the DVEPS to the left, on a standard 160th SOAR MH-60M. U.S. Navy

A different 160th SOAR MH-60M with the complete DVEPS fitted. U.S. Army

There are perhaps no helicopters anywhere in the world that are better protected than the 160th SOARs fleet.

The MH-60M is no exception, bristling with arrays of defensive systems all around the aircraft, creating a sphere of situational awareness and protection against multiple kinds of guided threats.

The defensive suite on the helicopter combines visual/infrared missile, radar, and laser warning sensors, which work together with active jammers and other electronic warfare systems, laser countermeasures, as well as countermeasures dispensers on either side of the tail boom.

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The self-protection systems used by the 160th SOAR fleet are regularly updated to keep pace with changing threats. Among the latest defensive additions to the MH-60M is the Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) system. As a directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system, this uses laser beams to blind and confuse the seekers on infrared-homing missiles. CIRCM is integrated with existing warning sensors, which it uses to cue the lasers against incoming threats. The same system is also being fitted on regular Army Black Hawks, as well as CH-47s and AH-64s.

Should the MH-60M crew get painted by enemy radars or lasers, or if theres an enemy missile incoming, they will be warned by the defensive sensors, which will also automatically trigger electronic jamming, the launch of decoy flares and/or radar-spoofing chaff, and/or trigger the CIRCM system. Its all highly integrated to maximized survivability.

Also part of the survivability equation is just knowing where threats may be, especially if they pop-up out of nowhere. This is where the aircrafts electronic support measures, also tied into its defensive suite, provides situational awareness to the crew in order to give them the option of avoiding or engaging threats on the fly. Other threat data is datalinked to the aircraft from various platforms, enhancing overall situational awareness.

On that note, the MH-60M DAP, in common with all special operations Black Hawks, boasts an extensive communications suite, as evidenced by the dense array of antennas above and below the fuselage. There is also a prominent satellite communications antenna directly above the cockpit.

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As we just discussed in relation to the Venezuela operation earlier today, the Army, and especially the 160th SOAR, has been experimenting with employing launched effects from their H-60s for years now, though this is not an operational capability, at least that we know of at present. These are drones capable of being launched from helicopters (as well as other platforms) that can fly dozens or even hundreds of miles to strike targets, jam emitters, or decoy air defenses, among other tasks. Launched effects are seen as essential to the survivability of helicopters in the future.

The video below, which the Army released in 2021, includes footage at around the 0:34 mark in the runtime of one of 160th SOARs MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters carrying a tube for a launched effect under its right stub wing.

Launched effects are also planned for the Armys conventional Black Hawk fleet, but the Night Stalkers, and the DAP version of the MH-60M in particular, are likely to receive it first. In Venezuela, launched effects would have allowed the DAP to strike targets indirectly and respond to air defenses as they emerged, launching kinetic attacks to get the main formation of helicopters through to their target. There is some evidence this may have happened for the first time in combat during this operation.

Last but not least, as an MH-60M derivative, the DAP has accommodation for the nose-mounted boom for the in-flight refueling probe. This is telescopic, extending when required to keep the tanker and the trailing drogue clear of the rotor blades. This gives the helicopter much longer range, limited not by fuel onboard but by crew fatigue, lubrication consumption and other factors. They usually refuel from their MC-130J counterparts.

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Overall, the DAP version of the MH-60M has a strong claim to being the most heavily armed and best-protected Black Hawk iteration. While it might not be as heavily modified as the stealth Black Hawk, with its radical low-observable features, this remains very much under wraps, and its current status is altogether unclear.

As it stands, the MH-60M DAPs combination of heavy armament, radar, and other sensor capabilities, as well as its extensive self-protection and communications systems, made it an obvious candidate in Venezuela. In the case of this raid, DAPs likely pursued troops responding at the complex that was under attack. They would have been tasked with taking out targets such as armored vehicles and anti-aircraft guns, as well as hitting any known threats just before the assaulters arrived. Critical is the fact that the DAPs can operate as an extremely well-trained integrated team with their 160th SOAR stablemates, working seamlessly as a contained unit in the most demanding of circumstances. It would be much harder to bring in another big Army asset for the same kind of effect.

Hopefully, we will in the future learn more details about its role  and that of the wider 160th SOAR  in Operation Absolute Resolve.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Bill sponsor Assemblywoman Ellen Park said the legislation is about the future of New Jersey. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

A group of Assembly lawmakers advanced a trio of bills Monday afternoon intended to protect New Jersey immigrants from federal immigration enforcement.

The broadest bill the Assembly Judiciary Committee approved would codify the 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, an order from the Attorney Generals Office that restricts when state, county, and local law enforcement can aid federal immigration authorities. Immigrant advocates have urged lawmakers to codify the directive, noting that it could be withdrawn unilaterally by a future attorney general.

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This is about the future of New Jersey, not just America, said Assemblywoman Ellen Park, a Bergen County Democrat whose voice broke as she cast her vote in support.

All three bills passed in a party-line vote, with the committees two Republicans voting no.

The bills were introduced last week, in the waning days of the current legislative session. The next session begins on Jan. 13.

In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson cited the story of an undocumented man accused of killing a mother and her 11-year-old daughter in a drunken driving crash in Lakewood last year. The Trump administration has used the story before to target New Jerseys practice of restricting when local law enforcement can aid federal immigration agents.

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This tragedy is far from the only example of illegal aliens killing innocent bystanders. The New Jersey legislature should focus on protecting law-abiding citizens, not the criminal aliens who kill them, Jackson said.

The hearing for the much-anticipated legislation was moved to a larger room in the Trenton Statehouse to accommodate the hundreds of people in attendance. Some people watched from two separate rooms, and legislative staff had to print more slips because of the number of people who wanted to testify.

Immigrant advocates and local activists who spoke during the three-hour hearing said New Jerseys immigrant communities are plagued with fear because of President Donald Trumps mass-deportation effort. The legislation would make New Jerseyans feel safer, they said, because it would allow them to report crimes to police without fearing they themselves would end up charged with immigration-related crimes.

When your childs classmate is struggling with their friend who has a missing parent, when people are too scared to report a crime or seek assistance, when a teacher finds empty seats in their classroom, or when grocery stores and restaurants find that foot traffic has gone down, when health care professionals see fewer people coming in for preventative care  all of those are impacts on all of us, said Ami Kachalia of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.

Assemblyman Bob Auth objected to the legislation, citing the U.S. Constitutions supremacy clause. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

The bills provisions would:

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Prohibit law enforcement officers from engaging in racially influenced policing, including stopping someone based on their actual or suspected citizenship status and asking someones immigration status unless relevant to an investigation.

Bar state, county, and local police from assisting in federal civil immigration enforcement.

Require law enforcement agencies to create procedures to address certain visa certification requests from potential victims of crime or human trafficking, and post those procedures on their websites.

Mandate that prosecutors inform criminal defendants of immigration consequences.

Require law enforcement agencies to annually report their interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to be published on the state Attorney General Offices website.

Amy Torres, head of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, noted that the directive has been in place for nearly a decade. Under the directive, people have felt free to report their landlords for not turning on the heat, report their employers for wage theft, or come forward as the victims of crime without fearing they would get arrested by federal immigration agents.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said that since the shift in immigration enforcement over the past year, there has been less cooperation from victims and witnesses over fear of retaliation. Years of increased trust from some communities has evaporated because of ICE activity in neighborhoods, Santiago said.

Francesca Chabla, an immigration attorney with immigrant advocacy group Make the Road New Jersey, said shes received countless calls from clients who are unsure whether they should enroll their children for free and reduced lunch programs out of fear that they could be targeted. Many residents dont know who to trust, she said.

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Chabla said the package of bills would provide clarity not only for residents, but for immigration attorneys who can confidently tell the community members that they can safely access health care, schools, and food pantries without fear of losing their due process rights.

States like California, Illinois, and Washington have passed similar legislation, Kachalia noted.

One of the other bills advanced Monday would require the attorney general to develop policies for so-called sensitive locations that would be barred from assisting or participating in federal civil law enforcement, and it would prohibit enforcement on their premises. The locations include health care facilities, public schools, and domestic violence shelters, among other places.

The third bill would bar government entities and health care facilities from requesting or collecting certain information from residents unless strictly necessary to assess eligibility for the requested public service. The information would include a persons immigration status, place of birth, social security number, and individual taxpayer identification number.

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For more than a year, Park and some of her Democratic colleagues have pushed for passage of a separate bill, called the Immigrant Trust Act, that includes provisions from the three bills advanced Monday. The older bill has languished, and Park said it was easier to get support by breaking the bill into three parts. She sponsored two of the three bills advanced Monday.

I think if we were to put this all in one bill, it wouldve been too much to kind of comprehend and digest  so I think it was just better formatted for three pieces of legislation, she said.

The Republicans on the committee  Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth) and Assemblyman Bob Auth (R-Bergen)  questioned whether the bills would withstand legal scrutiny. Auth read aloud a description of the U.S. Constitutions supremacy clause, which bars states from regulating the federal governments actions.

Auth asked a housing attorney who said she represents tenants who are scared of reporting bad landlords what the genesis of that fear is.

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What is it? Whats causing the fear? If youre here as a citizen, you go to court, you get equal justice, right? If youre here as a resident alien and you go to court, you get equal justice, right? So what is the problem? Auth asked her.

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More than 100 Tennessee law enforcement agencies reported arresting at least one person suspected of driving under the influence in 2024, only to discover no alcohol or drugs in their blood.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported the numbers to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker Cameron Sexton as required by a new state law passed unanimously April 15.

Under the bill, the bureau must detail to the lawmakers all instances in the past year when someone was charged with DUI but "no alcohol or other intoxicants are detected in the person's blood or breath." The reporting requirement will end after 2029.

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The law came about after increased media attention surrounding questionable arrests by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

What TBI reported to lawmakers

In total, 419 people were arrested by 108 law enforcement agencies. The Tennessee Highway Patrol which has the widest jurisdictional reach among them, reported the most with 190 arrests, nearly 46% of the total cases.

"While the statute states 'no intoxicants were detected in the persons blood or breath ', it is important to note while TBI calibrates breath alcohol instruments, we do not administer breath testing," the TBI told lawmakers in its report. "As such, weve derived this data from DUI-related blood submissions to the TBI crime laboratories only."

The TBI tested 16,883 blood samples, meaning about 2.5% of them ended up showing no alcohol or drugs in the blood samples of those 419 people.

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The bureau also said while tests did not show a positive result in those cases, that doesn't necessarily mean they were sober.

"There are various substances that may impair a driver, but for one reason or another, may not be detected through our screening," the agency said in its report. "While alcohol screening and impairment can be considered relatively straightforward, drug toxicology can be incredibly more complex."

Where the most arrests happened

Middle Tennessee had the highest concentration of DUI arrests where no alcohol or drugs were detected in blood samples, according to the numbers released by TBI.

Predictably, the largest concentration of arrests happened around Tennessee's largest cities, with Memphis being a notable outlier. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office was not included on the list, and Memphis Police only reported one case.

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The Metro Nashville Police Department also was not included in the list. The law only specifies that TBI must report these numbers, and Nashville operates their own crime lab and testing.

The numbers provided by the Tennessee Highway Patrol do give an indication of the numbers in some of those gap areas. The state is broken into eight districts for state troopers, the smallest of which covers seven counties in southwest Tennessee and the largest covers 15 counties on the Cumberland Plateau.

Tennessee state troopers reported the following number of arrests:

District 1, Knoxville: 41

District 2, Chattanooga: 17

District 3, Nashville: 37

District 4, Memphis: 15

District 5, Fall Branch: 9

District 6, Cookeville: 6

District 7, Lawrenceburg: 25

District 8, Jackson: 40

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hundreds arrested for DUI despite no substances found: TBI
The man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for directing teenagers to rob a Tacoma marijuana dispensary where an employee was shot and killed was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison.

Michael Keylon Miller-Jimerson, 26, was sentenced in Pierce County Superior Court, but hell serve his prison term at the same time as however many years are imposed in the defendants federal court case, where he and two other men are accused of organizing dozens of armed robberies in Pierce and King counties and often recruiting teenagers to carry them out.

Michael Miller-Jimerson, 26, sits in court ahead of his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. Miller-Jimerson plead guilty to second-degree murder for directing three teenagers in the March 19, 2022 robbery of the World of Weed dispensary in Tacoma, where an employee, 29-year-old Jordan Brown, was shot and killed. Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com)

Federal prosecutors filed documents in their case last month that show Miller-Jimerson is expected to plead guilty to armed bank robbery, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. One of the other men, Danesxy Ortega, pleaded guilty in September to his part in the scheme, and court records show the third defendant, Shannon Hartfield, has a trial scheduled in May.

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Miller-Jimerson was 22 years old in March 2022 when federal prosecutors say he was in the midst of those robberies targeting pawn shops, banks, jewelry stores and banks. According to prosecutors, at least 10 people have been charged with or convicted of felonies related to the criminal enterprise.

The robberies began in December 2021 and continued into June the next year. But the March 19, 2022 armed takeover of the World of Weed pot shop, 3202 E. Portland Ave., was the darkest day in the string of crimes. A 15-year-old boy, Marshon Jones, fatally shot 29-year-old Jordan Brown while Jones and Montrell Hatfield robbed the store. It happened just days after the teens escaped house arrest in King County by disabling their ankle monitors.

A third teenager stood lookout while Miller-Jimerson sat in a car outside, waiting in case his accomplices needed a backup getaway driver. According to federal court documents, the robbery occurred the same day that the group robbed a dispensary in Seattle.

Browns father, Dennis, said in a phone call Tuesday that he believed it was important that the adult involved in his sons murder was held accountable, and he described the criminal conspiracy Miller-Jimerson and others were involved in as a ring of terror.

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None of it will bring Jordan back, Dennis Brown said.

He said the holiday season is particularly tough for his family. His daughter recently had a child, and Dennis Brown said she named her son in part for Jordan.

A memorial for Jordan Brown sits outside of Wolrd of Weed on the 3200 block of East Portland Avenue in Tacoma, Wash. on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Brown was shot and killed in an armed robbery while working at the shop on March 19, 2022. Cheyenne Boone/cboone@thenewstribune.com (Cheyenne Boone/cboone@thenewstribune.com)

The punishment Judge Susan Adams imposed was an agreed recommendation from prosecutors and the defense. It was also below the defendants standard sentencing range of about 21-30 years in prison.

Jones and Hatfield, who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and multiple counts of first-degree robbery in February 2024, were each sentenced to 25 years in state custody.

Deputy prosecuting attorney Sunni Ko said in court that she was making this unusual recommendation in part because prosecutors would need the testimony of Jones and Hatfield to prove that Miller-Jimerson acted as an accomplice, and they have refused to cooperate.

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Knowing this, the state was resigned to have Mr. Miller-Jimerson plead or go to trial on his federal charges and had informed the victims family that in all likelihood, Mr. Miller-Jimson would not be prosecuted for the World of Weed homicide, and that he would spend time in federal detention for the federal crimes, Ko said.

However, Ko said the U.S. Attorneys Office for Western Washington worked out a global disposition in which Miller-Jimerson would plead guilty to second-degree murder with an 180-month sentencing recommendation, and the sentence for his federal charges would run concurrently with his prison term in state court.

We felt that under the circumstances, having this closure and having this agreement would be in the best interest of finding justice for what happened to Jordan, Ko said.

Miller-Jimersons defense attorney, Christopher Black, was appointed to represent the defendant in federal court. Black said he and the U.S. Attorneys Office reached the sentencing agreement after extensive negotiations. He said Miller-Jimerson was sincerely remorseful and is taking responsibility for what happened.

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When it was Miller-Jimersons turn to speak, he told Adams he wanted to apologize to Browns family.

I still ask to this day, why did Jordan have to get shot and killed? Miller-Jimerson said. That was uncalled for, and I wish that never happened. That situation changed my life forever, and its going to impact a lot of lives as well.

Michael Miller-Jimerson, 26, speaks at his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma,. Miller-Jimerson plead guilty to second-degree murder for directing three teenagers in the March 19, 2022 robbery of the World of Weed dispensary in Tacoma, where an employee, 29-year-old Jordan Brown, was shot and killed. Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com)

Miller-Jimerson also apologized to his family for having to watch him go through this. His mother and grandmother, along with other relatives and supporters sat in the courtroom gallery.

The relatives submitted nearly a dozen letters of support to the court, describing Miller-Jimerson as a good-hearted person who had not had an easy life. They asked for leniency and said they believed Miller-Jimerson would grow to be a responsible member of society.

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Dennis Brown listened in on the sentencing hearing over Zoom. Afterward, he said a lot of folks had experienced loss as a result of his sons murder.

Theres three young Black men  address is the Department of Corrections, Dennis Brown said. Its a tragedy.

Nothing comes of it.
North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) sits on the Senate floor during debate over a new Republican-led congressional map on Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

There is, of course, nothing new about the spectacle of everyday people being forced to endure great suffering because of the whims, foibles, fears and egos of powerful rulers and politicians. From the forced labor that helped construct the pyramids to the countless wars waged to boost a leaders domestic political standing, millions of people throughout history have suffered greatly because of a powerful mans  and its almost always been a mans  desire for power.

We Americans sometimes like to think that our country has advanced beyond the kind of crude politics in which a leader issues edicts that sentence innocent people to pain and even death based on a personal desire for wealth, glory and power (or even just their mood on a particular day), but as President Donald Trump has made clear on numerous occasions, it has not.

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And today, here in North Carolina, we are experiencing this phenomenon at the state level in the maddening actions and inactions of the states Republican legislative leadership  and in particular, one especially powerful leader, state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger.

Berger, as you may or may not recall (and if you dont its understandable, because its been a very long time), was elected to the Senate a quarter-century ago and has presided over the chamber for 15 years. Like a lot of other Republicans who entered politics around the turn of the century, Berger was elected during a time in which the North Carolina GOP was, rather ironically as it turns out, championing term limits for lawmakers and regularly decrying then-Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnights long tenure in office. Basnight led the Senate through nine two-year sessions  a number that Berger clearly aspires to match or exceed.

Basnight ultimately lost his Senate presidency when Democrats lost their Senate majority in the 2010 elections, but for Berger, the threat to his position comes not from the opposing party, but from within his own.

Thanks to aggressive GOP gerrymandering, Republicans have almost no chance of losing their state Senate or House majorities anytime soon  even if Democrats win far more votes in legislative elections. But an interesting side effect of that gerrymandering is the way it has emboldened far-right candidates in GOP primaries to seek to outdo incumbents in demonstrating their slavish allegiance to Trumpism.

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Hence, the current remarkable situation in Senate District 26, in which Berger, a hard right Republican who has adhered diligently to the Tea Party/MAGA line throughout his time in office, is nonetheless being challenged in the upcoming March primary by Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. From all indications, it appears to be a credible challenge by a man who has long been a Trump backer and campaign chair and who has won national attention as a loud promoter of anti-immigration policies.

And that brings us to the crazy and deeply harmful situation that this primary electoral battle in a mostly rural state Senate district  a race that could be decided by a few thousand (or hundred) votes  is inflicting on millions of average North Carolinians.

Because Berger is clearly determined to cling to power, he has chosen not to allow the Senate to take any actions that might provide fuel to Page  even if he knows deep down from years of experience in Raleigh that doing so will harm the states residents.

And so it is that as the New Year dawns, six full months into the 2026 state fiscal year, North Carolina is the only state in the nation not to have enacted a budget. The central issue: taxes and tax cuts.

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As fiscal analysts have repeatedly noted, now is not the time for North Carolina to plunge ahead with another round of income tax cuts benefiting the wealthy and profitable corporations. Overall public investments are already down effectively by more than a third since the GOP gained power 15 years ago, and the state is failing miserably to meet its basic obligations in numerous core areas of governmental service like schools, health care and fighting hunger.

The new cuts that took effect January 1 will make this situation much worse. Even Republican leaders in the state House acknowledged the need to at least slow the tax cut rush in the budget proposals they crafted last summer.

Unfortunately, Berger has determined that such a pause would, if enacted, provide red meat for the Page challenge.

The result: scheduled tax cuts are now in place and the funding shortages that are starving our schools, keeping thousands of children malnourished, and precipitating scores of preventable deaths among people whove lost their health care coverage will continue to metastasize.

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Will things go on like this? One fantasizes that after the primary Berger might somehow relent and allow common sense policy to prevail.

If Basnights 18-year record remains the goal, however, that seems like a longshot. And as has been the case with Trump and so many other power-obsessed leaders throughout history, average North Carolinians will continue to pay the price for Bergers ambition.
For the first time, registered Republicans in North Carolina outnumber registered Democrats, with about 2,000 more GOP voters as of last Saturday.

Addul Ali, the former chair of the NC-12 GOP, expressed optimism regarding this milestone, attributing it to a shift in perception toward the Republican Party.

This change reflects a historical trend in North Carolinas political landscape, as the state moves away from its long-standing tradition as a Democratic stronghold.

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ALSO READ: Partisan redistricting battle comes to North Carolina as Republicans seek 1 more seat

As noted by Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, the significance of this moment cannot be overstated.

He stated, It wasnt that long ago really, where we talked about the solid South and that meant the solid Democratic South. And I think what this sort of milestone moment means is, look, that day is gone, dead and buried, right? It is no longer a Democratic South.

Cooper also pointed out that unaffiliated voters are now a significant voting bloc in North Carolina, with many voters preferring to register as unaffiliated rather than with the traditional two-party system.

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He noted, You get to choose your own adventure. You can choose a different adventure every cycle based on whats the most competitive or the most interesting, or the one where you think your vote means the most.

The chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party released a statement regarding the change, saying:

I wish the NCGOP all the luck in the world convincing North Carolinians to go to the polls next November to support the Republican agenda that has spiked costs for working families and ripped away health care from hundreds of thousands of people. We saw how well that worked out last year in our municipal elections.

In just Donald Trumps first year back in office, working people have been screwed over countless times. This November, across North Carolina, voters will have the opportunity to support Democratic candidates that will strengthen and support the middle class, expand access to health care, and not gut vital programs to fund yet another tax cut for billionaires.

This flexibility appears to be appealing to a growing number of voters.

VIDEO: Partisan redistricting battle comes to North Carolina as Republicans seek 1 more seat
[Getty Images]

Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he's not concerned about the future of Canadian oil even if Venezuela begins to produce more of the product following the US seizure of Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Carney said Canadian oil remains competitive because it is "low risk", "low cost" and "low carbon".

He said Canada welcomed the seizure of Maduro, which "creates the possibility for democratic transition in Venezuela".

Canada's largest export is oil, the vast majority of which is sold to the US. The seizure of Venezuela's leader has fuelled concerns Canada could lose its biggest customer, and leverage in trade talks with Donald Trump.

Trump has been open about his ambitions for American petroleum companies to scale up their operations in Venezuela following the military operation that captured Maduro.

In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump said he believed the US oil industry could be "up and running" with increased operations in Venezuela within 18 months or less, "but it'll be a lot of money".

He added that "having a Venezuela that's an oil producer is good for the United States because it keeps the price of oil down".

Venezuela is estimated to have over 300 billion barrels of oil reserves, which accounts for 17% of the world's total reserves. Canada, meanwhile, is home to 10% of reserves.

Canadian energy company stocks fell on Monday morning, but Carney said he did not believe more Venezuelan production would harm domestic oil producers.

Canada is focused on diversifying its exports, particularly to Asia through a proposed pipeline to the Pacific coast, making "Canadian oil competitive in the medium and long term", he said.

He added that a "functioning, not corrupt" economy in the Latin American country will be good for both the Venezuelan people and the Western hemisphere.

Nearly all of Canada's oil exports  around 97%  head south to the US, valued at about $100bn (74bn) in 2023 alone.

While the events in Venezuela has spooked investor confidence in the sector, Heather Exner-Pirot, director of natural resources, energy and the environment at the MacDonald-Laurier Institute think tank, said she expects that to be short-lived.

"I think we'll see a lot of instability and chaos in Venezuela for at least the next few months," she said, adding that this likely won't make it an attractive place for investment.

Derek Holt, vice president and head of capital markets economics at Scotiabank in Toronto, said in an analysis note that "oil pundits may be getting way ahead of themselves".
North Carolinas Republican Senate candidates support President Donald Trumps decision to raid Venezuela and take captive the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro.

The Trump administration faced immediate backlash for Saturday mornings attack, including over accusations that the raid violated international laws and for failing to seek congressional approval.

Republicans have largely supported Trump, and many on the right, like Republican Senate candidate Michele Morrow, are unfazed by those complaints.

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I think President Trumps actions were just a fabulous development in removing a narco-terrorist dictator out of Venezuela, Morrow said. Its not only been incredibly beneficial to the people of Venezuela, but also to the people of the United States.

Trump ordered, Friday, a large-scale attack on Venezuela in order to capture 63-year-old Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Saturday morning.

Ousted President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrive at the Wall Street Heliport in the New York City borough of Manhattan, to be transported to appear in a New York court. They are to be arraigned as part of a Narco-Terrorism indictment against them by the United States Government. (Starmax/TNS)

Who is Maduro?

Maduro became president of Venezuela in 2013 following the death of President Hugo Chavez. But the country quickly experienced severe economic decline and political crisis, leading to attempts to remove him from office.

Instead of addressing the problems, the government killed people who pointed them out. The United Nations reported more than 5,000 extrajudicial deaths in 2018, according to The New York Times.

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In 2020, the Trump administration indicted Maduro, accusing him of participating in drug operations. On Monday, Maduro pleaded not guilty to an expanded indictment that includes four drug and weapons charges.

In 2024, then-President Joe Biden accused Maduro of stealing an election, and the United States listed him as a member of a foreign terrorist organization.

Tillis and candidates weigh in

Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville, currently serves as North Carolinas senior senator, but chose not to seek reelection following his current term that expires in January 2027.

In a social media post Sunday, Tillis called Maduro the leader of a narco-terrorist regime, accusing the Venezuelan leader of fueling the U.S. drug trade.

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President Trumps decisive action will finally bring this dictator to justice and end the decades of corruption and crime in Venezuela, Tillis wrote. Thank you to the brave U.S. service members and law enforcement officials who were involved in this important mission to bring an end to tyranny.

There are 13 people looking to succeed Tillis in the Senate. Many see former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley as the frontrunners, though author and former JAG officer Don Brown and educator Michele Morrow are contenders against Whatley.

Neither Cooper nor Whatley spoke to McClatchy for this article, though Cooper sent a written statement, focusing in on statements Trump made in a news conference Saturday morning about taking over Venezuelas oil industry.

While North Carolina families are facing high costs and health care challenges, this administration is risking American lives in a foreign country for big oil company profits  all with no exit strategy, Cooper said. If drug trafficking was the real reason, Big Oil lobbyist Michael Whatley would have objected to the Presidents pardons of convicted drug traffickers. Instead Whatley is cheering because he knows this is about oil profits, not public safety.

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Whatley praised Trumps action in Venezuela in a social media post.

Under President Trump, the United States will no longer accept poison flowing through our borders and killing Americans, Whatley wrote on social media. He has taken decisive and aggressive action to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for addiction, violence, and death no matter where they operate or how powerful they claim to be.

Both Brown and Morrow offered their opinions on the weekends capture, including one piece Tillis didnt mention in his written statement: whether Trump should have sought congressional approval before striking Venezuela.

Congressional approval

Morrow said she didnt believe congressional authorization was necessary.

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There was no need because this was not an act of war, Morrow said. This was an act of law enforcement.

Brown said he was looking forward to learning more about the attack Monday. He added that he believes Trump acted on legitimate legal grounds under Article II of the Constitution, which outlines the executive branchs powers.

Im a constitutional lawyer, Brown said. Theres nothing in the United States Constitution that says the president of the United States needs congressional approval.

Brown added that if Trump sought congressional approval it would have revealed his battle plan, which is ridiculous.

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I would not have wanted Trump to seek congressional approval to strike on Venezuela, because if you do that, youre signaling your intent to the enemy and youre probably costing American lives, Brown said.

Venezuelan response

Morrow honed in on the reaction of those Venezuelans who cheered Maduros capture.

They are so incredibly thankful because the United States has taken away somebody who has taken away their lives and their livelihood, Morrow said.

The hopeful reaction among Maduros opponents has been mixed with uncertainty, and while many who left the country under his regime celebrated openly, some in the country were still too afraid to provide their full names to media outlets like BBC.

War on drugs

Both Brown and Morrow focused on the impact Maduros capture could have on the lives of Americans.

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When we look at the millions of Americans that have died from fentanyl overdose and other drugs, the people of the United States of America expect that our president and our federal government is protecting us from dangerous people, foreign and domestic, Morrow said. That is what their No. 1 job is and that is what President Trump is doing.

Venezuela is known for its cocaine production, but the majority of fentanyl comes from Mexico and China, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Brown also focused on U.S. fentanyl deaths.

Weve lost more Americans in one year to fentanyl than 10 years to the Vietnam War, Brown said. So these drugs are a weapon of mass destruction and I fully approve of what the president has done.

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He added that the operation was executed flawlessly.

The force went in and was able to snatch this guy out without any damage, any harm to Americans or any deaths, and without any damage to American equipment, Brown said.
Jan. 5GRAND FORKS  New State K-12 Superintendent Levi Bachmeier has now completed multiple school district tours as a part of his goal to visit every school district in North Dakota.

"I'm committed to supporting each and every one of these kids," he said.

Bachmeier began his statewide tour on Dec. 8 in Marmarth, a district located in the southwestern corner of the state with a total student population of four. He said the visit went great and that he had good conversations with community leaders, board members and educators.

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"It was exactly what I was hoping for. Every school visit that I do, I want to spend a meaningful amount of time in a classroom, watching the most important part of education, which is teachers teaching students," Bachmeier said. "It doesn't matter if you have four students like Marmarth or you're really, really big like Bismarck. I'm going to spend several hours visiting, learning and watching teaching."

There are 167 school districts in North Dakota, and 12 have fewer than 50 students. Bachmeier said he already has 33 district tours scheduled through late March, and will be completing seven this week alone. He emphasized that the visits will help him gain a better understanding of the challenges districts are facing and how he can assist them at the state level.

"I want these not to be scripted. This is certainly not a box to check for me," he said. "I had a couple of general questions: what's going well? What could be better? How can North Dakota be the best state in the nation when it comes to education?"

Bachmeier also said his visits are to hold districts accountable.

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"One of my big jobs is to support, and challenge when necessary," he said. "Hold school districts accountable and one of the best ways to do that is to not only look at the numbers, but you've got to get your boots on the ground and hear from parents about what's going well and what could be better."

This is Bachmeier's first year in his role as state superintendent. He took office on Nov. 24 after former State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler resigned to assume the role of assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education at the U.S. Department of Education. Bachmeier started his career teaching high school, before later serving as a K-12 policy adviser to then-Gov. Doug Burgum.

Bachmeier's promise to visit every district in the state was one of his first announcements as state superintendent.

"I'm really excited to be hitting it in earnest," he said. "I'm excited to see all the things that are happening in schools across the state."
North Korea said on Monday that leader Kim Jong-un observed test-flights of hypersonic missiles and underscored the need to bolster the country's nuclear war deterrent, as the country dials up weapons displays ahead of its major political conference.

North Korea reported on the drill a day after its neighbours said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches and accused the North of carrying out provocations.

The tests came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping.

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The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Sunday's drill involving a hypersonic weapon system was meant to examine its readiness, enhance missile troops' firepower operational skills and evaluate operational capabilities of the countrys war deterrent.

This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says a test of a long-range strategic cruise missile in the Yellow Sea, 28 December, 2025 - AP Photo

"Through today's launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defence has been carried out," Kim said, according to KCNA.

"We must continuously upgrade the military means, especially offensive weapon systems."

The possession of a functioning hypersonic weapon would give North Korea an ability to penetrate the US and South Korea's missile defence shields.

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In previous years, North Korea has performed a series of tests to acquire it, but many foreign experts question whether the tested missiles have achieved their desired speed and manoeuvrability during flights.

Related

In recent weeks, North Korea test-fired what it called long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos showing apparent progress in the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine.

Observers say North Korea aims to demonstrate or review its achievements on the weapons development sector ahead of the ruling Workers Party congress, the first of its kind in five years.

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Keen attention is on whether Kim would use the congress to set a new approach on relations with the US and resume long-dormant denuclearisation talks.

The latest launches followed Saturdays audacious US military operation that ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the US to face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects missile and shell production at a factory in an undisclosed location, 26 December, 2025 - AP Photo

North Korea slammed the operation, saying it again shows "the rogue and brutal nature of the US."

Many experts say the US operation likely leaves Kim pushing to further expand his nuclear weapons capabilities that he thinks guarantees the survival of his government and state sovereignty in the face of US-led hostilities.

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During Sunday's launch drill, Kim defended his push for a stronger nuclear programme.

"Why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events," he said.
SEOUL, Jan 6 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae on Monday inspected the construction of a memorial for North Korean troops who died fighting overseas, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.

Under a mutual defence pact with Russia, in 2024 North Korea sent some 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, where more than 6,000 of them were killed, according to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources.

Kim described the dead soldiers as "heroes ... who sacrificed themselves without hesitation", saying "no one in the world can overcome such an army that is absolutely loyal to the orders of the party".

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He took part in tree-planting for the memorial with Ju Ae, who wore a red muffler while shoveling earth with her father, KCNA photos showed.

Meanwhile, a photo exhibition detailing North Korea's progress under Kim opened in Pyongyang as the country gears up for a key party congress to be held soon, KCNA said.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
The Brief

House GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., died Tuesday at the age of 65.

The current House makeup stands at 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

In Congress, LaMalfa said that he had been a strong advocate for limited, constitutionally grounded government, fiscal restraint, and lower taxes.

CHICO, Calif. - Rice farmer and House GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., died Tuesday at the age of 65, according to his colleagues, narrowing a political divide in the House.

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LaMalfa represented part of Northern California, chaired the Congressional Western Caucus and was a major critic of California's Democrats who were successful in passing Prop. 50, a redrawing of congressional districts in a move he said was to "solely benefit personal political ambitions."

"It was a very sad morning. He was truly a dear friend for the last 25 years," said Ned Coe, Chair of the Modoc County Board of Supervisors in far northeastern California. Supervisor Coe said having a representative like LaMalfa, with firsthand knowledge of rural issues, was critical for small and rural counties.

"Not only did he have the knowledge firsthand of agriculture and rural counties and he lived it every weekend when he would come home. The happiest day for Doug was when he was able to spend time on a tractor or in a truck hauling rice," Supervisor Coe said.

Big picture view

LaMalfas death will have an immediate effect in the narrowly divided House.

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Speaker Mike Johnson can now only afford to lose two Republicans in any party-line vote. The current House makeup stands at 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

What we don't know

The Butte County Sheriff said they received a 911 call from LaMalfa's house on Monday before 7 p.m. regarding a medical emergency. LaMalfa was taken to Enloe Hospital where he died, the sheriff said, adding that there will be an investigation into exactly how he died.

Politico cited anonymous congressional colleagues who said LaMalfa suffered an aneurysm and then a heart attack.

Governor Gavin Newsom will now have 14 days in which to call a special election to fill LaMalfa's unexpired term. That special election will be held under the current district boundaries, and not the new boundaries under Proposition 50.

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Menlo College Political Science Professor Dr. Melissa Michelson called LaMalfa's death "politically a big deal." Dr. Michelson believes due to LaMalfa's popularity in his existing district, he might have had a chance to hold the seat under the new boundaries. Now she believes the seat will likely flip to a Democrat. "There is always a chance that somebody who is a longstanding representative, who has a really positive reputation, will be able to overcome a gerrymander and still have a shot at getting reelected," Professor Michelson said.

What they're saying

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., commented on LaMalfa's death on X.

"Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America. Our prayers are with Dougs wife, Jill, and their children," Emmer wrote.

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LaMalfa's death appears to have caught a majority of his colleagues by surprise, with tributes pouring out for the late congressman on Tuesday morning.

"Doug was a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California. He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families. Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service," said National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C.

LaMalfa's House GOP colleague from California, Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., said in a statement, "Doug was not only a respected colleague in the California Republican Delegation, but a genuinely kind, decent man who treated everyone with warmth and respect. His leadership, friendship, and steady presence will be deeply missed."

Dig deeper

According to his biography, LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner who lived in Northern California all his life.

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He earned his degree in Ag/Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

In a post, California Rice News officials said they were "devastated" by LaMalfa's death.

"Northern California could not have asked for someone who cared more about their community and farms than Doug during his seven terms in Congress and eight years of service in the California legislature," the group wrote.

Doug was an early member of the Commission board, representing Butte County, as the organization met in its formative years to discuss grower representation, rice straw burning, water quality, and public outreach. He announced his run for the California Assembly at a CRC grower meeting in 2000.

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LaMalfa was elected to the California State Assembly and State Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.

In Congress, LaMalfa said that he had been a strong advocate for limited, constitutionally grounded government, fiscal restraint, and lower taxes. He also spoke out against Gov. Gavin Newsom's effort to redraw congressional districts to favor Democrats.

His district that includes Chico and Redding has been hit with numerous catastrophic fires that have killed over 100 people in recent years. His bio said that he had written and passed legislation to help citizens recover, including eliminating federal taxes on fire recovery settlements, and changing forest policy to reduce wildfire risks.
Jonas Gahr Stre has said that Norway could contribute to an allied deterrence contingent in Ukraine as part of security guarantees, with Norwegian instructors also potentially helping train Ukrainian troops inside Ukraine.

Source: NRK, Norway's national public service broadcaster, citing Stre's comments before the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stre said that any Norwegian contribution to an allied deterrence contingent in Ukraine would come only after the "hot" phase of the war ends and there is a reliable ceasefire.

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He said that the Nordic and Baltic countries plan to form their own "Ukrainian" brigade within Ukraine.

Quote: "I also do not rule out that Norwegian military personnel could take part in training Ukrainian troops inside Ukraine.

Our goal is to ensure that when peace comes, the end of the war does not become a path to a new conflict in a short time. So security guarantees are important. They must be reliable. And the most important thing is that Ukraine is capable of defending itself."

Background:

Media reported the details of a draft declaration by the Coalition of the Willing on security guarantees for Ukraine being discussed in Paris.

Among other points, it refers to setting up a coordination centre involving the United States and Ukraine in Paris.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
A Venezuelan refugee is praising the Trump administration for capturing Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in a targeted operation over the weekend, admitting he never believed he would see the longtime leader held accountable.

"It's amazing," Franklin Camargo told Fox News Digital in an interview. "Not even in my most optimistic fantasies, I thought I was going to see Maduro actually pay for everything that hes done to the country that I was born in He was a dictator, a narco-terrorist, someone who is willing to put you in prison if you speak out against him, which basically was almost my case because I was accused of terrorism by his regime."

The Trump administration successfully captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a limited nighttime operation on Jan. 3 and transported the two to U.S. custody, where federal prosecutors have brought criminal charges against them, officials said.

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Maduro has been in power since 2013, when he succeeded longtime Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez following Chavezs death, presiding over a period marked by economic decline, political unrest and mass migration.

Nicolas Maduro is seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad, escorted by heavily armed federal agents as they make their way into an armored car en route to a Federal courthouse in Manhattan on January 5, 2026, in New York City.

Fox News Politics Newsletter: 3 Key Takeaways From Trump's Push To Put Us Oil Firms Back In Venezuela

Since 2017, roughly 8 million people have fled Venezuela, making it one of the worlds largest displacement crises, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency .

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Camargo, who fled to the United States in 2019 due to political persecution, said family members and friends still inside Venezuela were overjoyed by the news, though celebrations remain muted due to government censorship and fear of retaliation from a regime that remains in power.

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"I can tell you Ive never seen Venezuelans this happy," Camargo said, describing reactions both inside Venezuela and among Venezuelan communities abroad.

Venezuelans in Miami, Fla., Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Madrid, Spain, donned Venezuelas national colors and celebrated in the hours after President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife had been captured.

Venezuelans living in Peru celebrate at Miguel de Cervantes Park near the Venezuelan Embassy in Lima on Jan. 3, 2026, after President Donald Trump said U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following strikes on Venezuela.

Maduro's Capture Is 'Beginning Of The End' For Cuba's Regime, House Intelligence Chair Says

Camargo contrasted those celebrations with anger from Democratic lawmakers and left-wing protesters in the United States, arguing that opponents of the operation were effectively siding with criminals.

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"It is okay to question your own government and its foreign policy, but do not side with terrorists," he reacted. "Maduro wasn't just a foreign agent that was causing harm to Venezuelans. Maduro sent criminals to the United States."

He pointed to the murders of Americans like Georgia college student Laken Riley and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, at the hands of Venezuelan nationals to argue Trump's actions weren't just helping Venezuela but were also protecting Americans from a regime sending violent criminals to the United States.

"I think that Trump had an extremely successful operation and those who are against it  doesnt make sense to me," Camargo said. "I understand that some people just have a broken moral compass and political compass, and theyre just going to go against whatever Trump says or does. But in the end, this is about defending America and its borders. He was a fugitive, he's a criminal, he committed crimes, and he had to pay for that."

PragerU personality and Venezuelan refugee Franklin Camargo celebrated the Trump administration's operation capturing Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Van Hollen Confronted On Democrats Arguing Party Lacks 'Nuance' In Criticism Of Venezuela Strikes

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Camargo said the operation should be a bipartisan issue, noting that the reward for Maduros capture had been increased under both former President Joe Biden and Trump.

While expressing concern that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez remains in power, Camargo said Trumps approach has been pragmatic and calculated.

"In the end, this is a tough fight. It's a tough battle for freedom, for having a good ally for the United States in Venezuela and doing business with them. But the regime has never been this weak and that's why we're hopeful," he added.

In an interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, President Trump also sternly warned Rodriguez she would pay a higher price than Maduro if she stood against U.S. intervention.

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

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Maduro has been indicted on major drug trafficking and weapons charges in the United States and appeared in a federal court in New York Monday for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty.

Camargo was just a year old when Chavez rose to power in Venezuela in 1999. He later witnessed the countrys collapse under socialist policies and began speaking out as a college student. That activism came at a personal cost. Camargo said he was expelled from school, branded a "terrorist," and that a cousin was imprisoned and tortured for his political beliefs.

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Facing threats to his life, Camargo fled to the United States in 2019 and now works as a political commentator for PragerU, where he frequently warns Americans about the dangers of socialism.

Fox News' Michael Dorgan contributed to this article.





Original article source: Not even in my most optimistic fantasies: Venezuelan refugee who fled persecution praises Maduro's capture
By Stephen Nellis

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Tuesday he does not believe China's government will make a formal declaration that it has allowed Chinese firms to import the U.S. company's H200 chips but that evidence will come through purchase orders.

"My expectation is that we're not expecting any press releases or any large declarations," Huang said, after saying that demand for the H200 chips was strong among Chinese customers.

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"It's just going to be purchase orders. If the purchase orders come, it's because they're able to place purchase orders," Huang said during a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

U.S. President Donald Trump last year reversed a longstanding ban on shipping advanced artificial intelligence chips to China, saying he would allow Nvidia to sell the H200, which was the predecessor to its current flagship "Blackwell" chips.

Earlier on Tuesday in an interview with a JPMorgan analyst, Nvidia CFO Colette Kress said that the U.S. government is "working feverishly" on license applications for Nvidia to ship its H200 chips to China, but that the company still does not know when they will be approved.

"We're going to wait and see what will happen," Kress said of the applications.

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At the press conference, Huang said that Nvidia is ramping up H200 chips for Chinese firms.

"The customer demand is high - quite high," Huang said. "We've fired up our supply chain, and H200s are flowing through the line."

On Monday, Nvidia showed a sextet of new chips that it said are in full production to form the next "Vera Rubin" generation of its AI computing systems. Kress declined to say whether Nvidia was facing any specific bottlenecks as it ramps up production but said "we feel very solid" about the state of its supply chain.

Nvidia has called for $500 billion in sales from its current "Blackwell" generation as well as the forthcoming Vera Rubin chips by the end of this year. Kress said there have "already been discussions" about data center buildouts with customers for 2027 but did not give sales guidance.

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Huang said demand is high for Nvidia products across the board.

"I'm fully expecting a really giant year for our business with TSMC," Huang said, referring to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, which makes most of Nvidia's chips.

Huang also said that he plans a visit soon to Israel, where the company has 5,000 employees and is looking to double its workforce. Local media reported last month that Nvidia is in talks to buy Israeli firm AI21 Labs.

He did not comment on that story or any other possible acquisition targets, but said he is open to more dealmaking.

"We might invest in, partner with, and we might, of course, acquire some semiconductor companies," Huang said.

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Responding to a Reuters question about whether his relationship with Trump played any role in Nvidia's decisions around a deal for chip startup Groq - which was backed by 1789 Capital, a firm where Trump's son Donald Trump Jr is a partner - Huang said he was unaware that 1789 Capital was a Groq investor.

"I didn't know that," Huang said. "I guess good for them, but I didn't know that at all."

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in Las Vegas, Nevada; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Will Dunham)
NEW YORK  One year after New Yorks much-delayed and hotly debated congestion toll went into effect, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and MTA Chairman Janno Lieber have released numbers they argue points to the success of the program, which charges drivers a base toll of $9 to enter Midtown and lower Manhattan.

According to state data, vehicular traffic into the congestion zone is down 11% compared to last year, with 27 million fewer vehicles traveling the streets, an average of 73,000 fewer per day.

The results are extraordinary, beyond what we could have expected, Hochul told reporters Monday.

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People with asthma are breathing better, Hochul said, and our streets are safer.

Congestion pricing, which was written into state law in order to back a $15 billion bond issuance toward projects from the MTAs 2020-2024 capital budget, is also making more money than initially projected.

Though the toll was initially set at a $15 base rate, Hochul made a controversial eleventh-hour decision to phase that figure in, starting the toll at the current $9 base rate. The zone covers all of Manhattan south of 60th street.

Initial projections by the state estimated that would bring in some $500 million a year in gross revenue. But current projections estimate the toll will end up bringing in $550 million by the time the first 12 months in revenue are counted.

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For a long time we have asked the MTA to do the impossible without providing them with the funding that would even make it something they could consider, Mamdani said Monday. What this program has done is commit funding to the very capital needs that have been put off for years if not decades.

Those are investments that can transform the day to day realities of a New Yorker, the mayor added.

The toll is set to go up to $12 in 2028, and then to $15 in 2031.

The toll, which faced years of legal opposition in its planning stages, was almost immediately assailed by the Trump regime after it began last January, with the president claiming to have shut the program down by fiat last February.

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We stood up here in New York, we showed who we are, and yes, the cameras are staying on, she said.

Trumps efforts to kill the toll are still working their way through federal court in Manhattan. The federal government has sought to characterize the toll as an attack on New Yorks working class and small business community, while simultaneously claiming it does not reduce congestion enough and focuses too much on revenue generation.

But Hochul said Monday that the toll has been a boon for the the minority of area residents who commute by car.

How does 25% faster coming through the Lincoln Tunnel sound? she said. Let me top that, how about 51% faster coming through the Holland Tunnel? About 25% faster going across our bridges into Brooklyn or Queens? Thats time in your life thats precious.

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Hochul projected confidence that the latest legal challenge would end with congestion pricing intact.

Every time its gone before a judge, the judge says, no, no, the state is right,' she said.

Later this month, guess where well be? Well be back in court, she said.

But well just keep on winning, she said, mimicking President Trump: Well be winning so much well be tired of winning.
The NYPD announced Tuesday that 2025 was the safest year in the nation's largest city when it comes to gun violence.

New York finished the year with 305 murders, 77 fewer than the prior year.

There were fewer shootings and fewer shooting victims than in any year in recorded city history.

"2025 was an historic year for the NYPD and the City of New York," Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. "These are not incremental gains. These are historic outcomes."

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Tisch said the drop in shootings from 2024 to 2025 compared to the much-touted decline in crime in the 1990s when the city recovered from the crack epidemic.

In addition to a 20% drop in murders, there was a nearly 10% drop in robberies and a 5% drop in grand theft auto.

The NYPD also touted a 4% reduction in crime on the subways. Tisch said the subway had its safest year since 2009 with a notable drop in transit robberies.

Felony assaults were flat, driven by domestic violence and assaults on police officers. Rape was up 16% following a change in the law that expands what constitutes rape.

Some residents said on Tuesday that the city needs to tackle the root causes of crime, like homelessness.

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani says policing is only part of the solution.

"We are going to mend the frayed social safety net that fails so many of our neighbors, tackle the mental health crisis that causes so much pain, and continue to deliver public safety across our five boroughs," Mamdani said.

Tisch said New York had half as many shootings as Chicago and Philadelphia despite having nearly five times as many residents.

(ABC News contributed to this report.)

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Warren Buffett has long argued that clear writing and clear thinking are inseparable and that the blank page is often the toughest test of an investor's understanding.

Buffett Says Writing Exposes Fuzzy Investment Thinking

In a 1995 appearance at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School, recorded for the PBS program "Warren Buffett Talks Business," the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK) (NYSE:BRK) chairman told students, "There is nothing like writing to force you to think and get your thoughts straight."

Warren Buffett: "There is nothing like writing to force you to think and get your thoughts straight."



"Every year, when I write the report, I get these [writing] blocks. The block isn't because I ran out of words in the dictionary. The block is because I haven't got it straight pic.twitter.com/3CzlTM5svY

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Buffett said the discipline of drafting Berkshire's annual shareholder letter exposes when his own thinking is fuzzy. "Every year, when I write the report, I get these [writing] blocks. The block isnt because I ran out of words in the dictionary. The block is because I havent got it straight in my own mind yet," he explained in remarks later collected in books on his speeches.

Plain English Letters Aimed At His Sisters

To keep his prose simple, Buffett clarified in a CNBC interview in 2019 that he imagines he is writing directly to his sisters, Doris and Bertie, aiming for plain English instead of Wall Street jargon. His goal, he has written, is to give them the information he would want if their roles were reversed, a mindset that has helped make his letters widely read beyond investors.

See Also: An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed MarketplaceNow You Can Invest in Gaming's Next Big Platform

Buffett also ties communication directly to economic value. "The one easy way to become worth 50% more than you are now is to hone your written and verbal communication skills," he has told students, arguing that even strong analytical talent goes to waste if people "can't transmit it."

Other Business Leaders Emphasize Clear Writing Too

Other American business leaders have echoed that view. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) founder Jeff Bezos replaced most internal PowerPoint decks with dense six-page narrative memos, saying writing "forces better clarity and rigor in thinking" and that good documents are written and rewritten until the logic holds up.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball called for nominations Monday to the New York Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board for the three-year term starting May 1.

The advisory board assists the commissioner in the administration of the DPO and makes recommendations on dairy marketing promotion, education and research programs. All nominations must be received no later than Feb. 13.

Any individual producer who markets milk in New York may be nominated for membership on the board. Nominations can only be made by individual New York milk producers. They must be signed by the nominating individual and submitted in writing along with the nomination form.

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Cooperatives and other farm organizations are not authorized to nominate individual producers to the advisory board but may endorse producers who are nominated.

Each nomination should include the name and address of the producer being nominated, their cooperative or other organizational affiliation, and other pertinent information about the producer, such as herd size, market, participation in farm organizations or programs, and experience in marketing activities. Completed nomination forms will be used to evaluate the nominees qualifications.

Requests for forms and completed nominations can be addressed to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services, Attn: Elizabeth Peila, 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY, 12235, or by email at NYDPO@agriculture.ny.gov.

The DPO Advisory Board advises the commissioner on the annual distribution of over $16 million in funds collected from milk producers under the producer-approved New York Dairy Promotion Order. The board meets regularly to recommend allocations to new programs and to review progress of programs currently funded under the order, which include dairy promotion programs; nutrition, education, and outreach programs; and a variety of innovative dairy product research projects.

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The first New York State DPO Advisory Board was appointed in May 1972 at the request of dairy producers.

New York state has roughly 3,000 dairy farms that produce over 16 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nations fifth-largest dairy state. The dairy industry is the states largest agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the states economy by generating nearly half of the its total agricultural receipts and providing some of the highest economic multipliers.
Two companies with ties to Oak Ridge have netted $1.8 billion in federal support to fuel domestic uranium enrichment, bolstering a push for nuclear revival in the home of a key Manhattan Project site. The U.S. Department of Energy announced Jan. 5 it will award $900 million to Orano Federal Services, part of a leading French nuclear company that in 2024 announced a multibillion-dollar enrichment center in Oak Ridge. The 2024 announcement represented the largest investment in Tennessee history.

The federal government also will send $900 million to American Centrifuge Operating, part of Centrus Energy Corp., whose enrichment facilities are in Ohio. But, as with a host of other companies, Oak Ridge was attractive for Centrus, which uses a Secret City facility to make centrifuges for enriching uranium.

"Tennessee had a great day," U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, who represents Oak Ridge in Congress, told Knox News. "We went two for three."

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Another $900 million was awarded to California-based fuel startup General Matter, which does not have an Oak Ridge facility. But Fleischmann, who shepherded a law in 2024 that established the $2.7 billion in funding to be used by the companies, said he is not ruling out a third hit with General Matter as he looks to further fulfill his vision of "bringing back the nuclear renaissance to Tennessee."

"I don't know where they're going to go or what they're going to do," he said about General Matter. "I'm certainly going to reach out to them and see what interest they may have in Tennessee."

Orano was awarded its funding for low-enriched uranium used to fuel light water reactors. These are the most common nuclear reactors globally, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The $900 million is a big deal for Orano, company spokesperson Curtis Roberts told Knox News, and could be crucial for the U.S. in moving away from fuel imports. All of the fuel the United States imports from Russia, Roberts said, "can be replaced by our single ... facility producing low-enriched uranium."

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"We've been operating in the United States for 60 years and supplying nuclear fuel for American reactors for 40," he said. "This is a natural progression of Orano's continued and long-time support for the American nuclear energy industry at a time where the United States is striving to achieve energy security."

All three companies  Centrus, Orano and General Matter  were selected by the energy department in 2024 to receive at least $2 million for constructing U.S. enrichment facilities. The only U.S. commercial enrichment facility in 2026 is Urenco, a multi-national company split among the U.K., Germany and the Netherlands.

President Donald Trump has stressed the need for a domestic supply of uranium amid tensions with Russia and rising competition from global rivals like China.

Trump has issued public statements and executive orders promoting U.S. fuel production since beginning his second term. In one order published in May, the president pushed for quadrupling domestic nuclear energy production by 2050.

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The nation's nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure has severely atrophied, leaving the United States heavily dependent on foreign sources of uranium as well as uranium enrichment and conversion services, Trump said in the order. These trends cannot continue.

Nuclear energy represents a fifth of all energy produced in the U.S., which imports much of its uranium from countries such as Canada, Kazakhstan and Russia.

Energy demand is up in the United States. A report from the International Energy Agency pegged that growth at 2% for 2024, citing demand from power-hungry data centers and rising GDP.

As Centrus leans on a $60 million investment to expand its Oak Ridge operations, Orano USA is expected to create hundreds of jobs at its Oak Ridge facility. Oak Ridge is now the site of billions in planned nuclear investment  enough to reshape the local economy and, potentially, the international nuclear scene.

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Mariah Franklin reports on technology and energy for Knox News. Email: mariah.franklin@knoxnews.com. Signal: mariahfranklin.01

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Orano and Centrus win $1.8 billion to enrich uranium
Boston Police have identified the victim who was shot and killed on Monday morning in Mattapan.

Alex DeAndrade, 37, of Brockton died from multiple gunshot wounds in the area of 24 Stow Road around 12:15 a.m.

Officials rushed him to the hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

Boston Police say their Homicide Unit is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident.

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Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact (617) 343-4470.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Authorities have released more information in the death investigation of a married couple in Columbus.

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As previously reported by News Center 7, Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead in their home in the Weinland Park neighborhood on Dec. 30.

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On Monday, authorities released a video that shows a person of interest walking in the alley near the couples house.

Detectives believe the killings happened sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. in the upstairs part of the Tepes home.

As previously reported, investigators said there were no signs of forced entry.

There was no weapon found in the home, but detectives found spent 9mm shell casings.

The Columbus Division of Police said they have received several tips from the community.

Anyone with information on the identity of the person in this video is asked to call (614) 645-2228 or use the QR code provided.

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People can provide information anonymously through the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477.

We want to thank the community for the tips we have received. We know there are questions and concerns surrounding this tragic incident, the division said.

As previously reported by News Center 7, Spencer was a dentist who practiced at a clinic in Athens. Several of his co-workers called the police when he failed to show up for work and could not be contacted.

Two children, a 1-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were also found in the home. They were not harmed.

Our media partner, WBNS, received the following statement from the couples family:

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Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique. They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.

Spencer was a devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone he met. He was intelligent, warm, and endlessly welcoming. A graduate of The Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association, Spencer was fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to serving others. He gave back through Big Brothers Big Sisters, a huge Bengals and Buckeyes fan, and lived life with energy, laughter, and generosity.

Monique was a loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her. With a background in childhood education, she brought care and intention into everything she did. She was an excellent baker, a thoughtful planner, and someone who found joy in bringing people together. Her kindness made people feel instantly at home.

Together, Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship. They loved to travel, to laugh, and to build a life rooted in love. They were proud parents of two beautiful children and their beloved Goldendoodle, and they created a home filled with warmth, happiness, and connection."

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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An Ohio man is facing charges after allegedly robbing a United States Postal Service (USPS) carrier at gunpoint.

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On Dec. 29, a USPS letter carrier was robbed at gunpoint while delivering mail on West Long Street in Akron, according to allegations in a criminal complaint and affidavit.

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The victim reported that several individuals wearing dark clothing and masks approached her and, under the threat of violence, demanded that she give them the postal keys.

The suspects then stole several items, including her USPS satchel, multiple pieces of mail, and the postal vehicle keys, before fleeing in a getaway car.

Later that afternoon, the getaway car was traced by police to a location on Kinsman Road in Cleveland.

Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver drove away from police at a high rate of speed and then fled on foot.

The driver, identified as 19-year-old Durval Legg of Cleveland, was eventually taken into custody with the help of a K-9 unit.

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A second unidentified individual who was inside the car remains at large.

Investigators later learned that the getaway car was reported stolen from the Great Lakes Honda dealership in Akron earlier that day.

If convicted, Legg faces up to 10 years in prison for robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States and using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.

The case remains under investigation by the Cleveland Field Office of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma City crime numbers are in for 2025, and there is some good news, as the citys homicide rate saw a decent decline. Mayor David Holt says, despite what people may hear or feel, we are actually living in a much safer time relative to previous decades.

I have people all the time when it relates to [news they see], they say, oh, its like all I ever see are crimes and murders on the 10 oclock news, you know, Holt said.

Its true that out-of-the-ordinary things, which dont happen every day, are typically what make news headlines.

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Unfortunately, that often means headlines about bad thingslike homicides.

And I [tell people] youre watching things out of context, Holt said.

OKC violence down 5% as local nonprofit seeks to expand statewide

For journalists reporting the news, context does matter.

And heres the context when it comes to current crime rates:

Bad things like homicides will always happen, and news headlines will always be there to tell people about them. But people saw those headlines less frequently in 2025. The reason: the homicide rate in Oklahoma City is dropping.

Were down about 5% from last year, Holt said.

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In 2025, Oklahoma City saw 74 homicides, a rate of about 10.4 per 100,000 residents.

That total was down four from 78 homicides the year before, despite the fact that the citys population went up.

The total has been on the decline for four years, since 2021, when it most recently peaked at 91 homicides.

Its, I think, a relatively positive takeaway that certainly validates a lot of the investments were making in violence, intervention, and prevention, Holt said.

A deeper look at history shows 2025 was one of the safest years homicide-wise for Oklahoma City in recent history.

The number of homicides to the number of people living in your city is ninth lowest in the last 35 years, Holt said.

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Holt said Oklahoma City had more homicides in some years in the 1990s than it did last year.

But in those areas in the early nineties, our population was 400,000, Holt said. When today its 700,000.

Holt said that is the context that really matters.

Its so important to, to make decisions based on data and not anecdote, Holt said.

Yes, bad things will continue to happen.

Yes, the people who tell you about bad things will continue to do so when they happen.

Butpay attention to how often they happen.

You may be surprised.

As mayor, I wish the number was zero, and well always work through that day, Holt said. But we you know, we have to take small victories and bringing the rate down from last year and seeing it at a relatively low level historically for several years in a row as there is a positive development.

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Holt said some big cities in America saw much bigger drops in homicide rates, some as high as 30 or 40%.

He said context matters in that situation, too, because those cities were starting with much higher homicide rates than Oklahoma City, which already has a relatively low homicide rate for a large city.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
For 75 years, the Beacon Drive-In Theatre has showcased movies along its signature drive-in theater wall in Guthrie. But this month, the Oklahoma drive-in theater announced it will close before its next summer season.

The family-run business, which sat at 2404 S Division St. in Guthrie, announced its sale for $2.2 million late last week after months of discussion. The property will be used to build a Communication Federal Credit Union.

The drive-in was established in 1950, making it Oklahoma's longest-running drive-in. The location was a hot spot for many generations to enjoy in the Guthrie community, whether it was a family outing, first dates for high schoolers or grandparents taking their kids to the movies.

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The 1996 film "Twister" showcased a fictional Galaxy Drive-In be destroyed while moviegoers were watching "The Shining." While it wasn't real, the Beacon Drive-In was one of the locations signed on to showcase the original tornado film during its theatrical run.

While drive-in theaters were popular throughout the state, with upwards of 100 theaters at one point, the decline started coming around the 1970s as the number slowly fell to only 14 in 1982, according to previous reporting by The Oklahoman.

New Communication Federal Credit Union in Guthrie

Ron Gary, real estate agent with Thomas Lay Realtors, told The Oklahoman that the Communication Federal Credit Union has been looking for a location in the Guthrie area for roughly five to six years.

He cited difficulty in available land as many places would be feasible, however, are in the flood zone. But when it came to the 12-acre lot that the Beacon sat on, it was a prime location as it's on top of a hill and down the road from the hub of town.

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"It's a dream location [for us], it's probably the best location you could get in Guthrie," Gary said Tuesday afternoon.

When conversations began last summer, Gary said he approached the drive-in owners, the Powell family, knowing they were potentially looking to close the theater after owning the property since 1949. After the $2.2 million deal was closed late last week, Gary said they plan on making a mixed-use property that would benefit the Guthrie area.

Communication Federal Credit Union has 21 locations in Oklahoma. This new location would be the first location in Guthrie and Logan County.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's longest-running drive-in movie theater to close after $2.2M sale
ALTOONA, Pa.  Stephen G. Sheetz, the man behind the Sheetz convenience store's Made-To-Order offering, fuel business and expansion outside of Pennsylvania, among other notable feats, died Sunday at 77.

Sheetz previously served as the president and CEO of the company, as well as chairman of the board of directors, and is credited with developing the popular chain as it's known today.

"Steve's guidance shaped nearly every aspect of our family business," board Chairman Joe Sheetz said in a statement. "He was a mentor for every leader who has followed him."

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Joe Sheetz added that "his vision, wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit will be missed deeply by everyone at Sheetz."

Debra Orner, Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce vice president, described Stephen Sheetz as "someone who is definitely going to be missed."

She got to know him during the regional chambers' leadership program sessions.

When those were held in Blair County, Stephen Sheetz always generously hosted the event, Orner said, and shared the story of the company's founding as proof of hard work and persistence.

"It was a really good leadership story," Orner said.

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She added that Stephen Sheetz was "extremely generous with his time" and served as a supporter of many.

"He was ... one of a kind," Orner said.

Stephen Sheetz, a 1965 graduate of Altoona Area High School, began working for the Sheetz Kwik Shopper at 12 when his brother and company founder, Bob Sheetz, ran the Altoona-based stores.

Together they grew the business, and after Bob Sheetz retired, Stephen Sheetz served as president and CEO of Sheetz Inc. from 1984 to 1995.

He also served as the board's chairman from 1995 to 2013 before moving to the position of CLI Transport chairman in 2013, according to the release.

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Stephen Sheetz retired as an official Sheetz executive in 2020, but continued serving as chairman of the Family Committee after that.

During his time with the business, Stephen Sheetz is credited with overseeing "a period of significant growth," and being instrumental in guiding members of the Sheetz family into the business where their talents could shine.

He created the company's mission of "Total Customer Focus," too.

Today, Sheetz has more than 27,000 employees and operates 800-plus store locations in Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.

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Fortune has also recognized the family-owned and -operated chain as one of the 100 best companies to work for.

"Steve's impact on Sheetz is immense," the release said.

Travis Sheetz, company president and CEO, described his uncle as the "center of our family."

"We are so deeply grateful for his leadership, vision and steadfast commitment to our employees, customers and communities," he said in a statement.

In addition to the business contributions of Stephen Sheetz, he also led a life of philanthropy.

He supported numerous education and community causes throughout the Altoona area, as well as central Pennsylvania; his wife Nancy Sheetz founded the Sheetz Fellows Program for Pennsylvania State University Altoona students; and the pair created the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in downtown Altoona.

Stephen Sheetz is survived by his wife; daughters Megan Sheetz (Trevor Price) and Nicole Sheetz (Brint Frith); and seven grandchildren.
When Francis Molinari got his orders to move to Rhode Island, he knew what this would mean for his three kids: yet another new school.

During Molinari's 28-year career in the Navy, his family moved 11 times. In fact, as they transitioned to Rhode Island, Molinari's son was a rising senior about to enter his third high school.

There had to be something better, he thought  something that offered more stability for military kids, especially in high school, a crucial period in their social development. After falling in love with St. George's School and Portsmouth Abbey  and receiving special scholarships set up for military children  the Molinaris saw their son and daughters thrive and wanted to help re-create that experience for others in the same boat.

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And that's how Molinari, who retired as deputy commander and chief of staff at the Naval War College in Newport, and his wife, Lisa, a former attorney, joined with Eric and Krista Peterson, former head of school and associate admissions director at St. George's (and children of military parents themselves), to create Orion Military Scholars, to provide scholarships and funding for children of military families to attend boarding schools  and therefore stay in one place for all four years of high school.

Orion Scholars, headquartered in Jamestown, has now grown to include a network of 16 boarding schools across the United States.

How did your own familys journey shape Orion's mission?

Francis Molinari: It exposed us to boarding schools and the boarding school experience and the opportunities that boarding schools provide. But most importantly, it's all about stability  stability for military kids. We moved 11 times. That's not a complaint. That's just the way it is. Every military family knows if you're going to make it your career, you're going to move. But now there's another choice that wasn't there before with the onset of Orion.

Why is it so important for high schoolers to have stability in their schooling?

Lisa Molinari: I always want to emphasize that even though it is a choice and it's not for everyone, there is a true need among military families for stability for their teenagers. There were a couple of surveys by the National Association of Military Families that showed that 87% of military teens score in at risk categories for poor mental well-being. Generally in the form of anxiety, depression, self-harm behaviors, and Francis doesn't like it when I say self-harm, because it's so stark and so scary, but it's true, and so when we talk to donors, they are shocked to find that out.

Why is high school such a critical time in their lives?

Francis Molinari: Teenagers at that stage, it's very natural for them to pull away from their primary caregivers and form relationships with peers and form relationships with other adult mentors. That's what makes it possible for them at age 18 to leave the home.

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Lisa Molinari: When you interrupt that constantly, which is what happens in military teens, that can be really a developmental harm to them and risky. So what our program does is it gives them stability that they need during those years. Those adolescents can find stability even though it's in a boarding school atmosphere that's away from their parents. Its one place where they can go and stay for all four of those teenage years prior to college and have those peer relationships that are so crucial for teenage development.

If you could send one message to military families considering Orion, what would it be?

Lisa Molinari: What this isn't is an indictment against existing school structures that are out there. There is nothing wrong with homeschooling. There is nothing wrong with charter schools. There's nothing wrong with public day schools or private day schools.

Francis Molinari: But the other important thing to emphasize is these are officer kids and enlisted kids, which is terrific. So all armed services, to include Coast Guard. We are blind when it comes to rank or service, so it's all merit-based. Because these schools are pretty prestigious, there's no way that a military family, even at the highest ranks, can afford that. So what we do is we raise money to give these partial scholarships and then we work with a consortium of schools who have high enough endowments and resources that they will offer.

How does this benefit the military in general?

Lisa Molinari: Because the schools are accepting these military children, and these military kids are being part of a community that didn't otherwise have a lot of military children, what's happening is it's changing the minds of the community. What is the question that is most often asked? And this is shocking, but they will say, did your dad kill anyone? But that's what they think, because that's what society has caused them to think. All of a sudden they see, oh, people don't join the military so they can go get a gun and shoot at people. They're not war makers.

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Frank Molinari: They're a bridge between what's often called this military-civilian divide. The gap of understanding between civilians and military has been a problem. In the military, it's something that affects recruitment. Why won't people volunteer for the military? Because they think they have a lack of understanding of what military families really do and what they go through and that kind of thing. You ask civilians, do you know a military person? And the vast majority of civilians today  I don't have the statistics  say no. And 20 years ago it was a much larger percentage and 20 years before that it was like everyone knew someone in the military. So what happens is the military becomes more and more insular and recruiting is harder.

Lisa Molinari: What we didn't appreciate or forecast or realize initially is that theres an element of Orion supporting military readiness. We've had at least a handful in our experience so far that have said I was going to get out of the service because I didn't want to have to move my kid again, and now we're staying.

What's next for Orion Scholars?

Francis Molinari: For our next cohort of kids, so for 2026, we're probably going to be offering 16 scholarships for that class. So by then we'll probably have just under 50 kids in the program. Every dollar that we get in general donations goes directly into the scholarships, period. None of it goes to our overhead. None of it pays for copies or salaries (they have a grant for that). The number of scholars we have each year is limited by how much money we raise. It all comes back to fundraising.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI-based nonprofit provides scholarships to teens in military families
Indiana State Police say a K-9 led officers to a massive pile of cocaine.

It weighs more than 300 pounds and is worth $7 million.

The cocaine was hidden inside a semi truck.

Police recovered it Saturday in a traffic stop southwest of Indianapolis, on Interstate 70 in Putnam County.

SEE ALSO: 2 Mississippi sheriffs, 12 officers charged in drug trafficking bribery scheme

Two men were arrested and charged with dealing narcotics; they're now being held on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation orders.

They were identified as Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Fresno, California and Jasveer Singh, 30, of Santa Clara, California.

The truck was traveling from Joplin, Missouri to Richmond, Indiana, police said.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025 (photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

HaShomer Yosh says a Bank of Israel directive provides lenders with legal cover to restrict services for Israelis targeted by overseas measures, and calls for government action.

A conservative nonprofit organization, Hashomer Yosh (Hashomer Yehuda VeShomron), criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday over new Bank of Israel guidance on how banks may handle customers in the West Bank who appear on foreign sanctions lists, according to the groups statement.

The dispute follows a recent directive from the Bank of Israel intended to clarify when banks may limit services, and when they must continue providing them, to customers whose names appear on sanctions lists issued by other countries. The group argues the policy effectively enables Israeli banks to act on foreign restrictions against Israeli citizens.

What Bank of Israel directive says

Under the directive, banks are not supposed to refuse service automatically solely because a customer appears on a foreign sanctions list. Instead, each case is to be reviewed individually, including legal, financial, and reputational considerations, and potential concerns related to money laundering or terror financing.

The directive also requires banks to provide a written explanation when restricting services, including what is being limited and what documentation may be needed. The Bank of Israel also provides legal backing for banks that can show they followed the prescribed process and based decisions on a substantive assessment.

View of Bank of Israel main offices in Jerusalem, on January 2, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Why the issue is sparking backlash

Hashomer Yosh, which the report said is itself on sanctions lists, claimed the directive functions as legal protection for banks that choose to refuse to open accounts, restrict activity, or end relationships with Israelis targeted by foreign measures. The group said this undermines what it called a basic right to access banking services in Israel.

Shabtai Koshlovsky, the organizations CEO, accused the government of allowing foreign policy decisions to be implemented through Israels banking system. He argued that Israeli institutions should not impose what he described as economic punishment without Israeli legal process.

Protest and government response

The organization called on the government and the finance minister to present an immediate solution to guarantee basic banking services for sanctioned Israelis, and to create legal protections against foreign actions. It also urged the public to attend a protest scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. outside the British Embassy in Tel Aviv, according to the report.

In a statement, the Finance Ministry said Smotrich rejects what it called illegitimate political sanctions on Israeli citizens and opposes the banks approach on the issue. The ministry added that under current law, authority over bank directives lies with the Supervisor of Banks, not the finance minister, and said legislation is being advanced by MK Zvi Sukkot that would require banks to compensate customers harmed by such restrictions.




The new entity that owns San Francisco Centre, the city's biggest mall, has sued to evict three of the last remaining tenants, according to court filings.

An unlawful detainer motion filed Friday seeks the eviction of Executive Order bar; KBR Enterprises Inc., which operates the Shoe Wiz repair service; and Fardin Amiri, who appears to own a salon in the mall.

The businesses couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Executive Order owner John Eric Sanchez previously told the Chronicle that he would fight to stay. "We're trying to hold out as long as we can," he said in November.

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San Francisco Business Times first reported the filing.

DBJPM 2016-SFC Emporium, the group of lenders that bought the mall's debt in November, previously sent letters to the last two dozen final tenants, saying their leases were terminated. Most of the last holdouts at the mall have already closed or plan to this month, including Shake Shack, Aritzia, H&M and GNC.

The mall's death spiral started after the pandemic and remote work devastated foot traffic in the Powell Street area, leading to the closures of anchor tenants Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's.

Brokerage CBRE has now been hired to sell the mall again, but real estate experts have said that any reimagining of the property into another usage could be prohibitively expensive. A full closure of the mall, which hasn't been confirmed, would cut expenses such as utilities and security costs for the ownership group.

This article originally published at New owner of S.F.'s biggest mall sues to evict three of its last remaining tenants.
PHOENIX  The Arizona Supreme Court building near downtown Phoenix was evacuated on Jan. 5 as law enforcement agencies investigated a package that tested positive for explosives, authorities said.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms' Phoenix branch were on scene investigating the package that contained a "suspicious substance," the agency said in a post on X. The agency directed all further inquiries to local law enforcement.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety was contacted at 8 a.m. local time regarding the package and launched an investigation alongside local, state, and federal agencies, according to Bart Graves, a spokesperson for the department.

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Graves said the package contained multiple vials  two of which tested positive for a "homemade explosive substance." Multiple buildings in the area were evacuated, including the Arizona Supreme Court building.

The state Department of Public Safety said there was no indication of terrorism in connection with the incident, and the package will be disposed of off-site. No injuries were reported, according to the department.

The buildings remained closed into the afternoon as law enforcement conducted additional sweeps, Graves said. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

State staff allowed to work remotely for remainder of the day

The Arizona Supreme Court building was evacuated at around 10:30 a.m. local time, according to Alberto Rodriguez, communications director with the Arizona Supreme Court.

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Rodriguez noted that the building has about 150 personnel, but could not provide an "accurate count of those individuals that were in the building this morning" as some may have been working remotely.

"The majority of our staff has remote access, so court operations are continual," Rodriguez said during an update earlier on Jan. 5.

The Arizona Department of Administration advised other state agencies, which have buildings around the Capitol mall, of the situation shortly before 2 p.m. local time. The agency did not order evacuations, but said state staff could be allowed to work remotely for the remainder of the day.

Swatting mayhem: Universities scrambling to respond to hoax active shooter reports

Latest bomb threat incident in 2025

The incident at the Arizona Supreme Court is the latest bomb scare to occur in the Phoenix area.

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Earlier in the morning on Jan. 5, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said it was investigating a potential bomb threat in a suburb of Phoenix and asked the public to avoid the area. The sheriff's office later determined that it was a "swatting hoax call."

The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported in August that there were two bomb scares on the same day at a military facility and a business in Phoenix. Authorities determined there were no reports of injuries or confirmed threats at those areas.

"Swatting" incidents are defined as false reports of serious crimes intended to spark a heavy law enforcement response. Such hoaxes have been plaguing the country for years, including at schools, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports  anywhere large groups of people gather.

Several bomb threats at airports and on flights, including the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the San Diego International Airport, have prompted evacuations and forced emergency landings in 2025.

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In February, a Southern California teenager was sentenced for making hundreds of "swatting" calls that included shooting and bomb threats against religious institutions, schools, and individual people across the country.

Perry Vandell and Stacey Barchenger report for The Arizona Republic and Thao Nguyen reports for USA TODAY.

Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers and Michael Loria, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Supreme Court office evacuated after suspicious package found
Conservative Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Monday pointed the finger directly at his colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), as the primary instigator behind President Trumps surprise mission to send U.S. special operators into Caracas to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Paul lamented what he sees as a reversal from Trumps previous staunch opposition to nation-building and said Graham was a major factor in changing the presidents thinking on foreign policy.

This is Lindsey Graham. Lindsey Graham has gotten to the president, who expressed  I saw a clip  theres like 20 clips of [Trump] saying hes not for regime change and how regime change has always gone wrong. Somehow theyve convinced him its different if its in our hemisphere, Paul told reporters Monday, lamenting the growing influence of hawkish Republicans such as Graham on Trumps Venezuela policy.

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Graham expressed his frustration last month when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators in a classified briefing that regime change in Venezuela was not an option the administration was considering.

I want to know whats going to happen next. Is it the policy to take Maduro down? It should be, if its not. And if he goes, whats going to happen next? Id like a better answer as to what happens when Maduro goes, Graham said after the briefing with Hegseth and Rubio.

Graham, in the wake of the Venezuela operation, said the communist Cuban government may fall next.

The South Carolina senator responded to the capture of Maduro on Saturday with two words: Free Cuba.

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With Maduros capture, the drug caliphate is moving toward collapse. Free Cuba, Graham wrote on social media.

He told Fox Newss Sunday Night in America that Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canels days in power are numbered, predicting the Cuban regime is ready to fall.

Theres no way that the communist dictatorship in Cuba survives after the takedown of Maduro. It is over, its just a matter of time, Graham told Fox host Trey Gowdy.

Some of Trumps MAGA allies have expressed their disappointment over Trumps evolving foreign policy views.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a longtime Trump ally, said the president campaigned on Make America Great Again and that people who voted for him thought [he] was putting America first.

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She argued Venezuela is not an immediate U.S. concern.

Our neighborhood is right here in the 50 United States, not in the Southern Hemisphere, she said.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A San Francisco Democrat demanded the impeachment of President Donald Trump , accusing him of carrying out a "coup" against Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro.

California state Sen. Scott Wiener, seen as the likely congressional successor to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, also took a swipe at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .

Wiener has frequently drawn national attention for his progressive positions, including his legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom designating California as a "refuge" for transgender children and remarks at a San Francisco Pride Month event referring to California children as "our kids."

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In a lengthy public statement following the Trump administrations arrest and extradition of Maduro to New York, Wiener said the move shows the president only cares about "enriching his public donors" and "cares nothing for the human or economic cost of conquering another country."

Kamala Harris Blasts Trump Administrations Capture Of Venezuelas Maduro As Unlawful And Unwise

California State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, speaks at a rally. (Getty Images)

"This lawless coup is an invitation for China to invade Taiwan, for Russia to escalate its conquest in Ukraine, and for Netanyahu to expand the destruction of Gaza and annex the West Bank," said Wiener, who originally hails from South Jersey.

Read On The Fox News App

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He suggested that the Maduro operation was meant to distract from purportedly slumping poll numbers, the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, and to essentially seize another countrys oil reserves.

"Trump is a total failure," Wiener said. "By engaging in this reckless act, Trump is also making the entire world less safe ... Trump is making clear yet again that, under this regime, there are no rules, there are no laws, there are no norms  there is only whatever Trump thinks is best for himself and his cronies at a given moment in time."

Greene Hits Trump Over Venezuela Strikes, Argues Action 'Doesn't Serve The American People'

In response, the White House said the administration's actions against Maduro were "lawfully executed" and included a federal arrest warrant."

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"While Democrats take twisted stands in support of indicted drug smugglers, President Trump will always stand with victims and families who can finally receive closure thanks to this historic action," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.

Supporters of the operation have pushed back on claims of "regime change"  an accusation Wiener also made  pointing to actions by Maduro-aligned courts that barred top opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from running, even as publicly reported results indicated her proxy, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won the vote.

"Trumps illegal invasion of Venezuela isnt about drugs, and it isnt about helping the people of Venezuela or restoring Venezuelan democracy," Wiener added. "Yes, Maduro is awful, but thats not what the invasion is about. Its all about oil and Trumps collapsing support at home."

Ex-espn Star Keith Olbermann Calls For Impeachment Of Trump Over Venezuela Strikes That Captured Maduro

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Around the country, a handful of other Democrats referenced impeachment or impeachable offenses, but did not go as far as Wiener in demanding such proceedings.

Rep. April McClain-Delaney, D-Md., who represents otherwise conservative "Mountain Maryland" in the states panhandle, said Monday that Democrats should "imminently consider impeachment proceedings," according to TIME.

McClain-Delaney said Trump acted without constitutionally-prescribed congressional authorization and wrongly voiced "intention to run the country."

Schumer Blasted Trump For Failing To Oust Maduro  Now Warns Arrest Could Lead To Endless War

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One frequent Trump foil, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., cited in a statement that she has called for Trumps impeachment in the past; blaming Republicans for letting the president "escape accountability."

"Today, many Democrats have understandably questioned whether impeachment is possible again under the current political reality. I am reconsidering that view," Waters said.

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"What we are witnessing is an unprecedented escalation of an unlawful invasion, the detention of foreign leaders, and a president openly asserting power far beyond what the Constitution allows," she said, while appearing to agree with Trump that Maduro was involved in drug trafficking and "collaborat[ion] with terrorists."

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Wiener's upcoming primary is considered the deciding election in the D+36 district, while a handful of other lesser-known candidates have reportedly either filed FEC paperwork or declared their candidacy, including San Francisco Councilwoman Connie Chan.





Original article source: Pelosi heir-apparent calls Trumps Venezuela move a lawless coup, urges impeachment, slams Netanyahu
The most persistent story about American religion in 2025 was the possibility of revival among Generation Z. Its a narrative that has somehow made its way into the zeitgeist for reasons that arent entirely clear. Still, it seems that a large segment of the American public is eager for any sign that the rise of the nones is over and that churches might begin to fill back up in the years to come.

Of course, Protestants and Catholics want this to be true. They would love to see the fortunes of their local congregations turn around after decades of slow, steady decline. Many have prayed fervently for God to move as during the First and Second Great Awakenings, when hundreds of thousands of Americans experienced dramatic conversions.

But a lot of media outlets also seem to be searching for this narrative. Stories about long-term trends suddenly reversing tend to spread quickly, and religion is no exception. As the share of adults with no religious affiliation climbed from just 6% in 1991 to nearly 30% in 2020, it would certainly make headlines if that march toward secularism suddenly stopped  and even more so if the ones leading a return to church were teens and 20-somethings.

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When Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September, many of his followers described him as a martyr for conservative Christianity and claimed that his death would spark millions to embrace his evangelical beliefs and lifestyle. That possibility received significant coverage from outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

However, as someone who looks at data on American religion nearly every day, I can say without equivocation that theres no clear or compelling evidence that younger Americans are more religious than their parents or grandparents. In reality, many casual observers are overinterpreting some short-term shifts in survey data.

The General Social Survey, for instance, reported a steady rise in the nones between the early 1990s and 2020. In 2018, the figure was 23%, rising to 28% in 2021. The two most recent estimates are slightly lower  27% in 2022 and 25% in 2024. Similarly, the headline finding from Pews Religious Landscape Survey was that both the decline of Christianity and the rise of the unaffiliated have paused in recent years.

But neither of these surveys suggest any real resurgence in American religion, for one simple reason: generational replacement. Every day, older Americans die and are replaced by young adults turning 18. This process unfolds slowly  almost imperceptibly  in the short term, but over five or 10 years, it can produce profound shifts in the overall landscape.

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When you compare generations, the pattern is obvious. The youngest members of the Silent Generation were born in the early 1940s, and just 7% report no religious affiliation. In less than a decade, they  and a growing share of Baby Boomers (18% unaffiliated)  will disappear from survey samples.

Meanwhile, millennials are moving solidly into middle age, and 36% of them say they have no religion. Generation Z, all of whom will soon be adults, are even less religious: 43% are nones. Thats 25 points higher than the Boomers theyre replacing. So if the overall share of nones sits around 28% now, it will inevitably rise as generational turnover continues.

Could millennials and Gen Z find God in the years ahead? Possibly  but it would require a transformation unlike anything seen in modern times. Roughly 10 million millennials would have to reaffiliate with religion, followed by another 18 million Gen Zers. Theres no sign of that happening in any dataset.

To make this more concrete, consider a simple numerical exercise. About 25% of Americans report attending a house of worship on a typical weekend. If that rose by even three points  a small but noticeable increase  that would mean 10 to 12 million more people in church today than just six months ago.

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Thats hard to imagine given that there are only about 350,000 houses of worship nationwide. Evenly distributed, those 12 million new attendees would add roughly 35 people to every congregation. And since the median church in America averages just 65 attendees, each one would have to grow by nearly 50% just to move the national number by three points.

And remember  thats a modest increase.

The reality is that there hasnt been a single event in the past 50 years that sparked a sustained, measurable rise in religious attendance in the United States. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, churchgoing did increase briefly, but by early 2002 it had returned to normal. Likewise, the Asbury University revival of February 2023 received wall-to-wall media coverage, but follow-up reporting showed no lasting change in local religiosity a year later.

That said, some aspects of Protestant Christianity have experienced noteworthy growth over the last several years. The Assemblies of God, a charismatic evangelical denomination, has recorded sustained growth for decades; since 2000, its membership is up nearly 19%. The Presbyterian Church in America, the more conservative cousin of the Presbyterian Church USA, is up about 31% during the same time period and has enjoyed an annual growth rate of 2.2% since 1980.

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Additionally, the number of Americans identifying as non-denominational Protestants has grown from essentially a rounding error in the 1970s (about 3%), to nearly 15% of the population in more recent data. In numeric terms, there are likely 30-40 million non-denominational Christians in the United States, making this group three times the size of the Southern Baptist Convention. However, the sources of growth in American Christianity are still outweighed by the decline of older denominations like the United Methodist Church and The Episcopal Church.

People of faith will rightly say that true revival cant be predicted or modeled  that its a movement of the Holy Spirit, not a statistical trend. And thats fair. No regression equation can capture the divine.

Still, as Carl Sagan famously said, Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. As it stands now, theres nothing extraordinary in the data, however much we might wish it were so.
Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a nationwide mobilization Wednesday and urged citizens to "defend sovereignty," responding to statements by the U.S. President Donald Trump that in Colombia have been widely interpreted as threats of intervention and direct attacks against the head of state.

The call, posted by Petro on X and echoed by government officials and political allies, urges rallies in public squares across the country starting at 4 p.m. local time, with the main protest planned for Bogota's Plaza de Bolivar, the historic square that houses Colombia's main government institutions. Petro said he will address the crowd.

The escalation follows remarks by Trump in which he referred to Petro in disparaging terms, accused him of backing drug production and left open the possibility of military action, according to reports by Colombian media.

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In recent comments, Trump said a military operation against Colombia "sounds good," following a U.S. military incursion in Venezuela. He also accused Petro of links to drug trafficking and said Colombia is "very sick."

Petro publicly rejected the accusations and framed the dispute as a matter of national sovereignty. He said he would carefully assess the scope of Trump's words before issuing a broader response but insisted that dialogue should be "the first path" and defended the legitimacy of his government.

"Although I have not been a soldier, I know about war and clandestinity. I swore not to touch a weapon again after the 1989 peace pact, but for the homeland, I would take up arms again, which I do not want," Petro wrote, referring to the agreement that led to the demobilization of the M-19 guerrilla movement in which he once participated.

"I am not illegitimate, nor am I a drug trafficker. I own only my family home, which I am still paying for with my salary. My bank statements have been made public. No one has been able to say I have spent more than my salary. I am not greedy," he added.

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Separately, Colombia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement after remarks attributed to Trump on Sunday and said it rejects what it considers unacceptable interference in matters of sovereignty and bilateral relations.

Vice President Francia Marquez joined those describing Trump's statements as "threats" and called on Colombians to defend national sovereignty, according to local radio reports.

Demonstrations planned for Wednesday are expected in cities including Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena and Santa Marta, with calls to gather in central squares.

Petro described the protests as "peaceful" and urged Colombians to fly the national flag at their homes and bring it to public squares, El Espectador reported. He warned of the risks of military escalation and reiterated that the armed forces must follow their constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty.

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The episode unfolds amid regional upheaval linked to Venezuela's crisis and rising diplomatic tensions in Latin America.

According to daily El Tiempo, the situation has pushed Petro's government to return to street mobilization as a political tool while Bogota seeks to manage relations with Washington without losing internal control.
Police are searching for suspects in a string of violent thefts targeting Asian women in Northeast Philadelphia during the holiday season.

Investigators say the attacks occurred between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, all within the same area and under similar circumstances. Each incident happened between noon and 1:30 p.m., and police believe the crimes are connected.

"They are typically exiting a vehicle, approaching two at a time, and handling victims roughly. Scaring them. One lady got dragged to the ground and beaten up a little bit. She is shaken up," said Capt. Jack Ryan of Northeast Detectives.

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One victim was assaulted on Dec. 27 while walking along the 2900 block of Ryan Avenue. Police say two men wearing ski masks ran from a car, knocked her to the ground, and stole her purse, which contained $3,000 in cash.

Ryan says detectives have not recovered video that conclusively links the incidents, but the location and method of operation suggest the cases are related.

"It's clear they are related," he said.

Residents expressed concern about the attacks.

Kristen Krupa, who lives in the area, said her mother was nearly mugged outside a department store weeks earlier.

"He was obviously up to no good, and when she turned, he starts scurrying around like he was trying to get into the car next to her. So, it's definitely been occurring for quite some time now," Krupa said.

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Karina Santiago, another resident, added, "I've been living on Fanshaw 10 years and to see they're being attacked is scary."

Police believe three men are involved in most, if not all, of the thefts, including two attackers and a getaway driver.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northeast Detectives.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The pilot who landed the Boeing 737 that lost its door plug soon after takeoff is suing Boeing for blaming him for the incident, according to court documents.

The lawsuit was filed on December 30 in Multnomah County Circuit Court against Boeing, seeking $10,000,000 for negligence, strict products liability, breach of warranty, emotional distress and defamation.

The pilot in command, Captain Brandon Fisher, filed the lawsuit against Boeing for allegedly blaming the pilot and First Officer Emily Wiprud for making mistakes that contributed to the incident.

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DONT MISS: Declare an emergency: Alaska Airlines pilot recounts moment door blew off mid-air

The lawsuit stems from the evening of January 5, 2024, when Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 made an emergency landing 30 minutes after taking off from Portland International Airport. The emergency landing happened after a door plug separated from the fuselage at 16,000 feet in the air. All passengers survived, but several suffered minor injuries.

The pilot in command, Captain Brandon Fisherand his first officer, Emily Wiprudlanded the aircraft safely despite harrowing circumstances in the cockpit. They should have been hailed as heroes. Instead, The Boeing Company attempted to shift blame, intentionally and falsely claiming that Captain Fisher and First Officer Wiprud made mistakes that contributed to the incident, the lawsuit claims.

Unbeknownst to Captain Brandon Fisher, who was the pilot in command, or any of the passengers onboard, the defendants negligence and systemic failures resulted in the creation of an unsafe aircraft not fit for flight, culminating in the horrific decompression event shortly after takeoff, the lawsuit adds.

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Instead of praising Captain Fishers bravery, Boeing inexplicably impugned the reputations of the pilots who had prevented Boeing from having to explain to the families of all passengers and crew why its defective aircraft had resulted in the loss of their loved ones, the lawsuit claims. Boeings comments dramatically exacerbated the life-changing impacts that this incident caused Captain Fisher.

Boeings scapegoating

In addition to the emotional distress Captain Fisher faced from the incident, the lawsuit points to Boeings reprehensible and inaccurate statement in a federal court pleading filed March 11, 2024, blaming the pilot for the incident, the suit says.

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Washington trooper alleges workplace discrimination over his sexual orientation

In the filing, Boeing answered to an amended complaint in a class action lawsuit brought by passengers on board the flight.

Captain Fishers lawsuit states, Boeing denied liability for damages to passengers, claiming that it should not be held responsible for injuries because its products were improperly maintained or misused by persons and/or entities other than Boeing.

The lawsuit continues, It was clear Boeings words were directed at Captain Fisher in an attempt to paint him as the scapegoat for Boeings numerous failures.

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Well-known Portland chef arrested following announcement of restaurant closure

After Boeings court filing, a 17-month investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board later found that the bolts meant to hold the door plug in place were removed and never replaced.

The safety deficiencies that led to this accident should have been evident to Boeing and to the FAA, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said. This time it was missing bolts securing the door plug, but the same safety deficiencies that led to this accident could just have easily led to other manufacturing quality escapes and other accidents. 

Similarly, the lawsuit points to failures by Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems, which provided key parts for the plane, including the door plug.

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TriMet plans to cut service in 2026 with dozens of bus lines at risk: What we know

Boeings failure to properly supervise Spirit AeroSystems led to improper assembly of the MED plug that blew out during the flight. Specifically, unqualified installation personnel had failed to install all of the necessary bolts to the door, the lawsuit says.

Boeing is no stranger to its aircraft experiencing explosive decompression events

The complaint explains that Boeing created the door plug as a way to increase passenger seating capacity. However, if a plane does not need to be reconfigured for 190 or more passengers, the door plug would be used in place of the normal exit door in the fuselage.

However, the lawsuit points to other explosive decompression events, and says Boeing was aware of these events before the 2024 door plug incident.

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Boeing is no stranger to its aircraft experiencing explosive decompression events. Between 1981 and 2018, at least seven explosive decompression events occurred that involved Boeing aircraft. In 1985, 505 passengers and 15 crew members died on Japan Air Lines Flight 123, the aircraft for which was a Boeing 747. In 2018, a passenger on a Boeing 737 operated as Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 died after he was partially ejected through a hole in the fuselage, the lawsuit notes.

The suit furthered that the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation against Boeing and the investigation is ongoing.

When reached for comment, a representative for Boeing said the company does not comment on pending litigation. Boeing has since acquired Spirit Aerosystems.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A knife-wielding man was fatally shot by police Monday evening at a Piscataway house, and three dead bodies were then discovered inside the home, investigators said.

Officers from the Piscataway Police Department responded to the River Road house around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from a man reporting that a person inside had a knife, the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said in a statement.

Officers shot and killed a man armed with a knife who they encountered at the home, the office said.

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After the shooting, the officers discovered three other people dead in the house, authorities said.

The Middlesex County Prosecutors Office is investigating their deaths.

None of the deceased people were identified Monday night.

The Piscataway Township Police Department initially described the incident as a homicide, and said it appears to be an isolated incident.

There is no indication of an ongoing threat to the community. At this time, there is no danger to the general public, the police department added. Additional information will be shared when appropriate and the investigation allows. We thank for the community for its cooperation.

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In a social media post on X, New Jersey State PBA President Peter Andreyev called the incident a horrific crime and said, All our members that were involved are being evaluated.

Multiple township police officers, detectives cars and an ambulance were at the scene outside the house on the 800 block of River Road, which was surrounded with caution tape at 9 p.m on Monday.

River Road, which is not far from the Livingston campus of Rutgers University, was blocked off from Mitchell Avenue to Hanson Avenue and traffic was being detoured.

Possible shooting in Piscataway

News 12 New Jersey reported that a neighbor heard several gunshots fired at about 6 p.m. Monday, after police arrived on the street.

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News 12 also said several police officers were taken to an area hospital for evaluation, but they are all expected to be fine.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Nicolas Fernandes and Lauren Musni contributed to this report.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A knife-wielding suspect was shot and killed by police, who then discovered three people dead inside a home in Piscataway, New Jersey on Monday, according to officials.

Officers from the Piscataway Police Department responded to a home on River Road around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from a man reporting that an individual had a knife.

When officers arrived at the scene, a man charged at them with a knife, according to law enforcement sources. Officers deployed their tasers, but it was ineffective at stopping the suspect.

The suspect then continued to advance at the officers with the weapon, and then was shot and killed by police.

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After the shooting, the officers discovered an additional three people dead inside the home, officials said.

According to law enforcement sources, they included two grandparents. It's not yet clear who the fourth individual is, or the relationship between the suspect and the victims.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey Attorney's General Office are investigating their deaths, and said it appeared to be an isolated incident, and that there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the community.

New Jersey State PBA President Peter Andreyev released a statement in response to the incident saying, "We are aware of the horrific crime in Middlesex County tonight. All our members that were involved are ok and being evaluated. Thank you to all who have reached to offer support."

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Neighbors were alarmed by the massive police scene.

"I was pretty much about to start making dinner, and then I just heard the cops come next door," said neighbor Jessica Conroy. "I looked outside the window and they had their weapons drawn, and then we heard the shots go off."

Neighbors told Eyewitness News said they had nice encounters with those who lived at the home in the past.

"Very nice lady. Very nice, quiet neighborhood. It's so tragic that something like this happens," said neighbor Keith Heron.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Key Points

Lockheed Martin will triple Patriot missile production for the Pentagon.

More missile sales means more revenue, and probably at higher profit margins.

10 stocks we like better than Lockheed Martin 

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) stock is hopping Tuesday morning, up 3.6% through 10:50 a.m. ET after announcing a "landmark" contract to supply the U.S. Department of Defense with PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor missiles -- also known as the "Patriot."

Image source: Getty Images.

Lockheed's locked and loaded

"This transformative partnership," says Lockheed, will give the company enough guaranteed demand from its customer to enable the defense giant to profitably ramp Patriot missile production from approximately 600 missiles per year to 2,000 for the next seven years.

It gives Lockheed the "long-term demand certainty" it needs to justify making investments in production capacity. And as this translates into additional production, it will "drive operational efficiencies" that will lower the cost of each unit of output -- both for the customer and for Lockheed Martin itself.

Is Lockheed Martin stock a buy?

What does this mean for Lockheed Martin, in dollars and cents?

Priced at $4.2 million per unit currently, PAC-3 MSE is a $2.5 billion franchise for Lockheed Martin at present. Although it seems implied that the increased production rates will yield lower prices for the customer, if one were to triple the production rate and hold the price constant, for example, that would grow to $8.4 billion annually.

Even for a company with more than $74 billion in annual sales, that's a significant increase, and enough to "move the needle" on Lockheed stock, I think. And granted, while the revenue bump might not be quite as large as I describe above, the fact that Lockheed anticipates "operational efficiencies" should at least mean improved profit margins (and profits) for Lockheed -- and in a missiles and fire control business segment that is already Lockheed's most profitable.

This is good news for Lockheed Martin stock, and today's price bump is justified.

Should you buy stock in Lockheed Martin right now?

Before you buy stock in Lockheed Martin, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Lockheed Martin wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $493,290!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,153,214!*
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The arrest of a Chicago doctor in the killings of his ex-wife and her husband in Ohio caps off nearly two weeks of unanswered questions surrounding the mysterious killings.

Police found Dr. Spencer Tepe, a 37-year-old dentist, and Monique Tepe, 39, with gunshot wounds on the second floor of their home in Columbus at about 10 a.m. on Dec. 30 after officers were asked to conduct a wellness check, authorities said. Medical personnel later pronounced them dead.

The couples two young children were also in the home but were unharmed, police said.

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Michael David McKee, the 39-year-old former husband of Monique Tepe, has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder.

Who was arrested?

McKee was arrested Saturday, nearly two weeks after the Tepes' killings drew national attention. Prosecutors charged him with premeditated murder, upgrading the case from initial charges.

McKee and Monique Tepe, then-Monique Sabaturski, married in 2015, according to Franklin County court records. They filed for divorce two years later.

Police asked for the public's help last week in identifying a person of interest caught on a surveillance camera in an alley near the Tepes' home around the time investigators believe the couple was attacked. Detectives believe the couple was shot between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30. The person of interest, later identified as McKee, was wearing light colored pants and a dark hooded jacket, police said.

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McKee appeared on Monday in court in Winnebago County, Illinois, about 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Chicago. He waived his right to an extradition hearing and was expressionless while he walked into the courtroom wearing a yellow jumpsuit with shackles around his wrists.

A judge scheduled a hearing next week to confirm McKee's transfer to Ohio, where the case will be prosecuted.

In a written statement, the Tepes' family called the arrest an important step toward justice and that they trusted the justice system to hold the person accountable.

What happened?

Dispatchers first received calls of concern when Spencer Tepe didnt show up on Dec. 30 at the dental practice where he worked in Athens, a college town about 75 miles (120.70 kilometers) southeast of Columbus.

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Sometimes people dont show up to work, the dispatcher said, according to 911 calls.

Tepe's manager told police his tardiness was out of character.

Someone else called to request a wellness check before a distraught man who described himself as a friend of Spencer Tepes called police at 10:03 a.m. and said, Oh, theres a body. Theres a body. Oh my God. He said he could see Spencer Tepes body was off the side of a bed in a pool of blood.

The Franklin County Coroners Office deemed the killings an apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.

No obvious signs of forced entry were found at the Tepes home. Police also said no weapon was found there, and murder-suicide was not suspected. Further, nothing was stolen, and the couples two young children and their dog were left unharmed in the home.

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Who were they?

According to the Tepes obituaries, Monique married Spencer Tepe in 2020.

Family members described the couple as extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.

Spencer Tepe was a graduate of the Ohio State University. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Monique Tepe was described as a loving, patient, and joyful mother, an avid baker, and a thoughtful planner.

They were the proud parents of two beautiful children, and every day they showed up with unwavering love and devotion to their family," wrote a cousin, Audrey Mackie.

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The couple's family said in a statement, Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.

___

Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island. AP reporters Mark Scolforo and Leah Willingham contributed to this report from Harrisburg, Pa and Boston.
It has been two days since anyone has heard from Linda Brown.

Her family spent Monday retracing the Bridgeport teacher's last steps and calling area hospitals but have turned up nothing. Now, they are pleading with the public to help them bring her home safely.

"We don't know where she is. We need to find her because I'm breaking down and I don't know what to do," said Antwon Brown, Linda's husband.

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Chicago police said Linda was last seen in the 4500-block of South Martin Luther King Drive, not far from where she lives, on Saturday. But flyers with Linda's photo are now being circulated online and throughout the Chicago area.

Antwon says he last saw his wife on Friday night. The couple watched a movie at their Bronzeville home and then went to bed.

"Everything was fine. Next morning I woke up, it was like 8:35 a.m., and she was gone. No sign of her. I thought she went to acupuncture because she goes to acupuncture on Saturdays," Antwon said.

But Antwon says the 53-year-old never showed up to her regularly scheduled appointment. And by Saturday afternoon, no one in Linda's family could get ahold of her.

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"The hours that went past around 1:30, 2 p.m. I'm starting to wonder, like, 'What's going on?' She hasn't called me, because she normally would call me and tell me where she is going. She never did," Antwon said.

The special education teacher at Chicago Public Schools' Robert Healy Elementary School was set to return to work on Monday. Healy's principal sent out a letter alerting the school's community with a plea to contact police with any information.

The school offered students mental health support as Linda's family and friends grapple with their emotions.

"A little frightened and scared. Like, where is she? Like, I don't know what to do. I did everything. We got police detectives out. Everybody's looking," Antwon said. "We love her. We miss her. We want her to come home."

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Linda's husband says she drives a blue Honda Civic. So far, CPD have not been able to find her vehicle, which they say has an Illinois plate number of CX57470.

CPD asked anyone with information to call Area One SVU detectives at 312-747-8380.
Locust Cider, a cidermaker that once had over a dozen taprooms across Washington state, Texas and Colorado, has just one location remaining after shuttering four others last month.

The lights are still on at Locust Ciders Gig Harbor taproom, where theyve been producing cider since 2021. The business also has a large-volume production facility in Ellensburg, The News Tribune reported.

In December, the business closed locations in Woodinville and Spokane and two near Pike Place Market. It also said goodbye to a location in Fort Collins, Colorado, while hoping to find a new managing partner to turn it into a stand alone fully gluten-free celiac-safe restaurant, according to their Instagram. The Fort Collins taproom previously offered gluten-free, celiac-safe meals. Owner Jason Spears confirmed that if the Colorado location turns into a stand-alone restaurant, it wont be under the Locust Cider name.

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The cost of operating taprooms has risen faster than weve been able to keep up with, even with amazing support from all of you, the business posted on Instagram Dec. 5. To protect the future of the brand, we need to focus fully on whats working: getting our ciders to more people through restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. Cider production and distribution will continue without interruption, and were already developing exciting new flavors for 2026 and beyond.

Spears said in a phone call Dec. 31 that the taprooms were all meant to be small neighborhood operations, and the financial math has changed with changing consumer trends and rising costs. These costs include upticks to minimum wage particularly in Washington state, he said.

Locust Cider offers 26 taps of hard cider and regional craft beer at their family-friendly Gig Harbor taproom, according to their website. They also have an arcade bar with several retro pinball machines. (Locust Cider/Courtesy)

It changed so fast that we havent been able to adjust our prices fast enough, he said. Our customers wont accept 100% price increases.

The business also faced rising property taxes and insurance costs, and it also became more expensive to buy ingredients and fruit, he said.

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Spears founded Locust Cider with his wife Rebecca in 2015, but his journey to producing cider started a few years prior, when he discovered that he had some allergies to hops, he told The News Tribune. He tried experimenting at home, created some recipes he liked, called up his brother from Texas and began producing cider with him in Woodinville, he said.

The brand offers their classic dry hard apple cider along with a series of fun flavors including honey pear, juicy peach and vanilla bean, according to their website. They also have seasonal varieties and other limited-edition flavors.

The company has been downsizing in spurts since 2024, when they closed their taproom on Sixth Avenue in Tacoma followed by a slew of other Washington locations, The News Tribune reported. Spears said the COVID-19 pandemic hit them hard, as Locust Cider opened nearly all of their locations in 2019 and 2020, near the start of the pandemic.

Locust Cider in Gig Harbor debuted a new food menu in late July 2025, including a $10 cheese or pepperoni pizza, or $12 for a build-your-own square pie. (Locust Cider/Courtesy)

The announcement of the most recent closures came just six months after Spears told The News Tribune that Locust Cider didnt have any plans to close more locations.

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Despite the shuttering of most of their taprooms, customers will still see Locust Cider cans in their local grocery and retail stores. It will also be available on tap in local bars and restaurants or via direct shipment, according to their social media. The Locust Cider website has a search tool to find which stores offer their products.

Spears said the company will continue to invest in new product development and is focused on making cider and selling it.

Asked to reiterate what makes cider different from other alcoholic beverages, he pointed to the ingredients.

The thing that I think is amazing about cider, and the reason it will always endure, is its real, said Spears. Were in Washington, freaking Washington. This is apple country. Its the most pure interpretation of what the apple can become.

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The companys lone remaining taproom in Gig Harbor at 3207 57th St. Court is family-friendly and offers 26 taps of hard cider and regional craft beer, per their website. The business partnered up with local pinball operator Justin Kaping to add a series of pinball and arcade game machines to the taproom last year. It also debuted a new food menu including hand-stretched pizzas, sausages and hot dogs and gluten-free chicken nuggets and tater tots, The News Tribune reported.

The Gig Harbor taprooms hours are Wednesday through Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday through Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-8 p.m. Theyre closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Locust Cider expressed gratitude to their staff and customers in their announcement about the closures on Instagram, and highlighted the $100,000-plus sum the community helped them raise to donate to the Hydrocephalus Association, a nonprofit that supports patients with the chronic neurological condition and seeks a cure. The Spears daughter Lucy was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and has had to receive multiple brain surgeries, the Locust Cider website says.

We are incredibly proud of our taproom teams, both past and present, and deeply grateful to everyone who has visited, supported us, and shared a pint with us over the last 10 years, the post said.
LIMA  A special meeting of the board of directors of the Allen County Port Authority has been called for 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at 144 S. Main St., Suite 200, Lima.

The purpose of the meeting is for the selection of a design professional firm and an agreement with the Allen County commissioners for the Memorial Hall project.

According to Cynthia Leis, president and CEO of the Allen Economic Development Group, the Port Authority of Allen County recently solicited requests for qualifications from design professionals to assist with the design and construction administration services which would allow Allen County to take advantage of a $10 million grant approved last summer by the Ohio General Assembly for Memorial Hall renovations through the states capital budget.

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Leis on Monday said five such proposals were submitted. A selection committee will review those proposals Tuesday in private and will select what they view as the best RFQ. The committees selection will be presented to the full Port Authority board at Thursdays special meeting and is expected to be approved.

Leis also touched on the future of Memorial Hall as it pertains to ownership of the historic building, which closed in 2014 when an inspection determined the hall was not fit for occupancy.

Preliminary discussions had been underway for the Allen County commissioners to transfer ownership of Memorial Hall to the port authority, but Leis on Monday said that plan has been shelved. In its place, a draft cooperative agreement outlines how the port authority would use the state grant funds to pay for expenses associated with the renovation project will be considered by the board at its Thursday meeting.

Memorial Hall, built in 1908, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
President Trumps courageous and bold decision to capture Venezuelan tyrant Nicolas Maduro was a demonstration of tremendous US leadership on the world stage. It was also a huge blow and humiliation for Communist China, a close partner of the Maduro regime. The raid on Caracas put Beijing firmly on the back foot. But thousands of miles away in the Indian Ocean, China is about to receive a huge strategic win courtesy of the British Government, unless it can be stopped.

The incredibly foolish actions of Prime Minister Keir Starmer threaten to weaken the security of the United States and undermine a transatlantic special relationship that has been in place for over 80 years. This is at a time when both of our great nations are confronting a new cold war orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party and egged on by its erstwhile supporters  Russia, Iran and North Korea.

The staggeringly reckless decision by Starmers Labour Government to hand over the British Indian Ocean Territory to Chinese ally Mauritius following an earlier advisory ruling by the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague is one of the most dangerous acts of self-harm by the United Kingdom in its post-war history.

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The Territory includes the Chagos Archipelago, which is the home of the strategically vital US-UK military base of Diego Garcia. Under the proposed deal, the British Government will pay Mauritius close to a staggering 35bn to lease Diego Garcia over the course of the next 99 years. This goes over the objections of the indigenous inhabitants of the Islands, the Chagossians, who overwhelmingly wish to remain under British sovereignty.

Opponents of the deal have rightly described it as an appalling surrender of British sovereignty and a capitulation to a supranational court. In a manifest blow to the Starmer Government, the highly controversial Chagos Bill has just been amended in the House of Lords before it returns to the Commons, which should delay formal agreement by several weeks.

There now remains a narrow window of time for the United States to raise major concerns over the deal and to help send it to the bottom of the Indian Ocean. American interests in the Indo-Pacific will be directly impacted if the Chagos deal moves forward.

Case in point, the recent successful strikes on Irans nuclear weapons programme were supported by operations conducted from Diego Garcia, and the base acts as a significant deterrence against adventurism by regimes like Iran, Russia and China across the Indian Ocean.

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The looming handover of the Chagos Islands is a massive coup for Communist China, which has long coveted a foothold in the region. There can be no doubt that Beijing will use this golden opportunity to advance its own interests at Americas and the UKs expense.

If the deal is ratified and implemented, Mauritius will have full sovereignty over the Islands, and could offer China its own base on Chagos in close proximity to Diego Garcia, with endless opportunities for spying on US and British military activities.

Mauritius could also sign a defence agreement with Beijing granting China access to the waters around the Chagos Islands, making the base at Diego Garcia practically impossible to operate for the United States.

There is also the very real possibility that Mauritius could renege on the agreement with Britain in the coming years, and agree to sell the Islands at a higher price to China, forcing the US/UK base to close altogether.

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Regardless, placing questions over the sustainability of the basing in Diego Garcia makes it highly likely that this critical military presence will fade as threat actors manoeuvre with increasing impunity across the Indian Ocean.

There is fortunately still time for the United States to intervene at the eleventh hour to halt the deal. The State Department issued a statement in May backing the Chagos deal, but significantly no such statement has been made directly by the White House.

President Trump still has an historic opportunity to seek a British reversal from this myopic and self-defeating decision. Securing Diego Garcia basing in perpetuity is defending Americas national security and preventing Communist China from a major strategic victory.

The Chagos deal is a hugely risky, monumental folly with incredibly dangerous potential outcomes for the US. Trump should call for an urgent review before it is ratified in Parliament.

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The full implications of the Chagos deal for Diego Garcia should be subject to a detailed and exhaustive analysis by the White House and Pentagon, as well as Congressional hearings on Capitol Hill in both the House and Senate.

Americas national security, in this case the future of a crucial US military base, should not be placed at the mercy of the rash decision-making of a foreign government, even if it is Americas closest friend and ally.

In stark contrast to Starmer, his illustrious predecessors in Downing Street Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher would never have backed a deal that weakens the defences of both the United States and the United Kingdom. And nor should Trump, the undisputed leader of the free world.

Kevin Roberts is president of The Heritage Foundation in Washington DC, and Nile Gardiner is Director of The Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at Heritage

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By Cecile Mantovani and Dave Graham

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Pressure was building for answers on Monday from the investigation into a New Year bar fire in a Swiss ski resort that killed 40 people, after authorities said they had now identified all the victims, most of whom were teenagers.

The Alpine getaway of Crans-Montana in the canton of Valais united in mourning on Sunday with condolences coming in from leaders ranging from Pope Leo to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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Prosecutors said the fire that spread rapidly in the early hours of January 1 was likely caused by sparkling candles igniting the ceiling of the bar's basement.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

Authorities are investigating the two people who ran the bar on suspicion of crimes including homicide by negligence. On Sunday, police said circumstances did not currently merit them being put under arrest and they did not see a flight risk.

On Monday, Swiss newspaper Blick said anger over the case was growing.

"Why are the couple running the bar free?" the paper said on its front page, pasted over a photo of mourners and media gathered around the huge pile of flowers left in front of the "Le Constellation" bar.

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The youngest victims of the blaze, which also injured 116 people, were only 14 years old, and the dead were from all around Europe, including several from France and Italy.

Swiss police, who have not named the victims, said on Monday they had now identified all the injured as well.

Separately, the public prosecutor of Paris, Laure Beccuau, said she would open a parallel investigation into the case to facilitate communication with Swiss authorities. Such inquiries are customary when French citizens are involved abroad.

ITALIAN REPATRIATIONS

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said in a social media post that "in civilized Switzerland, the prison gates will have to open for quite a few people".

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Salvini said there had been a failure to ensure the bar's basement was safe, questioning the emergency systems and whether there had been enough inspections.

Crans-Montana will on Friday hold a ceremony honouring the victims. The French government said that President Emmanuel Macron would attend.

Italy on Monday repatriated five of the six Italians who died in the fire, the Italian government said.

A military plane took to Milan the bodies of Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo from Milan, Giovanni Tamburi from Bologna and Emanuele Galeppini from Genoa. Military personnel saluted their coffins as they were carried from the plane.

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The body of Riccardo Minghetti was due to fly on to Rome. The sixth Italian victim, Sofia Prosperi, lived in Switzerland and would be buried there, the Italian government said.

SILENT PROCESSION

Aika Chappaz, a local resident who took part in a silent procession through the town on Sunday, said justice must be done for the sake of future generations.

"It's crucial that such a tragedy never happens again. And the investigation must be thorough, because it's so unbelievable," she said.

Tages-Anzeiger, another leading Swiss newspaper, said questions must be answered about the age checks at the bar, the soundproofing material used in the basement and the standards governing use of the so-called fountain candles.

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One of the bar's two French operators, Jacques Moretti, told Swiss media that Le Constellation had been checked three times in 10 years and that everything was done according to the rules.

Valais authorities said investigators were checking if the bar had undergone its annual building inspections, but that the town had not raised concerns or reported defects to the canton.

The municipality of Crans-Montana said it has handed prosecutors documents relevant to the investigation and had joined the criminal proceedings as a civil party.

"This will allow (the municipality) to actively contribute to establishing all the facts," it said.

(Reporting by Dave Graham and Cecile Mantovani; Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau and Michaela Cabrera in Paris, Crispian Balmer in Rome, Emma Farge in Geneva and John Revill in Zurich;Editing by Alex Richardson and Franklin Paul)
An LGBTQ advocacy group is once again suing Loogootee, Indiana, claiming the city is ignoring a recent court decision ruling its actions unconstitutional and is pushing its festival out of the public square illegally.

The Southern Indiana city of 2,600 people and festival organizer Patoka Valley AIDS Community Action Group have fought for years over LGBTQ expression on city property, specifically where the annual PrideFest would be held.

The city had enacted a special events policy that would prevent the group from holding the festival at the public square downtown. The U.S. District Court of Southern Indiana handed the city a major defeat in August, ruling that the policy was too broad and violated organizers' First Amendment rights.

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Now, Loogootee has enacted another special events policy that mirrors several measures in the one that the court struck down. In response, the Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents Pakota Valley, filed a new lawsuit against the policy and filed a motion alleging the city is disobeying court orders.

"Court orders must be complied with, and Loogootee, by enacting an ordinance that contains provisions enjoined by the Court, is in contempt of its lawful orders," ACLU Indiana legal director Ken Falk said in a news release. "Moreover, the ordinance it has adopted continues Loogootees pattern of attempting to unconstitutionally restrict this celebration of the LGBTQ+ community."

The new legal twist is the most recent development in what's been a tense local culture war between the LGBTQ+ community seeking to publicly celebrate their identity and the strong, sometimes threatening, community pushback to their efforts.

Is Loogootee's 'new' policy new?

Judge Richard L. Young listed three primary factors in his August ruling as to why he found Loogootee's old policy unconstitutional: a 45-day event permit application deadline, small group thresholds, and event location limits. He also disagreed with the city's health and safety reasoning for such rules.

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Public institutions can legally establish restrictions on the time, place and manner of free expression as long as these restrictions are narrowly tailored.

Enacted Dec. 29, the new ordinance reuses the same language regarding the permit deadline and small groups but broadens the locations where an event can be held. Instead of limiting an event to one of two places, an event can now be held anywhere except within 240 feet of the town center's fountain.

In its complaint, the ACLU argued that the "verbatim" measures and the new location restriction are all unconstitutional.

"The 'new' Ordinance is therefore 'new' in name only and, in reality, Loogootee has simply reenacted provisions that this Court has explicitly enjoined as unconstitutional," the ACLU's complaint reads.

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Loogootee Mayor Brian Ader previously told IndyStar that the city planned to appeal the District Court's decision, but an appeal was never filed.

The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@indystar.com, on X at @CateCharron or Signal at @cate.charron.28.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pride organizers, ACLU sue Loogootee again, saying city defied court
PARIS (AP)  Ukraines allies said they made major progress Tuesday toward agreeing on how to defend the country if a peace deal is struck with Russia, saying they were ready to provide international guarantees to deter Moscow from attacking its neighbor again.

Plans discussed at a key meeting in Paris included having the U.S. lead an effort to monitor any ceasefire  which could give Washington a direct role in keeping any peace with Russia.

Leaders from 27 European countries and Canada, as well as U.S. representatives and top officials from the European Union and NATO, said they would provide Kyivs front-line forces with equipment and training and back them up with air, land and sea support to deter any future Russian attack.

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This was the 15th and largest meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing"  involving more heads of state and governments than ever and U.S. envoys in person for the first time.

The post-ceasefire architecture would also include beefing up Ukraines war-battered army, including by replenishing its weapons stocks, so it could act as the countrys front-line deterrence against a resumption of fighting.

There was no immediate comment from officials in Russia on Tuesday, which was the eve of Orthodox Christmas.

Details of the plan were not disclosed

The size of the supporting forces was not made public, and many of the details of the plan  which would only apply if a ceasefire enters into force  remain unclear.

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U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting made excellent progress but cautioned that the hardest yards are still ahead, noting that Russian attacks on Ukraine continue.

Moscow has revealed few details of its stance in the U.S.-led peace negotiations. Officials have reaffirmed Russias demands and have insisted there can be no ceasefire until a comprehensive settlement is agreed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out any deployment of troops from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil.

Starmer added that there can only be peace if Russia compromises, and added: Putin is not showing that he is ready for peace.

Zelenskyy agreed progress was made

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In the event of a ceasefire, Starmer said the U.K. and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraines defensive needs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed progress was made in the talks, although commitments need to be ratified by each country so that they can be put in place after any settlement.

We determined what countries are ready to take leadership in the elements of security guarantees on the ground, in the air, and at sea, and in restoration, Zelenskyy told a news conference in Paris. We determined what forces are needed. We determined, how these forces will be operated and at what levels of command.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the U.S. strongly stands behind security guarantees. Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who also participated in the meeting, called the Paris meeting a very, very, big milestone.

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This does not mean we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that we have made today, Kushner said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the security statement endorsed by Ukraines allies is a significant step toward ending Russias invasion. The coalition plans also envisage a Ukrainian army with 800,000 troops, he said.

Commitments still need to be finalized

A joint statement issued following the meeting said the allies also agreed to continue long-term military assistance and armament to Ukraines armed forces, which will remain the first line of defense and deterrence after any peace deal is signed.

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The allies still must finalize binding commitments setting out what they will do to support Ukraine, the statement said.

The outcome of the meeting had been uncertain as the Trump administration's focus is shifting to Venezuela, while U.S. suggestions of a Greenland takeover caused tension with Europe, and Moscow shows no signs of compromise.

A series of meetings on the summit's sidelines illustrated the intensity of the diplomatic effort and the complexity of its moving parts.

Zelenskyy met with Macron ahead of the summit. French, British and Ukrainian military chiefs also met, with NATOs top commander, U.S. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, participating in talks that Frances army chief said focused on implementing security guarantees. Army chiefs from other coalition nations joined by video.

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Macrons office said the U.S. delegation was initially set to be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but he changed his plans after the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.

Tension rises over Greenland comments

Trump on Sunday renewed his call for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, a strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island.

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the U.K. on Tuesday joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenlands sovereignty in the wake of Trumps comments about the self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark.

Macron on Tuesday declined answering a question on Greenland as he was speaking about Ukraine alongside U.S. envoys Kushner and Witkoff.

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In fighting Tuesday, Ukraines Security Service carried out drone strikes on a military arsenal and an oil depot deep inside Russia, according to a security official who was not authorized to comment publicly and thus spoke on condition of anonymity.

The long-range drones hit the arsenal in Russias Kostroma region, triggering explosions that lasted for hours and forced the evacuation of nearby settlements, the official said. The site was described as a key logistics hub supplying ammunition in western and central Russia.

In a separate strike, Ukraine Security Service drones hit an oil depot in Russias Lipetsk region, causing a huge fire, the official said.

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John Leicester in Paris; Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv, Ukraine; Will Weissert in Washington; Jill Lawless in London and Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed.

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Follow the APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Platte River Power Authority's general manager says he disagrees with a federal order requiring one of the coal plants it owns a stake in to remain open past its scheduled retirement and is waiting to learn what it might cost Fort Collins' wholesale electricity provider.

The U.S. Department of Energy on Dec. 30 issued an emergency order requiring Craig Unit 1 in Moffat County to remain available to operate for at least the next 90 days at the direction of the Western Area Power Administration or Southwest Power Pool West.

The plant was set to be retired on Dec. 31 after 45 years of operation, until that order was issued only a day prior.

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PRPA is a joint owner of the plant with PacifiCorp, Xcel Energy, Salt River Project and Tri-State Generation and Transmission, which operates the facility.

PRPA owns 18% of the Craig 1 and 2 coal units.

The nonprofit provides wholesale electricity to Fort Collins Utilities. It is owned by four Northern Colorado cities: Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Estes Park.

The Department of Energy's emergency order contends there is a shortage of electric energy and facilities in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council Northwest assessment area, which includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

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The order, signed by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, states that peak demand in the area is expected to grow 8.5% in the next decade, while many coal plants in the region have been retired, with more retirements planned.

Wright cites supply chain issues with building battery storage systems to help replace the energy from those retirements.

The emergency order also cited two executive orders from President Donald Trump. One declared a national energy emergency due to "insufficient energy production, transportation, refining, and generation." The other declares the United States is experiencing an unprecedented surge in electricity demand driven by rapid technological advancements, like the expansion of AI data centers and domestic manufacturing.

But PRPA General Manager and CEO Jason Frisbie says PRPA does not need the Craig 1 unit because it has already replaced the energy that came from it.

Jason Frisbie

We have planned for the retirement of Craig Unit 1 for nearly a decade and have proactively replaced the capacity and energy from new sources," Frisbie said in a statement provided to the Coloradoan.

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The joint owners have been planning for the plant's closure since 2016 "for economic reasons and to comply with numerous state and federal requirements," a Dec. 31 news release from Tri-State states. "This retirement decision has informed operational and maintenance decisions, and Tri-State has planned for adequate resources to maintain reliability on its system following the units retirement."

The state of Colorado is requiring utility providers to cut their 2005 carbon emissions by 80% by 2030.

The Craig 1 plant hadn't been operating since a mechanical failure occurred on Dec. 19, according to Tri-State. The problem will have to be fixed for it to become available for operations.

Additional investments in operations, repairs, maintenance will also likely be required, "all factors increasing costs," the news release said.

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Duane Highley, Tri-State CEO, said the not-for-profit cooperative's membership will bear the costs of compliance "unless we can identify a method to share costs with those in the region."

"There is not a clear path for doing so, but we will continue to evaluate our options," Highley said.

Frisbie said PRPA is working to understand the impacts.

"While we disagree with the need to keep the plant open, we are working with the units operating agent, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, and the other owners to understand the compliance requirements and cost obligations of the emergency order," he stated.

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PRPA is set to retire its last coal plant, Rawhide 1, located north of Fort Collins, at the end of 2029.

At that point, PRPA expects 88% of its energy will be from noncarbon sources. Today that figure is around 36%.

To help fill the void, PRPA is expected to invest $600 million in construction of five aeroderivative gas turbines to provide electricity when wind and solar resources aren't available due to the weather.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Platte River Power Authority's Craig 1 plant ordered to remain open
More than half a million people lost power when storms hit our region last spring. And now, the state is done analyzing how electric companies prepared and responded to the storm.

RELATED COVERAGE >>>Unprecedented storm kills 3, knocks out power to hundreds of thousands in Western Pennsylvania

In its report, Pennsylvanias Public Utility Commission found that the widespread outages stressed Duquesne Light Company in multiple ways.

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For example, it took the utility company 10 days to restore power to all its customers, which PUC says is the same amount of time it took electric companies to restore service after Hurricane Sandy.

PHOTOS: Severe storms leave behind significant damage throughout Pittsburgh region

PUC also found that DLC didnt have a sufficient number of linemen, struggled with road closures and didnt answer nearly 10% of customer calls about outages.

The report also said DLC prematurely sent out estimated restoration times and didnt deliver.

In all, the 170-page report outlined 25 findings and 10 recommendations.

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Some of the recommendations for DLC include scaling up its storm response workforce, reviewing its storm response process, reviewing call center performance and improving its storm outage prediction models.

Back in September, DLC officials announced changes based on their own review of the companys storm response. Some of those changes included:

Additional employee training

Clearer communication about restoration times

Handling more customer calls

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Duquesne Light Company outlines changes following massive unprecedented storm in April

In a statement, DLC highlights that PUCs report aligns with many of its own findings.

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These improvements will directly enhance reliability and customer experience during major storms, and include upgrading technology and grid infrastructure, forecasting tools and customer communications; and investing in workforce training and readiness, the statement says in part.

DLC says it remains committed to improving service for customers, particularly during severe weather.

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Was one of your New Years Resolutions to get in shape? Join the club.

According to a ForbesHealth/OnePoll survey, 48% of people set fitness goals for the year ahead (1).

If youve joined the health club already, you may notice its packed in January, then quiets down in February. By summer, many members have stopped hitting the gym, but the fees are still hitting their bank account.

Must Read

Unfortunately, cancelling your gym membership isnt that easy. Generally, gyms impose inconvenient cancellation policies.

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rolled out a click-to-cancel rule to make it easier to cancel all sorts of memberships  including streaming services and gym memberships  online.

But it was struck down by federal court in July 2025 (3). Without that click-to-cancel rule, gyms are free to make their cancellation policies inconvenient.

Thats why its important to read the fine print before signing a gym membership contract. If you dont, you could end up sinking hundreds of dollars on a service you dont use.

In fact, Americans spend a collective $397 million on unused gym memberships each year, according to a recent survey from Finder (4).

Gym membership policies designed to make you sweat

Every January, more Americans sign up with a gym. In fact, gyms sign up 12% of their new members during the New Year, new me push, offering specials to get new gym-goers in the door (5).

While 43% of those with an active gym membership spend less than $30 per month, around 30% spend $91 or more (6).

Read More: Young millionaires are rethinking stocks in 2026 and banking on these assets instead  heres why older Americans should take note

But within six months of joining, nearly 50% of new members try to quit their gym.

Thats when the going gets tough. Cancelling a gym membership is often easier said than done. Most gyms make it extremely difficult to get out of your contract.

Some may require you to cancel in person, via the mail, during specific windows, or pay hefty fees to get out of the contract.

If you simply stop paying, the gym might choose to take you to small claims court (7).

Of course, many consumer groups are pushing for the Trump administration to launch another click-to-cancel rule (8). So far, there has been no forward progress.
The 50-foot high stainless steel statue "Dignity of Earth and Sky" overlooks the Missouri River on a bluff near Chamberlain, South Dakota, on Nov. 2, 2022. Artist Dale Lamphere designed the statue, which depicts an Indigenous woman in Plains-style dress receiving a star quilt. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Few states can boast of a culture and history as closely tied to its Native American heritage as South Dakota.

The state has the nations fourth-highest per capita population of Native Americans, and about one in ten of the residents in its second-largest city  Rapid City, gateway to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills for millions of annual visitors  are Native American.

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The state can claim historical Native American luminaries like Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull and modern ones like the late activist Russell Means, Olympian Billy Mills, author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve and Mato Wayuhi, an actor, composer and performer who wrote the score for Hulus Reservation Dogs.

Its the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre, but also the American Indian Movement of the 1970s and its occupation of Wounded Knee. More recently, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe drew international attention to protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline just north of the South Dakota border and etched the phrase Water is Life into the cultural lexicon.

Those tribal ties help draw tourists. A survey from South Dakota Tourism in 2018 found that around 80% of visitors want a Native American experience during their stay. Yet the states nine tribal nations typically dont see much from the billions in economic impact that tourism delivers to the state.

The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance formed in 2019 to help bridge that divide. The nonprofit organization trains tour guides, plans tribal tour itineraries and works to develop tourism infrastructure in tribal communities.

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Recently, it secured one of 10 J.M. Kaplan Innovation Prize awards, earning it $175,000 and connecting it with other early stage nonprofits across the U.S. for collaboration and guidance.

South Dakota Searchlight recently spoke with Rhea Waldman, South Dakota Native Tourism Alliances executive director, and Sarah Kills In Water, a Rosebud Sioux tribal member and member of the groups board of directors.

EDITORS NOTE: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What can you tell us about what youve done so far? Can you give us an update on your economic catalyst tours?

Kills in Water: We worked with Destination America and developed multi-reservation tours, a multi-day tour that started in the Black Hills. They came through Pine Ridge, spent two days on Rosebud and went up to Standing Rock. They ended up marketing that itinerary to a company called Trafalgar, which operates heavily in South Dakota. So that was one major win.

Tour guides with the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance in the Black Hills. (Courtesy of SD Native Tourism Alliance)

Our tour guide training came up out of a need for another initiative that we worked on, helping the Sicangu Oyate Treaty Council and the Wild Foundation host the Wild 12 conference last year. They brought in people from all over the world, and they wanted to hear from our youth on questions like How is the mining in the Black Hills going to impact your youth for the next seven generations, for the foreseeable future?

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So we went to engage with the Sicangu Youth Council, and they jumped on the opportunity. They provided a tour experience for a group of 50 international visitors at Bear Butte State Park. The kids were excited, and they were wanting to expand and do more, and so I brought them into my Trafalgar itinerary this year. They actually do the tours on Rosebud when Trafalgar comes through.

Whats lacking in the tourism landscape today that your organization aims to improve upon?

Kills In Water: The cultural piece is so important. Having these experiences with us, provided by us, told in our voices, our stories, everything, it makes it more personal, and I think it brings the realization to our visitors that these people are still here. After all the years of government oppression and everything thats been done to them, theyre still here, and theyre still vibrant.

Tribal people sometimes have a really bad idea when they think about tourism. They think were selling our culture, but thats not what were doing. All were here to do is help tribal nations define what stories they want to tell. What do you want to share with your visitors?

Waldman: South Dakota Tourism has been a great partner for us, and really helped us, because obviously they have a lot of data. One of those data points is that over 80% of people want to have a Native American experience when they visit South Dakota. Not even half of them actually do, though. So why dont they do that? Its because people dont know where to go, where to find information.

What are the hidden gems that are already there that you point people to?

Waldman: Every tribal nation has their own gems. The tribes along the river have some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine. Cheyenne River has one of the biggest buffalo herds in North America. There are cultural centers that have phenomenal art, that are showcasing local artists and the breadth of the history that Native Americans have experienced.

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One of the challenges comes when you think about the great American road trip. When youre on Interstate 90 between Sioux Falls and Rapid City, none of the reservations really are right there. I live in Pierre, and even though were the state capital, it is actually hard to get people out here. Its because we are 35 miles from the interstate, so it takes you at least an hour and a half to travel there and back. So how much can you see here in order for people to come? Thats even worse for the reservations, because they are not the capital, and people dont necessarily know all the things they can do.

What is it that this grant in particular might help you do?

Kills in Water: The nine tribal nations in our state are so geographically spread out. We dont always have the resources to get out and go to these tribal nations ourselves. I live in Rosebud, and unless theres gas money or something tied to it, sometimes I cant just go to Flandreau. Pine Ridge is close enough where I can volunteer my time, because theyre only an hour and a half from us. With these funds, I see us increasing our partnerships with each tribal nation and really strengthening our efforts that way at the grassroots level.

Public art in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes youth host a Red Can invitational graffiti art event each summer to beautify the citys public spaces. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Waldman: The grant is unrestricted, and that is huge. Were all aware of travel reimbursement after the fact, but if youre living in a place where youre maybe living paycheck to paycheck and you dont have a thriving business yet, waiting for travel reimbursement can take a while. If you do something like gift cards for gas, that is definitely not something that you can reimburse with federal grants.

And were not only getting money. There are 10 different organizations that receive this innovation grant, and we are meeting with them frequently. We can learn from those other amazing entrepreneurs. In addition, the entire team at the JM Kaplan Fund are there to help us succeed, because they know they are funding early stage nonprofits. Theyre there with us every step of the way. Yes, money is great and we still need more, but having people that rally for you, that are there for you, that are your family and want to see you succeed, that is really special.

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STONINGTON - When Lisa Konicki first organized the Stonington Lobster Trap Tree, she thought it would be a fun, festive attraction to spotlight local artists and the town's maritime heritage.

But Konicki never expected the tree to become Connecticut's go-to proposal spot over the holidays.

"There's a lot of love that goes into the making of this tree," said Konicki, the president of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce and driving force behind the tree. "But there's also a lot of love proclaimed at the tree."

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The tree, which stands 38 feet tall and holds 460 lobster traps adorned with hand-painted buoys, has hosted 51 proposals since it opened in 2021. That includes 19 during the 2025 season, when the tree was lit up nightly from late November through Jan. 4.

The Stonington Christmas tree made of painted lobster traps/buoys on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 1 High Street in Stonington. The tree was featured in the New York Times and has become a popular proposal spot for couples. (Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media)





Stonington's tree has become something of a media sensation in a corner of Connecticut more often known for its summer lobster rolls and warm beaches than romantic winter attractions.

Back when it first opened, it was featured by the BBC as one of the world's amazing Christmas trees, alongside the tree in Bethlehem in the West Bank, and the towering fir at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

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In 2025, the tree was written up in the New York Times and Boston Globe, with the latter describing it as an "annual winter tradition for thousands of people in New England and beyond," thanks to the scores of vivid hand-painted buoys that serve as ornaments.

The buoys are provided by painters from across the region, ranging from tattoo artists to landscape experts to school children, all of whom are invited to draw "whatever is in their heart," Konicki said.

The Stonington Christmas tree made of painted lobster traps/buoys on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 1 High Street in Stonington. The tree was featured in the New York Times and has become a popular proposal spot for couples. (Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media)





As for the lovebirds, the tree is already wrapped up in many couples' romantic journeys before anyone pops the question, as the soaring pile of lobster traps is a popular early date spot.

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The attraction is novel, seasonal and allows burgeoning couples to get to know each other as they wait in the long lines and peer up at buoys with drawings ranging from harbor sunsets to the comedian Chevy Chase to a rendering of a porta-potty that is "funny, but meticulously well done," according to Konicki.

That was true of Zach Harbec and Melissa Goss of Uncasville, who got engaged at the tree on Dec. 20. The couple had their second date at the tree in 2022 and had returned every year since.

"I just thought it was the best place for us," Harbec said. "The lobster trap tree is kind of our little keepsake."

Zach Harbec and Melissa Goss get engaged at the tree on Dec. 20, 2025. (Courtesy of Zach Harbec)





This year, Harbec came equipped with both a ring and a code phrase, which Konicki gave to Harbec when he messaged her online to tell her of his proposal plans.

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When the couple entered the tree, surrounded by friends and family, Harbec approached Konicki and asked her to point out her favorite buoy. The real message he was conveying was, 'I'm about to propose.'

When he dropped to one knee, balancing the couple's son on the other, and asked Goss to marry him, Konicki was ready with her camera.

Zach Harbec and Melissa Goss get engaged at the tree on Dec. 20, 2025. (Courtesy of Zach Harbec)





"I got down on one knee, and she instantly smiles right away, and says, 'Oh my goodness, I knew it,'" Harbec recounted, his voice swelling with emotion. "I get the ring box open, and she's like 'Yes, yes, yes.'" And I was so nervous, I'm still kind of piecing it together."

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For other couples, the tree is the perfect proposal spot, even when they haven't been there before.

That was the story for Andrea Shaker and Scott LaPier of Colchester, who were engaged at the tree on Dec. 21. The couple had wanted to visit for years, as it offered a rare combination of two things Shaker loved: the ocean and celebrating Christmas.

The Stonington Christmas tree made of painted lobster traps/buoys on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 1 High Street in Stonington. The tree was featured in the New York Times and has become a popular proposal spot for couples. (Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media)





LaPier coordinated so that a photographer friend of his bride-to-be was with them at the tree, and when he popped the question under the tree's string lights to a "very surprised" Shaker, he was also met with an excited affirmation of their love.

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"It's a perfect spot to get engaged, it's really pretty," Shaker said. "I may be biased because it's a pretty spot for me, but I think if you love the holidays and you love the ocean, it's wonderful."

The Stonington Christmas tree made of painted lobster traps/buoys on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 1 High Street in Stonington. The tree was featured in the New York Times and has become a popular proposal spot for couples. (Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media)





As Konicki speculates, perhaps the tree is a good luck charm: across five years and dozens of engagements, every single marriage proposal has been accepted, she said.

Harbec says that while he hasn't seen a proposal at the tree besides his own, the perfect engagement rate doesn't surprise him at all.

"I don't think I've ever seen someone there without a smile," he reflected. "Everyone comes together, and stands in awe of the tree, and really praises what's there."

This article originally published at How a quirky Connecticut lobster trap Christmas tree became a marriage proposal hot spot.
A protester holds up a sign in the hallway at the Rhode Island State House during Gov. Dan McKee's State of the State 2025 address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

The second floor entrance to the floor of the Rhode Island House of Representatives will remain closed when Gov. Dan McKee unveils his 2026 State of the State address next week. But the rest of the State House will remain open for members of the public to exercise their constitutional right to assemble and speak out.

That is the plan per an agreement announced Tuesday by the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as part of a lawsuit against the McKee administration for blocking off the rotunda during last years Peoples State of the State rally.

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Most of the first floor of the State House will be open to the public during this years State of the State speech scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Our administration developed a plan to provide meaningful public access to the State House, including the rotunda, during the 2026 State of the State Address, while prioritizing the safety and security of all individuals present, Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKees office, said in an email to Rhode Island Current.

The agreement crafted by Attorney General Peter Neronhas office guarantees public access to the rotunda and the hallways of the first floor of the State House with a small pathway cordoned off near the stairway to the second-floor House chamber where the speech takes place. Public access to designated third floor hallways will also be allowed.

But the decision to close the area at the entrance to the House chamber during McKees speech still dismayed advocates like Harrison Tuttle.

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The governor is still participating in restricting freedom of assembly, said Tuttle, formerly director of Black Lives Matter RI PAC, which dissolved last year, in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. Its childish.

Tuttle was a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against McKee filed Oct. 28, by the ACLU in U.S. District Court. The suit claimed the governor violated protesters First Amendment rights and requested a ruling be made ahead of the upcoming State of the State Address.

Tuttle now works as a warming center coordinator for the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.

Advocates organized by Black Lives Matter RI PAC had planned to gather in the rotunda during McKees 2025 speech to call on the governor to declare a public health emergency to shelter the states growing homeless population over the winter. But when people started to arrive around 5 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2025, they were met by State and Capitol Police. Stanchions cordoned off the rotunda declaring the space was reserved for the State of the State through the Department of Administration from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

Demonstrators were instead told to gather in the Bell Room on the first floor, tucked away from the State Houses main entrance and elevators. The rotunda remained vacant throughout McKees 2025 speech.

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On Oct. 28, 2025, the ACLU sued McKee in U.S. District Court over claims the governor violated protesters First Amendment rights and a request that a ruling be made ahead of the upcoming State of the State Address.

Because of the new plan from the McKee administration, the ACLU is no longer seeking a preliminary injunction. But that doesnt mean the ACLU is dropping its case, which has yet to go before Chief Judge John J. McConnell.

For more than 50 years, the State House rotunda has served as an indispensable space for the exercise of First Amendment rights, Steven Brown, executive director for the ACLU of Rhode Island, said in a statement.

Still, advocates are painting the agreement as a minor victory as they prepare to gather again to call on state leaders to provide additional care for Rhode Islands homeless population.

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For too long in our state, people have not provided adequate enough care that is needed for our most marginalized people, Tuttle said. Whatever happens in the governors address is not going to address those who are most marginalized.

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A Racine man charged in October 2025 with stalking Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky was sentenced Jan. 5 to two years of probation.

Ryan Thornton, 37, received that sentence after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges he was facing: intimidate victim/dissuade reporting and disorderly conduct. The stalking charge, a felony, was dismissed on a prosecutor's motion as part of a plea agreement, online court records show.

Wisconsin Capitol Police arrested Thornton last fall over a series of alleged threatening remarks he made toward Karofsky through dozens of phone calls and emails.

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Thornton began emailing Karofsky in August 2025 shortly after the Office of Lawyer Regulation rejected Thornton's petition for discipline against an attorney who represented him in a separate case in which a jury found Thornton guilty of domestic abuse-related charges, a criminal complaint said.

Prosecutors alleged Thornton called the Office of Lawyer Regulation staff more than 70 times, sometimes making threatening comments to staff, and at one point asking for Karofsky's home address.

Karofsky told investigators at the time the ordeal forced her to fear for her safety and take extra security precautions.

In a statement issued Jan. 6, Karofsky said, "I was targeted for just doing my job, and that is unacceptable."

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"We are at a pivotal moment in our history, facing a massive increase in attacks on judges and therule of law," the statement continued. "The ongoing threats many judges continue to report should remove any doubt about the seriousness of this moment."

Dane County Circuit Judge Ann Peacock stayed a sentence of a year in jail for Thornton in favor of two years of probation, court records show.

Conditions of Thornton's probation include no contact with Karofsky, a ban from Dane County unless his probation agent approves it and a psychological evaluation. Thornton must also be outfitted with a GPS monitoring device for at least 30 days.

Molly Beck contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Racine man sentenced to probation in Jill Karosky stalking case
A plate of boiled shrimp (Photo: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

The latest batch of seafood testing found two-thirds of sampled restaurants on the west bank of the New Orleans area are serving domestic shrimp. The remainder are offering foreign catch and failing to inform their customers about where its sourced.

The test results show a significant disparity between establishments on the west bank versus those on the east bank that were found to have much higher authenticity rates for local shrimp. The results also depart from the high authenticity rates found two years ago among independent vendors at the Westwego Shrimp Lot, an open-air seafood market on the west bank.

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The testing, performed by SeaD Consulting, analyzed genetic tissue of shrimp served at 24 restaurants randomly selected on the west bank of Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines parishes. Sixteen served locally caught seafood, while eight offered foreign, farm-raised shrimp while fraudulently presenting it as domestic catch.

None of the eight restaurants had signage or menu language disclosing that they were serving imported seafood, as required under law. Seven businesses falsely labeled the imports as domestic, wild-caught shrimp on their menus or through verbal communications with SeaDs undercover inspectors. One of the eight west bank restaurants had staff that didnt know what kind of shrimp was being served, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

SeaD Consulting does not publicly identify the businesses that have violated the law, instead focusing on those who are in compliance.

It is illegal under federal and state law to mislabel imported seafood as local and can result in heavy fines or other penalties, including prison time for some federal cases.

For more than a decade, Louisiana law has required restaurants and other food establishments to state on their menus the country of origin of any shrimp and crawfish being served. The same requirement applies to food vendors at fairs and festivals.

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Local seafood was once easy to find in Louisiana, but an influx of cheap foreign catch  particularly shrimp and crawfish  has flooded the market over the past two decades.

In December 2024, the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, an advisory panel for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, asked SeaD Consulting to analyze shrimp from restaurants across the state in an effort to eliminate consumer seafood fraud. Its analysis includes sampling 24 randomly selected restaurants in different metropolitan areas across the state. The company shares the results with the Louisiana Department of Health, which has authority to enforce the state shrimp labeling laws at restaurants.

When the local shrimp is so abundant, theres no excuse not to serve them, Shrimp Task Force Chairman Andrew Blanchard said in the release.

SeaD Consulting is a food safety technology company that developed a rapid seafood species identification test. Dave Williams, a fisheries scientist and Houston resident, developed the process in collaboration with Florida State University microbiologist Prashant Singh. Over the past two years, SeaD has made headlines for uncovering foreign-sourced shrimp sold fraudulently as local catch at restaurants and festivals across the Gulf Coast.

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The post Rats Outswim Floods, But How Do They Break Into Your Toilet? appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

Rats can survive for 3 minutes underwater and can swim through toilet traps .

They are attracted to homes by smells.

Climbing up vertical pipes is not a problem for them.

If you find a rat in your toilet, shut the lid and flush.

No one wants to find a rat swimming around in their toilet bowl. If one turns up, however, its best that you know what to do. This is why the city of Seattle and Washingtons King County Public Health Department issued public advice about it on social media in December 2025. Soon, the advice was shared by other social media accounts, like Brutamerica on Instagram. Heavy rain in the area during that month had caused flooding, and this had likely swept many rodents into the sewer system. But how can rats survive in so much water, and how do they get into your toilet? Lets find out.

An unwelcome guest has found its way out of the sewers and into your toilet. Don't panic: this guide reveals how rats invade your plumbing and the official steps to get them out.  A-Z Animals

Why Are There Rats Living Near Humans?

Sewer rats (also called brown rats or Norway rats) are the rodent species Rattus norvegicus. As their name suggests, they live in sewers. Their lives are so intertwined with human settlements that they no longer have a wild habitat. Occasionally, in milder climates, they establish colonies in grainfields or on islands away from people. However, their main habitats are farms, cities, sewers, garbage dumps, and subways.

Norway rats colonized the globe using trading routes. torook/Shutterstock.com (torook/Shutterstock.com)

Thousands of years ago, they were wild rodents living in northern China. They moved into human settlements, taking advantage of food, warmth, shelter, and the lack of predators. Eventually, they became dependent on humans. As trade routes with China opened, they spread west on ships and are now found all over the world. This colonization success story is why you might find an unwelcome guest in your toilet.

Why Do Rats Live in Sewers?

Sewer systems are a perfect habitat for Norway rats. Thanks to all the hot water that we discharge into them, they are at a pleasant and stable temperature all year round. They are safe and secluded, and full of food. Not only do rats eat the food scraps we wash down our sinks, but they will also happily eat human waste.

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Sewers are full of water, which also attracts these rats. They are semi-aquatic and excellent swimmers. Rats are nocturnal and enjoy the darkness of sewer pipes. They also prefer tunnel-like spacesrats are happiest when they have a tunnel to run through. These rodents run their whiskers against walls (a behavior called thigmotaxis) as they scurry through the pipes. They much prefer this to open spaces, where they feel exposed and vulnerable. There are no rat predators in sewers, so the only danger is other rats. If you were to design the perfect habitat for these creatures, it would be a sewer system.

How Do Rats Get Into Your Toilet?

If your home is serviced by a mains sewer system, your toilet is connected directly to the main sewer pipe of your town or city by a series of smaller pipes. You are constantly producing things that attract rats, such as food and waste. Rats follow the odors of these substances. Once they reach the pipes leading to your home, they may want to investigate further.

You are more likely to find a rat in your toilet during flooding, because the sewers will be full of fast-moving water at this time. Rats will be driven into the side sewer lines, and then all they have to do is climb up these to reach your toilet. Kitchen pipes are too small for them to climb, but the toilet pipe is perfect. Rats have sharp claws and are adept climbers, so a vertical toilet pipe poses no problem for them.

Rats do not find it hard to get into a toilet from the sewer pipe. Holger Kirk/Shutterstock.com (Holger Kirk/Shutterstock.com)

There are U-bends in the pipes before they reach your toilet bowl, where water gets trappedhence the name traps. For a determined rat, these are not obstacles. They can hold their breath underwater for up to three minutes, which is enough time to get through the trap and emerge in the toilet bowl. They can also tread water for up to 72 hours, so once they arrive in your toilet, they may be there for a while.

Official Advice for Removing a Rat From Your Toilet

The official advice from the King County Public Health Department is to stay calm and first shut the lid of the toilet so the rat cannot get out. If you think having a rat in the toilet is scary, just imagine one running around your house! Keeping the lid closed also ensures you know exactly where the rat is, which is half the battle with pest control.

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Next, open the lid just enough to squirt in some dish soap. This breaks the surface tension of the water and removes the oils from the rats fur, making it much harder for the rat to stay afloat. Then, flush the toilet. It may take a few flushes, but the rat will likely be washed back down to the sewer. In case this does not work, keep the lid closed and call a pest control company. If the rat gets out of the toilet at any time, close the bathroom door to keep it contained.

The post Rats Outswim Floods, But How Do They Break Into Your Toilet? appeared first on A-Z Animals.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  AI-generated images, video, and misinformation are woven into online feeds everywhere, including social media and political campaigns. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Chris and Gabby host two professors from the University of New Mexico to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, the workforce, and society.

UNM Professors Melanie Moses and Sonia Gipson Rankin share their respective expertise regarding the use of AI in teaching, in courtrooms across the country, and in computer science. How can consumers spot whats real in an increasingly synthetic online space? How is AI being used by local politicians?

At some stage, something is gonna happen to our minds if we cant trust whats in front of us, Rankin said, referring to the pervasive use of AI-generated images and videos on social media feeds.

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That erosion of trust, I think, is even more dangerous than the lies that get put out there, Moses added. Its the inability to trust the truth. And its hard to run a democracy when we cant trust the truth.

The two professors share both cautionary messages for people consuming information, while also sharing useful tips on how to use artificial intelligence in order to understand it better.

Get the inside scoop and subscribe to the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others.

You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13.

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Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post.

If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.




Exactly five years ago, on Jan. 6, 2021, Rep. Jim Himes ducked under seats in the House gallery in the U.S. Capitol, one of the last to exit the chamber after he heard the approaching mob and the gunshot that killed pro-Trump protester Ashli Babbitt.

Himes, from Connecticut's 4th district in Fairfield County, doesn't have to look back at that dark and harrowing day to feel its effects. Jan. 6 reverberates as the nation wrestles with another tense standoff created by President Donald Trump  the capture early Saturday of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

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As the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, making him one of the "Gang of Eight" members who are supposed to be briefed on secret U.S. missions (but was not in the Venezuela operation), Himes holds an up-close view of foreign conflicts, just as he held an uncomfortably close view of the attack on the Capitol five years ago, an attempt to overturn the 2024 election.

"What they share in common is a complete disregard for the law," Himes told me in a long interview Monday. "It's worth remembering how important the rule of law is to civilization."

Speaking of the Venezuela "smash and grab" operation, "There's no argument," he said, "it's illegal under international law. But this administration doesn't really care about international law.

Numerous legal experts have been cited in media reports agreeing the raid violated international law, despite Trump calling it a law enforcement action  an absurd claim considering he also said the United States will run Venezuela.

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Not only did the administration fail to consult with the appropriate leaders in Congress, it lied about the operation a few weeks ago when preparations were underway, Himes told me. "The Secretary of State twice, while I was in the room in these very small meetings, assured the congressional leadership that nothing like what we saw 48 hours ago was being planned or contemplated ... . So the Secretary of State was not being honest."

Rubio's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Because the raid was a law enforcement action, not a military invasion, it did not require notice to Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Rubio also said notifying Congress would have risked a leak.

"As far as I know, there's never been a Gang of Eight leak," Himes said to me, waving off that excuse.

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At 5:30 p.m. Monday, the administration finally held a Gang of Eight briefing.

Himes isn't suggesting Trump follow the law just because the rules exist. No, he's a pragmatist and in these days following the covert Caracas coup, he's focused on the risks of taking out a foreign dictator by force.

"Americans need to grapple with this," he said. "If the president has carte blanche to start removing bad guys without consultation with Congress, what happens when the next president decides to go into North Korea? Or Moscow, or Beijing? I mean, the world is filled with bad guys and I don't think the American people should lightly accept that the president can unilaterally commit and risk the lives of thousands of Americans because he or she decides to do so, to go after a bad guy."

Adding to the worries of the new open-season on sieges: "By the way, President Xi gets to do that too," Himes said of Xi Jinping, president of the People's Republic of China. "When he decides that the Taiwan regime is criminal, he gets to go in. We've now firmly established that precedent. If Vladimir Putin decides that Estonia is run by criminals, he now gets to go in."

'A Hollywoodesque feeling of happiness'

Himes was among the first members of Congress to speak out loudly about the U.S. attacks on alleged Venezuelan drug boats, including one that was destroyed on the high seas, and its occupants killed, on Sept. 2.

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"It's the competition between emotional gratification and the rule of law. I understand that when you see a motorboat full of drugs explode, that there is a Hollywoodesque feeling of happiness ... . We all spend too much time watching Arnold Schwarzenegger and so people have a visceral positive reaction when they see four guys incinerated," he said. "But do we really want to be in the business of executing people without trials?"

It is, in short, a rush of good feelings at a cost of moral authority and global stability. Trump and Republicans, of course, celebrate the success and slam Democrats for raising the annoying reality that Trump has almost no plan for Venezuela other than extracting oil.

This image taken from video shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being escorted to board a helicopter for transport to Manhattan Federal Court, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in New York. (WABC/Associated Press)





"I really don't blame at all Venezuelans or anybody celebrating the demise of Maduro. Anytime a really horrible dictator is removed, that's a good thing," Himes said.

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"We're in this euphoric period where the people are stunned by the capability of our military. But they need to think about the precedent that is being established here," Himes added. "All of us who are over the age of 30 remember Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq as not particularly good outcomes."

Those three foreign forays did have consent from Congress, which is one reason why Trump isn't citing them now. Another reason, Himes pointed out: the long slog that followed all of those operations. "We're not very good at nation building or regime change. We're damn good at getting rid of the head of the snake. We're damn good at that."

Parallels to Jan. 6, 2021

Regime change brings us back to Jan. 6, part of what Himes and many other Democrats call lawless behavior by Trump.

"It is almost staggering to reflect on the fact that Donald Trump just committed a good chunk of the U.S. military to removing an illegitimate leader, when exactly five years ago, he had a crowd attack the Capitol and threaten (Vice President) Mike Pence and file all sorts of lawsuits in the service of becoming an illegitimate leader."

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"I mean, the irony is almost too thick to breathe there."

Another irony: Until now, Trump and his MAGA base agreed that foreign intervention was wrong. "Dick Cheney is having the last laugh here," Himes said, referring to the former vice president who recently died, and had led the GOP's neoconservative, nation-building wing.

Republicans have still not reckoned with Jan. 6, Himes said, as Trump still lies about the 2024 election being stolen. That has meaning today, reflected in Trump's disrespect for Congress, for allies such as Mexico, Denmark and Canada, and for the rule of law.

Many of the 147 members of Congress who voted to reject the 2024 election results are still in office today.

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, at bottom, a Colorado Democrat, crouches under the rail of the gallery in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, during a siege of the Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. The picture was shot by Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn. 4th District. The group was one of the last in the House to be led to safety along with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, CT-3rd District, who is not pictured. (Conributed photo / U.S. Rep. Jim Himes)





"That day was painful but the subsequent failure of the Republican party to reorient around what we all know to be true, which is that that must never happen again, just keeps the wound open and bleeding," Himes said. "Donald Trump is devoid of any principle. We know that. What's shocking is the extent to which most Republicans are willing to ... swerve with Donald Trump's dyspeptic, hormonal changes."

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He added, "Perpetrators of horrible things in history put them to bed by acknowledging them and working to make sure it doesn't happen again. And that has not happened with respect to Jan. 6."

Far from it, as Trump pardoned nearly everyone from that day, many convicted felons among them, and fired lawyers who worked on the cases.

'Insane to disdain the Congress'

As of Monday, Himes said, "I have not received so much as a phone call prior to or since the strike." That irked him not only as a matter of courtesy, and not only because the Constitution requires consent of Congress for foreign military operations except immediately following an attack; but, he said, it's just plain smart for a president to consult with leaders in the House and Senate.

"If this adventure goes south, which it very well might, he owns it 100%," he said. "It's insane to disdain the Congress in these things."

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Himes promised not to tell me what was said in Monday's briefing. He kept his word.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., emerging from the briefing, told reporters the United States acted legally and responsibly. "We removed a serious threat," he said in remarks aired live on Fox News. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, also in the meeting, told the same reporters he was dissatisfied with the U.S. plan in Venezuela.

'Substitute oil for bananas'

The raid and apparent takeover of Venezuela builds on the Monroe Doctrine, a 19th century cornerstone of American might that said the United States will fight to prevent incursions by European nations in the Western Hemisphere. Trump, calling it the "Donroe Doctrine," sees it as control over our global back yard, never mind that he also wants Greenland.

The Monroe Doctrine, Himes said, "has always been in the service of an ideal of democracy but also very much in the service of commercial interests."

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In the 19th and early 20th centuries, those interests were bananas and other fruit, as the United Fruit Co. and other firms had close ties to the government. But in Trump's view it's not about democracy at all and it's not about drugs, the feeble excuse he cites.

It's about oil.

"Substitute oil for bananas and you have a perfect explanation of how this president thinks," Himes said.

Evana, an oil tanker, is docked at El Palito port in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (Matias Delacroix/Associated Press)





Ultimately, Trump's flouting of international law risks America's big advantage over China. "The one asset that we have that the Chinese do not is an enormously coherent and powerful group of allies," Himes said. Why anger them? "History shows in the long run, that ends badly."

Think back 25 years to 9/11, Himes said.

"That day, everyone from France to Mexico, they said, We're all Americans today, how can we help?' Donald Trump has managed to maneuver us into a place where the next time a 9/11 happens, our NATO allies and South American countries, their answer is going to be, F off because of the disdain that we have shown to our allies."

dhaar@hearstmediact.com

This article originally published at Rep. Himes ties Jan. 6 siege to Venezuela raid as Trump's 'complete disregard for the law': Dan Haar.
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) had some pointed words for White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Miller appeared on Mondays edition of The Lead on CNN, where he did a victory lap after the U.S. invasion of Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The pair appeared before a federal judge in New York on Monday and pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges.

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In the wake of the invasion, President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that the U.S. is entitled to Greenland, an autonomous territory that belongs to Denmark, a NATO ally.

We need it for defense, Trump said.

Jake Tapper drew Millers attention to a post from Katie Miller, the deputy chief of staffs wife. It showed Greenland on a map covered by a U.S. flag. She wrote, SOON.

Can you rule out that the US is ever going to take Greenland by force? Tapper asked Stephen Miller.

Greenland should be part of the United States, he insisted. The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim?

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So you cant take it off the table? Tapper asked. That the U.S. would use military force to seize Greenland?

Miller accused Tapper of trying to get a catchy headline that says, Miller refuses to rule out [military force].' The Trump adviser insisted, Nobodys gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

Hours later, Bacon reposted a clip from the interview.

This is really dumb, the Republican posted. Greenland and Denmark are our allies. There is no up side [sic] to demeaning our friends. But, it is causing wounds that will take time to heal.

Officials in Greenland and Denmark have both said the territory will not belong to the U.S.

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Denmark recalls the foundational principle of international law that forbids states from threatening or using force against another states territorial integrity and political independence, Danish Ambassador to the UN Christina Markus Lassen said at the U.N. Security Council on Monday.

Article 5 of the NATO charter obliges member nations to come to the defense of any member who is attacked by a foreign entity. The U.S. is a member of NATO

The post Republican Congressman Slams Stephen Millers Really Dumb Claim About Seizing Greenland first appeared on Mediaite.
Illinois has moved from a "moderate" CDC respiratory illness level to "high." Data is from Dec. 21 to Dec. 27.

Flu activity is high or very high in 48 states and jurisdictions, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 11 million people have gotten sick, and 5,000 people have died from the flu this season as vaccination rates wane. At least nine of those who died were children.

The CDC said the current influenza wave is expected to last several weeks. The agency also noted that RSV activity is elevated in many areas of the country, with emergency room visits and hospitalizations increasing in children under 4. COVID-19 activity is low but increasing nationally.

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Hospital admissions from respiratory illnesses in Illinois continue to trend upward. According to IDPH, hospital admissions for COVID-19 are at 1.64 percent, 5.17 percent from flu and .48 percent from RSV.

Flu admissions saw the biggest increase; admissions were at 2.3 percent on Dec. 20 and increased to 5.17 percent on Dec. 27, according to IDPH.

The previous season's peak hospital admissions due to flu was 6.9 percent on Feb. 8, 2025. IDPH data shows COVID-19 activity as "moderate," RSV activity as "low," and flu activity as "very high."

On Monday, IDPH announced the first pediatric death of the 2025-26 season due to influenza. Nationally, there have been nine pediatric deaths due to influenza this season. During the 2024-2025 season, Illinois reported 12 pediatric deaths from influenza, 6 from RSV and 3 from COVID. This season, there have been three deaths total from influenza, along with 35 from pneumonia, and three from COVID-19, in the state.

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"Illinois is facing a significant winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses, with flu activity at very high levels," IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. "Vaccinations remain the most effective tool to prevent severe illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Simple steps like covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands regularly, staying home when sick if you are able, and improving ventilation are also critical to preventing further spread."

According to IDPH's Illinois Vaccination Coverage Dashboards, 21.9 percent of Illinoisans have received their flu shot this season, while only 6.8 percent have received COVID-19 immunization.

"IDPH is monitoring the situation closely and working with our partners in public health and healthcare to protect Illinois families across the state," Vohra said.

While anyone can potentially become seriously ill from seasonal respiratory illnesses, the most susceptible are the very young, very old, pregnant individuals, and those who are immunocompromised or have other underlying health conditions.

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IDPH advises washing your hands often; covering coughs and sneezes; staying home if you're sick; consider wearing a mask, especially in crowded, indoor spaces; and getting your annual flu and COVID-19 shots.

Respiratory Illness Now At 'High' Level In Illinois originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP)  A yellow Labrador out for a walk with his owner in Rhode Island had to be rescued by firefighters on New Years Day after he wandered onto a thin layer of ice covering a pond and fell through the center.

According to the Misquamicut Fire Department, volunteer firefighters and other emergency officials were dispatched Thursday morning for a water rescue. Once on scene, firefighters saw a dog named Phoenix struggling and unable to move to shore in the slushy, icy water.

Members from both the Misquamicut and Watch Hill fire departments donned ice rescue suits, which help protect the body from frigid temperatures, to enter the pond and successfully rescue Phoenix. The National Weather Service reported it was 26 degrees Fahrenheit around 9 a.m. on Thursday, with the wind chill dropping the temperature to 14 degrees.

dog rescued from frozen pond

It was the chillest dog Ive ever seen in my life, said Steve Howard, deputy chief of the Misquamicut Fire Department, in a phone interview on Friday. The dog never made a sound. He was pretty chill.

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While the firefighters were evaluated for possible hypothermia, they did not require treatment. The fire departments described the incident as a successful first call of 2026, in a statement posted on Facebook.

Misquamicut Fire Department

He got a little bit of extra food last night, Howard said. And he took a little nap.

The incident served as a reminder to treat all ice as potentially dangerous, particularly over bodies of water, the fire department warned.

No ice is ever safe. Our firefighters train extensively for cold water and ice rescues, but these situations are extremely dangerous, the fire department said.
The first turbine of the Revolution Wind project installed by rsted roughly 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast and 32 miles southeast of the Connecticut coast is shown in September 2024. (Photo courtesy of Revolution Wind)

Rhode Island and Connecticut attorneys general in legal filings Monday asked to consolidate their federal lawsuit against the Trump administration with a separate complaint lodged by the developers of the Revolution Wind project.

Both lawsuits were initially filed in the wake of an Aug. 22 stop work order from federal regulators on the 65-turbine project, then 80% complete south of Rhode Islands coastline. Both complaints sought court intervention  the developers in D.C. and the AGs in Rhode Island  to bar the Trump administration from what plaintiffs argued was an unconstitutional overreach of federal authority on the 704-megawatt wind project.

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The developers case progressed more quickly, with Senior Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granting a preliminary injunction on Sept. 22 temporarily barring federal regulators from interfering with the project. The AGs case languished in Providence with no court order until being transferred to D.C. in early December.

The two complaints remained on separate trajectories when the U.S. Department of Interior issued a second suspension order on Dec. 22, forcing Revolution Wind, and four other area projects, to press pause for 90 days.

By Jan. 1, Revolution Wind LLC, a partnership between Danish renewable energy company Orsted A/S and a consortium of other companies led by Skyborn Renewables, replied with a flurry of new court filings asking for a second preliminary injunction. The new submissions reprised many of the same arguments of the original case: The Trump administrations latest move was arbitrary and capricious with significant financial, economic and environmental consequences for the companies if work did not resume quickly.

The project was 87% complete when the second suspension was handed down, with 58 of 65 turbines built and offshore installation on track to be completed by mid-February. Since Dec. 22, the project developers estimate they are losing $1.44 million a day, with a projected $6 billion loss and risks of broken contracts if they cannot resume work by Jan. 12, according to court filings.

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Rhode Island and Connecticut stand to suffer major losses, too, underscored in the lawsuit filed by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong.

The 704 megawatts of nameplate capacity is enough to power 350,000 homes across both states, with the 400 megawatt share directed toward Rhode Island representing one-fifth of the states electricity needs, according to a Jan. 5 affidavit from Chistopher Kearns, the states acting energy commissioner. The renewable energy infusion is critical to meeting mandated state emissions reductions under the 2021 Act on Climate Law, and to smoothing seasonal fuel supply and price fluctuations across the regional grid.

Any significant impact to this project, including but not limited to the loss of the 704MW load, would have grid reliability risks to Rhode Island and New England, Kearns wrote.

The project has already employed more than 1,000 union laborers in Rhode Island, including 200 on standby amid the second pause. And even after Rhode Islands first major wind project is up and running, other area projects will rely on the Ocean States workforce expertise and upgraded ports to assist in their own construction and operations.

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Revolution Winds investments have continued to catalyze infrastructure upgrades at ProvPort and the Port of Davisville, and positioned Rhode Island as a leader in attracting global ocean economy companies, Kearns wrote.

The AGs have asked Lamberth to rule on their request to consolidate their case with the Revolution Wind developers by Wednesday. They are also seeking to join the developers motion for a second preliminary injunction, with a hearing scheduled in Lamberths D.C. courtroom on Monday, Jan. 12.

Meaghan Wims, a spokesperson for Orsted, declined to comment in an emailed response Tuesday.

Matthew Nies, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice, which is representing the Trump administration in both cases, declined to comment in an emailed response Tuesday. However, Justice Department attorneys previously argued that the AGs case should be transferred to D.C. and consolidated with the Revolution Wind developers lawsuit.

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WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Island State Fire Marshal Tim McLaughlin will never forget the Station nightclub fire, which took the lives of 100 concertgoers and injured more than 200 others nearly 23 years ago.

Thats why when he first heard about the deadly fire that tore through a Swiss Alpine resort bar less than two hours into the new year, he couldnt help but notice the similarities between the two tragedies.

It was almost like you could take that Swiss Alps resort and put it where the Station nightclub was, McLaughlin said. It was almost identical.

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Investigators believe sparkling candles atop champagne bottles ignited the ceiling of the busy Le Constellation bar, which was covered in what appeared to be soundproofing foam.

The flames spread quickly and sent dozens of New Years revelers scrambling to escape through the bars main entrance  up a narrow flight of stairs and out a single door.

Security stands in front of the sealed off Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Years celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Friday morning, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni)

The frantic rush to get out of the bar created a massive bottleneck, trapping those behind the pileup in the dark as the bar filled with toxic smoke. The situation was likely made worse due to a flashover, which is when everything combustible in a room reaches its ignition point and engulfs the entire space.

The Swiss Alps resort bar fire killed 40 people and severely injured 116 others, according to authorities, and a criminal investigation has been opened into the bars managers.

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The situation was similar at the Station in West Warwick, when a bands pyrotechnics display ignited the acoustic foam on the walls surrounding the stage.

I was taken back that, after 23 years, were still talking about foam and indoor pyrotechnics, McLaughlin said. It was a little shocking to see it happen again.

Concertgoers also attempted to escape the nightclub through the main entrance. But the stampede created a bottleneck in the nightclubs narrow front hallway that ended with a pileup in the doorway, trapping those behind it inside the burning building.

Its almost eerie to think about it  the similarities between the two, McLaughlin said. It was something I never thought Id see again.

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The Station nightclub fire reshaped Rhode Islands fire code by requiring businesses to upgrade their alarm and suppression systems.

McLaughlin expects authorities in Switzerland to enhance their fire codes as well in response to the deadly fire.

Hes also urging everyone to remain vigilant, especially in crowded nightclubs and bars.

You have to have awareness, McLaughlin said. You have to walk in, look around and see where the exits are. Make sure there are a minimum of two ways out.

If its a little overcrowded, maybe think about going somewhere else, he continued. It takes less than a minute of your time while going through [the space].

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Though he admits its tough to talk about, McLaughlin said the Swiss Alps fire brings the life safety lessons learned during the Station nightclub fire back to the forefront.

Believe it or not, theres a whole generation of kids out there who have no idea what that is, McLaughlin said, referring to the Station nightclub fire. Its just a good message to send out to the younger generations.

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The Richmond water treatment facility, which experienced catastrophic failure last year that left residents without water for days, pictured on Jan. 5, 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury)

One year after backup power systems at the city of Richmonds water treatment plant failed to switch on following a winter storm and left residents without water for days, city officials showcased plant repairs and new protocols on Monday, and highlighted ongoing efforts to keep the regions largest municipal water system flowing smoothly.

Addressing reporters at the plant, Mayor Danny Avula said last years water crisis  which unfolded just a few days into his term  sparked his administrations wholesale attempt to dismantle a culture of complacency and manage deferred maintenance.

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Roughly $7 million has been spent on immediate fixes to water pumps, the switch gear, and other repairs to make the plant less vulnerable to problems, Avula said. About $1.4 billion will need to be invested into water system upgrades over the next ten years, according to the citys long-term plan.

In an Oct. 8 letter, Avula requested $80 million over two years in the state budget. The money would have been used to help strengthen the water plants infrastructure, which serves over 500,000 people across Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield counties. However, Gov. Glenn Youngkin did not include the funding in his final budget proposal that he presented to lawmakers last month.

But the reality is we are an old city, we are the capital city, Avula said. There are more needs and so our job is to continue helping our state representatives understand that, and showing them that were going to be good stewards of that money when they give it to us.

If the state does not provide the funding, that cost will be passed on to rate payers to ensure the improvements are made. The city has not stated how much residents water bills would increase if the state does not come through with the funding. Still, there are a number of projects that are critical to the longevity of the plant that will be prioritized with or without state funding, officials said.

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When we start talking about not getting the funding and getting funding, its going to be a very difficult conversation about prioritization of which projects come to fruition sooner versus later, said Richmond Department of Utilities Director Scott Morris. Its basically picking which part of your broken car you want to replace first.

As part of the improvements following the crisis, Richmond has been working with the surrounding municipalities that rely on the water system to improve communication. There has also been a change in management and additional engineers added to the staff to help prevent last years mistakes being repeated.

Avula said the citys conversations with Gov.-elect Abigail Spanbergers administration about the funding are ongoing.

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Several people pardoned for their involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol have been rearrested, charged or convicted of new crimes, according to a Straight Arrow News analysis. Those alleged crimes include making terroristic threats, child sex offenses and a deadly drunk-driving crash.

On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued blanket pardons and sentence commutations for more than 1,500 people tied to the 2021 Capitol riot.

Under Department of Justice clemency guidelines, those seeking clemency are typically expected to wait at least five years after conviction or completing their sentence - whichever is later - before applying for a pardon. However, those guidelines are not binding, according to Peter Katz, a criminal defense attorney who specializes in federal pardons and is a former DOJ trial attorney.

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"It is a matter of, let's see what that person has done over time," Katz told SAN. " A year out, how do I know whether this person has become a different person? Have they changed? Are they deserving of it?"

Assessing the risk

Criminal justice experts often evaluate factors such as age, stability and post-conviction conduct when assessing the likelihood that a person will reoffend. That likelihood is then considered in the pardoning process.

"For example, we know very young people, when it comes to brain development, under the age of 25, their brains are not fully developed when it comes to making these decisions," Katz said. "So we tend not to punish them [as severely]."

Katz said people who are married and over the age of 40 are also less likely to commit violent crimes.

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Trump said the clemencies would end "a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begin a process of national reconciliation."

Critics argue the pardons reflect a departure from traditional clemency standards that emphasize accountability, rehabilitation and individualized review.

"The pardon was based upon an event rather than based on conduct," Katz said.

Katz also noted President Joe Biden granted broad pardons for certain non-violent drug offenses, but those actions excluded people convicted of violent crimes - a distinction that was not consistently applied in the Jan. 6 clemencies.

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"You're including people who are a harm to society," Katz said. "You're including people who are maybe violent. You're including people who will recidivate."

While reviewing criminal justice reports filed after the pardons, SAN found several such instances in which people who had been pardoned were subsequently charged with felonies.

Notable criminal charges filed after Jan. 6.

Andrew Paul Johnson, 44, of Florida, was pardoned for his role in the Jan. 6 attack, during which FBI records show he climbed through a broken window and illegally entered the Capitol.

He pleaded guilty to violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, for which he was later pardoned.

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In October 2025, nearly nine months after his pardon, Johnson was charged in Florida with molesting two children, one as young as 11. According to police reports first obtained by "The Intercept," Johnson falsely claimed he was entitled to $10 million as part of his clemency; police allege he used that claim in an attempt to bribe one of the victims into silence.

According to affidavits, Johnson's former girlfriend discovered he had been sending her son images of girls accompanied by sexual comments. The child later reported being molested multiple times over a six-month period in 2024.

Investigators say Johnson later mailed the child an iPhone so they could communicate secretly.

A separate police report alleges Johnson also molested a 16-year-old girl. Johnson has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court later this year. His attorney did not respond to SAN's request for comment.

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Christopher Moynihan, of New York, had previously been sentenced to 21 months in prison for obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress, a conviction later covered by Trump's pardon.

Moynihan was arrested in October 2025 and charged with making a felony terroristic threat against U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.

According to the criminal complaint, Moynihan sent a text message stating: "Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC. I cannot allow this terrorist to live I will kill him for the future."

Moynihan entered a plea of not guilty in October.

SAN left a message with the Duchess County Public Defender's office, which represents Moynihan in his most recent case. The office did not respond.

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Kyle Travis Colton, of California, illegally entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to an FBI affidavit that includes video showing him confronting law enforcement officers inside the rotunda.

He pleaded guilty to disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and was later pardoned on Jan. 20, 2025. Six months later, he was convicted of receiving child pornography and was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison.

The allegations occurred after the Jan. 6 attack, between July 2022 and December 2023.

According to a federal indictment, investigators discovered numerous images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children stored on Colton's electronic devices.

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Court documents indicate some of the material was saved to his desktop and bookmarked from known child exploitation websites. His attorney did not respond to SAN's request for comment.

Emily Hernandez, of Missouri, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in January 2025 for a deadly drunk-driving crash that occurred in 2022.

According to local news reports, Hernandez drove the wrong way on a highway and hit another vehicle head-on.

The passenger in the other vehicle was killed, and Hernandez's husband was hurt.

Hernandez traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, and was accused of illegally entering the Capitol, as well as then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. She was photographed smiling and posing with a broken piece of Pelosi's nameplate.

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Hernandez received Trump's pardon for her Jan. 6 offenses on Jan. 20, 2025, days before she was formally sentenced in the unrelated DWI case. Her attorney did not respond to SAN's request for comment.

Clemency granted despite pending felony cases

Several people involved in the Capitol attack had pending or unresolved felony cases for unrelated crimes when they received clemency. Typically, Katz said, this would exclude someone from consideration.

"[They] wouldn't even get past the initial analyses," Katz said. "Obviously, for this administration, they felt whatever had happened on Jan. 6, it was pardonable, it didn't matter."

The White House did not respond to SAN's request for comment.

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Andrew Taake, of Texas, had previously been investigated in 2016 for charges related to soliciting sexual conduct from someone he believed to be a minor online.

Taake has pleaded not guilty, and the case remained unresolved at the time of the Capitol riot.

An FBI affidavit states Taake illegally entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and participated in confrontations with law enforcement. He later pleaded guilty to obstructing law enforcement officers during the riot.

His Jan. 6 conviction was covered by Trump's pardon, but the earlier solicitation case is unrelated and still pending. Taake's attorney did not respond to SAN's request for comment.

David Paul Daniel, of North Carolina, was indicted in October 2024 on federal charges of possessing child sexual abuse material and of sexual exploitation of a minor. He is accused of committing the crimes years before the Capitol attack.

An application for a criminal complaint obtained by SAN reveals law enforcement seized Daniel's electronic devices during a search connected to his Jan. 6 case and later discovered images consistent with child sexual abuse.

Daniel has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in federal custody. The case is ongoing, and no trial date has been set.

An FBI affidavit states that Daniel illegally entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and includes images of him on Capitol grounds pushing against police officers attempting to secure a Senate entrance.

While representing himself, Daniel pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement. His conviction was later covered by Trump's pardon, but the child exploitation charges are unrelated and remain active. His attorney did not respond to SAN's request for comment.

The new age of clemency

It's unusual for someone who has additional felonies to receive a pardon, Katz told SAN. Due to the legal consequences imposed on a person with a felony record, pardoning someone for an unrelated crime offers little value aside from keeping them out of jail.

"It's not going to benefit them," Katz said. "It's not going to affect their life in any way."

Throughout history, the Office of the Pardon Attorney has been responsible for evaluating petitioners seeking clemency, before sending candidates to the White House.

But clemency scholars and criminal defense attorneys, like Katz, have long criticized that process, describing it as too bureaucratic.

"To be honest, that system was very difficult to navigate," Katz told SAN. "First to meet the requirement, then consideration and ultimately clemency or pardon."

Under Trump's new model, the clemency process appears to be streamlined by limiting the Office of the Pardon Attorney's involvement.

"In the last 11 months, the traditional path has given way to one that is much more geared towards getting the ear of the right person," Katz said. "It's really about just getting the president's ear, and if he wants to [grant clemency] he will, and if he doesn't he won't."

The new system isn't necessarily worse than the traditional pardoning system, he said.

"I think it's a mixed bag," Katz said. "The old system was not a great system by any stretch. The new system, some people feel like, OK, if you can get to the right person, you have a chance."

The evolving role of the Office of the Pardon Attorney

Getting to the right person can be its own challenge - especially for attorneys like Zachary Newland, a federal criminal defense lawyer who doesn't consider himself a "Washington insider."

"I don't think they're really running it through the Pardon Attorney Office at all," Newland said. "I don't really know what they're doing at this point for most of these."

The departure from utilizing the Office of the Pardon Attorney by traditional standards has given Newland pause when taking on new cases.

"Even if they're meaningful, it's hard to say, Pay me money,' because it sure seems like the only way to do it is through personal connection."

The new model for granting clemency has also changed the way Newland analyzes the cases he does take on. In the past, Newland evaluated potential clients' criminal history. He asked himself: "What have they done post conviction? Are they someone with a spotless record? Are they someone who was prosecuted for a non-violent crime?"

Now, Newland adds new variables as he runs his equation.

"There is still that analysis, but also now I'm usually trying to do an analysis on, if I want to present this case to the Trump White House, how does this case fit into the broader narrative of the weaponization of the Justice Department," Newland said.

Then Newland tackles the final variable: How he expects the president, as well as his supporters and detractors, to respond.

It has required a significant shift in mindset and approach. But, Newland said, there is a silver lining: Like Katz, he is encouraged by Trump's renewed attention to pardon power.

Clemency scholars have long criticized presidents for failing to utilize their constitutional authority to grant clemency more broadly. This administration needs no such critique.

"I think there's a general sense among the criminal defense community that anything is possible," Newland said.

Abigail Jackson, spokesperson for the White House, declined answer questions from SAN about the role of the Office of the Pardon Attorney under the Trump administration.

When asked if Trump takes the risk of recidivism into account when granting clemency, Jackson also declined to answer.

"The media's continued obsession with January 6 is one of the many reasons trust in the press is at historic lows - they aren't covering issues that the American people actually care about," Jackson said in the statement.

"President Trump was resoundingly reelected to enact an agenda based on securing the border, driving down crime, and restarting our economy - the President is delivering."

Jackson deferred SAN to previous comments made by Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary.

"When it comes to pardons, the White House takes them with the utmost seriousness and the President understands the responsibility that he has as President to issue pardons to individuals who are seeking that," Leavitt said. "That's why we have a very thorough review process here that moves with the Department of Justice and the White House Counsel's office. There's a whole team of qualified lawyers who look at every single pardon request that ultimately make their way up to the President of the United States. He's the ultimate, final decision maker. And he was very clear when he came into office that he was most interested in looking at pardoning individuals who were abused and used by the Biden Department of Justice, and were over prosecuted by a weaponized DOJ."

The future of pardons

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics estimates that at least 33 people pardoned for crimes on Jan. 6 have since been charged or convicted for additional crimes, though the final tally is unclear.

It is also unclear what will guide the president's future clemency decisions.

Mark Osler, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and a nationally recognized expert on clemency, previously told SAN that a president's use of pardon power often reflects personal values.

"We're seeing a huge number relative to other presidents of people accused of financial crimes and bribery and other types of white-collar crimes," Osler said.

When SAN asked the White House last month whether Trump plans to grant future clemency based on traditional standards of mercy, the White House did not respond.

Newland now questions the necessity of the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

"If we're staffing out of the White House, staff it out of the White House," Newland said. "If I had it my way, I would think there would be a complete overhaul of the Office of the Pardon of the Attorney."

The post The new rules of clemency: A five-year analysis of the Jan. 6 defendants appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

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By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro's capture by the United States has deprived Vladimir Putin of an ally and could increase U.S. "oil clout", but Moscow is eying potential gains from President Donald Trump's division of the world into spheres of influence.

Special Forces seized Maduro only eight months after the Russian president agreed a strategic partnership with his "dear friend", and Trump said the U.S. was taking temporary control of Venezuela, which has the world's biggest oil reserves.

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Some Russian nationalists have criticised the loss of an ally and contrasted the swift U.S. operation with Russia's failure to take control of Ukraine in almost four years of war.

But on another level, what Russia casts as Trump's "piracy" and "regime change" in the United States' "backyard" is more tolerable for Moscow, especially if Washington becomes bogged down in Venezuela.

"Russia has lost an ally in Latin America," said a senior Russian source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

"But if this is an example of Trump's Monroe Doctrine in action, as it seems to be, then Russia also has its own sphere of influence."

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The source was referring to the Trump administration's desire to reassert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and revive the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which declared the area to be Washington's zone of influence.

A second Russian source said Moscow saw the U.S. operation as a clear attempt to gain control of Venezuela's oil wealth and observed that most Western powers had not openly criticised it.

THE DANGERS OF TRUMP'S 'WILD WEST'

Putin has been trying to stake out a Russian sphere of influence in former Soviet republics in Central Asia, the Caucasus and Ukraine in a push opposed by Washington since the Cold War ended.

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Putin has not commented publicly on the U.S. operation in Venezuela although Russia's foreign ministry has urged Trump to release Maduro and called for dialogue. The ministry previously cast Trump's actions as modern-day piracy in the Caribbean.

Russian state media have depicted the operation as a U.S. "kidnapping", reported remarks by Trump on the U.S. having "sick" neighbours and referred to the U.S. capture of military leader Manuel Noriega in Panama on January 3, 1990.

"That Trump just 'stole' the president of another country shows that there is basically no international law - there is only the law of force - but Russia has known that for a long time," Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, told Reuters.

He said the modern-day Monroe Doctrine - which Trump suggested could be updated as the "Donroe Doctrine" - could be interpreted in different ways.

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"Is the United States really ready to recognise Russia's dominance over the former Soviet Union, or is it simply that the United States is so strong that it will not tolerate any great powers even close to it?"

Alexei Pushkov, who chairs the commission on information policy in Russia's Federation Council, or senate, saw the U.S. operation in Venezuela as a direct implementation of the U.S. National Security Strategy, depicting it as an attempt to revive U.S. supremacy and gain sway over more oil reserves.

But he said it risked a return to "the wild imperialism of the 19th century and, in fact, reviving the concept of the Wild West - the Wild West in the sense that the United States has regained the right to do what they want in the Western Hemisphere."

"Will the triumph turn into a disaster?" he asked.

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RUSSIAN NATIONALISTS COMPARE VENEZUELA AND UKRAINE

For Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, having a U.S. president focused on - and potentially bogged down in - the Western Hemisphere would appear to be more than acceptable, given Russia's focus on Ukraine and China's on Taiwan.

But some Russian nationalists have criticised the loss of an ally so soon after Bashar al-Assad's fall in Syria, and compared the speed of the U.S. operation with the much slower pace of Russia's advances in Ukraine.

Russia's largest oil producer, Rosneft, terminated operations in Venezuela in 2020 and sold its assets related to operations there to a company owned by Russia's government.

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Jailed Russian nationalist Igor Girkin said the U.S. had shown in Venezuela how a great power should act when facing a potential threat and cast the U.S. operation as part of an attempt to cut oil flows to China.

"We've had another blow to our image - another country that counted on Russia's help did not get it," Girkin said.

"Having got bogged down up to our ears in the bloody swamp of Ukraine, we are practically incapable of anything else, especially since we cannot help Venezuela in another hemisphere that is right next door to the United States."

(Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Its not often someone gets to collect the bounty on their own head. Denis Nikitin was on Russian President Vladimir Putins hit list. He still is, but now hes evading Russian hit squads using the Kremlins own money.



Related: Ukraines new, drone-delivered weapon is basically a phallic claymore

Nikitin, also known as White Rex, is not Ukrainian; hes Russian. But as the founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), hes fighting against the Putin regime in Ukraine. He has an entire battalion of like-thinking Russians who were the first to bring the fight to Russia. His RVC caught the attention (and ire and likely envy) of Russian commanders in Ukraine when he successfully conducted a series of cross-border raids inside Russia in 2023.



Sadly, he was killed in a drone strike in the Zaporizhzhia region in December 2025. When the Russian Volunteer Corps confirmed it, Russian war bloggers and nationalist media personalities on state television and Telegram exploded in joy. The Kremlin happily paid the bounty, money well spent.

The GUR released video of the drone strike that killed RVC leader Denis Nikitin on Telegram. (Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine)

Except Nikitin wasnt dead.

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The Ukrainians call it maskirovka. Other intelligence agencies might call it a ruse, a ploy, or a psy-op. We call it a long con. Whatever you want to call it, Putin and Russia were tricked into paying a reward for a battlefield murder that never actually happened, no matter what the drone video says.



Nikitin was alive, the pro-Ukrainian fighter simply faked his own deathand the RVC on Telegram confirmed that, too.



The White Rex had a significant bounty on his head, to the tune of half a million dollars. And it was Ukraines military intelligence service (GUR) that collected it.

To prove that the far-right leader was, in fact, still of this Earth, GUR chief Kirill Budanov recorded a video call with Nikitin to congratulate him on his survival. The GUR also released a video of Nikitin (who also goes by the name Kapustin) and another commander, explaining how the Ukrainian ally faked his death.



I congratulate you on your return to life. It is always pleasant, Budanov said in the video. I am glad that the funds received for ordering your liquidation went to help our struggle.



Shortly after this exchange, Ukraines military intelligence released a video of Nikitins alleged death.

Nikitin/Kapustin before the drone strike incident. (ArmyInform)

The White Rex is a Moscow-born ultranationalist, and his RVC is set on overthrowing Vladimir Putins regime to establish an ethnically Russian state while renouncing the imperialism that has defined Soviet (and later, Russian) foreign policy for more than 100 years.



In May 2003, the RVC was the first to go on the offensive inside Russia, conducting cross-border raids into the Russian Belograd region. The Ukrainian military denied any involvement with the RVC attacks, but it probably shed very few tears after a year of hard fighting. Nikitin/Kapustin was tried in absentia in a Moscow court, receiving a life sentence (And the aforementioned bounty on his head). The RVC earned the official title of Terrorist Organization from the Russian government.

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Russian opposition representative Leonid Volkov, who lives in Lithuania, has called Ukrainian soldiers and officials Nazis. The country's Migration Service will decide whether to extend his residence permit.

Source: European Pravda, citing LRT

Details: The issue concerns statements published the previous day  correspondence between Volkov and a representative of the Russian Volunteer Corps in the Ukrainian army, in which Volkov spoke disparagingly about Denis Kapustin, the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps.

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In December, Ukrainian military intelligence staged the death of Kapustin, who is wanted by Russia, and this operation became known in January. In the correspondence, Volkov expressed satisfaction at Kapustin's "death".

"In a certain sense, denazification has indeed taken place. A Nazi whose very existence was a gift to Kremlin propaganda has died," he wrote.

He also called Kyrylo Budanov, then chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, a "repulsive provincial political technologist".

"I hope Kapustin's friends will follow him. (Andrii) Yermak will be imprisoned, (Mykhailo) Podoliak will be imprisoned, Budanov will be imprisoned, and all other propagandists and hypocrites will be imprisoned. And then Ukraine will have a chance to win. But while it is being built on cabbage [Kapustin and his associates  ed.], no one will look its way," he said.

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After these messages were published, Volkov apologised for the letter, which he described as "emotional and harsh", but reiterated that he condemns "neo-Nazis".

On Tuesday 6 January, Lithuania's Migration Service contacted the country's State Security Department for additional "consultation regarding a possible threat to national security" and asked it to assess the foreign national's statements that appeared on social media.

Lithuanian law on the legal status of foreigners provides that a temporary residence permit may be revoked if a foreigner's stay in the country poses a threat to national security, public order, or people's health. Remigijus Motuzas, the Chair of Lithuania's Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that after assessing Volkov's statements, the country's authorities must decide whether he can continue to stay in Lithuania.

"We will consult with the Committee on National Security and other bodies. I believe this really should be done, and only after that should a final decision be taken on whether Volkov may live in Lithuania, in the European Union, or not," he said.

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Kestutis Budrys, Lithuania's Foreign Minister, in turn, noted that individuals who do not support Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and defence needs "have direct consequences for the national security of the Republic of Lithuania".

"It is expected that citizens of Lithuania, and especially foreign citizens residing in Lithuania with one status or another, who hold a residence permit in Lithuania or have asylum, will demonstrate due respect for and support of the fundamental provisions of Lithuania's national security," he added.

Background: On 1 September, it became known that Finland's National Bureau of Investigation had launched a probe into a former Russian Wagner Group mercenary who was detained in the summer of 2025 on Finnish territory.Recently, Finland deported a soldier who had been part of Wagner Group and had illegally crossed the Finnish border.

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Russia is continuing to adapt and evolve its copies of the Shahed-136 long-range one-way attack drone, known locally as the Geran, now arming it with a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS). These are more often referred to as shoulder-fired heat-seeking missiles. The development follows a previous version of the drone carrying a single R-60 air-to-air missile, which you can read more about here. It also emerges as Russia makes additional alterations to the drone, including improved line-of-sight control capabilities and self-protection systems.

Russian forces are mounting Igla MANPADS on Shahed drones to target Ukrainian helicopters that intercept them. The drones carry a camera and radio modem, and the missile is launched remotely by an operator in Russian territory. pic.twitter.com/T5TKPHyhVu  WarTranslated (@wartranslated) January 4, 2026

An example of a MANPADS-equipped Shahed/Geran is seen in recent imagery, including a video, that shows the drone lying in the snow, after it came down intact in Ukraine, reportedly in the Chernihiv region in the north of the country. According to Ukrainian accounts, as well as the rail-mounted missile on the top, the drone is equipped with a camera and a radio-frequency modem.

An overhead view of the Shahed/Geran lying in the snow with the (unused) Igla MANPADS mounted on top. via X

The missile itself has been widely reportedly as an Igla-S, among the latest models of this widespread MANPADS. Known in Russia as the 9K388, and to NATO as the SA-24 Grinch, the weapon has a maximum range of around 3.7 miles, and improvements over earlier Igla missiles include a more sensitive infrared seeker, a heavier warhead, and an improved fuze.

A member of the Venezuelan military holds a 9K338 Igla-S MANPADS launcher in Caracas on October 30, 2025. Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP FEDERICO PARRA

On the other hand, the inscription on the top of the launch tube appears to read 9K333, which would indicate it is the more modern Verba (SA-29 Gizmo), which was developed as a replacement for the Igla. Its primary advantage is its advanced multispectral seeker, operating in the ultraviolet, near infrared, and mid-infrared bands, for improved discrimination between targets and decoys.

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Adapting the MANPADS to the Shahed/Geran appears more straightforward than the R-60, with no need for the launch rail adapter; instead, the MANPADS is simply attached to the drone within its standard launch tube. The complete Igla, for example, is also much lighter: around 40 pounds in its tube, compared to close to 100 pounds for the R-60, minus the launch rail.

Interception of the Russian Shahed kamikaze drone with an installed R-60 air-to-air missile.



It was intercepted by Darknode unit of the @usf_army, using STING anti-Shahed drone developed by the @wilendhornets and funded by @sternenkofund. https://t.co/XHEjuCP31F pic.twitter.com/oje4VOXTbz  Special Kherson Cat   (@bayraktar_1love) December 1, 2025

Russia started employing Shahed/Geran-type long-range UAVs equipped with air-to-air missiles for combating Ukrainian aviation assets, Ukrainian military radio technology expert Serhii Flash reports.



The remains of a Shahed/Geran-type drone with an R-60 short-range air-to-air pic.twitter.com/NHBDQQqCK9  Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) December 1, 2025

As for the drone, the original Shahed-136 is Iranian in origin. Multiple variants and derivatives of the Shahed-136, including a jet-powered type, are now produced in large numbers in Russian factories, where they are known locally by the name Geran, the Russian word for geranium. Steady improvements have been made to these drones, including a degree of dynamic targeting capability, as you can read about here.

As we have discussed in the past, adding a heat-seeking anti-aircraft missile to the Shahed/Geran in theory provides the drone with a means to engage Ukrainian fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. At the very least, giving the drone the ability to hit back at these threats offers a deterrent capability. Overall, the effectiveness of this combination is questionable. Particular challenges include the need for a high degree of situational awareness, perhaps requiring cameras around the airframe, and the need to maneuver the drone to get it into a boresight location to achieve a lock-on. However, Russia clearly considers that the adaptation is worth exploring, even just as a deterrent strategy to keep drone hunting aircraft at bay.

A profile view of the MANPADS-armed Shahed/Geran lying in the snow. via X

For some time now, Russia has been working on a man-in-the-loop (MITL) control capability for the Shahed/Geran, a feature that was confirmed when they started to appear with cameras and cellular modems, something TWZ explored in detail at the time. These developments allow the drone to be connected to an operator. Standard Shaheds fly autonomous routes to pre-planned targets on autopilot with no man-in-the-loop control. They are fire and forget weapons.

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Meanwhile, the range at which MITL can be achieved has been steadily increased. At first, the drones were adapted to exploit patchy cellular networks to provide additional connectivity when available. More recently, Shaheds have been flying with antennas allowing for direct line-of-sight control close to the front lines. This allows them to hit targets dynamically like an FPV drone, while packing a much heavier punch and being able to loiter for long periods of time. You can read all about this development here. Now, the datalink range is being extended using airborne signal relays, possibly creating a mesh network with multiple line-of-sight links. We are also now seeing Russian drones will Starlink terminals, which could provide a vastly superior beyond-line-of-sight capability and could prove to be a big problem for Ukraine if Russia can produce such a configuration in large volumes. These developments are now blurring the classification of the Shahed/Geran from its original long-range one-way attack drone to a loitering munition, with an onboard imaging capability.

A Russian Molniya drone with a Starlink terminal.https://t.co/9Tb8GTx1nI pic.twitter.com/zmbpgMGwXm  Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 15, 2025

Potentially, a Shahed/Geran armed with a MANPADS or an R-60 could use beyond-line-of-sight capabilities to operate the missile. But bearing in mind we know Russia is using the drones closer to the front lines, this would need only a line-of-sight link with operators near the front, or at least by receivers/transmitters placed there. Drone controllers behind the lines could also pick them up once in the area, but such an operation is far more complex and fraught with additional risks.

New article: Networking the Shahed



How Russias datalink-enabled Geran-2s are evolving beyond the traditional one-way attack UAV concept.https://t.co/HluZ7dDulH pic.twitter.com/ZqXpAl2NiC  Fabian Hinz (@fab_hinz) January 4, 2026

Nevertheless, target acquisition and engagement of a missile-armed drone is still far from straightforward. Its likely that the modern seeker used by the Igla-S or Verba makes it easier to engage aerial targets, compared to the R-60, with a reduced need to point the drone directly at the target. Still, the operator would have to trigger the launch of the missile after receiving the signal indicating a lock-on has been achieved.

A close-up of the front end of the MANPADS, with an actuator fitted to open the protective cap that covers the front of the tube before the missile is fired. via X

At the same time, the Shahed/Geran remains a slow and not particularly agile launch platform, and certainly not one that was designed with air-to-air combat in mind. Adding a top-mounted missile likely also degrades its maneuverability and affects its stability, but less than would be the case with an R-60.

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When it comes to finding aerial targets, the most likely scenario involves operating entirely reactively to what is seen visually on cameras around the drone or otherwise searching for targets of opportunity. Another option would involve the drone operator receiving target information from offboard assets, where applicable, but this seems less likely.

Bearing in mind the performance of the Shahed/Geran and the range of the MANPADS, the most likely targets would be the Mi-8/Mi-17 Hip series armed transport helicopters and the Mi-24 Hind series gunships that are routinely tasked with counter-drone missions. We have already seen that lower and slower-flying helicopters face a notable risk from relatively small kamikaze drones that simply fly into them. Ukrainian F-16s, MiG-29s, Su-27s and Mirage 2000s have also been tasked heavily as Shahed hunters, but engaging fighters with these weapons would be even tougher. Still their very existence would add a credible threat to fighters approaching them.

Footage showing the door gunner on a Mil Mi-8 Multirole Helicopter with the Ukrainian Air Force using his M134 Minigun to shoot down a Russian Shahed-136 Attack Drone. pic.twitter.com/UWBd8QUXEf  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 12, 2025

While it remains to be seen just how effective the combination of Shahed/Geran with a MANPADS (or R-60) is, these developments reflect a previous precedent for arming drones with air-to-air missiles. The deterrent effect of this can be seen in at least one instance from 2002, when a U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator drone fired a Stinger heat-seeking anti-air missile at an Iraqi MiG-25 Foxbat fighter that was trying to shoot it down, which can be seen in the video below.

These measures are also indicative of efforts being made by Russia to better defend the Shahed/Geran drones. Another recent development involves the apparent addition of infrared countermeasures to defeat drone interceptors and possible missiles fired by fighters. Attached to the rear of the drones stabilizing endplates, these appear to employ electrically heated cylindrical blocks to generate blooming infrared energy, like the Hot Brick system.

Ukrainian military radio technology specialist and consultant Serhii Flash Beskrestnov reported that Russian Geran-2 drones are now capable of blinding interceptor drones and aircraft.



According to him, the Russians are equipping their strike UAVs with infrared searchlights. pic.twitter.com/dtpnbKIklE  OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) January 3, 2026

For now, we have no evidence of a missile-equipped Shahed/Geran attempting to engage a Ukrainian aircraft, let alone bringing one down. However, having long-range one-way attack drones fitted with air defense missiles provides another complicating factor for Ukraine and illustrates the continued modifications being made to these weapons.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., railed against President Donald Trumps weekend strikes in Venezuela, but his criticism comes after a history of taking a softer approach to socialist dictators like former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Sanders, like several of his colleagues in the Senate Democratic caucus, argued that Trumps decision to strike Venezuelas capital Caracas without congressional approval broke the law and was another instance of the administration leapfrogging Congress war powers.

"Donald Trump has, once again, shown his contempt for the Constitution and the rule of law," Sanders said in a statement. "The President of the United States does NOT have the right to unilaterally take this country to war, even against a corrupt and brutal dictator like Maduro."

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Johnson Insists Us 'Not At War' After Closed-door Venezuela Briefing Divides Lawmakers

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., railed against the Trump administration's strikes in Caracas and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but he has a history of lauding communist and socialist strongmen. (Getty Images)

But the lawmakers decision to call Maduro a dictator is a shift. In previous years, Sanders has declined to place that label on him.

When Sanders was on the presidential campaign trail in 2019, he opted not to call Maduro a dictator, instead saying he would support an effort to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

Read On The Fox News App

"I think its fair to say that the last election was undemocratic, but there are still Democratic operations taking place in that country," Sanders said during a town hall at the time. "The point is, what Im calling for right now is an internationally supervised fair election."

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Kaine Tells Congress To 'Get Its A-- Off The Couch,' Reclaim War Powers

Nicolas Maduro is seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad, escorted by heavily armed federal agents as they make their way into an armored car en route to a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Jan. 5, 2026, in New York City.

Maduro, who was first elected in 2013, is accused of human rights abuses and working with cartels and narco gangs in South America and Mexico to distribute illicit drugs into the U.S.

However, Sanders has often accused Trump of engaging in authoritarianism.

"Under this administration, authoritarianism has taken root in our country," Sanders said on X in 2020. "As long as I am here, I will work with progressives, with moderates, and, yes, with conservatives to preserve this nation from a threat that so many of our heroes fought and died to defeat."

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Defiant Maduro Declares He Is A 'Prisoner Of War' In First Us Court Appearance

Fidel Castro observes the May Day parade at Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba, May 1, 1998.

The lawmaker has also been supportive of policies under former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. During his last presidential run, Sanders came under fire after a speech he made in the 1980s when he lauded the socialist policies installed by Castro and his regime.

Sanders was pressed on the speech during another town hall event on the campaign trail, where he noted that he had been consistently critical of authoritarian regimes across the globe.

Still, he contended that "there were a lot of folks in Cuba at that point who were illiterate. He formed the literacy brigade."

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"You know what, I think teaching people to read and write is a good thing," Sanders said.

Fox News Digital did not immediately hear back from Sanders' office for comment.





Original article source: Sanders slams Trump's Venezuela strike after years of soft rhetoric on socialist strongmen
While peering into some of the oldest regions of the known universe  dating back to just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang  an international team of astronomers made a puzzling discovery.

As detailed in a paper published the journal Nature, they discovered an extremely hot galaxy cluster thats far hotter and older than current theories allow.

In other words, the discovered cluster is, under our current best understanding of cosmology, impossible  which could upend our current understanding of how the early universe evolved.

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We didnt expect to see such a hot cluster atmosphere so early in cosmic history, said lead author and University of British Columbia PhD candidate Dazhi Zhou in a statement about the finding.

In fact, at first I was skeptical about the signal as it was too strong to be real, he added. But after months of verification, weve confirmed this gas is at least five times hotter than predicted, and even hotter and more energetic than what we find in many present-day clusters.

The astronomers best theory is that the cluster somehow got a massive head start  previously unimaginable even to top thinkers  thanks to black holes lurking at its core.

This tells us that something in the early universe, likely three recently discovered supermassive black holes in the cluster, were already pumping huge amounts of energy into the surroundings and shaping the young cluster, added coauthor and Dalhousie University professor Scott Chapman, much earlier and more strongly than we thought.

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Conventional theories suggest that galaxy clusters gain energy as the gases inside are pulled together and squeezed due to intensifying gravitational forces. The latest research, however, suggests theres more to how these clusters evolve  perhaps even a separate source beyond these gravitational forces.

The team found the strange readings when they analyzed observations by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in the Atacama desert in Chile that examined a baby galaxy cluster called SPT2349-56.

The cluster, which dates back to around 12 billion years, is huge: its core alone measures around half a million light-years across. Thats roughly the size of the halo that circles our own Milky Way galaxy, a vast region that contains globular clusters and older stars  yet it spawns stars more than 5,000 times faster.

The astronomers are hoping to figure out what allowed it to get so incredibly hot, a source of energy that defies our current models. The research suggests galaxy clusters evolve in a far more explosive manner than previously thought, aided by gravitational interactions between multiple supermassive black holes.

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We want to figure out how the intense star formation, the active black holes and this overheated atmosphere interact, and what it tells us about how present galaxy clusters were built, Zhou explained in the statement. How can all of this be happening at once in such a young, compact system?

Understanding galaxy clusters is the key to understanding the biggest galaxies in the universe, Chapman said. These massive galaxies mostly reside in clusters, and their evolution is heavily shaped by the very strong environment of the clusters as they form, including the intracluster medium.

More on galaxy clusters: Scientists Intrigued by Bridge of Dark Matter Inside Huge Galaxy Cluster
Heres what youll learn when you read this study:

The animal kingdom is full of examples of species that can fully regenerate their vision, but unfortunately, humans are not among them.

A new study highlights that mammals arent without some nifty trickscells in the eyes of mice increased branching, or sprouting, to compensate for damaged cells.

Interestingly, the study revealed that male mice recovered more quickly and completely after injury than female mice, which echoes how women typically experience symptoms of concussion for longer than men.

Billions of people globally experience some kind of vision impairment, with many millions living with near or total blindness. With such an astounding number of people functionally lacking our most primary sense for navigating through the world, scientists have eagerly pursued methods to restore human vision. But while other members of the animal kingdom display remarkable methods of vision regeneration, mammals largely lack these restorative powers.

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However, we might not be completely without biological advantages, and scientists hope that understanding the ways our body does restore some level of vision after injury could lead to therapies for vision-based maladies.

Within the human body, its mostly seen as a given that neurons do not regenerate once damage. But this didnt explain how people appeared to regain some ability, including vision, after a traumatic injury. To investigate, scientists from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland explored what happens between connections of cells in the visual system and neurons in the brain in mice after an injury. While neurons didnt regrow, the researchers did notice that surviving cells increased branching, allowing for more connections in the brain. Eventually, this branching processknown as sproutingresulted in nearly the same number of connections as before the injury. The results of this study were published in the journal JNeurosci.

The central nervous system is characterized by its limited regenerative potential, yet striking examples of functional recovery after injury in animal models and humans highlight its capacity for repair, the authors wrote. Here we [] explore, for the first time, the evolution of structural and functional changes in the terminal fields of the injured visual system.

While the mice in the study did recover to an extent, the scientists were surprised to see that recovery wasnt uniform across sexes. Male mice showed enhanced recuperative abilities, while female mice experienced slower and incomplete repair by comparison. While an unexplained discovery, the phenomenon isnt wholly unexpected.

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Women experience more lingering symptoms from concussion or brain injury than men, Johns Hopkins Universitys Athanasios Alexandris, the lead author of the study, said in a press statement. Understanding the mechanism behind the branch sprouting we observedand what delays or prevents this mechanism in femalescould eventually point toward strategies to promote recovery from traumatic or other forms of neural injury.

While the mammalian body offers effective strategies for restoring vision, scientists are looking across the entire animal kingdom for methods of ocular regeneration. In August of 2025, scientists reported on the inner genetic workings of the apple snails eye-restoring abilities, and a few months prior, another team achieved partial vision restoration in mice by leveraging the evolutionary strategies of zebrafish.

For now, humans lack methods for fully regenerating cells that can completely restore our much-needed vision. But scientists are eagerly hunting for clues to unlock this biological secretwhether in far-flung phylums or within our own bodies.



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FIRST ON FOX  Republican Jim Ellison wants to prevent New Mexico from turning into another California.

That is a key reason why Ellison, a former commissioner of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, on Tuesday launched a campaign for governor in the blue-leaning southwestern state in the 2026 race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

In a statement announcing his candidacy that was shared first with Fox News Digital, Ellison argued that polices under the current administration are setting the stage for a dramatic increase in electricity rates.

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Fraud Fallout Forces Walz To Abandon Gubernatorial Re-election Bid

Republican Jim Ellison on Tuesday launched a campaign for New Mexico governor. (Fox News)

Ellison, who has decades of experience in the power and energy sectors, warned, "Over the next ten years, electric rates will double or triple if our state continues down this path of becoming another California."

Head Here For The Latest Fox News Reporting On The 2026 Gubernatorial Elections

Read On The Fox News App

"At a time when affordability is on the ballot, the reality is that Democrat-led energy policies are making life less affordable for New Mexicans. They will also make our state less attractive for economic development. We need a leader with vision to reverse course before it's too late," Ellison said. "I'm ready to make changes that promote electric rate affordability."

Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026.

Ellison joins a Republican gubernatorial field that already includes Rio Rancho Mayor Greg Hull, state Sen. Steve Lanier, and Duke Rodriguez, a former secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department.

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A trio of Democrats has launched campaigns, including frontrunner Deb Haaland, a former congresswoman who served as secretary of the Interior in the Biden administration, making history as the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a Democrat, is running for New Mexico governor in 2026.

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While Democrats have dominated federal elections in New Mexico, the last six gubernatorial administrations have alternated between Republicans and Democrats. And if the pattern holds, a Republican governor would be elected in November.





Original article source: Scoop: Republican energy veteran launches bid for governor, vowing to flip blue-state New Mexico
(The Center Square)  The Seattle Police Department has clarified that officers will continue to make arrests for drug-related charges when probable cause exists, with the City Attorneys Office then determining next steps, including diversion to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program.

The Seattle City Attorney is Erika Evans, who officially assumed office on Jan. 1. She won the November general election, defeating the incumbent, Ann Davison.

Mondays clarification followed the backlash over an internal email from Chief Shon Barnes on Jan. 1, which indicated a policy shift to divert all drug possession and use cases to the LEAD program, rather than pursuing traditional prosecution.

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The New Years Day email  obtained by The Center Square  stated the following: Effective immediately, all charges related to drug possession and/or drug use will be diverted from prosecution to the LEAD program. All instances of drug use or possession will be referred to Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)  a program designed to redirect lowlevel offenders in King County from the criminal justice system into supportive social services."

If an individual fails to comply with the LEAD program, traditional prosecutorial measures will apply. As you know, LEAD is a familiar alternative to arrest program that we have been utilizing for some time. This change aligns with Seattle City Ordinance 126896. Please note that this diversion does not apply to individuals who are ineligible for LEAD or to those arrested for selling or delivering controlled substances. User quantity cases may be diverted; sell and deliver cases will not.

LEAD was first launched as a pilot program in 2011 and is currently offered in Seattles West, East, North, and South Police Precinct patrol areas as well as in Metro Transit zones and on Metro buses through the King County Sheriffs Office.

Barnes New Years Day email drew criticism from Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan, who said jail diversion programs reinforce suicidal empathy.

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Solan said many Seattle police officers are reluctant to refer cases to LEAD because they do not believe the programs underlying ideology of jail diversion is effective.

[LEAD] is a waste of time. Weve all seen how our streets can be filled with death, decay, blight and crime when ideology like this infects our city, Solan said in a social media post on Sunday. Now with this resurrected insane direction, death, destruction and more human suffering will be supercharged.

Solans statement drew immediate comments from Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh, who claimed in a Sunday night social media post that new Mayor Katie Wilson issued an imbecile order preventing police from arresting suspects of open drug use.

Wilson has since denied allegations of a directive that ordered officers to halt open drug use arrests.

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Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank also responded to Solans post by inviting Seattle police officers and guild members to transfer to the Pierce County Sheriffs Office laterally.

Seattles support for the LEAD program continues in 2026, with the city recently approving increased funding by dedicating up to 25% of a sales tax increase to addiction treatment services, including LEAD.

Seattle previously stopped officers from arresting people for using drugs between 2021 and 2023. In 2021, the Washington Supreme Court ruled, in what is known as the Blake decision, that the felony drug possession law was unconstitutional because it criminalized unknowing possession. In May 2023, the Legislature passed a new law that made possession and public use of the substance a gross misdemeanor.

Following the Legislatures Blake fix, Seattle made the use or possession of controlled substances in a public place a gross misdemeanor, while prioritizing jail diversion for offenders, where officers can refer people in custody to programs like LEAD.
Police took an illegal weapon from a convicted felon in Downtown Seattle this weekend.

According to SPD, at around 5 a.m. last Saturday, patrol officers saw a man armed with a knife along 3rd Avenue.

Police say the 35-year-old man cooperated with officers while being detained.

Officers removed the handle from his pocket, revealing a large fixed-blade knife with a handle comprised of brass knuckles, according to the police report.

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The suspect was identified as a convicted felon with a violent person caution. The knife was seized as evidence, but the man was released once officers completed their investigation.

Police did recommend criminal charges to the City Attorneys Office for Unlawful Use of Weapons.
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  Secretary of State Monae Johnson is asking the South Dakota Legislature to permit county auditors to use ballot-on-demand systems, which print an official ballot on an as-needed basis.

The change proposed in Senate Bill 28 would, if approved, take effect immediately.

Setting a baseline for 2026 property tax debate

It is one of seven measures that Johnsons office has pre-filed in advance of the 2026 legislative session that officially starts on Tuesday, January 13. The secretary of state oversees elections in South Dakota, while county auditors run them.

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Other changes in state election law sought by Johnson include:

Senate Bill 29 would amend provisions pertaining to the tabulation of ballots and permit the release of any cast vote record and collection of ballot images produced by automatic tabulating equipment.

Senate Bill 30 would expand the reasons for challenging an individuals eligibility to vote by adding the requirement that a person be a U.S. citizen.

Senate Bill 31 would permit the use of a confirmation letter to verify a voters registration.

Senate Bill 32 would reduce the number of ballots a voter receives by adding to the official ballot the names of non-partisan judicial candidates and the names of candidates for political parties precinctman and precinctwoman. Those offices previously have been on separate ballots.

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Senate Bill 33 would modify the number of signatures required on certain election-related petitions.

It says new political parties could be started with 3,500 signatures from registered voters; and people running for federal or statewide elected office could file candidacy petitions with 2,250 signatures from their partys registered voters, or with signatures of 3,500 registered voters from any affiliation if the person is running as an independent.

Independent candidates for legislative or county office would need signatures from 150 registered voters regardless of affiliation. Unchanged would be the current 50-signature requirement for partisan candidates for legislative or county offices.

Those changes, if approved, wouldnt take effect until January 1, 2027.

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Senate Bill 34 would make various changes regarding combined elections for school board and municipal offices.

Johnson, of Rapid City, is formally seeking the Republican nomination to run for election to a second term this November. That decision will be made by delegates at the statewide Republican convention this summer.

Another potential candidate, Republican Rep. Heather Baxter of Rapid City, has announced that she plans to challenge for the Republican nomination.

Democrats so far have one announced candidate, Terrence Davis of Sioux Falls.

South Dakota voters havent re-elected a secretary of state since Republican Chris Nelson won a second term in 2006. The most recent time a Democrat was elected as South Dakota secretary of state was 1974.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual abuse.

A man is on trial in southern France accused of drugging and sexually abusing women, as well as filming some of the assaults.

Dance teacher and self-taught hypnotherapist Cyril Zattara is charged with raping 14 women over a decade, as well as allegedly secretly filming around 20 other women.

Zattara, who has been held in detention awaiting trial since 2021, has admitted 10 rape charges.

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The trial is being held behind closed doors in the city of Aix-en-Provence at the request of one of the alleged victims, and is due to last at least two weeks. Others had sought open proceedings, saying they wanted their voices to be heard by as many people as possible.

Zattara would allegedly slip sleeping pills into women's drinks before sexually assaulting them, a police investigation found. He allegedly often targeted women he was friends with or in intimate relationships with.

Investigators found photos and videos on Zattara's computer that showed the alleged victims in a lethargic state during sex.

One woman, who filed a complaint against the defendant in 2019 after attending one of his hypnosis sessions, said she had drunk some wine he had offered her and later woke up, recalling in fragments that she had been raped by Zattara and that she had been vomiting.

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His DNA was found under her fingernails and on her underwear, while toxicology results showed powerful sleep-inducing drugs in her system.

The Zattara trial follows the high-profile case of Dominique Pelicot, who was jailed for 20 years after drugging and raping his ex-wife Gisele and inviting dozens of strangers to also abuse her over nearly a decade.

If you have been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.
Mandatory minimum sentences require judges to impose fixed prison terms for certain crimes regardless of circumstances. They emerged in the 1980s along with the war on drugs, tough on crime politics and concerns about sentencing inconsistencies, dramatically curtailing the discretion of state and federal judges in relevant cases. From the beginning, these sentencing strictures have raised questions about the nature of justice and the quality of mercy. The opposing arguments reflect competing visions of fairness: equal treatment through standardization versus the wisdom of judges weighing each case in context. Which should our legal system prioritize?

Justice is served

Mandatory minimums define the stakes of committing certain crimes, then punish accordingly, leaving no room for sentimentality or bias. They embody fairness as our legal system defines it: equal justice under the law, for everyone, regardless of race or class, gender or immigration status. By establishing a floor for punishment, mandatory minimums standardize what could otherwise be head-spinning variance from one jurisdiction to another. They ensure that certain crimes will be punished according to the will of the people, rather than the personal whims of different judges.

Mandatory minimums also help to deter would-be criminals. Research shows that certainty of punishment is more important to deterrence than severity, although the latter can also help by extending the time in confinement where it is impossible for inmates to reoffend. No wonder the proliferation of mandatory minimums has coincided with plummeting crime nationwide. As determinate sentencing and existing mandatory minimums have taken hold over the last generation, says Georgetown Law adjunct professor Bill Otis, crime is down by 50%. Not only is the system of determinate sentencing not broken, it is very likely the most successful domestic initiative of the last half-century.

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By primarily targeting serious criminals and repeat offenders  the federal system exempts certain low-level defendants  mandatory minimums give prosecutors the leverage they need to achieve justice quickly and consistently by negotiating plea bargains from a position of strength. Avoiding expensive trials keeps costs down. That same leverage can be used to persuade defendants to disclose information that can be used to dismantle criminal organizations, especially useful in drug cases. They are a valuable tool in our shared pursuit of public safety.

Less frequently discussed, mandatory minimums are also more democratic. Theyre determined by legislators, who are directly elected to embody the will of the people. Meanwhile, reforms that would eliminate these standards threaten to reverse downturns in violent crime. It will give more power to ideologically driven judges for whom no criminal is without an excuse, adds Otis, and it will pave the way for the creeping return of irrational disparity in sentencing.

One size fails all

Mandatory minimums remove human judgment and replace it with flat, bureaucratic rules. Judges exist to judge, and their sentencing decisions, which come after guilt has been determined by jury or a change of plea, have perhaps the most gravity. Informed by the available facts, victim-impact statements and mitigating factors, theyre uniquely positioned to weigh the circumstances of each defendant. Mandatory minimums strip away this great power and responsibility, replacing it with something less than just.

It may seem counterintuitive, but mandatory minimums disproportionately impact minority populations. Researchers at the University of Michigan have shown that prosecutors are more likely to bring charges that carry mandatory minimums against Black offenders. Another study found that prosecutors were more likely to charge Black and Latino defendants with such crimes, more so in states that separately rated higher in metrics of racism and discrimination. African Americans are 13% of the nations population but 37% of the prison population, and 1 in 3 African American men spends time incarcerated, writes conservative Washington Post columnist George Will. All this takes a staggering toll on shattered families and disordered neighborhoods.

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In practice, mandatory minimums have upset the constitutional balance. At least one federal judge has compared them to a sledgehammer that prosecutors can use to pressure defendants into waiving their constitutional right to a trial by jury. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws can expose defendants to draconian prison terms if convicted at trial, Mike Fox wrote for the libertarian Cato Institute earlier this year. This stark disparity, known as the trial penalty, creates a coercive environment in which even those who insist on their innocence may feel compelled to plead guilty. Further, when less cases go to trial, that removes a check that once encouraged governmental restraint.

Finally, mandatory minimums sow distrust in the courts. Many judges who are required to impose mandatory minimum sentences dont agree with them  and say so. If the judge sees an outcome as unfair, why should anyone else trust the system? No wonder one 2024 poll shows that 70% of American voters now favor the elimination of mandatory minimums  including 60% of Republicans.

This story appears in the January/February 2026 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
Several people were injured when a stairwell of a single-family home collapsed during a rescue operation in south-western Germany, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at around 10 am (0900 GMT) in the town of Oppenweiler, near Stuttgart, while firefighters and paramedics were at the scene attending to a "medical emergency," police said in a statement.

The exact number of people injured was initially unclear, as was the cause of the collapse.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, according to police.

Large numbers of emergency forces have been deployed to the scene, it said.
AUTHORS NOTE: The dates below are subject to change based on proceedings leading up to each trial date. Check back in this story for updates.

TEXOMA (KFDX/KJTL)  After two busy years in district courts across Texoma, the year 2026 looks to continue the trend of seeing major criminal cases go to trial.

In 2024 and 2025, Texoma district courts were full, with dozens of cases going before a judge and jury and reaching a long-awaited conclusion.

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Below are some of the major felony trials that will take place in district courts across Texoma in the first few months of 2026:

Jarrod Canada  97th District Court (Archer County)

READ MORE: Archer County man jailed for indecency counts

On January 20, 2026, in the 97th Judicial District Court in Archer County, Jarrod Canada is set to stand trial on two counts of indecency with a child, as well as one count of aggravated perjury and one count of tampering with a witness.

Canada was indicted in 2023 and has been in custody since his initial arrest, which stemmed from an outcry made by a 14-year-old girl, alleging that Canada had molested her on multiple occasions.

Alfrenzo Wyatt  30th District Court (Wichita County)

On January 27, 2026, two district courts in the Wichita County Courthouse will hold jury trials. In the 30th District Court, Alfrenzo Wyatt will stand trial for two counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child.

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The charges against Wyatt stem from allegations made by a female victim, claiming that Wyatt assaulted her over four days in February and March of 2019.

David Lee Harrison  78th District Court (Wichita County)

READ MORE: 78-year-old child sex crimes defendant seels lower bond

Down the hall from the 30th District Court, also on Jan. 27, 2026, another trial is set to begin in the 78th District Court for a man accused of multiple child sex crimes.

David Lee Harrison was initially charged with sexual assault in 2022 after what police called a predatory pattern of sexual abuse.

Harrison was free on bond for nearly three years, until he was arrested again in June 2025 after prosecutors filed six new charges against him. He now faces five additional counts of sexual assault of a child and one additional count of indecency with a child.

Matthew Miser  97th District Court (Clay County)

READ MORE: Man accused of indecency, bestiality pleads to killing small dog

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On February 23, 2026, in Clay Countys 97th Judicial District Courtroom, a man facing multiple child sex crimes is set to go to trial.

Matthew Miser faces charges of indecency with a child by contact, indecency with a child by exposure, and bestiality involving a child, stemming from allegations from an 8-year-old girl, who made an outcry in 2019 that shed done something bad involving MIser.

Matison Preville  89th District Court (Wichita County)

READ MORE: Trial date specially set for capital murder defendant

The month of April will see two major Wichita County cases go before a judge and jury. The first will begin on April 6, 2026, in the 89th District Court.

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Matison Preville was charged with felony murder after the body of his former girlfriend was found abandoned in a field near Cashion in June 2025. The charge was upgraded to capital murder after police learned that hed created a ruse to kidnap her and murder her.

Danny Martinez  30th District Court (Wichita County)

READ MORE: Ex-Wichita County D.A. staffer indicted on 10 child sex crimes

On April 20, 2026, Wichita Countys 30th District Court will hold the trial of Danny Martinez, a former investigator with the Wichita County District Attorneys Office.

Martinez was indicted by a Wichita County grand jury on 10 counts of sex crimes against children. Originally, Martinez indicated that he intended to represent himself; however, court documents show that an attorney was appointed to represent him in December 2025.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

You can now stream KFDX and Texomas FOX live 24/7 on your smart TV with KFDX+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
BURLINGTON, Vt (ABC22/FOX44)  Whether its from a family member, friend, or partner giving and receiving love notes is an easy way to warm the soul during these cold winter months.

Officials with the Church Street Marketplace are hoping youll share that love with the community.

Next month marks the start of Burlingtons Month of Love campaign when Church Street will be decked out with lights, pops of red and pink and even some new interactive artwork.

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In addition to all of that, marketplace officials are asking Vermonters to submit a Love Note, which will eventually be displayed at participating businesses downtown.

Marketplace director Samantha McGinnis says its an opportunity to celebrate the people and places that make Burlington so unique.

You could say, hey Phoenix books, I love grabbing a book from you, its a great way to acknowledge the unsung heros in our community and give everyone a bit of joy and sparkle during the cold winter months.

Once the notes are posted, McGinnis encourages folks to walk the marketplace and find theirs.

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Last year, over 60 businesses participated.

You can send your Love Note now through January 18th, a link to the online form can be found here.

Click here to learn more about the Month of Love initiative.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Heather Hoffman nearly got away with murder.

Then, her carefully crafted alibi fell apart, exposing her as a manipulative and calculated killer.

Hoffman proved she would stop at nothing to get what she wantedeven if it meant taking a lifein a haunting case featured in Snappeds Season 36 premiere.

As Minot Police Detective Kristin Guerton said, She has no remorse."

For more on Snapped:

Why Jealous Girlfriend Kills 19-Year-Old California College Student in Cold Blood

Why.a Georgia Woman Plotted With "Boyfriend" and Others to Have Her Husband Killed

Iowa Woman Fatally Shot Her Boyfriend Four Times: Why Her Self-Defense Alibi Raised Eyebrows

Heather Hoffman and Alex Eckert Meet

In what seemed like the start of a fairy tale romance, Hoffman met Alex Eckert while working at Walt Disney World

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Eckert, a recent prep school graduate from an affluent Florida family, had put off college to work at the theme park. Meanwhile, Hoffman, a former beauty pageant contestant from North Dakota, was hoping for a fresh start after surviving a brain tumor.

They seemed like the perfect couple, the ideal couple, Eckerts friend Jason Dougan remembered. Madly in love with each other.

A year into the relationship, Hoffman returned to North Dakota to be closer to family and invited Eckert to join her. The couple learned in the summer of 2020 that they were expecting a daughter.

He was overjoyed. This was an amazing thing, friend Toni Mershon remarked. It was scary, but it was a good thing.

Alex Eckert

Eckert worked his way up to a supervisor role at a retail store, eager to take care of his young family, while Hoffman worked on a nearby Air Force base.

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But the stress of being new parents proved to be too much for the couple and they split up just seven months after their daughters birth, triggering a heated custody battle.

Heather was accusing Alex, saying he was a drunk and saying all these horrible, untrue things, which was, he was a bad father and stuff, friend Dani Dodson recalled. I think it just really took a toll on him.

Hoffman had even accused Eckert of child abuse and sexual abuse, but with no evidence to back up her claim, the case quickly became inactive.

RELATED: How Police Say Cigarette Butts Led to Arrest of Child "Sexual Predator" More Than 2 Decades After Incidents

What Happened to Alex Eckert?

Then, at 12:40 a.m. on April 22, 2022, police were called to the scene of a local apartment complex. They discovered Eckertclad in his pajamasdead in the doorway of his apartment. The 22-year-old had been shot in the head with a .45-caliber gun.

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The door wasnt kicked in, it wasnt rammed, no damage anything like that, Minot Police Detective Robbie Sumlin said. So it signified to us that whoever Alex opened the door for or whoever went into the apartment, Alex knew.

Heather Hoffman Insists She Was At Home

Given the heated custody dispute between Eckert and Hoffman, detectives quickly honed in on the new momwho was living on the Minot Air Force Baseas a possible suspect.

However, Hoffman insisted she arrived home around 5:20 p.m. and never left, which she confirmed by showing detectives her Life360 app. The Air Force base also confirmed there was no record of her leaving the base, seemingly giving her a solid alibi.

According to Guerton, Hoffman painted her ex as basically a monster, accusing him of abusing her and their daughter.

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When asked who could have wanted to hurt him, Hoffman responded, I dont know. Honestly, theres a lot of people in his life that are pretty sketchy.

Yet, the picture she painted didnt seem to match what detectives learned from others. Eckerts friends and coworkers described him as a devoted dad, who hated drinking and was committed to trying to co-parent with his ex. In fact, according to Eckerts friends, he had been afraid of Hoffman and her family.

The judge in their custody case ordered Hoffman to let Eckert have unsupervised visits with his daughter.

Heather Hoffmans Alibi Falls Apart After Surprising Witness Account

As the investigation continued, detectives found surveillance footage that placed the shooting at 10:28 p.m., several hours before Eckerts body was discovered. Though the footage didnt capture the actual shooting, it did capture two shadowy figures, one significantly taller than the other, walking to the apartment complex just before the sound of a gunshot. The same two figures were then seen walking back through the cameras view minutes later.

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A neighbor also called police to report finding the murder weapon on the ground, not far from Eckerts apartment.

RELATED: Atlanta Police Officer Accused of Killing Girlfriend in Murder-Suicide After Christmas Holiday Party: "There's Blood Everywhere"

Detectives finally got the break they needed when Hoffmans coworker called to report that the grieving mom had been practicing how she planned to react to Eckerts death.

Hoffmans supervisor also called police after noticing that she had created a work order, claiming a man named Jesse was at her familys house the night of the murder to fix a furnace. It struck her boss as odd, however, because Jesse had not been the maintenance worker on-call that night. Investigators learned the work order had been forged and was created after the murder to seemingly give both Hoffman and Jesse an alibi.

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After detectives confronted Jesse, he cracked, telling police that he had driven Hoffman to Eckerts apartment that night while she hid in the back seat of his vehicle so that she could avoid detection at the base gate.

Heather Hoffman

Who Killed Alex Eckert?

According to Jesse, he believed Hoffman only wanted to speak to her ex and he agreed to wait for her nearby, but then the situation took a dramatic turn.

When [Eckert] opened the door, he said, Heather, what are you doing? Were not doing this right now, Jesse told detectives, adding that he heard Hoffman say does it look like Im joking? just before a gunshot went off.

After the murder, Jesse told detectives Hoffman threatened him and ordered him to stay quiet.

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Police linked Hoffman to the murder weapon after evidence emerged that shed purchased the weapon at a gun show a month earlier and ballistics tests matched the firearm to the shell casing at the scene. An autopsy report also revealed that Eckerts killer had been shorter than him, matching someone of Hoffmans height.

Heather snapped because she knew it was coming towards the end and Alex was going to get custody, Sumlin said. "This was her last ditch effort to try to do something to get the child.

Hoffman was arrested and charged with murder. She was convicted of killing Eckert and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jesse was never charge in relation to the death.

The couples child is now being raised by Hoffmans sister. A judge ordered that Hoffman have no contact with her daughter.
Sheetz, the chain of gas stations, has announced on Facebook that its former president, CEO, and chairman of the board, Stephen G. Sheetz, has passed away at the age of 77. He was the younger brother of Bob Sheetz, who originally founded the chain in 1957, which Stephen then took over as CEO in 1984 and ran until 1996.

Sheetz began working at his brother's eponymous company when he was just 12 years old. He has been shaping the success and direction of the Sheetz chain throughout his life, and many of his family members directly credit him for the success the chain enjoys today. "Without hesitation, I would say Steve has been the leader in the family," Bob Sheetz told Altoona Mirror. It was Stephen who introduced the company's now-famous Made-To-Order model, which is unusual for gas stations. And yet, it's what Sheetz is mostly known for today, allowing hungry road trippers to indulge in their wildest cravings with over a million possible food combinations, next to the already-interesting menu. It was Stephen's vision to prioritize the customer, and that vision has defined Sheetz as a company ever since.

Read more: 15 Old-School Diner Foods That You Don't See On Menus Anymore

Stephen Sheetz has significantly shaped and expanded the Sheetz chain

Entrantce to Sheetz at night, with a bright sign above the doors - PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock

Stephen Sheetz was the one who took Sheetz from a convenience store to a gas station by entering the fuel business, and so expanding its reach well beyond selling gas station snacks. He is also credited with the expansion of Sheetz beyond Pennsylvania. As of 2025, the chain has a presence in six other states: Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Overall, there are more than 800 Sheetz locations, and even Duff Goldman's favorite fast food item is a meatball sub from Sheetz.

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After Stephen Sheetz stepped down from his position as CEO, he remained in leadership and consultation positions, helping shape the company further. Travis Sheetz, Stephen's nephew and the company's current CEO, expressed the family's gratitude "for his leadership, vision, and steadfast commitment to our employees, customers, and communities," CBS News reported.

Stephen was a revered member of the Altoona community, supporting many charities and being a renowned philanthropist. But above all, he was a family man. In his final days, his daughter, Meghan, told the Altoona Mirror that Stephen was surrounded by his large family in the hospital, including his many grandchildren. "He was telling stories and cracking jokes and eating his favorite snacks  apple fritters from Sheetz."

Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday took more shots at Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), insisting there was something wrong with the Kentucky Republican.

In recent months, Massie repeatedly broke from the GOP and criticized the actions of Trump. Massie has most notably aligned with Democrats on the issue of deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, joining Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) in his crusade to release the Epstein files.

Weeks before U.S. forces invaded Venezuela and apprehended President Nicolas Maduro, Massie claimed Trumps interest in the country was primarily about oil and regime change.

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In response, Trump has consistently shaded Massie for his perceived betrayal of the Republican Party. On Christmas, the president called out Massie by name in a Truth Social post.

During his remarks at a GOP retreat in Washington, D.C., Trump praised the efforts of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) before continuing his attacks on Massie:

A lot of times theyll say, I wish Mike were tougher. Hes tough. Hes tough as anybody in the room, actually. But cant be tough when you have a majority of three  and now, sadly, a little bit less than that. But, you cant be Trump. You cant, I want you! You know, you make 10 enemies, 20 enemies. Thats the end of that, right? mused Trump. Everybody loves him. I would say theres one person hes given up on. He just gave up on this guy. Hes so bad. He never votes for us. No matter how good, he wont vote for us. Theres a sickness there. Theres something wrong. You can have the greatest bill, the greatest for the country  forget about for Republicans  great, great, great for the country. Im a no vote. We dont even bother calling him at three in the morning, do we?

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Theres a Sickness There: Trump Tells House Republicans Theres Something Wrong With Their Colleague Thomas Massie first appeared on Mediaite.
SMITHVILLE  The Smithville Ruritan Club 1096 awarded $600 academic scholarships to Green Local School seniors who graduated in May 2025.

The scholarships were awarded during the club's Christmas dinner Dec. 18, according to a community announcement.

Smithville Ruritan Club 1096 has awarded $600 academic scholarships to three recent Green Local School graduates. From left are Scholarship Chair Phil Gresser, Maren Thorn, Jenna Necko and Club President Bryan Woodward. Not pictured is scholarship recipient Taryn Fath.

Jenna Necko, Maren Thorn and Taryn Fath  all now attending college  were invited to share their first-semester experiences.

Necko is attending the University of Mount Union and received the Feusier Scholarship. Thorn, attending the University of Findlay, received the Build Your Dollar Scholarship. Fath is attending Liberty University in Virginia and received the Maynard & Gloria Yoh Scholarship.

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This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Smithville Ruritan Club awards scholarships to three Green seniors
Over 2,700 flights in and out of Amsterdam, one of Europe's busiest airports, have been canceled since Friday.

Snowfall has disrupted travel, forcing some inbound flights to divert to other European cities.

A KLM flight spent over two hours taxiing around the airport before going back to the gate.

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport has led the world in cancellations over the past few days as snow disrupted travel in the Netherlands.

More than 2,700 flights were canceled in and out of the Dutch capital between last Friday and Tuesday, as of 4 p.m. per data from FlightAware.

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In that time, the cancellation rate rose from 28% to around half of all scheduled flights.

Handling over 66 million passengers a year, Amsterdam is the fourth-busiest airport in Europe and is a major hub for transcontinental travellers.

As it has a temperate climate and is near the sea, snow is relatively rare in Amsterdam. As such, when it does happen, it can have an outsize impact on travel. This week, several issues, including the snow, high winds, and a lack of capacity for de-icing planes in the cold weather, have combined to exacerbate the disruption at Schiphol Airport.

Data from Flightradar24 showed the chaos on the tarmac on Monday.

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A KLM flight was supposed to take off for London at 9 a.m. But after it left the gate, it taxied around the airport twice before going back to the gate after almost two and a half hours.

Flight-tracking data also showed how an Emirates Airbus A380 spent three hours on the tarmac after landing before being able to move to its assigned gate.

It later flew back to Dubai, seven hours behind schedule.

For about an hour on Monday morning, some incoming flights had to divert while the weather was at its worst, an airport spokesperson said.

These included an Air Canada flight that diverted to Frankfurt, Germany; two KLM flights from South America that landed in Paris; and a Garuda Indonesia flight from Jakarta that ended up in Brussels.

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Flights that were still able to take off from Schiphol have faced average delays of almost two hours.

With temperatures below freezing, the delays are, in part, being caused by queues for de-icing. Every plane has to be clear of snow and ice before it can take off.

KLM, the Dutch flag carrier, said it is responsible for de-icing most of the planes at Schiphol. However, it added, stocks of de-icing fluid are running low and its German supplier "is unable to guarantee timely replenishment."

"This challenge is currently widespread across Europe," the airline said. "KLM is doing everything possible to secure additional supply, for example, KLM will collect the fluid itself in Germany."

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It added that its 25 de-icing trucks have all been in continuous use since Friday, and its team of 100 employees has been working "around the clock."

The Schiphol spokesperson said the airport is "continuing to monitor the weather situation closely."

"At present, only limited flight operations are possible," they added.

Are you caught up in the disruption in Amsterdam? Reach out to this reporter at psyme@businessinsider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
A snowmobiler was killed after an avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range buried him in snow on Jan. 5, authorities said.

The avalanche unfolded the afternoon of Jan. 5 in the area of Johnson and Castle peaks, near Truckee, California, which is outside Lake Tahoe, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. A 911 call at 2:19 p.m. local time informed authorities that the avalanche had caught a group of snowmobilers, with one unaccounted for.

First responders deployed ski teams and snowmobile teams, the sheriff's office said in a statement. Several minutes after the avalanche, the missing snowmobiler, who was not identified, was found buried under the snow, according to the statement.

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"He was recovered by fellow recreationists and despite lifesaving efforts, he did not survive," the sheriff's office said.

From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding, Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.



People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. A vehicle stands across flood waters flowing on a road after torrential rains in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab from a handout video. Flood waters flow as houses ad trees remain partially submerged after torrential rains in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab from a handout video. A helicopter flies over a flooded area after evacuating people stranded on the roof of a building in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Flood waters flow as houses remain partially submerged after torrential rains in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab from a handout video. People get into a helicopter after they were stranded on the roof of a building as floods partially submerged the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Cars drive through a large puddle at Cortez Street in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. A tree limb was left dangling on some wires on Orange Drive and Balboa Street in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Cars drive through a large puddle at the intersection of Cortez Street and Ventura Boulevard in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Steve Cruz, a Camarillo city worker, moves large chunks of a fallen tree off Santa Rosa Road after a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. A car drives through a flooded road on La Cienega Boulevard on Dec. 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A "strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to California through Friday," the National Weather Service said in a statement on December 23, warning anyone in northern, central and southern parts of the state to "exercise extreme caution." Heavy rain is seen from Kenneth Hahn Park blocking the view of the city skyline on Dec.24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A "strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to California through Friday," the National Weather Service said in a statement on December 23, warning anyone in northern, central and southern parts of the state to "exercise extreme caution." (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776435280 ORIG FILE ID: 2252763571 Workers cut and move a tree which fell at the Westfield Topanga shopping centre in the Canoga Park area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Shoppers walk through a parking lot on a rainy Christmas Eve morning at the Westfield Topanga shopping centre in the Canoga Park area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. A man checks the damage caused by driving through a flooded road on La Cienega Boulevard on Dec. 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A "strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to California through Friday," the National Weather Service said in a statement on December 23, warning anyone in northern, central and southern parts of the state to "exercise extreme caution." A car drives through a flooded road on La Cienega Boulevard on Dec. 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A "strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to California through Friday," the National Weather Service said in a statement on December 23, warning anyone in northern, central and southern parts of the state to "exercise extreme caution." Cars drive through puddles as heavy rain falls due to an atmospheric river, in an intersection in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Cars drive through puddles as heavy rain falls due to an atmospheric river, in an intersection in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. City workers try to remove a tree that felt on a wall next to the Hollywood Water Reserve on Dec.24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A "strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to California through Friday," the National Weather Service said in a statement on December 23, warning anyone in northern, central and southern parts of the state to "exercise extreme caution." Leticia Serafin (R) cooks tamales with her husband Paul Fonseca, center, and friend Pedro Jimenez, who holds up his phone light, ahead of the atmospheric river storm on Dec. 23, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. The couple lost their home of 25 years in the Eaton Fire and are residing in a donated travel trailer on their property as they make plans to rebuild. They make tamales every year to distribute to family and friends on Christmas Eve, and continued the tradition this year. A flood watch will be in effect for much of the region through Christmas Eve, with evacuation warnings in place for residents near recent burn areas. Meteorologists are calling for five straight days of precipitation, with the highest rainfall totals predicted for Christmas Eve, along with heavy snow in higher elevation mountain regions. Strong atmospheric river brings floods, snow, high winds to California 1 of 20 From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding, Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.



People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.

Emergency personnel remained on the scene to extract the victim and make sure there were no other people caught in the avalanche, the sheriff's office said. Recreationists were urged to avoid the area.

"The Sheriffs Office extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones impacted by this tragic incident," the statement said.

In this photo from Feb. 4, 2025, rain and wet snow fall on Donner Lake near Truckee, California, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Avalanche comes after another death in California mountains

The death on Jan. 5 comes just over a week after a 30-year-old ski patroller was killed in another avalanche at Mammoth Mountain, also in the Sierra Nevadas about 175 miles south of Truckee.

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Cole Murphy was conducting mitigation work for ski resort guests after more than 5 feet of snow fell in three days when he and another ski patroller were caught in an avalanche on Dec. 26. Murphy died of his injuries on Dec. 28.

Read more: Young ski patroller who 'felt most alive' in the mountains is killed in avalanche

The considerable snow that fell over the Sierra Nevada mountain range caused multiple avalanches after Christmas, with high avalanche danger at the time, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.

On Jan. 5, the center said the central Sierra Nevada area expected to see unstable snow as strong winds picked up. There was a "considerable" risk of avalanches above and near the tree-line level, the center said.

Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers and Carly Sauvageau, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Snowmobiler dies after avalanche in California mountains
Somalias permanent representative to the United Nations  now serving as president of the U.N. Security Council  is "associated with" an Ohio home healthcare agency previously punished for ties to fraud, a top Health and Human Services official said Monday.

The East African nation has been in the headlines for weeks as a burgeoning childcare and social services fraud scandal that began in Minnesota largely featured people from the Somali community.

Deputy HHS Secretary Jim ONeill said in a statement that he "can confirm public speculation that Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the UN and President of the Security Council, is in fact associated with Progressive Health Care Services, a home health agency in Cincinnati."

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Feds Launch 'Massive' Investigation After Viral Video Alleges Minnesota Daycare Fraud

Somali Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman speaks at a podium. (Getty Images)

"HHS has previously taken action against Progressive in response to a conviction for Medicaid fraud," ONeill said before promising "more to come."

Fox News Digital reached out to a representative for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who declined comment.

Read On The Fox News App

ONeills statement referenced claims about Osman and Progressive that had circulated online last week, including on the popular social media account LibsOfTikTok, run by commentator Chaya Raichik.

Washington Officials Blast Conservatives For Minnesota-style Day Care Fraud Claims In New State

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"Somalias Ambassador to the UN Abukar Dahir Osman was a healthcare administrator in Ohio. There is another healthcare company in the same suite as his with a different name, and multiple others at the same address, all with Somali names," Raichik said.

"[Osmans] company was convicted of Medicaid fraud while he worked in a Medicaid office in Ohio," she added. ONeill also referenced that conviction.

State records show the company remains an active Ohio corporation, though its listed contact information did not connect Fox News Digital with a verified representative. A message left for a number linked to Osman was not returned.

New York Republicans Call For Independent Fraud Investigation Following Minnesota Revelations

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Osman was a supervisor within the Franklin County, Ohio, Department of Job & Family Services Adult Medicaid unit from 2007 to 2012, according to his official U.N. biography.

He also founded a company called Beacon Educational Services sometime between 1999 and 2005, according to the U.N. He was also educated in the U.S., graduating from Illinois State University in 1986 before earning a master's degree in Ohio and another in Wisconsin.

Last week, ONeill announced a pause on all childcare subsidies to Minnesota after a scandal involving the Walz administration erupted, before HHS later expanded the moratorium nationwide.

House Gop Whip Urges Citizenship Revocations Tied To Minnesota Fraud Schemes

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In Ohio, lawmakers have been demanding the DeWine administration crack down on alleged fraud in the childcare and Medicaid space, with state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, sending a multi-member letter to the states childcare agency.

Williams called on officials to commit to "round-the-clock, unannounced inspections of all childcare facilities receiving public dollars."

A DeWine spokesperson told the Columbus Dispatch it would "not [be] accurate" to say there is "any sort of surge" in fraudulent behavior in Ohio.

Maine Nonprofit With Somali Ties Reportedly Sees State Funding Shut Off After Fraud Claims

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"If people are out there who could not contemplate that people were trying to defraud the public through daycare centers, I understand it's new to them... but it's been known to the state for decades," Dan Tierney said.

Osman noted in an unrelated statement that it has been 54 years since Somalia has chaired the Security Council, as it was only recently added back to the committees rotation.

"As we assume the presidency this month, Somalia will hold the highest standard of diplomacy and multilateral cooperation," Osman said, further pledging "efficiency, transparency, inclusivity, and consensus building," according to Turkish news outlet AA.

Fbi Surges Resources To Minnesota As Patel Calls $250M Fraud Scheme 'Tip Of Iceberg'

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Osmans rise to take the rotating role of Security Council chief also ruffled feathers over a representative of a war-torn nation home to terrorist group Al-Shabaab leading a global security body.

The diplomat further irritated Western members by recently lambasting Israel:

"Actions of occupying power (Israel) in Palestine and indeed in the broader region are well documented. These actions constitute clear violations of international law," Osman claimed.

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"What we see today... are acts to terrorize civilian populations and crimes against humanity and forced displacement of a whole community."

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The United Kingdom will take over the U.N. Security Council from Somalia in February.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.N. and the Somali Mission to the U.N. for comment for purposes of this story.





Original article source: Somali UN ambassador linked to questionable Cincinnati health service agency, RFK Jr. deputy says
The Israeli foreign minister arrived in Somaliland on Tuesday in a high-profile visit, condemned by Somalia as an "unauthorised incursion", after Israel recognised the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa.

Israel announced last month it was officially recognising Somaliland, a first for the self-proclaimed republic since it declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and army, but has struggled to win international recognition, amid fears of provoking Somalia and encouraging other separatist movements in Africa.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, whose delegation was welcomed at the airport by senior government officials, said recognising Somaliland had been "the moral thing to do".

Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed praised Israel's "courageous" decision, and said it would open up economic and development opportunities.

"It promotes the strategic interest partnership of the two countries," he said in a joint press conference.

Somalia reacted furiously to news of the visit, labelling it an "illegal" and "unauthorised incursion".

In a statement, Somalia's foreign ministry said it "reserves the right to take all appropriate diplomatic and legal measures... to safeguard its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity".

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A special meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" the recognition by Israel and called for its "immediate revocation".

The Arab League said in a statement that "any official or quasi-official dealings" with officials in Somaliland treated as separate from Somalia was a "flagrant violation of Somalia's unity and sovereignty".

The move would "undermine regional peace and security and exacerbate political tensions in Somalia, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa", the League added.

Following Israel's recognition, Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, which has fought the Somali government for around two decades, said they would fight any attempt by Israel to use Somaliland as a base.

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- 'Threat' to stability -

Analysts say the deal with Somaliland could provide Israel with better access to the Red Sea, enabling it to hit Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Somaliland's location alongside one of the world's busiest shipping lanes has made it a key partner for foreign countries.

Israel's recognition was supported by the United States, but criticised by Egypt, Turkey, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The European Union insisted Somalia's sovereignty should be respected.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called the Israeli decision a "threat" to stability in the already volatile Horn of Africa.

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In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: the resettlement of Palestinians, the establishment of a military base on the Gulf of Aden, and joining the Abraham Accords to normalise ties with Israel.

Somaliland's foreign ministry denied the first two conditions.

The region has experienced greater stability than the rest of insurgency-hit Somalia.

It was briefly a recognised state in June 1960 when it gained independence from Britain, but voluntarily united with Italian-administered Somalia days later.

Somaliland's leaders say that union was never formally ratified and became void when the Somali state effectively collapsed in 1991.

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SOMERSET, Pa.  Somerset County is reviving its Industrial Development Authority board with familiar faces.

The Somerset County commissioners said the board went dormant after the county dissolved its Economic Development Council more than five years ago and handed the bulk of the councils duties to Johnstown Area Regional Industries.

The Industrial Development Authority board last met in 2017 to conduct business, and appointed members at the time  including G. Henry Cook, James Darr, Larry Shober, Michelle Moon, Gary Bentz and Guy Berkebile  apparently werent replaced as their terms expired, Commissioners Brian Fochtman and Pamela Tokar-Ickes said.

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But the Industrial Development Authority, essentially a nonprofit arm for the county, still serves as the owner of the Somerset County Education Center, which hosts PennWest Clarions nursing program, a branch of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and others.

The center is located on 70 acres of land on Glades Pike in Somerset Township.

The facility debuted decades ago as an Allegany College of Maryland branch and was operated by the school with the industrial authority as the title holder.

After the Maryland school exited in 2015, a list of new tenants filled its place  among them both education programs, Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Somerset Conservation District.

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That creates an ongoing need for oversight, as matters related to the property arise from time to time, the commissioners said.

County Co-Solicitor Jaclyn Shaw said prior board members were re-approached about their involvement in the board, and each  including Cook, Darr, Shober, Moon, Bentz and Berkebile  agreed to serve again.

The group is primarily composed of residents with backgrounds in running businesses. Cook was the longtime chairman of Somerset Trust Co. Berkebile, the countys Republican chairman, founded Guy Chemical, while Darr is president of a well-known Berlin construction firm.

Fochtman said the boards role will remain focused solely on the education center property. The county commissioners retain the right to appoint members to future terms, or fill vacancies, as needed.

Fochtman, Tokar-Ickes and Commissioner Irv Kimmel Jr.  the latter voting remotely during Tuesdays meeting  approved the boards reinstatement by a formal resolution. Shaw said the authority will have to schedule an initial board meeting in the near future.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung snapped a selfie with Xi Jinping using a smartphone gifted to him by the Chinese leader, who had joked at their last meeting that the device might be capable of spying.

Lee posted a selfie of himself, Xi and their wives on social media platform X on Monday during a visit to Beijing.

"A selfie with President Xi Jinping and his wife, taken with the Xiaomi I received as a gift in Gyeongju," Lee wrote.

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"Thanks to them, I got the shot of a lifetime," he said.

"I will communicate more frequently and collaborate more closely going forward."

In the selfie, all four first families are seen smiling.

Lee's office also posted a short YouTube video of the scene, with Xi complimenting the South Korean leader's photo skills.

The Xiaomi handset made headlines in November when Xi cracked a joke to Lee on the sidelines of an APEC summit in South Korea.

When Lee asked if the communication line on the device was secure, the Chinese leader urged him to "check if there is a backdoor" -- referring to pre-installed software that could allow third-party monitoring.

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The banter was a rare display of humour from the Chinese leader, who is not often seen making jokes, let alone about espionage.

The South Korean President has said Xi was "unexpectedly quite good at making jokes".

During their ninety-minute summit on Monday, Xi urged Lee to join Beijing in making the "right strategic choices" in a world that is "becoming more complex and turbulent".

Lee's visit to China followed a US military operation in Caracas that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and brought him to New York to face narco-trafficking charges -- a raid condemned by Beijing and Pyongyang.

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Lee's selfie post sparked heavy interest online and was shared more than 3,400 times in the first few hours.

One user quipped: "Sir, Do you know Nicolas Maduro used the same phone?"

The South Korean leader, who took office in June following the impeachment and removal of his predecessor over a martial law declaration, has sought to improve ties with China after a years-long diplomatic deep freeze.

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Less than two weeks before her inauguration, Democrat Abigail Spanberger says she's still digesting what it means to become the first female governor in Virginia's nearly 250-year history.

The campaign was about the things I want to do for Virginians, Spanberger told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Its about the challenges that Virginians are facing. But as we are preparing for the actual inauguration and for me to be sworn in, there are elements of a greater realization on my part, as I hear other people kind of verbalizing their excitement about what it means.

One woman came up to her to share about her daughter's astounded reaction that the state hadn't previously had a woman as governor, she said. Spanberger also recalled talking with an excited teenage girl who said she's interested in someday running for president.

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For the next generation of kids, itll be normal to see a woman in this role, whether its doing the joyful things of ribbon cuttings or the hard things of contending with whatever challenges we might be facing into the future, she said.

Spanberger will be sworn in as governor on Jan. 17 outside the Virginia Capitol. The former congresswoman, who defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by 15 points in November, said she was struck when she saw her photo in a Richmond Times-Dispatch article next to pictures of men sworn in before her.

It said, Spanberger joins the boys club, she recalled. That was actually a really interesting visual for me.

Spanbergers win in November was a boost for Democrats on a big night that cast doubts about President Donald Trumps political strength heading into this years midterm elections.

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She said serving in Congress when Trump was in his first term taught her there's a variety of issues to work on and potential places to find common ground. "And when we can be aligned in support of Virginia, Virginians, our economy and our shared priorities, that there will be places to work with him, but when he's making choices that might impact or hurt Virginians, Virginia jobs, Virginia's economy, then I will be a relentless advocate for, and defender of, Virginia," she said.

The governor-elect said her agenda for the top of her term would center on economic relief, including seeking more tenant protections against evictions and policies aimed at lowering prescription drug costs.

Conservative critics say her plans will drive up costs for residents of a state facing economic uncertainty, a decrease in federal dollars and a cost-of-living crisis.
Spectrumedics Medical has obtained a CE mark for its coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system under the European Unions Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR).

The Singapore-based companys Sonico-CX IVL system uses acoustic pressure waves to treat calcified coronary lesions. With the CE mark in hand, Spectrumedics will now focus on commercialising the system in Europe, having previously gained the relevant clearances to initiate commercial rollouts of its system in Latin America and the Asia Pacific (APAC) regions.

Spectrumedics founder and CEO Dr Elynn Phang said: "This achievement marks a significant step in Spectrumedics' mission to broaden global access to advanced IVL therapy. We look forward to collaborating with more physicians to deliver faster, safer, and more effective treatment to patients with complex calcification worldwide."

The nascent IVL market

The IVL market remains in its infancy. Thrust into the spotlight when Johnson & Johnson (J&J) acquired Shockwave Medical in a $13.1bn deal in June 2024, the treatment is positioned as a minimally invasive advancement to treating calcified lesions with atherectomy, in which more invasive manual processes, such as rapidly rotating burrs, are used to remove arterial plaque.

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Shockwave first launched its IVL system for treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Europe in 2015 and became the first IVL system for PAD treatment to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2016. In 2021, the FDA granted an additional clearance for coronary artery disease (CAD) treatment.

Now under J&Js ownership, Shockwave has remained the major player in the IVL space since its European introduction. Shockwaves latest IVL product, the Javelin Peripheral IVL catheter, launched in Europe in September 2025. GlobalData analysts note that this latest development is liable to continue the advance of J&Js IVL portfolio growth, given that competition in the market remains sparse.

Other big players in the medtech industry are also eyeing the IVL space. Boston Scientific helped establish Bolt Medical in 2019 and has held a 26% stake in the company since. Following promising results for the companys IVL technology, Boston agreed to acquire the remaining 74% stake in a deal worth up to $664m in January 2025. Bolts system received FDA clearance in March 2025, but is not yet commercially available.

Abbott is also looking to enter the space, having received an investigational device exemption (IDE) from the FDA in March 2025 to evaluate its coronary IVL system in a clinical trial.

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Meanwhile, Elixir Medical initiated the European launch of its LithiX Hertz Contact (HC) IVL system in April 2025, outpacing Bostons Bolt Medical. The company has not currently outlined plans for a US market entry.

According to GlobalData analysis, the IVL space, a part of the atherectomy device sector, is forecast to grow to over $2bn in value by 2034.

"Spectrumedics IVL catheter gains EU CE mark" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Jan. 6 (UPI) -- A North Carolina woman's "spur-of-the-moment" decision to buy a lottery ticket resulted in her winning a $2 million Powerball prize.

Cramerton resident Pegi Campbell told North Carolina Education Lottery officials she hadn't originally intended to buy a lottery ticket when she visited the Food Lion on South New Hope Road in Gastonia.

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing to buy it," Campbell said.

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She selected a $3 ticket for the Dec. 13 Powerball drawing with Power Play. She matched the five white balls in the drawing, earning a $1 million prize that was doubled when the 2X multiplier hit.

"Wow, that's a lot of money," Campbell said.

She said her winnings will go toward helping others via donations to local charities and a domestic violence shelter.

"I will make sure it gets used for good," she said. "We can help a lot of people with this."
The Georgia Secretary of States Office has announced the date of the special election to fill the now-vacant seat following Marjorie Taylor Greenes resignation from Congress.

Greene represented Georgias 14th Congressional District, which covers Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, Whitfield, and portions of Cobb counties.

The election will be held on March 10, and if needed, a runoff will be scheduled for April 7.

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Monday was Greenes last day in office after she announced her resignation following several contentious days of a social media fight with President Donald Trump in November.

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Its been an honor and a privilege to serve Georgias 14th District as their representative in the United States House of Representatives, Greene told Channel 2s Richard Elliot on Monday.

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Greene said the murder of Charlie Kirk helped her realize the toxic nature of politics and convinced her to step aside.

She insists Washington has changed her.

Thats probably pretty much the main thing about me thats changed, and I think America needs to get back to being able to talk to each other and its OK to recognize, hey, we dont all have to agree on everything, but we can still be friends, Greene said.

Several people have announced that they intend to run in the race to replace Greene. Qualifying for that race runs from Jan. 12-14.
The Secretary of States Office is going to have a busy election year, not only because of the regular election in November, but there are already a number of special elections that have to happen before that.

The state announced on Tuesday that the special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene will take place on March 10.

During an exclusive interview with Channel 2 Action News on Monday, Greene said she is urging her 14th District voters to stay engaged.

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I urge Americans, and especially Georgias 14th District, who I know and love, theyre very dialed in on what goes on in Washington, and I urge them to get more dialed in, Greene said.

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The state elections director, Blake Evans, told Channel 2s Richard Elliot on Tuesday that there will likely be more special elections in the weeks to come.

Our elections officials are always on the ready for a special election, Evans said.

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He said, yes, Georgia is seeing a lot of special elections lately, including two for two Democratic state lawmakers, Sharon Henderson and Karen Bennett, who recently resigned their seats after federal grand juries indicted them for pandemic unemployment benefit fraud.

It feels like a lot, especially in the last few months, and then since November, and then we are anticipating more special elections coming up, Evans said.

Some other state lawmakers may resign to run for higher office, which means more special elections to fill their seats, too.

As far as Greenes former house seat, she encourages voters to learn about the candidates.

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It really needs to be about the candidates, what their platform is, whats their experience in life, and job experience is, and what they plan to do for Georgias 14th District when they go to Washington, Greene said.

But as far as candidates, Greene said she will not endorse anyone in that race.

Were still waiting to hear about a special election date for the House members who resigned on Monday.
Stephen Miller and Jake Tapper crossed swords on Monday over U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela and Greenland, with the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security yelling and accusing the CNN anchor of doing that smarmy thing for repeatedly pressing him on the Trump Administrations next steps.

The fiery throwdown began with Tapper asking Miller about an X post from the Trump advisors wife Katie Miller, whose suggested over the weekend that Greenland would soon be U.S. territory.

The Danish prime minister responded to this in an interview today, Tapper said. Can you rule out that the U.S. is ever going to try to take Greenland by force?

So I know youre treating this as breaking news, a visibly flustered Miller said.The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus  

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But your wife posted that like hours after the Venezuela operation, Tapper interrupted. Thats why its newly relevant.

Miller acknowledged that the Greenland question is a really important conversation but reiterated that that has been the formal position of the U.S. government since the beginning of this administration  frankly, going back into the previous Trump administration  that Greenland should be part of the United States.

Tapper put a finer point on it: But can you say that military action against Greenland is off the table?

Miller made light of the inquiry line, suggesting that Denmark  the arctic islands off-and-on administrator since roughly the 16th century  has no right to assert control over Greenland, which has a population of 30,000 people and is largely self-governed.

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The United States is the power of NATO, for the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, Miller said. Obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, and so thats a conversation that were going to have as a country. Thats a process were going to have as a new community of nations.

Tapper pressed the military force question a final time, and Millers voice went up another octave.

Jake, I understand youre trying very hard to  which, which, again, is your job. I respect it. Its great to get exactly the headline right, that catchy headline, to get an answer that says Miller refuses to rule out military force.

Then Miller went on to suggest that nobodys going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

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Watch the full exchange in the video below:

TAPPER: Can you rule out that the US is going to take Greenland by force?



STEPHEN MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO.



TAPPER: So you can't take military force off the table?



MILLER: pic.twitter.com/9ikEPvlBVA  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 5, 2026

But the fireworks show had not yet reached the finale  Tapper then turned to Venezuela, challenging Miller on Trumps assertion that Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader and prominent critic of the now-deposed Nicolas Maduro, doesnt have the support to become the next president or the interim leader.

It would be absurd and preposterous for us to suddenly fly her into the country and to put her in charge, Miller responded. The military would follow her, and the security forces would follow her? This isnt  this is not a serious  its not even a serious question.

Tapper asked whether Venezuela should hold elections instead.

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Miller didnt answer directly at first, asserting: The United States is using its military to secure our interests unapologetically in our hemisphere. Were a superpower, and under President Trump, we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower.

Miller also said the post World War II period of the West apologizing and groveling and begging was over, telling Tapper: I know you love doing that smarmy thing, Jake, and I was hoping youd be better than this.

Flatly, Tapper said, I asked you about if there should be an election.

The volleys continued for awhile, which you can watch for yourself in the video below:

JUST IN: CNN's Jake Tapper ends interview after fiery clash with Stephen Miller over the future of Venezuela.



Tapper: "We went into the country, and we seized the leader of Venezuela"



Miller: "D*mn straight we did!! We're not going to let tin-pot communist dictators send pic.twitter.com/aU5frDnvGN  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 5, 2026

The post Stephen Miller Clashes With Jake Tapper Over US Plans for Greenland, Venezuela: Were a Superpower! | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Jupiter's moon Europa is on the short list of places in our solar system seen as promising in the search for life beyond Earth, with a large subsurface ocean thought to be hidden under an outer shell of ice. But new research is raising questions about whether Europa in fact has what it takes for habitability.

The study assessed the potential on Europa's ocean bottom for tectonic and volcanic activity, which on Earth facilitate interactions between rock and seawater that generate essential nutrients and chemical energy for life. After modeling Europa's conditions, the researchers concluded that its rocky seafloor is likely mechanically too strong to allow such activity.

The researchers considered factors including Europa's size, the makeup of its rocky core and the gravitational forces exerted by Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet. Their evaluation that there probably is little to no active faulting at Europa's seafloor suggests this moon is barren of life.

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"On Earth, tectonic activity such as fracturing and faulting exposes fresh rock to the environment where chemical reactions, principally involving water, generate chemicals such as methane that microbial life can use," said planetary scientist Paul Byrne of Washington University in St. Louis, lead author of the study published on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

"Without such activity, those reactions are harder to establish and sustain, making Europa's seafloor a challenging environment for life," Byrne added.

Life may have emerged on Earth billions of years ago in the dynamic environment around seafloor hydrothermal vents. But Europa may lack these features.

"Based on our findings, the seafloor would probably not contain major tectonic landforms, such as long ridges or deep troughs. There would likely not be any underwater volcanoes or seamounts, and we would not have any hydrothermal activity such as black smokers. Having said that, I hope I will stand corrected one day," said University of Georgia geologist and study co-author Christian Klimczak.

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Europa, with a diameter of roughly 1,940 miles (3,100 km), is slightly smaller than Earth's moon. Its icy shell is believed to be 10-15 miles (15-25 km) thick, sitting atop an ocean perhaps 40-100 miles (60-150 km) deep.

The fourth-largest of Jupiter's 95 formally recognized moons, Europa is about a quarter Earth's diameter. But its ocean of salty liquid water may contain double the water present in Earth's oceans.

Europa possesses traits suggesting potential habitability.

"There are three major factors thought to be critical for supporting life: liquid water, organic chemistry and energy," Byrne said.

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"Europa's subsurface ocean satisfies the first requirement. We've identified organic chemicals on this moon's exterior icy shell, and there may very well be such chemicals inside the ocean. So that's the second requirement. And Europa's particular orbit means that Jupiter drives tidal heating within Europa - requirement three," Byrne said.

NASA in 2024 launched the robotic Europa Clipper spacecraft on a mission to examine whether Europa has conditions suitable to support life. The U.S. space agency is planning for Europa Clipper to conduct dozens of close flybys, starting in 2031.

"While geology operates similarly across the solar system, every planetary body that we have explored has been found to have some unique process to them. Given what we know about Europa, it is still the best place to look for extraterrestrial life," Klimczak said.

Jupiter's gravitational pull affects its numerous moons in different ways. Io, Jupiter's innermost large moon, is the solar system's most volcanically active body. Jupiter's gravity, coupled with gravitational forces from other moons, creates strong tidal forces on Io, generating internal friction and heat. But Europa orbits much further from Jupiter than Io.

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"The effect of this tidal heating drops off quickly with distance, so although there's enough tidal heating to keep Europa's ocean from freezing solid, according to our calculations at least there's not nearly enough to tectonically deform the ocean floor. So, in short, there probably isn't the kind of thing happening on Io taking place deep within Europa," Byrne said.

The study evaluated only Europa's current conditions.

"There are reasons to think that Europa might once have been much more geologically active than it is today, albeit a few billion years ago. So perhaps for a time that world really was just not habitable but actually inhabited, before those conditions changed and the chemical energy for life ran out," Byrne said.

(Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
ST. LOUIS  Charges have been filed against a man accused of breaking into a branch of the St. Louis Public Library early Monday morning.

According to a probable cause statement from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the break-in took place around 6 a.m. at the Barr Library in the 1700 block of South Jefferson Avenue, located in The Gate neighborhood.

Employees of the security company hired to guard the library met with responding officers and said the burglar was still inside.

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Police said the suspect, Leroy L. Eason IV, 34, smashed multiple windows and doors to get inside the building. Eason allegedly moved several computer monitors and speakers to another area of the library, where he eventually jumped from a window.

Eason was taken into custody after jumping from the window, police said.

The incident was recorded on security cameras.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Eason with second-degree burglary, first-degree trespassing, first-degree property damage, and attempted stealing  $750 or more. Eason is being held without bond. Online court records do not show when hell appear before a judge.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.




An Oregon man snowmobiling in the Sierra outside Lake Tahoe was killed after being buried in a "300 foot-wide" avalanche on Monday. The individual was identified on Tuesday as 42-year-old Chris Scott Thomason from Bend, Oregon, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.

Thomason was riding in a group of five snowmobilers traveling from Johnson Canyon to Castle Peak - which reaches an elevation of over 9,000 feet - near Donner Pass. The group was described by the sheriff's office as "well-prepared," wearing avalanche beacons and safety gear. Two members of the group were local to the area and knew the terrain well.

A man died after being buried in an avalanche in Truckee, Calif., on Jan. 5, 2026. (Nevada County Sheriff's Office)





Nevada County Sheriff Sgt. Dustin Moe said there was fresh snow in the area and the weather was mostly clear when the group was out on Monday. However, the Sierra Avalanche Center forecast deemed the risk of an avalanche as "likely" for the area the group visited, according to Moe. After an initial dry start to the snow season, the greater Tahoe area has seen major snowfall in recent days, with UC Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Lab in Soda Springs reporting that over 70 inches of snow has fallen since Dec. 31.

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After the group started their return back to Johnson's Canyon, Thomason appeared to trigger an avalanche and was buried in the snow, Moe said.

"It was reported the avalanche was about 300 feet wide, had about a three foot crown on it," Moe told SFGATE. "It was witnessed by one of those friends that was in the group with him, so they immediately began searching for the subject using the avalanche beacons that they all had on them."

Moe said the group found Thomason in about 5 to 10 minutes and started CPR. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office said it was alerted to the incident via a 911 call from Washoe County in Nevada just after 2 p.m. on Monday. At least 45 personnel, including the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team and the Nevada County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team, were activated. High winds meant CHP and other air support were unable to land to assist the snowmobilers.

After the group was able to dig out Thomason, another unrelated group of three individuals arrived at the scene, including an off-duty Tahoe firefighter. The firefighter was able to immediately start CPR.

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Thomason was given CPR for an hour before the group remotely consulted with a physician, who declared that the life-saving efforts could be terminated, Moe said.

Due to conditions and the risk of setting off further avalanches, the group that helped Thomason did not wait for the search and rescue teams to arrive and instead took his body back toward the Johnson's Canyon trail, where they met with sheriff personnel. No other injuries were reported in the avalanche.

Dozens of search and rescue personnel responded to a fatal avalanche in Truckee, Calif., on Jan. 5, 2026. (Nevada County Sheriff's Office)





Moe said for those looking to visit the Sierra and head into the backcountry, there are key steps to take to help improve safety, and it starts before leaving home.

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"I think checking conditions first is going to be the biggest thing that you can do leading up to a trip," he said. "Checking the Sierra Avalanche Center that gives updated reports on the avalanche conditions on the Sierra train, where we all like to recreate. As well as just checking the local weather patterns."

Moe also advised visitors to bring the recommended safety gear and to wear sufficient clothing. He cautioned against wearing cotton-type clothing, which can get wet and stick to the body.

"And then always bringing some extra water and food," he said. "And in case you get trapped out somewhere and you need a rescue, bringing some type of communication device."

In addition, he said, individuals heading to the backcountry should tell family or friends their location in case something does happen and their loved ones need to alert the sheriff's office.

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"Being prepared on the front end will save a lot of hassle on the back end," he said.

This news story has been updated.

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This article originally published at '300 ft-wide' avalanche leaves 1 dead near Lake Tahoe.
A teacher who described Islam as "satanic" and told pupils that "cocaine was purer back in the day" has been banned from the profession.

A Teaching Regulation Agency hearing in December found Patrick Lawler, 62, who taught in Northumberland and Bristol, was guilty of professional misconduct and also brought the teaching profession into disrepute.

The panel heard there was an interest in banning him "in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils".

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Mr Lawler previously featured in an undercover BBC Wales investigation into extreme far-right views among a group's members in Wales and England, in which he said race war was "inevitable".

Mr Lawler did not engage with the proceedings or express remorse. He replied to an earlier BBC request for comment but did not directly address the points raised in the hearing.

His views appeared in BBC Wales documentary Unmasked: Extreme Far Right, in which an undercover reporter infiltrated far-right group Patriotic Alternative (PA) and met members in parts of south Wales, and in England.

Speaking in 2024 to the undercover reporter at an event held by the group, he said a race war was "absolutely inevitable".

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He told the reporter that "all" foreigners had no right to be in the UK and said if any refused to leave "the only way to get rid of them will be to kill every single one of them. And we will have to have hearts of steel to do that".

These comments did not form part of the panel hearing.

When asked about his comments afterwards, Mr Lawler accused the BBC of having an anti-white bias and "persecuting ordinary British people who care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our indigenous people".

He appears to still be involved with his regional branch of the group, recently being pictured on the PA Telegram channel attending a Christmas dinner.

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Mr Lawler has now been banned from teaching indefinitely and can apply to be reinstated after 22 December 2029.

In the hearing he was found to have "authored or co-authored" a series of online newsletters saying Islam was "demonic" and calling sex between two men an "unnatural, unhealthy, disgusting perversion".

The panel found Mr Lawler had distributed "material which was intolerant of others' faiths and beliefs".

In the classroom, the panel found, he had not taken a "child-centric approach".

Proven allegations included Mr Lawler calling Martin Luther King a "fraud".

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On a separate occasion he told pupils he was "surprised you were not all hanging from lamp-posts" and in another lesson said "back in the day you used to be able to get cocaine purer".

The panel also found a number of other allegations were not proven and heard Mr Lawler had experienced "difficult personal circumstances" outside of school.

It also heard that some colleagues spoke positively about him as a teacher, with one witness saying an intervention group "wouldn't have passed" their exams without him.

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A Palatka teen is dead after he was shot Saturday. Police were called to the 2500 block of W. Main Street in response to a person shot, according to a Palatka police social media post on Monday.

Officers arrived at the scene and found 17-year-old Lawrence Evans of Palatka suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

While at the scene, another teen, 17-year-old Montravien Oxendine, was taken into custody. Police said they determined he was responsible for the shooting.

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Oxendine is facing charges of Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Tampering with Evidence. He is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in Volusia County, police said.

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NEED TO KNOW

A 19-year-old hiker has been found alive after he went missing on one of Brazil's highest peaks on New Year's Day

The man didn't have a cellphone and had few supplies, but was able to walk more than 12 miles to safety

The young Roberto was found in Antonina and is already receiving care, said Gov. Ratinho Junior

A 19-year-old man has been found alive five days after he became separated while hiking with a friend on a mountain in southern Brazil. He walked more than 12 miles to safety, according to reports.

On Monday, Jan. 5, Roberto Farias Thomaz was discovered safe after he vanished on Pico Parana, one of the highest peaks in the country, Brazilian news outlets Busao Curitiba and Jornal Folha do Litoral News and Brazilian network RPC reported.

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Lt. Col. Icaro Gabriel of the Parana Fire Department rescue team announced in a video shared by Busao Curitiba that the teen walked more than 12 miles through the forest while descending the mountain. He arrived in the Antonina region, which is located on the coast of the state of Parana.

After five days of searching, with more than 100 firefighters involved and about 300 volunteers every day, we achieved this happy outcome, Gabriel said in the translated video statement shared by Busao Curitiba, noting the adversity that the young man had to overcome.

Gov. Ratinho Junior also confirmed Thomazs safe return in a post on X.

The young Roberto was found in Antonina and is already receiving care, the governor of Parana said in the translated statement. Our sincere thanks to the Fire Department, to the Secretary of Public Security, and to all the volunteers who acted with dedication and humanity in this search.

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Junior did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

On Wednesday, Dec. 31, Thomaz was hiking the mountain with a friend when he became ill, RPC reported. Together, they reached the summit by approximately 4 a.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 1. About two hours later, the pair began to descend the mountain with one of the two groups that they had met, but before the campsite, Thomaz became separated from the other hikers, according to the outlet.

Neither his group nor the group that descended later saw Thomaz. They attempted to find the young man, who didnt have a cellphone on him, to no avail. By 1:45 p.m. that afternoon, a rescue team began to search for the missing hiker, RPC reported. The search quickly expanded to include other search and rescue professionals, mountaineers and aircraft with thermal imaging.

Ric RECORD Parana/YouTube Rescue teams during the rescue of the missing hiker. Rescue teams during the rescue of the missing hiker.

The rescue teams had to navigate difficult terrain, rain and fog that inhibited the search, Busao Curitiba reported. Meanwhile, Thomaz had to traverse the dense woods with few supplies, according to the outlet.

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After he was able to descend the mountain, his family shared his first video contact with them.

"My body is covered in bruises, I have several scrapes, I can't see because I lost my glasses, but I'm okay," Thomaz told his family in a video shared by RPC. He said he had found safety at a farm in the town of Cacatu.

Getty Pico Parana in southern Brazil. Pico Parana in southern Brazil.

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After he was retrieved by first responders and transported to a hospital, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to Jornal Folha do Litoral News that Thomaz was lucid, with signs of dehydration and hematomas on his legs.

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Thomazs family is elated by the good news.

We found Roberto! the family said after he was first located, according to Busao Curitiba. Thank you to all the angels who came here to help us! Thank you for your prayers.

Read the original article on People
Police have appealed for information after a 17-year-old boy was assaulted during a burglary at a home in Leicester.

Leicestershire Police believe four men targeted the property, in Roundhill Road, on Monday at about 20:45 GMT.

The 17-year-old was taken to hospital but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

The force said there would be an increased police presence in the area during their investigation.

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Insp Charles Edwards, commander for the East Leicester neighbourhood policing area, said: "The investigation is in its early stages, but officers are working to establish exactly what happened.

"We understand this incident has caused concern in the local community. We want to reassure you that officers will carry out a full investigation."

Police are appealing for anyone with information or footage to come forward.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

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NEED TO KNOW

Christopher and Raquelle Judge admitted to defrauding over 40 homeowners through their company, Judge DFW LLC

Prosecutors say the couple abandoned projects, misused funds, and falsely claimed Christopher was a licensed architect

Victims faced financial strain, with some spending hundreds of thousands to repair incomplete or unsafe construction

A Texas couple who federal prosecutors say defrauded dozens of homeowners out of nearly $5 million by promising custom homes and renovations they never finished have pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges.

Christopher Judge and his wife, Raquelle Judge, both of Fort Worth, admitted in federal court that from August 2020 to January 2023 they conspired to deceive customers through their company, Judge DFW LLC, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas.

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Prosecutors said the couple collected millions in installment payments for custom architecture, construction and interior design services, often offering below-market bids, before abandoning projects  in some cases leaving families without livable homes.

"[They] started construction projects and accepted multiple installment payments from victims but never completed those projects, often leaving victims without a completed residence" the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas said.

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Chris And Raquelle Judge/Instagram Christopher Judge and Raquelle Judge Christopher Judge and Raquelle Judge

Plea documents viewed by PEOPLE note more than 40 victims across six North Texas counties were affected, spanning at least 24 construction projects, with losses totaling approximately $4.8 million.

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One couple, documents show, paid the Judges almost $364,000.

As part of the scheme, prosecutors said Christopher falsely claimed to be a licensed architect, while the couple commingled client payments in a single operating account and used money from one project to fund unrelated jobs.

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, Christopher pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Raquelle pleaded guilty on Dec. 17 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to five years behind bars. Both also face restitution, fines and supervised release.

Sentencing for Raquelle is scheduled for April 14, 2026, while Christopher is set to be sentenced May 12, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means.

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PEOPLE has reached out to legal representatives for both Raquelle and Christopher.

For homeowners, the couple's guilty pleas marked the culmination of years of financial strain and emotional turmoil.

Kristin Newman told WFAA she hired the Judges to build what she believed would be her dream home after paying off her law school loans. "I was planning on kind of growing into this house," Newman said.

She explained that Raquelle handled most of the communication, while Christopher was introduced as the architect and builder.

That's the same way another victim  Lane Simmons  and his wife, Kalie Simmons, experienced the Judges when they hired the couple to remodel their Euless family home.

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"They came out to our house  and really pitched themselves as like this Chip and Joanna Gaines type of vibe," Lane shared to WFAA, referencing the Magnolia home-renovation stars.

Progress on both properties looked good in the beginning. "It started out great," Newman said, per WFAA. "I had no problems."

That first day was so impressive," Chelle Bish, Kalie's mom, told NBC-DFW. "They came in with a full crew. They had it stripped down to the studs that first day."

But that quickly changed. "I would say, a month, maybe two months in, things started slowing down quite a bit and we were already worried about some quality stuff that my husband and dad had pointed out," Kalie said, according to NBC-DFW.

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Newman's dream home also turned into a nightmare, she explained to WFAA. Construction delays mounted. Items she paid for like, windows and doors, never arrived. When she asked for money back for missing items and work that had not yet been completed, she said Christopher told her the funds were gone.

Soon, Christopher stopped answering her questions all together. "He just walked off," Newman said, according to WFAA. "He just stopped talking to us. Never came back."

Federal court records describe those actions as part of the couples pattern of conduct, alleging they collected installment payments, failed to complete work, did substandard construction and did not pay subcontractors.

Prosecutors alleged that when victims questioned delays, Christopher made excuses via calls and text messages, assuring them that continued payments would keep projects moving.

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Instead, court records say the Judges spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal expenses, including $27,000 on mortgage payments, $82,000 on Amazon purchases and approximately $10,000 on plastic surgery.

Both Newman and the Simmons' hired independent inspectors. In the Simmons home, the contractor found numerous code violations including unsafe framing. The front and back decks and interior stairwell had to be torn out and rebuilt. "This is like the worst job Ive probably ever seen," Lane recalls being told by the inspector. "My house  everything that they did is wrong."

Newman spent $200K  in addition to the $200K she paid the Judges  to complete and repair the home, NBC-DFW reported. "Ultimately, they only got to framing and putting a roof on the house" she said.

She's since sold the home and moved in with her parents.

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Jeremy Congleton, another victim, told NBC-DFW that he had to file bankruptcy after the Judges abandoned his project. His family of four spent 18 months living in an RV while he completed the construction on his house himself.

"What he owes me and what we've paid out of pocket and credit card debt, having to file bankruptcy, about $250,000," Congleton said to the outlet.

All the victims who spoke to NBC-DFW said they believe most of their money is gone for good, but expressed relief that the couple will no longer be able to take on new clients.

And Lane hopes their story serves as a warning to others, WFAA reported  specifically urging homeowners to see significantly lower bids from contractors as warning signs.

"If somebodys cheap, its probably for a reason," he said.

Read the original article on People
LUBBOCK, Texas  The City of Lubbock saw a milestone in Texas history, which is ensuring abandoned babies have an opportunity at life.

After over two years of installing a Safe Haven Baby Box at Lubbock Fire Rescue Station No. 9, the box saw its first use in helping a mother safely surrender her baby in a safe and anonymous manner.

Others are reading: Lubbock sees newest Safe Haven Baby Box addition at Covenant Health Children's Hospital

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"For the mother, I don't know your situation or pain, but I do know in your darkest moment, you have the courage and love for your baby to give them an opportunity of life, and we are grateful for that," said Richard Stewart, fire chief of LFR. "We are praying for you, for your recovery, your healing and peace."

For context, Texas has a Safe Haven Law  also known as a Baby Moses Law  that allows a parent in crisis to safely and anonymously surrender an unharmed infant at a hospital, fire station, free-standing emergency centers or emergency medical services station.

Both Stewart and Monica Kelsey, CEO of Safe Haven Baby Box, said that once the child  nicknamed "Baby Lubbock"  was surrendered, it took personnel less than a minute to reach the baby. From there, fire personnel began assessing it before EMS took over the medical welfare of the child.

"To the parent, thank you," Kelsey said. "Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for trusting the fire department to take it from here. Your baby is safe and your baby is healthy, and the process is working for a forever family to get the call that they've been waiting for many years, probably."

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Others are reading: New survey finds American jobseekers stretch the truth on their resume

Kelsey said this use is also a testament to the need for more cities to use baby boxes in Texas and more in cities that already have them.

For context, Lubbock County has four in all, at the following locations:

Lubbock Fire Rescue Station No. 9 - 4814 50th St., Lubbock, Texas 79414

Wolfforth Fire & EMS Station - 305 Cedar Ave., Wolfforth, TX 79382

Covenant Childrens Hospital - 4002 24th St., Lubbock, TX 79410

Covenant Health Levelland - 1900 College Ave., Levelland, TX 79336

A fifth one is coming soon to the University Medical Center in Lubbock.

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Others are reading: Unemployment claims in Texas declined last week

"The more boxes that are being put in, the more we can work in communities, educating our first responders, educating the schools that this is now available anonymously, but also reminding the public that this has always been here," Kelsey said.

Since 2017, Kelsey said there have been 74 babies placed in the Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the country and 187 handoffs, with the organization having 410 active boxes across the nation.

Safe Haven Baby Box CEO Monica Kelsey speaks at a press conference about the first-ever use of the Safe Haven Baby Box in the state on Jan. 5, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas.

Kelsey and Stewart were both joined at the press conference Monday, Jan. 5 in Lubbock by Mayor Mark McBrayer, Mayor Pro Tem Christy Martinez Garcia and Councilwoman Jennifer Willson.

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Martinez Garcia said that this moment shows what happens when a community comes together to address an issue for the greater good.

Lubbock Mayor Pro Tem Christy Martinez Garcia speaks at a press conference about the first-ever use of the Safe Haven Baby Box surrender in the state on Jan. 5, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas.

"It demonstrates how when we work together, good things can happen for us all and for the future of this beautiful baby that I will now call 'Baby Lubbock,'" she said. "(Mayor McBrayer) said about 'Lucky me, I live in Lubbock.' No. Blessed me. Blessed us, we live in Lubbock. And that makes all the difference, that we have a caring community with resources."

If you or anyone's parents you know are in crisis, Kelsey encourages them to call the Safe Haven Crisis line at 1-866-99BABY1 or visit https://www.shbb.org/parents-in-crisis.

Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock sees first-ever Safe Haven Baby Box surrender in Texas
One of Texas largest teacher unions wants a federal court to block Education Commissioner Mike Morath and the state education agency from investigating teachers accused of making inappropriate remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirks assassination on social media, saying the act violates legally protected speech.

A lawsuit the Texas American Federation of Teachers filed Jan. 6 argues that Morath unleashed a wave of retaliation and disciplinary actions against teachers when he urged school districts to report reprehensible and inappropriate content about Kirks killing last year.

Texas AFT also wants the court to require that Morath retract his policy calling on school leaders to report any instances of inappropriate content related to Kirks death posted to teachers social media accounts. The lawsuit also asks the judge to require that Morath issue new guidance making clear to superintendents that districts do not have to report such conduct to the state if the alleged speech is legally protected.

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The Texas Education Agency has dismissed hundreds of complaints or found them unsubstantiated. On Jan. 5, the agency said it was still investigating 95 complaints.

Heres what we know.

Background: As of October, the Texas Education Agency was investigating more than 350 complaints that educators made inappropriate social media remarks about Charlie Kirk, the late conservative activist who was shot and killed while speaking at a Utah college.

Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit known mostly for its work on college campuses, where the organization promotes itself as a hub for open debate and urges students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Kirk was often praised by conservatives as a champion of free speech and criticized for comments that many other Americans found hateful toward LGBTQ+ communities, non-Christians, people of color and women.

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After his death, Texas lawmakers and activists called for the firings and removals of anyone mocking Kirk or celebrating his death online.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath sent a letter to district superintendents, saying he planned to refer all documentation of educators that have proliferated such vile content to his agencys investigations unit. The investigators will determine if the content violates Texas educators code of ethics and whether it warrants disciplinary action, Morath added.

Morath and Gov. Greg Abbott have said that teachers whose actions called for or incited violence would have their teaching license suspended by the State Board for Educator Certification. Morath also called on school leaders to report additional instances of alleged misconduct related to Kirks killing to the education agency, which has typically conducted such investigations for acts like abuse or harassment.

The education agency has not released details about what the hundreds of complaints allege. The Texas Attorney Generals Office said the agency does not have to provide records of the complaints.

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Many school districts have responded to complaints with statements condemning what administrators have described as hateful rhetoric and suspending or firing employees whose comments they felt violated their local codes of conduct.

Why the Texas American Federation of Teachers is suing: The union cites the cases of four members who it believes faced unfair disciplinary action for private social media remarks related to Kirks death. Those actions include termination, being subjected to investigations, or having their employment records negatively marked.

In each of those cases, the teachers faced discipline solely for their speech, without any regard to whether the posts disrupted school operations in any way, according to the complaint. The teachers comments ranged from criticizing Kirk for statements he made about Black Americans to condemning the activists stance on immigration, the suit states.

The lawsuit describes Moraths letter asking superintendents to report inappropriate social media posts as vague and overbroad because it does not ask school leaders to evaluate such posts impact on the school environment.

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The lawsuit notes that the letter has led to arbitrary and inconsistent enforcement across districts.

It adds that the education agency did not issue similar letters with respect to teachers who posted about the assassinations of Democratic Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman or John Hoffman. A gunman killed Hortman and her husband at their home last year while wounding Hoffman and his wife at their residence.

Instead, the TEA appears to mandate investigations only for school personnel voicing criticism of the Commissioners preferred political figure, the lawsuit says.

Numerous Texas AFT members have since deleted their social media posts and accounts. The lawsuit says the latter shows that teachers remain fearful about sharing their opinions on matters of public concern if their viewpoints do not align with those of the Texas state government.

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Ive never seen anything in modernity be something like this, said Randi Weingarten, president of the national AFT, where somebody said, Look for, find somebody who said something you dont like about Charlie Kirk  report them so we can fire them.'

What the Texas Education Agency is saying: The states education agency declined to comment because it does not speak on pending legal matters.

A day before Texas AFTs lawsuit, Texas Education Agency spokesperson Jake Kobersky told The Texas Tribune that the agency is still reviewing 95 complaints, while all others have been dismissed or unsubstantiated.

In a Sept. 15 statement, Morath said, While all educators are held to a high standard of professionalism, there is a difference between comments made in poor taste and those that call for and incite further violence  the latter of which is clearly unacceptable.

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During a November event at the University of Texas at Austin, Morath said that while districts had taken action at their discretion on some complaints, the agency had not yet disciplined any educators.

Some of those complaints are clearly people that are personally settling scores with others they dont like, and those cases will just get closed, Morath said. The ones that were going after, from an enforcement perspective, are very clearly violations of the educator code of conduct.

Broader impact: Legal experts previously told the Tribune that if the state wants to discipline an educator for speaking in their personal capacity, it needs to consider whether the teachers comments caused a significant disruption to the workplace or their ability to do their job.

Punishments against educators speaking on a private grievance or a matter of public concern could violate First Amendment protections, as could policies or actions that cause employees to refrain from speaking on public matters out of caution, experts said.

Disclosure: Texas AFT and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Thailand accused Cambodia of violating a 10-day-old truce on Tuesday, saying cross-border mortar fire wounded a soldier, while Phnom Penh said a "pile of garbage" exploded, injuring two of its own troops.

The Thai military said it warned Cambodian forces to exercise caution, stressing if a similar incident occurred, Thailand may need to retaliate.

A decades-old border dispute between the Southeast Asian nations erupted into military clashes several times last year, with fighting in December killing dozens of people and displacing around one million on both sides.

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The two countries agreed a fragile truce on December 27, ending three weeks of clashes.

"Cambodia has violated the ceasefire" on Tuesday morning, the Thai army said in a statement, accusing Cambodian forces of firing mortar rounds into Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province.

One Thai soldier was hospitalised due to non-life-threatening shrapnel wounds to his right arm, the army said.

The Thai army said in a separate statement that the Cambodian side had contacted a Thai military unit and claimed "there was no intention to fire into Thai territory", adding "the incident was caused by an operational error by Cambodian personnel".

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Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said two Cambodian soldiers were injured, one severely, on Tuesday morning when "an explosion occurred from a pile of garbage".

The incident happened while Cambodian forces were performing "organization and orderliness" duties in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, which sits opposite Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani, she said in a statement.

The two injured soldiers were hospitalised.

Maly Socheata did not mention the strike alleged by Thailand, but said both nations' border coordination teams had consulted on the incident involving the Cambodian soldiers and addressed the matter.

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The explosion occurred in a frontier region known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, she said.

In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight with Thai troops in the area, reigniting the border conflict.

- 'An accident' -

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said his government had lodged a protest with Phnom Penh, stating "the truce was violated".

"At the military-to-military level, we have been told the incident was an accident, but we are seeking clarification on how responsibility will be taken," Anutin told reporters in Bangkok.

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He added that Thailand had the "capability to respond" to Cambodia, which is vastly outgunned by its neighbour.

The nations' long-standing conflict stems from a dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border, where both sides claim territory and centuries-old temple ruins.

Under the December truce, Cambodia and Thailand pledged to cease fire, freeze troop movements and cooperate on demining efforts along their border.

The United States, China and Malaysia had brokered a truce to end the fighting between Cambodia and Thailand in July, but that ceasefire was short-lived.

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- Disputed border -

On Saturday, one week after the December truce went into effect, Cambodia called on Thailand to pull out its forces from several border areas Phnom Penh claims as its own.

The Thai military has rejected claims it had used force to seize Cambodia territory, insisting its forces were present in areas that had always belonged to Thailand.

While the two nations agreed late last month to stop fighting, they still need to resolve the demarcation of their disputed border.

Cambodia's defence ministry said in a statement Tuesday that Phnom Penh had proposed a bilateral border committee meeting with Thai counterparts to be held in Cambodia's Siem Reap province this month.

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Bangkok has said previously that meetings to discuss border surveying and demarcation may need to be held by Thailand's next government, following elections scheduled for February 8.

tak-suy/sco/jm
Thailand on Tuesday called on its neighbour Cambodia to comply with a recently agreed ceasefire after a suspected grenade attack on its territory.

A Thai army spokesman said a mortar shell had been fired from the Cambodian side of the border in the morning and landed on Thai territory. Cambodia later said the incident had not been intentional, according to the spokesman.

The Thai military unit in the affected area warned Cambodia that it must be more careful, he continued. Thailand could be forced to take military countermeasures in the event of future incidents, he said.

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The Thai military said one soldier was slightly injured in the incident, which occurred in the north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province.

The Thai newspaper The Nation said the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok has demanded an explanation from Cambodia, which has so far provided no official statement.

The two South-East Asian countries agreed to a ceasefire at the end of December after weeks of heavy fighting along their shared border, which killed more than 100 people and forced more than half a million on both sides to flee. The neighbouring countries have harboured a decades-long dispute over territorial claims.
Thousands of immigrant students flee LA Unified Schools after chilling effect of ICE raids

Los Angeles schools have lost thousands of immigrant students for years because of the citys rising prices and falling birth rates  and now that trend has intensified after the chilling effect of this years federal immigration raids, district officials said.

This school year, the Los Angeles school district has lost more than 13,000 immigrant students, mostly Hispanic, school officials said, with students fleeing in the months since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stepped up activity in Los Angeles in March.

The nations second-largest district now enrolls about 62,000 English learners, according to new figures obtained by The 74, down from more than 75,000 immigrant students in the 2024-25 academic year.

A line graph showing the number of English Language Learners enrolled in LA Unified School District declining from 157, 619 in 2018 to 62,000 in 2025. - The 74, source: Los Angeles Unified School District



Some children are just choosing not to go back to school, especially those who are immigrants, said Evelyn Aleman, founder of Our Voice, a parents group that advocates for L.A.s Spanish-speaking and low-income families. Thats because they know that immigrant children have been arrested or detained by ICE.

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In the 2018-19 academic year, the district enrolled more than 157,000 English learners. The downward trend of these students represents a stunning turnaround for a district that in 2003 was nearly half immigrant kids. It comes amid a districtwide decline in enrollment.

L.A. is not the only city seeing declines in immigrant enrollment since ICE cracked down. Denver, Miami and San Diego have also reported such losses.

Since January, school officials, municipal leaders and state lawmakers have sought to present a brave face against the immigration crackdowns promised by President Donald Trump. Even before the ICE raids began, they issued guidance, rolled out tools and policies and proposed legislation to limit federal immigration enforcement.

But the fear of ICE became real for many families, Aleman said, after federal agents in April showed up at two LAUSD schools seeking access to young students.

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The federal agents school visits  with as many as four appearing at one time, looking for information on children in grades one through six  were considered the first reported cases of Homeland Security authorities attempting to enter a U.S. school.

School staffers turned the agents away in both cases, but outside of school grounds, at least two LAUSD students have been arrested and held by ICE, Aleman said.

It isnt because they dont want to be in school, said Aleman. A big concern for families is that theyre going to be separated [by ICE]. Rather than see that, many are choosing to self-deport, or children who are high schoolers are choosing not to return.

Instead, Aleman said, kids are staying home where they feel safe, or in some cases going to work outside their homes.

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According to LAUSD figures, the drop in immigrant students this year means LAUSD now enrolls about half as many of those kids as it did before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Besides the ICE raids, factors including rising housing prices, falling birth rates and a tight local economy have also contributed to the exodus of immigrant students, said LAUSD Board Member Tanya Ortiz-Franklin, who represents LAUSDs District 7, which includes neighborhoods such as South L.A., Watts and San Pedro.

People are having less children, and traditionally, in Latino families, there are more children. So thats one area, said Ortiz-Franklin. And, obviously, the cost of living in Los Angeles is ridiculous.

Recent fears around immigration enforcement and the future of public assistance, such as SNAP benefits, are also likely driving down immigrant populations, Ortiz-Franklin said.

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Internal LAUSD documentation shows that the immigrant students in 2003 accounted for about 45% of enrollment, with more than 325,000 English learners enrolled there. Since then, the number of immigrant students has fallen sharply.

But the ICE raids that began in L.A. this year have given immigrant families more reason to be concerned about sending their kids to school  or leaving the city entirely.

To bolster immigrant students sense of safety, LAUSD officials have established perimeters of safety around campuses and instructed school staffers to refuse ICE agents entry, unless warrants are displayed.

The district has created its safe zones around schools by warning families to stay away when volunteer sentries spot ICE agents nearby. A free legal defense fund has been created for families facing enforcement.

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Other measures include free busing to class, legal clinics for families, and remote lessons for when all else fails.

In a statement, a district spokesperson said LAUSDs overall enrollment continues to reflect a long-term downward trend observed across large urban districts in California and nationwide.

Multiple factors contribute to these shifts, including declining birth rates, changes in housing affordability, and family migration patterns, the spokesperson said. In addition, increased federal immigration enforcement efforts have had a chilling effect in many communities.

LAUSD officials and researchers said its difficult to pinpoint where immigrant families are going when they leave. During the pandemic, L.A. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said some of these families had left the state for Texas and Florida for economic reasons.

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Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education Pedro Noguera said LAUSD will face challenges in attracting more immigrant families, even with the measures to protect students from ICE raids.

Theyre taking a lot of extra steps to try to reassure the population, but its limited as to what they can do, Noguera said. Its a combination of several trends, all heavy at once, that is producing this significant decline, he added, saying that LAUSD may soon have to make tough choices due to its shrinking class sizes.

Smaller class sizes have already prompted district leaders to consider measures such as closing schools or converting unused campus buildings for housing.

Overall enrollment in LAUSDs massive, 1,500-school system has cratered since its peak in 2002, when 746,831 students attended classes. This school year, the district enrolled 392,654 students, a drop of roughly 4% from last years count of 409,108, school officials said.

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Enrollment this term has also failed to hit targets set during the budget process earlier in the year, indicating the losses are steeper than officials expected.

Julien Lafortune, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, said such declines are impacting districts around the state, led by the flight of immigrant students.

The growth of Los Angeles and other districts was driven by a lot of immigrants coming in, and then, on average, having more kids than the average native-born person, he said. Now, were seeing kind of the inverse of that. Kind of a bust after the boom.

This story was produced by The 74 and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox individuals have demonstrated against their conscription into the Israeli military, according to media reports.

Leading rabbis called for the protest in Jerusalem, the Times of Israel reported on Tuesday. A speaker reportedly compared conscription to the Holocaust, according to the Times of Israel and the Israeli news site ynet.

For decades, strictly religious men in Israel were exempt from conscription, but this exemption expired about a year and a half ago. The Israeli government has not succeeded in passing a new law to cement this special status for the ultra-Orthodox.

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Since then, there have been repeated large protests by strictly religious Jews against their conscription.

Many ultra-Orthodox individuals perceive military service as a threat to their devout lifestyle, partly because men and women serve together.

Dispute threatens Netanyahu's coalition

The army, meanwhile, has urgently warned of a drastic shortage of combat-ready soldiers, partly due to the prolonged Gaza conflict.

Many Israelis also feel it is unfair that ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from military service and dangerous combat missions.

The rally in Jerusalem was also directed against a new draft law intended to regulate the exemption of the ultra-Orthodox, which some of them feel does not go far enough.

The dispute over conscription for strictly religious men is also considered a threat to the survival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing religious coalition.
Vast swarms of aircraft were built during the Second World War as combatants constantly tried to seize an advantage.

With so many aircraft, it made sense to modify an existing aircraft rather than come up with something new. What follows are ten such modifications. This includes crewed missiles, flying tanks, ludicrous firepower, and fighters grafted together to form new conjoined machines. Some were brilliant, some were appalling failures, a few were outstandingly successful, and all shed light on a terrifying innovation race with the highest possible stakes:

10: US Heavy Bomber fighter conversions: YB-40 and XB-41

YB-40 and XB-41

During the Second World War, converting fighters into bombers was a fairly commonplace occurrence, but examples of bombers that became fighters were far rarer. Those there were tended to be small, fast bombers such as the de Havilland Mosquito; the idea of a heavy bomber becoming a fighter seems absurd.

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Yet the USAAF attempted exactly that, converting examples of both the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator into escort fighters. Only one example of the XB-41 Liberator, modified to carry fourteen .50-calibre machine guns and over 14,000 rounds of ammunition, was built. Although testing proved problematic, the B-17 conversion proved slightly more successful.

10: US Heavy Bomber fighter conversions: YB-40 and XB-41

YB-40 and XB-41

The Boeing YB-40 was equipped with up to thirty defensive guns, though it typically carried fourteen or sixteen. Armament was mostly .50 calibre machine guns in various configurations, though 40-mm cannons were also tested. Twenty-five examples were built, and the aircraft was tested on combat missions over Europe.

No aircraft has ever flown with such a formidable gun-based defensive armament. Unfortunately, this made the aircraft so heavy and slow that it couldnt keep up with the bombers it was supposed to protect. After participating in just ten missions, the entire project was abandoned.

9: Grumman XF4F-3S Wildcatfish

Grumman XF4F-3S Wildcatfish

Various land-based fighters were converted to become seaplanes during the Second World War. A few were very impressive, like the Spitfire floatplanes; some of the others were, to put it kindly, somewhat underwhelming. One such was the floatplane derivative of Grummans spectacularly successful F4F Wildcat, which was developed in 1942.

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Inspired by the Japanese use of floatplane fighters from remote island bases in the Pacific, the float manufacturer Edo was contracted to convert a standard F4F-3 fighter to operate from water. As well as the floats, the aircraft required a ventral fin as well as auxiliary fins on the tail to maintain stability.

9: Grumman XF4F-3S Wildcatfish

Grumman XF4F-3S Wildcatfish

The Wildcat was a slow fighter to start with and slower than its primary foe, the Mitsubishi Zero. The addition of two hefty floats and their supporting struts chopped the maximum speed down to a pretty woeful 241mph. It was, therefore, obvious the floatplane could only be used where fighter opposition was unlikely.

Despite this, 100 sets of Wildcat floats were produced in great haste, but only one floatplane conversion, nicknamed the Wildcatfish, was ever constructed. The ability of US forces to rapidly capture or construct remote island airbases saw the requirement for a floatplane fighter effectively evaporate.

8: Aerial minesweepers

Aerial minesweepers

Magnetic mines posed a significant threat to shipping: 79 ships were lost to mines by the end of 1939 alone. The British responded swiftly with a modified Wellington bomber fitted with a 48-foot-diameter balsa-wood ring containing aluminium coils that emitted magnetic impulses when charged by an electrical current.

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The electrical ring mimicked the magnetic signature of a ship to detonate mines below the surface. Aircraft were much faster than conventional minesweepers, allowing them to clear large areas at high speed. The process was hazardous, however, requiring crews to fly at 130 mph just 35 to 60 feet above the water.

8: Aerial minesweepers

Aerial minesweepers

At such low altitudes, the aircraft were also liable to damage, or even destruction, from the mines they were detonating. Nonetheless, minesweeping Wellingtons proved highly successful, keeping the Thames Estuary clear of magnetic mines for the duration of the war and able to respond quickly to suspected minefields or to clear specific areas.

The Germans also employed the same technology, using the Bv 138 flying boat and Ju 52/3m transport. However, German minesweeping operations were hampered by Allied fighters; this particular famous photo shows a Ju 52 under attack by a Hawker Typhoon. Surviving German minesweepers were used postwar to clear remaining minefields.

7: High altitude combat: Ju 86 and Spitfire

Ju 86 and Spitfire

The Ju 86 was an unexceptional medium bomber that was nearing the end of its operational life in 1939 when Junkers modified it into the Ju 86P high-altitude aircraft, featuring a hugely extended wingspan, a pressurised crew compartment, and turbocharged diesel engines, enabling it to operate at 40,000 feet.

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40 Ju 86Ps conversions were built and operated with impunity over Britain, conducting reconnaissance and nuisance bombing. The improved Ju 86R variant followed with an even greater wingspan and enhanced engines, allowing for flight at 47,000ft. Although never causing much material damage, the uninterceptable Ju 86 raids proved infuriating.

7: High altitude combat: Ju 86 and Spitfire

Ju 86 and Spitfire

High-altitude Spitfires Mk VI and VII (pictured) were developed with extended wings and pressurised cockpits, but by this point, lightened Spitfire IXs were coaxed high enough to make an interception. The highest known combat of the war occurred when a Spitfire IX damaged a Ju 86 at 44,000ft in August 1942, off the coast of Egypt.

Although that particular Ju 86 was not been destroyed, the realisation that the RAF was capable of intercepting the high-flying bombers resulted in their withdrawal from missions over the British Isles. Two Ju 86s were subsequently lost to Spitfires in the Mediterranean, causing Ju 86 operations in the West to cease altogether.

6: Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenburg

Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenburg

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but few measures were ever as desperate as the Fieseler Fi 103R. Consisting of a V-1 cruise missile with a cockpit crammed in behind the 900kg warhead, the pilot was expected to point the aircraft at its target before bailing out.

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The standard V-1 was fast and cheap, but woefully inaccurate, proving able to (sometimes) hit a city-sized target but not much good against anything smaller. The addition of a pilot was hoped to make the weapon viable for attacking ships or other tactical targets.

6: Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenburg

Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenburg

Despite appearances, the Fi 103R was not intended as a suicide weapon. However, the prospect of survival was rated as most unlikely. Bailing out was complicated by the pulsejet engine intake directly behind the canopy, and it was predicted that fewer than 1% of pilots would escape with their lives.

Some prospective pilots were given training in gliders. Still, the almost certain death sentence offered by the Fi 103R was realised to be too insane even for the Nazis and Hitler was persuaded to cancel it. An unknown number of Fi 103Rs were manufactured, and one survives at the Swiss Military Museum.

5: Rotabuggy and A-40

Rotabuggy and A-40

In addition to modifications to existing aircraft, the Second World War also saw the conversion of ground-based vehicles into aircraft. The most promising was likely the Rotabuggy, developed by Austrian-born helicopter pioneer Raoul Hafner, consisting of a jeep equipped with an unpowered rotor to allow it to be towed by an aircraft.

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Tests proved encouraging, and in September 1944, following release from an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley tug aircraft, the Rotabuggy flew for ten minutes at 65mph, its flying qualities described as highly satisfactory. However, by this point, transport gliders were already carrying jeeps into battle, removing any pressing need for the Rotabuggy.

5: Rotabuggy and A-40

Rotabuggy and A-40

The Soviet Union went one stage further, deciding that flying tanks behind enemy lines to support partisans or airborne troops would be a splendid idea. Initially, the focus was on designing a large glider to carry a tank, but designer Oleg Antonov thought converting the tank itself into a glider was a better idea.

Therefore, a T-60 light tank was fitted with jettisonable biplane wings and tail. Tested just once in September 1942, the tank glider was successfully flown and driven back to its base after landing. However, the lack of a suitably powerful tug aircraft to pull the heavy tank glider doomed the project.

4: B-25 Gunships

B-25 Gunships

The B-25 was already being used as a versatile medium bomber when a field modification altered it into a terrifically effective gunship and led to it becoming the most heavily armed attack aircraft of the war. This all derived from the work of one man, the appropriately named Major Paul Pappy Gunn.

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Gunn had fitted Douglas A-20s with extra nose guns recovered from wrecked fighters, and these had proved so successful he was asked to convert a squadron of B-25s along similar lines. Modified in Townsville, Australia, with eight forward firing .50 calibre machine guns in the forward fuselage, the modified B-25s were called Commerce Destroyers.

4: B-25 Gunships

B-25 Gunships

At the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, eleven Commerce Destroyers proved utterly deadly against Japanese ships, utilising their insane firepower to strafe before skip-bombing 500-pound bombs into the ships. The muzzle flashes of the nose guns were so intense that Japanese sailors believed the attackers were hit and on fire.

The astonishing success of the extemporised B-25 gunships led directly to the appearance of the factory-built B-25G and H gunships. Featuring a giant 75mm cannon, a modified version of a Sherman tanks main gun, the B-25H backed this up with ten forward-firing .50 calibre machine guns.

3: Mistel

Mistel

Unlike the unfortunate occupant of the Fi 103R, the pilot of the Mistel (Misteltoe) had a decent chance of survival as he was provided with a fully functional fighter to make good his escape. This composite aircraft was an intriguing scheme to utilise obsolete Ju 88 bombers to attack high-value targets.

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Comprising a Bf 109 or Fw 190 mounted on the back of an explosive-laden Ju 88, the Mistel composite would fly directly at the target before the fighter detached to escape, leaving the uncrewed bomber to continue directly into, and hopefully destroy, the target.

3: Mistel

Mistel

Operational Mistels replaced the Ju 88s cockpit with a shaped explosive charge of nearly two tonnes and a prominent detonator. In June 1944, Mistels attacked the invasion fleet at Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, but no damage was caused despite participating pilots reporting hits. It appears that a decoy battleship hulk had successfully lured the attackers.

Mistels were later used to attack bridges in an attempt to halt the Soviet advance into Germany. The effects, however, were negligible and delayed the Red Army only slightly. Ultimately, the Mistel failed due to the absence of a means to steer the bomber component accurately onto its target.

2: North American P-82 Twin Mustang

North American P-82 Twin Mustang

Likely the most extreme aircraft modification to enter production, the Twin Mustang was the result of an almost absurdly logical process to design a longer-ranged fighter than the standard Mustang to escort long-distance B-29 Superfortress raids against Japan. If one Mustang was insufficient, why not combine two?

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Using the experimental XP-51F as a basis, two lengthened Mustang fuselages and outer wings were mated by a new wing centre section and horizontal tail. Each cockpit contained full controls so the pilots could take it in turns to fly the aircraft, reducing fatigue on missions expected to last many hours.

2: North American P-82 Twin Mustang

North American P-82 Twin Mustang

Although it first flew in June 1945, the P-82 saw no wartime service. Performance was, however, sensational, and an early P-51B flew nonstop from Hawaii to New York, a distance of 5051 miles in 14 hours and 32 minutes a distance record for piston-engine fighters that remains unbroken.

Political pressure saw later aircraft fitted with Allison engines rather than Rolls-Royce Merlins, and performance suffered. New jet fighters sidelined the P-82 to the night-fighting role, where its excellent endurance proved invaluable. In June 1950, a Twin Mustang achieved the first US aerial victory of the Korean War.

1: TB-3 and I-16 Zveno

TB-3 and I-16 Zveno

Derived from pre-war experiments with parasite fighters carried aloft by a mothership (the Aviamatka), the Soviet Navys Zveno (Link) composite bomber consisted of a Tupolev TB-3 heavy bomber carrying two manned and bomb-equipped Polikarpov I-16 fighters under its wings.

The combination allowed the I-16s to be carried to targets much further than they could usually reach, as well as permitting them to deliver heavier bombs than they could usually carry. The vulnerable TB-3 would release the two fighters at a safe distance, and all three would fly home separately.

1: TB-3 and I-16 Zveno

TB-3 and I-16 Zveno

Only six Zveno composites were constructed, but they proved exceptionally successful, as evidenced by their destruction of the King Carol I bridge over the Danube in July 1941. The bridge carried the Ploiesti-Constanta oil pipeline from the oilfield at Ploiesti and was critical for the Axis war effort. Romanian defenders were astounded to see I-16 fighter bombers so far from Soviet territory.

As well as severing the oil pipeline, Zvenos were responsible for destroying a dry dock in Constanta and a bridge across the Dnieper. Around 30 missions were flown in total, but despite considerable success, no further Zveno composites were built, mainly due to TB-3 engine shortages at this early stage of the war. Flying aircraft carriers were a fascinating technology that may one day return.

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Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) talks with reporters after members of the Michigan State Senate voted on a bipartisan deal to curb incoming minimum wage and paid sick leave changes on Feb. 20, 2025. | Kyle Davidson

Updated at 12:55 p.m.

With Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ending his reelection campaign in light of alleged widespread fraud in the states social services programs, Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, who is also a Republican candidate for governor, is now seeking an audit of the Great Lakes states child care programs.

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Nesbitt, of Porter Township, on Jan. 2, issued a letter to Michigans Auditor General Doug Ringler asking his office to take a look into the Michigan Child Development and Care Program housed in the relatively new state Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, or MILEAP. While the program began in 2018, it moved to MILEAP when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created that agency in her second term via executive order.

In a statement to Michigan Advance, the department said it takes its responsibility to state taxpayers, and families, seriously, with work continuously happening to strengthen the program to ensure integrity.

Our focus remains on protecting children, supporting working families, and ensuring public resources are used effectively to meet the needs of Michigans children, the department said.

The senator and gubernatorial candidate last week wrote that he wanted Ringler to take a deeper look into the program in light of what was happening in Minnesota.

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Reporting from the Advances sister publication, the Minnesota Reformer, shows that Walz, a Democrat who was the 2024 vice presidential nominee, faced headwinds after national Republicans learned about the wide-scale fraud in Minnesotas social services programs during Walzs tenure. That includes the Feeding Our Future scandal, in which fraudsters pocketed hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars intended to feed children during the pandemic, the Reformer reported.

It has also been reported that the national attention to Minnesotas issues was driven by a right-wing YouTuber specifically directed to various day care centers by that states Republican Party.

In his letter to Ringler, Nesbitt noted that Michigans program is intended to assist low-income families with the cost of child care and has received more than $540 million in taxpayer support this year.

The lack of affordable child care is one of the greatest challenges facing families in Michigan, Nesbitt wrote. As such, every tax dollar lost to fraud or waste makes it even more difficult for law-abiding Michiganders to get the child care they need.

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Nesbitt also said the audit was important because of what he viewed as previous oversight failures from the Whitmer administration.

In response, the department said accountability and transparency were central to the programs work.

Over 46,000 children from Michigan families rely on the Child Care Scholarship to make child care affordable so they can work or go to school, the department said. Additionally, over 51,000 children participate in PreK for All  saving families up $14,000 annually in child care costs.

The department added that its child care programs are subject to regular oversight, including annual audits by state and federal regulators, following established procedures to identify and prevent fraud. Any suspected fraud cases or misuse of funds are reported to the states Office of Inspector General.

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MiLEAP has zero tolerance policy for fraud and anyone trying to abuse the system, the department said. The department will take strong action against anyone who tries to abuse funds meant to support families.

This story was updated to include a comment from the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential.

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In the Boland Mountains in South Africa's Western Cape, trail cameras caught 647 images of leopards. These images will help researchers calculate the species' density and boost conservation efforts, as Nova News reported.

Researchers set up 90 camera stations across 2,500 square kilometers to get images and videos of the area's most elusive mammals, including leopards. After five months, the Cape Leopard Trust shared its findings.

The cameras took over 190,000 photographs of 22 mammal species, including the Cape fox, grey rhebuck, and African striped weasel. Of these images, 647 were of leopards. Researchers identified 38 individuals, including 22 males and 11 females. Two of the latter had cubs.

One of the leopards identified was BF 15, named Stella, whom researchers have monitored since 2010.

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Unfortunately, eight cameras were stolen during the study.

"The financial loss is massive, but the loss of leopard information from those sites is devastating," the trust stated.

In general, images from trail cameras provide useful data to track animal movements, species densities, and conservation efforts.

Humans are limited in our ability to study wildlife. Trail cameras provide a non-invasive option to view wildlife in their natural environments. With the data from trail cameras, conservationists can find out where to best spend their efforts to protect ecosystems and endangered species such as the West African leopard.

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Ensuring that endangered species are protected and can thrive is important to not only them but to whole ecosystems. When a species goes extinct, it upsets the balance of that ecosystem, leading to changes in food availability for wildlife and to our own food supply. Trail camera data can also help conservationists protect endangered species.

Trail cameras have been able to capture rare footage of wildlife, from red squirrels in Scotland to the Andean mountain cat in South America. These cameras have documented leopard species across the world, including in China, where conservation efforts have allowed the so-called golden coin leopard to make a big comeback.

With these findings, the Cape Leopard Trust hopes to continue studying leopards in the region and advocate for more policing of illegal activity, including hunting and poaching, that can hurt the mammals in the area. Part of the trust's work features teaching the next generation the importance of preserving native species. During the five-month survey, it visited seven schools, educating more than 1,800 students about its work.

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JEFFERSON  Citizens are being warned of a United States Post Office ruling that could affect tax payments made this winter.

Ashtabula County Treasurer Angie Maki-Cliff suggests residents mail their payments early, or use online and in-person payment options, due to postmark clarifications made by the US Postal Service.

As tax season approaches and the Ashtabula County Treasurers Office prepares to mail property tax bills, we want to make residents aware of an important change involving USPS postmarks that could affect tax payments sent by mail, Maki-Cliff stated in a press release.

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She said Ohio law generally treats the postmarked dates as a date of when a payment is mailed and the date it is considered received for dealing purposes.

In other words, if a payment is postmarked on or before the due date, it is considered on time.

The new mitigating factor involves a Dec. 24, 2025, clarification which stated the date printed on the postmark based on when the mail is first processed by sorting machinery and not necessarily the day it is placed in the mailbox or dropped at the local post office.

Maki-Cliff urged people to send payments as early as possible due to the new clarification. She said mail from Ashtabula County often goes to Cleveland so there may be deadline issues.

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My goal is for every taxpayer to succeed and avoid unnecessary penalties, Maki-Cliff said. With this USPS change, waiting until the last minute to mail a payment could create problems through no fault of the taxpayer. Were asking residents to plan ahead, use the convenient payment options available, and reach out if they have questions.

Maki-Cliff suggests going inside the post office, to the counter, and requesting a hand-stamped postmark for those who are mailing close to the deadline.

She added a taxpayer can pay securely at www.ashtabulacounty treasurer.com, in person at the treasurers office in Jefferson, use a drop box at the courthouse entrance or scan the QR code printed on the tax bill for quick access to payment options.
At least 22 people were killed, and 65 others were injured after a cargo truck packed with Ethiopian asylum seekers and migrants overturned on a highway.

The road accident took place in Semera, in the countrys northern Afar region, several hundred kilometres west of neighbouring Djibouti, local authorities reported on Tuesday.

The accident happened when a truck overturned, which had crowded in citizens who were misled by illegal brokers and didnt understand the travel routes danger, the Afar communications bureau wrote in a statement on Facebook.

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The regional government has been doing all the necessary life-saving operations since the accident happened, and at the moment, it is making sure that the injured people get full medical attention at Doubtee Referral Hospital. The government wishes comfort and strength to the families of the deceased, relatives and friends.

Eastern route

Ethiopia is one of the main departure points for the so-called Eastern Route, which asylum seekers and migrants take to leave the Horn of Africa  countries that make up eastern Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti  mainly to find work in Gulf nations.

Thousands of African asylum seekers and migrants take the route across the Red Sea, the majority of the time from Djibouti to Yemen, many in search of work as labourers or domestic workers.

Between January and September 2025, there were 890 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported.

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Last years figures doubled 2024s death toll in the same period in what the United Nations organisation referred to as the highest annual toll ever documented after 2022 [882] and 2023 [701].

Tracked outgoing movements along the Eastern Route between January and September increased by 24 percent, from 283,100 in 2024 to 351,000 in 2025, mainly due to resumed data collection in Yemen, and higher and faster transit flows and shifting routes to evade controls in Djibouti and Somalia, the IOM said.

But despite the high casualty figures, the route continues to be popular. According to the IOM, it is the busiest and riskiest migration route in the world.

Still, while Ethiopia is the second-most populous country in Africa, with about 130 million inhabitants, and one of the fastest growing economies, more than 40 percent live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.
Washington  The Trump administration plans to halt billions of dollars in federal funding for social services programs in five states led by Democrats following allegations of fraud, a Department of Health and Human Services official said Tuesday.

The move will freeze $7 billion for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, nearly $2.4 billion for the Child Care Development Fund and roughly $870 million for social services grants that largely benefit children. The states affected are Minnesota, New York, California, Illinois and Colorado.

The New York Post was first to report that HHS would withhold the funding.

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"The best way to help poor families is to end the fraud so that the money that is available for them. And that's what we're doing," Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., told CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes.

"The states that are affected are not affected because they're Democratic. They're affected because they refuse to cooperate with developing plans that would end the fraud. We gave them a warning. We said, show us your plan for ending the fraud and we won't cut it off. But if you won't show us a plan, a workable plan, we're going to cut it off until you do."

Kennedy said how long the aid is frozen is up to the five states.

"For too long, Democrat-led states and Governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch," Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, said in a statement. "Under the Trump Administration, we are ensuring that federal taxpayer dollars are being used for legitimate purposes. We will ensure these states are following the law and protecting hard-earned taxpayer money."

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The Illinois Department of Human Services said it has not yet received any notification or communication about impacts to its federal funding.

"This is yet another politically-motivated action by the Trump Administration that confuses families and leaves states with more questions than answers. IDHS will provide an update if it is made aware of program or funding changes," the agency said in a statement.

The decision by the Trump administration comes after HHS announced last week that it froze federal child care funding for Minnesota because of "blatant fraud" in public-assistance programs.

More than 90 people face federal charges as a result of fraud schemes that have been uncovered in Minnesota since 2021. Prosecutors estimate the the total amount of fraud could reach $9 billion. The scandal started with a $250 million COVID-era scheme involving a nonprofit called Feeding Our Future, which was accused of stealing from the Federal Child Nutrition Program.

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Since then, federal prosecutors have uncovered "large-scale fraud" in a housing program for seniors and people with disabilities, and a program that provides services to children with autism. The Trump administration is also probing claims of fraud by day care centers in Minnesota, which gained national attention after a conservative YouTube personality named Nick Shirley posted a video that showed him visiting federally backed child care centers around Minneapolis and finding no children there.

CBS News visited several of the centers named by Shirley and found that all but two of the facilities have active licenses, according to state records, and all active locations were visited by state regulators within the last six months.

President Trump has criticized Minnesota leaders for its handling of the scandal and attacked Somali immigrants, claiming they have "ripped off" the state. Many, but not all, of the defendants charged in the fraud schemes are of Somali descent.

Mr. Trump has attacked California, led by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, as "more corrupt" than Minnesota. He said Tuesday in a Truth Social post that "the fraud investigation of California has begun." The president has not provided evidence of wide-scale fraud in California social services and did not provide further details about a probe involving the state.

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Beyond Minnesota, the Trump administration has also not put forth evidence of sweeping fraud schemes in social services in New York, Illinois and Colorado.

Still, over the past several months the Trump administration has turned off the spigot of funding to Democrat-led states and cities, particularly during the historic government shutdown last year. Mr. Trump paused billions of dollars for infrastructure and climate projects, and slashed disaster preparedness grants.

Democrats have accused the administration of playing politics with money that has been approved by Congress.

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President Donald Trumps administration said Tuesday that it is withholding funding for programs that support needy families with children in five Democratic-led states over concerns about fraud.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program, will require the states to provide extra documentation to access the funds.

Families who rely on child care and family assistance programs deserve confidence that these resources are used lawfully and for their intended purpose, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim ONeill said in a statement.

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The administration has not laid out details about the fraud allegations.

HHS said in a statement evening that it identified concerns that these benefits intended for American citizens and lawful residents may have been improperly provided to individuals who are not eligible under federal law.

Five states  California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York  are targeted, and the HHS said they had been notified.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said earlier in the day that New York is prepared to take the administration to court, as Democratic-led states have done scores of times now.

Well fight this with every fiber of our being, because our kids should not be political pawns in a fight that Donald Trump seems to have with blue state governors, she said.

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The plan to withhold the funds was first reported by the New York Post.

Programs aim to help needy children and their families

The targeted programs provide lifelines to some of the neediest Americans:

 The Child Care and Development Fund subsidizes day care for low-income households, enabling parents to work or go to school.

 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides cash assistance and job training so parents in poverty can afford diapers and clothes and earn paychecks.

 The Social Services Block Grant, a much smaller fund, supports several different social service programs.

These resources support families in need and help them access food and much more. If true, it would be awful to see the federal government targeting the most needy families and children this way, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis' office said in a statement.

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Trump himself has not spoken on the specifics, but he proclaimed on social media Tuesday: The Fraud Investigation of California has begun.

Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, said via email that Donald Trump is a deranged, habitual liar whose relationship with reality ended years ago. She also defended Californias record on stamping out fraud in government programs.

New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Trumps move to halt funding aims to score political points, not to stop fraud.

Its our job to serve the people most in need and most at risk  no matter what state they live in or what political party their family or elected representatives belong to, she said in a statement. To use the power of the government to harm the neediest Americans is immoral and indefensible.

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Trump administration amplifies fraud claims

For months the has claimed that federally funded programs are being defrauded and used that assertion as a rationale to hold up money.

Federal child care funding has been on hold in Minnesota since late last month amid investigations into a series of alleged fraud schemes at day care centers run by people with family roots in Somalia.

In the fallout, HHS officials said no state will receive child care funds without providing more verification. Several states have told The Associated Press that they have not received any guidance on that decision.

The administration also raised fraud claims involving SNAP, the countrys main food aid program, saying it would halt administrative money to states  most Democratic-run ones  unless they provide requested details on recipients. That process could take months.

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The administration has said the information provided by most GOP-controlled states shows fraud may be worse than previously believed, though it has not provided the data or detailed reports.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told Fox News on Tuesday that his agency also plans to audit Minnesotas Medicaid bills in search of potential fraud. He did not provide any evidence of fraud that had been found.

___

Associated Press journalists Anthony Izaguirre, Steve Karnowski, Tran Nguyen, Todd Richmond, Colleen Slevin, Darlene Superville and Sophie Tareen contributed.
One of US President Donald Trump's senior aides has ramped up Washington's threat to take over Greenland, stating on Monday that no one would militarily challenge the United States over the future of the autonomous Danish territory.

In an interview with CNN, Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller said it was Washington's "formal position ... that Greenland should be part of the US".

His comments followed the US president's renewed call for the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island to come under Washington's control in the aftermath of the weekend military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro.

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Miller questioned Denmark's right to "control" Greenland, which is a part of its kingdom.

"The real question is what right does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?" Miller said during the interview with CNN on Monday afternoon.

FILE: United States Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller reacts on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. - Mark Schiefelbein/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved.

The top Trump aide also said the US "is the power of NATO. For the US to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the US."

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When asked if the US would rule out the use of force to annex Greenland, Miller said there was "no need to even think or talk about" a military operation in the Arctic island.

"Nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland," he said.

Miller is widely seen as the architect of several of Trump's policies, steering the president on his hardline immigration stance and domestic agenda.

EU leaders defend Greenland

Meanwhile, leaders of six European nations  Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK  issued a joint statement on Tuesday defending Greenland's sovereignty.

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"Greenland belongs to its people," said the statement, which was later backed by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

"It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

On Sunday, Trump doubled down on his claim that Greenland should become part of the US, despite calls by the Danish and Greenlandic leaders to stop "threatening" the territory.

"Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," Trump said while aboard Air Force One en route to Washington. "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it."

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In response to those comments, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that a US takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of the NATO military alliance.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also issued a statement in which he urged Trump to abandon his "fantasies about annexation" and accused Washington of "completely and utterly unacceptable" rhetoric. "Enough is enough," he said.

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Greenland has been under Danish control since the early 18th century but gained home rule in 1979, although Copenhagen continues to oversee its foreign and security policy.

The island holds vast mineral wealth, including rare earths, crucial for advanced technologies.
Six European allies have rallied to support Denmark following renewed insistence by the US that it must have control over Greenland.

"Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations," the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark said in a joint statement.

On Sunday, Donald Trump said the US "needed" Greenland - a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark - for security reasons.

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He has refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the territory, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Monday that an attack by the US would spell the end of Nato.

Nato is a trans-Atlantic military group where allies are expected to go to each other's aid in case of external attacks.

The issue of Greenland's future resurfaced in the wake of the US military intervention in Venezuela, during which elite troops went in to seize the country's President Nicolas Maduro and take him to face drugs and weapons charges in New York.

Following the raid, Trump said the US would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified period of time.

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He also said the US was returning to an 1823 policy of US supremacy in its sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere - and he warned a number of countries the US could turn its attention to them.

[BBC]

The US military raid in Venezuela has reignited fears that the US may consider using force to secure control of Greenland.

A day after the raid, Katie Miller - the wife of one of Trump's senior aides - posted on social media a map of Greenland in the colours of the American flag, alongside the word "SOON".

On Monday, her husband Stephen Miller said it was "the formal position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US".

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In an interview with CNN, he also said the US "is the power of Nato. For the US to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend Nato and Nato interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the US."

Asked repeatedly whether the US would rule out using force to annex it, Miller responded: "Nobody's going to fight the US over the future of Greenland."

Stressing they were as keen as the US in Arctic security, the seven European signatories of Tuesday's joint statement said this must be achieved by Nato allies, including the US "collectively" - whilst "upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders".

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the statement and called for "respectful dialogue".

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"The dialogue must take place with respect for the fact that Greenland's status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity," Nielsen said.

Trump has claimed that making Greenland part of the US would serve American security interests due to its strategic location and its abundance of minerals critical to high-tech sectors.

The Trump administration's recent move to appoint a special envoy to Greenland prompted anger in Denmark.

Greenland, which has a population of 57,000 people, has had extensive self-government since 1979, though defence and foreign policy remain in Danish hands.

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While most Greenlanders favour eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the US.

Morgan Angaju, 27, an Inuit living in Ilulissat in the west of the country, told BBC Newsbeat it had been "terrifying to listen to the leader of the free world laughing at Denmark and Greenland and just talking about us like we're something to claim".

"We are already claimed by the Greenlandic people. Kalaallit Nunaat means the land of the Greenlandic people," Morgan said.

He added he was worried about what happens next - wondering whether Greenland's prime minister may suffer the same fate as Maduro - or even about the US "invading our country".

Morgan Angaju is one of the local Greenlanders opposed to Donald Trump's policies on the island [BBC]

More on this story

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
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In recent years, a handful of deep-blue states have aggressively tried to offer "free" health care to those in the country illegally only to develop alligator arms when the check arrived. Go figure.

In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed ending the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (notice the word "illegal" is nowhere to be found) by July. "The decision is a response to higher-than-anticipated costs," Newsweek reported, "aligning with broader deficit reduction efforts." Legislation in Minnesota would do the same after a 2023 plan to expand "access" to publicly funded care to the undocumented proved far more costly than anticipated.

And then there's California.

In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom promised that legislation to expand a taxpayer-funded health care program to all low-income residents regardless of immigration status would save money in the long run by emphasizing preventive care and reducing expensive emergency room visits. "We are implementing our ideals," he said.

Those ideals apparently included cratering the budget.

The Wall Street Journal reports that California even sent nonprofit workers into immigrant neighborhoods to sign up as many people as possible for the Medi-Cal program. Enrollment skyrocketed, and overall costs ballooned from $104 billion in fiscal 2019 to $197 billion. The state is projected to run a $10 billion deficit for the current fiscal year  which is expected to increase during the following budget cycle. This despite record revenue growth.

In response, Newsom has announced a freeze on new applicants for Medi-Cal and a reduction in benefits for current enrollees, while adding monthly premiums for many in the program.

"The governor and Legislature made a fiscally necessary decision that ultimately helps preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal," a Newsom spokesman told the Journal.

Of course, the "fiscally necessary decision" was necessary in the first place only because of a previous fiscally irresponsible decision by the governor and lawmakers.

The moral of the story is that "free" health care isn't "free." There are real consequences  both fiscal and political  for extending welfare benefits to those who break the nation's immigration laws, not the least of which is the creation of an incentive that drives more illegal immigration.

It's also a potent reminder to all those newly minted democratic socialists that the "free" stuff they promise  health care, child care, college, municipal transit, food, housing  actually costs money, and lots of it. It takes a thriving private sector built on the wonders of capitalism and free markets to generate the tax revenue necessary to fund a cradle-to-grave welfare state. And, as California has now discovered, even that isn't always enough.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
One of President Donald Trump's closest aides, Stephen Miller, questioned Denmark's claim on Greenland and suggested the U.S. could seize it without pushback, stoking concern among European allies.

Speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper, Miller sidestepped questions of whether the U.S. will use military force to take Greenland, a territory of Denmark, and said the president has been "clear for months" that the U.S. should have it.

Nobodys going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland, Miller said in the Jan. 5 interview.

Miller also questioned Denmark's control over the resource-rich territory.

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"It wouldn't be military action against Greenland. Greenland has a population of 30,000 people, Jake," Miller said. "The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?"

More: Greenland leader 'sad' over Trumps special envoy appointment

Since taking office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly floated buying the Arctic island from Denmark and has refused to rule out taking it through military force. Trump has argued that annexing Greenland is a national security necessity, noting its mass of critical minerals and strategic location. Miller echoed that argument, saying the U.S. needs Greenland to secure the Atlantic region for NATO interests.

"Obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States," he said.

President Donald Trump senior aide Stephen Miller speaks to reporters about Venezuela at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 5, 2026.

The presidential aide's comments add to a growing chorus of voices from the administration ramping up pressure on Greenland, after U.S. military forces intervened in another nation  Venezuela  issuing strikes and seizing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

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Trump renewed those calls for an American-run Greenland on Jan. 4 as Trump promised to "run" the South American country until a democratic transition could occur.

More: Nicolas Maduro, wife in New York to face charges after US strikes on Venezuela

The move has elevated concerns that the same could happen with Greenland, a Danish territory with limited self-rule.

Stephen Miller's wife Katie Miller, a MAGA commentator and former official in the Trump administration, further stoked concern after posting an illustration of Greenland with U.S. stars and stripes on social media. Her post, which said, "SOON," came the same day as the U.S. military strikes on Venezuela that ended in the capture of Maduro and his wife.

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Denmark's prime minister has urged the White House to "stop the threats" about taking over Greenland the day prior, after the president reiterated his wish to do so in a weekend interview with The Atlantic magazine.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen looks on during a meeting in the Folketing (Parliament), in Copenhagen, on Dec. 9, 2025.

A joint statement from several top NATO members on Jan. 6 pushed back on the administration's claim that security in the Arctic requires U.S. control of the territory.

"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the nations said.

Leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom signed the statement.

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Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY.

Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump aide Stephen Miller says US could seize Greenland
Americas global allies have slammed the Trump administrations ambition to seize Greenland after one of the presidents top aides claimed no one would oppose the U.S. militarily staking a claim to it.

Hours after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller doubled down on Trumps pushand defended his wife threatening Greenland in a provocative social media postAmericas major European allies rallied behind the Arctic territory to tell the U.S. to butt out.

Katie Miller posts about the U.S. plans for Greenland on X. / X

Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, they said, in a stinging rebuke.

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The strongly-worded statement was signed by seven of Americas traditional allies, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron pose with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer. Both have signed a statement rebuking Trump's desire to seize Greenland. / OLI SCARFF / OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Republican Congressman Don Bacon, a staunch defender of the US-European alliance, said it was embarrassing for the U.S. that this statement even has to be made.

Denigrating our Allies serves no purpose and there is NO up side, said the retiring lawmaker from Nebraska.

It weakens us by diminishing trust between friends, and Russia and China love it. So stop the stupid we want Greenland BS.

The joint statement is emblematic of growing concerns around the world over Trumps push to dominate the Western Hemisphere.

The president made his intentions clear after the stunning capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro, paving the way for the U.S. to run the oil-rich Latin American country.

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Immediately after the military operation, Millers wife posted a photo of a map of Greenland covered with an American flag on her X account on Saturday, with the caption SOON.

Grilled about the CNN post on Monday night, Stephen Miller said Trump had made it clear he wanted to take over the running of Greenland since his first term.

Asked by Jake Tapper if military action to seize the country was off the table, he replied: The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?

The United States is the power of NATO, Miller said. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States.

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He added that there was no need to talk about military action, telling Tapper: Nobodys going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

Jake Tapper interviews Stephen Miller on CNN. / screen grab

Taking Greenland by force would be the first time a NATO member directly attacked another members territory since the alliance was created in 1949.

Trump argues that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security purposes, and securing it is aligned with what he describes as the Donroe Doctrine: a vision of a U.S. superpower that could assert its military might to conquer the Western Hemisphere.

PM Frederiksen: Good meeting with PM Carney today. Reaffirmed close bond between our two countries. Discussed security in the Arctic. Expressed my appreciation for Canadas strong support to the Kingdom of Denmark in the current situation. pic.twitter.com/33O8utz4JV  Statsministeriet (@Statsmin) January 6, 2026

But the leaders of Greenland and Denmark have forcefully rejected the idea of annexing the territory.

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The Danish foreign policy committee has also called an extraordinary meeting of the countrys parliament for Tuesday night to discuss the Danish kingdoms relationship with the U.S.

In their statement on Tuesday, which was shared by the Danish prime ministers office, the European leaders said security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively with Nato allies, including the U.S.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday, also weighed in.

The future of Greenland is a decision exclusively for the people of Greenland and Denmark, Carney told reporters in Paris.
President Trumps capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro is giving him an opportunity to redefine America First as pro-intervention  but risks fracturing the MAGA coalition.

There was some predictable pushback to the strikes from some of the biggest isolationist voices in the Republican Party who have turned into Trump antagonists. Now-former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said the strikes represented what many in MAGA thought they voted to end. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) told MAGA to wake up, saying Venezuela is not about drugs; its about OIL and REGIME CHANGE.

But conservative commentators who had previously panned foreign intervention in other instances quickly signaled support for the bombing of Venezuela and quick capture of Maduro that occurred without any U.S. deaths. They were attracted to the swift use of force.

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Im as reflexively non-interventionist as anyone can possibly be, but Venezuela appears to be a resounding victory and one of the most brilliant military operations in American history, posted Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh, who just weeks ago had chatted with Tucker Carlson about why the U.S. should not be involved at all in the Israel-Gaza conflict. As an unapologetic American Chauvinist, I want America to rule over this hemisphere and exert its power for the good of our people.

Carlson, meanwhile, told MAGA personality Mike Cernovich on his show Monday that he was grateful for the wisdom of not taking out the entire government, since it can be very hard to put those things back together again. He also praised Trumps apparent support for Delcy Rodriguez, Maduros No. 2, to lead the country rather than Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado  who Carlson said was the favored choice among the Bibi people, in reference to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Other prominent anti-intervention Republicans pulled their punches. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) wrote a long social media post focused mostly on dragging socialism, ending on a wait-and-see note: Time will tell if regime change in Venezuela is successful without significant monetary or human cost. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said that after speaking with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he thought the president likely had inherent authority to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack.

The early rallying from Trumps MAGA allies isnt without caveats.

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Former Trump adviser and commentator Steve Bannon said Monday that while the MAGA crowd fully supported a precision military exercise to extract Maduro and put him on trial, people are concerned about Trumps comments about being unafraid about putting boots on the ground in Venezuela and about rebuilding the country.

When Maduro was taken from the Brooklyn detention center through lovely parts of Brooklyn and I think some of the Bronx, the United States looks worse than Caracas, Bannon said on his War Room podcast. Maybe some of that focus should be here.

Megyn Kelly, who campaigned for Trump, recalled the Libyan government bombing Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988  killing 259 people, including 190 Americans  as retaliation for U.S. strikes in Libya.

You just dont know what youre starting, Kelly said on her show Monday. How is this going to come back to haunt us? She said she thinks the Trump administrations stated focus on narco-terroism is likely a pretext to force regime change.

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There are major questions about what, exactly, the U.S. is going to do in Venezuela now, as the Trump administration sends mixed messages.

Trump asserted that were in charge of Venezuela now, but Rubio said the strikes were a law enforcement action  later adding that the U.S. is retaining multiple levers of leverage to include quarantining oil. While the U.S. captured Maduro, the rest of the Venezuelan regime remains in place, even as Rubio said that the U.S. wants to see Venezuela transition to a place completely different than what it looks like today.

How the administration handles the next steps could present a bigger challenge for the MAGA coalition.

The America First slogan popularized by Trump was long seen as being implicitly against heavy-handed intervention and regime change in foreign countries where there is not a direct benefit to the U.S. Some of his loudest supporters are scarred by the failure of attempted nation-building efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq that began under former President George W. Bush. Trump himself has panned nation-building crusades to nations that wanted nothing to do with us, as he put it in a speech to West Point graduates in May 2025.

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But how important is that anti-intervention stance to the success of the MAGA coalition?

Early polling shows that while Trump voters largely support his Venezuela actions, they are still skeptical of a more involved U.S. approach in the country.

A weekend Washington Post poll found broad support for using the military to capture Maduro among those who voted for Trump in 2024, with 80 percent approving and just 7 percent disapproving.

But the poll also showed Trump voters having limits to their support for U.S. intervention in Venezuela: 46 percent said they would support the U.S. taking control of Venezuela and choosing a new government for the country while 19 percent opposed and 34 percent were unsure. When asked who should decide the future leadership of Venezuela, just 9 percent of Trump voters said that the U.S. should decide, while 91 percent said the Venezuelan people should decide.

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In general, the current Republican coalition prefers peace through strength over diplomacy first. An October Manhattan Institute survey measuring the attitudes of Trump voters and self-identified Republicans who didnt vote for Trump found that the majority  67 percent  support a peace through strength foreign policy that takes an active role in promoting U.S. interests and countering threats with a strong military.

Another 29 percent favored diplomacy first, saying the U.S. should focus on diplomacy and always avoid military intervention unless directly threatened.

Thats a sizable minority in the fragile Trump coalition thats on the side of diplomacy first, which the president acknowledged by making Tulsi Gabbard his Director of National Intelligence.

Gabbard, meanwhile, has been notably quiet about the Venezuela actions, while her previous statements in opposition to intervention in Venezuela and elsewhere have made the rounds. She said in an October speech that American foreign policy for decades was trapped in a counterproductive and endless cycle of regime change or nation-building, and that Trump  was elected by the American people to put an end to this.

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If Trump needed support from the Gabbards of the world to win in 2024, his Venezuela actions pose major challenges for the MAGA coalition staying together.

Welcome to 2026 and welcome back to The Movement, a weekly newsletter looking at the influences and debates on the right in Washington. Im Emily Brooks, House leadership reporter at The Hill.

Send me tips, comments, and suggestions: ebrooks@thehill.com.

Follow me on X: @emilybrooksnews

Not already on the list? Subscribe here

MAHA CELEBRATES DEFEAT OF PESTICIDE PROVISION

The Make America Healthy Again crowd got a major win on Monday when the text of a bipartisan, bicameral spending bill removed a provision that they said would shield pesticide and chemical manufacturers from accountability.

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The provision in question would have blocked pesticide labels about health effects that go beyond those recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with GOP advocate Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) saying it would avoid a patchwork of state labeling requirements.

Conservative commentator Brett Cooper panned the provision on a Friday Fox News appearance, saying it sounds like House Republicans are giving the middle finger to MAHA. GOP lawmakers including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), warned they were against the provision.

But when the text of the bipartisan, bicameral spending package was released Monday, it did not include the pesticide provision that was in the original Interior-Environment bill that was approved in the House Appropriations Committee over the summer. More from my colleague Rachel Frazin here .

MAHA Action celebrated the provisions exclusion, saying on social media: Once again MAHA has proven just how powerful our voice is when we come together on an issue.

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Alex Clark, host of the Turning Point USA health and wellness podcast Culture Apothecary, suggested the move was the result of MAHA activism: I knew being kicked out of class because I wouldnt shut up would be used for good some day.

But the MAGA-MAHA collision on the issue may not be over, as activists watch out for the provision being added to other must-pass legislation this year like the Farm Bill.

FREE-MARKETERS URGE RESTRAINT IN WARNER BROS FIGHT

NEWS: In advance of a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust hearing on Wednesday on Competition and Consumer Choice in Digital Streaming, a coalition of conservative and free-market leaders sent a letter to lawmakers urging government restraint when it comes to the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Netflix and a competing hostile takeover bid by Warner Bros. Discovery. The initial deal was met with accusations of antitrust violations.

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Signatories include Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform; Saul Anuzis of the American Association of Senior Citizens; Jessica Melugin of the Competitive Enterprise Institute; David Williams of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance; and Phil Kerpen of American Commitment.

They argue that the acquisition proposals would allow TV and film productions to be delivered to consumers at a lower cost.

Some far-left politicians like Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have preemptively criticized the proposed acquisition on the basis that it would create an extensive combined media library, they said, referencing a post from Warren that said a Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. would give them control to half of streaming subscribers and could raise the cost of watching favorite shows. To the contrary, this combined library would allow consumers to view even more of their favorite shows without needing to purchase multiple streaming service subscriptions, providing greater benefits to subscribers.

Congress, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) should follow free-market principles and allow for an acquisition to take place without undue government interference, they wrote. Regulators should avoid following the previous administrations big is bad philosophy. Instead, they should adhere to the consumer welfare standard, the basis of U.S. antitrust law which focuses on the potential benefits to consumers from proposed merger and acquisition activity.

ON MY CALENDAR

Wednesday, Jan. 7: Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger (R-Texas) and Vice Chair Ben Cline (R-Va.) speak to the Ripon Society.

Thursday, Jan. 8: America First Policy Institute hosts a roundtable on The Issues and Strategies that Will Define America First in 2026, featuring Kellyanne Conway and Benny Johnson.

THREE MORE THINGS

MAKE-UP DINNER: Elon Musk had what he said was a lovely dinner with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago, adding: 2026 is going to be amazing! Its quite a turnaround for the duo after their very public falling out over the summer, which included Musk accusing Trump of not wanting to release the Jeffrey Epstein files because he was in them, and his call for a new America Party. Their reconciliation is great news for Republicans hoping to get a piece of Musks cash in their midterm campaigns. MAR-A-LAGO MOVES: White House Deputy Chief of Staff for policy Stephen Miller and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem grooved to Ice Ice Baby as rapper Vanilla Ice performed at Mar-a-Lago on New Years Eve. Rubio, meanwhile  likely knowing about what was to come in Venezuela  sang along to Pitbulls Fireball. RUBIO STOCK IS UP: Prediction market Kalshi says theres an uptick on Rubio to be the 2028 Republican presidential nominee after Maduros capture, jumping from 11 percent on Jan. 1 to 17 percent on Jan. 5. Vance is still the far-and-away favorite at 50 percent. Rubio, it should be noted, has publicly ruled out a 2028 bid if Vance runs.

WHAT IM READING

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Donald Trump's unrelenting attacks against GOP Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie continued Jan. 5 as he urged "MAGA Warriors" to support Republican challenger Ed Gallrein.

"I am asking all MAGA Warriors to rally behind Captain Ed Gallrein, the Candidate who is, far and away, best positioned to DEFEAT Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the beautiful Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won BIG, ALL THREE TIMES," Trump posted on social media site Truth Social.

Gallrein, who announced his Trump-backed candidacy in October, filed to run for office at the Kentucky Secretary of State office Monday.

Who is Ed Gallrein?

According to his website, Gallrein is a fifth-generation farmer from Shelbyville and former Navy SEAL officer who has earned four Bronze Stars.

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"Politicians like Thomas Massie are blocking President Trump's agenda that we voted for and hurting our Nation," Gallrein said in a news release Jan. 5. "Kentuckians deserve a representative who will work with our President in the service of our Great Nation, not against him and what we stand for."

Gallrein previously ran for state Senate in 2024 and narrowly lost to Aaron Reed.

He has not responded to four emails from The Enquirer requesting an interview.

Republican Ed Gallrein announced Oct. 21 that he's running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie with the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

Why is Massie feuding with Trump?

Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie has easily won re-election since he first took office in 2012. But he's facing what could be his toughest Republican primary in 2026 as President Donald Trump continues to heckle him and support GOP challenger Gallrein.

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But Massie, who filed his candidacy paperwork with the Kentucky Secretary of State Dec. 30, said Trump doesn't worry him at all. In fact, he's feeling optimistic after he raked in $41,000 in donations online since Trump's online attacks over the holidays.

"Maybe we schedule a tweet from Donald Trump every week ... because every time he does it, it boosts my fundraising," Massie, 54, previously told The Enquirer.

Massie and Trump have butted heads on and off for years, with Massie initially supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president in 2024. In the days before the election, though, Massie endorsed Trump for president.

Massie and Trump's working relationship, however, quickly soured last year as they disagreed on spending in Ukraine, Israel, and releasing the Epstein files.

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Massie responded with an internet meme to Trump's long post urging Massie's ouster, posting on X: " i aint reading all that im happy for u tho or sorry that happened."

i aint reading all that

im happy for u tho

or sorry that happened pic.twitter.com/kzxZFX0yk0  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 6, 2026

Who else is running against Thomas Massie?

Republican Robert Wells

Robert Wells is a retired anesthesiologist and entrepreneur who's hit the ground running with his campaign. He's sent out multiple mailers and has an online presence where he's engaged with voters. He filed to run for office on Nov. 26.

"You can't play for both teams, and you can't represent KY while scoring points for the other side," Wells wrote on social media. "Thomas Massie wears a Republican jersey, but his votes repeatedly betray President Trump and the MAGA Agenda."

Wells has not responded to two emails from The Enquirer requesting an interview.

Democrat Jesse Russell Brewer

Villa Hills resident Jesse Brewer is new to the political arena in Kentucky.

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According to his website, he was raised in a working class family that lived in Gallatin and Pendleton counties. After working a variety of jobs throughout the country, Brewer recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Northern Kentucky University.

"Im just a guy thats damn mad," he told Cincinnati CityBeat in an interview this summer.

He has agreed to an interview with The Enquirer.

Democrat Melissa Claire Strange

Erlanger resident and lifelong Kentuckian Melissa Strange is a supply chain director for a global nutrition and agribusiness company, her website states.

She has a bachelors degree in international studies with a focus on economics and political science from Northern Kentucky University and a masters degree in business administration from Thomas More University.

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"We deserve representation who will work with others to find ways to move us forward and put our people over politics," she said on her website.

She has agreed to an interview with The Enquirer.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trump calls for 'MAGA Warriors' to rally behind Massie challenger
Donald Trump has said Venezuela "will be turning over" up to 50 million barrels of oil to the US, after a military operation to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power.

The oil - worth about $2.8bn (2.1bn) - will be sold at its market price, the US president wrote on social media, adding he would control the money raised and use it to benefit the people of Venezuela and the US.

His comments come after he said the US oil industry would be "up and running" in Venezuela within 18 months and that he expected huge investments to pour into the country.

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Analysts previously told the BBC it could take tens of billions of dollars - and potentially a decade - to restore Venezuela's former output.

China, which has been the biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil in recent years, has condemned Trump's announcement as well as the US's reported demands that Venezuela gives its oil exclusively to them.

ABC News has reported, citing unnamed sources, that Trump had told Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez to agree to an exclusive partnership with the US on oil production and sever economic ties with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba.

Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday: "I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.

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"This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!"

His comment came a day after Rodriguez, formerly Venezuela's vice-president, was sworn in as its interim president. Maduro has been brought to the US to face drug-trafficking and weapons charges.

The US president told NBC News on Monday: "Having a Venezuela that's an oil producer is good for the United States because it keeps the price of oil down."

Representatives from major US petroleum companies planned to meet the Trump administration this week, the BBC's US news partner CBS reported.

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Analysts who previously spoke to the BBC were sceptical that Trump's plans would have a major impact on the global supply - and therefore price - of oil.

They suggested that firms would look for reassurance that a stable government was in place - and, even when they did invest, their projects would not deliver for years.

Trump has argued in recent days that US oil companies can fix Venezuela's oil infrastructure.

The country has an estimated 303 billion barrels - the world's largest proven reserve - but its oil production has been in decline since the early 2000s.

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The Trump administration sees significant potential for its own energy prospects in Venezuela's reserves.

Increasing the country's production of oil would be expensive for US firms.

Venezuelan oil is also heavy and more difficult to refine. There is only one US firm, Chevron, currently operating in the country.

Asked for comment about Trump's plans for US oil production in Venezuela, Chevron spokesman Bill Turenne said the company "remains focused on the safety and wellbeing of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets".

"We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations," he added.

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ConocoPhillips, a major US oil company that no longer has a presence in Venezuela, "is monitoring developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for global energy supply and stability", said spokesman Dennis Nuss.

"It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments."

A third company, Exxon, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday that the US's "blatant military action against Venezuela, and its demand that Venezuela prioritise the US in disposing of its oil resources, is a typical act of bullying, a serious violation of international law, a severe infringement upon Venezuela's sovereignty, and a grave damage to the rights of the Venezuelan people".

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She added: "I want to emphasise that the legitimate rights and interests of China and other countries in Venezuela must be protected... Co-operation between China and Venezuela is the co-operation between two sovereign states, which is under protection of international law and the domestic laws of the two countries."

While justifying the seizure of Maduro from Caracas, Trump also claimed that Venezuela "unilaterally seized and stole American oil".

Vice-President JD Vance echoed those claims on X after Maduro was taken, writing that "Venezuela expropriated American oil property and until recently used that stolen property to get rich and fund their narcoterrorist activities".

The reality is more complex.

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US oil companies have a long history in Venezuela, extracting oil under licence agreements.

Venezuela nationalised its oil industry in 1976, and in 2007, President Hugo Chavez exerted more state control over the remaining foreign-owned assets of US oil firms operating in the country.

In 2019, a World Bank tribunal ordered Venezuela to pay $8.7bn in compensation to ConocoPhillips for the move.

That sum has not been paid by Venezuela, so at least one US oil company has outstanding compensation which is owed to it.

But BBC Verify's Ben Chu said the claim Venezuela has "stolen" US oil is too simplistic, as experts said the oil itself was never actually owned by anyone except Venezuela.

The ownership of natural resources by sovereign nations is considered a key tenet of international law.
US President Donald Trump is discussing options including military action to take control of Greenland, the White House said Tuesday, upping tensions that Denmark warns could destroy the NATO alliance.

Trump has stepped up his designs on the mineral-rich, self-governing Danish territory in the arctic since the US military seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro last weekend.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that "acquiring Greenland is a national security priority" for Trump to deter US adversaries like Russia and China.

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"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander in chief's disposal," she said in a statement to AFP.

The Wall Street Journal reported Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that Trump's preferred option is to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding the threats did not signal an imminent invasion.

Denmark has warned any move to take Greenland by force would mean "everything would stop," including NATO and 80 years of close transatlantic security links.

Any US military action against Greenland would effectively collapse NATO, since the alliance's Article Five pledges that member states will defend any of their number that come under attack.

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Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt wrote on social media that they'd sought a meeting with Rubio throughout 2025 but "it has so far not been possible."

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said meeting Rubio should "clear up certain misunderstandings."

And Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen insisted that the island was not for sale, and only its 57,000 people should decide its future.

- 'Not acceptable' -

Allies have rallied around Denmark and Greenland while simultaneously trying not to antagonize Trump.

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain joined Denmark in a statement on Tuesday saying they would defend the "universal principles" of "sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders."

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French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer both sought to play down the row as they attended Ukraine peace talks in Paris alongside Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

"I cannot imagine a scenario in which the United States of America would be placed in a position to violate Danish sovereignty," Macron said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday he believed the US was committed to NATO, but he suggested European leaders were prepared to strike back against potential US "intimidation."

The United States has 150 military personnel stationed at the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.

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Greenland residents have rejected Trump's threats.

"This is not something we appreciate," Christian Keldsen, director of the Greenland Business Assocation, told AFP in the capital Nuuk. "It is not acceptable in the civilized world."

Trump has been floating the idea of annexing Greenland since his first term. In the last year, Copenhagen has invested heavily in security, allocating some 90 billion kroner ($14 billion).

- Big and strong -

Still steaming over Trump's capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, US legislators spoke out against the idea of military action against Greenland on Tuesday.

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In social media posts, Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, vowed to introduce a resolution "to block Trump from invading Greenland," saying the 79-year-old Republican simply "wants a giant island with his name on it. He wouldn't think twice about putting our troops in danger if it makes him feel big and strong."

In a sharp departure from the party's typical partisanship, Republicans also pushed back against Trump's military-backed expansionism.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, told reporters Tuesday night that he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Washington to take military action on Greenland, Politico reported.

Republican Senator Jerry Moran of the midwestern state of Kansas, who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told HuffPost "it's none of our business" and warned that the move would lead to "the demise of NATO."

Nebraska Republican Congressman Don Bacon put it even more bluntly in a post on X: "This is really dumb. Greenland and Denmark are our allies."

burs-dk/sla/jgc/abs/lga/fox
Former conservative lawyer-turned-Trump-critic George Conway officially launched a Democratic bid for New Yorks 12th Congressional District on Tuesday, joining an increasingly crowded field to represent the Manhattan-based seat.

We have a corrupt president, a mendacious president, a criminal president whose masked agents are disappearing people from our streets, whos breaking international law, and hes running our federal government like a mob protection racket, Conway said in a nearly two-and-a-half-minute ad.

I know how to fight these people. They are corrupt, amoral people, Conway said. They will stop at nothing to rig the system for themselves. Ive been fighting Trump for years, and nothing will stop me.

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The Republican-turned-Democrat filed paperwork last month to declare his candidacy for retiring Rep. Jerry Nadlers (D-N.Y.) seat. His announcement notably falls on the five-year anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Conway spent two dozen years at the New York law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz as a partner, with his campaign touting that he spent 30 years in the state overall.

He was previously married to former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway, later divorcing in 2023 as the two diverged politically. Conway became one of Trumps most prominent critics and later co-founded the anti-Trump Lincoln Project.

Conway is the second prominent former Republican-turned-Trump-critic to launch a campaign this year. Former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan is running as a Democrat for Georgia governor this year.

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Both men are making bets that Democratic voters will see past their former conservative bona fides and reward them for taking on President Trump as former Republicans.

Conway, like Duncan, is running in a crowded field for the Democratic nod. Other prominent candidates running include Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President Kennedy; New York State Assemblymen Micah Lasher, seen as an heir apparent to Nadler, and Alex Bores; activists Cameron Kasky and Mathew Shurka; journalist Jami Floyd and civil rights lawyer Laura Dunn, fundraiser Alan Pardee, Gen Z nonprofit founder Liam Elkind, entrepreneur Micah Bergdale and Democrat Christopher Diep.

Nadlers district voted for former Vice President Harris by 64 points in 2024, according to The Downballot, meaning whoever wins the Democratic primary is seen as the heavy favorite to win in November.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Donald Trump flipped the script on Democrats "no one is above the law" mantra after years of hearing it aimed at him, invoking the phrase after news broke Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz would not seek re-election as a sweeping fraud scandal rocks his state.

"Governor Walz has destroyed the State of Minnesota, but others, like Governor Gavin Newscum, JB Pritzker, and Kathy Hochul, have done, in my opinion, an even more dishonest and incompetent job. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!" Trump posted to Truth Social Monday afternoon.

The message followed Walz announcing Monday that he was withdrawing his re-election effort to continue serving as governor. Walz was first elected the state's top leader in 2018 in a political career that also included him campaigning coast-to-coast in 2024 as former Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.

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"As I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I cant give a political campaign my all," Walz wrote in a statement. "Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I cant spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences."

Kevin Mccarthy Says Minnesota's 'Entire Democrat Administration' Will Have To Resign Over Fraud Scandal

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota announced Jan. 5, 2025, that he's dropping his bid for a third term as governor.

Minnesota has come under fierce scrutiny in recent weeks as a sprawling fraud scandal that has led to dozens of arrests, mostly from the state's large Somali community, since 2022 comes to light. Minnesota was allegedly home to a massive COVID-era scheme that allegedly involved money laundering operations related to fraudulent meal and housing programs, daycare centers and Medicaid services, according to investigators.

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The Minnesota fraud is still being tabulated, with local officials speculating it could exceed $1 billion and rise to as high as $9 billion.

Nick Shirley Gloats He 'Ended Tim Walz After Minnesota Governor Scraps Re-election Bid Amid Fraud Scandal

Trump's use of the phrase "no one is above the law" follows years of Democrats employing the same rhetoric against him as he faced a barrage of charges and court cases in between his first and second administrations.

"No one is above the law," President Joe Biden said after Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsified business records in a Manhattan court in May 2024.

President Donald Trump faced four criminal indictments in between his first and second administrations.

Trump faced four criminal indictments, which resulted in accusations of "lawfare" on the national stage as Trump maintained his innocence and slammed the cases as efforts by the Democratic Party to hurt his political chances for re-election in 2024.

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David Marcus: Tim Walz's White Guilt Finally Ends His Career As Minnesotas Fraud Explodes

"As Ive said before, no one is above the law, including Donald Trump," then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in 2023 after the Biden administration's Department of Justice announced Trump had been indicted on 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Donald Trump booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office after he surrendered to authorities in Georgia on charges of a plot to overturn the 2020 election.

Even during Trump's first administration, Democrats championed the phrase as they combated MAGA Republicans and Trump policies.

"Everybody wants the president to be held accountable in the most serious way," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of Trump in 2019 amid a discussion at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, underscoring that Democrats believe "no one is above the law." "And everybody believes, now I'm talking on the Democratic side, that no one is above the law, especially the president of the United States."

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"We must be clear: no one, not even the president, is above the law," Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said in a statement in 2019 when introducing articles of impeachment against Trump.

Comer Warns Walz Absence At Minnesota Fraud Hearing Would Be 'Admission To Guilt' By Governor

Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz during a campaign event at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Aug. 20, 2024.

Upon his victory over the HarrisWalz presidential ticket in 2024, Trump has taken a victory lap for allegedly snuffing out the weaponization of government.

"We have ended weaponized government, where, as an example, a sitting president is allowed to viciously prosecute his political opponent, like me. How did that work out?" he said during his joint address to Congress in 2025. "Not too good. Not too good."

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Trump added in his Monday Truth Social post that "Minnesotas Corrupt Governor will possibly leave office before his Term is up," and that he's confident the fraud investigations "will reveal a seriously unscrupulous, and rich, group of 'SLIMEBALLS.'"

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson added in comment to Fox Digital on Monday afternoon when asked about the Truth Social post: "It shouldnt take an education from the Quality Learing Center for Democrats to understand this: Tim Walz and his Somali friends have been caught ripping off hardworking Minnesota taxpayers and now they will face the consequences. President Trump is right, no one is above the law."

Walz has taken ownership of correcting the fraud. He said his administration had been taking action to stop some suspected fraudulent payments over the summer and that his office referred some for prosecution. The governor, however, has said that multibillion figures were "sensationalized" by Republicans.

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"This is on my watch, I am accountable for this and, more importantly, I am the one that will fix it," Walz told reporters in December.

Fox Digital reached out to Walz's office for a response to Trump's Truth Social but did not immediately receive a reply.

Fox News Digital's Amanda Macias contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump flips Democrats no one is above the law mantra after Walz drops re-election bid
Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The Trump administration is putting a hold on $10 billion in funding for child care and social services for five Democrat-led states.

The Office of Management and Budget confirmed Monday that the administration plans to freeze funding for California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, citing concerns about fraud.

The funding that is being frozen is directed toward low-income families and children. It includes $7 billion in funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, used to subsidize child care for low-income families.

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The states are also being cut off from about $2.4 billion in Child Care Development Fund support. This program assists working parents with their childcare costs.

About 1.4 million children in the United States benefit from federal child care funds.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., alleges that the Trump administrations decision to freeze funding is political retribution from the president. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

The funding freeze follows a move by the Trump administration last week to investigate allegations of fraud in Minnesota's child care centers, along with a hold on $185 million in annual funding that was directed to the state.

"Democrat-led states and governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch," Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement.

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Trump has targeted officials in each of these states over various grievances, including Democratic governors' opposition to him sending troops into their states to undertake mass deportations.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has also caught Trump's ire after refusing calls to release Tina Peters, a former election official who was convicted for attempting to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump pardoned Peters last month but presidential pardons do not override state convictions.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., alleged that the Trump administration's decision to freeze funding is "political retribution" from the president.

"I demand that President Trump unfreeze this funding and stop this brazen attack on our children," Gillibrand said.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps repeated claims that the United States will run Venezuela after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a military operation over the weekend sparked bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill, where even some top Republicans were left scratching their heads.

I think it needs more clarification, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of Senate GOP leadership, told reporters on Monday. I think the interpretation of run has been pretty broad, and I think theyre trying to, in my opinion, trying to narrow it down.

Politics: Bari Weiss' Hand-Picked CBS Evening News Anchor Just Made His Debut  And It's Painful To Watch

Its all unknowable. I have no idea, added Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

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Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said that properly administering Venezuela would require committing 100,000 U.S. troops on the ground, a policy he did not support.

The details are very vague to me, Tillis added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a critic of the Trump administrations months-long military campaign against Venezuela, warned that Trumps rhetoric  no matter the intended meaning  would backfire by turning off people in Venezuela and in other Latin American countries.

Politics: GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa Of California Dies At 65

It sounds like the 19th century, Paul said, referring to American imperialism and decades of failed U.S. interventions in the Western Hemisphere. It will push our friends away...It will drive a wedge between us and potential future leaders of Venezuela.

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Despite Trumps claims, the Venezuelan government is still running the country. Venezuelas vice president and oil minister, Delcy Rodriguez, was formally sworn in on Monday as the countrys interim president.

The Trump administration did not notify Congress in advance about the military bombardment of Venezuelas capital city of Caracas and the U.S. mission to capture Maduras and transport him to the U.S. to face charges of narco-terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed select members of Congress after the fact, a decision that drew sharp criticism from Democrats who maintain that Trump needs to seek approval for the use of force from Congress, as required by the U.S. Constitution.

But Republicans said they were satisfied with the Trump administrations authority and stated legal rationale for the operation, describing the military bombardment of Venezuela that killed dozens of people as a law enforcement action.

Politics: Republicans Oppose Ground Troops In Venezuela As Trump Threatens War

Notification of Congress in advance of really critical and hypersensitive missions, to me, seems ill-advised anyway, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Monday. I felt that the notification, considering the scope of the mission, was sufficient for me.

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Since Maduros capture over the weekend, Trump has made threats against other countries, including Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Iran and Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory that belongs to Denmark.

In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump suggested the U.S. oil industry would take over Venezuelas oil production with the financial support of the U.S. government.

A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue, he told the outlet.

Politics: In Venezuela Takeover, Trump Makes It All About The Oil

Democrats warned that the Trump administration was repeating the steps of failed U.S. interventions abroad, including in the Middle East, which Trump himself had campaigned against.

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After a congressional briefing on Monday for leadership and members of the House and Senate intelligence committees, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the administrations two-hour presentation posed far more questions than it answered.

Their plan for the U.S. running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking, and unsatisfiying, Schumer said. I did not receive any assurances that we would not try to do the same thing in other countries. And in conclusion, when the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation-building, it always ends up hurting the United States. I left the briefing feeling it would again.

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As many in Washington were easing into the new year, there was a flurry of activity last week in the prosecution of Brian Cole Jr.  the man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC headquarters the night before Jan. 6, 2021. The Justice Department obtained an indictment from a grand jury and, following a court hearing, persuaded a judge to keep Cole detained pending trial.

But there may be a serious problem on the horizon: Trump may have pardoned Cole last year as part of the sweeping clemency that he gave to Jan. 6 offenders on his first day back in office.

The White House has brushed off questions on the subject, but Justice Department prosecutors should be worried about this, and there were suggestions based off their briefs and statements in court last week that they already are. (The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment.)

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Trumps proclamation commuted the sentences of 14 individuals and also granted a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. This immediately covered roughly 1,500 people, including hundreds of defendants who were charged with assaulting or resisting law enforcement officers.

Lawyers for Cole did not respond to a question about whether they intend to argue that Cole is entitled to a pardon if convicted. But there are several legal and factual points that are worth zeroing in on if they pursue that strategy.

For starters, it does not matter whether Trump specifically intended to pardon the person who planted the pipe bombs. Under the law, it is the text of the pardon that matters  not the subjective intention of the president or the DOJs interpretation of it. The Justice Department has claimed that it has the power to decide who is eligible for certain pardons, but the courts have been skeptical of that position, as they should be. Multiple judges last year rejected the Justice Departments efforts to extend Trumps pardon to defendants convicted of drug and gun crimes that were uncovered in the course of the governments Jan. 6 investigation.

Trumps pardon also appears to have no restrictions on when the charges against the relevant defendants have been brought. The Justice Department has already applied Trumps pardon to people whose cases were merely pending (i.e., people who had not yet been convicted) at the time of its issuance.

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Trump could have specified that the pardon applied only to people who had been convicted or charged as of the date of his pardon (or similar words to that effect), but there is no such language in Trumps proclamation. Lest there be any doubt, the Supreme Court made clear more than 150 years ago that presidents have the constitutional authority to do this  that is, to issue preemptive pardons for past conduct even if that conduct has not been charged at the time of the pardon.

Moreover, the substantive scope of Trumps pardon language is very broad, as the Justice Departments own lawyers have maintained in other cases. If Cole is convicted, it is very possible that the presiding judge could ultimately rule (however begrudgingly) that his crimes were, in the language of Trumps pardon, offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Last week, the Justice Department went out of its way during the court hearing to avoid using any phrases that might immediately connect Coles alleged crimes to Jan. 6, but prosecutors efforts were so obvious, that they had the effect of drawing more attention to it. The governments pre-hearing brief also appears to have been designed to skirt this issue and put the most Trump-friendly spin on Coles motive for his alleged crimes  though ultimately not very convincingly.

The brief purports to describe a confession that Cole provided to the FBI after his arrest in which, according to the filing, he explained that something just snapped after watching everything, just everything getting worse, and that he wanted to do something to the parties because they were in charge. Jeanine Pirro, the former Fox News host who is now the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, echoed this characterization in a social media post in which she claimed that Cole was was frustrated with both political parties.

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There is reason to doubt whether this was a fair summary of Coles account. After all, the Justice Department suspended two prosecutors last year after they described the events of Jan. 6 as a riot carried out by a mob  all of which is of course true but makes Trump and the rioters in the mob look bad.

Pirro also has an obvious incentive to protect Trump (and herself) by obscuring the possibility that the reason that Cole was frustrated with both political parties was because he believed the lies that Trump and his allies were peddling on her old Fox News show and elsewhere  namely, that the election had been stolen from Trump by Democrats and that members of the Republican partys establishment were letting the Democrats get away with it instead of overturning state election results ahead of the certification on Jan. 6.

If that is correct  the government did not release the video or a transcript of the interview  then Cole may be able to claim that his crimes were, in the words of Trumps pardon, related to events that occurred at or near the Capitol on Jan. 6. Indeed, the Justice Department has already acknowledged that Cole cited the 2020 election conspiracy theories in his confession.

The judges opinion ordering Coles continued detention also noted that Cole had been charged with placing the two IEDs in the immediate vicinity of the U.S. Capitol the night before U.S. lawmakers were set to gather to certify the results of the 2020 election. Could this really have been a coincidence?

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On top of that, as one former Jan. 6 prosecutor has noted already, Cole could argue that his alleged offenses were related to the Jan. 6 certification because they diverted law enforcement personnel away from the Capitol that day. In a variety of different settings, the Supreme Court has interpreted the phrase related to very expansively, with Justice Antonin Scalia  the most famous textualist in history  once describing the ordinary meaning of the phrase as a broad one.

The governments recent brief appears to reflect some concern on precisely this point. After the language quoted above, the brief goes on to say that Cole denied that his actions were directed toward Congress or related to the proceedings scheduled to take place on January 6. Perhaps tellingly, this claim is made in a single sentence  and with no attempt to provide quotes from Cole to back it up.

Cole also did not have a lawyer at this interview; he waived his Miranda rights at the time, but has since obtained counsel. And they may have the opportunity to supplement the record over the course of the proceeding if Cole ultimately pleads guilty or is convicted at trial. In both contexts, Cole would at some point have the right  at a plea hearing, a trial or a sentencing hearing  to address the court directly about what he did and why he did it. The judge would be tasked with assessing the credibility of those statements.

It is fair to assume that if Cole is someday convicted and then determined to be covered by Trumps pardon, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Pirro and other members of the Trump administration will blame the judge.

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There was already a remarkably shameless display by the administration at the press conference convened shortly after Coles arrest featuring the four most senior officials who appeared that day. That would be Bondi, Pirro, FBI Director Kash Patel and then-FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who all helped Trump advance the sort of lies about the 2020 election that appear to have influenced Coles actions. Needless to say, none of them mentioned any of this.

Also unmentioned was the fact that Bongino, back when he was a podcaster, had suggested the pipe bomber was an inside job and part of a massive cover-up. Its possible that Trump officials felt compelled to make such a show of the arrest precisely because conservatives had fueled conspiracy theories about the case for so long  even if it has now left them looking even more foolish than they did after they tried to debunk the conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein that they had promoted for years.

If Cole eventually walks following a conviction, the fault would rest entirely with Trump and the advisers and lawyers who worked with him on his pardon proclamation.

Cheerleaders of the sweeping Jan. 6 pardon did not bat an eye when Trump knowingly freed people like Stewart Rhodes and Enrique Tarrio  leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, respectively, who were convicted at trial of a seditious conspiracy to prevent the transfer of power to Joe Biden. And they have remained silent as some of the people that Trump pardoned have gone on to commit more alleged crimes  a predictable development given the empirical evidence on recidivism rates among convicted felons. Some of these crimes have been explicitly political in nature, including threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

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For all thats happened in the last year, Trumps Jan. 6 pardon remains one of his most stunning acts since he returned to office.

Roughly three-quarters of Americans objected to Trumps pardon of at least the violent offenders that day. Vice President JD Vance previously assured the public it would not happen, but it did. When Bondi testified at her confirmation hearing, she could not defend it.

We are now in a midterm election year, and the effects of Trumps pardon are still unfolding. The administrations self-congratulatory press conference after Coles arrest may have been premature.




DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE after U.S. forces bombed Caracas and captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, President Trump declared that the United States would run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition. He has no idea what hes getting into. Were not afraid of boots on the ground, he claimed. He said, We were prepared to do a second wave, but observed that it was unnecessary because the first attack was so successful. He repeatedly emphasized that the United States will run the country. When reporters asked who would be in charge, he pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine: Its largely going to be, for a period of time, the people that are standing right behind me.

Trump announced that Vice President Delcy Rodriguezwho is now the countrys interim leadercould remain in power as long as she does what we want. He has also threatened her: If she doesnt do whats right, he said in an interview with the Atlantic, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro. But what if the countrys security forces refuse to cooperate? What if rogue elements within the government view her as an American stooge and revolt? What if fighting breaks out between paramilitary groups, outside armed organizations and gangs, or rival factions in the military? Will Trump commit a larger force to the region if thats what it takes to stabilize a country twice the size of Iraq?

Trump cites his other perfect military actionssuch as the assassination of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and the bombing of Irans nuclear sites last summeras evidence that the United States doesnt have to get embroiled in long regime change wars. But unlike those one-and-done operations, the attack on Venezuela lopped off its head of statea move that could lead to far more chaos and instability than Trump expects.

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Beyond all the dangers of this operation, theres a deeper problem: The removal of Maduro is the opening move in a reckless new American grand strategy that will be self-defeating in an era of renewed great power conflict with Russia and China. Trump is ignoring the theaters that actually matter to fixate on a part of the world that poses no threat to the United States.

To get the most important details, the clearest big picture, and the analysis that connects it all, become a Bulwark+ member.

UNDER OUR NEW National Security Strategy, Trump said during the press conference, American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again. The Trump administrations recently released National Security Strategy announced that the United States will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere. Trump says his administration has superseded the Monroe Doctrine, and he proudly describes this new strategy as the Donroe Doctrine.

The National Security Strategy calls for the readjustment of our global military presence to address urgent threats in our Hemisphere. According to the U.S. Southern Command, there are around 15,000 American troops in the Caribbeanthe largest deployment in decades. The United States largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has been in the region along with its strike group and a small armada of other ships since November. Over the past several months, the Trump administration has authorized dozens of strikes on alleged drug smugglersextrajudicial killings that have violated the laws of war and domestic law. But the concentration of U.S. forces today would need to be drastically increased if the administration actually puts boots on the ground in Venezuela to run the country and tamp down any violence or civil strife that may arise. The United States doesnt even have an embassy in Caracas.

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A central theme of the National Security Strategy is that a coherent strategy must evaluate, sort, and prioritize. Not every country, region, issue, or causehowever worthycan be the focus of American strategy. The Trump administration has decided to prioritize the Western Hemisphere over Europe and East Asia, a decision that empowers the United States two most powerful geopolitical rivals: Russia and China.

Trumps inclination to focus American foreign policy on the Western Hemisphere is completely at odds with the reality of the world. Of the worlds ten largest economies, only one is in Latin America (Brazil). Outside the United States, the worlds productive capacity is concentrated in Europe and East Asia. This is a lesson most Americansindeed, most of the worldlearned during World War II, around the time Trump was born, when that productive capacity was used to kill people rather than to make useful things. Its why America has its key security relationshipsNATO and the hub-and-spoke alliances in the Indo-Pacificin Europe and East Asia, rather than in South America or sub-Saharan Africa.

Not surprisingly, the story of American trade is similar. Of the United States top fifteen trading partners last year, only threeCanada, Mexico, and Indiawerent in Europe or East Asia. As easy as it may be to look at a map and see the United States as isolated from the Old World by two big oceans, the reality is that those oceans arent barriers, but highways to the parts of the world that either keep America rich and powerful or threaten its security and prosperity. This was the major lesson Americans learned from the two world warsat least, most Americans. When Europe and East Asia are peaceful, America has good trading partners and reaps the benefits. When those regions are turbulent, the trouble eventually finds American shores.

The strategic importance of Europe and East Asia to American security and prosperity is why Russia and China are such potent threats. Russias war in Ukraine is part of a much larger project to undo the end of the Cold War and re-divide Europei.e., to revert it to a time when it was less productive and spent far more of its productive capacity on things like weapons instead of things Americans wanted to buy. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for Europe once again to spend on defense at Cold War levels.

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China wants to dominate the most productive economies of East Asia, which would make them significantly less useful as trading partners for the United States. It also wants to dominate some of the major choke points in all international tradenot coincidentally also located in East Asiaso that it can bend the worlds productive capacity to its own will.

This would all be reason enough to elevate Russia and China as the major strategic foci of American foreign policy, as Trumps first-term National Security Strategy did, above other threats like Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Islamist terrorism. The fact that Russia is the United States only nuclear peerand that China is racing to match the American and Russian arsenalsis all the more reason to devote every available resource to the regions of the world that matter most for American security.

Venezuela, for all the drug smuggling, human rights abuses, and migration challenges, is a blip on the map of geopolitical threats America must confront.

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THE UKRAINE WAR IS THE LARGEST conflict in Europe since World War II, and it is the main battlefield in the global confrontation between democracy and authoritarianism. But the Trump administration has treated Ukraine like a sideshow and a nuisance. Trump initially promised that his very good relationship with Vladimir Putin would enable him to end the war in 24 hours. But by declaring from the outset that the United States would no longer provide significant military support to Ukraine and negotiating with no preconditions, Trump threw away his leverage. The result has been stalled negotiations as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians have intensified.

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While the Trump administration has attempted to cut Europe out of the Ukraine negotiations, it also expects NATO allies to provide the overwhelming share of future lethal and nonlethal aid to Ukraine, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained last year. The administrations approach to Europe is neuroticwhile Trump believes NATO allies should have no say in an eventual settlement of the Ukraine War, he also expects those allies to do all the heavy lifting that would make such a settlement possible. At a time when NATO defense spending is surging and allies have promised to allocate 5 percent of their GDP to defense by 2035, the Trump administration has responded by waging a trade war on Europe and threatening to abandon the continent when it faces the most serious set of geopolitical threats since the Cold War.

The outcome of the war in Ukraine and the integrity of the transatlantic alliance are far more important to the future of the United States security than the existence of a decaying petro-dictatorship in South America. But the Trump administration has made the latter a top foreign policy priority and the former an afterthought.

WHEN TRUMP TOOK OFFICE, it looked like a different strategic trade-off was about to take place. According to Vice President JD Vance, negotiating a quick end to the Ukraine War was necessary so America can focus on the real issue, which is China. So far, the administration has primarily focused on China by losing a trade war to Beijing. While Trumps recent $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan is welcome, theres little reason to believe he is as committed to maintaining the islands independence and security as previous administrations.

In a 2024 interview, Trump was asked whether he would defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack. He responded: Taiwan should pay us for defense. You know, were no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesnt give us anything. Taiwan is 9,500 miles away. Its 68 miles away from China. . . . Chinas a massive piece of land, they could just bombard it. He said the island is the apple of President Xis eye. He complained that Taiwan took our chip business from us, I wouldnt feel so secure right now, if I was them.

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Of course Trump is happy to sell weapons to Taiwan, but the real question is whether he would come to the countrys defense in the event of a Chinese blockade or invasion. Does Xi really think that outcome is more likely than Trump attempting to strike a deal with Beijing and declaring that he averted World War III? For now, the only real deterrent that could prevent Beijing from taking action in Taiwan is the credible threat of an American military response. Trump has already severely undermined this deterrent by abandoning Ukraine. A month after Vance declared that the United States must shift its focus from Ukraine to East Asia, Taiwans Foreign Minister Joseph Wu challenged this view: When people ask us whether it is OK for the United States to abandon Ukraine, the answer is no, as this would be seen as a victory of authoritarian states because Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, they are now linked together. In November 2024, former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen even said Ukraine needed military support more than her own country.

The Trump administration doesnt realize how its actions in one part of the world reverberate in all the others. By shrinking from a fight with Putin, Trump made an invasion of Taiwan more likely. By invading Venezuela, Trump showed Russia and Chinaas well as Americas allies around the worldthat the United States is shifting its focus from Europe and East Asia to the Western Hemisphere. Its easier to dislodge a tinpot dictator in Venezuela than it is to deter great powers bent on dominating their regions. But this raises the biggest question at the heart of the Donroe Doctrine: Does Trump even want to deter those powers? Or does he want to carve up the world with them?

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BY ALL INDICATIONS, THE OPERATION to extract Maduro was an extraordinary military success. It involved more than 150 aircraft from twenty bases across the hemisphere and was executed without losing a single American service member or piece of equipment. It succeeded on the back of a major intelligence-gathering operation, which apparently included sources at the highest level in Venezuela. But the overwhelming success of the mission may turn out to be a curse in disguise, as it will embolden Trumps effort to bring American imperialism back to the Western Hemisphere.

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In Trumps second inaugural address, he declared that the United States will once again consider itself a growing nationone that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons. He said the United States would take back the Panama Canal. A month earlier, he declared that the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. He has repeated this claim again and again over the past year. The day after the Venezuela operation, he said: We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you.

When Trump appointed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landrywho supports the annexation of Greenlandthe United States special envoy to the self-governing island, he said we have to have it for national protection. Landry declared that he was honored to serve in a volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has once again been forced to respond to Trumps threats: It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland. The Kingdom of Denmarkand thus Greenlandis part of NATO and is therefore covered by the alliances security guarantee. Other major NATO allies like Germany and France have warned Trump to stop threatening to take over Greenland.

All indications suggest that the United States is fast approaching a self-inflicted strategic disaster. Trump clearly believes the immediate success of the Maduro raid has vindicated his imperial ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, and the explicit calls for a new era of American domination are becoming louder and bolder. Katie Miller, wife of Stephen Miller, Trumps deputy chief of staff and reportedly one of the architects of the administrations Venezuela policy, posted a picture of Greenland with an American flag superimposed over the map and said SOON. This sort of unhinged jingoism is often self-reinforcing, especially when it rides on the back of military victories.

The Venezuela operation makes little strategic sense on its own terms. While some of Trumps defenders are celebrating the removal of a brutal dictator, the administration has made it clear that the United States is no longer in the business of promoting democracy or defending human rights. Thats why the core of Maduros regime is still in power. During his address after the operation, Trump spent no time discussing how Venezuela might transition to democracybut he spent a lot of time on the extraction of Venezuelan oil. Were going to have our very large United States oil companiesthe biggest anywhere in the worldgo in, spend billions of dollars, [and] fix the badly broken infrastructure.

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Naked imperialism should come as no surprise from a president who has always wondered why the United States didnt just take the oil in Iraq. Whats shocking is how little strategic or economic sense the gambit makes in the year 2026.

Even if the Venezuela operation turns out to be yet another case study in Trumps economic illiteracy, it wont matter to him. The main purpose of the operation was to serve as a declaration of intentthe United States will once again be a marauding imperial power in the Western Hemisphere. Trump told Colombian President Gustavo Petro that he should watch his ass. He said Cuba looks like it is ready to fall. And most ominously of all, he revived his demand to annex Greenland. Because Trump is constantly flooding the zone with shithis claims about making Canada the fifty-first state come to mindits easy to dismiss other mad threats as mere talk. But Trumps designs on Greenland are serious and literal, which means the United States is actually contemplating an armed annexation of a NATO allys territory.

The combined military and economic might of the worlds democracies far outstrips their authoritarian rivals, which is why it has never been clearer that the gravest threat to the liberal international order comes from within. One of the biggest risks of Trumps capitulation to Russia in Ukraine is that Putin will use the American withdrawal as an opportunity to break NATO by invading a small member state, such as one of the Baltics. If he could do so with impunity, the North Atlantic alliance would effectively be dead. Its a bizarre and sad commentary on the state of the alliance that Trump may get there first by invading Greenland.

Its a huge mistake to view the attack on Venezuela in a vacuum. Its understandable to support the overthrow of Maduro, a vicious dictator who refused to cede power when he lost an election in 2024, and who has overseen a 72 percent collapse of Venezuelan GDP and caused 8 million Venezuelans to flee the country. But Trumps operation doesnt just leave most of Maduros tyrannical regime in powerit also inaugurates a new and dangerous era of U.S. foreign policy.

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The Donroe Doctrine is the antithesis of the liberal international order that the United States has sustained for the past 80 years. It will divide the world into spheres of influence dominated by a few great powers. It will abandon the rules-based international system that has secured greater freedom and prosperity than any system in human history. And it will only become more entrenched if the American people dont mobilize to stop it right now.

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WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump had a warning for Republicans on Tuesday: If they don't keep control of Congress in this year's midterm elections, Democrats will impeach him again.

"You got to win the midterms, because if we dont win the midterms, its just going to be  I mean, theyll find a reason to impeach me," Trump said in a speech at a House Republican policy retreat. "Ill get impeached."

Polling indicates that most voters feel the country is on the wrong track, with the economy a top concern, less than a year before the midterm elections. All members of the House and a third of senators are up for re-election in November, which could determine whether Republicans are able to continue carrying out their agenda in the final two years of Trump's second term.

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Trump is the only president to have been impeached twice in the House; supporters of the move in the Senate didn't have the necessary two-thirds supermajority of votes to convict him in either of the cases.

Trump was first impeached in 2019 on charges stemming from accusations that he tried to pressure Ukraine to announce investigations into then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, in part by withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in congressionally approved military aid, as a way to damage Biden's election chances. Trump was impeached a second time, in 2021, for his role in the events surrounding the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as he tried to overturn his loss to Biden.

Trump has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence and tried to paint the impeachments as politically motivated attacks.

In the aftermath of the U.S. operation in Venezuela to capture that country's president, Nicolas Maduro, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., suggested Trump's actions could warrant impeachment.

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"Today, many Democrats have understandably questioned whether impeachment is possible again under the current political reality," she said in a statement. "I am reconsidering that view. Even if Republicans refuse to act, Democrats cannot remain silent or passive in the face of actions this extreme from this Administration."

Trump spoke to House Republicans at the retreat at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center on the fifth anniversary of the attack on the Capitol, when rioters broke into the building, attacked law enforcement officers and called for Trump to be installed as president for another term.

On the first day of his second term, he a blanket pardon for the hundreds of people involved in the riot, including those accused or convicted of violent crimes.

NBC News reported in July that Republican operatives planned to use the threat of another Trump impeachment as a way to increase turnout in the midterm elections despite Trump's not being on the ballot.

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Midterm elections historically favor the party that doesn't hold the presidency. An NBC News poll in October found that 50% of registered voters prefer that Democrats control Congress, while 42% prefer Republican control, a difference greater than the margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

In the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats surged to the majority in the House, winning 235 seats, while Republicans kept control of the Senate. The 2018 margins dwarfed those in 2016, a presidential election year, when Democrats won only 194 seats. The 2018 blue surge ultimately paved the way for Democrats to push for two impeachments of Trump.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Trump quadrupling up on aspirin is a metaphor for his presidency

I didnt really expect much from 2026, but its still discouraging that its only the first week of January, and I am feeling compelled to say that you shouldnt quadruple the recommended dose of a medication.

In a Wall Street Journal interview published Jan. 1, President Donald Trumps physician confirmed that Trump is taking a full dose of aspirin, 325 mg daily, for cardiac prevention. Trump told the newspaper, They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I dont want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?

I dont want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. President Donald Trump

Aspirin doesnt thin the blood  it is a platelet inhibitor that keeps clots from forming and blocking blood vessels. And a low-dose aspirin,  that is 81 mg  is recommended for some people to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. But Trump is taking four times that amount. Theyd rather have me take the smaller one, he said. I take the larger one, but Ive done it for years, and what it does do is it causes bruising.

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For peoples Trump age, the harms of even a low-dose aspirin, including gastrointestinal bleeding, generally outweigh the benefits. So its routine use is generally not recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) or the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

There might be individual situations, including high risk for cardiovascular disease, that cause a physician to recommend 81 mg of aspirin daily to someone whos almost 80. This may be the situation for Trump. In 2018, White House physician Ronny Jackson reported the president had high cholesterol and a high coronary artery calcium score, which indicates atherosclerosis. In these circumstances, the decision to start a medication with a non-zero risk for harm involves a discussion with a health care provider  and ones own preferences.

Trumps decision is different yet, in that, contrary to what he says his medical team has recommended, he is taking four times the preventive dose of aspirin, even though the ACC/AHA guidelines emphasize that while the risk of bleeding goes up with dose increase, the benefits of low dose and high dose aspirin are similar. In other words, a high dose of aspirin adds a negative with no counterbalancing positive.

When calculating risk of harm, the 81 mg to 325 mg aspirin dose difference is clinically meaningful. In my trauma center, for example, when we see a patient with an intracranial hemorrhage after a fall, we typically decide that those on low-dose aspirin are safe to go home after a brief period of observation. For those on a full dose of aspirin, we require a neurosurgical evaluation and admission to the intensive care unit due to high risk for poor outcomes.

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Everyone should make the medical decisions they feel are best for them, in consultation with their doctors and after considering the risks and benefits. One only hopes the decisions people make fall within safe and reasonable parameters.

When calculating risk of harm, the 81 mg to 325 mg aspirin dose difference is clinically meaningful.

But it isnt just about the aspirin. Its really whats reflected in the pulsing bravado of Trump blowing off professional advice, even that of his handpicked medical team, and the messaging that no authority or expertise needs to be taken seriously.

Trump casually dismissing national evidence-based recommendations from his doctors hits a deeper nerve in the context of his administrations attack on the preventive services task force mentioned above.

USPSTFs recommendations support up-to-date, evidence-based health care across the nation, influencing practice decisions and insurance-covered services for millions of Americans each year. But their integrity is under grave threat, both because of large cuts to the scientific processes that fuel their development, and because of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s interest in replacing its panel of experts. Kennedy Jr. has already replaced the members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices to disastrous effect.

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Trumps illogical quadruple dose of aspirin and his scorn for the standards and processes that advise against it connect in a straight line to the structural changes hes inflicted on scientific and public health functions vital to this nation. The very oxygen has been taken out of our federal scientific research enterprise; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is so compromised in its functions that individual states and organizations have taken up the responsibility of maintaining evidence-based guidance around topics such as immunizing children against dangerous diseases. Weve lost dozens of public health services and resources around the country, not to mention our withdrawal from global public health efforts, which affect the health and safety of our own country.

Its a topsy-turvy world. We are in the middle of the largest measles outbreak in 30 years. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician running for the Senate from South Carolina, which has reported 188 measles cases since July, is aptly running on the slogan, Its me or the measles. Meanwhile, Kennedy is recommending cod liver oil over vaccines.

I can say with confidence its going to be a long, long year for public health.

The post Trump quadrupling up on aspirin is a metaphor for his presidency appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
Announcing on Saturday the U.S. military incursion in Venezuela and the capture of its leader, President Donald Trump was characteristically blunt. After rattling off pretextual justifications for the raidallusions to President Nicolas Maduros democratic illegitimacy, his alleged drug-trafficking ties, and the specter of ISIS, Iran, and narco-terrorismTrump got to the point.

As everyone knows, the oil business in Venezuela has been a bust, a total bust, for a long period of time, he said. They were pumping almost nothing by comparison to what they could have been pumping and what couldve taken place. Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructurethe oil infrastructureand start making money for the country.

When I was cutting my teeth as a journalist covering the Pentagon during the outbreak of the Iraq War in 2003, this would have been shocking. Back then, the suggestion that President George W. Bush had ordered the invasion and the capture of Saddam Hussein to seize the oil was considered radical; that a president might publicly admit it the stuff of a Dave Chappelle sketch. But as a student of empire, I recognized something deeper in Trumps words. He isnt just embarking on a dangerous new adventure in South America, nor even merely adding to the string of U.S.-backed coup attempts in Venezuela. He is turning the clock back to a long-dormant era of U.S. and European imperialismone that proved disastrous for those in its crosshairs, and ultimately for the entire world.

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Though largely forgotten today, in the decades before World War II the United States embarked on a spree of overseas territorial and resource conquests. From 1898 to roughly 1934, the U.S. military invaded, occupied, and in some cases outright colonized no fewer than 14 countries and territories in whole and in part, including Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. (In 1902, a crisis over Venezuela briefly raised the possibility of war with Britain, but cooler heads prevailed.) Some of those territories, including Puerto Rico and Hawaii, remain U.S. holdings to this day. Others, such as the Philippines and the Panama Canal Zone, were later granted sovereignty or returned to their host nations, though only after the U.S. had taken what it wanted, usually land for military bases.

This was not, however, a uniform process. Different presidents had different approaches to empire building, often in hopes of correcting the costly mistakes of their predecessors. Woodrow Wilson, who was president from 1913 to 1921, saw his role as overseeing civilizing missions, somewhat in the style of the French empire. He paternalistically imparted his vision of morality and self-determination, albeit with U.S. interests paramount and at the barrel of a gun. Before him, William Howard Taft oversaw dollar diplomacy, a more British style of informal control through central-bank takeovers and subservience through U.S. loans. His predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, carried out the most muscular phase of American empire, brutally crushing an insurgency in the Philippines and ginning up a war to cleave the state of Panama from Colombia to build a transoceanic canal. He also declared the Roosevelt Corollary to the so-called Monroe Doctrine, inverting the 1823 principles toothless opposition to European colonialism into a permission structure for the U.S. to do whatever it wanted in the Americas.

Trump wants to claim Teddy Roosevelts mantle. In Novembers revision of the National Security Strategy, his aides announced a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, to prevent hostile foreign ownership of key assets and to ensure the Western Hemisphere remains reasonably stable and well-governed enough to prevent and discourage mass migration to the United States. (In the press conference, he jokingly referred to it as the Don-roe Doctrine.)

But Roosevelt was, by his own reckoning, a pretty good imperialist, whose chief foreign policy aim was the growth of the United States into a globe-spanning empire whose reach and landholdings would rival those of the European powers. Trump, on the other hand, has long claimed to disdain forever wars and nation building, and as president has generally sought to keep the world out, not govern it. But now he has announced an open-ended managerial occupation of Venezuelauntil such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition to a friendlier governmentand seemed to imply that it could be done without boots on the ground. Even more fancifully, he stated that the entire operation would pay for itself with money coming out of the groundthat is, with the profits generated by handing control over Venezuelas vast oil fields to ExxonMobil, Chevron, and other U.S.-based energy companies.

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In this, he more resembles Teddy Roosevelts predecessor, William McKinley. A morally small man, personally indebted to businessmen who rescued him from bankruptcy after hed made bad loans during an 1893 depression, McKinley stumbled into the 1898 war with Spain that resulted in the conquest of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cubas Guantanamo Bay. (He was pushed in no small part by Teddy Roosevelt, then his assistant secretary of the Navy; reporting suggests Trump was similarly eased into the Venezuela operation by his far more ideological Secretary of State Marco Rubio.) McKinley did so on the promise that, as a pro-war senator said, war with Spain would be a boon to every branch of industry and domestic commerce and that he would not have to directly administer Cubas nonwhite, Spanish-speaking, Catholic, and Santeria-practicing masses.

When he found himself facing a revolt by Filipino nationalists, incensed by the betrayal of U.S. forces who had come in the guise of liberators from Spanish rule, McKinley could only throw more troops and money at the problem, betraying the lack of preparation and foresight. He was assassinated in 1901 by an anarchist outraged in part by American atrocities in the Philippines.

Trump gave a shout-out to McKinley a year ago in his inaugural address, though it is unclear whether he knew anything about him beyond the 1890 tariff he sponsored as a congressman. (For one, he didnt seem to know that the resulting price increases cost McKinley his seat and the Republicans the majority in the next midterm election, or that the tariff helped trigger the economic crash of 1893.) Trump then transitioned seamlessly into praise for Roosevelt, and announced his intention to take back the Panama Canalwhich, along with the threatened annexations of Greenland and Canada, and the threat of further regime change wars across the hemisphere, is at the heart of the Don-roe Doctrine.

In McKinleyite fashion, Trump seemingly put no thought into what he would do after launching his war of choice in Venezuela. He seems to have no idea who will run Venezuela, other than an unspecified team. He dismissed the idea of installing opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who thanked him after receiving her suspiciously timed Nobel Peace Prize, but offered no alternatives. He claimed Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again, only to have her insist, in a pointed speech shortly thereafter, that Maduro remained president and denounce the unprecedented military aggression against her country. (We will never go back to being slaves. We will never again be a colony of any empire, of any kind, she added.)

The naked extraction and self-dealing at the heart of Trumps policy harken to other imperial tendencies, as well: Belgian King Leopold IIs personal plunder of the Congo and the rule through corporations of British India or the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Trump, or his advisers, may have also taken to heart the Russian argument that the U.S. could be the master of its hemisphere and leave Eastern Europe to Putin. Whatever scheme Trump is following, the potential outcome here is clear. The last era of imperial fights over spheres of influence, scramble for resources, and control of the seas and colonies led directly to two world wars and the Great Depression. Now Trump is doing his part to revive that era without any awareness, or care, for the catastrophes that followed.
Right now, our attention is riveted on what happens next in Venezuela, but theres a broader development that the U.S.  and Miami in particular  should be watching carefully: President Trump is using the attack as an opportunity to advance a might makes right new world order, and Colombia and Cuba are potentially in the crosshairs.

The threat isnt subtle. This is OUR Hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened, the State Department posted on X Monday.

A bold claim, and one thats incredibly dangerous, even if this is posturing. The United States actions in Venezuela coupled with words like those from the Trump State Department could, of course, be seen as opening the door for China and Russia to act as we did. No matter how much Venezuelans deserved to see Nicolas Maduro out of power, the result must not be that force can be used by great powers whenever it suits them.

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We heard Trump on Saturday, hours after the arrest of Maduro and his wife by U.S. forces in Venezuela, say that the Monroe Doctrine, the 200-year-old foreign policy agenda that viewed South and Central America as the United States strategic backyard, could be called the Donroe Doctrine.

That sure sounds like a Trump-style embrace of interventionism  or even American imperialism. Remember the boat strikes off Venezuela, largely regarded as illegal? Those American forces are still amassed in the Caribbean.

Trump may be viewing the Venezuela strike as a template for more of the same  even though he has repeatedly campaigned against forever wars in places like the Middle East. Also, we cannot forget Americas history of interfering in Latin America and propping up authoritarian regimes.

In the last few days, the president has made offhand threats toward various countries: Cuba looks like its ready to fall because it has no income from Venezuela, he said. Colombia is run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And hes not going to be doing it for very long, let me tell you, he told reporters on Sunday. Trump ignores that Colombians elected President Gustavo Petro, like him or not, in 2022.

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Asked by reporters Sunday if the U.S. would launch a military operation against Colombia, Trump responded, Sounds good to me. Petro responded on X in his own style: If you detain a president whom much of my people want and respect, you will unleash the peoples jaguar.

Trump has had other recent targets, too, including Mexico and Denmarks territory of Greenland, which Trump wants to annex. The prime minister of Denmark told Trump on Sunday to stop the threats.

Unlike Venezuela, Colombia is a democracy, as is Mexico. The leaders in those two countries were elected; they are not dictators. Cuba, though, is communist, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American from Miami whose parents left the island before Fidel Castro took power, called the government there a huge problem, on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday.

The Trump administration seems to be of two minds on Cuba. Cuba could fall on its own: The economy has been flat-lining and the ongoing U.S. blockade of Venezuelan oil along with Maduros ouster places us in a critical existential dilemma for our survival, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Cubas foreign minister, said on Sunday.

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Meanwhile, Rubios long-standing hostility toward Cuba may mean the U.S. is putting a target on the island nation. If I lived in Havana and I worked in the government, Id be concerned  at least a little bit, Rubio said on Saturday. In Miami, where the hope of freeing Cuba from communism has been all-consuming for decades, those comments are likely to be embraced.

Will the Venezuela attack become a blueprint for more invention in Latin America, posing a potential threat to the stability of the region? An emboldened Trump administration seems to be saying so.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. needs Greenland for national security, ostensibly to counter Russia and China. But Trumps interest in the sparsely populated island appears to be as much about hemispheric dominance as homeland defense.

According to two people familiar with private high-level discussions and granted anonymity to share their details, the White House has shown little interest in an overture last year from Denmarks prime minister offering the U.S. the option to increase its military presence in Greenland, where it already operates a base and has long deployed troops at liberty.

The option of more U.S. military presence has been on the table, said one of the people, a European defense official. The White House is not interested.

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The second person, an American in frequent contact with the administration and European officials, said that most of what Trump says he wants out of Greenland  access to investment resources like critical minerals, more troops and military bases, better intelligence sharing  could be easily accomplished by negotiating directly with Denmark, a steadfast ally.

The problem is that Trump has gotten into his head that the Donroe Doctrine is his thing, the second person said. Hes now very focused on this. And its hard to come to an agreement with the Danes when Trump thinks he can just take it.

A senior administration official, also granted anonymity to respond, disputed that the president has written off any negotiations.

We are working closely with the government of Denmark and the government of Greenland on closer security and economic cooperation, the official said, pointing to a meeting in Nuuk last month of the U.S.-Greenland Joint Committee as evidence that the framework is working perfectly. We had an extremely productive meeting in December and well continue to build even closer ties.

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Few Danes would describe the current situation as perfect and the nations prime minister on Sunday, after months of quiet diplomatic efforts, publicly urged the Trump administration to stop its quest for Greenland, a potential strategic foothold in the Arctic-North Atlantic gateway region.

Trump, over the last few weeks, has ratcheted up his rhetoric around Greenland, and the U.S. action in Venezuela has caused increasing concern among Danish and European leaders that the president may move to strongarm them.

We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday night. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.

After the Venezuela operation over the weekend, Trump and top aides made a point of emphasizing a lesson for other countries : that the presidents threats arent rhetorical and that hes willing to follow through with action.

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"The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said Monday on CNN. The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?"

Denmark has controlled Greenland for roughly 300 years and in 1916 the United States formally recognized Denmarks interests in Greenland in exchange for the Danish West Indies, which became the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As Trump muses about taking over Greenland for national security reasons, European leaders  already stretched thin over Trumps pressure on trade, defense and his unpredictable diplomacy regarding the Russia-Ukraine war  have grown ever more alarmed.

A number of European leaders close to Trump, including Finnish President Alex Stubb and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have spoken in support of Denmark and Greenland and against any American effort to seize control of the territory.

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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made it clear shes taking Trumps threats seriously with a statement over the weekend and again in an interview Monday, laying out the deep and lasting consequences for the transatlantic alliance should one NATO member attempt to conquer the territory of another.

If the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War, Frederiksen said.

Tensions were already high after Trump last month appointed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland. Landry, a Republican who has been in office since early 2024, called the volunteer position an honor in a post on social media and said he would work to make Greenland a part of the U.S.

Trump has never explained exactly why it is imperative for the U.S. to control Greenland seeing as how Denmark is a NATO ally willing to let America expand its military presence. The island, however, has vast caches of metals and minerals that are critical to U.S. security, including uranium and graphite  though Greenlands stores are largely unexplored and untapped. And according to an assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey , Greenland "contains approximately 31,400 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) of oil" and other fuel products, including around 148 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

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Inside the White House those working on the Greenland portfolio arent focused on a military operation like Trump authorized to oust former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, according to three people familiar with the discussions and granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Another kind of pressure campaign challenging Denmarks control of Greenland or its peoples right to choose its own future, some combination of carrots and sticks, could be murkier for NATO members in terms of the application of Article 5 of the organizations founding charter, which deems an attack on one member country an attack on the entire alliance.

Trump first signaled an interest in acquiring Greenland during his first term. As he campaigned in 2024, he refused to rule out the use of military force to seize the territory from Denmark. Last January in his inaugural address, the president declared that the U.S. will once again consider itself a growing nation  one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons. And the administrations new National Security Strategy, released in December, prioritized defending the homeland from threats within the hemisphere; and the Venezuela campaign showed its being implemented.

But that an American president would even threaten a NATO ally is hard for many to fathom.

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We all can agree Maduro was a bad guy. But this is a whole nother level of insanity  its not grounded in any reality, said Rufus Gifford, who served as U.S. ambassador to Denmark under President Barack Obama. He added that he found Trumps laughter aboard Air Force One Sunday night as he threatened to take Greenland legitimately terrifying.

During a trip last March to the Pituffik Space Base on Greenlands Arctic coast, Vice President JD Vance said Denmark hasnt done a good job at keeping Greenland safe. But he also suggested that the U.S. approach to taking governance of the territory away from the Danes would respect the rights of Greenlanders to determine their own fate. The people of Greenland are going to have self-determination, Vance said. We hope that they choose to partner with the United States.

In a video response to Vances comments , Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen took umbrage with the vice presidents tone but reiterated publicly what Frederiksen had conveyed privately. "We respect that the United States needs a greater military presence in Greenland, Rasmussen said. We -- Denmark and Greenland  are very much open to discussing this with you."

Trump, in his comments Sunday night, joked to reporters that Denmarks only contribution to bolstering Greenlands security was one more dogsled. In fact, Denmark announced a plan in November to spend $4.26 billion to boost its security capabilities in the Arctic that will procure two Arctic patrol ships, maritime patrol aircraft, a new early-warning radar and extensive drone systems.

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Gifford, who went on a speaking tour across Denmark last fall to tell Danes that many Americans disagree with the Trump administrations approach, said that even if the U.S. doesnt ultimately take control of Greenland under Trump, theres real damage already being done.

Trump officials have enormous egos and they don't care about the rule of law and alliances and history and treaties and trust  all these fundamental concepts that have made the United States what we are, he said. Every member of Congress should be screaming bloody murder about this; and if you're not, you're complicit in what could be the downfall of the West as we know it.
Venezuela will not have new elections in the next 30 days, President Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC News on Monday, projecting a longer-term engagement two days after U.S. forces captured that nation's leader, Nicolas Maduro.

"We have to fix the country first. You cant have an election. Theres no way the people could even vote," Trump said about the possibility of a vote in the next month. "No, its going to take a period of time. We have  we have to nurse the country back to health."

Moreover, he said, the U.S. may subsidize an effort by oil companies to rebuild the country's energy infrastructure  a project he said could take less than 18 months.

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"I think we can do it in less time than that, but it'll be a lot of money," he said. "A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue."

He also insisted the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela.

"No, were not," Trump said. "Were at war with people that sell drugs. Were at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country."

In the roughly 20-minute interview, Trump identified a group of U.S. officials  including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and Vice President JD Vance  who will help oversee Americas involvement in Venezuela.

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"It's a group of all. They have all expertise, different expertise," he said.

But he had a one-word answer for who is ultimately in charge: Me.

Trumps discussion of his vision for Venezuela came just a couple of hours after Maduro was arraigned in New York on a series of charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. He was seized from a compound in the capital city of Caracas in the wee hours of Saturday morning during a raid by U.S. special forces and law enforcement officials.

Maduro pleaded not guilty, saying he remains the leader of his country even as Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in Monday as his successor.

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Trump said Rodriguez has been cooperating with U.S. officials but insisted there was no communication between her camp and the American side before Maduro's ouster.

"No, thats not the case," he said, adding that a determination will be made soon about whether existing sanctions against Rodriguez will be left in place or lifted.

When asked if there was "any deal with any official in Venezuela to remove" Maduro, Trump replied, "Well, yeah, because a lot of people wanted to make a deal, but we decided to do it this way," adding that it was without the help of Maduro's inner circle.

Trump also declined to say whether he's spoken to Rodriguez yet, but he said that Rubio "speaks to her fluently in Spanish" and that their "relationship has been very strong."

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He indicated that the U.S. could launch a second military incursion into Venezuela if Rodriguez stops cooperating with U.S. officials but said he does not believe that will be necessary. Trump also suggested he had initially expected to have to send in American forces again already.

"Were prepared to do it," he said. "We anticipated doing it, actually."

Trump also denied a Washington Post report that he had dismissed the possibility of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado running the country because she won the Nobel Peace Prize last year  an award long sought by Trump.

"She should not have won it," he said. "But no, that has nothing to do with my decision."

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Having campaigned on an "America First" platform and his desire to end wars, rather than start them, Trump has seen some of his political allies question the wisdom of the U.S. entering into a long-term commitment in Venezuela.

But he said in the interview that he is confident his political base will stick with him.

"MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what Im doing. MAGA loves everything I do," Trump said. "MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do, and I love everything I do, too."

Critics in both parties have noted that Trump did not seek a new authorization from Congress to launch Saturday morning's raid, and he said in the interview that he would not need lawmakers to act in order for him to send American troops back in.

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"We have good support congressionally," he said. "And Congress knew what we were doing all along, but we have good support congressionally. Why wouldn't they support us?"

When asked what Congress "knew"  and whether any lawmakers had advance notification about the operation  Trump declined to elaborate.

"I don't want to get into that," he replied, "but people knew."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
US President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that US officials have determined that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence in an alleged drone attack last week, disputing Moscow's claims Trump initially called deeply concerning.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last week that Kyiv had launched a wave of drones at Putins state residence in the northwestern Novgorod region, which Russian air defence systems were allegedly able to intercept.

Lavrov also criticised Ukraine for launching the attack at a time when global efforts to end Russia's war through diplomacy were intensifying.

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The allegation came just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to Florida to meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate and discuss the still-developing US 20-point peace plan for his country.

Zelenskyy quickly denied the allegations levelled against Kyiv. Trump on Sunday noted that after an extensive investigation into the allegations, Washington did not find that Ukraine targeted Putins residence, but acknowledged that something happened in the area.

Trump said that something happened nearby Putin's residence, but that US officials did not find that the Russian president's residence was targeted.

I dont believe that strike happened," Trump told reporters as he travelled back to Washington on Sunday after spending two weeks at his home in Florida. We don't believe that happened, now that we've been able to check.

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Trump addressed the US determination after European officials argued that the Russian claim was nothing more than an effort by Moscow to undermine the peace effort. But Trump, at least initially, had appeared to take the Russian allegations at face value.

He told reporters last Monday that his Russian counterpart had also raised the matter during a phone call with the Russian leader earlier that day. And Trump said he was very angry about the accusation.

By Wednesday, Trump appeared to be downplaying the Russian claim. He posted a link to a New York Post editorial on his social media platform that raised doubt about the Russian allegation.

The editorial slammed Putin for choosing "lies, hatred, and death at a moment that Trump has claimed is closer than ever before to moving the two sides to a deal to end the war.

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The US president has struggled to fulfil a pledge to quickly end the war in Ukraine, which he promised to deliver within 24 hours of taking office, and has shown irritation with both Zelenskyy and Putin as he tried to mediate an end to the fighting.

Both Trump and Zelenskyy said last week they made progress in their talks at Trump's Florida resort.

But Putin has shown little interest in ending the war until all of Russia's maximalist demands are met, including occupying all of Ukrainian territory in the key eastern Donbas region and imposing severe restrictions on the size of Ukraine's post-war military and defence capabilities.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has filed a class action complaint against the Trump administration on behalf of federal employees who will be denied gender-affirming health care for themselves and their families.

The complaint was filed Thursday with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It concerns changes to the Federal Employee Health Benefits program and the Postal Service Health Benefits program that went into effect with the beginning of the year.

Related: Federal HR office sets deadline for government-wide purge of transgender and nonbinary inclusion

OPM sent a letter to insurance carriers last year saying that as of 2026, chemical and surgical modification of an individuals sex traits through medical interventions (to include gender transition services) will no longer be covered under the FEHB or PSHB Programs. There is a narrow exception for people who are mid-treatment.

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This policy plainly discriminates on the basis of sex against federal employees who seek to obtain coverage under their FEHB or PSHB insurance plans for gender-affirming care, either for themselves or for their dependents who are covered under the plans, says the complaint filed with OPM. It violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans sex discrimination in employment, the complaint states. In the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling in 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court found that sex discrimination under Title VII includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The complaint includes statements from four plan participants who will be affected by the changes.

Related: Donald Trumps government declares that transgender and nonbinary people dont exist

Untold numbers of federal employees and their families will be left out to dry at the hands of a shameless administration hell-bent on targeting the transgender community, HRC Foundation President Kelley Robinson said in a press release. This policy is not about cost or care  it is about driving transgender people and people with transgender spouses, children, and dependents out of the federal workforce. These federal employees will now be forced into an impossible situation that pits them between their jobs and access to the care they need. That is discrimination, plain and simple, and the HRC Foundation refuses to let it stand without a fight. Our litigation seeks to honor those federal workers and preserve the rights, respect, and dignity they deserve.

In addition to the foundation  an arm of the Human Rights Campaign  the employees are represented by the law firm of Correia and Puth. No federal employee should be discriminated against in health care or otherwise. The law protects them, Cathy Harris of Correia and Puth said in the press release.

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The complaint seeks an end to the policy excluding gender-affirming care, a permanent injunction against such an exclusion, retroactive coverage for care that was denied, payment of economic and compensatory damages, and any other appropriate relief.

If OPM does not respond to the complaint within 30 days, the lawyers will file a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They then have 180 days to wait until filing a federal court case.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Trump sued over denial of gender-affirming care to federal employees
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America's education system is in historic decline. According to the latest report card on 12th graders, students finishing high school have fewer skills and less knowledge in core academics than their predecessors a decade ago.

The learning losses revealed in that report, September's National Assessment of Educational Progress, show that vast numbers of high school seniors don't even meet the most basic thresholds in reading or math. And although the disruptions of COVID didn't help, studies now show student achievement had been falling long before the pandemic.

It hardly seems like an accident that the nation's decline in literacy and math is happening simultaneously with its decline in democracy. We are in the age of disinformation and outrage-bait. The damage to Americans and our critical thinking skills is only going to get worse with the power of artificial intelligence.

We need an education moonshot  a radical new focus on developing breakthrough solutions that redefine education to meet the digital age and elevate the value of critical thinking.

Today's teenagers can produce a TikTok video in minutes but how many American adults understand the value of discerning the reliability of a post that's gone viral? And while anyone can sound off on social media, how often are students taught to consider the consequences of their words?

The future of democracy is going to depend on our ability to think critically and disagree civilly. But distinguishing fact from fiction takes work  and requires a level of reading comprehension that Americans are losing.

Since America's economy shifted a century ago from farms to factories and offices, education has been the method by which we have trained our workforce, provided upward mobility and cultivated good citizenship. Americans invested in public education because we understood that when Americans have strong cognitive skills, we are better workers and citizens  and society benefits.

But our fragmented media landscape and the dominance of social media have left us polarized and divided. As the gap between the rich and everyone else has widened, the gaps in student achievement have followed. Instead of reducing income inequality, education is now exacerbating it.

Our policymakers are not meeting the moment. The Trump administration's dismantling of the Department of Education as an antidote to failing student achievement is a prime example of the wrong answer to a deepening problem.

We've already seen the implications of the decline in the public's critical thinking skills. The vaccine misinformation advanced by the president and his science-denying Secretary of Health and Human Services is taking its toll on vaccination rates. The June research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the vaccination rate for measles, mumps and rubella has fallen from 94% in 2019 to 91% in 2024, an alarming drop; the level needed to protect society from outbreaks is 95%.

But an electorate with good reading skills isn't only important to preserve public health. It's essential to democracy  because there are those in our midst who believe that if they can exploit the decline in education, they can control the agenda.

As we've seen with authoritarian systems across the globe, strongmen do not welcome critical thinking. On the contrary, authoritarians want to control thinking and stifle dissent. They dictate curricula and demand that teachers comply with their political agenda. But this is no longer only happening in countries like Russia, Hungary and China; it's happening here.

Pulling American schools out of this downward spiral will not be easy. The U.S. education system is radically decentralized and famously complex. The urge to reform it is a constant theme of elected officials. (According to the National Governors Association, nearly every governor discussed their "reforms" aimed at closing gaps in student achievement or addressing needs in workforce development in their state of the state addresses in 2025.)

But we've let our national leaders suck up too much attention with such as how teachers use gender pronouns in the classroom or what is taught about slavery  instead of doing the hard work of understanding the problem of student underachievement.

A radical new focus doesn't mean reinventing everything. Many classic learning models still work well. For example, a 2025 study from the University of Virginia and the American Institutes for Research found that public Montessori preschool programs provide superior early learning outcomes for children ages 36 than traditional programs, especially in reading, memory and social understanding. What's especially reassuring is that these programs also cost school districts less money.

A small Michigan school district has reconfigured its reading program based on science and data. Its third graders have improved their English proficiency on standardized tests by 12%. In Newark, the KIPP charter network created the Evening Learning Program on weeknights for students to help make up for Covid-year losses and to help parents who have evening jobs.

Incentive programs also work, as Tennessee and Chicago each found with plans that offer free community college to students who qualify; high schoolers who graduate with a B average in Chicago and anyone who graduates with a high school diploma in Tennessee.

Then there's technology, which can both help and hurt student achievement. Students now have more choice and access to quality education through both in-person and online classrooms. Learning has become more engaging for many students with innovations like incorporating gaming technology into curricula.

And AI can offer promising new approaches by serving as a personalized tutor, assisting teachers with better grading and lesson planning, and helping workers learn new skills.But there's also a glaring downside to technology: It has the potential to make us dumber, conditioning us to think less and think less critically.

Some have suggested that the U.S. should follow Australia and ban all social media for students under the age of 16. Bell-to-bell cell phone bans are a promising start, but a social media ban in our culture is likely impossible to effectively implement. A better approach would be a hybrid system in which policymakers impose strict guardrails on all social media  such as restricting platforms that fail to limit harms to children  and schools include in their curricula skills for building healthy social media habits.

In 1961, when President John F. Kennedy challenged the nation to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth, he urged Americans to do those things "not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills." America responded with characteristic ingenuity. It's time we tap that American spirit again. Since we can't rely on the White House to lead on this, it will be up to the states to rekindle those energies and skills and advance an education moonshot. We can't waste another minute. Kids grow up fast.

Mary Ellen Klas is a Politics and Policy Columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. A former capital bureau chief for the Miami Herald, she has covered politics and government for more than three decades.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
SACRAMENTO, California The Trump administration will cut up to $10 billion in child care and social services funding from five Democratic-run states over unproven allegations of widespread fraud in their welfare systems.

Federal officials will notify California, Illinois, New York, Minnesota and Colorado in letters Tuesday of plans to freeze $7 billion from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, as well as $2.4 billion from the Child Care and Development Fund and $870 million in social services grants for children, the Health and Human Services Department confirmed to Politico Tuesday. The cuts were first reported by the New York Post.

Elected officials in the targeted states were gearing up to challenge the cuts in court.

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This is a fight we're going to have to take on if we get that notification, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press conference Tuesday. It's vindictive. I believe that we'll be successful in court. We'll be having a litigation strategy. We'll fight this with every fiber of our being because our kids should not be political pawns.

In California, Attorney General Rob Bonta had a similar message on Monday, saying the issue could become the latest in a long string of lawsuits he has brought to push back on moves by the Trump administration.

If it's unlawful, if we can challenge it in court and be effective, like we have 80 percent of the time, and block it, then we will, Bonta told Politico on Monday. But right now, we're in the assessment period to make sure that we know what we're dealing with.

The move against the states welfare programs and child care funding appeared to be an extension of an escalating scandal in Minnesota amid allegations of fraud in the states child care system. The administration already has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars for Minnesota and federal HHS officials now say without offering evidence of wrongdoing that other states should be scrutinized as well.

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For too long, Democrat-led states and Governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch, Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for HHS said in a statement to Politico. Under the Trump Administration, we are ensuring that federal taxpayer dollars are being used for legitimate purposes. We will ensure these states are following the law and protecting hard-earned taxpayer money.

HHS Deputy Secretary Jim ONeill and HHS Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families Alex Adams posted a video on social media Tuesday proposing new guidelines for how childcare funds can be used in the future.

Lindsey Holden contributed to this report.
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Jan 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened military action against Colombia's government, telling reporters that such an operation "sounds good to me" and prompting an angry response from Bogota.

The comments came after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a raid early on Saturday and whisked him to New York to face drug-trafficking charges.

"Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, in an apparent reference to Colombia's President Gustavo Petro.

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Asked directly whether the U.S. would pursue a military operation against the country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

Colombia rejected Trump's comments as an unacceptable threat against an elected leader.

"It represents an undue interference in the internal affairs of the country, against the norms of international law," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Sunday.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Tom Hogue, Christian Schmollinger and Gareth Jones)
In a triumphant news conference following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the middle of the night last week, President Donald Trump invoked what he called the "Donroe Doctrine" -- his vision of a U.S. superpower that could assert its military might to conquer the Western Hemisphere.

The State Department doubled down on the sentiment, posting on X on Monday: "This is OUR Hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested as much during cable hits over the weekend, saying, "This is the Western Hemisphere. This is where we live -- and we're not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operation for adversaries, competitors, and rivals of the United States."

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Venezuela live updates

World leaders are likely to proceed with caution as they now face growing pressure due to a more assertive and dominating American presence, as Trump renews his push to acquire Greenland -- a Danish territory, and the Arctic.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump holds a press conference following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fl., on Jan. 3, 2026.

"We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,'' he told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday.

Trump openly threatened Colombia and said it could face a similar fate as Venezuela, and he said Cuba was imminently "ready to fall." He also said Mexico could be next, as the administration seeks to continue its battle against drug cartels.

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His rhetoric even raised questions about the plight of Taiwan as it faces growing threats from China in the Indo-Pacific; his comments could also include repercussions for Ukraine as it battles Russia in a nearly four-year long war.

What is the "Donroe Doctrine?"

The "Donroe Doctrine" is a portmanteau of Donald Trump and the Monroe Doctrine -- the 1800s-era doctrine that warned against European colonization in the Americas articulated by President James Monroe.

Pointing to China, Iran and Russia's influence on the oil industry in Venezuela, Trump said, "All of these actions were in gross violation of the core principles of American foreign policy, dating back more than two centuries."

"All the way back, dated to the Monroe doctrines. And the Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but we've superseded it by a lot, by a real lot. They now call it the Donroe Doctrine," Trump said Saturday at Mar-a-Lago.

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Maduro declares 'I am innocent' and 'still president' in Manhattan court appearance

According to the Department of State's Office of the Historian, the Monroe Doctrine served as justification for U.S. intervention in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

In November, the Trump administration released its national security strategy, modeling its policy toward the Western Hemisphere after the Monroe Doctrine.

"After years of neglect, the United States will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, and to protect our homeland and our access to key geographies throughout the region," the strategy reads.

EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: Ousted President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and his wife, Cilia Flores arrive at the Wall Street Heliport in New York City, January 5, 2026.

"We will deny non-Hemispheric competitors the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets, in our Hemisphere," per the strategy. "This 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine is a common-sense and potent restoration of American power and priorities, consistent with American security interests."

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Trump later added during his news conference: "Under our new national security strategy, American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again. It won't happen. So just in concluding, for decades, other administrations have neglected or even contributed to these growing security threats in the Western Hemisphere. Under the Trump administration, we are reasserting American power in a very powerful way in our home region."

In remarks Monday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also noted that the Monroe Doctrine is back in full force.

"As we continue to ensure that American interests are protected in the Western Hemisphere, the Monroe Doctrine is back and in full effect. And all of you will be a part of ensuring that. All the way back to 1823, James Monroe established the Monroe Doctrine. You are a part of it now, you are a part of that legacy," Hegseth said.

But not all are convinced.

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In a blistering statement, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont decried the administration's "brazen violation of international law" in capturing Maduro and suggested "this is the horrific logic of force that Putin used to justify his brutal attack on Ukraine."

Mixed messages from Trump and Rubio on who's running Venezuela

"Trump and his administration have often said they want to revive the Monroe Doctrine, claiming the United States has the right to dominate the affairs of the hemisphere. They have spoken openly about controlling Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world. This is rank imperialism. It recalls the darkest chapters of U.S. interventions in Latin America, which have left a terrible legacy. It will and should be condemned by the democratic world," Sanders said.

European leaders eye Washington warily

World leaders largely condemned Maduro's capture as a breach of international law and experts have said it could have a chilling effect because of the message it sends: that the U.S. no longer views international law as a binding constraint on its power.

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Denmark's leader warned on Monday that Trump's threats should be taken seriously after he repeated his desire to annex Greenland.

"Firstly, I believe that the American president should be taken seriously when he says that he wants Greenland. But I also want to make it clear that if the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops. That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War ... of course, we will not accept a situation where we and Greenland are threatened in this way," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

Many analysts of the Trump administration's renewed national security strategy -- which is now more aligned with the Monroe Doctrine -- have said the approach is "shortsighted and runs the risk of creating long-term backlash that could ultimately undermine U.S. interests and cooperation across the Americas," according to Adam Ratzlaff, founder and CEO of Pan-American Strategic Advisors, a think tank focused on the Western Hemisphere.

The Trump administration's "willingness to violate another state's sovereignty reinforces fears that Washington is increasingly open to reordering the international system along great-power lines," Chris Herrmann and Asli Aydinsasbas, senior fellows with the European Council on Foreign Relations said.

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"From Greenland to Ukraine to Taiwan, European leaders must prepare for a strategic environment in which US actions are less predictable, more unilateral and increasingly shaped by domestic politics," Herrmann and Aydinsasbas said, adding that a U.S. "pivot towards military interventionism in Latin America may also divert political attention and resources away from European security, while emboldening Moscow to pursue transactional arrangements with Washington over Ukrainian territory and resources."

And on Taiwan's security, Herrmann and Aydinsasbas noted that "while China is unlikely to replicate a similar military operation, Beijing may interpret Washington's actions as evidence of a more permissive global environment for coercive tactics."

In recent days, China has dispatched air, naval and rocket troops to conduct joint military drills around the island of Taiwan, a move Beijing called a "stern warning" against separatist and "external interference" forces. Notably, the State Department issued a statement urging Beijing to exercise restraint, and said China's military activities would "increase tensions unnecessarily."

Other experts maintain a return to the Monroe Doctrine could have a positive deterrence effect.

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They suggest the administration now has a unique opportunity to build upon its pressure campaign against Maduro to reestablish overwhelming U.S. strategic predominance in the Western Hemisphere "by tacitly shaping a post-Maduro settlement that ensures extra-hemispheric powers like China and Russia are excluded from meaningful influence in Caracas."

"The success of this operation creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Washington to translate its security preferences into strategic reality," Alexander B. Gray, a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, said. Gray served as deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff of the White House National Security Council during Trump's first term.
Russian officials indicated in 2019 that the Kremlin would be willing to back off from its support for Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela in exchange for a free hand in Ukraine, according to Fiona Hill, an adviser to President Donald Trump at the time.

The Russians repeatedly floated the idea of a very strange swap arrangement between Venezuela and Ukraine," Hill said during a congressional hearing in 2019. Her comments surfaced again this week and were shared on social media after the U.S. stealth operation to capture Maduro.

Hill said Russia pushed the idea through articles in Russian media that referenced the Monroe Doctrine  a 19th century principle in which the U.S. opposed European meddling in the Western Hemisphere and in return agreed to stay out of European affairs. It was invoked by Trump to justify the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

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Even though Russian officials never made a formal offer, Moscow's then-ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, hinted many times to her that Russia was willing to allow the United States to act as it wished in Venezuela if the U.S. did the same for Russia in Europe, Hill told The Associated Press this week.

Before there was a hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink, how about doing a deal?' But nobody (in the U.S.) was interested then," Hill said.

Trump dispatched Hill  then his senior adviser on Russia and Europe  to Moscow in April 2019 to deliver that message. She said she told Russian officials Ukraine and Venezuela are not related to each other.

At that time, she said, the White House was aligned with allies in recognizing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the countrys interim president.

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But fast forward seven years and the situation is different.

After ousting Maduro, the U.S. has said it will now run Venezuela policy. Trump also has renewed his threat to take over Greenland  a self-governing territory of Denmark and part of the NATO military alliance  and threatened to take military action against Colombia for facilitating the global sale of cocaine.

The Kremlin will be thrilled with the idea that large countries  such as Russia, the United States and China  get spheres of influence because it proves might makes right, Hill said.

Trumps actions in Venezuela make it harder for Kyiv's allies to condemn Russia's designs on Ukraine as illegitimate because weve just had a situation where the U.S. has taken over  or at least decapitated the government of another country  using fiction, Hill told AP.

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The Trump administration has described its raid in Venezuela as a law enforcement operation and has insisted that capturing Maduro was legal.

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Hill's account.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not commented on the military operation to oust Maduro but the Foreign Ministry issued statements condemning U.S. aggression.
It took just a few hours for Donald Trump to upend a relationship that China had been cultivating for decades.

Only hours before he was seized in a nighttime raid, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro had been praising his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as "an older brother" with a "powerful message as a leader to the world" during a meeting with senior diplomats from Beijing.

China has invested heavily in oil-rich Venezuela, one of its closest South American partners. And its state media showed off the footage from that meeting to prove it: smiling men in suits, reviewing some of the 600 current agreements between their two countries - except the next photograph of Maduro was taken on board a US warship, blindfolded and handcuffed, in grey sweats.

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China joined many countries around the world in condemning Washington's stunning move against a sovereign state. It accused the US of acting like a "world judge" and insisted that "the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law".

Those stern words aside, Beijing will be making careful calculations not just to ensure its foothold in South America, but also to manage an already tricky relationship with Trump and plot its next steps as the great power competition between the US and China takes a new, wholly unexpected turn.

Many see this as an opportunity for China's authoritarian Communist Party rulers. But there is also risk, uncertainty and frustration as Beijing tries to figure out what to do after Trump tore up the very international rulebook it has spent decades trying to play by.

Beijing, which likes to play the long game, is no fan of chaos. That is certainly what it seems to be coming up repeatedly against in Trump's second term. It had planned ahead and weathered the on-again, off-again trade war. Xi will believe he showed the US and the world just how dependent they are on Chinese manufacturing and technology.

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But now Beijing faces a new challenge.

Trump's play for Venezuelan oil has likely strengthened China's deepest doubts about American intentions  how far would the US go to contain Chinese influence?

Speaking to NBC on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared: "This is the western hemisphere. This is where we live  and we're not going to allow the western hemisphere to be a base of operations for adversaries, competitors and rivals of the United States."

The not-so-hidden message was for Beijing: get out of our backyard.

Beijing is unlikely to listen. But it will wait to see what happens next.

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On Wednesday Beijing strongly condemned a US report that suggested Washington will order the acting Venezuelan president to sever economic ties with China and Russia.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters that this was a "typical act of bullying, a serious violation of international law, a severe infringement upon Venezuela's sovereignty and will do grave damage to the rights of the Venezuelan people."

Nicolas Maduro escorted by US federal agents after landing in New York city [Getty Images]

Some wonder if China is waiting and watching to see if it could do the same in Taiwan, the self-governing island which it views as a breakaway province.

Xi has vowed that Taiwan will one day be "reunified" with the mainland and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this. And some nationalists on Chinese social media are asking: if the US can unilaterally act in Caracas, what is stopping Beijing from snatching the Taiwanese president?

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For one, Beijing might not see those parallels because it considers Taiwan an internal matter, and not a concern of the international order. But more important, if Xi decides to invade the island, it will not be because the US has set a precedent, according to David Sacks from the Council on Foreign Relations. He writes that China doesn't have the "confidence that it can succeed at an acceptable cost".

"Until that day comes, though, China will continue with its strategy of employing coercion to wear down Taiwan's people, with the aim of forcing Taiwan to the negotiating table. The US strikes on Venezuela do not change this dynamic."

Rather, they are a challenge China did not need and does not want - and they risk its long-term plan to win over the Global South.

The relationship between Beijing and Caracas was fairly simple. China needed oil. Venezuela needed cash. From around 2000 to 2023 Beijing provided more than $100bn to Venezuela to finance railways, power plants and other infrastructure projects. In exchange, Caracas gave Beijing the oil it needed to fuel its booming economy.

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Around 80% of Venezuelan oil was sent to China last year. That's still only 4% of the country's oil imports. So, when it comes to China's financial risks in Caracas, "it's important to keep some perspective", says Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of The China-Global South Project.

"Chinese firms like CNPC and Sinopec are among the largest players there and there is a risk of those assets either being nationalised by the Venezuelans, under the direction of the US or otherwise marginalised amid the chaos."

There are also around $10bn of outstanding loans that Venezuela owes Chinese creditors, but again, Olander urges caution as it's unclear if any investments in the country are currently at risk.

But it could warn off future investors. "Chinese enterprises need to fully assess the risks and extent of potential US intervention before investing in related projects," Cui Shoujun, from the School of International Relations at Renmin University, said on Chinese state media.

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Beijing will not want to jeopardise the fragile trade truce it just signed with the US, but it won't want to lose its foothold in Latin America either. Striking that balance is going to be hard, especially with someone as unpredictable as Trump.

The concern for China is that other countries across South America start to worry about significant Chinese investments "out of concern of attracting unwanted US attention", Olander says. "This region is a critical source of food, energy and natural resources to China with two-way trade now topping half a trillion dollars."

The US has also made it clear it wants the Panamanian government to cancel all Chinese port holdings and investments related to the Panama Canal, which, he adds, is "undeniably concerning for China".

So Beijing may have to win the battle in Washington's backyard in other ways.

Xi and Maduro in Beijing in 2013 [Getty Images]

China has shown patience and persistence in wooing South America. The Global South is a group of countries that have signed up to "a community with a shared future" and urge opposition to "unilateral bullying".

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This message resonates with governments that have grown wary of the West and, in particular, Washington under Trump. China is usually explicit from the start about what it wants from its partners - they recognise the "One China" principle and Taiwan is treated as an "integral part" of China.

Beijing has had considerable success in persuading Latin American states to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, with Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras all siding with the $19tn economy's talk of strategic partnership over the last 20 years.

In contrast, Trump has shown that a relationship with Washington can be volatile. And that could play into China's hands, as it seeks to project Xi as a stable leader, now more than ever before.

"This is important because the situation in Venezuela could easily descend into chaos," Olander says. "Also, don't forget the lesson from Iraq, where the US also said the country's oil reserves would pay for the reconstruction of the economy. That did not happen and China is now the largest buyer of Iraqi crude. Something similar could easily happen in Venezuela."

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For years, the US was urged by China hawks in Congress to counter Beijing's influence across South America. It has made its move but what no-one seems sure of is what comes next.

Everything about this is a gamble  and Beijing, by all accounts, hates to gamble.
Two senior Republican senators on Monday openly opposed Pentagon secretary Pete Hegseths attempt to punish their fellow Senator Mark Kelly by demoting him and cutting his pension after he released a video telling active-duty military to follow the law.

Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs the Senate appropriations committee with jurisdiction over the Pentagons budget, said she believed it was wrong to target Kellys military benefits because of a political video.

Thom Tillis of North Carolina also described the Pentagons censure as ridiculous, said that Hegseth overreached and cautioned that pursuing such action has a chilling effect on speech.

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Related: Pete Hegseth issues formal censure to Democratic senator Mark Kelly

The pushback from the relatively moderate Collins and from Tillis  who announced last June he would be retiring from the Senate  was striking given the tepid response from most other Republican senators.

Hegseth said on Monday that his department had begun administrative action against Kelly, who served as a navy captain before entering the Senate. Last year Kelly and other Democrats released a video encouraging military personnel to refuse illegal orders. Writing on social media, Hegseth described it as a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline.

The defense secretary announced a retirement grade determination proceeding alongside a formal censure letter, suggesting Kelly could see his rank reduced and pension slashed as punishment.

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Kelly flew dozens of combat missions and travelled to space four times during his military and Nasa career.

Speaking to reporters, Collins said: I dont think thats appropriate. Tillis, meanwhile, called the original video from the Democrats rage bait, but added: My gosh, he is a US senator who operates in a political world. I think it has a chilling effect on speech, and Ive got a real problem with it. And I think Hegseth overreached.

Other Republicans offered measured or non-committal responses. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who sits on the armed services committee, told reporters there would be an adjudication process that he said should be allowed to proceed without comment. Asked whether such proceedings made sense given Kellys Senate role and committee assignment, Rounds replied: I think well let the process play out.

Some senators sidestepped the question altogether. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, another armed services committee member, said she lacked sufficient information to respond. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia characterized it as an issue between the Department of War and Sen Kelly.

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Kelly issued a combative statement on Monday, saying the censure was outrageous and un-American. He wrote: If Pete Hegseth, the most unqualified secretary of defense in our countrys history, thinks he can intimidate me with a censure or threats to demote me or prosecute me, he still doesnt get it.

He added: Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump dont get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government.
The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is made with Russia, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

After talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.

Allies also largely agreed robust security guarantees for Ukraine and proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territory is still being discussed.

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Russia has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be a "legitimate target".

Moscow has not yet commented on the announcements made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in Tuesday's talks in Paris.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Starmer said: "We signed a declaration of intent on the deployment of forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.

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"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term.

"It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future,"

The UK prime minister added London would participate in any US-led verification of a potential ceasefire.

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff said "durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine - referring to a key demand made by Kyiv.

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Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols "so that people of Ukraine know that when this [war] ends, it ends forever".

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's special envoy and son-in-law, said that after a deal Ukrainians needed to know that "real backstops" were in place to ensure war would "not happen again".

Meanwhile, President Macron said Ukraine's allies had made "considerable progress" at the talks.

He said "robust" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a potential ceasefire.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure across the country on a daily basis [EPA/Shutterstock]

What Ukraine calls security "guarantees" and what American officials have described as security "protocols" may leave some wiggle room for Trump in the event of coming to Kyiv's defence after a future Russian attack - but there is no doubt Zelensky feels he and his European allies have secured an important concession from Washington.

We heard few, if any, new details about where a future ceasefire line would be drawn and what territory, currently occupied by Russian forces, Ukraine would agree to surrender.

That prospect is still something many Ukrainians would find hard to swallow, especially as Russia continues to strike against cities and critical infrastructure across Ukraine on a daily basis.

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But as the snows fall and bitter winds sweep in from the east, Zelensky knows the only alternative to a ceasefire and subsequent peace deal, is another costly, attritional winter of warfare with the inevitable loss of life that will hit Ukraine far harder than Russia.

Ukraine's president clearly hopes that guarantees of American monitoring, a multinational force on Ukrainian soil and more weapons support for his armed forces, will convince a sometimes-sceptical population that he is right to sue for peace, bolstered by a growing international coalition.

But, in concluding the Paris press conference, Zelensky acknowledged today's "milestone" does not necessarily guarantee peace. Real progress still needs Russian support, and Moscow has been notably silent in recent days about diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Putin is known to oppose the prospect of a European-led international force in any disputed areas and will be reluctant to halt his troops', albeit slow, advance if Moscow's war objectives have not been realised.

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But pressure is undoubtedly growing on both sides to make compromises and end the war.

Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia does the same.

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Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point peace plan widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Russia's favour.

This triggered weeks of intensive high-level diplomacy - with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an updated 20-point plan - as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.
Ukraine's President Zelensky calls it as a "huge step forward", but says it will only be enough "when the war in Ukraine will end"
Ukrainian drones struck an ammunition site and oil depot in Russia, a security official said Tuesday.

The two strikes were carried out by the "Alpha" group, an elite unit in Ukraine's SBU agency.

The attacks mark Ukraine's latest deep-strike operations against Russian weapons and energy.

Ukrainian forces used long-range, deep-strike drones to hit a Russian missile arsenal and oil depot supporting the invasion, a security official told Business Insider on Tuesday.

The attacks mark Ukraine's latest deep strikes as it continues to target Russian weapons and the country's vast energy sector, a major revenue source for the state as it wages war.

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A source in the Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU, said that drones hit Russia's 100th Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) in the western Kostroma region. They were only authorized to speak on the condition of anonymity to discuss military developments.

The drone attack on the facility triggered a secondary detonation of ammunition, causing powerful blasts at the facility, the source said, calling it an important target because Russia uses it to supply munitions to smaller sites in other areas of the country.

The source said drones also struck an oil depot in the nearby Lipetsk region, sparking an "intense" blaze. Video footage and images shared on social media appeared to show fire and smoke at the two facilities.

Overnight, Ukrainian attack drones successfully hit a Russian oil depot in the town of Usman, Lipetsk Oblast. Seen here, flames leap into the night sky from the burning facility. pic.twitter.com/EN6SRI2sXU  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 6, 2026

Russia's defense ministry said on Tuesday that it shot down 360 Ukrainian drones without specifying where. Neither the ministry nor the Russian embassy in the US responded to Business Insider's request for comment.

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The SBU source said that the two drone attacks were carried out by its Alpha group, an elite "spetsnaz" unit considered to be among the best of Ukraine's special forces.

The Alpha group regularly carries out long-range drone attacks against Russian targets, including a recent first-of-its-kind strike on a Moscow-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea and the stunning June attacks against Russian airbases, known as Operation Spiderweb.

The SBU's Alpha forces also carry out ground operations; for instance, they have participated in Ukraine's defense of Pokrovsk, the war-torn city in the eastern Donetsk region that has been the site of some of the conflict's most intense fighting.

"In the New Year, the SBU continues to work successfully on military and oil facilities of the Russian Federation, reducing the enemy's ability to provide their army with ammunition and fuel," the source said in translated remarks shared with Business Insider.

A screenshot from a Ukrainian drone showing the large-scale attack on Russian military bombers in Siberia on June 1. EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect

"All Russian rear facilities that work for the war against Ukraine are absolutely legitimate targets," they added.

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Since August, Ukraine has stepped up its use of long-range drones to attack Russian energy facilities in a bid to put pressure on a key source of revenue for Moscow that helps fuel its war efforts.

Ukraine has mostly targeted oil and gas infrastructure on land, such as depots and ports, but in recent weeks, it has expanded attacks to maritime targets, striking several oil tankers and oil platforms in the Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean seas.

Ukrainian officials have described the deep-strike operations as the country's way of imposing "long-range" sanctions on Russia.

Meanwhile, Tuesday's attack on the 100th GRAU arsenal reflects a tactic that Ukraine has long relied on  hitting ammunition storage sites inside Russia to cause more near-term battlefield impacts.

Read the original article on Business Insider
KYIV, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday he had appointed Canada's former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland as his economic development adviser, citing her experience in attracting investment.

"Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal resilience  both for the sake of Ukraine's recovery if diplomacy delivers results as swiftly as possible, and to reinforce our defence if, because of delays by our partners, it takes longer to bring this war to an end," Zelenskiy wrote on X.

Freeland, who has Ukrainian ancestry, served as Canada's deputy prime minister between 2019 and 2024 and was a leading international advocate for sending aid to Kyiv.

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She is still a lawmaker in the national parliament but said she would step down in the coming weeks. She also said she would quit her role as Ottawa's special envoy to Ukraine, a post she only took up last September.

"Ukraine is at the forefront of today's global fight for democracy, and I welcome this chance to contribute on an unpaid basis as an economic advisor," she said in a statement on X.

Her departure as a legislator means Prime Minister Mark Carney must call a special election to replace her.

Although the ruling Liberals are currently one seat short of a majority in the House of Commons elected chamber, they survived a key confidence vote in November with the aid of opposition parties.

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Polls indicate the Liberals, who won an election last April, would most likely retain power if another vote were held now.

(Reporting by Max Hunder and Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv and David Ljunggren in OttawaEditing by Gareth Jones and Lincoln Feast.)
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A Paris court on Monday found 10 defendants guilty of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of President Emmanuel Macron - a victory in the couple's ongoing legal battles against conspiracy theorists in France and the United States who have spread false claims about her gender and sexuality.

The trial in France is seen as a forerunner to a much bigger legal claim the Macrons are making in the United States against MAGA influencer Candace Owens for promoting similar false allegations. In a defamation suit filed last summer in Delaware, they contend that Owens's eight-part podcast series "Becoming Brigitte" and other posts asserting that Brigitte Macron was secretly born male were knowingly untruthful and part of a "campaign of global humiliation."

The defendants found guilty Monday, eight men and two women ranging in age from 41 to 65, received sentences spanning from mandatory cyberbullying awareness training to eight-month suspended prison terms. One was jailed for failing to attend the trial and five were restricted from posting on the social media platform X for six months, according to local media reports.

The court cited "degrading, insulting, and malicious" comments alleging that Brigitte Macron, 72, is transgender and connecting the 24-year age gap between her and her husband, 48, to pedophilia. In posts and videos seen by tens of thousands, the defendants repeated claims that the French first lady had changed gender.

The Macrons first met at the high school where he was a student and she was his drama teacher and a married mother of three. They married in 2007 when she was in her mid-50s and the up-and-coming politician was 29.

Their age split has been a subject of salacious commentary since Emmanuel Macron was elected president in 2017, but the scrutiny has intensified in recent years with the spread of demonstrably false accusations about her identity.

Among those convicted was Delphine Jegousse, 51, who identifies herself as an internet fortune teller under the name Amandine Roy. Prosecutors identified her as instrumental in amplifying the conspiracy theory after she produced a four-hour YouTube video in 2021 about Brigitte Macron's alleged gender switch. Jegousse claimed to have uncovered a "state secret" that Macron was originally born Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her older brother.

The claims went viral in the run-up to France's 2022 presidential election after they were picked up by far-right communities, including anti-vaccine groups, and followers of the extreme ideology QAnon.

The Macrons lodged a criminal complaint against Jegousse and another French participant in the video, Natacha Rey. The two were found guilty of slander in September 2024, but the verdict was overturned when an appeals court ruled they had spread the theories in "good faith."

Monday's verdict stems from a separate complaint against Jegousse and nine other defendants. Brigitte Macron did not attend the two-day trial held in October but in a televised interview Sunday said she launched the legal proceedings to "set an example" in combating harassment.

Her daughter Tiphaine Auziere testified during the trial that her mother's quality of life had deteriorated since the harassment intensified. Auziere told the court that her mother "cannot ignore the horrible things said about her" and that the impact has extended to the entire family, including Brigitte Macron's grandchildren.

The Macrons' lawyer hailed the guilty verdicts Monday, saying the penalties were a step toward stopping the torrent of disinformation about his clients.

"The most important things are the prevention courses and the suspension of some of the accounts" of the defendants, said attorney Jean Ennochi, according to Agence France-Presse.

A similar victory might be more difficult in the U.S., where public figures must prove in court that commentators acted with deliberate malice or a reckless disregard for the truth.

The Macrons' 22-count defamation lawsuit names Owens along with her business entities for allegedly conducting a "relentless year-long campaign of defamation" against the presidential couple, according to lawyer Tom Clare, whose firm previously represented Dominion Voting Systems in its landmark $787.5 million settlement against Fox News.

Owens repeated the baseless claim multiple times, according to the suit, including in a March 2024 YouTube video titled "Is France's First Lady a Man?" In her subsequent eight-part series for her nearly 4.5 million YouTube subscribers, Owens called the allegations potentially "the biggest scandal in political history." Owens asserted that Brigitte Macron engaged in identity theft, incest, forgery, fraud and abuses of power, according to the suit.

Owens monetizes such outrageous claims through ad and merchandise sales, the suit alleges, including T-shirts displaying Brigitte Macron on a fake Time magazine "Man of the Year" cover.

Clare told CNN that the Macrons attempted for about a year to get Owens to retract her statements before taking legal action. "This was really a last resort," he said. "We have attempted to engage with her for the last year - putting evidence in front of her, request after request after request that she just simply do the right thing."

The Macrons were prepared to present biological and medical evidence to disprove Owens's claims, Clare said.

A spokesman for Owens dismissed the claims at the time the suit was filed, telling The Washington Post that Owens "is not shutting up" and describing the litigation as "a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist."

(COMMENT, BELOW)




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An illustration shows the universe expanding during cosmic dawn with its flip side the dark universe dominated by dark photons and dark matter also evolves. | Credit: Robert Lea created by Canva

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights .

The shape of the universe is not something we often think about. But my colleagues and I have published a new study suggests it could be asymmetric or lopsided, meaning not the same in every direction.

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Should we care about this? Well, today's "standard cosmological model"  which describes the dynamics and structure of the entire cosmos  rests squarely on the assumption that it is isotropic (looks the same in all directions), and homogeneous when averaged on large scales.

But several so-called "tensions"  or disagreements in the data  pose challenges to this idea of a uniform universe.

We have just published a paper looking at one of the most significant of these tensions, called the cosmic dipole anomaly. We conclude that the cosmic dipole anomaly poses a serious challenge to the most widely accepted description of the universe, the standard cosmological model (also called the Lambda-CDM model ).

So what is the cosmic dipole anomaly and why is it such a problem for attempts to give a detailed account of the cosmos?

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Let's start with the cosmic microwave background (CMB) , which is the relic radiation left over from the big bang . The CMB is uniform over the sky to within one part in a hundred thousand.

So cosmologists feel confident in modelling the universe using the "maximally symmetric" description of space-time in Einstein's theory of general relativity. This symmetric vision for the universe, where it looks the same everywhere and in all directions, is known as the "FLRW description".

This vastly simplifies the solution of Einstein's equations and is the basis for the Lambda-CDM model.

But there are several important anomalies, including a widely debated one called the Hubble tension. It is named after Edwin Hubble, who is credited with having discovered in 1929 that the universe is expanding.

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The tension started to emerge from different datasets in the 2000s, mainly from the Hubble space telescope, and also recent data from the Gaia satellite. This tension is a cosmological disagreement, where measurements of the universe's expansion rate from its early days don't match up with measurements from the nearby (more recent) universe.

The cosmic dipole anomaly has received much less attention than the Hubble tension, but it is even more fundamental to our understanding of the cosmos. So what is it?

Having established that the cosmic microwave background is symmetric on large scales, variations in this relic radiation from the big bang have been found. One of the most significant is called the CMB dipole anisotropy. This is the largest temperature difference in the CMB, where one side of the sky is hotter and the opposite side cooler  by about one part in a thousand.

A 2013 map of the background radiation left over from the Big Bang, taken by the ESA's Planck spacecraft, captured the oldest light in the universe. This information helps astronomers determine the age of the universe. | Credit: ESA and the Planck Collaboration.

This variation in the CMB does not challenge the Lambda-CDM model of the universe. But we should find corresponding variations in other astronomical data.

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In 1984, George Ellis and John Baldwin asked whether a similar variation, or "dipole anisotropy", exists in the sky distribution of distant astronomical sources such as radio galaxies and quasars . The sources must be very distant because nearby sources could create a spurious "clustering dipole".

If the "symmetrical universe" FLRW assumption is correct, then this variation in distant astronomical sources should be directly determined by the observed variation in the CMB. This is known as the Ellis-Baldwin test , after the astronomers.

Consistency between the variations in the CMB and in matter would support the standard Lambda-CDM model. Discord would directly challenge it, and indeed the FLRW description. Because it is a very precise test, the data catalogue required to perform it has become available only recently.

The outcome is that the universe fails the Ellis-Baldwin test. The variation in matter does not match that in the CMB. Since the possible sources of error are quite different for telescopes and satellites, and for different wavelengths in the spectrum, it is reassuring that the same result is obtained with terrestrial radio telescopes and satellites observing at mid-infrared wavelengths.

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The cosmic dipole anomaly has thus established itself as a major challenge to the standard cosmological model, even if the astronomical community has chosen to largely ignore it.

This may be because there is no easy way to patch up this problem. It requires abandoning not just the Lambda-CDM model but the FLRW description itself, and going back to square one.

Yet an avalanche of data is expected from new satellites like Euclid and SPHEREx, and telescopes such as the Vera Rubin Observatory and the Square Kilometre Array. It is conceivable that we may soon receive bold new insights into how to construct a new cosmological model, harnessing recent advances in a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) called machine learning.

The impact would be truly huge on fundamental physics  and on our understanding of the universe.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health announced that an unvaccinated beef cow in Anderson County tested positive for rabies, near the town of Starr on Gentry Road and Highway 81 S.

According to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the cow was submitted to DPH's laboratory for testing on Dec. 31, 2025.

The cow was confirmed to have rabies on Jan. 2, 2026.

The cow died, and 19 other cows were quarantined for potential exposure.

This case marked South Carolina's first rabies case in 2026.

There are no known human exposures linked to this incident.

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The South Carolina Department of Public Health strongly advises residents to report any animal bites or potential exposures immediately.

Protecting farm animals and pets

Authorities urge local farmers to vaccinate their livestock to prevent further outbreaks.

Residents are also encouraged to report any animal bites or suspicious contact with wildlife to their local Department of Public Health office.

If your pet has unexplained wounds or you suspect it has come into contact with a potentially rabid animal, seek veterinary care immediately.

According to Terri McCollister, DPHs Rabies Program manager, keeping your pets and livestock current on their rabies vaccinations is a responsibility that comes with owning an animal.

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"It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your family, your pets, and your livestock from this fatal disease," McCollister said. "That is an investment worth making to provide yourself with some peace of mind."

Additionally, residents should avoid handling wildlife or animals in distress, as they may carry rabies.

Instead, contact local animal control authorities to manage the situation safely.

Residents with concerns or questions about rabies exposure or animal bites should contact DPH's Anderson office at 864-372-3270 during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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For inquiries after hours or on holidays, please call 888-847-0902.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Anderson County cow tests positive for rabies
By Diana Novak Jones

Jan 6 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday appeared inclined to allow lawsuits alleging major social media platforms were designed to be addictive for young users to proceed, as several judges questioned whether it was too early to consider whether the companies are immune from such claims.

Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms and other social media companies urged a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse rulings forcing them to face more than 2,200 lawsuits.

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The companies, which also include Snapchat and parent Snap Inc., YouTube and parent Alphabet Inc. and TikTok and parent ByteDance, argue that a federal law known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 shields them from liability stemming from what is posted on their sites, including allegations they failed to warn the public about the addictive nature of their platforms.

Filed by states, municipalities, school districts and individuals, the lawsuits allege that social media has contributed to a wave of depression, anxiety and body image issues in children, creating a mental health emergency among American youth in recent years.

The cases, which have been centralized before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, seek damages, penalties and restitution from the companies. The companies are appealing Rogers orders in 2023 and 2024 that largely allowed the litigation to move forward.

An attorney for Meta, which led the companies' appeal, faced skeptical questions from all three of the judges on the panel, who questioned whether it was appropriate for the appeals court to weigh in at this early stage in the case, as Meta was requesting. Most appeals come after a court has made a conclusive, final decision in a case, the judges said.

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Meta attorney James Rouhandeh responded that Rogers' orders were conclusive because they force Meta to defend against the litigation.

"It would be an enormous thing to require defendants to have to defend these types of suits," especially when they are precluded by Section 230, Rouhandeh said.

Circuit Judge Jacqueline Nguyen, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, said Rogers had indicated in her orders that she was open to considering the companies' argument that they are shielded from liability later in the litigation.

All three of the judges also questioned Meta's argument that Section 230 provides the companies with immunity from all lawsuits.

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The plaintiffs argued that Section 230 doesn't cover the claims in the lawsuits because it only protects against liability related to content published by third parties on the websites.

"Here our complaints are about features that they can remedy without looking at any third party content at all," Shannon Stevenson, the solicitor general of Colorado who is representing the states that have sued, told the panel.

Meta's argument that Section 230 shields the company from all the plaintiffs' claims isn't borne out in the statute's language, Nguyen told Rouhandeh.

"When Congress wants to give immunity from suit, it knows how to say that," Nguyen said.

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Circuit Judge Mark Bennett, an appointee of President Donald Trump, and U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto of the Eastern District of New York, sitting by designation, who was appointed by Republican former President George W. Bush, were also on the panel.

The case is People of the State of California v. Meta Platforms Inc, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 24-7032.

For Meta: James Rouhandeh of Davis Polk

For the individual plaintiffs, school districts and municipalities: Jennifer Bennett of Gupta Wessler

For the attorneys general: Colorado Solicitor General Shannon Stevenson

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones)
By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO, Jan 6 (Reuters) - U.S. officials are building a case that ongoing measles outbreaks in South Carolina and other states are unrelated to last year's major outbreak in Texas, as it tries to retain its status of having eliminated the disease after recording the highest number of confirmed infections in three decades.

To be considered measles-free by the World Health Organization, a country must have no locally transmitted cases of the same strain for 12 months or longer.

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Scientists studying the issue say the elimination assessment may not be ironclad as it is difficult to be certain that all cases potentially linked to the Texas outbreak have been reported.

A large outbreak of measles in Texas kicked off 2025 in January and spread to several states, followed by large outbreaks along the Arizona-Utah border and in South Carolina that continue to cause infections.

In November, the Pan American Health Organization - part of the WHO - determined that Canada had lost its measles elimination status after nearly three decades due to its failure to curb a year-long outbreak of the vaccine-preventable disease.

PAHO this year will evaluate U.S. measles data, which involves 2,065 confirmed cases, to see if it can keep the measles elimination status it has had since 2000.

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Former U.S. public health officials have described measles elimination status as a key indicator of a nation's health.

MUST PROVE CASES ARE UNRELATED

The United States will have to prove the ongoing measles cases are not related to the Texas outbreak, and were instead brought into the country from infected travelers, said William Moss, an epidemiology professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

State public health officials have used traditional methods of interviewing infected individuals to identify chains of transmission, as well as comparing the viral genotype - a section of the virus' DNA - to see if cases are related. That still may not be sufficient to link cases in a large outbreak, experts said.

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Kelly Oakeson, who leads next-generation sequencing at the Utah Public Health Laboratory, said none of the patients interviewed in Utah mentioned travel to Texas or contact with people from Texas, but many gave incomplete information.

Based on the state's detailed genetic analysis, however, she said the Utah strain is "different enough" from the Texas outbreak to suggest they are unrelated.

"We don't think there is a direct link," she said in an email, adding that the state has been working with CDC, Texas and Arizona to characterize transmission patterns.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been analyzing the entire genetic code of virus samples to determine if the outbreaks are related, a newer technique that has not traditionally been used to assess measles transmission.

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Early evidence from the CDC analysis, which has not been made public, suggests the outbreaks are not related, according to two sources who have seen the data.

In a December 5 post on X, CDC Acting Director Jim O'Neill said there was no epidemiological evidence linking the Texas outbreak and the ongoing cases in South Carolina.

A U.S. Health and Human Services spokesman confirmed that the CDC has found no epidemiological evidence linking ongoing outbreaks to Texas, but said many recent U.S. cases share the same genotype and have no known source of infection, "which could indicate ongoing domestic transmission."

POSSIBLE GAP IN CASES

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Dr. Noel Brewer, an infectious disease doctor at the University of North Carolina who has seen the CDC data, said the preliminary evidence suggests that new cases in Texas stopped in July and there was a three-week gap before the Utah-Arizona outbreak began.

"No cases linked the two outbreaks in any clear way," said Brewer, who chairs an independent committee that will analyze the U.S. data and make a report to PAHO on whether it agrees with the U.S. assessment.

The CDC's inability to link the outbreaks, Brewer said, may simply reflect that the virus is circulating broadly in the United States and that it is "not possible at this time to track all of the cases."

There are many gaps in epidemiological knowledge in the U.S. outbreaks and not all cases are identified or reported, said Johns Hopkins' Moss, so you can miss cases linking two outbreaks.

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In addition, many of the larger U.S. outbreaks are occurring in communities that don't trust the public health system and may be less likely to report cases or participate in an investigation.

That could lead scientists to incorrectly conclude that two viruses are different when it was just a sampling problem, Moss said.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, former CDC director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases who quit in August over concerns about U.S. vaccine policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said PAHO will make the call based on the evidence it receives.

"If they don't believe in the strength of one part of the data, and there are other compelling factors that say that the U.S. has lost elimination, it means that the U.S. has lost elimination."

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot)
US President Donald Trump has been discussing "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, including use of the military, the White House said.

The White House told the BBC that acquiring Greenland - a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark  was a "national security priority".

The statement came hours after European leaders issued a joint statement rallying behind Denmark, which has been pushing back against Trump's ambitions for the Arctic island.

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Trump repeated that the US "needed" Greenland for security reasons over the weekend, prompting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to warn that any attack by the US would spell the end of Nato.

The White House said on Tuesday: "The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal."

Nato is a trans-Atlantic military group in which allies are expected to go to each other's aid in case of external attacks.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also told lawmakers at a classified briefing on Capitol Hill on Monday that the Trump administration did not plan to invade Greenland, but he mentioned instead buying the island from Denmark, the Wall Street Journal and other US media reported.

Then on Tuesday, a state department spokesperson told the BBC that the US was "eager to build lasting commercial relationships that benefit Americans and the people of Greenland".

The spokesperson added: "Our common adversaries have been increasingly active in the Arctic. That is a concern that the United States, the Kingdom of Denmark, and Nato allies share."

Greenland and Denmark previously said they had asked to meet Rubio quickly to discuss the US claims on the island.

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Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said speaking to America's top diplomat should resolve "certain misunderstandings".

On Tuesday, six European allies expressed support for Denmark.

"Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations," the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark said in a joint statement.

Stressing they were as keen as the US in Arctic security, the European signatories said this must be achieved by Nato allies, including the US "collectively".

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They also called for "upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders".

[BBC]

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the statement and called for "respectful dialogue".

"The dialogue must take place with respect for the fact that Greenland's status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity," Nielsen said.

The issue of Greenland's future resurfaced in the wake of the US military intervention in Venezuela, during which elite troops seized the country's President Nicolas Maduro and took him to face drugs and weapons charges in New York.

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A day after that raid, Katie Miller - the wife of one of Trump's senior aides - posted a map on social media of Greenland in the colours of the US flag, alongside the word "SOON".

On Monday, her husband, Stephen Miller, said it was "the formal position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US".

Asked repeatedly in an interview with CNN whether the US would rule out using force to annex it, Miller responded: "Nobody's going to fight the US over the future of Greenland."

Around 1,000 Greenlanders protested over Trumps previous threats in March 2025 [Getty Images]

Greenland, which has a population of 57,000 people, has had extensive self-government since 1979 - though defence and foreign policy remain in Danish hands.

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While most Greenlanders favour eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls suggest overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the US, which already has a military base on the island.

Morgan Angaju, 27, an Inuit living in Ilulissat in the west region of the country, told the BBC it had been "terrifying to listen to the leader of the free world laughing at Denmark and Greenland and just talking about us like we're something to claim".

"We are already claimed by the Greenlandic people. Kalaallit Nunaat means the land of the Greenlandic people," Morgan said.

He added that he was worried about what happened next - wondering whether Greenland's prime minister may suffer the same fate as Maduro, or even about the US "invading our country".

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But Aleqatsiaq Peary, a 42-year-old Inuit hunter living in the remote northerly town of Qaanaaq, appeared indifferent to the potential of US ownership.

"It would be switching from one master to another, from one occupier to another," he told the BBC. "We are a colony under Denmark. We are already losing a lot from being under the Danish government."

But he said: "I don't have time for Trump. Our people are in need," explaining hunters like him hunt with dogs on the sea ice and fish, "but the sea ice is melting and hunters cannot make a living anymore".

Aleqatsiaq Peary, a hunter in the northernmost part of Greenland, told the BBC that US ownership would be going "from one occupier to another" [Aleqatsiaq Peary]

An unnamed senior US official told news agency Reuters that the US options included the outright purchase of Greenland or forming a Compact of Free Association - a deal exchanging a military presence for economic benefits - with the territory.

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Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, emphasised the national security aspect when he spoke to the BBC on Tuesday.

"I think they're just in talks right now," he said. "My hope is that Europe would understand that a strong America is good - it's good for Western civilisation."

Trump floated the idea of acquiring Greenland as a strategic US hub in the Arctic during his first presidential term, saying in 2019: "Essentially it's a large real estate deal."

There is growing interest from Russia and China in the island, which has untapped rare earth deposits, as melting ice raises the possibility of new trade routes.

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In March, Trump said the US would "go as far as we have to go" to get control of the territory.

During a congressional hearing last summer, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked if the Pentagon had plans to take Greenland by force if necessary, and he replied that it had "plans for any contingency".

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
The US is carrying out an operation to seize a tanker linked to Venezuelan oil, an official tells CBS, the BBC's US news partner.

Previously named Bella 1, its name has been changed to Marinera and it has also reportedly been reflagged from a Guyanese to a Russian vessel.

Russia has reportedly deployed a submarine and other vessels to escort an oil tanker - which is also being pursued by US forces - across the Atlantic.

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The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil but has reported to be empty at the moment.

US President Donald Trump said last month that he was ordering a "blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, a move the government there described as "theft".

Two US officials have confirmed to CBS, the BBC's US news partner, that Russia had sent a submarine and other navy vessels to escort the tanker.

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The US Coast Guard tried to board it last month in the Caribbean when it was believed to be heading towards Venezuela. The Coast Guard had a warrant to seize the ship over its alleged breaching of sanctions.

The vessel has since dramatically changed course and its approach to Europe has coincided with the arrival of around 10 US military transport aircraft as well as helicopters.

Russia says it is "monitoring with concern" the situation around the ship.

"At present, our vessel is sailing in the international waters of the North Atlantic under the state flag of the Russian Federation and in full compliance with the norms of international maritime law," its foreign ministry said.

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"For reasons unclear to us, the Russian ship is being given increased and clearly disproportionate attention by the US and Nato military, despite its peaceful status," it said.

Two US officials told CBS News earlier on Tuesday that US forces were planning to board the ship and that Washington preferred to seize it rather than sink it.

BBC Verify has been looking at footage released by Russia Today, reportedly taken aboard an oil tanker, which shows a ship in the distance matching the profile of a US Coast Guard Legend-class cutter.

It has also been monitoring the latest reported location of the Marinera. Its location as of Tuesday morning was in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 300km (186 miles) south of Iceland's shoreline, according to AIS location data from ship-tracking platform Marine Traffic.

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Previous AIS tracking data suggests it travelled north, past the western coast of the UK, over the past two days.

[BBC]

On Tuesday, the US military's Southern Command posted on social media that it "remains ready to support our US government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region".

"Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest. When the call comes, we will be there."

Before any US military operation were launched from the UK, Washington would be expected to inform its ally.

For now, the UK Ministry of Defence says it will not comment on other nations' military activities.

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The US officials quoted by CBS suggested that the US could mount an operation like one conducted last month when its forces seized the Skipper, a large crude oil tanker, flagged to Guyana, that had just left port in Venezuela.

Under international law, vessels flying a country's flag are under the protection of that nation. However, simply changing a ship's name and flag doesn't necessarily change much, Dimitris Ampatzidis, senior risk and compliance analyst at maritime intelligence firm Kpler, told BBC Verify.

"US action is driven by the vessel's underlying identity [IMO number], ownership/control networks, and sanctions history, not by its painted markings or flag claim," he said.

But Michelle Bockmann, a maritime intelligence analyst at Windward, said changing to a Russian registry could "complicate US enforcement efforts".

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"Under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, there's a provision that allows a stateless vessel to be boarded by authorities. By reflagging to Russia, the vessel is no longer able to be boarded under this provision," she explained.

Bockmann added that she had previously observed vessels changing their flag mid-voyage, but "it's highly unusual and only seen with dark fleet tankers".

The potential stand-off over the oil tanker comes days after the US shocked the world with the arrest of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. It bombarded targets in the city during the operation to extricate him and his wife on suspicion of weapon and drug offences.

Since he was seized, BBC Verify has identified three US-sanctioned tankers that have switched to a Russian registry, including the Marinera.

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This follows a broader trend.

Since the seizure of the Skipper, BBC Verify has identified 19 US-sanctioned oil tankers that have switched to a Russian registry, with many of them having previously sailed under a false flag.
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump does not plan to occupy or nation-build in Venezuela, Republican U.S. lawmakers said on Monday after attending a briefing by top officials on the administration's policy toward the South American nation.

"We do not have U.S. armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country," Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana told reporters after the classified session with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other senior officials.

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"If anybody wants to use the term nation-building, or anything like that, it doesn't look like anything anybody has seen under President Trump," said Representative Brian Mast, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"They are not the protracted war administration," Mast told reporters after the briefing, which lasted more than 2-1/2 hours, when asked how he would reassure Americans they did not face another 'endless war,' like the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan.

Trump sent U.S. troops into Caracas early on Saturday to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who pleaded not guilty earlier on Monday to narcotics charges.

Maduro's capture rattled world leaders, left officials in Caracas scrambling to regroup and angered some U.S. Democrats, who said Rubio and other Trump administration officials had lied to them by insisting they were not planning regime change in Venezuela.

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Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate's Democratic leader, told reporters Monday's briefing had been extensive but posed more questions than it answered.

"Their plan for the U.S. running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying," he said.

Schumer said he had not received assurances that Trump would not do the same thing in other countries. Republicans also left open that possibility. "There's absolutely a continual plan to use the United States military to protect the homeland of the United States of America," Mast said.

WAR AUTHORIZATION VOTE THIS WEEK

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The Senate is due to vote as soon as this week on whether to block further military action against Venezuela without congressional approval, a resolution co-sponsored by Schumer.

Republicans insist the weekend operation did not require congressional approval because it was very short and involved "law enforcement" to bring Maduro to court in New York.

Members of Congress, including some Republicans as well as Democrats, have long accused presidents of seeking to sidestep the Constitution's requirement that Congress, not the president, approve anything other than brief and limited military action needed to defend the United States.

Republicans have defeated repeated attempts to pass similar war powers resolutions since Trump four months ago sent U.S. forces to the Caribbean, where they have been firing missiles at vessels Washington says are carrying drugs.

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Trump's administration accuses Maduro of overseeing a cocaine-trafficking network that partnered with violent groups including Mexicos Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia's FARC rebels and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang.

Maduro has long denied the allegations, saying they were a mask for imperialist designs on Venezuela's rich oil reserves.

Trump has made no secret of wanting to share in Venezuela's oil riches. U.S. oil companies' shares jumped on Monday, fueled by the prospect of access to those vast reserves.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Ryan Jones and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Gen. Dan Caine at Mar-a-Lago Saturday, January 3, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

An image circulated over media the weekend of Jan. 3 and 4 was meant to convey dominance: Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, blindfolded and handcuffed aboard a U.S. naval vessel. Shortly after the operation that seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would now run Venezuela until a safe, proper and judicious transition could be arranged.

The Trump administrations move is not an aberration; it reflects a broader trend in U.S. foreign policy I described here some six years ago as America the Bully.

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Washington increasingly relies on coercion  military, economic and political  not only to deter adversaries but to compel compliance from weaker nations. This may deliver short-term obedience, but it is counterproductive as a strategy for building durable power, which depends on legitimacy and capacity. When coercion is applied to governance, it can harden resistance, narrow diplomatic options and transform local political failures into contests of national pride.

There is no dispute that Maduros dictatorship led to Venezuelas catastrophic collapse. Under his rule, Venezuelas economy imploded, democratic institutions were hollowed out, criminal networks fused with the state, and millions fled the country  many for the United States.

But removing a leader  even a brutal and incompetent one  is not the same as advancing a legitimate political order.

Force doesnt equal legitimacy

By declaring its intent to govern Venezuela, the United States is creating a governance trap of its own making  one in which external force is mistakenly treated as a substitute for domestic legitimacy.

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I write as a scholar of international security, civil wars and U.S. foreign policy, and as author of Dying by the Sword, which examines why states repeatedly reach for military solutions, and why such interventions rarely produce durable peace.

The core finding of that research is straightforward: Force can topple rulers, but it cannot generate political authority.

When violence and what I have described elsewhere as kinetic diplomacy become a substitute for full spectrum action  which includes diplomacy, economics and what the late political scientist Joseph Nye called soft power  it tends to deepen instability rather than resolve it.

More force, less statecraft

The Venezuela episode reflects this broader shift in how the United States uses its power. My co-author Sidita Kushi and I document this by analyzing detailed data from the new Military Intervention Project. We show that since the end of the Cold War, the United States has sharply increased the frequency of military interventions while systematically underinvesting in diplomacy and other tools of statecraft.

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One striking feature of the trends we uncover is that if Americans tended to justify excessive military intervention during the Cold War between 19451989 due to the perception that the Soviet Union was an existential threat, what we would expect is far fewer military interventions following the Soviet Unions 1991 collapse. That has not happened.

Even more striking, the mission profile has changed. Interventions that once aimed at short-term stabilization now routinely expand into prolonged governance and security management, as they did in both Iraq after 2003 and Afghanistan after 2001.

This pattern is reinforced by institutional imbalance. In 2026, for every single dollar the United States invests in the diplomatic scalpel of the State Department to prevent conflict, it allocates US$28 to the military hammer of the Department of Defense, effectively ensuring that force becomes a first rather than last resort.

Kinetic diplomacy  in the Venezuela case, regime change by force  becomes the default not because it is more effective, but because it is the only tool of statecraft immediately available. On Jan. 4, Trump told the Atlantic magazine that if Delcy Rodriguez, the acting leader of Venezuela, doesnt do whats right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.

Lessons from Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya

The consequences of this imbalance are visible across the past quarter-century.

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In Afghanistan, the U.S.-led attempt to engineer authority built on external force alone proved brittle by its very nature. The U.S. had invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to topple the Taliban regime, deemed responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But the subsequent two decades of foreign-backed state-building collapsed almost instantly once U.S. forces withdrew in 2021. No amount of reconstruction spending could compensate for the absence of a political order rooted in domestic consent.

Following the invasion by the U.S. and surrender of Iraqs armed forces in 2003, both the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Defense proposed plans for Iraqs transition to a stable democratic nation. President George W. Bush gave the nod to the Defense Departments plan.

That plan, unlike the State Departments, ignored key cultural, social and historical conditions. Instead, it proposed an approach that assumed a credible threat to use coercion, supplemented by private contractors, would prove sufficient to lead to a rapid and effective transition to a democratic Iraq. The United States became responsible not only for security, but also for electricity, water, jobs and political reconciliation  tasks no foreign power can perform without becoming, as the United States did, an object of resistance.

Libya demonstrated a different failure mode. There, intervention by a U.S.-backed NATO force in 2011 and removal of dictator Moammar Gadhafi and his regime were not followed by governance at all. The result was civil war, fragmentation, militia rule and a prolonged struggle over sovereignty and economic development that continues today.

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The common thread across all three cases is hubris: the belief that American management  either limited or oppressive  could replace political legitimacy.

Venezuelas infrastructure is already in ruins. If the United States assumes responsibility for governance, it will be blamed for every blackout, every food shortage and every bureaucratic failure. The liberator will quickly become the occupier.

Costs of running a country

Taking on governance in Venezuela would also carry broader strategic costs, even if those costs are not the primary reason the strategy would fail.

A military attack followed by foreign administration is a combination that undermines the principles of sovereignty and nonintervention that underpin the international order the United States claims to support. It complicates alliance diplomacy by forcing partners to reconcile U.S. actions with the very rules they are trying to defend elsewhere.

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The United States has historically been strongest when it anchored an open sphere built on collaboration with allies, shared rules and voluntary alignment. Launching a military operation and then assuming responsibility for governance shifts Washington toward a closed, coercive model of power  one that relies on force to establish authority and is prohibitively costly to sustain over time.

These signals are read not only in Berlin, London and Paris. They are watched closely in Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul  and just as carefully in Beijing and Moscow.

When the United States attacks a sovereign state and then claims the right to administer it, it weakens its ability to contest rival arguments that force alone, rather than legitimacy, determines political authority.

Beijing needs only to point to U.S. behavior to argue that great powers rule as they please where they can  an argument that can justify the takeover of Taiwan. Moscow, likewise, can cite such precedent to justify the use of force in its near abroad and not just in Ukraine.

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This matters in practice, not theory. The more the United States normalizes unilateral governance, the easier it becomes for rivals to dismiss American appeals to sovereignty as selective and self-serving, and the more difficult it becomes for allies to justify their ties to the U.S.

That erosion of credibility does not produce dramatic rupture, but it steadily narrows the space for cooperation over time and the advancement of U.S. interests and capabilities.

Force is fast. Legitimacy is slow. But legitimacy is the only currency that buys durable peace and stability  both of which remain enduring U.S. interests.

If Washington governs by force in Venezuela, it will repeat the failures of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya: Power can topple regimes, but it cannot create political authority. Outside rule invites resistance, not stability.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Jan 5 (Reuters) - The Trump administration sued two California cities on Monday, seeking to block local laws that restrict natural gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction.

The lawsuit is the administration's latest attack on energy policies that seek to rein in the use of fossil fuels to combat climate change. California, a Democratic stronghold, has among the most aggressive climate change policies in the world.

Republicans, including President Donald Trump, for years have attacked local Democratic efforts to limit gas-powered appliances.

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In the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, Justice Department attorneys alleged that ordinances passed by the San Francisco-area cities of Morgan Hill and Petaluma since 2019 violated a 1975 law that prevents states and cities from regulating the "energy use" of products subject to federal standards.

"The natural gas bans not only impose crushing costs on California residents but are also unlawful," the complaint said.

Since 2019, dozens of U.S. municipalities have enacted ordinances that restrict natural gas hookups. A federal appeals court in 2023 ruled that the city of Berkeley, California, could not enforce its 2019 natural gas ban.

The city manager of Petaluma, Peggy Flynn, said in an email that the city had no immediate comment. Morgan Hill officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded bluntly on Sunday after Trump said he "absolutely" needed Greenland for US national security.

Calling Denmark a "historically close ally", she warned Washington against questioning the territorial integrity of a NATO partner and stressed that Greenland "is not for sale".

"I have to say this very clearly to the United States: it is absolutely absurd to say that the United States should take control of Greenland," Frederiksen said in a statement late Sunday.

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She called on Washington to stop "threatening its historical ally".

Greenlands leaders went further, describing Trumps language as disrespectful and disconnected from reality.

Meanwhile, France on Monday expressed its "solidarity" with Denmark with French foreign ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux saying that "borders cannot be changed by force. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the Danes, and it is up to them to decide what to do with it."

EU backs Denmarks territorial integrity after Trump appoints Greenland envoy

Its not the first time that the US has tried to take over Danish territory.

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In March 1917, the United States purchased the Caribbean islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John and (formerly French colony) Saint Croix, known as the "Danish West Indies," from Denmark for $25 million in gold. The territory is now known as the "US Virgin Islands."

The deal was the product of half a century of failed negotiations, finally concluded under the pressure of the First World War.

With the Panama Canal opening in 1914, US officials were determined to secure Caribbean sea lanes. They feared that Germany might seize the Danish islands, located just east of Puerto Rico, and use them as naval bases, threatening American shipping and hemispheric security.

For Denmark, the colonies had long ceased to be profitable. The abolition of slavery in 1848 had undermined the sugar economy, and the islands had become a financial and administrative burden.

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Previous attempts to sell them had failed  blocked first by the US Senate in 1867, then by the Danish parliament in 1902  despite strong local support for American rule.

US recognised Danish sovereignty over Greenland

In 1916 the balance of power changed. As war engulfed Europe, US diplomats made it clear that not acquiring the Danish islands carried risks.

Secretary of State Robert Lansing warned that Washington might occupy the islands to prevent German use if Denmark did not agree to sell. Neutral and vulnerable, Copenhagen conceded.

Surprise win for Greenland's opposition in election dominated by Trump threats

The transaction, finalised on 31 March 1917, is still marked as "Transfer Day" in the US Virgin Islands.

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But there was a parallel diplomatic bargain: the United States formally "recognised Denmarks right to extend its political and economic interests over the entirety of Greenland."

This declaration, signed by then Secretary of State Robert Lansing, was part of the Convention between the US and Denmark for cession of the Danish West Indies and helped secure Denmarks sovereignty over the Arctic island for more than a century.

But with the onset of the Cold War, policy makers in Washington realised the strategic importance of Greenland, and continued their attempts to acquire the island.

In 1946, then President Harry Truman's administration made a secret offer to purchase Greenland from Denmark for $100 million in gold, plus rights to an Alaskan oil field. Secretary of State James Byrnes presented the offer to Danish Foreign Minister Gustav Rasmussen on 14 December 1946.

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Truman's advisers saw Greenland as an essential strategic defence position against Soviet bombers that might fly over the Arctic Circle toward North America.

The Danish foreign minister was shocked by the proposal and rejected it, but ultimately the US gained access to Greenland through NATO membership in 1949 and a bilateral defence agreement (that specifically stated the "full respect for the sovereignty of each Party") without the need to purchase it.

The offer was revealed in 1991 when declassified documents were discovered.

In 1955, the Joint Chiefs of Staff proposed to President Eisenhower that the nation try again to purchase Greenland, but the State Department responded that the time had passed for such a plan.

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According to diplomatic documents preserved in the US National Archives, there were discussions about acquiring Greenland took place on multiple occasions: in 1867, 1910, 1946, 1955, 2019 (under Trump I), and now 2025.

But the political context has fundamentally changed since 1917. Denmark is no longer an exposed neutral state but a NATO member embedded in European security structures.

Greenland itself enjoys extensive self-rule, with control over domestic affairs and a growing sense of national identity rooted in a history of Danish colonial domination.

Public opinion reflects that shift. An Axios poll taken in June 2025 revealed that some 85 percent of Greenlanders "dont want to join the US." Other polls consistently show similar opposition to US avances. Greenlands leaders have rejected Trumps comments outright, insisting that the islands future can only be decided by its own population.
Two countries have announced U.S. citizens can no longer enter, a move that comes after an expansion of President Donald Trumps travel ban.

U.S. citizens are banned from entering the African nations of Mali and Burkino Faso, officials in both countries said.

READ MORE: 2 popular Caribbean nations included in new U.S. travel ban

In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation informs the national and international community that, with immediate effect, the Government of the Republic of Mali will apply the same conditions and requirements to U.S. nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens, the Malian ministry said in a statement.

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Officials in Burkina Faso issued a similar statement.

The two countries were part of expanded travel restrictions announced by the White House in late December.brings The ban restricts the entry of citizens from those countries from traveling to the U.S., except for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders or some special circumstances such as athletes or diplomats.

The U.S. cited security concerns as the reason for the change.

The latest addition to the travel ban brings the total number to 38 countries whose citizens face either partial or complete travel restrictions related to coming the U.S. Those countries include:

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Afghanistan

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Benin

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Chad

Cuba

Dominica

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Gabon

Gambia

Haiti

Iran

Ivory Coast

Laos

Libya

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Myanmar

Niger

Nigeria

Republic of Congo

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Syria

Tanzania

Togo

Tonga

Venezuela

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Read the original article on al.com.
The world may be focused on the 2026 Winter Games set to start in February in Milan-Cortina, Italy, but preparations are already underway for Utahs second Olympics and Paralympics that will take place in just over eight years.

The International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City, Utah, in July 2024, but it took until February of last year for state officials to put together the organizing committee.

With bid leader Fraser Bullock as president and executive chair, and a former Utah House speaker, Brad Wilson, as CEO, the privately funded Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has been working largely behind the scenes.

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Still, the past year saw some significant steps for Utahs next Olympics, including making it clear with a new Utah 2034 logo that this time around, the Winter Games were being hosted by the entire state, not just Salt Lake City.

In September, organizers announced more than $200 million had been pledged towards the $4 billion price tag for staging another Winter Games from individuals and foundations either based in Utah or with strong ties to the state giving as much as $20 million each.

The Podium34 program was hailed for the unprecedented level of donations to an Olympics. When Utah hosted the 2002 Winter Games, a total of about $44 million was raised through what was called the 2002 Olympic Ambassadors program.

At a reception for the donors, Gov. Spencer Cox described the 2034 Games as an opportunity for Utahns to share with the world who we are and what we believe in. And who we are, are people that serve and give back.

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The new president of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, also praised the generosity in a recorded message played at the reception, telling the donors they were sending a powerful message to the world.

Contributions will cover the organizing committees costs until 2029, when the U.S. commercial rights now held by the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles become available and sponsorships can be sold.

No state or local tax dollars are included in the budget for Utahs next Winter Games, which relies largely on revenues raised from the sale of sponsorships, broadcast rights and tickets. The federal government is expected to oversee security.

Another key announcement in 2025 launched the sale of Winter Games merchandise, featuring the new logo unveiled on an art installation at the Salt Lake City International Airport shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday.

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The design, intended to reflect both Utahs landscapes and history, has been criticized as hard to read. The unusually shaped letters and numbers have also been compared unfavorably on social media to Flintstones cartoons that depicted a Stone Age family.

Even the governor has suggested what is considered a transitional logo set to be revised or replaced in 2029 might be too bold for his conservative tastes. Others, including a Brigham Young University design expert, have called it different but memorable.

It wasnt what the logo looked like but what was missing that struck Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Although the successful bid for a second Winter Games was called Salt Lake City-Utah, the official name now only includes the state.

Bullock has said 2034 is an opportunity to widen Utahs brand around the world, just like we did with Salt Lake City in 2002, but Mendenhall said the decision stings. Salt Lake Citys name will only be added beneath the logo in some instances.

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The new branding isnt a surprise. The state has played a larger role from the bids beginning, with a trio of the states top leaders, Cox, House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams, naming the organizing committee leaders and membership.

Salt Lake City was the final stop for the year on the organizing committees ongoing listening tour of venue communities. After the private meeting, Bullock and a city official filling in for an ailing Mendenhall said the name change wasnt discussed.

Its an issue, Bullock said, thats been raised. Weve established it. And weve moved on.
LINWOOD, NJ  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has officially opened their new Atlantic County clinic in Linwood, more than doubling the space of the former Northfield location.

Our goal is to provide more services to our growing Veteran population in South Jersey, said VA Wilmington Interim Director Kim Butler. This expansion allows us to increase existing services and accommodate the pending addition of new services such as x-ray, CT scan, and physical therapy.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Jan. 5.

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It has been a long and bumpy road, but I am proud to see this clinic finally open its doors, Congressman Jeff Van Drew said in a statement. This all started way back in 2019, when we learned the lease on the old clinic was set to expire. From day one, the priority was making sure veterans here in Atlantic County would continue to have access to care close to home. There were delays and challenges along the way, such as COVID, rising costs, and site issues, but walking away was never an option. Our veterans waited long enough, and we were not going to back away from the commitments we made to them.

The Atlantic County VA Clinic is now located at 1201 New Road, Suite 120, Linwood, NJ 08221.

Were excited to open this beautiful clinic for our South Jersey Veterans, said Butler. We couldnt have done it without the ongoing support of the community, veteran service organizations, and local officials.





New VA Clinic Officially Opens In South Jersey originally appeared on the Ocean City Patch
Armed gang members on a motorbike patrol the streets in the Mariani neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on October 6, 2025. Mariani is near the Route Nationale 2, parts of which have been taken over by gangs. More than 16,000 people have been killed in armed violence in Haiti since the start of 2022, the United Nations said on October 2, warning that "the worst may be yet to come". The poorest country in the Americas, Haiti has long suffered at the hands of violent criminal gangs that commit murders, rapes, looting, and kidnappings against a backdrop of chronic political instability. (Photo by Clarens SIFFROY / AFP) (Photo by CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP via Getty Images)

As the U.S. military deployed elite special forces and war helicopters to Caracas on Saturday to remove Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, some Haitians wondered whether their own troubled country could be next. Like Venezuela, Haiti is mired in turmoil. Its government is largely nonfunctional since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise; the economy is collapsing, and armed gangs control key roads and strategic ports they use to traffic drugs and illegal weapons.

The violence and chaos are driving hunger and displacement as tens of thousands flee their homes, posing risks not only to the country but to regional security.

Yet few analysts expect a U.S. military intervention in Haiti similar to the pre-dawn raid carried out in Venezuela. The reason, they say, lies in Haitis lack of strategic value to an administration thats increasingly embracing a transactional approach to its foreign policy.

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In the presidents discussion, you see that he took Maduro out because of the oil, Edwin Edo Zenny, a former Haiti senator, said Sunday in an interview published by On TV News on TikTok, where Haitians were offering up their analysis of the audacious U.S. operation. If we had oil, he would have already taken care of this problem.

In a press conference on Saturday, Trump depicted Maduro as a kingpin running a vast criminal enterprise threatening the United States. Zenny said Haitis situation is even more dire, describing the country as so upside-down that gangs openly post videos on social media threatening beheadings and neighborhood burnings.

Jason Marczak, vice president at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Washington-based Atlantic Council, said that even though Haiti is a bastion of illegal activities, he doesnt expect ramped up U.S. activities to dislodge Haitian gangs.

Whats clear from the Venezuela actions is that Trump prefers quick results with limited U.S. boots on the ground, he said. Greater involvement in Haiti would require significant U.S. presence in a country thats not nearly as strategic as Venezuela.

Maduros campaign of violence

Maduro, Trump said, had waged a ceaseless campaign of violence and terror and had threatened the stability of the entire region.

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For decades, other administrations have neglected or even contributed to these growing security threats in the Western hemisphere, he said, describing the capture. Under the Trump administration, we are reasserting American power in a very powerful way in our home region. Yet even as Trump described conditions that could also apply to Haitis gang-controlled criminal networks, he made clear where his economic interests lie: Oil was mentioned 20 times by the president who, after announcing the U.S. will run Venezuela, said Well have the greatest oil companies in the world going.

The administration's rhetoric about combating gangs, drugs and other causes of migration would suggest deep interest in helping Haiti address those problems, said Fulton Armstrong, a former national intelligence officer for Latin America who headed the CIAs Haiti branch and now teaches foreign policy in a program with Syracuse University. But the president's and secretary of state's priorities are oil, revenge against a leader who resisted U.S. hegemony and votes in Miami.

Miami is home to the largest community of Venezuelan Americans who have been increasingly upset with Trumps deportation policy, which hasnt just ensnarled Venezuelans but Haitians and other immigrants fleeing unstable countries.

Memories of past U.S. interventions

For many Haitians, Maduros capture revived memories of earlier U.S. interventions in Haiti, among them in 2004, when President Jean-Bertrand Aristide claimed he had been kidnapped by the U.S. and forced into exile, a claim Washington has repeatedly denied; and 1915, when U.S. Marines invaded Port-au-Prince after the assassination of president Vilbrun Guillaume Sam.

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The threat of a possible European invasion of an increasingly unstable Haiti after Sams lynching was used by the U.S. as an excuse to occupy the country. At the time, the Caribbean nation was heavily indebted to France after being forced to pay restitution for its 1804 independence, and had a small German class dominating its commercial business interests. The U.S. interned German nationals, seized assets and imposed a treaty that gave Washington control over Haiti's finances and military. The occupation lasted 19 years.

Today, Haitians are absorbing a different lesson: that even as their country faces an existential crisis, it remains unlikely to see American boots on the ground  not because the need is any less urgent, but because it has no resources like oil to offer the U.S.

I think wed be much more likely to see action against another dictator in the hemisphere (Cuba, Nicaragua) before seeing a major military commitment to Haiti, said Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program and head of the Future of Venezuela Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

Charles Prospere, who teaches foreign relations at Tuskegee University in Alabama, noted that unlike Venezuela, which has the worlds largest oil reserves, Haiti has no obvious natural resources, even though people are always saying that Haiti has oil, Haiti has gold.

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The studies have never been confirmed any of it, Prospere said. As a result, he added, the business interest isnt there for them.

U.S. policy in Haiti instead relies on diplomatic pressure.

The most Haitians can expect, Prospere believes, is for the U.S. to continue sending equipment to the countrys beleaguered police force and the deployment of the U.S.-backed Gang Suppression Force that was authorized by the United Nations in September.

I think they will leave the case of Haiti to be managed by the United Nations because they do not have any personal interests in Haiti outside the migration issue, he said of Washington. The U.S. will not get directly involved in Haiti outside the U.N.

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Still, the show of force in Venezuela is fueling a belief in Haiti that the U.S. could take down the gangs if it wanted to.

Changing attitude

Fritznel Pierre, a human rights advocate in Port-au-Prince, doesnt doubt U.S. troops could make a difference.

Like Venezuelas Tren de Aragua, Haitis powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition has been designated by the U.S. as foreign and global terrorists. While the countrys perceived lack of natural resources weakens its geopolitical standing, the growing force of gangs indrug trafficking and the regional threat they pose deserve a reassessment by the U.S. of its resistance to putting boots on the ground, Pierre said.

But he warned that given Haitians history with past interventions and concerns about sovereignty, Haitians would not accept a U.S. military intervention like the one in Venezuela.

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They might accept a U.S. contingent as part of the Gang Supression Force, said Pierre, who heads Le Combite pour la Paix et le Developpement/ The Fight for Peace and Development.

All the voices that have risen in recent days have clearly demonstrated that we are conscious that the Haitian authorities, the police and the army, after three years have been unable to provide the population with security, he said. On the contrary. Gangs now control more territory, more people are dying, more women are being raped, and more kidnappings are occurring every day.
WASHINGTON  As lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week, theyll be faced immediately with a number of deadlines and outstanding agenda items that did not get completed before the holiday season. And they wont have much time to waste.

But first, lawmakers will need to deal with the reverberations from the U.S. attack against Venezuela over the weekend that resulted in the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Top party leaders were briefed by Trump administration officials on Monday evening, but rank-and-file lawmakers  particularly Democrats  are demanding briefings of their own in the coming weeks.

Republicans have had mixed reactions to the strikes in Venezuela as lawmakers were not notified ahead of time despite only Congress holding the power to declare war. The administration has called the incursion a law enforcement action.

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Top Republicans said they were not given advance notice of the attack, but noted they were satisfied with the notification shortly after the strikes were carried out.

Notification of Congress in advance of really critical and hypersensitive missions, to me, seems ill advised, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said on Monday. I felt that the notification, considering the scope of the mission was sufficient.

Another shutdown?

Meanwhile, lawmakers biggest task for the month of January will be avoiding another shutdown at the end of the month.

With just four working weeks until the next government funding deadline, appropriators are facing a time crunch to finish the final nine spending bills to approve the 2026 fiscal year budget. Top lawmakers had hoped to make progress on those before leaving town for the winter break, but those plans were scuttled due to policy disagreements between and within both parties.

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The government is scheduled to shut down at midnight on Jan. 30, after which funding will lapse for a slew of federal agencies. The House is in session for only 12 days before that deadline, and the Senate for 15.

A potential shutdown would only close the government partially as lawmakers passed three spending bills at the end of the record-long closure in November. But it would still pose problems as thousands of government workers would once again be furloughed and some federal operations would come to a halt.

Party leaders have yet to come to an agreement on a topline number, meaning the total amount of money that will be approved in the final budget. That number is often the most difficult detail in negotiations as fiscal conservatives press for deep cuts that are nonstarters for more moderate and progressive members.

However, lawmakers made significant progress after releasing three of the proposal spending bills on Monday morning to be considered in one package known as a minibus. The nearly $180 billion bill would fund Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment and Energy-Water bills for the rest of the fiscal year.

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Lying underneath the shutdown fight is a whole other variable that, although separate, could play a major role in spending talks: healthcare policy.

Congress adjourned in December without passing legislation addressing the COVID-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies, resulting in their expiration on Thursday at the start of the new year. But theres been plenty of movement from all corners of Capitol Hill on how to avoid drastic spending increases for those who rely on the tax credits, with lawmakers privately viewing the end of the month as the actual point of no return.

The House will vote on a clean three-year extension when it returns after a handful of centrist Republicans rebelled against GOP leadership to sign on to a petition forcing a vote on the measure. If those GOP moderates remain in line with Democrats, the bill will likely pass the House  but its future in the Senate is unclear.

A similar three-year extension already failed to pass the Senate in December.

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But the bill has kickstarted bipartisan negotiations between senators and House members to consider different options. One suggestion under consideration is to pass the House petition for a three-year clean extension, but later replace that language in the Senate with a more concrete framework, according to a lawmaker involved in the talks.

That final package would likely extend the tax credits temporarily while also including tighter enrollment eligibility requirements to satisfy Republican demands.

Details of a plan are not yet finalized, but lawmakers are likely to continue bipartisan talks throughout the week.

Aside from the January deadlines, party leaders have other daunting tasks ahead: the midterm elections. Republicans will need to defend their slim majorities in both the House and Senate in a high-stakes election that could take up much of the focus of 2026.
Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela's interim president in a parliamentary session that began with demands for the release of ousted leader Nicolas Maduro from US custody.

Rodriguez, 56, vice president since 2018, said she was pained by what she called the "kidnapping" of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were seized by US forces in an overnight raid on Saturday.

In a dramatic scene inside a New York court room two hours earlier, Maduro had insisted he was still president of Venezuela as he pleaded not guilty to four charges of drug trafficking and terrorism.

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Meanwhile the US faced sharp criticism at the UN, but the US ambassador responded that the largest energy reserves in the world could not be left in the hands of an illegitimate leader, a "fugitive from justice".

Before the court appearance, the UN Security Council held an emergency session to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

The ambassador for Venezuela, Samuel Moncada, said his country had been the target of an "illegitimate armed attack lacking any legal justification".

The US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, justified the attack by describing Maduro as "an illegitimate so-called president".

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Waltz added that the US had carried out a "surgical law enforcement operation" to apprehend Maduro, whom he also referred to as a "fugitive from justice".

Maduro has been accused of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

During Monday afternoon's court appearance, a member of the public began to yell in Spanish at Maduro that he would "pay" for what he had done.

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Maduro turned to him and replied that he was a "kidnapped president" and a "prisoner of war" before being escorted out in shackles behind his wife through the back court door.

"I'm a decent man. I am still president of my country," Maduro said earlier during the 30-minute hearing.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein, 92, interjected to tell Maduro that there would be a "time and a place to get into all of this".

Speaking just hours after Saturday's attack - which saw over 150 aircraft and 200 US personnel enter Venezuela - Trump vowed the US would "run" Venezuela until "a safe and proper and judicious transition" was possible.

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Later on Monday, following a two-and-a half-hour classified briefing at the US Capitol, US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the US plan for running Venezuela was "vague, based on wishful thinking, and was unsatisfying".

"I did not receive any assurances that we would not try to do the same thing in other countries," he said.

"When the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation building, it always ends up hurting the United States."

US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson denied the US was carrying out regime change, saying it was "a demand for a change of behaviour by a regime".

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Describing the operation as "decisive and justified", he said the US had "always maintained the right to use force to defend our national interest, to preserve the safety of the American people and to prevent ongoing threats to its security".

"We have a way of persuasion," Johnson said, "because their oil exports, as you know, have been seized, and I think that will bring the country to a new governance in very short order."

Trump has also promised US oil companies would move into the country to fix infrastructure "and start making money for the country".

But despite the US president's claims, Maduro's allies remain in charge.

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In comments made to the US magazine The Atlantic on Sunday once it became clear Rodriguez would be sworn in, Trump warned she could "pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro" if she "doesn't do what's right".

During a cabinet meeting, Rodriguez indicated her government would engage in some cooperation with the US, saying: "We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of co-operation orientated towards shared development within the framework of international law."

Thousands of Venezuelans gathered outside the Federal Legislative Palace to show support for Maduro, his wife and the interim president Rodriguez as she was sworn in.

Speaking after taking her oath, Rodriguez told the National Assembly she did so "with pain" because of the suffering caused by "illegitimate military aggression".

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She vowed to guarantee the peace of the country, "the spiritual tranquillity of our people, the economic and social tranquillity of our people".

The assembly also heard from Maduro's son who expressed his support for his parents - saying that they "will return" to Venezuela.

He also offered his "unconditional support" to Rodriguez.

The next court hearing in Maduro's case has been scheduled for 17 March.

More on this story
President Trumps toppling of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has left a cloud of uncertainty across the region as the president issued threats against other Latin American leaders and pledged the U.S. will be in charge of Venezuela.

After an early Saturday morning raid that led to the capture of Maduro, Trump over the weekend levied threats against three other countries in the region, lobbing insults at the leadership of Cuba, Colombia and Mexico.

In a series of remarks to reporters on Air Force One, Trump on Sunday said Colombia was run by a very sick man, and, when asked whether the U.S. would embark on a military operation there, he replied, it sounds good to me. Trump also said Mexico needs to get their act together and that Cuba is ready to fall.

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Meanwhile, the Trump administration has offered no clear plans for the future of Venezuela but has insisted that the U.S. government will be at the helm of the country, a pledge that has prompted an evolving response from acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez.

This idea that we are the one big dog in the region, and nobody gets to defy us, seems to be whats guiding a lot of what theyre doing here, said Adam Isacson, director of defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America.

[Latin American] presidents, for several of the last decades, were not thinking that the United States was going to sponsor a coup against them or actually invade their territory  it was just beyond the pale.

The State Department on Monday confronted criticism of Trumps actions in the region, posting on social media a photo of Trump with a reference to the Western Hemisphere.

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This is OUR Hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened, the department wrote.

The leaders of the three countries targeted by Trump pushed back Monday, asserting their own sovereignty.

The history of Latin America is clear and conclusive: Intervention has never brought democracy, nor has it generated lasting well-being or stability, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her Monday morning address.

We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.

Eyes have been on Cuba since Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday issued a warning for the Caribbean nation, saying, If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, Id be concerned at least a little bit.

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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel mocked Trump for his repeated assertion he should win the Nobel Peace Prize, calling the detention of Maduro a terrorist and fascist act in a statement posted to the social platform X.

This morning we have witnessed a chilling confirmation: the most fervent aspirant to the Nobel Peace Prize is in reality the greatest threat to peace on the continent. His treacherous attack on Venezuela breaks with the stability that has characterized our Latin American and Caribbean region for years, he said, adding that no one can ignore or underestimate the serious implications of such criminal acts for regional and world peace.

And Colombian President Gustavo Petro noted that, even with Americas long history of intervention in Latin America, Trumps actions make for a first.

The USA is the first country in the world to bomb a South American capital in all of human history, he wrote on X.

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What a terrible medal that is, because the South Americans will not forget it for generations.

Petro also reasserted his role as the supreme commander of the military and police forces of Colombia by constitutional order.

And if you arrest the president whom a good part of my people want and respect, you will unleash the popular jaguar, Petro said, referring to himself.

For his part, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores both pleaded not guilty to drug charges in connection with allegations that over 25 years, Maduro gave drug traffickers diplomatic cover and ran his own cocaine-trafficking operation. Maduro also referred to his ousting as a kidnapping.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the public must be scratching their heads to see Trump waffle on an America First ideology that previously eschewed involvement in other countries affairs.

Last night, Trump doubles down and says, Well, maybe well do this in Colombia, maybe well do it in Cuba, even Greenland. And the American people are scratching their heads and saying, This is not what Trump said he would do. This is not what we bargained for. This is not America first, Schumer said during a Monday morning appearance on MS NOWs Morning Joe.

Everyones saying, What the hell is going on in the White House? And Trump seems to just do this on an ad hoc basis, contradicted by his own people. It is reckless and dangerous.

Schumer plans to force a vote to block military action in Venezuela.

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Many of Trumps actions appear to be a revival of the Monroe Doctrine, which saw European influence in Latin America as a threat to U.S. security. Trump referred to his own Donroe Doctrine shortly after the raid.

However, in issuing his latest round of threats, Trump has targeted countries considered key allies of the U.S. in the region. Colombia and Mexico have both long been significant partners of the U.S., both in trade and anti-drug trafficking actions.

The U.S. has not offered clear plans for how it will proceed in Venezuela. Trump named various officials who would help lead the country as he said, Were going to run it, essentially, until such time as a proper transition can take place.

He immediately dismissed the involvement of Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who recently won the Nobel prize, reportedly angering Trump.

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He hasnt ruled out additional military intervention in the country, and Trump also said Sunday in an interview with The Atlantic that Rodriguez could pay a bigger price than Maduro if she doesnt comply with his plans.

While an initial statement from Venezuela blasted the move, Rodriguez has since changed her tune, writing on Instagram on Sunday, We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law to strengthen lasting community coexistence.

Isacson said the U.S. appears to be returning to an era of Latin American foreign policy where it routinely sidelined leaders  though in the past, the U.S. cast its involvement as a response to communism.

It hasnt been nation-building as much as nation bullying, he said.

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The word democracy, the word human rights, doesnt come up there, he said of the Venezuela interference. You can be a bastard of a dictator, as long as you respond to those priorities that weve laid out and keep out other powers.

Theyve always couched it in those terms of keeping the free world free. Thats why we need these dictators to protect us from the communists. But now theres not even that. Its just naked dollar diplomacy  like, Were here for the oil. Were here for American companies. And this is what America First means. And thats something we havent heard said that nakedly in more than 100 years.

Trump is reportedly weighing having aide Stephen Miller play an elevated role in managing day-to-day operations in the country.

Rubio, appearing on ABC Newss This Week With George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, suggested the U.S. would seek to steer Venezuelas government, using leverage like seized oil tankers, rather than taking direct control.

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What we are running is the direction that this is going to move moving forward, Rubio told Stephanopoulos.

Isacson said the arrangement sounds like sort of managed dictatorship.

If you deliver lots of oil, if you extradite a few narcos, if you accept a lot of deportation flights, and if you move the Iranians out, then you could probably do anything else you want. You can keep stealing from the treasury, you can keep filling your jails with political prisoners, all that kind of stuff, he said.

He noted that while the Trump administration has floated the idea of elections, it hasnt been clear about what would trigger a transition, saying it has been content to leave the details hanging like an ellipsis.

We have no idea whats in the dot dot dot, he said.

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At least 14 members of the press were detained in Venezuela on Monday as they were covering the aftermath of the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces.

The union representing media workers in Venezuela said all but one of those detained were employed by foreign news organisations and were released later on Monday, with one reporter deported.

Foreign news media have long faced restrictions in Venezuela, with very few being granted visas to work in the country.

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Their detention came as Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the interim president and shortly after she said that she was willing to co-operate with the Trump administration, which has said it would "run" Venezuela.

The union said the media workers were detained by Venezuelan security forces at the National Assembly and its environs, and in the neighbourhood of Altamira - all in the capital, Caracas.

At least two of them were seized by agents working for Venezuela's military counterintelligence agency, while others were detained by Venezuela's intelligence service.

They said they had their equipment searched, their phones checked and their social media posts and messages read, the union statement added.

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A Colombian and a Spanish reporter were also detained at Venezuela's border with Colombia near Cucuta.

The two reporters were held for hours incommunicado before being released back into Colombia, the statement said.

The union called the incidents "alarming" and called for the release of 23 media workers who remain in detention in the country.

The repression has not been confined to media workers.

One community leader in the neighbourhood of Petare, in Caracas, told BBC Mundo that there were "hooded men with guns patrolling, checking people's WhatsApp statuses".

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Caracas resident Jose, 60, said that people were not able to talk freely about what was happening, with a heavy police and military presence on the streets, as well as pro-Maduro armed groups, known as "colectivos", wearing masks.

A 33-year-old masseuse, who did not want to be named, said there was "so much fear in the streets and in our homes".

Members of the government appeared keen to show that the security forces were visible in communities, with the Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, posting a photo of himself on Monday night posing with armed police.

Their presence has struck fear in people critical of the government.

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One woman described how there are "military people on every corner and groups of armed civilians supporting the government who are causing fear among the population".

Another person who asked to remain anonymous told the BBC that "the regime is not allowing news to come out of here." They added that "there are uniformed personnel on the streets stopping people and checking their phones".

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello (shown right-of-centre wearing a black cap with red writing) posted this photo on Instagram [Instagram/@Minsjustice_VE]

The journalist detentions come at a volatile time in Venezuela, where just days ago the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife were seized by US forces in a pre-dawn raid in which dozens of his bodyguards and security detail were killed.

While the seizure prompted celebrations among Venezuelans who oppose Maduro and who have left the country, there were no public displays of joy in Venezuela.

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Opposition Venezuelans have long denounced the repression they face if they speak out against the Maduro government.

More than 2,000 people were arrested during protests in the wake of the 2024 presidential election.

The government-dominated electoral council declared Maduro the winner of that election but voting tallies collected by the opposition and verified by independent media suggest that it was won by the opposition candidate.

In the crackdown which followed the election, members of the security forces checked people's phone for messages critical of Maduro, prompting many Venezuelans to erase their social media accounts and message history.

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Many of those arrested at the time were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences after being sentenced for "treason".

According to pressure group Foro Penal, there are more than 800 political prisoners being held in Venezuela as of 5 January.
Few would argue that the special operations raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was a major tactical success, but in the aftermath of the Forever Wars of the 21st Century, veterans are left wondering if the operation marks a clean end to the Maduro regime, or if it is the start of another prolonged conflict.

Task & Purpose reached out to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars to gauge their reactions to the operation President Donald Trump announced on Jan. 3.

They included former U.S. military commanders, current members of Congress, and a Medal of Honor recipient. While several agreed that the raid was well executed, others are worried that the mission could follow past forays into nation-building following regime change.

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To Retired Army Capt. Florent Groberg, a Medal of Honor recipient who helped tackle a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, the mission to capture Maduro shows U.S. special operations at its best.

What this operation demonstrates is the extraordinary professionalism and capability of the U.S. military, particularly our special operations forces, Groberg told Task & Purpose on Monday.

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Missions that are this complex require years of integrating intelligence and a disciplined execution to be successful, he said.

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It reflects a force that knows exactly what it is doing and operates at the highest level, Groberg said. From a purely military perspective, this is something Americans should be proud of. It underscores that our military remains the best trained and most capable in the world.

Legacy of the Forever Wars

However, nothing happens in a vacuum, and the U.S. military has learned the hard way that there are two types of success: Initial and ultimate. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. troops were able to overthrow the ruling regimes in quick campaigns. Then they found themselves sucked into bitter insurgencies that consumed a generation of service members.

Some veterans see similarities between the Maduro raid and pivotal moments at the start of the Forever Wars, which launched after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and saw the U.S. military engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan without a clear strategic end state. One of those veterans is Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), whose Marine unit suffered high casualties during the Iraq War.

Many other veterans and I are seeing the parallels  the oil, the regime change, the quick declaration of victory without a long-term plan  and we do not want our country to go down this path again, Gallego said in a statement to Task & Purpose.

Marines patrol in Fallujah, Iraq on Dec. 12, 2004. Photo by Mustafa Tauseef/AFP via Getty Images.

In 2005, Gallego served with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, which lost 22 Marines and a Navy Corpsman during its deployment to Iraq.

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I lost some of my closest friends in Iraq, and coming home knowing it was all for an illegal war was devastating, Gallego said. Obviously, we know that Venezuela has different geopolitical realities and that this will not unfold the exact same way, but Trumps military attack has shown that he could care less about the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are screaming from the rooftops right now in warning.

For some, the possibility that Venezuela could become another Forever War is reopening some wounds that never quite healed.

Marine veteran Peter Lucier deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012. For him, the parallels between Venezuela and the post-9/11 wars are stark and frightening.

I think theres at least a chunk or a population of veterans who look at this with a level of recognition and despair, said Lucier. We see elements that look incredibly familiar, and not in a good way.

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In particular, Lucier said he was alarmed by President Trumps comments to reporters on Jan. 3 that the United States will run the country, which he feels harken back to the U.S. militarys past efforts to impose democracy through force in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When I hear that kind of language, that to me sounds like a long-term commitment in a country that we dont fully understand or dont have a full appreciation for the politics, Lucier said.

The GWOT [Global War on Terrorism] veteran in me looks at this and is just sad, he continued, Because it seems like were embarking on another war thats going to affect a lot of lives in really negative ways and is incredibly strategically misguided.

Righteous mission

While some veterans are concerned over the fallout of capturing Maduro, others see the operation itself as a historical success for the U.S. military.

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In terms of its execution, the operation to capture Maduro could be likened to the 2011 Navy SEAL raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, said retired Army Gen. David Petraeus, who led U.S. troops in Iraq during the surge and later commanded all U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

This operation obviously included the destruction of the supposedly sophisticated Russian and Chinese air and ballistic missile defense systems, Petraeus told Task & Purpose. It incorporated a vast number of capabilities  over 150 aircraft launched from 20 different locations. So, an operation of enormous scale, complexity and skill. A truly remarkable demonstration of American military power.

A Nov. 20, 2025 photo showing a U.S. Army MH-60M Black Hawk during an exercise near Hurlburt Field, Florida. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner.

The U.S. military has been refining its technique for such operations for decades, starting with the failed 1980 mission to rescue U.S. hostages in Iran that ultimately led to the creation of U.S. Special Operations Command, Petraeus added.

For Rep. Dan Crenshaw (D-Texas), Maduros capture was righteous and long overdue, the retired Navy SEAL posted on X.

What happens next?

No one wants to fight the last war, and so far the U.S. military has not been tasked with occupying and administering Venezuela. That could be a sign that President Trump may be trying to avoid some of the mistakes from the Global War on Terrorism.

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The Trump administration has shown that it does not want to deploy troops to Venezuela unless it feels it absolutely has to, said Iraq war veteran Alex Plitsas.

I think the Forever Wars actually informed some of the strategy for what was done in Venezuela over the weekend, in that it was clear that the administration only wanted to conduct a raid to quickly grab Maduro without having any troops on the ground, said Plitsas, a former Army staff sergeant who deployed to Iraq in 2008.

A soldier from turns his back to a helicopter as it takes off from a patrol base south of Baghdad, Aug. 29, 2007. Photo by David Furst/AFP via Getty Images.

One major indication that the Trump administration does not want to take over Venezuela is the fact that only about 2,200 Marines have been deployed to the Caribbean, Plitsas said. A force that size is too small to capture and hold territory, such as Venezuelas capital city, Caracas, he said.

I think the Forever Wars and having troops on the ground in places for a long time served as a big motivator for the administration to limit the scope of an intervention here, Plitsas told Task & Purpose.

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But that doesnt preclude U.S. troops from eventually deploying to Venezuela. Following the Jan. 3 raid, Trump told reporters, Were not afraid of boots on the ground, adding later, Were going to have presence in Venezuela as it pertains to oil.

Plitsas noted that the current Venezuelan government, military, and security services continue to operate even though Maduro is gone, so Trumps comments could indicate that he is willing to launch further military action if he deems it necessary, possibly including sending U.S. troops to secure oil facilities inside Venezuela.

At this point, I think all of us need to watch what the Venezuelan government does from here and whether or not its going to cooperate with the U.S. to determine whether or not this is going to turn into a much longer conflict than this one-and-done raid to arrest and extradite Maduro, Plitsas said.
ROANOKE, VA. (WFXR)  After the expiration of a federal tax credit that helped make health insurance more affordable, health care officials warn thousands of Virginians could soon be unable to afford coverage.

The estimate is that as many as 100,000 Virginians could be priced out of the marketplace due to the expiration of these tax credits, said Julian Walker, vice president of communications with the Virginia Hospital and Health Care Association.

Walker warns this could put extra strain on emergency departments, as fewer people can access primary or preventative care.

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That care is provided essentially at a loss. The hospital is absorbing that it gets reflected in out-of-pocket costs for families and businesses, said Walker.

But when hospitals cover patients without insurance, costs dont disappear; they can show up as higher bills or premiums for everyone. Hospitals have seen the difference coverage makes.

Before medicaid expansion, charity care in Virginia hospitals was $713 million. By 2023, it dropped to $356 million.

(Image: Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association)

Charity care is the free or discounted care provided by hospitals to uninsured individuals.

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The ripple effects that we may see in the years ahead, if it leads to more people losing coverage, is that were going back in the opposite direction. Where that charity care number, that uncompensated care number starts going back up, said Walker.

The bottom line is that health insurance costs are rising this year. But Walker says there are steps you can take to try to find healthcare coverage.

US drops the number of vaccines it recommends for every child

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Choose the plan that works best for you and your family.

Compare your plan options. Review premiums and deductibles, and choose what works best for your family.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Vivek Ramaswamy is taking a break from social media.

The presumptive Republican nominee for Ohio governor wrote in the Wall Street Journal that he deleted X and Instagram from his phone and will have his campaign post on his behalf. Ramaswamy said browsing social media can create a feedback loop and give politicians a distorted impression of how the average voter feels.

"Most Ohioans Ive met want higher take-home pay, lower electric bills and a great education that prepares their kids to join the workforce," Ramaswamy wrote. "Yet its precisely because these issues are so universal that they are among the least likely to register on social media. Leaders who depend on social media to gauge public opinion are looking through a broken mirror."

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More: Study shows people check their phones 144 times a day. Here's how to detach from your device.

It's unclear how long his detox will last  and he acknowledged it's "easier said than done"  but he contends politicians can be more effective without the pressure of social media.

Ramaswamy, a 40-year-old millennial, regularly used social media during his 2024 campaign for president.

In December, he posted, "If you're scared of your comments section, you're not fit to lead."

But his posts on X are typically littered with racist comments about his Indian heritage and Hinduism. In December, Ramaswamy called on Republicans to denounce hateful rhetoric against ethnic groups, the New York Times reported.

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He has also criticized white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who used an ethnic slur to describe second lady Usha Vance.

2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy talks on the phone before a press conference discussing a FOIA request regarding former President Donald Trump's indictment outside of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse where Trump is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

"In 2025 I saw a spate of shocking racial slurs and worse on social media," Ramaswamy said in the Wall Street Journal. "Yet that same year I visited tens of thousands of voters across all of Ohio's 88 counties  from inner cities to farms, union halls to factories, Republican rallies to one-on-one discussions with protesters  and I didn't hear a single bigoted remark from an Ohio voter the entire year."

Ramaswamy is expected to face former Ohio Department of Health director Amy Acton in the November election. Gov. Mike DeWine can't run again because of term limits.

State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Vivek Ramaswamy takes break from social media amid racist comments
Tuesday's high-level meeting of the supporter states of Ukraine sends a strong signal of unity, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said.

The agreed joint declaration sends a clear message, she wrote after the discussions in Paris.

Von der Leyen said that collectively, they stand by Ukraine, which continues to fend off a now almost four-year-long full-scale Russian invasion.

The country has a secure, stable and prosperous future ahead, she added.

According to the French government, representatives from more than 30 countries, as well as the EU and NATO, participated in the high-level meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised EU farmers early access to 45 billion from 2028 under the next Common Agricultural Policy budget if the Mercosur trade agreement is signed in a last-ditch effort to secure backing for the deal.

The proposal comes at a pivotal moment to finalise the Mercosur agreement, a trade deal with regional heavyweight economies like Brazil and Argentina, for which negotiations have now dragged on for more than 25 years.

Von der Leyen made her pledge in a letter on Tuesday as France and Italy continue to seek guarantees for their farmers, who fear unfair competition from Latin American imports, before a crucial vote on the agreement in Brussels on Friday.

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In her message, von der Leyen said the 45 billion in CAP funds would ensure additional resources are available as of 2028 for addressing the needs of farmers and rural communities in a move designed to sway Italy in favour.

That represents two-thirds of the amount set aside until the mid-term review of the 2028-2034 EU budget and comes on top of a 6.3 billion reserve already planned to address market disruptions.

At an EU summit last December, the Commission and Germany, a supporter of the Mercosur, said they were confident the Mercosur will be sealed even if no date was set.

Giorgia Meloni said signing it off in December was premature but argued that she would be open to it at the start of 2026 once her concerns were addressed.

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In a statement on Tuesday, Meloni said she welcomed the proposal put forward by the Commissioner "as requested by Italy" to protect European farmers.

All eyes on Italy to decide fate of Mercosur deal

Von der Leyen clinched the Mercosur agreement in December 2024 with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, aiming to create a free-trade area across the Atlantic.

The deal has exposed deep divisions within the EU.

Supportive states, led by Germany and Spain, have pushed hard to get the deal signed, while a group led by France has sought to block it.

The future of the deal now comes down to Italy, whose support is mathematically decisive. The deal requires a qualified majority of member states, while a blocking minority of just four countries representing 35% of the EU population could derail it.

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The Commission is convening EU farm ministers in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss CAP funding, as well as a French demand for reciprocity in production standards and tighter controls on farm imports.

While the French have historically opposed the trade accord, which has a toxic reputation in the country, Italy is the country to watch. The indications coming from Rome suggest that a deal is now possible after the Commission's latest overture.

The ambassadors of the 27 member states will vote on the deal on Friday. If it passes, von der Leyen will be able to sign the agreement in Latin America next week.
The Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department is asking for residents' help in identifying a series of thefts from motor vehicles in the Palmyra area.

Between 4 and 5 a.m. on Jan. 2, an unknown actor was observed checking door handles on both North College and North Lincoln Streets in the borough borough. Police are aware of almost a dozen cars were entered, but nothing was taken from many of them.

Regional Police Chief Andrew Winters said over the weekend police were aware that people entered several cars, though only one car reported anything stolen.

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"If you have video, please send it to us and not place it on Facebook," he said to residents at the council meeting Dec. 5. "We're trying to get people to give us video so that we can actually do some things with that, and it tends to normally show up on Facebook before us."

Winters reminded residents to remember to lock doors and remove all valuables upon exiting their vehicles.

Police are asking anyone living in the areas affected to check any video footage for a possible suspect walking in the area to help the department identify this person.

Residents with information are asked to contact the Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department at 717-838-8188 or by submitting a tip at the department's Crimewatch page.

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Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: W. Lebanon Police investigate rash of vehicle break-ins in Palmyra PA
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz announced on Monday he is scrapping his re-election campaign for another term amid a massive fraud scandal in the state, but Republican lawmakers in Minnesota are calling the move an empty one.

"Dont mistake Gov. Walzs retirement for accountability," Minnesota state Sen. Mark Koran said in a statement to Fox News Digital after Walzs Monday announcement.

"Its an attempt to avoid it. Republicans will keep holding ALL elected Democrats accountable for Minnesotas fraud mess, spending every dollar of the $18 billion surplus, and raising taxes by $10 billion."

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Accountability for Walz, according to several Republican lawmakers, involves him resigning as governor, which many have called for in recent months.

Critics Warn Minnesota Legislation Now Taking Effect Is Setting Up The 'Next Billion-dollar Fraud'

GOP lawmakers in Minnesota are not dropping their calls for Gov. Tim Walz to resign. (Getty Images)

"The Governor is taking the easy way out, but its not good enough," state Sen. Michael Holmstrom said in a statement. "Minnesotans deserve and demand an IMMEDIATE resignation."

Read On The Fox News App

"Governor Walz couldnt take the FRAUD heat so hes getting out of the kitchen, but Im going to keep holding ALL Democrats accountable for Minnesotas fraud mess, blowing through the entire $18 billion surplus, raising taxes by $10 billion, and making life less affordable for all Minnesotans while rejecting Republican efforts to stop fraud. Ill keep exposing these failures and holding Democrats accountable for what theyve done to Minnesotans."

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Walz launched his bid for a third four-year term as Minnesota governor in September, but in recent weeks has been facing a barrage of incoming political fire from President Donald Trump and Republicans, and some Democrats, over the large-scale theft in a state that has long prided itself on good governance.

How Fears Of Being Labeled 'Racist' Helped 'Provide Cover' For The Exploding Minnesota Fraud Scandal

More than 90 people  most from Minnesota's large Somali community  have been charged since 2022 in what has been described as the nation's largest COVID-era scheme. How much money has been stolen through alleged money laundering operations involving fraudulent meal and housing programs, daycare centers, and Medicaid services is still being tabulated. But the U.S. attorney in Minnesota said the scope of the fraud could exceed $1 billion and rise to as high as $9 billion .

GOP state Sen. Rich Draheim accused Walz in a statement of simply "passing the buck" with his "retirement" announcement while "blaming Republicans for his failures."

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Minnesota Republican Sen. Andrew Lang echoed the messaging from his state party in a statement concluding that "retirement isnt accountability."

"Its him trying to wipe his hands clean of the fraud mess. But ALL elected Democrats own this. They fought Republican efforts to stop the fraud, failed to hold Walzs agencies accountable, and let Minnesotans tax dollars get siphoned off by fraudsters."

Walz met Sunday with Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota to discuss his decision to drop his re-election bid, a source familiar confirmed to Fox News' Alexis McAdams.

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Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. (Getty Images)

Word of their meeting comes amid speculation that Klobuchar, a former Hennepin County attorney who's been elected and re-elected four times to the U.S. Senate, may now run to succeed Walz.

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"Make no mistake, I dont want Tim Walz to be our governor," Minnesota Republican state Sen. Andrew Mathews said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "But rather than swapping Democrat governor candidates, I want to FIX the damage Gov. Walz has done: Blew through an $18 billion surplus, Raised taxes by $10 billion, Oversaw one of the largest fraud scandals in the country, Left Minnesota for months chasing a failed VP bid, Now decides to leave office."

"This isnt accountability. Its avoiding it."

Fox News Digitals Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.





Original article source: Walz decision to exit governor race intensifies calls from GOP lawmakers for his resignation: 'Easy way out'
COLUMBUS  The Ohio Department of Agriculture is currently accepting comments on a draft Permit to Install and a draft Permit to Operate for an existing egg-laying facility in Auglaize County.

Regula Enterprises LLC, 26546 Fairmount Road, Waynesfield, is seeking to increase its layer capacity from the current 40,000 birds in two barns to a total design capacity of 105,000 birds. The draft proposes to remodel the two-layer barns into belt-battery barns, where manure will be routinely transferred to a proposed manure storage barn.

The converted barns would each house 52,500 layers, and a new manure storage barn would provide approximately 33,499 cubic feet of storage. The facility would produce approximately 1,514 tons of solid manure and 9.5 tons of mortality compost annually. The new manure storage barn would provide a total of 33,499 cubic feet of storage.

Any person may submit written comments and/or request a public meeting on the draft permits. A request for a public meeting must be in writing and shall state the nature of the issues to be raised at the public meeting. Comments and/or public meeting requests must be received by the DLEP office no later than 5 p.m. on Jan.16. Comments can either be mailed to Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 or emailed to lepp@agri.ohio.gov.




In New York City, Wegmans has posted signs at its supermarkets this month telling customers that it is collecting biometric data for anyone who enters, including their face, eyes and voices.

The grocer declined to answer questions Monday on whether it was using similar technology at its Norwalk location, which opened in July 2025 to a line of customers, some of whom waited hours for a bite at the first Connecticut location of the family-owned grocery chain.

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"For security and safety purposes, we do not get into the specific measures used at each store," Tracy Van Auker, a company spokesperson, said in an email.

According to signage posted outside the Wegmans locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, the company is collecting facial recognition technology, eye scans and voiceprints to "protect the safety and security of our patrons and employees." The signage was first reported by Gothamist on Saturday.

The signs were required to be displayed in New York City because of a 2021 city law that requires stores to disclose if they are collecting customers' biometric information. Multiple customers reportedly told Gothamist that Wegmans' data collection practices would make them less likely to shop in the store in the future.

Tessa Repsher of Darien shops with her daughter Remi for the ingredients for a lemon meringue pie for her birthday. Tessa Repsher turned 49 on July 23, the opening day for Wegmans supermarket in Norwalk, Conn. (H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media)





At the Rochester-based chain's sole Connecticut location in Norwalk, no signs about biometric monitoring were visible in the store as of Monday afternoon.

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Van Auker said that Wegmans uses facial recognition technology "in a small fraction of our stores that exhibit an elevated risk." She did not answer questions on what defines a store with an "elevated risk" or whether the Norwalk location was one of those stores.

"This technology is solely used for keeping our stores secure and safe," Van Auker said. "The system collects facial recognition data and only uses it to identify individuals who have been previously flagged for misconduct."

Wegman's currently has more than 110 stores spanning nine states and Washington, D.C., according to its website.

According to Van Auker, the company does not share the data with any third party and deletes the images and video it collects after an unspecified amount of time that "aligns with industry standards."

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Van Auker also said that the company does not collect retinal scans or voice prints, a claim that was in direct contrast to the Wegmans signage photographed in New York City by Gothamist.

Unlike in New York City, there is no specific law in Norwalk that would require Wegmans to disclose biometric data monitoring. The city's corporation counsel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In Connecticut, such disclosures are governed by the Data Privacy Act, a 2022 law with enforcement provided by the Attorney General's office.

Elizabeth Benton, a spokesperson for Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, said the office could not comment on Wegmans' use of biometric data monitoring without further investigation.

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Still, Benton noted, this is not the first time questions have arisen about a supermarket's collection of biometric data. In 2023, a Vernon ShopRite came under scrutiny after posting a sign announcing that it was using facial recognition technology in the store.

The ShopRite Store in the Tri-City Plaza on Wednesday July 12, 2023, in Vernon. ( Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media )





"Generally, the Connecticut Data Privacy Act requires clear, affirmative consent signifying a consumer's freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous agreement for the processing of a consumer's sensitive data," Benton said in a statement. "However, where companies use sensitive data for the purposes of preventing crime and fraud, an exception may apply."

Benton added that companies did not have a "blanket exception" to use the technology and shared an April 2025 enforcement report that said businesses must document how the benefits of using facial recognition technology "outweigh the serious risks posed to individuals' privacy rights."

Staff writer Jayden Nguyen contributed reporting.

This article originally published at Wegmans is using facial recognition in NYC stores. Are they using it at the CT location?.
Jan. 5WILKES-BARRE  Video footage showed Louis Weihbrecth accelerated his Chevrolet Silverado that struck and dragged Mark Reginald Svadeba to his death outside an auto-repair garage on North Main Street, Plains Township, in September 2024.

Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney James L. McMonagle is arguing the act was intentional, while Weihbrecht's attorney, John B. Pike, is advocating it was an accident.

Weihbrecht, 57, pled guilty to a general criminal homicide charge but opted to have Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. decide the degree of criminal homicide  first-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter.

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After reviewing and accepting Weihbrecht's plea agreement, Sklarosky opened the court to testimony on Weihbrecht's "state of mind" before, during, and after Svadeba, 47, was struck and killed on Sept. 13, 2024.

Weihbrecht and Svadeba were involved in a dispute over Tommarra Purta, 45, whom they both dated.

Svadeba was in the parking lot of the auto-repair garage to meet his friend and owner, Louis Giomboni, to use a new welding machine when Weihbrecht showed up in his truck.

Giomboni testified he was finishing a vehicle repair when Weihbrecht arrived and heard a loud argument with Svadeba, who stood in front of Weihbrecht's truck.

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Giomboni said he heard the truck's engine rev several times when the vehicle ran over Svadeba, who was dragged onto North Main Street, and ran over again when Weihbrecht went into reverse and fled the scene.

"I heard the engine rev and the wheels squeal, and he just hit (Svadeba)," Giomboni testified.

Giomboni said Weihbrecht went "full-throttle" when Svadeba was struck.

Michael Moser, a Pennsylvania State Police trooper and an expert in accident reconstruction and collision, testified tire marks left on the pavement were "acceleration marks," indicating the driver quickly accelerated at a high speed.

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Purta testified she dated Svadeba "off-and-on" for years and began a relationship with Weihbrecht when she started working at his tavern, Dragon Fly, on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Purta said she was with Weihbrecht at the tavern but left as she planned to clean upholstery in an apartment behind Giomboni's garage. When she arrived at the garage, Giomboni told her what had happened.

When the incident happened, Wilkes-Barre City police Det. James Fisher was patrolling the area near King's College and heard the 911 broadcast that Weihbrecht was wanted for questioning by Plains Township police. Fisher said he called Weihbrecht as he has known him for 20 years.

Fisher said Weihbrecht returned his message, but Weihbrecht wanted to see a priest before surrendering, which he did in the Kirby Park parking lot on Sept. 14, 2024.

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Fisher said Weihbrecht repeatedly said it was an accident and he only intended to strike Svadeba's Harley Davidson motorcycle.

McMonagle played the video footage of Weihbrecht arriving at the garage, which showed Svadeba standing in front of the truck, waving his arms. After a few seconds, Svadeba was struck on the front driver's side and was dragged onto North Main Street, video footage showed.

Pike is advocating that the incident was an accident. To illustrate his position, Pike said if Weihbrecht wanted to kill Svadeba, he could have used a hammer, a machete, or a knife that were found in his truck.

If Weihbrecht is convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life in prison without parole. A third-degree murder conviction carries a sentence of up to 40 years, while a voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter convictions carry 20 and 5 years in prison, respectively.

Testimony before Sklarosky continues Tuesday.
The capture of Nicolas Maduro in an unprecedented US military operation has left a political vacuum in Venezuela and reignited hopes that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado could spearhead a democratic revival in the country.

Machado, 58, has been living in hiding due to security risks and threats to her life since the last disputed election in Venezuela.

Despite Machado releasing a statement supporting Maduros exit, the exiled opposition leaders whereabouts are still unknown. Trump sparked alarm on Sunday after suggesting she could not become leader of Venezuela as she lacked respect and support in the country.

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His comments appeared to be driven by his anger over her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, with sources close to Trump suggesting she had committed the ultimate sin by refusing to give the prize to the US president.

The Independent looks at Machados rise in politics and whether she could play a role in a future government.

Nobel peace laureate Maria Corina Machado greets supporters from a balcony of the Grand Hotel in Oslo (AFP via Getty)

Who is Maria Corina Machado?

Machado is an industrial engineer by training who spent years running the Atenea Foundation for orphaned children living on the streets of Caracas.

She first entered politics through the co-founding of Sumate in 2002, a civic organisation focused on promoting fair elections and democracy. She was elected to the National Assembly in 2011 but was barred from running for office four years later for unspecified reasons.

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Machado drew criticism from the governing socialist party for her upper-class roots due to her father being a prominent businessman in the countrys steel industry.

She co-founded political party Vente Venezuela in 2012, which she currently leads. In 2023, she won a resounding victory in the oppositions primary elections, and her rallies drew large crowds.

But that same year, she was banned from public office and from running in presidential elections after unsubstantiated claims that she was involved in a corruption plot. The ban by a Venezuelan court was dubbed arbitrary and politically fabricated by the European Parliament.

Nicolas Maduros unprecedented capture by a US military operation has left a political vacuum in Venezuela (AP)

Machados years in exile

Machado was replaced as leader by Edmundo Gonzalez in the 2024 elections, which he is widely believed to have won. However, the countrys National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner, without any credible evidence.

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Protests erupted across the country after the results were announced and were met with police brutality that left more than 20 people dead.

Machado went into hiding and emerged in January 2025 to make a brief appearance during a protest before Maduros inauguration, where she was arrested and subsequently released.

Trump is said to have cooled towards Machado after her Nobel win (AP)

A secret voyage to collect the Nobel Peace Prize

Machado became the 20th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

Trump had expected to win the prize himself for his efforts in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In an apparent bid to curry favour with the US president, Machado dedicated her victory to Trump.

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She later embarked on a daring three-day voyage to attend the Nobel ceremony in Oslo, Norway, on 10 December with the help of the US military, but suffered an injury along the way.

Upon her arrival, she greeted jubilant supporters gathered outside her hotel in Oslo. She later left the country for an undisclosed location to receive medical treatment.

Machado has been effusive in her support for Trump (Reuters)

Her relationship with Trump

Machado has been effusive in her support for Trump and his highly controversial attacks on Venezuelan drug-boats and narco-terrorists that have killed at least 115 people. UN experts have dubbed the strikes extrajudicial executions.

But while the pair previously enjoyed a warm relationship, Trump is said to have cooled towards her after the Nobel win.

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After Maduros capture, he said she was a very nice woman but that it would be tough for her to lead Venezuela because she did not have respect within or the support within the country.

Two people close to the White House toldThe Washington Post that the presidents negative comments had been sparked by Machados acceptance of the prize, saying it had been perceived as the ultimate sin by Trump.

If she had turned it down and said, I cant accept it because its Donald Trumps, shed be the president of Venezuela today, the source said.
Since the beginning of January, Greenland  the vast, autonomous Arctic territory ruled by Denmark  has catapulted from the sidelines of international affairs to the very center.

As President Donald Trump escalated his calls for the United States to take over the remote island, the prospect of the NATO alliances most powerful member annexing territory belonging to another has thrown Washingtons relationship with its European NATO allies into crisis.

When Trump initially voiced such plans in 2019, during his first term, and at the beginning of his second term in 2025, they were mostly dismissed as unserious.

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That all changed in recent weeks. In the wake of US forces striking the Venezuelan capital and ousting the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, on January 3, Trumps remarks have rung with renewed force, bolstered by a brazen display of US power that European leaders have warned could lead to the demise of the NATO alliance.

In a whirlwind week, Trump threatened, then withdrew a move to impose tariffs on European nations after announcing he reached a framework on a future deal on Greenland late Wednesday.

Thousands attended a protest in Nuuk on Saturday against Trump's demand that the US take over Greenland. - Marko Djurica/Reuters

As details continue to emerge over the Greenland deal, heres what you need to know about the sparsely populated island, why Trump wants it  and why its caused such tensions with Europe.

What is Greenland like?

Greenland, a resource-rich island of 836,000 square miles (2.16 million square kilometers), is a former Danish colony and now an autonomous territory of Denmark, situated in the Arctic.

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Its the worlds least densely populated country and, due to the limited network of roads, its 56,000 residents travel by boat, helicopter and plane between the islands towns, which are predominantly scattered along the western coast. The capital Nuuk is emblematic of those towns, featuring brightly-colored houses crowded together between a jagged coastline and inland mountains.

US Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance are seen during a visit to Greenland last March. - Jim Watson/Getty Images

Outside the towns, Greenland is mostly wilderness, with 81% of its land under ice. Nearly 90% of its population is of Inuit origin and its economy has long revolved around fishing.

No individual can own land in Greenland, which makes the view of our country as real estate ever so more provocative for us, Hegh said.

Most Greenlanders have been opposed to any American takeover of their island, with thousands of Greenlanders protesting against Trumps calls to annex it on Saturday, while thousands more joined protests in Denmark.

Why is it so important strategically?

Three interconnected factors, accentuated by the climate crisis, make Greenland such an important strategic region  its geopolitical position, its natural resources and the potential northern shipping routes around it.

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Greenland lies between the US and Europe and astride the so-called GIUK gap  a maritime passage between Greenland, Iceland and the UK that links the Arctic to the Atlantic Ocean. This location makes it essential for controlling access to the North Atlantic, for both trade and security.

Its rich natural resources, including oil, gas and rare earth minerals, add to its strategic importance, as China leverages its domination of the rare earth industry to exert pressure on the US. These minerals are crucial to the global economy since they are required to manufacture everything from electric cars and wind turbines to military equipment.

Greenlands trove of minerals may become more accessible as the climate crisis melts Arctic ice, but actually mining them is likely to prove difficult, given the mountainous terrain, lack of infrastructure and environmental regulations in place.

The melting ice also makes northern shipping routes navigable for more of the year, with implications for both trade and security.

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Trump has downplayed the significance of Greenlands natural resources, telling reporters last month: We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.

But his former national security adviser Mike Waltz suggested in January 2024 that Trumps focus was on natural resources, telling Fox News that the administrations focus on Greenland was about critical minerals and natural resources.

All this means that the US, China and Russia are now tussling over the Arctic region as the climate crisis changes its geography.

More than a quarter of Russias territory is in the Arctic so Moscow has always seen the region as vital to its defense. In recent years China has entered the fray, declaring itself to be a near-Arctic state in 2018, and pursing the objective of a polar silk road for Arctic shipping.

When did Greenland become Trumps focus again?

A day after US forces snatched Maduro from his home on January 3, Trump repeated that the US needs Greenland from the standpoint of national security.

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Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, despite at first saying he didnt want to talk about it. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.

Several Trump administration officials, and Trump himself, have doubled down since then. On Saturday, Trump signaled another escalation, saying he would impose a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It would increase to 25% if an agreement is not reached by June 1.

US President Donald Trump spoke about Greenland with reporters on Air Force One earlier this month. - Alex Brandon/AP

The tariff threats triggered an emergency meeting of European countries representatives over the weekend, and French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly asked the European Union to activate its so-called anti-coercion instrument, colloquially known as a trade bazooka  which could involve suspending US company licenses or taxing US services.

By Wednesday, lawmakers in the European Parliament blocked a vote to ratify a US-European trade deal. Hours later, Trump backed down from his tariff threats, saying that he would not impose them after reaching a framework for a Greenland deal.

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Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He said top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his special envoy Steve Witkoff, would be responsible for the negotiations.

A NATO spokesperson said that the meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had been very productive, and discussions on the framework will focus on ensuring Arctic security through the collective efforts of Allies, especially the seven Arctic Allies.

The spokesperson added that negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold - economically or militarily - in Greenland.

What has Trump said before?

Trump inquired about the possibility of buying Greenland during his first term and, despite being told by the island that Greenland is not for sale, he revived those calls in December 2024, saying in a social media post: For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.

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Vice President JD Vance traveled to the island in March 2025, when he said it was the policy of the United States to see changes to the islands Danish leadership but acknowledged that Greenlanders should decide their future.

Polling in Greenland indicates clear opposition to it becoming part of the US. And three-quarters of Americans say they oppose the US attempting to take control of Greenland, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS that published Thursday.

Discussion about the US taking over their territory represents a total show of disrespect, Greenlandic filmmaker Inuk Silis Hegh told CNN.

What was the US presence there historically?

The US already has a security foothold in Greenland, a legacy of the Cold War when the territorys proximity to Russia made it an essential monitoring post in the event of a missile attack.

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It signed a defense agreement with Denmark in 1951, allowing it to station troops at a military base which is still used, though on a much smaller scale.

Before that, the US tried several times to buy Greenland, most recently in 1946.

The two countries have long maintained a close relationship and a good foundation for doing business, according to Christian Keldsen, the CEO of the Greenland Business Association.

Theres no barriers for American investments into energy, mining, tourism and other things in Greenland, he told CNN.

What does this mean for NATO?

Trumps attempt to grab Greenland instigated one of NATOs most dangerous internal crises. By stating its designs on the territory of another NATO member and threatening tariffs to force European countries into submission, the Trump administration struck a blow right at the heart of the 77-year-old alliance.

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Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom all said in a statement Sunday.

German military personnel pictured boarding a flight leaving Nuuk airport for Reykjavik on Sunday. - Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier this week, European nations deployed small numbers of military personnel to Greenland to participate in joint exercises with Denmark.

While it is not necessarily unusual for NATO countries to send military assets for exercises in Greenland, the timing represented a significant show of support for Denmark, underscoring the tensions between the US and Europe.

What do Greenlanders think?

Trumps plans are overwhelmingly unpopular in Greenland. About 5,000 protesters  a sizeable proportion of the territorys population  turned out in Nuuk on Saturday, waving banners like Yankee go home and Greenland is already great.

A male protester, who didnt give his name, said: We do not accept this kind of aggression, referring to Trumps threats to take Greenland.

Trumps frequent posturing about Greenland strikes right at the heart of the territorys politics, which have long been shaped by Denmarks colonial legacy.

It was incorporated into Denmark in 1953 as a tide of decolonization swept the globe following World War II, then granted home rule in 1979. In 2009 it achieved self-government, but its foreign, security, defense and monetary policy are all still controlled by Denmark.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen speaks at a press conference Monday. - Oscar Scott Carl/Ritzau Scanpix Denmark/Reuters

Greenlands politicians have promised to take steps towards independence, but have not offered a concrete timeline. While not all Greenlanders want independence from Denmark, few want to trade Danish for US leadership.

Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the USs rhetoric completely unacceptable.

When the President of the United States speaks of needing Greenland and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, it is not just wrong. It is disrespectful, he said in a statement.

People in Greenland have largely responded by reasserting their national identity through actions like posting the Greenlandic flag on social media, Hegh said.

It upsets a lot of people, and I think a lot of it is this lack of respect that we feel coming out of the US administration just going above our heads and trying to buy us.

Still, for a minority of Greenlanders like Kuno Fencker, a member of parliament for the more pro-US opposition Naleraq party, some of Trumps comments have been received quite well.

If he says Greenland has the right to self-determination or they could join the United States, its a big offer from the United States president, Fencker told CNN.

CNNs Jennifer Hansler, Laura Paddison, Lex Harvey, Nic Robertson, Benjamin Brown, Matthew Chance, Lauren Kent, Kit Maher, Kylie Atwood, Alayna Treene, Kevin Liptak, Betsy Klein and Ivana Kottasova contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The dramatic escalation in Venezuela has put extra attention on President Donald Trump's desire to annex Greenland.

On Jan. 3, U.S. troops captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a surprise attack, after months of mounting U.S. pressure on the oil-rich country. Trump has long expressed interest in the U.S. controlling Greenland, dating back to his first term when he floated buying the Arctic island.

Asked about Greenland on Air Force One on Jan. 4, he tried to push off discussing plans for action, but reiterated past statements about needing the country for "national security."

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"Well, I don't want to talk about Greenland. Let's talk about Venezuela, Russia, Ukraine," Trump said. "We'll worry about Greenland in about two months. Let's talk about Greenland in 20 days."

More: Trump aide Stephen Miller says US could seize Greenland in interview

Why does Trump want to take Greenland?

"We need Greenland for national security," Trump said Dec. 22 at a press conference. "You look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it."

Trump has repeatedly returned to national security as a reason for wanting Greenland. The island's location could also be strategic for a U.S. ballistic missile warning system.

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The island also has critical minerals used in industries where China has a near-monopoly power. Greenland has mineral deposits of key minerals including graphite, copper, nickel, zinc, tungsten and lithium, all used for making modern technology.

However, Greenland currently does little to no mining. Trump also said he is not interested in Greenland for its mineral wealth.

"We have so many sites for minerals, and oil and everything, we have more oil than any other country in the world," Trump said.

What is Greenland's response to Trump's threats?

Greenland and Denmark leaders have rebuked Trump's claims the U.S. will take over Greenland.

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"You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security," Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a joint statement on Dec. 22. "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland."

The vast majority of Greenlanders reject the idea of becoming part of the U.S., though some favor independence from Denmark.

Is Greenland part of NATO?

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, which is part of NATO.

Several top NATO members, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom, signed a joint statement published Jan. 6 defending the country's right to sovereignty.

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"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement read.

What is Greenland's size compared to the US?

Greenland is smaller than the U.S., slightly more than three times the size of Texas, according to the CIA. It has a population of about 57,000 people.

Still, it is the largest island in the world and about 80% covered in ice.

Greenland is located in the Arctic region, northeast of Canada.

Where is Denmark?

Denmark is in Europe between Germany, Sweden and Norway.

Contributing: Michael Loria, Kim Hjelmgaard, Francesca Chambers, Carlie Procell, Dian Zhang, Ramon Padilla, Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY

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Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter), Bluesky and TikTok.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Trump want Greenland so bad? What he has said after Venezuela
DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH has issued a formal letter of censure to Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, combat aviator, and astronaut. The letter accuses Kelly of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, threatens to reduce his pension, and warns that continued speech could expose him to further action under military law.

Kellys offense was to remind service members of a foundational principle of military law: Orders must be lawfuland illegal orders must be refused. That principle is not controversial. It is not partisan. It is not optional. He did this along with five other Democratic members of Congress who had served in the military or the intelligence community in a video titled Dont Give Up the Ship.

Kelly did not urge service members to defy lawful authority. He did not name specific units that should disobey, nor list specific orders or commanders that should be disobeyed. He articulated a general legal truthone that every commissioned officer has been taught, and one that even Secretary Hegseth has publicly acknowledged in the past.

PDF of the letter of censure sent to Mark Kelly

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January 5, 2026

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The letter of censure attempts to recast Kellys participation in the video and other public statements as counseling disobedience on the grounds that Kelly might cause service members to second-guess orders deemed lawful by civilian leadership. But professional militaries require that judgment, primarily by officers but also by enlisted personnel. They train for it. They rely on it. They teach it in required classes and informally.

If merely reminding troops of their legal obligations constitutes misconduct, then we are no longer talking about good order and discipline. We are talking about intimidation.

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2026 is already a wild year and its barely started yet. Lets make sense of the torrent of news together. Join Bulwark+.

I commanded soldiers for more than four decades. At every levelespecially the brigade, division, and field army levelsbefore deploying into combat, I had conversations with soldiers, noncommissioned officers, company-grade officers, and senior leaders about lawful orders, illegal orders, and the moral responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform. Those conversations were neither rare nor improvised. They were deliberate, often in formal classrooms, with officers of the Judge Advocate Generals Corps.

Thats because every commander, at every echelon, works closely with Judge Advocate General officers to ensure that orders comply with U.S. law, the Law of Armed Conflict, and rules of engagement. Just as importantly, commanders are responsible for ensuring their subordinates understand their own obligations when faced with an unlawful order.

During one period in my career, as a three-star general, I led the Armys Initial Military Training Command. My role was oversight of what was taught by drill sergeants in basic training for enlisted soldiers and advanced individual training, and the cadre who taught Basic Officer Leader Courses for newly commissioned officers and training for warrant officers. In every one of those courses the same lesson is reinforced explicitly and repeatedly: Obey lawful orders; refuse unlawful ones.

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The range of types of unlawful orders are part of American military training, and may range from Hey private, steal that can of paint from third platoon all the way to Lieutenant, shoot any enemy soldiers you capture because we cant afford to take prisoners with us. These training anecdotes are not framed as dissent, or adherence to any kind of subjective or personal standard. They are framed as a duty to do what is right, to live by the rule of law. The requirements are driven into young soldiers early because the cost of confusion laterunder stress, under fire, or under moral pressureis catastrophic.

This instruction is not accidental. It is foundational to professional military ethics. It is repeated early and often, and is especially important before deployments. The examples apply equally to active-duty, reserve, and guard officers, as well as retired officers. Rank does not absolve responsibility; retirement does not erase oath.

Which is why it is astonishing that the secretary of defense would now characterize a retired officer repeating this bedrock principle as insubordination.

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Kelly is not just a uniquely experienced retired officer, having served in combat as a naval aviator and as an officer serving as an astronaut with NASA. He is a sitting U.S. senator and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Questioning military operations, overseeing personnel decisions, and asking whether actions comply with domestic and international law are not acts of disloyaltythey are his constitutional responsibilities.

The attempt to punish him through military administrative mechanisms for something that was not a deviation from known standards is particularly troubling. It sends a clear message: Speak openly and plainly about the law, and your prior service may be weaponized against you. Kellys legal counsel has called it an unprecedented and dangerous overreach. From my professional military perspective, based on four decades of experience, I agree with that characterization.

Kelly is being wrongly accused of doing what the profession requires. If someone like Kellywhose service record is unquestioned and whose statement was legally accuratecan be threatened with loss of rank and pension, then every service member should ask what protections remain when the rule of law and the requirement to follow only lawful orders become inconvenient to those in power.

Civilian control of the military is essential to democracy. The military must place trust and confidence in its civilian leaders. Likewise, the profession of arms also depends on trusttrust that orders are lawful, trust that leaders act in good faith, and trust that those who speak honestly about legal obligations will not be punished for doing so.

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When telling the truth about the law becomes grounds for censure, the problem is not with the officer who spoke. It is with those who fear what the law requires. That is not a standard any democracyor any professional militarycan afford to accept.

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Note to readers: This is one in a series of stories looking ahead to South Dakotas 2026 legislative session that opens next week.

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  Theres a reason that the South Dakota Legislature meets every year.

Because thats what South Dakota voters have decided.

The constitution says the Legislature must start the session on the second Tuesday of January at 12 noon  thats January 13 this year  and that the annual session last no more than 40 legislative days.

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How expensive is the Burger Battle?

But it wasnt always this way.

The South Dakota Constitution allows amendments to be made to it, with proposals coming from the Legislature or through a public petition process. Those proposals then go to a statewide vote.

The Legislature originally met in regular session once every two years. Voters in 1962 changed the frequency to every year 101,548 to 88,118.

The change to an annual session starting in 1963 was a bit complicated, however.

That was because state government still operated on a two-year budget, a carry-over from when legislators met every two years.

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The result was that lawmakers, who serve two-year terms, met for 30 days during odd-numbered years. In even-numbered years, they met for 45 days.

There was an additional twist: The shorter and longer sessions also had different starting dates.

The 30-day session, held in odd-number years, convened on the third Tuesday after the first Monday in January. The 45-day session, held in even-numbered years, convened on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January.

But state government was becoming more financially complex, requiring budget adjustments. And in 1980, the Legislature proposed a constitutional amendment to straighten out some of the confusion.

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Lawmakers asked that the 30-day session be extended to 35 days, and that the 45-day session be shortened to 40 days.

They also asked for a single starting date of the second Tuesday after the first Monday in January.

A flier prepared by staff for the Cooperative Extension Service at South Dakota State University explained the proposal.

Even veteran legislators are sometimes confused about when the legislature is to begin each year. A uniform starting date will end the confusion for legislators and the general public, noted the fliers authors, Galen Kelsey and Phillip Favero.

The authors suggested that there might be another benefit.

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More people might seek legislative seats if the session convenes earlier and adjourns before

spring, they wrote. Certainly this would be true for farmers and ranchers and may also be true for businessmen and others. The 2-week earlier starting date and 5-day shortening of the long

session will allow the long session adjournment nearly 3 weeks earlier than is presently the case.

Voters agreed 101,548 to 88,118 to make those changes. The alternating approach of 35 days one year and 40 days the next year lasted for nearly three decades.

The most recent change came in 2008.

Two Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Larry Lucas of Mission and Sen. Ben Nesselhuf of Vermillion, led an effort in the Legislature to propose that the 35/40 approach be set aside and the constitution be amended to allow for a maximum of 40 days, regardless of year. Voters supported the proposal 184,722 to 167,751.

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In 2009, the Legislature met for the full 40 days allowed. Lawmakers went to 38 days in 2010 and 2011, then 33 days in 2012. They returned to 38 days for 2013 and 2014, then went to 39 days in 2015. In 2016, they went back again to 38 days and stayed at 38 through 2018. In 2019, they used the full 40 days. In 2020 and 2021, they used 37. In 2022, they returned yet again to 38 and have stayed at 38 since.

Lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Procedure Committee have generally met in the closing days of each years session to decide on the calendar for the following years session. That process occurred again in 2025, and the Legislature agreed the 2026 session would again run on a 38-day calendar.

Even at 40 days annually, South Dakota lawmakers meet for some of the shortest time in the nation. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only Alabama and Wyoming meet for fewer days over the course of two years.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Minnesotas Gov. Tim Walz has announced he is dropping his re-election bid and will not seek a third term this coming November amid widespread fraud allegations within the state.

Walz, who ran as the Democratic Partys vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election, has encountered lower approval ratings over the past month as criticism continues to mount amid investigations into state welfare agencies and government-affiliated programs that were widely targeted by fraud.

Walz, 61, pointed to the scandal and the general political climate in his statement on Monday morning, claiming that political gamesmanship from Republicans is making the fight against fraudsters harder to win. Explaining his decision not to run, the former teacher said that after speaking with his family and team over the festive season, he has come to the realization that he cant give a political campaign his all and he wants to let others worry about the election so that he can focus on the work.

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Donald Trump and his alliesin Washington, in St. Paul, and onlinewant to make our state a colder, meaner place, Walz claimed, referencing how the Trump Administration plans to freeze all federal funds to Minnesota child care centers in response to the instances of fraud. They want to poison our people against each other by attacking our neighbors. And, ultimately, they want to take away much of what makes Minnesota the best place in America to raise a family, Walz maintained.

Walz was first elected Governor in 2018, succeeding fellow Democrat Mark Dayton. Minnesota has held a Democratic governor for several years, but Walzs departure could shake up the landscape for the 2026 race. Potential successors include Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesotas Attorney General Keith Ellison, and lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan.

Read More: Protesters Condemn Trumps Targeting of Minnesotas Somali Community: This Is Our Country, Not His

Trump has used the widespread fraud scandal to target Minnesotas Somali community, accusing them of destroying the state, on account of some people of Somali descent being found guilty of involvement with the schemes. He has taken to seemingly blaming the community as a whole rather than the individuals involved. Trump has also repeatedly taken aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democratic Congresswoman for Minnesota, who was born in Somalia.

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During one contentious Cabinet meeting in December, Trump referred to Somalia as barely a country and called members of the Somali community garbage.

Trumps rhetoric sparked protests in the state and criticism from members of the Democratic Party. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks of New York and Sara Jacobs of California, along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Cory Booker of New Jersey condemned the President's remarks about Somali immigrants in the U.S. in a joint statement, calling them xenophobic and unacceptable.

Following Walz's announcement regarding his re-election bid, Trump once again said the former VP candidate has "destroyed" the state of Minnesota. The President accused Walz of being complicit in the various fraud schemes that have plagued the state. He did not provide any evidence and there is no suggestion that Walz had any prior knowledge of the fraudulent activity.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media while aboard Air Force One on Jan. 4, 2026. On Jan. 3, Trump announced that the U.S. had struck Venezuela and seized Nicolas Maduro. Credit - Joe RaedleGetty Images

The capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has unleashed a familiar ritual in Washington. Call it the Great Precedent Panic. Pundits are warning that President Donald Trump has handed Xi Jinping a template for the Chinese takeover of Taiwan. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, asks: If the United States asserts the right to use military force to invade and capture foreign leaders it accuses of criminal conduct, what prevents China from claiming the same authority over Taiwans leadership?

The concern spans party lines. Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican and Air Force veteran, warns that China could justify an invasion of Taiwan by pointing to the Maduro snatch.

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But this is the wrong debate. It fundamentally misunderstands what hasand hasntconstrained Chinas ambitions toward Taiwan. And it simultaneously ignores why prolonged American involvement in Venezuela should scare Taiwan.

Chinas true constraints

Beijing has not refrained from action against Taiwan out of deference to international law and norms. Its restraint has always been driven by harder variables: military readiness, economic consequences, uncertainty about American intervention, and the sheer operational complexity of conquering a well-armed island of 24 million people across 100 miles of open water.

None of these factors changed when Delta Force helicopters descended on Caracas.

Moreover, Beijing has always regarded Taiwan as an internal affair, a renegade province, not a sovereign state. From Chinas perspective, any action against Taipei would be a domestic matter. The analogy to Venezuelaan unambiguously foreign countrysimply doesnt apply. China doesnt need international precedent to assert control over what it considers its own territory.

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So if the precedent argument is overblown, does Venezuela matter for Taiwan at all?

Yes, but not in the way most analysts are suggesting. The real question isnt whether Trump has emboldened Xi. Its whether Taiwan should rethink its own assumptions about great-power protection.

Taiwans shifting calculus

Consider what Venezuela reveals about the reliability of powerful patrons.

Maduro had cultivated deep ties with both China and Russia. Beijing was buying Venezuelan oilabout 80% of exportsinvesting in infrastructure, and providing diplomatic cover at the United Nations. A Chinese envoy met with Maduro to discuss rising tensions with the U.S. just hours before American forces seized him. Maduros last social media message before being captured celebrated the strong bonds of brotherhood and friendship between China and Venezuela. None of it mattered.

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Chong Ja Ian, a professor at the National University of Singapore, draws the uncomfortable parallel. Maduro had moved closer to Beijing and Moscow in the apparent expectation that this would provide some bufferin a similar way that Taiwan believes informal U.S. ties can stave off Beijings ambitions, he tells TIME.

If Beijings patronage couldnt protect Maduro, why should Taipei assume Washingtons can protect them?

This isnt an abstract concern. Trump has repeatedly signaled that American security commitments are transactional, not principled. He has suggested Taiwan should pay for protection and dramatically increase defense spendingto as much as 10% of GDPor risk losing American support. Trumps enthusiasm for deals with Xi has often seemed to exceed his commitment to Taiwans security. Before taking office, he mused that Taiwan should pay more for its insurance policy.

Venezuela shows what happens when Trump perceives a threat to American interests in Americas backyard: overwhelming force, no consultation with Congress, and regime change in a matter of hours. But Taiwan isnt in Americas backyardits in Chinas. And theres little evidence Trump regards Taiwans security as a core American interest the way he regards hemispheric dominance.

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Taiwanese officials have publicly celebrated the Maduro operation, calling it a powerful deterrent to Beijings aggression and a timely reminder of the US ability to defeat militaries equipped with Chinese-made weapons. This is wishful thinkingand it reveals the very dependence that should concern them. Theyre cheering that their patron is strong and willing to act. But patrons act on their own interests, not their clients. Trump didnt seize Maduro to demonstrate commitment to allies; he did it to control Venezuelan oil and assert dominance over the Western Hemisphere.

New concerns for Taiwan

What should truly worry Taiwan is American attention being consumed by this region.

Trump has committed to running Venezuela until a safe, proper, and judicious transition can occura timeline he declined to specify, though he didnt deny it could take years. He said hes not afraid of boots on the ground. The echoes of past American misadventures are unmistakable. Its hard not to recall George W. Bushs Mission Accomplished moment in 2003, shortly before Iraq descended into insurgency.

Venezuela is a country of 28 million people, riven by armed militias, criminal organizations, and Chavista loyalists who havent simply vanished because Maduro was helicoptered to New York. If the transition goes badlyand the history of American regime change suggests it often doesthe United States could find itself mired in exactly the kind of open-ended commitment Trump vowed on the campaign trail to avoid.

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For Taiwan, this is a concrete strategic risk. A prolonged Venezuelan entanglement could consume American attention, resources, and political bandwidth. The carrier strike groups, bombers, and amphibious assault ships deployed to Operation Southern Spear are precisely the assets that would be needed in a Taiwan contingency. They cannot be in the Caribbean and the Taiwan Strait simultaneously.

Some Chinese analysts are already drawing this conclusion. Mei Yang of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen argues that the U.S. is unlikely to interfere excessively in East Asian affairs such as the Taiwan issue as it focuses on reasserting hegemony in the Western Hemisphere. Others see a temporary strategic retrenchment by Washingtonnot permanent disengagement, but enough of a distraction to create opportunities.

China doesnt need rhetorical precedent to move against Taiwan. What it needs is a windowa moment when American attention is elsewhere, resources are stretched, and political will is exhausted by commitments closer to home. A Venezuelan quagmire could provide exactly that.

Taiwans next steps

None of this means Taiwan should abandon its American partnership. It remains essentialthere is no substitute for U.S. military power in the region. But Taipei needs to act on the assumption that American help, if it comes, may come late, or in limited form, or not at all.

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Concretely, this means stockpiling. Taiwan should deepen its reserves of ammunition, energy, and food to withstand a prolonged blockademeasured in months, not weeks. It means accelerating domestic production of the asymmetric weapons that could make an invasion prohibitively costly: anti-ship missiles, sea mines, and drones, lots of drones. It means building redundant command structures hardened against the kind of decapitation strike China has been rehearsing.

It also means diplomatic diversification. Taiwans security cannot rest on a single patron. Taipei should deepen ties with Japan, Australia, and European partners who have their own strategic and economic interests in the islands survival. The goal is to make Taiwans defense a multilateral concernharder for any one partner to abandon.

Finally, Taiwan should keep reminding the world whats at stake. TSMCs dominance in advanced semiconductors makes the islands security a global economic imperative. Partnering with Taiwan isnt charity; its self-interest. Taiwans friends should understand that clearlyand so should Taiwan.

The lesson from Venezuela isnt that China will now feel emboldened to act. Its that small states which bet their survival on great-power protection can find themselves abandoned when their patrons interests diverge from their own.

Maduro thought he had powerful friends. He diduntil they couldnt, or wouldnt, help.

Taiwan should take note.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A series of cross-country storms will spread winter weather across the central and northeastern parts of the United States through the rest of the week, with snow, ice and heavy rain in the forecast.

On Jan. 6, the National Weather Service said a wintry mix will spread from the Great Lakes region up through New England, the latest round of ice and precipitation after recent days of similar conditions.

Ice and snow showers beginning Jan. 6 will continue through midweek from the upper Great Lakes through upstate New York and central New England, the weather service said. Millions of Americans were under winter weather advisories in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and New England states.

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Next, a "larger, more disruptive" storm will bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and snow from the Plains to the East later in the week, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.

Here's what's in store:

When will this cold end? Thaw coming for eastern half of US

People gather on Washington Street as snow falls during a winter storm in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City, December 26, 2025. New York City received around 4 inches of snow overnight. Airlines canceled 1,500 US flights during the peak holiday travel period Friday, with severe winter storm warnings and heavy snow forecast across parts of the Midwest and northeast. Alex Zagajewski clears snow on a sidewalk on North Main Street in Brewster, N.Y., during a steady snowfall Dec. 26, 2025. Geese fly as people walk across the Bow Bridge in a snow-covered Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025. New York City received around 4 inches of snow overnight. Airlines canceled 1,500 US flights during the peak holiday travel period Friday, with severe winter storm warnings and heavy snow forecast across parts of the Midwest and northeast. People walk with their dog in the snow in Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025. New York City received around 4 inches of snow overnight. Airlines canceled 1,500 US flights during the peak holiday travel period Friday, with severe winter storm warnings and heavy snow forecast across parts of the Midwest and northeast. A snow plow clears snow on Brooklyn Bridge as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, U.S., December 26, 2025. A Delta Air Lines plane prepares to take off during a winter storm at Greater Rochester International Airport in Rochester, New York, U.S., December 26, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. People walk by the Grand Central Station as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, U.S., December 26, 2025. A person looks on as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, U.S., December 26, 2025. A person jumps in the air in Times Square as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, U.S., December 26, 2025. People walk outside of Grand Central Station as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, U.S., December 26, 2025. People are hit by snow from a snow plow at Bryant Park ice rink during a winter storm in New York City, U.S., December 26, 2025. A pedicab tour guide, dressed in a Santa Claus costume, rides during a snowfall in Times Square on December 26, 2025, in New York City. A woman uses her smartphone during a snowfall in Times Square on December 26, 2025, in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 26: People walk through snow in Manhattan on December 26, 2025 in New York City. Cars slowly navigate Route 22 in the Town of Southeast during a steady snowfall Dec. 26, 2025. See the magic and chaos of holiday snowfall in the Northeast 1 of 15 People gather on Washington Street as snow falls during a winter storm in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City, December 26, 2025. New York City received around 4 inches of snow overnight. Airlines canceled 1,500 US flights during the peak holiday travel period Friday, with severe winter storm warnings and heavy snow forecast across parts of the Midwest and northeast.

Storm to bring wintry mix, icy conditions

Freezing rain with accumulations up to 0.1 to 0.2 inches on the ground could make for slick driving conditions from the upper Great Lakes through upstate New York and central New England, along with coastal Maine, the weather service said. The icy conditions will be accompanied by a chance of snow showers in the Northeast, with snow lingering through midweek.

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The highest snowfall accumulations will be found in the mountains of interior New England, but lighter snowfall will linger in the region through Jan. 7, according to the weather service. Precipitation amounts could total between 1 and 6 inches, AccuWeather reported.

"Snow, sleet and freezing rain will affect travel from Minnesota to New England through midweek," AccuWeather said.

A national weather forecast map for Tuesday, Jan. 6, shows an outbreak of freezing rain across the upper Great Lakes region and the Northeast.

Second round of stormy weather to impact dozens of states

Later in the week, a powerful storm coming from the western part of the country will head eastward, spreading rain, thunderstorms and snow over dozens of states, AccuWeather reported. It will spread from Texas up through the Great Lakes on Jan. 8 and 9.

The second storm system will deliver wintry conditions to the Plains and Midwest, and a chance of severe thunderstorms in the Ozarks and Mississippi Valley, according to AccuWeather. States from Texas and Oklahoma through Tennessee and Kentucky could see severe thunderstorms that may bring hail and damaging winds later in the week, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.

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"This coast-to-coast storm is expected to bring snow or a wintry mix from parts of Arizona and New Mexico through the Great Lakes and into northern New England," Roys said, adding that travelers should be prepared for slippery and hazardous road conditions.

More: There's a new lightning capital of the US. It's no longer Florida.

See weather alerts across the US

The interactive map below shows all of the weather alerts (warnings, watches and advisories) currently in effect from the National Weather Service. This map is updated every 15 minutes.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winter storms forecast to bring snow, ice, rain this week. See where.
Protesters supporting U.S. President Donald Trump break into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Five years ago today we were transfixed by the surreal spectacle of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The violence and horror of that day was made more bearable when the insurrectionists were arrested and the election results they tried to overturn were certified.

But now theyre back, pardoned by President Donald Trump, released from prison and planning to parade triumphantly today through the streets of Washington, D.C.

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Among the people convicted and later pardoned by Trump, at least 33 have been arrested and charged with new crimes, according to the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Their alleged continuing criminal behaviors include rape, illegal possession of weapons, firing on police officers, and, in the case of Chrisopher Moynihan, threatening to murder House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Some of the most violent offenders are back behind bars. But the most powerful proponents of the Big Lie, including Trump himself, the enablers who staff his administration and the Wisconsin Republicans who hatched the fake electors scheme to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election, continue to work to undermine our democracy.

We must continue to defeat election deniers and the threats they pose, the Wisconsin-based progressive firm Law Forward declares on its website, in a section devoted to a timeline of the fake electors scheme. Law Forward brought the first class-action lawsuit against the fake electors, and forced the release of documents, text messages and other evidence showing how the plot unfolded, starting in Wisconsin. They present the timeline as a call to action for every American to see how close our democracy came to toppling and how the freedom to vote must continue to be protected, not taken for granted.

For a few years it seemed as though we had dispelled the nightmare of Jan. 6. But the lawless, emboldened second Trump administration has dragged us back to that scary, dangerous time.

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The brave work of people like Jeff Mandell, founder of Law Forward, and the other lawyers, judges and investigators who continue to struggle against the agents of authoritarianism trying to destroy American democracy is still making a difference.

Last month, Dane County Judge John Hyland found probable cause to continue the trial of Wisconsin attorney James Troupis and Trump campaign aide Mike Roman, charged with felony forgery by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul in connection with the fake electors scheme. Hyland rejected Troupis desperate effort to scuttle the case by claiming another judge had a personal bias against him.

Wisconsin attorney Ken Cheseboro, the originator of the fake electors plot, is also facing felony charges.

As Trump and his gang openly defy the U.S. Constitution, pursue baseless, vindictive prosecutions of their political enemies, launch military actions without the consent of Congress, threaten to seize other countries and use their positions to enrich themselves while destroying the public welfare, it feels as through that dark moment on Jan. 6 when American democracy was under physical attack was just the beginning.

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But as Mandell told me last year, a few months after Trump took office, I think building a stronger, more resilient democracy in Wisconsin is its own form of resistance.

When things feel most shocking and unstable at the federal level, at the state and local level, Mandell said, we can show our institutions still work and provide some reassurance.

We need that reassurance today more than ever.

We are slow to realize that democracy is a life and involves continual struggle, said Robert M. La Follette, the great governor and senator from Wisconsin and founder of the Progressive movement. Im grateful for the Wisconsinites today who, like La Follette, are committed to that life and willing to continue the struggle.

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A woman was found beaten to death inside a Summit County hotel room earlier this month, according to our CBS affiliate WOIO-19.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The victim has since been identified as Shawnna Elizabeth Pasquale, 24, of Erie, Pennsylvania.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Pasquale was found dead inside a hotel on Rothrock Road on Jan. 1, according to the Copley Police Department.

The Summit County Medical Examiners Office determined she died from physical assault.

Pasquales death has been ruled a homicide, according to WOIO-19.

Authorities dont believe this attack was random; however, additional details werent immediately available.

Those with information are asked to contact Detective Jerry Perona at (330) 670-2708 or Lieutenant Mike Yovanno at (330) 670-2723.

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A 72-year-old Michigan Van Buren County woman thought she won $5.5 million, but it was a scam  and the woman eventually lost more than $200,000, the Michigan State Police (MSP) said on Jan. 6.

Police said the woman, whose identity was not provided, was contacted by phone and told she had won a $5.5 million Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. The caller claimed she needed to pay taxes up front to receive the winnings, and convinced her to mail more than $200,000 to multiple addresses.

Donald Johnson Jr., 56, of Morris County, New Jersey, was arrested by Paw Paw MSP troopers in New Jersey on Dec. 22, 2025, in connection with the scheme, extradited to Michigan and was arraigned on Dec. 23 in Van Buren County on charges of false pretenses greater than $50,000 but less than $100,000. He was lodged in the Van Buren County Jail, the MSP said.

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He was being held at the Van Burn County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

MSP said the arrest took place after a months-long fraud investigation that found more than $90,000 was sent to the suspect in New Jersey.

"As a reminder, legitimate sweepstakes do not require payment to claim winnings. Calls requesting money for prizes or taxes are likely scams. Please remain vigilant against scams," MSP Fifth District said on X on Jan. 6.

"If you believe you've been targeted or victimized, contact your nearest police department to report it," MSP said.

A preliminary exam is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Jan 7, 2026, according to online court records.

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Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Jersey man charged in sweepstakes scam. What police are saying
A supporter of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro holds a portrait of him and another of late Venezuela's leader (1999-2013) Hugo Chavez in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Maduro. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP via Getty Images) Credit - AFP via Getty ImagesAFP or licensors

Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted. In the past year alone, we witnessed pitiless fighting in Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti, the Sahel, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. India and Pakistan came close to the brink of a war. Border clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia and Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Fears of violent conflictscontinuing and eruptingacross the globe havent ebbed as the year begins. And on Sunday, President Donald Trump resorted to military force to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power.

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Consistent and energetic efforts at peacemaking and mediation are urgently required but the primary peacemakers and mediators of the post-World War II orderthe United States, the United Nations, and various European states and bodieshave either lost the political will, the normative drive, or the capacity to lead and support the necessary work of ending or reducing global conflicts.

In the past two decades, the United States and Europe have stepped back from peacemaking and mediation, and the United Nations, while still irreplaceable, isnt as effective as it used to be. The logic of power politics or great power rivalry is further diminishing the appetite of major powers for peacemaking. Geopolitics abhors vacuum and the old addresses of peacemaking and mediation are being replaced by new ones in the Global South: Doha, Ankara, Riyadh, and Muscat, to name a few.

The new mediators

Qatar, which won its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, wove in mediation and peaceful resolution of international disputes into its 2004 constitution and emphasized it as a pillar of its foreign policy. Since then, Qatar has come to play the most prominent role in mediating between warring countries and factions within countries, willing itself into a mediation powerhouse spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Doha has mediated in the peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban to help end the war in Afghanistan; between the Colombian government and the Gaitanista Self-Defence Force, the powerful organized crime group; between Israel and Hamas; and between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Qatar has also helped broker a deal to resume diplomatic ties between Kenya and Somalia, helped the U.S. and Venezuela in a prisoner swap, and mediated between Ukraine and Russia to reunite children separated from their families during the war.

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In the past some years, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have also been bolstering their mediation efforts and seeking more prominent roles in helping reduce conflicts. Turkey hosted several rounds of peace talks between Russians and Ukrainians, and achieved significant diplomatic success by brokering, along with the United Nations, the Black Sea grain deal in August 2022. Ankara also coordinated the Aug. 2024 prisoner swap between Russia, the United States, and several European countries, which involved the exchange of 26 prisoners, including Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal correspondent held in Russia.

TOPSHOT - Qatar's chief negotiator Mohammed al-Khulaifi (C) stands between peace mediator Sumbu Sita Mambu, a representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo (seated-L) and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 executive secretary Benjamin Mbonimp (R) as they sign a ceasefire deal in Doha on July 19, 2025 to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich east. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty ImagesAFP or licensors

Saudi Arabia has sought to help end Sudans brutal civil war, mediating through several rounds of peace talks it hosted in Jeddah between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Riyadh also hosted high-level U.S.Russia talks to end the Ukraine War, and actively mediated to prevent the conflict between India and Pakistan from escalating in May 2025. Oman played an instrumental role in the back-channel negotiations between Iran, the United States, and Europe that led to the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.

The fall of multilateralism

With the end of the Cold War in 1991 and the dawn of a unipolar era, peacemaking and mediation had regained prominence and support, which led to the Dayton Accords ending the war in Bosnia, the Good Friday Agreement bringing peace to Northern Ireland, Timor-Leste transitioning to independence from Indonesia, the conclusion of war in Sierra Leone, South Sudans attainment of independence, and the end of Nepals long insurgency.

The U.S. and Europe significantly retreated from mediation and peacemaking because of a combination of factors: a decline of confidence in liberal interventionism such as in Libya; return of great power competition with the rise of China; the rise of nativist populism in Europe and the U.S.; the normative revisionism and growing indifference to international law in the West; European focus on rearmament; and increased disagreements between the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

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The United Nations still plays an important role as a neutral third party or referee in resolving thorny international disputes but its role in peace-making and mediation has diminished significantly. The decline of multilateralism and the reduced importance of multilateral institutions is starkly evident compared to their historic interventions.

For instance, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the worlds largest security body with 57 member states, has played a highly modest role in efforts to end the war in Ukraine and ease tensions between Russia and Europe. This is striking given the organisation's origins: it emerged from the Helsinki diplomacy of the 1970s, which produced the Final Act of 1975a landmark Cold War agreement that sought to reduce East-West friction and promote cooperation between rival blocs.

A new atlas of war and peace

Contemporary wars and conflicts are too complex to be mediated by a single actor. Mediation in recent conflicts, even by a group of actors, has offered mixed results. In the Ukraine war, Turkey, the United Nations, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have all played diplomatic roles of varying significance.

Qatar led efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, with crucial support from Turkey and Egypt. Yet it was President Donald Trump who ultimately compelled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire deala reminder that American power can still serve as a decisive force multiplier in pushing negotiations over the line. Similarly, it was Turkey and Qatar's joint effort that prevented the recent border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan from spiraling out of control.

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But mediators often can pay a steep price for their efforts. Qatar, for instance, has ensured sustained criticism from certain media organizations for its mediating role and for hosting the political offices of Hamas and the Taliban in Dohadespite having done so at Americas request. The Sept. 9 Israeli strike on Doha demonstrated that the cost can exceed reputational damage and escalate into a direct violation of a mediators security and sovereignty.

Such risks demand international discussion about protecting mediators and peacemakers and preventing similar assaults in the future. The increasing perils faced by mediators, coupled with the complexity of contemporary conflicts, demand that states and multilateral institutions must pool their experience, capacity and resources more effectively.

Multi-party mediation is the future. Making it work demands greater cooperation between the countries of the Global South, Europe and North America, as illustrated by the joint effort of Qatar, Norway, Spain and Switzerland to facilitate talks between Colombia and the Gaitanistas. Todays mediators draw on diverse experiences, employ varied methods and tools, master local contexts and tap in different networks. No single model can be replicated in different conflicts.

Similarly, greater cooperation between multilateral institutions and individual countries is sorely needed. With the global order in flux and the great powers pursuing geopolitical and normative revisionism, there has been much discussion about the role small and middle powers can play in upholding international law and multilateralism. What can such countries contribute by way of global public goods?

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Peace and stability are among the ultimate global public goods. And mediation offers more. Consider the Black Sea Grain deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations between Russia and Ukraine. Roughly 30% of the worlds grain exports pass through the Black Sea. By ensuring the undisrupted passage of that grain, the agreement had profound ramifications for global food security.

The world needs more referees and geopolitical firefighters to put out the fires of wars and conflicts. Small and middle powers, particularly those from the Global South, are stepping into this breach and providing an essential public good that great powers, bound by their own rivalries, increasingly cannot.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A Washington State Patrol trooper was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being hit by another driver from behind.

The crash happened on SR 512 at Canyon Road in Puyallup around 7 p.m. Monday.

WSP says the trooper was inside their vehicle in traffic when they were hit.

It appears the impact bumped the troopers vehicle into other cars in front of it.

According to WSP, it appears the driver was following too closely. Four vehicles in total were involved.

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This is the second crash involving a trooper on SR 512 at Canyon Road in the span of two weeks. A trooper was hit on Dec. 21 along that same stretch of road while helping another driver. They, too, had non-life-threatening injuries.

Just the day before, on Dec. 20, 29-year-old Trooper Tara Guting was hit and killed near the Port of Tacoma in Pierce County while responding to a crash along SR 509.
The Wyoming Supreme Court has struck down two laws prohibiting abortion, including the state's ban on abortion medication.

The court ruled 4-1 Tuesday that the laws are unconstitutional, as they violate a 2012 state amendment that solidified the right for residents make their own health care decisions. The state legislature passed the laws in spite of the amendment after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on the basis that abortion somehow does not constitute health care.

"The State did not present enough evidence to show the restrictions (and exceptions) on performing abortions and the ban on medications (and exceptions) are no more restrictive than necessary to serve the States interest in protecting prenatal life," Chief Justice Lynne Boomgaarden wrote in the majority opinion. "Therefore, the majority held that those laws are unconstitutional."

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Wyoming's general abortion ban prohibited abortion at any stage with limited exceptions for incest, sexual assault, or cases when the pregnant person's life is in danger, threatening penalties of up to five years in prison and a $20,000 fine. A separate 2023 law specifically targeted abortion medication, making it a felony to prescribe, sell, or use "any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion."

Related: Wyoming's abortion ban has been overturned, including its ban on abortion medication

Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens struck both laws down in November 2024, marking the third instance she ruled against them since the legal battle began in 2022. Owens determined that the laws violated women's rights by harming their health, well-being and livelihoods, while also violating the constitutional amendment.

While the state attempted to argue that abortion is not health care, the Wyoming Supreme Court disagreed. Boomgaarden wrote that because the decision to end a pregnancy includes considering one's "physical and mental health, finances, educational and career plans, personal relationships with her existing children and/or partner, and religious beliefs," it is impossible to separate the two.

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"A pregnant womans decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy is influenced by many considerations, all of them personal to the pregnant woman and her individual circumstances," Boomgaarden wrote, adding, "Although a womans decision to have an abortion ends the fetal life, the decision is, nevertheless, one she makes concerning her own healthcare."

Florida and Texas filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration in December over its approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, joining two other lawsuits filed by Missouri and Louisiana last year. The suits challenge not only the FDA's approval of the medication but also its policies allowing it to be delivered via mail.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 unanimously rejected a similar lawsuit brought by doctors and anti-abortion groups but left the door open for future cases. Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion that "citizens and doctors do not have standing to sue simply because others are allowed to engage in certain activities  at least without the plaintiffs demonstrating how they would be injured by the governments alleged under-regulation of others. A lawsuit from states will likely have stronger standing.

Related: Florida and Texas launch 'legal attack' in push to restrict abortion medication nationally

Mifepristone is used in two-thirds (63 percent) of U.S. abortions, according to a 2024 study from the Guttmacher Institute. A separate report from the Society of Family Planning found that as of June 2025, more than one-fourth (27 percent) of abortions in the U.S. were provided through telemedicine using mifepristone.

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Wyoming's law was the first in the nation to explicitly ban abortion medication. Chelsea's Fund, a nonprofit that helps pay for abortion and contraceptive services for people in Wyoming, celebrated the ruling as a "landmark victory for reproductive freedom."

"Today's ruling affirms what we have always known: that abortion is essential healthcare, and Wyoming women have the constitutional right and the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference," the group said in a statement. "This decision supports our vision to realize a time when abortion is safe, legal, accessible and recognized as healthcare for the people of Wyoming."

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Wyoming Supreme Court strikes down abortion medication ban

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Major powers should take the lead in respecting the development path of other nations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday, in a veiled swipe at the United States for raiding Venezuela and capturing its president, Nicolas Maduro.

The remarks from Xi, which build on Beijing's earlier criticism of US strikes on Venezuela, came during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Beijing.

"The world today is undergoing changes and turbulence not seen in a century, with unilateral acts of hegemony severely undermining the international order," Xi said, according to a statement from China's foreign ministry.

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"All countries should respect the development paths independently chosen by the peoples of other nations, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and major powers, in particular, should take the lead in doing so."

Chinese President Xi Jinping with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua alt=Chinese President Xi Jinping with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua>

Describing both China and Ireland as supporters of multilateralism, Xi urged greater coordination and cooperation in global affairs, calling to "jointly uphold the authority of the United Nations, and promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction".

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China, the top buyer of Venezuelan oil, has repeatedly said that Venezuela reserves the right to pursue economic cooperation with other countries without external pressure.

In a congratulatory message to mark Maduro's birthday in November, Xi described China and Venezuela as "intimate friends, dear brothers and good partners". He also vowed to keep supporting Caracas in "safeguarding its sovereignty and national security, the dignity of the nation, and social stability".

Xi's comments on Monday were the latest in a string of strong statements by Beijing criticising US military actions in Venezuela.

Beijing's foreign ministry denounced the US attack shortly after the raid, saying: "China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the United States' brazen use of force against a sovereign state and its actions directed at its president."

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"[The] hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region," it added.

On Sunday, the ministry expressed grave concern over the US forcibly seizing Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country, and called for their immediate release.

Monday's meeting with Xi was part of Martin's five-day visit to China - the first by an Irish leader in 14 years.

In a social media post, Martin said he and Xi shared a strong commitment to enhancing the Ireland-China relationship and described their meeting as "warm and constructive."

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According to the Chinese foreign ministry statement, Martin said Ireland was committed to strengthening ties with China, citing expanding trade and people-to-people exchanges and reaffirming Dublin's adherence to the one-China policy.

He said Ireland was keen to deepen cooperation with China, including in trade, investment, technology, biomedicine, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and education.

Martin also stressed the importance of resolving international disputes in accordance with international law and maintaining free and open trade.

He added that maintaining stable China-European Union relations was crucial and that Ireland stood ready to play a constructive role in fostering them.

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Ahead of his visit, Martin said his discussions would cover the overall Ireland-China relationship as well as pressing global challenges, including peace, security and trade.

He highlighted the importance of a strong EU-China relationship, and the need for effective multilateral institutions as Dublin prepares to take up the rotating EU Council presidency in July.

China is Ireland's largest trading partner in Asia and fifth-largest globally. Bilateral trade in goods and services reached 36 billion (US$42 billion) in 2023, with Irish exports to China driven by medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer services, agricultural products and a growing financial services sector.

Martin, who was invited to China by Premier Li Qiang, will also travel to Shanghai.

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His visit will include talks with officials and business leaders from both countries on investment, trade, tourism and the food and beverage sector, highlighting opportunities for exporters and investors.

In late December, China imposed provisional anti-subsidy tariffs of up to 42.7 per cent on certain European dairy products, including cheese and cream, sparking concerns over the potential fallout for Irish farmers.

Ireland's dairy exports to China have been gradually declining since a 689.5 million peak in 2017, with 2024 exports recorded at 382 million and 2025 preliminary data showing a continued slide, according to the Irish Farmers' Association, the country's largest farming representative body.

Infant formula remains the mainstay of Ireland's dairy exports to China, accounting for 55 per cent of shipments last year.

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The Guardian, citing Irish government data, reported in 2024 that Ireland was the EU's largest single dairy exporter to China, with sales of 423 million in 2023.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2026 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2026. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The New York National Guard said its soldiers and airmen provided military funeral honors at 6,166 graveside services in 2025.

According to a news release from the guard, the 69 soldiers who serve in the New York Army National Guard Honor Guard conducted 5,051 military funerals during the year.

The 61 airmen who serve on six base honor guards conducted services 1,565 times during the year.

Since 2000, federal law has mandated that the military provide funeral honors for any former military member who was not dishonorably discharged. "The New York Army and Air National Guard, as community-based military forces, conduct many of these funerals," the release stated.

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Federal Public Law 106-65 requires that at least two service members attend a funeral, ensure that taps is played  usually with an "electronic bugle" and that a flag is provided to the family of the former service member.

Retired military members and those who die on active duty are eligible for more elaborate services, which can involve up to nine honor guard members and include a rifle salute.

In 2024, the New York Army and Air Guard conducted 8,783 military funeral services.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Justin Kehati, a member of the Honor Guard since 2022 based at the Harlem Armory office, said he has noticed the decline in the number of funerals over time.

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His team used to do as many as four funerals a day; now it averages around two, Kehati said.

"It's sad to say, but almost all of our World War II vets have already passed on, and the Korean War vets too," Kehati said. "Overall, it seems the trend for military funerals is that they are slowing."

In 2000, when the military funeral law went into effect, there were 1.3 million veterans in New York, and 349,819 of them were World War II veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The New York Army National Guard runs a centralized program with 24 full- time Honor Guard members and 44 part-time members based in six locations across the state, according to 2nd Lt. Jillian Jindrick, the honor guard officer-in-charge. The program's budget in fiscal year 2025 was $2.5 million.

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Each soldier goes through 40 hours of training in the precise movements-folding and presenting the flag, "playing" the bugle, and receiving the casket involved in a military funeral, according to the release. The soldiers also go through regular refresher training, Jindrick said.

"Being there for the families and letting them know that their loved one is really cherished by the country, and if that helps ease their grief, that is worth it and then some," Kehati said.

Families request Army military funeral honors through their funeral home director, who contacts the New York team to schedule the services.

The New York Air National Guard operates honor guard programs at three of its four airbases in Syracuse, Scotia, and Westhampton Beach.

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Air National Guard honor guard members go through the same type of training that the Army provides for its honor guard teams, according to Master Sgt. Terra Martin, the non-commissioned-officer-in charge of the 109th Airlift Wing honor guard.

The Air Force also offers mobile training teams to teach Airmen the skills needed.
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The National Economy Ministry on Monday said conditions would ease for an interest-free lending scheme for SMEs from January 12.

Eligibility for the working capital credit will be extended to all SMEs with headcounts under 50 in disadvantaged reasons, not just ones in the manufacturing sector. The maximum loan amount will be raised from HUF 20m to HUF 50m.



Since the launch of the HUF 70bn scheme, on July 15, close to 1,000 businesses have applied for HUF 17.6bn of credit.



The SME Technology Plus Lending Programme is supported by European Union funding.



MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only



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Suzuki retained its leading position on Hungary's passenger car market in 2025, Magyar Suzuki said.

Datahouse statistics show over 14,200 new Suzuki passenger cars were registered in Hungary in 2025, giving the brand 11.04pc market share.



Suzuki took the top spot for the 22nd time since it started production of cars in Esztergom (N Hungary).



Two models produced at the plant, the S-CROSS and the Vitara, were top-selling models in 2025. S-CROSS sales reached 6,500, making it the best-selling car in Hungary, and Vitara sales came to 5,590, putting it in third place.



Sales of the Suzuki Swift, also made in Esztergom, came to 1,967.



Meanwhile, small fire extinguished at BMW Group Plant Debrecen



A small fire broke out at German car maker BMW's base in Debrecen early Monday and was extinguished in minutes, BMW Group Plant Debrecen told MTI.



The plant's own firefighters responded immediately and put out the fire in minutes, BMW Group Plant Debrecen said. No further intervention was required, it added.



Nobody was injured and production is continuing without interruption, the plant said.



MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com



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Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary



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City LifeIn winter, Zhaoqings Xinghu Lake shimmers like an emerald set within the city. Red-crowned cranes skim the waters surface, while streams of visitors stroll along the lakeside greenway, forming a vivid tableau of harmonious coexistence between people and nature. It is hard to imagine that 70 years ago, this area was a low-lying wetland plagued by frequent flooding and drought. Through seven decades of sustained efforts, the once wild and waterlogged marsh lake have been transformed into an urban gem that serves as an ecological shield, a cultural and tourism destination and a shared space for public well-being.#citylife

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Iran Protests 2026: Donald Trump, President of the U.S., on Tuesday, in a post on the Truth Social platform, asked the Iranian patriots to continue their protests and also added that help is on its way. Earlier, Trump had stated that the US was ready to help the Iranians.
Generation Z protesters, fed up with corruption and lack of jobs, took to the streets demanding change. What began as protests against the social media ban quickly exploded into something much bigger  a nationwide revolt against corruption, unemployment, and what young Nepalis call "nepo kids"  the children of politicians living luxurious lives while ordinary youth struggle.
Ambala Police arrested a man for alleged espionage charges and spying for Pakistan on Monday. The arrest suspected alleged 'Honey-Trap' links.
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Physician executive Christina Johns discusses her article Modernizing health care with AI and workflow. Christina explains how clinicians in the U.S. are facing unprecedented burnout due to administrative burdens that detract from patient care. She explores how artificial intelligence can serve as a supportive tool rather than a replacement by streamlining documentation and coding tasks to allow for more meaningful doctor-patient interactions. The conversation highlights the importance of moving away from fragmented point solutions toward a comprehensive care enablement platform that modernizes operations and restores the human connection in medicine. Join us to discover how technology can ethically revitalize the medical profession.

This episode is presented by Scholar Advising, a fee-only financial advising firm specializing in providing advice for DIY investors. If you want clear, actionable strategies and confidence that your financial decisions are built on objective advice without AUM fees or commissions, Scholar is designed for you. Physicians often navigate complex compensation structures, including W-2 income, 1099 work, production bonuses, and practice ownership. Scholars highly credentialed advisors guide high-earners through decisions like optimizing investments for long-term tax efficiency and expert strategies for financial independence. Every recommendation is tailored to the financial realities physicians face.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi. Welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today, we welcome Christina Johns. She is a physician executive. Todays KevinMD article is Modernizing health care with AI and workflow. Christina, welcome to the show.

Christina Johns: Thank you so much for having me. I am really delighted to be here.

Kevin Pho: All right. Before we get into your article, just briefly share your story.

Christina Johns: Sure. I am a pediatric emergency physician by training. So I did pediatrics then a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine. I thought I was going to be in academic medicine forever and did the tertiary childrens hospital emergency department thing. And then, kind of by fluke, I joined a startup. That was really where I got the bug to lean into innovation and some strategy and communications work. That led me to where I am presently, working for a company that is called IKS Health, where our mission really is to make the clinical experience more about patient care and less about administrative activitymore getting back to core versus chore, as we say.

Kevin Pho: As you know, we live in a very exciting time. Various AI-related tools are emerging. It is a little bit of the Wild West with a lot of health care startups trying to best utilize AI and incorporate it into physician workflow. I see that all the time on this podcast and in my work as a primary care physician. So tell us about your KevinMD article and your vision of integrating AI in our workflows.

Christina Johns: Clearly, AI is not going away. I think the key piece is to be very mindful about it. What I really like about what I am doing now is the real acknowledgement that AI needs to be monitored, kept in check, and always working alongside what we call human in the loop. So making sure that there really are a ton of those checks and balances.

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But the biggest piece that is importantand as doctors, I dont think we are really very good at understanding the real nitty-gritty and looking under the hood of some of these AI solutions and other vendors, for example, that we use in the workplace (whether its our EHR, other dictation, or the backend in billing for some of us). What I really like to see are what we call connected workflows where AI can really work across the continuum of the patient visit. That way, it saves time and is oftentimes a good safety check and balance. There are a lot of good use cases for it. So I am a believer.

Kevin Pho: When you say physicians dont look under the hood, what are physicians missing when it comes to a lot of these AI-related tools?

Christina Johns: I think that people dont really understand kind of what they are really getting. Number one, I think physicians dont understand the full value. Oftentimes, whether you are part of a hospital or a big group practice, you just sort of get handed: Hey, I guess we are going to use this vendor, this EHR, or we are changing billing. Most physicians I think dont really understand what goes into that decision-making. What is the ROI? What is the real value add? We are doctors, right? We care for patients, and that is what we do. Sometimes the rest of the patient experience and the business experience really doesnt happen for us. I think it is important that we all do that.

Kevin Pho: So tell us exactly which tools we are talking about. Of course, there is a whole genre of AI scribes, and now we have AI trying to be incorporated into the workflow. So tell us the specific tools that you are referring to in this specific article.

Christina Johns: There is certainly the scribing piece, right? That is the most obvious one, and that is the one that doctors use. But there are other types of AI tools that can be used, for example, for automated prescription refill. KevinMD is on a statin; he has been on a statin forever and a day, and he needs a prescription refill. You can use AI to sort of determine: Has there been a lipid profile for Kevin in the most requisite amount of time before the next appointment? Get that lab started. AI can be trained to do all of that kind of stuff with specific workflows very automatically so that it can save time and make the patient experience better too.

Kevin Pho: When you said that sometimes physicians dont know what goes on behind the hood or under the hood and they are just given a tool, are there specific differences between the vendors or are there specific questions that physicians will ask before using a particular AI tool?

Christina Johns: I love that question because I think that really gets to the heart of it. When you are in practice and find out that some new solution is coming your way, I think first of all it is important to understand: What exactly does it do? What is the expected ROI? Is this saving me time? Is this saving me money? Is it both? What does the patients journey look like? What does this mean for the rest of my coworkers and my staff?

I think the other pieceand this is the part that really gets meis: How does it connect to other parts of my workflow? We have got a point solution vendor for our scribing, a different vendor doing scheduling, and a different one yet again for all of our billing and rev cycle. I think that those types of things are important to understand: How does it work together, and is there a place where that can be all connected?

Kevin Pho: In your article, you wrote that 77 percent of physicians are dedicating significant time to non-reimbursable tasks. So tell us about how AI can alleviate some of those tasks for physicians. We briefly talked about things like AI scribing and prescription refills. So speaking today (this episode will go out in early January 2026), what are some of the common ways AI can reduce some of those non-reimbursable works?

Christina Johns: The system can be taught on the business side, certainly for insights into patient scheduling so that you dont have gaps there. I am really thinking about this not just as physicians, but the whole clinical team, because I think it is important to acknowledge that that is how the operation hums: when everything works together. So it is thinking about schedule optimization, things like that. You can use AI for your staff for calling for reminders, for example. You can use it as I talked about for prescription refills and for abstracting data from the medical record so that you are not fishing around asking: Where on earth was that CT report from eight months ago? things like that. I think that we are really headed into a brand new space where there is not only clinical efficiency but business efficiency as well.

Kevin Pho: Your hope, certainly with these AI tools decreasing the amount of non-reimbursable work, is that that can help physicians practice at the top of their license, right?

Christina Johns: That is really the thing, right? We want to get back to doctors being doctors and doing what we do best: spending more time with our patients, not rushing in with your laptop and not looking at the patient, tapping away at the keyboard just so that you can get through your charting with maybe only an hour left of extra charting at the end of the day, for example.

Kevin Pho: So there have been studies, as you know recently with these AI scribes, showing that the time saved per visit is actually quite nominal, but the major benefit is with decreased cognitive burden and decreased burnout. Is there clear data from your end showing that with AI scribes, for instance, they really decrease a significant amount of charting time?

Christina Johns: They certainly can. This is a really hard one to answer I think on an individual level basis, on an individual clinician, because I think there is some work upfront. Most of these types of machine learning learn as they go. So the more that you use them, the better they are. I think it can be a tricky answer, and I get why the data is a little bit all over the place right now. That is why I think doing some of the front-end work as you evaluate the potential use of some of these toolsto make sure that it will fit right for your workflow and your practice, not just for you but for the rest of your teamis crucial.

Kevin Pho: Lets talk more from an organizational standpoint. You mentioned that only 13 percent of health care leaders have a clear strategy for integrating AI. So that leads me to think that a lot of them are using it kind of in a piecemeal or a haphazard fashion. Tell us more about the stories behind that statistic. What are you seeing in terms of how organizations are implementing AI, and do they have a comprehensive AI strategy at all?

Christina Johns: I think that is the new frontier, right? That is where I think that organizations are really going to see more of that. I think getting with the programhaving a chief AI officer, for example, who can really help have a coordinated, integrated strategy in larger health systemsis key. But I think that is a big issue because you have got the backend office people thinking: Hey, here is a great tool here, and you might have the front-end scheduling folks, and it is all different and not connected. When it is not connected, it cant work together to really maximize the potential impact.

Kevin Pho: You mentioned you are a pediatric emergency physician and now you are in a health AI startup. Talk to me about the voice of clinicians when it comes to developing these tools. Tell me how important your clinical experience is when it comes to introducing new tools. And in general, do these AI startups value the input of practicing clinicians?

Christina Johns: You know, this was one of the key points that drew me to this organization: It was just such a priority to have a team of clinicians who really could speak out and not just say: Oh, hey, this is a great idea, but comment on that idea regarding what practice really looks like, so this is what will work and this is what doesnt work. The notion of being data-driven and testing a solution was a really big piece.

I do think that, look, we doctors can be a tough tribe when it comes to having new products and solutions introduced to us. So I think that any company that is worth its salt will absolutely have clinicians oncertainly consulting, if not part of the teamas they construct their offering. That was very important to me when I made my job change.

Kevin Pho: In pretty much every field, people are worrying about AI taking other peoples jobs and really impacting the human workforce. As it relates to health care specifically, how do you see the infiltration of AI affecting the human health care workforce?

Christina Johns: Look, I am a real believer that AI is never going to replace humans. That just doesnt work, right? And it doesnt work in the concept of health care because of the second syllable of that word: care. I think that there is always going to need to be the human connection, and I will fight like heck to make sure that that is something that always sticks around. It has got to be something that enhances your job. It doesnt replace it, and it isnt just physicians. It is I think every staff member along the journey. I think that is important. It should enhance what we do. It should make us better. But it needs to make us better as we care for our patients, not as any machine learning does.

Kevin Pho: So what do you see in the immediate future, the rest of 2026? What are some of your crystal ball predictions as it relates to AI and the physician workflow? What is coming down the pipeline?

Christina Johns: As with a lot of new technology, there is this kind of honeymoon phase and then there is a little bit of a disillusionment phase. The question is: Are we in that disillusionment phase where there will be a lot more critical appraisal of these tools as more of them are coming out into the market? Will there be more end-to-end comparison of them? I think there will certainly be much more solid, robust, data-driven literature about themabout their capabilities, about their shortfalls, and how they can be improved. I will love to see that refinement of the tools that are doing well, that are consistently showing up and working for physicians.

I think also there is going to be more of a comfort level that we have as a profession where we are getting used to that in our workflow. Then when I think we are more used to it, we have a stronger voice to be able to really call out what is working and what isnt so that we can refine this, make it work for us, and mostly make it work for our patients.

Kevin Pho: We are talking to Christina Johns. She is a physician executive. Todays KevinMD article is Modernizing health care with AI and workflow. Christina, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Christina Johns: Fantastic. Thanks so much for having me. First of all, what I would say is again: Understand what you are getting. Dont be afraid, but understand what you are getting. That means ask the questions: Let me see a demo. How does this work? What is really the value? And then: What are the gaps in my own current workflow that need to be addressed? I think so many times people think: Oh gosh, this is new and flashy. I must have it. But make sure you understand what your pain points are before you jump in.

Kevin Pho: Christina, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Christina Johns: Thank you.
The use of MRI body scanning as a preventative tool was highlighted by the presidents recent rope-a-dope with the media. Community practice whole-body MRI businesses now exist, local entrepreneurs directly marketing these services to the public. These scans are not reimbursable by traditional health payers.

The attraction of MRI is its lack of ionizing radiation, as well as its proven sensitivity to a variety of pathologies. Example: Detection of breast cancer in women is more sensitive with MRI than any other tool. Likewise, most brain pathologies. MRI screening for brain aneurysms is reimbursable if sufficient family or genetic predisposition exists. Few other accepted preventative MRI screening exams are reimbursed. The presidents screening was apparently aimed at his heart; detection of ischemic heart muscle by MRI is well documented. Why his liver was a target remains a bemusing speculation.

Almost 25 years ago, whole-body CT scanning became a popular fad, even featured in The Wall Street Journal and by Oprah Winfrey, with numerous imaging centers offering the scans to cash-paying clients, including ours. Its popularity alarmed regulators because numerous false positives were found leading to an escalation of health care expenses for follow-up management of such things as lung nodules (not truly a false finding, just not necessarily significant). This intersected with political targeting of runaway health care expenses leading up to Obamacare legislation. The threat of death from cancer induction by CT was used as a hammer, the FDA got involved, and professional condemnation put a damper on the practice, claiming thousands of unnecessary deaths from CT. Forget the fact that CT scans essentially eradicated routine exploratory laparotomies for appendicitis, commonly done before the CT era, or the countless millions of lives saved by CT scans compared to the theoretical risk of cancer from a single CT scan.

Subcomponents of whole-body CT scanning ultimately proved themselves. Today, coronary calcium screening, lung cancer screening with CT, and even virtual CT colonography are accepted uses; taken together they represent essentially full-body CT screening.

This flashback brings us back to whole-body MRI. Trumps use of the technology raises questions of political privilege and wealth inequality in health care. When Obama underwent virtual CT colonography during his term, similar criticisms arose.

Consumerism in American health care is nothing new; we spend approximately $30 billion a year on complementary and alternative medicine with little evidence base, with no expected third-party reimbursement. The spectrum varies from nutraceuticals, intravenous hydration therapy, to plastic surgery. Yet paying a $20 copay for a conventional health care visit to a primary care physician or a drug prescription is anathema to those who feel health care should be free.

So will whole-body MRI scanning be outmoded, if not condemned, in the same manner that CT was? We already are seeing an uptick of patients referred for conventional evaluation of equivocal or real findings on such scans. After all, what is the definition of a false positive? A breast nodule on mammography is benign in the vast majority of cases, yet subjected to biopsy as a consequence of routine screening. Few decry the associated anxiety and expense of such acceptable practice.

Following the science is difficult in an individual case, as the COVID-19 pandemic taught us. In the end, individual choice may trump authoritative health care recommendations.

Michael Brant-Zawadzki is a radiologist and physician executive.
Assyrians in the Middle East: Land, Identity and the Politics of Erasure

(AINA) -- For 6775 years the Assyrians have been an indigenous population of Mesopotamia, with a continuous presence in what is today northern Iraq and the wider region. Our identity is not solely religious, nor is it a modern construct; it is rooted in a distinct history, language, culture, and collective memory that long predates contemporary political borders. Yet today, the Assyrian people face a sustained and multifaceted process of marginalization that threatens both their physical existence and their historical identity.

Land Confiscation and Demographic Engineering

One of the most pressing issues confronting the Assyrian people is the systematic confiscation and control of their ancestral lands. Agricultural fields, villages, and historical properties, often supported by legal deeds and land records, have been seized or reclassified through administrative pressure, coercion, or faits accomplis imposed by force. These actions are frequently justified under security, development, or public interest pretexts, while in practice resulting in irreversible demographic change.

The loss of land is not merely an economic deprivation; it undermines the foundation of Assyrian communal life and accelerates displacement, making return and sustainability increasingly impossible.

Intimidation, Violence, and the Absence of Accountability

Alongside land confiscation, Assyrian communities have endured intimidation, targeted violence, and, in some cases, killings. These acts, whether carried out directly or enabled through impunity, create an atmosphere of fear that discourages political participation, legal resistance, and public advocacy. The lack of effective investigations and accountability mechanisms deepens mistrust and reinforces the perception that Assyrian lives and rights are treated as expendable.

Political Control and Exclusion

Assyrians are frequently subjected to political control exercised through imposed representatives, restricted local governance, and limited participation in decisions affecting their own regions. This undermines genuine self-representation and contradicts basic principles of democratic governance and minority rights, as recognized under international law and the Iraqi Constitution.

Cultural and Historical Erasure

Equally alarming is the ongoing attempt to dilute or rename Assyrian history. Historical sites, place names, and cultural narratives are altered or rebranded, severing them from their Assyrian origins. This process is not accidental; it systematically removes Assyrian presence from the historical record and reshapes public memory to legitimize new claims over ancient lands.

Reducing a People to a Religion

Perhaps the most damaging aspect of this marginalization is the deliberate labeling of Assyrians exclusively as "Christians." While the Assyrian people are predominantly Christian, Christianity is a faith, not a nationality. Reducing Assyrians to a religious identity denies their status as an indigenous people with a distinct ethnic, linguistic, and historical identity. This framing strips Assyrians of collective political rights and recasts them as a religious minority dependent on protection rather than a people entitled to self-determination, land rights, and cultural preservation.

A Call for Recognition and Protection

The challenges facing the Assyrian people are not isolated incidents but interconnected policies and practices that collectively threaten their survival as an indigenous people. Addressing these issues requires:

Recognition of Assyrians as an indigenous people, not merely a religious community

Protection and restitution of Assyrian lands and properties

Accountability for intimidation, violence, and killings

Respect for Assyrian historical narratives, place names, and cultural heritage

Genuine political representation and participation in local governance

The future of the Assyrian people depends on the acknowledgment that land, identity, and history are inseparable. Denying one inevitably leads to the erosion of the others. Upholding Assyrian rights is not only a matter of justice for one people, it is a test of the commitment to pluralism, rule of law, and human dignity in the region as a whole.
(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)



A direct air route linking Busans Gimhae International Airport with Dubai is increasingly likely to launch as early as the first half of this year, as Emirates Airlines moves ahead with preparations to open a passenger service office in downtown Busan and begins staffing for local operations.

Although the airline has not yet issued a formal announcement, industry and government officials note that several indicators point toward an active route launch effort.

The move follows the creation of new traffic rights last November allowing flights between UAE airports and Koreas regional airports, opening the door for carriers to expand service beyond Incheon.

According to local media, one of the strongest signals comes from staffing plans for the Busan office. Airlines that operate only basic sales activity in a region typically assign one or two employees, but Emirates is reportedly hiring five new staff members for its Busan operation, a scale more in line with route preparation than routine marketing activity.

At present, direct flights to Dubai operate only from Incheon, served by Korean Air and Emirates.

Travelers from Busan, Ulsan, and the wider Gyeongnam region must travel to the capital to board Dubai-bound flights, meaning a GimhaeDubai connection would significantly improve convenience for international travelers in the southeast.

Dubai also serves as one of the worlds key long-haul transfer hubs, connecting to Europe, Africa, and beyond. A new route would allow passengers to depart directly from Busan, transit through Dubai, and continue onward to global destinations, or even spend a short stopover in the city before catching a connecting flight.

Current projections within the aviation sector suggest that Emirates may target a JuneJuly launch window, subject to government authorization, slot allocation, and final agreements with local ground-handling, maintenance, and fueling service partners.

Busan City and the Korea Airports Corporation plan to meet with Emirates within the month to confirm the progress and feasibility of the route.

If finalized, the service would mark a major expansion of Busans international flight network and strengthen its role as a regional aviation gateway.
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22:20 Russia asks US to return its citizens from seized tanker Just In: Russia has demanded that the United States ensure humane and decent treatment of Russian citizens aboard a seized oil tanker in the North Atlantic, according to reports quoting state news agency TASS. The Russian foreign ministry has also sought the crew's swift return... Read more >

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20:37 B'desh to resume direct flights with Pak from Jan 29 Bangladesh's flag carrier will resume direct flights between Dhaka and Pakistan's largest city Karachi from January 29, restoring nonstop air connectivity between the two countries after over a decade, officials said on Wednesday. Initially, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate twice a... Read more >

20:30 B'desh to resume direct flights with Pak from Jan 29 Bangladesh's flag carrier will resume direct flights between Dhaka and Pakistan's largest city Karachi from January 29, restoring nonstop air connectivity between the two countries after over a decade, officials said on Wednesday. Initially, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate twice a... Read more >

20:15 Mob tries to attack AIMIM ex-MP in Maha's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel/File image A group of people on Wednesday allegedly tried to attack a vehicle carrying former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar while he was campaigning for party nominees for the upcoming civic polls, an official said. The incident took place in the Jinsi area in the afternoon, an... Read more >

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19:35 US forces board Venezuela-linked oil tanker Representational image Just In: Media reports said US forces have boarded an oil tanker linked to Venezuela that is sanctioned. The US forces are reported to have tracked the tanker for many days, before carrying out the operation somewhere in the North Atlantic. More details soon. Read more >

19:16 YouTuber from Andhra held for circulation of child sexual abuse content A 39-year-old YouTuber from Andhra Pradesh was arrested for allegedly creating, uploading, and circulating child sexual abuse content through social media platforms, the police said on Wednesday.The accused has been active as a YouTuber since 2018 and operated a YouTube channel ViralHub007, ... Read more >

19:03 Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in J-K's Kathua File image An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in a remote village in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said. The encounter started at Kahog village of Billawar this evening when security forces launched a search operation following information about... Read more >

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18:12 BSE Sensex top losers today Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty drifted lower for the third day in a row on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions and renewed concerns about potential US tariff hikes weighed on investor sentiment. Sustained foreign fund outflows also dragged the markets lower, traders... Read more >

17:50 Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal name their son 'Vihaan', share first pic Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal./ Image courtesy Katrina Kaif/Instagram Bollywood couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have now revealed the name of their newborn son, calling him their ray of light. The two, on Wednesday, took to their Instagram account to share a joint post announcing the good news. They also posted an adorable picture showing... Read more >

17:40 Key Bishnoi aide deported from US; held at Delhi airport Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi (right)/File image A key member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, Aman Bhainswal facing an Interpol Red Notice, was repatriated from the US on Wednesday in an operation coordinated by the CBI, officials said.Wanted by the Haryana police, Bhainswal is facing charges of offences related to murder, rioting and criminal... Read more >

17:36 SC to hear wife's plea challenging Wangchuk's detention tomorrow Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned to January 8 the hearing of a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, the wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, against his detention under the National Security Act. A bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice P B Varale deferred the... Read more >

17:08 Breaking US laws can jeopardise your visa: Embassy Breaking US laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future US visas, the US embassy in India warned in a post on X.Follow the rules and don't jeopardise your... Read more >

16:52 Six-year-old girl murdered after abduction in Bengaluru A six-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and murdered near Whitefield in east Bengaluru, the police said on Wednesday. According to the police, the victim is the daughter of a migrant worker from West Bengal. The girl's father lodged a complaint on January 6, stating that his daughter... Read more >

16:34 GDP to grow by 7.4 pc in 2025-26: Govt estimates The Indian economy is likely to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2025-26, up from 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, mainly on account of better performance of manufacturing and services sectors, as per the government data released on Wednesday. According to the first advance estimates of national... Read more >

16:20 SC grants protection from arrest to singer Neha Singh Rathore The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to folk singer Neha Singh Rathore in a case filed against her over a social media post on the Pahalgam terror attack.The said comments allegedly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the Bharatiya... Read more >

16:01 Bangladesh: Hindu youth drowns while fleeing mob In another incident involving a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, a man identified as Mithun Sarkar died after he was chased by miscreants who claimed he was a suspect of theft. While he was being chased Sarkar was forced to jump into a water body where he drowned and died.In the northern district of... Read more >

15:16 PM Modi, Netanyahu speak on fight against terror Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday discussed ways to further strengthen their strategic partnership.In a post on X, Modi said they also reaffirmed their shared resolve to fight terrorism with greater determination.Glad to speak with my friend,... Read more >

15:15 Dhurandhar becomes biggest Hindi film ever Filmmaker Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar has become the highest-earning Hindi film ever with a nett India collection of over Rs 831 crore, the makers said on Wednesday.With its Day 33 earnings on Tuesday standing at Rs 5.70 crore nett, the Ranveer Singh-starrer's total India nett collection climbed to... Read more >

15:00 HC orders removal of posts linking BJP leader to Ankita Bhandari case The Delhi high court on Wednesday directed the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party to remove within 24 hours social media posts linking Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam to the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case.In an interim order passed on a defamation lawsuit by Gautam, Justice Mini... Read more >

14:43 Anbumani faction of PMK joins NDA Anbumani Ramadoss The Dr Anbumani Ramadoss-led faction of Pattali Makkal Katchi in Tamil Nadu joined the National Democratic Alliance on Wednesday, with the leader calling on All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, months ahead of the assembly polls in the state.AIADMK leads the NDA... Read more >

14:25 Hadi's party rejects chargesheet, warns of stir Slain Bangladeshi student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's party has rejected the police chargesheet in his murder case and accused the state machinery of being involved in the killing.Inquilab Moncho on Tuesday also warned that those who 'have shed blood' may be forced to 'take blood as well' if... Read more >

14:03 Jemimah Rodrigues invests in women's helmet maker Tvarra Pic: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters Women-only helmet maker Tvarra on Wednesday announced the onboarding of Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues as an investor partner.Under the long-term, equity-led partnership, Rodrigues will be actively involved in shaping the brand's long-term vision, advocating responsible riding, and... Read more >

13:44 Body of woman killed in US to be flown to India by Jan 8 Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy on Wednesday said the mortal remains of Nikitha Godishala, who was allegedly killed in the US, are expected to be brought to the country on January 7 or 8. He said all legal and administrative procedures have been completed. In a post on X, Reddy said,... Read more >

13:15 BJP, Cong join hands in Thane civic polls The acrimonious battle between Mahayuti partners BJP and Shiv Sena for control of Ambernath municipal council took a new turn Tuesday as rivals BJP and Congress, in a rare move, joined hands to keep out Shiv Sena in its traditional stronghold falling within MP Shrikant... Read more >

13:06 Nehru hated Lord Somnath, glorified Muslim invaders: BJP The BJP on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on the Congress, alleging that while the Somnath temple was plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni and Alauddin Khilji in the past but in independent India, the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, hated Lord Somnath the most. In a series of... Read more >

12:36 Why Trump wants to take Greenland America's next conquest might become Trumpland.President Donald Trump is looking for new acquisitions for his 21st-century empire-building project after removing the head of Venezuela's hateful regime.During his first term, his designs on Greenland were considered a joke -- just... Read more >

12:22 Ready and willing to serve: Machado reacts to Trump Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Tuesday said she is ready and willing to serve the country, adding that the people of Venezuela have already made their choice. Speaking to CBS News following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Machado said Venezuela's future depends on the... Read more >

12:00 Russia moves to rescue tanker chased by US Navy An empty oil tanker, formerly known as Bella 1, has become the latest point of a face-off between the United States and Russia as the latter sent naval assets including a submarine to bring it back, as per a Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday.As per the WSJ report, Bella 1 has been trying to... Read more >

11:17 I opted out of BPL, wasn't dropped: Indian presenter Cricket presenter Ridhima Pathak issues a statement after the Bangladesh Cricket Board says she was dropped from the Bangladesh Premier League. On her Instagram handle, Ridhima writes: Truth matters.In the last few hours, there's been a narrative suggesting I was dropped from the... Read more >

11:10 B'desh drops Indian presenter from BPL presentation panel The Indian presenter Ridhima has been removed from the presentation panel of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Local media reported on Wednesday, quoting sources in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). She was scheduled to host the Dhaka edition of this year's BPL, but she was dropped from... Read more >

10:55 Riddle Of The Kumbh and Bhutte Ka Shorba When the Maha Kumbh began in 2025 in Allahabad I had no plans to attend it. It looked massively big, full of enormous, thick crowds that would take huge courage to navigate.And although Kumbhs are indeed the most intriguing spectacles of India, unlike the millions who headed there, I had no FOMO,... Read more >

10:50 Palaniswami to meet Shah today AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami is likely to meet Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi today. He is arriving with PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss to discuss the alliance with the NDA. Read more >

10:44 Woman threatens cabbie with molestation charge over fare Representational image A woman in Gurugram literally took a cab driver for a ride when she refused to pay the fare after an hours-long drive and threatened him with police action, authorities said. According to police, cab driver Ziauddin filed a complaint alleging that a female passenger, Jyoti Dalal, booked a... Read more >

10:23 Four of family among six trampled to death by wild elephant in Jharkhand Representational image At least six people, including four members of a family, were trampled to death in two separate attacks by a wild elephant in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, a senior forest official said on Wednesday. The tusker, which had attacked several people in the last few days, entered the... Read more >

10:13 Modi asked me, 'Sir, can I please see you': Trump US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) boasted about India-US defence cooperation, claiming that India's order for 68 Apache attack helicopters was delayed by five years and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally raised concerns over the long delivery period during a meeting with... Read more >

10:09 Kin of Indian woman killed in US want international warrant The family of Nikitha Godishala, an Indian national found dead in the US, has called for the immediate issuance of an international arrest warrant against the primary suspect, who is believed to have fled to India.Godishala's kin are in touch with the US authorities to bring her mortal remains... Read more >

09:15 India concerned at developments in Venezuela: Jaishankar External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday (local time) said India is concerned about the recent developments in Venezuela, marking the first strong public statement after the latest US actions in the South American country. Yes, we are concerned at developments in Venezuela. We would... Read more >

08:40 Maharashtra Congress VP dies after being stabbed Maharashtra Congress vice president Hidayatullah Patel, who was stabbed at a mosque in Akola district, succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Wednesday morning, police said. The alleged attacker has been arrested, they said. Patel (66) was attacked with a sharp weapon by the accused... Read more >

08:22 Cops injured at anti-encroachment drive near Delhi mosque At least five police personnel were injured after an anti-encroachment drive near a mosque in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan area turned violent early Wednesday. The clashes erupted when officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were carrying out a demolition drive on land adjoining the... Read more >

08:08 ICC rejects B'desh request to shift T20 matches from India The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, according to ESPNcricinfo.The report said a virtual call on Tuesday took place between the ICC and BCB, during... Read more >

07:48 No intention to demean Vilasrao: Maha BJP chief Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan on Tuesday issued a clarification regarding his remarks about late former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, following a strong reaction from actor Riteish Deshmukh, the son of the former CM.Chavan, while addressing an election rally in Latur on Monday,... Read more >

07:35 Venezuela declares 7 days of mourning for those killed in US attack Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez has declared seven days of mourning for those killed in the US attack in Caracas.I have made the decision to decree seven days of mourning in honor, honor, and glory to the young men and women who died, who gave their lives defending Venezuela,... Read more >

07:06 Mamdani took oath on an 18th century Quran New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani shares an interesting insight into his swearing-in ceremony last week. Sharing some images on X, he writes, When I swore in at midnight at the old City Hall subway station last week, I had the honor of doing so on Arturo Schomburg's 18th-century Qur'an. This... Read more >

06:49 First FY26 GDP Advance Estimates Today; Growth Seen At 7.4% Or Above A number of economists expect India's economy to expand by 7.4 per cent or more in 2025-26, as the National Statistical Office prepares to publish the first advance estimates of GDP for the ongoing financial year on Wednesday.This will be the final GDP-related data release based on the... Read more >

06:42 Venezuela oil sales money to be controlled by Trump US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the interim authorities in Venezuela would turn between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States and said that while the oil will be sold at its market price, the money will be controlled by Trump to ensure it is used to... Read more >

06:31 President Reagan's son dies Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former US President Ronald Reagan, has died. He was 80.The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute announced the death saying, ... mourns the passing of Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, and a steadfast guardian... Read more >

06:21 Offspring of Sharjeel Imam were born at JNU: Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday strongly condemned sloganeering against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), saying that the offspring of Sharjeel Imam were born at JNU. He asserted that such wicked... Read more >

06:16 Piyush Goyal To Visit Brussels To Push EU Trade Talks Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Brussels during January 8-9 to give a final push to the trade talks between India and the European Union. During the visit, Goyal will hold high-level dialogues with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maro... Read more >

06:02 Automobile retail sales up 7.71% at 2,81,61,228 units on 2025: FADA Retail sales of vehicles across categories in India in 2025 grew by 7.71 per cent at 2,81,61,228 units as compared to 2,61,45,445 in 2024, with GST 2.0 helping overcome a subdued start to the year, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations said on Tuesday. Passenger vehicle (PV) retail... Read more >

05:57 Wipro Leases 145K Sq Ft Office In Mumbai Wipro has leased approximately 145,000 square feet (sq ft) of office space in Navi Mumbai, a part of the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR), for five years.The rent for the premises is pegged at Rs 97.25 lakh (Rs 67 per sq ft per month). The space is located in Mindspace SEZ, Airoli East MIDC... Read more >

05:51 I will get impeached, says Trump US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) addressed his concerns over the 2026 midterm elections at a House Republican caucus retreat in Washington, warning that if the Grand Old Party fails to retain control of the House in November, the Democrats will find a reason to impeach... Read more >

00:39 Modi, German Chancellor Merz to visit Sabarmati Ashram, join Kite Festival German Chancellor Friedrich Merz/Reuters German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with Prime Minister Modi, will visit the iconic Sabarmati Ashram and participate in the International Kite Festival at the riverfront there during his two-day visit to India beginning January 12, sources said on Tuesday. The visit is aimed at... Read more >
Lawmaker Ella Lei has raised several concerns about healthcare demand and staffing pressures as Macau transitions into an ultra-aged society.

In a written inquiry, the lawmaker noted that, according to government projections, Macaus elderly population will account for 21.4% of the total population by 2029, marking an early transition into an ultra-aged society.

She argued that early planning is essential to address future demand for healthcare and rehabilitation services, disease prevention and chronic condition management, healthcare staff pressures, and human resources development strategies.

An ultra-aged (also called super-aged) society is a demographic classification in which over 20% of the population is aged 65 or older, a significant milestone indicating rapid aging, currently observed in nations such as Japan, Germany, and, more recently, South Korea.

Other countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, are projected to join this classification, resulting in significant shifts across healthcare, the economy, and social support.

Expressing similar concerns, Lei called on the government to plan ahead, noting that Macaus healthcare facilities are already struggling with high demand.

Citing official 2024 statistics, she noted that total hospital service utilization increased 1.9% year over year to 2.545 million visits. Outpatient services rose 2.1%, emergency services 0.5%, and inpatient services 4.1%, reflecting continued growth in healthcare demand.

Additionally, she noted that many healthcare professionals report inadequate staffing ratios, overwhelming workloads, and significant stress as they strive to meet quality improvement requirements.

Reasonable staff allocation is vital

In her inquiry, Lei noted that the allocation and training of healthcare personnel are crucial to improving the quality of healthcare services.

Citing 2024 statistics again, she noted that the total number of physicians increased to 2,030 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), while the number of nurses rose to 3,058 (4.4 per 1,000 residents).

According to the authorities, to meet the demands of an ultra-aged society, future staffing levels should rise to 3.5 to 4 physicians and 5.5 to 6 nurses per 1,000 residents.

This translates to an annual increase of 90 to 120 physicians and 150 to 180 nurses, which she said does not align with current recruitment progress, future staffing plans, and training initiatives.

She called on the government to update the status of training and recruitment of new healthcare professionals to provide services at both the Conde de Sao Januario Hospital Center and the Macau Union Hospital, as well as to create conditions to improve services offered by community healthcare and nursing institutions, which she said will assume increasingly vital roles in an ultra-aged society.

She also called on the government to enforce policies aimed at achieving the stated goal of shifting the local healthcare paradigm from treatment to prevention.

The lawmaker further urged the government to accelerate the aforementioned plans to gradually ease pressure on public healthcare and to explore coordinated development between the public and private healthcare sectors.

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In an effort to channel benefits from Macaus visitors into local economies, lawmaker Ngan Iek Hang has called for themed walking routes to steer Macaus tourists toward quiet and often overlooked neighborhoods like ZAPE and the Northern District.

This approach, he argues, would spread economic benefits beyond crowded casino hubs and central areas.

Ngan, who is also vice chairman of the Collective Wisdom Policy Centre think tank, recently praised the governments success in tourism promotion and major events. Yet, he told local media, with visitor numbers surging, bolder steps are needed to redirect foot traffic and spending.

To channel visitor traffic and, by proxy, consumption, Ngan proposed redirecting pedestrian flows from central districts and Cotai into neighborhoods through a point-to-line, line-to-area strategy backed by interdepartmental collaboration.

The point-to-line, line-to-area method is a conceptual framework in tourism planning and spatial analysis, helping planners understand visitor interactions with destinations while guiding sustainable development. It classifies tourism elements by spatial attributes: points are discrete attractions like museums or landmarks that draw visitors; lines are connecting routes such as roads, trails, or scenic corridors that manage flows and enhance journeys; and areas are broader regions integrating points and lines into comprehensive destinations with amenities and identity.

Planners apply this model to analyze travel patterns, develop infrastructure for better accessibility, promote sustainability by easing overcrowding, and craft marketing strategies  from single-site promotions to regional experiences  to balance growth among tourism hotspots.

As cited in a Macao Daily report, Ngan believes the key lies in effectively converting visitor flow from key tourist areas into economic benefits that extend to community consumption using the point-to-line, line-to-area approach.

For example, he states, the Guia Hill Pedestrian Tunnel should be used to connect Avenida de Horta e Costa to ZAPE (Zona de Aterros do Porto Exterior), while the light rail could link Cotai and A-Ma Temple, integrating historical, cultural, and culinary resources along the route to deepen the tourism+ integration and stimulate community consumption.

He also suggests that the government partner with tourism operators, banks, community groups, and merchants for cross-regional discounts, transport-linked deals, and themed products around World Heritage sites, cuisine, and events.

These efforts should promote local employment and achieve sustainable development of the community economy, Ngan said.

Call for data-driven action

Ngans proposals come after a chaotic New Years holiday when mainland crowds overwhelmed Macaus land borders. Zhuhai ports logged a record 830,000 passengers on Jan. 1, while Gongbei Port saw 441,181 crossings the next day  a six-year high.

Despite the record number of entries and exits to Macau, local shop owners in the Northern District have repeatedly indicated to local media that tourist traffic in their respective areas dropped after large-scale IP events, consumption drives, and discounts ended.

They also suggest that weakened resident spending power has pushed people north, into the mainland, or online for shopping.

ZAPE merchants echoed similar woes, saying visitor traffic relies mainly on patrons from nearby hotels and casinos, with few coming deliberately to their venues. They also noted that government festivals, such as the Light Up Macao, brought some gain but remained modest and short-lived.

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When deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro makes his first appearance in a New York courtroom today [Macau time] to face U.S. drug charges, he will likely follow the path taken by another Latin American strongman toppled by U.S. forces: Panamas Manuel Noriega.

Maduro was captured Saturday, 36 years to the day after Noriega was removed by American forces. And as was the case with the Panamanian leader, lawyers for Maduro are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of foreign state, which is a bedrock principle of international and U.S. law.

Its an argument that is unlikely to succeed and was largely settled as a matter of law in Noriegas trial, legal experts said. Although Trumps ordering of the operation in Venezuela raises constitutional concerns because it wasnt authorized by Congress, now that Maduro is in the U.S., courts will likely bless his prosecution because, like Noriega, the U.S. doesnt recognize him as Venezuelas legitimate leader.

Theres no claim to sovereign immunity if we dont recognize him as head of state, said Dick Gregorie, a retired federal prosecutor who indicted Noriega and later went on to investigate corruption inside Maduros government. Several U.S. administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have called his election fraudulent and withheld U.S. recognition. Sadly, for Maduro, it means hes stuck with it.

Noriega died in 2017 after nearly three decades in prison, first in the U.S., then France and finally Panama. In his first trial, his lawyers argued that his arrest as a result of a U.S. invasion was so shocking to the conscience that it rendered the governments case an illegal violation of his due process rights.

Justice Dept allows forcible abductions abroad

In ordering Noriegas removal, the White House relied on a 1989 legal opinion by then-Assistant Attorney General Bill Barr, issued six months before the invasion. That opinion said the U.N. Charters prohibition on the use of force in international relations does not bar the U.S. from carrying out forcible abductions abroad to enforce domestic laws.

Supreme Court decisions dating to the 1800s also have upheld Americas jurisdiction to prosecute foreigners regardless of whether their presence in the United States was lawfully secured.

Barrs opinion is likely to feature in Maduros prosecution as well, experts said.

Drawing parallels to the Noriega case, Barr on Sunday pushed aside criticisms that the U.S. was pursuing a change of government in Venezuela instead of enforcing domestic laws. As attorney general during the first Trump administration, Barr oversaw Maduros indictment.

Going after them and dismantling them inherently involves regime change, Barr said in a Fox News Sunday interview. The object here is not just to get Maduro. We indicted a whole slew of his lieutenants. Its to clean that place out of this criminal organization.

Key differences between Noriega and Maduro

There are differences between the two cases.

Noriega never held the title of president during his six-year de facto rule, leaving a string of puppets to fill that role. By contrast, Maduro claims to have won a popular mandate three times. Although the results of his 2024 reelection are disputed, a number of governments  China, Russia and Egypt among them  recognized his victory.

Before you ever get to guilt or innocence, there are serious questions about whether a U.S. court can proceed at all, said David Oscar Markus, a defense lawyer in Miami who has handled several high-profile criminal cases, including some involving Venezuela. Maduro has a much stronger sovereign immunity defense than did Noriega, who was not actually the sitting president of Panama at the time.

For U.S. courts, however, the only opinion that matters is that of the State Department, which considers Maduro a fugitive and has for months been offering a $50 million reward for his arrest.

The first Trump administration closed the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and broke diplomatic relations with Maduros government in 2019 after he cruised to reelection by outlawing most rival candidates. The administration then recognized the opposition head of the National Assembly as the countrys legitimate leader.

The Biden administration mostly stuck to that policy, allowing an opposition-appointed board to run Citgo, a subsidiary of Venezuelas state-owned oil company, even as the U.S. engaged in direct talks with Maduros government that were aimed at paving the way for free elections.

Courts are so deferential to the executive in matters of foreign policy that I find it difficult for the judiciary to engage in this sort of hairsplitting, said Clark Neily, a senior vice president for criminal justice at the Cato Institute in Washington.

US sanctions are a hurdle for Maduros defense

Another challenge that Maduro faces is hiring a lawyer. He and his wife, Cilia Flores, who also was captured, have been under U.S. sanctions for years, making it illegal for any American to take money from them without first securing a license from the Treasury Department.

The government in Caracas now led by Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, may want to foot the bill, but it is similarly restricted from doing business in the United States.

The U.S. has indicted other foreign leaders on corruption and drug trafficking charges allegedly committed while in office. Among the most noteworthy is Juan Orlando Hernandez, former president of Honduras, who was convicted in 2024 for drug trafficking and weapons charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Maduro may have a slightly stronger argument that he is entitled to a more limited form of immunity for official acts he undertook as at least a de facto leader since that question would not turn on whether he is a recognized head of state by the U.S. JOSHUA GOODMAN, MIAMI, MDT/AP

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The Social Security Fund recently released a study on the current status and development of the Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund, recommending the continuation of non-mandatory participation for now, while a scholar suggested establishing a two- to three-year transition period to implement a mandatory Central Provident Fund system.

Macaus non-mandatory Central Provident Fund system has been in operation since 2018. According to the 2021 review report, the non-mandatory Central Provident Fund was set to transition to a mandatory system after three years, had the Covid-19 pandemic not intervened.

However, a new review report released on the last day of 2025, commissioned by the Social Security Fund and conducted by a University of Macau (UM) research team in 2024, revised this recommendation.

It now suggests establishing a three-year economic observation period from 2021 to 2023 to assess Macaus economic recovery and cautiously plan the transition of the Central Provident Fund system to mandatory status.

The report indicates that maintaining voluntary participation for the time being remains under consideration. According to the report, while Macaus economy is recovering in an orderly manner, the pace of recovery varies across industries.

Although the overall economy shows steady improvement, recovery remains uneven across sectors, it was noted, adding that small- and medium-sized enterprises face greater operational uncertainties, despite a relatively robust recovery in the large-scale integrated leisure sector. It also noted that, by the third quarter of 2024, Macaus real gross domestic product (GDP) had recovered to approximately 86.3% of its 2019 level.

Meanwhile, according to the report, since 2010, the government has provided a one-time incentive basic payment of MOP10,000 to eligible account holders, resulting in cumulative investments exceeding MOP31.8 billion.

Qualified Macau residents individual accounts, including interest, have received allocations totaling over MOP100,000 each.

As of October 2024, 320 employers had established collective provident fund plans, with employee participation surging more than twelvefold  from 2,327 individuals in 2018 to 30,721.

A cumulative total of 81,644 individuals have opened personal provident fund plans, and the number of retirement funds rose to 43 in 2024, up by four since 2018. By September 2024, the total assets in the non-mandatory Central Provident Fund, within these 43 retirement funds, amounted to approximately MOP9.9 billion, reflecting a significant increase in contributions and participation since 2018.

The review report concluded that mandatory Central Provident Fund contributions would not impose an excessive burden on employers. Estimates indicate that between 2023 and 2032, the average mandatory Central Provident Fund contributions will account for 0.63% and 0.54% of employer income for the all employers and SME employers categories, respectively.

Employees will be able to build more substantial retirement savings through longer and more sustained contributions.

In remarks regarding the non-mandatory provident fund review report, Chan Kin Sun, an UM assistant professor and a participant in the study, noted that society broadly supports the idea of mandatory provident funds. He pointed out that the report intentionally avoids setting a timeline for implementation, instead suggesting that the government should reconsider the matter at its discretion once specific conditions are met. Chan recommended that authorities establish a buffer period to allow society to adapt when implementing a mandatory Central Provident Fund in the future.

Separately, Cheng Ka Man, a lawyer and member of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, emphasized that employers should shoulder social responsibilities by providing retirement security for their employees. She framed employer contributions as deferred wages  a crucial component of employees actual compensation rather than just a mandatory investment plan for wealth accumulation.

Cheng noted that it requires decades of contributions to yield meaningful results, and that the earlier individuals participate, the greater their retirement reserves will be. She advocated for authorities to conduct annual reviews of Macaus GDP and industry revenue and expenditure levels to determine whether they meet activation criteria.

Once the three conditions outlined in the report are satisfied  which include real GDP and industry revenue and expenditure substantially reaching 2019 levels  she urged that timely legislative amendments be initiated, she reportedly stated.

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Taipa Markets new gastronomy + culture and creativity area has attracted large numbers of visitors since its launch last month, boosting food court and souvenir stall sales by up to 30%.

The market combines Macau-inspired cuisine, beverages, and cultural products, turning it into a new attraction for tourists.

The area officially opened last month, offering a diverse range of uniquely Macau-inspired creative cuisine, coffee and tea beverages, cultural products, and more.

Industry insiders caution, however, that the model may not be easily replicated in other districts.

According to a recent report from public broadcaster TDM, the influx of tourists during the Christmas and New Year holidays boosted sales at the newly established food court stalls by 20-30%.

Meanwhile, existing market stall vendors who transitioned to selling souvenirs over the past two months experienced a doubling of their sales.

Iun Ioc Va, president of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau, stated that Taipa Market helps address the shortage of public rest facilities in the area.

He said that the addition of 20 new food and cultural creativity stalls serves as a new attraction that encourages tourists to linger and spend. Iun also suggested expanding the variety of cultural and creative products to incorporate more local historical and cultural elements, thereby deepening the integration of culture and tourism. Additionally, he noted that some offerings at the market overlap with snacks sold by nearby merchants on Rua do Cunha.

Similarly, another Chinese-language media outlet, Shimindaily, quoted Ip Weng Hong, a member of the Northern District Consultative Committee and director of the Macau Womens General Association Policy Research Office, who stated that the revitalization of Taipa Market has enhanced its appeal to some extent.

He acknowledged that incorporating cultural and creative elements, along with features distinct from traditional markets, can facilitate the transformation of older markets.

However, he emphasized the need for distinct positioning for different markets; for instance, Tamagnini Barbosa Municipal Market Complex, located in a residential area, should prioritize daily needs, while S. Domingos Municipal Complexs focus is not entirely on necessities.

The report stressed that market revitalization should be tailored to local conditions.

Weng suggested that markets in residential areas draw inspiration from Singapore by offering affordable, high-quality meals to attract both residents and tourists.

For other markets like S. Domingos Market, which has particularly high vacancy rates, it is recommended that existing stalls be consolidated during renovation, and vacant spaces should undergo comprehensive transformation.

The possibility of expanding operations to include other products should also be explored to improve the business environment.

Weng further stated that the government should integrate market revitalization with community economic activities, suggesting that primary costs should be borne by merchants, while the government provides administrative support to connect intellectual properties with market and community vendors.

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The transformation of Vietnams Bac Ninh is evident in the signs above its shops and the spicy Chinese and Korean dishes on its tables.

Once known for its rice fields and the love duets of its centuries-old Quan Ho folk songs, the city just north of Hanoi has become one of Vietnams busiest factory zones, reflecting a surge of investment, hastened by President Donald Trumps tariff hikes, that are reshaping the region.

The economy has profited from friction between Washington and Beijing as factories shifted out of China, joining earlier waves of foreign investment by the Japanese and South Koreans that have made Vietnam a global manufacturing hub. But rising labor costs, worker shortages and inadequate infrastructure are exposing the limits to its rapid rise.

With rivals like Indonesia and the Philippines competing hard for new projects, Vietnam is trying to climb into higher-value manufacturing and expand export markets to maintain that momentum. That effort is evident in Bac Ninh.

Vietnam is building more capacity

Traditionally a center for artisans, Bac Ninhs first boom began around 2008 when Samsung built its first phone factory there, turning Vietnam into its largest offshore manufacturing base.

Now, Chinese companies are pouring in as they diversify their factory locations to skirt U.S. tariffs and other trade restrictions. After Hanoi and Beijing normalized ties in the 1990s, inflows of Chinese investment began to pick up as Chinese firms in places like Bac Ninh tapped Vietnams electronics supply chain, labor force and supportive local governments, often aided by Chinese-speaking intermediaries who smooth paperwork and logistics.

But Vietnam is too small to replace China, whose economy is 40 times larger, as the worlds factory floor. To try to keep up, its leaders are building new infrastructure, including a highway to the Chinese border that has cut travel time by more than an hour. A railway will connect Hanoi to Haiphong  Vietnams largest seaport  and then the border town of Lao Cai.

On Dec. 19, Bac Ninh broke ground on the expansion of an industrial zone for high-tech manufacturing, including electronics, pharmaceuticals and clean energy. Its part of a synchronized nationwide push in which Vietnam launched 234 major projects worth more than $129 billion just weeks before a pivotal National Party Congress in January, when leaders will decide the countrys political leadership and economic direction.

The China factor collides with reality

In Bac Ninhs downtown, a convenience store bears the name Tmall, after Alibabas flagship online marketplace. Signs in Chinese advertise services for investors. ChineseVietnamese language schools have opened to help locals and Chinese to learn each others languages.

But as Chinese companies compete for the best labor and other resources, costs are rising for the China plus one strategy of moving factories out of China to other locations, for example, Apples shift into India.

It is becoming difficult to recruit workers, said Peng, who works at a telecoms equipment company that moved from Chinas southern technology hub of Shenzhen. He gave only one name because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Labor costs have jumped 10%15% since 2024, he said, And we expect them to keep rising.

Vietnam still need technology, equipment and expertise from China, which had created the best manufacturing ecosystem, said Jacob Rothman, co-founder and CEO of China-based Velong Enterprises, which makes grill tools and kitchen gadgets and has shifted some production to Southeast Asian countries including Cambodia and Vietnam.

Supply chains and manufacturers in China have benefited from decades of government support, large-scale investment and its huge population, Rothman said. You cant recreate that overnight.

Brian Bourke, global chief commercial officer at U.S.-based SEKO Logistics, said while factories making footwear, furniture and technology are still relocating to Vietnam, it lags China in infrastructure and logistics capabilities.

Some of those limits are surfacing in boomtowns like Bac Ninh, where firms are trying to lure workers with higher wages and bonuses, a box of instant noodles on their first day and bus fares if they commute from another city, according to state media.

Vietnam faces competition from its neighbors

Few countries have benefitted more from Trumps trade war than Vietnam, whose biggest export market is still the U.S. In 2024, Vietnam ran a $123.5 billion surplus with the U.S., the third largest behind China and Mexico. That irked Trump, who threatened a 46% import tax on Vietnamese goods before settling on 20%.

The two countries are still working toward a deal to keep most tariffs at 20%. Vietnam has offered broad preferential access for U.S. products, the White House said in October. So far, it has largely absorbed the tariffs, running a trade surplus of $121.6 billion in January-November 2025.

The agreement in October by Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to a year-long trade truce and lower average tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. to about 47% helped ease some concerns. But persisting uncertainty over tariffs and other trade restrictions means companies arent just trying to shift factories out of China but to spread them across several countries, said Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC.

Even with lower U.S. tariffs on China, the calculus still favors moving to Southeast Asia where manufacturing inefficiencies add only about 10% in cost. But while large corporations can shift production easily, smaller firms may struggle to fit a new factory with expensive equipment.

(The) race to move outside of China is still happening, and its accelerating, Rothman said.

Vietnam is still attracting ample foreign investment. Cumulative foreign investment topped $28.5 billion as of September, up 15% from last year. But scrutiny of Vietnams role as a hub for tariff-dodging transshipments has some manufacturers hedging their bets.

One of SEKO Logistics customers has shifted some of its furniture making to India, not wanting to put all their eggs in Vietnam, Bourke said.

Countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, which missed the early gains Vietnam captured, are promoting themselves as alternative manufacturing bases. In the Philippines, a new law allows foreign investors to lease private land for up to 99 years to attract long-term commercial and industrial investment.

Vietnam as a tiger economy

Vietnam has a goal of becoming rich by 2045. It aims to become Asias next tiger economy, following export powerhouses like South Korea and Taiwan by shifting from low-cost assembly work to manufacture higher-value products like electronics and clean energy equipment.

Its offering incentives like tax breaks on imported machinery and discounted rents to help factory suppliers upgrade and modernize. About a third still use non-automated equipment and only about 10% use robots on their production lines.

The country also is trying to reduce its dependence on the U.S. market by expanding exports to the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and India. Overseas trade offices have been asked to share market intelligence and promote products made in Vietnam.

Vietnam knows that rising costs and tougher competition will test how far it  and places like Bac Ninh  can climb. Announcing hundreds of projects in December, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh framed the stakes: Vietnam must reach far into the ocean, delve deep underground and soar high into space. ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL & CHAN HO-HIM, BAC NINH, MDT/AP

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Tuesday, January 6, 2026  edition no. 4867

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On 13 and 14 December, 195 revolutionaries from all over Austria, with guests from Germany and London, gathered in Vienna for the Communist Winter School.

[Originally published in German at derfunke.at]

The weekend was very successful, and participants reported that they gained a great deal of inspiration from the weekend to continue their Marxist education and build the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP).

We began the weekend with a plenary discussion, introduced by Willy Hammerle, on Ted Grant, a Marxist whose selected works have now been published in German for the first time. Ted Grant continued to develop the central thread of Marxism after Trotsky's death. He provided indispensable analyses of the postwar period, from the counter-revolution in democratic form, to the role of Stalinism and social democracy, to the Marxist understanding of the state.

These analyses are still highly relevant today as the postwar order analysed by Ted Grant is today unravelling. We must understand the era that is coming to an end, in order to be able to act consciously as revolutionaries now and in the future.

The discussion was enriched by Victor from the International Centre of the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI), who was instrumental in the publication of the third volume of Ted Grant's collected works, which will soon be published in English.

In two workshops on Saturday, on Austria from the postwar period to the current crisis of bourgeois democracy, and on Marxist economics, these questions were explored in greater depth.

We are preparing to further strengthen the forces of revolutionary communism in the midst of this deep crisis of capitalism, in order to intervene in future class struggles. The discussion on the perspectives for Austria, introduced by Der Funke (newspaper of the RKP) editor-in-chief Emanuel Tomaselli, provided a deep understanding of this. In future, we will begin all of our communist cadre schools with such discussions on perspectives.

The deep crisis of capitalism now has a firm grip on the formerly stable Austria. For decades after the Second World War, the working class and youth in Austria were accustomed to relative stability. This is no longer the case. The bourgeoisie has only bad options  a general problem in Europe, as comrade Alex from Germany vividly underlined. The bankruptcy of the system and the ruling class is becoming completely obvious to ever broader sections of society.

Demonstrating our internationalism, the seminar expressed its solidarity with Venezuela in the face of US imperialist aggression. A guest from Venezuela, who 20 years ago took part in the event with Hugo Chavez in Vienna organised by our International, addressed the participants on Saturday evening.

The financial appeal brought in pledges for donations totalling 45,000  a fantastic start to our winter fundraising campaign, which has a target of 70,000. This is a testament to the deep conviction of those present of the importance of the ideas of Marxism and the building of the RCI.

On day two, we deepened our understanding of a number of topics including how women's liberation can actually be achieved, Marxist philosophy and natural science, as well as the colonial revolutions, the national question, and the harmful role of Stalinism. Across all of these different questions, Ted Grant made vital contributions in developing our understanding.

The comrades' enthusiasm for Marxist theory was evident at the literature table. Over 5,000 worth of books were purchased, including over 85 copies of the new 700-page selection of Ted Grants key works.

The Communist Winter School was something new for the RKP in this format. It will by no means be the last Communist Winter School in Vienna  in a big city like Vienna, it makes sense to hold a communist school in 2026 for the many new, as yet unorganised (potential) revolutionaries.

We were thus able to bring 2025 to a successful close  and this was only the prelude to 2026, which we already know will be turbulent and eventful.
Workers at Mauritanias state-owned National Industrial and Mining Company (SNIM) announced they will halt work for one hour on Monday morning to protest their exclusion from recently distributed financial bonuses. The workers warned that continued disregard for their demands could lead to a wider escalation, including a potential general strike.

The announcement was made during a workers festival on Sunday evening outside the headquarters of the Union of Mauritanian Workers (UTM) in Zouerate. Participants expressed frustration over being left out of incentives despite SNIM achieving over 14 million tonnes in sales. Delegates emphasised unity and cohesion to advance their demands, outlining a protest roadmap that begins with the one-hour strike at 8 a.m. across all company facilities and workshops.
Benin and Niger have exchanged diplomatic expulsions this week, underscoring two years of strained relations between the West African neighbours, diplomatic sources said on Sunday. Ties between the two countries have remained tense since Nigers military coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. Niamey has accused Benin of attempting to destabilise the country, a claim Cotonou has repeatedly denied.

In recent days, Benin expelled an intelligence agent and a police officer posted to the Nigerien embassy in Cotonou, according to a Beninese diplomatic source, which did not provide further details. In response, Niger issued a note on Thursday declaring the first counsellor at Benins embassy in Niamey persona non grata and ordering him to leave within 48 hours, citing reciprocity.

Niger is aligned with Burkina Faso and Mali, both also under transitional military rule. The three countries have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), promoting a pro-sovereignty stance and criticising West African coastal states, including Benin, for maintaining close ties with former colonial power France.
Nigerias National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday announced the arrest of 22 Indian crew members of a merchant vessel after 31.5 kilogrammes of cocaine were discovered at Lagoss main port. According to the agency, the seizure was made on January 2 aboard MV *Aruna Hulya*, a ship that originated from the Marshall Islands. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the arrests form part of intensified efforts to curb maritime drug trafficking.

The latest operation follows similar interceptions at the same port. In November, the agency arrested 20 Filipino sailors found transporting at least 20 kilogrammes of cocaine from Brazil. Earlier that month, the NDLEA disclosed that it was working with United States and British anti-drug agencies to investigate a cartel linked to the importation of 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine seized in a container at a Lagos port. The arrests underscore Nigerias ongoing crackdown on international drug smuggling networks operating through its seaports.
Equatorial Guinea has officially designated Ciudad de la Paz as its new capital following the publication of a presidential decree on Saturday, January 3, marking a historic shift from Malabo, the island-based former capital. The decision, announced on January 4, is intended to ease congestion in Malabo and promote more balanced national development through improved distribution of public services. Authorities say the move will bring the state closer to citizens, as political and economic activity is increasingly centred on the mainland, particularly in Bata, the countrys economic hub.

Located in the forested eastern province of Djibloho near Mengomeyen airport, Ciudad de la Pazpreviously known as Oyalawas launched in 2008 under President Teodoro Obiang. The city is envisioned as a modern metropolis capable of housing up to 200,000 people and accommodating all government institutions, although infrastructure and population levels remain limited.

The decree provides for the transfer of public services within one year, a timeline that has raised questions about feasibility. Construction of the new capital has been largely financed by oil revenues, with the project accounting for nearly half of the national budget in 2016.
Burkina Faso experienced a tense night from Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 January, with heightened security alerts reported in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso following suspicions of an attempted coup. At the call of Citizens Watch associations that support the ruling military authorities, hundreds of people took to the streets to block what they described as a coup attempt. Several military barracks in the capital were placed on alert, with security sources confirming a strained situation, though without providing further details. On Sunday, January 4, a visible security deployment was reported outside the Baba-Sy camp in Ouagadougou.

Pro-regime media outlets reported multiple arrests and accused former transitional president Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba of orchestrating events from exile in Togo, where he has been since his removal from power in September 2022. The developments come against the backdrop of arrests carried out in late September, when several soldiers were detained on suspicion of undermining state security.
Egypts state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Company (EGAS) and QatarEnergy have signed an agreement for the delivery of Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to Egypts Sokhna and Damietta ports, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced on Sunday.

The deal follows a memorandum of understanding between Egypts petroleum ministry and Qatars Ministry of State for Energy Affairs aimed at strengthening cooperation in LNG trading and imports. The agreement is designed to diversify Egypts gas supply sources, support domestic demand and complement efforts to boost local gas production.

Egypt has been in talks with Qatar to secure long-term gas contracts ahead of summer 2025, as part of a broader strategy to stabilise electricity generation and return to net gas exporter status by 2027. QatarEnergy already operates six offshore areas in the Mediterranean and plans to expand exploration activities over the next five years.

Qatari investment in Egypt continues to grow, underpinned by a $7.5 billion financing package for projects across tourism, real estate, food security and development along the North Coast, as well as investments in agriculture, hospitality and renewable energy. QatarEnergy has acquired multiple stakes in offshore exploration blocks between 2024 and October 2025.

Egypt has allocated EGP 136.3 billion for electricity and renewable energy projects in FY2025/2026 to accelerate its green transition, improve efficiency and increase foreign currency inflows. While LNG imports rose 188 per cent year-on-year to 7.8 million tonnes in the first 11 months of 2025, imports are expected to fall by at least 30 per cent in 2026 as domestic production and renewable capacity expand.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A recent lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court alleges that Sharp HealthCare recorded conversations between doctors and their patients without written consent, using the information to document visits with an artificial intelligence program developed by a private company in Pittsburgh.

While the lawsuit focuses on one particular medical provider in San Diego County, attempting to create a class-action claim made up of Sharp patients, it also shines a spotlight on the quiet, but broad adoption of AI-powered clinical transcription software throughout mainstream medicine.

A survey of San Diego medical providers made after the lawsuit was filed on Nov. 26 shows that several providers in the region are using similar systems.

Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego said in an email that it is "currently conducting a limited pilot of ambient scribing technology with clinicians required to obtain patient consent prior to use." UC San Diego Health confirmed that it uses a system called Nabla, which it installed "after a thorough security review."

The university health system says that it requires patient consent before using the system, which includes "an annual written consent (plus) verbal consent from the patient and all parties in the exam room at each visit." Kaiser Permanente said in a statement that its clinicians "have access to a clinical documentation assistance tool that supports them with securely capturing initial clinical notes during visits with patients, which enables them to focus more on patient care."

Kaiser says its system "calls for the care team to ask our patients and other individuals accompanying them for their permission before using the tool."

Scripps Health, one of the big four medical providers in the San Diego market, declined to discuss whether it uses such a system, saying in a statement that it "isn't a topic we will be discussing."

Paradise Valley Hospital said it is not using any sort of AI note-taking system, while Palomar Health and Tri-City Medical Center in North County did not respond to the query.

Asked for comment on the lawsuit's allegation that it did not properly inform patients of its medical documentation system, Sharp said that while "patient safety and privacy are our top priorities at all times," it is "unable to comment on pending litigation."

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Sharp patient Jose Saucedo by attorney Robert Salgado, seeks certification as a class action, and alleges that Sharp violated medical privacy laws "by surreptitiously recording entire medical consultations using electronic recording devices and cloud-based processing systems without notice or consent."

The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, also stating that the state penal code allows damages of $5,000 per violation.

Recordings, the lawsuit states, were transmitted to Abridge, a Pittsburgh-based technology company that has recently received major tech sector investment in its AI-enabled system, which it said in a news release on Dec. 10 is now used "across more than 200 ambulatory care settings annually."

The company has posted information on its website that helps its customers and the public learn about how it operates.

A "recording basics" entry in the company's customer support center does urge clinicians to "make sure you follow your organization's recommended guidelines for patient consent," even providing sample language that could be used in such situations.

Abridge suggests that doctors could say, "I will be using a tool that records our conversation to help me write my clinical note, so I can pay more attention to our conversation and less time on the computer. Is that okay with you?"

The technology uses an application installed on a physician's smartphone to make the recording, which a list of "best practices" indicates should be placed "in between you and your patient without any obstructions."

Abridge also says on its website that its technology is "100% HIPAA-compliant, and uses industry best practices to protect patient information," indicating that the data it collects "is always stored via secure channels" that comply with HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which prevents unauthorized disclosure of sensitive patient information.

But Abridge also indicates in the privacy policy for its website that it creates separate privacy agreements with each of its clients, directing patients to "refer to your provider's Notice of Privacy Practices for information on how they handle your (protected health information). Sharp does list a privacy policy on its website, though the document is dated April 14, 2003.

Abridge indicates that it complies with the California Consumer Privacy Act and on its website it says that it meets "System and Organization Controls" level two requirements created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Those rules specify how digital information should be kept secure against unauthorized access, free of corruption and private. Abridge indicates that its compliance with SOC 2 rules has been "validated by an independent third-party auditor for security and confidentiality."

A public statement that Abridge published on its website in 2020 says that it used 10,000 hours of transcribed conversations between doctors and patients to train its AI models, and that this "deidentified" information came from "fully informed and consenting patients."

A separate statement in 2020 indicates that all research and development uses de-identified data and that such information is "acquired with patient consent." But it is not clear whether or not the company uses the real-world conversations transmitted from its clients to Abridge's servers for analysis to train future generations of the company's models.

The company did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.

Privacy advocates are increasingly concerned about the quick-moving world of AI as it enters the world's most sensitive spaces.

Sara Geoghegan, senior legal counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington, D.C., said that it is quite clear that patient permission is required when recordings are being made.

"Definitely, transparency is a necessary step, as is disclosure and meaningful consent," Geoghegan said.

And that consent, she added, should not just be obtained once. It should be obtained on its own, she added, and not tacked onto the voluminous paperwork process that patients often must wade through during an office visit.

"It should be consent that's freely informed and can be rescinded," Geoghegan said. "Once every 10 years is not enough."

The bigger issue, she added, is when the use of AI in health care moves from simple transcription to decision making. Already, insurance companies have been found to use AI systems to deny claims, a practice that became illegal in 2025 due to a new law, the "Physicians Make Decisions Act," which requires that determinations of medical necessity be made "only by a licensed physician or a licensed health care professional competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the health care services requested by the provider."

"I do think this is where use matters and what the limits of technology are matters," Geoghegan said.

"To me, a doctor that is doing all of the physician work but uses the technology to do some of the note taking, is very different than a situation that involves generative AI, where a doctor is having a conversation with a patient and then a generative AI tool is the one diagnosing and flagging and, you know, doing those tasks that belong to the physician."

It does not appear that Abridge has crossed that particular Rubicon. The company's public statements about its products indicate that the main purpose of the system is to accurately document patient-physician conversations, but physicians have to review the resulting information and make necessary corrections before it is added to a patient's official medical record.

2026 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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If you order coffee or tea on a flight, you may want to think twice.

A 2026 airline water study found that drinking water quality can vary sharply from one airline to another, and that many carriers still fail to meet federal safety standards meant to protect passengers and crew.

The studyfrom the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevityreviewed airline water testing data collected from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2025.

Researchers evaluated 10 major airlines and 11 regional carriers, giving each a Water Safety Score ranging from a low of 0.00 to a high of 5.00. A score of 3.5 or higher earned a Grade A or B, meaning relatively safe onboard water.

"Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines win the top spots with the safest water in the sky, and Alaska Airlines finishes No. 3," the center's director, Charles Platkin, said in a news release.

By contrast, the lowest-scoring major airlines were American Airlines and JetBlue, the study found.

"Nearly all regional airlines need to improve their onboard water safety, with the exception of GoJet Airlines," Platkin added.

The federal Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR), in place since 2011, requires airlines to provide safe drinking water onboard.

Airlines must regularly test water tanks for coliform bacteria and possible E. coli, and they must disinfect and flush each aircraft's water system multiple times per year.

To score airlines, researchers looked at five weighted factors, including:

Violations per aircraft

Maximum contaminant level violations for E. coli

Rates of coliform-positive tests

Public notices

How often water systems were disinfected and flushed

Across all airlines studied, 35,674 water sample locations were tested for coliform bacteria. Of those, 949 samples (2.7%) tested positive.

The study also identified 32 E. coli violations across the 21 airlines analyzed, the single biggest factor dragging scores down.

Among the key findings:

Delta Air Lines earned a perfect 5.00 (Grade A).

Frontier Airlines scored 4.80 (Grade A).

Alaska Airlines followed with 3.85 (Grade B).

GoJet Airlines was the highest-rated regional carrier at 3.85 (Grade B).

American Airlines ranked lowest among major airlines at 1.75 (Grade D).

Mesa Airlines scored 1.35 (Grade F), the lowest among regional carriers.

CommuteAir had a 33.33% coliform-positive rate, one of the highest in the study.

The report's "Shame on You" award went to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which shares responsibility for enforcing aircraft water safety standards. Civil penalties for airline water violations remain extremely rare, the study noted.

Testing for coliform bacteria matters because its presence can signal that disease-causing organisms may also be in the water system.

When samples test positive, airlines are required to quickly retest, disinfect, flush or shut down affected systems, depending on results.

Because aircraft refill water tanks from many locations, including international airports, onboard water quality can also be affected by hoses, trucks and other transfer equipment, researchers noted.

Until airline water systems improve, the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity offers clear guidance for travelers who want to reduce risk.

"NEVER drink any water onboard that isn't in a sealed bottle," the group advises.

They also recommend skipping onboard coffee and tea and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol instead of washing hands with airplane sink water.

More information Here's the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's full list of aircraft drinking water rules.

Key medical concepts Escherichia coliColiform Bacteria

2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

On Jan. 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dramatically reduced the number of recommended childhood vaccinations from 17 to 11, citing practices in other wealthy nations, including Denmark, Germany, and Japan. The CDC said that parents could choose to have their children receive some previously recommended vaccines, including those for flu, rotavirus, COVID-19, meningitis, and hepatitis A and B, after "shared clinical decision-making."

The CDC's announcement followed other similar moves by federal health officials. In December, the CDC's vaccination advisory committee, whose members were handpicked by longtime vaccine critic Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to scrap the blanket recommendation of a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine for all infants. Instead, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, replaced that guidance with the recommendation that the vaccine be given automatically only to infants whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B. Infants whose mothers do not test positive for hepatitis B could get vaccinated against it if their parents choose to do so after taking part in shared clinical decision-making.

Two months earlier, the CDC updated its immunization schedules to also recommend shared clinical decision-making for COVID-19 vaccination among everyone age 6 months and older.

ACIP defines shared clinical decision-making vaccinations (on a web page dated Jan. 7, 2025) as "individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian." Health care providers to discuss vaccination with, according to the CDC, include primary care physicians, specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and pharmacists.

Does the American public understand what shared decision-making means?

In a pair of nationally representative panel surveys of U.S. adults conducted in August and December, the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) asked Americans about their understanding of this new policy from federal health authorities. In an August 2025 survey of 1,699 U.S. adults, APPC asked about Americans' understanding of "shared decision-making." In a follow-up survey in December 2025, an APPC survey asked 1,637 respondents about their understanding of what a "health care provider" is in the context of shared decision-making.

The surveys find significant gaps in Americans' understanding of shared decision-making when it comes to getting vaccinated and having their babies and children vaccinated against potentially deadly illnesses.

"Expecting parents to engage in shared decision-making with health care providers about routine, thoroughly studied childhood vaccinations suggests that the public health community has doubts about the safety and efficacy of these vaccines when it does not," said Patrick E. Jamieson, director of APPC's Annenberg Health and Risk Communication Institute. "These vaccines have been part of the recommended childhood schedule because the benefits of taking them substantially outweigh the risks."

An incomplete understanding of 'shared decision-making'

The August 2025 survey asked what respondents thought shared decision-making means when the CDC recommends it in the context of whether to get a new vaccine. It also asked respondents about the meaning of shared decision-making, specifically regarding vaccinating children against COVID-19. In both cases, respondents could select as many responses as apply. The survey found that:

More than two-thirds (68%) know shared decision-making means they should review their or their child's medical history with their health care provider before deciding whether the vaccine is right for them or their child. The same proportion (68%) say this regarding a COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children and teens.

1 in 5 people (22%) think shared decision-making also means that "taking the vaccine may not be a good idea for everyone but would benefit some." One in 5 (20%) also chose this regarding vaccination of children against COVID-19. The ACIP web page notes that "Unlike routine, catch-up, and risk-based recommendations, shared clinical decision-making vaccinations are not recommended for everyone in a particular age group or everyone in an identifiable risk group."

However, more than 2 in 5 people incorrectly say shared decision-making means it's up to an individual whether to consult with their health care provider before taking a vaccine about whether it would be a good idea. In the surveys, 42% say this about taking a new vaccine and 45% say this about having a child vaccinated against COVID-19.

In fact, ACIP's shared clinical decision-making recommendations do not suggest that patients get vaccines without talking to their health care provider; they only state that clinicians can decide which patients to discuss particular vaccinations with. In addition, the surveys find that:

About a quarter of those surveyed say shared decision-making means they should discuss the vaccination decision with their family (23% for any vaccine; 25% regarding children and the COVID-19 vaccine). However, discussing the decision with family is not a part of the ACIP shared clinical decision-making recommendations.

Over 1 in 10 are not sure what shared decision-making means, either for a new vaccine (13%) or for vaccinating children against COVID-19 (12%).

Few know a pharmacist can be part of shared decision-making

When asked about "shared decision-making" with a "health care provider," many Americans are not sure who would be included among that group. Survey respondents were provided with six options and asked to select as many as apply.

Predictably, the vast majority of U.S. adults (86%) choose a physician. Two-thirds (66%) choose a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.

But only half (50%) choose registered nurse, and just a third (33%) choose pharmacist.

"With many vaccines available at pharmacies without a prescription, it is important for Americans to know they can talk to their pharmacist directly about their vaccination decisions," said Ken Winneg, APPC's managing director of survey research.

Small groups of respondents selected other practitioners as health care providers, including clinical social worker (8%) and acupuncturist (3%). Neither of those professions is included in ACIP's list of health care providers to share in clinical shared decision-making. A small proportion are not sure (7%) and just 1% choose none of the options as a "health care provider."

More information Download the topline and the methods reports.
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Predicted hair cortisol concentration (pg/mg) by birth mode. Hair cortisol levels did not significantly differ between vaginal and CS after labor groups but were significantly lower for the CS before labor group compared to both vaginal (=0.002) and CS after labor (=0.017) groups. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2519365122

For years, researchers have documented health differences between babies born vaginally versus by cesarean sectionwork that revealed the importance of exposure to the vaginal microbiome during birth. But a new Dartmouth-led study of more than 3,500 children in Brazil suggests another critical factor may have been overlooked: labor itself.

Labor and cortisol

In a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dartmouth researchers found that children born via C-section before labor had about 67% lower levels of hair cortisol at ages 4 to 7 compared to those born vaginally or by cesarean after labor had started.

This distinction between planned and unplanned cesareanswhich differ in whether the baby experiences laborpoints to a potentially significant developmental exposure that extends well beyond the delivery room.

Cortisol, often called the "stress hormone," plays a critical role in regulating growth, metabolism, immune function, and behavior. Hair cortisol offers a window into systemic cortisol levels over several months, making it a powerful tool for large-scale studies. These differences were statistically significant and persisted across middle childhood (ages 4 and 67 years).

Labor's role in developmental biology

"The paper explores the potential developmental significance of laborwhich we know is long and physiologically stressful for humanson children's longer-term biology," says Associate Professor of Anthropology Zaneta Thayer, the study's lead author.

Human labor is not just a mechanical process; it's a cascade of hormonal and physical stimuli shaped by evolutionary pressures. During labor, babies experience rhythmic contractions and surges of hormones like cortisol and oxytocinsignals that help prepare them for life outside the womb. Planned cesarean births bypass these cues entirely.

"Children born through cesarean before labor, as occurs in planned cesarean, have lower hair cortisol levels at 47 years of age compared to children born after labor, whether via vaginal delivery or unplanned cesarean section," Thayer says. "These effects are particularly pronounced when children are born without labor after a shorter gestation length."

There was no difference between the vaginal delivery and the C-section-after-labor groups, suggesting that exposure to labor, rather than surgical delivery, drives this difference.

Implications and future research directions

The significance of these lower cortisol levels remains unclear, but patterns from other research offer clues. Lower cortisol in childhood has been linked in other studies to early life trauma, and conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Preterm delivery has also been associated with lower childhood cortisol. In this study, Thayer found that children born after a shorter gestation length also had significantly lower cortisol, with these effects most pronounced if the child was born via C-section before labor. The difference in cortisol between children born vaginally and through C-section before labor attenuated if the children were born after 39.5 weeks.

Brazil provided an ideal setting for this research because it has the second highest prevalence of C-sections globally. Previous research indicates that the majority of these surgeries are elective rather than medically indicated, therefore reducing confounding factors related to maternal and child health that could also impact cortisol. A separate analysis that matched participants on clinical risk factors that would lead to a planned cesarean, including maternal age, parity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, replicated these results. The findings raise important questions for clinical care worldwide.

"There are many implications for clinical care, including a consideration of the potential benefits of labor for individuals considering elective cesarean and potentially waiting later in gestation for a planned cesarean," Thayer says.

The team plans to follow these children over time to see whether lower cortisol mediates other health outcomes previously linked to cesarean delivery, such as obesity and behavioral disorders. Future research may even explore interventions that mimic labor's hormonal or mechanical signals for babies born via planned cesarean.

The research adds important context to ongoing discussions about the rising global rates of cesarean deliveries and the potential trade-offs involved in elective procedures.

"Labor could be an important developmental step shaped by evolution," Thayer says. "Bypassing it could have unintended biological consequences."

Publication details Zaneta M. Thayer et al, Evolved birth physiology meets modern birth practice: Sustained effects of planned cesarean delivery on child hair cortisol in Brazil, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2519365122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Key medical concepts HydrocortisonePremature BirthObesity
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Flu cases in Boston and across Massachusetts are continuing to tick up as a new variant circulates, with public health officials reminding residents it's not too late to get vaccinated.

"This flu season, we're concerned about this new variant that is circulating," state public health commissioner Robbie Goldstein said on a WCVB segment.

"We saw it circulating in Europe, in Japan and other parts of the world, and it's here in Massachusetts. The thing that people should know is that it's not too late to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated protects you from severe disease, from ending up in the hospital, from death from flu."

In the most recent week reported ending on Dec. 27, Massachusetts saw just over 8,800 lab-confirmed flu cases, up from about 7,200 the prior week and just under 3,200 two weeks before, according to the state flu dashboard.

Flu activity in Massachusetts is categorized as "very high" by state officials, and flu severity reached "high" in the most recent week.

Across the state, 9% of hospitalizations were related to influenza, compared to just 5% the week before, the dashboard reports. The data also show 30 deaths related to the flu this season.

In Boston, cases rose to 748 in the most recent week reported, a slight uptick from 712 the week before, the city flu dashboard shows. The city also reported 11.3% of emergency department visits for flu-like illness, up from 7.2% the prior week.

The continued rise comes a week after Boston health officials warned of an early surge in flu cases this year, rising 114% in early December and even higher increases for cases in children.

The CDC has warned of a new flu variant, "subclade K," spreading across the U.S., after rapidly growing across the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada. Over half the U.S. states are reporting high or very high levels of illness, the CDC said.

The subclade K strain is a mutated version of one of the two subtypes of Type A flu, H3N2, allowing it to evade some of the protection of the vaccine. H3N2 is typically harsh, especially in older adults.

The CDC has stated its too soon to say how severe this season will be.

Goldstein said there is "not a perfect match between this vaccine and the variant that's circulating" but urged residents to get vaccinated anyway.

"It still provides significant protection," Goldstein said. "We know this from other parts of the world, where we've seen people who get vaccinated are protected. They're less likely to end up in hospital, less likely to be out of work for a long period of time. The vaccine still works, and people should still get it."

The doctor emphasized people can get vaccinated even well into the flu season.

"We're seeing relatively low numbers of uptake, both for the COVID vaccine and for the flu vaccine," said Goldstein. "Only about 10% of people here in Massachusetts have gotten their COVID vaccine. About 35% have gotten their flu vaccine. We want those numbers so much higher to build that herd immunity, to build that wall of protection."

2026 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed. Blood splattered across the person's cheeks and neck, seeped through the gauze looped around a leg and dripped onto the floor.

A group of first responders with the Fort Worth Fire Department surrounded their patient, whose body was peppered with gunshot wounds.

"Please," the patient begged. "Help me."

A few minutes later, on the way to the hospital, Trent Robinson, a critical care paramedic and captain, asked the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 10.

"It's a 20."

"It's a 20? OK."

Robinson wanted to stabilize the patient's blood pressure, which was dangerously low. Early readings of vital signs showed blood pressure of 60 over 40, and a pulse of more than 130. Together, they signaled that the person's body was compensating for a significant amount of blood loss.

As a supervisor, Robinson is responsible for carrying a unit of blood with him in a cooler as he responds to calls across the sprawl of Fort Worth and its neighboring communities. That chilly fall night, his bag of blood became vital. The patient received it on the way to the hospital, and more blood upon arrival.

Up until recently, that kind of advanced care for bleeding patients in Fort Worth was out of reach. Now, it's the standard.

Nationwide, bleeding patients typically do not receive transfusions until they reach a hospital. By that time, medical research shows, it can be too late. Those with the most severe hemorrhaging frequently bleed out at the site of their injuries, on the way to the hospital or soon after they arrive.

That is why a growing number of EMS providers, including in North Texas, have created programs to make lifesaving blood products available immediately on the ground and in air ambulances. The goal: to quickly replace lost blood in the patients who need it the most, giving them the best possible chance of survival.

In the first eight months of Fort Worth's blood program, paramedics have transfused more than 150 units of blood into 140 patients, according to data as of mid-December. More than 60% of those patients had been injured in shootings, stabbings, car crashes and other accidents. The remainder were bleeding from medical causes such as gastrointestinal disorders, liver disease and pregnancy complications.

A year ago, first responders in neither Fort Worth nor Dallashome to the two largest emergency medical service providers in North Texaswere carrying blood products. Now, both cities have established mobile transfusion programs, along with EMS providers in Arlington.

Together, emergency medicine specialists say, these programs have significantly improved the standard of care available to bleeding patients across the Metroplex.

"Within about a year or so, we went from nothing," said Dr. Jeff Jarvis, chief medical officer and system medical director for the city of Fort Worth, "to lots of blood available."

The proliferation of blood programs in North Texas comes after publication of a six-part series in The Dallas Morning News and the San Antonio Express-News in late 2023 that uncovered a national crisis of potentially preventable bleeding deaths. The reporting identified efforts to speed up transfusions for hemorrhaging patients as the single most impactful policy change to improve survival rates.

The month after its launch, Dallas Fire-Rescue's blood program was credited with saving the life of a local emergency medicine physician who was bleeding out in her bathroom from a postpartum hemorrhage.

The shooting patient that Robinson recently treated also survived initial injuries and was expected to be discharged from the hospital.

Robinson is confident that quick access to blood played a role in that outcome. In the ambulance, he'd witnessed the reversal of the patient's hemorrhagic shock in real time. As the blood flowed into the patient, their blood pressure strengthened from 60 over 40 to 101 over 55, while their rapid heart rate began to ease.

The Fort Worth Fire Department provided The News access to paramedics as they administered blood in the field on the condition that no patient would be identified for privacy reasons.

At first, Robinson, who has worked in EMS for more than two decades, was skeptical of the idea of administering blood on ambulances. It seemed like medics didn't spend enough time with patients for it to matter. He also worried that taking the extra time to transfuse blood ran the risk of delaying timely transport of patients to a hospital.

His thinking changed after he rode out in 2024 with paramedics with the San Antonio Fire Department, which has administered nearly 1,800 units of blood over the past seven years, as part of an innovative program that put blood on ambulances and helicopters across the region.

Robinson saw firsthand how seamlessly transfusions were integrated into care and how much they benefited the patients who couldn't wait until they made it to a hospital. The success stories, he said, were numerous.

Now, Robinson is a believer. Among his colleagues in Fort Worth, he is one of the most prolific transfusers of blood.

"This is definitely the best improvement in prehospital health care that I've seen in my career," he said.

That belief is shared by Dr. CJ Winckler, deputy medical director for the San Antonio Fire Department. He's seen it, professionally and personally.

In late 2024, Winckler's father suffered massive blood loss after a motorcycle wreck in November 2024 that severed one of his legs. Before he was transported to San Antonio, emergency responders in Kendall County gave him a unit of whole blood and applied a tourniquet. At University Hospital, he received another 15 units of blood in the operating room. He was hospitalized for four months.

"My dad would not be alive," Winckler said, "without prehospital whole blood."

Success stories like that have given Winckler and others involved with the blood program in South Texaswhere paramedics have transfused almost 3,500 units of blood in the field since 2018the evidence they need to secure funding for their efforts from local and state officials.

During the 2025 legislative session, Winckler traveled to Austin, where he previously worked as a paramedic, to help pitch state legislators on a statewide blood program. The idea is to make prehospital blood more readily available across Texas, including in rural areas where hospital transport times are longer.

During his testimony, Winckler told state senators that, no matter where a bleeding patient is located, their physiologytheir need for bloodis the same. Their care, he said, should be the same, too.

Winckler and his colleagues requested $4 million in funding. Legislators approved $10 million.

The program, Winckler said, sells itself.

2026 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Costeffectiveness plane of PSA screening strategies. Credit: The Lancet Regional HealthWestern Pacific (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101683

A research team from the Department of Surgery and the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has demonstrated that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for men aged 45 and above can significantly reduce the incidence of advanced-stage prostate cancer from 39% to approximately 1%, and lower the mortality rate from 6.14% to 2.85%.

The study highlights that implementing risk-stratified screening in Hong Kong is highly cost-effective, providing robust evidence to support the formulation of future cancer prevention and control policies in the city. The study findings were published in The Lancet Regional HealthWestern Pacific.

PSA screening helps reduce incidence of advanced prostate cancer and mortality

According to the latest data from the Health Bureau, prostate cancer is now the third most prevalent cancer among men in Hong Kong, with its incidence rising in tandem with the aging population. Dr. Na Rong, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, explained that early symptoms of prostate cancer are often subtle, leading to delayed treatment.

PSA screening, a blood test used to detect PSA levels in the blood, helps identify high-risk or metastatic prostate cancer at an early stage. However, the city's current health policy does not include a targeted screening program for prostate cancer, and there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the implementation of universal screening.

The research team evaluated 56 distinct PSA screening strategies, including annual PSA screening for men aged 45 to 75. The team found that this strategy could significantly reduce the proportion of patients diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer at initial diagnosis from approximately 39% to 1%, while also slashing the annual prostate cancer mortality rate from 6.14% to 2.85%.

Cost-effectiveness of city-wide PSA screening

The team also evaluated the cost-effectiveness of implementing city-wide PSA screening to reduce pressure on the public health care system. The results indicated that assuming annual PSA screening for the 45 to 75 age group, the costs for screening and subsequent treatments would be far below the "cost-effective" threshold defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Specifically, the estimated annual incremental cost per person would be approximately US$4,950 (HK$38,500). This is far below the value generated by the intervention, especially when compared to Hong Kong's GDP per capita of approximately US$55,000 (HK$420,000), confirming that periodic PSA screening is "highly cost-effective."

"From a health economics perspective, if a medical intervention is proven to be 'cost-effective' in regions with lower GDP per capita, its feasibility and economic benefits are even more significant in a high-income economy like that of Hong Kong. With more abundant medical resources and higher purchasing power, Hong Kong is well-positioned to implement proactive early screening to reduce the societal burden of advanced cancer," emphasized Dr. Na.

Optimizing resource allocation through 'precision screening'

To avoid overdiagnosis and strain on the public health care system, the research team suggests "precision stratification" of population risk. The study introduced polygenic risk scores (PRS) for prostate cancer prediction to tailor screening strategies based on individual risk levels.

While high-risk groups would undergo more frequent monitoring, the screening starting age could be delayed or testing frequency reduced for low-to-medium risk groups (comprising two-thirds of the population). This stratified approach would improve cost-effectiveness without compromising overall survival rates.

"We hope this health economics study, which combines clinical data from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, will promote a review of prostate cancer screening guidelines in the city. In the long term, this will help achieve 'early detection, early treatment,' improve the healthy life expectancy of men in Hong Kong, and alleviate societal and medical costs," concluded Dr. Na.

More information Jiacheng Liu et al, Costeffectiveness analysis of prostate-specific antigen screening in China: a middle-income population-based microsimulation study, The Lancet Regional HealthWestern Pacific (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101683
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The U.S. recorded more than 2,000 measles cases in 2025, the nation's highest yearly total in decades, health officials report.

As of Dec. 30, 2,065 measles cases had been confirmed nationwide, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The last time the United States saw more cases in a single year was 1992, before doctors routinely recommended two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for children, CNN reported.

Several large outbreaks are still spreading, including one in upstate South Carolina and another along the ArizonaUtah border, raising concerns that the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status, which it's held since 2000.

Measles is one of the world's most contagious diseases, but vaccination helps keep it in check. One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective, while two doses are 97% effective, according to the CDC.

Despite that protection, vaccination rates have dropped. During the 202425 school year, 92.5% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine, which is below the 95% coverage public health experts say is needed to head off outbreaks.

One of the largest outbreaks of 2025 began in West Texas and spread into New Mexico. It ended in August after hundreds of cases and the deaths of two children and one adult, who were unvaccinated.

In South Carolina, health officials confirmed a measles outbreak in October that has grown to nearly 180 cases. At least 20 new cases have been reported since late December, and nearly 300 people have been in quarantine after being exposed.

"We know that a large number of our cases are those who we've placed in quarantine because of known exposures," Dr. Linda Bell, the state's epidemiologist, told CNN.

She added that the virus continues to spread in homes, schools and churches.

By year's end, another outbreak along the UtahArizona border had grown to more than 350 cases combined.

Health officials are also watching developments beyond U.S. borders.

In November, Canada lost its measles elimination status following a major outbreak, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which works with the World Health Organization.

"It's important to say that all the other 34 countries in the region keep their certification as measles-free," PAHO/WHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said at the time.

U.S. officials warn that genetic links between outbreaks in different states suggest that measles will continue to spread.

"The trajectory that we're looking at now is that we do anticipate more cases well into January," Bell said. "What that means for us nationally in terms of how they are defining our designation in this country as having eliminated measles is unclear."

More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the current status of measles.

2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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The US government paused all foreign assistance in January 2025. This abrupt decision affected the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and the provision of HIV prevention services to millions of people. A UNAIDS report estimates there could be an additional 6 million new HIV infections and 4 million Aids-related deaths by 2029 if the world does not act.

In November 2025, a global health initiative, The Global Fund, raised US$11.34 billion for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. Melanie Bisnauth, a public health professional in health care systems strengthening and HIV/Aids leadership, discusses how far this latest funding could go and how African nations can tackle the dwindling funding for HIV/Aids control.

What is the funding status for HIV/Aids?

Raising US$11.34 billion is significant but it falls short of the US$18 billion target. The Global Fund is trying to raise US$18 billion for its work from 2027 to 2029. The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to end the epidemic of HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all.

It is only a partial response to the global funding gaps.

The US pledged US$4.6 billion to the Global Fund during the fund's summit in November 2025, on the side of the G20 meeting in South Africa. It was a reduction from its previous pledge of US$6 billion to support prevention, treatment, care and related services for the three diseases. But it is also an indication that the US has not abandoned all multilateral global health efforts. It remains the largest single contribution to the Global Fund 2027 to 2029 cycle.

The shortfall may strain existing programs and delay expansion of life-saving interventions for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.

HIV remains a major global public health issue, having claimed an estimated 44.1 million lives to date. An estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2024, 65% of whom are in the WHO African region.

Job losses could create inefficiencies or service reductions. Building a sustainable HIV response and meeting key goals was already challenging before the sharp funding decline in 2025. Over 11 million people had unsuppressed viral loads in 2024.

Overall, while the funds raised demonstrate continued global solidarity, they are insufficient to fully compensate for the US withdrawal and broader declines in donor support.

There are potentially long-term consequences. Reduced funding and service disruptions threaten to reverse years of progress. Infections could rise, especially in communities where viral suppression was already low. Lack of service delivery and supply of treatment will weaken trust in health systems and can lead to treatment interruptions, drug resistance and poorer health outcomes.

As the Global Fund's executive director said at the Replenishment Summit, "the old model" of development funding is over. This model is the heavy reliance on international funding like USAID and other donor organizations.

It's essential for countries to become more self-reliant. But the statement warned that too abrupt a transition could be dangerous.

I fear that the COVID-19 pandemic has already taken a toll on the quality of care provided. Health care systems are already overburdened.

National governments have to step up and locally support their health care systems, collaborate and build together, and strengthen their health funding structures.

What should the response be for better HIV funding in Africa?

Africa's HIV response should be multi-pronged.

After attending the Africa Summit in Geneva in May 2025, stakeholders, country representatives, donor agencies and NGOs expressed a key message: those involved in the sector should not reinvent the entire wheel. There is value in the knowledge gained from programming, technical expertise, data insights, partnerships, communities and global health networks should be used to strengthen, adapt and scale what already works.

This will ensure that Africa's HIV response remains community-centered, evidence-driven, and resilient in the face of emerging challenges.

The global health climate has changed and communities have lost trust because of severely disrupted or even completely cut programs. African governments must allocate their own resources for HIV programs, through budget prioritization, health insurance schemes, and innovative financing such as public-private partnerships. Improvements, such as integrating HIV services into primary care, using data-driven targeting, and negotiating lower drug costs can maximize impact.

Strengthening regional collaborations and pooled procurement through organizations like the African Union or regional health bodies can improve bargaining power and reduce dependency on external aid. A balanced mix of donor support, domestic financing and operational efficiency is essential to maintain gains and expand access to treatment for all in need.

It is important not to rely solely on international support or one funding body. Diversifying funding portfolios is critical.

What effects has the withdrawal of US funds had?

Reduced US contributions led to immediate financial shortfalls, threatening ongoing HIV prevention and treatment programs.

For example, some clinic supply and services faced disruption in delivery and supply of antiretroviral therapy, and stock-outs of treatment and malaria nets.

The world is still likely to feel the impact in the coming months. For example:

Progress towards epidemic control could slow, potentially increasing illness and death.

Programs that relied heavily on US support have already scaled back services or will do so.

Funding uncertainty remains a major concern. Governments will have to reallocate limited domestic resources or seek alternative donors.

Global health coordination, technical assistance and advocacy efforts may be weakened. In the past these supported robust HIV responses in Africa in progress toward the UNAIDS targets.

Reliance on fragmented funding streams will increase.

How can African countries better fund their HIV programs?

They can take steps that involve a mix of domestic revenue generation, efficiency gains and strategic partnerships:

diversify funding through raising domestic revenue, such as earmarked taxes

expand the reach of social health insurance coverage

leverage corporate investment and innovation through public-private partnerships

negotiate pooled procurement of drugs and diagnostics regionally to reduce costs

involve communities in decision making, which will help strengthen sustainability

integrate HIV programs into broader health systemsit improves efficiency, reducing duplication and operational costs.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Nestle said it was in contact with authorities in the relevant countries.

Swiss food giant Nestle announced on Monday a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure.

On its website, the group said it had detected a "quality issue" in an ingredient sourced from one of its major suppliers.

"Nestle has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of potentially impacted infant nutrition products," it said on its website.

"No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the products involved to date."

Nestle said it was in contact with authorities in the relevant countries "to ensure the necessary steps are taken."

"Nestle assures parents and caregivers that it is implementing appropriate actions, including a product recall where necessary."

Nestle France said it was carrying out a "preventive and voluntary recall" of certain batches of its Guigoz and Nidal infant formulas after new investigations showed the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause digestive issues.

The company posted pictures on local versions of its website showing the batch numbers of affected products, which are sold under different names. In Germany they are called Beba and Alfamino.

Nestle provided instructions for returning the products and obtaining a refund, as well as a phone number to answer consumer questions.

Key medical concepts Infant FormulaArachidonic Acid

 2026 AFP
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A daily pill for weight loss has officially arrived in the U.S.

On Monday, Novo Nordisk rolled out the first GLP-1 weight-loss pill, an oral version of Wegovy.

The company says the new option is designed to reach people who want the benefits of GLP-1 drugs without injections, and to avoid the supply shortages that limited access to earlier treatments.

Doctors can now prescribe the pill, and patients can pick it up at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide or through mail-order services.

Retailers include CVS and Costco, along with telehealth platforms partnered with Novo Nordisk and the company's own direct-to-consumer service.

The pill is taken once a day. For people paying out of pocket, the starter dose costs $150 a month. The highest dose, which delivers the greatest weight loss, is priced at $300 a month. It will be available by the end of the week.

Novo Nordisk says people with employer insurance coverage may pay as little as $25 per month.

The pill was approved last month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat obesity and reduce cardiovascular risk. It contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in injectable Wegovy and Ozempic.

Novo Nordisk executives say the company has spent years preparing for this launch. The pills are being made at a manufacturing hub in Clayton, North Carolina, where a $4 billion expansion is underway.

"We are launching the Wegovy pill in a way that we've never launched before," David Moore, executive vice president of U.S. operations at Novo Nordisk, told The Washington Post.

"We have the benefit now of living through multiple launches of our GLP-1s," he said. "So we're prepared, we're ready to go."

Supply has been a major challenge for injectable GLP-1 drugs. For more than two years, shortages led the FDA to allow compounding pharmacies to make off-brand versions of Ozempic and Wegovy, which cut into sales and limited access for many folks.

Novo Nordisk hopes the pill will help it compete more strongly with Eli Lilly, which has gained ground with its injectable weight-loss drug Zepbound and is seeking approval for its own GLP-1 pill.

In clinical trials, participants taking the highest dose of the Wegovy pill lost about 14% of their body weight over 64 weeks. Novo Nordisk estimates weight loss could reach about 17% if patients remain on treatment, which is similar to the injectable version.

"Injection-like efficacy in a pill," Moore told The Post.

People inside the company say the pill could appeal to people who have shied away from GLP-1 drugs, because they did not want regular shots.

"Maybe it was they just didn't see themselves treating their disease with an injection," Moore said.

More information Learn more about the new pill at Novo Nordisk.

 2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Collaborating institutions in Taiwan report higher risks of atopic disease among children conceived via assisted reproductive technology compared to those conceived naturally.

Assisted reproductive technology use has increased, with estimates placing assisted reproductive technology at 1% to 4% of births, especially in high-income societies, alongside wider use of embryo transfer.

Atopic disease covers three conditions; asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Atopic diseases are believed to be influenced by genetic factors and environmental triggers, with developmental origins of health and disease theory proposing that fetal-stage factors can program changes in organ and tissue structure and function.

Childhood asthma is recognized as the most prevalent chronic disease in children that burdens caregivers, reduces school attendance, and diminishes quality of life.

Previous studies have examined whether assisted reproductive technology is associated with asthma risk, with some studies suggesting higher risk and others finding no association. Some have proposed milder asthma symptoms until adulthood among individuals conceived through assisted reproductive technology and a 2024 report found no association at all.

When research reaches mixed results across studies, one of the ways to capture a more convincing perspective is to find a bigger sample size.

In the study, "Atopic Disease Development in Offspring Conceived via Assisted Reproductive Technology," published in JAMA Network Open, researchers conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort analysis to investigate whether conception via assisted reproductive technology was associated with atopic disease development in offspring.

Data came from a pool of 23.5 million people in Taiwan through Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, Assisted Reproduction Database, and the Maternal and Child Health Database.

Assisted reproductive technology included procedures such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote intrafallopian transfer, and tubal embryo transfer.

Cohort groups included 13,957 children conceived via assisted reproductive technology and 55,828 children conceived naturally after 1:4 matching by maternal age, neonatal sex, and birth month.

Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were analyzed and reported individually, allowing a child to receive one, two, or all three diagnoses during follow-up. Mean follow-up for asthma measured 7.99 years in the assisted reproductive technology group and 8.41 years in the control group, with allergic rhinitis at 5.79 and 6.34 years, and atopic dermatitis at 7.34 and 7.62 years.

Risks differed by conception type

Baseline characteristics differed between groups. Parental allergic rhinitis appeared more often in the assisted reproductive technology group for paternal history at 26.4% vs. 22.3% and maternal history at 32.2% vs. 29.1%. Gestational diabetes occurred at 2.9% vs. 1.7% and preeclampsia or eclampsia at 1.0% vs. 0.4%. Cesarean delivery occurred at 65.6% vs. 42.0%. Multiple births occurred at 30.5% vs. 2.0%. Low birth weight under 2500 g occurred at 27.4% vs. 7.9%. Preterm birth under 37 weeks occurred at 29.0% vs. 9.1%.

Cumulative incidence patterns differed for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis between groups. Crude hazard ratios exceeded 1 for asthma at 1.22, allergic rhinitis at 1.17, and atopic dermatitis at 1.07.

Adjusted models retained elevated hazard ratios. Asthma showed an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.13, allergic rhinitis showed 1.15, and atopic dermatitis showed 1.08.

Patterns observed

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection use showed no statistically significant differences in risk estimates across the three outcomes. Adjusted hazard ratios measured 1.04 for asthma, 0.99 for allergic rhinitis, and 1.04 for atopic dermatitis.

Fresh embryo transfer carried a higher allergic rhinitis risk than frozen embryo transfer, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.12. Asthma showed no statistically significant difference between fresh and frozen embryo transfer, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.96, and atopic dermatitis showed no statistically significant difference, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.01.

Interaction testing showed no statistically significant interaction between intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo type for asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis.

Clear signals

Researchers conclude that children conceived via assisted reproductive technology had a higher risk of developing asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis than children conceived naturally. Findings supported an association between assisted reproductive technology conception and later atopic disease development across the outcomes evaluated.

Researchers called for long-term follow-up for offspring conceived via assisted reproductive technology and further investigation into underlying biological mechanisms which may contribute to atopic disease development.

Written for you by our author Justin Jackson, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

Publication details Yao-Chi Hsieh et al, Atopic Disease Development in Offspring Conceived via Assisted Reproductive Technology, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.51690 Journal information: JAMA Network Open

 2026 Science X Network
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Functional implications of the C182F TAAR1 variant identified in patients with schizophrenia. Credit: Pramod Nair

A genetic mutation passed from mother to children in families affected by schizophrenia has now been shown to completely silence a brain receptor that pharmaceutical companies are racing to target with new drugs.

Researchers at Flinders University, publishing their findings in Genomic Psychiatry, demonstrate that this single amino acid change transforms the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) from a functioning cellular gatekeeper into a molecular dead end.

The discovery carries weight far beyond basic science. Several drug companies have invested heavily in TAAR1-targeting medications, with one candidate, ulotaront, receiving Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2019. That same drug later failed two Phase III clinical trials. Could genetic variants like C182F explain why some patients respond to these novel treatments while others do not?

The scientific challenge

Schizophrenia remains one of psychiatry's most vexing conditions. Affecting roughly 1% of the global population, it shatters lives through hallucinations, delusions, social withdrawal, and cognitive decline. Current medications, which primarily target dopamine receptors, help many patients but leave others struggling with persistent symptoms or intolerable side effects.

TAAR1 emerged as a promising alternative target because it modulates dopamine signaling without directly blocking dopamine receptors. Think of it as adjusting the volume knob rather than yanking out the speaker wire. The receptor responds to trace amines, naturally occurring molecules in the brain that fine-tune neurotransmitter systems.

When TAAR1 functions properly, it helps maintain what scientists call "dopaminergic tone," a balanced state of dopamine activity.

But what happens when TAAR1 itself is broken? Previous research had identified the C182F variant in an Indian family where the mother and two of her children all developed schizophrenia. The unaffected siblings carried no such mutation. This tantalizing genetic breadcrumb suggested causation, yet no one had tested whether the variant actually disrupted receptor function.

A methodological deep dive

Dr. Pramod C. Nair and his team at Flinders University designed a multilayered investigation combining cell biology with computational physics.

They created three experimental conditions: cells expressing only normal TAAR1 (mimicking unaffected individuals), cells expressing only the C182F variant (mimicking people who inherited the mutation from both parents), and cells expressing equal amounts of both versions (mimicking carriers who inherited the mutation from one parent only).

The team employed a sophisticated luminescence-based assay that measures cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation in living cells, essentially watching the receptor's signaling cascade unfold in real time. They challenged each cell type with three different compounds: two natural trace amines found in the human brain (-phenylethylamine and tyramine) and ulotaront, the clinical drug candidate.

To understand the physical basis of any dysfunction, the researchers ran 500-nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations, computational experiments that track how every atom in a protein moves over time. These calculations required resources from the National Computational Infrastructure, one of Australia's most powerful supercomputing facilities.

Complete signaling collapse

The results proved stark. Normal TAAR1 responded robustly to all three test compounds, with -phenylethylamine showing the highest potency (pEC50 of 7.2), followed by ulotaront (pEC50 of 6.8) and tyramine (pEC50 of 6.4). These values align with previous published studies, confirming the experimental system worked as expected.

The C182F variant told a different story entirely. In the homozygous state, representing individuals who inherited the mutation from both parents, the receptor showed zero response. Not diminished response. Not weak response. Absolute silence across all three compounds tested at concentrations up to 100 micromolar.

"What struck us most was the totality of the effect," said Mr. Britto Shajan, first author and doctoral researcher at Flinders University who conducted laboratory experiments.

"The receptor did not simply become less sensitive. It became completely unresponsive to every compound we tested, whether natural trace amines or clinical drug candidates."

What about carriers who have one normal copy and one mutant copy? Here the picture grew more nuanced. These heterozygous cells retained approximately 50% of normal activity, suggesting the working copies of TAAR1 still function but cannot fully compensate for the broken ones. The mutation does not poison the normal receptors, a finding with practical clinical implications.

Why does the receptor fail?

Surface expression studies revealed part of the answer. The C182F variant showed a roughly 40% reduction in how much receptor protein reaches the cell membrane compared to normal TAAR1. Less receptor at the surface means less opportunity to respond to signaling molecules. But reduced expression alone cannot explain the complete loss of function observed in cAMP assays. Something else must be wrong.

The molecular dynamics simulations uncovered a remarkable structural explanation. In normal TAAR1, a disulfide bond (a chemical bridge between two cysteine amino acids) links position 182 in the second extracellular loop to position 96 in the third transmembrane domain. This bond acts like a tent pole, holding the receptor's ligand-binding pocket in proper shape.

When cysteine at position 182 becomes phenylalanine, that tent pole vanishes. The simulations showed phenylalanine at position 182 does not simply hang loose. Instead, it swings upward and forms a stable cluster with two other aromatic amino acids, F165 and Y172. This cluster physically blocks the orthosteric binding site, the pocket where trace amines and drugs must fit to activate the receptor.

"The phenylalanine does not just break the disulfide bond. It actively reorganizes the receptor architecture to block the binding site," explained Dr. Pramod C. Nair, corresponding author and senior researcher at Flinders University. "The receptor essentially locks itself into a closed conformation."

The blocking arrangement persists for over 150 nanoseconds during the simulation, an eternity in molecular terms. Additional salt bridge interactions between nearby charged amino acids further stabilize this occluded conformation. The receptor is not merely damaged. It has locked itself shut.

From discovery to impact

These findings carry immediate implications for drug development programs. The TAAR1 C182F variant, though rare globally (allele frequency of 0.00002463), concentrates in South Asian populations.

As TAAR1-targeted therapies advance through clinical trials, should researchers screen for this and similar variants? Might genetic testing identify patients unlikely to benefit from these new medications?

"As TAAR1-targeted therapies advance toward the clinic, we need to consider whether genetic screening might identify patients unlikely to respond," said Dr. Nair.

"This variant is rare globally but concentrates in South Asian populations, precisely the kind of information that should inform clinical trial design."

The familial pattern of the original discovery raises equally pressing questions. A mother and two children sharing both the variant and the diagnosis suggests, but does not prove, that broken TAAR1 contributes directly to disease. Could restoring trace amine signaling through alternative pathways help these patients? Would gene therapy approaches ever become feasible for such rare variants?

Dr. Nair's team acknowledges their study focused on one signaling pathway (the Gs cascade leading to cAMP production). Emerging research suggests TAAR1 may also signal through Gq proteins, opening additional therapeutic targets. How the C182F variant affects these alternative pathways remains unknown.

The researchers also note their experiments used a modified receptor construct optimized for cell surface expression, a standard technique in the field but one that may not perfectly recapitulate physiological conditions.

The team behind the discovery

This investigation required expertise spanning pharmacology, structural biology, and computational science. Mr. Britto Shajan conducted all laboratory experiments and performed primary data analysis. Mr. Utsav Vaghasiya executed the molecular dynamics simulations.

Professor Tarun Bastiampillai contributed psychiatric clinical perspectives. Professor Karen J. Gregory and Dr. Shane D. Hellyer from Monash University provided receptor pharmacology expertise and contributed to manuscript preparation. Dr. Nair designed the study, supervised the work, and oversaw all aspects from conception to publication.

The road ahead

Future investigations will examine how the C182F variant affects TAAR1 expression and function in more physiologically relevant cell systems. Ligand binding affinity studies may clarify whether the structural occlusion observed in simulations genuinely prevents drug molecules from reaching their target.

The researchers also plan to characterize disulfide bond rearrangements that may occur when cysteine 96, normally paired with cysteine 182, finds itself partnerless.

"We want to understand whether the free cysteine at position 96 might pair with other cysteines during protein folding, creating entirely new structural problems," Mr. Shajan added. "That could explain some of the trafficking defects we observed."

"This is one variant among dozens we have identified that could affect TAAR1 function," Dr. Nair noted. "Each represents both a window into disease mechanisms and a potential obstacle to therapeutic success."

Perhaps most importantly, this work establishes a template for studying other TAAR1 variants. The team has previously identified over 40 rare mutations across diverse populations that could affect receptor function. Some occur in the ligand binding pocket itself. Others affect regions critical for receptor activation. Each variant represents both a potential contributor to psychiatric illness and a possible obstacle to therapeutic success.

More information Functional implications of the C182F TAAR1 variant identified in patients with schizophrenia, Genomic Psychiatry (2026). DOI: 10.61373/gp026r.0006

Key medical concepts SchizophreniaCyclic AMP

Provided by Genomic Press
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A comprehensive genetic investigation led by Dr. Feng Liu at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital has uncovered striking molecular connections between schizophrenia and bone health, identifying 195 shared genetic loci that may explain why psychiatric patients face elevated fracture risks.

The research, published in Genomic Psychiatry, analyzed genomic data from over half a million individuals and reveals that these two seemingly unrelated conditions suggest overlapping biological pathways at the molecular level.

The paper is titled "Shared genetic architecture between schizophrenia and osteoporosis revealed by multilevel genomic analyses."

The finding carries immediate clinical weight. Patients with schizophrenia experience osteoporosis at rates far exceeding the general population, yet clinicians have lacked genetic explanations for this troubling pattern.

Now, with 1,376 protein-coding genes mapped to shared risk regions, researchers possess a molecular roadmap that could inform future preventive strategies for vulnerable psychiatric patients.

The scientific challenge

Why would a disorder of thought and perception share genetic roots with a disease of bone fragility? This paradox has puzzled researchers for decades.

Epidemiological studies have consistently documented that individuals with schizophrenia carry lower bone mineral density and suffer more fractures than matched controls. Vitamin D deficiency, metabolic disturbances, and antipsychotic medications have all been implicated. Yet these explanations felt incomplete.

The human genome held clues that traditional clinical observation could never detect. Both schizophrenia and osteoporosis are highly heritable conditions, each influenced by thousands of genetic variants scattered across chromosomes. If even a fraction of those variants overlapped, it would suggest shared biological underpinnings far deeper than environmental factors or medication side effects.

Previous attempts to quantify this overlap yielded mixed results. Standard methods like linkage disequilibrium score regression captured only average correlations across the genome, potentially missing regional hotspots of shared risk. The field needed analytical approaches sophisticated enough to detect genetic sharing even when variants exerted opposing effects on different traits.

Could novel computational methods reveal what simpler analyses obscured?

Revolutionary approach

Dr. Liu's team assembled an analytical arsenal in this research domain. They combined three complementary genomic methods, each probing genetic overlap at a different resolution.

MiXeR quantified global polygenic overlap across the entire genome. LAVA examined local genetic correlations within specific chromosomal regions. The conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate framework identified individual variants associated with both conditions simultaneously.

The data foundation proved equally impressive. Schizophrenia statistics came from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium's landmark study of 130,644 individuals. Osteoporosis-related data encompassed six phenotypes measured across cohorts ranging from 8,143 to 426,824 participants. Bone mineral density measurements spanned multiple skeletal sites: total body, lumbar spine, femoral neck, forearm, and heel.

This multilevel strategy offered advantages that single-method approaches could not match. Where global analyses might average away regional signals, local correlation testing preserved them.

Where traditional methods required concordant effect directions, MiXeR detected sharing regardless of whether variants increased or decreased disease risk. The combination created a three-dimensional portrait of genetic architecture impossible to achieve through any single analytical lens.

Statistical rigor remained paramount throughout. The team excluded genomic regions with complex linkage patterns that could generate spurious signals. They applied Benjamini-Hochberg corrections to control false discovery rates. Model fit was evaluated using Akaike Information Criterion statistics. These precautions ensured that identified associations reflected genuine biology rather than statistical artifacts.

Unexpected patterns across skeletal sites

The results revealed genetic sharing more complex and site-specific than anyone anticipated. Not all bones told the same story.

Among the osteoporosis-related phenotypes examined, heel bone mineral density (BMD) showed the most prominent genetic overlap with schizophrenia across multiple analytical levels.

At the global polygenic level, schizophrenia and heel BMD shared 329 trait-influencing variants, ranking second only to the schizophreniaosteoporosis diagnosis pair (495 shared variants) among all phenotype pairs analyzed.

At the regional level, local genetic correlation analyses identified 44 genomic regions showing significant associations between schizophrenia and heel BMD, with comparable numbers of positive and negative correlations. At the variant level, 140 shared genomic loci were identified between schizophrenia and heel BMD, markedly exceeding those observed for other skeletal sites.

In comparison, total body BMD showed 41 shared loci, whereas lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD exhibited only a limited number of statistically significant shared loci (six and four loci, respectively).

Notably, no significant shared loci were detected between schizophrenia and forearm BMD. Given the relatively small GWAS sample size for forearm BMD (N = 8,143), this null finding may reflect limited statistical power; however, the possibility of a genuinely weaker genetic association between forearm BMD and schizophrenia cannot be excluded and warrants further investigation in larger datasets.

Effect directions added another layer of complexity. Only 21% to 68% of shared variants showed concordant effects across trait pairs. This means many genetic variants that increase schizophrenia risk simultaneously decrease bone density, while others push both traits in the same direction.

Such mixed effect patterns explain why previous genome-wide correlation studies yielded modest results despite substantial underlying genetic overlap.

Molecular mechanisms illuminated

Functional annotation transformed genetic coordinates into biological meaning. The 195 shared loci mapped to 1376 protein-coding genes, and these genes did not scatter randomly across biological pathways.

Enrichment analysis revealed 59 significantly overrepresented biological process terms. Organonitrogen compound metabolism topped the list.

These pathways govern amino acid processing and nitrogen-containing molecule handling, functions essential for neurotransmitter synthesis in the brain and matrix protein production in bone. The same molecular pathways involved in synaptic signaling may also contribute to the formation of collagen scaffolding in healthy skeletal tissue.

Anatomical structure development appeared prominently among enriched terms. This category encompasses the genetic programs that guide tissue formation during embryonic development and maintain tissue architecture throughout life. Brain and bone both require precisely orchestrated developmental processes, and variants affecting these programs could plausibly influence both organs.

Biological regulation pathways completed the picture. These broad categories encompass the signaling cascades and feedback loops that coordinate cellular behavior across organ systems. Phosphorus metabolic processes, catabolic pathways, and cellular nitrogen compound biosynthesis all achieved statistical significance.

Whether these shared pathways represent true causal mechanisms, or reflect statistical associations remains an open question. The data cannot distinguish causation from correlation. Yet the biological coherence of identified pathways suggests functional relevance rather than chance overlap.

The team behind the discovery

This investigation required expertise spanning psychiatric genetics, skeletal biology, and advanced computational methods. Li-Ning Guo, Qi An, and Zhi-Hui Zhang contributed equally as first authors, reflecting the collaborative intensity required.

Feng Liu at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital served as corresponding author alongside Meng-Jing Cai at Henan Provincial People's Hospital and Zhi-Jian Wei at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. This multi-institutional partnership brought together radiology, orthopedics, and psychiatric genomics expertise across three major Chinese medical centers.

Clinical implications and prevention potential

These findings arrive with immediate translational relevance. Psychiatrists treating schizophrenia patients might eventually incorporate genetic risk scores for bone health into clinical decision-making. Those carrying high-risk variants at shared loci could receive proactive bone density monitoring and earlier intervention.

The data also raise questions about medication selection. If certain genetic variants predispose to both schizophrenia and bone fragility, do some antipsychotic medications interact with these pathways more than others? Could pharmacogenomic approaches optimize treatment selection to minimize skeletal side effects in genetically vulnerable patients?

Population-level screening represents another possibility. As polygenic risk scoring matures, integrated assessments capturing both psychiatric and skeletal vulnerability could identify individuals warranting comprehensive preventive care spanning multiple organ systems.

What biomarkers might help translate these genetic findings into bedside tools? Could specific blood tests capture the metabolic dysfunction underlying both conditions? These questions await future investigation.

Limitations and caveats

Honest acknowledgment of constraints strengthens rather than weakens these conclusions. All analyzed individuals traced European ancestry, limiting generalizability to other populations. Trans-ethnic studies will need to determine whether identified genetic overlaps replicate across diverse genetic backgrounds.

The six osteoporosis-related phenotypes, while comprehensive, may not capture the full biological heterogeneity of skeletal disease. Cortical versus trabecular bone, bone turnover markers, and fracture outcomes could reveal additional genetic connections not detected here.

Sample size constraints affected forearm BMD analyses specifically. The null result for this skeletal site may reflect insufficient statistical power rather than genuine absence of genetic overlap.

Finally, GWAS summary statistics cannot detect rare variants, gene-gene interactions, or gene-environment interplay. The complete genetic architecture connecting schizophrenia and osteoporosis almost certainly extends beyond what current methods can capture.

The road ahead

These findings open research avenues extending far beyond the current investigation. Mendelian randomization studies could probe causal relationships between specific genes and disease outcomes. Animal models could validate whether manipulating identified pathways produces both neuropsychiatric and skeletal phenotypes.

Clinical trials testing bone-protective interventions specifically in schizophrenia populations represent another logical extension. If shared genetic mechanisms drive comorbidity, targeted prevention strategies might prove more effective than generic approaches.

The research team plans to expand analyses to additional psychiatric conditions. Do bipolar disorder, major depression, or autism spectrum disorders share similar skeletal genetic connections? Mapping the broader landscape of brain-bone genetic overlap could reveal whether schizophrenia represents a unique case or exemplifies a general pattern.

Collaborative efforts across psychiatric and musculoskeletal research communities will prove essential. The complexity uncovered here demands interdisciplinary approaches combining genomics, clinical medicine, and basic biology.

More information Shared genetic architecture between schizophrenia and osteoporosis revealed by multilevel genomic analyses, Genomic Psychiatry (2026). DOI: 10.61373/gp026a.0012

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Excitatory neurotransmitter-Glu induces active FA generation in the mitochondria. Credit: Molecular Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03405-2

Depression, one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, impaired daily functioning and a loss of interest in daily activities, often along with altered sleeping and eating patterns. Past research findings suggest that stress can play a key role in the emergence of depressive symptoms, yet the biological processes via which it might increase the risk of depression remain poorly understood.

Researchers at Wenzhou Medical University, Capital Medical University and other institutes in China recently carried out a study investigating the biological processes that could link stress to the onset of depression. Their results, published in Molecular Psychiatry, suggest that stress influences the levels of a chemical known as formaldehyde (FA) in specific parts of the brain, which could in turn disrupt their normal functioning, contributing to the emergence of depression.

The production of formaldehyde in the brain

Past studies have found that high levels of stress increase the risk of experiencing depression, particularly the most severe and persistent type of depression, known as major depressive disorder (MDD). Many patients with MDD also exhibit damage to the hippocampus, a brain region associated with memory and the regulation of emotions, and deficiencies in crucial chemicals known as monoamines.

Monoamines include serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep, digestion and impulse control, dopamine, which plays a role in motivation, reward and attention, and melatonin, the primary regulator of sleeping patterns. A reduction in these neurotransmitters could thus explain the disruptions in mood, sleep, appetite and motivation associated with depression.

Another chemical that could contribute to depressive symptoms is FA, a small and highly reactive chemical that is naturally produced as a byproduct of metabolic processes. Most notably, this chemical is known to be produced when the body breaks down DNA, RNA and histone proteins.

Earlier research has found that prolonged exposure to FA produced in the environment can cause depressive symptoms. Yet the possible effects of FA created inside the body had not yet been elucidated.

The research team at Wenzhou Medical University, Capital Medical University and other universities in China set out to fill this gap in the literature, specifically focusing on the possible impact of FA produced in response to stress.

"Surprisingly, the administration of FA causes depressive symptoms in both animals and humans, though whether endogenous FA induces depression is unclear," wrote Yiqing Wu, Yonghe Tang and their colleagues. "We report that stress-derived FA promotes depression onset."

Internally produced formaldehyde could disrupt mood regulation

As part of their study, Wu, Tang and their colleagues used highly sensitive chemical probes to measure the levels of formaldehyde in the bodies of stressed mice and humans. The probes they used are essentially molecules that can be used to detect and measure the presence of target chemicals (in this case FA) as they emit light when interacting with these chemicals.

"Acute infusion and chronic FA injection were used to mimic depressive behaviors in mice under chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)," wrote the authors. "Patch clamp recorded FA-inhibited hippocampal CA1 discharges, while mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry examined FA-inactivated monoamine."

The researchers recorded the electrical activity in the hippocampus, as well as the levels of serotonin, dopamine and melatonin in the brains of mice. They then also analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showing the brains of teenage patients diagnosed with MDD.

The researchers analyzed the blood of depressed patients and tried to determine whether the levels of FA in their blood were linked to the severity of their symptoms. They explored this connection further using computational tools designed to analyze biological data.

Finally, the team analyzed metabolomics data from a publicly available research dataset called MENDA (metabolomics encyclopedia for depression and anxiety). This is information related to the presence of specific chemicals in the bodies of individuals experiencing depression and anxiety.

The analyses carried out by Wu, Tang and their colleagues yielded interesting results, suggesting that acute and chronic stress can increase the production of FA in hippocampal neurons. This FA excess was found to be associated with the inactivation of serotonin, dopamine and melatonin, as well as the emergence of depression-like behaviors in mice.

"Our results showed that in cellular and mouse models, glutamic acid and both acute and chronic stress triggered FA production in hippocampal CA1 neurons," wrote the authors. "Excessive FA induced depressive behaviors due to FA buildup and decreased serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin levels in the extracellular space. Especially, excessive FA deactivated these monoamines, damaged hippocampal CA1 structure, and reduced neuro-excitability."

Possible clinical implications

This recent study sheds new light on the neurobiological processes via which higher stress levels could drive the onset of depressive symptoms. It particularly highlights the effects that a stress-induced excessive production of FA can have on the brain and body chemistry of both mice and humans.

"Remarkably, adolescent MDD patients showed hippocampal CA1 atrophy and monoamine deficiencies, with blood FA levels predicting depression severity," wrote the authors. "These findings suggest that stress-derived FA serves as a critical trigger of depression by inactivating monoamines and impairing hippocampal CA1."

In the future, the results gathered by these researchers could inform the development of new diagnostic tools or treatments for depression designed to limit the production of FA in the body and its overall effects on the brain. In addition, they could pave the way for further research probing the link between FA and depression.

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Lisa Lock, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

Publication details Yiqing Wu et al, Decoding depression: stress-derived formaldehyde initiates depressive symptoms in mouse and human, Molecular Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03405-2 Journal information: Molecular Psychiatry

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Innate immune sensing and response pathways by endometrial epithelial and stromal cells following E. coli challenge and confirmed in animal models. Credit: Nature Reviews Immunology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41577-025-01200-2

Research to help reduce inflammation in the uterus of livestock animals could help pave the way for developing new drugs to treat infertility in women, according to a scientific review published in Nature Reviews Immunology.

Using best ethical practice, scientists at Aberystwyth University have been exploring new ways of treating endometritis in sheep, cattle and other farm animals.

Endometritis causes inflammation in the uterus, bringing discomfort to the animal as well as affecting future fertility and production.

Implications for human infertility treatment

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that endometritis can also be an important cause of infertility in women.

Researchers hope the recommendations and the knowledge gaps identified in the review paper will help inform understanding among clinical staff treating women with the condition, as well as lead to the development of effective drugs.

Dr. Debbie Nash from the Department of Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University said, "Endometritis is a common condition in livestock caused by an infection in the lining of the uterus. Antibiotics are usually used to treat the infection but inflammation can persist, affecting fertility.

"My recent work has been focused on developing new plant-based drugs which treat the ongoing inflammation in animals and we are looking forward to conducting future studies to shortlist promising products.

"Even though my main focus has been on the health of livestock, there are additional lessons to be learned from this animal modeling work. We know that chronic endometritis also affects fertility in humans. By sharing what we have learned and applying our knowledge more widely, we hope our research can also help kick-start the search for new therapies for women who suffer from endometritis, especially the early stages of drug discovery.

"Our research practices are all ethically sound and practical. We do not use tissue or cells from live animals in our modeling but source material from abattoirs which would otherwise be discarded during the meat production process. The importance of good ethical standards in creating lab-based animal models of uterine inflammation was highlighted in the review."

Dr. Nash is currently working with two Welsh-based companies to develop potential products for treating endometritis.

Publication details Deborah M. Nash et al, Uterine inflammation and lessons from large animal models of endometritis, Nature Reviews Immunology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41577-025-01200-2 Journal information: Nature Reviews Immunology

Key medical concepts EndometritisFemale Infertility
In a dramatic twist in Ward 173 (Sion-Pratiksha Nagar), a seat-sharing arrangement between the BJP and the Shiv Sena has unravelled into a criminal investigation involving a missing candidate, an FIR over the alleged theft of an AB Form, and accusations of forged signatures. At the centre of the controversy are BJP candidate Shilpa Keluskar and Shiv Sena nominee Pooja Kamble. For the moment, the BJP is standing by its candidate.



The trouble began when the BJP initially issued its AB Form  mandatory for contesting elections on a party ticket and to be submitted to the Election Commission  to Keluskar. The Shiv Sena objected, asserting that Ward 173 falls within its stronghold and that it would field its own candidate. On December 29, the BJP leadership agreed to cede the seat to the Shiv Sena and instructed Keluskar to return the form to the party office.



Keluskar initially appeared to comply. However, by the December 31 withdrawal deadline, the situation took a sharp turn. The AB Form was not returned, and Keluskar allegedly went incommunicado.



In his police complaint, BJP secretary Dinesh Jagtap alleged that the form had been stolen. The party was convinced that the AB Form was taken away by Keluskar, following which an FIR for theft was registered, a police officer said, citing Jagtaps statement. The FIR stated that the form was later returned. Sources, however, said the form was not submitted to the BJPs main office, but a regional office, that too five-seven minutes before closing of nomination.



The plot thickened on New Years Eve. While the alliance expected Keluskar to withdraw, they were stunned to find her nomination still valid  bearing the signature of BJP leader Ameet Satam.



Shiv Sena leaders have alleged forgery. Ramdas Kamble, husband of Pooja Kamble, told Mumbai Mirror



, The seat was allotted to us, but we were shocked to see Keluskar file the AB Form with the BJP presidents signature. We suspect she submitted a Xerox copy of the form just five to seven minutes before the nomination deadline. On December 31, the last day for withdrawals, repeated attempts were made to contact her, but she was unreachable.



As police probe the alleged theft of the partys official mandate, Keluskars camp has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Speaking on her behalf, her husband Datta Keluskar dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign. They approached the Bombay High Court, and the court dismissed their case, he said. They should check the CCTV footage from the withdrawal day. It will show who is lying. Shilpa is the authorised BJP candidate.



BJP leaders Amit Satam and Dinesh Jagtap were unavailable for comment till press time. However, Captain R Tamil Selvan  the sitting BJP MLA from Sion-Koliwada constituency  told Mumbai Mirror it was a friendly fight. The authenticity of the form will be decided by the Election Commission. The candidate [Keluskar] has worked hard and its a friendly fight, he said.
The coming together of the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj  a photo-op that was awash with symbolism and nostalgia  is proving to be far more underwhelming than the lions roar that their supporters had expected. With defections, bribe allegations, last-minute name withdrawals and walkover victories for the BJP-Shiv Sena candidates across different municipal corporations, the clear signs of discord within the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance ranks are there for everyone to see.



While the Thackerays may be crying foul over the 70-plus Mahayuti nominees who were elected unopposed, several UBT-MNS candidates Mirror spoke to claimed they were left to fend for themselves without organisational backing. Coupled with this is the intimidation they are facing on the ground, making the Oppositions challenge to Mahayuti look like a poorly planned experiment lacking in both grassroots strength and internal coordination.



In a joint press conference by Sena (UBT) and MNS in Thane on Monday, Sanjay Raut said many candidates were being purchased with money power. Withdrawal of 70 candidates in Maharashtra is the biggest scam, he said. Raut also noted that as MNS leader Avinash Jadhav sought the courts intervention, The matter is now sub judice and no longer in the jurisdiction of the EC.



Across three key civic bodies in Thane district, the ruling Mahayuti recorded a string of walkover victories, led by the Shiv Sena (Shinde) in Thane and the BJP in Kalyan-Dombivli and Bhiwandi. In the Thane Municipal Corporation, seven Shiv Sena candidates were elected unopposed, with three wins in Ward 18 alone, and the remaining victories spread across Wards 17, 14, and 5.



In the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, the BJP secured at least 15 unopposed seats, marking one of its strongest civic showings in recent years. In Bhiwandi, the BJP added six uncontested victories, underscoring the alliances expanding control over urban local bodies in the Thane district region.



Commenting on the developments, social worker and political analyst Shreenivas Ghanekar from the Kalyan-Dombivli region said the oppositions troubles stem from the erosion of its grassroots base. When Eknath Shinde left, he took with him Senas entire ground-level support system. The MNS, which once had 23 corporators in KDMC and later fell to 9, may now be reduced to 0, he said. He added that lack of cadre strength and alleged bribing of candidates were major reasons behind the withdrawals.



In Kalyan, UBT candidate Vaishali Pote-Mhatre, whose nomination was accepted by Election Commission officials, alleged that she received a call from Kalyan region party head Tatya Mane asking her to withdraw barely an hour before the deadline. She claimed to possess an audio recording to substantiate this and questioned why she was issued an AB form in the first place.



She further alleged that loyal and hardworking candidates were sidelined, and money was allegedly paid to those who withdrew from ground-level work. She demanded action from senior party leaders against local functionaries responsible for forcing candidates out of the race.



Responding to the allegations, Mane said candidates deemed incapable were asked to withdraw as per party leadership instructions, adding that dissatisfaction was natural among such candidates.



Meanwhile, MNS candidate Kajal Patil from Kalyan-Dombivli withdrew her nomination, citing family reasons. My aunt is contesting from the same ward on a BJP ticket. To maintain family harmony, I decided to withdraw and support her, she said. Another MNS leader from the region, Manoj Gharat, also withdrew his nomination despite actively preparing for the election. While the move surprised local residents, Gharat maintained that the decision was purely personal and free from external pressure.



Allegations also surfaced that a UBT candidate from Kalyan East accepted 2 crore to withdraw from the contest. The candidate declined to comment, stating only that it was a personal choice.



In Mumbais Mulund area, Sharad Pawar faction candidate Bharat Danani alleged that his nomination from Ward No 107 was wrongly rejected while he was contesting against Neail Somaiya, son of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. The election officer told me I was late, but I reached at least 15 minutes before the deadline. Though my form was initially accepted, it was later marked as late and rejected, Danani said, alleging political pressure behind the decision.



Following Dananis rejection, UBT declared Dinesh Jadhav, a senior party office-bearer in Mulund, as its candidate. Anticipating interference, Jadhav already filed his nomination as an independent. I was aware there could be pressure to cancel nominations, so I filed independently, he said. Later, UBT leader Sanjay Raut announced Jadhav as the partys official candidate, though he will contest without the partys official election symbol.



In Thane, the withdrawal of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate Vikrant Ghag triggered political controversy. MNS leader Avinash Jadhav alleged that Ghag was seen in a video being accompanied by a police officer to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes bungalow, after which he withdrew his nomination. Jadhav termed the incident a serious matter warranting intervention by the Election Commission. Ghag, however, denied any coercion, stating that his visit to Shinde was related to personal work and that his decision to support the Shinde factions candidate was voluntary.



Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Thane-based candidate who withdrew from the race said, We are being threatened and bribed  what options do we have? We should receive strong backing from the party leadership.



Among the seven unopposed victories in Thane, four resulted from withdrawals by opposition candidates. Two of these were contesting on Sena (UBT) tickets, one was from Congress, and in one seat, the absence of candidates from leading parties meant an independent candidate withdrew, paving the way for an unopposed victory.



This is Rokh Shahi (rule of money). So many withdrawals by Opposition candidates are unprecedented, said Manoj Pradhan, Thane city NCP President. There were withdrawals by two NCP candidates; however, only one resulted in an unopposed victory. One of our candidates (Vikrant Ghag), who filed nomination under the UBT banner from Ward No 18 D, withdrew. Ghag told me that he withdrew as he was feeling lonely after the other two major Opposition candidates from his panel withdrewand felt that he was fighting a losing battle. However, he should have contested the elections, said Pradhan. Ghags withdrawal resulted in the unopposed victory of Ram Repale from Shiv Sena.



In another bizarre case, Pramila Keni, a former NCP (SP) corporator who recently joined Shiv Sena but did not get a ticket from her party, then quit and filed her nomination as an independent. The NCP (SP) subsequently asked their candidate to withdraw as Keni was no longer associated with Shiv Sena.



In Ward 18, Jayshree Pathak from Shiv Sena was declared unopposed as Sneha Nagare from Shiv Sena (UBT) withdrew her nomination. In Ward 18C, the withdrawal by Congress candidate Vaishali Pawar and invalidation of MNS candidate Prachi Ghadge resulted in the unopposed victory of Sukhada More from Shiv Sena.



There is no loyalty to the party, as candidates are aware that the party leaders themselves are not loyal to the party principles. This scenario also raises the question of how many candidates entered the fray to withdraw for the right price, said Uday Nirgudkar, political analyst and expert.



Could the parties do more to prevent this situation? Kedar Dighe, leader of Sena (UBT) in Thane, disagrees. Reasons like the alliance was finalised late are mere excuses. If a candidate decides to quit, then in such a scenario the party cannot be blamed.



The unopposed victories are alarming, because this means a section of 34 lakh voters will not be able to cast their votes in favour of people they want to elect, said Professor Mrudul Nile, political observer.
After General Hussain Muhammad Ershad seized power in Bangladesh through the contentious March 1988 elections, Indias intelligence community grew concerned about deepening divisions within the countrys political landscape, particularly between Sheikh Hasinas Awami League and Begum Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).



This division persisted despite the fact that all major political parties, including the Awami League, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, had boycotted the elections. At the time, the Dhaka station chief of Indias external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), reportedly sent coded messages to both opposition leaders, urging them to recognise Ershad as a common adversary and to set aside their differences to unite against the authoritarian regime. This strategy proved successful, fuelling mass protests that ultimately led to Ershads ousting in December 1990.



Last week (December 31, 2025), as Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, Bangladesh marked the end of an era. Zias political journey was closely intertwined with one of the countrys most defining democratic movements.



Thousands of mourners gathered after her namaz-e-janaza at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to pay tribute to a leader who, despite her fierce rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, had once set aside personal and political differences to help bring down Ershads military regime. This brief but pivotal moment of unity, chronicled in RAW: A History of Indias Covert Operations by Yatish Yadav, remains a golden chapter in Bangladeshs political history.



Why did RAW intervene?



After the assassination of Sheikh Hasinas father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in August 1975, Dhaka became fertile ground for foreign intelligence agencies. American, Soviet and Pakistani agencies all sought influence in a volatile political environment.



General H M Ershad, who ruled Bangladesh for much of the 1980s, was initially regarded as pro-India. Over time, however, his growing proximity to Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) became a serious concern for New Delhi. RAW responded by appointing a new chief to its Dhaka station. Soon after arriving in November 1988, the officer, codenamed Krishna Patwardhan, realised that Indian undercover agents were under close surveillance by the Ershad regime. According to the book, even local staff at Indias diplomatic mission were acting as informers. Patwardhan tightened RAWs operations, plugging gaps in information-sharing and security. He also began engaging Ershads political opponents but was troubled by the widening rift between Hasina and Khaleda Zia, which was weakening the broader opposition.



After sending coded messages to both leaders, he succeeded in getting them to agree that removing Ershad should be their immediate priority. This rare consensus significantly increased pressure on a ruler who had clung to power through a rigged election.



At the same time, RAW cultivated student leaders, built a network of informers within the Bangladeshi government, and worked to counter anti-India elements. Publicly, however, New Delhi continued to maintain cordial diplomatic relations with Dhaka.



When the unthinkable happened



On February 27, 1988, Bangladeshs deeply divided opposition did something few believed possible. Hasina and Khaleda Zia issued a rare joint appeal calling for a united agitation against Ershads military-backed regime. They urged people to boycott the midterm parliamentary elections scheduled for March 3, warning that participation would only perpetuate dictatorial rule. It was the first time the two leaders spoke in one voice on the political crisis. The statement energised students, professionals and opposition ranks, sending a clear signal that Ershads grip on power was weakening. Though fragile and tactical, the joint call marked a decisive shift in the struggle against authoritarian rule.



Operation Farewell: The fall of Ershad



In June 1988, Ershad attempted to divide the opposition by declaring Islam the state religion, deepening ideological differences between the Awami League and the BNP. While Khaleda Zias party did not oppose the move in principle, Sheikh Hasinas Awami League demanded justice under the 1972 Constitution for the 1975 assassinations.



As unrest intensified and Ershads legitimacy weakened, Hasina and Khaleda once again agreed on a joint course of action. Around this time, RAW operatives prepared a plan codenamed Operation Farewell. By August 1990, doctors, lawyers and other professionals launched strikes demanding Ershads resignation. Student protests soon spread nationwide. On November 27, university campuses across Dhaka erupted in demonstrations, and both Hasina and Khaleda were arrested. What finally brought Ershad down was sustained pressure from mass-based political forces led jointly by the two leaders. Arrests, repression and intimidation failed to stem the movement. On December 4, 1990, Ershad stepped down, ending nearly nine years of military-backed rule. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed was appointed interim president to oversee elections. His visits to the graves of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman were widely seen as symbolic acknowledgements of the shared democratic legacy behind the uprising.



The unity between Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia unravelled once their immediate objective was achieved. With the return of electoral politics, rivalry quickly resurfaced. Yet their convergence, first signalled by the joint appeal of February 27, 1988, remains a defining moment in Bangladeshs democratic journey. For a brief but pivotal period, two rival women leaders set aside deep differences to bring down an entrenched autocracy.




US President Donald Trump gave Secretary of State Marco Rubio another job last weekend: Running Venezuela. But plenty of questions remain about his unenviable new assignment.



Rubio explained that his priority after the removal of Nicolas Maduro is ensuring that Venezuela acts in US interests. In practice, that means convincing Maduros No 2, Delcy Rodriguez, to halt drug trafficking, remove militant groups and end Venezuelas cosy relationships with US adversaries.



Straightforward enough, but will Venezuelan leaders really cooperate with the US? So far, Rodriguez has struck a publicly defiant tone. She is a dyed-in-the-wool Chavista whose Marxist father was jailed for his crimes against an American businessman in the 1970s.



Its possible Rodriguezs public attacks on the US and demands that Maduro be returned home are directed towards a domestic audience. Washington certainly has plenty of leverage over her, including its continuing naval embargo on oil exports. There is also the threat of a second wave of military action, including Trumps professed willingness to put US soldiers on the ground. Trump said during last week that Rubio is in touch with her and she is open to US demands, but it would not be the first time Trumps description of another world leaders views were more hopeful than accurate.



But Rodriguez isnt the only powerful person in Caracas. Hardliners like Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello Rondon and Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez face US criminal indictments but control much of the apparatus of the state. For years, Maduro and his cronies have maintained their grip on power by keeping the nations well-paid military leaders on their side, as well as the armed gangs that have essentially controlled large swaths of the country in Maduros name. What happens to those power structures after Maduros capture remains anyones guess.



Another unknown: What happens to opposition leaders, like Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado? US officials are unwise to prematurely write off Machados chances of emerging as president. She has legitimacy with the Venezuelan people, given that her party handily won the countrys 2024 election. She also earned their respect for staying in the country even after the Maduro regime targeted her. Moreover, she has a strong record of standing for democracy and free markets, and shes committed to doing lucrative business with the US. Its very likely shed win a national election if allowed to appear on the ballot.



The most difficult question is how long the Venezuelan people at home and abroad will tolerate ambiguous American policy. Millions are celebrating Maduros removal, and they are optimistic that freedom is within reach.But those sentiments could turn if they begin to perceive that the US is keeping the remnants of the regime in place while extracting the countrys wealth for its own benefit.



The Washington Post




Sacramento, CA California Governor Gavin Newsom will deliver his State of the State address to a joint session of the California Legislature on Thursday, January 8th, for the first time since 2020.

Lawmakers and political observers say the address will come as the state faces a significant budget deficit and pressing issues, including housing affordability, homelessness, and health care, offering Newsom a platform to outline priorities for his final year in office. Newsom has used past State of the State speeches to highlight Californias policy efforts and contrast state achievements with federal actions. In other years, he has emphasized social programs, climate initiatives, and responses to public safety and wildfire challenges.

Californias budget has been under more scrutiny since the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office projected an 18 billion dollar shortfall in 2026. Republican lawmakers have outlined their own budget priorities ahead of the address, calling for measures to lower the cost of living, strengthen public safety, and expand economic opportunity.
Senate Minority Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor regarding military actions in Venezuela.

Schumer was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

Early Saturday morning, as we all know, U.S. forces apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Both of them are now in U.S. custody.

First, I will say this: Nicolas Maduro is a tyrant. Nobody mourns what has happened to him. Under his watch, the people of Venezuela have suffered immensely.

But now the crucial question is what comes next for Venezuela and, more importantly, for the United States.

Nobody really seems to know. The administrations story keeps changing by the hour. Even after Secretary Rubio spent all Sunday trying to clean up Trumps mess, the President went right back to repeat that the US will now apparently run Venezuela for a while.

On and on and on and on. No plan. No clarity. Only chaos.

Ironically and dangerously, the chaos Donald Trump has engendered in Venezuela leads him on, in his mind, to think he should try the same thing in Columbia, in Iran, and even in Greenland.

But the danger in Venezuela is only beginning. Donald Trump has opened pandoras box and things can get out of hand very quickly.

And if Donald Trump tries to do to Colombia and Greenland what he did in Venezuela, the disasters and consequences could compound exponentially, as bad as Venezuela is going to be.

Whenever our country has gotten involved in this kind of regime change and nation building, American families pay the price in blood and in treasure. Thats what happened in Iraq, for instance.

The American people didnt sign up for this kind of military adventurism when they voted for Donald Trump. They want a President focused on America first, focused on lowering the cost of living, lowering health care costs, lowering grocery prices.

Just like Donald Trump broke his promise to release the Epstein files, he is now breaking his promise to end American involvement in the endless wars. I warn my Republican colleagues: the backlash from the MAGA base on war with Venezuela will be swift, fierce, and thunderous, just like it was with the Epstein files. And if Republicans go along with Donald Trump on Venezuela, Americans will pay the price in blood and treasurewhile Republicans could very well pay the price politically.

In the meantime, the next step for Congress is clear: we must stop Trumps folly by invoking the War Powers Act.

Later this week, I will join Senator Kaine, and Senators Schiff and Paul in forcing a vote on our War Powers Resolution, a bipartisan measure that will affirm Congresss authority on matters of war and peace when it comes to Venezuela. If there was ever a time for Republicans to step up to the plate  and stand up not just for the authority of Congress, but for our national security, our safety  that time is now.

Separately, this afternoon leaders of the House and Senate will meet with senior administration officials to ask questions about what is going on in Venezuela, try to get to the bottom of it, and what the plan is moving forward. An all-Senators briefing is also being organized for later this week.

I demanded these briefings immediately after the strike on Saturday. The Administration owes Congress and the American people some pretty basic answers to many important questions.

Most importantly, what the hell does President Trump mean when he says the United States now intends to run Venezuela? Does this mean we are now in the business of nation-building Venezuela?

Are we going to put troops on the ground? How many? Where?

And how much will it cost? How long will it go on?

These questions should be answered to the Congress and more importantly to the American people before the administration attempts anything akin to running Venezuela.

Frankly, we also want to know why Secretary Rubio misled Congress so blatantly over the past four months. On three occasions, I asked Secretary Rubio whether or not the administration was seeking regime change in Venezuela. Three times, the answer was no. We never really believed him in the first place, to be candid.

But if Secretary Rubio wasnt straight with us about Venezuela, what else is he not being straight with us about now? What else is he not being straight with the American people now? For example, is an attack on Colombia now on the table? Or what about Iran? Or Greenland?

How is anything of this putting America first? The simple answer is that its not. If youre a family of four in New York and your health care premiums just doubled on January 1st, what are you supposed to think when you read in the paper that Donald Trump is spending billions attacking Venezuela?

If youre struggling to keep a roof over your headif youre falling behind on your mortgage paymentwhat are you supposed to think when President Trump says were going to run Venezuela for a while?

The American people did not sign up for another round of endless wars. They want Donald Trump to focus on the problems here at homeon health care, on housing, on energy, and groceries.

But Donald Trumps promise to keep the US out of foreign entanglements is now as worthless as his promise to release the Epstein Files. He promises his base one thing on the campaign trail, then does the exact opposite once hes in office.

And its the American people who will pay the price.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Sonora, CA  Opinions have varied nationally about the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro, with most Republicans backing the Trump Administrations actions, and Democrats raising concerns.

Mother Lode Republican Congressman Tom McClintock is weighing in, stating, The arrest of Maduro has advanced both the cause of justice and freedom in the Western hemisphere and revived the Monroe Doctrine for our national security. It is an astounding tactical success of American armed forces and a testament to the decisiveness and resolve of President Trump and his advisors. The contrast between American socialists protesting Maduros ouster with the jubilation of ordinary Venezuelans celebrating their deliverance speaks for itself.

McClintock continues, The federal courts have consistently upheld this use of military force by Presidents over many years, and I believe the President has acted within these legal precedents. Nevertheless, in calmer times, I believe that Congress will need to clarify and reassert its preeminent constitutional role before military action is initiated.

Democrats have mostly been more critical of the actions.

California US Senator Adam Schiff states, Nicolas Maduro was a thug and an illegitimate leader of Venezuela, terrorizing and oppressing its people for far too long and forcing many to leave the country. But starting a war to remove Maduro doesnt just continue Donald Trumps trampling of the Constitution; it further erodes Americas standing on the world stage and risks our adversaries mirroring this brazen illegal escalation.

California US Senator Alex Padilla says, Lets be absolutely clear: Trumps military action in Venezuela is unlawful without approval from Congress. Theres no clear objective, no endgame, and no plan for what comes next. This is a dangerous recipe for chaos in the region.

Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, both pleaded not guilty today in their first court appearance in New York City. They face charges related to drug transportation conspiracy and weapons offenses.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants Republicans to reach a deal on health care insurance assistance by being willing to bend on a 50-year-old budget policy that bars federal money from being spent on abortion services.

You have to be a little flexible on the Hyde Amendment, Trump told House Republicans as they gathered in Washington for a caucus retreat to open the midterm election year. You gotta be a little flexible. You gotta work something. You gotta use ingenuity.

With his suggestion, Trump, who supported abortion rights before he entered politics in 2015, is asking conservatives to abandon or at least ease up on decades of Republican orthodoxy on abortion and spending policy  something lawmakers and conservatives pushed back on immediately.

At the same time, he is demonstrating his long-standing malleability on abortion and acknowledging that Democrats have the political upper hand on health care after Republicans, who control the White House, the Senate and the House, allowed the expiration of premium subsidies for people buying Affordable Care Act insurance policies. As negotiations on Capitol Hill continue on the matter, some Democrats are pushing to end the Hyde restrictions as part of any new agreements on health care subsidies.

Trumps road map on the Hyde Amendment came more than an hour into a stem-winding speech intended as a part strategy session and part pep rally as Republicans attempt to maintain their threadbare House majority in the November midterms.

The president touted the GOP proposal to replace ACA subsidies  which taxpayers typically steer directly to insurance companies after selecting their policies  with direct payments that taxpayers could use for a range of health care expenses, including insurance. The expanded ACA subsidies expired on Dec. 31, 2025, hitting millions of policy holders with steep premium increases.

Let the money go directly to the people, Trump said, before casually slipping in a reference to the Hyde Amendment.

Were all big fans of everything, he said. But you have to have flexibility.

Turning directly to GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump added, If you can do that, youre going to have  this is going to be your issue.

House Republicans did not visibly react to Trumps argument. But Senate Republicans appeared unlikely to back off their demands that any new health care legislation maintain existing restrictions on government funding for abortion services.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterated his stance Tuesday afternoon that any legislation must ensure that those dollars arent being used to go against the practice that has been in place for the last 50 years.

Beyond Capitol Hill, Trump drew swift condemnation from parts of the GOP coalition that want absolute opposition to any policy that might ease abortion restrictions.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said it would sour core conservative voters and make Republicans sure to lose this November.

To suggest Republicans should be flexible is an abandonment of this decades-long commitment, she said in a statement. The voters sent a GOP trifecta to Washington and they expect it to govern like one. Giving in to Democrat demands that our tax dollars are used to fund plans that cover abortion on demand until birth would be a massive betrayal.

Even before Trumps speech, activists were ramping up pressure on Republicans in their talks with Democrats.

At Americans United for Life, a leading advocacy group that opposes abortion rights, Gavin Oxley penned an op-ed this week for The Hill titled, Republicans must hold the line: No Hyde Amendment, no deal on health care.

If they play their cards right, Oxley wrote, Republicans just might earn back enough of their bases trust to sustain them through the 2026 midterms.

The Hyde Amendment, named for the late Rep. Henry Hyde, originally applied to Medicaid, the joint federal-state insurance program for poor and disabled Americans, and barred it from paying for abortions unless the womans life is in danger or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. Hyde first introduced it in 1976, shortly after the Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion nationwide.

Over the years, Congress reauthorized Hyde policy as part of spending bills that fund the government. Democrats who support abortion access often joined Republicans who opposed abortion rights as a bipartisan compromise to pass larger spending deals. But as the two parties hardened their respective positions on abortion, Democrats became more uniform opponents of the ban, most famously when presidential candidate Joe Biden reversed his long-standing support for Hyde on his way to winning the 2020 Democratic nomination and general election.

Republicans have maintained their near-absolute support for the amendment.

The anti-abortion movement was initially skeptical of Trump as a presidential candidate in 2015 and 2016. But he has mostly aligned with the key faction of the Republican coalition, especially on Supreme Court appointments that led to the 2022 decision overturning Roe.

- Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press reporter Stephen Groves contributed from Washington.

By BILL BARROW

Associated Press
PARIS (AP)  Ukraines allies said they made major progress Tuesday toward agreeing on how to defend the country if a peace deal is struck with Russia, saying they were ready to provide international guarantees to deter Moscow from attacking its neighbor again.

Plans discussed at a key meeting in Paris included having the U.S. lead an effort to monitor any ceasefire  which could give Washington a direct role in keeping any peace with Russia.

Leaders from 27 European countries and Canada, as well as U.S. representatives and top officials from the European Union and NATO, said they would provide Kyivs front-line forces with equipment and training and back them up with air, land and sea support to deter any future Russian attack.

This was the 15th and largest meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing  involving more heads of state and governments than ever and U.S. envoys in person for the first time.

The post-ceasefire architecture would also include beefing up Ukraines war-battered army, including by replenishing its weapons stocks, so it could act as the countrys front-line deterrence against a resumption of fighting.

There was no immediate comment from officials in Russia on Tuesday, which was the eve of Orthodox Christmas.

Details of the plan were not disclosed

The size of the supporting forces was not made public, and many of the details of the plan  which would only apply if a ceasefire enters into force  remain unclear.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting made excellent progress but cautioned that the hardest yards are still ahead, noting that Russian attacks on Ukraine continue.

Moscow has revealed few details of its stance in the U.S.-led peace negotiations. Officials have reaffirmed Russias demands and have insisted there can be no ceasefire until a comprehensive settlement is agreed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out any deployment of troops from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil.

Starmer added that there can only be peace if Russia compromises, and added: Putin is not showing that he is ready for peace.

Zelenskyy agreed progress was made

In the event of a ceasefire, Starmer said the U.K. and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraines defensive needs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed progress was made in the talks, although commitments need to be ratified by each country so that they can be put in place after any settlement.

We determined what countries are ready to take leadership in the elements of security guarantees on the ground, in the air, and at sea, and in restoration, Zelenskyy told a news conference in Paris. We determined what forces are needed. We determined, how these forces will be operated and at what levels of command.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the U.S. strongly stands behind security guarantees. Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who also participated in the meeting, called the Paris meeting a very, very, big milestone.

This does not mean we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that we have made today, Kushner said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the security statement endorsed by Ukraines allies is a significant step toward ending Russias invasion. The coalition plans also envisage a Ukrainian army with 800,000 troops, he said.

Commitments still need to be finalized

A joint statement issued following the meeting said the allies also agreed to continue long-term military assistance and armament to Ukraines armed forces, which will remain the first line of defense and deterrence after any peace deal is signed.

The allies still must finalize binding commitments setting out what they will do to support Ukraine, the statement said.

The outcome of the meeting had been uncertain as the Trump administrations focus is shifting to Venezuela, while U.S. suggestions of a Greenland takeover caused tension with Europe, and Moscow shows no signs of compromise.

A series of meetings on the summits sidelines illustrated the intensity of the diplomatic effort and the complexity of its moving parts.

Zelenskyy met with Macron ahead of the summit. French, British and Ukrainian military chiefs also met, with NATOs top commander, U.S. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, participating in talks that Frances army chief said focused on implementing security guarantees. Army chiefs from other coalition nations joined by video.

Macrons office said the U.S. delegation was initially set to be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but he changed his plans after the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.

Tension rises over Greenland comments

Trump on Sunday renewed his call for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, a strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island.

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the U.K. on Tuesday joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenlands sovereignty in the wake of Trumps comments about the self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark.

Macron on Tuesday declined answering a question on Greenland as he was speaking about Ukraine alongside U.S. envoys Kushner and Witkoff.

In fighting Tuesday, Ukraines Security Service carried out drone strikes on a military arsenal and an oil depot deep inside Russia, according to a security official who was not authorized to comment publicly and thus spoke on condition of anonymity.

The long-range drones hit the arsenal in Russias Kostroma region, triggering explosions that lasted for hours and forced the evacuation of nearby settlements, the official said. The site was described as a key logistics hub supplying ammunition in western and central Russia.

In a separate strike, Ukraine Security Service drones hit an oil depot in Russias Lipetsk region, causing a huge fire, the official said.

___

John Leicester in Paris; Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv, Ukraine; Will Weissert in Washington; Jill Lawless in London and Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By SYLVIE CORBET and JOHN LEICESTER

Associated Press
The chairperson of Atheists in Kenya, Harrison Nyende Mumia, has been arraigned in court over allegations that he published false and misleading images of President William Ruto on social media, falsely suggesting that the Head of State was critically ill or dead.

Prosecutors charged Mumia with multiple counts under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, accusing him of deliberately circulating doctored images on Facebook and Instagram to spread misinformation about the Presidents health.

According to court documents, the alleged offence took place on December 30, 2025, at an undisclosed location within Kenya. The prosecution claims Mumia knowingly published the false content while fully aware that the information was untrue.

The charge sheet states that Mumia allegedly operated a Facebook account under the name Robinson Kipruto Ngetich, which he used to share manipulated images depicting President Ruto lying on a bed, falsely implying that the President had either died or was in critical condition.

Prosecutors leveled similar accusations in additional counts related to posts published on Instagram through the account @harrisonmumia. In those posts, the images allegedly showed the President on what appeared to be a hospital bed, misleading the public into believing he was seriously ill.

The state maintains that the social media posts amounted to the intentional dissemination of false information, an offence punishable under Section 22(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018.

The court released Mumia on a Sh1 million bond or Sh500,000 cash bail as investigations and legal proceedings continue.

The matter will be mentioned on January 19, 2026.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin has issued a stern warning that any police officer found shielding or aiding drug cartels will face the full force of the law.

Speaking during a security assessment tour in Marsabit County, Mohamed visited the AntiStock Theft Unit camp at Gas in North Horr SubCounty and held discussions with officers tackling local security challenges. He stated that authorities are committed to taking decisive action against sellers, traffickers, and distributors of illicit drugs, stressing that no one is above the law in the fight against drugs.

During the visit, Mohamed also joined residents at Galasa Jamia Mosque in the Gas area for prayers, followed by a community engagement session. The session brought together elders, religious leaders, youth representatives, and local administrators to discuss security concerns, improve cooperation, and promote information sharing between the public and law enforcement.

Addressing the community, the DCI chief urged residents to work closely with police, noting that partnership between communities and security agencies is vital in preventing crime, curbing drug trafficking, and maintaining peace. He added that trust and shared responsibility are central to effective policing.

This visit underscores the National Police Services efforts to bolster security, foster police-community ties, and ensure safety during the festive period, Mohamed said. He reaffirmed that security agencies remain committed to protecting lives, property, and livelihoods across Marsabit County and the broader northern region.

His remarks came shortly after President William Ruto reiterated the governments hardline stance on the fight against drugs, warning that traffickers and those who support them will face justice. The President also directed security agencies to intensify operations against drug networks, highlighting the trades negative impact on public health, security, and social stability.

Mohamed echoed the Presidents position, promising that the DCI will act decisively against all individuals involved in the drug trade, including law enforcement personnel, and enforce accountability at all levels without exception.

As he concluded the security assessment tour, Mohamed reaffirmed that the DCI will continue collaborating with other security agencies and local communities to tackle crime, strengthen cooperation, and improve safety in areas affected by security challenges.

Also Read  Murkomen Declares 2026 Year of Liberating Kenyan Youth from Drugs
Former Nakuru Governor and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has launched a sharp critique of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader reportedly called for the United States to intervene in Kenyas leadership over alleged links to funds associated with the Minnesota fraud case.

Taking to his official social media accounts on Monday, January 5, 2026, Kinyanjui accused Gachagua of recklessness and poor judgment, warning that inviting foreign governments into Kenyas domestic political disputes could have serious and potentially disastrous consequences for the nation.

The DCP leader has been quoted requesting the intervention of the USA to investigate Kenyas leadership over allegations of sponsorship through funds linked to the Minnesota fraud case. Never mind, its on the very party he was the running mate, Kinyanjui said.

While the province of investigations does not belong to me, the sheer lack of wisdom in failing to distinguish between political differences and matters of grave international significance is alarming.

Kinyanjui also questioned the motive behind Gachaguas appeal to the US, highlighting the irony that the allegations touch on a political formation Gachagua was once closely associated with. He argued that the move was less about accountability and more about settling personal political scores.

How can a leader seek to throw his own country into the deep end merely to score personal revenge? This brand of politics is retrogressive and dangerous. It reflects raw greed and naivety in handling matters that could have potentially catastrophic consequences, Kinyanjui warned.

He further added a pointed metaphor to underline his criticism: To such people we say: A child can play with its mothers breast, but not its fathers testicles.

The controversy erupted after Gachagua, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, invoked the United States in Kenyas domestic political debate. Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Kiratina in Kiambu County, Gachagua urged US President Donald Trump to conduct a forceful operation in Kenya similar to the one carried out in Venezuela the previous Saturday, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Gachagua claimed that the same individuals linked to the Minnesota scandal continue to benefit from government contracts, allegedly at the expense of local farmers.

Tell Me More  Do What You Did in Venezuela: Gachagua Calls on Trump to Intervene in Kenya
The Ministry of Education has released the academic calendar for the 2026 school year, outlining term dates, holidays, and national examination schedules for Basic Education Institutions and Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs).

In a circular signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, the Ministry confirmed the full academic roadmap for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools across the country. The document was copied to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), and the Council of Governors.

Education officials circulated the directive to all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education to guide planning and implementation at the institutional level.

Schools to open January 5, 2026

According to the official calendar, all Basic Education Institutions will open for the 2026 academic year on January 5, 2026.

Term I will run for 13 weeks and close on April 2, 2026. Learners will enjoy a five-day half-term break from February 25 to March 1, 2026. Schools will then break for the April holiday, which will last three weeks, from April 7 to April 24, 2026.

Term II to run for 14 weeks

Term II will be the longest of the year, spanning 14 weeks. Schools will reopen on April 27 and close on July 31, 2026.

During the term, institutions will observe a second half-term break between June 24 and June 28. Learners will then proceed for the August holiday, which will run for three weeks and end on August 21, 2026.

Shorter third term set for August to October

Term III will be the shortest academic term in 2026, lasting nine weeks. Schools will open on August 24 and close on October 23, 2026.

National examinations dates confirmed

The Ministry also confirmed the timelines for all major national examinations in 2026.

The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will run for five days starting October 26, 2026.

At the same time, the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will also begin on October 26. These assessments will run for seven days.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will span three weeks, with candidates sitting the papers from November 2 to November 20, 2026.

Long December holiday to last 10 weeks

Following the completion of Term III and national examinations, learners will proceed for the long end-of-year break. The December holiday will last 10 weeks, running from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027.

DTTCs to follow similar calendar

Diploma Teachers Training Colleges will largely follow the same academic structure. However, their third term will be longer, lasting 11 weeks and running until November 6, 2026. The DTTC December holiday will begin on November 9.

Ban on third-term school activities maintained

The Ministry reaffirmed an existing directive affecting secondary schools, maintaining restrictions during the final term of the year.

The circular states clearly, Activities and visits to secondary schools in third term 2026 remain banned as per the earlier circulars.

Education officials directed the notice to all basic education institutions, emphasizing strict compliance with the academic calendar and the standing policy guidelines.
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has weighed in on the growing tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), urging party leaders not to eject younger members from the political outfit.

Taking to X on Monday, January 5, 2026, Kibwanacriticized the ongoing purge targeting Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, warning that their removal could damage the party led by Oburu Oginga. Party officials have reportedly branded the two legislators as rebels within ODM.

Free advice: James Orengo, Anyang Nyongo, Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino (aspiring to be Baba) are valuable assets in ODMs progressive politics. Ejecting the younger two will injure ODM. As of now, ODM & UDA are the only national parties. Why bury ODM with BABA? Oburu Oginga, the renowned legal scholar wrote.

His remarks come in the wake of internal divisions within ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election. Two warring factions within the party differ sharply on ODMs stance regarding cooperation with President William Ruto under the current broad-based government arrangement.

Seven ODM legislators, led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, have since urged party leader Oburu Oginga to intervene, warning that infighting could severely undermine the partys cohesion. They cited tensions that intensified after the passing of party founder Raila Odinga, which they say have weakened ODMs organizational structure.

The disputes include a public clash between Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who have exchanged accusations over the management of campaign funds during Odingas failed 2022 presidential bid.

Given the positions of trust bestowed on them, we urge the party officials like Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed to desist from public verbal slurs and return to the table for internal discussions, MP Amollo said.

Amollo also referenced the alleged attack on Babu Owino by Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, in which Owino claimed Alai accused him of orchestrating social media attacks against his wife.

The legislators called on Oburu Oginga to convene ODM organs to resolve the conflicts and restore public trust in the party.

The current intolerance does not augur well for a revolutionary movement that Rt Hon Raila Odinga founded on the ideals of democracy, free speech, and justice, MP Amollo said. He added that the rifts have already cost the party dominance in certain regions, with rival political parties filling spaces previously held by ODM members.

Other MPs who supported the statement include Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Tom Odege (Nyatike), Catherine Muma, John Ariko (Turkana South), Martin Owino (Ndhiwa), Aduma Owuor (Nyaka), and nominated MP Catherine Muma.
Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has dismissed claims that he brandished a firearm during a confrontation with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at a restaurant in Nairobis Kilimani area, insisting he never drew his gun during the incident.

In a detailed statement, Alai said the encounter occurred while he and Owino were seated at separate tables inside the restaurant. According to the MCA, the lawmaker approached him uninvited and initiated a conversation that quickly made him uncomfortable.

Alai claimed he repeatedly made it clear that he had no interest in discussing politics or pursuing any political position, despite what he described as Owinos persistent advances.

I told him that Im not comfortable greeting him. He started to push my head, insisting he would arrange me in Nairobi City County and claiming the Nairobi Governors seat was already secured, Alai said.

The MCA added that someone seated at his table jokingly suggested that he could be offered a finance docket, but he maintained that he was not seeking any appointment or political role.

Alai said tensions escalated further after he asked Owino to leave him alone.

While acknowledging that he was armed at the time, Alai firmly denied drawing his firearm or threatening the MP with it.

I urged him that we should end the issue at that time. I stood up and pushed him back. There was a gun on my waist, but I did not draw it. The person sitting next to me noticed the gun because I was only wearing a shirt, and later accused me of drawing it. If there is video evidence, let it show where I drew a gun on him, Alai said.

However, Alais account sharply contradicts an earlier statement issued by MP Babu Owino, who accused the MCA of attacking him during the encounter.

Owino alleged that Alai confronted him without provocation and accused him of orchestrating online attacks against his wife, claims he strongly denied.

Without provocation, he accused me of being behind alleged social media attacks on his wife. I calmly explained that I do not know his wife, that she has never wronged me in any way, and that I have no reason whatsoever to involve innocent family members in politics, Owino stated.

The Embakasi East MP further alleged that the situation turned violent, claiming the MCA became aggressive, shoved him, drew a firearm, and struck him on the chest and jaw as shocked patrons watched.

Read More  MP Babu Owino Reports MCA Alai For Pulling Gun on Him in Nairobi Restaurant
Abyan Consulting Limited, the developer behind the 16-storey building that collapsed in Nairobis South C estate, has rejected claims that the project lacked the necessary approvals or had been flagged by authorities, including the Nairobi City County Government.

In a statement issued on Monday, the firm said the development complied fully with all regulatory requirements and received approvals from both county and national agencies before construction commenced.

The company was responding to reports circulating on social media and in sections of the mainstream media alleging that the building had not secured proper approvals and failed to meet planning and safety standards. Abyan Consulting dismissed the claims as misleading, describing the documents being shared as doctored and saying they had created unnecessary public confusion.

According to the developer, multiple agencies approved the project, including Nairobi City County, the National Construction Authority (NCA), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and other relevant bodies.

Abyan said Nairobi City County granted physical and land use planning approval on December 19, 2023, after the company submitted an application in October 2023 for a mixed-use residential development on L.R. No. 209/5909/10 in South C. The firm added that the county later approved three additional floors on February 13, 2025, following a separate application lodged on January 31, 2025.

The developer further stated that the project was duly registered with the National Construction Authority, which issued a certificate of compliance on November 8, 2023. NEMA, the company said, also issued an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licence on February 16, 2024.

All other relevant approvals were sought and granted by their corresponding agencies, the company said.

In the same statement, Abyan Consulting expressed condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the building collapse. The firm also thanked multi-agency rescue teams, first responders, medical personnel, volunteers, and members of the public who participated in the rescue and recovery efforts.

Authorities have since launched investigations into the cause of the collapse, with officials yet to release an official report detailing the circumstances that led to the incident.
Individuals named Cadi are often perceived as creative, expressive, and emotionally intuitive. The name's association with rhythmic flow suggests a personality that moves through life with grace and musicality, often displaying natural talent for artistic expression, communication, and social harmony. Cadis tend to be adaptable yet deeply rooted in their values, much like the flowing water their name evokes - capable of navigating obstacles while maintaining their essential character.



They often possess strong empathetic qualities and the ability to understand and respond to the emotional currents around them. This emotional intelligence, combined with their creative nature, makes Cadis excellent mediators, artists, and community builders who can bring people together through shared experiences and understanding. Their rhythmic nature often manifests in excellent timing, whether in conversation, creative projects, or life decisions, allowing them to move through challenges with a natural sense of flow and purpose.
Women bearing the name Jennavieve are typically characterized by a unique blend of spiritual depth and practical capability that makes them both inspiring and reliable. They often possess strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, allowing them to understand and support others with remarkable sensitivity. This innate empathy, combined with the name's association with protective strength, frequently manifests as natural leadership in community and family settings. Jennavieves tend to be peacemakers who navigate conflicts with grace and wisdom, drawing on both their spiritual convictions and practical problem-solving skills.



The Christian heritage of the name often correlates with individuals who value faith, tradition, and moral integrity while maintaining an open-minded approach to modern life. They typically exhibit artistic sensibilities and creative expression, whether through traditional arts, writing, or innovative problem-solving in their professional lives. Their strength is often quiet but formidablelike their namesake saint, they demonstrate resilience in adversity and the ability to inspire others through example rather than force. This combination of gentle strength, spiritual awareness, and practical wisdom makes Jennavieves particularly effective in roles requiring both compassion and decisive action.
Women named Marisela are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and sensitivity. They typically exhibit strong emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace and diplomacy. Mariselas are frequently described as passionate individuals who approach life with intensity and conviction, whether in personal relationships or professional pursuits. Their natural charisma and warmth make them effective communicators and beloved friends.



Many Mariselas demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, drawing on an inner strength that others find inspiring. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who can balance practical concerns with emotional needs. While they can be fiercely independent, they also value deep, meaningful connections with family and community. This combination of traits often positions Mariselas as natural leaders who lead with both compassion and determination, making them respected figures in both personal and professional spheres.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Wanjala holds profound cultural significance among the Luhya people of Kenya as a name that serves as a living historical record. Traditionally given to children born during periods of famine or drought, the name commemorates the community's experience of hardship and their remarkable resilience in overcoming it. This naming practice reflects the Luhya worldview that acknowledges the full spectrum of human experience, where difficult times are not erased from memory but rather honored as formative events that shape collective identity. The name embodies the cultural wisdom that remembering struggle is essential for appreciating abundance and preparing for future challenges.



Within Luhya society, names like Wanjala are considered neither negative nor unfortunate but rather carry the weight of historical truth and communal strength. They serve as constant reminders of the community's capacity to endure and adapt, teaching younger generations about their ancestors' fortitude. The name also reinforces social bonds, as it connects individuals to specific historical moments that affected the entire community. In contemporary times, Wanjala has become a symbol of cultural preservation and ethnic pride, representing the Luhya people's commitment to maintaining their traditional practices and historical consciousness in a rapidly modernizing world.
Amanda Seyfried was puzzled by Timothee Chalamet's message to his partner Kylie Jenner at the Critics Choice Awards.

Amanda Seyfried was baffled by Timothee Chalamet's speech about Kylie Jenner

The 30-year-old actor paid a gushing tribute to The Kardashians star after winning Best Actor for his role in Marty Supreme at the ceremony on Sunday (04.01.26) and it left The Housemaid star confused.

Timothee said in his acceptance speech: "Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn't do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

When podcaster Evan Ross Katz shared highlights of the speech on Instagram, Amanda commented: "OH not like a foundation/charity I was curious about that."

Meanwhile, The Testament of Ann Lee actress previously revealed that she experienced friction with some older performers during the early stages of her career.

Seyfried found the experience "disappointing" and "hurtful" and was confused by the behaviour at a time when she was trying to find her feet in the industry.

The 40-year-old star said: "I was so young. Im not a threat, so what could it be? And not often, but enough, and I never want to be that for somebody. I think we're better together."

Amanda now makes an effort to support younger stars and is always prepared to offer guidance if needed.

She continued: "Im the first person who will be in someone's corner, especially if they're like, What do I do? And I love that."

Seyfried stars in the new movie The Housemaid alongside Sydney Sweeney, 28, and feels very "protective" of her cast mate.

The said: "I feel very protective of Sydney because I'm at a point in my life where I've just turned 40, which is crazy to me, but also I have the knowledge and the experience of a 40-year-old who's been in this industry for 25 years.

"I'm very, very confident that if she were to come to me that I would have a good answer, and I know that she trusts me. The second I met her, I was like, 'I'll do anything for you.'"

Amanda also discussed how her career opportunities have evolved, noting that she is in a considerably stronger position than a decade ago despite still having to fight for some parts.

She said: "As long as the opportunities are there.

"Sometimes I have to work hard at getting them, but sometimes it's like all the good ones get given away, and you just have to find these things. And sometimes they just get given to you. You never know. But I do have more opportunities than I used to have, and damn straight, it makes me happy."
Emory University has named Joseph Crespino the interim dean of Emory College of Arts and Sciences, succeeding Barbara Krauthamer, who has stepped down for personal reasons after serving as dean since July 2023. Krauthamer, a distinguished historian, will continue on the Emory College faculty. Provost Badia Ahad announced the transition Jan. 6, along with plans to launch a national search for a new dean this month.

A member of Emorys faculty since 2003, Crespino has served since July 2024 as the senior associate dean of faculty and divisional dean of humanities and social sciences for Emory College. He is one of the nations leading historians of the 20th-century United States, with research expertise spanning modern political history, civil rights and the American South. The author of three books, co-editor of a collection of essays and co-author of a leading textbook on U.S. history, his scholarship has appeared in academic journals as well as popular forums, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Joe Crespino brings to this position a record of scholarly achievement, teaching excellence and dedicated service to Emory College, says Badia Ahad, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. I am confident that his deep understanding of Emory College, his collaborative approach and his commitment to our students and faculty will serve the university well as he takes on the role of interim dean.

Before joining the Emory College Dean's Office, Crespino served six years as chair of the Department of History. He has demonstrated a deep commitment to undergraduate education, mentoring numerous students and co-leading a program sponsored by the Teagle Foundation to establish shared first-year seminars oriented around transformational texts. As senior associate dean, he has focused on faculty development and scholarship, curriculum development and strategic initiative planning.

I have spent my entire academic career at Emory, so it is a genuine honor to serve as interim dean of Emory College, says Crespino. The college has so much to contribute to our community, the nation and the world. I look forward to working together with our students, faculty and staff to examine our priorities, ambitions and shared hopes for this incredible institution.

During Krauthamer's tenure as dean, Emory College has achieved notable progress across multiple areas. The colleges four-year graduation rate increased by six percentage points, and the political science departments U.S. News & World Report ranking rose from 19th to 18th. Under her leadership, the economics department was selected to host the 2026 North American Meeting of the Econometric Society. Krauthamer recruited and retained preeminent scholars across the disciplines and initiated a plan to strengthen Emory Colleges high-performance computing resources in support of both teaching and research.

Dean Krauthamer has made meaningful contributions to Emory College, particularly in enhancing the undergraduate experience through initiatives ranging from a collaboration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to the redesign of the colleges orientation program and advising models, says Ahad. I am grateful for her dedication to advancing academic excellence and support for our students.

According to Ahad, a national search for the next leader of Emory College will begin in January with a goal to appoint a permanent leader by the fall.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised the commissioning of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's (HPCL) Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at the Visakh Refinery in Andhra Pradesh, describing it as a state-of-the-art facility that will strengthen India's energy security. In a social media post on X, the Prime Minister said, "This state-of-the-art facility adds momentum to our efforts towards boosting energy security, thus becoming Aatmanirbhar in this sector." HPCL has commissioned the Residue Upgradation Facility at its Visakh Refinery, marking a major step in enhancing the country's refining capabilities. Earlier, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in a post on X that this critical infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh represents a decisive leap towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The Union Minister described the commissioning of the facility as a significant milestone in India's journey towards energy self-reliance. "The facility at Visakh Refinery is a "masterpiece of indigenous engineering", housing three LC-Max reactors of 2,200 MT each, ranking among the world's heaviest engineering blocks, and all fabricated and assembled within India," the minister said in the post on X. "With a capacity of 3.55 MMTPA, the RUF utilises advanced residue hydrocracking technology to achieve a 93 per cent conversion of bottom of the barrel oils into high-value products, maximising the utility of every barrel to fuel the nation's rapid ascent!" the minister further wrote. With an investment of Rs 31,407 crore, HPCL's Visakh Refinery in Andhra Pradesh has raised its processing capacity from 8.33 million tonne per annum to 15 million tonne per annum. This expansion project at Visakh Refinery has made the east coast state of Andhra Pradesh one of India's energy hubs, strengthening energy needs in Andhra Pradesh and in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Karnataka. Recently, the Visakh Refinery inaugurated a demonstration plant for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production via co-processing of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) in its Full Conversion Hydrocracker Unit, leveraging existing refinery assets. As per HPCL's roadmap, following necessary certification, Visakh Refinery will produce 10 TMT of SAF per annum from January 2027, supporting India's commitment to decarbonising aviation and promoting a circular, waste-to-wealth economy. India's SAF blending mandate is to achieve 1 per cent blending by 2027, 2 per cent by 2028 and 5 per cent by 2030.India depends on imports for about 80 per cent of its crude oil requirement. The government has taken various steps to increase domestic crude oil production and reduce imports. At present, India is importing oil and gas from as many countries as possible, around 40 countries now, to meet its demand. (ANI)
Erin Doherty was scolded by her mother for swearing in her Emmy Awards acceptance speech.

Erin Doherty swore in her Emmy Awards acceptance speech

The 33-year-old star was honoured at last year's ceremony for her portrayal of child psychologist Briony Ariston in the Netflix series Adolescence, but got a stern telling off after using an expletive in her speech.

Erin  who was also victorious at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday (04.01.26)  told Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday (05.01.26): "You're not supposed to swear but I kind of just got up there and I saw everyone and I just had to tell them that they were stunning.

"I know it's basically like hooray, hooray we won the Emmys, got back to the hotel, had some room service and I was like, 'Oh my sister will be up now', so we gave her a quick FaceTime with the thing (the award) and like we were all screaming and my mum just happened to be there, like they were about to go out on a dog walk.

"Like we're screaming, 'Whoa, whoa', and my mum just butts her head in and it's like, 'Can I just interrupt? I could have done without swearing.'"

The A Thousand Blows star continued: "She wasn't like, 'Well done', I didn't get any word of like 'Well done', she was just like, 'Erin, you really kind of messed up there.'"

Meanwhile, Erin recently explained that she has moved in with her girlfriend Sinead Donnelly and stated that the duo have become "cliche lesbians".

The Crown star told Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast: "I'm such a romantic. I hate saying goodbye at the end of every day. I hated it. I'm so bad.

"People say it's like a cliche lesbian thing, where you immediately move in, so we held on as long as we could. But I was like, I really think I should move in now.

"I tried to make it as non-cliche as possible, but I just love her. So at the start of (last) year, I moved in with her and it's been the craziest year of my life."

Erin moved in with her girlfriend in London after spending a year staying with her older sister Grace Doherty  who is also an actress  in West Sussex after a tough period in her personal life.

She explained: "I had moved in because I just had hit my peak stimulation and I was just at a real kind of stopping point in my life and my sister was like and my sister was like, come live with me.

"She lives in West Sussex, she's got walks on her doorstep. We could just go out every morning, whenever we wanted. She was just like, 'Erin, come to me.'

"I love my sister so much. She is just my safety net, my best friend. She's just everything."
VMPL New Delhi [India], January 6: The way brands communicate with consumers has evolved rapidly over the last decade. Traditional advertising alone is no longer enough to influence modern, digitally savvy audiences. Today, people trust people--experts, creators, and industry leaders--more than scripted brand messages. This shift has given rise to influencer marketing, one of the most powerful and fast-growing marketing channels globally. It has been possible because subject matter experts and content creators are now proactively promoting products and services by giving their audiences a real sense of experience. When industry leaders become brand advocates, no celebrity actor can compete with them. Their ability to educate, explain, and demonstrate products in an authentic way builds a deep, trustful connection with prospects. This trust is what drives purchasing decisions. As we move into 2026, Whizco stands out as a top influencer marketing agency in India, helping brands leverage creator credibility, cutting-edge creative technology, and data-driven strategies to achieve measurable results. Introduction to Whizco WhizCo, established in 2017, is a New Delhi-based influencer marketing agency known for blending creative technology with impactful influencer marketing strategies. The agency breaks through traditional advertising by integrating CGI visuals, AR filters, immersive storytelling, and strategic influencer collaborations. By combining innovation with authenticity, Whizco helps brands cut through digital clutter, drive awareness, and build long-term brand equity. Today, Whizco is recognized as one of the best influencer marketing agencies in India, trusted by brands across industries to deliver ROI-focused campaigns. The Rise of Influencer Marketing in India The influencer marketing industry in India has seen explosive growth. According to industry estimates reported by Financial Express, influencer marketing crossed $15 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow exponentially, potentially reaching $100 billion in the coming years. This rapid growth highlights why brands are shifting budgets from traditional media to influencer-driven campaigns. The secret behind this lightning-fast expansion lies in the creativity of content creators. Social media influencers are constantly innovating--using reels, short-form videos, live sessions, CGI, and storytelling formats--to capture audience attention while demonstrating their expertise within specific niches. This is where a professional influencer marketing agency in India like Whizco plays a critical role. Role of a Top Influencer Marketing Agency in India Top influencer marketing agencies ensure seamless collaboration between brands and creators. From strategy formulation to campaign execution, agencies like Whizco design customized influencer programs that align with brand goals while maximizing return on investment. Influencer marketing platforms bridge the gap between brands seeking visibility and influencers who have earned audience trust. By leveraging a creator's influence, brands are empowered with credibility, engagement, and conversion potential that traditional ads often lack. However, not all agencies deliver the same value. Brands and influencers must be selective when choosing the best influencer marketing agency in India, as the right agency goes far beyond matchmaking--it defines strategy, content direction, execution, and performance measurement. How to Choose the Best Influencer Marketing Platform? Below are the key features brands should look for when selecting a top influencer marketing agency in India, and how Whizco excels in each area. 1. Strong Influencer Relationships Drive Better Results Research indicates that nearly 43% of top brands are investing in influencer marketing, yet many fail to unlock its full potential due to lack of experience or poor strategic alignment. One major reason is treating influencers as short-term media placements rather than long-term partners. Whizco strongly believes in building long-term influencer relationships. Instead of focusing only on niche relevance, the agency analyzes influencer audience demographics, behavior, and persona to ensure better alignment and performance. Studies show that 28% of marketers involve influencers only at a campaign level, resulting in inconsistent messaging and weaker brand recall. Whizco addresses this gap by nurturing ongoing collaborations, ensuring authenticity and sustained impact. By maintaining strong relationships with creators and understanding their audience dynamics, Whizco delivers superior outcomes for brands. 2. Creating Brand Ambassadors, Not One-Time Promotions One-off sponsorships often feel like ads--and audiences can easily spot them. Visionary influencer marketing agencies focus on brand ambassador programs, and Whizco leads this shift in India. By investing in long-term collaborations, brands benefit from: - Deeper influencer product understanding- Stronger brand association- Authentic and consistent storytelling- Higher trust and conversion rates With brands already allocating significant budgets to influencer marketing--and this investment expected to grow further--Whizco helps brands transition from transactional sponsorships to strategic brand advocacy. This approach positions Whizco among the best influencer marketing agencies in India for brands looking to scale sustainably. 3. Customer-Centric Storytelling at the Core Understanding customer needs is at the heart of effective marketing. Instead of corporate-centric messaging, modern brands must adopt customer-centric narratives that resonate emotionally. Whizco designs influencer campaigns around real customer pain points, aspirations, and experiences. By combining influencer storytelling with CGI visuals, AR filters, and immersive formats, Whizco ensures that brand messages feel engaging rather than promotional. Industry insights suggest that only 22% of companies actively create customer-centric narratives, leaving a massive opportunity for brands willing to invest in meaningful storytelling. Whizco fills this gap with data-backed, audience-first content strategies. Long-term influencer partnerships further enable marketers to refine messaging over time, making campaigns more authentic and relatable. Why Whizco Is the Best Influencer Marketing Agency in India for 2026 What sets Whizco apart from other influencer marketing agencies in India is its fusion of creativity, technology, and strategy. The agency doesn't just execute campaigns--it builds brand ecosystems powered by creators. Key strengths of Whizco include: - Strategic influencer selection based on data and relevance- Innovative use of CGI and AR for high-impact campaigns- Long-term influencer relationship management- ROI-focused execution and performance tracking- Strong understanding of Indian digital audiences As brands compete for attention in an overcrowded digital landscape, Whizco continues to redefine influencer marketing standards in India. Conclusion A great influencer marketing platform acts as a driving force that helps both creators and brands achieve their true potential. Choosing the right influencer marketing agency in India can determine whether a campaign succeeds or fails. As we look ahead to 2026, Whizco emerges as a top influencer marketing agency in India, empowering brands with trust-driven storytelling, innovative technology, and strategic influencer partnerships. For brands aiming to build authenticity, scale reach, and achieve measurable growth, Whizco is the partner of choice in the evolving influencer marketing ecosystem. Website : https://whizco.in/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 6: Leo Dryfruits & Spices Trading Limited ("Leo Dryfruits") (BSE: 544329), a leading player in the premium dry fruits and spices segment, has received approval for listing of the Company's Whole Spices and Dry Fruits through Apna Bazaar stores. Mumbai Kamgar Madhya Warthi Grahak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit (Apna Bazaar) sells essential everyday products directly to individual consumers for personal use (B2C), rather than to other businesses. The primary customers are individual shoppers and families looking for everyday essentials, groceries, home care items, and other products at competitive prices. This will enable the Company to supply its Premium Range of Products through Apna Bazaar stores (B2C). Strengthening the Company's presence in the organised cooperative retail segment and is expected to positively contribute to revenue growth, brand visibility, and market penetration, particularly across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and surrounding markets. This strategic move aligns with Leo Dryfruits' long-term objective of scaling its premium product vertical by leveraging its sourcing capabilities, processing strengths, and stringent quality standards, particularly across B2C and institutional channels. Management Perspective Commenting on the development, Mr. Kaushik Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Leo Dryfruits & Spices Trading Limited said, "This is an important step forward in our strategy to strengthen our presence in the B2C segments with approvals from APNA BAZAAR. Over the years, we have built a strong reputation for delivering premium- quality dry fruits, spices and ghee, with consistent reliability, and this also complements to the Company's existing operations and will enable a broader and more retail presence. The Company in recent times has already tied for supply to big hotel brands like EIH & IHCL. In addition, CPC Canteen (Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar) & CSD Canteen (Canteen Store Department ARMY) across India. Our focus has always been on combining high-quality sourcing with efficient processing and distribution, enabling us to serve large-scale clients without compromising on standards. This will position our Brand in Market expanding our out-reach and Product portfolio as well. We are confident this milestone will act as a catalyst for future growth and further reinforce our position as a trusted brand in India's dynamic food industry." About Leo Dryfruits & Spices Trading Limited Leo Dryfruits & Spices Trading Limited is a trusted player in the sourcing, processing, trading, and marketing of premium-quality spices, dry fruits, grocery products and other food-related offerings. Under its flagship brand Vandu, Leo Dryfruits offers whole and blended spices, roasted and flavoured dry fruits, and essentials like ghee, seasonings, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds ensuring authenticity and superior taste. Its FRYD Foods brand caters to the frozen and semi-fried snacks segment. Certified with ISO 22000:2018 certification for Food Safety Management Systems and ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management Systems, Leo is committed to quality, purity, and customer satisfaction. The company was listed on the BSE SME platform on January 8, 2025. In H1 FY26, the company reported Revenue of 53.45 crore, EBITDA of 8.21 crore, and PAT of 4.76 crore, compared to 17.88 crore revenue, 3.54 crore EBITDA, and 1.50 crore PAT in H1 FY25. This represents a robust YoY growth of ~199% in revenue, ~132% in EBITDA, and ~218% in PAT, reflecting strong operational execution and margin expansion. Disclaimer Certain statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties like government actions, local, political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. The Company will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL New Delhi [India], January 6: Neworld Developers has announced that ICICI Bank has granted project approval for its landmark development, Northern Hills, a nature-inspired gated residential community located in the North Goa Extension region near Mopa. The approval marks a key institutional endorsement for the project and strengthens buyer confidence in one of Goa's emerging residential corridors. Project approvals from leading banks such as ICICI Bank are widely regarded as a critical trust benchmark in the real estate sector. The approval process involves comprehensive due diligence across land titles, statutory permissions, project documentation, and the developer's financial and execution capabilities. For homebuyers and investors, such approvals provide an added layer of assurance around legal clarity, financial soundness, and project credibility. Commenting on the development, Sunil Sisodiya, Founder & CEO, Neworld Developers, said, "ICICI Bank's approval for Northern Hills is an important validation of the project's legal due diligence, planning discipline, and governance framework. In today's market, buyers increasingly rely on institutional checks to assess project credibility. This approval reinforces our commitment to transparency and responsible development." Northern Hills has received RERA approval, marking a key milestone. Spanning 51 acres and has been conceptualised as a nature-led, gated community that integrates open green landscapes with thoughtfully planned residential infrastructure. The project has previously strengthened its development framework through the onboarding of UHA London as the Architect and Design Partner, bringing global design sensibilities to the master planning and spatial execution, and 7 Ocean as the Wellness Partner, contributing a structured wellness and fitness ecosystem aligned with holistic living principles. Located near the Mopa International Airport, Northern Hills benefits from improved regional connectivity while offering residents a sense of privacy and environmental balance. As buyer preferences continue to shift toward secure, gated residential formats in emerging locations, North Goa Extension is witnessing rising interest from end-users and long-term investors seeking planned communities with strong governance standards. Neworld Developers has, through its recent announcements, positioned Northern Hills as a holistic living destination that combines nature, wellness, and modern planning. The latest approval represents another step in the project's progression toward execution, aligning with the company's focus on transparency, compliance, and sustainable value creation. About Neworld Developers Neworld Developers is a real estate development company focused on creating thoughtfully planned, future-ready residential communities. With an emphasis on regulatory compliance, institutional credibility, and long-term value creation, the company aims to address evolving lifestyle preferences through responsible development practices. Northern Hills is Neworld Developers' flagship project in the North Goa Extension region near Mopa. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL New Delhi [India], January 6: Surya Roshni Limited, one of India's most trusted names in lighting, wires & cables, professional lighting, fans, home appliances, PVC pipes, water pumps, water tanks & steel pipes, will participate in Light + Intelligent Building Middle East 2026, taking place from 12-14 January 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, as part of its strategy to expand exports and strengthen international trade partnerships. The company will exhibit at Booth No. Z2-H10, leveraging Dubai's position as a global hub for building technologies and cross-border commerce. The exhibition provides Surya Roshni a platform to engage with international distributors, consultants, and project stakeholders, while reinforcing brand visibility across high-growth global markets. Dubai's role as a meeting point for regional and international infrastructure ecosystems aligns closely with the company's global expansion roadmap, supported by its in-house manufacturing facilities and strong focus on backward integration. At the event, Surya Roshni will showcase a broad portfolio of energy-efficient, future-ready solutions across Lighting, Fans, Appliances, Wires & Cables, PVC Pipes & Fittings, Water Tanks, Water Pumps, Switchgears, Distribution Boxes, and Meters. The range reflects the company's ability to address both consumer-driven demand and professional, project-led requirements, spanning traditional to conventional and modern solutions, in line with evolving international market standards. Key highlights include advanced Wire & Cable solutions, next-generation Switchgears, Multi-CCT LED lighting products, extension sockets, small home appliances, along with utility-focused innovations such as mosquito rackets and mosquito repellent lamps. All products on display are designed for energy efficiency, durability, and compliance with IS, IEC, and global quality and safety benchmarks, backed by continuous product development at Surya Technology & Innovation Centre (STIC), Noida - the company's dedicated Research & Development hub. "Dubai serves as a strategic gateway for global trade and collaboration. Our participation at Light + Intelligent Building Middle East 2026 supports our export growth objectives and enables deeper engagement with international partners across building and infrastructure value chains," said Vasumitra Pandey, CEO - Lighting & Consumer Durables, Surya Roshni Limited. Senior leadership representatives will be present at the exhibition to engage with stakeholders, assess distribution opportunities, and explore collaborations across regional and international markets. Through its presence in Dubai, Surya Roshni continues to position itself as a globally compliant, export-focused partner for energy-efficient electrical and building solutions, leveraging its backward integration and scalable in-house manufacturing facilities. About Surya Roshni Limited: Founded in 1973, Surya Roshni Limited is one of India's leading Steel, Lighting and Consumer durables brands, known for its strong in-house manufacturing capabilities, backward integration and end-to-end quality control. A pioneer in lighting, Surya offers a wide portfolio spanning conventional lighting, advanced LED and smart lighting solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure applications. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across India, the company is also the leading manufacturer in fans, home appliances, steel pipes & CR strips, PVC pipes, and wires & cables. Backed by over five decades of trust, export to over 50 countries, revenues exceeding 8,000 crore, and a robust pan-India distribution network, the 'Surya' and 'Prakash Surya' brands continue to set benchmarks in innovation, reliability, and performance. For more information, visit www.surya.co.in (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Ahead of the Galaxy S26 launch scheduled for next month, Samsung Electronics signaled that price increases for its upcoming flagship smartphones may be unavoidable as global semiconductor costs surge and internal divisions face mounting margin pressure. Speaking to global media ahead of the CES 2026 trade show in Las Vegas, Samsung's co-CEO and mobile business chief, Roh Tae-moon, stated that the current environment is "unprecedented" and warned that "smartphone price adjustments may be necessary" due to soaring chip costs. The mobile industry faces a harsh pricing situation in memory driven by an industrywide supply crunch. According to a report by The Korea Herald, the price of general-purpose DRAM--8Gb DDR4--rose from USD 1.35 to USD 9.30 over the past year. This near sevenfold increase, reported by DRAMeXchange, directly impacts the bill of materials for new devices. Due to high demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, "we're facing one of the harshest pricing situations in memory," the report quoted Roh on Monday. The sharp rise in memory and application processor costs coincides with the preparations for the Galaxy S26. This device debuts Samsung's own 2-nanometer Exynos 2600 chip and various AI-powered features under the Galaxy AI brand. The Galaxy S26 serves as a strategic product to test the competitiveness of Samsung's vertically integrated model, involving its semiconductor and foundry service units. Beyond hardware, the company focuses on expanding its artificial intelligence ecosystem. Roh stated that Samsung plans to double the number of Galaxy devices equipped with Galaxy AI features from 400 million to 800 million units by the end of 2026. "We aim to apply AI to every product, feature and service as quickly as possible," the report quoted Roh. Galaxy AI currently utilizes a hybrid of Samsung's in-house technology and Google's Gemini model to support generative features like image editing and on-device translation. Internal surveys indicate that AI brand awareness among Galaxy users rose from 30 per cent to 80 per cent within a year. Despite this growth, the company reviews whether to begin charging for these services. While core features remain free for the time being, Roh acknowledged that some premium functions may move to a paid model following internal reviews and partner discussions. "Facing tougher price competition from Apple's iPhone 17 base model that was released last year, Samsung is under pressure to maintain similar price points for the Galaxy S26, despite a significantly higher bill of materials. Roh emphasized that Samsung is working with suppliers to develop long-term strategies to mitigate pricing impacts across its consumer electronics portfolio, including smartphones, TVs and home appliances," the report said. (ANI)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 6: Victory Electric Vehicles International Limited, is engaged in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, including L5 electric three wheeler, L3 E-Rickshaws, E-Cargo/Loader and Electric Scooters, has announced the opening of its IPO on January 07, 2026 with a proposed issue size of 34.56 Crore, and the shares are proposed to be listed on the NSE Emerge. Equity Share Allocation - NII - Up to 40,02,000 Equity Shares - RII - Up to 40,05,000 Equity Shares - Market Maker - Up to 4,23,000 Equity Shares The net proceeds from the IPO will be utilised towards capital expenditure, meeting working capital requirements, and general corporate purposes. The issue will open for public subscription on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 and close on Friday, January 9, 2026. Corpwis Advisors Private Limited is acting as the Lead Manager to the issue, and Maashitla Securities Private Limited is the Registrar to the issue. - Fresh Issue Size - 84,30,000 Equity Shares of 5 each - Issue Size - 34.56 Crore - Issue Price - 41 Per Share - Lot Size - 3,000 Equity Shares About The Company: Victory Electric Vehicles International Limited is engaged in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, including E-Rickshaws, E-Cargo/Loader, and Electric Scooters. The product portfolio of the company extends beyond conventional models to include customised Electric 3-Wheelers designed for specific applications such as food delivery and ice cream vending, among the first few enterprises to secure the Indian Government's ICAT license to sell L5 E-Rickshaws. The company's business strategy focuses on leveraging the growing electrification of mobility in India, while also exploring opportunities to export its EVs to select international markets in the future. In FY25, the company recorded a Revenue of 5,086.18 Lakhs, EBITDA of 779.30 Lakhs, and PAT of 517.37 Lakhs. Mr. Sanjay Popli, Promoter and Managing Director of Victory Electric Vehicles International Limited: "As we celebrate this significant milestone, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to driving India's transition towards clean, affordable, and sustainable electric mobility. Since our incorporation in 2018, we have built a robust and diversified product portfolio comprising ICAT-approved L5 electric three-wheelers, L3 E-Rickshaws, electric cargo vehicles, and electric scooters. Over the years, we have expanded our dealer network across more than 15 states and strengthened our in-house manufacturing and customization capabilities. Our continued focus on quality, regulatory compliance, and customer-centric solutions has enabled us to grow steadily in a competitive market. The opening of our IPO marks an important step in our growth journey. The proceeds from the issue will be utilised to expand manufacturing capacity, support working capital requirements, and enhance our presence across new and existing markets. As we move forward, we remain committed to building reliable electric mobility solutions, creating long-term value for our stakeholders, and contributing meaningfully to India's evolving electric vehicle ecosystem." Mr. Nikunj Konodia, Managing Director of Corpwis Advisors Private Limited of said,"As we step into the IPO journey with Victory Electric Vehicles International Limited, we see a company that is well aligned with the structural growth opportunities in India's electric mobility ecosystem. The L5 and L3 three-wheeler segments continue to witness strong demand, supported by policy push, rising adoption of last-mile mobility solutions, and increasing awareness of sustainable transportation. Victory Electric Vehicles has built a solid foundation with its ICAT-certified L5 models, diversified product portfolio, and growing pan-India dealer network. Its in-house manufacturing capabilities, focus on quality and compliance, and ability to cater to both passenger and cargo segments position the company well for scalable and sustainable growth. We are pleased to partner with Victory Electric Vehicles in this important phase of its growth journey and believe the IPO will support its plans to strengthen capacity, expand market reach, and create long-term value for stakeholders." Disclaimer: Certain statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, like government actions, local, political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. The Company will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL New Delhi [India], January 6: In an era where excellence, precision, and innovation define success, Structure Makers has emerged as one of the fastest-growing pioneers in architecture, construction, and interior design. After transforming skylines and setting new benchmarks across Madhya Pradesh, the company is now ready to script its next chapter -- a grand launch in Chhattisgarh with a flagship office in Raipur. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Structure Makers' journey, signalling its evolution from a regional leader into a powerhouse shaping the future of modern infrastructure in Central India. A Legacy of Excellence in Madhya Pradesh Structure Makers began with a bold vision: to bring professionalism, transparency, and next-level service experience into the construction and interior industry. Over the years, it has delivered residential, commercial, hospitality, and turnkey interiors that stand out for their quality, design integrity, and timely execution. With numerous successful projects and a reputation built on trust, Structure Makers quickly became a go-to name among clients seeking reliability and creativity under one roof. Raipur Launch: A New Era for Chhattisgarh The upcoming flagship office in Raipur is more than an expansion -- it is a statement of intent. - A bigger design studio - Expanded execution capabilities - Advanced project management systems - A dedicated team for architecture, construction & interior turnkey projects Raipur will soon witness a state-of-the-art workspace showcasing materials, technology, and modern design language -- reflecting the company's commitment to transforming the Chhattisgarh market with unmatched service quality. Visionary Promoters Bringing a Tech-Driven Revolution Behind Structure Makers' rapid rise stand two passionate innovators: Siddharth Khare and Anurag Mahurkar. Coming from strong technology backgrounds, both promoters identified a major gap in the construction industry -- the lack of standardization, transparency, and customer-centric service. With this insight, they infused tech-driven processes, automation, and streamlined communication into traditional construction workflows. Their approach has brought: - Real-time project tracking - Data-backed planning - Precision-aligned execution - Exceptional client service Integration of tech with on-site construction efficiency This fusion of technology + construction expertise has not only accelerated delivery timelines but has also completely redefined professionalism within the industry. Setting New Benchmarks: From Service Quality to Innovation Structure Makers' extraordinary success is rooted in its focus on three pillars: 1. Unmatched Service Experience The company's reputation is built on its client-first philosophy, offering clear communication, transparent pricing, and dedicated project managers. 2. Architectural & Interior Design Excellence With cutting-edge designs, functional aesthetics, and future-ready concepts, Structure Makers ensures every space tells a story. 3. Tech-Integrated Construction Smart tools, digital documentation, automated monitoring, and process-driven execution set the company apart in reliability and accuracy. The Road Ahead: Becoming Central India's Most Trusted Brand With Madhya Pradesh conquered and Chhattisgarh on the horizon, Structure Makers is gearing up to become one of the most influential names in Central India's construction, architecture, and interior design landscape. The vision is clear -- to build with brilliance, deliver with integrity, and elevate real estate experiences through service and technology. Structure Makers is not just building spaces -- it is building a new era for the industry. Contact: Address: 3rd floor, BM Heights in front of IDBI bank, Wright Town, Jabalpur Website: www.structuremakers.com Contact: +91 92011 56965, +91 62641 10423. Email: Info@structuremakers.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
The expansion of Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID)-based gold and silver hallmarking by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), with more than 20 lakh silver articles already hallmarked, is strengthening consumer confidence and reinforcing India's commitment to quality, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday. "Quality is not a choice, it is a responsibility we owe to our citizens, industry and the market," Joshi said while addressing the 79th BIS Foundation Day celebrations event held in New Delhi. HUID is a systematic procedure established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure the purity and authenticity of gold jewellery in India. The statement from Minister Joshi came when gold prices are at record highs. Gold prices today are hovering around Rs 1,40,655 per 10 grams. Silver is also trading near record levels of Rs 2,47,000 per kg. Stressing that hallmarking has become a key instrument in protecting consumers and improving credibility for manufacturers, Joshi said that growing adoption of hallmarking shows people now recognise that "without quality certification, trust and sales both suffer." Joshi said India's standards regime has achieved significant global alignment, with about 94% of Indian Standards harmonised with ISO and IEC. This, he said, has helped Indian products gain wider acceptance in international markets as the country positions itself to compete with the world's largest economies. Highlighting the expanding scope of standardisation, Joshi said BIS standards now cover renewable energy, electric mobility, energy storage and electric agricultural tractors, reflecting India's transition towards clean energy and sustainable growth. "If we want to lead in the 21st century, our products must meet the highest global benchmarks," he said. He noted that the rise in voluntary BIS certifications demonstrates growing industry confidence in quality marks as a commercial advantage, not just a regulatory requirement. Joshi also underscored BIS's role in enforcing quality control orders to prevent the import of substandard goods, protecting both consumers and domestic manufacturers. Looking ahead, he said BIS is focusing on modernising laboratories, expanding digital platforms, empowering women through initiatives such as Manak Mitra, and strengthening India's leadership in international standardisation. During the same event, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs BL Verma said that the journey of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has moved in step with India's national progress, with its logo today recognised as a symbol of quality, standard and purity. "Quality should become a national ritual," he said, adding that standards are essential for sustainable development. Referring to the government's decision on hallmarking, Verma said the move had brought a significant change in the bullion market. He said that many innocent consumers, particularly in rural areas, were earlier cheated by the sale of substandard gold. "Now consumers are confident while buying hallmarked jewellery, and even the youth are vigilant about quality," Verma said. He added that complaints related to hallmarking would be dealt with strictly. Emphasising the balance between commerce and consumer protection, Verma said trade must continue smoothly while maintaining public trust. He also stressed that policies framed in Delhi must reach "every nook and corner" of the country. BIS, he said, is expanding awareness of ISI and BIS marks, while also contributing to global standard-setting through engagement with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). "The standards of India will become the standards of the world," Verma said. (ANI)
India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 is returning to Goa from January 23 to 30, 2026, bringing together ministers from across the world, global CEOs, policymakers, financial institutions, academia and technology providers at a critical juncture for the global energy sector. As the first major international energy gathering of the year, IEW 2026 will focus on strengthening energy security, catalysing investment, and advancing practical, scalable pathways for decarbonisation. As global energy systems navigate rising demand, geopolitical uncertainty and accelerating climate commitments, IEW 2026 will serve as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation. Building on the momentum of previous editions, the event is expected to welcome participants from over 120 countries, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said in a statement on Tuesday. The 2025 edition saw participation from over 68,000 attendees, 570 exhibitors and 5,400 conference delegates, with 100 conference sessions featuring more than 540 global speakers, the ministry said. The 2026 edition will expand further, reinforcing IEW's position among the world's leading energy dialogue platforms. Hosted under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, and jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) and dmg events, IEW 2026 provides a neutral and globally connected forum for cooperation on energy security, affordability and sustainability. Delegations from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region are expected to participate, underlining India Energy Week's growing role in global energy diplomacy, the Ministry said. According to the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook 2025, India alone is projected to account for more than 23 per cent of global incremental energy demand by 2050, the largest for any country. Against this backdrop, IEW 2026 will bring policymakers and industry leaders together to deliberate on strengthening resilient energy systems and accelerating the clean energy transition. IEW 2026 will spotlight India's reform-led energy model, which balances economic growth, climate responsibility and consumer protection. Landmark legislative and regulatory reforms under the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act 2025 and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025 have strengthened the upstream ecosystem. These reforms provide for single petroleum leases covering exploration, production, decarbonisation and integrated energy projects; time-bound approvals with lease decisions mandated within 180 days; long-term lease stability of up to 30 years, extendable to the economic life of the field; infrastructure sharing mechanisms; and investor risk-mitigation measures, including arbitration and compensation safeguards. India's ethanol blending programme has emerged as a global benchmark, delivering significant outcomes including cumulative foreign exchange savings of Rs 1.59 lakh crore since 2014, reduction of 813 lakh metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, substitution of 270 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, payments of Rs 2.32 lakh crore to ethanol distillers by Oil Marketing Companies and Rs 1.39 lakh crore paid directly to farmers. Biofuels, green hydrogen, sustainable fuels and emerging low-carbon technologies will feature prominently in discussions at IEW 2026. India has continued to strengthen domestic exploration and infrastructure to enhance long-term energy security. Petrol retail outlets have expanded from around 52,000 in 2014 to over one lakh in 2025. CNG stations have increased from about 968 to more than 8,477, while PNG household connections have risen from 25 lakh to over 1.59 crore. The natural gas pipeline network has expanded by around 66 per cent to over 25,923 km, and City Gas Distribution coverage now extends to the entire country, excluding islands. Despite global volatility in energy prices, India has maintained price stability for consumers. While petrol and diesel prices rose significantly across major global economies since 2021, prices in Delhi in 2025 remained lower than in 2021. Central excise duty cuts of Rs 13 per litre on petrol and Rs 16 per litre on diesel were fully passed on to consumers, and Oil Marketing Companies implemented an additional Rs 2 per litre price reduction in March 2024. LPG prices for PMUY beneficiaries have been maintained at around Rs 553 per cylinder, among the lowest globally. Over four days, IEW 2026 will feature ministerial roundtables, CEO dialogues, public-private sector interactions, technology showcases, exhibitions, social events and media engagements. At the four-day IEW 2026, dedicated sessions will focus on hydrogen economies, green finance, sustainable fuels, circularity, digital transformation and workforce development. The expanded exhibition will host hundreds of companies across the full energy value chain, supported by extensive international participation and country pavilions. (ANI)
Ethan Hawke's teenage daughters say that their sister Maya Hawke is more famous than him.

Ethan Hawke is mocked by his youngest children for being less well-known than his daughter Maya Hawke

The 55-year-old actor explained that Stranger Things actress Maya, 27, is more well-known among the classmates of his youngest children Clementine, 17, and Indiana, 14, whom he shares with his wife Ryan Shawhughes.

Discussing the kids visiting the set of his TV series The Lowdown, Ethan told The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Monday (05.01.26): "We shot it down in Tulsa, my wife was a producer on the show, we brought the whole family down.

"The kids went to public school there in Tulsa. The kids came to visit me on set and the director says, 'Is it hard having a famous dad when you're at a new school?'"

The Blue Moon star continued: "They were like, 'It's hard having a famous sister. Nobody cares about my dad... My sister's picture is in the lockers everywhere.'"

Ethan joined millions of fans around the world in watching the series finale of Stranger Things last week as he and his family were "invested" in Maya's swansong in the role of Robin Buckley.

The Oscar-nominated star said: "A lot of people in America were watching Stranger Things, but not everybody was watching their daughter (in Stranger Things) with their siblings to the side. We were invested."

Hawke was full of praise for the conclusion to the Netflix show.

The Great Expectations actor  who has Maya and son Levon, 23, with his ex-wife Uma Thurman  said: "I have to say, hats off. I thought Maya did a great job. I thought the whole show did a great job."

Ethan recently revealed that he knew Maya was going to "be an artist" when she was "about four" years of age.

Speaking to Sydney Sweeney for Variety's Actors on Actors series, he recalled: "I knew that she was gonna be a very good one. That was her safe place  watercolouring, dancing, singing all throughout her childhood.

"Anything that had to do with human communication was something she vibrated to.

"I remember some teacher said, 'Maya, are you happy?', (because) they were worried about her. And she said something to the effect of, 'Do you really think that's the question?'"

Ethan added: "I thought, 'I love this kid.' She was about 13. (Maya said) 'I don't think that's a very interesting question. I think there's a lot more interesting questions than whether I'm happy or not. Am I happy? No. But I don't aspire to be happy.'"
In a post on X, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari shared a video of himself and Minister Joshi taking a short drive in a new hydrogen-powered car. Minister Joshi could be seen driving the vehicle, with Minister Gadkari on the front passenger seat.

"Congratulations to Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Shri @JoshiPralhad Ji on adopting a Hydrogen Car. I had the pleasure of joining him for a short drive in this remarkable vehicle, which truly reflects the future of clean mobility. Hydrogen will play a crucial role in India's energy transition, and I encourage citizens to embrace such green innovations as we move towards a net-zero future," Nitin Gadkari posted on X.

Minister Gadkari, himself a strong advocate of clean, efficient energy, owns a hydrogen-powered car. In March 2022, he reportedly drove a hydrogen-powered car into Parliament for the first time.

Earlier that month, the Union Minister had launched the world's most advanced technology-developed Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), Toyota Mirai.

India is promoting clean energy and environmental protection by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and thereby making India 'Energy Self-reliant' by 2047.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), powered by Hydrogen, is one of the best zero-emission solutions. It is entirely environment friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water. Green Hydrogen can be generated from renewable energy and abundantly available biomass. Introduction and adoption of technology to tap into the Green hydrogen's potential will play a key role in securing a clean and affordable energy future for India.

National Institute for Solar Energy (NISE) is currently undertaking a comprehensive real-world evaluation of Toyota's 'Mirai' in Indian conditions.

Under an MoU signed in December 2025, NISE and Toyota Kirloskar Motor will conduct an extensive assessment of the FCEV Mirai in India's diverse road conditions, including heat, dust, traffic congestion and varied terrain. The Minister said the testing for next 2 years, will generate critical insights to scale up hydrogen mobility nationwide while building awareness, confidence and technical capability among industry, academia and policymakers. (ANI)
Actor and director Kristen Stewart has expressed interest in directing a remake of the globally popular 'Twilight' saga, stating she would be open to re-adapting the franchise if it is ever rebooted, according to People. Speaking in an interview at Variety's 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards in Palm Springs, California, Stewart said she would love to revisit the globally popular vampire romance series--this time from behind the camera. "I would love -- look. I love what Catherine [Hardwicke] did, I love what Chris [Weitz] did, I love what all of the directors did with the movies," Stewart said when asked about the possibility of remaking the franchise. Reflecting on the original films, she added, "They were so themselves and weird and kind of squirrelly, and just so present in that time when they didn't really know what they were yet," she added, as per People. Imagining a new version of the franchise, Stewart said, "Imagine if we had a huge budget and a bunch of love and support. I don't know -- I would love to readapt. Yeah, sure, I'll do the remake. I'm doing it! I'm committed!" Stewart, 35, rose to international fame for her portrayal of Bella Swan in the five Twilight films released between 2008 and 2012. The movies, adapted from author Stephenie Meyer's novels, also starred Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed and Ashley Greene. The franchise featured multiple directors, with Catherine Hardwicke helming the original film, Chris Weitz directing New Moon, David Slade directing Eclipse, and Bill Condon directing the two-part finale Breaking Dawn. Stewart previously commented on her experience watching filmmaker Hardwicke, now 70, direct the first Twilight movie in a December interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "Being able to withstand and organize that many opinions, and still make something that feels like yours, is near impossible to do," she said of the production at the time. "With so many voices in the room and with so much expectation, nothing feels personal." Stewart recently made her directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, released in 2025, which earned her recognition as one of Variety's 10 Directors to Watch. Speaking about her journey into filmmaking, Stewart said she had been building toward this moment throughout her career. "I've been working on other people's films my whole life, since I was nine years old, and I feel like everything's been building to this moment," she said. "It's just what I've wanted to do my whole life," according to People. The Chronology of Water is currently playing in theatres. (ANI)
Varun Dhawan and his wife Natasha Dalal welcomed their daughter, Lara, on June 3, 2024. However, even after more than a year, the couple has still not revealed their baby girl's face to the public. On Tuesday, Varun interacted with fans via a Q&A session on X. When a social media user asked him about his decision to reveal his daughter's face, the Border 2 actor replied, "I would rather leave that decision to her. Social media should be her choice, not something I decide for her," he said, adding the hashtag #varunsays. Meanwhile, on the work front, Varun is gearing up for the release of 'Border 2', which also stars Sunny Deol, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh. Opening up about the film, Varun in one of the posts mentioned that "Border 2 is based on the 1971 war and that as we all know was a war filled with a lot of casualties on both sides. There were a lot of sacrifices made by our soldiers to win so some amazing stories." Directed by Anurag Singh, 'Border 2' also features Mona Singh, Medha Rana, Sonam Bajwa and Anya Singh.The film is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series along with JP Dutta's JP Films. It is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta. The audience can watch the film in theatres from January 23 onwards. (ANI)
Observing that the material placed on record by the prosecution indicates key involvement of Jawaharlal Nehru University students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam to plan, mobilise and strategically direct the alleged 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy, beyond isolated or localised acts, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant the accused bail, while upholding the constitutional validity of their prolonged detention. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said that the material against the two men primarily accused in the conspiracy case, considered on face value as required at this stage, does not justify their enlargement on bail. "This Court is satisfied that the prosecution material, taken at face value as required at this stage, discloses a prima facie attribution of a central and formative role by the appellants in appeals arising out of SLP...Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are in the alleged conspiracy. The material suggests involvement at the level of planning, mobilisation, and strategic direction, extending beyond episodic or localised acts. The statutory threshold under Section 43D (5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, therefore stands attracted qua these appellants. While the period of incarceration undergone by these appellants is substantial and has been duly considered, the Court is not persuaded that, on the present record, continued detention has crossed the threshold of constitutional impermissibility so as to override the statutory embargo," the Court noted. The Court was pronouncing its ruling on the bail pleas of seven people accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the 2020 Delhi riots case. The tragic event shook the national capital by killing 53 people and leaving more than 900 injured. As regards the other five persons, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed, accused in the conspiracy, the Supreme Court granted them liberty by observing that their continued incarceration, considering their roles as per the material on record, is not essential for the conduct of a fair trial, provided strict conditions are imposed upon their release. However, the Court clarified that the grant of bail to these does not dilute the gravity of the allegations nor amount to any finding on guilt, rather, "it represents a calibrated exercise of constitutional discretion, structured to preserve both liberty of the individual and security of the nation." Taking into account national security, public order, and the integrity of the trial process, the Court has imposed numerous conditions on their bail, including the furnishing of personal bonds of Rs 2 lakh each, with two local sureties, to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. Additionally, the five accused persons shall remain within the NCT of Delhi and shall not leave without prior court permission. The Court has further directed them to surrender their passports (or file an affidavit if none exists) and furnish updated residential and contact details, with prior intimation for any change. "Each of the appellants, namely Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed shall personally appear twice a week, that is on Monday and Thursday, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, before the Station House Officer, Police Station Crime Branch, Delhi Police, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Police Headquarters, Jai Singh Marg, New Delhi - 110001, and mark their attendance. The Station House Officer shall maintain a separate register of attendance in respect of each of these appellants and shall furnish a monthly compliance report to the Trial Court, which shall be placed on the main record of the case", the Court noted. Further, the Court has directed the accused persons not to contact, influence or intimidate any witness or person connected with the proceedings, nor associate with any group or organisation linked to the case. They must fully cooperate with the trial, appear on all dates of hearing unless exempted, avoid any conduct that delays proceedings and maintain peace and good behaviour, it added. Moreover, the Court observed that any breach of these conditions or misuse of liberty would entitle the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail from the Trial Court after hearing the appellants. While concluding its decision, the Court observed that though personal liberty is guaranteed under the Constitution, it cannot be conceived as an absolute entitlement, detached from the security of the society in which it operates. It further noted, "The sovereignty, integrity, and security of the nation, as well as the preservation of public order, are not abstract concerns rather, they are constitutional values which Parliament is entitled to protect through law". When certain offences attack these constitutional foundations, despite a special law being in place to address them, the courts are duty-bound to give effect to that framework. Explaining the different outcomes that ensued for the seven accused persons in their pleas seeking the same relief, the Court observed that criminal law does not mandate identical results merely because allegations arise from the same case. It added that those alleged to have led the unlawful or terrorist activity stand on a different legal footing from those whose involvement is confined to participation at a different level. "To disregard such distinctions would itself result in arbitrariness", it said. In view of the nature of the case and the prolonged incarceration already undergone by the accused persons, the Supreme Court directed the Trial Court to conduct the trial expeditiously, particularly the examination of prosecution and protected witnesses. It also directed the prosecution to ensure the presence of its witnesses on scheduled dates. Further, it granted liberty to the Trial Court toregulate the trial proceedings to prevent any delay. The Court had reserved its decision in the case on December 10 after hearing all the parties. During the numerous hearings in the Supreme Court in the matter, the lawyers who appeared for all seven petitioners argued on the delay and the unlikelihood of the commencement of the trial in the case. It was contended on behalf of the petitioners that they have been in custody for more than five years in this case, with no assurance as to when their trial will take place. The contentions were also made that there is no proof of violence that instigated the riots, despite five years having passed since the Priti era had been accused. On the other hand, Delhi Police objected to the bail pleas, saying the alleged offences involved a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state. It argued that these were not spontaneous protests but a well-orchestrated "pan-India" conspiracy aiming at "regime change" and "economic strangulation". Delhi police also stated that the conspiracy was pre-planned to be executed at the time when the US president was to make an official visit to India, and thus was done so as to draw the attention of international media and to make the issue of CAA a global issue. The issue of CAA was carefully chosen as to serve as a "radicalising catalyst" camouflaged in the name of "peaceful protest", it had said. The prosecution further stated that the "deep-rooted, premeditated and pre-planned conspiracy" hatched by the petitioners resulted in the death of 53 persons, large-scale damage to public property, leading to the registration of 753 FIRS in Delhi alone. Evidence on record suggests that the instant conspiracy was sought to be replicated and executed PAN India, the Delhi police said. It referred to the various WhatsApp groups, Delhi Protest Support Group (DPSG), Jamia Awareness Campaign Team, which were being used to hatch a conspiracy for the riots. It was also argued that the delays are attributable to the petitioners and that, if they cooperate, the trial will be concluded within two years. In one of the hearings, to counter an argument made on behalf of Sharjeel Imam that he is an intellectual, the Delhi Police argued that "intellectuals involved in terrorism are more dangerous than those operating on the ground." Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, mentioned that the Red Fort blast, which killed 15 people and injured many, was "another demonstration of a terrorist attack alleged to have been carried out by doctors." The Delhi High Court on September 2 denied bail to Imam, Khalid and seven others - Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed, Abdul Khalid Saifi and Gulfisha Fatima. On September 2, the bail plea of another accused, Tasleem Ahmed, was rejected by a different High Court bench. The High Court had observed that, prima facie, the role of Imam and Khalid in the entire conspiracy was "grave", having delivered inflammatory speeches on communal lines to "instigate mass mobilisation of members of the Muslim community." Thus, seven petitioners moved the apex court seeking bail in the larger conspiracy case under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the Delhi riots case. In 2020, the Delhi police arrested Imam under the UAPA and named him as the main conspirator behind the Delhi riots case. The violence had erupted during the protests against the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Police have cracked a blind murder case involving a woman, whose body was found in a forest area, with the help of a small clue of an omelette slice, digital payment records and artificial intelligence tools, leading to arrest of the accused in Gwalior district, an official said. The body of a woman was found in the forest area under the jurisdiction of Gola Ka Mandir police station in the Gwalior district on December 29. The woman's face was thrashed by a heavy rock, and it was difficult to identify, following which police took the help of AI to develop her sketch, the official added. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Dharmvir Singh told ANI, "It was a challenging case as a woman's dead body was found under Gola Ka Mandir police station on December 29. It was a blind case, and the woman could not be identified. Prima facie it was a very brutal murder case. During the investigation of the case, initially, when the body was checked, a piece of omelette was found. Based on it, food stalls within a 200-meter radius were questioned, and it was found that a woman had eaten an omelette with two men." "After that CCTV footage of that area was also reviewed, and two men were seen in the footage. It was also found that they had made online payment for the omelette. Based on this small piece of evidence, the police followed the trail and arrested the accused, Sachin Sen, a resident of Gwalior, this morning," the officer said. He added that the woman was originally from Tikamgarh and had been living here with her husband for some time. She came into contact with Sachin Sen a week ago and started living with him. "Sachin Sen had doubts that she had relationships with several men, and out of that resentment, he conspired to murder her. The accused took her to a forest area near the main road, and then crushed her head with a rock, killing her. Evidence, including a jacket and other items, was collected from the scene. AI was also utilised to develop a sketch of the woman and coordinated with Tikamgarh Police. After that with the help of all the evidence, CCTV footage, field input, and forensic evidence, police were able to identify the victim and arrest the accused," SSP Singh added. The officer further said that the woman was in a relationship with the accused and had been living with him for the past 7-8 days. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday took a dig at the Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders, saying that the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation election is "slowly heating up." Addressing a public rally in Pune's Katraj, CM Fadnavis said, "The Pune election is slowly heating up. One 'Dada' (Ajit Pawar) is making statements (allegations), another 'Dada' is speaking, and 'Anna' is speaking as well. Now the election is beginning to gain momentum." Commenting on the discussions regarding the works done by political parties in the past, the CM said that explaining what has been done will "create several difficulties." He further stated that he will respond when provoked in order not to appear weak, but meanwhile, he stays focused on development in the state. "The more we talk of the past, the more many people will have to explain what they have done, and that will create several difficulties...So I have decided that when I am provoked, like in Mumbai, I will respond. If I do not respond, it appears as weakness. However, my focus remains on development," Fadnavis said. Earlier in the day, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar justified his decision to independently contest the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, flagging "several issues" in local leadership that are affecting Pune's development. Ajit Pawar, who is part of the Mahayuti alliance has decided to fight the PMC elections with his Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), the party he split from. He said that the Central and state governments are providing "ample" funds, but the implementation has not been realised at the local level. "Both the Central and State governments are providing ample funds for development works across every corner of Maharashtra. No development scheme is being kept pending by either the Centre or the State. But the question is, what has been the condition of the municipal corporations that have remained under the same leadership for the past several years?" Ajit Pawar said. "There is no fault of the Central or State governments in this. The real question is about the performance of the local leadership," he added. Ajit Pawar further stated that this is not the first time local elections have been fought separately by alliance members. (ANI)
Gujarat's Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC) has dismissed reports of casualties due to typhoid cases as "incorrect and misleading," and issued an official clarification on typhoid cases in the city. "This is to clarify that the reports circulating regarding Typhoid casualties in Gandhinagar are incorrect and misleading," the civic body said on Monday on X. According to the Municipal Corporation, the city has "Total cases registered: 133, Patients discharged: 45, Currently hospitalised: 88." It further added, "All hospitalised patients are in stable condition. There are no critical cases and no deaths reported. Citizens are requested not to believe in rumours." Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the administration to "act on a war footing" after reviewing reports of typhoid cases among children and citizens due to contaminated water caused by pipeline leakages in Gandhinagar's Sector 24, 28 and Adivada areas. According to a press release, Shah instructed health officials to ensure prompt specialist treatment for typhoid patients, arrange meals for patients and their relatives at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, and carry out immediate repairs along with intensive inspections of water pipelines to prevent further spread. He also remained in regular contact with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the District Collector and the Municipal Commissioner. The release said intensive health arrangements and survey operations were undertaken for suspected typhoid cases, particularly in Sectors 24, 26 and 28 and Adivada. As many as 75 health teams conducted surveys in the affected areas. To date, 113 suspected typhoid cases have been identified, with 19 patients discharged after treatment, while 94 patients are undergoing treatment at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital and Urban Health Centres in Sectors 24 and 29. All patients are reported to be in stable condition. A 24x7 OPD has also been established in the affected areas, and meal arrangements have been made for patients' relatives admitted to the Civil Hospital. Survey teams from the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation have covered more than 20,800 households, reaching a population of over 90,000. As part of preventive measures, 30,000 chlorine tablets and 20,600 ORS packets have been distributed, the release added. (ANI)
Youth Congress leader Shahjan Islam, who was arrested on Monday in connection with two cases, will be produced before a local court on Tuesday, an official said. In June last year, a Yuva Morcha leader lodged a complaint against Shahjan Islam for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha during a live Facebook post. Subsequently, BJP Minority Morcha leader Billal Miah also filed another FIR against the Youth Congress leader for making offensive comments. Shahjan Islam had been missing since the two FIRs were registered against him. "Last year, on 8 June 2025, an incident took place that created an atmosphere of unrest across the entire city. In connection with this incident, a person named Shahjahan Islam had posted several doubtful comments and also made many objectionable remarks targeting the Chief Minister of Tripura," Deba Prasad Roy, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Sadar said. "Based on intelligence inputs, a police team carried out a raid at Joypur on Monday and arrested him," Officer-in-Charge of West Agartala Police Station Rana Chatterjee told ANI. The accused will be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of West District on Tuesday (January 6) for further legal action, the official said. However, police did not specify why he was not produced before the court on the day of his arrest. Meanwhile, a group of Yuva Congress leaders and supporters staged a rally at Shantipara, allegedly vandalised Shahjan Islam's residence and attacked his family members. His father Khairul Islam and brother Nazrul Islam were arrested in connection with the same cases, drawing criticism from the opposition and civil society. Earlier, we had arrested the father and brother of Shahjahan Islam. However, Shahjahan Islam had been allegedly absconding for a long time. Over the past two days, we received information that he was hiding in the Joypur area. Acting on this information, we finally detained and arrested him today. He is currently being interrogated. Additionally, last night, another individual named Babul Mia, a Bangladeshi youth, was arrested from the Krishnanagar area. He is also currently under interrogation." (ANI)
Deepika Nirmalkar, Police Station Incharge in Raigarh, expressed happiness over the arrest of the accused who allegedly attacked women police personnel during an anti-mining protest, and said women police personnel were relieved after action was taken. "All women Police personnel are happy because the accused has been caught and punished. We trust the law that he will be given the strictest punishment. Be it a woman officer or a common woman, they are all women. Those who wrong them should definitely be punished," she said on Monday, while expressing confidence in the legal process. Her statement comes after a viral video from Chhattisgarh showed a woman police personnel being attacked and then stripped by a group of people during an anti-mining protest in Raigarh district. Police said the main accused, Chitrasen Sahu, was paraded publicly and produced before a court on Sunday. Five accused have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, while one more identified accused is yet to be arrested, police added. Meanwhile, in another development from the state, Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Lal Umend Singh said overall crime in the city had declined by 10 per cent, according to the annual crime data for 2025. Addressing a press conference, Singh said Raipur recorded 17,703 crime cases in 2024, which declined to 15,896 cases in 2025. The briefing was attended by the Additional SP, the Traffic ASP, the CSP, and other senior officers. The SSP said the reduction reflected improved policing and monitoring. He also noted that road accidents were more frequent in rural areas than within city limits and that traffic enforcement had been intensified, with e-challan penalties rising by 50 per cent compared to the previous year. "Most accidents involved two-wheelers, where the majority of victims were found not wearing helmets. The department plans to launch public awareness programmes to reduce road accidents and promote safety," Singh said. He also flagged concern over murders triggered by trivial disputes. "Incidents occurred over minor issues such as mobile phone usage, serving cold food, or refusing to accompany someone," Singh said, adding that "addressing these impulsive crimes is a priority for the coming year." On narcotics, the SSP said Raipur Police carried out a major crackdown during the year, arresting around 600 suspects. "Through close monitoring of trials, over 100 individuals have received strict legal sentences. Major narcotics syndicates have been dismantled. The police will maintain focus to ensure these drug chains do not reappear," Singh said. (ANI)
Reliance Industries Limited has categorically rejected any claims of Russian oil cargos coming to their Jamnagar refinery, claiming that such news reports are "blatantly untrue" and is "tarnishing our image". While mentioning a Bloomberg News report, RIL reiterated that it has not recieved any shipments of Russian oil in the last 3 weeks and is "not expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January." In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Reliance Industries Limited said a Bloomberg report claiming that "three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limited's Jamnagar refinery" was incorrect. Reliance also expressed disappointment that its denial was allegedly ignored in the report's publication. "A news report in Bloomberg claiming "three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limited's Jamnagar refinery" is blatantly untrue. Reliance Industries's Jamnagar refinery has not received any cargo of Russian oil at its refinery in the past three weeks approx. and is not expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January," RIL posted on X. Saying that the report had hurt the company's reputation, RIL added, " We are deeply pained that those claiming to be at the forefront of fair journalism chose to ignore the denial by RIL of buying any Russian oil to be delivered in January and published a wrong report tarnishing our image." A Bloomberg report titled 'Ships with Russian oil signal Reliance Plant as Destination' had claimed that shipping data indicated the movement of Russian crude towards India's west coast. According to Bloomberg, "A Reliance spokesman denied that the cargoes had been purchased by the company, adding that it didn't have any committed shipments of Russian crude for delivery in January." Bloomberg further reported that, "At least three tankers carrying Russian crude are indicating Reliance Industries Ltd.'s plant on India's west coast as their next destination, after the refiner restarted some purchases for domestic production." As per the report, "The vessels, laden with nearly 2.2 million barrels of Urals, are currently signalling the huge Jamnagar complex and are expected to deliver their cargoes early this month, according to data analytics firm Kpler." Explaining the basis of the data, Bloomberg said, "Kpler tracks the movement of vessels based on live signals sent by captains detailing their current location and upcoming discharge ports. Destinations can change as the ships approach India." Bloomberg reiterated the company's denial in its report, stating, "A Reliance spokesman denied that the cargoes had been purchased by the company, adding that it didn't have any committed shipments of Russian crude for delivery in January." The statement by RIL comes amid US imposing tariffs on the import of Indian goods as a "penalty" for India buying Russian oil. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, while referring to an audio clip of US President Donald Trump, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra is "under his control." Kharge told reporters, "I heard an audio today wherein Trump said (on Russian oil) that he knows that Modi respects him and listens to him. What does this mean? It means that Modi is under his control," Kharge said. Drawing a pop-culture analogy, he added, "I am reminded of a dialogue from Mr India - 'Mogambo Khush Hua'. After the Ambassador spoke to him, Trump said 'Mogambo Khush Hua'." The opposition's remarks come amid Trump's threats of higher tariffs and possible sanctions on Indian exports for continued Russian oil imports. Earlier, the Congress again cited Trump's comments in a post on X. "Donald Trump says India reduced its oil purchases from Russia because Modi wants to keep him happy. Trump says, 'Modi wanted to make me happy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,'" the Congress post read, questioning whether India's decision was influenced by US pressure. Trump had earlier warned of higher tariffs if India continued importing Russian oil, saying, "PM Modi's a very good man. He's a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly." The controversy comes amid renewed global focus on oil geopolitics, including recent US actions against Venezuela, while India has consistently defended its energy imports as necessary for domestic energy security. (ANI)
Jennifer Aniston is "very happy and comfortable" with her boyfriend Jim Curtis.

Jennifer Aniston has been romantically linked with Jim Curtis since July 2025

The 56-year-old actress and the 50-year-old hypnotherapist went Instagram official with their relationship in November 2025, and the pair are still going strong as they head into 2026 together.

A source told People: "She had a great end to the year and feels really good about where things are with Jim.

"She's excited about this new year and what's ahead, especially with Jim by her side now. Jen's always been fine on her own and comfortable being single, but her relationship with Jim is just different.

"She's very happy and comfortable. He's just so sweet and supportive of her. He makes her everyday life better."

The couple's first sighting of 2026 came on January 3 at a Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, California, as the Friends legend supported her flame as he hosted his A Deep Reset for the New Year event.

In June 2025, Jim - who has worked in health and wellness for over two decades, and helps people "step into the fullest version of themselves" - and Jennifer were spotted at the five-star Alila Ventana Big Sur hotel in Northern California.

However, it was not until the following month that Jennifer - who was previously in a relationship with 62-year-old actor Brad Pitt from 2000 until 2005, as well as 54-year-old actor Justin Theroux from 2015 until 2018 - first sparked romance rumours with Jim when the pair vacationed together in Mallorca, Spain, during the Fourth of July weekend.

According to MailOnline, The Morning Show actress excitedly introduced Jim - who regularly posts inspirational quotes and "manifestations" to help people find love - to her Horrible Bosses co-star, Jason Bateman, 56, and his 57-year-old wife, former actress Amanda Anka.

The foursome then enjoyed a yacht trip together.

Afterwards, multiple sources told People that a relationship was on for Jennifer and Jim, with one insider saying: "[They are] casually dating and having fun.

Another source said that the pair "were introduced by a friend and started out as friends" and Jennifer bonded over their shared passion for self-help and wellness.

And on November 2, 2025, Jennifer and Jim went Instagram official, as she posted a cute black-and-white photo of them sharing a sweet embrace.

She captioned the post with: "Happy birthday my love. Cherished."
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he was unaware of the reasons behind Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Narayan Rane's reported decision to retire from active politics, while hailing the veteran leader's long and varied political career. Speaking to the media in Raigad on Monday, Ajit Pawar highlighted Narayan Rane's decades-long presence in Maharashtra politics and the key positions he has held over the years. "Narayan Rane has been active in Maharashtra's politics for a long time. He has held several ministerial positions. He became an MP as well as a Union Minister. I do not know anything about this (his retirement)," Pawar said. The Deputy Chief Minister further stated that he would seek clarity directly from Rane whenever they meet. "...But whenever I meet him, I will ask him as to why he made such a decision. He knows that the public has elected him as an MP for 5 years, and it has been only 1.5 years now," he added. Ajit Pawar's remarks came a day after senior BJP leader Narayan Rane hinted at stepping away from active politics, triggering speculation across political circles in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, earlier on Monday, the Deputy Chief Minister also justified his decision to contest the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections separately, despite being part of the Mahayuti alliance at the state level. Ajit Pawar raised concerns over the functioning of local bodies and the impact of prolonged leadership on civic administration. Ajit Pawar, who is part of the Mahayuti alliance but has decided to fight the PMC elections along with Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), said that both the Central and State governments are allocating ''ample" funds for development projects across Maharashtra. However, he said the desired results are not being achieved at the local level due to shortcomings in implementation. "Both the Central and State governments are providing ample funds for development works across every corner of Maharashtra. No development scheme is being kept pending by either the Centre or the State. But the question is, what has been the condition of the municipal corporations that have remained under the same leadership for the past several years?" Ajit Pawar said. "There is no fault of the Central or State governments in this. The real question is about the performance of the local leadership," he added. Ajit Pawar also flagged persistent civic issues in Pune, including traffic congestion, water management challenges and the lack of adequate civic amenities. He blamed the Pune Municipal Corporation for failing to address these problems effectively. (ANI)
Congress MP Imran Masood reacted to the Supreme Court's verdict denying bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots 'larger conspiracy' case, saying the Court has repeatedly held that bail is a fundamental right and that aspect should also be considered. "The Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that bail is a fundamental right, so if it is a fundamental right of a person, then that should also be considered...," he told ANI. This comes after the Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case pertaining to an alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots. However, the SC granted bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, and Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad. The Court noted that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam stand on a "qualitatively different footing" both in terms of prosecution and evidence. It noted that their roles were "central" to the alleged offences as regards these two, though the period of incarceration is continued and long, it does not violate the Constitutional mandate or override the statutory embargo under the laws. Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others were arrested in January 2020 under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the Delhi riots case in February 2020. As regards the other five persons, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed, accused in the conspiracy, the Supreme Court granted them liberty by observing that their continued incarceration, considering their roles as per the material on record, is not essential for the conduct of a fair trial, provided strict conditions are imposed upon their release. However, the Court clarified that the grant of bail to these does not dilute the gravity of the allegations nor amount to any finding on guilt, rather, "it represents a calibrated exercise of constitutional discretion, structured to preserve both liberty of the individual and security of the nation." The violence had erupted during the protests against the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) and had left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. (ANI)
Former Transport Minister and MLA Antony Raju of Janadhipathya Kerala Congress Party from the 134-Thiruvananthapuram Assembly Constituency has been disqualified according to an official notification published in the Kerala Gazette, following his conviction in the decades-old evidence tampering 1990 drug case. According to the notification published on Monday in the Kerala Gazette by the Secretariat of the Kerala Legislature, he was disqualified under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the relevant Supreme Court decisions. The former MLA was disqualified after being sentenced to a three-year term of simple imprisonment. The notification stated, "Shri. Antony Raju, an elected Member of Fifteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly from '134-Thiruvananthapuram' Assembly Constituency is sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for three years in Calendar Case No. 811/2024 of the Judicial First Class Magistrate -I, Nedumangad. Consequently, as per the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 and the relevant Supreme Court decisions, Shri. Antony Raju, has become disqualified to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly." As a result of the conviction, the notification also declared the vacancy of the '134-Thiruvananthapuram' seat in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from January 3. It stated in the end, "Therefore, the '134-Thiruvananthapuram' seat in the Kerala Legislative Assembly has become vacant with effect from 3rd January 2026." The Nedumangadu Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I on Saturday found Kerala ruling front MLA and former Transport Minister Antony Raju guilty in the decades-old evidence tampering case linked to the 1990 arrest of an Australian national at Thiruvananthapuram airport. The case dates back to 1990, when Andrew Salvatore Cervelli, an Australian citizen, was arrested at the airport for possession of 61.5 grams of hashish allegedly concealed in a secret pocket of the dark blue underwear he was wearing. Antony Raju, then a junior lawyer, had appeared as defence counsel for Cervelli. The Youth Congress workers also held a protest march to the Secretariat on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Kerala ruling front MLA and former Transport Minister Antony Raju, after he was found guilty in the evidence tampering case linked to the 1990 arrest of the Australian national at Thiruvananthapuram airport. (ANI)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is scheduled to meet Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi at 11 am on Tuesday, sources said. Palaniswami is expected to raise the current law and order situation in Tamil Nadu under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime and express his concerns. Tamil Nadu is scheduled to hold elections in the first half of this year. Earlier on Monday, Congress leader Manickam Tagore said that alliances remain the political reality in Tamil Nadu and asserted that the time has come to move beyond seat-sharing and initiate discussions on the sharing of power. Reacting to a recent survey conducted by the private organisation IPDS on the political alliance landscape in Tamil Nadu, Tagore said the data did not fully reflect the actual strength of the Congress and several other parties in the state. "Pointing to the recent private organisation ( IPDS ) survey taken on Tamil Nadu political alliance status. In Tamil Nadu, alliances are the political reality. Every party has its own base of voter support. I feel that this data does not fully reflect not only the Congress party's numbers but also those of other parties. However, no one can win in Tamil Nadu without an alliance. At the same time, the moment has arrived to discuss not just power, but the sharing of power as well, hasn't it?" the post added on X. He said, "Time for a share of power, not only a share of seats." Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson C R Kesavan launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, accusing it of dynastic politics, corruption, and pursuing what he termed an "anti-people" and "anti-Hindu" agenda. Speaking to ANI, Kesavan said that people in Tamil Nadu were increasingly referring to the DMK as the "Dynastic Munnetra Kazhagam," reflecting growing public discontent with the party and its leadership. "The people of Tamil Nadu are now labelling the DMK, Dynastic Munnetra Kazhagam. HM Amit Shah very truly reflected the prevailing sentiment in Tamil Nadu when he said the people had made up their mind to defeat, resolve and reject the DMK government, which has now become synonymous with corruption... The people are opposing the anti-people rule of the DMK, whose only goal is now to anoint MK Stalin to the top position... We have all known the anti-Hindu ideology of the DMK," he said. Parties including DMK, AIADMK, Congress, and BJP are in the main fray for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician Vijay is also trying his hand at politics with a political front called Tamilaga Vettri Kazagham. (ANI)
Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Monday accused Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and BJP MLA from Colaba, Rahul Narwekar, of misusing his position during the ongoing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election process. Chavan alleged that BJP tickets were distributed to Narwekar's close associates across the three wards that fall under the Colaba assembly constituency. He further claimed that other aspirants were threatened to prevent them from filing nominations and demanded that the elections in all three wards be annulled to preserve the integrity of the democratic process. "Colaba assembly constituency comprises three wards, which the BJP's Assembly Speaker represents. Now, the BJP has given tickets to the Speaker's close relatives in these three wards. But what happened after that? Those who wanted to file their nominations were threatened. I demand that the entire election in all three wards under the Colaba assembly constituency be cancelled. Otherwise, democracy will have no meaning," Chavan told ANI on Monday. Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the upcoming BMC elections will be "life-changing" for Mumbai and its people. Addressing a gathering at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Fadnavis criticised the opposition and asserted that the Mahayuti alliance will "teach a lesson" to those prioritising self-interest over public welfare. "We launched our BMC election campaign by breaking a coconut. This election will be a life-changing one for the people of Mumbai and for Mumbai itself. We have to teach a lesson to those who only care about their self-interest," he said. Furthermore, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that the Mahayuti will secure a decisive victory in the upcoming BMC polls. Describing the rally as a "victorious gathering", Shinde said the party workers present at the event would ensure victory in the upcoming elections. Shinde said that more than 68 candidates from the Mahayuti had already been elected unopposed, calling it an unprecedented development in Maharashtra's political history. "2025 was just the trailer, the main picture is yet to come," he said, asserting that the alliance's approach of "no excuse, on-the-spot decision" had earned public trust. Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI)
A thin layer of fog engulfed Srinagar on Tuesday morning as the cold wave continued to tighten its grip on the Kashmir Valley, reducing visibility and intensifying the winter chill. The iconic Dal Lake remained shrouded in mist, yet tourists braved the freezing temperatures to enjoy shikara rides and the serene winter landscape. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 9.7 degrees Celsius on January 5, which was 2 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was minus 4 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees below normal. The IMD on Tuesday forecast isolated light to moderate rainfall or snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Ground frost conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over Uttarakhand. In southern India, light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning is likely over Tamil Nadu on January 8 and 9, while heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mahe on January 9 and 10. The weather agency has also predicted a gradual fall in minimum temperatures by 2-3C over Northwest India during the next four days, with no significant change thereafter for the next three days. A similar fall of 2-3C is likely over Central and East India during the next two days, followed by no significant change for the subsequent five days. No major change in minimum temperatures is expected over the remaining parts of the country. Meanwhile, cold wave conditions are very likely at isolated places over Chhattisgarh, East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Jharkhand and Punjab. Cold-day conditions are expected in isolated pockets across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Dense fog is very likely at isolated places over Assam & Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh. Dense to very dense fog is anticipated at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. Over the seas, squally weather with wind speeds reaching 35-45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph, is likely along and off the Sri Lanka coast, over most parts of the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, many parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal, the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin area. Squally winds of 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are likely along and off the Somalia coast and adjoining sea areas. (ANI)
Firozabad police arrested a man in connection with the alleged rape of a minor girl, following an exchange of fire during the arrest operation. The accused allegedly opened fire at the police, prompting officers to retaliate. During the encounter, the suspect was shot in the leg and sustained injuries. He was subsequently taken into custody and provided medical treatment. A 315 bore pistol, two empty cartridges, and one live cartridge were recovered from the scene, according to officials. Speaking to ANI on Monday, ASP Chaudhary said, "A case was registered today, in which an accused, Sehroj Khan, son of Firoz Khan, raped a minor girl... Two teams were formed to arrest him. An informant reported that the accused, Sehroj, was standing on Pranpur Road and could be apprehended if a quick operation were carried out... As soon as the police attempted to arrest the accused, he fired at the police with the intention of killing them. The police retaliated by firing back, and the accused was shot in the leg, sustaining injuries. A 315 bore pistol, two empty cartridges, and one live cartridge were recovered from the accused. The accused has been taken away for treatment. Proceedings are ongoing." ASP Chaudhary further said that two teams were deployed after the case was registered, acting on a tip-off about the accused's location. "The teams carried out a quick operation, and the proceedings are ongoing following the arrest," he added. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld Justice GR Swaminathan's order regarding the lighting of lamps on the "Deepathoon" in Tirupparankundram temple. The bench, consisting of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan, observed that the district administration ought to have treated the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation. It further held that, since the hill is a protected site, any activity there must strictly comply with the Act's provisions. The Court clarified that the lamp may be lit and the number of persons permitted can be fixed, subject to consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Petitioner Rajesh called the court's order remarkable, stating that the lamp should be lit on a Deepathoon and the temple administration should make the necessary arrangements for it. He said that the arguments presented by the state government into the matter were rejected by the court. Rajesh asserted that the verdict is a victory for Hindus in Tamil Nadu and for devotees of Murugan. "The court has delivered a remarkable verdict. The government's appeal petition has been dismissed. The lamp should be lit on a Deepathoon and the temple administration should make the necessary arrangements for it. The arguments presented by the government today, citing the possibility of law and order issues, were rejected by the court, which observed that they reflected the government's inaction. This verdict is a victory for the Hindus of Tamil Nadu and for Murugan devotees, including students," he said. The development is followed when over 100 INDIA bloc MPs from the Lok Sabha during the Winter session submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding an impeachment motion against Madras HC judge Justice Swaminathan, who ordered Subramaniya Swamy temple authorities to light a traditional lamp at a stone pillar near a dargah, atop a hillock in Tamil Nadu. In December, unrest broke out during the Hindu festival of Karthigai Deepam when activists from right-wing groups clashed with police. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had earlier directed that the lamp be lit at the hilltop temple. Acting on a petition filed by a right-wing activist, Justice GR Swaminathan had instructed state authorities to ensure that the sacred lamp was lit atop the hill. However, government officials maintained that this violated the longstanding practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual observed for several years. In the first week of December 2025, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed that the petitioner along with ten others be permitted to go up to the Deepam pillar on the Thirupparankundram hilltop to light the Karthigai Deepam, while ordering the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide adequate security, after it found that its earlier order on the ritual had been wilfully disobeyed. (ANI)
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ravindra Chavan expressed confidence in the party's prospects in the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra, citing strong enthusiasm among party workers in Latur. Addressing an election rally on Monday, Chavan said the energy and commitment of BJP supporters indicated the party's likely success in the region, adding that the political influence and legacy associated with former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh would no longer hold sway in the city. "Everyone, raise your hands and say Bharat Mata ki Jai... In a true sense, seeing your enthusiasm, one can notice that it's a 100% fact that memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh will be wiped out for this city and there is no doubt about it," Ravindra Chavan said. Vilasrao Deshmukh, a prominent Congress leader in Maharashtra, served as the state's 14th Chief Minister, holding office in two terms--from October 18, 1999, to January 16, 2003, and later from November 1, 2004, to December 5, 2008. The political battle in Maharashtra has intensified ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other municipal corporation elections across the state. Chavan on Sunday strongly responded to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar over his recent remarks against the BJP, stating that Pawar should first introspect before levelling allegations. Chavan said Pawar must reflect on which party he is referring to while making such remarks. "This statement by Ajit Pawar has been given in the backdrop of the elections. He should first look within himself (Khud ke Gireban Mai Jhank kar dekhna Chaiye) and consider which party he is talking about. Is he referring to the party led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi?" he said. Chavan further warned against indulging in allegation-and-counter-allegation politics, stating that such an approach would not be beneficial. "How allegations and counter-allegations are to be made is something Ajit Pawar will have to decide. If we start doing the same, it will create a lot of trouble for him, and he should keep that in mind," Chavan added. Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI)
Ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections, United Democratic Front ally Indian Union Muslim League is planning to raise the demand for more seats within the alliance, based on the party's recent performance in the state civic polls. Earlier on Sunday, IUML president Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal confirmed that his party will seek more seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. He stated that IUML will contest in its existing constituencies and that candidates will be announced at an early stage, with women to be given priority. "The Indian Union Muslim League will seek a higher number of seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. The exact number of seats to be demanded has not yet been finalised. The League will contest in its existing constituencies, and candidates will be announced at an early stage. Women will be given priority in the candidate list... Seat-sharing decisions will be made purely based on winning prospects. The Muslim League has no political alliance with the Welfare Party of India," the IUML chief told ANI on Sunday. IUML recorded a significant surge in its performance in the latest local body elections, further cementing its position as Kerala's 3rd largest political party after the Congress and the CPM. Excluding party-backed independents, IUML candidates won 2,844 seats, up 713 from the 2,131 secured in the 2020 elections, including all tiers of local governance corporations, municipalities and the three-tier panchayat. The party's total seat tally rose to 3,203, up from 2,338 in 2020, a net gain of 865 seats. Congress-led UDF emerged as the biggest winner in the heart of the battle, leading in 505 of the 941 Grama Panchayats until 9 pm on December 13, 2025. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a setback, with a majority in only 340 Grama Panchayats. NDA led with 26, while AAP won three, according to the State Election Commission The major political battle in Kerala is between the United Democratic Front, led by the Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s Left Democratic Front. The state is set to witness elections in the first half of this year. (ANI)
Chinese, ROK leaders hold talks on bilateral ties, int'l affairs

Xinhua) 08:04, January 06, 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung in Beijing on Monday, with both sides agreeing to enhance bilateral strategic partnership, promote practical cooperation, and strengthen multilateral coordination.

It is Lee's first visit to China since he took office, and the two heads of state have met twice and conducted reciprocal visits, reflecting the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung witness the signing of cooperation documents after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

ENHANCING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, promote bilateral strategic partnership along a healthy path, effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples, and contribute positively to regional and global peace and development.

Xi called on both sides to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's development paths, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and resolve differences properly through dialogue and consultation.

Lee said the ROK side hopes to use the first head-of-state diplomatic meeting of the year as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of bilateral relations, seek common ground while reserving differences, deepen the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, and open a new chapter of bilateral relations.

He emphasized that the ROK respects China's core interests and major concerns, and adheres to the one-China principle.

Dong Xiangrong, senior fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that head-of-state diplomacy has played a significant guiding role in China-ROK relations, sending a clear positive signal to foster better bilateral ties, and greatly contributing to deepening political mutual trust and promoting economic and trade cooperation.

In the future, both sides need to accommodate each other's major concerns including the Taiwan question, and maintain a stable cooperative relationship as important trading partners, Dong said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

ACHIEVING MORE COOPERATION RESULTS

China and the ROK share close economic ties with industrial and supply chains deeply interwoven, and the bilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial, Xi said.

He said the two countries should further align their development strategies, strengthen policy coordination, expand the pie of common interests, and achieve more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries, and the silver economy.

Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has played a positive role in the economic and social development of both countries, Lee said, noting that the ROK looks forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China's 15th Five-Year Plan to achieve more results in practical cooperation with China.

After their talks, Xi and Lee witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in fields including scientific and technological innovation, ecological environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation.

Yang Xiyu, a researcher from the China Institute of International Studies, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has always been the stabilizer and propeller of the development of bilateral relations.

He said China and the ROK should leverage their long-standing traditional advantages, and strengthen cooperation with a focus on economy, trade, and technology.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung and his wife Kim Hea Kyung in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. Xi held talks with Lee, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEARING RESPONSIBILITIES IN PEACE, DEVELOPMENT

China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development, and share a wide range of common interests, Xi said, noting that the two countries should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices.

More than 80 years ago, the two peoples made tremendous national sacrifices and won the victory against Japanese militarism, he said, adding that the two countries should join hands to safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

As beneficiaries of economic globalization, China and the ROK must work together to oppose protectionism and practice true multilateralism, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

Lee said the ROK is willing to strengthen its multilateral coordination with China and contribute to global prosperity and development, and wishes China every success in hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Dong said amid the recent resurgence of Japanese militarism, China and the ROK should share a common position to maintain regional peace, and the two sides need to jointly address protectionism and defend free trade.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Rose McGowan doubts that Harvey Weinstein has spent a day in prison.

Rose McGowan is sceptical as to whether Harvey Weinstein has spent time in prison

The 52-year-old actress was a leading activist after sexual misconduct allegations first emerged against the disgraced movie mogul in 2017 but suspects that Weinstein  who is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence for rape and sexual assault and is facing further jail time after being convicted in a New York retrial last year  might not be imprisoned in New York City.

Speaking on Paul C Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, Rose said: "I would love to see a picture of him in prison. I suspect he's been in a mansion in Connecticut. That's my theory.

"I don't know if he's ever spent a day in prison. Hollywood, baby. I don't know, maybe."

Rose accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting her at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997 and thinks that the ex-Hollywood mogul was a "thug".

The Jawbreaker star said: "I think he was a thug. Not the Mafia boss of the cool kind with the suit, like Marlon Brando, Godfather type, but more like a street way."

McGowan also likened the film industry's "protection" of Weinstein to her own upbringing in the Children of God cult.

She explained: "They calculated that he was thanked more times than God at the Oscars. Harvey Weinstein was their god. This was far worse than the cult I grew up in."

Rose has lived in Mexico since leaving Hollywood during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 but has expressed hope of returning to acting in the future.

The Scream star said: "I would love to still have some kind of career to be able to do something in the arts and something creative again."

Rose explained last year that she had moved to Mexico because she was looking for "silence" away from Hollywood.

Speaking as part of a panel at 90s Con in Connecticut, she said: "My father lived in Mexico for 35 years and mi gusta Mexico. Te quiero much, mi amores. It is an incredible country. It is so wildly geographically diverse, culturally diverse and just very, very special. There's so much joy.

"My favourite word in Spanish is alegria, which means joy, and there's so much of that there and colour and passion and fun and different ... just different. And you know I had to talk for a lot of years, kind of more than normal people might.

"At one point, you know, as Paige was a social worker and I was raised in a commune growing up in Italy to be kind of a volunteer, and I kind of thought, 'Well, I can also do this in real life. Away from this.'

"There's a point where I just got really talked out. I just wanted to listen. I wanted silence, and I wanted to listen more than I wanted to talk."
International Working President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Alok Kumar on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh, describing the situation as a global challenge to democracy, religious freedom and freedom of speech. Kumar said the repeated incidents of violence against minorities were alarming and demanded a coordinated international response while warning Bangladesh to stop the atrocities against Hindus or face suspension of financial aid. Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "This is a challenge against the world, our principles, democracy, religious freedom and freedom of speech. People are being killed there continuously." He added that the violence was not an isolated issue but reflected a disturbing pattern that resurfaces repeatedly, especially around election periods in Bangladesh. "It is essential to unite Hindus worldwide, protest against these atrocities across the globe, and put pressure on Bangladesh to implement comprehensive measures for the protection of Hindus. Whenever elections are nearby, these incidents happen in Bangladesh," he alleged, calling the situation "deeply worrying". Referring to assurances made by Bangladesh's interim leadership, Kumar said promises of protection had not translated into action on the ground. "When Muhammad Yunus first came to Dhaka, he promised to provide protection, but that hasn't happened," he said. He further called upon Indian Muslims to raise their voices against the atrocities, saying, "I am waiting for the Muslims of India to take action on this." Kumar emphasised the need for global Hindu unity and sustained international pressure. "It is essential to unite Hindus worldwide, protest against these atrocities across the globe, and put pressure on Bangladesh to implement comprehensive measures for the protection of Hindus," he said. "The whole world will have to work towards this. The UNO, UNHRC, and other organisations will also have to make efforts. We have also told the organisations that provide financial assistance to Bangladesh that they should inform Bangladesh that if this kind of thing (atrocities against Hindus) continues, it could affect their aid as well," Kumar added. Kumar's remarks come amid the recent killing of Hindus in Bangladesh, with at least six reported deaths in the past 18 days. (ANI)
The High Court of Meghalaya has dismissed writ petitions filed by the JV of M/s BSCPL Infrastructure Ltd and M/s C&C Constructions challenging its blacklisting by the Public Works Department (Roads), Government of Meghalaya, affirming the five-year debarment imposed on the contractor from participating in future tenders. A Single Judge Bench of Justice H. S. Thangkhiew held that the impugned action was lawful, proportionate, and taken in the larger public interest, finding no violation of principles of natural justice or lack of authority on the part of the State. The case arose from a major highway project involving two-laning works on NH-44E and the Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road, awarded to the petitioner in 2011 at a bid value of Rs. 1,303.83 crore. The project saw multiple revisions due to additional works and price adjustments, raising the cost to over Rs. 2,400 crore. Disputes later surfaced between the parties regarding contractual claims, which were referred to arbitration. During arbitral proceedings, the State scrutinised M/s BSCPL's ledger documents submitted by the contractor to support its claims. These records, according to the Government, disclosed repeated payments for costly gifts, liquor, hospitality, and other benefits allegedly extended to public officials, engineers and also the Dispute Resolution Board members, among others, which irrefutably substantiated M/s BSCPL's indulgence in outright and rampant corruption. The PWD then issued a show-cause notice in September 2024, followed by an order dated December 3, 2024, debarring the contractor for five years on the grounds of corrupt and fraudulent practices. The petitioner challenged the decision, contending that the action was mala fide, delayed, unrelated to the contract, and taken to prejudice ongoing arbitration proceedings. The State alleged that the BSCPL-C&C JV has already received Rs. 2523 Crores as total payments apart from Rs. 94 Crores based on the Arbitral Tribunal's order due to admission of claims by the Engineer. It was alleged that materials revealed the adoption of a systematic approach of extending illegal gratification on a regular basis to various officials, DRB members, and MoRTH officials, for which reimbursement was sought from the Arbitral Tribunal. Rejecting the Writ Petition, the Court noted that the power to blacklist flows both from contractual provisions, particularly Clause 59.2(h) of the General Conditions of Contract dealing with corrupt practices during execution and from the State's inherent right to choose with whom it will contract. The Court observed that the show cause notice sufficiently detailed the allegations and that the petitioner had been afforded a fair opportunity to respond. Significantly, the Court relied on findings recorded by the arbitral tribunal, which had examined the same ledgers and concluded that the FIR was registered on the materials that were available, which, prima facie, validated the allegations of illegal gratification. The Court held that these materials constituted credible and substantive evidence, not mere suspicion or hearsay. On the question of proportionality, the Court ruled that a five-year debarment could not be termed excessive given the scale of the project, the magnitude of public funds involved, and the serious nature of the misconduct alleged. Emphasising that public interest must prevail over private commercial considerations, the Court found no grounds to interfere under Article 226 of the Constitution. (ANI)
BJP minister Ashish Sood, in response to the allegations of the deployment of Delhi govt teachers for counting stray dogs by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), held a press conference on Tuesday. Lodging a scathing attack on AAP National Convenor and former Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, accused hom of indulging in "shoot-and-scoot" politics. During the press conference, he showed a letter addressed to Arvind Kejriwal. He said the BJP will no longer allow "irresponsible behaviour and the politics of shoot and scoot" to prevail in Delhi. He even alleged that the AAP National Convenor was pursuing a politics of "indecency" to maintain his relevance. He said," I have written to AAP National Convenor & former CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, on his allegations of deployment of Delhi govt teachers for counting of stray dogs. We will not let the irresponsible behaviour and the politics of the shoot-and-scoot of Arvind Kejriwal and his party prevail in Delhi. He is trying to run the politics of indecency in the capital for maintaining his relevance." He also claimed that the letter was written with "utmost decency", and then he read what he wrote. He dictated, "Given your background in administration as a former chief minister, your statement cannot be regarded as a mere misunderstanding. Instead, it appears to be part of a deliberate attempt to derail the smooth implementation of a critical safety initiative. Unfortunately, such conduct reflects a continuous pattern, wherein the Aam Aadmi Party indulges in what can be best described as shoot and scoot political making unfounded allegations, creating sensation and then retreating from responsibility." In the letter, he alleged that Arvind Kejriwal's statements are a "deliberate" attempt to derail the smooth implementation of a critical safety initiative. He further claimed that he, alongwith BJP Minister Kapil Mishra, had already mentioned that the government was ready for a discussion on the issue of pollution, with time allotted for its discussion in Vidhan Sabha. He said, "AAP Party yesterday said that the government is running away from discussion on pollution. Alongwith me, Kapil Mishra said that the government will discuss pollution. It has been mentioned in the timetable of Vidhan Sabha as well." Thus, he demanded that the AAP National Convenor apologise to the citizens of Delhi, alleging that the former chief minister was lying. The minister took a jibe at Kejriwal, saying that if the AAP leader asks for forgiveness, the Delhi government has a "big heart" and will forgive him without filing a defamation lawsuit. He said, "Everywhere he lies and runs away. Now, we won't let him run away; he has to ask for forgiveness from the citizens of Delhi. You have to take responsibility for your lies. He has already asked for forgiveness from Delhi residents, so he must ask again. And the Delhi government, with a big heart, will forgive him. Earlier, he also falsely accused people. In defamation cases, he asked for forgiveness, and we will forgive him without any defamation case." Former Chief Minister of Delhi and National Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, on December 30, condemned the BJP-led state government for allegedly requesting all educational institutions, schools and stadiums to nominate Nodal Officers in matters related to stray dogs and report on the same. In a post on X, Kejriwal wrote, "Will teachers in Delhi's government schools teach children, or will they count dogs on the streets instead?" He further launched an attack on the BJP government for "insulting teachers" through the order. "This order from the BJP's Delhi government exposes their thinking and priorities. For the BJP, education is not even an issue; these people are insulting teachers and ruining schools," Kejriwal wrote. https://x.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/2005948533325914446 Moreover, Kejriwal glorified the AAP government's reign in Delhi over the ruling BJP government, saying that "AAP respected teachers while the BJP is bent on destroying everything." Kejriwal wrote, "When our government was in Delhi, we respected teachers, removed unnecessary burdens from them, and made children's education the topmost priority. We sent teachers abroad for training and improved the schools. Today, the BJP government is bent on destroying everything." The AAP convenor made the post in response to AAP's Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj's post, in which he shared a copy of the order and captioned it, "The BJP government issues absurd orders every day, see now the responsibility of stray dogs has been placed on teachers."(ANI)
Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested two accused allegedly involved in the Aya Nagar shooting incident following a brief encounter, which occurred in Dwarka on Tuesday. According to Delhi Police, both accused sustained gunshot wounds to their legs during the encounter. A police team narrowly escaped harm when one bullet hit a member's bulletproof jacket. Additionally, police also recovered two sophisticated weapons and live cartridges from the scene. Further details are awaited. Earlier, on November 30, a resident of Aya Nagar, Ratan Lal, was gunned down by two criminals, in which 69 bullets were fired at his body. Earlier, a man allegedly killed his mother, sister and younger brother due to financial distress and later walked into Delhi's Laxmi Nagar Police Station to confess to the crime, police said on Monday. According to police, the accused, identified as Yashveer Singh (25), a resident of the Mangal Bazar area, arrived at the police station at around 5 pm and informed that he had allegedly murdered his family members owing to severe financial problems. "Today at about 1700 hrs, an incident was reported wherein a person, namely Yashveer Singh, aged about 25 years, resident of Mangal Bazar area, arrived at Police Station Laxmi Nagar and informed the police that due to financial problems, he had allegedly killed his family members. He disclosed that the deceased are his mother, Kavita (46 years), sister Meghana (24 years), and brother Mukul (14 years)," the Delhi Police said. Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania said the accused had confessed to strangulating his family members after administering a poisonous substance. "A man named Yashveer, 26, came to PS Laxmi Nagar and confessed that he had strangulated his family members. Police found three bodies upon verification. It has been found that he was under financial stress and was mentally disturbed. He gave a poisonous substance to his family members around 2 pm and later strangulated them," DCP Abhishek Dhania said. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition filed by former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, challenging the trial court order framing charges against him in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case. The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma has sought the CBI's response and listed the matter for further hearing on January 14. This development comes a day after the High Court issued notice on a similar plea moved by former Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, also assailing the framing of charges in the same case. On Monday, the High Court issued notice to the CBI on Lalu Prasad Yadav's plea but declined to grant any immediate relief. The Court did not stay the trial court's order framing charges and made it clear that the issue of interim protection would be considered separately. "Let them file a reply. I will hear you on the point of stay," Justice Sharma observed, while listing the stay application for January 14. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, along with Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, assisted by advocates Ekta Vats, Varun Jain and Navin Kumar, appeared on behalf of Lalu Prasad Yadav and pressed for a stay on the trial court proceedings. The CBI was represented by Additional Solicitor General D P Singh, assisted by Advocate Manu Mishra. Lalu Prasad Yadav has approached the High Court challenging the October 2025 order of the Rouse Avenue Courts, which framed charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy against him in connection with alleged irregularities in the award of tenders by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The trial court, presided over by Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Vishal Gogne, observed that during his tenure as Union Minister for Railways, Lalu Prasad Yadav allegedly misused his official position to manipulate eligibility criteria in a land tender process. The court held that he was fully aware of the alleged conspiracy and had actively intervened in decision-making, resulting in wrongful gain to private parties and loss to the public exchequer. In addition to Lalu Prasad Yadav, the trial court has framed charges against his wife, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their son, Tejashwi Yadav, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly. They have been charged with offences including criminal conspiracy and cheating. The case stems from a 2017 FIR registered by the CBI, alleging that between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister, a criminal conspiracy was hatched to award IRCTC hotel contracts in Patna and Puri to favoured parties in exchange for illegal gratification, including prime land and shares. Following completion of the investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Yadav, his family members, IRCTC officials and other private individuals. The High Court will hear both pleas, including the applications seeking interim relief, on January 14. (ANI)
Former Tamil Nadu CPI State Secretary Muthuarasan led the protest, which was held near Kamarajar Arangam on Anna Salai, with cadres of the CPI staging a protest near the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai against the United States over its actions on Venezuela. The protesters raised slogans accusing the US government of violating international law and undermining the sovereignty of Venezuela. They also condemned what they described as attempts to arrest the President of Venezuela. A large police force was deployed near the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai as a precaution. Police officials warned the CPI cadres that they would be detained if they attempted to proceed with the protest. On Sunday, Left Parties strongly denounced and condemned the United States' "aggression and the kidnapping of Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and called for nationwide protests in solidarity with the people of Latin America. In a joint statement, five Left Parties, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), termed the US operation as a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter. The Left Parties further supported Venezuelans mobilising in large numbers against US aggression and in defence of their country's sovereignty. The US on Saturday captured Venezuelan dictator Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, after conducting a targeted military operation. This action was taken in alignment with US allegations that Maduro was involved in drug trafficking and had rigged the 2024 election. The US had previously imposed sanctions on Venezuela and offered a USD 50 million bounty for Maduro's arrest. Maduro is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn and is set to face drugs and weapons charges in Manhattan federal court, as per CNN. Earlier today, during their first court appearance in New York, Venezuela's deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to all charges and accused the United States government of abducting them from their home country, CNN reported. As per CNN on Monday (local time), both Maduro and Flores denied the drug trafficking and weapons-related charges filed against them and, for now, did not contest their continued detention. The appearance marked a historic moment and the beginning of what is expected to be a prolonged legal battle, as their defence is likely to challenge the legality of their military capture. After the military operation to arrest Maduro, US President Donald Trump said, "We're in charge." The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for March 17, CNN reported. (ANI)
On slogans against PM Modi and HM Amit Shah at JNU, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha on Tuesday said there is no place for such slogans in a civilised democracy, but questioned "selective outrage," warning it reflects an unhealthy democracy and stressing that wishing death on anyone is unacceptable. Speaking to ANI, Jha said, "There is no place for such slogans in a civilised democracy. But what is this selective outrage? This is a sign of our democracy becoming unhealthy...We can't wish death for anyone..." According to the media reports, a group of JNU students on Monday raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the university campus, following the Supreme Court's denial of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. Reacting to the incident, Uttar Pradesh Minister Dayashankar Singh criticised the students, saying they were being funded by India yet "hold a foreign mindset". "In JNU, they study with India's money and hold a foreign mindset; the country should remain cautious of such people," he told media persons. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also condemned the sloganeering, and emphasised the importance of respecting the country's judicial process. "Overall, this country has a judicial process; whatever happens in that is happening. The country will not accept this kind of sloganeering," Maurya told ANI. On Monday, the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case about an alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots. However, the SC granted bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, and Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad. The Court noted that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam stand on a "qualitatively different footing" both in terms of prosecution and evidence. It noted that their roles were "central" to the alleged offences as regards these two, though the period of incarceration is continued and long, it does not violate the Constitutional mandate or override the statutory embargo under the laws. Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others were arrested in January 2020 under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the Delhi riots case in February 2020. (ANI)
Amid controversy over alleged sloganeering against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday strongly criticised the campus atmosphere, claiming it has become a hub for what he described as the "tukde-tukde gang." Singh alleged that individuals with what he termed "anti-national mindsets," including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and members of parties such as the RJD, TMC, and Left groups, support such activities. Referring to Swami Vivekananda, he asserted that nationalism would ultimately prevail. He further warned that those backing figures like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, whom he accused of expressing pro-Pakistan views and advocating the separation of the strategic "Chicken's Neck" corridor, should be viewed as traitors. "JNU has become the office of the 'Tukde-Tukde Gang' and people with anti-national mindsets like Rahul Gandhi, whether they belong to the RJD, TMC, or the Left parties. They shouldn't forget that this is India, this is Narendra Modi's India of the 21st century. Vivekananda said that saffron will prevail... I want to tell the 'Tukde-Tukde Gang' that those who support people like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who harboured pro-Pakistan sentiments and talked about separating the Chicken's Neck corridor, are traitors," Singh said. Meanwhile, ABVP's JNU unit Vice President Manish Choudhary claimed that slogans such as "ABVP-RSS ki kabar khudegi" were raised on campus, stating that such sloganeering has become frequent. Questioning the intent behind such statements, he pointed out that ABVP and RSS have a large national presence. Choudhary also welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to reject the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. "Yesterday, there were slogans of 'ABVP-RSS ki kabar khudegi' raised in JNU. Such sloganeering at JNU is common now. ABVP-RSS have over crores of workers. Are they talking about digging the crores of garves of crores of workers? We welcome the order of the Supreme Court rejecting the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam," he told ANI. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya commented that the country follows a judicial process and emphasised that the nation would not accept such slogans. "Overall, this country has a judicial process; whatever happens in that is happening. The country will not accept this kind of sloganeering," Maurya told ANI. Echoing similar concerns, Uttar Pradesh Minister Dayashankar Singh stated that while students study at JNU using public funds, some display what he described as a "foreign mindset," adding that the country should remain vigilant toward such tendencies. "In JNU, they study with India's money and hold a foreign mindset; the country should remain cautious of such people," Singh told ANI. According to media reports, the remarks came after a group of JNU students on Monday raised slogans against Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on campus, following the Supreme Court's denial of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. On Monday, the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case alleging a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson C R Kesavan lauded the Madras High Court's judgment, which upheld Justice GR Swaminathan's order regarding the lighting of lamps on the "Deepathoon" in Tirupparankundram temple on Tuesday. Appreciating the judgment, Kesavan called it a massive defeat for the DMK government's "bigoted appeasement politics". He demanded that the DMK government apologise to the Hindu devotees for allegedly insulting their sentiments and faith. The BJP leader also slammed the DMK and Congress for their "double-faced and divisive politics", saying that their true intentions had been exposed by the court's verdict. In a post on X, Kesavan said, "#tiruparankundram , Satyameva Jayate ! vaaymaiyee vellum! This is a massive defeat to the bigoted appeasement politics of the DMK Govt which has been repeatedly hurting the sentiments of Tamil people. The DMK Government must immediately apologise to the crores of Hindu devotees for having repeatedly insulted their sentiments and faith. The sacred Karthigai Deepam will be lit at the Deepathoon and will once again gloriously shine atop the Thiruparankundram Hill. The double faced dangerous divisive politics of the DMK & Congress stands totally exposed before the people today". Earlier, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court upheld Justice GR Swaminathan's order regarding the lighting of lamps on the "Deepathoon" at the Tirupparankundram temple. The bench, consisting of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan, observed that the district administration ought to have treated the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation. It further held that, since the hill is a protected site, any activity there must strictly comply with the Act's provisions. The Court clarified that the lamp may be lit and the number of persons permitted can be fixed, subject to consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Petitioner Rajesh called the court's order remarkable, stating that the lamp should be lit on a Deepathoon and the temple administration should make the necessary arrangements for it. He said that the arguments presented by the state government on the matter were rejected by the court. Rajesh asserted that the verdict is a victory for Hindus in Tamil Nadu and for devotees of Murugan. "The court has delivered a remarkable verdict. The government's appeal petition has been dismissed. The lamp should be lit on a Deepathoon and the temple administration should make the necessary arrangements for it. The arguments presented by the government today, citing the possibility of law and order issues, were rejected by the court, which observed that they reflected the government's inaction. This verdict is a victory for the Hindus of Tamil Nadu and for Murugan devotees, including students," he said. (ANI)
BJP leader ANS Prasad on Tuesday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has levelled five serious allegations against the DMK government and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, accusing the regime of corruption, repression, dynastic politics, being anti-Hindu, and misleading the public on central funds, and asserted that these charges demand accountability. The BJP leader highlighted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's sharp criticism of the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu, referring to his recent remarks where he termed the DMK regime as the most corrupt in the country. During a public meeting in Pudukkottai on January 4, Shah had launched a scathing attack on the DMK, saying, "The DMK regime is the most corruption-ridden government in the country. Is it people-oriented politics for the Dravidian model government, which demands a 20% commission for any work to be done in Tamil Nadu, to rely on TASMAC revenue and loans, thereby leading the state down a path of decline? Shah further questioned, "Is it fair that sanitation workers, teachers, anganwadi workers, doctors, farmers, and others who protest are arrested, subjected to violence, and sent to prison?" Home Minister alleged that Chief Minister involved in corruption and major scandals, said, "Chief Minister Stalin's sole aim is to make Udhayanidhi the Chief Minister! With ministers immersed in corruption, ranging from taking bribes for government jobs and going to jail, to money laundering, coal scams, and being caught in Rs. 6,000 crore scandals, can Tamil Nadu achieve development?" He claimed the DMK was practising "fascist-style politics" and committing "atrocities" against Hindus, routinely insulting Hindu faith and Sanatan Dharma (referring to Udhayanidhi Stalin's past remarks comparing it to diseases), imposing restrictions on Hindu processions and idol immersions. "In Tamil Nadu, fascist politics is being practiced against Hindus, Hinduism, and Hindu gods. Can the DMK government continue its repressive actions aimed at undermining the religious beliefs of Hindus, all in the name of minority vote-bank politics, thereby disrupting communal harmony?," he said in rally. Shah added, "Until 2012, when the DMK was part of the central government, Tamil Nadu received only Rs. 1.53 lakh crore. The Modi government has allocated Rs. 11 lakh crore from 2014 to 2024 for Tamil Nadu's development--can this be concealed through false statements?" ANS Prasad said that Amit Shah's visit to state has got "immense benefits". Calling it a "Amit Shah Fever", Prasad said that due to electoral fear MK Stalin launching multiple schemes. Prasad further said, "If Amit Shah begins to stay in Tamil Nadu, the DMK government will attempt to stage a drama, pretending to fulfill the 80% of promises that have remained unfulfilled for four years." ANS Prasad accused the Communist parties (likely CPI and CPI(M)) of deceiving the people of Tamil Nadu through fundraising methods like shaking donation boxes and hosting extravagant events, yet failing to raise sufficient funds. He claimed that, as a result, they essentially sold or pawned their party to the DMK in exchange for large sums of money (crores). "The Communists, who deceived the people of Tamil Nadu by shaking donation boxes and organising lavish events but still fell short on collections, pawned their own party to the DMK for crores. Now, unable to strike a deal, they are engaging in low-level alliance politics through covert talks with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam--can Brother Shanmugam deny this?," he said. (ANI)
Will Kopelman has become a dad for a fourth time.

Alexandra Michler and her son John with newborn /  Instagram

The 47-year-old actor and his wife, Alexandra Michler - who already have a two-year-old son called John - quietly welcomed their second son, Hugh 'Hughie', into the world, and announced his arrival via Instagram on Monday (05.01.26).

Alexandra posted a photo carousel, which included sweet shots of the newborn with his parents, John, as well as his sisters, Olive, 13, and 11-year-old Frankie - whom Will has with his ex-wife, actress Drew Barrymore.

Alexandra - the director of fashion development for Vogue - captioned the upload with: "Hugh Radcliffe Kopelman. 'Hughie'. 7 lbs 12 oz. So grateful for our little blessing. Wishing everyone health and happiness for 2026."

Fans of the couple - who met at a dinner party in New York - rushed to the post's comments sections to congratulate them on the birth of Hugh.

One user wrote: "What a dear little one, congratulations."

Another person typed: "Congratulations to you all! Love the name. Enjoy this special time!"

And a third supporter left: "Such a beautiful baby boy. Congratulations."

According to People, Will - whose four-year marriage to Drew, 50, ended in divorce in 2016 as the pair grew apart - also shared the joyous news on his Instagram account.

The Intern star penned: "Arrived!!! Hugh ('Hughie') Radcliffe Kopelman, 7lbs, 12oz, mom and baby doing great. Happy New Year to all (sic)"

Will and Alexandra did not announce that they were expanding their family.

However, in October 2025, Will - who, in January 2021, popped the question at his and Alexandra's favourite bridge in Central Park, Manhattan, New York, after a year-and-a-half of dating - posted a video from a babymoon to Italy.

In February 2023, the couple - who got married in front of family and friends at Sankaty Head Beach Club in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in August 2021 - announced, via Instagram, that they were expecting their first child, John.

In a photo, Alexandra cradled her bump as she walked with a dog, and she captioned the post with: "The year of boys!! (sic)"

Will - whose daughters Olive and Frankie acted as flower girls during his and Alexandra's wedding - left three blue-heart emojis in the upload's comments section.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday announced that he is heading to Ballari to review the situation and ensure peace in the state following recent incidents of violence. Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating unrest, Shivakumar stated that the opposition is "restless and trying to do something," while assuring that the state government is committed to maintaining law and order. Speaking to the media, Shivakumar said, "I am going to Bellary today. There should be peace in our state. BJP is restless and is trying to do something." He emphasised that the government is monitoring the situation closely and will take appropriate action to prevent further disturbances. Congress MP from Ballari, E Tukaram, said he would visit the constituency to assess the situation following the recent violence. "We are going to Ballari today, to take reports on what actually happened and what the officials should have done. The probe is ongoing," he told reporters. Earlier, Shivakumar had mentioned that a fact-finding committee headed by former state Minister HM Revanna had collected important information regarding the incident. He also accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Janardhana Reddy of objecting to the installation of banners for an event to install a Valmiki statue. The Deputy CM added that the state government was considering the possibility of handing over the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). "Statues are erected everywhere. Why should anyone have an issue with it? Valmiki is not limited to any one community. He belongs to all communities. Everyone reads the Ramayana written by him. It is not right for BJP MLA Janardhan Reddy to object to his banner," Shivakumar said. Reacting to Janardhan Reddy's letter seeking Z+ security, the Deputy CM said, "Let him take Z+ security or security from the US or Iran. No one is objecting." Shivakumar said that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G Parameshwara would consider whether to hand over the case to the CID or the SIT. The violence erupted during preparations for the unveiling of the Maharishi Valmiki statue at SP Circle in Ballari. (ANI)
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has requested the police to register an FIR against students who allegedly raised "objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans" outside Sabarmati Hostel on Monday night. According to an official letter from the university's security department, the incident occurred during a program organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the violence that occurred in JNU on January 5, 2020. The program, titled "A Night of Resistance with Guerilla Dhaba," saw around 30-35 students gather outside the hostel. "I have been directed to inform you that on 5th Jan 2026, at approximately 22:00 hours, a programme was organised outside Sabarmati Hostel, Jawaharlal Nehru University, by students associated with the JNUSU, ostensibly to observe the sixth anniversary of the violence that occurred in JNU on 5 January 2020, under the title "A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba." At the time of commencement, the gathering appeared to be limited to commemorating the said anniversary. The number of students present at the spot was approximately 30-35. The prominent students identified during the programme," the letter said. However, the nature of the gathering changed significantly after the Supreme Court's verdict, with some students raising highly objectionable and inflammatory slogans. The slogans, which were clearly audible and repeated, were deemed to be a direct contempt of the Supreme Court and a violation of the JNU Code of Conduct. "However, during the course of the programme, subsequent to the judicial verdict on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, the nature and tone of the gathering changed significantly. Certain students began raising highly objectionable, provocative, and inflammatory slogans. It is a direct contempt of the Honorable Supreme Court of India. The raising of such slogans is wholly inconsistent with democratic dissent, violate the JNU Code of Conduct, and have the potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony, and the safety and security environment of the University.", the letter stated. "The slogans raised were clearly audible, deliberate, and repeated, thereby indicating intentional and conscious misconduct rather than any spontaneous or inadvertent expression. The act reflects a wilful disregard for institutional discipline, established norms of civil discourse, and the peaceful academic character of the University campus.", the letter further added. The university's Chief Security Officer has requested the Station House Officer of Vasant Kunj (North) police station to lodge an FIR under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the incident. "The act reflects a wilful disregard for institutional discipline, established norms of civil discourse, and the peaceful academic character of the University campus. At the time of the incident, officials from the Security Department were present at the site and closely monitored the situation. I have also been directed to request you to lodge an FIR under the relevant sections of BNS in the above incident.", the letter stated. On Monday, the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case alleging a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots. (ANI)
Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday hailed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as the "only true leader" in the state and the "sole pillar" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. While leaving to campaign for BJP candidates in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune, Bawankule claimed that there are currently no signs of "factionalism or groupism" within the party, although he acknowledged some local-level dissatisfaction among a few members. Speaking to the media, he expressed confidence that the mayors of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad would be elected with a two-thirds majority and said the BJP was poised for a major victory. He also claimed that MLA Sudhir Mugantiwar is not upset with Devendra Fadnavis and reiterated that there is no place for "factions in our party." "Today, I am leaving to campaign for our candidates in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune. I am confident that the mayors in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad will be elected with a two-thirds majority...Development means Devendra Fadnavis. Therefore, the BJP will achieve a big victory," Bawankule said. He added, "Devendra Fadnavis is the only true leader in Maharashtra. For the BJP, which has 1.5 crore members, Devendra ji is the sole pillar. There is no factionalism or groupism in our party. Our party stands united under Devendra ji...Sudhir Mugantiwar is never upset with Devendra ji. There are no differences. There might be some dissatisfaction among a few at the local level. There is no place for factions in our party..." Meanwhile, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Monday accused Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and BJP MLA from Colaba, Rahul Narwekar, of misusing his position during the ongoing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election process. Chavan alleged that BJP tickets were distributed to Narwekar's close associates across the three wards within the Colaba assembly constituency. He further claimed that other aspirants were threatened to prevent them from filing nominations. He demanded that the elections in all three wards be annulled to preserve the integrity of the democratic process. Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the upcoming BMC elections will be "life-changing" for Mumbai and its people. Addressing a gathering at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Fadnavis criticised the opposition and asserted that the Mahayuti alliance will "teach a lesson" to those prioritising self-interest over public welfare. "We launched our BMC election campaign by breaking a coconut. This election will be a life-changing one for the people of Mumbai and for Mumbai itself. We have to teach a lesson to those who only care about their self-interest," he said. Furthermore, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that the Mahayuti will secure a decisive victory in the upcoming BMC polls. Describing the rally as a "victorious gathering", Shinde said the party workers present at the event would ensure victory in the upcoming elections. Shinde said that more than 68 candidates from the Mahayuti had already been elected unopposed, calling it an unprecedented development in Maharashtra's political history. "2025 was just the trailer, the main picture is yet to come," he said, asserting that the alliance's approach of "no excuse, on-the-spot decision" had earned public trust. Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has reaffirmed the state's strong commitment to positioning Gujarat as a leading national model for sustainable urban water management. Under his leadership, the Gujarat Government prioritises ensuring a reliable daily water supply and equitable access to safe, potable drinking water across all urban areas. Aligned with this vision, urban water resources have been increased by 92.97 MLD, and transmission systems have been expanded by 528.35 KM during Urban Development Year 2025, according to the release. Initiatives such as 'Mission Daily Water Supply' are being implemented to provide a daily water supply across all urban areas. Through this program, the State Government supports urban local bodies in carrying out various water supply and sanitation projects, as stated in the release. It is worth mentioning that the State Government has declared 2025 as the 'Urban Development Year' to fast-track the development of world-class cities, with a special focus on strengthening infrastructure facilities across urban areas. The Gujarat Government currently provides daily water supply in 103 cities under various schemes and initiatives. In 30 other cities, water supply works are in progress under different schemes. To extend the daily water supply to the remaining 32 urban local bodies, 'Mission Daily Water Supply' is being implemented, with works planned under the same initiative for various components. The SCADA system has been successfully implemented in major cities to facilitate digital monitoring of water distribution and other water resource-related services in urban areas. The system supports leak detection, identification of low-pressure pockets, reduction of non-revenue water (NRW), improved per capita water supply at the required pressure, pumping station monitoring to ensure optimal pumping efficiency, valve monitoring, and other operational functions. As a result, losses due to non-revenue water have reduced, and real-time monitoring of water distribution and related services has become possible. It is worth mentioning that with the implementation of 'Mission Daily Water Supply', along with other water supply-related schemes and initiatives, citizens will receive potable drinking water daily, reducing the need for long-term water storage. The availability of daily drinking water will also lower dependence on alternative water sources. Through structured and planned urban development, the Urban Development Department remains committed to improving the Ease of Living for urban citizens. (ANI)
Alleging brazen violations of land laws and a "systemic collapse of enforcement," Pinkcity Infrastructure Private Limited has approached the Vigilance Commissioner of Jaipur Nagar Nigam, accusing civic and planning authorities of turning a blind eye to illegal commercial activities and large-scale encroachment on government land surrendered under Section 90-B of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act in Village Chimanpura, Tehsil Sanganer. In a sharply worded representation addressed to multiple senior officials including the Vigilance Commissioner, the Additional Chief Secretary (Housing and Urban Development), the District Collector, and top officials of Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and Jaipur Nagar Nigam (Greater) the company has alleged that prime land meant for planned residential development has been "virtually hijacked" by unauthorised commercial establishments, with enforcement agencies allegedly remaining mute spectators for years. According to the complaint, illegal commercial constructions and businesses are operating across several khasra numbers in Village Chimanpura under Patwar Circle Bhankrota. These land parcels, the company stated, were surrendered to the JDA under Section 90-B for regulated residential development in line with statutory provisions and the city's planning framework. The complainant stated that after acquiring a substantial share of the land through registered sale deeds in March 2005, it executed a surrender deed under Section 90-B(3) of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956. The surrender was accepted by the authorities, and khatedari rights were transferred in favour of the JDA. Under Section 90-B(6), only the surrendering party is legally entitled to undertake development in accordance with approved plans and applicable bylaws. "Despite this clear statutory position, third parties have allegedly occupied the land, raised illegal structures, and are running commercial operations with impunity," the representation said, asserting that no other entity is permitted to carry out construction or commercial use on the subject land. The firm further alleged that the unchecked proliferation of unauthorised businesses has caused significant loss to the public exchequer, as encroachers exploit public land for private profit without paying lease charges, rent, or applicable taxes. Such violations, it warned, are distorting Jaipur's urban planning framework and setting a dangerous precedent for encroachments on government land across the city. Beyond questions of legality, the complaint flagged serious public safety and civic risks. It is alleged that illegal construction routinely violates building codes, fire safety regulations, and sanitation standards, creating conditions that increase the risk of accidents, health hazards, and structural collapse. The blocking of natural drainage channels by encroachments has also allegedly aggravated waterlogging and flooding during the monsoon, affecting residents and civic infrastructure alike. Citing judicial precedents, including Supreme Court and High Court rulings, the company argued that the regularisation of illegal constructions is an exception, not the rule. It further claimed that extending electricity and water connections to encroachers is "completely illegal and without jurisdiction," amounting to tacit encouragement of land grabbing by state agencies themselves. Fire safety experts have cautioned that commercial establishments such as restaurants and tyre shops are high-risk due to the presence of flammable materials. Such units, they note, require prior fire safety no-objection certificates, periodic inspections, adequate fire-fighting equipment, and unobstructed access for emergency services. Operating without these safeguards is not a mere procedural lapse but a grave public safety hazard. Seeking urgent intervention, Pinkcity Infrastructure has demanded a vigilance inquiry, the immediate removal of encroachments, and the fixing of responsibility on officials allegedly guilty of dereliction of duty. Copies of the complaint have been forwarded to senior state and municipal authorities, with a warning that continued inaction would further erode public trust in urban governance and the enforcement of land laws in Jaipur. (ANI)
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh and criticised the Government of India's diplomatic approach towards the neighbouring country. In a post on X, the former Chief Minister described reports of barbarity against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh as "disturbing." He said the killing of five Hindus and the atrocities committed against women are a blot on humanity. Recalling the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Gehlot expressed concern over the rise of anti-Indian sentiments in Bangladesh, calling it a failure of the Government of India's diplomacy. "The reports of barbarity against Hindu minorities coming from Bangladesh are disturbing. In just 19 days, the murder of 5 Hindus and the atrocities being committed against women there are a blot on humanity. The memories of that era in 1971 are still fresh today, when under the leadership of Smt. Indira Gandhi, India not only showed diplomatic firmness but also changed both history and geography with its resolute will. She did not even care for a superpower like America, which had dispatched its seventh fleet against India. It is also concerning that a country whose very creation was facilitated by India has turned against India. This is a diplomatic failure of the Government of India," said Gehlot. The former CM further asserted that protecting the lives and dignity of minorities in Bangladesh is India's moral and diplomatic responsibility. "The Central Government should move beyond ritualistic statements like expressing 'deep concern' and take concrete steps. Protecting the lives and dignity of minorities in a neighbouring country is our moral and diplomatic responsibility. History bears witness that the lives of the innocent can be saved not merely through empty slogans, but through decisive leadership. The Prime Minister should intervene in this matter and exert effective pressure on Bangladesh's interim government," added Gehlot. Meanwhile, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) raised serious concerns over a surge in violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, alleging six killings in the last 18 days in the neighbouring country. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal accused the country's leadership, including a "Nobel Peace Prize winner," of remaining a silent spectator while atrocities continue unabated. Speaking to ANI, Bansal said, "The killing of Hindus in Bangladesh is not stopping. It is a serious issue that in the last 18 days, 6 Hindus have been killed in Bangladesh... Even yesterday, a ship owner was killed. A 40-50 year old woman who was sitting at her home, jihadis not only gangraped her but also burnt her alive... There are several such killings taking place in the country... The so-called Nobel Peace Prize winner is running an empire of unrest and has become a silent spectator..." VHP spokesperson Bansal's remarks came after a 40-year-old Hindu man, Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was murdered in Bangladesh on Monday night in Narsingdi, near Dhaka. According to the Bangladesh-registered Newspaper Weeklyblitz, he was attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants. Residents and eyewitnesses claimed the attack occurred while Mani was operating his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila. The assailants reportedly arrived suddenly and assaulted him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to the hospital, reported Local Media. The incident marks the sixth reported killing of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh within the past 18 days. According to local media, on 19 December, Mani wrote a Facebook post expressing concern about violence in the country, describing his birthplace as having become "a valley of death." Police are investigating the incident. Earlier, another Hindu Man was killed in Bangladesh. According to Prothom Alo, the ice factory owner Rana Pratap Bairagi was shot dead in public in the Monirampur area of Jesore. According to local media, he owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, and served as the acting editor of the newspaper 'Dainik BD Khobor' published from Narail. (ANI)
The father of Nikitha Godishala, an Indian woman found dead with stab wounds inside an apartment in Columbia, Maryland, has alleged that she was killed following a financial dispute and has appealed for the early handover of her body. Speaking to ANI, Anand Godishala alleged that his daughter had been lending money to a former roommate who was staying in the same apartment along with others. "Four people used to stay in an apartment. Her ex-roommate used to take a lot of money from my daughter. When she asked him to return the money before he flew to India, he killed her and ran away," he said. Urging authorities to expedite the process, Godishala appealed for the swift repatriation of his daughter's body. "I request the state and the central government to hand over the body of my daughter as soon as possible," he said. Providing background, he said Nikitha had been living and working in the United States for several years. "My daughter went to Columbia four years ago. She was working there," he told ANI, while clarifying reports around the accused's identity. "He was her ex-roommate; it is not right that he was her ex-boyfriend," he added. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Washington said it is in touch with the family and is extending all possible consular assistance, while closely coordinating with local authorities. The Embassy said it is also assisting with documentation and related procedures. According to local police in Maryland, the 27-year-old Indian national had been reported missing earlier this week. Her body was later recovered from an apartment in Columbia, police said. Howard County police confirmed that a 26-year-old man, Arjun Sharma, has been identified as the prime suspect and is wanted on charges including first- and second-degree murder. Police said Sharma had allegedly reported Nikitha missing on January 2 and left the United States shortly thereafter. Police said Nikitha Godishala's body was recovered on January 3 from the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road in Columbia after officers searched Sharma's apartment. Howard County police confirmed on January 4 that her body bore stab wounds. Further details emerged from the family, with Nikitha's cousin Saraswati stating that Nikitha, who lived in nearby Ellicott City, had gone to Sharma's apartment on December 31 to recover money he had borrowed from her. Saraswati said Nikitha had initially transferred 4,500 dollars, of which 3,500 dollars had been returned. She added that Sharma later requested an additional 1,000 dollars, which Nikitha declined and asked him to repay the remaining amount on the earlier loan. According to Saraswati, Sharma assured Nikitha that he would return the money, prompting her visit to his apartment, where she was allegedly murdered. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing. (ANI)
A case has been registered against 30 individuals for allegedly pelting stones on police personnel who went to pacify a protest over an adult woman's decision to marry of her own will in Guna district, an official said on Tuesday. The incident was reported near Penchi village, within the jurisdiction of the Chachoda police station limits in Guna district, on Monday evening (January 5). The case has been registered under relevant sections of rioting and attempted murder, he added. Inspector General of Police (IG, Gwalior Range) Arvind Saxena told ANI, "An 18.5-year-old girl left her home without informing anyone on December 28, and later she appeared before the police station. In the meantime, she also claimed that she had married through the Arya Samaj or any other statutory organisation. When her statement was recorded, she clarified that she did not wish to return home. As a result, she was taken to a One Stop Centre through the Chachoda police station. On January 5, her family arrived and requested to see her. Since she is an adult and has voiced her opposition, the police explained the legal situation. The girl was asked again, and she stated that she had already given her statement. After that, her family was persuaded to leave." "In the meantime, some extremist elements joined the crowd and attempted to block a road near Penchi village. A police constable, Narendra Ojha, arrived at the scene and tried to reason with them, but they misbehaved and obstructed him. Later, police from the Binaganj outpost arrived and tried to pacify the crowd. But they were met with stones, injuring some officers. There were 30 people involved in this incident, and a case of rioting and attempted murder has been filed against those 30 individuals," the officer said. The IG further said that the wounded officers were receiving medical care, and raids were conducted at several locations yesterday. Efforts were underway to arrest the suspects quickly. The situation is currently under control. The Superintendent of Police has been instructed to analyse all the aspects of the incident and arrest the accused at the earliest, he added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) has remained silent on the issues raised by the Court and on the worsening AQI (air quality index) levels in Delhi NCR. A bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the CAQM has clearly failed to identify the causes of the worsening AQI in Delhi and to propose long-term solutions to curb it. "CAQM, instead of placing any concrete plan or proposal for visible long-term remedial measures, submitted only a status note, which is silent on most of the issues raised by the Court as well as by the learned Amicus Curiae. CAQM has failed to clearly identify the causes of worsening AQI or propose long-term solutions", the Court noted. Thus, in the circumstances, the Court was compelled to issue strong directions necessary to identify the causes and long-term solutions to the AQI problem. The Court observed that CAQM, as an expert body, is primarily responsible for bringing domain experts under one umbrella and seeking a unanimous understanding of the causes of the worsening AQI. It stated that such an exercise would not take much time, as the issue essentially involves sharing reasons and collating existing data from institutions such as IITs and TERI. "This would enable CAQM to form a broad understanding of the real causes and evolve proportionate solutions for each source", it noted. The bench further noted that, "Ideally, these reasons should be placed in the public domain with a citizen-centric approach so that people are aware of the causes and can offer suggestions. Some of the causes are inevitably attributable to citizens of the NCR, and public awareness programmes could help curb such factors". During the hearing, Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for CAQM, submitted a status report before the Court. After considering the same, the bench noted. However, the report identifies various emission sectors contributing to air pollution, including transportation, Industry, Roads, and Construction. It also reveals that the expert bodies have expressed divergent views so far as the attribution of the AQI problem is concerned, particularly with respect to the contribution of each source (of air pollution). "For instance, the contribution of vehicular pollution has been estimated to range from 12% to 41% by different experts", it noted. The Court further noted that, despite the issuance of 95 directions by the CAQM, the AQI situation in the NCR continues to persist, if not to worsen. The Court recalled that it had earlier asked the CAQM to revisit specific long-term measures to address worsening AQI levels. Additionally, issues such as the proposal to temporarily suspend nine MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) toll plazas in Delhi NCR, as suggested by NHAI, were also considered by the Court in the latest hearing, it noted. However, the Court lamented that, instead of addressing the issue substantively, the MCD has filed an affidavit stating that toll collection is an essential source of revenue for it and has raised all possible pleas to continue operating the toll plazas. Further, it noted that the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Haryana, has also filed an application seeking directions to the MCD to apportion 50% of the toll collected at two toll plazas in Gurugram. "The GMDA provided its own justification for apportionment of the said amount", the Court noted. After taking into account all issues raised during the hearing, the Court directed the CAQM to address these issues one by one and to explain its long-term plans, including those suggested by the Amicus Curiae. "The Court is conscious that sweeping decisions, such as an immediate transition to electric vehicles, cannot be taken without examining their impact on the public and the public exchequer. However, with proper long-term planning, better alternatives can be implemented in a phased manner.", it said. The Court also noted that merely seeking adjournments and delaying the formulation of solutions would lead to further complications. After considering various suggestions submitted by the Amicus and the need for expeditious action in this regard, the Court issued the following directions to the CAQM. CAQM shall convene a meeting of experts, as shortlisted by it, within two weeks. Based on the deliberations, a report identifying the major causes of AQI deterioration shall be prepared. This exercise shall be completed before the next date of hearing. CAQM shall also consider long-term measures, prioritising the sources that cause the most pollution. Additionally, CAQM shall independently assess the issue of toll plazas, uninfluenced by stakeholder views. A further status report, in terms of the above directions, shall be filed before the next date of hearing. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday addressed the recent controversy surrounding a purported audio clip linked to the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case, asserting that the matter is being handled with utmost seriousness and no guilty person would be spared, while stressing that the viral audio clip linked to the case must first be verified. The Chief Minister added that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted, and investigations will begin once the authorities verify the authenticity of the purported viral audio clip. Addressing a press conference, CM Dhami said, "This is a very sensitive matter...As soon as I learned of the incident, I informed the police and other departments to arrest the accused at the earliest opportunity and that no one should be allowed to evade arrest. All three accused were immediately arrested. The body was recovered...All three accused were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment." The Chief Minister stated that there should not be any confusion on this matter, adding that the government's track record shows that anyone found guilty would not be spared, irrespective of who they are. However, he emphasised that verifying the audio was essential. "Now, an audio has surfaced where the names of several people have been taken. We said that the audio should be examined, and an SIT has been constituted. The police are trying to speak to the people in the audio. It would be helpful if the audio could be verified. Once it is verified, we are ready to conduct any type of investigation. There should not be any confusion. Our track record is such that if someone does something wrong and is found guilty, they will not be spared, regardless of who they are. However, the audio must be verified. All examinations and FSL testing have to be done, and we will not spare the guilty," he said. "We have said that we are examining it (audio), we are getting an FSL examination. We are looking for them (the people purportedly in the audio). This will all be cleared up, and the truth will come out," he added. Commenting further on the purported audio, the Chief Minister raised questions about the timing and pattern of such clips surfacing, noting that one name was mentioned in the audio and pointing out that a similar audio had earlier emerged in the paper leak matter. He asserted, "One name was mentioned through an audio. A similar audio recording had surfaced in the paper leak matter as well. Why is a similar audio floated in the paper leak matter and chaos follows after? Is someone trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the state and looking for political ground here? There are other ways to do politics." Meanwhile, amid the controversy surrounding the purported audio clip, BJP National General Secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Dushyant Gautam filed a petition in the Delhi High Court in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case, making 11 parties, including Urmila Sanawar and Suresh Rathore, respondents in the case. The approximately 250-page petition has been filed on Gautam's behalf by Delhi High Court advocates Simran Barar and Neelmani Guha. The petition names actress Urmila Sanawar and others as parties. Gautam has urged the court to grant an early hearing in the matter. Those named as respondents in the petition include actress Urmila Sanawar; former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore; the Indian National Congress; Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee; PCC President Ganesh Godiyal; the Aam Aadmi Party; Congress spokesperson Alok Sharma; and Mohit Chauhan. The petition also includes Gautam's location details during the period relevant to the case. According to the filing, he was in New Delhi on September 10, 13, 14, and 15, 2022. On September 16, 2022, he was in Uttar Pradesh; he returned to New Delhi on September 17 and 18. The filing further states that Gautam was in Odisha on September 19, 2022, and returned to New Delhi on September 20, 2022. On Monday, Gautam denied all allegations, calling them a "well-planned criminal conspiracy" by political rivals like Congress and AAP to tarnish his and the BJP's image. (ANI)
Jeremy Allen White and Pusha T both feature in Louis Vuitton's new travel-themed campaign.

Jeremy Allen White stars in Louis Vuitton's new campaign alongside Pusha T

The Bear actor and the rapper both hit the road in their first campaign for the luxury fashion house, which celebrates the brand's men's creative director Pharrell Williams' India-themed spring collection.

The Happy hitmaker and his team made a research trip through New Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur to capture the spirit of Indian sartorialism  with Wes Anderson's 2007 movie The Darjeeling Limited serving as a major influence.

In the film, the main characters  portrayed by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman  are amusingly burdened by their mountain of luggage but the campaign sees the Vuitton bags and suitcases blending in seamlessly.

Pusha T wears a crisp oatmeal-coloured suit and flared trousers and is pictured on a train station platform emblazoned with an animal motif created exclusively for the movie by Vuitton.

Meanwhile, Jeremy, 34, is seen looking out of a train window in a chocolate brown leather jacket and blue striped shirt.

Vuitton said in a statement: "Seen from the vantage point of a train car, a cargo van, or on foot, each frame celebrates the journey itself  the fleeting interludes, the expansive horizons, and the quiet thrill of movement."

Jeremy  who was named as a Louis Vuitton ambassador last June  said: "To me each piece feels shaped by a journey, well travelled. I love pieces that feel lived in and worn, built through movement, and that have the confidence to blend different worlds.

"Pharrell understands this instinctively, creating clothes that reflect travel, freedom, with such a creative approach."

Pusha T  who became a Vuitton ambassador in 2024  said: "I feel like this collection is as much about movement as it is about style. Travelling really teaches you how to manage time while never feeling restricted. I can really relate and connect to Pharrell's vision for this collection. He makes the journey feel natural and purposeful."

White was unveiled as a Louis Vuitton ambassador last year and Pharrell explained that the Deliver Me from Nowhere actor's "quiet confidence" was key to landing him the role.

The 52-year-old star said in a statement: "Jeremys got a quiet confidence and authenticity that you cant fake. Its effortless. At Louis Vuitton, its about real people who move culture forward - and Jeremy lives that. Were proud to welcome him into the family."
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned the TVK chief Vijay for questioning in the deadly Karur stampede case in Tamil Nadu. According to sources, the summons has been issued for January 12. The CBI has already probed several TVK leaders in connection with the case and recorded their statements for further investigation. On November 8, 2025, three members of actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the ongoing probe into the Karur stampede. The TVK members, including the TVK legal team and Trichy Zonal Joint Coordinator Arasu, appeared before the CBI for an inquiry in Karur district. On October 23, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the stampede that occurred during party chief and actor Vijay's rally in Karur on September 27, 2025, leaving 41 people dead and many others injured. The Court had also ordered a three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the CBI probe and ensure that the investigation into the tragedy is independent and impartial. The ruling followed TVK's plea for an impartial investigation into the tragic event. Earlier in December, the Tamil Nadu government had also filed its response (counter-affidavit) in the Supreme Court seeking directions to set aside its decision to order a CBI probe into the Karur stamp case. In its counter-affidavit, the State government had contended that actor and politician Vijay cannot choose the investigating agency or monitoring committee, particularly since both his party and he himself are accused in the Karur stampede case. In its response, the TVK had claimed that the Tamil Nadu government's plea (counter-affidavit) lacks material facts and provides no valid reason to remove the jurisdiction of the CBI and the supervisory committee, constituted by the top court. TVK asserts that several statements in the State government's counter-affidavit are false and misleading. Considering such claims would hinder the ongoing investigation and its supervision, TVK added. "The Respondents (Tamil Nadu government) are erroneously claiming that the Petitioner (TVK) has misled this Hon'ble Court, omitted material facts, or made unsupported assumptions - these averments on the Respondents' behalf do not have any substance, and are not borne by the material on record before this Hon'ble Court", as per the response by the TVK. (ANI)
The event was hosted at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage, the evening's hospitality partner, with support from Ehsaas Woman of Goa. It was attended by members of the city's literary, cultural, and intellectual circles.

Vaishali Joshi led the discussion on the book, while Gaurapriya Pai Kane moderated the welcome-note evening. The debate explored lesser-known chapters of Indian history and the need to revisit forgotten narratives that have shaped the nation's past.

The book release was jointly unveiled by representatives of Ehsaas Women of Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, author Prem Prakash, Ranjith Philipose, Senior VP, IHCL, Taj Hotels, and Vivek Batra, Group Cluster Manager, Taj Cidade.

During the interaction, Prem Prakash shared insights into the book's motivation, emphasising the importance of acknowledging overlooked historical voices and unsung heroes. The Chief Minister appreciated the initiative and highlighted the relevance of such works in encouraging informed public discourse.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Shruti Jaiswal Juwarkar of Ehsaas Women of Goa, who expressed gratitude to the guests, organisers, partners, and attendees for making the event a success.

The launch reaffirmed the Prabha Khaitan Foundation's commitment to promoting literature, dialogue, and critical engagement with history through its cultural initiatives. (ANI)
Actor Riteish Deshmukh on Tuesday reacted strongly to Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan's remarks about his late father and former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, saying that what is merely written can be erased, but memories etched in people's hearts cannot be erased. Responding to his remarks, Deshmukh, in an emotional video, said, "I say this with folded hands: the name of a person who lives for the people remains engraved in their hearts. What is merely written can be erased, but what is engraved can never be removed. Jai Maharashtra." This came after Maharashtra BJP president Chavan, while addressing an election rally in Latur on Monday, expressed confidence in the party's prospects in the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections, citing strong enthusiasm among party workers in Latur and suggested that the influence and legacy of Vilasrao Deshmukh would no longer hold sway in the city. "Everyone, raise your hands and say Bharat Mata ki Jai... In a true sense, seeing your enthusiasm, one can notice that it's a 100% fact that memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh will be wiped out for this city, and there is no doubt about it," Ravindra Chavan said. Vilasrao Deshmukh, a prominent Congress leader in Maharashtra, served as the state's 14th Chief Minister, holding office in two terms--from October 18, 1999, to January 16, 2003, and later from November 1, 2004, to December 5, 2008. The political battle in Maharashtra has intensified ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other municipal corporation elections across the state. Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday allowed an application filed on behalf of accused Shubham Singh, directing that the prosecutrix's (victim) voice sample be taken and sent for forensic examination to determine its match with disputed audio and video recordings already forming part of the case record. Shubham Singh is the son of Shashi Singh, a close aide of suspended BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. He is an accused in a separate case connected with the alleged gang rape of the Unnao rape survivor. The application was moved by the defence through Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh, alongwith Advocates Samridhi Dobhal and Hritwik Maurya appearing for Shubham Singh, seeking scientific voice sampling of the victim and comparison by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). It was contended that the prosecutrix had denied that the voice in the recorded conversations belonged to her, despite those recordings forming part of the case material relied upon during the course of the trial. The defence argued that the recordings contained statements wherein the prosecutrix allegedly admitted that she had left the house of her own free will. It was submitted that forensic voice analysis was essential to test the credibility of her testimony and that denial of such scientific examination would deprive the court of crucial objective evidence, particularly when the recordings carried potential exculpatory value for the accused. Advocate Hemant Shah appeared for Naresh Tiwari, another accused in the matter. Emphasising the right of the accused to a fair trial, Advocate Singh submitted that expert voice spectrographic analysis by the CFSL was necessary to ensure that the authenticity of the disputed recordings could be independently verified through scientific means. After considering the legal position and relevant judicial precedents governing voice sampling and forensic comparison, Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Murari Prasad Singh of Rouse Avenue Court held that permitting scientific examination would assist the truth-finding process and would not prejudice the prosecution. Accordingly, the court directed that the prosecutrix's voice sample be collected strictly in accordance with the law and forwarded to the CFSL for comparison with the questioned audio and video recordings. The court clarified that the forensic exercise was being permitted solely to aid the adjudicatory process and that the evidentiary value of the expert report would be assessed at the appropriate stage of the trial. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav initiated a new innovation in the state by introducing tablets for ministers during the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, aimed at promoting transparency and saving time. The tablets were distributed to the council of ministers and secretaries in charge during the Cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat in the state capital on Tuesday. With these tablets, ministers will have access to complete information related to Cabinet proceedings. Ministers received the tablets and expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Chief Minister. Addressing the ministers on the occasion, CM Yadav said, "The state government is promoting e-governance in Madhya Pradesh, under which the e-Cabinet initiative has been started. Necessary training is being provided to concerned officials regarding the e-Cabinet application. The application is based on modern technology, paperless, secure, and ensures confidentiality, which ministers can access anytime and anywhere according to their convenience. It will primarily facilitate viewing the agenda of the cabinet meeting and reviewing the compliance reports of decisions taken in previous meetings through the e-Cabinet application." The Chief Minister further expressed confidence that ministers would benefit from the new system for transparency and time efficiency. Initially, the Cabinet meeting agenda will be sent in both physical and digital formats, and later it will be shared entirely in digital form. This paperless system i.e., e-Cabinet application, will save on the physical distribution of folders, paper, and time. Additionally, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain informed that cabinet decisions taken since 1960 were digitised and decisions of the past two years can now be accessed with a single click. At the end of the Cabinet meeting, a presentation was also displayed explaining the purpose, wide utility, and basic operational features of the tablets to the ministers. (ANI)
Air India Express Managing Director and CEO Aloke Singh described 2025 as the "most transformative year yet" for the low-cost carrier, highlighting significant fleet expansion, network growth, and operational improvements in his year-end message to employees. In a heartfelt note shared with staff, Singh reflected on the airline's progress, emphasising a "step-change" in fleet and network capabilities, and emphasising consistency, safety, and guest care as priorities for the future. The carrier surpassed the 100-aircraft milestone during the year, inducting its first retrofitted Boeing 737 MAX featuring upgraded seats and in-seat power, as well as the first Airbus A321neo from a batch of 16 A320-family aircraft transferred from parent Air India. On the network front, Air India Express added 12 new destinations across India and international routes in 2025, becoming the first airline to operate scheduled services from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad, marking its entry into the second commercial airport serving the National Capital Region, alongside Indira Gandhi International Airport. The year concluded on a high note with two key milestones: the induction of the airline's first line-fit Boeing 737 MAX, a factory-fresh aircraft customised to Air India Express specifications, delivered in late December and the addition of the newly operational Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) to its route map, following the airport's commercial launch on December 25, 2025. Singh also noted increased brand visibility through a new marketing campaign across social and print media, which has driven strong engagement and positive feedback. The airline continued its community outreach by participating in cultural events like the Hornbill Festival in Kohima and the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Operationally, the carrier reported positive trends in key metrics, including Net Promoter Score (NPS), on-time performance, load factors, unit costs, and revenues, which it attributed to cross-organisational teamwork. Looking ahead, Singh noted that the foundation is now set with a modern fleet in which new-generation aircraft account for two-thirds of operations, a balanced domestic-international network, and a product tailored to younger travellers in the leisure, business, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments. He stressed the importance of consistency, safety as the "non-negotiable bedrock," guest care, and cost discipline to meet stakeholder expectations. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday assured that he will look into the procedure of providing a job to the kin of Rajshekhar, who died in the Ballari violence, while visiting the grieving family of the victim. "We have consoled the family (of Rajshekhar who died in the Ballari violence)... The party is standing with the family. I'll see what the procedure (to provide a job for the family member) is and what procedures were followed in the past to give a job to a family member. I'll take your suggestions (on providing a contractual job)..." he said. Moreover, Shivakumar told the media that the accused, including the gunman, have been arrested, outlining that the Home Minister will ensure everything is taken care of. "I visited Rajshekar's house. The incident was shocking. I share the family's grief, and the party is standing with them. Regarding the issue of employing the deceased's family, we will review the position and aim to proceed in accordance with the legal framework. The law is doing its job. Everyone, including the gunman, has been arrested... The Home Minister will take care of everything," he said. Earlier, Shivakumar accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating unrest. Shivakumar stated that the opposition is "restless and trying to do something," while assuring that the state government is committed to maintaining law and order. Speaking to the media, Shivakumar said, "I am going to Bellary today. There should be peace in our state. BJP is restless and is trying to do something." He emphasised that the government is monitoring the situation closely and will take appropriate action to prevent further disturbances. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stressed that the incident report has not yet arrived and said he will raise the issue with the Home Minister in Bengaluru regarding the handover of the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). "JD(S) and BJP are doing politics over this issue. An investigation is currently underway. Let the report come; I will speak after that. Today, I will discuss with the Home Minister in Bengaluru about handing the case over to the CID," he added. (ANI) The violence erupted during preparations for the unveiling of the Maharishi Valmiki statue at SP Circle in Ballari. (ANI)
Regarding the meeting, BJP Mahila Morcha national president Vanithi Srinivasan told ANI that the discussion focused on mobilising women workers, outreach programmes, and state-specific election strategies. Valuable guidance was received from BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh.

The meeting reaffirmed Mahila Morcha's commitment to strengthening grassroots engagement and ensuring effective participation of women in the election process.

This year, 2026, the states going to the polls in India include West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. While some face the challenge of retaining power, others aim to make history for the first time.

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are states where the BJP has not yet won assembly elections. This time, the BJP is confident of winning the polls. Meanwhile, the BJP is trying to win Assam for a third term and Puducherry for a second.

Notably, the BJP broke new ground in Kerala with VV Rajesh elected Thiruvananthapuram Mayor in the recently concluded local body polls.

BJP's VV Rajesh became the first Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, securing 51 votes with support from 50 BJP councillors and one independent councillor. UDF's KS Sabarinathan got 17 votes, LDF's RP Shivaji 29.

As women voters play a decisive role in elections, the BJP Mahila Morcha is crucial to winning them. They're working with local women activists, holding small meetings with local women office-bearers to understand the constituency and their issues.

Meanwhile, small public meetings and one-to-one connections with female voters across all age groups. They organise various programs to raise awareness of government welfare programs and how they benefit women and their families. (ANI)
In a post on X, Sarma informed that an action against the hidden Jihadis in the state is ongoing.

"Just a few days ago, the police in Assam uncovered a Jihadi module. Several Jihadis are hiding in the state, and action against them is ongoing," Sarma wrote.

In a video statement shared in the post, Sarma highlighted the ongoing efforts against the jihadists in the state.

"There are Jihadis in Assam, and we have been getting evidence of it regularly for the past 10 years. We will continue to carry out such operations until the geopolitical situation in the state is improved," he said.

The busted Bangladesh-based Jihadi module, linked to the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), was actively radicalising youth in Assam, according to the information shared in the post.

They used encrypted platforms like 'Puba-Akash' to recruit, indoctrinate and fund terror activities.

Assam Police uncovered cross-border terror links involving handlers from Bangladesh and local operatives, the post informed further.

Swift STF and Assam Police raids led to multiple arrests across Assam and Tripura, averting a major security threat.

Earlier in December 2025, the Assam government imposed a sweeping ban on the publication, circulation and possession, both physical and digital, of any radical or 'jihadi' material linked to terror outfits such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), Ansar-Al-Islam/pro-AQIS and other affiliated groups, in a bid to curb extremist propaganda in the state.

It further stated that Assam Police, Special Branch, Crime Investigation Department, District Senior Superintendents of Police, Cyber Crime Units, and all law-enforcement agencies shall ensure strict enforcement of this notification and take the necessary legal action under the applicable provisions of law against all violators.

It also stated that intelligence inputs, cyber-patrolling reports, and recent investigations undertaken by Assam Police and the Special Task Force (STF), Assam, indicate the continued circulation, possession, dissemination, and digital transmission of radical/jihadi literature, publications, documents, and digital propaganda materials linked to the above-mentioned proscribed organisations. (ANI)
The visuals related to the Varanasi ropeway being circulated on social media are being presented out of context and are creating confusion. An official asserted that this video has no connection to any kind of malfunction, insecurity, or failure. On a viral video showing a ropeway cabin in Varanasi swinging like a pendulum, S. Rajalingam said, "A misleading tweet related to the ropeway has been going viral since morning. I would like to make it clear that phase 1 of ropeway - from Cantonment to Rath Yatra - has been completed. Testing has been going on for days. As part of testing, low testing is also done, and other safety-related parameters are also tested. As part of that, it is also tested at what angle it should sway in strong breeze when emergency brakes are applied. The sway was under acceptable limits. Videos viral on social media are absolutely wrong. Do not believe them." The Varanasi ropeway system has been designed according to international standards, specifically European safety codes. Numerous rigorous and detailed safety tests are conducted before and during its operation. This trial, being conducted by NHLML, is part of a comprehensive and planned testing process to ensure passenger safety. These tests include checking the system's safe operation under emergency braking, high wind pressure conditions, sensor activation, and all other possible scenarios. The activity shown in the video does not indicate any structural, mechanical, or operational deficiency, but rather is being done to ensure that the ropeway functions completely safely under all conditions and that passenger safety remains the highest priority. Following the misleading reports on social media, Varanasi Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam and NHLML Project Director Pooja Mishra, along with the ropeway team, conducted an inspection. He said that Australian and Spanish consulting companies will also provide safety certificates. The ropeway is being built entirely to international standards. "Action will be taken against anyone spreading misinformation. The ropeway construction is progressing rapidly. As soon as the Godaulia terminal station is completed, trials will begin. We are making every effort to complete the station by March, after which the trials will be conducted," he concluded. (ANI)
Kendall Jenner is celebrating "confidence" in her new role as a global fragrance ambassador for Emporio Armani.

Kendall Jenner has landed a new beauty job

The Kardashians star, 30, is fronting the campaign for the brand's latest perfume The Power of You and she's thrilled to get involved because she appreciates the positive message being delivered.

She told WWD: "I've always loved Emporio Armani for how it celebrates real confidence and staying true to yourself. The Power of You Eau de Parfum campaign is all about owning your energy and shining from the inside out, and that message just feels so aligned with me ...

"I connected with the vision because it wasn't just about the perfume; it was about the feeling. The whole campaign was about channeling that magnetic and contagious energy, and showing how you can literally 'light up the room'."

She added of the fragrance: "[It's a] delicious and vibrant scent that's truly unique ... The vanilla and passion fruit are the most unexpected but perfectly blend. It is so versatile, it can be worn for all occasions, which I love ...

"I love a scent that is powerful and addictive, that really boosts your mood, like Power of You Eau de Parfum."

Kendall follows in the footsteps of other Armani beauty ambassadors including Cate Blanchett, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Sydney Sweeney.

The Power of You is described as a feminine version of the brand's best-selling male scent Stronger With You and it was signed off by Giorgio Armani prior to his death in September 2025.

Kendall has previously appeared in fragrance campaigns for Tory Burch perfume Sublime as well as Estee Lauder's Modern Muse La Rouge.

The model - who is also a global ambassador for L'Oreal Paris - recently explained why she hasn't launched her own beauty, fragrance or wellness brand like her sisters Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Kylie, who have all created their own companies in recent years,

Speaking to W magazine, Kendall said: "I love wearing make-up, playing around with it, and learning from makeup artists on set, but I never really saw myself being in a lab creating products.

"I think I'll leave that to the pros who know what they're doing and have a passion for it - like my sisters."

However, Kendall does have her own tequila brand 818, which she founded in 2021, and her family have been a huge source of inspiration in the business world.

She added: I come from a long line of businesswomen - even my grandmother and my great-grandmother had their own businesses.

"I watched them when I was very, very young, and I watched my mom [Kris Jenner] find her way.

"She never went through any sort of training to do the things that she did. She just bossed it out."
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday launched the AI-based 'Haryana Budget Janbhagidari' Portal during the pre-budget session held in Gurugram, in line with Haryana Vision 2047. Through this portal, citizens will get a direct opportunity to participate in the state's budget-making process. Suggestions can be submitted on the portal in Haryanvi, Hindi, and English, languages ensuring participation from all sections of society. The Chief Minister said that this platform reflects the government's commitment to transparency, citizen participation, and participatory governance. Through this portal, citizens, experts, and stakeholders will be able to connect directly with the government, share practical suggestions, and help make the budget-making process more open, continuous, and dialogue-driven, a release said. Earlier on January 5, a significant meeting of the High-Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) and High-Powered Works Purchase Committee (HPWPC) was held at Haryana Niwas under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. During the meetings, detailed deliberations were held on proposals related to major infrastructure and development projects of various state departments, and several important decisions regarding the procurement of works and services were taken. A total of five tenders with an estimated cost of around Rs 133.47 crore were considered in the HPPC meeting, a release said. Of these, re-tendering was ordered in one project. For the remaining tenders, with an estimated cost of about Rs 123.13 crore, detailed negotiations were conducted with the bidders. After negotiations, the final agreed value of these works was fixed at approximately Rs 105.04 crore. Through this transparent and effective negotiation process, the state government ensured savings of nearly Rs 18.09 crore, reflecting strong financial management and efficient use of public resources. (ANI)
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao has strongly objected to the Telangana government's move to reclaim 50 acres of land earlier allotted to Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), asserting that the party stands firmly with the university and its students. In a post on X, Rao directly addressed Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana of jeopardising the future of thousands of students. He alleged that the attempt to resume the land was driven by "real estate greed" rather than public interest. Questioning the Congress leadership's commitment to education and minority welfare, KTR wrote, "Are you even aware of what your government is doing in Telangana? Is this your idea of standing for education and minorities?" https://x.com/ktrbrs/status/2008515927755681872?s=48 Drawing a comparison with the recent Kancha Gachibowli-Hyderabad Central University (HCU) controversy, the BRS leader said the Congress government had failed to learn from past mistakes. He recalled that the bulldozing of a green forest area near HCU had caused nationwide outrage and alleged that a similar pattern was now being repeated at MANUU. According to him, the 50-acre land parcel was crucial for constructing academic buildings, hostels, and introducing new courses. KTR reiterated that the BRS would not remain silent on the issue. He said the party, along with students of the university, would oppose the move both legally and through public action. "Education is not a pawn in political games; it is the nation's future," he asserted. Meanwhile, AIMIM floor leader in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi, also criticised the government's actions. Referring to the Kancha Gachibowli land controversy, he alleged a pattern in the government's approach, claiming that notices had been issued not only to MANUU but also to other institutions, including the Indian School of Business (ISB). (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a rally in Jalgaon district in support of Mahayuti candidates ahead of the local body elections, expressing confidence that the ruling alliance would receive strong public backing while asserting that rebel candidates would fail to win people's trust. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Fadnavis said voters were firmly aligned with the Mahayuti alliance. "The rebels will not be elected by the people. The people are with the Mahayuti alliance," he said. Regarding dynastic politics, the Chief Minister said, "The BJP had a policy in Maharashtra regarding dynastic politics. New candidates will not be given tickets in this manner. There are one or two exceptions because the forms had already been filled out, and alternative candidates could not be found," Fadnavis said. Fadnavis also responded to questions on recent remarks concerning VD Savarkar, particularly on a BJP leader asking Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to accept Savarkar's ideology. He said there was no reason for Ajit Pawar to comment on opposition to Savarkar, while reiterating the BJP's firm stand on the issue. "I don't think Ajit Pawar has any reason to say anything about the opposition to Veer Savarkar. But the BJP's stance is that we do not accept the opposition to Savarkar," Fadnavis added. Meanwhile, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday expressed his confidence in winning big in the upcoming 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, saying that the party has been getting very good response, "wherever it fielded its candidate in the municipal corporation elections." Speaking to the media after addressing a public meeting, Owaisi said, "Wherever we have fielded our candidates in the municipal corporation elections, we have been getting a very good response. Our party will have many municipal corporators." Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to grant bail to a woman accused, namely Anuradha (alias Chiku), in a case under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), for being an active member of an organised crime syndicate allegedly run by her mother in the Sultanpuri area of Delhi. The High Court said that the material shows that the petitioner was an active member of the syndicate and derived monetary benefits from the sale of drugs. Justice Sanjeev Narula rejected the bail plea of Anuradha after considering that there is no material to believe that she is not guilty under MCOCA. While rejecting her appeal, Justice Narula Said, "The record does not disclose reasonable grounds for believing that the Appellant is not guilty of the offences alleged under MCOCA." The court also said that the apprehension of witness influence and tampering can not be discounted at this stage. The twin conditions under Section 21(4) are, therefore, not satisfied. The High Court also rejected the contention that MCOCA can't be invoked against the petitioner as there was no charge sheet against her in the last ten years. "Although no prior FIR is registered against the Appellant in her personal capacity, the material on record prima facie indicates that she was an active member of the organised crime syndicate run by her mother, Kusum, that she derived pecuniary benefit from the sale of contraband, and that she participated in the concealment and routing of the proceeds of crime," Justice Narula said in the judgement of January 6. Petitioner has challenged the order of October 31, 2025, of the Rohini Court denying bail to her. Prosecution had alleged that during police custody remand, co-accused Amit disclosed that he, along with his mother Kusum and his sisters Deepa and Anuradha, ran a drug syndicate and facilitated trafficking as well as concealment of narcotic substances. It was further alleged that Kusum, Deepa and the Appellant were beneficiaries of the proceeds received from the syndicate. The prosecution also claimed recovery of cash and jewellery from a locker, residential premises at the instance of co-accused Amit. (ANI)
In another troubling incident at a private university in Lahore, a female student of a private university attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of the campus building, police and university sources said, ARY News reported. The student, identified as Fatima, is a first-semester pharmacy student. She was immediately rushed to the ICU of a private hospital affiliated with the university. Sources said the incident occurred at the same location where another student had previously attempted suicide, ARY News reported on Monday. Following the incident, the university administration sealed all entry points and issued a notification announcing the indefinite suspension of academic activities. As per ARY News, the incident comes weeks after another student from the same institution, Owais Sultan, died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of the same building last month. Reports said that the earlier incident took place on December 19 at around 8:10 am. A fellow student, Hamza, claimed that Owais Sultan had been denied entry into a classroom by a teacher. After remaining seated outside the classroom for some time, he allegedly jumped from the building. Classmates said Owais Sultan had appeared distressed on several occasions and had a poor attendance record. Hamza further alleged that the student was under severe mental stress due to being unable to sit for examinations and claimed that the university administration exerted additional pressure on students over fees and other issues, ARY News reported. Meanwhile, at least five members of a family were shot dead in a violent clash on the outskirts of Pakistan's Karak, ARY News reported on Sunday. According to police, the rival group also killed a guest who had come from Peshawar during the deadly confrontation. The victims have been identified as Sohail, Wahidullah, Kashif, and Gohar, while the identity of the fifth person is still unknown, ARY News reported. The bodies have been moved to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Karak for post-mortem examinations. Following the incident, a large police force was deployed in the area to maintain law and order and search for those responsible, ARY News mentioned. Police stated that the exact reason behind the feud is yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing. (ANI)
Rosemary A. DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, has expressed deep concern over the recent US military operation in Venezuela and the subsequent capture of Nicolas Maduro. Speaking on the situation following the January 3 strike by US, DiCarlo, Under-Secretary for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said at a UN security council meet, "We meet at a grave time following the 3 January United States military action in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela... The extent of casualties resulting from these actions remains undetermined." She noted that President Donald Trump had announced the strike on social media on Saturday, describing it as a "large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro." DiCarlo added that Trump stated, "We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition." DiCarlo said the government of Venezuela has characterised the US operation as a military aggression affecting both civilian and military areas and called it a "flagrant violation of the charter," posing a threat to international and regional peace and security. She highlighted that President Maduro is currently being held in New York, accused by US authorities of serious criminal offences alongside his wife, Cilia Flores. DiCarlo emphasised the uncertainty surrounding Venezuela's immediate future and warned of the risk of intensified instability. "What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela. I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification and the instability in the country. The potential impact on the region and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted," DiCarlo added. Meanwhile, during their first court appearance in New York, Venezuela's deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to all charges and accused the United States government of abducting them from their home country, CNN reported. As per CNN on Monday (local time), both Maduro and Flores denied the drug trafficking and weapons-related charges filed against them and, for now, did not contest their continued detention. The appearance marked a historic moment and the beginning of what is expected to be a prolonged legal battle, as their defence is likely to challenge the legality of their military capture. After the military operation to arrest Maduro, US President Donald Trump said, "We're in charge." Meanwhile, the Trump administration has signalled that it will closely monitor developments in Venezuela under interim leadership. However, Maduro's long-time vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as acting president on Monday, according to CNN. (ANI)
US and Israeli officials are assessing potential policy options in response to ongoing unrest in Iran, according to multiple indications received by Israeli media reports The Jerusalem Post. The discussions come amid sustained protests across Iranian cities and recent US actions in Venezuela that appear to have influenced regional strategic calculations. Iran has experienced periodic waves of demonstrations, driven by economic pressures, political repression, and dissatisfaction with clerical rule. While Iranian authorities have previously succeeded in suppressing similar movements, the persistence of the demonstrations has renewed international attention, writes The Jerusalem Post. According to a report in the Times of Israel, the death toll in violence surrounding protests in Iran has risen to at least 35 people. The Times of Israel quoted the figures from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which says more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have been ongoing for more than a week. It says 29 protesters, four children and two members of Iran's security forces have been killed. Demonstrations have reached over 250 locations in 27 of Iran's 31 provinces. The Iranian Fars news agency, reported that 250 police officers and 45 members of the all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt in the demonstrations. On January 2, US President Donald Trump said that the United States is "locked and loaded" to respond if Iranian authorities use violence against peaceful protesters, as demonstrations over worsening economic conditions spread across multiple provinces in Iran. In a Truth Social Post, Trump wrote, "If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Meanwhile, Iran's erstwhile crown Prince in Exile, Reza Pahlvi has been taking an active role in pushing protestors to take on the Khamnei regime. In a post on X on Monday he said, "Dear compatriots, The shooting of the brave and noble people of Malekshahi, the killing of the city's youth, and the subsequent cowardly attack by the regime's mercenaries on Ilam Hospital, are an unmistakable crime that recalls the massacre of the people of Zahedan on Bloody Friday in 2022. A regime that kills unarmed young people and raids medical centres clearly has no legitimacy, and is nearing its end. To the suffering and patriotic people of Malekshahi and Ilam: I stand with you in grief and solidarity, and I assure you that Khamenei and the corrupt, murderous ringleaders of the Islamic Republic will pay the price for this crime." Additionally, Pahlvi told the Wall Street Journal, "I've stepped in to lead this transition... It's about self-determination... freedom... rebuilding our country." Trump's action against Nicolas Maduro has further emboldened Iranian protestors placing the Middle-East in a tense situation. (ANI)
A 40-year-old Hindu man, Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was killed on Monday night in Narsingdi, near Dhaka, after being attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants, reported Bangladesh registered Newspaper Weeklyblitz. Residents and eyewitnesses claimed the attack occurred while Mani was operating his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila. The assailants reportedly arrived suddenly and assaulted him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to hospital, reported Local Media. The incident marks the sixth reported killing of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh within the past 18 days. Accoring to local media, on 19 December, Mani wrote a Facebook post expressing concern about violence in the country, describing his birthplace as having become "a valley of death." Police are investigating the incident. This killing comes after the reported killing of another Hindu Man on Monday in Jessore. An ice factory owner was shot dead in public in the Monirampur area of Jesore, reported Prothom Alo. According to local media, Rana Pratap Bairagi, owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, and served as the acting editor of the newspaper 'Dainik BD Khobor' published from Narail. Three assailants on a motorcycle, called him out from the ice factory, and took him to an alley and then shot him at close range in the head and fled. Rana Pratap died on the spot, reported Prothom Alo. Monirampur police station's officer-in-charge (OC) Md Raziullah Khan told Prothom Alo that the body has been recovered was being sent for Post Mortem. The Police have not specified the motive behind the killing and an investigation is underway. Over the past weeks, there have been reports highlighting attacks and rising insecurity faced by minority groups. Notably, a recent tragic incident drew national attention when Khokon Das, a Hindu man, succumbed to injuries after being set on fire on New Year's Eve. The attackers allegedly assaulted him with sharp weapons, poured petrol on his body, and set him on fire. In an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond beside the road. Hearing his screams, residents rushed to the scene, prompting the attackers to flee. Locals rescued Das and initially took him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where he received emergency treatment before being referred to Dhaka later that night as his condition deteriorated. He later succumbed to his injuries. (ANI)
The District Administration Office (DAO) of Parsa has extended the curfew order in Birgunj city in the wake of the continued religious tension over a TikTok video. The local administration on Monday afternoon issued the prohibitory order in parts of the district, but the two sides held simultaneous protests defying the order, prompting authorities to impose curfew. The DAO, Parsa, yesterday imposed curfew from 6 PM (Local Time) on Monday to 8 AM (Local Time) on Tuesday. With the situation still out of control and the threat persistent, the curfew has been extended till 1 PM (Local Time), Tuesday. "The curfew order issued yesterday, 2082.09.21 (2026.01.05) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM on 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), in view of the latest security situation, has been continued in the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district, as per Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, from today, 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), until 1:00 PM, prohibiting anyone from moving within those boundaries, holding any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, meeting, or siege," the latest order said. The local administration has marked the Bus Park, Nagwa, Inarwa (East); Sirsia River (West); Gandak Chowk (North), and Shankaracharya Gate (South) as the four pillars. "During the curfew, security personnel are allowed to shoot on sight, so it is requested that you do not step out of your home except for essential purposes, and if you do need to step out, coordinate with the nearest security personnel or call 100," the administration warned the people. The administration has also made it clear that during the curfew period, security personnel will facilitate the movement of essential service vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, hearses, health workers' vehicles, media personnel, tourist vehicles, vehicles of human rights and diplomatic missions, and air passengers based on air tickets. Tension has continued to flare in Birgunj near the Indian state of Bihar since Sunday after a dispute between two groups triggered by religiously targeted comments on TikTok that spiraled from Dhanusha's Kamala Municipality. The controversy is said to have begun when two youths, Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari, uploaded a video on TikTok in Janakpur, Dhanusha. Locals claimed the video hurt religious sentiments and handed the youths over to the police. Tension had started to flare in ward 6 of Kamala Municipality after a mosque was vandalized. In protest, demonstrators staged rallies in and around Birgunj, burning tyres and chanting slogans from Sunday. The unrest, initially sparked in Dhanusha and Parsa, escalated via TikTok, as both sides took to the streets over issues affecting religious and communal sentiments. (ANI)
Reacting to recent remarks made by former US President Donald J Trump, former diplomat K P Fabian said, "I have been asking myself why President Trump said what he said." Referring to India's decision to import oil from Russia, Trump, in an interview with a gaggle of journalists aboard Air Force One, had said, "They wanted to make me happy, basically... PM Modi is a very good man. He's a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly." Commenting on US actions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros, Fabian said, "What he did in Venezuela is contrary to international law and the UN Charter." Fabian also referred to the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) response to the developments. While acknowledging that the MEA may have had valid diplomatic reasons for exercising restraint, he said that any move to arrest Maduro would be illegal. "I understand why the MEA did not say this. They may have good reasons, but I can say that it was an absolute violation," he added. Speculating on Trump's motivations, Fabian said he wondered whether the former US President feared that India might issue a statement criticising his actions and sought to pre-empt such a response. "I wonder whether Trump was worried about India coming out with a statement criticising him, and he wanted to forestall it. That could be one explanation," he said. "The other explanation is that I'm told India has not stopped importing oil from Russia," Fabian added. India has continued importing oil from Russia despite multiple international sanctions imposed over Moscow's war on Ukraine. (ANI)
Kneecap have teased that a new album is on the way in 2026.

Photo: Avalon

The highly political Irish rap trio drew critical acclaim for their 2024 LP Fine Art, before going on to have a bumpy 2025, as band member Mo Chara faced a terror charge after he was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town in November 2024.

Kneecap have consistently denied supporting the terrorist organisations Hezbollah and Hamas, and the charge was ultimately dropped. However, they claim that the UK government plans to challenge the courts decision later this month.

In a New Year message to their fans, the group - completed by Moglai Bap and DJ Provai - wrote on social media: They tried to crush us and they failed.

Thanks to all of you sound c**** were stronger than ever.

Big things to come in 2026  including a brand new album. But nothing is more important than supporting each other and keep taking action for Palestine."

Since Fine Art and the court case, Kneecap have released a slew of loaded anthems, including The Recap with Mozey, aimed at Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Sayonara with Orbitals Paul Hartnoll, and No Comment with drum and bass legend Sub Focus. Fans will have to wait and see if they appear on their next studio effort.

In a statement shared on Instagram last week, the group stated that they had been formally notified of an appeal against the ruling made by a magistrates court in September, which had dismissed the case. According to the group, the date has been set for January 14 at the High Court in London. Kneecap criticised the move, saying their legal representatives believe there is no credible basis for the challenge.

They posted to their official account on the app: "The Brits are at it again...

"The British government has issued us notice that they will appeal the decision of their own magistrates court to throw out the case against Mo Chara.

"It is the view of our legal team that there is not an iota of logic for this, it is without any sound legal basis.

"It is another flailing arm to distract from,

and to try and silence those who stand on the right side of history as they are complicit.

"As Israel today moves to ban charitable organisations providing lifesaving aid and primitive shelter to millions, the British state once again turns to vilify those who oppose genocide.

"It will be heard on Jan 14th at the High Court, Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London.

"We will not be silent.

"FREE PALESTINE ps."

The case was dismissed after the Metropolitan Police failed to issue the requisition within the required sixmonth statutory deadline, rendering the charge "unlawful".

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said at the time: I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form.

The time limit requires consent to have been granted at the time or before the issue of the requisition. Consequently the charge is unlawful and null and this court has no jurisdiction to try the charge.
Six more people have allegedly been forcibly disappeared in Balochistan, according to families and local sources, The Balochistan Post reported. The incidents occurred in Quetta and Kech districts as the protest camp of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) marked its 6,047th day. According to the report, security personnel from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Frontier Corps (FC) raided a house in Quetta's Killi Sorab Khan Qambrani area at around 1 am on 4 January. Residents were quoted as saying that four people were detained during the raid and taken to an undisclosed location. The media outlet identified the missing individuals as Dawood Baloch and Umar Baloch, sons of Haji Shah Bakhsh; Naseebullah, son of Shehdad Khan; and a minor boy, Gwahram, son of Faiz Muhammad. Families said they have received no information about their whereabouts. In Kech district, Pakistani forces allegedly carried out house-to-house searches in the Goburd area of Mand on the same night, the report said. Two brothers, Sarwar and Hazir, sons of Bashir, were detained and later disappeared, local sources told the outlet. At the VBMP protest camp outside the Quetta Press Club, relatives of 15-year-old Nasreen (Nasreena) Baloch also shared details of her disappearance, according to the media report. Nasreen, a resident of Awaran, was allegedly taken during a midnight raid in Hub Chowki on 22 November. Her family said police refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) and provided no information about her case. VBMP chairman Nasrullah Baloch said the organisation would raise the matter with the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and the provincial government, the report added. He urged authorities to produce detainees before courts if charges exist or release them to end the prolonged suffering of their families. Enforced disappearances have remained a longstanding and contentious issue in Balochistan, with rights groups and families accusing state institutions of detaining individuals without due legal process. Protest camps, rallies, and hunger strikes have continued for years as relatives seek information about missing loved ones, while authorities have repeatedly denied systematic wrongdoing and say security operations are carried out within the law. (ANI)
"Mani Chakraborty, a resident of Palash upazila in Narsingdi district, was on his way home from his business after 9 pm on Monday night when assailants stabbed him right in front of his house", Abdullah Al Faruque told ANI over the phone on Tuesday.

"We haven't been able to uncover the reason behind the murder yet, but we are trying to catch the suspects" he added, without elaborating.

This is the second murder that happened on the same night in Bangladesh. Just a short while before Moni Chakraborty's killing, another businessman named Rana Pratap Bairagi was murdered in the Jessore district in the southern part of the country.

A 40-year-old Hindu man, Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was killed on Monday night in Narsingdi, near Dhaka, after being attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants, reported Bangladesh registered Newspaper Weeklyblitz.

Residents and eyewitnesses claimed the attack occurred while Mani was operating his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila. The assailants reportedly arrived suddenly and assaulted him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to hospital, reported Local Media.

The incident marks the sixth reported killing of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh within the past 18 days.

Accoring to local media, on 19 December, Mani wrote a Facebook post expressing concern about violence in the country, describing his birthplace as having become "a valley of death." Police are investigating the incident.

This killing comes after the reported killing of another Hindu Man on Monday in Jessore. An ice factory owner was shot dead in public in the Monirampur area of Jesore, reported Prothom Alo.

According to local media, Rana Pratap Bairagi, owned an ice manufacturing factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur, and served as the acting editor of the newspaper 'Dainik BD Khobor' published from Narail. (ANI)
Amnesty International on Monday raised serious concerns over Pakistan's Twenty-Seventh Constitutional Amendment, warning that it poses a "grave threat" to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in the country. In a statement, Amnesty said the amendment undermines judicial autonomy by establishing a Federal Constitutional Court that lacks sufficient safeguards for independence. The organisation said the new court weakens judges' security of tenure and shields the president as well as the heads of the armed, naval, and air forces from accountability. Amnesty noted that the amendment was rushed through parliament without meaningful consultation with civil society or opposition parties. According to the organisation, the speed and secrecy of the process reflect a broader pattern of weakening democratic institutions. "Despite its far-reaching consequences, the amendment was steamrolled through parliament," Amnesty said, adding that the lack of debate raised serious rule-of-law concerns. The human rights group also highlighted the immediate backlash within the judiciary. Amnesty pointed out that two senior Supreme Court judges resigned on the day the amendment became law, followed by the resignation of a Lahore High Court judge two days later, describing these resignations as a clear sign of institutional alarm. Amnesty further said the amendment expands executive influence over judicial appointments by giving the president and prime minister the power to appoint the first chief justice and initial judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. In Amnesty's view, this move "further erodes judicial independence," which had already been weakened by the Twenty-Sixth Constitutional Amendment passed in October 2024. Referring to that earlier amendment, Amnesty recalled that it altered the composition of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan by adding members of parliament, thereby reducing judges to a minority within the body responsible for judicial appointments. Amnesty cited concerns from the International Commission of Jurists and the UN Human Rights Committee, which had warned that these changes risk politicising judicial appointments and undermining independence. The organisation also criticised expanded powers granted to the Supreme Judicial Council to remove judges for "inefficiency," saying such vague grounds could be misused to pressure the judiciary. Amnesty said these cumulative changes, including the replacement of the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench with a separate Federal Constitutional Court, represent a systematic restructuring that concentrates power in the executive's hands. Amnesty concluded by urging Pakistani authorities to reverse measures that weaken judicial independence and to ensure that any constitutional reforms are carried out transparently, with broad consultation and in line with international human rights standards. (ANI)
On the US attack on Venezuela's capital, Former Indian permanent representative to UN Geneva Dilip Sinha said that the US Operation in Venezuela was not an arrest, but abduction. Sinha, while speaking to ANI, said that the US action is a vile violation of the international law. He said, "This is not technically an arrest, but an abduction... The US doesn't have jurisdiction in Venezuela. This is an abduction where a head of state has been kidnapped and taken to the US... It is a violation of international law," he said. He added that the US did this because he wanted to claim the massive oil reserves in Venezuela. "The reason he has settled on is taking claim to the oil reserves of Venezuela. Because, while there is a lot of narco-terrorism from Latin America, in which the US is also implicated, there are not many reports from Venezuela. There are other countries in Latin America which have been involved in this and have been accused of cocaine smuggling," he said. "President Maduro had offered to cooperate with the US and have talks to address its problems. So it's very strange that President Trump should have gone ahead and abducted him," he added. On India's response to Venezuela's crisis, he said that the position is in line with the general policy of being reticent in these matters. He said, "It is in line with its attitude and its response to earlier such violations by the big powers and by other countries... There are other threats and violations of international law being committed by the big powers, and India has been generally very reticent in taking an upfront position on this. That is India's policy," he said. Sinha further told ANI that the issue doesn't concern India directly, but it affects India as its major allies are becoming aggressive. "As far as the impact on India is concerned, I don't think it should have much of an impact because our trade relations with Venezuela are very limited... But the fact that a superpower has violated international law with such impunity has to be looked at very seriously, and its impact on the overall state of the global order, which is in terrible shape, but now we are looking really at the precipice because we have the three superpowers in the world today, China, Russia, and the US, all behaving in an extremely aggressive manner," he said. On Saturday, Washington carried out a "large-scale strike against Venezuela", and the deposed dictator, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and taken out of the country. Maduro and Flores were captured in Caracas and flown out of the country in a joint operation involving intelligence agencies and US law enforcement. Trump stated that Maduro and his wife have been indicted on charges of alleged "drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies" in the Southern District of New York and will face trial. He said that American forces, working with law enforcement agencies, captured Maduro and his wife in a night-time operation. (ANI)
Former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the foreign policy of the US is such that if it deems that any country is posing as a threat, it will have the right to respond. Shringla, while talking to ANI, said that looking at the situation there, India released an advisory for Indians in Venezuela. He said, "What we have seen is that the current US foreign policy is that if any situation arises in their region, whether it's North America or South America, that poses a threat or a challenge to the US, then the US has the right to respond. And what we are seeing, what the US has done, is in accordance with that policy. And they have apprehended the Venezuelan president, Maduro, on drug charges and have even registered a case against him in a New York court," he said. "So, regarding what they have done, we have seen that the Indian government has issued an advisory to our citizens in that region, asking them to be careful and to contact our embassy there if they face any problems or have any concerns," he added. While speaking on AIMIM chief Owaisi asking PM Modi to bring 26/11 Mumbai attack perpetrators to India, he said, "Action is already being taken. In Operation Sindoor, a very powerful action was taken by our side against those who attacked India. We will not spare any terrorist group that attacked our country, our citizens. We will pursue them." The remarks came after Owaisi, speaking at a gathering in Mumbai ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, referred to reports on the Trump administration's recent operation in Venezuela and urged the Indian Prime Minister to take similar action to bring back the 'mastermind' of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks from Pakistan. Owaisi said, "Today we heard that US President Donald Trump's forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and took him from his country to America. If US President Donald Trump can abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his own country, then you (Prime Minister Modi) can also go to Pakistan and bring back the mastermind of the 26/11 terrorist attacks to India." In an official X post, Owaisi wrote, "If @realDonaldTrump can pick up Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro from there, then why can't @narendramodi pick up the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks from Pakistan?" He also shared a video of himself making the statement. On Saturday, Washington carried out a "large-scale strike against Venezuela", and the deposed dictator, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and taken out of the country. Maduro and Flores were captured in Caracas and flown out of the country in a joint operation involving intelligence agencies and US law enforcement. Trump stated that Maduro and his wife have been indicted on charges of alleged "drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies" in the Southern District of New York and will face trial. He said that American forces, working with law enforcement agencies, captured Maduro and his wife in a night-time operation. (ANI)
The Baloch National Movement (BNM) organised a protest on Saturday (local time) outside 10 Downing Street to highlight what it described as a worsening human rights crisis in Balochistan. The demonstration focused particularly on alleged enforced disappearances of Baloch women, children, and young girls, which the group attributes to the Pakistan Army. Protesters assembled near the British Prime Minister's residence, raising slogans calling for justice, accountability, and international involvement. BNM representatives said such actions mark a serious moral decline in the ongoing Balochistan conflict, adding that enforced disappearances and collective punishment continue without restraint. During the protest, demonstrators demanded the immediate and safe return of Mahjabeen Baloch, Nasreena Baloch, Farzana Baloch, Hani Baloch, and Hairnasa, who were reportedly detained by Pakistani forces from different parts of Balochistan and later forcibly disappeared. Speakers described enforced disappearances as a key method used by the state to silence the Baloch movement. Participants also raised concerns over the arrests of leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). They alleged that peaceful activists have been falsely charged, unlawfully detained, and kept in prison despite being granted bail. According to speakers, state institutions are misusing their authority to suppress dissent. BYC leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch, Gul Zadi Baloch, Bebgar Baloch, and Sibghatullah Baloch, were praised for leading a mass campaign against enforced disappearances. Protesters claimed that instead of addressing these concerns, authorities have arrested the leaders and subjected them to coordinated media campaigns and online harassment, including unethical attacks against Baloch women. BNM leaders stated that all those mentioned are being held illegally. Speakers at the protest included senior BNM figures, UK chapter officials, and human rights activists. They appealed to international organisations, including Amnesty International, to investigate the alleged violations and intensify pressure on Pakistan. The speakers rejected Pakistan's claim over Balochistan, arguing that the region is under oppressive control and that Pakistan's parliamentary system fails to represent the Baloch people. They described the provincial government as ineffective and lacking legitimacy, asserting that justice for Balochistan cannot be achieved within the existing system. BNM urged the British government to move beyond what it called diplomatic silence and take concrete action. The group called for the recovery of all forcibly disappeared individuals, international sanctions over alleged state violence, and global recognition of what it termed systematic crimes against the Baloch people. (ANI)
In a letter released by the Danish Prime Minister's Office on X, the leaders reaffirmed Greenland's status within the transatlantic alliance, stating, "The Kingdom of Denmark - including Greenland - is part of NATO."

https://x.com/Statsmin/status/2008498610263257368?s=20

Emphasising a unified security framework, the statement said, "Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them."

The leaders further underscored Greenland's political standing, stating, "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

The joint letter was signed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as the leaders of Italy, Spain and Poland.

While reiterating their position, the leaders described the United States as "an essential partner" in ensuring Arctic security. The coordinated message comes amid Trump's renewed focus on Greenland, a vast, sparsely populated territory with significant mineral resources.

The developments have raised concern in Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland's defence, particularly as Trump's remarks follow recent US military actions elsewhere.

Earlier, Frederiksen warned that any attempt by the United States to take over Greenland would mark the end of NATO.

Meanwhile, Greenland's Prime Minister sought to downplay the rhetoric, saying the territory intends to restore "good cooperation" with Washington.

Addressing reporters, Greenland's Nielsen said, "The situation is not such that the United States can simply conquer Greenland."

The joint statement followed remarks by US President Donald Trump focusing on Greenland after the ousting of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. (ANI)
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, on Tuesday addressed officers of the UAE National Defence College (NDC), focusing on the evolving global security environment and the changing nature of modern warfare. According to a post on X by the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), General Dwivedi, in his address, highlighted how rapid technological advancements are reshaping contemporary conflicts and underscored the growing importance of technology in modern military operations. "General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, today addressed officers of the UAE National Defence College (NDC). In his address, the COAS highlighted the evolving global security landscape & the changing character of modern conflicts, underscoring the impetus to technology in modern warfare," the post read. He emphasised the role of senior military leadership, stressing that leaders must adapt to emerging challenges and guide their forces through increasingly complex security scenarios. The Chief of Army Staff also underscored the importance of collaborative engagements, including strong bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation between India, the UAE, and other regional partners, to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. General Dwivedi also noted that such cooperation is essential to advance regional and global peace and security. "The COAS emphasised on the leadership role of senior military officers and stressed the importance of collaborative engagements, including strong bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation between India, the UAE and other regional partners, to achieve symbiotic outcomes and advance regional and global peace and security," the post added. https://x.com/adgpi/status/2008492489079230713 General Upendra Dwivedi is currently on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of India's continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries. On his arrival, General Dwivedi was accorded a Guard of Honour by the UAE Land Forces. The COAS also met with senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces, Major General Staff Yousef Maayouf Saeed Al Hallami, and received briefings on the UAE Army's structure, roles, and capabilities. "General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, as part of his ongoing visit to the UAE, interacted with Major General Staff Yousef Maayouf Saeed Al Hallami, Commander, UAE Land Forces. Discussions focused on enhancing positive military engagement, training convergence and advancing bilateral Defence Cooperation between India and UAE. The COAS also visited the Land Forces Museum, gaining insights into the rich history, traditions and military heritage of the UAE Land Forces," the ADGPI stated in a post on X on Monday. These engagements aim to enhance further bilateral defence cooperation, professional military exchanges, and strategic understanding between the two armed forces. Following the visit to the UAE, the COAS will visit Sri Lanka from January 7 to January 8. (ANI)
COAS General Upendra Dwivedi proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after completing his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The COAS' visit to Sri Lanka underscores the strong commitment between the two countries to deepen ties. His visit also comes against the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, according to an official statement from the ADGPI. In a post on X, the ADGPI said, "General Upendra Dwivedi COAS, proceeded on an official visit to Sri Lanka today. The visit underscores the strong commitment of both nations to enhance mutual understanding, deepen cooperation in areas of shared interest and further strengthen bilateral Defence Cooperation. The visit takes place against the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, reflecting India's enduring brotherhood with our steadfast partner." https://x.com/adgpi/status/2008572524423233600?s=20 Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah, under which New Delhi sent relief supplies and helped Colombo restore connectivity. Recently, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka shared on Sunday that Indian Army Engineers have commenced launching a 100-ft Bailey Bridge in Kandy to restore connectivity in the region. The COAS' visit comes as part of India's continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries. Ministry of Defence had informed earlier that the COAS will visit Sri Lanka from 7-8 January. On arrival, the COAS will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army. He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary, and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security. During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India's strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka. General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers, the MoD further said. The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia. (ANI)
Tottori, Jan 06 (News On Japan) - A strong earthquake struck Tottori and Shimane prefectures at around 10:18 a.m. on January 6th, registering a maximum seismic intensity of upper 5 on Japans scale, with authorities confirming there is no risk of a tsunami.

Footage from an information camera in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, shows intense horizontal shaking continuing at the time of the quake.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was located in eastern Shimane Prefecture, with a focal depth of about 10 kilometers, and the magnitude of the earthquake is estimated at 6.2.

Video taken inside the BSS headquarters studio in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, shows a sudden, jolting vertical motion followed by horizontal shaking that lasted for more than 10 seconds.

Areas that recorded the maximum intensity of upper 5 include Sakaiminato City, Hino Town, and Kofu Town in Tottori Prefecture, as well as Matsue City and Yasugi City in Shimane Prefecture.

In Matsue, some apartment residents were seen evacuating outside after receiving emergency earthquake alerts.

Footage also shows the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant operated by Chugoku Electric Power in Matsue, where an upper 5 intensity was recorded. The utility said it is currently checking conditions at the site.

In the Sanin region, additional earthquakes measuring lower 5 and upper 4 have continued following the initial quake.

As there remains a risk of further strong shaking, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant.

Source: TBS
Steven Bartlett is engaged.

Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett is engaged

The Dragons' Den star popped the question to his long-term girlfriend, yoga entrepreneur Melanie Lopes, both 33, on Christmas Day (25.12.25) during a romantic getaway to Morocco, and presented her with a diamond engagement ring.

A source told MailOnline: "Steven and Melanie have been together for a long time, but their relationship really went up a notch after they started living together in both London and Los Angeles a couple of years ago.

"The proposal happened on Christmas Day while they were on holiday together in Morocco.

"Steven asked Melanie to marry him and presented her with a beautiful diamond engagement ring. She was thrilled to say, 'Yes.'

"They really are each other's soulmates and couldn't be happier."

And a spokesman for the couple told the publication: "We can confirm Steven and Melanie are engaged to be married. They are, naturally, both very, very happy."

Multimillionaire Steven - who runs social media marketing agency, The Social Chain, which was valued at 300million when it first entered the stock market - first met Melanie on Instagram in 2016.

They dated for a year before they split as he focused on his business.

Speaking about the challenge of juggling a relationship and his business, Steven - whose firm Steven.com, which houses his media ventures, was reportedly valued at 320 million in October 2025 - said during one of his live podcast shows in 2022: "The way it is with me, between the hours of say seven in the morning and nine o' clock at night, I am in the zone, I've got total tunnel vision.

"I honestly do not realise that there's anyone else outside of my business and rooms I sit in that exists in terms of my personal and private life.

"So if my family or girlfriend text me, or message me during the day, the chances of me engaging in that meaningfully in that period is virtually impossible.

"In the evenings, I'm often consumed with the day, and I find it hard to switch off and engage with other relationships, and that also costs those relationships."

However, The Diary of a CEO podcast host then flew out to Bali - where Melanie runs a breathwork and yoga retreat - in a bid to rekindle their romance, and the couple have been together ever since.
Tunisian opposition figures and civil society activists are sounding the alarm over what they describe as Algerias creeping interference in Tunisias domestic affairs.

Former President Moncef Marzouki has repeatedly warned that Algiers never stopped intervening and called recent pro-Saied rallies involving Algerian demonstrators a flagrant act of interference.

Lawyers and political commentators echo these concerns, citing leaked reports of a defense pact that could allow Algerian forces operational access inside Tunisia and obligate Tunis to notify Algiers of any foreign agreements, a scenario critics liken to a modern-day protectorate.

This backlash comes against the backdrop of Tunisias deepening economic crisis and diplomatic isolation.

With IMF talks stalled and foreign investment drying up, President Kais Saied has leaned heavily on Algerian charity and gas supplies covering nearly half of Tunisias needs and hundreds of millions in financial aid since 2020.

Tunisian critics argue that this dependency has translated into diplomatic alignment, from hosting Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to adopting stances that mirror Algiers on regional disputes.

Security cooperation, once framed as counter-terrorism solidarity, now raises sovereignty questions. Expanded intelligence sharing and joint military coordination blur operational boundaries, while critics warn of a governance model increasingly resembling Algerias own, marked by shrinking political space and harsh penalties for dissent.

For many Tunisians, Tunis is turning into an Algerian vassal or wilaya.
Algerias president Abdelmadjid Tebbounes latest address to Algerias parliament was billed as a roadmap for 2026. But the more he spoke the more it sounded more like a masterclass in myth creation and selective memory.

One of the highlights of all the blunders was when he said Algeria will boast a GDP of $400 billion in 2027. That means Aleria would need a growth rate of 35% or more annually.

Then Tebboune declared Algeria was the first country to invent insulin and blood sugar test kits, a statement that left historians and scientists scratching their heads.

He also insisted that the industrial sector accounts for 10% of GDP, though no credible data backs this up. Algeria relies almost entirely on oil and gas exports.

Meanwhile, unemployment benefits, he claimed, are higher than the minimum wage, a paradox that would make any economist wince.

On foreign policy, Tebboune defended the Polisario separatists by invoking self-determination, a principle he seems less eager to apply to Kabyle activists at home. His tone toward Tunisia was condescending, reinforcing perceptions of Algerias paternalistic posture in the Maghreb and the Sahel.

Perhaps the most striking moment was his boast that Gara Djebilet is the worlds third-largest iron ore mine, a claim as inflated as his GDP projections. Even Louiza Hanoune once revealed that Tebboune complained about receiving false data. Now, the president himself appears to be the chief purveyor of misinformation.
Two days after the US arrested and flew Venezuelan autocrat Nicolas Maduro to New York, Algeria went mute as stone, unable to condemn or express solidarity with its ally.

Maduro had met Tebboune in Algiers in 2022 and vowed to foster their alliance, coordinate in oil markets and open a direct air route.

The two leaders indulged in cold-war era rhetoric voicing similar positions on the Palestinian issue and the Polisario separatist agenda.

As Maduro braces for indictment in a US court, talkative Tebboune suddenly discovers the virtues of silence.

Silence is of virtue for Tebboune and the men in uniform pulling the strings of the regime because the spectacle in Caracas is a mirror Algeria cannot bear to look into.

Maduros fate shows that hollow slogans do not stop US helicopters. Algeria discovered through its allies that the myths of invincible armies have evaporated in a single afternoon.
Maya Jama is flying out to South Africa to host Love Island: All Stars following a battle with the flu.

Maya Jama hosts Love Island: All Stars

The 31-year-old star pulled out of launching the third series - which brings back memorable islanders from past seasons - at an industry event on Monday (05.01.26), just hours before her flight.

And in a health update on Instagram Stories that day, Maya said she is travelling to the country and is hoping the scorching heat in South Africa will kill the illness.

Captioning a photo of herself on a plane on her way to the country, she penned: "Used to spend this flight on the reds chatting away to the flight crew but entering this year wholesome.

"Lol truthfully the flu came in last minute to kick my a** for the last 24hrs.

"Vitamin c'd up and praying the sun deletes it all, next stop [South Africa flag emoji]. (sic)"

An insider told The Sun that "Maya pulled out" of the launch "after falling sick", the "same day shes due to fly out to South Africa as filming starts this week".

A representative for the star then confirmed Maya's illness, but insisted she "looks forward to the Love Island: All Stars premiere on January 12th".

Despite having pulled out of the launch, ITV bosses still lauded Maya for her work in presenting the programme.

Amanda Stavri, commissioning editor, said at the event: "Maya is the perfect host for Love Island. Shes cool, shes fun, shes sexy, shes a big fan of the show. I think she makes it feel really young and relevant, and she brings a great sort of energy to the show.

"Im just sorry that she cant be here with us, but I think her enthusiasm and her love for the show and her support of all the islanders really comes through."

In total, 12 previous islanders are hoping for another shot at finding love in the villa when the third series of Love Island: All Stars kicks off on January 12.

Whitney Adebayo, 28, Millie Court, 29, Belle Hassan, 27, and Charlie Frederick, 30, have been announced.

Ciaran Davies, 22, Jess Harding, 25, Sean Stone, 26, Shaq Muhammad, 27, and Jack Keating, 26, will also join them in the villa.

And Tommy Bradley, 22, Leanne Amaning, 28, and Helena Ford, 29, complete the line-up.

Love Island: All Stars starts on January 12 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Libyan demonstrators gathered, on Monday January 5, outside the headquarters of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in Janzour, denouncing what they described as escalating foreign interference in Libyan affairs. Protesters called for respect for Libyas sovereignty and urged an end to external influence that they say has deepened political instability.

Criticism was particularly directed at UNSMIL, with participants blaming the mission for prolonging political deadlock and obstructing electoral processes. They demanded a clear political roadmap towards forming a unified national government tasked with organizing free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections.

Concerns were also raised over the oil sector, with protesters condemning long-term smuggling and theft of crude oil as economic crimes and calling for an international investigation. The High National Elections Commission was urged to clarify reasons for electoral delays. Demonstrators warned that continued inaction could trigger open-ended popular escalation, holding the United Nations responsible for ensuing consequences.

Libyas parliament had confirmed in December that the first presidential election will not go ahead as planned, leaving the peace process in disarray.
U.S. republican congressman Lance Gooden has joined the list of lawmakers supporting the labelling of Algeria-backed Polisario group a terrorist organization, seeking to destabilize Morocco, strategic ally and long-standing partner of the United States.

A bipartisan legislation was introduced in June 2025 in the U.S. Congress to designate Polisario a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The legislation was sponsored by Representative Joe Wilson, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Democrat Jimmy Panetta.

The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act has gained so far the support of congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) and Randy Fine (R-FL) and more House Representatives are expected to join the momentum.

The H.R.4119 will restrict the Polisario movements abroad, freeze its funds in international banks, confiscate its assets, and ban any activities or gatherings related to the separatist group.

Any entity or country such as Algeria or South Africa associated with funding, supporting, or cooperating with the Polisario will face criminal charges and economic sanctions.
The third meeting of the Israel-Morocco Joint Military Committee (JMC), held lately in Tel Aviv, was crowned with the signing of an action plan for 2026.

The announcement was made by spokesperson of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The program included in-depth professional meetings and visits to Israeli Defense Forces units, defense industries, and other key security organizations.

Talks focused on long-term military capacity building, industrial projects, joint ventures, technology transfers, strategic planning, technological innovation, operational readiness and joint training.

A strategic panel at the heart of the meeting addressed ways to strengthen military capabilities, focusing on force development, long term planning and shared cooperation objectives.

The 2026 action plan aims to formalize these exchanges through regular mechanisms for coordination, training and technical cooperation.

Israel is Moroccos 3rd military supplier with a series of military acquisitions: 2 Ofek 13 satellites, Barak MX air & missile defense system, PULS rocket launcher system, Heron drones, ATMOS howitzers, SPYDER air defense system, LORA tactical ballistic missile

Israel is one of Moroccos military partners as it is involved in several industrial joint ventures and technology transfers in SpyX drone manufacturing and other drones, surveillance systems, etc.

Beyond its operational scope, the new plan carries significant geopolitical implications for Morocco. It forms part of the kingdoms broader effort to diversify its military partnerships as it continues modernizing the Royal Armed Forces, upgrading capabilities and adapting defense doctrine to evolving threats.

By cooperating with partners with advanced expertise, including in military technology, intelligence and cyber defense, Rabat seeks to enhance its strategic autonomy and deterrence posture in an unstable environment marked by a surge in cyberattacks, instability in Algeria and the Sahel and terrorism threats.

The approach reflects Moroccos positioning as a stability focused actor pursuing pragmatic security diplomacy while preserving strategic independence.

Military cooperation between Morocco and Israel has strengthened steadily in recent years, extending beyond diplomacy to concrete acquisitions. In 2025, Morocco selected Israeli company Elbit Systems to supply 36 Atmos 2000 self propelled artillery systems, mounted on Tatra trucks. The system is valued for its mobility, rapid deployment and operational flexibility.

This procurement follows earlier deals. In 2022, Morocco signed a contract with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Barak MX air defence and missile defence system, finalized after an official Israeli defense visit to Rabat and the signing of a bilateral defence cooperation agreement.

Much of the equipment has since been delivered and integrated into Moroccos defense capabilities. The kingdom has also acquired Heron type surveillance drones, bolstering its intelligence and territorial monitoring capacities.

The upward trajectory continued in 2024 with Moroccos order of two Ofek 13 satellites from IAI, in a contract estimated at one billion dollars. Delivery is expected within five years, making it the largest defense agreement between the two countries since diplomatic ties were restored. Successive acquisitions reflect a strategic shift centered on performance, cost effectiveness and industrial responsiveness.

Morocco is also pushing beyond equipment purchases to build domestic defense industry capacity. Israeli drone manufacturer BlueBird Aero Systems has reaffirmed plans to establish a SPY X drone production facility in Morocco. A Moroccan technical team recently completed advanced training at BlueBirds installations as part of a structured technology transfer program combining knowledge exchange and practical instruction. The initiative aims to launch Moroccos first local SPY X production line. BlueBird CEO Ronen Nadir stated in April 2024 that infrastructure for local manufacturing was already in place, with operational launch expected in the near future.

Morocco and Israel resumed diplomatic ties in late 2020 under US-brokered deal, Abraham Accords, seeking peace in the Middle East and around the world based on mutual understanding and coexistence, as well as respect for human dignity and freedom, including religious freedom.
With more than 40 companies having now registered their interest in Libyas first oil field licensing round since the removal of Muammar Gaddafi as leader in 2011, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) is confident it can lift oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2028, according to the latest statements from the organisation. The expressions of interest in the 22 offshore and onshore blocks to be licensed follow last years agreements between the NOC and Great Britains Shell and BP to assess Libyas exploration opportunities. Shortly after that, U.S. supermajor ExxonMobil inked a deal covering technical studies on a cluster of offshore blocks, while Chevron has also confirmed that it is planning a return to the country, having left in 2010. The key question for the oil markets, though, is does this influx of Western firms signal a genuinely more stable political backdrop in Libya that will allow it to finally make good on its oil potential?

There is certainly plenty of this to work with, as Libya remains the holder of Africas largest proved crude oil reserves, of 48 billion barrels. Before the removal of Gaddafi and the civil war that ensued, the country was producing around 1.65 million bpd of mostly high-quality light, sweet crude oil, notably the Es Sider and Sharara export crudes that are particularly in demand in the Mediterranean and Northwest Europe for their gasoline and middle distillate yields. This had been on a rising production trajectory, up from about 1.4 million bpd in 2000, albeit well below the peak levels of more than 3 million bpd achieved in the late 1960s, analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. That said, NOC plans were in place before 2011 to roll out enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques to increase crude oil production at maturing oil fields and the NOCs predictions of being able to increase capacity by around 775,000 bpd through EOR at existing oil fields looked well-founded. Around 80% of all of Libyas currently discovered recoverable reserves are located in the Sirte basin, which also accounts for most of the countrys oil production capacity, according to the Energy Information Administration. However, in the depths of the civil war, crude oil output fell to around 20,000 bpd, and although it has recovered now to just under 1.4 million bpd -- the highest level since mid-2013 -- various politically-motivated shutdowns in recent years have pushed this down to just over 500,000 bpd for prolonged periods.

Related: The Oil Ultimatum That Led to Maduros Capture

The problem for the Western firms now re-entering the country is that the core reasons behind these shutdowns have not been dealt with in any meaningful way. More specifically, at the time of signing the 18 September 2020 agreement that ended an economically devastating series of oil blockades across Libya at that time, Commander of the rebel Libyan National Army (LNA) General Khalifa Haftar made it clear that peace would be dependent on key objectives being met. Tripolis U.N.-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), and fellow signatory to the deal, Ahmed Maiteeq, agreed to such measures that would address how the countrys oil revenues would be distributed over the long term and how the countrys perilous financial position might be stabilised in the short term. At that point, the blockade from 18 January to 18 September had cost the country at least US$9.8 billion in lost hydrocarbons revenues. Key to this tentative agreement was the formation of a joint technical committee, which would  according to the official statement: Oversee oil revenues and ensure the fair distribution of resources and control the implementation of the terms of the agreement during the next three months, provided that its work is evaluated at the end of the 2020 and a plan is defined for the next year. In order to address the fact that the then-GNA effectively held sway over the NOC and, by extension, the Central Bank of Libya (in which the revenues are physically held), the committee would also prepare a unified budget that meets the needs of each party and the reconciliation of any dispute over budget allocations and will require the Central Bank [in Tripoli] to cover the monthly or quarterly payments approved in the budget without any delay, and as soon as the joint technical committee requests the transfer. None of these measures have since been put into place, which leaves fundamental flashpoints over the countrys core revenue stream remaining.

Instead, Washington and Londons broad strategy in Libya appears to be that Western firms should re-establish their presence on the ground across multiple sites in Libya and, through this presence and ongoing investment across the country, the resulting greater political leverage can be used to finally put such mechanisms for peace in place. It is a similar idea to that currently being rolled out in Syria, whose previous longtime leader (Bashar al-Assad) was also removed by the West among a backdrop of intense factionalism -- and widespread Russian interference -- across the country as well. That said, the Wests presence in Libya never retreated as much as it did in Syria. Back in 2021, when the NOC first flagged serious plans to significantly boost its oil output, at that point up to 1.6 million bpd and then perhaps to 2 million bpd, French oil giant Total (now TotalEnergies) agreed to continue with its efforts to increase oil production from the giant Waha, Sharara, Mabruk and Al Jurf oil fields by at least 175,000 bpd and to make the development of the Waha-concession North Gialo and NC-98 oil fields a priority, according to the NOC. The Waha concessions  in which Total took a minority stake in 2019  have the capacity to produce at least 350,000 bpd together, according to the NOC, which added that Total would also contribute to the maintenance of decaying equipment and crude oil transport lines that need replacing.

Following these developments, NOC subsidiary Waha Oil announced that it has increased crude oil production by 20% since 2024 by dint of intensive maintenance programs, reopening shut-in wells and drilling new ones. Recent NOC comments highlighted similar initiatives as being the catalyst for the latest uptick in output across the country, together with new discoveries by its subsidiary Agoco and Algeria's Sonatrach in the Ghadames Basin and Austria's OMV in the Sirte Basin. These efforts are part of the newly re-energised Strategic Programs Office (SPO), which was focused on boosting production to 1.6 million bpd within a year, before rising political tensions last year delayed such initiatives. The SPOs potential success also depends in part on the outcome of the current licensing round, as it needs around US$3-4 billion to reach the initial 2026/27 1.6 million bpd production target. That said, the 22 offshore and onshore blocks to be licensed include major sites in the Sirte, Murzuq, and Ghadamis basins as well as in the offshore Mediterranean region. In addition the firms already mentioned, U.S. supermajor ConocoPhillips has voiced its interest in expanding its operations in Libya beyond its current running of the Waha concession. From Europe, interest may well include Italys Eni, Spains Repsol, and Austrias OMV.

Meanwhile, Great Britains BP said last July that it had signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate options for redeveloping the giant Sarir and Messla onshore fields in the Sirte basin, and to assess potential unconventional oil and gas development. The firms executive vice president for gas and low carbon, William Lin, stated that the agreement, reflects our strong interest in deepening our partnership with NOC and supporting the future of Libyas energy sector. And given that Libyan oil production is exempt from OPEC+ quotas -- and is rarely priced in by markets until after the fact -- any major swing in output could once again tip the balance in a tight market, as it has done before.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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The shock-and-awe capture of Nicolas Maduro by the United States, which was the culmination of the U.S. pressure on Venezuela in recent months, ended a tumultuous chapter in the history of the South American nation sitting on 17% of the worlds proven oil reserves.

Maduros arrest and the installation of a U.S.-compliant leadership in Caracas open another chapter in Venezuelas history, which could be equally tumultuous and, in these early days, face uncertainties and operational challenges.

U.S. President Donald Trump wants the big U.S. oil firms to return to Venezuela and invest in rebuilding the oil infrastructure in the country holding the worlds biggest proven oil reserves, estimated at about 303 billion barrels.

Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC, has more oil reserves than each of its fellow OPEC members and top exporters in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Iran.

With Maduro out, U.S. oil giants are set to invest billions of U.S. dollars to fix the oil infrastructure and start making money for Venezuela, according to President Trump.

Were going to have our very large U.S. oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country, President Trump said on Saturday, shortly after the Venezuelan leader was captured and flown to the U.S. to face drug cartel-related charges in New York.

Related: The Oil Ultimatum That Led to Maduros Capture

The U.S. Presidents vision sounds like a great opportunity for the U.S. supermajors, of which only Chevron is currently authorized to operate in Venezuela and export the crude to the United States.

In reality, the mission to fix Venezuelas dilapidated oil infrastructure after decades of mismanagement and corruption would be a real challenge, the political and security situation on the ground permitting.

Analysts have started to quantify how much money it would take to resurrect Venezuelas industry. Its quite a lot, and will take at least a decade, even if U.S. oil firms were to flock to the opportunity, they say.

Returning Venezuelas oil production to the 1970s peak of 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd), more than triple the current output of about 1 million bpd, would need $10 billion in annual investment from U.S. oil majors over the next decade, Francisco Monaldi, director of Latin American energy policy at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy, told Bloomberg.

Thats $100 billion in total over a decade.

Chevron, the other U.S. supermajor, ExxonMobil, and the largest independent, ConocoPhillips, are all being mentioned as the firms that could drive a U.S.-led recovery of Venezuelas oil industry.

When late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez nationalized the countrys oil production in 2007, he forced Exxon and ConocoPhillips out. Exxon was entangled in an arbitration to recover its investments, while ConocoPhillips is still owed about $10 billion, which it seeks to recoup from the assets that Chavez ordered seized.

ConocoPhillips is monitoring developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for global energy supply and stability. It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments, a company spokesperson told Reuters.

U.S. firms are in no rush to return to Venezuela. Two days after Maduro was captured, its not certain whether there would be a profound change in the way Venezuela and its oil industry are being run.

I havent spoken to U.S. oil companies in the last few days, but were pretty certain that there will be dramatic interest from Western companies, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ABC in an interview on Sunday.

Non-Russian, non-Chinese companies will be very interested, Rubio added.

Our refineries in the Gulf Coast of the United States are the best in terms of refining this heavy crude, and theres actually been a shortage of heavy crude around the world, so I think there would be tremendous demand and interest from private industry if given the space to do it, if given the opportunity to do it.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The once-thriving UK North Sea oil and gas province survived 2025, the most difficult year since the 1960s when hydrocarbons were first discovered in the basin.

Oil and gas production from the mature fields continued to decline last year, while uncertainties increased as industry expected changes to the UK governments policy that places an enormous tax burden on operators without incentives or investment allowances. Companies active in the UK offshore oil and gas sector reduced investments and froze plans in the face of heightened uncertainty.

With the pullback in investment and the governments reluctance to award new licenses, exploration in the UK North Sea plunged to an all-time low. Due to unpredictable fiscal policies, 2025 became the first year since 1960 without a single exploration well in Britains offshore, consultancy Wood Mackenzie has warned.

Windfall Tax Suppresses Investment

The UK oil and gas industry received clarity at the end of 2025 about the fiscal regime that it was awaiting for more than six months.

The government removed most of the uncertainty with the Autumn Budget in November. But it left the windfall tax unchanged as-is until 2030contrary to the pleas and warnings from the sector that the total tax rate, including the windfall tax, of 78% and no incentives or allowances would essentially tax the industry and its supply chain to death.

In fact, the only certainty that the industry received was that the punitive tax, officially known as Energy Profits Levy (EPL), remains until the end of the decade. For 2025, the levy was triggered by oil prices above $76 per barrel or natural gas prices 59 pence per therm. Oil prices were mostly below the threshold, but gas prices have remained above 59p a therm, which triggers the 35% windfall tax on profits.

Last year was terrible for the UK North Sea. Industry sentiment is that the horrible years arent over and an accelerated decline in investment and exploration would kill the industry and increase Britains need for oil and gas imports, exposing one of Europes top economies even more to the volatile international oil, gas, and LNG markets.

Related: Oil Eyes Supply Disruptions as Venezuela Rebuild Talk Falls Flat

The windfall tax, first introduced by a Conservative government at the height of the 2022 energy crisis and now extended under Labour, would wipe out all non-essential investment in the UK shelf, as it would compete with friendlier tax jurisdictions, according to WoodMac.

The government turned down 50 billion of investment for the UK and the chance to protect the jobs and industries that keep this country running, Offshore Energies UK chief executive, David Whitehouse, said in response to the decision to keep the windfall tax as-is.

Instead, theyve chosen a path that will see 1,000 jobs continue to be lost every month, more energy imports and a contagion across supply chains and our industrial heartlands, Whitehouse added.

The Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said its Lights out for North Sea oil and gas as Chancellor keeps windfall tax.

The Chambers chief executive, Russell Borthwick, commented that instead of heeding advice from industry, the UK Government has instead opted for a cliff-edge end to North Sea production and to tax the industry to death inside five years. Jobs will be lost in their thousands as a direct result of this governments failure to act.

The levy has prompted many companies to halt investment in the UK and move to cut workforce numbers in recent years.

The latest announcement came from one of the top independent producers, Harbour Energy, which last month said it expects to reduce employee numbers by another 100, on top of 600 jobs already eliminated since 2023.

Harbour Energys chief executive, Linda Cook, told the Financial Times at the end of December that the UK is the worst of the fiscal environments among all the countries that [we] operate in.

Due to the fiscal regime, the UK industry is forced to compete with other jurisdictions with one arm tied behind its back, Cook told FT.

Survival of the Fittest Mergers

In the unfriendly fiscal environments, operators in the UK North Sea are resorting to alternative solutions to boost profits and create value for shareholders. Mergers have become the most common of these solutions as the industry consolidates to cope with the punitive tax rate.

Last month, Harbour Energy announced an acquisition in the UK North Sea as the industry seeks to weather the crippling effects of the UK windfall tax.

This transaction is an important step for Harbour in the UK North Sea, building on the action weve already taken to sustain our position in the basin given the ongoing fiscal and regulatory challenges, said Scott Barr, Managing Director of Harbours UK Business Unit, commenting on the deal to buy Waldorf Energy Partners Ltd and Waldorf Production Ltd, currently in administration, for $170 million.

Harbour Energy became the latest operator in the UK to announce acquisitions, following the launch of the 50/50 joint venture of Shell and Equinor, which combined their offshore UK oil and gas operations in a new company, Adura. Earlier in December, French supermajor TotalEnergies said it would merge its upstream UK business with NEO NEXT to create the biggest independent oil and gas producer in Britain, NEO NEXT+.

Analysts expect the consolidation drive to continue, while the industry continues to call on the government to reform the fiscal regime.

Restoring North Sea investment does not mean abandoning climate commitments; it is necessary to safeguard jobs, stabilise the economy, and maintain a bridge to a cleaner energy future, UKs energy and chemicals group Ineos, which has halted UK investments, said last month.

How can businesses invest in that future if they are being driven to ruin?

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Crude oil began trade this year with a dip, despite the news about U.S. strikes on Venezuela and the taking of President Nicolas Maduro to the U.S. Normally, such events would have pushed oil higher, but not this year. This year, oil prices will need a much more major disruption to rebound  and so will gas prices.

Brent crude was trading at a little over $60 per barrel at the start of the first full trading week of 2026, after President Trump announced the capture of the Venezuelan president, accompanied by statements regarding the countrys oil industry.

Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure and start making money for the country, the U.S. president said during the weekend.

Analyses of the situation followed immediately, pointing out the challenges of turning words into action. These include costs, with the Wall Street Journal citing estimates of $10 billion a year to turn Venezuelas oil industry around, and political stability. The potential to boost Venezuelan production hinges on capital, which in turn depends on political stability and likely requires guarantees from the U.S. government, Jefferies analysts wrote on Sunday.

In other words, despite the initial shock of the U.S. incursion into the country with the largest oil reserves, no immediate change in the global oil supply situation is on the horizon, and if there is a change, it would bring more, rather than less oil to consumers, adding to the bearish sentiment among traders.

Related: The Oil Ultimatum That Led to Maduros Capture

OPEC+s reiteration of the pause in production builds at the groups latest meeting did nothing to change that sentiment, either. First of all, the affirmation was expected, and second, it is widely seen as the only path for OPEC+ after a year during which oil benchmarks shed close to 20% regardless of the groups cuts. The producers group said the global market was well balanced going into 2026making it one of the few entities that share this belief.

For most, it is going to be a very bearish year for oil. Per Kpler, oil on tankers has risen further from the record high reached last year and now stands at the highest since April 2020, Reuters Clyde Russell noted in a recent report. Of course, it bears noting that a lot of this oil is in transit to its buyers but the amount in its totality appears to be of concern to market observers.

The European Union is a case in point. Brussels last year signed a commitment to buy $750 billion worth of U.S. energy commodities over a period of three years. While the undertaking was quickly revealed to be physically impossible, expectations were for some increase in energy commodity purchases. Instead, the EU actually spent less on U.S. crude and liquefied gasand not just because of lower prices.

Per Reuters Russell, the European Union bought an average 1.73 million barrels daily of U.S. crude oil in 2025. That was down from 1.91 million barrels daily a year earlier. LNG imports, to be fair, increased, and they increased strongly, going from 45.14 million tons in 2024 to as much as 72.24 million tons in 2025. Even with that surge, the EUs total energy commodity imports from the United States were worth $82.3 billion last year, as opposed to commitments to spend $250 billion that year.

Leaving aside unrealistic import commitments, China is also signaling weakening demand for both crude oil and liquefied gas, which pressured prices last year and will likely continue pressuring them this year. China has been stocking up on crude oil, taking advantage of the price discount, especially for sanctioned crude from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, and this has strengthened the impression that it is using less oil than it buys, even if the lead motive of the stockpiling push is to make the most of the price situation.

But LNG demand from China is weaker than many imagined, too, and it is buying from Russia. In the meantime, new U.S. export projects are expected to start operations this year, adding to supplyand to pressure on prices. This is making the situation complicated for the industry because weaker gas prices in Europethe biggest importer of U.S. liquefied gasare driving down profit margins for exporters. Analysts warn that if the price falls further, LNG exporters will lose their incentive to keep exporting so much LNG.

U.S. LNG has made outstanding margins since late 2021, but those margins have come back to more normal levels now as the market has stabilised and new LNG capacity starts coming online, MST Marquees head of energy research, Saul Kavonic, told Reuters in December. Now, the margins are slipping below normal, and if the spread between the U.S. gas benchmark and the European TTF narrows to below $4 per mmBtu, many exporters would have to start dialing back production.

The new year, then, is, for now at least, not serving any surprises in energy commodity fundamentals. Yet it could be the year when we see the start of a market correction prompted by the perception of weak demand and oversupply.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Oil inches higher as traders are more focused on short term effects of the Venezuela oil blockade than longer term supply additions.

Trumps Venezuela Shock Jolts Energy Markets Awake

- Trumps ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has breathed new life into stale oil markets, particularly for US equities that are believed to benefit from cheap Venezuelan crude.

- Even though less than a week has passed so far in 2026, shares of US oil major Chevron are already up 8% since the beginning of the year, with refiner Valero Energy posting an even more impressive 11% jump.

- US President Trump has also stated that the government could subsidize energy companies that will help rebuild Venezuela, pledging to have US firms in Venezuela up and running in less than 18 months.

- According to media reports, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to meet top executives from US oil companies later this week after it transpired that neither ExxonMobil nor Chevron were consulted before the military capture of Maduro.

- The S&P 500 Energy index has risen by 5% in 2025 to date, compared to a 0.4% increase in the wider S&P 500.



Market Movers



- Colombias state energy firm Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) has assumed 100% interest and operatorship of all offshore blocks in Colombias maritime zone, following Shells (LON:SHEL) relinquishing of three offshore gas projects.

- Italys energy major ENI (BIT:ENI) has spun off its refining business, encompassing plants in Sannazzaro, Taranto, Milazzo and Livorno, into a new unit called Eni Industrial Evolution, continuing with its satellite strategy.

- US utility firm Vistra (NYSE:VST) has agreed to buy Cogentrix Energy for approximately $4.7 billion, boosting its portfolio by 10 natural gas-fired power plants across PJM, ISO and ERCOT, with the transaction expected to close by late 2026.

- French energy giant TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) has formed a new joint venture in Nigeria with Chevron (NYSE:CVX), farming out a 40% stake in the PPL 2000 and PPL 2001 exploration licences.

Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Even though US President Trumps kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro has failed to trigger a notable upward movement in oil prices, ICE Brent has little by little recouped some of Decembers losses and is now already trading above $62 per barrel. Whilst the White House tries to entice US majors to return to Venezuela, embargo-driven supply disruptions are much more likely over the upcoming weeks than production increases.

OPEC+ Hits Snooze Button on Unwinding Plans. OPEC+ members confirmed their previous decision to keep production quotas flat in Q1 2026, citing market stability concerns and a seasonally weaker demand outlook, leaving 1.24 million b/d of COVID-era output cuts still unwound.

US Oil Majors Brush Off Trump Pressure. Chief executives of US oil majors ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) or Chevron (NYSE:CVX) have all declared that they were not consulted about a potential return to Venezuela, before and after President Maduros capture on January 3.

Venezuela Starts Cutting Oil Production. Venezuelas state oil company PDVSA has started to shut in wells as the US fleet tightens the noose around oil exports, asking joint venture partners to disconnect up to 10 wells per project, impacting CNPCs Petrosinovensa and Chevrons Petroboscan.

A Buyer Is Found for UKs Bankrupted Refinery. US refining major Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) has agreed to purchase the assets and infrastructure of the Lindsey oil refinery in northern England, shuttered after last years bankruptcy of its owner Prax, vowing to integrate its facilities into its Humber plant.

Trump Warns India of Higher Tariffs on Russian Imports. US President Trump warned Indias authorities that the White House could raise import tariffs on India  already at a punitive rate of 50% - if New Delhi doesnt meet its demands of curbing purchases of Russian crude oil.

Indias Largest Refiner Flags Strategy Shift. Indias largest refinerm Reliance Industriesm has stated that it is not expecting any Russian crude deliveries in January, potentially sending the South Asian countrys imports of Russian oil closer to 1 million b/d after a 1.2 million b/d average last month.

Norways Oil Giant Takes US to Court. Norways energy giant Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) announced it had filed a civil suit in a US District Court, challenging the US Department of the Interiors decision to suspend $5 billion Empire Wind project, demanding a temporary injunction to allow construction.

Saudi Arabia Continues Slashing Asian Prices. Saudi Arabias state oil firm Saudi Aramco has lowered its formula prices for February-loading cargoes to Asia by 20-30 cents per barrel, with its benchmark Arab Light grade selling for a mere $0.30/barrel premium over the Oman/Dubai average.

Copper Shoots Up on Supply Disruptions. Copper prices surged to a new all-time high after media broke the story of Capstone Coppers (TSO:CS) Mantoverde mine in northern Chile halting production due to industrial action, sending the three-month LME contract to $13,370/mt.

Indonesias Oil Output Drops After Fire. According to Indonesias Ministry of Energy, crude oil production in the country has fallen by 16-17% to around 500,000 b/d, down by some 90,000 b/d after a gas pipeline explosion at the Rokan block, impacting power generation at upstream sites.

Record Fine Slapped on Offshore Pipeline Operator. US authorities have slapped a record $9.6 million penalty on Third Coast, the owner of an oil gathering pipeline (MPOG) off the coast of Louisiana, after a November 2023 incident released 27,000 barrels of crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

Washington Doubles Down on Enrichment Capacity. The US Energy Department has awarded contracts totalling $2.7 billion to three companies with the aim of boosting uranium enrichment over the next 10 years, as Russia remains the only country capable of making high-assay uranium.

Chinese Brands Outsell Tesla in Europe. Chinas leading EV carmaker BYD (SHE:002594) outsold Tesla last year in Europes two largest electric vehicle markets  Germany and the United Kingdom  posting an eye-opening 706% and 485% annual growth rate for the two respective countries.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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If 2025 felt like a year of mixed signals in energy markets, 2026 will feel like a contradiction. We are entering a year defined by divergencea paradox in which the world has too much of what once worried us most, and not nearly enough of what we assumed would always be there.

For much of the last half-century, energy security essentially meant oil supply. In 2025, that definition began to change. In 2026 and over the next few years, it will shift even more. The new constraint is not barrelsit is electrons. Reliable, dispatchable power has become the scarcest energy commodity in the developed world.

The year ahead will be shaped by two opposing forces: a surplus of liquid fuels and a growing shortage of firm electricity. For investors, policymakers, and energy companies alike, understanding this splitthe glut versus the crunchwill be essential to navigating the next twelve months.

The Oil Glut: Lower Prices, Lower Returns

Oil still dominates energy headlines, but the fundamentals heading into 2026 are unmistakable. If you are bullish on crude prices, you are swimming upstream against a mounting body of evidence.

The geopolitical fear premium that supported oil prices through 2024 and early 2025 has largely faded. Supply growth has not only continuedit has diversified. The global oil map is no longer centered on OPEC and U.S. shale alone. Instead, production growth is increasingly driven by what might be called the Atlantic Basin Triad: the United States, Brazil, and Guyana.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Brazil and Guyana together account for nearly half of projected global production growth in 2026. Guyanas offshore development remains one of the fastest ramps in modern oil history, while Brazils pre-salt fields continue to exceed expectations.

At the same time, the International Energy Agency projects a global surplus approaching four million barrels per day in 2026. Even after trimming its forecast late in 2025, the IEA warned of an unusual level of surplus forming in global markets.

Demand growth is also losing momentum. Chinalong the single most important source of incremental oil demandis undergoing a structural shift. Its rapid adoption of electric vehicles likely represents a permanent erosion of future oil consumption.

Absent a major geopolitical shockalways a possibilityBrent crude is likely to struggle to hold the $60-per-barrel level in 2026.

For investors, this has clear implications. The easy gains in pure-play exploration and production are likely behind us. In a $60 oil world, margins compress quickly for smaller shale producers. The relative winners are integrated majors with strong balance sheets, diversified revenue streams, and the ability to acquire distressed assets while maintaining dividends.

Natural Gas: The Global Reconnection

While oil faces oversupply, natural gas enters 2026 from a position of strengthening fundamentals. After years of being trapped within North America, U.S. gas is increasingly connecting with global markets.

The LNG wave will reach new heights in 2026. Major export facilitiessuch as Golden Pass in Texas and Plaquemines in Louisianaare scheduled to come online, materially expanding U.S. liquefaction capacity.

That shift has two profound consequences.

First, it puts a firmer floor under domestic gas prices. With more export capacity available, excess supply can be absorbed overseas. Sustained Henry Hub prices below $2.50 per MMBtu become far less likely.

Second, it cements the United States as a central pillar of global energy security. Europes costly and ongoing separation from Russian pipeline gas has created a long-term reliance on LNG, and U.S. exports are increasingly filling that gap.

Natural gas in 2026 is a bridge in more ways than one. It connects U.S. producers to global demand, and it serves as the indispensable complement to renewablesproviding reliable power for an economy that increasingly depends on always-on electricity.

The Power Crunch: Electrons Are the New Barrels

The most consequential energy story of 2026 is not oil or gas. It is the power grid.

If 2025 was the year we talked about AIs energy appetite, 2026 will be the year it collides with physical reality. The scale of data-center construction is running headlong into a system built for decades of stagnant demand.

That collision became impossible to ignore after PJM Interconnectionthe largest grid operator in the United Statesconducted its late-2025 capacity auction. Prices surged dramatically, sending a clear signal that the grid is short on firm power.

After nearly twenty years of flat electricity demand, the U.S. is now experiencing sustained load growth of 23% annually. Data centers, electrification, reshoring, and population growth are all contributing. For a capital-intensive industry accustomed to stagnation, this is transformative and disruptive.

Wind and solar continue to expand, but they cannot solve this problem alone. Data centers require extreme reliability. They cannot pause operations when the sun sets or the wind dies.

That reality is forcing a pragmatic shift in 2026.

Natural gas generation is staging a revival, as utilities delay coal retirements and fast-track new peaker plants. At the same time, nuclear power is reentering the conversation in a meaningful way. For the first time in decades, large customersparticularly technology firmsare willing to pay a premium for carbon-free baseload power.

What This Means for Investors

The divergence between fuel abundance and infrastructure scarcity creates a very different investment landscape.

First, upstream exposure becomes less attractive. With oil prices under pressure, the safest place in the hydrocarbon value chain is the toll road. Midstream companies are paid on volumes, not prices, and volumes are hitting records. Pipelines, export terminals, and processing facilities benefit regardless of where oil settles within a relatively narrow range.

Second, real assets tied to power become increasingly valuable. In 2026, the most desirable real estate is not office spaceit is a grid interconnection. Companies that already own unregulated generation, particularly nuclear and efficient gas plants in deregulated markets, are positioned to benefit directly from scarcity pricing.

Third, utilities deserve renewed attention. Long viewed as defensive and dull, regulated utilities are entering a growth phase as rate bases expand to accommodate grid upgrades. The key risk remains regulatory lag: whether rate increases can keep pace with capital spending. Investors should favor utilities operating in jurisdictions that recognize the urgency of grid investment.

The Bottom Line

The energy challenges of 2026 look nothing like those of the 1970s. The world is not running out of oil. It is running out of infrastructure.

Crude markets are oversupplied, margins are tightening, and returns are increasingly uneven. At the same time, electricityreliable, dispatchable electricityhas become the defining constraint on economic growth.

The world is drowning in oil, but it is starving for power. Investors who recognize that distinction early will be positioned far better than those still fighting the last energy war.

By Robert Rapier

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Millie Court has already been receiving DMs from Love Island: All Stars co-stars.

Millie Court is returning to Love Island

The 29-year-old beauty - who won the show with Liam Reardon in 2021 - is in South Africa ahead of the show's return next week and she revealed some of the hunks who will be joining her in the villa have already tried their luck.

However, Millie has refused to respond because she'd rather strike up a connection in person.

She told The Sun: Do you know what? There has been a few people Ive seen [in my DMs], but I havent responded I want it to be a surprise when Im in there.

I think connection is so important, I might think youre fit but we might not get on.

So, I didnt think there was any point in responding. I mean, if theyre going in, Ill see you on it, mate!

Lets wait and see, no point in chatting on Instagram before, is there? In person is so much better.

Millie and Liam split last year amid the difficulties of her living in London and him being based in Wales, and she's insisted she won't go through another long-distance romance.

She said: They would need to move to London. No further than that!

And the reality star has strict criteria for her next partner, having ruled out anyone shorter than her or much younger.

She said: Ive got a very specific type, I very much need someone who is taller than me because Im quite tall for a girl, especially when Ive got heels on.

Im very strict with that, and I think maybe thats not working. So, maybe I need to switch it up a little, but then, no, a short king is not happening!

Id like someone over 30, ideally. But if not, then late twenties. 26, 27, 28 is fine!

Other female islanders making their return include Jess Harding (series 10 winner), Whitney Adebayo (from series 10), Belle Hassan (series five islander), Helena Ford (series 12 islander) and Leanne Amaning (series six islander).

Meanwhile, Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating's son Jack has also signed up and is desperate to "redeem" himself after a short-lived stay in the villa when he originally appeared in series eight.

The 26-year-old star said: "I feel like I have to come back and redeem myself, my experience before was short and sweet, I was in there for four days and I didn't couple up with anyone, so it didn't really go to plan. The revenge tour is here! I've been single for a year now and I'm looking for love."

Other male contestants include Ciaran Davies (series 11 islander), Sean Stone (series 11 islander), Tommy Bradley (series 12 islander), Charlie Frederick (series four islander) and Shaq Muhammad (series nine islander).
If youve been watching global headlines lately, it would be easy to assume oil prices would be sky-high: a major oil-reserve country mired in crisis, sanctions on perennial producers, regional conflicts simmering, and social unrest in several exporters. And yet Brent and WTI have been languishing around $60 a barrel, a level that, a decade ago, most analysts would have dismissed as impossible in such conditions

Whats happening?

At first glance, the logic of oil pricing should be straightforward: supply risk should mean higher prices. But todays market tells a very different story, one where geopolitical shocks dont automatically translate into price shocks.

The Changing Nature of Supply Risk

Take Venezuela, the poster child of dysfunctional oil production. Sitting on the worlds largest proven crude reserves, youd expect its political upheavals to roil markets. In reality, Venezuelas output has already shrivelled over years of mismanagement, sanctions, and capital flight. What matters most to traders isnt headline reserve totals, its actual barrels available to buy, ship, refine, and burn. Caracas no longer moves global supply balance sheets in any meaningful way. This is also unlikely to change with the US intervention, as companies require a stable regime to operate in. Such is a long way away in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, traditional trouble spots like Russia and Iran are constrained by sanctions more than geology. Their exports find buyers, but often at steep discounts and under complex legal and logistical workarounds. Oil markets have, over the past decades, learned to price sanctions as part of the baseline, not an extraordinary disturbance.

Demand Is the New Wild Card

Whats truly different now isnt just supply, its demand behavior.

A decade ago, oil demand growth was almost a given. Emerging markets industrialized en masse; transportation fuel demand climbed inexorably; industrial energy use marched upward. Today, that certainty has fractured. Efficiency gains, electrification of vehicles, alternative fuels and regulatory pressures have altered the trajectory. Even in markets where oil demand hasnt peaked, its plateauing, or at best growing slowly.

In todays world, traders dont simply ask: Will supply tighten?

They increasingly ask: Will demand growth falter before supply truly tightens?

That shift matters. A potential drop in consumption, driven by EV uptake, fuel efficiency, and energy transition policies, is far more price-inhibiting than any single supply disruption is price-supporting.

Strategic Stocks and Spare Capacity

Another layer to this puzzle is the buffering effect of strategic reserves and spare capacity. Where once a refinery outage or pipeline strike would send instant ripples through crude curves, today there are more mechanisms to cushion temporary disruptions. Strategic Petroleum Reserves, coordinated production management by OPEC+, and stock builds in consuming economies are all part of a toolkit that dampens sharp price spikes.

In other words: markets arent as quick to panic. They assume that if one area falters, another can fill gaps at least temporarily. That assumption has become baked into pricing algorithms and risk premia.

A Broader Shift Underway

Perhaps the most profound change isnt in oil markets alone, its in the broader energy landscape. The global energy transition has expanded the palette of strategic fuels. Renewables and gas are increasingly central to power generation. Electrification is eating into transportation demand. Energy systems are becoming more localized and less dependent on seaborne crude. These trends dont make oil irrelevantbut they do reduce the hammer-lock that geopolitical risk once had on prices.

The result: oil markets behaving less like they used to.

So, Is Oil Still Critical?

Yes, but in a different way.

Oil remains essential for aviation, shipping, petrochemicals, and many industrial processes. Its not suddenly optional. But the markets muted response to geopolitical disruption suggests something structural has changed.

Oil is still a strategic commodity, but its no longer the sole arbiter of energy security. Its price now reflects not only geopolitical risk, but demand uncertainty, competitive fuels, and a world in transition. And in that world, crises that once guaranteed a spike in prices now barely trouble the markets equilibrium. Thats not just a market signal, its a reflection of a broader energy evolution thats well underway.

By Leon Stille for Oilprice.com

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While Russia and China have vociferously condemned the US operation in Venezuela to take the countrys strongman, Nicolas Maduro, into custody, Central Asian governments are adopting a restrained approach to the latest demonstration of American gunboat diplomacy. Oil interests appear to be a factor in shaping international reactions.

No Central Asian state, as of January 5, has issued an official reaction to Maduros capture and the apparent US intention to take control of Venezuelas oil industry. They have little incentive to do so, given the Trump administrations heightened interest in engaging with the region: President Trump has even invited Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the G20 summit in 2026. To criticize, then, risks upending the positive dynamic in relations with the United States, while any expression of support for US actions would be sure to elicit displeasure in Moscow and Beijing.

The main thing is to maintain stability and prudence, observing events from the sidelines, a Kazakh news outlet, Arasha.kz, cited a regional expert, Marat Shibutov, as saying. He was referring specifically to Kazakhstan, but implicitly, his view covers all Central Asian states.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, issued a barrage of statements assailing the Trump administrations aggressive actions, and the unacceptable encroachment on the sovereignty of an independent state. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law. Subsequently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned Washington for acting like a global judge.

Underpinning the regional reaction to the geopolitical earthquake in Venezuela is concern about the implications for global energy markets.

In Kazakhstan, Central Asias leading oil producer, expert analysis is mixed, seeing no near-term impact on Kazakh oil exports and revenues, while raising concerns about potential longer-term consequences.

According to some estimates, Venezuela possesses up to 20 percent of the worlds proven oil reserves. At its peak in the late 1990s, the country produced roughly 3.5 million barrels per day. But dilapidated infrastructure and other factors now limit production to under 1 million bpd. Trump has vowed that US energy companies will restore Venezuelas infrastructure and production capacity without articulating a clear-cut plan to do so.

Central Asian energy analysts believe maximizing the South American states production potential will take years and require billions in investment. Opinion differs on the near-term price of oil following the US move.

The key problem with Venezuelan oil lies in its quality: it is very viscous, more difficult to extract, and the cost is high. Therefore, a rapid increase in production there is almost physically impossible, the Forbes.kz outlet quoted Askar Ismailov, an analyst at the Geneva-based Global Gas Centre, as saying.

It is not profitable for the Americans to simply give away market share, but they will not flood the market at a loss either, Ismailov added, predicting that prices would remain comparatively stable in the immediate term.

Baurzhan Shurmanov, a Kazakh economist, believes that prices could fluctuate somewhat, depending mainly on political developments that could foster supply uncertainty. Shurmanov, in comments published by the Kazakh outlet Arbat.Media, said that if Venezuela eventually revives daily production to 3-3.5 million bpd, such a development could alter the balance of power in energy markets.

US control of the Venezuelan oil sector can have an immediate and profound impact on the primary recipients of exports today  Cuba and China. Uncertainty now hovers over the billions that China has invested in Venezuelas oil sector over the past decade. Beijing imported approximately 470,000 bpd of Venezuelan oil in 2025, according to Reuters, while Cuba covers roughly 40 percent of its energy import needs with Venezuelan crude. A cutoff of shipments would hit Cuba particularly hard, recreating conditions reminiscent of the special period in the mid-1990s.

An analysis published by Zakon.kz outlet portrayed the US power play in Venezuela as the most significant geopolitical upheaval of the decade, adding that if Venezuelan production increases by 1.5 million bpd from current levels it could become a powerful deterrent to price increases. Prices could drop to $50-$55 per barrel.

That would be very bad news for Russia, and to a lesser extent, Kazakhstan.

Shurmanov indicated that a significant expansion of Venezuelan supplies and stable prices in the $50-range could reduce some of [Kazakhstans] significance as a supplier, while putting a significant dent in state revenues.

Elsewhere, sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska warned the US takeover of Venezuelas oil is a potentially calamitous development for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whose government relies heavily on oil and gas revenues to maintain an authoritarian system at home and the countrys war effort in Ukraine.

Looking beyond the grinding war of attrition in Ukraine, which has already drained Russia of a lot of its fiscal resilience, the potential losses to the state budget from a $50 per barrel price could cause the Putinist system to teeter.

Our sacred state capitalism will find it difficult to leave everything as it is: not to cut costs, not to get rid of non-core assets, and to continue engaging in grandiose projects without the necessary competencies and without the participation of private business to develop competition, Deripaska wrote on his Telegram channel.

He went on to indicate that Putin is already squeezing private business to cover state revenue gaps. In the coming year, he predicted that businesses will shoulder the main burden of taxation, thus stifling growth and sowing discontent in Russias business and finance sectors.

By Euarsianet

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Officials from the more than 30 Western countries of the so-called Coalition of the Willing that support Kyiv in its war with Russia will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they continue to fine-tune a peace proposal aimed at ending Europe's largest and deadliest conflict since World War II.

There will also be a US presence at the meeting on January 6, with President Donald Trumps chief negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner present in the French capital, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio is unlikely to come despite some hopes in European capitals that he would be attending as well.

European officials told RFE/RL that there is a renewed sense of urgency after a meeting over the weekend of national-security advisers and a gathering of military planners on January 5.

They hope the Paris gathering will ensure that the United States, Ukraine, and other European nations are on the same page.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he hopes to present concrete commitments to Ukraines security after the talks. The idea is that there should be clarity on the make-up and deployment of a peacekeeping force in the event of a cease-fire.

Some officials say the number that is floating around in various European capitals is that the force will consist of 15,000-20,000 troops, though some hope the level will be closer to 30,000 working under the motto safe sea, sky and land.

No military plans have been revealed but the bulk of the troops would come from France and the UK, which would lead the land and air component while Turkey has indicated that they would be in charge of securing transport lanes in the Black Sea.

However, there has been no clarity yet on how close a potential Coalition of the Willing force would be to the point of contact. Most European officials RFE/RL has been in contact with believe that the likely deployment would be in Western Ukraine to back-up and train Ukrainian troops.

Unresolved Questions

While the outlines of a Western presence in Ukraine are taking shape, there are still several question marks to sort out, including the rules of engagement and US security guarantees.

One European diplomat admitted that one issue that still hasn't been resolved is how to respond to a potential Russian attack. We are essentially still discussing whether we will return fire or run, he said.

When it comes to US security guarantees, both Brussels and Kyiv are increasingly optimistic that Washington will provide a solid backstop even though it is still not clear yet exactly what shape or form this will take.

European officials told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity that there could be US boots on the ground in a non-combat role observing the cease-fire.

But the coalition also hopes Washington will still provide back-office support such as logistics and intelligence.

In November 2025, Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept a 28-point peace proposal that many saw as heavily favoring Russia.

Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- scrambled to develop a counterproposal, eventually putting forward a 20-point plan that took in more of Kyiv's interests, especially on security guarantees and territorial integrity.

In his meetings with the Europeans, Zelenskyy is likely to press the need for security guarantees -- from Europe but also in conjunction with desired solid assurances from the United States as well.

Thorny Issues

Ukraines chief negotiator Ruslan Umerov recently asserted that "most of the positions -- 90 percent of the peace plan -- have already been agreed, work continues on the details."

These details, expected to be discussed in Paris, include the thorny issue of territorial concessions with Ukraine pushing the line of contact to be frozen or for the entire Donbas region to become a demilitarized zone.

Another issue is the ownership of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, with Kyiv dismissing the idea of Ukraine and Russia running it together, preferring that the United States steps in to sell energy from it to Moscow instead.

Few in Brussels, however, are thinking that Russia would agree on any of these issues with the assessment that the Kremlin still feels it is winning on the battlefield.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said several times in recent weeks that Moscow will achieve the goals of what it calls its "special military operation" either by agreement or force.

With that in mind, the EU is separately preparing a fresh round of sanctions, the 20th since the full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, which is likely to be presented to its member states for approval later in January.

By RFE/RL

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As 2026 begins, energy markets are reacting less to supply outages than to how governments are choosing to act. The removal of Venezuelas president, instability along the Red Sea, and rising uncertainty around Iran have altered assumptions about restraint, escalation, and control. This piece examines four locations where those changes are already influencing energy risk.

Venezuela: Decapitation Without Control

The headlining news, of course, is that Nicolas Maduro has been captured during a U.S. military and intelligence operation, removed from Venezuela, and placed in U.S. custody. President Donald Trump has said the United States intends to run affairs in Caracas and has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops to do so. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was named acting president, a move publicly endorsed by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who then ordered nationwide military mobilization. The armed forces remain intact and under existing command. PDVSA continues operating at reduced levels, but exports and payment channels are constrained by U.S. enforcement.

Several Latin American governments have condemned the U.S. action and rejected its legitimacy. At the same time, Washington has sidelined the opposition, with Trump publicly dismissing Maria Corina Machado as lacking domestic support, leaving no opposition figure positioned to assume power. Over the past day, the acting administration has moderated its public language, stressing stability, dialogue, and continuity in oil operations, while continuing to reject the legality of Maduros seizure.

This isnt classic regime change. Its more like a forced transition. Maduro is gone, but the system he ran is still in place. The military command, internal security services, and senior civilian administrators remain intact, and Lopezs alignment with the acting leadership underscores that cohesion. The people now managing day-to-day affairs are not simply caretakers. They have been running sanctions workarounds, oil logistics, and crisis management for years.

Related: The Oil Ultimatum That Led to Maduros Capture

Eurasia Groups Top Risks 2026 argues that the United States itself is becoming the principal source of global risk, noting how quickly political decisions can now translate into force. Venezuela is one of the first cases where markets are seeing that dynamic play out directly.

For oil markets, the disruption is already operational. PDVSA has begun asking some joint ventures to cut output because crude is backing up and exports are harder to move. Storage limits, legal risk, and slower cargo clearance are forcing shut-ins. There is no near-term path to higher Venezuelan supply under these conditions, and the possibility of U.S. troops on the ground adds uncertainty around ports, terminals, and oilfields. Venezuela is not positioned to add barrels. It is positioned to add volatility.

Venezuela and Iran: The Precedent Question

The implications of Venezuela extend well beyond Latin America. Outside Venezuela, the capture of Maduro has focused attention on how far Washington is now willing to go once it decides a problem has to be settled. Eurasia Group describes 2026 as a tipping point year, and Venezuela is being interpreted now not as an exception.

From Irans perspective, the message is pretty clear, and there has been a very visible closing of the distance between pressure and action, all of which are designed to generate strong man headlines to set the stage for midterm elections. Eurasias Top Risks 2026 argues that the Trump administration doesnt want to be the worlds policeman but intends to assert direct control over Americas own backyard.

Tehran sees Venezuela as evidence that this logic can move quickly from rhetoric to action. Iranian officials and aligned media have already framed the Maduro operation as proof that negotiations do not guarantee safety and that U.S. assurances can be reversed.

Irans role in oil markets is likely to become more volatile, even without a direct confrontation. Venezuela does not force Tehrans hand, but it makes restraint harder to justify and easier to abandon if pressure builds. That widens the range of outcomes markets have to price. Small incidents, sharper rhetoric, or minor disruptions around shipping lanes start to matter more because the margin for error is thinner. Prices, freight rates, and insurance tend to react to that uncertainty early, before anything is actually shut in or blocked.

Yemen and the Red Sea: Uncertainty Without Escalation

Recent developments in Yemen have raised Red Sea risk without producing a new attack at sea. Saudi airstrikes in the south targeted positions linked to the Southern Transitional Council, a UAE-backed force that controls large stretches of the southern coastline. The strikes coincided with moves by Saudi-backed government forces to push back against recent STC gains. Fighting spilled into civilian infrastructure, including disruptions around Aden airport, and shifted security responsibilities on the ground without clarifying who is responsible for restraint along the coast. Abu Dhabi stayed out of the strikes, while its local allies held their positions.

The Houthis have stayed quiet at sea and toned down Gaza-linked rhetoric since July, but their forces remain in place and nothing has been dismantled that would limit their ability to act. No new mechanism has emerged to manage escalation or impose discipline along the shoreline. Security depends on restraint by choice, not enforcement.

For shipping, that is enough to change behavior.

The issue is not whether there was an attack yesterday, but who controls ports, who monitors coastal approaches, and who would contain an incident if one occurred. As Eurasia Group notes more broadly, fragmentation rather than shock is increasingly the dominant source of geopolitical risk. Insurers price that uncertainty. Operators route around it where they can. Yemen is not closing Bab el-Mandeb. It is making it unreliable, and unreliability is costly.

Somalia and the Horn of Africa: The Other Shore

Red Sea risk does not stop at Yemens coastline. It extends across the water into Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa, where control over ports, coastlines, and maritime access points is increasingly contested. Somalias federal government remains weak. Regional authorities operate with wide autonomy. External actors are expanding their presence. Turkey has deepened its military and economic footprint. The UAE maintains port and security relationships. Ethiopia is pressing for maritime access through Somaliland, raising tensions with Mogadishu.

Turkey has now added an energy dimension to that footprint. Ankara has begun offshore oil and gas drilling in Somali waters through state-backed entities operating under agreements that combine exploration, security cooperation, and maritime protection. This is Turkeys first overseas deepwater campaign. Even before any discovery, the move ties potential upstream assets to security commitments in a politically fragmented environment and signals a longer-term Turkish stake along the African side of the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden system.

Bab el-Mandeb sits between two coastlines where authority is thin. On the African side, control is divided among federal institutions, regional administrations, and local power brokers. Al-Shabaab retains the ability to strike selectively, even if it is not currently targeting shipping. Foreign bases, port concessions, and security arrangements overlap without a single framework for coordination or enforcement.

For energy markets, this widens the zone of uncertainty around the Red Sea corridor. It is not a single-conflict problem, but a system bordered by fragmented states and competing external interests. Tanker operators, insurers, and navies treat it that way, adjusting routes, coverage, and costs based on the reliability of the corridor as a whole. The result is a higher baseline cost and lower predictability for moving oil, products, and LNG through one of the worlds most sensitive maritime arteries.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Venezuelas beleaguered oil export system is narrowing rapidly around Chevron as shipments to its largest traditional customer in China remain stalled amid an intensified U.S. oil embargo and mounting geopolitical upheaval.

Shipping data as of January 6 shows crude loading for Chinese buyers at Venezuelan ports has been on hold for the fifth straight daybut Chevrons vessels continue to load and export crude to the United States. PDVSAs attempts to serve its Asia contracts have been disrupted by the U.S. naval blockade imposed late last year under President Donald Trumps administration to choke off revenue that financed the Maduro government. Without outbound cargoes, inland and floating storage are nearing capacity, forcing PDVSA to consider deeper production cuts.

Chevron is the only U.S. oil major still operating in Venezuela under a Washington licence that exempts it from broad sanctions on the countrys energy sector. The company resumed exports to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries after a brief four-day pause and has recalled offshore workers after flights resumed. But crude oil bound for Asian refineries has sat idle since January 1, leaving tankers anchored and Venezuelan output under strain.

The backdrop to these trade flows is the high-profile US forces operation over the weekend that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and transported him to New York on drug-related charges, a move President Trump has publicly tied to securing access to Venezuelas vast oil reserves. Trump has said the United States will seek to boost Venezuelan oil output and could even subsidize U.S. companies to rebuild the countrys dilapidated energy infrastructure, projecting that expanded production will ultimately lower domestic fuel costs.

For now, at least, Chevron stands alone as Venezuelas main oil export channel while the rest of the countrys crude trade buckles under political and logistical gridlock. The ability of the U.S. and private oil firms to upscale production amid the turmoil remains uncertain, and PDVSAs operational capacity is under acute stress.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Italys Eni and Spains Repsol, two of the largest European energy companies, are struggling to recover about $6 billion from Venezuela for the gas and naphtha they have supplied to the South American country, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.

Eni and Repsol jointly own the Perla gas field offshore Venezuela. For years, the two European oil and gas majors had supplied gas and naphtha to Venezuelas state oil firm PDVSA, to use as diluents to make the extra heavy crude easier to transport.

In exchange, PDVSA was paying to Eni and Repsol with crude.

However, the Trump Administration in March 2025 ended the licenses of all foreign firms to operate in Venezuela as the United States renewed its pressure on the country holding about 17% of the worlds proven oil reserves.

Eni and Repsol, and all others foreign firms, including oilfield services operators and U.S. supermajor Chevron, had their licenses yanked, before the Trump Administration exempted Chevron and allowed it in July to operate in Venezuela and export the crude oil to the United States.

The European majors are not authorized to return to Venezuela, yet.

Barred from receiving crude from PDVSA for nearly a year, Eni and Repsol are now looking to recoup $6 billion worth of the gas they had supplied to Venezuela.

Apart from struggling to recoup the value of the deliveries, the European firms have also faced indifference from the U.S. Administration regarding efforts to recover the debt owed, according to FTs sources.

Meanwhile, billions of barrels of Venezuelas oil claimed by major energy companies under current deals are now in doubt following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, according to investment bank Morgan Stanley.

Chinas Sinopec and CNPC, Russias Roszarubezhneft, Chevron, Eni, and Repsol, among others, have about 10 billion of barrels of reserves in Venezuela under current agreements.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Reliance Industries, Indias biggest private refinery operator, has not received any Russian oil cargoes over the past three weeks and has not made any orders for deliveries this month, the company said in a post on X.

In a statement that denied a Bloomberg report about Russian oil shipments en route to Reliances Jamnagar refinery, the company said A news report in Bloomberg claiming 'three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limiteds Jamnagar refinery' is blatantly untrue.

Reliance Industriess Jamnagar refinery has not received any cargo of Russian oil at its refinery in the past three weeks, approx". and is not expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January, the company said further, adding that We are deeply pained that those claiming to be at the forefront of fair journalism chose to ignore the denial by RIL of buying any Russian oil to be delivered in January and published a wrong report tarnishing our image.

Previously, Reliance Industries was the biggest Indian importer of Russian crude, not least because of its partnership with Rosneft that involves a long-term crude oil supply deal for the Jamnagar refinery at a daily rate of some half a million barrels.

Reliance said it had suspended all Russian oil shipments in November, a day before the latest U.S. sanctions on Russias energy industry came into effect. Those specifically targeted Rosneft and Lukoil, the two biggest exporters of crude from Russia.

Tanker-tracking data has suggested that overall Indian imports of Russian crude remain substantial, although there has been a decline from pre-November levels. Last week, however, Bloomberg reported that there were three tankers on their way to the Jamnagar refinery. Citing data from Kpler, the publication said the vessels carried a total of some 2.2 million barrels. The sellers of the cargo, the report claimed, were trading companies that were not on the U.S. sanction black list.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices edged lower in early Asian trading on Tuesday as markets weighed the possibility of higher Venezuelan crude output, reinforcing expectations of ample global supply amid weak demand.

Brent crude futures fell around 0.34% to trade near $61.55 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate slipped by 0.45% to $58.06 per barrel in early.

Price pressure was due to the prospect of a potential easing of U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil and a subsequent increase in output. In an already well-supplied global market, the fear of additional oil appears to be outweighing any concerns of a short-term supply shock.

As markets continue to digest the fallout from the U.S. capture of Maduro, members of the Trump Administration are expected to meet with U.S. oil executives this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production. Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC with the worlds largest proven oil reserves, averaged roughly 1.1 million barrels per day of crude output last year, well below its historical capacity.

Venezuelan production could rise by as much as 500,000 barrels per day over the next 18 months under improved political and investment conditions, a development that could further weigh on oil prices despite the likelihood of a response from OPEC+ if inventories rise sharply.

President Trump has been very clear that the blockade of Venezuela and the capture of its president have been driven by the desire to revive Venezuela's oil industry and regain what he alleges were stolen assets and oil. If the new acting president proves willing to work with the U.S., then the likelihood of sanctions being lifted and production climbing will increase dramatically.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Saudi Arabia has cut the price of its flagship crude grade Arab Light loading for Asia in February, in the third consecutive monthly reduction amid ample supply and weakened Middle Eastern benchmarks.

Saudi Arabia, the worlds largest crude oil exporter, lowered the official selling price (OSPs) of Arab Light by $0.30 per barrel above the average of the Oman and Dubai benchmarks, to a premium of $0.30 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai quotes. Thats down from a premium of $0.60 per barrel for the January loadings and the lowest premium in more than five years.

The cut was generally in line with expectations of refiners in Asia, who had anticipated a decline of between $0.10 and $0.30 per barrel for February loadings of Arab Light to Asia.

Saudi oil giant Aramco has also slashed the price of all other grades to Asia by $0.20-$0.30 per barrel. It also cut all OSPs for loadings to the United States by $0.30-$0.40 a barrel, and all crude grades bound for Northwest Europe and the Mediterranean by $.0.40 per barrel, according to the pricing list seen by Reuters.

Saudi Arabia typically announces around the fifth of each month its crude pricing for the following month and doesnt comment on price changes. It also sets the tone for the pricing of the other major oil producers in the Middle East, influencing the pricing policy of about 9 million barrels per day (bpd) of exports from the Arab Gulf region.

The Saudi decision to cut the prices of all its oil for all regions signals persistent concerns that the global market is tilted into oversupply in the first quarter of the year, with demand typically at its weakest at the start of each year.

The Kingdoms decision to cut the prices of all its crude grades follows this weekends short OPEC+ meeting, at which the eight producers implementing the cuts reaffirmed they would keep oil production steady through the first quarter of 2026.

Delegates did not discuss the Venezuela blitz of the Trump Administration during the 10-minute online meeting, and they are reportedly not concerned that the capture of Nicolas Maduro would have an effect on global oil supply in the near term.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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U.S. oil companies could be up and running in Venezuelas oil sector within 18 months, U.S. President Donald Trump told NBC News days after U.S. forces extracted Nicolas Maduro out of the country holding the worlds largest proven oil reserves.

A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then theyll get reimbursed by us or through revenue, President Trump told NBC News in an interview.

Regarding the 18-month timeline during which U.S. companies could begin boosting Venezuelas oil production, the President said I think we can do it in less time than that, but itll be a lot of money.

Analysts have started to quantify how much money it would take to resurrect Venezuelas industry. Its quite a lot, and will take at least a decade, even if U.S. oil firms were to flock to the opportunity, they say.

The total investment over a decade could be upwards of $100 billion, according to various analyst estimates.

President Trumps vision sounds like a great opportunity for the U.S. supermajors, of which only Chevron is currently authorized to operate in Venezuela and export the crude to the United States.

In reality, the mission to fix Venezuelas dilapidated oil infrastructure after decades of mismanagement and corruption would be a real challenge, the political and security situation on the ground permitting.

Yet, President Trump will be meeting with oil industry executives this week to discuss the potential boost in Venezuelan oil production, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources.

The oil issue was top of the U.S. presidents agenda for Venezuela, as declared after the announcement of air strikes on Caracas and the capture of Maduro.

Reuters cited unnamed oil industry executives who, despite declarations made by President Trump, claimed that Exxon, ConocoPhilips, and Chevron had yet to discuss the future of Venezuelas oil industry.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Elon Musk's social media platform X is under fire after its built-in AI chatbot, Grok, allegedly began creating sexualized images of women and children without consent.

The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from regulators in Europe, the UK, France, and India, sparking urgent calls for action.

The European Commission described the images as "illegal and appalling," condemning X's so-called "spicy mode" that allowed Grok to digitally alter photos of women and minors in revealing clothing, NY Post reported.

"This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling. This is disgusting. This has no place in Europe," EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier said Monday.

In the UK, media regulator Ofcom demanded an explanation from X, questioning how Grok could produce undressed images and sexualized content involving children.

"We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," an Ofcom spokesperson said.

Creating or sharing non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated sexual deepfakes, is illegal under British law.

Platforms are legally required to prevent users from encountering such content and to remove it when discovered.

Elon Musks X blasted by European regulators after Grok produced sexual pictures of kids https://t.co/qLk35jWo9Z pic.twitter.com/dEsiqOe5Wr  New York Post (@nypost) January 5, 2026

Elon Musk Laughs Off Controversy Over AI-Generated

According to Yahoo, the French government also reported X to prosecutors over "sexual and sexist" content that it called "manifestly illegal."

India's IT ministry echoed these concerns, requesting that X explain why Grok was generating obscene material.

Multiple cases have highlighted the severity of the issue. Brazilian musician Julie Yukari shared a photo of herself in a red dress on New Year's Eve, only to find digitally altered images of herself in a bikini circulating online the next morning.

Reuters reported that similar sexualized AI images of children had also appeared on the platform.

Despite growing outrage, Elon Musk has publicly downplayed the controversy, reportedly posting laughing emojis in response to AI-altered images of public figures.

X has not issued a formal statement addressing the European, British, French, or Indian regulators, though it previously dismissed criticism as "Legacy Media Lies."

Originally published on vcpost.com
President Donald Trump will be meeting with oil industry executives this week to discuss the potential boost in Venezuelan oil production, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources.

The oil issue was top of the U.S. presidents agenda for Venezuela, as declared after the announcement of air strikes on Caracas and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Reuters cited unnamed oil industry executives who, despite declarations made by President Trump, claimed that Exxon, ConocoPhilips, and Chevron had yet to discuss the future of Venezuelas oil industry.

Nobody in those three companies has had conversations with the White House about operating in Venezuela, pre-removal or post-removal to this point, one of the Reuters sources said, the removal referring to the capture of President Maduro, which some have called an arrest and others a kidnapping.

All of our oil companies are ready and willing to make big investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure, which was destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime, White House press secretary Taylor Rogers said in an official statement.

According to a Wall Street Journal report from Monday, President Trump had hinted to top oil executives that change was coming to Venezuela. The hint, per the WSJ, came in the form of a message that said Get ready, about a month before last weekends incursion into Venezuela.

We are going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground, the U.S. president said at a press conference last weekend, no longer resorting to hints. Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.

What remains unclear is how enthusiastic Big Oil would be, with media reporting that the investment required for the production boost would be considerable and take years to yield results.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Venezuelas state oil firm PDVSA has been unable to ship oil cargoes to Asia for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, as the U.S. oil quarantine of Venezuela continues, according to shipping data cited by Reuters.

U.S. supermajor Chevron resumed exports to the United States on Monday, according to the data, after a few days of suspended shipments during which U.S. forces extracted Nicolas Maduro and flew him to New York to stand trial in drug-trafficking charges.

Chevron is the only Western oil company currently authorized by the U.S. Treasury to operate in Venezuela. Chevron ships the crude to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Venezuelan shipments to Asia, however, are at a standstill, and China, the top oil customer of Venezuela, is getting lower volumes of crude.

In fact, Chinese oil buyers have reduced their intake of Venezuelan oil as the discount between Brent and the countrys flagship Merey crude shrank from $15 per barrel last month to $13 per barrel now, Bloomberg reported today, citing unnamed sources.

The price rise of Venezuelan oil follows the U.S. naval blockade that has disrupted tanker traffic to and from Venezuela, and that is not about to be lifted anytime soon, as stated earlier this week by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The United States will keep what it calls an oil quarantine on Venezuela. According Rubio, this quarantine is as far as the U.S. running Venezuela would go.

We have a quarantine on their oil. That means their economy will not be able to move forward until the conditions that are in the national interest of the United States and the interests of the Venezuelan people are met, Rubio told ABC in an interview on Sunday.

So that leverage remains, that leverage is ongoing, and we expect that its going to lead to results here. Were hope so  hopeful that it does  positive results for the people of Venezuela, but ultimately, most importantly, for us in the national interest of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of State said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Freedom Foundation Sues to Block Oregon Law Silencing Worker Rights Speech

- Union-Backed Law Threatens $1 Billion in Penalties for Telling Public Employees About Constitutional Opt-Out Rights

By Freedom Foundation,

Portland, Oregon  The Freedom Foundation filed a federal lawsuit challenging Oregon House Bill 3789, a law that hands public-sector unions the power to sue the organization into oblivion for doing what its done for years: informing public employees about their constitutional rights.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon on December 31, names Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, the Oregon Employment Relations Board, and five major public-sector unionsincluding SEIU Local 503, Oregon Education Association, and Oregon AFSCME Council 75as defendants. The Freedom Foundation asked the court to immediately block the law before it took effect January 1, 2026, and to strike it down permanently as unconstitutional.

HB 3789 lets public-sector unions sue the Freedom Foundation for $6,250 per piece of mail sent to workers explaining their right to opt out of union membership under the Supreme Courts Janus v. AFSCME decision. One mailing to Oregons public employees equals approximately $1 billion in potential liability for the Freedom Foundation.

The unions wrote this law. The legislature passed it. The governor signed it. And it targets one organization.

Weve helped more than 35,000 Oregon workers exercise their Janus rights over the past seven years, said Aaron Withe, CEO of the Freedom Foundation. Those workers have savedand their unions have lostover $100 million in dues. Instead of making their case to workers, Oregons unions lobbied for a law designed to silence us. Were not going to let that happen.

The lawsuit argues HB 3789 violates the First Amendment by discriminating based on content and viewpoint, targeting political speech, forcing speakers to alter their messages, and operating as an unconstitutionally vague threat. The law gives unions the power to bankrupt their most effective critic while leaving unions free to send unlimited recruitment mail to the same workers.

Oregon already has fraud laws on the books, said Eric Stahlfeld, the Freedom Foundations Chief Litigation Counsel. This law hands unions the power to bankrupt their most effective criticthe Freedom Foundationthrough lawsuits. The First Amendment protects the Foundations speech, and were confident the court will strike this law down.

Since the Supreme Courts 2018 Janus decision struck down forced union dues as unconstitutional, the Freedom Foundation has helped hundreds of thousands of public employees nationwide understand they have a choice about union membership. The organizations mailings explain how the opt-out process works and what it means financially for workers. If Oregon succeeds in enforcing HB 3789, it could become a model for other blue states across the country.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board weighed in on the controversy, writing that Oregons approach raises serious constitutional concerns about government suppression of speech.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that government cant force workers to fund unions they dont support, said Mark Janus, the Illinois child support specialist whose case led to that landmark decision. Oregons law does exactly what the Court said states cant do. It lets unions punish anyone who tells workers their constitutional rights exist.

The Freedom Foundation has already had to change its communications and delay mailings because of HB 3789s threat. Without a court order blocking the law, the organization faces a choice: stop informing Oregon workers about their rights or risk bankruptcy.

The lawsuit asks the court to declare HB 3789 unconstitutional and block Oregon from enforcing it.

###


By Lars Larson

NW and national radio host,

Help me figure out the outrage of American Democrats after the removal and retrieval of Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro to face charges in New York City.

Venezuelans in America and here in Portland are celebrating.

And why not? Consider the bipartisan agreement on the need to prosecute this criminal. President Trump put a price on Maduros head of 15 million.

Joe Biden jacked up that reward to 25 million.

Then last year, Trump boosted it to 50 million.

Joe Biden refused to recognize Maduro as President of Venezuela.

But feckless Joe could not remove him.

President Trump changed all that with a skillfully executed mission for the U.S. Military that got the job done in less than three hoursin at 1am and out by 330.

Maduro was advised of his Miranda rights, and standing on American soil 14 hours later. He stood in front of a U.S. Judge about an hour ago.

Something to celebrate? Not for liberals! Trump did it. It must be wrong.

80 days ago, liberals protested No Kingsand now theyre protesting the arrest and prosecution of a thieving dictator.

Go figure.

Thats the Rose City Rap. Join me at noon on KXL for 4 hours of Honestly provocative talk. Im Lars Larson
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

3D-Scan of cylinder Kz-2 (IM.227488). Credit: Jawad and Al-Ammari 2025

In 2013, two local Iraqis handed over two inscribed clay cylinders to the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. Subsequent analysis and translation of the inscriptions published in Iraq revealed them to belong to King Nebuchadnezzar II (604562 BC), with their text relating to the restoration of the remains of the ziggurat in the ancient city of Kish. These cylinders represent the first foundation text documenting the construction works of King Nebuchadnezzar II to restore the ziggurat, thus confirming what had previously only been inferred from stamped bricks found in archaeological excavations.

The two cylinders

The two clay cylinders were recorded by the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage in December of 2013. They had been found on the surface of Tell Al-Uhaimir, which includes the ruins of a ziggurat belonging to the ancient city of Kish.

They were made in the common style of foundational documents often found in the Neo-Babylonian period and the time of Nebuchadnezzar II (the famous biblical king of Babylon). The contents of the cylinders relate to the restoration of the ziggurat dedicated to the worship of the god Zababa and the goddess Ishtar.

Dr. Ahmed Ali Jawad, one of the authors of the study, elaborated on the gods, saying, "Zababa is the god of war, his wife Ishtar is the goddess of war and love, most gods and their wives in ancient Mesopotamia [were] worshiped in the same temple, [additionally,] Ishtar [was] worshiped in Uruk as the main goddess of the city and worshiped in several cities."

The ziggurat and the cylinders

Thus far, most of what we know about the ziggurat comes from archaeological excavations, including those conducted by Ernst Mackay. According to excavation reports, the ziggurat went through four major stages of construction and restoration. Initially built by King Hammurabi around 1756 BC in honor of the god Zababa and the goddess Ishtar, before being restored by his son and finally repaired again by Nebuchadnezzar II, as attested by stamped bricks bearing his name.

3D-Scan of the Kz-1 Cylinder. Credit: Jawad and Al-Ammari 2025

According to the cylinders, King Nebuchadnezzar II, who introduces himself as the king of Babylon, was appointed by the gods Marduk and Nabu to care for the great temples. Nebuchadnezzar II goes on to describe how he turned his attention to the ziggurat, which was built by a past king and restored by a former king, neither of whom he mentions by name.

According to Dr. Jawad, these kings may have been Samsu-iluna and Adad-apla-iddina: "Maybe the past king is Samsu-iluna (17491712 B.C), and the former king is Adad-apla-iddina (10641043 B.C). The old excavation revealed a royal inscription inside the ziggurat [that] belongs to these kings. It is difficult to answer why he did not mention them [by name], the cylinders [were] not discovered by archaeologists, so we do not know where exactly [they were] found at the hill of the ziggurat"

Nebuchadnezzar II continues explaining that the ziggurat had since fallen into disrepair, with the walls buckling and having been rain-damaged. He says "The ziggurat of Kish, which a king of the past had built, but its walls had buckled, (and) a former king had restored (the damaged walls), and made its structure suitable, with the passage of time, it (again) became weak, (its walls) buckled, and shower(s) of rain carried away its brickwork."

Feeling divinely inspired by the god Zababa and goddess Ishtar, Nebuchadnezzar II restored the structure, he says, "I embellished its outward appearance and made (it shine) like the daylight for Zababa and Ishtar, my lords."

He concludes by saying, "O Zababa and Ishtar, look on account of this and, by your exalted command, may my days be long, may I attain very old age, may I conquer my enemies, (and) may I kill my opponents, with your fierce weapons, cut down (and) bind my enemies."

Both cylinders are nearly identical in their texts and provide the first evidence of a foundation text documenting the construction works of King Nebuchadnezzar II and how he restored the ziggurat.

Written for you by our author Sandee Oster, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information Ahmed Ali Jawad et al, Two inscribed cylinders of nebuchadnezzar ii from the ziggurat of kish, Iraq (2025). DOI: 10.1017/irq.2025.10023

 2026 Science X Network
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A black hole has shredded a massive star like it was "preparing a snack for lunch," according to a team of scientists at the American Astronomical Society's annual meeting (58 January).

The cosmic mismatch was witnessed by astronomers around the world and reported at the AAS conference in Phoenix, Arizona, where the unfortunate star was described as "torn up" and devoured bit by bit by the huge gravity of the black hole.

Associate Professor of Astrophysics Daniel Perley, of Liverpool John Moores University, lead author of the paper to appear in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, told the conference: "We discovered what we think is a black hole merging with a massive companion star, shredding it into a disk that feeds the black hole. It's a rare and awe-inspiring phenomenon."

The resulting explosion is one of the most powerful cosmic events in history: the amount of energy being released briefly reached 400 billion times that of the sun, and exceeded even the most powerful known supernovae.

Black holes have been observed before to appear to be devouring starsa phenomenon known as a Tidal Disruption Eventbut nothing on such a scale as this.

Discovery and identification of the event

Anna Ho, an assistant professor of astronomy at Cornell University and co-author of Perley on the paper, identified the spectacular event, designated AT2024wpp and nicknamed the Whippet, almost immediately after its light reached us using the Zwicky Transient Facility, at Palomar Observatory in California.

The astronomers realized right away that the event might be a Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient (LFBOT), a rare and poorly-understood type of visual event associated with the destruction of stars.

Within a day, the team obtained observations from the Liverpool Telescope in the Canary Islands and NASA's Swift satellite in space and confirmed this object had the expected properties of an LFBOT: it was very blue and it was producing X-rays.

The phenomenon was confirmed when co-authors R. Michael Rich at UCLA and Yu-Jing Qin at Caltech provided a distance measurement to confirm that it was emitting far more energy than a normal supernova. This observation, and other observations the team collected of the transient, such as its extremely high temperature, led the team to conclude that they were seeing a star being torn apart and it was swallowed by a black hole.

Implications and ongoing mysteries

"Even though we suspected what it was, it was still extraordinary," added Perley. "This was many times more energetic than any similar event and more than any known explosion powered by the collapse of a star.

"Not only do these events help us identify black holes, they provide a new way to identify where black holes occur and how they form and grow, and the physics of how this happens," Perley added.

Further investigations into AT2024wpp reveal it has produced a powerful shock-wave that propagated outward at one fifth the speed of light into dense surrounding gasbefore suddenly "fizzling out" after about half a year.

As material in the disk spirals toward the center, it heats up to extreme temperatures and releases both X-ray radiation and a powerful "wind" of gas that crashes into material that was shed from the star prior to its final demise, producing the luminous blue optical and ultraviolet data in the first few days as well as the radio and millimeter data detected.

The shock "fizzles" once it reaches the edge of the bubble left by the gas previously shed by the doomed star.

One mystery remains, however. Observations from Keck Observatory, Magellan Observatory, and the Very Large Telescope revealed that while the event was devoid of recognizable chemical signatures in the first month of the initial explosion, weak signatures of hydrogen and helium gas emerged later on, as the event was fading away.

Unexpectedly, the helium was moving along the line of sight at more than 6,000 kilometers per second, suggesting a densely bound structure had survived the blast and was now moving rapidly toward us.

The team speculates that this could originate from a "stream" of material released by the core of the star as it was torn apart by the immense gravity of the black hole.

More speculatively, it could even originate from a third member of the system as it is blasted by the fast wind of particles and X-ray radiation from the accreting black hole.

Publication details The paper presented at the American Astronomical Society Conference, Phoenix, Arizona (58 January, 2026) has been submitted to be made public in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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People ice skate over the frozen Klostersee lake close to Seeon Abbey in southern Germany.

Freezing temperatures plunged swathes of Europe into a second day of travel chaos on Tuesday, with six people dying in weather-related accidents during the continent's bitterest cold snap this winter so far.

Since the mercury dropped on Monday, five people have died in France and one woman in Bosnia as heavy snow and rain sparked floods and power outages across the Balkans.

Paris's two main airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly, were to cancel many flights early Wednesday to allow ground crews to clear snow from runways and de-ice planes.

Forty percent of morning flights at Charles de Gaulle were to be scrapped, and 25% at Orly.

In Britain, temperatures plunged to -12.5C overnight Monday-Tuesday in Norfolk, eastern England, while temperatures below -10C across the Netherlands brought trains to a standstill on Tuesday morning.

"Last night was the coldest night of the winter so far," Britain's Met Office said, with nearly all of the United Kingdom on alert for snow and ice and more snowfall expected.

Houseboats docked along the bank of a frozen canal, in Hede Bazouges, in western France.

With the chill making roads perilous, three people died in accidents linked to black ice in southwestern France on Monday morning, authorities said, while a taxi driver died in hospital on Monday night after his vehicle veered off the road and plunged into the Marne river in the Paris region.

His passenger was still being treated for hypothermia, according to a police source. Another driver died east of Paris on Monday after colliding with a heavy goods vehicle.

Melanie Coligneaux, a pastry chef, said that she left her home in Beny-Bocage in northwestern France at 5:00 am (0400 GMT) to avoid the worst of the snow-day traffic.

"The roads are bad, so we don't want to damage the car or even have an accident," the 30-year-old told AFP.

Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, the Netherlands' main flight hub, meanwhile saw a second day of weather-driven cancellations Tuesday, with at least 600 flights grounded and travelers facing huge queues at the airline counters.

Dutch airline KLM, which is responsible for removing ice from most aircraft at Schiphol, warned that it had nearly run out of de-icing fluid, blaming the "extreme" weather conditions and supply delays.

Dutch train services only resumed later Tuesday.

Trains from the Dutch national railway operator NS only began rolling again after 10:00 am (0900 GMT), with services limited afterwards.

But planes got off the ground again from Liverpool in northwest England and Aberdeen in northeast Scotland, after the cold had forced both airports to close on Monday.

'Like climbing Mont Blanc'

After nearly 40 centimeters (16 inches) fell in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo at the weekend, a woman died in hospital after being hit by a tree that collapsed under the weight of the snow on Monday, according to the police.

Dozens of villages across neighboring Serbia were left without power in the wake of the snowfall, while downpours caused several rivers to overflow in Bosnia and forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in Albania.

More than 300 schools were shut in Scotland Tuesday, the national BBC broadcaster reported, with Scottish train services also severely disrupted.

Freezing temperatures disrupted travel for a second day running in the UK, France and the Netherlands.

"Tuesday will bring more severe snow and ice to the north of Scotlandand with it, continued travel disruption and risks to people and communities," Scottish transport minister Fiona Hyslop warned late on Monday.

Christopher Sallent, a resident of Saint-Jean-des-Essartiers in France's Normandy, said his children also had to stay at home as the school buses were not running.

"It's difficult, we have to adapt. When will the school buses start running again? We don't know... We have to keep them at home and keep them occupied," the 33-year-old told AFPTV.

Several smaller French airports were closed on Tuesday, according to the transport ministry.

In the French capital, Monday's snowfall had settled overnight across much of Paris's pavements, with pedestrians forced to navigate treacherously icy streets.

Tour guide Valeria Pitchouguina said the sight of Paris snowed under was "truly extraordinary", but the ice was complicating efforts to shepherd her groups up the steep steps to the picture-postcard district of Montmartre.

"When it's like that and snowy and icy, it's something else, it's less like climbing Montmartre and more like climbing Mont Blanc," Pitchouguina told AFPTV.

Hungary meanwhile also braced for a second day of fresh snowfall Tuesday, with some roads and railways already impassable, especially in the northeast.

Construction and Transport Minister Janos Lazar urged Hungarians to only head out "if absolutely necessary".

Key concepts Extreme Cold

 2026 AFP
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The sturgeon, in this case the Baltic sturgeon, is one of the largest migratory fish. Credit: Jacobia Dahm

Many migratory species such as birds, bats, whales, and fish cross national borders to complete their lifecycle and need internationally coordinated action to protect them. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is an environmental treaty of the United Nations that entered into force in 1983 to meet such needs.

With 133 Parties, including 132 countries and the European Union, CMS provides a global framework for coordinating international cooperation to enhance the conservation of threatened transboundary migratory species listed on Appendices I and II. Although CMS Appendices I & II cover more than 1,100 species, freshwater fishes are vastly underrepresented. Only 23 freshwater fish species are included in the CMS Appendices. Nineteen of these are Acipenseriformes (sturgeons and paddlefishes).

The paper is published in the journal Nature Reviews Biodiversity.

Imbalance between the need for protection and CMS coverage of freshwater fishes

"Freshwater fishes are among the most endangered animal groups. According to the IUCN Red List, around a quarter of all assessed freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction. Another worrying statistic is that monitored populations of migratory freshwater fishes worldwide have declined by 81% on average between 1970 and 2020," explained Prof. Sonja Jahnig, Acting Director at IGB and co-author of the study.

Fengzhi He, a professor at the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and a guest scientist at IGB, is the lead author of the study. He added, "There is a stark imbalance between the need to protect freshwater fishes and how they are currently represented in the CMS Appendices. Such an imbalance reflects the gaps in research on the life history of freshwater fishes and conservation actions targeting them."

Freshwater fishes are a 'blind spot'

According to the authors, there are several reasons why migratory freshwater fishes are underrepresented in the CMS appendices. Firstly, there is a lack of comprehensive assessments of how many fish species migrate in freshwater and across national boundaries to complete their lifecycle. Secondly, one-third of all described freshwater fish species are classified as "Not Evaluated" or "Data Deficient" on the IUCN Red List.

Without baseline data, determining which species meet the CMS criteria of transboundary migration and unfavorable conservation status is challenging. Thirdly, many countries with transboundary river basins, particularly in Asia and North America, are not CMS Parties, which reduces the likelihood that species in these regions will be proposed and included in the CMS Appendices.

Including more migratory freshwater fish species in the CMS Appendices could profoundly enhance their protection

Most threatened transboundary migratory freshwater fish species are not included in the CMS Appendices, making it challenging to establish internationally coordinated conservation actionsparticularly for long-distance migratory species. Without coordinated management at a basin scale, intentional harvesting, bycatch, habitat alteration and physical barriers can prevent them from reaching their spawning or feeding grounds.

The authors therefore emphasize the need to fully unlock the potential of CMS in advancing the conservation of migratory freshwater fishes. As a first step, more threatened transboundary migratory freshwater fish species should be identified and added to the CMS Appendices. International cooperation should also be enhanced in river basins that are diversity hotspots of migratory freshwater fishes, such as the Mekong and the Amazon.

"The CMS COP15 will be held in Campo Grande, Brazil, in March 2026. CMS COP15 offers an opportunity to strengthen the protection of migratory fish species, including consideration of proposals to add more freshwater fishes to the CMS Appendices," said He.

Publication details Fengzhi He et al, The untapped potential of CMS for migratory freshwater fishes, Nature Reviews Biodiversity (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44358-025-00115-z Journal information: Nature Reviews Biodiversity

Provided by Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology andInland Fisheries (IGB) in theForschungsverbund Berlin e.V.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Like other developing countries, Indonesia is facing a familiar dilemma: how to feed a growing population while protecting its extraordinary biodiversity.

Food security has become a pressing concern amidst drought, pests and climate shifts. Scientists are turning to new technologies for answers. Biotechnologyspecifically gene editing (GE)emerges as a potential solution.

However, Indonesians hold diverse views on GE. While some support the technology, others oppose it.

Scientists are enthusiastic about the opportunities to enhance staple crops like rice and improve nutritional security.

Yet many still have questions. Can GE truly support smallholder farmers and help Indonesia achieve food sovereignty? Or will it simply revive the old controversies surrounding genetically modified crops?

Our 2024 study involving Indonesian stakeholders highlights that technical fixes alone cannot solve food insecurity. For gene editing to succeed, it must address the social inequalitiessuch as unequal land accessthat farmers face.

Gene editing vs. genetic modification: What is the difference?

Both gene editing and genetic modification refer to organisms with genetic material altered by humans to introduce desirable traits, such as drought tolerance or disease resistance.

While genetic modification often involves inserting genes from one species into another, gene editing makes small, targeted changes within the organism's own DNA. In other words, this technology improves crop quality without adding foreign genes.

Advocates argue that this makes gene editing safer, tastier and more acceptable to the public than older modification methods.

But critics warn that even with these new methods, the same old questions remain: who controls the technology? Who benefits? And who gets left behind?

Indonesia's reliance on imports

Smallholder farmers dominate Indonesia's agricultural landscape, where rice remains the main staple food crop.

Despite increases in rice production and several other agricultural yields, the country still needs to import key commodities like corn and soybeans from the United States to produce tempeh and tofu for daily consumption.

Similarly, livestock feed supplies still rely heavily on imports of genetically modified soybean meal from Argentina and Brazil.

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Lessons from the past: old setbacks to new technologies

To reduce this dependence on imports, the government revised regulations on genetically modified crops to enable domestic production.

The first commercial cultivation of modified crops, Bt cotton, took place between 2001 and 2002. However, the project ultimately failed after the provider, Monsanto, withdrew in 2003, citing difficult regulatory hurdles and limited land for cultivation.

Between 2003 and 2021, no commercial genetically modified crops were grown, apart from sugarcane in limited government-owned areas.

Following these setbacks, the government has looked towards gene editing. Since 2021, corn, potato and sugarcane varieties have been approved for commercial cultivation. While domestic production remains limited, Indonesia is a major importer of gene-edited commodities, particularly soybeans and corn, for both human consumption and livestock feed.

Today, researchers at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) are developing gene-edited varieties including rice, cassava and sorghum. The government remains optimistic, presenting gene editing as a way to boost productivity and reduce reliance on food imports.

Yet, questions remain over how this technology will reach farmersand on whose terms.

Fairness beyond technical fixes

Gene editing is often promoted as a quick technical fix for complex agricultural challenges. Yet its success and public acceptance depend on far more than science. It hinges on broader social and economic systems: who has access to seeds, who controls the knowledge and who decides which genetic changes are needed.

Our study shows that many people still do not fully understand the technology. Between April and August 2024, we interviewed 11 stakeholders in Indonesia. This included farmer groups, government officials, researchers, NGOs and consumer associations.

Many participants from civil society and farmers' unions pointed to the "problem of socialization." They refer to a lack of shared understanding about the role gene technologies should play in Indonesia's agricultural future. They also emphasized the importance of prioritizing smallholder farmers, who continue to dominate the sector.

Gene editing may yield more drought-tolerant crops. However, it cannot resolve unequal access to land, credit and marketsthe main challenges for smallholders.

A representative from a consumer association highlighted risks of "capital bias." They noted that farmers could end up as company 'employees' rather than independent producers if they are pushed to adopt new technologies without transparent information.

Participants from the Indonesian Farmers Union also raised concerns about seed patents. They warned that local farm seeds could be recreated in a laboratory, reclassified and then patented for profit.

Innovation is often treated as the domain of scientists. Meanwhile, the social and ethical implications are left for others to handle afterwards. All participants agreed that public engagement is essential, yet none were ready to lead those efforts.

Shaping a shared future

Gene editing could play an important role in Indonesia's food futurebut not if it follows a 'technology first, consultation later' approach. Genuine communication requires discussing innovations beyond the scientists' bubble and meaningfully involving those who shape agricultural and food systems, especially women.

As providers, cooks and household decision-makers, women farmers are well-positioned to play a crucial role in engaging and mobilizing their communities. Their resilience is a vital resource for regional progress. Policymakers and researchers need to invest not only in laboratories but also in building trust, fostering dialogue and developing genuine collaboration with farmers and local communities.

Biotechnology may offer powerful tools, but it is not a silver bullet. We need to understand the specific social and cultural landscape in each locale to determine if and where the technology can be truly useful.

Indonesia's path forward will depend on recognizing that scientific innovation and social inclusion must grow together. Only by bringing both into alignment can gene editing truly contribute to a fair, sustainable and culturally grounded food system.

Key concepts genetically engineered organisms

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Australian steelmaker BlueScope is weighing a near $9 billion takeover bid from media billionaire Kerry Stokes and US-based steelmaker Steel Dynamics, a move that could reshape the company's future and broaden Stokes' industrial footprint.

The proposed deal would see Stokes' SGH, controlled by his son Ryan Stokes, acquire BlueScope's Australian operations, while Steel Dynamics would take over the company's North American unit.

Steel Dynamics' US assets are located roughly 50 miles from BlueScope's Ohio plant, making the transaction "highly complementary" to its operations, according to CEO and Chair Mark Millett.

Shares of BlueScope surged 21% on Tuesday to A$29.54, just below the A$30 indicative offer, signaling optimism that a deal might go through. SGH shares also rose 5.4% on the news, TheEdge reported.

The all-cash approach offers investors a potential quick exit, particularly as BlueScope has faced declining profits due to postponed orders amid US tariff uncertainty. BlueScope noted that its own exposure to tariffs is limited.

The steelmaker confirmed it is considering the bid, after previously rejecting three approaches from Steel Dynamics or associated groups, including one that was just a dollar per share below the current offer.

"I see the SGH-led proposal as opportunistic but potentially value-unlocking for shareholders, albeit highly conditional and execution-heavy," said Mark Gardner, CEO of investment firm MPC Markets. He added that "for employees and suppliers, there's inevitable uncertainty."

Kerry Stokes SGH has made a $13bn takeover offer for Australias largest steelmaker, BlueScope, in a deal which would hand the billionaire ownership of its Australian operations with its US bid partner scooping up the North American business.



An all-cash approach for BlueScope pic.twitter.com/k0ZkS28J0W  The Australian (@australian) January 5, 2026

BlueScope Hires UBS to Represent Interests

The bidders have indicated that BlueScope's Australian and North American management teams would remain in place under the new ownership.

According to Reutes, Omkar Joshi, chief investment officer at Opal Capital Management, said the carve-up of the company "looks straightforward" given the geographic separation but suggested that "the bidders will likely need to increase their bid before it can be accepted."

SGH hired Barrenjoey and Goldman Sachs as advisors, while Steel Dynamics enlisted JPMorgan.

BlueScope has appointed UBS to represent its interests. The companies did not disclose whether BlueScope had agreed to exclusive due diligence, which under Australian law lasts four weeks for prospective bidders.

This acquisition would mark Stokes' second major purchase in two years. SGH acquired building materials company Boral in 2024, expanding the Stokes empire beyond its media roots in the Seven Network into sectors ranging from energy exploration to heavy equipment sales.

Originally published on vcpost.com
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The house sparrow is about 15 centimeters long and weighs about 2535 grams. It has brown and black striped upperparts and gray undersides. The male has a black throat patch and gray skullcap, while the female has a brown skullcap. Credit: Thor Harald Ringsby, NTNU

Researchers are trying to understand why some wild species do better than others over time, as the environment changes.

Researcher Kenneth Aase's research focuses on a new mathematical approach that could shed light on this question, which in turn could move us closer to understanding the loss of biological diversity.

Aase is a statistician and a Ph.D. research fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU's) Department of Mathematical Sciences. He is associated with the GPWILD project. The project involves using biology and mathematics to understand more about a species' adaptive evolutionary potential, and relies on genetic and body data from tens of thousands of house sparrows who live in the northern Norwegian district of Helgeland.

The paper is published in the journal Evolution.

Why house sparrows?

House sparrows turn out to be the perfect critter for research like Aase's.

"Because our island populations are small and delimited, they are exceptionally well suited for research. Biologists can record and follow almost all individual sparrows from birth until they die," Aase said.

Helgeland has many islandswith their own limited populations of house sparrows. This makes the region particularly suitable for research. Biologists can record and follow the life cycle of almost all individual sparrows. Credit: Hamish Burnett, NTNU

NTNU researchers at the Department of Biology and the Gjrevoll Center have been studying these house sparrows for more than 30 years, and have an enormous database of information, he said.

"They can investigate what affects their survival, and how many young they have. We have been collecting such data for over 30 years, and have produced long-term datasets that are both unusual and completely invaluable. They help us understand the consequences of changes in the environment, as well as genetic and ecological development over many generations," he said.

And what's more, "what we learn is transferable to many other species," he said.

Genomic prediction as a tool

Aase's work focuses on a technique called genomic prediction, or GP.

This is a statistical method for finding out how an individual's genes affect a trait in an individual or a human being. The trait can be anything that can be measured, such as height, illness, or body weight. The method can be used to predict how much yield a grain plant can yield, or whether a person is genetically predisposed to certain diseases, Aase said.

The house sparrow feeds on grains, seeds and insects, but also eats leftovers, buds, flowers and berries. It often visits bird feeders in winter. Credit: Thor Harald Ringsby, NTNU

"The method can also tell us whether the genes of a given house sparrow will give it a higher or lower body weight. This is important for the sparrow's ability to survive. GP is widely used in plant and animal breeding, but so far it has not been used much in research on populations of wild animals and plants," he said.

As the researchers have gained more and more access to genetic material from wild populations, Aase and his colleagues, led by Professor Stefanie Muff, will investigate how useful the method can be in ecology, evolution and conservation biology.

From a training group to an individual

All of this genetic information enables the researchers to use hundreds to millions of genetic markers spread across the genetic material, and link them to measurements of the trait from a "training group."

The statistical model works even if the trait they're interested in hasn't been measured in the given individualit is enough to have measured it in the training group.

"As long as we have information from the same genetic markers in both the training group and the individual, we can calculate how the genes affect the trait. The accuracy depends in part on how many individuals are in the training group, the number of genetic markers, and the heritability of the trait," Aase said.

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Tested in different populations

The researchers wanted to know how accurate their statistical model would be if their training group consists of sparrows from a different population than the individuals they were interested in.

"This is important in order to be able to investigate crucial natural processes in new and more efficient ways. For example, we can save a lot of fieldwork, because the researchers do not need to obtain measurements of traits from each individual population they are interested in," Aase said.

Here's where the house sparrow data from Helgeland was perfect for the researchers to test their model on.

"In the new study, we used measurements of body traits from wild house sparrow populations from islands along the Helgeland coast. Because the islands are more or less clearly separated, we could answer the research question by making predictions across different islands and archipelagos," Aase said.

Aase and his colleagues found that making predictions with a training group from one sparrow population for other, different sparrow populations in the islands didn't work as well as when they made predictions with a training group from the exact same sparrow population.

"We found that predicting across different populations works less well than within populations. This was expected, based on previous studies in breeding and medical research. However, we were the first to demonstrate this in wild populations. We also provided new insights that can be useful for improving GP across populations," he said.

Wild populations challenging

The technique of using GP was developed for use with domestic animals, where researchers have access to all the genetic information they need. That's not always the case with wild populations, Aase said.

"For us statisticians, perhaps the biggest challenge is that field datasets are often incomplete. We do not always get genetic data or measurements of all individuals. In addition, we usually do not have data from controlled trials, for example because environmental conditions change over time and space," he said.

"Studies of wild animals are often exploratory rather than confirmatory. There are few such thorough and long-term studies of wild populations in the wild, but the house sparrow data made this new study possible," he added.

That's where the Helgeland house sparrow data offer clear advantages, because it is almost complete, he said.

"As a statistician, I am fortunate to have the data served on a silver platter by the biologists I collaborate with at the Gjrevoll Center and the Department of Biology at NTNU. They have been working on collecting this unique dataset for more than three decades. So there is a lot of field and laboratory work involved before I get to play with the end result," Aase said.

"In addition to data from the house sparrow populations, I also use computer simulations where you can test model assumptions. My everyday life is spent programming statistical analyses. For the most challenging computations, I use NTNU's supercomputer IDUN," he said.

Facing the 'sixth mass extinction'

Natural resource managers and conservation biologists need to know how changes in the environment, either from a warming planet or from loss of habitator bothwill affect wild populations.

That's where using GP as a tool can make a difference, Aase said.

"Climate change and increased land use mean that many populations of wild animals and plants are exposed to increased external pressure and faster environmental changes. Understanding both the genetic and ecological consequences of this is necessary for nature managers and conservation biologists to be able to prioritize measures, such as which populations need protection and how," he said.

"GPs can tell us about how viable individuals are under given environmental conditions. Thus, it can be used to reintroduce or strengthen populations. This knowledge also helps to increase our basic understanding of natural processes, and how evolution actually plays out in nature," he added.

In this way, "studies of house sparrows in populations along the Norwegian coast can help us preserve populations of other species that are threatened with extinction due to the changes we humans make in nature," he said.

The world is facing a biodiversity crisis, where human activity is causing what is called the "sixth mass extinction."

"If we want to stop this development through targeted measures, we need both good analytical tools and basic knowledge about how evolution in nature works. I would also argue that there is an intrinsic value in such a basic understanding," Aase said.

From house sparrows to Svalbard reindeer

As he proceeds with his Ph.D. research, Aase will continue to investigate how genomic prediction can be used in wild populations.

"In GPWILD, we're going to put these questions into a broader framework. The project will work with several other animal species, such as Svalbard reindeer, deer from Scotland, arctic foxes, and several bird species," he said.

But he isn't quite done with house sparrows just yet.

"Currently, I am working on an applied study where GP is used to investigate how certain genetic processes affect the fitness of the house sparrow," he said.

Publication details Kenneth Aase et al, How accurate is genomic prediction across wild populations?, Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpaf202 Journal information: Evolution
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Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

It's an exciting time to be a microbiologist working in rice research. A global push towards the cultivation of water-saving rice is enabling farmers to harness the power of microbes that thrive in less water.

Some farmers already use rice production systems that reduce or eliminate the length of time rice is submerged in a flooded paddy field. At the sowing stage, planting of pre-germinated seeds (direct seeding) rather than traditional transplanting of small plants into flooded paddies reduces the need for waterlogged fields. Waterlogged rice paddies emit huge amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Similarly, an irrigation practice known as alternate wetting and drying uses pipes drilled into fields to encourage water management and intermittent flooding, reducing water usage and methane emissions.

Among microbes thriving in less water are arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. These are beneficial soil fungi that live inside plant roots and help to extend plants' reach into the soil to collect nutrients, acting as natural biofertilizers.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are aerobic, meaning they require oxygen for survival. This makes them more likely to be well suited to the drier, more aerated soils (with air spaces to allow efficient exchange of nutrients, water and air) that are increasingly promoted in sustainable rice systems.

To test this theory, I stepped out of the Crop Science lab at the University of Cambridge and into the field at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.

Using some ink stain and a microscope, I examined roots from IRRI 154, a direct-seeded water-saving rice variety developed by the institute.

The results were striking: In IRRI 154 grown in traditional flooded paddy conditions, there were no signs of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonizing the rice roots. But in irrigated, non-flooded "dry" conditions, the fungi were present in up to 20% of the root. This was a clear indication that water-reducing farming practices like dry direct-seeding can promote arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization in rice.

Similarly, a recent study reported that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi help rice grown under alternate wetting and drying in Senegal to have increased resilience to changes in water and nutrient levels.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi don't just help plants access nutrients. They can also provide resistance to pathogens and increased survival in harsh climate conditions such as drought. Encouraging them to colonize rice plants could therefore enhance the overall resilience of rice, an increasingly important trait in the face of climate change and water shortages.

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By supporting and even boosting beneficial microbes like these, our team at the Crop Science Centre also hopes to reduce the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Fertilizers are a major source of nitrous oxide (NO), a potent greenhouse gas. One alternative is for farmers to apply biofertilizers, products containing live, beneficial microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to promote growth.

Determining and testing optimal formulations and application strategies is a big challenge for researchers like me. The effectiveness of biofertilizers depends on several critical quality-control factors. This includes avoiding contamination, preventing spoilage during storage, successful establishment in the soil and efficient colonization of plant roots.

The soil is a complex environment. Solutions need to be tailored to local landscapes and specific situations. That's where an ongoing partnership with Tilda, a UK rice brand, comes in. Tilda successfully implemented water-saving alternate wetting and drying with thousands of basmati farmers in India. Since this encourages the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, it has enabled my colleagues and me to put our science into practice.

I visited farmers in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to ask about their thoughts on using local arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-based biofertilizers to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizer. To my surprise, many had heard of mycorrhizae and were optimistic about its potential.

Our first mission was to check the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Pusa 1, a popular basmati variety grown in the area. Together with the rice farmers in Haryana, we turned the local rice market (mandi) into a lab, setting up ink staining and microscopes for people to see. I found the characteristic tree-like structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a root, and ran outside to tell the crowd of over 20 farmers and agronomists to take a look.

From lab to field

Having confirmed that the fungi were present in Pusa 1 basmati, and with advice from Tilda's local agronomists, we decided to test two locally available mycorrhizae biofertilizers in 31 pilot farms.

We visited the farmers involved in this pilot in September 2025. In Uttar Pradesh, we visited the family farm of Bhoti Devi, a female farmer, and gathered under a tree for shade while discussing field observations with her and some other farmers in the area.

The farmers told me that the rice with added mycorrhizae biofertilizer appeared to have increased root growth and a higher number of tillers (farm machinery with rotating blades that churn up and aerate the soil), indicating a potential boost in yields. I shared images from my own tests in Cambridge which showed similar results. It was exciting to share and compare our observations.

In Haryana, ten farmers similarly described improved root growth. This visible improvement gives us and farmers confidence that these biofertilizers could be improving crop performance while water-saving techniques are being used. Now, we're gathering data from this season to confirm these initial observations.

Our next steps for the biofertilizer testing are twofold: to investigate whether we can apply them to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizer, and to examine the composition and sustainability of the available commercial biofertilizer products. This will ensure they reduce the use of synthetic fertilizer and associated greenhouse gas emissions. With more than 4,000 farmers in Tilda's network, tests can be scaled up to assess the effects of reduced synthetic fertilizer on rice yields.

Translating our lab-based research into a real-world, scalable application is a dream scenario. From breeding programs at IRRI in the Philippines to farmers' fields in India, water-saving rice systems like direct seeding and alternate wetting and drying are promoting the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in rice roots.

Together with rice farmers in India, we can explore how to use more natural biofertilizers to reduce synthetic fertilizers and build more sustainable farming systems.

Key concepts fungiMicrobiota

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Government of Canada (GC) funded initiatives for Indigenous-led Nature-based Solutions. The initiatives corresponded to the Indigenous Guardians program (circles) and the Indigenous Protected Conserved Areas (triangles) between 2018 and 2020. Credit: Earth's Future (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025ef006427

Federally funded Indigenous-led conservation programs are delivering highly effective climate and biodiversity outcomes, aligning with national greenhouse gas mitigation and biodiversity goals, according to a new paper led by Concordia researchers.

Writing in the journal Earth's Future, the authors say these programs, as Indigenous-led Nature-based Solutions (NbS), can be just as or even more effective at carbon storage and biodiversity conservation as conventional national and provincial parks.

"Most of the knowledge we have about Indigenous-led conservation efforts comes from countries in the tropics," says lead author Camilo Alejo, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment. "We want to explore the effect of government support on Indigenous-led initiatives in the Canadian context."

Comparing vast areas

The study examines two Indigenous-led NbS: the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) and the Indigenous Guardians programs.

The IPCAs were established in 2018 and consist of vast regions of land and water in the Northwest Territories. They are administered by local Indigenous Nations using Indigenous laws and traditions and ensure that the peoples there maintain their relationship with their lands. The two IPCAs the researchers studiedThaidene Nene on the eastern arm of Great Slave Lake and Edehzhie to its westtogether cover some 40,000 square kilometers.

The $125-million Indigenous Guardians program was launched in 2017. It has funded over 240 initiatives that act as "eyes and ears on-the-ground," monitoring ecological health, maintaining cultural sites and protecting sensitive areas and species. All of them are led by First Nations, Inuit or Metis communities.

To carry out the study, the researchers combined national-scale data on forests, vegetation, soils, wildlife habitat and land use with information on Indigenous-led initiatives funded between 2018 and 2020.

They compared three types of land: government-funded Indigenous lands, Indigenous lands without federal funding and conventional protected lands, such as national or provincial parks.

The team used geospatial analysis to map carbon stored in plants and soils and calculated a biodiversity index that included species richness, rarity and ecological intactness. The different land areas were made as comparable as possible using statistical methods, which provided a clearer picture of the effects of Indigenous governance over the areas under their management.

Finally, the researchers analyzed descriptions of Indigenous-led projects to identify common themes. Three principal themes emerged: stewardship practices, including traditional fire practices of controlled burns, knowledge exchange and climate adaptation.

These analyses showed that federally funded Indigenous-led efforts at conserving carbon and biodiversity matched or exceeded outcomes in protected areas. Indigenous-led saw significantly lower carbon loss between 2017 and 2020 than these other areas while keeping biodiversity levels stable, improving on pre-funding carbon trends.

The study did not look at what caused emissions to rise or fall, but land transformation driven by human activity like logging and forest fires were believed to be contributors.

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Border issues

The researchers noted conservation project descriptions often linked environmental benefits to Indigenous governance, intergenerational knowledge sharing and climate and biodiversity initiatives.

However, they also say ongoing issues around land tenure, ownership and jurisdiction risk complicating conservation works.

"This study shows that Indigenous-led conservation is an effective mechanism to generate positive environmental outcomes," says co-author Damon Matthews, a professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment.

"Government funding improves these outcomes. But we have to address issues of land tenure and control on top of that."

Assembly First Nations strategic advisor Graeme Reed at York University contributed to this study.

Publication details C. Alejo et al, IndigenousLed NatureBased Solutions Align NetZero Emissions and Biodiversity Targets in Canada, Earth's Future (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025ef006427 Journal information: Earth's Future
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Images of Satrio Wiratama, nicknamed 'Rio', the first giant panda cub born in Indonesia displayed on a screen as senior veterinarian and the Vice President of Life Science at Indonesia Safari Park Bongot Huaso Mulia speaks, during a press conference, in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Indonesia's conservation park on Tuesday released a video showing the progress of a giant panda cub, 40 days after his birth in the country.

The panda named Satrio Wiratama and nicknamed "Rio" was examined for the first time outside the incubator while veterinarians at the Indonesian Taman Safari park in Cisarua, West Java province, took his measures. The video shows Rio's growth from a tiny pink baby to a panda with black and white fur.

"The panda cub is developing healthily and growing very well. Its body weight has increased by 46% over the past 30 days, while its body length has increased by 95%," said Bongot Huaso Mulia, a veterinarian who monitors Rio's progress.

Rio was born on Nov. 27 to Hu Chun, a 15-year-old adult female, and Cai Tao. The pair arrived in Indonesia in 2017 on a 10-year conservation partnership with China. They live in an enclosure built for them at the park about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Jakarta.

An image of Satrio Wiratama, nicknamed 'Rio', the first giant panda cub born in Indonesia idisplayed on a screen during a press conference at Indonesia Safari Park, in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Staff wear panda plush toys on their shoulder during a press conference announcing the first giant panda cub born in Indonesia, at Indonesia Safari Park, in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Cai Tao, a 15-year-old giant panda, the father of Satrio Wiratama, the first panda cub born in Indonesia, stands up as he is given food by a staff in his enclosure at Indonesia Safari Park, in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Cai Tao, a 15-year-old giant panda, the father of Satrio Wiratama, the first panda cub born in Indonesia, sits in his enclosure at Indonesia Safari Park, in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Rio's birth was the result of the fourth artificial insemination, said Mulia.

"So we tried natural mating four times first, followed by four rounds of artificial insemination. It really was not easy," Mulia said.

Pandas are widely considered as China's unofficial mascot and its loans of the animals to overseas zoos have long been seen as a tool of Beijing's soft-power "panda diplomacy."

Giant pandas have difficulty breeding and births are particularly welcomed. There are less than 1,900 giant pandas in their only wild habitats in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu.

"This is the moment we've been waiting for. After years of hard work, finally we've got real. The baby panda, joining the global panda family," China's Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong said.

 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In 2025, youth-led protests erupted everywhere from Morocco to Nepal, Madagascar and Europe. A generation refused to remain silent in the face of economic precariousness, corruption and eroding democratic norms and institutions.

Although they arose in different contexts, all the protests were met with the same playbook of responses: repression, contempt and suspicion towards youth dismissed as irresponsible.

Mobilization across several continents

In Morocco, the #Gen212 movement, which originated on social media, denounced the high cost of living, police violence, muzzling of civil society and lack of opportunities. This mobilization, which began digitally on platforms such as Discord, quickly spilled over from screens into concrete action taken in several cities across the country.

In Madagascar, young people took to the streets at the end of September in a climate of high pre-election tensions to demand real change before being violently repressed. In Nepal, thousands of young people occupy public spaces, demanding genuine democracy and an end to the corruption that is undermining the country.

In Europe, too, youth are mobilizing against authoritarian excesses and persistent inequalities. In Italy, France, and Spain, young people are taking to the streets to protest gender-based violence, unpopular reforms and police repression and to demand recognition of their political rights.

Although the contexts are very different, these mobilizations share the same goal of refusing injustice and demanding that marginalized voices be heard.

Authorities call youth immature and irrational

These movements are often treated as fleeting emotional outbursts, even though they express structured political demands for social justice, freedom, economic security, access to dignity and participation.

Yet the responses by governments have been heading in a totally different directiontowards increased repression. Young protesters are being monitored, arrested, stigmatized and sometimes accused of treason or of being manipulated by foreign powers.

In Morocco, for example, nearly 2,500 young people have been prosecuted, with more than 400 convictedincluding 76 minorssince September 2025. The charges include "group rebellion," "incitement to commit crimes" and participating in armed gatherings. More than 60 prison sentences have been handed down, some of them for up to 15 years.

This mass judicialization of a peaceful movement has been denounced by Amnesty International, which points to excessive uses of force and the increasing criminalization of protest.

In Madagascar, the response was just as brutal: at least 22 deaths, more than 100 injuries and hundreds of arbitrary arrests were recorded during youth demonstrations against corruption and electoral irregularities.

According to the United Nations, security forces used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds. The crisis culminated in the flight of President Andry Rajoelina, which confirmed that, far from defusing the conflict, the crackdown revealed institutions' fragility in the face of politicized youth.

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A discourse referring to parental responsibility

The actions of the young people who have been arrested during recent protests are often attributed to lack of parental responsibility.

In Morocco, for example, the Home Office has called on parents to supervise and guide their children. In Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru and Nepal alike, authorities call on parents to supervise, guide or restrain their children, shifting the political conflict into the family sphere.

This trend illustrates what national security researcher Fatima Ahdash calls the "familialization" of politics: instead of addressing the social, economic and ideological causes of protests, governments turn them into a matter of home education, depoliticizing, individualizing and privatizing the protests in the process. Families become the prism through which young people's political behavior is interpreted, evaluated and sometimes punished.

This response isn't new, but it's taking on unprecedented proportions in a global context of democratic fragility and authoritarian recentring of power marked by the restriction of freedoms, the control of protest and the criminalization of social movements.

States are adopting a defensive stance, treating youth engagement not as a civic resource but as a threat to be neutralized. This hardened stance is symptomatic of a deeper problem: youth are refusing to be satisfied with empty promises and forced compromises, but they face powers unable to recognize the legitimacy of their anger and aspirations.

Silencing criticism

Repression in response to criticism has become a tactic governments use to avoid being questioned. But this strategy is becoming increasingly fragile.

That's because first, it denies the legitimacy of the anger being expressed. Secondly, it ignores a fundamental reality: that this anger is rooted in collective experiences of social decline, discrimination and political powerlessness. It's not empty anger. It expresses a demand for social, political and environmental change that institutions are struggling to grasp.

Unlike mobilizations like the Arab Spring of 2011, the current protests led by Generation Z are horizontal; they are decentralized, have no identifiable leaders, and are rooted in the urgency of the present.

They also originate on social media, organize themselves into autonomous micro-cells, reject structuring ideological narratives, and favor a politics of everyday lifemeaning they reject precariousness while calling for immediate dignity and concrete justice.

Their aesthetic is fluid, borrowing from digital codesmemes, manga, visual remixesand their forms circulate through emotional affinities rather than imitation. This makes them elusive to the powers that be, but powerfully viral.

These movements stir up political emotions (anger, but also hope) and create new languages, digital practices and forms of engagement that often lie outside traditional parties.

One unifying visual element keeps coming up: the black flag with a skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat, a symbol taken from the manga One Piece. More than just a nod to pop culture, this Jolly Roger embodies a thirst for justice, freedom and rebellion shared by a globalized youth, from Kathmandu to Rome.

In Serbia, for example, a student uprising in early 2025 with no visible leader united thousands of people around a simple slogan: more democracy. The movement spread to other generations, without any party or hierarchy, challenging a government that tried to stifle the protests through force and stigmatization.

Evading censorship

Meanwhile, the young people of Cuba Decide are mobilizing on digital platforms to demand a democratic referendum in the midst of constant surveillance. Thanks to encrypted tools and alliances abroad, they are circumventing censorship and amplifying their voices beyond borders.

While criminalizing young people and their protests may slow their momentum, it doesn't solve anything. It only undermines the social contract, fuels political disenchantment and reinforces polarization. What's more, it risks pushing demands for reform to outright refusal of the status quo.

Recent protests remind us of an obvious fact: young people are not "the future," but political entities in the present. Governments need to hear not just the noise of protest, but the clarity of the demands: justice, dignity, representation and a future.

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Schematic of CGT and its impact on heat wave. The upper-tropospheric wave train is CGT, and the anti-cyclonic (cyclonic) anomaly can lead to longer (shorter) duration of heat wave. Credit: Yu Hanzhao

The circumglobal teleconnection pattern (CGT) is a key mode of atmospheric variability during boreal summer, identified by an upper-tropospheric wave train propagating along the subtropical jet. CGT is one of the critical drivers of Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude heat waves. However, how the structure of CGT responds to global warming and its effect on future heat wave characteristics remains inconclusive.

This study, recently published in Geophysical Research Letters, unravels the robust weakening of CGT under global warming and elucidates its impact on regional heat waves. The research was led by Yu Hanzhao, a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS).

"Previous studies paid little attention to forced change of CGT under greenhouse warming," Yu explained, "We found that this wave train will weaken drastically in the future."

The research team used 34 climate models in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and revealed that the amplitude of CGT wave train will decrease robustly in a high-emission future, at only 68% of the present magnitude by the end of this century. The uniformly declined amplitude is manifested in decreased wind anomalies from Eurasia to the North Pacific.

The authors further examined the underlying mechanism by conducting a Rossby Wave Source diagnosis. Results show that the atmospheric circulation anomalies over the eastern Mediterranean significantly weakens under global warming, which will act as an upstream signal and affect the downstream regions over Eurasia, thus leading to the reduced CGT amplitude.

How will weakened CGT influence the mid-latitude heat waves? The authors found that CGT-related heat wave duration increases significantly from 5.5 days to 7.0 days over Eastern Europe, the Tibetan Plateau, Northeastern Asia and North America, while the duration declines evidently from 9.2 days to 7.5 days over the Middle East. The major shift of regional heat wave duration is induced by high-level atmospheric circulation changes related to the weakened CGT.

"This study unravels the robust change on CGT structure under global warming," said Professor Tianjun Zhou, the corresponding author of the study and a senior research scientist at IAP/CAS and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. "We also highlight its impact on the change of heat wave events worldwide and the potential threat to crop yield and ecosystems."

By elucidating the key role of Mediterranean circulation on the weakening CGT, this study provides new evidence on the changing effect of atmospheric mode of variability on heat wave features under global warming.

Publication details Hanzhao Yu et al, Weakened CircumGlobal Teleconnection Pattern Under Global Warming Can Modulate Heat Extremes Across Eurasia, Geophysical Research Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025gl116358 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters

Provided by Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Corporal punishmentusually referring to adults hitting childrenwas abolished in South Africa in 1997. The Constitutional Court had already ruled it incompatible with the bill of rights in 1995. In that judgment, the chief justice said that in his view, "juvenile whipping is cruel, it is inhuman and it is degrading"as well as "unnecessary." The South African Schools Act of 1996 also outlawed it. Anecdotal evidence suggests, however, that this practice is still common in many schools and homes. Educational psychologist Simangele Mayisela researched the subject for her 2017 doctorate, asking why some teachers and parents (and even children) believed it was an effective and harmless form of discipline.

How did you study the roots of this behavior?

My Ph.D. research used observations and interviews at a rural public school in a low-income area in South Africa to investigate the historical and socio-cultural origins of corporal punishment. I wanted to understand how teachers' childhood and cultural exposure to corporal punishment had influenced their use of it, and how punishing children this way could affect their development.

There hadn't been much research about how corporal punishment in schools could be passed on in culture from one generation to the next.

Under the oppressive apartheid regime's system of "Bantu Education," which aimed to keep black people subservient to white people, corporal punishment was widely used.

But even after South Africa became a democracy in 1994, this practice continued.

What did you see that suggested teachers had a deep belief about corporal punishment?

There were numerous examples.

I observed a grade 4 social science lesson on the types and functions of landmarks. The teacher used the example of Table Mountain in Cape Town as a natural landmark and the Ponte City tower in Johannesburg as a manmade landmark. One boy in the classroom raised his hand and, before he was called on to speak, said, "Sir, here in our village Ntabande (a hill) is a natural landmark and the Vilakazi tavern is a manmade landmark." The teacher was angry because the boy had spoken without permission, and promised him a "hiding" after the lesson.

I also attended a community meeting about various issues, including scholar transport. The chief asked parents to give their children a hiding if they didn't get to the bus on time. The message for teachers and parents was that traditional authority encouraged corporal punishment.

Study participants told me that parents supported the practice of teachers physically punishing their children.

In another sign of how people in this community thought about order, discipline, punishment and reward, I saw various kinds of sticks at the school where I did my research. They were not all used for inflicting pain; some were used for pointing to charts, for example. They had different names indicating different functions and intentions. In interviews, children referred to sticks as umqondisi (a person who makes something straight, puts things in order), uphiphizinyefu (cleaner of your mess), or "sweets."

In the early childhood development class, children started the morning by reciting rhymes and moving their little bodies in meaningful imitative rhythm. One of the rhymes has this line: "Shaya tishela, shaya tishela, shaya tishela (hit the child, teacher)."

What did teachers and children say about it?

In focus groups and interviews, generations of teachers (retired and working) said that when they were children, it was normal to be beaten at home and at school. It was hard to avoid being beaten, even if you behaved well.

Yet they were grateful to their teachers for having used corporal punishment. They believed there was a direct relationship between that form of "discipline" and their academic success. It had enabled them to become teachers themselves. One teacher described it as "the very instrument that made you who you are." And academic success was what they wanted for the children they were teaching.

Some could still recite things they had "learned" by rote as children. One mentioned how, when they were children, the teacher would walk around the classroom as learners wrote their essays, and unleash the "hookaai" (also a word for a whip used on animals) on them for spelling mistakes. The same kind of experience was described by the current generation of children in the study.

The teachers even referred to corporal punishment as "sweets"making it sound like a reward.

In the way they spoke, the participants did not separate corporal punishment from the teaching and learning process. They seemed to think of the threeteaching, learning and beatingas one activity. "In my class there is a stick  I made sure that I leave no mark on a child."

Teachers believed that corporal punishment encouraged children to focus: "The person (child) begins to think."

All three generations of teachers in the study accepted corporal punishment as normal. They took this humiliating experience lightly, laughing about it. In psychology, this is a sign of coping and acceptance.

Several teachers spoke of it as part of their culture: "We believe that we must raise a child with a stick."

Children had already internalized that idea. One said, "At home they say every child needs to be beaten." And they believed they had called it upon themselves: "It's me who has started her (the teacher)". This created feelings of guilt: "If we start them, the teachers feel the pain." Children also laughed when talking about punishment.

Of all the children interviewed, only one indicated that being beaten made him think about why he'd done what he did.

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What are the outcomes of this disciplinary approach?

Being exposed to corporal punishment all the time made the community see it as a normal tool for raising children.

It appeared that teachers believed that corporal punishment produced desired behavior from a child. But this was mainly from the child's avoidance of physical pain, not from understanding what was "wrong" about their behavior.

In a classroom where children are motivated by avoiding pain and ridicule, there is little development of higher mental functions. Fear and anxiety interfere with thought processing, hindering development and learning. It's likely to affect the development of psychological functions related to discipline like problem-solving, self-regulation and agency.

For instance, in this study, I observed two siblings from a child-headed family coming late for the whole week while I was at the school, and they would be beaten every day for latecoming. When I engaged with the siblings, they simply said they woke up late and their brother, in high school, also got to school late. They had not learned to solve the problem of being late for school and to regulate their sleep and waking up pattern. In line with education policy, these learners are an example of children experiencing social and economic learning barriers.

The reliance on corporal punishment as a discipline measure deprives children of a chance to discover for themselves what is true and right, and the knowledge and experience they will need in adulthood.

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It shimmers and sparkles in the deep sea: Under the protruding flange of the hydrothermal vent on the Knipovich Ridge, hot fluids reflect the light due to their optical properties. Credit: MARUMCenter for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen.

The mid-ocean ridge runs through the oceans like a suture. Where Earth's plates move apart, new oceanic crust is continuously formed. This is often accompanied by magmatism and hydrothermal activity. Seawater seeps into the subsurface, is heated to temperatures above 400C, and rises again to the ocean floor.

The scientific community until now has assumed that the high hydrogen content measured in these liquids was a clear sign of serpentinization, a process that occurs when hot, mineral-rich liquids in Earth's crust react with the rocks there, and hydrogen and methane, among other materials, are formed through chemical reactions. These substances form the basis for life at the hydrothermal seeps.

Dr. Alexander Diehl, first author of a new study published in Communications Earth & Environment and a scientist at MARUMCenter for Marine Environmental Sciences, and at the Faculty of Geosciences of the University of Bremen, and his team have now shown that there is another way in which elevated hydrogen concentrations can arise at the spreading ridges.

Recently discovered hydrothermal field off Norway

The area of study is the Jtul Hydrothermal Field on the Knipovich Ridge. This lies off the coast of Spitsbergen in the European Norwegian Sea, and represents the junction of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It was first discovered in 2022 during a MARUM expedition of the research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN. It is significant because it lies on the flank of a rift valley in an ultra slow spreading mid-ocean ridge that is overlain by sediments from the continental slope. The entire region is characterized by a multitude of different seeps and vents.

During the original expedition, initial samples of hydrothermal fluids were taken by the remotely operated vehicle MARUM-QUEST 4000. "However, on the way to the surface, the gases escaped and could no longer be precisely measured in the laboratory. Similar to opening a pressurized soda bottle," explains Diehl, "the gas fizzes out." In order to investigate the components of the hydrothermal fluids more accurately, the research team returned to the Knipovich Ridge in 2024 with gas-tight sample containers.

More than just serpentinization

But there is another specialty associated with the Jtul Hydrothermal Field: It lies much deeper than other sediment-accumulating hydrothermal vents. "At a depth of 3,000 meters, high pressures dominate, which, on the one hand, makes sampling a challengeand on the other hand, also influences the geological and chemical processes taking place there," explains Prof. Dr. Gerhard Bohrmann, who was the Chief Scientist of both MARUM expeditions to the Jtul Hydrothermal Field.

The researchers analyzed the major components and dissolved gases as well as isotopic compositions, then applied thermodynamic modeling to study how the fluids react with the surrounding rocks.

"Our models showed that, because of the high pressures and temperatures in the subsurface at the hydrothermal vents, the organic materials in the sediments decompose under supercritical conditions, causing the release of hydrogen molecules," explains Diehl.

"We were able to show that serpentinization is not the only explanation for how elevated hydrogen concentrations can occur in the deep sea. These findings expand our understanding of sediment-dominated hydrothermal vents, and suggest that the interaction between fluids and sediments is a more important source for dissolved hydrogen in the ocean than was previously believed."

Publication details Alexander Diehl et al, High H 2 production in sediment-hosted hydrothermal fluids at an ultraslow spreading mid-ocean ridge, Communications Earth & Environment (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02962-2 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Two things are clear from a University of Michigan analysis of nearly 200,000 Twitter posts between 2012 and 2022. One, people are really good at identifying peak pollen season: The largest volume of tweets about pollen often lined up with pollen counters hitting their biggest numbers. And two, liberal users on Twitter were more likely than conservatives to ascribe shifting pollen seasons over the years to climate change.

"There is a partisan gap in how we perceive the pollen seasons that are very relevant to our day-to-day life and even our health," said Yiluan Song, the lead author of the report appearing in the journal PNAS Nexus. Song is a postdoctoral fellow at the Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society (MIDAS), and the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).

While the team understands that the divide itself might be what people latch onto most in today's political climate, it is the second part of Song's statement that has the researchers' focus. People have an intimate relationship with pollen that's different from other climate change impacts, they said, such as the increasing average global temperature.

"We already know that people's political beliefs shape how they think about climate changethat's been shown in many studies. But what's new here is that more and more people are struggling with pollen allergies," said Kai Zhu, a senior author of the new study and an associate professor at SEAS.

"When people feel the impact of pollen in their own livessneezing more or cleaning pollen off their carsit becomes personal. That experience can help connect the dots to climate change, which can feel abstract or distant. Instead of talking about a degree or two of global warming, we can focus on things people face directly in their daily lives."

The study's other U-M authors included Nathan Fox, an AI scientist with MIDAS; Derek Van Berkel, an associate professor at SEAS; and Arun Agrawal, an emeritus professor at SEAS. Adam Millard-Ball, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, was another key contributor.

People remember pollen

As the planet warms due to climate change, pollen seasons around the country are starting earlier and lasting longer. That means not only more sneezes, runny noses and watery eyes for people with seasonal allergies, but also heightened risks for more serious reactions that can result in hospitalizations. A recent U-M study has even linked high pollen counts to increased suicide risks.

Beyond the health concerns, people also express frustration over needing to spend more time and money cleaning their cars, patio furniture and other belongings thanks to more intense pollen seasons. In fact, Song said, folks who tweeted about increased pollen were often doing so in this context. Whether or not they made the connection to climate change, a lot of people were tweeting about pollen every year. This annual nature of pollen season is another helpful feature on the communication front, she said.

While individuals who don't identify as media or scientific experts largely drive the discussion around pollen, it's those two groups that dominate in attributing the cause of pollen season shifts to climate change. This shows that there's an opportunity to promote more "bottom-up" generation of climate knowledge by finding new ways to engage with individuals, University of Michigan researchers said. Credit: PNAS Nexus (2025). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf386

For its study, the researchers analyzed a dataset containing more than 190,000 tweets posted between 2012 and 2022 within the United States (Twitter rebranded as X in 2023, when it also made changes in the availability of its data). The team first compared the count of pollen-related posts to pollen concentration data and found that tweet volume correlated with pollen counts.

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That is, people are reliable "social sensors" of pollen, Zhu said.

"We found that social media is surprisingly accurate at reflecting what's really happening with pollen levels around the country," he said. "People posting about pollen closely matched actual pollen counts."

"Temperature changes day to day and it can be hard to remember exactly when a really warm day was," Song said. "But we have deep memories for annual events. For example, Atlanta had record-breaking pollen peaks this year, as well as in 2012, and people remember that."

The team next analyzed the content of sampled posts and scored users on a liberal to conservative gradient based on the accounts they follow. The team found that conservative users were more likely to talk about pollen and attribute it to changes in temperatures, while liberal users were more likely to go a step further and attribute it to climate change.

Tweet counts about pollen largely mirrored pollen concentration as determined by pollen counters around the U.S., showing people are good "social sensors" of pollen levels. Credit: PNAS Nexus (2025). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf386

The team also grouped the tweets by their sources, categorizing whether they came from members of the media, scientific experts, organizations or other individuals. This allowed the team to follow the flow of information, which highlighted other communications insights.

"When we look at the more technical discussions about how climate change drives pollen season change, a lot of it's dominated by scientific experts and the media," Song said. "There are pros and cons to this. It shows scientists are getting messages out there about climate change, but, on the other hand, this knowledge production is very top-down. Perhaps the scientific community could do more to encourage bottom-up production."

Moving forward, the team plans to broaden the impact of their ecological research with the insights from this study.

Publication details Yiluan Song et al, Political ideology and scientific communication shape human perceptions of pollen seasons, PNAS Nexus (2025). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf386 Journal information: PNAS Nexus
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Donald Trump joked in 2016 that he could "stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody" and not lose support. In 2024, after two impeachments and 34 felony convictions, he has more or less proved the point. He not only returned to the White House, he turned his mug shot into decor, hanging it outside the Oval Office like a trophy.

He's not alone. Many politicians are ensnared in scandal, but they seldom pay the same kind of cost their forebears might have 20 or 30 years ago. My research, which draws on 50 years of verified political scandals at the state and national levels, national surveys and an expert poll, reaches a clear and somewhat unsettling conclusion.

In today's polarized America, scandals hurt less, fade faster and rarely end political careers.

New York's Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey's Jim McGreevey both resigned as governors due to sex scandals, only to run again this year for mayoral posts. Both lost. Cuomo sought to replace New York Mayor Eric Adams, who never stepped down despite being indictedwith charges later droppedin a corruption case that engulfed much of his administration.

The adulterous state attorney general from Texas, Ken Paxton, survived an impeachment vote in 2023 over bribery and abuse of office and is now running for the U.S. Senate. The list goes onproof that scandal rarely ends a political career.

When scandals still mattered

For most of the previous half-century, scandals had real bite.

Watergate, which involved an administration spying on its political enemies, knocked out President Richard M. Nixon. The Keating Five banking scandal of the 1980s reshaped the Senate, damaging the careers of most of the prominent senators who intervened with regulators to help a campaign contributor later convicted of fraud.

Members of Congress referred to the House ethics committee were far less likely to keep their seats. Governors, speakers and cabinet officials ensnared in scandal routinely resigned. The nation understood scandal as a serious breach of public trust, not a potential fundraising opportunity.

But beginning in the late 1990s and accelerating throughout the Trump era, something changed.

According to my dataset of more than 800 scandals involving presidents, governors and members of Congress, politicians in recent decades have survived scandals for longer periods of time and ultimately faced fewer consequences.

Even at the presidential levelwhere personal legacy should, in theory, be most sensitivescandals barely leave a dent. Trump and his supporters have worn his legal attacks as a badge of honor, taking them as proof that an insidious swamp has conspired against him.

This isn't just a quirk of modern politics. As a political scientist, I believe it's a threat to democratic accountability. Accountability holds politicians, and the political system, to legal, moral and ethical standards. Without these checks, the people lose their power.

To salvage the basic idea that wrongdoing still matters, the nation will need to figure out how to Make Scandals Great Againnot in the partisan sense but in the civic one.

As a start, both parties could commit to basic red linesbribery, abuse of office, exploitationwhere resignation is expected, not optional. This would send a signal to voters about when to take charges seriously. That matters because, while voters can forgive mistakes, they shouldn't excuse corruption.

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A tribal cue, not an ethical event

Why the new imperviousness?

Partisanship is the main culprit. Today's voters don't evaluate scandal as citizens; they evaluate it as fans. Democrats and Republicans seek to punish misdeeds by the other side but rationalize them for their own.

This selective morality is the engine of "affective polarization," a political science term describing the intense dislike of the opposing party that now defines American politics. A scandal becomes less an ethical event than a tribal cue. If it hurts my enemy, I'm outraged. If it hurts my ally, it's probably exaggerated, unfair or just fake.

The nation's siloed and shrinking media environment accelerates this trend. News consumers drift toward outlets that favor their politics, giving them a partial view of possible wrongdoing. Local journalism, formerly the institution most responsible for uncovering wrongdoing, has been gutted. A typical House scandal once generated 70 or more stories in a district's largest newspaper. Today, it averages around 23.

Evaluating surveys of presidency scholars, I found that economic growth, time in office, war leadership and perceived intellectual ability all meaningfully shape presidential greatness. Scandals, by comparison, barely move the needle.

Warren G. Harding still gets dinged for Teapot Dome, a major corruption scandal a century ago, and Nixon remains defined by Watergate. But for most modern presidents, scandal is just one more piece of noise in an already overwhelming media environment.

At the same time, partisan media ecosystems reinforce voters' instincts. For many voters, negative coverage of a fellow partisan is not a warning sign. As with Trump, it can be a badge of honor, proof that the so-called establishment fears their champion.

The incentive structure flips. Instead of shrinking from scandal and behavior that could once have ended careers, politicians learn to exploit it. As Texas governor a decade ago, Rick Perry printed his felony mug shot on a T-shirt for supporters. Trump's best fundraising days corresponded directly to his criminal court appearances.

Making scandals resonate

Even when the evidence is clear-cut, the public's memory isn't.

Voters forget scandals that should matter but vividly remember ones that fit their partisan worldview, sometimes even when memory contradicts fact. Years after Trump left office, more Republicans believed his false claimsabout the 2020 election, cures for COVID-19 and the Jan. 6 Capitol riotthan during his presidency. The longer the scandal drags on, the foggier the details become, making it easier for partisans to reshape the narrative.

The problem isn't that America has too many scandals. It's that the consequences no longer match the misdeeds.

But the story isn't hopeless. Scandals still matter under certain conditionsparticularly when they involve clear abuses of power or financial corruption and, crucially, when voters actually learn credible details. And political scientists have long known that scandals can produce real benefit. They expose wrongdoing, prompt reforms, sharpen voter attention and remind citizens that institutions need scrutiny.

So, what would it take to Make Scandals Great Again, not as spectacle but as accountability?

One step would be to rebuild the watchdogs. Local journalism could use investment, including through nonprofit models and philanthropy.

Second, it's important that ethics enforcement maintains independence from the political actors it polices. Letting lawmakers investigate themselves guarantees selective outrage. At the same time, however, political parties could play a role in restoring trust by calling out their own, increasing their own accountability by lamenting real offenses among their own members.

Political scandals will never disappear from American life. But for them to serve as silver liningsand, ultimately, to protect public trustthe conditions that give them meaning require restoration. That could foster a political culture where wrongdoing still carries a price and where truth can pierce through the noise long enough for the public to hear it.

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China's Yangtze economic belt more than doubles GDP as green growth takes hold over past decade

Xinhua) 08:12, January 06, 2026

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 9, 2025 shows vehicles passing a toll gate of the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge, seen from the north bank of the Yangtze River, in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Gu Jihong/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's Yangtze River Economic Belt, a pivotal economic powerhouse, has seen its regional GDP more than double in the course of the past decade, while steering toward a new path that prioritizes ecological protection and green growth.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Wang Changlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, highlighted some telling indicators of this economic belt's high-quality development.

The economic belt currently contributes 47.3 percent of the national economic output, up from 42.2 percent ten years ago, and has significantly boosted the share of sections with good water quality from 67 percent to 96.5 percent. The Yangtze River trunk line has remained the world's busiest inland waterway, as its annual cargo throughput has surged by 71 percent to 4.2 billion tonnes over the past decade.

Stretching more than 6,300 kilometers before emptying into the East China Sea, the Yangtze River is China's longest waterway.

China launched the Yangtze River Economic Belt initiative in early 2016, aiming to transform the region into a golden economic belt featuring more beautiful ecology, smoother transport networks, a more coordinated economy, a better-integrated market and a greater quantity of scientific mechanisms.

Ten years on, the economic belt, comprising 11 provincial-level regions, has emerged stronger with an improved natural environment and new growth impetus from innovation-driven industries.

DECADE OF ECOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT

Jiang Huohua, an official with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, has hailed the sharp rise in the proportion of good water quality over the past decade as "hard-won," noting that the water quality of the river's main stream has remained at Grade II in the country's five-tier water quality system for six consecutive years.

Efforts have been made in pollution control, ecological restoration, systematic management and risk prevention, Jiang noted. Over 90 percent of black, malodorous water bodies in county-level cities have been cleared, while the total phosphorus level in the Yangtze River Basin has dropped by more than 40 percent from ten years ago.

"Populations of flagship species, such as the finless porpoise, have increased, and the 'mother river' is teeming with new vitality," Jiang told the press.

To restore biodiversity along the river, China implemented a full fishing ban in 332 conservation areas of the Yangtze River basin in January 2020, which was expanded in 2021 to a 10-year fishing moratorium along the river's main streams and major tributaries.

"Sustained conservation and restoration initiatives have led to a steady recovery in aquatic biodiversity," said Jiang Kaiyong, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Between 2021 and 2024, a total of 344 indigenous fish species were monitored in the Yangtze River Basin, an increase of 36 species compared to the period before the fishing ban, Jiang revealed.

Strengthened joint enforcement has successfully driven down fishing-related crimes over the past five years, he added, while pledging that the agricultural ministry will work with other authorities to support the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt through high-level protection of aquatic biodiversity.

INNOVATION-DRIVEN GROWTH

Over the past decade, the Yangtze River Economic Belt has emerged as one of China's most dynamic innovation hubs, as technological advances increasingly translate into both industrial strength and global competitiveness.

It has produced a number of internationally competitive technology companies, including AI startup DeepSeek and stellar robotics maker Unitree Robotics, alongside the rise of world-class industrial clusters in sectors such as automobile manufacturing and electronic information.

Wang Changlin said the government has established three major science and technology innovation centers and eight national laboratories across regions along the Yangtze River, which have supported breakthroughs in core technologies spanning AI, quantum information, integrated circuits and life sciences.

Manufacturing depth has also strengthened. The economic belt has built complete industrial chains in electronic information, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. A total of 41 national-level advanced manufacturing clusters and 30 clusters focused on strategic emerging industries have taken shape.

While accounting for roughly one-third of China's total energy consumption and carbon emissions, the economic belt generates nearly half of the country's gross domestic product -- highlighting its leading role in promoting green development.

Looking ahead, policymakers have vowed to accelerate the green transformation of traditional industries along the river, while fostering locally tailored green and low-carbon sectors.

The economic belt will better align economic development with environmental protection, Wang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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This artists conception shows a supermassive star roughly 1 million times the mass of our sun, loosely bound by an outer envelope and cut away to reveal the structure of its dense core. Akin to their massive counterparts, extremely massive stars feature a convective core where nuclear reactions occur, producing enormous amounts of energy carried to the surface by photons. Despite this, the outer layers are enormously extended and diffused, so that the energy from the core spreads across a huge volume before reaching the surface. This, in turn, lowers the surface temperature of the star, giving it a distinct red appearance. Credit: CfA/Melissa Weiss

Using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) have revealed the universe's most mysterious distant objects, known as little red dots, may actually be gigantic, short-lived stars.

The findings offer a direct glimpse into how the universe's first supermassive black holes may have formed, marking a breakthrough in scientists' understanding of the early cosmos.

The study was presented today at a press conference during the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS 2025) in Phoenix, Arizona. The paper is available on the arXiv preprint server.

As the universe expands, light from very distant objects stretches to redder colors. Early space-based telescopes like Hubble were built to detect shorter wavelengths of light, and while they saw interesting targets that later turned out to be little red dots, scientists couldn't tell exactly what they were.

In 2022, the first deep images from Webb, a telescope designed to see longer wavelengths of light, revealed little red dots in the distant universe. The new results gave scientists more context into what these mysterious, compact, and very old objects could be.

Past theories explaining little red dots required complicated explanations involving black holes, accretion disks and dust clouds, but the new model shows that a single massive star can also naturally produce all of the key signatures in little red dots: extreme brightness, a distinctive V-shaped spectrum, and the rare combination of one bright hydrogen emission.

Now, for the first time, astronomers have created a detailed physical model of a rare, metal-free, rapidly growing supermassive star about a million times the mass of the sun, and showed that its unique features are a perfect match for little red dots.

"Little red dots have been a point of contention since their discovery," said Devesh Nandal, an astronomer at the CfA and the lead author of the new study. "But now, with new modeling, we know what's lurking in the center of these massive objects, and it's a single gigantic star in a wispy envelope. And importantly, these findings explain everything that Webb has been seeing."

While stars across a wide range of masses align with both the spectral measurements for little red dots, only the most massive have the right luminosity. Nandal and his colleagues believe that if they can find additional little red dots that are less luminous and massive than those in the study, they will be able to uncover the truth about why and how this happens.

The new results are helping scientists come one step closer to understanding little red dots, providing direct evidence of the final, brilliant moments that occur just before a giant star collapses into a black hole.

"If our interpretation is right, we're not just guessing that heavy black hole seeds must have existed. Instead, we're watching some of them be born in real time," said Nandal. "That gives us a much stronger handle on how the universe's supermassive black holes and galaxies grew."

Publication details Devesh Nandal et al, Supermassive Stars Match the Spectral Signatures of JWST's Little Red Dots, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.12618 Journal information: arXiv
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Credit: Kelly from Pexels

When we think of an Australian farmer, we often still conjure up an image of a bloke in a hat, perhaps leaning on a fence post. If women make an appearance at all in this picture, it's usually as a support to the male farmer.

Women's labor has long been central to the success of Australian farming. But farming itself is still largely seen as a "masculine" job. That's why the Australian women in agriculture movement has fought hard to change this perception.

Our research has reviewed the story and impacts of this movement over the past 40 years.

There have been some big wins for womenparticularly in terms of cultural recognition. But they still do not have equal access to the economic rewards of farming.

Not just the farmer's wife

Australian farmers get much less government support than in other advanced economies, including very low subsidies for agriculture.

The viability of farming in Australia has long been reliant on the flexible and often underpaid work of family members, including wives, daughters-in-law and daughters.

Even so, this contribution hasn't always been visible or officially recognized.

In the 1990s, rural women started meeting and formulating agendas for change at what were known as the "Women on Farm Gatherings."

Recognition as farmers was at the top of the list. But before making demands to be recognized as farmers, they first needed to self-identify in this way.

As one participant, Elaine Paton, is quoted as saying, "I went to a Woman on Farms gathering as a farmer's wife and I walked away a farmer."

In 1994, the movement was successful in challenging the existing legal status of women on farms as a "sleeping partner, non-productive."

This impacted women's position in divorce and injury settlements, impinging on their claims that they were contributors to the farm business and deserved recognition as such.

The movement was making gains in disrupting the masculine idea of what it was to be a farmer. But it also faced backlash.

For example, when Tasmanian Women in Agriculture formed in 1994, it was reportedly "seen in some circles as either a threat or a joke."

Progress stalls

Like many Australian women's movements, the momentum of the rural women's movement stalled from the late 1990s onward.

The movement had been supported by the establishment of rural women's units in state and federal government departments from the 1980s onward. These were focused on building the skills, recognition and confidence of women in agriculture.

But access to policymakers in the government via these organizations became constrained. Agriculture itself was undergoing a policy-driven economic restructuring at this time. Government supports, subsidies and services for farmers all declined.

Farmers were encouraged to "get big or get out" to maintain farm viability. They were also encouraged to become more professional and entrepreneurial.

Recognition, but few rewards

Effectively making claims on the government depended on rural women's groups supporting the broader agricultural policy of economic restructuring.

The rural women's movement argued it was a "valuable, Australian resource" that could help the agriculture sector and rural communities adjust to this change.

Policies targeted at women in agriculture and women in rural areas focused on tapping into rural women's potential to make farms professional and less reliant on government support.

This included building skills related to the farm office. These programs helped to legitimize the policy of economic restructuring, as it was seen to be empowering for women.

These programs did little to improve women's access to the economic rewards of agriculture. Key politicians still appeared to see women as secondary farmers.

For example, in 2013, then federal agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce said agriculture would "fall flat on its face without the prominent and incredible role that women play," but then described that role as "basically as the assistant farm laborer, with the partner or with the husband."

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Where we are today

Women's on and off-farm labor is crucial for family farm viability in Australia, but they still do not share equally in the economic rewards of farming.

The flexibility and underpayment of family labor is arguably one of the key reasons Australian farming remains largely in family rather than corporate hands.

Our research has explored how contemporary Australian government policies targeting women in agriculture present women in three ways:

the supportive wife holding the farming family together

the entrepreneurial farm partner

the builder of resilient rural communities.

This does not recognize women as independent farmers in their own right. It also reinforces and normalizes women's contribution to agriculture and rural communities as underpaid or unpaid.

It also fails to recognize the diversity of Australian agriculture and the role of the construct of the white middle-class farming woman in colonization.

Future proofing the Australian agricultural sector will rely on governments recognizing that the sector is reliant on women's work and introducing policies that aim to strengthen women's economic positions.

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The 18 galaxies from the ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST survey. Each picture shows the location of ionized gas (as traced by the hydrogen alpha line, the spectral signature of hot hydrogen gas) in the galaxies. Several of the pictured galaxies are interacting, meaning two or even three galaxies are in the process of merging. Credit: Andreas Faisst (Caltech) and the ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST Survey team

Astronomers have captured the most detailed look yet at faraway galaxies at the peak of their youth, an active time when the adolescent galaxies were fervently producing new stars.

The observations focused on 18 galaxies located 12.5 billion light-years away. They were imaged across a range of wavelengths from ultraviolet to radio over the past eight years by a trio of telescopes: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope; NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST); and ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) in Chile, of which the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a partner. Data from other ground-based telescopes were also used to make measurements, such as the total mass of stars in the galaxies.

"With this sample, we are uniquely poised to study galaxy evolution during a key epoch in the universe that has been hard to image until now," says Andreas Faisst, a staff scientist at IPAC, a science and data center for astronomy at Caltech. "Thanks to these exceptional telescopes, we have spatially resolved these galaxies and can observe the stages of star formation as they were happening and their chemical properties when our universe was less than a billion years old."

Faisst, who led the observations, which were conducted as part of the ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST Survey, presented the results at the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society on January 6, 2026, in Phoenix. The results were published in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. The survey program consists of an international team of more than 50 scientists across more than 15 institutions.

Cartoon showing the evolution of metal production in galaxies. Credit: Caltech/Andreas Faisst

Galaxies maturing faster than expected

A key finding from the survey is that the galaxies are maturing faster in several ways than researchers previously believed. For one, the galaxies are more chemically enriched than expected, which means they have produced more heavy elements, in particular carbon and oxygen, than was thought possible during this early age of the cosmos.

As galaxies evolve, pockets of gas within them condense and ignite into stars. The new stars churn out heavy elements like carbon, which then become building blocks for the next generation of stars. Ultimately, these heavy elements (referred to as metals in astronomy) are required to make planetary systems, and even humans, in the case of our own solar system.

"How do metals form in less than 1 billion years? It was a surprise to see such chemically mature galaxies," Faisst says. "It's like seeing 2-year-old children act like teenagers."

A look at two different remote galaxies from the ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST survey (DC-873321 and DC-842313). DC-873321 is a merging pair and DC-842313 is part of a system of three or four merging galaxies. The different panels (from left to right) show different wavelengths observed by JWST and ALMA, each seeing different aspects of the galaxy: stars (optical stellar light; JWST), hot ionized gas (optical hydrogen alpha; JWST), dust (radio; ALMA), and cold gas (traced by carbon emission; ALMA). The picture on the far left shows all wavelengths combined. Credit: Robert Hurt (Caltech), Andreas Faisst (Caltech) and the ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST Survey team

And these teenagers are hungry. The data also show that the supermassive black holes within almost half of these galaxies are actively accreting material, or "feeding," implying that the black holes are rapidly growing.

In a similar vein, previous results from a parent ALPINE survey found that many of these young galaxies exhibit rotating disksa sign that the galaxies' physical structures (similar in appearance to our own spiral Milky Way) had developed earlier than predicted. (The parent survey contained 118 galaxies, of which the 18 in the new study are a subset.)

"Now, with this new survey, we can show that some of these galaxies were both structurally and chemically evolved," Faisst says.

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New insights into galactic environments

In addition to the galaxies themselves, the new study found that their surrounding gasthe so-called circumgalactic mediumwas also chemically enriched. "The galaxies show very flat gradients in their metal abundances, reaching out to more than 30,000 light-years," notes co-author Wuji Wang, a postdoc at IPAC working with Faisst.

The ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST survey is the first to both spatially resolve galaxies as far away as 12.5 billion light-years and to image them at multiple wavelengths. The spatially resolved images allow the astronomers to point to regions of gas, dust, and metals within the galaxies and begin to deduce exactly how stars were being manufactured and how the galaxies were being chemically enriched to eventually become similar to our Milky Way, with planetary systems like our own.

The multiwavelength coverage is important because each component of a galaxy (stars, gas, dust) emits light at different wavelengths, and observing all these components simultaneously allows researchers to understand a galaxy as a whole.

Future research and study details

In the future, the team plans to study the growth and metal enrichment of these galaxies in more detail using cosmological simulations, including those created by Phil Hopkins, Caltech's Ira S. Bowen Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics. "The combination of observations and simulations provides a powerful synergy to understand the details of star formation, and dust and metal production mechanisms," Faisst says. "The knowledge of these will ultimately help us understand the formation of the first stars and planets and how our own Milky Way came into being."

The study is titled "The ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST Survey: JWST/IFU Optical Observations for 18 Main-Sequence Galaxies at z=4-6." Other Caltech authors include postdoc Yu-Heng Lin, Caltech Optical Observatory astronomer Lin Yan (Ph.D. '96), and graduate student Lunjun (Simon) Liu (MS '25). A companion paper, led by Seiji Fujimoto of the University of Toronto, was submitted to The Astrophysical Journal and is currently available on the arXiv preprint server.

Publication details A. L. Faisst et al, The ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST Survey: JWST/IFU Optical Observations for 18 Main-sequence Galaxies atz= 46, The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series (2026). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4365/ae0928 Seiji Fujimoto et al, The ALPINE-CRISTAL-JWST Survey: NIRSpec IFU Data Processing and Spatially-resolved Views of Chemical Enrichment in Normal Galaxies at z=4-6, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2510.16116 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal , arXiv
DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  An Israeli strike in Gaza on Monday hit a tent housing displaced people, killing a 5-year-old girl and her uncle and wounding two other children, hospital officials said.

The strike took place in the Muwasi area northwest of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, officials at Nasser Hospital said. The Associated Press couldnt independently verify those details. Family members wept over the bodies as they were brought to the hospital.

The dead are among the more than 400 people killed in Gaza since an October ceasefire began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israeli military said on social media it struck a Hamas militant who planned an imminent attack on Israeli troops in the southern Gaza Strip. It said the strike complied with the ceasefire agreement, and was done in a targeted way to mitigate civilian harm.

It was not immediately clear if the statement referred to the fatal tent strike. The military also said that, because of continued ceasefire violations, it had begun striking Hezbollah and Hamas terror targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The strikes came a few days before Lebanons army commander is scheduled to brief the government on its mission of disarming Hezbollah in areas along the border with Israel.

Israel and the Lebanese militant group exchanged fire for over a year before reaching a ceasefire in November 2024. Israel continues to control small parts of Lebanese territory and has continued to carry out strikes, accusing the group of trying to rearm.

Earlier on Monday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that two other bodies had been brought to local hospitals over the past 24 hours. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, said that 422 bodies have been brought to hospitals since the ceasefire went into effect on Oct. 10. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.

Five others were brought to hospitals with injuries over the last day, it said. They are among the 1,189 wounded since the ceasefire. Another 684 people have been found dead in the rubble strewn across Gaza during the same period.

The overall Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war rose to at least 71,388, the ministry said. Another 171,269 have been wounded, it said.
CAIRO, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Israeli forces shot and killed at least three Palestinians in separate incidents in the ?southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on Sunday, local health authorities said.

Medics reported that the dead included a 15?year?old boy, a fisherman killed outside areas still occupied by Israel in the enclave, and a third man who was shot and killed east of the city in areas under Israeli control.

The Israeli military ?had no immediate comment on the reported incidents.

Israel has carried out repeated air strikes since a ceasefire took effect in October, saying they are aimed at preventing attacks or destroying militant infrastructure.

Gazas health ministry says 420 Palestinians have been killed since the ?ceasefire began, while militants have killed three Israeli soldiers.

Israel and Hamas have traded blame for violations of the ceasefire agreement brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israel retained control of 53% of Gaza under the first phase of Trump's plan, which involved the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza ?and of Palestinians detained by Israel.

The ?final hostage remains to be handed ?over are those of an Israeli police officer killed on October 7, 2023 - the day Gazan militants invaded Israel, killing ?1,200 and taking some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's military assault on Gaza has killed more than 71,000 ?Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Israels decision to revoke the licenses of more than three dozen humanitarian organizations this week has aid groups scrambling to grapple with what this means for their operations in Gaza and their ability to help tens of thousands of struggling Palestinians.

The 37 groups represent some of the most prominent of the more than 100 independent nongovernmental organizations working in Gaza, alongside United Nations agencies. Those banned include Doctors Without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians.

The groups do everything from providing tents and water to supporting clinics and medical facilities. The overall impact, however, remains unclear.

The most immediate impact of the license revocation is that Israel will no longer allow the groups to bring supplies into the Gaza Strip or send international staffers into the territory. Israel says all suspended groups have to halt their operations by March 1.

Some groups have already been barred from bringing in aid. The Norwegian Refugee Council, for example, said it has not been allowed to bring in supplies in 10 months, leaving it distributing tents and aid brought in by other groups.

Israel says the banned groups make up only a small part of aid operations in Gaza.

But aid officials say they fulfill crucial specific functions. In a joint statement Tuesday, the U.N. and leading NGOs said the organizations that are still licensed by Israel are nowhere near the number required just to meet immediate and basic needs in Gaza.

The ban further strains aid operations even as Gazas over 2 million Palestinians still face a humanitarian crisis more than 12 weeks into a ceasefire. The U.N. says that although famine has been staved off, more than a quarter of families still eat only one meal a day and food prices remain out of reach for many; more than 1 million people need better tents as winter storms lash the territory.

Why were their licenses revoked?

Earlier this year, Israel introduced strict new registration requirements for aid agencies working in Gaza. Most notably, it required groups to provide the names and personal details of local and international staff and said it would ban groups for a long list of criticisms of Israel.

The registration process is overseen by Israels Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, led by a far-right member of the ruling Likud party.

Israel says the rules aim to prevent Hamas and other militants from infiltrating the groups, something it has said was happening throughout the 2-year-old war. The U.N., which leads the massive aid program in Gaza, and independent groups deny the allegations and Israeli claims of major diversion of aid supplies by Hamas.

Aid organizations say they did not comply, in part, because they feared that handing over staff information could endanger them. More than 500 aid workers have been killed in Gaza during the war, according to the United Nations.

Israel denies targeting aid workers. But the group say Israel has been vague about how it would use the data.

The groups also said Israel was vague about how it would use the data.

Demanding staff lists as a condition for access to territory is an outrageous overreach, Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said Friday. It said Israeli officials had refused its attempts to find alternatives.

A December report on MSF issued by an Israeli government team recommended rejection of the groups license. It pointed primarily to statements by the group criticizing Israel, including referring to its campaign in Gaza as genocide and calling its monthslong ban on food entering the territory earlier this year as a starvation tactic. It said the statements violated neutrality and constituted delegitimization of Israel.

The report also repeated claims that an MSF employee killed in by an Israeli airstrike in 2024 was an operative with the Islamic Jihad militant group. That, it said, suggested MSF maintains connections with a terrorist group.

MSF on Friday denied the allegations, saying it would never knowingly employ anyone involved in military activities. It said that its statements cited by Israel simply described the destruction its teams witnessed in Gaza.

The fault lies with those committing these atrocities, not with those who speak of them, it said.

Aid groups have a week from Dec. 31 to appeal the process.

Medical services could see biggest impact

Independent NGOs play a major role in propping up Gazas health sector, devastated by two years of Israeli bombardment and restrictions on supplies.

MSF said Israels decision would have a catastrophic impact on its work in Gaza, where it provides funding and international staff for six hospitals as well as running two field hospitals and eight primary health centers, clinics and medical points. It also runs two of Gazas five stabilization centers helping children with severe malnutrition.

Its teams treated 100,000 trauma cases, performed surgeries on 10,000 patients and handled a third of Gazas births, the group says. It has 60 international staffers in the West Bank and Gaza and more than 1,200 local staff  most medical professionals.

Since the ceasefire began in early October, MSF has brought in about 7% of the 2,239 tons (2,032 metric tonnes) of medical supplies that Israel has allowed into Gaza, according to a U.N. tracking dashboard. That makes it the largest provider of medical supplies after U.N. agencies and the Red Cross, according to the dashboard.

Medecins du Monde, another group whose license is being halted, runs another four primary health clinics.

Overburdened Palestinian staff

Aid groups say the most immediate impact will likely be the inability to send international staff into Gaza.

Foreign staff provide key technical expertise and emotional support for their Palestinian colleagues.

Having international presence in Gaza is a morale booster for our staff who are already feeling isolated, said Shaina Low, communications adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council, which is one of the main NGOs providing shelter supplies and fresh water to displaced people.

NRC has roughly 30 international staff who rotate in and out of Gaza working alongside some 70 Palestinians.

While any operations by the 37 groups in the West Bank will likely remain open, those with offices in east Jerusalem, which Israel considers its territory, might have to close.

Halt on supplies

Many of the 37 groups already had been blocked from bringing supplies into Gaza since March, said Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam's policy lead for Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

What changes with the formal license revocation is that these practices are now formalized, giving Israel full impunity to restrict operations and shut out organizations it disagrees with, she said.

Some of the groups have turned to buying supplies within Gaza rather than bringing them in, but that is slower and more expensive, she said. Other groups dug into reserve stocks, pared down distribution and had to work with broken or heavily repaired equipment because they couldnt bring in new ones.

Amed Khan, an American humanitarian philanthropist who has been privately donating medicine and emergency nutrition for children to Gaza, said the impact extends beyond the aid groups.

He relies on NGOs to receive and distribute the supplies, but the fewer groups that Israel approves, the harder it is to find one.

Its death by bureaucracy, he said.
Over 100 new health care professionals added to 13 state hospitals

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  The state of Quintana Roo is expanding its hospital capacity with the addition of 115 healthcare professionals. The new medical professionals will be distributed between 13 hospitals.

Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa accompanied Alejandro Svarch, the General Director of IMSS-Bienestar Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of the new doctors and nurses.

The governor expressed her gratitude for the collaborative work, support and presence of Alejandro Svarch and emphasized that health is not a privilege, it is a right.

Today is a day of social justice, a day to bridge the gaps of inequality by presenting these certificates, she said recognizing the efforts of each of the healthcare professionals.

Governor Mara Lezama speaks during the swearing-in ceremony January 5, 2026.

During the ceremony, Svarch said for the first time, the states hospitals will have full staff in critical areas which means operating rooms functioning at 100 percent, reduced waiting times and more timely and humane services.

This is a concrete action to reverse the backlog, restore the training of specialists, and ensure that health is once again a guaranteed right. This effort is taking shape today here in Quintana Roo where we celebrate the addition of 115 new health professionals: 65 medical specialists and 50 nurses, said Alejandro Svarch.

The new medical staff will strengthen 13 hospitals located in the municipalities of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Chetumal, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Bacalar, Kantunilkin, Tulum and Jose Maria Morelos.

He explained that three correspond to Medical Specialty Units (UNEMES), two in Cancun and one in Chetumal, which will allow expanding the coverage of services and improving specialized care.

The distribution of the incorporated personnel includes 63 specialist doctors, 41 nurses, eight general practitioners, a dentist, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, as well as a nurse specializing in the perioperative surgical area.

A total of 115 new health care professionals have been added to 13 state hospitals. January 5, 2026.

Governor Lezama reiterated that Quintana Roo is making steady progress in consolidating a more accessible, humane and socially just healthcare system.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your official online newspaper
Police say no gunfight no confrontation with civilians during residential response to shots fired

Cancun, Q.R.  Police deny early morning reports of a shootout between Cancun officers and civilians. Local media said Monday that municipal police officers were fired upon when responding to a report of a suspicious individual.

The incident happened around 6:00 a.m. Monday in SM 20 of Cancun. Local reports said police returned fire after the suspicious individual resisted a search.

In an official statement Monday afternoon, Cancun Police confirmed there was no exchange of gunfire between them and civilians. In their statement, they explained that officers responded to a residential report of shots fired on Labna Avenue.

When they arrived at the address, they found an armed man firing a weapon. Police did not say what the man was shooting at. Subsequently, the weapon was seized and the man taken into custody, according to them, without incident.

Police and military personnel responded to the early morning report of shots fired. January 5, 2026.

Gunfight Ruled Out in Superblock 20. The Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security and Transit (SMSCyT) has ruled out a confrontation between police and civilians following a report received through the 911 emergency number regarding gunfire in Superblock 20, on Labna Avenue, Policia de Cancun reported.

Upon arriving at the scene, police officers observed a man firing a weapon. Using verbal commands, they ordered him to drop the weapon, resulting in his arrest.

During the intervention, a firearm and suspected narcotics were seized and the individual was turned over to the appropriate authorities.

Riviera Maya News serving headline news for Cancun since 2014

Your official online newspaper
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Responding to the seizure of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro by the United States, UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday reiterated deep concerns that the military operation undermined fundamental protections for sovereign countries
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung snapped a selfie with Xi Jinping using a smartphone gifted to him by the Chinese leader, who had joked at their last meeting that the device might be capable of spying.

Lee posted a selfie of himself, Xi and their wives on social media platform X on Monday during a visit to Beijing.

"A selfie with President Xi Jinping and his wife, taken with the Xiaomi I received as a gift in Gyeongju," Lee wrote.

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"Thanks to them, I got the shot of a lifetime," he said.

"I will communicate more frequently and collaborate more closely going forward."

Lee's office also posted a short YouTube video of the scene, with Xi complimenting the South Korean leader's photo skills.

The Xiaomi handset made headlines in November when Xi cracked a joke to Lee on the sidelines of an APEC summit in South Korea.

When Lee asked if the communication line on the device was secure, the Chinese leader urged him to "check if there is a backdoor" -- referring to pre-installed software that could allow third-party monitoring.

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The banter was a rare display of humour from the Chinese leader, who is not often seen making jokes, let alone about espionage.

Lee has said Xi was "unexpectedly quite good at making jokes".

During their 90 minute summit on Monday, Xi urged Lee to join Beijing in making the "right strategic choices" in a world that is "becoming more complex and turbulent".

Lee's visit to China followed a US military operation in Caracas that captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and brought him to New York to face narco-trafficking charges -- a raid condemned by Beijing and Pyongyang.

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Lee's selfie post sparked heavy interest online and was shared more than 3,400 times in the first few hours.

One user quipped: "Sir, Do you know Nicolas Maduro used the same phone?"

The South Korean leader, who took office in June following the impeachment and removal of his predecessor over a martial law declaration, has sought to improve ties with China after a years-long diplomatic deep freeze.

On Tuesday he met in Beijing with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, charged with economic policy, hailing improving ties as the "irreversible trend of the times".

The South Korean leader then headed to China's economic powerhouse city of Shanghai.

kjk/oho/mtp
A frustrated homeowner in California took to Reddit to seek advice about overcoming their HOA's opposition to a planned solar renovation.

The post on r/solar explained the situation. After applying to install solar panels in August, they finally got a response in October. Believing the delayed denial violated state law, the homeowner asked how they could approach the problem without creating a legal quagmire. "I really want to get solar on my townhouse," they wrote, "but I don't want to do anything that could get me fined or in trouble with the HOA."

Commenters offered straightforward advice about the steps the homeowner should take. Many said an hour or two of a lawyer's time was a price worth paying. "You need to speak with a lawyer who will send a certified letter to the HOA," one person recommended. "I've sold up and down CA; it is outright illegal for an HOA to deny you solar."

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It's a story that many are all too familiar with: a homeowners association arbitrarily blocks clean energy upgrades without adequate explanation. The often lengthy process just compounds the irritation. The good news is that in most states, including California, homeowners are usually on the right side of the law in these disputes. Even in states where the law is less clear-cut, there's a way to push forward without creating an unpleasant legal battle.

It's a cause worth pursuing, as solar panels can save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over their lifespan by reducing energy bills to almost nothing. Like any big purchase, it's best to have all the information at hand, and TCD's Solar Explorer can knock up to $10,000 off the installation cost. If upfront price is a concern, Palmetto's LightReach program offers lease deals that require no money down. If you're set on buying rather than leasing, EnergySage has information on incentives to help you get the best deal.

Some users wondered if the delay meant the original poster would miss out on the federal tax credit, but they clarified, "We pushed back with the HOA and we also have a vendor to install the solar for this year."

The general feeling was that most HOA opposition is for the sake of aesthetics, but another person suggested it could be misinformation. "I used to think it was all about appearance, but I recently learned that our HOA president thinks that solar panels are a fire hazard and leach toxic chemicals into the environment," they wrote.

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Meanwhile, solar panels aren't the only renovation that homeowners are pursuing to slash their energy bills. The largest energy expense for homes actually comes from heating and cooling. Pairing solar panels with an ultra-efficient heat pump can maximize your home's energy efficiency and compound savings. With TCD's HVAC Explorer, you can find the right system for your home, and Palmetto's Home app can unlock as much as $5,000 in rewards.

Are you able to install solar panels where you live? Yes I'm not sure Only certain kinds No Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
CCTV: Its reported that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a New Years press conference where she said challenges to a free and open international order based on the rule of law are gaining momentum. She mentioned that in the Indo-Pacific, China and the DPRK are increasing military power, and the cooperation between China and Russia and the cooperation between Russia and the DPRK have been enhanced. Takaichi also noted that in order to respond appropriately to the rapid changes in the security environment and with strong determination to protect Japans independence and peace as well as the lives and livelihood of the Japanese people, the country will proceed with discussions with the aim of revising the three national security documents by the end of this year. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: According to Japanese media reports, major adjustments to the three national security documents include increasing defense spending, revising the three non-nuclear principles, lifting restrictions on arms export and developing offensive military capability. It reflects the dangerous trend of Japan remilitarizing itself faster, which is bound to undermine regional peace and stability. The international community must stay on high alert.

With the aim of preventing the revival of Japanese militarism, a series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly require Japan to be completely disarmed and not to maintain such industries as would enable her to re-arm for war. Japans Constitution also made strict restrictions on the countrys military forces, the right of belligerency and the right to war. However, in recent years, right-wing forces in Japan have been expediting military buildup and gradually breaking free from postwar norms such as the exclusively defense-oriented principle and a series of international rules, which constitutes a challenge to the postwar international order. The right-wing forces time and again used disguises and fabricated false narratives, and kept shifting focus, provoking its neighbors, creating troubles and stirring up tensions. They even pretended to be threatened and caught in a dead end. In fact, they are using survival and defense as an excuse to tie the Japanese people to the war chariot to serve their hidden agenda. Whats the difference between their practice and what the Japanese militarists did in the last century?

The painful lessons of history remind us that Japanese right-wing forces remilitarization attempt has posed a threat to regional and world peace and tranquility. China and all peace-loving countries and people in the world should never allow Japanese right-wing forces to turn back the wheel of history or allow the revival of militarism.

Telesur: Given that the vast majority of countries on the Security Council expressed their condemnation of the U.S. military action and their support for Venezuelas sovereignty during the emergency UN meeting, how does the Chinese government plan to cooperate with other member states and the international community to protect Venezuelas sovereignty and security? Furthermore, considering that other countries in the region, such as Cuba, Colombia and Mexico, could also be subjected to pressure or intervention, what measures does China consider effective in preventing the United States from acting as the worlds sheriff?



Mao Ning: Yesterday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting regarding the U.S. military strikes on Venezuela. Chinas representative stressed in his remarks that military means are not the solution to problems, and the indiscriminate use of force will only lead to greater crises. China firmly supports the government and people of Venezuela in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests and firmly supports regional countries in upholding the status of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace. We stand ready to work with regional countries and the international community to jointly safeguard peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

China believes that all countries should respect the development paths chosen by the people of other countries, and abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Major countries, in particular, should set a good example. No country should act as the worlds police or judge. China champions the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, respects all countries sovereignty and territorial integrity, takes other countries legitimate security concerns seriously, and supports resolving differences and disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation. This is Chinas solution for global security challenges and towards universal and common security.

China stands ready to work with other countries to defend the authority of international law, reject the law of the jungle, oppose interference in countries internal affairs and jointly uphold world peace and stability.

AFP: The Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki is in Taiwan at the moment. He said that his visit would show that Taiwan is an independent country. Does the Foreign Ministry have a response to this?



Mao Ning: The bluster of a despicable man is not worth any comment.

Ukrinform News Agency: After the situation in Venezuela, China and its Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. actions and called to respect the sovereignty of all countries. Chinese leader stated that all countries should respect the development paths chosen by the peoples of other nations. At the same time, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has lasted for almost four years. Civilian Ukrainians were killed and the territory of Ukraine was occupied. So, my question is: from Chinas perspective, what is the difference between the situation in Venezuela and Ukraine, and whether Chinas calls to respect the sovereignty also apply to the Ukrainian state?



Mao Ning: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is very clear. President Xi Jinping put forward four principles as our fundamental guidance, namely, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has stayed committed to promoting talks for peace and the political settlement of the crisis. Chinas objective and just position, as well as our efforts are there for all to see.

Reuters: About Venezuela, does China recognize the Venezuelan government headed by Delcy Rodriguez? Another related question to Venezuela in relation to Maduros capture. Analysts have said that if Russia were to capture a neighbouring countrys leader, the U.S. and its allies would have been lining up sanctions. My question is: will China as a P-5 member of the UN and head of the BRI and Global Security Initiative, for example, call for sanctions against the U.S. in this matter?



Mao Ning: On your first question, China respects Venezuelas sovereignty and independence, and respects the arrangements made by the Venezuelan government in accordance with the countrys Constitution and laws.

On your second question, the United States, as a P5 country, disregards the grave concerns of the international community and tramples on Venezuelas sovereignty, security and lawful rights and interests. China firmly opposes that. We support the UN Security Council in carrying out its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Bloomberg: Just want to follow up on Venezuela. Ousted Venezuelan President Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to U.S. charges on a narco-terrorism case against him. He said through an interpreter: I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, adding that he is still the president of Venezuela. He also said he had been kidnapped from his home. We wonder if the Foreign Ministry has any comment on this?



Mao Ning: The U.S. disregards President Maduros head-of-state status, blatantly prosecutes and puts him on so-called trial in a domestic court. That seriously violates Venezuelas national sovereignty and destabilizes international relations. No country should put domestic rules above international law. China calls on the U.S. to release President Maduro and his wife at once and ensure their personal safety.

AFP: President Lee of South Korea said yesterday that he wanted a new phase in relations with China. I wonder what Chinas view of this statement is. How do you expect the relationship with South Korea to change?



Mao Ning: President Lee Jae Myung is now paying a state visit to China. President Xi Jinping held talks with him yesterday and Premier Li Qiang met with him this morning. The readouts have been released, which you may refer to.

China and the ROK are neighbors and cooperation partners. The sound and steady development of China-ROK relations serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. We would like to work with the ROK for more tangible achievements in the development of our relations in the new year.

Reuters: It is related to South Korea. Does China welcome more South Korean culture exports in the future? What would China do to facilitate their resumption?



Mao Ning: Both China and the ROK agree to carry out beneficial cultural exchanges in an orderly manner.

Reuters: One last question regarding Venezuela. More than a dozen media workers were detained on Monday when covering events in Venezuelan capital Caracas, including when they were covering a march in support of Maduro. Were there any Chinese media reporters part of that detention? How safe are the reporters now covering news in Venezuela?



Mao Ning: I am not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. What I can tell you is that the Chinese government has always attached great importance to protecting the safety of Chinese nationals abroad. To my knowledge, all Chinese journalists currently in Venezuela are safe.
On the afternoon of January 5, 2026, Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, chatted over tea in Beijing with Kim Hye Kyung, wife of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Peng Liyuan welcomed Kim Hye Kyung, who is accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his first state visit to China at the beginning of the New Year. Peng Liyuan said that the key to state-to-state relations lies in close people-to-people bonds. Noting that China and the ROK are close neighbors, she expressed the hope that the people of the two countries will enhance mutual understanding through frequent exchanges. Peng Liyuan commended Kim Hye Kyung for her dedication to social welfare and for her efforts to promote the protection of women's and children's rights and interests, and expressed her expectation for both sides to share useful experience.

Kim Hye Kyung thanked Peng Liyuan for her warm reception and thoughtful arrangements. She expressed deep admiration for Peng Liyuan's long-term contributions to the development of women's and children's causes, and voiced her willingness to actively promote exchanges between the people of the ROK and China and contribute to enhancing the friendship between the two countries.
How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

My wife and I have been together for 12 years and overall have a loving, supportive, and great relationship. The birth of our daughter two years ago was physically difficult for my wife, and she needs a recovery period after we have sex, which limits our sessions to about once a week.

I prefer to get off once a day for my own mental well-being and stress issues, and have been happily taking care of this myself to avoid putting any pressure on my wife, as our sex life is otherwise great.

However, Im not really into videos of strangers online, and would prefer to be mentally focused on my wife during these solo sessions. My ideal solution would be to record one of our joint sessions that I could watch when solo, but I dont know if this is a crazy idea. If not, what would be the best way to raise this idea with my wife (weve never really sent sexy messages or racy pictures to each other previously)? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Potential Porno Producer?

Dear Potential Porno Producer,

What if, instead of relying on the consumption of media, you relied on your imagination and your memories? You could reminisce about particularly enjoyable sex youve previously had with your wife, fantasize about sex you might have with her in the future, and use embodiment and mindfulness skills (specifically, the ones that focus on being present in the moment and noticing all the details) to soak up the experiences of the weekly-or-so sex you do get to have with your wife (and bank that for future wanking).

I ask because it seems very unlikely that your wife will be excited to jump from never really sexting or sending saucy photos to performing in homegrown pornography. Sure, you never know, but making that request could be combustible. Think it throughin the 12 years that youve known your wife, has she ever expressed any interest in such an endeavor? Has she enjoyed exhibitionism? Has she said anything that indicates a desire to capture her sexuality? And has she made any comments that suggest a discomfort with or judgment of explicit sexual media? Those answers will help you weigh whether its worth the risk of making this suggestion.

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Its also worth considering what else you can do to support your mental well-being and cope with stress. Masturbating to level things out is generally fine, but youll be better off if you have a few solid options for the simple sake of variety and also in the event that masturbation is off the table for several daysor longerat some point. Also, while your wife needs a week or so in between the kinds of sex the two of you regularly have, you might think about other ways to engage with each other erotically that might satisfy both of you.

Get sex advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit

Dear How to Do It,

How are people having spontaneous/morning sex? I enjoyed the few occasions of spontaneity I experienced, and would like more. However, I typically like to shower and brush my teeth (or otherwise wash up) before sexfor cleanliness and my sensitive sense of smell. As someone wanting more morning sex, how can one get by? Is this just personal to me, or do people set these reservations aside for the sake of the lay?

Overprepared

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Dear Overprepared,

Lots of people arent that sensitive in the olfactory department. Some dont find the scent of freshly-awakened humans off-putting, or even consider it a bonus. Individual feelings about scents and cleanliness can fluctuate, as can the scents themselves, and, as wildly controversial as pheromones are, the natural scent of one person can be a huge turn-on while an equal strength whiff of another might be unappealing. There are plenty of folks who dont even notice scent, and there are plenty more who are highly sensitive to it. Some have no reservations, others are setting them aside for the sake of spontaneous morning sex, and still more are getting up to take care of some aspect of hygiene before sex and coming back to bed.

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So, are you concerned about how you smell to yourself, how you smell to your partners, or how your partners smell to you? And are we talking about long-term relationships or a string of hook-ups? Also, who is hosting the sleepover? There are a lot of factors to consider here, and several different ways to navigate the issue.

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Related From Slate I Really Want to Climax, but My Orgasms Scare the Living Hell Out of Me Read More

One approach is to get up before your partner does, do whatever level of cleaning up you require (probably not the time for an everything shower and the dental equivalent), and then let them know where a clean towel and toothbrush are and that youll be back in a bit with coffee. Youre clean, they probably take the opportunity to get clean, and then youre both back in bed. This relies on you hosting, having the necessary items on hand, and them taking a hint to clean up. If youre only concerned about the way you smell, a breath spray and an intimate area wipe might be enough, and you can keep those in a pocket or handbag. If your main worry is how you smell to your partner, it might be that youre far more conscious of it than they are, and simply asking them about it could clear up your concerns. If youre in a long-term relationship, you can share this whole conundrum with your partner and work together on ways to set yourselves up for the spontaneity youre seekingnot to mention the likelihood of being able to leave toothbrushes at each others places.

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We Want to Hear Your Petty Work Drama!

Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here!

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Dear How to Do It,

Ive got a weird one for you today. My husband and I are in our early 40s, married for years, and have a bunch of kids of different ages. Hes still hot, Im still hot. Our sex life has ebbed and flowed over the years, but weve really been making an effort this past year to be more open and adventurous, and its been great. Ive been more interested in sex with him recently than I have for a long time, but something is going on inside me that is overshadowing that.

When I was younger and single, I didnt get out there much, mostly because Im demisexual and really dont get anything out of one-night stands or friends with benefits. I did, however, have a very active fantasy life. Think, really intense, time-consuming daydreams about falling in love, usually with excessive longing and sexual tension, where the release of all those intense feelings is almost besides the point, and I just go back and start at the beginning.

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Since I met my hubby, Ive barely fantasized, which has been abnormal in the context of my life. But over the past year, it has come back with a vengeance. Sex is becoming more satisfying. But somehow Ive been in free-fall for the past year into what has become the construction of an imaginary lover that intrudes into my daily life, maybe more than ever before. Its always the same made-up guy, who, of course, offers me a superlative romantic and erotic connection, which, even in the context of the daydream, is forbidden. While driving, Ill be locking eyes and nervously conversing with a new man I wish I didnt know would be my soulmate. While listening to someone talk about their day, my head will be full of images of my mouth full of his gorgeous cock. The days of unending sexual tension have given way to very graphic fantasies of intensely emotionaland deliciously freakysex. Even in my fantasies, I dont want to cheat or leave, but this imaginary character lures me away.

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I have been trying everything to stop these overwhelming daydreams. It has been interfering with my ability to enjoy time with my husband. Could it be that Im just getting older, and desperately afraid that I will never have the feeling of falling, and finding new love again? Am I just ungrateful? Is indulging these fantasies harmful? Or is it just part of who I am that I should give myself room to enjoy?

Delulu in Honolulu

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Dear Delulu in Honolulu,

Your fantasies are intruding into your daily life. Specifically, your thoughts are wandering while youre driving, while youre conversing with people in your life, and while youre spending time with your husband. Its interfering with your ability to enjoy your time with him. So this is causing some harm, with the potential for significant harm. This has been going on for approximately a year, and youve been unable to control it. All these factors combined make for a pretty concerning situation.

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Id start with a licensed therapist (marriage and family therapist and/or clinical social worker) who has a specialization in sexuality but has all the psychological education, supervised clinical experience, and licensing to also consider mental health factors that might be at play. Spend a few sessions laying everything on the table and answering questions that they have. Get the kind of opinion that cant be given based on a letter, and then decide how to best handle your fantasies from there.

Jessica

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Ive been married to my husband for more than 10 years, and we have a wonderful sex life. Hes attentive, generous, good in bed, and very good at going down mehe almost always does so prior to intercourse. The problem is that I have developed a pretty intense gag reflex over the past few years. Im not sure if its because of medications that I takeIve been on several at different times throughout our marriage because of a chronic conditionbut other than that, I have no idea what could be causing it.
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The Trump administrations justifications for bombing Venezuela and arresting its president shifted in real time this weekend. Was this a national securityrelated counternarcotics operation, an oil heist, or a regime-change play to topple a dictator?

That lack of claritycombined with the administrations propensity to, well, tell a lot of liesonly added to the mass confusion over whats really going on. After all, Donald Trumps Venezuela adventure isnt an isolated incident, and its best understood in proper historical context: the long tail of U.S. intervention in Latin America.

To help make sense of what just happened, and to get answers on what might happen next, I turned to Tiziano Breda. Hes a senior analyst covering Latin America and the Caribbean at ACLED, the independent conflict-monitoring organization that tracks political violence and protests worldwide. Breda has spent more than a decade studying Latin American politics and security.

In our conversation, he unpacks how this operation fits into the long arc of U.S. intervention in the region, the internal dynamics of Venezuelas ruling Chavista coalition, the role of oil, and why the most dangerous consequence of this moment may not be what happens next in Caracas, but what it signals across the world. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Aymann Ismail: Theres so much in flux right now. What are the most important things we still dont know about whats happening between the United States and Venezuela?

Tiziano Breda: There are at least three variables that remain unclear. The first is how this will play out inside Venezuela now that Maduro has been removed. What has this generated within the Chavista power structurein the government, the military, and across different sectors of society? What comes next depends on factors like whether Delcy Rodriguez [Venezuelas acting president] can ensure continuity for the Chavistas while at the same time becoming somewhat more lenient toward U.S. interests.

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The second is how this strike is being received in the United States. There has been backlash from Congress. The Trump administration has framed it as a law enforcement operation, but lawmakers say they were bypassed and are questioning the legality of the operation. The key question is how this lands with a Trump support base that is, in principle, uninterested in foreign interventions.

And third, at the international level, its still unclear how other major powers are interpreting thiswhether they oppose it or see an opportunity. For countries like Russia and China, the question is whether this represents the loss of an ally, a precedent that could be applied in their own spheres of influence. For China in particular, it would mean not recovering the billions of dollars it still has as credit with Venezuela.

This didnt come out of nowhere. There were months of escalating tensions. How does this moment fit into the longer U.S.Venezuela standoff? Were you surprised when Trump announced the U.S. captured Maduro?

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When Trump took office, his administration was mostly focused on immigration. Marco Rubio struggled with Richard Grenell over whose voice would be more influential in the White House on Venezuela. For the first few months Grenell seemed to have the upper hand: There were prisoner exchanges, deportation flights, Chevrons license was renewed. But in 2025, Rubio established himself as a key strategic adviser on Venezuela. There was a noticeable shift: military buildup in the Caribbean, harsher rhetoric and labeling organized crime groups as terrorist organizations, allegations tying Maduro to some of them.

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That framing was used to justify strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vesselsat least 34 so far with over 110 confirmed fatalitiesnot only in the Caribbean, but also in the Pacific. When that didnt produce cracks within Maduros administration, we saw an escalation: oil tankers seized or chased, and a blockade on Venezuelan oil. That caused much more damage to the Maduro governments ability to keep revenues afloat, yet there were still no cracks in Maduros network of alliances. So Trump was left with two options: either back down and strike some kind of deal or escalate. There had already been a CIA strike in late December, but I did not expect an operation of this kind.

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The U.N. has already said this violates international law. Is there any real ambiguity here?

Im not an expert on international law, but its my understanding that the U.S. does have the right to try someone in the United States for crimes that may have affected the U.S., such as drug trafficking. Thousands of drug traffickers have gone through this process. But Im much less sure that this means the U.S. has the authority to go and extract Maduro from another country. Usually, the United States would request the extradition of a person believed to have committed a crime in the U.S. Id say there are serious deficiencies in the legality of the operation.

Has anything like this happened before?

The closest precedent, at least in Latin America, is the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989, to capture and extract President Noriega on drug-trafficking charges. That operation was on a much larger scale and far more costly in terms of lives, duration, and scope. But it occurred in the context of the Cold Wara moment in history that preceded the era of multilateralism, international governance, and the development of international human rights norms. Im concerned, seeing a return of this practice in 2026. It suggests much of what was built after that period is now unraveling, or being dismantled by the United States.

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So what does the future of Venezuela look like? Rodriguez seems to be in control. Rubio is saying that shes illegitimate. Do you see regime change on the horizon?



Not in the short term, unless Rodriguez is unable to do two things. She needs to avoid taking a confrontational stance toward the United States, and instead strike deals and make concessions in the oil sector. Simultaneously, she needs to project an image of someone who remains loyal to Chavismo principlesrespect for national sovereignty, resistance to excessive U.S. imperial practices, and so on. If she manages this balancing act, avoiding further U.S. strikes while preventing fractures within the Chavista ranksboth in the military and in social networksVenezuela can stabilize in the short term. But if either of these fails, I think more violence is likely.

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The United States has declared they intend to run the country. How will that complicate Rodriguezs ability to stabilize Venezuela?

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The U.S. is looking to ensure that this removal leads to more functional agreements with the Venezuelan governmentguaranteeing U.S. companies can get in more freely, invest, settle, and sell all the oil they can pump. A full-fledged regime change does not seem to be the main goal of the Trump administration in the short term. They are aware that the [Venezuelan, anti-Maduro] opposition may have popular support, but they do not have the buy-in of the military in particular. Installing a government without military support would carry the risk of throwing the country into chaos.

A repeat of Iraq, essentially.

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Exactly.

Is there something about the way that the Venezuelan government is set up that will make it particularly challenging for Rodriguez to consolidate?

Like all governments and political forces, the Maduro governmentthe Chavistashas its own internal currents and branches. Maduro, and particularly Cilia Flores, are relevant here. Their removal matters because Maduro and Cilia Flores had managed to pacify the different factions within Chavismo and build a system in which elites could extract wealth from Venezuela.

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For example, the military benefited from revenues from the gold-mining sector. The security sector, some would say, participated in illegal drug trafficking, and of course benefited from oil and shipping. There was a balance, and wealth was distributed among military, economic, and political elites in a way that kept the system stable. Rodriguez may try to replicate this, but she will be dealing with a very different level of U.S. pressure than Maduro faced. There may also be Maduro loyalists who obstruct her government. So even if the overall architecture remains in place, simply replacing the person at the top will have repercussions across the entire government.

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What role does oil actually play in all of this? I look at a country like Saudi Arabia and think, Wow, they got lucky they have so much oil. Why was this not necessarily possible for a place like Venezuela?

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The key difference between Maduro and Chavez is that Maduro politicized the oil sector too heavily. When Chavez was in power, Venezuela benefited from a boom in energy prices in the mid-2000s. He also appointed people with technical expertise to manage the oil sector. When Maduro came to power in 2013, in a quest to consolidate his authority, he replaced almost all the Chavistas he didnt trustincluding the minister of oiland replaced them with loyalists who lacked knowledge of the sector. That lack of understanding began to create problems with maintenance, delays, production failures, and so on.

Then you had the plummeting of oil prices about 10 years ago, which hurt Venezuelas revenue. Even before the U.S. sanctioned the oil sector in 2019, under the first Trump administration, the sector was already collapsing due to corruption and overall mismanagement. They could still maintain significant productionalmost a million barrels a daybut that was down from 3 million about 15 years earlier. With that, they had enough money to sustain the elites, but the rest of society and the broader economy collapsed. Thats why you had around 8 million Venezuelans fleeing the country, as the government itself remained intact.

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Up until last week, Nicolas Maduro was challenging the United States to invade, publishing videos of his military conducting drills. I know a little bit about his background, that he was originally a bus driver. What can you tell me about his character?

The role of Cilia Flores [Maduros wife, who was also arrested] is often overlooked. Some people refer to her as the power in the shadows, operating behind the scenes. Maduro did not reach his position alone. Flores was a key figure in liaising with the different branches of the Chavismo project. She has been head of the National Assembly, a deputy, and a minister. Her political trajectory was similar to Maduros, even though it was Maduro who was appointed by Chavez as his political heir. Maduro relied heavily on Cilia Flores, who played a key role in holding his government together.

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Maduro also made use of humor and self-parody as a political tactic. He presents himself as a funny, silly, good guy. He even created a cartoon version of himself called Super Bigote, or Super Mustache. I cant think of another leader who has leaned so heavily into laughing at himself. He uses that strategy to conceal the authoritarian nature of his government, to soften accusations of massive human rights violations, suppression of dissent, waves of political arrests, extrajudicial killings, and so on.

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And then you see the images of him being detained in the United States. He has a big grin, giving two thumbs up. What explains that?

There was also an attempt to keep the character going, to play on the empathy of the audience, watching a guy who, in another context, might greet you with a thumbs-up and say Happy New Year. He appears certain of his innocence, as though he believes he will be released once the truth comes out. While the aim of the United States might have been to show that a man who had been in power since 2013so for over a decadewho had seemed untouchable was being brought down to the level of a common criminal.

I havent seen much from inside Venezuela. How are Venezuelans reacting inside the country?

At ACLED, we have so far recorded only two protests inside Venezuela, and both were in favor of Maduro. Its not only that there are no protests, there has also been a decrease in traffic and economic activity over the past couple of days. Inside the country, the government has imposed a state of emergency and deployed military forces to the streets, which has disincentivized mobilization. Uncertainty is also playing a key role. There have been mixed messages coming from the United Statesthe sidelining of Maria Corina Machado [prominent opposition leader and recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize], the attempt to reach an agreement with Rodriguez, who is part of the same system as Maduro, and the broader fear that if this doesnt work out, it could trigger chaos within the Chavista ranks and lead to violence. So I think people are avoiding the public sphere.

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And what about abroad? How are Venezuelans in the diaspora reacting to this?

The vast majority of Venezuelans abroad have celebrated Maduros removal from power, though not as many agree with the way it happened through the bombing of Caracas. Most Venezuelans who have fled the country in recent years did so either because of political persecution or because of the economic collapse caused by the Maduro administration.

Its strange to see people celebrating the bombing of their own country.

It is. But its a testament to the level of discontent and anger toward an administration that has effectively dismantled the countrys economy. Twenty years ago, Venezuela was the wealthiest country in South America. Today, roughly a quarter of the population has been forced to leave because the economy collapsed. The reliefif not outright celebrationamong many Venezuelans reflects that deep discontent with the Maduro administration.

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How are other leaders and peoples in Latin America reacting to this?

There has been a mixed reaction. Leftist governments like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico have strongly condemned the U.S. action. On the other hand, more right-wing governments like Argentina, Ecuador, and the newly elected president of Honduras have been more supportive, and in some cases even enthusiastic about the operation. The divisions have been quite clear along ideological lines.

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For people particularly in countries that have been most affected by the influx of Venezuelan migrants and refugeesPeru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Chilethe arrival of Venezuelans has strained public resources, and in some cases it has been instrumentalized by xenophobic political figures, creating a stigma.

Maduro is widely perceived as the main cause of Venezuelan migration and is deeply unpopular. There was polling showing that, across Latin America, and particularly in the countries most affected by Venezuelan migration, many people were already in favor of major intervention in Venezuela, even before this happened.

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The U.S. seems to be configuring the reasoning for capturing Maduro in real time, offering conflicting information. What do you think is really driving the U.S. here, and whats bullshit?

There are three reasons. First, reasserting U.S. dominance in the hemisphere, especially actors seen as being in cahoots with the U.S.s main global competitors, Russia and China. Second, widening U.S. access to energy and other resources. Venezuela is rich in gas, minerals, and gold, and expanding U.S. access to those sectors is strategically important for the American economy. Third is migration. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans live in the United States, and millions more across the region. By removing what is perceived to be the countrys main problemMaduroand projecting the image that the U.S. will now invest in Venezuela, the administration is trying to create a picture that things have improved and encourage Venezuelans living in the U.S. without legal status to return.

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Related From Slate Trumps Venezuela Invasion Has Exposed One of His Biggest Lies Read More

The BS part is drug trafficking, which is paradoxically the legal rationale being used to bring Maduro to justice. Hes being charged with drug trafficking, terrorism, and weapons offenses. But the narrative that Maduro himself is a central drug-trafficking threatand that attacks on drug vessels or even Maduros trial will significantly reduce the flow of drugs to the U.S. or elsewheredoesnt really hold up.

Historically, where does this leave us?

This is a return to a more assertive U.S. approach toward Latin America. Its something that had waned over the years and been replaced by a greater emphasis on regional cooperation through institutions like the Organization of American States, and by U.S. soft power projected through development projects. This attack marks a clear end to that era and a return to one in which the United States is willing to use its full powereconomic, diplomatic, and militaryto ensure that its preferences materialize in the region. Its somewhat anachronistic, but its a renewed version of the Monroe Doctrine, which held that the U.S. has a responsibility to influence and direct political, economic, and military developments in the hemisphere, and to keep external forces from undermining its interests.

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Does the speed at which Donald Trump pivoted to Greenland and Mexico reveal anything about how he might be thinking about Venezuela?

Trump may feel emboldened because it has cost the United States little in terms of human lives and equipment, which he emphasized repeatedly during his press conference on Saturday. Lets see what the U.N. Security Council says and what comes next, but for now the international cost also appears limited. Whether more action happens in the immediate future will depend on how the situation in Venezuela unfolds. If it triggers domestic turmoil, violence between different factions of Chavismo, or broader social unrest, then it becomes less likely that this approach would be applied elsewhere. Paradoxically, if it works, there is a risk that it could be repeated in other contexts.
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Since the demise of Roe v. Wade, red-state lawmakers have been looking for political cover for unpopular criminal abortion bans, and a simple strategy has emerged: stressing that bans in theory afford access in exceptional cases that voters overwhelmingly support, such as medical emergencies. The goal of this maneuver is straightforward. For voters who are conflicted about abortion, a focus on exceptions makes bans moderate and reasonable. But a major decision on Tuesday by the Wyoming Supreme Court striking down the states abortion ban suggests that abortion exceptions are fast becoming a Catch-22 for the GOPa potential political lifeline that can create real trouble in court.

To appreciate why abortion exceptions can create legal headaches for Republicans, it helps to understand the Wyoming litigation. A group of patients, doctors, and advocates challenged the constitutionality of the states abortion bans under Article 1, Section 38 of the Wyoming Constitution, passed as part of the backlash to President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act. The amendment recognizes a right to make health care decisions. The plaintiffs argued that this right was fundamental and encompassed peoples decision to terminate a pregnancy. The state responded that abortion wasnt health careit was the intentional taking of human lifeand that even if abortion were health care, the states interest in protecting prenatal life was enough to justify its ban. This focus on protecting life made strategic sense; all five justices on the Wyoming Supreme Court were appointed by Republicans, and polls suggest that even Americans who support legal abortion think fetal life has value, despite their opposition to the sweeping criminalization of decisions about pregnancy.

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Thats where the plaintiffs pointed to the state laws abortion exceptions: If the state really valued protecting fetal life, and if abortion wasnt health care, the plaintiffs argued, these specific exceptions were a funny way of showing it.

Take the states exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities, which apply only if a physician expects that a newborns death will occur within days of a live birth. The court asked how this exception made any sense. How did the state protect life by making women in other cases when death of the newborn was just as certainbut who had a longer timeline to sit with that doomed outcomecarry their pregnancies to term? Given that pregnancy could pose risks to abortion seekers, the justices thought the fetal-abnormality exception threatened patients health without advancing the states supposed goals.

The same was true of Wyomings exceptions for medical emergencies, which explicitly excluded mental health crises, such as depression or psychosis, during pregnancy. The state presented no evidence that mental health wasnt an issue during pregnancyand no wonder: Mental health conditions accompany a significant number of pregnancies and can lead to seriously adverse outcomes.

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Even the states rape and incest exception was a problem. The courts justices didnt see any connection between the states supposed goal of protecting all life in the womb and allowing abortions in cases of sexual abuse, and neither should anyone else. If the state believes that life or even rights begin at fertilization, its hard to comprehend why that wouldnt be true in instances of sexual assault too.

That Wyomings abortion exceptions were weird and incoherent shouldnt be a great surprise. In recent years, any abortion-ban exception reflects an inherently odd compromise between the demands of anti-abortion lobbyists and the electoral needs of GOP lawmakers. Republicans want to win election. That requires keeping a lid on the most heartbreaking stories, narratives that can shape the vote well outside the state where a tragedy has occurred. Abortion opponents want as many abortions as possible stopped, with the exception of a vanishingly small number of serious threats to life.

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Conservative lawmakers thus propose exceptions to make abortion bans seem less harsh. Exceptions, ultimately, are a mere messaging strategy, one that undermines the legal case for abortion bans.

Related From Slate Republicans Had a Plan to Avoid Abortion in 2026. It Just Imploded. Read More

Thats reflected in the oddball design of many exceptions. Medical-emergency exceptions, for example, are meant not so much to give physicians real discretion in addressing urgent conditions as to rule out certain cases (such as threats to mental health) that abortion foes dismiss as abortion on demand. Rape-and-incest exceptions, like Wyomings, often contain reporting requirements intended to ferret out patients who cry rape, a solution in search of a problem in a culture in which sexual violence is massively underreported and rarely prosecuted. In a big-picture sense, exceptions are intended to broadcast that abortion bans are far less harsh than they appear, but on closer examination, theyre designed as much to reassure conservative lawmakers that people wont be able to get abortions anyway.

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And exceptions dont workby design. Historically, very few patients have sought out abortions under exceptions. That trend has continuedso much so that red states like Texas and Kentucky have passed laws said to clarify that some abortions are justified under state law. That state of affairs suits conservative lawmakers, who seek the political benefits of exceptions with none of the real abortion access they might afford.

The Wyoming Supreme Courts ruling in State v. Johnson sends a message that this have-it-both-ways strategy on exceptions wont always work as Republicans expect. The court saw the very same inconsistencies of exceptions as a sign that they didnt deliver on the states purported goals.

Its not clear what will come next in fights about abortion exceptions. More challenges like Johnson might come before state supreme courts, given that a number of conservative states, including Oklahoma, Ohio, Alabama, and Florida, have similar health amendments in their constitutions. But Republicans are doubling down on exceptions as a strategy: In Missouri, for example, voters will decide on whether to repeal a reproductive rights amendment passed in 2024. GOP lawmakers have tried to package the repeal amendment as allowing abortion in exceptional cases, like medical emergencies.

Republicans may think this strategy is working; some polls suggest that supporters of abortion rights are less passionate about the issue than they once were. That likely has much more to do with conservatives struggles to enforce abortion bansabortion seems more, not less, common in many ban states since the fall of Roethan with exceptions. But even when voters are willing not to look hard at what an exception really says and does, the Wyoming decision shows that the same might not be true of courts.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The public prosecutor of Libya's Tripoli-based government has ordered the detention of three officials from the National Committee for Combating the Desert Locust for accepting 2,000 liters of pesticide that expired in 2007
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As 2025 gave way to the new year, something abominable transpired across X, formerly Twitter: A bunch of its paying subscribers spent the holidays ordering the anti-woke generative A.I. tool Grok to edit images of female usersfrom spambot accounts to K-pop celebrities to underage girlsby removing articles of clothing or fully imagining them in the nude.

As this alarming trend earned worldwide attention and outrage, reaching everywhere from the United States to Brazil to Malaysia, the A.I. aggression only escalated, with outputs even promoting violence against women. By late December, one user had prompted Grok to write a heartfelt apology note over the matter; the bot followed instructions, and various media outlets credulously wrote that Grok itself apologized for the illegal and sexualized images, despite the fact that it is a large language model that is not itself sentient or in total control. X owner Elon Musk and other executives at xAIthe artificial intelligence company that now owns X Corporationappeared to make light of the matter before acknowledging that they needed to tighten our gaurdrails.

What were seeing with Grok is a clear example of how powerful AI image-editing tools can be misused when safety and consent arent built in from the start, Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, wrote in a statement to Slate.

Were now into the first full week of January, and not only are Grok users still able to manipulate the bot into generating inappropriate images of minors, but many of the offending deepfakes are reportedly still live, even though some Grok enthusiasts have had their accounts suspended. Musk and his supplicants continue to celebrate record engagement and blithely promote the generative A.I. bot and its newest update, Grok Imagine, with little to no acknowledgement of the persistent masses of deepfaked pornography and child sexual abuse images. Musk has even encouraged his fans to add Grok to your friends and familys phones. (Whether these friends and family are of appropriate ages or have the stomachs for such deluges of repellent visuals was left unclear.) Independent sites like Copyleaks are now digging into the prompts responsible for the output. Ashley St. Clair, the conservative influencer who claims to have mothered one of Musks many children, was also caught up in the deepfake spree and is reportedly considering taking legal action on behalf of herself and other affected users.

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Oh btw @elonmusk @Safety @xAI can I just say, you guys are doing such a great job safeguarding.



Check out those numbers on this Grok generated CSAM! 1,700 views, 41 likes! And up for a whole 20 hours so far!



You must be so proud of those numbers. pic.twitter.com/MFPJp7QgDg  UR | Xyless (@Xyless) January 5, 2026

Most galling, however, may be the cowardice of the countries that fancy themselves opponents of child sexual abuse material yet have little or nothing to say about Groks undressing. The U.S. government, with which xAI has a contract, signed a sweeping, controversial bill in May that will soon require social media platforms to immediately take down nonconsensual deepfake pornography (as well as anything reported as such); so far, no agencies have commented upon the ongoing Grok incidents. In the United Kingdom, which added yet more liabilities for social platforms that spread nonconsensual sexual material, the ruling ministers have mostly demurred, only mentioning on Monday that they had made urgent contact with X. (This is not dissimilar to what happened last summer, when U.K. leaders refused to take any action after Grok went on a streak of MechaHitler Nazi rants. Those types of posts are still happening, too, by the way.)

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Our statement on Grok  pic.twitter.com/UsXh96zjQY  Ofcom (@Ofcom) January 5, 2026

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Other nations, including France and India, are demanding answers from X leadership, while the European Commission announced Monday that it condemned Groks spicy mode generations and was very seriously looking into taking further enforcement steps against xAI, in a follow-up to the multimillion-dollar fine it issued to the company last month over violations of the European Unions Digital Services Act.

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But its not just that the U.S. and U.K.s foot-dragging compares unfavorably with these countries statementsits that both superpowers have made a big show of forcing digital communities to add safety measures, from invasive age-verification gates to beefed-up moderation teams, for the ostensible sake of child safety. Yet at this moment, when an app that both governments use has devolved into a web-leading source of A.I.-deepfaked and nonconsensual porn, the Americans and Brits are keeping dangerously mum.

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Late last year, U.S. lawmakers at both the state and federal level thought it would be a swell idea to try to fast-track bills that could collectively obliterate freedom of expression online: banning virtual private networks, sunsetting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, passing a Kids Online Safety Act that conservative activists have already promised to weaponize against online statements of LGBTQ+ support and abortion-rights advocacy. All of it was, naturally, framed as necessary for saving the children from mature and inappropriate detritusby forcing them away from the net via unsafe collection of identifying information and strict restrictions on any website that primarily features user-generated content (including social networks much, much smaller than Facebook or X). Critics have pointed out, repeatedly, that these laws will do nothing to save underage users from exploitation and will instead criminalize a lot of stuff that isnt child sexual abuse material.

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Related From Slate Twitter Is Dead (Really, We Mean It) Read More

One would think these lawmakers should know to expect more of this in the coming year. Grok is the same tool, remember, that has generated fake nude pictures of Taylor Swift, sexualized teenage TikTok creators, and offered detailed instructions for hunting other users down as well as sexually assaulting them. (Notably, one of Musks first moves after purchasing Twitter in 2022 was to sideline advisers who were experts on child sexual abuse imagery.)

This is endemic to the platform as a whole, and its going to keep happening. If government officials who wish to reshape the internet cant even be bothered to address Groks never-ending nudifying, what does that say about their priorities for online safety and consentand what can everyday users actually do to avoid these violations blessed by the worlds wealthiest man?
HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aegis Aerospace Inc., a leader in space and defense technology, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with United Semiconductors LLC to pioneer semiconductor manufacturing in space. This collaboration follows Aegis Aerospace's recent grant agreement with the Texas Space Commission to develop an in-space manufacturing platform for advanced materials in low Earth orbit (LEO).

United Semiconductors logo Aegis Aerospace CEO Stephanie Murphy and United Semiconductors Chief Technologist Dr. Partha Dutta officially pen contract to advance the manufacturing of semiconductors in space via Aegis Aerospaces AMMP platform.

"We are thrilled to join forces with United Semiconductors," said Stephanie Murphy, CEO of Aegis Aerospace. "Together, we will accelerate the in-space manufacturing of essential semiconductor materials, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space technology."

The Aegis Advanced Materials Manufacturing Platform (AMMP) aims to showcase the unique properties and manufacturing capabilities afforded by the microgravity environment of LEO. By leveraging United Semiconductors' established expertise as a provider to the U.S. Department of Defense, this partnership will expedite the commercialization of semiconductor manufacturing in space. As a result, Aegis Aerospace anticipates creating new job opportunities in Texas and offering this innovative service globally.

"United Semiconductors is honored to collaborate with Aegis Aerospace," stated Dr. Partha Dutta, Chief Technologist of United Semiconductors. "Our decades of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, including successful experiments aboard the International Space Station, combined with Aegis Aerospace's expertise in building and operating space infrastructure, will create a powerful partnership."

Together, Aegis Aerospace's AMMP and United Semiconductors products are believed to be the first dedicated commercial facility for in-space materials production.

About Aegis Aerospace. Aegis Aerospace Inc. is a small business that provides technical services and turn-key solutions to government and commercial customers in the space and defense industries. Formed in 2021 by combining Alpha Space and MEI Technologies, Aegis Aerospace offers over 30 years of success and innovation in technology development and engineering services, commercial space services, and other space and defense products and services. Our Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) business model is turnkey which enables our customers to focus on their science and new technology development.

For more information, visit www.aegisaero.com.

About United Semiconductors. United Semiconductors LLC (USLLC) is a small business with its semiconductor substrate production facility in Los Alamitos, California. USLLC has been supplying the US defense sector and US national laboratories with critical substrates since 2005 for a variety of applications. USLLC is the only domestic company with the capability for 6-inch diameter substrate production of III-V binary semiconductors and the only global company with the capability for large area substrate production of III-V ternary semiconductors. In recent years, USLLC has expanded its crystal growth capabilities to establish In-Space manufacturing of bulk crystals leveraging the benefits of microgravity and space environment.

For more information, visit https://www.unitedsemiconductorsllc.com/

SOURCE Aegis Aerospace Inc.
Nvidia has unveiled a new tech platform for self-driving cars as the world's leading chip-maker seeks more physical products to embed AI into.

Speaking at the annual CES technology conference in Las Vegas, boss Jensen Huan said the system - called Alpamayo - would bring "reasoning" to autonomous vehicles.

That would allow cars to "think through rare scenarios, drive safely in complex environments, and explain their driving decisions," Huang claimed.

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He said Nvidia was working with Mercedes to produce a driverless car powered by the tech, which would be released in the US in the coming months before being rolled out in Europe and Asia.

Nvidia's chips have helped power the AI revolution, though so far attention has mostly been focussed on the software it powers, such as ChatGPT.

However, leading tech firms are now increasingly looking for hardware - meaning physical products such as cars - that AI could be used in.

Physical AI's 'ChatGPT moment'

Wearing his trademark black leather jacket, Huang told an audience of hundreds that the project has taught Nvidia "an enormous amount" about how to help partners build robotic systems.

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"The ChatGPT moment for physical AI is almost here," Huang said.

"NVIDIA's pivot toward AI at scale and AI systems as differentiators will help keep it way ahead of rivals," said Paolo Pescatore, analyst at PP Foresight, from Las Vegas.

"Alpamayo represents a profound shift for NVIDIA, moving from being primarily a compute to a platform provider for physical AI ecosystems."

Shares of the AI chip designer rose slightly in after-hours trading following Huang's presentation.

It featured a video demonstration of the AI-powered Mercedes-Benz driving through San Francisco while a passenger, sat behind the steering wheel, kept their hands in their lap.

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"It drives so naturally because it learned directly from human demonstrators," Huang said, "but in every single scenario... it tells you what it's going to do, and it reasons about what it's about to do."

Alpamayo is an open-source AI model, with the underlying code now available on machine learning platform Hugging Face, where autonomous vehicle researchers can access it for free and retrain the model, Huang said.

"Our vision is that someday, every single car, every single truck, will be autonomous," he told the audience.

The project could pose a threat to companies like Elon Musk's Tesla, which offers driver assistance software called Autopilot.

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"Well that's just exactly what Tesla is doing," Musk posted on social media following the Alpamayo announcement. "What they will find is that it's easy to get to 99% and then super hard to solve the long tail of the distribution."

Like Tesla, Nvidia also has plans to launch a robotaxi service by next year in collaboration with a partner, but has declined to name the partner or say where it will be.

Nvidia is the world's most valuable publicly traded company, with a market cap of more than $4.5tn (3.3tn).

It became the first company to reach $5tn in October, but has lost value over concerns about whether demand AI is overhyped.

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The company also revealed that its Rubin AI chips are currently being manufactured and are due for release later this year.

The highly-anticipated hardware can compute using less energy than Nvidia's current line of AI chips, and could drive down the cost of developing the technology.

[BBC]

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Nvidia-watchers had plenty to celebrate at CES this week, with news that the companys latest GPU, Vera Rubin, is now fully in production. Those powerful AI chipsthe picks and shovels of the AI boomare, after all, what helped make Nvidia the worlds most valuable company.



But in his keynote address, CEO Jensen Huang once again made clear that Nvidia does not see itself as simply a chip company. It is also a software company, with its reach extending across nearly every layer of the AI stackand with a major bet on physical AI: AI systems that operate in the real world, including robotics and self-driving cars.



In a press release touting Nvidias CES announcements, a quote attributed to Huang declared that the ChatGPT moment for robotics is here. Breakthroughs in physical AImodels that understand the real world, reason, and plan actionsare unlocking entirely new applications, he said.

In the keynote itself, however, Huang was more measured, saying the ChatGPT moment for physical AI is nearly here. It might sound like splitting hairs, but the distinction mattersespecially given what Huang said at last years CES, when he introduced Nvidias Cosmos world platform and described robotics ChatGPT moment as merely around the corner.

So has that moment really arrived, or is it still stubbornly out of reach?

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Huang himself seemed to acknowledge the gap. The challenge is clear, he said in yesterdays keynote. The physical world is diverse and unpredictable.

Nvidia is also no flash in the pan when it comes to physical AI. Over the past decade, the company has laid the groundwork by developing an ecosystem of AI software, hardware, and simulation systems for robots and autonomous vehicles. But it has never been about building its own robots or AVs. As Rev Lebaredian, Nvidias vice president of simulation technology, told Fortune last year, the strategy is still about supplying the picks and shovels.

Theres no doubt that Nvidia has progressed in that regard over the past year. On the self-driving front, today it unveiled the Alpamayo family of open AI models, simulation tools and datasets meant to help AVs safely operate across a range of rare, complex driving scenarios, which are considered the some of the toughest challenges for autonomous systems to safely master.

Nvidia also released new Cosmos and GR00T open models and data for robot learning and reasoning, and touted companies including Boston Dynamics, Caterpillar, Franka Robots, Humanoid, LG Electronics and NEURA Robotics, which are debuting new robots and autonomous machines built on Nvidia technologies.

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Even with increasingly capable models, simulation tools, and computing platforms, Nvidia is not building the self-driving cars or the robots themselves. Automakers still have to turn those tools into systems that can safely operate on public roadsnavigating regulatory scrutiny, real-world driving conditions, and public acceptance. Robotics companies, meanwhile, must translate AI into machines that can reliably manipulate the physical world, at scale, and at a cost that makes commercial sense.

That workintegrating hardware, software, sensors, safety systems, and real-world constraintsremains enormously difficult, slow, and capital-intensive. And its far from clear that faster progress in AI alone is enough to overcome those hurdles. After all, the ChatGPT moment wasnt just about the model under the hood. Those had existed for several years. It was about the user experience and a company that was able to capture lightning in a bottle.

Nvidia has captured lightning in a bottle beforeGPUs turned out to be the unlikely but perfect engine for modern AI. Whether that kind of luck can be repeated in physical AI, a far messier and less standardized domain, is still an open question.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Hyundai Motor Group says it will roll out human-like robots in its factories from 2028, as major companies race to use the new technology.

The South Korean firm showed off Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Monday.

Hyundai says it "plans to integrate Atlas across its global network", including a plant in the US state of Georgia that was involved in a massive immigration raid in 2025.

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Other firms that have said they will use humanoid robots in their operations include Amazon, Tesla and Chinese car making giant BYD.

The Atlas robots will gradually take on more tasks, said Hyundai. The firm owns a majority stake in Boston Dynamics, the technology company famous for Spot the robot dog.

Atlas, which is designed for general industrial use, is being developed to work alongside people and autonomously manage machines.

Hyundai said the robots will help ease physical strain on human workers, handle potentially dangerous tasks and pave the way for wider use of the technology.

The firm did not say how many robots it would initially deploy or how much the project will cost.

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Speaking at CES, Hyundai's vice chair, Jaehoon Chang, acknowledged concerns that human workers could lose their jobs to robots. But he said people will still be needed to train the robots, among other roles, the news agency Reuters reported.

Monday's announcement came after Hyundai said in 2025 that in would invest more than $20bn (15.5bn) in the US, supporting President Donald Trump's plans to boost manufacturing in the country.

The firm said it would expand car production in the US and invest in autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

Elon Musk's electric carmaker Tesla has also invested heavily in its humanoid robot, Optimus.

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Hyundai's battery plant in Georgia, which it operates in partnership with electronics giant LG, is one of its key facilities in the US.

In September 2025, US immigration officers raided the plant and arrested hundreds of workers, including at least 300 South Korean citizens.

The workers had their legs shackled in scenes that sparked outrage in South Korea.

President Lee Jae Myung and Hyundai's chief executive Jose Munoz warned that the raid could deter foreign investment in the US.

Later that month, Washington and Seoul reached an agreement to release the detained workers.

Trump said he opposed the raid and that the US had an "understanding" with the world on the need to bring in experts to set up specialised facilities and train local workers.

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Munoz said in November that the White House had phoned him personally to apologise for the raid.
The curtains have lifted on CES 2026, revealing the latest masterpiece from Sony-Honda Mobility, the Afeela Prototype 2026. The revamped electric vehicle is a testament to innovation, boasting enhanced spatial flexibility and accessibility that redefine the driving experience. In the new Afeela Prototype, sleek, futuristic design meets cutting-edge technology, setting the stage for a new era in mobility.

Sony unveils new Afeela prototype at CES 2026

Sony Honda Mobility has just unveiled the Afeela Prototype 2026, an electric SUV concept in a solo inaugural press conference at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. With roots in the Afeela 1, the new models proportions and scale will echo the iconic Vision-S 02 Concept. Its expected to hit the US market as early as 2028.

Afeela 1 is the brainchild of Sonys electric car ambitions, which date back to CES 2020. The brands first production vehicle is all set to hit the US market later this year. Afeela 1 redefines mobility by merging cutting-edge software and hardware to craft an intelligent driving experience.

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Its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) make driving secure and stress-free, while the cars interactive personal agent facilitates effortless communication. The cabin boasts a premium sound system and tailored displays, allowing occupants to stream their favorite apps and channels.

Getting future owners excited about the Afeela Prototype 2026, Sony promised to equip the upcoming Afeela models with PlayStation Remote Play. Passengers will be able to stream console games directly on the vehicle with a data connection and a DualSense controller.

In the press conference, Sony further discussed the Afeela Co-Creator program, which lets content partners design custom experiences for the car. From dynamic wallpapers, instrument cluster themes, ambient lighting, motor sounds, and dashboard apps, owners will be able to tailor the cars digital vibe via a smartphone app. The initial fruits of the Co-Creator program include custom themes and e-motor sounds inspired by Astro Bot and Gran Turismo.

Furthermore, music will take center stage in Afeelas personalization play. Utilizing Sonys Co-Creation program, artists will be able to craft custom sound profiles, making driving a more immersive experience.

The post Sony-Honda Reveals New Afeela Prototype as CES 2026 Opens appeared first on Mandatory.
Bolstered by more than 300 Falcon 9 rocket launches  primarily from Florida's Space Coast  SpaceX's 9,000-plus Starlink high-speed internet satellites now serve more than 9 million customers in more than 155 countries and markets, the company reported last week.

Now, the burgeoning Starlink constellation is slated to expand again. SpaceX is targeting Thursday, Jan. 8, for an afternoon Falcon 9 liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Launch window: 1:29 p.m. to 5:29 p.m.

The rocket will deploy 29 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit. Similarly, the Falcon 9 first-stage booster should wrap up its 29th mission by landing aboard the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of miles southeast of the Cape.

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Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX rocket launch schedule in Florida

FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of Thursday's Starlink 6-96 mission will kick off roughly 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

The first launch of 2026 from Florida's Space Coast took flight at 1:48 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4. That's when a Falcon 9 lifted off from the Space Force installation, then deployed a batch of 29 Starlink satellites.

What's more, SpaceX has another Starlink mission in store this upcoming weekend. More details:

Launch window: 1:34 p.m. to 5:34 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.

Trajectory: Southeast.

Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Sonic booms: No.

In a 2025 progress report, Starlink officials reported crews equipped more than 1,400 commercial aircraft with Starlink antennae last year. That represents nearly four times the number of aircraft outfitted during 2024.

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More than 21 million passengers experienced Starlink's "at-home-like internet" last year aboard United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JSX, WestJet, Qatar Airways, Air France, Emirates, Air New Zealand and airBaltic flights, per the report.

For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY, where he has covered news since 2004. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX targets Starlink mission for Florida's 2nd rocket launch of 2026
A reputable leaker has indicated that NVIDIA plans on bringing the RTX 3060 back to market, according to reports by Kotaku and WFCCTech. It first released the GPU at the beginning of 2021. The leaker Hongxing2020 indicates that NVIDIA will resume production of the 3060 sometime in the next few months.

Why is the world's most valuable company reportedly bringing back such an antiquated graphics card? You know the answer. It's the endless gaping maw known as AI. Tech companies have been hoovering up PC parts for AI applications with reckless abandon. It has become a legitimate challenge for a regular person to buy RAM and graphics cards, which has led to price increases across the board and companies like Crucial closing up shop.

It's particularly difficult to get ahold of GDDR7 RAM, which is needed for the newer RTX 5060 cards. So NVIDIA's solution looks to be a hop in the time machine to 2021. Gamers will need something, after all, and the 3060 technically gets the job done. Any downgrade in graphics and performance will be worth it once you watch an AI-generated video of Kurt Cobain singing in heaven with Albert Einstein, am I right? It's hilarious because they never got to meet in real life.

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The RTX 3060 is still pretty popular, despite NVIDIA phasing out the card back in 2024. We don't know how much the company plans on charging for this trip down memory lane. The GPU originally cost around $329.

One would think that five-year-old technology could easily hit a much lower price point, but NVIDIA has us in a chokehold here and it can pretty much charge whatever it wants. Again, no price is too high when considering the magical wonders of generative AI. You can watch Tupac hang out with Mr. Rogers for five seconds.
Keystroke input lag isn't an alien problem, especially in the Windows ecosystem. Outdated keyboard drivers, key filtering, and background software are some of the reasons behind the issue. In the gaming circles, the stakes are higher, where the response rate can be under a millisecond, especially for esports enthusiasts. Interestingly, Amazon used the same metric to sniff out a remote worker based in a shocking locale.

Amazon was able to catch the worker after spotting a keystroke latency that was suspiciously high. Amazon's Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt told Bloomberg that their keystrokes took 110 milliseconds to register in the workflow, a number that would typically be in just the tens of milliseconds for an employee working remotely in the U.S. As a result, the millisecond-level gap was a dead giveaway that the employee is based far from Amazon's headquarters in Seattle, Washington, and was enough to raise alarms.

The employee was fired within a few days of the suspicious behavior was flagged, and their true location was traced. The laptop sent over by Amazon to the designated employee, supposedly based in the U.S., was actually being remotely controlled from an altogether different location: North Korea. The country has been sanctioned heavily, and as a result, U.S.-based companies can't employ workers from it. When Amazon's team dug deeper into the details submitted to a hiring contractor, there were telltale signs of fraud that more recently been weaponized by North Koreans. "If we hadn't been looking for the DPRK workers, we would not have found them," Schmidt was quoted as saying. To recall, companies often install software that flags security risks on computers assigned to employees and also track their productivity using the frequency of mouse clicks and key inputs.

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Read more: 8 Of The Worst Places To Put A TV, And Why

A dark pattern

Illustration of North Korean hacker. - Dmitry Nogaev/Getty Images

The spotting  and subsequent firing  of the North Korea-based Amazon worker is not a one-off incident for the e-commerce giant. Amazon has thwarted 1,800 job applications linked to North Korean agents, who rely on stolen or fake identities for remote jobs. Schmidt wrote in a LinkedIn post that there has been a 27% surge in the number of such candidates, adding that these applications target IT companies across the world, and that the U.S. is a hotspot for these incidents.

"Their objective is typically straightforward: get hired, get paid, and funnel wages back to fund the regime's weapons programs," the Amazon executive wrote, warning that the scam is unfolding across the industry. Amazon relies on a mix of AI-powered vetting and human verification to identify risk factors and location inconsistencies in job applications. Additionally, there are strict background check protocols in place to ensure that it is hiring a legitimate candidate. Schmidt highlighted how scammers are taking over dormant LinkedIn profiles to pass off as legitimate American workers with experience and that there's a network of bad actors offering such services for a price.

In June, the U.S. government spotted 29 known or suspected "laptop farms" operating across 16 states with North Korean affiliation. Workers relied on fake IDs for remote employment at tech companies, after receiving help from actors based in the U.S., China, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan. A month later, a woman from Arizona was arrested for assisting North Korean citizens in getting jobs at a hundred American companies and generating millions in revenue for the sanctioned nation. Simultaneously, North Korea-affiliated hackers continue to be a major security nuisance, with their most recent cyber heist hauling in $1.5 billion in stolen crypto.

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Depiction of China's Chang'e 7 lunar mission. | Credit: China Media Group

China's next robotic moon mission is scheduled to launch later this year, helping set the stage for the nation's planned multi-phased lunar outpost.

The Chang'e 7 mission is on tap to reconnoiter the moon's south pole , making use of an orbiter, lander, rover and a water-seeking, well-instrumented lunar hopper.

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This upcoming moon trek will also help advance the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a collaboration involving China, Russia and a number of other countries to set up a base near the lunar south pole.

Rigorous schedule

"Programmatically, the Chang'e series is on a rigorous schedule. They all launched as scheduled," said Norbert Schorghofer, a senior scientist for the Planetary Science Institute who's based in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"It's hard to know for sure what China is planning in the longer term, but since they have a successful lunar exploration program and lots of government resources, I'd fully expect they will construct a lunar base soon, perhaps using their own advanced robots," Schorghofer told Space.com.

It is likely that the Chang'e 7 lunar lander will touch down near Shackleton Crater , Schorghofer advised, outfitted with an international array of scientific instruments. "Chang'e 7 is destined to find water ice and make the first in-situ measurements of water ice on the moon," he said.

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A critical question is where to build the first base on the moon, said Schorghofer. Ideally, it should be near significant water ice deposits.

"Chang'e 7 will not settle how water ice is exactly distributed geographically, but it will certainly make relevant discoveries," Schorghofer said. "The Chinese will be ahead of everyone else by at least one year, but probably several years. Chang'e 7 is a key mission for the study of lunar volatiles," he added, "but we need more missions."

The candidate landing region of China's Chang'e 7 lunar lander. | Credit: Yang Liu/Wang C. et al.

Foreign payloads

Chang'e 7 is reportedly scheduled for liftoff in the second half of 2026.

Last year, a memorandum was signed by Russia's space agency Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Chang'e 7 will carry a Russian scientific instrument called Dust Monitoring of the Moon, which will study dust components and dynamics of the near-surface exosphere of the moon ; registration of micrometeorites and secondary particles of lunar regolith; and the parameters of low-energy plasma near the surface of the moon.

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That Russian instrument will be integrated into Chang'e 7, along with other foreign payloads from such countries as Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, Switzerland and Thailand.

Wide-field telescope

On Chang'e-7's manifest for the moon is a telescope, a collaboration between the University of Hong Kongs Laboratory for Space Research and the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) based in Waimea, Hawaii.

Steve Durst, the founding director of ILOA, told Space.com that the ILO-C is a small, wide-field telescope designed for the Chang'e 7 lunar lander. The instrument has successfully passed all flight model testing, securing its acceptance as a payload, he said.

"This advanced astronomical camera is set to launch aboard China's Chang'e 7 mission, scheduled to land near the illuminated rim of Shackleton Crater in the lunar south pole region in November 2026," Durst said. "The telescope aims to capture stunning images of the galactic plane, contributing to lunar science and inspiring future generations."

Shackleton Crater is an impact feature that lies at the moon's south pole. While peaks along the crater's rim are exposed to almost continual sunlight, the interior is perpetually in shadow. | Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

Research hotspot

Water ice in the lunar polar regions has emerged as a major research hotspot in lunar science, observed Yang Liu of the National Space Science Center in Beijing.

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Yang and colleagues detailed Chang'e 7 mission goals at the 2nd Lunar Polar Volatiles Conference, which was held last November in Honolulu, Hawai'i.

Chang'e 7's candidate landing site is near the rim of Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole. One of the mission's primary scientific tasks is to conduct remote sensing and on-the-spot investigations of water ice at the lunar south pole.

Chang'e 7 features an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a mini-flying probe or hopper, which together will tote to the moon a total of 18 scientific instruments.

The lander will deploy China's inaugural deep-space "landmark image navigation" system to ensure a safe and precise landing.

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Mission intent, Yang stated, is to explore the environment and resources in the lunar south polar region by conducting a series of steps: orbiting, landing, roving and mini-flying.

China's Chang'e 7 moon hopper is equipped with an instrument called the Lunar soil Water molecule Analyzer, which integrates four components: a differential absorption spectrometer, lunar soil heating module, tunable laser spectrometer, and time-of-flight mass spectrometer. | Credit: Nailiang Cao, et al.

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Water ice exploration

To achieve that objective, Chang'e 7 is equipped with six scientific payloads related to water ice exploration. These include a lunar neutron gamma spectrometer and a wide-band infrared spectrum mineral imaging analyzer, as well as a miniature synthetic aperture radar onboard the orbiter.

Mounted on the Chang'e 7 rover is a lunar Raman spectrometer and a system to measure volatiles on the lunar surface, Yang explained.

The mini-flying probe will utilize active shock-absorption technology to safely land on slopes. Notably, the hopper is equipped with a LUnar soil Water molecule Analyzer (LUWA), deemed as a critical payload designed to characterize the form, abundance and origin of water ice in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) on the moon.

On-the-spot access

The hopper is built for direct, on-the-spot access to PSRs, states a paper led by Nailiang Cao of the Anhui Institute of Optics Fine Mechanics, of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science in Hefei, China.

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Making use of multiple methods, Nailiang pointed out that LUWA is expected to resolve the abundance and origin of lunar water ice.

Another paper, led by Jie Zhang of the National Space Science Center in Beijing, noted that Chang'e 7's gauging of the thermal stability of lunar ice will be key.

Considering that the floor of Shackleton Crater is one of the potential sites for exploration by Chang'e 7's hopper, "mapping the thermal stability of water ice at high spatial resolutions in these regions can help to identify high-priority locations with great potential for hosting water ice," Jie and colleagues reported.

Furthermore, Jie said that laboratory simulations support the hypothesis that the majority of the surface regolith inside Shackleton Crater is conducive to the stable preservation of water ice.

China's moon master plan calls for achieving a crewed lunar landing before 2030. | Credit: CMSA

Research station

Chang'e 7 will help pave the way for bigger things to come, if all goes to plan. Those "bigger things" include a crewed lunar landing, which China aims to achieve by 2030 .

Hot topic: Water ice in the lunar polar regions has emerged as a major research quest in lunar science. Robotic and human explorers are on the hunt for lunar polar volatiles that can be utilized for an extended astronaut stay on the moon. | Credit: Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii at Manoa

The follow-on Chang'e 8 robotic mission in 2028 will test technologies for building habitats using lunar soil, said Wu Weiren, chief designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. Both Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 are seen as key enablers of the ILRS, which China wants to start building in the 2030s.

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"We hope that on the basis of phase four of our lunar exploration program," Wu said, "there will be a large international scientific-technological research project initiated by China, with the participation of multiple countries."

The research station at the lunar south pole will be capable of automatically supplying power for itself and making telecommunications available on site.

Centered around the lunar south pole, the ILRS would be equipped with multiple systems including lunar rovers, landers, hoppers and networks. "Once assembled, we will be able to conduct long-term unmanned exploration there, as well as accommodate short-term human presence," Wu said.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A proliferation of AI "nudifiy" tools have enabled online abuse.

Elon Musk's AI tool Grok faced growing international backlash Monday for generating sexualized deepfakes of women and minors, with the European Union joining the condemnation and Britain warning of an investigation.

Complaints of abuse flooded the internet after the recent rollout of an "edit image" button on Grok, which enabled users to alter online images with prompts such as "put her in a bikini" or "remove her clothes."

The digital undressing spree, which follows growing concerns among tech campaigners over proliferating AI "nudify" apps, prompted swift probes or calls for remedial action from countries including France, India and Malaysia.

The European Commission, which acts as the EU's digital watchdog, joined the chorus on Monday, saying it was "very seriously looking" into the complaints about Grok, developed by Musk's startup xAI and integrated into his social media platform X.

"Grok is now offering a 'spicy mode' showing explicit sexual content with some output generated with childlike images. This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling," said EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier.

"This has no place in Europe."

The UK's media regulator Ofcom said it had made "urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK."

Depending on the reply, Ofcom will then "determine whether there are potential compliance issues that warrant investigation."

'Horrifying'

Malaysia-based lawyer Azira Aziz expressed horror after a userapparently in the Philippinesprompted Grok to change her "profile picture to a bikini."

"Innocent and playful use of AI like putting on sunglasses on public figures is fine," Aziz told AFP.

"But gender-based violence weaponizing AI against non-consenting women and children must be firmly opposed," she added, calling on users to report violations to X and Malaysian authorities.

Other X users directly implored Musk to take action against apparent pedophiles "asking grok to put bikinis on children."

"Grok is now undressing photos of me as a child," Ashley St. Clair, the mother of one of Musk's children, wrote on X.

"This is objectively horrifying, illegal."

When reached by AFP for comment, xAI replied with a terse, automated response: "Legacy Media Lies."

Amid the online firestorm, Grok sought to assure users on Friday that it was scrambling to fix flaws in the tool.

"We've identified lapses in safeguards and are urgently fixing them," Grok said on X.

"CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) is illegal and prohibited."

Separately last week, Grok posted an apology for generating and sharing "an AI image of two young girls (estimated ages 12-16) in sexualized attire based on a user's prompt."

'Grossly offensive'

The flurry of reactions came after the public prosecutor's office in Paris last week expanded an investigation into X to include new accusations that Grok was being used for generating and disseminating child pornography.

The initial investigation against X was opened in July following reports that the platform's algorithm was being manipulated for the purpose of foreign interference.

On Friday, Indian authorities directed X to remove the sexualized content, clamp down on offending users, and submit an "Action Taken Report" within 72 hours, or face legal consequences, local media reported.

The deadline lapsed on Monday, but so far there was no update on whether X responded.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission also voiced "serious concern" at the weekend over public complaints about the "indecent, grossly offensive" content across X.

It added it was investigating the violations and will summon X's representatives.

The criticism adds to growing scrutiny of Grok, which has faced criticism for churning out misinformation about recent crises such as the war in Gaza, the India-Pakistan conflict, as well a deadly shooting in Australia.

 2026 AFP
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Graph showing the long tail problem of PV degradation rates. Credit: Yang Tang, USNW Sydney.

New research has uncovered a critical challenge in solar energy with the discovery that a considerable number of solar panels degrade much more rapidly than expected. About a fifth of solar panels examined in a new study fail much faster than expected and some may last for only half their anticipated lifetime.

Experts from UNSW have identified the reason behind the so-called "long tail" in the probability distribution of the performance data after analyzing information obtained from nearly 11,000 different photovoltaic samples globally.

The long tail appears on graphs showing the degradation rate per year of the panels, indicating that up to 20% of all samples perform 1.5 times worse than the average.

In other words, a significant number of panels do not degrade at a constant rate over a long period of time as might be anticipated, but instead lose energy or fail unexpectedly much sooner.

The discovery is important in terms of raising the standard of solar panels and making solar farms more cost-effective and reliable.

"Most solar systems are designed to last around 25 years, based on their warranty period," said Yang Tang, one of the authors of a paper on the subject published in the IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics.

"For the entire dataset, we observed that system performance typically declines by around 0.9% per year. However, our findings show extreme degradation rates in some of the systems. At least 1 in 5 systems degrade at least 1.5 times faster than this typical rate, and roughly 1 in 12 degrade twice as fast. This means that for some systems, their useful life could be closer to just 11 years. Or, in other words, they could lose about 45% of their output by the 25-year mark."

Why some panels fail faster

The UNSW team, including Dr. Fiacre Rougieux, Dr. Shukla Poddar, Associate Professor Merlinde Kay and Ph.D. student Yang Tang from the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, analyzed information collated previously by Dr. Dirk Jordan from the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

This is a collection of the annual production data from tens of thousands of photovoltaic systems produced globally and includes statistics on performance and maintenance.

The UNSW team found that although many panels do degrade smoothly and predictably, when the results are plotted on a graph there is a long tail of samples that fail a lot more rapidly than should be expected.

This long tail is more than a statistical oddity. It especially poses a large financial risk for solar farms, where hundreds of thousands of panels are installed, since the data indicates there is a hidden cost associated with samples that do not perform as well or for as long as they should.

Importantly, it has also been shown that the extreme degradation observed in these panels is not related to the climatic conditions they are exposed toruling out the possibility that the data was being skewed by samples placed in extreme environmental locations such as very hot deserts.

Instead, the study found three major reasons for panels to be grouped in the long tail.

The first is interconnected failures. This highlights a scenario where different types of problems can interact with each other on an individual panel. For example, if the backsheet (a protective layer on the rear of a module) is damaged, moisture can get in possibly causing a failure of the electrical junction box and other problems such as cell cracks or corrosion.

This domino effect, where the issues don't just add up but instead multiply, can be seen to make panels degrade much faster than predicted.

The second reason is rapid failure when modules are relatively new, dubbed infant mortality. Modules tend to have a slight recovery and slower degradation rate after the initial period of installation. These panels likely have critical manufacturing defects or material flaws that are not discovered in quality control or testing and therefore fail rapidlysometimes within just a few years of installation.

Finally, there are minor flaws that may not cause a problem initially, but then result in a sudden severe performance loss at a random point. This could be a tiny hairline crack in a cell, or slightly imperfect soldering that goes unnoticed until complete failure.

Climate variation ruled out

Importantly, these three factors occur regardless of the location where the panels are installed. This highlights the fact that climate is not a factor in the long tail of degradation rates, which was one hypothesis being considered.

Dr. Poddar, a co-author of the paper, said, "A subset of the data shows information specifically related to solar modules in very hot climates which we know causes higher degradation.

"However, in other climates, when those hot regions are being excluded from the analysis, we see a similar long-tail pattern in the probability distribution of performance degradation rate. This suggests that the issue is consistent regardless of where the panels are operating.

"Current testing standards focus primarily on three parameters: the modules' response to mechanical stress, extreme temperatures, and exposure to ultraviolet radiationas well as often testing for humidity and response to a standardized amount of sunlight (AM1.5 spectrum).

"But when they are actually operating in real-world conditions, there are so many different factors coming into play, and those cascading failures can be very significant. So I think we need to start thinking about different testing standards which would help to ensure we have more resilient types of modules."

The research is important for solar panel manufacturers and those spending many millions of dollars to build large solar arrays to provide clean energy. The long tail phenomenon challenges the financial models that underpin the industry's growth, creating uncertainty in long-term energy yield and operational budgets.

If the real-world failure rate is much higher and panels degrade much sooner than expected, as shown in the UNSW study, there will be unforeseen expenditure required by operators for repairs or module replacements.

"With this research, we are hoping to make real impact in three ways," said Dr. Poddar. "We would like to get even more data from large-scale solar farms to analyze real-world failure rates in even more detail, so we can then make recommendations to the manufacturers of these modules.

"Secondly, we aim to understand different factors contributing to module failures in different climate types to develop early detection system and recommend manufacturers to improve design robustness.

"Thirdly, testing authorities should be informed of real-world degradation patterns across diverse climates and consider combining stress tests to better replicate outdoor operating conditions."
LONDON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Affinitas Education has appointed Gabriella "Gaby" Rowe as chief executive officer of its U.S. operations, a move that signals the organization's intent to expand its presence and sharpen its strategy in the American and Canadian education markets.

Rowe brings more than 30 years of experience across K12 leadership, technology, public-sector innovation and large-scale organizational transformation. She most recently served as founding principal and CEO of Grow Associates LLC, where she advised schools, government agencies and private-sector organizations through periods of rapid change. Her work included overseeing multi-site school growth initiatives and leading statewide digital-equity efforts.

Previously, Rowe was CEO of Station Houston and played a key role in launching The Ion, Rice University's $150 million innovation district. She also held senior leadership roles in independent schools, including head of school at The Village School in Houston and CEO of the Mandell School in New York City.

"Gaby is an outstanding leader whose depth of experience in education and innovation positions her exceptionally well for this role," Affinitas Group CEO Thomas Rajzbaum said. "Her track record in scaling organizations, driving operational excellence and navigating complex systems will be critical as we advance our vision and strengthen our impact across the United States."

Rowe said she is eager to join the organization at what she described as an important moment.

"I'm honored to join Affinitas Education at such an inflection point," she said. "The organization's commitment to modern, student-centered learning aligns with my core beliefs as an educator and leader. I look forward to working with our teams, heads of school and communities nationwide to build exceptional learning experiences that prepare students for the future."

About Affinitas Education

Affinitas Education is a global network of international and bilingual schools serving more than 15,000 students across Europe and the Americas. The group provides academic and operational leadership, invests in facilities and learning environments, develops educators, and delivers programs designed to strengthen student outcomes.

Media Contact

Jessica Curley

[email protected]

SOURCE Affinitas Education
(TBTCO) - Dau moc 20 nam hop tac giua DBJ va SSI khong chi cho thay su truong thanh cua mot quan he tai chinh song phuong, ma con cho thay vai tro ngay cang ro net cua hop tac Viet Nam - Nhat Ban trong boi canh thi truong von Viet Nam buoc vao chu ky phat trien moi.
(TBTCO) - Trao oi voi phong vien ben le Hoi thao hai ngoai ISJ, ong Hisakazu Ochi  Giam oc ieu hanh Hiep hoi Bao hiem Phi nhan tho Nhat Ban nhan inh, Viet Nam la thi truong co tiem nang lon trong chien luoc mo rong cua cac doanh nghiep bao hiem Nhat Ban; ong thoi khang inh cac doanh nghiep Nhat Ban luon san sang ong hanh, chia se du lieu, kinh nghiem va nguon luc cung doanh nghiep Viet nham xay dung thi truong bao hiem phi nhan tho phat trien ben vung trong dai han.
 New designation strengthens national leadership and accelerates adoption of brain health, early detection and high-quality dementia care practices 

CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Association announced today that it has earned Joint Accreditation status to provide interprofessional continuing education from Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education. The national credential allows the Association to train entire health care teams  including physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and others  through a single, unified accreditation process.

The accreditation marks a significant milestone, expanding the Association's ability to deliver high-quality education in brain health, early detection and diagnosis, and dementia care, while preparing the health care workforce for emerging treatments and innovations.

"Joint Accreditation is a major step forward for our mission," said Katie Evans, chief programs and mission engagement officer, Alzheimer's Association. "Brain health and dementia care require a team approach  and now we can train those teams together using the highest national standards. This strengthens care today and prepares communities for the breakthroughs ahead."

Joint Accreditation, founded in 2009 by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), sets standards for interprofessional continuing education. Jointly accredited providers certify that activities are developed by and for health care teams, with an emphasis on integrity, independence, and measurable impact on health care quality and patient safety.

The designation enables organizations to plan and deliver education that brings physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals together to learn with, from and about each other. This approach reflects how real-world care is delivered and supports better collaboration, stronger clinical decision-making, and improved outcomes for people and families.

"Interprofessional education is critical because brain health and dementia care require a team approach," Evans said. "This designation significantly expands our reach. We can now support busy frontline professionals with practical, case-based education that helps them work together more effectively in dementia care and brain health."

With its new accreditation, the Alzheimer's Association plans to expand its portfolio of interprofessional education offerings, including live conferences, virtual programs, online training and quality-improvement-focused education. These offerings will help health systems, health plans and community partners build workforce capacity in brain health, early detection, diagnosis, care coordination and treatment navigation.

"The Alzheimer's Association is proud to earn joint accreditation and to share our expertise with health professionals," Evans said. "This recognition strengthens our ability to support the professionals caring for millions of Americans and to advance a future where everyone can protect their brain health and access high-quality dementia care. We can't wait to get started."

The Alzheimer's Association joins a growing list of organizations offering jointly accredited continuing education, including medical societies, health systems, universities and other leading providers of continuing education.

In support of improving patient care, the Alzheimer's Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia  by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association
The World Bank Group has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices here, which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations.

The building brings the Banks Caribbean team together in one physical space, which will strengthen the institutions presence and support in Jamaica and the wider region.
LEADING AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON $300 MILLION COMMITMENT, INCREASING PRODUCTION OF MICHELOB ULTRA, THE #1 TOP-SELLING & FASTEST-GROWING BEER IN U.S.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), a leading American manufacturer and maker of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Cutwater Spirits and NUTRL Vodka Seltzer, today announced a $30 million investment in its Jacksonville, FL Brewery and Can Plant. The investment will go toward upgrading brewing and packaging equipment to fuel increased production of Michelob ULTRA, America's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer .

Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville Brewery

This latest $30 million investment in its Jacksonville facilities is part of Anheuser-Busch's ongoing Brewing Futures initiative, through which the company invested more than $300 million in its U.S. facilities in the last year to create and sustain U.S. manufacturing jobs. Building on more than 165 years of continuous investment in its people, breweries, and communities, Anheuser-Busch's Brewing Futures initiative supports American manufacturing through three key pillars:

1) creating and sustaining manufacturing jobs

2) advancing technical skills training

3) strengthening manufacturing career opportunities for veterans

Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch said: "Investing in our Jacksonville facilities enables us to brew more of the highest-quality American beers that consumers love, including Michelob ULTRA, the #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer in America. Investments like these are incredibly important because they help us to enhance our operations while also sustaining jobs and driving local economic growth in the communities where we operate."

This investment will expand the Jacksonville Brewery's capacity to produce fast-growing beers like Michelob ULTRA, including upgrades to bottling lines and brewing tanks. According to Circana, the leader in providing data to consumer-packaged goods companies, Michelob ULTRA is the #1 top-selling beer nationwide and the state of Florida, and Nielsen also confirms the brand is #1 in bars and restaurants across the state.

U.S. Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) said: "Anheuser-Busch's announcement of a new $30 million investment to expand production at its Jacksonville facilities is excellent news for Northeast Florida. This kind of bold, forward-looking investment will create new jobs, provide more opportunities, boost our state's economy, and further solidify our region as a cornerstone of American manufacturing. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut, pro-growth investments like this are becoming more possible, empowering businesses to grow, workers to succeed, and communities to prosper."

Florida Speaker Pro Tempore, Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) said: "By upgrading brewing and packaging capabilities with a $30 million investment, AnheuserBusch is helping position Jacksonville to grow its manufacturing sector and strengthen our workforce development in this area. We look forward to working together to turn this investment into a sustained opportunity for the hard-working people of Jacksonville."

Anheuser-Busch opened its Jacksonville Brewery in 1969 and its Metal Container Corporation (MCC) facility in 2016. The company has invested over $100 million in its Jacksonville facilities since 2021, part of the nearly $2 billion it has invested in its 100 U.S. facilities over the past five years.

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation's top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.

We are home to the nation's most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA  America's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer  Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NUTRL Vodka Seltzer, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn , X , Facebook , and Instagram .

Circana Volume MULC YTD w/e 12/28/25

Nielsen IQ On Premise Total US volume w/e 11/1/25

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch
The proposals sound tone deaf in a place like Tucson, where 96 people died in traffic collisions last year.

They don't sound much better in Arizona as a whole, which has one of the biggest traffic-death problems in the country, with 1,228 cases in 2024. Nationwide, Arizona had the second-worst traffic fatality rate per mile driven in 2023, the last year for which complete data is available.

So who would want to loosen driver training requirements or speed limits at a time and place like this? Wouldn't tightening our driver-training and traffic laws make more sense?

State Rep. Nick Kupper, a Republican from Surprise, has filed one bill that would reduce the age at which a teen can get a driving permit, down to 15 years from the current 15 years and six months.

Another Kupper bill would allow the Arizona Department of Transportation to remove speed limits on some rural interstates, beginning with a pilot project on Interstate 8. All that would be required is driving at a "reasonable and prudent" speed.

In both cases, Kupper argues that while the public may naturally conclude the proposals would make the public less safe, in actuality, they could even help. He makes a "facts not feelings" argument for the proposals, though his data is highly contested.

The changes he proposes in driving permits would require students to have their permits for nine months instead of the current six before trying for a driver's license at age 16.

He said, in an interview with Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services, that states with lower ages for getting driver's permits have lower rates of teen traffic fatalities.

As to the unrestricted speeds, Kupper proposes a one-year pilot project between Casa Grande and Yuma.

"I fully appreciate the fact that, naturally, your first inclination is: that's craziness, you're going to kill people,'' Kupper told Fischer.

"However, the data proves otherwise,'' he continued. "And I want to do this pilot program to prove that we can actually do this and save lives."

What was interesting in Fischer's reporting is that while in both cases, Kupper claimed "data" backed him up, and that opponents were relying on their "feelings," the Insurance Institute for Traffic Safety rejected his arguments.

A representative said the institute's data suggests lowering the permit age would increase crashes and fatalities among teen drivers. Also, they noted, Kupper's bill does not increase the required hours for permit-holders to practice driving before they get a license, just the time having a permit.

As to the proposal for removing speed limits, the institute said higher speed limits have been proven to mean more traffic fatalities.

The bottom line is, Arizona already has relatively weak traffic-safety laws. In fact, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group, ranked Arizona's laws in its worst category up until 2023.

The group publishes an annual report called "Roadmap to Safety" every year, and ranks states as either green for having good laws, yellow for having laws to be cautious about, or red for dangerous laws.

Nothing that Arizona did moved it up from the red, or dangerous, category to the yellow, or be cautious, category in the group's rankings in 2023, where it remains in this year's report. What happened was the group began counting laws that allow red-light and speed cameras in their rankings, and we still have both, which put us in the higher category.

However, some of the laws we lack pertain directly to Kupper's proposals.

One of the laws that the Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety recommends is a requirement that permit-holders do 70 hours of driving before getting a license. Arizona only requires 30, and that would remain under Kupper's proposal.

Another of the laws the group supports: Make permits available at age 16 and licenses available at 17. In other words, they recommend raising our current driving ages.

This would, of course, be a hard sell politically  not only do kids expect the chance to start driving, but parents, in some cases, count on them getting their licenses. Still, it's the kind of thing to consider if we want to reduce traffic chaos and deaths.

The Roadmap to Safety reports don't even bother to recommend that highways have speed limits. It's assumed that the states have them.

"We support speed limits," said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, in an interview Monday. " 'Reasonable' is very difficult if not impossible to enforce. A numeric limit should be on all roads."

By going the opposite direction that Kupper is recommending  tightening rather than loosening laws  Arizona could improve its dire traffic fatality statistics.

In 2023, the last year for which complete data is available, Arizona had 1.73 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, according to federal data. The only worse state was Mississippi, with 1.79 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

The best state was Massachusetts, with 0.56 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This is the sort of rate we should be aiming for.

Loosening laws is unlikely to get us there, even out of a counterintuitive logic.
Federal aviation records show that a week before a fatal helicopter crash, a notice was issued that a tightrope would be stretched across a mountainous area of Arizona, providing a warning for pilots to watch out for the temporary obstacle as they charted flights through the region.

The helicopter pilot and three family members were killed after colliding with that slackline near Telegraph Canyon. Authorities say a witness reported seeing the helicopter strike a portion of the line before falling to the bottom of the canyon.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board will be combing through the wreckage over the coming weeks as they try to determine what led up to the Jan. 2 crash.

The case is making ripples through the aviation world, with safety experts unaware of any other helicopter crashes that have involved a slackline.

Power lines and unmarked cables are a perpetual concern for helicopter pilots because they are inherently difficult to see without markers, lighting or other infrastructure like power poles, said Tom Anthony, director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California.

He said it's important for pilots to review Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, while planning their flights. Under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, that means checking for any notices that might be issued along an entire flight path, not just where a flight departs or lands.

The FAA says pilots also should review notices within 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) of their flight path to be safe. Such notices can warn pilots about anything from slacklines to work along certain runways and what airspace might be restricted.

Anthony acknowledges there can be many notices to review.

It can be a drudge, a chore, but you've got to do it, he said.

It will be up to federal investigators to determine if there were any mechanical issues or other problems leading up to the crash. It could be months before a final report is issued.

Authorities on Monday confirmed the identities of those who were killed. They were David McCarty, the 59-year-old pilot, and his nieces Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty and Katelyn Heideman.

McCarty started Columbia Basin Helicopters in the 1990s, building the company into one that was awarded millions of dollars in federal contracts for firefighting support, agricultural spraying, seeding and other projects across nine Western states. The company has offices in Oregon and Arizona.

Philip Hofbauer of Ukiah, Oregon, has been friends with the McCarty family since grade school. Later in high school, he worked at their farm near the town of Echo, in eastern Oregon.

Theyre all just amazing people. Theyve all been a huge inspiration in my life, he said of David McCarty, his siblings and their parents.

Hofbauer told The Associated Press he would see McCarty when he would contract out his heavy equipment to help officials fight forest fires, and McCarty did the same with his helicopters.

Hofbauer said losing four family members is just overwhelming, a very tragic situation.

The crash happened about 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Phoenix, after the helicopter had taken off from an airport in Queen Creek. It took crews hours to travel on foot to the remote area where the helicopter crashed.

Authorities said the slackline was more than half a mile (more than a kilometer) long. The notice warning of the line was issued Dec. 26, noting that it would be up for several days and would be flagged and lit.

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, on average, a few helicopter crashes each year can be attributed to striking wires or towers. However, the institute said FAA charts and apps that help pilots with flight planning, navigation, checklists and real-time data like weather can highlight obstacles.

Hassan Shahidi has been flying for many years. As president and chief executive of the Flight Safety Foundation in Virginia, he said safety revolves around situational awareness and an understanding of the airspace.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is challenging utility regulators' recent approval of an electricity service agreement between Project Blue developers and Tucson Electric Power.

Mayes said the agreement illegally gives the two parties the power to set electricity rates for Project Blue's data centers, apparently without the state's approval, in violation of the state Constitution.

The loophole created for the developers of this data center to secretly set electricity rates behind closed doors and outside of the public process is new, rare, and a dangerous recipe for massive price hikes for Arizona consumers, said Mayes in a news release Monday announcing her challenge. Thats why my office is stepping in.

The attorney general is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission to vacate its decision, made in a 4-1 vote Dec. 3, approving the agreement between TEP and Project Blue's owner, Humphrey's Peak LLC, and its developer, Beale Infrastructure. Mayes also asked the commission to order a rehearing of the case, in which the commission approved an agreement for TEP to sell Project Blue 286 megawatts of generating capacity.

Project Blue is a planned, major data center complex that would be built on 290 acres on Tucson's far southeast side.

In seeking another hearing on the case, Mayes joins similar requests made separately by the city of Tucson; Reed Spurling, who is active with the No Desert Data Center Coalition; and Daniel Dempsey, representing Underground Arizona Inc. The requests were filed starting Dec. 23. Mayes' request was the most recent, filed Dec. 30.

Mayes singled out a provision in the agreement that she said would allow the utility and Project Blue owners and operators to set the rate the project pays for electricity.

In one instance, she said the agreement left it unclear whether such a rate change would require Corporation Commission approval. Elsewhere in her written request, however, she said more than once that such a rate change under the agreement wouldn't require ACC approval.

"In approving an agreement between a utility and its customer that contains a provision allowing the parties to 'choose their own rate,' the commission abdicated its constitutional and statutory authority and its obligation to protect ratepayers," Mayes wrote.

She cited Page 11 of the agreement's language that says, "Electric service hereunder may be changed to a different rate schedule ... only upon the mutual agreement of utility and customer."

The paragraph containing that sentence starts with a provision that TEP will bill Project Blue for electric service in accordance with a standard rate structure for what it calls "large power service." In between that sentence and the language allowing for revisions to the rates is a second sentence that's blacked out.

"As mentioned above, nothing in the agreement specifies that modifications and specifications ... approved by TEP and Customer are to be reviewed and specified by the commission," said the third sentence.

Reached for comment Monday, TEP spokesman Joe Barrios denied Mayes' allegation that the agreement will allow it and Project Blue to "set their own electricity rates without commission oversight."

"The project will pay for service under TEPs Commission-approved rate for customers that take service at our highest retail voltage. This tariff, like all of our other retail tariffs, are reviewed and approved by the ACC in a public and legal rate-making process, and is designed to cover the costs of providing service to customers," Barrios said.

He declined to elaborate on that point in a brief phone conversation with the Star, saying, "At this point what we said, thats all I can really offer you. My understanding is if they, the customers, want to change the rate they were under, that would also require approval from the commission."

Mayes, however, said the commission "delegated its exclusive ratemaking authority to private parties, in violation of the state constitution."

In a statement, ACC Chairman Kevin Thompson said of Mayes, a commissioner herself from 2003-2010, "You'd think a former commissioner would better understand the procedural role of the ACC in approving energy supply agreements, but this protest isn't actually about process or form.

"This is more performative bandwagoning theater from the AG. The irony is that if the commission rejected this special contract, TEP would still be able to move forward under existing tariffs and ratepayers would not realize the enhanced protections secured in this agreement that will actually reduce transmission costs for all other customers," Thompson said.

In a brief conversation with the Star Monday, Thompson said he would comment specifically on Mayes' allegations once he's had time to review them.

Mayes also argued in her request for rehearing that the commission failed to adequately set a "fair value" for TEP's in-state property. Such a failure likely puts the commission in a position of failing to assure the utility is charging the project "just and reasonable rates," Mayes wrote.

The commission's action also possibly allows for discriminatory electric rates in favor of Project Blue, also in violation of the state Constitution and state law, Mayes said.

When the commission approved the agreement last month, the four members who supported it said it offered more than adequate assurances that other TEP ratepayers including individual consumers wouldn't have to pay for the extra energy delivered to the data center complex.

Project Blue would house up to four individual data centers upon commencing operations in 2027 and could eventually play host to up to 10 data centers.

The project has drawn huge opposition from many Tucsonans, opposition that led the Tucson City Council in August to kill Project Blue's request to have the 290 acres annexed into the city and served by reclaimed water from the Tucson Water system. But the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in June to sell Project Blue's owners the 290 acres and in December voted to close the sale for $20 million.

At the December Corporation Commission hearing, dozens of speakers, most from Tucson, spoke against the agreement and only one speaker supported it, a speaker representing the Arizona Manufacturers Council and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.

The utility said the agreement would protect existing TEP customers in part by making it last for 10 years, and by including minimum monthly billing requirements in the event Project Blue operators demand less electricity than the existing generating capacity set aside for it. Project Blue can only terminate the agreement by giving a three-year advance notice, and must make a termination payment, TEP said.

Mayes, however, in her request for rehearing, chided the commissioners for what she said was ignoring concerns and questions from opponents of the agreement, led by Commissioner Rachel Walden, who cast the lone "no" vote. Walden, for instance, argued that existing TEP ratepayers would have to pay for higher costs to the utility made necessary to maintain its existing margin of generating capacity once Project Blue is operating.

Walden, like all other commissioners a Republican, complained along with other speakers that construction of a new switchyard needed to carry out this agreement also would be paid for in part by other utility customers, Mayes noted.
Renewed: Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris, and sometimes Rome and Venice, will return for a sixth season.

Emily in Paris has been swiftly renewed for Season 6 by Netflix.

Season 5 follows Emily as she travels to Rome for business  and pleasure. The Chicago-born marketing exec is tasked with launching an Agence Grateau office in the Eternal City, as she tackles a new relationship with luxury fashion heir Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini). But tensions rise in every corner of Emilys life, and shes pulled between the newness of Italy and her roots in France.

Series creator Darren Star said at a press conference in December, Theres a lot of places Id love to visit. But I think the show organically [follows] the storyline. The show is Emily in Paris. Its never going to permanently leave its home base. But if I can take the audience on a journey somewhere else, I would love that  [Its] fun to think about.
Screen Producers Aus asks ACCC for right to bargain with broadcasters, streamers.

Most screen businesses are small operators and run on a shoestring... trying to negotiate commercial terms with big corporate players."

With local quotas on streamers now in force, Screen Producers Australia has a new fight on its hands

SPA has lodged two applications with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission seeking authorisation to collectively bargain on behalf of its members with Free-to-Air broadcasters, Subscription television broadcasters and Streaming services.

The applications, made under sections 88 and 91 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, seek approval for SPA to negotiate model terms of engagement for Australian producers.

SPA Chair Kate Carnell said: I know from my work with the sectors business leaders at SPA that doing deals in the current environment has been extremely tough for many years now and that something has to give or too many creative entrepreneurs will be driven out of the industry.

Most screen businesses are small operators and run on a shoestring. The pressures they face in trying to negotiate commercial terms with big corporate players are untenable and put their ongoing existence at risk. Recourse to the ACCC is the logical next step needed to try to address this market imbalance. Ive seen this scenario play out in many other sectors, including pharmaceuticals and groceries and I believe this ACCC application is necessary to bring fairness back to the Australian screen industry, Ms Carnell said.

SPA CEO Matthew Deaner (pictured) said, With the Streaming Regulation legislation now in place, Australia has taken an historic step in recognising the importance of local content and local production.

However, despite years of campaigning by SPA, the legislation was not able to deal with the important issue of the ownership and control of rights which are the key to the monetisation of any screen project. This ACCC application aims to ensure that Australian producers can operate with the fair commercial settings they need to deliver that content sustainably. The ACCC process will enable us to engage further with key stakeholders as we work towards our goal of ensuring we have a sustainable screen industry.

Under current competition law, SPA members are prohibited from engaging in conduct that could be considered anti-competitive, including coordinating negotiations. SPAs applications seek a targeted exemption to allow collective bargaining for baseline commercial terms.

SPA maintains most Australian production businesses do not have the scale or resources to repeatedly negotiate complex bespoke agreements on a project-by-project basis. Model terms would establish a baseline set of negotiated rights that producers and buyers can work from, while still allowing flexibility to agree terms that suit individual productions.

Proposed reforms would:

Help rebalance the significant power disparity between producers and their much larger customers

Promote greater consistency, efficiency and fairness in contracting

Reduce legal, financial and administrative costs for smaller businesses

Support a broader, more sustainable and more diverse Australian production sector

Collective bargaining is about fairness, sustainability and efficiency, Deaner said. Without this capacity, the risk is a market dominated by fewer, larger businesses, with fewer Australian stories being told.

The most recent Screen Australia Drama Report revealed that while total drama expenditure increased sharply, driven largely by international activity, the number of Australian titles entering production fell year-on-year  highlighting growing vulnerability for local producers.

Similarly, the ACMA SVOD Report confirmed that although streaming investment in Australian content rose in 202425, this growth is concentrated among a small number of global platforms and does not offset the structural power imbalance faced by producers at the negotiating table.

SPA claims Australias status as an English-speaking market further compounds these pressures. Broadcasters and streamers can acquire large volumes of US and UK content at a fraction of the cost of producing new Australian programs. Streamers, in particular, operate with global commissioning options and frequently do not provide producers with access to audience data, further undermining producers bargaining position, even when their programs perform strongly.

Even when Australian programs are successful, producers are often negotiating in the dark, Deaner said. That lack of transparency directly weakens their bargaining position.

SPA has lodged two separate applications:

One covering regulated broadcasters  free-to-air and subscription television broadcasters

A second covering domestic and global streaming services

Following formal lodgement, the ACCC will publish the applications and invite public submissions from affected stakeholders, including broadcasters and streaming services. SPA will then have the opportunity to respond before the ACCC issues a draft determination for further comment and ultimately makes its final decision.

The full process is expected to take approximately six to twelve weeks, depending on stakeholder engagement and whether further information is required.

If authorisation is granted, SPA will be permitted to commence collective bargaining discussions on behalf of its members. The authorisation would not compel broadcasters or streamers to negotiate, but it would provide a clear and lawful framework for negotiations to occur.

Australian producers have shown extraordinary resilience through years of upheaval, Ms Carnell said. This process is about giving them a fighting chance to operate on fair terms and continue delivering the Australian stories audiences value.

Free TV Australia has been contacted for comment.
New assessments reflect Bulgaria's growing regional importance

LONDON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus has launched the world's first Bulgarian natural gas price assessments. These prices complete a suite of southeast European gas prices which only Argus assesses.

The Bulgarian gas market has grown since 2022 from a local hub into one in which some of the largest international trading firms are active. Gas flows to Bulgaria from Azerbaijan and Turkey, thanks to recent infrastructure additions. Bulgaria is also the landing point for southeast Europe for Russian gas passing through the Turkish Stream pipeline, while interconnections with Greece and Romania link Bulgaria with LNG infrastructure and Black Sea gas production.

From 2022 until mid-2024, Bulgaria often had the lowest gas price in Europe thanks to ample supply options and limited local consumption. After that, reduced gas supply in southeast Europe because of lower stocks and the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine meant that the Bulgarian market converged much more with the Dutch TTF hub  the benchmark in Europe  and often commanded a premium. Argus assessed Bulgarian day-ahead gas at 30.90/MWh on 5 January, a 2.58/MWh premium to the TTF.

"We are pleased to respond to our clients' needs for an independent Bulgarian gas price," Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said. "Our comprehensive southeast European gas coverage gives clients the tools they need to navigate a volatile part of the European gas market, which will keep evolving as the EU looks to phase out supply from Russia and Black Sea production ramps up."

Argus assesses Bulgarian spot prices at 3pm eastern European time and will publish the price differential to Romania, Greece and the TTF at the same timestamp.

Argus contact information

London: Seana Lanigan

+44 20 7780 4200

Email Seana

Houston: Jessica Tran

+1 713 968 0000

Email Jessica

Singapore: Tomoko Hashimoto

+65 6496 9960

Email Tomoko

About Argus Media

Argus is the leading independent provider of market intelligence to the global energy and commodity markets. We offer essential price assessments, news, analytics, consulting services, data science tools and industry conferences to illuminate complex and opaque commodity markets.

Headquartered in London with nearly 1,500 staff, Argus is an independent media organisation with 30 offices in the world's principal commodity trading hubs.

Companies, trading firms and governments in 160 countries around the world trust Argus data to make decisions, analyse situations, manage risk, facilitate trading and for long-term planning. Argus prices are used as trusted benchmarks around the world for pricing transportation, commodities and energy.

Founded in 1970, Argus remains a privately held UK-registered company owned by employee shareholders and global growth equity firm General Atlantic.

Trademark notices

ARGUS, the Argus Logo, ARGUS MEDIA and ILLUMINATING THE MARKETS, Argus publication titles and index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited. Visit Trademarks for more information.

SOURCE Argus Media
TV Tonight Awards: Worst of 2025

Readers give a thumbs down to Married at First Sight, 10 News+ and Stranded on Honeymoon Island.

It is the biggest show on television but Married at First Sight also has many detractors, taking out Worst Show of the Year in the TV Tonight Awards.

MAFS led the category by a hefty margin over Stranded on Honeymoon Island and 10 News+. Will that impact its upcoming 13th season? Not bloody likely.

10 News+ also took out the Blunder of the Year category, which could pertain to either 10s decision to greenlight the show, or its execution -or both. Given management told The Project it was axed because viewers no longer watched news in the same way anymore, it was an odd replacement. 10 has already dialled it back to 30 mins this year.

Dancing with the Stars and The Voice host Sonia Kruger continues to claim the Most Overexposed category (she also fronts Logies Red Carpet).

But this year Favourite Male Sam Pang makes his first entry thanks to Sam Pang Tonight, Have You Been Paying Attention?, The Front Bar and Logie Awards. Its a bit of a challenge how do you remain under the radar when youre on so many shows?

Worst Show (Australian): Married at First Sight *

Stranded on Honeymoon Island

10 News+, Love Island Australia

The Golden Bachelor

Big Brother, The Block

(2024: Made in Bondi)

Worst Show (International): Alls Fair

Love Island UK

With Love Meghan

The Kardashians

9-1-1 Nashville, And Just Like That, Married at First Sight UK, Suits LA, Survivor

(2024: Love Island UK)

Biggest Blunder of the Year: 10 News+

Jonathan LaPaglia fired from Australian Survivor

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert cancelled and Jimmy Kimmel suspended

Alex Cullen takes $50k from Lambo guy

Logie Awards voting system

With Love Meghan

(2024: Seven News adds horoscopes, satire)

Most Overexposed Performer: Sonia Kruger

Karl Stefanovic

Robert Irwin

Sam Pang

Larry Emdur

Samantha Armytage, Sophie Monk

(2024: Sonia Kruger)

Yesterday: Best of 2025

Thursday: Best Free to Air / Subscription, Story of the Year, Most Underrated Performer / International Show We Need to See on Aussie TV.
Uganda 2026 election: Main contenders

Uganda's Electoral Commission has cleared 27 political parties to operate and participate in the January 15 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Eight presidential candidates, including incumbent Yoweri Museveni and opposition aspirant Bobi Wine, are vying for the presidency in Uganda.

President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986, is running for a seventh term under the ruling National Resistance Movement.

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The Electoral Commission has registered approximately 21.6 million voters for the 2026 election, up from 18.1 million in the 2021 presidential vote.

Women constitute approximately 53% of registered voters.

Despite an uptick in Uganda's voter registration, turnout on election day has generally declined over the past years  from around 70% in 2006 to below 60% in 2021.

Uganda's electoral system explained

A candidate for president must win 50% + 1 vote to avoid a runoff in the country's two-round voting system.

Uganda has 353 constituencies, each represented by a member of parliament elected from that constituency. However, Uganda's parliament has additional seats for elected women representatives, youth representatives, representatives for persons with disabilities, workers' representatives, representatives for older persons and the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces representatives, plus ex-officio members.

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The ex-officio members include the vice president and Cabinet ministers, if they are not elected as MPs. However, ex-officio members have no right to vote on issues that require a parliamentary vote.

Uganda's parliament in 2025 had 556 members, the largest in Africa relative to its population, and bigger than many national legislatures in the region, including those of Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.

Key concerns for voters

Electoral credibility and trust

Voters are concerned about whether the election will be free and fair, citing doubts about the Electoral Commission's independence, transparency in vote counting and the overall integrity of the process.

President Yoweri Museveni is seeking a record seventh term in office Presidential Press Unit, PPU

Political repression and security

Fears of violence, arrests and intimidation  especially targeting opposition figures and supporters have raised concerns about safety, civil liberties and equal space for political competition. Kizza Besigye, a key opposition figure, has been on trial since he was detained in November 2024, after he was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, and taken back to Uganda.

Youth unemployment and economic hardship

High unemployment, rising living costs, and limited economic opportunities  particularly for young people  remain central issues shaping voter expectations and frustrations.

Money politics and an unequal playing field

Vote buying, cash handouts and weak enforcement of campaign finance rules could distort voter choice and favor well-resourced candidates.

Edited by: Keith Walker
Genesis Behind the American Onslaught on Latin America

In essence it is not a strategic or geopolitics blitzkrieg, which Doanld Trump has launched against the Latin American countries but this bombastic show is essentially for the control of the global rare earth minerals

Americas recent actions in Venezuela do not simply seem to be that of a rogue state but something far worse: that of a rogue superpower and the global comity needs to take an immediate and strong action against this American swashbuckling politics.

During the past one year, perhaps no other man has garnered so much news headlines and space as the American President Donald Trump. This is not due toany of his humane policies or pro-people announcements, but based solely on his quirky and unpredictable executive orders undermining the global political, diplomatic, and economic rules-based governance or a lack of comprehension on how to run a superpower.

After a hiatus of four years, Trump came back as the 47th American president, promising to get the 14 years-old Russia-Ukraine war ended within 24 hours of assuming office, though nothing of that sort has happened in the last one year.

Immediately after assuming office, he started a whimsical Tariff War against almost every nation and vowed to colonialise Greenland and runover Mexico.The latest folly, which this foaming at the mouth American president has committed is a completely flagrant violation of international norms and the respect forany sovereigncountry.

Trumps second term is marked by aggressive foreign actions, including the military capture of Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro and threats toward Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and renewed interest in Greenland, sparking global backlash and concerns over US power projection.

At his inauguration in January 2025 , Donald Trump pledged to be a peacemaker and unifier. Although he has claimed to have brokered several  and in some cases, short-lived  peace deals including that of the self-claimed one between India and Pakistan, he also carried out military interventions with relish, bombing seven countries during the first year of his second term.

During his first stint as US president, Trump dramatically ramped up strikes against jihadists in Somalia. He has intensified this air campaign again since returning to the White House, with 118 strikes conducted in 2025  more than the Bush, Obama and Biden administrations combined.

Trump launched a wave of air and naval strikes against targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen in early 2025, pledging to annihilate the Iran-backed militia group after it hit Israel and targeted Red Sea shipping in retaliation for the war in Gaza.

In March last year a US airstrike killed a senior leader of the IS in Iraq. The operation was carried out with Iraqs intelligence services. Trump wrote on social media that it exhibited peace through strength.

During Israels short war with Iran in June, the US struck three Iranian nuclear facilities. B-2 stealth bombers dropped bunker-busters and cruise missiles were launched from a sub. Trump claimed the countrys nuclear programme had been completely and totally obliterated, although the extent of the damage is still unclear.

After IS killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter in central Syria on December 13, 2025 Trump authorised more than 70 strikes on the group. His rebranded war secretary, Pete Hegseth, described them as a declaration of vengeance.

Nigeria A US ship stationed in the Gulf of Guinea launched more than a dozen cruise missiles at two IS training camps in Nigeria on Christmas Day. Trump said the aim was to protect Christians who Maga figures say are being targeted for their faith. Nigerias government denies this, but acquiesced to the strikes.

The US began attacking alleged drug boats off Venezuelas Caribbean coast in September, carrying out 33 known strikes and killing at least 112 people so far. US forces also docked two sanctioned oil tankers, pursued a third and hit a Venezuelan port facility with a drone before last Saturdays operation.

America against Venezuela

Donald Trumps second term as United States President is increasingly being defined by an aggressive projection of power far beyond Americas borders. Following the dramatic US military operation in Venezuela and the capture of President Maduro, Trump has signalled that his ambitions stretch across the Western Hemisphere and into the Arctic, triggering alarm from Latin America to Europe.

He has also mused about the idea of kidnapping another president, Colombias Gustavo Petro, and said Venezuelas vice president Delcy Rodriguez , will suffer a fate worse than Maduro if she fails to fall in line. Further, Greenland is not the only country feeling the pressure. Trumps rhetoric following the Venezuela operation has been especially sharp toward Colombia. Even as US forces were bringing Maduro to New York, Trump warned Colombian President Gustavo Petro to watch his ass.

Maduros ouster has been justified in the name of combating narco-terrorism. He has been called the narco dictator of a narco regime. Maduros government was indeed up to its neck in drug smuggling. But the stress placed on this issue reflects a persistent failing in the US approach to Latin Americawhat we could perhaps call narcolepsy.

This seems to be the greatest undoing of the US foreign policy, to remain sound asleep when it comes to Latin America except when it is occasionally awakened to deal with narco-trafficking. Otherwise, public opinion in the United States studiously ignores the one region, excluding Mexico, with which the Us has run a consistent trade surplus.

Trumps focus on Latin America

Trumps wrath against Latin American countries started with his spat against Mexico and operations to take control of Panama Canal.

But, why is Trump adopting an aggressive posture against the Latin American countries?

The reason mostly is based on his temperament to treat every issue in economic terms and his promise of MAGA.

It is not a hidden fact that in the past 25 years, China has made inroads into very Latin American country just like Asia and Africa, China runs its bases and companies from every Latin American country. So,Trumps gameplan is not just to occupy or subjugate Venezuela just for its oil, but as evident from his statements he is basically trying to ramp-up the American presence in every Latin American country.

Why?

Because most of these nations also form the backbone of the Chinese expansionism and its control of the global rare earth minerals. Mexio is the largest global producer of Silver, which it largely exports to China and with the imminent Chinese export order banning export of Silver from China, it will ultimately create a Chinese hegemony over the global supply of Silver. Further Bolivia has vast resources of Lithium and Chile and Peru have large deposits of Copper.

Trump knows very well that if the American hold over the global AI, supercomputers and other technological equipmentmust continue then it has to be done with the control of the global supply chain of the rare earth minerals.

So, in essence it is not a strategic or geopolitics blitzkrieg, which Doanld Trump has launched against the Latin American countries but this bombastic show is essentially for the control of the global rare earth minerals.

(The writer, Asad Mirza, is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national, international, defence and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant.)

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Watch: Venus at Superior Conjunction with Sun Tonight

The Planet Venus is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun tonight i.e. Tuesday January 06, 2026

[Gemini AI image for representation.]

The Planet Venus is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun tonight i.e. Tuesday January 06, 2026.

Planetary Conjunction Types

A planetary conjunction occurs when two or more astral objects come very close to each other, sometimes appearing to touch each other.

Inferior planets, Mercury and Venus, are at conjunction with the Sun in two instances, creating the need for the terms Inferior and Superior to distinguish their locations.

A Superior Conjunction is a specific type where a planet is on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth.

On the other hand, an Inferior Conjunction is when an inner planet (Mercury or Venus) passes between Earth and the Sun, making it a general term for alignment and superior/inferior specific cases.

Venus Superior Conjunction

Planet Venus will be at Superior Conjunction with the Sun tonight at precisely 10:40 PM India Standard Time (IST), passing almost directly behind the Sun from Earths perspective in an alignment where the Sun lies between Earth and Venus.

Giving more details, Wisal Salim Al Hinai, Vice Chair of the Community Communication Committee at Oman Astronomical Society, said a Superior Conjunction marks the point in Venus orbit where it is farthest from Earth, at an estimated distance of 255.8 million kilometers.

In this celestial arrangement, the order is Earth, the Sun, and then Venus, placing the planet on the opposite side of the Sun from our view, she said.

Al Hinai noted that after shining prominently as a morning star for much of 2025, Venus, the third brightest planet in our Solar System, began fading from view in late November as it moved closer to the Suns glare, according to Times of Oman.

The Venus is now at its closest apparent proximity to the solar disk, rendering it unobservable to the naked eye or standard telescopes. She said that following the conjunction, Venus will gradually move westward away from the Sun.

Mars Superior Conjunction

Meanwhile, Mars appears from the opposite side of the Sun, creating a rare and striking scene of two planets approaching near-coincident Superior Conjunctions.

Mars will be at Superior Conjunction on January 9, 2026, according to EarthSky.org.

The MilkyWay website further said that the planet Venus orbits one step inward from Earth around the sun. Mars orbits one step outward.

And if you miss the Venus and Mars Super Conjunctions, dont worry. The planet Mercury will be in Super Conjunction on January 21, 2026.

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Vietnam luxury SUV market had a clear shift in technology in 2025. For the first time, this segment witnessed a direct confrontation between two schools: high-performance pure electric SUVs and traditional internal combustion engine models that have been refined to adapt to the electrification trend.

The year 2025 marked an important milestone for electrification in the luxury SUV segment, as long-standing prejudices against high-end electric vehicles were almost erased. Three key models drove this change: Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ, Audi Q6 e-tron, and Maserati Grecale Folgore.

Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ was the boldest. Electrifying the off-road icon with a legacy of more than 40 years of Mercedes-Benz, the G-Class, was once seen as a risky action. However, when G 580 EQ officially appeared in Vietnam in April 2025, all skepticism gave way to admiration.

The classic boxy design was retained, while the 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine was replaced by four independent electric motors, one at each wheel, delivering 587 horsepower and up to 1,164 Nm of torque.

The G-Turn feature became a phenomenon on social networks, but the core value of the G 580 EQ lies in its superior off-road capability thanks to instant torque and individual wheel control.

This is not a model for the masses, as only two units were brought to Vietnam with a price of VND8.68 billion, playing the role of a technological statement rather than a mass commercial product.

Contrasting with the ostentation of the G-Class, the Audi Q6 e-tron launched in early July 2025 represents sophistication and practicality. Developed on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform shared with the Porsche Macan EV, the Q6 e-tron has an 800V high-voltage battery system, supporting DC fast charging up to 260 kW.

The car uses a rear electric motor, delivering 301 horsepower and 485 Nm of torque. With a battery capacity of 94.9 kWh, the actual operating range is up to 583 km, suitable for usage conditions in Vietnam.

The design of the Q6 e-tron is not too groundbreaking but stands out with the digital matrix LED light system that can customize the interface, continuing to affirm Audi's light technology strength.

The interior compartment with a curved OLED screen and a separate screen for the passenger seat has set a new standard for the digital experience in the mid-size luxury electric SUV segment. In Vietnam, the Audi Q6 e-tron has only one version with a price of VND3.19 billion.

At the end of October 2025, Maserati introduced Grecale Folgore  the first pure electric SUV of the Italian brand in Vietnam. Grecale Folgore proves that electric vehicles can still be emotional, keeping the full Maserati spirit.

The return of the sales kings

While electric vehicles attracted significant attention, the luxury car market in 2025 still demonstrated the resilience of internal combustion engines upgraded with mild-hybrid technology. The new-generation BMW X3 is a typical example. Although Thaco did not disclose specific sales figures, X3 continued to contribute significantly to BMWs success in Vietnam.

In its fourth generation, BMW X3 adopts a flatter, more compact, and more masculine design. The boldly styled twin kidney grille combined with the Iconic Glow lighting strip creates a strong visual impact.

The interior follows a minimalist approach, with a large curved display and the removal of most physical buttons, a change that sparked debate. However, driving dynamics remain its strongest asset. The mild-hybrid version delivers 190 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque, sufficient for daily use.

With prices ranging from VND2.279 to VND2.629 billion, BMW X3 maintains a competitive edge over the Mercedes-Benz GLC (VND2.2992.839 billion), reinforcing its position as one of the best-selling models in the compact luxury SUV segment.

A colorful picture in 2025

Vietnams luxury SUV market in 2025 shows that customers no longer buy cars based solely on logos, but on usability, technology, and lifestyle values.

The arrival of models like the G 580 EQ and Q6 e-tron reflects openness to new technologies, while the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLS affirm the lasting value of vehicles designed for practical needs. At the same time, the Evoque, Defender, and Volvo XC60 maintain their positions thanks to strong identities and distinct philosophies.

With these representative models, 2025 closed as a colorful picture that meets diverse demands, from performance and comfort to off-road capability and environmental responsibility. This serves as an important stepping stone for Vietnams automotive market entering 2026, where competition is expected to become even fiercer, not only in products but also in pricing and after-sales services.

Hoang Hiep
Livestreams and videos featuring KOLs (key opinion leaders) are among the types of content with the greatest impact on consumer shopping decisions today, according to the Vietnam E-commerce Intelligence 2025 report by the Younet Group,

In 2019, Shopee introduced Shopee Live and Shopee Affiliate Marketing Solutions (AMS), followed by Shopee Video in 2022, providing tools to help sellers stay ahead of new consumption trends.

Shopee Live provides a real-time connection space between buyers and sellers, helping introduce products visually and vividly. Shopee Video, on the other hand, is a place for sellers to showcase products in a more entertaining and creative way to attract users and increase conversion rates.

Shopee's extensive Affiliate Marketing (AMS) network also provides opportunities to increase brand coverage, consolidate image, and reach new customer groups.

According to Shopee, Vietnamese MSME sellers on the platform have sold more than 942 million products through AMS and produced more than 13.1 million videos on Shopee Video.

Tung Biker is a typical example showing that these tools bring clear efficiency. Having been in business on Shopee for nine years, after noticing that users prioritize concise and visual content, the seller decided to invest in Shopee Video and AMS as new growth channels.

Thanh Tung, the seller's representative, said buyers usually require full product information. Tung Biker builds Shopee Video content clarifying information and product usage. "This approach helps consumers clearly visualize the product before purchasing, enhancing trust and the store's conversion rate," Tung explained.

Orders from Shopee Video account for about 20 percent of Tung Biker's total orders. A regular posting frequency of two to three videos per day also helps optimize consulting time.

Tung Biker also participates in AMS, promoting key products through cooperation with KOLs and Shopees affiliate partners.

During the recent December 12 (12/12) sale alone, revenue from affiliate marketing accounted for up to 30 percent of total revenue. Overall, compared with the previous month, Tung Bikers total revenue on December 12 increased by 180 percent, while the number of orders rose by 120 percent, demonstrating the effectiveness of investing in shoppertainment and affiliate marketing on e-commerce platforms.

AI application

AI is gradually becoming an important tool for sellers. Recently, Shopee introduced a series of AI-powered solutions. One notable feature is AI Post, which allows sellers to generate high-quality product images with optimized lighting, layout, and post-production.

Shopee also applies AI-integrated chatbots and smart data systems in customer service operations, enabling instant responses to common questions and automatic forwarding of more complex requests to sellers.

The story of Sanjoli, a fashion seller on Shopee, provides concrete evidence of how the platforms AI tools deliver optimal results. Trinh, Sanjolis representative, said consumers often ask questions related to promotions, sizes, and materials, creating a need for fast and consistent responses from sellers.

Sanjoli decided to use Shopees AI Chatbot from the early days of its introduction to handle frequently asked customer concerns.

After applying the AI Chatbot, Sanjolis response rate has been at a stable 99 percent, even during peak hours and outside working hours. Combining the AI Chatbot with other support features on Shopee has significantly improved the customer shopping experience.

This is reflected in a marked increase in positive reviews regarding response speed and clarity of consultation. As a result, our business performance during the 12/12 Mega Sale grew threefold compared with the previous month, Trinh emphasized.

Sanjoli is also exploring the use of Shopees AI tools to optimize product images displayed in its store.

Regardless of the industry or years of operation on the platform, sellers need to leverage marketplace tools to achieve long-term development in e-commerce.

Thue va Hai Quan Online (Tax and Customs) quoted Nguyen Huu Tuan, director of the E-commerce and Digital Technology Development Center under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as saying at an event in late November 2025 that e-commerce is becoming the fastest-growing sector of Vietnams digital economy, serving as a pillar of enterprise digital transformation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Vietnams e-commerce market is expanding rapidly and continues to rank among the worlds fastest-growing markets.

In 2024, Vietnams e-commerce market reached $25 billion, up 25 percent year on year, the highest growth rate in Southeast Asia. Vietnam ranked behind Indonesia ($65 billion) and Thailand ($26 billion) in absolute market size, but led the region in terms of market expansion speed.

In 2025, Vietnams e-commerce market is forecast to surpass $30 billion, contributing about 10 percent of total retail sales of goods and consumer services.

Le My
The Police Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security has completed the investigation conclusions for two cases including giving bribes and receiving bribes occurring at the Vietnam Food Safety Administration (Ministry of Health) and the case of forgery in work, giving bribes, and taking advantage of influence over people with positions and power for personal gain.

A number of business tycoons have been recommended for prosecution in both cases. In the case of falsifying documents in official duties, investigators have so far named 42 out of 655 intermediary companies and individuals involved in brokering fake testing result certificates at TSL Company and Avatek Company.

Among them is Fosi International Food Service JSC (Fosi Company), headed by Tran Quang Hai as director. According to the investigation conclusion, Hai discussed and agreed with employees of TSL Company and Avatek Company that when Fosis customers needed fast processing to obtain testing results, the two companies would issue testing result certificates without requiring product samples, or samples would be submitted but testing would be rushed without actual analysis. In some cases, actual test results were altered to meet the indicators requested by Fosi Company.

The investigation determined that during 20202023, TSL Company issued 2,621 fake testing result certificates for Fosi Companys customers, collecting more than VND3.1 billion in testing fees, of which Tran Quang Hai received discounts of more than VND591 million.

In 20232025, Avatek Company continued to issue 2,972 fake testing result certificates for Fosi Companys customers, collecting more than VND2.5 billion in testing fees, with Hai receiving discounts of more than VND900 million.

Regarding the bribery case at the Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health, Tran Quang Hai has been prosecuted for offering bribes. According to the allegations, during procedures to register product disclosures, Hai transferred more than VND5.4 billion to officials of the Food Safety Authority in exchange for guidance and favorable conditions in obtaining acceptance certificates and limiting repeated requests for document revisions and supplements.

Investigators also determined that one of Fosi Companys customers was linked to the group involved in producing Kera candy.

Business owner prosecuted twice

Novaco Pharmaceutical JSC is chaired by Pham Duc Thuan. The companys management includes Nguyen Quang Hung as general director from 2011 to September 2022, Nguyen Van Luc as general director from September 2022 to the present, and Vu Van Toa as director of Novacos HCMC branch.

The investigation found that during 20202023, TSL Company issued 919 fake testing result certificates for Novaco Pharmaceutical JSC and its customers, collecting more than VND744 million in testing fees, with Novaco receiving discounts of more than VND98 million.

In 20232025, Avatek Company continued to issue 28 fake testing result certificates for Novaco and related customers.

In the case at the Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health, Pham Duc Thuan, Nguyen Quang Hung, and Vu Van Toa have been prosecuted for offering bribes.

According to the allegations, Novacos main business lines include trading functional foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and providing product disclosure services for organizations and individuals.

Due to a prior relationship with Dinh Quang Minh, director of the Center for Application and Training in Food Safety under the Food Safety Authority, when carrying out product disclosure services, Thuan contacted Minh to seek favorable conditions during dossier appraisal and proposed that Novaco employees be allowed to directly liaise for guidance on completing procedures.

In 20192021, Pham Duc Thuan, Nguyen Quang Hung, and Vu Van Toa allegedly directed the accounting department to transfer a total of more than VND3.8 trillion to Dinh Quang Minh.

In addition, in the bribery case at the Food Safety Authority, another female tycoon, Tran Thi Quynh Trang, was also named. According to the investigation conclusion, Trang is alleged to be the largest bribe-giver, with a total amount exceeding VND33 billion during 20182024, in exchange for guidance, support, and favorable conditions in obtaining acceptance and certification documents.

In the second case, Tran Thi Quynh Trang was determined to have discussed and agreed with employees of TSL Company and Avatek Company to issue testing result certificates without requiring product samples, or to conduct expedited checks without actual testing.

T. Nhung
On January 5, President Luong Cuong signed Decision No. 01 on the provision of Tet gifts to individuals recognized for their contributions to the revolution.

Under the decision, two gift levels are specified: $25 per person and $12.50 per person, depending on the category of beneficiary.

Individuals with revolutionary contributions and relatives of fallen soldiers will receive Tet gifts at two levels: $25 and $12.50.

The $25 level applies to individuals currently receiving monthly preferential allowances, including: those who participated in the revolution before January 1, 1945; those active between January 1 and the August Revolution of 1945; Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; Heroes of the People's Armed Forces and Labor Heroes from the resistance era.

This level also covers war invalids, persons entitled to policies equivalent to invalids, Type B invalids, and sick soldiers with a physical impairment rate of 81% or more; and individuals affected by toxic chemicals with a physical impairment rate of 81% or higher who receive monthly preferential allowances.

Also eligible are those who supported the revolution and are receiving monthly care allowances, relatives of fallen soldiers receiving monthly survivor benefits, and families with two or more fallen soldiers also receiving monthly survivor allowances.

According to statistics, Vietnam currently has over 9.2 million individuals officially recognized for revolutionary service, including more than 1.2 million fallen soldiers, nearly 140,000 Heroic Mothers, over 600,000 invalids and sick soldiers, and millions more who are relatives of martyrs or participants in resistance efforts, or who were imprisoned or affected by chemical warfare.

The $12.50 gift level will be given to invalids, policy beneficiaries equivalent to invalids, Type B invalids, and sick soldiers with physical impairment under 80%, who are receiving monthly allowances. This also includes invalids entitled to labor incapacity benefits.

Others eligible for this level include: individuals affected by toxic chemicals with a physical impairment below 80%; those who were imprisoned for participating in the revolution, resistance, or national defense; and those who supported the revolution and are receiving monthly preferential allowances.

Representatives of martyrs families and caretakers of martyr altars-where no surviving relatives remain-will also receive gifts at this level.

The decision states that the funding for these Tet gifts will be allocated from the State budget for 2026. The Prime Minister will direct the implementation, and relevant ministries and agencies will coordinate to ensure timely and appropriate delivery of the gifts.

Providing Tet gifts to individuals with revolutionary merit is a long-standing tradition with profound political and social significance. It reflects the Vietnamese values of gratitude and remembrance, while supporting the material and spiritual well-being of these citizens as the Lunar New Year approaches.

Vu Diep
The Hanoi Peoples Court is set to open a first-instance trial of 55 defendants, of whom 34 are currently in custody, in a bribery case involving the Food Safety Authority (VFA) under the Ministry of Health on January 5 morning.



More than 80 lawyers from over 60 law firms have registered to defend the lawful rights and interests of the defendants. In addition, to prepare for the trial, nearly 60 individuals with related rights and obligations have been summoned to attend the hearing.



In this case, two former directors of the VFA  Nguyen Thanh Phong and Tran Viet Nga, along with two former deputy directors  Nguyen Hung Long and Do Huu Tuan, and 30 subordinates, have been prosecuted by the Supreme Peoples Procuracy for receiving bribes under Article 354 of the Penal Code. Meanwhile, 21 defendants from enterprises and service providers have been charged with offering bribes under Article 364.



According to the indictment, the VFA is a specialised agency under the Ministry of Health, responsible for advising and assisting the minister in state management and law enforcement related to food safety. However, between 2018 and 2025, several officials and specialists at this agency allegedly abused legal regulations to solicit and accept bribes in exchange for the appraisal and issuance of various permits. These included product registration certificates, advertising content confirmations, post-production appraisals, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificates.



To expedite the processing of their dossiers, several service providers and businesses allegedly colluded with VFA specialists to pay unofficial fees.



Prosecutors accused that Phong allowed in principle VFA specialists to collect illegal payments of between 5 million and 10 million VND (190380 USD) per dossier from applicants, in addition to prescribed fees. The illicit proceeds were allegedly shared among Phong and his subordinates. Phong is accused of receiving between 2.5 million and 3 million VND for each dossier.



Nga, who served as deputy director of the agency from 2018 to 2024 and as director from 2024 until her arrest, was assigned the responsibility for approving advertising content certificates. She allegedly required that at least 2 million VND per dossier be paid to agency leaders. After receiving the bribes, specialists reportedly passed between 2 million and 3.5 million VND per dossier to Nga.



The Supreme Peoples Procuracy concluded that Phong, Nga, and 32 subordinates abused their powers to receive more than 107 billion VND in bribes from 21 corporate and individual defendants.



Phong and Nga were identified as the leaders of the bribery operation. Phong allegedly gained 43.9 billion VND for personal benefit, while Nga benefited by 8 billion VND. Long allegedly received 8.6 billion VND, and Tuan 4.3 billion VND.



In addition, prosecutors charged 21 defendants with offering bribes totalling 77.4 billion VND. A further 27.5 billion VND allegedly paid in bribes remains under investigation by the police./. VNA
TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. (CSE: BLGV) (OTC: BLGVF) (FRA: ECA) ("Belgravia" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has fully repaid its USD $1,500,000 line of credit owed to Round13 Digital Asset Fund L.P. ("Round13") in accordance with the parties Bitcoin Standard agreement and related loan agreement.

Under the loan agreement, Belgravia held 14.21448 Bitcoin and exercised its repayment option to return the Bitcoin held under the agreement to offset the outstanding loan balance. This debt repayment eliminates an overhang and exposure associated with the line of credit and further strengthens Belgravia's balance sheet. The interest associated will be calculated at the Bank of Canada prime rate as of June 4, 2025 with further updates to be provided on interest payment.

"Retiring the line of credit removes a meaningful overhang and represents another step in executing our Bitcoin treasury strategy," said Mehdi Azodi, CEO of Belgravia. "We believe the amended Debenture structure and any potential future equity and convertible debenture financings are better suited for Belgravia. This enables us the opportunity to fully wholly own the Bitcoin moving forward and eliminate any additional risks with the loan exposure and costs. The debt elimination and the recently announced LOI with DelphX are steps Belgravia is taking to further protect our Bitcoin from potential downside risks and market volatility."

Bitcoin Treasury Update

Following the repayment:

68.72854407 Bitcoin are now held by Belgravia

are now held by Belgravia 26.350911 Bitcoin are unencumbered and 100% owned by Belgravia

Convertible Debenture and Acceleration Provision

Belgravia also confirmed that the US$5,000,000 convertible debenture used to purchase 42.3776327 Bitcoin remains (the "Debenture"), and the Bitcoin purchased with the Debenture proceeds continues to be held by Belgravia. As announced on October 31, 2025, under the amended Debenture terms, if Belgravia's common shares trade at or above CAD $0.17 for 10 consecutive trading days, Belgravia may, within seven (7) days of reaching the trigger price, announce that the acceleration provision has been triggered. Upon such announcement, Round13 will have 30 days to convert the Debenture into common shares at CAD $0.125 per share. Any portion not converted within that 30-day window will revert to the original CAD $0.71 conversion price for the remainder of the term.

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the "United States" or to "U.S. persons" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Belgravia Hartford

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. is an investment issuer, listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange and OTCQB, focused on the tech and finance sectors of the Bitcoin ecosystem. The Company's focus, as set out in its 2018 Investment Policy, specifies cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, media and digital streaming opportunities. Belgravia invests in a portfolio of private and public companies located in jurisdictions governed by the rule of law. Belgravia and its investments are considered high risk holdings, and it may expose shareholders to significant volatility and losses.

For more legal disclaimer and information, please visit: www.belgraviahartford.com

Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the inability of the Company to utilize the anticipated proceeds of the Offering, the Company's ability to protect and enhance shareholder value and growth, the Company's ability to launch its Bitcoin focused technical tools, the dilution effects of the Offering and the Debenture, the long term success of the Company, Company meeting all conditions for a timely closing of the Debenture, including obtaining all required approvals, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of research undertaken by the Company, risks associated with resource assets, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory, environmental, and governmental approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc.
A multi-organ retrieval operation at Phu Tho General Hospital. Photo: BVCC

A recent multi-organ transplant was abruptly canceled just before the scheduled surgery, raising pressing legal and ethical questions about who has the ultimate authority to decide on organ donation after brain death.

The case involved nearly 100 medical personnel from various hospitals working overnight in preparation. By 6 AM, everything was set for the surgical team to enter the operating room and begin the retrieval of organs from a registered brain-dead donor.

But at the 89th minute, a man identifying himself as a relative appeared and objected to the procedure, accusing doctors of profiteering. The family quickly changed their mind, and the entire operation had to be called off - denying six patients their chance at renewed health.

Legally registered, emotionally contested

To understand who has the legal right to make decisions in such scenarios, VietNamNet spoke with Dr. Nguyen Hoang Phuc, Deputy Director of the National Coordination Center for Organ Transplantation.

According to Dr. Phuc, under Vietnams 2006 Law on Donation, Removal, and Transplantation of Human Tissues and Organs, a person only needs to meet two conditions to register as an organ donor: be at least 18 years old and have full legal capacity.

This means that family consent is not legally required. Anyone who qualifies can independently decide to donate their organs.

However, in practice, the situation is much more complex.

Even if a person holds a valid organ donor card, if they become brain-dead and the family objects, the organ retrieval typically does not proceed. This holds true even in countries with advanced organ donation systems, like France.

Legally, its the donors right. But in practice, especially given Vietnams cultural context, organ retrieval without family consent is nearly impossible, Dr. Phuc explained.

Family communication is key

Current registration forms do not include a section for family approval. Still, officials at the Coordination Center always advise potential donors to discuss their intentions with their families to avoid future conflicts.

If family members object, the donor may not have their wishes fulfilled, Dr. Phuc said. But if the family is aware of and understands the donors intentions, they are more likely to respect them.

Some donors also choose to include a will alongside their donor card to further reinforce their legal and personal intent.

In most cases, donors have discussed their decision with their families, and they receive support - because it's their heartfelt wish, he added.

However, if the donor hasn't shared their intention before becoming brain-dead, the Coordination Center will check its database and inform the family. Many families, unprepared for such news, refuse to proceed - resulting in missed donation opportunities.

When the donor never registered: Who gets to decide?

In cases where the brain-dead individual had not registered as a donor, things get even murkier.

Dr. Phuc noted that this is a common scenario in Vietnam, yet current law does not clearly specify who within the family has the authority to decide.

In practice, consent documents vary between hospitals. Some require signatures from multiple family members; others accept a single representative - whether a parent, spouse, child, or sibling - depending on the situation.

This inconsistency leads to conflicts. For instance, a brain-dead mans parents may agree to donate his organs, but the patients wife or children may oppose, resulting in a canceled transplant.

To resolve this, the upcoming revision of the Organ and Tissue Donation Law will clarify who has final decision-making authority. Early drafts lean toward granting this right to the first-degree legal heirs.

Raising awareness, building acceptance

In many countries, widespread media campaigns, public events, and even school programs promote organ donation as a normal and humane act.

When people understand the value and meaning of organ donation, they are more likely to support it, Dr. Phuc emphasized. The most important factor is communication. As public awareness grows, so will the number of available organs.

Phuong Thuy
According to the Ministry of Finance, the transport and urban infrastructure sectors alone will require around 245 billion USD over the next five years - a massive sum compared to the governments fiscal capacity.

Vietnams transport and urban infrastructure will require around 245 billion USD over the next five years - a figure far beyond public budget capacity. Photo: Hoang Ha

The question is no longer whether the public or private sector should lead investment efforts, but rather how to design effective, transparent, and sustainable mechanisms to mobilize all available resources.

Within that framework, the public-private partnership (PPP) model is re-emerging with a broader mandate. In the Philippines, for instance, the renovation of NAIA International Airport drew 123 billion pesos (around 55 trillion VND) from private investors, raising its capacity to 62 million passengers annually and modernizing the countrys airport network.

Vietnam also has its own success story: the e-GP project - a BOT contract between the Ministry of Planning and Investment and FPT IS - has fully replaced the old national bidding platform since 2022. Under the arrangement, the state handles planning and oversight, while the private partner operates the service and takes responsibility for its quality and timeline.

This demonstrates that the PPP model is not limited to physical infrastructure - it can also apply to high-tech and essential public services.

At the recent PPP Dialogue Program in Vietnam on November 25, Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong announced three priority sectors for PPP collaboration in the near future. Leading the list, as expected, is transportation - a foundational pillar of national development.

Delays in critical projects caused by public spending limits can no longer be tolerated. In this context, PPP is not just a tool for sharing risk and attracting private capital - it is a strategic mechanism to ensure infrastructure leads development, rather than reacting to it.

Transit-oriented urban development and PPP financing

In major cities, the issue has taken on new dimensions. Transit-oriented development (TOD) - the integration of urban growth with public transportation - is becoming a key concept.

Experts, especially from South Korea, emphasized a proven lesson: the value of land surrounding metro lines can be reinvested into public transport systems, creating a self-sustaining financial cycle.

As Vietnam considers the NorthSouth high-speed railway and metro systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, TOD is no longer just a planning concept - it has become a required financial component of project design.

Building urban railways or high-speed rail sustainably requires one fundamental question to be answered first: where will the capital come from?

Innovation and digital infrastructure as new frontiers for PPP

The third focus area is innovation and digital infrastructure. Vietnam has begun crafting strong incentive policies: PPP investors in science and technology are exempt from sharing revenue increases for the first three years, and receive support if revenues fall below financial forecasts.

These policy signals reflect a shift in PPP thinking - moving beyond roads, ports, and airports into sectors where the private sector holds technological advantages, resources, and creative capacity.

The challenge: PPP needs more than legal frameworks

More importantly, recent discussions have acknowledged a critical truth: legal frameworks alone are not enough for PPPs to succeed.

Key obstacles lie in project design, credit mobilization, risk guarantee mechanisms, and separating PPP credit from commercial lending.

Shantanu Chakraborty, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank in Vietnam, stated at the PPP Dialogue: Institutional reform ambitions must translate into projects that are truly viable in the market.

A PPP project can only stand firm if it is both financially viable and meets international credit standards. Without capital flows, even the best concepts remain paper ideas.

15 years of legal groundwork - and now, the test of delivery

Vietnams PPP journey is not new. The legal framework has been under development for over 15 years - from Decree 108 (2009), Decision 71 (2010), Decree 15 (2015), Decree 63 (2018), to the Law on Investment under the Public-Private Partnership Method (2020), and new amendments currently in the works.

This shows the states progression from experimentation to building a stable system capable of earning investor confidence.

As Vietnam prepares to embark on the largest infrastructure projects in its history - from high-speed rail and metros to ports, airports, and digital infrastructure - PPP is more than a financing tool.

It is a mechanism that allows the state to guide development, while enterprises bring in execution capacity. This public-private synergy is the model many nations have adopted to close infrastructure gaps and enhance competitiveness.

If national development is a journey toward modern standards, then using PPP correctly means the state leads, enterprises participate, and society benefits from a synchronized, sustainable, and future-ready infrastructure ecosystem.



Lan Anh
Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang:

Talking with VietNamNet about the Politburos Resolution 57, Thang emphasized that this is a truly breakthrough resolution, from institutions and policy mechanisms to specific figures, fully covering key elements as well as strategic orientations.

As soon as I read the content of the Resolution, I clearly saw long-term development opportunities for Viettel. Resolution 57 has opened up completely new mechanisms for investing in science, technology, and innovation. It allows pilot evaluation mechanisms for new business models, acceptance of risks, venture investment, latency in research and development, and liability exemptions in cases of economic losses caused by objective factors.

The resolution also sets out capital mobilization mechanisms, specifically allocating at least 3 percent of total annual state budget for the development of science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, with gradual increases based on development needs. In addition, it introduces mechanisms to encourage public procurement of products and goods that are the results of scientific research created by domestic enterprises, said Thang.

He went on to say that Resolution 57 represents a major institutional breakthrough, giving organizations and individuals, including state-owned enterprises such as Viettel, greater confidence and boldness to invest in experimentation, master new technologies and models, and put them into practice, thereby creating breakthroughs for businesses.

The issuance of Resolution 57 has brought a fresh wave of momentum and created an upbeat mindset across the business community.

Not only leaders of state-owned groups but private business owners have expressed enthusiasm, proactively studying and learning from the resolution to find new directions for their enterprises.

In early 2025, the National Assembly issued Resolution No193/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025, on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Under detailed guidance in Government Decree No88/2025/ND-CP, the state will support enterprises in deploying nationwide 5G infrastructure if they develop at least 20,000 5G base stations that are accepted and put into operation from February 19 through December 31, 2025.

This is a special policy aimed at creating breakthroughs in national digital transformation and realizing the goal of advanced, modern digital infrastructure with nationwide 5G coverage by 2030 as set out in Resolution 57.

The Politburos Resolution 57, with its focus on promoting breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation, has provided strong motivation for Viettel. The group recognizes its responsibility and is concentrating resources to deploy nationwide 5G infrastructure as soon as possible. This is the technological foundation to effectively support digital transformation for the government, businesses, and the public, Thang emphasized.

Sharing further about the issue at the seminar titled How does 5G commercialization impact Vietnams economy? on December 29, Nguyen Ha Thanh, deputy CEO of Viettel Telecom, said that on December 22, Viettel received official certification from the Ministry of Science and Technology, confirming that the company had fulfilled and exceeded its commitments regarding 5G deployment.

Viettel has more than 20,000 5G base stations (20,758 by December 10). By the end of December 2025, the figure is expected to reach 23,500.

If counting the 6,500 5G stations deployed in 2024, Viettel will own the largest 5G network in Vietnam, with a cumulative total of 30,000 stations, covering 90 percent of outdoor areas and 70 percent of indoor areas nationwide, from urban centers to rural regions.

In 2026, Viettel aims to deploy an additional 15,000 stations, expanding indoor coverage further from 70 percent to nearly 85 percent.

Resolution 57 of the Politburo and Resolution 03 of the government identify 5G as a key strategic infrastructure. Viettel therefore considers investment in 5G infrastructure as essential to ensuring the countrys digital infrastructure and has focused on rapid and extensive deployment.

Going forward, Viettel will continue to invest in depth so that 5G truly becomes a digital infrastructure capable of triggering an explosion of 5G applications, serving not only the public but also businesses and government administration at all levels, Thanh said.

Viettel is the only enterprise in Vietnam to deploy a fully standalone 5G SA network, enabling speeds of up to 10 Gbps with ultra-low latency, meeting the requirements for deploying mission-critical applications such as national defense and security, telemedicine, and smart cities.

Thai Khang
lower-limb rehabilitation monitoring system for post-stroke patients (photo: Ngoc Trang)

The system, named ReTrack, was researched and developed by a group of five students who recently won first prize at the 2025 Young Innovation Competition. The competition was organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology and attracted student projects from 35 universities nationwide.

Hoang Quoc Truong, a fourth-year student majoring in mechanical engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology and leader of the group, said the project originated from the reality that Vietnam records around 200,000 stroke cases each year, of which about 80 percent suffer from motor impairments, especially leg paralysis, requiring long-term rehabilitation support.

The rehabilitation process faces major challenges, as patient recovery has traditionally been monitored largely through observation, while the number of doctors specializing in this field remains limited.

The group of students decided to develop a complete product called ReTrack, using AI to support lower-limb rehabilitation for stroke patients. The product consists of three types of sensors and measuring devices.

The IMU sensor accurately measures joint angles, movement range and movement speed in real time. The EMG sensor measures muscle activation levels to detect whether a muscle is functioning, something that cannot be observed with the naked eye. In addition, a wrist-worn heart rate device equipped with a PPG sensor monitors heart rate during training to warn of abnormal signs.

These sensors and devices are attached to the patients body. The collected data is sent to a central processing box with the support of AI. The algorithm analyzes the quality of the recovery exercises and support scoring motor functions according to international standards. Additionally, data can be stored centrally on the hospital's cloud, linked to patient codes, and is ready to integrate with electronic medical record systems.

"With these measured parameters, doctors can monitor and grasp the indicators and progress of patients daily. Patients can practice at home, monitor their own recovery progress, and reduce unnecessary follow-up visits," said Quoc Truong.

Furthermore, relatives can also easily supervise from afar and receive warnings. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers can save human resources, increase patient throughput, optimize investment costs, and store data long-term.

Truong said the products measurement capabilities have been validated at the Motion Lab of Vinmec Hospital and tested on real patients at Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital. The results showed only very small errors after calibration adjustments.

With an expected price of around VND100 million, Truong said this is much cheaper than several rehabilitation support systems currently available on the market. Target customers include hospitals, rehabilitation centers and physical therapy clinics.

The project has already received funding and partnership commitments from several organizations. In addition, the group has published a related scientific paper at the ICHST 2025 international conference.

In the coming time, the group will stabilize the electrical system and mechanical casing using more friendly materials to bring the product into hospitals, while also participating in other competitions for further improvement.

"Completing this product also involved many difficult and stressful stages because system errors occurred. Nevertheless, we believe that difficulties and conflicts are also the motivation for development," Quoc Truong said about the six months of research and development for the product.

Huynh Dang Chinh, Associate Professor and Vice Director of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said student projects are all rooted in real-world needs rather than purely classroom-based research topics. Students have been able to apply the latest technologies such as AI, blockchain and big data.

According to Chinh, the conclusion of the competition will be the beginning of the students' entrepreneurial journey with the products they have created. "The success of a competition, besides finding excellent individuals, must also help you establish businesses, call for capital, create products, and contribute to society," he said.

Last year, two companies were established from the groups rated as excell in this competition. Chinh hopes that this year, the student groups will also be able to do the same.

Thuy Nga
By mid-2025, over 83.5 million people had registered for a VNeID account, with around 60 million reaching level 2 - the highest level of verification required for online public service transactions.

As of September 2025, VNeID had processed over 2.1 billion electronic transactions, serving as the primary login gateway for major platforms: nearly 30 million logins to the National Public Service Portal, 11 million for Vietnam Social Securitys VssID app, and over 2 million for the General Department of Taxations eTax system. These figures not only reflect VNeIDs widespread adoption but also the growing public trust in the platform.

From healthcare to transportation, VNeID is transforming public life

Illustrative image.

In Ho Chi Minh City, since mid-2024, more than 70% of temporary residence and absence declarations in Binh Thanh and Go Vap districts have been submitted entirely via VNeID. Digitization has reduced processing times to under 24 hours, easing the workload for local police and sparing citizens the inconvenience of physical paperwork.

In healthcare, Hanoi pioneered the use of digital health insurance cards via VNeID. At Saint Paul Hospital, nearly 30% of outpatients used VNeID in the first two weeks of implementation, cutting reception time by 2025% through automatic data verification and duplicate prevention.

In the corporate sector, major banks and telecoms have integrated VNeID into their recruitment and onboarding processes. New hires can simply scan their digital ID to autofill forms and sign contracts digitally, reducing the time from 30 minutes to just 5 and minimizing manual input errors.

These examples highlight how VNeID is evolving from a digital tool into essential infrastructure that links citizens to public services - health, education, welfare, land administration, traffic, disaster relief, and urban management.

VNeID is also changing daily life at airports, where passengers can check in using facial recognition without physical documents. Citizens can now register vehicles without marital status verification, receive pensions and subsidies, and pay tuition fees - all through the app.

Under the governments Project 06 on digital ID development, VNeID is pivotal in advancing cashless payments in public services. All 63 provinces now distribute social welfare through bank accounts. Over 2.5 million beneficiaries receive a total of more than 24 trillion VND (approximately 1 billion USD) via this method, saving around 51 billion VND (about 2.1 million USD) in travel expenses.

Notably, 78% of retirees and social insurance recipients now receive payments via bank transfer - a major milestone in digitalizing welfare disbursement.

In education and healthcare, VNeID and the National Public Service Portal support payments for tuition, admission fees, and hospital bills via QR codes, e-wallets, or bank accounts. All medical facilities now offer cashless payment, and schools are guided by the Ministry of Education and Training to implement online connections for transparent, efficient fee management.

New land services and local data drives

Since September 2025, VNeID has added a new online land certificate submission feature. Citizens can upload scans of land-use certificates for official review as part of the national 90-day data cleansing campaign. A level 2 digital ID account is sufficient to submit and verify the information, helping to synchronize Vietnams 49.7 million land plots with the National Population Database while reducing errors and duplicate records.

On November 10, Hanoi Police launched a 60-day campaign to digitize nearly 8 million vehicle registrations and drivers licenses, syncing them with VNeID and the iHanoi app. Hanoi is leading in IT application for data collection and cross-checking, cutting manual workloads, reducing costs, and improving accuracy and transparency.

Bringing public services closer to citizens

A highlight of VNeIDs 2025 development is the integration of an AI-powered commune-level governance handbook, developed by the Administrative Management Police Department (C06) under the Ministry of Public Security. This feature helps users search for administrative procedures, contact government agencies, and access services anytime, anywhere - without needing to visit local offices.

VNeID now includes 43 electronic utilities that replace traditional documents: 18.7 million digital drivers licenses, 7 million vehicle registrations, 25 million digital health insurance cards, over 1 million marriage status certificates, 582,000 criminal background checks, 635,000 linked bank accounts, and 68,000 e-wallets.

The AI-integrated handbook can answer user questions about procedures, agency addresses, document requirements, and administrative hierarchies. So far, it has recorded 67,823 interactions, offering practical value to citizens, businesses, and public agencies alike.

The virtual assistant will continue to expand, offering consultations, file tracking, complaints handling, and legal information, including direct contact with local police officers, commune leaders, and secretaries - helping citizens engage, report crimes, and save time.

This marks a significant step in digitizing public administration, embedding artificial intelligence into the national ID system and shaping Vietnams first citizen-focused virtual assistant.

In some areas, citizens have used VNeID to provide feedback on draft documents for the upcoming 14th National Party Congress. This represents a milestone in modernizing participatory democracy, allowing people to share their views anytime, anywhere, while ensuring safety, transparency, and privacy. Its also an essential step in digitalizing public communication and civic engagement in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

VNeID becomes Vietnams digital shield against online scams

With rising cases of online scams - including impersonation, data theft, and fake bank accounts - there is growing urgency to implement secure verification systems. VNeID is emerging as a crucial digital shield that empowers citizens to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated fraud.

Scammers often pose as government agencies or steal personal data to commit theft. VNeID counters this with a multi-layered verification system: biometric face recognition, OTP codes, trusted devices, and direct connections to the National Population Database.

This makes identity theft virtually impossible.

Many banks, e-wallets, and government services now require level 2 VNeID integration, significantly reducing fake accounts used for money laundering or scams.

Previously, people were vulnerable to phishing links posing as official sites. With public services consolidated on VNeID - the governments sole verified digital channel - users are urged not to click on any external links. As a result, localities with strong VNeID promotion have seen sharp drops in phishing-related fraud.

VNeID is also helping standardize residency, vehicle, and financial data. As real identities are verified, spam SIM cards, fake bank accounts, and fraudulent aid recipients are gradually eliminated - key enablers of cybercrime.

From digital key to national digital ecosystem

Experts compare VNeID to global digital ID systems like Singapores SingPass or Indias Aadhaar. Singaporeans use SingPass to access over 400 public and private services, while Aadhaar supports over a billion Indian citizens. VNeID is on a similar path, becoming Vietnams central platform for national digital transformation.

Analysts point to three pillars of VNeIDs success: accurate and synchronized population data, consistent government policies, and a user-centric approach.

Thanks to this synergy, VNeID not only enhances convenience and transparency but also saves the state hundreds of billions of dong annually. It has helped reduce paperwork, streamline processes, and save nearly 500 billion VND (around 20 million USD) in operational costs, while significantly cutting citizens processing time.

Looking forward: One citizen, one ID, one digital journey

What began as a health declaration app during the pandemic has become the countrys digital gateway. With more than 43 utilities, hundreds of millions of transactions, and millions of digital documents, VNeID reflects Vietnams steady progress toward a digital society and digital citizenship.

More than a management tool, VNeID is shaping a comprehensive digital ecosystem - where citizens are served faster, more transparently, and more securely. From residence declarations, tax filing, vehicle registration, and welfare to policy feedback - everything can now be done with a single touch.

With VNeID, Vietnam is approaching the goal of one citizen  one ID  one digital journey, where technology is not just for governance, but a key to a more inclusive, efficient, and trustworthy digital society.

Thai Khang
With export turnover continuing to rise sharply and far exceeding initial forecasts in 2025, Vietnams fruit and vegetable sector is expected to soon record 10 billion USD in overseas shipments if the current momentum is sustained and structural weaknesses addressed, experts said.



According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), total export earnings for 2025 are estimated at 88.4 billion USD, up 1.31.4 billion USD from 2024, equivalent to growth of 18%. This is an impressive achievement amid continued volatility in global trade, indicating the improving competitiveness of Vietnamese farm produce in international markets.



The strong performance stems from a mix of favourable factors. Demand in major markets such as China, the US, the Republic of Korea, Japan and the EU has recovered significantly. At the same time, more Vietnamese fruits have been granted official export access to demanding markets, opening fresh room for growth.



Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of VINAFRUIT, said export expansion in recent years has moved beyond seasonal surges to form a clear upward trend. A stronger focus on quality, traceability and compliance with market standards is helping Vietnamese produce secure a firmer foothold in global supply chains.



China remains the largest export market, accounting for a substantial share of total turnover. However, it also presents the most challenges to the industry, he noted.



Despite a strong rise in export value, shipments to China still face vulnerabilities. While domestic production  consumption links remain fragile, fragmented and small-scale farming driven by short-term market signals is still common. When the market fluctuates or import policies change, the supply chain is exposed to disruption.

More Vietnamese fruits have been granted official export access to demanding markets, opening fresh room for growth. (Photo: VNA)

Dr Nguyen Dinh Bich, an agricultural economics expert, held that the sectors biggest weakness lies in production organisation. While growth is rapid, it is not yet firmly rooted. Without stronger linkages from raw-material zones through processing to distribution, the industry will remain vulnerable if major markets tighten standards or amend regulations.



Lessons from past congestion at border gates therefore remain highly relevant, especially as importing countries continue to raise requirements on quarantine, food safety and sustainability.



Towards the 10-billion-USD target



Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook remains positive. On the back of continuous double-digit growth for years, and as Vietnam now ranks among the worlds 25 largest trading nations, VINAFRUIT believes export revenue could reach 10 billion USD as early as 2026.



Many enterprises consider this target feasible if existing bottlenecks are addressed. A representative of the Tien Giang Vegetables and Fruits Joint Stock Company (VEGETIGI) said there remains substantial potential, particularly for processed goods and premium fresh fruit. However, businesses need stable policies on raw-material zones, logistics and market access.



Logistics costs  particularly cold-chain logistics  still account for a large share of expenses, undermining competitiveness compared with regional peers.



Experts stressed the need for comprehensive and long-term solutions, including concentrated farming zones, standardised production unit codes and certified packing facilities aligned with market demand. Diversifying export markets and increasing the share of processed goods are also seen as essential.



Binh added that continued State support in market access, standards harmonisation and credit and logistics infrastructure will be key to ensuring sustainable growth. Crucially, the 10-billion-USD goal must be tied to the quality and resilience of growth since the sector remains vulnerable to climate, disease and market fluctuations./.VNA
During the four-day New Year holiday (January 14, 2026), the tourism sector in Vietnam recorded an estimated 3.5 million visitors.

The national average room occupancy rate across all tourist accommodations reached approximately 51%, with several key tourist destinations reporting rates of around 65%.

Ho Chi Minh City led the nation in both tourist arrivals and tourism revenue. Local attractions welcomed around 1.24 million visitors, including over 75,000 international tourists. The average occupancy rate at accommodation facilities remained at 75%, generating an estimated revenue of over USD 108 million.

Ranking second in visitor numbers was Ninh Binh, which welcomed more than 720,000 visitors over four days, including nearly 178,000 international guests. Tourism revenue exceeded USD 32.6 million, with average room occupancy surpassing 85%.

Quang Ninh estimated 657,000 tourist arrivals, including 70,500 international guests. Total tourism revenue was approximately USD 66.5 million.

In Lam Dong, around 650,000 tourists visited and stayed, with about 30,000 being international tourists. The province generated USD 49.3 million in tourism revenue. Accommodation occupancy ranged between 70% and 80%, with 3- to 5-star facilities reaching between 85% and 90%.

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the capital welcomed about 560,000 visitors during the holiday, an increase of approximately 250% compared to the same period last year. International arrivals reached 110,000, up nearly 290%. Tourism revenue was estimated at USD 86.5 million, marking a record high for New Year holidays in Hanoi.

Hai Phong served an estimated 515,600 visitors, including around 12,890 international tourists.

Ho Chi Minh City's metro train packed with passengers. Photo: Tuan Hung

Khanh Hoa received more than 500,000 visitors, with over 154,000 staying overnight. The average room occupancy across the province was 66.94%. Luxury beach resorts and island accommodations exceeded 90% occupancy, at times even reaching full capacity. The province earned an estimated USD 26.7 million in tourism revenue.

Lao Cai attracted about 363,000 visitors and generated approximately USD 61.8 million. Sa Pa was the main draw, with about 148,000 visitors. The Sun World Fansipan Legend tourist complex alone welcomed around 45,000 guests.

An Giangs Department of Tourism reported nearly 349,000 visitors over the four-day holiday, with over 30,000 being international tourists. In Phu Quoc alone, nearly 176,000 visitors were recorded-an increase of over 156% year-over-year-including around 30,000 international guests. Total tourism revenue for the province reached USD 35.5 million, a 71.2% rise from last year.

In Phu Quoc specifically, a host of large-scale events was organized for tourists, such as a special edition of the ONCE Show to ring in the New Year, the 2025 "The Rise of Lights" Countdown Party, a Beach Music Week, and fireworks shows in Sunset Town.

Phu Tho welcomed about 305,000 visitors, an 8.5% increase from the same period in 2025. Hotel occupancy reached approximately 70%, and tourism revenue was estimated at USD 12.8 million, up more than 10% year-over-year.

Phu Quoc remains one of the most attractive destinations for international tourists. Photo: Hoang Ha

Several other provinces also reported notable increases in visitor numbers and revenue. Thanh Hoa attracted around 125,000 visitors, earning USD 7.6 million. Hue received an estimated 85,000 visitors, up 25% from the previous year, including 50,000 international guests.

In Quang Ngai, nearly 96,400 tourists visited local heritage, ecological, and community-based attractions during the four-day break, contributing about USD 1.7 million in tourism revenue. Popular destinations included Mang Den, Ly Son, My Khe, Kon Tum Ward, Cam Thanh, and community-based villages in the western region, along with famous landmarks, waterfalls, and the Ngoc Linh mountain area.

The National Tourism Administration noted that the New Year holiday acted as an important "launchpad" for the upcoming peak tourism season in early 2026. Local governments not only focused on drawing visitors but also prioritized service quality and building a safe, friendly image to encourage repeat tourism during longer holiday periods.

However, overcrowding led to localized traffic congestion in places like Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Mang Den (Quang Ngai).

Moreover, the late announcement of the four-day holiday caught many travelers off guard, making it difficult for them to plan trips. In high-demand destinations like Phu Quoc (An Giang), Dong Van (Tuyen Quang), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), and Moc Chau (Son La), many tourists struggled to secure accommodation.

Linh Trang
The plan reflects Vietnams sense of responsibility and efforts to contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and fulfil the international commitments to which the country is a party.



Preventing and combating desertification is identified as a key task, helping with nature and biodiversity conservation, sustainable management of forests, water and land resources, and improvement of people's incomes and life quality. It also supports poverty reduction, stable settlement, and the integration of desertification control objectives with national, sectoral and local strategies, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).



By 2030, the plan aims to identify and map desertification-prone areas nationwide and by socio-economic region; expand the meteorological and hydrological monitoring network for observation, forecasting and early warning; and develop adaptive management plans to mitigate impacts of drought and land degradation. Targets include sustainable use of land and water resources, maintaining 3.5 million hectares of rice farming land, ensuring forest coverage of 4243%, improving forest quality, and conserving wetlands.



By 2050, total degraded land is to account for no more than 40% of the countrys natural land area, with severely degraded land and that at high risk of desertification kept below 4.5%. Average incomes in desertification-affected areas are hoped to reach at least 50% of the national average.

Farmers apply automatic sprinkler irrigation techniques to save water. (Photo: VNA)

Among region-specific measures, northern midland and mountainous areas will have eroded and leached land restored through reforestation, sustainable farming on sloping land and agroforestry.



The north-central region is set to rehabilitate arid and infertile land; conserve protection, coastal, special-use, and large-timber forests; form concentrated citrus fruit, tea, peanut, and sugar cane cultivation zones; develop drought-resistant crops; and upgrade irrigation infrastructure.



Meanwhile, the south-central coast and Central Highlands will prioritise natural forest protection, water-saving practices, high-tech agriculture, and crop restructuring to avoid natural disasters, droughts, and saltwater intrusion.



In the Red River Delta, southeastern, and Mekong Delta regions, efforts will focus on controlling salinity and acidification, expanding irrigation and coastal forests, upgrading reservoirs and dykes, enhancing inter-provincial coordination in operating irrigation systems to prevent saltwater intrusion, promoting intensive and high-technology farming and increasing high-quality rice cultivation, and stepping up climate-adaptive crop restructuring linked to processing and markets./. VNA
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leonard Valve Company ("Leonard Valve" or the "Company"), a leading provider of water temperature and flow control solutions, and Bessemer Investors LLC ("Bessemer"), a New York-based investment firm, today announced that Bessemer has completed the sale of Leonard Valve to A. O. Smith Corporation ("A. O. Smith") (NYSE: AOS). A. O. Smith previously announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Leonard Valve on November 12, 2025.

Bessemer invested in Leonard Valve in 2019 alongside third-generation owner, Niles Wilcox. Since then, Bessemer has partnered with Mr. Wilcox and the Leonard Valve team to execute a succession plan, enhance the management team, and support organic growth, operational initiatives and strategic M&A. During Bessemer's ownership, Leonard Valve expanded its digital and thermostatic mixing portfolio and acquired Heat-Timer Corporation, a leading supplier of commercial heating controls and energy management systems, creating a broader platform in water and hydronic system management.

Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island, Leonard Valve designs and manufactures water temperature control valves, digital and thermostatic mixing systems, and related monitoring devices used in hospitals, schools, universities, industrial facilities and other institutional and commercial settings. Together with its Heat-Timer brand of advanced boiler controls, Leonard Valve helps customers ensure safe, precise and efficient control of water temperature and hydronic heating in demanding environments.

"From our first conversations with Niles, it was clear that Leonard Valve was an ideal fit for Bessemer  a long-standing market leader providing mission-critical applications that promote health and safety," said David Barr, Managing Director at Bessemer. "Our focus has been to support a smooth transition of ownership and leadership, invest behind the Company's growth and help position Leonard Valve for its next chapter."

"Over the last six years, we have built an industry-leading team, refreshed our go-to-market strategy, and expanded our product offering with the addition of Heat-Timer," added Matthew Labovitz, Principal at Bessemer. "Together we have tripled our digital and connected offerings, grown our market share and helped position the Leonard and Heat-Timer brands as the market leaders for health, safety and energy efficiency. We look forward to watching Leonard's continued success as they join A. O. Smith."

"The Bessemer team delivered on everything we set out to accomplish together, and then some. I could not have asked for a better partner and steward of the Leonard Valve legacy," said Niles Wilcox, prior owner and former Chief Executive Officer of Leonard Valve.

"Bessemer has been a highly supportive and value-added partner for Leonard Valve," said David Brakenwagen, Chief Executive Officer of Leonard Valve. "With their backing, we have invested in our people and technology, broadened our solutions and enhanced our ability to serve critical institutional and commercial customers. Joining A. O. Smith will help accelerate adoption of our digital and thermostatic mixing solutions, expand our advanced boiler control offering, and deliver an even more integrated product suite."

Jefferies LLC and Robert W. Baird & Co. served as financial advisors to Bessemer Investors, and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel. BofA Securities served as exclusive financial advisor, and Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal advisor to A. O. Smith Corporation.

About Leonard Valve

Leonard Valve Company, headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island, is a designer and manufacturer of water temperature control valves, digital and thermostatic mixing systems, and monitoring devices used in institutional, commercial and industrial applications. Leonard Valve is recognized as a leader in digital and thermostatic mixing valve technologies, while its Heat-Timer brand provides advanced boiler controls and energy management solutions that optimize hydronic heating. For further information, please visit https://www.leonardvalve.com/.

About Bessemer Investors

Bessemer Investors is a New York-based investment firm focused on partnering with middle market businesses to support growth and enhance value creation. Bessemer differentiates itself by combining a long-term, flexible capital base with a team of experienced private equity professionals. This approach offers unique solutions to Bessemer's partners and the flexibility to maximize long-term value. For further information, please visit https://www.bessemerinvestors.com.

About A. O. Smith

A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the Company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products. For more information, visit www.aosmith.com .

Contact:

Lambert by LLYC

Joanne Lessner, [email protected], 212-222-7436

Caroline Luz, [email protected], 203-570-6462

SOURCE Bessemer Investors LLC
GT Voice: Increase of trade in electrical, mechanical items reflects China-SK complementarity

Global Times) 08:24, January 06, 2026

Mechanical and electrical products have emerged as key drivers of trade growth between China and South Korea. In the first 11 months of 2025, bilateral trade of these items reached 1.43 trillion yuan ($204.8 billion), up 5.9 percent year-on-year, and this segment constituted 67 percent of total bilateral trade, up 2.7 percentage points year-on-year, data from China's General Administration of Customs showed on Sunday.

Specifically, China's imports of electronic components from South Korea grew by 9.9 percent, with imports of computer parts up by 7.4 percent. China's exports of electronic components to South Korea jumped 10 percent, while those of auto parts rose by 8.9 percent.

As an important component of industrial manufacturing, mechanical and electrical products are widely used in key areas such as semiconductors, auto parts, and consumer electronics. The continuous expansion of this trade reflects the high degree of complementarity between China's and South Korea's industrial chain structures.

China boasts the world's most complete industrial system as well as a super-large market, while South Korea possesses leading technological and brand advantages in semiconductors, display panels, high-end chemicals, and precision manufacturing. This complementarity has fostered robust industrial partnerships, enabling both sides to jointly produce competitive end products for the global market.

The fact that mechanical and electrical trade now accounts for 67 percent of bilateral trade clearly indicates that industrial collaboration has become the central pillar of economic relations, signaling an unprecedented level of interdependence.

The concrete actions of South Korea's business community also reflect importance it attaches to this close economic bond. This week, more than 200 South Korean business leaders have joined an economic delegation accompanying South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on his visit to China, the Yonhap News Agency reported. This underscores a strong consensus and urgent expectation within South Korea's economic circles to deepen cooperation with China, expand their market presence, and solidify industrial chain collaboration.

What makes this development particularly noteworthy is that it comes amid a complex and volatile global economic environment, where rising protectionism and geopolitical tensions pose serious challenges to highly globalized supply chains. Nevertheless, China-South Korea trade in mechanical and electrical products has bucked the trend, achieving a "double increase" in both scale and proportion, highlighting the strong resilience of the two countries' industrial and supply chains.

This resilience stems from several key sources of support. First, China, as one of the world's largest consumer markets, provides steady growth momentum for South Korean companies through its continuously upgrading demand.

Second, the two economies have developed deeply intertwined supply chains in critical technological fields, from semiconductors to new-energy vehicle batteries, creating a mutually dependent industrial ecosystem.

Third, regional cooperation frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and China-South Korea free trade agreement continue to deliver benefits, including zero tariffs on most goods traded between the two sides, further facilitating cross-border industrial cooperation.

Moreover, the steady growth in mechanical and electrical trade is serving as a vital foundation for China and South Korea to expand their collaboration into emerging fields, promoting the extension of bilateral cooperation from traditional sectors to joint innovation in the high-end value chain.

As an essential part of high-tech, high-value-added supply chains, the deepening of mechanical and electrical cooperation has naturally driven the linkage between the two countries in cutting-edge fields such as the green economy, the digital economy, and intelligent manufacturing.

For example, in the field of the green economy, China and South Korea have made solid progress in cooperation in electric vehicles, hydrogen energy, energy conservation, and environmental protection. In 2023, Hyundai Motor Group completed its first overseas hydrogen fuel cell system production base in Guangzhou and signed a number of cooperation agreements with Chinese partners, demonstrating tangible alignment and complementary strengths in green innovation.

Such progress illustrates how trade in mechanical and electrical products can catalyze broader technological collaboration, with further potential expected to be unlocked as both nations advance in industrial upgrading and innovation.

By continuing to leverage their structural complementarity, deepening institutional cooperation, and jointly pursuing innovation in new industries, both countries are poised to reap mutual benefits for their businesses while contributing to greater stability and prosperity in the region.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Zhong Wenxing)
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Caraway Tea Company announced today the launch of Breathe, a new herbal tea blend crafted to support respiratory comfort and promote easy breathing. Featuring a thoughtfully balanced combination of mullein leaf, ginger root, licorice root, peppermint, and natural peppermint oil, Breathe is designed to be both soothing and exceptionally enjoyable.

Breathe Blend

Mullein leaf has been traditionally used for centuries to support lung and respiratory wellness, particularly during times of seasonal congestion or environmental stress. Caraway Tea Company paired this time-honored botanical with warming ginger root, naturally sweet licorice root, and cooling peppermint to create a smooth, refreshing cup that comforts the throat and opens the senses.

"Breathe was developed for people who want a clean, flavorful herbal tea that feels immediately comforting," said a spokesperson for Caraway Tea Company. "We focused on ingredients with long histories of traditional use and combined them in a way that tastes as good as it feels."

Unlike many herbal respiratory blends that can taste overly medicinal, Breathe offers a naturally balanced flavor profilecool and minty on the first sip, gently warming through the finish. The addition of natural peppermint oil enhances aroma and freshness without overpowering the blend.

Breathe is naturally caffeine-free, made with high-quality botanicals, and suitable for daily enjoyment. It can be enjoyed hot for deep comfort or iced for a refreshing, clearing experience.

The new blend will be available this month through Caraway Tea Company's wholesale channels.

About Caraway Tea Company

Founded in 2010, Caraway Tea Company is a premium tea manufacturer and blender specializing in high-quality loose leaf teas, sachets, and custom blends. Based in New York's Hudson Valley, the company partners with brands, retailers, and wellness companies to deliver exceptional teas crafted with care, consistency, and integrity.

For more information or wholesale inquiries, visit carawaytea.com.

Media Contact:

Michael Caraway

845-236-3645

[email protected]

SOURCE Caraway Tea Company
The newly opened pharmacy spans approximately 15,000 square feet and is designed to support SpecialtyRx's growing operations across the state. From the Grand Prairie location, the pharmacy currently serves 57 healthcare facilities and more than 3,500 patients, providing dependable, high-quality pharmaceutical services to long-term care providers across Texas. The facility employs more than 30 team members, including pharmacists, technicians, and support staff.

A key feature of the Grand Prairie pharmacy is its dedicated IV room for sterile compounding, allowing SpecialtyRx to prepare specialized medications under rigorous quality and safety standards to meet the clinical needs of its partner facilities.

The location is also scheduled to receive an E3 automated medication packaging system in February, which will significantly enhance production capacity. Once operational, the system will enable the pharmacy to produce up to 600 medication cards per hour, improving efficiency while maintaining accuracy and patient safety.

Chesky Berkowitz, co-founder of SpecialtyRx, attended the opening and emphasized the importance of the expansion.



"Opening our Grand Prairie pharmacy represents a major step forward in our commitment to Texas," Berkowitz said. "This facility allows us to scale responsibly, invest in advanced technology, and continue delivering the level of service and reliability our partner facilities and patients depend on."

With the addition of the Grand Prairie pharmacy, SpecialtyRx continues to invest in infrastructure, workforce development, and innovation to support long-term care providers throughout Texas.

About SpecialtyRx

SpecialtyRx is a leading long-term care pharmacy serving skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other healthcare providers. The company is committed to delivering reliable pharmaceutical services through advanced technology, clinical expertise, and a patient-centered approach.

SOURCE SpecialtyRx
Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has committed to supporting investors to accelerate the implementation of an AI-focused data centre campus developed by Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation and its foreign partner, Accelerated Infrastructure Capital (AIC).

To this end, a dedicated task force was established on December 30, comprising 15 members and led by Lam Dinh Thang, director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology. The task force also includes representatives from Kinh Bac City, AIC  a Hong Kong- and London-based data centre infrastructure investor  and Northwest Saigon City Development Corporation.

Acting as the standing coordination body, the task force will be responsible for expediting implementation, addressing regulatory and procedural delays within its authority, and supporting investors in completing legal requirements in line with regulations and approved timelines.

The project stems from an MoU signed last November between Kinh Bac, AIC, and VietinBank to jointly develop the SGI-HCM Campus, an AI-dedicated data centre complex in Cu Chi district with an estimated investment of $2 billion. The capital structure will combine equity contributions from Kinh Bac, AIC, and partners, alongside commercial loans.

Located on a 10-hectare site within Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park  developed by Northwest Saigon City Development Corporation  the SGI-HCM Campus is designed with a planned power capacity of 200MW. Once fully operational, it is expected to rank among the regions largest AI-oriented data centre complexes, with the capacity to run up to 100,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) in the coming years.

The project adds to a growing pipeline of large-scale data centre investments in the city. In October, the Department of Science and Technology said Abu Dhabi-based G42 was planning to invest around $2 billion in a hyperscale AI data centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Earlier, in April, Viettel began construction of a 140 MW data centre in Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park, which is set to become one of Southeast Asias largest and Vietnams first hyperscale facility.

Vietnam currently hosts 41 commercial data centres with a combined designed capacity of 221MW, underscoring the rapid expansion of the countrys digital infrastructure landscape.

Nvidia Group may build an AI centre in Ho Chi Minh City During a recent visit of Nvidia Corporation's vice-president Keith Strier to Ho Chi Minh City on April 26, Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, expressed his desire that Nvidia would choose the southern metropolis as the destination to build a new AI centre and also become a partner in building a roadmap for applying AI to the public administrative service system.

Backbase launches AI Centre of Excellence in Ho Chi Minh City On July 31, digital banking software provider Backbase announced the establishment of its first global Centre of Excellence (COE) focused on AI in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nvidia to build two AI centres in Vietnam The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Nvidia Corporation signed an MoU on the establishment of the Vietnam Research and Development Centre (VRDC) and the AI Data Centre, witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 5.
According to Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Management Authority (HEPZA), new and additional investment into the citys zones reached more than $5.3 billion in 2025, edging up by less than 0.5 per cent on-year but exceeding the annual target by 17.5 per cent. The total leasable land area expanded to over 470.5 hectares, up nearly 70 per cent, while ready-built factory space jumped sharply to more than 492,000 square metres, almost 2.6 times higher than a year earlier.

The city lured almost $3.4 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), down over 7 per cent from a year ago. There are 210 newly licensed ventures worth $1.93 billion, down more than 44 per cent on-year. In addition, 179 ventures adjusted investment capital with an additional sum of close to $2 billion, an increase of almost 75 per cent on-year.

Among countries and territories investing in the city, Hong Kong took the lead in terms of newly licensed ventures, with 66 projects valued at $392 million. China had 36 initiatives worth $247 million. Singapore followed with 24 ventures worth $415 million, the largest amount of new investment capital.

The mechanical engineering sector received the largest foreign inflows of $258.5 million across 52 ventures. Next is plastics and rubber, with over $80 million across 22 projects. Electronics recorded 21 foreign-invested initiatives worth more than $210 million.

Domestic investment stood at more than VND48 trillion (over $1.9 billion), registering a rise of around 17 per cent on-year. Among them, there were 99 new ventures worth over VND33.6 trillion ($1.3 billion) and 52 projects registering additional capital totalling VND14.3 trillion ($574.4 million).

According to statistics from HEPZA, the former Binh Duong area led in investment attraction with more than $2 billion, followed by the former Ba RiaVung Tau area with over $1.88 billion. Meanwhile, the former Ho Chi Minh City attracted $600 million.

Ho Chi Minh City taps Ant International to strengthen fintech and IFC ambitions Singapore online finance firm Ant International is boosting support for Ho Chi Minh Citys bid to become an international financial centre, focusing on digital innovation and talent development.

Ho Chi Minh City hits $8.37 billion in FDI Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ho Chi Minh City has surged after the merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, with foreign inflows reaching $8.37 billion this year.
Meiko Electronics plans to invest 40 billion ($255 million) to build a printed circuit board (PCB) factory in Vietnam, according to a Nikkei Asia article from January 1. The facility is expected to supply PCBs for Samsung Electronics latest smartphones equipped with generative AI features, with final assembly to take place at Samsungs existing plants in Vietnam.

Construction is slated to begin in April, while mass production is scheduled for 2027. Located in Quang Ninh province, the factory covers a total area of 53,000 square metres, which is on par with another Vietnam factory that Meiko will supply Apple.

The Japanese components supplier aims to generate 30 billion yen (almost $191 million) in sales from the Quang Ninh plant in the 2029 fiscal year.

In 2024, Meiko invested 50 billion to build a factory in Hoa Binh to produce circuit boards for Apple iPhones, with mass production expected to begin in the next fiscal year.

The company entered Vietnam in 2006 with its first factory in Thach That district on the outskirts of Hanoi, then one of the countrys top 10 foreign-invested projects. Meiko now operates four manufacturing and assembly facilities nationwide.

According to data by the Foreign Investment Agency, Japanese investors poured $1.56 billion into Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2025, accounting for 9.8 per cent of total inflows. This underscores Japans role as a major investor and an important strategic economic partner of Vietnam. Japanese investments largely focus on retail, real estate, and manufacturing and processing.

Meiko Corporation to invest $200 million in electronic manufacturing project in Hoa Binh province Japans Meiko Corporation has recently partnered with the leadership of Hoa Binh province to propose an investment plan for constructing an electronic circuit manufacturing facility at the Da River Left Bank Industrial Park in Hoa Binh city.
Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, and Lam Dong each generated more than $40 million in tourism revenue over the four-day New Year holiday in early 2026. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Ho Chi Minh City led nationwide in both visitor numbers and receipts, welcoming an estimated 1.24 million visitors, posting average hotel occupancy of 75 per cent, and earning over $104 million in tourism revenue.

Danang ranked second, posting an unexpectedly strong holiday performance, with tourism revenue estimated at $97.8 million. The city welcomed around 345,000 international visitors, accounting for more than half of total arrivals. Beachfront hotels in the 4- to 5-star segment reported occupancy rates of 80-90 per cent.

The municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism attributed the growth to the full restoration of international flight routes, large-scale New Year countdown events, diversified promotional schemes, and favourable weather.

Photo: Booking.com

Over the four-day holiday, Hanoi received approximately 630,000 visitors, generating an estimated $84 million in tourism revenue. Average hotel occupancy across the capital reached close to 74 per cent.

The extended holiday encouraged longer stays in Quang Ninh, with peak demand concentrated in the first three days, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. From December 31 to January 4, the province welcomed an estimated 657,000 visitors, including 218,000 overnight guests, with total tourism revenue reaching about around $65 million.

Photo: Booking.com

Lam Dong also reported a buoyant holiday period. The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism estimated total arrivals at around 650,000, with tourism revenue reaching $48 million, making Lam Dong the fifth locality to surpass the $40 million threshold during the New Year break.

Other destinations posting strong results included An Giang and Nghe An. An Giang welcomed nearly 350,000 visitors, with average hotel occupancy at 61.65 per cent and tourism revenue estimated at $34.4 million. Nghe An also received around 350,000 visitors, generating approximately $35.4 million.

Ninh Binh continued to reinforce its reputation as a 'world heritage destination', welcoming 723,000 visitors, including 178,000 international arrivals, and recording tourism revenue of about $31.8 million.

Meanwhile, Quang Tri attracted around 120,000 visitors, including an estimated 4,500 international tourists, mainly from the US, Australia, Europe, and Northeast Asia. Tourism revenue was estimated at $5.5 million, with average hotel occupancy at 45 per cent, rising to around 70 per cent in key tourism areas.

Other localities also saw notable visitor numbers during the holiday, including Hue with 85,000 arrivals and Ca Mau with approximately 151,000 visitors.
Under conclusions issued on January 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh tasked the Ministry of Construction (MoC) with completing the selection of an international consultant for the NorthSouth high-speed railway project within January. The directive was outlined in a notice from the Government Office summarising discussions of the Standing Committee of the government on the implementation of major railway lines, including related procedures, regulations, and technical standards.

According to the Standing Committee of the Government, the selection of experienced international consultants is to support the MoC and the project management board in the preparation and implementation of the scheme, including developing criteria for evaluating the selection of investment methods and investors.

Besides that, the MoC is required to select international consultants urgently to prepare a feasibility study report and report to the PM before January 15.

The MoC, in coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant ministries and agencies, with the support of experts and consultants, will review Vietnamese and international standards and regulations, international experience, and the practical conditions of Vietnam to select the most suitable technology for the project, such as rail-based, magnetic levitation, and magnetic levitation tunnels.

The selection must be based on economic and technical factors, as well as political and diplomatic aspects, self-reliance and technology transfer capabilities, finance, practical experience, climate, and soil conditions, to enable gradual mastery of the technology in operation, maintenance, design, and production.

Furthermore, the ministry is tasked to lead the development of criteria, procedures, and evaluation for selecting the most effective and optimal investment method that benefits the nation and its people, avoiding corruption and negative practices.

If necessary, specific mechanisms and suitable policies for each investment method must be implemented in accordance with established procedures and regulations, accompanied by thorough impact assessments to ensure scientific rigour, transparency, and a balance of interests and risk sharing. These additional options must be collected in a report, which will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the Government before January 10.

Localities and Vietnam Electricity are required to continue accelerating land clearance and relocation of technical infrastructure according to the approved plan and the Resolution of the National Assembly at the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly.

Local authorities are responsible for reviewing and accurately reporting their capital demand to the MoC and the Ministry of Finance so that capital allocation and coordination can be ensured, preventing delays in land clearance due to a lack of funds.

The projected double-track railway is planned to span approximately 1,540 km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with a design speed of 350 km per hour and an axle load of 22.5 tonnes.

The undertaking will include 23 passenger stations and five freight stations, along with investment in vehicles and equipment for passenger transport. It requires an estimated investment capital of some $58.71 billion.

THACO and Hyundai Rotem sign strategic railway partnership THACO and Hyundai Rotem have launched a strategic partnership to localise rail production in Vietnam, supporting the countrys expanding railway network.

VinSpeed Siemens sign high speed rail pact The two companies will collaborate on technology and systems for high-speed railway projects.

PM orders investment model for NorthSouth high-speed rail Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the Ministry of Construction to finalise the investment model for the NorthSouth high-speed railway by the end of January, signalling a push to move the project from planning to implementation.
According to the International Energy Agency Global Energy Review 2025, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions increased by 0.8 per cent in 2024, reaching a record 37.8 gigatonnes. As the world emerges from the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, the question of how to reduce emissions rapidly without undermining economic growth has again come to the forefront of discussion.

Pham Hoang Vu, associate and deputy head of Projects and Infrastructure Indochine Counsel

This challenge is particularly relevant for emerging economies such as Vietnam, where sustained growth continues to drive rising energy demand.

In recent years, Vietnam has made notable efforts to build an economy that is both cleaner and more resilient. The nations energy development strategy provides the framework for this transition. It sets out the overarching objective of ensuring a sufficient, stable, and high-quality energy supply at reasonable prices to support rapid and sustainable socioeconomic development.

It also outlines indicative targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy activities by 15 per cent by 2030 and 20 per cent by 2045, and to raise the share of renewable energy in total primary supply to 25-30 per cent by 2045.

Against this background, green hydrogen and ammonia have gradually emerged as potential components of Vietnams long-term energy vision. These energy carriers are increasingly regarded as promising complements to existing renewable sources due to their ability to store energy, generate clean power, and serve as industrial feedstocks.

Vietnam is widely recognised for its substantial renewable-energy potential, particularly in wind, solar, and biomass, which can provide a foundation for producing green hydrogen (Hoang et al., 2023). This renewable base offers Vietnam a strong starting point for developing green hydrogen and ammonia, linking its renewable capacity with future clean-fuel production.

From a technical perspective, hydrogen and ammonia are closely connected. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, a process that uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen can then be combined with nitrogen to form green ammonia, which is comparatively easier to store, transport, and, in some cases, use directly for power generation (The Royal Society, 2020).

Hydrogen has been identified in Vietnams 2022 updated Nationally Determined Contribution as a potential measure to support emission reduction and energy security. It also appears in the mobilisation plan of the Just Energy Transition Partnership as a priority area for international cooperation.

Meanwhile, ammonia is increasingly discussed as a complementary technology, particularly for storage and co-firing. In practice, applications are expected to develop progressively.

In the power sector, ammonia co-firing in existing coal-fired units is being researched internationally and may, if proven technically and economically feasible, help reduce emissions while maintaining grid stability. Hydrogen-based systems could also play a role in remote or island areas, replacing diesel generation where renewable options remain limited.

Beyond electricity, both hydrogen and ammonia could support cleaner transport by serving as alternative fuels in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise through electrification alone, such as rail, inland waterways, and maritime shipping.

After all, a genuine energy transition would not be complete if vessels or trains continued to rely on electricity generated from fossil fuels; using renewable energy, green hydrogen, or green ammonia would bring Vietnam closer to its goal of a sustainable and integrated energy ecosystem.

Setting the tone

The hydrogen energy development strategy to 2030, issued early in 2024, marked Vietnams first dedicated roadmap for this emerging sector. The strategy sets indicative production targets of 100,000-500,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year by 2030, increasing to 10-20 million tonnes by 2050, and calls for pilot projects to co-fire hydrogen with gas and ammonia with coal before 2030, paving the way for wider application by mid-century.

These plans are now integrated into the revised Power Development Plan VIII, officially adopted in April, which identifies hydrogen and ammonia as integral parts of Vietnams future energy mix. The plan promotes the expansion of offshore wind, solar, and onshore wind to supply renewable electricity for hydrogen and ammonia production serving both domestic use and potential export markets.

Under the plan, green ammonia is expected to partly replace coal in thermal power generation, contributing approximately 25,800MW of capacity by 2050, while hydrogen-fired generation could substitute part of the liquefied natural gas capacity, accounting for around 37,000MW of the gas sectors projected 49,000MW total.

Although these figures remain subject to future policy and market developments, they demonstrate Vietnams growing recognition of hydrogen and ammonia as elements of a balanced, long-term energy strategy.

Other legislation on national energy security issued in August consolidates this policy direction. It calls for pilot projects linking renewables with hydrogen and ammonia production, and seeks to harness Vietnams long coastline and renewable potential to build a clean-fuel value chain. It also introduces the concept of a managed fossil-fuel transition as a gradual shift of coal and gas facilities towards cleaner alternatives such as biomass, hydrogen, and ammonia, while maintaining energy security and macroeconomic stability.

The realisation of Vietnams hydrogen and ammonia potential will depend largely on how the legal, institutional, and regulatory framework evolves in the coming years. While recent policy instruments have demonstrated strong political commitment, a comprehensive framework governing the entire value chain from production and storage to transport, certification, and trade has not yet been established. The absence of detailed guidance and technical standards may create legal uncertainty for investors, project developers, and regulatory agencies.

Moving from pilot projects to commercial-scale deployment will also require a supportive ecosystem of infrastructure, finance, and governance. For Vietnam, this may involve the gradual development of port capacity, coastal industrial zones, and export facilities in areas with strong renewable potential, supported by effective institutional coordination among relevant authorities.

With the key policy frameworks now in place, the next stage will be implementation. From a legal perspective, Vietnam may wish to consider clearer and more detailed provisions on commercial terms shaping early projects, such as tax treatment, pricing principles, standardised power-purchase agreements, and land and port-use conditions, together with guidance on offtake arrangements.

Greater specificity in these areas could reduce contractual uncertainty, improve bankability, and help align expectations among government bodies, investors, and lenders.

At the same time, establishing technical and safety standards for hydrogen and ammonia will be essential. Where appropriate, alignment with international practice may facilitate financing, insurance, and cross-border trade. Continuous monitoring of regional and global technological developments will also help ensure that Vietnams standards remain compatible with emerging best practice and support the countrys long-term goal of a credible, safe, and sustainable clean-fuel industry.

In the long run, the success of Vietnams hydrogen and ammonia transition will depend less on ambition itself than on the countrys ability to build a clear, credible, and coordinated framework that turns policy vision into practical results.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), export turnover exceeded $11.3 billion in 2025, up 13 per cent on year. Shrimp remained the largest export earner at $4.65 billion, rising 20 per cent from 2024, while lobster exports more than doubled to $817 million, reflecting strong demand across major markets.

Photo: Hoang Oanh

Basa fish ranked second, with exports reaching $2.19 billion, an 8 per cent rise. Other marine fish took in $2.16 billion, up 12 per cent, supported by diversified markets. By contrast, tuna exports declined due to prolonged raw material shortages and tighter regulations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Exports to the United States reached nearly $1.9 billion in 2025, up just 3 per cent amid policy uncertainty, tariff risks, and technical barriers. Growth elsewhere helped offset the slowdown, with China (including Hong Kong), the EU, and markets under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) emerging as key drivers.

Exports to CPTPP markets and the EU both posted double-digit growth, reaching more than $3 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively. China (including Hong Kong) recorded the strongest increase, up 29 per cent to $2.45 billion, driven by demand for live lobster, crab, shellfish, and clams.

VASEP attributed the sectors performance to exporter flexibility and effective market timing amid global volatility. A tightening global supply following a period of low prices also helped lift demand.

Looking ahead to 2026, VASEP cautioned that market conditions remain uncertain. US trade policies and technical barriers may continue to prompt exporters worldwide to diversify markets, intensifying competition in the EU, China, ASEAN, and the Middle East. The unresolved IUU yellow card remains a key constraint on access to Western markets.

For basa fish, analysis by Mirae Asset Securities forecasts improved consumption in the United States and stable demand in China. Exports to the EU and Brazil are expected to remain steady in 2026, though competition may intensify as global exporters gradually shift away from the US market.
Little joins to accelerate leadership in cybersecurity, cloud modernization, and AI-led transformation; prior CEO Tom McAndrew to transition to advisory role

CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Coalfire, an industry-leading cybersecurity services and solutions company backed by funds advised by Apax Partners LLP ("Apax"), today announced the appointment of Brad Little as its new chief executive officer. Little is coming onboard to scale the company's market leadership in cybersecurity, cloud modernization and AI-led transformation.

Little brings extensive global professional services leadership experience to Coalfire at a critical juncture in the cybersecurity and AI market. Previously, Little was global head of professional services for Google Cloud, where he led the transformation of Google Cloud's services business to fully integrate AI and agentic transformation with its data and security-centric offerings. In this role, Little drove significant scale and productivity into the Google Cloud Professional Services business, a skill set that he is bringing to Coalfire to capitalize on its growth goals.

Prior to Google, Little spent over two decades at Capgemini, most recently as executive vice president and global head of application services, where he oversaw more than 58,000 employees and about $5 billion in revenue globally.

Tom McAndrew, the previous CEO, will support the company as a board and senior advisor, ensuring continuity as Coalfire drives innovation and growth in cybersecurity, AI services and threat remediation for its customers.

Brad Little, CEO, Coalfire, said: "The market opportunity for cybersecurity and AI services has never been more exciting, and highly-regulated companies need trusted partners to help them navigate new technologies and revenue opportunities securely and seamlessly. Coalfire is uniquely positioned at the intersection of cybersecurity, cloud modernization and AI-led transformation. I am energized by the opportunity to continue building on the great foundation developed by Tom McAndrew and team to take Coalfire to the next level."

Tom McAndrew, outgoing CEO, Coalfire, said: "It has been an honor to lead Coalfire over the past 20 years. Brad Little brings a strong record of accomplishment from some of the world's most innovative technology businesses, and I look forward to supporting Coalfire as the company continues its growth trajectory."

Rohan Haldea, partner, Apax, said: "We are delighted to welcome Brad Little as Coalfire's new CEO. His track record at Google Cloud and Capgemini speaks for itself, and we are confident that Coalfire will continue to thrive under his leadership. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tom McAndrew for his dedication to Coalfire and are pleased that he will continue to offer invaluable guidance as an advisor to the company."

About Coalfire:

Coalfire, headquartered in Chicago, Ill., is a global services and solutions company that specializes in cyber advisory, assessment, and security. The company also develops cutting-edge technology platforms that automate defenses against security threats for the world's leading enterprises, cloud providers, and SaaS companies. Coalfire is the foremost provider of FedRAMP compliance assessments and penetration testing services in the United States. For more information, visit www.coalfire.com and follow LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

About Apax

Apax Partners LLP is a leading global private equity advisory firm. For over 50 years, Apax has worked to inspire growth and transform businesses. The firm has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of nearly $80 billion. Apax Funds invest in companies across three global sectors: Tech, Services, and Internet/Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For further information, visit www.apax.com. Apax is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

Media contact

Coalfire: Corey Eldridge, Force4 Technology Communications, [email protected]

Apax: Katarina Sallerfors, +44 743 690 8492 / [email protected]

SOURCE Coalfire
CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Convr AI, the industry-leading AI underwriting workbench for commercial insurance, is celebrating its achievements throughout 2025. The past year marked a period of significant momentum for Convr, as we delivered meaningful advancements that help our customers improve efficiency and profitability while expanding our modular AI underwriting workbench.

The Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance landscape is rapidly transforming as carriers respond to rising complexities, elevated customer expectations, and demand for faster, smarter underwriting. As the leading technology provider in the space, Convr added new features and enhancements last year, including:

Agentic AI

Convr built referral, declination, financial analyst, and underwriting authority workflow agents into the platform for customers to enable more autonomous decisioning for underwriting team members.

Convr's template library with pre-built starter prompts enable underwriting team members to build and deploy workflows without needing prompt engineering skills. Underwriting expertise is all that's required.

For example, the referral agent generates a referral summary using Convr's commercial P&C ontology then informs the user whether the submission is within appetite, or if it requires a referral. Users can also control how much authority the agent has, adjusting the level of autonomy as needed.

Enhanced Underwriting Workbench

Convr launched a new user interface last year to make navigation across the platform easier and more intuitive. The new submission hub, sidebar, and summary page deliver a stronger user experience for customers through more dynamic pages and views.

The views are more accessible, and pages are easier to switch between. Users can also see greater color contrast between pages which presents a richer visual experience and clearer distinction of product elements.

Commercial Insurance Ontology Context Engine with Semantics

Convr AI is celebrating a decade in the commercial insurance data domain by recognizing the depth of its commercial P&C ontology. The company has been surfacing data from its vast, continuously updated and expanded P&C ontology for customers since 2016.

The ontology acts as a central, unified framework to connect disparate data, business logic and actions, creating a dynamic, centralized commercial insurance domain-specific schema with JSON output.

Together, these advancements within Convr's data-driven workbench mark a pivotal moment in commercial insurance as we advance the industry from manual underwriting to technological innovation.

SOURCE Convr
Plan to launch North Wales first multibank begins with Wrexham pilot

A trial scheme to redistribute surplus goods from major retailers like Amazon to families in need has been launched in Wrexham.

Caroline Platt, managing director of Platts Agriculture in Llay, is working with local businesses and voluntary groups to establish a permanent multi-bank operation which will provide essentials like clothing, bedding and toiletries.

The idea came about during a charity trek in the Himalayas with Cherrie Bija, chief executive of the Faith in Families charity which runs the Cwtch Mawr multibank in Swansea.

Following discussions with local partners, a pilot delivery was organised with the support of Wrexham-based haulage firm, McCarthy Group, Dawn McCabe-Roberts from AVOW and Chris Buchan, head of community and third sector policy at Welsh Government.

The surplus goods were shared between Caia Park Partnership, EYST Wrexham, UareUK, We Are Plas Madoc and Wrexham Foodbank.

Ms Platt said that huge volumes of brand new goods were not being used despite many households going without basic essentials.

For us at Platts, our goal is use the power of collaboration to create a logistics and distribution plan to enable surplus goods donated from Cwtch Mawr to reach communities across our region, delivering real social value where it matters most, said Caroline.

It is about having proper school uniform and shoes that fit and to be able to get a good nights sleep because they have got clean bedding and are able to have toothbrushes and toothpaste.

These are basic hygiene products but it gives them huge confidence when they go to school, they are not bullied, they are not excluded, they feel valued at a very young age.

She added: We hope to present to Wrexham Council information about our positive run with the pilot and hopefully receive their backing.

Funding was given to set up the Cwtch Mawr warehouse by Welsh Government and Swansea Council along with local housing associations Pobl, Beacon and Caredig.

Cherrie set a team up and they basically receive donated goods from the National Multibank and Amazon and they work with in excess of 120 charities in the Swansea area to redistribute the goods to people in need.

The multi-bank concept is not only a sustainable solution but also has a huge social value in our communities, so much so that in the last 12 months Cherries social return value is 26 million.

Cherrie Bija said the Swansea model had made a huge difference to the lives of families in need.

She said: Were called Cwtch Mawr. We want to give people big hugs, to ensure people are loved and valued and have the essential products for their daily lives.

We want to send that hug up to North Wales and the multi-bank hub will only succeed if it is a collaboration of all different sectors including businesses, local authorities and the Welsh Government.

Caroline added that the Welsh Government is keen to have a multi-bank hub established in North Wales and urging Wrexham Council to match-fund the start-up costs.

Mike McCarthy, managing director of the McCarthy Group, said local businesses were keen to help.

He said: Whats great is that people in Wrexham are pulling together to make this happen and Wrexham Leadership Alliance are really good at bringing businesses and the community together.

Dawn Roberts-McCabe from AVOW, added that a multi-bank service would be life-changing for families living in deprivation in Wrexham.

Many families are living from pay check to pay check and we also have pockets of poverty where families live in affluent areas but are really struggling, explained Dawn.

Caroline brought AVOW in at the early stage to help identify charities who were willing and able to take part in the pilot project.

AVOW will continue to support the multi-bank expansion to North Wales by connecting more charities into the project in the new year.

Wrexhams Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths said she supported the plans having seen the impact of the multi-bank model elsewhere in Wales.

She said: With the cost-of-living crisis hitting families hard, I believed establishing a multibank hub in North Wales, and more specifically in Wrexham, would be an extremely worthwhile endeavour.

It will help those struggling to make ends meet access essential goods and support easily in one place and I commend the work of everyone.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager of Amazon, added: Cwtch Mawr does incredible work in Swansea and is helping to make a real difference in peoples lives. Were a proud partner of the Multibank, and this new pilot in Wrexham will help more families across Wales get the support they need.
Wrexham family to climb Mt Toubkal in support of vital childrens hospice

Reaching the snowy summit of the infamous Mt Toubkal in Morocco is the goal for a caring Wrexham family.

Raising funds for North Wales only childrens hospice, Ty Gobaith, Becky Landon and family will tackle the 13,671ft lung-busting challenge this month.

Flying out on Friday the 9, the group of six have a very good reason to be supporting the hospice.

Beckys close friend Becky Robertson has a daughter, Bethan who lives with Dravet syndrome, a rare, severe genetic epilepsy and has attended Ty Gobaith since she was 18 months old.

Becky Landon, a Paediatric Nurse at Wrexhams Maelor Hospital, said: Ty Gobaith is a vital place for children and families.

Ive known Becky and for around 18 years, having met at a parent and toddler group when her eldest son was born around the same time as my daughter, Evie.

With my job and friendship with Becky I have seen first hand the brilliant care they receive there.

The support with Bethan being able to have respite, the counselling, the whole package really.

On the escorted trek, Becky will be joined by daughter, Evie, her two brothers, and her nephew and his wife, making it a real family affair.

Last year, Evie had done some one-to-one care with Bethan and when the family members signed up for the challenge, it was her who suggested trying to raise some money for the hospice.

Becky has been through thick and thin with us, said Bethans mum.

She has been invaluable in Bethans care when shes been in and out of hospital. Shed always visit and help us make sense of the medical side of things.

Shes been there in the tough time and the good times.

Shes amazing, and I thought she was doing a hike in the UK, but then she told me they were going to Morocco, I was like Wowzers!

Of the hospice itself, she said: Bethan is treated like an absolute princess at Ty Gobaith and we feel very safe when shes in their care.

Its not just the respite though  they really advocate for us as a family and empower us so we can advocate for Bethan.

A lot of the medical world is new to us and the staff will send letters and emails on our behalf, to help us better understand things. I know I can always pick up the phone.

Wrexham area fundraiser Bethan Young, said: This is such an exciting and meaningful challenge.

The family know first-hand the difference our support makes to Bethan, and that makes it even more special for them.

We are right behind them every step of the way and very grateful for their fundraising that will help us to continue making quality moments for children and families living with a life-threatening condition.

You can sponsor Becky Landon and her family here. If youd like to try conquering the mighty Mt Toubkal, Hope House Ty Gobaith childrens hospices host their own expedition in May 2026. You can find out more and sign up here.
January 6th marks the beginning of Vitalant's two-day All Reno Radio Blood Drive at the Atlantis Resort and Casino.

They're encouraging all eligible donors who feel healthy to come down and donate.

It's important to note that if you have a cold or you're on antibiotics, you should wait until you're fully healthy to donate.

Jackie Grams, account manager with Vitalant, says, "But if you are well and healthy, come on down. If you're not sure if you can donate, still come down. We'll find out together. It's an easy process. We want to make sure that you have your ID with you. You want to eat and hydrate really well before you come down. If you can make an appointment, that would be great."

Vitalant says that after the holidays, is when they really need to rebuild their inventory levels, because Vitalant services all the hospitals in northern Nevada.

Grams says, "Cancer patients, trauma patients, and labor and delivery patientsall of these individuals are waiting for that lifesaving transfusion so they can continue their treatment. They can have another day with friends and family. And the only place that blood can come from is from donors, from volunteer donors in our community."

Since it's their anniversary, there are a lot of fun things in store for those who donate.

"We have a lot of fun giveaways. We're doing a raffle at the top of every hour. So we're going to draw two names. So two lucky donors are going to win. Some really fun swag. We've got some really fun camping gear. We've got some fun things for the kids. We've got Scheels gift cards. Every donor is going to also receive a voucher from Pizza Guys for a small one-topping pizza. And then we also have two raffles, courtesy of the Atlantis. We have a $250 staycation package, and then we have $50 gift certificates." Grams said.

And if that wasn't everything you could ever ask for, they will also have t-shirts and snacks.

They do prefer appointments to be made, but they always take walk-ins for donations.

For their 40th anniversary, they're looking to collect over 300 donations, but they would love to go over that goal.

"We would love to hit 400 with the 40th anniversary. So if you can make an appointment and come down on day one, that would be fantastic. And again, day two as well."

They work on this event for months, but there are options if you want to donate and aren't able to make the blood drives the next couple of days.

Grams explains, "They can come to any of our sites. We have our main Reno location on Terminal Way. We have a facility out in Sparks on Sparks Boulevard, and then we have our Carson City location, which, actually, we have a new location opening up next Monday. And Carson City's brand new; it's a little bit easier to find. So you can donate at any of those sites."
As temperatures drop across Nevada, drivers are being reminded to check their tire pressure more frequently.

According to the Nevada Department of Transportation in an online post, "Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop faster than you might expect. Driving on underinflated tires can affect handling, braking, and overall safety."

The department advises drivers to "take a few minutes to check your tire pressure and tread, especially during colder mornings. It is a simple step that can make a big difference on Nevada roads."

Checking tires regularly can help prevent problems that may not be immediately obvious but could affect safety on wet or icy roads.

Authorities ask drivers to stay aware of their vehicles during colder months to maintain safe driving conditions.

The department asked, "How often do you check your tires when temperatures drop?"

(The Nevada Department of Transportation contributed to this story.)
RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- County Hall Insurance Company, a Risk Retention Group (RRG), today announced that Demotech, Inc., one of the nation's leading financial analysis firms specializing in regional and specialty insurers, has assigned a Financial Stability Rating (FSR) of A, Exceptional, to the company.

The assignment reflects County Hall's commitment to meeting the needs of its member-policyholders and underscores the company's strong financial position, disciplined risk management practices, and focus on long-term stability, even amid ongoing economic uncertainty and challenging market conditions.

Demotech, Inc. is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In assigning Financial Stability Ratings, Demotech evaluates insurers based on a comprehensive analysis of statutory financial data prepared in accordance with guidelines established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Key evaluation criteria include:

Maintaining surplus adequacy for policyholders

Ensuring appropriate liquidity

Managing financial leverage

Holding sufficient reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

Implementing sound risk-based pricing strategies

Demotech's Financial Stability Ratings provide an independent assessment of an insurer's financial condition and are designed to be independent of broader economic trends or phases of the underwriting cycle.

The A, Exceptional, Financial Stability Rating affirms County Hall Insurance Company's strong financial foundation and highlights its ability to adapt, perform, and sustain long-term stability while providing dependable insurance solutions to its members during periods of economic volatility and market inflection.

About County Hall Insurance Company

County Hall Insurance Company is a Risk Retention Group domiciled in the State of North Carolina. The company was re-architected in 2020 and, since that time, has consolidated its claims and underwriting operations to support operational efficiency, consistency, and long-term financial strength. County Hall writes automobile liability insurance to its member insureds in approximately forty-three designated states throughout the contiguous United States.

About Demotech, Inc.

Established in 1985, Demotech, Inc. is a financial analysis firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Demotech has served the insurance industry by providing objective and independent Financial Stability Ratings (FSRs) for Property & Casualty insurance companies, Life & Health insurance companies, and Title underwriters, among others. As the first company to have its rating process formally reviewed and accepted by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD, Demotech has been leveling the playing field by offering FSRs to insurers of all sizes. As of July 11, 2022, Demotech is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) in the class of ratings for insurance companies. Visit www.demotech.com for additional information.

County Hall Insurance Company, Inc., A RRG

www.Countyhallinsurance.com

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE County Hall Insurance Company, Inc., A RRG
Nevada is drawing more people to the state, according to new data from the U-Haul Growth Index.

The state climbed 15 spots to rank No. 20 nationwide, marking a turnaround from its No. 35 ranking in 2024.

Nevadas rise in the U-Haul Growth Index shows that people are choosing to stay, work, and build their lives here, said Governor Joe Lombardo. My administration remains focused on creating good-paying jobs, expanding attainable housing, and fostering a safe environment where families and businesses can succeed. This progress reflects the stability and opportunity we are working every day to deliver for Nevadans.

The 2025 U-Haul Growth Index shows Nevada as a net-gain state, with more one-way U-Haul customers moving into the state than leaving.

Arrivals accounted for 50.4 percent of all one-way traffic in and out of Nevada, compared to 49.6 percent departures. While overall migration slowed nationwide, fewer people leaving Nevada helped boost its ranking.

U-Haul officials pointed to steady job opportunities, expanding communities like Henderson, and continued in-migration from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado as factors contributing to Nevadas improved performance.

The U-Haul Growth Index tracks migration trends and measures how effectively states attract and retain residents. Nevadas rise this year makes it one of the largest climbers nationwide in 2025.
At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the U.S. military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas military announced, bringing the official death count up to at least 56.

Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab said Tuesday that dozens of officials and civilians were killed and that prosecutors would investigate the deaths in what he described as war crime.

He didnt specify if the estimate specifically referred to Venezuelans.

According to the Pentagon, seven U.S. servicemembers were injured in Saturdays raid in Caracas, and the injuries were gunshot wounds and shrapnel-related, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation. Of the servicemembers, five have already returned to duty while two are still recovering.

In addition to the 24 Venezuelan security officers, 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela were also killed, according to Cubas government, prompting two days of mourning on the Caribbean island.

More civilians in Venezuela were killed in the strikes, AP reporting shows, but it wasnt immediately clear how many.

Here's the latest:

After backing Trump on Venezuela, Speaker Johnson rejects military action in Greenland

While House Speaker Mike Johnson has vigorously defended the Trump administrations actions in Venezuela, he broke with the White House on Tuesday over the prospect of military action to take Greenland.

No, I dont think thats appropriate, Johnson told reporters when asked whether he would be comfortable with using force to seize the territory.

Johnson said he has not had any recent conversations with the president about Greenland.

I think Greenland is viewed by a lot of people as something that would be a strategic positioning for the U.S. I dont know how it develops from there, Johnson said.

What does the amount of oil Trump says the US will get from Venezuela mean in context?

With oil trading at roughly $56 a barrel, the 30 million to 50 million barrels Trump says the US is set to gain could mark a transaction worth as much as $2.8 billion.

The U.S. goes through an average of roughly 20 million barrels a day of oil and related products, meaning that Venezuelas transfer would be the equivalent of as much as two and a half days of supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Despite Venezuela having the worlds largest proven crude oil reserves, it only produces on average about 1 million barrels a day, significantly below the U.S. average of 13.9 million barrels a day during October.

A White House meeting with oil executives is being organized, a person familiar with the matter says

The White House is organizing an Oval Office meeting on Friday with oil company executives regarding Venezuela, according to the person, who requested anonymity to discuss the plans.

The representatives of Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend, the person said.

 By Josh Boak

Trump says US to get 30 million to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil from Venezuela at market price

Trump said on his social media site that Interim Authorities in Venezuela would be selling 30 million to 50 million barrels of High Quality oil to the U.S. at its market price.

I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately, Trump posted on Truth Social. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States.

Trump said the money would be controlled by him as president but it would be used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.

Interim Venezuelan president declares 7 days of mourning

Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday declared seven days of mourning for the members of the countrys military who died in the U.S. military operation Saturday.

At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the operation in Venezuelas capital, Caracas.

Rodriguez did not say when the mourning period was set to begin.

Democratic senator seeks info from oil executives on Venezuela communications with White House

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey sent a letter Tuesday to three major oil companies after Trump claimed hes been in regular touch with oil executives before and after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Trump said the oil companies want to invest in Venezuela.

In the letter to CEOs of Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, Markey said Trump concealed plans to attack Venezuela from the American people, yet apparently kept the oil executives informed.

Markey said Americans deserve to know whether and how the oil companies participated in President Trumps extra-constitutional military operation, and whether they are promoting our countrys involvement in regime change and global destabilization for their own financial gain.

Company representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

7 US servicemembers injured in Venezuela raid, Pentagon says

Seven U.S. servicemembers were injured in Saturdays raid in Caracas, Venezuela, that saw the capture of Maduro by U.S. forces, according to the Pentagon.

A Pentagon statement said that of those injured, five have already returned to duty while two are still recovering from their injuries.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press that the injuries were gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation.

On Sunday, Trump confirmed to reporters that some troops were injured but didnt offer specifics beyond that they were all in good shape. Pentagon officials, meanwhile, didnt answer any questions about possible injured troops for several days after the raid despite multiple inquiries.

 By Konstantin Toropin

White House says US military always an option in Greenland

President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and its vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chiefs disposal, the statement continued.

Trump has floated since his first term the idea of purchasing Greenland, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark. But, after this weekends U.S. military action in Venezuela, hes renewed calls for a U.S. takeover of the worlds largest island.

The Danish government says Greenland isnt for sale and its prime minister has joined the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom in defending Greenlands sovereignty.

Venezuelas new president strikes defiant tone in speech to ministers

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez criticized the terrible military aggression of the United States and appeared to reject Trumps public threats against her.

She was less scathing in her condemnation of the U.S. on Tuesday compared to her first statements after Washingtons capture of President Nicolas Maduro. But she notably took on a more bellicose tone than she had in her Monday missive to Trump, in which she had appealed to the U.S. to work with her on a cooperation agenda.

Speaking before the ministers of the countrys various agricultural and industrial sectors, Rodriguez vowed that the Venezuelan people remain steadfast, remain active in defending our homeland after the U.S. incursion. Pushing back against Trumps threats aimed at coercing her into bending to his will, she added, Personally, to those who threaten me  my destiny is not determined by them, but by God.

GOP senator wont support troops in Venezuela without congressional authorization

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Tuesday that he remains undecided ahead of an expected war powers vote later this week, saying he hopes a briefing with all senators on Wednesday will clarify the legal authority for the actions by the U.S.

We have a history of going in, liberating and leaving. Im interested in the leaving part, Tillis said.

Asked whether he would support deploying troops on the ground in Venezuela, Tillis responded: Not without congressional authorization.

Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, also told reporters Tuesday that she is undecided on the war powers resolution, saying she is still reviewing the language.

Venezuela opposition leader Machado speaks to Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado spoke with Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott over the phone on Tuesday after being snubbed by President Donald Trump.

Scott said in a video posted to X that Machado told him over the phone that she was grateful for Trumps bold action to hold Maduro and his thugs accountable and work to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela.

It comes after Machado publicly thanked Trump for his firmness and determination and said she would give him her Nobel Prize, despite the president saying he didnt believe she would be able to govern Venezuela after Maduro was ousted.

Trumps comments over the weekend represented a major snub for Venezuelas opposition, which the U.S. has maintained won the 2024 presidential election. Scott also said Machado asked that political prisoners in Venezuela, including Americans, are immediately released. Venezuelas government denies holding political prisoners.

Spains Sanchez says US actions in Venezuela set terrible and dangerous precedent

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday said the U.S. military operation in Venezuela had set a terrible precedent that will push the world toward a future of uncertainty and insecurity.

Spain never recognized Maduros government because it infringed on rules, because his election was illegitimate and precisely for that reason, it cannot recognize the legitimacy of a military action that is clearly illegal, violates international law and whose only objective seems to be none other than changing the government of another country to seize its natural resources, he told reporters in Paris.

Vance says he was briefed on details of Venezuela operation a few weeks ago

The vice president said in an interview on The Scott Jennings Show that when he was presented with details for the potential operation, I think all of us were kind of skeptical, like can you actually do this, go into a foreign country, take zero dead Americans and actually, you know, take this indicted narcoterrorist, Nicholas Maduro?

He said the operation was carried out flawlessly.

Vance said the ouster of Maduro will result in, among other things, cheaper gas and energy for Americans.

Most importantly, its going to mean that we have more control over the energy resources that exist in the world, to achieve better economic results for our people and to use those energy resources as leverage to achieve greater peace and prosperity, Vance said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham says plan in Venezuela is for US to build the country up

The South Carolina Republican, a close ally of Trump, said Tuesday that there is a regime change in Venezuela, but that it is taking place through an election.

Were going to build the country up  infrastructure wise  crescendoing with an election that will be free, said Graham.

He added that the U.S. is now in charge of Venezuela and that nothings going to happen in Venezuela that runs counter to our goal. The new leaders in Venezuela, Graham pressed, will do business with the U.S. going forward.

Senators react to potential for further intervention abroad after Venezuela

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said he hopes the Trump administrations tactics in Venezuela spread to Cuba, but expressed more caution when it comes to Greenland, calling the situation a different deal.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said that in the wake of Venezuela and Trumps recent comments, you have to take these Greenland threats seriously now. Asked about the implications of an invasion of Greenland, Murphy said it would be the end of NATO.

If Im a European member of NATO, I would reassess my participation in the endeavor if NATO countries are being invaded, Murphy said.

Crowds rally in streets of Caracas in support of Maduro

The vast crowds of people in Venezuelas capital marched, danced and pumped their fists Tuesday in a state-organized display of support for the government of toppled President Nicolas Maduro.

The streets of Caracas, deserted for days as fear descended following the Trump administrations stunning capture of Maduro Saturday, briefly filled with masses of people waving Venezuelan flags and bouncing to patriotic music.

Marchers flashed V-for-victory signs in support of the autocratic government that remains in power despite Maduros ouster and President Donald Trumps vow to run the country.

Hard-line Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, one of the defendants named in the U.S. indictment unsealed Saturday, projected nonchalance as he waded through the crowd.

Wearing a blue cap emblazoned with the slogan to doubt is to betray, Cabello high-fived supporters and reveled in the festive atmosphere.

Typically, such rallies are orchestrated by the government, and many of those attending are bused in.

At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in US operation to capture Maduro, Venezuelas military says

At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in a U.S. military operation on Saturday, Venezuelas military announced, bringing the official death count up to at least 56.

More civilians were killed in the strikes, Associated Press reporting shows, but it was immediately unclear how many.

Venezuela Attorney General Tarek William Saab said on Tuesday that dozens of officials and civilians were killed and that prosecutors would investigate the deaths in what he described as war crime. He didnt specify if the estimate was specifically referring to Venezuelans.

The number is on top of an announcement by Cubas government on Sunday that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela had died in the operation, prompting two days of mourning on the Caribbean island.

A video tribute to the slain Venezuelan security officials posted to the militarys Instagram features faces of many of those killed video layers over black-and-white videos of soldiers, American aircraft flying over Caracas and armored vehicles destroyed by the blasts.

Protester interrupts a US ambassador to criticize military operation in Venezuela

It happened Tuesday while U.S. Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto was speaking at the headquarters of the Organization of American States in Washington as the regional body met for the first time since the U.S. attacked Venezuela and arrested President Nicolas Maduro.

The majority of people are against this! cried out Madea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, a U.S.-based anti-war nonprofit. Hands off Venezuela!

She continued to cry out as OAS officials called for security guards who eventually led Benjamin out of the room.

If you care enough about the Venezuelan people, you will lift the brutal sanctions! Benjamin yelled.

Rizzuto resumed his speech after Benjamin was removed: I understand there are many raw emotions.

He called the strike a targeted law enforcement action against an indicted criminal.

Let me be clear, the U.S. did not invade Venezuela, Rizzuto said. President Trump offered Maduro multiple offramps. This was not an interference in democracy  it actually removed the obstacle to it.

Trump spoke for more than an hour but said very little about Venezuela

The president, in remarks that neared 90 minutes, told House Republicans on Tuesday that the military operation in Venezuela was an amazing military feat and brilliant tactically, while also joking that Maduro, before he was deposed, had been imitating Trumps style of dancing. But he offered few new details in his broad political remarks, nor any updates on the U.S. troops who were injured.

He also criticized Democrats for not praising him for the operation and said they should tell him he did a great job.

I would say that if they did a good job, their philosophies are so different, Trump said. But if they did a good job, Id be happy for the country.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says next few days will be key for Venezuelan leadership

The South Dakota Republican was part of a group of congressional leaders briefed last night on the Trump administrations plans in the South American country.

Thune says he was satisfied with those plans but that the next few days would show Venezuelas government structure and how willing they are to work with the U.S.

Thune also called interim President Delcy Rodriguez a practical person, pragmatic person and will understand the importance of figuring out a path forward to where Americas national security priorities can be prioritized by Venezuela.

Florida looking very seriously at bringing state charges against Maduro, Gov. Ron DeSantis says

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is looking at whether a state criminal case can be built against Maduro for sending criminals to the state of Florida, the Republican governor said Tuesday at a news conference in Clearwater, Florida.

He would empty his prisons and send them to America, across the border, and wed end up with some of these people in Florida, DeSantis said. So, to me, that is a very hostile act, so were looking at statues to see.

Floridas Venezuelan population of under a half million people is the largest among any U.S. state.

Maduro pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges in New York, two days after he and his wife were seized from their Caracas home in a middle-of-the-night military operation.

Colombian officials will meet US envoy amid tensions over the Venezuela attack

Colombias Foreign Affairs Minister Rosa Villavicencio said Tuesday shell meet with the U.S. embassys Charge DAffaires in Bogota to present him with a formal complaint over the recent threats issued by the United States against Colombia.

On Sunday, Trump said he wasnt ruling out an attack on Colombia and described its president, whos been an outspoken critic of U.S. operations in Venezuela, as a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.

At a news conference, the Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister said however, that shes hoping to strengthen relations with the United States and improve cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, echoing comments made Monday by several members of Colombias cabinet.

It is necessary for the Trump administration to know in more detail, about all that we are doing in the fight against drug trafficking, Villavicencio said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum calls for fair trial of Maduro in the US

She was speaking during her morning press briefing Tuesday.

The leftist leader has been incredibly diplomatic in navigating larger regional geopolitical tensions, seeking to maintain a strong relationship with Trump while also firmly opposing American intervention in the region.

When asked by journalists, Sheinbaum described Maduros declaration that he was innocent in a New York court as interesting.

Now that President Maduro has been detained, what we are asking for is a fair trial, as always, she said after once again condemning the U.S. intervention.

Foreign policy isnt a high priority for many Americans

The Trump administration is focused on intervention abroad. But headed into this year, Americans were less likely to want the government to focus on foreign policy than they had been in recent years.

About one-quarter of U.S. adults listed foreign policy topics, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel or general involvement overseas, as something they wanted the government to prioritize in 2026 in a December AP-NORC poll. That was down from the prior two years, when roughly one-third of Americans considered foreign issues an important focus. Almost no one specifically named Venezuela.

Instead, Americans overall were more focused on domestic issues  including health care, economic worries and cost-of-living concerns  as top priorities for the government.

Disagreement about how to proceed

The discrepancy between what Trump and Rubio have said publicly hasnt sat well with some former diplomats.

It strikes me that we have no idea whatsoever as to whats next, said Dan Fried, a retired career diplomat, former assistant secretary of state and sanctions coordinator who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

For good operational reasons, there were very few people who knew about the raid, but Trumps remarks about running the country and Rubios uncomfortable walk back suggests that even within that small group of people, there is disagreement about how to proceed, said Fried whos now with the Atlantic Council think tank.

Trumps vague claims of the US running Venezuela raise questions about planning for whats next

President Trump has made broad but vague assertions that the United States is going to run Venezuela after the ouster of Nicolas Maduro but has offered almost no details about how it will do so, raising questions among some lawmakers and former officials about the administrations level of planning for the country after Maduro was gone.

Seemingly contradictory statements from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have suggested at once that the U.S. now controls the levers of Venezuelan power or that the U.S. has no intention of assuming day-to-day governance and will allow Maduros subordinates to remain in leadership positions for now.

Rubio said the U.S. would rely on existing sanctions on Venezuelas oil sector and criminal gangs to wield leverage with Maduros successors.

The uncertainty on definitive next steps in Venezuela contrasts with the years of discussions and planning that went into U.S. military interventions that deposed other autocratic leaders, notably in Iraq in 2003, which still did not often lead to the hoped-for outcomes.

 Read more about U.S. planning for Venezuela

Few Venezuelans approved of the US government, Gallup poll shows

Only about 2 in 10 Venezuelans approved of the U.S. government, according to a 2025 Gallup World Poll conducted over the summer.

That measure was among the lowest approval ratings from Venezuela recorded in the poll going back to 2006. About two-thirds of Venezuelans disapproved of the U.S. government, which is in line with declines across Latin America between 2024 and 2025.

Maduro wasnt especially popular at home, either. About 4 in 10 Venezuelans approved of Maduros leadership and the countrys leadership overall, according to that poll.

The countrys financial situation has been a point of concern for many Venezuelans. About 6 in 10 said they didnt have enough money to afford food in the past 12 months, and roughly half said that about shelter. Just 1 in 10 Venezuelans reported they were living comfortably on their incomes, among the lowest in the region.

Machado says she hasnt spoken to Trump since receiving her Nobel Peace Prize last October

In her first televised interview since the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan opposition leader extensively praised the US. president, even saying she hoped to personally offer him her Nobel Peace Prize.

She did not acknowledge Trumps snub of her opposition movement in favor of working with Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodriguez.

I spoke with President Trump on Oct. 10, the same day the prize was announced, not since then, she said on Fox News late Monday. What he has done as I said is historic, and its a huge step toward a democratic transition.

Trump hasnt said if or when democratic elections will be held in Venezuela.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado vows to return to Venezuela

Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday night, Machado said shed try to return as soon as possible.

Machado, in hiding for more than a year, also sharply criticized Venezuelas new interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, calling her unfit to lead any transitional authority and one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco trafficking.

Shortly before Trumps Saturday news conference on Maduros capture, Machado called on her ally Edmundo Gonzalez  a retired diplomat widely considered to have won the countrys disputed 2024 presidential election  to immediately assume his constitutional mandate and be recognized as commander in chief.

Asked about Machado, Trump said he felt it would be very tough for her to lead.

More Americans say the US should not run Venezuela

Americans were split about the U.S. capturing Maduro  with many still forming opinions  according to a poll conducted by The Washington Post and SSRS using text messages over the weekend.

About 4 in 10 approved of the U.S. military being sent to capture Maduro, while roughly the same share were opposed. About 2 in 10 were unsure.

Nearly half of Americans, 45%, were opposed to the U.S. taking control of Venezuela and choosing a new government for the country. About 9 in 10 Americans said the Venezuelan people should be the ones to decide the future leadership of their country.

Republicans broadly approved of capturing Maduro, while a Quinnipiac poll from December found that Republicans were more divided on military action in Venezuela. About half were in support, while about one-third were opposed and 15% didnt have an opinion.

All-senators briefing on Venezuela scheduled as questions mount

Rubio, Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials are set to brief all senators as questions mount over the Venezuela operation.

Thats according to a person familiar with the private meeting who insisted in anonymity to discuss it.

It comes ahead of a war powers vote this week in the Senate that would prohibit further military action in the South American country without approval from Congress.

The classified briefing is set for Wednesday.

 Lisa Mascaro

UN human rights office sharply criticizes the US militarys intervention in Venezuela

The United Nations human rights office warns the military operation made all states less safe around the world.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk, said that far from being a justified response to the Venezuelan governments appalling human rights record, the Trump administrations seizure of President Nicolas Maduro damages the architecture of international security.

Accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law, Shamdasani said.

What Americans think about the situation in Venezuela, according to recent polls

There are few signs that President Trumps supporters wanted the United States to become more embroiled in foreign conflicts ahead of its military actions in Venezuela  even as many Republicans show initial support for his military strike there, according to an Associated Press analysis of recent polling.

Most Americans wanted the U.S. government to focus in 2026 on domestic issues, such as health care and high costs, rather than foreign policy issues, an AP-NORC poll conducted last month found. Meanwhile, polling conducted in the immediate aftermath of the military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suggests many Americans are unconvinced the U.S. should step in to take control of the country.

And despite Trumps suggestion that the U.S. may take a more expansive role in the Western Hemisphere, Republicans in polling last fall remained broadly opposed to the U.S. getting more involved in other countries problems.

 Read more about the recent polling

Cuba faces uncertain future after US topples Venezuelan leader Maduro

Cuban officials on Monday lowered flags before dawn to mourn 32 security officers they say were killed in the U.S. weekend strike in Venezuela, the island nations closest ally, as residents here wonder what it means for their future.

The two governments are so close that Cuban soldiers and security agents were often the Venezuelan presidents bodyguards, and Venezuelas petroleum has kept the economically ailing island limping along for years. Cuban authorities over the weekend said the 32 had been killed in the surprise attack after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers, or as a result of the bombing of the facilities.

The Trump administration has warned outright that toppling Maduro will help advance another decades-long goal: Dealing a blow to the Cuban government. Severing Cuba from Venezuela could have disastrous consequences for its leaders, who on Saturday called for the international community to stand up to state terrorism.

On Saturday, Trump said the ailing Cuban economy will be further battered by Maduros ouster.

Its going down, Trump said of Cuba. Its going down for the count.

 Read more about the impact of the strikes on Cuba

A rare thank you to the media from the Trump administration

In the wake of last weekends U.S. military action in Venezuela, the news media got something it has seldom heard from the Trump administration: a thank you.

Rubio credited news organizations that had learned in advance about last Saturdays strike with not putting the mission in jeopardy by publicly reporting on it before it happened.

Rubios acknowledgment was particularly noteworthy because Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has cited a mistrust of journalists ability to responsibly handle sensitive information as one of the chief reasons for imposing restrictive new press rules on Pentagon reporters. Most mainstream news organizations have left posts in the Pentagon rather than agree to Hegseths policy.

Speaking on ABCs This Week on Sunday, Rubio said the administration withheld information about the mission from Congress ahead of time because it will leak. Its as simple as that. But the primary reason was operational security, he said.

Frankly, a number of media outlets had gotten leaks that this was coming and held it for that very reason, Rubio said. And we thank them for doing that or lives could have been lost. American lives.

 Read more about Rubios comments

Rubio, Hegseth brief congressional leaders as questions mount over next steps in Venezuela

Republican leaders entered the closed-door session at the Capitol largely supportive of Trumps decision to forcibly remove Madurofrom power, but many Democrats emerged with more questions as Trump maintains a fleet of naval vessels off the Venezuelan coast and urges U.S. companies to reinvest in the countrys underperforming oil industry.

A war powers resolution that would prohibit U.S. military action in Venezuela without approval from Congress is heading for a vote this week in the Senate.

We dont expect troops on the ground, said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said afterward.

This is not a regime change. This is demand for a change in behavior, Johnson said. We dont expect direct involvement in any other way beyond just coercing the new, the interim government, to get that going.

But Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emerged saying, There are still many more questions that need to be answered.

 Read more about the briefing

US allies and adversaries use UN meeting to critique Venezuela intervention as America defends it

Both allies and adversaries of the United States on Monday used an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to voice opposition to the audacious U.S. military operation in Venezuela that captured leader Nicolas Maduro.

Before the U.N.s most powerful body, countries critiqued  if sometimes obliquely  President Donald Trumps intervention in the South American country and his recent comments signaling the possibility of expanding military action to countries like Colombia and Mexico over drug trafficking accusations. The Republican president also has reupped his threat to take over the Danish territory of Greenland for the sake of U.S. security interests.

Denmark, which has jurisdiction over the mineral-rich island, carefully denounced U.S. prospects for taking over Greenland without mentioning its NATO ally by name.

The inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation, said Christina Markus Lassen, Danish ambassador to the U.N.

She also defended Venezuelas sovereignty, saying no state should seek to influence political outcomes in Venezuela through the use of threat of force or through other means inconsistent with international law.

 Read more about the UNs emergency meeting
Deal strengthens ECP's distribution services capabilities amid growing demand driven by grid modernization and infrastructure investment

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- East Coast Power ("ECP" or the "Company"), a leading provider of electric utility services and a portfolio company of A&M Capital Partners ("AMCP"), the dedicated North American control buyout fund of A&M Capital, today announced the acquisition of United Powerline Solutions ("UPS"), a Haubstadt, Indianabased provider of overhead distribution services for electric utilities across the Midwest.

The acquisition advances ECP's strategy to expand into select North American markets. ECP will continue to execute its organic growth initiatives and strategic M&A to expand its full suite of mission-critical services nationwide, including maintenance, repair, upgrade, restoration, and emergency response solutions for electric power distribution, transmission, and substation systems.

"Joining forces with East Coast Power opens a tremendous new chapter for United Powerline Solutions," said industry veteran Tom Williamson, Founder of UPS. "Our shared commitment to safety and quality, combined with the resources and platform ECP and A&M Capital Partners bring, will allow us to deliver even greater value to the utilities and communities we serve."

United Powerline Solutions delivers safe, reliable repair and maintenance support to electric utility customers, specializing in critical distribution infrastructure services. The acquisition expands East Coast Power's geographic footprint and service capabilities at a time of increasing demand driven by grid modernization, aging infrastructure, and heightened outage response needs across the U.S. power system.

"We believe that Tom and the UPS team have built an exceptional business rooted in safety, integrity, and operational excellence," said Darren Donohue, Founder and CEO of East Coast Power. "We are excited to welcome United Powerline Solutions to the ECP family as we expand our capabilities and better serve utility customers facing evolving infrastructure challenges. ECP's approach prioritizes operational continuity, local leadership, and investment in people, ensuring acquired businesses retain the culture and relationships that made them successful."

Michael Craven, President of East Coast Power, added, "We believe UPS enhances our ability to deliver exceptional service across a broader footprint. Their strong safety culture and hands-on expertise align closely with ECP's values and operating model, giving us greater capacity to meet customer needs with speed, reliability, and responsiveness. Alongside AMCP, we believe they are the ideal partners to help drive our business forward, creating value for all stakeholders."

Together, ECP and UPS are positioned to deliver an expanded suite of high-quality electric utility servicesbringing increased crew depth, geographic reach, and storm-response readiness to utility partners managing evolving reliability and resilience demands nationwide.

"This acquisition builds on ECP's momentum as a founder-led, strategically capitalized platform," said Ryan McCarthy, Partner at A&M Capital. "We believe United Powerline Solutions is a strong strategic fit that complements ECP's capabilities and advances our shared mission to support critical grid services across a broader region. Going forward, we remain committed to scaling East Coast Power through disciplined investment and strategic growth."

ECP was founded by Mr. Donohue, a senior executive with 35 years of sector experience. He is an active member of, and maintains strong relationships with, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW") and the National Electrical Contractors Association ("NECA").

For more information about East Coast Power, including employment opportunities or inquiries from owners of electric utility service businesses exploring partnership or strategic growth opportunities, please visit www.eastcoastpowerllc.com.

For more information about A&M Capital Partners, please visit https://www.a-mcapital.com/partner.

About East Coast Power ("ECP")

Founded in 2023, ECP is a leading provider of safe and reliable electric utility services. The Company provides maintenance, repair, upgrade, restoration, and emergency response solutions for electrical utility customers supporting distribution and transmission power line infrastructure throughout the Northeastern United States. Headquartered in the Capital Region of New York, ECP is a portfolio company of A&M Capital Partners. ECP is an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW") contractor and member of the National Electrical Contractors Association ("NECA"). For more information, please visit www.eastcoastpowerllc.com .

About United Powerline Solutions ("UPS")

United Powerline Solutions is an electric utility services provider headquartered in Southern Indiana, specializing in overhead distribution services. With a highly trained, safety-focused team of certified linemen, UPS delivers safe and reliable services to electric utility customers across Indiana and the Midwest. For more information, please visit https://upowerlines.com.

About A&M Capital

A&M Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $6 billion in total commitments across its strategies. The firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by a strategic association with A&M Consulting, a leading global operationally focused advisory firm. A&M Capital Partners ("AMCP") is A&M Capital's investment strategy focused on middle-market control transactions in North America with total commitments of over $4 billion across three funds. AMCP partners with founders, families, corporates, and management teams, providing capital and strategic and operational assistance that it believes is required to take businesses to the next level of success. AMCP invests across a range of sectors including Business Services, Healthcare Services, Government Services, Industrial Services, Financial Services, Packaging & Distribution Services, and more. For more information, visit www.a-mcapital.com/

Contact

Gaffney Bennett PR

[email protected]

SOURCE East Coast Power


Forthcoming Director Resignation

Toronto, Jan 6, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. ( ASX:RAU ) ( CVE:RSM ) ( 8TX:FRA ) ( RSGOF:OTCMKTS ) advised that Justin Clyne has advised the Board of his intention to resign as a Director of the Company effective upon the appointment of a new Australian-based director. Justin's decision is driven by a significant workload in multiple international jurisdictions requiring a greater commitment with limited time available to devote to Resouro as the Company seeks to scale up its operations.



The Board has begun to identify a shortlist of candidates with preference to be given to candidates with a strong technical and governance background. The Company will advise as soon as a suitable candidate has been appointed.



Christopher Eager said: "The Board and Management of Resouro would like to thank Justin for achieving Resouro's secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange and wish him all the best with his future endeavours."





About Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.





Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX:RAU) (CVE:RSM) (OTCMKTS:RSGOF) (FRA:8TX) is a Canadian incorporated mineral exploration and development company, listed on the ASX, TSXV, OTC and FSE, focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in Brazil, including the Tiros Titanium-Rare Earths Project and the Novo Mundo Gold Project. The Tiros project has 28 mineral concessions totalling 497 km2 located in the state of Minas Gerais, one of the best infrastructurally developed states of Brazil, 350 km from the state capital of Belo Horizonte. Resouro's Mineral Resource Estimate for the Tiros Project contains 165 million tonne of titanium dioxide and 5.5 million tonne of total rare earths oxides within a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1.4 billion tonne at 12% titanium dioxide and 4,000 ppm of total rare earth oxides.

Related Companies


Identifies High-Grade Silver Corridor at the Mojave Project

Sydney, Jan 6, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Locksley Resources Limited ( ASX:LKY ) ( X5L:FRA ) ( LKYRF:OTCMKTS ) advised that recent reconnaissance and surface sampling programs have successfully identified a consistent northwest to southeast oriented mineralised corridor at the Mojave Project.



HIGHLIGHTS



- Results from rock chip sampling returns 409g/t Ag confirming high-grade silver mineralisation ~3km from the initial high-grade silver discovery (Sample 258140), 320m southwest of the Desert Antimony Mine (DAM)



- Significant base metal mineralisation confirmed in addition to silver, with samples returning grades up to 4.2% Copper (Cu), 1.5% Lead (Pb), and 1.5% Zinc (Zn), highlighting the polymetallic nature of the system



- Twelve (12) rock chip samples exceeded 30g/t Ag, reinforcing additional precious and base metal potential within the Mojave Project's North Block



- This discovery represents an important advancement in the Company's exploration strategy and identifies a new, potentially high-value component of the Mojave Project



This discovery represents an important advancement in the Company's exploration strategy and identifies a new, potentially high-value component of the Mojave Project. The delineation of a mineralised corridor suggests a strike extent approximately 2.4km westnorthwest of the Hendricks Shaft, and approximately 600m to the east-southeast, extending the mineralised corridor almost 3km from the Silver Prospect. This confirms the presence of a polymetallic quartz vein system, which includes the high-grade sample 258140 collected from a 3cm to 10cm wide vein (Figure 1*). These early results possibly suggest that the Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu mineralisation may reflect the presence of a large-scale hydrothermal system, which could potentially contain valuable concentrations of precious and base metals. Further exploration is required to test this concept.



Rock chip sampling within the Mojave Project's North Block has returned results of up to 409g/t Ag, with associated base metal values of up to 1.5% Zn and 0.88% Pb, supporting the interpretation of a polymetallic mineralised system and enhancing the prospectivity of the corridor. Additional rock chip sample 258420 returned values up to 117g/t Ag, & 3.1% Cu, also located within the interpreted mineralised corridor located close to a historic adit and workings.



The interpreted mineralised corridor includes the historic Hendricks Shaft, located approximately 2.4km from the initial high-grade silver discovery. A total of 398 rock chip samples have been collected across the North Block with ~260 of these being collected along the mineralised corridor between DAM and up to 5.6km to the southeast.



Rock Chip Sampling Program Details



The recent sampling campaign was designed to test the strike extent of the high-grade silver mineralisation first identified in late 2024. The results (see Table 1) have exceededexpectations, confirming that the mineralised system extends significantly beyond the initial discovery zone (Sample 258140 - Figure 1*).



Key observations from the program include:



- Strike Extension: The mineralised corridor is now interpreted to extend from the Silver Prospect (Sample 258140) to historical trenches and stockpiles (Samples 258184 & 258185) located ~3km to the south-east significantly increasing the strike extent of the exploration target.



- Mineralisation Style: High-grade samples 258184 and 258185, collected from outcropping veins and historic stockpiles, exhibit quartz with gossanous selvages with boxwork textures. These are potential indicators of weathered sulphide-rich polymetallic veins, suggesting fresh sulphides may exist at depth.



- Visual Copper: Sample 258420 (which returned 117g/t Ag & 3.1% Cu) was collected from outcropping mineralisation at historic workings where copper carbonate (i.e. malachite) is visually prevalent (see Figure 3*). This confirms a copper component to the mineralised system.



Next Steps



Locksley will advance this exciting silver and base metal opportunity through a systematic exploration program run in parallel with ongoing activities at DAM and El Campo, comprising:



- Systematic Mapping: Detailed geological mapping between the Silver Prospect and the new south-eastern extension to define the structural geometry and continuity of the trend.



- Petrology and Geochemistry: Submission of samples for petrological interpretation to assist with determining relative timing of mineralisation and geochemical associations across the system.



- Geophysics: Assessment of geophysical survey options, such as Very Low Frequency electromagnetics (VLF-EM), Induced Polarisation (IP), or Electromagnetic (e.g. VTEM) to potentially identify mineralised zones and structures at depth that are not visible at surface.



- Drill Targeting: The goal of this work is to delineate high-priority drill-ready targets along the NW-SE corridor for future testing.



Additional work is planned to improve understanding of the corridor's structural geometry, enabling more effective drill targeting and delineation of the extent and grade of mineralisation within the North Block.



Kerrie Matthews, Managing Director & CEO, commented:



"Defining a 3km mineralised trend with surface results of up to 409 g/t silver and 1.5% copper is a highly encouraging outcome. Importantly, this discovery complements our core antimony development strategy and gives exposure as a diversified U.S. critical minerals company, providing shareholders with upside to precious metals, base metals, and strategic minerals within a single, high-quality project area."



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/R8C037M3





About Locksley Resources Limited





Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region.

Mojave Project

Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area.

In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S.

Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security.

Tottenham Project

Locksley's Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation in a well established mining region.

Locksley is committed to delivering value through discovery, development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on securing access to U.S. aligned funding and downstream collaborations.

Related Companies
EchoXBorder marks the latest addition to Echo's growing cross-border operations

CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Echo Global Logistics, Inc. ("Echo"), a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services, announced the official launch of EchoXBorder (Echo Cross-Border) for seamless customs brokerage services across the U.S. and Mexico. After expanding its presence in Mexico with locations in Mexico City and Monterrey, Echo continues to build on its decade of cross-border solutions with EchoXBorder.

"EchoXBorder offers the same expertise and advanced technology that our clients and carriers count on in our other areas of business," said Dave Menzel, President and Chief Operating Officer at Echo. "By applying these assets to customs brokerage, we're able to provide shippers with faster clearance, fewer delays, and lower costs."

"This approach to cross-border logistics enables operational gains through integrated logistics management between the U.S. and Mexico," said Troy Ryley, President of Echo Mexico. "Our team has extensive experience with customs brokerage and is equipped to help our clients navigate trade regulations and adapt to market changes."

EchoXBorder supports the supply chain with nationwide customs brokerage services across U.S. and Mexico, consolidation, deconsolidation, and inventory control at the border, and integrated customs and freight management for end-to-end control. Echo's bilingual experts have deep compliance expertise and provide a single point of contact for proactive communication. Additionally, Echo's advanced technology offers real-time visibility, reporting, and analytics to keep shipments on track. Learn more about cross-border shipping with Echo by visiting: Mexico Cross-Border Shipping Solutions | Echo Global Logistics.

"In addition to serving as your customs brokerage partner, EchoXBorder is fully integrated with Echo's transportation network," said Jose Minarro, Managing Partner for Mexico Client Sales. "EchoXBorder is an all-encompassing solution, built to serve clients with diverse needs. This includes customs clearance at U.S. and Mexico airports, ocean port clearance, and brokerage through all major land ports."

About Echo Global Logistics

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services. Headquartered in Chicago with more than 60 locations across North America, Echo offers freight brokerage and Managed Transportation Solutions for all major modes, including Truckload, Partial Truckload, LTL, Intermodal, Cross-Border, Food-Grade and Temperature-Controlled shipping and warehousing, and Warehouse Services. Named one of Newsweek's Most Trusted Companies in America, Echo leverages its advanced, web-based and mobile app technology, analyzing data from its network of more than 50,000 transportation providers to help its 35,000 clients simplify the critical tasks involved in transportation management. For more information on Echo Global Logistics, visit: www.echo.com.

ECHO: Corporate

MEDIA CONTACT:

Christopher Clemmensen

EVP of Marketing

Echo Global Logistics

312-784-2132

SOURCE Echo Global Logistics
Reviewing Shadow Armies: Between Allegation and Analysis 2

I opened Shadow Armies: Fringe Organizations and Foot Soldiers of Hindutva expecting rigorcold facts, verifiable linkages, evidence that survives cross-examination. What I found instead was prosecution without a courtroom. The book doesnt investigate; it indicates. It doesnt interrogate assumptions; it sermonises. From page one, its clear the author isnt searching for truth but assembling a casebrick by selective brickagainst Hindutva and, by convenient extension, against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The intellectual backbone of this narrative rests on a reckless shortcut: ideological proximity equals operational control. That isnt courageits laziness dressed up as bravery. Every fringe group, every local outfit, every individual crime is dragged under one oversized umbrella and christened foot soldiers, as if millions of RSS volunteers across generations operate from a single, hidden command room. No documents. No command chains. No financial trails. No institutional directives. Just insinuation, repeated until it starts masquerading as proof. Call it a shadow, and suddenly the absence of evidence becomes evidence. Clever trick. Cheap method.

What the book studiously avoids is the most inconvenient question of all: why are the RSS and Hindutva permanent targets? Not because theyre invisibletheyre among the most visible social formations in India. Not because theyre uniquely violentIndias bloodiest chapters were written by separatists, Maoists, jihadi networks, and caste militias. They are targeted because they endure. Because theyre rooted. Because they mobilise without foreign funding, without intellectual clearance certificates, and without apologies. In an elite ecosystem trained to distrust Hindu assertion while normalising every other identity politics, a disciplined Hindu organisation becomes an existential irritant.

Reading Shadow Armies feels less like history and more like a refurbishment of an old prejudice for a new market. It mistakes mass participation for menace, structure for conspiracy, and cultural confidence for extremism. The anxiety it reveals belongs not to Hindutva but to an ideological class unsettled by its resilience. When hostility comes before inquiry, history is not writtenits replaced by propaganda with footnotes.

The books favourite tropethat the BJPs rise from two Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to a decisive majority in 2014 caused a mushrooming of violent Hindu organisationsis not analysis; its ideological storytelling. The conclusion is decided first; causality is reverse-engineered later. Electoral success is treated as forensic evidence. Popular mandate is reframed as moral deviance. Democracy itself is hauled into the dock for choosing the wrong side.

The claim that the BJPs ascent was accompanied by groups whose sole purpose is to polarise and kill in the name of Hindutva borders on bad faith. Hindu social organisations didnt pop into existence in the 1990s. Many pre-date the BJPs relevancearising as cultural, religious, or reactionary responses to decades of selective secularism, minority appeasement, academic capture, and routine delegitimisation of Hindu identity. Political rise doesnt manufacture social churn; it reflects it.

The most dishonest move here is the deliberate blurring of ideology and command. The BJP does not run these organisations. The RSS does not issue operational orders to them. Hindutva is not a central headquarters dispatching kill lists. If ideological influence equals culpability, then by that logic every Left-inspired riot must be pinned on Marxist theorists, every Islamist terror act on religious institutions, and every separatist violence on sympathetic intellectuals. That standard collapses the moment the subject becomes Hindu society.

Entities as dissimilar as spiritual groups, youth outfits, and local pressure formations are lumped together to fabricate a single sinister machine. This isnt investigation; its aggregation. Distinctions are erased because nuance doesnt serve fear.

Take Sanatan Sanstha. Allegations against individuals are endlessly paraded as organisational guilt, as if due process were optional. Even the still-sub judice murder of Gauri Lankesh is exploited to indict an entire ideological spectrum. Verdicts are ignored, closure deniedonly perpetual accusation remains. Courts are replaced by outrage.

Then comes Yogi Adityanath and the Hindu Yuva Vahini, wheeled out as proof of state-sponsored extremism. Whats quietly buried is chronology. HVY predates Adityanaths constitutional role and emerged in regions long abandoned by governance. Criticise methods if you mustbut turning it into a nationwide shadow army requires either selective amnesia or deliberate exaggeration.

The real discomfort here isnt violence; its legitimacy. The BJP shattered a monopoly that believed narrative control and moral authority were hereditary rights. When voters across caste and class chose the BJPagain and againthe response wasnt introspection. It was pathology: something must be wrong with the voters; something dark must be manipulating them.

Hence the myth of shadow armiesa convenient ghost story that spares the establishment from admitting a simpler, harsher truth: Hindutva gained ground because it resonatedsocially, culturally, politically. Indians voted for something: identity, governance, confidence. They werent herded by imaginary foot soldiers.

This book isnt about understanding India. Its about controlling how India is allowed to be understoodcriminalising cultural assertion, delegitimising democratic mandates, and placing Hindu society under permanent suspicion. When ideology blinds inquiry, scholarship dies. Whats left is propagandasmoothly written, heavily footnoted, and hollow at the core.
The Brahmin Community: A Manufactured Image of Supremacy and an Ignored Reality 2

In Indian social discourse, certain assumptions have been repeated so often that they are now accepted as truth, even when historical outcomes do not support them. One such assumption is that the Brahmin community has, for centuries, been the natural inheritor of power, resources, and privilege. Manusmriti has been positioned as the central pillar of this belief, and over time a narrative was constructed in which Brahmins were portrayed as permanently dominant, while others were framed as perpetually oppressed. Yet when history is examined not through emotional slogans but through social consequences and structural realities, a far more complex and unsettling picture emerges.

If any community was subjected to the strictest moral discipline in the name of Manusmriti, it was the Brahmin community itself. Renunciation, austerity, restraint, contentment, and service were not presented to Brahmins as optional virtues but as compulsory duties. This was described as a morally elevated path, yet its social consequences were rarely examined honestly. This framework made Brahmins custodians of knowledge, but simultaneously kept them systematically distant from power, property, and material resources. This was not accidental; it was a long-term social arrangement in which intellectual labour was assigned to one group while material control flowed elsewhere.

Historical evidence clearly shows that real power in Indiapolitical, military, and economicwas rarely concentrated in Brahmin hands, even briefly. Brahmin rulers were exceptions, not the rule. Yet a handful of isolated examples were used to generalize an entire civilizational history, branding the community as structurally dominant. Such conclusions lack both historical balance and sociological integrity.

Another crucial fact repeatedly ignored in public discourse is that the Brahmin community never cultivated a culture of destroying knowledge. It did not burn books, suppress ideas through violence, or fear intellectual dissent. On the contrary, whenever India experienced invasions, regime changes, or political upheavals, the first institutions to be destroyed were centres of learninggurukuls, ashrams, schools, and libraries. Those most frequently killed were teachers and scholars. This reality fundamentally contradicts the notion that Brahmins historically lived in safety or privilege.

In contemporary India, this distorted historical image has taken on a new form. Todays Brahmin community faces tangible socio-economic challenges, yet continues to be viewed through the lens of alleged historical supremacy. In rural India, large sections of the community are landless or marginal landholders. In urban settings, they face middle-class insecurity, unemployment, and declining social capital. Despite this, there is little serious research or policy discussion addressing their present condition.

The paradox is stark: the Brahmin community today has neither institutional protection nor organized political representation. Yet in public narratives, it is portrayed as a powerful force that, in reality, does not exist. This is a form of imagined dominance, where real individuals pay real costs for a power they do not possess. It amounts to narrative-based punishment, where people are judged not by their current circumstances or actions, but by an imposed historical image.

It is also worth asking why the language of social justicewhich rightly emphasizes structural disadvantagebecomes selective in this context. Brahmin poverty is treated as an anomaly, Brahmin vulnerability is rendered invisible, and questioning this framework is often viewed as morally suspect. No community remains static across centuries. Social groups evolve with time, policy, and circumstance. To freeze the Brahmin community permanently inside a historical caricature is neither intellectually honest nor socially just.

Questioning religious texts is a legitimate exercise in any modern society. However, such questioning must distinguish between a text, its interpretations, and its historical use. Manusmriti was not a living authority; it was a text interpreted differently across eras, often by ruling powers for their own purposes. To transfer the burden of those interpretations wholesale onto contemporary Brahmins reflects neither historical understanding nor ethical fairness.

This editorial does not argue for superiority, exemption, or entitlement. It argues for recognitionrecognition of the Brahmin community as a living, changing social reality, not a fossilized symbol of the past. Its poverty, insecurity, and social invisibility deserve the same seriousness afforded to any other group.

Indias future depends on a social discourse that resists simplification and embraces complexity. Until history is viewed in its full dimensions and the present is freed from the weight of inherited prejudice, neither justice nor balance can be achieved. The Brahmin community preserved knowledge across centuries, often at great personal cost. If today it stands at a point of existential uncertainty, ignoring that realityor dismissing it through ideological noisewill only repeat yet another historical mistake.

Justice is not selective empathy; it is universal moral sensitivity. When that sensitivity extends to the Brahmin community as well, Indian social discourse may finally align its ideals with its conscience.
-- CK0804 is a first in class, CXCR4hi Treg therapeutic designed to preferentially traffic towards its ligand CXCL12 over expressed in the bone marrow and spleen in myelofibrosis.

-- CK0804 engages with antigen presenting cells within target tissues and undergoes in vivo proliferation to secrete suppressor cytokine, IL-10.

-- CK0804 Tregs mediate resolution of local and systemic inflammation through a non-MHC restricted mechanism.

HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellenkos Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic, off-the-shelf, regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to its investigational product, CK0804, for treatment of myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer with an annual incidence of 1-3 new cases per 100,000 people per year and an estimated U.S. prevalence of approximately of 25,000 patients.

CK0804 is composed of CXCR4hi Tregs that preferentially home to its ligand CXCL12, which is overexpressed in the bone marrow and at the sites of extramedullary hematopoiesis including spleen, in myelofibrosis. Upon arrival in the target tissue, CK0804 Tregs engage with antigen presenting cells (APCs), undergo in vivo proliferation, secrete the suppressor cytokine, IL-10 and resolve inflammation in a non-MHC dependent manner, while regulating PDGF-driven pathways involved disease remodeling.

"Receiving Orphan Drug Designation is an important milestone in the clinical development of CK0804 for myelofibrosis and underscores our commitment to advance CK0804 into phase 2 trials to address the unmet need for patients who have not responded to currently available therapies", said Dr. Simrit Parmar, MD, Founder of Cellenkos. "The observed increase in IL-10 and decreases in TGF levels in CK0804 responders, together with reductions in pathogenic monocytes in plasma and bone marrow, support the disease modifying potential of CK0804 Tregs as a distinct and differentiated therapeutic class in myelofibrosis."

In a 13patient clinical study in myelofibrosis (median age 68 years; range 5584 years) in which patients had failed a median of two prior therapies (range 16), results presented at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in December 2025 showed: spleen volume reduction greater than 10% in 45% of 11 evaluable patients; symptom burden reduction greater than 50% in 78% of 9 evaluable patients; and improvement in transfusion burden in all 3 of 3 evaluable patients. At a median followup of 195 days (range 41809), 10 patients were alive; 3 proceeded to stem cell transplant, 2 switched to a different class of therapy, and the remaining patients continued their initial treatment with ruxolitinib. CK0804 responders demonstrated decreased circulating levels of TGF1, TGF2, FGF, PDGF, and sCD40L, reduced plasma and bone marrow monocytes, and normalization of the bone marrow myeloidtoerythroid ratio.

About CK0804

CK0804 is an investigational, allogeneic, offtheshelf Treg cell therapy designed to exploit the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis to engage with the antigen presenting cell, undergo in-vivo proliferation to secrete and deliver tissue targeted, payload of suppressor cytokine IL-10, to resolve inflammation in a non-MHC dependent manner. Specifically in myelofibrosis, CK0804 show disease modifying effect as seen by a decrease in pathogenic monocytes in plasma and bone marrow, normalization of myeloid: erythroid ratio of bone marrow, increase in absolute lymphocyte count and decrease in inflammatory cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of myelofibrosis including TGF1, TGF2, FGF, PDGF, sCD40L. Derived from clinicalgrade umbilical cord blood and manufactured using Cellenkos' proprietary CRANE process, CK0804, i) does not require HLA matching with the recipients, ii) escape innate immune surveillance, iii) can be cryopreserved and stored with a shelf life of more than two years where it retains its viability and suppressor function, iv) can be thawed and infused ondemand, v) intravenously through a peripheral line in an outpatient setting.

About Myelofibrosis

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare blood cancer that affects approximately 25,000 patients in the United States. The disease is characterized by scarring (fibrosis) in the bone marrow, spleen enlargement, progressive anemia, fatigue, and early satiety resulting in poor quality of life. The most widely used treatment for MF patients includes type I JAK2 inhibitors, which can improve symptoms and decrease spleen size but have little effect on the underlying cause of disease. Over time, most MF patients stop type I JAK2 inhibitor therapy due to loss of response. The only cure remains allogeneic stem cell transplant however, less than 30% are eligible for this modality due to high risk of treatment related mortality and lack of donors.

About Cellenkos, Inc.

Cellenkos, Inc. is a clinicalstage biotechnology company developing allogeneic, offtheshelf, T regulatory (Treg) cell therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Tregs are key immune cells that resolve pathologic inflammation and maintain immune homeostasis; seminal work on Tregs was recognized with the 2025 Nobel Prize. Cellenkos' proprietary CRANE platform isolates highly suppressive, stable Tregs from allogeneic umbilical cord blood, providing several advantages:

No plasticity: Cord bloodderived Tregs remain stable suppressor cells without converting to proinflammatory phenotypes, even in hostile inflammatory environments

Tissue targeting: Expression of chemokine receptors such as CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR7, and LFA1 allows precise homing to inflamed tissues

Offtheshelf availability: No HLA matching or donor conditioning is required; cryopreserved products are readytouse for outpatient administration

Scalable manufacturing: A single cord blood unit can yield multiple therapeutic doses

Cellenkos operates an inhouse cGMP manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, overseeing the full value chain from process development through clinical supply.

For more information about Cellenkos, please visit www.cellenkosinc.com

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Cellenkos, Inc.
The Forced Air Warming Market grows as hospitals increasingly prioritize patient temperature management, surgical safety, and faster recovery outcomes. Rising surgical procedures, technological adoption, and hospital compliance drive demand. However, concerns over infection risks, regulatory scrutiny, and cost-sensitive healthcare systems restrain widespread adoption while industry players continue innovating advanced, safer warming technologies.

LEWES, Del., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Forced Air Warming Market Size projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.81% from 2025 to 2032, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 1,627.18 Million in 2025 and expected to reach USD 2,580.89 Million by the end of the forecast period.

For a detailed analysis of Industry Trends And Growth Drivers, Explore The Full Forced Air Warming Market.

Browse in-depth TOC

202 - Pages

126  Tables

37  Figures

Global Forced Air Warming Market Overview

Market Drivers:

Rising Surgical Volume and Increasing Focus on Patient Safety



The Forced Air Warming Market experiences strong growth as global surgical procedures continue to rise across hospitals and specialty centers. Healthcare providers increasingly prioritize patient safety, efficient temperature regulation, and prevention of perioperative hypothermia. Forced air warming systems support better surgical outcomes, reduce post-surgery complications, and improve clinical efficiency. With growing emphasis on quality care standards and compliance with global healthcare protocols, the demand curve strengthens, making this market attractive for B2B buyers, hospital procurement teams, and investors looking for actionable market insights and strategic purchasing opportunities.





The Forced Air Warming Market experiences strong growth as global surgical procedures continue to rise across hospitals and specialty centers. Healthcare providers increasingly prioritize patient safety, efficient temperature regulation, and prevention of perioperative hypothermia. Forced air warming systems support better surgical outcomes, reduce post-surgery complications, and improve clinical efficiency. With growing emphasis on quality care standards and compliance with global healthcare protocols, the demand curve strengthens, making this market attractive for B2B buyers, hospital procurement teams, and investors looking for actionable market insights and strategic purchasing opportunities. Technological Advancements and Adoption of Modern Warming Systems



Advancements in medical heating technologies significantly drive the Forced Air Warming Market as manufacturers invest in innovation, smarter temperature control systems, and safer warming methodologies. Hospitals increasingly upgrade from traditional warming methods to digitally controlled, energy-efficient, and patient-friendly forced air warming devices. Integration of smart sensors, infection control enhancements, user-friendly designs, and portability improves clinical acceptance. These advancements help healthcare organizations improve workflow efficiency, reduce operational risks, and enhance treatment outcomes. This creates strong revenue opportunities and encourages stakeholders to explore detailed reports, purchase market intelligence, and leverage data-driven decision-making.





Advancements in medical heating technologies significantly drive the Forced Air Warming Market as manufacturers invest in innovation, smarter temperature control systems, and safer warming methodologies. Hospitals increasingly upgrade from traditional warming methods to digitally controlled, energy-efficient, and patient-friendly forced air warming devices. Integration of smart sensors, infection control enhancements, user-friendly designs, and portability improves clinical acceptance. These advancements help healthcare organizations improve workflow efficiency, reduce operational risks, and enhance treatment outcomes. This creates strong revenue opportunities and encourages stakeholders to explore detailed reports, purchase market intelligence, and leverage data-driven decision-making. Growing Hospital Infrastructure and Better Access to Healthcare



Expanding hospital infrastructure, rapidly improving healthcare access, and rising investment in medical technology significantly boost the Forced Air Warming Market. Emerging economies build modern hospitals, improve surgical capabilities, and standardize patient safety protocols, creating strong adoption opportunities. Government funding, private hospital expansion, and increasing awareness regarding patient thermal management accelerate market penetration. With continuous hospital upgrades and healthcare modernization, demand for advanced perioperative care equipment rises. This trend attracts B2B healthcare suppliers, device manufacturers, and decision-makers who require premium market research reports, strategic insights, and competitive intelligence to capitalize on expanding market opportunities.

Market Restraints:

Infection Concerns and Regulatory Scrutiny Impact Market Confidence



The Forced Air Warming Market faces restraints due to rising concerns over potential infection risks associated with certain warming devices in sensitive surgical environments. Regulatory authorities closely evaluate safety performance, contamination risks, and air flow effects in operating rooms. Hospitals often reconsider purchasing decisions due to compliance pressure, clinical caution, and legal scrutiny. This restricts aggressive adoption in some regions and slows investment decisions. As regulatory frameworks tighten, manufacturers must demonstrate validated safety performance. This challenge makes strategic planning essential and increases the need for detailed market assessments, risk analysis, and trusted market research reports before procurement.

The Forced Air Warming Market faces restraints due to rising concerns over potential infection risks associated with certain warming devices in sensitive surgical environments. Regulatory authorities closely evaluate safety performance, contamination risks, and air flow effects in operating rooms. Hospitals often reconsider purchasing decisions due to compliance pressure, clinical caution, and legal scrutiny. This restricts aggressive adoption in some regions and slows investment decisions. As regulatory frameworks tighten, manufacturers must demonstrate validated safety performance. This challenge makes strategic planning essential and increases the need for detailed market assessments, risk analysis, and trusted market research reports before procurement. High Product Cost and Budget Constraints in Healthcare Facilities



High initial investment, maintenance costs, and replacement expenses create significant barriers for the Forced Air Warming Market, especially in cost-sensitive regions and small to mid-scale healthcare facilities. Hospitals with limited capital expenditure budgets often delay technology upgrades or prioritize essential life-support equipment over warming systems. Budget constraints, limited reimbursement policies, and financial burden in developing markets limit widespread adoption. These cost-related restraints challenge market expansion and require stakeholders to carefully analyze ROI, procurement feasibility, and purchasing strategies, increasing demand for reliable market data, price benchmarking insights, and strategic buying intelligence.





High initial investment, maintenance costs, and replacement expenses create significant barriers for the Forced Air Warming Market, especially in cost-sensitive regions and small to mid-scale healthcare facilities. Hospitals with limited capital expenditure budgets often delay technology upgrades or prioritize essential life-support equipment over warming systems. Budget constraints, limited reimbursement policies, and financial burden in developing markets limit widespread adoption. These cost-related restraints challenge market expansion and require stakeholders to carefully analyze ROI, procurement feasibility, and purchasing strategies, increasing demand for reliable market data, price benchmarking insights, and strategic buying intelligence. Availability of Alternative Warming Technologies Reduces Market Penetration



The availability of alternative patient warming solutions such as conductive warming systems, fluid warming devices, and advanced thermal blankets creates competitive pressure on the Forced Air Warming Market. Healthcare providers evaluate multiple technologies based on safety perception, operational efficiency, infection control standards, and long-term maintenance benefits. This diversification of options slows forced air warming system adoption in certain clinical environments. The presence of substitutes forces manufacturers to justify superiority, optimize pricing strategies, and deliver enhanced value propositions. This market restraint increases the importance of competitive analysis, strategic insights, and comprehensive market intelligence for informed purchasing decisions.

Download a free sample to access exclusive Insights, Data Charts, And Forecasts From The Forced Air Warming Market Sample Report.

Geographical Dominance: North America currently leads the Forced Air Warming Market owing to advanced hospital infrastructure, strong regulatory compliance, and high surgical volume across the U.S. and Canada. Europe follows with increasing adoption in the U.K., Germany, France, and Nordic countries driven by patient safety standards and perioperative care protocols. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific, led by China, India, Japan, and South Korea, emerges as the fastest-growing region due to expanding healthcare facilities, rising investments, and rapid surgical advancements. This regional dominance analysis highlights key investment zones and lucrative market opportunities for B2B stakeholders and market research buyers.

Key Players

The "Forced Air Warming Market" study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are 3M, Stryker, Medtronic, ICU Medical Inc., Gentherm, TSC Life, Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC, Augustine Surgical Inc., MOECK & MOECK GmbH, Infinium Medical Inc.

Forced Air Warming Market Segment Analysis

Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global market into Product Type, Application, End-Use, Distribution Channel, and Geography.

Forced Air Warming Market, by Product Type Full Body Warming Blanket Upper Body Warming Blanket Lower Body Warming Blanket Specialty Warming Product Blowers (Warming Units)

Forced Air Warming Market, by Application Preoperative Warming Intraoperative Warming Postoperative Warming

Forced Air Warming Market, by End-Use Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCS) Specialty Clinics Emergency Care Units

Forced Air Warming Market, by Distribution Channel Direct Sales Medical Device Distributors Online Medical Platforms

Forced Air Warming Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America



Forced Air Warming Market Strategic Insights:

The Forced Air Warming Market shows promising growth driven by rising surgical volumes, strong focus on patient safety, technological advancements, and expanding hospital infrastructure. However, infection concerns, regulatory scrutiny, and high product costs remain key restraints, while alternative warming solutions create competitive pressure.

North America leads, Europe sustains strong adoption, and Asia-Pacific delivers high-growth opportunities. Stakeholders should leverage market intelligence, competitive benchmarking, and strategic data to plan market entry, optimize investments, and capitalize on regional demand.

Healthcare investors, manufacturers, and procurement leaders can confidently buy market reports, request samples, and make data-driven purchasing decisions.

To gain complete access with Corporate Or Enterprise Licensing, Visit The Forced Air Warming Market.

Key Highlights of the Report:

Market Size & Forecast : In-depth analysis of current value and future projections

: In-depth analysis of current value and future projections Segment Analysis : Breaks down the market by Product Type, Application, End-Use, and Distribution Channel for focused strategy development.

: Breaks down the market by Product Type, Application, End-Use, and Distribution Channel for focused strategy development. Regional Insights : Comprehensive coverage of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and more

: Comprehensive coverage of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and more Competitive Landscape : Profiles key players, their strategic initiatives, and innovation-driven growth approaches.

: Profiles key players, their strategic initiatives, and innovation-driven growth approaches. Growth Drivers & Challenges : Analyzes the forces accelerating growth and the restraints hindering large-scale adoption.

: Analyzes the forces accelerating growth and the restraints hindering large-scale adoption. Challenges and Risk Assessment: Evaluates ethical debates, off-target effects, and regulatory complexities.

Why This Report Matters?

This report empowers B2B buyers, healthcare leaders, and market decision-makers with actionable insights, strategic intelligence, and data-backed forecasts. It supports purchasing decisions, investment planning, product development strategies, and competitive benchmarking while helping stakeholders identify growth opportunities in the global Forced Air Warming Market.

Who Should Read This Report?

1. Market Research Professionals

2. Medical Device Manufacturers

3. Healthcare Investors & Decision-Makers

4. Hospital Procurement Teams

5. Strategy & Business Development Leaders

6. Regulatory and Healthcare Policy Analysts

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While I have not been a fan of NPRs slanted covering of American society, let alone of the Middle East, I was so impressed when I heard, on my car radio, a segment about American education by reporter Emily Hanford that I read through the transcripts of the entire series from American Public Media. She uncovered how many school districts, with the blessing of administrators, teachers, and teachers unions, had been propagating the reading methods of certain educational publishing companies. They had been discouraging children from sounding out words, from looking at words and actually reading them, and urging them instead to guess the words based on context or conditioning or methods of cueing. Parents found that they had to themselves teach their children to read. Statistics revealed that 65% of all American fourth graders cannot read proficiently.

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The philosophy behind prohibiting phonics was, as Hanford effectively demonstrated, that getting meaning from the story is more important than getting the words right. But when meaning is set above sounding out and comprehending and reasoning, impressionable students are vulnerable to meaning as defined by those feeding them cues or to prevailing social and political catchwords.

An atmosphere is created in which phrases like No Justice, No Peace or Free Palestine become preferred and authoritative ways to look at an issue, an atmosphere in which masses of high school students sanctimoniously file out of classrooms to take up causes without questioning the slogans. Particularly egregious was the case of a Texas high school English teacher who wrote on the blackboard a month after Israel was attacked on October 7, 2023: "NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE/Justice 4 Palistine" (misspelling Palestine!), and then singled out the only Jewish student in the school, an Israeli.

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Hanfords excellent series on American reading education reminded me of a classic Talmudic commentary on the sin of the builders of the Tower of Babel, where the whole earth is described as being of one language and of one speech. (Genesis 11:1) Through midrash or deriving a lesson from drawing from the biblical language, the ancient Rabbis noted that in Hebrew, of one speech could also be read as speaking chosen words. Faced with the growing Nazi threat, the insightful preacher, Rabbi Israel H. Levinthal, observed of this interpretation in a 1937 sermon, Their speech was regulated for them. They could only speak the words selected for them, think the ideas prepared for them, read the things chosen for them. (A New World Is Born, 1943, p. 80)

Teaching students to read and think for themselves would entail questioning the catchwords on the Texas high school blackboard and in all high school and college school protests.

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For many years, a Columbus, Ohio textbook publisher, the Charles E. Merrill Co., specialized in phonics and reading, among other subjects. I learned of these texts from my mother, Sylvia Gertel, of blessed memory, who saved them from her teaching days, and was a strong advocate of phonics and rhymed poetry (which encourages sounding out words) in education. Merrills classic series, Phonics Skilltext featured clever and engaging poetry that taught children how to think, how to explore the unexpected and even the ironic, with thoughtful wordplay as in the clever old rhyme:

The Man in the Moon, as he sails the sky, Advertisement Is a very remarkable skipper; But he made a mistake when he tried to take Advertisement A drink of milk from the Dipper. He dipped into the Milky Way, Advertisement And slowly and carefully filled it; The Big Bear growled; the Little Bear howled, And scared him so that he spilled it.

Such poems foster the imagination and thinking outside the box.

Public education ought to take a phonics approach -- sounding out the soundness of ideas and narratives -- not only to reading, but to social, political, and international issues, especially when it comes to the trite catchwords and slogans of social justice.

Consider the phrase: No Justice, No Peace. Why not ponder the observation of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel, who characterized the Jewish-Arab conflict as a clash of rights for which a solution could be found only on the lines of least injustice and where no perfect justice was possible. Or the suggestion of Dore Gold, that peace must be based on security, because intentions can change so easily. Most recently Yuval Noah Harari told Piers Morgan: If you have to choose between justice and peace, choose peace. Every peace treaty in the history of the world was based on compromise. We need some level of justice, of course, but there is never a possibility of absolute justice. If you pursue absolute justice you will only perpetuate war indefinitely.

Consider, also, the phrase, Free Palestine (aside from its encouragement of violent destruction of the only Jewish State). For the sake of debate and truth, classroom discussions might take up the possibility that Palestine was liberated by Zionism, which led to breaking the chokehold of Egypt and Jordan over Arabs in that region. In 1948 those Arab countries tried to destroy the new State of Israel in order to maintain hegemony over Palestinian Arabs who, according to Frank Gervasi (To Whom Palestine?) had immigrated there in large numbers because of the strides Jewish immigrants were making in agriculture, medicine, and early childhood education.

Ironically, there might not have been a movement for Palestinian Arab identity had there not been strong response to the Jewish nationalism movement. Without the U.N. carving out a place for Israel and for an Arab state, Palestinian Arabs would have continued to be abandoned to Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian domination, as under the earlier Ottoman Empire feudal system.

Also, without resentment of Israel, the perniciousness of the settler colonialism ideology/academic industry might not have come under scrutiny until it was too late.

K-12 teachers (and college professors, for that matter) should read Adam Kirschs short, concise well-written and brilliantly argued volume, On Settler Colonialism: Ideology, Violence and Justice, if they care about intellectual honesty and dont want to incite hatred and violence. Kirschs small, readable book is a perfect example of the kind of critical, out-of-the-box creative thinking that educators should be cultivating. He scrutinizes settler colonialism ideologies and their motives for depicting Israel as a country of evil, as well as the damage that they have already done to American life and thought and, indeed, around the world. The Free Palestine from the River to the Sea and Justice For Palestine slogans do not come from nowhere, and they will get us nowhere in the pursuit of national or international bonding and cooperation.

Before the Jewish State, Arab nations refused to recognize both Palestinian Jewish and Arab claims on the region. Efraim Karsh notes that had Israel lost its War of Independence in 1948, its territory would not have been handed over to the [Arabs in Palestine] but rather divided among the invading forces, for the simple reason that none of the Arab regimes viewed the Palestinians as a distinct nation. Perhaps the clearest sign of this was that neither Egypt nor Jordan allowed Palestinian self-determination in the parts of Palestine they conquered during the 1948 war [against Israel]: respectively, Gaza and the West Bank.

Michael Widlanski has reviewed the full extent of the decades-long Egyptian chokehold on Gaza, which included blocking Israels efforts to help Gazans build housing and spurring fedayeen terrorist raids against Israel.

Without the Jewish State, the Palestinian Arabs might never have had, to this very day, a prayer of any sort of self-determination. If K-12 teachers do not consider these facts, they are not providing an education and will continue to mark their chalkboards with misleading, meaningless, and cruel catchwords, cliches, and slogans. Spouting No Justice, No Peace in the schools and walking out of the classroom instead of exploring and debating issues, will result in neither justice nor peace.

Image: Lorie Shaull
In the last couple of weeks, weve learned that Somalis have been ripping off Uncle Sam to the tune of billions of dollars. Estimates range as high as $9 billion. Even with Sam sporting a $38 trillion debt, $9 billion isnt chump change. The nation has a long history of government fraud and graft. Corruption at every level has been as routine as swiping votes, but those billions look like a Guinness World Records record, suffering fellow taxpayers.

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The epicenter of that fraud is progressive Minnesota, though new allegations are surfacing in blue Columbus, Ohio. The nations second largest Somali community resides there. Deep blue Washington State is up next. Somalis there might be indulging in theft by deception. Citizen journalists are investigating a slew of other states as well.

Fraudulent schemes arent directly targeting our leviathan national government. No, its federally-funded state-level government programs that are being fleeced. Programs like child nutrition, housing, and autism therapy.

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The scandal is pressuring Minnesotas fully woke, fully DEI governor Tim Walz to drop his reelection bid. Walz, along with a bevy of state officials, including the fully BLM attorney general Keith Ellison and that laughingstock lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan, who, around Christmas, wore a hijab to a Somali market in a show of solidarity with a community wherein massive fraud is being perpetrated, are either ideologically blinded gross incompetents or -- dare we say -- culpable in some way, which doesnt exclude incompetence but means it isnt the distinguishing characteristic.

Not forgotten, Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey, who, like Walz and Flanagan, never misses a chance to plant big, wet kisses on Somali voters rears. Frey has even fumbled through public utterances in the Somali language. Thats akin to the black patois that white Democrats employ when condescending to black audiences. Regardless, Frey and his crack team of city officials should have sniffed out something bad cookin in Minneapolis Somali precincts.

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Culpability may be as simple as having turned a blind eye as a favored constituency put its showcase skill to work: piracy, perfected over decades in the waters off the Horn of Africa.

Democrats trademarked the spoils system, from which flow legal and not-so-legal takings. Not that Democrats have exclusive rights to spoils schemes. Republicans have dipped snouts in those troughs. But Andy Jackson made spoils a core function of what some term The Democracy -- or what we plebes call the Democrat Party.

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Ilhan Omars pirate constituents prove that while you can take Somalis out of their wretched homeland, you wont necessarily take the thieving tribesman out of Somalis. Old ways die hard, if at all. By the way, how did Omar become so very rich?

Culpability may well involve Democrat criminality. Thats kickbacks and skimming. Trumps DoJ just charged 98 Somalis with fraud in Minnesota. Investigations are ongoing. Evidence of Democrat wrongdoing hasnt surfaced yet, but billions of dollars are serious dinero. You have to wonder how many palms were greased to keep state officials and law enforcement doing the old Sergeant Schultz routine -- I know nothing!

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Somali immigrant corruption is highlighted here to address a bigger problem, a problem that has bedeviled the nation since its inception. Government, whatever the level, is prone to be ripped off. Whether thats stick pens and paperclips -- are those requisitioned anymore? -- or funds for education and nutrition programs, sticky fingers and scams abound. Politicians come and go, but corruption abides.

To keep their jobs, most pols resort to buying votes. Most vote-buying schemes are done through legislation and the appropriations process. Call that legal theft. Election fraud is part of the mix, and that costs. As with any spoils system, political appointments and government jobs are doled out, but those dont spread the love widely enough.

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Some pols have -- shall we say -- elastic definitions of the law. If persons within a critical voting bloc -- say, Somalis -- want to help themselves to taxpayer dollars, then a little thievery is okay. After all, in Minnesotas case, much of the money lifted was federal, meaning that taxpayer losses were distributed across the Union. Minnesota taxpayers were only on the hook for a portion of the costs. A wee price was paid by Minnesotans for social justice and keeping Democrats in power, right?

Historically, political machines -- most of which dominated cities -- promoted thievery. Graft was rife and served as payment for machine bosses doling out favors and bucks.

The most notoriously corrupt political machine was Tammany Hall, run by the infamous Boss Tweed. The History Collection has this to say about Tweeds enterprising use of government:

William Magear Tweed was the leader -- called the Grand Sachem -- of Tammany Hall from 1858 to 1871. It has been estimated that throughout the course of his political career he used machine politics to steal up to $200 million from the taxpayers of New York. Through the use of what became known as the Tweed Ring he placed friends in elected positions in the city, including the office of City Recorder, the New York County District Attorney, and the City Comptroller.

Another example is the Pendergast Machine, led by Tom Pendergast, who chaired the Jackson County, Missouri Democrat Party and ran politics in Kansas City from the 1920s through the late 1930s. Pendergast was no less corrupt than Tweed. He gave a big boost to a future presidents career: Harry Truman.

A final example  on the GOP side of the ledger  is George Cox, who was chairman of the Hamilton County, Ohio Republican Party. He controlled Cincinnati at the dawn of the 20th century. History Collection reports:

Cox routinely paid voters from nearby Indiana and Kentucky to vote illegally in Cincinnati elections, and sought support from Democrats by appointing 40% of city jobs to members of that party, for which he required a kickback of a portion of their salary to the Republican Committee. The money thus raised was used to pay for the illegal votes when needed.

The takeaway is that however outrageous the corruption, before the progressive era, and certainly before the New Deal, it was contained in the states. There was limited federal liability because Washington wasnt shoveling hundreds of billions of dollars annually to state and local governments for a zillion different programs. Somalis -- or, back then, a bunch of shifty Swedes -- fleecing Minnesota government meant that liability was borne nearly exclusively by Minnesotans. Floridians, Nebraskans, Oregonians, and so on were off the hook. A clearly defined federal system with limited national government kept state and local corruption from metastasizing nationally.

Back in the day, federal corruption happened, too, and that was a national problem, but it typically didnt entail the scope and scale that occurs in the modern era. The Civil War was an exception. But generally, national government simply wasnt that big and didnt do that much. The magnitude of damage was less.

The progressive era and the New Deal shattered the American compact. Federalism was trampled in many aspects. Overreach by Uncle Sam became the norm. Old-time conservatives were hooted at for warning about big governments pitfalls, corruption included. Today, those conservatives are largely forgotten.

Human nature being human nature, theres no foolproof system that stops government corruption. Yet, what would the Founders propose to reduce corruptions impact? How about downsizing national government and reinvigorating federalism, for starters? A daunting challenge, indeed, given that politicians and an array of voting blocs and special interests profit handsomely from big government.

Perhaps a Convention of States is in order? Perhaps better aligning the nation with its original compact would make corruption more commonly a problem in parts, not the whole?

Perhaps, then, Minnesotans would own their state governments corruption? Without Uncle Sams interference and checks, they most definitely would.

J. Robert Smith can be found at X. His handle is @JRobertSmith1. At Gab, @JRobertSmith. He blogs occasionally at Flyover .

Image: Pixabay
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For about a decade, Richard Baris has built a reputation as someone conservatives feel that they can trust.

Known to many as the Peoples Pundit, Baris positions himself as a no-nonsense pollster. Beyond doubt, he operates in an industry Republicans have long believed is stacked against them. Baris runs Big Data Poll (BDP), having launched the Peoples Pundit Daily (PPD) Election Projection Model in 2014. He serves as editor and senior analyst at PPD, a Florida-based outlet focused on polling transparency and data-driven journalism.

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He hosts a livestream, appears frequently on populist conservative media, and speaks fluently to grassroots frustration with elite institutions.

The trust that Baris generates did not emerge in a vacuum. Conservatives have real reasons to doubt the polling establishment. In 2016 and 2020, national and state polls consistently underestimated Donald Trumps support, with an average Democratic bias of roughly three points in 2016 and more than four points in 2020.

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Those misses were not trivial. Analysts attributed them to partisan nonresponse bias, declining trust among Republican voters, and chronic difficulty reaching rural and non-college-educated respondents.

The problem did not disappear in 2024. Pre-election polling again understated Trumps performance by about three points nationally and two-to-three points in swing states, marking the third consecutive presidential cycle with a blue skew.

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For conservatives, this pattern justifiably hardened suspicion into conviction. Polling was not just flawed. It was hostile. Many Republicans came to believe legacy media intentionally sponsored surveys which systematically oversampled Democratic-leaning voters. Meanwhile, the people who actually decide elections were missed, for the sake of a blue election season narrative.

Baris, by all appearances, understands that anger and speaks directly to it.

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BDP brands itself as the New Gold Standard in Survey Research, touting multiple mixed-mode methods designed to reach voters other polling firms missed. During the 2020 cycle, BDP was prominently mentioned alongside firms like Trafalgar and Susquehanna as having come closer to actual results than many legacy pollsters.

That reputation lingered into 2024, when Baris and his company were cited among pollsters that performed relatively well in predicting outcomes, including Trumps popular vote win.

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But reputation is not the same as record. When measured strictly on performance, BDPs standing looks far more modest.

In ActiVotes 2024 Most Valuable Pollster rankings, which evaluated accuracy and volume solely within that election cycle, BDP placed 28th overall. Several legacy pollsters outperformed it, including Emerson College, Siena College in partnership with The New York Times, Monmouth University, and Marist College. AtlasIntel dominated the field, while firms like InsiderAdvantage, Trafalgar, and Quantus also ranked higher.

More troubling, BDP was graded an F from FiveThirtyEight (538), which excluded the firm entirely from its polling averages and forecasting models. That grade was tied not simply to accuracy but to concerns about methodological transparency and adherence to industry standards. Therefore, BDP was functionally invisible within the most widely used polling aggregator in American politics.

Although 538 closed last year, its concerns about BDP became court record during Kari Lakes contest of the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election results. Baris testified that Election Day issues in Maricopa County disenfranchised between 25,000 and 40,000 Republican voters. Under cross-examination, his analysis was criticized for relying on speculative inferences drawn from a small sample of roughly 813 respondents.

Judge Peter Thompson ultimately rejected Baris testimony as insufficient, emphasizing that elections are decided by counted votes, not polling estimates, and dismissed Lakes challenge.

Still, Baris has retained influence because he speaks to something real. He appears frequently on Steve Bannons War Room, framing polling through a populist lens hostile to donors and party insiders. He often streams with prominent influencers on Rumble, including Alex Jones. They discuss elections, politicians, and anti-establishment points.

In a rapidly changing digital media environment, saturated with viewer distrust, an ironclad populist persona arguably matters more than irrefutable math.

Unfortunately, MAGA populism began to fracture in the summer of 2025, when Donald Trumps coalition split bitterly over foreign policy. This was after the United States joined Israel in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. What followed was not a policy debate but a cascading internal conflict marked by purity tests, personal feuds, and escalating rhetoric, amplified by clout-chasing online influencers. That December, Turning Point USAs AmericaFest turned into an open airing of grievances among movement personalities.

During this period, Baris commentary grew unsettling.

He warned of catastrophic Republican collapse in this Novembers midterms, claiming that the Trump coalition was being lost and that Republicans would be utterly destroyed. He described GOP leadership as incompetent and forecast a decade-long loss of power. He furthermore declared that Republicans are the low propensity party ... the very voters everyone is now dismissing are the ones they can never get to vote without Trump on the ballot.

Interestingly enough, late 2025 polling showed a competitive environment, not a blue wave.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll in December found Democrats and Republicans essentially tied on the generic congressional ballot at 40 percent to 39 percent. Emerson College recorded a two-point Democratic edge with a large share of undecided voters. McLaughlin & Associates determined Republicans were virtually tied with Democrats, a relatively strong showing for the GOP.

As his election analyses veered into doomsaying, Baris rhetoric on Israel and Jews became outright alarming.

He accused pro-Israel voices of creating antisemitism through overreach in fighting it.

During an X disagreement with Mark Levin, Baris called him a hateful Jewish Supremacist, telling Levin to go home, because if Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday, is not sacrosanct to you or enough to give this b------t a rest, then go home. Baris then referred to him as a Foreign agent f----r, adding: Go home, you fat slob.

There are other statements that could be raised, but the point surely has been made.

Unsurprisingly, Baris asserts that Israel is a liability for Republicans. Yet the numbers tell a different story.

In October, Pew Research found that 67 percent of Republicans viewed the Israeli people favorably and 55 percent viewed the Israeli government positively. Quinnipiac polling after the June strikes showed 81 percent of Republicans approving of U.S. action against Iran. Gallup found 71 percent of Republicans approving of Israels military conduct in Gaza.

Needless to say, Baris perspective places him far outside the Republican electorate he purports to know so much about.

The tragedy of his descent, arguably into some form of political madness, is not just personal.

Richard Baris was once a useful analyst. Unquestionably, he helped conservatives question bad data and demand better methods. Nonetheless, in my pure opinion, the combination of an unremarkable 2024 performance record, disturbing longer-term credibility issues, and increasingly bizarre fixations have rendered Baris analyses unreliable.

This comes at the very moment Republicans need clarity.

Polling remains highly imperfect. Distrust of legacy institutions is still merited. But discernment matters. The MAGA media clash has separated wheat from chaff, revealing how quickly grievance can eclipse judgment, particularly among authoritative media figures. From my perspective, BDP no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt, and neither do comments apparently shaped more by blinding rage than empirical reality.

In this pivotal midterm cycle, Republicans must be careful whose words they treat as truth. Especially when those words come from someone who seems to be on their side.

Dr. Joseph Ford Cotto is the creator, host, and producer of News Sight, delivering sharp insights on the key events that shape our lives. He publishes Dr. Cotto's Digest, sharing how business and the economy really impact us all. During the 2024 presidential race, he developed the Five-Point Forecast, which accurately predicted Donald Trumps national victory and correctly called every swing state. Cotto holds a doctorate in business administration and is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Black Belt.

Image: Pixabay, via Picryl // CCO 1.0 Universal Public Domain
The chaos in American conservatism has become a crucible, testing and potentially reshaping its core principles. Its a battle for the soul of the next generationone that pits traditional Judeo-Christian values against a rising tide of isolationism and increasingly unveiled antisemitism.

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Christian Zionist advocate Eden VerBatin, who describes herself as a gentile raised in Israel, recently shared compelling insights in an interview on the Tinashe Peter YouTube channel. Rising conservative star Tinashea self-described Christian Zionistbegan by asking Eden one simple question: What was her experience like at TPUSAs Student Action Summit before Charlie Kirks death, compared to AmericaFest (AmFest) 2025 after his murder?

Edens answers were thought-provoking: So, at SAS, the Student Action Summit, we were just learning that the internet trolls are more than just internet trolls. Theyre actual people with actual beliefs that we are vehemently against. And we werent prepared to address that. Later, at AmFest, Eden said she felt like people who held our views had become more equipped and ready to give an account for their beliefs.

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Eden explained that in the interim, between the two events, she had worked with an organization called Generation Zion. There, they ran through debate questions in a kind of pre-boot camp scenario. The sessions included a mix of college students from diverse backgrounds, allowing participants to practice defending their positions.

At AmFest, she said they had defended themselves well. I feel like the Groypers walked away feeling like the movement of Amfest, the movement of Charlie Kirkthe legacy was on our side, not theirs. And that they were the ones who needed to fight for a place for their voices to be heard

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Earlier Turning Point events like the Student Action Summit had caught pro-Israel advocates off guard when confronted by Groypersa fringe group associated with Nick Fuentes. Groypers cloak deeper anti-Jewish animosity in America First rhetoric, deploying familiar debate rhetoric such as complaints about U.S. aid to Israel or selective historical grievances like the USS Liberty incident.

But by AmFest 2025, equipped young activists were ready to push back against the canned narratives. Generation Zions pre-event boot camps united Jewish and Christian students, arming them with facts to counter the attacks.

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I think they were intimidated, Eden observed, and they realized that the arguments they've been using only work on a computer screenor a digital screen where nobody else can actually challenge them

Growing up Christian in Israel, Eden experienced harmonyplaying with Jewish neighbors, feeling safer than in many Western cities, debunking apartheid myths with everyday realities like diverse neighborhoods and thriving Christian sites. There, biblical Zionism flourished openly.

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Challenging favorite Groyper narratives about the persecution of Christians in Israel, Eden said,

The first church you see when you walk into the old city is an ancient Anglican church that is Zionist, [it is] loved and respected by the Muslims, the Arabs, the Israelis, the Jews in the community. And to basically act like Christians are persecuted to a higher level in Jerusalem is just factually incorrect and ideologically motivated. Advertisement

Yet thanks to narratives like this, the broader MAGA movement and conservative youth are imploding over divisions regarding U.S. support for Israelparticularly its financial and military aidand rising antisemitic rhetoric within their ranks. Framed by some as a clash between America First priorities and Zionism, the growing divide spotlights how key figures like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson have escalated anti-Israel rhetoricoften veering into overt antisemitism, per their many critics online.

Polls reveal Owens, Carlson, Fuentes, and others are causing cracks: younger Republicans are increasingly skeptical of the Jewish state, with some viewing Islam as less threatening and aid to Israel as burdensome. Tucker Carlson straw-manned pro-Israel arguments at AmFest, downplaying threats to Israel while amplifying collective punishment tropes (i.e., accusing Israel of illegally punishing Gazas entire population for Hamass actions, rather than engaging with arguments about wartime necessity, proportionality, or Hamas's responsibility).

Figures like Steve Bannon accused allies of being part of the Israel First crowd who want to put that ahead of Americas interests, fueling infighting. Vice President JD Vance accused conservatives of canceling each other, and although he didnt name names, it was clear his remarks were directed at conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. VP Vance publicly chose sides, even though the country has decided to quietly ignore it like a belch let loose at a fashionable soiree.

Depending on which side youre on, Ben Shapiro either delivered one of the greatest speeches ever given within the conservative movement (Tinashe called it the Big Ben moment), or he rallied against free speech and diverse views.

Edens friend did a random poll immediately after the event, asking people Ben or Tucker? Tucker won out.

What was the reasoning behind that? Tinashe asked, looking surprised.

I think theres a few things  remember its all age demographics, Eden said. Youve got these 40-, 50-year-old ladies who still remember Fox NewsTucker in a bow tie  and same thing with Megan Kelly, you know, they still remember these figures. I dont think they are on board or know about Conspiracy Tucker  you know, Islam-loving Tucker  theyre [just] happy to see him  Theyre endeared to him from their past. Eden believes that familiarity factor, combined with younger Groyper opinions, manifested in skewed poll results.

Sitting at the same table with comedian Ami Kozak, Eden said they agreed that the energy in the room was more for Ben. People walked out for Tucker  and Ben got more cheers, she said.

Yet when all was said and done, attendees concluded that radical Islam was the greatest threat facing America. Eden said that didnt jibe with Tucker winning in the informal poll. So, its a little confusing  That doesnt really align with the idea that everybody is pro Tucker. She stuck by her hypothesis that older attendees are being swayed by happy memories of cable news celebrities.

Ultimately, Eden said the onus fell on each individual American to study truth and prioritize God over personalities. Dont follow personalities above principle, she warned.

Tinashe Peter creates amazing conservative content. He will be continuing his discussions with Eden VerBatin, as she shares unique insights into her life growing up Christian in Israel. You can follow his channel here.

Susan D. Harris can be reached at www.susandharris.com

Image: Public domain.
Free markets are Natures way of satisfying both buyers and sellers. Artificial economics happens when politicians and bureaucrats screw around with this process in order to initiate behavior that would not normally happen. A glaring example of this is just now happening as the coerced taxpayer subsidy for the purchase of electric vehicles is expiring. As a result, dealers and manufacturers are becoming swamped with unsellable inventory. Hence, a textbook example of a major flaw of artificial economics: when an activity depends on government sponsorship, political winds can change -- leading to the end of business as usual -- as compared to market-driven profitability sustaining the enterprise through many changes.

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This problem is mostly the result of the lack of understanding of markets and applicable logic on behalf of some members of the general public and the political establishments eagerness to exploit it. A common example: Here in Northern California is a large, stock-traded utility called Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). It is one of several corporate utilities in the U.S. also known as regulated monopolies. Whenever something goes wrong, such as a fire resulting from shorting wires, theres a hue and cry demanding that the customers (i.e. ratepayers) not be burdened with the expense of fixing the damage. The utility should handle it on their own. (Ahem.) Unlike the government, businesses cannot print their own money. Their only source of funds comes from their customers.

After a recent major power outage in San Francisco, various calls have been heard for the city to take over the operation of the electrical grid, as if craven politicians and unaccountable bureaucrats have some special knack for this task. Dummkopfs in the media have referred to such already being the case in Los Angeles, where the entire city is serviced by the city-owned Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Historically, the LADWP was the first to bring electricity in a large scale to LA as a hydroelectric biproduct of its aqueduct that brought water down to the city from the eastern Sierras.

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A vivid demonstration of the persistent belief in artificial market forces has to do with rent control. Housing is, next to food and water, the most essential necessity a person can have. Though mostly made of wood, houses do not grow on trees. Over time, residential structures have gotten more and more expensive to build. And the vacant dirt on which they can be built has become harder and harder to find, since no one is making any more of it. Supply and demand are normally in control of this situation except when a significant portion of the population is made up of renters rather than owners. I saw the change happen where I live, when the renter population expanded to the point where rent control was finally voted in, after previously failing at the ballot box. What ironically remains a fairly durable statistic is that, in the United States, about 65% of households are still owner occupied.

The local push for rent control first began in the Peoples Republic of Berkeley. The consequences were just what a logical person would expect: As student renters graduated and found lucrative employment, they got married and moved to the suburbs -- while still holding onto their inexpensive, rent-controlled apartments, which were used for storage until some decided to use them to house their difficult teen-age children. Meanwhile, the new incoming university students had to live farther and farther away from campus where they could find housing they could afford. Bottom line: Excessively favorable pro-tenant/anti-landlord local statutes scare away investors, ultimately causing an avoidable shortage of affordable housing along with a noticeable decline in the upkeep of that which remains. Ultimately a court ruling imposed vacancy decontrol and the situation was made somewhat less out of whack.

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A particularly egregious example of politicians imposing artificiality on what could otherwise be natural, market-driven economics is minimum wage. Yes, there really is a market for workers, controlled, again, by supply and demand. Artificially raising the cost of inexperienced entry-level workers makes it much harder for them to actually enter the workforce. Some jurisdictions do offer training wages as an exception to the mandated minimums, but thats the exception rather than the rule. Thomas Sowell has written that minimum wage was originally promoted by organized labor, since they didnt like the black folks who were willing to work for much less than their own white, dues-paying members.

And now we come to a long-time pet project of the demagogic Left: Reparations. How better to capture the votes of a specific ethnic group than to advocate for them, and them alone, to be given oodles of someone elses money? The justification for such an imposed wealth transfer is beyond specious. The Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery or involuntary servitude was ratified shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865.

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Demographers often assign twenty years to the time frame of a generation, but Ill be conservative and make it thirty years. Lets see so 160 years divided by 30 equals five generations plus a fraction. After all this time, the descendants of the freed slaves are still supposed to be suffering from the stigma from which they were emancipated by a war resulting in the deaths of over 360,000 Union soldiers?

The statistical income disparity and crime susceptibility of this population is real, but it can hardly be the result of a lack of compensation for the treatment of long-lost ancestors. In the years since emancipation, millions of penniless immigrants, many from eastern Europe, have joined the American population and have ultimately prospered. And there are also many solid middleclass descendants of emancipated slaves who have no need for reparations, and some of them are my neighbors. Though, as Milton Friedman famously said: If someone offers you free money, youre a fool if you dont take it. Nonetheless, race hustling demagogues of the Left are habituated to these tactics.

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Image: Steve Depolo
The new year begins with a geopolitical thunderclap. With the arrest of Venezuela's dictator Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. positions itself as a decisive player in the global energy market. This move has far-reaching consequences for the balance of power.

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Peering through the dense fog of leftist crocodile tears following the arrest of Venezuela's dictator Nicolas Maduro, one can conclude: the U.S., with its intervention in Venezuela, has removed a key piece from the geopolitical chessboard.

This step marks a turning point in a conflict that has long transcended regional boundaries, revealing the tectonic tensions of the international order.

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The Caracas Breakpoint

Everything that can be said about Nicolas Maduro has essentially been said. A communist dictator, an individual who pursued his policies through systematic human rights suppression -- in the name and interest of his allies. Whether it was Chinas energy hunger or functioning as South Americas resource hub, which for years primarily operated on Beijings behalf.

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Since the mid-2000s, there has also been military cooperation between Irans mullah regime and Venezuela, with Iran primarily supplying the Mohajer-series drones, later continued in Venezuela as the ANSU-series. These drones were assembled, maintained, and partly armed in Venezuela, militarily supporting the Caracas regime. Deepened relations with Russia, China, and Iran are now history.

Accordingly, the saber-rattling from China and Russia in response to the U.S. military strike was sharp in the media. Europe, by contrast, once again appeared uncertain, hesitant, and divided in its assessment of the military intervention. Yet the night of January 2-3 marks a turning point. It was an impactful blow -- not just against Caracas, but against all opponents of the new American policy line.

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This policy line essentially revives the Monroe Doctrine. President Trump made this unmistakably clear at a press conference, stating that now everyone must understand that foreign influence in the United States backyard ends here.

In Colombia and Cuba, the unmistakable subtext is that relevant actors should start packing their bags.

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The era of happily financing clandestine intelligence operations with drug money and trading with China in open hostility to the U.S. ends with this administration. And one should not forget: the trail of drug money regularly leads to Europe.

At this point, we can only speculate, but it is not unlikely that intelligence activities of the Five Eyes, including funding leftist radical structures and mobs in the U.S. -- from Black Lives Matter to the No-Kings demonstrations -- were at least partially fueled by these money flows.

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That the link between intelligence agencies and drug money is no mere speculation is clear to those familiar with the Iran-Contra affair, the CIA, and funding of Contra rebels in Nicaragua in the 1980s.

And no one disputes the deep entanglement of the Maduro regime with activities of the drug cartel Cartel de los Soles, which involves high-ranking Venezuelan military and other government members.

The U.S. is in the midst of a defensive struggle against what one might call a Color Revolution, against which the new administration is vigorously countering, including through the dismantling of the NGO complex around USAID.

The Next Geopolitical Move of the U.S.

With the return of American energy corporations like Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips to previously annulled Venezuelan production contracts, the U.S. gains a decisive new space on the geopolitical chessboard.

Venezuela possesses massive oil reserves of over 300 billion barrels -- difficult to extract, difficult to refine, but strategically invaluable. With U.S. companies re-entering production, the U.S. gains practical control over the flow of this crude. Exports to China, in particular, come under U.S. oversight.

China was at times Venezuelas largest oil customer. For Washington, this now provides an additional lever: it could slow the subsidy machine of the Chinese export sector to give its own industry breathing space, and it creates leverage to push Beijing toward concessions in ongoing disputes, such as over microchips and rare earths.

Meanwhile, Gulf Coast refineries in the U.S., specifically configured to process heavy crude from Venezuela and Canada, can once again be supplied from the south. Another geopolitical opponent, hostile to the U.S., is now partially forced to retreat.

Canada, which recently openly sided with the EU Commission -- on sanctioning U.S. tech companies, censorship policy, and increasingly in the Ukraine war against U.S. interests -- will need to find new buyers for its heavy crude.

For the Canadian government of Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of England, this could be problematic. His globalist ideological project, a direct inheritance from predecessor Justin Trudeau, loses further economic and political traction.

Not to be forgotten: along its northern border, the U.S. faces an ideological counterweight. With the reorganization of energy flows, this actor is now gradually being squeezed.

Europe at a crossroads

The new year has begun with a bang, and critical weeks and months lie ahead, in which the players on this power field are forced to make moves. While the U.S., with a single step, has removed or neutralized multiple pieces from the board, Europe faces a different situation.

Here, the alliance of Brussels, London, Berlin, and Paris continues to try to solve its resource problems through escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Hovering over all of this is the hope, expressed by EU foreign affairs representative Kaja Kallas on behalf of the alliance, to weaken the Russian state through military success -- and, by inference, gain influence over the massive resource complex.

A reminder: Europe has no significant domestic raw materials, is around 60 percent net energy importer, and now finds itself largely exposed as major players -- the U.S. and China -- gradually make their moves and wield powerful levers over the resource complex.

It is time to decide. Either Europe continues down the path of climate-socialist destruction toward the inevitable collapse of the European Union, or it accepts the strategic leadership of the U.S., follows Washingtons rules -- which essentially imply dismantling the censorship apparatus and the climate-socialist control complex -- and returns to a Europe of regions: a promising concept based on competitive free-market principles and preservation of regional cultural traditions.

Image: Donald Trump Truth Social
Some of you may have noticed that I was absent for a few days. Thats because I left the comfort of the Southeast to head to Los Angelesor, more precisely, the San Fernando Valleyfor a family wedding. The wedding was wonderful, but I want to talk about the Valley, which gave me hope for Californias future.

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For those unfamiliar with the San Fernando Valley, its a vast geographic region north of Los Angeles's core. Youll know some of the things associated with it: Warner Brothers and Disney both have their studios there, and the Universal Studios theme park is in the Valley too. The communities encompassed in the Valley include Burbank, Glendale, Canoga Park, North Hollywood, Northridge (like the 1994 Northridge earthquake), Sherman Oaks, Tarzana (named after Tarzan because it was centered on a ranch once owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzans creator), and Van Nuys.

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Image created using AI.

The Valley is the epitome of urban sprawl, with over 1.8 million residents. It goes on and on and on, shading from one neighborhood into another, all of which look the same to the unenlightened eye. While there are huge apartment blocks, there are also zillions of small homes, many dating back to the 1930s, on teeny lots. There are also endless streets, most notably Ventura Boulevard, that are nothing but commercial concerns.

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It could be depressing. It could be everything that Europeans like to sneer about when they think of America.

Except it isnt.

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The San Fernando Valley is incredibly vital. While we hear about Los Angeless breakdownthe mismanagement, the homeless people, the fires and floodsand while many of the unincorporated neighborhoods I listed above are part of Mayor Karen Basss reign of errors, the valley seems to rise above that mess.

No matter which streets we drove down (GPS never takes you the same way twice, so you see a lot of different streets), most homes were reasonably well-tended, and many went above and beyond.

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It was also easy to see that the communities are wildly heterogeneous. Our (extremely nice) Airbnb was in a very Jewish area, but it was obvious that Asians, Hispanics, Jews, Christians, and people without easily determinable religions and races were living in close proximity, cheek by jowl.

The shopping streets speak to the vitality of a free market economy, no matter how hard the California Democrats try to stifle it. And whats remarkable about the Valley is that this isnt a chain-store economy, with giant corporations owning most of the stores and restaurants. Sure, there were the usual big stores, whether drug stores, clothing stores, grocery stores, or restaurant chains, but most of the places we saw were local, whether they were a single store or a local franchise.

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If you live in the Valley, you can get anything you need with just a ten-minute drive, and therell be parking, too.

And the restaurants! Oh, my gosh! The restaurants. Since we were going to family events, we didnt eat out much, but my mouth watered driving down every street. Name a type of cuisine, and there are multiple restaurants offering just that cuisine, no matter the country of origin or style of cooking.

I want to give a special shoutout to the In-N-Out Burger at 19920 Ventura Boulevard. My kids and I rendezvoused quite late at LAX, so by the time we got to the Valley, it was after ten on New Years Eve. We were desperately hungry, and the kids, native Californians who no longer live in California, were craving some In-N-Out.

When we got there, the drive-through line stretched down the block, but it still seemed like the fastest optionand it was.

At the order box, we gave a complicated order, because everyone (of course) wanted to personalize the menu, which is an In-N-Out thing. The young man taking the order didnt miss a beat, getting every detail right.

The amazing thing, though, was to pull up to the small structure in which six people, all clearly around 25 or even younger and representing a variety of different racial origins, were working like gangbusterson New Years Evehandling what must have been hundreds of orders. They were organized, efficient, cleanly attired (despite a burger shops greasy environment), cheerful, and manifestly enjoying each others company. It was controlled chaos and really spoke to the best of who Americans are. And of course, because it was In-N-Out, it was delicious.

Finally, I want to say a brief word about the wedding. The bride and groom, although not very religious themselves, came from two very different faith traditions and from families that are religious. It might have been like a wedding I went to in the 1970s, when both the brides and the grooms mothers sobbed throughout the ceremony, and they were not tears of joy...but it wasnt.

What mattered at this wedding were two things: (1) each family adores their childs chosen life partner, and (2) despite the different religions, the families share the same values. Nothing that one family brought to the table rubbed the other family the wrong way. Therefore, the only tears were tears of joy as two lovely, kind, generous, and principled young people stood before friends and family, declared their love and respect for each other, and began the next chapter of their lives.
Amazing what a kid with a cell phone can do.

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According to the New York Times:

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota said on Monday that he was abandoning his bid for re-election to a third term. And Senator Amy Klobuchar, a fellow Democrat, is considering seeking the office, two people briefed on conversations between the two politicians said. Advertisement Mr. Walz and Ms. Klobuchar met on Sunday in Minnesota, where he informed her of his plans and she confirmed her interest in running to succeed him. For Mr. Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 election, the departure caps a brief rise in national politics. Mr. Walz said a widening scandal over fraud in social services programs in Minnesota had persuaded him to drop out of the race. Advertisement

That delicately declared 'widening fraud scandal' was a multi-billion-dollar steal-a-thon by Somali pirate networks, imported in to help themselves to some $18 billion in taxpayer funds, which was offered out by Walz's administration, with nobody watching the till. The activity was so brazen a kid with a cell phone, young videographer Nick Shirley, could demonstrate 10 day care centers claiming tens or hundreds of kids enrolled to obtain state funding, yet no children visible within them, and Somalis running them refused to answer simple questions. Some of them actually chased him off or called the cops on him, and others called each other, indicating a connected web of likely fraud.

Cash went out the door, with TSA agents reporting suitcases full of gargantuan amounts of money flying out to Somalia and beyond. Lamborghinis were paid for, skyscrapers went up in Nairobi, and al-Shabaab terrorists got all the millions they needed. Back home, radical left-wing politicians were elected, juries were offered bribes to let Somali fraudsters off the hook at court, and judges mysteriously vacated unanimous jury verdicts against Somali fraudsters.

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And auditing? Auditing, done by Somalis, looked like this:

This is the listed location of the auditing firm that performed the audits for both the Minnesota and Ohio on the NGOs we have linked to potential fraud.



You cannot make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/kthb9LYoTi  Walter Curt (@wcdispatch) January 5, 2026

They didn't find anything.

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Daycare centers were one pull of the string, but there are many others -- Medicaid fraud, adult daycare fraud, COVID meal fraud, autism services fraud, housing stabilization fraud and much, much more. It's so bad entire social service programs ought to be shut down in order to sort out the clients. We still don't know the totals, but suffice to say, there was a systemic problem that grew exponentially on Walz's watch.

Worse still, whistleblowers were ignored and subject to retaliation for reporting the fraud going out the door.

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Meanwhile, the ignoring and retaliation against whistleblowers has triggered this:

DOJ Issues Demand to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz That is Sending Chills Down Democrats' Spines



"Nearly 500 employees in Minnesotas state government say Gov. Tim Walz ignored repeated internal warnings..."https://t.co/U9aSCCDloY  Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 5, 2026

Walz was so into going where the money was he changed the Minnesota flag to a Somali-looking one:

Walz replaced the Minnesota state flag with the Somalia flag. Thats part of why he deserves the name Traitor Tim.



Put the flag back. https://t.co/MHo029b4iy  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 5, 2026

Walz insisted he's on the case of catching fraud, but given his associates, nobody believes him. He certainly wasn't bothering when the cameras were off. The FBI has said it's been on the case for months now, and more feds have stepped in, meaning, Walz may be facing legal problems regarding the missing money. I doubt it ended up solely in Somali pockets. A lot of people would have wanted a snoot in the trough.

The fraud has come to light for a number of months, but it was Shirley who brought the matter to a head.

Now Walz is going full knucklehead, blaming Trump, calling himself a scapegoat, yelling racism, and walking away like a Somali daycare owner when reporters ask him questions:

 HOLY SMOKES. Reporters in the room are FUMING at Tim Walz for running away from their questions after he dropped out of the race



"Wow...alright then."



"You said you were GONNA TAKE QUESTIONS! Why didn't you?!"



"Wait, WHAT?"



BRUTAL, TIM. What a pathetic way to go out! pic.twitter.com/FvA125qnm2  Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 5, 2026

Seems he doesn't want to answer any questions.

His internal polls must be bad:

If he goes to prison, it will be a stunning reminder how close we came to the end of our beloved Republic. We dodged a bullet, my friends. https://t.co/vsRzHjowq3  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 4, 2026

Good riddance -- and may he be held accountable for this disaster of historic proportions. America dodged a bullet by rejecting him as vice president. The whole country would have been run like Minnesota had he and his equally bad running mate from fraud-filled California won the 2024 election.

Image: Screen shot from X video
Were witnessing one more victory to protect our kids, and it was a hard-fought battle. Somewhere along the way, school administrators became tyrants, believing they had the authority to control parents, students, and teachers. In California, that lunacy peaked when teachers were told that they were forbidden from informing parents if their child(ren) engaged in gender transition. How did we reach the point where the schools believed they were all-powerful?

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But a victory has been had by the violated parties:

In a landmark victory for parental rights, a federal judge in Southern California ruled Monday that parents have a constitutional right to be informed if their minor child socially transitions their gender at school and that teachers have a constitutional right to inform parents of the transition. Advertisement U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez of the Southern District of California issued the summary judgment ruling in Mirabelli v. Olson, and issued a permanent injunction against California Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and members of the California State Board of Education.

There are some key elements to this ruling that should be noted. One, this policy was a violation of the constitutional rights of teachers toward parents, and of parents right to be informed of their childrens interest in transitioning. We are not talking about an activist ruling from some leftist judge.

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Second, which is key but might be less obvious, is the sanctity of the relationship between parents and children. No one and no thing has the right to interfere with, or damage that relationship. That especially applies to schools.

The beauty of this ruling, too, is that it applies to all California parents and teachers, not just those involved with this case.

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The judge wanted to ensure that his ruling was clear and explicit, since laws in California had been passed to empower the schools against the parents:

In his Order of Summary Judgment for the Plaintiffs, the judge stated the following:

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[T]his case presents the following four questions about a parents rights to information as against a public schools policy of secrecy when it comes to a students gender identification. First, do parents have a right to gender information based on the Fourteenth Amendments substantive due process clause? Second, do parents have a right to gender information protected by the First Amendments free exercise of religion clause? Third, do religious public-school teachers have a right to provide gender information to parents based on the First Amendments free exercise clause? Fourth, do public school teachers have a right to communicate accurate gender information to parents based on the First Amendment free speech clause? In each case, this Court concludes that, as a matter of law, the answer is yes. Parents have a right to receive gender information and teachers have a right to provide to parents accurate information about a childs gender identity.

Its no surprise that the predictable parties to complain included, for one, the California Attorney Generals office:

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The Courts sweeping injunction, which forecloses enforcement of state constitutional and statutory protections applicable in the school environment, inflicts severe and indisputable irreparable harm on California, lawyers with Attorney General Rob Bontas office wrote in their request. We believe that the district court misapplied the law and that the decision will ultimately be reversed on appeal, a spokesperson for Bontas office said in an email Tuesday. We are committed to securing school environments that allow transgender students to safely participate as their authentic selves while recognizing the important role that parents play in students lives.

Almost every part of this statement borders on the ridiculous. What does it mean to secure school environments? Why would gender confused students feel unsafe? How would anyone, including the student, know that the belief theyve developed about their authentic selves is genuine or legitimate? And how is the importance of parents reflected in the position of the state?

Heres a statement from the ACLU that misrepresents the courts decision:

Rather than focus on ensuring all students receive the best education they can, these efforts seek to exploit lack of familiarity with transgender people, spread misinformation, and disrupt trust within our school communities, said Christine Parker, senior staff attorney with the Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California. This case is part of a nationwide, coordinated attack on trans people and all those who stand up for trans youth.

If the schools are determined to ensure that all students receive the best education they can, they should be encouraging those who suffer from gender confusion to receive therapy from a reputable therapist. If anyone is spreading misinformation, its the schoolsbiological sex is not a social construct, and studies on gender dysphoria affirm as much.

These efforts to challenge the schools are not made to attack children, but to protect them. Clearly schools are more interested in pursuing their bizarre cultural agendas than in saving our children.

Image: Public domain.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gastelum Attorneys today announced the launch of its 2026 Vision, a comprehensive expansion of its family law practice centered on a distinctive "Team on Every Case" model. Designed to meet the growing complexity of modern family law matters, the firm's approach brings together eight specialized attorneys with more than 50 years of combined legal experience to collaboratively represent clients facing high-asset, high-conflict, and multi-layered family law disputes across Southern Nevada.

Las Vegas Divorce Lawyer

As divorce, custody, and family law cases increasingly intersect with business ownership, military service, real estate portfolios, and multi-jurisdictional considerations, Gastelum Attorneys is positioning itself as a premium alternative to transactional, flat-fee legal services. The firm's 2026 Vision reflects a broader shift in how families seek legal representationmoving away from one-size-fits-all solutions toward strategic, personalized advocacy designed to protect long-term outcomes.

Responding to the Growing Complexity of Family Law

Over the past decade, family law cases in Las Vegas have evolved dramatically. Rising property values, increased rates of entrepreneurship, blended families, military relocation, and cross-state custody arrangements have introduced new layers of legal and financial complexity. According to internal firm data, more than one in four cases handled by Gastelum Attorneys now involves multi-jurisdictional issues, business valuations, or overlapping legal concerns that extend beyond traditional divorce or custody proceedings.

"Families are no longer navigating simple legal scenarios," said Claudia Gastelum, founder and managing attorney of Gastelum Attorneys. "They are navigating businesses, properties, retirement accounts, military benefits, and deeply personal custody issuesoften all at once. Our 2026 Vision recognizes that reality. Clients deserve more than a single point of view; they deserve a team that understands every angle of their case."

The firm's response is a deliberately structured collaborative representation model, where each client benefits from multiple attorneys contributing their expertise throughout the life of a case. This model is intended to reduce blind spots, accelerate strategic decision-making, and deliver outcomes aligned with clients' long-term financial and familial goals.

Inside the "Team on Every Case" Model

Under the Team on Every Case framework, no matter the size or scope of the matter, each client's case is supported by a coordinated group of attorneys rather than a single assigned lawyer. This team may include professionals with backgrounds in litigation strategy, military divorce, financial restructuring, appellate advocacy, or bilingual representation, depending on the client's needs.

The firm reports that since implementing this collaborative model internally, it has seen a 40% improvement in case-resolution efficiency and a 22% reduction in procedural delays, largely due to earlier identification of complex issues and more comprehensive legal planning.

"Collaboration is not about redundancyit's about depth," Gastelum explained. "When attorneys with different backgrounds analyze the same case, we catch issues earlier, plan more effectively, and ultimately protect our clients from costly surprises."

This approach contrasts sharply with flat-fee or high-volume legal models that rely on speed and standardization. Gastelum Attorneys' strategy emphasizes deliberate, tailored representation, particularly for clients whose cases involve substantial assets, businesses, or sensitive custody considerations.

A Firm Built on Diverse Expertise

Gastelum Attorneys' eight-attorney team brings together a range of professional experiences rarely found within a single family law firm. The team includes former prosecutors, attorneys with military law experience, appellate specialists, and advocates with deep knowledge of financial litigation and asset division.

This diversity allows the firm to handle matters such as:

High-asset divorces involving real estate portfolios and privately held businesses

Military divorces addressing pensions, benefits, and jurisdictional challenges

Complex custody disputes involving relocation or interstate enforcement

Family law matters requiring bilingual advocacy and cultural fluency

Cases involving overlapping criminal, financial, or civil considerations

Rather than referring clients out when issues extend beyond a narrow scope, Gastelum Attorneys has intentionally built internal capacity to manage complexity under one roof.

"Clients should not have to coordinate multiple firms or explain their story repeatedly," Gastelum said. "Our goal is to provide continuity, clarity, and confidence from start to finish."

Serving the Next Generation of Homeowners and Families

The firm's 2026 Vision is particularly focused on serving Millennial homeowners and Gen Z buyersdemographics increasingly entering life stages where family law intersects with property ownership, long-term partnerships, and financial planning.

Millennials now represent one of the largest segments of homeowners in Clark County, often balancing mortgages, careers, and family responsibilities. Gen Z buyers, while younger, are entering the market with different expectations around transparency, education, and personalized service.

"These generations are highly informed and deeply invested in protecting what they've built," Gastelum noted. "They aren't looking for the cheapest optionthey're looking for the right one."

Gastelum Attorneys' emphasis on education, strategic planning, and clear communication aligns with these values, positioning the firm as a trusted partner rather than a transactional service provider.

Commitment to Bilingual and Culturally Informed Advocacy

Las Vegas is one of the most culturally diverse metropolitan areas in the United States, with Hispanic and Latino residents comprising more than 30% of the population. Gastelum Attorneys has long recognized the need for culturally informed legal representation and continues to expand its bilingual services as part of its 2026 Vision.

The firm offers consultations and representation in both English and Spanish, ensuring that language is never a barrier to understanding legal rights or making informed decisions.

"For many families, family law issues are deeply tied to culture, tradition, and communication," Gastelum said. "Being able to serve clients in their preferred language builds trust and leads to better outcomes."

In 2026, the firm plans to expand its community education efforts through bilingual workshops, webinars, and informational resources designed to empower families navigating the legal system.

A Central Presence in the Las Vegas Legal Community

Gastelum Attorneys operates from its centrally located downtown Las Vegas office, situated near the Family Courthouse. This strategic location allows for efficient court access while remaining accessible to clients throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, and surrounding Clark County communities.

Beyond its legal practice, the firm remains actively involved in community initiatives, supporting local organizations, educational programs, and charitable causes throughout Southern Nevada. This community engagement reflects the firm's broader mission: to serve not only as legal advocates, but as long-term partners invested in the well-being of the families they represent.

Redefining Value in Family Law

A core pillar of the firm's 2026 Vision is redefining how value is measured in family law representation. While flat-fee models emphasize cost predictability, Gastelum Attorneys emphasizes outcome predictabilityensuring that clients understand their options, risks, and long-term implications before decisions are made.

"When a family's future is at stake, value isn't measured by how quickly a case is closed," Gastelum said. "It's measured by whether the outcome protects children, assets, and peace of mind for years to come."

By investing in collaborative representation, education, and strategic depth, the firm aims to set a higher standard for family law services in Las Vegas.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Vision in Action

Throughout 2026, Gastelum Attorneys will roll out a series of initiatives aligned with its Vision, including:

Attorney spotlight features highlighting specialized expertise

Educational webinars for homeowners and business owners

Publication of in-depth family law guides addressing complex scenarios

Expanded bilingual outreach and community education programs

Thought leadership commentary on emerging family law trends

These efforts are designed to reinforce the firm's role as a trusted authority and resource for families navigating complex legal transitions.

"Our vision is long-term," Gastelum concluded. "We are building a firm that families can rely on not just for one moment in time, but across generations."

About Gastelum Attorneys

Founded in Las Vegas, Gastelum Attorneys is a women-led family law firm dedicated to providing strategic, team-based representation for complex divorce, custody, and family law matters. Known for its collaborative "Team on Every Case" model, the firm combines legal depth, personalized service, and bilingual advocacy to protect clients' families, assets, and futures throughout Southern Nevada.

Media Contact:

Jeremy Setters

[email protected]

SOURCE Gastelum Attorneys
Maduros arrest has pluses, and, the inevitable minuses.

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Whether this is a good thing for the people of Venezuela is an important criterion. News from Venezuela in recent years describes a corrupt, socialist government deeply involved with drug cartels. If Venezuela recovers from its economic and political swamp, its a good thing. (Keep in mind that Venezuela is said to have the largest oil reserves of any nation. Tapping these resources should help Venezuela restore their once-excellent economy, which it now woefully lacks.)

About 12 years ago, while walking our dog, I met a neighbor from Venezuela who had fled the country. Hed had a successful small business that had been destroyed by government policies. He said he would have stayed, except for the political oppression, disintegrating economy, and increasing public disorder.

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This neighbor was very intelligent and hard working, as hed established a new business here  your basic bootstrap entrepreneur.

Over the next few years, he described to me the steady deterioration of Venezuela and the increasing hardships of the people. He was describing a nation in collapse.

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Clearly, Maduros arrest gives hope to Venezuelans that they may get a better government, freer society, and economic recovery. It depends on whether or not a new brutal drug cartel tyrant now grabs power. Presumably, Trump will work against that.

So, the prime criteria of Maduros arrest being good for Venezuelans is at least possible. A lot depends on how the USA follows through on our intervention.

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The second most important criterion, for Americans, is will this be good for the USA?

Ending the socialist government in Venezuela could possibly help nations south of the border trend toward more conservative governments. It may decrease the flood of drugs into American bodies, which plagues our society and threatens our families and children.

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It will probably decrease Chinas leverage over Western civilization. Trumps new National Security Strategy lists this as an important goal, as part of his revival of the Monroe Doctrine to protect the USA and the Western hemisphere. Anything that weakens Chinas economic and political influence near us is good, worth the effort, and more important than worrying about whining liberals.

The downsides to Maduros arrest however, are many. It will mobilize Latin American leftists, communists, and drug lords into a frenzy of denunciations and attempts to energize anti-conservative political activity.

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It will have a similar impact around the world. The outrage of Europes socialists, liberal whiners, and pervert coalitions may exceed Latin American outrage. This may not be that noticeable though, as these America haters have always operated at near maximum outrage.

Russia, China, and Islamic nations will express outrage according to their particular interests. This will mostly be for enraging their people against us, with a few economic, and social sanctions tossed in. But, they have all just lost a powerful ally in our neck of the woods.

Trying to convict Maduro in an American court seems to be the biggest hurdle; I dont know why Maduro seems slated for arraignment in New York, a filthy nest of leftist judges. Maybe there are good reasons, but I dont know of any at the moment. For sure, the legal battles will seem endless.

This will mobilize Trump haters and RINOs to challenge Trump at even higher levels of shriekiness. A new impeachment attempt seems inevitable. But, Id rather Trump fight an impeachment on excellent moral grounds than some bureaucratic legal detail.

So, its very early to be assessing outcomes, but this seems to be very good for the MAGA nation. It all depends on how Trumps team plays it, and on how strongly we MAGA supporters rally to Trumps efforts.

Image generated by ChatGPT.
Just 24 hours after New York Citys first Muslim mayor, Democrat-Socialist Zohran Mamdani, took office -- and just twenty-four years after Muslim terrorists murdered nearly 3,000 New Yorkers in the 9/11 attack that destroyed New York Citys Twin Towers -- Kathy Hochul, the Empire States Democrat governor, ordered One World Trade Center, built at Ground Zero, to be lit in Islamic green to celebrate Muslim American Heritage Month.

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Which caused me to have something green in my mouth: bile. Fifteen other New York landmarks were similarly illuminated. Those would be ones that Islamic terrorists hadnt already destroyed.

On Jan. 2, Hochul took to X to post:

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The resilience, compassion, and contributions of Muslim communities help make our state stronger. Tonight landmarks across the state are lit green as New York celebrates Muslim American Heritage Month.

The resilience, compassion, and contributions of Muslim communities help make our state stronger.



Tonight landmarks across the state are lit green as New York celebrates Muslim American Heritage Month. pic.twitter.com/5AFw9dsgof  Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 2, 2026

One undeniable contribution Muslims made was to demolish the Twin Towers.

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Compassion?

New Yorks citizens, like those across the fruited plain, mostly welcomed an ever-increasing flood of Muslims into the state and country after 9/11. I would be more likely to call their tolerance suicidal empathy.

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Resilience? That would be on the part of the natives of Gotham City.

Hochul stated that New York is

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Home to the largest Muslim American population in the nation, New York is proud to join in this month-long celebration, recognizing the values, faith and traditions of our Muslim American communities.

Well, they have a long tradition of attacking infidels.

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She went on to say:

New York remains committed to being a beacon of hope, tolerance, and inclusivity that celebrates the diversity of its Muslim American population and protects them from Islamophobia, hate, bias, and harm.

Thank Allah the Knickerbocker State is celebrating the diversity of its Muslim population! Like the Shiites and the Sunnis, for example? New York is shielding them from Islamophobia, hate, bias, and harm? Could it maybe also think about protecting its other residents, such as professed Christians and/or those working in the upper floors of tall buildings?

Muslim-American Heritage Month is supposedly meant to recognize the allegedly significant contributions Muslim Americans have contributed to society throughout history including in the arts, sciences, mathematics, technology, literature, music, medicine, and philosophy, and encourages the people of New York to take the opportunity to better appreciate, recognize, and understand the rich cultures, histories, and principles of the Muslim American community.

Yes, I think we all look to Muslims for richness in the arts, literature, and, especially, music. Anyone who has taken the time to familiarize themselves with the Quran understands the principles of Islam.

And Marxist Mayor Zohran Mamdani added, I am grateful for Governor Hochuls leadership in recognizing these many contributions and ensuring that every January, Muslim New Yorkers can see ourselves reflected and recognized in a city and state that is also our home.

But they cant see themselves reflected in the Twin Towers  because, like 2,977 innocent souls, they are no longer there, due to the deadliest terror attack in human history. Of course, nearly all the deadliest terror attacks in human history have been perpetrated by Muslim extremists. Now thats a rich culture.

Tolerance and inclusivity. Pass it on.

Image: Screenshot from Gov. Kathy Hochul tweet on X.
The United States is often ridiculed for clinging to seemingly unintuitive units of measurement such as inches, miles, Fahrenheit, and pounds instead of adopting the metric system used by most of the world. Yet it may come as a surprise that the U.S. was among the original seventeen signatory nations to the Metre Convention, the agreement that led to the creation of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, which establishes global measurement standards. The United States was also the first country to adopt a decimal currency system.



Credit: Reddit

Despite this early endorsement of metric principles, the nation ultimately retained its customary units. Over the years, however, several efforts were made to bring American measurements into alignment with the rest of the world. The most significant of these was the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, which established the United States Metric Board to promote public understanding of the metric system and encourage its voluntary adoption.

As part of this initiative, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) undertook a pilot project by installing metric road signs along a 102-kilometer (63-mile) stretch of highway between Tucson and Nogales, near the Mexican border. Designated Interstate 19, it remains the only highway in the United States where distances are posted in meters and kilometers rather than miles. Several of these metric signs still stand today and have become minor tourist attractions and popular photo opportunities.

But the days of the I-19s distinctive signage may be numbered.

As early as 2010, the Arizona Department of Transportation had announced that they would be removing the aging signs and replace them with new signs that would show distances in miles like the rest of the U.S. highway system.



Credit: Arizona Department of Transportation

This triggered a heated local debate. Some Arizonans and motorists argued that kilometer signs were confusing or incongruous with national standards, while others treasured the highways uniqueness, viewing the metric signage as part of the regions identity. Changing the signs would also mean renumbering exits, potentially disrupting directions to local businesses.

Youd think it wouldnt be a big deal, but it is, said Jim Green, an inn owner, who wants the metric signs to stay put. Think about how much money my company has spent directing people to Exit 56. Think about the literature, the brochures, the tour books.

Because of public backlash from business owners like Green plans for replacing the signs were shelved.

More recently, the issue has resurfaced under a broader effort by the U.S. Department of Transportation to restore American standards on federal highways. When youre driving in the United States, it should be unmistakably Americannot modeled after foreign systems, said Nate Sizemore, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

But not everybody agrees with the Trump administration.

What's wrong with being unique? asked Bill Berkley, a Green Valley resident. We've got the shortest interstate in the country, and its in kilometers, not miles. Thats a winner. Theres not many places in the U.S. where you get a little math problem while youre driving.
Abusive AI undressing trend is taking over X thanks to Elon Musks Grok, analysis reveals

More than half of all AI-generated images on Elon Musks X are of adults and children with their clothes digitally removed, according to new research.

Analysis from the Paris-based non-profit AI Forensics revealed that the degrading trend is dominating the platform, despite the social media firm committing to crack down on illegal content.

Our analysis of tens of thousands of images generated by Grok quantifies the extent of the abuse, Paul Bouchaud, a researcher at AI Forensics, said in a statement shared with The Independent.

Non-consensual sexual imagery of women, sometimes appearing very young, is widespread rather than exceptional, alongside other prohibited content such as Isis and Nazi propaganda  all demonstrating a lack of meaningful safety mechanisms.

Around 2 per cent of the images generated by Grok depicted persons that appeared to be 18 years old or younger, AI Forensics said, while 6 per cent involved public figures.

UK regulator Ofcom noted that it is illegal to create or share non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated content.

We are aware of serious concerns raised about a feature on Grok on X that produces undressed images of people and sexualised images of children, an Ofcom spokesperson said.

We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK.

In response to a public statement by Ofcom on X, Grok posted an altered image of the Ofcom logo in a bikini.

The European Commission also said on Monday that it was very seriously looking into complaints about explicit and non-consensual images on X.

Mr Musk, who took over the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2022, said his company would crack down on the trend.

Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content, he posted on X.

An X spokesperson said: We take action against illegal content on X, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary.

Some cyber experts have claimed that this approach is reactive, calling instead for safety guardrails to be built in to AI tools from the start.

Social media companies need to treat AI misuse as a core trust and safety issue, not just a content moderation challenge, said Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

Allowing users to alter images of real people without notification or permission creates immediate risks for harassment, exploitation, and lasting reputational harm... These are not edge cases or hypothetical scenarios, but predictable outcomes when safeguards fail or are deprioritised.
ADHD drugs dont improve attention, new research finds  but they still work

Doctors have relied on the prescription medications Adderall and Ritalin to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder for decades.

More than 15 million American adults and seven million children live with the lifelong condition, which is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and leaves kids unable to focus or control impulsive behaviors. Approximately 3.5 million children ages three to 17 take an ADHD medication.

Now, researchers say the stimulants dont work as previously believed.

Instead of affecting regions of the brain that control attention, the drugs primarily affect the brains reward and wakefulness centers, a recent study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers found.

I prescribe a lot of stimulants as a child neurologist, and Ive always been taught that they facilitate attention systems to give people more voluntary control over what they pay attention to, Dr. Benjamin Kay, an assistant professor of neurology, explained in a statement. But weve shown thats not the case.

Common medications taken by some 3.5 million U.S. kids with ADHD dont work as researchers previously thought (AFP/Getty)

Rather, the improvement we observe in attention is a secondary effect of a child being more alert and finding a task more rewarding, which naturally helps them pay more attention to it, he said.

Instead of improving patients ability to focus, the drugs make individuals with ADHD more alert and interested in subjects they wouldnt normally enjoy, the study authors said.

The researchers also found that the drugs produced patterns of brain activity that mimicked the effect of good sleep  and negated the effects of sleep deprivation for kids with ADHD who did not get the recommended nine hours of sleep each night.

And, children on ADHD medication had better academic performance and performed better on cognitive tests.

Researchers used brain imaging data from nearly 6,000 children between the ages of eight and 11 that was collected as part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study  the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the country  comparing the scans and how the brain regions communicate in children who took the stimulants and children who did not not.

The researchers say they are concerned that using the ADHD stimulants could hide child sleep health problems (Getty Images/iStock)

The researchers then looked at the brains of five healthy adults who didnt have ADHD, who took the medication. The results of their observations were the same.

These results also provide a potential explanation for how stimulants treat hyperactivity, which previously seemed paradoxical, Dr. Nico Dosenbach, the David M. & Tracy S. Holtzman Professor of Neurology, added.

Both researchers said more work is needed to better understand the long-term effects of the drugs on brain function.

The medications could provide a corrective effect by clearing cellular debris in the brain. Or, they could cause lasting damage by covering up chronic sleep disorders.

Previous research has tied ADHD to a lack of proper sleep.

Sleep disturbances are incredibly common in ADHD, impacting about three out of four children and adolescents with the disorder, Jessica Lunsford-Avery, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University School of Medicine who was not involved in the study, told The Washington Post.

It is increasingly clear that clinicians and families should view ADHD as a 24-hour disorder. Unfortunately, sleep problems are rarely recognized or adequately treated in children and adolescents with ADHD.
A person walks past the Arizona Supreme Court building in Phoenix on 10 April 2024. Photograph: Matt York/AP (Photograph: Matt York/AP)

Arizonas supreme court building was evacuated Monday morning after multiple vials that tested positive for a homemade explosive substance were sent to the building, according to the states department of public safety (DPS).

At about 8am local time on Monday, DPS responded to reports of a suspicious package. Later that morning multiple agencies, including the US bureau of alcohol firearms and tobacco responded.

Around 10.30am, staff at the Arizona supreme court building were sent home and the building was evacuated after a package in the buildings mailroom tested positive for explosives, 12News, Phoenixs NBC affiliate reported.

The building sits about a mile west of the citys downtown and the investigation into the package is being led by the states department of public safety, the Phoenix police department said.

Multiple buildings in the area, including the department of education, across the street from the supreme court building, were also evacuated, according to DPS.
Located in Portland, the Woodstock Cafe primarily operates in American Sign Language (ASL). (Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP)

A cafe in Oregon has emerged as a vital hub for the Deaf community, not only offering a unique social space, but also crucial employment opportunities for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Located in Portland, the Woodstock Cafe primarily operates in American Sign Language (ASL). Customers who do not use ASL can place their orders via a microphone, which transcribes their requests onto a display screen.

The cafe has attracted staff from across the United States, a testament to the challenges deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals often face in securing employment, according to Andre Gray, one of the cafe's co-founders, who communicated this in sign language.

Gray emphasized the cafe's significance, stating: "So the cafe becomes their stable place. Its their rock."

The cafe has attracted staff from across the United States, a testament to the challenges deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals often face in securing employment, according to Andre Gray, one of the cafe's co-founders. (Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP)

The cafe  owned by CymaSpace, a nonprofit that makes art accessible to the Deaf community  also hosts weekly ASL meetups and game nights. Sign Squad on Tuesdays is a popular event, drawing people like Zach Salisbury, who was born with a rare genetic disorder that causes gradual loss of hearing and sight and uses a cochlear implant, and Amy Wachspress, who started learning sign language nine years ago as she lost her hearing.

The hearing spectrum among attendees is diverse, with deaf people signing with students taking introductory sign language classes and hard of hearing people reading lips and communicating with spoken word and hand signals.

What I just love about it is that theres so many different people that come," said Wachspress, who classifies herself as hard of hearing and primarily reads lips to communicate. "Its so eclectic ... just many different kinds of people from all different backgrounds. And the one thing we have in common is that we sign.

Wachspress loves to tell the story about a deaf toddler born to hearing parents who wanted him to be immersed in Deaf culture. When they brought him to the cafe, he was thrilled to see other people sign.

He was just so beside himself excited when he realized that you could communicate with people using sign," she said. We were all so touched. ... Thats the kind of thing that happens here at the cafe.

Gray, who helped open the cafe, said there were plans to acquire adjacent vacant buildings for a Deaf Equity Center but that much of the funding was cut following the change of presidential administration. However, CymaSpace hopes to find funding from private organizations and a future crowdsourcing campaign.

It gives power to the community as opposed to a fear of signing. We, as a community, are so proud of who we are, he said.
Bill Maher rails against DEI practices in podcast rant: Not everything has to look like Angelina Jolies Christmas card

Comedian Bill Maher has criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and blamed the practices for impeding on the creative processes of television writers.

Maher, 69, lamented the state of modern sitcoms during Mondays episode of his Club Random podcast, with actor Tim Allen appearing as a guest on the show.

Allen, 72, opened the door to the DEI conversation when he revealed that he was shocked when TV executives approached him about starring in his third sitcom, Shifting Gears, because all the people that I know that I would make it with are either dead or not the right gender.

Theyre all light-skinned European older men and that doesnt fit the DEI thing that everybody wanted, the Toy Story voice actor and Home Improvement star continued. Explaining that Hollywood wants a potpourri of representation, Allen lamented, If youre going to do a sitcom, its just got to be funny. You got to have some drama.

Maher, best known for his political satire and controversial takes that draw ire from Democrats and Republicans alike, agreed and said diversity is a great virtue, but noted that its not the only one.

Bill Maher has slammed DEI practices in a new episode of his podcast (Getty Images)

Tim Allen currently stars on ABC sitcom Shifting Gears (Getty Images)

Not everything in America has to look like Angelina Jolie's Christmas card, you know, sometimes, and it's always okay in reverse, he said, referencing Jolie being the adoptive mother of children from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, as well as of her biological children with Brad Pitt.

You know, it's like if there's something where it's just an all-Black cast. Good, Im all for it. Im not complaining about it, Maher said.

I love people of color, and Im so glad that things are better than they used to be for people of color, but you know, it shouldnt intrude on the creative process to the degree it has in this town, Maher continued. It has intruded on the creative process. And by the way, lots of people of color agree with that because they want the creative process to be pure, too.

The Independent has reached out to a representative for Jolie for comment.

The outspoken podcast host went on to slam CBSs 2020 goal to have a minimum of 40 percent of writers rooms made up of Black, Indigenous, and people of color, which was eliminated last year due to the networks new boss Bari Weiss being a vocal critic of DEI.

DEI initiatives ended within the federal government when Trump took office in 2025, with major companies following his lead.

Mahers latest comments come months after he shocked his left-leaning viewers by changing his tune on Trump and suddenly praising the president.

After the shooting death of Charlie Kirk during his public speaking event in September, Maher told viewers that debates over which political party was to blame were pointless because both sides have toxic rhetoric.

Its a very ugly week in America with violence of all kinds: political violence, regular violence, a lot of people talking about a civil war, he said at the time. I tell you, so far, the civil war is not very civil.
British voters believe Brexit has made things worse in the UK, from the economy to immigration, and left the nation with even less control over its own destiny, according to a major new poll.

The findings, which also revealed that European voters would welcome us back with open arms if we applied to rejoin the EU, are likely to pile further pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to rebuild ties with the EU 10 years after Britain voted to leave in a referendum.

The survey, involving 20,000 people from more than 27 leading democracies, including the US and Europe, suggests that Britons are the most pessimistic about their nations future. And the UKs disillusioned Gen Z are losing faith in democracy.

They are more than twice as likely as so-called baby boomers  those aged 61 to 79  to opt for an authoritarian leader who rules without elections.

Some of the most striking findings of the poll carried out by Yonder Data Solutions, formerly known as Populus, on behalf of public relations giant FGS Global, relate to Brexit.

Voters in the UK are deeply dissatisfied with the way it has worked out. The main rallying cry of leading Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage was that it would enable the UK to take back control.

However, 72 per cent of British voters said we now have less, not more, control over our affairs than before. Only 15 per cent believe the slogan has lived up to its promise.

Two in three (66 per cent) said Brexit has hurt the economy; barely one in five (22 per cent) said it has had a positive impact.

During the Brexit referendum, supporters of staying in the EU who warned of severe consequences if Britain left were accused of running a Project Fear campaign of bogus claims. The survey found that most voters now believe the grim forecasts were right.

Starmer has so far resisted calls to return to the Customs Union, despite seeking closer ties with the EU (Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street)

A total of 55 per cent said the warnings have turned out to be true; 23 per cent said they have not.

Furthermore, some people believe they were misled by Brexiteer claims that cutting links with Brussels would solve the immigration crisis.

Only 22 per cent of Britons said it has given us greater power over our borders; 66 per cent said it has not achieved this. Meanwhile, voters in the EU think Britains departure has made things worse for them too.

Fewer than one in five (19 per cent) of European voters said the EU is better off without the UK; one in two (50 per cent) said it is not better off.

A clear majority of Europeans (66 per cent) would like Britain to rejoin the EU fold, while only 16 per cent do not want the UK back in.

Despite believing the EU is weaker without Britain, European voters think that the adverse effects of Brexit on the UK have made it less likely that other countries will leave.

A total of 59 per cent said Brexit has shown that exiting the EU is a mistake; 24 per cent said it has not shown this.

Despite the gloom among UK voters over the impact of Brexit, the poll suggests the British public is conflicted about whether to take the dramatic step of rejoining the EU. In the 2016 referendum, the decision to leave was approved by a slim 52 per cent to 48 per cent margin.

Asked in the FGS Global poll if Britain should rejoin, one in two (50 per cent) said it should do; 38 per cent said it should not. On the surface, that would lend weight to claims by pro-Europeans that the referendum could be reversed.

However, the survey appears to reinforce the theory that the result can be influenced by the way the question is asked.

When asked separately if the UK should not rejoin, a different picture emerges: 49 per cent said they agree with this view; 36 per cent disagree.

The survey also paints a stark picture of Britons broader hopes and fears for the coming year  and their worries about the countrys future.

Only 14 per cent think Britains best years are ahead of us  lower than voters in any other major nation that took part in the poll  while 67 per cent said the UKs best years are behind us. Similarly, 73 per cent of people in Britain said the country is going in the wrong direction.

Almost half of people asked agree that the UK should not rejoin the EU (PA)

Asked if life will be better for the next generation, only one in 10 agreed with this view, the lowest in the survey; 77 per cent said it will not be better. UK voters also appear to be losing faith in their ability to use elections to make things better  and more markedly than in other countries, with young Britons the most disaffected.

More than one in four people in the UK (27 per cent) said voting makes no difference to their lives  the highest in the survey  while 65 per cent disagree.

The poll provides further evidence of the trend favouring so-called strong man leaders instead of conventional democratically elected ones.

A total of 12 per cent of Britons said they favour authoritarian leaders who do not bother with elections; 79 per cent said they back democratically elected leaders. And the trend shows a marked divide between young and old.

Among the UKs Gen Z, a total of 18 per cent favour authoritarian leaders; 72 per cent prefer democracy. By contrast, only seven per cent of British baby boomers support authoritarian leaders; an overwhelming 87 per cent side with democracy.

The survey found voters across the free world believe democracy is facing a systemic crisis.

A total of 69 per cent think democracy is weakening. Most people  74 per cent  believe the current system serves a rich and powerful elite over ordinary working people. More than two in three (69 per cent) believe strong leaders increasingly have more power than international institutions.

A total of 19,787 people took part in the FS Global poll, including 2,022 people in the UK and 11,714 in the EU
Chinas AI start-ups, humanoid robot firms set to dazzle CES 2026

08:41, January 06, 2026 By Zhang Weilan ( Global Times

Recently, the Shanghai-made Agibot "A2" robot set off from Suzhou in East China's Jiangsu Province and successfully reached the North Bund in Shanghai after 56 hours. Photo: web

As this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas approaches, Chinese exhibitors told the Global Times they will unveil cutting-edge technologies, showcasing the latest advances of the nation's technology players in innovation and industrial capability.

The show, under the theme "Innovators Show Up," with a wave of Chinese AI hardware and humanoid robot exhibitors lining up to showcase products aimed at moving AI from lab concept to commercial reality, the Global Times has learned.

Vision Intelligence, a subsidiary of iFlytek, said that it would bring its iFLYBUDS Pro 3 and iFLYBUDS Air 2, next-generation flagship conference earphones with voice recording and noise reduction features. The company officially launched its overseas brand viaim at the show last year, iFlytek said in a note sent to the Global Times on Monday.

Nearly a dozen well-known humanoid robot manufacturers - including Unitree Robotics, AgiBot, Galbot, Engine AI, Noetix Robotics and the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center - are expected to show their wares at the CES, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Monday.

According to the latest directory released by the CES, China's embodied intelligence companies account for more than half of all related exhibitors, according to domestic business &technology information provider TMTpost.

Shanghai-based robot producer AgiBot told the Global Times on Monday that the company would bring its "full product portfolio and industry-leading solutions" to CES 2026. Yao Maoqing, founding partner at AgiBot, said "it demonstrates how we are able to build an ecosystem of humanoid robots, not for a single task or setting, but for a future where embodied intelligence can serve people across industries, environments, and everyday life."

Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center said that it will showcase a variety of its Tiangong Walker models, pitching full autonomy and "one brain, many machines" coordination for high efficiency industrial sorting and other heavy duty tasks.

Booster Robotics, which supplies embodied development platforms used by RoboCup teams, will present its Booster K1 and T1 systems. The company said that it will demonstrate multi task capabilities and scenario ready robot systems rather than single task prototypes, according to the information the company shared with the Global Times on Monday.

These firms are poised to compete for attention at the show against other major humanoid proponents, such as Massachusetts-based robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics. Boston Dynamics said that its new Atlas humanoid would make its public debut at the CES, the SCMP reported.

Physical AI and robotics are ready to take center stage at this year's CES, Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday. Robots driven by large-language AI models are shifting from concept validation to autonomous task execution in complex environments. The exhibits will signal market expectations and help firms calibrate production, supply chains and research and development efforts.

Alongside robots, Chinese companies will debut a wide range of AI enabled consumer devices. TCL  the largest Chinese exhibitor this year with a pavilion of about 2,453 square meters  will show printed OLED, SQD Mini LED TVs, NXTPAPER eye care displays and an HDR10 AR eyewear prototype, China National Radio reported.

Alibaba will introduce its first self developed AI glasses, known as Quark AI Glasses S1, which the company said integrates its ecosystem services and the Qwen AI assistant for navigation, translation, prompting and on device imaging. Other Chinese smart eyewear vendors scheduled to appear include Rokid, XReal and Even Realities, according to TMTpost.

According to global market research firm International Data Corp, global shipments of smart glasses reached about 12.8 million units in 2025, up 26 percent year-on-year. Shipments in China alone are estimated to have hit 2.75 million units, a remarkable rise of 107 percent, the Xinhua News Agency reported in June 2025.

According to Wang, CES 2026 is the major first industry event of the year and serves as an industry benchmark. It will showcase the latest AI developments from tech players big and small, while also laying out a blueprint for how the technology will reshape different industries in 2026.

CES 2026 marks the first year of commercial AI hardware deployment and exemplifies the layered competition-and-cooperation between China and the US. The US dominates foundational innovation, while China feeds technological iteration through scenario-driven implementation. Together they accelerate the shift of technology from the lab to industry, Wang said.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Zhong Wenxing)
Issued on behalf of GoldHaven Resources Corp.

USANewsGroup.com News Commentary

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold's historic 66% rally in 2025[1] has reset capital allocation across global mining markets, with investors prioritizing jurisdictional stability over speculative frontiers. British Columbia's response has been decisive, as Premier David Eby announced accelerated permitting reforms in December 2025[2], committing to "one project, one review" coordination with Ottawa while maintaining environmental standards. This convergence of price momentum and regulatory certainty positions GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF), Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (OTCQX: THSGF), Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (OTCPK: TDRRF), Goliath Resources (TSXV: GOT) (OTCQB: GOTRF), and Seabridge Gold Inc. (NYSE: SA) (TSX: SEA) at the center of what analysts are calling the Golden Triangle's infrastructure-driven resurgence.

Major banks now forecast gold reaching $4,900 to $5,055 per ounce by December 2026[3], with UBS targeting $5,000 as central bank buying and fiscal uncertainty sustain safe-haven demand. BC's $195 million Highway 37 infrastructure investment[4] directly supports critical minerals development in the northwest, reducing project risk while improving community access across territories where proven geology meets accelerating investment flows.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) has announced preliminary assays from its Magno Project in northwestern British Columbia, confirming high-grade silver, tungsten, and indium mineralization across 36,973.294 hectares in the region including its recent acquisitions. The program successfully verified historical showings while expanding the geological understanding of this district-scale polymetallic system adjacent to the historic Cassiar mining district.

Results from 357 samples revealed bonanza silver grades up to 2,370 g/t silver with lead values exceeding 20% and zinc reaching 3.8% at the Magno and D-Zone carbonate replacement occurrences. Property-wide, 45 samples returned over 100 grams per tonne silver, demonstrating widespread precious metal potential across multiple target zones. The discovery of indium, a strategic mineral used in electronics and renewable energy technologies, adds another dimension to the project with values up to 334 parts per million alongside zinc grades exceeding 16%. This marks the first time indium has been systematically identified on the claims, with initial results indicating anomalous values warranting further exploration.

Tungsten mineralization at the Kuhn and Dead Goat showings returned consistent values between 500 and 5,000 parts per million, with 32 samples across the property exceeding 1,000 parts per million tungsten. The highest grade reached 6,550 parts per million at the Vines Lake occurrence, a newly defined showing requiring follow-up work. This analysis successfully defined new tungsten zones across the property, identifying high-priority targets for upcoming drilling.

The team has now verified and defined historical grades both laterally and across significant elevation changes, with the Magno and D-Zones representing parts of a larger hydrothermal system currently defined over 350 meters vertically and 1.5 kilometers along strike. Geochemical zoning patterns suggest similarities to Coeur Mining's high-grade Silvertip deposit, while elevated gold-bismuth-tellurium associations indicate potential for intrusive-related mineralization requiring additional sampling and mapping to refine exploration models.

Beyond British Columbia, GoldHaven has completed its inaugural diamond drilling program at the Copecal Gold Project in Brazil, where nine holes totaling 1,085.7 meters tested priority targets and discovered bornite, a copper-rich mineral suggesting potential for a substantial gold-copper system. The company also confirmed high-grade copper mineralization at its Three Guardsmen Project, with surface sampling returning grades up to 15.85% copper.

GoldHaven now controls 133,186.16 hectares across proven mining jurisdictions in Canada and Brazil, with multiple projects advancing simultaneously and assay results pending from Copecal, all supported by a comprehensive 43-101 Technical Report.

CONTINUED Read this and more news for GoldHaven Resources at:

https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/09/23/the-goldhaven-story-two-continents-one-strategy-systematic-exploration-in-historically-productive-districts/

In other industry developments and happenings in the market include:

Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (OTCQX: THSGF) has initiated the Environmental Assessment and permitting process for its 100%-owned Lawyers-Ranch Gold-Silver Project at both provincial and federal levels in British Columbia. Following recent financing, Kwadacha Nation, Tsay Keh Dene Nation, and Takla Nation have become shareholders, aligning Indigenous interests with the project's long-term success.

"The submission of the IPD marks a key milestone in advancing the Lawyers-Ranch Project through the permitting process and reflects our shared commitment to developing a project that delivers lasting benefits for all stakeholders," said Dr. Ewan Webster, President and CEO of Thesis Gold Inc.. "With both the provincial and federal governments placing a strong emphasis on improving permitting efficiency and recognizing the critical role of responsible resource development in B.C.'s economy, this is an ideal time for Thesis to be commencing this next phase of the process."

The Lawyers-Ranch Project hosts an indicated mineral resource of 2.274 million ounces of gold and an inferred mineral resource of 5.453 million ounces, with the company planning to initiate a Feasibility Study in 2026. The project benefits from established infrastructure including highway access, three-phase power, and cell phone coverage.

Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (OTCPK: TDRRF) has provided a comprehensive year-end review outlining its 2026 strategic objectives to advance the flagship Treaty Creek Project in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, with recent financings totaling approximately $24.5 million positioning the company to pursue development of a mid-size underground mine targeting higher-grade gold mineralization. The 2025 exploration program consisting of 5,052 meters in five holes successfully intersected mineralization within and between the 300N and 300H Zones, with highlights including 2.31 g/t gold over 54.00 meters and an updated Mineral Resource estimate now targeted for January 2026.

"With the closing of our recently announced financings, we have the financial strength to push ahead with what we believe is the most straightforward, economically attractive development path to gold production at Treaty Creek and the Golden Triangle  a mid-size underground mine with a small footprint," said Joe Ovsenek, President and CEO of Tudor Gold. "The refined model and updated Mineral Resource estimate now expected in January 2026 is the first step, and these results are expected to guide the work on a preliminary economic assessment."

The company expects to receive a permit for underground exploration in 2026, enabling year-round, cost-effective drilling of the Goldstorm Deposit and definition of the adjacent SC-1 Zone, which hosts the highest-grading gold encountered to date with surface drilling. Surface exploration in 2026 will target expansion of the Perfectstorm, CBS and Eureka zones, with drilling planned to develop a gold-silver-copper Mineral Resource estimate for one or more of these zones along the Sulphurets-Treaty Thrust Fault.

Goliath Resources (TSXV: GOT) (OTCQB: GOTRF) has reported high-grade drilling results from its Surebet Discovery at the Golddigger Property in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, with drill hole GD-25-383 intersecting 7.28 g/t gold over 8.00 meters within 5.85 g/t gold over 10.00 meters in an Eocene-aged granitoid dyke. The company has expanded the high-grade Bonanza Zone to 1.25 kilometers along its east-west orientation while confirming continuity in the Surebet Zone extending 1.2 kilometers, with 92% of holes drilled to date containing visible gold across the 1.8 km system.

"The Surebet discovery is rapidly emerging as a high-grade gold system in the Golden Triangle," said Roger Rosmus, CEO of Goliath Resources. "As can be seen by the widespread VG-NE over a vast area, contained within a series of stacked, gently dipping veins that remain open and are expanding with every drill hole."

Goliath Resources recently completed 64,364 meters of systematic drilling with 9 drill rigs in 2025, with assays still pending for 70 holes of which 55 contain visible gold. Goliath is fully funded for a 40,000-50,000m 2026 drill program to continue expanding what could be one of the Triangle's most significant gold discoveries.

Seabridge Gold Inc. (NYSE: SA) (TSX: SEA) has advanced toward a KSM partnership with a preferred candidate, completing final site visits with three joint venture finalists in Q3, while executing approximately 8,500 meters of geotechnical drilling across 117 drill holes to support a forthcoming Feasibility Study. The company also completed earthworks, concrete foundations, steel erection, and transmission line structures for the Treaty Creek Terminal switching station connecting KSM to renewable power from BC Hydro.

Seabridge has made the strategic decision to spin-out its wholly owned subsidiary Seabridge Gold (NWT) Inc., to be renamed Valor Gold, which owns 100% of the Courageous Lake Gold Project in Canada's Northwest Territories. The company intends to distribute all Valor Gold shares to Seabridge shareholders and list them on at least one major public stock exchange.

Courageous Lake is one of Canada's largest undeveloped gold projects with total measured and indicated resources of 11.0 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 2.36 g/t, plus an additional 3.3 million ounces in the inferred category. The reported measured and indicated resources include 2.8 million ounces of proven and probable reserves at 2.6 g/t, which would make it one of the highest-grade open pit gold projects in Canada.

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Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, and Sir Keir Starmer sign the Declaration of Paris on Tuesday - AFP

Britain will deploy boots on the ground in Ukraine as part of a proposed ceasefire deal backed for the first time by the United States.

A joint declaration for the multinational force, to help uphold any peace agreement and prevent another invasion by Russia, was signed by Sir Keir Starmer, with France and Ukraine, on Tuesday.

The deal includes Britain and France setting up military hubs in Ukraine to facilitate troop deployments if needed, and to also help with reconstruction efforts.

The plan has the support of the US, which has now offered a backstop to support the European troops in the event of a future war with Russia.

European leaders described the intervention as game-changing shortly before the deal was announced on Tuesday night.

A family photo of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

It comes amid mounting tension between Europe and the US over Donald Trumps threats to annex Greenland, a territory of Nato-member Denmark, and questions over the legality of his operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro, the former Venezuelan dictator.

On Tuesday, European leaders and Mr Trumps lead negotiators  Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner  held a rare joint press conference in Paris to announce details of the new commitments.

However, an end to the war still depends on Moscow agreeing to a wider ceasefire plan that Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has so far refused to sign up to.

Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, warned a ceasefire could still be six weeks or six months away.

Very, very big milestone

The declaration of intent signed in Paris paves a legal pathway for British and French forces to operate on Ukrainian soil to help rebuild the war-torn nations armed forces  and police its skies and seas.

At a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, the US agreed for the first time to to support the force in case of attack, according to a statement signed by around 40 leaders of European governments and Canada.

Washington has also promised to lead a high-tech operation to monitor any ceasefire line, agreed between Ukraine and Russia, to attribute blame for any violations.

Sir Keir said: In todays discussions, we have... gone into greater detail about the mechanics of the deployment of the force on the ground.

Alongside our plans for a co-ordination cell, post-ceasefire, the UK and France will also establish military hubs across Ukraine to enable the deployment and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraines defensive needs.

Mr Merz said any ceasefire agreement could take months, and also warned that an ideal, perfect peace was unlikely, hinting at the need for Kyiv to offer further compromises on a wider peace deal.

Mr Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law, called the deal over security guarantees a very, very big milestone.

But he warned: This does not mean that we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that was made here today.

When this ends, it ends forever

Mr Witkoff told reporters that Washington, Europe and Kyiv were closing in on a deal on future security guarantees which are important, so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever.

The plan states that Britain and France would lead a force aimed at deterring any future Russian invasion if the US-led peace talks ended in a ceasefire.

The agreement also calls for European fighter jets and surveillance aircraft to be used to police the skies above Ukraine to enable the resumption of international air travel.

Steven Witkoff, Trumps peace envoy, has been heavily involved in the negotiations - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Turkey and other Black Sea nations would lead a mission to demine the waters and secure key shipping routes.

US capabilities such as intelligence and logistics would be part of the land, air and sea force, the coalitions statement said.

It is not yet clear how the US could respond if the coalition comes under attack in Ukraine, but European officials previously called for a promise of lethal force against any Russian aggression.

A European diplomat source told The Telegraph that further involvement is also on the table, but warned: Of course its theirs to fulfil at a moment of their choosing.

Continuous, reliable ceasefire monitoring

Mr Witkoff said: The president strongly stands behind security protocols. Those security protocols are meant to a) deter any attacks in Ukraine and b) if there are any attacks, they are meant to defend. And they will do both.

They are as strong as anyone has ever seen. The president does not back down from his commitments. He is strong for the country of Ukraine and for a peace deal. And we will be there for the Ukrainians in helping them to get to that final peace.

The ceasefire monitoring system agreed between Europe, Ukraine and the US is seen as a significant leap forward.

Washington will use drones, satellites and sensors to adjudicate any potential breaches.

There will be a continuous, reliable ceasefire monitoring system. This will be led by the US with international participation, including contributions from members of the Coalition of the Willing, the joint statement said.

General Alexus Grynkewich, who commands US forces in Europe and is Natos lead general, has been hailed as crucial in convincing his political bosses in Washington to back the coalitions potential deployment.

A planned 800,000-strong Ukrainian military will serve as the main deterrence to any future Russian invasion.

As well as promising to help rebuild its battle-stricken forces, Sir Keir said European allies promised legally-binding commitments to support Ukraine in the case of a future armed attack.

These proposals, nor a 20-point peace plan, have yet to be agreed to by Putin.

The latest draft agreement contains a number of concessions and post-war benefits for Russia, as well as the security guarantees for Ukraine.

07:47pm

Thats all for today

Thanks for following our live coverage. It has now ended.

Heres a reminder of what happened today:

Leaders from the coalition of the willing met in Paris to iron out the final details of security guarantees for Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer signed a joint declaration with France and Ukraine to confirm details of the so-called Multinational Force set to help uphold any peace agreement

The multinational force will be given a US backstop, with Germany also set to provide military support. Neither country will provide boots on the ground

Jared Kushner, Donald Trumps son-in-law and peace envoy, hailed today as a big milestone

The final element of a future peace deal will centre on territory.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis.

07:43pm

Analysis: Ukraines security guarantee is a paper tiger with crucial details left missing

b'

'

Progress. Success. A very big milestone.

For the first time in more than a year Ukrainians, Americans, and Europeans seemed to be singing from the same hymn sheet. Peace, they say, is closer than ever, because they are on the brink of agreeing to a security deal to deter a new Russian attack on Ukraine after a ceasefire.

But no backstop for the security force has actually been agreed. At least, the details have not been laid out.

That means the ultimate security guarantee  the implication for Russia that going to war with Ukraine again would mean going to war with the United States  is still not in place.

It is those details that will make the difference between a credible deterrence and a paper tiger.

07:21pm

Germany to help monitor ceasefire

Germany has agreed for the first time to help monitor a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Berlin has not committed to sending troops to Ukraine, unlike Britain and France, but would join the US in enforcing a future ceasefire.

He said today: This new year is beginning exactly the way the old one ended - with intensive peace diplomacy for Ukraine, he says.

In the triangle of Europeans, Ukraine and United States, we have built on the progress that we achieved last year in Berlin.

This is a shared success.

07:14pm

Starmer asked about Greenland

Sir Keir Starmer has just been asked about Donald Trumps threat to annex Greenland.

The Prime Minister dodges answering the question directly, instead referring to his statement from Monday, when he said the future of Greenland should be up to Greenland and Denmark.

07:00pm

Security guarantees largely finalised, says Trump envoy

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps special envoy, is now speaking at the press conference.

He said an agreement to provide Ukraine with security guarantees had largely been finalised and that what has been agreed would give Kyiv the confidence that it would not face another invasion by Russia.

We think we are largely finished with security protocols on Ukraine, he said.

Mr Witkoff said the final element of a peace deal centres around territory.

We are help to mediate and help in the peace process, Mr Witkoff added.

Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law, hailed the agreement as a very big milestone.

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps peace envoy, has been heavily involved in peace negotiations

06:55pm

Starmer: Peace closer than ever

The Prime Minister said peace was closer than ever during his remarks at the coalition of the willing press conference.

We are closer to that goal than ever, Sir Keir said, adding: The hardest yards are still ahead.

Sir Keir Starmer speaks at the coalition of the willing press conference - Getty Images Europe

06:50pm

UK and France to establish military hubs across Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK and France has agreed to establish military hubs across Ukraine once a ceasefire has been agreed.

It comes after he confirmed that Britain would deploy boots on the ground to enforce a future ceasefire.

The Prime Minister went on to call out Vladimir Putin for failing to commit to ending the war.

We will keep the pressure up on Russia...until they come to the table in good faith.

06:47pm

Declaration of Paris is very concrete, says Zelensky

The agreement reached today, described as the Declaration of Paris, has been described by Volodymyr Zelensky as very concrete.

This illustrates the willingness of the coalition and the European countries to work for peace, the Ukrainian president said.

We want to be ready so that when diplomacy reaches peace, we can deploy the forces of the coalition of the willing.

Volodymyr Zelensky speaks in Paris on Tuesday - Getty Images Europe

06:39pm

Macron: Security guarantees confirmed for Ukraine

Emmanuel Macron has said the coalition of the willing has confirmed the security guarantees that will be given to Ukraine once a peace deal is achieved.

The French president said: Today, weve made considerable progress, as reflected in the Paris Declaration providing strong guarantees for lasting peace.

This declaration of the coalition of the willing, for the first time, recognises operational convergence between the 35 countries making up the coalition of the willing, Ukraine and the United States of America. Were talking about strong security guarantees.

It comes after the leaders of France, Britain and Ukraine signed a declaration of intent on the future deployment of multinational forces once a ceasefire is reached.

Emmanuel Macron speaks after the Coalition of the Willing talks in Paris

06:32pm

Press conference begins

You can watch the press conference at the top of this page.

06:21pm

Ukraine seriously considering compromise with Russia

Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, said Ukraine was seriously considering reaching a compromise to end the war with Russia.

Mr Tusk also said that the US and Europe had agreed on unity in the meeting, and that there was no expectation for Polish troops to be stationed in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

06:12pm

Press conference expected imminently

A press conference with the leaders of the coalition of the willing, including Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, and Sir Keir Starmer, is expected to start imminently.

Well bring you the latest updates from the conference as they come in, and you will also be able to watch the leaders speak at the top of this page.

05:55pm Pictures

Coalition of the willing family photo

A family photo of the Coalition of the Willing today in Paris - AFP

05:36pm

What has been agreed?

A draft statement from coalition of the willing talks reveals that the United States has agreed to be in charge of monitoring a future ceasefire and supporting European troops in the country.

The meeting today has been focused on the security guarantees Ukraine requires in the event of a ceasefire to deter further Russian aggression.

There will be a continuous, reliable ceasefire monitoring system. This will be led by the US with international participation, the draft statement said, AFP reported.

The multinational force to be deployed after a ceasefire would provide reassurance measures in the air, at sea and on land for Ukraine and ensure the regeneration of the armed forces of Ukraine, it added.

These elements will be European-led, it said.

05:33pm

Welcome to our live coverage

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the latest coalition of the willing talks, which were held in Paris this afternoon.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, is hosting, with Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky also in attendance.

Were expecting a joint press conference from the leaders soon, so stay tuned for the latest updates and analysis.
Britain and France have signed a historic agreement committing to boots on the ground in Ukraine as soon as any ceasefire with Russia comes into place.

The document, signed at a summit in Paris by French president Emmanuel Macron, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, was hailed as a significant step forward in bringing about the coalition of the willing to guarantee peace in the war-torn country.

It was made possible by the US presence at the summit, with Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner confirming that the president strongly, strongly, strongly supports the security guarantees and would provide the backup to make it work.

In addition, German chancellor Friedrich Mertz suggested that his country could also soon sign up to sending troops to Ukraine.

Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky sign the coalition of the willing deal in Paris (Sky News)

The breakthrough came despite a cloud hanging over the summit, with Donald Trump laying claim to Greenland, the sovereign territory of EU Nato ally Denmark.

It also followed the US intervention in Venezuela, with concerns being expressed that the Trump administration had acted illegally in international law in capturing the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro.

However, both President Macron and Sir Keir slapped down any suggestions of splits among Nato allies. All the parties went out of their way to thank Mr Kushner and Mr Trumps peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, for being present for the first time at a coalition of the willing summit and providing the support needed to move on with the peace plan.

Mr Macron noted how the agreement was fulfilling Mr Trumps wishes for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defence as part of increasing its military spending and footprint.

However, the coalition of the willing agreement could delay a ceasefire; Vladimir Putin has already made it clear he opposes a foreign military presence in Ukraine after the war ends.

In his statement on the new agreement, Sir Keir said: This is a declaration of intent to deploy forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. This is a vital part of our iron-cast commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long term.

The Multinational Force for Ukraine will act as a reassurance force to bolster security guarantees and Ukraines ability to return to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraines own forces.

Trump is now willing to back the coalition of the willing to guarantee peace (AP)

The signing of the declaration paves the way for the legal framework to be established for French and UK forces to operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraines skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future.

He added: In today's discussions, we have also gone into greater detail about the mechanics of the deployment of the force on the ground. Alongside our plans for a coordination cell, post-ceasefire, the UK and France will also establish military hubs across Ukraine to enable the deployment and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs.

The French president dubbed the agreement the Paris Declaration as he proclaimed the significant progress made at the summit.

A summary of the agreement shared by the Elysee, the official residence of the French president, said the agreement would include a proposed US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.

It would also include a long-discussed multinational force for Ukraine, led by European allies, with the involvement also of non-European members of the coalition, and the proposed support of the US.

There are also binding commitments to support Ukraine in the case of a future armed attack by Russia in order to restore peace.

President Zelensky said that the agreements do not go far enough yet but welcomed the deal and Americas support.

Mr Kushner was pressed on whether the US would provide military support if allies were attacked attempting to guarantee the peace in Ukraine, and insisted: America strongly, strongly, strongly stands behind those security guarantees. The president does not back down from his commitments.

He said that a security guarantee for Ukraine is about having "real backstops" to prevent conflicts in Eastern Europe.

Mr Kushner said: I think today was a very, very big milestone, and I thank President Macron for assembling this and for all of the work that everyone here has done behind the scenes to bring this together.

France Russia Ukraine War

Mr Kushner, who was previously a senior adviser to his father-in-law Mr Trump, said the US president sought a deal where both sides look to de-escalate and added: You create a robust deterrence, you know, peace through strength, where its unlikely that somebody will ever go and start this again.

He added: This is a really important building block towards an eventual peace deal, and I think that its a big, big milestone thats reached today between the Europeans, with the coalition of the willing.

It comes amid concerns that the US is positioning itself as hostile actor within Nato and turning its back on European allies. Just hours after the Ukraine deal was announced, the White House doubled down on Trumps insistence that the US is "discussing options for acquiring Greenland" as a national security priority.

Greenland is a territory of Denmark, a key and longterm Nato ally. European leaders also released a statement on Tuesday insisting the future of Greenland belongs to its people.

Rose Gottemoeller, who served as deputy secretary-general of Nato during Trumps first administration, told The Independent that any attempt to unilaterally annex the strategic mineral-rich island would force the alliance through an existential crisis.

Nato European countries have woken up to the fact that they're going to have to go it alone without the United States. These events are, no doubt, a short, sharp shock, and a big boost to that wake up call, she told The Independent .

The UK and France committing to deploy boots on the ground in Ukraine was part of that.

"It is an indicator of Europe taking the lead in a potential Nato-minus-the-US world."
A businesswoman accused of killing two teenage girls in Colombia with poisoned chocolate raspberries has been arrested in London.

Zulma Guzman Castro has been sectioned in a psychiatric unit since jumping from Battersea Bridge into the River Thames last month.

The 54-year-old was the subject of an international manhunt after fleeing Colombia last year.

She is accused of murdering two young girls with chocolates injected with deadly thallium. She denies the accusations.

Her two alleged victims were Ines de Bedout, 14, and 13-year-old Emilia Forero.

According to Colombian police, the alleged murders may have been an act of vengeance by Castro after her affair with Ines father ended.

Zulma Guzman Castro during an interview (Focus Noticias)

She was discovered on Battersea Bridge, southwest London before 7am on December 16. After a tense argument with negotiators, she jumped into the river.

Just 10 minutes later, Castro was found in the water. She was later held in a secure unit at St Charles Mental Health Hospital in Notting Hill under the Mental Health Act.

She was arrested for the first time on Tuesday in connection with the suspected murder of the two girls in Colombia.

It is understood that there is evidence that Castro self-harmed before jumping into the water.

Specialist psychiatric doctors have been observing her since she was sectioned for her safety.

After completing an assessment of her mental health, doctors gave the all-clear for her to be discharged.

She was arrested at the hospital on Tuesday morning by officers from the National Extradition Unit  part of the UKs National Crime Agency.

She was transferred to Islington Police Station where she was processed before being taken to Westminster Magistrates Court.

Castro appeared for her first extradition hearing at court on Tuesday where she refused to consent to being sent back to Colombia.

She will appear for a further extradition hearing via video-link on 12 January with a case management hearing set for 9 February.

Castro has now been arrested (.)

Authorities knew of Castros presence in the UK and had a warrant out for her arrest before she was discovered in the Thames, the Sun reported.

It has been suggested that she was only revealed to be in the UK after being seen drinking a bottle of Buxton water during an interview with Colombian TV, but these findings are thought to be inaccurate.

According to flight records, she entered the country on a flight from Madrid on November 11. She was reportedly actively pursued by the National Crime Agency.

Colombian authorities made a request to the UK to capture her and Westminster Magistrates Court released a warrant for her arrest days before she was found.

A spokesperson from the NCA said: Zulma GUZMAN CASTRO, (aged 54), has today (Tuesday) been arrested by officers from the NCAs National Extradition Unit (NEU).

Castro, who is wanted by the Colombian authorities in relation to murder and attempted murder, was arrested in the W10 area of London.
Doug LaMalfa in Washington DC on 29 November 2023. Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images (Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican who represented the states rural northern region in the House of Representatives and was known for his work on water and forestry policy, has died at age 65, according to statements from Republican officials.

LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer who previously served in the California state legislature, was in his seventh term representing Californias first congressional district. He sat on the House agriculture, natural resources, and transportation and infrastructure committees.

No cause of death has been announced, but the Butte county sheriffs office announced that LaMalfa died during an emergency surgical procedure at a local hospital after emergency responders transported him there on Monday evening.

Related: George Conway, a former anti-Trump Republican, to run for Congress as a Democrat

The sheriffs office said in a statement that it had received a call about a medical emergency at LaMalfas home shortly before 7pm on 5 January. He was transported to a hospital in Chico, where he underwent emergency surgery and died during the procedure.

The National Republican Congressional Committee chair, Richard Hudson, said he was deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and close friend.

Doug was a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of northern California, Hudson said in a statement. He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers and working families. Doug brought grit, authenticity and conviction to everything he did in public service.

His sudden passing reduces the House Republican majority to 218-213, leaving GOP leadership with an even slimmer margin to pass their legislative agenda. After the departure of representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on Monday, Republicans can now afford to lose only two votes on party-line measures.

The House majority whip, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, paid tribute to LaMalfa in a statement posted on social media.

Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America, Emmer said. Our prayers are with Dougs wife, Jill, and their children.

The news of LaMalfas passing came minutes before Donald Trump was scheduled to speak to the House Republicans at a GOP retreat at the Kennedy Center in Washington, and Trump said he dedicated the speech to him.

I was really saddened by his passing, and was thinking about not even doing the speech in his honor, but then decided that I have to do it in his honor, Trump told the lawmakers. Ill do it in his honor, because he would have wanted it that way.

LaMalfa was a longtime Trump ally who challenged the 2020 election outcome, voting against certifying the result. He drew criticism, and praise, for his skepticism on the climate crisis and its cause. Representing a district that had been hit by numerous deadly wildfires in recent years, he had championed legislation halting federal taxes on fire recovery settlements.

LaMalfa was born and raised in northern California and had represented the region in Congress since 2013. In 2025, he was elected unanimously to serve as the chair of the Congressional Western caucus, which advocates for the west and rural areas more broadly.

He had announced plans to run for re-election but was expected to face a challenging race after the passage of Proposition 50, a redistricting measure that changed the boundaries of LaMalfas district and others to give Democrats an advantage. The proposition came after Texass partisan gerrymander, and LaMalfa was critical of both efforts.

No state should be doing mid-decade redistricting unless directed by a court or forced to. Voters in California have voted overwhelmingly twice to prevent partisan redistricting, he said last year.

In a statement announcing LaMalfas death, his chief of staff, Mark Spannagel, said the congressman leaves a lasting legacy of servant leadership kindness to the North State.

His humor and work effort are legendary  with one reporter once saying hed look in the back yard of every BBQ just to see if Doug was there visiting, Spannagel said. Congressman LaMalfa cared deeply for the people he served and worked tirelessly to hold the government to its word to fix our failing forests, build water storage and leave people to be free to choose what is best for themselves.
The state of California cant stop public school teachers from informing parents about how their children are expressing their gender identity on campus, a California federal judge ruled late last month.

In a December 22 decision, U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez held that doing so would violate the due process rights of parents as well as violate the First Amendment speech and religious rights of parents and teachers.

When it comes to a students change in gender identity, California state policymakers apparently do not trust parents to do the right thing for their child, Benitez wrote. So, the state purposefully interferes with a parents access to meaningful information about their childs gender identity choices.

The ruling also issued an injunction barring California public school employees from misleading parents about their childrens gender presentation at school.

The state quickly appealed the ruling, and a federal appeals court paused on-the-ground enforcement as it continues to consider a longer-term stay.

A California federal court ruled last month that public schools cant bar teachers from sharing information with parents about their childrens gender presentation at school (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

LGBTQ students will suffer profound harms, the state argued in a late-December brief seeking an emergency stay. Outing transgender students to their parents before they are ready threatens severe mental and emotional anguish, depression, and in extreme cases, even suicide.

Some religious advocates celebrated the decision.

Parents do not give up their God-given rights and responsibilities when they put their children on the school bus or drop them off in the carpool line, Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission interim president Gary Hollingsworth told Baptist Press, adding [I]t is parents who have the responsibility to teach their children spiritual and moral values  not the state. Time and time again, the Supreme Court has agreed with that position.

The underlying suit began in 2023, when a pair of religious San Diego County public schoolteachers challenged state guidelines that warned disclosing the transgender status of students without permission could violate state anti-discrimination law and privacy rights.

An estimated 15 states have laws requiring school staff to disclose information about transgender students, provisions referred to by critics as forced outing (AFP via Getty Images)

The suit later widened into a class action featuring both teachers and parents who said the guidance violated their rights.

Benitezs ruling cited the recent Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which held that a Maryland school district burdened parents religious rights by not giving them notice or the ability to opt their children out of instruction involving LGBTQ+-inclusive books.

Though it touches on related subjects, the California case was not related to AB 1955, a 2024 state law that prohibits schools from requiring that staff disclose students sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, a practice known as forced outing.

Fifteen states have some form of forced outing law regarding transgender students, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an advocacy group.
Canada's Indigenous governor general and its foreign minister will visit Greenland in early February amid renewed calls by President Donald Trump for the U.S. to take control of the country.

Greenland is an Inuit self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark. Trump has also previously talked about making Canada the 51st state.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Governor General Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, are expected to open a consulate in Nuuk, Greenland.

The future of Greenland and Denmark are decided solely by the people of Denmark, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday while meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Canada's embassy in Paris.

The island of Greenland, 80% of which lies above the Arctic Circle, is home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit people.

US Vice President JD Vance, his wife, and a group of officials visited the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland in March 2025 amid Trump's bid to annex the strategically-placed, resource-rich Danish territory (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Simon became Canada's first Indigenous governor general in 2021 and previously served as Canada's ambassador to Denmark. The governor general is the representative of Britains King Charles as head of state. The king is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the Commonwealth of former colonies.

The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom joined Denmark's Frederiksen Tuesday in defending Greenlands sovereignty in the wake of Trumps comments about Greenland, which is part of the NATO military alliance. The leaders issued a statement reaffirming the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island belongs to its people."

Frederiksen and Carney are in Paris for the Coalition of the Willing talks on Ukraine but Carney made a point of meeting with Frederiksen and NATO's secretary general ahead of those meetings.

"You have been very clear in your statement when it comes to the respect for national sovereignty, Frederiksen said to Carney. We are both into securing the Arctic region and together with all our NATO allies we can secure the region, so hopefully everybody is willing to work together.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said Monday that Greenland should be part of the United States in spite of a warning by Frederiksen that a U.S. takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of NATO.

Trump has argued the U.S. needs to control Greenland to ensure the security of the NATO territory in the face of rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic. Its so strategic right now, he told reporters Sunday.

Carney said hes made Arctic security a priority.

We are making progress within NATO but we have to do more, Carney said at an earlier press conference in Paris.

Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said it's important at this point for Canada to show solidarity with the people of Greenland.

It is vital for Canada partly because we are a major Arctic country and that Greenland is our neighbor, and partly because we have a strong incentive to stand for international law and against Trump-style bullying and aggression," Beland said.

But Beland said Carney wants to avoid upsetting Trump as the free trade agreement between the two major trading partners is renegotiated this year.

Its a tough balancing act for the prime minister, Beland said.
Cattericks jumps meeting on Thursday has been abandoned due to a frozen track, while Wolverhampton will have second inspection on Tuesday ahead of their afternoon card.

The North Yorkshire racecourse succumbed to the weather following the freezing temperatures across Britain, which resulted in no racing action at all on Monday.

It was -6C overnight. Weve had progressive hard frost down to -6C with wind chill, but last night was just general -6C, clerk of the course Fiona Needham said.

I mean its deep in the ground and although its not forecast to be as cold, it is still forecast to be below freezing so theres no prospect of it coming out.

Wolverhampton, which failed a second check on Monday, will undergo another inspection at 10am, with racing starting an hour later than planned at 2.15pm should the all-weather meeting get the go-ahead.

Weve got another inspection at 10am, Dunstall Park clerk of the course Fergus Cameron said.

Having worked the track overnight and temperatures having risen quite significantly, we had a further three-quarters of an inch of snow this morning.

So the forecast is for temperatures to keep rising to 3C to 4C this afternoon and having worked the track overnight, the track was good underneath.

Currently with this snow we arent raceable, but given the temperatures weve decided to go for a further inspection at 10am and well put racing back by an hour.

Huntingdon have called a 9am inspection on Wednesday morning ahead of Fridays jumps card.
Venezuela's deposed leader Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty to drugs charges in a US court - telling a judge I am a decent man, the president of my country.

He added that he was a prisoner of war.

The 63-year-old was filmed being escorted in handcuffs by US Drug Enforcement Agency officials from a jail in Brooklyn to Manhattan federal court.

In the biggest US intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, Special Forces swooped into Venezuelas capital Caracas on helicopters at the weekend to smash through Maduro's security cordon and capture him and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, at the door of a safe room.

He appeared in a New York federal court to four criminal counts that include narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.

A court sketch of Nicolas Maduro and his wife (REUTERS)

His wife and Venezuelas first lady, Flores, also entered not guilty pleas.

Maduro told the court he had been kidnapped by the US and maintained that he is still the president of Venezuela.

A man in the courtroom shouted at Maduro that he would pay for his crimes.

Maduro replied: "I'm a president and prisoner of war" before the man was escorted out.

The next hearing in Maduros case is set for March 17, US media has reported. The judge ordered him to appear again on that date.

Maduros lawyer reportedly said that he is not currently seeking to be released on bail, but may do so in the future.

An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held earlier following the action by the US to capture Maduro.

Officials have warned Donald Trumps administration may have breached international law.

Home Office minister Mike Tapp, on the media round for the UK Government, stepped up the attack on Maduro, branding him an evil, illegitimate dictator and saying it was fantastic that he was no longer in power.

Captured Nicolas Maduro is escorted by DEA officers (REUTERS)

A vehicle believed to be carrying Maduro leaves the courthouse in New York (AFP via Getty Images)

What we need to see now is a democratic, safe and peaceful transition of power, he told BBC Breakfast.

Sir Simon Fraser, former head of the Foreign Office and chairman of foreign affairs think tank Chatham House, issued a stark warning as Sir Keir Starmer was sitting on the fence on whether the US special forces raid on Venezuela to capture Maduro was legal.

The Prime Minister may be forced to take a firmer stance on the legal issue if there is a vote at the United Nations Security Council, though one report suggested the UK may abstain.

Sir Keir, who has been reluctant to criticise the US president as he sought to build closer ties with Washington, declined at the weekend to condemn the military operation to capture Maduro.

The UK Government says it is up to the Trump administration to lay out the legal basis for seizing Maduro.

The 63-year-old was filmed being escorted in handcuffs (REUTERS)

An image uploaded to X shows Nicolas Maduro holding his thumbs up while surrounded by US federal agents (X)

Dame Emily Thornberry, Labour chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, condemned Maduro but she stressed: You just cant go around snatching leaders from different countries, taking them back to your domestic courts and trying them.

It will just end in anarchy.

My primary problem, is there is no legal basis for this and it sets a really bad precedent for countries such as China and Russia who may also think weve got spheres of influence, why cant we do things like that.

Dame Emily, a barrister, added that the failure by Sir Keir and other world leaders to criticise Trump was undermining current international law as it would move on if such actions were deemed acceptable.

A photograph which US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account shows Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima (via REUTERS)

Sir Simon, former head of the British diplomatic service, told Sky News: We have looked at the United States as an ally that upholds international order and an international system.

If the United States behaviour is going to change then we have got to understand that and react to it.

Whilst we might want to preserve the relationship with America we have got to think in the longer term about the nature of the world that that will lead to.

Its going to be a much more disordered and much more dangerous world for all of us.

Trump administration officials have sought to portray Maduros seizure as a law-enforcement action to hold him accountable for criminal charges filed in 2020 that accuse him of narco-terrorism conspiracy.

But Trump has also said other factors were at play, saying the raid was prompted in part by an influx of Venezuelan immigrants to the United States and the country's decision to nationalize US oil interests decades ago.

"We're taking back what they stole," he said aboard Air Force One as he returned on Sunday to Washington from Florida.

"We're in charge."

Protesters hold placards with anti-Trump and anti-US slogans during a demonstration near the US embassy in Manila on Monday, January 5, 2026 (AFP via Getty Images)

The removal of Maduro is seen as the most assertive US intervention to achieve regime change since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and followed months of pressure from Washington on the country and its autocratic leader.

Venezuela's acting president offered on Sunday to collaborate with the United States on an agenda focused on "shared development", striking a conciliatory tone for the first time since US forces captured Maduro.

In a statement posted on social media, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said her government was prioritizing a move towards respectful relations with the United States, having earlier criticized the raid on Saturday as an illegal grab for the country's national resources.

Trump has warned of another military strike if Venezuela does not cooperate with US efforts to open up its oil industry and stop drug trafficking.

The US president also threatened military action in Colombia and Mexico and said Cuba's communist regime "looks like it's ready to fall" on its own.
Disney fan injured after fight breaks out over line jumping at one of resorts most popular rides: Someone took exception to that

Chaos erupted at the Happiest Place on Earth last week when a dispute, reportedly over cutting in line, turned violent inside Disneyland, leaving a father injured during a fight at one of the parks most popular attractions.

The incident occurred on December 30, around 2 p.m. at the Indiana Jones Adventure ride, when one group tried to pass another while in the line, Sgt. Matt Sutter of the Anaheim Police Department told The Independent.

Someone took exception to that, Sutter told the Los Angeles Times.

A verbal argument led to a physical altercation. One male was injured, received first aid, and remained in the park the rest of the day with his family, he told The Independent,

The victim denied media requests for interviews, Sutter added.

The victim reportedly did not fight back as another man allegedly punched him when confronted about cutting the line at the Indiana Jones Adventure ride in Disneyland (Wikimedia/@Contributor19)

Police said the suspect fled Disneyland and was still at large Tuesday, but investigators are following up on strong leads and attempting to make contact with him. The man is reportedly believed to be a Southern California resident.

There are two sides to every story, so we need to hear from him (and) what happened from his point of view, Sutter told the LA Times.

Anyone with information, either eyewitness accounts or video, is encouraged to contact the Anaheim Police Department.

According to Reddit user ImaginaryBag, who said they witnessed the incident, the confrontation quickly escalated into a physical fight that lasted about 30 seconds.

Witnesses said the suspect briefly backed away before returning to deliver a final sucker punch that caused the victim to bleed, then fled the area with his family, KTLA reports.

Another user, identified as Wittwitbarista, who claimed she is the wife of the unidentified victim, disputed claims that her husband cut in line.

She said he instead confronted a group of four to six people who admitted to cutting, but allegedly said they did not care.

Hes a solid rule follower, and knows Disney line rules, Wittwitbarista wrote. Weve been going there for years and we do everything we can to follow their rules to keep going and enjoy our time there.

Wittwitbarista shared a photo of his face and said Disneyland first aid staff treated his injuries, including a large facial gash that required stitches.

The suspect, who left Disneyland after the altercation, still remained at large Monday (Wikimedia/@SayCheese!)

He refused to hit back (which took a lot of discipline) because he didnt want the rest of the family get kicked or us blacklisted, the woman wrote.

My teen got videos of the guy hitting my hubby. The security and CM took care of my kids while I left with my hubby as he got checked out and got a wicked scar with serious dad lore, she added.

Wittwitbarista said the family intends to press charges against the suspect once police identify him.

The Disneyland fight was the second Indiana Jonesrelated incident that day, after a 400-pound inflatable boulder rolled off its track at Disneys Hollywood Studios in Florida and injured an employee during a stunt show.
Emmerdale serial killer John Sugden was shot dead as the ITV soap joined forces with Coronation Street in the explosive first-ever Corriedale episode.

The ITV soaps entwined on Monday (5 January), with characters from both shows involved in a deadly crash in Saddleworth.

John Sugden, on the run for the murder of several Emmerdale characters, survived the crash with his former partner Aaron Dingle, and ran off into the woods with his gun.

At the end of the episode, Johns lifeless body was seen in the woods, but in a twist, his sister Victoria Sugden was stood over him, leading fans to believe she was the one who shot him dead.
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. and PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wealthbox, the highest-rated CRM platform for financial advisors, today announced that Gradient Financial Group, a financial services enterprise headquartered in Minnesota, has selected Wealthbox Enterprise CRM and the Wealthbox AI Notetaker for rollout across its network of financial professionals and employees throughout its family of 13 companies. The implementation will begin immediately with 700 users, with plans to expand to more than 2,000 users over time.

Gradient Financial Group (Gradient) offers comprehensive services, including marketing, compliance, technology, and practice management, to independent financial professionals nationwide. Unlike many of its competitors, Gradient supports a wide variety of office structures and sizes within the financial services landscape, focusing on helping financial professionals meet their own unique goals. Wealthbox's emphasis on simplicity, collaboration, and ease of adoption aligns perfectly with Gradient's approach.

Gradient sought a CRM platform that met a wide array of needs while still offering low administrative overhead, an intuitive user experience, and seamless AI-powered capabilities out of the box. With Wealthbox Enterprise CRM, Gradient's advisors gain a clean, modern interface designed for efficiency across roles, offices, and business lines.

As part of the agreement, Gradient is also deploying the Wealthbox AI Notetaker, which automatically captures, transcribes, and summarizes client meetings. This will significantly reduce manual note-taking and help advisors maintain consistent documentation across their books of business.

Leadership Commentary

"Wealthbox truly shares our philosophy of providing flexible, easy-to-implement technology that can meet our financial professionals where they are," said Tami Lucius, Co-Founder of Gradient Financial Group. "We're particularly excited with the way Wealthbox will be leveraging our existing proprietary tech stack, creating even more powerful ways for financial professionals to run a successful business and provide the best possible service for their clients."

"Having managed integrations across the CRM landscape, I've found Wealthbox to be the most reliable platform we've encountered," said Ryan Morrison, Chief Technology Officer of Gradient Financial Group. "It offers the modern architecture necessary to scale our proprietary tech stack, but equally critical is its simplicity. That intuitive design drives rapid adoption and efficiency throughout the whole office, ensuring every team memberfrom advisors to support staffcan leverage the technology immediately."

"We're thrilled to welcome Gradient Financial Group to Wealthbox," said John Rourke, CEO and Co-founder of Wealthbox. "Their decision underscores the growing demand for an intuitive CRM and AI platform that improves both efficiency and oversight for advisors and their teams."

"This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in how Gradient supports its advisors," added Jeff Mello, President and CFO of Wealthbox. "Streamlined onboarding, reduced administrative load, and modern CRM workflows will allow their teams to operate more efficiently at scale."

About Gradient Financial Group

Gradient Financial Group offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to support the growth and success of independent financial professionals nationwide. Through its family of companies, Gradient offers resources in marketing, insurance, investment advisory, practice development, and operational support. With a focus on empowering advisors to deliver high-quality service and achieve long-term business sustainability, Gradient combines industry expertise with a commitment to innovation and advisor-centric solutions. Learn more at www.gradientfinancialgroup.com .

About Wealthbox

Wealthbox is a CRM and AI workspace platform for financial advisors. Integrated with leading custodians and wealthtech partners, Wealthbox is recognized for its modern product design and powerful yet intuitive user experience. The collaborative workspace technology enables financial advisors, enterprise RIA firms, and broker-dealers to effectively manage client relationships and streamline operations, ultimately driving growth in their practices. Learn more at www.wealthbox.com .

SOURCE Wealthbox
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it successfully thwarted an ISIS-inspired attack at an Indiana high school in 2025.

FBI agents disrupted an ISIS-inspired plot targeting a central Indiana high school through rapid coordination with local partners, according to an annual summary released by the agencys Indianapolis field office Monday.

The agency did not share any other details about the planned attack, including the name of the school, the town or city, or when the plot was intended to be carried out. It is also unclear why the plot was classified as ISIS-inspired.

Chris Bavender, an FBI spokesperson, declined to comment further, telling FOX 59 that the matter was ongoing.

Because the student had immediate access to firearms, FBI Indianapolis worked closely with the high school and our local law enforcement partner to remove all firearms from the house, and the student was expelled from school. DOJ did not file charges as the individual is a juvenile, Bavender said in a statement. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment.

The FBI said it prevented an ISIS-inspired attack at a central Indiana high school in 2025 through rapid coordination with local agencies (AFP via Getty Images)

The Indianapolis field office recorded a 112 percent increase in arrests last year compared to 2024, with 317 for violent crimes. It also seized 163 weapons  up 32 percent from 2024.

These results reflect relentless work by our special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, along with strong partnerships at every level of law enforcement, FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. OMalley said.

Our mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution, and in 2025, we did just that.

News of the alleged plot in Indiana comes after the FBI field office in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced that it had foiled an ISIS-inspired attack planned for New Years Eve at a grocery store. Christian Sturdivant, 18, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

The FBI also recently announced the arrest of Christian Sturdivant, 18, after he allegedly was planning an ISIS-inspired attack at a grocery store on New Years Eve (Gaston County Jail)

Agents surveilled Sturdivant around the clock over the holidays, according to Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. He said the suspect searched ISIS websites and eventually reached out to what he thought was a member of ISIS.

In reality, [it] was an undercover agent with NYPD in New York, Ferguson said. He pledged his allegiance to ISIS with that undercover agent, and he disclosed his plans to quote do jihad soon.

He then met a second undercover with the FBI, who he also thought was an ISIS participant. And he started to be very specific with his plans.

Sturdivant allegedly admitted his plans to carry out the attack at a store in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte. A search of his home revealed handwritten documents, including one titled New Years Attack 2026, which led to his arrest, the FBI said.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced updated cervical cancer screening guidelines on Monday, allowing American women to perform tests for human papillomavirus at home for the first time.

The recommendations allow women between the ages of 30 and 65 with an average risk for cervical cancer to test themselves for the virus, also known as HPV, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. and causes deadly cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer kills more than 4,000 women each year and was expected to result in 4,320 deaths in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society.

These updates represent a significant step forward in cervical cancer screening and will improve screening rates and save lives, Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Tom Engels said in a Monday statement announcing the update.

By expanding screening options and removing cost barriers, were helping more women take an active role in protecting their health and their future.

Federal health officials said women between the ages of 30 and 65 should screen for HPV every five years (Getty Images/iStock)

The prescribed at-home test is conducted using a vaginal swab and mailed to a company that processes the results. Traditional Pap smear tests conducted by doctors will still be available.

The guidelines recommend that women between the ages of 30 and 65 screen for HPV every five years, either at home or with a clinician. Women between the ages of 21 and 29 years old are still recommended to get a Pap smear every three years.

The guidelines also include new language that requires most insurance plans to cover any additional testing to complete the screening process. Insurers are required to begin coverage starting January 1, 2027.

These additional steps demonstrate the Trump administrations strong commitment to advancing womens health and preventing chronic illnesses, including cancer, department leaders wrote in a JAMA article.

The at-home tests are not yet available, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two self-swab tests from the med-tech company Becton, Dickinson and Company and the pharmaceutical company Roche Holding AG for use within a clinical setting earlier in the week.

Last year, the agency approved the first at-home screening tool to detect cervical cancer.

The guidance builds on previous research showing that HPV tests can increase the detection of abnormal cells in the cervix compared to Pap smears.

It follows updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society released in December, which differ slightly on screening ages and endorsed taking at-home HPV tests every three years for women between the ages of 25 and 65 years old.

The American Cancer Societys chief screening expert, Dr. Robert Smith, said in statements shared with The Independent that he considered attention to cervical cancer guidelines a step forward for women.

The aim is to address falling screening rates and rising rates of cervical cancer and cervical cancer deaths, he said.

Rates of cervical cancer have been rising in women in their 30s and 40s, many of whom werent eligible to receive HPV vaccines when they were first made available (AFP via Getty Images)

Cervical cancer is a highly preventable disease, said Smith. Yet, despite all the progress weve made in the U.S. reducing the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer mainly through screening, recent reports indicate that uptodate cervical cancer screening rates have declined since 2021 and, notably, have not rebounded in the post pandemic period.

Cervical cancer, which is one of the most preventable cancers and largely caused by HPV infection, often has no symptoms, making regular and early screening critical.

About 13,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year and some one in four American women are not up to date on their screening, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Rates of cervical cancer have been rising among women in their 30s and 40s: many of whom werent eligible for HPV vaccines when they were first released in 2006.

While theres no cure for HPV, there are surgical options and medication available to treat infection. Only about one percent of people with HPV develop long-term infection and even fewer develop cervical cancer.
Grok, Xs AI chatbot. Photograph: AP (Photograph: AP)

Hello, and welcome to TechScape. Happy new year! I hope your 2026 is off to a great start. Today in tech, we are examining the output of Elon Musks AI chatbot, Grok, and the USs ban on foreign drones.

Inside Groks lapses in safeguards

Late last week, Elon Musks Grok chatbot unleashed a flood of images of women, nude and in very little clothing, both real and imagined, in response to users public requests on X, formerly Twitter. Mixed in with the generated images of adults were ones of young girls  children  likewise wearing minimal clothing, according to Grok itself.

In an unprecedented move, the chatbot itself apologized while its maker, xAI, remained silent: As noted, weve identified lapses in safeguards and are urgently fixing them  CSAM [child sexual abuse material] is illegal and prohibited, Grok said in a post on X.

It took X another three days to confirm in a statement that it had proactively removed child sexual abuse material.

In Europe, Groks deluge of sexualized images elicited strong condemnation. Child welfare and abuse often serve as third-rail issues in technology, spurring stronger backlash than other problems and forming the basis for regulation. French ministers referred the images to local prosecutors, calling the bots sexual and sexist output manifestly illegal. In the UK, womens rights campaigners and some politicians saw in the debacle evidence that the UK government has been dragging its heels in enacting legislation that made the creation of such intimate images illegal.

In the US, where xAI has a $200m contract with the military, lawmakers largely remained silent.

Musk had reposted a picture of his own body in a bikini as the trend picked up steam, along with laughing emojis. As controversy grew, however, he did not address it, instead tweeting about Groks ability to replicate old Hollywood movies and create cat videos.

There was one person with a particular connection to Musk who did express outrage over the flood of sexualized images: Ashley St Clair, the mother of one of the billionaires sons, though the two have become estranged. In an interview with the Guardian, she outlined the real-world impact of Groks images.

Musks supporters had used Grok to attack her, she said, even undressing a picture of her as a child. It was a form of revenge porn, she said.

I felt horrified, I felt violated, especially seeing my toddlers backpack in the back of it, St Clair said of another image in which she has been put into a bikini, turned around and bent over.

Her complaints to X staff went nowhere, she said.

The US takes the TikTok approach to drones

Two days before Christmas, the US banned the sale of new versions of foreign-made drones. The old ones can still be used and sold, but no new products will be allowed.

The order comes from the US Federal Communications Commission, led by Donald Trumps attack dog against the media, Brendan Carr. The FCC said in a statement that the White House had convened an executive branch inter-agency body with appropriate national security expertise to conduct a review of the threat posed by foreign-made unmanned aerial systems, the government name for drones.

The group came to the conclusion that unmanned aerial systems and component parts produced anywhere but domestically pose unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of US persons and should be included on the FCCs covered list. Membership on the list precludes the sale or even marketing of the offending equipment in the US.

The FCC statement continues: In their determination, national security agencies referenced, among other things, concerns that that foreign-made UAS could be used for attacks and disruptions, unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other UAS threats to the homeland. The emphasis here is mine.

The FCC has not published any materials demonstrating to the public that foreign-made drones have in fact been used in the malicious ways described above. The potential is there, but not the act.

Perhaps the FCC appears is less concerned with national security so much as economic protectionism. The agencys factsheet reads: Additionally, the determination noted that reliance on such devices unacceptably undermines the US drone industrial base. Again, emphasis mine. The focus on the industrial base echoes Trumps predictions that semiconductor chips and even entire iPhones will be made in the US. Experts say his dream of repatriating manufacturing is far off.

The largest drone manufacturer in the world, DJI, said in response: Concerns about DJIs data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market. The company is based in Shenzhen in China and is ergo affected by the order.

If this sounds familiar, TikTok was subject to a similar order, forced to sell to a US owner or face a total prohibition on the grounds of a potential national security threat. The company challenged the ban-or-divest burden all the way to the supreme court.

The fight did not reveal the evidence that underpinned the governments fears. Throughout the legal fight, US government lawyers demanded to keep the rationale for Congresss national security fears hidden from the public and even concealed from TikToks own defense counsel. The supreme court ultimately arrived at its decision upholding the ban-or-divest bill without considering classified material.

The US reached a deal in December for TikTok to partially be sold to business software giant Oracle.

DJI has not said whether it will challenge the FCCs ban in court.

The wider TechScape
Florida man wearing a red lace bra and G-string accused of possessing a gun while trespassing on construction site

A Florida man has been arrested after authorities accuse him of trespassing on a construction site while concealing a gun beneath a pair of silicone prosthetic breasts and a lacy red bra.

Police in Polk County, located roughly between Orlando and Tampa, said they found 39-year-old Matthew Zaccarino standing beside his vehicle and in the process of donning the bra and G-string at around 1 a.m. on Sunday December 14.

According to charging documents, officers ordered him to stay still and handcuffed him when he refused to comply, before discovering a loaded handgun concealed beneath his discarded silicone breast forms.

Court records show that the case was resolved on Monday, but don't say whether the charges were upheld. The Independent has asked Zaccarino and his attorney for comment.

Publicity-happy Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd giving a more colorful description of the incident in one of his regular social media videos Monday.

"It was ugly. It was so ugly," said Judd, who has held his post for 20 years and whose frank style of public commentary has made him a minor local celebrity.

Matthew Zaccarino in a police mugshot from Polk County, Florida, after being accused of armed trespassing while dressed in a bra and G-string (Polk County Sheriffs Office)

"Now, occasionally I bring you stuff that you just can't believe, that you'll never get over, that may even scar you for life.

"As our deputies approach him to see what he's doing on this construction site, we see this dude is wearing a red lace bra with prosthetic silicone [breast forms].

"Well, then we notice he's wearing a G-string. Showing off the boys, you know what I mean? And then our two deputies say to themselves: self, this is highly unusual.

"But you don't realize how dangerous these situations are, because under the prostheses we found a gun. So he was armed trespassing."

According to Judd, Zaccarino initially claimed that he was on his way to a costume party, but would not answer where the costume party was and soon stopped cooperating.

"Anyway, he want to jail," Judd concluded.

The gun allegedly found near Zaccarino (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

A charging affidavit echoes that story, saying that Zaccarino "stated he was going to a party but was unable to provide a location, direction, or identify individuals who would be present."

Court records then show that he paid a total bond of $6,250, after which the case was resolved.

Videos posted to Facebook, which appear to show the same man, suggest Zaccarino is a realtor in the Orlando metro area who has been an active in campaigning for the families of victims in the Pulse nightclub massacre.

Public records indicate he is also the president of a nonprofit group called Citizens Against Public Corruption.
Keir Starmer, pictured with Morgan McSweeney, told his cabinet that the government had to keep a tight domestic focus. Photograph: Thomas Krych/Story Picture Agency/Shutterstock (Photograph: Thomas Krych/Story Picture Agency/Shutterstock)

The government must find ways to reconnect emotionally with voters, Keir Starmers chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is said to have warned cabinet ministers, in a meeting where the prime minister said they were in the fight of our lives.

The prime minister sought to rally his cabinet on Tuesday, telling them to ignore the polls and to prepare to take on Nigel Farages Reform UK.

But sources said that in a presentation, ministers were told the government needed to gain back voters trust with three Es, emotion, empathy and evidence.

One source said McSweeney warned that the government had a deficit in emotion, though a No 10 source denied he had used that phrase.

Related: Palestine Action hunger strikers are still the states responsibility

Cabinet ministers are understood to have raised concerns about the governments ability to connect with voters. Starmer said a relentless focus on the cost of living would mean Labour could win the next election, though the prime ministers new year plan has already been derailed by the need to respond to Donald Trumps raid on Venezuela and threats towards Greenland.

Starmer, who spent the final months of last year dogged by leadership speculation, said he had strong faith in his cabinet and he would relish the fight against Reform.

The latest YouGov poll put the Conservatives ahead of Labour for the first time since the general election, both of them behind Reform, with Labour on just 17%.

Ministers saw a presentation that urged them not to panic about Labours dismal poll ratings, likening them to the plummeting popularity of previous governments after taking office.

But the presentation did not include direct comparisons of previous governments with the current government, according to sources. Starmers ratings are unprecedentedly low for a new administration, partly because of the effect of a new party dominating the polls.

Starmer said No 10 strategists were looking closely at the re-elections of centre-left governments in Norway, Canada and Australia and how they revived their fortunes by focusing on the cost of living, though Trumps election was a key factor in the latter two.

The prime ministers visit to Reading on Monday, which was aimed at highlighting frozen bus and rail fares, was dominated by questions over the future of Greenland and the abduction of the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, who has been indicted in New York since his capture by US troops.

Starmer  who travelled to Paris on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the coalition of the willing on Ukraine  told his cabinet that the government had to keep a tight domestic focus.

A Labour government renewing the country or a Reform movement that feeds on grievance, decline and division, he said. They want a weaker state, they want to inject bile into our communities, they want to appease Putin. This is the fight of our political lives and one that we must relish.

I do not underestimate the scale of the task. But I have no doubt about this team. Governments do not lose because polls go down. They lose when they lose belief or nerve. We will do neither.

Starmer will try to bring focus back to the governments actions on the cost of living with another UK visit on Thursday after legislation is introduced to end the two-child benefit cap, a key ask of Labour MPs and a measure that will bring almost half a million children out of poverty.

The new Labour deputy leader, Lucy Powell, attended cabinet, saying she was looking forward to helping to tell the story of whose side we are on.

Powell told MPs on Monday night that the party would switch to an incumbency first model to protect MPs at the next election rather than targeting seats and would support MPs to become leaders in their communities and learn how to benefit politically from changes made by the government, for which MPs have so far gained little credit.

She also told MPs in the first parliamentary Labour party meeting of the year that they needed to stop infighting amid continued discontent with Starmers leadership.

MPs will be offered workshops by organisers in Labour HQ on how to take credit for improvements in the local area or for policies directly helping constituents that have been implemented by the Labour government, including frozen rail fares, local community and high street funding and the warm home discount extension.

Its a big switch organisationally and politically, a Labour source said. Theres tools and training the party is providing but Lucy and Anna Turley [the Labour party chair] are leading some political work about what else is needed and how MPs can support and share best practice.

Powell told the PLP meeting that the government needed to speak more directly about its achievements and said dark forces did not want a Labour administration to succeed.

Weve got a big argument to make and win. That Labour is on the side of ordinary people addressing the cost of living crisis, rewiring the country in the interests of the many not the few, taking on the vested interests, holding the powerful to account, she said.
Box-office hit The Housemaid will return for a sequel  with production set to kick off later this year, film company Lionsgate has announced.

The studio also confirmed that US actress Sydney Sweeney and filmmaker Paul Feig are set to return as producers for the second instalment of the franchise.

The film was adapted from Freida McFaddens 2022 bestselling novel, and has seen major box-office success since its release last month  grossing 133 million dollars (99 million) worldwide.

The sequel, The Housemaids Secret, will be based on the second book in McFaddens bestselling trilogy.

Amanda Seyfried starred alongside Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid (Jeff Moore/PA) (Jeff Moore)

Sweeney, who rose to fame in HBO hit teen drama Euphoria, stars alongside Mamma Mia! actress Amanda Seyfried in the psychological thriller.

The film sees her take on the role of Millie Calloway, a young woman trying to escape her past, who is recruited to work as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Skelnar), who have dangerous secrets.

The new project is under development, and Lionsgate said Sweeney, 28, is set to return as an executive producer, and is being eyed to reprise her role as Millie.

The studio also said it hopes to see Michelle Morrone return as mysterious Italian groundskeeper Enzo for the sequel.

Paul Feig will return to produce The Housemaids Secret (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

US filmmaker Feig said: Its been thrilling to see audiences around the world fall in love with The Housemaid and the incredible work of our talented cast and crew.

The Primetime Emmy-award winner, 63, is best known for directing films including Another Simple Favour (2025), The Heat (2013) and Bridesmaids (2011).

It has been confirmed he will return as a producer, and Lionsgate said it is keen for him to also return to the new project as director.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said the studio is beyond excited to work on the sequel.

He said: The Housemaids Secret is another wildly thrilling book in Freidas series that has captivated readers worldwide, and we look forward to translating it into a similarly rousing and riotous movie-going experience.
Socotra is known for its distinctive dragon blood trees, biodiversity and beaches (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Hundreds of international tourists have been stranded on a Yemeni island after violent clashes on the mainland grounded flights.

Around 400 people are stuck on Socotra, a Unesco heritage site in the Indian Ocean, following New Years Eve celebrations last week.

A flare-up of violence between rival armed factions, affiliated with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, saw flights suspended on Thursday.

On 30 December, a state of emergency was declared on Socotra, temporarily closing all ports of entry.

Yahya bin Afrar, Socotras deputy governor for culture and tourism, told AFP that there were more than 400 foreign tourists there and their flights have been suspended.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE were once allies in a Gulf coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis  who now control much of Yemen  but turned against each other as they backed rival factions competing for strategic control of the countrys south.

Yemens civil war took a turn last month when the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) launched an offensive to extend its presence in areas in southeastern Yemen and form a breakaway state.

However, last week, Yemeni government troops backed by Saudi Arabia retook two provinces from STC forces.

Three charter flights from Abu Dhabi to Socotra by Air Arabia usually operate each week during peak season.

A Western diplomat told AFP: People are stuck on the island and reaching out to their embassies now for help to be evacuated.

Yemenia Airways resumed flights from Aden in southern Yemen on Sunday following three days of disruption.

On Friday, the US embassy in Yemen said in a security alert: The Department of State has received reports of closures, cancellations and redirected flights on commercial airline travel to and from the island of Socotra (Yemen) to nearby airports. US citizens are reminded to review the Level 4 Travel Advisory that recommends against all travel to Yemen, including Socotra.

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in Yemen, including Socotra.

Socotra, an archipelago of four islands around 240 miles off the Yemeni coast, is home to approximately 60,000 people and known for its distinctive dragon blood trees, biodiversity and beaches.

Polish foreign ministry spokesman Maciej Wewior wrote in a post on X that an airline from the United Arab Emirates has suspended flights to Socotra until 6 January, inclusive.

Mr Wewior said: Socotra is located in a highly unstable region where an armed conflict has been raging for years. The current security situation has deteriorated further  due to the intensification of military operations, airspace has been closed.

He added that Polish citizens who  despite warnings from @MSZ_RP  decided to travel to the island of Socotra are in a good condition.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, was nearly stranded on the island in March 2020. His tour group was woken in their tents in the early hours of the morning and taken to the islands airport with the warning: Go now or stay here for six months.

He said: Given the unfolding misery of the Covid crisis, I probably should have stayed.

Read more: Saudi warplanes strike UAE-backed separatists in southern Yemen
A major inquiry has been launched into the Channel Tunnel disruption which caused misery for tens of thousands of Eurostar passengers over the New Year period.

Rail minister Lord Hendy raised concerns that lessons from past disruption may not have been learnt to avoid the type of mayhem seen at the end of December.

He told the Lords: It is important that there is a full investigation into the three separate incidents which disrupted tens of thousands of passengers journeys on 30 and 31 December last and saw some passengers stranded throughout the night, which is clearly unacceptable.

I am therefore commissioning the relevant authoritiesthe binational Intergovernmental Commission, the IGC, which oversees the Channel Tunnel, and the Office of Rail and Roadto review last weeks incidents and also the implementation of recommendations from previous reviews of similar incidents, to ensure that urgent lessons are learned for good.

Travel chaos was sparked by a power supply fault last week that disrupted the plans of thousands of Eurostar passengers.

Stranded Eurostar passengers in St Pancras station on December 30 (AFP via Getty Images)

Passengers described ruined New Years Eve plans, with once-in-a-lifetime trips thrown into disarray.

A fault with the overhead power supply combined with a broken-down LeShuttle train brought all routes to a halt.

Services were suspended until further notice, with widespread disruption across the network.

By midday last Tuesday, at least a dozen Eurostar services linking the UK with France, Belgium and the Netherlands had been cancelled.

Labour peer Lord Snape questioned Lord Hendy about compensation for affected passengers and over whether disruption on the UK side of the Channel Tunnel took longer to resolve than on the Continental side.

Lord Hendy, a former Transport Commissioner for London, responded: I share my noble friends concern about the disruption caused to travellers, in particular those whose holidays were spoiled or at least delayed.

Eurostar routes were severely affected (PA Archive)

There is appropriate compensation made by Eurostar and Getlink, which are private companies, for that.

He added: I take a particular interest in the last point about ownership and proper maintenance, because there have previously been similar incidents and they do seem to take a long time.

My concern in this review, which is why I specifically mentioned the review of previous recommendations, is that it is not currently clear to me that all the previous recommendations for better maintenance, fewer incidents and for dealing with incidents when they occur have been followed through to completion.

The transport minister was also asked if the disruption was down to an electricity failure.

Lord Hendy explained: I think it is a distraction to regard the electricity suppliers as the principal reason for the three separate failures.

In fact, the first failure, we believeor it is believedwas a train failure which brought down some of the wires.

The second failure was an alarm on a freight train that suggested that the train had a seized wheel, although that proved not to be the case.

The third was some form of failure, but it does not look like a particularly strong failure of the electricity supply.

The review I have already mentioned, along with previous reviews, ought to do their very best to make sure that these failures are obviated in future.
William DeFoor, 26, has been arrested in connection with the incident

The hammer-wielding intruder accused of smashing the windows of JD Vances house is the transgender child of a Democratic donor.

William DeFoor, 26, was charged on Monday with obstructing official business, criminally damaging or endangering, criminal trespass and vandalism after an overnight break-in at the vice-presidents 1m home in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Police and federal officers swarmed the five-bedroom residence early on Monday morning after a suspect smashed several windows of the Vances property with a hammer and tried to break in, according to officials.

Photographs from the scene show several holes in the windows of the 19th-century hillside property.

Smashed windows at Mr Vances house in Cincinnati, Ohio

The suspect had also vandalised a Secret Service vehicle on his way up the homes driveway, one of the officials said.

The vice-president was not home at the time, having returned to Washington, DC on Sunday, but had been staying in Cincinnati together with his wife, Usha, and their three young children, for the weekend, local media reported.

DeFoor, who attended a $27,000 (20,000)-a-year Catholic school now appears to identify as a woman, going by the name Julia, according to the Daily Mail.

The Cincinnatti-native grew up in a $1.3m (960,000) home in the affluent Hyde Park neighbourhood with two younger siblings, the child of a surgeon father, William, and a paediatrician mother, Catherine, who are both registered Democrats.

DeFoor appears to have created a Facebook page under the female name of Julia last month and included a transgender wellness centre among the pages likes.

According to the Facebook profile, DeFoor graduated from high school in 2018 before attending the University of Cincinnatis College-Conservatory of Music. The suspect did not appear to have finished the course and enrolled at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College last year.

DeFoor now appears to identify as a woman, going by the name of Julia

DeFoors father, William, is a long-term Democrat who donated more than $11,600 (8,500) to Kamala Harriss campaign in the lead up to the 2024 election, according to the Daily Mail.

He also donated to Joe Bidens presidential campaign in 2020, according to federal election commission records.

DeFoor was detained shortly after midnight on Monday after Secret Service agents heard a loud noise and found the suspect with a hammer, according to an agency spokesman.

It is not the first time DeFoor has been in trouble with the law. In April 2025, the suspect pleaded guilty to two counts of vandalism after he caused more than 1,500 worth of damages to a Hyde Park interior design company, according to court documents cited by Fox19. The suspect was sentenced to treatment at a mental health facility for two years and fined 4,100.

DeFoor will be arraigned in Hamilton County Municipal Court in Cincinnati on Tuesday. The cost of bond is expected to be set high owing to the suspects criminal history.

Motivation not yet released

Mr Vance expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and Cincinnati police for responding quickly to the incident.

I appreciate everyones well wishes about the attack at our home, he said on X. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. Im grateful to the Secret Service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly.

We werent even home as we had returned already to DC.

Police were at the house for several hours on Sunday night, local media reported. Officials are investigating whether the suspect had deliberately targeted Mr Vance. The motivation behind the alleged attack has not been released.

City officials had announced road closures surrounding Mr Vances home and set up checkpoints from Dec 29 until Jan 4.

The Telegraph has approached the Cincinnati police department and the citys council for comment.

Pro-Ukraine demonstrators camped outside Mr Vances Ohio home in March last year after his confrontation with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Donald Trump and Mr Vances meeting with the Ukrainian leader descended into a shouting match as they accused him of being disrespectful towards US financial and military support.
Actress Jessie Buckley has said her role in new film Hamnet made her feel the deep need to become a mother.

In an interview with British Vogue, the 36-year-old admitted that embodying a mother mourning the loss of a child made her feel drawn to becoming a parent.

Buckley stars in the historical drama, based on Maggie OFarrells novel of the same name, which explores the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes Hathaway  historically known as Anne  in the aftermath of their 11-year-old sons death.

The Irish singer and actress welcomed her first child last year (Jack Davison/British Vogue)

She told British Vogue that embodying someone who had lost a child tapped a deep need in her to find her own.

The Killarney-born actor tied the knot with her husband in 2023, and they welcomed their first child last year.

She became pregnant shortly after filming for Hamnet wrapped in September 2024, and said her first time out of the house after giving birth was to take her daughter to see a screening of the film.

It has been reported that Buckley has previously spoken about deeply wanting to become a mother after taking on the role of one.

Jessie Buckley said becoming a mother was a big change for her (Jack Davison/British Vogue)

Buckley said becoming a mother was a big change.

She said: I said to somebody the other day, Its a bit like being a beetle on your back.

A friend said to me, Dont forget that youre also a new thing when you become a mother.

A lot of attention is given to this little baby but your relationship to the world is new, your relationship with your partner is new, your relationship to your work is new.

I dont know what the next story is that I need to tell because its seismic whats happened.

Jessie Buckley is the frontrunner for the best actress Oscar this year (Ian West/PA Wire) (Ian West)

Buckley also spoke about the upcoming awards season, which kicked off with the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, during which she was crowned best actress.

When asked about the mounting Oscar buzz, she said: I feel a little bit like a rabbit in headlights.

Buckley went on to say that she is totally oblivious to Hollywood chatter, as she is too busy with parenting and promoting the film.

The full feature appears in the February issue of British Vogue, available on digital download and on newsstands from January 20.
Legacy Commercial Property assets attract broad investor demand following complex lease restructuring

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Highland Ventures today announced the successful sale of its Heartland Veterinary Partners Net Lease Portfolio. The transaction included 18 freestanding veterinary clinic properties located across 10 states.

The transaction was arranged by JLL Capital Markets for Highland Ventures, and its Legacy Commercial Property division. Legacy Commercial property is the nation's leader in convenience retail with more than 700 properties nationally.

The portfolio totals 101,942 square feet and spans Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. All properties are 100% leased to Heartland Veterinary Partners, a leading private equity-backed veterinary support organization with more than 300 locations nationwide.

The sale generated strong interest from a varied group of capital sources, including healthcare-focused investors, institutional net lease buyers and private capital investors. Investor demand was driven by the portfolio's geographic diversification, long-term tenancy and the continued growth and resilience of the veterinary services sector.

"We're excited to complete a transaction of this scale with a partner like JLL," said Ben Hoogland, Vice President of Highland Ventures. "I'm proud to continue to scale Highland's Legacy Commercial Property platform to further our growth as the leader in convenience retail."

The JLL Investment Sales and Advisory team was led by Senior Director Kirby Hayes, Director Josh Katlin, Senior Managing Director Alex Sharrin and Analyst Gerard Smith, with Richard Reid and Jaime Fink serving as brokers of record.

"Highland Ventures was a thoughtful and collaborative partner throughout this process," said Kirby Hayes, Senior Director at JLL Capital Markets. "The portfolio's institutional quality and strong tenancy drove competitive interest across multiple buyer profiles."

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Highland Ventures is a fourth-generation family business with a focus on scaling and growing retail businesses centered around their real estate. Highland prioritizes disciplined ownership and long-term value creation built on trusted relationships.

Highland Ventures is a family-owned, national venture management company. It currently operates several brands in its portfolio. Legacy Commercial Property, the nation's convenience retail leader, holds more than 700 properties and is the retail development leader in the mid-west and sunbelt. Hoogland Restaurant Group is the nation's largest franchisee of Marcos Pizza, operating more than 120 locations. Intune Physical Therapy is Highlands growing physical therapy platform, focused on delivering individualized patient care. These companies are all governed by Highland's mission to grow  people, communities and businesses.

Media Inquiries: Rich Palumbo e: [email protected]

SOURCE Highland Ventures
A Korean mathematician has solved one of geometrys most stubborn puzzles, ending a problem that has challenged researchers for nearly 60 years and earning global recognition for a proof achieved without the help of computers.

Dr Baek Jin Eon, 31, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Advanced Study, has demonstrated that no shape larger than a previously proposed design can move through a right-angled corridor of fixed width, resolving the so-called moving sofa problem that was first posed in 1966.

The problem asks a deceptively simple question: what is the two-dimensional shape with the largest possible area that can be carried through an L-shaped corridor of width one? While easy to visualise, it has resisted proof for decades.

In 1992, mathematician Joseph Gerver proposed a complex curved shape, known as Gervers sofa, as a likely solution. However, no one had been able to prove that a larger shape could not exist.

After seven years of work, Dr Baek showed that Gervers design was indeed optimal. He published his 119-page proof on the preprint server arXiv in late 2024, concluding that no sofa wider than Gervers sofa can exist.

Unlike many earlier attempts, Dr Baeks work relied entirely on logical reasoning rather than large-scale computer simulations.

(SpareRoom)

Describing the long research process, Baek likened his work to repeatedly building and abandoning ideas.

You keep holding on to hope, then breaking it, and moving forward by picking up ideas from the ashes, he said in an interview.

Im closer to a daydreamer by nature, and for me, mathematical research is a repetition of dreaming and waking up.

The research has since been named by Scientific American as one of its Top 10 Math Discoveries of 2025, an editorial selection highlighting breakthroughs across the field.

The magazine has noted that while many researchers have relied on large-scale computer simulations to solve for the maximum sofa size, it is surprising that Baek Jin Eons final solution does not depend on computers at all.

Dr Baeks proof is currently under peer review at the Annals of Mathematics, one of the most prestigious journals in the discipline.

While the review process remains ongoing, confidence in the result is high within the mathematical community.

The moving sofa problem has long held a place in popular culture as well as academia, most famously referenced in the US sitcom Friends, where characters struggle to manoeuvre a sofa up a staircase.

Scientific American joked that explaining the Pivot! shouted by Ross Geller required a 119-page paper.

(Netflix/Warner Bros. Television)

Dr Baek began working on the problem while serving as a research specialist during his mandatory military service and continued through his doctoral studies in the US and later as a postdoctoral researcher in South Korea.

He was selected last year for the June E Huh Fellow programme, which supports young mathematicians under 39 for up to a decade.

He is now continuing work on optimisation problems and challenges in combinatorial geometry.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer sign a declaration of intent on a multinational force to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine - Rachel Sommer/Avalon

Progress. Success. A very big milestone.

For the first time in more than a year, Ukrainians, Americans and Europeans seemed to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Peace, they say, is closer than ever, because they are on the brink of agreeing to a security deal to deter a new Russian attack on Ukraine after a ceasefire.

Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans for an Anglo-French security force on the ground after a ceasefire.

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps special envoy, declared that diplomats were nearly done with security protocols that would stop the war from repeating.

Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, even claimed that the Americans had agreed to strong legally binding security guarantees and an American backstop for them.

Steve Witkoff (left) and Jared Kushner address a press conference after the signing of the Ukraine declaration - Ludovic Marin/EPA/Shutterstock

Germany itself, he promised, would accept responsibility for Ukraine and the continent as a whole  though he avoided joining the British and French promise of a force on the ground.

This is an essential component to a peace deal, because the Ukrainians will not accept any peace  or offer to compromise on territory  unless they feel that the Russians will not be able to attack again.

But no backstop for the security force has actually been agreed. At least, the details have not been laid out.

Starmer, Macron, and Zelensky referred only to American involvement in ceasefire monitoring. They are still working on the backstop question.

Asked to elaborate, Mr Witkoff insisted that these security protocols are meant to deter any further attacks on Ukraine, and if there are any attacks, they are meant to defend. But he avoided specifics, although saying the US military had been thinking about it.

That means the ultimate security guarantee  the implication that going to war with Ukraine again would mean going to war with the United States  is still not in place.

This matters.

At one point, UK officials floated the idea of US jets in Poland or Romania providing back-up to Ukrainian, French, and British forces on the ground. Is that idea still in play? We just dont know.

It is those details that will make the difference between a credible deterrence and a paper tiger.

American actions in Venezuela and Donald Trumps intentions towards Greenland still raise questions over the credibility of White House commitments to Europe.

And of course, all of this is contingent on Russia accepting a ceasefire. Vladimir Putin has already ruled out a deal in which Nato countries deploy troops to Ukraine.

There were definite signs of renewed Western unity on Tuesday. Britain and France have gone further than previously imagined to assure Mr Trump that Europe will shoulder the burden for its own security.

But peace, as ever, remains over the next hill.
The Home Secretary has shown true leadership

I am Labour, and I am Blue Labour because I believe politics must once again be rooted in responsibility, contribution and the courage to confront difficult truths.

I was born and raised in the constituency I now represent. The community I grew up in was held together not by slogans or initiatives, but by relationships. As children, many of us attended activities run by the local church, the Ark. We came from different backgrounds and faiths, but we went because the doors were open and the purpose was clear  caring for each others children.

My father never questioned it. He respected the church because he recognised something deeper than difference, humanity. Later, when he became president of one of the largest gurdwaras in the country, I watched him live out those same values, working with churches, synagogues, mosques and mandirs, opening doors, welcoming people in. Community was not about identity politics; it was about duty to one another.

That instinct ran through everything he did. He unionised the factory where he worked after standing up to a pay racket that forced workers to hand over part of their wages to those in senior positions. He paid a personal price for speaking out, but he did not back down and was later made foreman. Fairness and solidarity, not difference, were his guiding principles. I live by them.

That upbringing explains my politics far better than any label. But Blue Labour is the tradition that best reflects it: rooted, relational and serious about responsibility.

I am a former councillor, cabinet member and a former childrens services manager. I have worked inside the system, responsible for safeguarding vulnerable children. I know from experience that when the state fails, it is rarely because of a lack of policy. It fails because of a lack of courage, clarity and leadership. That is what we must recover.

That is why Labour must be unflinching about crimes such as grooming gangs. Institutional failure did not happen by accident. It happened because too many people were afraid of difficult conversations, worried about reputational risk, or paralysed by process. These crimes must be exposed and punished wherever they occur and at every level.

Protecting children must always come before political sensitivity. That is not a Right-wing position. It is a moral obligation, and Labour in government must be strong enough to meet it.

The same moral clarity is needed when it comes to womens sex-based rights. Women are not a minority interest group. We are half the population. Yet women are increasingly expected to explain, defend or apologise for single-sex spaces and biological reality.

I will not do that.

Womens safety, dignity and equality are non-negotiable. Leadership means being prepared to say so clearly, even when it attracts criticism. The public expects clarity, responsibility and decisions that can be understood, defended and delivered.

Bridget Phillipson has still not signed off the publication of trans guidance that would protect women-only spaces - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Blue Labour also insists on honesty about borders and belonging. Britain is a welcoming country, but it must also be a lawful one. Illegal migration is illegal and it matters that the public can see the law being enforced fairly and consistently. When housing, health and education are under strain, ignoring this reality corrodes trust in the state itself.

Contribution is the foundation of the social contract. People are willing to give when they believe the system will be there when they need it. When that balance breaks down, social cohesion and solidarity weakens. We can see that happening in communities across the country.

That is why competence in government matters. I have seen how public services succeed and how they fail. The Civil Service exists to deliver for the public. Accountability, performance and transparency are not managerial obsessions; they are democratic necessities. A Labour government must be confident enough to lead the machinery of the state, not be captured by it.

Keir Starmer is right to insist that government must be focused on delivery and outcomes. His emphasis on discipline, seriousness and competence is exactly what the public expects after years of failure. Government should be judged not by announcements, but by what is actually delivered, where, and with what impact.

Experienced politicians  those who have governed locally, worked in public services, and spent time in opposition  understand how hard delivery really is. That experience should be valued.

Economic renewal must be treated with the same seriousness. An industrial strategy cannot be a slogan. It must be driven from the centre and rooted in place. Regions should have clear specialisms and pride in what they produce. In the West Midlands, that means building on industrial strength, skills and manufacturing to create secure jobs and long-term prosperity.

Growth must be visible in peoples lives, not merely measured in Whitehall.

I want a Labour government that governs with confidence. One that protects children without fear, defends women without apology, enforces the law fairly, and delivers economic renewal with purpose. Shabana Mahmood has shown what that leadership looks like, serious about public safety, clear about the rule of law, and rooted in the communities she represents. Thinkers such as Maurice Glasman have long argued that Labour must recover this moral seriousness if it is to govern well.

I want this Labour Government to succeed not by avoiding hard choices, but by meeting them with confidence and clarity.

Blue Labour is not about turning away from the future. It is about anchoring progress in the values that once allowed families like mine to contribute, belong and build a future. Confidence in our Labour tradition is the way ahead and it is a tradition worth fighting for.

Preet Kaur Gill is Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston
Lego is launching a first-of-its-kind smart brick, which the Danish toy maker has described as its biggest innovation in decades.

The new brick looks and clicks into place like a regular one but its advanced electronics sense other smart bricks and minifigures and respond with real-time audio or light effects.

It was unveiled by the company at the Consumer Electronics Show CES 2026, which is being held in Las Vegas this week.

The smart bricks and figurines run on two AAA batteries and form a network with other such blocks using Bluetooth  another Scandinavian invention.

A built-in accelerometer detects how the blocks are being moved, and the bricks can respond by producing sound and light effects, tilting and make gestures, Lego said on Tuesday.

Each smart minifigure reacts differently to its environment with unique sounds, moods and reactions, the company notes on its website, all of which are played through the smart brick.

Lego said it was able to fit so many electronics parts into the new blocks by skipping wires, instead using inductive charging coils similar to those in electric toothbrushes and modern smartphones. The coils in one block could be used to sense nearby smart bricks and minifigures, Lego researchers found, enabling them to develop an entire positioning system from the ground up.

The Smart Play System is our most revolutionary innovation since the creation of the minifigure in 1978, the company said.

Lego smart brick (Lego)

The smart building blocks are slated to be sold from March 2026, each coming with its own colour-recognition scanner and a sound synthesiser that plays almost any sound.

The bricks can be wirelessly charged with a pad.

New smart minifigures of Star Wars characters Darth Vader, Luke Sky Walker and Princess Leia have their own unique personalities, Lego says, adding their sounds, moods, and reactions will vary depending on the world around them.

Through the sounds the smart brick makes, you will be able to tell which smart minifigure might enjoy flying through space in a starship, the company said.

Youll notice that a more nervous character might be a bit more hesitant.

Lego smart bricks and minifigures (Lego)

Lego gained popularity for its simple plastic bricks before venturing into video games, movies, and digital experiences after the turn of the century, though the company says its core focus is still on physical play.

Industry experts say the smart bricks may be an attempt by Lego to introduce more interactive feedback in childrens play, competing against phones or computers that they increasingly spend their time on.

Lego seems to acknowledge as much.

We challenged ourselves to create an alternative to screens. Something that could be physically interacted with in ways never thought possible before, it says on its website.

The new technology unlocks an opportunity for interactivity, new dimensions of responsiveness, more social play and more storytelling, chief product officer Julia Goldin said.
Lawyer Barry Pollack speaks in Canberra, Australia, on 26 June 2024. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images (Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

When Nicolas Maduro appeared in court in New York on Monday, his choice of lawyer quickly raised eyebrows.

The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, eventually securing the WikiLeaks founders release from prison in the UK in 2024.

Pollack is a partner at Harris St Laurent & Wechsler, a law firm based on New Yorks Wall Street in the financial district of lower Manhattan, just a few minutes walk from the federal court where Maduro pleaded not guilty to criminal charges on Monday.

Related: Whats in the US criminal indictment against Nicolas Maduro?

Pollack will take on a case as Maduros private counsel that could prove to be just as challenging as that of Assange. Maduro was charged on Monday with drug-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, with the US government labelling Maduro a narco-terrorist and an illegitimate president. He faces up to life in prison.

Harris St Laurent & Wechsler did not respond to requests for comment about Pollacks involvement, but it is clear that in the legal world, he is highly regarded. According to Chambers USA, Pollack is a thorough and deep-thinking lawyer who lives, breathes and sleeps trials, and has such a natural way in front of juries.

In his first appearance representing Maduro, Pollack questioned the legality of Maduros dramatic abduction by US forces on Saturday in a raid on the Venezuelan capital Caracas, CNN reported, and argued Maduro is entitled to immunity as the head of a sovereign state.

Winning Maduros freedom will present a different challenge to Pollack compared with his work with Assange. The lawyer negotiated a plea deal on Assanges behalf which allowed the Australian data-freedom activist to walk free, ending an international legal saga that lasted more than a decade.

In the deal, Assange pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law in conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence documents. In return Assange, who spent five years in the maximum security Belmarsh prison in London and seven years as a fugitive hiding from British and American law enforcement in the UK Ecuadorian embassy, was ultimately sentenced to time served after years in which the US was attempting to have him extradited.

In an interview with Law Dragon last April, Pollack described the difficulty of negotiating the deal with the US, UK and Australian governments before securing Assanges freedom. Pollack also offered some thoughts relevant to what Maduro may currently be experiencing.

Typically, when I meet with a client, they are facing what may be the worst crisis that they have ever faced, Pollack said.

To guide them through that process is enormously gratifying. Its hard to imagine doing something where you see a greater impact on the life of the person who youre dealing with.

You spend a lot of hours with your client. In almost every case, Ive developed a relationship with the client. And at the end of the day, its no longer a stranger who Im seeing get through to the other side of this terrible piece of their life. Its somebody that Ive come to know and respect.

Along with his work representing Assange, Pollack has previously secured the acquittal of former Enron accountant Michael Krautz, and has also worked in overturning wrongful conviction cases, including helping to secure the freedom of Martin Tankleff, who spent 17 years in prison after being wrongfully accused of murdering his parents.

In the interview with Law Dragon, Pollack reflected on his strengths, offering a glimpse into how he may defend Maduro.

I have the ability to communicate well with a jury. In some ways, youre being a translator. Youre taking a mass of very technical information from an industry that the jury may not be familiar with and communicate it in a way that is understandable, Pollack said.

Im able to talk to a jury and explain the evidence in a way that makes sense to them  that shows them that the governments way of looking at the facts is not the only way to look at the facts and may not even be the best way to look at the facts.

Pollack is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are escorted in handcuffs after being captured in Venezuela - XNY/Star Max

Nicolas Maduros wife hit her head as she attempted to flee US special forces, US officials have claimed.

Cilia Flores, the former first lady of Venezuela, was seized on Saturday when US troops stormed her compound in Venezuela and bundled her into a helicopter.

Mr Maduro and Ms Flores had attempted to hide behind a steel door but hit their heads on a low door frame as they tried to escape, officials briefed members of Congress on Monday.

They described the injury to her head as minor, according to CNN.

Donald Trump, the US president, has previously said Mr Maduro and his wife had fled to a safe room in their home, but were seized by American troops before they were able to shut the door.

Ms Flores, who is charged with cocaine importation conspiracy and allegedly ordered the murder of rivals who threatened her drug trafficking operation, had bandages on her bruised face and a welt over her right eye on Monday when she appeared in a New York court.

Cilia Flores appears in court with bandages on her bruised face - JANE ROSENBERG/AFP

Her lawyer said she had sustained significant injuries and requested an X-ray, suggesting she may have suffered a rib fracture.

Ms Flores transport to Brooklyn Detention Centre after landing in New York was reportedly delayed because she was undergoing medical checks.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, and Gen Dan Caine, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, were among the top officials who briefed senior members of Congress for more than two hours on Monday.

They went on to say that members of the US elite Delta Force, who seized Mr Maduro and his wife, were hit by bullets and shrapnel but their injuries were not life-threatening.

Mr Rubio reportedly said Delcy Rodriguez, who has been sworn in as Mr Maduros replacement, was seen as more pragmatic than the former Venezuelan leader and someone the US can work with.

On Saturday, Mr Trump said he believed Ms Rodriguez would do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again, warning later that she would pay a very big price if she did not.
Mapped: Every country Trump has threatened after capture of Venezuelan president Maduro

Donald Trump has issued a series of threats against multiple countries after American troops captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

The US president followed Maduros shock arrest with threats against Colombia, Mexico, Greenland, Iran and Cuba.

But these are far from the only countries the Nobel Peace Prize hopeful Trump has lashed out at at.

Below, The Independent looks at the nations in the US leaders firing line, after he boasted that American dominance in the Western hemisphere will never be questioned again.

Venezuela

For months, the US has been striking what it describes as Venezuelan drug boats, which it claims are carrying narcotics to the US.

Since the first strike in September, Trump has ordered an unprecedented buildup of military assets near the countrys Caribbean coast and issued a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.

The US seized Maduro and his wife in a military operation Saturday, capturing them in their home on a military base.

Maduro will face a New York court on Monday

Colombia

Trump has warned Colombian president Gustavo Petro  one of his fiercest critics on the international stage  that the South American country could be the next to face US military action.

The US sanctioned Petro last autumn after Trump blamed him for failing to curb drug trafficking in the country and allowing cartels to flourish.

Colombia has become a refuge for millions of Venezuelans who have fled Maduros rule in recent years.

Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and hes not going to be doing it very long, he told reporters while on board Air Force One.

When asked by NewsNations Libbey Dean whether the US would carry out a military operation, the US president said: It sounds good to me. You know why? Because they kill a lot of people.

Colombian president Gustavo Petro has been one of Trumps fiercest critics (AP)

Mexico

Mexico has long been a target of Trumps anger, with the US president blaming the government for failing to deal with drug cartels and prevent the flow of migrants across the border.

Drugs are pouring through Mexico, Trump said last year, describing the cartels as very strong.

He said that Mexico, which has been led by left-wing president Claudia Sheinbaum since October 2024, has to get their act together or were going to have to do something.

Trump claims to have offered Sheinbaum the US militarys help to root out drug cartels. On Monday, Sheinbaum stressed Mexico is a sovereign country and was cooperating with the US on drug trafficking and security.

We categorically reject intervention in the internal matters of other countries, she said.

Trump claims to have offered Mexicos presdident Claudia Sheinbaum the US militarys help to root out drug cartels (AP)

Greenland

Fears are growing that Trump could order US military action in Greenland after repeated threats to seize the territory.

We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence, the president told The Atlantic magazine on Sunday.

Katie Miller, the wife of one of Trumps senior aides, Stephen Miller, sparked backlash in Greenland after she posted a picture on social media of the country in the colours of the American flag, alongside the word soon.

Trumps desire for a US takeover of the mineral-rich self-governing Danish territory has been no secret since he resumed office in January last year.

On Monday, Denmarks prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said in a statement that the US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom, of which Greenland is one.

Denmarks leader Mette Frederiksen says the US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom (PA)

Iran

Trump has long considered Irans regime one of Americas main adversaries. Last June, the US joined an Israeli bombing campaign aimed at destroying the countrys nuclear programme.

Last week, he weighed in on the ongoing protests in Iran over the cost of living, in which at least eight people have reportedly been killed by police. Protesters have called for the overthrow of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue  We are locked and loaded and ready to go, he wrote on Truth Social.

It is not clear how the US could help the protesters. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump only said: If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think theyre going to get hit very hard by the United States.

Protesters march in downtown Tehran over the cost of living (Fars News Agency)

Cuba

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Sunday that he believes Cuba is in a lot of trouble following the capture of Maduro, a key ally.

Im not going to talk to you about what our future steps are going to be and our policies are going to be right now in this regard, Rubio told NBC. But I dont think its any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro.

Mr Trump says the US may not need to intervene in Cuba, one of Venezuelas key allies, as he claims that the country is ready to fall following Maduros capture.

I dont know if theyre going to hold out, but Cuba now has no income. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. Theyre not getting any of it. Cuba literally is ready to fall.
Casino and Mecca Bingo firm Rank has revealed its boss will retire later this month after nearly eight years in the top job.

Chief executive John OReilly will step down on January 29, when the firm reports half-year results, and be replaced on an interim basis by chief financial officer Richard Harris.

Rank said Mr OReillys decision comes after talks with the board and confirmed it had kicked off the hunt for his permanent replacement.

It comes just over two weeks after Rank revealed its Spanish business had been the victim of a 7.1 million euro (6.1 million) payment fraud.

Shares in the FTSE 250 firm tumbled on the news last month, which it said had impacted its businesses in Spain  Enracha and Yo.

Mr OReilly, who will continue to support the business until the end of the financial year, said: It has been a privilege to lead Rank for the past seven-and-a-half years, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished in that time.

His departure comes at a more challenging time for the group after the autumn Budget dealt a blow by confirming an increase in remote gaming tax from 21% to 40%, which Rank had warned would lower its annual earnings by around 46 million.

It said this would be offset by the 6 million benefit of the Governments move to ditch bingo duty, but still leave it with a 40 million earnings impact.

Chairman John Ott paid tribute to Mr OReillys leadership of and passion for Rank since his appointment as chief executive in April 2018.

His extensive gambling industry knowledge and experience, as well as deep operational skills, have combined to ensure that Rank is well positioned to build on the direction he established, Mr Ott added.

He said incoming interim boss Mr Harris would provide both important continuity and the strategic leadership required to drive the performance of the business and maximise shareholder returns.
While winter temperatures do affect battery health, there are some steps you can take to maximise efficiency. (Getty Images) (picture alliance via Getty Images)

The number of motorists opting to buy an electric vehicle (EV) in the UK continues to rise.

More than 470,000 electric cars were registered in 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)  up 23.9% on 2024.

Indeed, pure battery EVs achieved a market share of 23.4%, which is expected to place the UK as the second largest market in Europe, behind Germany

It comes as the UK government attempts to encourage more people to make the switch to EVs, offering a discount of up to 3,750 for certain models.

However, there are still some drawbacks of electric vehicles, including how they handle cold weather, with research by insurance provider AXA showing battery health is a major concern putting off would-be buyers.

As the UK endures a bitter cold snap, this will be at the forefront of many electric vehicle owners  but how bad is the cold weather for EV batteries really?

Is cold weather bad for electric cars?

Cold weather can affect your car's electric battery in a number of ways, as explained by BP Pulse, which supplies charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Lithium-ion batteries rely on chemical reactions to generate power, and "cold weather slows down these reactions", making batteries less efficient, the vehicle charging network says.

A Tesla electric car being charged in the snow. (Getty Images) (EyesWideOpen via Getty Images)

The cold weather drains batteries in electric vehicles in other ways that don't apply to traditional fuel-powered cars, it adds.

"Unlike a petrol or diesel car that uses waste engine heat to warm the cabin, EVs have to draw power directly from the battery for heating and demisting the windscreen. This can be one of the biggest factors in reducing your range."

Furthermore, to "perform optimally and charge at speed" your EV's battery pack often needs to be warmed up, BP Pulse says.

"Your cars thermal management system uses energy from the battery to do this, which could reduce range, especially before charging or at the start of a journey," it adds.

How much range does an EV lose in the cold?

Modern EVs in the UK typically lose between 10-30% of their range when the temperature falls below 5C, according to electric vehicle platform ONEEV.

It says the most reliable data on this comes from cold weather testing by independent organisations such as the RAC and Auto Express, and says the results align with findings of Scandinavian tests taken in harsher winters.

EV charging and sustainable energy business Gridserve suggests losses of 10-20%, meaning that "for a car with 200 miles range on a nice day, on a frozen winter morning youre more likely to get 160 miles".

However, ONEEV points out that petrol and diesel cars are also less efficient in the winter, often using up to 15% more fuel, although drivers rarely notice due to the size of their tanks.

In contrast, EV drivers might notice the difference more clearly on their dashboard display.

Do electric cars charge in freezing weather?

Yes, your EV can still be charged in freezing weather, but at a slower rate.

"A cold battery cant accept a charge as quickly as a warm one," says BP Pulse.

"When you plug into a rapid or ultrafast charger on a freezing day, some of the initial energy may go into warming the battery before your car can charge at its fastest rate."

Norway is leading the way in EV adoption despite their bitterly cold winters. (Alamy) (martin berry)

As EVs draw more energy in cold weather when the battery is very low, ONEEV advises drivers to charge their batteries before they drop below 20% to maximise efficiency.

Online car marketplace Carwow advises drivers to "use slow charging whenever practical" to protect their car's battery during the winter, as this is "better for battery life".

"You should also keep the battery between 20% and 80% charged, only charging to 100% if you must for a long journey," it adds.

Is it getting better?

Yes, according to EV research site Recurrent, which wrote in November 2024 that heat pumps, a newer and more efficient type of heater, can improve driving range during the winter by 8-10%.

Resistive heating units that many EVs have been relying on generate 1 unit of heat for every unit of electricity used, the site adds, while heat pumps can generate 3-4 units.

The Electric Car Scheme, which allows workers to save money on EVs through salary sacrifice, claims heat pumps can improve winter range by 10-30% compared to traditional resistive heating systems.

It says the efficiency benefits of heat pumps are "most noticeable in temperatures between -5C and 15C, making them particularly valuable in the UK climate".

The scheme adds that premium electric vehicles from Tesla, BMW and Audi now include advanced heat pump technology as either standard or optional equipment.

Should it put people off buying an EV?

Despite improvements in technology, many drivers in the UK still appear to be mindful of an EV's range when making the switch.

Research by the AA suggests "range anxiety" affects 73% of potential EV buyers, according to car broker Motorfinity.

A report by Electric Vehicle Association England (EVA England) adds that range anxiety, and a perceived lack of charging infrastructure and usability of that infrastructure are among the main reasons people don't go for electric.

Electric vehicles can easily withstand UK winter temperatures, but recent surveys suggest many buyers still have doubts. (Alamy) (Victor Kuznetsov)

However, limitations on EVs due to cold weather does not appear to have put off buyers in Norway, which is known for its sub-zero winter temperatures and is leading the way in adoption of electric cars.

In 2025, electric vehicles in Norway accounted for 96% of new cars sold  up from 88.9% in 2024, according to Norwegian Road Federation data.

This should provide some reassurance to UK buyers, Carwow suggests, adding that "an electric car will work in any cold temperature were likely to experience in the UK".
Donald Trump did a little dance after delivering remarks at the House Republican party (GOP) member retreat in Washington DC on Tuesday. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

As if his humiliation was not complete, Nicolas Maduro is facing a new charge: copying Donald Trumps dance moves.

The US president on Tuesday accused the ousted Venezuelan leader, who faces terrorism and drug trafficking charges, of imitating Trumps signature hip-swaying and stiff arm-waving.

He gets up there and he tries to imitate my dance a little bit, Trump told a gathering of congressional Republicans in Washington.

Related: Feel the groove: Trump keeps on dancing  does it help his cause?

The jibe appeared to reference a report that Maduros regular public dancing  he appeared on stage to a techno remix of his mantra No War, Yes Peace  and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks contributed to the White Houses decision to abduct him.

The late Hugo Chavez, Maduros mentor and role model, frequently danced at rallies, but Trumps team felt Maduro was mocking a buildup of US military force and demands for him to step down, according to the New York Times.

US forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a raid on Saturday that left dozens dead and stunned Venezuelas government but left it in place.

Trumps comments appeared designed to add to Maduros humiliation a day after his arraignment hearing at a federal court in Manhattan.

Speaking at the rebranded Trump-Kennedy Centre in Washington, the US president also made darker accusations about Venezuelas deposed dictator. Hes a violent guy, and hes killed millions of people. Hes tortured  they have a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas that theyre closing up. Trump did not elaborate on this claim.

Trump has faced widespread scorn for his dancing at rallies, including to the disco song YMCA, but supporters have lauded and copied it.

The president said his wife, Melania, considered his signature moves to be unpresidential. She hates it when I dance. I said, everybody wants me to dance, darling.

He said the first lady replied: They dont like it. Theyre just being nice to you.

Trump told her she was wrong. The place goes crazy. Theyre screaming, Dance, please!
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People celebrate the new year in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. China has long had a policy of coercion without violence toward the island. Photograph: Cheng-Chia Huang/Shutterstock (Photograph: Cheng-Chia Huang/Shutterstock)

The sight of a hostile regional superpower launching an overnight raid to depose the leader of a smaller neighbouring country could easily have sent pulses in Taiwan racing.

The US on Saturday revealed the details of a surprise raid to capture Venezuelas leader, Nicolas Maduro, who was whisked away to the US, where he was frogmarched into a court in New York on Monday.

Commentators in China immediately drew comparisons to how an assault on Taiwan could play out.

China, a country with more than 1.4 billion people and the worlds biggest armed forces, has long had designs on Taiwan, a self-governing island of 23 million in its back yard. The imbalance in power is comparable to that between the US, which possesses the worlds most powerful army, and Venezuela, a small, middle-income country of just 30m which, like Taiwan, relies on friendly countries for its defence.

Related: The maps that show how Chinas military is squeezing Taiwan

On Monday, Emily Thornberry, the chair of the UKs foreign affairs committee, warned that China and Russia may be emboldened by the lack of condemnation for the USs actions. But events in the Americas are unlikely to change Beijings fundamental thinking with regards to Taiwan.

Firstly, although China cares about international narratives with regards to Taiwan, and puts great pressure on other countries to recognise Beijings claims on the island, it does not see the matter as being one of international laws. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and therefore a domestic political matter. Beijing has not refrained from kinetic or other actions on Taiwan out of deference to international law and norms. It has pursued a strategy of coercion without violence, said Ryan Hass, a former US diplomat in Beijing and a senior fellow at Brookings.

Shen Dingli, a senior international relations scholar in Shanghai, laid out the official view: Cross-strait relations are not international relations and are not governed by international law. The United States approach to Venezuela holds no relevance for cross-strait relations.

On the Chinese social media site Weibo, one popular nationalist government affairs commentator wrote: Stop linking the US actions in Venezuela to the Taiwan issue  Their actions constitute a grave violation of international law and an infringement on Venezuelas sovereignty, whereas our situation is strictly an internal national affair. There is absolutely no comparability in terms of nature, methods or objectives.

Secondly, the biggest deterrence for China in launching an attack on Taiwan is the military balance in the Taiwan Strait. Although China has a more powerful military, Taiwan has the promise of support from the US in the event of an attack. Last week, Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) conducted several days of intense military drills around Taiwan, designed to showcase its ability to blockade the island and fend off international assistance.

The US Department of Defense believes that the PLA is on track to reach its 2027 goal of being able to achieve a strategic decisive victory over Taiwan, particularly with its rapid advances in military artificial intelligence, biotechnology and hypersonic missiles.

But rather than feel worried by the news in Venezuela, many in Taiwan argued that the successful US military operation may actually give Beijing pause for thought.

Some pointed out that Venezuelas China-sourced weapons failed to defend against the US attack. Between 2010 and 2020, nearly 90% of Chinas arms sales to the Americas went to Venezuela, according to ChinaPower, a research project hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Why was the US military able to move in as if no one were there? said Lin Ying Yu, an associate professor at Tamkang University in Taipei. Everyone seemed to think that Chinese-made weapons were very impressive after the clashes between Indian and Pakistani air forces, Lin said, referring to the success of Chinese-made jets used by Pakistan in a brief conflict with India last year. But now, there seems to be a different interpretation.

Sung Wen-Ti, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub who is based in Taiwan, said: The US militarys capacity for a decapitation strike, especially against Venezuelas largely Chinese defence systems, ought to provide a deterrent that makes Beijing think about putting their [military] to the test against Washington.

Related: The Putinization of US foreign policy has arrived in Venezuela

Still, Donald Trumps flagrant disregard for the international rules-based order, and the speed at which western leaders have toed Washingtons line, reveals the upending of global norms that is under way. The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has declined to condemn Trumps actions, despite the fact that experts have described the attack as illegal under international law. Many European leaders have also equivocated.

China said on Monday that the USs blatant use of force against Venezuela seriously violates international law and basic norms in international relations. China, along with Russia, backed an emergency UN security council meeting over the legality of the operation.

Taiwans government declined to comment on the USs actions, despite the fact that Taiwans president, Lai Ching-te, has repeatedly talked of the need to defend the international rules-based order as a means of preventing a Chinese invasion.

One popular Taiwanese blogger argued that in order to prevent itself from becoming another Venezuela, Taiwan should avoid causing trouble for the US, such as by becoming a source of drugs or refugees. In a Facebook post that received more than 30,000 likes, the popular YouTuber Chiu Wei-chieh, also known as Froggy Chiu, said that unlike in Venezuela, Taiwans leader has the popular support of the people. Taiwan should not become Venezuela. That means clenching our five fingers tighter, uniting, and not becoming easy prey in their eyes, he wrote.

Additional research by Jason Tzu Kuan Lu and Lillian Yang
Sir Keir Starmers deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been dealt a humiliating blow in the House of Lords after peers backed demands for a renegotiation.

In a vote which left the government reeling, peers backed a demand to renegotiate the terms of the deal in order to ensure payments stop if the military base on Diego Garcia could no longer be used.

The amendment, which was led by former military chiefs, was backed by 132 votes to 124 in the House of Lords and represented the fourth defeat for the prime minister in the upper house on the controversial deal.

The amendment stated that the government must make arrangements for terms of payments should environmental or other issues make the military use of the Base permanently impossible.

The UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least 120 million annually during the 99-year agreement to lease back the site, a total cost in cash terms of at least 13 billion

The UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least 120 million annually during the 99-year agreement to lease back the site, a total cost in cash terms of at least 13 billion.

The government, however, estimates the bill will be lower at around 101 million a year while critics argue it will be much higher.

The Bill, which is needed to implement the treaty, has already been approved by MPs but has faced a bruising ride in the House of Lords.

Independent crossbencher Lord Houghton of Richmond, who served as chief of the defence staff from 2013-16, said: Currently, the Bill makes no provision for the circumstances under which the requirement to pay an annual fee for the use of the Diego Garcia base is revisited in the event of the base becoming unusable for military purposes.

In a veiled reference to US president Donald Trumps intervention in Venezuela, Lord Houghton said: Many in the chamber may think my concerns are drawn from the world of fantasy or nightmare, but do the last 72 hours not give serious cause for concern regarding our ability to predict with certainty the next two years of geopolitics, let alone the next 100?

This treaty needs to cater far better for what the future might hold.

Conservative shadow foreign minister Lord Callanan said: It is unconscionable that British taxpayers should be forced to continue to fund the Mauritian government under the terms of the treaty in circumstances where the military base, which the treaty relates to and secures, has therefore become inoperable.

An aerial view of Diego Garcia in the Indian ocean (Alamy stock photo)

Responding. foreign minister Baroness Chapman of Darlington said the treaty included a mechanism for dealing with developments relating to the base, while the deal was also covered by international law.

The Labour frontbencher added: We are taking steps that are necessary to prevent the base becoming unusable and that, however hard hypothetical situations might be for us to imagine today, there are processes in place established by the treaty to resolve them.

The government suffered a further setback as the Lords backed a Liberal Democrat measure requiring a referendum among the Chagossian community on whether the transfer deal adequately guarantees their rights to resettlement, consultation and participation in decision-making along with a government response to the result.

Up to 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed from their homes in the 1960s and 1970s, with many subsequently settling in Britain and some continuing to seek the right to return.

Up to 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed from their homes in the 1960s and 1970s, with many subsequently settling in Britain and some continuing to seek the right to return

The upper chamber also backed a Tory demand for a detailed costing of the payments to be made to Mauritius under the agreement, including a full methodology used in calculating the total.

Another Liberal Democrat measure that would ensure parliamentary oversight over UK Government spending linked to the treaty, which would also allow MPs to halt payments if Mauritius was judged to have breached the terms of the deal was also backed.

The World Court urged Britain in 2019 to return the islands to Mauritius, and a deal was finalised in May after years of negotiations.

The amendments will likely be reversed by MPs when it is returned to the Commons, but the move will delay the formal agreement of the deal.

However, Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said:  Once again Labour have suffered a humiliating defeat on their shameful anti-British Chagos Surrender Bill. At every stage of this process, the Government has sought to silence and ignore the Chagossian people and dodge scrutiny for the outrageous handover of British territory and 35 billion of taxpayers money.

Keir Starmer is weak and incapable of standing up for Britain at home and abroad. Britain's defence and security are at risk because of this terrible legislation. Only the Conservatives will stand up for Britain on the international stage.

Chagossians have pressed for the deal to be scrapped in favour for one where they are given sovereignty over the islands.

A spokesperson for the Chagossians said: We will continue to help hold support in the Lords and press the government for compromise. The Chagossians must be heard, and world security and the Chagos environment must be protected.
A Philadelphia man whose previous murder conviction was overturned in 2021 is now the suspect in two more homicides, authorities have said.

Arkel Garcia was arrested by police on Sunday after being involved in another violent incident in which he was stabbed and struck by a bullet after attempting to shoot another man, according to the U.S. Marshalls Service.

Garcia was found by responding officers in a nearby parking lot and was taken to the hospital, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. As of Tuesday, he was waiting to be arraigned on murder charges.

The 32-year-old was being sought by authorities in both Pennsylvania and Florida following two killings in November, one in Philadelphias Germantown and another over a death in St Lucie County.

According to police, Garcia had been on the run since the first incident, when he allegedly beat an elderly acquaintance to death inside an apartment complex. The crime had been described as a robbery, but an arrest warrant was issued for Garcia on murder charges.

Arkel Garcia was arrested by police Sunday after being involved in another violent incident in which he was stabbed and struck by a bullet after attempting to shoot another man, according to the U.S. Marshalls Service. He was wanted in connection with two homicides (US Marshals Service Philadelphia)

Weeks later, St Lucie County Sheriffs Office said they were seeking Garcia over the death of a victim who had also died as a result of blunt force trauma.

The sheriffs department added that the victim, who was not identified, had also suffered from smoke inhalation after their residence had been intentionally set on fire following the attack.

Florida police noted that Garcia was wanted for a parole violation stemming from his release from prison in 2024 and had become a person of interest based on evidence recovered at the crime scene and witness interviews.

It comes around a year after Garcia was released from prison, after having a 2015 murder conviction overturned.

The 32-year-old was being sought by authorities in both Pennsylvania and Florida following two killings in November, one in Philadelphias Germantown and another over a death in St Lucie County (US Marshals Service)

Garcia was convicted of fatally shooting Christian Massey, a 21-year-old man with special needs, who was killed over a pair of Beats by Dre headphones. He was sentenced to life in prison for the crime.

However, four years later, the office of District Attorney of Philadelphia Larry Krasner charged Philip Nordo, one of the homicide detectives on the case, with raping and sexually assaulting male witnesses he met on the job.

Prosecutors uncovered emails and phone calls showing secret sexual relationships between Nordo and key witnesses during the investigation.

A judge overturned Garcias murder conviction in 2021 in the Massey case, and the DAs office later declined to retry him.

However, he was not released from prison immediately after fighting with a sheriffs deputy in the courtroom and being convicted of aggravated assault. Garcia was sentenced to five to 10 years and was paroled in October of 2024.
There was a time when the Lib Dems housed serious thinkers - Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

Ed Davey has predictably condemned the US extraction of Venezuelas leader, claiming the UK Government looks ridiculous for refusing to brand Donald Trumps actions a clear breach of international law. The Liberal Democrat leader doubtlessly means it  and many of those Britons who feel a barely containable hatred towards the US president will agree. If they notice.

But the legal argument which Davey invokes has helped reduce Britain to an international bystander, incapable of acting in its own interests, let alone deterring dictators or influencing Trump. And theres a rather pathetic political opportunism behind his supposedly principled stance. The Lib Dems hostility towards the Orange One, including the performative boycott of the state banquet with the US president last year, allows them to pretend they stand for something distinct.

The party ought to be having the time of its life, and in a way that doesnt involve marching bands or rollercoasters. Labour support has cratered, and it is being squeezed between Zack Polanskis eco-populist Greens and Nigel Farages nationalist insurgency. The Tories remain exhausted, disunited and distrusted. The political ground might seem open for a pro-market, socially liberal, common sense party willing to champion freedom and enterprise without pandering to big business or union paymasters.

Instead, the Lib Dems know they cant win, dont seem to want to, and wouldnt know what to do if they did. Internally, they are split between those who accept a hard ceiling of around 100 seats (on a good day), who back the current focus on the Lib Dem heartlands, and those who want a far more radical, Left-wing turn.

The longstanding local heroes approach might have lifted them from 11 seats in 2019 to 72 in 2024 but it creates obvious contradictions: its why the Lib Dems promise to obstruct intrusions such as housebuilding or HS2 when knocking on voters doors, whilst its national policy is to support the pointless rail line and build more homes.

Theyve wasted nearly a decade blathering about Brexit; just this week Davey told the Financial Times that Europe is crying out for closer relations with Britain. Of course it is: time and again weve obligingly capitulated to the blocs demands, shovelled money its way and aligned ourselves with its suffocating rules.

Closer ties offer the EU clear advantages; however the benefits to the UK are usually overstated, including by erstwhile Lib Dem leadership candidate and Oxford MP Layla Moran. At the weekend she asserted that membership of the customs union would make a difference to peoples lives.

It may do, but not necessarily in a good way. The milquetoast party quite clearly wants to rejoin the EU in its full-fat entirety  dont forget that they ran Steve Bray, that megaphone-wielding twerp who continues to stand outside Parliament chanting stop Brexit, as a candidate in 2019  but lacks the courage to admit it.

Pro-EU protester Steve Bray stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate in 2019 - Alberto Pezzali/AP

As a result, they are defined mostly by what they oppose: theyre not-the-Conservatives, not-Labour, in Scotland not-the-SNP. Their 2024 manifesto wishlist was a mix of profligacy  free care for the elderly, more for the NHS, rail electrification, supercharged net zero, all paid for by that elusive Someone Else  together with economically illiterate promises such as restrictions on renting.

Their leader was reduced by their irrelevance to putting on a wetsuit and acting like a clown, a less amusing if more frenetically mobile version of Boris. They now whinge ceaselessly about Reform, a party they consider a threat to Britain, getting too much media attention. And they continue harping on, as they have done for decades, about electoral reform  that would, ironically, have handed Nigel Farage dozens more seats.

This is the party which once stood on a tradition of civil liberties, free speech and limiting state power. Yet they endorsed the lockdowns which trampled on individual rights and normalised government overreach. Forgetting their heritage as the descendants of Gladstone and John Stuart Mill, they back junk food advertising bans, supervised toothbrushing in schools and any other wheeze that do-gooders foist upon us. Only when it adheres to fashionable causes do they display a hint of what passes today for liberalism, as when Ed Davey cheerfully declared women can have penises. As many as they want.

There was a time, not so very long ago, when the Lib Dems housed serious thinkers. In The Orange Book  an attempt, in 2004, by a small band of economic liberals to rescue the party from the philosophy of good intentions  David Laws argued for shrinking the state back into line with what the public were willing to fund, while Vince Cable wrote that the tax take should not exceed 40 per cent of GDP. They debated replacing the NHS with a national insurance model. There was real intellectual energy. David Davis suggested at the time that it indicated where some of the younger, brighter sparks were going in the Lib Dems  including even a younger Davey, who authored a chapter on local government.

Whilst the historic Liberal Party believed in a small state, the current crew want us to rejoin a bloc which regulates everything, whose leaders are nearly all profligate taxers and spenders. And its not even paying off: pollsters say the Lib Dems should be doing far better than 15 per cent.

They could scoop up former Conservatives in the South as Kemi Badenoch moves in a more nationalist direction. They could leave the radical Left to the Greens, and become a more coherent liberal cosmopolitan party. But no one is asking how they can be neutralised or outwitted. If anybody thinks about the Liberal Democrats at all, theyre just wondering what the point of them is.

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The real reasons why AI isnt coming for your job, according to experts

Over the last year, chances are that at least once youve found yourself asking: Could AI take my job?

Modern workplaces are increasingly making use of artificial intelligence tools that promise to rid workers of the day-to-day drudgery of parts of their job. The technology has been hailed as a gamechanger with the potential to transform the lives of working people by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose government has pledged millions to support the founding of AI growth zones across the country.

But AI isnt coming to take your job tomorrow, according to experts at Microsoft and Imperial College London. In an article published in the journal Occupational Medicine, they warned that while AI technology can bring benefits to workplaces, it could actually make the roles left to humans more complex.

The changing landscape

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in workplaces, the technology will simultaneously create its own new health issues and challenges, according to lead researcher Dr Lara Shemtob.

Research shows that the labour market is changing, and some jobs and industries are more impacted by AI than others, she said. Its important that workplaces are cognizant of that.

So instead of being concerned about AI taking jobs, she said workplaces need to be aware of how implementing new technology is affecting employees.

AI technologies are creating hidden burdens for workers, experts warn (Alamy/PA)

For example, Dr Shemtob said some employees may see their role shift towards interacting with technology, where they used to speak to co-workers.

Relationships might change if you start liaising more with tech than with a human colleague, she explained. This is the sort of problem we are encouraging employers to be mindful of.

She added that some people may not have been expected to be supervisors when they took on their role, but could find themselves starting to take on managerial tasks over AI agents.

Equally, she said AI hallucination could mean people need to check work more thoroughly, placing more burden on workers.

Both these issues are things she said could become a hidden workload that could negate the benefits of using technology.

As AI absorbs routine tasks, human roles may shift toward stewardship, problem-solving, or emotional labour, all with their own psychological demands, Dr Shemtob said.

The team also warned that as the sophistication of AI accelerates, and the tasks it can be given  or taken away from human co-workers  increases, we will see growing role ambiguity within workplaces.

Relationships with co-workers could be changed by the implementation of AI (Getty/iStock)

She said this can potentially raise mental health issues such as uncertainty, stress and anxiety.

We know that risk factors for work-related stress involve things like role ambiguity, and change can also be a stressor, she said.

The benefits

Dr Shemtob was keen to highlight the benefits that AI technologies can bring to the workplace.

She said government plans to make AI work for working people through greater investment in and adoption of the technology in British industry could have lots of upsides. The AI Opportunities Action Plan has seen the government join with leading tech firms and investors to pledge the creation of AI growth zones and ensure British businesses and researchers stay at the forefront of AI.

She believes the new technology could help the 2.5-3 million people in the UK who are currently economically inactive due to ill health by lowering barriers to employment.

People with certain types of neurodiversity can really benefit from things AI can do in the workplace, she explained. AI tools like transcription, summarisation, and scheduling support can reduce barriers for neurodivergent workers.

Keir Starmer has said AI presents a vast potential for rejuvenating public services (PA Wire)

The introduction of AI technology could also have mental health benefits for workers, despite its challenges in the area, Dr Shemtob added.

For example, the experts behind the article believe it can be used to control hazards by reducing human involvement and completing tasks that are dangerous or psychologically harmful for humans, such as online content moderation - although they conceded there are issues with appropriate decision making.

She also said new technologies are helping occupational health professionals expand their reach and access more people in need.

But in order to feel the full effects of benefits, she said, workplaces need to use AI consciously.

I think the pace of change is so fast its hard to stay on top of it and think these things through, she added. We are encouraging people to think consciously about how you are using AI - weve all got to be much more active in our awareness of how we are using it.
Rebel violence in Colombia forces more than 300 to flee amid rising tensions

More than 300 people have sought refuge in Cucuta, a city near Colombias border with Venezuela, after fleeing fighting by rebel groups in the volatile Catatumbo region. The city was already bracing for a potential influx of displaced individuals.

Colombias Human Rights Ombudswoman, Iris Marin, confirmed the displacement on X on Monday night, stating the individuals originated from Tibu and El Tarra, where clashes erupted in December.

The government had deployed tanks and troops to Cucuta on Saturday, following a U.S. raid in neighboring Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

The Catatumbo region, a significant coca-producing area, has long been a battleground for drug traffickers and various rebel groups vying for control.

Last year, more than 56,000 people were displaced from Catatumbo, a large region that straddles the border with Venezuela, and at least 80 were killed. (AFP via Getty Images)

Once again we call on rebel groups to cease combat and leave the civilian population out of the conflict, Marin wrote.

Last year, more than 56,000 people were displaced from Catatumbo, a large region that straddles the border with Venezuela, and at least 80 were killed, as the National Liberation Army waged an offensive against a rival group known as the FARC-EMC.

The humanitarian crisis prompted Colombias government to suspend peace talks with the National Liberation Army that began in 2022.

Colombian officials have said the country is preparing for a potential wave of Venezuelan refugees, though that has not materialized so far, as the situation in Venezuela appears to have stabilized, with Maduros Vice President Delcy Rodriguez now sworn in as interim leader.

On Tuesday, Gloria Arriero, the director of Colombias National Immigration Service, said that foot traffic along the border has not changed significantly since the attack on Venezuela, with approximately 60,000 people entering Cucuta and leaving the city each day.

We feel calm, because the flows of people have not augmented, Arriero said at a news conference.
Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries lead Democratic members of Congress and family members of fallen US Capitol police officers in a moment of silence on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 attack. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Congressional Republicans were largely silent on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 insurrection on Tuesday, even as Democrats sought to use the occasion to condemn Donald Trump and a small group of protesters convened on the grounds of the US Capitol in solidarity with those who carried out the attack.

Democrats, who are in the minority in Congress after fruitlessly hoping that the well-documented violence would cause voters to reject Trump for good, seized on the anniversary to decry the president as a threat to democracy, and accuse Republicans of acting as his accomplices.

Related: January 6, five years on: sustained effort by Trump to rewrite history

Instead of holding those responsible for the attack accountable, Donald Trump and far-right extremists in Congress have repeatedly attempted to rewrite history and whitewash the horrific events of January 6. We will not let that happen, the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, said at an unofficial hearing his party convened to examine the effects of the attack.

The anniversary was the first since Trump returned to office nearly a year ago and immediately pardoned almost everyone convicted or charged over the violence, the crowning achievement of a campaign that Republicans began almost immediately in the attacks aftermath to blunt public outrage.

Noting that some of the roughly 1,500 people whom the president pardoned were convicted of other serious offenses before and after January 6, Jeffries said: Its been a Trump-inspired crime spree. Why wont Republicans in Congress condemn this dangerous behavior and ongoing threat to public safety?

Though the attack sent lawmakers from both parties fleeing when rioters breached the Capitol during the joint session of Congress that certified Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election, few Republicans noted the anniversary. Those who did downplayed its severity, or sought to steer blame towards the Democrats.

On this day in history in 2021, thousands of peaceful grandmothers and others gathered in Washington DC to take a self-guided, albeit unauthorized, tour of the US Capitol building, Republican congressman Mike Collins wrote on X.

He went on to inaccurately claim that the presidents supporters walked to the Capitol to exercise their First Amendment right about the irregularities of the 2020 election. During this time, some individuals entered the Capitol, took photos, and explored the building before leaving.

Trump made no public comments about the anniversary, and his top officials sought to push his administrations message that the president deserves no blame for the violence. Never forget the lies Democrats and the media tried to force upon the American people, the White House communications director, Steven Cheung, wrote on X.

He unveiled a website that offered a distorted timeline of the days events. Cheung later described the website as a trap that news outlets fell for.

The insurrection has been linked to nine deaths as well as dozens of injuries, and it was extensively documented in videos shot by journalists, police and the rioters themselves. A bipartisan congressional committee that investigated the attack determined that Trump should face charges for his involvement, saying lawmakers developed significant evidence that President Trump intended to disrupt the peaceful transition of power under our constitution.

In his testimony on Tuesday before the Democratic-convened hearing, former US Capitol police officer Winston Pingeon described being attacked by rioters who said: President Trump sent us.

Pardoning criminals who severely beat me and my fellow officers that day is completely unacceptable. We cannot accept violent felons being pardoned and released back into our neighborhoods without consequence. That is not justice, Pingeon said.

Pam Hemphill, a rioter who refused her pardon, said she had appeared at the hearing to make amends.

Accepting that pardon would be lying about what happened on January the sixth. I am guilty, and I own that guilt, she said, adding that she had fallen for the presidents lies, just like many of his supporters.

The occasion reinvigorated controversy over a plaque that Congress has required by law be installed at the Capitol in honor of the officers who responded to the attack, but which the Republican speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has yet to install.

They have a legal requirement to put it up, and I call on Speaker Johnson to put it up today. Its gathering dust in a closet somewhere, said Democratic congressman Jamie Raskin.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Thom Tillis, a Republican senator who is not seeking re-election after clashing with Trump, simultaneously criticized Democrats for creating an attitude around here that law enforcement is bad with their support of the racial justice protests that broke out in 2020 following George Floyds death.

But he also criticized Trumps pardons, saying: We let bad people go, and we sent the message that if you come to this Capitol and youve got the right president in office, hes going to let you get past things  that not any one of us would get away with if we did it back in our home state.

In the afternoon, several dozen protesters, some of whom wore shirts and hats indicating they had received pardons, marched from the White House Ellipse, where Trump delivered his speech five years ago, to the Capitol. They were halted short of its grounds by a line of police officers, but a smaller group was later allowed to go to its west front to place flowers in honor of Ashli Babbitt, a rioter who was fatally shot by a Capitol police officer as she attempted to breach a barricaded door during the insurrection.

Last year, the Trump administration agreed to a nearly $5m payout to her family, and to give Babbitt, an air force and air national guard vet, military honors.

Democratic congressman Tom Suozzi briefly confronted the protesters, who hurled insults at him as he asked: How do you feel about tasing a police officer? How do you feel about committing crimes?

Oh, we didnt commit no crimes, a protester yelled back.

In an interview, Enrique Tarrio, the former national leader of the far-right Proud Boys group who was convicted of charges related to the attack on the Capitol and then pardoned by Trump, said he expected such marches would take place every January 6.

I think now people get to see both sides of the coin, and they get to make an informed decision based on that, he said.
Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink has given her verdict on the fate of Eleven following the series finale and said it is likely she is dead.

The final episode of the hit Netflix show, which premiered on New Years Day in the UK, caused a stir as it was left unclear if the character, played by Millie Bobby Brown, was dead or alive.

While it looked as though Eleven had sacrificed herself to stay in the Upside Down, which was blown up in the last episode, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) spun a hopeful tale, believing her sister Kali was able to cast one last illusion to help her escape Hawkins and the military scientists looking for her.

Sink, 23, who plays Elevens friend Max Mayfield, believes this is a story Mike told himself to help deal with his loss.

She told The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: I think shes dead. I dont know.

Is that like a hot take or something? I think Mikes story is just one last story, and then they say goodbye to childhood, but thats just one final tale and thats it.

I think its just like a coping thing thats my interpretation.

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things first aired in 2016 and rocketed its young stars, including Sink and Brown, to fame.

Sink said the cast, which also includes Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp and Caleb McLaughlin, watched the finale at a screening together.

On Monday, Netflix announced it would release a documentary about the making of series five titled One Last Adventure: The Making Of Stranger Things 5 on January 12.

Sadie Sink attends the Stranger Things 5 volume 1 special screening (Jonathan Brady/PA) (Jonathan Brady)

In the trailer, the Duffer brothers reveal they debated the fate of Browns character, who helped defeat evil villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) using her psychokinetic powers.

Sink also spoke about the forthcoming Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day, and said it was through online speculation that she found out she had been cast.

She told Fallon: I found out through online theories, like, before I got cast in Spider-Man, there was speculation online that said Sadie Sinks going to be in the new Spider-Man.

I was like, I am?. And sure enough, two days later, they asked me to do it. So yeah, those theories, theres sometimes some truth to it.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland in the titular role, will be released on July 31 2026 and there is online speculation that fellow Stranger Things star Joe Keery has joined the cast.
This booking photo provided by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office shows Kiarra Jones. Jones, a school bus aide shown on surveillance video hitting a non-verbal autistic boy, has been charged with 10 more counts of abuse involving two children, prosecutors said Friday, May 3, 2024. (18th Judicial District Attorney's Office via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A former school bus aide has pleaded guilty to assaulting three nonverbal autistic students who were unable to report the abuse.

Kiarra Jones, 30, admitted to 12 charges on Monday under a plea agreement, avoiding a trial in suburban Denver. The abuse, which prosecutors say was revealed in 2024 by bus surveillance video, involved students with autism.

Ms Jones is represented by lawyers from the public defenders office, who do not comment on their cases to the media.

The abuse was discovered after Jessica Vestal, the mother of one of the nonverbal students, asked school officials to review the surveillance video to try to explain a series of injuries her son, then 10, suffered after going to school early last year, including bruises all over his body and a black eye.

Devon Vestal, front, and his wife, Jess, react as they listen during a news conference to announce plans to sue the Littleton, Colo., school district for abuse suffered by their autistic child while riding the bus to class Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Jessica and her husband, Devon Vestal, said they are haunted by whether their son understands why it happened.

We are committed to making sure that he understands how deeply he is loved, they said in statement released by the law firm representing them and the two other families, Rathod Mohamedbhai.

Jones pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of third-degree assault of an at-risk child and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse, the office of 18th Judicial District Attorney Amy Padden said. She faces up to 15 years in prison for the felony counts at sentencing set for March 18.
Democrats in the Senate are pushing a pair of War Powers resolutions aimed at curbing Donald Trumps ability to wage war abroad after the president directed a U.S. strike on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro  and with the president leaving open the possibility that other countries could also be targeted.

Sen. Ruben Gallego on Tuesday announced a resolution aimed at preventing the president from using military force in an attempt to seize Greenland amid renewed threats from the White House challenging Denmarks sovereignty over the territory. His announcement comes as the Senate is due on Thursday to vote on a separate resolution aimed at preventing further U.S. strikes inside Venezuela without congressional authority.

It follows the stunning U.S. raid over the weekend which ended in the capture of Maduro and his wife, who are now facing drug trafficking charges in New York. Maduro has pled not guilty and says he is a prisoner of war. On Sunday the president also reignited his threats to use military force to seize the territory of Greenland if Denmark refused to negotiate with him, prompting a response from Gallego.

Trump is on a high from his illegal operation in Venezuela and is bragging about potentially sending our young men and women into more stupid wars of conquest. Greenland could be next. Im introducing an amendment to make it clear that Congress will not bankroll illegal, unnecessary military action in Greenland just to soothe the ego of a power hungry wannabe dictator, wrote the Arizona senator on X.

We must stop him before he invades another country on a whim, he added.

Ruben Gallego has introduced a resolution aimed at preventing a U.S. invasion of Greenland (Getty Images)

But like the Venezuela resolution, Gallegos faces a tough road ahead. The Senate, which remains in Republican hands, defeated a resolution in the fall aimed at halting the presidents campaign of military strikes targeting boats in the south Caribbean that the U.S. government says are operated by drug traffickers. Even with the latest raid on Caracas, the presidents supporters in the Senate hold an edge as even a handful of Democrats have come out in support of the attack, such as Sen. John Fetterman.

On the issue of Trumps threats against Denmarks control of Greenland, Fetterman has also broken with party leadership and called the idea of acquiring Greenland through legal means strategically a smart thing. The senator has said he would never accept the U.S. taking Greenland by force, however, making his support for Gallegos resolution an open question.

President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland for the United States on Sunday, and White House officials including Karoline Leavitt refused to rule out military force as an option (AFP via Getty Images)

A handful of Republicans have come out in opposition to the presidents saber rattling around Greenland, but the list does not extend far beyond the usual GOP members who break with the president with some frequency. Much of the party remains in lockstep with Trump, and either resolution would require four defections within the Republican Senate caucus to pass even with every Democrat voting in favor.

The president can also issue a veto for War Powers resolutions. Overriding Trumps veto would require two thirds of both chambers voting in support.

Denmarks prime minister said Monday that a U.S. invasion of Greenland would mark the end of the NATO alliance. It would also likely be a bridge too far for most Senate Republicans, who still dismiss it as a possibility. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Tuesday that military intervention in Greenland is not something that anybody is contemplating seriously.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed the ideat that Trump was seriously considering an invasion of Greenland as Democrats introduced a resolution to prevent one on Tuesday (Chip Somodevilla//Getty Images)

Other Republicans like Rep. Don Bacon, one of Trumps frequent critics on foreign policy, say the real danger is posed by the damage that the rhetoric about Greenland spread by Trump and aides such as Stephen Miller is doing to the U.S. alliance with Denmark and the broader NATO coalition.

This is really dumb, wrote Bacon on X, responding to Stephen Millers repeated refusal to rule out military force in the effort to acquire Greenland during a clip of an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on Monday.

Greenland and Denmark are our allies. There is no up side to demeaning our friends. But, it is causing wounds that will take time to heal.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, maintained on Tuesday that the president was not ruling out a military invasion.

President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and its vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region, she said in a statement to CNBC. The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chiefs disposal.
Appointment reflects Company's expanding operations as a clinical-stage biotech following steady growth in 2025

Dr. Freeman will shape corporate business development and strategic partnerships

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ARTBIO, Inc. ("ARTBIO"), a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing a new class of 212Pb alpha radioligand therapies (ARTs), announced the appointment of Jonathan Freeman, Ph.D. as Chief Business Officer. Dr. Freeman brings more than 25 years of healthcare and leadership experience to ARTBIO. In this newly created role, he will oversee ARTBIO's corporate business development and partnerships needed to support the company's increasing clinical and operational plans. As Chief Business Officer, Dr. Freeman will also serve as a member of the management team.

Jonathan Freeman, Ph.D.

"The next 18 months will be a vital period of growth as we expand our clinical and manufacturing operations globally, and our pipeline," said Emanuele Ostuni, CEO of ARTBIO. "I'm delighted to have Jonathan join us at this critical time. His wealth of industry experience will be invaluable to me and the entire management team."

Before joining ARTBIO, Jonathan was co-founder and COO of Anthos Therapeutics, which was acquired by Novartis in a deal valued at $3.1B. He previously led the strategy and portfolio group of Merck KGaA. His prior experience includes leadership roles at Baxter International and Serono. Jonathan co-founded Neurvati Neurosciences and GRIN Therapeutics and has been involved with several drug approvals and new product launches. He received his Ph.D. from Cancer Research UK and an M.A. (Cantab) and B.A. (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me to join a fast-rising oncology company that is laser focused on improving patient outcomes," said Dr. Jonathan Freeman. "Radiopharmaceuticals hold tremendous promise, and I'm excited to help shape this next chapter for ARTBIO."

About ARTBIO

ARTBIO is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company redefining cancer care by creating a new class of alpha radioligand therapies (ARTs). The unique ARTBIO approach selects the optimal alpha-precursor isotope (212Pb) and tumor-specific targets to create therapeutics with the potential for highest efficacy and safety. The company's AlphaDirect technology, a first-of-its-kind 212Pb isolation method, enables a distributed manufacturing approach for the reliable production and delivery of ARTs. ARTBIO is advancing multiple pipeline programs with lead program AB001 in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer currently in Phase 1 clinical trials. ARTBIO is shaped by a long-standing scientific legacy with nearly a century of pioneering work in radiation therapy conducted at the University of Oslo and Norway's Radium Hospital. For more information, visit www.artbio.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE ARTBIO
Richard Cottingham, now 79, also known as the Torso Killer, has confessed to murdering Alys Eberhardt more than 60 years ago (Fair Lawn Police Department/Bergen County Sheriff's Office)

A serial killer who once claimed to have killed about 100 women has confessed to another murder  the 1965 slaying of an 18-year-old New Jersey nursing student.

Richard Cottingham, 79, also known as the Torso Killer, has admitted to murdering Alys Eberhardt inside her familys home more than 60 years ago, ending one of the towns oldest unsolved cases, the Fair Lawn Police Department announced Tuesday.

Cottingham has been imprisoned since 1980, when he was arrested after a motel maid heard a woman screaming inside his room. His nickname  the Torso Killer  came from the brutal dismemberment of several victims, whose limbs and heads were severed.

In Eberhardts case, police say she was stabbed and beaten in her Fair Lawn home. In his confession, Cottingham provided details about the crime that had never been publicly released, investigators said.

The latest admission follows a renewed investigative push after the case was reopened in 2021. Fair Lawn detectives revisited evidence, conducted extensive interviews, and pursued leads over several years before Cottingham ultimately provided a full confession.

Cottingham once claimed he had killed 100 women (Bergen County Sheriff's Office)

Chief Joseph Dawicki said the case underscores both the loss suffered by the community and the persistence of investigators.

Alys was a vibrant young nursing student who was taken from our community far too soon, Dawicki said.

While we can never bring her back, I am hopeful that her family can find some peace knowing the person responsible has confessed and can no longer harm anyone else. This case is a testament to the dedication of our officers and to the fact that law enforcement never gives up in the pursuit of justice.

Cottingham, who was convicted in 1980 of killing three women in New Jersey and two women at a Times Square hotel, is currently serving multiple life sentences.

Alys Eberhardt was stabbed and beaten in her Fair Lawn home (Fair Lawn Police Department)

At the time of his arrest, Cottingham was a married father of three living in Bergen County, New Jersey, working as a computer operator in Midtown Manhattan for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

In recent years, while behind bars, Cottingham has confessed to multiple murders.

In 2021, he admitted to picking up two New Jersey girls on their way to a mall in 1974, torturing them for days before drowning them in a hotel bathtub. In 2022, he confessed to five cold-case murders in Nassau County, New York, including the sexual assault and strangulation of young mother Diane Cusick, whose body was found in the back seat of her car after she went shopping at Green Acres Mall.

But despite the confessions, investigators believe the full scope of his crimes may never be known.

Authorities said no additional charges will be filed in the Eberhardt case in order to provide closure to the family.

Cottingham makes a remote appearance in 2022 after admitting to killing 11 women on Long Island and in New Jersey (AP)

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly holds a photo of Diane Cusick, whose body was found in the back seat of her car after she went shopping at Green Acres Mall. Cottingham admitted to her murdering her (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Alys was just 18 years old when her life was tragically taken in her family home in 1965, police said in a statement.

For nearly six decades, her family lived without answers. While nothing can undo this loss, we hope that today finally brings some measure of peace to those who have carried this pain for so long.

For Eberhardts family, the admission brought long-awaited answers and their own form of closure.

Our family has waited since 1965 for the truth, said Michael Smith, Eberhardts nephew.

To receive this news during the holidays  and to be able to tell my mother, Alyss sister, that we finally have answers  was a moment I never thought would come.
Nicolas Maduro waves as he arrives with his wife, Cilia Flores, at the supreme court of Venezuela, in 31 July 2024 Photograph: Ronald Pena R/EPA (Photograph: Ronald Pena R/EPA)

Before pleading not guilty at her first court hearing after she and her husband, Nicolas Maduro, were captured by US special forces, Cilia Flores made a point of adding, in Spanish: I am first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.

But Maduro himself and others close to the couple agree that she was always far more than that. Before her rendition to New York, Flores wielded power comparable with  and at times greater than  that of other figures from the regime, including Delcy Rodriguez, the former vice-president who is now the countrys acting leader.

Maduro used to say that Flores was not the first lady but the first combatant, reflecting the frontline role she occupied within the regime.

The two, who met in a Venezuelan prison while visiting their political mentor Hugo Chavez in the 1990s, are now being held in a New York jail and face US charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.

Related: Trump taking drill, baby, drill plan to Venezuela terrible for climate, experts warn

Flores is Maduros wife, first and foremost, but really more: shes his key partner, one of his closest confidants and, in large part, helped his rise into politics, said Eva Golinger, a US lawyer and writer who met the couple several times while acting as an adviser to Chavez  she would later break with him and write The Chavez Code: Cracking US Intervention in Venezuela.

Flores was more the brains, and Maduro was more the brawn  not to downplay his abilities as a very successful political operator in his own right  but she has been his pillar of support throughout everything, added Golinger.

When they met, Maduro was a bus driver and union leader, while Flores, six years his senior, was a lawyer who was part of the legal team seeking to free Chavez, then a lieutenant colonel, who had been jailed for his part in an attempted coup against Carlos Andres Perez, the president, in 1992.

After Chavez was released, the couple threw themselves fully into the political movement that would later become known as Chavismo.

When Chavez first came to power in 1999, they were rewarded with senior posts and steadily expanded their political influence. Maduro would later reach the highest office, but Flores was not far behind: in 2006, she became the first woman to serve as president of the national assembly, a period during which she appointed nearly 40 relatives to public posts. When confronted with the findings, she called reporters mercenaries and barred the press from covering congress.

After nearly two decades together, they married in 2013, shortly after Maduro was sworn in following the death of Chavez. They both have children from previous relationships, including Nicolas Maduro Guerra, known as Nicolasito, who has also been indicted in the US but was not captured and remains in Venezuela.

Related: Soy inocente: Maduro defiant in surreal New York courtroom spectacle

Described as introverted, shy, very soft-spoken and with a gentle appearance by Golinger, Flores was nonetheless a very astute political operator under her husbands oppressive regime, which carried out more than 20,000 extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture, jailed thousands of political opponents, and whose corruption and economic mismanagement  compounded by US sanctions  triggered the largest humanitarian migration crisis from a country not at war, forcing about 8 million people to flee.

She may not have been the face of the government, but she certainly had all the influence behind. I believe he would consult her on everything, she added.

As an experienced lawyer, Flores took particular control over the judiciary, said Casto Ocando, a Venezuelan investigative journalist based in the US.

She was very actively involved in the process of appointing judges and prosecutors, a crucial area, because they replaced them to install others loyal to the revolution, added Ocando.

He said that while Flores was highly influential, it is difficult to say whether she ranked as a clear No 2  a position many instead attribute to the interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, or to the current acting president, Rodriguez.

The regime is not homogeneous, but made up of factions that each controlled parts of power. Maduro was the president, but he did not necessarily control all power, even though the strongest faction was the one formed by him and his wife, said Ocando.

Related: Whats in the US criminal indictment against Nicolas Maduro?

In the indictment, US prosecutors allege that the presidential couple benefited from large-scale drug trafficking that filled the pockets of Venezuelan officials and their families, while also benefiting violent narco-terrorists who operate with impunity on Venezuelan soil and who help produce, protect and transport tonnes of cocaine to the US.

Prosecutors allege that the couple were part of the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), which the US treats as a criminal organisation, but which security analysts say is not a group in itself, rather a dramatised description of how Maduro has allowed criminal networks  including senior military figures  to exploit illegal industries such as cocaine smuggling.

The document alleges that Flores accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to broker a meeting in 2007 between a large-scale drug trafficker and the then head of Venezuelas anti-narcotics agency. According to prosecutors, the parties agreed on a monthly bribe plus $100,000 to guarantee safe passage for each cocaine flight, a portion of which was then paid to Flores.

The indictment also cites a 2015 episode in which two of her nephews were caught by US agents planning to ship multi-hundred-kilogram cocaine loads from the presidential hangar of a Venezuelan airport, allegedly with the aim of raising $20m to finance Floress congressional campaign at the time. Both nephews were convicted in the US in 2016.

Flores and Maduro deny all the allegations. At Mondays hearing, her lawyer, Mark Donnelly, said she had suffered significant injuries during the military operation that led to her capture and that he believed she may have a fracture or a serious back injury, requiring a complete medical examination.

Im sure that Maduro and Flores did not expect this, said Golinger. The hearing may have been the last day they ever saw each other  and I can imagine how hard that must have hit them after spending their entire lives together.
TV cook Si King has said his Hairy Bikers co-star and friend Dave Myers was like a brother to him, and that the pair absolutely adored each other, as he remembered him almost two years after his death.

Myers, who found fame alongside King as part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo, died aged 66 in February 2024 after being diagnosed with cancer.

In an interview with the Radio Times, King, 59, said Myers will always be his best friend even after his death and went on to say that nobody else will take his place.

Si King has said there are no Hairy Bikers without my mate (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

He said: Its done. Thats it. The Bikers were plural. Theres no Hairy Bikers without my mate.

Nobodys ever going to take his place.

King continued: He doesnt stop being your best mate just because hes passed away. Thats never going to go.

We were like brothers: we drove each other mad, because we were two very different people, but we absolutely adored each other.

The full interview with Si King can be read in the latest edition of Radio Times magazine (Radio Times/PA)

He went on to say he refuses to replace his co-star and friend, and that he wants to remember them working together.

He said: I dont want to look in the rear-view mirror of my motorcycle and see anyone else there. Its Dave, you know?

And the same when he was leading: I drove hundreds of miles looking at his ugly ass.

Thats my memory, thats what I want to keep. Thats what it was about.

Si King and David Myers made up The Hairy Bikers (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Myers and King met on the set of a TV drama in 1995 and they went on to build a friendship and career together.

The pair published a number of cookbooks and presented shows including The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bikers Food Tour Of Britain, The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best, The Hairy Bikers Cook Off and Hairy Bikers Best Of British.

King has paid tribute to Myers on a number of occasions following his death, including with Dave Day, a 30-mile motorcycle ride to celebrate his life. It was recorded for the documentary The Hairy Bikers: Youll Never Ride Alone, which aired on BBC Two during the festive period in 2024.

The final Hairy Bikers cookbook, titled The Best Of The Hairy Bikers: Timeless Recipes That Everyone Loves, was published in March 2025, which brought together the pairs most loved recipes.

The full interview can be read in the latest edition of the Radio Times magazine.
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Until recently, Id always been one of those irritating people who could sleep anywhere. Planes, trains, sofas with someone elses dog snoring beside me, Id be out cold in minutes. Friends with insomnia would eye me enviously as I boasted of eight-hour stretches, uninterrupted by even a mid-night toilet break.

And then, suddenly, I couldnt.

It started with one rogue 5am wake-up, the kind where youre alert and blinking into the dark and your brain starts narrating your entire to-do list. From there, it became a regular thing: early waking followed by sometimes hours of tossing and turning. Sometimes breathing techniques would send me back off to sleep, sometimes it would take over an hour and Id fall asleep just before my alarm went off.

I didnt want to take pills and other tips failed. I kept to a regular sleep schedule, took warm baths, sipped chamomile tea and ditched coffee after midday  but nothing worked.

Then I stumbled across a technique called cognitive shuffling. It sounded frankly ridiculous, like the mental equivalent of patting your head and rubbing your tummy. But one bleary-eyed morning, desperate, I tried it. One sign a technique is good is that you dont remember any effort using it to get to sleep. I woke the next morning fresh and bright, forgetting Id woken up in the middle of the night at all.

What is cognitive shuffling?

Cognitive shuffling is a form of mental distraction that involves thinking about random, emotionally neutral words or images. The idea is that by shuffling through these disconnected items (think: lettuce, ladder, leopard), you interrupt the stressful, looping thoughts that keep you awake.

It was developed by Dr. Luc Beaudoin, a cognitive scientist and an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University. While struggling with Sunday-night insomnia as a graduate, Beaudoin became fascinated by the mental states involved in falling asleep. Could a technique be designed to deliberately mimic the mental drift into sleep?

I began to read, think and experiment on myself, Beaudoin says. In the early 2000s, I perfected the technique. Eventually, I published a paper on my theory of sleep onset and described the method.



Beaudoins theory suggests that the brain struggles to fall asleep when its engaged in structured, goal-oriented thinking, like worrying or planning, as this signals alertness and activates mental arousal. To fall asleep, the brain needs to disengage from coherent thought and shift toward random, emotionally neutral, and non-goal-directed mental activity.

His research, published in 2013, coined the term serial diverse imagining,  essentially what we now call cognitive shuffling. The technique disrupts linear, often anxiety-driven thought patterns and simulates the natural meandering of a sleepy brain.

How does it work?

Dr Eleni Kavaliotis, a psychologist from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, has studied cognitive shuffling and says: During the transition to sleep, brain activity slows. Your brain starts to generate disconnected images and fleeting scenes, known as hypnagogic hallucinations.

By mimicking these scattered, disconnected thought patterns, cognitive shuffling can help you transition between wakefulness to sleep.

Dr Kavaliotis goes on to say: It involves picking a random word, and focusing on the first letter of the word.

Start listing all the words you can think of with that letter. You can also visualise the words as you go along. When you cant think of any other words, move to the next letter and continue with each letter of the original word until you drift off to sleep. Its important that you dont try to relate one word with another or find a link between the words. They should be arbitrary.

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Quiet the mind

Beaudoin sees cognitive shuffling as a type of meditation, not just a mental trick, with the aim of both to quiet the mind and interrupt rumination.

Seeing it as meditation might help more people see its value, says the professor.

His method eventually led to the development of an app called mySleepButton, which reads out neutral words or scenes to help guide your mind through the shuffle. Beaudoin also shares sleep advice and updates on his research via Substack and X, formerly Twitter.

And its not just academic. More recently, cognitive shuffling has gone viral on TikTok, thanks to one doctors personal video.

I myself sometimes have trouble falling asleep, says Dr Scott Walter, a Denver-based dermatologist known as @denverskindoc. After trying this method, I was impressed with how well it worked, and has continued to work. So I shared it.

Walters video explaining the method has now been viewed over 6 million times. He describes cognitive shuffling as a mental technique to engage your brain in a way that encourages sleep rather than preventing it.

When trying to fall asleep we often think in linear patterns, often focused on stress or the day ahead, Walter explains. Cognitive shuffling disrupts these patterns. It calms the brain.

Dr Scott Walter, a Denver-based dermatologist, says that cognitive shuffling engages the brain in a way that encourages sleep rather than preventing it

What does the research show?

While research is still emerging, early studies show promise. In one trial comparing cognitive shuffling with structured journaling, where you write down your worries or to do list before bed to clear the mind, both improved sleep  but participants found shuffling easier to stick to.

A study of 150 university students found that the technique helped them to lower arousal before sleep, improve sleep quality and reduce the effort involved in falling asleep says Dr Kavaliotis.



Ease of use is key, according to Beaudoin. That may explain why so many people use the technique.



Still, hes quick to stress that no technique is a silver bullet. It does not work for everyone, he says. We encourage people to experiment with scientifically studied techniques and see what works for them.

Cognitive shuffling is also gaining traction among sleep professionals.

It can certainly work long-term, says Dr Allie Hare, a consultant in sleep medicine and President of the British Sleep Society.

We often use this strategy in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) alongside other tools like Progressive Muscle Relaxation. CBTi is available on the NHS and helps people change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours to improve their sleep.

Cognitive shuffling tips

Cognitive shuffling is essentially a mindfulness-style attention exercise: by guiding your focus through a neutral sequence of simple, unrelated images, it interrupts rumination and quiets the the brain. Studies on mindfulness show this shift helps quiet the amygdala, the brains stress centre, and activates the parasympathetic rest-and-digest state, the bodys natural calming system, making it easier to fall asleep.

Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, says its especially helpful for people who suffer from racing thoughts, anxiety, or find traditional mindfulness challenging.

However, a friend warned me my brain would soon get used to it, and sure enough, the very next night, my trusty new sleep aid seemed suddenly ineffective.

Dr Beaudoin explains this phenomenon succinctly: A major cause of insomnia is fear of not falling asleep. Suggestions you wont sleep can indeed make it more difficult. His advice? Try technology-assisted cognitive shuffling and approach it with fresh eyes and minimal pressure.

Like with every new strategy, patience makes perfect, advises Dr Kavaliotis. Think of it like a muscle, the more you work a muscle the stronger it gets  many cognitive strategies are like that too.

However, Artis suggests mixing it up to avoid repetition. Use different categories, animals, tools, colours. Try nonsense words or make it visual. Its not necessarily a permanent fix, but a great technique to have in your sleep toolkit.

That toolkit approach is important, she adds. Sleep isnt something you force, its something you invite. And the more ways you have to coax your brain into letting go, the better.

Back to bed

As I lay awake once more at 5am, remembering Dr Kavaliotiss advice, I gave cognitive shuffling another chance. Within minutes, images of apples, clouds and random household objects flickered pleasantly through my mind. I didnt even notice myself drifting off.

If you find yourself staring at the ceiling tonight, perhaps your best bet isnt counting sheep. Its cognitive shuffling. Its not a miracle and it wont suit everyone, but for me, and apparently millions of TikTok viewers, its a tiny trick with outsized impact. No pills. No rituals. Just a sleepy little shuffle, back toward dreams.

This article was first published on Aug 12 2025
Sir Keir Starmer insisted Britain should go further in strengthening post-Brexit ties with Brussels following a trade deal agreed earlier this year - Jeff Overs/BBC

Britain could be locked into EU net zero rules without a vote in Parliament under Labour plans.

Sir Keir Starmer is planning to introduce new Brexit legislation that will give ministers the right to hand rule-making powers to Brussels.

Under a Brexit bill to be introduced later this year, the UK will be brought back into dynamic alignment with the EU.

The law will underpin various deals Downing Street is hoping to strike with the EU, including an agreement on food and veterinary standards announced last year.

But government sources said it would be used to enact a new agreement with the EU on the emissions trading system (ETS), used to regulate the quantity of carbon released into the atmosphere by companies.

The UK has run its own carbon trading scheme since Brexit. However, Labour plans  currently under negotiation  would hand control over the UKs carbon credit scheme to Brussels.

Labour says rejoining the EU version of the scheme would reduce trade barriers with Europe. But as the EUs current carbon credit scheme costs more than the UKs, it could result in higher net zero costs for British businesses.

Since Brexit, new standards introduced by the EU on goods and services no longer automatically become part of UK law.

But Sir Keirs reset deal has signed Britain back up to European rules on food standards, animal welfare and pesticide use in perpetuity, under a process known as dynamic alignment.

Credit: Reuters

The new legislation, which is due to be tabled in the spring, will mean that new EU rules will automatically enter into force in Britain.

It will mark the first loss of UK sovereignty on standards since Brexit, when the Conservative administration legislated to ensure that all new rules enforced in Britain were approved by Parliament.

It is likely to provoke a severe backlash from the Conservatives and Reform, who argue that Labour is trying to undo the Brexit process.

The parties also say that Labour is hoping to go further on integration with Brussels, after some of Sir Keirs closest allies made the case for rejoining the customs union.

Ministers, however, believe that closer alignment with the EU could increase economic growth. They point out that many British exporters already voluntarily align with European rules to make it easier to trade their products.

Sir Keir insisted Britain should go further in strengthening post-Brexit ties with Brussels following a trade deal agreed earlier this year.

But he appeared to pour cold water on suggestions the UK should rejoin a customs union with the bloc after Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said the arrangement had enormous economic benefits.

He has ruled out rejoining either the customs union or EU single market as red lines in his negotiations.

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, he said he had already taken the sovereign decision to align with the EU more closely.

He told Laura Kuennesberg: I think we should get closer, and if its in our national interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that, we should go that far.

Sir Keir conceded that he had argued for a customs union for many years but said he now thinks a lot of water has now gone under the bridge and it would no longer be the right approach.

In response, Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said Labours Brexit betrayal is becoming clearer by the day and accused Sir Keir of trying to undo the democratic decision of the British people.

David Lammy, the deputy prime minister, and Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, have both suggested they would support rejoining the customs union in recent interviews.
This reset is in no ones interest - Benjamin Cremel/AFP/Getty Images

Sovereignty lay at the heart of the Brexit referendum. The British public was rightly frustrated by finding the democratic will of the nation overridden by the impositions of an unaccountable supranational body, and voted to restore power to decide the nations laws to Westminster, where it should always have resided.

Sir Keir Starmer has never agreed with this decision, and is now seeking to partially reverse it. His plans for so-called dynamic alignment with the EU on food standards, animal welfare and pesticides use should be seen as precisely what they are: a dangerous entanglement which would have the effect of dragging the UK economically closer to a failing power at precisely the time we should be seeking to pull free.

In some ways, the arrangement Sir Keir is proposing would be worse than outright membership. We would transpose EU rules into British law without a vote, and without any real voice. Brussels would accordingly be free to design rules to penalise British competitors to French farmers, or to block the concessions Britain would need to make to secure a deeper trade deal with the United States or other fast growing economies.

This is not in the national interest. Confusingly, it is unlikely to be in Sir Keirs political interests either. The Prime Minister is clearly aware that his position is under threat, with strong support for candidates seen as more vocally pro-European jockeying for Labours leadership. Yet attempting to push further in this direction is unlikely to satisfy the hard core of recalcitrant Remainers within his party. Sir Keir would be better advised to take a stand in the national interest, and eschew further integration with Europe.
During a CNN interview on Monday, Stephen Miller offered an aggressive defense of the Trump administrations recent map-scrambling moves in the Western hemisphere, including the capture of the deposed leader of Venezuela and resuming its threats to take over Greenland.

Miller, the deputy White House chief of staff and Homeland Security adviser, argued that under the Trump doctrine, the U.S. will use its military unapologetically to secure U.S. interests, which he said were synonymous with the the future of the free world.

Were a superpower and under President Trump, we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower, he said.

As Tapper pressed Miller for how the administration explained leaving another top Maduro figure in power, Miller said expecting opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado to step in and assume power was absurd and preposterous.

As the anchor asked Miller how the White House justified invading a sovereign country and arresting its leader, Miller cut in and insisted, Damn straight we did!

In a heated CNN interview after the U.S. invaded Venezuela, Stephen Miller argued the U.S. will unapologetically act as a global superpower and use its military against perceived threats in the Western Hemisphere (CNN)

The point, Jake, is that were not going to let tinpot communist dictators send rapists into our country, send drugs into our country, send weapons into our country, he continued, and were not going to let a country fall into the hands of our adversaries.

On the subject of Greenland, Miller offered a similarly strident model of U.S. power, questioning what right Denmark actually had over its legally recognized autonomous island territory, while insisting nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

The comments come a day after Miller argued in a post on X that Western countries should not have given up their empires and colonies after WWII.

In recent days, the Trump administration has revived imperial rhetoric last seen in the early 1900s, as it defends its shock raid to capture Maduro and Trumps comments over the weekend that the U.S. must take control of Greenland for national security purposes.

The Trump administration has offered shifting rationale for its capture of Nicolas Maduro, ranging from a desire to reassert U.S. oil claims, to stopping the flow of drugs from Venezuela to the U.S. (Reuters)

We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and the European Union needs us to have it, and they know that, Trump recently said.

The comments have touched off widespread criticism from leaders in Greenland, Denmark, and the wider EU and NATO alliances.

If the United States decides to militarily attack another NATO country, then everything would stop  that includes NATO and therefore post-second world war security, Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, told Danish television network TV2 on Monday.

Danish lawmaker Anders Vistisen, a member of European Parliament, told CNN later Monday that the administrations stance toward Greenland was appalling and very frankly stupid.

When were talking about Greenland, were not talking about a drug-run dictatorship, he said. Were talking about a NATO-allied country, a NATO territory that belongs to a friendly nation that is a very close ally to the USA, and has been so for more than 70 years.

Threats, pressure and talk of annexation do not belong anywhere between friends, Greenlands Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a statement Sunday. That's not how you talk to a people who have repeatedly shown responsibility, stability and loyalty.

The EU has described the Trump administrations recent posture as contrary to international law.

The EU will continue to uphold the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, EU spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, said on Monday.

Officials in Greenland, Denmark, NATO, and the EU all vigorously oppose U.S. threats to take over the Arctic territory (Dennis Lehtonen)

These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them, all the more so if the territorial integrity of a member state of the European Union is questioned.

Some praised the presidents aggressive regional tactics.

If you don't use it, you lose it, Fox News anchor Jesse Watters said during a Monday evening discussion segment. That goes for Greenland and it also goes for all the oil that Venezuela has, and Denmark better wise up. They should sell it to us, lease it to us. We could run it together, who cares? 

Were kicking the Chinese out of the hemisphere, he added. That goes for the Arctic and that goes for Latin America.

Despite widespread opposition, the Trump administration has signaled more unwanted interventions could be coming for U.S. neighbors.

In December, the administration appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, amid the presidents resumed bid to take over the island. In recent days, Trump has warned Mexico to get its act together and effectively told Colombian President Gustavo Petro that his country could be the next to face military action.
The comments by Stephen Miller (pictured) follow the removal of Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters (Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

European leaders have dramatically rallied together in support of Denmark and Greenland after one of Donald Trumps leading aides suggested the US may be willing to seize control of the Arctic territory by force.

Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, declared that Greenland  a semi-autonomous territory of the kingdom of Denmark  belongs to its people, in a rare European rebuke to the White House.

It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, the three leaders said in a statement on Tuesday, made jointly with the prime ministers of Denmark, Italy, Poland and Spain.

Later in the evening, Starmer repeated British support for Denmark at a press conference in Paris where Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were present. Ive been very clear as to what my position, the position of the UK government, is, the British leader said.

But, anxious to avoid deepening the transatlantic rift, Starmer, Macron and Merz chose to focus on making fresh security commitments to Ukraine, at an event aimed at bolstering support for Kyiv planned before the Greenland crisis broke.

The European declaration emerged in response to renewed US demands to seize control of the self-governing territory in the aftermath of the capture of Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro by the US military.

On Monday night, when asked to rule out using force, the US presidents influential deputy chief of staff for policy, Stephen Miller, said nobody [was] going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

In an interview with CNN, Miller said military intervention would not be needed in order to gain control over Greenland because of its small population.

A day earlier, Trump had said that the US needed Greenland very badly, renewing fears of a US invasion of the largely autonomous island in an effort to take control of its oil, gas and rare earths as the polar ice cap melts.

It prompted alarm in Denmark, and a warning from Mette Frederiksen, the countrys prime minister, that an attack on Greenland would risk the collapse of the Nato military alliance. It would, she said, be the end of everything.

That was followed by an intense diplomatic effort, which led to the joint European leaders statement in support of Copenhagen, released before the international summit in Paris discussing security guarantees for Ukraine.

The European leaders emphasised that security in the Arctic had to be achieved collectively with Nato allies, rather than by the US seizing control of another Nato members territory.

Nato has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European allies are stepping up, the statement said. We and many other allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.

Denmark and Greenland asked to meet the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, urgently to discuss the significant statement made by the United States about Greenland, Greenlands foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, wrote on social media.

Lord Ricketts, a former UK national security adviser, warned that if the US were to annex Greenland it would be disastrous for Nato, amounting to, for all practical purposes, the end of an alliance which is based essentially on trust.

Security relationships such as the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine, led by the UK and France and supported by Germany, would take on a much greater significance alongside bilateral defence links with the US.

On Tuesday night, the White House said Trump and his team were discussing options for acquiring Greenland and that using the US military for this was always an option.

President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and its vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.

The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chiefs disposal, the White House said in a statement in response to queries from Reuters.

Earlier, Miller had suggested that Denmark does not have a right to the Arctic territory, which is a former Danish colony. Copenhagen continues to control Greenlands foreign and security policy.

Related: US attack on Greenland would mean end of Nato, says Danish PM

Asked whether military action against Greenland was off the table, he incorrectly stated that its population was 30,000 when in fact it is 57,000, saying: What do you mean, military action against Greenland? Greenland has a population of 30,000 people.

The real question is what right does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?

There was, he said, no need to even think or talk about a military operation in Greenland, adding: Nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland. That doesnt make any sense.

Millers interview was conducted after his wife, the rightwing podcaster Katie Miller, posted a map on X of Greenland draped in a US flag with the caption SOON.

But late on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported US secretary of state Marco Rubio as downplaying the possibility of military action, saying Trump still intended to buy Greenland.

Naaja H Nathanielsen, the Greenlandic minister for business, mineral resources, energy, justice and gender equality, told the Guardian: The people of Greenland take this potential threat very hard and are anxious and afraid.

Greenland long been a good American ally, Nathanielsen said, but this does not transfer into an acceptance of  or interest in  becoming Americans.

She added: We are very few, but we are a people in our own right and insist that we are the ones to decide the future of Greenland.

Greenlands prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also made a strong statement in which he urged Trump to give up his fantasies about annexation and accused the US of completely and utterly unacceptable rhetoric. Enough is enough, he said.

Inuit people are understood to have lived in Greenland since as early as 2500 BCE. Modern colonisation began in 1721, when Hans Egede arrived, acting with the support of what was then Denmark-Norway. It remained a colony until 1953, when it became part of the kingdom of Denmark.

During the second world war, when Denmark was occupied by Germany, Greenland was occupied by the US and returned to Denmark in 1945. The US has had a military base in Greenland, which is important for its ballistic missile early warning system, at Pituffik (previously Thule) since the cold war.

In recent years there has been growing support for Greenlandic independence, particularly after revelations about Denmarks treatment of Greenlandic people  including the IUD scandal  during and since colonial rule.

But amid the spectre of Trumps threat, Greenland in March formed a new four-party coalition government in a show of national unity, with the first page of the coalition agreement stating: Greenland belongs to us.
The army has been called in to help contain the spread of the virus (file image) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Spain has recorded a surge in the deadly African swine fever sweeping Catalonia as authorities bring in drones and helicopters to help contain the outbreak.

The regions department of agriculture announced on Monday that a further 18 wild boar have died from the highly contagious disease near Cerdanyola del Valles, bringing the tally up to a total of 47.

The ministry said that the rise was due to wider testing in hard-to-reach areas, explored by air over the Christmas holidays. It emphasised that it was an accumulation of cases reported, and not a sudden spike.

Spain ramped up containment efforts in December, bringing in sniffer dogs and the military to help track the spread. More than 620 boars have been analysed in recent weeks, with around eight per cent testing positive for the virus.

Researchers believe the Bellaterra variant could be a new mutation, after it failed to match with any samples held locally.

The local government has downplayed the theory that it could have spread from a laboratory, with agriculture minister Oscar Ordeig calling for prudence last week as investigations continue.

Spanish police raided a state-funded laboratory near Barcelona last month as part of one of the investigations into the origins of the outbreak, amid concerns the disease may have escaped from the facility.

Genome sequencing has revealed the strain is similar to those used in research and vaccine development, differing from other European cases.

But analysis by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Barcelona found no matches with locally held by Cresa. The local government believes there is a remote chance it came from a lab.

A local police warning sign reading "African Swine Fever Surveillance Zone" posted on a pole at the entrance of the Collserola natural park, near Barcelona (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Ordeig told Catalunya Radio at the start of December that officials were working on the assumption that the virus may have spread from contaminated food brought into the country from abroad.

The most likely option ... is that cold cuts, a sandwich, contaminated food, could end up in a bin  we have to take into account that Bellaterra is an area with a lot of traffic from all over Europe  and then that a wild boar would have eaten it and become infected, he said at the time.

Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the wild boar may have eaten a contaminated sausage in a sandwich thrown away in a ditch, and then become infected.

This marks Spain's first outbreak of ASF since 1994, with the virus detected exclusively in wild animals within the Collserola hills outside Barcelona, and no cases reported on farms.

While harmless to humans, ASF spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boar.

The virus was initially identified in two wild boars in Bellaterra, within the Collserola mountain range, in late November.

The spread remains pressing with Spains multi-billion-euro pork industry on the line. Catalan exporters lost 62 million euros in the first month of the outbreak alone, according to El Periodico.
Greta Thunberg is the Joan of Arc of her generation - Mario Wurzburger/Getty Images

We have all been very worried about young men. And for good reason: white, working-class boys are amongst the groups that perform worst in school. Young men are responsible for the vast majority of violent crime. And many of them are keen acolytes of influencers like Andrew Tate, who see women as expendable objects.

Politically and culturally, the far-Right is more likely to magnetise young men than women. A good number of young men would have been better off, as their great-grandfathers were, being drafted into an army effort for the greater good. Instead they seem vulnerable to extremist causes.

Young men fell for Donald Trumps most atavistic qualities. Young men think the American neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes is a cool dude. And it is also young men who are most drawn to terror.

And thanks to last summers Netflix programme Adolescence, the trajectory of young white men (or boys) has found a permanent home in the cultural script  mentioned by everyone from the Prime Minister to your next-door neighbour.

Owen Coopers performance in Adolescence triggered national conversation about the radicalisation of young boys - Netflix

But there is a new, arguably greater threat: the extremism of young women. If young men have trended Rightwards and downwards, young women have gone to the dark Left. Havent you noticed that the most passionate disrupters, yelling till puce in the face, are women?

Major surveys have already shown that Gen Z women have moved sharply to the Left over the past few years. In the UK, the 2024 election showed how wide the gender gap, in electoral politics alone, has become.

A good 23 per cent of 18- to 24-year-old women voted Green, compared to 12 per cent of young men and 6.7 per cent of the general population.

Older women, unsurprisingly, have less time for the politics of loonyism, with 10 per cent of 25- to 49-year-old women, and 4 per cent of 50- to 64-year-olds, voting Green.

Meanwhile, new figures show that the vast (and highly predictive) pool of women on the parenting website Mumsnet have abandoned Labour and swung not towards Green but into Nigel Farages arms.

But for young women, the picture is even worse than what the swing to Green politics looks like on the surface. The figures show they are most drawn to anti-Israel hatred.

If we translate what concern about Gaza actually means in practice, it is even more mad. It means zero actual concern about the people of Gaza  if that existed, thered be die-hard solidarity with the brave Palestinians protesting against Hamas. Thered be the ability to acknowledge that the single most collective abuse of Gazans over many years, right through the war triggered knowingly by its leaders, is Hamas rather than Israel.

What caring about Gaza for these young women means is mostly, really, about the pleasure of blaming the Jews. Of having an evil yet popular cause. Of having discovered how intoxicating it is to denigrate the Jewish state and dehumanise its population.

These girls were lit up by October 7 and the sense of meaning all the protest opportunities that followed gave them. Instead of igniting an awareness of the evils of murderous Islamism  as 9/11 did for my generation  it seems to have given them a pleasurable outlet to be as awful as possible in public.

The Green turn is no surprise. Zack Polanski is the ultimate poster-boy of the Zionist-haters: he is just as obsessed with the genocide in Gaza as they are.

In this sense, Greta Thunberg really is the perfect Joan of Arc of her generation. She has straddled the two worst and most popular concerns of her generation of girls and women: loony Greenism and loony Palestinianism. Both are ruinous and destructive. This should worry us all.

The future isnt just going to be inherited by Right-wing, Tate-watching boys. Its going to be run by young women whose hearts are very much in the wrong place.
VANCOUVER, Wash., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- InterProse, a leading provider of cloud-native software for the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry, today announced a strategic growth investment from Wingman Growth Partners ("Wingman"), an investment firm focused exclusively on enterprise software, data, and financial technology businesses. The investment supports InterProse's market expansion strategy for ACE, the company's flagship web-based debt recovery platform and the leading modern alternative to aging legacy systems across the ARM ecosystem.

Wingman Growth Partners ACE is a web-based, AI enhanced, SaaS platform for the debt recovery market. Open APIs, native consumer and client interfaces, inherited data security and compliance attestations, heavy process automation, and scalable architecture make ACE the most modern option on the market for third- and first-party debt collection operations in the USA and Canada.

Since its founding, InterProse has provided ARM businesses with software to streamline operations, strengthen compliance readiness, and deliver an improved and more responsive customer experience. As modernization pressures intensify and organizations transition away from outdated, on-premise technologies, ACE has emerged as a premier option for agencies and creditors seeking a secure, scalable, and fully cloud-delivered solution. With ACE, customers realize immediate return on investment and vastly improve the efficiency and efficacy of their collections processes.

The growth investment from Wingman Growth Partners enables InterProse to accelerate go-to-market execution, expand product capabilities, fast-track the development and deployment of its Rainmaker AI platform, and strengthen customer success and on-boarding operations to meet increasing demand.

"Wingman's investment directly supports our strategy to bring ACE to a wider segment of the ARM industry," said Kyle Nelson, President of InterProse. "Organizations are urgently seeking modern solutions that can handle today's regulatory, operational, and consumer-engagement requirements. ACE was built for this moment and this partnership gives us the resources to scale rapidly and help more agencies move confidently into the future."

Wingman Growth Partners, known for backing high-potential, founder-led technology companies, identified InterProse as a clear leader within a market undergoing transformational change.

"InterProse's ACE platform represents the next generation of ARM technology," said Jeff Machlin, Managing Partner at Wingman Growth Partners. "As agencies and creditors confront the limitations of legacy systems, ACE stands out for its modern architecture, compliance-aligned design, AI-native features, and exceptional user experience. We are excited to support InterProse in accelerating its market penetration and delivering this software to organizations ready to modernize. Furthermore, InterProse's team prides itself on relentless innovation and strong commitment to its customer base. We could not be more excited to partner with them as they continue to invest in capabilities that will amplify what has made them so successful to date: delivering value to customers. "

With Wingman's support, InterProse will continue advancing ACE's capabilities, strengthening integrations and AI tools, expanding workflow and compliance features, and enhancing scalability, while investing in sales, marketing, and customer-facing teams to meet the industry's rising demand for modern technology.

About InterProse

InterProse provides cloud-native software solutions for the accounts receivable management industry. Its flagship platform, ACE, enables agencies, creditors, and government entities to modernize operations, streamline compliance, and elevate consumer engagement through a secure, fully web-based architecture.

Learn more at www.interprose.com .

About Wingman Growth Partners

Wingman Growth Partners is a private investment firm focused on partnering with software and technology-enabled businesses poised for significant growth. The firm provides capital, strategic support, and operational expertise to help companies scale and win in their markets.

Learn more at www.wingmangrowth.com .

Media Contact

Aaron Reiter

Managing Partner, Sales & Marketing

[email protected]

360 261-6931 Direct

SOURCE InterProse
Texas officials warn residents not to open mysterious seed packets after over 1,000 land in mailboxes across the state

Texas officials are warning residents not to open any seed packages they receive from unknown senders.

For the past year, Texas residents have reported receiving small, unsolicited packets of seeds in their mailboxes. The state guidance on the seeds has been not to open them and to turn them over to the Texas Department of Agriculture.

On Monday, the TDA announced that the unidentified seeds are still arriving without prompting at homes across the state, according to CHRON.

The agency said it's collected 1,101 packets from 109 locations across the state since February 2025. State officials are concerned that the seeds, if opened or planted, could introduce harmful invasive species, agricultural pests, or plant diseases to the region.

"At a glance, this might seem like a small problem, but this is serious business," Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. "The possible introduction of an invasive species to the state via these seeds poses real risks to Texas families and the agriculture industry. We need everyone to report these packages when they arrive so the contents may be gathered and disposed of properly."

Texas officials have warned residents who receive unsolicited seed packets to turn them over to the states Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The seeds have been sent not only to Texas, but to New Mexico, Ohio, and Alabama as well.

According to Texas officials, the packages containing the seeds appear to have been shipped from China, though it's unclear if the actual sender is based in China.

The recent rash of unwanted seed deliveries is strikingly similar to another incident in 2020 when unsolicited seeds were sent to a number of U.S. homes.

The strange trend may be evidence of someone operating a brushing scam, in which sellers send cheap items to random addresses in order to allow them to generate fake  but verified  reviews on online retail websites.

Even if the scheme is more about making money than causing chaos, Texas officials have nonetheless warned that the seeds pose a risk and should be handed over to authorities if found.

"Whether it's part of an ongoing scam or something more sinister, we are determined to protect Texans," Miller said. "Unsolicited seeds coming into our country are a risk to American agriculture, our environment, and public safety. Texas isn't going to take chances when it comes to protecting our people and our food supply."

The TDA said it was working with the federal government to gather, analyze, and destroy the seeds.
Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez address supporters in Caracas in July 2024. Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters (Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters)

There was unbridled joy among members of Venezuelas opposition on Saturday morning as their countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, was dragged into US custody after an audacious raid on his compound. The military strategy was brilliant, Ricardo Hausmann, a former minister and opposition supporter, said of the deadly nocturnal assault during which dozens of Maduros guards  but not a single US soldier  were reportedly killed.

That elation was short-lived. Hours after Donald Trump announced Maduros capture during Operation Absolute Resolve, the US president dashed opposition hopes that their leader, the conservative activist Maria Corina Machado, would now be able to return home to inaugurate a new democratic era.

I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader, Trump announced at Mar-a-Lago, claiming Machado lacked sufficient respect within Venezuela. Instead, Trump signalled he would recognise Maduros vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, and he later warned she would pay a very high price if she did not toe the US line and do whats right by opening Venezuelas vast oil reserves to American companies.

[I felt] astonished, I could not believe what I was hearing, Hausmann said, capturing the opposition confusion and frustration that their movements leader appeared to have been unexpectedly cast aside by the White House.

The political strategy that Trump and Marco Rubio have laid out is truly bizarre, Hausmann added, warning that post-Maduro Venezuela found itself in a legal and a political vacuum and still under the control of illegitimate leaders led by Rodriguez, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday.

One US official told the New York Times: [Rodriguez is] certainly someone we think we can work at a much more professional level than we were able to do with [Maduro].

Machado, whose movement is widely believed to have beaten Maduro in Venezuelas 2024 presidential election, sought to put a brave face on the situation on Monday, hailing Trumps courageous vision and offering to share her Nobel peace prize with him during an interview with Fox News.

[Maduros removal] is a huge step for humanity, said Machado, who has not returned to Venezuela since sneaking out to travel to Oslo last month to receive the Nobel prize.

But analysts said opposition leaders were bitterly disappointed by Trumps decision not to back Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, a former diplomat who ran in the 2024 election on Machados behalf after she was banned and who is widely believed to have won by a landslide.

[If I was Machado] Id be feeling abandoned, Id be feeling like Id been left out there to twist in the wind, Id be feeling insulted, said Christopher Sabatini, a Latin America specialist at Chatham House.

David Smilde, a Venezuela expert at Tulane University, said the opposition had hoped Maduros demise would pave the way for Machado and Gonzalez to make a triumphant return to Caracas to implement the result of the stolen 2024 vote. That always seemed like magical realism  It seemed fantastical and it actually was  I dont think Trump cares at all about democracy, he said.

Pedro Burelli, a prominent opposition figure who is close to Machado, rejected the suggestion that Trump had thrown his ally under the bus. He insisted Trump remained 200% committed to helping Machado and Gonzalez take power and restoring democracy in Venezuela, despite the US presidents comments about Machado lacking respect, which Burelli called bizarre.

You eat a whale a bite at a time, Burelli said, predicting that the US campaign against Maduros regime was not over and would continue even after his capture. Those claiming Trump had ditched Machado are going to be very surprised as this thing continues to evolve, he said.

There is a 100% understanding in the administration that the environment they want to create for [Venezuelan migrants] to return to Venezuela  [and] to get investments in Venezuela requires a democratic rule of law-based outcome. They absolutely know that that comes from Maria Corina.

Pedro Antonio de Mendonca, a coordinator for the international arm of Machados Vente Venezuela movement, was also adamant that despite Trumps recognition of Rodriguez, a political transition was under way that would lead to Machado and Gonzalezs democratic mandate being fulfilled.

Its a transition that has undeniably already begun because Maduro is no longer in power and  transitions happen day by day, de Mendonca said, comparing the events of 3 January 2026 to those of 23 January 1958 when Venezuela woke up to find that its dictator, Marcos Perez Jimenez, had fled to the Dominican Republic after an uprising.

He boarded a plane and at that moment people were asking themselves the same question: what now? Whats going to happen? And many people had many plans, many proposals, and, well, things unfolded, as we know. The same thing happened here, he said. What I ask of the people  not only Venezuelans, but also genuine democratic allies around the world  is to continue trusting in this leadership.

De Mendonca said Rodriguezs new administration was already mired in doubt and suspicion. Were seeing deep divisions within the regime and a lot of distrust because they dont know whos going to betray who, he said. Things are going very badly for them. According to our information, theyre also seeing less responsiveness from their own people in the armed forces, who arent even returning their calls. Theyre in a bad place.

Related: Venezuela detains journalists and seizes communication devices after Maduros removal

Many experts voiced scepticism, while the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump decided to back Rodriguez after being briefed by CIA analysts who had concluded Machado and Gonzalez would struggle to gain legitimacy as leaders while facing resistance from pro-regime security services, drug-trafficking networks and political opponents.

Sabatini said: [Opposition leaders] are clearly trying to put their best face forward on this and believe that theres a larger plan at play. But underneath this all, of course, theres deep disappointment.

Smilde sensed the opposition was now bouncing back from the weekends setback and trying to figure out what to do next.

One hope is that the US may push for a fresh election in the not too distant future, which Machado should be well placed to win, although on Monday Trump poured cold water on the idea that a vote could be held in the next 30 days.

Machado told Fox News: In free and fair elections we will win with over 90% of the votes.

Freddy Guevara, another exiled opposition leader, admitted many opposition members would have preferred to see more full-throated support for Machado and Gonzalez but said he believed that after Maduros exit Venezuela had entered the beginning of the end.

Politics is very  complex and unpredictable. But Im pretty sure that now we have way more chances to get freedom than not  I think its an irreversible path, he said, anticipating that US pressure could lead to the release of political prisoners and, eventually, free and fair elections.

For now though, Rodriguez is the person holding power. We prioritise moving towards balanced and respectful international relations between the United States and Venezuela, she wrote on Instagram in English. The full five-paragraph statement made only a passing reference to her incarcerated predecessor.
Trump again urges pregnant women to avoid Tylenol as the CDC slashes recommended vaccines for children

President Donald Trump has repeated his widely debunked claim that Tylenol is unsafe for expecting mothers on the same day his administrations health officials revealed a scaled-back childhood vaccine schedule that experts said was not based in new science and could worsen vaccine hesitancy and the return of treatable diseases.

Pregnant Women, DONT USE TYLENOL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, DONT GIVE TYLENOL TO YOUR YOUNG CHILD FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON, BREAK UP THE MMR SHOT INTO THREE TOTALLY SEPARATE SHOTS (NOT MIXED!), TAKE CHICKEN P SHOT SEPARATELY, TAKE HEPATITAS B SHOT AT 12 YEARS OLD, OR OLDER, AND, IMPORTANTLY, TAKE VACCINE IN 5 SEPARATE MEDICAL VISITS! Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday.

In September, Trump made many of the same claims, as he and top health officials advanced an unsupported theory that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in the medicine, is tied to rising autism rates.

As The Independent reported at the time, studies, including those funded by the U.S. government, have found fetal exposure to acetaminophen carried no increased risk of a later autism diagnosis. Medical officials also warned that avoiding acetaminophen during pregnancy could put mothers and their babies at risk.

And Trumps CDC website notes the following on vaccines: Combining vaccines into fewer shots may mean that more children will get recommended vaccinations on time. And that means fewer delays in disease protection, the website notes. Before a combination vaccine is approved for use, it goes through careful testing to make sure the combination vaccine is as safe and effective as each of the individual vaccines given separately.

President Trump on Monday reiterated his previous baseless claims that Tylenol is a grave threat to pregnant mothers and their children, as he touted his administrations wider, controversial move to scale back the childhood vaccine schedule (Getty Images)

The comments from Trump come the same day his administration unveiled a new childhood vaccine schedule that slashed the number of recommended vaccines without consulting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the body that provides evidence-based recommendations to the CDC.

The overhaul is effective immediately, meaning the CDC will now recommend that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases, down from 18 a year ago.

The changes, which come as vaccination rates are slipping and families are seeking a record number of vaccine exemptions, rolls back recommendations that all children get common vaccinations such as the flu shot and the Covid vaccine.

After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic with a history of making unfounded medical claims, said in a statement. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.

Instead, the administration now recommends such treatments for high-risk youth or based on an individual doctors advice. Mondays announcement does not itself change which vaccines are covered by insurance, though they could impact future state vaccine policy and insurance coverage down the line.

Critics including Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (left) warned that Mondays vaccine moves will put children at risk of getting treatable diseases (AP)

The changes were widely condemned.

Childrens health and childrens lives are at stake. Theres no evidence that skipping or delaying certain vaccines is beneficial for U.S. children, Sean OLeary, a physician who leads the American Academy of Pediatricss infectious diseases committee, told The Hill.

We will be working with our partners across medicine and public health to ensure that parents have credible science backed vaccine recommendations they can trust, he added, arguing, tragically, our federal government can no longer be trusted in this role.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., touted Mondays vaccine moves as a way to increase parental involvement and bring U.S. recommendations in line with those of peer countries (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors, and will make America sicker, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician, wrote on X.

New York is facing the highest flu levels in over 20 years as flu rates surge across America, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York wrote on X, adding, RFK Jr. is putting our children in danger. He's making America sicker. And it will lead to more deaths.
Donald Trump complained that Nicolas Maduro imitated his dancing before he was captured in a United States military operation.

The US president ordered the attack on Venezuela on Saturday after becoming increasingly irritated by Mr Maduros dance moves and singing along to songs, including John Lennons Imagine, US media reported.

Mr Trump made the remarks in his first public speech of the year at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, which the 79-year-old recently renamed after himself.

The US president jumped quickly and frequently between different topics over the course of the 90 minute press conference. At one point he did an impression of a female weightlifter struggling under a barbell in a discussion about transgender athletes.

The president said his wife Melania hates the impression, describing it as not presidential.

Credit: Reuters

Speaking about the deposed Venezuelan leader, Mr Trump said: He gets up there and he tries to imitate my dance a little bit, adding that Mr Maduro was a violent guy who had killed millions of people.

He said Venezuela had a torture chamber in the middle of the capital, Caracas, which is now being dismantled following the US operation to capture Mr Maduro.

Mr Trump was full of praise for those who carried out the mission as he attempted to assuage the concerns of Republicans who fear the US could become entangled with the future of the South American country.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, land at a Manhattan helipad to be escorted to court under armed guard - XNY/Star Max/GC Images

The United States proved once again that we have the most powerful, most lethal ... fearsome military on planet Earth and its not even close, Mr Trump said on Tuesday afternoon.

He confirmed that no Americans were killed in the operation but said many, many people had been killed on the other side, specifically mentioning Cubans.

Mr Trump said over the weekend that he was going to run Venezuela, but The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that the president has no plans for the countrys future.

There is no blueprint, no plan for what comes next, said one source. And anybody who tells you that its anything other than day-by-day is really not being forthright with you.

Mr Maduro, 63, appeared in Manhattans federal court on Monday to face charges of narco-terrorism.

The US has not finished its operation, however, with plans afoot to seize a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker off the coast of Ireland.

The Bella 1 evaded capture in the Caribbean Sea last month, but has been spotted in the Atlantic, about 500 miles from Irelands west coast.

In recent days American military aircraft flying from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk have been monitoring the vessel, now re-registered in Russia as the Marinera, according to flight tracking data.

Mr Trump announced on Tuesday that the acting government in Caracas would be turning over 30-50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US, with the proceeds controlled by him to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.

05:05pm

Thats all for today

Thanks for following our live coverage of Donald Trumps speech at the Kennedy Centre in Washington. It has now ended.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis.

04:56pm Analysis

How Trump uses the first lady for comic effect

Mr Trump is deploying one of his favorite rhetorical devices during this speech, using the first lady and her raised eyebrow as a metaphorical straight man, setting up his jokes and delivering punchlines.

He described her horror at his dance moves, which she apparently thinks are unpresidential.

And later he used her to humanise him as the bumbling husband, while talking up how his policies have sent the markets to record highs.

My wife thinks I am the worst investor in the world, and for the last year ... she thinks now Im Warren Buffett, he said to laughter.

She said: Youre smarter than Warren Buffett. Youre a better investor than Mr Warren Buffett

I said, Hows your [retirement fund. Its doubled.

It is a classic technique. He often uses a boast as the setup, followed by her sceptical view, often followed by a payoff when she gently corrects him. In this case the boast was the payoff for a hapless husband.

04:46pm Analysis

Analysis: Trumps audience sees election ammunition in Venezuela raid

All indications are that this years midterm elections will be dominated by questions of affordability and rises in healthcare costs. But the past 72 hours have been centred on the Trump administrations raid on Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro.

It has given Mr Trump a big win at the start of a year when he needs to pull his ratings out of the doldrums. It was no wonder he talked up the achievement during a speech that was meant to address the forthcoming elections.

But there are signs that Republicans are intent on stitching foreign policy to their domestic agenda as they figure out how to campaign. They have celebrated Mr Trump as a bold and decisive leader, while also starting to spell out how the attack on Caracas fulfils an America First agenda.

Dennis Lennox, a Republican strategist, said it was early days but that it was shaping it up as a win-win scenario in election year if American companies could enter Venezuela to rebuild its oil industry.

Its going to be hugely consequential, because, number one, you will be flooding the market with oil, which will bring down the cost of oil that Americans are paying, he said. It will also undoubtedly result in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Venezuelans who have illegally entered the United States, perhaps returning to live in a prosperous country.

Although Marjorie Taylor Greene, a one-time ally of Mr Trump who has turned against him, has condemned the raid for going against America First principles, she has been in a small minority within the party.

Donald Trump praised the operation to capture Nicolas Maduro - REUTERS

04:40pm Video

Watch: Maduro imitates Trumps dancing

Nicolas Maduro provoked Donald Trump into action after his public dancing displays were perceived as mockery, sources told US media after the operation in Venezuela on Saturday.

Maduro, who is currently in a prison in Brooklyn, New York, sang and danced in the weeks leading up to his capture in Caracas on Jan 3.

Sources told the New York Times that Maduros public displays were an attempt to call Mr Trumps bluff.

The US president alluded to that during his ongoing speech to Republicans, suggesting Maduro imitated his dancing.



04:36pm

Trump wraps up speech

Donald Trump has wrapped up his speech to Republicans after nearly 90 minutes.

The US president is clapped and cheered off stage to the sound of YMCA by Village People, which is typical for the end of Mr Trumps public appearances.

Mr Trump touched on a range of topics, including the capture of Nicolas Maduro, as well as healthcare, and the upcoming mid-term elections.

04:29pm

Trump has no plan for what comes next in Venezuela

Donald Trump is still speaking to Republicans at the Kennedy Center after nearly 90 minutes, having covered everything from the price of Ozempic and the capture of Nicolas Maduro.

Earlier this morning, we reported that the US president has no plan for what comes next in Venezuela, where Maduro was president until Saturday, according to sources familiar with his thinking.

After capturing Maduro on Saturday, the US president is relying on his top aides to develop their Venezuela policy on the hoof.

There is no blueprint, no plan for what comes next, said one source. And anybody who tells you that its anything other than day-by-day is really not being forthright with you.

The former Venezuelan leader appeared in Manhattans federal court on Monday.

He was arrested in an audacious raid by US special forces on Saturday morning to face charges of narco-terrorism.

Delcy Rodriguez, Mr Maduros vice-president, has since been sworn in as the interim leader. At first, she struck a defiant tone, but later suggested that she was prepared to work with the US.

03:45pm Pictures

Maduro imitated me, says Trump

Donald Trump claimed Nicolas Maduro imitated his dancing before he was captured in a US military operation.

The US president reportedly became increasingly irritated by Maduros public displays of dancing, including to John Lennons song Peace, which the Trump administration believed was an attempt to call their bluff.

Speaking about the deposed Venezuelan leader, the US president said he was a violent guy who had killed millions of people.

Donald Trump reacts as he speaks during the House Republican Party member retreat at the Kennedy Center in Washington - AFP

03:36pm Key moments

Trump takes a shot at fake news BBC

Mr Trump made a thinly veiled dig at the BBC during his speech as he described his prowess on television and in interviews.

We have ammunition. The problem is the fake news, he said.

Thats why I like being on. Id much rather do live television than do non-live because, like when they say, as an example in my speech, peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol, peacefully and patriotically.

He said the Congressional committee that investigated the January 6 riot in 2021 did not report that he used the word peacefully.

Do you know that the news never reported the words, walk or march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol? he added.

Mr Trump is suing the BBC for $10 billion for the way it excised those key words from one of its reports on his speech.

03:34pm Key moments

Trump: Venezuela operation shows US military is most powerful

Donald Trump is continuing to talk up the operation to remove Maduro, saying it proved that the US had the most powerful military in the world.

The United States proved once again that we have the most powerful, most lethal...fearsome military on planet earth and its not even close, Mr Trump told Republicans in the Kennedy Centre.

03:26pm Key moments

A lot of people killed in Venezuela operation

Donald Trump has praised the operation to topple Nicolas Maduro, saying it killed many, many people.

The US president confirmed that no Americans died in the operation but that a lot of people were killed on the other side...including Cubans.

They knew we were coming.

03:17pm Pictures

Pictured: Trump greets Republicans in Kennedy Centre

Donald Trump addresses House Republicans at the Kennedy Center in Washington - REUTERS

03:14pm Key moments

We had a good day two days ago

Mr Trump starts by talking about how good his presidency has been so far, alluding to the operation in Venezuela by saying we had a good day two days ago.

The president goes on to the talk about the mid-term elections, where the Republicans could lose the House to the Democrats.

03:11pm

Trump on stage

Donald Trump has just taken to the stage at the Trump-Kennedy Centre.

You can watch his remarks at the top of this page.

03:01pm

Welcome to our live coverage

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage. Donald Trump is about to give his first speech since the operation to capture Nicolas Maduro in Venezeula on Saturday.

We dont know if the US president will address the operation, which sparked concern among some of the Republicans Mr Trump is about to address.

You will be able to watch Mr Trumps remarks at the top of this page. Well also post any updates once Mr Trump starts speaking.
Russian airborne forces make a training jump prior to the wider invasion of Ukraine. Two attempts were made by paratroopers to storm the Ukrainian presidential compound in Kyiv as part of the special military operation commencing in 2022 - Belarusian Defense Ministry Press Service

In the days since Americas audacious strike in Caracas, much of our political and media class have shown us that they dont live in reality. The consensus is that Donald Trump has conducted an illegal military action, in breach of international law, and that such an action poses grave risks. The deluded thinking seems to be that if Trump had refrained from snatching Maduro, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping would show similar restraint. Now, thanks to Trumps action, they will feel free to do similar things.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, for instance, was quick to warn that Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack other countries with impunity. This fear was echoed by the BBCs John Simpson and the Observers Will Hutton who posted that its hard to see what grounds the US will have for criticising Chinas take-over of Taiwan in the next couple of years and if and when Russian special forces capture Polish PM Donald Tusk or Moldovas PM Alexandru Munteanu, what will we say? Meanwhile during The Rest is Politics emergency podcast, Rory Stewart shared his insight that what the US has done in Venezuela could be exactly done by China against Taiwan, could be done by Russia against Zelensky.

Could be done by Russia against Zelensky? What a ridiculous thing to say. We are almost four years past the start of the special military operation in which Russias long-running gradual invasion of Ukraine became a fully-fledged campaign of conquest. There were in fact several determined attempts by Russian troops and mercenaries to seize or kill Zelensky at the start of the operation, including two assaults by Russian airborne forces on the presidential compound in Kyiv. There have been more assassination attempts since. Rory Stewart seems to have forgotten these things, or perhaps he never knew them.

Zelensky and Donald Tusk are safe from an airborne strike by Putins Spetznaz because Ukraine and Poland possess the Patriot missile, not because of international law. Munteanu is relatively safe because any Russian airborne operation against him would need to arrive via airspace dominated by Ukraines Patriots.

And its not just Zelensky. Putin has consistently used illegal military operations to achieve his goals, in Ukraine since 2014 and in Georgia during 2008. Both invasions have been condemned on legal and moral grounds on countless occasions, with European politicians demanding Nuremberg-style trials for Russian leaders of the Ukraine invasion, and diplomats continuing to denounce Russias violation of international law fifteen years after its invasion of Georgia.

The impact of these denunciations? Nil. Putin does not care what may be said of him when he breaks international law.

China, too, has illegally annexed territory, when it invaded Tibet in 1950. Its nine dash line claim to own most of the South China Sea has been flatly rejected by the relevant international court, but China nonetheless continues its slow, long-running campaign of maritime conquest there.

None of these invasions were deterred or repulsed by any fear that Russia and China would be criticised afterwards by the US or some nebulous Western we. And yet the likes of Simpson and Hutton seem to feel that it is only the fear of such criticism that is holding Putin and Xi back from further illegal action.

They are living in a dream. The world has always been defined by power, and the will to use it. Putin invaded Ukraine and attempted to capture or kill Zelensky because he believed that he would win quickly and gain from the venture. China will snatch the South China Sea and Taiwan too if it believes that it can. The idea that condemnation from the international community, or US moral authority gained from failure to act elsewhere, might prevent such invasions is entirely delusional.

What these critics of Trump are actually revealing is the extent to which they believe in Americas own myths. It is only possible to be shocked that America isnt following the rules if you fundamentally believe that the USA is morally exceptional, and should be held to a higher standard than the other Great Powers of the world. Only a belief in that moral exceptionalism could lead someone to worry that without America providing moral leadership, other nations might conduct invasions.

There is something almost adolescent about these complaints. These people live in a conceptual and legal myth which America carefully constructed after World War Two. As a result even their criticisms of the US are grounded in that nations own myth.

This myth has never really been true. Like every other hegemon in history, the US has always sought to advance its interests using military power if necessary, and this did not stop with the post-war rules based order. The US has carried out several other interventions in the modern era: the one most like the recent Venezuela operation was the invasion of Panama in 1989, in which the head of state General Noriega was seized and put on trial in New York  on drugs charges among others, just like Maduro. That the US managed to win the Cold War without direct conflict with the USSR was most unusual. Rivalries between great powers are rarely resolved peacefully. And so it should be no surprise that with the USs supremacy threatened by China, the pieties of the post-war order fall away. They were only ever a cloak for power.

And now, a power such as the US, a hegemon determined not to surrender its crown, has cast aside the cloak. Theres something more honest about the Donroe Doctrine than the US-defined rules based order which came before. Meanwhile in Britain we see the strange sight of liberals and the left defending that world order, after its creator has tired of it. They show themselves to be yesterdays men, dreaming of an imagined past, unable to understand or even face the reality of the 21st century.

Britain, along with the rest of the West, needs a new generation of leaders to step forward. A generation who are able to be honest and to describe the world as it is. A generation who understand that power, not talk, is necessary to keep us safe and prosperous, and who will use that power to secure our interests.
Trump was morally right to attack Venezuela and seize Maduro, says Kemi Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch has praised Donald Trumps seizure of Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro as morally right.

In her strongest support for the president since US special forces attacked Venezuela, the Conservative leader said he was right to intervene militarily to end Mr Maduros rule.

Venezuela was a brutal regime, she said.

We [Britain] didnt even recognise it as a legitimate government. I think that whats happened is quite extraordinary. But I understand why America has done it.

The reason why I say this is because, where the legal certainty is not yet clear, morally I do think it was the right thing to do.

Nicolas Maduro, left, and his wife, Cilia Flores, second from right, appear in Manhattan federal court with their defence attorneys (AP)

I am glad Maduro has gone; he was making peoples lives a living hell.

Ms Badenoch said her response was different to other party leaders and MPs, partly as a result of her own background in Nigeria as a child.

I grew up under a military dictatorship [in Nigeria], so I know what its like to have someone like Maduro in charge.

I know what its like to have people celebrating in the street. So Im not condemning the US.

Asked again if sending special forces in to seize Maduro was the right thing to do, Ms Badenoch replied: Morally, yes.

She continued: I wish there had been another way, but having had personal experience of what the people of Venezuela are suffering, I cannot say anything different.

Ms Badenoch acknowledged that the US invasion raised serious questions about the rules-based order.

However, she opened a new divide with Sir Keir Starmer by questioning the relevance of international law in all instances.

Badenoch pictured during a visit to Carver Barracks in her constituency last year (PA)

Accusing the prime minister of hand wringing and projecting weakness, she said: As we all know, international law is what countries agree to.

Once people decide they dont agree, there is no international law. Theres no world police, no world government, no world court. These are agreements.

Ms Badenoch backed up her argument, stating that Venezuelas opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, had said Venezuela had already been invaded by Russia, by Iran, by Hezbollah.

Ms Badenoch added: Where were the people talking about international law then?

However, she said her support for President Trump over Venezuela did not extend to his threats to take over Greenland.

It is not for sale, she told the BBC. What happens to Greenland is up to Denmark and the people of Greenland.
Donald Trump has threatened the UK, Denmark and other European countries with 10 per cent tariffs over their opposition to a takeover of Greenland by the US.

Increasing international tensions, global warming and the changing world economy have put the mineral-rich island at the heart of the debate over trade and security.

Trump has made it known he wants his country to control the territory that guards the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America.

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a longtime US ally and Nato member that has rejected Mr Trumps threats. Greenlands own government also opposes US designs on the island, saying the people will decide their own future.

JD Vance, the US vice-president, on a visit to Greenland last year (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Trump has said he can take the territory the easy way or the hard way. On Saturday, Trump said 10 per cent tariffs would come into effect on February 1 on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland.

Those tariffs would increase to 25 per cent on June 1 and would continue until a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland. "World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing Denmark can do about it," Trump said.

Heres why Greenland is strategically important to Arctic security:

Greenlands Arctic location is key

Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That has made it crucial to the defence of North America since the Second World War, when the US occupied Greenland to ensure it didnt fall into the hands of Nazi Germany and to protect crucial North Atlantic shipping lanes.

Following the Cold War, the Arctic was largely an area of international cooperation. But climate change is thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the regions mineral resources.

The Trump administration charges Denmark with not doing enough to shore up security in the region  something European allies are desperately looking to improve as the US weighs taking the territory by force.

Rare earth minerals

Greenland is a rich source of the so-called rare earth minerals that are a key component of mobile phones, computers, batteries and other hi-tech gadgets that are expected to power the worlds economy in the coming decades.

That has attracted the interest of the US and other Western powers as they try to ease Chinas dominance of the market for these critical minerals.

Greenlands strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors (AP)

Development of Greenlands mineral resources is challenging because of the islands harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors.

US military presence in Greenland

The US Department of Defence operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which was operated by the US after they and Denmark signed the Greenland Defence Agreement in 1951.

It supports missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance operations for the US and Nato.

Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where Nato monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.

Danish armed forces in Greenland

Denmark is moving to strengthen its military presence around Greenland and in the wider North Atlantic.

Last year, the government announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner (1.7bn) agreement with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, another self-governing territory of Denmark, to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region.

The plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capacity.

Denmark also announced fresh investments into the territorys defence worth some 27.4 billion-kroner in October last year. Upgrades would benefit maritime patrol aircraft capabilities and naval vessels, Denmarks defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European Nato members in the Arctic Ocean in Nuuk, Greenland (AP)

Denmarks Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Greenlands capital, Nuuk, and tasked with the surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defence of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, according to its website. It has smaller satellite stations across the island.

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also stationed in Greenland.

Security threats to the Arctic

In 2018, China declared itself a near-Arctic state in an effort to gain more influence in the region. China has also announced plans to build a Polar Silk Road as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative, which has created economic links with countries around the world.

At the time, the US secretary of state Mike Pompeo rejected Chinas move, saying: Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarisation and competing territorial claims?

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is worried about Natos activities in the Arctic and will respond by strengthening its military capability in the polar region. European leaders concerns were heightened following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Donald Trump departs after speaking during a House Republican retreat in Washington DC on 6 January 2026. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images (Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Donald Trump and his advisers are looking into a range of options in an effort to acquire Greenland, noting in a White House statement on Tuesday that using the US military to do so is always an option.

President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and its vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region. The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chiefs disposal, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Leavitts comments came as the leaders of major European powers pushed back against Trumps long-running desire to seize the Arctic territory.

In a show of solidarity on Tuesday, the leaders of France, Germany, Britain and other nations issued a joint statement with the prime minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, urging the US to respect its sovereignty. They wrote in the statement that Arctic security was a top priority for Nato, a defense alliance that includes the United States and Greenland.

Greenland belongs to its people, the statement said. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.

Greenlands government said it had asked the US state department for an urgent meeting with the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, Greenlands minister for foreign affairs and research, Vivian Motzfeldt, and the Danish foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, to discuss the USs claims about our country.

Rasmussen told the Danish public broadcaster DR that a meeting would give the Danes and Greenlanders a chance to correct some of Trumps claims, including that there are a lot of Russian and Chinese ships around Greenland, and that China exerts great influence there through investments.

We do not share this image that Greenland is plastered with Chinese investments  nor that there are Chinese warships up and down along Greenland, he said, according to the broadcaster. Rasmussen spoke to reporters after an emergency session of Denmarks foreign policy committee and defence ministry with just one item on the agenda: The Kingdoms relations with the United States.

Denmarks defence minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said after the meeting that Denmark had spent billions to increase security in Greenland, not, as Trump had claimed this week, by adding just one more dog sled.

Frederiksen previously warned that an attack by the US on a Nato ally would mean the end of the military alliance and post-second world war security. It would, she said, be the end of everything.

Trump has renewed calls for a US takeover of Greenland after the dark-of-night arrest of Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president, on Saturday. The next day, Trump said that he needed Greenland very badly, prompting a ramping-up of tensions among the US, the semi-autonomous Danish territory and Europe.

Greenland has repeatedly stated that it does not want to be part of the US. The idea is also unpopular in the US, where one poll found just 7% of Americans agree with a military seizure of Greenland.

In an earlier interview with CNN, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller suggested Denmark does not have a right to the Arctic territory, which is a former Danish colony and remains part of its kingdom. While the mineral-rich island, home to 56,000 people, has control over most internal affairs, Copenhagen continues to oversee its foreign and security policy.

Miller also claimed military intervention would not be needed to take over the island because nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.

The CNN interview was conducted after Millers wife, the rightwing podcaster Katie Miller, posted a photo of the US flag draped across a map of Greenland, captioned SOON.

In a private briefing on Capitol Hill, Rubio told lawmakers on Monday that the administration would prefer to buy the island from Denmark rather than invade it, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Strategically situated between the US and Russia, Greenland is viewed as an increasingly important defense hub and an emerging geopolitical battleground as the climate crisis and growing militarization raise tensions in the region. Trump has said Greenland is critical to the USs national security, though the US already operates a base there.

For years, European leaders mostly downplayed  or sometimes made light of  Trumps interest in seizing Greenland. But Maduros swift capture by elite US forces has changed the tenor.

At a press conference in Paris on Tuesday, Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, who touted new commitments from the Trump administration to defend Ukraine, was asked pointedly: What value do these commitments have on the very day that at the highest levels of government in Washington they are talking about seizing the sovereign territory of a fellow Nato member?

Starmer said he stood by the statement he made on Monday, when he said that Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must determine the future of Greenland and nobody else.

Meanwhile, in Washington, top congressional Republicans sought to downplay the likelihood of military action in Greenland, with the Senate majority leader, John Thune, telling Politico: That to me is not something anybody is contemplating seriously.

Congressman Ryan Zinke, a Republican from Montana who served as secretary of the interior during the first Trump administration, said he was not surprised that Trump would decline to rule out the use of military force to seize Greenland.

The president rarely rules out any option, he told NewsNation on Tuesday, adding: But Greenland is different. Greenland is obviously a Nato partner.

But Democrats warned that Trumps threats should be taken seriously. The US senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, has introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of funds for military force or other hostilities against Greenland. In a post on X, he accused Trump of wanting Greenland simply to possess a giant island with his name on it.

He wouldnt think twice about putting our troops in danger if it makes him feel big and strong, Gallego wrote. The US military is not a toy.

Robert Mackey contributed reporting
Donald Trump speaks during the House Republican party member retreat at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

Donald Trump has received rapturous acclaim from congressional Republicans as he touted a brilliant and incredible attack on Venezuela that led to the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro.

The US president is facing accusations from former allies, such as ex-congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, that he abandoned his America First commitment to avoid foreign entanglements and eschew regime change.

But when Trump delivered a near 90-minute speech to House Republicans at their annual retreat in Washington on Tuesday, he was given a warm reception and there was little sign that the deadly weekend assault on Venezuela had caused cracks in his support.

Related: Trump says US companies will invest billions in Venezuelan oil production. Experts arent so sure

It was an amazing military feat that took place, Trump said, prompting a whoop from the audience and sustained applause. Well, thank you. You know, people are saying it goes down with one of the most incredible  it was so complex, 152 airplanes  many talk about boots on the ground  we had a lot of boots on the ground but it was amazing.

The president celebrated the lack of fatalities among US special forces while acknowledging that troops guarding Maduro died in the assault. Nobody was killed, and on the other side a lot of people were killed. Unfortunately: I say that.

Soldiers  Cubans, mostly Cubans, but many, many killed, and they knew we were coming and they were protected and our guys werent. You know, our guys are jumping out of helicopters and theyre not protected, and they were. But it was so brilliant.

Trump complained that Chuck Schumer, the minority leader in the Senate, and other Democrats failed to thank him for removing a repressive dictator. He then earned laughter from House Republicans by making reference to Maduros dancing.

Theyve been after this guy for years and years and years and you know hes a violent guy. He gets up there and he tries to imitate my dance a little bit. But hes a violent guy and hes killed millions of people. They have a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas that theyre closing up, but hes tortured people.

Maduro regularly appeared on stage dancing to a techno remix of his mantra no war, yes peace as US forces massed in the Caribbean in late 2025. Trump is known for bopping to the disco song YMCA at his rallies.

The New York Times has reported that Maduros regular public dancing and other displays of indifference helped convince some in Trumps inner circle that he was mocking them and failing to take their threats seriously.

The president went on to claim, without evidence, that the radical left have paid protesters to carry Free Maduro signs. Do you know theyre paid when they have brand new beautiful printed signs by like the highest quality printer?

Trump was speaking at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, recently renamed by his handpicked board as the Trump-Kennedy Center, to rally House Republicans ahead of Novembers crucial midterm elections.

Republicans must win, he warned, or he will be impeached by Democrats for a historic third time. You gotta win the midterms cos, if we dont win the midterms, its just gonna be  I mean, theyll find a reason to impeach me, he said. Ill get impeached.

Trumps agenda is on the line in the elections, when all the seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the Senates seats will be contested. He urged Republicans to unite on issues ranging from gender politics to healthcare and election reforms, and to sell his policies to a public restive about cost of living issues.



Trump predicted an epic win but also expressed concerns about historical precedent that the party of the sitting president usually fares poorly. They say that when you win the presidency, you lose the midterm. I wish you could explain to me what the hells going on with the mind of the public.

He urged Republicans: You have so many good nuggets. You have to use them. If you can sell them were going to win. Weve had the most successful first year of any president in history and it should be a positive.

Trumps digressive, freewheeling speech came on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 US Capitol attack by supporters furious at what he falsely claimed was a fraudulent election loss to Joe Biden in 2020. He was impeached for the second time over the riot.

Trump claimed: Do you know that the news never reported the words, Walk or march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol  they never reported it  its a scandal. The unselect committee never reported that. They never reported that Nancy Pelosi was offered 10,000 soldiers.

Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 January 6 rioters on his first day back in office last January. On Tuesday, he repeated his false claim, the election was rigged, told Republicans to insist on voter ID, and again railed against mail-in voting.

He also mused about unconstitutionally seeking a third term as president. I guess Im not allowed to run, he said. Im not sure. Is there a little something out there that Im not allowed to run? But lets assume I was allowed to run. Theres gonna be a constitutional movement.

Now 79, Trump claimed that he had successfully passed cognitive tests that Democrats such as Tim Walz, Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom would surely fail. Do you think Walz could pass a cognitive test? Do you think Kamala could? I dont think Gavin could. Hes got a good line of crap but, other than that, he couldnt pass.

He also returned to the theme of his dancing. While discussing his administrations banning of transgender women from womens and girls sports, Trump performed an exaggerated imitation of what he said was a trans weightlifter. My wife hates when I do this, he said. She said: Its so unpresidential.

Trump added: She hates it when I dance. He also asked: Could you imagine FDR dancing? President Franklin D Roosevelt, who was in office from 1933 until 1945, was paralysed from the waist down by polio in 1921 and used a wheelchair.
A handful of schools across the UK remain closed in the aftermath of Storm Chandra, which caused transport disruption and nearly 100 flood warnings.

Two schools remain closed in Dorset and another remains closed in Somerset due to the adverse weather. While over 350 schools in Northern Ireland had been closed to pupils for the last two days, local councils have confirmed they are all open on Thursday.

A yellow rain alert is in place from 12pm on Thursday until 3am on Friday for parts of south-east England and south-west England.

A separate yellow warning for Northern Ireland on Friday is forecast to bring spells of heavy rain leading to some transport disruption and flooding in places.

On Thursday morning, there were 76 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 180 flood alerts, where it is possible, across England.

Here are the schools closed on Thursday:

Dorset

Hampreston CE VA First School - Wimborne

Milborne St Andrew First School - Blandford

Somerset

Cheddon Fitzpaine Church School - Taunton

In a statement on Somerset Council, the school said that recent bad weather had caused flooding in the premises, and would remain closed until 2 February.

The Met Office said a band of rain would arrive across Cornwall on Thursday afternoon, then move northeast across the south west of England before clearing early on Friday.

The rain is only likely to last for a few hours in any one location but will be heavy at times, a spokesperson said.

A further 10-15 mm of rain is expected fairly widely, but some locations, most likely in the south of the area, could see 20-25 mm.

The likelihood of impacts from these rainfall amounts is higher than normal due to saturated ground and ongoing flooding following Storm Chandra.

A severe flood warning, meaning a danger to life, remained in place for the Lower Stour at Iford Bridge Home Park, where residents were told to evacuate their properties as soon as possible.

In Somerset, the council has warned that the risk of flooding on the Somerset Levels and Moors remains high as rainwater moves through the system.

National Rail has also warned that disruption is expected until Friday, with trains cancelled across Devon, including to Exeter St Davids, while speed restrictions are also in place across Scotland.

Matthew Lehnert, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said: On Thursday, showers in southwest England will be replaced by a more organised area of rain when the next system reaches the south of Cornwall around Thursday lunchtime. Theres a Yellow Warning for rain in place from noon until Friday morning, with the focus for heavier rain across southwest England as the wet conditions spread northeast across the warning area.

The rain is only likely to last for a few hours in each location but will be heavy at times. 10 to 15 mm is likely quite widely, but in some areas, particularly towards the south coast, a further 20 to 25 mm is possible. This rain will fall onto already saturated ground, compounding the impacts of Storm Chandra, so were encouraging people to stay up to date with the latest forecast and follow any advice from the emergency services and local authorities.

Heres the Met Offices five-day forecast for the UK:

Today

Fog will gradually become confined to hills, though it will be a rather cloudy day overall. Patchy rain and hill snow affecting the northeast, whilst the far west and southwest will be breezy with showers, replaced by heavy rain later.

Tonight

Rather cloudy with some rain and hill snow in the north. Further wet and breezy weather towards the southwest moving northeastwards overnight. Turning clearer and showery in the southwest later.

Friday

Friday looks rather cloudy and breezy with rain moving northwards, giving snow over some northern hills. Briefly brighter in the south, though heavier rain and especially brisk winds developing here.

Outlook for Saturday to Sunday:

Remaining unsettled over the weekend and to start next week. Showers or longer spells of rain affecting most areas, coupled with brisk winds at times. Further snow on northern hills.
A flavor-forward lineup featuring $5 Bowls*, a Matty Matheson collaboration and the return of $10 Tuesdays** gives lunch something to look forward to

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- January has a way of testing people. The days are colder, lunch is getting more expensive, and the pressure to start the year strong often runs headfirst into reality. Self-improvement and restrictions run in tandem with resolutions, but we don't think they should. In fact, new research shows more than four in ten Americans (42%) don't set New Year's food goals at all  opting out of rigid rules from the start  while many who do set goals admit they feel guilty when they "cheat" (58%), often because they're craving something comforting (43%)***.

KFC $5 Bowls

That's why, in 2026, the only thing KFC is cutting is the cost. Not by limiting, but by adding a bold lineup of craveable comfort, intentional indulgence and abundant value to make sure the start of the year feels warmer, bigger and more satisfying.

"Every January, the conversation around food gets smaller with focus on rules and restriction. But it shouldn't come at the cost of trading down," said Melissa Cash, KFC U.S. CMO. "Self-improvement can mean intentional indulgence, comfort and abundant value. 2026 will certainly be the year of balance, and KFC has something for everyone to keep the focus on what matters most:  you and the balance you deserve without compromise."

Starting now, KFC is rolling out five $5 Bowls that perfectly balance comfort and value, including the return of the fan favorite Mac & Cheese Bowl and our take on poutine with a culinary collaboration with chef and cultural icon Matty Matheson and the new Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl. That value matters now more than ever: nearly a third of Americans say they have negative feelings about the cost of lunch (31%), and more than one in five say it's simply unaffordable to buy lunch regularly (22%). Not to mention, the unbeatable $10 Tuesdays deal continues to ensure even if your resolutions fade, the value won't. And, to tie it all together with a bow (literally), KFC is introducing Bowl-o-Ties, a playful nod to the Colonel's unmistakable style, to ensure fans start off the year not just feeling good but looking good.

Reclaiming Lunch with $5 Bowls and Matty Matheson

As lunch prices continue to climb, KFC is bringing comfort back to the middle of the day with five $5 Bowls that prove value and lunch don't have to be boring since 38% of Americans describe their lunch as "fine, but nothing exciting", and 41% wish their lunch was more affordable. And when lunch prices creep higher, frustration sets in  nearly one in three say they feel annoyed when they pay more than $15 for a weekday lunch (31%) of those who purchase lunch.

Each bowl delivers craveable flavor and familiar comfort at a price that feels right for winter.

Leading the lineup is Matty's Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl, KFC's spin on poutine, developed in partnership with chef and cultural icon Matty Matheson. The bold, indulgent bowl features fries, brown gravy, crispy chicken nuggets and cheese curds.

"KFC knows value and flavor, and we wanted to bring that energy to lunch," said Matty Matheson, restauranter, executive producer, author and actor. "Something warm and bold and comforting. It's the kind of food you crave and can't stop thinking about."

The full $5 Bowl lineup includes:

Matty's Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl : Fries, brown gravy, crispy chicken nuggets and coated cheese curds.

: Fries, brown gravy, crispy chicken nuggets and coated cheese curds. Mac & Cheese Bowl: Homestyle mac & cheese topped with crispy chicken nuggets and a three-cheese blend.

Homestyle mac & cheese topped with crispy chicken nuggets and a three-cheese blend. Mashed Potato Bowl: Mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, crispy chicken nuggets and a three-cheese blend.

Mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, crispy chicken nuggets and a three-cheese blend. Spicy Mac & Cheese Bowl: Homestyle mac & cheese with nuggets, a three-cheese blend.

Homestyle mac & cheese with nuggets, a three-cheese blend. Spicy Mashed Potato Bowl: Mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, nuggets and a three-cheese blend finished with Nashville Hot Sauce.

As part of the North American launch, Matty Matheson is also cooking up something new for Canada and fans won't have to wait long, with the Canada-exclusive KFC menu dropping January 19.

KFC Solves Quitters Day with the Return of $10 Tuesdays

The second week of January is often called "Quitters Day," when New Year's resolutions start to fade. This year, Quitters Day falls on Friday, January 9, as many consumers realize that rigid meal-prep routines aren't built to last.

Data from meal-preppers shows top frustrations with meal prep include repetition (35%), time commitment (28%) and unexpected costs (20%)  with more than a third saying they'd rather do laundry than meal prep for the week (37%). Others would rather clean the bathroom (21%), fold a fitted sheet perfectly (12%) or get a text from their ex (10%), among other things. As budgets tighten and schedules fill up, people are looking for meals that feel comforting, satisfying and easy.

KFC is offering a more realistic solution with the return of $10 Tuesdays, featuring an eight-piece bucket of dark meat or tenders for just $10. The weekly deal delivers a warm, protein-packed meal that helps people stretch their budget without giving up comfort - That matters when 65% of Americans who dislike meal prepping say it feels like a chore and those who do meal prep admit they get tired of their meals in less than three days on average (2.9 days).

Instead of another resolution to maintain, $10 Tuesdays offer a simple ritual people can actually stick with.

Colonel Core: Introducing Bowl-o Ties

As Western-inspired fashion continues to show up across culture and red carpets, KFC is tapping into the trend with a playful nod to its own heritage. Enter the Bowl-o-Tie  a bowl-shaped twist on the classic bolo tie made famous by Colonel Sanders himself.

The Bowl-o-Tie will be available for fans to purchase soon. Follow us on social media for news on the exclusive drop and how you can order.

From weekday lunches to weekly rituals, KFC's January offerings are designed to bring warmth, joy and real savings to a month that can use all three. Visit the KFC app to explore the full lineup of new-year value offerings.

* Prices and participation may vary. Prices higher in AK, HI, CA and third-party ordering websites. Tax, tip and fees extra. No substitutions.

** Prices and participation may vary. Offer only available on 8 pc dark meat buckets OR 8pc tenders with 4 sauces purchased on Tuesdays. Prices higher in AK, HI, CA and third-party ordering websites. Tax, tip and fees extra. No substitutions.

*** This online survey of 2000 US Adults (nationally representative on the basis of age, gender, and region) was conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between 22nd and 29th December 2025. All participants are double-opted in to take part in research and are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council.

About KFC

KFC Corporation, based in Plano, TX., has been serving up Finger Lickin' Good Original Recipe fried chicken since 1952, including chicken on the bone, nuggets and tenders. Beyond the top secret 11 herbs & spices, KFC specialties include the KFC Chicken Sandwich, Extra Crispy chicken, KFC Famous Bowls, Pot Pies, Secret Recipe Fries, biscuits and homestyle sides. There are over 30,000 KFC restaurants in 150 countries and territories around the world. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM). For more information, visit www.kfc.com. Follow KFC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Kentucky Fried Chicken
Many schools will remain closed for a fifth day on Friday (Paul Campbell/PA) (PA Wire)

Hundreds of schools across the country have closed this week due to snow and ice as temperatures dropped below freezing.

More than 250 schools are due to remain closed on Friday, including more than 150 in Aberdeenshire, dozens in the Highlands and Aberdeen, and a number in Moray.

Many pupils will have had a whole week off school at the start of the new term, though remote learning has been provided in many cases.

A total of 278 schools were closed on Thursday across northern Scotland, or around 11% of the school estate  down on the 440 that were closed on Wednesday.

A section of the A74(M) motorway was closed in both directions on Thursday after what Police Scotland described as multiple collisions due to icy conditions, but it has since reopened.Here is a guide to school closures, including how decisions are made, and any rights parents have if their childs school is closed.

How do I know if my childs school is closed?

This differs by school  most will have their own methods for contacting parents for alerts such as closures, whether that is by email, text, or using a specific app. Many schools will also post updates on their websites.

Most local councils also post lists of school closures in their area that can be found by searching online. For example, on Tuesday, North Yorkshire Council listed 50 schools with closures.

Local radio stations will also list school closures.

Who decides when to close a school?

In the case of bad weather, or other issues such as extreme illness or loss of heating, a schools headteacher has the power to decide whether to close a school.

Thousands of children have stayed home instead of returning to school after the holidays because of the cold weather (Liam McBurney/PA)

The headteacher will decide whether it is safe for the school to open, taking into account issues such as whether enough staff can make it into work, and the temperature in school buildings.

What should I expect from my childs school while it is closed?

The Department for Education states that schools that decide to close during severe weather should consider a move to remote learning until they are able to reopen.

A headteacher has the power to decide whether to close a school in the event of bad weather (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Most schools will already have remote education plans in place, and may include recorded or online sessions with a teacher, or work accessed on an online platform.

Can I get time off work if my childs school is closed?

Parents are able to take time off work for emergencies involving dependants, which include children. This is likely to include a disruption to usual care arrangements such as a nursery or school closing unexpectedly.

Parents are advised to let their employer know as soon as possible if their childs school is closing and that they may need time off to look after them, so that this can be discussed. They are also advised to tell their employer how long they expect to be off if possible, although this may be difficult to predict in the case of school closures because of weather.

While employers may pay employees for time off work to look after dependants, they do not have to.

What other options do I have if I do not want to take time off work?

Some employees may be able to request flexible working to help them deal with an unexpected school closure by working from home or altering working hours.

Parents can let schools know if they believe their child cannot get to school safely in line with usual procedures for reporting absences (Ben Whitley/PA)

Again, parents are advised to let their employer know as soon as possible if they want to make a flexible working request.

Some employers may also allow last-minute annual leave to be taken if employees want to ensure they are paid for time off.

What do I do if my childs school is open but I think it is unsafe for them to travel to school?

If parents believe their child cannot get to school safely, they can let the school know they will not be coming in and why as soon as possible in line with the usual procedure for reporting absence.
Water for onboard coffee comes from tanks that may be infected with bacteria, despite airlines required to flush and disinfect them four times a year (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Flight attendants often post on social media to warn passengers against drinking the onboard coffee, claiming its made with water that isnt clean enough.

A recent study supports their stance and identifies the U.S. airlines most likely to carry potentially unsafe water: passengers on American Airlines, JetBlue, and multiple regional airlines should be most wary, according to the research.

The study was conducted by the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, which analyzed results from 35,674 water tests. These tests were conducted by the airlines over a three-year period  October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2025  and were officially reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the carriers.

The samples were collected from various aircraft points, such as galley faucets and bathroom sinks, and tested for coliforms, red-flag microbes that can indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms, and E. coli. This bacterium indicates fecal contamination and can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, pneumonia, and other illnesses.

A recent study has picked out the US airlines most likely to carry potentially unsafe water: passengers using American Airlines and JetBlue, and multiple regional airlines, should be most wary (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The researchers developed a scorecard for 10 major and 11 regional airlines based on factors including contamination levels, the number of violations per aircraft, and how often each carrier disinfected and flushed its aircraft water tanks.

In total, 949 samples (2.66 percent) tested positive for coliforms, and 32 (0.09 percent) tested positive for E. coli.

Among major airlines, American had the lowest score  1.75 out of five, or a grade D. JetBlue, which also ranked lowest in a 2019 water safety study, scored 1.8 but was still graded a D.

Spirit was also graded D, but managed 2.05 out of five, while United, Hawaiian, and Southwest all received C grades.

Allegiant Air and Alaska both received Bs, while Delta and Frontier topped the table with A grades and scores of five out of five and 4.8, respectively.

The regional ranking was topped by GoJet, which scored 3.85 (grade B). Six carriers were graded DSkyWest Airlines, Envoy Air, PSA Airlines, Air Wisconsin, Republic Airways, and CommuteAir, and Mesa Airlines an F, with a score of just 1.35 out of five.

Charles Platkin, PhD, director of the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, remarked: Nearly all regional airlines need to improve their onboard water safety, with the exception of GoJet Airlines.

American Airlines had the worst score for water safety  1.75 out of five, or a grade D (American Airlines)

Water used in galleys and bathroom sinks is drawn from a water tank on the plane, which airlines are required to disinfect and flush four times per year. Still, the study noted that aircraft water systems can experience periods of stagnation between flights and temperature variations during ascent and descent. No matter how careful an airline is, contamination can still occur from airport hoses and tanks.

Whats more, the number of bacteria breaches might be even higher, as researchers discovered a large number of incomplete EPA violation records, where the end date of the investigation was missing. These statistics were therefore not counted.

With this in mind, Platkin recommends avoiding drinking water on board and even water from bathroom taps.

He said: Never drink any water onboard that isnt in a sealed bottle and do not drink coffee or tea onboard. [In addition] do not wash your hands in the bathroom  use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 per cent alcohol instead.

American Airlines said in a statement: American's potable water program is fully in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR). A recent EPA audit showed there were no significant findings with our program, and we have not received any violations for any potable water cabinets or trucks that we use.

"Our team is closely reviewing the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevitys analysis  including its methodology and whether it was peer reviewed  to determine any potential changes that would further enhance the safety and well-being of our customers and team."

The Independent has reached out to JetBlue for comment.

Airline water safety scores

Major airlines

Delta Air Lines: 5.00 (Grade A) Frontier Airlines: 4.80 (Grade A) Alaska Airlines: 3.85 (Grade B) Allegiant Air: 3.65 (Grade B) Southwest Airlines: 3.30 (Grade C) Hawaiian Airlines: 3.15 (Grade C) United Airlines: 2.70 (Grade C) Spirit Airlines: 2.05 (Grade D) JetBlue: 1.80 (Grade D) American Airlines: 1.75 (Grade D)

Regional airlines
Mike Johnson at the Capitol on Monday. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock (Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock)

The United States is not at war in Venezuela, the Republican speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, said on Monday, despite the weekend raid Donald Trump ordered to capture president Nicolas Maduro and announcement that the US would now run the country.

The surprise incursion came after months of mounting US pressure on Venezuela, which has included a blockade of some oil shipments and airstrikes on vessels off its shores that have killed at least 110 people.

Trump has claimed that the newly sworn in interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, will cooperate with his demands for US oil majors to take control of Venezuelas large crude reserves, but Democrats have criticized the president for embroiling the United States in the sort of conflict he campaigned on avoiding, without seeking permission from Congress.

Following a briefing from top administration officials including secretary of state Marco Rubio, defense secretary Pete Hegseth and attorney general Pam Bondi, Johnson told reporters that Trump is not looking to take control of Venezuela militarily.

Related: Top Republicans backpedal from Trump claim that US will run Venezuela

We are not at war. We do not have US armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country, Johnson said, noting that he disagreed with Democrats criticisms that Trump broke the law by not telling Congress in advance of the attack.

This is not a regime change. This is a demand for change of behavior by a regime. The interim government is stood up now, and we are hopeful that they will be able to correct their action, the speaker said.

The Trump administration has alleged that Maduro ran a narco-terrorist government that trafficked drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States, a claim that experts have disputed. They also allege that Maduro allowed US rivals such as China and Russia as well as armed groups such as Hezbollah to operate in Venezuela, giving them a foothold in the western hemisphere.

Johnson predicted that the White Houses strategy of choking Venezuelas oil production would force its socialist government to change, and to eventually hold new elections. Analyses of the 2024 presidential election results in Venezuela indicate that Maduro stole victory from the main opposition candidate.

We have a way of persuasion, because their oil exports, as you know, have been seized. And I think that will bring the country to to a new governance in very short order, he said. So we dont expect troops on the ground.

Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the briefing posed far more questions than it ever answered, and warned that the US was on the precipice of being sucked into a new war.

Their plan for the US running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying, Schumer said. I did not receive any assurances that we would not try to do the same thing in other countries  When the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation building, it always ends up hurting the United States. I left the briefing feeling that it would again.

Maduro, who was arrested along with his wife, Cilia Flores, has been indicted by federal prosecutors on four charges related to guns, drugs and narco-terrorism. He pleaded not guilty in an initial court appearance in New York City earlier on Monday. In an emergency meeting of the UN security council, dozens of countries denounced the US incursion as a crime of aggression.

Democratic senators plan to force a vote on a war powers resolution later this week that will require congressional permission for Trump to carry out any further military action in Venezuela. It is unclear if it has enough support to pass the Republican-controlled chamber.

Mondays briefing was given only to the top Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the bipartisan leaders of each chambers committees overseeing intelligence, foreign policy and the armed forces. Johnson said that top administration officials will return to the Capitol on Wednesday to brief all lawmakers on the Venezuela strategy.

Though the Trump administration has described the raid as a law enforcement operation backed by the military, Congresss judiciary committees were not included in Mondays briefing.

Related: From elation to frustration: Trump snub wrongfoots Venezuelas opposition

Republican Senate judiciary chair Chuck Grassley and Democratic ranking member Dick Durbin issued a rare joint statement protesting their exclusion that said: There is no legitimate basis for excluding the Senate judiciary committee from this briefing.

The administrations refusal to acknowledge our committees indisputable jurisdiction in this matter is unacceptable and we are following up to ensure the committee receives warranted information regarding Maduros arrest.

Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House foreign affairs committee, said Congress did not need to weigh in ahead of the attack, calling it not an operation that requires authorization.

He compared the capture of Maduro to Trumps 2020 killing of powerful Iranian general Qassem Suleimani or the June bombing raid the president ordered against Tehrans nuclear facilities, describing them as swift military actions that accomplished their objectives without requiring the long-term commitment of US troops.

They are not the protracted war administration, they never have been. They havent produced a protracted war, Mast said.
The Trump administration has renewed its criticism of European allies after claiming the continent faces civilisational erasure over its policies on migration and censorship.

The US National Security Strategy sent shockwaves through Brussels when it was published last month, offering a bleak forecast for weak partners on the continent and lending support to far-right political parties.

Jacob Helberg, the US under secretary of state for economic affairs, said on Monday the document was intended as a warning and not an insult, and claimed that Washington wanted to see a strong and prosperous Europe.

I know that the national security strategy, the language around Europe and around civilisational erasure drew a lot of attention in Europe, he said.

What Id like to highlight is that that language is a warning. Its not an insult  There is a growing sense of concern and alarm in the United States about the fact that Europes economic, relative economic decline as a share of the global GDP is a crisis.

Donald Trump has renewed threats to take over Greenland for security reasons as his administration slights Europe as weak (Getty)

There is a degree of alarm in Washington about the need for serious reforms in order to jolt the European economy back to life, he added. We think its possible with the right reforms.

Helberg emphasised that the US welcomes European discussions on slashing regulation and opening up to foreign investment.

Asked about EU policies aimed at reducing strategic reliance on the US, Helberg reiterated: We want Europe to be strong. In order to  a condition for European strength is for Europe to really accelerate the need to deregulate and reduce its reliance on powers that are outwardly adversarial to Europe.

Whether Europe chooses to partner with the US to deepen supply chains or other powers, we want to make sure that Europe doesnt partner with countries that will coerce it and blackmail Europe every single day of that partnership.

Donald Trump suggested Europes future as an ally of the US depends on future ideology in a wide-ranging interview with Politico last month.

Jacob Helberg (right) said the presidents comments were intended as a warning to Europe about its perceived economic decline (Getty)

They want to be politically correct, and it makes them weak. Thats what makes them weak, he said, before launching into attacks on Paris, Sweden and London mayor Sadiq Khan over European migration trends.

American relations with Europe have soured in recent weeks with the resurgence of Trumps rhetoric on a possible takeover of Greenland.

Following the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro last week, Trump told reporters he would talk about Greenland in 20 days. He has long suggested that the semi-autonomous territory of Nato-ally Denmark should be under US control for national security reasons.

The issue now threatens to fracture solidarity within the alliance, as the EU prepare to defend against a hostile takeover.

Denmarks prime minister Mette Frederiksen rallied support as she said on Monday that she believes Trump is serious about his threats.

"Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland," Frederiksen told public broadcaster DR, adding: "If the United States attacks another NATO country, everything stops.

German foreign minister Johann Wadephul added that Nato could discuss strengthening Greenlands protection if necessary to deter US aggression.

Even Britain, which has avoided criticism of Trump over Maduros capture, reportedly to avoid offending Trump at a critical time for foreign policy, including over Ukraine, said it would stand with Denmark in its defence of the territory.

French president Emmanuel Macron (right, with Canadian PM Mark Carney) is hosting foreign leaders in Paris on Tuesday to discuss Ukraines security guarantees (AFP/Getty)

Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must determine the future of Greenland and nobody else, prime minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Monday.

The Trump administration has separately been working with partners in Europe to hammer out concrete security guarantees to end the war in Ukraine and provide a backstop against future Russian aggression.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are to meet with the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday to agree an outline for future assurances.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky revealed last week that the US had offered a guarantee for just 15 years - far short of the 50 he had asked for.

The Trump administration has called on Europe to spend more on its own defence, withdrawing direct support for Ukraine at a crucial time in the now four-year conflict.
Venezuelas rulers have deployed armed militias to patrol streets, operate checkpoints and check peoples phones in a crackdown to consolidate authority after the US attack on Caracas.

Paramilitary groups known as colectivos criss-crossed the capital with motorbikes and assault rifles on Tuesday in a show of force to stifle any dissent or perception of a power vacuum.

The patrols stopped and searched cars and demanded access to peoples phones to check their contacts, messages and social media posts in a stark demonstration to the population that the regime remained in charge despite the abduction of president Nicolas Maduro.

Anyone who was suspected of supporting Saturdays US raid was liable for arrest, said Mirelvis Escalona, 40, a resident in the western Caracas neighbourhood of Catia. Theres fear. There are armed civilians here. You never know what might happen, they might attack people.

A semblance of normality returned to much of the city, with shops and bakeries reopening and people going to work  but uncertainty over what will happen next created a febrile mood.

The interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has sought to project a sense of calm and control since being sworn in on Monday but there was no disguising the governments shock and jitteriness.

On Tuesday, Rodriguez appeared to harden her tone against the US, saying in a televised address that no external agent governs Venezuela  a clear rebuttal to Donald Trumps claim that the US was running the South American country.

It marked another shift in tone from Maduros former vice-president who released a conciliatory statement late on Sunday in which she invited the US government to work together on an agenda of cooperation.



In addition to the humiliation of Maduros appearance in a New York court on narco-trafficking charges, authorities in Caracas face the risk of a fresh US attack, economic collapse, internal regime fracture and the return of overseas-based opposition leaders.

Gunfire erupted on Monday night when security forces shot at unauthorised drones which reportedly were mistaken for another US operation. There was no confrontation, the entire country remains completely calm, Simon Arrechider, the deputy information minister, told reporters.

But it is a tense calm.

On Monday at least 14 journalists and media employees, including 13 members of international media organisations, were detained in Caracas. All but one were later released.

An emergency decree has sought to stamp out any public celebration of Maduros ouster and ordered police to seek and detain everyone involved in the promotion or support for the armed attack by the United States.

Footage posted on social media showed colectivos  some wearing masks  blocking highways, roving pro-opposition neighbourhoods and questioning residents, prompting people to warn friends and family via WhatsApp and other platforms to leave phones at home or to scrub them of political content.

The interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, posted a photo of himself posing with police who cradled weapons and chanted always loyal, never traitors.

Jeaneth Fuentes, 53, a doctor at a private clinic in Caracas, said the presence of armed groups  some in uniform, others in civilian clothes  made her commute to and from work feel like a gamble. Its frightening, terrifying.

The gunfire on Monday night compounded the sense that anything might happen, she said. I cant plan, its living each minute at a time. She leaves home only for work, and never after 6pm.

Fuentes expressed hope the current turmoil might lead to the end of rule by chavismo, the movement Hugo Chavez brought to power in 1999. If something was built over so many years, it cant be torn down in a day.

Government supporters, in contrast, condemned the abduction of Maduro and said they would defend Venezuelas sovereignty. There is a fighting spirit inherent in the Venezuelan people, said Willmer Flores, a finance ministry employee. We are the liberators of America, and we are not intimidated by anything. He pledged solidarity with Maduro.

Related: From elation to frustration: Trump snub wrongfoots Venezuelas opposition

With the Trump administration warning of potential fresh military strikes, and a blockade on oil exports squeezing revenues, there is speculation about divisions within the regime over how to accommodate Trump while retaining anti-imperialist credentials. Unlike Rodriguez, who faces no criminal charges in the US, ministers like Cabello who are accused of narco-trafficking could lose not just their power but their liberty.

Another concern for the government is Maria Corina Machado, the fugitive opposition leader who mobilised millions of voters last year, slipped to Oslo to collect her Nobel peace price and is now vowing to return.

Im planning to go as soon as possible back home, she told Fox News. We believe that this transition should move forward, she told Fox News in an interview. We won an election by a landslide under fraudulent conditions. In free and fair elections, we will win over 90% of the votes.

Trump however has publicly dismissed Machado, saying she lacks support in Venezuela, and tacitly endorsed continued chavista rule under Rodriguez  on condition she meets US demands, including favoured access for US oil companies.
A Vietnam veteran is battling with a Las Vegas Home Owners Association, after being left on the hook for $15,000 over his broken toilet (Getty Images)

A Vietnam veteran is battling with a Las Vegas home-owners association after being left on the hook for $15,000 over his broken toilet.

Larry McClellan, who has lived in his home for 20 years, said that a root ruptured through his toilet in August which was traced back to a tree belonging to Taylor Association Management, but they would not accept responsibility.

I feel like theyre spitting on the back of my neck and telling me its raining, McClellan, a three-time combat veteran, told KLAS. Like Im too stupid to know the difference.

The rupture resulted in an open sewer line, although the association reportedly refused to pay for it, leaving McClellan with an intial $8,000 bill. However, receipts obtained by the outlet show a final price of just under $14,695, which the HOA also refused to pay.

We submitted all the bills from Goettl because they had to first excavate, tear everything out, replace the sewer line, bring it up to grade, put a cement, because its a cement sub floor underneath there, put tile, reinstall a new toilet, because the other toilet was no good, he said.

The Independent has contacted Taylor Association Management for comment on the situation.

A Vietnam veteran is battling with a Las Vegas Home Owners Association, after being left on the hook for $15,000 over his broken toilet (Getty Images)

McClellan claims he exchanged over 60 emails with the company, but was frustrated with the slow pace of response he received.

They move not nearly as fast as glaciers move, he told KLAS. Glaciers move at light speed compared to them when they are at fault.

In one email, Taylor Management argued they were not responsible for the damage caused by the tree since it was located in a common area. McClellan has never maintained the tree and does not belong to him.

I dont have words to really express how I feel about them without resorting to stuff that Im not supposed to say in polite company, he told KLAS back in August.

The toilet has since been fixed. McClellan says that the tree that reportedly caused the original rupture is still outside his property and that its roots are now impacting the new toilet.

Their actions are not those of a responsible adult, he said. I expect stuff like this from a five-year-old that may not know right from wrong. They know right from wrong, and still youre only taking partial responsibility?

McClellan plans to call the ombudsmans office for assistance in looking into the problem and is asking for an apology and full payment from Taylor Association Management.
Like a novice gambler whose response to a big win is to start betting bigger, the Trump White House is doubling down on their aggressive approach to the Americas in the wake of the U.S. military raid to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.

Over the four days that have elapsed since the daring, unprecedented  and according to critics, illegal  special forces action that brought Maduro from a Caracas safe house to a New York courtroom on drug and weapons charges, the president and his allies in the White House have proceeded to threaten or warn of military action against multiple American allies and neighbors, including Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Denmark, the NATO member kingdom which has controlled Greenland in whole or in part since the 16th century.

Trump himself told reporters on Sunday that the result of his decision to have U.S. forces seize Maduro was to show that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again, while claiming that his administrations aim was to make sure the hemisphere was filled with countries around us that are viable and successful and where the oil is allowed to freely come out.

For Trump, it was a return to the bellicose rhetoric hed spouted since the days immediately following his 2024 election victory, when he began claiming the U.S. needs to annex Greenland for national security reasons despite the existence of a decades-old treaty that essentially gives America carte blanche to base troops there as part of the countrys commitment to NATO.

But he has now stepped up his claims about the mineral-rich arctic territory, which he has baselessly asserted is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place while dismissing the Danish government as not going to be able to do what is needed to protect it.

Both Donald Trump and Stephen Miller have expressed enthusiasm for seizing Greenland from Denmark, but Americans arent interested in the idea (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

One of his foremost senior aides, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, defended the presidents expansionist dreams while adding a sinister edge to them during a contentious interview with CNN on Monday.

After anchor Jake Tapper pressed him to say that the U.S. would not take military action to seize Greenland by force  something that would require attacking one of Americas closest allies  Miller responded by asking Tapper what he called the real question.

By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark? Miller replied.

In fact, Denmark has had claims and presence there since 1721  more than a half-century before American independence  and it ceased to be a Danish colony in 1953. And while the United States once had a tenuous claim on some of Greenlands territory after American explorers mapped the islands northernmost reaches, Washington formally surrendered such aspirations in 1916 as part of a treaty signed with Copenhagen in which Denmark gave the U.S. what were then the Danish West Indies  now the U.S. Virgin Islands  in exchange for $25 million paid in gold.

But Millers question was not intended to explore any hypotheticals. It was instead an expression of pure contempt for the idea that Denmark  a relatively small country  could assert a claim to anything the United States (meaning Trump) desires to have for itself.

He told Tapper shortly thereafter that Greenland should obviously ... be a part of the United States and said the question of how to make that happen would be a conversation that were going to have as a country.

Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland, he added.

The presidents continued unsolicited assertions of desire to take over the arctic territory regardless of what the Danes may have to say about it has drawn universal condemnation from Americas closest European allies, including the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark.

Greenland, they wrote, belongs to its people.

It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, they said.

Moving ahead with whatever plan the White House might have to gain control over the territory would universally alienate allies and potentially break up the NATO alliance, casting the U.S. into uncharted foreign policy territory after more than 75 years leading the West.

Such an action would be unprecedented but in character for Trump and aides such as Miller, because underlying Millers grandiose declarations is a belief held by Trump and many in his orbit that America can simply take what it wants because it has a bigger stick than the other guy  especially in the Western hemisphere.

But fortunately for Greenlanders, the conversation he suggested would be had on whether to take an allys territory by force isnt one Americans are interested in having.

According to a Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Monday, Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to the White Houses apparent plan to become the Wests schoolyard bully.

When asked whether the United States should have a policy of dominating affairs in the Western Hemisphere, just 26 percent of respondents answered in the affirmative. Not even a majority of Republicans supported Trumps hypothetical dominating policy, with just 43 percent expressing support; 19 percent disagreed, while the rest said they were unsure or did not give an answer.

Asked if they supported sending U.S. troops to be stationed in Venezuela, 60 percent of Republicans said they did but just 30 percent of Americans overall. And while 59 percent of Republicans said they were in favor of the United States taking over Venezuelan oilfields, almost the same proportion  54 percent  said they were concerned about the U.S. becoming too involved in the South American countrys affairs.

Similar polling taken last year showed that Americans opposed attempting to seize Greenland by margins of 55% percent to 28 percent for, 54 against to 23 percent for, and 73 percent against to 27 percent in favor.

Trump has expressed no concerns about alienating the European allies he has long considered weak compared to the authoritarian strongmen with whom he feels a kinship.

But unlike those dictators he admires  men with names like Erdogan, Orban, Putin and Xi  Trump and his party must still answer to voters who want no part in his imperialist ambitions.
A website launched by Donald Trumps administration cements the presidents false narrative about the 2020 presidential election on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 mobs attack on the Capitol.

The White House website amplifies false claims that have been central to Trumps political crusade, downplays the assault in the halls of Congress and blames law enforcement officers for deliberately escalating tensions while hundreds of Trumps supporters swarmed and attacked them on January 6, 2021.

Democratic leadership, not then-President Trump and administration officials, failed to secure the Capitol that day and put peoples lives in danger, while then-Vice President Mike Pence, who resisted Trumps attempts to overturn election results, failed to dispute Joe Bidens victory in an act of cowardice and sabotage, according to the website.

As a result, a stolen election was certified, the website falsely states.

The Trump administration launched the website as dozens of rioters returned to Washington, D.C.,  five years after the attack and nearly one year after Trump granted sweeping pardons for virtually all of them.

Pardoned rioters returned to Washington, DC, five years after joining a Trump-fueled mob on January 6 that broke into the halls of Congress. (Getty)

Among them was former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years in prison before he was pardoned by Trump on his first day in office last year.

Trump granted those blanket pardons and commutations for patriotic Americans who mere trespassers or peaceful protesters treated as insurrectionists under the Biden administration, according to Trumps website.

More than 1,000 defendants pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the attack, and more than 200 others were found guilty at trial, including 10 defendants who were found guilty of treason-related charges including seditious conspiracy.

In the streets of Washington, D.C., Tuesday on the five-year anniversary, dozens of those pardoned sparred with counter-protesters who called them terrorists and traitors and sang along with Lee Greenwoods God Bless the U.S.A and a version of The Star-Spangled Banner recorded by imprisoned rioters.

Despite those pardons and the administrations apparent endorsement of their behavior, recipients of the presidents clemency are still consumed by baseless conspiracy theories about what happened, insisting that the attack was an inside job and part of a deep state plot to frame them.

While marching to the Ellipse Tuesday, pardoned rioters and supporters held up banners reading J6 WAS A SETUP ARREST PELOSI and J6 WAS AN INSIDE JOB while they raged against officials they claim have not yet been held accountable for their prosecution.

They demanded the impeachment of judges who presided over their cases and for mass firings of FBI agents and federal prosecutors who investigated them.

Retribution comes for you, Tarrio told the crowd.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio demanded retribution for the prosecution of hundreds of people charged in connection with the January attack. (Getty Images)

Micki Witthoeft  the mother of Ashli Babbit, who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer after Babbitt tried to breach the Speakers Lobby  said Congress let us down and continues to let us down.

A report from the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General found no evidence that the FBI had undercover employees in the crowds. The FBI deployed resources to the Capitol after the building had been breached by rioters and after reports that pipe bombs were discovered at the Republican and Democratic national party headquarters.

That report also said that none of the 26 FBI informants in Washington, D.C., that day were instructed to join the mob or otherwise encourage illegal activity.

But the administration is now amplifying a baseless conspiracy theory that the riot was fueled by an FBI entrapment operation designed to target Trump supporters.

Ray Epps, who has been at the center of a conspiracy theory alleging federal agents pushed the mob to break into the Capitol, was charged only minimally for his role in the riots, according to the White House website.

Democrats successfully flipped the narrative to brand peaceful protesters as insurrectionists  while waging the true insurrection against a legitimate election, the website says.

The 2020 election is considered the greatest election theft in U.S. history, with widespread fraud deliberately ignored by courts, officials and the media, according to the White House.

Micki Witthoeft, the mother of killed Capitol rioter Ashli Babbit, said Congress continues to let us down as she demands justice for her daughters death (Getty Images)

Trumps false and inflated claims about elections that were stolen and rigged against him and his allies have repeatedly been shot down in court, and his administration and campaign have failed to produce any evidence to support it.

Federal judges who presided over dozens of January 6 cases have warned against attempts to rewrite the history of the attack as Justice Department officials brought the prosecutions to a screeching halt.

District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said that lengthy court filings  including thousands of contemporaneous videos, transcripts of trials, jury verdicts, and judicial opinions  will preserve the history of what happened that day, regardless of the public narrative from the Trump administration.

Dismissal of charges, pardons after convictions, and commutations of sentences will not change the truth of what happened, she wrote last year. Those records are immutable and represent the truth, no matter how the events of January 6 are described by those charged or their allies.
Trumps desire to swell the US with a territory roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined is nothing new - CHRISTIAN KLINDT SOELBECK

Donald Trump wants the United States to take over Greenland for its strategically vital resources, to bolster US security and give China a bloody nose.

He reheated his threat to annexe the territory on Sunday following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator, hinting that Greenland could be next.

Who owns Greenland?

Mr Trumps desire to swell the US with a territory roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined is nothing new.

He tried to bounce Denmark into selling Greenland, which is geographically in North America, during his first presidency  but was rebuffed.

Mr Trump cancelled a 2019 state visit and branded Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks prime minister, nasty after she said the idea was absurd.

Ms Frederiksen scolded the US president on Sunday for suggesting again that the territory could become part of the US.

I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have very clearly said that they are not for sale, she said.

Mr Trumps comments followed a social media post by Katie Miller, the wife of Stephen Miller, the presidents chief of staff, who posted a map of Greenland covered with an American flag to X. She captioned the post: SOON.

On Jan 3, US special forces carried out a military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuela dictator, and his wife Cilia Flores, who will face charges of drug trafficking and terrorism in a New York court on Monday.

In December, Mr Trump appointed Jeff Landry, the Louisiana governor, as his special envoy to the territory. Announcing his new position on X, Mr Landry wrote: Is an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.

Mr Trump said he was hearing that the people of Greenland are Maga after his son Donald Trump Jr visited the island last January.

Credit: @OJoelsen/@DonaldJTrumpJr/X

He added: Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!.

Worlds largest island

Greenland is a very large, strategically important landmass.

You take a look at a map. Im a real estate developer, Mr Trump said in an interview for The Divider, a book by The New York Times Peter Baker and The New Yorkers Susan Glasser.

I love maps. And I always said: Look at the size of this. Its massive. That should be part of the United States, he added.

However, Greenland is actually much smaller than it appears on maps because of the Mercator projection, which makes it look similar in size to Africa.

The projection is used to create flat maps but makes landmasses larger the further away from the Equator they are.

b'

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To impress his billionaire allies

While Mr Trump has not ruled out taking Greenland by force, his main goal appears to be to purchase the island, reportedly insisting that the idea of making Americas largest land buy since the Alaska Purchase in 1867 is all his own.

But according to The Divider, Mr Trump got the idea from Ronald Lauder, a billionaire heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune.

Mr Lauder, 80, a longtime friend of Mr Trump and a New York-born political activist, reportedly offered himself as a back channel negotiator with the Danish government.

Donald Trump Jr visited Nuuk, Greenland - Emil Stach

Some Left-leaning commentators have branded Mr Trumps coveting of Greenland as a neo-colonist urge to emulate nationalist autocrats like Vladimir Putin.

The United States has history when it comes to buying land. Its last land purchase was 1917s acquisition of the US Virgin Islands  from Denmark.

Before then it bought Alaska from the Russian Empire (which was widely seen as an expensive mistake until gold and oil were discovered there), Louisiana from France, as well as territory from Mexico and the Philippines, now independent, from Spain.

Space base and missile defence

The US offered Denmark $100 million (79 million) for Greenland after the Second World War.

Washington instead secured a defence treaty centred on a US military base on Greenland.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War.

It is the US militarys most northerly outpost and is a vital location for missile defence and space surveillance, housing Americas solid state phased array radar system, known colloquially as the ballistic missile early warning system radar network.

Buying Greenland would ensure continued access to the base, although there is no suggestion that it is at risk.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, in northern Greenland, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War - Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

Mr Trump, nevertheless, is adamant he wants Greenland for national security reasons.

For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, the president said on social media.

He repeated this in December. Following Mr Landrys appointment, he told reporters at Mar-a-Lago: We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.

If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place We have to have it.

On Jan 4, Mr Trump again described the Danish territory as being surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.

Aside from the base, Greenland is on strategic sea lanes like the Northwest Passage and the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap, and is beneath Arctic flight paths. It is on the shortest route from North America to Europe.

Russia and Chinas Arctic alliance

Moscow and Beijing have been working hand in glove to bolster their influence in the Arctic, which is a key region for transportation and resources.

Climate change could mean new waterways and new territories for settlement being opened, raising the likelihood of a race for the Arctic amid competing superpowers.

Chinese leaders see the region as a new crossroads of the world, a new source of raw materials and new avenues for manifesting its growing power, the US defence department has said.

In 2019, Republican politicians warned China was trying to build airports on Greenland and even buy an old American naval base there.

There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the United States - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP

Beijings activities are being facilitated by Russia, which continues to invest heavily in both military and economic terms in the Arctic despite its illegal war in Ukraine.

US officials have also been concerned by joint Russian-Chinese military drills in the area, which seem aimed at Washington and its Nato allies.

Buying, or taking, Greenland would be a show of strength from the US at a time when its rivals are encroaching into the region.

Treasure trove of rare minerals

Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals.

These minerals are vital for high-end military, green energy and industrial technologies but their production and supply is dominated by China.

Beijing last month imposed export controls on the minerals in response to US controls on advanced semiconductors.

Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals. - Arctic-Images/Digital Vision

Some 37 of the 50 minerals seen as critical by the US could be found in moderate or high quantities in Greenland, based on a 2023 survey.

Lessening US dependence on Chinese supplies would be a geopolitical boost but some experts point out that buying Greenland would mean subsidising an area with the lowest per capita disposable income of any Arctic region except Russia.

Greenlands ice-sheet boasts 7 per cent of the worlds fresh water and its undeveloped oil and gas resources are thought to be the third largest in the Arctic.

Can Trump even buy Greenland?

There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the US.

In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence.

By becoming part of the US, Greenland would gain independence from one country while coming under the control of another.

In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP

It would also be an expensive acquisition.

In 2019, the Washington Post estimated that Greenland could cost up to $1.7 trillion  on the assumption that the island was up for sale.

What is Greenlands response?

Mute Egede, Greenlands prime minister, has rebuffed all advances to date. We are not for sale and we will not be for sale, he said in response to Mr Trumps comments, adding: We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.
Why managing Trump is far more important than defending international law for Starmer

Its not often that you have a cabinet minister say the quiet bit out loud. But in his candid interview on the Today programme on Tuesday morning, Wes Streeting summed up the dilemma that the UK and the rest of Europe face in dealing with Donald Trump.

On one hand, they want to defend an international rules-based order and can see perfectly well that the USs military strike on Venezuela and capture of president Nicolas Maduro was likely to have been illegal.

On the other hand, they do not want to poke the bear and anger Trump into doing something rash, which would harm them.

And as Sir Keir Starmer joins French president Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders on Tuesday, including representatives of the Trump administration in Paris, this dilemma will hang over their conversations like a Damoclean sword waiting to crash down.

As Mr Streeting put it: The prime minister chooses what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, very carefully.

He always has at the forefront of his mind is, how does he make sure that he uses his influence and leverage in a way that first and foremost, works to our national interest, whether economic interest or security interest, and then for the collective interest as well of our global security and the rules-based system, which weve seen disintegrating before our eyes.

In other words, forget vocally defending international law when you have to manage an ego like Trump.

Starmer will be central in trying to manage Donald Trump and Americas next moves (PA)

And in many ways, Venezuela is very much a side issue now. Maduro is in prison, the act is done, and there is no going back. The die is cast.

But other issues loom large and fast.

There is a genuine fear about Trump sending the US military into Greenland and simply taking the sovereign territory of a EU member and Nato ally without so much as a by-your-leave.

After all, if he can do it with Venezuela, why not Greenland?

And what could the UK and Europe do in such circumstances? The answer is not a lot. They could not take on US military might, and imposing sanctions would be crippling domestically. Already, the impact of US tariffs has hurt all of Europe  trying to block US trade altogether would be economic suicide. Europe and the UK need more trade with the US, not less.

The truth is that an incursion into Greenland would see a lot of diplomatic noise but little else short term.

Added to that, the conversation today will be on the coalition of the willing for Ukraine. The only way to get peace there with Russia is through a US-brokered deal. Europe is too weak. But this is about setting European borders with Russia.

Health secretary Wes Streeting has said the quiet bit out loud (PA)

Somehow, they need to persuade a Trump administration alarmed by the economic damage caused by the Ukraine war that it has to be tough with Vladimir Putin.

Once again, though, it will be Starmer whose role is pivotal.

The other European leaders still see the UK prime minister as the Trump whisperer, a statesman who can get a hearing from the US president and persuade him against some of his more erratic moves.

Sir Keir will be at the heart of efforts to manage the US and Trump, today and in the coming weeks.

But, in the long term, this Paris summit may represent a turning point. Europe will need to work out how to bolster its military, security and economy in a world where it can no longer rely on or trust the US. Those conversations will be happening on the fringes.

The UK will itself need to be part of those conversations, but, a decade on from the EU referendum, it will finally be faced with a choice of a future with its EU allies or as the sidekick of a belligerent America.
Autonomous driving and EV convergence solutions integrate hardware and software, capturing strong interest.

Test drive of autonomous vehicle mock-up spotlights new UDC and LiDAR products.

Positioning as provider of differentiated, customer-centric mobility solutions.

LAS VEGAS and SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek (CEO Moon Hyuksoo) will unveil its innovative future mobility solutions at CES 2026, to be held in Las Vegas for four days starting January 6 (local time).

Korean press corps participating in the LG Innotek CES 2026 pre-booth tour

On December 5, LG Innotek opened up its CES 2026 exhibition booth to domestic media for a pre-booth tour. The booth, measuring approximately 330.58 square meters, was installed at the entrance of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)'s West Hall. This year, LG Innotek plans to once again present at CES under an exclusive mobility theme, continuing the approach adopted last year.

Upon entering the booth, visitors will first encounter a future-oriented autonomous concept vehicle mock-up. A total of 16 products related to Autonomous Driving (AD) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are mounted on the mock-up.

LG Innotek introduces its product lineup as integrated software solutions, categorized by theme rather than listing individual components as before.

This shift in presentation underscores the company's strategy to evolve into a customer-centric total mobility solution provider, transcending its traditional role in automotive electronic components amid the rise of AI-Defined Vehicles (AIDV).

The autonomous vehicle mock-up showcases various solutions integrated inside and outside the vehicle. LG Innotek highlights its 'Autonomous Driving Convergence Sensing Solutions' as its flagship products. In particular, its vehicle camera modules featuring diverse functions are integrated seamlessly with LiDAR and Radar technologies.

The Heated Camera Module, which rapidly melt snow or frost, and Active Cleaning Camera Module, capable of removing water and foreign materials from the lens in just one second, feature enhanced functions powered by LG Innotek's proprietary software. These modules, which are much smaller than existing products, are sure to draw visitors' attention.

The high-performance, ultra-compact LiDAR, co-developed with U.S. firm Aeva and debuting at CES 2026, commands particular attention. By sensing objects up to 650 feet (200 meters) away, it addresses current cameras' limitations in terms of long-distance detection.

Visitors can experience the autonomous vehicle mock-up by sitting in the driver's seat and indirectly exploring LG Innotek's unique autonomous driving via an LED screen powered by front-mounted sensing solutions.

The test drive also lets visitors experience LG Innotek's In-Cabin Solutions. 'The Next-Generation Under-Display Camera Module', debuting at CES 2026, hides behind the dashboard yet enables precise facial recognition via LG Innotek's in-house AI image restoration software, without compromising image quality. The dual recording function allows users to create vlogs and similar content while driving.

The autonomous vehicle mock-up also showcases UWB(Ultra-WideBand) Radar, a key in-cabin solution. Visitors can also experience Child Presence Detection (CPD) and a Kick Sensor for hands-free trunk operation.

Vehicle lighting solutions, illuminating interior, front, and rear areas of the vehicle, stand out as another exhibition highlight.

The CES 2026 Innovation Award-winning 'Ultra-Thin Pixel Lighting Modules' are integrated into Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs), turn signals, and the front of the vehicle. Using ultra-high-resolution pixels, the modules enable the precise rendering of letters and patterns. The protruding lights flanking the headlamps introduce 'Nexlide Air', debuting exclusively at this exhibition. Both products employ silicon to increase design flexibility and minimize pedestrian injury risk from collision fragments.

Connectivity solutions feature a 5G NTN Module for blind-spot satellite communication, a Vehicular AP Module as the AIDV "brain," and a UWB Digital Key incorporating ultra-precise short-range communication technology, boosting safety and convenience.

Furthermore, a dedicated EV mock-up gives visitors an overview of core EV components at a glance.

The EV mock-up encompasses 15 integrated EV solutions, including the world's first 800V Wireless Battery Management System (BMS) from LG Innotek and B-Link, which combines the batteries and Battery Junction Box (BJB) into one unit to produce more efficient and lighter battery packs. LG Innotek aims to highlight its miniaturized, lightweight, and complex technologies that are crucial for simplifying EV architecture alongside precision motor control and wireless innovations.

CEO Moon Hyuksoo remarked, "CES 2026 presents a valuable opportunity to secure new business prospects in autonomous driving and EVs. Through this exhibition, we will leap forward as a mobility innovation company, delivering distinguished value to our customers."

LG Innotek offers detailed CES 2026 product information and exhibition sketches on its website (lginnotek.com/showcase/ces2026.do).

SOURCE LG Innotek
Yvette Cooper has faced criticism from all sides of the political spectrum over her response to Trumps raid in Venezuela. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters (Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters)

Anyone trying to understand why Yvette Cooper studiously avoided saying whether the UK viewed the kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro as a breach of international law only needs to look to what was planned in Paris a day later.

After the foreign secretarys 90-minute humiliation in the House of Commons on Monday night, a joint statement was expected in the French capital by the coalition of the willing  and a draft included the US promising binding security guarantees to protect Ukraine in the event of a further Russian attack.

From the Foreign Offices perspective, there was no good reason to be critical of Donald Trump if it risked provoking him to withdraw the painstakingly negotiated and fragile US agreement to participate in the Ukraine security guarantees. Those guarantees, the subject of military level talks for months, required US sign-up if they were to be seen as a credible, viable alternative to Ukraines Nato membership  an aspiration Ukraine is being forced to abandon. The guarantees are also the precondition for a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine that Europe and Kyiv can swallow.

Related: Trump lambasts weak and decaying Europe and hints at walking away from Ukraine

For British officials, the US agreement to be a guarantor, symbolised by the presence of Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Paris, was one of the great diplomatic rescue jobs, given Europe had been left flat footed and horrified when Witkoffs 28-point abandonment of Ukraine leaked on 19 November.

The US administration official that probably did most to coax Trump back to offering future protection to Ukraine, and therefore Europe, was the US secretary of state and national security adviser, Marco Rubio.

Europe as a result is deeply in Rubios debt, but since the US capture of Maduro was very much a Rubio-masterminded operation  JD Vance, the vice president has been conspicuous by his absence  British diplomats regarded it as vital not to query the legal basis of what Rubio regards as a great personal, political, military and economic coup.

One British official said it was a no-brainer in weighing the value of public criticism of Rubio over the removal of a head of state that the UK had not recognised anyway, and whose toppling was a fait accompli by the time the UK had been informed. The UK had long stopped supplying intelligence to the US over the attacks on Venezuelan drug boats.

Cooper sent as many coded hints to MPs on Monday night as she could that, in discussing Venezuela with Rubio over the weekend, she did not just tell him international law in abstract should be a guiding principle, but should have applied in the case of Venezuela.

Moreover, Cooper is obviously trying to insert the UK into Washingtons sketchy planning about Venezuelas future.

The UKs commitment to Venezuela goes back a long way  to the birth of the republic in the early 19th century, when the UK provided more material and diplomatic support than any other foreign power to the Great Liberator, Simon Bolivar. Now, the Foreign Office is arguing that Venezuela must move to a democratic transition, and it is unrealistic to expect a government stuffed with the acolytes of Hugo Chavez to act as US puppets.

Stability will not be maintained unless there is a transition that has the will of the people, Cooper told MPs. She has been touting the UK charge daffaires in Caracas, Colin Dick, as a man that understands the Venezuelan opposition, including the apparently shunned Maria Corina Machado.

Related: Maria Corina Machado vows to return to Venezuela and rejects rule of Maduros deputy

But Rubio, a Latin American specialist in his own right, has clearly made the brutal decision that the Venezuelan opposition are not up to the task of running the country and will, if installed, only provoke a civil war of the kind seen in Libya and Iraq  where the destruction of the military left a vacuum. From the US perspective, this is less about regime change than enforced changes to how the regime operates.

The worry for the Foreign Office is that there is little sign so far that Trump or Rubio are much interested in the UKs Latin American expertise.

Indeed it seems any journalist in Washington can grab two minutes on the phone with Donald Trump, yet Keir Starmer was not consulted about the capture of Maduro at all.

That raises deep questions about whether the Foreign Office can operate on the old assumption that this asymmetric relationship built on defence intelligence and security is still based on shared values, or is still that important to the US.

Many MPs of different politics believe the Foreign Office needs to reassess Trump in the second term and how he is best influenced. Trump of course remains hard to read. He is not isolationist, nor a liberal internationalist. He harbours little ambition for wars, preferring to strike and quickly retreat. He enjoys the propaganda of force, and the power of threats. Boards of peace are announced for him to chair and then they never meet. He shuns alliances, prefers the company of autocratic great powers, and has just set out a national security strategy with which Cooper admits the UK does not agree.

The US seizure of Greenland by force is, after Caracas, a serious prospect. We live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told CNN on Monday night. But we live in a world, in the real world  that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power.

In this Hobbesian world, the UK can cherish its often temporary wins on Ukraine, and nurse its capital in Washington for ever more selective use. But if America First requires the destruction of the niceties of a rules-based order, the UK at some point is going to have to swallow hard, stop being risk-averse, and seek influence in a way that is entirely different to the past 80 years.
Hetticia McIntosh and her husband Vanderbilt McIntosh (Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh)

A Windrush victim has criticised delays to the compensation scheme and claimed the lack of contact from the Home Office about her husbands claim has left her hospitalised with stress.

Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh, both 70, moved to the UK when they were just six-years-old in the 1960s, but were forced back to the Caribbean after they were both mistakenly refused new British passports in the late 1970s.

The couple and their children would fly back and forth between the UK and the Caribbean, before the couple were finally granted new British passports in 2020, just as the Windrush scandal was being uncovered.

Mrs McIntosh was refused compensation three times, before finally being offered 40,000, but her husband received a nil offer. She said that the devastating moment they were forced to leave the UK changed the entire trajectory of their lives.

It also affected her health after she was hospitalised on 10 October 2025 with stress she thinks is related to the ongoing saga with the Home Office. She said: My heart was just racing and my pressure went skyrocketing. At one stage, it was over 200.

The McIntoshes were originally given British passports when they were children after a recruiting drive from the government led to thousands of Caribbean women emigrating to the UK to combat a nursing shortage.

Mrs McIntoshs mother, who was from Barbados, worked at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, while Mr McIntoshs mother, from St Lucia, worked as a midwife in east London.

Despite originally being given British passports and having built a life together, including three children, the couple were both declined British passports when they were up for renewal. Mrs McIntosh was turned down in 1978 because her birth country, Barbados, had become independent from Britain.

Mr McIntosh suffered a similar fate in 1984 after St Lucia gained independence from Britain in 1979. Mrs McIntosh was advised to get a Barbadian passport and then entitled to indefinite leave to remain.

Hetticia McIntosh and Vanderbilt McIntosh, both 70 and residing in Manchester, were born in St Lucia in 1955 as Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) (Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh)

However, Mr McIntosh, who worked in quality and assurance in the paint industry, lost his job as he could no longer prove he was a British citizen and had no other identification. The couple were forced to move their three British-born children to live with their grandparents in an overcrowded home.

After living in the UK for almost his whole life Mr McIntosh was later forced to move back to Saint Lucia where he was born, along with his English-born kids, in order to find work.

This short term visa restricted them from working, receiving health care and crucially meant they had to return to the Caribbean every six months.

This is despite their parents also being part of the Windrush generation and having established citizenship in the UK since the 1960s with no issues.

Mrs McIntosh said: I was just going through the normal life cycle of school and college and working and thinking, as far as you're concerned, you're British, never thinking that we had any immigration issues as our parents established here, as well as buying properties.

Hetticia argues that she and her husband grew up in this country their whole lives, met here, got married here, had British children and had no reason to consider themselves anything but thoroughly British. (Hetticia Mcintosh)

When the Windrush story broke in 2018, the couple applied for compensation but were told that they were not entitled to a preliminary payment and had lost their status because they were out of the country from 1985-1993.

This only served as an insult to injury to Mrs McIntosh, who served time as a physical training instructor for the British army, and who described feeling used and abused because all we knew was Britain was our home.

It wasnt until January this year, after having two nil awards, that Mrs McIntosh was offered a level three award of 40,000. However Mr McIntosh was offered nothing. He is appealing the decision.

Mrs McIntosh explained that the level three award is for people who have been affected for months, weeks to a year, whereas the McIntoshs have been impacted for decades. They wouldnt compensate them for the loss of employment and the loss of access to healthcare.

In the 1960s, the Windrush generation - British citizens mainly from Caribbean and West Indies colonies, were brought to the UK, to fill a shortage of jobs and rebuild the country post-WW2. The government at the time failed to keep track of appropriate documentation of their legal migration and citizenship.

Mrs McIntosh has since started a petition calling for justice and for the home secretary to fund free legal representation for all Windrush compensation claimants.

Mr McIntosh said: We gave them all they needed to know to award me something and for them to come back after us doing all that research and all that trauma coming back again, for them to say nothing, it hurts.

The retired pensioners, who now live in Manchester, are now calling for a national inquiry into the Windrush scandal and pointed out that some people are dying without receiving compensation.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: This government is working to ensure justice and compensation for victims of the Windrush Scandal victims is delivered as quickly as possible. Some cases are more complex than others, but we will always work with each individual to get them the support they need.

In the 1960s, the Windrush generation - British citizens mainly from Caribbean and West Indies colonies, were brought to the UK, to fill a shortage of jobs and rebuild the country post-WW2.

The government at the time failed to keep track of appropriate documentation of their legal migration and citizenship.

Since then, the livelihoods of these citizens has been turned upside down with over 83 cases of people facing deportation, wrongful detainments and some even made homeless.
Barry Pollack represented Julian Assange, whose protracted US case ultimately ended in a complex plea deal - Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

Like many defence lawyers, Barry Pollack is used to meeting clients at their lowest ebb. His latest one is having perhaps the worst crisis of any of them.

Nicolas Maduro was the sitting president of Venezuela when US commandos burst into his Caracas residence on Saturday.

Fewer than 72 hours later, on Monday, he appeared alongside Pollack in a New York courtroom, pleading not guilty to a four-count indictment accusing him of leading a conspiracy to funnel cocaine into the United States, including by working with armed guerrilla groups, drug cartels and international gangs.

He will figure it out, if it can be figured out

A partner at Harris St Laurent and Wechsler, a Manhattan law firm with an office on Wall Street that specialises in employment, commercial litigation and white-collar defence, Pollack is one of only a few lawyers who have experience defending high-profile clients in national security cases brought by the US government. He has an impressive record as a defence attorney.

He helped Julian Assange broker the plea deal that ended a decade of isolation and imprisonment; won the acquittal of an Enron executive; and freed men who spent years in prison for murders they did not commit.

None of that means the case can be won. The US has not recognised Maduro as Venezuelas leader since he claimed victory in an election Western countries deemed fraudulent in 2019, undermining his first line of defence  claiming immunity as a sitting president.

American courts have also, in the past, been reluctant to dismiss prosecutions on the grounds that a defendant was brought into the country unlawfully, another tactic the defence seems to be considering.

But the former Venezuelan president, who the US government has labelled a narco-terrorist, has hired a man who is highly regarded in his field.

Courtroom sketch of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores alongside defence lawyer Barry Pollack (left) - Jane Rosenberg/AFP

Pollack, according to legal industry site Chambers USA, is a thorough and deep-thinking professional who lives, breathes and sleeps trials.

He is a lawyer who will figure it out, if it can be figured out, said Jon May, who represented former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega at his trial in Miami after the 1989 US invasion, speaking to the New York Times.

Indeed, Pollack will not be fazed by the scale of the challenge ahead.

Typically, when I meet with a client, they are facing what may be the worst crisis that they have ever faced, the 61-year-old told Lawdragon, a US legal news site, in an interview last year.

To guide them through that process is enormously gratifying. Its hard to imagine doing something where you see a greater impact on the life of the person youre dealing with.

It is, he has said, a job that requires the personal touch.

In almost every case, Ive developed a relationship with the client. At the end of the day, its no longer a stranger who Im seeing get through to the other side of this terrible piece of their life; its somebody Ive come to know and respect.

A stellar track record

A past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Pollack has attributed his success to date to an attention to financial detail he learnt in a previous career as an accountant, and to an ability to translate to a jury.

There are trial attorneys who are excellent on their feet. They are very compelling in front of a jury, he told Lawdragon in April 2025.

Then there are lawyers who really dig into the facts. They know the case sometimes much better than the government knows the case, sometimes better than their own client knows the case. I like to be both.

In 2007, he won the freedom of Martin Tankleff, a Long Island man who served 17 years in jail after being wrongly convicted of the murder of his parents.

Pollack helped secure the release of Martin Tankleff (centre), jailed for 17 years after a wrongful double-murder conviction - John Roca/NY Daily News via Getty Images

It had taken four years of pro bono work to unearth the new evidence that proved he had nothing to do with the murder. Pollack won the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Projects Defender of Innocence Award and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Gideon Champion of Justice Award for his efforts.

The year before, in 2006, he secured the acquittal of former Enron accountant Michael Krautz. He was one of only a handful of defendants in the case surrounding the Houston energy companys bankruptcy to be found not guilty.

Such was the significance of that trial that Pollack now teaches a course on the case, called Anatomy of a Federal Criminal Trial, at Georgetown University in Washington DC, where he is an adjunct professor.

Representing Assange

In defending Maduro, he will also need all of his experience handling politically delicate cases.

The most prominent of those was his defence of Assange, who in 2019 was indicted under the US Espionage Act on charges related to WikiLeaks mass release of secret US documents, including diplomatic cables and accounts of military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000s.

Maduro is accused of drug offences, not espionage. Nor is it easy to imagine the former Venezuelan dictator making his case a test of the US Constitutions First Amendment free speech protections, as Pollack and Assange sought to do.

Assange leaves court in Saipan after a plea deal that ended his years-long US legal battle, represented by Pollack (right) - Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP via Getty Images

But there are striking similarities, not least around the question of jurisdiction.

Assange was a foreign national who published information outside the United States that had been provided to him by a source in Iraq. Nevertheless, the US government asserted jurisdiction and brought charges against him. Pollack told Lawdragon that this decision reflected Washingtons extraordinary view of the scope of its worldwide jurisdiction.

And, speaking at Maduros arraignment in Manhattan federal court on Monday, Pollack said he anticipated extensive legal wrangling over what he called Maduros military abduction, suggesting the defence might argue that his seizure was illegal.

Does a messy compromise lie ahead?

The eventual outcome of the Assange case may also be informative.

After years of litigation, it ultimately ended in 2024 not with conviction or acquittal, but with a complex and highly unusual deal involving three governments across multiple time zones.

Assange walked out of a British prison, entered a guilty plea to a single count in the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, and returned to his native Australia after being sentenced to time he had already served behind bars.

It was a painstaking, logistically difficult solution that gained the client his freedom but, as Pollack himself has admitted, set aside the central issue being tested.

After all of the years of litigation, the fundamental question of whether the US government can, consistent with the First Amendment, charge somebody under the Espionage Act was not resolved, he told Lawdragon. A real legal precedent on that question is yet to be set.

Could Maduros trial, so mired in global power politics and untested legal territory, eventually end in a similarly messy compromise? It seems plausible.

Im not going to sugar-coat it

While he will undoubtedly offer sage advice to Maduro, Pollack has argued against the tendency of some lawyers to push their clients down a particular course.

In his view, since the defendant will have to live with the consequences of their trial, they must be the ones to guide the strategy adopted.

But what Maduro has not hired is a sycophant: Im not going to sugar-coat it; Im not going to tell you what you want to hear, Pollack said in April.

Pollack is known for straight-talking counsel, insisting clients steer their own defence rather than be pushed into a strategy - Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Im going to tell you the unvarnished truth, but Im going to do it in a way that puts you in control. Youre going to be the one who is then armed with the information you need to make what is the right decision for you.

One such decision is whether the trial will be heard before a jury  while Maduro has the right to insist on that, he may yet seek a plea deal to settle the case beforehand.

If it comes to a jury trial, much will depend on the judgment of 12 ordinary citizens. And a courtroom contest for the sympathies of a dozen New Yorkers, Pollack seems to think, may play to his strengths.

Im able to talk to a jury and explain the evidence in a way that makes sense to them  that shows them that the governments way of looking at the facts is not the only way to look at the facts and may not even be the best way to look at the facts.
Kayleigh Robson is accused of misconduct in public office, which she denies

A female prison officer had intimate relationships with inmates, a court has heard.

Kayleigh Robson, 29, struck up inappropriate romances with prisoners at HMP Peterborough over a nine-month period, it is alleged.

The former prison warden appeared at Cambridge Crown Court, accused of misconduct in a public office.

She also allegedly smuggled cannabis and tobacco into the privately run Category B prison, and was involved in money laundering.

Ms Robson, of Grantham, Lincs, pleaded not guilty to all the offences. The mother of one spoke only confirm her name, date of birth and her pleas during the short hearing.

Kayleigh Robson was granted bail, with a trial set for 2027

She was alleged to have wilfully misconducted herself in public office by having intimate relationships with prisoners between June 1 2020 and Feb 28 2021.

Between July 23 2020 and April 19 2021, she allegedly conspired with others to bring cannabis and tobacco into the prison and became concerned in a money-laundering arrangement in which bank transfers were made.

The full misconduct charge states: At Peterborough, while acting as a public officer, namely prison officer, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification, [Ms Robson] misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the publics trust in the office holder by having intimate relationships with prisoners.

Robson appeared in court alongside three men, with two others set to appear at later proceedings.

Adam Hussain, 28, Ashley Neal, 30, and 67-year-old Roy Shalliker denied conspiring to bring in contraband to HMP Peterborough. Mr Hussain and Mr Neal also denied the money-laundering offence.

Ms Robson and her co-defendants were granted bail, with a two-week trial listed at Huntingdon Crown Court in April 2027.

Judge Philip Grey told the defendants: I am sorry that it is so far in the future. As you may know, the courts have an enormous backlog, and that is simply the first date on which we can accommodate a two-week trial.
Pc Grant Fulker, a Met Police cadet leader, was accused of sending the teenager sexualised WhatsApp messages

A Metropolitan Police officer sexually assaulted a cadet after buying him four bottles of wine and inviting him to his hotel room to watch Love Island, a court heard.

Pc Grant Fulker, 32, is accused of attacking the 17-year-old at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel at Heathrow Airport in February 2024.

Pc Fulker, a Met Police cadet leader at the time, allegedly invited the A-level student to his hotel room the night before a five-day cadet trip to the US.

While in his room, he allegedly touched the teenager before telling him: Let me suck you off. Youre being a pu--y.

Jurors heard Pc Fulker sent the teenager sexualised WhatsApp messages and told him: Keep this between us. Were cool and are you going to be nice to me now?

Pc Fulker, who remains suspended from duty, denies one count of sexual assault and one of attempted sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court.

Jurors were told he had admitted three counts of misconduct in public office in relation to the sexualised messages.

Somebody the victim looked up to

Opening the case, prosecutor Tom Forster told the court: The defendant sexually assaulted the young cadet and attempted to sexually assault him by touching his penis over his clothing.

The defendant was not only his superior but also responsible for his wellbeing. He was somebody the victim looked up to.

It was Mr Fulker who suggested to the victim that they should stay in the hotel the night before the trip, and he said that would avoid their parents having to do an early morning drop off.

That may have been part of his plan to get the boys away from his parents.

The prosecutor continued: After they had dinner, he invited the boy to come to his room for a drink with his friend. He earlier bought two bottles of wine from the bar and another two at midnight.

In the early morning of that night, perhaps disoriented by alcohol, and perhaps thinking his victim would also be affected, the defendant touched him in a sexual way.

Pc Fulkers alleged offending only came to light when the teenager returned to the UK and told his parents what had happened.

I was close to lashing out

The alleged victim, who spent 1,200 on the trip, told police: I went into the bathroom and made sure he didnt come in because at this point I thought he could have an ulterior motive.

At one point I was lying on the bed watching Love Island and he moved his hand towards my area.

I was very close to lashing out but I was looking forward to this New York trip so I thought I could leave it for five days.

I didnt want to spoil the trip for the others.

CCTV captured the coming and goings in the corridors before the alleged assault, the court heard.

Pc Fulker, of Surrey, denies sexual assault on a male and attempted sexual assault on a male.

The trial continues and is expected to last two weeks.
When it comes to pets, did you know that owning certain exotic animals are legal in some states? It's true! Depending on where you call home, you may or may not be able to add specific creatures to your family. One of the states that has laws about which animals can be considered a pet, is Californa. So, if you have always dreamed of having a unique and unexpected critter and you live in the Golden State, you may want to check out our list of 10 exotic pets that are legal to own in California first.

That way, you can find out if the cute animal you want to get is allowed or not. You may be shocked that exotic pet laws in California are, ironically, pretty wild. For example, California is the only state other than Hawaii to impose an outright ban on pet ferret ownership (though recent efforts have been made to overturn that ban). Hedgehogs and, of all things, gerbils are surprisingly illegal there too, due to the potential threat they pose to Californias native wildlife should they escape. But if you want a pet zebra? Well then, you might just be in luck.

Though the Golden States laws regarding exotic pet ownership are very restrictive in some areas, theyre surprisingly permissive in others. If youve ever wanted to open your California home to an exotic pet, theres plenty to choose fromits just that your options might be a bit more out-of-the-box than you expected. Were here to give you the lowdown on 10 of the most surprising exotic animals legal in California as of January 2026.

10 Exotic Pets Legal in California

Keep reading to find out exotic animals legal in California. As far as the law is concerned, the following exotic animals are perfectly legal to own if you live there. Some may even surprise you as our roundup features everything from birds to reptiles.

However, while the animals we're about to talk about are all legal to own as exotic pets in California, that doesn't necessarily mean they're OK to own in the specific part of California you live in. Not only are there state laws to consider when it comes what animals can be pets, but your county or municipality may impose additional restrictions on what pets you're allowed to have. In short, don't take this list as a no-strings-attached green light to adopt any animal without checking your area's exotic animal laws and ordinances first!

Zebras

A zebra standing in a field of yellow flowers.

Under California law, all members of Family Equidae are exempt from the exotic animal banand yes, that does include zebras. However, because zebras are still considered exotic animals (unlike regular horses), there is a caveat. To legally own a pet zebra in California, you must have at least two years of experience working with exotic animals (and at least one of those spent working with zebras). If you don't yet have that experience, there's still the rest of Family Equidae (horses, donkeys, etc.) waiting for you. If you do have prior experience working with zebras in a zoo, ranch, or similar setting, though, you're in luck!

Though you might roll your eyes at having to deal with additional zebra ownership stipulations on top of all the other restrictions on exotic pet ownership, they are there for a good reason. Zebras, unlike horses, are not domesticated, and their wild instincts make them more jumpy and unruly than the average horse (and trickier to ride without special training, incidentally). That's why having prior experience working with zebras will really come in handy if you plan on owning one!

Hybrid Cats

A Bengal cat doing a big stretch.

It is illegal to own a wild cat as a pet in California, but you can own a hybrid cat, which is the offspring of a domesticated house cat and a wild cat. Examples of popular hybrid cat species include the Savannah cat (a domestic cat crossed with a serval) and the Bengal cat (a domestic cat crossed with a jungle cat). Unlike another very popular species of hybrid animal (which we'll cover next), all generations of hybrid cats are OK in California, so even if your cat is a first-generation hybrid, you're good to go!

Wolf Dogs (Second Generation and Above)

Children petting a happy wolf dog.

Similar to hybrid cats, wolf dogs are, as the name implies, a cross between a wolf and a domestic breed of dog. However, unlike with hybrid cats, California's rules regarding wolf hybrid ownership are a little more restrictive. You cannot own an F1 wolf dog hybrid (aka the direct offspring of a wolf and a dog), but if the "wolf" in the equation is a grandparent, great-grandparent, or further back in their ancestry, then you're in the clear. Don't be discouraged, though, because even if your wolf dog is only one-quarter true wolf, they'll still look significantly more lupine than their canine compatriots!

Boa Constrictors and Ball Pythons

A ball python beng held in hand.

California's restrictions on snake ownership, especially big snakes, can get pretty confusing. Constrictor snake species, including giant constrictors like the Burmese python and the reticulated python, are not listed among California's restricted species. However, these species are protected under the Lacey Act, which prohibits their transportation across state lines. The good news? Boa constrictors, as well as certain other small constrictors like the ball python, are not included in the Lacey Act and are therefore OK to own. Boas and ball pythons are far smaller and more manageable than large species of constrictors anyway, making them a better fit for exotic pet parents of all experience levels!

Monitor Lizard

Image via Getty Images/agus fitriyanto (Image via Getty Images/agus fitriyanto)

When it comes to exotic pets legal in California, another unlikely reptile that's legal to own in California is the monitor lizardor specifically, monitor lizards, since no monitor lizard species are listed as restricted (though a few, including the rare yellow-headed, white-headed, and marbled water monitors, are protected under the Lacey Act). Monitor lizards like the cute and curious Ackie monitor or the large Asian water monitor are favorites of reptile enthusiasts, but newbies should be aware that many monitors have saliva laden with venom and harmful bacteria, which can cause nasty symptoms like swelling and painful burning should you be unlucky enough to get bitten by one. Handle with care!

Camels and Dromedaries

Did you know that one exotic animal legal in California to own is a camel? These hump-hauling desert ungulates are perfectly OK to own in the state of California, provided you've got enough space to house themliving in the desert, thankfully, is optional. Camels (and their close cousins, the dromedaries) can make excellent pets if trained and socialized well, but they are still big and strong enough to be dangerous if handled irresponsibly. If you plan on owning a pet camel, do it right and get a jump start on their training early!

Llamas and Alpacas

Ever dreamed of opening a llama farm? If you live in California, you're in luck: llamas and alpacas are cleared under the same exemption that includes camels, yaks, water buffaloes, and one more animal that will be making an appearance next. Though technically "exotic," llamas and alpacas are domesticated animals that can make excellent pets if given the proper living conditions, training, and care. Just remember that these animals are also known for getting an attitudeas well as hawking a mean loogie when they're angry!

American Bison

The American Bison is one more exotic pet legal in California. Even so, the American Bison is certainly no household pet, and you probably wouldn't want to try to fit a bison in your home's dog bed besides. Nevertheless, you can legally own a pet American bison in California, so if you've got the wide open spaces to accommodate one (as well as the skill and confidence to care for a one-ton pet with horns), it is technically an option!

Toucans

A surprising number of exotic birds are OK to own in California. With the exception of the aforementioned Quaker parrot, all parrot species are legal, as is the tropical toucan. If it's always been your dream to own one of these bright-billed birds, that dream is within your grasp if you live in the Golden State!

Bear in mind, however, that the toucan is a very large exotic bird with a tendency to be very high maintenance. They need lots of space, lots of daily enrichment, and lots of patience from their owners. If you're not a seasoned exotic bird owner, we might recommend starting with a more beginner-friendly bird instead, such as one of the many legal-to-own parakeet species.

Ostriches

If a pet toucan wasn't extravagant enough for your tastes, then it's time to go big or go home with a (fully legal) pet ostrich. Standing anywhere from 6 to 9 feet tall and weighing up to nearly 300 pounds, these enormous African avians would put Sesame Street's Big Bird to shame, but if you've got the space and means to house a pet ostrich, you're legally clear to do so by the State of California!

By now, though, you will probably have seen a trend forming throughout this list, which is that just because you can do something (in this case, own a certain exotic animal) doesn't necessarily mean that you should. While ostriches are fascinating creatures that can be raised on a farm or on a large property, they're also massive, aggressive, and fast-moving creatures, capable of dealing out potentially fatal kicks with their clawed feet. An ostrich is by no means a beginner-friendly or even an intermediate-level exotic pet, and if you choose to raise one, you should be ready for the risks and responsibilities that come with it!

Other Exotic Animals Legal in California

While we wanted to highlight some of the most striking and unusual legal specimens, our top 10 list is by no means an exhaustive list of all the exotic pets that you can legally own in California. Some other honorable mentions include:

Golden (Syrian) hamsters

Tarantulas

Domesticated rabbits

Chinchillas

Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Hill mynahs

Non-venomous colubrids like corn snakes and king snakes

When in doubt, you can always reference the California Fish and Wildlife's Restricted Species list to double checkand as always, remember to read up on the local animal ownership laws in your local city and county before adopting any exotic animal!

What Pets Cant You Own in California?

Kinkajous, a popular exotic pet, are illegal to own in California.

Whle there are several exotic pets legal in California, there are also some that are not. Californias Fish and Wildlife Department imposes pretty stringent restrictions on the ownership of most non-native animals or animals that could pose concerns about competition with native species, predation, and potential disease transmission should they be released into the wild. The departments extensive restricted species list includes (but is by no means limited to):

Quaker parrots

Mammals from the Order Insectivora (hedgehogs, shrews, moles, etc).

Nearly all non-native slugs and snails

Ferrets

Weasels

Kinkajous

Gerbils

Squirrels

Coatis

Monkeys

Wild birds

Giant toads from Genera Rhinella and Rhaebo

Marsupials

Capybaras

Obviously, exceptions are made for institutions like accredited zoos and aquariums, but the average Joe cant get away with owning these contraband critters at home. Though it is possible to get a permit to own some of these restricted species, owning one as a pet is not a qualifying reason. The penalties for getting caught with an illegal pet are harsh, too. You could face misdemeanor charges that carry a penalty of up to 6 months in jail and fines as high as $10,000.

That all might sound discouraging to potential exotic pet owners, especially when such seemingly innocuous species like gerbils and hedgehogs are on the list. But cheer up, because were about to get into which animals are legal exotic pets in California, and youre in for a few surprises!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Exotic Pets section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster escaped the snowy winter of New York City, enjoying a romantic New Years getaway in tropical Costa Rica.

The 57-year-old actor was seen vacationing with his 50-year-old girlfriend during a PDA-filled beach outing on Saturday, January 3.

However, eagle-eyed netizens were quick to notice an odd detail in the couples beach images, sparking rumors of staged photographs and even AI accusations.

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster were photographed enjoying a PDA-filled beach vacation in Costa Rica during their New Years getaway

Image credits: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

The couple reportedly flew to the tropical destination shortly after celebrating an early Christmas in the Big Apple, ringing in the New Year together.

In photos believed to have been taken by paparazzi, Sutton Foster was seen wearing a navy blue bikini paired with a matching swim skirt, with her hair tied up in a bun.

Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman sported Okanuis classic black-and-white tropical floral swim trunks, keeping his chest bare.

Image credits: XNY/Star Max/GC Images

In several images, the lovebirds were seen with their arms wrapped around each other as they enjoyed the ocean waves while standing in the water.

In one image, the Tony Award winner was photographed gazing toward what appeared to be the setting sun, with both hands placed on Fosters back and waist.

Foster, meanwhile, firmly held onto her mans neck with her eyes closed.

Image credits: thehughjackman

In other photos, the pair were seen smiling widely while holding hands as they walked deeper into the water.

In some images, the X-Men star was photographed standing behind a cheerful Sutton, firmly grabbing her waist as they both looked out at the incoming waves.

The Tony Award winner was seen engaging in several PDA-filled moments with his girlfriend, which some fans accused of being staged or even AI-generated

Image credits: BACKGRID

However, social media users were not convinced of the genuineness of the images, with many accusing the couple of calling the paparazzi themselves.

I find it amusing that the man continually calls BackGrid to snap his PDAs with women. Even more amusing that he left his wife for another woman Youre not that macho or hot anyway, one netizen bluntly wrote.

Others claimed that upon closer inspection of one image, Hughs hand resting on the Younger stars waist appeared to have six fingers.

Image credits: quem

One suspicious user commented, Since when did Hugh have six fingers on one hand?????

Others agreed, suggesting the image may have been altered using AI.

AI isnt perfect!! one user wrote, while another praised the original observation, adding, Good catch!

The couples photos also sparked a wave of comparisons with Jackmans ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, with many noting the similarities between the two beach settings

Image credits: JLauren92575

AI unless Hugh has six fingers on one hand.

However, one person refuted the six-finger claims, writing, Guys.its not a 6th finger. If you zoom in, its her skin.

The images also triggered backlash online as sleuths pointed out that several poses in Hugh and Suttons PDA-filled vacation pics closely resembled those from Jackman and his ex Deborra-Lee Furness past beach outings.

The comparisons were particularly fueled by photos from the divorced couples 20th wedding anniversary trip to St. Barths in April 2016.

Image credits: LateNightSeth

In those images, the two were seen holding hands while running through the water and embracing as they swam together.

Reacting to the similarities, one person commented, So, I know this is negative, but there were similar pics with Deborra two minutes ago.

Another added, I remember photos just like this with his wife Lost respect for him when he traded in his wife for a new one.

Image credits: themusicmanonbroadway4001

Hugh and Suttons New Years getaway came shortly after they celebrated an early Christmas at The Carlyle hotel in Manhattan, days ahead of the actual holiday.

Foster later shared photos of the pair attending a holiday party there.

Reportedly, Jackman spent Christmas Day in his native Australia with his children, Oscar and Ava.

According to multiple reports and insiders, Hugh and Sutton allegedly began their relationship while both were still married to their now ex-partners

Image credits: hughhappens

Prior to dating Foster, Jackman was married to Deborra for 27 years, and the former couple share two children. Foster, meanwhile, was married to her second husband, Ted Griffin.

After finalizing their respective divorces in 2025, the duo made their official red carpet debut as a couple in October 2025 while attending the AFI Fest premiere of Jackmans film Song Sung Blue at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Image credits: themusicmanonbroadway4001

A source close to Foster told People magazine at the time, Theyre in love and were genuinely excited to walk the carpet together.

The drama is behind them now, and theyve built a strong foundation of trust, the source added. Both are feeling giddy and happy and are excited to share their future together.

The drama referenced by the insider appeared to allude to cheating allegations aimed at both Jackman and Foster, claims that were seemingly hinted at by Jackmans ex-wife in a statement to the Daily Mail in late May 2025.

She told the outlet, My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. [It] was a profound wound that cuts deep The breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage It can hurt

New headline Two cheaters cheating in Costa Rica, one furious social media user reacted
Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images Punta Sur on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Key Point

Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancun, is one of the most affordable Caribbean islands to retire, according to a new report. A couple living on Isla Mujeres needs about $3,000 a month to cover expenses, including rent. Retirees don't need a car on the island, and essentials like groceries can cost $300 per month.

Life can be an island vacation, even after you retire. Those seeking Caribbean warmth and a laid-back island lifestyle without breaking the bank can find it on Mexico's Isla Mujeres, just eight miles off the coast of buzzy Cancun.

According to a recent report by International Living, the tiny island of 13,200 people is one of the top five most affordable Caribbean islands to live on. Isla Mujeres ranked third after Roatan, Honduras, which came in second, and Ambergris Caye, Belize, at No. 1.

Isla Mujeres is steeped in Maya roots and delivers big on remote charm. With white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and world-class diving, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing, the island provides that dreamy, retirement-perfect setting without the premium price tag of other Caribbean destinations.

International Living estimated that a couple can live "a very nice life" on Isla Mujeres for $2,500 to $3,000 a month, including rent. The publication reports that essentials like groceries can cost $300 per month, while your electricity bill will run about $175 per month. Additionally, residents dont need to buy a car, as hop-on, hop-off buses are widely available and cost just over a dollar per ride.

While island living can mean limited or pricey housing, its still within reason to find a one-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment starting at $230,000, or one-bedroom rentals as low as $700$1,000. Retirees with heftier savings have plenty of homes to choose from upwards of a million dollars, or have the option to build a custom home for around $700,000, International Living reported.

A particularly good perk for retirees in Mexico is access to top-notch medical care, with much shorter wait times for appointments and treatment compared to the U.S., according to Live and Invest Overseas. There are two national care plans that individuals can choose from, which are either entirely free or almost free, Kathleen Peddicord, Live and Invest Overseas's publisher, told Travel + Leisure. However, the health care facilities on the island are limited to small clinics. For anything more serious, you'll have to travel to the mainland, she explained.

Crime should also be of little concern for retirees on Isla Mujeres. The island enjoys low crime rates and a peaceful vibe, according to Live and Invest Overseas. (The publication estimates that the expat community is currently in the hundreds.)

International Living also points out that retirees on a budget should avoid places like St. Thomas and Grand Bahama that "command premium prices."

You can read the full report on InternationalLiving.com.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
The moon is visible behind the US Capitol on December 2, 2025. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.

The Trump administration may have notified oil companies that it was preparing to nab Venezuelas leader, at least according to statements made Sunday by President Donald Trump.

But congressional leaders were kept in the dark about the early morning Saturday raid.

That disconnect might stick a thumb in the eye of lawmakers, who are meant to jealously guard their constitutional powers over the federal government.

But the feeling from many Republicans on Capitol Hill is that its no big deal for a variety of reasons:

Argument: We cant be trusted

Notification of Congress in advance of really critical and hypersensitive missions, to me, seems ill-advised anyway, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNNs Manu Raju on Monday.

Thune is a member of the Gang of Eight, the heads of key committees and members of party leadership on both sides of the aisle who typically would be briefed before a significant US military engagement.

A few Republicans, such as Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, say the Gang of Eight should have been notified, but this is not a loudly expressed view.

There is precedent for keeping information about military action from lawmakers  such as when President Barack Obama ordered the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was passed in response to the Vietnam War by a united Congress over Richard Nixons veto as a way to force presidents to consult lawmakers before and after military action. It does require a notification within 48 hours after an action. But it also stipulates that the president should consult with Congress before launching a military attack in every possible instance.

The Gang of Eight got together for an after-that-fact briefing about the Venezuela operation on Capitol Hill Monday, which is in line with the War Powers Act. Not everyone was satisfied. Key lawmakers who were excluded from that briefing  including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican  demanded to know why they were kept in the dark, since Nicolas Maduro was captured in order to face an American courtroom.

The entire operation has blended US military power with the justice system in a novel way, which has also provided another justification for lawmakers being kept in the dark before it happened  though it undercuts Trumps rhetoric that the US is in an undeclared war over drugs.

Argument: This was more of a law enforcement action

Sen. Tom Cotton, the Arkansas Republican who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said over the weekend that there was no need for the administration to consult Congress in advance because this action, although it utilized the US military, was more like a law enforcement action.

Sen. Tom Cotton walks towards a closed-door briefing on November 5, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. - Tom Brenner/Getty Images

Congress isnt notified when the FBI is going to arrest a drug trafficker or cyber criminal here in the United States, nor should Congress be notified when the executive branch is executing arrests on indicted persons, Cotton said on Fox News.

Theres another argument floating around that everyone who reads the news should have known something was up.

Argument: It was pretty obvious Trump was going to do something

Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio told CNNs Jake Tapper that everyone should have known what Trump was about to do.

When you mobilize that kind of military in the Caribbean, its pretty obvious, Moreno said. It was obvious to everybody, except for maybe Maduro.

In fact, White House officials said in public that Trump was not planning to use the military inside Venezuela without congressional approval. But that distinction could have to do with viewing the attack  which is not known to have cost American lives, but did kill numerous people inside Venezuela  as a law enforcement action.

Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, on January 3, 2026. - Matias Delacroix/AP

This argument also doesnt deal with the fact that the administration should be telling Congress about still-unknown details like how much operations will cost and whats the plan for Venezuela in the future.

But the White House has leaned heavily into emergency powers as a way around sharing these kinds of details.

Argument: Presidents have powers not spelled out in the Constitution

Sen. Mike Lee styles himself as a lawmaker with a deep respect for the Constitution. During the first Trump administration, the Utah Republican supported a bipartisan resolution to bar the president from offensive military action in Iran without congressional approval. Trump ultimately vetoed that resolution. (Lee hasnt yet supported something similar to constrain Trump in his second term.)

Lee initially questioned the legality of the Venezuela raid in social media posts Saturday. But after a phone conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he posted that the raid was likely justified because the deadly force utilized by the military was to protect people executing an arrest warrant.

This action likely falls within the presidents inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack, Lee said in a follow-up post.

Inherent power is a fancy way of saying the power to do this type of thing doesnt appear in the Constitution or law, but its basically implied that the president should have the power to protect the country.

How did capturing Maduro avoid an attack?

To argue for the risk of an imminent attack, you have to agree with the idea that Maduro is a narco-terrorist, as the Trump administration alleges, and that the drug trade represents an imminent attack on the US. That stance is debatable since Americans choose to buy the drugs. And the drugs causing the most American deaths are opioids  not cocaine.

The War Powers Resolution requires the cessation of military action by the US after 60 days without congressional approval, but since the military does not appear to have placed any long-term troops on the ground in Venezuela, that may not apply here. A Navy armada does remain in the Caribbean.

A resolution under the War Powers Act to demand congressional approval for military action in Venezuela was filed by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and Republican Sen. Rand Paul last month. It should see a vote this week. A similar vote failed in October despite support from two Republicans: Paul and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Three more Republican votes would be required to pass the resolution.

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The Washington State Capitol dome, Dec. 4, 2025.Photo: Tim Clouser / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  As Olympia faces another shortfall, state health care officials said Monday that the governors supplemental budget proposal could impact Washingtons Recovery Navigator Program.

The Legislature started the program after a 2021 Washington Supreme Court decision, which declared the states felony drug possession law unconstitutional. Gov. Bob Ferguson proposed cutting it by 50% to address another budget gap last year, but lawmakers ultimately settled on a 20% reduction instead.

Democrats say the reduction helped close a $16 billion deficit, which nonpartisan budget staff had only estimated at $7.3 billion. While the majority said the final budget cut about $9 billion, overall spending actually increased to record levels due to a $9.55 billion tax hike  the largest in state history.

When considering local taxes authorized by the Legislature, the historic tax increase rises to about $12 billion. Now the state faces another deficit despite record spending, and RNP is on the chopping block.

The governor's proposed supplemental budget does include a 10% reduction, Tony Walton, a section manager with the Washington State Health Care Authority, told the Substance Use Recovery Services Advisory Committee. It was a 20% statewide reduction that passed as part of the biennial budget.

The 10% reduction Ferguson proposed for 2026 would bring program funding closer to what he had planned last year, but it wouldnt cut RNP altogether. The diversion program funds taxpayer-subsidized outreach to treatment services and case management for individuals navigating the justice system.

According to state data, the HCA contacted an estimated 10,401 people during RNP outreach work last year, with 15% of those referrals coming from law enforcement. Around 8,280 people enrolled in case management, but that figure also includes individuals called continuing enrollees from the year prior.

Last years cut reduced funding to $19.6 million annually; Fergusons plan would leave $17.6 million.

Its not as dramatic as what were thinking on most fronts, HCA Legislative Relations Manager Shawn ONeill told the committee. The 10% reduction  if it were passed, it would go into effect on July 1.

The state Senate considered cutting RNP altogether last year, but the chamber compromised with the House of Representatives on a more modest cut. While Fergusons proposal takes some more off the top of whats left, the reduction is far less than what he proposed ahead of the last legislative session.

If approved, it would diminish diversion resources, as Ferguson proposes filling a $2.3 billion deficit by tapping about half of the states rainy-day fund, on top of additional cuts. He also signaled support last month for a state income tax, which the state constitution prohibits, and voters have already rejected.

We're still just kind of in a wait-and-see mode to see what is going to transpire, ONeill said Monday.
The Fund Will be Managed by Experienced Life Sciences Investor Nishant Rastogi

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Lupus Research Alliance, the world's largest private funder of lupus research, announced the formation of a new philanthropic venture fund Lupus Ventures. The Fund is dedicated to advancing treatments and diagnostics for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), its manifestations, and related autoimmune conditions.

Lupus Ventures aims to accelerate the development of new treatments and diagnostics that can improve the standard of care and deliver meaningful value to the millions of people living with lupus worldwide.

Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Treatment development stagnated for years after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Benlysta in 2011. However, with the approvals of Saphnelo and Lupkynis in 2021, and Gazyva in October 2025, the tides are turning. Innovative treatments like engineered cell therapies are showing great promise, and there are over 140 lupus therapies in clinical trials today from more than 120 companies.

With that promise, philanthropic investment in higher-risk, early-stage companies is increasingly powerful. Lupus Ventures aims to bridge the gap between innovative science and commercial reality.

"The Lupus Research Alliance has spent years building a research engine that supports every part of the scientific process  from basic and translational research through clinical development," Albert T. Roy, President & CEO of the Lupus Research Alliance, said. "Launching Lupus Ventures is the natural  and critical  next step. It allows us to strategically deploy resources and catalyze solutions for people living with lupus, ensuring promising ideas don't sit on a shelf simply for lack of funding."

Nishant Rastogi will serve as the Fund's inaugural Managing Director. Mr. Rastogi is an accomplished life sciences investor with more than a decade of biotech venture capital and private equity experience. He has served as a Board Director and operating partner for multiple biotech and medtech companies throughout his career.

Before joining Lupus Ventures, Mr. Rastogi served as Vice President and Head of Transactions at New Rhein Healthcare Investors. He played an integral role in all aspects of the firm's evolution and growth  including investment activities, portfolio management, team building, and operations. He was involved in New Rhein's investments in Corsair (Director), Theranica, Alveus, American Injectables, Butterfly Medical, Softhale (acquired), Neuraptive, and others. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rastogi was an investor at Broadview Ventures and an analyst at Fidelity Investments. He has advised several disease research foundations  including Beyond Celiac, 90/10 Institute, and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy  on venture fund formation and the role of philanthropy and private investment in advancing new medicines and health equity. Mr. Rastogi earned his BA from Dartmouth College and his MBA from Northwestern University.

"I am grateful to the Lupus Research Alliance for the opportunity to build this platform," Mr. Rastogi said. "As the world's only investment fund dedicated to SLE, we are uniquely positioned to support companies developing potential therapies in this area to benefit people living with lupus globally. The combination of recent scientific advancements and investor and industry interest makes this a perfect time to launch the Fund."

All companies  regardless of modality or stage of development  are being considered for investment. In addition to capital, the companies will also receive counsel and guidance, leveraging the Lupus Research Alliance's depth of knowledge gained through its industry leadership. To date, the Lupus Research Alliance has awarded more than $284 million across 650+ research grants, and clinical affiliate Lupus Therapeutics is involved in 25-30% of active clinical trials.

The Fund will be overseen by the Investment Committee that includes Mr. Rastogi, Mr. Roy and Ira Akselrad, President and CEO of The Johnson Company, Inc. and Chair of the Lupus Research Alliance Board of Directors. Teodora Staeva, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of the Lupus Research Alliance, will serve on its Scientific Advisory Board. The Fund plans to recruit additional experts to the Investment Committee, Scientific Advisory Board, and investment team in 2026.

To learn more about Lupus Ventures, visit www.lupusventures.org.

About Lupus

Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. In lupus, the immune system, meant to defend against infections, produces autoantibodies that mistake the body's own cells as foreign, causing other immune cells to attack organs such as the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, and skin, as well as blood and joints. Ninety percent of people with lupus are women, most often diagnosed between the ages of 15-45. Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander people are disproportionately affected by lupus.

About Lupus Ventures

Lupus Ventures (dba "The Lupus Venture Fund") is the venture investment fund of the Lupus Research Alliance. The Fund is dedicated to advancing treatment and diagnostic options for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), its manifestations, and related autoimmune conditions. The Fund defines success as improving the standard of care and delivering meaningful value to the millions of people living with lupus worldwide.

Visit www.lupusventures.org for more information.

About the Lupus Research Alliance

The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-governmental, non-profit funder of lupus research worldwide. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and, ultimately, a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance's Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs.

For more information or to donate to lupus research, visit the LRA at LupusResearch.org and on social media at: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

SOURCE Lupus Research Alliance
police tape  Unsplash/David von Diemar

A Connecticut man was arrested after a drunken rampage that allegedly saw him throw a dog, shove a child, and attempt to fight several people on New Years Eve, authorities said.

Jeremy Breton, 36, of South Windsor, was arrested and charged with two counts of risk of injury to a child, and one count each of animal cruelty, interfering with an officer, and disorderly conduct, police said.

South Windsor police responded after someone called officers to a home before 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. The caller told dispatchers that Breton was trying to fight "everyone" at the house and had attacked a dog and a child, authorities said. Officers did not say if anyone was injured in the incident.

Breton ignored officers commands when they arrived, but was quickly taken into custody on multiple charges, South Windsor police said.

Breton was held on a $10,000 bond, police said.
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a chart next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Jan 6 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration faces the possibility of having to refund more than $133.5 billion in tariffs to importers if the U.S. Supreme Court declares unlawful the duties he has imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

That is the total assessed through December 14, when the agency issued its most recent statistical update, on imports since the Republican president first imposed tariffs last February under the 1977 economic sanctions law meant to be used only during national emergencies.

The court, which in November heard arguments concerning the legality of Trump's IEEPA-based tariffs, is set to issue rulings in cases on Friday, but has not disclosed which ones. Online betting markets Kalshi and Polymarket give Trump a 30% and 23% chance of prevailing, respectively, versus around 40% on each platform prior to the arguments, when the justices signaled skepticism toward the tariffs.

It is also unclear whether the court would order refunds if it deems the duties illegal or leave that issue to lower courts or to the federal government to sort out.

Trump falsely claimed in a social media post on Monday that the United States has collected or would soon collect $600 billion in tariffs. Total net customs duties reached a record $195 billion in fiscal 2025, which ended September 30, and monthly receipts have been in the low $30 billion range since then, according to U.S. Treasury data.

The following table shows CBP's breakdown of the IEEPA-based tariffs assessed on imports as of December 14 by category, exporting country and fiscal year, in billions of dollars.

IEEPA-based Fiscal Fiscal Total since

tariffs 2026 2025 February 2025

China and Hong $7.74 $30.13 $37.87

Kong,

(fentanyl)

Mexico, $0.92 $5.56 $6.48

(fentanyl)

Canada $0.47 $1.95 $2.42

(fentanyl)

'Reciprocal' $27.38 $54.36 $81.74

all countries,

all goods

Brazil, $0.61 $0.36 $0.97

punitive

India, $1.58 $0.41 $1.99

punitive

Japan, $1.66 $0.37 $2.03

post-trade

deal tariffs

TOTAL $40.36 $93.14 $133.5

NOTES: Fentanyl-related tariffs were first imposed against goods from China on February 4 and on Canadian and Mexican goods that do not comply with a North American trade agreement on March 4.

Trump's "reciprocal" duties on goods from countries from 10% to 50% were first imposed on April 5, with subsequent reductions in some cases as a result of trade negotiations. Additional punitive duties of 40% were imposed on goods from Brazil on August 6, while Indian goods were hit with an additional punitive 25% duty on August 27.

Modified duties on Japanese goods due to a trade agreement were effective on August 7.

(Reporting by David Lawder;Editing by Dan Burns and Will Dunham)
The California Capitol stands in Sacramento as the legislative session opens, Jan. 5, 2026. Photo: Madeline Shannon / The Center Square

Editor's note: Madeline Shannon, a reporter with The Center Square, is based at the California Capitol in Sacramento and begins filing her stories there today as the new legislative session starts.

(The Center Square)  With a musical opening that included a mariachi band and a church choir, Sen. Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, was sworn in as the Senate president pro tempore on Monday, making her the first Hispanic woman in the role.

In her first speech in her new position, the California legislator said she would support immigrant communities and prioritize public higher education, which are among the issues that affect the state.

We know that no matter what cities or counties we represent, there is only one California, Limon said in her speech on the first day of the 2026 legislative session. We must work together to make it better.

She touted her accomplishments working with other legislators and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who sat next to her during her speech, on issues such as clean air and water, predatory, medical debt and child care unions. She talked about her background as the daughter of an immigrant family and discussed how her early life and influences put her on path to run for office.

Like many immigrants believe, the United States and California are the lands where hard work meet opportunity, Limon said. For us, these values and this purpose isnt something that we leave just amongst our family. We know we have to pass it on for generations - and that is the story of many immigrant families.

Limon started out her career working at University of California, Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College as an educator before running for her first elected role as a member of the Santa Barbara Unified School Board, according to her Senate biography. She was then elected to the state Assembly, representing the Central Coast, where she introduced legislation that expanded higher education, fed hungry students and established curriculum for Native American studies in California high schools.

She was elected to the Senate in 2020 after four years in the Assembly. She has been the chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, and the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.

Other senators said before Limons speech that while she is the first Hispanic president pro tempore, they hope she wont be the last.

Even though youre short of stature, you jumped up and broke that glass ceiling for so many women of color today, said Sen. Caroline Menjivar, D-Van Nuys, during remarks before Limons speech. You have been an unwavering champion for Californians as a woman, a mother, the first Latina to serve in this position.

Other lawmakers on the Senate floor, in prepared remarks made before Limons speech on Monday, compared Limon to the first woman to hold the position, Sen. Toni Atkins, who was elected Senate president pro tempore in 2018.

It has been, in my life, a true blessing to be surrounded by smart, powerful, and effective women, said Sen. Mike McGuire, D-San Rafael and the outgoing Senate president pro tempore. I know the job she has ahead for her, and I know shes going to be able to bring us all together to get the job done.
George Conway, a lawyer and high-profile critic of President Donald Trump who was previously married to Trump confidant Kellyanne Conway, launched a bid as a Democrat on Tuesday for the New York City-based congressional seat being vacated by retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler.

The campaign launch comes five years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 -- and a video announcing his campaign opens with clips of rioters rushing the Capitol on that day, although Conway does not mention the event or date explicitly in the video.

"The stakes have never been higher. What's at issue is the survival of our democracy, the survival of rule of law, the survival of constitutional government ... we need a Democratic Congress and a majority in that Democratic Congress that's laser-focused on the threats to the rule of law," Conway told ABC News in an interview ahead of his campaign launch.

Ted Shaffrey/AP, FILE - PHOTO: Attorney George Conway outside the New York City courthouse, April 30, 2024.

Conway had a long career as a conservative attorney before sharply criticizing Trump and the GOP. He assisted Paula Jones, who accused President Bill Clinton of misconduct; the case was later settled with no admission of guilt. Clinton has denied the allegations. Conway has compared assisting Jones to how he assisted author E. Jean Carroll, who sued Trump for defamation.

Conway broke with fellow conservatives when he began sharply criticizing Trump during his first term, and built an online following while lambasting the president.

Conway also co-founded the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political action committee that has funded ads and initiatives criticizing the president during both of his terms in office.

He could face some scrutiny over his ties to Nadler's district, as he spent over a decade away from New York City.

He moved to New York in 1998, and worked at a Manhattan-based law firm until 2019; but he and his family moved to the New York City suburb Alpine, New Jersey, in 2008 and to Washington, D.C., in 2017 when Kellyanne Conway joined the administration.

Matt Rourke/AP - PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway accompanied by her husband, George, speaks with members of the media as they arrive for a dinner at Union Station, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

Conway is now living again in the district and is registered to vote in New York.

"I live here. I worked here. I spent my entire career in this district. I love this district. I always come back to it. My four kids were born in this district ... and I want to do something to give back to what I took from this district, which was basically just everything in my career, that happened, that was great in my life," he told ABC News.

Conway and his family have also made headlines for their own political divides related to Trump.

Alex Brandon/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump listens as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Mar-a-Lago club, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla.

His now-ex wife Kellyanne Conway served as Trump's campaign manager during Trump's 2016 run for president and a senior counselor during Trump's first term. She remains an ally of the president.

George and Kellyanne Conway sometimes presented themselves as an example of how spouses could work together across deep political and ideological divides. They divorced in 2023 , saying then that it was an "amicable divorce."

Conway told ABC News he's unconcerned about voters perceiving him as a Republican or as still linked to Kellyanne Conway or conservative politics.

JFKs grandson, Jack Schlossberg, announces 2026 run for Nadler's seat in Congress

"I've been walking the streets of this district when I come back to New York with such great regularity, and people walk up to me, and they know what I've been doing, and other people are going to hear about what I've been doing," he said.

He added that he left the Republican Party in 2018 to become an independent and spent money and time supporting Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 bid for the White House.

"For all intents and purposes, I've been a Democrat for a number of years. I'm just dotting the i's and crossing the t's, now ... My values haven't changed. And I think as people get to know me better, the ones who don't know me, I think people are going to understand where I'm coming from," he said.

Conway is entering what is already a crowded Democratic primary for Nadler's seat, which is in a deeply blue district that includes swaths of the Upper East Side, Upper West Side and midtown Manhattan. Around a dozen candidates have already filed to run in the Democratic primary, according to Federal Election Commission filings , since Nadler, the dean of New York's congressional delegation, announced in September that he would not run for reelection.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Jerry Nadler speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill , Nov. 20, 2024.

Those candidates include high-profile names such as Kennedy family scion Jack Schlossberg, gun control activist Cameron Kasky and state Assembly Member Micah Lasher and lawyer Jami Floyd.

But Conway says he will stand out among the crowded field.

"I think people just have to look at what I've been saying and doing for the past seven years, at great personal and financial cost to myself ... I know how to fight this guy. I've been doing it, and frankly, I've come to the conclusion that writing op-eds and going on TV is not enough," said Conway, who has donated more than $900,000 to the joint fundraising committee between President Joe Biden's campaign and the Democratic Party in 2024, according to filings with the FEC.

Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler won't seek reelection in 2026

Conway, who said he already had his career as a lawyer, claimed he wouldn't become a "career politician."

"I want to make a difference by using the experience that I have and my knowledge of how Trump ticks, and to fight. To end this once and for all, end this nightmare that is Trumpism. And I don't think anybody else can really say that they have done that in the way that I have been doing it."
Jens-Frederik Nielsen speaks with journalists on March 28, 2025, in Nuuk, Greenland. Credit - Leon NealGetty Images

Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has warned the United States to stop its threats of annexation against the territory.

No more pressure. No more hints. No more fantasies about annexation, he urged on Sunday, emphasizing that while Greenland is open to a dialogue with the U.S., it will no longer stand for pressure or disrespectful posts on social media. Nielsens impassioned statement comes as President Donald Trump renews his annexation threat against Greenland in the wake of the Venezuela operation which saw Nicolas Maduro captured and brought to the U.S.

In comments that Nielsen labeled utterly unacceptable, Trump repeated his eagerness to oversee a U.S. annexation of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. We need Greenland from a national security situation. Its so strategic, the President told reporters aboard Air Force One over the weekend. Right now Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And Denmark is not going to be able to do it. Trump claimed that the European Union needs the U.S. to have Greenland. (European leaders have previously shown support for Greenland against Trumps annexation threats.)

When the President of the United States talks about we need Greenland and connects us with Venezuela and military intervention, it's not just wrong, its so disrespectful, said Nielsen as he responded via social media. Addressing Trumps rhetoric regarding the position of Greenland, Nielsen continued: We are a part of NATO and we are fully aware of our country's strategic location. And we realize that our security depends on good friends and strong alliances. In this regard, a respectful and loyal relationship with the United States is very important. It's been that way for decades.

Protesters rallied against the Trump Administration in front of the American Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Apr. 6, 2025. Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard BergGetty Images

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for Greenland to become part of the U.S. since returning to the White House last year. During an interview with NBC's Meet the Press in May, he refused to rule out military force to annex the territory.

Now, as Trump doubles down on his threats, others in the MAGA circle have addressed the matter. Katie Miller, the wife of Trumps deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, alluded to the U.S. one day controlling Greenland in a social media post over the weekend. Miller wrote soon alongside an image of a map of Greenland with the U.S. flag across the island.

Nielsen responded, saying our country is not for sale and our future is not determined by social media posts. He urged Greenland natives not to panic, but insisted there's good reason to speak up against the lack of respect.

The residents of Greenland elected Nielsen as Prime Minister in March last year. The vote was widely seen as pushback against the annexation threat as Nielsen campaigned against Trumps wishes for a U.S. takeover.

Shortly after Nielsens win, Vice President J.D. Vance visited U.S. troops at the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland, said Vance as he addressed the U.S. personnel.

In August, the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen was summoned by Denmark following reports that three Americans close to the President had been compiling names of citizens in Greenland keen to join a secessionist movement.

Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen confirmed to TIME that he had summoned Mark Stroh, the U.S. charge d'affaires in Copenhagen, and insisted any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom [of Denmark] will of course be unacceptable.

Tensions flared again in December when Trump appointed Louisianas Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as special envoy to Greenland. Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our national security, and will strongly advance our countrys interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world, Trump said of his decision.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Food & Wine / Costco Wholesale / Getty Images

A perfect jarred pasta sauce nails the balance between flavor and convenience. You want it to taste like a slowly simmered marinara straight out of a nonnas kitchen but still be ready to simply heat and serve. And theres one Costco find that delivers on both goals, all at an affordable price.

Frequent Costco shoppers may have spotted jars of the Kirkland Signature Organic Tuscan Marinara on the stores shelves. The imported sauce is made and packed in Italy and sold in the same bulk format as everything else in the warehouse, helping keep it affordable despite its high-quality ingredients.

Its important to note that the Tuscan Marinara is not the same as the slightly more common Kirkland Signature Organic Marinara Sauce, which features California-grown tomatoes. The latter is almost always available at Costco, while the former may come and go from locations depending on availability. According to customers, you should be stocking up on the hidden Italian gem if you spot it.

The ingredient list for Costcos Italian-made marinara reveals why shoppers love it so much. This sauce contains just six ingredients: organic tomatoes grown in Tuscany, organic onions, organic carrots, Toscano PGI extra-virgin olive oil, organic basil, and sea salt.

What's missing from the jar matters just as much: There's no added sugar or citric acid. Instead, you get straightforward tomato flavor, a hint of natural sweetness from the carrots, and aromatic notes from the basil. The result is a looser, brighter sauce that tastes freshly made.

Related: Why This Might Be Everyone's Favorite Italian Ingredient at Costco

The label also calls out the products Toscano PGI extra-virgin olive oil for good reason. This designation  which stands for Protected Geographical Indication  means the olives used to make the oil were grown, pressed, and bottled in Tuscany in accordance with specific quality standards. Unsurprisingly, higher-quality olive oil yields a higher-quality marinara.

Tuscan-grown tomatoes also impact how this sauce tastes. Volcanic soil, found in many regions of Italy, including parts of Tuscany, often has a higher mineral content, which promotes plant growth. In turn, these minerals can influence the flavor development of crops and may yield sweeter, more flavorful tomatoes.

Compared with one of the most popular marinara brands on the market, Rao's, Costcos Tuscan offering tends to be on the chunkier side. It tastes and feels more like hand-crushed tomatoes with good olive oil, instead of something processed and perfectly smooth. Fans of the bulk retailer often describe it as rustic.

What may matter the most for families who rely on jarred pasta sauce is the price of this Costco find. The Tuscan marinara is typically sold in packs of three 24-ounce jars for about $15 total  although its been spotted in some stores for just $10 or $13 per pack  which breaks down to roughly 21 cents per ounce. For context, Rao's marinara usually runs about $9 for a 24-ounce jar, or roughly 38 cents per ounce. And thats for a product that doesnt include organic ingredients.

Related: The 5 Best Hidden Gems at Costco Youre Probably Walking Right Past

Costco customers on Reddit note that the Tuscan marinara isn't always in stock and recommend buying multiple packs when you can snag it. Since jarred pasta sauce lasts for ages and tends to come in handy on an almost weekly basis, you wont regret it.

If youre searching for simple tomato sauce that spotlights flavorful ingredients, this may be the best jarred marinara for you. Thanks to its simple recipe, it's also an excellent option for home cooks who want to use a store-bought shortcut but like to doctor up a sauce themselves with a few customizations. And its ideal for anyone thats tired of paying premium prices but still wants quality ingredients.

Read the original article on Food & Wine
The ceasefire in Gaza is broadly holding, despite sporadic clashes between the Israel Defense Forces and Gaza militants -- plus deadly IDF strikes. Israeli forces inside the strip have pulled back to the so-called "yellow line."

The ceasefire is still in the first of three proposed phases. The details of the second phase of the agreement are yet to be agreed. The remains of one deceased hostage are still thought to be in Gaza. Israeli raids are also ongoing in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli strikes continue against alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Latest Developments





Jan 6, 3:38 PM

Israel says it used live fire to disperse crowd at university in West Bank

Israel said it used live fire to disperse a crowd at a university in the West Bank in relation to a "terror operation," after receiving "intelligence indications" of an "anticipated gathering in support of terror and incitement to terror that was expected to take place," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Tuesday.



"At the beginning of the gathering, IDF and Israel Border Police forces were dispatched to the area of the University, used riot dispersal means, and dispersed the gathering," the IDF said in a statement.



Adding, "Later on, an additional violent confrontation broke out that involved hundreds of suspects, during which rocks were hurled from rooftops in the area toward the forces, posing an immediate threat to them. The forces responded with riot dispersal means and precise fire toward the main violent individuals."



-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Jan 6, 3:36 PM

Israel, Syria to set up communication mechanism after US-mediated talks

Diplomatic dialogue has resumed between Israel and Syria after several months, according to Israeli and U.S. officials.



"The dialogue took place as part of President Trump's vision for promoting peace in the Middle East, during which Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats to its borders," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.



"Israel reiterated its commitment to promoting regional stability and security and to the need to promote economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries," Netanyahu's office said.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Jan 6, 7:23 AM

PRCS reports injuries after Israeli forces reportedly 'storm' West Bank university

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Tuesday that at least 11 people were injured after Israeli forces raided Birzeit University -- a prominent Palestinian public university near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.



Among the injuries were five gunshot wounds, four cases of tear gas inhalation and two injuries from falls, the PRCS said. All those injured were transferred to the hospital for treatment, the group added.



In a post to Facebook, Birzeit University said Israeli forces "stormed the campus." The university also shared a video that it said showed Israeli forces on the campus.



ABC News has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment.



ABC News' Nasser Atta, Jordana Miller and Morgan Winsor

Jan 6, 3:30 AM

IDF strikes alleged Hezbollah, Hamas targets in Lebanon

Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday, following an Israel Defense Forces evacuation order for four villages it alleged housed Hezbollah and Hamas "infrastructure."



-/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: This image grab from an AFPTV footage taken on Jan. 5, 2026, shows an Israeli strike on the village of Kfar Hatta in southern Lebanon.



An Israeli military spokesperson earlier warned that strikes would target the villages of Hammara and Ain el-Tineh in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, and Kfar Hatta and Aanan in the county's south.



-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Jan 5, 5:14 AM

IDF claims killing of 2 Hezbollah members in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces said on Monday that it killed two alleged Hezbollah members in a Sunday strike in the Jamijama area of southern Lebanon.



The two people targeted were engaged in restoring military infrastructures of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, the IDF claimed in a statement posted to X.

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         pic.twitter.com/uRdYoV3qd8     (@idfonline) January 5, 2026

Dec 31, 6:59 AM

Foreign ministers from 10 countries urge Israel to allow NGO work

The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. released a joint statement on Wednesday pushing back on Israel's announcement that it will suspend the operations of 37 humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank on Jan. 1.

Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Displaced children warm by a fire next to a sand sculpture in Deir El-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on Dec. 30, 2025.



The ministers expressed "serious concerns about the renewed deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza which remains catastrophic," warning that forecast winter weather will likely exacerbate the situation there.



The statement urged Israel to "ensure that international NGOs are able to operate in Gaza in a sustained and predictable way," warning that their deregistration as of Jan. 1 "could result in the forced closure" of NGO operations "within 60 days in Gaza and the West Bank. This would have a severe impact on access to essential services including healthcare."



The ministers called on Israel to "ensure the U.N. and its partners can continue their vital work. This is essential to ensure the impartial, neutral, and independent delivery of aid throughout the whole of Gaza. This includes UNRWA, which provides essential services, such as healthcare and education, to millions of Palestinian refugees."



The statement said Israel should "lift unreasonable restrictions on imports considered to have a dual use," such as medical and shelter equipment, plus "open crossings and boost the flows of humanitarian aid into Gaza."

Israel announced the suspensions on Tuesday, saying some aid organizations failed to comply with new registration rules. COGAT, the Israeli agency tasked with coordinating aid into Gaza and other areas, said on Wednesday that the new registration system is intended "to ensure aid does not fall into the wrong hands, not to control NGO workers or organizations."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the joint statement was "false but unsurprising."

"It reflects a recurring pattern of detached criticism and one-sided demands on Israel, while deliberately ignoring the essential requirement of disarming Hamas -- a prerequisite for the security of Israel and the region," the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Palestinian NGO Network released a statement criticizing the Israeli move as "dangerous" and posing "a direct threat to life in the Gaza Strip."



-ABC News' Morgan Winsor, Somayeh Malekian, Nasser Atta, Diaa Ostaz and Anna Burd

Dec 29, 6:32 PM

Trump says it will be 'horrible' for Hamas if it fails to disarm

While hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, President Donald Trump said Hamas must disarm for the next phase of the Gaza peace plan to begin.



If they don't, Trump said it would be "horrible for them" and there would be "hell to pay." The president added that other countries that wanted the ceasefire deal to be made "will go and wipe them out" should Hamas not disarm.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference after meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., December 29, 2025.

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Jury selection in the trial of a police officer involved in the response to the 2022 mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, began Jan. 5.

Adrian Gonzales faces 29 counts of abandoning or endangering a child, according to court documents in Texas's 38th Judicial District Court in Corpus Christi. He was employed as a police officer with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District when the deadly mass shooting occurred on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary School.

He has pleaded not guilty, according to NBC News.

The Robb Elementary School shooting is the worst mass shooting at an educational institution in Texas history. On that day, a gunman armed with a semiautomatic rifle killed 19 fourth graders and two of their teachers before he was killed by officers more than an hour after the shooting began.

The case was transferred from Uvalde to Corpus Christi earlier this year as the officer's lawyers argued he could not receive a fair trial in Uvalde, according to the Associated Press.

Visiting judge Sid Harle, whom Gov. Greg Abbott reappointed in September, told jurors that they needed to remain fair during what he called "a very high-profile case," according WFAA-TV in Dallas.

The trial of Uvalde police officer Adrian Gonzales began Jan. 5 at the Nueces County Courthouse.

How long is the trial expected to take?

Harle told jurors to expect a two-week trial.

About 150 potential jurors have been dismissed out of the roughly 450 people that comprised the pool earlier in the day, according to a 4 p.m. CT update from WFAA-TV.

Harle proceeded quickly through the jury selection process and was expected to seat a jury by the end of the day to begin hearing opening statements on Jan. 6, the news outlet reported. However, no jurors had been seated as of late afternoon.

The tone in the Central Jury Room was impassioned, with many potential jurors getting upset over some of the prosecutors questions. The jury pool listened intently, with some people staying quiet while many others clapped and expressed anger when they heard the comments of other prospective jurors.

Several of the potential jurors spoke critically of law enforcement who responded to the shooting, saying they had not done enough to protect the children and staff; a handful said they could not be impartial in a trial because they or their loved ones are teachers. One prospective juror objected to how the criminal charges are being directed at Gonzales when he was not the only law enforcement officer at the scene of the shooting.

When Uvalde County Assistant District Attorney Bill Turner asked if theyd heard enough to make a decision, many potential jurors raised their hands, according to WFAA-TV.

The judge told jurors earlier in the day that an indictment does not mean a presumption of guilt, and that it will be up to the state to prove the case without a reasonable doubt.

Jurors wont hear the punishment phase of the case, meaning that while theyll determine whether Gonzales is guilty or innocent, the judge will impose the sentence.

Trial revives police criticisms

A couple visits memorial crosses in front of Robb Elementary School, as U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announces the results of a review into the law enforcement response to a 2022 mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, U.S., January 18, 2024.

Law enforcement agencies that converged on Robb Elementary after the shooting began have been under criticism since for waiting 77 minutes to confront the gunman.

A 2024 Department of Justice report found that:

Eleven officers from the Uvalde school district and Uvalde Police Department arrived on the scene within three minutes of the shooters entry into the school. Five advanced initially and two were hit by shrapnel. Police made three attempts to enter the classrooms, which are adjoined by an interior door.

Pete Arredondo, then the chief of the Uvalde school police department, "directed officers at several points to delay making entry into classrooms in favor of searching for keys and clearing other classrooms, the report found. He also tried to negotiate with the shooter, and treated him as a barricaded subject instead of a continuing threat to children and school staff, the report says.

Victims who had died were put on ambulances and sent to hospitals, while injured students were evacuated in buses. One adult victim was placed on a walkway on the ground to be attended to, where she later died.

"Law enforcement response [at] Robb Elementary School on May 24 and in the hours and days after was a failure that should not have happened," then Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters and Uvalde community members at a news conference at the time of the report's release.

Surveillance video footage, first obtained by the Austin American-Statesman and Austin ABC affiliate KVUE nearly seven months after the carnage, shows dozens of heavily armed and body-armor-clad officers from local, state and federal agencies in helmets walking back and forth in the hallway.

Some left the camera's frame and then reappeared. Others trained their weapons toward the classroom, talked, made cell phone calls, sent texts and looked at floor plans but did not enter or attempt to enter the classrooms.

Gonzales and Arredondo are the only officers charged in connection with the 2022 shooting, according to the Texas Tribune. Arredondo was charged with similar counts of child endangerment and abandonment, according to the Tribune, and his trial has not been scheduled. The newspaper reported that Arredondo is also seeking a change of venue.

Katie Nicas reports for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and James Powel reports for USA TODAY.

Contributing: John C. Moritz, Tony Plohetski, Bayliss Wagner  USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jury selection begins for ex-cop in Uvalde mass shooting response
U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-California, speaks with attendees during the American Conservation Coalitions 2023 Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah. LaMalfa died suddenly on Jan. 5, 2026, at the age of 65. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original.

(The Center Square)  Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a staunch conservative who represented Californias rural 1st congressional district for just over 16 years after a decade serving in the state legislature, died suddenly on Monday at the age of 65.

LaMalfa's death further narrows the majority Republicans now hold in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The cause of death is still unknown, as he recently appeared in good health, according to reports.

His colleagues lamented his death Tuesday, with many expressing condolences and reflections online.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., released a statement Tuesday morning, which he also shared on X.

Congress is devastated to learn this morning about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa, Johnson wrote. He was as fierce of a fighter for his states vast natural resources and beauty as we have ever known.

Johnson went on to voice support for LaMalfas wife and family he leaves behind.

President Donald Trump also marked LaMalfas passing during his address to House Republicans at the House GOP member retreat Tuesday morning.

I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member, Trump said, describing LaMalfa as a fierce champion on California water issues.

He also said that LaMalfa voted with him 100% of the time.

LaMalfas death coincided with former Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes resignation from Congress. Monday was her last day. Republicans now hold a five-member majority over Democrats in the House, 218-213.

Georgia will hold a special election to replace Greene, and California may do the same for LaMalfa.

Congressional midterm elections will take place in November. All 435 seats in the House will be up for re-election, as will 35 seats in the Senate.
In this sketch from court, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, left, and his wife, Cilia Flores, second from right, appear in Manhattan federal court with their defense attorneys Mark Donnelly, second from left, and Andres Sanchez on Monday, January 5, 2026, in New York. - Elizabeth Williams/AP

The case against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro hasnt been able to move forward in the past six years.

Now with his capture and first appearance in Manhattan federal court behind him, getting to trial could take even more years, with rings of unusual political and legal battles to come.

The criminal case against Maduro is so legally complex  with his past leadership of Venezuela, the dramatic nature of proving an international narco-terrorism conspiracy and the larger national security and foreign policy implications  that his defense could attempt several different ways of derailing the case before a trial.

Maduro pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

Not that he wont negotiate, but he will push some of the buttons first, Dick Gregorie, a longtime Miami-based federal prosecutor, said on Monday after following news coverage of Maduros arraignment.

Gregorie had worked on the indictment and trial of Panamas Manuel Noriega almost 40 years ago, becoming one of the few prosecutors who has successfully tried a foreign fugitive who claimed he was a head of state.

The Noriega case has some parallels to Maduros  especially in how rare it is for the US to strike a foreign country and abduct a political leader by force.

General Manuel Antonio Noriega speaking to the press in Panama. A Paris court has convicted former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega for laundering drug money in France in the 1980s and ordered him to spend seven years in prison, Wednesday July 7, 2010. - AP

It appears likely that the lawyers representing Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who also pleaded not guilty Monday to drug and weapons charges, will argue they were captured unlawfully. On Monday in court, the deposed Venezuelan leader said he was kidnapped by the US military.

His lawyers will also likely battle with the Justice Department over the evidence in the case, what they can access that may help them, and over the protected national security information that may be able to be used in a trial.

The classified information-handling process overseen by the court can add months to even a straightforward case, and defendants sometimes try to push for the exposure of sensitive information so that the federal government becomes unwilling to try the case, a tactic called graymailing.

The evidence collected so far and plans for moving the case toward trial are likely to be discussed at Maduros next court appearance in Manhattan, set for March.

An immunity argument

Maduro is likely to attempt to use his position in Venezuelas government to argue he has immunity as a foreign leader.

In court, Maduro told the judge he was still president of Venezuela. His wife similarly called herself the First Lady of Venezuela in her court appearance Monday.

Gregorie recalled how significant a fight the head-of-state immunity claims were with Noriega. They also arose before the bribery trial of a political leader who claimed he was head of state of Turks and Caicos, which Gregorie also prosecuted in Miami some 40 years ago.

Its quite clear, in order to get head-of-state immunity, you have to be the diplomatically recognized head of state, Gregorie said. Other legal scholars have taken the same position, that the US State Departments diplomatic recognitions are essentially the final word.

The US has maintained since 2024 that Maduro was an illegitimate leader of Venezuela, and instead recognized Maduros opposition as president-elect. Still, the answer of who led the country would have to be interpreted by the US court system, potentially up to the Supreme Court.

Noriega lost his head-of-state and diplomatic immunity claims in 1990. He was convicted in 1991 for importing cocaine and given a 40-year sentence.

And Norman Saunders, the chief minister of the Turks and Caicos island nation in the 1980s, wasnt deemed to be the countrys head of state either, Gregorie recalled. The head of state in Turks and Caicos, a British territory, at the time of Saunders case was the Queen.

Will there be cooperating witnesses?

One question that will linger is how intent the Justice Department is to take Maduro to trial.

Removing him from his country makes that easier in one core way: It can shake out new witnesses.

Gina Parlovecchio, a white-collar partner at the large law firm Mayer Brown and former lead prosecutor of the trial against Mexican kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, said there are likely several cooperators whove helped the US Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York build the Maduro case.

The office previously prosecuted others with ties to Maduro, including his wife Cilia Flores nephews. The federal government also closely tracks the five designated foreign terrorist organizations that are mentioned in the Maduro indictment as taking part in the scheme to move drugs from Venezuela to the US.

Still, having cooperating witnesses appear at a trial can be a challenge.

Gregorie described how one witness died in a suspicious car crash days before he was set to testify against a Noriega co-defendant. Gregorie also noted the killing of DEA informant Barry Seal, by the hired gun of a drug cartel in Louisiana in the 1980s.

He was murdered before the trial started. There were incidents like that that made you worried, Gregorie said. A witness who had documents I was looking for, and those documents disappeared.

Others in Noriegas case entered witness protection, giving up their identities for new identities, in towns decided by the federal government, Gregorie said.

New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers stand guard outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, where ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro is being held on January 5, 2026. - Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images

Certainly this business is a violent business, the retired Miami prosecutor added.

Michael Nadler, another former federal prosecutor on a case against high-ranking Venezuelans, said that drug trafficking conspiracy cases can be more difficult to prove, because of the reliance on witnesses within the drug trade, rather than following the money in foreign bribery cases.

Nadler worked on the Miami money laundering indictment of another top Venezuelan official, Alex Saab, who was released from US custody in a 2023 prisoner swap and returned to Venezuela to work in Maduros government.

Youre going to have to get somebody in the room with him who says he knew about it, he allowed it to happen, or that he did something more, Nadler said about proving a drug trafficking case.

The indictment against Maduro, however, isnt as specific on transactions as some drug trafficking and money laundering indictments have been. Yet prosecutors included several episodes, or vignettes, in the now-public allegations against Maduro that appear to suggest they have information from witnesses who had close access to him.

In one vignette, for instance, prosecutors say Maduro told other alleged traffickers they shouldnt have sent more than a ton of cocaine on a 2013 commercial flight that landed in Paris, and which French law enforcement seized.

The specific moments prosecutors describe in the Maduro indictment link to each of the five narco-terrorist organizations: the FARC and ELN, which produce cocaine in Colombia; the Sinaloa Cartel and the Zetas, which traffic cocaine from central American through Mexico to the US; and Tren de Aragua, which helps to transport cocaine out of Venezuela.

I almost read it like a greatest hits, Parlovecchio said.

Several former prosecutors say the Justice Department would only be willing to indict and capture Maduro if it believed the case was robust enough.

Some prosecutors also believe the ousted leader may want to face a jury.

I think that they are likely anticipating a trial, Parlovecchio said, citing how Flores two nephews, called the Narcosobrinos, were convicted by a jury of cocaine trafficking in 2016. These high-level drug trafficking cases do tend to go to trial . When you have this type of a case, with a defendant who has nothing to lose.

Maduros charges are serious, potentially carrying with them a life sentence for conspiracy plus decades in prison for weapons violations, Parlovecchio said.

She pointed to her case for the Eastern District of New York US Attorneys Office years ago, where El Chapo also went to trial and was convicted. He is now in the Bureau of Prisons only Supermax facility, in Colorado, serving a life sentence for the drug trafficking criminal enterprise conviction, plus 30 years for possessing a machine gun.

Making a deal

Police officers are pictured through a car window as they work outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn (MDC Brooklyn), where Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is held after an initial court appearance to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others in New York City, on January 5, 2026. - Angelina Katsanis/Reuters

Yet would the US government be open to some sort of negotiation or deal with the captured ruler?

The vast majority of federal criminal cases end in defendants pleading guilty, either as part of a deal or to avoid a trial, according to federal court data.

A legal and geopolitical deal could arise at any time involving Venezuela  especially if the foreign policy situation changes or the case still lingers after the Trump presidency ends.

However, Gregorie, who tried the Noriega case, said that a drug trafficking prosecution of a foreign leader was always likely to be on the trial track, partly because of the effort it took to charge the case and apprehend them.

We were constantly pushing to get the case to trial, and if I indicted him, I intended to try him, Gregorie said on Tuesday about the Noriega case.

Maduros defense attorney Barry Pollack, a national security and white-collar defense specialist out of Washington, DC, declined to comment for this story.

Pollack is well-versed in high-profile defendants with a political angle to their cases, having previously resolved the criminal case against Julian Assange.

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SAN DIEGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MG Properties, a privately held real estate investment firm, today announced the acquisition of Sola Galleria Apartments, a multifamily community located in Farmers Branch, Texas. The acquisition further expands MG Properties' presence in the DallasFort Worth metro area, one of the fastest-growing multifamily markets in the country.

Sola Galleria Apartments in Farmer's Branch, Texas

Sola Galleria Apartments is a well-located residential community offering modern amenities and convenient access to major employment centers, retail, dining, and transportation corridors throughout the DFW area. The property's location at the intersection of Farmers Branch and Addison provides residents with proximity to Dallas' urban core while maintaining a balanced "live-work-play" living environment.

MG Properties plans to implement its trusted approach at Sola Galleria Apartments, focusing on resident satisfaction, operational efficiencies, and selective property enhancements.

"This transaction underscores our continued confidence in the DallasFort Worth market," said Jeff Gleiberman, President of MG Properties. "Farmers Branch remains an attractive submarket due to its central location, economic vitality, and sustained demand for rental housing."

The sellers, HLC Equity and The Hampshire Companies, were represented by Joey Tumminello, Drew Kile, Taylor Hill, Michael Ware, and Jack Windham of IPA. Financing for the transaction was led by IPA Capital Markets' Cameron Chalfant, Brian Eisendrath, Harry Krieger, and Scott Arenzon.

To learn more visit: https://mgproperties.com

ABOUT MG PROPERTIES

MG Properties is a privately owned, fully integrated real estate company specializing in the investment, redevelopment, and management of multi-family assets. Headquartered in San Diego, California, MG Properties was founded in 1992 by Mark Gleiberman with the mission to enrich communities. MG's current portfolio is comprised of over 32,000 rental homes in California, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, and Oregon, across 114 communities. For additional information, visit www.mgproperties.com

SOURCE MG Properties
South Australia Police Trisha Graf

NEED TO KNOW

The disappearance of an Australian woman who was last seen driving in a remote area 3 weeks ago has been declared "suspicious" and a "major" crime

Mom of 2 Trisha Graf, who is 41 years old, was last seen at around 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 12

Graf collided with a kangaroo in her vehicle after leaving a local hotel, her shoes were located by her abandoned vehicle but there is still no sign of her

The disappearance of an Australian woman has been declared a "major crime."

On Tuesday, Jan.6, the South Australia Police confirmed in a press release that 41yearold Trisha Graf was last seen driving along Dunstan Drive, Andamooka  a remote town 385 miles north of Adelaide  at around 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 12.

Following just over three weeks of intensive investigations and extensive ground and air searches, detectives believe Trishas disappearance is suspicious, the release read.

Authorities added, Trisha was at the Roxby Downs hotel at 12.19 a.m. on Friday, 12 December. She left a short time later and was driving a white 2012 Ford Territory, SA registration S254BCX, accompanied by a friend.

Graf  who is a mother-of-two, according to news.com.au, 9News, and Australian news outlet The Nightly  collided with a kangaroo after leaving the hotel and driving from Roxby Downs to Andamooka, police said.

The collision occurred near the Andamooka Township, authorities revealed in the release.

PEOPLE has contacted the South Australia Police and Roxby Downs Hotel for further information but did not immediately receive a response.

South Australia Police Trisha Graf vehicle near the Blue Dam east of Andamooka

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After striking the kangaroo Trisha and her friend continued onto Andamooka where they visited a home in the north-western area of the town, the release continued. After a short time Trisha left just before 2am to travel the short distance home. Trisha was last seen driving along Dunstan Drive, Andamooka.

Grafs partner and friend went on to look for her at around midday on Dec. 12, before locating the missing womans Ford Territory, which was perched on a dirt mound near the Blue Dam east of Andamooka.

The vehicle had accident damage caused by the collision with the kangaroo [and] was unable to be driven because of its location on the dirt mound, police said.

Police and State Emergency Service carried out an initial ground and aerial search in the area for Graf.

South Australia Police Trisha Graf vehicle near the Blue Dam east of Andamooka

Members of the Andamooka community then searched with Police divers also assisting in the operation.

According to the release, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, Major Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge, said authorities have grave concerns over Graf's welfare.

Since Trisha was last seen there have been significant investigations and several detailed, thorough searches conducted in an effort to locate her, Det. Superintendent Fielke said.

Her thongs [sandals] were found with her vehicle and we would have expected to locate her if she had simply wandered off a short distance, he added. Taking this step in the investigation will allow more specialist resources to be committed to both determine what has happened to Trisha and locate her.

We are still seeking information from people who were with Trisha at the Roxby Downs Hotel shortly before her disappearance and those who saw her after she returned to Andamooka, Fielke concluded.

Read the original article on People
18th Judicial District Attorney's Office via AP Kiarra Jones

NEED TO KNOW

A former school bus aide in Colorado pleaded guilty to a dozen charges in connection with the abuse of multiple nonverbal students with autism in 2024

Kiarra Jones, 30, pleaded guilty to 10 felony charges of third-degree assault of an at-risk child and two misdemeanor charges of child abuse

Families of the victims called Jones's actions "cruel" and alleged the former school bus aide showed a lack of "humanity"

A former school bus aide in Colorado pleaded guilty this week to assaulting multiple nonverbal children with autism two years ago, authorities said.

Former Littleton Public Schools aide Kiarra Jones pleaded guilty to 10 felony charges of third-degree assault of an at-risk child and two misdemeanor charges of child abuse on Monday, the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District in Arapahoe County announced in a statement.

The statement said a criminal investigation was launched after a parent of a nonverbal boy with autism said her son came home with bruises on his foot that were not there the previous day and asked the school to show her surveillance video from the buss security camera.

The director reviewed footage and discovered the boy had been physically assaulted on the bus by Jones, the statement said. Further review of bus security footage revealed Jones assaulted the same nonverbal student on multiple occasions dating back to February 2024.



Jones, 30, was accused by authorities of assaulting three nonverbal students who have autism.

Joness underlying assaults were not just criminal, they were cruel, the attorneys for family members who had students impacted by Joness assault said in a statement to PEOPLE on Tuesday.

What was done to our son was not a mistake, not a lapse in judgment, and not an accident. It was blatant, cruel, and carried out without an ounce of humanity, the parents of one child said in an additional statement provided to PEOPLE by their attorneys. No guilty plea, no sentence, and no amount of time will ever be enough to account for the pain she caused our son and the damage she inflicted on our family. We cannot imagine she feels the severity of her actions as she has been free to live her life as if nothing has happened and will continue to do so for the next couple months, but we pray that it is beginning to set in for her.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

David Zalubowski/AP Jessica Vestal and Devon Vestal speak during a news conference

The former school aide initially pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and was set to face a five-day criminal trial starting this week before she reached the plea deal with prosecutors on Monday.

These children could not speak for themselves, and it was our duty to stand up for them, Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo said, according to the district attorneys office's statement. Todays guilty plea ensures accountability while allowing the court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crimes.

Jones is set to be sentenced on March 18 and faces up to 15 years in prison, the district attorneys office said in its statement.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Read the original article on People
For years, Democrats insisted they had a political lock on Hispanic voters. They claimed to understand our values, our aspirations, and our challenges. The presidential election of 2024 shattered this illusion. Hispanic Americans are no longer buying what Democrats are selling.

We believe in the promise of America, not the politics of division. We believe in strong families rooted in faith, safe communities, secure borders, and the American dream. That is why Hispanic voters helped President Trump cross the finish line and win back the White House.

As a Hispanic conservative from Texas, I see this shift everywhere I go. It is happening in our churches, in our small businesses, in our neighborhoods, and around our kitchen tables. It is a movement rooted in lived experience. We know what it means to work hard, to play by the rules, and to fight for a better future for our children. We have grown tired of the failed leadership that has made life harder for working families.

For four years under the Biden administrations economic policy, Hispanic families in Texas and across America felt the financial squeeze. Groceries cost more. Rent costs more. Energy costs more. Everything costs more. Washingtons reckless spending and anti-business agenda have driven up prices and driven down our opportunity.

Trump has promised to reverse this, restore affordability, and rebuild an economy that puts American workers first. I believe in that mission, I believed last year when I worked for his campaign in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and helped deliver it.

Border security is another issue where Democrats pretend to speak for Hispanic voters while ignoring our actual views. Hispanic communities like mine understand that a secure border is essential to protecting our neighborhoods, our jobs, and our future. We believe in the rule of law and in legal immigration, but we reject the idea that anyone can break into our country and demand special treatment.

Even more insulting is the Democrats habit of treating U.S. Hispanics and illegal immigrants as if they were the same  as though we shared the identical values or worldviews on immigration. Democrats may not want to admit it, but most Hispanic families in the U.S. support strong borders because we know that chaos is not compassion and lawlessness is not opportunity. Trump has always understood this and campaigned on it. It is why many heavily Hispanic counties in Texas went for him overwhelmingly in 2024, despite having never previously supported Republicans for president.

We also know that America cannot thrive if nothing is built here anymore. Our nation has lost good manufacturing jobs to foreign competitors while politicians in Washington shrug and send our jobs to countries that wish to undermine us. Hispanic workers want what everyone else wants: strong jobs, strong wages, safe homes, good schools and a strong nation that produces, builds, and innovates. Trump is committed to restoring American industry and bringing jobs back home.

Those of us in this new generation of Hispanic conservatives are proud of our heritage and of our country. We do not buy into the Democrats narrative that success in America is impossible. We know the American dream is real because our families lived it. Now we want to defend it.

Multi-generational Hispanic Texans are prime examples of assimilation and hard work that make up the fabric of our nation. We helped re-elect Trump because we want a nation that rewards hard work, secures our borders, lowers the cost of living, and brings American jobs back home. I intend to work with Trump to deliver exactly that. We are not spoken for by Democrats in Washington, but we will be heard loud and clear by Republican leaders who respect our values and our future.

Josh Cortez, a former professor and senior staffer for a Republican member of Congress, is a candidate for U.S. House in Texass newly drawn 35th Congressional District.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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College students work together at a study table in a library. Photo: Kampus Production / Pexels

(The Center Square)  The American Association of University Professors at the University of Oklahoma sent a letter asking President Joseph Harroz to further explain the removal of a teaching assistant after claims of religious discrimination against a student.

In the letter, AAUP highlights that there is no evidence to justify the removal of the TA and that academic freedom is essential for staff and faculty to grade material without fear of losing their jobs.

"We have yet to see any evidence to support the findings of 'arbitrary' grading in this case, the letter states. Yet, even if such a conclusion was justified, dismissing a graduate student from instructional duties on a first offense is not an appropriate response."

In November, a University of Oklahoma student, Samantha Fulnecky, referenced the Bible many times throughout her college essay, stating that society is harming American youth.

After receiving a 0 out of 25 grade, Fulnecky filed a religious discrimination complaint against Mel Curth, a graduate teaching assistant at the university, known as OU. In December, Curth was removed from the classroom and placed on leave.

Now, AAUP at OU wants an explanation regarding the process that led to Curths removal, with a petition titled Defend OU Instructors and Academic Freedom, calling for the administration to reaffirm its commitment to academic freedom.

The OU administration may view their actions as the best strategy to mitigate institutional risk, but it comes at the expense of the educators and researchers who make our university function, the petition states. When the University fails to defend these principles against attacks, it chills intellectual expression and increases the risk to faculty and graduate students.

The petition calls for OU to release full details on the policies that resulted in Curths removal, publicly reaffirm the right for faculty and instructors to teach and grade without political interference and work with the campus community to develop a Harassment Response and Prevention Plan that would include clear guidelines in responding to political attacks.

OUs failure to stand up for its expressed commitment to academic freedom or defend the instructor from targeted harassment reveals the need for faculty, staff, students, and the wider community to unite in defense of our university and shared values, the petition states.

The AAUP's letter to President Harroz included a digital petition with 24,619 signatures, with the goal of 25,600.

"It's not just about the grade, it's the principle behind it, and what the university is allowing," Fulnecky said in a statement. "I write them all the same, all the exact same. The TA has never had a problem with how I write my papers in this class."

The Center Square reached out to the president's office at OU and AAUP, but did not receive a response.
Republican U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California died after suffering a medical emergency on Jan. 5, officials said. He was 65.

Sheriff's deputies responded to LaMalfa's home at 6:50 p.m. on Jan. 5 for a report of a medical emergency, according to a statement from Butte County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Megan McMann.

LaMalfa was taken to Enloe Hospital in Chico, California, where he died during surgery. A cause of death was not immediately released.

LaMalfa represented California's 1st Congressional District, which stretches from the Oregon border down through Shasta, Butte and Yuba counties, and includes the cities of Redding and areas north of Sacramento. He served in the California State Assembly and State Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.

With LaMalfa's death and the recent resignation of former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the GOP's majority in the House falls to 218-213.

See moments from Doug LaMalfa's career in politics Republican U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California has died, lawmakers confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Seen here , LaMalfa speaks during a press conference at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 20, 2025.

Trump gives condolences to LaMalfa's family

President Donald Trump offered his condolences to LaMalfas family during a speech on Jan. 6 to House Republicans. Trump said he considered canceling the speech in his honor but chose to carry on.

I was really saddened by his passing, Trump said. Our hearts go out to his wife Jill and his entire family.

Trump complimented LaMalfa for voting with his priorities  and not requiring a persuasive phone call to approve legislation.

With Doug, I never had to call, Trump said.

House Democrats acknowledged LaMalfa's death and held a moment of silence at an unofficial hearing on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot inside the Capitol, Reuters reported.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa was a devoted public servant who deeply loved his country, his state, and the communities he represented. While we often approached issues from different perspectives, he fought every day for the people of California with conviction and care. He will be pic.twitter.com/drjhAEv1Yo  Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 6, 2026

"Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa," Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, posted on social media on Jan. 6. "Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America. Our prayers are with Dougs wife, Jill, and their children."

Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, also released a statement about LaMalfa's death:

I am deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and close friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa," the statement said. "Doug was a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California."

Conway for Congress? Trump foe George Conway announces bid for NY seat

LaMalfa recently praised Venezuela attack

A fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner from Northern California, LaMalfa "attended local schools and grew up learning the value of hard work and community service," his online congressional bio says.

Over the weekend, LaMalfa praised the Trump administration's attack on Venezuela.

"Todays surgical strike was an amazing display of American military power and precision. I am grateful no Americans were lost in the operation," the late congressman wrote in a Jan. 3 post on X.

US Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) speaks during a press conference at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on February 20, 2025.

"Todays actions send a clear message to the world and those who seek to challenge America, that we arent going to make the mistakes of the past," the post continues. "We are putting the best and most lethal in charge- not those who would call our adversaries to 'give them a heads up.' I look forward to further briefings on the raid and what the Presidents plans are for the next steps for securing the western hemisphere from further crimes against freedom loving people."

Contributing: Joey Garrison and The Record Searchlight, part of the USA TODAY Network

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa dies at 65
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro listens during a meeting.Photo: Kremlin.ru / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square)  Southwestern members of Congress reacted along party lines after the U.S. military captured Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, supports the Trump administrations actions on Saturday, which included a military strike on the capital city of Caracas and the arrest of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The couple was flown out of Venezuela and taken to New York City, where they pleaded not guilty Monday in a federal court to drug and weapons charges.

"As an America First Republican, I believe our foremost responsibility is to protect the safety, sovereignty and future of the American people, Hamadeh told The Center Square. That means confronting threats decisively, not appeasing them or allowing chaos to spill across our borders.

Hamadeh, a former U.S. Army Reserve captain and intelligence officer, said Maduro is not a legitimate leader.

The congressman called Maduro the brutal head of a criminal drug cartel masquerading as a government, one that has oppressed its own people and fueled the flow of deadly narcotics into the United States.

President Trumps decisive action sends a clear message that the United States will defend its backyard and will not tolerate narco-dictators who destabilize our hemisphere, Hamadeh told The Center Square. This is peace through strength in action, confronting danger at its source before it reaches American communities. Strong leadership like this restores order, protects lives and reasserts American resolve on the world stage."

After months of airstrikes on alleged drug boats from Venezuela, the United States carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela in the overnight hours Saturday, capturing Maduro and his wife. President Donald Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social and noted the operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, does not agree with Trumps actions.

The President of the United States just overthrew a foreign ruler and explained to the American people that this is about taking control of the oil reserves of a foreign nation, Kelly said in a statement Saturday. He said that the U.S. will 'run the country' until a proper transition can take place and went right into how U.S. oil companies will benefit from this takeover.

Kelly, a retired Navy combat pilot who made headlines last fall for urging military service members to disobey illegal orders, went on to say that Trump does not understand the risks and costs involved with these poorly thought-out decisions that do not make Americans any safer.

Nicolas Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator who deserves to face justice, said Kelly, a former astronaut. I want the people of Venezuela to be free to choose their own future, but if we learned anything from the Iraq war, its that dropping bombs or toppling a leader does not guarantee democracy, stability or make Americans safer.

According to Kelly, such actions more often leads to chaos or drags the U.S. into a war and lengthy occupation for which the senator does not think the Trump administration has a plan, timeline or price tag.

Kelly is not alone in his criticism. U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, and Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, issued similar statements.

In a post on X, Bennet agreed that Maduro is an illegitimate, brutal leader who lost, then stole the 2024 elections in Venezuela.

Nevertheless, as a member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, I have seen no evidence justifying the administration acting alone without Congressional authorization, said Bennet. I certainly have seen no justification for putting U.S. troops on the ground to 'run the country' or rebuild and exploit Venezuelas oil infrastructure for our own economic purposes.

Rosen agreed with Bennet's description of Maduro and added, The Trump administration needs to be held accountable and explain why it lied to us when it claimed in its briefings that regime change was not the U.S. goal in Venezuela.

Congress must also pass Senator Kaines bipartisan War Powers Resolution next week to prohibit Donald Trump from carrying out additional strikes without our input, said Rosen in a press release.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, introduced the War Powers Resolution in early December to block the use of U.S. military service members to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. At the time, Trump was saying that land strikes in Venezuela were imminent.

We should not be risking the lives of our nations service members to engage in military action within Venezuela without a robust debate in Congress, said Kaine in a Dec. 3 statement. This is why the Framers gave the power to declare war to Congress, not the President.

Co-sponsors of the War Powers Resolution on Venezuela include Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-New York; U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California.

Schiff on Saturday commented about the U.S. strike in Venezuela.

Nicolas Maduro was a thug and an illegitimate leader of Venezuela, terrorizing and oppressing its people for far too long and forcing many to leave the country," Schiff said in a statement.

"But starting a war to remove Maduro doesnt just continue Donald Trumps trampling of the Constitution, it further erodes Americas standing on the world stage and risks our adversaries mirroring this brazen illegal escalation," he said.

Acting without Congressional approval or the buy-in of the public, Trump risks plunging a hemisphere into chaos and has broken his promise to end wars instead of starting them," Schiff said.

But U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-California, thinks Trump did America and the world a favor.

The United States, Venezuela, and the entire Western Hemisphere and international order are immeasurably better off with Nicolas Maduro removed from power, Kiley posted Saturday on X. Today marks the end of Maduros illegitimate rule and narco terrorist reign, and the beginning of a legal process for bringing him to justice.

Kiley also said Maduro's capture gives the people of Venezuela a chance at a new beginning with democracy, freedom and prosperity instead of dictatorship, socialism and poverty.

The role of the United States in helping usher in that future must integrally involve Congress moving forward, said Kiley. Thank you to our incredible service members who carried out this operation with unmatched skill and courage.
bigjom jom / Shutterstock.com (bigjom jom / Shutterstock.com)

Quick Read

EDIV delivered 144% total returns over 10 years, beating the broader emerging markets EEM fund by 29 percentage points.

The fund distributed $1.84 per share in 2025, up 32% from the prior year.

EDIV lagged in 2025 with 17% gains versus EEMs 39% surge during a growth-driven rally.

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Emerging markets dividend stocks rarely grab headlines, but investors focused on income generation in 2026 should pay attention. The SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:EDIV) combines a 4.5% yield with exposure to a segment of global markets that many forecasters view favorably this year.

Built for Income Investors Seeking Global Diversification

EDIV solves a specific portfolio problem: capturing dividend income from emerging markets without concentrated country or sector risk. The fund tracks the S&P Emerging Markets Dividend Opportunities Index, holding over 100 stocks across South Africa, Brazil, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Middle East. No single holding exceeds 4% of assets.

The return engine is straightforward. Companies generate cash and distribute it as dividends. The fund's 4.5% yield comes primarily from financials and telecommunications firms in developing economies where dividend payout ratios tend to be higher than in U.S. growth stocks. In 2025, EDIV distributed $1.84 per share to investors, up 32% from the prior year.

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This infographic provides a simple guide to the SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (EDIV), detailing its operational mechanics, suitable use cases for investors, and a balanced overview of its pros and cons.

Long-Term Track Record Beats Broader Emerging Markets

Over the past decade, EDIV delivered 144% total returns, outperforming the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM) by 29 percentage points. The five-year comparison is even more striking, with EDIV up 76% versus EEM's 27%.

However, 2025 showed a reversal. EEM surged 39% while EDIV gained 17%. This gap reflects EDIV's value-oriented approach. When emerging markets rally on growth expectations, dividend-focused strategies tend to lag. The question for 2026 is whether income stability or price appreciation will matter more to investors.

The Tradeoffs: Volatility, Concentration, and Tax Complexity

EDIV's 0.49% expense ratio is reasonable but not cheap. The fund carries emerging markets risks: currency fluctuations, political instability, and less liquid trading in underlying stocks. The 90% portfolio turnover rate means frequent rebalancing, which can trigger short-term capital gains.

Sector concentration is another consideration. Financials dominate the top holdings, with banks from South Africa, Brazil, and Malaysia representing a significant portion of assets. If emerging markets banking sectors face credit stress or regulatory pressure, EDIV's income stream could compress quickly.

Not for Growth-Focused or Short-Term Traders

EDIV is not appropriate for investors prioritizing capital appreciation over income. Those seeking exposure to emerging markets technology or consumer growth stories will find better fits elsewhere. Similarly, traders looking for momentum plays should avoid this fund. The dividend focus means EDIV will underperform during sharp emerging markets rallies driven by growth sectors.

Consider EEM for Broader Exposure

For investors wanting emerging markets exposure without the dividend filter, EEM offers a compelling alternative. With $20.6 billion in assets versus EDIV's $931 million, EEM provides significantly better liquidity. The expense ratio is lower at 0.72%, and the fund holds major technology and consumer names like Tencent and Samsung that EDIV largely excludes. The tradeoff is yield: EEM pays just 1.4% compared to EDIV's 4.5%. EDIV works best as an income sleeve within a diversified portfolio, offering exposure to emerging markets cash flows with above-average yield, but investors must accept sector concentration and the likelihood of lagging during growth-driven rallies.

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White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller defended President Donald Trumps bullish attitude about acquiring Greenland on Monday, questioning the validity of Denmark's territorial claim.

The Trump administrations daring operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sent geopolitical shockwaves around the world over the weekend, with leaders questioning what he might do next.

Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, went on to hint at possible geopolitical shakeups for Colombia and Greenland as well.

Miller was questioned by CNN's Jake Tapper about his wife Katie's social media post saying "SOON" as the caption alongside a map of Greenland in American flag colors. Tapper then asked Miller if he would rule out the prospect of Trump moving to acquire Greenland by force.

The Briefing: How Capitol Hill Reacted To News Of Nicolas Maduro's Capture

White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller scoffed at the idea that Denmark would fight for the future of Greenland. (Getty Images)

"Well, let me go back a step. The president has been clear for months now," Miller said. "So I know youre treating this as breaking news. The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus."

Read On The Fox News App

He added further, "It has been the formal position of the U.S. government since the beginning of this administration, frankly, going back into the previous Trump administration, that Greenland should be part of the United States. The president has been very clear about that. That is the formal position of the U.S. government."

"Right. But can you say that military action against Greenland is off the table?" Tapper asked.

Miller scoffed at the idea, noting Greenland has a tiny population.

Colombian President Petro Threatens Military Response After Trump Warns Colombia May Be Next Target

President Donald Trump's capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro sent shockwaves across the world.

"It wouldnt be military action against Greenland," he said. "Greenland has a population of 30,000 people, Jake. The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?"

He went on to argue that the United States, as the major military power of the NATO alliance, is securing the best interests of all involved by acquiring the territory.

"For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States," he said. "And so thats a conversation that were going to have as a country. Thats a process were going to have as a community of nations."

"So you can't take it off the table that the U.S. would use military force to seize Greenland?" Tapper asked.

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President Donald Trump. (Getty Images)

Miller chuckled and mocked Tapper, claiming that he was fishing to get an exciting headline for his show. Tapper responded he was merely trying to get a straight answer to his question.

"The United States should have Greenland as part of the United States," Miller said. "Theres no need to even think or talk about this in the context that youre asking, of a military operation. Nobodys going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland."





Original article source: Stephen Miller dismisses the idea Denmark would fight for Greenland, claims it should be part of the US
A North Carolina emblem features the state flag, a cardinal, and dogwood flowers, symbolizing the Tarheel State. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  North Carolina is nationally No. 1 in workforce development, No. 3 in best states for manufacturing projects, No. 6 in best business climate, and placed the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro No. 21 for best tech hub, a leading publication for economic development says.

Site Selection magazine released the rankings this week. Its another solid showing for varied measurements in a state that is ninth largest at more than 11 million and politically solid purple with patterns favoring both major parties, each of which is dwarfed by the number of people proclaiming unaffiliated status.

If youre ready to graduate your companys operations to the next level on a foundation of skills and talent, North Carolina is a good place to enroll, writes Adam Bruns, the editor in chief.

Bruns said the publication uses its Conway Projects Database of corporate end-user facility investment projects to take the measure of regional economic development agencies. So, it only makes sense that any measure of state workforce development takes into account that workforces prowess, whether measured by credentials, certificates, and degrees; technical skills and productivity; or something equally important to employee and employer alike: return on investment.

To that, Site Selection has added metrics on skills and credentials with return on investment and value. Bureau of Labor Statistics workforce productivity measures are also in the mix.

Utah, Illinois, Michigan and California rounded out the top five.

The Tarheel State trailed Texas and South Carolina for the best states for manufacturing projects. In best business climate, Texas was again atop the list followed by Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Tennessee.

North Carolina had been No. 2 behind Texas last year for the best business climate.

The Charlotte area's No. 21 spot on the tech hub list is a two-spot drop from a year ago. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington swapped places with Washington-Arlington-Alexandria to lead this year. Atlanta was third, same as a year ago.

Investment records were set within a single month last year. Jet Zero, backed by incentives of more than $1.5 billion from North Carolina's government, promised more than 14,000 jobs and $4.7 billion in capital investment. Guilford County commissioners kicked in another $76 million of incentives.

North Carolina later in June landed one of the Big Five when Amazon said it would invest $10 billion toward its Amazon Web Services data center supply chain. The global technology company, replete with e-commerce, digital streaming and online advertising, said a minimum of 500 jobs in high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence are coming to an innovation campus in Richmond County along the South Carolina border.

Such jobs will be data center engineers, network specialists, engineering operations managers, security specialists, and other technical roles.

North Carolina's Republican majorities in the General Assembly have done a major overhaul to the economic development climate in their 15 years leading on Jones Street. Annual migration numbers from the federal government are testimony to the state's perennial position among the top three in enticing other Americans to move somewhere between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

For 2026, the individual income tax drops to 3.99% from 4.25%, and the corporate rate drops to 2.25% from 2.5%. In 2010, when Republicans took majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly for the first time in 140 years since Reconstruction, North Carolinians were on an individual income tax system with rates of 6%, 7% and 7.75%, with potential for a surtax on higher earners, and businesses had a corporate income tax rate of 6.9%.

In 2025, North Carolina was No. 1 for the third time in four years in CNBCs Americas Top State for Business rankings. Area Development magazine honored with its Platinum Shovel Award to the state.
Location, location, location: Greenlands position above the Arctic Circle makes the worlds largest island a key part of security strategy.

Increasing international tensions, global warming and the changing world economy have put Greenland at the heart of the debate over global trade and security, and U.S. President Donald Trump wants to make sure his country controls the mineral-rich island that guards the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America.

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally that has rejected Trumps overtures. Greenlands own government also opposes U.S. designs on the island, saying the people of Greenland will decide their own future.

The island, 80% of which lies above the Arctic Circle, is home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit people who until now have been largely ignored by the rest of the world.

Heres why Greenland is strategically important to Arctic security:

Greenlands location is key

Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That has made it crucial to the defense of North America since World War II, when the U.S. occupied Greenland to ensure it didnt fall into the hands of Nazi Germany and to protect crucial North Atlantic shipping lanes.

Following the Cold War, the Arctic was largely an area of international cooperation. But climate change is thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the regions mineral resources.

Security threats

In 2018, China declared itself a near-Arctic state in an effort to gain more influence in the region. China has also announced plans to build a Polar Silk Road as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative, which has created economic links with countries around the world.

Then U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected Chinas move, saying: Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims?

Meanwhile, Russia has sought to assert its influence over wide areas of the Arctic in competition with the U.S., Canada, Denmark and Norway. Moscow has also sought to boost its military presence in the polar region, home to its Northern Fleet and a site where the Soviet Union tested nuclear weapons. Russian military officials have said that the site is ready for resuming the tests, if necessary.

Russia's military has been restoring old Soviet infrastructure in the Arctic and building new facilities. Since 2014, the Russian military has opened several military bases in the Arctic and worked on reconstructing airfields.

European leaders concerns have been heightened since Russia launched a war in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that Moscow is worried about NATOs activities in the Arctic and will respond by strengthening the capability of its armed forces there. But he said that Moscow was holding the door open to broader international cooperation in the region.

U.S. military presence

The U.S. Department of Defense operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which was built after the U.S. and Denmark signed the Defense of Greenland Treaty in 1951. It supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the U.S. and NATO.

Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.

Thomas Crosbie, an associate professor of military operations at the Royal Danish Defense College, said that an American takeover wouldn't improve upon Washingtons current security strategy.

The United States will gain no advantage if its flag is flying in Nuuk (Greenland's capital) versus the Greenlandic flag, he told The Associated Press. Theres no benefits to them because they already enjoy all of the advantages they want.

"If theres any specific security access that they want to improve American security, theyll be given it as a matter of course, as a trusted ally. So this has nothing to do with improving national security for the United States.

Denmarks parliament approved a bill last June to allow U.S. military bases on Danish soil. It widened a previous military agreement, made in 2023 with the Biden administration, where U.S. troops had broad access to Danish air bases in the Scandinavian country.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen, in a response to lawmakers questions, wrote over the summer that Denmark would be able to terminate the agreement if the U.S. tries to annex all or part of Greenland.

Danish armed forces in Greenland

Denmark is moving to strengthen its military presence around Greenland and in the wider North Atlantic. Last year, the government announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner ($2.3 billion) agreement with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, another self-governing territory of Denmark, to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region.

The plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capacity.

Denmarks Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Nuuk, and tasked with the surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defense of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, according to its website. It has smaller satellite stations across the island.

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also stationed in Greenland.

Mineral wealth

Greenland is also a rich source of the so-called rare earth minerals that are a key component of cellphones, computers, batteries and other high-tech gadgets that are expected to power the worlds economy in the coming decades.

That has attracted the interest of the U.S. and other Western powers as they try to ease Chinas dominance of the market for these critical minerals.

Development of Greenlands mineral resources is challenging because of the islands harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors.

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Dasha Litvinova contributed to this report from Tallinn, Estonia.